01042022 NEWS, SPORT AND BUSINESS

NO CHINA LIMIT AS COVID CASES RISE

Health Minister says officials are closely monitoring situation

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

HEALTH and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville said yesterday the government currently has no plans to impose COVID-19 testing requirements for travellers coming from China after a surge in cases there.

However, he also noted

this could change as officials continue to closely monitor the situation.

In recent weeks, more than a dozen countries, including the US, UK and other European nations, have announced new testing measures for passengers from China as the nation battles an outbreak of COVID-19.

BUSINESS LICENCE PERIL IF YOUR LANDLORD HASN’T PAID TAXES

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIAN companies will have their 2023 business licence renewals withheld if they fail to comply with the government’s crackdown on tax dodging commercial property landlords, it was confirmed yesterday.

The Davis administration is demanding all businesses provide the real property tax assessment number for the building from which they operate even if they are merely tenants, while

warning failure to do so could delay or impact the processing of business licence renewal submissions that are due within 27 days at January’s end.

The joint objective of the Ministry of Finance and Department of Inland Revenue is to boost both business licence and real property tax revenue.

However, companies have been assured existing real property tax arrears will not impact licence renewals.

By NEIL HARTNELL

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

LABOUR and Immigration Minister Keith Bell said officials anticipate a “very significant” influx of migrants from Haiti and Cuba to The Bahamas in the days ahead amid growing economic turmoil in the two countries.

He said law enforcement officials will remain on high alert for migration activity

and also committed his ministry to ensuring “that anyone who comes here through illegal means” will

be repatriated as quickly as possible.

Much like The Bahamas, the US, particularly the Florida Keys, has seen a marked increase in migration activity over the last several months, which has resulted in hundreds of interceptions.

Most of the migrants are said to be from Cuba and Haiti who are escaping food shortages and rising inflation, among other issues.

Photo: Vandyke Hepburn

Knights march to GB victory

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

PLATINUM Knights captured its fifth consecutive win in the New Year’s Day Junkanoo Parade in Grand Bahama, dominating with a lead of more than 130 points ahead of rival Superstar Rockers.

Leader Thomas Curry, Jr, was showered with champagne by group members in celebration of their victory following the announcement of results on Tuesday evening at the CA Smith Government Complex.

Under the theme, ‘Cheers to 10 Years, Drinks On Us,’ the Knights celebrated their 10th milestone as a group partying the night away with costumes featuring a variety of popular beverages.

Grand Bahama fans were mesmerised by the large elaborate colourful costumes, and got up from their seats to cheer as the group rushed along the parade route on Pioneers Way, Monday evening. Thousands turned out

in full force to support the parade after a three-year hiatus. Tickets for bleacher seating were sold out.

Nine groups participated this year – four in the A Division category, four in B Division Category, and one fun group.

Tourism, Aviation and Investment Minister Chester Cooper attended the parade and was very impressed with the performances, and the turnout of locals and visitors.

I am happy to be in GB, he said. It is an opportunity really to see GB talent in fine form. I am pretty impressed with what I see here tonight…to see the talent, music, art, and culture come out in full force,” he said.

Mr Cooper noted that after a three-year break in GB, it is good to see so many people excited about the return of Junkanoo.

A police officer estimated the crowd at 10,000.

“This is a great opportunity really for everyone to come out,” Mr Cooper said.

It’s been a difficult two years and three years for

GB, if you count Dorian, and it is great to see people making money again. This is an opportunity where everyone can come together and have fun; we can experience not just the culture, art and music, but also Bahamian food.”

According to the unofficial results, Platinum Knights was in first place, with total points of 2,950.

Of the eight categories, the group took six, grabbing Best Music, Best Costume As a Group; Best Group

Performance; Execution of Theme, Best Performance in Showtime; Best Individual Lead Costume, and took second in the Banner and Choreograph Dancers.

Superstar Rockers came second, with 2,820 points; Swingers followed in third, with 2,762 points; and Classic Dancers finished fourth, with 1,951 points.

The unofficial results for the B Division saw Showtime in first place, with 1,843 points; second was Kingdom Ambassadors, with 1,632 points; Bushwachers, 1,157 points; and Sting with 1,107 points.

And a new fun group, ‘Da Women Dem,’ the first ever female Junkanoo group to be formed debuted with a cake cutting on the parade route by the Minister for Grand Bahama, Ginger Moxey.

Under the theme, ‘I’m Every Woman,’ group members were dressed in various professional attire, and represented The Golden Girls 4x1 Olympic Relay Gold Medal winners, Shaunae Miller-Uibo, and Jonquel Jones-WNBA MVP.

“This was a rough one, sponsorship was really hard, and everyone went down in their pockets to make this happen,” he said. We were confident that we would get the five; we did our work, and we came out on top,” he said.

“I want to say a big thank you for the sponsors that helped us get there.”

“I see that GB love us and I watched as we came down Pioneer’s Way, everybody stood to their feet and it was such a good feeling. I was exhausted from working in the shack, and I had no strength in my legs, but it gave me strength to carrying on and put on a great show.”

Mr Curry indicated that PK is looking to participate on Bay Street, in Nassau, soon, and called for

continued support of the organisation.

“We are getting ready to go to Nassau soon to shake up the town. I am pretty confident in this group of young people I have behind me. Once we get the funding, we will shake up the big boys, give us a chance and we will show you.”

Mr Curry said Grand Bahama has been through a lot. “God is good, he said. Winning five straight means a lot. Just last week I received the Legend jacket at age 45. You never get that until you are 50 or 60 year, but The Bahamas saw what this organisation was doing, and I was inducted in the Junkanoo legend circle,” he said.

Mr Curry said PK is growing and there is so much interest by persons wanting to join the group.

“We are only going to get bigger and better. Before parade I had to turn down 80 persons because the funding was not there. So that could show you PK is on the rise,” he said.

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

HUNDREDS of teachers are still owed back pay, according to Bahamas Union of Teachers president Belinda Wilson.

She said that to date the majority of the members who applied for the retention bonus as per the industrial agreement have received payments ranging from $1,500 to $3,000 respectively.

“We expect the

remainder of the members to receive their retention bonus payments in January 2023. However, the Bahamas Union of Teachers is still very concerned about hundreds of teachers who are owed back pay. Many of whom have attained higher qualifications that more often than not, results in an increment and or a salary adjustment,” she told The Tribune on Thursday last week.

“Some await confirmation, reclassification and reassessment, salary

progressions, salary adjustments, rental allowances, coaching allowances, disturbance allowances, hardship allowances, gratuity, payments for marking national examinations such as BJC, BGCSE and GLAT and other responsibility allowances. I have not received any information that funds have been paid recently.

“I am aware that there is a task force that is dedicated to working and processing files for members of the Bahamas Union

of Teachers and I received an updated list from the queries I submitted to Ministry of Education and the Ministry of the Public Service. There is a meeting scheduled early in the new year to discuss the long list of outstanding Human Resources matters with a view to having them resolved in the shortest time.”

Mrs Wilson reiterated that teachers, teacher’s aides, guidance counselors and librarians are negatively impacted when they

are not receiving the correct salary or no salary or if they are not in receipt of their letters of confirmation.

Last month, Wilson said some teachers in her union are owed an estimated $1.5m in back pay from the government. She previously stated the Department of Education is “really lacking” in the human resources area.

She said this time around there must be improvements made to the human resource process.

“If the BUT asks all

teachers owed funds to withdraw their labour then the full impact of how many teachers are owed monies would be astonishing. We are not asking for money that teachers have not earned. These are funds that they have already worked for.

“I impress upon the Ministry of Education to pay the teachers what is owed to them as soon as possible. Our patience is wearing thin. Education should be the number one priority not a second thought.”

Platinum Knights’ Mr Curry said it was a rough year, but through the grace of God they made it through. He thanked and recognised all the spiritual leaders, his wife, and his group members and sponsors.

FOLLOWING the announcement of the unofficial results on Tuesday evening in Grand Bahama, Platinium Knights leader Thomas Curry, with his wife, and young son, and group members celebrate their fifth consecutive win of the New Year’s Junkanoo Parade. Also pictured are moments from the Platinum Knights parade. Photos: Vandyke Hepburn

PM to discuss support for Haiti with world leaders

By LETRE SWEETING lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis is seeking to meet American and Canadian leaders to discuss support for Haiti, Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said yesterday - while a CARICOM meeting will be held in The Bahamas from February 16-18.

During a Zoom press briefing yesterday, Mr Mitchell spoke on several themes for the six months of Prime Minister Davis’ newly elected post as the

chairman of CARICOM.

Mr Mitchell said that due to both The Bahamas and CARICOM celebrating 50th anniversaries this year: “Some heads of government have agreed that they will come earlier to give them the experience of travelling to other parts of the country.”

The CARICOM Triennial Award for Women will also be granted to Dame Janet Bostwick, former Attorney General and the first woman elected to office in the parliament of The Bahamas, Mr Mitchell said.

Mr Mitchell also said

that the Bahamas government has been engaged with countries, such as the United States and Canada, as well as holding meetings with Haitian officials on the way forward for Haiti and its government.

“The prime ministers have met virtually for, I think, two or three occasions during the month of December and working in concert with the Americans, the Canadians and the Haitians as to how they should move forward,” Mr Mitchell said.

“The Commonwealth of The Bahamas have offered as we did on previous

occasions to host the meeting in The Bahamas and, at this point, I think it has been agreed that the meeting should take place, but we’re trying to settle dates and we’re trying to settle logistics at this time before we move forward.

“So it is very much still a live issue. That’ll be one of the responsibilities of Prime Minister Davis to try and settle a time and place for that meeting and hopefully in The Bahamas.”

Mr Mitchell added that The Bahamas’s interest and ties with the dependent territories of the CARICOM region such as Bermuda, the

British Virgin Islands and Turks and Caicos Islands will continue throughout Mr Davis’ chairmanship.

“There are special ties with those three territories and you would know that since we came to office we’ve been engaged in trying to support their participation in CARICOM, but also to assist in the development their relations both with the ruling power in those countries and to help with the development of their economies and to help with some social factors as well. Our special interest in those three territories will continue.”

On January 1, a statement from Mr Davis was released on the CARICOM website where he expressed several goals that he aims to complete during the six months as CARICOM chairman, including addressing the crisis in Haiti, advocacy on debt relief, the reform of international financial institutions and United Nations support to establish a Multidimensional vulnerability index for fairer criteria for access to concessional development funding.

Meanwhile, the COP28 climate conference is scheduled to take place in November of this year.

MITCHELL TOUTS PROGRESS IN TALKS TO BOOST TOURISM WITH MIDDLE EAST NATIONS

By LETRE SWEETING lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

NEGOTIATIONS with Middle Eastern countries to support tourism to The Bahamas have been going well, with recent agreement signings with Dubai and Saudi Arabia concluded, said Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell yesterday.

During a Zoom press briefing, Mr Mitchell gave an update on agreements made with the United Arab Emirates, and other countries in the Middle East.

Mr Mitchell said despite reluctance from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates in creating a “hub” for international travellers at The Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA), the recently renewed agreement with Dubai to encourage more tourism to The Bahamas goes beyond the previous agreement.

“We have met with both Qatar Airways and with Emirates Airlines. We were trying to encourage them to create a hub at our international airport, The Lynden Pindling International Airport. But one of the things that they indicated was that the numbers of potential travellers as they then stood, did not sufficiently attract the idea of a hub.

year and that agreement has been renewed and this time they’ve gone farther, because it does not only involve their own travel agency, but other airlines and other nationalities to promote travel to The Bahamas and it is signed one year at a time.”

Mr Mitchell said despite the ongoing progress with the Middle Eastern counties, he hopes for more in the future.

“We were able to conclude arrangements with Qatar and The Emirates and we were able to conclude a Visa Abolition Agreement in 2017. (But) there remains to be executed a double taxation agreement and investment agreement. Those are being negotiated at the moment both with Qatar and with the United Arab Emirates,” Mr Mitchell said.

On the recent signing of an agreement for diplomatic relations between The Bahamas and Saudi Arabia, Mr Mitchell said:

“The Saudis have been to The Bahamas, because they are seeking to have our support at the Bureau of International Expositions in Paris, when the vote takes place in November, so that the world’s fair can take place in Saudi Arabia in 2030.”

Chester Cooper, in a video recorded following his trip to the oil-rich Middle Eastern kingdom and World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) global summit, said he and other officials had met with private investors, including a hospital and healthcare developer as part of the Davis administration’s drive to attract increased foreign direct investment (FDI).

Pointing to The Bahamas’ proximity to the US, present air connectivity and existing US pre-clearance and pre-check facilities, Mr Cooper said he hoped “that in the medium-term” direct airlift will be established between this nation and Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, last week, Mr Cooper lodged a formal complaint to the US Department of Transportation over “discrimination” over the collection of fees to use the Bahamian airspace, in response to some US airlines threatening to stop flights to The Bahamas.

16-YEAR-OLD KILLED IN TWO-CAR COLLISION

from page one

The driver of a black Ford Explorer was traveling east along Bernard Road, when they were in collision with a burgundy Suzuki Alto, carrying a front seat passenger, who was traveling west along Bernard Road.

Both vehicles received extensive damage, which resulted in the Jaws of Life being utilised to extricate the injured who were all seriously injured.

All victims were transported to the hospital by

EMS personnel; however, the 16-year-old passenger of the Suzuki Alto later succumbed his injuries and the driver is listed in serious condition.

The driver of the black Ford Explorer was treated and later discharged.

Police, who have not released the victim’s identities, are investigating the matter.

However, The Tribune understands that the victim is Jeno Hanna Jr, a pupil in grade 11 at CC Sweeting school.

David Lockhart of the Royal Bahamas Police Force Traffic Division told The Tribune yesterday that the country’s unconfirmed traffic fatality count for 2022 is 55, which claimed the life of 59 individuals.

In the end of last year, The Ministry of Transport and Housing revealed that in “short order”, it intends to launch a national road safety campaign to reduce traffic fatalities in accordance with the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021 to 2030.

ONE STABBED, ONE SHOT IN INCIDENTS

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A 26-YEAR-OLD

Grand Bahama man is in hospital following a stabbing in Freeport, police reported yesterday.

According to officers, the incident occurred around 12.45am on Monday, January 2.

Police said the man, a resident of Seagrape, Eight Mile Rock, was at a local

nightclub on Logwood Road when he reportedly got into an argument with a man he knows. The victim was stabbed multiple times. He was taken to the Rand Memorial Hospital, where he was in serious, but stable condition.

Police are following significant leads.

In other crime news, a man shot in the face in Bimini has been airlifted to a New Providence

hospital where he is in serious condition.

The shooting occurred on Monday, January 2, shortly after 11pm at a local nightclub in Alice Town.

According to police, the victim, a resident of Kings Highway, was shot by a male suspect known to him. He was taken to the local clinic, and later airlifted to New Providence for further medical treatment.

Investigations are continuing into both incidents.

“But they committed through their travel agencies which are connected to the airlines to support promoting tourism to The Bahamas, so that this would help over the long term to drive up the numbers.

“We signed one agreement right after the exposition in Dubai last

Last month, Tribune Business reported that Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper was targeting Saudi Arabia as a key source of investment capital for The Bahamas with the government seeking to “match” the $6bn worth of projects already approved during its second year.

In a statement, he said: “We intend to formally respond to the complaint and will not litigate the matter in the press. We value the relationships we have built with our tourism partners and always operate with a view to maintaining them and promoting a balanced consultative process.

“We assure the Bahamian people that we will always defend our sovereign right to manage and charge for the use of our airspace; having regard to the internationally held principles of fairness, transparency and cost-relatedness.”

Jarol Investments Limited is seeking to fill the following position:

Surveillance Officers (Nassau)

• Monitor operations to ensure compliance with safety or security policies or regulations. Observe individuals’ activities to gather information or compile evidence.

Operate surveillance equipment to detect suspicious or illegal activities.

• Discuss performance, complaints, or violations with supervisors.

Monitor establishment activities to ensure adherence to all gaming regulations and company policies and procedures.

Observe gaming operations for irregular activities such as cheating or theft by employees or patrons, using audio and video equipment.

• Report all violations and suspicious behaviors to supervisors, verbally or in writing.

• Act as oversight or security agents for management or customers. . Be prepared to work within a shift system

• Retain and file audio and video records of gaming activities in the event that the records need to be used for investigations.

• Perform other related duties as assigned by Management.

Interested persons must require surveillance experience, certification, training, communication skills, attention to detail, ability to work independently and should apply at Jarol Investments Limited Head Office, Prince Charles Drive (Across from Restview) between the hours of 9am to 5pm. Or send your CV to careers@chancesgames.com

Subject: Surveillance Officer – Your Name

Chief Superintendent

MINISTER of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell.

No China limit as COVID cases rise

from page one

US government officials have cited concerns over a lack of data on infections in China and fears about the possibility of new strains emerging, according to international reports.

A new Omicron variant, called XBB, has created some cause for concern.

“Well, as far as we know, we have not gotten any report that the new variant is here,” Dr Darville said before going to a Cabinet meeting yesterday. “I suspect like when the Omicron variant arrived in The Bahamas, the confirmation took a few weeks and few months to determine. But, for us at the Ministry of Health and Wellness, our job is to be ready for any situation. We are operating as if it is in country, even though we may not have a verification at this time.”

“We are watching what’s going on internationally,” Dr Darville added. “We’re looking at our borders. We’re looking at the United States. We’re looking at what’s happening in China, and our EOC (Emergency Operation Centre) and our technical team is very much in tune with the cases.”

He added: “One of the things is over the holiday weekend, we had record amount of tourists visiting the country. This is good for our economy and at

the Ministry of Health, it is our responsibility to mitigate the risk as it relates to COVID-19 and the economy.”

“I believe that we have done a relatively good job at this particular point and with all of our technical team, we will continue to do what we do at the ministry and to assure the Bahamian people that our job is to notify them anytime there is an incident that we believe it is worth reporting but as it stands right now, we are mindful. We are on alert.”

Dr Darville reminded that COVID will likely be with us for a long time, adding that while officials are concerned about numbers rising, they also must be mindful that the country’s economy is still rebounding.

He also explained that if the situation worsens, the government can adopt the health services rules “to put some measures in place”.

This comes after the Ministry of Health announced new precautionary measures have been implemented in the Intensive Care Unit and Neonatal Intensive Care unit following an increase in cases due to virus exposure at the facility.

The hospital’s COVID-19 protocols have been reinstated to only allow for two visitors per patient for a total of 15 minutes per visit.

Dr Darville said the move is a part of the ministry’s strategy to mitigate the effects of COVID-19.

“As far as the hospital is concerned, as of yesterday (Monday), we have 18 cases of COVID-19 in hospital and one case in the ICU,” he added. “We made it very clear in our rules, our COVID rules that we must protect our tertiary institutions, particularly our clinics, and the Princess Margaret Hospital and the Rand Memorial Hospital.”

“You might have noticed that as a result of the case in the ICU, the public hospital authority had to tighten our grips to limit the amount of visitors and the time spent with visitors at the ICU in the hospitals.”

“This is all a part of our strategy to try to mitigate the effects of COVID-19. One of the things I’d like to say is that COVID-19 never really went away.”

He added: “At the hospitals, we have been dealing with situations associated with COVID and I’m pleased to report that we are able to handle the situation as it is today.”

PMH RENOVATIONS ‘TO BE COMPLETED IN WEEKS’

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

RENOVATIONS at Princess Margaret Hospital are on target to be completed in the next several weeks, Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville said yesterday.

The minister gave an update on ongoing works to the hospital’s infrastructure ahead of yesterday’s Cabinet meeting.

“I’m pleased to report over the Christmas holiday our construction crew at the Princess Margaret Hospital, we are currently in the process of renovating male medical to female surgical one, the basement of the eyewall,” he said.

“All of these projects are ongoing and sometime tomorrow we will be in Grand Bahama, where we will issue some contracts as it relates to the modular units that have been sitting in Grand Bahama.”

Dr Darville said the modular units were purchased several months ago, but admitted that there was a delay in setting up the structures due to logistical issues.

“These are hurricaneresistant units. They are prefabricated. They will give additional space to the accident emergency. They would also be able to do a better job for COVID management at the Rand Memorial Hospital and the Princess Margaret Hospital. So, I’m pleased to report to

the Bahamian people that we are on target.“

“And very soon, hopefully, I may be able to take the media on a tour of what we are doing at the hospital.”

Dr Darville said contractors have been working day and night to meet their construction deadline, adding “we believe that this is the only way to get the renovations done.”

It was previously reported that hospital renovations would take place for approximately 14 weeks.

The health minister continued: “It’s very difficult to renovate wards with patients on the wards. You have to move them, you have to disassemble, you have to do demolition, and then you need to come behind and get it done right without putting our patients

and staff at risk.”

Last month, an agreement to allow for the transfer of PMH patients to Doctors Hospital West to facilitate much needed repairs at PMH was announced.

Officials said at the time that some patients will be moved to the facility on Blake Road at a cost of some $2m to $2.5m.

It is not clear how many

patients have been moved from PMH to Doctors Hospital to date.

“I cannot give you an exact amount,” Dr Darville replied when asked about the matter, “but I can tell you as of the weekend we have taken out female surgical one and we had a surplus of influx at our accident emergency.”

“We will be able to give you a better update with

those numbers probably sometime tomorrow, but I can tell you as of yesterday (Monday) and the day before, ambulances as well as support from Doctors Hospital have been moving patients to Doctors Hospital West as part of the agreement as we move ahead with the renovations at the Princess Margaret Hospital.”

Among the departments undergoing renovations include PMH’s Accident and Emergency Department.

“We’re in phase two of that renovation and that should be completed soon and then we have to go into phase three,” Dr Darville added.

Work is also underway to improve several clinics in New Providence, including the Elizabeth Estates clinic, South Beach clinic, the Blue Hill Road clinic and others.

“The other clinics which is our urgent care facilities like the Fleming Street Clinic and Flamingo Gardens is taking the brunt of our primary health care traffic,” the health minister added, “and we are mindful that that is creating a lot of stress on the staff at those facilities, but these steps for renovating the physical plant at the Ministry of Health is absolutely necessary in order to provide the services efficiently and effectively at all of our primary and tertiary healthcare facilities.”

HEALTH and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville pictured yesterday. Photo: Moise Amisial

PRINCESS Margaret Hospital.

NOTICE is hereby given that DAVID HAGAN of P.O Box EE-17090 #10 Monastery Park, Nassau, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twentyeight days from the 4th day of January, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that DANE MARIO HAGAN of P.O. Box EE-17090 Monastery Park, Nassau, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twentyeight days from the 4th day of January, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that CARLINE JOSEPH of John Road, Nassau, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 4th day of January, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

FTX founder pleads not guilty

By Earyel Bowleg Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

FORMER FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried pleaded not guilty in a Manhattan federal court yesterday to charges of cheating investors and looting customer deposits on his cryptocurrency platform.

The 30-year-old appeared before Judge Lewis A Kaplan yesterday, who set a tentative October 2 trial date, although he noted that may alter by a day or two.

Kaplan also decided that motions by the defence and responses to them by prosecutors would be due in April with an argument over the motions taking place on May 18.

Mark Cohen, Bankman-Fried’s attorney, announced his client’s plea, saying: “He pleads not guilty to all counts.”

The Associated Press also reported that prior to his appearance his lawyers sent a letter to the judge, saying Bankman-Fried’s parents in recent weeks have become the target of “intense media scrutiny, harassment, and threats, including communications expressing a desire that they suffer physical harm”.

As a result, the lawyers reportedly requested that the names be redacted on court documents for the two individuals who were lined up to sign Bankman-Fried’s $250m personal recognizance bond. Bankman-Fried was released with electronic monitoring about two weeks ago on the condition that he await trial at his parents’ house in Palo Alto, California.

The businessman is faced with eight fraud charges before the Southern District of New York. These include two counts of wire fraud and two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

He also faces charges of conspiracy to commit commodity fraud, conspiracy to commit security fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and conspiracy to defraud the United States.

FTX co-founder Gary Wang and Alameda Research co-CEO Carolyn Ellison, pleaded guilty to fraud charges and are cooperating with prosecutors.

Their pleas were kept secret until Bankman-Fried was in the air after his extradition from The Bahamas due to fears he might flee.

FTX filed for bankruptcy in the United States in November, starting the unraveling of the crypto giant

‘NO OIL SPILL FROM SHIP’ SAYS ABACO MP

By JADE RUSSELL jrussell@tribunemedia.net

and South

Abaco MP John Pinder denied claims of an oil spill on the south coast of the island, describing it as “erroneous”.

Mr Pinder’s comments yesterday came after the Onego Traveller ship sank in waters in the southern part of Abaco while carrying heavy fuel onboard.

The general cargo ship registered in Antigua and Barbuda, built in 2002, reportedly began taking on water in the ballast water tank area near Hole in the Wall, off South Abaco on Thursday.

“I’ll like to report there is no oil spill that report is erroneous. The slick on top of the water is residue from the dissolving shipment that they were carrying, which is ferix, which is non-toxic, it is more like a corrosive,” Mr Pinder told The Tribune.

Since the Onego Traveller sank, pictures have circulated on social media of there being a large cast of oil in Abaco waters.

The ship was carrying 12 crew members on board along with other cargo such as steel products and heavy fuel and marine gas oil before it sank. The crew members were evacuated from the ship.

In a statement released on Friday, the Ministry of Transport and Housing confirmed that a meeting with members of the National Oil Spill Contingency Advisory Committee (NOSCAC) was held to discuss the way forward.

Mr Pinder said authorities were immediately on the site to facilitate remediation efforts, adding he was very “optimistic” that there will be no long-term

environmental affects in the area.

“The diesel and fuel that they (the ship) were carrying was capped off. There are ships out there that are doing the containment. And they will be extracting the fuels off of the boat from fuel tanks, but they were capped off in time not to have an oil spill,” he said.

He noted that a clean-up team called Resolve Marine was working actively with local authorities to solve the matter and he also visited the site himself.

However, Daphne deGregory-Miaoulis, the Abaco Chamber of Commerce’s president, told Tribune Business there was a slow response to the ship sinking.

“It is unfortunate that the spill happened around the holiday season because Junkanoo season is taking over and everybody seems totally engrossed in that. The response time on this should be on all engines forward, making this a priority,” she said recently.

When asked about Ms Degregory-Miaoulis’ comments, Mr Pinder described them as being “wrong” and “erroneous.”

“The authorities were on top of it. From when they (ship) had distressed to when it was sinking to the beginning of the remediation,” Mr Pinder said.

Ms Degregory-Miaoulis also told Tribune Business there wasn’t enough “skirting” to contain the fuel oil.

“There isn’t enough skirting in the country to contain this spill. I spoke to an official that was over here assessing the spill. We asked the people in Exuma for help and they said their skirting is too small. We then asked the people in Grand Bahama and they didn’t have any. So, the only

which saw the Bahamas headquarters placed into liquidity.

Last month, Bankman-Fried was arrested after he was indicted in the US and then he was extradited to New York. He has since been released on a $250m bond and placed under house arrest at his parents’ home in California.

Meanwhile, US publication Fortune has reported that a taskforce is to be formed in relation to the matter.

It said that Manhattan US Attorney Damian Williams, who is leading the Bankman-Fried case, yesterday announced the formation of a task force of senior prosecutors to handle the investigation and prosecuting matters related to the collapse, made up of members of units probing securities and commodities fraud, public corruption, money laundering and transnational criminal enterprises.

In a statement, Mr Williams said: “The Southern District of New York is working around the clock to respond to the implosion of FTX. It is an all-hands-on-deck moment. We are launching the SDNY FTX Task Force to ensure that this urgent work continues, powered by all of SDNY’s resources and expertise, until justice is done.”

alternative is we have to ask the US for help with skirting,” she said.

Asked about the skirting, Mr Pinder responded: “The ship there that is doing the clean-up and extraction has all the skirting they need, and they have 1000 feet in case of it touching the shore. So, we have all the necessary gear on site to perform the job at hand.”

He said efforts were ongoing in the clean-up and remediation of the area.

He continued: “I am very optimistic that everything will go well, and the clean-up will leave no long-term environmental effects. And putting my eyes on it personally I was able to see that they are out there working non-stop to make sure that the fishing grounds are kept for future generations.”

TEENAGER ACCUSED OF CARJACKING IN NEW YEAR’S EVE ARMED ROBBERY

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A 19-YEAR-OLD youth was remanded to prison in connection with an armed carjacking on New Year’s Eve.

Joel Strachan appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney on a charge of armed robbery.

It is alleged that on December 31, Strachan was armed with a black handgun and, with another person, robbed Tamika Saunders of her black coloured Toyota Wish. The vehicle was valued at $6,000.

As this charge is an indictable offence, the accused was not required to enter a plea in court. He was informed that his matter would proceed to the Supreme Court by way of a Voluntary Bill of Indictment (VBI).

The accused was told that the magistrate lacked the jurisdiction to grant him bail, but he had the right to apply for it through the higher court.

Until bail is granted, he will be held in the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

Strachan’s VBI is scheduled for March 1.

Reinforces company goals and vision to all direct reports and continually implements this strategy into overall communications.

• Supervises, directly and/or indirectly, all Security/Surveillance team members including: selection, training, work direction, safety, communication, counseling, disciplining, performance evaluations and records.

Oversight and training for emergency response procedures such

matters as fires, bomb threats, power outages, and other serious matters or emergencies.

• Directs and monitors the security and safety of customers, employees, facilities, and grounds. Reviews security/surveillance investigations concerning all incidents and issues taking place on property and makes necessary reports and notifies the Assistant COO.

• Checks all security/surveillance reports for accuracy and completeness and ensure timeliness.

• Ensure compliance with department and Company policies and procedures.

FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried leaves Manhattan federal court in New York yesterday after he pleaded not guilty to charges that he cheated investors and looted customer deposits on his cryptocurrency trading platform. Photo: Seth Wenig/AP

CENTRAL

PHOTOGRAPHS supplied to The Tribune yesterday of the scene of the sunken ship. Witnesses reported a “cloud of milky light brown matter” leaking out of a hold near the front of the ship extending “as far as the eye can see looking west” and extending beneath the surface below the oil booms in the area.

Jarol Investments Limited is seeking to fill the following position: Assistant Security Manager (Nassau)

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COVID reminder - and a watchful eye on China

IF it seems to many that COVID-19 has gone away, today is a rude reminder that it is anything but.

Cases are on the rise, precautionary measures including limiting visitors at Princess Margaret Hospital are being introduced again – and then there is the fear over what is happening in China.

For a long time, China has boasted of its zero-COVID approach, clamping down to reduce the numbers of cases to an absolute minimum.

But as the world has been lifting restrictions, China has been an outlier.

The key to lifting restrictions around the world has been vaccination – but China seems to have had less confidence in its vaccines.

While other places were starting to return to normal, or as close to normal as possible, China found itself in the position where lifting those limits risked huge spikes in COVID cases as the outside world came crashing in again.

After protests over the long-running restrictions in place to prevent COVID transmission in a nation struggling to adequately vaccinate to stop the spread of the virus, the decision was made to open up.

What we have seen since then is exactly the spikes that were feared.

So do we put restrictions on travel by people from China?

Well, in that respect we are in part beneficiaries of the actions of other nations. Because those visitors would likely go through another nation first before coming here, limits being imposed by other countries have a knock-on benefit for us. In other words, if the US is already limiting travel for people from China, they have that

hurdle to cross before they can come to us anyway.

Such limits are proving a political challenge in several places around the world, however – with the European Union struggling to present a united front on the matter, the United Kingdom uncertain over what action to take, and other nations taking a wait-and-see approach.

We join that list of nations monitoring what is happening rather than taking action right away.

Along with concerns over spiking numbers in China, there is also alarm at a possible new variant and whether or not it is in The Bahamas as yet.

All of this serves as a cautionary tale that we must not assume that COVID19 has gone away yet.

As of yesterday, 18 people were in hospital with COVID, and one of those in the intensive care unit.

These numbers are not as high as they may have been earlier in the pandemic – but we don’t want them to become worse.

So be cautious and be aware that the number of cases are on the rise again. If you’ve stopped wearing a mask, perhaps pop one back on until the numbers ease again. Keep sanitising, and keep social distance where possible.

We don’t want to go back to lockdowns and hard limits – so a little caution will not go amiss. After all, we don’t want to get back into the situation China is trying to get out of.

As for our officials, we urge them to monitor cases closely indeed, and take appropriate action where necessary.

Too much intervention may be a frustration, but too little may mean life or death.

Readers have say on Junkanoo

AFTER One Family went two straight, winning back-to-back parades on Boxing Day and at New Year, readers had their own say on the return of Junkanoo.

TalRussell said: “I sayeth from that of which I had the privileges’ of personally seethin’ that the Comrade Judges got this one, right.

“It would be an improvement to brung a sunshine change to the populaces’ being left in the darkness over the current judging process — Yes?”

Sheeprunner12 was more critical, saying: “Why judge Junkanoo? Is there worthy prizes to compensate the millions spent on a show that revelers spend in time talent & money?

“This grotesque waste of resources needs to be reeled in, just like how our politicians waste our Treasury monies.”

Bahamianson added: “Yeah, talk about plastics and banning plastic bags but increase your carbon foot print by wasting all of those floats, costume and whatever else. Participants spend a lot.of time in the shack, and the job suffers. They cannot function at work because of countless hours in the shack. Productivity is already piss poor in the country.”

TruetrueBahamian said: “And Kalik has nowhere the taste or Bahamian class as Sands and the BBB group!”

However, Birdiestrachan was more positive, saying: “It was a great show Mr Burnside must be smiling down on them I can hear him now saying I love the Bahamas.”

ThisIsOurs had a response to a call for suggestions on how to make things better, saying: “I heard one of the broadcasters make the comment “we have to figure out how to make this parade better”. It’s not rocket science. Take all the bad, low quality and boring stuff out. Have 2 events, a rush and a “Greatest show”.”

Bahamianson replied: “Take it to the sports center and charge a fee to get in.”

After the Minister of State with responsibility for the National Insurance Board, Myles Laroda, said that the government will have to make a decision this year about the state of the fund, readers also offered their opinions on the issue.

KapunkieUp said: “The article left out the blatant fact of how much the NIB fund has in IOUs - hundreds of millions of dollars owed by other government agencies/companies. So yet again, instead of cleaning house and repaying its debts, government is going to make the people pay more. It’s better in the Bahamas.”

Moncurcool replied: “Spot on. Which clearly means all options are not on the table. Government needs to start with itself first and pay what it owes to the fund before doing what they always like to do - tax the people.”

BMW said: “Government needs to keep their money grubbing hands out of NIB, pay back what they owe and leave it alone !!!!!!!!!!”

BMW then added: “I have been paying into NIB since its inception and I sure as hell want to be able to recieve my due in the next couple of years, Yinna keep your paws out of NIB and pay what you owe!!”

Themessenger said: “Successive governments have milked NIB unmercifully since its inception, how about they divest themselves of all the useless SOE’s. BPL, Bahamasair, ZNS, Water & Sewerage, just to name a few, assuming they can find buyers, and put those millions worth of subsidies into NIB instead. In other words, give us the people, back the money you tief from

RealityCheck said: “The corrupt political ruling class will never cut costs by laying off any of the nonproductive staff at NIB which has one of the most costly and grossly overbloated payrolls of any government run enterprise in our nation. They will instead significantly reduce the level of benefits paid to retirees while greatly increasing the level of contributions required from employers and employees. Then they will be in a position to have NIB hire even more of their loyal supporters.

“Make no mistake about it, the corrupt political ruling class has for decades violated their sacred fiduciary duty and responsibility to ensure NIB prudently invested the contributions taken from honest and hardworking employers and employees.

“Bottom line: Past and present members of the corrupt political ruling class have effectively bankrupted NIB by allowing waste, fraud and corruption to bleed NIB dry as a means of buying votes and unjustly enriching themselves and their cronies. And they now want to take even more of our hard earned money to refill the empty coffers of the bankrupt corpse of NIB so that they can fritter away even more of the people’s life blood. Truly pathetic by every measure of cruelty.”

Hrysippus said: “This national insurance board, ... Lends out more than it can afford... Propping up a failing bank... Like climbing on the Titanic as it sank... Or lending monies to Bahamasair... That disappears like my receding hair...And paying their staff more than they need... And plenty unemployed to feed... Forty nine years of mismanagement.

“They have wasted most that we contributors lent... Sigh.”

our pension funds including interest.”

ONE of the displays as Platinum Knights marched to victory in the Grand Bahama Junkanoo parade.

Photo: Vandyke Hepburn

AMERICAN BIT AND KICKED POLICE WOMAN - AND BROKE OFFICER’S FINGER

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

AN AMERICAN woman who bit a police officer, kicked the officer repeatedly in the face and broke the officer’s finger during an incident at Aura nightclub on New Year’s Day has been ordered to pay $1,500 in compensation.

Rachael Reese, 33, of Tampa, Florida, who was represented by attorney Bjorn Ferguson, stood before Magistrate Samuel McKinney on charges of disorderly behaviour, resisting arrest, assault and causing harm.

At around 3.10am on January 1, WPC 4193 Johnson was dispatched to the Aura nightclub at Atlantis after receiving reports that Reese was being disorderly and had assaulted guard Deonte Charles. Once there, it was said the accused resisted arrest and in the process of fighting back, Reese broke WPC Johnson’s finger.

It is reported that the accused bit the police officer during their altercation and kicked the officer repeatedly in the face.

While Reese pleaded guilty to all charges in court, she initially denied kicking the officer in his face - but later accepted all the facts as stated.

Attorney Maria Daxon, who represented Officer

Johnson, indicated to the magistrate that she had video evidence of the incident.

As she awaited sentencing, the accused broke down in tears in court.

Reese’s lawyer then told the court that his client only acted as she had after officers responded aggressively to her questions. He further stated that the accused had also been injured during this incident and had been treated at the hospital.

During his plea of mitigation, Mr Johnson said Reese is apologetic for her actions and acknowledged she had been drinking at the time. The attorney went on to ask the court to exercise discretion in its ruling as a formal conviction could affect Reese’s career as she is herself an attorney in the United States. He implored the court to only reprimand Reese and grant her an absolute discharge for the offence.

In view of her early plea of guilt to spare the court’s time, Magistrate McKinney ordered Reese to compensate the officer $1,500 for causing harm.

Reese was further placed on six months’ probation which if breached in this jurisdiction would carry a $500 fine or a three month prison sentence.

Upon full payment of compensation, Reese was informed that she would be given an absolute discharge.

THREE FINED OVER BULLETS AND HEMP

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

THREE men were fined in Magistrate’s Court yesterday after admitting to having more than 1lb of Indian hemp and 18 unfired rounds of ammunition last week.

Alexander Sands, 22, Brandon Pinder, 27, Collins Florissant, 21, Anthon Symonette, 58, Demmon Hale, 25, Roobens Elusme, 23, Latovia Braynen, 23, and Alexis Belle, 36 appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney. There, they faced a shared charge of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply.

Florissant, Symonette and Pinder faced an additional charge of possession of ammunition.

Florissant and Sands were represented by attorney Bjorn Ferguson while attorney Alphonso Lewis represented Pinder.

On December 30, police acting on a search warrant entered an apartment in Ridgeland Park occupied by the eight defendants. A search uncovered drugs hidden in a hamper in an apartment bedroom and in a blue and purple backpack in the kitchen. The drugs were identified as Indian hemp with a collective weight of 1lb and 9 3/8oz.

A further search of the area found 18 live rounds of 9mm ammunition in a

nearby derelict vehicle.

While the accused all denied the allegations in a police interview, Sands and Pinder pleaded guilty to the drug charges with Florissant only pleading guilty to the ammunition charge. The remaining accused all pleaded not guilty to their charges resulting in them being withdrawn.

During the defence’s plea of mitigation, it was stated the three young male defendants were remorseful for their actions and had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity to spare the court’s time. It was further said these men were gainfully employed and were capable of rehabilitation. It was asked that the court be lenient in its sentencing and they be spared a custodial sentence.

Mr Ferguson also said Florissant found the ammunition on his way to play games at his friend’s house and he left it in the car because he knew no one went there.

Magistrate McKinney ordered Pinder and Sands to pay a fine of $2,000 for the drug charge or risk six months in prison. For the ammunition charge, Florissant was fined $2,500 or face nine months in prison.

In order to be released from custody, all three accused were told to pay $1,000 of their respective fines with the remainder to be paid by the end of the month.

Almost 700 flights delayed on Monday

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

ON Monday, almost 700 flights departing from Lynden Pindling International Airport were delayed due to system challenges at air traffic control.

The system challenges resulted in “significant” airline traffic congestion, flight delays, and missed flights and connections.

In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation said the “unusually length” flight delays were attributed to air traffic control issues with the En Route Automation Modernisation (ERAM) system at the Miami Air Route Traffic Control Centre.

“The travelling public experienced unusually lengthy flight delays yesterday at The Lynden Pindling International Airport,” said the ministry.

“This was attributed to air traffic control issues with the En Route Automation Modernisation (ERAM) system at the Miami Air Route Traffic Control Centre, responsible for operating airspace for commercial flights over Florida and parts of The Bahamas.”

Following the delay, Jonathan Hanna, vice-president of operations at Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD) confirmed yesterday that flights arrivals and departures are back to normal.

“We have no issues today,” he told The Tribune yesterday.

“It’s still quite a busy day, but no significant delays or any challenges,” he added.

Aviation director Dr Kenneth Romer apologised to international and domestic passengers for the delay during what is deemed as “peak travel period”.

He said: “The delays came during the traditionally busy New Year’s Day’s holiday peak travel period where Nassau air traffic controllers managed almost 700 flight movements at LPIA during this single day.

“We applaud all airport stakeholders for their invaluable contributions to traffic management, and apologise to international and domestic passengers for any disruption to their travel caused by the delays.”

CALL FOR SUPPORT OF CHILDREN’S HOSTEL

A SUPPORTER of the Children’s Emergency Hostel has been calling on Bahamians over the holiday season to offer a helping hand.

Financier and philanthropist Jordan Spring encouraged people to offer toys and gifts – but is also asking for people to help out with the hostel’s operational needs.

For six decades, the Bahamas Children’s Emergency Hostel has provided shelter, care and education to the most vulnerable members of society; abandoned and neglected minors. While the home does receive some support from government, it must also rely on the contribution of volunteers and the generosity of private donors to fulfill its mission.

He said toys and gifts “let the

children know that there are people out there who care, which is so important to their self-esteem, personal growth and development”.

But he added that the hostel itself has many more needs with which people can assist.

Mr Spring said: “The hostel has many urgent operational needs –everything from washers to dryers, to lawnmowers and fence repairs, to basics like hygiene supplies, snacks and juice boxes for the kids.”

He said that the hostel is also in need of upgrades to its security infrastructure in order to ensure that the children are safe and secure. These include new security screens for the front and back doors, door buzzers and a security booth and electric gate

at the entrance.

Hostel board member Philip Stubbs said: “We are more than grateful to those who make the effort to bring some cheer to these disadvantaged children. We also thank our dedicated supporters like Mr Spring, who contribute to the work of this facility all year round.

“This year is the 60th anniversary of the hostel and we would love to commemorate that milestone by being able to address some of the long-standing infrastructural and operational challenges which, at the end of the day, will greatly improve the quality of life of the children.”

If you are interested in donating or want to know more about the hostel’s needs, call 361-4124.

PHILANTHROPIST Jordan Spring (left), a supporter of the Children’s Emergency Hostel, discusses the shelter’s operational needs with hostel board member Philip Stubbs.

NOTICE is hereby given that ANNELENE SAMA JUNCO of P.O. Box EE-17090 Monastery Park, Nassau, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twentyeight days from the 4th day of January, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

Pintard: Govt doing more talking and less execution

By JADE RUSSELL jrussell@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement leader Michael Pintard said yesterday the government has been doing more “talking” than “execution”.

“In terms of executing we are now at the stage now where people are frustrated with policymakers in general, because they are hearing more talk than they are seeing execution.

“And there are ample proposals on the table right now that the Prime Minister and his team need to execute and clearly, they lack focus right now,” Mr

Pintard told The Tribune.

Mr Pintard’s comments were in response to Prime Minister Phillip Davis who said on Monday that the government’s top priorities for this year will include tackling inflation, creating more job opportunities for Bahamians and fostering youth empowerment.

“We’re hoping to be able to create more opportunities for Bahamians, to empower them and to better their lives and definitely doing initiatives to lower the cost of living, that is key on our agenda as well,” Mr Davis when asked about his administration’s plans for 2023.

“(We’re) hoping to launch the youth guard programme, which intends to capture the youth to build our communities and to help reduce the effects of crime,” Mr Davis said.

Mr Pintard said if the government wants to create opportunities for Bahamians it should increase blended funding for entrepreneurs, adding to promote the country to produce its own goods instead of importing.

“So, what we recommend is that the government increase blended funding for entrepreneurs, so that entrepreneurs could fill certain gaps that exist in our

RISE IN MIGRANTS FLEEING TURMOIL, SAYS BELL

from page one

Mr Bell told reporters there were more migrants repatriated last year than has been seen in a long time.

“That was quite significant, but again, to us, it does not necessarily mean that we are not only having success, but it talks about the level of activity in the area which is increasing,” he said before attending yesterday’s Cabinet meeting.

“And we know that the Ukrainian war is having a significant impact in Cuba and Haiti has pretty much imploded and so the CARICOM governments, along with the United Nations and the United States, we’re looking to see how we can best address the issues in Haiti holistically.”

When asked yesterday if officials were expecting to see a surge of Haitian and Cuban migrants, the minister said they were.

“Yes, we anticipate a very significant increase in migration from those two countries,” he continued.

“What I think we ought to indicate to the Bahamian people is that we have, well, all of our law enforcement agents, the police force, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, and certainly the immigration department, they are out there with their watchful eyes.

“In addition to that, we have the joint operation between The Bahamas, the United States and Turks and Caicos, which is also monitoring the situation.”

He also issued a plea to local fishermen, advising them that “if you see these vessels, then please call the law enforcement agents” so that workers can do their job.

“I’m satisfied and I want to commend all of our law enforcement partners for the work that they’re doing, including the US Coast Guard, who are out there

intercepting these people,” he also said. “And I ask the Bahamian people to continue to pray for the people in Cuba and Haiti, as those countries go through very, very serious crises.”

According to Mr Bell, there are currently some 345 migrants being housed at the department’s detention centre. The majority of them are women.

“In addition to that, we would have had 198 Cubans which make up those numbers in the detention centre and so it is obviously a concern for us,” Mr Bell also said. The Bahamas saw a rise of irregular incidents of migration to the country last year, particularly in March.

In July, 17 Haitian migrants perished in a boat off the coast of Blackbeard’s Cay while enroute to Miami, police reported at the time.

Officers said they were travelling to the US as part of a smuggling operation.

MINISTER URGES GAS RETAILERS

NOT TO RUSH TO LAY OFF STAFF

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

LABOUR Minister Keith Bell yesterday urged gas retailers to exercise restraint and “not to be swift to any sort of action” amid warnings about potential layoffs in the sector as costs rise.

Petroleum dealers have been calling for a 50 percent increase in their gasoline retail margin which, if granted, would have raised it by 27 cents per gallon from 54 cents to 81 cents.

However, despite a series of meetings with government officials, no change in the margins was granted and a spokesperson for the Bahamas Petroleum Dealers Association’s (BPDA) warned last month it may have to cut staff to survive

if their cries are not heard.

“I’ve not heard from any of the petroleum dealers as yet,” Mr Bell said yesterday when asked if he has heard anything from the association about their plans.

“I have heard, and I’ve seen several things. However, I would wish to indicate to the petroleum dealers to exercise a degree of restraint and caution and not be swift to any sort of action.

“The reality is that we live in a country where nobody should be living below the poverty line. Nobody should be working and earning a salary which is below the poverty line. I am pleased that this government was able to introduce minimum wage and we would have indicated when we would have campaigned that it was our intention to increase minimum wage.”

He said changes to the national minimum wage were announced well in advance to allow employers the time to prepare themselves.

However, given the high cost of living, many business owners have said that difficult decisions may have to be made in the days ahead to sustain operations.

When asked if he was concerned about potential massive job cuts, he replied: “I’m satisfied that there won’t be any sweeping layoffs.”

He also advised employers to remain cautious before deciding on “any draconian action” with respect to labour.

“The National Tripartite Council and the Department of Labour would have engaged in extensive discussions, extensive

economy.

“One of the reasons we are importing so much goods is because we don’t have the capacity in order to produce those particular goods at this time. So, we want to be funding Bahamians who are able to engage in what is called import substitution.”

He stressed that there needs to be a “targeted approach” on how much money is being spent overseas on a variety of things that the country is able to produce on its own.

Mr Pintard also pointed out that the Prime Minister needs to be specific about what prevention methods

he will be enforcing to combat crime.

Mr Davis told reporters on Monday there were being measures put in place to address crime, adding it will be a different approach.

“Over the years, I think we have spent too much effort and too much resources on detecting crime, punishing crime without any regard to what I call the preventative measures and rehabilitative measures. Emphasis will be placed on those labours of the crime fighting initiatives,” Mr Davis said.

However, Mr Pintard stressed that prevention of crime starts with positively

engaging the youth in the country.

“One of the things that you can do is the empowerment of Bahamian cultural artists. Many of them who are suffering because they don’t have access to sufficient resources and expertise to help them excel in the particular genre of the arts that they are in.”

He continued: “When you talk about preventative methods, the best way to prevent young people from being negatively engaged is to create outlets for them to be positively engaged. And the orange economy in a very specific way has the power to do that.”

discussions with all the key stakeholders in the country and they would have met with them. They would have consulted with them. We would have gotten their views,” Mr Bell continued.

“And even though, as I would have indicated when I did my communication in Parliament, that there wasn’t consensus on what

the amount of the minimum wage should increase to, everybody knows that there was going to be an increase and we knew that even when we spoke that it would have taken effect this year so we’d have given everybody else an ample opportunity.

“But again, I want to issue a word to the employers - to be cautious before

they take any draconian action in respect to layoffs and bear in mind that it is our view that nobody should be working for a salary less than the minimum just below the poverty line.”

On Monday, Prime Minister Phillip Davis told reporters that discussions with gas retailers were still continuing.

TOWING PRICES UP - BUT BUSINESSES SAY IT STOPS JOB CUTS

By LETRE SWEETING lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

TOWING businesses said although the recent price rise in towing services may deter some customers, it ultimately benefits business by preventing downsizing of staff.

This comes after newly imposed rate increases across the board for Bahamian towing companies mentioned in a statement released by the Bahamas Towing and Salvage Association, effective from January 1, with rates starting at $100 for regular towing services.

The association pointed to a number of factors that influenced the increases, including “rising costs globally, along with fluctuating

diesel, gas and hydraulic oil and tyre prices”.

Terrell Parks, manager of Terrell’s Towing on Robinson Road, said yesterday that most towing business have a choice between increasing prices or downsizing.

“I expected there would be some changes due to fuel and some other costs, based on the feedback we were getting from the drivers. We were getting a little feedback on pricing and parts and I guess how things are changing along with salaries,” Mr Parks said.

“So I guess it was in the best interest of I guess all the towing companies to either up the towing rates or downsize on staff,” he said.

“We’re actually partnered with another company now.

So we’re growing steadily, to try and keep the workforce stable and keep the customer base stable,” Mr Parks said.

Mr Parks said his business went up by $10 on all their services last year due to the rise in fuel prices, and now though the prices are still below those imposed by the Towing Association, he said it is enough.

“We did do an increase internally, but not to what they put forth to the public. So I would say, we try to be reasonable within all means both to the consumer and for the business,” he said.

Flatbed towing rates begin at $150, and Mr Parks said: “The $150, we feel it’s ok, but some consumers might not be able to afford it, so within reasonable means we just did a slight increase internally.

This is from before November of last year.”

“Call rates through the analytics has been up now by 23 percent. Marketingwise we’ve seen an increase due to traffic, because we’re having heavier traffic both through the website and searches,” he said.

“We try to stick to our price, but if need be, then we’ll work with the customer the best that we could,” Mr Parks said.

Similarly, Raymond Knowles, owner of Responsive Towing said: “It’s a good and it’s a bad (thing).”

“There are some people who are used to paying $60 for a car being towed, but the way the economy is going now, everything has gone up. Tyres have gone up, fuel has gone up, hydraulic fluid and motor

oil have gone up, so I think that the increase in price isn’t bad,” Mr Knowles said.

“But then you have some people out there, who probably can’t afford the $100, so basically you have to level yourself off. If you have a certain clientele who you deal with, then just to keep that going you, I wouldn’t say you’ll have to reduce the price to their liking, but for you to keep the job, basically that’s how it is,” he said.

Meanwhile, William Edwards a representative from Weatherman’s Towing, said the price increases were necessary, mentioning that his company established the exact rates imposed on January 1.

“I don’t have any problem with the rates, because it’s been too long now. It should have been up long

time,” Mr Edwards said.

“Some customers might not be ok with it, but we have to buy oil, we have to get new hydraulic brakes, so I have no problem with it,” he said.

“My customers already knew about this. They knew this was coming. We went up on the (January) 1,” Mr Edwards said.

In its statement, the Towing Association said regular tows would start at $100, with flatbed tows starting at $150.

The statement goes on to say that recoveries start at $150 in addition to the towing fee. Derelict car removals would start at $100 and unlocking vehicle doors at $80. Finally, the service of towing those from no parking zones would be $100.

LABOUR and Immigration Minister Keith Bell.

New Year expectations

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Coming out of the COVID19 pandemic, sports took off and many of the sporting bodies were thrilled to be back in action. And as they transition to the new year, there are even more exciting expectations for the new year.

The Bahamas will play host to the CARIFTA Games for the ninth time

over the Easter holiday weekend and the Bahamas Games will be back for the seventh time as a part of the country’s 50th Golden anniversary celebrations.

• Here’s what some of the sporting bodies have on their agendas for the new year.

Bahamas Aquatics Federation

Look for another busy year from the federation, according to president Algernon Cargill, from going for another historic milestone of five straight

at CARIFTA to the 19th FINA World Championships in July.

“We will open the year with the defence of our CARIFTA Aquatics title in Curacao over the Easter weekend,” Cargill said.

“The Bahamas will be taking a full team to Curacao. We want to go on record as being the first country to five-peat. We’ve already won four straight, so we want to go for five straight.”

From CARIFTA, Cargill said they will launch a

competitive summer that will include the Central American and Caribbean Games in El Salvador, the Bahamas National Championships in Nassau and the CCCAN Championships, also to be staged in El Salvador. These meets will serve as precursors to the FINA World Championships in Japan.

Bahamas Softball Federation

Jennifer Isaacs-Dotson, the first female elected last year as the president of the BSF, said there are plans

to put in a number of programmes in place.

“We will implement a fitness programme, develop a junior national programme, appoint national team coaches and players to start preparing for international tournaments, secure fundraising, certification of officials and coaches inclusive of primary and high school teachers and coaches,” Isaacs-Dotson said.

Analysis: Ayton and Suns are on the brink, and not in a good way

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer

ONLY 18 months ago, the Phoenix Suns were on the brink. They held a 2-0 lead over the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA Finals. They were two wins away from the parade. Chris Paul was finally going to get his ring. Suns in Four was not just a stadium chant but a very real possibility.

The Suns are on the brink again now.

A very different brink.

A team that lost 18 games in the entirety of the 2021-22 regular season lost its 18th game of this regular season — with 44 games left to play — on Monday, a 102-83 embarrassment at Madison Square Garden to New York, the score making it seem closer than it really was.

The game was really over with 4:30 left in the first half, the Knicks then holding a 52-20 lead.

Phoenix managed its fewest points since November 2018, a span of 372 games, including playoffs. The bigger issue was the lack of ... well, whatever has set the Suns apart over the last two-plus years.

“It’s a mindboggling thing,” Suns coach Monty Williams said. “It’s happened too many times to this team.”

Over the last four weeks, the Suns are 4-11; only Charlotte, at 3-12 in that span, has been worse. In fairness, Phoenix is missing Devin Booker, who was playing at an All-NBA level and likely will be sidelined a few more weeks with a left groin strain. But it wasn’t exactly going

perfectly when Booker was healthy, either.

Some things have gone as expected, or better than expected, in the NBA so far this season. Leagueleading Boston hasn’t missed a beat because of Ime Udoka’s suspension and Joe Mazzulla taking over as interim coach.

New Orleans and Memphis had high hopes after the way they finished last season; right now, they’re both among the best in

the Western Conference. Brooklyn, when there’s no drama, has been as good as anyone in the NBA.

Milwaukee, the team that beat the Suns in those 2021 NBA Finals, looks poised for a deep postseason run.

And then there’s the surprises of the not-good variety. Phoenix is 20-18 with three games left until the season’s midpoint. The Suns are in play-in tournament range and headed

in the wrong direction. There’s still time, sure, but efforts like Monday don’t give much reason for hope.

“I don’t even know what’s going on,” Suns centre Deandre Ayton said. “For me, I could tell you this: I’m not used to the no fight in us.”

Championship windows usually don’t close in an instant. It happened that way in Chicago in 1998 when Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson left the Bulls

NFL, sports world reaction to injury to Bills’ Damar Hamlin

MANY fellow NFL players and teams and others in the sports world quickly offered their support and prayers on social media for Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, who the NFL said was in critical condition after being transported to a hospital after collapsing on the field during Monday night’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

ESPN reported Hamlin was administered CPR on the field before being taken away in an ambulance. The game was suspended after Hamlin’s injury.

“Bills Mafia is with you, @HamlinIsland.” — Buffalo Bills on Twitter.

“Please pray for our brother.” — Bills quarterback Josh Allen on Twitter.

“My prayers and thoughts go out to @ HamlinIsland the Hamlin Family. I’m praying that you pull through bro. Love.” — Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, who was tackled by Hamlin on the play during which the Bills safety was injured.

“Demar Hamlin is a kind caring extremely hard worker. He is loyal honest and can always put a smile on your face. He is more than an athlete, he is a son and brother. I pray God gives him mercy and brings him back to us.” — Bills offensive lineman Rodger Saffold on Twitter.

“Prayer is power and Prayer is POWERFUL we need the world to pray

KLAY THOMPSON’S SEASON-BEST 54 LEADS WARRIORS PAST HAWKS IN 2OT

By JANIE MCCAULEY AP Sports Writer

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Kevon Looney rushed his first try, not realising he had a little time. Then he tipped in the gamewinner as the final buzzer of the second overtime sounded. He got swarmed in celebration.

The durable big man who played every game last season and all of them so far in this one delivered a career-high 21 rebounds with two in the final 2 seconds, Klay Thompson scored a season-best 54 points, and the Golden State Warriors held off the Atlanta Hawks 143-141 on Monday night.

Looney laughed when asked if he had ever scored the game-winning basket — “not a walkoff game-winner.”

“I rushed the first one I didn’t think I had that much time, but I saw I had more time so I took my time on the second one and I was able to make it,” Looney said.

Trae Young tied the score on a floating layup with 8.2 seconds remaining before the Warriors’ final chance. Young made four crucial free throws late in the first OT and finished with 30 points and 14 assists.

Looney also had 14 points and five assists. Draymond Green made his only 3-point attempt of the game with 43.8 seconds left in the last OT and finished with 13 rebounds and 11 assists.

Thompson shot 21 for 39 and his 10 3-pointers matched a season high — and his 54 were six off his career-best scoring outing of 60 accomplished in three quarters on December 5, 2016. “He just made shot after shot and play after play, he was incredible,” coach Steve Kerr said.

and the franchise started over after six titles in eight years. It could be argued it happened that way when LeBron James left Cleveland in 2010, Miami in 2014 and Cleveland again in 2018.

What’s more typical, though, is a team tends to age out, fall apart, see the locker room bonds start to fade or some combination thereof.

Thompson hit a go-ahead 3 with 18 seconds left in the first overtime after his tying 3 with 1:55 to go in the initial extra period.

Thompson recently began ignoring social media, slowing things down to be more patient and has found his form from back in 2019 before surgeries on his left knee and right Achilles that sidelined him more than 2 1/2 years.

Djokovic beats Lestienne for winning start to 2023

NOVAK Djokovic maintained his winning streak in singles matches in Australia, beating Constant Lestienne of France 6-3, 6-2 yesterday in the first round of the Adelaide International.

It was the top-seeded Djokovic’s 30th straight singles victory on Australian soil in a streak that goes back to 2018.

Djokovic, whose last loss in Australia was in the fourth round of the 2018 Australian Open, will face either Jordan Thompson of Australia or Quentin Halys of France for a place in the quarterfinals.

He was again warmly received by the crowd in Adelaide, where he won this tournament at the age of 19.

for Damar Hamlin and his family #Love #3” — Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins on Twitter.

“Sending our thoughts and prayers to Damar.”

— Cincinnati Bengals on Twitter.

“Damar Hamlin is the best of us. We love you, 3. Praying for you.”

It was Djokovic’s first singles match of the season after losing in doubles the previous day, and the win keeps him on course for a possible semifinal matchup in Adelaide against seventhranked Daniil Medvedev, who earlier beat Lorenzo Sonego of Italy 7-6 (6), 2-1 when Sonego was forced to retire with a right arm injury.

Djokovic is playing in Australia for the first time since 2021, having missed last year’s Australian Open when he was deported because his unvaccinated status breached the country’s vaccination requirement for in-bound travellers. His ranking has dropped

BILLS’ Siran Neal (33) and Nyheim Hines react after teammate Damar Hamlin was injured during the first half against the Bengals on Monday night. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

PHOENIX Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) shoots over Toronto Raptors forward O.G. Anunoby (3) during first-half NBA basketball game action in Toronto, Friday, Dec. 30, 2022. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

NEW YEAR

FROM PAGE 11

“We also want the development of and preparation for associations to start playing fastpitch softball instead of slowpitch because too many young players are playing slow pitch and we want to continue working closely with the associations, the BBA, MOYSC, BOC, ECASC and WBSC.”

Bahamas Baseball Association

With the fourth Caribbean Cup in December as the springboard for their international competition at the newly constructed Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium, BBA president Sam Rodgers said there’s a lot more excitement to look forward to.

“We in the Bahamas Baseball Association are gearing up for an exciting 2023 as we gear up for our Bahamas Games in July and we are expecting to take two or three national teams to international tournaments as we are also planning to host some international tournaments along with our national championships to be held in Nassau this year,” Rodgers said. “We are still awaiting the Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium to be fully completed and then we would release our full baseball calendar for 2023. With God’s help the baseball community should have an exciting year in baseball for 2023.”

Bahamas Judo Federation

The BJF has at least five athletes in the pipeline preparing for the 2024 Olympics and nobody is more eager about their future than president D’Arcy Rahming.

“This year judo intends to participate in many major tournaments and games with a mind to qualifying for the Olympics,” Rahming said. “We have on the circuit: Cynthia Rahming, Andrew Munnings, Alexander Strachan, Daniel Strachan and Xavion Johnson.”

Boxing Federation of the Bahamas President Vincent Strachan said with renewed courage and strength from the challenges and successes during 2022, he anticipates greater success

HAMLIN

FROM PAGE 11

— University of Pittsburgh’s football account on Twitter. Hamlin played his college ball at Pitt “No one’s been through this. I’ve never seen anything like it, either.” — Longtime NFL quarterback Troy Aikman on the ESPN telecast.

“The NFLPA and everyone in our community is praying for Damar Hamlin. We have been in touch with Bills and Bengals players, and with the NFL. The only thing that matters at this moment is Damar’s health and well being.” — The NFL Players Association in a statement.

“Never before have I ever witnessed anything like this. The game doesn’t matter. Praying for Damar and his family.” — Former Bills quarterback and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Kelly on Twitter.

“Football family & #billsmafia - With our prayers combined we can come together for #damarhamlin

in 2023. “The last half of 2022 was a period of success for our boxers, who participated in the school boys and girls championship in Georgetown, Guyana and the Bert Championship in Kissimmee, Florida,” Strachan said.

“We are looking for growth in our national teams with the addition of boxers in the USA, hosting regular boxing events in Grand Bahama, Inagua and other family Islands and hosting international events, including professional boxing.”

Strachan said the IBA introduced professional boxing during its Congress in Abu Dhabi in November, amending its constitution at that congress to pave the way for professional boxing by the International Boxing Federation (IBA) and its members.

IBA president Umar Cremlev, according to Strachan, declared that there is no amateur boxing but boxing from top to bottom and he intends to host similar events in the Bahamas at the professional level.

“I will also host boxing events for peewee and elite boxers including international and regional boxers,” Strachan said. “We will embark on vigorous fund raising events to ensure regular participation outside of the country by all of our boxers, coaches and officials.”

Training of boxers, coaches and officials in the rules and regulations of boxing throughout the country will also be conducted and Strachan said they will conduct a search for suitable buildings for gyms and an office for the federation as they also seek to find ways to develop boxing in the schools and prison and host educational forums for the media, public and others to help promote boxing throughout the country.

“We want to invite former and current professional boxers to speak at such forums and prepare our boxers for junior world, junior Pan American, Central American Games, Pan American Games, Elite World Games and the Olympic Games,” Strachan said.

“We also want to establish regional regular boxing competitions with the

… God cover #3.” —

Former Bills wide receiver and Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Reed on Twitter.

“The game is not important. Damar Hamlin’s life is important. Please be ok. Please.” — Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J Watt on Twitter.

“Praying hard.. please be okay man.” — Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes on Twitter.

“It was definitely the right call (to postpone the game) by Roger Goodell or whoever had the authority to make that call. The safety of players in all sports is always the most important. It is a terrible thing to see and I wish nothing but the best for that kid and the city of Buffalo, for the franchise of the Bills and the rest of the NFL and also the Bengals that were playing in that game as well. I’m a huge fan of the NFL and a huge fan of football and you never want to see anything like that happen.” — NBA star LeBron James after the

UFC president Dana White seen on video slapping his wife

By MARK ANDERSON AP Sports Writer

LAS VEGAS (AP) —

UFC president Dana White was seen on video released by TMZ slapping his wife, Anne, while the two were on vacation in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, last month. White told TMZ in an interview yesterday he was “embarrassed” and concerned for how his three children were affected.

“You’ve heard me say for years, ‘There’s never

Bahamas, Haiti, Jamaica and others at all levels including professional boxing,” Strachan said. “We will also continue the organisation of associations throughout the country and amend the constitution and hold election of officers.”

Bahamas Cricket Association

BCA president Greg Taylor Sr said the Bahamas will focus immediately on international competition.

“We are preparing our national team to travel to Argentina to compete in the ICC 2024 World Cup in Argentina in February,” Taylor Sr said.

“The first three teams from this tournament will go on to Bermuda in August to play for the one spot to be in the World Cup. Andy Moulds from South Africa, who took us to the qualifier last year in Antigua, will be coaching the team.

“In March, the BCA leagues and the Nations Cup, which is also a T-20 Tournament, will be played.

“In July, we will have our AGM of our youth camp. At the end of January, our new youth camp of development will be coming in from South Africa to take over the programme.

He will be concentrating on women’s cricket and the under-19 and so we’re looking to get that started.”

And after playing in the Cayman Islands last year, Taylor Sr said they will have a returned T-20 international match here to play in a series of matches.

After losing all of their matches played in the Cayman Islands, Taylor Sr said the BCA is looking to return the favour at home.

Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association

Despite the problems they experienced off the court, BLTA president Perry Newton said they are still pressing forward for an exciting 2023 season.

“We expect to see growth this year fuelled by our Play Tennis Programme on the island of New Providence as well as the growth of tennis on the Island of Grand Bahama, Abaco, and Eleuthera,” he said.

“The BLTA will have its full complement of tournaments being kicked off this month with our U14 and U16 New Year tournament. This is the first year that

ever an excuse for a guy to put his hands on a woman,’ and now here I am on TMZ talking about it,” White told the website.

UFC spokesman Chris Costello said neither the organisation nor White would issue a statement to The Associated Press. Costello referred to White’s comments to TMZ.

The video shows the couple arguing before Anne White slaps her husband, who slaps back before others intervene. “Dana

this tournament is being held this early but it allows us flexibility with our tournament going forward.”

Next the action will move to Grand Bahama for the GBTA hosted junior tournament.

“As I stated earlier growth has always been a focus of the BLTA and this will be displayed by the introduction of a High School Tennis Championship and the hosting of a sanctioned tournament on the island of Abaco,” Newton said.

“It will definitely be a busy summer with the Bahamas Games being hosted this summer as well as the return of our two international tournaments which we intend on hosting this year.

“Notwithstanding the many obstacles, the BLTA was able to meet all of our obligations and send off eight teams in 2022 that represented the Bahamas. We are looking forward to another year of success with our national teams this year.”

Newton said they expect to see a continued growth in their tournaments at both the junior and adult levels.

“All our success can only be attributed to God as he has touched our sponsors to support our cause to provide a safe, affordable environment for our new students both young and old,” he said.

“We continue to invite persons to take advantage of our Play Tennis Programme where we now offer introduction lessons for kids between the ages of 5-17 for a registration of $1 and persons over the age of 18 for $5.”

At the end of the year, Newton said the BLTA will host their awards banquet where they highlight the success of their athletes and honour those persons who made contributions to the development of tennis throughout the Bahamas.

Bahamas Bodybuilding Federation Federation president Joel Stubbs said they are prepared to embrace 2023 as they give thanks to God for allowing us to behold another year of new beginnings with renewed energy.

“2022 has ended with a bang for many of our athletes as they were granted opportunities to compete

and I have been married for almost 30 years,” Anne White said in a statement to TMZ. “To say this is out of character for him is an understatement -- nothing like this has ever happened before. Unfortunately, we were both drinking too much on New Year’s Eve and things got out of control on both sides. We’ve talked this through as a family and apologised to each other. I just hope people will respect our privacy for the sake of our kids.”

on the international stage accomplishing their professional pro card status,” said Stubbs, one of the first Bahamians to achieve the feat.

“Many others were intrigued by such performances and started the 2023 journey “quest to be the best” immediately thereafter.

“We are very excited and hopeful that we will see stellar performances once again.

“There is an elite group of athletes that appears to be very hungry and ready for whatever challenge lies ahead.”

As they launch their 2023 calendar, Stubbs revealed that the focus will be placed on the return of their Novice Championships on May 20 at a venue to be announced at a later date followed by the spectacular Northern Bahamas show in Grand Bahama.

From July 8-13, the federation will be back in New Providence for the return of the Bahamas Games and the National Championships.

“An explosion of events that will bring all fitness athletic individuals together to compete for their native island,” Stubbs said.

“From this event, our national team will be selected to represent the Bahamas at this year’s CAC games to be staged in August in Oranjestad, Aruba.

“Our sport is a vibrant one, attracting many fitness individuals with opportunities to compete in 18 different events, ranging from a fit model to all the physique makeup categories to hardcore bodybuilding,” Stubbs revealed.

“We encourage and invite you, our fit viewing audience who have been training but curious and tempted to compete, to get on board, find a trainer, a knowledgeable friend who knows the sport that will assist you in making this 2023 year a next level fitness reality.”

Stubbs summed up that they are looking forward to once again getting the support from the corporate partnership and sponsorship along with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s support, in making this fitness year a success.

City Mayor Eric Adams on Twitter.

“Sending our prayers to Damar Hamlin and his family. We are all Buffalo Bills fans tonight.” — New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy on Twitter.

DJOKOVIC

PAGE 11

to No. 5 after also being forced to miss other tournaments, including the U.S. Open, last year. “What you focus on, you become. If I focus on the negatives, that’s what I’ll attract, so I don’t want to do that. I don’t hold a grudge,” Djokovic said when asked about his return to Australia. “I am here to play tennis, to enjoy sports and spread good energy. To see the packed house for my first match was definitely a very pleasant surprise, and lots of support, lots of love.”

Djokovic’s arrival in Australia was much smoother this time around compared with last year.

“Well, I kind of was joking around with my team hoping that I can enter Australia this time, and that’s what happened,” he said. “It was really, I would say, normal. As with any other year coming into Australia except the last year, easy through the passport control, landed well.”

Earlier, Medvedev saved nine set points before taking the first set in a tiebreaker against the 45th-ranked Sonego. “I didn’t know it was nine (set points),” Medvedev said. “That’s actually crazy. Probably, maybe the first time in my life I’ve saved nine set points.

“What a match to start the year,” he added.

Sonego was playing Medvedev for the first time and often seemed to have the upper hand in the first set. He had six set points on Medvedev’s serve at 5-4 but Medvedev was able to rely on his big serve when he had to, saving all six.

Two games later, Sonego had three more set points at 0-40 on Medvedev’s but Medvedev rallied again, eventually taking the set after 80 minutes.

“To be honest 0-40 was a tough moment,” he said. “I didn’t count but I knew I saved a lot of set points.

Medvedev will meet Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic for a quarterfinal place.

— Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase on Twitter.

“Praying for Damar Hamlin and his family.” — New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones on Twitter.

Los Angeles Lakers’ 121115 win at Charlotte.

“Prayers for Hamlin. i hope everything is okay.” — Former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier, who suffered a serious spinal injury on the same field in 2017 that left him briefly paralyzed.

“Absolutely speechless.. please pull through Damar!” — Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt on Twitter.

“Praying for Damar Hamlin…the entire world

is lifting this young man up.” — former NFL wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald on Twitter.

“Praying for Damar Hamlin. Our hearts are with his family, loved ones, and the entire @BuffaloBills community.” — New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Twitter.

“I’m asking all New Yorkers to join me in praying for Damar Hamlin, his family, his teammates, and our brothers and sisters in Buffalo.” — New York

“Often times people watching forget what players risk on Sundays. Praying hard for Damar Hamlin and his family. God speed.” — Houston Texans offensive lineman Scott Quessenberry, younger brother of Bills offensive tackle David Quessenberry.

“Father God, I pray that Damar Hamlin is okay and here with us. I also ask that he have a speedy recovery mentally & physically God; in Jesus name… Amen.” — New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner on Twitter.

“Come on 3.” — Philadelphia Eagles running back Miles Sanders on Twitter.

“I wanna send a prayer to Damar and his family.”

“Please join me in prayer for Damar Hamlin.” — former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow on Twitter.

“Lord, please be with Damar Hamlin, his team, and his family…my heart hurts in this moment for him.” — Grammy-winning gospel artist Kirk Franklin on Twitter.

“#DamarHamlin you are in my prayers.” — actress Kerry Washington, who’s married to former NFL cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha.

“Full of so many different emotions. Just thinking about @HamlinIsland and his family. Your football family is with you as well. This is bigger than the game.” — Green Bay Packers offensive tackle David Bakhtiari on Twitter.

A SCOREBOARD at Great American Ballpark displays a photo of Buffalo Bills’ Damar Hamlin yesterday.

(AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

FROM

NOVAK Djokovic celebrates the win over France’s Constant Lestienne during their Round of 32 match at the Adelaide International Tennis tournament in Adelaide, Australia, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Kelly Barnes)

DANA WHITE, president of UFC, speaks at a news conference after the UFC 229 mixed martial arts event in Las Vegas, on October 6, 2018. White was caught on video released by TMZ slapping his wife while the two were on vacation in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, on New Year’s Eve.

(AP Photo/ John Locher)

Antetokounmpo has careerhigh 55, Bucks top Wizards

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a career-high 55 points in a return from a one-game absence and the Milwaukee Bucks beat Washington 123-113 last night, snapping the Wizards’ five-game winning streak.

Antetokounmpo has scored at least 40 points in three straight games for the first time in his career.

The two-time MVP sat out a 118-95 loss to the Wizards on Sunday because of a sore left knee.

The only other Bucks to score at least 40 points in three straight appearances are Flynn Robinson in February 1969 and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in February 1972.

Antetokounmpo also had 10 rebounds and seven assists, giving him at least 40 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in his last three games.

The only other players in NBA history to have three straight performances of 40 points, 10 rebounds and five assists are Elgin Baylor in

1961 and 1963, Wilt Chamberlain in 1963 and Russell Westbrook in 2016.

Antetokounmpo’s previous career high was a 52-point effort against the Philadelphia 76ers on March 17, 2019.

Washington’s Bradley Beal returned after missing three games with a sore left hamstring, but he played just 13 minutes.

Beal scored eight points before the hamstring issue prevented him from playing at all in the second half. Latvian Kristaps Porzingis

scored 22 points for the Wizards.

THUNDER 150, CELTICS 117

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Josh Giddey scored a season-high 25 points and short-handed Oklahoma City blew out NBA-leading Boston.

Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who ranks among the league’s leaders with 30.8 points per game, sat out with an illness.

Without him, the Thunder set a record for points since the team moved to Oklahoma City from Seattle before the 2008-2009 season.

The previous mark was 149 points in 2013.

Lu Dort scored 23 points and Jalen Williams, Tre Mann and Isaiah Joe each added 21 points for the Thunder.

They shot 59.2 percent from the field.

Jaylen Brown scored 29 points for Boston, and Jayson Tatum added 27.

ZION WILLIAMSON

PELICANS’ ZION WILLIAMSON (HAMSTRING) OUT AT LEAST THREE WEEKS

He is nearing the first anniversary of his return to the court, on January 9.

“It’s better than good, amazing,” he said. “Those moments where you have the ball with the game on the line down the stretch and your teammates trust you, those are what you really live for as a competitor, as a basketball player. It was hard to see those at times during the rehab process.”

Donte DiVincenzo corralled a crucial offensive rebound then knocked down a tying 3-pointer with 0.6 seconds remaining in regulation to send the game into OT after Thompson and Jordan Poole had each missed from long range the same sequence.

The undermanned defending champions run their season-best winning streak to five games with a sixth straight home victory.

Reigning NBA Finals MVP Stephen Curry danced in delight at the outcome after missing his ninth straight game with a partially dislocated left shoulder.

Poole’s 3 put Golden State ahead 129-126 with 1:35 left in the first OT. He finished with 28 points, six rebounds and five assists coming off a 40-point performance in a 118-112 win against Portland on Friday night.

John Collins scored 21 of his 25 points after halftime and dished out 13 assists as the Hawks roared back after trailing by as many as 21 in the first half. Dejounte

Murray also scored 25 to go with 10 rebounds and seven assists.

All five Atlanta starters scored in double figures and six players in all, including Bogdan Bogdanovic’s 21 off the bench.

De’Andre Hunter returned from a three-game absence with a sprained left ankle to scored 17 points for the Hawks, who lost their fourth straight. Atlanta rallied in the third to tie the game at 95 heading into the fourth.

Golden State is 17-2 at Chase Center and 5-0 on its current eight-game homestand that matches the longest in franchise history.

INJURED WARRIORS

Jonathan Kuminga joined the injury report with a sprained right foot that swelled up after Friday’s game. He is using a walking boot.

Centre James Wiseman sat out a second straight game after he rolled his left ankle during a 3-on-3

scrimmage following the morning shootaround Friday.

All-Star Andrew Wiggins missed his 14th game, dealing with an illness again that came on the heels of being sidelined by tightness in his right upper leg.

JaMychal Green is out of the league health and safety protocols but now dealing with an infection in his lower right leg.

TIP-INS Hawks: Atlanta shot 2 of 16 from deep in the first

half to fall behind 70-53. C Clint Capela sat out for the seventh time in eight games with a bruised right calf. Hawks are 0-3 on the road vs the Western Conference.

Warriors: Veteran Andre Iguodala, yet to play in a game this season, scrimmaged with the G League squad earlier in the day at Chase Center.

UP NEXT Hawks: At Sacramento tonight. Warriors: Host Detroit tonight.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Pelicans are bracing for another extended stint without forward Zion Williamson.

The Pelicans announced yesterday that Williamson has a strained right hamstring and will be re-evaluated in three weeks. If that timetable holds, Williamson will miss at least 10 games. Williamson was hurt Monday against the Philadelphia 76ers.

He has appeared in 29 of the season’s first 37 games for the Pelicans (23-14), who entered Tuesday a game out of first place in the Western Conference behind Denver and Memphis. Williamson has a team-best scoring average of 26.0 points this season, plus averages 7.0 rebounds and 4.6 assists on 61% shooting.

He’s led the Pelicans in scoring in 17 of his 29 games.

Williamson missed the entire 2021-22 season and was limited to 85 games in his first two seasons because of injuries. But this season, he’s been relatively healthy, until now.

He missed two games in October because of a contusion around his right hip and lower back; three games in November with a right foot contusion; and three games in December while in the NBA’s health and safety protocols.

The Pelicans are 6-2 without Williamson this season. They play host to Houston today.

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer

A TOWEL strewn over his shoulders, still in his uniform after the game, Donovan Mitchell wearily took a seat and looked at the boxscore that had been placed in front of him.

Someone standing nearby asked if he needed anything, and Mitchell politely declined. “I’m good,” Mitchell said. “I’m as good as can be.”

As good as he’s ever been in an NBA game, for sure. Better, even. Better than most anyone in any game ever, actually.

In a season where big numbers have become the norm, Mitchell put up the biggest numbers of all Monday night — matching the second highest-scoring game the NBA has seen in nearly 45 years. He finished with 71 points, tying for eighth-most in league history, to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers past the Chicago Bulls 145-134 in overtime.

The only other players to score at least 71 in a game: Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant, David Thompson, David Robinson and Elgin Baylor.

“This is nuts, to be honest,” said Mitchell, who had 55 of his points after halftime. “I’m extremely blessed and humbled that I’m in that company, in that group. I’ve always believed I can be one of the best players in this league, but I’ve got to keep working. This is a big milestone, but at the end of the day, those guys have all won at the highest level. That’s my ultimate goal.”

The most recent game of more than 71 points was Bryant’s 81-point masterpiece for the Los Angeles Lakers against Toronto on January 22, 2006. Before that, it was 73 points by David Thompson for Denver against Detroit on April 9, 1978.

“To be there in the record books with them is truly incredible,” Mitchell said.

months. But the dysfunction hadn’t seemed to affect the locker room, until this year.

His was the 12th game of 50 or more points in the NBA so far this season; later Monday, Golden State’s Klay Thompson scored 54 in the Warriors’ double-overtime win over Atlanta — becoming the 13th 50-point game of the season.

Video game numbers are coming nightly now. Before December 23, there had only been four days in NBA history where five players scored at least 40 points on the same day.

but perception might not exactly mirror reality.

Consider: that’s four days in 76 years.

It’s happened three times in less than two weeks since.

On December 23, five players — Dallas’ Luka Doncic, Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid, Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, New York’s RJ Barrett and Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton — did it. A week later, Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James, Chicago’s Zach LaVine, New Orleans’ CJ McCollum and Golden State’s Jordan Poole combined to do it again.

And then Monday, led by Mitchell and Thompson, it happened yet again — with James, Embiid and Chicago’s DeMar DeRozan also scoring at least 40.

“I’ll say again: Humbled to be in that company, humbled to be in this position,” Mitchell said.

There have been 87 games of at least 40 or more points already this

season, by a combined 33 players. Doncic has eight such games of 40 or more, Embiid and Antetokounmpo each have seven, Boston’s Jayson Tatum has six. There were 119 games of 40 or more in the entirety of the 2021-22 regular season; this season isn’t even half over yet and players are already closing in on that total.

Doncic’s 60-point game, which he had on December 27, was the NBA’s season high. It didn’t even last a week, not with Mitchell’s gem on Monday.

Mitchell missed his first shot. And his second. And his third. It took him nearly the entire first quarter to get a field goal attempt to finally fall. “Just keep plugging away,” Mitchell said.

That’s an understatement.

He had five points in the first quarter, 11 more in the second quarter. Cleveland was getting run out of its building, having trailed by as many as 21 and going into halftime down 65-47.

And then, Mitchell was unstoppable — 24 points in the third, 18 more in the fourth, capped by him intentionally missing a free throw with 4.4 seconds left with the Cavs down by two, getting the rebound and scoring to tie the game and force overtime.

Then came the finish with a flourish: He didn’t miss a shot in the extra session, 4 for 4 from the field, 3 for 3 on 3-pointers, 2 for 2 from the foul line.

He outscored the Bulls 13-4 by himself.

LeBron James and Kyrie Irving had the Cavaliers’ single-game record of 57 points — which, coincidentally, was Mitchell’s career-high before Monday, done while he played for the Utah Jazz in a playoff game at the NBA restart bubble in Florida in 2020.

His regular-season career best, before Monday, was 46.

The Cavs’ record belongs to Mitchell now, and probably will for a long time.

It might be all the above in Phoenix’s case. There’s an ownership change happening because of Robert Sarver’s boorish behaviour; Mat Ishbia could be in place within the next few weeks. Allegations of the franchise having a less-than-professional workplace environment have been detailed thoroughly by ESPN in recent

Jae Crowder — who has leadership skills that teammates from other stops in his NBA career rave about — has held out all season, remains under contract to the Suns on paper only and clearly is missed.

Tension between Williams and past No. 1 overall pick Ayton was a storyline in the preseason. It’s been a question mark since as well,

A video shot from the stands of a Phoenix loss to Washington in December seemed to show Williams and Ayton getting heated during a timeout, but what was really happening was Ayton was having a backand-forth with teammate Mikal Bridges and Williams wanted them both to shut up.

“We were just going at each other,” Bridges said.

“I apologised to him.”

Regardless, it wasn’t a happy huddle. The Suns haven’t had many of those in a while.

“Mentally and emotionally, I’ve got to get our guys stronger,” Williams said.

Nobody over the last 2 1/2 seasons has a better regular-season record than the Suns, and it isn’t close — they’ve won 70 percent of their games in that span, Philadelphia has won 64 percent to be second on that list. But this current version of the Suns looks

nothing like a contender. They’re 11-13 when Paul plays this season, 9-5 when he doesn’t, which may or may not tell anything. Williams loves the way he plays and sees him as a valuable volunteer assistant coach as well.

“Last year, I felt like we won, but we didn’t learn,” Williams said.

“I love winning, but I think it’s a benefit to your programme to continue to learn — and win. I think Chris understands that

process better than most because he’s been on both sides of it.

“So, a lot of the things that I’m pushing as the coach, I can see him in film study like ‘Yep,’ shaking his head, and when the guys see him doing that, it’s better than me saying it.

“I think all of this is going to pay dividends for us, as we move forward,” Williams said. “If we learn.”

It’s a big if. And it’ll decide if the Suns’ window is closed or not.

GOLDEN State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) walks off the court after defeating the Atlanta Hawks during an NBA basketball game in San Francisco on Monday.

(AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

CAVALIERS guard Donovan Mitchell.

(AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

Basketball standout

Antonicia Moultrie following in her mother’s footsteps

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

VERY few parents get the opportunity to watch their children follow in their footsteps and coach them at the same time in the process. Anastacia Sands-Moultrie is one of these individuals as her daughter Antonicia Moultrie is picking up where her mother left off.

The two are currently holding court for the St Augustine’s College Big Red Machine.

On Friday at the CI Gibson Gymnasium, Sands-Moultrie, one of the country’s most versatile players, coached the Big Red Machine as Moultrie paved the way as SAC rolled past the CV Bethel Stingrays 46-41 to cart off the Providence Basketball Club’s 2022 Holiday Classic senior girls’ championship title. It was the first time that the senior girls and junior boys division was added to the tournament, which normally features the senior boys’ division.

In rallying from a 19-17 deficit at the half, Moultrie took over the show for the Big Red Machine, leading on both ends of the court with 13 of her game high 27 points.

At the end of the tournament, not only did Moultrie, the 5-foot, 9-inch guard/forward earn the game’s most valuable player award, but she was also awarded the most rebounds, most blocks, defensive player, AllTournament Team and the tournament’s MVP honours.

“I got all of my teammates involved and they

relied on me to carry them,” Moultrie said. “So it was a good feeling to know that I was able to accomplish what I did with the support of my teammate and our coach.”

Against the Stingrays, who countered with a big line-up from the McCoy sisters, Terrell and Danielle, and a potent offensive attack led by Trinity Bodie and Geraniqua Bethel, Moultrie said with players such as Dior-Rae Scott, Arianna Gomez and Teanna Gibson, she knew they had what it took to win it all.

“I told them we had to dig down deep, we pushed and we have to do what we have to do to win,” Moultrie said. “We did that and we got the job done.”

In addition to God, Moultrie said she owes a great deal of her success to her mother and coach, Sands-Moultrie.

“She’s always on me and she always wants the best out of me, so it ain’t that bad,” Moultrie said.

“There’s a lot of pressure, but I try to live up to her expectations.”

And one of those expectations, according to Sands-Moultrie, is to see her daughter have success beyond what she did.

“I told her she’s a senior in grade 12, so she has to lead by example and take control of the game,” Moultrie said. “I know she said she was tired, but I told her I couldn’t take her out of the game. She has to fight until the end.”

Those words of encouragement enabled Moultrie to produce one of the most outstanding performances in the tournament, including from the boys’ side.

It’s the same type of hard nose effort that SandsMoultrie was known by when she played for the HO Nash Lions under coach Patricia ‘Pattie’ Johnson before she left to attend St Augustine’s College in Raleigh, North Carolina, from 19942000. Looking at her

mother’s accomplishments, Moultrie, who turned 17 on November 22, said it’s not a hard act to follow.

“She went on to college, her ball and she got her degree,” Moultrie said. “So I hope to do the same thing.”

With aspirations to become a pilot, Moultrie

said she hopes to secure a scholarship to pursue a degree in aviation and play basketball, either at Middle Tennessee State University, Ohio State, Florida Memorial University, University of North Dakota or Western Michigan, but no decision has been made as yet.

PHELIA SCORES 24, NO. 14 MICHIGAN WOMEN BEAT PENN STATE

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Laila Phelia scored 24 points, Leigha Brown had 22 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, and No. 14 Michigan beat Penn State 82-72 yesterday.

Phelia, Brown and Maddie Nolan combined for Michigan’s opening 20 points of the fourth quarter, including a 10-0 run to pull away. Brown started the run with a three-point play and Nolan capped it with a 3-pointer to give Michigan the first double-digit lead of the game at 72-62 with 5:34 left.

Nolan finished with 17 points and five 3-pointers and Emily Kiser had 10 points, eight rebounds and four assists for Michigan (13-2, 3-1 Big Ten), which was coming off a 66-57 loss to No. 3 Ohio State. The Wolverines outrebounded Penn State 40-29.

Phelia and Brown each scored 11 points in the first half as Michigan led 38-34 after closing on a 9-0 run. Phelia scored 11 of Michigan’s opening 26 points.

Shay Ciezki scored 15 of her 21 points in the first half and Makenna Marisa added 14 points for Penn State (10-5, 1-3). Leilani Kapinus and Taniyah Thompson each had 10 points.

Penn State shot 47% from the field despite making just three of its last 13 shots. The Nittany Lions have lost seven straight games against Michigan, and 10 of the last 11.Michigan’s next contest on Saturday against No. 16 Iowa will be the conference’s first women’s basketball game televised live on FOX.

ANDREWS LEADS NO. 23 BAYLOR WOMEN PAST NO. 17 OKLAHOMA 81-70

NORMAN, Okla. (AP)

— Sarah Andrews scored a career-high 30 points and No. 23 Baylor jumped out early and beat 17th-ranked Oklahoma 81-70 on Tuesday night.

Andrews made five 3-pointers and was 9 of 11 from the free-throw line. Ja’Mee Asberry added 14 points and Caitlin Bickle had 10 points and 10 rebounds for Baylor (11-3, 2-0 Big 12), which has won six of its last seven.

Ana Llanusa scored 24 points to lead Oklahoma (11-2, 1-1). Madi Williams added 16 points and Taylor Robertson had 14. Skylar Vann grabbed 10 rebounds to go with seven points.

By PHILLIP B WILSON Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS (AP)

— Aaliyah Edwards scored 20 points and No. 5 UConn opened with a 20-5 run in an 80-47 blowout of Butler last night.

Despite dressing just eight players and not having head coach Geno Auriemma on the sideline due to illness, the Huskies had five double-digit scorers led by Edwards, a junior forward who made 10 of 12 shots. She also grabbed nine rebounds as the visitors had a 35-19 edge on the boards.

“This season has been unlike any other,” said

associate head coach Chris Dailey, who improved to 16-0 as Auriemma’s replacement. “It’s worse than the Covid season because during Covid every time you took a test, someone could be out or we could be shut down. (Now) every other day, we get one person back and then we lose one. It makes you tougher. It makes you stronger as a group.”

UConn (12-2, 5-0 Big East) has won all four meetings with the Bulldogs (6-9, 1-5) by an average of 43.7 points.

“It brings us together,” Edwards said of the depleted roster. “We’ve been going through the

seven or eight rotation for a couple of weeks now.

We’re adjusted to it.”

Aubrey Griffin added 15 points, Nika Muhl 13, Dorka Juhasz 12 and Lou Lopez Senechal 11 for the Huskies.

“The pace is something we talk about a lot at UConn,” Dailey said.

“There’s a pace that we expect and we needed to get back to that because, in our last game against Marquette, we didn’t push the pace the way that we needed to.”

Rachel McLimore led the Bulldogs with 18 points, including four 3-pointers.

Butler, missing two injured starters, missed its

first six shots and 8 of 11 to fall behind by 15 at the start. The Bulldogs cut the deficit to five points in the second quarter before the Huskies pulled away for good.

Huskies guard Caroline Ducharme, who averaged 15.3 points in the past three games, didn’t make the trip due to a concussion. The Huskies had their seventh different starting lineup.

“All these things, everything we’re going through, is going to help us down the road,” Dailey said.

BIG PICTURE

UConn: Despite missing several key pieces, including 2021 National Player of the Year Paige Bueckers

for the entire season and leading scorer Azzi Fudd since Dec. 4, the Huskies remain one of the nation’s elite women’s programs.

Butler: Coming off a 34-point loss at Seton Hall, this was another humbling result for the Bulldogs, who lost for the fourth time in five games by double digits.

But considering the team managed only one win last season, the six this season under first-year coach Austin Parkinson is a marked improvement.

UP NEXT UConn: Visits Xavier on Thursday.

Butler: Visits Villanova on Sunday.

Bella Fontleroy scored all eight of her points in the first quarter to help give the Bears a 21-5 lead. Oklahoma shot just 1 of 16 from the floor in the first quarter but closed the second on an 18-8 run to pull to 34-30 at the break. Llanusa had 10 of her 12 first-half points in the second quarter.

It was the first time in the series since the 2010 Big 12 Championship that Oklahoma entered with a higher ranking than Baylor in the AP Top 25 poll. The Sooners are 13-2 in the series when slotted higher.

COACH ANASTACIA MOULTRIE, far right, gives her daughter Antonicia Moultrie a big kiss as coach Kevin Johnson looks on.

UCONN forward Aaliyah Edwards (3) dives to save a loose ball under Butler guard Shay Frederick (5) during the second half in Indianapolis yesterday. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

TAX CRACKDOWN THREAT FOR BUSINESS LICENCE RENEWAL

existing real property tax arrears will not impact Business Licence renewals, the strategy is also designed to provide the Department of Inland Revenue with information enabling it to “garnish” the tenant’s rental payments and thereby use these to pay-off debt owed to the Public Treasury by the building’s owner.

Simon Wilson, the Ministry of Finance’s financial secretary, confirmed this latest element of the Government’s tax compliance crackdown when contacted by Tribune Business yesterday. He confirmed that the Government had “stepped up enforcement” as part of its drive to “make sure people pay their fair share”, with an advertisement stating: “Real property tax assessment number of business location will be required for renewals.”

The move will impact hundreds, if not thousands, of Bahamian companies who lease - rather than own - the premises from which they operate. Retailers, restaurants and office-based businesses are just a few sectors that typically rent their locations. Some realtors and attorneys specialising in property matters yesterday revealed they had been blindsided by the

Government’s latest action and were hearing about it for the first time from this newspaper.

Given that corporate tenants do not necessarily possess their building’s real property tax assessment number, since such information will typically be held by their landlord, several raised concerns over what happens to Business Licence renewals in the event that the latter proves uncooperative in providing it.

However, Mr Wilson said the requirement was not designed to be onerous. Should the assessment number be withheld, he encouraged business tenants to simply contact the Department of Inland Revenue and supply both their address/ location and landlord’s name. These could then be matched with assessment numbers in the system and the New Providence-wide mapping exercise conducted for the tax authorities by Tyler Technologies.

“We have this issue about property and not knowing who owns the property,” Mr Wilson explained. “There are cases where the tenant may not know it, but they can say ‘This is where I am’ and we will be able to find it in the system. This is my location and this is my landlord.”

Questions were also raised over whether there is any lawful basis for the Government to tie Business Licences to the provision of the landlord’s property tax assessment number, and if renewals can be withheld for failing to do so. Kwasi Thompson, former minister of state for finance in the Minnis administration, told this newspaper yesterday he thought the linking of two separate taxes in such a way was unlawful but needed to check his records.

“I remember this issue coming up and debating it with colleagues,” he recalled, “and saying it was patently unfair because it puts the tenant at a disadvantage..... It seems to me not just unfair but unlawful because it’s two separate persons.”

And another source, speaking on condition of anonymity, added: “If that is not in the law I don’t know how they can mandate it and withhold the Business Licence because the two are unrelated subjects... What are the legal statutes that require the business to do it and the landlord to provide it.”

David Morley, principal at Morley Realty, one of the country’s largest commercial property managers with some 42 clients who it is now preparing Business Licence filings for, agreed it was “a

very good question” whether there is any legal basis for the Government to tie Business Licence renewals and real property tax compliance together in such manner.

While the law has been amended to allow the Government to “garnish”, or take a lien, over tenant rental payments so that itself - rather than the landlord - receives the monies to settle outstanding real property taxes, Mr Morley said the latest enforcement move threatens to further complicate the ease of doing business for tenants.

“Obviously they’re continuing to make the world even smaller,” he added of the tax authorities. “When they made those amendments to the Real Property Tax Act, they made a provision in there which also allowed the Government to assess tenants directly or get the tenants to pay real property tax directly if they can prove the landlord hasn’t paid it. I guess they’re finding ways to squeeze it to make sure the real property tax gets paid.

Mr Wilson, though, described the requirement for tenants to provide the real property tax assessment number as “a legitimate information request”. He added: “We’re not asking them to pay the landlord’s property tax. We’re simply saying to them: ‘Tell us your

location, the name of your landlord and assessment number.” The burden of paying the tax arrears will fall on the taxpayer, namely the landlord, through the loss of rental income being diverted for these purposes.

“This is nothing new,” Mr Wilson told Tribune Business. “It’s just that we have stepped up enforcement. The reality is that we collect around 30 percent of our property tax bills on an annual basis. Around 30 percent is not good. If this increases compliance by over 5 percent, that’s over $20m in additional revenue. Changes in compliance have an outsize effect. This is a tool that we can use. That’s all we want to; make sure people pay their fair share.”

Mr Morley, meanwhile, agreed that the latest move in the Government’s tax compliance strategy “makes sense”. He added: “They’re just trying to close all the loopholes and make sure everything is cross-referenced properly just like they did last year when they introduced the concept of, when a conveyance is stamped or recorded, it has to include the real property tax assessment number.

“What they’re trying to do is capture everything. Bahamians living in the Family Islands have said that, for

the first time in their life, they got a 2023 real property tax assessment. Even though it showed no balance (Bahamian-owned real estate in the Family Islands is exempt from property tax) it gave them an assessment number. I think their intent is to capture every single piece of property in The Bahamas with an assessment number.

“They’re tightening up the belt here. It sounds pretty clear what they’re trying to do. This is another form of them capturing all commercial businesses and commercial landlords. It doesn’t surprise me what the Government is doing. They’re trying to make sure everybody is not only being taxed but recorded. They’re trying to capture all opportunities to make sure they don’t miss out on any real property tax that is owed.”

The real property tax assessment number just adds to the information that Bahamian businesses will now be scrambling to put together ahead of the January 31 deadline for the filing of Business Licence renewal applications. Those with annual revenue greater than $100,000 must have the figures verified by a licensed accountant.

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Gov’t pledges law change over its $233m borrowing

Michael Pintard, the Opposition’s leader, had argued that the transaction potentially breaches Section 21 of the Central Bank Act which sets limits on how much the monetary policy regulator can lend or advance to the Government. It can only make temporary loans that mature within 91 days and have “market-based” interest rates attached, while the amount involved is also capped.

Combined with total issued Treasury Bills, and securities issued or guaranteed by the Government and its corporations, total outstanding loans to the former by the Central Bank cannot exceed 30 percent of the Government’s “average” or “estimated” revenue - a sum around $800m-$900m.

Meanwhile, research by Tribune Business revealed that the planned use of the IMF’s SDRs has changed radically since they were first received in August 2021. The Central Bank press release, announcing their receipt, stated categorically that the financing - then valued at $247.5m - would not be used for onward lending to the Government.

“The Bahamas’ SDR allocations are not being earmarked for lending to the Government, and do not increase the Central Bank’s ability to lend to the Government. The lending limits remain fixed by law,” the release said then. “The Central Bank intends to use the SDR allocations for foreign reserve management operations, in particular holding them available for any increase in foreign exchange needs expressed through the private and public sectors.”

Mr Rolle, though, indicated that improved economic circumstances - especially strengthened foreign currency inflows post-COVID - meant that The Bahamas’ would better maximise use of the SDRs through other means. He was backed by Simon Wilson, the Ministry of Finance’s financial secretary, who said the MoU would provide the Government with access to cheap foreign currency financing that as an estimated 700 basis points below prevailing market rates.

Based on the $233m valuation presently assigned to the SDRs, he argued that this seven percentage point differential could generate close to $20m in

annual interest savings for hard-pressed Bahamian taxpayers compared to the likely rates if the Government had to borrow in the international capital markets.

Mr Wilson also argued that the Government’s SDR borrowing was also aligned with the IMF’s stated reason for issuing them, which was use for “fiscal purposes”. This is partially backed by the Central Bank’s August 2021 release, which says: “Countries can decide whether policy buffers would be used to increase the flexibility of fiscal and monetary policies, including for pandemicrelated deficit financing, debt management operations, promoting external debt sustainability, financial stability or balance of payments needs.”

“I think we have to remember now that when the SDRs were issued, the IMF’s viewpoint was that it was primarily for fiscal purposes,” the financial secretary said. “The Central Bank at the time said to put it in the reserves. But it’s unlikely the IMF will reduce the amount of SDRs issued. It’s a perpetual source of financing. It will be there for a long period of time.

“It makes sense, when you look at the cost of financing domestically and internationally, to use the SDRs for their intended purpose. The savings will be significant.” Compared to the international markets, Mr Wilson said the variable 2.88 percent interest rate attached to the SDRs - as measured over the Christmas week - would likely result in a “seven percentage point saving”.

Based on that saving, and the $233m value presently assigned to the SDRs, Tribune Business calculated a $16.31m annual interest bill savings for Bahamian taxpayers if the full amount is drawn down. “To me, that’s a significant savings,” Mr Wilson asserted. “Why not do it?”

The IMF SDR move thus continues the Davis administration’s strategy of finding creative ways to access low-cost foreign currency debt financing while avoiding the international capital markets. It started with the $206.5m Goldman Sachs repurchase or ‘repo’ deal last year, using funds accumulated to repay future debt maturities, and maintained this with a subsequent $385m bond - of which some $200m was guaranteed by the

Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

Mr Wilson yesterday confirmed that, following the MoU’s signing with the Central Bank, the Government had begun to draw down on the $233m SDR facility which is effectively being treated as a loan against the foreign currency reserves that must be repaid. He added that it will be drawn down in stages “as the need arises”, and the funds will not be employed to meet the Government’s “domestic obligations”.

Mr Pintard, meanwhile, told Tribune Business that both the Prime Minister, in his capacity as minister of finance, and the Central Bank’s governor needed to better explain why the proposed use of the IMF drawing rights had altered so drastically. Questioning whether the Government was otherwise struggling for foreign exchange to service its external debt obligations, he also again queried the legality of the transaction.

“I would be prepared to say on the record that it appears the Government has been exceptionally aggressive to put pressure on the Central Bank relative to assisting them out of the very difficult situation

US airlines: We’re paying five times Bahamas costs

FROM PAGE A20

“With minimal exceptions, the members do not presently receive any further services from BANSA (Bahamas Air Navigation Services Authority) besides those air traffic services provided by FAA and the administration of those services and charges to the members,” the Airlines for America consortium alleged.

“Therefore, beyond the fees paid to the FAA under the ANSA (Air Navigation Services Agreement) and any potential administrative costs to implement the ANSA and levy charges to pay the FAA, we are not aware of any further material costs for Bahamas’ air navigation services.....

“A consequence of the ANSA and the way that The Bahamas levies charges is that US carriers departing/arriving are discriminated against visà-vis other system users. Specifically, members that pay into the FAA’s Airport & Airway Trust Fund pay to support air traffic control and related facilities, and then are charged by The Bahamas for the provision of the same service and related facilities, all of which are provided by the FAA,” they continued.

“Bahamian air carriers and other non-Us carriers do not have these duplicative payments levied against them when they operate through The Bahamas’ airspace after

a US departure or before a US landing.” Airlines for America alleged that its members have to pay $51.60 per nautical mile when flying through Bahamian air space, and $61 per flight when landing or taking off in The Bahamas.

“Since the establishment of the Bahamas charges, our members alone have paid over $20m to The Bahamas. Accordingly, we estimate that the total charges levied against all air carriers in a year exceeds $11m,” the consortium claimed.

“When compared to a very generous and conservative $2m estimate of the annual total costs of

air navigation services to members by The Bahamas (including the fees paid to the FAA, administration of the ANSA and costs to levy charges against air carriers), the actual charges levied against the members are likely five times in excess of the costs to the Bahamas.”

Asserting that these fees violate the Bahamas-US air transport agreement, the Airlines for America group, which also includes Southwest Airlines, United Airlines, FedEx and United Parcel Service, alleged they are paying far more than the $80,000 fee earned by the FAA for managing this country’s air space.

“First, and without question, the Bahamas charges far exceed the actual costs of providing air navigation services by multiples of hundreds are not just or reasonable,” Airlines for America alleged. “The annual charges levied against the members alone are more than 100 times greater than the FAA’s annual fee to The Bahamas for its services and, being generous to the Bahamas in their administration of the ANSA and fee collection, significant multiples higher than the actual costs to The Bahamas for all the services provided to the members.

“Second, and also without question, the Bahamas

they are in,” Mr Pintard said. “We cannot confirm what are the circumstances that the Government is facing, but they are under tremendous pressure and possibly around the issue of liquidity.

“We felt this transaction may have been illegal in its execution. We need to see the MoU, and what we also need to see is the term sheet. What are the terms? Both those things are going to reveal quite a bit. The Government also has to tell us a couple of broader things. They have to tell us what is the condition of our finances that necessitated this, and what happened between last year and now that caused this result and made this an absolute necessity.”

Mr Wilson, though, said he “will challenge” any assertions that the Central Bank Act has been breached. “I will say that the Central Bank Act did not envisage this usage from the instructions by the IMF. The IMF instructions said for fiscal purposes,” he added. “To make it appear as if this was something not contemplated when the SDR was issued is unfortunate. The statement of the IMF that this was for fiscal purposes is as clear as day.”

charges exceed the full cost to The Bahamas of providing its air navigation services. Its air navigation services to members are very limited to the FAA fees, administration of the ANSA, and administration of levying charges against air carriers.

“There are no known additional services that would significantly raise the costs for The Bahamas for providing services to the members. Also, given the huge excess, we respectfully submit that such excess is not a reasonable return on assets after depreciation as envisioned by the USBahamas ATA, especially because The Bahamas admittedly has minimal assets for its air navigation services.”

www.bisxbahamas.com

(242)323-2330 (242) 323-2320

39.950.00 0.9321.26042.93.15%

LEGAL NOTICE

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMPANIES ACT, 2000

BLUE SKY MULTI STRATEGY FUND LTD.

Voluntary Liquidation

Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, 2000, the dissolution of BLUE SKY MULTI STRATEGY FUND LTD. has completed, a Certificate of Dissolution has been issued and the Company has therefore been struck off the Register. The date of completion of the dissolution was 2nd December 2022.

Israel Borba

Lyford Financial Centre, Building 2 - Western Road P.O. Box CB-10988

Lyford Cay Nassau, Bahamas

LEGAL NOTICE

INVESTMENT FUNDS ACT, 2019

KAFKA GLOBAL MACRO FUND LTD.

Voluntary Suspension of Fund activities

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT in accordance with section 22 ss. (1)-(3) (inclusive) of the Investment Funds Act, 2019, as amended, KAFKA GLOBAL MACRO FUND LTD. (the “Company”) has voluntarily suspended its activities as a professional investment fund and has notified the Securities Commission of The Bahamas. The Securities Commission of The Bahamas has suspended the fund license of the Company effective November 11, 2022.

Israel Borba, Director Lyford Financial Centre, Building 2, Western Road, P.O. Box CB-10988, Lyford Cay, New Providence, The Bahamas.

BBL 2.76 2.760.00 0.0000.020N/M0.72% 2.462.31Bahamas First Holdings Limited BFH 2.46 2.460.00 0.1400.08017.63.25% 2.852.25Bank of Bahamas BOB 2.61 2.610.00 6820.0700.000N/M0.00% 6.306.00Bahamas Property Fund BPF 6.30 6.300.00 1.7600.000N/M0.00% 9.808.78Bahamas Waste BWL 9.75 9.750.00 0.3690.26026.42.67% 4.502.82Cable Bahamas CAB 4.50 4.500.00 -0.4380.000-10.3 0.00% 10.657.50Commonwealth Brewery CBB 10.25 10.250.00 0.1400.00073.20.00% 3.652.54Commonwealth Bank CBL 3.58 3.580.0026,6980.1840.12019.53.35% 8.547.00Colina Holdings CHL 8.53 8.530.00 0.4490.22019.02.58% 17.5012.00CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank CIB 15.99 15.990.00 0.7220.72022.14.50% 3.251.99Consolidated Water BDRs CWCB 2.96 2.91 (0.05) 0.1020.43428.514.91% 11.2810.05Doctor's Hospital DHS 10.50 10.500.00 0.4670.06022.50.57% 11.679.16Emera Incorporated EMAB 9.35 9.400.05 0.6460.32814.63.49% 11.5010.06Famguard FAM 11.22 11.220.00 0.7280.24015.42.14% 18.3014.50Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) Limited FBB 18.10 18.100.00 0.8160.54022.22.98% 4.003.55Focol FCL 3.98 3.980.00 0.2030.12019.63.02% 11.509.85Finco FIN 11.00 11.000.00 0.9390.20011.71.82% 16.2515.50J. S. Johnson JSJ 15.76 15.760.00 0.6310.61025.03.87% PREFERENCE SHARES 1.001.00Bahamas

100.00100.00BGS: 2014-12-7Y

100.00100.000.00 100.00100.00BGS: 2015-1-7Y

100.00100.000.00 100.00100.00BGS: 2014-12-30Y

100.00100.000.00 100.00100.00BGS: 2015-1-30Y

100.00100.000.00 100.00100.00BGS: 2015-6-7Y

100.00100.000.00 100.00100.00BGS: 2015-6-30Y BG0330 100.00100.000.00 100.00100.00BGS: 2015-10-7Y BG0407 100.00100.000.00 93.7093.70BGRS FX BGR121138 BSBGR1211386 93.7093.700.00 1370 100.0089.08BGRS FX BGR127149 BSBGR1271497 89.7289.720.00 450 94.8093.36BGRS FX BGR134140 BSBGR1341407 93.9493.940.00 132 100.71100.01BGRS FL BGRS70023 BSBGRS700238 100.71100.710.00 91.9191.91BGRS FX BGR127139 BSBGR1271398 100.00100.000.00 92.6792.67BGRS FX BGR131239 BSBGR1312390 92.5592.550.00 90.9890.98BGRS FX BGR132249 BSBGR1322498 90.9590.950.00 94.8094.80BGRS

BSBGRS810359 100.66100.660.00 100.34100.34BGRS

6.25% 30-Sep-2025

6.95%

MATURITY 19-Oct-2022 20-Nov-2029

17-Jan-2040

5.65% 5.35% 5.00%

2.582.11 2.583.48%3.87% 4.883.30 4.884.49%5.32% 2.261.68 2.262.74%3.02% 205.22164.74 190.45-6.40%-6.95% 212.41116.70 169.68-20.12%-15.15% 1.761.71 1.762.49%2.79% 1.941.78 1.935.71%7.96% 1.881.79 1.863.39%3.91% 1.030.93 0.93-8.94%-9.55% 9.376.41 10.107.82%9.00% 11.837.62 13.4413.58%15.81% 7.545.66 7.712.57%2.83% 16.648.65 13.25-20.10%-19.25% 12.8410.54 12.03-4.50%-4.64% 10.779.57 10.59-0.55%-1.61% 16.279.88 16.27N/AN/A 11.228.45 11.223.00%25.60% 14.8911.20 N/A N/A

5.24% 4.81%

5.35% 5.14% 5.60%

4.87% 4.68%

4.53% 5.00% 29-Jul-2023 15-Jan-2039 15-Oct-2049 17-Jan-2040 15-Jun-2030

6.25% 4.50% 6.25% 4.25% NAV Date

15-Jan-2049 5.50% 15-Jul-2039 15-Jun-2040

22-Sep-2033

30-Nov-2022 30-Nov-2022

15-Dec-2021 30-Jul-2022 15-Dec-2044 30-Jul-2045 26-Jun-2022 26-Jun-2045 15-Oct-2022 25-Nov-2022

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30-Sep-2022

30-Sep-2022 31-Oct-2022

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4.50% 6.25% 31-Dec-2021

document contradicts such claim

their own information. That allegation is untrue.”

we are going to go ahead and do it tomorrow.”

Mr Pinder told Tribune Business that “no authorisation was given by any party” to Mr BankmanFried to subsequently act as he promised, which resulted in the $100m payout over a 25.5 hour period between November 10-11. The payments violated asset freezes imposed by both the Bahamian Supreme Court and Delaware Chapter 11 court, and will likely be treated as fraudulent preferences subject to recovery and claw back in any winding-up.

The provisional liquidation trio, again pledging to pursue this $100m, blasted Mr Ray’s use of this e-mail to attack themselves, the Securities Commission and The Bahamas. “The Chapter 11 debtors have made a series of factual errors and erroneous allegations improperly attacking the

Bahamian government, the Bahamian attorney general, the Commission, the Bahamian court and the joint provisional liquidators,” they asserted.

“Specifically, the debtors contend that the e-mail sent from Samuel BankmanFried to the Commission, in

which Mr Bankman-Fried said he would open up withdrawals for all Bahamian customers on FTX’s exchanges, evidences their ‘close and frequent contact’.

“The chief executive officer of the Chapter 11 debtors went so far as to tell Congress that the e-mail

evidenced ‘collusion’. The insinuation is that the Commission assisted Mr Bankman-Fried in the disposition of assets and therefore the joint provisional liquidators and FTX Digital should be stripped of their rights to access

Mr Simms and his colleagues continued: “That very e-mail referenced in the objection was the same e-mail that the Commission used as evidence to obtain authorisation to commence the Bahamian provisional liquidation in The Bahamas.

In the declaration which has now been unsealed, the Commission stated that it ‘cannot condone the preferential treatment of any investor or client of FTX Digital or otherwise’ in the liquidation.

“The Commission has further clarified that ‘to the extent improper distributions were made to Bahamian citizens, such distributions will be subject to the appropriate claw back actions under the law’. Notwithstanding the Chapter 11 debtors’ incorrect aspersions, it is the goal, too, of the joint provisional liquidators to investigate and

potentially claw back the alleged $100m in cryptocurrency withdrawals..... from 1,500 individuals.”

Ms Rolle, in her latest December 29, 2022, affidavit to the Supreme Court confirmed that Mr Bankman-Fried’s ‘Bahamian withdrawal’ pledge acted as the final trigger for his removal. “In light of the above mentioned e-mail, the Commission took immediate steps to remove the authority of Bankman-Fried and other directors to operate FTX Digital Markets by initiating proceedings before the Supreme Court as soon as possible for a provisional liquidator,” she added.

“The Commission did not condone or approve, either expressly, impliedly or otherwise, Bankman-Fried’s decision to ‘open up’ withdrawals for all Bahamian customers on FTX on the following day.”

FTX US chief ‘in contempt’ over Bahamian court order

FROM PAGE A20

Ms Rolle’s latest evidence, which sought the Supreme Court’s direction on the extent to which the Securities Commission should co-operate with Mr Ray and his team, as well as to the type of information to be provided, appeared

to be an attempt to justify the Bahamian regulator’s actions and push back against allegations that had cast “a pall of mistrust” over this nation and sought to “sully the reputation of this jurisdiction”.

Among the new disclosures in her affidavit were:

* The Securities Commission conducted two examinations under oath of Sam Bankman-Fried, lasting for two-and-a-half and three hours respectively, before the embattled FTX chief was arrested and left The Bahamas to face fraud-related criminal charges in New York over the crypto currency exchange’s collapse. He was arraigned yesterday, where he pleaded not guilty.

* Ms Rolle, fighting back against Mr Ray’s claims that the Government, Securities Commission and Bahamian joint provisional liquidators had all conspired with Mr Bankman-Fried and fellow FTX co-founder, Gary Wang, to transfer digital assets from the crypto exchange as it collapsed, said the regulator had no choice but to work with the duo to protect investors from hacking attempts as they were the only ones who held the “keys” to access them.

The Securities Commission chief also alleged that, when contacted by herself on November 9, 2022, FTX’s Bahamian attorney, Allyson Maynard-Gibson KC, said she was unaware of the turmoil engulfing the crypto currency exchange despite extensive global media coverage of the liquidity crisis that would lead to its collapse within days.

“During the course of the day, the Commission monitored news of the events and considered taking regulatory action with respect to FTX Digital Markets,” Ms Rolle alleged. “I also contacted FTX Digital Markets local external commercial lawyer to ascertain whether she had any knowledge of the events and I requested that she organise a meeting between me and the individuals registered with the Commission.”

This resulted in the meeting where Ryan Salame, head of FTX Digital Markets, the crypto exchange’s Bahamian subsidiary, admitted that assets belonging to clients were being misused through being transferred without their knowledge to Alameda Research, Mr BankmanFried’s hedge fund/trading firm, and used to cover its multi-billion dollar debts and losses.

Ms Rolle alleged that the Securities Commission was first warned about the hacking threat to FTX Digital Markets client assets three days later, when it conducted a “sworn examination” of Mr Bankman-Fried that lasted from 12.40pm to 3.08pm. The FTX founder told the regulator that himself and Mr Wang, who subsequently made a plea bargain deal with US prosecutors in which he admitted to

several offences, had “spent much of the night trying to move assets out of harm’s way”.

This was corroborated by Brian Simms KC, the Lennox Paton senior partner, who in his capacity as FTX Digital Markets’ provisional liquidator said he had received reportsincluding information from Mr Bankman-Fried and Mr Wang - informing him of the hacking threat.

This prompted the Securities Commission to seek, and obtain, Justice Klein’s November 12, 2022, court order authorising it to take control of - and transferFTX Digital Markets’ client assets to a digital wallet under the regulator’s control for safe-keeping.

“Bankman-Fried and Gary Wang were directed by the Commission to effect the transfer of the digital assets remaining under their control because they possessed the access codes required to effect the transfer of such assets to digital wallets established by the Commission,” Ms Rolle alleged.

“There was no other timely option available to the Commission to achieve compliance with the terms of the order made by Justice Klein. The digital assets transferred under the Commission’s courtauthorised regulatory directive to Messrs Wang

and Bankman-Fried was effected by transferring such assets to the digital wallets under the exclusive control of the Commission.”

Denying that this process led to the creation of any new digital assets tokens, the Securities Commission chief said the regulator had also requested that $46m in Tether tokens be transferred to its care. This was not done, though, with the Bahamian regulator agreeing that Tether could instead “maintain a freeze over” the tokens until their ownership was resolved given the existence of the Chapter 11 proceedings.

Noting that a further Supreme Court Order will enable the Securities Commission to recover the estimated $631,200 annual maintenance costs associated with the digital wallets containing FTX Digital Markets’ assets, Ms Rolle asserted: “For the avoidance of doubt, at no time has the Commission colluded with any principal, officer or director of FTX Digital Markets, the provisional liquidator or any third party to transfer digital assets owned by or under the custody or control of FTX Digital Markets.

“Upon completion of the transfers, Bankman-Fried and Gary Wang no longer had access to the tokens that were transferred or frozen.” However, Mr Bankman-Fried’s November 13, 2022, e-mail, to Ms Rolle and the Bahamian provisional liquidators was the first indication that Mr Ray and his team had locked them out of the crypto exchange’s cloudbased system.

“If, as reported by Bankman-Fried in his e-mail dated November 13, 2022, that Gary Wang had been locked out of the AWS system, and if such action was accurately attributed by him to representatives of the US debtors, I am advised by counsel for the Commission and verily believe, without waiving privilege, that such conduct could constitute contempt of court in respect of the order made by Supreme Court justice Klein on November 12,” Ms Rolle added.

MINISTER: NO ‘SWEEPING LAY-OFFS’ FROM MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE

By

A CABINET minister yesterday voiced confidence “there won’t be sweeping lay-offs” as a result of the 24 percent minimum wage increase despite previous warnings by petroleum retailers that they ma be forced to terminate staff.

Keith Bell, minister for labour and Immigration, speaking ahead of the weekly Cabinet meeting said all businesses had more than adequate time to prepare for the $50 per week increase that took effect on January 1. He added that the increase, from $210 to $260, also took effect following consultation with all relevant stakeholders including the private sector.

“The reality is that we live in a country where nobody should be living below the poverty line. Nobody should be working and earning a salary which is below the poverty line. I am pleased that this government was able to introduce

KEITH BELL

a minimum wage, and we would have indicated when we campaigned that it was our intention to increase the minimum wage,” Mr Bell said.

“I’m satisfied that there won’t be sweeping lay-offs.

The National Tripartite Council and the Department of Labour would have engaged in extensive discussions with all the key stakeholders in the country, and they would have met

with them, they would have consulted with them, you have gotten their views.

“Even though, as I would have indicated when I did my communication in Parliament, that there wasn’t consensus on what the amount of the minimum wage should increase to, everybody knew that there was going to be an increase and we knew that even when we spoke that it

would have taken effect this year.”

The National Tripartite Council is comprised of private sector, trade union and government representatives, and was set up to deal with all labour-related issues in the country. Tribune Business previously reported that the private sector sought a modest minimum wage increase to $230 per week; the trade unions pushed for $300; and the Government ultimately settled on $260 per week.

The $260 per week was some $10 higher than the $250 minimum wage that the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) committed to in its election manifesto, potentially allowing it to claim a modest victory over the increase. However, Vasco Bastian, vice-president of the Bahamas Petroleum Dealers Association, warned before Christmas that the minimum wage increase may force the sector to lay-off employees unless their margins are increased.

Mr Bell, responding to these concerns, said:

“I’ve not heard from any of the petroleum dealers as yet. I have heard, and I’ve seen, several things. However, I would wish to indicate to the petroleum dealers to exercise a degree of restraint and caution and not be swift to any sort of action. The reality is that we live in a country where nobody should be living below the poverty line. Nobody should be working and earning a salary which is below the poverty line.”

Petroleum dealers fear their fixed-margin business model leaves them vulnerable to being squeezed by ever-increasing operating costs - not just the minimum wage hike, but electricity bills whose fuel charge component is set to rise by up to 163 percent at the peak of summer consumption.

Dealers had been pushing for a 50 percent margin increase, which would raise their per gallon of gasoline take by 27 cents - from the present 54 cents to 81 cents. Or, alternatively, that the basis of their margin be switched to a percentage.

Mr Bell, meanwhile, reiterated that the Government ultimately intends to introduce a livable as opposed to a minimum wage. “We are about to start the discussion on a livable wage, so that’s not just the petroleum dealers but for everyone,” he added.

“All of the employees and everyone will be in a position to know what to expect in the future, so that it isn’t ad hoc and isn’t haphazard. It isn’t something that was planned or something which is thrust upon them. But there is an expectation that everybody would know that there will be an increase in wages as we proceed and go forward.”

One study by the University of The Bahamas pegged Nassau’s monthly living wage at $2,625 per month, while the equivalent for Grand Bahama was $3,550 per month to sustain a family of four. The private sector described these findings as “incredible” and impossible to accomplish.

Gas stations to ‘manage’ minimum wage increase

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

PETROLEUM retailers yesterday the minimum wage increase was something they “all have to manage” as they continue to push for a change to the industry’s fixed-margin business model.

Oswald Moore, owner/ operator of Rubis East West Highway, told Tribune Business he was “always in favour” of employees having more income but the problem remains the inflexible fixed margin structure.

Out of the 44 cent per gallon of gasoline margin, sector operators are having

to cover ever-increasing labour, utilities (electricity), rental and other costs in the current inflationary environment.

However, Mr Moore, a former president of the Bahamas Petroleum Dealers Association (BPDA), is at odds with the assertion by its current vice-president that the 24 percent minimum wage increase to $260 per week will trigger layoffs across the industry.

Vasco Bastian had warned before Christmas that the minimum wage increase may force the sector to lay-off employees unless margins are increased. With the industry’s gross profit margins largely fixed at a time when a wide variety of expenses

are rising, he said petroleum retailers are being left with no choice but to cut costs if they are to survive.

The sector is among those that will also have to absorb the $50 per week increase in the minimum wage, given that a number of employees earn this level of take-home pay. Mr Bastian said: “We are looking to promote our self-service and trying to stay afloat without cutting staff, but it is almost a certainty we will reduce staff complements for 2023.

“Minimum wage will increase by approximately 24 percent for all employers. However, petroleum retailers are not able to react to this as they have a fixed margin per gallon.” As a result, Mr Bastian said

staff reductions of up to 25 percent were being mulled to enable gas station operators to make ends meet, along with the possibility that Bahamians may have to become used to self-service at the pumps.

Petroleum dealers last year called for a 50 percent increase in their gasoline retail margin which, if granted, would have raised it by 27 cents per gallon from 54 cents to 81 cents. However, despite a series of meetings with the Prime Minister, Cabinet ministers and government officials, no change in the margins was granted with the Davis administration concerned about imposing further inflationary costs on families and businesses

amid the spiralling cost of living crisis.

The talks eventually seemed to peter out after oil prices began to ease on global markets. Oil prices, as Tribune Business went to press, stood at $77.05 per barrel on the West Texas Intermediate Index and at $82.10 for Brent Crude.

However, while the petroleum industry’s concerns may have abated for now, the problems driving them have not gone away and are set to be exacerbated by multiple cost increases that will hit in 2023.

But Ethan Moss, chief executive officer of JMEL Enterprises, operator of the Rubis gas station on East Street and Soldier Road and Rubis Gladstone Road,

backed Mr Moore. He said: “This is something we all have to manage. It was inevitable and times are difficult for everybody. This is just something we have to manage and move forward with.”

Debra Symonette, president of Super Value, said the 13-store supermarket chain had been paying the current minimum wage to employees for some time now and there will not be a significant impact to expenses. She added: “We definitely won’t be laying off any staff. We’re very optimistic. We’re hoping that there’ll be a change in the economy soon and things will get better gradually.”

Tax crackdown threat for

Licence renewal

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIAN companies will have their 2023 Business Licence renewals withheld if they fail to comply with the Government’s crackdown on tax dodging commercial property landlords, it was confirmed yesterday.

The Davis administration is now demanding that all businesses provide the real property tax assessment

Gov’t pledges law change over its $233m borrowing

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Government has promised to change the law to facilitate its “use” of $233m in International Monetary Fund special drawing rights (SDRs) that have for the past 16 months boosted The Bahamas’ foreign reserves.

John Rolle, the Central Bank’s governor, yesterday revealed to Tribune Business that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the monetary policy regulator and Ministry of Finance stipulates that the Davis administration must change the Central Bank Act to facilitate the transaction.

Speaking after the Opposition’s leader challenged whether the Government’s SDR borrowing has any legal basis, he said the

“opportunity cost” of not using the IMF-provided financing had “significantly” increased compared to when they were issued in August 2021.

Suggesting that the SDRs are no longer needed to bolster The Bahamas’ foreign currency reserves, given the strength of the country’s postCOVID tourism and wider recovery, Mr Rolle nevertheless conceded the two sides had put the proverbial cart before the horse by agreeing the transaction prior to giving it the necessary legal underpinning.

“The Central Bank worked closely with the Government in concluding these arrangements to access the SDRs,” the governor told this newspaper via an e-mailed reply. “Under the MOU there is an undertaking by the Government to amend the Central Bank Act to cover the use of the 2021 allocations.

number for the building from which they operate even if they are merely tenants, while warning that failure to do so could delay or impact the processing of Business Licence renewal submissions that are due within 27 days at January’s end.

The joint objective of the Ministry of Finance and Department of Inland Revenue is two-fold - to boost both Business Licence and real property tax revenue.

By better matching business

tenants to their commercial landlords, the tax authorities’ goal is to detect those among the latter who lack the necessary Business Licence for the activities they are conducting and thus clamp down on such tax dodging.

While companies have been assured that their landlord’s

FTX US chief ‘in contempt’ over Bahamian court order

ROLLE

“As explained in our public release, the assessment of the foreign reserves adequacy has continued to improve given the ongoing recovery in tourism. There is even less uncertainty around the sustainability of the reserves than in 2021. Compared to one year ago, the opportunity cost of not making any use of the SDRs is therefore significantly greater. However, it is not a need that is expressed in terms of foreign reserves adequacy.”

US airlines: We’re paying five times Bahamas costs

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

MAJOR airlines allege they are paying “more than five times” what it costs The Bahamas to provide air navigation services to them amid demands that sanctions be imposed on local carriers flying to the US.

The Airlines for America consortium, which includes key carriers such as American Airlines, Jet Blue and Delta, is claiming its members are paying more than $11m per year in overflight fees to The Bahamas even though the services this nation provides cost a fraction of this sum.

While their challenge to The Bahamas’ fledgling 18-month overflight regime was disclosed over the Christmas holidays, no details of the US aviation industry’s complaint - including their demand that Bahamian-owned commercial airlines be either totally barred or severely restricted from flying to the US

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

FTX’s Bahamian liquidators are asserting that the document being cited as evidence of this country’s alleged collusion with Sam Bankman-Fried sparked the very court action that led to his removal.

Brian Simms KC, the Lennox Paton senior partner, and the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) accountant duo of Kevin Cambridge and Peter Greaves, alleged in a January 2, 2023, filing with the Delaware Bankruptcy Court that the e-mail frequently referred to by FTX US chief, John Ray, was the final straw that prompted the Securities Commission to seek his ousting and their subsequent appointment.

Mr Ray and his team, appointed via the Chapter 11 bankruptcy process for some 134 FTX entities, have frequently cited Mr Bankman-Fried’s November 9, 2022, e-mail to Ryan Pinder KC, the attorney general, to suggest that the Government,

unless the matter is resolved to their satisfaction - have been disclosed until now.

Should the Biden administration’s Department of Transportation bow to the US airlines’ demands, carriers such as Bahamasair and Western Air could suffer a major loss of income and passengers, while the key transportation artery for this nation’s lucrative stopover visitor market would also be somewhat choked.

The Airlines for America complaint is urging the US transport regulator to issue an order “that, unless the Government of the Bahamas immediately ends the collection of its unjust, discriminatory, anticompetitive and unreasonable user charges, that the authority held by the air carriers of The Bahamas to provide international air transportation to the US will be curtailed or suspended, or be subject to other countervailing measures”.

The Government has pledged to fight the complaint, which is

premised on three key issues. First, given that the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) still provides air navigation services above 6,000 feet in some 75 percent of Bahamian air space under a ten-year management agreement, the US airlines are alleging they are - in effect - being double taxed as they already pay the FAA to provide this.

They are also alleging they are paying The Bahamas for services it is presently not providing, and are subject to fees not levied on domestic carriers, hence the “discrimination” charge. Finally, the Airlines for America group is also alleging that the present overflight fee structure breaches Article 10 in the BahamasUS Air Transport Agreement, which calls for such levies to be “just, reasonable, not unjustly discriminatory, and equitably apportioned among categories of users”.

the former attorney general who acted as FTX’s Bahamian attorney, said FTX had separated all Bahamian client assets from those of other customers and would give them preferential treatment by returning their funds.

“We are deeply grateful for what The Bahamas has done for us, and deeply committed to it. We are also deeply sorry about this mess,” Mr Bankman-Fried told Mr Pinder. “As part of this we have segregated funds for all Bahamian customers on FTX.

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Securities Commission’s top executive has accused FTX’s US chief of being “in contempt” of the Supreme Court by blocking access to the collapsed crypto exchange’s cloudstored system and digital assets.

Christina Rolle, its executive director, sought to turn the tables on accusations by John Ray and his team that the regulator and joint provisional liquidators violated the “automatic stay” imposed by the Delaware Chapter 11 proceedings through alleging they were guilty of the same conduct.

She asserted that locking the Securities Commission out of FTX’s systems on November 12-13, 2022, was tantamount to “contempt of court” as it prevented the Bahamian regulator from fulfilling Supreme Court justice, Loren Klein’s, order to secure and protect millions of dollars in assets then under the control of the failed crypto exchange’s Bahamian subsidiary.

Ms Rolle’s accusation, contained in her December 29, 2022, affidavit filed

with the Supreme Court, represents the latest salvo in an increasingly acrimonious battle for control of FTX’s global restructuring, sell-off and winding-up between The Bahamas and Delaware.

With both sides seemingly becoming more entrenched in court battles set to play out in this nation and the US, and co-operation between the two sides presently at a minimum, the main losers are likely to be FTX’s one-million plus army of former clients, investors and creditors who are all anxiously waiting to see how much of their assets they will recover.

Securities Commission and provisional liquidators were in cahoots with the indicted crypto exchange’s founder over the withdrawal of some $100m in digital assets paid out to 1,500 allegedly “Bahamian customers’.

The e-mail, which was also copied to Christina Rolle, the Securities Commission’s executive director, and Allyson Maynard-Gibson KC,

“And we would be more than happy to open up withdrawals for all Bahamian customers on FTX, so that they can, tomorrow, fully withdraw all of their assets, making them fully whole. It’s your call whether you want us to do this, but we are more than happy to and would consider it the very least of our duty to the country, and could open it up immediately if you reply saying you want us to. If we don’t hear back from you,

CHRISTINA ROLLE

SIMON

Securities Commission chief hits back at John Ray

Says guilty of same conduct accusing Bahamas of

Chapter 11 team ‘casting pall of mistrust over nation’

JOHN

BRIAN SIMMS KC