01072026 BUSINESS

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Wednesday, January 7, 2026

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Super Value’s ‘meaty’ Xmas ‘Pure frustration’ over rogue driver as ham/turkey sales up 31% crackdown mode and • Supermarket chain says total inwerecelebratory willing to spend to get what they wanted.” festive sales surge 17% The Super Value president attributed the • CBS Bahamas reveals 9% higher-than-expected turkey demand to bulk December sales increase corporate purchases by seeking to offer • Merchants brace for consumer companies them as part of Christmas bonuses or gifts to spending ‘hangover’ employees. However,

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

SUPER Value enjoyed a “meaty” Christmas due to a 31 percent year-over-year increase in ham and turkey sales, it was revealed yesterday, as Bahamian consumers shrugged off cost of living pressures and pricing woes to meet their festive needs. Debra Symonette, the 13-store supermarket chain’s president, told Tribune Business yesterday that total sales for the holiday period rose by 17 percent compared to 2024 to “definitely exceed” its own internal forecasts of a 5-10 percent Christmas surge. Despite shoppers “complaining throughout the year about the economy and prices”, she asserted that “the Christmas season just seems to make people shop, shop, shop until they drop” with Super Value forced to order an extra “container or two” of turkeys as demand outstripped supply. “It was very good generally. Better than we had expected. We had no complaints,” Ms Symonette told this newspaper. “Overall sales were actually up 17 percent, but the

meat category was up by 31 percent. We did have to get more turkeys because the demand was really high, but we were able to meet the demand. “People shopped. The Christmas season just seems to make people shop, shop, shop until they drop. People were saying ‘Oh, this is an inflationary time and people probably won’t spend as much’. That was not the case. Everybody just did what they had to do to get what they wanted. That’s how it goes.” Ms Symonette said that, besides turkeys, Super Value did not have to place any extra orders with produce suppliers to meet the Christmas and New Year’s demand. “I would say that everything else went well,” she added. “We didn’t have to order any more. We were able to anticipate the

demand for the others like hams and stuffing. We had it pretty figured out. “I think we bought a container or two more of turkey. It was probably over 100 and some cases. It was quite a bit. Overall, we were up about 17 percent; that definitely exceeded what we had expected. All throughout the year people were complaining about the economy and all that and the prices, but we still managed to do better than expected. “They [consumers] somehow find it during Christmas and we did make an effort to put Christmas items on special. Certain items we offered at a better price than normal, and turkeys and hams we were able to secure at a better price as well. Despite the cries about inflation, people were still

the supermarket chain in common with most other Bahamian retailers is now bracing for the typical January drop-off in spending as consumers recover from their festive spending binges and repay credit cards and other debt. “That’s how it goes,” Ms Symonette told Tribune Business. “That’s correct. There’s always a drop-off in January because they have to take their time and build themselves back up. Probably in February; in mid-February to the beginning of March we should see a pick-up again.” As for Super Value’s overall 2026 prospects, she added: “We may experience a bit of a sales increase, but I don’t expect it to be that big. I wouldn’t think any more than 5 percent or so. After the Christmas rush there’s the

HOLIDAYS - See Page B2

• Portal to detect uninsured motorists in ‘real time’ delayed • BIA chief says MoU to govern access, use under ‘review’ • Brokers raise concern over Road Traffic Act requirements BY NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net BAHAMIAN insurers were yesterday said to be suffering “pure frustration” over the delayed launch of an online portal that would enable the Royal Bahamas Police Force and road traffic authorities to detect the estimated 30-40 percent of vehicles thought to be uninsured in “real time”. Anton Saunders, RoyalStar Assurance’s managing director, told Tribune Business that the portal’s launch will enable police officers to potentially scan car licence plates and inspection certificates to instantly determine whether a vehicle is properly registered, inspected and insured. With other industry executives branding the level of injuries and uncompensated losses from accidents caused by uninsured drivers

as “scandalous”, he added that the portal’s development - coupled with proper, consistent enforcement by the police and Road Traffic Department - is critical to resolving the “big problem” of rogue road users in The Bahamas. “For the frustration we are going through, we all talk on the way forward for how we deal with Road Traffic, the police, the agents and ourselves,” Mr Saunders told this newspaper. “There was supposed to be a portal for the registration and cancellation of vehicles and policies, and for the police to scan and everything, but everything has been delayed. “This is being held up, but not by the BIA (Bahamas Insurance Association). There’s frustration. This is the issue we have in this country. People put things

COVERAGE - See Page B6

$179m Arawak Sarkis triumphs over ‘deceit’ Cay plant to boost claims on 333-acre project cruise ship calls By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net THE $179m liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuelled power plant that will supply docked cruise ships with cleaner energy from Arawak Cay will not impact nearby tourist destinations such as the ‘Fish Fry’ and Junkanoo Beach, its top executive pledged yesterday. Errol Farquharson, Island Power Producers’ chief executive, said construction and operation power plant and its LNG storage facilities could even help boost the tourism sector by attracting more cruise lines and ships to call at Nassau because of the promise that their in-port emissions will be reduced. Speaking after the public consultation on the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP) held last night, Mr Farquharson said helping cruise ships meet strict emissions targets will encourage more calls on Nassau while turning the port into a greener, more attractive destination. “The construction and operation of this plant won’t impact tourism. In fact, it could encourage cruise ships to call at Nassau’s port more often. This project will help them meet the emissions targets they’ve set for 2050, and by providing shore power from LNG systems we’ll help them reach those goals, making Nassau port a more desirable stop,” said Mr Farquharson. He said construction of the LNG plant is expected to take approximately 12 to 13 months from start to full operation. Once operational, the plant is expected to employ between 40 and 50 full-time staff in various operational and maintenance roles. “Presently, the site where we’re going to build this plant is undeveloped. We’ll be developing it with new infrastructure, buildings and a new plant,” said Mr Farquharson. “In the long-term, it will employ about 40 to 50 full-time operational staff once we start operations in about a year. So, in that sense, we’ll be developing the area more than it is now, making it more built for use and purpose.” Mr Farquharson said a key part of the project involves laying a submarine cable between Arawak Cay and Nassau Cruise Port to carry the energy generated by the plant. This will take around

CONSULT - See Page B2

BY NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Chief Justice has dismissed claims of “deceit, fraudulent misrepresentation and breach of confidence” that were levelled against Baha Mar’s original developer in relation to a separate 333-acre mixed-use development he was planning at Clifton Bay. Sir Ian Winder, in a January 5, 2026, verdict ruled that he preferred Sarkis Izmirlian’s evidence to the “embellishment” of Federico Riege, a Bahamas permanent resident and former managing director at Julius Baer, over the acrimonious legal battle triggered by their potential partnership in The Preserve project, which was to

be located in southwestern New Providence near Jaws Beach. The judgment, which is largely a triumph for Mr Izmirlian since the Supreme Court only awarded Mr Riege some $96,537 as compensation for his work on the project, reveals that The Preserve site was acquired from the estate of the late Baroness Nancy Oakes, daughter of Sir Harry Oakes, the Canadian gold mining tycoon and the then-British Empire’s richest man, whose summer 1943 murder rocked The Bahamas. The dispute between Mr Izmirlian and Mr Riege largely revolved around whether the former had agreed to give the ex-Julius Baer manager a 10 percent ownership interest in the land comprising the

SARKIS IZMIRLIAN

SIR IAN WINDER

333-acre Preserve site or if this was supposed to be a share of the development’s profits. Sir Ian and the Supreme Court found it was the latter. Mr Riege, an Argentine national, alleged that The Preserve was his “original idea” that he conceived “from his passion for, and knowledge of, equestrian activities, polo in particular, and his extensive

network of contacts in the international equestrian/polo community. “The plaintiff’s vision for the project was to create a destination with a focus on equestrian activities, particularly polo, and incorporating other features such as residential real estate investment opportunities

BATTLE - See Page B4

Bahamas exports face up to $49m Trump tariffs impact By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net DONALD Trump’s proposed 10 percent tariffs could have a near-$50m impact on key Bahamian crawfish and salt exports to the US if they are fully enforced, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has warned. The multilateral lender, in its latest Caribbean quarterly economic bulletin that was released over the Christmas period, said The Bahamas’ exports of these two commodities to the US generated an annual average value of $52.7m between 2021 and 2023 - making them key sources of foreign currency for this nation. Acknowledging that the Bahamian economy has so far displayed “resilience” to the shocks generated by the US president’s trade and tariff policies, the latter involving new and increased taxes being imposed on all imports, the IDB said the effect on this nation’s main industry - tourism - from the resulting uncertainty and increased American consumer costs has so far been less than expected. “The Bahamian economy has so far shown resilience to tariff hikes by the US. This is largely

attributable to transitory factors such as the front-loading of trade and investment strategies coupled with inventory management,” the IDB said referring to an International Monetary Fund (IMF) study. “Still, the main channels through which US trade policies could impact The Bahamas are the possibility of a US or global recession or sharp deceleration, which could reduce tourist visits to The Bahamas, and higher inflation expectations in the US which could contribute to worsening consumer confidence. “If inflation does rise, it could pass through to higher import prices in The Bahamas and, through a reduction in US consumer purchasing power, reduce travel to The Bahamas.” This nation, as an import-dependent country that brings in virtually all it consumes, is especially vulnerable to Mr Trump’s tariff policies - a situation that is made worse by the fact The Bahamas sourced an average of more than 80 percent of its imports from the US between 2019 and 2023. However, the IDB added: “The expected ‘tariff shock’ has been smaller than what had been anticipated, particularly on tourism.

TRADE - See Page B3

PAGE 2, Wednesday, January 7, 2026

THE TRIBUNE

Bahamas wins region’s leading tourism website THE Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation says its official website, Bahamas.com, was named as the Caribbean’s Best Tourism Authority Website 2025 at the fifth annual World Travel Tech Awards. The ceremony, held last month in Bahrain, celebrated excellence in travel technology and recognised platforms that are redefining how destinations connect with the world. The ministry, in a statement, said the award came after Bahamas.com’s nomination among a regional shortlist that included the

Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Experience Turks and Caicos, the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, VisitBarbados.org and VisitJamaica.com. “This award is a powerful affirmation of our national vision,” said Chester Cooper, deputy prime minister and minister of tourism, investments and aviation. “Bahamas.com is not just a website. It is our digital front door. “It is where inspiration begins, where journeys take shape and where the world meets The Bahamas. From one island to 16, from one

click to countless memories, this platform carries our story with clarity, confidence and global reach. It is not one island. It is a lifetime of them.” Latia Duncombe, the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation’s director-general, said the honour reflects its strategic focus on innovation, accessibility and meaningful engagement. “This recognition underscores that excellence is the result of intention, and reflects the ministry’s strategic focus on innovation and accessibility,” she said.

“Bahamas.com integrates technology and story-telling to deliver an experience that is both functional and inspiring. Our teams have remained focused on providing timely information, intuitive navigation and a high-quality user experience that supports travel planning and discovery.” The World Travel Tech Awards was established to celebrate excellence across all sectors of travel technology. It is the sister event of the World Travel Awards, which has celebrated excellence in global travel and tourism since 1993.

CHESTER COOPER

Home improvements merchant enjoys 5% shopper footfall rise HOLIDAYS - from page B1

Photos:Andrew Miller/Vandyke Hepburn

Cruise ship’s first-ever GB voyage recognised

THE Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation welcomed the M/V Sky Princess cruise ship when it called at Freeport Harbour on January 6, 2026. The occasion was marked by a plaque exchange ceremony between Captain

Tony Draper; Charles Rolle, deputy chief operating officer at Freeport Harbour; and Ministry of Tourism and Hutchison Port Holdings officials to mark the cruise ship’s first-ever voyage to the island.

recovery period, and then I think people go back to being careful about spending and they’ll be watching the prices and trying to economise. That will slow it down. “I don’t know what’s happening in the US. There’s plenty going on over there. We just watch and adjust as we go along according to the situation.” Ms Symonette said Super Value is also seeking to “upgrade” the solar energy facilities installed at all its stores and warehouse through the addition of extra panels “so we cab get some more savings”. “I would say we have reaped some benefits from that. We saw an initial decrease in our electricity bill, and then it went up due to the [BPL] rates but, overall, we know solar does help to economise when it comes to electricity. I know one time ago we were saving 10-15 percent, but I haven’t looked at it since the increase.” Strong Christmas retail performance was not just confined to Super Value. Brent Burrows II, CBS Bahamas’ vice-president of retail and sales, told Tribune Business yesterday that December sales surged by

9 percent year-over-year with customer footfall also ahead of 2024 numbers at “just shy of 5 percent”. “It was consistently busy straight through to Christmas Eve,” the home improvements merchant chief said. “It looks like sales were up about 9 percent over last year all things considered; December 2025 versus December 2024. It was busy. We’re obviously very happy, and both the sales and number of customers were up. “That’s good. In our books, it means more customers are coming here and more people are shopping with us. I think a lot of that has to do with the website and online presence that’s getting more people to shop with CBS compared to competitors. We’re glad to have that tool in our belt. We just have to keep the momentum going through the first couple of months. “The period between Christmas and New Year was a little slower, and the first week in January has been a bit slow, but that’s normal. January will be a slow month, and Spring into early summer it will start getting busier.” Agreeing with Ms Symonette that most Bahamian consumers are now in post-Christmas recovery when it comes to their

Power plant developer pledges no negative Arawak Cay effects CONSULT - from page B1

BISX unveils new mutual fund listing THE Bahamas International Securities Exchange (BISX) says it has added another listing to its mutual fund roster. The exchange, in a statement, said the CG Funds SAC – Class CG shares have successfully completed its mutual fund listing process and been listed under the symbol ‘CGCG’. The CG Funds SAC is an International Business Company (IBC) domiciled in The Bahamas. It is licensed as a Smart Fund SFM007 under the SMART Funds Rules, pursuant to the Investment Funds Act 2019, and has

been registered as a Segregated Accounts Company (SAC) under the Segregated Accounts Companies Act 2004. Keith Davies, BISX’s chief executive, said: “We are pleased to welcome this new listing right before the Christmas holiday. BISX is preparing for 2026 in many ways, one of which is preparing a wish list for the Bahamian capital markets. “One of the items on our list would be that all Bahamian-registered investment funds consider listing on BISX. On Behalf of the directors, management and staff of BISX, let me also

KEITH DAVIES use this opportunity to wish everyone…. a healthy and prosperous 2026.” The Winterbotham Trust Company served as the BISX sponsor member that brought the fund to the Exchange. The Winterbotham Trust Company has been appointed to serve as the fund’s administrator.

six to eight weeks to lay. During this period, access to nearby beaches will be restricted with signage and monitoring to ensure public safety. “During construction, there will be a period when we lay the submarine cable between Arawak Cay and the cruise port. That will last about six to eight weeks, and we’ll have to manage beach use during that time,” said Mr Farquharson. “We’ll minimise disruption, put up signs and monitor the area. While the cable is being laid, we’ll need to control access to make sure no one gets hurt.” Mr Farquharson added that the plant has been designed for noise reduction and, beyond roughly 50 meters, the turbines are expected to be barely audible “In terms of emissions, we’ll be reducing what’s currently produced by cruise ships running their generators. The LNG plant reduces emissions by up to 90 percent compared to diesel engines. For noise, with the new systems and enclosures, the turbines won’t be very audible beyond about 50 metres,” said Mr Farquharson. The project’s EIA had warned that Arawak Cay ‘Fish Fry’ vendors, and other Nassau harbour tourism and maritime operators, may be negatively impacted

by both the construction and operation of the $179m power plant. It disclosed that “certain tourist and recreational areas may become temporarily inaccessible” to both visitors and residents to ensure their safety during the plant’s construction. And, when it begins full-time operations, the EIA added that the plant’s “elevated noise level” of 60 decibels or more “may affect the comfort and appeal of surrounding recreational areas” and deter tourists and Bahamians from visiting, leading to a decline in business volumes and earnings. The document, while asserting that Island Power Producers will seek to prevent such an outcome by using “soundproof housings” to locate noise equipment, along with “silencers and mufflers”, nevertheless conceded “there is a potential for noise nuisance, especially during the evening and night hours”. The Arawak Cay ‘Fish Fry’ and its customers, located immediately to the south of the proposed plant site, would likely suffer greatest impact. The EIA said four different route options were considered for the underwater electricity cable that will connect the Arawak Cay power plant to Nassau Cruise port. One involved a 1,920-metre that would along Arawak Cay’s southern shore and hug close to the New Providence

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LATIA DUNCOMBE spending habits, Mr Burrows added: “I can’t say if it’s [recovery] necessarily longer, but definitely it does lag through January. January is typically a very slow month for us in retail, and that’s just a hangover from Christmas and Christmas spending. Looking ahead to the 2026 full-year, Mr Burrows said CBS Bahamas plans to further “leverage” its website and online presence and drive its recently-launched ‘back order’ and ‘special order’ programmes that “are gaining a lot of traction”. He explained that the ‘back order’ initiative allows customers to assess online whether the merchant has sufficient inventory in stock to meet their needs and, if there is a shortage, order the balance via the website. This will be delivered within ten to 14 days, and customers “don’t have to worry about import duties and shipping prices”. As for the ‘special orders’, Mr Burrows said clients can access more than one million products via CBS Bahamas’ clients. If it does not have a particular product in stock in the store, customers can add and order it through the retailer’s website, pay for it and enjoy delivery within 10-14 days. “We’re hoping that picks up, and our Pro Store on Robinson Road getting more traction with contractors and building materials, and becoming more competitive in that area as well,” he added. shoreline, while two others involved land-based solutions. The first would have seen an underground cable run through commercial areas “south along Arawak Cay Drive, then head east on to West Bay Street, followed by a turn on to Marlborough Street”. It would then have proceeded “on to Navy Lion Road, continuing on to Wood Rogers Wharf and to the cruise port”. The second would also have been run underground, but through “predominantly residential areas”, running from Arawak Cay “on to Chippingham Road, proceeding south before turning on to Infant View Road heading east”. The cable would then have turned “on to Nassau Street, heading north, followed by a turn on to Delancy Street, continuing east”. It would then have turned north on to West Street, then on to Marlborough Street, before heading to Navy Lion Road, continuing to Wood Rogers Wharf and the cruise port. However, all these three options were rejected in favour of an “offshore” 1,320 metre cable providing direct connection between Arawak Cay’s eastern tip and the Nassau Cruise Port. “This route is being considered as the primary route because it has a shorter cable length, is further offshore, and is located in a more easily accessible area for cable placement and maintenance,” the EIA said. The report added that the “open cycle” phase of the Island Power Producers plant is scheduled to come online in July 2026, while the “combined cycle” stage will launch in November 2026.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, January 7, 2026, PAGE 3

back cleaner energy Regulator pledges crackdown Residents from cruise ship power plant over dumping on Arawak Cay BY FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

BY FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@ tribunemedia.net

properly delivered to the New Providence landfill. Speaking at the public consultation on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Island Power Producers project, Dr Neely said truckers often come to Arawak Cay and dump their waste instead of taking it to the landfill, creating a challenge that multiple government agencies are actively working to address. “We have a challenge with solid waste dumping at Arawak Cay. A lot of times truckers come there instead of going to the landfill and they drop their waste there. So we're working with the Port Department to get that

addressed, as well as with the Department of Environmental Health Services, which is responsible for solid waste management in country,” said Dr Neely. “We've been out there recently, actually, to clean up portions of that site to make sure that whatever is coming with the truckers that are bringing their waste into that site, that they are redirected to the landfill where they're supposed to go, and that there are fines if necessary once they are caught.” Errol Farquharson, chief executive of Island Power Producers, said the company plans to clean and upgrade the area around its

proposed $179m LNG show power plant that will supply energy to cruise ships docked in Nassau. “We do have plans to clean that area because that’s going to be the main entrance to our power station. So, where that dirt road is now, we’re going to be cleaning all of that as much as we can,” said Mr Farquharson. “But on the southern side of that road, those are other business owners. Right now, we’re going to look to see how much we can get cleaned up. Ideally, we’d like to see it cleaned up even more than it is now.”

Bahamian economy, tourism resilient to US trade pressure

continues to be a key strategy, and relies on the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) co-ordinating trade negotiations with the US.” Further noting The Bahamas’ dependence on the US, the report added: “The US remains The Bahamas’ main trading partner, accounting for over 60 percent of total trade flows from The Bahamas’ main partners and over 90 percent of total exports in 2024. “In the first quarter of 2025, the US accounted for nearly 77 percent of nonoil exports of goods and services, though mostly services. The Bahamas is also highly dependent on the US with 84 percent of non-oil imports originating in the US. Higher prices of imports could reduce affordability for Bahamians. Still, goods imports decreased from January to July 2025, with imports from the European Union (EU) and from the US falling 21 and 10 percent, respectively.” And, turning to price pressures, the IDB said: “Inflation in The Bahamas remains nearly flat, despite pressures on housing and utilities’ prices with the annual rate around 0.4 percent in May 2025. This stability, however, masks divergent trends. “A deceleration trend is driven by lower and more stable global fuel prices, which have curbed costs in both tradable and non-tradable categories. Offsetting these trends are housing and utility price increases

due to both rate adjustments and seasonal summer demand. “This suggests that the pass-through from international price increases is limited so far. Consequently, annual inflation is projected to remain below 1 percent in 2025 and 2026, only gradually converging toward its long-term equilibrium of 2 percent by 2029.”

ENVIRONMENTAL regulators yesterday pledged to intensify efforts to crackdown on illegal waste dumping at Arawak Cay in a bid to restore the area. Dr Rhianna Neely-Murphy, the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP) director, warned that fines will be levied against culprits as she promised the agency will boost clean-up operations and monitoring to ensure all waste is

TRADE - from page B1 From January to September 2025, total visitor arrivals for The Bahamas reached 9.1m - an 8.7 percent year-over-year increase - aligning with authorities’ expectations that 2025 is going to be another record year. “However, the cruise sector is expected to be the main driver of this surge while the more lucrative stopover segment has experienced a slight contraction, with year-to-date air arrivals for 2025 falling by almost 2 percent year-over-year. Some attribute this decline to a drop in US consumer confidence, which indirectly affects tourist flows. “To circumvent these global trends, the Ministry of Tourism is pivoting to diversify its source markets, including capitalising on a 75 percent surge in Canadian arrivals by adding 27 new flights and executing targeted marketing missions to the mid-west in the US and to Europe.” Turning to The Bahamas’ physical goods exports to the US, the IDB report added: “The potential impacts from the tariff shock could be felt in the crustacean and salt industries. The main exported goods from The Bahamas are crustaceans (mainly lobster) and salt. “From 2021 to 2023, the average annual goods export value of these commodities to the US reached US$52.7m, representing 16 percent of average annual total national goods export value, and 52 percent of the average annual total exports of these products - although only 25 percent of average

annual total exports to the US. “These goods are important not only in the Bahamian export basket, but also an important share of exports to the US. It is estimated that if a US 10 percent tariff is properly enforced, and with a full pass-through, it will have an impact of between $15.9m and $49.2m, equivalent to 5 percent and 16 percent, respectively, of the average annual total export value to the US over the last three years.” While efforts to diversify import sources, and access new markets, are still in their infancy, the IDB said they have the potential to mitigate some of the fallout from Mr Trump’s tariffs. “The Bahamian government had already launched a trade diversification programme to reduce reliance on US imports amid concerns of the rising cost of living,” the IDB report added. “Elevated prices partly stem from duties on re-imported goods, but recent efforts are yielding results as food importers source breadbasket items from Latin America. This early implementation of an import diversification strategy prior to the introduction of new US tariff policies positions The Bahamas to mitigate potential adverse impacts on trade and economic stability. “Regarding policy responses, the Government has adopted a cautious ‘wait and see’ approach, understanding that uncertainty in US policy and potential impacts via higher global prices could reduce tourism if economic growth decelerates in the US. The diversification programme

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NEARBY residents yesterday welcome the $179m proposal to supply cruise ships docked in Nassau with cleaner energy as a way to finally end years of reliance on dirty fossil fuels and rid the port of smoke. Adrian Towning, who attended the public consultation on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Island Power Producers project, said transitioning to cleaner energy sources such as solar and liquefied natural gas (LNG) was long overdue and represents a major step forward for The Bahamas’ energy production. “I think the major thing that everybody’s concerned about is what impact it will have on the environment, on the marine life, the fauna, etc. From what I heard tonight, they’ve done an excellent job addressing these issues,” said Mr Towning. “Another positive is that we’re finally moving away from bunker fuel at Clifton Pier and transitioning to clean energy production, like solar and LNG. It’s about time - I’m amazed it’s taken the island so long to reach this point after previous attempts failed, likely for political reasons. Ultimately,

they’re producing clean energy, which is the most important thing for protecting the environment without harming the fauna or marine life.” Rosanne Pyfrom, another attendee, said she was “relieved” that the LNG plant is expected to produce little to no emissions and will not create a noise concern for the surrounding area. “I was relieved to hear that it isn’t going to have any flare. There aren’t going to be emissions - or there shouldn’t be - and it’s not going to be so noisy to operate. I’m also glad that our area will get cleaned up, because there’s a lot of debris and little fires that happen. Hopefully this will be a positive change, and the cruise ships won’t be putting out their smoke,” said Ms Pyfrom. During the public consultation, Errol Farquharson, chief executive of Island Power Producers, said the plant has been designed with noise reduction in mind and will significantly reduce emissions when compared to diesel engines. He also confirmed plans to improve Arawak Cay by assisting with cleaning and upgrading the immediate area, noting it will serve as the main entrance to the plant.

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Looking to fill the following positions:

CRANE OPERATOR

Responsible for lifting, moving, and positioning heavy materials and equipment in accordance with project requirements. Follow established safety guidelines and company policies to prevent accidents and maintain a secure work environment.

TUGBOAT CAPTAIN

Responsibilities include vessel navigation, towing operations, ensuring safety compliance, maintaining clear communication, and handling emergency responses. To qualify, you must hold a valid Captain’s license and necessary certifications, have proven experience in a similar maritime role.

FOREMAN

To Lead and supervise construction crews on civil projects. Coordinate tasks, equipment, and personnel efficiently. Ensure strict adherence to safety protocols and regulations. Maintain high standards of workmanship and project quality.

HEALTH SAFETY & ENVIRONMENT MANAGER

Develop and enforce safety protocols across projects, integrate safety measures into operations, coordinate with teams for effective safety procedures, monitor and ensure compliance, and provide regular safety reports to management.

QUALITY COORDINATOR

CONTROL

Ensures adherence to quality standards through procedure development, inspections, and testing coordination. Able to manage documentation, supplier quality, and training, driving continuous improvement. Develop, implement, and monitor quality control procedures.

Coordinate testing, inspections, and analysis. Bachelor’s degree in related field is required

PILE DRIVER

Operate pile driving equipment to install structural foundations in construction projects. Drive pilings into the ground using various methods, such as hydraulic hammers or vibratory drivers. Follow project schedules and deadlines to complete pile driving tasks within specified timeframes.

DIESEL MECHANIC

Perform diesel engine maintenance and repairs. Diagnose mechanical issues efficiently. Conduct routine inspections and maintenance tasks. Adhere to strict safety protocols. Proven diesel mechanic experience and certification or vocational training preferred.

SUPERINTENDENT

Oversee daily site operations, ensuring construction activities are executed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with project plans and regulations. Supervise and coordinate the work of contractors, subcontractors, and site personnel to meet quality and schedule requirements.

ELECTRICAL SPECIALIST

An Electrical Specialist is responsible for installing, inspecting, troubleshooting, and maintaining electrical systems and equipment to ensure safe, efficient, and code-compliant operation. The role includes diagnosing faults, performing repairs, supporting projects, and ensuring adherence to electrical standards and safety regulations.

To Apply: Interested candidates should submit your resume to lfarrington@americianbridge.net by: January 15th, 2026

PAGE 4, Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Preserve location bought from Nancy Oakes estate BATTLE - from page B1 affording qualified purchasers accelerated consideration for annual or permanent residence applications in The Bahamas in accordance with the policies of the Bahamas Investment Authority,” his legal filings asserted. “The plaintiff's concept for the project included building a sustainable ecological community around equestrian activities (such as polo/dressage/jumping), including a club house, a boutique hotel, restaurants, shopping village and residential properties around the fields.” Following discussions with potential interested investors, Mr Riege set about identifying suitable real estate and alighted on a 333.323 acre tract that was owned by Nassoak Ltd. This company was owned by a trust that formed part of the late Baroness Oakes’ estate, and the Argentine initiated negotiations to acquire the property. He then mentioned his plans to Mr Izmirlian when he encountered the latter at a social function in May 2016, and the original Baha Mar developer expressed interest in investing in it. “In order to induce the plaintiff to fully disclose his proprietary information

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relating to the project, and to participate in the development and planning of the project, and to negotiate and secure the deal for the acquisition of the land, the first defendant [Mr Izmirlian] represented to the plaintiff that he would receive a 10 percent ownership interest in the land, which said interest was to be his reward for having come up with the idea, found the land, successfully negotiating the acquisition of the land and his continued involvement in the ongoing development and planning of the project,” Mr Riege alleged. He added that this offer was confirmed on multiple occasions, and that he “successfully negotiated a purchase agreement at a very favourable price with the trustees and beneficiaries of Nassoak” that represented between a 17.1 percent to almost a 52 percent discount on the prevailing market price. “The Plaintiff's offer dated June 23, 2016, to Nassoak Ltd, Bruno Roberts and Curtis Lowell, senior executor of the estate of Baroness Nancy Oakes von Hoyningen-Huene (the trustees), to purchase the land at the price of $58,000 per acre for the 333.2 acre parcel was accepted by the trustees and a signed accepted copy was returned to the plaintiff under cover of a letter dated 27 June, 2016, from Nassoak Ltd’s attorneys McKinney Bancroft and Hughes,” Mr Riege alleged. “The plaintiff was instrumental in the project, sourcing the land and putting all the stakeholders and the deal together; he was able to negotiate a price of $58,000 per acre for the land, which was well below the market price, which was $70,000 to $120,000 per acre.” Mr

THE TRIBUNE Riege alleged that he continued to work on moving The Preserve forward “in reliance” on allegedly being told he would have a “10 percent economic interest in the land”. However, he claimed that Mr Izmirlian reneged on this promise. The Baha Mar founder’s attorneys, on November 16, 2018, informed him that there appeared to be “no prospect” that he and Mr Riege could reach a formal agreement on the latter’s interest in The Preserve. They wrote: “Your insistence on an immediate ownership equity interest in the investor in the property is not acceptable for many reasons, including the significant initial and continuing capita! outlay by the investor and the absence of any guarantee of profitability. “Agreement on the structure of the economic interest for your involvement was preliminary to our client agreeing the details and terms of a partnership agreement. This is no longer possible.” The letter specifically referred to this “economic interest” being governed by a profit-sharing arrangement. “The first defendant has, in breach of confidence, taken for his exclusive benefit the plaintiff’s unique idea for the development of the project on the land and excluded the plaintiff from participation in the project and economic interest in the land,” Mr Riege alleged of Mr Izmirlian. “The plaintiff's unique idea, and his opportunity to acquire the land and develop the project with other investors if necessary, has been taken from him by means of.. deception.” These claims were vehemently denied by Mr Izmirlian, who rejected Mr Riege’s assertion that he took the latter’s proprietary information for his own benefit. “Any information disclosed by the plaintiff was done so without restriction of use as part of

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negotiations towards the prospect of a formal written and signed agreement,” he countered. “It is denied that the concept of a polo-based community was proprietary information or capable of being so. It is averred that several other residential developments in the western end of New Providence considered offering polo grounds and or equestrian lots” including Albany and Lyford Cay. And, rejecting claims that Mr Riege was offered a 10 percent interest in The Preserve’s land, Mr Izmirlian added: “From the inception as expressed in the email dated July 10, 2016, the first defendant had the intention to give the plaintiff an economic interest based on the profits of the polobased community on the condition that the plaintiff fulfill his obligations and subject to a detailed written agreement. “The structuring of the agreement proved to be a difficult task and was never settled because at all material times the plaintiff kept insisting on terms that were unacceptable to the first defendant and had never been contemplated by the first defendant.” Mr Izmirlian also accused Mr Riege of misrepresenting his connections with polo communities and associated investors, and said negotiations between the two sides ultimately broke down. Giving evidence at the trial, Mr Izmirlian, himself a Lyford Cay resident, “maintained that he only ever discussed and intended to promise Mr Riegé a 10 percent economic interest in the deal, specifically as a profit share, not an ownership interest in the land itself. “When confronted with an e-mail he sent to Mr Riegé stating: ‘As far as our agreement, you will have a 10 percent economic interest in the land’, he insisted that this was always meant to refer to a profit share, not to an ownership or equitable interest in the land,” Sir Ian wrote. “He distinguished between an ‘economic interest in the land’ (as referenced in an e-mail) and actual ownership,

stating that the intention was always a profit share, not a direct interest in the land or company. He asserted that if Riege had signed the agreement and earned the profit share, he would have been entitled to 10 percent of the profits, calculated as revenue minus costs, but not to a share of the land or company itself.” Describing Mr Izmirlian’s testimony further, the Chief Justice added: “Izmirlian described the negotiation process as protracted, with Riegé frequently changing his mind and not committing to signing the agreement. He claimed that after two years of negotiations, he gave Riegé an ultimatum to sign the final version or receive nothing… “Izmirlian stated that Riege wanted to use his profit share agreement to obtain permanent residency in The Bahamas, but legal advice was that this was not possible. He said he was clear with Riege that the agreement would not entitle him to residency. Both parties agreed that Izmirlian's involvement in the project would remain confidential and that Riegé would not disclose his name without approval. “Izmirlian confirmed that he was the one who purchased the land and that Riegé 's role was to act as a representative in negotiations with the owners, but that Riegé was not promised a 10 percent ownership interest in the land for this work. He stated that Riege never signed any agreement, and therefore, in his view, had no enforceable rights… Izmirlian denied any dishonesty, bad faith or intent to deceive Riegé.” Sir Ian, summing up the written evidence and trial testimony, said: “In summary, the evidence reveals a complex and ultimately unsuccessful attempt to formalise a business relationship between Riegé and Izmirlian, characterised by misunderstandings, shifting positions and a failure to reduce key terms to a signed agreement. “There was no binding agreement, as Riegé never signed the final version, and that any entitlement Riegé might have had was contingent on execution of

the formal agreement and the terms as drafted by the lawyers.” Analysing all that had happened, the Chief Justice said: “Having heard all the witnesses, considered the evidence provided in support of their testimony and observed their demeanour as they gave evidence, I have no hesitation in indicating that I preferred the evidence of Izmirlian and his witness to that of Riege. I found that Riegé, who was not the dominant partner in the business relationship, was prone to embellishment to support his version of the facts…. “On the evidence which I accept, I am satisfied that Izmirlian never agreed to, or intended to give, Riegé any ownership interest in the land upon which the development was intended to be built. I find that his choice of the word ‘economic interest’ rather than ‘ownership interests’ or just ‘interest’ was deliberate. “I am also satisfied that such interest, as was agreed, was limited to the development such that, in the event the development did not proceed, there was no expectation that he would retain a 10 percent interest in the land upon which the development was intended to be built…. My ultimate view is that there was no agreement between the parties as the parties were never at idem on the crucial terms of the arrangement. I am also satisfied that agreement was subject to the parties entering into a more formal agreement.” As a result, Sir Ian found that Mr Riege’s claim of “deceit” had not been proven, adding: “I did not find that Izmirlian made the representation alleged by Riegé. Izmirlian never told Riege that he would receive a ‘10 percent ownership interest in the land’.” And the breach of confidence claim was dismissed on similar grounds. The only area where the Argentine enjoyed some success was the award by Sir Ian of $96,537 for his work and contribution towards the project, which was equivalent to just 0.5 percent of the $19.307m purchase price for the 333acre Preserve property.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, January 7, 2026, PAGE 5

Security forces clash with protesters in Iran’s main market as toll rises to 36 By JON GAMBRELL Associated Press PROTESTERS angry over Iran's ailing economy conducted a sit-in Tuesday at Tehran's Grand Bazaar, witnesses said, with security forces ultimately firing tear gas and dispersing demonstrators as the rest of the market shut down. The protest at the Grand Bazaar, the beating heart for centuries of both Iran's economic and political life, represented the latest signal that the demonstrations likely are to continue as the rial currency fell to a record low Tuesday. Already, violence surrounding the protests has killed at least 36 people with authorities detaining more than 2,000 others, activists abroad say. Meanwhile, the situation was likely to worsen as Iran's Central Bank drastically reduced the subsidized exchange rates for dollars it offers to importers and producers. That likely will see merchants pass price hikes directly to consumers, whose life savings already have dwindled over years of sanctions targeting the Islamic Republic. Iran's reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian, while ordering a government investigation into one incident involving the protests, otherwise signaled Tuesday that the crisis may be rapidly moving beyond the control of officials. "We should not expect the government to handle all of this alone," Pezeshkian said in a televised speech. "The government simply does not have that capacity." Turmoil shakes Grand Bazaar In the Grand Bazaar, a labyrinth-like warren of covered passages and alleyways, demonstrators sat down in one passage in front of security forces as other shops nearby shut down Tuesday, online videos showed and witnesses said. Other demonstrations similarly have seen people sit down in front of police after a photo circulated earlier of a man seen sitting alone in front of security forces. Authorities later fired tear gas to disperse the protesters. Iranian state-run media did not immediately acknowledge the incident, which has been common in the days since the demonstrations began on Dec. 28. Later footage purportedly showed tear gas at a hospital and a metro station in Tehran. Iran has faced rounds of nationwide protests in recent years. As sanctions tightened and Iran struggled after a 12-day war with Israel in June, its rial currency collapsed in December, reaching 1.4 million to $1. Protests began soon after, with demonstrators chanting against Iran's theocracy. On Tuesday, $1 traded at 1.46 million rials, a new low, with no signs of slowing. Prior to Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution, the rial was broadly stable, trading at around 70 to $1. At the time of Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, $1 traded for 32,000 rials. Exchange rate change points to more pain coming More pain may be coming for Iranian consumers. Iran's Central Bank in recent days ended a preferential, subsidized dollar-rial exchange rate for all products except medicine and wheat. Iran's government had offered that rate to importers and producers to try to ensure the flow of essential goods despite international sanctions over its nuclear program and other issues. However, many of those firms took advantage of the difference in rates, pocketing ever-greater profits as normal Iranians watched their savings rapidly lose value against the dollar. The currency and rate depreciation has directly

impacted what's available in stores — and at what price. The average bottle of cooking oil just doubled in price, the state-run IRNA news agency reported. Many have complained about shelves being empty in stores, likely as suppliers and merchants fear selling cooking oil at a loss. Cheese and chicken prices also spiked, while imported rice hasn't been available in some shops. Pezeshkian in his speech blamed inflation, sanctions and other woes for causing the depreciation — and warned tougher times may be coming. "If we do not make realistic decisions, we ourselves will push the country toward crisis and then complain about the consequences," he warned. Iran promises Ilam investigation Late Monday, Pezeshkian assigned the interior ministry to form a special team for a "full-fledged investigation" of what had been happening in Ilam province. Protesters in Malekshahi County in Ilam province, some 515 kilometers (320 miles) southwest of the capital, Tehran, were killed as online videos purported to show security forces firing on civilians. The presidency also acknowledged an "incident in a hospital in the city of Ilam." Online video showed security forces wearing riot gear raiding a hospital, where activists said they were seeking demonstrators. The hospital assault drew criticism from the U.S. State Department, which in Iran's Farsi language called the incident "a crime." "Storming the wards, beating medical staff and attacking the wounded with tear gas and ammunition is an clear crime against humanity," a post on the social platform X read. "Hospitals are not battlefields." A report by the semiofficial Fars news agency earlier alleged without offering evidence that demonstrators carried firearms and grenades. Tuesday night, Fars reported that an angry crowd from a funeral for two of the dead stormed and damaged three banks in Malekshahi, leading to one person being killed and several wounded. Ilam province is mainly home to the country's Kurdish and Lur ethnic groups and faces severe economic hardship. Protester deaths a focus of Trump The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency offered the latest death toll of 36 for the demonstrations. It said 30 protesters, four children and two members of Iran's security forces have been killed. Demonstrations have reached over 280 locations in 27 of Iran's 31 provinces. The group, which relies on an activist network inside of Iran for its reporting, has been accurate in past unrest. Fars, believed close to Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, reported late Monday that some 250 police officers and 45 members of the Guard's all-volunteer Basij force have been hurt in the demonstrations. The growing death toll carries with it the chance of American intervention. U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran on Friday that if Tehran "violently kills peaceful protesters," the United States "will come to their rescue." Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday said "rioters must be put in their place." While it remains unclear how and if Trump will intervene, his comments sparked an immediate, angry response, with officials within the theocracy threatening to target American troops in the Mideast.

MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN RENEWAL COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS Island of New Providence

NOTICE OF POSSESSION Given Under THE ACQUISITION OF LAND ACT (Chapter 252) WHEREAS by Declaration of Intended Acquisition dated 22th day of September, A.D., 2025, and published in the Extraordinary Gazette dated 22th day of September, A.D., 2025, the Minister responsible for Housing, the Promoter, declared that the lands described in the Schedules thereto annexed were required for a public purpose namely, for the housing of persons of low or middle income. AND WHEREAS the Minister responsible for Acquisition and Disposition of Lands, is of the opinion that possession of the lands described in Schedule A (1) hereto should be obtained before payment is made to the rightful claimants thereto. AND WHEREAS the promoter has decided not to pursue acquisition of the lands described in Schedule B (1). NOW THEREFORE it is hereby declared that the said lands described in Schedule A (1) have been appropriated for the public purpose, namely, for the housing of persons of low or middle income as mentioned in the said Declaration of Intended Acquisition with effect from the date thereof. Dated this 7th day of January, A.D., 2026. Signed KEITH R. BELL, M.P. Minister Responsible for Housing SCHEDULES (Annexed)

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PAGE 6, Wednesday, January 7, 2026

‘Penalty has to fit crime’ over traffic enforcement COVERAGE - from page B1 in place that are impossible to implement. I can just tell you there is pure frustration from the point of the insurance companies.” Mr Saunders directed Tribune Business to speak with Julian Rolle, the BIA’s chairman, for further details but added: “What the portal would have done is make the police’s job easier, as they could just scan the car to see if if is registered and insured, and pick up anything else illegal. There’s frustration on our part. That’s all I can tell you.” The RoyalStar chief’s comments came as the Road Traffic Department announced that reforms to the Road Traffic Act, mandating that all vehicles and drivers have insurance for at least a further six months post-inspection date, are now in full effect following a year-long transition period and “full compliance is mandatory”. The changes also give insurers and drivers two and five days’ respectively, to notify the Road Traffic Department of any motor insurance policy cancellations with the latter also required to return the documents to their agent/broker.

Mr Rolle, when contacted by this newspaper, confirmed that the portal has been developed with testing completed. However, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) governing all parties’ - police, Road Traffic and insurer - access to it, and how it and its data are to be used, has yet to be agreed and signed-off. The BIA chair, acknowledging that there is an existing method for reporting motor vehicle coverage cancellations to the Road Traffic Department, typically on a monthly basis, said this mechanism has been “in place for quite some time but it’s inefficient”. Referring to the proposed portal, he added: “Yes, there has been development and testing has been completed. However, there’s a certain MoU that needs to be signed that governs use of the portal and access to the same. That’s being reviewed by the Attorney General’s Office. “It will allow for efficient and effective cancellations, and also issuance, of policies on a real-time basis. That would make the process significantly more efficient. We await final approval from the Attorney General’s Office on the MoU so that

THE TRIBUNE we can bring the system online. There is a process in place but we’re trying to make it more efficient.” Meanwhile, brokers and agents voiced concern to Tribune Business over the requirement to notify the Road Traffic Department of a motor insurance policy’s cancellation within two days as they have yet to be told who this information must be sent to and how. Bruce Ferguson, Professional Insurance Consultants (PIC) president, said: “The advertisement doesn’t say, and they haven’t clarified, how we report it, who to and by what method we do so. The BIA also asked this question, as some insurers have done, and nobody received a reply. They probably don’t know themselves. “We’re going to reply for now through the normal e-mail address and, as far as we’re concerned, that will be compliance. What they do with these notifications we will leave up to them. We asked the same question and received no reply whatsoever. They haven’t thought it out and what they’re going to do with these hundreds, if not thousands, of notifications they receive. “It’s probably a tick box exercise. It will have no effect whatsoever and add to the workload we have to do. We’ll do it to stay compliant with it. I cannot see how they will act on it.”

Mr Ferguson also revealed he is “strenuously opposed” to motorists taking out just six months’ coverage as opposed to annual insurance policies as he voiced fears that this could be encouraged by the six-month minimum post-inspection and licensing requirement. “One insurer has gone so far as to change their cover notes from three months to six months,” he revealed. “What we don’t want to see is clients taking the ‘six months’ literally because, in some US states, six month policies are the ‘in’ thing. We don’t want to encourage that in The Bahamas market because it will cause a lot of problems since, after six months, you have to renew again. “We’re going to be very strenuously opposed to any suggestion from clients that they want a six-month policy. As far as we’re concerned, the policy is for 12 months and we’re going to keep it that way. I think the rest of the market will be in step. There’s never been any suggestion that a six-month policy is a good idea or will be entertained. It will lead to more non-renewals and duplicates the work that we have to do.” Mr Ferguson said he would only permit sixmonth motor vehicle policies for persons who were leaving the island, or to bring coverage in line “with the expiry date”.

However, both he and RoyalStar’s Mr Saunders agreed that full, consistent enforcement of the road traffic laws by the authorities is the only proper way to crack down on, and reduce, the menace posed by rogue and unlicensed drivers. The Royal Bahamas Police Force previously said around 50 percent of all traffic accidents involve uninsured vehicles, and one key element in the Road Traffic Act reforms that may force positive change in vehicle owner and driver behaviour is the power granted to the police to impound autos until they are brought into compliance with the law by being properly insured, licensed and inspected. The Act’s a new section 60A allows police officers to seize, confiscate and impound vehicles where the driver either “fails to produce a valid certificate of insurance” and/or it is unlicensed and lacks a valid inspection certificate. To secure the vehicle’s release, the owner has to both pay a $300 fine and produce evidence that “a valid certificate of insurance” and licence has been obtained and is in effect. If a vehicle is impounded for one year and not claimed, the Royal Bahamas Police Force can sell it and use the proceeds to cover the cost of holding it. “It’s up to the police whether they enforce the

Act,” Mr Ferguson said. “It’s the usual problem in The Bahamas. Will it be enforced and for how long? Will it be enforced for just a few months? Uninsured motorists are a terrible problem when people get injured or their vehicles are damaged. It’s scandalous that so many people are going without compensation in so many accidents through no fault of their own.” Mr Saunders added: “This is not rocket science. Nothing that the Government is doing from the insurance or vehicle registration side is going to work unless there is pure enforcement. If we don’t enforce the laws, what is going to drive someone to comply. “Nothing they are doing is going to force someone to register or insure their car unless the penalty out there is so severe that it makes them think twice. If you stop me, and I have no registration, no insurance and you give me a ticket that allows me to go back on the road, I am still breaking the law. “At the end of the day, there is nothing the insurance companies nor the Government can do to force me to buy insurance or register a vehicle except enforcement, and the penalty has to fit the crime.”

intelligence like from Lenovo's CEO, too. Korean tech giant LG over 150 countries, regions, What to expect from CES 2026, willArtificial already has announced it and territories attended be anchored in nearly Yuanqing Yang. The AI industry is tack- will show off a helper bot CES. Organizers expect everything, again, as the issues in healthcare, named "CLOiD," to handle the annual show of all things tech tech industry explores ling around the same numbers with a particular empha- a range of household tasks. By SHAWN CHEN AP Technology Editor WITH the start of the New Year squarely behind us, it's once again time for the annual CES trade show to shine a spotlight on the latest tech that companies plan to offer in 2026.

The multiday event, organized by the Consumer Technology Association, kicks off this week in Las Vegas, where advances across industries like robotics, healthcare, vehicles, wearables, gaming and more are set to be on display.

NOTICE

offerings consumers will want to buy. AI industry heavyweight Jensen Huang will be taking the stage to showcase Nvidia's latest productivity solutions, and AMD CEO Lisa Su will keynote to "share her vision for delivering future AI solutions." Expect AI to come up in other keynotes,

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sis on changing individual health habits to treat conditions — such as Beyond Medicine's prescription app focused on a particular jaw disorder — or addressing data shortages in subjects such as breast milk production. Expect more unveils around domestic robots

NOTICE

Hyundai also is announcing a major push on robotics and manufacturing advancements. Extended reality, basically a virtual training ground for robots and other physical AI, is also in the buzz around CES. In 2025, more than 141,000 attendees from

for this year's show, with more than 3,500 exhibitors across the floor space this week. The AP spoke with CTA Executive Chair and CEO Gary Shapiro about what to expect for CES 2026. The conversation has been edited for clarity and length.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that MARYANN ITURRALDE of 8th Street Spanish Wells, Eleuthera, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration/ Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 7th day of January 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that DJENANE FANFAN of #11 KoolAir Sub, Nassau, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration/ Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 7th day of January 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that LASHONTA NOEL of Kemp Road, Nassau, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration/ Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 7th day of January 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE

P&S INVESTMENTS LTD.

ArtForm Ltd.

Incorporated under the International Business Companies Act, 2000 of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas registered in the Register of Companies under the registration number 205445 B.

Incorporated under the International Business Companies Act, 2000 of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas registered in the Register of Companies under the registration number 207590 B.

(In Voluntary Liquidation)

(In Voluntary Liquidation)

Notice is hereby given that the liquidation and the winding up of the Company is complete and the Company has been struck off the Register of Companies maintained by the Registrar General.

Notice is hereby given that the liquidation and the winding up of the Company is complete and the Company has been struck off the Register of Companies maintained by the Registrar General.

EBDASC LTD. Incorporated under the International Business Companies Act, 2000 of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Registration number 210204 B (In Voluntary Liquidation) Notice is hereby given that the above-named Company is in dissolution, commencing on the 5th day of January A.D. 2026. Articles of Dissolution have been duly registered by the Registrar. The Liquidator is MR. EMANUEL BONFANTE DEMARIA NETO, whose address is Av Juruce 664 211A, CEP: 04080-012, Moema, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil. Any Persons having a Claim against the above-named Company are required on or before the 4th day of February A.D. 2026 to send their names, addresses and particulars of their debts or claims to the Liquidator of the Company, or in default thereof they may be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such claim is proved. Dated this 5th day of January A.D. 2026.

EMANUEL BONFANTE DEMARIA NETO LIQUIDATOR

NOTICE

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMPANIES ACT, 2000

BULAK INVEST SA (IN VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION)

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that in accordance with section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act, 2000, as amended, Bulak Invest SA. is in dissolution. The dissolution of the said Company commenced on January 5th 2026 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered with the Registrar General in Nassau, The Bahamas. The sole liquidator of the said Company is Kim D Thompson of Equity Trust House, Caves Village, West Bay Street, P O Box N 10697, Nassau, Bahamas.

Kim D Thompson Sole Liquidator

Dated this 6th day of January A.D. 2026.

Dated this 6th day of January A.D. 2026.

CESAR AUGUSTO PIRES DOS SANTOS LIQUIDATOR

CARLOS FDERICO DE SIQUEIRA LIQUIDATOR

LEGAL NOTICE

In the Estate of EDMUND HORATIO ALBURY late of Spanish Wells on the Island of St. George’s Cay

ENDEAVOUR PARTNERS LTD. LIQUIDATOR’S NOTICE Pursuant to the provisions of Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act 2000

NOTICE is hereby given that the abovenamed Company has been dissolved and struck off the Register of Companies pursuant to Certificate of Dissolution issued by the Registrar General on the 9th day of December, 2025.

RIW NOMINEES LIMITED Liquidator

Notice is hereby given that all persons having any claims or demands against the abovenamed Estate are requested to send the same duly certified to the undersigned on or before the 22nd day of January, A.D. 2026. Notice is hereby also given that at the expiration of the time above mentioned the assets of the deceased will be distributed among the persons entitled thereto having regard only to the claims of which the Executor shall then have had notice. Holowesko Pyfrom Fletcher Attorneys for the Executor Chambers Templeton Building, Lyford Cay Nassau, Bahamas

6

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Wednesday, avoidingJanuary the hostile 7, 2026, PAGE 7

JUDGE PARKER

CARPE DIEM

24142, arrived off the coast of 13532424 and 5413 for the enemy’s 2342. They 245531 several ships, leaving many men 1341. Admiral 2331 2341 the list of casualties with mounting 12341. “This was a foul 1331,” he said later. “We will 231335 our honour as soon as we have 2342531.”

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➔

THE TRIBUNE

5

Solution in Monday’s puzzle pull-out

SuMThinG

MARVIN

Fit the missing numbers into the grid so that all the sums are correct – reading left to right or on single lines top to bottom. There are 11 squares to fill, with one digit in each, and the 11 digits you must use are listed below. But where do they all go? Solution in Monday’s puzzle pull-out

BLONDIE We’ve given you one digit to get you started. Here are the missing digits to fit in:

1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 4, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9

HAGAR THE HORRIBLE

TIGER

SaMurai Sudoku 4 9 5 6 3 2 1 7 8

2 7 8 4 1 9 5 3 6

3 1 6 8 7 5 4 9 2

1 6 4 9 2 8 3 5 7

5 3 2 7 6 4 9 8 1

9 8 7 3 5 1 2 6 4

8 2 5 1 7 3 9 4 6

7 6 4 9 8 2 3 5 1

9 1 3 6 4 5 7 8 2

6 9 7 5 1 4 2 3 8

2 5 1 8 3 6 4 7 9

4 3 8 7 2 9 6 1 5

6 5 3 2 4 7 8 1 9 4 6 3 5 7 2 4 6 1 8 9 3

8 4 1 5 9 6 7 2 3 8 5 9 1 4 6 3 9 8 5 2 7

7 2 9 1 8 3 6 4 5 7 2 1 3 8 9 2 5 7 1 6 4

2 6 1 5 3 7 4 9 8

4 5 7 6 9 8 2 3 1

9 3 8 2 1 4 6 5 7

9 2 4 8 1 3 5 7 6 3 8 2 9 1 4 2 8 5 7 3 6

5 1 8 7 2 6 3 9 4 1 7 6 8 2 5 3 6 7 9 4 1

3 7 6 5 4 9 1 8 2 9 4 5 7 6 3 1 4 9 8 5 2

W

2 8 9 1 5 4 7 6 3

7 4 5 6 3 8 9 2 1

6 3 1 2 9 7 8 4 5

4 9 2 3 8 5 6 1 7

1 5 7 9 6 2 4 3 8

8 6 3 4 7 1 2 5 9

1 8 2 5 3 6 4 7 9

5 9 6 7 1 4 2 8 3

3 4 7 8 9 2 1 6 5

6 5 1 4 2 8 3 9 7

4 3 9 6 7 1 5 2 8

2 7 8 9 5 3 6 1 4

S Y O G G Q N Y F L M E A T H

SMall CroSSWord

CALVIN & HOBBES

across: 1 Associate, 7 Longed, 9 Plainly, 10 Left, 12 Gas, 13 Amounts, 14 Use, 15 Data, 17 Battles, 19 Editor, 20 Recorders. down: 1 Applause, 2 Sale, 3 Sea, 4 Conductor, 5 Inland, 6 Texas, 8 Diseases, 11 Tomato, 13 Aside, 16 Tear, 18 Lie.

T

b 20 a R Tu d Te St

TarGeT eXeMplary amply apery army aryl early emery empyreal EXEMPLARY lamprey layer leery lyre marly mealy merely palmy paly parley payee payer pearly play player pray prey pyre relay rely repay replay reply xylem year yelp yelper ylem

DENNIS THE MENACE

C

a d

Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so the each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday Best described as a number crossword, the task in Kakuro is to fill all of the empty squares, using numbers 1 to 9, so the sum of each horizontal block equals the number to its left, and the sum of each vertical block equals the number on its top. No number may be used in the same block more than once. The difficulty level of the Conceptis Kakuro increases from Monday to Sunday.

MICRO CROSSwORD

CHALLENGER

Yesterday’s Answers

Yesterday’s

Yesterday’s

Sudoku Answer

Kakuro Answer

S

9

PAGE 8, Wednesday, January 7, 2026

China bans exports to Japan of dual-use goods that could enhance Tokyo's military power BEIJING Associated Press CHINA on Tuesday banned exports of dual-use goods that can serve military purposes to Japan, a move that comes at time of heightened tensions between the two countries over Taiwan, a self-ruled island Beijing claims as its sovereign territory. The Chinese commerce ministry said in a statement that exports of such items, which can serve both civilian and military purposes, to Japanese military users and all other end-users that could help enhance Japanese military power are prohibited. Any individual or organization that violates the rule by transferring or providing these made-in-China products to Japanese groups and people would face legal consequences, regardless of where they are from, it said. The notice did not identify or describe specific items, but some exports — particularly in the technology sector such as drones and navigation systems — could be adapted for military use. There was

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no immediate reaction from Japan. Relations between Japan and China worsened late last year after Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said its military could get involved if China were to take action against Taiwan. In December, Japan said Chinese military aircraft locked radar on its fighter jets even though there was a safe distance between them. Tokyo is barreling forward with efforts to significantly boost its military capabilities to stand up to China's growing threats by doubling annual arms spending. Last week, China launched large-scale military drills around Taiwan for two days to warn against what it calls separatist and external forces. At that time, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi slammed both Japan and Taiwan's "pro-independence forces." Wang said Japan's current leaders openly challenge China's territorial sovereignty and the postwar international order. Japan was defeated in World War II by the United States and its allies.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that EVENS FANFAN of #11 Kool-Air Sub, Nassau, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration/ Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 7th day of January 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

THE TRIBUNE

Snow and ice wreak havoc across Europe, causing deadly accidents and travel chaos By MIKE CORDER Associated Press SNOW, ice and freezing temperatures hit parts of Europe on Tuesday, causing treacherous traffic conditions that left at least five people dead in France and forcing the cancellation of hundreds of flights from one of the continent's busiest airports. Authorities in the Landes region of southwestern France reported three dead in accidents, and at least two more people were reportedly killed in the Îlede-France region around Paris, where authorities ordered trucks off the road as snowfall caused huge traffic jams on Monday. Paris awoke Tuesday to a blanket of snow on its famous rooftops and sites, and children whose schools couldn't hold classes delighted in an unexpected day off. Air travelers were less happy, as heavy snowfall forced the closure of six airports in the north and west of France. Dutch weather woes As snow fell across the Netherlands, Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport reported that some 600 flights were grounded during the day as crews worked to clear runways and de-ice planes waiting to depart. More

snow was forecast for the rest of the week. Dutch airline KLM warned travelers stranded at Schiphol that scammers posing as customer service staff were targeting passengers and incorrect phone numbers for the airline were circulating online. It warned people "to be alert to these phishing attempts. Do not respond to such messages, and do not share any personal or payment information." KLM also said it was running short of the glycol fluid it uses combined with hot water to de-ice planes before they take off. It said airports across Europe were facing similar problems after days of freezing temperatures. Just getting to and from the airport outside the Dutch capital was a struggle with frozen points and an early morning software glitch throwing the Netherlands' rail system into turmoil. Limited rail services resumed later in the morning but routes around Amsterdam remained largely closed because of the icy conditions, national railway company NS said on its website. It urged commuters to "only travel if it's absolutely necessary."

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that NORMAN MAE FORBES of Guynup Tree, Pinewood Gardens, Nassau, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration/ Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 7th day of January 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

Commuters forced to drive to work also faced time-consuming journeys as a combination of the snow and ice snarled traffic on some highways. Thijs Rademakers, an 18-year-old student, decided to ride his bike rather than wait for public transport. "It was tough, very slippery," he said in the eastern city of Arnhem. "Many people fall. Luckily, I didn't." Rome's wet weather limits numbers at pope's Epiphany blessing In Rome, weeks of rain that have swollen the Tiber River over its banks again muted Pope Leo XIV's Christmas-time celebrations. St. Peter's Square was only partially full Tuesday as a few thousand people crowded under colorful umbrellas to hear Leo deliver his Epiphany blessing from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica. Rome has been soaked by steady rains since before Christmas, and Mayor Roberto Gualtieri issued an ordinance for Tuesday limiting public access to parks and other areas at risk for falling trees and flooding. Farther north, snow dusted Bologna and gave skiers in the Dolomites reason to cheer, though freezing temperatures are forecast for much of the north and central part of the peninsula over the coming days. Temperatures plummet in Britain A cold snap sent the temperature in northern parts of Britain down to minus 12.5 degrees Celsius (9.5 Fahrenheit) overnight, as snow disrupted rail, road

and air travel and closed hundreds of schools. Horse races and soccer matches have been called off because of snow and frost, while a power failure caused by ice closed Glasgow's subway. Up to 15 centimeters (6 inches) of snow was forecast Tuesday for northern Scotland, where some people have already been snowed in by previous falls. Northeast Scotland lawmaker Andrew Bowie said the situation was "critical," calling for soldiers to be sent in to clear snow and get food and medical supplies to stranded people. Icy Balkans Both heavy snow and heavy rain swept through Balkan countries, swelling rivers and creating problems in traffic and disruptions in power and water supplies. A woman died in Bosnia's capital Sarajevo on Monday after a snow-covered tree branch fell on her head. In neighboring Serbia, some western municipalities introduced emergency measures due to bad weather. Authorities in Serbia warned drivers to be very careful as many set off toward skiing resorts or elsewhere for Orthodox Christmas on Wednesday and the upcoming weekend. Black ice stopped cars and forced drivers to park on the side on their way to Mount Bjelasnica above Sarajevo on Tuesday morning. Heavy wind and stormy seas battered the Adriatic coastline in Croatia and Montenegro. Video footage showed the sea sweeping through holiday cottages at Ada Bojana in southern Montenegro during a storm.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that LOUBEN GUSTAVE of Minnie Street, Nassau, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration/ Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 7th day of January 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that MARKSO ALMERUS of Shamrock Avenue, Carmichael Road, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 31st day of December, 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE IN THE ESTATE of JAMES GOMEZ, late of Marsh Harbour Abaco, one of the Islands of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, deceased. Notice is hereby given that all persons having any claim or demands against the above named Estate are required to send their names, addresses and particulars of the same duly certified in writing to the undersigned on or before the 26th day of January A.D., 2026, and if required, prove such debts or claims, or in default be excluded from any distribution; after the above date the assets will be distributed having regard only to the proved debts or claims of which the Administrator shall then And Notice is hereby given that all persons indebted to the said Estate are requested to make full settlement on or before the aforementioned date. MICHAEL A. DEAN & CO., Attorneys for the Administrator Alvernia Court, 49A Dowdeswell Street P.O. Box N-3114 Nassau, The Bahamas

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, January 7, 2026, PAGE 9

Three Big changes for retirement planning this year Christine Benz Associated Press FOR retirement savers and retirees, the new year brings more than the usual inflation adjustments to retirement contributions. The retirement legislation known as Secure 2.0 will also continue to phase in, and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will have impacts too. Here's a roundup of three key changes and some moves to consider. Thanks to a provision in the Secure 2.0 retirement legislation, high-income earners (with $150,000 or

more in FICA income in the prior year) who are over 50 and investing in 401(k) or other company retirement plans must make catch-up contributions to their plans' Roth option, rather than traditional tax-deferred contributions, starting this year. For 2026, 401(k) investors under 50 can contribute $24,500 to their company plans, plus $8,000 in catch-up contributions if they're over 50, for a total of $32,500. In addition, people age 60 to 63 can make "super-catch-up" contributions: $11,250 on top of $24,500.

Potential Action Items:Some 401(k) plans may not have a Roth option, so those participants should instead consider making a full IRA contribution in addition to their baseline 401(k) contributions ($24,500).This year, the IRA contribution limit is $8,600 for people over 50and $7,500 for those under 50. If you can invest even more than that, steer the overage to a taxable brokerage account. A separate issue is how 401(k) investors should proceed if their goal is to make traditional tax-deferred contributions rather

than Roth. Secure 2.0 forces higher-income older workers into Roth, at least with the catch-up portion of their contributions. In that case, workers can contribute the base 401(k) limit ($24,500) to the traditional tax-deferred option, with catch-up contributions directed to the Roth option. Thanks to OBBBA, taxpayers can now deduct a higher amount of state and local taxes. The SALT deduction cap was increased from $10,000 to $40,000 starting in 2025. It will revert to $10,000 in 2030. Potential Action Items:How is this related

to retirement? The amount of SALT that's deductible phases out for higher-income taxpayers—those with modified adjusted gross incomes over $500,000. High-income earners should consider ways to come in under $500,000 if they're close. They might favor contributions to traditional tax-deferred retirement plans rather than Roth or max out their health savings accounts. Qualifying for the higher SALT tax deduction might also argue against strategies that increase income, such as converting traditional IRAs to Roth.

Of course, don'tmiss the forest for the trees. Strategies like making Roth contributions or converting IRAs might make sense long-term, even if they curtail the deductibility of SALT. Through 2028, people 65and up can take advantage of a new $6,000 deduction. It'savailable whether you itemize or not and doubles to $12,000 for married couples filing jointly, assuming both are 65. For non-itemizers, the new deduction would stack on top of standard deductions.

Wall Street reaches more records on gains by Big Tech By DAMIAN J. TROISE AP Business Writer BROAD gains led by technology stocks pushed Wall Street to more records on Tuesday. The gains mirror much of the action from the previous year, when big technology stocks often drove the market to a series of records. Technology stocks led the gains, but several other sectors assisted in the broader market's advance. Health care companies, retailers and industrial firms broadly gained ground. Roughly three out of every four stocks in the benchmark S&P 500 index rose. The S&P 500 rose 42.77 points, or 0.6%, to 6,944.82, setting a record on just the third trading day of the year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 484.90 points, or 1%, to 49,462.08, hitting a record for a second-straight day. The Nasdaq composite rose 151.35 points, or 0.6%, to 23,547.17. Small company stocks outpaced their larger counterparts. The Russell 2000 jumped 1.4% and is now just below its record set in December. The most notable action remained in the tech sector. Amazon, which has reach into both retail and technology, surged 3.4%. It is one of the most valuable companies in the world and its outsized stock valuation helped counter losses elsewhere in the market, including a 1.8% loss from Apple. Micron Technology surged 10%, also helping to lift the market. Microsoft rose 1.2% Nvidia, which is often the biggest force behind the market's direction, wavered throughout the day and finished 0.5% lower. Sandisk surged 27.6% for the market's biggest gain. The stock's value has jumped more than 800% since spinning off from Western Digital last February. The gains have been driven by artificial intelligence and the resulting demand for data-storage hardware. Western Digital rose 16.8%. Technology companies, especially those focused on artificial intelligence, are being closely watched this week during the industry's annual CES trade show in Las Vegas. AI advances helped propel the broader market to a series of records in 2025. Investors will be watching companies for any updates that could shed more light on the big corporate investments in AI technology. The price of benchmark U.S. crude oil fell 2% to $57.13 per barrel, pulling back from sharp gains a day prior when the market reacted to U.S. forces capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a

weekend raid. The price of Brent crude, the international standard, fell 1.7% to $60.70 per barrel. Treasury yields rose in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury climbed to 4.16% from 4.15% late Monday. The yield on the two-year Treasury, which moves more closely with expectations for what the Federal Reserve will do, rose to 3.46% from 3.45% late Monday. Gold prices rose 1% and silver prices rose 5.7%. Such assets are often considered safe havens in times of geopolitical turmoil. The metals have notched record prices over the last year amid lingering economic concerns brought on by conflicts and trade wars. Markets in Europe gained ground. Outside of company announcements, Wall Street is preparing for several updates on the U.S. labor market this week, along with reports on the services sector and consumer sentiment. They will help paint a clearer picture of how vital parts of the economy closed out 2025 and the direction they could take in 2026. On Wednesday, the U.S. government will release its report on job openings for November. The October report showed that U.S. job openings had barely budged. Weekly unemployment data will be released on Thursday and the broader monthly employment report, for December, will be released on Friday. The Institute for Supply Management will also release its latest services sector update on Wednesday, while the University of Michigan will release its latest consumer sentiment survey Friday. They are both widely monitored because the services sector makes up the bulk of the U.S. economy, and consumer sentiment has been shaky under the weight of higher prices and economic uncertainty. The Fed will be analyzing all of that data and more ahead of its next meeting in late January. The central bank cut its benchmark interest rate three times late in 2025 to try and counter the economic impact of a softer jobs market. Lower interest rates on loans can help bolster economic activity. Cutting rates also risks fueling inflation at a time when it remains stubbornly above the Fed's 2% target and could potentially reheat. Rising inflation could counter any benefit from lower interest rates and weigh more heavily on the economy. Wall Street expects the Fed to hold interest rates steady at its January meeting.

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ALEXANDER Weitzman works on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange in New York, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. Photo:Seth Wenig/AP

Musk’s AI chatbot faces global backlash over sexualized images of women and children By KELVIN CHAN AP Business Writer ELON Musk's AI chatbot Grok is facing a backlash from governments around the world after a recent surge in sexualized images of women and children generated without consent by the artificial intelligence-powered tool. On Tuesday, Britain's top technology official demanded that Musk's social media platform X take urgent action while a Polish lawmaker cited it as a reason to enact digital safety laws. The European Union's executive arm has denounced Grok while officials and regulators in France, India, Malaysia and Brazil have condemned the platform and called for investigations. Rising alarm from disparate nations points to the nightmarish potential of nudification apps that use artificial intelligence to generate sexually explicit deepfake images. Here's a closer look: Image generation The problem emerged after the launch last year of Grok Imagine, an AI image generator that allows users to create videos and pictures by typing in text prompts. It includes a so-called "spicy mode" that can generate adult content. It snowballed late last month when Grok, which is hosted on X, apparently began granting a large number of user requests to modify images posted by others. As of Tuesday, Grok users could still generate images of women using requests such as, "put her in a transparent bikini." The problem is amplified both because Musk pitches his chatbot as an edgier alternative to rivals with more safeguards, and because Grok's images are publicly visible, and can therefore be easily spread. Nonprofit group AI Forensics said in a report that it analyzed 20,000 images generated by Grok between Dec. 25 and Jan. 1 and found that 2% depicted a person who appeared to be 18 or younger, including 30 of young or very young women or girls, in bikinis or transparent clothes. Musk response Musk's artificial intelligence company, xAI, responded to a request for comment with the automated response, "Legacy Media Lies". However, X did not deny that the troublesome content generated through Grok exists. Yet it still claimed in a post on its Safety account, that it takes action against illegal content, including child sexual abuse material, "by removing it, permanently suspending accounts, and working with local governments and law enforcement as necessary." The platform also repeated a comment from Musk, who said, "Anyone using Grok to make illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they upload illegal content." A growing list of countries are demanding that Musk does more to rein in explicit or abusive content.

WORKERS install lighting on an “X” sign atop the company headquarters, formerly known as Twitter, in downtown San Francisco, July 28, 2023. Photo:Noah Berger/AP Britain X must "urgently" deal with the problem, Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said Tuesday, adding that she supported additional scrutiny from the U.K.'s communications regulator, Ofcom. Kendall said the content is "absolutely appalling, and unacceptable in decent society." "We cannot and will not allow the proliferation of these demeaning and degrading images, which are disproportionately aimed at women and girls." Ofcom said Monday it has made "urgent contact" with X. "We are aware of serious concerns raised about a feature on Grok on X that produces undressed images of people and sexualised images of children," the watchdog said. The watchdog said it contacted both X and xAI to understand what steps it has taken to comply with British regulations. Under the U.K.'s Online Safety Act, social media platforms must prevent and remove child sexual abuse material when they become aware of it. Poland A Polish lawmaker used Grok on Tuesday as a reason for national digital safety legislation that would beef up protections for minors and make it easier for authorities to remove content. In an online video, Wlodzimierz Czarzasty, speaker of the parliament, said he wanted make himself a target of Grok to highlight the problem, as well as appeal to Poland's president for support of the legislation. "Grok lately is stripping people. It is undressing women, men and children. We feel bad about it. I would, honestly, almost want this Grok to also undress me," he said. European Union The bloc's executive arm is "well aware" that Grok is being used to for "explicit sexual content with some output generated with child-like

images," European Commission spokesman Thomas Regnier said "This is not spicy. This is illegal. This is appalling. This is disgusting. This is how we see it, and this has no place in Europe. This is not the first time that Grok is generating such output," he told reporters Monday. After Grok spread Holocaust-denial content last year, according to Regnier, the Commission sought more information from Musk's social media platform X. The response from X is currently being analyzed, he said. France The Paris prosecutor's office said it's widening an ongoing investigation of X to include sexually explicit deepfakes after officials receiving complaints from lawmakers. Three government ministers alerted prosecutors to "manifestly illegal content" generated by Grok and posted on X, according to a government statement last week. The government also flagged problems with country's communications regulator over possible breaches of the EU's Digital Services Act. "The internet is neither a lawless zone nor a zone of impunity: sexual offenses committed online constitute criminal offenses in their own right and fall fully under the law, just as those committed offline," the government said. India The Indian government on Friday issued an ultimatum to X, demanding that it take down all "unlawful content" and take action against offending users. The country's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology also ordered the company to review Grok's "technical and governance framework" and file a report on actions taken. The ministry accused Grok of "gross misuse" of AI and serious failures of its safeguards and enforcement by allowing the generation and sharing of "obscene images or videos of women in derogatory or vulgar manner in order to indecently denigrate them."

PAGE 10, Wednesday, January 7, 2026

THE TRIBUNE

How Delcy Rodríguez courted Donald Trump and rose to power in Venezuela

VENEZUELAN Vice President Delcy Rodriguez smiles during a press conference at the Miraflores presidential palace in Caracas Venezuela, Nov. 18, 2024. Photo:Ariana Cubillos/AP

By JOSHUA GOODMAN Associated Press IN 2017, as political outsider Donald Trump headed to Washington, Delcy Rodríguez spotted an opening. Then Venezuela's foreign minister, Rodríguez directed Citgo — a subsidiary of the state oil company — to make a $500,000 donation to the president's inauguration. With the socialist administration of Nicolas Maduro struggling to feed Venezuela, Rodríguez gambled on a deal that would have opened the door to American investment. Around the same time, she saw that Trump's ex-campaign manager was hired as a lobbyist for Citgo, courted Republicans in Congress and tried to secure a meeting with the head of Exxon. The charm offensive flopped. Within weeks of taking office, Trump, urged by then-Sen. Marco Rubio, made restoring Venezuela's democracy his driving focus in response to Maduro's crackdown on opponents. But the outreach did bear fruit for Rodríguez, making her a prominent face in U.S. business and political circles and paving the way for her own rise. "She's an ideologue, but a practical one," said Lee McClenny, a retired foreign service officer who was the top U.S. diplomat in Caracas during the period of Rodríguez's outreach. "She knew that Venezuela needed to find a way to resuscitate a moribund oil economy and seemed willing to work with the Trump administration to do that." Nearly a decade later, as Venezuela's interim president, Rodríguez's message — that Venezuela is open for business — seems to have persuaded Trump. In the days since Maduro's stunning capture Saturday, he's alternately praised Rodríguez as a "gracious" American partner while threatening a similar fate as her former boss if she doesn't keep the ruling party in check and provide the U.S. with "total access" to the country's vast oil reserves. One thing neither

has mentioned is elections, something the constitution mandates must take place within 30 days of the presidency being permanently vacated. This account of Rodríguez's political rise is drawn from interviews with 10 former U.S. and Venezuelan officials as well as businessmen from both countries who've had extensive dealings with Rodríguez and in some cases have known her since childhood. Most spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation from someone who they almost universally described as bookishly smart, sometimes charming but above all a cutthroat operator who doesn't tolerate dissent. Rodríguez didn't respond to AP requests for an interview. Father's murder hardens leftist outlook Rodríguez entered the leftist movement started by Hugo Chávez late — and on the coattails of her older brother, Jorge Rodríguez, who as head of the National Assembly swore her in as interim president Monday. Tragedy during their childhood fed a hardened leftist outlook that would stick with the siblings throughout their lives. In

1976 — when, amid the Cold War, U.S. oil companies, American political spin doctors and Pentagon advisers exerted great influence in Venezuela — a little-known urban guerrilla group kidnapped a Midwestern businessman. Rodriguez's father, a socialist leader, was picked up for questioning and died in custody. McClenny remembers Rodríguez bringing up the murder in their meetings and bitterly blaming the U.S. for being left fatherless at the age of 7. The crime would radicalize another leftist of the era: Maduro. Years later, while Jorge Rodríguez was a top electoral official under Chávez, he secured for his sister a position in the president's office. But she advanced slowly at first and clashed with colleagues who viewed her as a haughty know-it-all. In 2006, on a whirlwind international tour, Chávez booted her from the presidential plane and ordered her to fly home from Moscow on her own, according to two former officials who were on the trip. Chávez was upset because the delegation's schedule of meetings had fallen apart and that triggered a feud with Rodriguez, who was responsible for the agenda.

"It was painful to watch how Chávez talked about her," said one of the former officials. "He would never say a bad thing about women but the whole flight home he kept saying she was conceited, arrogant, incompetent." Days later, she was fired and never occupied another high-profile role with Chávez. Political revival and soaring power under Maduro Years later, in 2013, Maduro revived Rodríguez's career after Chávez died of cancer and he took over. A lawyer educated in Britain and France, Rodríguez speaks English and spent large amounts of time in the United States. That gave her an edge in the internal power struggles among Chavismo — the movement started by Chávez, whose many factions include democratic socialists, military hardliners who Chávez led in a 1992 coup attempt and corrupt actors, some with ties to drug trafficking. Her more worldly outlook, and refined tastes, also made Rodríguez a favorite of the so-called "boligarchs" — a new elite that made fortunes during Chávez's Bolivarian revolution.

One of those insiders, media tycoon Raul Gorrín, worked hand-in-glove with Rodríguez's back-channel efforts to mend relations with the first Trump administration and helped organize a secret visit by Rep. Pete Sessions, a Texas Republican, to Caracas in April 2018 for a meeting with Maduro. A few months later, U.S. federal prosecutors unsealed the first of two money laundering indictments against Gorrin. After Maduro promoted Rodríguez to vice president in 2018, she gained control over large swaths of Venezuela's oil economy. To help manage the petro-state, she brought in foreign advisers with experience in global markets. Among them were two former finance ministers in Ecuador who helped run a dollarized, export-driven economy

more flexible, trustworthy partner than Maduro. Some have likened her to a sort of Venezuelan Deng Xiaoping — the architect of modern China. Hans Humes, chief executive of Greylock Capital Management, said that experience will serve her well as she tries to jumpstart the economy, unite Chavismo and shield Venezuela from stricter terms dictated by Trump. Imposing an opposition-led government right now, he said, could trigger bloodshed of the sort that ripped apart Iraq after U.S. forces toppled Saddam Hussein and formed a provisional government including many leaders who had been exiled for years. "We've seen how expats who have been outside of the country for too long think things should be the

"It was painful to watch how Chávez talked about her. He would never say a bad thing about women but the whole flight home he kept saying she was conceited, arrogant, incompetent." Former official under fellow leftist Rafael Correa. Another key associate is French lawyer David Syed, who for years has been trying to renegotiate Venezuela's foreign debt in the face of crippling U.S. sanctions that make it impossible for Wall Street investors to get repaid. "She sacrificed her personal life for her political career," said one former friend. As she amassed more power, she crushed internal rivals. Among them: once powerful Oil Minister Tareck El Aissami, who was jailed in 2024 as part of an anti-corruption crackdown spearheaded by Rodríguez. In her de-facto role as Venezuela's chief operating officer, Rodríguez proved a

way it was before they left," said Humes, who has met with Maduro as well as Rodríguez on several occasions. "You need people who know how to work with how things are not how they were." Democracy deferred? Where Rodríguez's more pragmatic leadership style leaves Venezuela's democracy is uncertain. Trump, in remarks after Maduro's capture, said Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Corina Machado lacks the "respect" to govern Venezuela despite her handpicked candidate winning what the U.S. and other governments consider a landslide victory in 2024 presidential elections stolen by Maduro.

Alaska Airlines pilot who safely landed plane after panel blew out says Boeing unfairly blamed him By JOSH FUNK AP Transportation Writer THE Alaska Airlines pilot who has been universally praised as a hero for safely landing a jet after a door plug panel flew off shortly after takeoff is suing Boeing because he believes the plane maker wrongly tried to blame him and the rest of the crew. Captain Brandon Fisher was commended by the heads of the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration and even Boeing executives for helping ensure none of the 177 people aboard flight 1282 were killed when the blowout happened in January 2024. But Fisher's lawyers say Boeing's attempts to deflect liability in past lawsuits despite what the NTSB investigation found led to the pilot being sued by some passengers and caused him great distress. Still, experts say it's unusual for a pilot to sue like this. "Boeing's lie infuriated Captain Fisher as well, as he was being castigated for his actions as opposed to being lauded," Fisher's lawyers, William Walsh and Richard Mummolo, wrote in the lawsuit filed in an Oregon court. "Because he had flown Boeing aircraft for the entirety of his employment with Alaska Airlines, Boeing's attempts to blame him felt like a deep, personal betrayal by a company that claimed to hold pilots in the highest regard."

Four flight attendants previously sued Boeing over the incident last summer. The NTSB investigation of the blowout found that four bolts securing what is known as the door plug panel were removed and never replaced during a repair as the Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft was being assembled. Boeing and key supplier Spirit Aerosystems, which has since been acquired by Boeing, were both implicated. The bolts are hidden behind interior panels in the plane, so they are not something that could have been easily checked in a preflight inspection by the pilot or anyone else from the airline. NTSB investigators determined the door plug was gradually moving upward over the 154 flights prior to the incident before it ultimately flew off. The NTSB made clear this was caused by a manufacturing issue and the crew's actions were exemplary. Experienced pilot John Cox, who is CEO of the Safety Operating Systems aviation safety consulting firm, said the crew did a remarkable job considering what they were dealing with, and no one has faulted the crew. "I think the Boeing lawyers were kind of grasping at straws," Cox said. The blowout occurred minutes after the flight took off from Portland, Oregon, and created a roaring air vacuum. Seven passengers and one flight attendant

sustained minor injuries, but the plane landed safely. The 2-foot-by-4-foot (61-centimeter-by-122-centimeter) piece of fuselage covering an unused emergency exit behind the left wing had blown out. Only seven seats on the flight were unoccupied, including the two seats closest to the opening. Boeing factory workers told NTSB investigators they felt pressured to work too fast and were asked to perform jobs they weren't qualified for. Fisher's lawsuit describes how he and the first officer acted quickly after losing cabin pressure when the panel blew out to fly the plane safely back to Portland while decreasing altitude and working with air traffic controllers to avoid any other planes in the area. The airline didn't answer a question about whether Fisher is still flying for them, and the lawsuit described him as a citizen and well-respected member of the aviation community. It wasn't clear Tuesday whether he is still working as a pilot. The head of the commercial airplane unit at Boeing, Stan Deal, commended the Alaska Airlines crew for safely landing the plane in a memo to employees after the incident. Boeing did not comment directly on this new lawsuit. But the company's CEO, Kelly Ortberg, has made improving safety a top priority ever since he took over the top job at Boeing in August 2024.

THIS image taken Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, and released by the National Transportation Safety Board, shows the section of a a Boeing 737 Max where a door plug fell while Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 was in flight. Photo:NTSB/AP

Guyana suspends mining licenses of more than 100 Brazilians in gold smuggling crackdown By BERT WILKINSON Associated Press GUYANA has threatened to deport more than 100 Brazilian miners and suspended their licenses after accusing them of producing large amounts of raw gold but not declaring or failing to sell most of it to the government or authorized buyers. Authorities accused Brazilian miners who are using powerful river and land dredges in the Amazon jungle of sending their production back home, ignoring local laws that mandate sales to the state-run gold board and string of buyers with state permits. Guyana's Geology and Mines Commission announced late Monday the immediate suspension of licenses awarded to 107 miners. Commissioner

Newell Dennison told The Associated Press on Tuesday that summonses were sent to all permit holders to "come in to us and let us examine their records. If they don't come, then consider operations suspended because when we try to reach some of them to discuss compliance, the information they have given us usually proves to be bogus," he said. The commission is acting on an edict that President Irfaan Ali issued late last week, giving miners 24 hours to comply or face license suspension and deportation from the South American nation. Gold is Guyana's number two foreign exchange earner after offshore oil. Both the commission and a miners association say it's

unclear how many thousands of Brazilians operate in the sector because most work in remote western and southwestern areas near the Brazilian border, which they cross with little or no state oversight. Previous studies by Guyana's special organized crime unit suggest that up to 15,000 troy ounces of gold are smuggled out of the country weekly to Brazil, through the river border with Suriname, and then on to the U.S., Europe and the Middle East. In mid-2024, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned Guyanese businessmen Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed for allegedly smuggling more than 22,000 pounds (10,000 kilograms) of gold to the U.S., evading more than $50 million in taxes.