01132026 BUSINESS

business@tribunemedia.net

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

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Bahamian investors target $400m for GBPA purchase • Ex-Olympian, former Senator and Rupert Roberts’ granddaughter in bid • Plan ‘new smart city by sea’ on 75,000 acres of unsold DevCO holdings • Licensee, Bahamian ownership planned through $65m initial public offer

BY NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net A BAHAMIAN investor group featuring an ex-Olympic swimmer, former FNM senator and grand-daughter of Super Value’s owner are aiming to raise more than $400m in initial capital to finance the acquisition of the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) and its key economic assets. Nicholas Rees, chairman and co-founder of Kanoo, the digital payments provider, has teamed with attorney John Bostwick and Paige Waugh, grand-daughter of Rupert Roberts, to form Born Free Capital as a “100 percent Bahamian-owned acquisition vehicle” that is seeking to purchase both the GBPA, and its quasi-governmental

Bahamas ‘can’t wait’ on boating fee reform By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas cannot afford to wait until the endMarch Palm Beach Boat Show to unveil reforms to its boating fees and associated regulatory regime, a marina chief is warning, while arguing the sector is not opposed to fishing permits as a concept or in principle. Peter Maury, the Association of Bahamas Marinas (ABM) president, told Tribune Business that the industry’s concerns

surround the inconvenience and bureaucratic impediments created by how the new fishing permit has been implemented as he blasted the seeming disconnect between what Parliament passes into law and how this is executed by government agencies on the ground. Asserting that he is “not hopeful at all” about any revisions to the new and increased boating fees that were introduced on July 1 to coincide with the new Budget year, he added that the most he and the marina

LEVY - See Page B6

and regulatory powers, and the 50 percent Freeport Harbour Company and DevCO interests held by Port Group Ltd. Details of Born Free Capital’s plans are contained in a November 1, 2025, “investment presentation” which has been obtained by Tribune Business. The purchase strategy is divided into two phases, dubbed ‘Project Lionfish’ and ‘Project Grouper’ respectively, with the former focused solely on acquiring 100 percent of Grand Bahama Development Company (DevCO). This first stage would seemingly involve purchasing the 50 percent DevCO stake held by Hutchison Whampoa’s real estate arm, as well as the matching equity interest held by Port Group Ltd, which is the entity into which all the GBPA’s productive economic assets

have been transferred to. Other Hutchison interests, including the Freeport Harbour Company, would not be touched. Born Free Capital’s presentation values the whole of DevCO, and its remaining 75,000 acres of undeveloped land, at between $120m and $150m. DevCO’s acquisition is branded “crucial to unlocking” Freeport’s potential as a special economic zone (SEZ) since its 75,000 acres will form the location of a new “smart city by the sea” capable of housing the 250,000-plus people needed to staff and drive the free trade zone. The presentation, which has been issued to solicit potential investors and the necessary financing to make Born Free Capital’s plans a reality,

Bahamas is ‘a jewel ready to be polished’ BY NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas must “take advantage of the jewel we have” and exploit the world’s “craziness” to attract increased real estate and other investments, a top realtor is urging, while arguing that property tax should be imposed on “substantial” Bahamian-owned Out Island holdings. Mario Carey, founder and chief executive of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate MCR

Bahamas, told Tribune Business that this nation needs to further promote itself as a tax-neutral haven of stability featuring continuity of government amid all the ongoing global conflicts and geopolitical uncertainties, adding: “We are a jewel ready to be polished.” However, he asserted that the Government should again review the blanket real property tax exemption provided to all Bahamian-owned undeveloped land in the Family Islands - especially

ACQUISITION - See Page B4

MARIO CAREY significant holdings held for generations by wealthy local families that have seen little to no economic or development activity. Other observers have previously described this exemption as a “major carve out” from the Government’s tax policy and revenue earnings, while suggesting that the absence of real property tax has encouraged ‘land banking’ by eliminating so-called carrying costs and thus removing any encouragement for Bahamians with

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NICHOLAS REES

JOHN BOSTWICK

PAIGE WAUGH

• Nation must exploit world ‘craziness’ to draw investors • Realtor urges end to Bahamian property tax exemption • Aims is to incentivise development and ‘not to penalise’ means to put their holdings to more productive use. Mr Carey, though, told this newspaper that the goal of removing this exemption should to be incentivise job-creating growth and investments not penalise or sanction. He added that Bahamians who sought to develop

PROMOTE - See Page B7

Gov’t eliminating VAT on all uncooked food DR DUANE SANDS

MICHAEL PINTARD

Opposition blasts Mayaguana port as ‘pre-election gimmick’ BY NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Opposition’s chairman is blasting the Government’s announcement of a public-private partnership (PPP) to develop Mayaguana into a cargo/logistics hub and cruise port call as “nothing more than a pre-election gimmick” designed to secure votes. Dr Duane Sands told Tribune Business the Davis administration’s tie-up with Global Lead Consultant Group, a newly-formed 100 percent Bahamian-owned entity, recalled memories of the failed $1.8bn I-Group project that was supposed to develop similar facilities

on Mayaguana as he questioned how the PPP can succeed in the face of similar challenges. These, he said, included the absence of necessary supporting infrastructure - such as utilities and roads for a project said to involve a $300m investment over a five-year period in its first phase plus a sizeable workforce on an island that has barely a 100-strong population. The Government said the PPP with Global Lead Consultant Group will generate 2,000 full-time jobs when fully operational, which is many times the island’s population size. Dr Sands was joined in his criticisms and concerns

SHIPPING - See Page B5

BY FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@ tribunemedia.net THE Prime Minister last night announced that VAT will now be entirely eliminated from all unprepared food and grocery items with effect from April 1, 2026, as the Government moved on further concessions to address cost of living concerns ahead of the upcoming general election. Going further than the half-measures unveiled almost one year ago, when the VAT rate on the same items was slashed in half from 10 percent to the current 5 percent, Philip Davis KC used a televised national address to reveal that this will now be cut to zero at Easter in a bid to offer more aid to families still struggling with high prices. Asserting that his administration has implemented a series of

PHILIP DAVIS KC measures aimed at restoring fiscal stability and reducing the cost of living for Bahamian families, the Prime Minister said VAT on uncooked and unprepared foods will now be fully eliminated. “Effective April 1, we are eliminating VAT entirely on all food sold in food stores,” said Mr Davis. “This will apply to fresh fruits and vegetables, baby food, lunch snacks, frozen foods and other groceries — everything

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CAPTAIN Danilo Cha, of MSC Grandiosa, exchanges plaques with Autria Bethel, operations co-ordinator at Nassau Cruise Port.

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OCEANIA Allura’s captain, Pavle Silic, exchanges plaques with Tucker Maura, operations co-ordinator at Nassau Cruise Port.

NASSAU Cruise Port’s team exchanges plaques with Captain Luciano Montesanto of Seven Seas Grandeur. Pictured L to R: Ashley Darville, marketing and communications co-ordinator, NCP; Captain Luciano Montesanto, Seven Seas Grandeur; Tucker Maura, Operations Coordinator, NCP; Iesha Rolle, Assistant Events Manager, NCP.

Nassau Cruise Port sees three first-time visitors THE first-ever calls at Nassau Cruise Port (NCP) by three different cruise vessels last month signals strong business momentum for early 2026, its operator says. Nassau Cruise Port, in a statement, said it first welcomed MSC Grandiosa, a Meraviglia Plus class vessel from MSC Cruises, on Sunday, December 7. With capacity for more than 4,800 guests at double occupancy, the ship’s arrival was said to have marked a significant milestone in the long-standing partnership between the cruise and MSC Cruises, the cruise

arm of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). The following day, Nassau Cruise Port said it welcomed Oceania Allura, the latest ship in Oceania Cruises fleet. The final inaugural call took place on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, with Seven Seas Grandeur, the latest vessel by Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Mike Maura, Nassau Cruise Port’s chief executive and director, said: “Welcoming three premium and luxury cruise line inaugural calls in the same month is a powerful signal of renewed and growing interest in Nassau from

the luxury cruise sector. These calls reflect the confidence cruise lines have in our destination and in the strategic investments we’ve made to elevate the guest experience. “Across all segments, increased vessel calls translate directly into greater economic opportunity for downtown Nassau, local entrepreneurs and Bahamians whose livelihoods depend on tourism. As we look ahead to 2026, we are focused on strengthening these partnerships and continuing to deliver value for our community.”

SEVEN Seas Grandeur is docked at Nassau Cruise Port on Wednesday, December 10, 2025.

Hurricanes’ championship run boosts Bahamas partnership tie THE Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation (BMOTIA) says its promotional and marketing partnership with the Miami Hurricanes has paid off with the team’s run to the college football National Championship Game. The ministry, in a statement, said that - as a presenting sponsor for select Miami Hurricanes games and activations it has collaborated with University of Miami

Athletics to deliver Bahamian-themed fan zones, cultural performances such Junkanoo rush-outs, and exclusive giveaways at Hard Rock Stadium. It added that this multi-year partnership, now in its third season, continues to boost connections between South Florida’s fan base and The Bahamas, encouraging travel for sports tourism, conferences and leisure adventures. The collaboration has

included events such as ‘Canes Weekend at Atlantis, where fans and legends gather for meet-and-greets, football clinics and island explorations. “The Miami Hurricanes’ extraordinary journey this season exemplifies the resilience and excellence that define both their programme and the unbreakable spirit of The Bahamas,” said Chester Cooper, deputy prime minister and minister of

tourism, investments and aviation. “As their official destination partner, we take immense pride in standing alongside the Miami Hurricanes during this defining moment in college football, a partnership that reflects our shared commitment to triumph and celebration just a short flight away in our beautiful islands.” “This historic play-off run has ignited a wave of excitement that resonates deeply

with the vibrant energy of The Bahamas,” said Latia Duncombe, the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation’s director-general. “We’re proud to partner with University of Miami Athletics to showcase how sports can unite communities and inspire travel, and we look forward to welcoming ‘Canes supporters to our shores for unforgettable experiences - from pristine beaches and world-class

resorts to cultural immersions that create lifelong ambassadors for paradise.” “This play-off run speaks to the momentum of our athletics programme and the strength of the partnerships that surround it,” said Chris Maragno, senior vice-president of Hurricane global partnerships. “We’re proud to share this moment with partners like The Bahamas, whose creativity, engagement and commitment have helped elevate the fan throughout the season.”

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Tuesday, January 13, 2026, PAGE 3

Tax authorities warn against late Business Licence filings BY ANNELIA NIXON Tribune Business Reporter anixon@tribunemedia.net BAHAMIAN tax authorities are urging companies not to wait until the last minute to submit Business Licence filings after the online submission portal suffered “delays” early in the New Year with less than 1,000 having applied for registration under the new liquor licence regime. Department of Inland Revenue (DIR) officials confirmed that the agency’s online portal and website encountered load issues on January 1, but said the problem has now been fixed. They are using the incident to encourage over 50,000 businesses to submit Business Licence filings and returns ahead of the end-January deadline to avoid overloading the system and missing this date. And Beaumont Todd, the Department of Inland Revenue’s training communications manager, speaking during

the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers’ Confederation’s (BCCEC) Business Readiness Expo 2026, said the agency over the past few months has been meeting with different groups and holding virtual sessions to inform them of the new liquor licence regulatory requirements. Despite this, he said “maybe less than 1,000 businesses” have applied. “Now one thing I'll say is, one of the things the Government did is they gave a listing of businesses that would and would not be affected from when they made the announcement about the liquor licence,” Mr Todd said. “What we've been doing over the last couple of months is meeting with the different groups, having the different virtual sessions to educate persons on what they needed. “We made sure to encourage persons, especially with the Business Licence period coming up, more than 90 days out because they were going to need the 90-day period both for review; to

get all of the renewal documentation to ensure that if there were any difficulties they would have been able, at the same time, to reach in to us. “I think on average we may have had maybe less than 1,000 businesses that have applied... and a part of that process may be the fact that persons are just waiting for the last minute. I don't know. But the one thing I will say is we encourage persons to go on to our website, inlandrevenue.finance. gov.bs, and we have a lot of information pertaining to the liquor licence registration so that if they need help, whether it's through the guides, we have guidelines on that they can walk through,” Mr Todd added. “We have a video for them to walk through, as well as the registration process, to try to speed up the process. If they have questions, we encourage persons to reach out to us. We have a whole unit that deals with the liquor licence registration for the same reason, so that if they do have

inquiries, they can get the help that they need.” Speaking on regular Business Licence filings, Mr Todd reported that 100 to 200 persons visit the Department of Inland Revenue daily to address the submissions. He said foot traffic has decreased slightly this year, but added that it may be because “persons have gotten comfortable going through the process themselves online”. Mr Todd confirmed that the Department of Inland Revenue’s system is back-up and operational after it experienced “some delays”. With the Business License renewal period stretching from January 1 to January 31, he encouraged persons not to wait until the last minute to start the process. “One of the things we tell persons is our people are either really early or really late,” he said. “So because of the amount of persons that hit the system, honestly, every year at the beginning of the year, that was one of the things that caused the system probably to have

some delays, but everything is back up and running now. So we're encouraging persons to go on through the process. Please do not wait until the end of the month. As you go through, you have the entire month where you can renew your Business Licence. “...Usually when the year starts off, a lot of times we have more than 50,000 registered businesses. Probably at this point somewhere between 60,000, maybe 80,000 businesses. So you can imagine, if everybody is trying to get into the system at the same time, it's going to be a difficulty. So we do encourage persons to prepare before January 1 comes in, so that once everything is up and running, they can go through.” Don Williams, the BCCEC chairman, said about 20 members had reached out concerning the Department of Inland Revenue’s system issues. “It was a slight inconvenience that was faced,” he said. “Some brought up the concern because they

Bar exploits first-ever regional event as Bahamas experience BY FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net A BAHAMIAN bar has staged a first-ever event that brought together some of the Caribbean’s top bars and mixology talent to showcase craft, creativity and hospitality. Niko Imbert, vice-president of hospitality at Bon Vivants, said the Caribbean Cocktail Festival that it hosted last weekend was designed to be a destination event that attracts visitors not only from The Bahamas but neighbouring Caribbean countries and the US.

Speaking to Tribune Business, Mr Imbert said the festival was not just a showcase of mixology but a strategic effort to elevate The Bahamas as a destination for experiential tourism. He explained that by bringing together top Caribbean bars and bartenders, the festival draws visitors who might not otherwise think of this nation for craft cocktails, thereby creating new opportunities for local hospitality and tourism businesses. “The look of amazement on their faces when they realise they can come to The Bahamas and experience

craft cocktails is incredible,” said Mr Imbert. “Many of these visitors are influencers or experts in marketing themselves, so it also helps put The Bahamas on the map. For the country, that’s a huge win. Any advertisement is good, but when it has clear direction, purpose and inspires people to come, it resonates - tourists, industry professionals, customers. Honestly, it’s just good for hospitality overall.” The festival also highlighted the regional reach of the Caribbean cocktail scene. Bars from the Cayman Islands and Puerto Rico, including Library by the Sea and La Factoría, participated in The Bahamas

event and will host the tour in their home countries later this year. Mr Imbert said this rotation ensures the festival not only promotes The Bahamas as a tourism hub but also strengthens the region’s hospitality and mixology networks. “We want to make it a true destination event, one that draws people intentionally from nearby states or neighbouring Caribbean countries. Honestly, I’d go to Puerto Rico to experience a place like La Factoría, but if The Bahamas offers it, it’s closer; I’m there,” said Mr Imbert. “That allure alone brings people in, and it doesn’t just

NIB tells businesses to exploit interest waiver By ANNELIA NIXON Tribune Business Reporter anixon@tribunemedia.net THE BAHAMAS Chamber of Commerce and Employers’ Confederation (BCCEC) sought to bridge the gap between the Government and private sector by bringing all the former’s agencies that deal with companies together in one location via Friday’s Business Readiness Expo. Entrepreneurs headed to Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium to take advantage of an event designed to improve the ease of doing business in The Bahamas. Don Williams, the BCCEC chairman, said the purpose of the expo was to “solve a problem that a lot of businesses have come to the Chamber for”. “The agencies take on a load that happens,” Mr Williams said. “We know that even down to Inland Revenue just January 1, because of the load, their portal crashed. They got it back

up in time. But obviously that's an issue for the business community. And then in terms of reaching out, the turnaround time sometimes can vary. So this allows us to bridge the gap and we're being the change that we want to see.” Mr Williams said the Chamber allocated for 12 vendors and left two extra available spaces for other businesses. Noting that this is the first year the Chamber has hosted the event, he added that next year it will invite additional agencies based on feedback from the public. “So at this expo we have agencies such as Inland Revenue, the National Insurance Board, Town Planning, Customs is on their way, we have Water and Sewerage, BICA just to name a few,” he said. “Because we know January is [Business Licence] renewal month and the deadline is January 31, you can come down now and see all of these agencies. In some cases, you can walk out of here with your

renewal or your new Business Licence today. “This is the first time that the Chamber has hosted this event. It's already turning out to be a success. Businesses are coming in, persons are coming in. They're getting served pretty quickly. They're able to go through down the line, and they're leaving quite quickly as well with positive solutions. So we're looking for a lot of foot traffic today. We're looking forward to the feedback that we get, and we're looking forward to seeing this again next year.” The National Insurance Board (NIB) said it has a new interest waiver programme to encourage compliance. “So if you actually look around for one of the most populated desks at the moment, we haven't had a slow moment yet,” NIB's communications assistant manager, Rudeena Basden, said. “From we opened at 10am, persons were at our desk. All seats are filled. They're still filled. You will

find that persons typically need NIB for a lot of things. So they need it to pay contributions, they need to be compliant to renew Business Licence etc, and to do business with government if they want to get a government contract, renew work permits. So yes, people really need NIB, and we want them to come in and be compliant and to work with us. “And one of the ways we put in place to do that, for example, is our interest waiver programme. So that's new. That's as a result of one of our 2024 amendments, which allows the

wanted to start the process early, but it was something that the very next day, it was back up and running. We had no complaints. And they're here today, bright and early. And as you can see, they [DIR] have one of the busiest tables.” Mr Todd noted that the DIR hosts walk-throughs from Monday to Thursday, between the hours of 10am to 11am, 11am to 12pm and 1pm to 2pm for those in need of assistance. He said it also has a number of walkthroughs online as well. He said the Family Islands may see extended hours and they will hold two pop-up events at the Mall at Marathon set for January 17 and January 24. “[It’s] to make sure that we are going to be in place where persons can get assistance, not just with a Business Licence, but with real property, VAT and any other aspect that the department actually offers because we want persons to be able to easily get through this process in this season,” Mr Todd said.

amaze them; it earns their respect, loyalty and belief in our cocktail programmes, our bartenders and our staff.” Mr Imbert said Bon Vivants has been working to cultivate a strong local audience and raise the standard of mixology in The Bahamas. This ongoing effort has helped establish a stronger foundation for craft cocktails in the Bahamian market, while establishing the bar’s role as a leader in the hospitality industry. “When we first opened Bon Vivants, it was a tricky situation because locals weren’t very adventurous when it came to cocktails or trying new things. Over

the years, though, with the programme we’ve built and the way we communicate what we do, we’ve gotten more locals to come in and not just enjoy what we offer, but actually relate it to experiences they’ve had while travelling - discovering drinks and places around the world they might have thought they could only find abroad,” said Mr Imbert. “Hearing that from regulars, and even visitors from those places, reassures me that we’re on the right track in terms of building a strong foundation and pushing craft, balance and clarity in the local industry. If I had to sum it up in one line: Bon Vivants has been spearheading the cocktail scene in a very intentional, strong and clear way.”

Board or the minister to waive interest on arrears. So currently, what that looks like is we have a programme that's running until March 31 of this year. Persons that are in areas such as Grand Bahama and Abaco, we offer up to 75 percent interest waiver, and if you are in New Providence, up to 50 percent or any other island up to 50 percent.” Ms Basden added: “The goal is to get businesses compliant again. We want to increase the ease of doing business, we want to make sure that employees are protected and that their contributions are protected and, as well, their access to the benefits that they deserve. And it's very easy to do.

“One would walk in, make an appointment with their inspector, have an assessment done to see what is fully owed for their arrears period. You make application in writing to the director of NIB requesting this interest waiver. With all the supporting documents that are requested, it goes before the review board and, once approved, you would agree upon a repayment plan. “So once the interest is waived, you either pay on some payment or on an agreed upon installment plan. So again, that's until March 31 of this year. So we want persons to take advantage of this opportunity. So it's not just today. It's until March 31 at any NIB location.”

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Bidder aims to Dorian-proof Freeport through dike system ACQUISITION - from page B1 also discloses that it will hire major maritime, infrastructure and coastal engineering and construction firms to develop “diked systems” that will protect Freeport and the “new smart city” from future Hurricane Dorian-style storms surges as well as climate change-related sea level rise. The second phase, ‘Project Grouper’, involves the acquisition of both the GBPA and Port Group Ltd through the purchase of their ultimate parent company, Cayman-domiciled Intercontinental Diversified Corporation (IDC), which is valued at $270m. This would include purchasing the 50 percent equity ownership interest in Freeport Harbour Company, plus the entire 100 percent of Grand Bahama Utility Company, which is Freeport’s water supplier. It would also involve acquiring Freeport Commercial and Industrial, the land-holding company that owns 8,000 acres of real estate targeted for commercial and industrial development, plus Carrick Ltd, which is the ultimate immediate parent for a 50 percent stake in Sanitation Services Company. Port Group Ltd’s minority Grand Bahama Shipyard interest would also be involved in the proposed deal. To finance its ambitious acquisition, Born Free Capital’s investment presentation reveals it is seeking an initial $402.8m in financing through a mix of debt and equity capital. The $42.8m worth of equity is broken down into $5m injected by its “founders’, with a further $37.8m to be raised from both “pre-seed”

and “seed investors” in two separate rounds. The $360m debt, described as “bridge” or “mezzanine” financing, will be raised through the issuance of two preference share classes that will pay interest returns to investors of 10 percent over a twoyear period. At the end of that 24-month period, Born Free Capital is offering to either convert those preference shares to $441m worth of equity shares in itself or refinance them via longterm debt worth the same amount and paying 6.5 percent interest. The presentation also reveals that Born Free Capital is planning to give Bahamian investors, as well as GBPA licensees, an equity ownership interest in the purchase by issuing 20m common shares, priced at $3.25 per share, in a $65m initial public offering (IPO) although a date and timeline for this was not provided. Two tranches of four million shares, worth a collective $13m each, would be allocated to a fund created for GBPA licensees and the Government’s National Investment Fund, respectively, with the remaining 12m - valued at a collective $39m - would be available for purchase by Bahamian private investors. Collectively, the Government, licensees and Bahamian investors would end up owning 5 percent of Born Free Capital’s equity, with the largest interests held by its founders (25 percent); and seed and converted preference share investors (30 percent and 35 percent) if all goes to plan. Born Free Capital’s principals declined to comment when contacted by Tribune Business, citing the existence of non-disclosure agreements that they have

signed up to. However, this newspaper understands that it has been negotiating with the GBPA and its two owners, the Hayward and St George families, for some time - and possibly as long as two years. Information contained in the presentation makes clear that Born Free Capital and its principals have been conducting due diligence on both the GBPA, Port Group Ltd and their underlying operating companies, and have received financial information on what are private companies. While much work remains to be done, this newspaper understands that negotiations are continuing and the bid to raise capital is very much active. “They want to create a nationalistic project that empowers Bahamians, eliminates the red tape, opens up the doors for Bahamians to be empowered, have access to land, access to capital and greater ownership in their country,” one source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said of Born Free Capital’s plans. “They have created something beautiful. It’s a matter of them pushing through to the end and gaining support.” The revelation of a fully Bahamian-owned group’s GBPA and Port Group Ltd bid comes amid the wait for the three-strong arbitration panel to deliver its verdict on the Government’s accusation that Freeport’s quasi-governmental regulator owes the Public Treasury some $357m. It is claiming this figure represents how much the Government’s public expenditure in the Port area has exceeded the tax revenues received from the latter, and is demanding compensation as allegedly provided for by the Hawksbill Creek Agreement.

IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS IN THE SUPREME COURT Common Law and Equity Division Claim No.: 2025/CLE/qui/854 IN THE MATTER OF ALL THAT piece parcel or lot of land situate on the North Side of First Avenue and

West Deveaux Street in the Settlement of Cockburn Town in the Island of San Salvador. AND

IN THE MATTER OF the Quieting Titles Act, 1959 (Chapter 393 of the Statute Law of the Bahamas Revised

Edition, 2001)

AND IN THE MATTER OF the Petition of IRIS FERNANDER

NOTICE

IRIS FERNANDER, The Petitioner claim to be the owner in fee simple in possession of the piece parcel or lot of land hereinbefore described and have made application to the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas under Section 3 of the Quieting Titles Act to have the title to the said piece parcel or lot of land investigated and the nature and extent thereof determined and declared in a Certificate of Title to be granted by the Court in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

Copies of a diagram or plan showing the position boundaries shape marks and dimensions of the said piece parcel or lot of land may be inspected during normal working hours at the following places:(a) The Registry of the Supreme Court Ansbacher Building, George Street in the City of Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas; (b) The Chambers of Messrs. Davis & Co., The Parthenon,# 17 West Street North Nassau, The Bahamas, Attorneys for the Petitioner. NOTICE is hereby given that any person or persons having a right of Dower or an adverse claim or a

claim not recognized in the Petition shall within thirty (30) days after the appearance of the Notice herein file in the Registry of the Supreme Court in the City of Nassau aforesaid and serve on the Petitioners or the undersigned a statement of his claim in the prescribed form, verified by an Affidavit to be filed therewith. Failure of any such person to file and serve a statement of claim within thirty (30) days herein will operate as a bar to such claims.

Dated this 13th day of January , A.D., 2026

DAVIS & CO. Chambers The Parthenon # 17 West Street North Nassau, The Bahamas Attorneys for IRIS FERNAN DER, the Petitioner

Born Free Capital’s bid, if the necessary financing can be raised and a deal closed, would satisfy calls for greater Bahamian involvement in the GBPA and also meet the Davis administration’s demands for a change in ownership and the exit of the Hayward and St George families. However, even if it seals the purchase with the two families, any acquisition would also require the Government’s blessing and approval. It is understood that a decision from the three-person arbitration panel, chaired by Sir Anthony Smellie KC, former chief justice of the Cayman Islands, and the two UK law lords - Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury and Dame Elizabeth Gloster - is expected within the next two months. The Government’s strategy is likely based on an outcome that not only favours it but determines that the GBPA owes the Public Treasury a significant nine-figure sum. Should this occur, it will likely issue a demand for immediate payment and, if the Hayward and St George families are unable to pay, one option open to the Government is to petition the Supreme Court for the appointment of a receiver over the GBPA and Port Group Ltd. That person, if appointed, could be charged with responsibility for selling both entities, and potential buyers other than Born Free Capital - such as Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) - will also be waiting. Born Free Capital, in its investment presentation, said it “has negotiated with the shareholders of DevCO (Port Group Ltd and Hutchison) to buy the company and… its 75,000 acres on Grand Bahama island at a highly attractive price of $2,000 per acre”. That would value the deal at around $150m. The presentation acknowledged that a US investor, thought to be Weller Development, the Six Senses resort developer, has an option to buy 2,000 of DevCO’s remaining 75,000 unsold acres but said this would still leave 73,000

for it to develop. “Investment restrictions and hurricanes have depressed Freeport’s property market,” Born Free Capital asserted. “To create value uplift, Born Free Capital will leverage proven global expertise in storm surge protection, together with smart city and free zone design, to create a smart city by the sea and clusters of sector-specific special economic zones (SEZs) under the free zone regime.” Among the industry “clusters” identified were healthcare, digital and technology. “Developing DevCo’s land holdings will likely be the most lucrative component of Freeport becoming a world-class, globally significant free zone with a ‘smart city by the sea’ of 250,000-plus people,” Born Free Capital’s presentation stated. It added that a major multinational maritime construction and dredging company “will fund the design, construction and maintenance of the dike systems to protect against storm surges and risk of rising sea levels”. “Dike design will be in line with best international practice, able to withstand Category Five hurricanes. Final design and construction plans are subject to detailed geotechnical and hydrological investigations and modelling,” the presentation added. It cited the Port area’s 13 miles of coastline, 144 miles of bulkheaded canals, 472 miles of roads, $14bn worth of infrastructure and “deepest seaport” on the eastern US seaboard as key to its plans. “Freeport’s value proposition as a free zone or ‘SEZ’ (special economic zone) rivals that of the highly successful free zones of Dubai and elsewhere in the Middle East,” Born Free Capital added. “Available developable land includes nine miles of beachfront to be developed first, along with a concentrated town centre astride Grand Lucayan Waterway. “Three hundred million people are located within three hours’ flying time. Project Lionfish is crucial to unlocking that free zone

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potential, in that it will provide the city to house the people who will work in the SEZs…. Making Freeport safe from storm surges and re-establishing the Port area as a competitive free zone/SEZ should raise land values to equivalent of, for instance, Grand Cayman and Eko Atlantic (Lagos, Nigeria).” Describing the US east coast and Caribbean rim as providing a combined $12.1trn market for Freeport to target, the Born Free Capital presentation said it would target “people of means and/or so-called ‘creative class’” including the thousands of millionaires seeking a new domicile. And the $2,000 per acre acquisition price for DevCo was portrayed as very attractive compared to the $50,000 per acre interior land price average in Nassau. Born Free Capital said is targeting three times’ the value of that per acre price, taking it from $2,000 to $6,000 “upon completion” within 36 months. And, based on the per acre comparisons with Grand Cayman and Eko Atlantic, it is aiming for returns of between 22 to 72 times’. Among the advisers listed by Born Free Capital are Omar Sands, in-house attorney for Brickell Management Group, the developer chaired by Island Luck co-founder and PLP Fort Charlotte candidate, Sebas Bastian. Also named are Hartley Thompson, a Freeport-born Bahamian entrepreneur now based in New York, who is chief executive of Microlink, an AI identity intelligence firm, and Dr Rob Millard, who crafted a strategy for Freeport’s development on behalf of Fleming Family & Partners when it explored the GBPA’s purchase more than 15 years ago. Another is Lord Anthony St John, a UK peer, and Jack Hefferman, head of Young America Capital, who is billed as having 40 years of Wall Street experience. Pledging to build on the tax-free advantages conferred by Freeport’s founding treaty, the Hawksbill Creek Agreement, and make the city the special economic zone (SEZ) that its founders intended it to be, Born Free Capital said: “Other attractive tax neutral centres exist but none other in The Americas matches Freeport’s core value proposition for entrepreneurs and their businesses. “The combination of deep seaport, large airport and plentiful land, all very close to the US east coast, is especially unique and appealing.”

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, January 13, 2026, PAGE 5

lack a sufficiently “This is what it is: It is a transparency. The people of “We are not the I-Group. Pintard says resident ‘outrage also skilled workforce in the pre-election gimmick, and Mayaguana… remain in the We are Bahamians with a numbers. we’re going to see much dark about an agreement vested interest in seeing this justified’ over $300m project desired The Boston-based more of these in the run-up that appears to already be project become a success

SHIPPING - from page B1 barely a 100-strong population. The Government said the PPP with Global Lead Consultant Group will generate 2,000 full-time jobs when fully operational, which is many times the island’s population size. Dr Sands was joined in his criticisms and concerns by Michael Pintard, the Free National Movement’s (FNM) leader, who unleashed a series of questions involving how the Mayaguana port project is to be financed; what guarantees the Government will be required to provide; and if it and Bahamian taxpayers will “bear the full risk” despite owning just 51 percent of the project together with a yet-to-be-created development fund. The Opposition chief also jumped on concerns voiced by Mayaguana residents about not being consulted over the proposed PPP before it was announced, and suspicions over whether the developers and investors’ real goal is the “large scale extraction” of Bahamian limestone and aragonite for export without Bahamian participation. Global Lead Consultant Group, in a series of e-mailed replies to Tribune Business questions last week, said the project had been conceived as far back as 2018 with work starting in earnest in mid-2020 during the COVID pandemic. It added that it was in “the infancy stages” of securing the necessary permits and approvals, as little apart from the PPP’s execution has been concluded, but promised Bahamian

investors will eventually be able to buy-in. Dr Sands, though, asserted: “I’m certainly not impressed. Let me say that it’s unlikely that this is a real project. I don’t think there’s any point in us speculating much further. It makes for an interesting press release. They’re [the Government] doing their best to have positive news on a regular basis. “We are going to hear and see more of this type of stuff. I was in the Senate when the I-Group project, which I believe gave away 80 percent of Mayaguana initially, was tabled. We [the last Ingraham administration] had to re-work the land give away fairly significantly. The devil is in the details. We don’t know anything about how much of our patrimony is being given away. “I am sure the detail of what we are giving away will be kept a state secret because Bahamians simply don’t deserve to know.” Global Lead Consultant Group, in its replies to this newspaper, said any Crown or other lands owned by the Bahamian people would be leased for a 25-year term if required for its cargo port and cruise terminal plans. The Bahamas, though, has seen numerous Family Island projects billed as involving investments in the billions or hundreds of millions of dollars fizzle. Developers often find that the astronomical costs associated with developing the necessary supporting infrastructure on virgin sites makes it impossible to generate the necessary investment returns, while such islands

PM unveils duplex/triplex real property tax breaks RELIEF - from page B1 except prepared meals sold hot or ready to eat. “It is a significant step, and one we hope will really help, along with our efforts to reduce costs through energy reform, the addition of new trading partners and more home-grown food.” Hinting that previous measures have not had the desired effects, Mr Davis said the further tax relief is necessary as global pressures - ranging from supply chain disruptions to geopolitical conflicts — can quickly affect local food prices, placing additional strain on Bahamian households. “For too many Bahamians, the pressure at the supermarket check-out is still hitting hard,” said Mr Davis. “Our country’s dependence on food grown abroad, and the way the global economy has become so inter-connected, has made us too vulnerable to shocks we do not control - from supply chain breakdowns to wars and conflicts thousands of miles away… “We are investing in new initiatives, including hydroponics, and empowering

our farmers through grants, the Buy-Back Programme, Coconut 360 and Around the Family Islands initiative. These efforts help our farmers and producers find markets and scale up – and they mean we can buy local, so we can eat healthier and pay lower prices,” the Prime Minister continued. “Hundreds of young Bahamians noticed our progress in building food security and strengthening our nation’s blue and green economies, and we now have record enrollment at BAMSI. We’ve launched trade diversification efforts to source goods directly from new markets, cutting out unnecessary middlemen to reduce costs. “These efforts really do make a difference, but some of the impacts take time and hungry children can’t wait. That’s why we started our School Breakfast Programme, which has now served our school children more than 1.4m hot breakfasts, so our children can focus on learning and families save at the market. “Early in our term, we reduced Customs duties on many food items, including fresh produce, and we expanded price controls. We heard you when you said

I-Group’s Mayaguana project likely encountered similar challenges as little to none of the promised development and economic activity ever emerged. The original deal, signed back in 2006, was structured as a 50/50 joint venture between the Government, via the Hotel Corporation, and the I-Group, with both parties owning the development project under the umbrella of the Mayaguana Development Company. The original deal included 9,999 acres, but this was revised by the Ingraham administration. It was scaled back to 5,825 acres, with the developers to start with 2,912 acres. The first phase of the I-Group’s Mayaguana development called for the construction of an airstrip to accommodate Dash-8 traffic, an airport terminal, a marina and construction of a 25-room boutique hotel. This phase was to involve an investment of between $24-$32m. “They were going to put in this massive runway and have all this infrastructure,” Dr Sands recalled of the I-Group. “Clearly there were some challenges about the size of the project relative to the infrastructure and human resources on the island, and all the people that would have to move to Mayaguana. “Even if you look at this project [the Global Lead Consultant Group PPP] it envisions a workforce that far exceeds the existing population of the island and the supporting services don’t exist. I have nothing against aspirational thinking, but there are times when you wonder if this is nothing more than a pre-election gimmick.

to election 2026. Put it this way. So you have floated the idea believing you will see it executed. It’s unlikely a project of this magnitude, with all the mobilisation requirements, nothing is going to happen between now and an election that will likely happen during the first six months of 2026. I would simply say a promise is a comfort to a fool.” Mr Pintard, meanwhile, echoed similar concerns as he challenged the experience that Global Lead Consultant Group’s principals have in major port developments and how much of their own equity capital will be invested in the Mayaguana development. He also questioned if the Government had complied with its own PPP policy and procurement laws over the deal. And, asking if the deal will be part-financed through the extraction and sale of limestone and aragonite, the Opposition leader called for full disclosure of the project’s financial terms and projections plus an explanation for why Mayaguana residents were not consulted on the deal before it was announced. “This latest arrangement appears to benefit individuals closely connected to the Prime Minister and the PLP, while openly contravening the Government’s own PPP policy and the Public Procurement Act,” Mr Pintard charged. “Even more troubling is the Government’s treatment of the people of Mayaguana. “A project reportedly valued at $300m, with the potential to fundamentally alter the island, has advanced without meaningful engagement, consultation or

in place. Their outrage is justified, because development done to a community rather than with it cannot be defended. “Serious concerns have also been raised about whether this project involves the large-scale extraction and sale of Bahamian limestone for export, effectively financing development by selling off our natural resources. That allegation alone demands immediate and clear answers.” Global Lead Consultant Group, which affirmed that a “feasibility study” has already been conducted on the potential for developing a cargo, logistics and transhipment hub on the south-eastern Bahamas island, said the Government and the Mayaguana Island Development fund will own a 51 percent stake in the project, while itself and its partners will own a 49 percent stake. Asked how it plans to overcome the lack of supporting infrastructure and workforce in Mayaguana, especially given the scale of the proposed project and investment, Global Lead Consultant Group replied: “We have completed a feasibility study and the signs look positive for a successful venture. We will have to create all the necessary infrastructure to make the port function. “That is where our partner 77 construction UK, who are a subsidiary of 77 Insaat, a globally-recognised development and construction company with relevant experience from around the world, [comes in]. They have worked in some of the most difficult places on the planet….

because it will create opportunities for Bahamians all across The Bahamas. It is imperative that we succeed because it will open the door for other Bahamians to have the opportunity to work on these types of projects and developments.” Vincent McDonald, a 35-year hospitality entrepreneur who owns Curly’s Group of Companies - the parent of Curly’s Bar on Cable Beach and Curly’s Restaurant on Arawak Cay - and is a partner in Bahamas Renewable Energy Company (BREC), is Global Lead Consultant Group’s chairman. Other principals include its chief executive, Winfield ‘Johnny’ Outten, a former banker who founded Tiffany Marble Products, which later became Bahamas Kitchen and Bath, and also Countrywide Builders. He is currently a director of the Bahamas Entrepreneurial Venture Capital fund. Leslie Hutchison, an engineer and project manager, is named as Global Lead Consultant Group’s chief operations officer, and is said to have worked on New Providence’s $200m road improvement project as well as the upgrades to water and sewerage and road infrastructure in downtown Nassau. Also named is Junardo Hall as the project’s financial consultant, while Global Lead Consultant’s attorney is Owen Wells, the McKinney, Turner & Company partner, who The Tribune reported is being asked by the governing Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) to stand as its general election candidate in the newly-created St James constituency.

you were concerned the savings weren’t always passed on, so we hired additional price inspectors.” Besides seeking to reduce food costs and prices, Mr Davis announced that the Government is expanding property tax relief. Owner-occupied duplexes and triplexes are now eligible for the residential exemption, and concessions for first-time homeowners have also been expanded. “These are changes which will help more Bahamian families build wealth,” said Mr Davis. “These new policies - across education, trade, taxes, housing, food security, energy and more - together add up to relief and progress.” No details, though, were provided on the increased real property tax relief which appeared designed to incentivise the development of duplexes and triplexes as means to tackle rental housing shortages. The first $300,000 of a property’s value is presently exempt from real property tax. Describing affordability and the high cost of living as “one of our toughest challenges”, Mr Davis touted the Government’s efforts to address this. “Our

Catastrophic Health Care Fund has already allowed hundreds of Bahamians to receive life-changing or life-saving treatments and surgeries,” he added. “Forty-four thousand Bahamians currently receive free medications through the National Prescription Drug Plan – and we just increased the number of medications which are covered from 72 to 142. We are also expanding eligibility, so soon up to 160,000 Bahamians living with chronic conditions can

access essential medicines at no cost. “This is the kind of relief that will take pressure off families, and we are applying that same urgency to another burden: The high cost of housing and the shortage of affordable homes. We have hundreds of new affordable homes completed and occupied, or under construction, in a number of communities. These homes will make all the difference to so many Bahamian families, but we know that’s not nearly

enough to meet the demand. That’s why we are pushing beyond one-off projects and actively developing models for partnering with private developers so we can build faster, at scale, and in communities across multiple islands,” Mr Davis added. “Only by unlocking that kind of collaboration – government providing the framework and support, the private sector bringing additional capital and capacity – can we deliver at the necessary scale.”

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PAGE 6, Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Marinas not opposed to fish permit, just process LEVY - from page B1 fees following an outcry - especially from Family Island hotels and marinas in the northern Bahamas about a substantial drop in winter season business due to the increases. A further meeting between the two sides was held on Friday afternoon before the holiday, with representatives from the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC), Abaco Chamber of Commerce, Bahama Out Island Promotion Board and Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) understood to have attended. All the participants spoken to by Tribune Business were tight-lipped and declined to comment. “I cannot speak to any of that with the press at this time,” Chantelle Sands, the Abaco Chamber of Commerce president replied, when contacted by this newspaper. Others were equally mum. One contact, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they understood the negotiations had continued with the Government signalling a willingness to give ground

in some areas but not others as it seeks to preserve its 2025-2026 Budget revenue targets. Another contact added that their understanding is no further public statements will be made “until some decision regarding progress has been agreed by both sides, and they are not there yet. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks they’ll have some news to share… I don’t think there’s been any conclusion about anything. They were not on the same page on a couple of things and had to go back to the drawing board. No decision was reached”. While the tourism, hotel and marina industries are anxious to reverse the boating drop-off in time for the peak Spring and summer boating season, which is set to launch in March ahead of Easter, the Ministry of Finance is equally eager to preserve the Government’s revenue streams and ensure it can achieve its objectives of ensuring visitors pay their fair share towards environmental management and preservation of The Bahamas’ maritime resources. Mr Maury, who was not present at Friday’s meeting,

THE TRIBUNE told Tribune Business he is not optimistic that the fees will be adjusted or that any changes will be announced in time to rescue the Spring and summer season. He argued that any reform announcement needs to be made at this week’s Stuart Boat Show, which begins on Friday and lasts for three days, rather than at the Palm Beach Boat Show which is scheduled for March 25-29. “Palm Beach will be too late,” he told this newspaper. “We have Stuart next [this] week. We should make an announcement at Stuart. Palm Beach is at the end of March, and our next busiest time is Spring Break. Easter starts at the end of March and right at the beginning of April. We should have boats here in February. “As far as the fees go, I’m not hopeful at all. I don’t think they’ll do anything. I think they’ll fix the procedural parts. I doubt they’ll do anything about the fees and that may not be enough for some of the boaters… Right now we are looking at Spring and Easter. A lot of boats have left and everybody’s bookings for January and February are very low. A lot of us haven’t even looked ahead that far. We have reservations, but I can tell you in Bimini they have nothing.”

Focusing on procedural impediments, which he said have impacted the efficiency of boaters clearing into the country and obtaining the necessary permits, the ABM president added that even the two-year frequent digital cruising card (FDCC) cannot be obtained or paid for online. “Just to get an FDCC you have to manually check in with a piece of paper,” Mr Maury said. “That should be on Customs’ Click2Clear. On the second entry, just book into a marina, and Customs and Immigration come and attend. We’re asking that the FDCC just be put on Click2Clear. “I’ve spoken to people in the information technology department in Customs and they can do it, but they need the instruction saying this is what to do. I’ve talked to the people in IT, and they say it’s no problem, but someone has got to tell them to do it. It’s left the whole industry in, I don’t know, just a mess. “We think it should all be on Click2Clear,” the ABM president added, “where you check-in, pay and have an annual fishing permit. Back in the 1990s, it was $20 per boat, so it’s not [the fishing permit] not unusual. It’s just the way it was done. You have an annual or twoyear [cruising] permit, and

Trump’s list of targeted opponents grows longer with action against Powell and the Federal Reserve By BILL BARROW Associated Press DONALD Trump promised in his second inaugural address to fairly apply the law, unlike how he said he'd been treated by federal authorities. "The vicious, violent and unfair weaponization of the Justice Department and our government will end," he declared on Jan. 20, 2025. Since then, Trump's administration has gone after multiple elected and appointed government officials who have either directly opposed the Republican president or not granted his wishes. The most recent is Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, who has defended the independence of the central bank against Trump's pressure to cut interest rates

more sharply. Trump told NBC News over the weekend that he knew nothing about a Justice Department inquiry into the fed's ongoing construction project in Washington. But influential White House chief of staff Susie Wiles has also affirmed that Trump sees his White House return as a sort of vengeance tour. "There may be an element of that from time to time," she told Vanity Fair. "Who would blame him? Not me." Here's a look at how Trump's government has pursued his opponents, real and perceived. Powell said in an unusual video statement Sunday that the Justice Department has subpoenaed the central bank and threatened criminal indictments after his testimony to the Senate Banking

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Committee this summer. In that appearance, Powell pushed back at Trump's criticism of the Fed's $2.5 billion office renovation project in Washington — criticism that Trump had elevated as he also expressed frustration that Powell and his fellow governors were not lowering interest rates sharply enough for Trump's taste. Powell, whom Trump appointed as chairman in 2017, asserted plainly that the Justice Department action is a "pretext" to weaken the Fed's historic independence to set monetary policy without political influence from the president. The chairman had previously ignored Trump's pressure and personal insults, other than to emphasize the central bank's historical independent status.

The inquiry and Powell's statement mark a significant escalation in Trump's battle with the Federal Reserve and his ongoing straining of the U.S. system of checks and balances. Before the latest subpoena, Trump tried to fire another Federal Reserve board member, Lisa Cook, over allegations of mortgage fraud pushed by the president's director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Bill Pulte. It was the first time in 112 years that a president had sought to remove a Fed governor. Cook, a 2022 appointee of a Democratic president, Joe Biden, and the first Black woman to serve on the seven-member board, sued to keep her job. The Supreme Court ruled last fall that Cook could remain on the board as her case advances. The justices

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have to renew your fishing permit every month. “Why do that? You’ve got to walk into somebody’s office and beg them to renew the fishing permit. Somebody in the Ministry of Tourism said they were going to use Outdoors. You can use that in Florida to get a fishing licence, buy it online. That’s been our point all along. We’re not against a fishing permit; make it 30-days or a year, but let the purchaser buy it online. And if a boat buys an annual cruising permit why not buy the fishing permit with it?” Aligning the fishing permit’s duration with that of the relevant cruising permit was also suggested last week by the Bahamas Charter Yacht Owners & Managers Association in its contribution to the boating fee discussions. Mr Maury, meanwhile, argued that there was a seeming disconnect between government policymakers, MPs and the laws passed in the House of Assembly and how these were interpreted and implemented by government agencies. He added that, while the reforms introduced with the 2025-2026 Budget initially stated that anchorage fees will only be levied if a vessel moors or anchors offshore, they are also still being charged to boats

docked in marinas even though these were supposed to be exempt. And the attendance fees for Customs and Immigration, which were supposed to be incorporated in the cruising permit, are still being levied by officers when they arrive. “They said in the House of Assembly that if you stay in the House of Assembly you don’t have to pay an anchorage fee,” Mr Maury told Tribune Business, “but on Click2Clear you can’t select that. So if you go into a marina you still have to pay an anchorage fee. If they make a declaration of marina stay, let them de-select it.” He warned that The Bahamas’ Caribbean competitors were taking advantage of its boating difficulties. “In the meantime we have Puerto Rico and everyone else expanding their business,” the ABM president said. “Puerto Rico is advertising fast and easy clearance. That’s a selling point right now. “Everyone knows how difficult The Bahamas is. ‘Fast and easy’ is a selling point. We’ll get you cleared in quickly within the hour. Everybody will just go there. Look at the marketing for Turks & Caicos and Puerto Rico. They are advertising that because they know The Bahamas is so difficult right now.”

are expected to hear arguments in January. The court already has heard a separate case on Trump's power to remove officials at independent agencies. Former FBI Director James Comey has survived, for now, a federal indictment that charged him with lying to Congress.

Comey, whom Trump fired during his first administration, was the first former senior government official to face prosecution after being involved in one of the president's chief grievances, the long-concluded investigation into Russian electoral interference.

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NOTICE is hereby given that ADELIN SAINT-MARTIN of P. O. Box N-356, Golden Isles Road, New Providence, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 13th day of January, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

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NOTICE is hereby given that RODRIQUE DECLAMA of P.O. Box General Post, Keywest 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 6th 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 LOUVIENNE SIMEUS of Bernard Road, New Providence, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 13th day of January, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that WISLET MAURICE of Carmichael Road, New Providence, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 13th day of January, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

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NOTICE is hereby given that SHARON JACQUELINE HOLNESS-BROWN of P.O. Box CB-13672, #1 Rattle Snake Lane, off Fox Hill Road, Nassau, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 5th day of January, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that JACQUELINE JACKIE PHILIPPE of Bacardi 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 6th 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 NISHKA FELIX of Golden Isles, Carmichael Road, Nassau, The Bahamasis 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 6th day of January, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

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NOTICE is hereby given that JUASTIN DARUS of Marsh Harbour, Abaco, 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 13th day of January, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that LAVITA PIERRE of P. O. Box N-7060, #178 Robinson Road, New Providence, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 13th day of January, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that EMMANUEL ULYSSE of P.O. Box General Post, Washington 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 6th day of January 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, January 13, 2026, PAGE 7

“I am also a believer that be a gradual scale, over a an island the price of real the poor, healthcare, social ‘Do Bahamians justice’ on Bahamians programmes, education? owning substan- five-year or ten-year period, estate goes up.” “Properties are changing tial properties need to pay where if you own say 100 Pointing out that Long private island deal benefits real property tax, especially acres, 200 acres, 300 acres Island and Cat Island are hands and the Government

PROMOTE - from page B1 their substantial Family Island land holdings should be rewarded by the granting of tax breaks and incentives offered by the likes of the Hotels Encouragement Act, thus matching those provided to foreigners. “The Bahamas should really take advantage of the jewel that we have,” Mr Carey said. “We are a stable government, a peaceful people with beautiful assets as far as real estate and, if we are smart enough, with all the craziness going on we should be excelling like never before if our infrastructure is managed properly and developed properly through investment. “Think about it. We are a jewel ready to be polished.

We have to have partnerships. The Bahamian people need to be involved, the banks need to be involved.” Mr Carey described 2025 as a “good” year for his firm, although “I wouldn’t say excellent”. He said he expects 2026 to also be strong for the Bahamian real estate market provided no unexpected events occur. “I seem to be talking to a lot of people that are real estate rich with money invested in a lot of holdings but capital poor,” the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate MCR Bahamas chief said. “It’s amazing how many non-Bahamians own more than five acres. The Government needs to very clear on how much valuable property is not owned by Bahamians.

on the Family Islands, to encourage development. As the inheritance of these properties gets passed down, there’s no incentive to develop anything.” Mr Carey added that many of these undeveloped land holdings were benefiting from appreciation in their value as a result of the Government’s efforts to develop infrastructure on multiple Family Islands - especially airports, roads and utilities such as potable water and electricity, as well as communications. However, the absence of development and economic activity meant many islands now lack sufficient populations. “I don’t really see many Bahamians doing major developments in the Family Islands,” he told Tribune Business. “It’s always the foreigners. There needs to

Africa’s megacity of Lagos reshapes its coast by dredging and puts environment at risk By GRACE EKPU Associated Press BENEATH an eightlane expressway, Nigerian men stand waist-deep in the Lagos Lagoon, lowering buckets into murky water. Each load brings up sand, reshaping the coastline of Africa's largest city and driving away fish and livelihoods for some of its poorest people. Not far from the bridge, wooden boats are loaded with sand. One of thousands of local dredgers, Akeem Sossu, 34, has been diving for sand for at least three years. He slips beneath the surface for about 15 seconds at a time, hauling up bucketloads bound for construction sites. Akeem said he and his partner earn about 12,000 naira ($8) each per boatload, selling to a middleman who supplies larger buyers. Filling a boat takes about three hours. Formerly a tailor, he said dredging now supports his household. "I come out early, sometimes 5 a.m. or 6 a.m., depending on the tide," he said. Dredgers and local traders say the price of sand, crucial for making concrete, has risen steadily as development in Lagos has accelerated. A standard 30-ton truckload of what's known as sharp sand — coarse and gritty — now

sells for about 290,000 naira, or roughly $202, reflecting strong demand. The changes to the lagoon that buffers the megacity of about 17 million people are unmistakable. What was once an open stretch of water is increasingly broken up by sandy patches, narrowing channels and reshaping currents that support thousands of fishermen. The transformation is most visible near Makoko, one of Lagos' oldest fishing communities. Dredging barges operate close to homes built on stilts, while reclaimed land and construction of upscale beachfront properties press in from the edges. Residents say the encroachment has destroyed fishing grounds and put many out of work. Nearby, fishermen wait for the day's dredging to pause. They say that when it does, even briefly, some fish return. A city built on sand Lagos, Nigeria's economic engine, is in constant construction. Roads, bridges and housing estates are rising daily on reclaimed waterfronts as the city's rich displace many of its poor. Over the past five years, dozens of registered dredging firms and numerous informal operators have sprung up or increased their operations, extracting

sand from rivers and coastal waters across Lagos State. Industry analysts estimate the city consumes tens of millions of cubic meters of sand each year, an amount roughly equivalent to 16,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Lagoon sand is particularly prized by builders, who say it produces stronger concrete than sand that is dredged inland. Fishermen and environmental researchers say the cost of that demand is increasingly visible in the water. Driving fish away "We are not powerful," said a community leader of Makoko, Baale Semede Emmanuel. "Dredgers have spoiled the entire waters." Fishermen there say dredging has wiped out shallow areas where fish once spawned before moving into deeper waters. At times, fish are sucked through dredging pipes. "Anywhere dredging is happening, there's no fish," Emmanuel said. "The noise drives them away. The places where they used to reproduce are gone." With catches shrinking, fishermen say they must travel farther offshore, increasing fuel costs and exposure to rougher seas. Some have stopped fishing altogether.

you’re going to pay commercial property tax rates unless you develop it, put in a development proposal or sell it. “The idea is to incentivise development not to penalise. And, if you do develop, you get the benefits under the Hotels Encouragement Act. You get concessions of the same kind that foreigners coming in do. You get an incentive to build, and the banks get an incentive to lend, and if you don’t develop you will be penalised. You benefit from what’s going on in the country but are land banking. “The Government is developing all these airports and ports, and you are getting all the benefits. People who are land banking need to be investing, and things need to be paid for. Every time the Government does something on

"We have no other work apart from fishing," Emmanuel said. "If we don't find fish, we will starve." Pushed from the water For some fishermen, dredging has forced an uneasy shift away from the sea. Joshua Monday said he has largely parked his two fishing boats and now works as a mechanic. He learned how to fix boat engines years ago as a backup. "If not for this mechanic work, I don't know how I would survive," he said. He said rising costs and shrinking catches have made fishing untenable. Fuel can cost more than 150,000 naira ($104) for a single trip, he said, with no guarantee of a return. "Sometimes you go to the sea and come back with nothing," he said. "All the fuel is gone." Meanwhile, he said, wealthy developers and other powerful interests are reclaiming land around Lagos while fishermen are pushed aside. "Big men are stressing us," Monday said. "When they come, you have no option. You pack your things and leave." He now lives in another waterfront community under pressure, Sagbo-Koji. Making money from sand Dredgers say the work offers rare income in a city with limited opportunities. "I'm a father of one," said Joshua Alex, a dredging operator. "This is how I take care of myself." He explained how informal dredgers interact with authorities and pay their "dues" to stay in business.

likely two examples of islands where real estate values will appreciate due to airport expansions that facilitate more airlift and tourist arrivals, Mr Carey also renewed his previous calls for the Government to be more transparent in disclosing Heads of Agreement deals with major investors and the purported benefits that will accrue to the Bahamian people. “I think the Government would do Bahamians justice, and they should have an entitlement to know every Heads of Agreement that has been issued,” he added. “We have major developments going on on private islands where the price points for properties are extremely high. Who benefits from that? Where is the trickle down from that? How does that help

should be showing us how that helps us as a country. Every private island that is sold, we should know what’s going on and how that benefits Bahamians.” Looking ahead for the 2026 full year, Mr Carey said strong real estate demand persists, especially on islands such as Exuma and Eleuthera, and he and his firm are eyeing a “strong season”. “I think it’s going to be extremely strong if there are no unpredictable events like a war going on in Venezuela,” he added. “I think The Bahamas is a peaceful nation overall so we should take advantage and promote that to the world. We really do a good job of that. We promote lifestyle and benefits, and that’s why we have so much activity. Everybody in this business is extremely positive. 2026 will be a good year.”

PAGE 8, Tuesday, January 13, 2026

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Stocks of credit card companies slump as Wall Street overall drifts in mixed trading By STAN CHOE AP Business Writer STOCKS of credit card companies are dropping Monday after President Donald Trump threatened moves that could eat into their profits. The rest of Wall Street, meanwhile, is showing only modest signs of concern after tensions ramped to a much higher degree between the White House and the Federal Reserve. The S&P 500 erased a small loss from the morning and was inching up by 0.1% from its all-time high set on Friday, as U.S. stocks drifted through mixed trading. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 11 points, or less than 0.1%, as of 1:35 p.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was up 0.4%. Some nervousness was still evident in the market, amid concern that the Fed may be on the path to less independence in setting interest rates to keep inflation under control. Prices for gold and other investments that tend to do well when investors are nervous rose, while the value of

the U.S. dollar also dipped against other currencies. On Wall Street, the sharpest drops hit credit card companies, as Synchrony Financial fell 8.5%, Capital One Financial sank 6.3% and American Express fell 4.2%. They weakened after Trump said he wanted to put a 10% cap on credit card interest rates for a year. Such a move could eat into profits for credit card companies. But it was a separate move by Trump that grabbed the most attention across financial markets. Over the weekend, the Federal Reserve's chair said the U.S. Department of Justice subpoenaed the Fed and threatened a criminal indictment over his testimony about renovations at its headquarters. With an unusual video statement released on Sunday, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said his testimony and the renovations are "pretexts" for the threat of criminal charges, which is really "a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than

following the preferences of the President." The Fed has been locked in a feud with Trump, who has loudly called for lower interest rates to make borrowing cheaper for U.S. households and companies and give the economy a kickstart. The Fed did lower its main interest rate three times last year and indicated more cuts may arrive this year, but it's moved deliberately enough that Trump has nicknamed Powell "Too Late." In a brief interview with NBC News Sunday, Trump insisted he didn't know about the investigation into Powell. When asked if the investigation is intended to pressure Powell on rates, Trump said, "No. I wouldn't even think of doing it that way." The Fed has traditionally operated separately from the rest of Washington, making its decisions without having to bend to political whims. Such independence, the thinking goes, gives it the freedom to keep interest rates high when necessary to drive down high inflation, even if it slows the economy and

Energy developers head to court as Trump says the US 'will not approve any windmills' By JENNIFER McDERMOTT Associated Press THREE energy developers are in court this week challenging the Trump administration's freeze of their offshore wind projects,

while President Donald Trump says his goal is to not let any "windmills" be built. Danish energy company Orsted, Norwegian company Equinor, and Dominion Energy Virginia each sued to ask the courts to vacate and set aside the

administration's Dec. 22 order to freeze five big projects on the East Coast over national security concerns. Orsted's hearing is first, scheduled for Monday on its Revolution Wind project. Orsted is building Revolution Wind with partner

SPECIALIST Michael Pistillo works at his post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. Photo:Richard Drew/AP frustrates politicians looking to please voters. In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury briefly rose to 4.21%, up from 4.18% late Friday, amid concerns that a less independent Fed could lead to higher inflation over the longer term. But it later eased back to 4.17%. The worries also hit the value of the U.S. dollar, which slipped 0.3% against the euro and 0.4% against the Swiss franc. Financial markets could be shaking off concerns about the Fed's independence for a couple reasons. Traders could see "a limitation to the White House's success in getting its way," according to Thierry Wizman, a strategist at Macquarie Group, because Congress could deny confirmation of any nominees for the Fed from the White House.

"It is now the independence and credibility of the Department of Justice that are in question," Senator Thom Tillis, a Republican from North Carolina, said on social media. "I will oppose the confirmation of any nominee for the Fed— including the upcoming Fed Chair vacancy—until this legal matter is fully resolved." Trump has already criticized the Fed sharply, and he's trying at the moment to fire Fed Gov. Lisa Cook, but the Fed's rate-setting committee still seems to be acting independently. Plus, this latest move could encourage Powell to stay on at the Fed as a governor until his term expires in 2028, even though his term as chair will end in May, said Brian Jacobsen, chief economist at Annex Wealth Management.

"With the political pressure on the Fed, he may choose to stay on as a governor out of spite," he said. "It would deprive President Trump of the ability to stack the board with another appointee." On Wall Street, Abercrombie & Fitch dropped 16.3% after the retailer gave a forecasted range for profit in the final quarter of 2025 whose midpoint fell short of analysts' expectations. Its forecast for growth in revenue also fell shy of Wall Street's. On the winning side of the market was Walmart, which climbed 3.2% after learning that its stock will join the widely followed Nasdaq 100 index. Google also said Sunday that it's expanding the shopping features in its AI chatbot by teaming up with Walmart and several other big retailers.

Skyborn Renewables to provide power to Rhode Island and Connecticut. The administration did not reveal specifics about its national security concerns, but Trump said Friday while meeting with oil industry executives about investing in Venezuela that wind farms are "losers." He said they lose money, destroy the landscape and kill birds.

"I've told my people we will not approve windmills," Trump said. "Maybe we get forced to do something because some stupid person in the Biden administration agreed to do something years ago. We will not approve any windmills in this country." The Biden administration sought to ramp up offshore wind as a climate change solution. Trump began reversing the country's energy policies his first day in office with a spate of executive orders aimed at boosting oil, gas and coal. The Trump administration paused leases for the Vineyard Wind project under construction in Massachusetts, Revolution Wind, Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, and two projects in New York: Sunrise Wind and Empire Wind. New York's attorney general sued the Trump administration on Friday over Empire Wind and Sunrise Wind. Revolution Wind and Sunrise Wind are both major offshore wind projects by Orsted. Rhode Island and Connecticut filed their own request in court to try to save Revolution Wind. Equinor owns Empire Wind. Its limited liability

company, Empire Wind LLC, said the project faces "likely termination" if construction can't resume by this Friday because the order disrupts a tightly choreographed construction schedule dependent on vessels with very limited availability. Its hearing is Wednesday. Molly Morris, Equinor's senior vice president overseeing Empire Wind, said they want to build this project, the construction is advanced and it will deliver a major new and essential source of power for New York. Morris said federal officials have not given them any explanation of the national security concerns or how to mitigate them. "I would like to think that offshore wind is, and will continue to be, part of an all-of-the-above energy solution, which our country desperately needs," she said. Dominion Energy Virginia, which is developing Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, was the first to sue. It's asking a judge to block the order, calling it "arbitrary and capricious" and unconstitutional. Its hearing is Friday.

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL

The public is hereby advised that I, EARLISHA FAITH JOHNSON of Kennedy Subdivision, New Providence, Bahamas intend to change my name to ELISHA FAITH WILLIAMS. If there are any objections to challenge the name by deed poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Officer, P.O. Box N-742, Nassau, The Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of the publication of this notice.

THE TRIBUNE

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PAGE 10, Tuesday, January 13, 2026

THE TRIBUNE

Helping children thrive from the very beginning By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Reporter acadet@tribunemedia.net FOR many families, the early years of childhood are filled with wonder, questions and quiet concerns that are not always easy to voice. At Thrive Physiotherapy, those moments are met with patience, expertise and reassurance, as children and parents alike are guided through some of the most formative stages of development. Founded by Bahamian woman and paediatric physiotherapist Holly Sands, Thrive Physiotherapy has steadily become a space where movement, play and progress are treated with equal importance. “I don’t have a concrete answer for how I came into physiotherapy. I myself am a paediatric physiotherapist, and I have an occupational therapist on staff. I’ve always known that I wanted to work with children, I just didn’t know in what capacity,” she said. That clarity came gradually, shaped by a longstanding interest in science and the human body. With a bachelor’s degree in biology and a clear desire to work in healthcare, Holly found that paediatric physiotherapy brought those interests together in a meaningful way. “I’ve always been interested in the body and well-being of the human body, and that I would work in healthcare, so it kind of all came together in that way,” she said. The name Thrive was chosen with care, reflecting the

atmosphere Holly wanted families to feel the moment they walked through the door. Rather than focusing solely on diagnosis or limitation, the practice centres on growth, confidence and capability. “I was very intentional when I was building my practice and what I wanted it to be. I knew that I wanted every child who entered these doors to leave feeling a little bit stronger, more equipped, more capable, and I wanted families to feel more empowered and supported, so that their children would thrive,” she said. That philosophy extends beyond physical milestones. Holly views development as a wholechild experience, one that includes mobility, independence and everyday living skills. “To thrive means to bloom, to blossom, to reach your full potential. I thought that would be perfect and integral to our ethos and our values, and allowing children to succeed in their mobility

and their everyday living activities,” she added. In the Bahamas, Holly believes there is still significant work to be done when it comes to awareness around paediatric therapy services, particularly early intervention. While disabled adults are visible in society, she notes that their childhood experiences are often overlooked. “The need for paediatric therapies in general is great in the Bahamas. This isn’t limited to only physiotherapy, but also occupational and speech and language therapy. We see a lot of disabled adults, but those adults were once children, so in many cases, we should begin care as early as possible,” said Holly. For parents unsure of when to seek support, Holly encourages trusting instinct as much as timelines. “I tell parents all the time to listen to that parental gut instinct, that maternal gut instinct. If you

Beyond therapy sessions, Holly places strong emphasis on supporting parents, many of whom arrive overwhelmed and uncertain. She describes the emotional side of the work as both the most challenging and the most rewarding. “The easiest part of my job is the face-to-face therapy with the child. The hardest part is spreading empathy and compassion and providing reassurance to families, letting them know they are on the right path and doing the right thing,” she said. That support does not end when a session finishes. Holly stresses that progress is most effective when families and schools are actively involved. “The work that’s being done in clinic should not end in the clinic. It should continue at home and in school. It’s a delicate balance, but it’s those relationships that really foster the environment of what it means to thrive,” she said. Seeing families regain confidence is one of the most meaningful outcomes of the work. “It’s really wonderful to see concerned, scared, emotional parents enter our doors and after a few weeks of intervention, they’re smiling again. They’re feeling encouraged, and they feel like they’ve got a grip on their child’s case or condition,” Holly added. From a health and lifestyle standpoint, early intervention remains central to long-term wellbeing. Holly explains that the early years offer a critical window for Paediatric physiotherapist Holly Sand development. s “Early intervention is best. feel The sooner a that something is off with your child comes in for screening in child, it is always best to follow up terms of physiotherapy, the better. on that instinct and reach out to Their nervous system is still so your primary care paediatrician plastic and can be moulded, and or physician,” she said. the earlier that we intervene, the Much of the clinic’s work likelihood of their outcome is revolves around developmental stronger,” she said. milestones and functional skills, She encourages parents to from early movement to inde- stay engaged, informed and propendence in daily routines. active throughout their child’s “Is your child sitting? Are development. they rolling? Are they crawling? “Be on time for your wellness Are they able to write or button visits at your paediatrician. Get their shirt or go to the bathroom information about what services by themselves at the appropriate schools are providing and whether ages?” she explained. that is appropriate for your child. The range of cases at Thrive is broad, spanning premature If you have questions about your infants, children with cerebral child’s development, not only visit palsy, developmental delays and your paediatrician, but do your rare genetic conditions. Occu- research,” said Holly. Thrive Physiotherapy specialpational therapy also plays a significant role, particularly for ises in early intervention from birth to age three, while conchildren on the autism spectrum. “We see a lot of children with tinuing to support children and autism on the spectrum for occu- adolescents up to 18 years old. pational therapy, for assistance The practice is located at 11 with attention, focus, independ- Mount Royal Avenue, Hawkins ence, tasks, playing, social and Hill, Nassau. For Holly, the goal remains emotional skills. We also deal with feeding difficulties in the paediat- simple but powerful: to help every ric population, which is becoming child and family feel supported as increasingly popular,” said Holly. they grow, learn and thrive.

Cervical Cancer Cases on the Rise With January being Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, a Cleveland Clinic physician speaks out about the importance of prevention, especially with advanced cervical cancer cases on the rise. Robert DeBernardo, MD, Section Head, Gynecologic Oncology for Cleveland Clinic, OH, said that could be due in part to the pandemic and the change in guidelines for pap smears. Before, women were told to get them done annually. Now, it’s every three years, and in some cases, every five years. “It’s sort of hard to count by threes. And it’s very easy to kind of lose track of when your pap smear was, and our guidelines are

such that if it’s done one way, then it’s a slightly different screening protocol. I think that may be one of the issues that has led to an identification of more advanced cervical cancer that we’re seeing in the United States,” said Dr DeBernardo. For those unfamiliar, cervical cancer is cancer of the cells in the cervix, which is the lower part of a woman’s uterus. Early stages of cervical cancer don’t usually involve symptoms and can be hard to detect, making the need for routine pap smears very important. The test can help identify any abnormal cells. However, when symptoms do occur, they can include bleeding

after sex, pelvic pain and vaginal discharge that contains blood. Dr DeBernardo said cervical cancer is preventable and is often the result of the virus HPV, a sexually transmitted infection. Testing for that is equally important. The same goes for the HPV vaccine. Both men and women between the ages of 11 and 45 years old are eligible to get that. “We developed a vaccine years ago; there are several on the market. They are extremely effective at preventing cancer,” said Dr DeBernardo. “In Australia, where uptakes of vaccines are high, they are seeing a decrease in the amount of cervical cancer in that country.” According to the CDC, roughly 13,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed every year in the United States, in addition to 4,000 deaths.

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Tuesday, January 13, 2026, PAGE 11

New Year, new moves: Why pacing yourself matters—and how a physiotherapist can help IT’S that time of year again. The calendar flips, the gym memberships spike, the running shoes come out of hiding, and suddenly everyone is determined to become a “new me.” New Year exercise resolutions are full of good intentions—and that’s a great thing. Moving more, getting stronger, and taking care of your body are all worth celebrating. But there’s a catch that often gets overlooked: doing too much, too soon can quickly turn motivation into injury. Every January, physiotherapy clinics see a familiar pattern. People who haven’t exercised regularly in months—or years—decide to train like athletes overnight. Daily boot camps, ambitious step goals, intense HIIT workouts, or running distances the body simply isn’t ready for. The result? Sore backs, angry knees, strained calves, irritated shoulders, and a whole lot of frustration. The truth is, your body loves movement—but it also loves gradual change. Muscles, tendons, joints, and even bones need time to adapt to new demands. When you suddenly double or triple your activity level, the tissues can’t keep up. That’s when overuse injuries creep in, often quietly at first, then loudly enough to stop you in your track This is where pacing becomes your best friend. Pacing doesn’t mean doing less—it means doing smart. It’s about building up exercise in a way your body can handle, allowing rest and recovery, and listening to early warning signs rather than pushing through pain. A good rule of thumb is to increase intensity, duration, or frequency gradually, not all at once. Small, steady progress may not feel as exciting as an all-out January overhaul, but it’s far more likely to still have

you moving comfortably by March. A physiotherapist can be incredibly helpful before you even start your New Year fitness plan. Think of it as an MOT for your body. A physiotherapist can assess your movement patterns, flexibility, strength, balance, and any old injuries that might still be lingering in the background. That old ankle sprain from years ago? It might still be affecting how you move today. A stiff hip or weak core could

be setting you up for back or knee pain without you realising it. Based on this assessment, a physiotherapist can help you choose exercises that suit your body and your goals. Want to start running? They can guide you on gradual progressions, footwear advice, and running mechanics. Planning to hit the gym hard? They can show you proper lifting technique and help you avoid common mistakes that lead to shoulder or back injuries. The goal isn’t to slow you down—it’s to keep you moving consistently and safely. Of course, even with the best intentions, injuries sometimes happen. That’s when physiotherapy becomes just as important after injury as it is before. One of the biggest mistakes people make after getting hurt is either ignoring the injury completely or resting for too long. On one end, pushing through pain can turn a small issue into a long-term problem. On the other, avoiding movement

entirely can lead to stiffness, weakness, and delayed recovery. Physiotherapists help you find the sweet spot in between. After an injury, a physiotherapist focuses on reducing pain and inflammation, restoring movement, and gradually rebuilding strength and confidence. This isn’t about rushing back—it’s about returning to activity in a way that reduces the risk of re-injury. Rehab exercises are designed specifically for you, targeting the muscles and joints that need support rather than relying on generic online routines. Physiotherapists also help you understand why the injury happened in the first place. Was it a training error? Poor technique? Muscle imbalance? Fatigue? By addressing the root cause, physiotherapy doesn’t just fix the current problem—it helps prevent the next one. Another often-overlooked benefit of physiotherapy is education. Learning how to recognise

early warning signs—persistent soreness, swelling, loss of movement, or pain that worsens rather than improves—can save you weeks or months of downtime. Knowing when to rest, when to modify, and when to seek help is a skill just as important as knowing how to squat or stretch. The New Year is a fantastic time to reset habits, but real change doesn’t happen in a single month. Sustainable fitness is built over time, with consistency and care. Pacing yourself doesn’t mean lowering your expectations—it means giving your body the chance to adapt, grow stronger, and stay healthy long term. So as you lace up those new trainers or unroll that yoga mat, remember this: enthusiasm is powerful, but patience is protective. With the right pacing—and a physiotherapist in your corner—you can turn your New Year exercise resolution into a habit that lasts well beyond January.

Why it could be a good idea to ditch the diet this new year Beverley O'Hara Lecturer in Public Health Nutrition, Leeds Beckett University “QUITTERS day” falls on January 9 this year and marks the point at which people are most likely to give up their New Year’s resolutions. As usual, weight loss is one of the most common goals. But there are compelling reasons to suggest that ditching the diet is not a failure at all. In fact, it may be a sensible and healthy choice. The science behind weight and health is not a straightforward story of cause and effect. It is widely assumed that carrying extra body fat automatically makes someone unhealthy,

but this does not stand up to scrutiny. Certainly the health problems associated with higher body weight are a serious challenge in today’s world, but the evidence that a few extra pounds are always harmful is surprisingly weak. The amount of body fat a person can carry before health problems develop varies widely between people. Biological sex, ethnicity and genetics all play a role. However, the most common way we measure body size, the body mass index or BMI, does not reflect this complexity. BMI is simply a ratio of weight to height and does not measure body fat, fitness, diet, physical activity or metabolic health.

As a result, it is entirely possible to have a high BMI and be metabolically fit and healthy, meaning that indicators such as blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure fall within healthy ranges.Conversely, someone with a BMI categorised as “normal” may still experience poor health. There is also strong evidence that being underweight can carry serious health risks, particularly in later life. In short, body size alone tells us very little about a person’s actual health. Despite this, our society remains deeply preoccupied with physical appearance and the so-called thin ideal. Historical anti-fat attitudes that associate larger bodies with moral weakness or

social inferiority continue to shape contemporary culture. This places enormous pressure on people to conform to narrow and unrealistic physical standards. Failing to meet these standards has profound psychological consequences. Millions of people with average-sized bodies experience persistent self-criticism, emotional turmoil and low self-esteem. Of even greater concern is the alarming rise in eating disorders among children and adolescents in recent years, a trend closely linked to appearance-based pressure and weight stigma. Human bodies naturally come in many shapes and sizes and have fluctuated throughout history. Over

the past 200 years, average height has increased in response to improved nutrition, healthcare and living conditions. Evidence suggests that major changes in the food supply since the 1970s have also influenced average body weight. This is a natural biological response to the environment. Highly processed, calorie-dense foods are cheap, heavily marketed and widely available, while work patterns are more sedentary and time for food preparation and physical activity is constrained. The result is an environment that promotes weight gain at a population level, regardless of individual will power or intentions.

Uqora launches Flush Advanced+, an innovative, science-backed solution for recurrent urinary tract infections

SAN DIEGO AP Uqora, the rapidly growing and cutting-edge urinary tract health brand, today announces the launch of Flush Advanced+, a science-backed solution for recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), now available online at Uqora. com. Following the success of Uqora ® Flush, America's #1 Urinary Tract Drink Mix*, Uqora is expanding its comprehensive urinary care portfolio with Flush Advanced+, a formula designed for women with recurrent urinary tract challenges. With a clinical dose of whole-fruit cranberry powder and clinical-strength d-mannose in each serving, Flush Advanced+ helps to reduce the risk of recurrent UTIs in healthy women ‡. "Recurring urinary tract infections place a persistent, undue burden on women's health and wellbeing. Our goal was to develop a formula that delivers advanced support to reduce the risk of UTIs before they happen," said Carrie Schaefer, Vice President, Commercial, Uqora. "Flush Advanced+ gives women with recurrent urinary tract challenges access to an effective, easy-to-use solution to take control of their urinary health." Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are one of the most common infections in the United States, with around 11 million cases reported annually 1. Approximately 60% of women will experience a UTI in their lifetime, and of this group, 20-40% will experience a second UTI, with 25-50% of these women going on to experience multiple recurrent UTIs, underscoring the significant burden of recurrent UTIs on well-being and quality of life 2. These cases also have a sizable impact on healthcare costs, with approximately $5 billion spent annually on indirect and direct costs associated with the evaluation and treatment of UTIs in the United States 1. Designed with dual-action anti-adhesion activity, Flush Advanced+'s hero ingredients, d-mannose and whole-fruit cranberry powder, work in different but complementary ways to bind to non-beneficial microorganisms and help flush them from the urinary tract – offering both fast-acting and long-lasting support. Going beyond single-ingredient products with cranberry or d-mannose alone, this solution combines these key ingredients in a convenient, easy-to-drink Triple Berry Flavour drink mix formula. With the launch of Flush Advanced+, Uqora has also announced a cutting-edge evolution of its well-known three-part proactive urinary tract health supplement regimen, the Complete Regimen. The new Flush Advanced+ Regimen delivers the same trusted approach, enhanced with more comprehensive support – featuring Uqora Flush Advanced+, Uqora Defend, a proactive bladder and urinary health support supplement, and Uqora Promote, a vaginal probiotic. These products in the Flush Advanced+ Regimen are designed to work with each other to upgrade your proactive urinary tract health routine.

PAGE 12, Tuesday, January 13, 2026

THE TRIBUNE

Unsplash/Wiktoria Skrzekotowska, CC BY

Not just a ‘woman’s hobby’ – why more men are picking up sewing, and why you should too By JYE MARSHALL Lecturer, Fashion Design, School of Design and Architecture, Swinburne University of Technology MEN have started sewing up a storm, driving a culture shift that challenges the traditional notion of sewing as a “women’s hobby”. The COVID pandemic drove a resurgence in home economics, with many people – including many men – picking up skills such as sewing and knitting. This trend has since grown, even as lockdowns have ended. And it disrupts the dominant narrative that men stick to stereotypical masculine identities – particularly in rural Australia, where social pressure to behave a certain way can feel amplified. The rise of mens’ sewing The term “performative male” has been used to describe a subgroup of men who try really hard to appear “non-masculine” – usually for the purpose of attracting women. Is picking up the sewing just another performative male trick? The research suggests not. Instead, it reveals a subculture of men who are genuine fashion enthusiasts taking up the skill. Globally, men’s sewing groups have also been established as a way to foster community and improve mental health.

Gen Z’s members in particular are not shying away from personalising their style – and finding ways to customise their wardrobes on a budget. These young men are not as strongly influenced by trends flowing down from runways. Instead, they leverage social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram to share their passion and influence others, bringing more young men into the fold. The rise of men mending and sewing clothes has also been linked to broader societal awareness of sustainability and overconsumption issues. Tailoring influences While sewing has long been (and arguably still is) viewed as a typically feminine pursuit, there is some historic precedent for the Female texti le employees sewing garments on indu strial sewing machines in rise of sewing among men today. the 1950s. Throughout history, tailoring Museums Victoria, CC BY and suit-making have been seen Ausas acceptable professions for men system designers such as in which prominent brands would –and still are in many cultures, tralian such as in Pakistan, South Korea, Christopher Esber, Martin Grant send bundles of garment pieces to and Toni Maticevski have all been home sewers to sew and return. Italy and Hong Kong. In London, Savile Row and its influenced by complex tailoring The sewers were often paid per famous menswear tailoring busi- practices which have supported bundle or per garment. nesses have been operating for their broader fashion practice. Then in the 1940s and 1950s, Women shaping fashion almost 200 years. These establishthe Second World War created So how did making clothes end economic conditions (including ments have dressed many royals and celebrities. Savile Row was up being labelled as women’s clothing rations) that led to most also the starting place for many work? Well, Australia does have a Australian women learning dressfamous designers, such as Alexan- long history of women in fashion. making skills, with many sewing Even today, the fashion sector is their own clothes. der McQueen. In Australia, Rip Curl founders made up of 77% women. As women were tasked with From the 1800s, and becoming filling labour shortages left by Doug Warbrick and Brian Singer were both driven to clothing pro- widespread in the 1920s, we saw the the war, sewing was considered duction as a result of surf culture. rise of a bundling manufacturing “simple” work that women could

AI TOOLS ARE BEING USED TO SUBJECT WOMEN IN PUBLIC LIFE TO ONLINE VIOLENCE JULIE POSETTI Director of the Information Integrity Initiative, a project of TheNerve/Professor of Journalism, Chair of the Centre for Journalism and Democracy, City St George’s, University of London KAYLEE WILLIAMS PhD Candidate, Journalism and Online Harm, Columbia University LEA HELLMUELLER Associate Professor and Associate Dean of Research, City St George’s, University of London THE era of AI-assisted online violence is no longer looming. It has arrived. And it is reshaping the threat landscape for women who work in the public sphere around the world. Our newly published report, commissioned by UN Women, offers early, urgent evidence indicating that generative AI is already being used to silence and harass women whose voices are vital to the preservation of democracy. This includes journalists exposing corruption, activists mobilising voters and the human rights defenders working on the frontline of efforts to stall democratic backsliding.

Based on a global survey of women human rights defenders, activists, journalists and other public communicators from 119 countries, our research shows the extent to which generative AI is being weaponised to produce abusive content – in a multitude of forms – at scale. We surveyed 641 women in five languages (Arabic, English, French, Portuguese and Spanish). The surveys were disseminated via the trusted networks of UN Women, UNESCO, the International Centre for Journalists and a panel of 22 expert advisers representing intergovernmental organisations, the legal fraternity, civil society organisations, industry and academia. According to our analysis, nearly one in four (24%) of the 70% of respondents who reported experiencing online violence in the course of their work identified abuse that was generated or amplified by AI tools. In the report, we define online violence as any act involving digital tools which results in or is likely to result in physical, sexual, psychological, social, political or economic harm, or other infringements of rights and freedoms. But the incidence is not evenly distributed across professions. Women who identify as writers or other public communicators, such as social media influencers, reported the highest exposure to AI-assisted online violence at 30.3%. Women human rights

Increasing numbers of women in public life say they are being targeted with AI-enabled abuse. Burdun Iliya/Shutterstock defenders and activists followed closely at 28.2%. Women journalists and media workers reported a still alarming 19.4% exposure rate. Since the public launch of free, widely accessible generative AI tools such as ChatGPT at the end of 2022, the barriers to entry and cost of producing sexually explicit deepfake videos, gendered disinformation, and other forms of gender-based online violence have been significantly reduced. Meanwhile, the speed of distribution has intensified. The result is a digital landscape in which harmful, misogynistic content can be generated rapidly by anyone with a smartphone and access to a generative AI chatbot. Social media algorithms, meanwhile, are tuned to boost the reach of the hateful and abusive material, which then proliferates. And it can generate considerable personal, political and often financial gains for the perpetrators and facilitators, including technology companies. Meanwhile, recent research highlights AI both as a driver of disinformation and as a potential solution, powering synthetic content detection systems and counter-measures. But there’s limited evidence of how effective these detection tools are. Many jurisdictions also still lack clear legal frameworks that address deepfake abuse and other harms enabled by AI-generated

media, such as financial scams and digital impersonation. This is especially the case when the attack is gendered, rather than purely political or financial. This is due to the inherently nuanced and often insidious nature of misogynistic hate speech, along with the evident indifference of lawmakers to women’s suffering. Our findings underscore an urgent two-fold challenge. There’s a desperate need for stronger tools to identify, monitor, report and repel AI-assisted attacks. And legal and regulatory mechanisms must be established that require platforms and AI developers to prevent their technologies from being deployed to undermine women’s rights.

WHEN ONLINE ABUSE LEADS TO ‘REAL-WORLD’ ATTACKS

We can’t treat these AI-related findings as isolated statistics. They exist amid broadening online violence against women in public life. They are also situated within a wider and deeply unsettling pattern – the vanishing boundary between online violence and offline harm. Four in ten (40.9%) women we surveyed reported experiencing offline attacks, abuse or harassment that they linked to online violence. This includes physical assault, stalking, swatting and verbal harassment. The data confirms what survivors have been telling us for years: digital violence is not “virtual” at all. In fact, it is often only the first act in a cycle of escalating harm. For women journalists, the trend is especially stark. In a comparable 2020 survey, 20% of respondents reported experiencing offline attacks associated with online violence. But five years later, that figure has more than doubled to 42%. This dangerous trajectory should be a wake-up call for news organisations, governments and big tech companies alike.

easily undertake. Of course, anyone who does it themselves will know this isn’t quite true. Sewing has always required a complex set of skills and has historically been undervalued. Local manufacturing and home sewing by women declined between the 1970s and 1990s due to the removal of government tariffs, and the industry’s inability to compete with the low-cost fast fashion market. How to start If you’re looking to pick up sewing as a hobby this summer, don’t worry about finding a fancy machine with lots of features. All you need is a machine that sews straight lines; you might even find one collecting dust in a cupboard. Start simple with some basic up-cycling, before jumping into your first garment from scratch. Depending on where you live, you might have access to in-person beginner sewing lessons. But if you don’t, don’t worry – surveys suggest some 48% of Gen Z members have taught themselves a new skill through TikTok, and 42% through YouTube. So that could be your first point of call. @CorneliusQuiring, @glory. allan and @zoehongteaches are just a few of many TikTok accounts to help get you started. Who knows? You could be the next Christian Dior or Cristóbal Balenciaga. It’s just a matter of practice, and finding joy within the challenge.

When online violence becomes a pathway to physical intimidation, the chilling effect extends far beyond individual targets. It becomes a structural threat to freedom of expression and democracy. In the context of rising authoritarianism, where online violence and networked misogyny are typical features of the playbook for rolling back democracy, the role of politicians in perpetrating online violence cannot be ignored. In the 2020 UNESCO-published survey of women journalists, 37% of respondents identified politicians and public office holders as the most common offenders. The situation has only deteriorated since 2020, with the evolution of a continuum of violence against women in the public sphere. Offline abuse, such as politicians and public office holders targeting female journalists during media conferences, can trigger an escalation of online violence that, in turn, can exacerbate offline harm. This cycle has been documented all over the world, in the stories of notable women journalists like Maria Ressa in the Philippines, Rana Ayyub in India and the assassinated Maltese investigative jouralist Daphne Caruana Galizia. These women bravely spoke truth to power and were targeted by their respective governments – online and offline – as a result. The evidence of abuse against women in public life we have uncovered during our research signals a need for more creative technological interventions employing the principles of “human rights by design”. These are safeguards recommended by a range of international organisations which build in protections for human rights at every stage of AI design. It also signals the need for stronger and more proactive legal and policy responses, greater platform accountability, political responsibility, and better safety and support systems for women in public life

THE TRIBUNE

A heart-warming gift

Tuesday, January 13, 2026, PAGE 13

By CARA HUNT Tribune Features Writer cbrennen@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas District of Pilots recently made the holiday season brighter and warmer for many Bahamians. The civic organisation donated 525 blankets to several medical facilities and residential homes last month. Pilot Governor Sheila McPhee explained that she came up with the idea for the initiative after an experience she had with her brother, who sadly passed away last May. “My brother had come to the Bahamas for a visit, and while he was here, he had to have a dialysis treatment. My sister called and asked if I could bring him a blanket and a pillow because they didn’t have any at the treatment centre. So after that happened, I realised that that would be a great Governor’s holiday initiative for the Pilots to do, because its something that was so needed and can carry over from Christmas to the rest of the winter season,” she said, This Governor's Project became a reality after the district partnered with several businesses across the Bahamas. And it was quite the success, they were able to gift the various Hospitals, senior citizen home residents and the Kidney Centres with 525 blankets. “It is with tremendous thanks to all of our sponsors and partners that we were able to bring a ray of hope, comfort and security to the residents,” Ms McPhee said. It was also important that they extend the initiative throughout the country and not just New Providence. The recipients hailed from New Providence, Freeport, Grand Bahama and Marsh Harbour, Abaco. “The Bahamas District has a presence on each of these islands. Therefore, it was imperative that the residents of these islands be the first recipients,”Ms McPhee explained. In New Providence, blankets were distributed to the Geriatrics ward of Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre, The Naomi Christie Home, The Good Samaritans Senior Citizen Home, Demetrius Senior Citizen Home, The Princess Margaret Hospital, The Children's Ward of PMH, and the Kidney Centre.

Two things can be true at once. K-pop is an inextricable force in global pop culture, and it has long been under-celebrated at institutions like the Grammys — where K-pop artists have performed but have never taken home a trophy. That could change at next month’s 2026 Grammy Awards ceremony. For the first time, songs released by K-pop artists — or K-pop-adjacent artists — have received nominations in the Grammys’ “big four” categories. Rosé, perhaps best known as onefourth of the juggernaut girl group Blackpink, is the first K-pop artist to receive a nomination in the record of the year category for “APT.”, her collaboration with Grammys favourite Bruno Mars. The song of the year category also features K-pop nominees for the first time. “APT.” will go headto-head with the fictional girl group HUNTR/X’s “Golden”, performed by Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami from the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack. Meanwhile, Katseye — the girl group fashioned in the image of the K-pop idol system and the brainchild of HYBE, the entertainment company behind BTS — has been nominated for best new artist.

Is this a historic moment for K-pop?

It depends on who you ask. Areum Jeong, assistant professor of Korean Studies at Arizona State University and author of K-pop Fandom: Performing Deokhu from the 1990s to Today, says many of the nominations reflect “a de-territorialised, hybrid idea of K-pop” rather than recognition of the genre itself. While Rosé “was recruited and trained under the K-pop system, and while ‘APT.’ does contain some motifs from the Korean drinking game,” Jeong says, “the song does not feel like a localised K-pop production. … Same with Katseye, who was trained and produced under HYBE but marketed more toward Western fans and listeners.” Jeong adds that both “APT.” and Katseye’s “Gabriela” — which will also compete against “Golden” in the pop duo/group performance category — “seem less K-pop than other K-pop songs that could have been nominated over the years”.

In addition, blankets were presented to The Rand Memorial Hospital, The Children's Ward at the Rand, and the Kidney Centre on Grand Bahama and on Abaco. Blankets were also presented to the Clinic in Abaco, The Kidney

Centre and the Department of Social Services. Ms McPhee said that the recipients on each of the islands were “ecstatic.” The initiative’s coordinator, Eloise Whymns, added, “It was a

pleasure to make these presentations simply because there is a great need. Persons receiving the blankets on behalf of the homes, hospitals and the kidney centres expressed their thanks and appreciation and said the blankets came just in time for the Chilly season.

The Mission of Pilot International and indeed the Bahamas District is to influence positive change in communities around the world as they seek to make a difference right where they are planted, by Doing More, Caring More and Being More.

This combination of photos show Rosé performing at the Global Citizen Festival in New York on Sept. 27, 2025, left, Ejae, from "KPop Demon Hunters," at the A Year in TIME honors gala in New York on Dec. 10, 2025, center, and Yoonchae, of KATSEYE, performing in Inglewood, Calif., on Dec. 12, 2025. (AP Photo)

Is K-pop finally having its Grammy moment? She argues the same applies to the music of KPop Demon Hunters. “It takes inspiration and motif from Korean culture,” she says, where “K-pop serves as an idea, a jumping-off point, or a motif, creating alternatives or new possibilities”. Mathieu Berbiguier, a visiting assistant professor in Korean Studies at Carnegie Mellon University, says these nominations differ from past K-pop Grammy nods because “Golden”, “APT.” and Katseye all feature “a mainstream popular music factor”. That includes the connection of a major Netflix film, a collaboration with Bruno Mars, and Katseye’s international membership and Netflix series (Pop Star Academy: Katseye). “It tells you that K-pop is not considered as something niche anymore,” Berbiguier says. “Now,

when we think about pop music in general, we also think of K-pop as part of it.” Bernie Cho, industry expert and president of the South Korean agency DFSB Kollective, agrees the nominees reflect a broader, global appeal. “All the nominees represent a sort of post-idol K-pop,” Cho says. “Rosé, the three ladies of HUNTR/X and Katseye represent the globalised version of K-pop, where the ‘K’ is very much there, but some people might argue it’s silent.” “The songs are not necessarily for Korea, by Korea, from Korea — just kind of beyond Korea,” he adds.

So why are these acts being recognised now?

“For years, the Recording Academy has snubbed K-pop acts that have set record-breaking

standards, such as BTS, Seventeen and Stray Kids,” argues Jeong. “I think one of the main reasons is that the Western world is still so resistant to non-English lyrics.” “It does not surprise me that ‘APT.’ and Katseye’s music, which mainly contain English lyrics and seem less K-pop, were nominated,” she continues. Berbiguier says this reflects broader trends in the genre, noting there is “less and less Korean and more and more English”. There may also be industry factors at play. Tamar Herman, a music journalist and author of the Notes on K-pop newsletter, says many critics viewed 2025 as a lacklustre year for new pop music in the US. Luminate’s 2025 MidYear Report found streams of new music had slowed compared to the year prior. “Yes, it’s a big moment for K-pop, but it is so overdue,”

Herman says. “These recognitions are more of a sign of how poorly the music industry in the US did this year, that we’re looking externally.” She argues the shift is more symbolic of US cultural dominance slipping than “K-pop being really good, because K-pop has been really good for a really long time”. Cho says the appeal is rooted in artistry. “It’s very obvious that they’re not just performers. They’re artists. They’re singers. They’re songwriters,” he says.

Will a K-pop artist finally win a Grammy this year?

The jury is still out. “I think it’s not even a matter of if or when. It’s going to be who and how many,” Cho says. Others are less certain. “It’s hard to predict,” says Berbiguier. “For me, it’s more possible that ‘Golden’ gets one.” Whether that would count as a win for K-pop, Herman says, “is a matter of opinion”.

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

SECTION D

Soft screens strong women BY ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Reporter acadet@tribunemedia.net THERE is a particular kind of comfort that comes from returning to a familiar screen. Not background noise, not escapism exactly, but stories that meet women where they are. On nights when emotions sit close to the surface, when healing feels active, or when strength needs a reminder, many women instinctively reach for the same shows again and again. Across Nassau, a number of Bahamian women shared the shows they turn to when they want to feel soft, supported, seen, or steady. Their choices range from city friendships to sisterhood dramas, glossy escapes to superhero strength. Each story offers something different, yet together they reveal how television can quietly mirror womanhood in all its phases. For Michelle, Sex and the City remains unmatched. Long after its original run, the series still speaks to her, particularly during seasons of transition. The appeal is not the

fashion alone, though she admits the wardrobes help. It is the honesty of the friendships and the permission to be unfinished. “First of all, I like it because the episodes are short and quick to run through. It also helps that those women are messy, confident, unsure, bold, all at once. I love all of that. It reminds me that you do not have to have everything figured out to still enjoy where you are,” said Michelle. While Sex and the City capture the freedom of self-discovery, Tyler Perry’s Sistas resonates with women navigating relationships in real time. For Renée, the show reflects modern sisterhood with all its complications. The characters are flawed, emotional, sometimes frustrating, yet deeply loyal. “We all know Tyler Perry is known for a low budget show and movie, but I don’t care. Once you can get pass the horrible wigs and bad acting, there is a message in every episode. Sistas is really one of the good ones though. It feels like conversations and situations my girlfriends and I actually have. There is love, conflict, prayer, bad decisions, good intentions. Not to mention the

comedic feel to it as well,” said Renée. That sense of connection, of seeing one’s reality echoed on screen, is a recurring theme. Even shows rooted in mystery can offer emotional grounding. Sakeena gravitates toward Pretty Little Liars; not for the suspense alone, but for its portrayal of intense female bonds formed under pressure. “They protected each other no matter what. Even when things got dark, the girls stuck together. I told someone just recently when they asked what am I binging nowadays. I said the best shows are the ones that are cancelled. Everything now is just surface level rubbish,” said Sakeena. For others, an amazing feeling is watching a woman rebuild herself. Being Mary Jane, starring Gabrielle Union, remains a staple for Simone, who returns to it whenever she needs perspective. The series follows a successful Black woman navigating career ambition, family expectations, love, and vulnerability. “She is strong and successful, but she is also tired and sometimes lost, like me. That show

gives a woman permission to admit that you can be accomplished and still hurting. The real deal,” said Simone. The power of Being Mary Jane lies in its willingness to sit with discomfort. It does not rush healing or tidy up emotional loose ends. Instead, it reflects the reality of growth that unfolds unevenly, sometimes painfully, but always honestly. Simone also mentioned a close second-favourite for her with a woman at the lead, would be Scandal, starring Kerry Washington. On the lighter end of the spectrum sits Emily in Paris, a show that trades realism for whimsy. For Nadia, that is precisely the point. When life feels heavy, she wants something visually indulgent and emotionally uncomplicated. “It is pretty, it is fun, it does not ask too much of me. Sometimes softness looks like colour, romance, and starting over in a new place, even if it is just for thirty minutes,” she said. Yet softness does not exclude strength. For Kayla, empowerment comes in cinematic form through Captain Marvel. In a genre long dominated by male

By CARA HUNT Tribune Features Writer cbrennen@tribunemedia.net ONE plus one always equals two — unless you apply “girl math”, in which case one plus one can equal whatever you want. Most of us have heard the expression “girl math”, a term some women use to justify frivolous spending or a way to convince yourself that a certain amount of money is more or less than it actually is, depending on your financial needs at that moment. Some examples circulating online include the rationale that: An item priced at $3.95 only costs $3. Anything under $5 feels free. Returning a $50 item and then spending $100 really only counts as spending $50. Cash is not real money. Buying something on sale really means you are saving money. However, many Bahamian women say the term should centre female empowerment and ingenuity, rather than carry irresponsible connotations. “I don’t like the term girl math because it suggests that women are frivolous and not responsible when it comes to money, and we know that women be holding it down, running businesses and their households better than many men,” said Arnette. Renee agrees. “Listen, back in the day Grammies was the real mathematicians. They could take a few dollars and stretch and multiply that to pay rent, the light bill, groceries and all the children needs, and still manage to have a few dollars left over. They ran assues and tuck

Bahamian women put a new spin on ‘Girl Math’ shops and always had a lil side hustle that could keep the family going.” Ashley shared a similar memory. “I remember this one time my mommy was at her last. I think she had like $15, and we went in the food store and she figured out just how to add that stuff up to get

us two meals that would take us to payday. That is what you call girl math.” Michelle admits she has also been guilty of girl math. “I have definitely done the ‘well it’s on sale so I am saving money’, or the ‘I deserve a treat so shopping is cheaper than therapy’, you know, things like that. But I ended

up in a lot of credit card debt, and the stress of paying it off really made me rethink,” she said. “I had to re-evaluate my relationship with money. Like, if you can’t afford to spend $50, you can’t afford something that is $50 on sale. The sale don’t make it affordable — you still can’t afford it.”

heroes, the film offers a woman who claims her power without apology or explanation. “I love that she does not have to prove herself to anyone. She just is. I also love that she doesn’t let anyone dictate or tell her what to do. In the Avengers Endgame movie, she was the one having to save the greats like Thor, Hulk, Iron Man etc. I love the character and I can’t wait to see what else Marvel comes up with when it comes to the female superheroes,” said Kayla. What unites these choices is not genre or tone, but emotional timing. Each show meets its viewer at a particular moment, offering reassurance, courage, or rest. Whether through laughter, tears, fantasy, or fight scenes, these stories provide a space where women can exhale. And for these Bahamian women, their go-to shows affirm that softness and strength can exist side by side, and that every chapter of womanhood deserves its own episode.

Veranique says her more mature version of girl math is prioritising her discretionary spending. “I used to just be like, ‘oh it’s just five dollars’ or ‘it’s just $10’, but things add up. I actually sat down and calculated all the money I spent on random Starbucks runs, grabbing fast food for dinner, or buying junk I really don’t need, and it’s so much money. There were so many things I always said I couldn’t afford, but y’all, it be adding up. I could have taken a trip to Paris with the money I spent on Starbucks in the last year.” She says her new approach focuses on spending that adds the most value, while channelling extra money into savings. “So, for example, if I know I want to go out with the girls for happy hour on Friday, I will be like, ‘OK, that means I have to be extra frugal through the week, and that will pay for happy hour’. Before, I would spend all week and all weekend. It’s baby steps, but I am getting there. I also try to save at least $50 a week rather than wasting it.” For Leanna, girl math is all about living her best life for less. “I try to get the most I can for as close to zero as I can. I love catching a sale, I love buying wholesale to save money. For me, the math be mathing when I get to spend my money on the things I want rather than the things I need.” And for Precious, her favourite girl math is simple. “I started hard saving and investing, and trust me, I love seeing that number in my account keep adding up.”