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Volume: 121 No.31, January 5, 2024

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: PRICE–$

‘TALK TO THE GANG LEADERS’ Pintard urges conclave after latest murders

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net FREE National Movement leader Michael Pintard said the government should have a conclave with gang leaders to figure out how to stop the bloodshed in the country.

He said many parliamentarians know the “street leaders” and those who wield “influence over a number of the persons who are wreaking havoc”.

He said: “Call a conclave with the senior fellas who run the streets, who lead these gangs who members of parliament know FNM leader Michael Pintard

SEE PAGE THREE

...AS NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH CHIEF SAYS POLICE NOT TALKING TO THEM ANY MORE

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net THE chairman of the Bahamas National Neighbourhood Watch Council

said the body’s relationship with the Royal Bahamas Police Force has gone downhill, causing an increase in crime.

Chairman Keno Wong said the seeming disappearance of liaison officers, who were assigned to communities and helped

ensure speedy responses to criminal complaints, has crippled the system.

The council oversees more than 165 neighbourhood watch groups.

Mr Wong said since the relationship with the police force deteriorated over the

last year, residents have complained about increased vandalism, housebreaking, and sexual assaults.

“Once the liaison officers were pulled SEE PAGE THREE

Family hires lawyer after man’s GB Shipyard fall

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@ribunemedia.net A MAN who fell 60ft from a tanker at the Grand Bahama Shipyard on December 16 has had two surgeries and doctors expect to soon operate on his leg.

Graham Pinder, 23, fractured his skull and injured his neck, back and lower

GRAND BAHAMA SHIPYARD

Sherrica Smith.

He is alert in Doctors Hospital, but has a long road to recovery.

His frightening fall came a few days after Ms Smith’s mother died, compounding her grief.

His family has retained a lawyer. Mr Pinder was a casual worker with no medical insurance.

extremities, according to his mother, West End resident

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE FIVE

BPSU VOTE RESULTS ARE NOT RATIFIED

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter russell@tribunemedia.net THE registrar of trade unions declined to certify the results of the Bahamas Public Services Union (BPSU) election after investigating complaints SEE PAGE FOUR

PAGE 2, Friday, January 5, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

It’s Carnival time

FAMILIES enjoying an evening of fun at Carnival playing games, and enjoying the thrill of wild rides.

Photo: Moise Amisial

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, January 5, 2024, PAGE 3

‘Talk to the gang leaders’

FNM leader Michael Pintard

from page one to find out: What is the conflict? Are there irreconcilable differences? How do we get peace on the streets? Have that conversation. For those who are unwilling to heed, let the full weight of the system deal with them, but don’t carry on as though we don’t know who is who, because we do.”

Mr Pintard made the

comment in an interview with Eyewitness News on Wednesday. He was criticising the Davis administration’s crimefighting approach, arguing that Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis has made efforts abroad to curb gun trafficking to this country, but hasn’t done enough locally.

Murders soared during the holiday season. Since December 22, 13 people

CARTWRIGHT SAYS GOVT HAS NO PLAN FOR FIGHTING CRIME

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net FREE National Movement Deputy Leader Shanendon Cartwright said the government does not have a crime plan.

His comments came after Wednesday’s double homicide on Prince Charles Drive, which brought the country’s murder count to four.

“As we have exceeded the regretful milestone of 100 murders in our country yet again for two consecutive years, we join with Bahamians who are deeply concerned about the bloodbath occurring on the streets of the capital, while there seems no coordinated strategy by the government to stem it,” Mr Cartwright said in a press statement.

“Two years into the governance of the Davis administration, the population feels no more secure, despite the promises of the PLP to deal with crime.

What has been the impact of the crime consultants?

Why had there been no significant slowing of gun violence in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas?”

Mr Cartwright condemned the government’s handling of crime, noting in March 2022, the opposition party made 14 recommendations to tackle crime.

“The opposition has repeatedly echoed the sentiments of those calling for judges to limit bail to those who have been repeatedly

accused of crimes but not yet brought to trial,” he said.

“We have also stated that we recognize that it would be a judicial, legislative and constitutional issue that the executive and Parliament must address. The government’s crime plan is non-existent and they are failing the Bahamian people.”

“After two years of the Davis administration, we see a deep commitment to optics by our executive, but little in the way of decisive action to deal with a consistent crime problem that threatens the Bahamian way of life.”

He urged the government to revisit bail legislation so the judiciary could be hesitant with granting bail in cases of murder and repeat offenders. Notably, the Minnis administration did not do this, and legal experts have repeatedly said courts would strike down such restrictions.

“The police force is just one part of a larger machinery dedicated to law and order in our society,” Mr Cartwright said.

“There is a constitutional right to apply for bail and learned judges are often frustrated by an overloaded system that does not function optimally.

“Law enforcement must be given the full support of the executive and the legislature and changing laws to better facilitate the operation of the system must be a part of the conversation.”

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

have been murdered, including four in 2024.

Elaborating on his view in an interview with The Tribune yesterday, Mr Pintard said business people, church leaders, and Junkanoo leaders are among those who could be involved in behind-thescene meetings with leaders of the “informal” groups.

“We need to put them in the room with some of the influential men and women

who control that informal sector, control those persons who engage in any form of criminality that can result in acts of violence and to get to the bottom of what some of those conflicts are,” he said.

He added that those in power always know who influential people are in those “informal” communities.

“In the majority of constituencies, they know who

is the most influential in this particular subdivision,” he said.

“Whether you’re in the south, running from South Beach to all the way to Golden Isles, whether you are in central, whether you are in the east, they know who is the most influential, and some of them are known by name. This is why you heard policymakers just recently saying that the person who died was

like a brother or I know them well. I know the whole family. Of course they do.”

“Of course we did, and therefore, as one of the options, we should seek to bring those persons into a room. Sometimes it is going to be many of them so that you can talk to all of them.

Sometimes it’s going to be two particular factions; sometimes it’s going to be two individuals.”

Neighbourhood watch chief says police not talking to them any more

THE SCENE of Wednesday’s shooting on Prince Charles Drive. from page one out of the communities, the communities kind of went back on its own and so it’s a struggle now,” he told The Tribune yesterday. “Who do you call?

If you call this station, there’s always an issue.

If you call 919, they take down the information, and sometimes no one shows up.”

The presence of officers in the communities was helpful, he said.

“We had a direct contact with them, and we saw the dividends of them getting involved and sending mobile patrols to come in very quickly, or someone from the station may have come in quickly,” he added. “That has stopped, and so what we are pressing for right now is the return of what the programme was designed for,

and that was a partnership with the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the community leaders in the National Neighbourhood Watch Programme.”

Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander did not answer messages and calls seeking a response to the criticism yesterday.

However, Office of the Prime Minister communications director Latrae Rahming said Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis met members of the watch council last year and has an open relationship with Mr Wong.

“The prime minister understands the importance of community policing in the fight against crime,” he said. “The Office of the Prime Minister will try to get a clearer understanding of whatever breakdown is happening, a clearer understanding

Photo: Dante Carrer of the concerns raised by Mr Keno Wong, but the public could be assured that the prime minister himself said he is an avid supporter and understands the essential work of the programme. He intends to meet with the council early in the new year as part of a multi-pronged approach to crime.”

The watch programme began under the Minnis administration.

Mr Wong, a known supporter of the Progressive Liberal Party, said the council fought for neighbourhood watch vehicles, but no one knows where they have gone.

“We agitated on every level to the former administration to purchase those vehicles and they heard our cry,” he said. “They purchased those vehicles specifically to patrol the neighbourhoods. We don’t

even see the vehicles on the streets no more so we don’t even know what they are doing with those vehicles.”

While Commissioner Fernander has said saturation patrols are a key crime-fighting strategy, Mr Wong said those activities only happen in hot spot areas, leaving some communities without enough police attention.

“The national neighbourhood watch programme is designed specifically to be the eyes and ears, and to observe and report for the Royal Bahamas Police Force,” he said. “Urban Renewal has its benefits, but the national Neighbourhood Watch Programme is designed to have a broader scope on the development and the majority to understand how to fight this crime issue.”

PAGE 4, Friday, January 5, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

BPSU vote results are not ratified from page one about irregularities, according to Labour director Howard Thompson.

Mr Thompson said Minister of Labour Pia Glover-Rolle will decide whether to accept or override the registrar’s decision.

The team of incumbent president Kimsley Ferguson unofficially won the election in September, beating groups led by Alexander Burrows, Jr, and former Labour Director John Pinder.

However, Mr Burrows and Pinder complained to Van Delaney, the registrar of trade unions, about the election process.

After the registrar made his decision, Mr Ferguson appealed to the minister.

Mr Thompson stressed that the outcome of the matter depends on the minister’s final decision.

He said Mrs Glover-Rolle sought counsel from him and the Office of the Attorney General and is expected to issue her decision on Monday.

The Tribune obtained a letter purportedly signed by Mr Pinder and Mr Burrows, Jr, which lists their concerns

about the election.

The September 28, 2023, letter was sent to Mr Delaney.

Among other things, the letter said candidates and labour officials received an incomplete register of voters.

The designated officer in Bimini reportedly did not receive a copy of the voter register until 2pm, while the officer in Inagua never received the list.

Agents were allegedly not allowed to witness the counting of ballots before polls opened.

A candidate with a rival team allegedly saw a designated officer receive a sealed envelope from a candidate from another group at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

One polling station at the Department of Environmental Health Services allegedly opened late and closed early.

According to Mr Pinder and Mr Burrows, the unofficial results showed Mr Ferguson got just over 500 votes in the leadership race, Mr Burrows received over 400 votes, and Mr Pinder finished third with over 300 votes.

KIMSLEY Ferguson is unofficially the winner of the BPSU vote, however, other members have complained of irregularities and the registrar of trade unions have declined to certify the results.

ORG CALLS FOR SWIFT ACTION ON IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT THE Organisation for Responsible Governance (ORG) wants swift action on implementing the Freedom of Information Act, calling it a critical tool.

Successive administrations have promised to implement an information request system, but failed to do so. Prime Minister Philip Davis recently said implementing the FOIA is not a top priority for the government.

ORG, in a statement yesterday, said the FOIA is important for providing greater transparency and accountability in governance.

“Despite the passage of the FOIA in 2017, crucial sections of the law covering the application process for and accessing information remain unimplemented,” ORG said. “The lack of priority placed on this law over the past two administrations has hindered the public’s fundamental right to information, leaving Bahamians without the necessary tools to access government information on matters of public interest.”

“The FOIA serves as a crucial tool for fostering a culture of transparency and accountability within government institutions.

It enables citizens to hold their elected representatives accountable and ensures that decisions are rooted in public scrutiny.

Prioritising the implementation of the FOIA paves the way for a more open and accountable society, allowing citizens to effectively participate in decision-making processes.”

Mr Davis’ recent comment came after Information Commissioner Keith Thompson told The Nassau Guardian that the prime minister and the attorney general’s offices are responsible for getting the technology his department needs to move forward with a pilot programme and facilitate information requests.

Asked about his commitment to implementing the law, he said: “Within my term of office, yes, but again, priorities require resources, and if I have a choice of putting and getting all those things in place as against doing things to alleviate the strain on my Bahamian people, the strain on my Bahamian people –– relief will come first. That is not off our drawing board. Right now, we just have too many

challenges amongst our disadvantaged Bahamians that need to pay priority to. That’s my priority right now.”

ORG said a fully enacted FOIA could bring many social and economic benefits to support sustainable national development, including more effective decision-making, more efficient government spending, less wastage, and increased public trust.

“There are direct economic benefits to be gained with the culture of transparency and accountability functioning FOIA can bring,” ORG said.

“These can have a counterbalancing effect on inflationary situations by protecting government resources which may then be needed for social support. This can have a direct and positive impact on day-to-day quality of life issues such as crime, school attendance and public services.”

Free National Movement leader Michael Pintard recently criticised Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis’ response to implementing the Freedom of Information Act, noting the administration’s team is large enough to get it done.

MATT AUBRY, executive director of the Organization for Responsible Governance.

Death Notice For

Sandra Joann Christie, 73 of Seashell Circle, West Winds, died at the Princess Margaret Hospital on Wednesday, December 27th, 2023.

She is survived by her daughter: Melisa Simone Wright; grandson: Blair Ethan George Thompson; sisters: Pamela Christie-Tabron, Heather ChristieSmith, Pauline Christie, Allison Christie-Nortje, Iva Butler, Donna Williams, and Sabrina Christie; adopted sister: Charlene Richardson-Cash; brothers: Brian, Gordon, Marc, Marcian, Kenneth, and Derrick Christie; adopted brother: Paul Richardson; aunt: Winifred Palmer; uncle: Captain Fernley Palmer; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, January 5, 2024, PAGE 5

Family hires lawyer after man’s GB Shipyard fall

GRAHAM Pinder fell 60ft from a tanker at the Grand Bahama Shipyard on December 16 has had two surgeries and doctors expect to soon operate on his leg.

Photo: Grand Bahama Shipyard from page one “They had to deal with his head injury first. He fell from very high,” Ms Smith said.

She said doctors and nurses are watching him closely and are administering extensive antibiotic treatment.

“He remembers what happened. As time goes by, he is remembering everything,” she said.

Ms Smith, who operates a conch stand in West End, has been at her son’s bedside and has not returned to work in Grand Bahama. Last year, her father, Sherrick “Shebo”

Smith, a well-known conch-stand operator and resident of West End, died after battling cancer.

Clear Blue Maritime Agency provides contract labour for the maritime industry and has worked closely with the Grand Bahama Shipyard for the past four years.

THOMPSON CALLS ON DAVIS ADMINISTRATION TO STOP RAISING TAXES ON BAHAMIANS

Some contract workers are concerned about the industrial accident and what it means for them.

Last week, Julian Russell, president of the Bahamas Industrial General Services Union (BIGSU), called for better safety and medical coverage for contract workers.

Corey Cartwright, president of the Grand Bahama Port Authority Workers Union, said the shipyard has 50 to 80 casual workers.

“No one is fighting for the casual workers, and they are trying to get representation and the government is not keeping an eye on the matter,” Mr

Cartwright said.

“The prime minister spoke at the shipyard about casual workers, but there was no action behind it. I want Prime Minister Davis to stand on his words for casual workers because he said his administration would do something about it,” he said.

THE CLEARING BANKS ASSOCIATION Announces

MAJORITY RULE DAY HOLIDAY BANKING HOURS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2024 Closed

EAST GRAND BAHAMA MP KWASI THOMPSON

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net EAST Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson wants the Davis administration to stop raising taxes and fees on Bahamians, saying this would help the country fight inflation.

In a statement yesterday, Mr Thompson pointed to the rise of several fees, which he said has caused hardship for many Bahamians.

“The Tribune of Wednesday, January 3rd, outlined with detail the very real challenges faced by small Bahamian commercial boat owners and fishermen, some of whom reportedly have seen their annual boating fees jump from $260 to $2,600,” he noted. “These increases have a direct impact on the lives of the many fishermen in East Grand Bahama, particularly the East End settlements, including Sweetings Cay. These are fishing settlements. Many fishermen

use their vessels to provide for their families and it is cruel to increase registration in such an extreme way.”

“The Fisheries Association president has pointed out to this arrogant and uncaring PLP government that the smaller fishermen may simply be unable to afford these inordinate fee hikes. This PLP government, through its own callous and arrogant actions are placing small fishermen and commercial boaters in East Grand Bahamas and the rest of The Bahamas in an untenable situation.”

Mr Thompson continued: “Of course, all Bahamians travelling internationally will have to pay an additional $2 in ticket taxes to cover this ‘so-called’ tourism enhancement levy. It is the cumulative effect this payment will have. However, it is when taken together with the rise of VAT on medication and breadbasket items, and it is also when taken together with

the high cost of electricity that the situation becomes serious.”

“We also understand from the country’s financial secretary, as reported in the press, that the government is planning on imposing a brand new tax on all air freight. The opposition has written to the government and has stated its unambiguous objection to any such arrangement. We also cannot forget the increase in national insurance that will come into effect in July 2024.”

Mr Thompson said the government’s actions have placed an additional burden on the backs of Bahamians who continue to be ravaged by “the inflation crisis”.

“Given the hidden taxes and fees on Bahamians, no reasonable Bahamian can believe the Prime Minister when he claims that he finally has become aware of an inflation crisis and will now seek to do something about it,” the FNM MP added.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2024 Normal Banking Hours

CLEARING BANKS Commonwealth Bank Limited Mon. - Fri. 9:00am - 3:30pm Sat. 10:00am - 1:00pm (Cable Beach, Golden Gates, Oakes Field, Prince Charles, Wulff Road, Freeport Mall Drive & Marsh Harbour, Abaco Branches) Bank of The Bahamas Limited Mon - Thurs. 9:30am - 3:00pm Fri. 9:30am - 4:30pm CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank Mon. - Fri. 9:30am - 3:00pm

Citibank, N.A. Mon. - Thur. 9:30am -3:00pm Fri. 9:30am - 4:00pm Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) Limited Mon. - Fri. 9:30am - 3:00pm RBC Royal Bank (Bahamas) Limited Mon. - Fri. 9:00am - 4:00pm Sat. 9:00am - 3:00pm (Prince Charles, Cable Beach & Carmichael Branches) Scotiabank (Bahamas) Limited Mon. - Fri. 9:00am - 2:00pm

PAGE 6, Friday, January 5, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

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PICTURE OF THE DAY

NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI “Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,

Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

RT HON EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,

C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B. Publisher/Editor 1972-

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Why central banks should fight climate crisis CLIMATE finance was a major focus at the recent COP28 summit, but one set of game-changing institutions remains largely missing in such conversations: central banks.

Central banks are public institutions, charged with maintaining economic stability through controlling the supply of money in an economy. These banks have enormous power to catalyse a more just, equitable and climate-stable future.

However, our recent research points out that their policies have been slowing down – rather than speeding up – transformative climate action. The problem is these banks focus on financial stability in the near term, which means propping up a status quo which promotes further climate instability. And that means they are making things more unstable in the long term.

Our research suggests that long-term stability cannot be achieved without first disrupting and transforming the existing financial system. One way to do this would be for central banks to use tools already available to them to trigger a short-term intentional disruption in order to redirect financial flows and create greater stability in the long-term – we call this “creative disruption”.

Short-term v long-term stability Central banks generally try to keep the economy stable by controlling inflation through interest rates. With climate disruptions causing more and more instability every year, many central banks are starting to take the climate more seriously. Yet, when price stability is threatened by increasing inflation or when the overall financial stability is questioned by a looming financial crisis, central banks quickly forget about the climate.

For example, recent aggressive increases in interest rates have disproportionately hit the renewable energy sector and made it harder for people and governments to raise money for other measures that would help cut emissions or adapt to climate change. From a longterm perspective and from a climate justice lens, this is counterproductive.

To maintain short-term economic stability when COVID hit, central banks around the world quickly lent money to commercial banks in a variety of ways – even at negative interest rates. But no strings were attached, so banks lent this money to the fossil fuel industry and other wealthy corporate interests, among others.

During the pandemic many central banks also increased the money supply, in a process called quantitative easing, to stimulate the economy, and some of this money ended up in the pockets of carbon intensive industries. These efforts to stabilise financial markets

reinforced and exacerbated huge inequities in wealth and power, and were a missed opportunity to increase support for a green economy.

That’s why in our latest research we analysed central banks from the lens of climate justice. Climate justice is an approach to climate action that goes beyond a narrow focus on decarbonisation and emissions and focuses on social change and economic equity as a way to make people less vulnerable to climate change. This means restructuring the financial system to work for the benefit of all people rather than just the top 1%.

So instead of stabilising markets by supporting corporate interests and the financial sector in the short-term, we suggest that central banks need to start prioritising long-term stability.

An intentional short-term “creative disruption” would reverse established financial flows and would start funnelling investments towards the most vulnerable.

For example, central banks could use their power to create money to help local governments finance ambitious climate infrastructure projects or directly support community-oriented public investment programmes.

Rather than continuing to focus narrowly on inflation to determine economy-wide interest rates, central banks could create different interest rates for different kinds of investments – establishing high interest rates for carbon-intensive activities and low or zero-interest rates for renewable energy.

The Bank of Japan is one of a few central banks that have already started experimenting with such schemes.

Central banks can also create zero or negative-interest rates for climate justice investments. Imagine households could insulate homes, install heat pumps and solar panels – and get paid for it. And the most vulnerable communities should be served first, not last. If central banks can use negative interest rates to save banks during the COVID crisis, they surely can use such tools to save people and the planet in the climate crisis.

Innovations like this could transform the financial landscape, and reshape the financial injustices that dominate today.

And there is much more central banks can do.

Central banks have the power and the tools to trigger a rapid transformation towards a more just, fossil-fuel free future at a global scale. Instead of continuing to use their power to accelerate climate chaos, central banks could catalyse a shift toward a more equitable financial system. Going forward, the transformative role of central banks needs to be at the top of the climate policy agenda.

ALL smiles as a mother and son enjoy the merry-go-round at the Carnival.

Photo: Mosie Amisial

Pope is not follower of Jesus Christ EDITOR, The Tribune.

DURING the week of Christmas a prominent Baptist YouTuber uploaded a video on YouTube in which he criticised Pope Francis for a controversial and heretical statement made during his Christmas Day address at the Vatican. Pope Francis spoke about children whose childhood was devastated by war, referring to them as “little Jesuses”.

Many of the commenters rightly observed that there’s only one Jesus, the second member of the triune Godhead. Pope Francis could’ve used a more appropriate analogy to drive home his point, rather than engaging in outright blasphemy.

I have chosen to address this subject because the Catholic Church has a very strong and ubiquitous presence in The Bahamas, despite the disproportionate disparity in numbers between it and the Protestant camp.

Notwithstanding its small population, thousands of Bahamians consider Pope Francis to be their spiritual authority, due to them being members of the Roman Catholic Church.

Pope Francis’ recent pronouncements should give these Bahamians cause for concern. Weeks before his Christmas Day speech, the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Faith announced that priests are now allowed to bless individuals in same-sex relationships and others in irregular situations.

To allay the fears of conservative Catholics, the Vatican has made it clear that these same-sex blessings will not be done in a liturgical or sacramental context. The church still opposes homosexuality.

Still, this move by Pope Francis is confusing, to say the least. In one breath, the Catholic Church is saying homosexuality is a sin, yet in the other, it is saying to LGBTQ couples that it is willing to bless them. So, which is

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net it? This is a slippery slope Pope Francis has set the Catholic Church on. This is eerily similar to the Episcopal Church in North America that approved same-sex marriage in 2015. As a result of this Episcopalian apostasy, thousands of conservative Episcopalians defected from that denomination.

Homosexual couples will now be allowed to have special services of blessing in Church of England parishes. This comes after the Church of England leadership announced that Anglican priests are allowed to bless samesex couples in early 2023.

Obviously Pope Francis is following in the footsteps of the Church of England.

The paradigm shift within the Anglican and Catholic communes is similar to what I see going on within the evangelical church in North America, owing to the massive influence of Andy Stanley, Tyler Perry and his Madea stage act and, to a lesser degree, the embattled Bishop T D Jakes.

In late 2023 during the COP28 climate change conference in Dubai, Pope Francis issued a statement from the Vatican in which he called on the world religions to “unite in opposing the rapacious devastation of the environment”. Based on that statement alone, some are now wondering aloud if the Pontiff is a syncretist. If so, the implications of his alleged syncretism would then mean that he believes Muslims, atheists, Buddhists, Hindus, Rastas, Satanists and voodoo practitioners are all going to heaven. Belief in the New Testament gospel isn’t necessary in the grand scheme of things.

Moreover, Pope Francis, a Jesuit priest who was born in Argentina, has also been accused

of being a universalist.

Universalism, which was taught by the heretical third century Alexandrian Church Father Origen, is antithetical to the exclusive claims of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In defense of Pope Francis’ alleged universalism, Catholic World Report, in an article published in 2013, claimed that Pope John Paul III, the Catechism of the Catholic Church (edited by Pope Benedict XVI) and Pope Leo XIII all taught a soteriology similar to what the current pope embraces. If true, universalism is still heretical.

And finally, Pope Francis was accused of being a Marxist by American conservatives Rush Limbaugh and Glen Beck.

The Economist - a prominent financial magazine - accused the Pontiff of being a follower of Vladimir Lenin, the founder of communist Russia. Pope Francis has denied the Marxist allegations. Yet his repeated railings against the prosperous free market economies of the Western Hemisphere has led keen observers to the conclusion that he is pro-Marxist.

Hailing from Latin America, the breeding ground of Marxist revolutions in the West, has also led to the allegations. Bahamians, by and large, are traditionalists who reject same-sex unions. They are pro-free market and are, at least from an ideological standpoint, evangelical in their views on biblical doctrines. Their views conflict with those of Pope Francis. Bahamian Catholics must now have a come-to-Jesus moment with their Pope, whom I believe is not a Christian.

Why would you continue to follow a man who does not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?

That’s the million dollar question Bahamian Catholics must ask themselves.

KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Grand Bahama January 3, 2024.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, January 5, 2024, PAGE 7

Pipeline bridge construction begins in Grand Bahama

WORK begins on a pipeline bridge on Grand Bahamian Way in Grand Bahama. Work is expected to take 8 weeks to complete.

Photo: Vandyke Hepburn

FOUR MEN CHARGED OVER $2.9M WORTH OF MARIJUANA

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net FOUR MEN were granted bail yesterday after they were allegedly found with $2.9m worth of marijuana off the coast of Ragged Island last week.

Magistrate Shaka Serville charged Karl Spencer, 48, Andrew Adderley, 55, Marco Cartwright, 50, and Jessie Solomon, 40, of Jamaica, with eight drug charges.

These include two counts each of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply, conspiracy to possess dangerous drugs with intent to supply, importation of dangerous drugs and conspiracy to import dangerous drugs.

Ryszard Humes and Tai Pinder-Mackey represented the accused.

The defendants, while aboard a vessel in open waters off Ragged Island, were found with 2908 lbs of marijuana on December 28, 2023. Authorities also reportedly seized five and a half ounces of cocaine.

The marijuana confiscated in this incident has an estimated street value of $2,908,000.

After the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, the three Bahamian accused were granted $50,000 bail. Solomon’s cash bail was set at $250,000.

All four accused must surrender their passports and must be fitted with monitoring devices.

Spencer, Adderley, Cartwright and Solomon must sign in at the Nichol’s Town, Wulff Road, Carmichael and Central Police Stations twice a month.

Their trial starts on May 28.

MAN CHARGED WITH ASSAULT WITH SHOTGUN GRANTED BAIL

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN was granted $5,000 bail after he allegedly assaulted someone with a shotgun on New Year’s Day. Magistrate Shaka Serville charged Gary Stubbs, 53, with assault with a deadly weapon.

Bjorn Ferguson

represented the defendant.

Stubbs is accused of assaulting Randelle Gordon with a shotgun on December 1 in New Providence.

After pleading not guilty to the charge, Stubbs must sign in at Elizabeth Estates Police Station every 14th and 28th of the month under the terms of his bail.

His trial begins on April 10.

MAN ACCUSED OF FAILING TO CHARGE MONITOR GETS BAIL

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN on bail for armed robbery was once again granted bail after he allegedly failed to charge his electronic monitoring device.

Magistrate Kara Turnquest Deveaux charged Javon Woodside, 22, with six counts of violating bail conditions.

While on release for a pending armed robbery trial, Woodside allegedly failed to charge his EMD six times between August 14 and September 26, 2023.

Woodside was previously fined $2,000 for a separate bail breach last August.

After pleading not guilty to the charge, Woodside was granted $3,000 bail with one or two sureties.

Woodside’s trial starts on February 9.

ANGER MANAGEMENT CLASSES FOR MAN AFTER ATTACK ON HOSPITAL WORKER

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN was ordered to attend anger management classes after he attacked and injured a hospital worker on Shirley Street last year.

Magistrate Algernon Allen, Jr, charged Edward Elliott, 27, with causing harm.

Elliott, while working for a cleaning company at PMH, got into an argument

with Natasha Beckford, which ended with him punching her in the face on November 21, 2023.

After Elliot pleaded guilty to the offence and apologised for his actions, Magistrate Allen granted him a conditional discharge.

The accused must attend three months of anger management classes. Failure to attend would result in a two-month prison sentence.

Elliott must return to court for a report on April 4.

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PAGE 8, Friday, January 5, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

The many benefits of a backyard garden AS WE start out a new year and consider the various ways we could potentially live a more sustainable and successful life in the coming year, I want to take this opportunity to highlight the many benefits of backyard farming and growing fresh food in your own yard, home, or community. Having a small garden (it does not need to be a huge garden) brings a wide variety of short, and long-term benefits to you and your family. A backyard garden is probably one of the best investments you can make that will yield positive returns in many different aspects of your life.

January is a beautiful time for gardening in The Bahamas. It is a great time to take the first steps toward cultivating your growing skills, investing in active time spent outdoors, and developing a love for getting your hands in the soil. Getting back to the basics of backyard growing can undoubtedly benefit you, your family, our country and the entire planet.

Again, you can start on a small scale. Planting just a few beans, pumpkins or cassavas is a great place to start.

By Tim Hauber of One Eleuthera Foundation

FINANCIAL SAVINGS

yard and home cooler in the hot summer months.

SPENDING QUALITY TIME WITH FAMILY In this day and age, where we and our children are all struggling with the addictive nature of phones and tablets, working outside in the garden

Every pound of vegetables that you pick from your garden means less money spent in the grocery store.

The cost of

destiny. By growing some of your own food you are no longer 100% reliant on the system, big corporations and governments etc., to feed you and take care of you, instead you will be taking an active role in feeding yourself and your family. This feeling is very fulfilling and can lead to making changes in other parts of your life as well that will ultimately make you a healthier, wealthier and more resilient

TIM HAUBER MENTAL HEALTH Let’s face it: life these days is stressful, and many of us struggle with exhaustion, anxiety, insomnia, and even depression. The good news is that working in your garden can help with all of these issues. Many studies show that spending

significant impact on those struggling with dementia.

PLEASURE OF GOOD FOOD One of the greatest benefits of growing some of my own food is the added pleasure I get from eating freshly harvested veggies.

In The Bahamas, we have

PHYSICAL HEALTH Working in your garden is a great way to get exercise. Bending down to work with your plants and tending to gardening tasks provides valuable physical activity that can be shared with your children. By growing your own vegetables, you also have a much higher chance of consuming more vegetables, instead of letting them rot in your fridge.

There is no doubt that eating fresh produce has many health benefits. This is particularly true for children who are much more likely to eat vegetables if they have been part of the growing process. If getting your children to eat vegetables is a struggle, starting a small vegetable garden might be the best way to remedy this situation. One additional benefit of growing your own vegetables is that you know exactly what chemicals have or have not been used on your vegetables as compared to store-bought vegetables, where we really have no idea what chemicals might have been applied.

is much more pleasurable.

My family eats vegetables not just because we know they are good for us but because we truly enjoy eating fresh, good quality vegetables that can be prepared in so many different and tasty ways.

vegetables in The Bahamas is particularly high because we are currently importing most of our vegetables and shipping adds significant cost to the consumer. Growing your own vegetables will allow you to eat a much better tasting product at a reduced cost!

In the long-term you will also gain financial benefits from eating more vegetables because as a healthier individual you will have less medical expenses and more energy to pursue work and pleasure.

IMPROVING YOUR YARD

time in nature and around plants can improve your mood, decrease your stress, and help you to feel more relaxed. There are now doctors who are prescribing ‘spending time in nature’ as a tool to improve mental health and address some challenges. There is even strong evidence that spending time in the garden has a

become accustomed to the flavour, or lack thereof, and texture of vegetables that have travelled for thousands of miles to get to your plate. However, when we eat vegetables that have been harvested at their peak of ripeness from our garden the flavour and texture is far superior and the experience of eating them

TEMPLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

ENTRANCE EXAMINATION 2024-2025 On Saturday, January 13, 2024, Temple Christian School will hold its Entrance Examination for students entering grades 7,8,9 and 10.

Increasing the amount and diversity of plants in your yard brings many benefits to your yard. Your yard will look more interesting and attractive than just a plain lawn. There is a growing movement of people in the USA and Canada that are removing their lawns and installing gorgeous gardens

instead.

The more plants you have in your garden the more air and noise pollution they will absorb, resulting in cleaner air and a safer and more peaceful home environment. By strategically planting fruit trees in your yard, you can provide shade that will keep your

provides an excellent lowstress activity that we can do together without our devices. Creating intentional time away from devices is important for our, and particularly for our children’s, mental health.

Working together on the garden project can provide many beautiful learning opportunities related to math and science and can help to enforce important life skills such as resilience and patience. Seeds take time to germinate, and fruit takes time to ripen so working in the garden is a great way for kids to practice being patient and learn the cycles of nature.

SELF-RELIANCE AND ACCOMPLISHMENT It feels great to take control of a small part of your

life. So many things are out of our control in our dayto-day lives, but by growing our own food, we can take back some of the power and control over our own

individual.

I hope these few thoughts help you to take some steps this month to start a small garden and begin growing some of your own food to enjoy the many benefits of this practice.

We are offering monthly workshops at the Centre for Training and Innovation (CTI) in Rock Sound, Eleuthera, to help you in your journey of growing food and becoming a healthier individual. For more information on this and our virtual backyard farming webinars, email ctifarm@oneeleuthera.org.

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TIME: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

LOCATION: High School Campus, Shirley Street Application forms are available at the High School Office and should be completed and returned to the school by Friday, January 12, 2024. The application fee is twenty-five dollars ($25).

For further information, please call telephone number: 394-4481/394-4484.

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THE TRIBUNE

Friday, January 5, 2024, PAGE 9

Road to White House does not run through The Bahamas What is Ron DeSantis thinking?

FLORIDA Governor Ron DeSantis got lost on his way to the nomination for Republican candidate for US president in the 2024 election.

With only ten months to go until a new president is elected, the once promising candidate with a chance to rival the popularity of disgraced but powerful former President Donald Trump, DeSantis is falling farther and farther behind in the polls. He’s become the kid in a race who runs backward to get attention and does it so fast he earns his one minute of fame as the announcers talk about the kid doing record time in reverse before they shift their attention back to the main event and the kid is forgotten. According to one poll this week, even Chris Christie, who was all but last in the polls despite being possibly the most qualified to run, is now ahead of DeSantis.

None of this at this juncture of the US presidential election process would mean that much to us in The Bahamas if DeSantis had not brought us into the middle of the harrowing ordeal. It began shortly after the terror group Hamas attacked and killed more than 1,200 Israeli men, women and children in a shocking mass terrorism stampede in the Gaza Strip on October 7. Rockets and missiles blew bodies and lives apart, tore up buildings, destroyed sections of central and southern Gaza.

DeSantis came out firing on all fronts. He could win any war, including a hypothetical one with the neighbouring Bahamas, he boasted and bellowed, aiming to paint a picture for the American public as the tough guy who would annihilate a small country as an example of how he would lead a war.

He’d just go out and flatten the attacker. It’s a line he has used repeatedly despite the absurdity of the imagery.

He reiterated the posturing as recently as last week at a rally in Manchester, New Hampshire, pounding the parable into the ground as surely as one would drive rebar or form lumber to begin laying a foundation.

“If someone was firing missiles from the Bahamas

By Diane Phillips into, like Fort Lauderdale, we would never accept that,” he told the pro DeSantis crowd.

“We would flatten…

It would be done like literally within 12 hours.

It would be done.”

It is hard to ignore the opportunity for a touch of sarcasm since he is now saying it would take 12 hours to flatten the Bahamas. In early December, when he first tried the analogy of how he would deal with a small neighbouring country

d’Affaires at the American Embassy in Nassau, Usha Pitts reminding us all that the US and The Bahamas have had which she called “an enduring and unique relationship” for the past 50 years and hope to continue for many more.

While we all understood that DeSantis was trying to retain

who started the war into the background, he picked on the wrong country as a potential enemy. His comments left us as bewildered as we were shocked to the point of shaking our heads, eyebrows knitted, wondering if we heard right.

After all, isn’t it true what the old-

United States of America, a state with a population of more than 22 million.

And he picks on the tiny, outwardly peaceful, lawabiding Bahamas, a speck

DESANTIS, IF YOU HAVE ANY CHANCE OF REGAINING EVEN THE SLIGHTEST BIT OF POPULARITY, FOCUS ON SOMETHING OTHER THAN FLATTENING THE BAHAMAS.

DONALD Trump Photo: Charlie Neibergall/AP tim-

ers

RON DeSantis Photo: Charlie Neibergall/AP should it ever try to attack the great United States of America, he said it would take five minutes to wipe them out.

It was a comment that sparked an instant response from the Charges

momentum for Israel as memories of new atrocities from both sides pushed

unprepared, ill-equipped and most importantly, not the least bit interested.

Remember how DeSantis’ campaign started? His attractive wife cozying up to him and smiling into the camera, saying the man she knew stood by her side when she was fighting a life

used to say, When America sneezes The Bahamas catches a cold. Aren’t we joined at the hip?

What could the man be thinking, the man elected as the highest official in the third largest state in the

on the map that has never asked the US for a thing except a hand in times of emergency or to help catch drug and human smugglers whose final market was the US anyway.

Did he forget that The Bahamas was an independent nation of less than two percent of the population of his own home territory?

Did his handlers or campaign advisors and spin artists not bother to learn that The Bahamas has never attacked anyone? That we don’t have an Army? Or missiles? At best, our police officers who only a few years ago used Billy clubs as their toughest weapon, have now progressed to gun holsters no longer held together by hope and diaper pins?

The Bahamas would be as prepared to attack America as a six-monthold experimenting with crawling would be to qualify for a track event at the Summer Olympics in Paris.

When it comes to war, we are, thankfully, totally

and death battle against cancer. She portrayed him as a loving husband, great father, human and every bit a dependable human being, the kind of guy you would invite over for Sunday barbeque. Then someone decided soft would not work, the war broke out and a new DeSantis – or maybe the one that lurked beneath all the while – broke free. Overnight, Mr Nice Guy turned into Mr Tough Guy. And he picked on The Bahamas? Are you kidding?

DeSantis, if you have any chance of regaining even the slightest bit of popularity, focus on something other than flattening The Bahamas. We are doing enough damage to ourselves without your interference.

You might also show a little more respect to the good people of The Bahamas who consider Florida their neighbourhood shopping centre and spend untold dollars there, contributing to your economy.

And, oh by the way, more than 20,000 Bahamians call Florida home.

PAGE 10, Friday, January 5, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

STUDENTS taking part in the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Oratorical Competition include, from left, top row: Ethan Williamson - St John’s College; Vejay Meadows - Aquinas; Rolle, Kamori Jaheam - CC Sweeting; Kevin Williams; Thoreon Evans - Hutley P Christie High School; Daunte Butler - SAC; Lightbourn II, Jefferson, Sylvester - St Anne’s; Jazmin Miller - Windsor School; Amari Pinder - North Eleuthera High School; Cesar Chris Obryan - Anatol Rodgers.

ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY INC On January 10, 2024, at 9.30am, the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc (Iota Epsilon Lambda and Phi Mu Chapters) in conjunction with the University of The Bahamas will host the 2nd Annual MLK High School Students Oratorical Competition. The event will be held at the Harry C Moore Library and Information Centre Auditorium. The theme is taken from one of Dr Martin Luther King Jr’s quotes - “We Must Learn to Live together as Brothers or Perish Together as Fools”.

It should be noted that Dr Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) was also a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Students from ten high schools (private and government) including some of the Family Islands will compete. Cash Prizes will be awarded to the winners. The overall winner of the Oratorical Competition will also present at the 8th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Lectures Series on Monday, January 15, 2024, at the Performing Arts Center, University of The Bahamas.

Last year, the winners of the 1st Oratorical Competition were:

JOIN THE CLUB OUR Clubs and Societies page is a chance for you to share your group’s activities with our readers.

To feature on our Clubs and Societies page, submit your report to clubs@tribunemedia.net, with “Clubs Page” written in the subject line.

For more information about the page, contact Stephen Hunt on 826-2242.

1st Place - DeAndre Forbes, Saint Augustine’s College (SAC) 2nd Place - Carlia Elvies, Bahamas Academy 3rd Place - Kelvin Archer, St John’s College The Oratorical Contest is one of a number of educational and leadership Initiatives hosted by the Men of Alpha Phi Alpha and is in keeping with its mission - “Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. develops leaders, promotes brotherhood and academic excellence, while providing service and advocacy for our communities”.

KIWANIS CLUB OF OVERTHE-HILL On Monday, December 25th, 2023, the Kiwanis Club of Over-The-Hill under our theme “Service with Passion & Strength” hosted our Christmas Giving event with our partner Pilgrim Baptist Church on St James Road.

We provided the residents of that area, a tasty lunch which included chicken souse, okra soup, and peas soup and dumpling with white rice. As a treat for the kids, we provided candies, cookies, chocolate, and candy canes.

We also gave out 150 pairs of slippers.

The Kiwanis Club of Over-The-Hill was organised on September 24, 1975, and remains the only all men’s Kiwanis club in Sunshine Division 22, Bahamas, under the Eastern Cananda and Caribbean District of Kiwanis International.

BAHAMAS DISTRICT PILOT INTERNATIONAL

The Bahamas District Pilot International presents its Couture Fashion Show 2024 on Sunday, January 7th 5pm at The Balmoral Club.

Showcasing the designs of Sabrina Francis, Patrice Lockhart, Brynda Knowles, Remelda Rose and Charlene Elliott. Tickets are $50 available at the Seventeen Shop, Collins Avenue. Tickets are available for purchase at The Seventeen Shop, Collins Avenue.

ROTARY CLUB OF NASSAU Continuing with their years-long tradition of giving back to the needy in our communities, the Rotary Club of Nassau (RCN) Rotarians gathered in the early hours of Christmas Day to bring food and cheer to several families.

Three communities were visited – Grants Town, Bain Town and Fox Hill. Many of the Rotarians have made this a part of their annual Christmas tradition, bringing their families with them.

Several sleepy faces (we do meet at 7am) have been part of the gathering since toddler to now university student!

A full Christmas meal – pans of turkey, ham, rice – and the Bahamas staple macaroni & cheese – was delivered to each family visited. Even the pets were catered to with bags of dog grain! All were also regaled with carols and Christmas hymns.

Many of those visited brought a tear to the eye, as this would be their only Christmas gift in 2023. All of the club members agreed that this brings home to them the importance of giving back and gave a new depth of meaning not only to Christmas but to our Rotary motto of Service Above Self’,

RCN volunteers in the Fox Hill area.

RCN volunteers in the Meadow Street area.

PRESIDENT Darren Bain and family, including his young son, join the RCN volunteers for feeding in the Quakoo Street area.

KIWANIS Club of Over-The-Hill: Standing: Distinguished President (DP) Ramon Gibson, DP Todd Beneby, Past President (PP) Gregory Butler, Kiwanian Dale Swann, Past Chair Neil Hamilton, Chair Tino Cash, Immediate Past President Juan Gibson, Secretary Kenny Carroll, President Dominique Gaitor, Trustee Chairman of Pilgrim Baptist Church Justin Smith, DP John Clarke, PP Quintin Percentie, Chair Stanford Burrows, and Wally Gordon.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, January 5, 2024, PAGE 11

NEW DOCUMENTS Two companies will attempt the MORE REVEAL HOW JEFFREY LEVERAGED HIS first US moon landings since the EPSTEIN POWERFUL CONNECTIONS Apollo missions a half-century ago

JEFFREY EPSTEIN NEW YORK Associated Press

THIS illustration provided by Astrobotic Technology in 2024 depicts the Peregrine lunar lander on the surface of the moon. Its expected launch date is Monday, January 8, 2024.

Photo: Astrobotic Technology/AP CAP CANAVERAL Associated Press CHINA and India scored moon landings, while Russia, Japan and Israel ended up in the lunar trash heap.

Now two private companies are hustling to get the US back in the game, more than five decades after the Apollo program ended.

It’s part of a NASA-supported effort to kick-start commercial moon deliveries, as the space agency focuses on getting astronauts back there.

“They’re scouts going to the moon ahead of us,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.

Pittsburgh’s Astrobotic Technology is up first with a planned liftoff of a lander Monday aboard a brand new rocket, United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan. Houston’s Intuitive Machines aims to launch a lander in mid-February, hopping a flight with SpaceX. Then there’s Japan, which will attempt to land in two weeks. The Japanese Space Agency’s lander with two toy-size rovers had a big head start, sharing a September launch with an X-ray telescope that stayed behind in orbit around Earth.

If successful, Japan will become the fifth country to pull off a lunar landing.

Russia and the US did it repeatedly in the 1960s and 70s. China has landed three times in the past decade — including on the moon’s far side — and is returning to the far side later this year to bring back lunar samples.

And just last summer, India did it. Only the US has put astronauts on the moon.

Landing without wrecking is no easy feat. There’s hardly any atmosphere to slow spacecraft, and

parachutes obviously won’t work. That means a lander must descend using thrusters, while navigating past treacherous cliffs and craters.

A Japanese millionaire’s company, ispace, saw its lander smash into the moon last April, followed by Russia’s crash landing in August. India triumphed a few days later near the south polar region; it was the country’s second try after crashing in 2019.

An Israeli nonprofit also slammed into the moon in 2019.

The United States has not attempted a moon landing since Apollo 17’s Gene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt, the last of 12 moonwalkers, explored the gray, dusty surface in December 1972. Mars beckoned and the moon receded in NASA’s rearview mirror, as the space race between the US and the Soviet Union came to a close. The US followed with a handful or two of lunar satellites, but no controlled landers — until now.

Not only are Astrobotic and Intuitive Machines looking to end America’s moon-landing drought, they’re vying for bragging rights as the first private entity to land — gently — on the moon.

Despite its later start, Intuitive Machines has a faster, more direct shot and should land within a week of liftoff. It will take Astrobotic two weeks just to get to the moon and another month in lunar orbit, before a landing is attempted on Feb. 23.

If there are rocket delays, which already have stalled both missions, either company could wind up there first.

“It’s going to be a wild, wild ride,” promised

Astrobotic’s chief executive John Thornton.

His counterpart at Intuitive Machines, Steve Altemus, said the space race is “more about the geopolitics, where China is going, where the rest of the world’s going.” That said, “We sure would like to be first.”

The two companies have been nose to nose since receiving nearly $80 million each in 2019 under a NASA program to develop lunar delivery services. Fourteen companies are now under contract by NASA. Astrobotic’s four-legged, 6-foot-tall (1.9-meter-tall) lander, named Peregrine after the fastest bird, a falcon, will carry 20 research packages to the moon for seven countries, including five for NASA and a shoebox-sized rover for Carnegie Mellon University. Peregrine will aim for the mid-latitudes’ Sinus Viscositatis, or Bay of Stickiness, named after the long-ago silica magma that formed the nearby Gruithuisen Domes.

Intuitive Machines’ six-legged, 14-foot-tall (4-meter-tall) lander, NovaC, will target the moon’s south polar region, also carrying five experiments for NASA that will last about two weeks. The company is targeting 80 degrees south latitude for touchdown.

That would be well within Antarctica on Earth, Altemus noted, and 10 degrees closer to the pole than India landed last summer.

Scientists believe the south pole’s permanently shadowed craters hold billions of pounds (kilograms) of frozen water that could be used for drinking and making rocket fuel. That’s why the first moonwalkers in NASA’s Artemis program — named after

Apollo’s twin sister in Greek mythology — will land there. NASA still has 2025 on the books for that launch, but the General Accountability Office suspects it will be closer to 2027.

Astrobotic will head to the south pole on its second flight, carrying NASA’s water-seeking Viper rover.

And Intuitive Machines will return there on its second mission, delivering an ice drill for NASA. Landing near the moon’s south pole is particularly dicey.

“It’s so rocky and craggy and full of craters at the south pole and mountainous, that it’s very difficult to find a lighted region to touch down safely,” Altemus said. “So you’ve got to be able to finesse that and just set it down right in the right spot.”

While Houston has long been associated with space, Pittsburgh is a newcomer.

To commemorate the Steel City, Astrobotic’s lander will carry a Kennywood amusement park token, the winner of a public vote that beat out the Steelers’ Terrible Towel waved at football games, dirt from Moon Township’s Moon Park, and a Heinz pickle pin.

The lander is also carrying the ashes or DNA from 70 people, including “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry and science fiction writer Arthur C Clarke. Another 265 people will be represented on the rocket’s upper stage, which will circle the sun once separated from the lander. They include three original “Star Trek” cast members, as well as strands of hair from three US presidents: George Washington, Dwight D Eisenhower and John F Kennedy.

MICROSOFT INTRODUCES AN AI BUTTON ON THEIR KEYBOARDS MICROSOFT’s new Copilot key is seen on a Dell computer, next to the alt key, in this undated photo provided by AxiCom. Starting this month, some new personal computers that run Microsoft’s Windows 11 operating system will have the special ‘Copilot key’ that launches the software giant’s AI chatbot.

Photo: AxiCom on behalf of Dell Technologies/AP

A NEW batch of unsealed documents pertaining to Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuse of teenage girls was released Thursday, adding several hundred pages to the fountain of information detailing how the financier leveraged connections to the rich, powerful and famous to recruit his victims and cover up his crimes.

The 19 documents, or about 300 pages, were half as many as the over 40 documents released Wednesday.

The documents so far — with more to come — were sprinkled with names of celebrities and politicians who socialized with Epstein or worked with him in the years before he was publicly accused nearly two decades ago of paying underage girls for sex.

Most of those names were familiar to anyone who has followed the scandal closely, including the criminal trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, who was Epstein’s former girlfriend, household manager and chief recruiter of young, vulnerable females.

It was during Maxwell’s criminal trial two years ago that Epstein’s victims, some of whom aspired to be models or artists, described how he dropped the names of his famous and influential friends to suggest that he was the victims’ ticket to reaching their dreams. Maxwell, 62, was convicted of sex trafficking charges and is serving a 20-year prison sentence.

The roughly 250 documents being unsealed, starting this week, in one of the lawsuits against Maxwell mostly rehash what has long been known about a man who travelled in elite circles until his July 2019 sex-trafficking arrest left him so cornered that he took his own life in jail.

But they have included a few fresh details about a pyramid of abuse that grew over three decades and damaged dozens of teenage girls and young women.

Among the famous people in Epstein’s orbit before he was exposed as a sexual predator were former Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, singer Michael Jackson and magician David Copperfield, according to the accounts of his victims and other witnesses quoted in newly released documents. None of those men were accused of wrongdoing.

There were also repetitions of well-known stories about Britain’s Prince Andrew. He was sued by one of Epstein’s victims, Virginia Giuffre, who said she had sexual encounters with the royal when she was 17. The prince, who denied the allegations, settled the lawsuit in 2022.

The court documents being released now are related to a 2015 lawsuit that Giuffre brought against Maxwell. Thousands of pages of documents in that lawsuit had been made public previously, but some sections had been blacked out because of privacy concerns.

US District Judge Loretta A. Preska ordered last month that those redactions be lifted, mostly because names in the documents had already been made public through news coverage or through other court proceedings.

Among the more interesting documents released Wednesday was the May 2016 deposition of Johanna Sjoberg, who worked as a masseuse in Epstein’s household. Sjoberg said she once met Michael Jackson at Epstein’s Palm Beach, Florida, home, but that nothing untoward happened with the late pop icon.

Epstein also had homes in Manhattan, New Mexico and the Virgin Islands.

She also described an April 2001 trip to New York in which she said Prince Andrew touched her breast while they posed for a photo at Epstein’s Manhattan town house.

Clinton previously said through a spokesperson that although he travelled on Epstein’s jet several times, he never visited his homes, had no knowledge of his crimes, and hadn’t spoken to him since his conviction. Trump has also said he once thought Epstein was a “terrific guy,” but that they later had a falling-out.

Sjoberg also testified that she once went to a dinner at one of Epstein’s homes that was also attended by magician David Copperfield.

She said Copperfield did magic tricks before asking if she was aware “that girls were getting paid to find other girls.” One allegation against Epstein and Maxwell was that some girls he paid for sexual acts later recruited other victims. Sjoberg said Copperfield didn’t get more specific about what he meant. A Copperfield publicist didn’t respond to an email seeking comment.

The newly released records also include many references to Jean-Luc Brunel, a French modelling agent who was close to Epstein and who killed himself in a Paris jail in 2022 while awaiting trial on charges that he raped underage girls. Giuffre was among the women who accused Brunel of sexual abuse.

Separately, Brunel’s estate was sued this week by a woman who alleges that he and others sexually assaulted her while she was working as a model in New York. She says that on one occasion, she was driven to a home in Canada and kept there for several days while men abused her. The lawsuit, filed in state court in California, does not mention Epstein or Maxwell.

SPORTS PAGE 12

NBA, Page 14

FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 2024

GSSSA ACTION IS FANTASTIC!

Cobras rout Pacers 80-39

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

T

he CC Sweeting Cobras senior boys’ basketball team, fresh off their semifinal appearance in the Providence Basketball Club’s Yuletide Classic, made mince meat of the well-rested RM Bailey Pacers.

In the return of the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association’s 2023/24 basketball season after the Christmas break, the Cobras clobbered the Pacers 80-39 in the only game played yesterday at the DW Davis Gymnasium.

Just about every player in uniform scored with EmmaAdams, Andrew GAMETIME: The Government Secondary Schools Sports Asso- nuel ciation’s 203/24 basketball season is presently underway at both Bethel and Tabvari Roker leading their attack with 15 the CI Gibson and DW Davis gymnasiums, starting at 4pm.

Photo: Moise Amisial points apiece. What the trio

didn’t do, Drexel Burnside followed with seven, Aaron Brown, Mataeo Minnis and Deangelo Smith all chipped in with six and both Brendon Darville and Pierre Markley finished with four each.

“It wasn’t what I expected, but we will take it,” was how CC Sweeting’s head coach Dastyn Baker summed up their 41-point massacre.

“I’m happy that we came out with the win.”

With the win, the Cobras moved their win-loss record to 2-1.

“We still have to work on some things defensively and our rotation has to be better, but we will figure it out as we go,” Baker continued.

In leading from start to finish, the Cobras opened a 13-6 lead at the end of the first quarter and they

continued to extend their insurmountable lead as the Pacers couldn’t find any answers to slow them down.

The loss dropped RM Bailey to 1-2, but coach Devon Miller admitted that they were not as prepared as they should have been for the return of the season.

“Coming out of the break for the season might have been good for some teams, but it wasn’t good for my team,” he pointed out.

“I have alot of players who worked and did a lot of things. We were not able to put in any practice during the Christmas break.

“We only had about two days to prepare, so coming into this game, we were still a little better than when the season started. We’re in much better shape.

“We just have to get rid of the ham and turkey shape and we will be better.

We will get better as the season progresses.”

Bethel, with a threepointer in the first quarter, added a pair in the second for nine points. Adams had three in the first and came up with four more in the second and Roker had all five in the second as the Cobras built a 24-15 lead at the half.

In the third quarter, Roker went on a scoring rampage with 10 points, running the fast break for a lay-up for a 47-27 lead with four minutes and 55 seconds to go. At 2:29, he got loose again for another basket to extend their margin to 57-30.

And just at the buzzer, Brenden Darville hit his first basket to push CC Sweeting’s lead to 65-27 going into the final period.

SEE PAGE 15

Sports leaders reflect on plans for new year

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net IN a continued edition, more and more sporting leaders have presented their expectations for their respective organisations heading into the 2024 season.

It’s the second in a twopart series that started on Thursday. Here’s the views of the final three leaders who presented their views for the public to digest.

Eugene Horton Bahamas Basketball Federation president With more to gain than any other sporting body in the country, BBF president Eugene Horton has his eyes set on the men’s national basketball team becoming the first team sport to qualify for the Olympic Games.

“The BBF looks to extend its success from 2023 with the Americas Qualifiers looming and the Olympic Qualifying

Tournament for our senior men,” Horton said.

“We are excited about what this year entails.

Our men’s team can make history.”

While the men will have to qualify for the Paris Olympics in July when they compete in the Qualifying Tournament, Horton said they will also be looking at strengthening their senior women and junior boys and girls programmes.

“We want to turn them around and make them prominent in the region once again,” he stated.

While the success for the men’s national team will depend on who is available from the professional ranks, including the National Basketball Association (NBA) trio of Chavano ‘Buddy’ Hield, Deandre Ayton and Eric Gordon, in order to achieve the latter goal, Horton said they will embark on a vigorous talent search in the Family Islands.

EUGENE HORTON

RAMSINGH-PIERRE

VINCENT STRACHAN

“The BBF will also be looking to bolster Family Island relations through initiating coaching seminars, technical seminars, referee and table official recruitment and also live statistics,” he said.

“We will also look forward to our teams being involved in the community as we give back to the sponsors that have made sacrifices in the past and continue to support us.”

Horton admitted that the future is bright for basketball in the Bahamas and they will embrace the “unexpected” and look forward to a “magical year” with great success” and “exceptional performances” all around.

Catherine Ramsingh-Pierre Equestrian Bahamas president Based on what they established in 2023 as they

established some strong foundations in 2023, for example through initiatives conducted to train officials and national coaches, Ramsingh-Pierre said they should have an active 2024 campaign.

“We look forward to a more systematic approach to the development of local athletes, beginning with a talent identification exercise this spring,” she said. “The TIE will be

SPORTS CALENDAR T-BIRD FLYERS TRACK CLASSIC THE T-Bird Flyers Track Club will kick off the 2024 season for the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations with their annual Track and Field Classic this weekend at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium.

The meet will begin on Friday at 6pm and wrap up on Saturday, starting at 2pm. The registration fee is $15. Persons interested in sponsoring any of the individual races are urged to contact meet director Foster Dorsett at 427-3883.

TRACK CHURCH SERVICE As they begin the 2024 season this weekend with the T-Bird Flyers Track Classic at the original Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium, the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations will follow up with their annual church service on Sunday. This year’s

Jan. 2024

church service will be held at 9am at the St Paul’s Catholic Church, Lyford Cay. The BAAA is inviting all of its executives, coaches and athletes to come and participate in the service.

BAAA EVENTS AFTER hosting their Odd Distance Meet in December, the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations will be hosting a series of events in January to kick off the new calendar year.

Here’s a look at January’s schedule: January 5-6 - T-Bird Flyers Classic at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium.

Sunday, January 7 - BAAA Church Service - venue and time yet to be released.

BAAA 20 DTSP Wolfpack at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium.

SEE PAGE 15

conducted by personnel from our International Federation, the FEI, as we seek to formally identify junior riders suitable for entering an enhanced performance development programme.”

Ramsingh-Pierre said the next step is to encourage participation in international competition by our local athletes.

Their goal this year, she said, is to field a four-person team to compete in the FFE World Cup Mondiale 2024 in Lamotte-Beuvron, France.

“This year our riders abroad continue to represent The Bahamas as they work toward their individual goals,” she said.

“Kacy Lyn Smith will compete in Ohio, Florida and Virginia with a goal of qualifying for and competing in the FEI North American Youth Jumping Championships. Beginning in February, Anna Camille

SEE PAGE 15

DAILY RESOLVE OVER ANNUAL RESOLUTIONS AS we stand on the threshold of a new year, it’s a tradition for many to embark on a journey of self-improvement through the ritual of New Year’s resolutions. We enthusiastically declare our intentions to shed those extra pounds, hit the gym religiously, or nally conquer our fitness goals.

We herald the arrival of January 1 as if it possesses magical powers to transform us into the best versions of ourselves.

Yet, as we know all too well, the enthusiasm that ignites our resolutions fizzles out as quickly as a rework on New Year’s Eve. Studies have shown that a mere 8% of people achieve their New Year’s resolutions. It’s a sobering statistic that highlights the futility of relying on annual resolutions to drive lasting change.

My journey through life has taught me that

DR KENT BAZARD meaningful transformation doesn’t occur because we declare it on January 1. It happens through daily resolve and unwavering commitment to

self-improvement.

Let’s explore this concept together, drawing insights from the world of sports, where daily discipline reigns supreme.

The Illusion of the Resolution The allure of New Year’s resolutions lies in the promise of a fresh start, a clean slate to leave behind our old habits and embrace new ones. It’s akin to starting a marathon at the sound of the starting gun, only to realize that true endurance is built not in a sprint but in the daily, consistent strides we take.

The Science of Consistency In the realm of sports and fitness, champions aren’t forged in the crucible of annual resolutions but in the daily grind of training and discipline.

Research in the Journal of Applied Psychology

SEE PAGE 15

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, January 5, 2024, PAGE 13

Brock Purdy, Tua Tagovailoa selected to their 1st Pro Bowl as the starting quarterbacks

By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer BROCK Purdy and Tua Tagovailoa were selected to their first Pro Bowl as the starting quarterbacks for their respective conferences.

It’s the first time the two starting QBs are first-time picks since the 1999 season when Pro Football Hall of Famers Peyton Manning and Kurt Warner were chosen.

Purdy was one of nine players picked from the San Francisco 49ers, who clinched the NFC’s No. 1 seed. He was joined by edge rusher Nick Bosa, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave, fullback Kyle Juszczyk, tight end George Kittle, running back Christian McCaffrey, cornerback Charvarius Ward, linebacker Fred Warner and tackle Trent Williams.

The 49ers (13-3) had the most players selected. Baltimore (13-3) and Dallas (11-5) each have seven Pro Bowl players.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson, safety Kyle Hamilton, centre Tyler Linderbaum, defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, linebackers Patrick Queen and Roquan Smith and kicker Justin Tucker were picked from the Ravens, who secured the AFC’s No. 1.

Quarterback Dak Prescott, punter Bryan Anger, kicker Brandon Aubrey, cornerback DaRon Bland, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, guard Zack Martin and edge rusher Micah Parsons were selected from the Cowboys, who can clinch the NFC East title with a win on Sunday.

Other NFC first-year selections besides Purdy include Rams rookie receiver Puka Nacua, Lions rookie tight end Sam LaPorta, Eagles running back D’Andre Swift, Rams running back Kyren Williams, Lions edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, Bears edge Montez Sweat, Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson, Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon, Falcons safety Jessie Bates, Seahawks safety Julian Love, Ward, Bland, Aubrey, Saints return specialist Rashid Shaheed and

FIRE AT HOME OF TYREEK HILL STARTED

BY CHILD PLAYING WITH LIGHTER

By FREIDA FRISARO and ALANIS THAMES Associated Press

SAN Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) throws a pass to wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (11) during the second half of an NFL football game on Sunday, December 31.

(AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) Lions special teamer Jalen Reeves-Maybin.

Other AFC first-year selections besides Tagovailoa include Browns tight end David Njoku, Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert, Bills running back James Cook, Dolphins fullback Alec Ingold, Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum, Madubuike, Queen, Hamilton, Broncos return specialist Marvin Mims, Steelers special teamer Miles Killebrew, Jaguars long snapper Ross Matiscik.

Patrick Mahomes is the AFC’s third QB while Matthew Stafford is the NFC’s third QB. Trent Williams is heading to his 11th Pro Bowl, most among the players chosen.

Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald was picked for a 10th time. Martin, Chiefs tight end Travis DOLPHINS quarterback Kelce and Seahawks lineTua Tagovailoa. backer Bobby Wagner are (AP Photo/Rebecca nine-time Pro Bowl picks.

Blackwell) Juszczyk and Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill are going for the eighth time.

Twenty-eight teams had and coaches, with each to determine its all-star featuring a multiday AFC versus NFC competition at least one player selected group’s vote counting as teams.

The Pro Bowl is return- that includes Pro Bowl and 21 clubs had multiple one-third toward determining final rosters. The NFL ing to Orlando for the first Skills and culminating in a players chosen.

Player selections were is the only sports league time in three years. This flag football game. Peyton determined by the consen- that combines voting by will be the second year and Eli Manning will again sus votes of fans, players fans, coaches and players for the Pro Bowl Games serve as the head coaches.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — A fire at the $6.9 million home owned

by Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill was started by a child playing with a cigarette lighter in a bedroom, a fire official said yesterday.

“It was an accidental fire,” Davie Fire Marshal Robert Taylor told The Associated Press.

Taylor did not provide the age of the child, or the amount of damage caused by the fire. He said the investigation is now closed.

Hill was at Dolphins practice for the upcoming regular-season finale against the Buffalo Bills when the fire broke out. He left practice when he got word about the blaze.

The house is located in Southwest Ranches, which is about 30 miles northwest of Miami, and was purchased by Hill in May 2022 shortly after the Kansas City Chiefs traded him to the Dolphins.

Miami television station WSVN showed a large amount of black smoke coming from the roof as firefighters doused the house with water. Firefighters appeared to be working on the highest parts of the structure. Many of the bedrooms, a home theatre and a den were among the rooms upstairs, according to the property listing.

Hill’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, told reporters gathered outside the house on Wednesday that some family members were home at the time of the fire.

“He and his family are safe,” Rosenhaus said. “No one was injured No. 1, no pets, so for that, we’re very grateful. We’re very grateful to the firefighters that put the fire out. Thankfully, the fire was contained to a limited area in the home.

Obviously, there’ll be some smoke and water damage.

It’s very difficult for anybody obviously to have your home catch on fire, but Tyreek was handling it, he and his family, with as much poise as you could hope.”

Packers can earn spot in playoffs if they continue to dominate Bears

By STEVE MEGARGEE AP Sports Writer GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — All that stands between the Green Bay Packers and a playoff berth is an NFC North rival they’ve dominated for the last five seasons.

That’s more than enough incentive for the Chicago Bears.

Although the Bears (7-9) have no shot at making the playoffs and already own the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft, they’d love nothing more than to end the Packers’ season Sunday at Lambeau Field.

“I think it would mean a lot to the team, the fans, the city,” Bears quarterback Justin Fields said. “I think it’d be great. We know Green Bay’s playing for a lot, what’s at stake.”

The Packers (8-8) want to avoid a repeat of last season’s finale, when they blew a chance to reach the playoffs by losing to the Detroit Lions at home.

“I think it’s just a totally different squad,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said.

“There’s a different vibe around here, a different mindset. We’ve got to go attack. That’s the bottom line.”

The Packers have an outside chance of reaching the playoffs even if they lose Sunday, but they’d need plenty of help.

Green Bay has beaten the Bears nine straight times, including a 38-20 victory at Chicago in this season’s opener. Green Bay’s Jordan Love threw three touchdown passes without an interception in that game.

Chicago’s defence has come a long way since that game with head coach Matt Eberflus taking over as defensive coordinator and pass rusher Montez Sweat arriving at the trade deadline. The Bears lead the NFL in run defence and have an NFL-leading 22 interceptions.

Now that defence gets another shot at Love, who has thrown 16 touchdown passes with only one interception over his last seven games. Both teams are playing well, as the Packers have won two straight and six of nine while the Bears have won two in a row and five of seven.

“You play for these moments, these opportunities to play in the competitive games,” Love said. “You want to be playing in these games to have a chance to go to the playoffs.

That’s exactly where we’re at, and I think everybody’s excited for it. It’s going to be fun.”

FIELDS’ FINALE? Fields heads into the final game with an unclear future.

The Bears own the No. 1 pick in the draft thanks to

GREEN Bay Packers’ Corey Ballentine celebrates his interception with teammates during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday in Minneapolis.

(AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) a trade with league-worst Didn’t play good enough, his hopes for staying in Carolina in which they also but like I said, good team Green Bay beyond this received star receiver DJ win and everybody played season and what it would Moore last March. They well on all three phases of mean to reach the playoffs this year. could decide to move on the football.”

ALEXANDER’S “It’d be pretty cool, from their QB and go with BACK very, very deserving of this Caleb Williams or Drake Green Bay cornerback season that we’ve had,” Maye. said.

“This Fields is coming off one Jaire Alexander returned Alexander of his most complete per- to practice this week after would put the candle on the formances. The former the Packers suspended him cake.”

The Packers may need Ohio State star threw for for one game for conduct 268 yards with a touchdown detrimental to the team. Alexander as they try to pass and a rushing TD in a Alexander had appointed defend Moore, who had 37-17 win over Atlanta and himself a captain for the nine catches for 159 yards even had fans at Soldier Packers’ Christmas Eve win and a touchdown against at Carolina and botched the the Falcons.

Field chanting his name.

STACKING SACKS “I’m just doing my job at handling of the coin toss.

Alexander said this week Sweat has a chance to the end of the day,” Fields said. “I’m doing what I’m he needs to do a better job close out the year leading supposed to do. In my eyes, of communicating with two teams in sacks. He’s the I could’ve played better. team officials. He discussed first player in NFL history

to do that at any point in a season.

Sweat is tied for 10th in the NFL with a career-high 12 1/2 sacks, including six in eight games for Chicago.

He had 6 1/2 in eight games for Washington before being traded.

Justin Jones is second on the Bears with 4 1/2, and Jonathan Allen is second on the Commanders with 5 1/2.

STEVENSON’S SURGE Bears cornerback Tyrique Stevenson is finishing his rookie season on a solid note. The second-round draft pick from Miami has four interceptions — all in the past five games.

Stevenson had two picks and four passes defenced in last week’s win over Atlanta, making him the reigning NFC defensive player of the week.

Love is the conference’s offensive player of the week after throwing three touchdown passes in Green Bay’s 33-10 triumph at Minnesota.

ON THE RUN Both teams have running backs playing their best late in the season.

Green Bay’s Aaron Jones has rushed for at least 120 yards in each of his last two games. Chicago’s Khalil Herbert has run for at least 112 yards in two straight games.

PAGE 14, Friday, January 5, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

GIANNIS AND LEBRON JAMES LEAD EARLY RETURNS IN NBA ALL-STAR GAME FAN VOTING NEW YORK (AP) — Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James are the early leaders in fan voting for next month’s All-Star Game, the NBA said yesterday.

Antetokounmpo had 2,171,812 votes to lead all Eastern Conference frontcourt players, and James had 2,008,645 votes to lead all Western Conference frontcourt players.

James is looking for a record 20th All-Star selection; he is currently tied with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most in league history with 19. He and Antetokounmpo were the leaders in fan voting last

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer

BUCKS’ Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in action.

(AP Photo/Darron Cummings) season as well. Fan voting the classic East vs. West counts for 50% of the for- format for the All-Star mula used to select the Game this year, with three All-Star starters. Media frontcourt players and two voting counts for another guards in each starting 25% and voting by NBA lineup. players determines the The West frontcourt other 25% of the formula. leaders are James, PhoeThe league is reverting to nix’s Kevin Durant and

LAKERS forward LeBron James, right, in action.

(AP Photo/Mark J Terrill) Denver’s Nikola Jokic. The guard leaders are Indiana’s East frontcourt leaders are Tyrese Haliburton and MilAntetokounmpo, Phila- waukee’s Damian Lillard. delphia’s Joel Embiid and The All-Star Game Boston’s Jayson Tatum. is February 18 in IndiThe West guard leaders anapolis.

Fan voting are Dallas’ Luka Doncic continues through January and Golden State’s Ste- 20. Coaches will choose the phen Curry, and the East reserves for both rosters.

Pacers use 47-point third quarter to defeat the Bucks 142-130 for 5th straight win INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Tyrese Haliburton had 31 points and 12 assists and the Indiana Pacers pulled away with a 47-point third quarter, beating Milwaukee 142-130 on Wednesday night for their fifth straight victory and second over the Bucks in three days.

Bennedict Mathurin added 16 points for the Pacers. Indiana ended Milwaukee’s 15-game home winning streak Monday and is 4-1 against the Bucks this season.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 26 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists for Milwaukee, falling just short of his fourth triple-double of the season. Damian Lillard added 23 points and five assists, and Khris Middleton overcame a sprained right wrist and a sore right knee to finish with 19 points and seven assists.

The Central Division foes have gotten awfully familiar, playing five times in 54 days — including the In-Season Tournament semifinal in Las Vegas.

Four games have produced combined scoring totals of at least 247 points, and the series also became emotional and chippy. A dispute over a missing game ball led to a bizarre postgame scene in December when Antetokounmpo sprinted toward the Indiana locker room.

PELICANS 117, TIMBERWOLVES 106 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Zion Williamson scored 27 points and New Orleans kept rolling with a victory over West-leading Minnesota.

CJ McCollum added 24 points and Brandon Ingram had 19. The Pelicans pulled away in the second half for their fourth straight victory and ninth in 12 games.

On the second night of a back-to-back after beating Brooklyn 112-85, a game that allowed Williamson and Ingram to both play under 30 minutes, New Orleans went on the road and shot 55.6% from the field. Williamson and Ingram combined to shoot 18 of 26.

Anthony Edwards scored 35 points for Minnesota, and Karl-Anthony Towns had 22. Minnesota dropped to 14-2 at home and lost consecutive games for the first time this season.

HEAT 110, LAKERS 96 LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tyler Herro scored 21 points, Duncan Robinson had 11 of his 13 points in the fourth quarter and Miami beat Los Angeles.

Jaime Jaquez Jr. added 16 points, Nikola Jovic and Bam Adebayo scored 15 apiece and Kevin Love had a season-high 14 rebounds along with 10 points.

Miami was without Jimmy Butler for the sixth time in seven games because of irritation in his right foot.

RICKY RUBIO SAYS HIS NBA CAREER IS OVER

Buddy Hield contributes 10 points and one steal in 13 minutes

INDIANA Pacers’ Buddy Hield (7) goes to the basket against Milwaukee Bucks’ Andre Jackson Jr. (44) during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Wednesday night in Indianapolis.

(AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Anthony Davis had 29 shooting night by the short- 31 games, winning for the most-lopsided victory of points and 18 rebounds for handed Magic, who made ninth time in 12 games. the season, routing WashLos Angeles.

25 3-pointers to break the Bojan Bogdanovic ington to open a two-game The Lakers were just franchise record. That scored a season-high 36 set.

4 of 30 on 3-pointers and helped them come back points for Detroit, making Donovan Mitchell scored committed 15 of their 22 from a 13-point deficit in eight 3s. Cade Cunning- 22 points in 24 minutes to turnovers in the first half as the third quarter to take ham had 31 points and 12 help Cleveland snapped they lost for the ninth time the lead in the fourth. assists. The Pistons have a two-game losing streak. in their last 12 games.

Paolo Banchero scored lost 17 in a row on the road. Caris LeVert added 21 LeBron James was 6 of a career-high 43 points to HAWKS 141, points in 23 minutes, and 18 from the field and had lead the Magic, but missed THUNDER 138 Jarrett Allen had 17 points, 12 points. a potential tying threeATLANTA (AP) — 19 rebounds and seven MAVERICKS 126, pointer as the final buzzer Jalen Johnson scored a assists. Kyle Kuzma scored TRAIL BLAZERS 97 sounded. career-high 28 points and 16 points for Washington.

DALLAS (AP) — Luka CLIPPERS 121, Atlanta held off Oklahoma The teams will meet Doncic scored 30 of his SUNS 122 to end the Thunder’s five- again Friday (tonight) in 41 points in the first half, PHOENIX (AP) — game winning streak.

Cleveland.

Kyrie Irving added 29 in Paul George scored 33 Atlanta opened the game RAPTORS 116, his second game back from points, Kawhi Leonard with 11 straight points and GRIZZLIES 111 a bruised right heel and added 30 and Los Angeles never trailed. Trae Young MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) Dallas routed Portland. beat Phoenix for its fourth had 24 points and 11 assists, — Immanuel Quickley The All-Star pair went straight victory and 13th in one of four Hawks players scored 26 points, Pascal a combined 23 of 40 from 15 games. who scored more than 20. Siakam added 24 and the field before sitting out George shot 8 of 14 from Bogdan Bogdanovic added Toronto held on to beat the fourth quarter. They the field, going 5 of 10 23 points and Dejounte Memphis, were just 12 of 34 during from 3-point range. James Murray had 22.

Quickley was 8 of 18 a 37-point loss at Utah in Harden had 22 points Shai Gilgeous-Alexan- from the field, hitting 5 of Irving’s return after missing and 11 assists to help Los der had 33 points and 13 8 3-pointers. Hecame to 12 games.

Angeles end Phoenix’s rebounds for Oklahoma Toronto in a late-DecemIrving tied his season four-game winning streak.

City. ber trade that sent OG high with nine rebounds Devin Booker led the KNICKS 116, Anunoby to New York. and Tim Hardaway Jr. Suns with 35 points on BULLS 100 Ja Morant had 28 points, scored 14 points for the 11-of-15 shooting, with NEW YORK (AP) — nine assists and eight Mavericks, who opened a Kevin Durant missing Julius Randle scored 35 rebounds for Memphis. seven-game homestand — his second straight game points, Jalen Brunson had ROCKETS 112, their longest of the season because of soreness in his 31 points and 13 assists and NETS 101 — with the first of two in a right hamstring. Bradley New York beat Chicago.

HOUSTON (AP) — row against Portland.

Beal added 21 but shot just OG Anunoby and Donte Alperen Sengun scored Shaedon Sharpe scored 7 of 20 and missed all six of DiVincenzo each scored 11 30 points, Fred VanV16 points for Portland. his 3-point attempts. points for New York, and leet added 21 points and KINGS 138, JAZZ 154, Isaiah Hartenstein had a 10 assists and Houston MAGIC 135, 2OT PISTONS 148 career-high 20 rebounds sent Brooklyn to its fifth SACRAMENTO, Calif.

(Overtime) along with 10 points. straight loss.

(AP) — Malik Monk SALT LAKE CITY DeMar DeRozan had 28 VanVleet made 6 of 8 scored 37 points, Domantas (AP) — Jordan Clarkson points for Chicago. Colby 3-pointers and Houston Sabonis had 22 points, 23 scored 29 of his 36 points White added 26. finished 19 of 39 from long rebounds and 12 assists for after halftime and Lauri CAVALIERS 140, distance. his seventh triple-double Markkanen added 31 in WIZARDS 101 Mikal Bridges and Cam of the season and Sacra- Utah’s overtime victory CLEVELAND (AP) — Johnson each scored 15 mento outlasted Orlando over Detroit.

Max Strus scored 24 points points for Brooklyn. The in double-overtime. SacThe Jazz sent the Pis- and Cleveland had its Nets have lost 10 of their ramento overcame a hot tons to their 30th loss in highest-scoring game and last 12.

CLEVELAND (AP) — With uncommon vision on the basketball court, Ricky Rubio could make a basic pass look extraordinary.

A true playmaker.

After stepping away from his playing career — and the Cleveland Cavaliers — this season to address mental health issues that he’s still working on, Rubio said yesterday that his NBA career is over after 12 seasons.

The 33-year-old Rubio, who has also had a distinguished international career with Spain, alluded to his recent struggles while adding that he’s “doing much better and getting better every day.”

Rubio’s announcement on X, formerly known as Twitter, came after he and the Cavs came to an agreement on a contract buyout, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.

The Cavs will get some financial relief from his $6.1 million this year and $6.4 million for 2024-25, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the sides were still finalising details of the package.

Rubio has spent the past two seasons recovering from a torn knee ligament, an injury that was not only a personal blow but a major setback for a Cleveland team he had helped get turned around following consecutive 19-win seasons.

Rubio was limited to just 33 games last season, and had lost any explosiveness following his second ACL injury.

He didn’t report to training camp this season, and Rubio posted on social media that “July 30th was one of the toughest nights of my life.”

“My mind went to a dark place. I kind of knew I was going on (sic) that direction, but I never thought I wasn’t under control of the situation. The next day, I decided to stop my professional career.”

NBA FINES NETS $100,000 FOR VIOLATING PARTICIPATION POLICY

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer THE NBA fined the Brooklyn Nets $100,000 yesterday, marking the first time a team was sanctioned for violating the league’s player participation policy that went into effect this season.

The Nets held out four rotation players — starters Spencer Dinwiddie, Nic Claxton and Cam Johnson, along with key reserve Dorian Finney-Smith — in what became a 144-122 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on December 27. Three of the players Brooklyn started that night logged 12 minutes or less.

Brooklyn asserted that giving players rest on the second night of a backto-back — at the start of a stretch where the Nets would play six times in nine days — was best for its club. But the league made clear to teams entering this season that resting multiple players, who are healthy enough to play, at once will no longer be overlooked.

“We’ve talked to all 30 teams about, ‘Hey, there is a way to rest your players,’” NBA executive vice president and head of basketball operations Joe Dumars said. “What we’ve said is sitting four or five guys at one time is not that way. So, if you want to get your players rest, there are ways to do this. But if you do it in a way where it becomes egregious in terms of sitting four or five guys at a time, that’s just not what we’re about in an 82-game league.”

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, January 5, 2024, PAGE 15

COBRAS BLOW OUT PACERS FROM PAGE 12

> iÀÊ ÀiÃÌi`Ê `> Ã]Ê iÌ i Ê > `Ê , iÀÊ Ê Ì iÊ fourth, but it wasn’t until the final two minutes that the Pacers made a mini run to trim down the deficit, but it was a bit too late.

The damage had already been done.

“We couldn’t perform any better than we did,” Miller said. “We just have to prepare to play better.

As the season progresses, I expect that we will get better and play better.”

Isiah Williams was the leading scorer for the Pacers wirth 10. Stanley *À>ÌÌÊ > `Ê >Û ÌiÊ > iÃÊ L Ì Ê >`Ê wÛi]Ê >ÞÃ i Ê -ÌÕÀÀÕ«Ê > `Ê >Üi>`À Ê Monestime both had four > `Ê >Ì Ê ÝiÞÊ > `Ê ÕÊ Pierre helped out with three each, but it wasn’t enough.

GAMETIME: In the return of the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association’s 2023/24 basketball season after the Christmas break, the Cobras clobbered the Pacers 80-39 in the only game played yesterday at the DW Davis Gymnasium.

Photo: Moise Amisial

Sporting leaders reveal expectations for new year FROM PAGE 12 Vlasov will continue to train in Europe at the CSI4* level, looking toward the next quadrennial cycle.”

The federation, according to Ramsingh-Pierre, continues to prioritise a balance of fun and education with performance and development in equestrian sport locally.

Our calendar of events from January to May reflects this and includes the following: * Four jumper competitions * Two interscholastic league competitions * Three education clinics for members highlighting anti-doping awareness, concussion safety, and horse psychology.

Finally, Ramsingh-Pierre said they have secured funding for a project aimed at increasing access of public-school students to equestrian sport.

“This initiative is still in its infancy and will likely be launched later in the year,” she revealed. “We are excited about it as it reflects our ethos of promoting equestrian sport for all.”

SPORTS NOTES

FROM PAGE 12 January 27-28 - Redline Athletics’ 4th annual Sonja Ü iÃÊ /À>V Ê >ÃÃ VÊ >ÌÊ the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium.

BASKETBALL GSSSA ACTION THE Government Secondary Schools Sports Association’s 203/24 basketball season continues this week with the following

Vincent Strachan The Boxing Federation of the Bahamas As he looks at the state vÊ L Ý }Ê Ê Ì iÊ > > >Ã]Ê Strachan said it’s not how the federation starts, but how it finishes.

Strachan indicated that as the federation looks forward to the Olympic Games in July, they hope that some of the problems they encountered in 2023 will be corrected.

He made mention of their signature event, Ì iÊ > > >ÃÊ i À > Ê Championship, which was introduced in November 2019 and continued in March 2023, due to the "6 £ Ê«> `i V° “There were many challenges, including wholesale efforts to prevent us from hosting the event,” Strachan said. “We were promised financial assisÌ> ViÊ vÀ Ê Ì iÊ > > >ÃÊ Games Secretariat but never got it. I changed the date from November 2022 to March 2023 to help prepare the boxing teams for Ì iÊ > > >ÃÊ > ið “Teams from the Caribbean region were in town for the competition. Hours

before the start we discovered that parts of the boxing ring were missing. That ring was held in a secured building by the NSA at the softball facility. We were able to get the event started a day late.”

In not being able to include the 22 events on the two-day schedule, Strachan said they managed to complete eight final bouts with iÀ Õ`>]Ê >Þ > Ê Ã > `ÃÊ > Ì Ê> `ÊÌ iÊ > > >ð “We embarked on an aggressive series of boxing Ê À> `Ê > > >Ê vÀ Ê -i«Ìi LiÀÊÌ Ê iVi LiÀÊLÞÊ hosting boxing shows,” he said.

“One of the events was the first ever Thanksgiving Ý }Ê / ÕÀ > i Ì°Ê / iÊ V> Vi >Ì Ê vÊ -Õ}>ÀÊ iÀÌÊ > `Ê Ì iÊ >À LLi> Ê Ý }Ê Championships that are usually held in November > `Ê iVi LiÀÊ ÀiëiVÌ Ûi ÞÊ prompted us to have that event.” ië ÌiÊ > Ê Ì >ÌÊ Ì iÞÊ encountered, Strachan said there are no plans to slow down going forward during this Olympic year and beyond.

“Our monthly boxing event would continue in

À> `Ê > > >Ê> `Ê >ÃÃ>ÕÊ and other Family Islands,” he revealed.

“We would seek to develop the family, provide the funding they promised through the New Providence Sports Council and V «iÀ>ÌiÊ Ü Ì Ê > > >ÃÊ steps in.

“The start of training of officials in New Providence to replace those that were certified in 2019,that will be decertified.

“I will announce the Pre Olympic 2028 team during the first quarter of this year for male and female.”

Strachan also indicated that the federation will participate in as many international boxing tournaments as possible to ensure our boxers develop their skills for future major events.

“I would be leading the charge for the establishment of a Western/ ÀÌ iÀ Ê ,i} Ê Ý }Ê Association and assisting with the completion vÊ Ì iÊ >À LLi> Ê Ý }Ê Association relaunch,” he disclosed. “There would be regular exchange among our Americas, Western Northern Caribbean

regions, including training camps and competitions.

The development of our Ê -Ì>ÀÊ " iÊ Ì Ê Ì ÀiiÊ coaches and officials will continue.

“The hope of having boxers qualify for the Summer Olympics in Paris, France are in focus for the final qualifiers, scheduled for February and May in Italy and a place to be announced for the final qualifier. We are preparing our multi-national team for Ì iÊ ÕÞ> >Ê Ý }Ê V > pionships, August this year in George Town, Guyana.”

Strachan said the federation is appealing to V À« À>ÌiÊ > > >ÃÊ> `ÊÌ iÊ public to partner with them in these most noble events as they seek to assist in the saving of our next generation. He said efforts to locate new training facilities in Nassau are also ongoing.

“Persons who have large buildings and not using them can assist with these efforts,” he stressed. “We are getting no financial support although other sports are receiving whatever is needed for their programmes in the millions of taxpayers dollars.

“We will not stop in our efforts to succeed in the development of boxing in Ì iÊ > > >Ã°Ê “Also, those officials and medical personnel who are still waiting to be paid for their efforts in assisting with boxing during the > > >ÃÊ > iÃ°Ê “We would not be caught up in the confusing situation in boxing internationally.”

According to Strachan, the governing body for Ì iÊ Ã« ÀÌÊ Ü À `Ü `i]Ê ]Ê has forecasted that this is the year for the Americas, hopefully great things will happen for the Caribbean region, including the > > >ð Strachan thanked all those persons who assisted with their financial sponà ÀÃÊ vÀ Ê À> `Ê > > >Ê and Nassau, including Ì iÊ À> `Ê > > >Ê * ÀÌÊ ÕÌ À ÌÞ]Ê < ÀL>Ã]Ê "ÕÌÊ >Ê -i>Ê ,iÃÌ>ÕÀ> ÌÊ > `Ê >À]Ê Üi Ê Ê ÃÌÀÕVÌ Ê Co. CrossFit Gym, All Out Ý }]Ê À°Ê LiÀÌÊ À> V Ã]Ê / Ì ÞÊ > iÃÊ > `Ê Tim Refrigeration Services, >ÀÞÊ iÌ i Ê > `Ê E Ê Convenience Store and Gus Cartwright and Checkers Restaurant.

games on tap: Friday at CI Gibson Gymnasium, starting at 4pm - AF Adderlery ÛÃÊ / Ê / «Ã Ê ­ Õ ÀÊ girls and boys). À `>ÞÊ >ÌÊ 7Ê >Û ÃÊ Gymnasium, starting at 4pm - Anatol Rodgers High ÛÃÊ ,Ê 7> iÀÊ ­Ãi ÀÊ } À ÃÊ and boys).

BASKETBALL BSAA SEASON RESUMES AFTER taking a break for the Christmas holiday, Ì iÊ > > >ÃÊ -V >ÃÌ VÊ Athletic Association will resume its basketball regular season today at the

Hope Center basketball courts with the following games on tap, starting at 4pm: Friday * Ê qÊ /i « iÊ À ÃÌ > Ê School vs Genesis Acadi Þ°Ê * Ê qÊ À`> Ê *À ViÊ William A vs Freedom >«Ì ÃÌÊ V>`i Þ°Ê Ê qÊ °Ê W. Saunders vs Akhepran Ì°Ê V>`i Þ°Ê ÊqÊ V iÛer’s Christian Academy vs Greenville Preparatory V>`i Þ°Ê /Ê qÊ /i i ÃÊ À ÃÌ > Ê-V ÊÛÃÊ - /°Ê - Ê qÊ i ià ÃÊ V>`i ÞÊ ÛÃÊ Akhepran International V>`i Þ°Ê Ê qÊ -Ì°Ê ½ÃÊ

College vs Mt. Carmel Preparatory Academy Monday Ê qÊ /i « iÊ À ÃÌ > Ê School vs C.W. Sawyer *À >ÀÞÊ-V °Ê* ÊqÊ Àii` Ê >«Ì ÃÌÊ V>`i ÞÊ ÛÃÊ À`> Ê *À ViÊ 7 > Ê °Ê * Ê qÊ VÀiÃÌÊ V>`i ÞÊ ÛÃÊ Queen’s College. Ê qÊ - /Ê ÛÃÊ Àii` Ê >«Ì ÃÌÊ V>`i Þ°Ê Ê qÊ V iÛiÀ½ÃÊ À ÃÌ > Ê Academy vs Akhepran International Academ.

- Ê qÊ ÃÌÊ V>`i ÞÊ ÛÃÊ Mt. Carmel Preparatory V>`i Þ°Ê - Ê qÊ Àii Û iÊ Preparatory Academy vs

i ià ÃÊ V>`i Þ°Ê Ê qÊ Teleos Christian School vs Akhepran International Academy MACEDONIA BAPTIST CHURCH FAMILY FUN WALK / Ê i ½ÃÊ i«>ÀÌ i ÌÊ vÊ >Vi` >Ê >«Ì ÃÌÊ Church is scheduled to hold a Family Fun Walk Race to kick off the new year and the beginning of its Men’s Anniversary at 6am on Saturday, January 6. The event will honour the late Minister Charles Albury, who passed away this year.

It starts at the church on iÀ >À`Ê , >`]Ê ÝÊ ]Ê > `Ê i>`ÃÊÜiÃÌÊ Ê iÀ >À`Ê Road to the Village Road round-a-bout.

The fun walk returns Ê iÀ >À`Ê , >`Ê Ì Ê Ì iÊ church.

Awards will be presented to the first three finishers in each category for men and women.

Registration fee is $20 per person.

Interested persons are ÕÀ}i`Ê Ì Ê V Ì>VÌÊ Ài ÌÊ Stubbs at 426-7265 or ÃÌÕLL LÃJ} > °V Ê v ÀÊ further information.

let us engrave this truth in our hearts: Resolutions are transient, but resolve - the unwavering, daily commitment to self- improvement - is enduring.

It’s the small, consistent choices that accumulate into significant life changes.

Whether you’re an athlete striving for excellence or someone on a quest for better health, remember that meaningful transformation occurs not on January 1st but in the daily choices you make.

So, as the fireworks light up the sky, heralding the arrival of a new year, let them serve as a reminder of the resolve that burns within you.

Embrace the daily journey of self-improvement, for that, my friends, is the true path to lasting change and the pursuit of your best self.

UÊ ÀÊ i ÌÊ >â>À`Ê ÃÊ >Ê > > > Ê Ã« ÀÌÃÊ i` cine physician, sports performance coach, sports nutrition specialist and founder of Empire Sports Medicine.

Our mission is to empower athletes to reach new heights while safeguarding their health and

well-being. We understand the unique demands of sports activities, and we are dedicated to helping athletes prevent injuries, overcome challenges, optimise nutrition and performance.

Contact Empire Sports Medicine at:

242-364-2001 Ê i ÌJi « ÀiÊÌ iÃðwÌ Ê À°Ê i ÌÊ °Ê >â>À`Ê °-V°Ê °-V°Ê ­-« ÀÌÃÊ Medicine) NASM-PES, ° °] °-°Ê -« ÀÌÃÊ * Þà V > Ê | Sports Performance Coach | Sports Nutrition Specialist Empire Fitness and Sports Performance.

KENT BAZARD FROM PAGE 12

underscores the importance of consistent, small actions in achieving longterm goals.

Athletes understand that success isn’t the result of one monumental effort but the cumulative effect of countless small victories.

The Power of Daily Habits As a sports medicine professional, I’ve witnessed firsthand the impact of daily habits on an athlete’s performance.

Whether it’s nutrition, training, or recovery, it’s the daily routines and choices that shape an athlete’s journey.

In the same vein, replacing a bad habit with a good one requires a daily commitment. Just as an athlete doesn’t train solely on January 1, we shouldn’t expect our resolutions to materialise without daily effort.

Embracing Daily Resolve Instead of pinning our hopes on the inspiration of a new year, I urge you to embrace daily resolve. Treat each day as an opportunity for self-improvement, a

WHETHER you’re an athlete striving for excellence or someone on a quest for better health, remember that meaningful transformation occurs not on January 1st but in the daily choices you make. chance to make choices that align with your long-term goals. It’s not about grand declarations but about the unwavering determination to make better choices every day.

The Journey of Self-Improvement Much like an athlete’s journey to excellence, the

path of self-improvement is paved with setbacks and challenges. It’s about getting knocked down and summoning the strength to rise again, day after day.

Conclusion: A Daily Commitment to Excellence As we bid farewell to one year and welcome another,

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PAGE 16, Friday, January 5, 2024

JUDGE PARKER

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BATTLESHIPS

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1

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Down: 2 In so far, 3 Lists, 4 Ormolu, 5 Tension, 6 Relic, 7 Barristers, 8 Corner shop, 13 Ethical, 15 Caprice, 16 Poorly, 18 Offer, 20 Theta.

Yesterday’s Easy Solution Across: 1 Horse laugh, 8 Bugle, 9 Vertigo, 10 Against, 11 Glass, 12 Endure, 14 Attach, 17 Aroma, 19 Albumen, 21 Auction, 22 Surge, 23 Ramshackle.

Down: 2 On guard, 3 Skein, 4 Levity, 5 Upright, 6 Haifa, 7 Dog’s chance, 8 Beaver away, 13 Realism, 15 Admiral, 16 Launch, 18 Occur, 20 Basic.

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THE TRIBUNE

Friday, January 5, 2024, PAGE 17

STOCK MARKET TODAY

Wall Street ends mixed, and yields rise after solid data on the economy

By STAN CHOE AP Business Writer WALL Street's weak start to 2024 carried into a third day, and stocks finished mixed on Thursday following reports showing the U.S. job market remains solid, though maybe a touch too strong.

The S&P 500 slipped 16.13, or 0.3%, to 4,688.68 and is on track for its first losing week in the last 10.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average eked out a gain of 10.15 points, or less than 0.1%, to 37,440.34, and the Nasdaq composite fell 81.91, or 0.6%, to 14,510.30.

Walgreens Boots Alliance sank 5.1% after it nearly halved its dividend so it could hold onto more cash. That helped overshadow gains for airlines and cruise-ship operators, which recovered some of their sharp losses from

earlier in the week. Carnival steamed 3.1% higher, and United Airlines got a 2.4% lift.

U.S. stocks have broadly regressed this week after rallying into the end of last year toward record heights.

Critics said the market was due for at least a breather following its big run, which fed on hopes inflation has cooled enough for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates sharply this year.

Rate cuts give a boost to prices for stocks and other investments, while also relaxing the pressure on the economy and financial system. Treasury yields in the bond market have already eased since autumn on expectations for such cuts, releasing pressure on the stock market.

But Treasury yields rose Thursday following reports showing the job market may be stronger than

expected. The economy is in a delicate phase where investors want it to remain solid, but not too hot.

A healthy job market is of course good for workers and stamps out worries about an imminent recession. But too much strength could prod the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates high because it could keep upward pressure on inflation. And the Fed has already hiked its main interest rate to the highest level since 2001.

One report from the U.S. government on Thursday showed fewer U.S. workers filed for unemployment benefits last week than expected. Another from ADP Research Institute said private employers accelerated their hiring last month by more than economists expected.

A more comprehensive report on the jobs market

from the U.S. Labor Department will arrive on Friday. Economists expect that to show U.S. hiring slowed to 160,000 jobs last month from 199,000 in November.

"If tomorrow's numbers show the same kind of strength and the economy keeps rolling along, it's fair to wonder why the Fed would be in a rush to cut rates," said Chris Larkin, managing director, trading and investing at E-Trade from Morgan Stanley.

Traders are betting the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates by twice as much this year as the central bank has indicated.

Wall Street is also thinking the first cut could come as soon as March, and a stronger-than-expected economy makes such predictions less realistic. Critics had already called them overly aggressive.

A third report from S&P Global said that growth for financial businesses and others in U.S. services industries was a touch stronger last month than expected.

Following Thursday's data reports, the yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 3.99% from 3.91% late Wednesday. The yield on the two-year Treasury, which more closely tracks expectations for the Fed, climbed to 4.39% from 4.33%.

Stocks have already rallied in part on expectations for sharp cuts coming to interest rates soon. If the Fed doesn't cut as deeply and as quickly as expected, prices for stocks and other investments could be in jeopardy.

On Wall Street, Peloton Interactive jumped 13.9% after it announced

UN ECONOMIC FORECAST CITES CONFLICTS, SLUGGISH TRADE, HIGH INTEREST AND CLIMATE DISASTERS

By EDITH M. LEDERER Associated Press THE United Nations issued a somber global economic forecast for 2024 on Thursday, pointing to challenges from escalating conflicts, sluggish global trade, persistently high interest rates and increasing climate disasters.

In its flagship economic report, the U.N. projected that global economic growth would slow to 2.4% this year from an estimated 2.7% in 2023, which exceeds expectations. But both are still below the 3% growth rate before the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, it said.

The U.N. forecast is lower than those of the International Monetary Fund in October and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in late November.

The IMF said it expects global growth to slow from an expected 3% in 2023 to 2.9% in 2024. The Paris-based OECD, comprising 38 mainly developed countries, estimated that international growth would also slow from an expected 2.9% in 2023 to 2.7% in 2024.

The U.N.'s report -- World Economic Situation and Prospects 2024 -- warned that the prospects of prolonged tighter credit conditions and higher borrowing costs present "strong headwinds" for a world economy saddled with debt, especially in poorer developing countries, and needing investment to resuscitate growth.

Shantanu Mukherjee, director of the U.N.'s Economic Analysis and Policy

Division, said fears of a recession in 2023 were averted mainly due to the United States, the world's largest economy, curbing high inflation without putting the brakes on the economy.

But he told a news conference launching the report: "We're still not out of the danger zone."

Mukherjee said that's because the unsettled situation in the world could fuel inflation. For example, another supply chain shock or problem in fuel availability or distribution could prompt another interest rate hike to bring the situation under control, he said.

"We're not expecting a recession, per se, but because there is volatility in the environment around us, this is the major source of risk," he said.

Very high interest rates for a long time and the threat of possible shocks to prices contribute to "quite a difficult balancing act," Mukherjee said. "So that's really why we said that we are not yet out of the woods."

According to the report, global inflation, which was at 8.1% in 2022, is estimated to have declined to 5.7% in 2023, and is projected to decline further to 3.9% in 2023 .

But in about a quarter of all developing countries, annual inflation is projected to exceed 10% this year, it said.

While the U.S. economy performed "remarkably well" in 2023, the report said growth is expected to decline from an estimated 2.5% in 2023 to 1.4% this year.

"Amid falling household savings, high interest rates, and a gradually softening labor market, consumer spending is expected to weaken in 2024 and investment is projected to remain sluggish," the U.N. said.

"While the likelihood of a hard landing has declined considerably, the United States economy will face significant downside risks from deteriorating labor, housing and financial markets."

With elevated inflation and high interest rates, the report said Europe faces "a challenging economic outlook."

GDP in the European Union is forecast to expand from 0.5% in 2023 to 1.2% in 2024, it said, with the increase driven by "a pickup in consumer spending as price pressures ease, real wages rise, and labor markets remain robust."

Japan, the world's fourth largest economy, is projected to see economic growth slow from 1.7% in 2023 to 1.2% this year despite the country's monetary and fiscal policies, the report said, "Rising inflation may signal an end from the deflationary trend that persisted for more than two

decades" in the country, it said.

In China, the world's second-largest economy, the U.N. said recovery from COVID lockdowns has been more gradual than expected "amid domestic and international headwinds.

With economic growth of just 3.0% in 2022, the report said China turned a corner during the second half of 2023 with the growth rate reaching 5.3%. But it said the combination of a weak property sector and faltering external demand for its products "will nudge

a partnership to bring its workout content to TikTok. APA fell 7.3% after it said it will buy Callon Petroleum in an all-stock deal valued at roughly $4.5 billion, including debt.

Callon Petroleum gained 2.9%.

In stock markets abroad, indexes were modestly higher in much of Europe and a bit lower in much of Asia.

In Tokyo, the mood was somber as the market reopened from the New Year holidays with a moment of silence after a major earthquake Monday left at least 77 people dead and dozens missing.

Dark-suited officials bowed their heads in a ceremony that usually features women clad in colorful kimonos. Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 fell 0.5%. growth down moderately to 4.7% in 2024.

In developing regions, the U.N. said economic growth in Africa is projected to remain weak with a slight increase from an average of 3.3% in 2023 to 3.5% in 2024.

"The unfolding climate crisis and extreme weather events will undermine agricultural output and tourism, while geopolitical instability will continue to adversely impact several subregions … especially the Sahel and North Africa," the report said.

The U.N. forecasts a moderate slowdown in East Asia economies from 4.9% in 2023 to 4.6% in 2024.

In Western Asia, GDP is forecast to grow by 2.9% in 2024, up from 1.7% in 2023.

PAGE 18, Friday, January 5, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

CHINA’S BYD IS RIVALING TESLA IN SIZE. CAN IT ALSO MATCH ITS GLOBAL REACH? A MODEL stands next to a car from BYD during the Shanghai auto show in Shanghai, on April 18, 2023. BYD Co., based in the southern China tech hub of Shenzhen, dethroned Texasbased Tesla Inc. as the top seller of electric cars in the last three months of 2023, according to sales figures released by the companies this week.

Photo:Ng Han Guan/AP

By KEN MORITSUGU Associated Press A LESS flashy Chinese electric vehicle maker is fast closing the gap with Tesla, the longtime, marketleading pioneer.

BYD Co., based in the southern China tech hub of Shenzhen, dethroned Texas-based Tesla Inc. as the top seller of electric cars in the last three months of 2023, according to sales figures released by the companies this week.

Tesla retained the crown for all of 2023, but BYD’s sales have skyrocketed on the back of a governmentdriven EV boom in China.

The rise of BYD and other Chinese electric vehicle makers is a challenge not only for Tesla but also the world’s major automakers as Chinese competitors push into Europe, Southeast Asia and other overseas markets with a relatively affordable option for drivers who want to go green.

Car makers like Volkswagen, Ford, Honda and Toyota all are playing catch-up with both BYD and Tesla, said James Attwood, acting managing editor at Autocar magazine.

“I think perhaps the most interesting thing is less about the battle between Tesla and BYD and more about what the big established manufacturers that have a hundred years of

history in making cars are going to do to catch these upstarts,” he said.

HOW DID BYD OUTSELL TESLA? Aggressive price cutting helped Tesla beat analysts’ estimates for sales in the October to December quarter, but BYD did even better. The Chinese automaker sold 526,409 electric cars in the threemonth period, topping Tesla’s 484,507 units.

Its results were boosted by a surge in sales of small, low-cost EVs such as its Seagull and Dolphin models, said Cui Dongshu, secretary-general of the China Passenger Car

Association. Whether that growth in small vehicles can be sustained remains to be seen, he said.

For the entire year, BYD’s EV sales rose 73% in 2023 to nearly 1.6 million vehicles, the company said in a filing Monday with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The total still fell short of Tesla, which announced the next day that its annual sales were up 38% to 1.8 million cars.

Unlike Tesla, BYD also makes hybrid vehicles.

Including its 1.4 million hybrids, BYD far outpaced its American competitor in 2023 with sales of 3 million passenger cars.

China’s subsidies for EVs were phased out at the start of this year, but a fierce price war among makers including BYD and Tesla has kept sales buoyant.

China is a major market and production base for Tesla, which exports cars to Europe and elsewhere from China.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR BYD? BYD’s growth has been primarily at home, where it has benefited from the huge Chinese market and government policies to encourage the EV industry.

It rivals Tesla in size but not yet in reach.

“Most of BYD’s EVs were sold in China despite its fast-growing overseas sales, whereas Tesla is already a global player,” said Jing Yang, the director of China corporate research at Fitch Ratings.

The company is expanding into new markets. Its exports more than quadrupled to 242,765 vehicles in 2023, accounting for 8% of its sales, and BYD announced last month that it would build an electric vehicle factory in Hungary, its first in Europe.

Chinese EV makers are still in the early stages of going abroad and may run up against regulatory or trade barriers, Yang said, particularly in markets that are home to major automakers such as the U.S., Europe, Japan and South Korea.

The EU has launched a trade investigation into subsidies to electric vehicle makers in China and the U.S. has passed legislation that blocks consumers from getting a full $7,500 tax credit for an electric vehicle if its battery components come from China and a few other countries.

“The main concern for global automakers is the

influx of cheap Chinese EVs into their home markets and other major markets before they can produce EVs at lower costs,” Yang said.

HOW DID BYD GET ITS NAME? Company founder Wang Chuanfu has said that BYD, or “Biyadi” in Chinese, was chosen mainly because it was a simple and unusual name, two characteristics that make it easier to register a new company in China.

At the time, it was a rechargeable battery maker that Wang set up in Shenzhen in 1995. From batteries, BYD expanded into other fields including consumer electronics. BYD launched an automobile subsidiary in 2003 that initially made gasoline-fueled cars. By 2008, Wang was eyeing the electric vehicle market.

BYD has stopped producing gasoline cars. It also manufactures electric buses, including at a U.S. factory in Lancaster, California. While the origins of its name are unclear, the company has turned its acronym into a slogan: “Build Your Dreams.”

There’s a glimmer of hope for broader health coverage in Georgia, but also a good chance of a fizzle

By JEFF AMY Associated Press MEDICAID expansion was long politically impossible in Georgia.

Now it's just unlikely.

Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns says he wants lawmakers to consider more health coverage in the state as their session begins Monday. But he's careful not to label it Medicaid expansion, and certainly not "Obamacare."

"The speaker is committed to lowering costs and increasing access to healthcare across the state, and will be working closely with members over the coming weeks to develop sound policy to do just that," Stephen Lawson, a

spokesperson for the Newington Republican, said Thursday.

After North Carolina began offering Medicaid to uninsured adults on Dec. 1, there are 10 remaining states that don't cover people with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty line. That's what was envisioned in President Barack Obama's 2010 health care overhaul.

Like in Georgia, there's a thaw in Mississippi, where GOP legislative leaders say they're open to extending coverage, even if newly reelected Republican Gov. Tate Reeves remains vocally opposed.

"We're fixing to look at every facet of Medicaid expansion, and if it makes

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that FANEL-SON CHANTAL of East Street, New Providence, 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 5th day of January, 2024 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE

Jumbay Advisory Ltd. In Voluntary Liquidation

sense, we're going to do it," Rep. Jason White, newly elected as Mississippi's House speaker, said last week.

But Robin Rudowitz, a KFF vice president who directs the nonprofit group's program on Medicaid and the uninsured, said there's little movement in other states. In Kansas for example, Republican lawmakers are spurning Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly's proexpansion campaign of events with business leaders, hospital administrators and health advocates.

Kelly argued in a recent interview that she's addressed every Republican argument opposing expansion and "there really, truly is no good reason" not to act.

Like other holdouts, Georgia Republicans long resisted participating. Lawmakers in 2014 even passed a law saying the governor couldn't expand Medicaid without their approval.

In July, Republican Gov. Brian Kemp launched a limited expansion offering coverage to able-bodied adults earning up to the poverty line — $14,580 for an individual or $24,860 for a family of three. But people must document 80 monthly hours of work, study, rehabilitation or volunteering to be eligible for Georgia's Pathways program, and enrollment has plodded, with fewer than

1,100 people signed up through October.

Opposition to broader expansion in Georgia began publicly wavering in November, when state House members held a hearing on how Arkansas uses Medicaid money to buy private coverage for residents. Like traditional Medicaid, the plan requires copayments of $5 or less for most services while paying medical providers more than Arkansas' traditional Medicaid program.

Republican Arkansas State Sen. Missy Irvin told Georgia lawmakers that Arkansas cut uninsured visits to hospitals and clinics by half, calling it "the best outcome for Arkansas."

Advocates of extending health coverage feel hopeful.

"In the past it has been the Republicans that have said 'no' to Medicaid expansion. Now we see more coming around," said Monte Veazey, CEO of the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals.

KFF projects more than 430,000 uninsured Georgia adults could gain coverage if Medicaid is broadened. Of those, 250,000 don't qualify for subsidies to buy individual policies, leaving them ineligible for both Medicaid and subsidized marketplace policies. Others are eligible for marketplace policies, but haven't enrolled.

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MFL Business Investment Ltd. In Voluntary Liquidation

DR. REED PITRE, director of psychiatry and interim chief medical officer at Mercy Care clinic, left, speaks with a patient after her appointment, June 27, 2023, in Atlanta. Some Republican legislative leaders say they want to examine broader health care coverage through Georgia’s Medicaid program in 2024.

Photo:Alex Slitz/AP Nationwide, KFF estimates 3.5 million uninsured adults would become eligible if all states expanded Medicaid.

Any expansion would come as Georgia and other states are purging millions off the Medicaid rolls who had been retained during the pandemic without proving continuing eligibility. Georgia thus far has removed almost 450,000 people.

Democratic state Sen. Nan Orrock of Atlanta calls Kemp's refusal to expand while so many are being purged a "failure of governance."

Any Georgia deal could also reduce or eliminate permitting requirements for hospitals and health services. That's been a top priority for Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, the Republican who presides over Georgia's Senate, while the House has balked at loosening

certificate of need rules.

A similar deal to reduce permitting requirements helped clinch expansion votes last year in North Carolina.

Georgia Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch says his more ideologically conservative chamber isn't interested in "full-blown expansion of Medicaid."

But he suggests an Arkansas-style plan could succeed.

"I believe there's an appetite there to make some changes to our certificate of need requirements that could include better access for all Georgians to health care facilities and services," the Dahlonega Republican said.

Even then, Kemp could veto any plan. He invested years to win a legal fight with President Joe Biden's administration over the Pathways work requirement.

FINAL LEGAL NOTICE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMPANIES ACT, 2000

Strategic Multi-Manager Master USD Fund Ltd. Voluntary Liquidation

Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act. 2000, Jumbay Advisory Ltd. is in dissolution as of December 29, 2023 Lighthouse Corporate Services Ltd. situated Offices at Unit #3, Pineapple Grove, Western Road, Nassau, Bahamas is the Liquidator

LI Q U I DAT O R ______________________

Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act. 2000, MFL Business Investment Ltd. is in dissolution as of December 29, 2023 GUSTAVO DOS SANTOS VAZ situated Offices at Avenida Bem Te Vi, 206, Apto 124, CEP 04524-030, Moema is the Liquidator LI Q U I DAT O R ______________________

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN in accordance with section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, 2000, the dissolution of Strategic Multi-Manager Master USD Fund Ltd. (the “Company” as c ete a e t ficate f dissolution has been issued and the Company has therefore been struck off the Register. The date of completion of the dissolution was December 05, 2023 Israel Borba Lyford Financial Centre, Building 2, Western Road, P.O. Box CB-10988, Lyford Cay, New Providence, The Bahamas

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, January 5, 2024, PAGE 19

Petroleum retailers fear ‘another nail in the coffin’ FROM PAGE A24 statements to verify the accuracy of their Business Licence returns. The sector’s fixed gasoline and diesel margins, he reiterated, mean that the extra audit expense cannot be passed on to consumers.

“The Department of Inland Revenue has mentioned they are going to require an audit to be done on revenues over $5m, which is pretty much a lot of the gas stations, even though the margins and gross margins are not even close,” the Association president charged. “It’s just another nail in the coffin of petroleum retailers.

“You’re selling two products [gasoline and diesel], and the numbers are easily verifiable from the wholesalers. The Department of Inland Revenue also has its own audit functions. I don’t see why a further cost is being added for an auditor to come in and look at numbers that are so easily traced. It doesn’t make sense.

“When the Prime Minister says he does not want to add costs on to poor people, we are poor people when we can’t control our business because of the margins that are controlled by the Government. That needs to change in the sense that the Government needs to recognise, and I believe they do recognise, the issues,” Mr Jones continued.

“We need action to adjust the margins. Everything else is going up. We are an industry that needs help. We employ hundreds of Bahamians, and need immediate assistance in changing the margins. We understand the Government’s desire to protect consumers, but it’s got to change.” Gas stations, though, do sell more than just fuel due to their convenience stores and other amenities they provide.

But the long-standing argument from the Association and its members is that the 54 cent per gallon gasoline margin, which was last increased in 2011, and the 33 cents per gallon that they receive on diesel is no longer sufficient to cover multiple, significant cost hikes and enable them to stay in business by generating a profit.

Michael Halkitis, minister of economic affairs, has frequently articulated again the Davis administration’s position that it will not agree to any solution that increases gas pump prices for Bahamian motorists thus appearing to rule-out any margin increase for gas station operators.

However, Mr Jones and the Association have indicated that protecting consumers could come at the cost of losing multiple Bahamian entrepreneurs and the jobs they provide if petroleum dealers are unable to survive financially as a result of expenses consistently exceeding the margins they earn. Such an outcome could be disruptive to motorists when it comes to accessing fuel.

Mr Jones yesterday disclosed that the Association has formally requested a meeting with Prime Minister Philip Davis in a bid to resolve a saga that, come Easter 2024, will have dragged on for two years.

“We;re looking forward, within the next week hopefully, to sitting down with him and finalising this and bringing an end to what I call the financial fiasco that has been plaguing the industry,” he told Tribune Business.

“We have sent in a formal request for a meeting before Christmas and are waiting to hear back on that. We’ll reach out tomorrow [today], and see when we can get a date for a meeting. It’s way beyond urgent. Basically the ship is sinking, and we need the coastguard, which is the Government of The Bahamas and the Prime Minister in this case, to make the final call: This is what we can do.

“We had previously heard a public statement by the Prime Minister that they were going to address this issue this year, but we’re hoping it will be in January and not later on, because in three months it will make a year since the Government actually gave us a proposal which we accepted. We accepted that proposal and everything got quiet after that,” Mr Jones added.

“There was a lot of discussion but nothing that translated into action for us to get an increase. People now have Business Licence

PM renews call on climate financing FROM PAGE A23 He said: “At least we now see a full engagement to fund the loss and damage fund. We see that commitment But at COP, what was pledged was about $429 million; I think that was the total. What is needed is about $400bn each year.

So, you can see the disparity there.”

Rashema Ingraham, of Waterkeepers Bahamas, previously told Tribune Business that “a lot more” financing from the world’s wealthiest nations, who are also the greatest polluters and contributors to the climate emergency, is required given that this sum covers just over 20 percent - or one-fifth - of the loss and damage that Hurricane Dorian is estimated to have caused in September 2019.

While the agreement to establish the ‘loss and damage’ fund was heavily lauded on the first day of COP28, the United Nations (UN) climate summit, Ms Ingraham said the $700m pledged so far “will not be” adequate and pales into insignificance compared to global needs.

“So much damage has been done already, and we’re not just talking about one country like The Bahamas,” she told this newspaper. “There are so many countries looking for compensation. There’s no way $700m raised in that first week is going to be sufficient.” When this sum was compared to Dorian damage and loss estimates, she added: “You can now see how far that commitment will go.”

fees coming up. We got a proposal from the Government and we will try and move ahead with the proposal you presented to us so we can put this whole issue to bed. I’m hoping in the next couple of days we’ll get a confirmed meeting with the Prime Minister for some time next week.”

Mr Jones said the Government’s proposal, which the Association and its members were ready to accept, “gave us about 30 cents more a gallon in margin”. It also involved moving from a fixed to a percentage-based margin, based on the cost at which retailers bought fuel from their suppliers, meaning that it drops when gas prices fall and increases when they rise.

However, to protect the interests of all parties, Mr Jones said the Association and its members had suggested setting both “a floor” and a “ceiling at the top end as well”. The latter would safeguard consumers against gas prices going sky high.

“We’re still within a reasonable number with regard to the fuel margin and within the consideration of our customers,” he added.

“We want the motoring public to enjoy driving and don’t want any impact on volumes because of unreasonable margin costs.

“What we’ve been asking for is 30 cents a gallon. It’s not been increased in 12 years. Costs have gone up way beyond that. That has totally eroded the margin for gas station operators.

That 54 cents has been totally decimated. We’re like a broken record saying that, but something has to change.”

Mr Jones also called for the petroleum industry’s margins to be assessed on an annual basis, with any change linked to inflation and the cost of living as measured by either the US or Bahamian consumer price indices.

“We shouldn’t wait 10-12 years for a review of the margins in an industry,” he added. “We should be looking at the cost of operating, inflation and adjusting every time it goes up and down similar to changes in the US and Bahamian consumer price index.”

A 30 cent per gallon margin, based on the current 54 cents per gallon, would take the margin to 84 cents, representing a 55.6 percent increase. In contrast, the Government earns a fixed $1.16 per gallon on all fuel sales plus 10 percent VAT. In total, the Government gets roughly $1.70 out of every gallon of gas.

Besides the higher cost of purchasing fuel inventories due to high oil prices, which has seen retailers incur greater overdraft, credit card and bank fees, the industry has also been hit by Bahamas Power & Light’s (BPL) soaring electricity bills. This has combined with other factors such as the minimum wage rise, greater NIB contributions, and rising insurance and security costs to further squeeze fixed margins.

LATRAE RAHMING

PM spokesman defends $2 tourism expansion FROM PAGE A22 He said: “We have a Tourism Development Corporation, and the fee goes into the consolidated fund through the Tourism Development Corporation.

It goes back into the country so entrepreneurs will benefit from it, the redevelopment of tourism will benefit from it.

“That will go into the further enhancement and the development of The Bahamas’ touristic products. It will help entrepreneurs... whether it’s the look and feel of tourism, the linkages of tourism.”

Mr Rahming said the $29 air departure tax is unchanged, while the increases in cruise passenger departure taxes will not affect Bahamians as very few depart on cruises from this nation.

He said: “Let’s be very clear about the adjustments. So last summer, the Prime Minister would have indicated some changes in the Passenger Act, which manages the departure tax for cruise and air.

“The air departure tax is $29. It has been at that rate from 2014; that has not changed. What has changed is the cruise departure tax - it went from $18 to $23.

That change is not something that’s going to impact most Bahamians. Most Bahamians do not depart for their cruises from The Bahamas.”

Chester Cooper, deputy prime minister and also minister of tourism, investments and aviation, said there are plans to strengthen the tourism product this year through the Tourism Development Corporation.

He said: “So for 2024, in addition to our work on Bay Street, in addition to our work on developing our product, we’re going to continue to enhance linkages working through the Tourism Development Corporation. We’re going to be doing some exciting things.

Through the Tourism Development Corporation, we’ll be working actively with product development”

PAGE 20, Friday, January 5, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

Boat registration hikes ‘life and death matter’ FROM PAGE A24 them. When this was first announced last year, there was an outcry in the community. I made an outcry to the minister at the time.

It is now coming into effect, and is a very, very serious concern particularly for my constituents.

“I think the secretary of the National Fisheries Association went into great detail in explaining the impact it will have on local fishermen, and also went into great detail to explain the extent of the increase from $20 to $700 and, in some instances, even more than that,” Mr Thompson continued.

“Anyone faced with a cost increase of that magnitude..... It’s not a recreation for them. It’s a matter of life and death for them to support their families. It’s absolutely necessary for them to have it [boat registration]. For the Government to put in an increase at this level is absolutely unnecessary, it’s cruel and completely disadvantages those small fishermen, particularly my constituents.”

The boat registration fee hikes, while unveiled at end-May 2023 with the 2023-2024 Budget, have only really begun to kick-in and take effect now for the vast majority of commercial

vessel owners as their craft typically only become due for licensing at year-end and the start of the New Year.

As an example, for commercial vessels 20 feet in length, which typically accompany larger fishing vessels on dive operations, their annual registration renewal fees have increased 35-fold - from $20 to $700.

And it is not just fishermen who have been impacted, but all commercial boats including tour and excursion providers, tug boat and salvage vessel operators.

One excursion provider was said to have endured a ten-fold increase in registration fees - from $260 to $2,600 - while another boat owner said the fee for their 40-50 foot vessel has increased from $150 to $1,650 per year. While conceding that boat registration fees needed to increase, the latter said it was the magnitude of the hike - coming all at once - that was hurting the industry.

Tavares LaRoda, the New Providence Port Authority’s chairman, could not be reached by Tribune Business for comment yesterday despite calls and messages left on his phone. He previously told this newspaper that the increases to fees that have not been adjusted for two decades were designed to try and catch up

with, but not exceed, inflation that has occurred over that period as the Government seeks to incentivise more boat owners to register their vessels in The Bahamas.

Outlining the Davis administration’s strategy, amid the outcry over both the first-time and annual registration fee increases, he argued that the hike in the former category was more than offset by the elimination of an effective 20 percent tax rate on boat owners importing their craft to The Bahamas for the first time via the removal of VAT and Customs duty.

“Please note that the first-time registration fees are paid when a vessel is imported into the country,” he added in an e-mail.

“Whilst this fee is higher than the annual registration fee, it is generally significantly lower than the amounts previously paid as Customs duties and VAT which have now been removed from the importation of vessels....

“The Government remains committed supporting the growth and development of our maritime industries. The legislative changes reduce the overall cost the acquire vessels - the key component to the industry’s growth.”

However, Mr Thompson in statement reiterated his

belief that the fee increases have created “very real challenges” for Bahamian fishermen. “Many fishermen use their vessels to provide for their families and it is cruel to increase registration in such an extreme way,” he added.

“The Fisheries Association [secretary] has pointed out... that the smaller fishermen may simply be unable to afford these inordinate fee hikes. This PLP government.. are placing small fishermen and commercial boaters in east Grand Bahama and the rest of The Bahamas in an untenable situation.”

Mr Thompson also renewed his and the Opposition’s call for the Government to eliminate VAT on “healthy foods” and medicines if it is really serious about combating inflation and the cost of living crisis facing many Bahamian families. He added that, rather than focus on just one fee hike, it was the overall burden created by multiple increases and adjustments that has to be assessed.

“When you look at the imposition of VAT on breadbasket food items, when you look at the imposition of VAT on medications, when you look at the overall increase in the cost of food and the cost of electricity, these registration fees for boats,” the east Grand Bahama MP said.

“When you also look at what the Government has spoken about with the cost of shipping by air [JDL’s

proposed per pound cargo scanning fee], and we also now have to anticipate an increase in NIB coming into effect this year. When you add up the entire amount of increases on the back of inflation that’s already high, for some struggling Bahamians it’s untenable.

“We are saying to the Government that if you want to fight inflation stop adding taxes on the backs of Bahamians. Just remove VAT off of healthy foods, remove VAT off medications. They can do that very simply and have an immediate effect on those who are struggling.”

Eliminating VAT on those items would reduce tax revenues for the Government and force it to make up the loss elsewhere.

And the reintroduction of VAT zero ratings and exemptions, which is what Mr Thompson is again calling for, would be contrary to the low-rate, broadbased simple VAT model that was agreed upon by all parties when the tax was brought in in 2015.

The Minnis administration subsequently introduced the zero ratings on bread basket foods and medicines when it increased the VAT rate from 7.5 percent to 12 percent in 2018.

This was reversed by the Davis administration when it took office, with the zero ratings eliminated and the VAT rate slashed to 10 percent.

Questioned on these points, Mr Thompson said any revenue loss could

be compensated for by increasing the VAT rate on property sales worth $1m or more by two percentage points to 12 percent. The Minnis administration did this for transactions worth more than $2m, but its successor reversed this.

“Unfortunately, the Government gave the tax break to the rich,” he argued. “We are saying you can implement that again. It can assist in paying for tax reductions on healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables.”

As for making VAT more complex with the zero ratings, Mr Thompson argued that fighting inflation and the cost of living crisis was more important than administrative simplicity.

“The very same countries that once held that view about having one rate with respect to VAT have changed their view because of the inflation crisis,” he added, while not naming who he is referring to.

“It doesn’t make sense holding on to that view when people are suffering.

People across the world have changed their view and taken VAT off most or all food items.” Mr Thompson urged the Government to make the VAT eliminations and speak to the medical community, as well as food retailers and wholesalers, as to where this would have the biggest impacts for health and “struggling Bahamians needing to find inexpensive food.”

Union president hopes deal with Graycliff signed today FROM PAGE A22 and see the finish line but we’re not there yet. There’s some legal stuff in it that we want to make sure is right because once you sign, you sign.

“We almost found ourselves in a precarious position with the Graycliff one because if it had gone ahead members would have missed out on a major benefit. We’re moving quickly but also moving cautiously to ensure members enjoy the benefits of it. We want to make sure everything is

right, by the law, what we have negotiated is in the document so that it can be signed off on. Once it’s signed it’s signed.

“The last final matters for pretty much all of them are the lump sum and payment of it. With Graycliff, we were able to iron that out.

We almost missed out one of the most important final packages in it. We ironed that out and hopefully will sign-off tomorrow [today].”

As for Harborside, Mr Woods said the union hoped to meet with the property next week “and hopefully wrap that up. We sent them a proposal, back and forth, before the holidays which they hopefully have approved. We want them to see it and, hopefully, sign off.”

Looking ahead to other negotiations in 2024, the BHCAWU chief added: “Last night we were able to get back the recognition

agreement from Club Med. That’s the first initial step.

Club Med recognised us as the bargaining agent and submitted a counter-proposal to our proposal.

“We hope to hear from them in another week on the dates to start negotiations. We hope to travel to San Salvador in two weeks.

By then we will be able to sign the recognition agreement, which is a major step, and get dates to start negotiations for their property.

These are the things we are working on and will hopefully get them out in the New Year...

“We still also have the Poop Deck that we want to start and get out the way as quickly as we can. We weren’t able to start that last year. They’ve indicated they want to start negotiations in January so we’re moving as quickly as we can.”

NASSAU/PI RESORTS ENJOY 17% NOVEMBER ROOM REVENUE RISE FROM PAGE A22 over the same period in 2022,” added Mr Cooper.

Sea arrivals for the same period grew by 49.1 percent year-over-year, and by 42.4 percent compared to 2019, to reach 6.938m.

“This surge in sea arrivals underscores the consistent appeal and magnetism of our breathtaking islands among travellers worldwide,” Mr Cooper said.

Bimini led the Family Island arrivals growth, with visitor numbers more than doubling to increase by 110 percent compared to 2022 and by 925 percent when benchmarked against the first 11 months of 2019.

The ministry added that air arrivals-only figures showed Grand Bahama leading the way with yearover-year growth that exceeded 2022 numbers by 38 percent, followed by Abaco, Nassau/Paradise Island, Bimini, Andros, Cat Island, Exuma, Eleuthera and Long Island, respectively.

And, when assessing Grand Bahamas’s post-Hurricane Dorian recovery, the island’s total visitor arrivals exceeded 2019 numbers by

3 percent and 2022 by 53 percent. Abaco, meanwhile, recorded tourist arrivals some 6 percent above 2019 and 27 percent beyond 2022 numbers.

Mr Cooper, reflecting on visitor demographics, said: “Up to the end of November 2023, 35.8 percent of visitors from all regions embraced the charm of our islands once more, embodying the spirit of return.

Key source markets such as Africa, Canada, the US, the Caribbean, Australasia, Europe and Latin America displayed strong repeat visitor rates, symbolising the enduring allure of The Bahamas.”

During this period, the statistics indicated that 62.5 percent of stopover visitors chose The Bahamas primarily for leisure, followed by 16.9 percent for weddings and honeymoons, 5.7 percent wanting to experience its casinos, and 3.5 percent for business purposes.

“Such a diverse mix of interests and motivations underscores the multi-faceted appeal of our islands, catering to varied preferences and interests,” Mr Cooper said.

CALL 502-2394 TO ADVERTISE TODAY!

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, January 5, 2024, PAGE 21

FAST-FOOD CHAIN AIMING FOR $1.5M GROWTH ‘SLAM DUNK’ months, that we’ve been working on this.”

While the Dunkin’ Donuts franchise has “no specific numbers” for estimating likely customer footfall, Ms Myers added: “Generally we would do a traffic study but we have other businesses in the vicinity... It’s a brand new location. We expect it to be as busy, or hopefully more busy” than the others.

Asked how quickly construction work would begin once the relevant planning approvals are in place, she replied: “We would start immediately.”

The new location would be the tenth Dunkin’ Donuts outlet in Nassau, joining the three at Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) plus sites in downtown Nassau opposite the British Colonial, Bernard Road, Carmichael Road,

Palmdale, East Street and Paradise Island.

John Davis, the Department of Physical Planning’s superintendent, in his November 7, 2023, briefing for the Town Planning Committee confirmed that the site met all the necessary commercial zoning requirements. He indicated that the only potential concern was the increase in vehicle traffic created by Dunkin’ Donuts and its impact on nearby residential communities, but hinted this can be mitigated.

However, the “prominent” nature of the site and need to comply with the Planning and Subdivision Act’s legal requirements meant that restaurant chain’s site application for site plan ‘approval in principle’ has been deferred until after the January 25 public consultation hearing.

Taxi drivers threaten own ‘Battle 4 Atlantis’

But Mr Ferguson retorted: “You just can’t tell taxi drivers that everybody else can go in but taxi drivers can’t? We see that as a personal attack.” He said the union has already reported the situation to Chester Cooper, deputy prime minister and minister of tourism, investments and aviation, asking him to intervene and request that Atlantis “desists and stands down”.

“We are going to launch an attack on Atlantis in the magnitude they have never seen. They had Battle for Atlantis. Well, this will be the Battle against Atlantis.

I will call every taxi and we will shut down the port and Atlantis the same time,” Mr Ferguson said.

This, he suggested, would see all taxi drivers leave the cruise port and come to Atlantis to create a blockade some time before the end of January unless the matter is resolved. “We will block the bridge, Atlantis

FROM PAGE A24 $1.5m investment give or take,” she said. “Probably a give.”

Asked what attracted the franchise, known globally for its donuts and coffee, to the site, Ms Myers pointed to its strategic positioning on one of the busiest road corridors going into and leaving downtown Nassau plus the proximity to a nearby mall and Saunders Beach businesses that include other fast-food restaurants such as Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), Burger King and Pizza Hut. Confident that passing traffic and nearby residents will provide a substantial customer base, she said of the location: “It just spoke to me. It was just sitting there all alone. I just thought we’d give it a go. It’s been since July, six

FROM PAGE A24 disorganised and chaotic taxi system.

Refuting Mr Ferguson’s allegations, Mr Roberts added that Atlantis is “not blocking taxis” from entering its grounds.

He explained: “We’re not trying to put taxis off of the property. It’s important for our guests to come by taxi to the resort, so that’s not the issue.

“The issue really is that there are taxi operators that are operating from the cruise port that are bringing cruise guests for tours, and some of them are unlicensed. They are bringing guests from around the island for tours featuring Atlantis, and they are basically clogging up the entrance and we’re just trying to organise it in an efficient way.”

Mr Ferguson, though, hinted at the prospect of action by the taxi drivers as he said they do not need to wait until Parliament

convenes or any special day to block entrances to Atlantis or the Paradise Island Bridge.

“You can have your boundaries where you say that if you are not a guest of the hotel, you only can go a certain way. We understand that and we have been living with that from time immemorial,” Mr Ferguson said.

The maximum number of taxis allowed outside any Atlantis entrance is five, but there is a call-up system and station where taxi drivers can park and wait to be summoned. Mr Roberts added: “We have a taxi holding area and we deploy a call-up system, similar to what the other resorts and the airports do.

“The call-up system is not the issue. The issue is that taxis are just coming to the resort with guests from the cruise port. They are not taxis domiciled at Atlantis, but are people bringing guests from the cruise port to tour Atlantis.”

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“The applicant is seeking planning permission for the construction of a fast-food restaurant on the referenced property,” Mr Davis told the Committee.

“The lot measures 119 feet by 112 feet (12,516 square feet) and is zoned for commercial use.

“In 2003, planning approval was granted for the construction of a threestorey building on the site. The application was under the name of Jack Isaacs. The building was to be approximately 10,000 square feet with parking provided for 22 vehicles.

The current proposal is for an approximately 1,400 square foot single storey prototypical structure similar to the Wendy’s at East Street and Wulff Road.”

Pointing out that the intended land use was compatible with much of the

nearby Saunders Beach area, Mr Davis added: “The surrounding area has a mixture of commercial uses including Pizza Hut, Burger King and KFC. “Renal House Kidney Dialysis Centre and Silver Cay apartments are to the north and west of the site respectively. To the south of the site are a mixture of residential communities including Sandrina Gardens and Ferguson Manor subdivisions.”

Mr Davis, suggesting that Dunkin’ Donuts’ proposal has more merit than the previous developer’s, then said: “In 2022, an application for a restaurant and bar was refused for the same site. However, the concept was problematic and would have created a traffic nuisance and disrupt the tranquility of the residential communities.

“The current proposal will operate similar to existing Dunkin Donuts’ locations, with the most likely disruption occurring from drive-through patrons of the establishment. The civil design section of the Ministry of Public Works are to provide guidance in navigating the potential negative vehicular traffic impact.

“While the Department [of Physical Planning] has no objection in principle to the proposed use, the residents of the areas should be consulted as the site is prominent and any development approval should be seen to have occurred within the guidelines of the Planning and Subdivisions Act.”

ATLANTIS RESORT or whatever. Nobody move, nobody get hurt,” Mr Ferguson charged.

More than 200 taxi drivers are said to be stationed at the cruise port and 70 at Atlantis. “Unfortunately, I’m travelling next week.

I already met with the taxi drivers and they are on high alert,” Mr Ferguson said.

“They are just waiting for me to say the word ‘go’, and I told them that I am going to be off, so let’s see if Atlantis will catch their

head between now and next week. But come the third week of this month, if Atlantis doesn’t stand down, we’re going to launch a surprise attack on Atlantis on a very busy day.”

PAGE 22, Friday, January 5, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

UNION PRESIDENT HOPES DEAL WITH GRAYCLIFF SIGNED TODAY

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE HOTEL union’s president yesterday said it hopes to conclude an industrial agreement with Graycliff as early as today, adding: “You can see the finish line but we’re not there yet.”

Darrin Woods, the Bahamas Hotel, Catering and Allied Workers Union’s (BHCAWU) chief, told Tribune Business that it “fell short” on its ambitions to conclude all outstanding

industrial agreements before 2023 year-end but it was not for lack of trying.

Besides the Graycliff deal, the union is also aiming to close industrial agreements with the Harborside timeshare property and the Bahamas Hotel and Restaurant Employers Association. The latter is the body that represents the wider hotel industry and, in particular, Atlantis which is the property employing the majority of the BHCAWU’s line staff members.

Mr Woods told this newspaper that the union

is “moving quickly but cautiously” in all its negotiations, trying to balance the pressure from members to conclude agreements with improved financial terms with the need to make sure the text is “right” and binds both parties to what is intended.

Disclosing that the union caught a major omission in the proposed Graycliff agreement just prior to its possible signing, he also revealed that it hopes to begin negotiations with Club Med and the Poop Deck in 2024.

DARRIN WOODS “We fell short on all of them,” Mr Woods said of the target to wrap-up all industrial agreement talks before year-end 2023. “We

were about to sign the Graycliff one but recognised a very important part was missing. We will hopefully be able to sign that one tomorrow [today].

“We had a meeting with the Bahamas Hotel and Restaurant Employers Association. We’re waiting on one or two responses.

We had one particular area to iron out just before the holiday. We’re really trying to move this along as quickly as we can. We’re trying to put another contract together for further vetting.”

$3M CO-WORKING FACILITY 30% BOOKED AT LAUNCH

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net A newly-launched western New Providence co-working space was 30

percent booked when it opened on Wednesday, its principal told Tribune Business.

Levin Wilson, Access Office Groups president and managing director, said of the $3m facility: “We

have three levels of membership. The first level we have is for $175, where you have an open membership to come inside and you will be able to work at any open desk.

“The next up is our 10 by 10 office space, and it is our goal to provide quality office space for small and medium-sized businesses.

They go for $1,200 a month, and you have access to all utilities. It has desks for two persons, but you can actually manage up to three desks and we have 70 of these all together.

“Then we have boardrooms. There are four of them, with a small and large one on each floor. You can book these through our app, and each member has a certain amount of credits every month where they can book a boardroom.”

The two-storey complex has a dining area, café and an outside patio for persons that want to work outdoors.

It will also be open 24/7 and, once someone has membership, they have access round-the-clock.

Mr Wilson said: “It took us a few million to get this out of the ground - close to $3m - because we wanted to have a state-of-the-art facility. The thing is we designed it to be a community. We have more print stations upstairs, and we also have private phone booths for persons that want to have private conversations.

We have four bathrooms altogether” “We have registered already an accounting firm, a few lawyers, an aviation company and a hedge fund.

It’s a diverse group of businesses, and then there is a hotel developer in here as

Mr Woods acknowledged the frustration and impatience of BHCAWU members to complete an agreement with the Association, especially given that the last industrial agreement expired more than a decade ago in 2013.

“The people are getting really tired now,” he said.

“It’s been long but we’re trying to push forward. I hate to keep saying it, but hopefully it will be done in short order. It’s very wearing. You can be so close

SEE PAGE A20 well that has a few spaces in here.

“We also have a café area. We are not encouraging people to have food and refrigerators in their office, so we made a kitchen area where members can sit down and have lunch, use the microwave, grab coffee, store the stuff in the refrigerator,” he added.

“We are the biggest co-working space in The Bahamas right now, and our goal is getting our offices filled up. Then our focus is going to be member engagement, creating events and opportunities for our members.”

Access Office Groups has already held several events at its facilities, including a pop-up shop this past weekend, which has been “very effective” for driving membership outside of social media marketing.

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MAJOR Nassau and Paradise Island hotels enjoyed a near-17 percent increase in total room revenues last November aided by air arrivals growth to over 1.5m for the first 11 months of 2023.

The Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, in a statement, said the capital’s leading resorts beat all prior year comparatives for a month that traditionally marks the start of the winter tourism season with stopover arrivals beating 2019’s pre-COVID record by 17 percent.

Nassau/Paradise Island resorts recorded an average 70.6 percent occupancy rate for November 2023, a month that contains the US Thanksgiving holiday, which exceeded the prior year’s 68.8 percent.

And, helped by reduced room inventory due to the closures of Atlantis’ Beach Towers, the Melia Nassau Beach Resort and the British Colonial resort (which reopened in December), the hotel industry saw average daily room rates (ADRs) and revenue per available room increase year-overyear by 16.7 percent and 20 percent, respectively.

This generated a collective 16.8 percent jump in total room revenue for the Nassau/Paradise Island hotel industry, leading Chester Cooper, deputy prime minister and minister of tourism, investment and aviation, to proclaim that “The Bahamas stands at the pinnacle of its tourism

prowess” following its rebound from the COVID pandemic’s ravages.

“The Bahamas stands at the pinnacle of its tourism prowess, fuelled by an unwavering commitment to excellence, a diverse array of offerings and a genuine hospitality that beckons travellers from every corner of the globe,” Mr Cooper said.

“As we close out 2023, we should note that December has yet to be counted, and we expect to easily exceed the nine million visitor arrival mark. These remarkable statistics serve as a testament to our unwavering dedication to providing unparalleled experiences, ensuring that The Bahamas remains a premier destination for discerning travellers worldwide.”

The Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation said that, at end-November 2023, combined air and sea arrivals for the first 11 months of last year had risen by 41.8 percent yearover-year to hit 8.645m.

“Notably, air arrivals through November 2023, totalling 1.556m, have eclipsed both 2022 and 2019 levels, boasting an impressive 18.6 percent upsurge

SEE PAGE A20

PM SPOKESMAN DEFENDS $2 TOURISM EXPANSION

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net THE Prime Minister’s spokesman last night said the $2 levy all Bahamian travellers must now pay will be used to finance further development of this nation’s tourism product for the benefit of all.

Latrae Rahming, the Prime Minister’s director of communications, said all revenue generated by the new tourism enhancement levy will be put into a fund managed by the Tourism Development Corporation.

Speaking on the Beyond the Headlines TV program, he explained that the Government chose to implement the levy on all travellers - Bahamian and foreign - to ensure there is sufficient funding available to maintain and expand the tourism product.

He said: “This is a separate fee that everyone will pay, whether you are visitor or resident or Bahamian, that will go to the Tourism Development Corporation.

The rationale behind it is that the tourism industry has been the primary driver of our country, and ensuring that fee as a means to maintain and build on that.

“It’s something that we’ve seen work well in Barbados, work well in Jamaica, and so where there are solutions or approaches that have worked and been strategic and it benefits, we adopt it.”

Mr Rahming added that all revenue generated will be placed in a fund managed by the Tourism Development Corporation, and will be used to support stakeholders in the tourism sector while also developing and promoting industry growth.

SEE PAGE A19

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, January 5, 2024, PAGE 23

PM renews call on climate financing argued there is “no way” that the $700m pledged thus far to the climate change ‘loss and damage’ fund, which was agreed at the recent Cop28 UN climate change conference, is sufficient to even cover this nation’s needs.

The host country, the United Arab Emirates, pledged $100m, which was matched by Germany and surpassed by both Italy and France. The world’s thirdlargest economy, Japan, pledged $10m, and the US $17.5m, while China has yet to make a commitment.

Mr Davis said that although small island states can see the commitment from large countries, which are responsible for the majority of the greenhouse gas emissions driving global warming, there is still a vast disparity between what has been pledged to the ‘loss and damage fund’ to-date and the estimated $400 billion needed by small island states to combat climate change.

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net THE Prime Minister has renewed his charge that there is a “disparity” between the climate changes pledges made by developed countries and the financing required by small island states such as The Bahamas.

Philip Davis KC, in an interview with the CNBC business network that aired yesterday, reiterated that this nation is potentially “doomed to a watery grave” if the world collectively fails to work together in mitigating or reversing the impact of climate change.

He said: “If nothing is done I can see my people becoming climate refugees or being doomed to a watery grave. Because if nothing happens, that is our future, so I’m passionate about it. Others may not see it that way. So the time has come for us to find a mechanism where political

PHILIP DAVIS KC attitudes, political change will not reverse or retard progress on this front.”

A United Nations (UN) foreign debt specialist last year said The Bahamas is still paying off debt related to three separate hurricane restoration efforts, adding that this nation is almost trapped in a debt cycle due to damage inflicted by more severe and more frequent hurricanes. Once it finishes paying-off debts incurred with recovering from one storm, another strikes.

And Bahamian environmental advocates have

SEE PAGE A19

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-DAY FORECAST

ORLANDO

High: 75° F/24° C Low: 60° F/16° C

TAMPA

TODAY

TONIGHT

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

UV INDEX TODAY

Partly sunny and pleasant

Showers around early; partly cloudy

Breezy and nice with periods of sun

Humid; a couple of morning showers

Overcast with a couple of showers

Windy and humid with high clouds

The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.

High: 77°

Low: 69°

High: 80° Low: 71°

High: 82° Low: 67°

High: 80° Low: 69°

High: 81° Low: 70°

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

78° F

69° F

84°-70° F

91°-67° F

81°-69° F

84°-70° F

High: 75° F/24° C Low: 64° F/18° C

E

W

ABACO

S

N

High: 72° F/22° C Low: 69° F/21° C

10-20 knots

S

High: 75° F/24° C Low: 70° F/21° C

10-20 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE

FREEPORT

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 71° F/22° C

N E S

E

W

WEST PALM BEACH

W

High

Ht.(ft.)

Today

2:15 a.m.

2:20 p.m.

2.3 1.9

8:35 a.m. 0.7 8:36 p.m. 0.2

ALMANAC

Saturday

3:08 a.m.

3:15 p.m.

2.4 1.9

9:35 a.m. 0.6 9:26 p.m. 0.0

Statistics are for Nassau through 1 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 79° F/26° C Low .................................................... 63° F/17° C Normal high ....................................... 78° F/25° C Normal low ........................................ 66° F/19° C Last year’s high .................................. 83° F/29° C Last year’s low ................................... 70° F/21° C Precipitation As of 1 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date .................................................. 0.00” Normal year to date ..................................... 0.18”

Sunday

4:01 a.m.

4:10 p.m.

2.5 1.9

10:32 a.m. 0.4 10:17 p.m. -0.1

Monday

4:53 a.m.

5:04 p.m.

2.7 2.0

11:25 a.m. 0.2 11:09 p.m. -0.3

Tuesday

5:43 a.m.

5:56 p.m.

2.9 2.1

12:16 p.m. 0.0 ---------

Wednesday 6:33 a.m.

6:48 p.m.

3.1 2.2

12:00 a.m. -0.5 1:05 p.m. -0.2

Thursday

3.3 2.4

12:52 a.m. -0.6 1:53 p.m. -0.4

The exclusive AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature® is an index that combines the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body—everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels. Temperatures reflect the high and the low for the day.

N

High: 74° F/23° C Low: 67° F/19° C

MIAMI

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 71° F/22° C

7-14 knots

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 69° F/21° C

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2024

High: 76° F/24° C Low: 73° F/23° C

N

KEY WEST

High: 76° F/24° C Low: 71° F/22° C

E

W

6-12 knots

S

7-14 knots

Sunrise Sunset

6:56 a.m. Moonrise 5:34 p.m. Moonset

1:12 a.m.

12:45 p.m.

New

First

Full

Last

Jan. 11

Jan. 17

Jan. 25

Feb. 2

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 70° F/21° C

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 75° F/24° C

N

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 72° F/22° C

E

W S

LONG ISLAND

TRACKING MAP

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 74° F/23° C

H

Ht.(ft.)

SUN AND MOON

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 70° F/21° C

N

S

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

7:21 a.m.

7:39 p.m.

Low

CAT ISLAND

E

W

TIDES FOR NASSAU

8-16 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 81° F/27° C Low: 72° F/22° C

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS

are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

RAGGED ISLAND High: 79° F/26° C Low: 76° F/24° C

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 75° F/24° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 82° F/28° C Low: 74° F/23° C

N

E

W

E

W

N

S

S

7-14 knots

7-14 knots

MARINE FORECAST ABACO ANDROS CAT ISLAND CROOKED ISLAND ELEUTHERA FREEPORT GREAT EXUMA GREAT INAGUA LONG ISLAND MAYAGUANA NASSAU RAGGED ISLAND SAN SALVADOR

Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday:

WINDS NE at 10-20 Knots S at 12-25 Knots SE at 6-12 Knots SSE at 8-16 Knots ENE at 8-16 Knots SSE at 8-16 Knots ENE at 7-14 Knots ESE at 8-16 Knots ENE at 10-20 Knots SSE at 10-20 Knots ENE at 10-20 Knots S at 12-25 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots SSE at 8-16 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots ESE at 8-16 Knots NE at 6-12 Knots SE at 8-16 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots ESE at 8-16 Knots ENE at 8-16 Knots SSE at 8-16 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots SE at 8-16 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots SSE at 8-16 Knots

WAVES 4-7 Feet 4-8 Feet 0-1 Feet 1-2 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-6 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-5 Feet 3-5 Feet 4-7 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 0-1 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-5 Feet 4-7 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-3 Feet

VISIBILITY 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 76° F 76° F 76° F 76° F 78° F 78° F 81° F 80° F 78° F 78° F 76° F 75° F 77° F 78° F 81° F 80° F 80° F 80° F 79° F 79° F 77° F 77° F 80° F 79° F 78° F 78° F

business@tribunemedia.net

FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 2024

$5.30

$5.31

$5.30

$5.30

Fast-food chain aiming for $1.5m growth ‘slam dunk’ WESLEY FERGUSON

VAUGHN ROBERTS

Taxi drivers threaten own ‘Battle 4 Atlantis’

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas Taxi Cab Union (BTCU) yesterday threatened to launch its own “Battle for Atlantis” over the mega resort’s efforts to prevent drivers from “clogging” the Coral Towers entrance.

Wesley Ferguson, the union’s president, told Tribune Business that his members are “not having it in 2024” as he asserted that Atlantis’ track record of having “lost all” previous confrontations with the taxi drivers will continue.

“It seems as if all they want to do is re-group and

come back at it at a different angle, but whatever angle Atlantis chooses to come with, the BTCU is not having it in 2024,” he charged. “Because in this day and time it is barbaric when you are going to inconvenience tourists who come from the cruise ship.

“You opened the hotel as a tourist attraction. You opened it up so, when you opened it up, you opened it up for anybody who wants to see it to come and see it.”

However, Vaughn Roberts, Atlantis’ senior vice-president of government affairs and special projects, told Tribune Business the resort is merely trying to clean up

SEE PAGE A21

Boat registration hikes ‘life and death matter’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Opposition’s finance spokesman yesterday blasted the “cruel” magnitude of the boat registration fee hikes which he branded “a matter of life and death” for his constituency’s subsistence fishermen.

Kwasi Thompson, the east Grand Bahama MP, told Tribune Business that the ten-fold and greater increases in the first-time and renewal registration fees was “a huge, huge hit” for non-commercial fishermen who catch primarily to feed their families and earn sufficient income to survive.

“The feedback I have been getting from the residents, particularly in the eastern end settlements like Sweeting’s Cay, High Rock and McLean’s Town, has all

KWASI THOMPSON been completely negative,” he confirmed. “They are fishing villages and they are, for the most part, small fishermen who fish really for the benefit of their families and benefit from selling in Freeport.

“That goes to benefit their families, and to have an increase at the levels that are being reported is a huge, huge hit for

SEE PAGE A20

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net A BAHAMIAN fast food franchise yesterday revealed it aims to create 25 jobs through a $1.5m expansion into its tenth New Providence location after all planning approvals are obtained.

Linda Myers, president of Bahamas QSR Ltd, told Tribune Business that construction “will start immediately” once site plan approval and other relevant permissions are granted for a proposed Dunkin’ Donuts restaurant on West Bay Street at the

t 5FOUI %VOLJO %POVUT MPDBUJPO UP DSFBUF KPCT t A*NNFEJBUF TUBSU PODF QMBOOJOH BQQSPWBM HBJOFE t -BTU EFWFMPQFS SFKFDUFE GPS 4BVOEFST #FBDI TJUF eastern end of Saunders Beach.

A briefing paper for the Town Planning Committee, which has “deferred” its decision on giving the go-ahead prior to a public consultation on January

Petroleum retailers fear ‘another nail in the coffin’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net BAHAMIAN petroleum retailers yesterday voiced fears that full Business Licence audits will be “just another nail in the coffin” as they push to meet with the Prime Minister over demands for a margin increase.

Raymond Jones, the Bahamas Petroleum Retailers Association’s (BPRA) president, told Tribune Business that requiring gas station operators to produce full audited financial statements will heap additional costs on an industry whose price controlled fixed margins have been “totally decimated” by inflation and multiple cost

increases over the past decade.

With fixed gasoline and diesel margins preventing petroleum dealers from adjusting prices to cover the extra audit costs, he argued that the enhanced Business Licence verification exercise “doesn’t make sense” and is unnecessary given that the sector’s top-line revenues “are so easily traced” back to the volume of fuel operators buy from their respective wholesale suppliers.

As high turnover/low margin businesses, Mr Jones told this newspaper that most gas stations will exceed the $5m annual turnover threshold above which companies must produce audited financial

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25, reveals that another developer’s plans to establish a restaurant and bar at the same location - the corner formed by the West Bay Street and Ferguson Road junction - were rejected in 2022.

However, it added that the Department of Physical Planning “has no objection in principle” to Dunkin’ Donuts plans for the site as the Ministry of Works will provide “guidance in navigating” any negative impact on residents in the Perpall Tract area from the increase in vehicle traffic.

Ms Myers, when contacted by this newspaper, confirmed that Dunkin’ Donuts’ latest location will create 25 jobs if it proceeds and be a combined walk-in/drive through restaurant. “It would be a

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