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PM PROMISE TO DELIVER FOR GB PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis yesterday said his government was committed to delivering Grand Bahama’s economic potential just hours after another major fire ripped through Freeport’s once thriving International Bazaar. SENATOR Kirkland Russell points towards the latest blaze in Grand Bahama. Photo: Vandyke Hepburn SEE PAGES TWO & THREE
...AS BAZAAR BLAZES AGAIN
PARENTS WARNED AFTER BOY DROWNED IN CANAL
POLICE CHIEF: SCRAP BAIL FOR SERIOUS CRIMINALS
By LETRE SWEETING
By JADE RUSSELL jrussell@tribunemedia.net
A TEENAGE boy drowned while swimming with friends in the Seabreeze Canal yesterday. The tragedy prompted a call from police for parents to: “know where your kids are at all times, not
sometimes”. Last Tuesday, 11-year-old Gerodo Atwill Taylor Jr, was found dead and suspected to have drowned in a pond near the golf academy opposite the national sports stadium . On the same day the body of a juvenile male was pulled from waters near
Paradise Cove, Deadman’s Reef, Grand Bahama. He had gone swimming at Celebrity Beach near Paradise Cove with four boys and did not return to shore when the others did. A woman also drowned last Tuesday after she tried SEE PAGE FIVE
POLICE Commissioner Clayton Fernander says he fully supports Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe’s position that people charged with serious crimes should be kept in custody rather than be
released on bail. According to the commissioner yesterday, 55 percent of murder victims for the year were on bail. Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe had earlier told a local daily that people charged with murder should be kept in custody for their own
protection. According to Mr Munroe, more than 30 men who were out on bail this year were murdered. When asked about the minister’s comments on keeping persons on remand due to an increase of SEE PAGE SEVEN
SHELTER - WE CAN’T TAKE ANY MORE ANIMALS By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS lmunnings@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas Humane Society has announced it is currently unable to accept stray or owner surrendered animals. This will continue to be the case until BHS is able to find homes for the animals it now has leaving additional room to accommodate new intake. This decision was in direct response to the safety and
PUPPIES at the Bahmas Humane Society. well-being of both animals and staff being jeopardised, due to the shelter’s capacity
substantially exceeding their resources. Kim Aranha, president of BHS, explained yesterday that the organisation has faced this issue before, however this time it is even more serious. One of the main issues facing BHS is residents not spaying or neutering their pets. “People are just bringing in animals and surrendering them,” she said. SEE PAGE FOUR
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
ALICIA WALLACE: BLINDED TO THE REALITY MANY DON’T CARE
- SEE PAGE EIGHT
PAGE 2, Wednesday, August 10, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
Bazaar blazes again By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net GRAND Bahama’s mostly shuttered International Bazaar was again struck by fire yesterday. Fire Officer Assistant Superintendent of Police Elie Ariscar said that at around 8am, police received a call about a reported building fire at the Bazaar. Structures at the site were struck by fires last November and December. However, yesterday’s blaze spread to several buildings due to windy conditions. “As a result, (of the call) a team of officers from the Fire Department responded with two appliances to the scene,” Mr Ariscar said. “When they arrived, the team would have met a multi-unit single story structure fully engulfed with flames here at the Bazaar. “The crew would’ve started battling the fire but as you know as a result of previous fires and damages as a result of past hurricanes the building was in a state of disrepair, which exacerbated the fire and due to the wind conditions, we’re presently experiencing the fire would’ve continued to spread to the western side of the building. As you can see in the back of me, you would’ve seen that the fire
would spread completely to all the structures to the western side of Bazaar. “A lot of the businesses that were housed here at the time of the fire would have already left prior to the fire and we had maybe about two or three building structures that had businesses that were operating. They were able to remove their items prior to the fire moving to their area but in all I guess matters at this time the fire is pretty much under control. “At this time, it’s still an active investigation. As you can see the officers are still battling this fire. Once we would’ve extinguished this fire and properly ensure that it is safe for investigators to conduct their investigation then we’ll try to ascertain the cause of the fire.” Ian Rolle, president of the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA), said in a statement that GBPA has engaged, and continues to engage, with operators of the International Bazaar, which include representatives of the Bazaar Association and several property owners, so that they can continue demolition exercises on the dilapidated structures and buildings. “The GBPA is acutely aware of the need to demolish derelict structures
within the International Bazaar for the safety of all businesses and visitors,” he said. “We have performed demolitions in the past at our own cost, most recently in February 2022 when we, in partnership with owners, demolished fire-damaged buildings in the Oriental Section. “We have also written to numerous property owners of dilapidated structures over the years to sensitise them to the need to repair or demolish their buildings. In addition, we have engaged the government of The Bahamas in advance discussions to approve our requested amendments of the Building and Sanitary bylaws, which would enable GBPA to execute more demolitions in a timely manner and recoup the associated costs. “With the requested bylaw amendments in place, GBPA can continue to make consistent efforts to address the remainder of derelict buildings in the International Bazaar and other dilapidated structures within the city. The GBPA itself has never owned any part of the International Bazaar, but has historically subsidized the Bazaar for many years when owners were no longer maintaining its communal areas.” The fire reignited discussions around fire hydrants on
FIREFIGHTERS tackling the blaze in Grand Bahama yesterday. But the chief fire officer the island. Senator Kirkland Russell claimed less than ten asserted efforts were made percent of the hydrants there to report hydrant issues. He said: “I cannot speak were working. “If you come right over to what the senator would here, you can see the fire have spoken to, but I can hydrant just about 200ft say in our traversing and from here but that fire working with the hydrants hydrant has no water. None in Freeport area, anytime of the fire hydrants around we experience a hydrant this area have no water and that may not be working we that is just not a problem report it to the utility comhere at the International pany and they will rectify the issue.“ Bazaar,” he said. “Now if there is a situa“That is a problem on this entire island and so tion that the fire department when you go in areas such is not aware of we cannot as Hunters, you go in Eight speak to that. We can only Mile Rock or throughout speak to the hydrants that West Grand Bahama as well we know are working.” Meanwhile, Opposition you would not find that the hydrants are not working. Leader Michael Pintard Less than I believe ten per- said he thinks it’s imporcent of these hydrants are tant for the owners of the working and if I am wrong, Bazaar in conjunction with I stand to be corrected, the Grand Bahama Port but my information is that Authority to make a deciless than ten percent of the sion in terms of removing the structure that is an “eye hydrants are working.”
Photo: Vandyke Hepburn sore” and making a determination on whether or not they were going to build another development there or sell it. He said one of the concerns expressed by the port authority is the need for bylaws to be passed and supported by government so they can have teeth in their regulation that empowers them to enforce the law as it relates to buildings that have fallen in a state of disrepair. “So, we are expecting that the Grand Bahama Port Authority would step up to the plate and do what is necessary and that they would work in conjunction, not just with central government, but certainly owners of these building to make sure to transform the face of Freeport and, of course, the extended Grand Bahama,” the Marco City MP said.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, August 10, 2022, PAGE 3
PM promise to deliver for GB By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis yesterday reaffirmed his government’s commitment to ensuring Grand Bahama lives up to its full potential amid continuing concerns about the island’s beleaguered economy. Discussions have been reignited about the economic state of Grand Bahama in recent days, especially since news about the potential exit of a major investor on the island became public. Earlier this month, the Del Zotto family announced it planned to close several of its businesses there following an impasse with the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA). Other concerns have been expressed about the Grand Lucayan resort after it was revealed last week that negotiations over the hotel’s sale will be extended by 45 days to September 15. In a recent interview with The Tribune, Michael Scott, the former chairman of Lucayan Renewal Holdings, suggested the sale had not yet been finalised because Electra America Hospitality Group, the buyers, required a firm commitment from the government on redevelopment and reconstruction of the Grand Bahama International Airport. Responding yesterday, Prime Minister Davis assured the airport’s redevelopment was still a priority for his administration, noting it was an essential component to the success of the hotel’s sale. “We could walk and chew gum,” he said. “While negotiations for the sale of
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis in Fox Hill yesterday. the Grand Lucayan hotel is taking place, we are also at the same time working assiduously to ensure that the airport, the gateway to Grand Bahama is also in that mix so we’re not just leaving the airport aside to get that done. “We’re working in tandem to ensure because in opposition, you would’ve heard me saying and speaking to the fact that for Grand Bahama to move on, it has to be a holistic approach. You can’t just sell the Lucayan hotel without understanding where airlift is going to come from and if you have airlifts, what you need for airlifts – a properly constructed airport with the
proper amenities that will attract airlifts.” Yesterday, Mr Davis was also asked to respond to calls for the government to acquire the Grand Bahama Port Authority. FNM founding member Maurice Moore recently said in an interview with a local news outlet that it was time for the government to “take back control of Freeport,” adding the island needed to be revitalised. A similar view was expressed by former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham in 2018 when he urged the Minnis administration to buy the Grand Bahama Port Authority instead of the Grand Lucayan at the time.
Photo: Moise Amisial “Well, first of all, the control of the Freeport construct was ceded to private hands from 1955 so the government never really had control over it,” Mr Davis said. “It was only after the ‘bend or break’ speech that some elements of control were implemented. We feel that the promise of Grand Bahama is yet to be fulfilled and we are in discussions to see how we can construct that path of fulfilling the promises of Grand Bahama and Freeport in particular,” he continued. “And we are now engaged in conversations to see how that path can be constructed. What the outcome of those discussions will be, I’m not sure
at this time. I am committed to ensuring that that path is constructed to fulfilling the promises that Grand Bahama has.” FNM leader Michael Pintard also weighed in on the issue yesterday, saying what the island needs is credible investment. “I wouldn’t comment on what he (Moore) has to say, but I’ll simply say this what we need is investors who have deep pockets and who are creative in terms of looking at ways to create additional revenue streams and attract investment,” Mr Pintard said yesterday on the sidelines of a tour of Fox Hill. “So, all of us are challenged. Central
government must move with a sense of urgency, have a sense of creativity and involve licensees of the port, the chamber of commerce and other stakeholders in selling Grand Bahama in general, Freeport in particular. “And so, the owners of the Grand Bahama Port Authority are no exception. People are looking for robust leadership that will be creative and that will spend money and seek to attract additional resources to Grand Bahama. So, all things should be on the table for discussion as we try to revive Grand Bahama in general and Freeport in particular.”
‘DORIAN ANNOUNCEMENT MAY HAVE BEEN TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT’ By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
IN the wake of backlash over plans for a week-long Hurricane Dorian memorial, Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis says he believes announcements about the planned events may have been taken out of context. Mr Davis was responding to recent controversy over certain aspects of the memorial, particularly the national concert to be held at Baha Mar that will feature American gospel singer, Cece Winans, who will be headlining the event. Some Dorian survivors have taken issue with the fact that the major event is
being held in New Providence as opposed to Abaco or Grand Bahama, the two islands, which were devastated by the Category Five storm. The opposition has shared similar concerns while also denying claims that it supported the weeklong event, which will include social outreach activities and a weather symposium. “I think the announcement may have been taken out of context,” Prime Minister Davis said yesterday. “There are a number of days of activities which will include the islands in particular that were impacted by it and he (the press secretary) will be making an announcement on all of
those activities at the next press conference that he holds. “It is just not a Nassau centric matter. I think it’s just that there’s a headliner that wanted to come and they’re coming to do a concert and so since they’re here, they’re just going to tie that event into what’s been happening during that time because we are commemorating Dorian and he just thought it fitting to tie that into it.” Mr Davis continued: “It didn’t necessarily have to be but because it’s here, that’s what the press secretary is thinking of and so I think you will have further clarity on all of the other events that’s going to take place in both Abaco and Freeport.
“There will be several events taking place of which I will be a part of as well.” While in opposition, Mr Davis was often critical of the former government’s response to Hurricane Dorian, saying not enough was being done to help storm victims. When asked yesterday about his administration’s efforts to assist Dorian survivors, he replied: “Well, first of all, we have kept our social services up by providing assistance. We are repairing homes now and rebuilding homes and that’s what’s happening as we speak and we’re meeting their needs as they approach us about it.” Hurricane Dorian hit Abaco on September 1,
DAVIS: WE WILL NOT SIT IDLY BY AS COUNTRY IS HIT BY INFLATION By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
DESPITE warnings from experts to brace for higher inflation rates, Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis insisted that his administration will not just sit idly by and allow the country “be swallowed up by inflation”. Speaking to reporters after visiting several churches in commemoration of Fox Hill Day, Mr Davis vowed to do everything in his power to combat the issue so Bahamians can be able to cope during these difficult times. He spoke after Super Value’s president Rupert Roberts told a local daily Monday that the supermarket chain will not be able to hold off on higher prices for much longer as a result of inflation. Mr Roberts said this is because some of its imported food items that were bought at a lower price than what is being sold now are expected to run out in a few months.
This comes as financial experts warn Bahamians to expect to see higher US inflation rates, with the Central Bank’s governor recently saying the cost-of-living crisis facing many Bahamian families has yet “to peak”. Yesterday, Mr Davis was asked about his administration’s plans to maintain the country’s economic stability given concerns about inflation. He said while the government has little control over the issue, officials will do everything it can do bring relief to hurting Bahamians. “There are a lot of matters that impact cost that’s out of control,” the prime minister told reporters yesterday. “That which we could control, we are doing something about it. So, for example, we lowered import duties and Bahamians are already receiving some of the benefits of that. Rupert Roberts himself in his advertisements indicated how that has impacted the cost so we are continuing to look at
initiatives that will bring relief to our people. “We are not just going to sit idly by and be swallowed up by inflation. We’re going to be fighting it and doing what we can to ensure that it does not cause further harm to our people. Last week, Prime Minister Davis revealed that the government was considering reducing fuel taxes for gas retailers with a view to bringing relief to both retailers and consumers. He told reporters yesterday that a decision on the matter will be made soon, adding “we’re working on it now.” In his budget communication in May, Prime Minister Davis announced a series of relief measures aimed to assist Bahamians struggling with the inflationary high cost of living. The proposed measures included increased social assistance, targeted minimum wage increases for workers in the public sector, duty reductions on certain food items among other things.
2019, as a Category 5 hurricane before barreling toward Grand Bahama.
Nearly three years later, the islands remain in recovery mode.
TEMPLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
STAFF VACANCY 2022 – 2023 Temple Christian School invites applications from qualified Christian individuals for the following position for the 2022-2023 school year: • Elementary Spanish Teacher Applicants must: A) Be a practicing born again Christian who is willing to subscribe to the Statement of Faith of Temple Christian School. B) The individual should have a Bachelor’s Degree and Teacher’s Certificate. Persons with an Associate of Arts Degree in Elementary Education and relevant work experience will be considered. A valid teachers’ certificate is encouraged. Applications are available on the school’s website www.templechristianbahamas.com and at the Administrator’s Office, 4th Terrace East Collins Avenue (directly behind the New Evangelistic Temple). A detailed job description is also available at the Office of the Administrator. Applications are to be submitted to: Dr. Samuel L. Rutherford Administrator Temple Christian School 4th Terrace East, Collins Avenue P.O. Box N-1566 Nassau, Bahamas Ph: 325-1095 / 322-5157 The deadline for the submission of teaching applications is Wednesday, August 17, 2022.
PAGE 4, Wednesday, August 10, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
‘IRRESPONSIBLE’ TO SAY 150,000 HAITIANS LIVE IN BAHAMAS By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
LABOUR and Immigration Minister Keith Bell believes it was “irresponsible” and “callous” for a Haitian official to claim that more than 150,000 Haitians currently live in The Bahamas. In the wake of the boating tragedy that left 17 Haitian migrants, including a pregnant woman dead last month, Haitian Chargé de Affairs Anthony Pierre Brutus gave the figure. He noted Haitians legally in the country and some
who were here for about 20 years made up the number. Mr Brutus added that the people that were in The Bahamas legally could have a better relationship with others that once they come here, they will be able apply for a visa to be in the country legally. Mr Bell told reporters yesterday that Mr Brutus’ claim was unfounded. “I would say the number is certainly unscientific and certainly erroneous,” he told reporters yesterday. “I was quite surprised and shocked that he would’ve made such a statement in all of the circumstances.
“I do not agree with him, but in any event I know that isn’t the case, but again this is something for us to really review. We have to do more in depth scientific analysis to ensure that we get the right numbers and when we talk about documented migrants again there is so many categories that you have to look at and we as a country have to review, not just the fact that he made such a statement, but who are these persons he is talking to. “I suspect that these are persons, he is referring to persons who may have been born in The Bahamas
to non-Bahamian parents. He may have been talking about persons who entered The Bahamas through illegal means and some may have acquired some form of status. And, of course, he’s talking to persons who have no status in the country and so I don’t know what category or what categories he has incorporated in that number, but I certainly know its erroneous to say it’s 150,000.” Pressed on whether he thought it was irresponsible to give those figures publicly at the time, the minister replied: “Most certainly I thought it was
irresponsible and I thought it was callous.” Asked if the government has reached out to him to have a conversation, Mr Bell answered: “Well we’ve reached out to the Haitian community and we’ve certainly been in discussions with him. I certainly have not spoken to him in respect to that particular (comment), but as it relates to the matter at hand I think that all of us in positions of authority and certainly in The Bahamas we have to remain focused.” He also said it is good to know that the Royal Bahamas Defence Force continues interceptions.
He added: “Secondly, those that are here we are ensuring we endeavour to deal with them fairly and humanely, but swiftly and expeditiously. We have not stopped our repatriation process and that does not necessarily only apply to irregular migrants from Haiti, but it also goes to Cuba. You know we’ve had a significant increase in Cuban irregular migrants. We’ve had them from Dominica. We’ve had them from Jamaica. And so certainly we’ve had several exercises just this week past where we would’ve repatriated persons from all of those countries.”
SHELTER - WE CAN’T TAKE ANY MORE ANIMALS from page one
“They are not getting their female dogs spayed, so they’ll bring in a box of 14 puppies that they don’t want, but that could have been avoided had they had their dogs spayed.” Ms Aranha urged locals to get their animals spayed and neutered and referred to the free service courtesy of Baark. “In The Bahamas people are not very good to animals so why would they feel that their dogs - who they don’t care about should have the experience of being a mother. If you
are not worried about your dog having shade or water, why would you worry about her experiencing the joys of motherhood,” she said. “What people need to start doing is having their animals spayed and neutered.” As a non-profit organisation, BHS has been greatly affected by the COVID19 pandemic, as there has been a decreasing change in adoptions. BHS encourages people to adopt rather than shop as there are hundreds of puppies, kittens, cats and dogs available. “Adoption we
desperately need people to adopt rather than shop,” Ms Aranha insisted. “We started having pop-up adoptions around the island of New Providence, as we found that some people found it almost overwhelming to come down to a shelter with so many hundreds of animals.” BHS is hosting a pop-up at Super Value, Cable Beach, this Saturday and will showcase about 12 puppies and dogs. Aside from adoption, BHS is also seeking monetary donations and supplies to take care of the animals and volunteers.
ABOVE and left, some of the animals in need of homes.
PM PLANS TO TABLE PROCUREMENT ACT AMENDMENTS ‘VERY EARLY’ By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
THE Prime Minister has said his administration is hoping to table amendments to the Public Procurement Act in Parliament “very early” after it convenes following the summer recess. Philip “Brave” Davis, however, said before the legislation is brought to Parliament, officials want to publish the proposed changes and seek public feedback. The law, which was passed under the Minnis administration last year, requires the government to
publish details of approved contracts and procurement activities within 60 days of the award of the contract. However, since assuming office, the Davis administration has yet to comply with the reporting requirements of the law, often facing criticism from the opposition over the issue. Yesterday, Mr Davis was asked to respond to criticisms over his administration’s lack of compliance with the law. “Well, first of all, it’s not workable,” he said. “It’s clearly not workable and it’s causing challenges. If you were to follow the law as it is, we will never
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that PRINCE ASTLEY WILLIAMS of Hibiscus Close, New Providence, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 3rd day of August, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
be able to bring relief to people. Particularly you would’ve seen the challenges that we had at the hospital. “If you were to follow that, we probably will still be in the potholes trying to address the issues so they’re not workable. There are suggestions how we amend those laws and they are under consideration because we want to come up with a workable solution to the challenges we have. “We are an archipelago and so whatever construct we have has to take into account our peculiar and particular circumstances. We have to be able to
respond to the needs of our people almost immediately in some instances,” Mr Davis added. “You see one of the questions y’all should be asking and y’all should be asking that of the other side is why would you have passed the bill early in the year and not have it in effect until September because they understand what they were doing was not workable,” the prime minister said. In May, Economic Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis told reporters the government was hoping to amend the Public Procurement Act in the 2022/23 budget period with a view
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that KERLINE ESTIME of P.O. Box SS-6392, Yellow Elder Gardens, New Providence, Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 3rd day of August, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
of making it “user friendly” to ensure better compliance and greater transparency. However, he did not give a specific timeline on when they intended to bring the proposed legislation to Parliament. When pressed on the issue yesterday, Prime Minister Davis said: “Very early, very early – when we get back off of vacation. “In fact, it is anticipated that it will be published before we go back and before it’s laid and any input that the general public will want with it will be had.” The passage of the Public Procurement Act was partly
a response to long-term criticisms of the country’s procurement processes. In its 2020 investment climate statement on The Bahamas, the US State Department said this country lacks modern procurement legislation and that companies have complained the tender process for public contracts is inconsistent. “US firms have identified corruption as an obstacle to FDI (foreign direct investment) and have reported perceived corruption in government procurement and in the FDI approvals process,” the report said in part.
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that CHIOMA KATE ARUNGWA of 48 Garden Hills off Soldier Road, New Providence, Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twentyeight days from the 3rd day of August, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, August 10, 2022, PAGE 5
Parents warned after boy drowned in canal
from page one to assist a child who was in distress in the waters of the Staniard Creek area. At the scene yesterday, police said after receiving an emergency call, officers from the Marine Support Unit arrived to find a young boy submerged in the water of the Seabreeze Canal, having drowned. His body was removed from the water and he was pronounced dead on the scene. Chrislyn Skippings, police public and internal affairs officer, said the boy appeared to be between 13 and 14 years old. She suggested he was swimming unsupervised, when he drowned. He is said to be a resident of the Pinewood Gardens community. Neither the deceased nor his parents have been identified. Officer Skippings urged parents and guardians to be watchful of their children and be with them at all times. “Take them to the beach,
don’t send them to the beach,” she said at the scene. “Send them with someone you know, who is responsible so that in the event that something happens, we don’t end up losing one of our darlings. You need to know where your kids are at all times, not some times, all times. You can’t allow your children to be roaming about and you don’t know where they are.” Mrs Skippings added that any parent or guardian who does not heed the law, by being responsible parents to underage children, will be prosecuted fully. “If you fail to parent your children we will take the steps necessary to cause you to take responsibility for your children,” she said. “Leave your children with responsible adults.” She added the parents of the deceased young boy may be prosecuted should the police find reason within the law to do so. “If we find that there are areas within the law that we can possibly bring charges, then we definitely will,” she said.
BAHAMIAN MEN ‘WERE ARRESTED’ IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC By JADE RUSSELL jrussell@tribunemedia.net
POLICE at the scene after a child drowned at the Seabreeze canal yesterday. Photo: Austin Fernander
CELEBRATING FOX HILL DAY
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis, several government ministers and members of the Official Opposition visited Fox Hill Baptist churches that yesterday held ecumenical services to commemorate this year’s Fox Hill Day celebrations. The event is celebrated by Fox Hill residents to honour the emancipation of their ancestors from slavery. The government delegation that took part in the festivities included Fox Hill MP Fred Mitchell, Works and Utilities Minister Alfred Sears, Minister of State for Public Service Pia GloverRolle, Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs Minister Clay Sweeting and others. They were also joined by Leader of the Official Opposition Michael Pintard.
Churches visited by the group included St Paul’s Baptist Church, Mt Carey Baptist Church, Macedonia Baptist Church and St Mark’s Baptist Church. Among those delivering brief remarks at yesterday’s services included Prime Minister Davis, Mr Mitchell and Mr Pintard. Mr Davis, who was supported by his Cabinet colleagues, also sang a song for attendees at each service. Yesterday’s celebrations marked the end of the weeklong activities, which officially began on Emancipation Day. The name Fox Hill derives from a freed African slave named Samuel Fox who was granted 23 acres of land in 1801. The slave village that once stood in the area is said to have been the last to receive the news of emancipation, a week late. There were also activities held last night in observance of Fox Hill Day.
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis and FNM leader Michael Pintard singing hymns together yesterday and, top, residents out in Fox Hill for celebrations last night. Photos: Moise Amisial
TWO ACCUSED IN SEPARATE CASES OF THEFT By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
TWO men were arraigned yesterday on separate stealing charges. One was sentenced to six months at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS) for the theft of $158.20 worth of batteries. Jagger Johnson, 40, appeared before Magistrate Kara TurnquestDeveaux on a charge of stealing. At around 3.35pm on August 8 at Quality Home Centre, Johnson was
arrested when he was caught with 18 double AA Duracell batteries worth $158.20, having only paid for two of them. Although he gave a “no comment” response in a police interview, Johnson pleaded guilty to the charge in court. The prosecution revealed yesterday that Johnson had antecedents. Magistrate Turnquest-Deveaux, after thanking the accused for not wasting the court’s time with a trial, sentenced Johnson to six months at BDCS. The second accused, Croix Brown,
28, faced Assistant Chief Magistrate Subusola Swain on charges of stealing and receiving. Between August 2 and 3 in New Providence, between 6pm and 2am, Brown is accused of stealing a silver 2012 Nissan March valued at $3,800 the property of Francheskka Young. In court, he pleaded not guilty to the charges. Brown was denied bail on the basis that he had a recent conviction on another receiving charge. As a result, he was returned to BDCS. Brown’s trial is set for November 1.
POLICE ‘TO DEAL WITH’ LEAKS OF SENSITIVE PICTURES By JADE RUSSELL jrussell@tribunemedia.net
PEOPLE found disseminating sensitive information from active investigations will be dealt with, this according to Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander yesterday. He was referring to concern from members of the
public about sensitive photographs that were shared on social media of victims who died in the human smuggling operation last month. In July, a human smuggling boat tragedy saw 17 people, including a pregnant woman, killed when their boat capsized in waters near Blackbeard’s Cay.
The passengers consisted of Haitian migrants and included a young girl. Mr Fernander said: “We have a policy on that, coming from the police force it shouldn’t happen. This is sensitive information; you have families out there and it should not happen.” The commissioner noted
investigations into the operation are still very much alive and ongoing. He explained that officials knew the destination for the operation was originally to the United States and that they are working with their partners on this matter. He also said they have spoken to all of the survivors involved.
LOCAL police and Foreign Affairs officials are following reports that four Bahamian men were arrested in the Dominican Republic after $879,020 in cash was found in their luggage. According to the Dominican Today, the Directorate General of Customs (DGA) seized $879,020 at the Gregorio Luperón Airport in the province of Puerto Plata. It is reported two Bahamians piloted the plane that had five passengers, one Haitian woman and four Bahamian men. “The amount, equivalent to almost 48 million Dominican pesos, arrived in the country by general aviation, coming from The Bahamas and distributed in several suitcases,” the paper said. “According to the press release issued by the entity (DGA), the illegal cash shipment was detected when the passengers passed their luggage through the x-ray machine. “Its detection was possible because members of Customs, the Specialized Airport and Civil Aviation Security Corps and the National Drug Control Directorate (DNCD) noticed a suspicious profile in the luggage of one of the passengers. Hence, they proceeded to the manual check, where a large amount of money was found.” Yesterday, Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell told reporters the matter is being investigated. He said: “I gather that the Honorary Consul for The Bahamas in the Dominican Republic confirms that there are Bahamians under arrest. He’s trying to investigate what the particulars are. As soon as we know we’ll let you know.” Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander yesterday said he could not confirm details at this time, but noted his team is following up on the situation.
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Who will solve riddle of Grand Bahama’s future? GRAND Bahama is a conundrum that generations of political leaders have failed to solve. Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis is the latest to promise to do so. Yesterday, he said his government was determined to ensure Grand Bahama lives up to its potential. When it comes to that potential, there is a lot of it. Between the cheaper land, the canal network infrastructure already in place, the workforce eager to find jobs and more. And yet, successive administrations have presided over a stagnant economy on the island. For Mr Davis, there are two big items on the agenda – the Grand Lucayan and the airport. Succeed with both and it’ll go a long way to helping to rehabilitate Grand Bahama. Fail at either one, and his credibility could be shot. Mr Davis said yesterday that the airport was still a priority, and added: “We could walk and chew gum. While negotiations for the sale of the Grand Lucayan hotel is taking place, we are also at the same time working assiduously to ensure that the airport, the gateway to Grand Bahama, is also in that mix so we’re not just leaving the airport aside to get that done.” In theory, that sounds good – though it’s worrying that there are still “negotiations” taking place over the Grand Lucayan. That was a done deal. Now it seems somewhat less than done. Michael Scott, the former chairman of Lucayan Renewal Holdings, suggested recently that the sale had not been finalized because the buyers want a firm commitment on redevelopment of the airport. If that is so, completion of the deal could take some considerable time while the airport development is locked in place. We already saw under the previous FNM administration a deal for Grand Lucayan that drifted away – the last thing the island needs is for a repeat of that process. There is so much that could be achieved in Grand Bahama, and the leader that delivers on that will be rightly hailed for doing so.
It would be easy to say that the time is now – but that wouldn’t be true. The time has long come and gone for Grand Bahama to be given an economic kiss of life. Countless opportunities have been missed. Now we have another opportunity. Will this be the time that the nation’s government delivers for Grand Bahama? Or will it roll around to another election with problems still unresolved? Time and again we have the same discussion about Grand Bahama, just as it seems time and again we see parts of the International Bazaar on fire, just as it was again yesterday. That’s as much a sign of the neglect of the island as any. It’s time for all that to change. Mr Davis, it’s over to you.
Drownings The police Public and Internal Affairs Officer, Chrislyn Skippings, was blunt and to the point at the scene of another drowning yesterday. She urged parents to “know where your kids are at all times, not sometimes”. Speaking at the site of a drowning may have felt too immediate while parents are grieving, and perhaps might have been made at a better time, but the point in general is accurate. More than that, we have seen too many of these drownings – one would be too many, but there has been a number lately. One of the issues the country has – and it shouldn’t, as a nation of islands – is that too many people don’t learn to swim. A concerted programme to teach children to swim would be an investment in our future. Those children would grow up and teach the next generation to swim, and so on. It likely wouldn’t be a hugely expensive proposition, and the government could partner with community organisations and churches to do so. And in the final outcome, it would save lives.
Nurses facing more violence EDITOR, The Tribune. LOCAL reports are coming in strong throughout the globe, any place a hospital, clinic or home care situation exists – being a medical assistant, nurse or caregiver can be in a very dangerous profession indeed. Many nurses are facing increased violent assaults within their work place. Racial slurs, outright assaults, projectiles thrown, walking canes raised and striking out in anger; sexual assaults, protests (sometimes violent) in front of the places they work; personal vendettas developed between patient and care giver. Pandemic tensions have subjected hospital staff likened to a pressure cooker, stirring the pot into excessive stress, disdain and workplace disillusionment. Union representatives, like CUPE and Uniform, have called for the presence of police within the hospital environment, and/or hospital security to be located on each floor to protect their fellow employees. 78% of registered nurses, cleaners, clerical and other staff within the Canadian System have reported to
their Union Representatives of violent or near violent events within their work place. They have reported being harassed or abused because of their race or appearance. In Ontario reported race-based violence was surveyed at a 71% level. In northern area of Canada and USA hospital workers reported experiences of sexual harassment at a 53% level, while 60% of these workers experienced physical violence from patients, their families and fellow staffers. All the while 65% of staffers have experienced an overall increase of violent incidents during the pandemic. This, of course, has increased the overall depression and stress levels these professionals have been trained to deal with during normal times. 28% reported the use of guns and knives against staff. That is a full 10% increase from the national average. If you look at the region of Northern Ontario, you would find that 1767 staffers were sexually assaulted at work these past two years. The Premier and Provincial Government is unable to ignore this situation. The surge in violence
against women , much of it racially motivated, comes against a backdrop of unprecedented staff shortages and vacancies in Ontario hospitals. Front line staff are often working alone, in circumstances where they are vulnerable to assault. In Kenora’s Lake of the Woods Hospital the administration admitted to an increase of 300% in harassment of staffers. The Provincial Government of Ontario has tried to recruit new RPNs, but the fruits of their efforts will not be for some time to come. Patients and those ill are fearful of going to hospital, fearing the toxic environment they may become lost in. Only strict zero policies towards any form of violence and abuse towards the staff can improve the situation, along with the implementation of staff security limits. Cameras within all hallways and rooms may be needed also. Staff members should not work alone, leaving themselves open to potential assaults. Institutional policing will certainly become an issue for our struggling authorities. STEVEN KASZAB Bradford, Ontario August 7, 2022.
A PARTYGOER in Fox Hill pauses to take a photograph during last night’s Fox Hill Day festivities. Photo: Moise Amisial
PM right on Ingraham EDITOR, The Tribune. IT WAS reassuring to hear the Prime Minister single out the ideological shift of the post-1992 era as the most important challenge to the development of this country. It hopefully signals an emphasis on reversing the failed policies of that era and shifting us back toward genuinely progressive economic policies. It is disappointing that Hubert Ingraham would take these remarks personally, to the extent of suggesting that time would somehow vindicate those neo-liberal fiscal and investment policies that have undoubtedly harmed this country and blunted its development trajectory. In the circumstances, it would be foolish to await the verdict of time. All over the world, that model has already failed sufficiently to have shaken the democratic foundations of the two countries that were its keenest advocates. The twin revolts of Brexit and the Trump presidency were their verdict on the failure of so-called “Washington Consensus” policies. In two lost decades, US and British living standards have stagnated and their middle classes have discernibly shrunk. In Britain, public services and the much-cherished National Health Service have been excoriated to accommodate “market forces” that are themselves ultimately publicly funded, while the once vast American blue collar middle class has all but vanished – a victim of the forces of “globalisation” which ultimately favored only big corporations looking for cheap labour abroad. In both, the top one percent have gobbled up an ever larger portion of the national pie, accelerated by a financial crisis that they and their bankers caused. Here in The Bahamas, the trickle-down ideology has failed the tests of both social responsibility and economic logic. In fact, the whole notion of economic progress has been turned on its head in the post-1992 consensus. Business interests, economists and even government ministers frequently cite rising prices in the foreign second home market as evidence of economic success, even as they concede that middle class Bahamian professionals now require state
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net assistance to own their first home. This is the result of bad policy, undergirded by a failed ideology. The repeal of the Immovable Property Act without the compensation of massively increased property tax receipts was baffling, especially if you consider practice and experience elsewhere. Any place in the USA with a luxury second home market also boasts high and vigorously enforced property taxes, which are in turn pumped into public investment. Here, while locals are increasingly priced out, we boast low property taxes, lax enforcement (except against locals!), a treasurer that is statutorily barred from seizing delinquent foreign-owned properties and a cap on property taxes that only benefits properties valued in the tens of millions. These regressive features compound, rather than balance, the negative effects of foreign competition for limited land resources and, together with regressive taxes and austere spending on the population, negate any natural benefit that the industry might confer. In other words, as the floodgates have been opened to foreign ownership of Bahamian land, the industry has been squeezed of any real benefit to the treasury or the domestic economy. It is highly doubtful whether, on balance, it is now actually beneficial to The Bahamas at all. This and other policy initiatives of the Ingraham years have produced glaringly bad outcomes for Bahamian society. Policies like vast concessions to investors, non-existent taxes on wealth, high taxes on consumption and overly restrained wages have produced a bifurcation between the performance of the domestic and ‘investor’ economies – which is exactly the opposite of what a small, service oriented country should seek to achieve. We host spectacularly successful mega resorts and boast levels of foreign investment per capita that are (even in a bad year) three times higher than any of our peers. Yet this has failed to bring unemployment under 7 percent in 30 years and has not halted
the shrinkage of the middle class. Why? Because the domestic economy is starved of stimulus by the same policies that are misguidedly applied to attracting foreign investment (which in turn actually requires little attracting). Ironically, in the absence of foolish and regressive tax and wage policies, and with tightly applied ‘Bahamianisation’ protections, we could probably double the size of our domestic economy (our aim, one would think) with half the level of foreign investment that we now have. Yet the plain ignorance of much of the political class and most of the media misses this completely, instead focusing on personalized politics (of which claims of corruption versus transparency are merely a variety) while we drift away from the ideological moorings that secured our early development and into a sea of chaos, epitomized by the ad hoc, but instinctively regressive policies of the Minnis regime (remember the horrendous Commercial Enterprises Act?). As a member of the generation that helped build those moorings in the 1970s and 1980s, Mr Ingraham should indeed be proud. I am certainly proud of my father, who was a nonpolitician member of the same generation, and subsequently a member of Mr Ingraham’s government. Indeed they first worked together back in 1982, when Mr Ingraham was appointed Minister of National Insurance and Housing and my father, then Governor of the Central Bank, was appointed to chair the Mortgage Corporation. I recall his admiration of the then young minister’s commitment to both these important portfolios and his expectation that he would go far in his political career. In light of what was achieved in those years in terms of national development and institution-building, I find it unfortunate that all the damage subsequently done to those achievements by the harmful, erroneous policy shift of 1992 (much of which still abides and has become part of our political firmament) would leave Mr Ingraham “unbothered”. It certainly bothers me. ANDREW ALLEN, Nassau, August 7, 2022.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, August 10, 2022, PAGE 7
As murder toll hits 85, police aim to stop year’s total exceeding 100 By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net
POLICE Commissioner Clayton Fernander is of the view that there is room to “finish the year strong” in the country not surpassing 100 murders this year, while the murder count stands at 85 with four more months in 2022. This number, he said, equated to a 21 percent increase in murders so far for the year, when compared to the same period in 2021. He was adamant that police will “be able to hold the line” when it comes to the crime situation in the country.
He gave the crime statistics while giving the keynote address at the Rotary Club of Nassau’s hybrid meeting at the Nassau Yacht Club yesterday. “Yet, to date with respect to the murders, we have a total of 85 murders on record,” the commissioner said. “As we speak, we got off to a bad start. “Eighty-five and I still believe that we will be able to finish the year strong. Still under 100. In 2018 before I went on leave we had the count under 100 after two decades. “We will do it again, never seen that and everything was working for us. And we intend to fix that and do just that. And still
under 100. There’s still a few more months to go and I believe that we will be able to hold the line and finish strong.” “The increase in murders is 21 percent to compare with 2021,” he said further. He also told people gathered that he was of the view that the solvency rate was also “great” for the Royal Bahamas Police Force. “I believe that this force could solve any matter that comes to our attention. But the focus is we want to prevent these things from happening and we have to continue to put serious initiatives and being consistent in what we do to ensure that we do just that to prevent these things
POLICE CHIEF: SCRAP BAIL FOR SERIOUS CRIMINALS from page one persons being killed on bail, Mr Fernander said he fully supports the minister’s approach. The commissioner added that there could also be swift justice by allowing persons to go straight to trial and alleviate instances of retaliation. “If you’re lucky enough to get off base on some things happening, then that’s fine,” he said. “But let’s bring these matters in a reasonable time. He stressed that: “We have to move towards this.” Additionally, the
commissioner highlighted Operation Ceasefire, which has been used in targeting prolific gang members along with removing firearms and drugs off the streets. Gang violence has been an ongoing issue in the country, particularly with gang activities and affiliations happening amongst schools. When asked if the police have any strategies put in place to combat gang violence in schools, the commissioner responded that they are working in partnership with the Ministry of Education. Mr Fernander noted that
they have a plan which should be rolled out shortly. He added: “As we speak, we have a team of security officers who will be assisting the police in the schools who are training now, a one-week training course at the police college.” These plans with the Ministry of Education were ongoing, he reiterated. In terms of the ShotSpotter system, he said officials had just signed a contract last week to extend the system for certain areas that are high in crime. Mr Fernander explained the ShotSpotter has been working and providing the necessary data needed.
FOUR ACCUSED OVER GUN AND AMMUNITION By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
THREE men and a woman were charged in a Magistrate’s Court yesterday with possession of a prohibited weapon and ammunition. However, one of the men pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS). Darius Hall, 21, Kevin Colebrook, 27, Damatto Deveaux, 31, and Tanahja Dean, 21, all represented by Attorney Lennox Coleby faced Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux on three charges. These included possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of ammunition and possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply. According to a police report at around 1.35am on August 7, officers executed a search warrant at a residence in Eighth Street, Coconut Grove, in search of drugs and firearms. After Hall allowed officers into his home, they
discovered a firearm inside a Nike bag behind his bedroom door. This was identified as a prohibited .40 Glock pistol, with 13 rounds of 9mm ammunition. Police also uncovered suspected drugs, with 38 plastic baggies containing a grassy substance in the same bedroom and another 40 baggies of the same substance in his living room. These were later identified as Indian Hemp with a collective weight of 8lbs. The drugs had an estimated street value of $4,500. In a police interview, Hall gave a no comment response. However, in court Hall was the only accused to plead guilty to all three charges, with the remaining three pleading not guilty to their respective charges. As there were no objections, Colebrook, Deveaux and Dean were granted bail in the sum of $7,500 with one or two sureties. Under the conditions of their bail all three accused are to be fitted with a monitoring device. During attorney Coleby’s plea of mitigation on Hall’s
behalf, he said that his young client has no antecedents and is capable of rehabilitation. Mr Coleby went on to say that Hall was the father of a oneyear-old child and implored the court not to separate the two for more than two years. The attorney then pointed out that his client had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and being remorseful for actions that he described as a one-off situation as a reason for the magistrate to only impose a maximum sentence of 16 months to two years on Hall. The magistrate sentenced him to two years at BDCS for the gun charge with another one-year sentence for the ammunition charge to be served concurrently. Hall is further expected to pay an $8,000 fine for the drug charge or risk an additional one-year in custody. The firearms and drugs were to be destroyed. Hall thanked the magistrate for her leniency. The remaining three will go to trial on October 28.
SCHOOLBOY DENIES HAVING LOADED GUN By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MALE juvenile was granted $8,000 bail in a Magistrate’s Court yesterday after being reportedly found with a loaded gun. The 16-year-old, in the presence of his mother and attorney Roberto Reckley, was charged before Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux. He faced charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition.
On August 6 in New Providence, the juvenile was arrested when authorities allegedly found him with a black Austria Glock 9mm pistol. The serial number had been erased. The boy was also found with 11 unfired rounds of 9mm ammunition. He pleaded not guilty to both charges. Mr Reckley pointed out to the magistrate that the firearm was only in his client’s general area. He said the 16-yearold had suffered two seizures while in custody.
Mr Reckley asked that his client, who has a history of seizures, not be placed on remand because of medical concerns. In view of this, the magistrate granted the juvenile $8,000 bail with two sureties. Under the conditions of his bail the accused is expected to be fitted with a monitoring device and remain on curfew at his home from 5pm until 8am each day. The accused is expected to return to court in full school uniform for trial on November 23.
$200 FINE OVER INDIAN HEMP POSSESSION By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN was fined $200 in a Magistrate’s Court yesterday on a drug charge. Davardo Brown, 42, appeared before Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux on a charge of possession of dangerous drugs. At around 9.30am on August 8 near the Prince
George Wharf, Brown was pulled over in his vehicle after he was spotted not wearing a seatbelt. A subsequent search of his vehicle by authorities for suspected drugs and firearms uncovered two bags - one a small red bag and the other a small clear ziploc bag both containing a grassy substance near the driver’s side door. This substance was confirmed to be two grams
of Indian hemp leading to Brown’s arrest. In court, the accused pleaded guilty to the charge. After prosecution revealed that Brown had no antecedents, the Magistrate fined him $200 or three months in prison. Brown was further informed that he had within seven days to appeal his sentence and that the drugs would be destroyed.
from happening. “A number of young men being killed just after they were released on bail. That’s more than half of 85 young men who are on bail for serious crime, murder, armed robberies, and being monitored, shortly after they were released from prison, they are dead. Based on our intel we suspect that it is viral to gangs. “I believe that this force could solve any matter that comes to our attention. But the focus is we want to prevent these things from happening. And we have to continue to put serious initiatives and be consistent in what we do to ensure that we do just that to prevent these things from happening. “A number of young men being killed just after they were released on bail. That’s more than half of 85 young men who are on bail for serious crime, murder, armed robberies, and being monitored, shortly after they were released from prison, they are dead. Based on our intel we suspect that it is viral to gangs.” Last month at a ceremony to mark the force being handed over to him, Mr Fernander announced several anti-crime strategies to tackle gun violence in the country, including the establishment of a special anti-gang and firearms unit.
POLICE Commissioner Clayton meeting yesterday. Commissioner Fernander also promised to review gun-related legislation to levy tougher penalties for people found with illegal weapons. His comments come as the country faced a rash of homicides in recent days, with 75 murders recorded so far for the year. Eight people were killed in the week prior to his
Fernander speaking at a Rotary Photo: Austin Fernander appointment. About 41 of the victims were suspects out on bail for pending murder cases, according to police officials. Noting the loss of one life as one too many, Mr Fernander vowed to take bold actions in the fight against crime, adding that officials are now reviewing its intelligence unit to restructure their approach to the issue.
PAGE 8, Wednesday, August 10, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
ANOTHER day, another crime scene - the news can be depressing, so how do you stay in touch with the world without being overwhelmed by it?
Making space in the world of news noise which surrounds us FOR the past week, scrolling the news has been difficult. In every newspaper and on every news outlet website, the top stories are gut-wrenching, frustrating and terrifying. The same is true for the stories amplified on television and radio news. This is, of course, the way media companies make money. The tragedies, outrageous quotes from politicians, and suggestions of corruption get our attention and we immediately want to know more. Whether or not we actually get more information or end up with even more questions and confusion after reading the article or hearing the audio clip is a toss up. It is almost guaranteed, however, that we will feel worse. People often comment that the news is depressing, that there isn’t enough good news, and that it may even be better to simply not know what is going on in the country. There is obvious tension there. As residents, it is our responsibility to be engaged. To pay attention. To participate in public conversation. To contribute to change. In order to truly engage, we have to be informed. Second-hand information is usually insufficient and sometimes incomplete or misleading. We need to access the news for ourselves, read past the first
By Alicia Wallace
page and make our own assessments. It can also be helpful to tune in to some of the commentary from fellow residents. What are other people saying about the news? Which stories are getting the most attention? Who is most affected by what is happening? Why are certain groups of people more focused on a particular stories? Which news stories are not being amplified by the media or discussed by members of the public? What different opinions are being shared? What emotions are beneath the reactions? It is easy to stay within our own bubbles. Our social circles are often full of people who have similar experiences to ours, think in the same ways and take the same positions. This can lead us to believe, incorrectly, that we are all on the same page in the country. Because we hear one narrative and one set of ideas, it is easy to be misled, thinking there is a larger group of people that want what we want and hold the positions we do than there really is.
Consuming the news is not enough. Exposure to different ideas and positions helps to give broader, more complete understanding of where we are as a people and, by extension, what is possible in the short-term.
LIMITING NEWS INTAKE
While we need to be informed and engaged, it is important to know and acknowledge our limits. There is no competition to know the most about what is currently happening in the country, the region or the world. There is no need to consume news all day, regardless of the frequency of reports. For those who listen to the radio, several stations play a short version of the news every hour, and although it is often the same, hearing the same stories over and over again can have negative effects. If we are constantly receiving inputs — almost all of them negative — throughout our days, we can only expect to have similar feelings and some of it will spill into our outputs. News has become not only a regular part of our day, but an almost everpresent part. It is no longer limited to the six o’clock or seven o’clock evening broadcast. It is not only
published in newspapers. It to avoid news around meal is now in an all-day stream times. It can also be a good with radio talk shows delv- idea to avoid the news right ing into particular news before bed. For those with stories and it is discussed on children, it can be helpful to avoid the news on the drive social media. When social media con- to school if they may need versations get going, it extra time to think about is difficult to walk away. how they would like to talk Most people observe inter- to their children about news actions, receiving many items and answer questions inputs and possibly having they may have. In addition offside conversato making decitions, and others ‘Consuming sions about actively parthe news is consumption, ticipate, sharing specific to times thoughts, argu- not enough. of day and freing points, and Exposure to quency, we also presenting different ideas need to proadditional infortect our mental mation. With and positions and emotional this constant helps to give spaces. It is okay stream of news to exit a conand commen- broader, more versation. It is tary, challenging complete okay to refuse topics take up a understanding to participate large portion of in an engageour days (and of where ment, or to end our energy) we are as a it when others without us even people and, want to conrealising it. If we tinue. It can be are not inten- by extension, helpful to start tional about what is any engagement setting limits, it possible in the regarding the will go on this news, especially short-term.’ way. on topics that There are you find very upsetting, to likely specific times of day give yourself permission to that we can identify as leave at any time. It is up unsuitable for consuming to you whether or not you news. One may be first thing let people know at the start in the morning. Hearing that you may need to check about murders and reading out, but you do not need about fatal accidents are their permission. Do what not good ways to start a day. works for you, and a have a We can implement guide- plan for when you need to lines for ourselves which take care of yourself. can be as simple as ensuring we have breakfast, have a chance to stretch, take a morning walk, or have a pleasant conversation with family members or friends Moments of feeling before turning to the news. overwhelmed can happen For some, especially those throughout the day. You who experience physiologi- may be disheartened by cal effects, it may be best news, disappointed by the
RELAXATION TECHNIQUES
commentary being made by colleagues, or triggered by a story. It is important to notice these moments and take a personal action that will help you to continue your day. 1. Go outside. Yes, it is hot, but even a minute of sunlight and fresh air can help. It is like pressing a reset button. When feeling tired, when you need a break, and when you would like to start again, try stepping out of the building, looking at the sky, taking in the beauty of a tree, stare out at the ocean, for simply breathe deeply. 2. Express it safely. You may not be prepared to directly address the issue bothering you, but it can help to put it somewhere outside of your headspace. You can record a rant in a voice memo on your phone, write a journal entry, or call a trusted person (and be sure to confirm that they have the capacity to listen). 3. Shake it out. You can take a minute to shake your body, especially arms and legs, to physically mark and express the removal of that initial response from your headspace. It is a way to take control and recognise your ability to press pause on a response and put your focus somewhere else until you are able to mentally engage that response. 4. Grounding exercise. Particularly for those with anxiety, it can be helpful to engage the senses. If possible, sit with your feet flat on the floor and take a deep breath. Identify five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, August 10, 2022, PAGE 9
TECHTALK
FROM MECCA TO THE VATICAN, EXPLORING SACRED SITES WITH VIRTUAL REALITY By LUIS ANDRES HENAO Associated Press
Click and gape at the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel ceiling up close. Click again and join thousands of pilgrims praying and circling around the cube-shaped Kaaba at Islam’s most sacred site. Or strap on a headset and enter the holy city of Jerusalem. There you’ll hear the murmur of Jewish prayers at the Western Wall or thousands of worshippers saying amen in unison at the AlAqsa Mosque. You can even light a virtual candle at the site where Christians believe Jesus rose from the grave. All without ever leaving home. Worshippers, tourists and visitors from around the world are increasingly joining virtual reality religious activities and pilgrimages to some of Earth’s most sacred sites. Such experiences are among the many evolving spaces in the metaverse, an immersive virtual world where people can connect via avatars, that have grown in popularity during the pandemic. “We believe that virtual reality is, if you like, the new internet, the new way for people not to watch things passively on the screen and just to click on photos and videos, but to actually teleport
themselves,” said Nimrod Shanit, CEO of HCXR and Blimey, the producers of The Holy City, an immersive VR experience that allows people to visit Jerusalem’s holiest sites. Participants “get a sense of the different rituals, culture, architecture, get a sense of the world without the need to actually spend tons of money on travel and contribute to global carbon emissions,” Shanit said. Using a 360-degree camera, a lidar scanner and his training as a photojournalist, Shanit in 2015 began to capture videos and photos of Christian, Islamic and Jewish religious festivals and holy sites in his native Jerusalem. He then stitched the footage and images together digitally to create a visually immersive experience. Virtual pilgrims can follow Orthodox clerics as they emerge from the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in the Holy Fire ceremony, with candles lit by a fire that the faithful view as a divine message. They will also hear bells tolling and chants of “The Lord has risen!” in multiple languages. They can tuck a prayer note into a crack of the Western Wall, or follow the steps of thousands of worshippers during Ramadan at the Al-Aqsa Mosque. To accurately render details
A ROOMBA 980 vacuum cleaning robot is pictured in 2015. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
A SCANNED and digitally re-created 3D model of the Rotunda and Aedicule of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in The Holy City, a virtual reality experience in the metaverse, is pictured in October, 2018. (The Holy City VR via AP) of Jerusalem in the virtual space, developers scanned the holy sites and a large physical model made in the 19th century that is on loan at the city’s Tower of David Museum. Users can hover over this digital model leading to fullscale scans of the city entering through different gates that lead to the Cathedral of Saint James and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Western Wall, the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Shanit, who is Jewish, and his two partners — one Muslim, one Christian — hope The Holy City can foster dialogue and understanding between faiths. Many Americans — some traditionally religious, some religiously unaffiliated — are increasingly communing spiritually through virtual reality. Around the world, people are also able to experience sites sacred to Hinduism, Buddhism and other faiths through 360-degree videos, virtual maps and 3D temples. Experience Makkah uses 3D modeling to let users circle around the Kaaba building,
meet praying pilgrims dressed in white terrycloth garments, learn about rituals and explore other significant landmarks. They include Mount Arafat, the nearby desert hill where the Prophet Muhammad delivered his final sermon nearly 1,400 years ago. This immersive VR experience was launched in 2015 but became most popular when it was updated in 2020, said Ehab Fares, chief executive of the digital agency BSocial, which created Experience Makkah. During that first pandemic year, the hajj pilgrimage — which drew about 2.5 million people a year earlier — was limited to as few as 1,000 already residing in Saudi Arabia because of restrictions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. “In less than a month, we had more than 20,000 users from the Middle East and the rest of the world,” said Fares, whose company is based in Cairo. Fares calls Experience Makkah a “digital good deed”
with a particular focus on young people. The latest version can be explored through Google Cardboard, a low-cost cardboard attachment that turns smartphones into virtual reality viewers. “There’s a young generation which is glued to the mobiles, and I wanted to reach that generation and introduce Islam using technology.” Fares said he has been pleasantly surprised by the positive response from people across the world. But he cautioned that he’s not trying to substitute the hajj, which is one of the pillars of Islam. “The intention was to give you a feel of what you will experience on the ground,” he said, “but it’s definitely not a replacement to the actual experience.” The Sistine Chapel reopened to the public in early 2021 after closing the previous November due to the pandemic. But even while in-person access was shut off, Michelangelo’s breathtaking frescoes could be experienced through a virtual tour on the Vatican’s website.
ARTICLE CONTRIBUTED BY PLATO ALPHA
THE INFLUENCE OF TECHNOLOGY IN BUSINESS
• NEW TECHNOLOGIES BRING CHANGES This change may be small and affect only one industry, or widespread, having an impact on a variety of sectors. Most technological transformations are large-scale. Evidently, many of these advancements have occurred in the computer field, while others have dealt a heavy blow to the business world. They mainly lead to the complete innovation of processes and can increase the productivity of workers and investments, while promoting the interdependence of industries, allowing the deployment of new technologies, and accelerating economic activity. • THE DAILY IMPACT ON BUSINESS Today’s technology has completely changed some companies while also creating entire business niches that haven’t existed before. Business owners now run their companies on laptops, tablets, and smartphones, without ever having to consider opening a brick presence. Truly, the daily environment of existing businesses has changed immensely. Now, office workers often spend part of the week working from a distance, from home, or on the road. Likewise, business meetings no longer mean driving long distances, because teleconferencing makes it possible for everyone to meet online. Today, many offices are also paperless, with several organisations opting to save all work-related documents in the cloud. Some offices have also chosen to adopt online chat technology to keep their team in continuous communication.
• IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES Experts have long predicted that technology would one day replace many man-made jobs. Still, history has shown that as jobs become outdated, new opportunities arise. Today’s students are encouraged to prepare for technology-based careers such as data analysis and computer programming, despite the fact that four decades ago, they would have been directed to education for an administrative or sales position. Technology has also transformed employment, with the internet allowing workers to perform their tasks at home or in another remote location. This has the added benefit of giving companies access to a global talent pool that enables them to hire skilled, experienced workers at affordable rates. • IMPACT ON CUSTOMER ACCESS Thanks to social networks and the internet, reaching consumers is easier than ever. By using websites and various social platforms, even the newest small business can post content that helps interested customers find them. Personalised gift shops selling clothes, shoes, eyewear, and even furniture, are just some of the businesses that have been successful in recent times. Even casinos benefited from the advancement of technology, and now, anyone can have access to an online live casino from the comfort of their own home. Instead of paying third parties for advertising in print or electronic media, today’s companies can also disseminate information to
customers directly. The result is a low cost that standardises the playing conditions between large corporations and startups.
• IMPACT ON COST-EFFECTIVENESS This is another benefit that companies enjoy by adopting cutting-edge technology in their processes. These technologies are reducing thirdparty intermediaries, automating processes, reducing errors, and ensuring safety. In the long run, this will reduce the investment required to start a business without affecting sales, otherwise known as making the process economical. • IMPACT ON SECURITY One area where the impact of technology on business has brought both positive and negative aspects is security. Businesses now need to make significant efforts to secure networks and all connected devices, which often means paying a monthly fee for cloud hosting and top-notch software to keep the equipment safe. This has also created opportunities for technology specialists in the cybersecurity arena, where experts are in high demand. Numerous businesses in the modern era are subject to security threats. Technology can be used to secure financial data, confidential administrative decisions, and other proprietary information that can provide a competitive advantage. In short, technology can help companies keep their ideas away from competitors. By owning a computer with a password, the company can ensure that any of its upcoming projects will not be copied
by competitors.
• IMPACT ON EMPLOYEE PRODUCTIVITY Businesses can use technology to increase employee productivity. Even basic business techniques can have a significant impact on employee performance. For example, by putting employee performance evaluation information in an online framework, supervisors can easily create measurable goals for employees to achieve and maintain company objectives. If technology can provide better production output, business owners can also use technology instead of employees to expand their business. Compared with manual methods, computer programs and commercial software usually allow employees to process more information. Business owners can also enforce business technology to reduce manpower. This allows small businesses to avoid paying labour costs and employee benefits. Technology has allowed small businesses to compete fairly with large organisations, thereby completely changing the way companies conduct business. Small businesses develop a competitive advantage in economic markets by using a range of technologies from servers to mobile devices. Implementing technology in the planning process to simplify integration and make room for future expansion should be considered by business owners. This allows the owner to create operations using the most effective technology available.
AMAZON TO BUY VACUUM MAKER iROBOT FOR ROUGHLY $1.7B By HALELUYA HADERO AP Business Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Amazon announced last week it has agreed to acquire the vacuum cleaner maker iRobot for approximately $1.7 billion, scooping up another company to add to its collection of smart home appliances amid broader concerns from anti-monopoly and privacy advocates about Amazon’s market power and ability to gain deeper insights into consumers’ lives. iRobot sells its products worldwide and is most famous for the circularshaped Roomba vacuum, which would join voice assistant Alexa, the Astro robot and Ring security cameras and others in the list of smart home features offered by the Seattle-based e-commerce and tech giant. The move is part of Amazon’s bid to own part of the home space through services and accelerate its growth beyond retail, said Neil Saunders, managing director at GlobalData Retail. A slew of home-cleaning robots adds to the company’s tech arsenal, making it more involved in consumers’ lives beyond static things like voice control. The latest line of Roombas use sensors to map -- and remember -- a home’s floor plan, offering a trove of data that Amazon could potentially integrate with its other products. Amazon’s Astro robot, which helps with tasks like setting an alarm, was unveiled last year at an introductory price of $1,000. But its rollout has been limited and has received a lackluster response.
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PAGE 10, Wednesday, August 10, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
FBI’S SEARCH OF TRUMP’S FLORIDA ESTATE: WHY NOW?
POLICE direct traffic outside an entrance to former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, on Monday in Palm Beach, Flordia. Trump said in a lengthy statement that the FBI was conducting a search of his Mar-a-Lago estate and asserted that agents had broken open a safe. Photo: Terry Renna/AP WASHINGTON Associated Press THE FBI’S unprecedented search of former President Donald Trump’s Florida residence ricocheted around government, politics and a polarised country yesterday along with questions as to why the Justice Department — notably cautious under Attorney General Merrick Garland — decided to take such a drastic step. Answers weren’t quickly forthcoming. Agents on Monday searched Trump’s Mar-aLago estate, which is also a private club, as part of a federal investigation into whether the former president took classified records from the White House to his Florida residence, people familiar with the matter said. It marked a dramatic escalation of law enforcement scrutiny of Trump, who faces an array of inquiries tied to his conduct in the waning days of his administration. From echoes of Watergate to the more immediate House probe of the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection, Washington, a city used to sleepy Augusts, reeled from one speculative or accusatory headline to the next. Was the Justice Department politicised? What prompted it to seek authorisation to search the estate for classified documents now, months after it was revealed that Trump had taken boxes of materials with him when he left the White House after losing the 2020 election? Garland has not tipped his hand despite an outcry from some Democrats impatient over whether the department was even pursuing evidence that has surfaced in the January 6 probe and other investigations— and from Republicans who were swift to echo Trump’s claims that he was the victim of political prosecution. All Garland has said publicly is that “no one is above the law”. A federal judge had to sign off on the warrant after establishing that FBI agents had shown probable cause
GOP RALLIES AROUND TRUMP FOLLOWING FBI SEARCH NEW YORK Associated Press
FOR much of the year, small cracks in Donald Trump’s political support have been growing. Dissatisfied Republican primary voters began to consider new presidential prospects. GOP donors grappled with damaging revelations uncovered by the Jan 6 committee. Several party leaders pondered challenging Trump for the party’s 2024 nomination. But after the FBI executed a search warrant at his Florida estate, the Republican Party unified swiftly behind the former president. Florida Gov Ron DeSantis, who likely represents Trump’s strongest potential primary challenger, described the Biden administration as a “regime” and called Monday’s Mar-a-Lago search for improperly taken classified documents “another escalation in the weaponisation before they could descend on Trump’s shuttered-forthe-season home — he was in New York, a thousand or so miles away, at the time of the search. Monday’s search intensified the months-long probe into how classified documents ended up in boxes of White House records located at Mar-a-Lago earlier this year. A separate grand jury is investigating efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, and it all adds to potential legal peril for Trump as he lays the groundwork for a potential repeat run for the White House. Trump and his allies quickly sought to cast the search as a weaponisation of the criminal justice system and a Democraticdriven effort to keep him from winning another term in 2024 — though the Biden White House said it had no prior knowledge and current FBI Director Christopher Wray was appointed by Trump five years ago. Trump, disclosing the search in a lengthy statement late Monday, asserted that agents had opened a safe at his home, and he described their work as an “unannounced raid” that he likened to “prosecutorial misconduct.” Justice Department spokesperson Dena Iverson declined to comment on the search, including whether
of federal agencies against the Regime’s political opponents”. The GOP push to portray Trump as the victim of a politicised Justice Department ignored the potential criminal misconduct that justified the search in the eyes of a federal judge. It overlooked Trump’s role in hiring now-vilified FBI Director Chris Wray, who also served as a high-ranking official in a Republican-led Justice Department. The Biden White House, meanwhile, said it had no prior knowledge of the search. But the robust defence serves as a fresh reminder of the former president’s enduring grip on the GOP, driven by an ability to use a sense of grievance among many Republican voters toward government and other institutions. Trump tapped into that animosity to overcome two impeachments and the fallout from an insurrection. His allies said on Tuesday
Garland had personally authorised it. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the West Wing first learned of the search from public media reports and the White House had not been briefed in the run-up or aftermath. Jean-Pierre refused to say whether Biden wanted the attorney general to explain publicly the rationale for the search amid the concerns about politicization of the probe. “The Justice Department conducts investigations independently and we leave any law enforcement matters to them,” she said. “We are not involved.” About two dozen Trump supporters stood in protest at midmorning Tuesday in the Florida summer heat and sporadic light rain on a bridge near the former president’s residence. One held a sign reading “Democrats are Fascists” while others carried flags saying “2020 Was Rigged,” “Trump 2024” and Biden’s name with an obscenity. Some cars honked in support as they passed. Trump’s Vice President Mike Pence, a potential 2024 rival, tweeted Tuesday, “Yesterday’s action undermines public confidence in our system of justice and Attorney General Garland must give a full accounting to the American people as to why this action was taken and he must do so
immediately” Trump was planning to meet yesterday at his Bedminster, New Jersey, club with members of the Republican Study Committee, a group headed by Rep. Jim Banks of Indiana that says it is committed to putting forth his priorities in Congress. The FBI reached out to the Secret Service shortly before serving a warrant, a third person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press. Secret Service agents contacted the Justice Department and were able to validate the warrant before facilitating access to the estate, the person said. The Justice Department has been investigating the potential mishandling of classified information since the National Archives and Records Administration said it had received from Mar-a-Lago 15 boxes of White House records, including documents containing classified information, earlier this year. The National Archives said Trump should have turned over that material upon leaving office, and it asked the Justice Department to investigate. There are multiple federal laws governing the handling of classified records and sensitive government documents, including statutes that make it a crime to remove such material and retain it at an unauthorised
that the FBI search would only strengthen his position again. “Trump just won the 2024 primary,” proTrump commentator Jack Posobiec declared. The FBI search also seemed to trigger a shift among Trump’s advisers, who had been privately urging him to wait until after the midterm elections to announce his intention to seek the presidency again. Suddenly, some of those same advisers were urging him to launch his campaign before the November elections. Trump stoked such speculation in the hours after the search by posting a campaign-style video on social media. “The best is yet to come,” he said. He followed up with a fundraising appeal, making it personal by declaring “it’s important that you know that it wasn’t just my home that was violated — it was the home of every patriotic American who I have been fighting for.”
location. Though a search warrant does not necessarily mean criminal charges are near or even expected, federal officials looking to obtain one must first demonstrate to a judge that they have probable cause that a crime occurred. Two people familiar with the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation, said the search Monday was related to the records probe. Agents were also looking to see if Trump had additional presidential records or any classified documents at the estate. Trump has previously maintained that presidential records were turned over “in an ordinary and routine process.” His son Eric said on Fox News on Monday night that he had spent the day with his father and that the search happened because “the National Archives wanted to corroborate whether or not Donald Trump had any documents in his possession.” Trump himself, in a social media post Monday night, called the search a “weaponisation of the Justice System, and an attack by Radical Left Democrats who desperately don’t want me to run for President in 2024”. Trump took a different stance during the 2016 presidential campaign, frequently pointing to an FBI
investigation into his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, over whether she mishandled classified information via a private email server she used as secretary of state. Then-FBI Director James Comey concluded that Clinton had sent and received classified information, but the FBI did not recommend criminal charges. Trump lambasted that decision and then stepped up his criticism of the FBI as agents began investigating whether his campaign had colluded with Russia to tip the 2016 election. He fired Comey during that probe, and though he appointed Wray months later, he repeatedly criticised him, too, as president. The probe is hardly the only legal headache confronting Trump. A separate investigation related to efforts by him and his allies to undo the results of the 2020 presidential election — which led to the January 6, 2021, riot at the US Capitol — has also been intensifying in Washington. Several former White House officials have received grand jury subpoenas. And a district attorney in Fulton County, Georgia, is investigating whether Trump and his close associates sought to interfere in that state’s election, which was won by Democrat Joe Biden.
‘YOU CAN’T HURRY LOVE’ SONGWRITER DOZIER DIES AGED 81 NEW YORK Associated Press LAMONT Dozier, the middle name of the celebrated Holland-DozierHolland team that wrote and produced “You Can’t Hurry Love,” “Heat Wave” and dozens of other hits and helped make Motown an essential record company of the 1960s and beyond, has died at age 81. Dozier died “peacefully” on Monday at his home near Scottsdale,
Arizona, according to a statement issued by his family. The cause of death was not immediately determined. Duke Fakir, a close friend and the last surviving member of the original Four Tops, called Dozier a “beautiful, talented guy” with an uncanny sense of what material worked best for a given group. “I like to call HollandDozier-Holland ‘tailors of music’,” he said yesteday during a telephone interview. “They could take any
artist, call them into their office, talk to them, listen to them and write them a top ten song.” In Motown’s historic, selfdefined rise to the “Sound of Young America”, Holland-Dozier-Holland stood out even compared to such gifted peers as Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder and Barrett Strong. Over a four-year period, 1963-67, Dozier and brothers Brian and Eddie Holland crafted more than 25 top 10 songs and mastered the blend of
pop and rhythm and blues that allowed the Detroit label, and founder Berry Gordy, to defy boundaries between Black and white music and rival the Beatles on the airwaves. For the Four Tops, they wrote “Baby I Need Your Loving” and “Reach Out (I’ll Be There),” for Martha and the Vandellas they wrote “Heat Wave” and “Jimmy Mack,” for Marvin Gaye “Baby Don’t You Do It” and “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You).”
SINGER DIANA ROSS, second from left, joins songwriters, from left, Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland and Eddie Holland after the writing team was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.
SPORTS PAGE 11
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2022
WORLD ATHLETICS CONTINENTAL TOUR
Gaither 5th, Thomas 6th in Hungary meet By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
S
printer Tynia Gaither and high jumper Donald Thomas, competing on the World Athletics Continental Tour 2022, got fifth and sixth place in their respective events as they continued to compete in Europe on Monday. Competing at the 12th Gyulia Istvan Memorial in Székesfehérvár, Hungary, Gaither sped to a fifth place in the women’s 200 metres in 22.63 seconds as Jamaica’s world champion Shericka Jackson took the victory in 22.02. Mujinga Kambundji, of Switzerland, was the runner-up in 22.45, while Americans Kayla White was third in 22.46 and Tamara Clark was fourth in 22.56. It was Gaither’s second straight meet since she left the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, where she placed seventh in the final of the women’s 100m behind Jamaican gold medallist Elaine Thompson-Herah. Gaither, the 29-year-old national 100m champion, just competed in the Slesia Wanda Diamond League on Saturday when she ran 22.70 for fourth place in a race that saw two-time Olympic and current world 400m champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo place second in 22.35. Jackson won in 21.84. National champion Thomas, competing in his specialty in the men’s high jump at the meet in Hungary, was tied for sixth place with Péter Bakosi after they both cleared 7-feet, 0 1/4-inches or 2.14 metres. Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy won the event with 7-4 ¼ (2.24m), the same height of Tobias Potye of Germany. Ukraine’s Andriy Protsenko was third, Edgar Rivera of Mexico fourth
WORLD ATHLETICS TOUR - Sprinter Tynia Gaither sped to a fifth place finish in the women’s 200 metres at the 12th Gyulia Istvan Memorial in Székesfehérvár, Hungary, on Monday.
NATIONAL champion Donald Thomas ended up tied for sixth place with Péter Bakosi after they both cleared 2.14 metres in the men’s high jump at the meet in Hungary.
and Péter Bakosi fifth, all with the same height of 7-1 ¾ (2.18m). It was Thomas’ first meet since Birmingham where he fell short of getting on the podium with fourth place in the men’s high jump at the Commonwealth Games. Today in the next meet in the Monaco Wanda
as well as Django Lovett of Canada. With some unfinished business in the 400m, 28-year-old MillerUibo will return to the 400m where she will contend with Barbados’ Sada Williams, who is coming off her Commonwealth Games record-setting performance in the women’s 400m in 49.90.
Diamond League, Thomas and Miller-Uibo are expected to take to the track. Thomas, 32, is entered in the men’s high jump where he will be facing Qatar’s world champion Mutaz Essa Barshim, Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi and Americans JuVaughn Harrison and Shelby McEwen
Gaither, Thomas and Miller-Uibo are then expected to return home to compete in the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Championships. The latter event (see sidebar), is scheduled for August 18-21 at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex in Freeport, Grand Bahama.
Serena, Page 13
NACAC CHAMPS IN GRAND BAHAMA TO ATTRACT OVER 400 ATHLETES By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net COMING on the heels of the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon three weeks ago and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, the focus now switches to the North American, Central American and Caribbean Championships in the Bahamas. The event, to be hosted here for the first time, will be staged from August 18-21 at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex in Grand Bahama and is expected to attract over 400 athletes from within the region. NACAC president Mike Sands said the event is gearing up to be one of the most competitive track and field meets ever to be held in the Bahamas, although all roads will lead into Grand Bahama. “We’re looking forward to the event in the next 10 days in Freeport, Grand Bahamas,” Sands said. “We have a preliminary list of about 420-450 athletes, but once the final submissions are in, we expect the numbers to remain pretty close to that. “We have some pretty interesting marquee names who will be attending, so we will do a full release on that in a short while. But we expect a very competitive event. Everyone is talking about it, the athletes, coaches and officials, who will be attending the event.” With so much anticipation for the event, Sands said there have also been some inquiries from persons attending, who just want to take a few days to relax and enjoy themselves in the Bahamas once the event is completed. “There are a couple of things that have sparked the interest of so many athletes,” according to Sands. “The winners in the
SEE PAGE 14
Durant reiterates his Goodell: NFL appeal desire to be traded of Watson suspension ‘right thing to do’ By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer
KEVIN Durant has again told Brooklyn Nets owner Joe Tsai that he wants to be traded, reiterating a request he first made nearly six weeks ago, a person with knowledge of the matter confirmed Monday night. Durant also told Tsai that he has concerns about the Nets’ direction under coach Steve Nash and general manager Sean Marks, said the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither the perennial All-Star nor the team confirmed details of the talks publicly. The Athletic first reported details of the latest Durant-Tsai meeting. “Our front office and coaching staff have my support,” Tsai tweeted Monday night. “We will make decisions in the best interest of the Brooklyn Nets.” This is the latest phase of a saga that began June
By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer
NETS forward Kevin Durant (7) drives against Celtics guard Jaylen Brown, right, during the first half of Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series on April 25. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) 30, when Durant told the Nets he wanted a trade just as this summer’s free agent period was beginning. Durant isn’t a free agent; he has four years and $198 million remaining on his contract with the Nets, who will undoubtedly demand a haul of players and draft picks in any trade agreement for the 12-time
All-Star, four-time scoring champion, three-time Olympic gold medallist and two-time NBA champion. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has never been a fan of trade demands going public. “This needs to be a twoway street,” Silver said last
SEE PAGE 14
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said he feels the league needed to keep pushing for a year-long suspension for Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson because of his “egregious” and “predatory behaviour” toward women. Speaking at the owners’ meetings yesterday in Bloomington, Minnesota, Goodell addressed the league’s decision to appeal a six-game suspension given to Watson by Sue L Robinson, a former federal judge appointed by the NFL and NFL Players Association as an independent league disciplinary officer. Robinson found Watson violated the
league’s conduct policy after he was accused by two dozen women of sexual assault or harassment while he played for Houston. Watson has settled 23 of the 24 lawsuits filed by the women, though he has denied any wrongdoing. The league has been seeking an indefinite suspension and fine for Watson, and felt Robinson’s six-game ban wasn’t enough. Goodell cited the collective bargaining agreement for empowering the league to seek further discipline. “Either party could certainly challenge and appeal that and that was something that we felt was our right to do as well as NFLPA,” Goodell said. “So we decided it was the right thing to do.”
Watson’s fate now rests with Peter C Harvey, a former New Jersey attorney general handpicked by Goodell to handle the appeal. Harvey has previously worked as an arbiter in league cases. Goodell said the league is pushing for a fullyear penalty for Watson because of the evidence against the 26-year-old, who was accused of being sexually inappropriate with the women during massage therapy sessions while with the Texans in 2020 and 2021. In her 16-page ruling, Robinson concluded Watson violated the league’s personal conduct policy with his behaviour, using both “egregious” and “predatory” to
SEE PAGE 13
PAGE 12, Wednesday, August 10, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
COWBOYS GIVE TURPIN SHOT AT NFL AMID BACKDROP OF TCU ASSAULT By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Pro Football Writer OXNARD, California (AP) — KaVontae Turpin is getting his first chance in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys nearly four years after the receiver and kick returner was accused of assaulting his girlfriend, ending his career at TCU. Turpin was kicked off the team at TCU in part because the school was unaware of a previous assault case in New Mexico. He pleaded guilty in the Texas case with a chance to clear the conviction from his record and attended an abuse intervention program. “I learned I got to learn from my accountability, my consequences,” Turpin said in his first meeting with reporters early in training camp. “I’m just looking forward to becoming a greater man now.” The assault case led to a long wait for an NFL call, but that’s not the only reason the speedy Turpin is a longshot. He’s also tiny, listed at 5-foot-7 and 158 pounds. If he makes the roster, Turpin will be close to his former college home with more time to tell his story. Despite his size, Turpin probably would have been drafted in 2019. He returned a punt for a touchdown in each of his four seasons with the Horned Frogs while averaging 28
yards on 71 career kickoff returns with two more scores. Instead, Turpin operated on the fringes of pro football with stints in the indoor Fan-Controlled Football League, the Spring League, the European League of Football and finally the reincarnation of the United States Football League. Turpin was MVP in the USFL, and said the Cowboys were the first team to contact him after the season ended. He didn’t need that MVP trophy to get the attention of Dallas special teams coach John Fassel. “He’s been on my radar since 2018,” Fassel said. “Clearly at TCU I’ve watched every single one of his returns and then keeping an eye on him over the course of his fan league and Spring League and then USFL. I’ve seen all of that work.” There’s little question Turpin can make it as a returner. The bigger challenge is receiver, even with the Cowboys having plenty of opportunities for newcomers. Amari Cooper was traded in a cost-cutting move, and veteran addition James Washington broke a foot early in training camp. There are openings below CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup, the No. 2 receiver who won’t be ready for the start of the season while recovering from knee surgery.
DALLAS Cowboys wide receiver KeVontae Turpin (2) participates in drills at the NFL football team’s practice facility in Oxnard, California, on Wednesday, August 3. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) Turpin, who turned cap for his introduction Turpin is prepared for 26 last week, is getting a at a team meeting. McCa- the questions about how he decent amount of work at rthy has liked the on-field disappeared from the Dalreceiver in camp. work, too. “The thing I’ve las-Fort Worth sports scene The Cowboys are getting been most impressed with is so quickly, and isn’t trying him the ball on the perim- just the way he’s jumped in to avoid them. “I’m here eter and on jet sweeps. there,” McCarthy said. to speak publicly, whatHe led the USFL with 540 “He’s done a really nice ever they need me to do,” receiving yards and 316 job in the wide receiver Turpin said. yards after the catch. room. Just the reps that he’s His coaches are equally Coach Mike McCarthy been given in the return aware of the history, with had a good first impres- game, he looks like a good McCarthy saying after the sion because the Pittsburgh fit for how we want to play signing became official that native noticed Turpin wear- there. I’m excited about Turpin was “responsible ing a Pittsburgh Pirates what’s in front of him.” and accountable” and “well
aware of what’s expected of him.” “I think that’s a huge challenge for him, in a good way,” Fassel said. “As far as I know about him, great kid, great in meetings, super respectful around everybody here. I expect him to perform well and act like a grown man.” If that happens, Fassel believes he has just the sort of special teams tool he needs. “Y-E-S. In all caps,” Fassel said. “There will be a role for him. And I can’t wait to see it.” NOTES: With the competition between Liram Hajrullahu and undrafted rookie Jonathan Garibay not going well, the Cowboys brought back one of their former kickers in Brett Maher. Garibay was waived. Maher was 20 of 30 on field goals when the Cowboys cut him after 13 games in 2019. He was 16 of 18 in eight games with New Orleans last season. The team said defensive passing game coordinator Joe Whitt Jr is dealing with a “private health matter” and won’t make the trip to Denver for a joint practice and preseason game. He is still participating in meetings. Whitt called the defensive plays in the preseason last year when defensive coordinator Dan Quinn was sidelined by a positive COVID-19 test.
Bassitt goes 8, Marte homers as Mets increase NL East lead NEW YORK (AP) — Chris Bassitt scattered eight hits over eight innings and Starling Marte hit a two-run homer in the first, leading the New York Mets to a 5-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night. With their 13th victory in 15 games, the Mets extended their NL East lead to seven games over idle Atlanta. Bassitt (9-7) allowed an unearned run and struck out eight. He threw 114 pitches, most by a Mets starter this year and two shy of his career high set in August 2019. Reds starter and former Mets prospect Justin Dunn (0-1) permitted three runs and five hits in 4 2/3 innings. He was pitching in the majors for the first time since June 2021. Daniel Vogelbach had an RBI single in the fourth and ex-Reds outfielder Tyler Naquin added a two-run triple in the eighth. Naquin was acquired from Cincinnati in a July 28 trade. YANKEES 9, MARINERS 4 SEATTLE (AP) — Aaron Judge hit his 44th homer, Josh Donaldson went deep and drove in three runs, and New York snapped a five-game losing streak by beating Seattle. Donaldson doubled twice and Andrew Benintendi also had two doubles and three RBIs as the Yankees hammered Mariners pitching. But it wasn’t a perfect night — Matt Carpenter broke his left foot when he fouled off a pitch in the first inning. Donaldson and Benintendi got it started as New York knocked around Logan Gilbert (10-5) for seven earned runs and 10 hits — six for extra bases — in four-plus innings. That was plenty for Jameson Taillon (11-2), who scattered three hits over seven innings. He gave up solo home runs to Mitch Haniger and Cal Raleigh,
but otherwise avoided major damage. GIANTS 1, PADRES 0 SAN DIEGO (AP) — Alex Wood held San Diego to three singles in 6 1/3 innings and San Francisco benefited from an overturned call at the plate to beat the sputtering Padres. Giants reliever Camino Doval retired the heart of San Diego’s order in the ninth — Juan Soto, Manny Machado and Josh Bell — to earn his 15th save. It was the fifth straight loss and second consecutive shutout for the Padres, who fell to 1-5 since obtaining Soto and Bell in a blockbuster trade last Tuesday. Their streak of scoreless innings reached 23 dating to Saturday. San Diego’s lead over Milwaukee for the NL’s third wild card is down to one game. Wood (8-9) struck out five and walked none. Blake Snell (4-6) allowed one run in 5 2/3 innings, striking out eight. ORIOLES 7, BLUE JAYS 4 BALTIMORE (AP) — Ramón Urías hit a three-run homer in the first inning, and Anthony Santander, Ryan Mountcastle and Austin Hays also went deep to lift Baltimore over Toronto. The Orioles, who entered the day two games behind Seattle and Tampa Bay for the final two wild cards in the American League, pulled within three of Toronto for the first wild card. This was the first of 15 meetings down the stretch between the Blue Jays and Orioles. Baltimore starter Jordan Lyles (9-8) yielded two runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings. Félix Bautista got four outs for his fifth save. Cavan Biggio and Matt Chapman homered for the Blue Jays. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. extended his hitting streak to 19 games, longest in the AL this year.
UMPIRE Rudi Koertzen
FORMER CRICKET UMPIRE RUDI KOERTZEN DIES AFTER CAR CRASH NEW York Mets’ Chris Bassitt pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night in New York.
NEW York Mets’ Francisco Lindor runs from second base to score a run during the third inning against the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night in New York. (AP Photos/Bebeto Matthews) Yusei Kikuchi (4-6) Chicago beat skidding Thompson allowed five runs and six Washington. hits in five-plus innings. (9-5) gave up five hits and Baltimore has won six of didn’t walk a batter. Luke Voit homered in the sixth to seven. end the shutout bid. CUBS 6, Pinch-hitter Joey MenNATIONALS 3 CHICAGO (AP) — eses launched a two-run Keegan Thompson pitched homer for the Nationals in six effective innings, and the eighth. Rowan Wick rookies Nelson Velázquez pitched a scoreless ninth for and Christopher Morel his fifth save. Velázquez’s homer highhomered in the third as lighted the first three-hit game of his career. The Nationals (36-75) dropped their sixth straight and have been outscored 51-20 during that span. Anibal Sanchez (0-5) pitched five-plus innings, the longest outing by a Nationals starter during their losing streak.
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ANGELS 1, ATHLETICS 0 OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — José Suarez struck out eight in seven superb innings to outpitch fellow lefty Cole Irvin in Los Angeles’ victory over Oakland. Luis Rengifo homered in the first and it held up. Suarez (4-4) gave up two hits while earning his second straight win against the Athletics. He hasn’t allowed an earned run in his last 18 innings. Aaron Loup pitched the eighth and Ryan Tepera finished for his second save to close out the two-hit shutout in just 2 hours, 14 minutes. Irvin (6-9) permitted five hits in eight innings and struck out six. He also lost to the Angels last week despite allowing only two runs in six innings. DIAMONDBACKS 3, PIRATES 0 PHOENIX (AP) — Zac Gallen pitched seven dominant innings, Ketel Marte hit a two-run single in the eighth and Arizona blanked Pittsburgh. Gallen (7-2) gave up three hits and two walks while striking out eight on 89 pitches. The seven innings matched a career high he’s reached 13 times. Joe Mantiply worked a perfect eighth and Ian Kennedy handled the ninth for his seventh save. Pirates reliever Manny Bañuelos (0-1) took the loss.
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Former South African cricket umpire Rudi Koertzen died yesterday following a car crash. He was 73. Cricket South Africa announced Koertzen’s death but gave no details of the incident other than to say the renowned umpire died following a car accident on Tuesday morning. Koertzen stood in 108 tests, a record 209 oneday internationals and 14 T20s over an 18-year career. His first test was in South Africa’s first home series back in international cricket in 1992 after a 22-year ban because of apartheid. He retired in 2010. Koertzen was famous for his unique method of giving a batter out, where he’d slowly raise his left arm with his finger pointing at the batter. It became known as the “slow finger of death.” He was one of cricket’s most respected umpires. “The passing of this titan is a sad loss for the game,” said Cricket South Africa CEO Pholetsi Moseki, who paid tribute to Koertzen’s “selfless dedication and commitment.” South Africa’s Algoa FM radio station reported that Koertzen and three other people were killed in a head-on collision near the town of Riversdale in the Western Cape province. Koertzen was returning to his home in the Eastern Cape province after playing in a golf tournament.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, August 10, 2022, PAGE 13
BRITISH TRACK COACH BANNED FOR LIFE FOR SEXUAL MISCONDUCT
IN this July 3, 2010, photo, Serena Williams celebrates winning a point against Russia’s Vera Zvonareva during their women’s singles final at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships at Wimbledon. Serena Williams says she is ready to step away from tennis after winning 23 Grand Slam titles, turning her focus to having another child and her business interests. “I’m turning 41 this month, and something’s got to give,” Williams wrote in an essay released yesterday by Vogue magazine. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Serena Williams says ‘countdown has begun’ to retirement By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer SAYING “the countdown has begun,” 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams announced yesterday she is ready to step away from tennis so she can turn her focus to having another child and her business interests, presaging the end of a career that transcended sports. In an essay released yesterday by Vogue magazine, and a post on Instagram — the sorts of direct-to-fans communication favored these days by celebrities, a category she most definitely fits — Williams was not completely clear on the timeline for her last match, but she made it sound as if that could be at the US Open, which begins August 29 in New York. “There comes a time in life when we have to decide to move in a different direction. “That time is always hard when you love something so much. My goodness do I enjoy tennis. But now, the countdown has begun,” Williams, who turns 41 next month, wrote on Instagram. “I have to focus on being a mom, my spiritual goals and finally discovering a different, but just (as) exciting Serena. I’m gonna relish these next few weeks.” Williams, one of the greatest and most accomplished athletes in the history of her — or any other — sport, wrote in the essay that she does not like the word “retirement” and prefers to think of this stage of her life as “evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me.” “I feel a great deal of pain. It’s the hardest thing that I could ever imagine. I hate it. I hate that I have to be at this crossroads,” she wrote. “I keep saying to myself, I wish it could be easy for me, but it’s not. I’m torn: I don’t want it to be over, but at the same time I’m ready for what’s next.” That she would be publicly contemplating the end of her playing days is not all that surprising to anyone, given her age — her 10 Grand Slam titles after turning 30 are unsurpassed — her history of injuries and her recent record: one victory in a singles match in the past 12 months (that win arrived Monday in Toronto; she is scheduled to play again today).
Her status as an athlete, and a groundbreaker, is obvious to everyone. “Serena Williams is a generational, if not multigenerational, talent who had a profound impact on the game of tennis, but an even greater influence on women in sports, business and society. At a time when our nation and the world have wrestled with essential issues of identity, Serena has stood as a singular exemplar of the best of humanity after breaking through countless barriers to her participation and ultimate success,” US Open tournament director Stacey Allaster said. “She leaves an indelible legacy of grace and grit that will inspire athletes, female and male, for many generations to come. We can’t thank her enough for all she has done for our sport.” US Tennis Association spokesman Chris Widmaier said the organisation “will be operating under the assumption that this will be Serena Williams’ last US Open.” It is the year’s final Grand Slam event and one she has won six times, most recently in 2014, to go along with seven titles apiece at Wimbledon and the Australian Open, plus three at the French Open, across a career remarkable for its peaks and its longevity. She also owns 14 Grand Slam doubles championships, all won with her older sister, Venus, part of a remarkable tale of two siblings from Compton, California, who grew up to both be ranked No. 1, win dozens of trophies and dominate tennis for stretches — a story told in the Oscar-winning film “King Richard.” Venus, who is 42 and still competing, was the first in the family to break through, reaching her first Grand Slam final at the 1997 US Open. But it was Serena who soon surpassed her sister, winning the 1999 US Open at age 17 and then going on to add 22 more such triumphs (Venus won seven major singles titles), eventually establishing herself as a one-of-a-kind superstar, known for far more than her talent with a racket in hand. The younger Williams was armed with as effective a serve as there’s ever been, powerful forehands and backhands, instincts and speed that allowed her to cover every inch of a court and switch from defence to
SERENA WILLIAMS, left, holds her trophy after defeating her sister Venus, right, to win the women’s singles final on the Centre Court at Wimbledon, Saturday, July 6, 2002. Serena won the match 7-6 (7-4), 6-3. Saying “the countdown has begun,” 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams announced yesterday she is ready to step away from tennis so she can turn her focus to having another child and her business interests, presaging the end of a career that transcended sports. (AP Photo/Ted S Warren) offence in a blink, and an enviable will to win. That unflinching desire to be the best helped make her the best — and also sometimes got her into trouble with chair umpires during matches, most infamously during the 2018 US Open final she lost to Naomi Osaka, a woman more than a decade younger who grew up idolising Williams, as have so many of today’s players. The official Twitter feed for Wimbledon posted this message yesterday above a photo of Williams: “Some play the game. Others change it.” “I don’t particularly like to think about my legacy. I get asked about it a lot, and I never know exactly what to say. But I’d like to think that thanks to opportunities afforded to me, women athletes feel that they can be themselves on the court,” Williams wrote. “They can play with aggression and pump their fists. They can be strong yet beautiful. They can wear what they want and say what they want and kick butt and be proud of it all.” The American has won more Grand Slam singles titles in the professional era than any other woman or man. Only one player, Margaret Court, collected more, 24, although the Australian won a portion of hers in the amateur era. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want that record. Obviously I do. But day to day, I’m really not thinking about her. If I’m in a Grand Slam final, then yes, I am thinking about that
record,” Williams said. “Maybe I thought about it too much, and that didn’t help. The way I see it, I should have had 30-plus Grand Slams.” But, Williams went on to write, “These days, if I have to choose between building my tennis résumé and building my family, I choose the latter.” She and her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, have a daughter, Olympia, who turns 5 on September 1. “Believe me, I never wanted to have to choose between tennis and a family. I don’t think it’s fair,” said Williams, who was pregnant when she won the 2017 Australian Open for her last Grand Slam trophy. “If I were a guy, I wouldn’t be writing this because I’d be out there playing and winning while my wife was doing the physical labour of expanding our family.” Williams said she and Ohanian want to have a second baby, and wrote: “I definitely don’t want to be pregnant again as an athlete. I need to be two feet into tennis or two feet out.” She was off the tour for about a year after getting injured during her firstround match at Wimbledon in 2021. She returned to singles competition at the All England Club this June and lost in the first round. “Unfortunately I wasn’t ready to win Wimbledon this year. And I don’t know if I will be ready to win New York,” Williams wrote in her essay. “But I’m going to try.”
Williams hints in the Vogue essay that the US Open will be her last tournament but does not say so explicitly. “I’m not looking for some ceremonial, final on-court moment,” Williams wrote. “I’m terrible at goodbyes, the world’s worst.”
GOODELL FROM PAGE 11
describe his actions Goodell was asked why the league is seeking a harsher punishment. “Because we’ve seen the evidence,” he said. “She (Robinson) was very clear about the evidence. She reinforced the evidence, that there was multiple violations here and they were egregious, and that it was predatory behavior. “Those were always things we felt was really important for us to address and in a way that’s responsible.” Goodell doesn’t have a sense of when Harvey will issue a decision. There’s no specific deadline for Harvey, but the appeal policy requires that it be “expedited.” There also remains the possibility the sides could reach a settlement. While attending the meetings in Minnesota, Cleveland owner Jimmy Haslam had little to say about the ongoing appeal. “We’ll respect and honor the process,” he told reporters.
LONDON (AP) — The coach who helped British track and field star Jessica Ennis-Hill to Olympic and world titles was effectively MINICHIELLO banned for life yesterday for misconduct including “sexually physical behaviour” with unidentified athletes over a 15-year period. Tony Minichiello was found guilty by a tribunal of four charges that amounted to “gross breaches of trust,” the UK Athletics governing body said. Minichiello’s misconduct against athletes included unwanted touching, “inappropriate sexual references and gestures” and “aggressive behaviour, bullying and emotional abuse.” “They constitute gross breaches of trust by Mr Minichiello which have had severe consequences for the mental health and mental well-being of the athletes under his charge,” UK Athletics said. It thanked and praised athletes who gave evidence against the British coach, without naming them. It was unclear if Ennis-Hill had been a witness. “I cannot fully express my disappointment with this decision and with UK Athletics’ unfair handling of this process,” Minichiello said in a statement. “I have been a coach for over 30 years and while I have been robust and demanding, I have not behaved inappropriately towards any of my athletes as very many of them would confirm.” Minichiello made his reputation guiding heptathlon star Ennis-Hill to three world titles from 2009 to 2015, and Olympic gold and silver medals. Ennis-Hill’s gold-medal performance at her home 2012 London Games was completed on the socalled “Super Saturday” at the Olympic Stadium that became part of British sporting lore. She took silver when defending her title at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games. Though the coach could not be sanctioned by track and field authorities because his license expired during the prosecution, he was effectively expelled by the sport. “Therefore, UKA has decided that it will not entertain any future application made by Mr Minichiello for a UKA coach license in perpetuity,” the British track body said.
Meanwhile, Watson’s playing status for the Browns’ exhibition opener is unknown. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski didn’t reveal whether Watson will play in Friday’s game in Jacksonville. Stefanski said the team has a plan but he won’t make it public until he tells his players. “We have a framework for how we are going to handle this preseason,” he said. “As you know, you always reserve the right to change your mind based on how practice goes and those type of things, but we are pretty confident in the plan we have.” Stefanski said Watson will make the trip to Florida. The three-time Pro Bowler has not played since 2020. He sat out last season after demanding a trade and before the allegations came to light. Cleveland’s plan has been to start Jacoby Brissett while Watson serves his suspension. But now that it’s possible that it will encompass most, if not all of the season, there’s a chance the team could look outside for another quarterback.
PAGE 14, Wednesday, August 10, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
NACAC
FROM PAGE 11 vast majority of events and I say vast majority because there are several events like the marathon, distance running and the walk races, which does not apply, but the winners automatically qualify for the World Championships next year.” The 2023 World Championships is scheduled for Budapest, Hungary, and Sands said the winners in the majority of events contested in Grand Bahama would book their tickets as NACAC representatives and will only have to concentrate on their training. Additionally, NACAC will be offering a prize for all, including for the top three finishers. They will include $2,000 for first place, $1,000 for second and $500 for third. The relay teams, which will also get to qualify for the World Championships, will also collect prize money. “World Athletics is now moving to a ranking system as a part of their major qualifying system, so they will
SHAUNAE Miller-Uibo
LAQUAN Nairn
DEVYNNE Charlton
receive Diamond League type points awarded to athletes, based on their placing here,” Sands said. “As this meet has all of the makings of a real success in terms of the competition, the meet director was in Grand Bahama making sure that all of the nuts and bolts are tight and he’s working with the operational people in Grand Bahama. “The organisational delegate, who is also the general secretary, will be landing on Grand Bahama tomorrow, so the guys are working in tandem to make sure that all of the events are in place.”
Bahamasair, Sands revealed, will be the official airline carrier and will take extra flights out of Miami, Florida into Grand Bahama for persons coming in from the region, including the Cuban delegation. “This is a very busy period, but everything is in order,” Sands disclosed. Sands, however, said he would prefer not to release the names of the marque athletes coming in, especially from Jamaica, which has submitted a list of more than 20 athletes, but they haven’t crystalised it yet. A number of athletes, including two-time Olympic and current world
champion Shaunae MillerUibo, world indoor and Commonwealth Games silver 100m hurdler Devynne Charlton, sprinters Tynia Gaither and Terrance Jones, quartermiler Alonzo Russell, high jumper Donald Thomas, triple jumpers Kaiwan Culmer and Tamara Myers and Commonwealth Games’ long jump gold medallist LaQuan Nairn are all expected to represent the Bahamas. Sands said while a budget has been compiled in conjunction with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and the Ministry of Finance, he was not at
liberty to disclose the full amount. He, however, thanked the Bahamas Government, through the two ministries, for their assistance in making the event happen. “We always talk about the expenses, but we also have to look at the economic impact,” Sands said. “The fact that we are talking about sports tourism or Sports in Paradise, this is an event where we hope to have at least 450 persons on the island of Grand Bahama. “So it was a deliberate decision to host this event on Grand Bahama and I want to thank the support given to help stimulate the economy in Grand Bahama. “We have rooms all over Grand Bahama and so that means that the monies will be spread around.” The technical officials are expected to stay at Club Fortuna, the senior officials, including the council members and dignitaries, will be at the Lighthouse Pointe and the Athletes’ Village will be at the Breakers Cay. “When you look at the economic impact, the transportation, the meals, the
DURANT FROM PAGE 11
month. “Teams provide enormous security and guarantees to players and the expectation is, in return, they will meet their end of the bargain. I’m realistic that there’s always conversations that are going to go on behind closed doors between players and their representatives and the teams. But we don’t like to see players requesting trades, and we don’t like to see it playing out the way it is.” Durant has spent three seasons with Brooklyn, not playing in the first of those years while he recovered from a torn Achilles. He averaged 29.9 points in 55 games last season, after leading the US to Olympic gold at the Tokyo Games last summer. accommodation that the visitors will spend, we take into consideration the temporary employment that will be needed to pull this event off,” Sands said.
In the final week, WNBA playoff races still going strong By DOUG FEINBERG AP Basketball Writer WITH one week left in the WNBA regular season, there’s still a lot to be decided as far as the postseason goes. Six teams have clinched spots in the playoffs that begin next week although none of the seeds has been locked up just yet. Chicago is in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 overall seed, just needing a combination of two more wins or Las Vegas losses to seal home-court advantage through the playoffs. The defending champions are looking to be the first to repeat since Los Angeles did it in 2001-02. Las Vegas and Connecticut are battling for the No. 2 seed and potentially homecourt in their semifinal series if both advance. Seattle and Washington sit a half game apart in the standings for the fourth and fifth seeds. Dallas may be the only team that really has locked in its spot, clinching a playoff berth on Monday night. The Wings have won five straight and most likely will be the sixth seed. The final two spots are totally up for grabs with five teams vying for them. Only one game separates seventh place Atlanta from No. 11 Los Angeles with all five teams having three games to play each this week. This week’s WNBA poll: 1. Chicago (25-8): The Sky have gone 14-3 at home this season — the league’s best record — and look to
DALLAS Wings centre Teaira McCowan (7) shoots as she is defended by Liberty centre Stefanie Dolson (31) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Arlington, Texas, on Monday. (Michael Ainsworth/The Dallas Morning News via AP)
SEATTLE Storm’s Sue Bird becomes emotional as the Climate Pledge Arena crowd gives her an ovation marking her retirement Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022 at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. The largest crowd in Storm history packed Climate Pledge Arena to thank Bird for her two decades as the face of the franchise and one of the best women’s basketball players ever. (Dean Rutz/The be in a good spot to repeat as champions. 2. Las Vegas (23-10): Coach Becky Hammon returned Dearica Hamby to the bench to try and get the league’s perennial Sixth Woman of the Year back into her comfort zone. 3. Connecticut (22-11): The Sun added Odyssey Sims for the stretch run and she’s already made an immediate impact giving Connecticut another strong defensive guard. 4. Seattle (20-13): The Storm lost Sue Bird’s last regular-season home game,
but have bigger goals in mind and securing the No. 4 seed would definitely help them. 5. Washington (20-14): The Mystics dropped two in a row and don’t hold the tiebreaker with the Storm so will need to finish ahead of them in the standings to earn homecourt in the opening round. 6. Dallas (17-16): The Wings have been playing their best basketball the past two weeks and doing it for the most part without Arike Ogunbowale, who has been sidelined with an
ankle injury and then a hip issue. 7. Minnesota (13-20): The Lynx got a much-needed boost with the return of Napheesa Collier, who came back to the team less than three months after giving birth to daughter Mila. 8. Phoenix (14-19): The Mercury’s potential run to the playoffs will be without star Diana Taurasi, who will miss the final week of the season with a quad injury that sidelined her for the past few games. 9. Atlanta (14-19): The Dream had one of the biggest improvements from last season and two wins in their final three games would double their victory total from last year. 10. New York (13-20): The Liberty dropped key games to Phoenix and Dallas and will most likely need to win at least two of their final three games to have a chance to make the postseason for a second consecutive year. 11. Los Angeles (13-20): A victory over Washington
to close out a rough East Coast trip kept alive the Sparks’ playoff hopes. 12. Indiana (5-29): The Fever would love to win one of their final two games to end a 16-game skid and have some positive momentum heading into the offseason. PLAYER OF THE WEEK Teaira McCowan of Dallas was voted the AP Player of the Week. She averaged 18.5 points, 12.8 rebounds and shot 56% from the field to help the Wings win all four of their games. Rhyne Howard of Atlanta and Sabrina Ionescu of New York also received votes. TRAVEL WOES The Los Angeles Sparks had a rough end to their road trip, getting stuck at a Washington airport overnight after their flight was delayed a few times and finally canceled. WNBA players’ association president Nneka Ogwumike took to social media early Monday morning to bring light to the
problem and then called upon the league to come up with a solution moving forward. “We reiterate our standing invitation to the league and team ownership to work together to identify a manageable solution to this problem whose origins are complex, but remedy simple,” Ogwumike wrote. “It is time to permit teams to invest in charter flights between games, beginning with the entire 2022 WNBA playoffs, and continuing with a common sense, fullseason solution beginning in 2023.” The WNBA does not have chartered flights due to prohibitive costs, league commissioner Cathy Engelbert has said many times. Engelbert did say at the All-Star Game last month that the league would charter flights in the WNBA Finals. GAME OF THE WEEK Seattle at Minnesota, Friday. A huge game for both teams in their playoff hunt, but also the final regular-season home contest for Sylvia Fowles.
Broncos sale to Walton group unanimously approved by NFL owners By DAVE CAMPBELL AP Pro Football Writer BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (AP) — The record $4.65 billion sale of the Denver Broncos to Walmart heir Rob Walton and his daughter and son-in-law was unanimously approved yesterday by NFL owners, the expected final step in the transfer from the family of the late Pat Bowlen. The vote was taken at a league meeting at a hotel in Minnesota, where Walton, his daughter, Carrie Walton Penner, and her husband, Greg Penner, were introduced to the media by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. With an estimated worth of $60 billion, Walton — the eldest son of Walmart founder Sam Walton — becomes the wealthiest owner in the league. Walton’s group paid the highest price in history for a sports franchise anywhere in the world. His three limited partners are Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton, Starbucks board chair Mellody Hobson and former
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. All three investors are Black, satisfying an NFL goal to bring more racial diversity into ownership groups, front offices and coaching staffs. The Pat Bowlen Trust ran the franchise after Bowlen stepped back from day-to-day duties in 2014 because of Alzheimer’s disease. He died in 2019, one month before his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Bowlen wanted one of his children to take over the team and Brittany Bowlen, now 32, was the trustees’ selected successor. Not all of her siblings supported that choice, so the club was put up for sale. Brittany Bowlen stepped down as the team’s vice president of strategy after the Walton-Penner group was awarded the franchise with their winning bid. Only one other NFL club has been sold in the last 10 years: the Carolina Panthers from Jerry Richardson to David Tepper for what was then a record $2.2 billion.
DENVER Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) takes part in drills during an NFL football training camp session at the team’s headquarters on Monday in Centennial, Colorado. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) The Broncos are now the first team since the 2008 Miami Dolphins to change primary owners,
head coaches and starting quarterbacks in one offseason. “I am excited about coming in here
every day to play football. When it comes to the ownership, I am so excited to get to know them, to meet them, and move forward. I know there has been an amazing history here, and you can learn a lot from history — the good, the bad, and everything,” new coach Nathaniel Hackett said “Right now, it is just about putting ourselves in a position to win some football games.” The first major decision under the Walton group’s watch will be a contract extension for new quarterback Russell Wilson, who arrived via trade with the Seattle Seahawks in March. The new deal for the nine-time Pro Bowl pick is expected to be in the range of $260 million and five years. Another pressing issue: assessing the stadium situation. Though Empower Field at Mile High is only 21 years old, it lacks the frills and revenue-producing features of new venues like SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, home of the AFC West rival Chargers and Raiders.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, August 10, 2022, PAGE 15
REAL MADRID LOOKS TO KEEP MOMENTUM AT UEFA SUPER CUP By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid wants to start the new season the same way it ended the last one — winning a trophy. Madrid won the Champions League in its final match last season, and today it begins the new season by taking on Europa League winner Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Super Cup in Helsinki, Finland. It will be the teams’ first competitive meeting since the 1960 European Cup final, when Madrid won its fifth straight European title at the time with a thrilling 7-3 win at Glasgow’s Hampden Park. Ferenc Puskás scored four goals for Madrid and Alfredo Di Stéfano got a hat trick. About 127,000 fans watched the match in what is still the highest attendance for a European Cup final. Madrid is chasing its fifth Super Cup title, and first since 2017, while Frankfurt will be making its first Super Cup appearance following its shootout victory
over Rangers in the Europa League final. That win ended the German club’s 42-year wait for a European trophy. Madrid ended last season on a high after comfortably winning the Spanish league and overcoming poor performances to advance in the knockout stages of the Champions League. It eventually clinched a record 14th European title in the final against Liverpool. “We will try to win everything possible this season,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said yesterday. “I don’t know if we will be able to do it, we know it will be very complicated. But the squad is very good and I have a lot of confidence on my players.” The Spanish powerhouse will be mostly unchanged going into 2022-23, led by Karim Benzema following his best season ever. Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo are also back in an attack that was dominant last season, and the midfield remains anchored by Casemiro, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. The team’s additions come with central
REAL Madrid’s Karim Benzema is in action during the Champions League final soccer match between Liverpool and Real Madrid at the Stade de France in Saint Denis near Paris, on May 28. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) defender Antonio Rüdiger and midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni. Isco Alarcón and Gareth Bale left after their contracts expired, but the club did not replace them despite the disappointment of failing to sign Kylian Mbappé from Paris Saint-Germain. Instead Madrid is hoping for another impressive
season up front from the 34-year-old Benzema. “Right now it’s impossible to replace Benzema,” Ancelotti said. “He is the best striker in the world.” The France striker was the top scorer in the Spanish league and the Champions League. He scored 44 goals in 45 matches with Madrid, and equalled Raúl González as the club’s
second-highest scorer with 323 goals, behind Cristiano Ronaldo (451). He is the front-runner to win the player-of-the-year awards for last season. “I’m not the one to talk about (the awards),” Benzema said. “My goal is to help the team as much as I can each season.” Benzema scored twice in his two preseason games — a 2-2 draw with Mexican club América and a 2-0 win over Juventus — and did not play in Madrid’s 1-0 loss to Barcelona. Madrid will play its Spanish league opener on Sunday at promoted Almería. Frankfurt’s season has already started. It routed second-division club Magdeburg 4-0 in the first round of the German Cup, then lost 6-1 at home to Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga opener on Friday, when the visitors led 5-0 at halftime. “On Wednesday we have the opportunity to do better against an opponent that’s just as strong,” Frankfurt coach Oliver Glasner said. “Sometimes it’s good to
Pandemic fuels sports biking boom in cycling nation China By KYLE HIGHTOWER AP Sports Writer BEIJING (AP) — Lindsay Mo couldn’t go to her gym after Beijing shut down indoor sports facilities in May because of a coronavirus outbreak. So she started cycling — and soon fell in love with the sport. “I realised a racing bicycle was quite different than a regular bike,” she said. “It’s very fast and exciting, and I couldn’t stop anymore.” Bicycles have long been a means of transport in China and once outnumbered cars on city streets. Now cycling is increasingly also seen as a sport by an urban middle class that has benefited from China’s growth into the world’s second largest economy. What began as a niche sport about a decade ago has turned into a mini-boom. Biking events organised by Beijing cycling club Qiyi tallied about 10,000 participants over the past year, with about 50% of them regulars. Nationwide, at least 20 million people are participating in the sport, according to the Chinese Cycling Association. The pandemic has played a role, with authorities moving quickly to close non-essential businesses — including gyms — during outbreaks under a strict zero-COVID approach. Cycling, which can be done individually as well as in groups, has largely been free from restrictions that limit gatherings, especially indoors. Rides organised by cycling clubs or individual cyclists in Beijing take enthusiasts to outlying mountainous areas or by city landmarks including Tiananmen Square. For cyclist Yang Lan, the sport also provides an escape from the daily hassles of life in the coronavirus era. “With the pandemic ... it seems to be the only way for us to run away from the terrible city life and pace,” she said. On a recent summer morning, Yang and 14 other cyclists biked along the Baihe River Canyon in rural northern Beijing despite the heat and humidity. In full cycling gear, they pedalled their racing bicycles hard on both level roads and slopes, sweating through a ride of more than 70 kilometres (45 miles) while enjoying spectacular views. Pedalling herself forward under her own efforts gives Yang an incomparable pleasure not to be gotten
MEMBERS of the Qiyi bicycle club ride past the Miyun Reservoir during a group ride through the Baihe River Canyon in the northern outskirts of Beijing on July 13. Cycling has gained increasing popularity in China as a sport. A coronavirus outbreak that shut down indoor sports facilities in Beijing earlier this year encouraged people to try outdoor sports including cycling, which was only a major tool of transport before 2000.
MEMBERS of the Qiyi bicycle club eat snacks and drink water before a group ride through the Baihe River Canyon in the northern outskirts of Beijing, on July 13. Cycling has gained increasing popularity in China as a sport. A coronavirus outbreak that shut down indoor sports facilities in Beijing earlier this year encouraged people to try outdoor sports including cycling. (AP Photos/Mark Schiefelbein) from riding a motorcycle or driving a car. “It gives you a stronger sense of integration into the natural environment around you, so I find it more interesting,” said Yang, who started cycling in February, in the dead of winter, when she was looking for something new. The boom in cycling reflects the growing popularity of outdoor activities, said Feng Baozhong, vice president of the Chinese Cycling Association. “Especially after the pandemic, people have a desire to walk out of rooms and buildings to do sports outdoors,” Feng said. Naturally, the trend has boosted the demand for bicycles. American bicycle brand Specialized says its Beijing stores’ sales rose
20% to 30% from March to June, compared to the same period a year earlier. It would be twice as large an increase if not for a shortage of bike products, said He Dong, who is in charge of the Beijing franchised dealer of Specialized. China’s bicycle market size stood at 80 billion to 100 billion yuan ($12 billion to $15 billion) in 2021, said Zhou Fuyuan, founder of Magic Cycling, an online bicycle information platform in China. Sales are forecast to reach $16.5 billion by 2026, according to online data published by Research and Markets, a market analysis firm. Surging demand and global supply chain issues mean those wanting to buy bicycles, particularly
beginner or medium-level cyclists, must wait weeks or months to get a new cycle. For every Specialized model sold in Beijing at least 10 customers are waiting for their bikes to arrive, He said. Some choose to pay more for whatever bicycles are in stock. Joanna Lei doubled her budget and spent 60,000 yuan ($8,900) on her first racing bicycle. She said the money was better spent than on a luxury bag. “What you are investing in is your own body and a very good workout habit,” she said. “I think it’s more valuable than clothes that you wear or handbags that you use.” People will have more choices for sports and entertainment when the pandemic is over, but Feng
says he expects cycling to remain popular because it’s driven by China’s growing affluence, growth of the sports industry and increased concern about their health because of COVID-19. “The pursuit of health will not vanish, so I think there is a good prospect for the sustainability (of cycling),” Feng said. The sport’s popularity is also a sign of the public’s growing awareness of environmental protection and pursuit of a low-carbon lifestyle. “Such a lifestyle is probably healthier and is more beneficial to society.” Yang said. “I think people now have a good sense of environmental protection and hope to do good for society.”
get a slap in the face so not everyone thinks things will continue like last season.” Frankfurt had not clinched a European title until winning the UEFA Cup in 1980. It won its lone German league title in 1959, and since then it has won five German Cups, the last in 2018. The match at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium will be the first UEFA club competition final to be held in Finland, though the venue previously also staged the final of the women’s European Championship in 2009. Semi-automated offside technology will be used for the first time in a European club competition. The new system operates with cameras that can track 29 different body points per player and will allow video review teams to determine offside situations more quickly and accurately, according to UEFA. The system was tested at the women’s Euro 2022 in England and in the Champions League last season. It was also approved by FIFA for the World Cup in Qatar.
SALE OUT FOR YEAR AFTER BREAKING WRIST IN BIKE ACCIDENT By KYLE HIGHTOWER AP Sports Writer BOSTON (AP) — Red Sox left-hander Chris Sale broke his right wrist in a bike accident over the weekend and will miss the rest of the season, the team said yesterday, the latest setback during an injuryplagued three years for the Boston ace. Sale had surgery Monday and is expected to be ready for the start of spring training next year. “You couldn’t make this up,” Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom said yesterday. “It stinks. It’s really unfortunate. We’re relieved this wasn’t worse, obviously. Very glad this wasn’t worse. But it’s been such a run of bad luck for him and obviously for us.” Sale’s latest injury raises questions about his future with the team once he’s healthy. The 33-year-old appeared in just two games this season, throwing 5 2/3 innings. He suffered a broken left pinkie finger when he was hit by a line drive against the New York Yankees on July 17 and had surgery the next day. The start of his season was delayed after he broke a rib while working out on his own during the lockout. “We need to dispatch some people to go find whoever has the Chris Sale voodoo doll and recover it,” Bloom said. Bloom said Sale rode his bike home from a throwing session on Saturday at Boston College near his home. He took his bike out again to get lunch and hit something as he was going down a hill, throwing him from the bike and causing what Bloom called “a pretty rough spill.” Sale’s still-healing left pinkie wasn’t harmed in the crash, Bloom said. Sale has thrown only 48 1/3 innings in the regular season and nine in the postseason since the end of 2019. He missed the pandemic-shortened 2020 season because of Tommy John surgery and went 5-1 with a 3.16 ERA in nine starts last year. He’s logged only 14 starts, including three in the playoffs, over the past three seasons. He is in the third year of a fiveyear, $145 million deal. The Red Sox came within two wins of the World Series in 2021 but are last in the AL East thanks in part to injuries that have diminished both their starting rotation and regular lineup. Boston entered Tuesday at 54-56, 4 1/2 games out of the final AL wild-card spot.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, August 10, 2022, PAGE 17
Wall Street slips as weak earnings hit tech, travel stocks By DAMIAN J. TROISE AND ALEX VEIGA AP Business Writers STOCKS on Wall Street extended their recent run of losses Tuesday as investors reviewed disappointing earnings reports and looked ahead to the release of an inflation snapshot closely watched by the Federal Reserve. The S&P 500 fell 0.4%, marking its fourth consecutive drop. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.2% and the Nasdaq slid 1.2%. Smaller company stocks also gave up ground, sending the Russell 2000 index 1.5% lower. Technology companies and retailers were the biggest drags on the market, outweighing gains in energy, financials and elsewhere. Bond yields rose broadly. The selling likely reflects profit-taking by investors ahead of Wednesday’s consumer price index report, said Sameer Samana, senior global market strategist at Wells Fargo Investment Institute. The headline figure is expected to show a smaller annual increase in July than in June, according to FactSet. But core inflation, which strips out volatile energy and food costs, leaving rent and other big-ticket purchases, is expected to come in higher than in June. “With core (inflation) being the more important
of the two, the fact that it hasn’t peaked yet and may not peak for a few months to come, given how much momentum we’re seeing in rent increases, in wage increases, that’s going to be the real problem for the Fed,” Samana said. “How to cool that down, especially when the economy is adding as many jobs as it is?” The S&P 500 fell 17.59 points to 4,122.47. The Dow slipped 58.13 points to close at 32,774.41. The Nasdaq dropped 150.53 points to 12,493.93. The Russell 2000 ended down 28.31 points at 1,912.89. After a surprisingly strong 9.1% gain in July, the benchmark S&P 500 index has been mostly selling off this month as Wall Street tries to gauge how aggressively the Federal Reserve will continue to raise interest rates in order to combat inflation and what that will mean for the economy and corporate profits. The U.S. Labor Department will release its July report for consumer prices Wednesday, followed by its producer prices report on Thursday. Investors and economists will look for any signs that the Federal Reserve’s aggressive rate hikes the past few months have helped to bring inflation under control. “Regardless of that number, there’s still going to be an environment where they’re raising rates,” said Michael Landsberg,
PUBLIC NOTICE
INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL The Public is hereby advised that I, Kendra Dera Wright of Coopers Town, Abaco, The Bahamas the mother of AMARI LIAM WRIGHT a minor, intends to change my child’s name to AMARI BRYSON COOPER. If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Officer, P.O. Box N-742, Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.
AN NYSE sign is seen on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange in New York, on June 15, 2022. Stocks are opening lower on Wall Street on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2022, led by a steep drop for Norwegian Cruise Line. The S&P 500 is off 0.2% just after the opening bell Tuesday and the Nasdaq and Dow Jones Industrial Average are also falling. Photo:Seth Wenig/AP chief investment officer of Landsberg Bennett Private Wealth Management. The Fed has raised rates four times this year in an effort to hit the brakes on the economy and cool the hottest inflation in four decades. Wall Street is worried that the central bank could slam the brakes too hard
and tip the economy into a recession. Last week’s strong July jobs report has most economists predicting the Fed will again raise short-term interest rates by as much as another threequarters of a point at its September meeting. Most economic data already points to a
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that DONISH BEANKA MONFILS of P. O. Box AP-59223, Saffron Hill, West Bay Street, New Providence, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 10th day of August, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
MARKET REPORT www.bisxbahamas.com
TUESDAY, 09 AUGUST 2022
BISX ALL SHARE INDEX: BISX LISTED & TRADED SECURITIES 52WK HI 6.75 53.00 2.47 2.61 2.60 6.20 10.05 4.15 10.65 3.65 8.25 17.50 2.65 11.28 11.25 10.85 18.30 4.00 11.00 16.50
52WK LOW 5.30 33.80 1.60 2.20 1.30 5.75 7.50 2.82 5.40 2.27 5.95 9.80 1.99 8.25 10.02 10.00 13.10 3.50 8.20 15.50
SECURITY AML Foods Limited APD Limited Benchmark Bahamas First Holdings Limited Bank of Bahamas Bahamas Property Fund Bahamas Waste Cable Bahamas Commonwealth Brewery Commonwealth Bank Colina Holdings CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank Consolidated Water BDRs Doctor's Hospital Emera Incorporated Famguard Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) Limited Focol Finco J. S. Johnson
PREFERENCE SHARES 1.00
1.00
1000.00 1000.00
1000.00 1000.00
1.00 10.00 1.00
1.00 10.00 1.00
Bahamas First Holdings Preference Cable Bahamas Series 6 Cable Bahamas Series 9 Colina Holdings Class A Fidelity Bank Bahamas Class A Focol Class B
CORPORATE DEBT - (percentage pricing) 52WK HI 100.00 100.00
52WK LOW 100.00 100.00
SECURITY Fidelity Bank (Note 22 Series B+) Bahamas First Holdings Limited
CLOSE
CHANGE
%CHANGE
YTD
YTD%
2617.70
0.09
0.00
389.46
17.48
SYMBOL AML APD BBL BFH BOB BPF BWL CAB CBB CBL CHL CIB CWCB DHS EMAB FAM FBB FCL FIN JSJ BFHP CAB6 CAB9 CHLA FBBA FCLB SYMBOL FBB22 BFHB
BAHAMAS GOVERNMENT STOCK - (percentage pricing) 115.92 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 94.82 100.66 100.43 100.43 100.34 100.23 100.00 100.00 100.98 100.00
104.79 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 94.08 99.98 99.96 100.43 100.04 100.00 89.62 89.00 90.24 90.73
MUTUAL FUNDS 52WK HI 2.52 4.69 2.22 207.86 212.41 1.74 1.84 1.83 1.03 9.37 11.83 7.54 16.64 12.84 10.77 10.00 10.43 14.89
52WK LOW 2.11 3.30 1.68 164.74 116.70 1.69 1.75 1.76 0.97 6.41 7.62 5.66 8.65 10.54 9.57 9.88 8.45 11.20
Bahamas Note 6.95 (2029) BGS: 2014-12-7Y BGS: 2015-1-7Y BGS: 2014-12-30Y BGS: 2015-1-30Y BGS: 2015-6-7Y BGS: 2015-6-30Y BGS: 2015-10-7Y BGRS FX BGR120037 BGRS FL BGRS71023 BGRS FL BGRS97033 BGRS FL BGRS75022 BGRS FL BGRS81037 BGRS FL BGRS88028 BGRS FX BGR129249 BGRS FX BGR131249 BGRS FX BGR132249 BGRS FX BGR136150
BAH29 BG0107 BG0207 BG0130 BG0230 BG0307 BG0330 BG0407 BSBGR1200371 BSBGRS710237 BSBGRS970336 BSBGRS750225 BSBGRS810375 BSBGRS880287 BSBGR1292493 BSBGR1312499 BSBGR1322498 BSBGR1361504
LAST CLOSE 6.70 39.95 2.44 2.46 2.51 6.20 9.75 3.91 10.15 3.54 8.06 16.00 3.03 10.26 11.49 10.85 18.30 3.90 11.00 15.50 1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 1.00 LAST SALE 100.00 100.00 107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 97.04 99.98 100.09 100.54 100.34 100.00 89.62 100.00 100.00 100.00
CLOSE 6.70 39.95 2.44 2.46 2.51 6.20 9.75 3.91 10.15 3.54 8.06 16.00 3.04 10.26 11.58 10.85 18.30 3.90 11.00 15.50 1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 1.00
BISX ALL SHARE INDEX - 19 Dec 02 = 1,000.00 52wk-Hi - Highest closing price in last 52 weeks 52wk-Low - Lowest closing price in last 52 weeks Previous Close - Previous day's weighted price for daily volume Today's Close - Current day's weighted price for daily volume Change - Change in closing price from day to day Daily Vol. - Number of total shares traded today DIV $ - Dividends per share paid in the last 12 months P/E - Closing price divided by the last 12 month earnings
VOLUME
15,344
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
CLOSE 100.00 100.00
CHANGE 0.00 0.00
107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 97.04 99.98 100.09 100.54 100.34 100.00 89.62 100.00 100.00 100.00
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
FUND CFAL Bond Fund CFAL Balanced Fund CFAL Money Market Fund CFAL Global Bond Fund CFAL Global Equity Fund Leno Financial Conservative Fund Leno Financial Aggressive Fund Leno Financial Balanced Fund Leno Financial Global Bond Fund RF Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Secured Balanced Fund RF Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Targeted Equity Fund RF Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Prime Income Fund RF Bahamas International Investment Fund Limited - Equities Sub Fund RF Bahamas International Investment Fund Limited - High Yield Income Fund RF Bahamas International Investment Fund Limited - Alternative Strategies Fund Colonial Bahamas Fund Class D Colonial Bahamas Fund Class E Colonial Bahamas Fund Class F
MARKET TERMS
CHANGE 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.09 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
(242) 323‐2330 (242) 323‐2320 EPS$ 0.239 0.932 0.000 0.140 0.070 1.760 0.369 -0.438 0.140 0.184 0.449 0.722 0.102 0.467 0.646 0.728 0.816 0.203 0.939 0.631 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000
VOLUME
250
NAV 2.52 4.69 2.21 197.44 202.39 1.74 1.84 1.83 0.97 9.37 11.79 7.54 15.94 12.47 10.74 N/A 10.43 14.89
DIV$ 0.170 1.260 0.020 0.080 0.000 0.000 0.260 0.000 0.000 0.120 0.220 0.720 0.434 0.060 0.328 0.240 0.540 0.120 0.200 0.610 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000
INTEREST Prime + 1.75% 6.25% 6.95% 4.50% 4.50% 6.25% 6.25% 4.50% 6.25% 4.25% 5.22% 4.53% 4.31% 4.43% 4.87% 4.33% 5.55% 5.60% 5.65% 5.69% YTD% 12 MTH% 0.99% 4.22% 0.36% 5.78% 0.67% 2.74% -2.97% -2.35% -4.72% 6.04% 1.37% 3.03% 1.19% 5.23% 1.62% 4.13% -5.25% -6.07% -0.02% 10.36% -0.33% 18.23% 0.22% 3.05% -3.89% 14.76% -1.04% -2.57% 0.81% 4.20% N/A N/A 3.00% 25.60% 7.90% 48.70%
P/E 28.0 42.9 N/M 17.6 N/M N/M 26.4 -8.9 72.5 19.2 18.0 22.2 29.8 22.0 17.9 14.9 22.4 19.2 11.7 24.6 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000
YIELD 2.54% 3.15% 0.82% 3.25% 0.00% 0.00% 2.67% 0.00% 0.00% 3.39% 2.73% 4.50% 14.28% 0.58% 2.83% 2.21% 2.95% 3.08% 1.82% 3.94% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 6.25% 7.00% 6.50%
MATURITY 19-Oct-2022 30-Sep-2025 20-Nov-2029 15-Dec-2021 30-Jul-2022 15-Dec-2044 30-Jul-2045 26-Jun-2022 26-Jun-2045 15-Oct-2022 15-Dec-2037 22-Oct-2023 17-Apr-2033 7-Sep-2022 26-Jul-2037 26-Jul-2028 15-Apr-2049 15-Jul-2049 15-Oct-2049 21-Apr-2050
NAV Date 31-Mar-2022 31-Mar-2022 25-Mar-2022 31-Mar-2022 31-Mar-2022 31-May-2022 31-May-2022 31-May-2022 31-May-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Mar-2021 31-Mar-2021 31-Mar-2021
YIELD - last 12 month dividends divided by closing price Bid $ - Buying price of Colina and Fidelity Ask $ - Selling price of Colina and fidelity Last Price - Last traded over-the-counter price Weekly Vol. - Trading volume of the prior week EPS $ - A company's reported earnings per share for the last 12 mths NAV - Net Asset Value N/M - Not Meaningful
TO TRADE CALL: CFAL 242-502-7010 | ROYALFIDELITY 242-356-7764 | CORALISLE 242-502-7525 | LENO 242-396-3225 | BENCHMARK 242-326-7333
slowdown. The U.S. economy has now contracted for two straight quarters, which constitutes an informal indicator of a recession. But recession fears have been tempered by a hot jobs market with unemployment at historic lows. While that’s good for the economy, it’s a sign that inflation persists.
Investors have also been closely watching the latest round of corporate earnings and economic data for clues on how inflation is hurting consumers and businesses. Chipmaker Micron Technology fell 3.7% after warning investors that revenue could fall short of forecasts because of weakening demand. That warning hit other chipmakers hard, with Nvidia shedding 4%. Norwegian Cruise Line plunged 10.6% for the biggest drop in the S&P 500 after reporting disappointing financial results and giving investors a weak revenue forecast. The weak results weighed down travel-related stocks. Expedia fell 1.6% and American Airlines fell 2.7%. As the earnings season winds down, Disney, Wendy’s and Wynn Resorts will be reporting quarterly results this week. Also on Tuesday, audience rating company Nielsen surged 21.2% after it announced progress on a deal to be acquired by private equity firms. Bond yields rose. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 2.79% from 2.75% late Monday.
PAGE 18, Wednesday, August 10, 2022
US inflation will likely stay high even as gas prices fall By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Economics Writer AMERICANS may finally be catching a break from relentlessly surging prices — if just a slight one — even as inflation is expected to remain painfully high for months. Thanks largely to falling gas prices, the government’s inflation report for July, to be released Wednesday morning, is expected to show that prices jumped 8.7% from a year earlier — still a sizzling pace but a slowdown from the 9.1% year-over-year figure in June, which was the highest in four decades. The forecast by economists, if it proves correct, would raise hopes that inflation might have peaked and that the run of punishingly higher prices is beginning to ease slightly. There have been other hopeful signs,
too, that the pace of inflation may be moderating. At the same time, an array of other economic developments are threatening to keep intensifying inflation pressures. The pace of hiring is robust and average wages are up sharply. And even as gas prices fall, inflation in services such as health care, rents and restaurant meals is accelerating. Price changes in services tend to be sticky and don’t ease as quickly as they do for gas, food or other goods. Those trends suggest that overall inflation may not drop significantly anytime soon. President Joe Biden has already pointed to falling gas prices as a sign that his policies — such as releases of oil from the nation’s strategic reserve — are helping combat the higher costs that have hammered household budgets, particularly for lower-income families.
Yet Republicans will push ongoing high inflation as a top campaign issue in this fall’s elections, with polls showing that high prices have driven Biden’s approval ratings down sharply. On Friday, the House is poised to give final congressional approval to a revived tax-and-climate package pushed by Biden and Democratic lawmakers. The bill, which among other things aims to ease pharmaceutical prices by letting the government negotiate Medicare’s drug costs, is expected to cut the federal budget deficit by $300 billion over a decade. Yet economists say the measure, which its proponents have titled the Inflation Reduction Act, will have only a minimal effect on inflation over the next several years, though it could could slow price increases a bit more later this decade. Economists have forecast that Wednesday’s inflation report will show that consumer prices rose 0.2% from June to July, according to FactSet. That would mark a steep drop from the 1.3% jump from May to June. But excluding the volatile food and energy categories, so-called core inflation likely stayed high. Economists project that core prices rose 0.5% from in July, still a sharp rise, though down from the 0.7% jump in June. Such an increase would leave core prices 6.1% higher than a year ago, up from a 5.9% year-over year increase in June. If overall inflation did ease in July, it will largely reflect a 16% plunge in prices at the gas pump from their peak in mid-June,
THE TRIBUNE
GAS prices are displayed at a Sunoco gas station along the Ohio Turnpike near Youngstown, Ohio, Tuesday, July 12, 2022. Thanks largely to falling gas prices, the government’s inflation report for July, to be released Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022, will probably show that prices jumped 8.7% from a year earlier, according to a survey of economists by data provider FactSet. Photo:Gene J. Puskar/AP when gas hit a national average of $5 a gallon. The average price fell to about $4.20 by the end of July and was just $4.03 by Tuesday. The continuing drop means that lower gas prices will
series of declining monthly core inflation readings before it would considering pausing its interest rate increases. Though the Fed more closely tracks a different inflation measure, it
“It’s a modestly good sign. It gives them a little bit of room to not take a more aggressive approach.” Yung-Yu Ma likely pull inflation down further in August. Other items may have also helped lower price gains in July: Food costs, though they likely kept rising, probably did so at a slower pace than in June. Prices for used cars, clothing and rental cars may have fallen, too. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has said the Fed needs to see a
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also monitors the figures in Wednesday’s report, known as the consumer price index. The Fed has raised its benchmark short-term rate at its past four rate-setting meetings, including a threequarter point hike in both June and July — the first increases that large since 1994. A blockbuster jobs report for July that the government issued Friday — with 528,000 jobs added, rising wages and an unemployment rate that matched a half-century low of 3.5% — solidified expectations that the Fed will announce yet another three-quarterpoint hike when it next meets in September. Financial markets are betting that the Fed will raise rates several more times this year, to a range of 3.5% to 3.75%, but will ultimately have to cut rates by next summer because traders expect the higher rates to cause a recession.
Some trends do point to lower future inflation. The supply chain snags that have elevated prices for cars, furniture, appliances and other goods are easing. The number of ships waiting to be unloaded at the Los Angeles/Long Beach port has fallen for six straight months, according to Oxford Economics. Shipping costs have generally leveled off or declined, including for trucking and rail services, Oxford said, though they remain high. And a drop in Americans’ expectations for future inflation may also keep higher prices from becoming entrenched. Such expectations can be selffulfilling: If people believe inflation will stay high or worsen, they are likely to take steps — such as demanding higher pay — that can then send prices higher in a self-perpetuating cycle. Companies often raise prices to offset higher their higher labor costs. But a survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, released Monday, showed that Americans now expect lower inflation in the next few years than they did a month ago. Yung-Yu Ma, chief investment strategist at BMO Wealth Management, said lower inflation expectations may allow the Fed to react less aggressively to reports, such as last month’s burst of hiring, that suggest the economy is still strong and that inflation could remain high.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, August 10, 2022, PAGE 19
HOW EFFECTIVE ARE SOCIAL MEDIA ADS? S
ocial Media advertising is a paid advertising method that uses ads directly served to the target audience through its platforms. These ads come in various formats such as video ads, image ads, carousel, etc. Nonetheless the most popular social media platforms in are Facebook, Youtube, WhatsApp, and Instagram and they also has the highest number of monthly active users (MAUs). Who’s using social media? Gen Zs and millennials make up 68% of those using social media for product discovery. That’s not surprising, given they’re among the heaviest users of social media globally. Unlike their older counterparts, who use social media more moderately, millennials spend over 2.5 hours per day on social media, and Gen Zs spend just under 3 hours per day on various platforms. What do consumers want from social media ads? The key to getting clicks is relevance and personalization however understanding the difference in each generation’s preferences especially as the younger consumers want brands to be more entertaining, intelligent and relevant to their identity is important. For instance, companies attempting to portray themselves as smart and trendy to younger social media users can focus their ads on
how their brand improves their’ lives. Moreover, one third of Gen Zs prefers brands to help them improve their skill set, and nearly one quarter say they want brands that can help improve their reputation. For brands targeting older consumers with a message of reliability and authenticity, it’s worth considering social campaigns that focus on the personalized solutions they’re offering. Basically, social media users say they’re more likely to purchase products online with coupons and discounts (39%), reviews from other customers (33%), loyalty points (26%), and the product with lots of “likes” or good comments (22%). These can increase the effectiveness of a social media ad. The problem with social media algorithms Take note that, social media apps run on algorithms which deliver relevant content to users what is most relevant to them. By and large, if you’re an avid social media user, know that your Face book posts are only seen by the friends you engage with the most consistently which also limits your reach of the ads.
CALL 502-2394 TO ADVERTISE IN THE TRIBUNE TODAY!
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE
Daybreak Management Limited NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows: (a) Daybreak Management 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 5th day of August 2022. (c) The Liquidator of the said Company is Baird One Limited of 308 East Bay Street, Fourth Floor, P.O. Box N-7768, Nassau, Bahamas. Dated this 10th day of August 2022. Baird One Limited Liquidator LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE
Cordon Bleu Company Limited NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows: (a) Cordon Bleu Company 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 5th day of August 2022. (c) The Liquidator of the said Company is Baird One Limited of 308 East Bay Street, Fourth Floor, P.O. Box N-7768, Nassau, Bahamas. Dated this 10th day of August 2022. Baird One Limited Liquidator LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE Yellow Diamond Management Limited NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows: (a) Yellow Diamond Management 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 5th day of August 2022. (c) The Liquidator of the said Company is Baird One Limited of 308 East Bay Street, Fourth Floor, P.O. Box N-7768, Nassau, Bahamas. Dated this 10th day of August 2022. Baird One Limited Liquidator
By
DEIDRE
BastiaN
How to make social media ads sell: -Set a Goal Before running your social media advertising campaign, ask yourself, “What’s the objective of this ad.” Do you want to get a high reach on a specific post? Or do you want to promote your business? Or do you simply want to get more traffic on your website? This helps to formulate your advertising campaign and make a relevant ad. -Set your target audience Decide which audience will be the most relevant for your ad, whether it’s kids, teenagers, homemakers, athletes, or any other person. -High Quality and EyeCatching Post How effective is your advertising campaign if your post is absurd and irrelevant? If you’re posting pictures, ensure the resolution is high definition and delivers a message appropriate for your audience.
How to improve your social media ads Bear in mind that consumers spend a huge portion of their day scrolling through various platforms and any strategy that does not include robust content loses out on potential customers. Take note of these three key elements to increase effectiveness for your advertising buck: Know your audience: Younger consumers want to be entertained and authentically represented, while older audiences are more partial to ads that inform and offer special deals. Make it frictionless: Social media’s a great way to get in front of consumers online but with great power comes great responsibility. Excessive ads that disrupt the other content on the screen, and are too personalized will work against a brand. Inform: Offering discounts, promoting genuine reviews, and cultivating
positive comments are a great way to convert social media users from curious to customers. Bottom line, social media is a hardcore reality of the digital world. With staggering numbers representing the usage, no marketer can deny its importance. However, while social media are excellent advertising platforms, they also possess their set of challenges. As a result, understanding what the various consumers want and knowing the holistic approach to their execution is paramount. Until we meet again, fill your life with memories rather than regrets. Enjoy life and stay on top of your game. • NB: Columnist welcomes feedback at deedee21bastian@gmail.com ABOUT COLUMNIST: Deidre M. Bastian is a professionally-trained Graphic Designer/Brand Marketing Analyst, Author and Certified Life Coach.
PAGE 20, Wednesday, August 10, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
Opposition leader warns of taxes, inflation ‘double whammy’ FROM PAGE A22 demonstrate that the Accelerate Bahamian Economic Recovery plan left in place by the FNM has succeeded in a robust recovery of the economy. We note that the government has prudently left most of these initiatives in place ensuring that the country is the beneficiary of the sound macroeconomic policies of the FNM. “We remind the government, however, that a portion of the increased tax revenue is due to the historically high inflation numbers given that the largest portion of our revenues are derived from taxes tied to the imported value of goods.
“This means that Bahamians have been hit with a double whammy of higher priced goods and higher tax bills because of the ad valorem nature of our primary tax instruments. We again implore the government once again to return to the people the sum of the windfall in taxes derived from the recent inflationary spike.” The current Progressive Liberal Party government cut the Value Added Tax (VAT) to 10 percent from the 12 percent in January. However, they simultaneously increased VAT to 10 percent on items that were once zero rated, notably breadbasket items.
Mr Pintard continued, “As we have already proposed, the government can do this by immediately reducing the tax of gasoline over the medium term, at least until prices return to normal. The government must also eliminate the VAT on breadbasket goods, medicines and baby items.” A VAT cut on gasoline has been intimated by Prime Minister Philip Davis, QC, but he did not give a timeline as to when this will happen and neither did he give by how much VAT will be cut on fuel for petroleum retailers. Mr Pintard also cautioned the government to be “fiscally responsible,” and again advises the
government “to pay for these tax breaks for Bahamian working families by reinstating the tax breaks they have given to the rich and by curtailing wasteful spending. They must reinstate the 12 percent VAT on real estate transactions over $2m and abandon the illegal tax cut provided for new yachts. They must also scale back the $4m in international travel and the $30m for government consultants. The budgets for entertainment, parties and events must also be cut. “Once again, we ask: Where is the VAT holiday for Back to School shopping? Certainly, working parents would
benefit immeasurably from this annual concession. “We also remind the government that its international bonds continue to tumble in price, closing again today at historic lows. “Despite the numbers in the May budget report which shows a deficit of $340m through 11 months, the government published a quarterly debt report recently which showed that Central government indebtedness increased by over $800m for the full fiscal year of July 2021 to June 2022. We call on the government to explain why the central government debt number has come in so much larger than the reported deficit through May 2022.
“To restore credibility in the bond markets and to ensure that the government continues to have ready access to the local and international financial markets at reasonable terms, we once again insist that the government prepare and submit for public consultation a comprehensive fiscal and economic plan that would provide clear plans for progressive tax reform and for expenditure containment. Until that is done, we in the opposition are not confident that we will move toward the fiscal consolidation necessary for robust and sustained economic growth and improved standards of living for all Bahamians.”
So should Abaco be paying VAT and duties or not, Prime Minister?
New liveable wage still viable option
FROM PAGE A22
BIDEN, DEMOCRATS BET ON LONG-TERM GOALS FOR SHORT-TERM BOOST
(Value Added Tax) and duty on things that were supposed to be VAT and duty free.” Tribune Business contacted the Customs Department’s comptroller’s office on whether or not the policy had changed on the SERZ for Abaco and the office directed us to the officer in charge in Abaco, but he could not be contacted up to press time. Ms Degregory-Miaoulis also said: “You just don’t know what’s happening until you get your entry that they’ve already imposed the taxes. “All of this confusion is causing businesses on the island to reprice their goods to take into consideration the VAT and duty they are being charged, increasing the cost on an already depressed and strangled economy”.
Not wanting to start a fight with the Customs Department, Ms Degregory-Miaoulis has just been urging businesses to pay the VAT and customs duty in the meantime until she gets matters sorted out with the Ministry of Finance. She asked, however, “On what order had customs taken it upon themselves to do this?” Ms Degregory-Miaoulis said: “We can fight the matter, because it is only three months out until it expires. But the issue is are they going to extend the SERZ? This is the bigger issue. “This is a serious matter not just for Abaco but for Grand Bahama as well. This is a real serious issue. We have written a letter to the Prime Minister and have not gotten a response. Not even an acknowledgement.”
FROM PAGE A22 discussions and it’s going to be presented to cabinet and holistic approach, the National tripartite Council has met, and they’ve made some certain recommendations which are before the cabinet.
By SEUNG MIN KIM, JOSH BOAK AND CHRIS MEGERIAN Associated Press PRESIDENT Joe Biden's legislative victories have aimed to position the U.S. to "win the economic competition of the 21st century," but his investments to boost the nation's technology, infrastructure and climate resilience over the next decade are set against a 90-odd-day clock until the midterms. From turbocharging the U.S. computer chip sector to shifting the nation to a greener economy, the achievements from Biden will take years to come to
“Once that happens, then we will come on to inform the Bahamian people what it is that we’re looking at, but certainly we know that there has to and there will and there will continue to be dialogue and consultation on this minimum wage.”
fruition -- reflecting the sheer scope of his ambitions that, taken together, put Biden among the most legislatively productive presidents in recent memory. Yet Democrats are also gambling that the rapid clip of recent accomplishments will persuade an electorate that's downcast about the economy and the general direction of the country to vote nonetheless in their party's favor. Particularly critical, they say, is being able to illustrate to voters what Democrats can accomplish when they hold the levers of power in Washington, even if energy bills don't decline right away or a
The public sector minimum wage mandate came into for in July and is now set at $225 per week, but when will this be for private sector employers remains up to a matter of timing. “This isn’t about something we want to coerce anyone into doing and we
new bridge takes years to be completed. "I do think this bill will have immediate political impact, but not because people will feel the effects in the next six weeks," Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, said of the big health care, climate and economic package making its way through Congress. "It's because they know we are lawmakers who weren't making very many laws over the last six months."Schatz added, "It's a vibe, and the vibe is winning." The White House views the legislative victories as interlocking pieces fulfilling the agenda Biden laid out when he ran for president
have to be mindful in terms of striking a very delicate balance by in terms of what it is that we want to make minimum wage or liveable wage, as well as we have to ensure that we have respect for the pocketbook of the private employers,” Mr Bell said. in 2020 on the promise of helping the country outcompete a rising China. The policy proposals were focused on addressing generational threats and creating long-term opportunities — especially after what Biden viewed to be troubling setbacks during the Trump years. A 50-year veteran of Washington and a former senator and vice president, Biden also aimed to avoid governing by executive order, a crutch of presidents for both parties when legislative dysfunction is high. Executive orders can be rewritten or overturned by a president's successors — and they're often constrained by how much they can do without Congress acting. Biden, White House aides said, aimed not just for altering the country's trajectory, but keeping it on that path, a move that required legislating, not emergency declarations.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, August 10, 2022, PAGE 21
EY Bahamas Awards $30,000 Scholarship SANTAE Brown has been selected as this year’s recipient of the EY Bahamas Jamaine McFall Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship will be used to fund her attendance at Florida International University, Miami, Florida, this fall where she will be pursuing a graduate degree in Accounting. Santae was excited and grateful for this opportunity. She stated, “In that moment of being told that I will be receiving the award, I felt great relief and gratitude to know that all my hard work and perseverance had provided me with an opportunity that I could’ve otherwise only dreamt of receiving. It was truly an inspiring and awe moment for me.”
The scholarship is named in honor of Jamaine McFall, former EY Bahamas Executive Director who passed in 2018. Jamaine lived the EY values, gave back to the community, and especially believed in the importance of education. The scholarship is US$30,000 annually for a maximum of five years and it provides students, who have shown academic excellence, the opportunity to gain higher education, and build successful careers in the professional services industry. The scholarship also includes an eight-week summer internship to gain practical experience and an offer for full-time employment at EY upon successful completion of the university program.
Bahamas, we are also keenly focused on the ‘S’, the social aspect of ESG, and one of the ways we make that a reality is through our scholarship programs. Our most important natural resource is our people--and particularly our young people as we uplift and empower them to succeed in the future through education. That is why, at EY, the scholarship program is so important. This way, our young generation can obtain great paying jobs, have an impact and pass it forward.” “It is truly rewarding to be able to give back to our local community through opportunities such as this. Each year we meet some of the brightest minds through this process, and we are pleased to have awarded this
PHOTO (left to right): Tiffany Norris-Pilcher, EY Bahamas Partner; Santae Brown, EY Bahamas Scholarship winner. “These days sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) are imperative and integrated into everything we do as we aspire to build a better working world. Here, in The
Michele Thompson, EY Bahamas Country Managing Partner and Assurance Leader for the EY Region of The Bahamas, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands and Cayman Islands, said,
THE WEATHER REPORT
5-Day Forecast
TODAY
ORLANDO
High: 95° F/35° C Low: 75° F/24° C
TAMPA
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
A t‑storm around in the morning
Clear
Mostly sunny
Partly sunny with a t‑storm or two
A t‑storm around in the afternoon
An afternoon t‑storm in the area
High: 90°
Low: 79°
High: 91° Low: 78°
High: 90° Low: 77°
High: 89° Low: 79°
High: 90° Low: 78°
AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
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AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
100° F
87° F
100°-85° F
101°-86° F
101°-87° F
101°-85° F
The exclusive AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature® is an index that combines the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body—everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels. Temperatures reflect the high and the low for the day.
almanac
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ABACO
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High: 90° F/32° C Low: 79° F/26° C
7‑14 knots
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High: 93° F/34° C Low: 81° F/27° C
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High: 91° F/33° C Low: 81° F/27° C
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WEST PALM BEACH
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uV inDex toDay
THURSDAY
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| Go to AccuWeather.com
TONIGHT
High: 94° F/34° C Low: 80° F/27° C
High: 92° F/33° C Low: 78° F/26° C
MIAMI
High: 91° F/33° C Low: 80° F/27° C
8‑16 knots
Statistics are for Nassau through 2 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 90° F/32° C Low .................................................... 80° F/27° C Normal high ....................................... 89° F/32° C Normal low ........................................ 76° F/24° C Last year’s high ................................. 92° F/33° C Last year’s low ................................... 82° F/28° C Precipitation As of 2 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ............................................... 38.36” Normal year to date ................................... 21.38”
ELEUTHERA
NASSAU
High: 90° F/32° C Low: 79° F/26° C
Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2022
High: 90° F/32° C Low: 78° F/26° C
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KEY WEST
High: 89° F/32° C Low: 83° F/28° C
tiDes For nassau High
Ht.(ft.)
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Today
6:41 a.m. 7:19 p.m.
2.8 3.8
12:54 a.m. 0.4 12:50 p.m. ‑0.1
Thursday
7:39 a.m. 8:12 p.m.
3.0 3.8
1:48 a.m. 0.2 1:48 p.m. ‑0.2
Friday
8:34 a.m. 9:03 p.m.
3.2 3.8
2:40 a.m. 0.0 2:43 p.m. ‑0.2
Saturday
9:27 a.m. 9:52 p.m.
3.3 3.7
3:29 a.m. 0.0 3:37 p.m. ‑0.1
Sunday
10:18 a.m. 10:41 p.m.
3.3 3.5
4:16 a.m. 4:30 p.m.
0.0 0.0
Monday
11:09 a.m. 11:28 p.m.
3.3 3.3
5:02 a.m. 5:23 p.m.
0.0 0.3
Tuesday
12:00 p.m. ‑‑‑‑‑
3.2 ‑‑‑‑‑
5:48 a.m. 6:17 p.m.
0.2 0.6
sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset
High: 89° F/32° C Low: 77° F/25° C
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ANDROS
Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.
The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.
6:42 a.m. Moonrise 7:49 p.m. Moonset
7:05 p.m. 4:46 a.m.
Full
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prestigious award to a recipient such as Santae,” added Tiffany Norris-Pilcher, EY Bahamas Partner and Regional Emerging Manager Platform Leader. “We have a people-focused culture, and we believe that purpose is at the heart of all we do whether it’s our clients or establishing our community footprint. The future looks very bright for Santae, and she has a rewarding career journey with us at EY Bahamas.” With the addition of Santae, EY Bahamas is providing $150,000 in scholarship support to Bahamian students for the 2022 / 2023 school year. For more information on the EY Bahamas Jamaine McFall Memorial Scholarship, visit ey.com/Bahamas.
SAN SALVADOR
GREAT EXUMA
High: 88° F/31° C Low: 77° F/25° C
High: 87° F/31° C Low: 79° F/26° C
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High: 90° F/32° C Low: 79° F/26° C
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LONG ISLAND
tracking map
High: 88° F/31° C Low: 77° F/25° C
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MAYAGUANA High: 87° F/31° C Low: 80° F/27° C
Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures
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are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.
RAGGED ISLAND High: 87° F/31° C Low: 78° F/26° C
H
High: 87° F/31° C Low: 76° F/24° C
GREAT INAGUA High: 88° F/31° C Low: 78° F/26° C
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marine Forecast ABACO ANDROS CAT ISLAND CROOKED ISLAND ELEUTHERA FREEPORT GREAT EXUMA GREAT INAGUA LONG ISLAND MAYAGUANA NASSAU RAGGED ISLAND SAN SALVADOR
Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday:
WINDS E at 7‑14 Knots E at 6‑12 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots ENE at 8‑16 Knots ENE at 8‑16 Knots ENE at 10‑20 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots ENE at 8‑16 Knots ENE at 8‑16 Knots ESE at 7‑14 Knots E at 6‑12 Knots NE at 8‑16 Knots ENE at 8‑16 Knots NE at 12‑25 Knots ENE at 10‑20 Knots ENE at 10‑20 Knots ENE at 8‑16 Knots ENE at 10‑20 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots ENE at 8‑16 Knots NE at 12‑25 Knots ENE at 8‑16 Knots NE at 8‑16 Knots ENE at 8‑16 Knots
WAVES 2‑4 Feet 2‑4 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑2 Feet 3‑5 Feet 2‑4 Feet 3‑5 Feet 2‑4 Feet 3‑5 Feet 2‑4 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑2 Feet 3‑5 Feet 2‑4 Feet 2‑4 Feet 2‑4 Feet 3‑6 Feet 3‑5 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 3‑5 Feet 2‑4 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet
VISIBILITY 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 8 Miles 7 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 7 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles
WATER TEMPS. 86° F 86° F 85° F 86° F 84° F 84° F 84° F 84° F 85° F 86° F 85° F 86° F 85° F 86° F 83° F 84° F 84° F 84° F 83° F 83° F 86° F 86° F 84° F 84° F 85° F 85° F
business@tribunemedia.net
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2022
$6.92
$6.97
$6.66
$6.89
New liveable wage still viable option By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net A CABINET minister said the government has not backtracked on its promise to deliver a “liveable wage” for Bahamian workers. Keith Bell, Minister for Labour and Immigration, speaking to reporters ahead of the weekly cabinet meeting, said that whether the government pushes ahead with a minimum wage or a liveable wage will all come down to “how it is rolled out.”
Mr Bell also said with regard to the minimum wage: “When we do lift it, we have to make sure we get it right and that is why I ask for your patience and endurance that we don’t move very swiftly to do something and then we make errors or have to come right back again to adjust.” The liveable wage promise that the Progressive Liberal Party made while in opposition can become muddled in the talk about a minimum wage. While they sound the same, the two are distinctly different.
A minimum wage is the lowest remuneration that employers can legally pay their employees — the price floor below which employees may not sell their labour. On the other hand a liveable wage is defined as the minimum income necessary for a worker to meet their basic needs. The University of The Bahamas in a September, 2020 paper concluded that a liveable wage in New Providence and Grand Bahama is $2,625 and $3,550 per month respectively. Private sector proponents have balked at these
figures, calling them unrealistic at best. However, the government is committed to working towards it as Mr Bell states. Mr Bell also said: “As it relates to minimum wage. That’s something that we promised for in our Blueprint for Change. So far, the government has gone ahead and ensured that we lifted the minimum wage for public servants. “So we anticipate, again, soon enough that there would be even more moves on that. Let me say that, as it stands, cabinet is in
SEE PAGE A20
KEITH BELL
So should Abaco be paying VAT and duties or not, Prime Minister? By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net
LPIA LYNDEN PINDLING INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
LPIA achieves Global Biorisk Advisory Council STAR’s ‘gold standard’ By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net NASSAU Airport Development Company Ltd has announced that LPIA has achieved Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR accreditation, the gold standard for prepared facilities. Under the guidance of GBAC, a Division of ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, NAD has implemented the most stringent protocols for cleaning, disinfection and infectious
disease prevention in its airport terminal facilities. As the cleaning industry’s only outbreak prevention, response and recovery accreditation, GBAC STAR helps organizations establish protocols and procedures, offers expert-led training and assesses a facility’s readiness for biorisk situations. The programme verifies that LPIA implements best practices to prepare for, respond to and recover from outbreaks and pandemics. “GBAC STAR accreditation empowers facility owners and managers to assure workers, customers and key stakeholders
that they have proven systems in place to maintain clean and healthy environments,” said GBAC Executive Director Patricia Olinger. “By taking this important step to pursue GBAC STAR, the airport has received third-party validation that it follows strict protocols for biorisk situations, thereby demonstrating its preparedness and commitment to operating safely.” To achieve GBAC STAR accreditation, NAD, under the direction of Jonathan Hanna, newly appointed Vice President of Operations, was required to demonstrate compliance with
the programme’s 20 core elements, which range from standard operating procedures and risk assessment strategies to personal protective equipment and emergency preparedness and response measures. “The accreditation took considerable effort and shows our commitment as an airport to safeguard the health and safety of all airport users and our desire for continuous improvement. Our Customer Experience team continues to go above and beyond on a daily basis to keep our facilities in pristine condition despite the numerous challenges associated with COVID,” Mr Hanna said.
THE Abaco Chamber of Commerce president wants a three year extension to the Special Economic Recovery Zone (SERZ) order because the Customs Department keeps charging them for duty when they should not be. Daphne DegregoryMiaoulis, told Tribune Business yesterday that she had written to the Office of the Prime Minister at the end of July asking him for an extension to the SERZ order, but has not received an acknowledgement for her request to date. She also said that things are still “out of whack” and Abaconians have not been given a chance to recover yet from 2019’s Hurricane Dorian. “Choices were having to be made on whether people should buy
Opposition leader warns of taxes, inflation ‘double whammy’ By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net THE Leader of the Opposition has criticized government on its late fiscal snapshot report and warned of a “double whammy” of high taxes and higher priced goods. Michael Pintard, in a press release sent to the media, said: “The Opposition notes the publication of the May 2022 Monthly Budget report. We remind the government that these reports are due one month following the end of reporting month. Thus this report ought to have been published in early July. The report is
a month late and unfortunately, the government has become chronically late in the publication of its statutory reports. The tardiness must end.” The government’s fiscal snapshot was released this past Monday for figures that are last dated in May of this year, which means that the fiscal snapshot is useless in gauging the government’s current performance. Mr Pintard also said: “We note that revenue intake continues ahead of budget, continuing the performance that was recorded for the first quarter of last fiscal year (July to September 2021) through ensuing months. These
SEE PAGE A20
MICHAEL PINTARD
ABACO, WE’RE BACK! VISIT US AT OUR MARSH HARBOUR OFFICE TODAY.
DAPHNE DEGREGORY-MIAOULIS a car or fix their house?” she said. “The one year maximum is just unrealistic for us to be able to accomplish a rebuild in that short period of time, that we’ve had. “Now to add insult to injury, the Customs Department has already started ignoring the SERZ order and I understand from business importers they’re already charging VAT
SEE PAGE A20