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The Tribune L A T E S T
Volume: 119 No.62, February 21, 2022
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RELAXING THE RULES - BUT LET’S PLAY SAFE By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
THE government has relaxed restrictions on social gatherings, indoor dining and churches in response to the continued decline of COVID-19 cases. The new measures were outlined in a statement released from the Ministry of Health and Wellness and came into effect yesterday based on recommendations made by the advisory committee. The statement said church services in New Providence and Grand Bahama can now have a maximum seating capacity of 50 percent as opposed
to the previous 25 percent occupancy limit. Weddings and funeral services may also be held in a religious facility provided that all guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health are followed. A casket or urn can also be present during funeral services, the ministry added. For social gatherings, people may attend or host events indoors at a private residence with no more than 40 persons who are either fully vaccinated or have a negative COVID test. The same rule applies for gatherings held outdoors where up to 100 people are now allowed to attend. SEE PAGE THREE
FNM TO SPEND $200K ON IN-PERSON CONVENTION THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
THE Free National Movement will spend more than $200,000 to host its convention and fill key party positions at Atlantis this week, scratching previous plans to have a virtual event. Four hundred and ninety-five delegates will participate in the event, which will be held in the Atlantis Grand Ballroom from Wednesday to Friday under the theme “Forward United, Honouring
our Past, Celebrating our Achievements and Charting the Future.” FNM convention co-chair Ethan Adderley said delegates will consider amendments, receive reports and resolutions and review the performance of the party at the convention. One hundred and one people have nominated for party positions and the convention will be headlined by the election of a new deputy leader and a new chairman. SEE PAGE TWO
NBA star Deandre Ayton shows off a $600,000 watch during an interview with GQ Sports to show off ten things he can’t live without, including jewellery that represents The Bahamas. See PAGE TWO for the full story.
FINANCE OFFICERS’ SICKOUT MAY AFFECT STAFF PAYOUTS
BAHAMIAN FIRM SEEKING TO RECOVER $77M FROM FRAUD
By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
THE government lost an estimated $7.5m in revenue after finance and accounting officers throughout the public service withdrew their services from Monday
to Friday of last week in what the Ministry of Finance has called an illegal “coordinated sickout”. “The impact of this action on the delivery of services was severe. No payments to vendors or employees were SEE PAGE FOUR
A BAHAMIAN financial institution is awaiting a $77m recovery after falling victim to an alleged fraud involving an investment fund whose “chairman” is a
Freeport accountant. Mosaic Financial and its investors are awaiting a significant payout that depends on courts approving an agreement between US financial regulators and the Income Collecting 1-3 Months T-Bills Mutual Fund’s liquidators. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
PI PROJECT CHIEF STILL SEEKS INVESTORS INSIGHT By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
THE Bahamian entrepreneur locked in a legal battle with the Government over his Crown Land lease on Paradise Island is “pressing on regardless” with efforts to raise $3m to fund his ambition. Toby Smith, the Paradise Island Lighthouse and Beach Club head, told Tribune Business that reaction to-date has been
TOBY SMITH “favourable” with the institutions and high-net worth individuals he has approached viewing the
proposed lighthouse restoration and beach club as “an attractive proposition”. Acknowledging that no investor was likely to fully commit until his Crown Land lease is assured, and the court battle with the government has ended, he nevertheless pledged to forge ahead in a bid to find what will likely be “a single investor” whose financing can bring his vision for Colonial Beach to life. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
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CHINESE AMBASSADOR WRITES TO SAY SPORTS HAS MESSAGE FOR POLITICIANS SEE PAGE EIGHT