# articles

id: 70b443c8
source: Our news
title: Bahamians In Action On The Diamond
category: Sports
href: https://ournews.bs/bahamians-in-action-on-the-diamond/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-28T00:11:38+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Website-Images-NEW-1600x900-14-1000x600.jpg
paragraph: The Miami Marlins beat the Milwaukee Brewers 6-2. The New York Mets have won their last five games.
summary:
<p>MIAMI, USA – Jazz Chisholm helped his former team, the Miami Marlins with a 6-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers.</p><p>He went 1-3 with 2 walks, 2 runs and a stolen base to help his squad get the win.</p><p>Antoan Richardson and his New York Mets are blazing in the big apple.</p><p>They won their 5th straight win against the Atlanta Braves 8-4, leapfrogging the Braves in the National League Wild Card race.</p><p>JD Martinez smacked a grand slam to power the win.</p><p>And down in the minors, Sebastian Walcott went 1-3 with a double as his Hickory Crawdads got smoked by the Greenville Drive.</p><p>BLT Partners With Urban Renewal In Fox Hill</p><p>The Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association has been giving back by running an outreach program in a local community.</p><p>The association brought tennis to the young people of Fox Hill in a recent collaboration with the Urban Renewal Program.</p><p>Children in the area had the opportunity to receive coaching from coach Elanqua Griffin, and college players Donte Ambrister and Anthony Burrows Jr.</p><p>The program’s goal is to promote positivity in the community by introducing kids to the sport of tennis.</p><p>The BLTA has been aggressive in promoting tennis in the community partnering with Urban Renewal to hold similar programs several other inner-city communities.</p>


id: b35d821f
source: Our news
title: How To Vacation In Exuma
category: Local
href: https://ournews.bs/how-to-vacation-in-exuma/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-28T00:24:56+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Website-Images-NEW-1600x900-15-1000x600.jpg
summary:
<p>EXUMA, BAHAMAS – There’s still time to get to that long overdue well-deserved vacation, and you don’t need a passport to get there. Summers should be the right mix of relaxation and fun. We found both in Exuma.</p><p>So here’s the thing, when planning, spend some time search for the not-so-obvious choices.</p><p>For us, it was Staniel Cay. With twice daily flights on Flamingo Air, it’s a quick 30 – 40 minute ride. While you may be thinking Airbnb, small Family island hotels have a charm and familiar</p><p>kind of service you can’t find staying on your own. It was the Embrace Resort on Staniel Cay for us, a family-owned business with management and staff who felt like our very own family.</p><p>No matter where you stay in Exuma, the swimming pigs are a must.</p><p>There are so many other seaborne options to choose from. It really comes down to whether you like the animals, nature trails or hikes, snorkelling, diving, or just swimming.</p><p>There’s bonefish, deep-sea fishing or catching a few for lunch.</p><p>If you’re the nostalgic, fine dining and lodging type, then the famous Staniel Cay Yacht Club is more your money pick.</p><p>Not into the frivilous vacation spots? Are you more of a nature person, looking for the eco-tourism experience? Exuma is your spot, from ATR rides to tours to the National</p><p>Park System, it’s an Eco-Torust’s dream.</p><p>Don’t forget your camera phone as some of the most popular social media spots are right here, the pigs at pig island, Iguanas at Isuana island, the James Bond Thunderball Grotto, and the sharks at Compass Cay, all world renowned for instagram shots.</p><p>Isn’t it time you got your shot this summer?</p>

paragraph:
Exuma is one of the most popular social media spots in the Bahamas. From ATR rides to tours to the National Park System, it's an Eco-Torust’s dream.


id: b9a03c9a
source: Our news
title: Foreign Minister: There's Been So Much Progress In Haiti
category: Local
href: https://ournews.bs/foreign-minister-theres-been-so-much-progress-in-haiti/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-27T23:52:07+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/4-5-1000x600.jpg
summary:
<p>HAITI – Haiti has elected a new prime minister, marking a significant step toward political and economic stability, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell.</p><p>The nation has faced severe turmoil, with gangs overtaking the streets.</p><p>CARICOM has been actively involved in providing assistance, and Haiti’s progress will be a key topic at the upcoming CARICOM Heads of Government meeting in Grenada.</p><p>Kenya has agreed to lead a multinational force now deployed in Haiti, with The Bahamas committing to send 150 troops to support the mission.</p><p>According to Mitchell, the force has not yet been fully constituted.</p><p>Haiti’s situation took a dramatic turn following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021.</p><p>The World Food Program reports nearly 4.9 million Haitians are now facing hunger due to a worsening food crisis compounded by violence.</p><p>For years, The Bahamas has experienced a significant influx of Haitian nationals seeking a better life.</p><p>Mitchell noting the decades long connection between our countries.</p>

paragraph:
Haiti has elected a new prime minister, marking a significant step toward political and economic stability. Nearly 4.9 million Haitians are now facing hunger due to a worsening food crisis.


id: 2cfd2ab1
source: Our news
title: 36 Cadets Graduate From LJM Academy
category: Local
href: https://ournews.bs/36-cadets-graduate-from-ljm-academy/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-28T00:04:49+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Website-Images-NEW-1600x900-13-1000x600.jpg
summary:
<p>NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Thirty six new marine cadets are now one step closer in achieving their maritime dreams after successfully graduating from the LJM Maritime Academy.</p><p>The event, held at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium.</p><p>22-year-old Terojernae Duncombe and 19-year-old Malik Forbes, just two of the young men and women taking a significant step toward achieving their maritime ambitions .</p><p>This milestone marking a pivotal moment in their journey, equipping them with the knowledge, skills and credentials needed to excel in the industry.</p><p>Delivering the keynote address, Bahamian Ricardo Charlton, who has excelled internationally as he now serves as Director of Operations at one of the largest ports in Florida.</p><p>16 graduates now hold diplomas in Nautical Science and Engineering or Navigation while the remaining graduates will be heading off to begin their internship on the seas</p><p>This new accomplishment now opening doors for internships, job placements and collaborative projects. It’s an accomplishment that president of the academy, Dr. Brendamae Cleare is proud of.</p>

paragraph:
The LJM Maritime Academy has graduated its first class of marine cadets. The event was held at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium. The graduates will now begin their internship on the seas.


id: dbf7fb89
source: Bahamas Press
title: Minister Bowleg tours Culture and Swim summer camps
category: Local
href: https://www.bahamaspress.com/minister-bowleg-tours-culture-and-swim-summer-camps/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-27T22:37:30+00:00
imgurl: https://www.bahamaspress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/20240718105337_IMG_7126.jpg
summary:
<p>NASSAU, The Bahamas — Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture the Hon. Mario Bowleg visited his Ministry’s Culture and Swim Summer Camps held at Albury Sayles, Stephen Dillet, and Carlton E. Francis Primary Schools; and at the South Beach Pools on July 18, 2024. The ministry has held fun-filled camps, apprenticeship, and summer employment camps for young persons throughout the entire month of July.</p><p>Senior Officers from his ministry joining Minister Bowleg on this tour were Head of the Division of Youth Sandena Neely, and Assistant Director of Culture Portia Sands. Also present were Senior Cultural Affairs Officer Sonovia Pierre; Culture Officer, Cultural Affairs Officer responsible for Theatre Arts Terez Nixon, and other officers from the Ministry, as well as representatives from Neighbourhood Policing.</p><p>Instructors leading the camps at Albury Sayles were Raymond Neymour and April Kemp for Drumming, Cordell Colebrooke for Band, and Christie Hart for Choir.</p><p>At Stephen Dillet, the boys camp instructors were Victor Gittens, Leroy Butler and Antonio Bain. The Religious Culture Camp instructors were Alice Cox, Natasha Davis, Tammy Pinder, Shavonne Curtis and Sherry Smith. Also, at Carlton E. Francis, former camper Alisa Sumner was the instructor at the Theatre Camp.</p><p>The Ministry holds similar educational and fun-filled youth camps, sports camps and culture camps annually during July, free of charge for Bahamian youth.</p><p>Today, July 26, is the last day of the entertaining summer retreats for the participants: at their various closing ceremonies they had the opportunity to showcase the new skills they learned for proud parents, family and friends.</p>

paragraph:
Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture the Hon. Mario Bowleg visited his Ministry’s Culture and Swim Summer Camps held at Albury Sayles, Stephen Dillet, and Carlton E. Francis Primary Schools.


id: 605692a6
source: The Tribune
title: Two men charged in Pinecrest Drive fatal shooting
category: Local
href: https://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/jul/28/two-men-charged-in-pincrest-drive-fatal-shooting/?news
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-28T08:45:19.485342
imgurl:
https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1592913891433-cb1ea0675824?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=MnwxMjA3fDB8MHxzZWFyY2h8OTV8fHRoZSUyMGJhaGFtYXN8ZW58MHx8MHx8&auto=format&fit=crop&w=600&q=60

summary:
<p>TWO MEN were imprisoned on Friday after they were accused in the fatal shooting of 24-year-old Elvardo Thompson on Pinecrest Drive last weekend.</p><p>Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley arraigned Jamaal Hamilton, 25, and Shanton McSweeney, 21, for murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.</p><p>The duo allegedly shot and killed Thompson as he sat in his red Dodge Ram on Pinecrest Drive at 7pm on July 20.</p><p>The victim’s vehicle crashed into a nearby house after he was ambushed.</p><p>After hearing gunshots from the East Street South Police Station officers reportedly pursued the suspects grey Nissan Cube as it fled from the area at high speeds.</p><p>This car chase ended on Bamboo Blvd after the suspect’s vehicle collided into another car.</p><p>McSweeney allegedly shot at PC 4476 McHardy before he was also shot to the lower body by officers.</p><p>Hamilton was allegedly caught on Thatch Palm Avenue after a brief foot chase.</p><p>McSweeney was successfully treated for his injuries in hospital.</p><p>The accused were informed that their matter would proceed to the Supreme Court by way of voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).</p><p>The defendants will be remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until there VBIs are served on December 12.</p><p>Levan Johnson represented the accused.</p>

paragraph:
Jamaal Hamilton, 25, and Shanton McSweeney, 21, were arraigned for murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. The duo allegedly shot and killed Elvardo Thompson as he sat in his red Dodge Ram on Pinecrest Drive at 7pm on July 20.


id: 061ddadc
source: The Tribune
title: Two men charged with possession of dangerous drugs granted bail
category: Local
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-28T08:45:19.680316
href:
https://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/jul/28/two-men-charged-with-possession-of-dangerous-drugs-granted-bail/?news

imgurl:
https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1592913891433-cb1ea0675824?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=MnwxMjA3fDB8MHxzZWFyY2h8OTV8fHRoZSUyMGJhaGFtYXN8ZW58MHx8MHx8&auto=format&fit=crop&w=600&q=60

summary:
<p>TWO men were granted bail on Friday after they were allegedly found with three sets of illicit drugs in New Providence last week.</p><p>Senior Magistrate Raquel Whyms arraigned Vincent Thomson, 31, and Kenton Prosper, 35, for two counts of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply and possession of dangerous drugs.</p><p>The pair were allegedly found with 5 3/8 oz of marijuana, 6 grams of cocaine and 11 amphetamine pill on July 23.</p><p>Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.</p><p>While the prosecution objected to bail, the defendants were granted it at $5,000 each with one or two sureties.</p><p>They will be fitted with monitoring devices. Prosper must sign in at the Wulff Road Police Station every Tuesday by 6pm. Thompson must sign in at the Quakoo Street Police Station every Tuesday by 6pm.</p><p>The defendant’s trial begins on October 15.</p>

paragraph:
Vincent Thomson, 31, and Kenton Prosper, 35, were arraigned for two counts of possession of dangerous drugs. The pair were allegedly found with 5 3/8 oz of marijuana, 6 grams of cocaine and 11 amphetamine pill on July 23. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.


id: 29419079
source: The Tribune
title: Man sentenced to two years for unlicensed gun
category: Local
href: https://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/jul/28/man-sentenced-to-two-years-for-unlicensed-gun/?news
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-28T08:45:19.841930
imgurl:
https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1580541631971-a0e8ce42e97f?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=MnwxMjA3fDB8MHxzZWFyY2h8Mnx8dGhlJTIwYmFoYW1hc3xlbnwwfHwwfHw%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=500&q=60

summary:
<p>A 52-year-old man was sentenced to two years in prison on Friday after he admitted to having an unlicensed gun in his home this March.</p><p>Magistrate Lennox Coleby presided as Moses Ferguson appeared for charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm, possession of ammunition with intent to supply, and possession of a component part of a firearm.</p><p>Ferguson was found with a black Glock Austria 19 pistol, along with a black 9mm magazine, and 30 rounds of 9mm ammunition at his house on Palmetto Road on March 3.</p><p>In his latest court appearance, Ferguson reversed his earlier position and pleaded guilty to the charges.</p><p>Levan Johnson, the defendant’s attorney, said that his client was embarrassed by the incident. Mr Johnson went on to say that the defendant had a clean record up to this point, and is gainfully employed, a churchgoer, and an active member in his community.</p><p>In addition to stating that the defendant spared the court a lengthy trial by changing his plea, Mr Johnson said that his client is capable of rehabilitation.</p><p>Ferguson was sentenced to two years at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services during which time he is to be enrolled in carpentry classes.</p><p>He must also pay a fine of $5,000 for the ammunition and component part charges or risk an additional 18 months in prison.</p><p>The gun is to remain forfeited to the crown and Johnson was told that he had within seven days to appeal the magistrate’s sentence.</p><p>Before being taken into remand Johnson was allowed a moment with his brother.</p>

paragraph:
Moses Ferguson, 52, was found with a Glock Austria 19 pistol, along with a black 9mm magazine, and 30 rounds of 9mm ammunition at his house on Palmetto Road on March 3. Ferguson reversed his earlier position and pleaded guilty to the charges. He was sentenced to two years in prison.


id: 39a6a894
source: Bahamas Press
title: Goombay Summer Festival in Grand Bahama - at Taino Beach...
category: Local
href: https://www.bahamaspress.com/goombay-summer-festival-in-grand-bahama-at-taino-beach/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-28T16:59:26+00:00
imgurl: https://www.bahamaspress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Groom-9.jpg
summary:
<p>FREEPORT, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas — The final night of Goombay Summer Festival 2024 in Grand Bahama, July 24, 2024 at Taino Beach — attended by Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation (MOTIA) the Hon. Chester Cooper; Minister for Grand Bahama the Hon. Ginger Moxey; officials of MOTIA; and Special Guests Hugh Riley, former CTO Secretary; and American Actress and Director Kim Fields. (BIS Photos/Kemuel Stubbs)</p>

paragraph:
Final night of Goombay Summer Festival 2024 in Grand Bahama, July 24, 2024 at Taino Beach. Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation the Hon. Chester Cooper.


id: 1a9169ec
source: Bahamas Press
title: Camp Inclusion tours Nassau Cruise Port
category: Local
href: https://www.bahamaspress.com/camp-inclusion-tours-nassau-cruise-port/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-28T17:28:15+00:00
imgurl: https://www.bahamaspress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/CAMP.jpg
summary:
<p>NASSAU, The Bahamas – Participants of the Ministry of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting’s Camp Inclusion, including the camp’s student advocates, recently toured Nassau Cruise Port in a move designed to produce multiple benefits for the children.</p><p>Camp officials said the tour was part of the “moving away” from the old tradition of keeping children with disabilities locked away at home, and towards greater social inclusion for persons with disabilities – especially children.</p><p>Facilitated by the Community Affairs Division of the Ministry of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting at the Flamingo Gardens Family Life Centre, the camp is a collaborative effort between the Ministry, its Community Affairs and Disability Affairs Divisions, the Bahamas Coalition of Advocates for Disability Awareness and Service (BaCADAS), and the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD). The majority of the Camp Instructors are persons with disabilities.</p><p>The Camp is in keeping with the Global Family Day 2024 theme of “Embracing Diversity, Strengthening Families,” and is an extension of the Ministry’s continued efforts to take the lead in ensuring access and inclusion for all — particularly the community of persons with disabilities — in every aspect of society.</p><p>Children with different levels and types of disabilities, along with student advocates, participated. Its focus was to ensure that participating youth learn about living with mobility and intellectual disabilities, advocacy, inclusion and accessibility.</p><p>Mr. Townsley Roberts, Deputy Executive Secretary of the Secretariat of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, said the visit is expected to have a number of expected outcomes.</p><p>“It was very important to get the kids out and for them to see parts of the island that they rarely get a chance to experience,” Mr. Roberts said. “It was also an opportunity for them to feel a part of the Bahamian society because many times they are kept at home or just in the classroom (and) so this gives them a chance to spread their wings; an opportunity to dream. You never know, something they saw today can spark their imaginations and some may become artists, want to work in the tourism field or even just to try and experience a cruise. The ability to dream, to feel a part of society, to feel included, is important to the growth of all children, including persons with disabilities.”</p><p>Mr. Roberts applauded officials at Nassau Cruise Port for agreeing to the tour, which he said also allowed chaperones to inform the student advocates of some of the aspects that makes a facility accessible and inclusive.</p><p>“We are so happy that the Cruise Port allowed us the opportunity to come and tour the facility. As the name of the camp goes, what we are promoting is inclusion — total inclusion in all aspects of Bahamian society including the culture, and the open spaces. We want to make sure that all spaces are accessible and one of the things we know, because we had the opportunity to inspect the cruise port, is that the Port is accessible to persons with disabilities. So why not bring the children – including the student advocates — here as a means of helping them to understand and to witness first-hand what accessibility means and how it, or the lack of accessibility, affects the lives of persons with disabilities.”</p><p>Mr. Antoine Munroe, a Camp Instructor and employee of the Disability Affairs Division of the Ministry of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, said access and inclusion ensures that every person is able to achieve the same outcomes whether in social, educational, or employment settings, and are the best methods of ensuring that persons with disabilities are given the same opportunities to participate in society. He applauded the inclusion of the student advocates in the camp.</p><p>“It is a passion of my own to see young people included and exposed to the life of persons with disabilities. Being able to tour the facility gave me an understanding of how I can use my cane to move about with a little assistance and I thought that was very, very smooth. I congratulate those persons who were able to cause this to happen, and also the persons in charge of the Nassau Cruise Port. I think this is a very good step in the right direction,” Mr. Munroe added.</p>

paragraph:
Camp officials said the tour was part of the “moving away’ from the old tradition of keeping children with disabilities locked away at home. The Camp is in keeping with the Global Family Day 2024 theme of “Embracing Diversity, Strengthening Families”


id: 93fc1c51
source: Bahamas Press
title: Paris organizers mocked Christianity during their opening ceremony
category: Local
href: https://www.bahamaspress.com/paris-organizers-mocked-christianity-during-their-opening-ceremony/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-28T17:52:21+00:00
imgurl: https://www.bahamaspress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-1-22-1024x1024.jpg
summary:
<p>Paris Olympics organizers issue apology after they mocked Christianity during their opening ceremony.</p><p>Organizers say they are “really sorry” if they offended anyone, saying there was “never an intention” of offending Christians. “Clearly there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group. [The opening ceremony] tried to celebrate community tolerance.” “We believe this ambition was achieved. If people have taken any offence we are really sorry.”</p><p>The apology is hard to believe considering the self described obese “Jewish, queer, lesbian” who played Jesus, labeled the performance the “New Gay Testament” on IG.</p>

paragraph:
Paris Olympics organizers issue apology after they mocked Christianity during their opening ceremony. Organizers say they are “really sorry” if they offended anyone.


id: 05f3abaa
source: Our news
title: A Certified Weekend Vibe
category: Local
href: https://ournews.bs/a-certified-weekend-vibe/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-28T23:37:36+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Website-Images-NEW-1600x900-18-1000x600.jpg
summary:
<p>NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Tucked away in western New Providence is a cozy spot for you to not only grab a drink but also a quick bite, complete with live performances.</p><p>Whether you’re poolside or underneath the chandeliers that perfectly compliment the name of the quaint establishment, Yellow Bell is a certified vibe.</p>

paragraph:
Yellow Bell is a cozy spot for a drink and a quick bite in western New Providence. The restaurant also features live performances.


id: 9c9e690e
source: Our news
title: Beauty Queens Shine At International Pageant
category: Local
href: https://ournews.bs/beauty-queens-shine-at-international-pageant/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-28T23:37:05+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Website-Images-NEW-1600x900-41-1000x600.png
summary:
<p>FLORIDA, USA – A number of young Bahamian ladies made their mark on the international pageant stage recently at the world imperial beauties pageant held in Orlando, Florida.</p><p>Eleven year-old Saint Anne’s student, Aminah Lockhart came home with the cover model title. She says her passion for pageantry started when she watched pageants with her mother at home. However, she admits she was surprised by the realities of competition life.</p><p>Lockhart’s talent of choice? Dance! And she says her passion for dance is something she finds a greater purpose in.</p><p>Seventeen year old, Zabrielle Ramhing hails from Grand Bahama with roots in Eleuthera. She just started her pageantry journey last year. Yet, she managed to come home with the Teen International Crown.</p><p>Her platform was supporting teen mental health. She says the social impact pageants can have is often overlooked.</p>

paragraph:
Aminah Lockhart came home with the cover model title. Zabrielle Ramhing hails from Grand Bahama with roots in Eleuthera.


id: 2a8f5f4a
source: Our news
title: Jazz Traded To New York Yankees
category: Sports
href: https://ournews.bs/jazz-traded-to-new-york-yankees/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-28T23:36:44+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Website-Images-NEW-1600x900-13-1000x600.jpg
summary:
<p>NEW YORK – Jazz was sent to the Yankees for prospects Agustin Ramirez, Jared Serna and Abrahan Ramirez yesterday.</p><p>He made his debut with the Marlins in 2020 at 2nd base before moving to the outfield beginning last season.</p><p>In that span he hit .246 with a .749 ops with 66 home runs, 81 stolen bases and an All-Star nod in 2022.</p><p>He’ll add much-needed speed on the bags for the bombers as well as some pop at the plate, something that has been missing lately with the struggles of Alex Verdugo and DJ Lemahieu and the frequent injuries of Giancarlo Stanton.</p><p>The Yankees are one game back of the east behind Baltimore, but they think Jazz can give them the spark to take the division.</p><p>Whether he’ll play the outfield or 2nd base remains to be seen. But what we do know is that his larger-than-life personality will be a perfect fit for New York.</p><p>U-15 Women’s National Team Loses To The Dr</p><p>Team 242 fell to the Dominican Republic 79-31 last night.</p><p>Andica Curtis led the squad with 14 points and 10 rebounds. She also locked up on defense with 6 steals. That wasn’t enough to stop the Dominican onslaught, however.</p><p>Chantal lopez had 19 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists to lead the DR.</p><p>With that loss, the team is 0-4 in the tournament.</p><p>They’ll have a chance to get their first win tomorrow against Nicaragua.</p>

paragraph:
Jazz was sent to the Yankees for prospects Agustin Ramirez, Jared Serna and Abrahan Ramirez yesterday. He made his debut with the Marlins in 2020 at 2nd base before moving to the outfield last season.


id: 1c168eb7
source: Bahamas Press
title: BTC do better!
category: Local
href: https://www.bahamaspress.com/btc-do-better/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-28T21:47:34+00:00
imgurl: https://www.bahamaspress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Black-Woman-Crying.jpg
summary:
<p>Last week while visiting the BTC at the Mall At Marathon I witnessed the most cruel treatment of seniors in the country.</p><p>A long line was present at the Mall location where residents were waiting to pay their bills. The line for seniors was closed and customers told, without any consideration at all, that persons paying their bills are to join the single file line (seniors and others).</p><p>In the past BTC had respect for senior members of the community with standing issues who visit the store.</p><p>These days BTC cannot tell the difference between the Bahamian flag and that of the Caribbean nation of Barbados. It is a shame and disgrace to see the state of BTC and the way they are treating our seniors is a appalling.</p><p>Tired of the disrespect</p>

paragraph:
A long line was present at the Mall location where residents were waiting to pay their bills. The line for seniors was closed and customers told, without any consideration at all, that persons paying their bills are to join the single file line (seniors and others)


id: 33972bb4
source: Bahamas Press
title: Bahamas Bureau of Standards and Quality employee dies in early Friday morning car crash at Caves
category: Local
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-28T22:51:45+00:00
imgurl: https://www.bahamaspress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Reckley.jpg
href:
https://www.bahamaspress.com/bahamas-bureau-of-standards-and-quality-employee-dies-in-early-friday-morning-car-crash-at-caves/

summary:
<p>NASSAU| A YOUNG woman became the 36th traffic fatality victim in the country after she lost control of her vehicle and crashed on West Bay Street early Friday morning.</p><p>Police were alerted to the crash after 2am.</p><p>Bahamas Press can now confirm that the woman was Narissa Reckley who is employed at the Bahamas Bureau of Standards and Quality. She was reportedly traveling west on West Bay Street when she lost control of her vehicle and crashed into a wall at Caves Village.</p><p>She was the sole occupant of the vehicle.</p><p>Reckley was an only child and is spoken of by friends to be polite, kind, well mannered and humble.</p><p>Police said they had to use the jaws of life to remove her body from the vehicle, adding that they suspect that speed was a factor in the crash.</p><p>May her soul rest in peace.</p>

paragraph:
Narissa Reckley is the 36th traffic fatality victim in the country. She lost control of her vehicle and crashed into a wall at Caves Village.


id: 0e4bbc58
source: Bahamas Press
title: McDonalds Palmdale has gone to the dogs! FOOD NOT GOOD FOR PETS!
category: Local
href: https://www.bahamaspress.com/mcdonalds-palmdale-has-gone-to-the-dogs-food-not-good-for-pets/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-28T23:18:27+00:00
imgurl: https://www.bahamaspress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Mcburger-1.jpg
paragraph: Store open while under massive renovations…WHERE ARE THE HEALTH INSPECTORS WHEN YA NEED DEM?!
summary:
<p>Store open while under massive renovations…WHERE ARE THE HEALTH INSPECTORS WHEN YA NEED DEM?!</p><p>McDoanlds burnt chicken sandwich at Palmdale Branch.</p><p>On Sunday at McDonalds I got the shock of my life at its Palmdale operations. The store is under renovations and yet the full store is selling burgers and running out of stock. WHAT IS THIS!?</p><p>How a store with ruptured walls and floors, with glass and dust flying all around, could remain open to the public just baffles me; no care that one could be eating DUSTY BURGERS AND FRIES and yet the customers and managers don’t give a damn!</p><p>Anyway, I was sent to order a Mac Chicken sandwich of which I was told there was none in stock. I asked for another sandwich and once again the reply was that there was none in stock. I then said “gimmie what yinner gat!” It was at this time when I knew something terrible was about to happen.</p><p>Ignoring all the obvious signs and red flags I waited on the chicken sandwich and to my surprise the sandwich was not hot, it was flat without any sauce or mayonnaise and appeared not crispy chicken, but a burnt churred bun and meat that was delivered in the bag. Upon closer inspection the burger looked like one a those sandwiches which weathered a Cat 5 Hurricane and was left to stale under normal conditions 365 days ago. Tough as conch!</p><p>WHAT HAS McDonalds in the Bahamas come to?!</p><p>BP, please share this story as I am sick and tired of the piss poor service and downgraded product passed onto us Bahamians while the prices climb higher and higher everyday.</p><p>I know I should have returned the sandwich but the big bite left with all my DNA was too much for me. I was overwhelmed that, after paying almost $10 for a sandwich at McDonalds, it would be animal cruelty to feed it to my pets.</p>


id: b1fe68a5
source: Bahamas Press
title: Junior Cabinet Minister personal assistant arrested for gun and weapons possession....
category: Local
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-28T23:32:06+00:00
imgurl: https://www.bahamaspress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-1-23.jpg
href:
https://www.bahamaspress.com/junior-cabinet-minister-personal-assistant-arrested-for-gun-and-weapons-possession/

summary:
<p>NASSAU| Bahamas Press is learning the personal assistant to a Junior Cabinet Minister has been arrested by police along with her spouse and is set to be charged with gun crimes this week.</p><p>Excellent work by the Royal Bahamas Police Force team of investigators has detained a husband and wife after a cache of weapons was found in their possession.</p><p>The arrest went down sometime last week as detectives on New Providence closed in on the couple after an extensive investigation.</p><p>The personal assistant of the Junior Cabinet Minister had just returned to the capital a few weeks ago from Canada and was being tracked and monitored by international intelligence teams. She hails from Bimini.</p><p>Your Bahamas Press a few months ago warned about serious security breaches inside Government Offices and a lack of proper vetting processes of personnel inside highly sensitive government agencies and departments.</p><p>Ya cannot be working for government and trafficking weapons into the country; aiding the carnage and bloody massacres on our streets!</p><p>BP congratulates the Royal Bahamas Police Force under the command of DECENT Clayton Fernander and his stellar team of officers on this major weapons find.</p><p>We report yinner decide!</p>

paragraph:
The arrest went down sometime last week as detectives on New Providence closed in on the couple after an extensive investigation. The personal assistant of the Junior Cabinet Minister had just returned to the capital a few weeks ago from Canada. She hails from Bimini.


id: 65017f96
source: Our news
title: License Plates Now Ready For Collection
category: Local
href: https://ournews.bs/license-plates-now-ready-for-collection/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-27T14:04:36+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Website-Images-NEW-1600x900-10-1-1000x600.jpg
summary:
<p>NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Royal Bahamas Police Force Road Traffic Division, in collaboration with the Ministry Of Transport announced that plates are now available for collection.</p>

paragraph:
The Royal Bahamas Police Force Road Traffic Division, in collaboration with the Ministry Of Transport announced that plates are now available for collection.


id: 2144c78c
source: Our news
title: Goombay Summer Festival Kicks Off New Providence
category: Local
href: https://ournews.bs/goombay-summer-festival-kicks-off-new-providence/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-28T00:28:47+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Website-Images-NEW-1600x900-16-1000x600.jpg
summary:
<p>NASSAU, BAHAMAS – It’s an annual festival that families look forward an open air event celebrating our culture. We’re talking about the famous Goombay Festival.</p><p>Vendors lined the streets offering us bags, tumblers, succulent Bahamian dishes and freshly made beverages.</p><p>We also met a group of international journalists and influencers who say while the festival wasn’t on their bingo card for this trip, they suddenly craved to know more about our culture, thanks to the festival.</p><p>Other than our jittery host, other entertainers included a firey limbo dancer, a dynamic dance group, the Pond Band and as the night continued Geno D, Funky D and Veronica Bishop.</p><p>The festival is scheduled to take place every Friday until August 17th on Bay Street.</p>

paragraph:
The annual Goombay Festival is taking place in the Bahamas. The festival is open to the public and runs until August 17.


id: 9f215fbd
source: Our news
title: JJ To Participate In WNBA 3-Point Contest
category: Sports
href: https://ournews.bs/jj-to-participate-in-wnba-3-point-contest/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-18T23:30:00+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Website-Images-NEW-1600x900-8-1000x600.jpg
summary:
<p>PHOENIX, ARIZONA – Jonquel jones will have a busy WNBA All-Star weekend.</p><p>Jones will headline the three-point contest tomorrow on all-star Friday night, in Phoenix, Arizona.</p><p>You can watch live on ESPN at 9pm.</p><p>This will be her second appearance in the contest after a second place finish in 2021.</p><p>The rest of the field includes Washington Mystics center Stefanie Dolson, Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray, Connecticut Sun guard Marina Mabrey and Minnesota Lynx guard Kayla McBride.</p><p>Jones has made 40 threes on the year, and is shooting 39.6 percent, ninth-best in the league.</p><p>Jones also was named a WNBA all-star for the fifth time in her seven year career.</p><p>Her all-star team will take on the us olympic team, july 20 at the footprint center.</p><p>Keyshawn Strachan becomes the latest javelin star to join the Bahamian pipeline to Lincoln, Nebraska.</p><p>Strachan announced on social media Wednesday night that he will transfer to the university of Nebraska for the upcoming fall campaign.</p><p>Strachan, the Bahamian national record holder, joins the program that included fellow national record holder Rhema Otabor, and just signed high school stars Dior-Rae Scott and Taysha Stubbs.</p><p>He began his collegiate career with the Auburn Tigers in the SEC.</p><p>As a freshman he threw his personal, best 84.27m in March 2023, but injuries hampered his sophomore season.</p><p>He placed fifth at the ncaa di outdoor championships this year and had a season’s best throw of 76.25m.</p><p>The Michael Scooter Reid Peace on The Streets Basketball tournament is heading toward championship weekend.</p><p>One of the most anticipated events on the summer hoops calendar, year 29 has been living up to the expectations.</p><p>The six-day competition at the hope center courts features dozens teams representing clubs, schools, and communities across five divisions – including the 13-and under, 16-and under, 19-and under, church and open divisions.</p><p>This all leads up to Family Fun night on July 21, showcasing the championship games and celebrity game between the clergy and politicians at the Kendal G.L. Isaacs gymnasium.</p><p>The night also features the iHop-sponsored slam dunk contest and the Mr. Ship It three-point shootout.</p><p>It’s also a busy weekend for the Bahamas Football Association as they prepare to take on the optimal training foundation – tonight we take a look at the girls’ side.</p><p>The under 15 side has been training consistently under the bfa’s center of excellence and are prepared to showcase their skills.</p><p>Matches are scheduled to take place from July 19th to July 21st at the Roscow A.L. Davies Fields. Admission is free.</p><p>Friday the girls play at 9am followed by the boys at 10:30am. Friday the girls play at 9am and 6pm while the boys play 10:30am and 7pm.</p><p>On the final match day Sunday the girls play at 6pm followed by the boys at 7pm.</p>

paragraph:
Jonquel Jones will headline the three-point contest tomorrow on all-star Friday night, in Phoenix, Arizona. It will be her second appearance in the contest after a second place finish in 2021. The Michael Scooter Reid Peace on The Streets Basketball tournament is heading toward championship weekend.


id: 2a53d5fc
source: Our news
title: 12U Team Headed To Caribbean Cup
category: Sports
href: https://ournews.bs/12u-team-headed-to-caribbean-cup/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-19T23:30:00+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Website-Images-NEW-1600x900-3.jpg-3-1000x600.jpg
summary:
<p>NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Bahamas Baseball Association is continuing its youth development by fielding another team to compete against the top teams in the region.</p><p>The team is headed to the Caribbean Cup, July 21-28 in the Dominican Republic.</p><p>Geron Sands will serve as the team’s head coach.</p><p>The BBA returned to international play at the youth level earlier this year when the 15u team participated in the world cup qualifier.</p><p>The BBA will host the 15U Caribbean cup at the Andre Rodgers Stadium August 7-11 and the open Caribbean Cup October 19-26.</p><p>Meanwhile, New York Mets first base coach Antoan Richrdson and LDK Performance have partnered with the Batter’s Box for a unique event.</p><p>Hosted at the Andre Rodgers National Stadium, the camp features dozens of aspiring players as young as 5 and up to 18 years old.</p><p>LDK’s Director of Baseball and Softball Development Shawnte Curtis, said one of the camp’s main focus will be on targeting athleticism.</p><p>Lydon Wallace of the Batter’s Box said the collaboration is aimed at the raising the standard of development in the country.</p><p>The camp runs Monday through Friday, 9am to noon.</p><p>Buddy Hield is officially a Golden State Warrior and discussed his transition to the Bay area.</p>

paragraph:
The Bahamas Baseball Association is continuing its youth development by fielding another team to compete against the top teams in the region. The team is headed to the Caribbean Cup, July 21-28 in the Dominican Republic. The BBA returned to international play at the youth level earlier this year when the 15u team participated in the world cup qualifier.


id: 20621d2c
source: Our news
title: JJ Falls Two Shy In All-Star 3-Point Competition
category: Sports
href: https://ournews.bs/jj-falls-two-shy-in-all-star-3-point-competition/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-20T23:30:00+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/JJ-1000x600.jpg
summary:
<p>PHOENIX, U.S.A. – Grand Bahama’s Jonquel Jones brought out the fireworks at Friday night’s three-point contest.</p><p>The New York Liberty forward made it to the finals, advancing on a 25-point semifinal, the highest-scoring round in the competition.</p><p>The final round came down to the last shot but unfortunately for JJ, was unable to carry over the momentum from her white-hot semifinal, missing the last shot, securing the win for Alisha Gray.</p><p>Gray also won the skills contest earlier that night.</p><p>The boys’ and girls’ u-15 national soccer teams squared up against OTF Academy, a youth soccer program out of Florida.</p><p>The girls side kicked off first. After a hard-fought match, they fell 3-0 to the squad from the Sunshine State.</p><p>The boys faced off against OTF. After an intense match, full time ended in a 0-0 stalemate.</p>

paragraph:
Grand Bahama’s Jonquel Jones made it to the finals, advancing on a 25-point semifinal. The boys’ and girls’ u-15 national soccer teams squared up against OTF Academy, a youth soccer program out of Florida.


id: 6d0826ef
source: Our news
title: JJ, WNBA All Stars Beat Team USA 117-109
category: Sports
href: https://ournews.bs/jj-wnba-all-stars-beat-team-usa-117-109/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-21T23:30:00+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/JJ-ALL-STAR-1000x600.jpg
summary:
<p>PHOENIX, U.S.A. – Jonquel Jones and a team of WNBA All-Stars delivered a shocking 117-109 defeat to Team USA Saturday night.</p><p>Playing in her 5th all-star game, she had six points, seven rebounds and five assists.</p><p>Arike Ogumbawale led the charge for the WNBA All Stars. She went for 21 in the third quarter en route to an all-star record 34 points to claim the MVP.</p><p>Bahamians Around the World</p><p>We start off in Japan.</p><p>We introduced you to martial artist Christian Deleveaux last year. On Saturday, he placed 2nd overall in the men’s 35-40 year old division in the Shinkyushin style in Japan’s national martial arts tournament.</p><p>The girls and boys’ u-15 soccer team continued their matches against OTF Academy. Unfortunately for the 242 OTF swept the day with the girls falling 5-1 and the boys losing 3-1.</p><p>And finally, Jazz Chisholm’s Miami Marlins and Antoan Richardson’s Mets continued their series in Miami with the mets coming out with the 1-0 win.</p>

paragraph:
WNBA All-Stars defeat Team USA 117-109 in Phoenix. Arike Ogumbawale leads the charge for the WNBA All Stars.


id: 1255a0e2
source: Our news
title: Sebastian Walcott Recaps All-Star Futures Experience
category: Sports
href: https://ournews.bs/sebastian-walcott-recaps-all-star-futures-experience/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-22T23:30:00+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Website-Images-NEW-1600x900-13.jpg-13-1000x600.jpg
summary:
<p>U.S.A. – Sebastian Walcott is on a fast track to the major leagues but the Texas Rangers’ number one prospect has a unique perspective on the journey with each new milestone.</p><p>Walcott recently became just the second Bahamian player named to the MLB futures games which features the top prospects in all of Minor League Baseball.</p><p>The 18-year-old infielder is ranked no.1 by the Rangers and no.73 in mlb pipeline’s top 100.</p><p>Walcott continued that momentum right out of the All-Star break.</p><p>Through three games against Greensboro, he’s hitting .417 (5-12) with two RBIs and two runs.</p><p>In his first season at the high-a level with the hickory crawdads, Walcott is hitting .243 with a .746 ops, 28 rbi, 12 stolen bases, 44 runs scored and seven home runs.</p><p>Its a history making moment anytime Bahamians can share a major league field.</p><p>Jazz Chisholm’s Miami marlins and Antoan Richarson’s New York Mets did just that this weekend in the NL East rivalry.</p><p>The marlins took a 2-1 series lead into the finale Monday night at Loan Depot Park in Miami.</p><p>​​Chisholm was the driving force behind the marlins’ 4-2 win Sunday afternoon.</p><p>His home run in the fourth inning gave Miami a 3-1 lead. He sent a slider from rookie starter Christian Scott into the Mets’ bullpen in right field for his 13th homer of the season.</p><p>Chisholm currently leads the Marlins in several categories with a .251 average, .322 obp, and 45 rbi. His 13 home runs ranks second behind Bryan de la Cruz with 16.</p><p>Breyias Dean had a standout season in year two of the Dominican Summer League and earned all-star honors for the national league.</p><p>The Miami Marlins prospect was named to the DSL’s midsummer classic on Sunday at the Milwaukee Brewers complex in Santo Domingo.</p><p>Dean is hitting .297 with a .442 obp, .848 ops, 19 rbi, 17 runs, 8 stolen bases, and two home runs.</p><p>Jonquel Jones’ all star weekend had a huge milestone off the court.</p><p>Jones announced the release of her own Nike KD 17 Bahamas player edition.</p><p>The special edition sneaker, pays homage to her Bahamian heritage with a detailed debossed map of The Bahamas on the heel.</p><p>The Jonquel Jones Nike KD 17 Bahamas player edition will be released August 29 and retails for $150.</p>

paragraph:
Sebastian Walcott is ranked no.1 by the Rangers and no.73 in mlb pipeline’s top 100. The 18-year-old infielder is hitting .243 with a .746 ops, 28 rbi, 12 stolen bases, 44 runs scored.


id: 0b340db6
source: Our news
title: Bahamian Team Competes at World Clubs Tournament Event
category: Sports
href: https://ournews.bs/bahamian-team-competes-at-world-clubs-tournament-event/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-23T23:30:00+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Website-Images-NEW-1600x900-10-1000x600.jpg
summary:
<p>FRANCE – This week’s competition is being called a watershed moment for Bahamas Equestrian.</p><p>For the first time, the Federation has fielded a team for an international show jumping event.</p><p>The team of Katerina Coello, Emma Johnston, Ella Saidi and sienna tinker are competing at the World Clubs Tournament event in Lamotte-Beuvron, France.</p><p>They are coached by grand prix rider and trainer, Rai Burch of Bermuda.</p><p>The world clubs tournament is part of the Generali Open de France, an annual competition.</p><p>Participating teams also include Belgium, Chile, China, France, Italy, Malta, Czech Republic, and Turkey.</p><p>The draw took place on Monday and The Bahamas drew the sixth position. They completed the course walk and final practice session before the start of competition, which continues throughout the week.</p><p>As the sport continues to grow locally, there are nearly 100 riders participating in equestrian in The Bahamas.</p><p>An active summer continues for the Bahamas Basketball Federation.</p><p>The junior girls have arrived in David, Panama for the Centrobasket under 15 Championship for women.</p><p>The Bahamas was drawn into Group B along with Puerto Rico, El Salvador, and Costa Rica. Group A includes Panama, Mexico, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.</p><p>The Bahamas opens competition against Costa Rica on Wednesday at 5 pm. On Thursday, The Bahamas takes on El Salvador at 3 pm and on Friday, The Bahamas faces Puerto Rico at 3pm.</p><p>The top two teams in each group will advance to the semi-finals and the rest will play for positions 5-8.</p><p>Playoff rounds will be Saturday and Sunday.</p><p>The top three teams in the competition will qualify for the 2025 FIBA ​​u16 Women’s Americup.</p><p>Chicago Cubs prospect BJ Murray has been putting up some impressive numbers at the plate this month.</p><p>In his last appearance, Murray hit a 3-run homer in his Iowa Cubs’ 4-3 win over the Memphis Redbirds. His solo shot in the first inning was his 11th of the season.</p><p>Murray struggled through june but since the calendar flipped to July he’s hitting .351 and slugging .595 for Iowa, the Cubs’ Triple A affiliate.</p><p>Over that 11-game span he also has 5 multi hit games with 2 home runs, 7 rbi, and scored 5 runs.</p>

paragraph:
The Bahamas team is competing at the World Clubs Tournament event in France. The draw took place on Monday and The Bahamas drew the sixth position. The Bahamas opens competition against Costa Rica on Wednesday at 5 pm.


id: 06138edc
source: Our news
title: Willis Mackey Jr. Takes Up Assistant Coaching Job
category: Sports
href: https://ournews.bs/rpt-willis-mackey-jr-takes-up-assistant-coaching-job/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-24T23:30:00+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Website-Images-NEW-1600x900-11-1000x600.jpg
summary:
<p>U.S.A. – Willis Mackey Jr. joins the growing list of former national basketball team players to get an early start in coaching.</p><p>Mackey will join the staff of Chipola College as an assistant coach for the upcoming fall campaign.</p><p>Chipola is a junior college powerhouse that has won two consecutive conference championships and has made three consecutive appearances in the NJCAA tournament.</p><p>Several Bahamian players have played at Chipola in recent years including Valerie Nesbitt, Paul Greene, and Deyton Albury.</p><p>Mackey graduated from the University of Northwestern Ohio in Lima, Ohio and spent five seasons playing professionally in spain and France.</p><p>Over the last few years, Mackey has been a regular for the senior men’s national team. He appeared at the FIBA Americup qualifiers, World Cup Pre Qualifiers and and World Cup qualifiers.</p><p>At last month’s FIBA Olympic qualifier, he served as the video coordinator for Team Bahamas, a role that prepared him for the next step in his career.</p><p>After day one at the World Clubs Tournament in France, Team Bahamas sits third in the standings.</p><p>The team of Katerina Coello, Emma Johnston, Ella Saidi and Sienna Tinker trail only China and France at the event in lamotte-beuvron, France.</p><p>Participating teams also include Belgium, Chile, Italy, Malta, Czech Republic, and Turkey.</p><p>Rai Burch is the head coach of Team Bahamas.</p><p>The hits keep coming for Jazz Chisholm.</p><p>Chisholm went 2-4 with a double and two rbi in his Miami marlins’ 6-3 series opening win over the Baltimore Orioles Tuesday night at Loan Depot Park in Miami.</p><p>In the second inning, he laced a two rbi double that gave the Marlins an early 4-1 lead.</p><p>He also recorded two stolen bases. Chisholm had another highlight defensively when he made a throw from center field that caught colton cowser at third on a ryan mountcastle single.</p><p>Only four players in the MLB have more than 13 home runs and 21 stolen bases – Shohei Ohtani, Elly de la Cruz, Bobby Witt and Jazz Chisholm.</p><p>Despite his production, the narrative in the American media paints the picture of a lukewarm trade market for Chisholm thus far.</p><p>Miami is in last place in the national league east at 36-65.</p>

paragraph:
Willis Mackey Jr. will join the staff of Chipola College as an assistant coach for the upcoming fall campaign. Mackey has been a regular for the senior men’s national team.


id: a5138fa0
source: Our news
title: Thompson Family Visits Jeff Rodgers Basketball Summer Camp
category: Sports
href: https://ournews.bs/thompson-family-visits-jeff-rodgers-basketball-summer-camp/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-25T23:30:00+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Website-Images-NEW-1600x900-12-1000x600.jpg
summary:
<p>NASSAU, BAHAMAS – An annual staple at the Jeff Rodgers Summer Basketball Camp, the Thompson family continues its tradition of community outreach with the event.</p><p>Bahamian basketball icon, former no.1 overall draft pick and two time nba champion Mychal Thompson, alongside his eldest son, Mychel – a Bahamian national team standout, visited the camp on Wednesday at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.</p><p>Mychal was recruited from The Bahamas to Miami Jackson High and eventually to the University of Minnesota. He was the top overall pick in the 1978 draft by the Portland Trailblazers and enjoyed a 13 year NBA career highlighted by a pair of championships with the Los Angeles Lakers.</p><p>The entrance of the new Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium that leads to the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium is named in his honor.</p><p>Always a strong presence in The Bahamas, the Thompson family are frequent participants in the camp’s festivities.</p><p>Mychel has been a member of the senior men’s national team since 2014 and now serves as a member of the coaching staff.</p><p>Camp Director Jeff Rodgers said the Thompson family story serves as an inspiration to the campers each year.</p><p>A historic moment for Equestrian Bahamas was highlighted by a top three finish in their first international show jumping event.</p><p>The team finished third at the World Clubs Tournament in Lamotte-Beuvron, France.</p><p>China topped the point standings, followed by the Czech Republic in second, and the four ladies of Team Bahamas – Katerina Coello, Emma Johnston, Ella Saidi, and Sienna Tinker in third.</p><p>Italy, and France rounded out the top five.</p><p>Team Bahamas is off to a tough start at the u15 Centrobasket Championships for women.</p><p>The team lost 80-38 in their tournament opener Wednesday in David, Panama.</p><p>Andica Curtis was the lone Bahmain player in double figures with 12 points.</p><p>Tahjanique Morley finished with nine points and Ricarra Beadle scored seven.</p><p>Valentina Perrez and Sofia Chavarria led Costa Rica with 19 points each.</p><p>The Bahamas trailed by just two at the end of the first quarter, 16-14, but were held to just 14 points over the next two quarters combined.</p><p>Costa Rica outscored them 41-16 in the second half to take control for good.</p><p>The Bahamas took on el Salvador Thursday afternoon in game two.</p><p>If the MLB All Star Futures game announced his arrival on the main stage – Sebastian Walcott’s production this summer is ensuring we’ll be hearing his name for a while.</p><p>The Texas Rangers’ top prospect hit back-to-back home runs for the Hickory Crawdads this week.</p><p>His ninth on the season came Wednesday night against the Greenville Drive.</p><p>Playing in short and batting third in the lineup, walcott went 3-4 with an rbi and scored two runs.</p><p>In 14 games thus far in July, Walcott is hitting .306 with 5 rbi, 5 doubles, 3 stolen bases and two home runs.</p>

paragraph:
The Thompson family continues its tradition of community outreach with the event. Team Bahamas is off to a tough start at the u15 Centrobasket Championships for women. Sebastian Walcott’s production this summer is ensuring we’ll be hearing his name for a while.


id: 78c042ed
source: Our news
title: Team Captains Ready for 2-Peat In St. Lucia
category: Sports
href: https://ournews.bs/team-captains-ready-for-2-peat-in-st-lucia/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-26T23:00:00+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/7-10-1000x600.jpg
summary:
<p>NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Meet Caleb Ferguson, Donald Saunders Jr, Tia-Isabella Adderley and Bianca Johnson – all captains for Team Bahamas heading to the Goodwill Games next month in St. Lucia.</p><p>Last year’s team took home the overall win when the games were held in Jamaica and this year’s team plans to do the same.</p><p>I also asked Caleb and Bianca how they plan to keep the younger swimmers focused during the games.</p><p>And I asked Caleb, who was on last year’s team as well, how he thinks the team looks up to this point.</p><p>Last year Team Bahamas won with 1,418.5 points and 129 medals, 55 of which were gold.</p>

paragraph:
Caleb Ferguson, Donald Saunders Jr, Tia-Isabella Adderley and Bianca Johnson will lead Team Bahamas at the Goodwill Games in St. Lucia.


id: ff72384b
source: Our news
title: Let The Olympic Games Begin!
category: Sports
href: https://ournews.bs/let-the-olympic-games-begin/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-26T23:30:00+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/SPORTS.jpg-1000x600.jpg
summary:
<p>PARIS, FRANCE – The moment the sports world has been waiting for is finally here – the Games of the 33rd Olympiad – Paris 2024.</p><p>Opening ceremonies took place earlier Friday afternoon and the Parisians had a unique twist on the event.</p><p>For the first time in Olympic history, the opening didn’t take place in a stadium, but rather, athletes and the delegations cruised down the Seine River in the heart of Paris.</p><p>The route took them past historic landmarks, including the Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Louvre.</p><p>Reigning olympic 400m Champion Steven Gardiner and 60m hurdles world record holder Devynne Charlton were the flag bearers for Team Bahamas.</p><p>The 20 member team will compete in two disciplines in paris – athletics and swimming.</p><p>The swimmers will be in action first for team bahamas.</p><p>On July 30th Lamar Taylor will swim in heat five of the 100m free and on August 3rd Rhanishka Gibbs will swim in heat seven of the 50m free.</p><p>Athletics competition begins for us on August 2 with Ken Mullings in the decathlon, Charisma Taylor in the triple jump qualification and round one of the mixed 4x400m relay.</p><p>The struggles continue for Team Bahamas at the u-15 Centrobasket championships for women.</p><p>In game two, The Bahamas lost 69 – 37 to El Salvador at the event in David, Panama.</p><p>Tahjanique Morley scored a team high 11 points, and Ricarra Beadle scored 10. Shanai Nixon and Andica Curtis each scored six points.</p><p>Curtis went down early with an ankle injury just under seven minutes into the first quarter and The Bahamas fell behind early, 23-10.</p><p>The Bahamas played their final game of the group stage Friday afternoon against Puerto Rico.</p><p>Stay tuned to Our News Weekend Sports for an update on the team’s final standing in the tournament.</p><p>Bahamian prospects continue to get it done for the Boston Red Sox organization in the Dominican Summer League.</p><p>Trent Wilson pitched four innings and had three strikeouts for the DSL Red Sox-Blue in their 4-2 win over the DSL Mariners.</p><p>Chad Delancey went 2-4 with 2 rbi for the DSL Red Sox-Red in their 7-3 loss to the DSL Rays on Wednesday. Delancey is hitting .333 with 7 rbi on the season.</p><p>EJ Darville finished 1-3 in the dsl red sox blue’s 9-3 loss to the DSL Rays on Thursday.</p><p>Also for the DSL Red Sox – Red Tavano Baker is hitting .238 with 15 rbi, three stolen bases and one home run.</p>

paragraph:
The opening of the Games of the 33rd Olympiad – Paris 2024 took place Friday afternoon. Team Bahamas will compete in two disciplines in Paris – athletics and swimming.


id: d7ec937e
source: The Tribune
title: PM leads delegation from Bahamas to visit Botswana
category: Politics
href: http://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/mar/18/pm-leads-delegation-bahamas-visit-botswana/
datetimeScraped: 2024-03-18T09:45:04.434484
imgurl: https://wicnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/FlmtVDKDLW-696x392.jpeg
summary:
<p>FIVE members of the executive branch of government are joining Prime Minister Philip "Brave" Davis as part of a delegation visiting Botswana from today until Friday.</p><p>Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell, Minister of Education and Technical and Vocational Training Glenys Hanna-Martin, Minister of Economic Affairs Michael Halkitis, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg and the Parliamentary Secretary of Tourism, Investment and Aviation John Pinder are accompanying Mr Davis.</p><p>The Office of the Prime Minister said in a press statement yesterday: "Botswana is widely considered one of Africa’s greatest success stories. Botswana is an upper-middle-income country with one of the world’s fastest-growing economies and is known globally as a leader in eco-tourism.</p><p>"The prime minister and his team seek to reinforce strong diplomatic ties between The Bahamas and Botswana and to explore new educational, economic, and trade opportunities for Bahamians.</p><p>"Both countries have national development strategies which require significant advances in food security, energy transition, digitalization, climate adaptation, education, and sustainable development. Botswana has had notable achievements in value chain development in tourism and agriculture. It has a longstanding programme which offers local communities the opportunity to participate meaningfully in tourism development and sustainable resource management.</p><p>"Both nations are vulnerable to climate change and are working to build alliances internationally to leverage fairer climate finance."</p><p>The visit aims to unlock new economic ventures and educational exchanges and explore avenues for collaborative projects and trade opportunities.</p><p>The statement added: "The visit to Botswana reflects the administration’s recognition that small nations can benefit greatly from building meaningful partnerships and that international cooperation will be critical to strengthening and diversifying our country’s economy in the 21st century."</p>

paragraph:
Prime Minister Philip "Brave" Davis is visiting Botswana from today until Friday. Five members of the executive branch of government are accompanying Mr Davis. The visit aims to unlock new economic ventures and educational exchanges.


id: c6f1c771
source: The Tribune
title: PM CALLS FOR UN REFORM OVER GAZA: Davis hits out at veto used to block calls for ceasefire
category: Politics
href: http://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/mar/19/pm-calls-un-reform-over-gaza-davis-hits-out-veto-u/
datetimeScraped: 2024-03-19T08:30:05.591604
imgurl:
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summary:
<p>PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis called for the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to be “revamped and reformed” after the United States used its veto power to kill multiple draft resolutions calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, where thousands of Palestinians have been killed.</p><p>Mr Davis’ comments, which surprised some yesterday given this country’s relationship and reliance on the United States, came during a joint press conference in Botswana with President Mokgweetsi Masisi.</p><p>Journalists asked Mr Davis if he agreed with some leaders of African countries that the UNSC, which has five permanent members with veto power, should be reformed.</p><p>“We all understand what’s going on in Israel right now,” he said. “I mean, there’s an outcry now, and because of countries exercising their veto power, nothing is happening to bring relief or to bring peace to the Middle East, and the time has come for the UN to be the UN and what it is established for to ensure peace is in the world, and peace will not be in the world as long as one country has the ability to say ‘no‘ to it.”</p><p>The US vetoed a UN resolution for a ceasefire for the third time last month, arguing it would undermine negotiations to release hostages held by Hamas, the militant organisation that attacked Israel in October, prompting months of hostilities.</p><p>President Masisi “concurred completely” with Mr Davis.</p><p>“These were brought about because of our common position with respect to how we look at the multilateral order, and so in coming together, there are great dividends to be drawn out of this collaboration and this relationship,” he said.</p><p>The Bahamas has repeatedly called for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.</p><p>In October, the country co-sponsored and voted in favour of a resolution calling for an “immediate and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities between the involved parties”.</p><p>“The resolution also demanded the unhindered provision of essential humanitarian aid to civilians throughout the Gaza Strip, as well as the immediate and unconditional release of all civilians who are being illegally held captive, demanding their safety, well-being, and humane treatment in compliance with international law,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.</p><p>According to the Associated Press, more than 30,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed since the conflict began, including over 12,300 children and 8,400 women. Millions have been displaced.</p><p>More than 1,400 Israelis have been killed.</p><p>Many countries have long called for reforming the UNSC. In 2002, then-Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said The Bahamas believed “the time has come for us to take the hard decisions and agree to a practical programme of reform that fully takes into account the need for equitable membership and for a more democratic and transparent council.”</p>

paragraph:
PM Philip “Brave” Davis called for the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to be ‘revamped and reformed’ The US vetoed a UN resolution for a ceasefire for the third time last month, arguing it would undermine negotiations to release hostages held by Hamas.


id: c0bc4fdc
source: The Tribune
title: Davis wants to see financial industry back to 30% of GDP
category: Politics
href: http://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/mar/19/davis-wants-see-financial-industry-back-30-gdp/
datetimeScraped: 2024-03-19T15:30:05.258664
imgurl:
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summary:
<p>PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said he is fighting to see the financial services industry represent 30 percent of the country’s GDP as it was before scrutiny and regulatory pressure from other jurisdictions caused it to shrink.</p><p>His comment came during a joint press conference with Botswana President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi yesterday.</p><p>He reiterated his familiar criticism of the European Union (EU) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) for trying to be “the authoritarian and police of the world in financial services matters”.</p><p>He said: “The Bahamas was a leading financial services centre in the world for many years. Come 2000, because of the assault on what I call ‘the offshore jurisdictions’ when that made up over 30 per cent of my GDP, we are now struggling with around 15 per cent, but I’m fighting back.”</p><p>Prime Minister Davis said blacklistings by the EU and OECD weakened this country’s financial services sector.</p><p>He said there are similarities among countries that have been blacklisted.</p><p>“They’re either small countries, small island developing states; they all have been former colonies or protectorates or one or the other of that grouping. They’re all black-governed and they’re all continually exploited or attempted to be exploited by the laws.”</p><p>“One thing that the global south cannot escape is that it cannot go at it alone. We have to collaborate. We have to be in partnership. Otherwise, the global north will continue to exploit, dominate, and keep us on our knees.”</p>

paragraph:
Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said he is fighting to see the financial services industry represent 30 percent of the country’s GDP. He reiterated his familiar criticism of the European Union (EU) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)


id: 35b55214
source: The Tribune
title: Pintard joins PM in call for reform of United Nations Security Council
category: Politics
href: http://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/mar/20/pintard-joins-pm-call-reform-united-nations-securi/
datetimeScraped: 2024-03-20T09:45:04.698642
imgurl:
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summary:
<p>ONE day after Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis called for the United Nations Security Council to be reformed, Free National Movement leader Michael Pintard said the FNM believes more equity in decision-making at the United Nations is needed.</p><p>Mr Davis’ comments in Botswana on Monday were in response to the conflict in Gaza, where thousands of Palestinians have been killed since hostilities began in October when Hamas attacked Israel.</p><p>“At the end of the day, money is determining who wields the power at the United Nations, and that does not provide, in our view, the parity in terms of deciding what is the most important set of programmes that impacts the lives of people across the globe,” Mr Pintard said during a press conference yesterday.</p><p>He said both political parties have long agreed that the UNSC needs to be reformed.</p><p>Given the country’s reliance on the United States, some were surprised by Mr Davis’ pointed comments on Monday.</p><p>Mr Pintard said principles should govern what leaders say locally and abroad, not the stature of the country wielding its veto power.</p><p>The United States of America has repeatedly vetoed resolutions calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.</p><p>Mr Pintard said: “The veto power historically has been used in cases that are questioned by many of the members of the United Nations, so it is not out of bounds for this or any other leader to raise a question on how one of those countries with veto power uses it.</p><p>“That is something that is appropriate for leaders of countries to raise, so we don’t take issue with him raising a question about that, as long as he is on the right side of that issue.”</p>

paragraph:
Free National Movement leader Michael Pintard said the FNM believes more equity in decision-making at the United Nations is needed. Mr Davis’ comments in Botswana on Monday were in response to the conflict in Gaza.


id: 71acfc73
source: The Tribune
title: Govt defends $192k new BMW for PM
category: Politics
href: http://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/mar/21/govt-defends-192k-new-bmw-pm/
datetimeScraped: 2024-03-21T07:30:03.938756
imgurl:
https://thetribune.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2023/07/28/26-07-23HOA-5JPG_t670.jpg?b3f6a5d7692ccc373d56e40cf708e3fa67d9af9d

summary:
<p>THE Office of the Prime Minister defended government’s purchase of a $192,000 BMW for the prime minister after people debated the appropriateness of buying the luxury car when many struggle with the cost of living.</p><p>Documents about the transaction leaked on social media on Tuesday, sparking heated commentary.</p><p>The OPM said in a statement yesterday that the BMW replaces a $300,000 Mercedes acquired under the Ingraham administration in 2011 that four prime ministers used.</p><p>“For the first time, an electric vehicle was chosen for the Office of the Prime Minister, reflecting broader government policy to transition government vehicles to electric ones, which are cleaner and offer cost-savings over time,” the OPM said.</p><p>“This vehicle is currently being customised to meet the stringent security and functional requirements necessary for transporting a prime minister. Additionally, a Lexus is currently being repaired and is thus not in use. To ensure no interruption in the prime minister’s official duties, a BMW has been temporarily loaned to the Office.”</p><p>The OPM said once repaired, the Lexus and the new vehicle will be the two vehicles in rotation.</p><p>Asked about the appropriateness of buying the luxury car, acting Press Secretary Keishla Adderley told reporters: “I think a person can appreciate it. The Office of the Prime Minister needs to cope with a very rigorous schedule that the prime minister has to deal with on a daily basis.”</p><p>She said the new car is expected to last at least ten years.</p><p>Free National Movement leader Michael Pintard claimed yesterday that the BMW is the second car the government has bought under Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, amounting to more than $350,000 spent over two years.</p><p>OPM officials, however, clarified that one of the cars to which Mr Pintard referred was loaned to the OPM until the new BMW arrives.</p><p>Mr Pintard also said: “Is this a car that gives you information on how to grow and develop the economy? Is this a car that helps people with rental assistance and food assistance that people need?”</p><p>Controversy over car purchases for members of the executive is not new.</p><p>There was uproar in 2012 when people learned that nearly $750,000 worth of new vehicles were bought for Cabinet ministers.</p><p>Then Progressive Liberal Party chairman Bradley Roberts said the purchase order for the cars was made two months before the PLP was elected and had nothing to do with the new Cabinet.</p><p>“Let me also say that maybe there may be a justification for ordering these cars, because it has been brought to my attention that these ministers’ cars have apparently been run like they were running BEC’s generators,” he said.</p><p>“They ran them without any maintenance until they stopped running.”</p><p>When the government bought a new Lexus for the prime minister in 2017, that too prompted some criticism.</p>

paragraph:
Documents about the transaction leaked on social media on Tuesday, sparking heated commentary. The BMW replaces a $300,000 Mercedes acquired under the Ingraham administration in 2011.


id: 90f77228
source: The Tribune
title: Taxi fare rise gazetted, as bus drivers still wait
category: Politics
href: http://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/mar/21/taxi-fare-rise-gazetted-bus-drivers-still-wait/
datetimeScraped: 2024-03-21T07:30:04.027317
imgurl:
https://thetribune.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2024/03/21/03202024_House_of_Assembly_007_t670.JPG?b3f6a5d7692ccc373d56e40cf708e3fa67d9af9d

summary:
<p>ENERGY and Transport Minister JoBeth Coleby Davis said the long-promised ten per cent taxi fare increase for New Providence drivers has been gazetted, giving nearly 2,000 cab motorists the first increase in over six years.</p><p>She said the fare increase has been overdue, and her ministry is also completing the rate adjustment for taxi fares in the Family Islands.</p><p>Although drivers initially wanted a 25 percent fare increase, Wesley Ferguson, president of the Bahamas Taxi Cab Union, welcomed the 10 per cent.</p><p>“It might not be a big figure, but it is a shot in the arm for taxi drivers to make a little bit more on fares,” he said yesterday. “The beauty of the increase is that it is not coming out of the public’s purse. The general public will not have to bear the cost of this. This money strictly comes from tourists so it would not be a burden on anyone’s income because we have very few people in Nassau that catch taxis on a regular basis.”</p><p>“That‘s why we settled for only ten percent. With the new increase in taxis entering the industry, we thought it was fitting we get something to sort of defray or offset the increase in cab drivers operating in Nassau so everyone can make an honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work.”</p><p>Mrs Coleby-Davis did not offer similar good news for bus drivers who have been pining for a fare increase, saying the issue is still being examined.</p><p>She said a town hall meeting for the public, bus franchise owners, and public bus drivers is planned for early April. The meeting will discuss an increase in bus fares and measures to enhance the sector.</p><p>She said because of population shifts in New Providence, her ministry must review existing bus routes, explore the need for new routes, and gazette bus stops.</p><p>Last November, Mrs Coleby-Davis said a 25-cent bus fare increase for bus drivers would be rolled out in the first quarter of this year, taking bus fares up to $1.50.</p>

paragraph:
Transport Minister JoBeth Coleby Davis said the long-promised ten per cent taxi fare increase for New Providence drivers has been gazetted. She said the fare increase has been overdue, and her ministry is also completing the rate adjustment for taxi fares in the Family Islands.


id: 211e1200
source: The Tribune
title: Irate Opposition rows over shortened House session
category: Politics
href: http://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/mar/21/irate-opposition-rows-over-shortened-house-session/
datetimeScraped: 2024-03-21T07:45:05.485698
imgurl:
https://thetribune.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2024/03/21/03202024_House_of_Assembly_061_t670.JPG?b3f6a5d7692ccc373d56e40cf708e3fa67d9af9d

summary:
<p>A LIVELY ending to yesterday morning’s House of Assembly sitting saw Free National Movement (FNM) members stand up and yell that democracy was being flouted.</p><p>The Official Opposition protested the governing party’s decision to shorten the debate on the bills, the Boat Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Water Skiing and Motor Boat Control (Amendment) Bill, saying they were not consulted.</p><p>St Anne’s MP Adrian White and East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson contributed to the debate on the bill, but FNM leader Michael Pintard and deputy leader Shanendon Cartwright did not.</p><p>After House Speaker Patricia Deveaux indicated that the sitting would be short, members of the Opposition stood up. They complained for more than ten minutes even as the House successfully passed both bills.</p><p>“We felt that it was important that all of us put on the record those issues that members of the public have raised with us in order for us to raise with the government, and it is wrong and undemocratic,” Mr Pintard said in a press conference after the sitting. “No matter how slick they try to coach it, they are not supported by the rules of the Parliament, but more important, they are not supported by simple democratic principle.”</p><p>National Security Minister Wayne Munroe addressed the matter at the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday, saying the Opposition likes to have its own way.</p><p>“The leader of the opposition chose not to speak first or second,” he said. “His deputy leader chose not to speak first or second, and they chose to spend the majority of their time speaking about things other than the two bills we were debating.”</p><p>Mr Munroe said the government has an “aggressive” legislative agenda. He said if there is “a matter of great substance,” all seven Opposition members would be allowed to speak. Otherwise, an equal number of governing party and Opposition members would be allowed to speak during a debate.</p>

paragraph:
Free National Movement (FNM) members stand up and yell that democracy was being flouted. The Official Opposition protested the governing party’s decision to shorten the debate on the bills.


id: 2e589e33
source: The Tribune
title: Act amendment mandates boat insurance
category: Politics
href: http://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/mar/21/act-amendment-mandates-boat-insurance/
datetimeScraped: 2024-03-21T09:15:03.977655
imgurl:
https://thetribune.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2024/03/21/03202024_House_of_Assembly_007_t670.JPG?b3f6a5d7692ccc373d56e40cf708e3fa67d9af9d

summary:
<p>AMENDMENTS to the Boat Registration Act that passed the House of Assembly yesterday mandates that boat owners have a comprehensive insurance policy and outlines inspection requirements and registration fees.</p><p>The changes are contained in the Boat Registration Amendment Bill 2024 and the Water Skiing and Motor Boat Control Amendment Bill.</p><p>Transport and Energy Minister Jobeth Coleby-Davis said the boat registration amendment bill would strengthen inspection requirements under the Boat Registration Act by requiring every boat to be submitted for inspection to the New Providence Port Authority before being registered. The Port Authority should also be provided with a record of crew training, surveys conducted in the last 12 months, a history of dry docking, and boat maintenance records.</p><p>Boat owners and operators of vessels registered for “to ply or for hire” in Bahamian waters are expected to get and maintain comprehensive insurance.</p><p>“These amendments are designed to strengthen the safety oversight of the industry by the Port Department,” Mrs Coleby-Davis said.</p><p>Penalties for boat owners will be increased.</p><p>Owners who do not register their boats, complete inspections, or have valid insurance policies are subject to a penalty of not less than $5,000 and not exceeding $10,000.</p><p>Another penalty of not less than $1,000 and not exceeding $5,000 is possible for any person who acts as master of a boat for hire or employs any other person to do so without first obtaining a licence under the law.</p><p>Mrs Coleby-Davis addressed the criticism the government received due to increasing registration fees.</p><p>“As minister with responsibility for transport, I acknowledge that in some quarters, the fees outlined in the schedules of both Bills will be criticised. However, it is important to note that the fees have not been adjusted in over 20 years. Additionally, we have taken the necessary steps to cushion the owners and operators of small boats — which are primarily used by our fishermen and small tour operators — from the increase in fares,” she said.</p><p>Housing and Urban Development Minister Keith Bell said unlike other laws where fees are regularly reviewed and adjusted, the fees associated with the boat laws remained stagnant.</p><p>St Anne’s MP Adrian White questioned whether the amendments make the revised fees retroactive to July 1, 2023, but Mrs Coleby-Davis said: “We advised the industry and we are now assisting and preparing for them to have that registration come into effect for March 2024. And so those persons will be able to receive the benefit of the amended bills and the new fees.”</p><p>The Opposition voted against the bills.</p><p>East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson said the boat fees were implemented without consultation and the government is ignoring the impact the fees will have on small boaters and fishermen.</p>

paragraph:
Boat owners and operators of vessels registered for ‘to ply or for hire’ in Bahamian waters are expected to get and maintain comprehensive insurance. Penalties for boat owners will be increased.


id: 13f413a8
source: The Tribune
title: 'Well being of The Bahamas does not permit us to accede to Amnesty International's request'
category: Politics
href: http://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/mar/21/well-being-bahamas-does-not-permit-us-accede-amnes/
datetimeScraped: 2024-03-21T14:30:06.011241
imgurl:
https://thetribune.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2024/03/21/DC2_7562_t670.JPG?b3f6a5d7692ccc373d56e40cf708e3fa67d9af9d

summary:
<p>NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe rebuffed Amnesty International’s call for countries to suspend repatriations to Haiti and revealed that two Royal Bahamas Defence Force vessels departed for Haiti with 263 Haitian nationals on Tuesday.</p><p>Amnesty International said conditions in Haiti are putting the lives and safety of Haitian nationals at risk and that immediate humanitarian assistance is needed to alleviate those affected.</p><p>The human rights organisation said more than 35,000 people have been displaced since the beginning of 2024.</p><p>During yesterday’s Office of the Prime Minister’s press briefing, Mr Munroe noted The Bahamas declined to sign the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection, which concerned efforts to create regular migration throughout the Americas.</p><p>“The prime minister is focused on the wellbeing of The Bahamas and the wellbeing of The Bahamas does not permit us to accede to Amnesty International’s request,” Mr Munroe said.</p><p>“It didn’t permit him to sign the declaration of Los Angeles as the United States of America sought to impress on us to do. I am confident that this Prime Minister will never let down the people of The Bahamas and act against our interests.</p><p>“The honourable prime minister has indicated in many statements that he has refused to sign the Declaration of Los Angeles, which would have imposed on us an ability to house migrants as our country is heavily tasked with what we have to accomplish now and are not capable of taking on that extra burden.”</p><p>Mr Munroe said 216 men, 44 women and three children were repatriated on Tuesday morning.</p><p>“The Ministry of National Security, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the Bahamas Department of Immigration together with the Ministry of Education arranged for the repatriation of the 107 migrants that were intercepted by the HMBS Kamalame over the weekend and a number of migrants who were then at the Detention Centre in New Providence,” Mr Munroe said. “A total of 156 migrants in all were flown down to Inagua, Great Inagua.</p><p>“The HMBS Lawrence Major was set to depart Matthew Town, Inagua, at 1800/6pm and did. She was escorted by HMBS Kamalame to the port of Cap-Haitien and the northern coast of the Republic of Haiti. The forecast arrival time, which was roughly met, was 8am this morning (yesterday).”</p><p>The recent escape of more than 4,000 prisoners in Haiti has intensified efforts to secure the country’s border.</p><p>Prime Minister Davis recently said the RBDF is deploying significant assets, including surface vessels, aircraft and 120 RBDF personnel, to combat illegal immigration amid Haiti’s deepening crisis and a surge in attempts by undocumented migrants to enter Bahamian waters.</p><p>The United States and the United Kingdom will position assets in the region, and intelligence will be shared among Bahamian officials, the US Coast Guard, the Turks and Caicos and the Cuban Border Patrol.</p>

paragraph:
Security Minister Wayne Munroe rebuffed Amnesty International’s call for countries to suspend repatriations to Haiti. He revealed that two Royal Bahamas Defence Force vessels departed for Haiti with 263 Haitian nationals on Tuesday.


id: 84a995fc
source: The Tribune
title: Govt considers giving bench or jury trial choice
category: Politics
href: http://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/mar/22/govt-considers-giving-bench-or-jury-trial-choice/
datetimeScraped: 2024-03-22T08:45:03.803472
imgurl:
https://thetribune.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2023/06/21/June20thCabinet-3JPG_t670.jpg?b3f6a5d7692ccc373d56e40cf708e3fa67d9af9d

summary:
<p>ATTORNEY General Ryan Pinder said government might consider changing the status quo of the judicial system so people could choose between bench and jury trials.</p><p>His comment came after the current and three former chief justices emphasised the benefits of bench trials last week, highlighting their efficiency, among other things.</p><p>Mr Pinder said last week that the Davis administration is unlikely to host a referendum to remove the constitutional right to a jury trial.</p><p>However, he said yesterday: “I think giving that option in law is a feasible approach, and that’s a proven approach. In Trinidad, they did the same thing. To abolish jury trials, you need a constitutional referendum, and I don’t see us pursuing that. But providing options in law, I think, is something that we could consider, and we’d be happy to speak to both the judiciary about that as well as the defence bar to get their opinions.”</p><p>In 2013, the Constitutional Commission recommended that the automatic right to a jury trial in the Supreme Court be removed.</p><p>“The argument was that jury trials had the tendency to be arbitrary and unfair, in addition to the administrative evils associated with it,” the report said.</p><p>“The commission agrees that the criminal justice system would be better served if there were not an automatic right to a trial by jury when charged on information in the Supreme Court. In our view, the constitution should authorise Parliament to prescribe by ordinary legislation the exceptional circumstances in which criminal matters may be tried by a judge alone.”</p><p>At that time attorney General Allyson Maynard Gibson supported the commission’s conclusion.</p>

paragraph:
Attorney General Ryan Pinder said government might consider changing the status quo of the judicial system. His comment came after the current and three former chief justices emphasised the benefits of bench trials last week.


id: bf43c7c0
source: The Tribune
title: Diamond depository deal would help ensure Botswana not 'held hostage' by global north
category: Politics
href: http://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/mar/25/diamond-depository-deal-would-help-ensure-botswana/
datetimeScraped: 2024-03-25T15:15:04.209255
imgurl:
https://thetribune.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2024/03/07/03062024_House_of_Assembly_021_t670.JPG?b3f6a5d7692ccc373d56e40cf708e3fa67d9af9d

summary:
<p>PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis elaborated on his hopes of turning Grand Bahama into a depository for diamonds from Botswana during the closing press conference of his trip.</p><p>He previously said a depository was discussed during the visit as a way to facilitate Botswana's exports to the United States in a collaboration between the Grand Bahama Port Authority and the Freeport Container Port.</p><p>Mr Davis said the idea is to ensure insurance against the global north's assault on the diamond industry.</p><p>“There has to be an alternative," he said. "The Bahamas is very near to the largest consumer market of diamonds in the world, the United States of America."</p><p>“For The Bahamas, it will create jobs for my people in Grand Bahama. And, of course, the exchange of upskilling our Bahamian people to appreciate the diamond industry will also be an advantage and a plus for us. We provide this mechanism for Botswana to ensure that they are not held hostage by the global north. I think that will be the advantage for them.”</p><p>Mr Davis said Botswana could demand that developed countries meet the African country on its terms.</p><p>Botswana’s president, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, also thanked Mr Davis for his efforts to assist the country as it faces challenges.</p><p>Botswana is one of the world’s largest sustainable diamond sources and the country’s leading producer by value.</p>

paragraph:
Prime Minister Philip “Brave’ Davis said the idea is to ensure insurance against the global north's assault on the diamond industry. He previously said a depository was discussed as a way to facilitate Botswana's exports to the United States.


id: 8e39cd88
source: The Tribune
category: Politics
href: http://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/mar/26/fnm-where-sale-grand-lucayan-pintard-blasts-cooper/
datetimeScraped: 2024-03-26T07:15:03.677840
title:
FNM: WHERE IS SALE OF GRAND LUCAYAN? Pintard blasts Cooper over lack of progress on hotel and airport

imgurl:
https://thetribune.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2024/03/26/lucayan_t670.jpg?b3f6a5d7692ccc373d56e40cf708e3fa67d9af9d

summary:
<p>MICHAEL Pintard blasted Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism Chester Cooper for not yet overseeing the sale of the Grand Lucayan resort and for not getting an airport in Grand Bahama.</p><p>While a guest yesterday on the Foundation talk show hosted by Howard Grant on Guardian Radio, he said the Davis administration is big on promises and slow on delivering.</p><p>“DPM Cooper had two and a half years to get a sale for Grand Lucayan which he beat us up about,” he said. “Remember, Dorian occurred in the end of 2019. We had 2020 and 2021. Let’s say he had two and a half years and has not been able to successfully sell the hotel.”</p><p>In December 2021, Mr Cooper announced the government had cancelled a deal for the Grand Lucayan the Minnis administration had negotiated with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines(RCCL) and the ITM Group.</p><p>Mr Cooper also announced a new proposal request process related to the Grand Bahama International Airport (GBIA) would begin on March 28, 2022.</p><p>Mr Pintard said the deputy prime minister had given multiple dates for transforming the airport in Grand Bahama.</p><p>“They have moved from a private-public partnership formula for the Grand Bahama airport, with a $400m price tag for the airport and creation of a berm, to $80m, and we still don’t know if it is a true private-public partnership,” he said.</p><p>“So, for all of their talk about their brilliance and willingness to work on our behalf, they have very little to show for it, particularly in places like Grand Bahama.”</p><p>Mr Pintard also stressed that the prime minister and the PLP chairman’s public row with the Grand Bahama Port Authority was “a tremendous disservice” to Grand Bahama.</p><p>He believes it created tremendous uncertainty among present and potential investors and that the port should expand and welcome additional Bahamian shareholders, licensees, and others who can buy shares in physical assets.</p>

paragraph:
Michael Pintard blasted Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper for not yet overseeing the sale of the Grand Lucayan resort. He said the Davis administration is big on promises and slow on delivering.


id: 2d6d8b44
source: Our news
title: Seven Year Sentence for Man Who Torched Car
category: Crime
href: https://ournews.bs/seven-year-sentence-for-man-who-torched-car/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-19T23:30:00+00:00
summary:
<p>NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A 23-year-old man who torched a Volkswagen Jetta that he was “tired of seeing” has been jailed for seven years.</p><p>Trae Bastian pleaded guilty to a charge of use of explosive matter with intent to cause damage when he appeared before Senior Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson.</p><p>The charge stems from a fire at Virginia Street on January 18, 2024 that destroyed a car that belonged to David Thompson.</p><p>Bastian was previously sentenced to 24 months in prison for causing a 2021 fire at Bethel Baptist Church.</p>

paragraph:
Bastian pleaded guilty to a charge of use of explosive matter with intent to cause damage. He was previously sentenced to 24 months in prison for causing a fire at Bethel Baptist Church.


id: dd72d438
source: Bahamas Press
title: Homicides hits 70 for the year with some 5 killings in the last 48 hours...
category: Crime
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-20T23:40:00+00:00
imgurl: https://www.bahamaspress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/image-1-7-820x1024.jpg
href:
https://www.bahamaspress.com/homicides-hits-70-for-the-year-with-some-5-killings-in-the-last-48-hours/

summary:
<p>Taimak Saunders homicide victim #69 on Sumner and Soldier Road on Friday morning.</p><p>NASSAU| Bahamas Press is following the 70th homicide for the year which unfolded right in the back of the East Street South police station.</p><p>There police discovered a male shot dead just outside the station.</p><p>Police officers from the East Street South Police Station are to be commended. When they heard the gunshots emanating from rear of station they ran outside and saw a cube vehicle speeding away.</p><p>The officers chased the suspects in their private vehicle. Three occupants in the Cube (suspects) crashed into a vehicle on Bamboo Boulevard and fled foot. Police officers gave chase through Thatch Palm Street where two of three suspects were caught. One was shot and transported to hospital. Another got away. A high powered weapon and a handgun all found. THIS IS GREAT POLICE WORK! NOW…will the judge them grant them bail later this week is the question?</p><p>This incident comes on the heals of a string of killings on Friday. Police Thursday night saw a double homicide which claimed the life of two men pulled up to a vehicle around 10pm on Penford Close in a white TIDA vehicle when they were immediately fired upon by a dark coloured vehicle which fled the scene. The men attempted to flee but fell to their death. Meanwhile police discovered loads of drugs inside that vehicle. Both victims were pronounced dead on the scene. One of the victims BP has identified as 40-something-year old Jamie Tynes son of former House Clerk Maurice Tynes.</p><p>Then two hours later police arrived to another incident on Crooked Island and Palmetto Ave. Street where a 24-year-old male was shot and killed. A 41-year-old female injured by gunfire. She was taken to hospital. The male victim was fired upon by occupants of a vehicle which opened fire on him. He died on the scene.</p><p>Then a final incident occurred around 4:30 am where the male occupant of a vehicle on Sumner Street and Soldier Road was shot multiple times. Police discovered the lone male driver dead inside the vehicle shot multiple times about the body. The victim we understand is identified as Taimak Saunders.</p>

paragraph:
Police officers from the East Street South Police Station are to be commended. When they heard the gunshots emanating from rear of station they ran outside and saw a cube vehicle speeding away. Three occupants in the Cube (suspects) crashed into a vehicle on Bamboo Boulevard and fled foot. Police officers gave chase through Thatch Palm Street where two of three suspects were caught. A high powered weapon and a handgun all found.


id: 4c515b9b
source: Bahamas Press
title: MALE STABBED ON BASKETBALL COURT Female found stabbed in the road 2am this morning...
category: Crime
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-22T12:11:20+00:00
imgurl: https://www.bahamaspress.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Police-Breaking-News.jpg
paragraph: 9 murders in 7 days and criminals want the police investigated? What is dis?!
href:
https://www.bahamaspress.com/male-stabbed-on-basketball-court-female-found-stabbed-in-the-road-2am-this-morning/

summary:
<p>9 murders in 7 days and criminals want the police investigated? What is dis?!</p><p>NASSAU| Police are now reporting that more homicides. On Sunday, July 21, 2024, a 42-year-old male surrendered himself to police custody after a 26-year-old male died following a stabbing incident.</p><p>The initial incident occurred on Thursday July 18, 2024 on Moonshine Drive, Sunset Park.</p><p>According to the preliminary reports, the suspect and the victim were involved in an altercation while on a basketball court, which led to the 42-year-old stabbing the 26-year-old multiple times in the upper and lower body.</p><p>The victim sought medical attention at the hospital; however, he succumbed to his injuries around 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 21, 2024 while he was hospitalized.</p><p>Meanwhile on Grand Bahama a man has been shot dead in big Sunday evening around 10pm. Police arrived on the scene of the incident in Yellow Jasmine Close off Pioneers Way west. There they found the lifeless body of a male shot multiple times. He was pronounced dead on scene.</p><p>In another incident, around 2am police were on the scene of a stabbing incident that has left a female dead. Location: Carmichael Road and Palm Breeze.</p><p>Well it is clear a murder spirit gone loose around here. Criminals have convinced yinner to fire da police CID Chief and well there yinner have it. I gone! NINE MURDERS IN SEVEN DAYS…</p><p>We report yinner decide!</p>


id: ab2c6456
source: Our news
title: Man Arraigned for Murder and Attempted Murder
category: Crime
href: https://ournews.bs/man-arraigned-for-murder-and-attempted-murder/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-22T22:55:00+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/courtroom-1000x600.jpg
summary:
<p>NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A 23-year-old man is behind bars in relation to a murder and attempted murder that took place this month.</p><p>Tracey Russell, of Lily of the Valley Corner, appeared before Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley on crutches and a cast on his left leg.</p><p>Prosecutors say Russell shot and killed Travase Williams and injured Markenson Mitchell during a July 14 shooting outside of a club on Nassau Street.</p><p>Bien Desir, a former cop, was charged last week with shooting Russell after he allegedly shot both men.</p><p>Russell didn’t have to enter pleas to the charges and was denied bail.</p><p>He returns to court on November 21 to voluntary bill of indictment papers.</p>

paragraph:
Tracey Russell, of Lily of the Valley Corner, appeared before Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley on crutches and a cast on his left leg. Russell shot and killed Travase Williams and injured Markenson Mitchell during a July 14 shooting outside of a club.


id: 0e89df05
source: Our news
title: Mother Receives $5K Bail After Pleading Not Guilty to Child Neglect
category: Crime
href: https://ournews.bs/mother-receives-5k-bail-after-pleading-not-guilty-to-child-neglect/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-22T23:25:00+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/5-28-1000x600.jpg
summary:
<p>GRAND BAHAMA, BAHAMAS – Twenty-eight-year-old Lyndell Hepburn was formally arraigned for child neglect in the Grand Bahama Magistrate’s Court Monday morning.</p><p>She pleaded not guilty to the charge in court number two before Magistrate Charlton Smith.</p><p>You may recall back on July 3rd, police said at the time that the child’s parents reported the one-year-old child fell in a bucket.</p><p>The matter was brought to police attention by the Rand Memorial Hospital on July 4th.</p><p>The Forbisher Circle resident was granted $5,000 bail with one or two suretors.</p><p>The matter has been adjourned to September 16.</p>

paragraph:
 Lyndell Hepburn was formally arraigned for child neglect in the Grand Bahama Magistrate’s Court Monday morning. The matter was brought to police attention by the Rand Memorial Hospital on July 4th.


id: fb78a34b
source: Our news
title: 40-Year-Old Man Arraigned for Unlawful Sexual Intercourse with 12-Year-Old Boy
category: Crime
href: https://ournews.bs/40-year-old-man-arraigned-for-unlawful-sexual-intercourse-with-12-year-old-boy/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-22T23:25:00+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/courtroom-1024x576-1-1000x576.jpeg
summary:
<p>NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A 40-year-old man is being held without bail after he was accused of molesting a 12-year-old boy.</p><p>Prosecutors allege that Terry Sears committed the offense of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor of the same sex between April 1, 2024 and June 29.</p><p>Sears didn’t have to enter a plea to the charge when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley.</p><p>He’s back in court on November 21 to receive voluntary bill of indictment papers.</p>

paragraph:
Prosecutors allege that Terry Sears committed the offense of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor of the same sex. Sears didn’t have to enter a plea to the charge.


id: 5cd7ee45
source: Our news
title: Pregnant Woman Accused of Human Trafficking Denied Bail
category: Crime
href: https://ournews.bs/pregnant-woman-accused-of-human-trafficking-denied-bail/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-23T23:30:00+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/5-8-1000x600.jpg
summary:
<p>NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A pregnant woman accused of human trafficking has been denied bail.</p><p>Prosecutors allege that 35-year-old Jamaican national Apolonia McClean trafficked a woman for the purpose of exploitation between September 1, 2023, and November 3, 2023.</p><p>McClean is also accused of transporting the woman with the intention to traffic her and conspiracy to commit trafficking in persons.</p><p>McClean denied the allegations at her arraignment before Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley and was denied bail.</p><p>Her trial is set for November 21.</p><p>According to McClean’s lawyer, she’s seven weeks pregnant and is nursing a seven-month-old.</p><p>McClean, who’s married to a Bahamian, was previously convicted of human trafficking in 2004.</p><p>She was sentenced to three years and eight months in prison after a magistrate found that she forced a woman into prostitution after tricking her into thinking she’d come from Jamaica to work as a cashier.</p>

paragraph:
Jamaican national Apolonia McClean is accused of human trafficking. The 35-year-old is seven weeks pregnant and is nursing a seven-month-old. She was sentenced to three years and eight months in prison for human trafficking in 2004.


id: 6110aadf
source: Our news
title: Two Men Arraigned for Death of American Woman
category: Crime
href: https://ournews.bs/two-men-arraigned-for-death-of-american-woman/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-24T23:00:00+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/courtroom-1024x576-1-1000x576.jpeg
summary:
<p>NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Two men have been charged with causing the death of a 38-year-old American woman who was run over by a boat while snorkeling at the Pink Sands Beach in Harbour Island.</p><p>Boat captain Aldon Barry, 41, and Charles Reginald Cash, the boat’s owner, are charged with manslaughter by negligence in the June 22 death of Allison Dyck.</p><p>The boat’s owner is also charged with failure to submit a vessel for inspection, operating a boat with expired registration, employing a person to run a boat without a business license and operating without a business license.</p><p>The men were not required to plead to the charges and they were each granted $9,500 bail.</p><p>Barry and Cash return to court on November 21 to receive voluntary bill of indictment papers.</p>

paragraph:
Two men charged with causing death of woman run over by boat. Aldon Barry and Charles Reginald Cash each granted $9,500 bail.


id: a1792fd2
source: Our news
title: Panel Upholds Drug Conviction and Sentence
category: Crime
href: https://ournews.bs/panel-upholds-drug-conviction-and-sentence/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-24T23:30:00+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/5-8-1000x600.jpg
summary:
<p>NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Court of Appeal has upheld the conviction and sentences of a man who was convicted and sentenced of drug offenses in his absence.</p><p>Triven Butler was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment and fined $7,500.</p><p>Police arrested Butler in 2017 after another person was caught trying to smuggle two kilos of cocaine to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.</p><p>Butler was not present when the drugs were found in the traveller’s luggage. However, his fingerprints were found on the plastic the cocaine was packaged in.</p><p>Magistrate Samuel McKinney contined the trial in Butler’s absence after he stopped coming to court after the prosecution closed its case.</p><p>In dismissing the appeal, the Court said it would be catastrophic for criminal proceedings if a defendant could upend a concluded trial by not showing up for trial.</p>

paragraph:
Triven Butler was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment and fined $7,500. Police arrested Butler in 2017 after another person was caught trying to smuggle two kilos of cocaine. Butler was not present when the drugs were found in the traveller’s luggage.


id: 5526bc5d
source: Our news
title: Taxi Driver Jailed for Knife Attack for One Month
category: Crime
href: https://ournews.bs/taxi-driver-jailed-for-knife-attack-for-one-month/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-25T23:30:00+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Copy-of-Website-Images-NEW-1600x900-3-11-1000x600.jpg
summary:
<p>NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A 41-year-old taxi driver who pulled a knife on a dispatcher at the Lynden Pindling International Airport has been jailed for a month.</p><p>Sylvano Kemp received the sentence after he pleaded guilty to unlawfully carrying arms at his arraignment before Acting Magistrate Anishka Pennerman.</p><p>On July 12, Kemp got into a heated exchange with dispatcher Gary Bain while outside of the international departure lounge and pulled a knife on him</p><p>Police intervened and arrested Kemp.</p><p>Video of the incident went viral on social media.</p>

paragraph:
Sylvano Kemp received the sentence after he pleaded guilty to unlawfully carrying arms. Kemp got into a heated exchange with dispatcher Gary Bain while outside of the international departure lounge.


id: 0bf2fbb4
source: Our news
title: Men Accused of Shooting at Police, Denied Bail
category: Crime
href: https://ournews.bs/men-accused-of-shooting-at-police-denied-bail/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-26T23:00:00+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/4-26-1000x600.jpg
summary:
<p>NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Two men accused of shooting at a police officer as they fled a murder scene have been charged.</p><p>Prosecutors say 25-year-old Jamaal Hamilton and 21-year-old Shanton McSweeney shot and killed Elvardo Thompson on July 20.</p><p>The deadly shooting happened at the rear of the East Street South Police Station in Pinewood Gardens.</p><p>Officers pursued the suspects in their personal cars, and McSweeney was shot in the legs when he allegedly opened fire on them.</p><p>Hamilton and McSweeney are charged with possession of a firearm with the intent to endanger the life of PC 4476 McHardy.</p><p>Both men were not required to enter pleas to the charges when they stood before Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley.</p><p>McSweeney was on crutches.</p><p>Bail was denied and they’re back I’m court on December 12 to receive voluntary bill of indictment papers.</p>

paragraph:
Jamaal Hamilton and Shanton McSweeney shot and killed Elvardo Thompson on July 20. Officers pursued the suspects in their personal cars. Both men were not required to enter pleas to the charges.


id: f260c6f7
source: Our news
title: Extreme Heat And Some Medicines Can Be A Risky Combo
category: International
href: https://ournews.bs/extreme-heat-and-some-medicines-can-be-a-risky-combo/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-17T23:20:00+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/4-17-1000x600.png
summary:
<p>WORLDWIDE – Extreme heat can affect medications in various ways, from degrading insulin and causing inhalers to explode, to compromising the effectiveness of epinephrine injectors like epipens.</p><p>Health care providers say certain medications, such as those for blood pressure and pain relief, can worsen heat-related issues by affecting fluid balance and increasing sensitivity to temperature extremes.</p><p>With climate change exacerbating these risks, doctors say more research is needed to understand which medications are most vulnerable to heat-related impacts.</p>

paragraph:
Extreme heat can affect medications in various ways, from degrading insulin to causing inhalers to explode. Health care providers say certain medications, such as those for blood pressure and pain relief, can worsen heat-related issues.


id: dc0bb2a6
source: Our news
title: Biden Calls For Ban On Gun Used To Shoot Trump
category: International
href: https://ournews.bs/biden-calls-for-ban-on-gun-used-to-shoot-trump/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-17T23:20:00+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/5-17-1000x600.png
summary:
<p>UNITED STATES – President Biden has renewed his push for congress to ban assault rifles, citing the model used in the recent failed assassination attempt on Donald Trump.</p><p>Speaking at a convention in Las Vegas Tuesday, Biden emphasized the need to outlaw AR-15s, linking them to past tragedies including the shooting of children.</p><p>He returned to campaigning after a pause following the incident, criticizing Trump’s divisive politics while addressing the NAACP.</p><p>Biden, known for his stance on gun rights, referenced previous legislation and highlighted his administration’s record low black unemployment.</p>

paragraph:
Biden spoke at a convention in Las Vegas Tuesday. He linked AR-15s to past tragedies including the shooting of children.


id: d9a5a1f6
source: Our news
title: Pressure On Joe Biden To Quit Presidential Race Increases
category: International
href: https://ournews.bs/pressure-on-joe-biden-to-quit-presidential-race-increases/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-18T23:20:00+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/5-18-1000x600.png
summary:
<p>UNITED STATES – U.S. President Joe Biden faces mounting pressure from top democrats, including senior dem’s Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, due to concerns about his re-election chances.</p><p>Reports indicate Biden is trailing in key states, and his recent Covid-19 diagnosis has intensified worries about his health.</p><p>While some democrats still support him, others fear significant losses in the upcoming election.</p><p>With convention approaching, Biden remains defiant, citing past victories.</p>

paragraph:
Reports indicate Biden is trailing in key states. His recent Covid-19 diagnosis has intensified worries about his health.


id: eec27160
source: Our news
title: Global Cyber Outage Grounds Flights, Telecoms
category: International
href: https://ournews.bs/global-cyber-outage-grounds-flights-telecoms/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-19T23:20:00+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Website-Images-NEW-1600x900-47-1000x600.png
summary:
<p>NEW YORK – A global technology outage on Friday grounded flights, knocked banks offline, and disrupted media outlets.</p><p>Cybersecurity firm crowdstrike confirmed it was not a cyberattack. In New York City’s Times Square, some billboards went dark, with local media sharing images.</p><p>Tom Harris, President of The Times Square Alliance, said a few billboards were still offline by noon, but it was unclear if the blackout was due to the outage or maintenance.</p>

paragraph:
Cybersecurity firm crowdstrike confirmed it was not a cyberattack. In New York City’s Times Square, some billboards went dark.


id: caf8d62b
source: Our news
title: Trump Delivers Historic Speech at RNC
category: International
href: https://ournews.bs/trump-delivers-historic-speech-at-rnc/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-20T00:00:00+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/6-15-1000x600.jpg
summary:
<p>PENNSYLVANIA – Former U.S. President Donald Trump accepted The Republican Party’s 2024 Presidential Nomination on Thursday, after narrowly escaping an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania.</p>

paragraph:
Former U.S. President Donald Trump accepted The Republican Party’s 2024 Presidential Nomination on Thursday. Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania.


id: 8e283e91
source: Our news
title: U.S. Ambassador Visits Haiti To Meet New Leaders
category: International
href: https://ournews.bs/u-s-ambassador-visits-haiti-to-meet-new-leaders/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-23T23:18:00+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/7-13-1000x600.jpg
summary:
<p>HAITI – U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Linda Thomas-Greenfield, announced $60 million in additional humanitarian aid to Haiti during her visit on Monday. The aid, bringing the U.S. total to over $165 million this fiscal year, will support nutrition, food security, water, sanitation, and basic goods.</p><p>Thomas-Greenfield also revealed that the U.S. Defense Department will increase mine-resistant vehicle support for a U.N.-backed security mission led by Kenya to assist Haiti’s police in combating gang violence. This follows the arrival of 400 Kenyan officers in Haiti to bolster security.</p><p>Thomas-Greenfield met with Kenyan police and Haiti’s transitional government leaders to discuss humanitarian needs and political reform.</p>

paragraph:
The aid will support nutrition, food security, water, sanitation, and basic goods. The U.S. Defense Department will increase mine-resistant vehicle support for a U.N.-backed security mission. This follows the arrival of 400 Kenyan officers in Haiti to bolster security.


id: e5555bfb
source: Our news
title: Kamala Harris Secures Nomination Delegates - Campaign Sources
category: International
href: https://ournews.bs/kamala-harris-secures-nomination-delegates-campaign-sources/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-23T23:18:00+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/5-17-1000x600.jpg
summary:
<p>UNITED STATES – U.S. President Joe Biden will address the nation from the Oval Office on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET about his plans for the future.</p><p>This comes as Vice President Kamala Harris secured enough delegates for the Democratic presidential nomination on Monday night, according to campaign sources.</p><p>Reuters reports she had 2,214 delegates, surpassing the majority needed for the first ballot. However, the Associated Press notes the count is unofficial, as delegates can vote for any candidate at the party’s formal nomination.</p>

paragraph:
Vice President Kamala Harris secured enough delegates for the Democratic presidential nomination on Monday night.


id: 60ba6ff3
source: Our news
title: Footage Shows Officers Standing Over Body of Trump Gunman
category: International
href: https://ournews.bs/footage-shows-officers-standing-over-body-of-trump-gunman/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-24T23:20:00+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/4-20-1000x600.png
summary:
<p>PENNSYLVANIA – Bodycam footage shows Secret Service and local law enforcement near the deceased gunman, Thomas Matthew Crooks, following the attempted assassination of Donald Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania 10 days ago.</p><p>Crooks fired from a rooftop, killing one man and wounding two others before being shot by a counter-sniper. Trump was injured but survived.</p><p>The bodycam video was posted on X by Senator Chuck Grassley’s office and shows discussions between officers about the shooter, an abandoned bike, and detained crowd members.</p><p>Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle resigned over the security lapses, calling the shooting a significant operational failure.</p>

paragraph:
Bodycam footage shows Secret Service and local law enforcement near gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks. Crooks fired from a rooftop, killing one man and wounding two others before being shot by a counter-sniper. Trump was injured but survived.


id: 61ca2aa2
source: Our news
title: Crowdstrike: More Machines Fixed, Details Awaited
category: International
href: https://ournews.bs/crowdstrike-more-machines-fixed-details-awaited/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-24T23:20:00+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/6-17-1000x600.png
summary:
<p>WORLDWIDE – U.S. House leaders are calling on Crowdstrike CEO George Kurtz to testify about the company’s role in a massive tech outage last Friday, that disrupted flights, banks, and hospitals worldwide.</p><p>The outage, caused by a faulty software update, affected around 8.5 million windows machines.</p><p>House Homeland Security committee chairs Mark Green and Andrew Garbarino have demanded detailed explanations and mitigation plans from Crowdstrike, which has seen its stock drop over 20% since the incident.</p>

paragraph:
U.S. House leaders are calling on Crowdstrike CEO George Kurtz to testify about the company's role in a massive tech outage last Friday. The outage, caused by a faulty software update, affected around 8.5 million windows machines.


id: 128658a7
source: Our news
title: Obamas Endorse Kamala Harris For President
category: International
href: https://ournews.bs/obamas-endorse-kamala-harris-for-president/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-26T23:20:00+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/5-21-1000x600.png
summary:
<p>UNITED STATES – Former President Barack Obama has endorsed Vice-President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Presidential Nominee, ending speculation.</p><p>In a joint statement Friday, Barack and Michelle Obama praised Harris’s vision, character, and strength.</p><p>This endorsement follows president Joe Biden’s announcement last Sunday that he is dropping out of the race.</p><p>Kamala Harris has already secured a majority of democratic delegates and is on course to become the official nominee at the party convention in August.</p><p>Meanwhile, Republican nominee Donald Trump criticized Harris and declined to commit to a debate until she is officially nominated.</p>

paragraph:
Former President Barack Obama has endorsed Vice-President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Presidential Nominee. This follows president Joe Biden’s announcement last Sunday that he is dropping out of the race.


id: dbb2888f
source: Our news
title: Black Man's Murder Conviction Overturned After 30+ Years
category: International
href: https://ournews.bs/black-mans-murder-conviction-overturned-after-30-years/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-26T23:20:00+00:00
imgurl: https://ournews.bs/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/6-18-1000x600.png
paragraph: St. Louis man sentenced to 30 years in prison for killing his girlfriend in 1990.
summary:
<p>MISSOURI – A Missouri judge overturned Christopher Dunn’s conviction on Monday, freeing him after 30 years in prison for a murder he has always claimed he didn’t commit.</p><p>The 52 year old was serving a life sentence without parole for the 1990 killing of 15-year-old Ricco Rogers.</p><p>St. Louis circuit judge Jason Sengheiser’s decision followed a hearing where new evidence supported Dunn’s claim of innocence.</p><p>The Missouri Attorney General’s office, which opposed the ruling, says it plans to appeal.</p>


id: 7e21b503
source: The Tribune
title: High-end real estate's VAT underperform 'shocking'
category: Business
href: http://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/may/30/high-end-real-estates-vat-underperform-shocking/?news
datetimeScraped: 2024-05-30T12:45:03.528633
imgurl: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSJK6abWOYWfypMg8g9piEGFST7MGaD5htEEg&usqp=CAU
summary:
<p>PM: Just 8% of $190m collected on $1m-plus deals</p><p>But discrepancy with Budget data showing $81.45m</p><p>Attorney asserts that low figure is ‘hard to believe’</p><p>The Prime Minister’s assertion that the Government has collected just 8 percent of its VAT target for high-end real estate sales was yesterday branded “shocking” by industry professionals.</p><p>Andrew O’Brien, the Glinton, Sweeting & O’Brien law firm partner, told Tribune Business he found this “hard to believe” after Philip Davis KC, in unveiling the 2024-2025 Budget communication, revealed that the Government had received just $15.1m of its $190.3m full-year target for VAT levied on real estate deals worth $1m and over.</p><p>“That sounds very unusual,” he said. “That’s shocking that it’s that different. It certainly seems like the high-end market is robust from our perspective. I wonder. That’s surprising. I don’t know. Is there some accounting hiccup in how they’re dealing with those funds because it does sound very unusual. It sounds really low, alarmingly low, and I find it hard to believe.”</p><p>An “accounting” issue could be involved. For the Budget book, which sets out all the Government’s revenue and spending figures for the present 2023-2024 fiscal year to-date and upcoming 2024-2025 period, provides a much different figure than that given by Mr Davis for VAT collected on $1m-plus real estate sales during the nine months to end-March 2024.</p><p>The Budget book gave $81.454m as the figure for how much had been generated from this revenue line item during that period - a sum more than five times’ greater than that cited by the Prime Minister. The discrepancy was not explained before press time last night, with Simon Wilson, the Ministry of Finance’s financial secretary, attending a Customs conference and unable to comment.</p><p>However, Mr Davis yesterday told the House of Assembly that VAT collected on high-end property sales was nowhere to reflecting real estate market activity based on the number of economic permanent residency and international persons landholding permits being issued by the Government.</p><p>“The area of revenue under-performance which became apparent during these nine months is the VAT on real estate transactions. For example, if we look at the budget forecast for VAT on realty transactions over $1m, it is $190.3m,” Mr Davis said</p><p>“At the end of March 2024, we have only collected $15.1m or 7.9 percent of this total. It has also been observed that the certificate of residency and international holding permits issuances are consistent with balance of payments data that shows strong inflows of funds for property purchases.</p><p>“Last year’s revenue intake of this item was $121.1m. These are the reasons why it is necessary for this government to take a deeper dive into the under-performance of this category of revenue.” He added that this is set to be tackled by “implementing legal and administrative measures to improve compliance” through legislation and regulation accompanying the 2024-2025 Budget.</p><p>To close potential tax avoidance loopholes, Mr Davis said economic permanent residency applicants must now produced a stamped conveyance - proving they have paid the due 10 percent VAT on their purchase - to the Department of Immigration before they can obtain their permit.</p><p>Further cracking down, economic permanent residency applicants seeking to qualify by purchasing real estate (see other article on Page 1B) must also provide an appraisal report no more than a year old to prevent tax avoidance through the submission of a contrived, lower price than was actually paid. A real property tax assessment number must also be provided to the Immigration Department.</p><p>“This administrative step will help streamline the process and ensure that the real property tax number is carried throughout all processes across all government agencies, which would allow for auditing to ensure that the correct tax amount is being paid,” Mr Davis said.</p><p>“We have discovered that information provided by the local real estate sector about the buoyancy of the high-end real estate market is not reflected in the Government’s receipts.</p><p>“We have witnessed a sizable drop in revenue this year for this category. This is the primary underperforming revenue item that we have identified, and we have included a number of administrative measures to address the underreporting of real estate transactions.”</p><p>In a bid to further plug loopholes, the Government tabled changes to the International Persons Landholding Act that - if passed - will see permits expire if VAT or real property tax is not paid within 90 days of the tax assessment or “requisite return” deadline.</p><p>And the Davis administration is also launching a six-month amnesty, set to expire on December 1, 2024, to entice persons who have failed to present their conveyances for stamping and payment of the required VAT/Stamp Duty to finally bring those documents forward.</p><p>The incentive is that conveyances will be stamped at the value when the real estate transaction took place, rather than at the now-higher market value, thus cutting tax payments for those who do come forward.</p><p>“The Government is aware that there are a number of unstamped documents held by persons, which results in these persons not being able to prove land ownership to the Department of Inland Revenue and otherwise,” the Prime Minister said.</p><p>“This is an impediment for development and commerce in this country. So, the Government has made the decision to grant amnesty to allow documents to be stamped at the value at the time in which the transaction took place rather than at the current market value. This regime is temporary and effective immediately with an expiration date of December 1, 2024.</p><p>“This is a significant concession. At present, all documents are stamped at their current market value, regardless of when they were purchased. For example, suppose an individual purchased a property thirty years ago for $25,000 and sold that same property for $50,000, but never stamped the documentation,” he added.</p><p>“Later on, a new prospective buyer wants to acquire the property through a mortgage. The property now has a small house on it that is worth $150,000. In order to have the property financed, all of the transactions for the last 30 years need to be recorded; that is, to have the VAT paid at the current market value of $150,000 plus penalty.</p><p>“Unfortunately, this is all too-often a deal breaker, preventing the transaction from moving forward, hurting both the buyer and the seller, and acting as a drag on the real estate market.” Mr O’Brien yesterday described the amnesty proposal as “reasonable”, adding that the 10 percent late penalty should remain, but said it was”unusual” for buyers to delay as it left them exposed to significant risk.</p><p>“I do think the penalties should still apply so people aren’t encouraged to hang on to conveyances for however many years until this [amnesty] comes around again,” he said, adding that failing to have land deals recorded in the Registry of Records leaves buyers exposed to significant legal and financial jeopardy that could cost them their purchases.</p><p>“I would say it’s unusual because you cannot record your conveyance until it’s stamped, and recording protects you from the vendor selling to someone else, it protects against title disputes and judgments entered against the previous owner. I’m surprised.”</p>

paragraph:
PM: Just 8% of $190m collected on $1m-plus deals. But discrepancy with Budget data showing $81.45m.Attorney asserts that low figure is ‘hard to believe’


id: c1362a3f
source: The Tribune
title: $500m swing in forecast prompts call for answers
category: Business
href: http://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/may/31/500m-swing-forecast-prompts-call-answers/?news
datetimeScraped: 2024-05-31T08:45:03.842210
imgurl:
https://thetribune.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2023/06/01/minister_economics-2_t670.jpg?b3f6a5d7692ccc373d56e40cf708e3fa67d9af9d

summary:
<p>From $70m deficit one year to $448m surplus the next</p><p>Gov’t: ‘Proof of pudding in eating’ and ‘going to be done’</p><p>Opposition: ‘Bahamian people deserve an explanation’</p><p>The Government has completely overturned its medium-term Budget projections by forecasting a more than half-a-billion dollar swing that will drive it to a $448.2m fiscal surplus at end-June 2026.</p><p>The Davis administration’s near-total rewrite of estimates given just 15 months before prompted Kwasi Thompson, the Opposition’s finance spokesman, to demand that it “give the Bahamian people an explanation” for why the Budget forecasts have been so radically revised.</p><p>Besides being forced to push its Budget surplus ambitions back by one year, the Government is now predicting it will generate a $518m positive swing from the 2024-2025 fiscal year’s $69.8m deficit and transform this into $448.2m surplus just 12 months later when the 2025-2026 period closes.</p><p>The deficit forecast for the upcoming 2024-2025 fiscal year, which starts on July 1, contrasts with the $109.2m surplus that was projected in last year’s Budget. It is also markedly different from the $287.3m surplus that was predicted in the previous Fiscal Strategy Report, released in February 2023, for the upcoming year.</p><p>And the $448.2m surplus now forecast for the 2025-2026 fiscal year represents a 63 percent increase on the $275.1m projection given in last year’s Budget, as well as a 136 percent jump on the $209.8m set out in the 2023 Fiscal Strategy Report. Compared to the latter figure, the projection has more than doubled, increasing by $238.4m.</p><p>Mr Thompson yesterday argued that the fiscal responsibility provisions in the Public Finance Management mandate the Government, by law, to explain any major “deviations” in Budget estimates set out in previous Fiscal Strategy Reports. These provisions, he added, were designed to prevent administrations from arbitrarily changing forecasts arbitrarily and ensure projections were consistent within reason.</p><p>Michael Halkitis, minister of economic affairs, did not directly respond to this when questioned on the matter yesterday by a Tribune reporter, instead seeking to turn the tables by attacking the Opposition for constantly preaching “doom and gloom” with regard to The Bahamas’ economy and fiscal position.</p><p>Asserting that the Government’s political opponents have been “wrong in every case”, he acknowledged that this fiscal year’s $131.1m deficit target was “very, very aggressive” but said the forecast “overshoot” was within “acceptable” limits.</p><p>This did not satisfy Mr Thompson, who grounded his concerns over the changed Budget forecasts and outlook on the Public Finance Management Act section that stipulates the Government must publicly state its “reasons for any deviations from the general principles, fiscal responsibility principles and fiscal objectives in the previous Fiscal Strategy Report”.</p><p>“The Government clearly stated in its Fiscal Strategy Report that the Budget 2024-2025 should have a $287m surplus. The Government, without justification, has brought forth a budget with a $69m deficit,” he argued. “The law is clear. The Government cannot arbitrarily deviate from its fiscal targets.”</p><p>Mr Thompson told Tribune Business: “The law makes it clear that if you have put forward projections, and you stated those projections in your previous Fiscal Strategy Report, you are expected to continue with those projections but, if you cannot, you must state why you cannot continue with them. The law is clear on that.</p><p>“In their previous Fiscal Strategy Report, they stated the [2024-2025] Budget should have a surplus of $287m. They have changed that and, for a change of such significance, it deserves an explanation. There’s been no hurricanes, no pandemics, been no major economic shocks.</p><p>“We need to understand why you projected to have a surplus in this Budget, and changed your projection to actually having a deficit in this Budget. The law requires you to have an explanation. The law requires you to come to the people and explain why you have changed,” the former minister of state for finance continued.</p><p>“It’s a consistent behaviour by this government in not abiding by the law and, more importantly, not providing the information the people deserve. They’re very consistent with that. The only thing I would say is to judge them on their behaviour.</p><p>“If they are unable, one to be consistent with their previous Fiscal Strategy Report, they were unable to be consistent with their Budget projections, why should we believe anything they say with respect to the latest projections. They have done it without explanation. The key point is Bahamians deserve an explanation. You cannot tell the Bahamian public you are going to change fiscal targets without explanation.”</p><p>Mr Halkitis, though, dismissed these concerns and argued that the Opposition were picking on minor issues in a bid to undermine The Bahamas’ economic and fiscal improvements. “The Opposition has to have something to say,” he replied.</p><p>“I’ll just say this. For the last two-and-a-half years all we’ve heard from the Opposition, particularly their spokesman for finance and their leader, is doom and gloom. First we were going to go to the IMF, we were going to default on our bonds, we’re not meeting our targets, you’re going to destroy the economy if you raise the minimum wage or decrease VAT. They’ve been wrong in every case. We beat our projections.”</p><p>Turning to the likely deficit outcome for the current 2023-2024 fiscal year, Mr Halkitis added: “We were very, very aggressive in projecting a 0.9 percent [of GDP] deficit. We will come in about anywhere between 1-1.5 percent. We didn’t meet the 0.9 percent but the overshoot we think is acceptable.”</p><p>Tribune Business calculations suggest the percentage range given by the Government works out to a 2023-2024 fiscal deficit outturn of between $146m to $216m. This, as previously reported, does not align with historical trends that have typically seen the Government incur $200m-plus deficits during the final three months of its fiscal year.</p><p>For the past two fiscal years, 2021-2022 and 2022-2023, the Government has sustained deficits totalling $353.5m and $293.7m, respectively, for the fourth quarter as a result of government ministries, departments and agencies racing to bring forth bills that the Ministry of Finance knew nothing about so that they can be paid and cleared before the fiscal year-end.</p><p>Former Ministry of Finance insiders have told Tribune Business that successive administrations, both PLP and FNM, have found it impossible to break this trend. Should this be repeated over the coming weeks, it would likely drive the 2023-2024 fiscal deficit - which measures by how much government spending exceeds revenue - towards $400m rather than the range forecast by the Government.</p><p>However, Mr Halkitis said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has already conceded that the Government will this year beat its projection that The Bahamas was set to incur a 2023-2024 deficit equal to 2.6 percent of GDP - meaning that spending would have exceeded revenue income by around $379m.</p><p>“I met with them in April at the [IMF and World Bank] Spring meetings,” Mr Halkitis said. “They themselves conceded we will come in better than what they originally projected. I believe those experts and economists before I put any stock in what comes out of the mouths of the Opposition.”</p><p>Asked how confident the Government is in its 1-1.5 percent of GDP deficit target, given that it is now facing traditionally heavy deficit months, Mr Halkitis said: “We’re very confident. We’re changing the status quo and the proof of the pudding will be in the eating.</p><p>When you see the outturn from this fiscal year in a few months, because we have a few days in May to complete and June, you’ll actually see the performance of the Government. We hear the predictions of doom and gloom and that we’re not going to do it. It’s going to be done. It will be done. We have done it in the past two years. Perhaps when we hear Moody’s, S&P, the IMF and other observers from abroad say it, we’ll believe it.”</p><p>Mr Thompson, though, voiced scepticism that the Government will hit its 1-1.5 percent of GDP deficit target. “The Government also continues to defy all logic, and is trying to sell the public in its own contrived fantasy, that it will come close to meeting the current Budget deficit target of $131m,” he argued.</p><p>“Their internal analysis must tell them by now that the Budget outturn will likely be more than $300m. As is typical, the final quarter of the fiscal year’s total deficit is normally around $300m for the “spend heavy” final quarter when outstanding obligations are closed off before the end of the fiscal year.</p><p>“The Government does a disservice to the Bahamian people, and destroys its credibility, when it refuses to come clean on the true state of the nation’s finances. The Bahamas has been fortunate over the last three years, and has not had any hurricanes or pandemics, so why has the Government not been able to meet the targets that they set?”</p>

paragraph:
From $70m deficit one year to $448m surplus the next. Govt’t: ‘Proof of pudding in eating’ and ‘going to be done’


id: e2d810c0
source: The Tribune
title: IDB warns Bahamas over due $900m external loans
category: Business
href: http://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/may/31/idb-warns-bahamas-over-due-900m-external-loans/?news
datetimeScraped: 2024-05-31T09:00:03.851268
imgurl: https://ntcgroup.vn/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/dao-kim-cuong.jpg
summary:
<p>Nation’s financing risks said to remain ‘elevated’</p><p>Also voices scepticism over meeting deficit goal</p><p>Minister: IMF admits we’ll beat their projections</p><p>The Bahamas still faces significant financing risks given that it is due to repay $900m in foreign currency loan principal over the next two years, a multilateral lender has warned.</p><p>The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), in its latest Caribbean Quarterly Bulletin released yesterday, revealed that this sum excludes both external bond issues and debt servicing costs as it suggested the Government could still encounter “difficulties” of global financial market and fiscal conditions turn against it.</p><p>“Although the stock of debt has been decreasing, government financing needs are high,” the IDB said. “Despite the fact that no sovereign external bonds will mature from now until 2025, amortisation of external loans will exert most of the financing pressure, since within the next two fiscal years around $900m will need to be repaid in addition to interest payments.</p><p>“If fiscal and financial market conditions worsen in the medium-term, The Bahamas could face difficulties in reducing these large financing needs.” Michael Halkitis, minister of economic affairs, told yesterday’s media briefing at the Prime Minister’s Office that rising global interest rates had resulted in the Government incurring higher-than-expected debt servicing costs on its US dollar debt.</p><p>This, he added, was one factor that will likely push the projected fiscal deficit beyond its originally-forecast $131m target for the 2023-2024 full-year, taking it within a $146m-$216m range that is equivalent to 1-1.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).</p><p>Meanwhile, the IDB yesterday said that despite the Government’s access to a somewhat captive domestic investor base that has little choice but to invest in its Bahamian dollar debt, its financing costs will remain high in the short-term given the multi-billion dollar sums that have to be refinanced and rolled over on an annual basis.</p><p>“In an environment of high interest rates, rolling over debt and covering fiscal deficits is going to keep financing costs high for small island developing states like The Bahamas,” its report added. “As fiscal consolidation continued in 2023, The Bahamas’ consolidated public sector debt (net of intra-public sector holdings) reached 86.8 percent of GDP at year’s end, down from 91.5 percent at the end of 2022.</p><p>“However, the debt-to-GDP ratio is still significantly above the 66.1 percent in fiscal year 2018-2019, the year before Hurricane Dorian and the pandemic. In line with the medium-term debt management strategy, the currency composition of public debt continued shifting toward domestic currency instruments last year, as foreign currency debt accounted for 46.7 percent of the total, down from 46.9 percent in 2022.</p><p>“Most of it is held by the private capital market and international financial institutions. In a context of high liquidity in the domestic financial system, local currency debt accounted for the remaining 53.3 percent of total public debt and is well received by the domestic financial system.”</p><p>And, with impeccable timing given that the Government unveiled its 2024-2025 Budget just 48 hours ago, the IDB joined those voicing scepticism that it will meet even its revised deficit and other estimates for the current 2023-2024 year that closes at end-June.</p><p>“Fiscal consolidation seems to be losing track during fiscal year 2023-2024,” the Caribbean Quarterly Bulletin asserted. “The Budget that came into effect on July 1, 2023, contemplated an overall fiscal deficit of $131m, equivalent to 0.9 percent of GDP. The primary fiscal surplus was expected to increase from $39m to $486m (3.3 percent of GDP).</p><p>“However, preliminary estimates for the 12-month rolling-sum ending in March 2024 show that the overall deficit reached $542m. While the figure is just about the same as last fiscal year’s deficit, it is significantly below the $131m deficit forecast in the Budget, and even below the pre-pandemic average deficit of $389m.</p><p>“Although there are still three months left to close the fiscal year and tourist arrivals are still growing in double-digit numbers, it seems unlikely that the Government can reduce the overall deficit by $400m in just a quarter.”</p><p>It is unclear what the IDB is basing its numbers and forecast on, and the Government would likely vehemently dispute its conclusions. The Prime Minister, in Wednesday’s Budget communication, said the $214.1m deficit generated for the first nine months of the 2023-2024 fiscal year represents a 14.3 percent or $35.7m drop from the prior year comparative of $249.8m.</p><p>And he asserted that string revenue growth will bring the Government’s full-year deficit in within the forecast range, although no mention was made of the typical $200m-$300m worth of ‘red ink’ that is typically incurred during May and June as multiple government entities race to have bills the Ministry of Finance knew nothing about paid before year-end.</p><p>“I would like to highlight that, historically, March has typically been the highest revenue-generating month in a given fiscal year,” Mr Davis said.</p><p>“Consistent with that pattern, March 2024 was indeed a strong month, but it is the month following to which I draw your attention. The preliminary total revenue for April 2024 is estimated to be $385.8m, reflecting a significant increase of $108.6m, or 39.2 percent, compared to April in the previous year.</p><p>“The strong revenue performance in April shows that fourth quarter revenue performance will be very strong, which provides the basis of our favourable outlook for meeting our revenue targets to the end of the fiscal year.”</p><p>However, the IDB’s Caribbean Quarterly Bulletin also added its voice to those warning that the Government will struggle to hit its 25 percent revenue-to-GDP ratio target by 2025-2026 without implementing new and/or increased taxes.</p><p>“In a context in which the improvement in tax revenue administration by itself will not be sufficient to reach the goals set in the Fiscal Strategy Report 2022 without imposing other revenue measures, such as the introduction of the corporate income tax as early as in upcoming fiscal year 2024-2025, the IMF expects the overall deficit to reach 2.6 percent of GDP in 2023-2024 and 2.1 percent in 2024-2025,” the IDB said.</p><p>Mr Halkitis yesterday said IMF officials, when he met them last month for the Fund and World Bank’s Spring meetings, had conceded that The Bahamas would beat its 2.6 percent deficit forecast for the current fiscal year, representing around $379m.</p><p>However, the IDB report asserted: “Although fiscal consolidation continues, early figures for the first nine months of the current fiscal year suggest that it will be difficult to fully meet the target of a 1 percent of GDP deficit set in the Budget unless there are significant increases in revenues or important new expenditure measures. Financing needs remain elevated, and although lower, the debt-to-GDP ratio is still high.</p><p>“In such a fiscal context, the Government recognises that improving tax revenue administration alone will not be sufficient to reach the goals set in the Fiscal Strategy Report 2022, and that it will be necessary to introduce new taxes, such as the upcoming corporate income tax for foreign companies.</p><p>“Credit to the private sector has gained some dynamism, without an impact on international reserves. Medium-to-long-term growth prospects are favourable as Bahamian society shifts its energy matrix toward renewables, increases digitisation in the public and private sectors, and seeks to unleash the potential of its Blue Economy.”</p><p>The proposed corporate income tax for Bahamas-domiciled entities that are part of multinational groups generating over 750m euros per annum in annual turnover is forecast to generate $140m in revenue when implemented for a full year.</p><p>However, the Davis administration has repeatedly contradicted the IDB’s stance by stating that it has no plans for new and/or increased taxes and, indeed, the 2024-2025 Budget contains no such proposals. It is unclear how the IDB has formed the conclusion that the Government “recognises” that tax compliance and enforcement measures will be insufficient by themselves to meet its fiscal goals.</p>

paragraph:
The Bahamas still faces significant financing risks given that it is due to repay $900m in foreign currency loan principal over the next two years. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), in its latest Caribbean Quarterly Bulletin released yesterday, suggested the Government could still encounter ‘difficulties’ of global financial market and fiscal conditions turn against it.


id: 03b72235
source: The Tribune
title: Disney to beat local worker pledge by 30% at new port
category: Business
href: http://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/may/31/disney-beat-local-worker-pledge-30-new-port/?news
datetimeScraped: 2024-05-31T12:30:03.756991
imgurl: https://ntcgroup.vn/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/dao-kim-cuong.jpg
summary:
<p>Disney Cruise Line executives yesterday said they will exceed the number of full-time Bahamian jobs they pledged to create at their new south Eleuthera destination by 30 percent.</p><p>Thomas Mazioum, president of Disney Signature Experiences, speaking at the opening of the cruise line’s Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point project, said that besides beating the employment quota set out in its Heads of Agreement it has also provided Bahamian firms with a collective $200m in contracts during the construction phase.</p><p>“During construction, our contractor tripled the number of Bahamians we committed to employ and signed contracts totalling more than $200m with Bahamian businesses. Now we are in the process of hiring 30 percent more Bahamians for our operations beyond our original commitment, and that includes key leadership positions,” he said.</p><p>The project is expected to employ almost 200 Bahamians, exceeding the 150 jobs promised in the Heads of Agreement.</p><p>Prime Minister Philip Davis said the destination will bring new visitors to The Bahamas when it welcomes its first vessel on June 7 and is an example of when “vision, passion and collaboration” unite.</p><p>He said: “The Bahamas has always been a shining star in the world of tourism, known for our breathtaking beauty, rich culture and warm hospitality. Today, we shine a little brighter as we prepare to bring new opportunities, new business and new visitors to Eleuthera’s stunning shores. Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point is a perfect example of what happens when vision, passion and collaboration come together.”</p><p>Mr Davis said Disney has already created hundreds of jobs in the construction phase and will provide “high quality” roles for its nearly 200 employees. He added: “This project is a testament to the power of partnership. Disney Cruise Line’s Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point will open with an all-Bahamian leadership team and will create nearly 200 high-quality roles for Bahamians.</p><p>“Positions in a wide array of disciplines, exceeding the 150 jobs Disney Cruise Line committed to in the Heads of Agreement. In fact, the development has already created hundreds of construction-related roles for Bahamians and has partnered with contractors from Eleuthera and across The Bahamas.</p><p>“Lookout Cay is more than just a beautiful place; it’s a commitment to preserving our environment and celebrating our culture. The local community of South Eleuthera has been at the heart of designing the tourist experience for the cay,” Mr Davis added.</p><p>“Disney has collaborated with local businesses to ensure this development will sell authentic, high-quality Bahamian retail goods, souvenirs and arts and crafts, and that services to support the operation, such as the shore excursions, are Bahamian-led and highlight the works and history of Bahamians.”</p><p>Mr Mazioum said The Bahamas is a ‘“very, very special place” for the cruise line. He added that it has been partnering with The Bahamas for the past 25 years with all of its cruise ships flagged in this nation and the destination being a regular stop since it launched.</p><p>“I’m very sincere when I say that The Bahamas has a very, very special place in our hearts for many, many reasons. First, honestly, we’ve been working closely together for more than 25 years. All of our ships are essentially flagged here in The Bahamas, we’ve been operating in Castaway Cay since we launched our cruise line, and a significant number of our itineraries visit Bahamas,” Mr Mazioum said.</p><p>“So the idea of creating even more opportunities for our guests to experience this beautiful, beautiful country, The Bahamas, in a very meaningful way was incredibly exciting to us.”</p><p>Mr Mazioum explained that Disney has been working with the Eleuthera community for the past seven years and is committed to preserving the “natural beauty” of the site and having a minimal impact on the surrounding environment.</p><p>He added that the development only used 16 percent of the total site, built an open pier to protect the coral and marine life and installed a “massive” solar farm that will supply 90 percent of the cruise port’s energy.</p><p>Mr Mazioum said: “It was more than seven years ago when our team first visited Eleuthera. It wasn’t just the place that we were visiting; we came to genuinely connect with the community and we began by setting up conversations all over central and south Eleuthera.</p><p>“We actually developed less than 16 percent of the acreage of the site. We actually built an open pier so that we would minimise the impacts of coral and marine life. And one of my favourite things I’ve got to tell you is the awesome solar farm that we’ve built. It is massive, it’s beautiful and it will enable us to meet up to 90 percent of the entire energy needs that we have here.”</p>

paragraph:
Disney Cruise Line executives said they will exceed the number of full-time Bahamian jobs they pledged to create at their new south Eleuthera destination by 30 percent. The project is expected to employ almost 200 Bahamians, exceeding the 150 jobs promised in the Heads of Agreement.


id: 837eb726
source: The Tribune
title: Marinas urge 'rogue crack down' with fee increases
category: Business
href: http://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/may/31/marinas-urge-rogue-crack-down-fee-increases/?news
datetimeScraped: 2024-05-31T12:30:03.794956
imgurl: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSJK6abWOYWfypMg8g9piEGFST7MGaD5htEEg&usqp=CAU
summary:
<p>Bahamian marinas yesterday urged the Government to “crack down on rogue” operators and private docks as it moves to introduce jetty, mooring and groin fee increases of up to “20 percent”.</p><p>Marques Williams, the Association of Bahamas Marinas (ABM) president, told Tribune Business it was vital that the Government create a “fair playing field” for the sector by applying the same fees and rates to all including those who had not obtained the proper approval for their facilities.</p><p>The fee schedule, set out in the Port Authorities (Amendment) Bill 2024 that was tabled in Parliament alongside Wednesday’s Budget, is unchanged from that contained in similar legislation introduced exactly 12 months ago. However, the latest Bill contains something its predecessor lacked - an implementation date of January 1, 2025.</p><p>Mr Williams, confirming that these fees have yet to be brought into effect, said all dock, jetty and marine causeway owners - private and public - will be impacted by “the enforcement date” and new per linear foot rates. However, he suggested the impact will vary between marinas and depends on a variety of technical factors including how the fees will be assessed,</p><p>Asserting that the marina industry has received “ample” warning and time to prepare, especially with the implementation pushed back to New Year’s Day 2025, the ABM chief told this newspaper: “The impact all depends on a variety of different things. It’s how these things are assessed. There’s a lot of other parameters with regards to dock fees. It’s going to be interesting to see how it’s assessed.</p><p>“The ABM members and marinas will have to see how their facilities are going to be assessed and, with that information, they will be able to see how their finances and budgeting for government fees will change. The fees were presented a long time ago. This gives us ample time; this one gives us ample time to prepare. That works very well. We can actually in our budget for that year factor that in.</p><p>“It’s going to be very interesting how they assess the linear footage and how they calculate it. That’s going to be the most important part in how they assess those fees.” Mr Williams, though, said implementation of the new fees for private, commercial and industrial jetties, groins, moorings, causeways and pipelines raises various unanswered questions, including who will be responsible for calculating footage and fees.</p><p>“It also creates a question that’s always been an issue,” Mr Williams told Tribune Business. “What about those persons who have built their marinas and docks without proper approval, and how do you charge those persons? There’s a lot of other things we’d like to know about.</p><p>“This has been a problem where persons built large marinas without getting approval, flying under the radar. I’m sure everyone wants a fair playing field, so it’s something we want the Government to look at and crack down on.”</p><p>The Bill tabled on Wednesday stipulates who is responsible for collecting the fees, not who will assess them. Private owners of jetties, groins, moorings and causeways will have their fees billed and included in their real property tax assessments, with the levy paid to the chief valuation officer.</p><p>For commercial and industrial facilities, the fee is to be paid to the Port controller on New Providence and island administrator in the relevant Family Island. Persons seeking to construct jetties, groins, moorings, causeways and pipelines will also be legally mandated to apply for, and obtain, the relevant seabed lease whose issuance will be governed by environmental laws and regulations.</p><p>Peter Maury, a past ABM president, said the imminent fee increases are just another expense that Bahamian marina operators have to deal with at a time when they are being squeezed, or pinched, by a combination of reduced revenues arising from lower vessel occupancies and continued cost increases in areas such as electricity and fuel.</p><p>Disclosing that “for the most part it looks like a 20 percent” fee increase, he added: “It definitely affects us. All our occupancies in the marinas have gone down, and now we have more expenses. The cost of electricity has gone up, the cost of fuel has gone up. Everything has gone up.</p><p>“We sell dockage, which is space. There was no consultation, but there never is. It’s going to increase our expenses. As businesses that are required to maintain margins, it’s going to drive down our occupancies and make The Bahamas less attractive than it is now.</p><p>“I just had a captain on a 160-foot yacht walk into my office and say he’s had the most unpleasant experience in coming to The Bahamas.. just clearing Customs and Immigration. He had to apply for a charter licence. They asked him why he was doing this. I don’t want to get anyone in trouble but that’s the truth,” Mr Maury continued.</p><p>“Every marina is lowering their dockage prices. The rack rates are going down. The Government takes 10 percent of what we charge. It’s 10 percent of less.... The only way to keep boats here is to keep dropping our rates because of the high cost of electricity and everything else. They [the Government] don’t want to discuss anything with the stakeholders. They run on with how much they consult but that’s not true.”</p><p>Mr Maury said the impact is also being felt by Family Island marinas. While George Town marinas were benefiting from increased airlift, he added that this was not the situation in the cays. “I talked to a guy the other day,” he added. “The northern Exumas are just getting hammered. They don’t have the airlift that George Town does and rely on people coming by boat.</p><p>“I don’t know. It’s tough. I kind of expected the Budget I got. It gets worse every time; higher fees and taxes. That’s what we can expect. We knew our industry was going to get hit again. Somehow they’re going to work something in. It’ll impact everything. It’s like a shop owner when the landlord comes in and says he’s raising your rent. You can’t really do anything about it right now, and we get less for it.”</p>

paragraph:
Marques Williams, the Association of Bahamas Marinas (ABM) president, told Tribune Business it was vital that the Government create a “fair playing field” for the sector. He said all dock, jetty and marine causeway owners - private and public - will be impacted by “the enforcement date’ and new per linear foot rates.


id: 9622a6bc
source: The Tribune
title: Gov'ts 'cat and mouse game' against wealthy tax evaders
category: Business
href: http://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/may/31/govts-cat-and-mouse-game-against-wealthy-tax-evade/?news
datetimeScraped: 2024-05-31T12:30:05.410340
imgurl: https://ntcgroup.vn/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/dao-kim-cuong.jpg
summary:
<p>A Cabinet minister yesterday said the Government is engaged in “a cat and mouse game” with wealthy tax evaders as it races to plug loopholes and secure the Bahamian people’s money.</p><p>Michael Halkitis, minister of economic affairs, speaking after the Prime Minister revealed the Government had collected just 8 percent of its $190m full-year target for VAT on high-end real estate sales in the first nine months to end-March 2024, voiced suspicions that foreign buyers are employing complex corporate structures to evade paying what is due to the Public Treasury.</p><p>While providing no examples during the Prime Minister’s Office’s weekly press briefing, he suggested that that purchasers of Bahamian real estate worth $1m and above are using offshore companies to hold these assets beyond the Department of Inland Revenue’s reach.</p><p>“We think it’s structures,” Mr Halkitis said. “We think people are organising or have been creating companies, possibly in other jurisdictions, to hold these things [real estate]. We think it’s the way transactions are being structured to avoid the payment.</p><p>“That is why the Prime Minister said we’ve taken some steps in this Budget to change that and the way we administer to try and plug that loophole. You can imagine that is a cat and mouse game almost when it comes to tax enforcement because people will find ways.</p><p>“When you’re talking about people with means, they’ll engage advice and professional advisers to assist with this. It’s up to us to introduce and to close the loopholes. I think it’s trusts, and companies and structures in various jurisdictions and various layers people use to disguise this.”</p><p>Prime Minister Philip Davis KC on Wednesday said the Government plans to eliminate “inter vivos transfers” of property to “non-natural” persons as part of its bid to crack down on tax avoidance related to high-end real estate purchases.</p><p>“Another measure to address the issue of revenue underperformance for VAT on real estate will be the elimination of inter vivos transfers to non-natural persons. All inter vivos transfers after July 1 would have to be to a natural person,” he revealed.</p><p>Inter vivos is a Latin term for a gift or transfer of property that is made when the grantor is still alive. This can be done for a variety of legitimate reasons, such as parent or grandparent wishing to leave their home or real estate to their children/grandchildren as part of their estate planning before they die. However, the Government is suspicious such transfers, which attract no VAT, are being exploited for tax avoidance.</p><p>Andrew O’Brien, the Glinton, Sweeting & O’Brien law firm partner, voiced concerns to Tribune Business that the Government’s move will “eliminate a very useful estate planning tool” and provide less flexibility for grantors to gift property to their dependents.</p><p>“That’s very disappointing,” he explained, “because the whole purpose for inter vivos transfers is people setting up doing their estate planning, which often involves a company or trust. To take that away will eliminate a very useful tool in estate planning.</p><p>“That will also lead to reduced revenues for The Bahamas because people have less incentive to form a company to handle property. It’s just for transfers. It will be all the more important to have your pre-planning done because, if life circumstances change you will not have flexibility to change the structure, which can still come about because there is no change in beneficial ownership. I don’t understand that.</p><p>“Why should it matter if there is no change in beneficial ownership?” Mr O’Brien asked. “Inter vivos allows transfers to children, grand children or spouses. That’s where 90 percent of transfers go to... The company structure can be a better way to transfer property owned by multiple people.</p><p>“It’s just reducing the flexibility, and I don’t see the reason given for it. It’s just that people will not turn to that means of structuring.” Mr Davis, in his Budget communication, revealed that the Government had at end-March 2024 received just $15.1m of its $190.3m full-year target for VAT levied on real estate deals worth $1m and over.</p><p>He told the House of Assembly that VAT collected on high-end property sales was nowhere to reflecting real estate market activity based on the number of economic permanent residency and international persons landholding permits being issued by the Government.</p><p>“The area of revenue under-performance which became apparent during these nine months is the VAT on real estate transactions. For example, if we look at the budget forecast for VAT on realty transactions over $1m, it is $190.3m,” Mr Davis said.</p><p>“At the end of March 2024, we have only collected $15.1m or 7.9 percent of this total. It has also been observed that the certificate of residency and international holding permits issuances are consistent with balance of payments data that shows strong inflows of funds for property purchases.</p><p>“Last year’s revenue intake of this item was $121.1m. These are the reasons why it is necessary for this government to take a deeper dive into the under-performance of this category of revenue.” This is set to be tackled by “implementing legal and administrative measures to improve compliance” through legislation and regulation accompanying the 2024-2025 Budget.</p><p>To close potential tax avoidance loopholes, Mr Davis said economic permanent residency applicants must now produced a stamped conveyance - proving they have paid the due 10 percent VAT on their purchase - to the Department of Immigration before they can obtain their permit.</p><p>Further cracking down, economic permanent residency applicants seeking to qualify by purchasing real estate must also provide an appraisal report no more than a year old to prevent tax avoidance through the submission of a contrived, lower price than was actually paid. A real property tax assessment number must also be provided to the Immigration Department.</p><p>“This administrative step will help streamline the process and ensure that the real property tax number is carried throughout all processes across all government agencies, which would allow for auditing to ensure that the correct tax amount is being paid,” Mr Davis said.</p><p>“We have discovered that information provided by the local real estate sector about the buoyancy of the high-end real estate market is not reflected in the Government’s receipts.</p><p>“We have witnessed a sizable drop in revenue this year for this category. This is the primary underperforming revenue item that we have identified, and we have included a number of administrative measures to address the underreporting of real estate transactions.”</p><p>In a bid to further plug loopholes, the Government tabled changes to the International Persons Landholding Act that - if passed - will see permits expire if VAT or real property tax is not paid within 90 days of the tax assessment or “requisite return” deadline.</p><p>However, the Budget book, which sets out all the Government’s revenue and spending figures for the present 2023-2024 fiscal year to-date and upcoming 2024-2025 period, provides a much different figure than that given by Mr Davis for VAT collected on $1m-plus real estate sales during the nine months to end-March 2024.</p><p>The Budget book gave $81.454m as the figure for how much had been generated from this revenue line item during that period - a sum more than five times’ greater than that cited by the Prime Minister. No explanation has yet been provided for the discrepancy.</p>

paragraph:
The Government has collected just 8 percent of its $190m full-year target for VAT on high-end real estate sales in the first nine months to end-March 2024. Michael Halkitis, minister of economic affairs, voiced suspicions that foreign buyers are employing complex corporate structures.


id: 6f2fa2c4
source: The Tribune
title: Sebas shuts Aeropost business
category: Business
href: http://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/jun/03/sebas-shuts-aeropost-business/?news
datetimeScraped: 2024-06-03T10:15:04.988028
imgurl:
https://thetribune.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2019/06/13/06132018_OWNTalks21JPG_t670.jpg?b3f6a5d7692ccc373d56e40cf708e3fa67d9af9d

summary:
<p>SEBAS Bastian last night said his Aeropost logistics business is closing its Bahamas operations because this is the only one of its 30-plus territories “where we did not experience material growth”.</p><p>The Island Luck co-founder, in a messaged reply to Tribune Business inquiries, confirmed the decision “was not made lightly” but added that the shipping and freight forwarding provider had elected to deploy resources away from jurisdictions “not aligning with our projections and goals” following its early 2024 switch to a new business model.</p><p>Disclosing that The Bahamas operation has “a lean team”, he added that Aeropost is seeking to minimise the impact on affected employees by transferring around half - four to other affiliated businesses within the group. Only four to five workers will be “furloughed”, which likely means terminated or made redundant.</p><p>Mr Bastian did not delve into why The Bahamas appears to be Aeropost’s only non-performing territory after the imminent closure was announced to clients on Friday via e-mail blast and an announcement posted on the company’s website.</p><p>However, he confirmed: “We at Aeropost have made the difficult decision to cease our operations in The Bahamas. This choice was not made lightly, as we have deeply valued the opportunity to serve thousands of customers in this region over the past years. Our commitment to fulfilling the shopping and cross-border needs of our Bahamian customers has always been at the forefront of our efforts.</p><p>“Despite our best efforts, The Bahamas remained the only market among the 30-plus countries we operate in where we did not experience material growth. This stands in contrast to the overall success and expansion Aeropost is experiencing globally.</p><p>“As we are currently enjoying record growth due to our strategic partnerships and logistics services, particularly with our Asian distributors, it became imperative to focus our resources and efforts on markets where we are seeing significant and sustainable growth.”</p><p>Mr Bastian said Aeropost had earlier this year switched its focus from operating an e-commerce platform to becoming a “pure” international shipping, freight forwarding and cross-border courier style operation, which required it to examine performance in all jurisdictions where it as a presence.</p><p>“At the beginning of this year, we strategically pivoted from operating a marketplace to becoming a pure logistics technology company. This transition has already led to a record-breaking second quarter, underscoring the effectiveness of our new direction. Consequently, this necessitated a reevaluation of our operations in regions where growth was not aligning with our projections and goals,” he explained.</p><p>“In The Bahamas, we operated with a lean team, and we are committed to supporting our employees during this transition. Four of our team members are being redeployed to affiliate businesses within our group of companies, while only four or five individuals will be furloughed.</p><p>“We remain grateful for the support and loyalty of our Bahamian customers and partners over the years. We believe this decision, while challenging, will ultimately allow us to strengthen our primary markets and continue delivering exceptional logistics solutions globally.”</p><p>Aeropost, in a notice to its Bahamian customers, warned that all packages and shipments destined for The Bahamas must arrive at its Miami warehouse by June 14 - in 11 days time - otherwise they will not be processed for delivery. If that deadline is missed, clients will have a further 14 days to June 28 to request that the item be returned to the seller, after which all remaining goods will be destroyed.</p><p>“After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to close our operations in The Bahamas. We are grateful for the opportunity to have served thousands of customers in The Bahamas, fulfilling their shopping and cross-border needs over the past years,” Aeropost said.</p><p>“All packages that arrive at our Miami warehouse by this date [June 14] will be shipped to The Bahamas and available for pickup at our main warehouse located at 106 University Drive, Thompson Boulevard. After June 14, any incoming orders will no longer be processed for delivery to The Bahamas.</p><p>“If your order arrives in Miami after June 14, you will have the option to request a Return Merchandise Authorisation (RMA) from the seller, and we will return the item for you. This request must be submitted by June 28. After this date, any unclaimed items will be deemed abandoned and will be destroyed.</p><p>“We understand that this may cause inconvenience and apologize for any disruption it may cause. Our customer service team is here to assist you with any questions or concerns during this transition. We appreciate your business and look forward to serving you in other markets.”</p><p>Mr Bastian, who is The Bahamas’ non-resident ambassador to Central America, unveiled ambitions for Aeropost to become an “Amazon-like” presence among 60m consumers across the Caribbean, Latin American and Central American region when he confirmed his acquisition of the e-commerce platform in early December 2021.</p><p>He raised nearly $19m from investors to finance the Aeropost acquisition via Click Partners LP, a British Virgin Islands (BVI) domiciled limited partnership described in promotional material as a “digital, e-commerce, logistics and operations expert”.</p><p>It was initially designed as a vehicle that allowed small businesses to sell their products online through its portal while offering “the lowest bar” to market, offering direct selling as well as acting as a middle-man between other vendors and consumers in 39 territories which, at that point, included The Bahamas.</p><p>The abrupt closure of Aeropost’s Bahamas operations comes less than eight months after the company confirmed its expansion into freight forwarding services via a sales tax-free US address. It launched its Aeropost Courier arm, known as Click to Collect, to offer freight forwarding services and allow Bahamian shoppers to ship goods acquired from US online stores as well as Aerospace’s online marketplace.</p><p>Aeropost said that besides its sales tax-free US address it would also provide weight-based shipping; advanced order tracking; a simplified returns process; secure transactions; multiple payment options, including Visa, MasterCard, American Express and PayPal; and a ClickBox smart parcel locker pick-up at more than 20-plus locations, including 24-hour package pick-up at all Esso locations.</p><p>The Bahamian unit operated two hub locations - one on Carmichael Road and the other on Thompson Boulevard. Smart parcel lockers were placed throughout Nassau, including at Boyd Road, Cable Beach, Carmichael Road, Charles Saunders Highway, Mall at Marathon, Robinson Road and Wulff Road and East Street, to give per- sons more convenience in picking up their shipments.</p><p>Those lockers were also available at eight Esso service station locations: Faith Avenue, Oakes Field Road, South Beach, East Street and Soldier Road, Village Road, Mackey Street, Blue Hill Road, East Bay Street and Fox Hill Road. In August 2023, Aeropost Bahamas added a ClickBox smart locker location at the University of The Bahamas’ Oakes Field Campus.</p>

paragraph:
Aeropost logistics business is closing its Bahamas operations. The Bahamas is the only one of its 30-plus territories “where we did not experience material growth’ Only four to five workers will be ‘furloughed’


id: 6eea1094
source: The Tribune
title: BPL working to complete 'key' repairs to generation this week
category: Business
href: http://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/jun/03/bpl-working-complete-key-repairs-generation-week/?news
datetimeScraped: 2024-06-03T10:45:05.771593
imgurl:
https://thetribune.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2021/01/12/bpl_plant_t670.jpg?b3f6a5d7692ccc373d56e40cf708e3fa67d9af9d

summary:
<p>BAHAMAS Power and Light (BPL) officials said they are working to complete repairs this week on “several key assets” at its Clifton Pier power station to increase power supply in New Providence after a series of power outages this month.</p><p>The most recent outages affected parts of eastern New Providence last week, which officials blamed on several “faults” discovered by crews on the Eastern Road thoroughfare.</p><p>Arnette Ingraham, a senior manager at BPL, blamed recent road paving exercises for the faults and noted that not every power cut is a result of load-shedding.</p><p>“Our crews had to go in and fix a number of faults,” she told The Tribune yesterday. “So even when they fixed one, they would find another one and that really exacerbated the problem in the eastern road area.”</p><p>“And then if I could point to one that we had also where there was a long outage in the southeastern New Providence, south-western New Providence area Cowpen Road, it stretched for a while. We had somebody hit an HV line that had every single utility almost tied to it, so when things like that happen, people tend to think that it’s a load-shedding exercise, but those things are out of our control. All we can try to do is get to work right away as we always do to try to get everything back online.”</p><p>Ms Ingraham said BPL hadn’t conducted a load-shedding exercise since last Thursday but warned that load-shedding could happen if the company loses a unit or faces unforeseen circumstances.</p><p>She said the team anticipates getting at least 60MW of generation back on the grid by June and is confident BPL could meet summer demands with its current contingencies in place.</p><p>“We’re doing our best to make sure that we keep those units online, but they are aged and when things happen, especially when they’re working in over- drive during heightened heat conditions, the potential exists that they could go offline,” she said.</p><p>“What we do is that we work, our team works around the clock to make sure that they can get those units back up and running.”</p><p>Earlier this month, BPL reported widespread outages across New Providence as it struggled with “unprecedented” demand for that time of the year.</p><p>Several consumers have claimed the outages left them with damaged or destroyed appliances.</p><p>When asked how many complaints the company had received in recent weeks, Ms Ingraham could not say but noted that damage claims are submitted to BPL daily.</p><p>“It is an active process,” she said. “We have damaged claims submitted daily to BPL, and we review them and those that we consider legitimate claims; it is BPL’s job to honour them.”</p><p>She said the company does not honour claims for damages caused by adverse weather or traffic accidents.</p><p>“So, what we always encourage our customers to do is do what is necessary to protect your property. One of the first and primary steps is looking at the grounding in your home, especially when you have an older house,” she added.</p><p>“We also encourage our customers to take out insurance on pricey appliances, electronics, to make sure that in the event that there is any loss like lightning or some activity where BPL doesn’t cover it, the homeowner or the owner of that property is not at a loss.”</p>

paragraph:
BPL officials said they are working to complete repairs this week on “several key assets’ at its Clifton Pier power station. The most recent outages affected parts of eastern New Providence last week, which officials blamed on several “faults’ discovered by crews on the Eastern Road thoroughfare.


id: f6ab178c
source: The Tribune
title: 'Live up to promises' on CLICO compensation
category: Business
href: http://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/jun/03/live-promises-clico-compensation/?news
datetimeScraped: 2024-06-03T11:45:05.185278
imgurl:
https://thetribune.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2019/05/13/09252018_PoliceInspectorBlatchFuneralService32JPGjpgjpg_t670.jpg?b3f6a5d7692ccc373d56e40cf708e3fa67d9af9d

summary:
<p>THE Government was yesterday urged to “live up to its promises” to fully compensate CLICO victims after zero funds were allocated for this in next year’s Budget and successive fiscal years.</p><p>Bishop Simeon Hall, himself a victim of the insolvent life and health insurer’s collapse more than 15 years ago, told Tribune Business that while he “can understand the scarcity of funds” available to the Government it still needed to fulfill its commitment especially since weak to non-existent regulation played a large part in CLICO’s failure.</p><p>He spoke out after the 2024-2025 Budget, tabled in the House of Assembly last week, revealed that the Government has allocated not a single cent to the payment of “CLICO obligations” in the upcoming fiscal year or the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 Budget cycles.</p><p>This newspaper understands that CLICO victims last received a payout from the Government almost two years, and materials accompanying last week’s Budget show none of the $3.8m allocated for compensation during the current 2023-2024 fiscal year had been paid out as at end-March 2024.</p><p>The last Christie administration, in the 2016 mid-year Budget, agreed and committed the Government to a plan where all surrendered life insurance policies, death benefits, medical claims and staff pensions would be paid in full.</p><p>Tribune Business sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that around $10m remains to be paid out to hundreds who surrendered their policies.</p><p>Simon Wilson, the Ministry of Finance’s financial secretary, could not be reached for comment before press time last night. However, it is thought likely that the Government, given its still-strained fiscal position, has decided to conserve cash and wait for Trinidad to pay the agreed $110.827m settlement to CLICO (Bahamas) and its liquidator.</p><p>That sum was offered by liquidators for the Bahamian insurer’s Trinidad-based parent, CL Financial, and Sir Ian Winder, the Supreme Court’s chief justice, last year gave Craig A. ‘Tony’ Gomez, the Baker Tilly Gomez accountant and principal, the go-ahead to accept it in his capacity as CLICO (Bahamas) liquidator.</p><p>The nine-figure sum represents a settlement of CLICO (Bahamas) claim against its Trinidadian parent. CL Financial had guaranteed $58m, or 79.5 percent, of the monies its Bahamian subsidiary had advanced to another group entity, CLICO Enterprises, which subsequently defaulted on the loan repayments. Mr Gomez thus argued that CLICO (Bahamas) was a secured creditor of CL Financial.</p><p>However, not a cent of the $110.827m has yet been received from Trinidad. The timing and amount of any payout depends on CL Financial’s liquidators, and the Trinidad courts, and neither Mr Gomez nor anyone in The Bahamas has control of this. As a result, it could be months and even some years yet before all or part of this money is paid out and received in The Bahamas.</p><p>Bishop Hall told Tribune Business that he personally knows “of several families where the CLICO policyholder died and never received a cent” as he called on the Government, which is continuous even though administrations change, to live up to the commitment made by the last Christie administration that has carried through into its Minnis and Davis successors.</p><p>He argued that the Government shoulders an extra obligation to CLICO victims given that, through the then-Registrar of Insurance and other regulators it had the responsibility of protecting Bahamian citizens and their life savings/retirement investments from such corporate failures.</p><p>“Oh boy. That is very disappointing. That is very disappointing. That is so disappointing,” Bishop Hall replied, when informed by Tribune Business that no funds for further payouts have been allocated in the Government’s Budget. “It is the Government who allowed it to happen. They should have protected the policy holders. They should have protected the small man who invested his couple of dollars.</p><p>“I got most of my money. I didn’t get every cent but I feel bad for those that did not get anything. I got two-thirds of my money back but what about the man down the street depending on it? The Government needs to do a better job of protecting Bahamian citizens from unscrupulous institutions.</p><p>“I can understand that it’s a tight Budget and there is a scarcity of funds. I can understand that, but I think the Government shares in this by not protecting the policy holders more than it did. It shouldn’t have happened. That’s how I feel. I think the Bahamian policyholders should call on the Government to live up to its promise.”</p><p>Mr Wilson told Tribune Business in June 2023 that the Government had slowed down payouts to former policyholders because the Government is hoping to “shortly make a major announcement on CLICO”.</p><p>He declined to go into details at the time on the basis it would be premature to do so, but said: “I think we should be in a position to make a major announcement on CLICO shortly. I just want to be cautious and not move prematurely. That’s one of the reasons we’ve slowed down the payouts.” It is thought that Mr Wilson was referring to the settlement from CL Financial.</p><p>Bishop Hall, though, argued that many CLICO policyholders yet to be fully or partially compensated cannot wait on Trinidad. “I know of several persons patiently waiting to get something out of CLICO,” he said. “I pray that the Government can find the money to keep that promise. And let’s pray that the money from Trinidad comes eventually.</p><p>“I know several families where the CLICO policyholder has died and they never received a cent of their money. I get perturbed when institutions that have a licence to operate from the Government could rob the poor and bilk the weak. This what causes some people to look at socialism.”</p><p>Bishop Hall added that “just last week” he contacted his MP for South Beach, Bacchus Rolle, to inquire whether he knew what was happening with CLICO compensation as he himself continues to receive calls from other victims about the situation.</p><p>He also questioned why The Bahamas appears soft on corporate, or white-collar, crime, and suggested Bahamians are “too passive” when wronged. “The man on the street does all kinds of things; he steals, he murders and we come down hard on him, but what about corporate institutions that exploit people?” Bishop Hall asked.</p><p>“I think we’re too passive. Other parts of the Caribbean have been agitating and protesting. We’re too passive. I think I go just five to six people to go with me to Bay Street some years ago when we were protesting over this.</p><p>“Bahamians tend to be too passive and laid back. Some of them cover up their laziness by saying God will protect me, but human beings need to do the work. God works through human instruments.”</p><p>Arguing that foreign investors should be made to set a portion of their resources aside in escrow, so as to compensate Bahamians when their ventures collapse and they flee the jurisdiction, Bishop Hall said of the present CLICO situation: “I don’t know how to feel about this but pray that Trinidad comes through with something and the Government can redeem itself.</p><p>“What about Angie down the road, Uncle Lou in Andros not getting anything? Let’s pray something happens. If it takes four to five more years we may not be there. It’s capitalism. Rugged capitalism can sometimes be un-Christian but that’s what we live with. Policyholders should have some recourse by which they recoup their savings.”</p>

paragraph:
Bishop Simeon Hall, himself a victim of the insolvent life and health insurer’s collapse more than 15 years ago, said the Government still needed to fulfill its commitment. He spoke out after the 2024-2025 Budget, tabled in the House of Assembly last week, revealed that the Government has allocated not a single cent to the payment of “CLICO obligations”


id: c444b28d
source: The Tribune
title: Opposition: $437m revenue increase 'does not add up'
category: Business
href: http://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/jun/03/opposition-437m-revenue-increase-does-not-add/?news
datetimeScraped: 2024-06-03T12:15:04.391580
imgurl:
https://thetribune.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2024/06/03/06012024_FNM_Convention_015_t670.JPG?b3f6a5d7692ccc373d56e40cf708e3fa67d9af9d

summary:
<p>THE Government’s forecast $437m revenue jump for the upcoming 2024-2025 fiscal year represents an increase eight times’ greater than the pace of economic growth according to Budget numbers.</p><p>Data published with last Wednesday’s Budget shows that the $3.537bn total revenue projected for the upcoming fiscal year that begins on July 1 is a 14 percent year-over-year increase on the $3.1bn outturn for the current 2022-2023 period that was unveiled by Prime Minister Philip Davis KC on Wednesday.</p><p>Revenues are typically a function of economic growth and activity, especially given a Bahamian tax system heavily reliant on consumption. The fact that the Government’s income is forecast to grow at a rate more than eight times’ faster than gross domestic product’s (GP) predicted 1.7 percent real expansion has already attracted the Opposition’s attention, and it is arguing: “The numbers don’t add up.”</p><p>“What we need to take into account is the actual numbers instead of what they say,” Kwasi Thompson, the Opposition’s finance spokesman, told Tribune Business. “The actual numbers, as reported, was that at nine months we are behind in revenues. The numbers reported were that we are behind in VAT receipts.</p><p>“If we are behind in this year’s projections, and our economic growth next [fiscal] year is not to exceed this year’s economic growth, what makes us believe our revenues will exceed this year’s revenues? It does not add up. They have not explained it. The law requires them to explain it. The people deserve an explanation.</p><p>“Let us not listen to what they say but look at what the actual numbers report. The actual numbers do not report that we are going to make next year’s projections.” Mr Thompson, who served as minister of state for finance in the Minnis administration, argued that both the 2024-2025 forecasts and projections for the current fiscal year pose a threat to the Government’s credibility.</p><p>“It again boils down to the credibility of the Government; credibility with its people, credibility with its investors and credibility with the international community,” the east Grand Bahama MP added. “The Government does a disservice when it makes these statements and does not abide by these statements. The fiscal responsibility clauses were put in the law for a reason.</p><p>“The Government must not be credible just with its people but must be credible with investors and with the international community. They have, unfortunately, done away with our credibility.” Simon Wilson, the Ministry of Finance’s financial secretary, could not be reached for comment before press time last night.</p><p>However, Michael Halkitis, minister of economic affairs, last week dismissed such concerns and turned the tables on the Opposition. He accused Mr Thompson and FNM leader, Michael Pintard, of being proven wrong on every fiscal-related statement they have made and asserted that neither himself nor the Government “place any stock” in what the Opposition have to say.</p><p>Sometimes, though, the Budget communication is more notable for what it does not say rather than what it does. The Prime Minister last Wednesday touted the Government’s revenue performance while disclosing that it is projected to receive more than $900m in revenue during the 2023-2024 fiscal year’s final quarter to take the full 12-month outcome to $3.1bn.</p><p>That, though, is more than $200m below the $3.316bn target set in last year’s Budget despite rev- enue for the first nine months to end-March 2024 having risen by $112.4, or 5.4 percent, year-over-year. And that revenue growth rate, as well as the 9 percent and 8 percent growth paces for current and year-end income unveiled by the Prime Minister, are also behind the 14 percent jump needed to hit 2024-2025’s goal.</p><p>This newspaper also previously reported that VAT, which accounts for 43 percent of tax revenues, needed to grow 27 percent or $339m over the $1.252bn collected in 2022-2023 to hit this year’s target of $1.591bn.</p><p>Materials released with the Budget communication show that the Government was almost $600m behind the full-year $1.591bn target for VAT with just three months to go. And, for the upcoming 2024-2025 fiscal year, the Government will have to hit its $437m total revenue increase despite a year-over-year decline in VAT revenues - its main income source - compared to 2023-2024 projections.</p><p>The Davis administration is forecasting that it will earn $1.516bn in VAT during the 12 months to end-June 2025, which is a more than a $70m or 4.3 percent decline compared to this year’s $1.591bn forecast. This decline, though is forecast to be more than offset by $100m year-over-year increases in ‘taxes on international trade and transactions’ and ‘taxes on the use and permission to use goods’.</p><p>Several observers, though, have questioned the divergence between increasing trade taxes (import duties) and declining VAT, arguing that both are consumption-based and should therefore being moving in the same direction. They also queried the higher revenue forecast given that economic growth in 2024-2025 is projected to be relatively flat and in the absence of any major revenue-raising measures.</p><p>The Prime Minister last Wednesday said the estimated $140m impact from levying the 15 percent corporate income tax on an estimated 50 Bahamas- domiciled companies, which are part of multinational groups generating more than 750m euros in annual turnover, will not be fully seen until the 2025- 2026 fiscal year which is more than 12 months away.</p><p>“A draft of the legislation is expected to be tabled along with the 2024-2025 Budget,” the latest Fiscal Strategy Report said of the corporate income tax legislation. “Early estimates of the additional revenue yield to be generated from this new tax is set at $140m. However, the medium-term forecasts do not include these amounts.”</p><p>The Fiscal Strategy Report added that the Davis administration believes a combination of economic growth, combined with more rigorous tax enforcement and revenue collection initiatives, will enable it to hit its 25 percent revenue-to-GDP target by 2025-2026 even though its projections do not include any potential earnings from blue carbon credits.</p><p>Mr Halkitis recently said there were suggestions that the Government could earn $900m per year from monetising its seagrass and mangrove carbon sinks, but the report added: “Projections remain policy neutral for the anticipated positive contributions from the proposed commercialisation of The Bahamas’ blue carbon credits and the implementation of the Qualified Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax.”</p><p>Meanwhile, the Prime Minister, in stating that there would be a “60.6 percent decrease in the deficit outturn from the previous fiscal year, 2022- 2023”, effectively pegged the full-year deficit for the 12 months to end-June 2024 at $210.63m. This is at the top of the 1-1.5 percent of GDP range given by the Government.</p>

paragraph:
Government’s forecast $437m revenue jump for the upcoming 2024-2025 fiscal year represents an increase eight times’ greater than the pace of economic growth according to Budget numbers. The Opposition is arguing: “The numbers don’t add up”


id: 5ce6b5d0
source: The Tribune
title: Aviation 'stability' threat over exam requirement
category: Business
href: http://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/jun/03/aviation-stability-threat-over-exam-requirement/?news
datetimeScraped: 2024-06-03T12:15:04.421146
imgurl: https://vir.com.vn/stores/news_dataimages/hung/032017/15/09/di_1.jpg
summary:
<p>• Pilots: New air law test guidance inadequate</p><p>• Association ‘strongly urges’ mandate delayed</p><p>• Fear rash of failures will cause pilot shortage</p><p>PILOTS are voicing fears that “the stability and efficiency” of Bahamian aviation will be “undermined” if regulators press forward with plans to mandate they pass an exam for which many are ill-prepared.</p><p>The Bahamas Airline Pilots Association (BALPA), in a letter to Alexander Ferguson, the civil aviation director-general, says it “strongly urges” the regulator to delay rolling-out the new ‘air law examination’ that all pilots and airmen must take and pass if their relevant licences are to be issued or renewed.</p><p>The exam requirement took effect on Saturday, June 1, but BALPA and other pilots and aviation operators are warning that there has been inadequate time to prepare while the guidance notes and material provided by the Civil Aviation Authority of The Bahamas (CAAB) on the nature and type of questions that will be asked have been branded “incredibly vague”.</p><p>As a result, BALPA and others are voicing concerns that many pilots and air crew will struggle to pass the test and obtain renewal/issuance of their licences. This, they fear could result in pilot shortages and worsen the existing four-month delays presently encountered in upgrading licences and ratings, leaving the Bahamian aviation sector undermanned and unable to provide the frequency of services required.</p><p>BALPA’s Jamal Gray, in the Association’s letter to Mr Ferguson, said the group was “deeply disappointed not to have been consulted” on the exam’s development and roll-out. Some aviation sources suggested that the new exam had resulted from the recent US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) audit of The Bahamas’ safety and regulatory regime, although this was disputed by other contacts.</p><p>Confirming that the regulator is pressing ahead, its website states: “Effective June 1, 2024, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Bahamas will be implementing a mandatory air law examination for all airmen seeking initial and renewed licences.</p><p>“This examination aims to enhance aviation safety standards by ensuring a comprehensive understanding of aviation regulations and protocols. Bookings for the exam will commence in early May 2024. Please make the necessary arrangements at your earliest convenience to avoid any delays in your licensing process.”</p><p>In a likely response, or anticipation, to industry concerns and criticisms, the Civil Aviation Authority of The Bahamas has issued a six-page “frequent answers and questions” document which says pilots and others can re-take the exam up to four times should they fail the initial attempt.</p><p>As to what will happen to a pilot’s ability to be licensed and operate in The Bahamas if they fail all of these, the regulator added: “The Civil Aviation Authority of The Bahamas at their discretion will have the right to evaluate your ability to continue to hold an airman licence issued by The Bahamas and... may require further knowledge and skill testing to establish your fitness to hold such airman licence.”</p><p>Mr Gray, writing on behalf of BALPA, which represents Bahamasair’s pilots, told Mr Ferguson: “I am writing to you.... to express our concerns regarding the upcoming implementation of the new air law exam. While we understand and appreciate the need for regulatory updates to ensure the highest standards of aviation safety and compliance, we are deeply disappointed that the principal users of the aviation community have not been consulted during this process.</p><p>“The lack of consultation has resulted in several significant issues that we believe could negatively impact both pilots and aviation companies alike. One of our primary concerns is the inadequate preparation time and resources provided for the new exam.</p><p>“Unlike the FAA exams, which are accompanied by readily available study materials, instructional courses and a comprehensive bank of possible questions and answers, the new air law exam has left many pilots scrambling to prepare with insufficient resources. In some instances, individuals have had only a few weeks to prepare, which is far from adequate.”</p><p>Setting out BALPA’s concerns, Mr Gray wrote: “The current system essentially requires those taking the test to serve as both teacher and student, a situation that is neither practical nor fair. This is particularly concerning given the already lengthy validation process for new licences or type ratings, which can take up to four months.</p><p>“During this period, pilots often experience significant financial strain due to the lack of earnings, and taxpayers bear the burden of non-productivity costs in some instances. Introducing a new exam without proper preparation and support will only exacerbate these issues.</p><p>“Furthermore, we are concerned about the potential delays in the validation process that the new exam could introduce. At the end of an upgrade training event, pilots already face a four-month waiting period. Adding the requirement to prepare for and pass a new air law exam could extend this period even further, creating additional financial and operational challenges for both pilots and aviation companies.</p><p>“It is important to note that many of our pilots have held licences issued by Bahamian authorities for over 30 years, and have operated safely and effectively without incident. The sudden implementation of this new exam, without proper consultation and preparation, risks undermining the stability and efficiency of our aviation community.”</p><p>One aviation source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Tribune Business that pilots are currently waiting up to four months after they pass the relevant test for their licences and ratings to be upgraded “so they can fly”. They added that this has already led to pilot short- ages, and there are fears that the new ‘air law’ exam and the inability to properly prepare could result in failures and exacerbate this.</p><p>“This is a huge, huge issue. It’s going to tremendously impact the aviation industry until it is resolved,” the source said. “They say it’s all on the website, but all the annexes are not there and the training material is not on the [Civil Aviation of The Bahamas] website. What we have looks like a syllabus for someone to prepare a course, not a study guide. It’s a syllabus for a training facility and they expect you to figure it out.</p><p>“They’re making you the candidate, the teacher and student all in one. I don’t know of any lawyer who will take a law exam without being prepared. And it’s summer. Where are we going to get the time to study from? The biggest problem is that they’re asking you to sit this air law exam and are not giving you enough time. They said that this is one of the FAA audit findings.”</p><p>Tribune Business was told that the new ‘air law’ exam, and the associated concerns and fears of the potential consequences, are being widely discussed by Bahamian pilots in social media chat groups that have 130-plus members. This newspaper understands that taking legal action over the matter has been discussed.</p><p>“The general aviation pilots and private pilots are following behind the Association,” one contact added. Asked about possible legal action, they added: “I know that’s what they were working towards. I don’t know how far that process got.”</p><p>Paul Aranha, principal of Trans-Island Airways, told Tribune Business that while concerns over the $250 per exam fee and the time granted to prepare were exaggerated, the pilot and aviation community does have a legitimate concern over the quality of preparatory material provided by the Civil Aviation Authority of The Bahamas.</p><p>And, while backing the ‘air law’ exam concept in principle, he added that its implementation and execution by the regulator could have been better. “The problem with the exam is the guidance they’ve given is not overly extensive; it’s overly vague,” Mr Aranha told this newspaper.</p><p>“Typically, in most countries, you do not go and simply walk in and take an exam. There are practice exams or courses you take to help you.” In this case, he added that Civil Aviation Authority of The Bahamas has only provided pilots and the industry with an 88-page document that contains no details, seems only to list headline topics, and “is incredibly vague”.</p><p>“Everyone has a legitimate reason to be uncomfortable, but I think the premise is correct,” Mr Aranha said of the ‘air law’ exam. “I don’t think it’s unreasonable. I just don’t like the fact that when you go to take the test you don’t know what it looks like.</p><p>“We’re very much on the side that the test is good, or the basis of the test is good, but I think it’s challenging for people to take the test having no idea what the test looks like and properly prepare. Trans-Island Airways is confident all of its pilots are more than prepared to take the test but, for the industry as a whole, it would be better to have more practice material and guidance.</p><p>“I support the premise of the test, and am confident our pilots are ready to take it, but we are understanding that some people have their hesitations about it and we feel that it would have been better if there had been more material and practice tests as found in other jurisdictions but feel confident it’s line with other jurisdictions in aviation.”</p><p>However, Mr Gray, on behalf of BALPA, told Mr Ferguson: “In light of these concerns, we strongly urge you to delay the rollout date for the new air law exam. We believe it is crucial to engage with the principal users of the aviation community to ensure that any new regulations do not negatively impact the very individuals responsible for transporting passengers and cargo throughout our archipelago.</p><p>“By working together, we can develop a more effective and supportive implementation plan that upholds the highest standards of aviation safety and compliance without placing undue burdens on our pilots and aviation companies.... We are optimistic that through open dialogue and collaboration, we can address these concerns and achieve a positive out- come for all stakeholders involved.”</p><p>The Civil Aviation Authority of The Bahamas, in anticipating industry questions, said: “Unfortunately, no, there are no sample exams.” It did detail the type of questions that will be asked, but directed pilots and air crew to the 88-page syllabus - already deemed inadequate by the industry - for guidance on the nature of the questions and their content. Failure to take the exam will result in licence revocation or suspension.</p><p>“Pilots must have a thorough understanding of aviation law to operate aircraft safely, comply with regulations and ensure legal compliance during flights,” the Civil Aviation Authority of The Bahamas said of the justification for the exam.</p><p>“The examination will not necessarily improve your flying skills, but it will improve your knowledge of aviation in The Bahamas and will make you a more proficient and efficient airman in terms of requirements, obligations and rights you as an airman have when operating in The Bahamas.”</p>

paragraph:
BALPA ‘strongly urges’ regulator to delay rolling-out the new ‘air law examination’ that all pilots and airmen must take and pass if their relevant licences are to be issued or renewed. The exam requirement took effect on Saturday, June 1, but other pilots and aviation operators are warning that there has been inadequate time to prepare.


id: c80f4a31
source: The Tribune
title: BTC: Eleuthera sabotage was an 'extortion' attempt
category: Business
href: http://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/jun/04/btc-eleuthera-sabotage-was-extortion-attempt/?news
datetimeScraped: 2024-06-04T10:15:03.907115
imgurl: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSJK6abWOYWfypMg8g9piEGFST7MGaD5htEEg&usqp=CAU
summary:
<p>The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) yesterday asserted that its fibre optic cables serving Eleuthera were deliberately cut in a bid to extort money from it over a land dispute.</p><p>The carrier, in a statement, said it expected all mobile, TV, Internet and fixed-line voice services in impacted areas across Eleuthera to be restored within the next 24 hours after they were severed last Thursday by what it alleges is an act of sabotage.</p><p>Stephen Coakley-Wells, BTC’s director of legal and government affairs, and corporate secretary, said the near five-day service disruption stems from a dispute as to who owns the property where BTC’s fibre optic cable infrastructure makes landfall in Eleuthera.</p><p>The property in question is located close to the island’s iconic Glass Window Bridge, but Mr Coakley-Wells said a person - who he did not identify - had recently claimed that they own this land and are demanding that BTC pay them compensation for its use.</p><p>BTC said this person had failed on multiple occasions to provide it with documents proving their ownership of the land but, within the past month, supplied copies of a purported Crown Land grant dated May 3, 2024. They are now said to be demanding compensation from BTC for past use of the land, even though the Crown grant - if valid - only confirms they have ownership and legal title for just a month.</p><p>BTC said this person had frequently threatened to cut its fibre optic cables unless monies were paid, adding that it was “reliably informed” this threat was carried out last Thursday. “For decades, the landing point of BTC’s sub-sea fibre optics cable has been on a property in North Eleuthera in the vicinity of the Glass Window Bridge,” Mr Coakley-Wells said.</p><p>“Recently, an individual claiming to be the owner of this property has demanded compensation from BTC for the use of the property. In multiple discussions with this individual, BTC requested evidence of ownership of the land, which the individual was unable to produce.</p><p>“The individual has now provided BTC with photographic copies of what purports to be a Crown grant of the property dated May 3, 2024, and is now demanding immediate payment for the prior years that the equipment has been on the property from BTC, despite the fact that the individual’s ownership of the land by virtue of a Crown grant, if valid, only arises from the date that the Crown grant was issued.”</p><p>Mr Coakley-Wells continued: “In an attempt to extort compensation from BTC, the individual has repeatedly threatened to willfully and intentionally sever BTC’s fibre optics cable on the property. BTC is reliably informed that the individual carried out this threat last Thursday, interrupting BTC’s service in North Eleuthera and surrounding areas.</p><p>“We appreciate the public’s patience and understanding as we work to swiftly resolve this unacceptable disruption caused by the individual’s actions.” And BTC is seemingly not the only carrier impacted, as Cable Bahamas revealed that its TV, Internet and fixed-line voice services to south Eleuthera, as well as Aliv’s mobile offering, had been disrupted by what it described as “sabotage”.</p><p>While it did not explicitly say so, the BISX-listed communications provider appeared to be referring to the same incident as BTC. Both carriers share network facilities and infrastructure to help maximise efficiencies, and reduce costs, in delivering services to consumers, and fibre optic cables are often included in these deals.</p><p>“Cable Bahamas wishes to inform the public of an ongoing service disruption affecting our valued customers in southern Eleuthera, particularly areas south of the Glass Window Bridge. Our preliminary assessment indicates that this unfortunate incident may be a result of sabotage,” Cable Bahamas said in a statement yesterday.</p><p>“We have promptly engaged local law enforcement and security agencies to investigate this matter thoroughly. Security measures have been escalated across our network to prevent further incidents, ensuring the integrity and reliability of our services.</p><p>“Our technical teams are on the ground in Eleuthera, working diligently to restore connectivity. We have deployed additional resources, including emergency response units and technical specialists, to expedite repair works. We are making every effort to minimise downtime and expect to resume full services as quickly as possible,” it added.</p><p>“Cable Bahamas understands the critical importance of our services to residents, businesses,and emergency services. We deeply regret the inconvenience caused and are committed to restoring reliable communications to the community of Eleuthera.”</p><p>Mr Coakley-Wells, speaking on behalf of BTC, said: “We estimate that all landline, mobile and television services will be fully restored across impacted areas within the next 24 hours....</p><p>“We remind the public that it is unlawful and a punishable offence to intentionally damage or destroy essential telecommunications equipment. Such acts pose a serious national security risk to the country by disrupting vital communications.</p><p>“BTC maintains a number of contractual arrangements with property owners pertaining to the use of private land to secure critical BTC’s equipment on every single island in the country. BTC is well aware of its responsibility to adequately compensate these property owners for the use of their property, and complies with its contractual and regulatory obligations,” he added.</p><p>“BTC remains committed to providing reliable telecommunications services across The Bahamas and continues to engage diligently with all relevant stakeholders to prevent future attempts to sabotage BTC’s equipment.”</p>

paragraph:
The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) said its fibre optic cables serving Eleuthera were deliberately cut in a bid to extort money from it over a land dispute. The carrier, in a statement, said it expected all mobile, TV, Internet and fixed-line voice services in impacted areas to be restored within the next 24 hours.


id: 0309391b
source: The Tribune
title: Finance chief: Why 'uproar' over aviation fee increases?
category: Local
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-26T13:30:07.436795
href:
https://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/jul/26/finance-chief-why-uproar-over-aviation-fee-increases/?news

imgurl:
https://thetribune.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2022/01/07/06-1-2021_-_Weekly_Press_Briefing_-_photos_by_Donavan_McIntosh-2_t670.jpg?b3f6a5d7692ccc373d56e40cf708e3fa67d9af9d

summary:
<p>The Government’s top finance official yesterday challenged the “uproar” over the increase in Customs and other aviation fees, adding: “Persons who benefit from our country should pay their fair share.”</p><p>Simon Wilson, the Ministry of Finance’s financial secretary, defended the Davis administration’s decision to increase “inbound” and “outbound” Customs fees for aviation operators at a Rotary Club of West Nassau meeting.</p><p>He reiterated that Family Island airports are in dire need of upgrades, and it is a globally-established principle that users should contribute to the cost of those improvements and ongoing maintenance since they will end up benefiting from this.</p><p>“No Bahamian would disagree that there have to be improvements in airport facilities in the Family Islands. I think no Bahamian would also disagree that that the user should contribute. Persons who use the facilities should contribute,” Mr Wilson said.</p><p>“Most of the air traffic in this country is private airlines, especially to the Family Islands. Most of the Family Island traffic is not two-seaters and three-seaters and private owner flyers. Most of them are chartered jets.”</p><p>Mr Wilson said it is “straightforward” that persons using and benefiting from airport facilities should “pay their fair share of taxes”, and the magnitude of the fee increases should not be cause for such an “uproar” from private plane owners and pilots.</p><p>He added: “If you look at the numbers, the numbers would tell you The Bahamas is the number one private jet aviation destination in the Caribbean. The question you need to ask yourself is how much does it cost to charter a jet from the US to North Eleuthera, and if we charge $50 more should that be an uproar or all the news print that we are getting for charging $50 more?</p><p>“As right-thinking Bahamians, we should all be saying: ‘This is our country. We have to build this country, and persons who benefit from our country should pay their fair share of taxes. To me, it’s straightforward.”</p><p>Mr Wilson said visitors to the Family Islands often fly in on G-5 jets, and demand better runways and facilities, but airports are costly to upgrade so money has to be raised by increasing user fees.</p><p>He said: “When we look at the traffic in the country, it is not Aztecs flying in from Miami or wherever, which was 50 years ago. The composition of traffic has changed so much, and these persons are demanding services. They’re saying we want better runways, we want better taxi ways, we want better terminals and so forth.</p><p>“As a country, we have to borrow and invest to provide those services. Our citizens are demanding better services. No longer do our citizens want to stand in a shed waiting for the Bahamasair plane. And the way you have to do that is you have to raise taxes. I think that’s a message we can’t ignore. These investments cost money and the way we get the money is raise taxes.”</p><p>Mr Wilson said the Government tries to be “prudent and moderate” with tax increases but sometimes they are “inevitable”. He added: “We try to be very prudent and moderate with any change in tax rates. Increased tax rates are always a very difficult thing, and that for us is always the last step we will take. But there has to be understanding that, at the end of the day, in some areas that is inevitable.”</p><p>One private pilot estimated to Tribune Business that The Bahamas could lose between “50,000-100,000 flights per year right now because of the fees” being increased.</p><p>Private planes brought 323,000 air arrivals, or one out of every six higher-spending stopover visitors, to this nation in 2023. Some 95,000 of that number came from Florida alone and, giving an insight into what is at stake, the total was more than combined visitor numbers from Canada, Europe and Latin America.</p><p>The Customs Management (Amendment) Regulations 2024 changed the aircraft inbound and outbound fee structure such that it appears a private plane with more than four seats now pays three times’ what a regularly scheduled commercial jet does.</p><p>Under the new fee structure, commercial jets have to pay a $50 “inbound” and $50 “outbound” fee for a total of $100. However, a private plane with four seats or less “including all seats in the cabin” is now faced with paying $75 each way for a total of $150.</p><p>That is slightly more than the $100 fee for a commercial jet, but private aircraft with more than four seats “including all seats in the cabin” now face having to pay $150 “inbound” and “outbound” fees to Customs for a total $300. So-called “recreational” flights will only pay $150 “inbound”, but cargo flights will see a $150 fee levied on both “inbound” and “outbound” trips involving The Bahamas.</p><p>For private planes and private aviation, the fee increases represent a three-fold and six-fold increase, respectively, on the previous Customs fee structure which was $50 “inbound” and zero “outbound”. Meanwhile, the Customs fee increases have coincided with the new and higher charges levied by Bimini’s new private airport operator, which also took effect on July 1.</p><p>These have imposed a range of landing and parking fees on private aviation operators, as well as commercial airlines, along with new passenger facility and processing fees. These are being viewed as setting a precedent, and a foretaste of further fees to come at other Family Island airports when the Government outsources their redevelopment to other private operators and investors.</p><p>Bimini Airport Development Partners (BAPF), in an updated May 3, 2024, notice to commercial, charter and private aviation customers, served warning of its intent to impose a passenger facility fee on travellers from July 1, 2024, this year. These fees were set at $20 for domestic travellers, and doubled to $40 for international passengers.</p><p>Meanwhile, the passenger processing fee was pegged at $5 for domestic, and $10 for international, travellers with both categories also having to pay a $1 “passenger levy”. In total, these additional fees come to $26 for domestic passengers and $51 for their international counterparts, and are on top of the $29 per head departure tax.</p><p>The BADP fee schedule then reveals that the passenger facility fee is being increased to $25 for domestic travellers, and $45 for international passengers, with effect from January 1, 2025. And the passenger processing fee will rise to $6 for domestic, and $12 for international, travellers with effect from that same date. Thus persons leaving Bimini to travel outside The Bahamas will have to pay an extra $58.</p>

paragraph:
Simon Wilson defended the Davis administration’s decision to increase “inbound’ and “outbound” Customs fees for aviation operators. He reiterated that Family Island airports are in dire need of upgrades.


id: 420c4d66
source: The Tribune
title: The Psychology of Dealing with Loss: Failing When It Counts
category: Local
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-26T13:45:04.969418
href:
https://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/jul/26/the-psychology-of-dealing-with-loss-failing-when-it-counts/?news

imgurl:

summary:
<p>By DR KENT BAZARD</p><p>IN the world of sports, success and failure are two sides of the same coin. While victories are celebrated and lauded, losses often leave athletes grappling with disappointment and self-doubt. With the pressure of the upcoming Olympics weighing heavily on athletes around the globe, understanding the psychology of dealing with loss, especially when failure occurs at crucial moments, is essential for athletes, coaches, and sports enthusiasts. This week, we delve into the mental resilience required to cope with failure and the strategies that can transform setbacks into comebacks.</p><p>The Sting of Defeat</p><p>Losing is an inevitable part of sports. Missing a decisive shot, losing a critical match, or falling short in a championship game can have a profound emotional impact. For athletes who pour their heart and soul into their sport, these emotions can be overwhelming. The stakes are even higher as we approach the Olympics, where the pressure to perform is at its peak and the whole world is watching.</p><p>The psychological effects of losing, particularly in high-stakes situations like the Olympics, can manifest in various ways. Athletes may experience a loss of confidence, questioning their abilities and doubting their future potential. This self-doubt can lead to decreased motivation, negatively impacting training and performance. The fear of failure may also create anxiety, causing athletes to become overly cautious or hesitant in future competitions.</p><p>Research in sports psychology highlights the significant mental toll of loss. Studies show that athletes who fail to manage the psychological impact of defeat are more likely to experience burnout and disengage from their sport. Conversely, those who develop effective coping strategies are better equipped to bounce back and continue pursuing their goals.</p><p>1. Acceptance and Reflection:</p><p>The first step in dealing with loss is accepting the outcome. Athletes need to acknowledge their disappointment without letting it define them. Reflecting on the performance, identifying areas for improvement, and recognizing what went well can provide valuable insights. This process encourages a growth mindset, where failure is viewed as an opportunity for learning rather than a definitive judgment on one’s abilities.</p><p>Bottling up emotions can be detrimental to mental health. Athletes should be encouraged to express their feelings, through talking with a coach, confiding in a teammate, or seeking support from a sports psychologist. Openly discussing the emotional impact of loss can alleviate the burden and foster a sense of camaraderie and understanding.</p><p>3. Setting Realistic Goals:</p><p>After a significant loss, it’s essential to set realistic, achievable goals. Breaking down long-term objectives into smaller, manageable steps can help athletes regain their focus and motivation. Celebrating small victories along the way reinforces a sense of progress and keeps the momentum going.</p><p>4. Visualization and Mental Rehearsal:</p><p>Visualization is a powerful tool in sports psychology. Athletes can use mental imagery to rehearse successful performances and visualize overcoming obstacles. This technique not only boosts confidence but also primes the mind for future success. Visualizing oneself handling pressure and executing skills flawlessly can create a positive mental framework for upcoming competitions.</p><p>5. Building a Support System:</p><p>A strong support system is crucial for emotional resilience. Coaches, teammates, family, and friends play a vital role in providing encouragement and perspective. Knowing that others believe in their potential can help athletes stay motivated and focused on their journey.</p><p>Consider the example of Michael Jordan, widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Jordan’s illustrious career was not without setbacks. He famously missed over 9,000 shots and lost nearly 300 games, including 26 game-winning shots. Yet, he used these failures as fuel to drive his relentless pursuit of excellence. Jordan’s mindset exemplifies the power of resilience and the ability to turn failure into a catalyst for success.</p><p>Similarly, Serena Williams, a tennis legend, has faced numerous defeats throughout her career. Williams has consistently demonstrated resilience by bouncing back stronger after each setback. Her mental toughness and unwavering belief in her abilities have been key factors in her continued dominance on the court.</p><p>The Role of Coaches and Sports Psychologists</p><p>Coaches and sports psychologists play a pivotal role in helping athletes navigate the psychological challenges of losing. Coaches can foster a positive team culture that values effort and improvement over winning at all costs.</p><p>Providing constructive feedback, encouraging resilience, and promoting a healthy perspective on competition are essential aspects of their role.</p><p>Sports psychologists, on the other hand, can offer specialized support. Techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and relaxation exercises can help athletes manage stress and anxiety.</p><p>Developing mental skills, such as focus and concentration, enhances an athlete’s ability to perform under pressure and recover from setbacks.</p><p>When managing the aftermath of a loss, it’s crucial to address both the psychological and physical aspects.</p><p>A comprehensive approach involves regular mental health check-ins, personalized therapy sessions, and even group therapy where athletes can share experiences and strategies. Sports medicine physicians and psychologists work hand in hand to develop tailored recovery programs that include mental conditioning alongside physical rehabilitation.</p><p>Dealing with loss is an intrinsic part of the athletic experience. Failure can be disheartening, but it also presents an opportunity for growth and development.</p><p>By adopting effective coping strategies, athletes can build resilience, maintain their motivation, and continue striving for excellence.</p><p>Understanding the psychology of loss and learning how to harness its lessons is crucial for achieving long-term success in sports, especially with the looming pressure of the Olympics.</p><p>As we reflect on the importance of mental resilience, let us remember that the journey of an athlete is not solely defined by victories and defeats but by the unwavering spirit to persevere and triumph over adversity.</p><p>• Dr. Kent Bazard, a sports medicine physician at Empire Sports Medicine, specializes in ensuring athletes reach their peak performance safely. With extensive experience and a passion for sports health, Dr. Bazard provides insights and guidance for athletes of all ages.</p>

paragraph:
Losing is an inevitable part of sports, especially in high-stakes situations like the Olympics. Athletes who fail to manage the psychological impact of defeat are more likely to experience burnout and disengage from their sport. Those who develop effective coping strategies are better equipped to bounce back.


id: dc946fd4
source: The Tribune
title: BAAA rolls out 16-member team for World U20 Championships
category: Local
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-26T13:45:05.193610
href:
https://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/jul/26/baaa-rolls-out-16-member-team-for-world-u20-championships/?news

imgurl:
https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1580541631971-a0e8ce42e97f?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=MnwxMjA3fDB8MHxzZWFyY2h8Mnx8dGhlJTIwYmFoYW1hc3xlbnwwfHwwfHw%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=500&q=60

summary:
<p>THE next event on the World Athletics Series will be the World Athletics U20 Championships to be hosted in Lima, Peru, August 27-31 at the National Stadium of Peru.</p><p>The Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) rolled out a 16-member contingent yesterday, set to represent The Bahamas at the five-day event in roughly one month.</p><p>The 16-member group features an array of gifted track and field athletes which includes Shania Adderley (400m), Quincy Penn (400m) Shayann Demeritte (100m), Kei-Mahri Hanna (400mH), Calea Jackson (discus), Nia Richards (200m), Alexis Roberts (200m), Taysha Stubbs (javelin), Jeremiah Adderley (100m), Carlos Brown (100m and 200m), Andrew Styles (200m), Tahj Brown (100mH), Justin Hanna (high jump), Zion Miller (400m), Tayshaun Robinson (110mH) and Brenden Vanderpool (pole vault).</p><p>Team Bahamas will be under the tutelage of head coach Daron Lightbourne. Other members of the coaching staff include Corrington Maycock and Ravanno Ferguson. Laketah Charlton will serve as the team manager.</p><p>Coach Lightbourne shared his expectations for this talented group of athletes.</p><p>“My expectations are just really for these athletes to have the idea that they can go out there and compete against the world, show them that The Bahamas has great talent like anyone in the world and just believe in the training they have been doing all year. It is the end of the year and a lot of them mentally may not be there but I just want them to believe in themselves and believe in their coaching. They will have my support, the support of the coaching staff and management,” he said.</p><p>The Bahamas turned in some memorable performances at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Cali, Colombia.</p><p>The nation came away with a gold and bronze medal to finish in a five-way tie for 18th place.</p><p>Earning the country’s two medals were javelin maestro Keyshawn Strachan and 110m hurdles national record holder Antoine Andrews.</p><p>The latter cemented his name in Bahamian history books as the reigning junior national record holder of the 110m hurdles event. He outwilled his competitors with a World U20 leading time of 13.23 seconds for The Bahamas’ lone gold medal. Strachan snagged the third podium spot in the men’s javelin event with a toss of 72.95m.</p><p>Coach Lightbourne is anticipating some great performances from this group in Lima, Peru and wants the athletes to give it their all.</p><p>“We have a person like Taysha who is doing well in javelin. We know Zion is among the top in the 400m. We have Carlos Brown who is doing extremely well this year running personal bests in the 100m and 200m events. I think once they go out there and treat each round like it is the finals they will do extremely well. By leaving everything out on the line they can make The Bahamas proud,” he said.</p><p>The head coach acknowledged that because it is late in the season there might be a mental block for athletes but he plans to keep them motivated by encouraging camaraderie and not putting too much pressure on them ahead of the U20 Championships.</p><p>The qualification window for athletes will close on August 4.</p><p>A total of 897 athletes are expected to compete across 45 events at the end of August.</p><p>Lima is the first country in Peru to host a World Athletics Series event.</p>

paragraph:
The World Athletics U20 Championships will be hosted in Lima, Peru, August 27-31. The Bahamas rolled out a 16-member contingent yesterday, set to represent The Bahamas at the five-day event in roughly one month.


id: 39136951
source: The Tribune
title: Lamar, Rhanishka ready to make a splash at Olympics
category: Local
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-26T13:45:05.240532
href:
https://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/jul/26/lamar-rhanishka-ready-to-make-a-splash-at-olympics/?news

imgurl:
https://thetribune.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2023/10/25/Pan_American_Games_Swimming_23297722987320_3_t670.jpg?b3f6a5d7692ccc373d56e40cf708e3fa67d9af9d

summary:
<p>PARIS, France — As the first two competitors to represent the Bahamas in competition at the 2024 Olympic Games, Lamar Taylor and Rhanishka Gibbs have expressed their delight in getting the ball rolling for Team Bahamas in the swimming competition.</p><p>Taylor will make the splash first in the men’s 100 metres freestyle on Tuesday, August 30.</p><p>“I feel pretty good. I’ve made the adjustment here after spending a week leading up to the games in Ireland training to sort of get used to the time zone,” Taylor said. “I feel like the training camp in Ireland has certainly helped me to adjust to the time zone and to be able to get ready to swim next week.”</p><p>Although he’s coming off another long collegiate season at Henderson State, the 21-year-old Taylor, who will be making the transition to the University of Tennessee after the games, said his expectations are not that lofty.</p><p>“I just want to be able to swim my PR (personal best) as I drop my time and set another Bahamian national record,” said Taylor of his record of 49.44. “If I can make it back out for a semifinal swim or even get into the final, that would be great. If I can make a final, anything is possible. “So I’m just going in with a clear mind to see what I can do.”</p><p>Having just arrived in Paris yesterday, Taylor said he didn’t have sufficient time to interact with the rest of Team Bahamas, but he’s excited to be here with Gibbs, whom he gets along with very good whenever they get to represent the Bahamas on any international team. He was even more thrilled to have Travano McPhee, his long time coach from Mako Swim Club, as the coach of the team.</p><p>The 18-year-old Gibbs, on the other hand, will have some extra time to get ready for competition as she’ won’t be contesting the women’s 50 metres freestyle until August 3. “I’m excited to see what the Olympic experience holds for me,” she stated. “I am also looking forward to seeing what the track and field team will do.”</p><p>In the meantime, she said she will be rooting for Taylor as he breaks the ice for Team Bahamas.</p><p>“Before I came here, coach Camron Bruny was taking me through a lot of sprint workouts and detail stuff, trying to fix my stroke because the 50m is really a sprint race,” Gibbs pointed out.</p><p>“So everything needs to be executed perfectly. That was what we were trying to work on.”</p><p>As for the games, Gibbs, who just completed her freshman year at Texas Christian University, said she just wants to swim fast and get a PB and a Bahamas record in the process.</p><p>McPhee said from what he’s seen so far yesterday, the swimmers are in high gear and eager to get out there and compete.</p><p>“There’s a lot of energy from the other countries because this is the highest level of sports that you can achieve in your career, so I’m really excited to see Lamar and Rhanishka reach this level,” he said.</p><p>“I’m excited to see how well they have excelled and reached this level. They both want to break the national record, so we are looking forward to see how well they do once we get past the opening ceremonies. I think they are both ready to swim very well next week.”</p>

paragraph:
Lamar Taylor and Rhanishka Gibbs are the first two competitors to represent the Bahamas in competition at the 2024 Olympic Games. Taylor will make the splash first in the men’s 100 metres freestyle on Tuesday, August 30. Gibbs will have some extra time to get ready for competition as she’ won’t be contesting the women’S 50m freestyle until August 3.


id: 039abc51
source: The Tribune
title: Neeley family makes trek from Bahamas to the Olympic Games in Paris, France
category: Local
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-26T13:45:07.610028
href:
https://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/jul/26/neeley-family-makes-trek-from-bahamas-to-the-olympic-games-in-paris-france/?news

imgurl:

summary:
<p>PARIS, France — It’s everybody’s dream to either participate or spectate at an Olympic Games.</p><p>The latter was on the bucket list for the husband and wife team of Beryn and Shanel Neeley, who wanted to provide a lifetime experience for their 13-year-old son, Khai.</p><p>The Neeley family made the trek from the Bahamas on Wednesday and arrived in Paris on the same connecting flight from Nassau to London to Paris with Tribune chief sports editor Brent Stubbs.</p><p>Dressed in their matching yellow and white Androsian print shirts and white pants, the family said they want to support Team Bahamas and also take advantage of the Olympic experience.</p><p>“We have gotten our tickets already for most of the events that we would like to attend,” Beryn said as the spokesman for the family.</p><p>“We are excited about being in Paris. We planned to make one of these trips years ago, but we just decided to do it now. We are trying to kill two birds with one stone, being in Paris and enjoying the Olympic experience.</p><p>“We always get to watch the Olympics on TV, but I think this time it will be an even better experience for us. We will get to see it in person.”</p><p>The Neeley’s of course have purchased tickets to watch the men’s and women’s 100 metres finals, the 400m finals featuring Bahamian Shaunae Miller-Uibo and Steven Gardiner and the mixed relays “because we have a team in that as well.”</p><p>But wife Shanel could not pass up the moment and interjected that they will not miss the women’s 100m hurdles finals where they hope to see all three Bahamians - Devynne Charlton, Denisha Cartwright and Charisma Taylor - make it to the final.”</p><p>The Neeleys have also indicated that they are not overlooking swimming where the Bahamas will be represented by Lamar Taylor and Rhanishka Gibbs and they will also attend some gymnastics to watch the Americans put on a display.</p><p>Khai, who is entering the ninth grade at Queen’s College, said he can’t come all the way to Paris and as an advert basketball player and golfer, he will not want to pass up the opportunity to watch the American men’s basketball team in action. He didn’t elaborate on who he was pulling for only to say he wants to see them all, though he’s a little disappointed that the Bahamas didn’t get to qualify after getting knocked out by Spain in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.</p><p>“I think it’s a great opportunity because not too many people my age get to see these types of things,” he quipped. “I think it’s a good opportunity for me to be here.”</p><p>The Neeleys will be in Paris for the duration of the games that end on August 11 and they hope to take lasting experiences back home with them to The Bahamas.</p>

paragraph:
The Neeley family made the trek from the Bahamas on Wednesday and arrived in Paris on the same connecting flight from Nassau to London. The family said they want to support Team Bahamas and also take advantage of the Olympic experience.


id: 5cc800a9
source: The Tribune
title: Athletes are all set for Olympics opening ceremony on Seine River
category: Local
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-26T13:45:07.921649
href:
https://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/jul/26/athletes-are-all-set-for-olympics-opening-ceremony-on-seine-river/?news

imgurl:
https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1596757273507-963901ba2df9?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=MnwxMjA3fDB8MHxwaG90by1wYWdlfHx8fGVufDB8fHx8&auto=format&fit=crop&w=735&q=80

summary:
<p>PARIS, France — Cora Hepburn, who serves as the first female chef de mission for Team Bahamas, has confirmed that reigning Olympic men’s champion Steven Gardiner and world female indoor record holder Devynne Charlton will be the flag bearers during the opening ceremonies today for the 2024 Olympic Games.</p><p>The ceremonies is all set to begin at 7:30pm and for the first time will not be staged inside the games’ track and field stadium, but rather on the waterfront in Paris. It’s expected to be a spectacular show with the participants being hosted on the river bank in a number of boats.</p><p>Hepburn, listed as the first female to serve as a vice president of the Bahamas Olympic Committee, indicated yesterday that all of the Bahamas team arrived in the Games Village up to last night with the exception of female javelin thrower Rhema Otabor and sprinter Ian Kerr. She noted that there was a slight problem with their flight, but they should be in town by today, hopefully in time for the 7:30pm opening ceremonies. “We’re just waiting on our javelin thrower and our sprinter to come in,” Hepburn said.</p><p>“Other than that, all of the athletes are here and they have settled in and they are making the necessary adjustments and getting ready to compete next week when we start off with our two swimmers, Lamar Taylor and Rhanishka Gibbs.”</p><p>As expected with every Olympics, Hepburn said there are some adjustments that the management team has to deal with and she and her team, including Barron ‘Turbo’ Musgrove, the team leader, are making the adjustments to ensure that the team is comfortable and don’t have anything to worry about than to compete.”</p><p>BOC president Romell Knowles as well as secretary general Derron Donaldson are also in Paris, ensuring that there is smooth sailing for Team Bahamas.</p><p>Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg and his Director of Sports Kelsie Johnson-Sills, are also in Paris and are preparing to host a team reception before the competition starts for the Bahamas.</p><p>“Right now, everything is going good,” Hepburn said.</p><p>“We are really looking forward to some great performances from our team.”</p><p>Hepburn noted that while everybody is talking about Gardiner and Shaunae Miller-Uibo, who is also the two-time Olympic gold medallist in the women’s 400 metres, she wants the country to look out for the dynamic trio, who will carry the Bahamian flag in the women’s 100m hurdles in Charlton, Denisha Cartwright and Charisma Taylor. “It was 24 years ago that we had three female sprinters in the women’s 100 metres with Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie, Sevatheda Fynes and Chandra Sturrup,” she pointed out. “For the first time at these games, we will have three female competitors in the women’s 100m hurdles. That is something that is unheard of for a small country like ours. I think our athletes will really do well at these games.”</p><p>Since Frank Rutherford broke the ceiling in Barcelona, Spain with his bronze in the men’s triple jump, the Bahamas has walked away from every consecutive games with at least one medal and eventually securing the title as the winner of the games per capita.</p><p>No doubt, the Bahamas is far away from being on top of the leaderboard in the medal count, but it’s a feat that doesn’t go un-noticed.</p><p>The only question is: Who will win a medal or two or three for the Bahamas this year? Only time will tell as the competition swings out on Saturday and wraps up on Sunday, August 12 here in Paris.</p><p>The Bahamas is being represented by two swimmers and 20 athletes in track and field.</p>

paragraph:
Steven Gardiner and Devynne Charlton will be the flag bearers during the opening ceremonies today for the 2024 Olympic Games. The ceremonies is all set to begin at 7:30pm and for the first time will not be staged inside the games’ track and field stadium, but rather on the waterfront in Paris.


id: 889739d9
source: The Tribune
title: Nygard's lawyers ask for six-year sentence for crimes
category: Local
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-26T14:15:04.225327
href:
https://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/jul/26/nygards-lawyers-ask-for-six-year-sentence-for-crimes/?news

imgurl:
https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1592913891433-cb1ea0675824?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=MnwxMjA3fDB8MHxzZWFyY2h8OTV8fHRoZSUyMGJhaGFtYXN8ZW58MHx8MHx8&auto=format&fit=crop&w=600&q=60

summary:
<p>PETER Nygard’s legal team in Canada suggested he be sentenced to six years in prison for his sexual assault convictions, citing his age, health and heart conditions.</p><p>Their comments in a Toronto court yesterday as Nygard’s sentencing hearing continued came after prosecutors argued that the former Lyford Cay resident should be sentenced to 15 years in prison.</p><p>Nygard’s lawyer, Gerri Wiebe, asked a judge to grant him credit for time already served at a ratio of 1:1.5 for the over 1000 days Nygard was detained.</p><p>If Superior Court Justice Robert Goldstein grants the request, Nygard could serve less than two years. He was convicted in November of four counts of sexual assault involving victims –– including a 16-year-old –– he attacked between the 1980s and early 2000s.</p><p>Ms Wiebe urged the judge to consider the poor conditions at the Toronto South Detention Centre when he makes his decision.</p><p>She said chronic pain management is a particular concern in federal institutions, as well as “bullying, victimisation, and assault on older inmates”.</p><p>Justice Goldstein noted that records show Nygard has the resources for a lawyer council to advocate on his behalf while he is detained at Toronto South Detention Centre and expressed confidence that the 83-year-old will be safe.</p><p>He added that Nygard’s stay at Toronto South Detention Centre is not guaranteed, and provincial correctional authorities would decide whether to transfer him to the provincial system to serve his time.</p><p>Crown prosecutor Neville Golwalla said Nygard has consistently used medical reasons to postpone court proceedings, saying there had been eight months of adjournment to collect medical records.</p><p>“I would encourage this court or any other court that’s involved in this matter to consider materials filed at other proceedings relating to Mr Nygard –– the bail hearings, the bail reviews, all about medical medical medical has been the mantra if I can put it that way, and I’m not trying to be pejorative, but Mr Nygard has been raising medical issues throughout his detention,” Mr Golwalla said.</p><p>“You haven’t heard from one doctor.”</p><p>Superior Judge Goldstein adjourned the sentencing to next Friday, adding he wants to sentence Nygard as soon as possible.</p><p>He ruled that three affidavits and two volumes of character references Nygard’s legal team submitted would be made public, but Nygard’s medical records would not be released.</p>

paragraph:
Nygard’s lawyer, Gerri Wiebe, asked a judge to grant him credit for time already served at a ratio of 1:1.5 for the over 1000 days Nygard was detained. He was convicted in November of four counts of sexual assault involving victims –– including a 16-year-old.


id: 648b0fee
source: The Tribune
title: Man accused of house-breaking
category: Local
href: https://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/jul/26/man-accused-of-house-breaking/?news
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-26T14:15:04.534175
imgurl:
https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1580541631971-a0e8ce42e97f?ixlib=rb-4.0.3&ixid=MnwxMjA3fDB8MHxzZWFyY2h8Mnx8dGhlJTIwYmFoYW1hc3xlbnwwfHwwfHw%3D&auto=format&fit=crop&w=500&q=60

summary:
<p>A MAN was remanded to prison yesterday after he was accused of breaching his bail for a house-breaking offence.</p><p>Magistrate Samuel McKinney charged Tori Saunders, 25, with violation of bail conditions.</p><p>Saunders, who was on Supreme Court bail, allegedly failed to charge his monitoring device in Harbour Island between June 2 and July 23.</p><p>After pleading not guilty to the charge, the defendant was informed that he would be remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until he is returned to court on July 30.</p><p>Quinton Percentie represented the accused.</p>

paragraph:
Tori Saunders, 25, was charged with violation of bail conditions. He allegedly failed to charge his monitoring device between June 2 and July 23.


id: a54864ed
source: The Tribune
title: Bail over theft charge
category: Local
href: https://www.tribune242.com/news/2024/jul/26/bail-over-theft-charge/?news
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-26T14:15:04.811311
imgurl:

summary:
<p>A MAN was granted $10,000 bail after he was accused of stealing $25,000 worth of property from a Yamacraw clothing store earlier this month.</p><p>Senior Magistrate Shaka Serville arraigned Journel Louis, 39, for shopbreaking, stealing and receiving.</p><p>Louis is accused of breaking into Sole Junkies Store at Ivory Plaza on Yamacraw Hill Road and stealing $25,000 worth of clothing inventory between July 16 and 17.</p><p>After pleading not guilty to the charges, Louis was informed that he must be fitted with a monitoring device.</p><p>In addition to surrendering his passport, the defendant must also sign in at the Quakoo Street Police Station every Tuesday and Saturday by 10pm.</p><p>Louis’ trial begins on October 4.</p>

paragraph:
Journel Louis, 39, was arraigned for shopbreaking, stealing and receiving. He is accused of breaking into Sole Junkies Store and stealing $25,000 worth of clothing inventory. Louis was informed that he must be fitted with a monitoring device.


id: 09c549db
source: Bahamas Press
title: Public Hospitals Authority Provides Update on Diesel Fumes and Spill
category: Local
href: https://www.bahamaspress.com/public-hospitals-authority-provides-update-on-diesel-fumes-and-spill/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-25T17:21:27+00:00
imgurl: https://www.bahamaspress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/pmh2.1_t670.jpg
summary:
<p>STATEMENT: The Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) wishes to advise that the Rand Lab (Morgue) has resumed normal operations since Friday, July 19, 2024, following a brief closure last week in response to a diesel spill in an isolated decommissioned boiler room.</p><p>As an organization dedicated to the safety and well-being of our patients and staff, PHA undertook immediate action to address the diesel spill incident as communicated on Saturday, July 20.</p><p>Working closely with relevant stakeholders and industry partners, all necessary measures were promptly implemented to ensure a swift resolution to the issue.</p><p>Mr. Anthony Ryan, Public Analyst II from the Ministry of Health, commended the management team for their proactive steps in remediating the spill. Employees affected by the incident were advised to seek medical assistance at the Employee Health services to guarantee their well-being.</p><p>Efforts to clean the affected areas included the collection and absorption of the spilled diesel, as well as the application of an industrial solvent and degreaser through repeat treatments.</p><p>Continuous monitoring of air quality is being conducted with the assistance of Mr. Ryan to ensure a safe and odor-free environment for all.</p><p>Although initial cleanup procedures were implemented following advice from environmental experts, concerns regarding persistent odor were raised by staff members. Subsequent inspections revealed only a faint residual odor. In response to these concerns, PHA has partnered with Rubis for a final cleanup alongside the clearing of drains at the premises.</p><p>Feedback lines are available for internal and external stakeholders to address concerns at 242.825.3438 for Princess Margaret Hospital, or 242.250.6700 ext.2079 for Rand Memorial Hospital.</p><p>PHA remains committed to transparent communication and proactive measures to address any issues that may arise. We appreciate the cooperation and understanding of our valued staff and the public as we work diligently to maintain a safe environment within our facilities.</p>

paragraph:
The Rand Lab (Morgue) has resumed normal operations since Friday, July 19, 2024, following a brief closure last week in response to a diesel spill. The diesel spill occurred in an isolated decommissioned boiler room.


id: 4258eaee
source: Bahamas Press
title: Minister Myles Laroda mourns the loss of his son
category: Local
href: https://www.bahamaspress.com/minister-myles-laroda-mourns-the-loss-of-his-son/
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-25T19:28:46+00:00
imgurl: https://www.bahamaspress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1000075432.jpg
summary:
<p>NASSAU| The son of Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting Myles Laroda has died at age 40.</p><p>Marcian Laroda passed away at his home on Soldier Road on Saturday.</p><p>Laroda was remembered as a beloved family member. He leaves behind his father, grandmothers, sister and his brothers.</p><p>Minister Laroda, who began his political career in the 2021 General Election, has garnered respect as a newcomer to frontline politics.</p><p>His recent loss has drawn expressions of sympathy from colleagues, constituents, and the broader community.</p>

paragraph:
Marcian Laroda passed away at his home on Soldier Road on Saturday. He leaves behind his father, grandmothers, sister and his brothers.


id: e7b7300e
source: Bahamas Press
category: Local
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-25T22:26:56+00:00
imgurl: https://www.bahamaspress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Privy-Council.jpg
paragraph: Privy Council hearing on fraud case by a company registered in the Bahamas.
title:
Privy Council hears matter involving Attorney General (Appellant) vs Johnathan Reid, David Valdez-Lopez, Rudolph Kermit King and Celebrating Women International LTD...

href:
https://www.bahamaspress.com/privy-council-hears-matter-involving-attorney-general-appellant-vs-johnathan-reid-david-valdez-lopez-rudolph-kermit-king-and-celebrating-women-international-ltd/

summary:
<p>So People around here can rip-off the POST OFFICE, The Government of The UNITED STATES, A Credit Card Company and A Major Credit Card Company and STILL GET AWAY! WHAT IS THIS?!</p><p>Privy Council hearing on fraud case by a company registered in the Bahamas.</p><p>WATCH CASE LIVE: https://www.jcpc.uk/watch/jcpc-2021-0095/160724-am.html</p><p>Case ID: JCPC 2021/0095</p><p>Jurisdiction: Court of Appeal of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas</p><p>Whether the Court of Appeal erred in dismissing an appeal against the Supreme Court’s order discharging a restraint order made pursuant to a request for mutual legal assistance.</p><p>This appeal concerns the discharge of a restraint order dated 20 June 2017 (the “June 2017 Restraint Order”) restraining USD$2,079,000 (the “Funds”) held in two bank accounts with RBC Royal Bank Bahamas (“RBC” and the “RBC Accounts”) by CWI. The Funds were allegedly deposited into the RBC Accounts via cheque deposits drawn on accounts operated by CWI International Investments Limited at Sun Trust Bank in America (“CWI Investments” and “Sun Trust”). These cheque deposits were alleged to have taken place in December 2015 and January 2016. On 1 May 2017, the U.S. Department of Justice (the “DoJ”) made a request pursuant to a mutual legal assistance treaty between the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and the United States of America made on 18 August 1987 (the “MLAT Request” and the “MLA Treaty”). The MLAT Request set out the DoJ’s grounds for considering that the Funds were the proceeds of a fraud perpetrated on the Boeing Company Boeing Shared Services Group (“Boeing”) by Mr Reid and Mr Valdez-Lopez. On 19 June 2017, the AG issued an ex parte originating summons against Mr Reid and Mr Valdez-Lopez seeking the June 2017 Restraint Order, which was granted the following day by Grant Thompson J.</p><p>The MLAT Restraint Order was preceded by an earlier restraint order in relation to the Funds, made by Grant-Bethel J on 26 May 2016 (the “May 2016 Restraint Order”). The May 2016 Restraint Order was made in relation to anticipated domestic criminal proceedings concerning the same alleged fraud perpetrated against Boeing. The respondents to the May 2016 Restraint Order included CWI and certain of its officers. They sought a discharge of the order on the basis (inter alia) that the criminal proceedings had not been instituted within a reasonable time frame. The May 2016 Restraint Order was discharged on those grounds on 10 April 2018 by order of Grant-Thompson J.</p><p>The June 2017 Restraint Order was also discharged on 19 June 2019 by order of Grant-Thompson J. The judge held that the June 2017 Restraint Order should be discharged because it was based on the very same facts as the May 2016 Restraint Order, thereby constituting a Johnson v. Gore Wood [2002] 2 AC 1 type abuse of process. The AG appealed. On 14 September 2020, the AG sought to join CWI as a respondent (the “Joinder Application”). The Court of Appeal (Isaacs, Jones, and Evans JJA) acceded to the Joinder Application on 10 December 2020.</p><p>On 16 March 2021, Mr King and CWI filed a notice of preliminary objection which advanced a number of grounds on which they submitted the AG’s appeal should be struck out or dismissed. On 27 May 2021, the Court of Appeal (Isaacs, Jones, and Evans JJA) upheld one of those grounds, namely that the AG had breached his duty of full and frank disclosure in the course of the Joinder Application. In particular, the Court of Appeal found that the AG had failed to draw the Court’s attention to the fact that the MLAT Request had stated that CWI Investments’ account with Sun Trust had been closed on 23 January 2015 – i.e. almost one year prior to time when the cheque deposit were alleged to have been made from that account to the RBC Accounts. Permission to appeal was refused by the Court of Appeal on 19 July 2021. The AG now seeks leave to appeal from the Judicial Committee.</p><p>(1) Jonathan Reid, (2) David Valdez-Lopez</p><p>(1) Rudolph Kermit King, (2) Celebrating Women International Ltd</p><p>Lord Reed, Lord Lloyd Jones, Lord Hamblen, Lord Stephens, Lady Simler</p>


id: 1a7eed77
source: Bahamas Press
category: Local
datetimeScraped: 2024-07-25T22:26:56+00:00
imgurl: https://www.bahamaspress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Privy-Council.jpg
paragraph: Privy Council hearing on fraud case by a company registered in the Bahamas.
title:
Privy Council hears matter involving Attorney General (Appellant) vs Johnathan Reid, David Valdez-Lopez, Rudolph Kermit King and Celebrating Women International LTD (CWI)...

href:
https://www.bahamaspress.com/privy-council-hears-matter-involving-attorney-general-appellant-vs-johnathan-reid-david-valdez-lopez-rudolph-kermit-king-and-celebrating-women-international-ltd/

summary:
<p>So People around here can rip-off the POST OFFICE, The Government of The UNITED STATES, A Credit Card Company and A Major Credit Card Company and STILL GET AWAY! WHAT IS THIS?!</p><p>Privy Council hearing on fraud case by a company registered in the Bahamas.</p><p>WATCH CASE LIVE: https://www.jcpc.uk/watch/jcpc-2021-0095/160724-am.html</p><p>Case ID: JCPC 2021/0095</p><p>Jurisdiction: Court of Appeal of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas</p><p>Whether the Court of Appeal erred in dismissing an appeal against the Supreme Court’s order discharging a restraint order made pursuant to a request for mutual legal assistance.</p><p>This appeal concerns the discharge of a restraint order dated 20 June 2017 (the “June 2017 Restraint Order”) restraining USD$2,079,000 (the “Funds”) held in two bank accounts with RBC Royal Bank Bahamas (“RBC” and the “RBC Accounts”) by CWI. The Funds were allegedly deposited into the RBC Accounts via cheque deposits drawn on accounts operated by CWI International Investments Limited at Sun Trust Bank in America (“CWI Investments” and “Sun Trust”). These cheque deposits were alleged to have taken place in December 2015 and January 2016. On 1 May 2017, the U.S. Department of Justice (the “DoJ”) made a request pursuant to a mutual legal assistance treaty between the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and the United States of America made on 18 August 1987 (the “MLAT Request” and the “MLA Treaty”). The MLAT Request set out the DoJ’s grounds for considering that the Funds were the proceeds of a fraud perpetrated on the Boeing Company Boeing Shared Services Group (“Boeing”) by Mr Reid and Mr Valdez-Lopez. On 19 June 2017, the AG issued an ex parte originating summons against Mr Reid and Mr Valdez-Lopez seeking the June 2017 Restraint Order, which was granted the following day by Grant Thompson J.</p><p>The MLAT Restraint Order was preceded by an earlier restraint order in relation to the Funds, made by Grant-Bethel J on 26 May 2016 (the “May 2016 Restraint Order”). The May 2016 Restraint Order was made in relation to anticipated domestic criminal proceedings concerning the same alleged fraud perpetrated against Boeing. The respondents to the May 2016 Restraint Order included CWI and certain of its officers. They sought a discharge of the order on the basis (inter alia) that the criminal proceedings had not been instituted within a reasonable time frame. The May 2016 Restraint Order was discharged on those grounds on 10 April 2018 by order of Grant-Thompson J.</p><p>The June 2017 Restraint Order was also discharged on 19 June 2019 by order of Grant-Thompson J. The judge held that the June 2017 Restraint Order should be discharged because it was based on the very same facts as the May 2016 Restraint Order, thereby constituting a Johnson v. Gore Wood [2002] 2 AC 1 type abuse of process. The AG appealed. On 14 September 2020, the AG sought to join CWI as a respondent (the “Joinder Application”). The Court of Appeal (Isaacs, Jones, and Evans JJA) acceded to the Joinder Application on 10 December 2020.</p><p>On 16 March 2021, Mr King and CWI filed a notice of preliminary objection which advanced a number of grounds on which they submitted the AG’s appeal should be struck out or dismissed. On 27 May 2021, the Court of Appeal (Isaacs, Jones, and Evans JJA) upheld one of those grounds, namely that the AG had breached his duty of full and frank disclosure in the course of the Joinder Application. In particular, the Court of Appeal found that the AG had failed to draw the Court’s attention to the fact that the MLAT Request had stated that CWI Investments’ account with Sun Trust had been closed on 23 January 2015 – i.e. almost one year prior to time when the cheque deposit were alleged to have been made from that account to the RBC Accounts. Permission to appeal was refused by the Court of Appeal on 19 July 2021. The AG now seeks leave to appeal from the Judicial Committee.</p><p>(1) Jonathan Reid, (2) David Valdez-Lopez</p><p>(1) Rudolph Kermit King, (2) Celebrating Women International Ltd</p><p>Lord Reed, Lord Lloyd Jones, Lord Hamblen, Lord Stephens, Lady Simler</p>


