06022026 BUSINESS

‘Unwitting front’ resists demand over dealings with now-Minister

BY NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

A BRILAND tourism operator, who alleges he was “used as an unwitting ‘front’ to deceive” both the Government and Bahamian law, is battling demands from his estranged US business partner to hand over all correspondence with the now-Cabinet Minister who served as his former attorney.

Julian ‘Shaq’ Gibson, operator of the Conch & Coconut tour operator, destination management and visitor “concierge” business, is resisting attempts by Pablo Conde to force him to disclose all “communications and payments” to Darron Pickstock, the Glinton, Sweeting & O’Brien attorney who is now serving as minister of state for Immigration, as part of the legal ‘discovery’ process in their dispute before the south Florida federal court.

Legal documents obtained by Tribune Business disclose that the Harbour Island-based Bahamian entrepreneur is arguing against Mr Conde’s document production bid on the basis that all dealings between himself and Mr Pickstock, as Conch & Coconut’s former local legal representative, are protected by ‘attorney-client privilege’. This keeps all such communications confidential, and exempts them from having to be disclosed publicly in court.

Briland tourism operator cites attorneyclient protection

But ex-US partner says not relevant as he’s ‘coclient’

However, Mr Conde, who controlled and oversaw the US side of Conch & Coconut’s operations before his acrimonious split with Mr Gibson, is countering that the communications with Mr Pickstock are not covered by ‘attorney-client privilege’ because he was the latter’s “co-client” alongside his former Bahamian partner.

Mr Conde is alleging this is because it was himself and the US operation that originally hired, and paid for, Mr Pickstock and Glinton, Sweeting & O’Brien’s services to help defend Conch & Coconut over the company’s initial $1.2m unpaid tax arrears owed to the Department of Inland Revenue. And, following the two partners’ messy break-up, he is claiming that a compromise was reached whereby the Bahamian law firm continued to represent both himself and Mr Gibson over the tax woes.

Mr Conde’s demands appear to be part of a wider ‘fishing expedition’ that is digging for incriminating evidence wherever it can be found, and

Opposition MP blasts revised revenue target

BY NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Opposition’s finance spokesman yesterday slammed the Government for the latest adjustments to its financial targets, and asserted: “The law is set to create fiscal discipline, not fiscal convenience.”

Kwasi Thompson, the east Grand Bahama MP, hit out after the second Davis administration moved to revise downwards its revenue goals, as a percentage of Bahamian economic output or gross domestic product (GDP), for the upcoming 2026-2027 Budget period and subsequent fiscal years by lowering this ratio below the originally-targeted 25 percent.

The Public Finance Management (Change of Fiscal Objectives) (Amendment of First Schedule) Order 2026, tabled in the House of Assembly alongside last week’s Budget communication, sought to justify the reduced revenue-to-GDP target ratio for 2026-2027, which has been cut from 25 percent to 23.5 percent, on the basis of “significantly higher” GDP forecasts.

The Bahamas National Statistical Institute (BNSI) recently revised the advanced estimates for this nation’s 2025 GDP growth to 3.8 percent, and the expanded economic output has increased the denominator for the revenue-to-GDP ratio, making the 25 percent target harder to obtain.

However, the Order also reveals that other critical factors driving the downward revision are the Government’s desire to avoid imposing new and/or increased taxes along with “limited revenue gains” from enhanced enforcement and compliance measures. In other words, the Government was unlikely to hit the 25 percent revenue-to-GDP target,

‘Limited scope’ to slash jobless rate below 9%

Gov’t modelling forecasts labour productivity drop to 1.7%

Conch & Coconut chief ‘used to deceive’ Gov’t, law

there is nothing to suggest that Mr Pickstock has done anything wrong in relation to the Conch & Coconut saga and its ongoing legal battle. While he was a Senator when hired by the tourism operator, he did not sit in Cabinet, and will have stepped down from his role as attorney following his post-May 12 ministerial appointment. Papers filed with the south Florida federal court last week on May 28, 2026, reveal how Mr Gibson is objecting to his ex-business partner’s demand that he “describe the nature of your relationship with Bahamian politician and attorney, Darron Pickstock, including any role that you may have in directing or supervising” the latter’s work. Mr Conde, as part of document production and discovery requests, also wants disclosure of all communications with, and payments to, the Bahamian attorney.

Mr Gibson, in urging the US court to reject such demands, asserted: “Mr Pickstock is [was] legal counsel to

- See Page B5

Budget hailed for targeting ‘Bahamian housing’s DNA’

BY NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

BUDGET reforms that expand first-time home buyer VAT relief to multi-unit dwellings were yesterday hailed as boosting “the DNA of the Bahamian market” through making ownership more affordable and accessible.

Gavin Christie, managing partner at the Corcoran C.A. Christie real estate firm, told Tribune Business that exempting first-time duplex and triplex purchasers from having to pay VAT on the transaction price directly targets “the Bahamian staple, the Bahamian blueprint” for how younger buyers can attain the home ownership dream.

BPL blames Nassau outages on demand, network faults

BY FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Power & Light (BPL) yesterday blamed multiple New Providence outages on equipment faults, underground cable failures and soaring electricity demand caused by an early summer heat wave, while maintaining that major network upgrades remain on schedule ahead of hurricane season.

Responding to Tribune Business inquiries, Anthony Christie, BPL's chief operating officer, acknowledged that customers have experienced repeated service interruptions in recent days but said the utility has developed plans to minimise disruption as critical maintenance work continues.

"New Providence has experienced a number of outages over the past several days," said Mr Christie. "These outages have been caused by faults affecting

Report admits Gov’t revenue, deficit forecasts too optimistic

Debt-to-GDP projected to plunge to 30% within next decade

BY NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE BAHAMAS has “limited scope” for cutting its unemployment rate below 9 percent without a major productivity boost or economic expansion, the Government’s own models and forecasts have predicted.

The Fiscal Strategy Report 2026, released alongside last week’s Budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, revealed that the Government’s own financial and economic modelling framework projects that there will only be modest decreases in the present unemployment rate to around 9 percent by the 2028-2029 fiscal year with little change thereafter.

This “plateau”, the report added, suggests the Bahamian economy - with a jobless rate of around 9.5

Amid rising mortgage and construction costs, Bahamians are increasingly turning to duplexes, triplexes and even larger multi-unit complexes to enable them to ‘own a piece of the rock’ by generating rental income from leasing out a portion of their properties to tenants.

percent at the end of the 2025 second quarter - is already operating at close to its structural unemployment capacity. If correct, that means The Bahamas could - even at peak economic activity - be faced with a jobless rate where still close to one out of every ten Bahamians looking for work is unable to find it.

“Labour market conditions exhibit limited adjustment over the projection period,” the Fiscal Strategy Report said, looking out over a tenyear period to 2035-2036.

“The unemployment rate declines from 9.5 percent to 9 percent by fiscal year 2028-2029 and remains broadly unchanged thereafter. This plateau suggests that the economy is operating near its structural employment capacity, with

Mr Christie disclosed that half his firm’s local business is young Bahamians seeking their first investment property, and asserted that such a “massive number” means the Davis

substation equipment and underground cables in certain areas. Additionally, the ongoing heat wave has resulted in peak system loads, placing increased demand on the electrical network."

Mr Christie said BPL has expanded its communications efforts during outages, with planned notifications typically issued 24 to 48 hours in advance and updates provided through the utility's Whats App channel.

He added that Bahamas Grid Company (BGC) is in the final

administration’s VAT relief will have a significant impact.

And, besides the multi-unit VAT exemption for firsttime home buyers, the Corcoran C.A. Christie chief also praised the Government’s decision - flagged before the 2026-2027 Budget’s unveiling last week - to raise the qualifying ceiling for this relief by $100,000 from $500,000 to $600,000. That will likely work with the multi-unit exemption’s inclusion

GAVIN CHRISTIE

KWASI THOMPSON

BAHAMAS POWER & LIGHT (BPL) HEADQUARTERS

Development Plan Bill eyes

July tabling in Parliament

BY FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

THE National Development Plan’s chairman yesterday said legislation to support The Bahamas' longawaited progress blueprint could reach Parliament before the end of July, while government ministries are now being assessed on their steps towards implementing its objectives.

Felix Stubbs said the immediate focus has been on advancing legislation that will formalise the National Development Plan process and establish the framework for its implementation. “Up until now our focus has been on getting the legislation through

Parliament, and that's progressing well,” he said.

“The Bill will hopefully move through Parliament by July; before the end of July.”

Mr Stubbs added that officials are simultaneously working to update the plan itself and expect a revised version to be presented for parliamentary approval after the legislation is passed.

“The plan itself, once we've brought it up to date, will probably also be taken to Parliament for approval. The legislation calls for that process. You'll probably see an updated plan within the next six months or so,” he said.

The update comes as Parliament debates the 2026-2027 Budget, with funding allocated to

support the next phase of the initiative. Asked whether sufficient resources had been provided to begin implementation, Mr Stubbs replied: “We were given everything we asked for.”

Beyond the legislative process, he said officials have begun engaging government ministries to determine how closely current initiatives align with the National Development Plan.

“We're doing an inventory of where they are against the Plan in terms of what has been implemented, what is in progress and what remains to be done,” said Mr Stubbs.

“We're also looking at whether there are initiatives that ministries have undertaken that aren't currently

MP to aid Kemp Road gas station fire clean-up

BY ANNELIA NIXON

Business

FREETOWN’S MP has committed to help clean-up efforts following the recent blaze that destroyed Kemp Road Service Station as its proprietor awaits the results of an investigation into the cause of the fire.

Cecelia Knowles-Rahming said she is awaiting the probe’s findings before deciding whether the landmark business will be rebuilt following the heavy damage it suffered. She told Tribune Business that there have been no new developments as authorities continue their investigation.

“I don’t have any updates. I’m still waiting for the report,” Ms Knowles-Rahming said. The fire was believed to have started around 3am, causing what Ms Knowles-Rahming previously described as

extensive damage to the business. While the cause remains undetermined, the incident has raised questions about the future of the gas station.

Lincoln Deal, the FNM’s Freetown MP, said he met with Ms Knowles-Rahming over the weekend to discuss the incident and potential next steps. He emphasised that decisions regarding the future of the business remain entirely in her hands while investigations continue.

“So her and I met over the weekend,” he said. “She and I have worked very closely over the last few months, and right now she’s going through the process of investigations. She’s going through that process right now, as it relates to the police, making sure that everything is properly documented.”

Mr Deal said his office has committed to helping with immediate recovery

efforts. “As it relates to next steps, she’s still processing what that looks like. However, we’ve committed to assisting her with the clean-up efforts, and so that’s one part in the immediate short-term that our team will assist her with until we figure out what her next step is; whether it is for rebuilding or whether she’s looking in another direction. But that’s still entirely up to her,” he added. The uncertainty surrounding the property’s future reflects both the emotional and economic significance of the business. For decades, the gas station has been a key fuel provider for residents and motorists travelling through the heart of Kemp Road.

Mr Deal said the owner is carefully weighing several factors before making a decision. “There’s a lot of history in that space, which is why I think she’s really digging deep to figure out

reflected in the plan but should be incorporated. The objective is to bring the existing draft of the plan fully up to date.”

The National Development Plan, commonly referred to as Vision 2040, was developed to provide a long-term framework for economic, social and environmental development that transcends political administrations.

Mr Stubbs argued that implementation of the Plan is critical to improving co-ordination across government, and ensuring public resources are directed toward common national objectives. “If we have a proper National Development Plan, then our focus is directed toward the same goals,” he said.

“We don't have to spend money on multiple things that don't get us anywhere, and we don't have to spend money multiple times on the same thing across different government ministries.”

Instead, Mr Stubbs said, the Plan can help align both public and private sector decision-making around a shared national vision. “We can create alignment across the public sector and within the private sector around a truly national plan,” said Mr Stubbs.

“The plan is driven by the grassroots, by what

Bahamians say they want, what they believe should be included and what is best for The Bahamas. There will always be constraints, but we will take what the people tell us they want and try to create a plan that keeps us focused and helps us realise our full potential.”

Mr Stubbs also welcomed the transfer of responsibility for the initiative from the Office of the Prime Minister to the newly-created Ministry of Innovation and National Development, describing the move as one that should strengthen implementation efforts.

“The fact that it's housed within a ministry gives it a greater level of focus because the minister can be more directly engaged in moving matters through Cabinet and Parliament,” he said.

“At the same time, it doesn't change our access to the Prime Minister because, ultimately, he retains responsibility for national planning. So having a dedicated ministry only enhances the process.”

what our next step is,” he said. “We can’t pressure her, but she is looking at all of those different factors.”

He added that the station’s strategic location and long-standing role in the community make the decision particularly difficult. “Obviously, the gas station has been there for decades. It’s a landmark in the centre of Kemp Road, one of the only gas stations in the

heart of the area,” Mr Deal said. The station has been operated by the Knowles family for more than 50 years, and has become deeply embedded in the community. Residents have described it as more than a place to purchase fuel, recalling childhood visits, and daily and long-standing relationships with the family behind the business.

While discussions continue about the future, Mr Deal said immediate attention remains focused on clearing the site and helping the owner navigate the aftermath of the fire.

“We met for an extended period of time over the weekend. We were trying to encourage her, but also understand how best we could assist,” he said. “But in the interim, we will be cleaning up the area.”

Medium-term spending under estimated due to ‘pressures’

FRAMEWORK - from page B1

limited scope for further reductions absent significant productivity-enhancing reforms or labour market expansion.”

The outlook for such productivity growth does not appear optimistic. “Output per worker is projected to slow from 2.7 percent in fiscal year 2024-2025 to 1.8 percent in fiscal year 2025-2026, stabilising at 1.7 percent thereafter,” the Fiscal Strategy Report said.

“A sensitivity analysis assuming zero productivity growth for two years shows nominal GDP growth falling by 1.7 percentage points to 4.8 percent, with some long-run shock effects. The fiscal balance-to-GDP ratio also weakens, as productivity shocks typically raise government spending pressures while dampening economic activity.”

However, over that ten-year period, the Government’s model is forecasting that annual economic output or gross domestic product (GDP) will increase by some $8.7bn in nominal terms or just over 49 percent.

The growth is projected from $17.6bn in 2025-2026 to $26.3bn by 2035-2036, “implying a steady deceleration in growth from 6.2 percent to approximately 3.8 percent over the forecast horizon”.

As for real GDP growth, which strips out the impact of inflation, the Fiscal Strategy Report added that this is “projected to moderate from 2.9 percent in fiscal year 2025-2026 to a stable range of 1.7 to 1.9 percent over the long-term.

“The persistence of this relatively narrow growth band reflects structural constraints within the economy, including capacity limitations in tourism and modest productivity growth. Consequently,

long-run output expansion is primarily driven by incremental gains in labour productivity rather than capital and land accumulation or cyclical demand effects,” it said of the Government’s forecasting.

The prospects for the Government’s own finances, though, appeared more optimistic. “The fiscal outlook over the medium to long-term horizon reflects a sustained improvement in the Government’s overall fiscal position, supported by continued growth in revenues and disciplined expenditure management,” the Fiscal Strategy Report asserted.

“The overall balance (deficit) is projected to remain in surplus throughout the forecast period, increasing from 0.4 percent of GDP in fiscal year 20252026 to 1.2 percent of GDP in fiscal year 2026-2027, and strengthening further to 2.8 percent of GDP by fiscal year 2027-2028. Over the medium term, the surplus is expected to stabilise at approximately 1.6–1.9 percent of GDP, before rising gradually to 3.7 percent of GDP by fiscal year 2035-2036.”

Similar positive trends were forecast over the central government’s, and The Bahamas’, debt. “Government debt is projected to follow a firmly downward trajectory across both the medium and long-term, declining from $11.4bn in fiscal year 2025-2026 to $8bn by fiscal year 20352036,” the Fiscal Strategy Report added.

“In GDP terms, the debt ratio is expected to fall from 64.6 percent in fiscal year 2025-2026 to 52.2 percent by fiscal year 2028-2029, and further to 47.9 percent by fiscal year 2030-2031, placing the Government on a clear path toward achieving its fiscal objective of reducing public debt to no

more than 50 percent of GDP in the early 2030s.

“Thereafter, the debt‐to‐GDP ratio continues to decline steadily, reaching 30.3 percent by fiscal year 2035-2036. The sustained reduction in debt is underpinned by strong and persistent primary surpluses, continued economic growth and prudent debt management,” the report added.

“The composition of public debt also evolves over the projection horizon, with external debt declining from $5.1bn in fiscal year 2025-2026 to $2.8bn by fiscal year 2035-2036, while domestic debt decreases more gradually from $6.3bn to $5.1bn. This rebalancing supports a reduction in external vulnerabilities while maintaining a stable domestic financing base.”

However, the Fiscal Strategy Report admitted that past government projections for annual tax revenues and deficits have often been too optimistic, with missed targets causing increased financial strain and forcing unexpected, unplanned borrowings to cover the holes and funding gaps that result.

“The Government’s revenue strategy for 2026-2027 is anchored in the principles of fairness, simplicity and adequacy, and is supported by improvements in revenue administration, tax policy initiatives and institutional reforms,” the report said.

“Under the medium-term fiscal framework, revenues are projected to rise to 23.5 percent of GDP in 2026-2027, 24 percent in 2027-2028, and 24.5 percent in 2028-2029, before returning to 25 percent in 2029-2030 and remaining at that level over the medium term.”

However, the Fiscal Strategy Report then warned: “Historical forecast performance indicates, however,

that revenue projections have been characterised by systematic optimism and elevated volatility, with average over-estimation in the Budget year and increasing dispersion at longer horizons. Revenue outcomes have proven particularly sensitive to macroeconomic conditions and external demand.

“The revenue chart illustrates uncertainty around the baseline projection for 2026 to 2028. While the central projection is consistent with the Government’s revenue targets, the widening confidence bands indicate a material probability of weaker outcomes beyond the Budget year. This underscores the importance of conservative revenue assumptions and prudence margins in medium-term fiscal planning.”

It was a similar theme with the annual GFS deficit, which the Davis administration is hoping will become a surplus in the current 2025-2026 fiscal year and continue thereafter. “Historical forecast error analysis indicates that uncertainty around the fiscal balance remains material. Past projections have exhibited a systematic optimistic bias, with fiscal deficits consistently underestimated across forecast horizons,” the Fiscal Strategy Report said.

“This reflects the combined effects of revenue shortfalls and expenditure pressures materialising more strongly than anticipated, particularly beyond the Budget year. The fiscal balance chart illustrates the uncertainty surrounding the projected transition to sustained surpluses from 2026-2027 onward.

“While the baseline projection envisages a strengthening fiscal position, the lower percentiles of the distribution indicate a non-negligible risk that fiscal outcomes could

remain weaker than projected under adverse macroeconomic or fiscal scenarios. This… underscores the importance of maintaining contingency buffers and preserving flexibility in fiscal management to safeguard medium-term fiscal objectives.”

While spending estimates have proven more accurate, as this is an easier element for the Government to control, the Fiscal Strategy Report 2026 added: “Historical evidence shows that

expenditure forecasts have been relatively accurate in the Budget year but systematically under-estimated in outer years, reflecting implementation of pressures and evolving policy commitments.

“The expenditure chart shows limited near-term dispersion but a widening and upward skewed distribution over the medium term, indicating a higher likelihood of expenditure overruns than underspending.”

FELIX STUBBS

KEMP RD GAS STATION FIRE

Major Bimini resort faces weak summer

BY ANNELIA NIXON Tribune Business Reporter anixon@tribunemedia.net

A MAJOR Bimini resort yesterday said it is expecting a weak summer with boating traffic and hotel occupancy lagging behind last year’s levels.

Stephen Kappeler, managing director of the Bimini Big Game Club Resort and Mariba, said the property’s performance has declined since Spring despite hopes that the traditionally stronger summer boating season would bring better numbers.

“We’re actually very far off in the summer,”

Mr Kappeler said. “We’re worse off than we were in the Spring.” According to his data, the marina is currently missing 274 slip bookings compared to the same period last year, representing a 30 percent decline in occupancy and approximately $35,000 in lost revenue.

“Some earlier months we might have been down 50 slips, 100 slips, something like that in total,” he said. “We are missing 274 slips from last year.” While poor weather during the Memorial Day holiday weekend contributed to some of the losses, Mr Kappeler argued that it explains only a fraction of the decline.

“We had a whole bad five days where people couldn’t cross, and it happened to be over what is usually a soldout Memorial weekend,” he said.

Mr Kappeler estimated that roughly 30 of the missing slips could be attributed to weather disruptions. The larger issue, he suggested, remains concerns about boating fees in the country.

“Most of it is related to the guest issue about perception of fees,” he said.

“Guests are learning that the fees have been lessened, but it’s a little bit damaged and too late. Some people are still holding a grudge.”

The downturn, according to Mr Kappeler, is

said visible vacancies at the nearby marina operated by Resorts World Bimini indicate that the slowdown is affecting other marinas as well.

“Our competitor up the road, just by looking at the slips at Resort World, is very hurt,” he said. “We’re not the only ones hurt.”

to improve,” Mr Kappeler said. He also expressed optimism about the appointment of Glenys Hanna-Martin as minister of tourism, adding that her previous involvement in major development projects demonstrated strong business sense.

BY NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Opposition has called for “full transparency and legal clarity” on the Government’s moves to place $700m net borrowings in the National Investment Fund and the “crystallisation” of $43m in public-private partnerships (PPPs).

Michael Pintard, the Free National Movement (FNM) leader, in separate letters to Michael Halkitis, minister of finance, called for the second Davis administration to provide “urgent clarification” on both issues following last week’s 2026-2027 Budget presentation and release of the Fiscal Strategy Report.

On the $700m proceeds, Mr Pintard urged the Government to provide “a detailed schedule of all borrowing instruments, approvals and resolutions” by Parliament that authorised borrowings in excess of debt repayments during the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

And he also called on the Government to provide “the legal authority under which these excess funds were transferred from the” Government’s consolidated fund to the National Investment Fund.

“We note that under the Public Debt Management Act, all borrowed funds must be paid into the consolidated fund, and under the Public Finance Management Act, withdrawals from that Fund require lawful parliamentary authority. These are not optional requirements; they are mandated by law,” the Opposition’s leader asserted.

“It is our expectation that the Government will not and cannot use monies deposited in the National Investment Fund as a means to fund routine and regular infrastructure projects, including current initiatives for roads, medical facilities and airports outside of the budgetary and procurement framework, and in the absence of any prescribed investment criteria and strategy for the National Investment Fund.

“This request is made in light of the requirements for

transparency and accountability in public spending under the Public Finance Management Act, particularly where expenditures may occur outside traditional Budget presentation channels.”

Mr Pintard, voicing concern that no details have been released on the National Investment Fund’s Board members, added: “If either the Board doesn't exist or if its composition is hidden from the public, there is no defensible means for any public funds to be moved to or through any National Investment Fund structure.

“We further note that it is our informed view that transfers into the National Investment Fund requires explicit parliamentary authorisation via an appropriation from Parliament. If there is none, kindly indicate any other lawful mechanism available to the Government to move borrowed funds from the consolidated fund into the National Investment Fund outside of the constitutionally required appropriations mechanism.”

And he continued: “We note that the National Investment Fund Act requires adherence to the Santiago Principles, which establish core standards of transparency, legal clarity and independent governance. On the information presently available, the Government's actions raise serious concerns of non-compliance.

“The absence of clear disclosure regarding the source, transfer and use of funds undermines transparency. Any transfer of borrowed funds to the National Investment Fund without explicit parliamentary authority calls into question the legality and accountability of those transactions, and the apparent lack of demonstrable governance structures or separation between fiscal operations and fund management is inconsistent with the required standards of institutional independence.

“Further, if National Investment Fund activity has the effect of obscuring the true fiscal position or shifting spending outside the ordinary Budget framework,

this would be fundamentally inconsistent with the purpose and operation of the Santiago Principles as incorporated into the Act.”

As for the PPP liabilities, Tribune Business reported yesterday how the Fiscal Strategy Report 2026 had revealed more than 30 percent of $140m in PPP funding has now “crystallised” on the Government’s books as a debt that has to be repaid by Bahamian taxpayers.

The document, released alongside the 2026-2027 Budget that was unveiled last week, reveals that some $43.1m of the $140m PPP funding that the Africa Export-Import Bank has provided for road infrastructure upgrades on Eleuthera and Cat Island has now become a liability that the Government has to repay from the Public Treasury.

“The Government faces a potential contingent liability of $140m arising from financing arrangements with the African Export-Import Bank in respect of public-private partnership transactions with Bahamas Striping and Cat Island Infrastructure Company. At the time of preparation of this report, approximately $43.1m of this liability has crystallised in respect of these arrangements,” the Fiscal Strategy Report said.

The disclosure is likely to reignite the debate over many of the Government’s PPP deals with the Opposition having repeatedly charged that most are, in reality, ‘off the books’ loans designed to keep borrowings from adding to the annual deficit and national debt by ensuring they are kept off the balance sheet of the Bahamian public finances.

Mr Pintard, in his letter to Mr Halkitis, called for the Government to provide the loan agreements, borrowing resolutions and any guarantees authorising the Africa Export-Import Bank financing. “The inclusion of both interest and principal payments in the 2026-2027 Budget for obligations related to the African Import-Export Bank PPP arrangements suggest to us that the Government is treating this exposure as

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impacting overall operations. He said room occupancy is also suffering because visiting boaters represent a number of overnight guests.

“We are 253 rooms off from where we should be,” he said. “The boating industry is what drives the Out Islands for room occupancy. When one catches a cold, the other one gets the flu.”

As a result, restaurant and bar revenues are down between 20 percent and 30 percent, while sales at the  ship store and liquor store have fallen by approximately 24 percent, he said. The struggles extend beyond the Bimini Big Game Club. Mr Kappeler

an actual obligation of the state,” he wrote.

“If the $140.1m potential liability, and the $43.1 million crystallised liability, refer to another set of obligations outside of anything related to the African Import-Export Bank initiatives, we request similar illumination as to the relevant elements that have now become the obligation of the Bahamian people.”

Budget documents released last week showed that some $417m worth of such deals as either active or proposed. Apart from Bahamas Striping’s roadworks projects on Eleuthera and Exuma, valued at $180m and $62m, respectively, these also include Cat Island Development Company’s $124m road upgrade and pipeline works on Cat Island, plus similar $52m and $19m works on San Salvador and Mangrove Cay, Andros.

The African Export-Import Bank is financing both the Eleuthera and Cat Island road upgrades. Bahamas Striping previously announced that its arrangement was structured as an “accounts factoring” deal, which typically involves a company selling receivables or monies/debts owed to it to a third-party. This has the benefit of freeing up cash flow and liquidity, while the third-party now has the job of collecting payment.

In the case of Bahamas Striping, this implies that Africa Export-Import Bank is providing the necessary financing to complete the Eleuthera improvements and has stepped into the

Despite the weak outlook for June and July, Mr Kappeler believes the market could recover over time as boaters eventually return to Bahamian waters.

“I think, over time, it should start to get better,” he said. “They’re going to get bored with staying home or doing the Florida Keys.”

Mr Kappeler added that summer boating visitors differ from winter and spring travellers, adding that future recovery of the industry depends on restoring confidence among boaters. “Unless there’s any more negative things done to boating, I would expect a further-out year

company’s shoes when it comes to receiving payment from the Government.

This suggests that Africa Export-Import Bank, rather than Bahamas Striping, will be collecting the loan repayments from the Government.

The 2026-2027 Budget shows that the Bahamian Government is already making interest payments to Africa Export-Import Bank. Some $316,751 worth of interest was paid to the African lender during the 2024-2025 fiscal year, with a further $308,137 expended during the first nine months of the present 2025-2026 fiscal year despite no provision having been made for the latter when the previous Budget was passed in June 2025.

Moving forward, the Government is shown as making six-figure interest payments to the Africa Export-Import Bank for

“I think she has very good business sense,” Mr Kappeler said. “I see her as a very strong Bahamian woman.” He pointed to her role in supporting development efforts in Eleuthera, and said he hopes she will work closely with the boating industry to strengthen tourism arrivals.

“I would hope for some positive good change,” Mr Kappeler said. “I believe if she applies herself, she will work with the Association of Bahamas Marinas and Ministry of Tourism to do the right things to bring in more boating tourism, which at the end of the day turns into room night tourism and food-and-beverage tourism.”

the next three years, with some $532,362 due in the upcoming 2026-2027 fiscal year. And, starting this year and continuing for each of the subsequent two Budget years, the Government will be repaying the African lender some $1.67m in principal as well.

The only loan where the Government has obtained Parliamentary approval to borrow from the Africa Export-Import Bank is the $1.9m associated with the Afro-Caribbean Marketplace project targeted for the International Bazaar site in Freeport. Several sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, are questioning how the repayments can now be appearing on the Government’s books given both the nature of a typical PPP deal and that Parliament has seemingly not authorised the necessary borrowing resolution.

Realtor: 50% of Bahamian calls seeking investment properties

to expand the pool of eligible Bahamian first-time buyers eligible and remove a significant cost cited as one of many barriers to home ownership.

“I think one of the key things that stood out to me was really how this Budget encourages ownership for Bahamians, and is really going to positively impact the local and Bahamian market,” Mr Christie told Tribune Business. “I think that’s a really good move that is going to encourage home ownership.

“If you look at what I call the ‘Bahamian blueprint’, that is working to own a duplex, triplex or income producing property where the owner lives in one unit and leases the other units from a rental investment standpoint. This will really positively impact the home market and, in my opinion, that will be a very large number of Bahamians.

“We get calls on a daily basis from young Bahamians looking for investment properties where they can

live in unit and rent the others. I call that the ‘Bahamian staple’, the ‘Bahamian blueprint’. For them to address that in the Budget is a very progressive move. I can’t put a number to it, but it will be a large positive impact. I think you’ll have many Bahamians looking to take advantage of it.”

Michael Halkitis, minister of finance, in announcing the VAT relief’s extension to multi-unit dwellings said it will apply to the whole property’s value and not just the unit or portion where the purchaser will live.

“We are therefore extending VAT relief for first-time homeowners by expanding zero-rated treatment to include multi-unit properties such as fourplexes, triplexes and duplexes.” he said. “Particularly where at least one unit is owner-occupied. To clarify, this VAT relief will be on the entire building rather than just the proportion where the firsttime homeowner resides.

“This reform reduces the upfront cost of home ownership, supports smallscale investment and rental income, and reflects how

‘Law set up to create fiscal discipline, not convenience’

CHANGE - from page B1

which was set by the first Davis administration in 2022 soon after taking office, without imposing greater austerity via new and/or higher taxes.

“In the absence of new tax policy measures, revenue gains from compliance improvements are expected to be limited,” the Order’s preamble states. “And whereas, in light of these developments and consistent with its commitment to fiscal consolidation and long-term sustainability, while avoiding the imposition of new taxes, the Government is revising its fiscal target for the gross revenue-to-GDP ratio.”

The Order, which changes the Public Finance

Management Act 2023’s first schedule, states: “Adjust the gross revenue-to-GDP ratio from 25 percent in fiscal year 2026-2027 to a revised target of 23.5 percent. The ratio is projected to increase to 24 percent in fiscal year 2027-2028 and 24.5 percent in fiscal year 2028-2029, before returning to the medium-term target of 25 percent by fiscal year 2029-2030 and beyond.” The newly-elected Davis administration is thus forecasting that its ultimate 25 percent objective will take longer to achieve than originally thought. And it is still projecting that revenues for the upcoming 2026-2027 fiscal year will grow by $470m, or 12 percent, yearover-year for the 2026-2027 Budget period compared

Utility pledges New Providence grid ready for hurricane season

ENERGY - from page B1

stages of transmission and distribution upgrades for New Providence, and remains on track to complete the work before the end of June.

“We also wish to advise that Bahamas Grid Company is in the final stages of foundational upgrades to the transmission and distribution (T&D) system on New Providence,” he said.

“Despite encountering

several challenges, BGC has accelerated its work and remains on track to complete these upgrades before the end of June.”

According to Mr Christie, the work is designed to improve both system resilience and operational flexibility ahead of the peak summer demand. “These improvements are expected to strengthen the New Providence T&D network by enhancing both reliability and redundancy,” he said.

NOTICE

SchatzePaias Ltd.

Incorporated under the International Business Companies Act, 2000 of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Registration number 210304 B (In Voluntary Liquidation)

Notice is hereby given that the above-named Company is in dissolution, commencing on the 1st day of June A.D. 2026.

Articles of Dissolution have been duly registered by the Registrar. The Liquidator is Mr. Carlos Alberto Paias whose address is Rua Pirandello 155 Brooklin Paulistam Sao Paulo, 0061635723, Brazil. Any Persons having a Claim against the above-named Company are required on or before the 1st day of July A.D. 2026 to send their names, addresses and particulars of their debts or claims to the Liquidator of the Company, or in default thereof they may be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such claim is proved.

Dated this 1st day of June A.D. 2026.

CARLOS ALBERTO PAIAS LIQUIDATOR

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that I ALIX BEAUCHAMP of 6th Street the Grove, New Providence, Bahamas, 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 26th day of May, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

Bahamians are increasingly entering the housing market today. This measure takes immediate effect, helping more Bahamians to own property, build equity and generate income.”

Mr Christie revealed to this newspaper that half the local market inquiries his firm receives are from young Bahamians seeking investment properties such as those described by Mr Halkitis. “If you look at our local business, I would say at least 50 percent is young Bahamians looking for investment properties,” he said.

“It’s a massive number. It’s how they connect the dots with generational wealth. Their parents used to own a duplex, their father had a triplex. It’s something they’ve learned, and its something that - with the new changes in this Budget - they are definitely going to have an impact. One hundred percent.”

By eliminating VAT on the purchase price for first-time home buyers, the Government is directly targeting and incentivising an increasingly popular home

to 2025-2026’s projected $3.887bn to take its total income to around $4.4bn.

However, Mr Thompson argued that the revision to the revenue-to-GDP ratio undermines, and makes a mockery of, having defined targets enshrined in fiscal responsibility law. He told Tribune Business that it takes away the very reason for having such objectives if the Government simply revises them for its own purposes with no good reason, such as the aftermath of a Hurricane Dorian-style storm, and asserted that this is not the first time the Davis administration has made such a move.

Suggesting that such practices cut down the very concept of fiscal discipline, the east Grand Bahama MP said: “ The law is not set up in a way that should allow a government to conveniently change the targets. The law is set up in a way to prevent

“As we enter the summer months, our goal is to ensure that sufficient generation capacity is available and that the network is equipped to manage higher temperatures and increased electricity demand.”

Mr Christie’s comments followed a weekend in which BPL issued multiple outage notices affecting communities across New Providence.

On Friday, western New Providence customers from Old Fort Bay to near Compass Point experienced a prolonged outage while repairs were undertaken. Separate interruptions

ownership model for Bahamians where rental income helps to cover the mortgage payments, thereby enhancing affordability and access to housing.

“It encourages and expands access to home ownership,” Mr Christie added, “and it encourages income-generating real estate, which is one of the greatest means of producing self-wealth. I think that’s a major positive in the Budget that speaks directly to Bahamian ownership. It seems as if this, from a real estate standpoint, was creating more access to home ownership for Bahamians.

“It allows younger buyers to help offset their mortgage with rental income. It encourages small to medium scale investment, and fits in with the DNA of the Bahamian market, where generally you have higher costs and Bahamians need extra income to help support that. I think that’s going to have a really positive impact.”

Housing affordability and availability were two central issues during the recent general election campaign with

a government conveniently changing targets. That’s why it’s called fiscal discipline.

“The law is set up in a way to create discipline. What the PLP unfortunately continue to do, they continue to change the law by changing these targets when it’s convenient for them to do so. In 2022, they went to the extent of publishing an entire report to justify and state why it was necessary for the Government to have the 25 percent revenue-to-GDP ratio in there. Were they wrong then, or are they wrong now?

“The law is set up to create fiscal discipline, not fiscal convenience,” Mr Thompson added. “I cannot reiterate it enough: It’s fiscal discipline, not fiscal convenience. Even in their 2022 report that they gave to the public, the commitment they gave spoke to revenue enhancement. If they are going to reduce their targets

also affected Charlotteville, Love Estates, Airport Industrial Park and Turnberry. Customers served by the Ebenezer Church substation also experienced an extended outage while repairs were carried out.

Additional outages were reported on Saturday in South Beach.

The disruptions intensified on Sunday as outages affected Fort Charlotte, Carmichael West, Bacardi Road, Carmichael Village and Unison Road. Later in the day, operational faults interrupted service to Big Pond, Fire Trail West Commercial, Golden Isles Road, Victoria

Legal Notice NOTICE

Brotox Asset Management Ltd.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:

(a) Brotox Asset Management Ltd. is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

(b) The dissolution of the said Company commenced on the 29th day of May, 2026 when its Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

(c) The Liquidator of the said Company is Delnom Limited of Deltec Bank & Trust Limited, Deltec House, Lyford Cay, P.O. Box N-3229, Nassau, Bahamas.

Dated this 2nd day of June, A.D. 2026 Delnom Limited Liquidator

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that I SHNYDER JOACHIN of Bacardi Road, New Providence, Bahamas, 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 26th day of May, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

both major political parties pledging to make increased use of private sector developers and capital to build more homes. Keith Bell, minister of housing and land reform, said in 2024 that The Bahamas was suffering from a shortage of some 12,000 housing units. And the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), in a just-released March 2026 study on home affordability and ownership in The Bahamas, said there was “a high degree of regulatory avoidance”, with persons adding units and other spaces on to their existing homes without obtaining building permits and/or in violation of zoning regulations.

Bahamians are increasingly converting parts of their homes and residential properties into rental units, such as efficiencies, and using tenant lease payments to cover the mortgage and other daily living costs.

Multi-family households in The Bahamas are also growing in number, the IDB said, suggesting that this is driven at least in part by housing affordability issues

for revenue, why not reduce their targets for expenditure? They are being fiscally irresponsible in not doing that.

“They have to justify it. My position, and our party’s position, I believe, is the law requires you to have fiscal discipline. The targets are in place for you to work to meet them, not change them when they become inconvenient, and that’s the Government’s main challenge. They are asking the public to tighten their belts and have restraint in their spending, in their own personal lives, but they are not prepared to do the same in government. They are not prepared to lead by example when it comes to fiscal discipline.”

Mr Thompson, in an earlier statement, added:

“Perhaps the most troubling aspect of this Budget is that the Government, in its amendment to the Debt

Gardens, Excellence Estates, Golden Meadows and Southern Breeze, while additional customers in Munnings Road, Emerald Coast and Killarney Shores were also affected.

BPL also reported Sunday night that a blown transformer had caused an outage affecting pockets of Paradise Island. While many of those customers had power restored by early yesterday morning, BPL later

and represents “a coping mechanism”.

“In 2022, there were 4,029 more households with five or more persons compared to 2010 - 27,628 versus 23,599 - although the share of such larger households remained constant around 23 percent,” the report said.

“The household size brackets that increased the most during this period were nine and eight, which grew by 84 percent and 53 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, the number of three and four-person households decreased, and the number of two-person households increased.

“The decline of mid-sized households and the growth in large-sized households could reflect a pattern of house-sharing as a coping mechanism for housing affordability. The decline of mid-sized households and the growth in small-sized households could also be related to lower fertility, second home ownership and Airbnbs.”

[Public Finance] Management Act, has abandoned one of the central pillars of its own fiscal strategy.

“In 2022, the Ministry of Finance published an entire report entitled ‘Securing the revenue target of 25 percent of GDP’. In that report, the Government argued that achieving a revenue ratio of 25 percent of GDP was essential to place debt on a sustainable path, finance public services and create fiscal headroom for future shocks.

“Today, and again without any meaningful explanation, the Government has lowered that revenue target. A fiscal framework only has value if governments are prepared to live within it. Otherwise, targets become little more than numbers on paper that can be rewritten whenever they become inconvenient.”

reported a separate interruption affecting Blair and Paradise Island. Another outage occurred yesterday afternoon after a generator circuit breaker at the East Hill and Earnest Street substations tripped offline, disrupting service to parts of downtown Nassau, including Doctors Hospital, the Public Hospital Authority and several nearby businesses. Power was later restored.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that I, GINA THEOPHAT of Bahama Coral Island, 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 2nd day of June, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE

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 2nd day of June, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

Briland operator blames $1.2m tax arrears on former partner

Mr Gibson and Ltd.

Accordingly, Mr Gibson objects to this interrogatory because it seeks information protected by the attorney-client and/or work product privileges. His law firm, Glinton, Sweeting & O’Brien, is the registered agent for the Ltd.” The references to Ltd mean the Bahamian, Briland-based Conch & Coconut operation run by Mr Gibson. Mr Conde controls the US-based LLC.

Meanwhile, expanding upon his objections, the Bahamian entrepreneur added: “Mr Gibson also objects that this interrogatory is over broad, unduly burdensome, not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of relevant or admissible evidence, and disproportionate to the discovery needs of the case.

“This interrogatory is not focused on any particular topic, let alone any topic that is relevant to the current dispute. This interrogatory serves no legitimate purpose, is not tied to any issue in the case, and is proffered simply to impose undue cost and burden on Mr Gibson.”

However, Mr Conde begged to differ. He reaffirmed, in the parties’ joint motion for discovery, that as part of the process he is seeking “the production and identification of communications and payments to Bahamian attorney, Darron Pickstock, and his firm” on the basis that such documentary evidence is not covered by attorney/ client privilege as himself

and Mr Gibson were the latter’s “co-clients”.

“The LLC’s principal, Mr Conde, hired Pickstock to represent both the LLC and Gibson/the Ltd’s interests in the tax dispute with the Department of Inland Revenue,” Mr Conde argued. “A question arose in May 2023 regarding who Glinton, Sweeting & O’Brien and Pickstock represented.

“It was agreed on May 10, 2023, as a pre-condition to the LLC continuing to pay Glinton, Sweeting & O’Brien, that Pickstock and Glinton, Sweeting & O’Brien represented LLC and Gibson/the Ltd as to the tax issues.

“Accordingly Gibson and the LLC are joint clients as to the tax liability, and communications between co-clients and their common attorney are ‘not privileged as between the co-clients in a subsequent adverse proceeding between them’. The discovery is relevant and proportional to the needs of the case. Gibson’s refusal to respond is improper.”

Mr Conde, in a May 28, 2026, affidavit alleged that all parties had to resolve a potential conflict of interest over who Glinton, Sweeting & O’Brien was representing when he and Mr Gibson split in 2023.

“On or about March 28, 2023, I hired and paid Bahamian attorney, Darron Pickstock, and his law firm, Glinton, Sweeting & O’Brien, to represent the LLC’s interests and Gibson/ the Ltd’s interests in resolving the tax dispute with the Department of Inland Revenue,” Mr Conde alleged. “This included initial

payments of $220,000 from the LLC and $150,000 of my own personal funds to Glinton, Sweeting & O’Brien for its fees and for initial VAT tax payments made on Gibson’s debt.

“Shortly thereafter, I provided sensitive and confidential financial information of the LLC to attorney Pickstock and Glinton, Sweeting & O’Brien for their use in their representation of the LLC and Gibson/the Ltd, and participated in all decision-making and legal strategy discussions relating to how to address the tax issues.”

After the divisions between Mr Conde and Mr Gibson emerged, the former alleged that a three-way conference call was held on May 8, 2023, that ultimately resulted in an agreement two days’ later “where the LLC and Gibson/LTD were joint clients of Glinton, Sweeting & O’Brien with respect to the tax matter, and Glinton, Sweeting & O’Brien independently represented Gibson/LTD with respect to any separation agreement”.

Mr Conde asserted: “But for this agreement, I and the LLC would not have continued paying Glinton, Sweeting & O’Brien for their legal services.. We have documents that we can make available to the court demonstrating that Glinton, Sweeting & O’Brien represented the LLC, that these meetings took place… and that the LLC continued to pay Glinton, Sweeting & O’Brien’s bills after May 10, 2026 [sic, 2023].”

However Mr Gibson, in his objections to Mr Conde’s discovery demands, reiterated his position that it was his former partnerand not himself - who was responsible for the unpaid Bahamian tax bill and arrears. “In reality, the tax obligation was always owed by Mr Conde and/or LLC,” the Conch & Coconut operator argued.

“Subject to, and without waving the foregoing objections, Mr Gibson states that from the outset and until May 2025, the LLC collected 100 percent of the revenue generated by Mr Gibson and Ltd. Thus, LLC controlled 100 percent of all revenue and cash flow, and was responsible for the payment of Bahamian taxes from those proceeds.

“In addition, LLC’s and Mr Conde’s legal obligation to pay the taxes was memorialised in – but was not created by – the C&L agreement. Since May 2025, and plaintiff’s [Mr Conde’s breach or repudiation of the C&L agreement, Ltd has made all required VAT payments, past and present, on a timely basis pursuant to an agreed-upon payment plan with Department of Inland Revenue.”

The ‘C&L Agreement’ refers to an October 2023 deal struck between Mr Gibson and Mr Conde, whereby the fomer would acquire the assets of the Bahamian operations via a so-called lease from his erstwhile US partner, while the latter was to pay the outstanding tax debts owed to the Department of Inland Revenue.

Mr Gibson, meanwhile, in the latest legal filings accepted Mr Conde’s invitation to explain his contention that he was ‘fronting’ for the latter as tour operations, destination

management and vacation rentals are supposed to be exclusively reserved for 100 percent Bahamian ownership under the National Investment Policy, which is a policy rather than a law.

“Mr Conde and LLC set up the business structure with Mr Gibson and then Ltd with an intent to deceive the Bahamian government,” Mr Gibson alleged. “In The Bahamas, ‘fronting’ refers to the illegal or prohibited practice where a Bahamian acts as

a nominal owner or ‘public face’ of a business to facilitate its operation while a foreign national is the true owner and beneficiary.

“This scheme is used to bypass the National Investment Policy, which restricts business sectors exclusively for Bahamians. LLC set this up without Mr Gibson’s knowledge and used him as an unwitting ‘front’ with an intent to deceive the Bahamian government and circumvent the laws/policies of The Bahamas.”

MINISTRY OF ENERGY & TRANSPORT NOTICE

PROPOSAL TO CHANGE A SHIP’S NAME

The Director of the Bahamas Maritime Authority for the Commonwealth of The Bahamas hereby gives notice that in consequence of the owner’s personal choice, application has been received under Section 42 of the Merchant Shipping Act, chapter 268 in respect of the ship “PENELOP”

Official Number 8001141 Gross Tonnage 63448.00 Register Tonnage 34837.00 owned by Dathremar Shipping Co. Limited with its principal place of business at Flat/Rm 2306/B 23/F West Tower Shun Tak Centre, 168-200, Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong, China for permission to change her name to “NUGGET” registered at the port of Nassau in the said new name as owned by Dathremar Shipping Co. Limited

Any objection to the proposed change of name must be sent to the Director of the Bahamas Maritime Authority, P.O. Box N-4679, Nassau, N.P. Bahamas within seven days from the appearance of this notice.

Dated at Nassau this 14th Day of May 2026

Director

MINISTRY OF ENERGY & TRANSPORT NOTICE

PROPOSAL TO CHANGE A SHIP’S NAME

The Director of the Bahamas Maritime Authority for the Commonwealth of The Bahamas hereby gives notice that in consequence of the owner’s personal choice, application has been received under Section 42 of the Merchant Shipping Act, chapter 268 in respect of the ship “VIOLET ACE” Official Number 8001543 Gross Tonnage 49708.00 Register Tonnage 14913.00 owned by Violet Ray Limited with its principal place of business at 33-37 Athol Street, Douglas, IM1 1LB Isle of Man for permission to change her name to “VIOLET RAY” registered at the port of Nassau in the said new name as owned by Violet Ray Limited

Any objection to the proposed change of name must be sent to the Director of the Bahamas Maritime Authority, P.O. Box N-4679, Nassau, N.P. Bahamas within seven days from the appearance of this notice.

Dated at Nassau this 14th Day of May 2026

Anthropic races toward a Wall Street debut with a confidential SEC filing

By MATT O'BRIEN AP Technology Writer

ARTIFICIAL intelli-

gence company Anthropic is moving toward going public on Wall Street, the latest chapter in its meteoric rise from a little-known research laboratory to one of the leading AI companies valued at $965 billion.

Anthropic said Monday it has submitted a confidential filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for a proposed initial public offering of its common stock.

"This gives us the option to go public after the SEC completes its review," Anthropic said in a brief statement. "The proposed initial public offering will depend on market conditions and other factors."

The company said it hasn't decided on the number or price of shares to be offered.

Anthropic said last week it had raised $65 billion in private funding that will push its valuation to $965 billion, a whopping number

OpenAI and SpaceX resembles in some ways the rush by startups to go public in the early internet era. Some of those companies — like Amazon — did well, and others infamously failed during the dot-com crash but still left new technology that changed society and work life.

"Whenever there is speculation, there's also usually substance and fundamentals," Corrigan said. "The question here is whether the price investors are going to end up paying is going to match up to the substance and fundamentals of what AI is really going to do in the real economy and as a business."

Claude's growing popularity has left OpenAI playing catch-up despite its early lead in making ChatGPT a household name that sparked a commercial AI boom. Anthropic also last week launched its newest AI model, called Claude Opus 4.8, boasting that it is even better at coding and other profes-

"Whenever there is speculation, there's also usually substance and fundamentals. The question here is whether the price investors are going to end up paying is going to match up to the substance and fundamentals of what AI is really going to do in the real economy and as a business."

that makes the five-year-old maker of the Claude chatbot one of the world's most valuable startups.

Anthropic now has vaulted ahead of its chief rival, ChatGPT maker OpenAI, not only in market value and reported revenue but also on the path to becoming a publicly traded company.

"I think we were all expecting OpenAI to go first, so it was a little bit surprising," said Patrick Corrigan, a law professor at Notre Dame University who studies IPOs. "Public investors are going to be comparing them roughly around the same time, and so there seems to be a bit of a first movers' advantage here."

Anthropic said it's now making annualized revenue of $47 billion from selling its technology to people and organizations using Claude to write code and do other work and personal tasks on their behalf.

Anthropic was formed in 2021 by ex-OpenAI leaders and now both AI firms, along with Elon Musk's rocket and AI company SpaceX, are all expected to become publicly traded. All three have been losing more money than they make, fueling concerns of an AI bubble.

Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives said Anthropic's move marks a major step for the company to get ahead of OpenAI and "an opening of the floodgates for the IPO market, which has been relatively dormant for a few years, with these three major conglomerates set to go public later this year."

Corrigan said the race between Anthropic,

Patrick Corrigana

sional work than previous models.

OpenAI last reported in March it was heading toward a $852 billion valuation after a $122 billion fundraising round. It has not yet reported filing initial IPO paperwork with the SEC.

SpaceX was valued at $800 billion last year, but its value grew to $1.25 trillion after the space exploration company merged with Musk's xAI in February. Musk recently announced plans for one of the biggest stock sales ever and will be able to pitch the offering to investors as soon as this week.

IDC analyst Tim Law said it will be a "healthy thing" for the AI industry when these companies are required to provide quarterly earnings reports and disclose some of their technology investments.

"We think of these as very mature organizations, but they've had to mature in a very short period," he said. As for bubble concerns, Law, who rode the dot-com IPO wave while working for internet company VerticalNet in the early part of the century, said there's evidence from these AI startups' existing products to show they are on a path not just to profitability but to artificial general intelligence, technology that does work as well as or better than humans.

"There are some skeptics around demand. I thoroughly believe the demand is there and will grow," Law said. "I think this funding round may be the thing that enables us to complete the final sprint toward AGI."

Director

Oil prices rise, but not by enough to keep Wall Street from more records

By STAN CHOE AP Business Writer

OIL prices rose Monday following the latest fighting to threaten the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, but Wall Street isn’t very worried, and U.S. stocks ticked to more records.

The S&P 500 added 0.3% to its prior all-time high set on Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 46 points, or 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.4% to likewise set records.

A slight majority of U.S. stocks actually fell, including companies with big fuel bills hurt by higher oil prices. United Airlines lost 2.6%, and Alaska Air Group fell 3.3% after the price for a barrel of Brent crude oil climbed 4.2% to settle at $94.98. That clawed back a chunk of Brent’s loss from last week and means it’s still well above its price of roughly $70 from before the war.

Expensive oil has already sent inflation higher, which increases not only bills for households but also yields in the bond market. High yields worldwide recently have threatened to slow economies and undercut prices for stocks and all kinds of other investments. But yields regressed during the day after oil

prices came off their highest levels. That eased some of the pressure on Wall Street, and the Russell 2000 index of the smallest U.S. stocks went from a loss of 1.3% back to roughly even before finishing with a dip of 0.5%. Small companies can feel the pinch of higher borrowing costs in particular because of the need for many to borrow to grow. Hope, meanwhile, seems to remain on Wall Street that the United States and

Iran will ultimately reach an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, allow deliveries of oil to resume from the Persian Gulf and ease the upward pressure on inflation.

Strength from several market heavyweights also helped to power Wall Street.

Nvidia was the strongest force lifting the market and rose 6.2% after CEO Jensen Huang announced several product updates at

Scott Pelley of ‘60 Minutes’ accuses CBS News head Bari Weiss of ‘murdering’ the show, report says

By JOCELYN NOVECK

AP National Writer

IN A remarkable sign of the turmoil at CBS’s top-rated “60 Minutes,” correspondent Scott Pelley said CBS News head Bari Weiss was “murdering the show” and accused its new producer of having “slender qualifications” for the job, according to reports.

Pelley made his accusations in an introductory meeting Monday between the newsmagazine’s staff and Nick Bilton, the new executive producer named by Weiss last week, according to a detailed report on the Status website, which said it had heard a recording of the meeting. Weiss herself was not present, according to the report. Status specializes in media news and analysis.

Status reported that Pelley, the longtime “60 Minutes” correspondent, began grilling Bilton at the 10 a.m. meeting about the firings last week of Bilton’s predecessor, Tanya Simon, and correspondents Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega. Status also reported that Pelley told Bilton, a former technology journalist and filmmaker with no traditional broadcast news experience, that his qualifications for the position were “slender.”

Pelley also charged, according to Status, that Weiss herself had “no qualifications for her job,” and said the changes she had made to “CBS Evening News,” which Pelley once anchored, “have been catastrophic.” It added that Bilton insisted that “Bari loves this institution” and “she loves

‘60 Minutes’” — to which Pelley countered, “She’s murdering ‘60 minutes.’ She does not love this place. She was brought in to kill it and she’s doing exactly that.”

CBS says leaders tried to reach out to Pelley Two spokespeople for CBS News did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

But a person close to CBS News leadership, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press that both Weiss and Bilton had tried to reach out to Pelley late last week when the changes rocked the 57-year-old show to tell him that he was an integral part of “60 Minutes” and wanted him to remain so.

The person said Weiss and Bilton felt it was disappointing that Pelley’s accusations were being aired publicly despite efforts to engage with him privately.

The New York Times, which also reported that it had listened to a recording of Monday’s meeting, noted that Pelley’s “newscaster’s baritone” was shaking during the exchange. The newspaper also quoted an unnamed executive at the meeting as saying Weiss had been prepared to come, but “we asked her not to.”

Argument comes after memo touting ‘new approach’ Reports about the contentious meeting came four days after Weiss, who has become a polarizing figure in the media world since taking the reins at CBS last October, told staff in a memo that it was time for a “new approach” at the toprated newsmagazine.

In the memo, Weiss and CBS News president Tom Cibrowski said their goal was “building a show that thrives in the 21st century.”

a conference. What Nvidia does matters immensely for the U.S. stock market because it’s the biggest in terms of overall market value. That means the movements for its stock carry more weight on the S&P 500 than any other’s. And Wall Street’s biggest companies have been growing so much that they’re dominating the market. The top 10 stocks control nearly half the S&P 500’s total market value, a 40-year

“That requires a new approach,” they wrote, defining that approach as “expanding ‘60 Minutes’ beyond a one-hour television broadcast, deepening its role across CBS News, and holding everything we produce to the ambition, fairness, and fearlessness that have defined ‘60 Minutes’ at its best.”

TRADER Edward Curran works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Monday, June 1, 2026. PHOTO:

high, according to Thomas Carroll, equity market strategist at Stifel. That worked well as Big Tech stocks shot higher thanks to exuberance around artificial intelligence. But it could also weigh on the index if the market’s leadership broadens, Carroll warns. Even if most stocks end up rising in such a rotation, stagnation or declines for Big Tech heavyweights could drag on S&P 500 index funds.

A key indicator Carroll follows about market breadth “is signaling a rotation is coming,” he wrote in a report.

Elsewhere on Wall Street, Science Applications International Corp. jumped 10.4% after becoming the latest U.S. company to report bigger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. SAIC also raised forecasts for upcoming financial results.

A cavalcade of such better-than-expected profit reports has helped the U.S. stock market push to records despite the uncertainty created by the war with Iran.

Bilton, they said, “embodies the energy and ambition that animated the founders of the show. We cannot imagine a better fit.”

The Status report noted that Pelley was applauded multiple times by other staffers during the meeting. It said Pelley focused on the firings last week, calling them cruel.

Berkshire Hathaway fell 0.9% after saying it would buy homebuilder Taylor Morrison Home for $6.8 billion. It’s one of the first big acquisitions announced by the company since Greg Abel took over as its leader from famed investor Warren Buffett. Taylor Morrison Home jumped 22.3%. MGM Resorts International leaped 16.1% after People Inc., Barry Diller’s business that was formerly known as IAC, offered to buy the rest of the company it doesn’t already own for $48.30 per share in cash. All told, the S&P 500 rose 19.90 points to 7,599.96. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 46.42 to 51,078.88, and the Nasdaq composite rose 114.19 to 27,086.81. In the bond market, Treasury yields climbed with oil prices and after a report said growth in U.S. manufacturing accelerated by more last month than economists expected. The yield for the 10-year Treasury briefly approached 4.52% before regressing to 4.46%, up from 4.45% late Friday.

Bilton reportedly replied that he was not intimidated.

“I have been a journalist for 25 years, Scott,” Status quoted him as saying. “I have sat and talked with incredibly powerful people like you have. None of it intimidates me, OK? So you are not going to intimidate me in front of this group of people.”

Richard Drew/AP

SCOTT PELLEY anchor of “CBS Evening News,” at the CBS Upfront in New York, May 15, 2013. Photo:Charles Sykes/AP

Bringinghealthcare beyond

the clinic

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

AS The Bahamas continues to grapple with an aging population and rising rates of chronic disease, healthcare professionals are increasingly highlighting the role home-based healthcare could play in improving patient outcomes while easing pressure on the country’s healthcare system.

For registered nurse Vashti Saunders, who has spent 14 years in nursing with a focus on wound and foot care, the conversation extends beyond convenience. She believes home based healthcare has the potential to become an important component of long-term patient management, particularly for individuals living with chronic illnesses that require ongoing monitoring and support.

“Conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and chronic respiratory illnesses often require ongoing monitoring rather than frequent hospital admissions,” she said.

Home-based healthcare can provide regular nursing visits, medication management, health education, remote monitoring of

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

AS Caribbean Nutrition Month begins across the region, a public health nutritionist is encouraging Bahamians to return to many of the traditional foods that once formed the foundation of the nation’s diet.

Observed throughout June under the theme “Healthy Eating, Active Living: Promoting Caribbean Foods as Medicine,” the month-long campaign comes as countries across the Caribbean continue to face rising rates of obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses.

According to Camelta Barnes, Public Health Nutritionist in the Nutrition Unit of the Department of Public Health many of the foods commonly eaten by previous generations continue to offer significant health benefits today.

“For generations, our forefathers relied on the rich bounty of the land and sea to nourish their families. Meals were built around ground provisions, fresh fruits and vegetables, peas, beans, and homegrown herbs and spices,” Ms Barnes said.

“These foods were not viewed as superfoods or health trends. They were simply part of daily life.”

She explained that while eating habits have shifted over the years toward highly processed foods, sugary beverages, fast food, and larger portion sizes, scientific research continues to support the nutritional value of traditional Caribbean foods.

“The phrase ‘food as medicine’ means that the food we eat can play a major role in preventing disease, strengthening the immune system, improving digestion, and supporting

vital signs and early identification of complications. This can help patients maintain better control of their conditions while reducing strain on hospitals and clinics,” she said.

Saunders operates The Healing Oasis, a mobile nursing service that provides wound care, medical foot care and manual lymphatic drainage in patients’ homes. Through her work, she has witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by individuals who struggle to access traditional

“I would like

to

see high quality healthcare become more affordable

in The Bahamas. Even when services exist, cost can be a barrier. Greater insurance coverage and public support for home healthcare, medical equipment and long term care could help ensure that vulnerable seniors receive the care they need.”

mental and physical health.

Eating a healthier diet can help prevent, treat, and manage chronic non-communicable diseases.”

Ms Barnes noted that while food is not a replacement for prescribed medication, good nutrition remains one of the most effective tools available for protecting health and improving quality of life.

“Food cannot entirely

healthcare settings due to age, illness or limited mobility.

However, she believes the future of patient care will require more than simply expanding services. It will also require addressing affordability and ensuring vulnerable populations can access the care they need.

“I would like to see high quality healthcare become more affordable in The Bahamas. Even when

antioxidants, and fibre that help strengthen the immune system and support overall well-being,” Ms Barnes said.

She encouraged residents to enjoy these fruits fresh whenever possible rather than only consuming them in products that may con tain added sugar.

Vegetables including pumpkin, okra, tomatoes, cabbage, and locally grown

services exist, cost can be a barrier. Greater insurance coverage and public support for home healthcare, medical equipment and long term care could help ensure that vulnerable seniors receive the care they need,” she said. The issue is particularly relevant as families increasingly find themselves caring for aging relatives at home. While many family members are willing to step

Many of these ingredients also contain natural compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.”

Beyond nutrition, Caribbean Nutrition Month is

Caribbean Nutrition Month highlights healing power of traditional foods

replace medication, but it can serve as medicine by helping to maintain health and prevent disease,” she said. “On the flip side, unhealthy foods can contribute to disease.”

She pointed to several traditional Bahamian staples that offer important nutritional benefits, including sweet potato, cassava, and breadfruit.

“These foods provide fibre, vitamins, minerals, and steady energy for the body,” she said. “Compared with heavily refined starches, ground provisions can help keep us fuller for longer and support better blood sugar control when eaten in appropriate portions and prepared in healthy ways.”

Locally grown fruits also play an important role in supporting good health.

“Fruits such as guava, sapodilla, tamarind, mango, papaya, soursop, lime, and lemon are rich in vitamins,

spinach were also highlighted as nutri ent-rich foods that can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

In addition, Ms Barnes said peas and beans remain valu able and affordable sources of plant pro tein and fibre, while fish such as snapper and grouper provide omega-3 fatty acids that support heart and brain health.

“These foods are not luxuries. They should be everyday staples that, when pre pared in healthy ways, help protect against chronic disease,” she said.

Traditional herbs and spices can also contribute to healthier eating habits.

“Thyme, ginger, turmeric, and garlic add flavour to meals while reducing the need for excessive salt.

into care-giving roles, managing chronic conditions often requires coordination among multiple people and healthcare providers.

Saunders said improving communication between families and medical professionals could significantly improve quality of life for vulnerable patients.

“I believe that if proper collaboration and communication between families and healthcare

dancing, swimming, gardening, community sports, and even household chores can contribute to better health.

“Just 30 minutes of physical activity each day can significantly lower the risk

providers can happen, we can improve the quality of life for vulnerable patient populations,” she said.

She noted that regular updates between caregivers and healthcare providers, shared care plans with clearly defined responsibilities, early reporting of concerns before they become emergencies and the use of digital tools to keep everyone informed can all contribute to better outcomes.

According to Saunders, one of the biggest challenges arises when key stakeholders involved in a patient’s care operate independently rather than as a team.

“When families, providers and community organizations work in isolation, important information can be missed. Collaboration helps ensure continuity of care,” she said.

That continuity becomes especially important for patients managing multiple chronic conditions, where small changes in health can quickly escalate into larger concerns if warning signs are overlooked.

Healthcare systems around the world are increasingly exploring ways to shift certain aspects of care beyond hospital walls and into communities. Saunders believes The Bahamas has an opportunity to continue that conversation, particularly as the needs of elderly and chronically ill patients continue to grow.

While hospitals and clinics remain essential, she said a stronger emphasis on coordinated home based care could help support vulnerable patients, reduce complications and allow more individuals to maintain their health and independence within the comfort of their own homes.

home-cooked meals, choose more whole foods, and encourage children to enjoy local fruits and vegetables,” she said.

As Caribbean Nutrition Month continues through

Registered nurse, Vashti Saunders

Questionnaire about Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month

June is here – and around the world it is a time to mark Brain Awareness Month.

Dedicated to promoting brain health, early detection of dementia, and fundraising, the month is represented by the colour purple.

Dr Christopher Deline, a specialised neurosurgeon at the Cleveland Clinic, answers questions on Alzheimer’s disease and symptoms you can watch for.

1.Why has Alzheimer’s become one of the world’s biggest public health concerns?

Alzheimer’s disease has become a major global concern because populations are living longer, and age is the strongest risk factor for the disease. As life expectancy increases worldwide, so does the number of people affected. Beyond memory loss, Alzheimer’s leads to progressive loss of independence, placing a significant emotional, physical, and economic burden on patients, families, caregivers, and healthcare systems.

2. How prepared is society to face the growing number of Alzheimer’s cases in the coming decades?

At this time, society is not fully prepared. While awareness has improved, healthcare systems continue to face shortages in specialised care, long term support services, and trained caregivers. Many countries lack sufficient infrastructure to support early diagnosis, coordinated care, and long term planning for patients and families.

3. When does forgetfulness stop being a normal part of aging and become a warning sign?

Occasional forgetfulness, like misplacing keys, is common with aging. It becomes concerning when memory loss interferes with daily life, such as forgetting recently learned information, repeating questions frequently, getting lost in familiar places, or having difficulty managing finances or medications.

4. What are the most common overlooked symptoms when facing cognitive decline?

Early symptoms are often subtle and may include difficulty finding words, changes in judgment, reduced problem-solving ability, mood or personality changes, withdrawal from social activities, and difficulty completing familiar tasks. These signs are sometimes mistaken for stress, depression, or normal aging.

5. How does an early Alzheimer’s diagnosis emotionally impact patients and their loved ones?

An early diagnosis can be emotionally challenging, often triggering fear, anxiety, and grief. At the same time, it can offer relief by providing answers and allowing patients and families to plan ahead, access support, participate in treatment decisions, and focus on quality of life while symptoms are still mild.

6. What connection exists between mental health, chronic stress, and brain deterioration?

Chronic stress, untreated depression, and anxiety can negatively affect brain health over time. Long -term stress may contribute to inflammation, sleep disruption, and changes in brain chemistry, which can worsen cognitive function. While stress does not directly cause Alzheimer’s, it may accelerate cognitive decline in vulnerable individuals.

7. To what extent can daily habits influence long term brain health?

Daily habits play a meaningful role. Regular physical activity, a heart healthy diet, quality sleep, mental stimulation, social engagement, and managing conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes can all support brain health and may help lower the risk or delay the progression of cognitive decline.

8. Why are so many cases of neurodegenerative diseases diagnosed too late?

Many symptoms develop gradually and are often dismissed as normal aging. In addition, stigma, lack of awareness, limited access to specialists, and delays in seeking medical evaluation all contribute to late diagnoses. Earlier evaluation allows for better care planning, support and in some cases medical treatment.

9. What are the biggest challenges healthcare systems face in providing dignified and specialised care for Alzheimer’s patients?

Key challenges include limited access to memory specialists, insufficient caregiver support, financial strain from long term care needs, and lack of integrated services that address medical, emotional, and social needs. Providing dignified care requires coordinated, patient centred systems that support both patients and their families over time.

Dr Arlington Lightbourne • Putting Wellness First

Why so many Bahamians are exhausted: The hidden health crisis we ignore

OVER the past several years, I have noticed something concerning both inside and outside the exam room. So many people are simply exhausted.

They are not just physically tired after a long day, but deeply worn down. Mentally drained. Emotionally overwhelmed. Spiritually depleted. Many are carrying stress silently while trying to continue functioning normally.

As a physician, I see this every day in patients from all walks of life.

Young professionals trying to stay afloat financially. Mothers balancing work, children, and care-giving. Elderly patients feeling isolated and overwhelmed by illness. Business owners under constant pressure. Healthcare workers pouring into others while neglecting themselves. Even teenagers and young adults are showing signs of burnout much earlier in life.

Some people tell me they cannot sleep properly anymore. Others say they constantly feel anxious, irritable, unmotivated, or mentally foggy. Many are operating on caffeine, convenience foods, and very little rest. Unfortunately, we have slowly normalised unhealthy levels of stress and exhaustion in our society.

The body can only absorb so much before it begins to break down.

High blood pressure, diabetes, weight gain, anxiety, depression, chronic headaches, digestive problems, and even heart disease are often connected to chronic stress, poor sleep, unhealthy eating habits, and lack of recovery. Sometimes people come to the doctor looking for a pill to fix what is really a lifestyle and wellness crisis.

One thing I have personally learned over the years is that wellness must be intentional. I

have also learned that balancing the responsibilities of medicine, leadership, business, family, and community service can easily consume every hour of my day if I allow it. There have been seasons where I also had to step back and honestly assess my own habits, my rest, my stress levels, and whether I was truly taking care of myself while trying to take care of everyone else. Healing is bigger than medicine alone. Yes; hospitals, doctors, and medications play an important role. But true

Hannah Foster-Middleton

Photo: Freepik

healing also includes proper sleep, healthy nutrition, movement, spiritual grounding, meaningful relationships, and moments of quietness in a world filled with constant noise and stimulation.

Prevention is not glamorous, but it is powerful.

Many serious illnesses develop slowly over years because the warning signs are ignored. The good news is that small changes made consistently can significantly improve both physical and mental wellbeing.

Here are a few practical things I encourage

The sneaky muscle behind your back pain: Meet the quadratus lumborum

If you’ve ever had that nagging ache in your lower back that just won’t budge—especially on one side—there’s a good chance a small but mighty muscle called the quadratus lumborum (QL) is involved. It doesn’t get the same attention as the glutes or core, but when it’s tight or overworked, it can quietly wreak havoc on your comfort and mobility. Let’s unpack why this muscle matters so much—and what you can do about it.

Where Is the QL and What Does It Do? The quadratus lumborum sits deep in your lower back, connecting your pelvis to your lower ribs and spine. You’ve got one on each side. Its main jobs are to help you bend sideways, stabilise your spine, and assist with breathing by anchoring the 12th rib. Sounds simple enough—but here’s the catch: it’s also a major “compensator” muscle. That means when other muscles aren’t doing their job properly (looking at you, weak glutes and lazy core), the QL

steps in to pick up the slack. And that’s where the trouble begins.

How QL Tension Leads to Back Pain

When the QL becomes overworked, it tightens. Over time, that tension can create a deep, aching pain in the lower back— often felt on one side. Some people describe it as a “gripping” or “locked” sensation that doesn’t ease with typical stretching. Here’s what’s happening beneath the surface:

1. Constant Pull on the Spine - A tight QL pulls unevenly on your lumbar spine. This can compress the joints and irritate surrounding tissues, leading to persistent discomfort.

2. Pelvic Imbalance - If one side is tighter than the other, it can hike up your pelvis slightly— creating a subtle but impactful imbalance. This throws off your posture and can lead to knock-on issues in the hips, knees, and even feet.

3. Guarding and Muscle Spasm - The QL is quick to “guard” when it senses

instability. That means it tightens further in response to perceived weakness or strain— often leading to spasms that can feel sharp and sudden.

4. Referral Pain PatternsInterestingly, QL tension doesn’t always stay local. It can refer pain into the buttocks, hips, or even the upper thigh, sometimes mimicking other conditions.

Why Your QL Is Doing Too Much Work

Most people don’t strain their QL from one dramatic movement. It’s usually a slow build-up from everyday habits: Sitting for Long Periods- When you sit slouched or unevenly (hello, laptop on the couch), your QL can shorten and stiffen. Standing With Weight On One Leg- That relaxed “hip popped out” stance? Your QL is working overtime on one side to hold you there.

Weak Glutes and Core- If your glutes aren’t stabilising your pelvis and your deep core isn’t supporting your spine, the QL steps

readers to begin focusing on:

· Protect your sleep as seriously as you protect your work schedule.

· Drink more water and reduce sugary drinks and heavily processed foods.

· Move your body every day, even if it is only a walk.

· Get your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol checked regularly.

· Put the phone down sometimes. Constant stimulation exhausts the mind.

· Make time for prayer, reflection, worship, and meaningful connection with others.

· Learn that resting is not weakness. Even machines overheat without downtime.

As Bahamians, we are hard-working, resilient, and proud people. But strength should not mean silently carrying burdens until our health collapses. You cannot continue pouring from an empty cup. Taking care of yourself is not selfish. It is one of the most important investments you can make for your family, your future, and your purpose.

Until next time, wishing you health, healing, and happiness.

in as backup—and ends up overburdened.

Carrying bags on one side- A heavy handbag or tote consistently on one shoulder is a classic QL overload recipe.

Signs Your QL Might Be the Culprit

Not all back pain is created equal. QL-related discomfort has a few tell-tale signs: · Pain is worse on one side of the lower back · It feels deeper than surface muscle soreness · It’s aggravated by standing, walking, or rolling over in bed

· Stretching your hamstrings or glutes doesn’t quite hit the spot · You feel a “catch” when straightening up from a bent position

Sound familiar? Then it’s worth giving your QL some attention.

What Actually Helps (And What Doesn’t)

Here’s where things get interesting. Many people instinctively try to stretch their lower back when it feels tight— but with the QL, that’s only part of the story.

1. Gentle ReleaseFirst Before Aggressive Stretchingthe QL responds well to soft tissue work. A massage ball against the wall (placed just above the pelvis, slightly to the side of the spine) can help ease tension.

2. Targeted StretchingThink side bends—not toe touches. Reaching one arm overhead and leaning away from the tight side can give a more direct stretch.

3. Strengthen the Right Muscles - This is the game-changer. When you strengthen your glutes and deep core, the QL no longer has to overcompensate.

Focus on:

· Glute bridges · Side-lying leg lifts

· Dead bugs or gentle core stability exercises

4. Fix Daily Habits Posture tweaks matter more than you think. Sit evenly, stand balanced, and switch sides when carrying bags.

5. Breathing MattersBecause the QL assists with breathing, shallow chest breathing can keep it overactive. Slow, diaphragmatic breathing helps it relax.

A Quick Reality Check Here’s the honest bit: your QL isn’t the villain. It’s actually trying to help you. The pain you feel is often the result of it doing too much for too long without support. So instead of just “attacking” the tightness, think bigger picture— restore balance, share the workload, and give the QL a chance to step back.

When to Get Help If your back pain is persistent, worsening, or interfering with daily life, it’s worth getting it assessed properly. A trained physiotherapist can pinpoint whether the QL is involved and guide you through a targeted plan.

Because while the QL may be small, its impact is anything but. Lower back pain can feel frustratingly vague— but sometimes the answer lies in the quiet, overlooked muscles doing more than their fair share. Give your quadratus lumborum a little attention, and you might just find the relief you’ve been chasing.

• For questions and comments, call Hannah Foster-Middleton at 356 4806, e-mail genesisphysiotherapy@gmail. com, or visit www.physiotherapybahamas.com.

Dr Christopher Deline

Photo: Freepik

Alpha Kappa Alpha’s newest Bahamas chapter provides needed items to New Providence communities

ON day one of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®’s (AKA) newest chapter, the members of Alpha Epsilon Theta Omega Chapter spent Saturday morning sorting, gathering, assembling and bagging items for several local schools and organizations. The members were joined by more than 80 sorority members who travelled to Nassau from around the world for the chapter’s chartering weekend. The room was bustling with activity as the women created an assembly line to work on three packing areas. In one area, a group of sorority members packed over 200 hygiene kits containing soap, lotion, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and wash cloths for women at The Bahamas Department of Corrections, the Willie Mae Pratt Centre for Girls and Eastern Urban Renewal.

In another area, members filled 250 of the sorority’s signature green Childhood Hunger Initiative Power Packs (CHIPPTM) with food items for Cleveland Eneas school children.

Simultaneously members worked another station to bundle 220 books for the summer reading list for students attending Thelma Gibson Primary School and Sandilands Primary School.

All of the chapter’s service programs are aligned with the “Soaring to Greater Heights of Service and Sisterhood” program initiatives of Alpha Kappa Alpha President & CEO Danette Anthony Reed.

“This was an amazing activity. Our sisters were organized, rolled up their sleeves and finished everything in a little over an hour,” said Carrie J. Clark, AKA International Regional Director.

“The beauty of what was done here today is that the impact of this new chapter is immediate. They are expanding the footprint of our sorority which means more women, children, families and communities are served,” Clark added.

Dr Janet Davis-Dorsett, president of Alpha Epsilon Theta Omega Chapter, said they will focus their service on eastern New Providence.

“It was important to us that the communities that we are serving see our dedication to them on day one,” said Dr Davis-Dorsett. “The meals and the hygiene kits are only the beginning. We are here to change lives.” Alpha Epsilon Theta Omega Chapter is the sorority’s fourth chapter in The Bahamas. It joins existing graduate chapters in Nassau and Freeport, and an undergraduate chapter in Nassau.

MARINE FORECAST

A mother's mission to make care more accessible

By Alesha Cadet Tribune Features Reporter acadet@tribunemedia.net

WHAT began as a routine shopping trip for her son would eventually grow into a mission to support families navigating life with developmental disabilities.

For Latrell King, founder of Kilano's Care, the journey started when her son Kilano outgrew the products available to him. Like many children living with Cerebral Palsy and other developmental challenges, he continued to require specialised bibs well beyond his toddler years. Finding them, however, proved nearly impossible.

"When my son, Kilano, was around four years old, I set out to find stage 5/6 bibs to accommodate his growing needs. Walking down countless baby aisles, it took some time for the stark reality to set in: the retail market completely abandoned children with special needs after toddler-hood," said Latrell.

She recalled discovering that products designed to address a very real daily need simply disappeared once children reached a certain age.

"Kilano required high-quality, waterproof bibs with larger neck sizes to manage his drooling, yet the shelves offered absolutely nothing. As a parent, navigating that gap was incredibly isolating and frustrating. It feels as though the world expects your child to outgrow a condition simply because they are growing in size, leaving families to improvise for basic daily comfort," she said.

Rather than accepting the lack of options, the Bahamian woman decided to create one herself.

The result was Kilano's Care, a Bahamian initiative that has introduced a line of extra-large silicone bibs designed specifically for children and teenagers between the ages of four and 18. While practical in function, the products are rooted in a larger goal

centred on dignity, inclusion and representation.

According to Latrell, raising Kilano has transformed the way she views accessibility and the importance of ensuring children with disabilities are acknowledged in everyday spaces.

"Kilano’s journey has completely redefined my world-view, teaching me above all else to love without labels. True inclusion cannot just be a buzzword;

Although the bibs are the first product to emerge from the initiative, Latrell said the vision extends much further. Alongside providing adaptive products, she hopes to bring greater awareness to the realities many special needs families face daily. Long-term, she envisions a dedicated care facility supported through both public and private partnerships.

it must exist in mainstream retail and daily life," said Latrell.

She believes access to age-appropriate products plays a bigger role than many people realise.

"For children living with disabilities, dignity is closely tied to having access to products that fit them properly and look good. When we force older children into products designed for infants or makeshift alternatives, we compromise their dignity. Kilano taught me that these children deserve to see themselves represented and catered to in the stores everyone else shops in," she said.

"Kilano’s Care is a mis sion to bring urgent awareness to the silent, daily challenges faced by special needs families," she said.

Latrell explained that access to spe cialised services remains limited for many fam ilies, creating long waiting periods and

But beneath it all, our mission is simple: more than anything, we just want to help,” said Latrell.

Conversations with educators, caregivers and parents throughout The Bahamas have reinforced for her just how widespread the need is.

One discussion in particular has remained with her.

Latrell recently spoke with a special education teacher in Eleuthera who shared the challenges many families continue to face while trying to access resources for children with learning and developmental disabilities.

"What broke my heart during our conversation was when she shared that a mother in her community has to resort to tying a regular T-shirt around her child’s neck just to catch their drool," said Latrell.

Stories like these have strengthened her determination to advocate for better access and support.

"Kilano’s Care aims to stand shoulder-to-shoulder tions like R.E.A.C.H. and the Bahamas Association for Physically Disabled Children (BAPD). We want to alleviate the emotional and financial strain on parents, providing both care solutions and adaptive

cally for

Dr Kristine Parker-Curling, author of bestselling book 'Beyond The Knowledge' receives Excellence in Humanities Award

Dr Kristine Parker-Curling, a Bahamian physician and triple board-certified specialist in Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, and Obesity Medicine, received the 2026 Excellence in Humanities Award from the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (AACE) at the organisation’s Annual Meeting, held April 22–24, 2026, at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas. The award recognises exemplary achievements and dedication to the endocrine community through literature, the social sciences, and related humanistic contributions. Dr Parker-Curling was honoured for her work through her Number 1 Amazon best-selling book, Beyond The Knowledge: Power Steps for Doctoring with a Human Touch, and her C.A.R.E. framework—Compassion, Awareness, Responsiveness, and Engagement—which offers physicians a practical model for restoring genuine human connection to clinical encounters. A Summa Cum Laude graduate of McMaster University and medical school

valedictorian at The University of the West Indies, Bahamas campus, Dr. Parker-Curling completed her residency at SUNY Downstate and fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina before returning to Nassau in 2016 as the country’s first full-time Bahamian endocrinologist to reside and practice in The Bahamas. The recognition comes at a significant moment for healthcare. In March 2026, Gallup reported that healthcare had become the top domestic concern for Americans, with 61 per cent saying they worry a great deal about the availability and affordability of healthcare. The American Medical Association reported that 41.9 per cent of physicians experienced at least one symptom of burnout in 2025, even as overall burnout levels continued to improve from prior years. Workforce pressure is also

intensifying. The Association of American Medical Colleges reported that the United States could face a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036, driven by population growth, physician retirements, and rising demand for care. Patient preference data further reinforce the value of physician-led communication. According to Patient Point’s 2025 Patient Confidence Index, 88 per cent of patients prefer to receive medical information directly from their physician, while only 19 per cent trust AI to handle diagnosis or care. These trends underscore why Dr Parker-Curling’s message resonates now. Her work centres the human dimensions of care—empathy, trust, attentiveness, and communication—at a time when healthcare systems are navigating burnout, workforce strain, and the

growing presence of technology in clinical settings.

Dr Parker-Curling wrote Beyond The Knowledge in 2023 after a transformative personal development experience shifted her perspective on what it means to be a physician. The book explores the challenges doctors face every day— delivering difficult news while preserving hope, building trust when time is short, maintaining compassion through exhaustion, and staying human in an increasingly technological field.

Since its release, she has shared its message throughout The Bahamas in presentations at medical conferences, community events, and educational institutions. Her work has resonated with leaders across the Caribbean and beyond, earning praise for its call to humanise medicine while also supporting physician well-being.

Dr Parker-Curling presented her C.A.R.E. framework at the 53rd Annual Conference of The Medical Association of The Bahamas and delivered the 2025 commencement keynote address to the

graduating class of medical students at The University of the West Indies School of Clinical Medicine and Research (UWIS CMR), Bahamas. She continues to serve as an Associate Lecturer at UWISCMR and volun teers with the Healthy Lifestyles Team of The Cancer Society of The Bahamas. Her training across Jamaica, The Bahamas, Canada, and the United States informs a com munication-centred approach to care that extends beyond medi cine and into the broader human experience of trust, leadership, and interper sonal connection.

Beyond The Knowledge: Power Steps for Doctor ing with a Human Touch is available on Amazon. Dr Parker-Curling is available for interviews, speaking engagements, and work shops on physician-patient communication, physician wellness, compassionate care, and medical education.

"Parents and teachers alike are making sacrifices and making do in silence, swallowing their struggles because they lack institutional options. It reinforced to me that these children can absolutely excel. They just need the right resources, and they need to know they are no longer fighting this battle alone," she said.

As Kilano's Care launches in Nassau, Latrell hopes the initiative will encourage broader conversations about accessibility and inclusion.

Its first efforts include a sponsorship drive that will see specialised bibs donated to the Bahamas Association for Physically Disabled Children, along with a new advocacy campaign aimed at encouraging pharmacies, retailers and medical clinics to create dedicated adaptive care sections.

Going forward, she hopes the conversation surrounding developmental disabilities evolves beyond awareness alone.

"Ultimately, my hope is to shift the cultural narrative from sympathy to systemic empowerment, ensuring that every child, regardless of their developmental challenges, is seen, supported, and valued as a vital part of our society," said Latrell.

Dr Kristine ParkerCurling

Latrell King, founder of Kilano’s Care