12072022 NEWS, SPORT AND BUSINESS

CHRISTMAS SHOWDOWN

Roberts: Price Control backed off after festive season shutdown threat

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

SUPER Value’s prin cipal yesterday disclosed Price Control “backed off” seizing vast quantities of product when warned of pre-Christmas store shutdowns, telling the Gov ernment: “We don’t want war, and you don’t want war.”

Rupert Roberts told Tribune Business the Gov ernment’s inspectors had initially sought to confis cate all merchandise in 19 mostly pharmaceuti cal product lines from his

Golden Gates store to check for potential viola tions of price-controlled margins and mark-ups implemented more than one month ago.

However, after taking legal advice from John Bostwick, attorney for the Retail Grocers Association (RGA), the Super Value chief said Price Control offi cials relented - and took just two samples of each item - after he warned that the group’s 130 food merchants would “close our stores and stay closed until Christmas” over the unwarranted mass product seizure.

SWEETING SPEAKS OUT OVER ELEUTHERA WATER PROBLEMS

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

MEMBER of Parlia ment for Central and South Eleuthera Clay Sweeting said the disrup tion of water supply on the island is “unacceptable

and extremely frustrating” - including expressing dis appointment to colleagues.

Yesterday, Mr Sweeting, who is the Minister of Agri culture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs,

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

PINTARD

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Move ment leader Michael Pintard said he is not surprised that the Davis administration has delayed presenting marijuana legali sation to Parliament.

On Monday, Attorney General Ryan Pinder said that it is “not likely” the government will present the marijuana legalisation to Parliament before the end of the year as promised.

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Union of Teachers president Belinda Wilson said some teachers in her union are owed an estimated $1.5m in back pay from the government.

She said some people were owed pay going back 20 years.

During a union press conference yesterday, the conversation about the public service backlog and teachers receiving compen sation was brought up.

give a definite timeline.

In response to these com ments, Mr Pintard urged the government to “pivot” from their agenda, in an effort to address “urgent” matters which affect the Bahamian people.

While acknowledging the delay due to “techni cal details”, Mr Pintard said the government has neglected to have “mean ingful” discussion with members of the public in regard to their intentions

ALICIA WALLACE:

Mr Pinder noted that the government is still working on the proposed legislation, however, he was unable to

SANTA Claus at the lighting of the Urban Renewal Christmas tree yesterday. See PAGE TWO for more pictures. Photo: Moise Amisial

URBAN RENEWAL TREE LIGHTING

THE LIGHTING of the Urban Renewal Christmas tree yes terday. Local residents were in attendance and among those speaking was Ann Marie Davis, wife of Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis. Santa Claus was also in attendance as the tree ceremony was held.

Photos: Moise Amisial

Halkitis: Food retailers are expected to comply

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

ECONOMIC Affairs Minister Michael Halki tis said yesterday the government fully expects food retailers to comply with its new price con trol regulations and that it intends to enforce the law against operators who refuse to implement the changes.

He said he also ordered inspectors to go out and assess stores yesterday to see if they had implemented the changes.

Mr Halkitis was respond ing to comments made by Super Value owner Rupert Roberts, who recently told a local daily that some stores have yet to enact the revised price control regime.

According to the news paper, Philip Beneby, head of the Retail Grocers Asso ciation (RGA), did not directly comment on the issue but when asked if gro cery stores were complying with the changes, said “Let sleeping dogs lie.”

The Tribune has previ ously reported retailers’ opposition to the proposed price controls, with many arguing that the regime could be “the last straw” for small and medium-sized food stores.

The sector took the position that the govern ment’s proposed price control expansion to 38 product categories cannot be enforced as negotiations over its proposed alterna tives remains ongoing.

However, Mr Halkitis addressed this yesterday, explaining that negotiations

do not mean that the amendments are no longer in effect.

“I saw the report in one of the dailies today and where it quoted, I think two operators basically saying that they were not following the amendments and they were under the impression that something was in abeyance, while some negotiations going on with the government,” Min ister Halkitis told reporters before going to a Cabinet

meeting yesterday.

“Let me just say cat egorically, there are no negotiations that will hold up the amendments. The amendments to the regu lations are in place. We put them in place October 17. We had some discus sions with retail grocers, and retail pharmacies. But we had discussions with retail grocers where they expressed some concerns. We went back and we made some adjustments.

“We increased some margins to account for per ishables and to account for Family Island transporta tion. We thought that was a reasonable concession to some of the concerns that they raised and so for all intents and purposes, the amendments are in place and we expect them to be respected.”

Prime Minister Phil lip “Brave” Davis echoed similar comments yester day, saying, “I would expect

those who understand the law to follow the law, including the grocers.”

Mr Halkitis said since the amendments were brought into force, the government has hired several price control inspectors and is in the process of employing more to send to the Family Islands.

According to retailers, price control inspectors have made no moves to enforce the list of price-controlled items or levy sanctions against retailers and whole salers, despite their open defiance to the rules.

But, Minister Halki tis claimed yesterday that based on reports he has received, retailers have been largely complying with the new protocols.

“So far, the reports that we have been getting from our inspectors are by and large, the new margins are being respected. But in light of what we saw being attrib uted to some operators today, I have given instruc tions that the inspectors are out today to double check,” he also said.

“All right, so we fully expect, and we fully intend to enforce the law.”

The Tribune understands that stores inspected yester day had implemented the changes on most breadbas ket items.

But, for some drug items, inspectors found that prices had not changed, this news paper was also told.

Yesterday, Mr Halki tis also sought to address the perception that the expanded regime would create more harm than good to businesses, explain ing “this is margin added on top of the cost so it’s

not that we’re instructing people to sell at a loss.”

He added, “What we’re saying is, you establish your cost, and there’s this margin on top of it and so we think our position is entirely reasonable.”

The government’s ini tial proposal capped food wholesale margins, or mark-ups, at 15 percent for all 38 product categories listed, while those for retail ers were set at 25 percent across-the-board.

The move was designed to ease the cost-of-living crisis currently facing thou sands of Bahamians.

The goods affected, some of which are already price controlled, were baby cereal, food and formula; broths, canned fish; con densed milk; powdered detergent; mustard; soap; soup; fresh milk; sugar; canned spaghetti; canned pigeon peas (cooked); peanut butter; ketchup; Cream of Wheat; oatmeal and corn flakes.

The remainder were macaroni and cheese mix; diapers; feminine nap kins; eggs; bread; chicken; turkey; pork; sandwich meat; oranges; apples; bananas; limes; tomatoes; iceberg lettuce; broccoli; carrots; potatoes; yellow onions; and green bell peppers.

Mr Halkitis warned that those who failed to abide by the law can be liable to a fine or imprisonment.

“Where someone is con victed of violations, there are penalties under the law: $5,000 fine (or) up to 12 months’ imprisonment and this extends in the case of corporate entities to direc tors,” he added.

PRIME MINISTER HAILS GOVERNMENT’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS

PRIME Minister Phil lip “Brave” Davis said his administration is pleased with its performance in office so far, but also acknowledged that there is still much more work to be done.

Mr Davis also said that he plans to reveal “in due course” his administration’s legislative agenda for next year.

“Our accomplishments for the last year, we are very pleased with, though we have accomplished a lot, we do recognise that there is still much to be done and we are guided by that fact that there’s still a lot of work ahead of us,” Mr Davis said before attend ing yesterday’s Cabinet meeting.

The Progressive Liberal

PINTARD ‘NOT SURPRISED’ AT MARIJUANA DELAY

understand the poten tial impact surrounding cannabis.

Party, led by Mr Davis, assumed office last Sep tember after defeating the former Minnis FNM administration, whose term in office was marked with challenges such as Hurricane Dorian and then the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since assuming office, the party has eliminated the COVID-19 Emergency

Powers Orders, introduced and enacted several pieces of legislation, including laws that aid in the sale of carbon credits, reduced the value-added tax (VAT) rate across the board from 12 percent to 10 percent and increased the national mini mum wage, among other things.

Still, while the Davis administration has several

accomplishments, there are many promises that they have yet to fulfil, such as the presentation of marijuana legislation to Parliament.

Officials had previously said they planned to do so before the end of the year; however, Attorney General Ryan Pinder recently told The Tribune that this is “not likely”. He said the govern ment was still working on

the proposed legislation.

In addition to this, the Davis administration has also pledged to address the country’s citizenship issues through legislative means.

Asked about this yester day, Prime Minister Davis said: “I will give a full state ment of what is expected legislatively in due course before the year is out.”

with the legislation.

Noting that the govern ment has failed to conduct preliminary work, he added that it is “unfortunate” that the Davis administration has failed to engage in a wide range of conversation.

“The reality is, they could be having discussions with various stakeholders to once again, get a sense on where important segments of our community stand on this subject,” he said. “The government should not be hazy, smudgy on the point of ownership.

“This is an industry that should be owned by Baha mians, we ought we can have a discussion about whether or not Bahamians would be permitted to go into strategic alliances with people who are doing this in other jurisdiction, but we should be definitive and in saying these industries will be owned by Bahamians.”

In addition, Mr Pintard suggested that the gov ernment can engage in conversation with health professionals to better

While the FNM has pre viously expressed their disappointment in the gov ernment’s failure to bring marijuana legislation to Parliament, Mr Pintard said the government must become “definitive” about their position on ownership and the categories of Baha mians eligible to be at the forefront of the industry.

Mr Pintard, who contin ues to support cannabis reform, said that this piece of legislation should be a priority, especially because people who have been convicted of possession of small quantities of mari juana should not continue to have criminal records as it may have impacted employment opportunities and travel.

Despite the FNM’S rec ommendations, he noted the government has resisted and failed to act accord ingly, while also criticising the attorney general for contributing to the delay of lifting this “albatross” that affects the lives of many young people.

ECONOMICS Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis.

Photo: Austin Fernander

TEACHERS UNION SIGNS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

education.

THE Bahamas Union of Teachers signed a memo randum of understanding yesterday with the Bahamas Baptist University College and the Charlotte KnowlesThompson Agency Limited.

The MoU between the entities strives to provide higher education oppor tunities for teachers along with other BUT members.

Dr Juliett Reid, presi dent of Bahamas Baptist University College, said the agreement will benefit educators, non-teachers, and the children of those individuals.

She highlighted that the Bahamas Baptist University College will provide schol arships to teachers of the BUT, adding the institution offers various programmes in tertiary, high, primary, and early-childhood

“The choice of the ben eficiaries will be decided by union members. In a simi lar way, non-teaching staff employees are able to look at, review, and decide which major, other than educa tion, they would wish to pursue. And they will also receive a 20 percent tuition discount as well as 50 per cent of the admissions fee,” she said.

Dr Reid said children of the union’s members will also be able to receive discounts.

“Children of members will receive discounts to any of our institutions. Whether it’s at the college level, secondary school level, primary level, or early childhood education level. In addition, we will be working assiduously with Mrs (Belinda) Wilson to put on conferences, workshops, seminars, as the need arises

with the college personnel as well as our international partners.”

Charlotte KnowlesThompson said the MoU will be established with some of her agency’s part ner universities such as University of North Ala bama, Liberty University, Walden University, Wash burn University, Seneca College, and Mount Allison University.

The MoU will afford members of the BUT and their biological children through the Charlotte Knowles-Thompson Agency Limited the fol lowing benefits: free application, special grants and discounts.

“Scholarships ranging from academic scholarship, subject matter scholarship, athletic scholarship, music scholarship, band scholar ship, housing scholarship, and insurance just to name

a few,” Ms KnowlesThompson said.

One reporter asked how the agreement is expected to help teachers, Belinda Wilson, president of BUT, explained that the union has members along with teachers that would benefit.

“We have teachers’ aides, we have librarians, we have guidance counsellors. And, especially for our teach ers’ aides, we look at them getting a higher education. So, we are talking about degrees and certification.

“So definitely, then we have a lot of our teachers who are female, and they have children, the males do also. But this will also assist with them being able to send their children to col leges and universities, not only locally but abroad,” Ms Wilson said.

The start date for the initiative is set for January 2023.

‘Govt owes teachers $1.5m back pay’

from page one

Mrs Wilson stated: “Sev eral months ago, I turned into education and the public service, about 1,000 names of teachers who had various human resource issues pertaining to promo tions, confirmation, back pay, etc, and I’m pleased to say that I’ve received within the last three months about 650 of those names and education now has that list and will be meeting in another few weeks to make sure that they work through the process.

“There has to be improvement in educa tion in the human resource department to ensure that once documentation has been provided to you or submitted to you, that the process is done in a more timely manner.”

Asked about the issue of back pay, she said: “Some of those persons were owed now 20 years, 15 years, 10 years. So that’s why when you see me in the media and I’m saying hey, get the job done, do your work. Let’s do it.”

Asked how much was owed, Mrs Wilson said: “If I have to give it a guesstima tion I would say probably around $1.5m somewhere thereabouts.”

She added the Depart ment of Education is “really lacking” in the human resources area.

She said there are some teachers who have been waiting ten to 12 years for confirmation.

“When we dig deep then it’s the Department of Education did not send a document to the Ministry of the Public Service.

“So the public service is unable to process or com plete the processing of a teacher’s file until they have all of the documentation

necessary for them to com plete their work.”

Mrs Wilson mentioned that the union has been over many years trying to get a Teaching Service Authority. She noted one attempt that was done incorrectly left the matter unaddressed to date.

“So in 2001 when there was the referendum, that was the only article that passed, however it was incorrectly drafted because it was drafted as a Teaching Service Commission and you cannot have a Teaching Service Commission if you have a Public Service Com mission. So you can have a Teaching Service Authority. From 2001 to present, it has not been addressed and it has to be addressed through a referendum because it’s actually entrenched in the constitution.”

Mrs Wilson said the government will have to have the political will to do it, but she does not see that will at this time. She pointed out in negotiations when they tried to put a timeline on when it should be done there was push back from the government negotiators.

“At least we were able to get it in the agreement again but without time lines to me, you just leave it really hanging in the wind. We will continue to agi tate and advocate for the Teaching Service Authority because we believe that it will give a focus on recruit ment and retention, along with discipline, training, professional development, all of those aspects.”

Meanwhile, she responded to Education Minister Glenys Hanna Martin expressing her min istry’s concerns about the increasing number of teach ers who are opting not to be transferred to the Family Islands amid a shortage

of specialty educators on those islands.

The BUT president claimed some teachers have requested to be reassigned to the Family Islands and were turned down.

“I don’t know if I agree with what the minister said and I believe that the minister is using an anti dotal situation and not data driven information. Teachers have requested to be reassigned to the Family Islands, and they’ve been turned down by the Department of Educa tion. Furthermore, why would you want to go to the Family Islands when as I speak with you today, there are teachers who have been in the Family Islands since August and they have not received $1 rent.”

She further stated: “So when education improves on their service to teach ers, when teachers would be more open to freely say yes, we want to go to the Family Island, but when you’re going to the Family Island, and you cannot get rent in a timely manner.

“When you’re going to the Family Island, and the union has already nego tiated for you to get a geographical posting allow ance, where you should purchase your ticket, where you’ll be able to put your personal items on the mail boat, and you’re unable to gather - you’re wait ing two or three months to receive geographical post ing allowance.”

“When you get to the Family Island, and you have to sleep on another teacher’s floor because they did not provide temporary housing for you. Tell me if anyone is going to leave their home after they’ve spent four years educat ing themselves to go to a Family Island to be treated as a second-class citizen.”

DR Juliett Reid yesterday. Photos: Moise Amisial

BAHAMAS Union of Teachers president Belinda Wilson yesterday.

Sweeting speaks out over Eleuthera water problems

about the publicity of this distribution effort making a ‘hero’ out of the politician.

acknowledged that resi dents have been without water for “some seven days”, adding that the water supply on the island has been inconsistent for sev eral months.

Residents there, particu larly in Central Eleuthera, have been hit with water supply disruptions a number of times this year.

In a press release yester day, Mr Sweeting said he has been candid in express ing his “disappointment” over the issue in both of his colleagues, Works and Utilities Minister Alfred Sears, and Sylvanus Petty, chairman of the Water and Sewerage Corporation, who is also the North Eleuthera MP.

He said he was scheduled to attend a meeting with the Ministry of Works, WSC, and Aqua Designs, the company contracted by the government to supply water to Central Eleuthera, yes terday afternoon.

“The management team at Aqua Design must act with great urgency in addressing this long-stand ing issue, which residents of Eleuthera have faced for far too long. There is no justification that any company can give that it is acceptable for residents not

to have access to water for approximately seven days,” Mr Sweeting said.

The Central and South Eleuthera MP said the residents “deserve better”, adding that the disrup tion in water supply is an “extreme” hazard to both the health and safety of res idents of the island.

“I have been candid in expressing my disappoint ment to both the minister of works and the chairman of the Water and Sewerage Corporation. The residents

of Eleuthera deserve better. No access to water is far more than an inconven ience. It is an extreme hazard to both health and safety.”

On its Facebook page, the Water and Sewerage Corporation announced bottled water distribu tion to residents of Central Eleuthera, noting that this initiative was initiated by North Eleuthera MP.

“Member of Parliament for North Eleuthera Syl vanus Petty initiated water

tankering and bottled water distribution services to bring immediate relief to the elderly, medically chal lenged, disabled, and those customers in general who were adversely affected in those supply zones identi fied,” said WSC.

Following the announce ment of the water distribution, residents were critical of the ongoing situa tion on social media.

One Facebook user said: “It is very sad that this is necessary. I’m conflicted

I find it very hard to swal low that in the 21st century, in a country that although developing, has enough tertiary-trained profession als who I have no doubt can come to a sustainable solution. This is absolutely unacceptable that we are dealing with the problem over and over again. Get to the root cause, and fix it..... post haste.”

“Yall just need to fix the water situation ASAP! This is unacceptable,” said another Facebook user.

When contacted for comment yesterday, WSC consultant Loretta ButlerTurner said the company will have a “full and com prehensive” press update on Thursday in regard to the matter.

However, Free National Movement leader Michael Pintard was “alarmed by the nature” of the press statement released by Mr Sweeting, questioning the relationship between the ministers of the Davis administration.

He said Mr Sweet ing threw his colleagues “under the bus” in the press release.

Mr Pintard also blasted Mr Sears, adding that the FNM has “no confidence” in the minister of works’ ability to resolve the matter.

“Now, let me be clear, we do not have confidence in the minister with respon sibility for works,” he told The Tribune yesterday.

“We have said so as it relates to the roadworks. We believe that he is out of his depth, that he does not have a sense of urgency, that his approach to gov erning this ministry will not rise to the level where he will be able to assist this administration in attract ing strategic partners to execute significant public private partnerships around the many capital develop ment projects that we need as a as a community.

“So, Water and Sewer age in our estimation, it is no surprise that his perfor mance with respect to that issue of works in general, water and sewerage in par ticular, is lacklustre,” he continued.

Last week, Mr Sears apologised to residents in Eleuthera for the continued disruption of water supply on the island, adding that the matter is one of “deep concern” for officials.

“That is a matter of deep concern and I want to really apologise to the residents of Eleuthera,” he told report ers yesterday. “There have been a number of disrup tions with the desalination plant that is Aqua designed and they’ve been working,” Mr Sears said last week.

BAHAMAS Public Service Union (BPSU) president Kimsley Fergu son said there is still “no way forward” in negotia tions with the government about the union’s outstand ing industrial agreement.

He said there was a meeting scheduled with his membership yesterday evening about the issue.

Asked if a possible strike will be discussed, he replied: “When we have our meeting we will determine the way forward. That is the best that I can respond to you in that regard. It is the union’s intent to exhaust diplomacy and the mem bership will determine the way forward.”

The meeting comes after union leaders called on the Davis administra tion to stop its “union busting tactics” calling the government’s recent announcement about forth coming salary increases for public servants that were reportedly made without consultation “a blatant dis regard for unions.”

Asked about the five industrial agreements that are in discussion with the government, Mr Ferguson

answered: “There’s no way forward –we’re still await ing for the government to give us some form of counter proposal to indi cate regarding the increases for those various entities that we represent. To date, we don’t have anything in our hands.

“While the government would have indicated their willingness to ensure that public servants receive funding or packages for the holiday, we are now seeing that shoe is on the other foot and their (indication) to ensure that public serv ants receive something for the holiday, apparently, is not there. It doesn’t have anything to do with the union.”

He mentioned that the union was poised to sign the industrial agreement for the Airport Authority.

“We were advised that they were unable to engage with Bernard Evans, for the signing who is the chief consultant for the govern ment and so hence, Friday’s meeting was cancelled because they weren’t able to access Mr Evans,” Mr Ferguson stated.

Labour and Immigration

Minister Keith Bell had said earlier that he is not con cerned with the “rhetoric” being spread about union negotiations for public servants’ salary increases, adding he hopes for an “amicable” resolution.

However, Mr Fergu son highlighted what the government indicated regarding public servants.

“Maybe that’s his per sonal opinion but the government’s view initially indicated that they wanted to get some funding in the hands of public servants for the holidays and it was of some urgency to them. They indicated that the union was holding up the process,” he stated.

“Now, we are awaiting any form of proposal or counter proposal from the government (in reference) to these particular things so that we can consider until a signing off can take place.

“So nothing has been for warded to us.”

Earlier yester day, Bahamas Union of Teachers president Belinda Wilson, one of the Bahamas National Alliance Trade Union Congress (BNATUC)

representatives, spoke to Mr Bell’s comments noting a briefing with the minister.

The representatives of the BNATUC had previously held a press con ference to respond to the government’s announce ment in a memorandum and proposal document last Friday with proposed salary increases for public servants.

Mrs Wilson said: “My response to him is we had the press conference and the following day I along

with my Secretary Gen eral for the BNATUC Theresa Mortimer, we had a brief meeting with the minister and we raised the issues for the the BPSU and we impressed upon the minister that it is important that his col leagues provide for the BPSU the five industrial agreements for them to review for consideration for them to sign.”

“And if the information I got from Friday. Today I was also able along with

Theresa Mortimer to speak with the lead negotiator who is for the government for the BPSU. So we had two meetings and accord ing to the information I received today, one of those industrial agreements are supposed to be signed today. So we believe that, as Minister Bell said, cut down on the rhetoric. And so I guess I’m gonna say to him and his colleagues, cut down on the rheto ric and sign the industrial agreements.”

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“Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

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

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

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

Published daily Monday to Friday Shirley & Deveaux Streets, Nassau, Bahamas N3207

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Items left on the govt’s to-do list this year

AS WE head towards Christmas, gov ernment seems to be more stumbling rather than sprinting towards the year’s finishing line.

Take yesterday’s front-page story in The Tribune, for example, on the longpromised marijuana legislation that seems to have taken forever to move through consultation after consultation.

Finally, there were promises that it would see the light of day before the end of the year. In July, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said Bahamians would know the direction his administration intended to take by year end, while Attorney General Ryan Pinder said in June that the government intended to advance comprehensive legislation in the first six months of the fiscal year – so by the end of 2022.

Instead, in yesterday’s Tribune we are told that such legislation is “not likely” by the end of the year by Mr Pinder. He says the government is still working on the legislation. He said: “It is coming along well.”

Just not well enough apparently to meet the government’s self-imposed timeline.

Elsewhere, there has been equal stag nation in progress towards legal moves on the issue of marital rape and tackling violence against women.

The murder rate has sadly soared above the total over previous years, with much of December still to run.

And somehow the issue of price con trol changes has still not been resolved.

Yesterday, inspectors showed up at Super Value and sought to confiscate all merchandise in 19 mostly pharma ceutical product lines only for principal Rupert Roberts to warn that if that were to happen there might be pre-Christmas store shutdowns.

As he put it, “We don’t want war, and you don’t want war.”

Whether you agree with the gov ernment side on the issue or the store owners’ side, it is staggering that this remains unresolved when the revisions became law back in mid-October.

That the government failed to prop erly consult and consider the impact of the changes ahead of their decision seems inescapable.

A resolution was achieved with pharmacies that reportedly gave the government an even better outcome –so talking can yield positive results.

But businesses had spoken in recent weeks of everything going quiet in talks on the grocery side.

Yesterday, Mr Roberts warned: “If

you take our merchandise, the Retail Grocers Association will close our stores. We may sell-off the perisha bles, and stay closed until Christmas. If they would have taken our merchan dise, John Bostwick told me to shut the stores. All the grocers would have shut the stores. Bring the merchandise back and we will open back up. He [price con trol official Mr Johnson] backed off.”

This is, of course, no place to be. Inspectors need to be able to do their job – but store owners need to know their concerns have been listened to and addressed.

It sounds as if negotiations have fallen quiet – why has that been allowed to happen?

Economic Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis says the government intends to enforce the law against operators who refuse to implement the changes. We will see if that means closed doors at stores or whether retailers’ tough stance prompts a rethink.

In the middle of all this, one of the government’s own has raised his own voice in criticism – and credit to Clay Sweeting for doing so.

Mr Sweeting, the Minister of Agri culture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs, has spoken up on the issue of poor water supplies in Eleuthera. He said some residents have been without water for seven days.

Among those to be criticised were those on his own team – he expressed his “disappointment” over the issue to both Works and Utilities Minister Alfred Sears and Water and Sewerage Corporation Sylvanus Petty, also the North Eleuthera MP.

Mr Sears has already been under fire over a lack of clarity over what advice he received pertaining to the BPL fuel hedging proposals, and the ever-slip ping date of completion of the Village Road roadworks – with that road still looking closer to the surface of the moon than anything you’d wish to drive upon.

We applaud Mr Sweeting however for speaking out on an issue that needs to be addressed. As he says: “The residents of Eleuthera deserve better.”

As for the government’s leader, Mr Davis has his own view of the year’s accomplishments. He has promised “a full statement of what is expected legis latively in due course before the year is out”.

We hope that promise actually is kept before the days in the calendar run out. We shall see.

Outstanding taxes and what is achieved?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

GREETINGS and thank you very much for the space in your daily newspaper to have these several points unearthed. I appreciate it.

Contemplating what were the management structures utilised back in Palestine and what form of business types were practised?

And since those days have been many hundreds of years post arrival, I can only look to sacred scrip tures to obtain some of the facts to satisfy the question now being brought up.

In trying to uncover some of what caused these little towns, and cities to prosper, for one, they had leaders who were appointed by Father God.

Secondly, those leaders did everything that Father God told them to do. Thirdly, the people had fear for Father God which was the beginning of wisdom.

Fourthly, the people were religious and attended the synagogues frequently, especially on the chief days.

And they returned all of the first fruits from their harvests committing the ten percent back to Father God-or-the-storehouse, so that there would be meat in the house of the Lord, for

letters@tribunemedia.net

the needy, etc.

What I also found was that Father God kept the leaders up to date on plots of the enemies and even destroyed many of them on behalf of His followers.

Many of the nowadays heathens would tell us that that was back then, and that this is a different era?

But not on God’s calendar, for He changed not. He has reminded us humans that He is the same, today, yes terday and for evermore.

We also know that God divided our humanity into two halves and I know this because Father God has told me in a sidebar that “This world is in the last half of its existence, and that it will be shorter than the first. He often reminds me that Time is winding down.

Sacred scriptures also reminds us that ‘By the sweat of your brow, shall you eat bread. And a man that doesn’t work shouldn’t eat.”

As for the Laws we find that the Ten Command ments cover it all in a ten- step do not, etc?

It has also said that we humans respect author ity. He God also said that He made them, male and female - husband and wife (nothing else).

He also said that sex before marriage is a sin, etc. Now, fast tracking the article to modern and our times:

Politicians, this bunch of do’s and don’ts, in the eyes of Father God means something/everything, because He reminds us that before His Word falls to the ground, Heaven and Earth Will pass away first... and He esteems His Word above His own Self, is really serious business.

Now, any politicians desirous of succeeding, ought to consider God’s Blueprint and execute in such fashion, otherwise, doomed to fail.

And if the taxes were not collected, how then ought they be able to run the gov ernment? And to be able to ‘defray the expenses of the government, along with other prudent investments and properly caring for the Public Treasury of The Bahamas?

FRANK GILBERT Nassau, November 12, 2022.

Weather changes

EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE Farmers Alamac, an American Periodical has been forecasting North America’s weather since 1818. These long-range forecasts have offered farmers, meteorologists and the public a explana tion of what will possibly happen with our climate and why. Well, the Alamac’s predictions for the winter of 2022-2023 should elicit our attention and possi ble response to the highly active weather to come.

A major weather divide is in the forecast. The weather in Canada, USA and Mexico will be affected, a divide where one half of the continent will be blistering cold while the other will be mild. Like the summer, where drought and horrendous heat was felt in the western regions while central and easter regions experienced rains and pleasant weather, this winter will be an aching sever experience some times, while more pleasant moderate weather acts as a weather break through out the winter months. The weather services warn us that our winter will be severely cold, and with the high degree of moisture within our weather systems, snow will be plentiful. Just ask the citizens of Buffalo - Niagara Region who just experienced historic snow falls, especially around the Great Lakes. As high as 211 inches, with an aver age snow fall of 79 inches within hours. Climactic Episodes like this present us with many questions and concerns about public and private actions needed to take place, so we will all be safe.

Sever snowfalls happen when high levels of mois ture are present in the air,

and driven upward by high winds freeze, falling as hail and snow. This winter season has such high levels of moisture. La Nina is back this winter, the third year of this weather pattern. There is a large supply of warm air available that can and will be moving into cold masses producing precipitation.

A coast-to-coast survey of 1508 Canadians com missioned by First Onsite Property Restoration this spring has shown just how concerned Canadians are about their weather expe riences, and the fear of not being prepared for whatever is to come. A concern for how, why and if the insurance indus try will be able to assist those inflicted by weather damage annually. What ever the natural disaster or weather event, a mas sive stress has been placed upon our assurance of financial protection. Last year the US Insurance Industry experienced historic financial draws upon its reserves, caused by Hurricanes, Twisters, demanding winter snow falls with severe weather, flooding in the off seasons, droughts throughout the west and southern regions. $20-35 Billion assurance demands and payouts and counting. Canada has experienced weather severity on both coasts, while the western region experienced droughts in the summer(wildfires), and severe cold in the winter.

The public needs to” hope for the best, be pre pared for the worst”. What can the public do to be prepared?

1. Get weather, natural disaster property insurance. No one expects the roof to collapse until six feet of snow in one day drops onto it.

2. Take the time to insu late all exposed and interior pipes, walls and attic areas. While in the attic inspect for mold, the presence of ani mals and undue moisture.

3. Make a habit of inspecting your home and property, especially before and during a weather event.

4. Have appropriate med ical supplies and training should you be called upon to serve.

5. If possible, get a gen erator and have it properly installed. A good weather survival tool.

6. Be informed through media, news and personal contacts about weather events and patterns.

7. Create a familyNeighborhood weather watch and support group.

8. Have propane, BBQ, Lighting, Batteries and cooking- heating equip ment available at first need.

There is an Arctic Vortex hovering above the North Pole, keeping the cold weather up there, but this vortex can extend at times as far as Texas. The Farm ers Alamac has warned us of the approaching record breaking cold, spoon ing southward. The EU and UK will also experi ence colder weather, with active weather events challenging the region and possibly threaten ing their populations. Overall plunging tempera tures and above average snowfall is expected, with multiple storms within the Gulf and Southern Regions of America. The greater the moisture count in our atmosphere, the greater the chance that North America will experience a winter it may not forget easily.

STEVEN KASZAB Bradford, Ontario

MEN stand on a boat at Katara Beach in Doha, Qatar, on Monday.

Photo: Natacha Pisarenko/AP

WOMAN AND MAN FACE COURT

OVER SEPARATE ASSAULT CHARGES

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN and a woman were charged in court for two separate assaults yesterday.

One of incident involved an attack with a cutlass while the other allegedly involved someone being threatened with a car and then a piece of wood.

Jvonne Pennerman, 34, stood before Senior Magistrate Derence A Rolle Davis on a charge of assault with a dangerous instrument.

Prosecutors main tain that around 11.20pm on December 4, the accused threatened Aliyah Rolle with a cutlass. In a subsequent police inter view Pennerman admitted to getting into an argument with the complainant who he said is a friend of his and that they were both intoxicated at the time. He also said that while he did pull a cutlass out of his car after the argu ment got heated, he denied ever swinging it at the complainant.

Pennerman pleaded guilty to the offence. During his attorney’s plea

of mitigation he said that his young client is a father of two and is remorseful for his actions. The attor ney further stated that Pennerman has no anteced ents and saved the court’s time with his early plea of guilt. As such he asked for the court’s mercy in its judgement and that the defendant be spared a cus todial sentence.

In view of this the mag istrate bound Pennerman over to keep the peace for one year, during which time he is not to have any con tact with the complainant.

Should the defendant default on these conditions he would face a $1,000 fine or risk 14 days in prison.

The female defendant Shanador Farrington, 45, faced Magistrate Algernon Allen, Jr, on two counts of assault with a dangerous instrument.

On December 3 in New Providence, it is alleged that Farrington assaulted Keneon Cadet with a vehi cle and a piece of wood.

In court, the accused pleaded not guilty to both counts against her. She was granted $5,000 bail with two sureties. Far rington is to return to court for trial on March 2, 2023.

MAN CHARGED WITH FREEPORT MURDER

By DENISE MAYOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A 30-YEAR-OLD

Grand Bahama man was charged with murder in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Devin Stuart appeared before Magistrate Charlton Smith. He was not repre sented by counsel.

It is alleged that on November 29, at Free port, the accused caused the death of Donnie Lightbourne.

According to initial police reports, a Freeport man in the Frobisher Drive area was shot dead outside his residence by a gunman

on November 29.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Stephen Rolle reported at the time that when officers arrived at the scene, they saw a man on the ground suffering from apparent gunshot wounds to his body.

When emergency medical services personnel arrived at the scene, they found no signs of life, police said.

Stuart was not required to enter a plea to the murder charge. He was denied bail and remanded to the Bahamas Depart ment of Correctional Services in New Providence until March 27, 2023 when a voluntary bill of indictment will be served.

MAN CHARGED WITH BAIL VIOLATION

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was denied bail in Magistrates Court after being accused of failing to charge his electronic moni toring device (EMD) while on bail for armed robbery.

Letero Pyfrom, 27, appeared before Mag istrate Kendra Kelly on four counts of violation of bail conditions. This is connected to charges before the Supreme Court where Pyfrom is accused with others of robbing Derick Hepburn at gun point of $544.90, which belonged to Coca Cola, on

July 16, 2020.

It is alleged that between November 23 and 29 in New Providence, the accused failed to charge his EMD while on bail.

In court, Pyfrom pleaded not guilty. The accused was denied bail on the basis he faced fur ther charges of stealing and damage in addition to the pending armed robbery charge.

The accused will be remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. Before being taken into custody Pyfrom was told that he had a right to apply for bail in the Supreme Court.

FOUR ACCUSED OF ARAWAK CAY ATTACK

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

THREE men and a woman were granted bail in a Magistrate’s Court yes terday after being accused of together attacking and injuring a man on Arawak Cay late last month.

Andre Diejuste, 40, Tyreke Stuart, 25, Tiano Rolle, 29, and Crystal Bain, 34, repre sented by attorney Alphonso Lewis faced Senior Magis trate Derence A Rolle Davis.

They faced a charge of caus ing grievous harm.

On the night of Novem ber 29 at Arawak Cay, it is alleged that the four accused beat Prince Albert Farrington about his body during an argument. During this incident, the complain ant suffered serious injury.

In court, all of the accused pleaded not guilty. They were each granted $6,500 bail with two sureties.

The trial in this matter will begin on February 22, 2023.

MAN DENIES USING FAKE GUN IN ROBBERY

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN denied robbing a woman with a fake gun last summer.

Lavar Jones, represented by Ian Cargill, stood before Senior Justice Bernard Turner in the Supreme Court on a charge of armed robbery.

It is alleged that on June 10, 2021, in New

Providence, armed with an imitation handgun, Jones robbed Maxine Stubbs of $300 cash. This money was the property of Soul Sisters Hair Supply.

In court, Jones pleaded not guilty. He was informed his case had been trans ferred to Justice Camille Darville-Gomez.

The accused is expected to have his trial date fixed before Justice DarvilleGomez today.

Minister happy with Junkanoo ticket sales

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

YOUTH, Sports and Culture Min ister Mario Bowleg said yesterday he’s pleased that sales for Junkanoo tick ets are progressing well, adding that it “shows Bahamians’ support” for the popular cultural parade.

Yesterday, the minister was asked to respond to complaints about techni cal glitches with the ‘Aliv events’ app, which can be used to purchase the tickets. The app will also allow people to watch the Junkanoo parades live, send comments, and be fully engaged with the event.

Some frustrations have been expressed about iPhone users not being able to access the app; however, this newspaper was told that the prob lem has already been rectified.

Yesterday, Mr Bowleg explained that while his ministry was not respon sible for the sale of the tickets, officials believed that organisers were doing a good job.

He also said it was unfortunate that some people chose to wait until the last minute to purchase the tickets, which, he added, are in high demand.

“First of all, let me make it known that the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture is not responsible for the sale of Junkanoo tickets,” he said ahead of yesterday’s Cabinet meeting. “That is solely the responsibility of JCNP who is in partnership with ALIV and who I think has done a great job in allowing us to be able to purchase tickets from the comfort of our home.

“And it’s unfortunate that some of us have to wait until the last minute

knowing that we had a two-year hiatus of not having Junkanoo and now it’s back on and so Bahamians know that it’s one of the cultures and activities that they love the most so then those persons who really did not want to miss the show after post COVID19 then obviously we know that we would’ve had a quick large amount of tickets being sold right away.”

He continued: “I was told that after the first hour of the launch on Satur day that 1,000 tickets were already sold. I was told that upwards to yes terday morning that more than 4,000 tickets had already been sold and most of those persons would’ve done

that online and so they were quicker to the draw.

“But I think the sales are going well and it shows Bahamians’ support towards Junkanoo,” he also said.

There are an estimated 6,400 tickets available for sale for both parades.

Dwayne Davis, chief information officer for Cable Bahamas Group of Companies, told The Tribune on Monday that officials had already sold 2,740 Junkanoo tickets for the Boxing Day parade and 226 for New Year’s Day.

However, Mr Bowleg told reporters yesterday that he was informed that more than 4,000 tickets had already been sold to date.

YOUTH, Sports and Culture Minister Mario Bowleg.

Having a tough time choosing presents? Here are some ideas

By Alicia Wallace

THE holiday season is one that many look forward to all year. There are beauti ful lights, lots of events, and the anticipation of giving and receiving gifts. There always seems to be a rush to check off all the items on our lists in the three weeks before Christmas.

Traffic is heavy, stores are full, and people are stressed. In many cases, there is no need to go to a store. What many people want and need most is time and attention. As you make and adjust your shopping lists, be sure that you are really thinking about the recipients.

Gifts are not about how much you spend or how much other people admire them, but about how well you know and respond to people and their realities.

Here are a few catego ries of people who may be on your list and making you think a little harder than usual.

People who have everything

We often want to give a gift, just because. Some one is special to us and has likely helped us when we had nowhere else to turn, maybe without us even having to ask. They have everything, but we really want to acknowledge them and let them know that they are special to us and we are grateful to have them in our lives.

The strong desires of multiple people to include the people who have

everything in their giftgiving can result in those people having an abun dance of junk.

No one needs a twentythird Bible. No one wants another figurine to dust on cleaning days.

People want to be seen and acknowledged in ways that are specific to them.

Instead of desperately searching for a generic item to wrap and pass off as thoughtfulness, take time to truly think about the person who has everything. What is valuable to them today?

For many people who have everything, it is time. How can you give them time? Maybe a day of cleaning would give them the freedom to attend to other things. What about errands? If they are not stuck in traffic during the busy weeks of the year, they may be able to finish a few projects. If you do not have the time to give yourself, consider paying someone else to do it.

People who are financially struggling

There is often a reluc tance to give money. Some may think it is impersonal or does not demonstrate enough thought about who a person is and what they would like. Some may fear judgment for the amount of money they choose or are able to give.

Money, however, is the best gift for people who face financial challenges. While gift certificates or paying a bill yourself may

seem like a good idea, they are limiting.

Money that can only be spent in a grocery store cannot pay the electric ity bill. Your payment of the electricity bill does not keep the data service going which is required for work.

Give money in a way that allows the recipient to make decisions about how it is used.

In some cases, a debit (gift) card can be useful, especially as businesses go cashless and debit cards can

make it easier to pay bills.

People who travel often Luggage is a must, and passport holders are a common gift, but what about all of the other necessities?

If the person does longhaul travel, consider putting together a comfort kit. This could include comfortable earphones, moisturizer, lip balm, hand sanitizer, disin fecting wipes, comfortable socks, a reading light, an eye mask, and gum.

There are many ways to add a personal touch. Get the hand sanitiser in a scent they like. Make the moisturiser yourself with shea butter, one of the many appropriate oils, and essential oils for a delightful scent. Pack it all in a small bag that can easily fit into a backpack, purse, or carryon bag and is the person’s favorite colour or print.

People who spend a lot of time with their families

There are some people who always seem to be hanging out with their par ents and/or children or having get-togethers with extended family members.

When people value family time, they usually also enjoy finding differ ent ways to spend that time together.

Look for games that are fun to play and accommo date large groups of people.

Reach for the puzzles, and even the old school toys like hula hoops that can lead to more fun and laughter than people have had in a long time.

If you are giving a gift to someone who hosts often, consider serving trays, coasters, and comfortable cushions and blankets for sprawling on the floor after a good meal.

People who are caregivers Taking care of another person or multiple people on a full time basis is hard work.

It is often difficult, if not impossible, to take care of oneself under this circum stance. When there is time to spare, it is usually spent doing the most basic and the most critical tasks.

This means there is no time for manicures, upkeep

of the garden, or taking the car to get serviced.

Take care of some of the things on the to-do list. If you can, make it possible for them to experience pleasure. This could be a full day off or even 90 min utes per day for a week. They may not even know what to do with the time if they have been constantly providing care for a long period of time, so be ready to make suggestions.

People who have difficulty sleeping Do they often tell you how late they were up? Do they depend on caffeine to stay alert? Are they having difficulty concentrating every day? Insufficient sleep and low quality sleep can wreak havoc on peo ple’s lives.

It is important to get enough sleep and to have it be restful. People who have difficulty sleeping have probably tried various things to no avail.

Lavender oil, chamo mile tea, and hot showers are go-tos. Think about ways they can be made more effective. What about a diffuser so that the lavender scent fills the bedroom?

Maybe it is time to switch to loose tea and a tea ball would be handy. How about shower steamers? Outside of the box, maybe a sleep specialist would be helpful as there may be medical issues that are preventing or interrupting sleep.

People who just moved into a new (to them) house

This may be one of the busiest times of a person’s life. There are things that need to be fixed, boxes that need to be unpacked, items that need to be organ ized, budgets that need to be adjusted, neighbours to meet, and new responsibili ties to take on.

Maybe they are ready to start a vegetable garden, so soil, shovels, seedlings, water cans, and someone to set up an irrigation system would be highly valued.

In addition to referring them to reliable tradespeo ple, think about what could make their days easier. What item on their to-do

list can you take care of? It may be hiring someone to do basic landscaping at a time convenient to the new homeowner(s).

It could also be help ing them to put together a gift registry that can be shared with family members and friends so well-intentioned people do not give them things they do not need.

People who are grieving

The holidays are a par ticularly difficult time for people who are grieving loved ones. It is always best to ask what would be helpful.

Some people may prefer to avoid all holiday-related topics and activities. Others may want to find ways to honour the deceased.

Maybe they would like your company as they select flowers and then arrange them on the grave. Maybe they want to be able to talk about the person with out other people getting uncomfortable or trying to change the topic.

Everyone experienc ing grief needs a support system. Find ways to help them to honour old tradi tions or create new ones. If that means getting entirely new decorations, take that journey with them. If they want to reserve a seat at the table for the deceased, com municate that with others and ensure that no one is disrespectful.

Choosing gifts can be challenging

It probably would not be as special if it were easy. To do a good job of gifting, you have to know the recipient. You have to pay attention to them and not only what they communicate, but what they do not commu nicate. You have to think. You have to centre them, and put your own ego and your own wishes for them aside.

In many cases, you have to ask questions. It is okay to seek more information. It is okay for your effort to be evident in this way. Every gift does not have to be a surprise. The goal is to make people feel special and not only remembered or thought of, but truly seen.

Recommendations

1. All the Names They Used for God by Anjali Sachdeva. This book of short sto ries is hard to put down. The stories span several genres, including magical realism, science fiction, and horror. The characters in these stories are trying to get beyond struggle. They want to find freedom. They battle outside forces, their own fears, and what some may call fate. There is a man with “glass lungs” and a young woman who gets lost in a cave. There are friends who are kidnapped and forced to marry, then learn to tap into their power to protect

themselves from their violent husbands. Every story is shrouded in darkness, but features of a glimmer of hope.

2. Initiative, Though … by DJ Ampero for Equality Bahamas. Every year, Equality Bahamas commissions a mix to match the intention and energy we bring to the Global 16 Days Campaign. This year, the mix is about taking action. We are beyond the point of awareness-building. We are aware. Now what? We need to take initiative. Play the mix on Spotify: tiny.cc/16daysmix.

THREE CHINESE

ASTRONAUTS RETURN

TO EARTH AFTER SIX MONTH MISSION

By MARK KENNEDY AP Entertainment Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Apple Music wants to help you and your friends sing along to your favourite songs with a new feature it’s rolling out just as people gather for end-of-year parties.

Apple Music Sing gives the user the ability to adjust a song’s vocals and an enhanced beat-by-beat lyric display, which both draw on the platform’s mas sive song library. The result is what Apple hopes will be an effortless invi tation to karaoke.

“The level of engagement around our lyrics features is pretty phenomenal and we’re going to extend on that and make it not just easy for fans to read along to lyrics, but also to sing along with their lyrics,” Rachel Newman, global head of editorial at Apple Music, tells The Associated Press.

Display lyrics have been enhanced, going from line-by-line previously to syllable-to-syllable now, including breaking out the backup vocals and animating them separately.

For duets, the lyrics switch from the left side of the screen to the right depending on who is singing, making it easier to anticipate your timing.

Some users might want to take the lead on the song and have their stage moment. For others, it could mean get ting a vocal assist and singing duet with their favourite artist.

“You’ll be able to adjust the vocals and sing with real-time lyrics in multi ple views and on all of our platforms. So, it’s all integrated into the lyrics experience and it’s pretty magical and super fun,” said Newman.

Apple Music is also supplying over 50 playlists that range from genres like pop and country to a decade roam and different themes. Apple Music Sing will be available for iPhone, iPad and Apple TV models later this month.

The streamer has also made Apple Music Replay ready this year. The feature lets users see and hear charts of their favourite songs, albums, art ists and playlists from the past year as well as total minutes on the service. One new feature is that superfans can discover whether they are in the top 100 listeners of their favourite artist or genre. Apple Music had a big 2022 itself, hitting a milestone in October when it notched its 100 millionth song on the streaming service. That’s more than YouTube Music’s 80 million songs, Spotify’s 82 million tracks and podcasts and Amazon Music’s 90 million songs.

APPLE MUSIC SING, a new feature displayed an iPhone 14 Pro. The feature gives the user the ability to adjust a song’s vocals and an enhanced beat-by-beat

FAVOURITES MUSK’S COMPANY AIMS TO SOON TEST BRAIN IMPLANT IN PEOPLE

By LAURA UNGAR AP Science Writer

In a “show and tell” pres entation livestreamed last week, Musk said his team is in the process of asking U.S. regulators to allow them to test the device. He said he thinks the company should be able to put the implant in a human brain as part of a clinical trial in about six months, though that timeline is far from certain.

Musk’s Neuralink is one of many groups working on linking brains to comput ers, efforts aimed at helping treat brain disorders, over coming brain injuries and other applications.

The field dates back to the 1960s, said Rajesh Rao, co-director of the Center for Neurotechnology at the University of Wash ington. “But it really took off in the 90s. And more recently we’ve seen lots of advances, especially in the area of communication brain computer interfaces.”

Rao, who watched Musk’s presentation online, said he doesn’t think Neu ralink is ahead of the pack in terms of brain-computer interface achievements.

“But ... they are quite ahead in terms of the actual

hardware in the devices,” he said.

The Neuralink device is about the size of a large coin and is designed to be implanted in the skull, with ultra-thin wires going directly into the brain.

Musk said the first two applications in people would be restoring vision and helping people with little or no ability to oper ate their muscles rapidly

use digital devices.

He said he also envi sions that in someone with a broken neck, signals from the brain could be bridged to Neuralink devices in the spinal cord.

“We’re confident there are no physical limitations to enabling full body func tionality,” said Musk, who recently took over Twitter and is the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX.

In experiments by other teams, implanted sensors have let paralysed people use brain signals to oper ate computers and move robotic arms. In a 2018 study in the journal PLOS ONE, three participants with paralysis below the neck affecting all of their limbs used an experimental brain-computer interface being tested by the con sortium BrainGate. The

interface records neural

from a small sensor in the brain to navigate things like email and apps.

A recent study in the journal Nature, by scien tists at the Swiss research centre NeuroRestore, identified a type of neuron activated by electrical stim ulation of the spinal cord, allowing nine patients with chronic spinal cord injury to walk again.

Researchers have also been working on brain and machine interfaces for restoring vision. Rao said some companies have developed retinal implants, but Musk’s announce ment suggested his team would use signals directly targeting the brain’s visual cortex, an approach that some academic groups are also pursuing, “with limited success.”

Neuralink spokespeo ple did not immediately respond to an email to the press office.

Dr. Jaimie Henderson, a neurosurgery professor at Stanford University who is an adviser for Neuralink, said one way Neuralink is different than some other devices is that it has the ability to reach into deeper layers of the brain. But he added: “There are lots of different systems that have lots of different advantages.”

BEIJING (AP) — Three Chinese astronauts landed in a northern desert on Sunday after six months working to complete construction of the Tiangong station, a symbol of the country’s ambitious space programme, state TV reported.

A capsule carrying com mander Chen Dong and astronauts Liu Yang and Cai Xuzhe touched down at a landing site in the Gobi Desert in northern China at approximately 8:10 p.m. (1210 GMT), China Central Television reported. Prior to departure, they overlapped for almost five days with three colleagues who arrived Wednesday on the Shen zhou-15 mission for their own six-month stay, mark ing the first time China had six astronauts in space at the same time. The station’s third and final module docked with the station this month.

The astronauts were car ried out of the capsule by medical workers about 40 minutes after touchdown. They were all smiles, and appeared to be in good con dition, waving happily at workers at the landing site.

“I am very fortunate to have witnessed the comple tion of the basic structure of the Chinese space station after six busy and fulfilling months in space,” said Chen, who was the first to exit the capsule. “Like meteors, we returned to the embrace of the motherland.”

WORK FORGES AHEAD AS SCHEDULED ON KENTUCKY EV BATTERY PLANTS

By BRUCE SCHREINER Associated Press

FORD Motor Co. and a South Korean part ner company showed off their progress Monday in developing a massive bat tery production venture in Kentucky, where they have laid the groundwork for one of the “big bets” the automaker is making in its electric vehicle business.

Dirt has been moved, concrete poured and steel structures are being built according to plan so far, the companies said. Production is scheduled to start in 2025 at the two battery manufac turing plants being built in Glendale, Kentucky. The venture will employ 5,000 people to produce batteries for future Ford and Lincoln electric vehicles.

“Ford’s made some big bets on electrification, because we believe in our ability to lead the electric revolution,” said Dave Nowicki, director of manu facturing operations for EV programmes at Ford.

Ford and its partner SK On, a South Korean electric vehicle battery developer and manufacturer, have invested $5.8 billion in the Kentucky project — known as BlueOval SK Battery Park.

lyric display, which both also draw on the platform’s massive song library. The result is what Apple hopes will be an effortless invitation to karaoke. (Apple Music via AP)

TECH billionaire Elon Musk said his Neuralink company is seeking per mission to test its brain implant in people soon.

activity

ELON MUSK, Tesla CEO, attends the opening of the Tesla factory Berlin Brandenburg in Gruen heide, Germany in March. Musk said during a presentation last week, that his Neuralink company is seeking permission to test its brain implant in people soon. Musk’s Neuralink is one of many groups working on linking brains to computers, efforts aimed at helping treat brain disorders, overcoming brain injuries and other applications. (Patrick Pleul/Pool via AP, File)

Mitchell highlights need to tackle issues facing Haiti

at the Cuba CARICOM Summit, Mr Mitchell further expressed The Bahamas’ concern about certain CARICOM member states being included on lists of non-cooperative jurisdic tions when it comes to tax governance and a separate issue of the progressive decline in correspondent banking relations in devel oping nations.

As for the situation in Haiti, Mr Mitchell told offi cials gathered that through CARICOM and the United Nations, efforts must be made to bring peace and security to Haiti.

“There’s an expression that I like to use which says that when your voice is all you have you use your voice

even if your voice shakes and we have a responsibil ity across the world to work for the dispossessed, the oppressed, to bring about change and equity for all of our people,” the minister said.

“I have had the advan tage of listening to those who spoke before me on these global issues and I thank the minister for Cuba for an almost exhaustive list. Climate change, inter national drug trafficking, irregular migration, traf ficking in persons, energy and security, food and secu rity, climate change, public health issues, reparations on slavery, and I would add for us very importantly the issues that now face us in Haiti. All of these are issues that we have to tackle in CARICOM and within the

United Nations context to bring peace and security to Haiti.”

He also said later in his remarks: “Before I stop, the people of Haiti, the issue of reparations on slav ery and I mention them together because Haiti suf fers we believe because of the price they paid for the freedom for the rest of us in this country when they struck the first blow for freedom back in 1804 and we must help them resolve the problems.”

Mr Mitchell also con demned the US embargo on Cuba and pointed to security issues it poses to The Bahamas, pointing to an approaching official visit Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis will make to Havana.

“The policy is wrong, and

it is causing harm. It should not be supported; it should be reversed.

“In our discussions with our American friends we have made the point to them that there is a par ticular problem whenever these measures that they seek to implement on a bilateral basis against Cuba causes a security problem for the Commonwealth of The Bahamas because it forces people to flee their own country and they end up very often as refugees in The Bahamas and this causes political problems in south Florida which has often led to the physical attack of our consular ser vices in the city of Miami. So, we’ve asked them and we continue to ask them to change the policies.

“The Prime Minister expects to make an official visit in a couple of weeks to Havana and will no doubt reinforce some of the words that I have spoken here today.”

He continued: “I do want to, however, add a word for the dependent territories

in the CARICOM region in particular British Virgin Islands, the Turks and Caicos Islands and Ber muda, not to forget that the idea is for all countries to have self-determination in independence and The Bahamas takes a particu lar interest in these three territories.

“We were grateful for the support that CARI COM gave to seeking to maintain the ability of the people in those countries to determine to the extent that they could under colo nial rule conduct their own affairs. So, I’d like to com municate that it’s important for us to keep an eye on what is going on in those territories.”

As for bones of conten tion, Mr Mitchell said: “(We) express deep con cern over the inclusion of certain Caricom member states on lists of non-coop erative jurisdictions in respect to tax governance and AML/CFT deficiencies and call for a change to this approach, which negatively impacts the economies of

those countries that have shown the readiness to cooperate and engage in dialogue to find mutually advantageous solutions for the parties.

“And paragraph 20 we express deep con cern over the progressive decline in correspond ent banking relations being experienced by developing nations, in particular CARICOM member states, due to the de-risking actions by some of the major international banking institutions and the worsening impact this is having on the financial stability and trading ability of the affected countries, which constrains their efforts to achieve socioeconomic growth and sustainable development.

“It is confounding to us that these advocates of free trade as they were espous ing all over the world as recently as ten years ago are suddenly imposing all of these nontariff barriers to the free trade that they so loudly espoused,” Mr Mitchell said.

ROTARACT HELPS HOME FOR AGED

THE ROTARACT Club of Nassau made a Christmas donation to the Persis Home for the Aged yes terday as part of efforts to help the community.

Photo: Austin Fernander

US says it will expand, extend temporary status for Haitians

SAN DIEGO Associated Press

THE Biden administra tion said on Monday that it would expand temporary legal status for Haitians already living in the United States, determining con ditions in the Caribbean nation were too dangerous for their forced return.

The Homeland Security Department said Haitians who were in the United States on November 6 could apply for Temporary Pro tected Status and those who were granted it last year could stay an additional 18 months until August 3, 2024.

The administration has extended temporary status for several countries and expanded or introduced it for Haiti, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Myanmar, Cam eroon and Venezuela, reversing a Trump-era trend to cut back on pro tections for those already in the United States. TPS, which typically comes with authorisation to work, may be extended in incre ments up to 18 months for countries struck by natural disasters or civil strife.

Haiti has seen increas ingly brazen attacks by gangs that have grown more powerful since the

TRUMP ORGANIZATION CONVICTED IN EXECUTIVE TAX DODGE SCHEME

DONALD Trump’s com pany was convicted of tax fraud yesterday in a case brought by the Manhat tan District Attorney, a significant repudiation of financial practices at the former president’s business.

A jury found two corpo rate entities at the Trump Organization guilty on all 17 counts, including conspiracy charges and fal sifying business records.

The verdict came on the second day of deliberations following a trial in which the Trump Organization was accused of being com plicit in a scheme by top executives to avoid paying personal income taxes on job perks such as rent-free apartments and luxury cars.

The conviction is a validation for New York prosecutors, who have spent three years investigating the former president and his businesses, though the penalties aren’t expected to be severe enough to jeop ardise the future of Trump’s company.

As punishment, the Trump Organization could be fined up to $1.6m — a relatively small amount for a company of its size, though the conviction might make some of its future deals more complicated.

Trump, who recently announced he was run ning for president again, has said the case against his company was part of a politically motivated “witch hunt” waged against him by vindictive Democrats.

Trump himself was not on trial but prosecutors alleged he “knew exactly what was going on” with the scheme, though he and the company’s lawyers have denied that.

The case against the company was built largely around testimony from the Trump Organization’s

former finance chief, Allen Weisselberg, who previ ously pleaded guilty to charges that he manipu lated the company’s books and his own compensation package to illegally reduce his taxes.

Weisselberg testified in exchange for a promised five-month jail sentence.

To convict the Trump Organization, prosecutors had to convince jurors that Weisselberg or his subordi nate, Senior Vice President and Controller Jeffrey McConney, were “high managerial” agents acting on the company’s behalf and that the company also benefited from his scheme.

Trump Organization law yers repeated the mantra “Weisselberg did it for Weisselberg” throughout the monthlong trial. They contended the execu tive had gone rogue and betrayed the company’s trust. No one in the Trump family or the company was to blame, they argued.

Though he testified as a prosecution witness, Weis selberg also attempted to take responsibility on the witness stand, saying nobody in the Trump family knew what he was doing.

“It was my own personal greed that led to this,” an emotional Weisselberg testified.

Weisselberg, who pleaded guilty to dodging taxes on $1.7m in fringe benefits, testified that he and McCo nney conspired to hide that extra compensation from his income by deducting their cost from his pre-tax salary and issuing falsified W-2 forms.

During his closing argu ment, prosecutor Joshua Steinglass attempted to refute the claim that Trump knew nothing about the scheme.

ARGENTINE VP GUILTY OF FRAUD

ARGENTINE Vice Pres ident Cristina Fernández de Kirchner was convicted and sentenced yesterday to six years in prison and a lifetime ban from hold ing public office for a fraud scheme that embez zled $1bon through public works projects during her presidency.

A three-judge panel found the Peronist leader guilty of fraud, but rejected a charge of running a criminal organization, for which the sentence could have been 12 years in prison. It’s the first time an Argentine vice presi dent has been convicted of a crime while in office.

The sentence isn’t firm until appeals are decided,

a process that could take years. She’ll remains immune from arrest mean while, as long as she can keep getting elected.

Her supporters vowed to paralyse the country if she were convicted. They clogged downtown Buenos Aires and marched on the federal court building, beat ing drums and shouting as they pressed against police barriers.

Fernández roundly denied all the accusations.

Argentina’s dominant leader this century, she was accused of improp erly granting public works contracts to a construction magnate closely tied to her family.

An estimated 40,000 were granted TPS in 2011 — extended last month to June 30, 2024 — after a dev astating earthquake in Haiti the previous year. Another 3,200 who got TPS last year are covered under Mon day’s 18-month extension.

Chaos in Haiti has fueled an exodus to South Amer ica, Mexico and the United States. The US flew many Haitians back home after about 16,000 predominantly Haitian migrants camped in the small Texas border town of Del Rio in September 2021. The administration used a Trump-era rule that suspends rights to seek asylum on grounds of preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Deportations to Haiti appear to have waned as conditions have dete riorated. Witness at the Border, an advocacy group that tracks deportations, said Monday that the administration hasn’t had a deportation flight to Haiti since September 6.

Haitians who enter the United States after Mon day’s announcement will be ineligible for TPS, authorities said, though that may do little to discour age some. US authorities detained Haitians more than 6,700 times along the

Mexican border in October, a number that has grown every month since Septem ber 2021 and made Haitians one of the most common nationalities crossing the border illegally.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who called last week for an expansion and extension, said more than 100,000 Haitians will be eligible for temporary status under Monday’s announcement.

“Providing temporary protection to Haitian nationals in the United States is critically important as Haiti continues to face extreme physical conditions and deteriorating political instability,” he said.

Advocates thanked the Biden administration.

“We rejoice and cel ebrate with our Haitian siblings and stand unde terred in solidarity as we continue to work with and for the Haitian and HaitianAmerican communities,” said Guerline Jozef, execu tive director of the Haitian Bridge Alliance.

The Cato Institute, which advocates for more open immigration laws, said last week that nearly one mil lion people are eligible for TPS under Biden, more than double the figure under Trump.

July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. A cholera outbreak sweep ing the country is claiming more children’s lives amid a surge in malnutrition.

“The conditions in Haiti,

including socioeconomic challenges, political insta bility, and gang violence and crime — aggravated by environmental dis aster — compelled the humanitarian relief we

are providing today,” said Homeland Security Secre tary Alejandro Mayorkas. Homeland Security didn’t say how many Hai tians are expected to benefit from the expansion.

PROTESTERS sing an anti-government song in front of a barricade of burning tires during a protest against the government in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Friday, November 18.

Photo: Odelyn Joseph/AP

Criteria for Legends Walk of Fame under scrutiny

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE criteria and selec tion process for the National Walk of Fame has recently come under scru tiny following the latest additions to the list of honourees.

One of the most vocal public critics of the selec tion process has been Olympic silver medallist Andretti Bain.

Bain took to social media to voice his concern over a

series of perceived slights, the latest of which has been the omission from the Walk of Fame. He cited the act as a lack of recognition to his relay teammates and sev eral members of the track and field community.

“First there was the air port plaque snub for the 2005, 2007, 2008, 2012 and 2016 men’s 4x400m relay teams World Champion ships and Olympic Games medallists… (still don’t know why our teams have yet to be recognised at the airport like those before

and after us) BUT now I think this is beyond an oversight and just blatantly unacceptable as it discred its the accomplishments of myself and others also deserving of such honours,” Bain said: “I truly have to question if in fact due dili gence was used, ensuring that all persons deserving were honoured. Review ing the selections of the other federations, persons were honoured for simply becoming professionals in their sport. Surprisingly, track and field seems to

have followed suit! If this in fact was the case, then all of our medallists from all major competitions are deserving of recognition.

“However, in track and field, our golden standard of success is winning an Olympic or World Champi onship medal.

“Therefore, I have to question how is it that not just myself but other Olym pics and Worlds medallists were omitted from the list of legends.

“There’s no grey lines with this. You’re either a

medallist at the highest level or you’re not.”

At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Bain teamed with Michael Mathieu, Andrae Williams, Chris Brown, Avard Moncur and Ramon Miller to win in 2:58.03 seconds.

His list of accolades also includes NCAA Indoor and Outdoor Championships, a Commonwealth Games silver medal and a Pan Am Games gold medal.

He was recently named an assistant coach on the staff of his alma mater,

‘Buddy’ reaches another career 3-point milestone

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

Chavano “Buddy” Hield reached another career milestone, another addition to his résumé as one of the top threepoint shooters in the NBA.

In Monday night’s 112-104 win over the Golden State Warriors, Hield became the second fast est player in NBA to make 1,500 career three-point field goals.

Hield reached the mark in 492 games, second only to the War riors’ Stephen Curry who holds the record for achieving the feat in 477 games.

“I’ve just got to keep going man. My teammates got my back, my teammates have supported me each way in helping me get to that mark,” Hield said. “I’ve just got to keep grinding, stay humble and put God first.”

Hield finished the game with 17 points, nine rebounds and five assists in the win. He shot 4-13 from three-point range as the Pacers brought an end to a threegame losing streak.

He also has the most threepoint field goals made since the 2018-19 season. His 1,176 makes over that timespan ranks ahead of Curry, James Harden (970), Damian Lillard (916), Donovan Mitchell (856), Jayson Tatum (804) and Luka Doncic (793).

It was just the latest career three-point milestone for the sharpshooting Grand Bahama native during his NBA tenure with three teams.

Last season, he moved into 50th place in career three-point field goals made when he sur passed 1,397 through his six-year career. Hield surpassed former Three Point contest champion Brent Barry and at the conclu sion of the 2021-22 campaign.

Over the course of the season, he ranked fourth last season in both three-point makes (262) and attempted (716).

He played in 385 of 388 pos sible games during his time with the Sacramento Kings.

Hield left as the franchise’s alltime leader in three-point field goals made.

Also on his résumé, Hield made more three-point field goals than any other player through

the first 400 games of their NBA career.

He set the mark of 1,209 three pointers in his 400th on Novem ber 12, 2021. Hield also became the fastest player to make 1,000 career three-pointers in NBA history. He set the mark in just 350 games to reach the milestone faster than Curry, who held the previous record of 369 games.

In his first full season as a member of the Pacers, he is

averaging 16.9 points and a career high 4.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. He is also shoot ing 41 percent from the field, 437 percent from three-point range and 84 percent from the free throw line.

Last month, the Indiana Pacers guard signed a multi-year shoe deal extension with the sneaker and athletic apparel giant, Nike. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Oral Roberts University. Bain further cited the cases of several athletes includ ing 400m world champion and multiple relay medal list Avard Moncur, Derrick Atkins, Troy Kemp, Donald Thomas, Trevor Barry, Jeffrey Gibson, Sheni qua Ferguson, Christine Amertil and fellow mem bers of the men’s 4x400m relay teams over the years.

“Have we gotten to a point where we no longer appreciate and recognise all

NCAA: BASTIAN SHY OF DOUBLE DOUBLE, HUNTER SCORES NINE

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

SEVERAL Bahamian

The Cal State Fullerton Titans continue to struggle through a three-game losing streak but Lathaniel Bastian posted in a near double double in his latest appearance.

He finished with eight points on 4-5 shooting from the field and grabbed eight rebounds in the Titans’ 69-62 loss to Seatlle University.

His layup with 2:38 to go again brought Fullerton within three (60-57) but that was as close as the Titans would get in the second half.

The Titans will play their fourth straight game on the road tomorrow night against USC.

In his first year with the pro gramme, the sophomore transfer is averaging 4.8 points and 3.3 rebounds in just over 11 minutes per game.

In the Mid American Confer ence, Sammy Hunter had his second consecutive nine-point game for the Akron Zips.

Hunter finished with nine points and four rebounds in Sunday night’s 80-33 win over Muskingham. In their previous outing, he also finished with nine points and six rebounds in a 68-57 loss to Marshall.

Last month, he scored a season high 13 points and made three three-point field goals in a 73-58 loss to LSU at the Cayman Islands Classic.

In the Atlantic Sun Confer ence, Franco Miller Jr has played sparingly for the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles thus far this season.

He finished with seven points and five rebounds - both season highs - in the Eagles’ 74-65 win over the FIU Panthers on Sunday night.

By BETH HARRIS AP Sports Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Clayton Kershaw needed only a few days to make up his mind to return to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023.

After the Dodgers had an MLB-leading 111 vic tories during the regular season only to get ousted by the San Diego Padres in the NL Division Series, the star pitcher returned to his offseason home outside Dallas. He and his wife, Ellen, talked things over and the Dodgers won out again.

Kershaw re-signed for one year at $20 million with the NL West champions. The deal includes a $5 mil lion signing bonus payable on June 30, a salary of $15 million and a hotel suite on

road trips. “We just felt like our time wasn’t finished in LA,” he said Monday via Zoom. “The way we ended stuff last year just feels like we got another run in us, so I’m excited to get back out there.”

For the second straight year, the Dodgers didn’t extend a qualifying offer to the three-time Cy Young Award winner. Instead, they gave him additional time to mull his future, and he once again decided to stay with the only franchise he’s ever played for during his 15-year major league career. “I think it was my fault that it took so long to announce,” Kershaw said.

“I was kind of procrastinat ing getting all the MRIs. I figured they had seen this enough where they didn’t need all those, but I guess they still did.”

By MEGAN JANETSKY Associated Press

HAVANA (AP) —

The 31-year-old swings her wiry body into the ring and pounds her fellow boxer – also a young woman – with a series of punches, just as she’s done countless times before.

Today is a day she’s been waiting for since she started to box seven years ago.

Cuban officials announced Monday that women boxers would be

able to compete officially after decades of restric tions, though they didn’t yet confirm if that would be taken to a professional level like it was with Cuban male boxers ear lier this year.

Still, it sparked excite ment in women like Cala Massó who have spent years fighting to be recognized.

“Saying that boxing is not for Cuban women – that’s always been the problem,” she said, lean ing on the side of a blue boxing ring in downtown Havana.

“Where we are now, we never thought we would get here.”

players had season best performances with their respective teams in NCAA Division I basketball.

Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman said at the winter meetings on Monday that discussions with Kershaw went well

and that is was a priority to have him return.

“I think all things are right in the world when

Legnis Cala Massó carefully removes her necklace and smiles as her coach slides her bright red boxing gloves over her French tip nails.

LOS Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws to the plate during the first inning against the Colorado Rockies on September 30. Kershaw will pitch for the Dodgers in 2023 after re-signing in a $20 million, one-year deal.

(AP Photo/Mark J Terrill)

INDIANA

Pacers forward Chavano “Buddy” Hield (24) shoots a free throw against the Golden State Warriors during the first half in San Francisco on Monday night.

(AP Photo/Godofredo A Vásquez)

Ronaldo dropped, Ramos scores three for Portugal at World Cup

By STEVE DOUGLAS AP Sports Writer

LUSAIL, Qatar (AP) —

A chant of “RONALDO! RONALDO!” swept around the biggest stadium at the World Cup, followed by loud jeers when the fans realised their idol wasn’t coming onto the field.

Cristiano Ronaldo was, in fact, sitting in the Portu gal dugout, looking glum and still wearing a sub stitute’s bib. And the guy who started instead of him yesterday was about to complete a hat trick.

After Ronaldo was dropped from the start ing lineup in a bold call by Portugal coach Fernando Santos, Goncalo Ramos — the superstar striker’s unlikely replacement — made himself an instant star by leading the team to a 6-1 win over Switzerland and into the World Cup quarterfinals.

Ramos, a 21-year-old for ward who only made his Portugal debut last month, demonstrated the kind of clinical finishing for which

Ronaldo was once known in scoring the first goal in the 17th minute and adding others in the 51st and 67th.

No player had scored a hat trick in his first World Cup start since Germany striker Miroslav Klose in 2002.

“Not even in my wildest dreams did I think about being part of the start ing team for the knockout stage,” said Ramos, an unheralded striker who plays for Benfica and counts Ronaldo as his soccer idol along with Robert Lewandowski and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

It was around the hour mark that fans throughout the 89,000-seat Lusail Sta dium started to implore Santos to bring on the 37-year-old Ronaldo, and they got their wish in the 72nd minute. Portugal had the game wrapped up by then, with defenders Pepe and Raphael Guerreiro also having scored. Rafael Leao added another goal in stop page time.

Ronaldo didn’t score — he still hasn’t in the

knockout stage in any of his five World Cups — and after briefly celebrating with his teammates fol lowing the final whistle, he walked off the field on his own, perhaps wondering where his career goes from here.

He is currently without a club after leaving Manches ter United midway through the World Cup, and he might no longer be the starter for his country.

The rest of the Portu gal team hung around to applaud its fans at one end of the stadium. A quarter final match awaits against Morocco on Saturday and Santos now has to decide whether to stick with Ramos or restore Ronaldo, the top scorer in men’s international soccer and one of the game’s greatest ever players.

Santos said it was a strategic decision to drop

Ronaldo and not a discipli nary one, having expressed unhappiness during his eveof-match news conference Monday at the striker’s attitude after he was substi tuted against South Korea in the team’s final group game.

“What we have to do is think about this team col lectively,” Santos said, before talking about Ron aldo. “I will always consider he is a very important player to have in the team.”

That might now be a sub stitute and an experienced head in the locker room rather than a starter.

Ramos was a surprise replacement — he had pre viously only made three substitute appearances for Portugal — and took his chance.

Ramos, who was only 2 years old when Ronaldo made his Portugal debut in 2003, scored the first hat trick at this year’s World Cup.

He drove a rising shot with his left foot inside Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer’s near post

for the first goal, flicked deftly through Sommer’s legs from close range for the second, and then ran through to chip the goal keeper for his third.

Ronaldo was seen smiling while he was warming up on the side of the field after Ramos’ second goal.

“Cristiano, as our cap tain, did what he always does,” Ramos said. “He helped us and encouraged us, not only myself but my colleagues.”

Ramos even had an assist, playing the ball through for Guerreiro to score the fourth goal.

Ronaldo was lively when he came on and and even thought he had scored when he ran through and drove a low left-footed shot past Sommer. The goal was disallowed for offside, much to the irritation of the fans — Portuguese or from other countries — who had come to see him play.

Switzerland’s only goal came in the 57th minute when Manuel Akanji tapped in at the far post after a corner kick.

Morocco beats Spain on penalties to advance

By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer

AL RAYYAN, Qatar

(AP) — The first World Cup held in an Arab nation has produced the Arab world’s first quarterfinalist.

Morocco became only the fourth African country to reach the quarterfinals at the biggest soccer tour nament in the world by beating Spain 3-0 in a pen alty shootout after a 0-0 draw through extra time. The Moroccans were playing in only their second knockout game at a World Cup, an event which is being held in the Middle East for the first time in its nearly 100-year history.

“Right now is a special moment for all Africa, for all the Arab countries, for all the Muslims around this world,” Morocco mid fielder Azzedine Ounahi said. “You try to make them happy, try to make our selves happy. And I think it goes quite well.”

The World Cup in Qatar is the first to be played in the Arab world and only the second to be held in Asia. The tournament began with one of the big gest upsets in history when Saudi Arabia beat two-time champion Argentina on the third day of action.

LEGENDS

of our legends? Are we blinded by selective memory, popularity and biases? A country’s great est asset are its people. A sport’s greatest asset are its athletes. How can we truly inspire those to come when we forget and disregard those who paved the way!” Bain added.

“When are we as an Ath letic Federation of Elected Officials, Coaches and Ath letes going to speak up and stand for the greater good of all our athletes and not just a few and especially not just our personal gain?

“I call on the BAAA and Ministry of Sports to review the selection crite ria, put together a list of all of our Olympics and World Championships medallists so that we may also honour all those most deserving of national recognition at the airport and at the Legends Walk.”

The Legends Walk of Fame features 69 portraits of past and present Baha mian sporting superstars by celebrity artist Jamaal Rolle outside the Thomas A Rob inson National Stadium.

Its relaunch was cel ebrated last week with the additions of 400m Olym pic champions Shanaue

The Saudis were elimi nated, as were host Qatar and Tunisia, in the group stage. That left Morocco as the Arab world’s standard bearer.

“I’m very proud of my fans, of my people and Arabic people,” said Morocco coach Walid Regragui, who is the first African to coach an African team to the quarterfinals.

“Also because I think you have Qatari people here, maybe Algerian people, Tunisian people, Arabic people and African people.”

Achraf Hakimi, who was born in Madrid and previously played for Real Madrid, converted the deciding penalty in the shootout. Abdel hamid Sabiri and Hakim Ziyech, who returned to the national team after a dispute with the previous coach, also scored.

Morocco has been the biggest surprise of the tournament and will next face Portugal in the quarterfinals.

Morocco, which has a complex geopolitical relationship with close neighbour Spain, advanced from a difficult group that included Canada, 2018 sem ifinalist Belgium, and 2018 runner-up Croatia.

The team came to the tournament with more than half of its squad filled with players who were not born in Morocco, the most of any of the 32 participating countries.

“Today I think it showed to the world every Moroc can is Moroccan with his passport,” Regragui said.

“When he comes to the national team, you want to die, you want to fight. And that is what I want to show. And now, we have one example. The coach is born in France but nobody

can have my heart but my country.”

The king of Morocco called to congratulate the team after the game. Morocco, which also reached the round of 16 at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, is also the only team from outside Europe or South America to make it to the last eight in Qatar.

Cameroon, Senegal and Ghana are the only other African nations to reach the World Cup quarterfinals. None of the three advanced to the semifinals.

Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, who plays for Spanish club Sevilla, saved two of the three penalties he faced in the shootout, from Carlos Soler and Sergio Busquets. Pablo Sarabia hit the post.

“We knew that if we went to the penalty shootout, we had one of the best goalkeepers in the world and we could win it,” said Regragui, who took over as coach of Morocco in August and had little time to prepare the team ahead of the World Cup.

Sarabia had entered the match in the final minutes of extra time, apparently for the shootout.

He replaced Nico Wil liams, who had also come in as a substitute earlier in the match.

“It’s my responsibil ity,” said Spain coach Luis Enrique, who before the match said he had asked his players to practice 1,000 penalty kicks while with their clubs. “I picked the first three penalty-takers, and then they could decide themselves. But the first three were my decision, and I would’ve done the same thing again. The only thing I wished I could do was to take Bounou out and put another goalkeeper in there.”

Spain was eliminated by host Russia in a pen alty shootout at the 2018 World Cup, and by Italy in the semifinals of last year’s European Championship.

The team hasn’t advanced past the last 16 at the World Cup since it won the tour nament in 2010 in South Africa.

“We were unable to score ... so no matter how much we say that we deserved to win for the chances we cre ated and for playing more in their area, it is not going to change anything,” said Spain goalkeeper Unai Simón, who stopped one penalty in the shootout.

“The only thing left for us is to accept that we have been eliminated.”

It was the fifth straight time Spain played extra time in a knockout round of a major tournament. The team played 120 minutes against Russia and in all three of its knockout games at Euro 2020.

Moroccan fans were sig nificantly outnumbered by — and were louder than — the Spaniards at Education City Stadium. It was the second match in the round of 16 to go into extra time at this year’s World Cup.

Croatia beat Japan on penalties Monday.

“Knowing that we are about to host the 50th anniversary of CARIFTA, was the reason we chose to showcase them with two of them being Sealy award winners - Anthonique Strachan and Shaunae Miller-Uibo.”

Strachan was a two-time winner of the Austin Sealy award, given to the most outstanding performer at the CARIFTA Track and Field Championships.

Bowleg added that in time, all deserving honou rees will receive their due recognition.

“I don’t think it’s fair to say it is anything based on who performed better. All of these athletes are world class and Olympic cham pions who represented the country well and it’s just a matter of time before the rest will be able to get on the Walk and make the Hall of Fame,” he said.

was

presented on the same day the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture offi cially launched the return of the CARIFTA Games, whihc will also mark the 50th Independence celebra tions here at the stadium scheduled for April 7-10, 2023.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg responded to the growing public discourse over the selection process.

“There are some persons who have not made the Hall of Fame or Legends Walk as yet. It does not mean that they will not get there. Some persons are of the view that others should not be there before them

but there is no criteria on who should go there first.

“Most persons there are still active in their sporting disciplines and so again, some may say that they were better than the other and they should have gone on the walk first but I think persons need to focus more on trying to make the Hall of Fame,” he said. “There are some athletes who have

performed very well in their disciplines and have not made the walk as yet but I think the decision was made by the LOC and not the Ministry to try and show case those three athletes, who in my opinion the min istry supports greatly, who were recently placed on the Legends Walk because of their success in track and field.

“We haven’t forgotten anyone, I know it’s frustrat ing to some people but I believe each athlete within their own right are deserv ing of all the awards and accolades awarded by the previous and existing gov ernment and this one. We cannot put everyone there at once, but we continue to hope patience will come and those who are deserv ing will go there.”

PORTUGAL’s Goncalo Ramos celebrates after scoring his side’s fifth goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match against Switzerland, at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, yesterday. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Miller-Uibo, Steven Gar diner and Anthonique Strachan. The relaunch

also

SHOWN, from left to right, are World and Olympic champions Shaunae Miller-Uibo and Steven Gardiner and their World Relays’ mixed relay gold medal teammate Anthonique Strachan as they became the latest athletes added to the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s Legends Walk of Fame recently.

Photo: Moises Amisial/Tribune Staff

MOROCCO’s players celebrate after winning a penalty shootout at the World Cup round of 16 soccer match against Spain, at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, yesterday. (AP Photo/ Abbie Parr)

Bahamas earn 4-3 victory over

Team Bahamas opened the new Andre Rodgers National Stadium and the 2022 Caribbean Cup on a winning note.

Toby Simmons’ sacrifice fly to score Kristin Munroe in the

bottom of the eighth inning was the go ahead for a 4-3 win over the US Virgin Islands on Sunday night.

Evan Sweeting was the win ning pitcher after he struck out two in relief in the eighth while McKell Bethel got the

save with two strikeouts in the ninth.

The Bahamas’ bullpen accounted for 12 strikeouts and gave up six hits en route to the win.

Brandon Russell got the start and finished with five strikeouts

through five innings followed by Travvis Ferguson who had three strikeouts through two.

Simmons finished 1-3 with an RBI, Hanna was 1-3 with an RBI and scored a run, Adari Grant was 1-4 and Ural Forbes went 1-4.

FROM

Kersh is wearing Dodger blue. I’m happy that he will be a big part of what we do next year,” Friedman said.

The left-hander turns 35 in March. He had a couple of stints on the injured list last season. Last winter, Kershaw didn’t pick up a baseball until January. This time, he began his throwing programme on Monday.

“I feel good. I really do feel healthy,” he said. “I’ll be able to take my time and build up. It’ll be like a normal offseason.”

Kershaw was a free agent a year ago, contemplating

whether to return to the Dodgers, sign with the Texas Rangers to be closer to home or retire. He went through the same process this time, speaking with Rangers GM Chris Young.

“I want to pick the team first and then figure out the contract after that. I don’t want to be told where to play,” Kershaw said. “That’s how I want to go about it the rest of my career and if there’s a few dollars left on the table, I’ll be okay with that.”

Texas signed pitcher Jacob DeGrom to an $185 million, five-year deal last week. Justin Verlander, whom the Dodgers were interested in, agreed to an

$86.7 million, two-year deal with the New York Mets on Monday.

“Should I have held out?” Kershaw jokingly asked reporters before quickly adding that he and his wife “are so at peace with the way we’re doing things.”

“For me, it’s always going to be a decision whether we feel great in LA or not,” the father of four said.

Kershaw was 12-3 with 2.28 ERA in 22 starts last season. He struck out 137 and walked 23. He made his ninth All-Star team and started the Midsum mer Classic for the first time in his career at Dodger Stadium.

Last April, he became the franchise’s all-time strike out leader with 2,697. He reached 2,800 strikeouts in his last start of the regular season on October 5 against Colorado. Kershaw ranks 24th all-time with 2,807.

He has a career record of 197-87 with a 2.48 ERA. He won his only World Series title in 2020, when the Dodgers beat Tampa Bay after the pandemic-short ened season.

Kershaw will return to a changed team.

All-Star shortstop Trea Turner agreed to a $300 million, 11-year deal with Philadelphia on Monday after starring for the Dodg ers last season. Third

baseman Justin Turner and outfielder Cody

both had their options declined by the Dodgers, although it’s possible one or both could re-sign.

Friedman said they had discussions with Turner’s camp over the past year and had a good indication of how things were going to develop. “I think the year and a half that he was with us, he impacted us in so many different ways,” Friedman said. “It’s great for him. He deserves it. He’s a really good player, and Philly fans are really going to enjoy watching him play every day.”

“Hopefully, we don’t have too much of a different

team, but who knows with what’s going to happen,” Kershaw said.

“The talent is there. We have the pieces. It’s just a matter of being a better team.”

Kershaw has yet to decide whether he will pitch in the World Baseball Clas sic in March.

“Obviously, it would be a huge honour to be able to do that,” he said. “I’m still a little ways away from making that call.”

Friedman said Kershaw is having conversations with pitching coach Mark Prior to see how his offsea son workout and throwing schedule could line up if he wanted to participate.

Bellinger

TEAM Bahamas (national baseball team) opened the new Andre Rodgers National Stadium and the Caribbean Cup on a winning note with a 4-3 win over the US Virgin Islands on Monday night.

Photos: Austin Fernander/Tribune Staff

4TH CARIBBEAN BASEBALL CUP

USVI, lose to Curacao 12-10

An early 10-run deficit was too much for Team Bahamas to overcome as they suffered their first loss of the 2022 Car ibbean Baseball Cup. Curaçao outlasted the home team 12-10 in Monday night’s game at the newly constructed Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium. In the highest scoring game of the tour nament thus far, Warren Saunders went 2-4 with a run and three RBI, Adari Grant was 1-3 with a run and two RBI, Kristin Munroe drove in two RBI, Daunte Stuart scored a run with two RBI and Jay Knowles went 1-2 with a run.

Cuba is known world wide for boxing, home to many legendary male boxers – among them Félix Savón, Teófilo Stevenson and Julio César La Cruz – and owner of a dozens of Olympic medals in the sport.

But the island has also sparked controversy by not allowing women to com pete, despite permitting them to do so in other con tact sports like taekwondo and wrestling.

Perhaps most notably in 2009, the former head coach of Cuba’s men’s team Pedro Roque told a group

of journalists that “Cuban women are there to show their beautiful faces, not to take punches.”

It was a sentiment Cala Massó and other women who have embraced the sport have rejected as they’ve sought to change the rules. Cala Massó began boxing in Havana with just one other women, spending long hours training despite being turned away by many coaches and boxing rings. With time, interest in boxing among women has only grown.

On Monday morn ing, officials with Cuba’s National Institute for Sports, INDER, announced in a press conference that they would hold a

competition of 42 women boxers in mid-December to choose 12 athletes for a women’s team.

The team, they said, will compete in the Central American and Caribbean Games in El Salvador, their first international debut.

The competition will be a first step toward the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Women were first allowed to box in the Olympics in 2012.

Cala Massó, who now trains with five other women, hopes the decision means their community will only grow.

The announcement comes shortly after Cuban boxers made a comeback in May in Mexico, with male

boxers competing profes sionally – and getting paid – for the first time since the communist government prohibited professional sports 60 years ago.

It was a big change in a country where athletes, namely boxers and baseball players, regularly leave for paychecks elsewhere.

Down the line, once the team is built, those women could also potentially compete in a professional capacity, INDER officials said.

Meanwhile, they said Cuban women boxers will be able to train in state sports centres starting in January.

Emilia Rebecca Hernán dez, of INDER, said that

the changes would make it so “Cuban women athletes can move up to the place where they belong – right next to men.”

Yet Hernández, who spoke only briefly, was the only woman on a panel of male officials who said their delay in allowing women to practice the sport was because they had to investi gate “the risks that women could run.”

Women will wear addi tional padding, they said.

Yet for 22-year-old Giselle Bello Garcia, who boxed alongside Cala Massó after having only started boxing one year earlier for exercise, said the news offers them a chance to show what they’re made

of. “I have a new hope for life, because my life has changed. From now on, I’m going to focus solely on boxing,” she said. “I want my whole life, up until my death, to be connected to boxing.”

“I have to be the best,” she added.

TEAM Bahamas (men’s national baseball team) suffered their first loss of the Caribbean Baseball Cup on Monday night. Curaçao outlasted the home team 12-10 in the newly constructed Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium.

Photos: Austin Fernander/Tribune Staff

NOTICE is hereby given that DEBRA AMBRISTER of Spigot Close, Carmichael Road, Nassau, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 7th day of December, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that WILLIO DOCTEUR of #23 Albatross Circle, Freeport, Grand Bahama, 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 30th day of November, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that FELIX NUAMOAH FOFIE of #29 Sandcombe Drive, Freeport, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 30th day of November, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that ERNST JN JACQUES of P. O. Box SS-19524, Antiqua Street, New Providence, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 30th day of November, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that LEONARDO PIERRE of King Street, Blue Hill Road, New Providence, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 30th day of November, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that JAMARIO DORSAN CHARLES of #23 Hanna Hill, Eight Mile Rock Freeport Grand Bahama, 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 30th day of November, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

Sunday Monday Tuesday

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are no negotiations that will hold up the amendments.

The amendments to the reg ulations are in place. We put them in place on October 17, we had some discussions with the retail grocers and retail pharmacies.

“We had discussions with retail grocers where they expressed some concerns. We went back and we made some adjustments. We increased some margins to account for perishables and to account for Family Island transportation. We thought that was a reasonable con cession to some of the concerns that they raised, and so for all intents and pur poses the amendments are in place and we expect them to be respected. We expect them to be respected.”

The Government has indeed agreed to some of what the food distribution

industry has been request ing, namely higher mark-ups for Family Island retailers and perishable products that have a shorter shelf-life and go bad much quicker.

While the Retail Grocers Association had supported 25 percent on all dry grocery items, it requested that this be increased to 30 percent for Family Island businesses due to the extra shipping, logistics and overall business costs they endure compared to New Providence.

And, due to “the rising costs of electricity and shrinkage (spoilage), the food retailers had called for a 35 percent mark-up in Nassau, and 40 percent in the Family Islands, for per ishable goods as opposed to the Government’s origi nally proposed 25 percent limit. The Government agreed to a five percent age point increase in the

mark-up for price-controlled perishables, such as meats and vegetables, along with “a slight increase for the Family Islands to cover transportation”.

Mr Halkitis, meanwhile, added yesterday: “There was a concern raised about the issue of changing all of the prices, and what we said to them was: ‘If it’s a difficulty changing them individually, we will allow you to have the price on the shelf until such time as all the prices can be changed individually’.

“So for all intents and purposes, the amendments are in place, and we expect them to be respected. I have given instructions yester day for our inspectors to go out, once again, to inspect and when necessary to com mence investigations in order that we are looking to enforce the law where the law is not being respected.

“Since we brought in the amendments we have hired additional inspectors here in New Providence, and we’re in the process of engaging additional inspectors as well in the Family Islands and

have given them resources to do the job that they require. Having said all of that, so far the reports that we have been getting from our inspectors are, by and large, the new margins are being respected,” the minis ter continued.

“But in light of what we saw being attributed to some operators today, I have given instructions that the inspectors are out today to double check. So we fully expect, and we fully intend, to enforce the law.” Mr Halkitis also denied that the expanded price control regime will harm food stores.

“This is margin added on top of the cost, so it’s not that we’re instructing people to sell at a loss,” he added of the controlled margins and mark-ups. “What we’re saying is you establish your cost, and there’s this margin on top of it, and so we think our position is entirely rea sonable.” When the cost to import price-controlled foods increases, wholesalers and distributors can apply for approval to raise prices to consumers while still

maintaining the legally-man dated mark-up.

Food stores found in breach of price control regulations can face a fine of no more than $2,500 for not co-operating with an investigation and/or impris onment of up to six months, and where companies are convicted of violations or penalties under the law they face a $5,000 fine and up to 12 months imprisonment. This liability extends to directors.

The Government’s ini tial proposal capped food wholesale margins, or markups, at 15 percent for all 38 product categories listed, while those for retailers were set at 25 percent across-theboard. The move, which was designed to ease the cost of living crisis currently batter ing thousands of middle and lower income Bahamians, employed the blunt tool of price controls - albeit on a “temporary” six-month basis - to achieve this.

The goods impacted, some of which are already price controlled, were baby cereal, food and formula; broths,

canned fish; condensed milk; powdered detergent; mustard; soap; soup; fresh milk; sugar; canned spa ghetti; canned pigeon peas (cooked); peanut butter; ketchup; cream of wheat; oatmeal and corn flakes.

The remainder were macaroni and cheese mix; pampers; feminine nap kins; eggs; bread; chicken; turkey; pork; sandwich meat; oranges; apples; bananas; limes; tomatoes; iceberg lettuce; broccoli; carrots; potatoes; yellow onions; and green bell peppers.

John Bostwick, attor ney for the Retail Grocers Association (RGA), told this newspaper on Novem ber 9 that the industry had expanded its counter-offer of price-controlled items to “more than 1,000 individ ual products”, a significant increase on the 20 items and categories included in its initial October 26, 2022, proposal but still some way short of the Government’s 38 categories and 5,000-plus products.

‘WE DON’T WANT WAR, YOU DON’T

Super Value was not the only food merchant to be visited by price con trol inspectors yesterday.

Mr Roberts said they also called on Philip Beneby, the Retail Grocers Asso ciation’s president, and his Courtesy Supermarket business on Carmichael Road. However, neither Mr Beneby nor Mr Bostwick could not be reached for comment before press time last night despite numer ous attempts by phone and What’s App.

Tribune Business was last night told inspectors found the stores they checked to be largely compliant with the revised margins and mark-ups on breadbas ket and other food items. However, they were said to have found violations on some pharmaceutical items and these products were confiscated.

“Some were in our stores yesterday [Monday],” Mr Roberts said, disclosing that price control inspectors appeared at Super Value’s Winton store but did not take any items. “Then they had an early morning meet ing and came into our stores with the managers this morning when they opened. The head of price control was in Golden Gates.

“They said they were going to check the whole system. I said that would take all week. Then they told our buyer they were going to take all the mer chandise that was in stock and on the shelves in 19 items. I phoned down and spoke to Mr Johnson [senior price control offi cial]. I said: ‘We don’t want war, you don’t want war’.”

“I said that if you take our merchandise, the Retail Grocers Association will close our stores. We may sell-off the perishables, and stay closed until Christ mas. If they would have taken our merchandise, John Bostwick told me to shut the stores. All the gro cers would have shut their stores. Bring the merchan dise back and we will open back up. He backed off.”

Mr Roberts said Price Control had initially sought to take the entire inventory for those 19 pharmaceuti cal items, such as 200 boxes of Panadol. Revealing that inspectors eventually departed with two samples of each item, he added that this represented a departure from traditional practice where normally only one was required.

The Davis administration appears to have been pro voked into a price control enforcement crackdown by other media reports sug gesting the food distribution industry was not complying with the revised margins and mark-ups that became law on October 17, 2022, via the inclusion of the relevant regulations in the Govern ment gazzette (see other article on Page 1B).

The move threatens to reignite a controversy, and dispute, that was ignited in mid-October by the Prime Minister’s national address.

Philip Davis KC unveiled a sweeping expansion of the price control regime for foods and medicines as the Government sought to better protect middle and lower income Bahamian families from soaring infla tion that has sparked a cost of living crisis for many.

However, the expansion was announced without any consultation with the impacted industries. In par ticular, the move blindsided Bahamian food merchants and their wholesale suppli ers. They warned that the 38 categories selected for price control expansion included more than 5,000 product line items, and would lead to between 40-60 percent of a retailer’s inventory becoming price controlled with mark-ups below their cost of sales, threatening their very survival.

A series of meet ings between the Government and food dis tribution industry followed, with the private sector presenting alternative proposals it believed will achieve the administration’s aim without undermining the sector. However, no further formal talks have been held since just before Hurricane Nicole in early November, with the Gov ernment yet to respond to the industry’s last offer.

As a result, food mer chants and wholesalers have taken the position not to implement the new price control regime because negotiations are still ongo ing and have not been concluded. But the Govern ment’s position, as stated by Michael Halkitis, min ister of economic affairs, is that the new regime has been gazzetted and is now law, and the private sector must comply even though talks remain. Dragging out discussions will not be permitted as a cover for non-compliance.

A stand-off thus appeared to have taken hold, with the Government making no concerted effort to enforce

the new regime despite its tough talk until this week. While the pharmaceutical industry reached an early November agreement with the Government, with set mark-ups at 20 percent and 40 percent for wholesalers and retailers respectively, Mr Roberts said these changes were never read ily passed on to the food merchants that stock these products too.

“The 19 items they took were HDA, pharmaceuti cals, milk and magnesia and that stuff,” he told Tribune Business. “We were work ing on 33 percent gross, and they have pharmacies 26 percent. We’ve been asking Price Control ever since that happened to please give us a list of pharmaceu tical price controls. We got it last Thursday, and had just three to four days to consider what to do.”

Pointing out that the Government’s agreement with the pharmaceutical industry was reached some four to five weeks previ ously, Mr Roberts added: “After us begging for it, it took five weeks to get it to us and they expect us to have it implemented in five days.

“I think they’re a little harsh on us. They didn’t give it to us when we asked for it, yet they know we carry milk and magnesia, Tylenol and Panadol. Why didn’t they push it to us so we could comply? We would have complied with that. We were 33 percent and they came down to 26 per cent. We didn’t know that because we didn’t have the schedule.. If we had known what was going on, and what had been agreed by

the stakeholders, we would have already complied.”

Mr Roberts said other food store members of the Retail Grocers Associa tion were also likely to have been caught unawares as he hit out at the Govern ment’s failure to respond to the industry’s latest offer that remains “on the table”. He added: “They walked away from us, which I think is very poor govern ance from government. We talked about negotiating in good faith, not negotiat ing through the press and all that good stuff, and this happens to us.

“The Association believes they’re not going to call us back into further dis cussions, and we told them we couldn’t comply. It could never work. It would wipe out our profits and put us below expense levels. They have to understand that. They cannot ask us to suffer that for six months because in six months three-quarters of the members will not be here. They will have packed up, gone and be history.”

The food distribution industry has consistently argued that the expanded price control regime,

besides threatening hun dreds of industry jobs and the very survival of many operators, could result in food shortages as retail ers/wholesalers decline to stock loss-making items while also increasing prices on non-controlled items, thereby further fuelling already soaring inflation.

Mr Roberts, meanwhile, argued that Price Control “can’t complain about us” given the forward bulk buying that Super Value has engaged in to mitigate food inflation’s impact on Baha mian consumers. Pointing out that this has tied up both cash flow and ware house space, he added: “I bought a year-and-a-half of each brand of corn beef so we would have cheap corn beef.

“I’m selling corn beef at a year-and-a-half ago’s price. I’ve protected the country and now they come. I’ve tied up money and my ware house space.” Mr Roberts said advance bulk purchases of corn beef, cooking oil and other staples had cost between $250,000 to $500,000.

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME

BY DEED POLL

The Public is hereby advised that I, SABRINA ANDREA TAYLOR of Stapledon Gardens, Nassau, Bahamas, intend to change my name to ANDREA SABRINA TAYLOR 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, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.

N O T I C E

SAPURAOMV UPSTREAM (MALAYSIA) INC.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act 2000, notice is hereby given that the above-named Company has been dissolved and struck off the Register pursuant to a Certificate of Dissolution issued by The Registrar General on the 22nd day of November, A.D. 2022.

Dated the 7th day of December, A.D., 2022.

Andrew Davies Liquidator of SAPURAOMV UPSTREAM (MALAYSIA) INC.

N O T I C E

SAPURAOMV UPSTREAM (SOUTHEAST ASIA) INC.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act 2000, notice is hereby given that the above-named Company has been dissolved and struck off the Register pursuant to a Certificate of Dissolution issued by The Registrar General on the 22nd day of November, A.D. 2022.

Dated the 7th day of December, A.D., 2022.

Andrew Davies Liquidator of SAPURAOMV UPSTREAM (SOUTHEAST ASIA) INC.

GB Chamber chief seeks airport plans

FROM

but I haven’t really read through who and what they are. The plan still hasn’t been revealed yet about how far they are going to go and what they intend to do,” he said.

It was reported earlier this week that Dublin Air port Authority (DAA),

which operates Ireland’s Dublin and Cork airports, plus airport retail con cessions in several other countries, is among the “frontrunners” to arrange the necessary financ ing for Grand Bahama International Airport’s multi-million dollar redevelopment and sub sequently operate it. The

GLOBAL PAYMENTS NOW LTD.

Reg. No. 173801 B

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION

Notice is hereby given, in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act of 2000, that the abovenamed Company commenced dissolution procedures on the 28th day of November 2022 and that Sterling (Bahamas) Limited of Suite 205A, Saffrey Square, Bank Lane & Bay Street, P.O. Box N-9934, Nassau, Bahamas has been appointed voluntary Liquidator of the Company.

Notice is also hereby given that any person having a claim against the Company is required, within 14 days of the date of this Notice, to send their names, addresses and particulars of their debts or claims to Sterling (Bahamas) Limited, the Liquidator of the Company, or in default thereof they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts or claims are proved.

Dated this 28th day of November 2022

Sterling (Bahamas) Limited Liquidator

Government will retain ownership of the airport via the Freeport Airport Development Company, much like it does in Nassau.

But Mr Carey asked: “Are they putting up a new and bigger terminal? The runway is there and it’s fine from what I understand and all of the reports I have heard. But what are they

going to do with the termi nal and the design because the information hasn’t been forthcoming?”

The airport was devas tated by Hurricane Dorian. Its previous owners, Hutchison Port Holdings and the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA), declined to invest the nec essary sums in its repairs

NDJ INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:-

a) NDJ INTERNATIONAL 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 6th December, 2022 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

c) The Liquidator of the said company is Octagon Management Limited, The Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, Nassau, Bahamas.

Dated this 7th day of December, A. D. 2022

Octagon Management Limited Liquidator

and walked away with the insurance proceeds after the then-Minnis adminis tration acquired the airport for $1 as well as assuming around $1m in severance liabilities.

Mr Carey said: “The air port was damaged three years ago. It is a point of contention, because while we don’t have sufficient hotel rooms, we do need airport because an airport is a gateway.

“With Exuma, for exam ple, with their itty bitty

terminal, they move a heck of a lot of people and a lot of flights are going in there because they do have the accommoda tion for them. An airport isn’t necessarily going to make accommodation, but it certainly contributes to the coming into being of accommodation for visitors. So it goes hand in hand.

“The Government is not necessarily in the business of making money when they start to do things, while a private enterprise is driven by profit, and they’re not going to do things unless they can see where they’re going to make that money.”

1.7600.000N/M0.00% 9.808.78Bahamas

0.3690.26026.42.67%

-0.4380.000-9.0 0.00% 10.657.50Commonwealth

0.1400.00073.20.00%

0.4670.06022.50.57%

0.8160.54022.22.98%

Ex-minister warns BOB: $6m appeal withdraw ‘not the end’

Sir Michael Barnett, the Court of Appeal’s presi dent, in an oral December 1, 2022, verdict noted that Mr Tynes had applied to withdraw the appeal on his corporate clients’ behalf. Tribune Business under stands this was done after the MRC Group became aware that, because the Supreme Court had effec tively functioned as an ‘appeal’ court when over turning the registrar’s original default judgment verdict, it needed its per mission to bring the matter to the Court of Appeal.

Mr Gomez, confirming this, told Tribune Business: “They have applied for a certificate. They’re doing that now and they’ll try to get the appeal reinstated. That’s what they’re doing. It should be done. I don’t think we’re at the end. I’m just waiting to see what happens. That’s the way we’re going.”

However, should the Supreme Court go-ahead be forthcoming, further obstacles have to be over come. It is understood that the MRC Group will then have to seek an “extension of time” from the Court of Appeal in which to lodge its case, and this is not guaranteed as it will have to demonstrate that the matter is of sufficient legal importance - namely that it raises a point of law that is in the public’s interest to be determined - before it can proceed.

It also has the option of bringing the substantive case before the Supreme Court for a full trial on the merits, but Mr Brathwaite argued this was unlikely to succeed as the Supreme Court in overturning the previous $6m default judg ment against Bank of The Bahamas had ruled the latter has a solid defence.

“We had a Board meeting today that just discussed that,” the Bank of The Bahamas chief said of the case. “I’m await ing an actual report from our attorney. That is good news that they have with drawn. We had provided for that. It’s been going on for a while. It’s a abso lutely good news, and that $6m, the provision will be reversed. That was a major issue. Had we not defended it, we’d have lost a lot of money.”

Wayne Aranha, now Bank of The Bahamas’ former chairman, told shareholders in its 2021 annual report that the dis pute was one of its two “highest risk” legal bat tles alongside a separate Supreme Court fight with another former Cabinet minister, Leslie Miller, over the $30m-plus lent for his Summerwinds Plaza.

“In the matter of Kaydee Ltd et al versus Bank of The Bahamas, the bank awaits the delivery of the appeal ruling stemming from the ‘judgment in default of defence’ entered against the bank by the plaintiffs in excess of $6m, which was set aside on October 21, 2019,” Mr Aranha wrote.

The default judgment’s dismissal was upheld by Justice Petra HannaAdderley in February this year, and Mr Brathwaite noted that the Court of Appeal had also awarded legal costs in Bank of The Bahamas’ favour over the latest withdrawal.

Suggesting that a sub stantive Supreme Court trial was unlikely to work in Kaydee and the MRC Group’s favour, he told this newspaper: “The case was never that strong, and that’s why the ruling was that the bank had a defence. Once the ruling from the judge was that it [the default judgment] be set aside, and the bank had a reasonable defence, I’m not sure how they can win a case before the Supreme Court.”

Dawson Malone, the Callenders & Co attor ney, represented Bank of The Bahamas before both the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. Jus tice Hanna-Adderley, in her verdict, affirmed that the default judgment had been “irregularly” obtained.

Her verdict recorded evi dence that Mr Gomez QC was said to be a 50 percent beneficial owner in one of the plaintiff companies, Seaport Construction Ltd, “and may have an inter est in the other” corporate entities. The legal dispute with the bank was behind his decision to resign from the Cabinet in 2015.

Besides finding that Bank of The Bahamas had “an arguable defence with a prospect of success” to the claims, the judge also ruled that the “judgment in default of defence” was obtained irregularly

STANIEL CAY OWNER TO SEEK ‘MAJOR DAMAGES’ OVER HALT

a government agency he oversaw.

Mr Ferreira, in a report conducted on behalf of Mr Doyle’s opponents that was entered as evidence before the Supreme Court, alleged: “The site is heavily impacted by extensive excavation and mining works. The impact to the environment has been dramatic, extensive and irreversible.

“The entire crest of the Ironshore (rocky shoreline) has been completely mined and excavated down to the main high tide mark. These excavations are so exten sive that the volume of fill mined from the site cannot be stored on the site. Nor is it conceivable that all of the mined material will be used on-site to construct ‘the single family residence’.”

Five other Staniel Cay homeowners, including two Bahamians, Don Rolle and Loyal Rolle, together with Paul Fuchs, Robert Kelly Blake Jr and Daniel Clay Smith Jr, had initiated Judi cial Review proceedings seeking to quash the Cer tificate of Environmental Clearance that the DEPP issued to Mr Doyle’s Deep Blue Properties on August 9, 2021, so that it could pro ceed with construction.

They claimed the property was “larger than existing boutique hotels in Staniel Cay”, and an attempt to con struct a mini high-end resort under the guise of a family residential property. Mr Doyle, though, described the project as a “family resi dence” and not the “Hotel Thunderball” that was origi nally proposed.

While admitting in legal papers that a boutique hotel,

named after the James Bond movie that filmed key scenes in the nearby Exuma cave system, was initially planned for the location, Mr Doyle asserted in prior legal filings: “I have never submitted those plans for approval to the Ministry of Works nor the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP) specifically.”

Speaking to Tribune Busi ness yesterday, he reiterated that he had fulfilled all the requirements mandated by The Bahamas’ planning and environmental laws. “I did an independent environmen tal study with an approved government consultant to make sure we crossed all the ‘t’s’ and dotted all the ‘i’s’,” Mr Doyle said. “It should never really have gone to the courts.”

Asserting that two of his opponents are immediate neighbours, he added: “They were just trying to discour age me from building. At the end of the day, it didn’t work. The plans approved are the ones we’re moving forward with, and as early as Monday we will start moving forward with constructing the private villa.

“These guys don’t under stand. They think they’re stopping me and being spiteful to me. I’ve had equipment sitting on the lot for almost a year. I’ve got until February 9 to put in for damages, and we’ll see what the judge awards me. When they see that they will think twice about going to court. I’ve already been noti fied by my contractor that they’ve going to get started on Monday. All they did was delay the project and take

because it needed the Supreme Court’s prior approval.

Justice Hanna-Adderley, setting out the background to the dispute, said it stemmed from the MRC Group’s allegations that Bank of the Bahamas had failed to follow through on various mortgage contracts agreed with it, resulting in its various entities suffering what was initially claimed to be $14.085m in losses and damages.

David Edward Jennette III, as trustee and gen eral counsel to Seaport, one of the MRC entities, had sought in 2009-2010 to secure credit facilities from Bank of The Bahamas as a means to refinance nonbank loans that had become “onerous “ to the group.

He dealt with John Sands, Bank of The Baha mas’ then-senior manager for the northern Bahamas. However, Indira Deal, the bank’s legal counsel, alleged in an affidavit filed as part of the dispute that Mr Sands had been dis missed in May 2011 “for gross misconduct, and he was previously suspended for his role in extending unathorised credit facilities to Seaport and individuals related to Seaport”.

Mr Jennette and the MRC Group companies successfully obtained a default judgment against Bank of The Bahamas on March 31, 2016, after it failed to appear in response to the action it filed over the loans dispute and asso ciated damages.

That first default ruling was set aside prior to thenacting Supreme Court justice, Andrew Forbes, ordering that the dispute proceed to trial in tradi tional fashion before the Supreme Court. Yet Bank of The Bahamas failed to submit its defence in time, leading to another default ruling.

That was granted in October 2017, and Mr Jen nette and the MRC Group subsequently obtained the $6m-plus damages award against Bank of The Baha mas on March 7, 2019, before moving to enforce it.

The BISX-listed institution, though, successfully per suaded the deputy Supreme Court registrar to set that aside, too, leading to both the appeal before Justice Hanna-Adderley and the recent Court of Appeal action.

away the opportunity for locals to work.

“Hopefully these guys don’t want to push it any further, but we’re ready for anything. If they push it fur ther I’ll obviously defend myself. I own the property outright; I’ve done nothing illegal. This is more of a per sonal grudge than anything else. That’s pretty much the extent of it. We’ll see what happens.”

The five Staniel Cay home owners behind the Judicial Review had sought Supreme Court orders that public consultation take place over the development, and that the DEPP require Mr Doyle and DeepBlue Properties to submit an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Man agement Plan (EMP) before any approvals and permits are granted.

Mr Doyle subsequently refuted the contents of Mr Ferreira’s report and the innuendo that his project is a boutique hotel in dis guise. “Contrary to what the intended applicants sug gest, I did not just change the application from a bou tique hotel to a single family residence,” he argued. “I obtained different plans for the single family residence and those were submitted to the DEPP for approval for the CEC.

“The reason the resi dence is designed with eight bedrooms and the various amenities is that I have six kids and grandkids, so the eight rooms become useful for my direct family. We also have a big extended family that normally comes to The Bahamas with me. Having a chef is a personal choice, and I am in the pool industry, hence the pools.” Mr Doyle also denied the excavation carried out to-date violated the CEC terms as alleged by Mr Ferreira.

BEGIN TALKS NOW ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

A MEDICAL marijuana and industrial hemp advo cate yesterday called on the Government to disclose details on its proposed can nabis legislation before the Bill is ready for presenta tion to Parliament.

Terry Miller, chairman of the non-profit Baha mas Cannabis Research Institute (BACARI), told Tribune Business he was not surprised that the much-touted legislation to legalise, and regulate,

marijuana use has been delayed as the Government has done little besides talk about the initiative that it promised to deliver in its Blueprint for Change elec tion manifesto.

“You’ve had enough time to come up with something,” he said to the Government. “Okay, you’re not going to present it to Parliament, that’s fine. But it could at least be dis seminated to the public. This is a time we should be having conversations.” The BACARI chief spoke out after Ryan Pinder KC, the attorney general, said it was “not likely” the Bill will be ready before year-end. “It

is coming along well. Just some technical aspects we have to work through,” he added.

With dialogue between BACARI and the Attor ney General’s Office non-existent, Mr Miller fur ther questioned the extent of the Government’s efforts. “Why hasn’t this been brought to the Bahamian people by now? In fact, when they came to office there was a document that they could have worked with and improved upon, and taken that to another level, because that was just medicinal marijuana and it was grossly flawed, but it

GB Chamber chief seeks airport plans

could have been a starting point,” he added.

Mr Miller said BACARI has yet to be engaged by the Government to give input to the proposed Bill. “It’s amazing how lead ers of a country choose the people they would engage on national issues. And the choice is generally based on politics. It’s stupid. It’s the highest level of stupidity,” he charged.

A strong propo nent for legalising medical marijuana, and making industrial hemp into a commercially viable industry in The Bahamas, Mr Miller warned that the Government “has to get

this right” if and when it decides to move the neces sary legislation forward. He argued that it can cause a lot of damage, and disem power entrepreneurs in the process, if it takes a narrow view on legalisation.

“We have partnered with CHEM (Cannabis Health Equity Movement) Global, where we have been look ing at the health equity,” Mr Miller said. “We have found that there is no health equity in the healthcare system because the rich gets the best and the poor gets the worst end of the stick. So this is one of the goals of the partnership.

“CHEM focuses on the medicinal aspects of mari juana, and we’re looking to partner with them on a number of things. They have lawyers, and the teams that have experience with marijuana legislation in different countries, and experience with what are best practices. They have arms in the US, Caribbean, Africa and Asia.

“We want full legali sation and not just decriminalisation, because decriminalisation does nothing for the growth of the industry and would do nothing to control the illicit trade of marijuana.”

DEBT CONSOLIDATION LOANS NOT CUTTING BORROWER WOE

Airport’s (GBIA) revival before the Government finalises a deal with a pri vate sector partner.

THE GRAND Bahama Chamber of Commerce president yesterday said he wants to see plans for Grand Bahama International

James Carey told Tribune Business a credible plan for the island’s main aviation gateway can still be pre sented to stakeholders to give them confidence in the

economy’s future prospects prior to a public-private partnership (PPP) agree ment being reached for the airport’s redevelopment.

“I saw in the press they have an Irish company interested in the airport,

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net SEE PAGE A20

FROM PAGE A24

and December 2021, the actual size of the country’s consumer loans is unknown as there is no reporting by the unregulated lenders and therefore the ‘decrease’ could actually be a transfer to unregulated lenders,” the same bank warned.

“ Against this back drop, the implementation of an across-the-board debt service ratio of 45 percent could have the unintended consequence of pushing more financ ing to unregulated lenders. Improving the financial health of the average con sumer borrower requires a holistic approach as opposed to one that will accelerate the movement of loans from supervised financial institutions to unregulated lenders..........

“Given the economic challenges of the last three years, implemen tation of a maximum total debt service ratio of 45 percent would retard economic recovery at this time. Consideration should be given to high income, stably employed borrowers whose disposable income is still significant at total debt service levels above 45 percent, highlighting the importance of consider ing disposable income.”

The Central Bank said it has done just that with

the relaxation unveiled on August 12, 2022. “During the pandemic, the Central Bank had relaxed the total debt service ratio require ments of supervised financial institutions to encourage the sector to provide much needed sup port to the economy. The total debt service ratio is a macro-prudential tool of the Central Bank, thus this prudential ratio is subject to change,” the Central Bank replied.

“The impact that unregu lated lenders would have is tied to the transparency in lending efforts that is a part of the credit reporting framework. Additionally, supervised financial institu tions are expected to verify borrower income sources. Thus any additional bor rowing would have to be supported with the borrow ers disposable income.”

The credit risk manage ment guidelines, released yesterday, reveal that the total debt service ratio has been increased from the previous 40-45 percent to 50 percent. Serving as a benchmark to determine a borrower’s ability to qualify for and repay a loan, the Central Bank confirmed:

“The total debt service ratio applies only to per sonal loans for the purchase of all types of real property, loans secured by real prop erty and the re-financing of all such loans.

“The total debt service ratio limit must not exceed 50 percent unless stipulated regulatory requirements have been imposed by the Central Bank on

specific supervised finan cial institutions.” However, this 50 percent ceiling does not apply to commercial lending.

The Central Bank said all its licensees, including the commercial banks, must demand that borrowers provide a minimum 15 per cent equity on all mortgage and personal loans. The only exceptions are those facilities secured by mort gage indemnity insurance, which will see this ratio fall to 5 percent. And, in calcu lating debt service ratios, haircuts of between 40-50 percent are to be applied to rental income, gratuities and investment income.

“When calculating the total debt service ratio, ordinary monthly income is defined as the sum of wages and gratuities, guaranteed rental and investment income. A 40 percent, 50 percent and 50 percent haircut should be applied to rental income, gratuities and investment income respectively,” the Central Bank said,

“Supervised financial institutions are to require a minimum equity contri bution of 15 percent on all personal loans, with the exception of those secured with mortgage indemnity insurance which has an equity of 5 percent. The 15 percent equity contribu tion does not apply to cash secured credit facilities.” While there will be some exceptions to this, the Cen tral Bank warned they are not to become the norm.

Cruise port receives 40k guests and sets new first

NASSAU Cruise Port (NCP) yesterday said it has achieved another first by receiving six ships on two consecutive days - Monday and Tuesday of this week.

The Prince George Wharf facility, which is in the middle of a $300m transformation, berthed two Oasis-class Royal Car ibbean ships - Wonder of the Seas and Harmony of

the Seas – on Monday along with Explorer of the Seas, Carnival Elation, Celebrity Reflection and Celebrity Beyond

This brought more than 21,000 cruise passengers to Nassau. Four more Royal Caribbean vessels arrived on Tuesday, including Independence of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas and

Liberty of the Seas. Disney Wish and Carnival Liberty rounded out the berthings, taking the total number of passengers to 19,959. Col lectively, over the two days, more than 40,000 passen gers arrived in Nassau.

Nassau Cruise Port is projecting it will welcome more than four million pas sengers in 2023.

Travel agents report mixed Xmas signals

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

TRAVEL agents say there has been a significant increase in inbound visitors coming to The Bahamas for the upcoming Christmas holiday but outgoing and domestic business is softer than normal.

Alice Pratt, general man ager of Going Places, told Tribune Business: “This is similar to what the US is talking about in a rebound. We are all seeing this, and if you have spoken to any of the airlines, they are

fully booked out. We don’t have all of the schedule we had pre-COVID-19, but obviously we have pent up demand or, as some would call it, revenge travel. So all of that is helping with the uptick as well.”

Car rental companies are showing limited availability, causing rates to go “through the roof” as supply and demand issues resonate in a market still not back to pre-COVID-19 volumes. However, Demetria Moss, general manager of Pre mier Travel, said outbound flights are not as strong as incoming travel because the local economy is still soft.

She said: “The only time when there is an influx of domestic travel is when there is a regatta on one of the Family Islands. Then we would see a huge bump-up in domestic travel demand.

“Now, what may happen over the holiday period, people may decide to go over to see family mem bers for a brief period and you may see a rise in flights, but a lot of persons over the past five years have been routing their travel into spending the holidays in the US. Travel going out but, for right now, it is not as busy as we would like it.”

‘We

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

SUPER Value’s principal yester day disclosed Price Control “backed off” seizing vast quantities of product when warned of pre-Christmas store shutdowns, telling the Government: “We don’t want war, and you don’t want war.”

Rupert Roberts told Tribune Busi ness the Government’s inspectors had initially sought to confiscate all mer chandise in 19 mostly pharmaceutical product lines from his Golden Gates store to check for potential viola tions of price-controlled margins and mark-ups implemented more than one month ago.

However, after taking legal advice from John Bostwick, attorney for the Retail Grocers Association (RGA), the Super Value chief said Price Control officials relented - and took just two samples of each item - after he warned that the group’s 130 food merchants would “close our stores and stay closed until Christmas” over the unwarranted mass product seizure.

Asserting that inspectors had “for the past 50 years” always taken just one sample of a product under inves tigation for price control breaches,

Mr Roberts told this newspaper that any non-compliance with the revised pharmaceutical mark-ups - agreed with that sector more than one month ago - could not be blamed on food retailers.

He added that Super Value had been “begging” the Government for weeks to provide it with the revised pharmaceutical margins and markups, but this was only received by the 13-store supermarket chain last Thursday. As a result, it had just

Ex-minister warns

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

A FORMER Cabinet min ister yesterday warned “it’s not the end” after an appeal against the dismissal of a $6m default judgment against Bank of the Bahamas was withdrawn by attorneys repre senting his interests.

Damian Gomez KC told Tribune Business the BISXlisted lender should not celebrate prematurely as com panies to which he is linked are now moving to “reinstate” the Court of Appeal action.

Debt consolidation loans not cutting borrower woe

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

COMMERCIAL banks have revealed that debt consolidation loans fre quently fail to reduce a troubled borrower’s debt service ratio to the 45 percent of income previ ously targeted by industry regulators.

Central Bank licen sees, responding to the consultation on credit risk guidelines, warned that insistence on a fixed ‘one size fits all’ debt service ratio could drive borrowers towards “unregulated” consumer lenders and away from commercial banks and the formal economy. They speculated that the $300m drop in outstanding con sumer credit over the four years to end-December 2021 could have been at least partially driven by borrowers switching to such lenders.

The Central Bank, though, in its response pointed to the relaxa tion of lending rules announced on August 12 this year, in which it permitted Bahamian com mercial banks on a “case by case basis” to approve personal credit that would take a borrower’s

total debt service ratio to a new maximum of 50 percent. The new ratio was also contained in the “management of credit risk guidelines” released yesterday.

Yet one unnamed bank, in its feedback, warned: “From a consumer credit and lending perspec tive, we note that many Bahamians are highly leveraged borrowers, and largely risk classified as medium-high to high risk. In addition, borrowers are able to obtain financing from unregulated lenders without restriction.

“Consolidation loans are sought from the com mercial banks, which serve to reduce the cus tomer’s debt service ratio and total debt ser vice ratio, but often time the 45 percent debt service ratio is not achievable.” Observers will likely view that as a potential red flag, given that debt consolidation loans are often viewed as the last resort to stabilised troubled borrowers, but the suggestion here is that even this strategy fails to get them back on track.

“Whilst consumer loans in the commercial banks reduced by $300m between December 2017

war’

Minister demands food retailers ‘respect’ law

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

three to four days to make the neces sary price adjustments in its systems and on shelves before the inspectors came calling.

Asserting that this was insufficient time to make any changes, Mr Rob erts conceded that medicines such as Panadol may have exceeded price control limits by 31 cents but argued that this was not Super Value’s fault as it had been kept in the dark on the revised pharmaceutical margins through no fault of its own.

A CABINET minister yesterday demanded that food retail ers “respect” the law and adopt the Government’s expanded price con trol regime or face an enforcement crackdown that will see fines and penalties levied.

Senator Michael Halkitis, minister for economic affairs, said ahead of the weekly full Cabinet meeting that price control inspectors have already been dispatched through out The Bahamas to ensure the food distribution industry is complying with the price control changes implemented via regulation on October 17.

Asserting that ongoing negotiations between the sector and the Government cannot be used as an excuse to delay implementation, he argued that the Davis administration had already agreed “reasonable” concessions with higher margins for perishable products and retailers in the Family Islands.

Mr Halkitis said: “While there’s some negotiations going on with the Government, let me just say categorically there

He spoke after Kenrick Brathwaite, Bank of The Bahamas managing director, told Tribune Business that it will now be able to “reverse” and recover the $6m provi sion taken over what the institution described as one of its two “highest risk” legal disputes in its 2021 annual report.

Revealing that the ongoing legal battle with Mr Gomez, David Jennette and Free port-based MRC (Meridian Research Corporation) Group had been discussed at yes terday’s Board of Directors meeting, he added that the

bank cannot afford to “lose a lot of money” at a time when it is still repairing market con fidence and its capital base following $300m-plus of tax payer funded bail-outs over the past decade. The former minister of state for legal affairs, though, warned that the fight was far from finished. He explained that Harvey Tynes KC, attor ney for Kaydee Ltd and other entities in the MRC Group, had applied to the Supreme Court for a “certificate” per mitting the appeal to proceed.

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

A STANIEL Cay home owner yesterday said he is “ready for anything” and plans to seek “signifi cant damages” from fellow residents after the Judicial Review challenge to his property’s construction was dismissed.

Kevin Doyle, who oper ates a charter airline, Staniel Air, which transports visi tors to the island from Fort Lauderdale, told Tribune Business he intends to resume building his “private villa” as early as Monday after Justice Neil Brathwaite yesterday also removed the year-long injunction that has barred such work.

While all parties are now awaiting the judge’s written verdict, John Wilson KC, the McKinney, Bancroft & Hughes senior partner, confirmed yesterday’s oral ruling in favour of his client.

“The Judicial Review appli cation has been refused, and the injunction has been discharged,” he said in response to this newspaper’s inquiries.

“There will be a signifi cant damages application. They’ve prevented him from completing his project for one year, so these damages are likely to be significant.”

However, the possibility remains that the verdict will be challenged before the Court of Appeal, although that will not be determined until the written ruling is released.

Mr Doyle, speaking after yesterday’s verdict, said the plans for his property’s rede velopment “went through the Ministry of Works” and all other relevant govern ment agencies, including “the same guy” who acted as an expert witness for his opponents - meaning Romauld Ferreira, former minister of the environment.

The project passed through the Depart ment of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP), and obtained its Certificate of Environ mental Clearance (CEC), when Mr Ferreira had ministerial responsibility for that agency. How ever, after returning to the private sector follow ing the September 16, 2021, general election, he was effectively working to challenge, and help over turn, a permit issued by

RUPERT ROBERTS

MICHAEL HALKITIS

DAMIAN GOMEZ KC

A PHOTO of the construction

excavation alleged to have taken place at DeepBlue Prop

location on Staniel Cay.