Ex-FNM chair is receiver for Elliott Lockhart assets
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
A FORMER FNM chairman
and senator is the Supreme Courtappointed receiver charged with selling-off assets owned by an ex-MP and Supreme Court judge in a bid to recover millions of dollars for his alleged victims.
Darron Cash yesterday confirmed to Tribune Business “that is correct” when contacted by this newspaper over advertisements identifying him as the receiver seeking bids on the former law offices of Elliott Lockhart KC and his Lockhart & Co law firm by 1pm this Friday, May 25.
• Ex-MP and judge’s law offices for sale ‘by court order’
• $3m victim: ‘Definitely dark side’ to Bahamas investing
• ‘Surprised’ legal profession has not condemned actions
• RoyalStar beat last year’s forecast by 15%
• Aided by 25% higher motor line on repricing
• Core insurance net income more than doubles
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
A BAHAMIAN insurer yesterday revealed competitive pressures will likely cause about a $1m drop in 2025 profits in the absence of hurricane payouts following last year’s 64 percent net income increase.
Anton Saunders, RoyalStar Holdings’ president and chief executive, told Tribune Business that rival property and casualty underwriters are likely to follow its lead in re-pricing their motor coverage in line with elevated risks after this drove profits from this product line some 25 percent higher than the group’s 2024 expectations. As a result of this and other gains, Royal Star Holdings, which serves as the group’s parent entity, enjoyed a near-$5m or 64 percent increase in total comprehensive income to $12.521m for the 12 months to end-December 2024 as opposed to the $7.633m achieved for the prior year. These gains largely came from its core insurance underwriting business, RoyalStar Assurance, which saw net income more than double year-over-year. It increased by 112 percent
to $10.963m compared to $5.169m for the 2023 calendar year, although the latter year’s total comprehensive income was inflated by a $1.888m gain from a property revaluation.
“It was above budget; slightly above budget,” Mr Saunders told this newspaper of RoyalStar’s 2024 profits. Detailing the factors that drove this surge, he explained that property coverage - where reinsurance costs remain at their peak - was not the primary factor behind last year’s performance.
“What drove the profits was more other classes of business, especially motor,” Mr Saunders said. “Three years ago we decided to purge our motor account. We increased third-party motor insurance premiums knowing we would lose market share across all our territories.
“We purged and lost market share, but the motor account improved drastically. We didn’t believe the third party motor vehicle premium rates that we wanted to purge were aligned with our goals as a company. People were paying $300 in premium for $30m worth of coverage.
He declined to comment further, but this newspaper understands he has been charged with taking possession of, securing and selling real estate and other assets owned by Mr Lockhart in a bid to recover funds the latter purportedly took from several foreign investors for Bahamian real estate transactions that he never completed. And, despite failing to deliver what was promised, the ex-MP and judge never returned the monies.
Tribune Business contacts, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to talk publicly, confirmed that Mr Cash’s remit is to maximise the purchase price
received for all real estate and other assets identified as being owned by Mr Lockhart with the sales proceeds used to compensate the latter’s creditors.
“The court was provided with a specific set of properties, and those are the properties that come within the ambit of the work of the receiver,” one source explained. Besides Mr Lockhart’s former law offices at 35 Buen Retiro Road off Shirley Street, which are now being advertised for sale, other assets that could be targeted include his personal residence, with a last known address listed as 67 Ocean Drive, Adelaide Village.
‘We must see it through’ as Montagu billboards removed
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
CAMPAIGNERS hailed yesterday’s clean-up and removal of multiple business billboard advertisements at Fort Montagu Park, but warned: “We have to see it through to its total restoration.”
Loretta Butler-Turner, who helped drive the location’s restoration and clean-up when she was the area’s MP between 2007 and 2012, told Tribune Business she had personally witnessed staff from the Beaches and Parks Authority - including its executive chairman, McKell Bonaby - on-site yesterday taking down many of the billboards that had provoked alarm about the commercial takeover of a dedicated public space.
Revealing that she stopped and spoke with both Mr Bonaby and other Authority staff, the ex-MP and Cabinet minister said she was informed that “this is more than Fort Montagu” as the agency is also dealing with unauthorised, excessive signage in areas such as Saunders Beach as well as other areas throughout New Providence. Meanwhile Bruce Raine, founder of International Private Banking Systems (IPBS), the Bahamas-based financial services software developer, who launched a petition that gained more than 400 signatures demanding that the Fort Montagu signage be removed, told this newspaper his wife “didn’t know where she was” when driving along East Bay Street after many of the billboards had been removed.
FOLLOWING yesterday’s removal of numerous billboard advertisements, drivers on East Bay Street now have a much clearer view over Montagu Bay.
Estimating that the number of ‘offending’ signs has been cut by almost two-thirds, from around 17 to six, he urged that the authorities now move rapidly to address Fort Montagu’s other woes including the presence of bar/restaurant, food and beverage and souvenir vendors, and whether these persons have the necessary permissions to be there plus the relevant Business Licence, food handling and other permits. Also identified by Mr Raine and other
PM hails doubling of GB medical school’s campus
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
A GRAND Bahamabased medical school will “near double” the size of its campus and student enrollment following the signing of its latest agreement with the Government, the Prime Minister is asserting.
Philip Davis KC, speaking at the Heads of Agreement signing with Western Atlantic University School of Medicine, said that the deal will help “revolutionise our nation’s healthcare landscape” by also involving a partnership with the
Ministry of Education to offer scholarships to Bahamians.
“Following the successful completion of phases one and two of the university’s development, we now move to advance phases three and four,” Mr Davis said. “I am pleased to note that the campus will see a near two-fold expansion in its facilities, supporting the accommodation of 1,000 medical students by January 2028.
“Across all phases, the continued development of Western Atlantic University School of Medicine has generated hundreds of jobs for Bahamians. And it will continue to
Businesses fear ‘nightmare’ over water improvements
By ANNELIA NIXON Tribune Business
BUSINESSES in the Joe Farrington Road area yesterday voiced fears that they will be facing “a nightmare” this summer as a result of Water & Sewerage Corporation infrastructure upgrades valued at around $1m. Giovanna Rahming, Bahama Clear Drinking Water and Ice’s owner, and Garfield Johnson, Amanda’s Convenience Store proprietor while both backing the need for improvements warned that commerce in the area may take a hit from the challenges consumers may have in accessing businesses due to roadworks and associated closures. Despite pledges “that most of the disruptive work will be carried out overnight between 9pm and 5am to minimise the impact on businesses”, Ms Rahming and Mr Johnson are still concerned the timing may not be right. Ms Rahming told Tribune Business she was informed that the project would take
place through the summer months, her busiest season in terms of customers, at a recent Town Hall meeting. While the “rusty water” issues in the area impact lavatory use at her firm, she is more focused on the noise, dust and detours the infrastructure project will bring, adding that she will have to find ways around it to keep business going.
“They’re doing it in three phases,” Ms Rahming said. “I think they’re taking from Bay Lilly Road to Marigold Farm Road first. So they’re going to dig up in front of the business first.
My business is between those two roads. All we could do is watch it and try to mitigate it because I can’t control what they do.
“And then they’re actually not replacing the pipe. The old pipes will be decommissioned, and they’re laying new pipe. So when they do the switch over, and they do all the testing, I’m sure water will have to be off during those times.
“It doesn’t affect us because, like I say, the only thing we do is wash our hands and flush the
create enduring careers as its operations expand. In phase four, set to begin in late 2028, the campus will continue its physical expansion, with enrollment projected to more than double over the following decade to a total 2,300 students by April 2040.”
William Colgan, chair of Western Atlantic University School of Medicine’s board of directors, told Tribune Business in an interview in April 2024 that the planned $25m expansion will create 200 construction jobs. He voiced hope then that building work will start “in the next three months” once all necessary approvals are received given that ever-increasing student
DARRON CASH
ELLIOTT LOCKHART KC
Jokers Wild announces final curtain for May 25
An iconic Bahamian comedy and entertainment venue has announced it will bring the curtain down on a long-running 36-year history when it stages its final show at Atlantis on May 25.
Jokers Wild Comedy Club, which opened in 1989, revealed in a statement that it will be closing its doors after more than three decades that have seen it provide a platform for multiple comedians and entertainers. It partnered with Atlantis, and its predecessor resorts, for a collaboration that enabled it to host a variety of special comedy and entertainment events.
Jokers Wild was created by managing partner, Ed Fields, and fellow investors Bryan Russell, Gerald Cash Jr and the late Richard Bethel, in a bid to bring word class comedy to The Bahamas. When it first opened in 1989 at what was
formerly known as Ronnie’s Rebel Room, home to Ronnie Butler and the Ramblers, it featured both jazz and comedy and was dubbed the Jokers Wild Comedy and Jazz Club.
It later dropped the jazz element and, for the last 34 years went simply as Jokers Wild Comedy Club. After enduring a challenging first 12 months of operations, the club moved to the Lowes Harbour Cove Hotel into what used to be the Buccaneer Lounge, where Al Collie and the VIPs used to perform for years.
It was then that the owners of Jokers Wild were approached by Resorts International, the immediate predecessor to Atlantis, to move to the Tradewinds Lounge, another entertainment venue. After Sol Kerzner and Sun International purchased the Paradise Island resort in 1993, Jokers moved to
the discotheque, Pastiche, where it has been located since 1994.
“It has been a long run,” said Mr Fields,” and there are lots of memories. Our biggest name was Jay Leno, but when we opened a young an up-and-coming comedian, named Steve Harvey, graced our stage a couple of times. We could easily afford Steve then. We definitely could not afford him now.”
Others who appeared at Jokers Wild include Damon Wayans, Chris Tucker, Fluffy, Charlie Murphy and Tommy Davidson, the latter of whom who will be the headliner for the last week of shows in May. Jokers Wild also had the dubious distinction of partnering with a local service organisation for the penultimate show ever performed by Bill Cosby.
Jokers Wild said its only regret is that id did not
Bahamas teams with Emirates airline to promote local tourism
A MAJOR Middle
Eastern airline and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have signed an agreement to jointly promote tourism to The Bahamas. Emirates and the ministry sealed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalise a partnership designed to further develop The Bahamas tourism industry and trade economy. The agreement was reached at the Arabian Travel Market 2025 in Dubai.
The MoU was signed by Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ deputy president and chief commercial officer, and
Tony Joudi, Ambassador of The Bahamas to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the state of Qatar and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Also present at the signing ceremony were Thierry Aucoc, Emirates’ senior vice-president of commercial operations (west); Anthony Stewart, senior director of emerging markets at the Ministry of Tourism; Eugene Poitier, deputy chief of mission at The Bahamas Embassy in the UAE; Pretia Dean, first secretary, Bahamas Embassy in the UAE; and Michael Paddon, official
in the Office of the Prime Minister.
Mr Kazim said: “We are pleased to collaborate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Bahamas to promote the Caribbean nation as a key leisure destination to our global customers. By joining forces, Emirates hopes to support The Bahamas’ tourism ambitions and to play a role in boosting the nation’s tourism economy.
“While Emirates serves 14 points in the US and Canada, our partnerships with United and Air Canada will help us to extend our reach, offer
seem to be able to attract or develop enough Bahamian comedians who can appeal to an international market. It paid tribute to Max McClure, Mark Bethel, Action and Naughty, but said it wanted to see more. However, it praised upand-coming Bahamian comedians and performers such as Das Quay, Sawyer Boy and Mark B, as well as others who are making names for themselves.
Mr Fields also paid tribute to Mr Bethel, who passed away in 2019 and served as general manager for the majority of Joker’s Wild’s history, plus all longserving staff who helped make the venue what it was. Mr Russell, co-majority partner, added: “Wow, what a ride it has been. From Ronnie’s Rebel Room to Lowes Harbour Cove to Atlantis. It has been unforgettable experience with great business partners.”
Naughty, who has been the host comedian for more than 20 years, said: “I will always be grateful to Ed Fields and Richard Bethel. They did not just give me a job at Jokers Wild, they gave me a career.”
As the closing date approaches, Jokers Wild said it is inviting its loyal patrons and the community to come out and support it, especially from May 20-25, 2025, when Tommy Davidson will be the headliner.
“We are incredibly grateful to our audiences, performers and our longtime partner Atlantis for their unwavering support throughout the years,” said Mr Fields “Jokers Wild has been more than just a comedy club; it’s been a home for laughter and creativity. While it’s bittersweet to close this chapter, we look forward to celebrating our legacy with
everyone over the next several months.” Mr Fields also voiced gratitude to the several past and current presidents of the Bahamas Musicians and Entertainers Union for their support over the years, along with the Department of Immigration. He added that Jokers Wild had to be one of the most frequent customers for the Immigration Department with requests for thousands of permits spanning 30 years. Mr Fields said Jokers Wild played a significant role in the introduction of the short-term work permit for entertainers and others, as annual permits for a comedian would have been cost prohibitive. Jokers Wild tickets and information are available for purchase at www. atlantisbahamas.com/ things-to-do/entertainment/ jokers-wild-comedy-club.
connectivity to travellers and eventually support traffic flows into The Bahamas, with their respective
services to Nassau via select points in North America.”
Mr Joudi added: “We are grateful to Emirates’ unwavering support to
The Bahamas, and thank their leaders for their outreach and vision in making and creating an extensive international network and reputation for a superior passenger service - unparalleled travel access strongly aligned with Ministry of Tourism’s international strategic plan.
“The collaboration exemplifies a shared commitment to enhancing The Bahamas’ global connectivity and tourism appeal, which will significantly contribute to the country’s economic growth and international standing.”
Under the MoU, both parties will partner on joint promotional campaigns in key markets to benefit the airline and boost tourist arrivals into The Bahamas. These initiatives will showcase The Bahamas’ appeal to visitors and holiday makers.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will support Emirates’ efforts by providing tour operators and travel agents in key target markets across the Emirates network with promotional giveaways, special promotional packages, incentives and marketing spend. Emirates and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will also seek to support media and trade familiarisation trips to highlight The Bahamas’ tourism product offering.
Emirates currently flies to 12 destinations in the US in addition to Toronto and Montreal. Emirates’ customers from across its global network can use its services to fly to US destinations and connect to Nassau with its codeshare partner, United Airlines, via Houston, or on Air Canada’s services by connecting in Toronto.
The Tribune wants to hear from people who are making news in their neighbourhoods. Perhaps you are raising funds for a good cause, campaigning for improvements in the area or have won an award. If so, call us on 322-1986 and share your story.
SHOWN here are Tony Joudi, ambassador of The Bahamas to the UAE, the state of Qatar and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (centre right); Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ deputy president and chief commercial officer (third from right); Thierry Aucoc, Emirates’ senior vice-president of commercial operations (West) (second from right); Anthony Stewart, senior director of emerging markets, Ministry of Tourism (far left); Eugene Poitier, deputy chief of mission at The Bahamas Embassy in the UAE (fourth from left); Pretia Dean, first secretary, Bahamas Embassy in the UAE (third from left).
MINISTER BLASTS BACK AT BOB ‘FINGER-POINTING’
By FAY SIMMONS
A CABINET minister yesterday hit back at the Opposition’s leader by asserting that political “partisanship” should not intrude into ensuring Family Island communities have consistent access to banking services.
Leon Lundy, also the South Andros and Mangrove Cay MP, pushed back at Michael Pintard’s criticism of the Davis administration’s failure to enact banking reforms by arguing that the issue is about ensuring all Bahamians have adequate financial services access rather than politics.
“This is not about partisanship. It is not about finger-pointing. It is about the real lives of real people in our Family Islands - Bahamians who deserve the same access to essential financial services as those living in the capital,” said Mr Lundy.
“When the people I serve raise a concern, I speak up. That is not only my right; it is my duty. Representation is not about convenience; it is about consistency, courage and commitment to the people who elected you.”
Mr Lundy highlighted that commercial banks have made the decision to reduce their services to
Family Island communities across successive administrations, and said it is “disingenuous” of Mr Pintard to criticise the Davis administration after “years of silence”.
“The Governor of the Central Bank has stated clearly that between 2014 and 2021, there was a 40 percent decrease in bank branches across Grand Bahama and the Family Islands. That decline pre-dates the current administration,” said Mr Lundy. “This is a national issue that spans multiple governments. To now cry foul, after years of silence when this erosion began, is not only disingenuous - it is opportunistic. Leadership demands foresight, not hindsight dressed in political rhetoric.”
Last week, Mr Lundy spoke out about Bank of The Bahamas’ decision to slash operating hours at its Kemp’s Bay branch to just one day per week while leaving its Mangrove Cay location open four days per week.
He said the move was a “disservice” to Bahamians still reliant on branch banking and another example of how Family Islands and their communities are “treated as an afterthought” by the commercial banking sector and others.
Mr Pintard, meanwhile, renewed calls for the Davis
administration to “take banking reforms off the backburner” and demonstrate it is willing to correct the failures in the sector. Challenging the Government to “step up and do something”, he added that as the majority shareholder in Bank of the Bahamas it has “both the authority and the responsibility to act decisively”.
“Access to financial services is essential to economic opportunity, quality of life and community development. Yet this PLP administration seems paralysed while the situation worsens before their eyes. It is remarkable how quickly voices are raised when political pressure increases,” said Mr Pintard.
“But true leadership means acting before the crisis hits home, not just reacting after the fact. If you are serious about change, then step up and do something. The Government is the majority shareholder in the Bank of The Bahamas; it has both the authority and the responsibility to act decisively.”
Mr Lundy, though, said the suggestion that the Government should use its position as a majority shareholder to interfere with day-to-day operations at Bank of The Bahamas “reflects a fundamental misunderstanding” of corporate governance.
“It has been suggested that the Government, as a majority shareholder in Bank of The Bahamas, should dictate its operational decisions. This reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of corporate governance,” said Mr Lundy.
“The Government does not, and should not, interfere in the day-to-day operations of a regulated financial institution. Doing so would set a dangerous precedent and could even cross the line into unlawfulness. Shareholding is not micromanagement.”
Mr Lundy said that while he welcomes the support from the Opposition leader as he strives to ensure all Bahamians have banking equity, the decision to speak out was to ensure his constituents’ concerns were voiced and not politics.
He added that he plans to meet with Bank of The Bahamas executives to “explore real solutions”, and questioned why Mr Pintard had “no similar outrage” when banking services were being reduced in Grand Bahama under the former Minnis administration.
“During the period 2015 to 2021, when banking services were being curtailed in Grand Bahama, the now Opposition Leader was a sitting Member of Parliament during most of this time. He and his colleagues from Grand Bahama held key
cabinet posts,” Mr Lundy said.
“At that time, we heard no similar outrage. Where was the advocacy then? The truth is, consistency matters. It is easy to shout from the sidelines now. It is harder to lead when it counts. When I raised this issue, I did so in good faith and not as an attack on the bank but as an earnest and unwavering appeal on behalf of those whose voices are often overlooked.
“Since then, I have initiated meetings with bank executives and directors to explore real solutions. That is action, not noise. That is leadership, not theatre.” Politicians from both sides of the aisle have spoken out about the lack of banking services on the Family Islands.
In Parliament last September, Long Island MP, Adrian Gibson, said his constituents are “suffering” with utility and infrastructure issues and the island’s sole ATM is frequently out of service and funds leaving tourists and residents frustrated.
“There’s one ATM and that is in Deadman’s Cay, and when you arrive there, more often than not, the ATM’s without cash, out of service yet again,” said Mr Gibson. “And I’ve constantly called upon the Government for Bank of The Bahamas to come to Long Island to provide banking services.
South Andros companies ready for banking ‘Plan B’
By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter
A SOUTH Andros business owner yesterday said companies will have to “go to plan B” once the area’s sole bank cuts operational hours at its Kemp’s Bay branch to just one day per week from Monday.
Julian Gibson, owner/ operator of Eula Nixon Convenience Store and Last
Stop gas station, told Trib-
une Business that while he is unsure what the overall impact will be from Bank of the Bahamas’ decision it will certainly be an inconvenience.
Mr Gibson said business owners and residents in South Andros now have to “fight” the BISX-listed bank, which is 82 percent majority owned by the Government, and demand additional days. But, in the short-term, they will have to rely on the ferry service
to Mangrove Cay to make deposits given that its Bank of The Bahamas branch will be open four days per week.
“It hasn’t taken effect yet, that’s the good thing. I was able to make a deposit today, Tuesdays and Fridays, but I’ll soon have to go to plan B. If we need to make a deposit, I guess we’ll have to send it to Mangrove Cay on the ferry or wait until our day,” said Mr Gibson.
“The Mangrove Cay people wouldn’t allow this to happen to them, and we
in South Andros don’t want this for ourselves either. We’ve got to fight. We have to put up some kind of fight and demand that they give us more than one day.”
Mr Gibson added that reduced banking hours will also prove chaotic as it currently takes about 30 minutes to make a deposit due to long lines. “If I go to the bank with a deposit I can be in line for up to 30 minutes, and it’s not like they’re there all day. There are a lot of people to
serve within their operating hours,” he said.
Leon Lundy, the south and central Andros MP, last week spoke out about Bank of The Bahamas’ decision to slash operating hours at its Kemp’s Bay branch to just one day per week while leaving its Mangrove Cay location open four days per week.
He said the move was a “disservice” to Bahamians still reliant on branch banking and another example of how Family Islands
“This is inconvenient. It’s a burden when you have the one and only ATM machine in Deadman’s Cay breaking down constantly. Businesses are unable to accept credit cards, obviously, because of the Internet failures. Tourists can’t access money, and are left frustrated, inconvenienced and unlikely to return.”
Leonardo Lightbourne, MP for North Andros and the Berry Islands, addressing the House of Assembly during the 2023-2024 Budget debate issued a “plea” for intervention to resolve his constituency’s banking crisis with pensioners now forced to fly to Nassau to access funds and conduct financial services business.
“I would like to plead on behalf of the people of North Andros and the Berry Islands for an intervention and the presence of a local bank. An ATM (automatic teller) machine cannot meet the needs of the people. The North and Central Andros community needs a physical presence desperately,” he said.
“This is indeed a pressing issue that must be looked into urgently. Additionally, this is important to economic building and attracting investments in these islands. The people have suffered long enough and we need a bank now.”
and their communities are “treated as an afterthought” by the commercial banking sector and others.
Mr Gibson said the residents on South Andros have grown “tired of talk” and highlighted that the road paving project on the island has still not been completed. “South Andros people are tired of talks. They said they started to contract for the road, but to this date, all they’ve been doing is scraping it. This must be a new type of way you do roads. Every three months, you scrape,” he said.
‘WE MUST SEE IT THROUGH’ AS MONTAGU BILLBOARDS REMOVED
advocates is the issue involving the free use of Montagu’s public dock by tour boat operators for commercial gain without seemingly contributing to the Public Treasury, plus the traffic congestion and loss of parking spaces for members of the public that results. Public docks come under the regulatory scrutiny of the Port Department, rather than the Beaches and Parks Authority, and Mrs Butler-Turner said she hopes to discuss the matter with Lieutenant Commander Berne Wright, its controller, when she returns to work today as his office is located close to hers.
“I got a call from somebody who told me the signs were being taken down and I was driving by to see for myself,” the former Montagu MP said. “The Beaches and Parks officials who were there, I spoke with them, and they did confirm they are removing them but, funnily enough
there was a brand new one out there promoting a company for putting up billboards and signs. It’s crazy. “I can’t say for sure, but quite a few [were removed]. The first two were still there as you head east, but then there was a big gap where there are no signs there. More than half of them are gone. I did have an opportunity to speak with Mr Bonaby and I did ask him again whether or not they will be addressing the businesses that are present.
“I saw him and asked Mr Bonaby if all of that is going to be addressed. He’s very cautious in his promises but he did tell me they are trying to address all of the issues.” Mrs Butler-Turner said she had been contacted by a current Cabinet minister, who she declined to name, saying they were in “full agreement” with the concerns she voiced in Tribune Business on Monday about the over-commercial exploitation at Fort Montagu.
“I said that if any support can be given it would
be truly appreciated,” Mrs Butler-Turner said of the Government’s position. “It’s not just Parks and Beaches. The dock comes under the Port Department. I really would like to speak with Lieutenant Commander Berne Wright. His office is right behind mine, and hopefully tomorrow [today] when I am back to work I will try to speak with him.”
As for the signage removal and clean-up that she witnessed, Mrs ButlerTurner said: “It was such a pleasure to see that they really seemed to be excited to be doing it. The persons I spoke with said: ‘Mrs Butler-Turner, it’s not just Montagu that we’re dealing with’. They’re doing signage on Saunders Beach. This is more than Montagu.
“This shows that with advocacy and support from the community we can actually get things done in a constructive way. It’s not just me; it’s Bruce and many other persons agitating and advocating. It’s really a good thing to see them
moving, and I’m hoping we can see it through to it’s total restoration. That, for me, would be the best thing ever.
“Even driving through today, seeing both Bahamians and tourists enjoying the beach, that was so lovely. People are out there at all hours of the day, but there’s no parking if we have businesses taking up all the space.”
Voicing similar sentiments, Mr Raine told Tribune Business: “My wife didn’t know about it being cleaned up. She went past and didn’t know where she was. The thing just got crazy, and the people opposed to it are a real mixed group who are truly apolitical. People on both sides of the aisle got together and got things moving.
“I think it went from 17 signs down to six. I guess those remaining have paid their tent for however long. This can’t happen. They’ve [Beaches and Parks Authority] got to do it island-wide. Montagu is not
Ex-FNM chair is receiver for Elliott Lockhart assets
FROM PAGE B1
Among the assets that could be targeted are Mr Lockhart’s personal residence, with his last known address listed as 67 Ocean Drive, Adelaide Village;
his former law firm’s offices at Buen Retiro Road; and other real estate and chattels of value in both New Providence and Exuma, the latter being the constituency he represented in
Notice
CAELUM VALLEY INC.
In Voluntary Liquidation
Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act. 2000, CAELUM VALLEY INC. is in dissolution as of April 22, 2025
International Liquidator Services Ltd. situated at 3rd Floor Whitfield Tower, 4792 Coney Drive, Belize City, Belize is the Liquidator.
LIQUIDATOR
Parliament between 1997 and 2002.
Other real estate and chattels of value in both New Providence and Exuma, the latter being the constituency Mr Lockhart represented in Parliament between 1997 and 2002, will also likely be of interest to Mr Cash. The Supreme Court previously approved a ‘fieri facias’ application brought on behalf of US investor, Dr Paul Fuchs, which authorises officials to seize assets owned by persons who fail to pay court judgments.
Dr Fuchs, who is asserting that Mr Lockhart owes him $3.033m over a real estate deal that fell through, but for which the latter never returned his money, yesterday told Tribune Business he still hopes “justice is done” and that “all the parties” involved in the disappearance of his funds are held accountable.
Voicing disquiet that the Bahamas Bar Association and no members of the legal profession have spoken out to condemn Mr Lockhart’s alleged conduct, he added that the affair will “undoubtedly negatively impact” this nation’s reputation and attraction as a destination for foreign direct investment (FDI).
This, Dr Fuchs warned, could hit both the economy and hard-working Bahamians as he warned that “there’s definitely a dark side” to investing in this nation. He added that Mr Cash and the courts now have an opportunity to “regain investor
the only place that’s been defaced. It’s everywhere. I drove out west yesterday, and on every corner they have these things. It’s like Fort Montagu; you go around the corner and there are 20 signs.
“Hopefully we can keep moving this thing forward and keep the pressure on.” Mr Raine said addressing the presence of multiple businesses and vendors in the Fort Montagu park public space, as well as the use of the public dock by commercial tour operators and lack of parking that results, remains a “priority” for nearby residents and the community.
“The executive chairman was there himself leading the charge of cleaning the island up,” he added of Mr Bonaby. “It’s been a real united effort, but the whole island needs to be cleaned up. It’s really a dump. We don’t deserve that.”
Mrs Butler-Turner, though, said she was unsure if the companies behind the billboards are paying any rent or fees to the Beaches
confidence” through successfully recovering assets belonging to himself and others and encourage persons to “aggressively invest” in The Bahamas again.
“I’m hoping to get the money back, and I’m hoping for justice for all the parties that are involved,”
Dr Fuchs told this newspaper. “There’s several people who were involved; it takes more than one person. We’re hoping everyone is held accountable and justice is done.”
Asked how the loss of the funds has impacted himself and his family, he added: “Just a lot of time and energy that should not have had to be spent trying to recover the money and a lot of undue stress on me and my family. Unnecessary stress for me, and a lot of stress in trying to deal with recovering the money, and shock more than anything.”
Dr Fuchs also voiced surprise that no one had spoken out over Mr Lockhart’s alleged actions given the potential damage they threaten to cause to The Bahamas’ investment reputation. “It’s surprising that his peers wouldn’t have done more and said more,” he said. “His peers in the law field should strongly oppose his actions and I don’t think I’ve heard anyone say a word about it.
“It’s definitely going to negatively impact investment in The Bahamas. This is something that is going to be on a worldwide stage, and brought to people’s attention and brought to investors’ attention. It’s undoubtedly going to negatively impact The Bahamas, and it’s a real shame for people in The Bahamas who are reasonable and do a good job.
“There’s definitely a dark side and it’s bad because it makes investors do a double take and have second thoughts as to where to invest their money. I do think, in the big picture, that the courts and the receiver and the country have an opportunity to make it right, and they have an opportunity to demonstrate they are going to uphold the law and that The Bahamas can be a good place for investment,” Dr Fuchs added.
“In order to claim that they have to do the right thing and, if they do the right thing, they can regain people’s and investor confidence. What is right is right, and what happened is a travesty. I know that if they make it right people will have an opportunity to happily and aggressively invest.”
Mr Cash is advertising Mr Lockhart’s former law offices for sale “by order of the court” as “hidden commercial gems with prospects for multiple income streams”. The 35 Buen Retiro Road property is said to cover “three expansive lots”, be three storeys high and include rental units, while also featuring “a large parking lot”. Clearly hoping to spark a bidding war, and thus maximise the sales price, Mr Cash said all offers must be presented in a sealed envelope to him by this Friday, May 2, at 1pm. A timetable setting out when interested buyers can inspect the property is also detailed.
Mr Lockhart’s whereabouts are currently unknown, with some sources saying he is still in The Bahamas and others suggesting he may have fled abroad. Following an October 11, 2023, hearing, the Supreme Court ordered that Mr Lockhart and Lockhart & Co were “jointly and
and Parks Authority for the privilege. She added that she had been informed that all they have to do before erecting their signage is obtain written permission to do so.
And the former MP also questioned why companies are resorting to billboards over what she believes are more effective advertising methods - such as paying jitney and/or taxi owners to wrap their vehicles in promotional material. Through such methods, Mrs Butler-Turner said Bahamian companies will have mobile advertisements that are seen by far more persons than just stationary billboards.
“There are so many ways that you can do it without being an eyesore or visual pollutant,” she said. “This would definitely be my suggestion.” Mr Bonaby did not respond to a Tribune Business message seeking comment before press time last night.
severally liable” to return the $3.033m to Dr Fuchs. Interest was to be added at an annual rate of three percent from September 8, 2023, and this subsequently rose to 6.25 percent per annum until full payment.
Back in June 2024, Mr Lockhart was the subject of an Interpol ‘red notice’, which is a worldwide alert issued to all law enforcement authorities, asking them to help locate, and provisionally arrest, the former MP and ex-Supreme Court judge who was once chairman of Nassau Flight Services, the Gaming Board and the Police Inspectorate.
Prior to the Interpol action, the Royal Bahamas Police Force in early 2024 had issued a ‘wanted poster’ for Mr Lockhart after Dr Fuchs lodged a criminal complaint against him. The Interpol action also revealed that other aggrieved investors were making similar allegations to those asserted by Dr Fuchs.
Daniel Clay Smith Jnr was revealed to have made a separate but similar complaint to the police force’s Financial Crimes Investigation Branch on August 18, 2023. He alleged that, between May 2022 and November 2022, he paid some $3.205m to Mr Lockhart and his law firm to assist with Crown Land on Staniel Cay, Exuma, that he wanted to convert to commercial use.
“In addition, some of the funds were to assist in applying to The Bahamas’ Immigration Department for citizenship (likely permanent residency) for Mr Smith and his family,” the Interpol alert alleged. “By November 2022, nothing had materialised and Mr Smith requested his monies to be returned...The funds have not been received to date.”
Insurer eyeing $1m profit fall after 2024’s 64% jump
“We decided to increase third-party motor insurance premiums knowing we would lose market share but most of the risks that we wanted to leave left. Those people who are not price sensitive when it comes to the quality of insurance that they get, and the people we wanted to keep, stayed. As a result, we were left with high quality business.”
Mr Saunders said the fruits of this strategy emerged in RoyalStar’s 2024 financial results. “We were about 15 percent above budget,” he told Tribune Business of the group’s profitability. “We knew that there was profit going to be coming from the motor line of business. That was about 25 percent more than budget.
“The good thing about it is the things we can control, we controlled. There were no catastrophes
[hurricanes] out there, so if there are no catastrophes we expect to meet our profit metrics. Our philosophy, our group philosophy, has always been that we don’t take everything out of the company. We build up the company so that we can take on more risk and slightly less reinsurance.
“The more we can move away from buying that lower layer of reinsurance protection and pay for it ourselves, the better for our long-term.” Mr Saunders said RoyalStar last year absorbed around $1m in increased reinsurance costs across the six territories in which it operates - including The Bahamas, Cayman Islands and Turks and Caicos - rather than pass the full impact on to consumers in higher premiums.
“We decided it was not in our interests, and not in the clients’ interests, and affordability is more important to us in the long-term,”
Mr Saunders said. The RoyalStar chief said the group has also restructured to ensure that its corporate investments, in entities such as Star General Insurance Agents & Brokers and the Gateway Financial mortgage restructurer, are held by Holdings as opposed to the Assurance level.
RoyalStar has an 80 percent equity ownership interest in Star General, and also holds a 45 percent interest in Gateway and the latter’s parent. Other interests include minority stakes in Bahamian real estate and Cayman insurance companies, with RoyalStar itself 52.86 percent owned by Sunshine RSA Holdings - an entity 52.86 percent majority controlled by Sir Franklyn Wilson’s Sunshine Holdings.
“We made a strategic decision that all non-core investments in RoyalStar Assurance, the operating company, we are moving
Starbucks says turnaround is on track, but quarterly earnings and sales fall short
By DEE-ANN DURBIN AP Business Writer
STARBUCKS' sales are on the upswing again, with the company reporting its first quarterly sales increase in more than a year in the January-March period.
But the coffee giant said Tuesday that its turnaround effort is far from complete, and its fiscal second quarter also saw lagging store traffic and lower-than-expected earnings.
"Some of the investments we're making now will take some time to create material returns. And some elements of our plan will move faster than others," Starbucks Chairman and CEO Brian Niccol said in a video message to employees. "We have a lot of work ahead, but we are on the right track and moving quickly."
The Seattle coffee giant said Tuesday that its quarterly revenue rose 2% to $8.76 billion in the JanuaryMarch period. That was short of Wall Street's expectations of $8.83 billion, according to analysts polled by FactSet.
Niccol, who joined the struggling company last fall, said Starbucks' efforts are paying off. Service is faster and friendlier, he said,
helped by optimizing staffing levels. Simplified menus are also making store operations easier. And new store designs that encourage customers to sit and stay are rolling out in New York and Los Angeles soon.
Niccol said a pilot program to better pace mobile orders has lowered drivethru wait times and the majority of in-store wait times to less than four minutes. A four-minute service time was one of the first goals Niccol set when he joined Starbucks. Niccol said the program will be rolled out to 3,000 stores by the end of this fiscal year.
Niccol said Starbucks is also boosting staffing and allowing employees to pick up extra shifts at nearby stores. He said in recent years, Starbucks had cut staffing and hoped that automated systems would pick up the slack. But it led to long wait times and employee burnout.
"What we're discovering is the equipment doesn't solve the customer experience that we need to provide, but rather staffing the stores and deploying with this technology behind it does," Niccol said Tuesday during a conference call with investors.
Notice
ROMAN II LIMITED In
Voluntary Liquidation
Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act. 2000, ROMAN II LIMITED is in dissolution as of April 22, 2025
International Liquidator Services Ltd. situated at 3rd Floor Whitfield Tower, 4792 Coney Drive, Belize City, Belize is the Liquidator.
But those efforts have been costly. Starbucks said its net income dropped 50% to $384 million in its fiscal second quarter. Adjusted earnings fell nearly 40% to 41 cents per share. That was lower than the 49-cent per share profit Wall Street forecast.
Niccol said Starbucks plans to stick with its promise not to raise prices this fiscal year, despite increased costs from tariffs.
Starbucks Chief Financial Officer Cathy Smith said the company sources coffee from 28 different countries, mostly in Latin America. Starbucks' biggest exposure to tariffs, however, is with merchandise and beverage ingredients sourced from China. Smith said Starbucks is now shifting that production to local suppliers.
them out and into the holding company. The regulated company, we want it as simple as possible,” Mr Saunders explained.
“All non-core investments that were in RoyalStar Assurance, we have moved all of them to the holding company. Any new investments that we have that are non-insurance related will go into the holding company. That move allows us to clearly concentrate on two segments of the business. The operations, the insurance side, has a clear mandate, and the holding side has a clear mandate..
“This elimination of investments out of the operating company allows us to focus on the growth we want to achieve for both companies. We are going to do more changes to the holding company and investment more in some investments we are looking at.”
Mr Saunders declined to identify these potential investments, and their nature, other than to say:
“We are looking at some other opportunities that are presenting themselves around the region and we’ll have more to say on that by the end of the year or early 2026.”
RoyalStar is also continuing to diversify its traditional reliance on The Bahamas with a view to ensuring that it does not have “all eggs in one basket”. It is targeting a 50/50 split between The Bahamas and its other Caribbean territories, and in 2024 managed to again reduce this nation from 61 percent to 58 percent of its total business portfolio.
Legal Notice of Dissolution International Business Companies Act
“We’re looking at about $1m less on the bottom line barring unforeseen circumstances,” he told this newspaper. “If everything pans out we’ll accept that.... The team worked very hard, and we can pat ourselves on the back for 2024. That’s gone and the focus now is on 2025. We’re thankful for 2024 and what it did, but we’re all on board for 2025 and looking at the challenges and opportunities in the future.
“There’s some stuff we’re looking at that, once we’re signed off on the regulatory side and everything, I will advise you about. 2024, thank you very much, but it’s all hands on deck for 2025. We are totally focused on 2025. 2024, for us, is done.”
And, looking ahead to 2025, Mr Saunders revealed that RoyalStar expects its 2025 profits to “be a little bit less than 2024 because our competitors are looking at what we’re doing, especially on the motor side, and are going to adapt, which will put a little strain on the motor.
BUSINESSES FEAR ‘NIGHTMARE’ OVER WATER IMPROVEMENTS FROM PAGE B1
toilets with water. It wouldn’t affect us because they’re not working during the day times when we’re there. So it’ll affect more the residents in terms of that,” Ms Rahming added.
“I think it’s a good initiative. I think they’re ambitious when they say it’ll take only three months. But, like I say, because I’m only open from 7.30am to 5pm it doesn’t really affect our business other than the traffic flow and people not wanting to drive their cars on a bumpy, dirty road.
“And the sad part about it for me is that the summer months are my busy period. So it’ll definitely impact the business. But, like I said, I’ll just have to figure [it] out; maybe use a back entrance instead of the front entrance. I have to work around whatever they do, because right now they could say anything. ‘Three months we’ll be done’ [but] ten years later and it’s still dug up.”
Mr Johnson said the project “sounds like a
nightmare”, and believes it will continue past the threemonth mark which will set the August road repavement back. He noted many factors that can result in delays including hurricanes and the Trump tariff war, and fears having to close his store due to not only the negative impact the project may bring, but also Business Licence policies.
“Well, the noise and dust, I don’t think will trouble me to that point,” Mr Johnson said. “But, of course, I’m only speaking from experience because I’ve been here 25 years, and in my first year of opening, they paved the whole road, which was about a month long, and there was a lot of noise.
“There was diversion of customers and XYZ, but the economy was doing way better back then. Right now the economy is very, very tight, and we are fighting for our lives. Any inconvenience can cause closures left right and centre.
“If black people are doing the job, let’s say six months. So far, we haven’t had much
rain for this year. But you know, when it starts, that’s also another thing. And then we’re talking about supply chain issues that come from China and all these other things with that great guy named Donald Trump,” he added.
“No, I definitely don’t think it’ll take three months unless they already have all the supplies on hand now. So I mean, we’re looking at a lot of different things at play, hurricane season, rainy season, supply chain issues...
“I think it may close me down along with this new government idea that we should pay for our Business Licence in advance… Now, us small business people who are barely making it have to pay in advance for our Business Licence.
“Now, put that along with the closure that’s going to come with the road works… I mean, the pipes need to be upgraded, of course. That goes without saying. How am I supposed to make it under these circumstances? I have no idea.”
PM hails doubling of GB medical school’s campus
FROM PAGE B1
enrollment will soon leave the existing campus “at breaking point”.
With the second phase expansion targeted for completion by September 2025, he added that the school’s presence is already having a significant impact on Freeport’s economy with average annual per capita spending by students and faculty members standing at between $25,000-$28,000 and $35,000-$40,000, respectively.
Confirming that 165 students were presently then on campus, Mr Colgan said Western Atlantic had targeted higher enrollment. “We had anticipated more students,” he conceded. “There are a number of contributing factors but, by and large, for a new medical school that’s had two years of operations, that 165 students truly, by anybody’s standards, would be viewed as a success.
“It was always contemplated that we would have three phases to build the medical school. The first phase has the ability to accommodate 250 students on campus.... We have designed building phase two, including the architectural and engineering plans. They are complete. They are in.
“We anticipate the school will need to expand its growth by September 2025. We’ll be at our breaking point, and will need to expand our capacity. We have the capacity to educate 250 students in the current structure,” Mr Colgan confirmed.
“Our plans are fully developed, they’re in at the Port Authority for permitting, and we’re getting ready to build the second phase of the medical school. We’re hoping in the next three months to begin construction. Phase two of the medical school is approximately a $20m-$25m construction project, and we anticipate similar numbers to phase one, creating about 200 construction jobs.”
Asked how much of an economic impact the school is making, Mr Colgan replied: “We actually have some scientific data, and the average student contributes $25,000 to $28,000 a year to the local economy and the average faculty member contributes $35,000-$40,000 in economic benefits to the community.
“For a new medical school, the goal is typically between 50-75 students a year, which would put us between 100 and 150. We were 165 students in the first year of operation. We were a bit more optimistic in what we could accomplish.”
Meanwhile, Mr Davis said of the newly-signed agreement with Western Atlantic: “As we look to scale up the footprint of the university, so, too, are we committed to guaranteeing that every motivated, medically-minded Bahamian has access to a transformative education.
“To this end, I am pleased to announce that the Western Atlantic University School of Medicine is partnering with the Ministry of
Education to offer needbased scholarships to qualifying applicants. We recognise that the cost of higher education can be an insurmountable barrier for families with limited incomes, and so we are delighted to make these scholarships available to aspiring health professionals.
“As the university continues to build up its operations, as well as its reputation as a regional leader in higher education, it is also committed to securing and maintain full accreditation status through such reputable channels as the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other health professions,” the Prime Minister added.
“World class accreditation will enable successful graduates to develop reputable medical practices while opening up opportunities international knowledge sharing and cross-cultural partnerships. Even more importantly, educating hundreds of new health professionals each year means The Bahamas will benefit from a more robust and better skilled medical workforce in-country.”
Mr Davis added that this represents “training the next generation of Bahamian healthcare workers” and helping to “build a healthier Bahamas”.
Vietnam marks 50 years since war's end and focuses on reconciliation during a period of new tensions
By ANIRUDDHA GHOSAL Associated Press
VIETNAM on Wednesday marked the 50th anniversary of the end of the war with the United States and the formation of the modern nation through the merger of North and South Vietnam.
Thousands had flocked to Ho Chi Minh City — once known as Saigon — to witness the military parade near the Independence Palace, where the war ended when a North Vietnamese tank smashed through its gates. The celebrations — performances by artists, speeches by leaders and former soldiers, and a squadron of jets — focused not just on the past but on the future.
"National reconciliation does not mean forgetting the history or erasing differences, but accepting different perspectives in tolerance and respect, to work towards a greater goal: building a peaceful, unified, powerful, civilized and prosperous Vietnam," Communist Party general secretary To Lam said in an article published on a government website.
He said that the war had historical roots and had resulted in divisions in the country, but now Vietnam was armed with "lessons of its past."
A change in emphasis
The emphasis on reconciliation and not, like previous years, on military victory reflected how Vietnam was approaching the changing tides of the global economy and geopolitics today, said Nguyen Khac Giang, an analyst at Singapore's ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute. He added that the Vietnam War remains central to how the Communist Party framed its legitimacy, not just as a military triumph but also as a symbol of national unity. But To Lam's comments underlined that the reconciliation remains unfinished.
"The war still defines Vietnam's unity, and its unresolved divides," Giang said.
A time for peace
Pham Ngoc Son is a 69-year-old veteran who was an army truck driver bringing troops and supplies from the north to the south through the Ho Chi Minh trail — the secret
route used by North Vietnam. He's on a weeklong tour of the city, which he remembers entering as a part of the northern troops that took over.
He said he cherished those memories and couldn't describe the joy he felt at that moment. But now there was "only space for peace and friendship" between the U.S. and Vietnam.
"The war is over a long time ago," he said.
Nguyen Thi Hue, a resident of Ho Chi Minh city, agreed.
"The war has ended and we shake hands (with the former enemy) for development. Now it's time for peace. Peace is the dream
that everyone in the world wants," Hue said.
A new relationship
This year also marks the 30-year anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and the United States. In 2023, Vietnam upgraded its relations with the U.S. to that of a comprehensive strategic partner, the highest diplomatic status it gives to any country and the same level of relations as China and Russia.
Vietnamese officials insist that this relationship has been built on a bedrock of trust intrinsically linked to U.S. efforts to address war legacies such as Agent Orange and unexploded bombs in the countryside
A SPICE vendor waits for customers at the Cholon market in the Cholon district of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 ahead of the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnamese War.
that still threaten lives. The future of those projects is now at risk because of the Trump administration's broad cuts to USAID. Moreover, the exportdependent country is vulnerable in a global economy made fragile by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff plans. Who's took part in the parade?
About 13,000 people, including troops, militias, veterans and local citizens, were expected to take part in the parade. And, apart from China, troops from Laos and Cambodia also were due to attend the parade, which will march on the main boulevard leading to the Independence Palace before branching out through the streets in the city. The route will also pass the U.S. Consulate in the city.
Meanwhile, a video of Chinese troops singing the iconic "As If Uncle Ho Were With Us on Victory Day" during an earlier
rehearsal was shared widely on social media. Chinese leader Xi Jinping had visited Vietnam earlier in the month in a bid to present the country as a force for stability in contrast with Trump.
Close ties with Washington helped Vietnam balance its relations with its much larger and more powerful neighbor China, said Huong Le-Thu of the International Crisis Group think tank. Vietnam is among the countries involved in maritime disputes related to the South China Sea.
Tariffs pose questions
But the Trump administration's focus on tariffs — Vietnam was slammed with reciprocal tariffs of 46%, one of the highest — puts a "big question mark" on what the U.S. wants to achieve in Asia, she said. Focus on economic and not strategic competition may mean that Vietnam and other countries in Southeast Asia become less important for the U.S.
MARINE FORECAST
Photo:Richard Vogel/AP
House GOP wants to pump billions into Trump’s deportations and detentions as part of tax bill
By LISA MASCARO AP Congressional Correspondent
AS PART of their big tax bill, Republicans in Congress are pumping billions of dollars into President Donald Trump's mass deportation and border security plan with nearly 20,000 new officers, stark new $1,000 in fees on migrants seeking asylum and $46.5 billion for a longsought border wall.
Tuesday launched the first of back-to-back public hearings as House Republicans roll out the fine print of what Trump calls his " big, beautiful bill " — which is focused on $5 trillion in tax breaks and up to $2 trillion in slashed domestic spending. But it also pours some $300 billion to beef up the Pentagon and border security as the
Trump administration says it's running out of money for deportations.
House Speaker Mike Johnson is pushing to have the bill wrapped up by Memorial Day and then send it to the Senate, which is drafting its own version. "We are on track," Johnson, R-La., said at his weekly press conference. This was always expected to be the hard part, where Republicans who have control of the House and Senate begin to fill in the difficult details of what, until now, has simply been a framework for Trump's tax package at the cornerstone of the GOP's domestic agenda. As Trump rounds his 100th day in office, the GOP's stiff immigration provisions come as Americans are showing unease with the president's approach, with just half
AMAZON IS NOT PLANNING TO BREAK OUT TARIFF COSTS ONLINE AS WHITE HOUSE
ATTACKS POTENTIAL MOVE
By WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS and JOSH BOAK
The Associated Press
AMAZON says it's not planning to display added tariff costs next to product prices on its site — despite a report that sparked speculation the e-commerce giant would soon show the new import charges, and the White House's fiery comments denouncing the purported change.
The Trump administration's reaction appeared to be based on a misinterpretation of internal plans being considered by Amazon, rather than a final decision made by the company.
And even those talks were limited. Only Amazon's Haul service — its recently launched, low-cost storefront — "considered the idea" of listing import charges on certain products, company spokesperson Tim Doyle said in a statement sent to The Associated Press. But this "was never approved and is not going to happen."
Earlier Tuesday, Punchbowl News had reported that Amazon planned to start showing how much of each product's cost derived from tariffs "right next to" its total listed price, citing an anonymous source familiar with the matter.
The Trump administration was quick to criticize news of the potential move. At a briefing with reporters earlier in the day, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt accused Amazon of taking a "hostile and political act" — and further attacked the company by suggesting it had "partnered with a Chinese propaganda arm."
A source familiar with the matter, who spoke of the condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press that the president also called Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to complain about the reported plans Tuesday morning.
The administration seemed to change its tune following Amazon's clarifying statement.
"Jeff Bezos was very nice. He was terrific," President Donald Trump told reporters before leaving the White House for Michigan on Tuesday afternoon.
"He solved a problem very quickly and he did the right thing. He's a good guy."
Bezos was one of a handful of powerful,
saying he's focused on the right priorities. The White House is battling highprofile court cases after it mistakenly deported a Maryland man to El Salvador and, over the weekend, Trump's team rounded up countless immigrants, including foreign-born parents who were deported with their American-born toddlers and small children in tow. Democrats are fighting back in the House and Senate, and the halls of public opinion, but as the minority party in Congress, they have little ability to stop the forward march of the package. Instead, they used Tuesday's hearings to try to shame Republicans into rethinking their approach.
"Do a little soul searching before you vote for this," said Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi,
the top Democrat on the Homeland Security Committee, at one point during the debate.
Building the US-Mexico border wall and hiring bonuses for officers Central to the Homeland Committee's section of the legislation is $46.5 billion to revive construction of Trump's wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, with some 700 miles of "primary" wall, 900 miles of river barriers, and more.
There's also $4 billion to hire an additional 3,000 new Border Patrol agents as well as 5,000 new customs officers, and $2.1 billion for signing and retention bonuses.
Democrats kept the committee in session for hours, submitting some three dozen amendments to change the package. They all failed.
Among the first Democratic amendments offered was from Rep. Troy Carter of Louisiana to prohibit the use of funding to deport American children.
Another from Rep. Seth Magaziner of Rhode Island would stop the money from being used to send Americans to foreign prisons. "What world are we living in?" Magaziner asked. He said allowing Republicans to "keep trampling on rights, soon everyone's rights" will be under threat.
Chairman Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn., as he gaveled the committee open, said, "It is critical that the Republican majority do what the people elected us to do."
The committee approved its bill on a party line vote.
GOP goals: 1 million deportations, 100,000
detention beds — including for families and children
For the first time, the U.S. under the legislation would impose a $1,000 fee on migrants seeking asylum — something the nation has never done. Experts said the new fee on asylum seekers would put the U.S. on par with a few others, including Australia and Iran. And that's not all. The Judiciary Committee is expected to meet Wednesday on its $110 billion section of the package. There would be new fees on various other legal paths to entry, including a $3,500 fee for those sponsoring unaccompanied children to enter the U.S., a $2,500 penalty if sponsors of unaccompanied children skip court appearances and a $1,000 fee for individuals paroled into the U.S. Overall, the plan is to remove 1 million immigrants annually and house 100,000 people in detention centers.
ultra-wealthy tech titans who attended Trump's inauguration in January — filling some of the most exclusive seats right behind the president. But Trump's relationship with much of the corporate world has been tested since, as the tariff wars he's launched with nearly all of America's trading partners continue to plunge companies into uncertainty. Trump's tariffs — and responding retaliation from targeted countries, notably China — threaten to increase prices for both consumers and businesses. Economists warn these import taxes will hike prices for a range of goods consumers buy each day and lead to worse inflationary pressure.
There's a reason why the Trump administration responded the way it did to Tuesday's Amazon speculation, explains Rob Lalka, a professor of business at Tulane University's Freeman School — noting that such quick and harsh words from the White House signals concern about companies "redirecting customer frustration."
At the same time, volatile tariffs put a lot on the line for businesses like Amazon — and those companies may have to play ball, too, while trying to be transparent with customers. Many CEOs across industries have recently shared weaker outlooks due to the new — and at times onagain, off again — import taxes. And some big names have already raised prices while specifically pointing to the costs of tariffs, including Amazon rivals Temu and Shein.
Earlier this month, Temu and Shein said in separate but nearly identical notices that their operating expenses had gone up "due to recent changes in global trade rules and tariffs" — both announcing price hikes to take effect last Friday (April 25).
Temu, owned by the Chinese e-commerce company PDD Holdings, now lists added "import charges" — which have reportedly doubled many items' prices, although those available in local warehouses currently appear to be exempt. Meanwhile, Shein, now based in Singapore, has a checkout banner that reads, "Tariffs are included in the price you pay. You'll never have to pay extra at delivery."
Trump marks his first 100 days in office in campaign mode, focused on grudges and grievances
By WILL WEISSERT, JOEY CAPPELLETTI and SEUNG MIN KIM Associated Press
PRESIDENT Donald Trump on Tuesday celebrated the 100th day of his second term — yet spent much of his rally marking it in campaign mode, fixated on past grudges and grievances.
He repeatedly mocked his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden, attacking his mental acuity and even how he appears in a bathing suit. He again uttered the lie that he won the 2020 presidential election. And he attacked polling and news coverage not favorable to him.
And the rally just outside Detroit, which marked Trump's largest political event since returning to the White House, glossed over two forces that had rocked the state: his steep trade tariffs and combative attitude toward Canada.
"We're here tonight in the heartland of our nation to celebrate the most successful first 100 days of any administration in the history of our country," Trump said, standing before large electronic screens reading "100 Day of Greatness." He later added: "We've just gotten started. You haven't even seen anything yet."
The state has seen unemployment rise since Trump reclaimed the White House, yet Trump used his speech to continue to defend his administration's steep tariffs on cars and auto parts — hours after the White House announced it was softening those.
And Trump spent much of his remarks boasting about his administration's efforts to remove people without legal status from the U.S. He paused his remarks to play a video of migrants who Trump asserts are gang members arriving at a notorious prison in El Salvador, with the crowd cheering as images of deportees having their heads shaved were played.
Earlier Tuesday, Trump made an afternoon visit to Selfridge Air National Guard Base to announce a new fighter jet mission
alongside Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, whom he hugged upon arrival.
His Republican administration's strict immigration policies have sent arrests for illegal crossings along the U.S.-Mexico border plummeting, and government-slashing efforts led by billionaire adviser Elon Musk have shaken Washington to its core. Its protectionist import taxes imposed on America's trade partners have also sought to reorder a global economy that the U.S. built in the decades after World War II.
Trump has also championed sweeping expansionism, refusing to rule out military intervention in Greenland and Panama, suggesting that American developers could help convert the
believe the administration has gone too far in working to pare back the government workforce.
"The bottom line for the first hundred days is, lots of damage being done to the fundamentals of our government," said Max Stier, founding president and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service, a nonprofit dedicated to better government.
Michigan was one of the battleground states Trump flipped from the Democratic column. But it's also been deeply affected by his tariffs, including on new imported cars and auto parts.
Michigan's unemployment rate has risen for three straight months, including jumping 1.3% from March to reach 5.5%, according to state data. That's among the highest in the nation,
"We're here tonight in the heartland of our nation to celebrate the most successful first 100 days of any administration in the history of our country. We've just gotten started. You haven't even seen anything yet."
Donald Trump
war-torn Gaza Strip into a Riviera-like resort and even suggesting annexation of Canada.
"I run the country and the world," Trump told The Atlantic magazine in an interview. He told Time of his first 100 days, "I think that what I'm doing is exactly what I've campaigned on."
But only about 4 in 10 Americans approve of how Trump is handling the presidency, and his ratings on the economy and trade are lower than that. Additionally, 46% of U.S. adults approve of Trump's immigration policies, with about half of Americans saying he has "gone too far" when it comes to deporting immigrants living in the country illegally.
Just 33% of Americans, meanwhile, have a favorable view of Musk, the Tesla CEO and world's richest person, and about half
far exceeding the national average of 4.2%.
Automaker Stellantis halted production at plants in Canada and Mexico after Trump announced a 25% tariff on imported vehicles, temporarily laying off 900 U.S. employees. Industry groups have separately urged the White House to scrap plans for tariffs on imported auto parts, warning that doing so would raise prices on cars and could trigger "layoffs and bankruptcy." That seemingly would make the state an odd choice for Trump to hail his own accomplishments.
"I'm not sure that he is at all interested in doing the smart thing," said Bernie Porn, a longtime Michigan pollster. "He is what I would call an in-your-face president. 'This is what I'm going to do.'" In a potentially major policy change, however,
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday morning that Trump would sign an executive order relaxing some of his tariffs on cars and auto parts. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent nonetheless said the goal remained enabling automakers to create more domestic manufacturing jobs.
Bessent said Trump is concerned with "jobs of the future, not of the past."
Carolyn Martz, a Royal Oak, Michigan, resident, was outside the Trump rally and said she supports the president's tariffs. She said her husband is an auto technician and has noted how parts come from China and elsewhere overseas.
"I'd like to see more stuff made in America, by Americans, for Americans," the 61-year-old Martz said, adding that tariffs could stimulate U.S. manufacturing.
"If we have to eat more in the beginning with higher prices, that might just be part of it," she said.
The president also visited Selfridge, which was established after the U.S. entered World War I in 1917, and the community college campus in Warren. Both are near the Canadian border and home to many people with deep business and personal ties to that country. Michigan will be important for Republicans in 2026 as their party tries to pick up a Senate seat in the state for the first time in decades and regain control of the governor's office, with Whitmer term-limited. Multiple competitive House races will also be on the midterm ballot, along with control of the state legislature.
Typically, presidents use the 100-day mark to launch multiple rallies. But Trump is doing only the Michigan stop.
Administration officials say Trump is at his most effective staying at the White House, having meetings and speaking to reporters nearly every day. Indeed, the speech in Macomb County was one of the few large, political crowds he's addressed since Inauguration Day on Jan. 20.
PRESIDENT Donald Trump arrives to speak on his first 100 days at Macomb County Community College Sports Expo Center, Tuesday, April 29, 2025, in Warren, Mich.
