MOM’S HORROR AT SON’S DEATH
Murder victim ‘tried to calm down row’ only to be shot dead
By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net
THE mother of a 28-year-old man killed on Sunday night after an argument outside a bar said she walked barefoot to the hospital in disbelief to see if her son was truly gone.
Monique Williams said she was home sleeping when her husband woke her up with the news that Travase Williams had been
killed. He had received a call from the victim’s sister, who delivered the shocking news.
“I was trying to look for the car keys, and I came downstairs,” Mrs Williams said. “I couldn’t get the car started so I started walking to the hospital barefoot. I just was like, no, no, no. When I reached the hospital, I meet a crowd out there.”
POLICE ‘SEEING PERSONS’ IN PROBE OVER VOICE NOTES
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
He gave no specific insight about what police have done to secure potential evidence in the case, which has grabbed headlines and plunged the police force into controversy.
He insisted the investigation was transparent,
POLICE Commissioner Clayton Fernander said officers from the Security and Intelligence Branch are “seeing persons” and “documenting” information so far in their probe surrounding leaked voice notes, adding the controversy has affected the morale of officers.
Haitian rapper missing in Bahamas
By EARYEL BOWLEG
Tribune Staff
Reporter
ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
A POPULAR Haitian rapper with more than one million Instagram followers reportedly went missing in The Bahamas around July 4, prompting a frantic effort from his family to locate him.
Chief Superintendent
Anton Rahming, the officer currently in charge of the Central Investigation Department, said Johnathan Wens Désir –– stage name Mechans-T –– was reported missing to police in Abaco on July 16 after not being seen or heard from since July 4. Mr Désir’s management
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor
bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
DESPITE not being recommended by the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations after she didn’t finish in the top three at the Bahamas National Championships, the Bahamas Olym[pic Committee still named Shania Adderley to Team Bahamas for the 2024 Olympic Games. After weeks of speculation, the BOC announced a 20-member team yesterday.
Glover-Rolle has answered the call!
The Love Ya Dog campaign encourages dog owners to take care of their pets - and we are calling on readers to join in.
We want to encourage those who do treat their pets well to show them off - and by doing so letting others see a better way to treat their pets.
Minister Glover-Rolle sent a photograph of her with her pets Lily and Luka.
She said: “My Shitzhu’s bring me so much joy!
“No matter how long or difficult a day I’ve had, their genuine love is immeasurable. They greet me when I arrive and watch me leave until I am out of their sight.
“I was never a ‘dog person’ prior to four years ago, but now, I can’t imagine my life without them!
“They are also a very important part of our family.
“Nothing is too good
for them. They are my baby-dogs and are treated as such! Proper diet and exercise, good hydration, professional vet and grooming and a comfortable living environment.
“Research has shown that the companionship canines provide can be very beneficial to persons with high stress jobs, suffering from depression or even persons who are ill.
“They have been an extremely positive addition
to my and my family’s lives!”
• Send us a picture of you with your dogs to loveyadog@tribunemedia.net to join the campaign and show that you Love Ya Dog.
CARE TIP: Make sure your dog or cat visits a vet once a year and gets their shots, just like humans there a essential vaccines that they should receive. Keep your pet safe and visit one of the many Nassau vets yearly.
WARNING ISSUED OVER WEEKEND HEATWAVE
THE Bahamas Department of Meteorology issued a heat advisory for the entire Bahamas over the weekend.
“A heat advisory remains in effect for The Bahamas, and UV indices are expected to be in the high to extreme range,” the department said. “Therefore, while working outdoors, the public is urged to remain hydrated, wear sunscreen, loose-fitting clothing, and take frequent breaks from the sun. There remains a slight chance for waterspout or funnel cloud activity. Boaters and beachgoers should exercise caution along Atlantic exposures due to lingering
easterly swells and the risk of rip currents.”
The department said a high-pressure ridge across the islands is generating fresh to moderate breezes and hot temperatures.
“An upper-level near the Central Bahamas will support pockets of convective activity through tomorrow,” it added.
The Tribune Limited
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-
Published daily Monday to Friday Shirley & Deveaux Streets, Nassau, Bahamas N3207
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the force - but earned
GUNS rang out again on the streets of Nassau last night. The 65th murder of the year had taken place.
Police raced to the scene, but the victim had been shot multiple times and succumbed to his injuries.
In the lead story in today’s Tribune the mother of the 64th murder victim of the year talks of how she walked barefoot to the hospital in disbelief. She simply had to see if her son was gone.
The 28-year-old victim was killed outside a club on Nassau Street on Sunday, in the early hours of the morning. He was described as a gentle man. The breadwinner of the family.
There was an argument at the bar between two other men. One of them, a 23-year-old suspect, left and came back with a gun and opened fire, hitting both the other man in the argument and the murder victim, Travase Williams.
His mother said she had been told he had been trying to calm the gunman down before he went for the firearm. A peacemaker.
Yesterday, Dr Duane Sands sent out a voice note talking about gang-style violence, “more and more murders, more and more retaliations and revenge”.
He asked why our murder count is, year after year, much higher than countries bigger than us.
Dr Sands went on to ask about whether there is a link between gangland crime and corruption, whether in the police, the government or the courts. Elsewhere, there have been voices saying that we must have faith in our police force in the wake of corruption claims involving voice notes that have circulated featuring a conversation involving two criminals, both since murdered, a senior police officer and a lawyer. A probe has been launched and, as we say, some voices are saying that we must have faith in the force to carry that
through.
Dr Sands may be going too far in his claims, but those voices on the other side are also going too far, in seemingly laying a blanket over the argument to soothe us into slumber on the issue.
Faith is earned. The police have not yet gained control over our streets. The murder rate continues to be far too high. And now there are allegations of inappropriate behaviour that touch the senior ranks of the force.
When a lowly officer is brought before the courts for some crime or misdemeanour and found guilty, we are not told to have faith in the force then. No, the guilty officers are tossed off the force, sometimes long before the guilty verdict too.
Faith in the case of these claims will be earned by the actions of the force, and the transparency with which the investigation is carried out.
The old maxim holds true that justice not only has to be done, it has to be seen to be done.
There is a lot of genuine anger surrounding this corruption investigation. Anyone who tries to play down elements of the probe or its importance will soon encounter that anger. People want to be dealt with straight on this issue.
This is not the only issue before the police awaiting answers. There are outcomes of coroner’s cases where manslaughter verdicts have been delivered and recommendations delivered to the police that still await answers. Families of people in those cases have been waiting far too long.
Too many murders on the streets. Families left waiting despite court rulings. And now this probe, dubbed by former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis as one of the most important cases since the drug years. It is time for that faith to be earned.
Garden Hills is in neglect
EDITOR, The Tribune. OUR beloved Garden Hills Constituency is in a state of neglect. The community is literally and figuratively in darkness, grappling with issues that have been overlooked for far too long.
A staggering 36 street lights across Garden Hills remain non-functional, with some having been out of order for months. This includes a crucial unnamed street between Soldier Road and Alocasia Road, where all nine lights are out.
Below is a detailed list of the affected areas and the number of street lights that are off:
• Chenille Avenue: 3 lights;
• Emmanuel Drive: 2 lights;
• Shell Fish Road: 1 light;
• Premiers Avenue: 1 light;
• Chapel Drive: 1 light;
• Baillou Hill Road: 1 light;
• Bozine Town Road: 2 lights;
• Bozine Town Park: lacks adequate lighting;
• East Street (by tile store and tyre shop): 1 light;
• Pearson Way: 2 lights;
• Alocasia Road and Soldier Road: 9 lights;
• Carefree Court: 1 light;
• Street behind Lil Generals: 1 light;
• Amherstia Avenue: 1 light;
• Frangipani Avenue: 1 light;
• Cordia Avenue: 2 lights;
• Knowles Drive: 2 lights;
• Road next to Pride Estates Park off Premiers Avenue: 1 light.
These unlit streets are more than a mere inconvenience; they are a glaring safety hazard. The absence of proper lighting significantly heightens the risk of accidents and crime, undermining the security and
quality of life for all residents. Street lights are vital to the safety of our children, elderly, and all who traverse these roads daily.
Our community’s patience is wearing thin. Residents of Garden Hills have repeatedly voiced their concerns and frustrations, expecting our elected representatives to uphold their duty to ensure our safety and well-being. It is crucial for these urgent issues to be addressed. We need immediate and effective action to restore the lighting and safety that our community desperately needs. The time for promises has ended. It is time for tangible action and visible results. The safety and well-being of Garden Hills cannot wait. Our community deserves better, and we will not rest until our calls for action are heeded.
D’ANGELO FERGUSON Nassau, July 2024.
Marijuana legislation
EDITOR, The Tribune. CLEARLY the tabling and debate on the Marijuana Bill is probably more political, election, than anything of substance. The proven relationship between marijuana use and crime is founded, but at a time we have an active vicious crime level we come to Parliament with this bill?
Is this just the biggest import substitution move and all that will happen is that sourcing marijuana
will not need risky importation from Jamaica, etc. but will be grown at home - the few like GamingNumbers will benefit...we must never forget what PM Christie pulled on legalising Numbers. Yes, import substitution … Can’t achieve anything in the genuine agri-sector, so try pot!
Can’t keep licence plates on vehicles... can’t stop littering... can’t stop crime growing and growing... Now serious allegations of
criminal corruption in the Force and disagreement amongst the governing party of how to deal with it?
‘New Day’? Sad Day more like it... Didn’t anyone check when and the history of how the Rastas started using marijuana... in Ethiopia marijuana is illegal. How many MPs are active users right now? Someone should have asked.
D ROLLE Nassau, July 16, 2024.
JIMMY CHÉRIZIER, a former elite police officer known as Barbecue who leads the G9 and Family gang, speaks to journalists in the Delmas 6 neighbourhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on July 5.
Photo: Odelyn Joseph/AP
Woman wins tribunal victory in wrongful dismissal claim
By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings @ tribunemedia.net
A FORMER employee of Montague Motors Limited was awarded $2,683.33 after the Industrial Tribunal agreed that she was wrongfully dismissed.
Brent Fox, the owner of Montague Motors, employed Wandal Baptiste on November 4, 2019.
According to the Industrial Tribunal’s judgement, she initially served as a secretary, but was later asked to perform the roles of receptionist and salesgirl.
Ms Baptiste was reportedly not provided an employee handbook, and an oral contract governed her employment.
When she became pregnant in March 2021, doctors considered it a “high-risk” pregnancy because she had diabetes and took high blood pressure medication. Her doctor advised her to
perform desk duties and avoid heavy lifting.
Despite this, Ms Baptiste maintained a heavy workload, reportedly at Mr Fox’s request. The relationship between the pair became “acrimonious” and further deteriorated when Ms Baptiste suffered a medical emergency on the job, resulting in an early miscarriage.
She was placed on bed rest for two weeks. While on sick leave, Mr Fox reportedly continuously contacted her.
“Mr Fox wanted me to come in to work and to communicate with the new secretary he had hired and show her what to do,” she said in her witness statement. “He made my life a living hell for two weeks of no rest. He would message me and call asking me for what he could not find or do himself or to tell me what I had done wrong at the
office.”
A few months after returning to work, Ms Baptiste received a warning letter on September 14, 2021, alleging that she communicated with Mr Fox’s ex-wife. The letter threatened termination if the alleged communication continued.
Two days later, Ms Baptiste was given three additional letters –– two warning letters and one suspension letter –– and she was asked to leave the premises. The letters concerned communication with Edna Labrador, Mr Fox’s ex-girlfriend, use of a company cell phone, part-time work due to reduced sales and allegations of tampering with company property. She refused to leave, reportedly out of fear of being accused of job abandonment, and waited until the police arrived. Police referred her to the
Department of Labour.
The judgement said the Tribunal found that the warning and suspension letters Mr Fox sent on September 16, 2021, were excessive and inappropriate.
“The content of the letters are again individually and cumulatively supportive of my finding that there existed no breach that went to the root of the applicant’s contract or such that otherwise constituted a fundamental breach of her contract,” The Tribunal said.
“Conversely the evidence is supportive of the narrative as borne out by the applicant’s evidence which was that the whole ordeal was rather personal in nature. For this reason, the Tribunal finds that the allegations contained in the warning and suspension letters were ultimately meant to intimidate the applicant
into ceasing communica-
tions with Mr Fox’s ex-wife and Ms Labrador.”
Ms Baptiste said she was not given a date to return to work. She called and visited the Department of Labour concerning this.
On September 29, 2021, she was informed about her termination due to job abandonment, refusal to follow instructions, gross insubordination and misconduct. She received a cheque for accrued vacation for $507.15.
Mr Fox, in his witness statement, accused Ms Baptiste of interfering with his personal life, adding that she blamed him for her miscarriage due to her workload. He said Ms Baptiste’s attitude at work became increasingly hostile compared to the “exemplary employee” she was during her initial period.
Mr Fox and Deandrea Hanna submitted written
Stem-sational!
witness statements. Ms Hanna failed to appear for hearings, though her statements mirrored Mr Fox’s. “Ultimately, the evidence does not disclose that the applicant’s dismissal was based on reasonable grounds which could be supported by an honest and reasonable belief that she committed gross misconduct and/or insubordination at the time of her dismissal,” the Tribunal said. “The evidence similarly did not disclose that the applicant ever abandoned her job.”
The Tribunal found that Ms Baptise was wrongfully dismissed, and Mr Fox was ordered to compensate her for this. She was awarded $2683, which includes two weeks basic pay in lieu of notice, two weeks basic pay for each year she was employed, pro-rated pay at ten months and suspension pay.
A GROUP of Bahamian youngsters have gained new skills that will help broaden their perspectives and extend their horizons for success in the future.
The Bahamas Baptist University College (BBUC) held the closing ceremony of its STEMsational Summer Camp yesterday, with parents and attendees witnessing the children’s skills in robotics and entrepreneurship.
Principal Dr Theresa Adderley-Smith said the response to the inaugural STEMsational Summer Camp was overwhelming, paving the way for BBUC to develop more progressive programmes throughout the year. Dr Adderley-Smith thanked benefactors who helped to sponsor inner city youth to attend the camp.
For four weeks, children were taught progressive skills including building a robot from scratch, coding commands into the robot, then operating it with a cellular phone or tablet.
BBUC also teamed up with Tennessee Tech University to present the 3D Printing and Virtual Reality aspect of STEMsational Summer Camp. According to camp instructor Muhammad Alshaikh Ali of Tennessee Tech, the youngsters learned how to take an idea they have, design it via software, and then 3D print it into reality. This will allow them to develop prototypes and templates that can be used to attract investors to their business ideas, and so much more.
Youngsters involved in the entrepreneurship camp, led by instructor Paul Taylor Jr, shared their business ideas with attendees during the closing out ceremony. They could articulate their business name and concept, speak on operating costs, marketing, sales strategies, and net profit,
Campers as young as nine created robots from scratch and operated them, guided by camp instructor Terez Newton. The campers showcased their skills during the ceremony, using their devices to command their robot to pick up objects and take them to the principal. One youngster dreams of creating a robot for use in the hospitals in the future.
much to the delight of their parents.
Dr Adderley-Smith said students were excited and motivated by what they learned, especially because there were tangible results such as 3D printing edible chocolate and pancakes, producing working robots, and developing business plans for their lofty goals.
Rev Dr William Thompson, president of the Bahamas National Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention, was on hand to witness the success of the students who attended the camp. Dr Adderley Smith said that BBUC, with it’s new mantra “Be you at BBUC” is being rejuvenated with new fields of study including the Nursing programme and a hybrid car technology programme in the works. All campers received medals for participation. Trophies were also awarded to: Kale Antonio - Superstar Award; Morgan Riley - Most Outstanding Award; and Jovan CambridgeMost Improved camper. For more information, visit www.bbuc.edu.bs.
YOUNG campers navigating the small course they created to test their robot.
PARTICIPANTS at the final day of camp yesterday.
Photos: Chappell Whyms Jr
The history and the meaning behind Pride
AT Equality Bahamas, we host Pride events throughout the month of July. In many parts of the world, Pride events take place in June, often marked by a march. Even with information at our fingertips, people pretend not to understand what Pride is or why it exists, or they insist on maintaining their ignorance. Pride is the commemoration of the struggle for civil rights and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex people and the entire LGBTQI+ community. It is most often held in June in honour of the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York City. On June 28, 1969, police showed up to raid the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street. Rather than go through what seemed to have become a routine raid, patrons refused to comply. Instead, they resisted. There are many accounts of what happened in the wee hours of that Saturday morning, and from different vantage
By Alicia Wallace
points. It is absolutely clear, in all accounts, that this led to a week of protests — a turning point for LGBTQI+ people and the beginning of a movement. Over the past 50 years, many changes have been made to laws and policies as the movement strengthened and called attention to the humanity and, by extension, the human rights of LGBTQI+ people. While the seeds of positive change have spread to every region, they have not taken root everywhere, or even in the same ways where they have. While LGBTQI+ movements advocate for same-sex marriage in some countries, LGBTQI+ movements in other countries
are still working toward decriminalisation of samesex intimacy. Priorities not only vary from region to region, but also from one country to another. In the Caribbean, decriminalisation is a priority, and there have been several successes over the past eight years since Belize decriminalised same-sex intimacy — the first country to do so since The Bahamas in 1991. The work ahead, throughout the region, is immense, both in securing legal protection from discrimination and violence and in changing the mindset of societies that have been forced to believe, through slavery, colonisation, and religious fundamentalism,
that LGBTQI+ people are subhuman and should not have human rights. LGBTQI+ people are human beings and have human rights which include the right to life, liberty, and security of person. These are all threatened when laws, policies, and social attitudes leads to violence and discrimination against LGBTQI+ people.
The risk of violence and discrimination historically led to LGBTQI+ people hiding their identities. To refer to it as shame is to oversimplify and mischaracterise what was happening, and what continues to happen today. While people certainly tried and try to convince us all that being LGBTQI+ people is shameful, people and the systems they created and continue to uphold have proven that it is unsafe to honest and authentic as LGBTQI+ people. The environment was created to force silence and the punishment for breaking the silence was shame. We see enough examples of the harassment, disrespect, discrimination, and violence meted out against LGBTQI+ people today to easily imagine what it was like decades ago.
Pride was a response to the shame that was forced upon LGBTQI+ people. It was a decision to stand when expected to cower. It was a refusal to be invisible. Pride was an opportunity to become and to exude the opposite of the misplaced shame. It still is.
When hateful people hear about Pride, they often project their own ideas onto it. They only understand pride to be rooted in ego because that is the pride they feel and practice. They take great exception to Pride — both the name and the related activities — because they count on their violence and discrimination creating environments where LGBTQI+ people feel unsafe and have little or no choice but to operate from a place of shame or fear of being shamed or bringing shame to their loved ones. When LGBTQI+ people reject shame and decide to not only love and respect self, but to demonstrate it and to offer that love and respect to others, they defeat the hatred so carefully nurtured by those who
are (rather kindly) referred to as “homophobes”.
Pride is the rejection of the expectation that LGBTQI+ people hide, make themselves invisible, and live in shame. It is the decision to be in community, publicly. It is the continuation of the Stonewall Riots of 1969. It is a reminder that we all walk the same earth, and no one deserves to be more alive, living more fully, than anyone else. It is time together, in community, being spent on activities that matter to the participants. It is (taking the) freedom to be.
In countries such as the US and the UK, Pride is a party. There are joyful marches, complete with singing and dancing, live performances, and giveaways on the street. There are festive outfits. There are events that precede and follow the parade, from brunches and panel discussions to concerts and drag shows. Pride tends to evolve with the environment. It takes a celebratory tone where more rights have been affirmed and articulated in the law. Some countries that have made less progress also have LGBTQI+ organisations and movements that choose to make Pride as festive as possible, recognising it as one of the few times that LGBTQI+ people can be together, in a large group, occupying public space.
At Equality Bahamas, we focus on the LGBTQI+ community during the Pride. As a result of the violence and discrimination that LGBTQI+ people face, there is often less access to necessary services. In some cases, LGBTQI+ people are able to access education and healthcare, and may be able to find work, but the environments are hostile. There is a need for care, and Equality Bahamas works to fill the gap.
Aware of Pride events in the month of June, Equality Bahamas intentionally hosts Pride events in July, extending the period of time that we focus on the LGBTQI+ community. Members of the community can participate in the June events that have an entirely different purpose, then have the opportunity to connect with community members while looking
inward, identifying personal needs, and moving toward fulfilling those needs. Throughout July, Equality Bahamas is offering free yoga sessions with Get Fit Life and group therapy with Jessica the Therapist. LGBTQI+ people interest in accessing these sessions can contact us at equalitybahamas@gmail.com.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Join a book club. This can be a great way to get encouragement to read more, and to add a social element to an otherwise solitary exercise. Articulate your opinions, ask questions, listen to other perspectives, get comparative titles, and widen your social circle. Feminist Book Club, hosted by Equality Bahamas and Poinciana Paper Press is an option. This month, we are reading Where Was Goodbye? by Bahamian author Janice Lynn Mather. We’ll meet to discuss the book on Wednesday, August 21, at 6pm EDT. To join Feminist Book Club, sign up at tiny. cc/fbc2024.
2. Learn about something outside of your own experience. It is easy to have a dangerously narrow world view, especially if you are not able to travel or regularly engage people living in other places and in other ways. Read a book by an author from another part of the world. Research a religion that is not your own. Listen to a podcast episode about a topic you know very little about. Watch a video that presents an argument with which you are not inclined to agree. Think of a country you have made a judgment about on the basis of one fact, and find out why things are that way. When someone presents an opinion that you do not share, instead of arguing, ask them to share their thoughts with you. The point is not to be right, and it is not even to change your mind. The point is to be open to other perspectives and ideas, and to see the world beyond yourself.
3. Check out (Loud and) Proud. This mix was cre-
by
Set sail by hydrogen
FRANCISCO Associated Press
THE world’s first hydrogen-powered commercial passenger ferry will start operating on San Francisco Bay as part of plans to phase out diesel-powered vessels and reduce planet-warming carbon emissions, California officials said on Friday, demonstrating the ship.
The 70-foot catamaran called the MV Sea Change will transport up to 75 passengers along the waterfront between Pier 41 and the downtown San Francisco ferry terminal starting July 19, officials said. The service will be free for six months while it’s being run as part of a pilot programme.
“The implications for this are huge because this isn’t its last stop,” said Jim Wunderman, chair of the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority, which runs commuter ferries across the bay. “If we can operate this successfully, there are going to be more of these vessels in our fleet and in other folks’ fleets in the United States and we think in the world.”
Sea Change can travel about 300 nautical miles and operate for 16 hours before it
needs to refuel. The fuel cells produce electricity by combining oxygen and hydrogen in an electrochemical reaction that emits water as a byproduct.
The technology could help clean up the shipping industry, which produces nearly three percent of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions, officials said. That’s less than from cars, trucks, rail or aviation but still a lot — and it’s rising.
Frank Wolak, president and CEO of the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association, said the ferry is meaningful because it’s hard to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vessels.
“The real value of this is when you multiply out by the number of ferries operating around the world,” he said. “There’s great potential here. This is how you can start chipping away at the carbon intensity of your ports.”
Backers also hope hydrogen fuel cells could eventually power container ships.
The International Maritime Organiza tion, which regulates commercial shipping, wants to halve its greenhouse gas releases by midcentury. As fossil fuel emissions continue warming Earth’s atmosphere, the Biden
AS EASY AS EV
A CAMPAIGN has been launched to inform the public of the benefits of electric vehicles (EV).
Easy Car Sales has launched the campaign complete with a webpage full of information and fun about the EV life.
The website, www.iamgenerationE.com, addresses myths and misinformation about electric mobility with facts and figures.
It also includes personal testimonials by EV owners describing the savings, the environmental impact and all the pleasures of the EV Life as they experience it.
“We have owners of every age from 20-something to over 80 years young,” said Pia Farmer, managing partner at Easy Car Sales.
“We may have different lifestyles and budgets; some of us use our EVs for business and others for pleasure, we are all unique, but we share common values: we drive electric for the savings, for the planet, for the smooth powerful ride and all the latest tech features. If you are loving your EV Life, or if you are planning to get an EV one day soon, you are now part of Generation E. EVeryone is welcome!”
Alexandra Deal, owner of Closets Etcetera and busy mother to two boys, bought
a Geely Radar EV pickup truck recently and was excited to describe her expe rience: “I love my EV mainly because it accel erates out of corners, and there is lots of storage space and room for my family. I do not have to go to the gas sta tion anymore, I just go home and plug it in!
I think that’s my number one most favour ite thing in the world.”
administration is turning to hydrogen as an energy source for vehicles, manufacturing and generating electricity. It has been offering $8 billion to entice the nation’s industries, engineers and planners to figure out how to produce and deliver clean hydrogen.
Environmental groups say hydrogen presents its own pollution and climate risks.
For now, the hydrogen that is produced globally each year, mainly for refineries and fertilizer manufacturing, is made using natural gas. That process warms the planet rather than saving it. Indeed, a new study by researchers from Cornell and Stanford universities found that most hydrogen production emits carbon dioxide, which means that hydrogen-fueled transportation cannot yet be considered clean energy.
Yet proponents of hydrogen-powered
PRIME DAY? WATCH OUT FOR SCAMMERS
AMAZON Prime Day is here, and experts are reminding consumers to be wary of scams.
Deceptions such as phony emails from people impersonating online retailers like Amazon are nothing new. But phishing attempts increase amid the heavy spending seen during significant sales events, whether it’s Black Friday or Prime Day, according to the Better Business Bureau.
“This is a huge moment on the retail calendar,” Josh Planos, vice president of communications and public relations at the Better Business Bureau, previously told The Associated Press. “And because of that, it represents an enormous opportunity for a scammer, con artist or even just an unethical business or organisation to capitalize on the moment and separate folks from their hard-earned money.”
Prime Day, a two-day discount event for Amazon Prime members, began on Tuesday and runs through Wednesday. In updated guidance published last week, the Better Business Bureau reminded consumers to watch out for lookalike websites, too-good-to-be-true social media ads, and unsolicited emails or calls during sales events this month. Consumers might need to be more vigilant this year than ever before. In June, the Better Business Bureau published a report that said it received a record number of phishing reports in 2023. Reports are also trending up so far this year, the organisation said.
DATA OF NEARLY ALL AT&T CUSTOMERS DOWNLOADED IN SECURITY BREACH
EV drivers charge their vehicles at home at their convenience, just like any other appliance, and save the equivalent of about $4 per gallon. The fact is, it costs $1.50 in BPL charges to go the same distance as a
vehicles for his business Drive Green Rentals, explained that based on his research, “electric cars are so much cheaper to operate not only because you don’t have to spend any money at the gas pump, but when
ing who. This could impact people’s private lives as private calls and connections could be exposed,” Thomas Richards, principal consultant at Synopsys Software Integrity Group, said in an emailed statement.
THE MV Sea Change, the first commercial passenger ferry powered by hydrogen fuel cells, is seen on the water on Friday, July 12, in San Francisco. The MV Sea Change will begin offering free rides to the public along the San Francisco waterfront on Friday.
Photo: Terry Chea/AP
SPORTS
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2024
Bahamas team named for the Olympic Games
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
Despite not being recommended by the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations after she didn’t finish in the top three at the Bahamas National Championships, the Bahamas Olympic Committee still named Shania Adderley to Team Bahamas for the 2024 Olympic Games.
After weeks of speculation and deliberation, the BOC announced a 20-member team for the games, scheduled for July 27 to August 11 in Paris, France, with Cora Hepburn as the chef de mission and Roy Colebrook as the team leader. Dr Ricky Davis will be the team’s doctor with Katrice Robinson as the physiotherapist.
The selection, according to BOC president Rommel
Knowles, was held up because of the discussions they had with BAAAs president Drumeco Archer. Last night in the foyer of the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium, the decision to add Adderley to the team for her participation in getting the mixed relays qualified at the World Relays in May at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, drew some controversy when Lacarthea Cooper was left off the list after she finished third at the Nationals last month and Adderley was fifth in the women’s 400m.
Adderley, a 16-year-old high schooler from Grand Bahama, was selected to represent Team Bahamas in athletics along with the following athletes: Antoine Andrews, men’s 110m hurdles; Steven Gardiner, men’s 400m; Terrence Jones, men’s 100m; Ian Kerr, men’s 200m; Wanya McCoy, men’s
100m; Wendell Miller, mixed 4 x 400m relay; Ken Mullings, men’s decathlon; Alonzo Russell, mixed 4 x 400m relay; Donald Thomas, men’s high jump; Denisha Cartwright, women’s 100m hurdles; Devynne Charlton, women’s 100m hurdles; Shaunae
Miller-Uibo, women’s 400m and mixed 4 x 400m relay; Rhema Otabor, women’s javelin; Charisma Taylor, women’s 100m hurdles; Javonya Valcourt, mixed 4 x 400m relay; Zion Miller, mixed 4 x 400m relay and Quincy Penn, mixed 4 x 400m relay.
Named as coaches are James Rolle, Corrington Maycock and May Miller. The swimmers are Lamar Taylor in the men’s 100m freestyle and Rhanishka Gibbs in the women’s 50m freestyle. They will be
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor
LACARTHEA Cooper said while she has no objection to Grand Bahamian Shania Adderley being named to the Olympic team, she felt she should be deprived of her opportunity to travel with Team Bahamas to Paris, France.
The Bahamas Olympic Committee finally named a 20-member team to compete at the games from July 27 to August 11 and missing from the list was Cooper, who placed third in the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ National Championships last month at the original Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium. Cooper, a 20-year-old student at New Mexico State, did not get to compete in the World Relays in May at the Thomas A. Robinson
Mullings proud to represent nation at Paris Olympics
TENAJH
By
SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net
KEN Mullings, former student-athlete of the University of The Bahamas (UB), has experienced a lot of monumental firsts over the course of the last few weeks in the athletics world.
Mullings qualified for his first Olympic Games via the World Athletics Rankings System and this feat made him the first UB student-athlete to become an Olympian and the first Bahamian multi-event athlete to be named to an Olympic squad.
His latest accomplishments did not come without its fair share of challenges along the journey to Paris, France, but he is grateful for those that assisted in helping him to become the athlete that he is today.
“It feels pretty good coming a long way from
training in The Bahamas and trying to find my next practice session because there was a lot of equipment that I did not have a couple years ago while training. This is coming from nothing basically. Believe it or not, if UB didn’t take the chance on changing me from a hurdler to a decathlon athlete, then I probably would not have been an Olympian today. UB played a big part in me doing the decathlon but the adjustments my coaches made this year and the Powerade sponsorship made it possible for me to qualify for the Olympics.
“Going into UB I was a high jump/hurdler but coach Ednal Rolle transferred me to the heptathlon/decathlon and UB had to buy the equipment to make sure that I could pursue this dream immediately and have everything I needed in place,” he said.
Since then, the 27-yearold has soared to new
heights in the multi-events.
He has emerged as the former national record holder in the men’s outdoor decathlon event and the current record holder for the men’s indoor heptathlon in 2022 and 2024 respectively. He has undoubtedly etched his name into the
BASKETBALL
PEACE ON DA STREETS
THE annual Peace On Da Streets Basketball Classic, dubbed “Shooting Hoops instead of Guns,” is being held every day until July 21 at the Michael ‘Scooter Reid” Basketball Center at the Hope Center. All games start at 6pm daily. Categories include 12-and-under, 16-and-under, 20-and-under, government ministry, church and open divisions.
The event is being promoted by Guardian Radio and Radio House Outreach.
CLERGY
VS POLITICIANS
AS part of the Peace ON Da Streets Classic, organisers will once again stage the showdown between
July, 2024
members of the Clergy against the Members of Parliament. The game is scheduled for 8pm Sunday, July 21 at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.
CHESS TOURNEY POSTPONED THE Bahamas Chess Federation has announced that its Independence Cup 2024 Tournament, scheduled for July 13-14, has been postponed due to the lack of a suitable venue. This tournament was supposed to be the second qualifier for the Bahamas National Chess Championship 2025. The federation will arrange another qualifier soon. The next open qualifier is the New Providence Open 2024, scheduled for August 10-11.
history books at UB by becoming the first studentathlete from the institution to be named to the Bahamian Olympic team.
The decorated multiathlete had nothing but high praise for the UB Athletics programme and said thriving at home boils down to the mindset of the student-athlete.
“It shows that you can do it at home. I have been preaching this year after year. It is the mindset of that athlete but if an athlete does not put his/her full foot forward, they would not get anything in return. You have to go into the programme believing in it for you to actually see the benefits,” he said.
Although a number of athletes tend to prefer to study and compete abroad, Mullings had this response when asked if he expects more Bahamian athletes to take the UB route for their collegiate careers.
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
CHRIS ‘Fireman’ Brown said he was so grateful to God that he was able to share his knowledge as one of the top 400 metre runners in the world to more than 60 eager young men and women in his hometown of Eleuthera.
Brown, the country’s former national record holder and still the holder of the 800 metre record, hosted a Rise Of Champions one day camp/clinic on Saturday at the Preston High School in Rock Sound, Eleuthera.
“I wanted to thank the Lord for everything. A successful day, beautiful weather and a great group of kids. The camp was truly amazing and something special for our youths’ future.”
“They should because it is much more affordable to go to UB and pursue athletics. It is not that expensive for UB athletes and we go to these division one meets to compete against athletes in division one schools so you would not miss out on anything. Even if you go to a D1 school, if you do not put your best foot forward you will not get anything in return,” he said.
The Paris Olympic Games are scheduled to start next week Friday, June 26 and run until August 11.
The decathlon portion of the event begins on August 2 and ends on August 3.
Mullings gave a brief insight on how the Olympics preparation is going up to this point.
“My preparation has not really changed but we tweaked it a bit to try and peak for the Olympics. We are going from more reps to less reps to try and get faster. So far, I am feeling
much stronger and faster. I just gotta execute out there to get some big points,” he said.
The decathlete was ranked 21st overall on the World Athletics Rankings. World Athletics allotted 24 spots for the decathlon event. Out of the 10 events the versatile athlete is scheduled to tackle, he wants to improve in the 1,500 metres the most ahead of his commute to Paris, France.
“I always go into the last event in the top five and the dreadful 1,500m hurts me so much. We are spending a lot of time on the 1,500m without trying to sacrifice with my other events so we will see at the Olympics how much of this is gonna pay off,” he said. The Bahamian Olympics team was named last night by the Bahamas Olympic Committee (BOC) at the Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium.
Brown, now the head coach at Clayton State in Morrow, Georgia, said he was appreciative of the support he got from professional
coach James Rolle as well as a member of our Golden Knight, Ramon
and CEO Bryan Swarn from Phenetix, Clara Young and Mr and Mrs. Curtis, local sponsors.
“We welcomed 64 kids to Rise Of Champions one day camp/clinic,” Brown said. “Working with our kids brought back a lot of memories. The kids were all totally locked in, focused and excited to get the job done.
“We look forward to working together with our team and sponsors on Eleuthera and plan on bringing Rise of Champions back next year.
“All of Rise of Champions kids took home squeeze bottles, wristbands and a drawstring bag. Special thanks was extended to all
Miller,
CHRIS “Fireman” Brown demonstrating to a participant how it is done.
THE Bahamas Olympic Committee last night announced a 20-member team to compete in the Olympic Games, scheduled for July 27 to August 11 in Paris, France. Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
First annual Baseball Summer Camp kicks off
By BRANDON HUTCHINSON Tribune Intern
IN an exciting collaboration between Learn, Develop Kaizen Performance (LDK) and The Batter’s Box, the first annual Baseball Summer Camp has kicked off in the Bahamas with a mission to elevate the standard of player development in the country at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium.
Coaches Shawnte Curtis and Lyndon Wallace are leading the charge, introducing innovative concepts and emphasizing the importance of athleticism in baseball during the camp that will be held from July 16 to August 2 for local
players between the ages of five and 18 years.
Curtis, founder of LDK, expressed that the camp’s goal is to tap into new skills and ideas while redefining the narrative around baseball development.
“To raise the standard for development in the country we think there are a lot of skills and ideas we don’t tap into generally as we are developing baseball and softball players in the country,” Curtis said. “I want to introduce new concepts, new ways of teaching skills, new ideas and letting baseball (players) learn a little bit more about the game and themselves.”
Wallace, the founder of the Batter’s Box, echoed
this sentiment, highlighting the significance of yearround baseball to harness the abundant talent in the Bahamas.
“Having baseball going on year-round, that is the goal because baseball is very seasonal in the Bahamas, and we have a lot of talent here and we don’t want that to go to waste by having kids only playing from January to June,” Wallace said.
“We want to keep the momentum going with baseball in the country and we are going to try to do this as often as possible.”
The camp participants, including seven-yearold Kaleel Ramsay, have already begun reaping the benefits of this
American League gets 5-3 win over National League in All-Star Game
By STEPHEN HAWKINS AP Baseball Writer
ARLINGTON, Texas
(AP) — Boston’s Jarren Duran, the All-Star MVP, hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the fifth inning and the American League beat the National League 5-3 last night for its 10th win in the past 11 All-Star Games.
Pittsburgh rookie Paul Skenes pitched a hitless first for the NL, twice hitting 100 miles per hour, and Shohei Ohtani hit a threerun homer in the third for a 3-0 lead.
Juan Soto hit a two-run double and scored on David Fry’s single to tie the score in the third, and Duran went deep off Cincinnati’s Hunter Greene.
Oakland right-hander Mason Miller got the win after throwing a 103.6 mph pitch, the fastest in the All-Star Game since tracking began in 2008.
Hard-throwing Cleveland closer Emmanuel Clase
struck out two in the ninth for the save. The 22-year-old Skenes, who has pitched only 11 big league games since being the No. 1 overall pick in the draft last July, became the first rookie starter since 1995 and had the fewest games played for any player to make an All-Star team.
The right-hander threw a hitless first, with a twoout walk to Soto before his Yankees teammate Aaron Judge grounded into a forceout on the next pitch. Skenes threw 11 of 16 pitches for streaks, with seven fastballs up to 100.1 mph.
Ohtani, who has gone deep 29 times in his first season of his record $700 million, 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, pulled a 400-foot drive to right off Tanner Houck. That came after the Boston right-hander allowed singles to the first two batters he faced: No. 9 batter Jurickson Profar and leadoff hitter Ketel Marte.
When Ohtani went against Miller in the fifth, he struck out on an 89.2 mph slider well inside and out of the strike zone. That was after twice taking strikes on fastballs of more than 100 mph.
Ohtani’s first All-Star homer made him the first Dodgers player to go deep in the Midsummer Classic since Hall of Fame catcher Mike Piazza off Cleveland’s Charles Nagy in 1996 at Philadelphia’s Veterans Stadium.
Eleven days after his 30th birthday, Ohtani was an All-Star for the fourth time — his first with the NL.
Baltimore’s Andy Santander, after taking over for Soto in right field, had a two-out single in the fifth before Duran’s 413-foot homer to right-centre after he had replaced Judge in centre.
The AL has a 48-44-2 record in the All-Star Game, and had won nine in a row before the National League’s 3-2 victory last
holistic approach to player development.
“The first thing we learned today was how to bunt properly,” Ramsey said. “We did a little drill where they pitched the ball to us, and we had to try and hit the cone. We also did some hitting in the batting cages and after that went on a break then did some outfield work.”
Ramsey also glorified Bahamas Major League Baseball player Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm of the Miami Marlins, listing him as his “favourite professional baseball player.”
Former professional MLB player Antoan Richardson shared his enthusiasm for giving back to the community and
supporting youth development through initiatives like the Baseball Summer Camp.
“As I was on the plane coming back home, I was like ‘man I could really enjoy this All-Star break chilling somewhere’”, said Richardson, who is now a first base coach in the majors with the San Francisco Giants.
“Anytime you have an opportunity to give back to the community and be able to not just help the youth but also help the people that are trying to help the youth, it’s a really cool opportunity to be a part of that” As the camp unfolds, the focus remains on nurturing talent, fostering a love
for the game and providing valuable learning opportunities for young athletes. With plans for future camps and travel ball programmes in the works, the Baseball Summer Camp is poised to make a lasting impact on the baseball landscape in the Bahamas.
The collaboration between LDK and The Batter’s Box stands as a testament to the power of community, mentorship and a shared passion for baseball.
Through their dedication and innovative approach to player development, Curtis, Wallace and Richardson are shaping the future of baseball in the Bahamas one player at a time.
Keep up the good work!
year in Seattle. AL starter Corbin Burnes arrived in Texas the morning of the game after spending time at home with his newborn twin daughters. The Baltimore right-hander allowed a walk and then a two-out double to Bryce Harper before getting out of his inning on a comebacker by William Contreras, his catcher last season in Milwaukee.
After his underhand toss of the ball to first base, Burnes had a big smile on his face when he kept jogging and wrapped his arm
around Contreras in the baseline.
Won in both leagues Bruce Bochy of the host Rangers became the first manager to win World Series titles and All-Star Games in both leagues. Bochy is now 2-3 as an All-Star manager, leading the NL to a win in 2011. He won the World Series three times with the NL’s San Francisco Giants in 2010, 2012 and 2014, then led the Rangers to their first championship in his debut season with them last year.
Up next The MLB regular series resumes Friday when 14 games are scheduled, with Milwaukee and Minnesota the only teams that won’t play until Saturday. Philadelphia (62-34) has the best record in the majors and Cleveland (58-37) has an AL-best .611 winning percentage, though Baltimore and the New York Yankees also have 58 wins. San Diego (50-49) is set to become the first team to play its 100th game, at the Guardians on Friday night.
THE New Providence Oldtimers Softball Association continued its regular season action over the weekend at the Archdeacon William Thompson Softball Park at the Southern Recreation Grounds.
Here’s a look at the matches contested: USS Rebels 11, Drafters 1: Val Maura got the win on the mound over Kino Stuart.
Raymond Rolle went 2-for-4 with a run batted in and scored a run. Everette ‘Nugget’ Neely was 1-for-2 with a double, two RBI and a run scored for the Rebels, who produced a total of 11 hits as well.
Tommy Stubbs came through with one of the three hits for the Rebels in his 1-for-2 production with a RBI.
KC Raiders 21, Vipers 11: Simeon Dean picked up the win and Youshi Simon suffered the loss.
Marc Pratt was a perfect 3-for-3 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored to lead the Raiders, who had a total of 18 hits.
Kevin Smith was 3-for-4 with a double and homer, two RBI and two runs scored, Lorenzo Carter was 1-for-4 with a homer, three RBI and two runs scored and Demont Charlow was 2-for-3 with a double, one RBI and four runs scored.
McNeil Albury was 2-for-2 with two RBI and
three runs scored, Juan Pratt was 2-for-4 with three RBI, Warren Lockhart was 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored and Stephen Beneby Jr was 1-for-2 with two RBI and two runs scored.
The Vipers had 11 hits.
Drifters 18, KC Raiders 5: Keno Stuart was the winning pitcher and Simeon Dean was tagged with the loss.
Shantz Antoine went 1-for-3 with a homer, three RBI and three runs scored, Lynden Gaitor was 3-for-4 with a double, three RBI and two runs scored andJames Davis was 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and as many runs scored.
Demont Charlow was a perfect 2-for-2 with a homer, two RBI and as many runs scored in the loss for the Raiders. The Drifters had 14 hits and the Raiders had five.
Da Boyz 14, Corner Boys
4: Dwayne Dean was the winning pitcher and Emmanuel Moss Jr was the losing pitcher. Julian Pratt was 2-for-3 with a double, three RBI and two runs scored and Jermaine Butler was 2-for-4 with a homer, three RBI and two runs scored to pace Da Boyz. Angelo Dillet was 2-for-3 with a homer, three RBI and a run scored. Da Boyz had 15 hits, compared to just six by the Corner Boys.
Divers 12, Masqueraders 11: Moses Johnson was the winning pitcher and Roberto Goodman was tagged with the loss.
Jayson Clarke went 2-for-3 with a homer, five RBI and a run scored, Rory Newbold was 3-for-4 with a RBI and a run scored, Patrick Newbold was 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored and Ron Demeritte was 1-for-3 with a RBI and two runs scored for the Divers. Carvin Cummings was 3-for-4 with a double, homer, three RBI and two runs scored, Greg Smith was 2-for-4 with a homer, a RBI and a run scored and Arthur Hamilton was 2-for-4 with a homer, a RBI and a run scored in the loss for the Masqueraders. Despite the loss, the Masqueraders out-hit the Divers 13-12. The NPOTSA will continue its regular season action this weekend with the following games on tap:
Saturday Noon
NATIONAL League’s Shohei Ohtani, of the Los Angeles Dodgers, advances to third on a single from Bryce Harper during the first inning of the MLB All-Star baseball game last night. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Jonquel Jones and Ionescu
lead short-handed Liberty to 82-74 win over Sun
By DOUG FEINBERG AP Basketball Writer
NEW YORK (AP) —
Sabrina Ionescu scored 30 points and the short-handed New York Liberty beat the Connecticut Sun 82-74 last night.
It was the last game before the month-long Olympic break for both teams. The game was tied heading into the fourth quarter before Ionescu hit a 3-pointer to start the final period and give New York (21-4) back the lead it had held for the entire game. That sparked a 10-3
run which gave the Liberty a 73-66 lead midway through the period. “Ten more minutes, we have to buckle down and play harder,” Ionescu said of the conversation heading into the fourth. “Play our best basketball for 10 more minutes and lock in. (Kennedy Burke) got huge steals for us.” Connecticut (18-6) twice got within four, but both times Jonquel Jones answered with baskets against her former team. The Sun could get no closer.
Jonquel Jones scored eight points with a blocked shot, two steals, five assists and
seven rebounds. Burke finished with nine points and four steals.
Brionna Jones scored 17 points to lead Connecticut.
Alyssa Thomas finished with 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists for the Sun, but didn’t play in the fourth quarter.
Connecticut coach Stephanie White said after the game it was intentional to get Thomas some rest before the Olympics.
New York was missing two starters. Guard Betnijah Laney-Hamilton had minor surgery yesterday on her right knee. She’ll be out four to six weeks
and should return after the Olympic break. The Liberty also rested Breanna Stewart for the second consecutive game as she was dealing with a tweaked hamstring.
Brondello said that had it been a playoff game Stewart would have been able to play, but with the Olympics coming up the team wanted to be smart.
The Liberty raced out to an 11-2 lead and led 28-23 after one quarter as Ionescu had 12 points in the period, including a four-point play.
The team extended the lead to 10 before the Sun rallied to go into the half down 45-42.
Two junior sailors to represent The Bahamas at Youth Sailing World Championships in Italy
THE Bahamas Sailing Association (BSA) is pleased to announce the two athletes to represent The Bahamas at the 2024 Youth Sailing World Championships, the premier event in international youth sailing being held from July 12-20 at Lake Garda, Italy.
The Bahamas is eligible to send one male and one female in the ILCA 6 event and, after two qualifying events, 17-year-old Norman Cartwright and 15-yearold Eliza Denning have qualified as top U19 male and top U19 female in The Bahamas.
Norman Cartwright fought off close competition from 18-year-old Joshua Weech, who previously sailed in the event in 2022 and Eliza Denning narrowly defeated Ellianne Higgs who like Weech previously competed in this event in 2022.
Norman Cartwright started sailing with the Mack Knowles Junior Sailing Club in the summer of 2018 and comes from a family of boat builders and sloop sailors, notably
THE Bahamas Sailing Association has announced that 17-year-old Norman Cartwright and 15-year-old Eliza Denning
as top U19 male and top U19 female in The Bahamas and are representing The Bahamas at the 2024 Youth
his great grand-father boat builder Rupert Knowles and grand-father Bert who sailed in the National Family Island Regatta in 1954.
Norman joined the Bahamas National Sailing School (BNSS) in Nassau
BAHAMAS SENDS EIGHT
in September 2018, initially sailing in the Optimist dingy.
Norman has previously represented The Bahamas at the Optimist World Championship in Turkey, the Optimist North American Championship in
Mexico and Nassau and the Optimist South American Championship in Brazil.
Commenting on his recent success, Cartwright said: “I have great hopes for Youth Sailing Worlds, and I hope to do my country proud, set a new country
record for performance at this event and to also set an example for younger sailors who aspire to compete at such a high level.”
Bahamian resident Eliza Denning of Lyford Cay Sailing has also achieved international success in the
Optimist Class, notably top North American female at the 2023 Optimist North Americans held in Antigua.
Eliza was also part of the first all-girl team to win the 2022 Best of the Best regatta in the E Class and also qualified to compete at the 2023 Regatta of Champions (Optimist regatta) held in Athens, Greece.
Said Lori Lowe, president of the Bahamas Sailing Association: “I would like to congratulate Norman and Eliza on qualifying to represent The Bahamas at this very prestigious event. Norman and Eliza have trained very hard and have international experience from a young age in the Optimist class. The event is a fantastic opportunity to compete against some of the world’s best junior sailors and represent The Bahamas on the international stage.”
The athletes will be accompanied by Paul de Souza, head coach at the Bahamas National Sailing School (and current Bahamas Laser national champion).
THE Bahamas Optimist Dinghy Association is excited to announce that a team of eight talented young sailors will compete in the 2024 Optimist North American Championship which is being held from July 13-20, 2024, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The championship will feature 180 sailors from 16 nations, bringing together top young sailors from the region and around the world. The Bahamian team is ready to compete and represent their nation proudly.
Coach Martin Manrique and team leader Edgar Diminich will guide the team. “My expectations for NAMS are to see the sailors perform at their best level, learn a lot from the amazing conditions we have in Puerto Rico, and to continue growing Bahamas Sailing,” said coach
Finley McKinney-Lambert (14)
Patrick Tomlinson (14)
Javien Rankine (14)
Callum Pritchard (13)
Michael Knowles (14)
Alethea Tsoumpas (14)
Taryn McKinney-Lambert (13)
Leon Zarchan (12)
Manrique. “We have a very strong group of sailors and we are excited to see them race and show what they can do.” The sailors are all excited to show off the hard work they have put into training, have fun and compete
amongst some of the best junior sailors in the world. For more information about the championship and to follow the team’s progress, please visit the official website of the International Optimist Dinghy Association.
JONQUEL Jones scored eight points with a blocked shot, two steals, five assists and seven rebounds against her former team - Connecticut Sun- last night.
(AP Photo)
THE Bahamas Optimist Dinghy Association has announced that a team of eight talented young sailors are competing in the 2024 Optimist North American Championship until July 20 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
qualified
Sailing World Championships at Lake Garda, Italy, until July 20.
LACARTHEA COOPER UPSET SHE WAS NOT
11
National Stadium when Adderley, 16, teamed up with Shaunae MillerUibo, Steven Gardiner and Alonzo Russell to book The Bahamas ticket to Paris.
But during the BAAA Nationals, by virtue of finishing third in the women’s 400m, Cooper felt she should have been included in the mixed relay pool instead of Adderley, who was fifth.
BAAA athletes’ representative Kaiwan Culmer said there’s no transparency when it comes down to the team selection and it showed in this case.
“We all know that when it comes to track and field, you always take the top finishers in head-to-head competition,” said Culmer, the country’s national triple jump champion.
“What is happening here is something that has been going on in track and field for quite a while. It was announced that Lacarthea was named to the team and Shania was not, due to the position they finished at the Nationals.”
Culmer, standing in support of Cooper, said the BOC and the BAAA is dealing with a lot of discouragement and is taking the pain from one athlete and placing it on another.
“It’s an issue and it needs to be rectified,” said Culmer, who noted that he’s leading the charge to rectify the problem.
“The board agreed to name Lacarthea Cooper to the team and all of a sudden, she is not there,” he stated.
Cooper said she’s very discouraged.
“Like any other athlete, they worked hard and their hard work is not being paid off because they give your position to somebody else, it ain’t fair,” she stated.
“I had a feeling that something like this was going to happen when I saw social media. So when it happened, it didn’t really move me because I was going to speak out about this injustice.”
Cooper said there’s no doubt that Adderley defied the odds at World Relays and she put her best foot forward to help the team qualify, but at Nationals she came home and did what she had to do to get on the team, which was to finish in the top three.
If she doesn’t make the trip to Paris, it would be the second straight Olympics that Cooper will be denied a chance to compete at the games.
As a 17-year-old coming out of St Augustine’s College, Cooper was selected to the women’s 4 x 400m relay team for the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, but she didn’t get to go because she was sidelined with COVID-19.
“Right now I could cry because the Olympics only comes every four years. A lot of stuff could happen in four years,” she said.
“I don’t think I should miss this one because of politics.
“The first one. I missed it because of COVID, which is understandable. But this one, it ain’t fair. I could only pray. That’s the reason why I ain’t crying. I just give it
to God because what can I do?”
Culmer said he personally believes there was a disconnect between the BAAA and the BOC and Cooper is being caught in the middle.
“It shouldn’t be an issue between the athletes. That’s my cry and that is all Lacarthea is saying,” Culmer
of the volunteers and sponsors, including The Market Place, MOYSC, Disney, Halls Grocery Store, Fran’s Yum Yums and Phenetix Urban Athletic Wear.
Brown joined Laker Nation in September of 2018 as an assistant coach for the track and field programme before taking over the men’s and women’s track & field teams in July 2019. The Bahamas’ sports ambassador is a veteran of five different Olympic Games and is one of the most well-known sprinters to hail from the Bahamas. He has earned one gold medal (2012), one silver (2008) and two bronze (2000, 2016). All four medals came in the 4x400m relay. Following the trip home, Brown will continue his Rise of
stressed. “It’s an organisational miscommunication.”
Culmer said he heard Archer say a week ago in the media that he was willing to give up his own accreditation for the games to allow Adderley to go to the games. “How did we get from him saying that Shania was in the position to now where Lacarthea is in the position? It’s almost like they are swapping the pain.
“The pain that Lacarthea is now feeling, Shania has already felt that. They have now switched it when they are saying Shania doesn’t deserve the pain, so let’s give it to someone else.”
Cooper said if she had the opportunity to come home to compete in the World Relays, she would have, but her coaches didn’t allow her to make the trip. So once the team qualified, she came home and did what she had to do at the nationals, which was to finish in the top three. So she doesn’t see why the BOC won’t allow her to go to the Olympics, just as they are doing for Adderley.
Team Bahamas named for Olympics
FROM PAGE 11
coached by Travano McPhee.
“The athletes had to qualify either directly by meeting the standards or by having a world ranking,” Knowles said.
“As for the mixed relay, we had a direct entry by qualifying at the World Relays and so we thought that meant something.”
By teaming up with MillerUibo, Gardiner and Russell, Knowles said their executive team, who flanked him on stage as he made the announcement, felt it was only fitting that Adderley should be named to the team because of her effort to get the team qualified.
“I understand it was a very difficult decision for the BAAA and I want to apologise to my friend Drumeco, because he caused some stuff. But the reality is when we look at the relay itself, there was a story behind this young girl running the relay.
“We, in the BOC, felt that she earned that position and earned the right to go to the
Champions’ tour with stops on Cat Island on September 7, Inagua on September 14, Andros on October 5, New Providence on November 2 and Grand Bahama on December 14. His aim is to provide the free coaching clinics to as many athletes throughout the Bahamas in his bid to give back to those who helped him in his career before he left home to continue his career.
After graduating from RM Bailey, Brown starred at Division I Norfolk State University and in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) from 1998-2001. While there he was a twotime outdoor All-American in the 400 metres, earning those honours by virtue of third and fourth-place finishes at the 2000 and 2001 NCAA Outdoor Championships, respectively.
Olympic Games. She’s probably the youngest Bahamian Olympian and we’ve been going from 1958, so you can’t take that privilege or the opportunity away from her.”
After much discussion with the BAAA, Knowles said they were hoping that the BAAA saw the vision with the makeup of the team after none of the women qualified for the 400 metres.
He said they decided to go back to the person who got the team there.
“If it wasn’t for her, we wouldn’t be in the envious position of going to the Olympic Games,” said Knowles, who had to fight back tears as he tried to explain what happened in their selection of Adderley.
“She didn’t come to run the senior relays, she came to run the junior relays. And as a result of us not having enough seniors, we picked her up to run.
“She took the Bahamas on her shoulder and we whipped her because we didn’t qualify the first round.
“But you could see she was very determined to make sure that she wasn’t at fault for the Bahamas in not making the team.
“You can’t discount the impact that she made. She became a national hero for The Bahamas. I feel sorry for Drumeco and the BAAAs, but we had to do what was right.”
Knowles said while the BAAA can make their recommendation and even though they submitted the list to World Athletics before the team was named, the BOC holds the rights to select who makes up the team, not the BAAA.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg, who was on hand for the announcement, said he felt it’s a great team with the majority of the athletes named performing at their peak all season long.
“At one time during the season, they would have made or came close to the qualifying standards and their performances all year proved that they deserve to be here, so I’m
expecting great things from this team.”
Bowleg said based on the team, he’s looking for The Bahamas to earn at least 2-3 medals at the games, which will allow the country to once again win the Olympics per capita. As for the selection of Adderley to the team, Bowleg said he’s in full agreement because she was on the only team that qualified for the Olympics at the World Relays, so he’s pleased with the decision by the BOC that was best suited for the country. Maycock, who has worked diligently in preparing a number of throwers to replace Laverne Eve and Bradley Cooper at the Olympics, said all of the hard work is paying off.
“It’s a great feeling to be on the team,” Maycock said.
“We have a lot of superstars on this team. It’s just a matter of staying healthy and just progressing our athletes in the rounds and getting to the finals.”
Go Team Bahamas!
the MEAC Outdoor Championship record in the 400m (45.60) and became the first NSU
LACARTHEA COOPER, above, said she has no objection to Grand Bahamian Shania Adderley being named to the Olympic team, but felt she should be deprived of her opportunity to travel with Team Bahamas to Paris, France. The Bahamas Olympic Committee finally named a 20-member team to compete at the games from July 27 to August 11 and missing from the list was Cooper, who placed third in the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ National Championships last month at the original Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium.
SHANIA ADDERLEY
SOME of the participants preparing for their workout.
A widespread rally sends Wall Street to records, and the Dow leaps 740 points
By STAN CHOE AP Business Writer
U.S. stocks rallied to records, again, on Tuesday. What made this time more jubilant was how many companies joined the party.
The S&P 500 climbed 0.6% to set an all-time high for the 38th time this year. Unlike other record-setting days, Tuesday's came after a widespread rally where nearly nine out of every 10 stocks in the S&P 500 rose, instead of just the handful of influential Big Tech stocks that have been behind most of this year's returns.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average leaped 742 points, or 1.8%, to lead the market a day after setting its own record. The Nasdaq composite lagged with a gain of 0.2%, as the stars dimmed for some of the year's biggest winners.
UnitedHealth Group drove the market after reporting better profit for the spring than analysts expected, despite losses it
took due to a massive cyberattack. Its stock rose 6.5%, and the health care company reported growth in the number of people served at both its Optum and UnitedHealth businesses.
Bank of America rallied 5.3% after it likewise reported stronger profit for the latest quarter than forecast. It benefited from growth at its investment banking business.
They helped offset drops for a handful of massive Big Tech stocks, whose sizes
give their movements an outsized effect on indexes.
Nvidia, for example, was the heaviest single weight on the S&P 500 after falling 1.6%.
But that decline was just a minor pullback compared with how much the chip company's stock rocketed earlier amid Wall Street's frenzy around artificialintelligence technology.
Nvidia shares are still up 155.2% for the year so far.
Plus, some market watchers have been hoping for
A SIGN at the intersection of Broad Street and Wall Street is shown on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, in New York. Wall Street is logging tiny gains early as earnings season revs up ahead of the release of U.S. retail sales data that could influence a decision by the Federal Reserve on interest rates. Photo:Peter Morgan/AP
just such a broadening of the stock market's performance, because a market with many stocks rising is seen as healthier than one driven by just an elite few stocks.
Only 24% of companies in the S&P 500 had been beating the index so far this year, according to Solita Marcelli, chief investment officer, Americas, at UBS Global Wealth Management. That's down from last year's already low tally of 26%.
In another signal of more companies participating in the market's rally, stocks of smaller companies also outpaced their larger rivals after having lagged for a while.
The Russell 2000 index of smaller stocks jumped 3.5%, nearly six times the S&P 500's gain. It's coming off its best week since
November, as stocks from other beaten-down corners of the market also rally following signals that the U.S. economy remains solid and that easier interest rates may soon be on the way.
Several big winners from the day before, which benefited from heightened expectations for former President Donald Trump to retake the White House, gave back some of their immediate jumps following Trump's dodging of an assassination attempt over the weekend.
Trump Media & Technology Group fell 9.1%, a day after leaping 31.4%. Shares of the company behind Trump's Truth Social platform regularly swing by big percentages each day, up or down.
All told, the S&P 500 rose 35.98 points to 5,667.20. The Dow jumped 742.76 to
40,954.48, and the Nasdaq composite added 36.77 to 18,509.34.
In the bond market, some of the prior day's moves also reversed themselves. Longer-term yields sank more than shorter-term yields after a report showed sales at U.S. retailers held firm last month despite economists' expectations for a decline.
The yield on the 10-year Treasury dropped to 4.16% from 4.23% late Monday. It's fallen from 4.70% in April, which is a major move for the bond market and has given a solid boost to stock prices.
Yields have eased on rising expectations that inflation is slowing enough to convince the Federal Reserve to begin cutting interest rates soon. The Fed has been keeping its main interest rate at the highest level in more than two decades in hopes of slowing the economy just enough to get inflation fully under control.
Amazon Prime Day is a big event for scammers, experts warn
By WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS and HALELUYA HADERO AP Business Writers
AMAZON Prime Day is here, and experts are reminding consumers to be wary of scams.
Deceptions such as phony emails from people impersonating online retailers like Amazon are nothing new. But phishing attempts increase amid the heavy spending seen during significant sales events, whether it's Black Friday or Prime Day, according to the Better Business Bureau.
"This is a huge moment on the retail calendar," Josh Planos, vice president of communications and public relations at the Better Business Bureau, previously told The Associated Press.
"And because of that, it represents an enormous opportunity for a scammer, con artist or even just an unethical business or organization to capitalize on the moment and separate folks from their hard-earned money."
Prime Day, a two-day discount event for Amazon Prime members, kicks off on Tuesday and runs through Wednesday. In updated guidance published last week, the Better Business Bureau reminded consumers to watch out for lookalike websites, too-good-to-be-true social media ads, and unsolicited emails or calls during sales events this month.
Consumers might need to be more vigilant this year than ever before. In June, the Better Business Bureau published a report that said it received a record number of phishing reports in 2023. Reports are also trending up so far this year, the organization said.
Meanwhile, in a report released this month, the Israel-founded cybersecurity company Check Point Software Technologies said more than 1,230 new websites that associated themselves with Amazon popped up in June. The vast majority of them were malicious or appeared suspicious, according to Check Point.
Scott Knapp, director of worldwide buyer risk prevention at Amazon, identifies two areas that the company has seen hoaxes around come Prime Day in recent years: Prime membership and order confirmations.
Last year, for example, more than two-third of scams reported by Amazon customers claimed to be related to order or account issues, Knapp wrote in an emailed statement. People reported getting unsolicited calls or emails saying there was something wrong with their Prime membership and seeking bank account or other payment information to reinstate the accounts, Knapp explained. Urging consumers to confirm an order they didn't place is also a common tactic at this time of year, he added. Scammers might pick something expensive, like a smartphone, to get attention — and again ask for payment information or send a malicious link. They might also try to lure in consumers with promises of a giveaway, or by using
language that creates a false sense of urgency.
Amazon is attempting "to ensure scammers are not using our brand to take advantage of people who trust us," Knapp wrote, adding that customers can confirm their purchases and verify messages from the company on its app or website.
Additional scams are probably out there, but it's hard to know what form they might take before this year's Prime Day begins. Still, experts note that the same shopping scams tend to resurface year after year.
"Typically, the bones remain the same," Planos said, pointing to fake delivery scams, email phishing and other repeated methods. "It's always a ploy to separate consumers from
(their) personal and payment information."
But online hoaxes are also constantly evolving to become more sophisticated, Planos and others warn. That means images might look more legitimate, text messages may sound more convincing and fake websites that look very similar to real shopping destinations.
Amazon's Knapp has said that with artificial intelligence "starting to leak in," the scams targeting e-commerce shoppers follow the same approach but with a machine populating an email or text instead of a person.
According to data from the Federal Trade Commission, consumers reported losing about $10 billion to fraud in 2023, a 14% jump
from 2022. Online shopping scams were the second most-reported form of fraud, following impostor scams, the FTC said. Both the FTC and Better Business Bureau provide consumers with tips to avoid scams yearround. Guidance includes blocking unwanted messages, not giving financial information to unsolicited callers and checking links before clicking — secure websites, for example, will have "HTTPS" in the URL, Planos notes, never "HTTP."
Scammers will often pressure you to act immediately, experts say. It's important to pause and trust your gut. Experts also urge consumers to report scams to regulators.
By WAYNE PARRY Associated Press
NEW Jersey's casinos saw their sports betting revenue decline by nearly 24% in June, and sports betting revenue overall in the state declined by 9.5%, according to figures released Tuesday by state gambling regulators.
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement reported that the nine casinos collectively saw their sports betting revenue decline by 23.9% in June compared with a year earlier. When the three horse tracks that take sports bets are included, the overall decline in such revenue for the state was 9.5%.
Total gambling revenue in the state, including internet gambling and money won from in-person gamblers, was $491 million, up 7.4%.
Since then, New Jersey has been among the nationwide leaders in sports betting revenue.
But in June, according to the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, sports betting generated
New Jersey was the state whose court challenge to a federal ban on sports betting in most of the country resulted in a 2018 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court clearing the way for any state that wants it to offer legal sports betting.
$27.1 million in revenue for the casinos after winning bets and other expenses were paid out. With horse tracks included, the total revenue figure was $60 million.
"At first glance, a decline of nearly 24% in sports betting revenue for Atlantic City's casino operators is a bit surprising given recent positive performance from that sector," said Jane Bokunewicz, director of the Lloyd Levenson Institute at Stockton University, which studies the Atlantic City gambling market.
But she noted that not all the casinos or racetracks saw declines, adding that the total amount wagered during the month was actually a bit higher than average for June.
"It seems likely that the decline in sports betting revenue this June is a function of odds set by the oddsmakers, the bets made by the public, and the outcomes of live events," she said. "At the end of the day there will always be some variability by nature in gambling activity."
Mark Giannantonio, president of Resorts Casino and of the Casino Association of New Jersey, was among industry officials attributing the decline in sports betting revenue to "mainly poor luck" in June.
Resorts Digital, his casino's online arm affiliated with the DraftKings sportsbook, was down 43.3% in June, to $14.3 million in sports betting revenue. The physical Resorts casino saw its sports betting revenue decline by 34% to just over $99,000.
The Ocean Casino swung from $82,000 in sports betting revenue last June to a loss of $18,725 this June. And Monmouth Park Racetrack, near the Jersey Shore in Oceanport, saw a 37% decline in sports betting, to $904,000.
Other casinos saw better-than-expected sports betting revenue in June, including Bally's, which took in almost $1.9 million, up from $351,000 a year earlier, an increase of over 440%. Hard Rock nearly doubled its sports betting revenue in June, to $4.6 million.
In terms of overall gambling revenue, Borgata won $110 million, up 5.7%; Golden Nugget
NOTICE is hereby given that MAGDALENE ENUSTA WRIGHTWHITE of Highbury Park, Nassau The Bahamas 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 17th day of July, 2024 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
Box EE15015 Prince Charles Drive, Nassau, The Bahamas 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 17th day of July, 2024 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
AN AMAZON Prime cardboard shipping box label is seen on March 17, 2023, in East Derry, N.H. Amazon Prime Day is here. And experts are reminding consumers to be wary of scams.
Photo:Charles Krupa/AP
Walmart retools its young adult clothing line in pursuit of fashion credibility
By ANNE D'INNOCENZIO AP Retail Writer
WALMART has spent three years overhauling its mix of adult apparel to make it stylish as well as sensible for middle America. Now, the nation's largest retailer is seizing the back-to-school shopping season to take another shot at fashion respectability.
The company plans to relaunch its 30-year-old brand for teenagers and young adults on Tuesday with a new 130-piece fall collection aimed at Generation Z. The retooling of the No Boundaries label is part of a strategy to get customers to think of Walmart as a place to buy cool clothes along with groceries.
The new collection includes of-the-moment styles like baggy jeans, cropped T-shirts, faux leather corsets and bomber jackets. Most items cost $15 or less. Some pieces are made from recycled fabrics to appeal to a generation that values sustainability. The size range was expanded to run from XXS to 5X to be more inclusive.
The Bentonville, Arkansas-based company is marketing the revamped No Boundaries on TikTok, YouTube, Pinterest and the online gaming site Roblox. It plans to test new prototypes in stores located in major college towns.
The intended audience is noticing.
"It's basic, but cute,"
Za'Kryra Davis, 16, said while looking at the camouflage pants and denim rompers at a Walmart store
in Secaucus, New Jersey, where the new No Boundaries was getting rolled out last week.
Davis, who shops at chains like Rue21 and Forever 21 and gets inspired by trends popping up on social media, said she's been more open to buying clothes at Walmart in the past few months because she says they look more modern. Walmart previously relied on a variety of suppliers with separate design teams to build the No Boundaries line, which focused largely on everyday basics like T-shirts and denim. The company hired a dedicated design team to create the relaunch collection, a sign of the brand's importance to Walmart's broader fashion strategy. Still, winning over customers born between 1997 and 2012 will be challenging
given Walmart's heavy competition. The generation of digital natives is known to be price conscious and willing to shop around, frequenting everything from second-hand shops and ultra-fast-fashion online retailer Shein to discounters like Target, and mall-based stores like American Eagle Outfitters.
Olivia Meyer, 22, who lives in Riverview, Florida, gets inspired by trends on the internet and makes most of her fashion purchases online, typically from Amazon, to ensure quick delivery. She approved of the cargo pants and strappy tops she saw while checking out the fall No Boundaries collection on Walmart's website.
"I'm not loyal to one place," Meyer said. But she added, "I think Walmart
has a shot at targeting Gen Z and getting our dollars."
While Gen Z spends the least amount on fashion of any demographic cohort except the so-called Silent Generation, retailers are eager to court young consumers because they represent the future, said Neil Saunders, managing director of research firm GlobalData.
"If you don't capture them today, you run the risk of them going to a rival," he said. "Traditionally, Walmart has not been appealing to this kind of younger demographic, which is why it's trying to change."
Walmart said No Boundaries generates annual sales of $2 billion, but Saunders thinks the numbers have been stagnant for a few years. He said the retailer needs to overcome the
IN A MEDIA WORLD THAT LOVES SHARP LINES, DISCUSSIONS OF THE TRUMP SHOOTING FOLLOW
By DAVID BAUDER AP Media Writer
THERE aren't a lot of facts. There are, however, an avalanche of conclusions. So it goes in many corners of the news media and among its frequent commentators in the aftermath of the assassination attempt on Donald Trump.
Authorities haven't established why a 20-yearold Pennsylvania man attempted to assassinate the former president — and, now that the gunman is dead, may never know. That hasn't stopped media figures and politicians from robust speculation. President Joe Biden, Democrats and left-leaning media have all been blamed, with no proof. Then there's the ever-popular, amorphous, definition-in-the-eye-of-thebeholder target — "they."
"They tried to incarcerate him, now they tried to assassinate him," said Jacob Chaffetz, a Fox News contributor.
Taken together, it's a reflection of what breaking-news coverage in a modern media world was built for — drawing sharp
lines, leaning into epic stories, leaving little room for middle ground or sometimes even the truth. Various assertions of varying credibility
Some of the assertions have been specific. "The Republican district attorney in Butler County, Pa., should immediately file charges against Joseph R. Biden for inciting an assassination," U.S. Rep. Mike Collins of Georgia wrote on social media. "The Democrats and the media are to blame for every drop of blood," said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green.
"The central premise of the Biden campaign is that President Donald Trump is an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs," Ohio Sen. JD Vance posted, two days before being selected as Trump's running mate. "That rhetoric led directly to President Trump's attempted assassination."
Talk show host Erick Erickson blamed MSNBC. "These people have wanted Donald Trump assassinated," he said on his radio show. "You can't tell me they haven't." Charlie Kirk,
INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL
The Public is hereby advised that I, TREVOR LOVISE EDGECOMBE of Charles Saunders Highway, Bitter Root Street, Nassau, Bahamas, intend to change my child’s name to TREVOR LOVISE THOMPSON If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Deputy Chief Passport Officer, P.O. Box N-742, Nassau, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.
19009, Bougainvillea Boulevard, Nassau, The Bahamas 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
A PREDICTABLE PATH
founder of Turning Point USA, said that "the Democrats have been inviting this for quite some time."
Many news organizations have reported clues surrounding attempted assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks — party registration, political donations, lawn signs at his home — but refrained from drawing conclusions.
For many politicians and opinionated media figures, there's little incentive for restraint, said Nicole Hemmer, a political historian at Vanderbilt University and author of "Messengers of the Right: Conservative Media and the Transformation of American Politics."
"Because there is so much competition in the world of right-wing radio and podcasts, the pressure to be the loudest and most overthe-top and angriest voice is even higher than it was
in an earlier era," Hemmer said.
They're serving a specific audience, and "they don't believe there will be forgiveness among that target audience if they don't superserve them," said Michael Harrison, publisher of Talkers, a trade publication for political talk shows.
Blaming Democrats, Hemmer said, also blunts that party's line of attack against Trump in the current presidential campaign — accusing the Republican of inciting political violence in the past, like before the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection.
Biden's 'bullseye' comment
Following the assassination attempt, Biden has called for greater unity and for cooling down political rhetoric. But the president was left vulnerable following his debate with Trump, when he told donors that it was "time to put Trump in
NOTICE
A WALMART’s staff member works on a display of the No Boundaries collection at a store in Secaucus, New Jersey, Thursday, July 11, 2024. The Bentonville, Arkansas-based retailer has revamped its 30-year-old mainstay store brand for young adults called No Boundaries, which generates annual sales of $2 billion.
perception that its fashion aspirations end at floral prints, pull-on pants and other styles more typically worn by older adults.
Walmart signaled just how much it wants to get taken seriously as a fashion destination three years ago when it hired Brandon Maxwell, an American designer who has dressed celebrities such as Lady Gaga, as the creative director for its "elevated" fashion brands, Free Assembly and Scoop.
In February, the company hosted social media influencers who focus on trendy but affordable style at a fashion show that featured Maxwell's designer collection, which is sold at high-end Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus.
"It's always about the women in my life who define what I do, and it's no different at Walmart," said Maxwell, who mingled with the Walmart guests during a luncheon after the show.
To boost its legitimacy as a one-stop shop for fashionistas, Walmart has added store mannequins and colorful displays of its clothing. Under the stewardship of Denise Incandela, executive vice president of apparel and private-label brands, the company has featured more than 1,000 brands and partnered with celebrities like Sofia Vergara.
Incandela said at a recent industry conference in New York that Walmart's scale — it operates more than 4,600 stores in the U.S. — can help drive quality and low prices. But the big growth opportunity in clothing is with the Gen Z customer who "cares about style," she said.
"We have created a brand that is more modern, has better quality, has silhouettes that are more relevant to the Gen Z customer," Incandela said. "We're improving the shopping experience, but we have to change that perception."
At the Walmart in Secaucus, Elizabeth Fernandez, 58, and her daughter, Destiny Fernandez, 38, said they found the women's clothing more appealing than in the past. They were also drawn to the overhauled No Boundaries line. Their shopping cart brimmed with pants, shorts, tops and skirts drawn from throughout the store.
Citing the cropped puffer jackets and different denim washes on the racks, Destiny Fernandez judged Walmart to be on the mark in the way it had recycled and refreshed earlier trends.
"It's all stuff that is coming back," she said. "So I am going to take a look."
a bullseye" for untrue statements onstage. The choice of phrase sounds damning in retrospect, and Biden told NBC's Lester Holt on Monday that saying it was a mistake.
Speculative rhetoric in the wake of tragedy is neither new nor one-sided. Right-wing media and political figures were quick to be excoriated following the
NOTICE is hereby given that AMAR TAFFEL PEARSON of P.O. Box N-1566, Victoria Avenue, Nassau, The Bahamas 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 17th day of July, 2024 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
York Times apologized and was later sued for libel for falsely tying to the Giffords shooting a map put out by former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin that put Democratic-controlled congressional districts in electoral crosshairs.
Photo:Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/AP
2011 shooting of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona. The New
U.S. Secret Service agents watch as an image of Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is shown on a screen at a campaign rally at Trump National Doral Miami, Tuesday, July 9, 2024, in Doral, Fla.
Photo:Rebecca Blackwell/AP
Troubled Eleuthera water plant is ‘challenged’ again
FROM PAGE A24
working on the plant at Naval Bade. We were able to get up to half production so far, which will allow some areas to receive low pressure. Work is ongoing to get back to full capacity.”
With water supply still off in areas such as North Palmetto Point at 4.30pm yesterday, and other customers suffering from low water pressure, Mr Anderson wrote at 4.43pm: “At present we are diligently continuing our efforts to
restore the reverse osmosis plant to full capacity. “Also, being aware of our customers’ needs, we have been authorised to deliver via tanker truck to our customers with holding tanks. We will also set up a tanker truck at the Governor’s Harbour office for individuals to fill personal containers as of tomorrow [today] July 17.” This prompted cries of “what’s broken”, “day two” and “make it make sense”. Mr Anderson reiterated that “there is an issue that we are working on at
present”, which prompted Kelly Lash to reply: “Karl, not meaning to be a pain, but we all need a bit more than an issue. Is it major? Pumps? Electronic? Estimated time to repair etc...
“From past track record we’re all scared that it will be days again. Thanks for your efforts but transparency is what we need. Thanks in advance.” Eleuthera’s water woes also appeared to be spreading yesterday beyond the island’s central area.
The Water & Sewerage Corporation, in an “urgent
notice” to North Eleuthera, warned Harbour Island and Oleander Gardens customers that their water supply would be interrupted from 10pm yesterday to 5am this morning due to “mechanical challenges at the reverse osmosis plant”.
Briland residents had earlier complained about loss of water supply, leading the Water & Sewerage Corporation to post: “We experienced some challenges this morning. Issues have been corrected. Holding tank in Harbour Island is in process of gaining
‘Strong footing’: Aliv in $90m refinancing
that most, if not all, Series 1 preference share investors will elect to roll-over their investment into Series II at the October 15, 2024, redemption date.
Michael Anderson, president of RF Bank & Trust, which is serving as financial adviser and placement agent to the refinancing, confirmed to Tribune Business that $56m-$57m is the sum that is being rolled over with Aliv also seeking to raise some $23m-$24m to take the total to $90m.
“We’re confident in our ability to raise the full $90m,” he said.
storage. Servicemen are working to restore water to customers in the shortest time possible.”
The renewed water supply problems are only adding to the frustration and mounting anger among Eleuthera residents over the frequent Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) outages on the island, coupled with grid instability and voltage fluctuations that have seen the loss of critical electrical appliances.
One, Tasha, summed it up thus: “No light, no water, no Internet.” Another,
Annette Young, posting in Eleuthera’s What’s App BPL “hotline”, simply added: “It’s outrageous.” As power outages began to occur after 10pm last night, residents responded with howls of pain such as “not tonight”, “Lord not tonight”, “oh boy, it begins”, “we ain’t on that run tonight buddy”, and “water done off. We can’t take the heat”.
interest calculations and repayment schedules”.
Mr Butler, meanwhile, said the preference share refinancing is part of the $55m Aliv refinancing package agreed with the mobile operator’s other shareholder - the Government - last October. Asked whether the two shareholders have sealed their agreement, he replied: “Just about. Not quite 100 percent there, but we’re well on our way.” The refinancing terms, which were revealed in the footnotes to Cable Bahamas’ 2023 annual report, commit the BISX-listed operator and the Government to inject up to a combined $55.129m into Aliv. Their contributions will be equivalent to their current shareholdings in the mobile operator, meaning that the Government - as owner of a 51.75 percent stake - will provide the majority.
DEVELOPER IN ‘DRIVER’S SEAT’ FOLLOWING VERDICT
NOTICE
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 137 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, 2000, notice is hereby given that EMERGING INCOME FUND LTD. has been dissolved and struck off the Register of Companies as of 25th June, 2024.
ANTHONY L. M. INDER RIEDEN Liquidator
N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:
(a) RAHIM INVESTMENTS LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.
Its financing will be provided via HoldingCo, which holds the Government’s majority interest. Cable Bahamas owns the remaining 48.25 percent, but has Board and management control, and the Aliv refinancing also alters the interest rate, associated calculations and repayment schedules on the BISXlisted provider’s roughly $70m “shareholder loan” to the mobile operator.
“Importantly, the court accepted New Providence Development Company’s argument that the development restrictions central to this case prohibited the construction of a relatively large, dense shopping plaza on the site of One West Plaza.
“New Providence Development Company is, however, considering appealing certain aspects of the ruling, including the finding that the restriction was personal to Windsor Field Development (the previous owner) and did not run with the land.”
Mr Gomez, meanwhile, said he and his client were “quite happy” with a verdict they believes favours them and ensures - at least for the moment - that One West, located on Windsor Field Road in western New Providence just east of New Providence Development Company’s Old Fort Bay Town Centre, can continue to expand.
While Aliv will enjoy a more robust balance sheet, reduced debt and lower associated interest costs, Cable Bahamas’ cash flow should also benefit as the mobile operator starts to pay the “accrued interest” on that shareholder loan.
The refinancing deal, which was executed on October 31, 2023, also reduces the fees paid by Aliv to its controlling shareholder for use of the latter’s facilities including towers and data centres. This, in turn, will cut the mobile operator’s operating expenses.
“On October 31, 2023, the company [Cable Bahamas] executed a deed of
“We were principally defending and we won,” Mr Gomez said. “They [Windsor Place] are now in the driver’s seat so to speak. We won more than we lost. They’ve gone further. They’ve all but doubled the size of it.
“It was a fairly significant case commercially. In terms of that area of New Providence, New Providence Development Company has been very aggressive against other private developers who they believe might ignore their commercial interests.”
This was alluded to by Sir Ian in yesterday’s verdict where he wrote that New Providence Development Company has sought to control development in western New Providence through a variety of means including ‘economic clout’, which he described as “threatening to refuse to sell additional land to developers”.
Noting that the company, whose principal is Terry White, acquired 5,500 acres that it has used to develop
contribution whereby the company and HoldingCo in their capacity as shareholders of Aliv collectively agreed to contribute additional capital into Aliv and restructure its existing debt obligations to optimise its capital structure and enhance financial flexibility,” Cable Bahamas told shareholders in its annual report.
Detailing what it described as “key details”, it added: “The shareholders have committed to contribute up to $55.129m in additional capital pari passu (equal) to their current shareholdings”. This was to be accompanied by altered “terms and conditions” relating to Cable Bahamas’ shareholder loan, including “changes in interest rates,
communities such as Old Fort Bay, South Ocean and Mount Pleasant Village, as well as “seeding” subdivisions such as Charlotteville, the Chief Justice said it had in some cases imposed restrictive covenants to control the type of development that takes place and protect its interest in surrounding lands.
“New Providence Development Company has planned the redevelopment of its land with some degree of care in an effort to ensure that there is a coherent and overarching plan for the area its developments are in,” Sir Ian wrote.
“Where land has been sold by New Providence Development Company to third parties, New Providence Development Company has tried to exert control over the use of the land for the protection or benefit of its retained land. That control extends from restricting uses to regulating the appearance and maintenance of new developments.
Finally, the master services agreement (MSA) governing the relationship between Cable Bahamas and Aliv has also undergone changes. “Aliv purchases services from the company in the normal course of business including, but not limited to, the use of the company’s towers, transmission networks, services and data centres pursuant to the MSA.” This “outlines all terms and conditions, including cost and pricing requirements. Amendments to certain MSA fees have been agreed and will result in a reduction in ongoing operating expenses for Aliv. Certain fee schedules will be retroactively affected by the rate changes”.
“New Providence Development Company has enforced the restrictions it has imposed either through its agreements with the developers or through the conveyances to the developers. Another means by which New Providence Development Company has exercised control is through its ‘economic clout’ - eg, threatening to refuse to sell additional land to developers.”
Sir Ian, though, said New Providence Development Company had “failed to establish that the control it has exerted has been ‘strict’, as it claimed it was”. He pointed to the Airport Industrial Park as an example, noting that it “has developed to include a significant number of purely commercial uses” with business tenants including Deltec Fund Services. Jones Photography, Young’s Fine Wine, and Jimmy’s Wines & Spirits.
(b) The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 16th July, 2024 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.
(c) The Liquidator of the said company is Leeward Nominees Limited, of Vistra Corporate Services Centre, Wickhams Cay II, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
Dated this 17th day of July, A. D. 2024
Leeward Nominees Limited Liquidator NOTICE RAHIM INVESTMENT LIMITED
NOTICE GREEN MAPLE LIMITED
N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:
(a) GREEN MAPLE LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.
(b) The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 16th July, 2024 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.
(c) The Liquidator of the said company is Bukit Merah Limited, The Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, P.O. Box N-3023, Nassau, Bahamas
Dated this 17th day of July, A. D. 2024 Bukit Merah Limited Liquidator
NOTICE RC LIMITED
N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:
(a) RC LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.
(b) The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 9th July, 2024 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.
(c) The Liquidator of the said company is Bukit Merah Limited, The Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, P.O. Box N-3023, Nassau, Bahamas
Dated this 17th day of July, A. D. 2024 Bukit Merah Limited Liquidator
NOTICE
SUNSHINE SUNSHINEYIN TWO LTD.
N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:
(a) SUNSHINE SUNSHINEYIN TWO LTD. is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.
(b) The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 16th July, 2024 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.
International Business Companies Act (No.45 of 2000) N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:
(c) The Liquidator of the said company is Leeward Nominees Limited, of Vistra Corporate Services Centre, Wickhams Cay II, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
Dated this 17th day of July, A. D. 2024
Leeward Nominees Limited Liquidator
(a) MILTON HOLDINGS IMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.
(b) The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 16th July, 2024 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.
(c) The Liquidator of the said company is Leeward Nominees Limited, of Vistra Corporate Services Centre, Wickhams Cay II, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
Dated this 17th day of July, A. D. 2024 Leeward Nominees Limited Liquidator NOTICE MILTON HOLDINGS LIMITED
Retail/office park cleared over land use violations
Charlotteville subdivision on its western boundary, while the “light commercial industrial use” needed to be similar to the Airport Industrial Park to the east.
Then, in 2017, Windsor Field Development sold 4.75 acres of the land it had acquired from New Providence Development Company to Leon Blaiweiss for a net $1.7m price. The judgment named Mr Blaiweiss as Windsor Place’s principal shareholder, and disclosed that his attorney in the transaction was former prime minister, Hubert Ingraham.
The verdict also revealed that Windsor Place’s acquisition occurred despite it not possessing an International Persons Landholding Act, which was required due to the non-Bahamian ownership. It instead “obtained a validating permit” from the then-Minnis administration’s Investments Board on March 14, 2018, around one month after construction work on One West Business Park appears to have started.
Setting out the background to the dispute, Sir Ian said the One West Business Park site was originally part of a 9.7-acre parcel acquired by Windsor Field Development from New Providence Development Company in February 2005. This was part of a “joint transaction” involving the purchase of an
adjoining 24.44 acre site that became the Turnberry residential subdivision.
Both sides agreed that the conveyances bound the purchaser, and their “successors in title”, to observe the residential and “light industrial commercial use” development restrictions. However, in 2010, Windsor Field Development sold two 2.41 acre plots, part of the original 9.7 acres, to Benaly Holdings and Mobro, which were separate corporate vehicles beneficially owned by Mr Myers and Mr Mosko, respectively.
The duo, in December 2016, entered into a joint venture agreement with New Providence Development Company to develop their respective 2.41-acre parcels plus a 4.82-acre tract on the southern side of Windsor Field Road. This was to become the Windsor Professional Centre, “a light commercial industrial subdivision with some limited office space” adjacent to the One World Business Park site.
Then, on September 27, 2017, Windsor Field Development agreed to sell 4.75 acres - virtually all that was left of the original 9.7-acre site - to Mr Blaiweiss. Mr Wells acted for the seller, and the sales agreement covenants again restricted the site’s development to either residential or “light commercial industrial use”.
“In November 2017, Mr Ingraham contacted the
majority shareholder of New Providence Development Company, H. Hunter ‘Terry’ White III, to advise that his clients were planning to build on the site (in White’s words ‘the land next to the Windsor Professional Centre’) but they were concerned about the restrictions applicable to the land,” Sir Ian wrote.
“White invited Mr Ingraham to provide him with details of the proposed development but Mr Ingraham did not do so.... Neither Windsor Field Development nor Windsor Place submitted the 2017 conveyance to New Providence Development Company for its approval either before or after the execution of the 2017 conveyance.’
Windsor Place began construction work on the One West Business Park in February 2018 - one month before obtaining its International Persons Landholding Act permit. The property was marketed via the Internet and The Tribune “as a commercial development with retail and office space available for purchase or lease”.
The first phase was described as featuring 12 units, spread over two levels, of either 2,000 square feet or 3,000 square feet in size. Sir Ian described One West Business Park as a “mixed-use retail, office, restaurant and leisure commercial development” that competes with the nearby
Old Fort Bay Town Centre built by New Providence Development Company.
The latter, anchored by Solomon’s Fresh Market, has 20-plus stores, restaurants, 30,000 square feet of office space and seven oneacre building ‘pads’. Sir Ian noted that “not much time elapsed” following One West Business Park’s construction start before New Providence Development Company sought confirmation that the project would not violate the restrictions on what development could occur.
A meeting between Mr Ingraham and New Providence Development Company’s attorney “was ineffectual, as work did not stop”, even though Windsor Place and Mr Blaiweiss only became the legal owner of the property on March 14, 2018, when the International Persons Landholding Act permit was issued. That same day, the 2004 agreement with Windsor Field was lodged at the Registry of Records.
Mr Ingraham, in a March 19, 2018, letter argued that his client’s proposed development “fell within the parameters” of the Airport Industrial Park covenants and did not violate the development restrictions. This led New Providence Development Company to initiate legal action one month later on April 25, 2018.
Sir Ian, in his verdict, found that One West
MINISTER ‘ASSURED’ NHI PAYMENT DELAY SORTED
said in a note obtained by Tribune Business. “NHI fully intended to process lab payments today but, due to unforeseen circumstances, we were unable to do so.
“NHI is currently experiencing delays in receipt of regularised funding post the new fiscal year, which began July 1, 2024. We have been in direct dialogue with the Government to confirm the timing on the subvention funding for the new fiscal year and anticipate receipt within the current week.
“Once received we will be sure to promptly execute your respective payments due to you. Please be minded that we are actively working on the regulation of these payments for the smooth and timely payments of the Authority’s ongoing obligations to each of you.”
Dr Darville, confirming the document was genuine, told this newspaper that there are often “some hiccups” that occur early in a new fiscal year when it comes to the timely release of funding by the Public Treasury.
“I did read the correspondence that was sent out to the laboratory providers,” he confirmed. “We did receive the first tranche of the subvention. We went out and tried to pay all the primary health care providers (doctors). The second tranche is due this week, and that will begin to clear up some of the bills we have with the laboratory providers and other outstanding bills.
“The funding is coming in. The first portion came in, and we another this week, and then one more the next week and the following week. It would be good if we could get it one time, but it’s all tied in with the way disbursements are done by the Treasury.
“NHI sent out a circular to our vendors that it will be sorted out because funding is expected, if not tomorrow, no later than Friday. It’s not coming all at one time; it’s in pieces. It’s caused a bit of a delay, but they can rest assured they will be paid and hopefully before the end of this week. We’ve done our part with the releasing of the funds from the Treasury. That’s where it’s at.”
Christy Butler, NHI’s managing director and chief executive, could not be reached for comment before press time yesterday despite phone calls being made and messages left. This is not the first time NHI has been late in paying providers because Tribune Business reported in November 2023 how doctors and others had to wait to be compensated for services rendered during their October pay period.
Dr Darville, though, yesterday said that after making inquiries he has been “assured funding will be made available to fund the debts of NHI this week, so a lot of the obligations and bills will be sorted out”.
“We don’t want to frustrate our doctors and laboratories and so forth,” he added. “If there’s a delay we must let them know so they can prepare themselves in advance, but funding will be at NHI this week; by Friday at the latest,” Dr Darville reiterated. “It is the laboratories and a couple of other outstanding bills. We have started the payment process. There will be another tranche this week, and two tranches after that.”
One source, speaking on condition of anonymity about the impact the delayed payments are having on laboratory providers, said: “Obviously they haven’t gotten any funds so they cannot pay anybody. It doesn’t do any good for any of them.”
Dr Duane Sands, the FNM chairman and a former health minister, questioned the return on investment that the Bahamian public is getting from NHI while acknowledging
he was unaware of the latest payment delays.
“It would be very interesting to know what the arrears are at NHI, what the accounts payables are, what the turn around is for payments and what the plan is for stemming the haemorrhage,” he told Tribune Business. “I do understand they are over-budget. How much they are over-budget, I don’t know, and how they intend to deal with it, I don’t know.
“They’ve been trying to put the brakes on the amount of new patients and slow down their commitments on expenditure. I don’t think they’ve managed to put the brakes on that. We’ll see. They have not done a very good job of controlling their mission.
“They’ve had a fair bit of mission creep in expenditure for labs and services in some practices. Whether the NHI mission is being met to the level of expectation it would be interesting to know. What is the return on the Bahamian people’s investment? That’s a very important question,” he added.
“That is different from a number of state-owned enterprises. The expectation
Business Park had clearly breached the restrictive covenants in the 2004 transaction with Windsor Field Development which limited the types of development that could take place on that site. The key, though, was whether they still applied.
“The evidence established that the One West Business Park is a relatively large, dense shopping plaza with office space consisting of two blocks of two-storey units,” the Chief Justice wrote. “Blaiweiss also admitted in cross-examination that Windsor Place has or is putting ‘residential and offices on the second floor’ of the units, though this was not pleaded by New Providence Development Company.
“The One West Business Park is, in my view, plainly not what clause 19(2) envisaged. I therefore conclude with little hesitation that the development of the site has breached clause 19 (2) on the assumption that it is applicable.” He found that this clause, containing the restrictive covenants, which was included in the 2004 sale to Windsor Field Development did not apply.
Gail Lockhart-Charles KC, attorney for New Providence Development Company, argued that Windsor Field Development had breached its responsibilities by failing to ensure the site was used for either residential or light commercial industrial use. However, Sir Ian found this “fails”.
pay period,” wrote Gabrielle Bastian, NHI’s primary care provider and strategy manager.
was that NHI would drastically reduce the challenges with the clinics and the hospitals, improve the outcomes for hypertension and diabetes and improve prenatal care. In the face of expenditures that appear to be higher than anticipated, are we getting value for money or not? It would be interesting to know.”
As at end-March 2024, Bahamian taxpayers had provided $32.272m worth of subsidies or almost 70 percent of the 2023-2024 fiscal year’s $46.2m NHI allocation within the first nine months.
E-mails and documents seen by Tribune Business last year showed NHI providers were first alerted on October 13, 2023, that the month’s payment, due on the 15th, would be delayed.
“Please be informed that unforeseen circumstances have led to a delay in the processing of capitation and laboratory payments for this month’s October 15th
“Therefore, it is anticipated that funds will not be disbursed as scheduled. An update will be provided by end of business on Monday, October 16. Thank you for your patience and understanding. We apologise for this payment delay and for any inconvenience it may cause. We greatly value your hard work and efforts on behalf of the Authority.”
This was followed by an October 16 e-mail from Ms Basden in which she said NHI was “working diligently to complete the payments to providers”. A further follow-up, dated October 19, promised that 60 percent of what was due would be paid the following day.
“As we continue to work towards a resolution, the Authority will release 60 percent of payments to all providers tomorrow, Friday, October 20,” Ms Bastian said.
“We recognise the inconvenience that the delay and partial payment have caused, and we are working assiduously to release
He added that the two sides “did not contemplate that Windsor Field Development would not develop the land and would instead sell separate parts of the 9.7 acres to distinct developers”. As a result, the sale to Windsor Place and subsequent development were not covered by the 2004 agreement, and this meant New Providence Development Company did not have to approve, or be informed of, the later 2017 sale. “I am not persuaded that it would be correct to read clause 19 (2) as expansively as New Providence Development Company now urges me to,” Sir Ian said, adding that it must have “accepted and placed no or little weight upon the risk” that the property would not be developed as expected.
The Chief Justice also agreed with Leif Farquharson KC, attorney for Windsor Field Development, that the restrictive covenants “did not run with the land and bind the 9.7 acres” as it was a personal clause that defined the obligations between itself and New Providence Development Company. As a result, these obligations did not pass to or bind Windsor Place, meaning its development of a retail, office and restaurant complex was not in breach of the restrictive covenants
the remaining 40 percent to complete the payments for this pay period.”
The outstanding balance was paid on November 2, some 18 days late. “Today, the remaining 40 percent payment for the October pay period was released. The NHI Authority sincerely apologises for the recent delays in payment; we take our commitment to providing payments as scheduled very seriously,” Mrs Butler wrote.
“Despite overwhelming public support, enrollment growth and dedicated efforts, the NHI resources have remained finite within this fiscal period. However, our resources will continue to be managed effectively and efficiently.
“With the increasing interest among providers and beneficiaries, the ongoing implementation of public health management interventions is imperative to achieve the goals and mission of NHI and further support the programme.”
GOLDWYNN EMPLOYEES VOICE PARKING CONCERNS
By FAY SIMMONS
GOLDWYNN Resi-
dences staff yesterday said they have been instructed to park off-site or risk being towed. Parking issues at the Goodman’s Bay development have resurfaced as employees allege they have now been prohibited from parking on-site and warned that, beginning today, their
vehicles will be towed if parked on the premises.
Speaking to Tribune Business under condition of anonymity, one employee said they were instructed to park their vehicle in the parking lot of the Office of the Prime Minister or Goodman’s Bay public park going forward. “No staff is allowed to park on any of the premises now; they have allotted spots for the managers,” they said. “We had a parking spot and now, all of a sudden, we can’t park there.
DREDGING, which
in
The cars are going to get towed. Now they’re saying they will tow the vehicles starting tomorrow, so we have to park in the Prime Minister’s Office or Goodman’s Bay.”
They revealed that security officers had previously towed employees’ vehicles off the premises but staff argued they would not come in if they were not provided “adequate parking”.
“They started towing vehicles the other day, but persons said no, we’re not
standing for it, either provide adequate parking or we’re not coming to work,” the employee added.
They said both alternatives presented are ill-suited as they are not employees of the Office of the Prime Minister and risk their vehicles being stolen or vandalised while parked at Goodman’s Bay.
“Our cars are going to be towed by the Prime Minister’s Office also. That’s not our spot; we are not their employees. We used to park at Goodman’s Bay, but
when we park there sometimes your bumper and everything was off when you came back,” said the employee.
The lack of parking spaces for customers and staff was one of the major arguments against Goldwynn’s $100m, 14-storey penthouse project Goodman’s Bay project during its Town Planning Committee appeal launched by nearby residents.
Goldwynn was successful in obtaining approval for the penthouse project,
which is set to provide 300 jobs during the construction phase. The developer has confirmed to Tribune Business that they are in the process of securing off-site parking which will be used by both construction workers and staff. Attempts were made to reach Donald Adam, the property’s chief operating officer, but there was no response up to press time.
MR Basden said GB Shipyard is particularly thankful
GB Shipyard removes pipeline as $600m expansion dredging ends
GRAND Bahama Shipyard says the completion of dredging has allowed it to remove the temporary pipeline crossing Fishing Hole Road as it moves into the next phase of its $600m expansion.
The dredging, which began in January, was hailed as successful by Marvin Basden, the Shipyard’s vicepresident of environment, quality, facility maintenance and infrastructure development. He added that the expansion project is on track to complete facility preparations next year.
“The removal of the temporary pipeline marks the achievement of a major milestone in our transformation project,”said Mr Basden. “It was critical to the project for us to increase the water depth at GB Shipyard where the two new floating docks will be installed.
“Removal of this pipeline signifies the successful completion of this major component of work. We now have the depth of water needed to safely operate the new dry-dock in Grand Bahama. The remainder of our work will now be
focused primarily within the Shipyard. We’ll be focused on construction of the new pier, moorings to secure the new docks and other facility improvements.”
GB Shipyard’s expansion includes the construction and delivery of two new world-class floating docks that will increase the number of cruise vessels and other ships it can accommodate. The floating docks will enable it to service much of the world’s commercial shipping fleet.
Despite plans to have the temporary pipeline removed eight weeks after
installation in January, Mr Basden said teams worked tirelessly to ensure the project continued safely and successfully. “The dredging campaign was very successful,” he added. “The pipeline was installed crossing Grand Bahamian Way or what’s commonly known as the Fishing Hole Road.
“We were particularly sensitive to this issue because this road is the primary access between Freeport and West Grand Bahama. This was a technically challenging project but all our service providers and their dedicated staff were very professional and very proficient.
“The many months of careful planning and preparation resulted in a very positive outcome. While the dredging was delayed later in the project than originally planned, we were able to shuffle the schedule to avoid impact to the overall project completion. We’re on track to finish up facility preparations late next year.”
Mr Basden continued:
“The pipeline was part of the dredging contract with Jan De Nul, an international offshore, marine, civil, environment and project developer. However, we did have several local contractors supporting them: Bahamas Hot Mix, Executive Marine, Syngad Services and Bahama Industrial Technologies.
“We are extremely grateful for the incredible co-operation and support from authorities such as GBPA and Ministry of Works, and our industry partners - Freeport Harbour Company, GB Power, GB Utility and Bahama Rock and the Royal Bahamas Police Force. Most of all we would like extend our heartfelt thanks to the entire Grand Bahama Community for their patience, trust and support of the Grand Bahama Shipyard.”
to the community for its
Photo:GBSY/Barefoot Marketing
PICTURED is an aerial map of the Grand Bahama Highway showing the work recently completed to prepare for GB Shipyard’s incoming dry docks.
Photo:GBSY/Barefoot Marketing
THE PIPELINE was installed crossing Grand Bahamian Way or what is known as the Fishing Hole Road.
Photo:GBSY/Barefoot Marketing
began
January, was deemed successful by GB Shipyard executives. “The removal of the temporary pipeline marks the achievement of a major milestone in our transformation project,” said Marvin Basden. “It was critical to the project for us to increase the water depth at GB Shipyard where the two new floating docks will be installed.
Photo:Bahamas Industrial Technologies/Barefoot Marketing
DPM says increasing GB airlift is ‘a priority’
THE deputy prime minister says increasing airlift to Grand Bahama is “a priority” after this newspaper revealed American Airlines is temporarily suspending service to the island this September.
Chester Cooper, also minister of tourism, investments and aviation, pledged in a statement that his ministry is positioning Grand Bahama to benefit from upcoming investments such as Carnival’s $600m Celebration Key cruise port investment.
“Our priority to focus on increasing airlift into Grand Bahama is a sign of our commitment to this community and our product partners, as we continue to position the island to benefit from the significant investments in its project pipeline,” said Mr Cooper.
He and the Ministry of Tourism spoke out after Tribune Business last Friday revealed that American Airlines is set to “drop” scheduled service to Grand Bahama for the first-ever time in September. Magnus Alnebeck, Pelican Bay’s general manager, said the move will force residents and visitors to travel via Nassau for “seamless connectivity” with US carriers between September 2 and October 5.
This was confirmed by the Ministry of Tourism, which said it is looking to Bahamian airlines - chiefly Bahamasair and Western Air - to fill the temporary void created by American Airlines’ month-long pullout. It said airlift to Grand Bahama is set to receive a further boost this fall despite the US carrier’s withdrawal.
It added that Western Air’s service from Fort Lauderdale and Freeport, which is designed to support the growing demand for South Florida travel by residents and visitors, will start at the end of August. And, from
September 6 through October 3, 2024, Bahamasair will increase capacity on its Freeport to Fort Lauderdale route.
The Ministry of Tourism said these moves will “ensure continued airlift into the island from the Florida market, following a decision by American Airlines to briefly suspend its Miami to Freeport service during that same period of time, attributed to operating during the traditional peak of the hurricane season.
“American Airlines will return to Freeport after October 3 with daily service, and then will ramp up its Miami to Freeport offerings to twice daily service in November, which will be a big boost to fall travel,” the Ministry of Tourism added.
“Additionally, the airline will offer a Saturday service between Charlotte and Freeport.”
It added that Bahamasair will launch a new route between West Palm Beach and Freeport on 17 November, 2024, to coincide with the US Thanksgiving holiday and increased travel demand. This will also support the return of Bahamasair’s non-stop direct service to Orlando that was launched on June 17, and which lasts until September 3, 2024, offering flights twice per week.
“We continue to explore new markets for Grand Bahama, as well as position the island for returned service from both local and legacy airlines,” said Mr Cooper.
Sunwing Airlines’ nonstop service, connecting passengers from Montreal, as well as Neos/Alpitour Airlines from Milan, Italy, and the return of Bahamasair’s Freeport to Orlando service all occurred in June.
The Ministry of Tourism days it has also witnessed the signing of interline agreements between Bahamasair and Virgin Atlantic, as well as Alaska Airlines, that are designed to provide a seamless travel experience for visitors from the UK and the US west coast seeking to travel into Freeport through a connection in Nassau.
This September, Bahamasair will also sign an interline agreement with Turkish Airlines to provide more travel options for passengers.
“As Grand Bahama’s foreign airlift arrivals, as well as seat capacity, continue to see double digit year-over-year increases, we will remain resolute in our effort to ‘put more heads in beds’ from new markets, as well as the currently serviced routes that include Charlotte, Durham, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Milan, Montreal and Toronto,” said Mr Cooper.
The Ministry of Tourism said Grand Bahama enjoyed a 33 percent growth in foreign air arrivals in 2023, representing the largest year-over-year percentage growth of any Bahamian island. For the first five months in 2024, the island’s foreign airlift arrivals had outperformed the same period for 2023 by 8 percent, putting the island on a trajectory to exceed pre-Dorian figures.
CHESTER COOPER
‘Strong footing’: Aliv in $90m refinancing
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
CABLE Bahamas’ top executive yesterday asserted Aliv’s $90m preference share refinancing will set the mobile operator “on a strong footing” by extending out its debt maturity.
Franklyn Butler, the BISX-listed communications provider’s executive vice-chairman, president and chief executive, told Tribune Business that sorting out its mobile affiliate’s financial structure is “probably the most significant issue” besides the adoption of fifth generation (5G) technology that the company faces.
• Mobile operator to extend pref issue by seven years
• Financing ‘likely most significant issue’ alongside 5G
• ‘More space to grow’ with $24m in new money sought
Speaking as Aliv and Cable Bahamas formally gave investors holding Series I preference shares the mandated 90-day notice of plans to redeem this issue, he said the refinancing will extend the maturity by seven years from 2027 to 2034.
Butler told this newspaper of the rationale for replacing the Series 1 with Series II preference shares. “This should put Aliv on a strong footing.”
HEADQUARTERS
“The biggest benefit is it’s extending the term of the current facility, and as Aliv continues to grow it gives us more space,” Mr
Cable Bahamas’ balance sheet at its June 2023 year-end shows some $70m in Series preference share principal remained outstanding at that date. However, $14m worth of
Retail/office park cleared over land use violations
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor
A THREE-WAY legal battle involving some of New Providence’s most prominent developers and attorneys has cleared an office and retail park of breaching land use restrictions.
Sir Ian Winder, in a 60-page Supreme Court verdict delivered yesterday, found that Windsor Place Ltd, developer of the One West Business Park, and the previous owner of the site, were not “liable on any basis” to New Providence Development Company for failing to restrict its development to either a residential subdivision or “light commercial industrial use”. New Providence Development Company, which is the island’s largest private landowner, launched legal action against both Windsor Place and its predecessor, Windsor Field Development, in April 2018 by arguing that both had breached now-20 yearold restrictive covenants limiting what types of development could take place on that site. A retail and office park, it alleged, was not permitted. However, the Chief Justice dismissed New Providence Development’s claim in its “entirety” while also handing down a similar fate to Windsor Place’s counter-claim. His
verdict reveals that the One West Business Park property, based on Windsor Field Road in western New Providence, was initially part of a transaction agreed and completed some 20 years ago.
It was included among two land parcels, one of which was subsequently used to develop the Turnberry residential subdivision, that was sold to Windsor Field Development by New Providence
Development Company via February 21, 2005, conveyances.
Windsor Field Development was 50 percent owned by Dana Wells, the then-Graham, Thompson & Company attorney and partner, and head of its real estate practice. The remaining 50 percent was evenly split between well-known Bahamian developers, Anthony Myers and Jimmy Mosko,
principal was subsequently repaid to investors on November 2 last year to leave an outstanding balance of $56m-$57m.
The Series I preference shares, which were due to mature in October 2027,
who each held a 25 percent equity interest.
New Providence Development Company, likely in a bid to protect its commercial interests and prevent the development of a nearby rival to its then-proposed Old Fort Bay Town Centre, introduced restrictive covenants into the deal with Windsor Field Development that sought to limit development options to either a residential subdivision or “light commercial industrial use”. Whichever one was chosen, the agreement covenants stated that a residential project must be comparable to the
Developer in ‘driver’s seat’ following verdict
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
A WESTERN New Providence developer was yesterday said to be “in the driver’s seat” following a Supreme Court verdict that its opponent is considering appealing.
Damian Gomez KC, the former minister of state for legal affairs, who represented Windsor Place and its principal, Leon Blaiweiss, in a land use battle over the One West Business Park project, told Tribune Business that his client had fared best in the Chief Justice’s verdict as New Providence Development Company’s entire claim was dismissed (see other article on Page 24B).
However, Gail Lockhart-Charles KC, who acted for New Providence Development Company, told this newspaper last night that her client is now assessing whether to appeal “certain aspects” of Sir Ian Winder’s ruling that found Windsor Place and its predecessor did not violate restrictive covenants limiting development on that site to either a residential subdivision or “light commercial industrial use”.
“This is a complex case with numerous important issues, some of which were resolved in favour of New Providence Development Company Limited (NPDC) and some resolved against,” Mrs Lockhart-Charles said.
Troubled Eleuthera water plant is ‘challenged’ again
By NEIL HARTNELL
CENTRAL Eleuthera vented its frustration last night after the troubled water plant responsible for some residents losing supply for 14 days last month encountered fresh “production challenges”.
The Water & Sewerage Corporation, confirming that it was working to “effect repairs” to the Naval Base reverse osmosis plant alongside its operator, Aqua Design (Bahamas), said the barging of water to the island has resumed in a bid to make-up the production shortfall.
In an alert issued late yesterday, the Government-owned water utility told central Eleuthera customers - spanning
Gregory Town in the north to Savannah Sound in the south - that the Naval Base desalination plant was “experiencing some production challenges and the Corporation is actively working with the contractor to effect the required repairs as quickly as possible”.
It added: “In the interim, Water & Sewerage Corporation is presently utilising water in storage and we have resumed the barging operation to supplement on-island water production. Water & Sewerage Corporation is also commencing the free tankering of water to customers at high elevations, those at the ends of our system, public facilities, senior citizens and those with mobility challenges....
“While most residents are not yet experiencing
any negative impacts, this may change over the next few days depending on the time required to restore full desalinated water production capacity at the Naval Base plant. Water & Sewerage Corporation will take all possible steps to minimise the inconveniences to our valued customers in Central Eleuthera.” The Corporation conceded it was “a challenging time”. However, its assertion that “most residents are not yet experiencing any negative impacts” was rejected by many residents in Eleuthera who said low water supply and pressure problems had already extended into a second day yesterday. “Water & Sewerage Corporation: Please make it make sense,” one wrote. “Twenty-four hours without water is unsanitary.
We are on day two. This is a repeated script; just a different week.”
What’s App postings in Eleuthera’s Water & Sewerage “hotline” chat group confirm the Naval Base reverse osmosis plant woes began on Monday. Karl Anderson, the Water & Sewerage Corporation’s senior Eleuthera executive, posted at 4.58pm in response to complaints of little to no water supply: “Good afternoon all. We are currently dealing with an issue at Naval Base. Update will follow.”
After several Eleuthera residents, in the early hours of Tuesday morning, questioned when the promised update would be forthcoming, Mr Anderson replied at 6.35am: “Good morning. We are still
carry an 8 percent interest coupon, and Mr Butler said this rate was unlikely to change much if at all when they are replaced by the Series II refinancing. He added that any rate reduction would not
be immediate and will be “very marginal”.
“Save and except any plans for 5G we think this is probably the most significant issue we need to continue to put behind us and solidify Aliv’s footing moving forward,” Mr Butler said of the refinancing. “We’re waiting on URCA for that [5G]. URCA has been doing some soundings on what has been happening.
“Aliv continues to perform well. Our fourth quarter and full-year [2024] results will be out in the next few weeks and we are very pleased with where we are so far.” The Cable Bahamas chief added that he was “fairly confident”
Minister ‘assured’ NHI payment delay sorted
• Darville: Second funding tranche by Friday
• Authority apologises to lab providers on wait
• Pledges to work on ‘timely’ disbursements
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
A CABINET minister has been “assured” further funding will be released this week so that the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme can make “delayed” payments to key providers.
Dr Michael Darville, minister of health and wellness, last night confirmed to Tribune Business that there has been “a bit of a delay” in paying laboratory services providers and settling other bills as the NHI Authority waits on the Public Treasury to release the necessary funds.
Bahamian taxpayers are due to again provide a $46.2m subsidy to NHI during the 2024-2025 fiscal year, and he explained that the scheme’s funding tends to come “in pieces” rather than “all at once” to enable
all outstanding bills and arrears to be paid off.
Dr Darville spoke to this newspaper after NHI apologised to laboratory services providers to pay what they are owed as it blamed “delays in receiving regularised funding” following the July 1, 2024, start of the Government’s new fiscal year. “We apologise for the lateness of this correspondence,” the NHI Authority
DR MICHAEL DARVILLE
CABLE BAHAMAS