Regulator: Court ‘failed to grapple’ with foreign insurer branch designation
BY NEIL HARTNELL TRIBUNE Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
INSURANCE regulators have moved swiftly to overturn Orry J Sands & Company’s recent legal success by arguing the Supreme Court “failed to grapple” with whether an agent/broker has standing to pursue a claim in its name on behalf of underwriters they represent.
The Insurance Commission of The Bahamas, in July 13, 2026, legal flings obtained by Tribune Business, asserted in its draft appeal motion that there is no law or procedure that allows a Bahamian insurance agent/broker to initiate legal action in their own name, and without the permission of the insurer they act for when, in efect, they are seeking redress on the latter’s behalf.
Justice Simone Fitzcharles, in a June 30, 2026, verdict rejected the regulator’s bid to have Orry J Sands & Company’s bid for declaratory relief, and confrmation that it represented Sagicor’s Bahamas-based general insurance business as a standalone agent, rather than as a “branch” of the pan-Caribbean fnancial services giant, struck-out and dismissed
for lack of standing and having no chance of succeeding.
Orry J Sands ultimately wants the Supreme Court to order that the Insurance Commission alter Sagicor’s September 2, 2016, registration certifcate and remove the designation of conducting business “as a branch of a foreign company” in favour of an agency arrangement.
However, the Insurance Commission, asserting that the “branch” designation has no impact on either Orry J Sands’ or Sagicor’s “legal of fnancial position”, is arguing in its draft appeal motion that the Supreme Court verdict failed to account for the fact the pan-Caribbean giant has ceased writing business in The Bahamas, has wounddown its portfolio and exited the jurisdiction.
The regulator, in its bid to both appeal the Supreme Court decision and “stay” its enforcement, given that it sets a potential legal “precedent” for who can challenge the Insurance Commission and under what circumstances, argued that Justice Fitzcharles had “erred” in fnding that Orry J Sands was able to “pursue
OVERTURN - See Page B6
Wreck removal failure causing ‘real nuisance’
BY NEIL HARTNELL
TRIBUNE Business
Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
A FORMER senior Port Department ofcial has branded the failure to remove multiple wrecks littering Bahamian waters “in a timely manner” as a major maritime safety hazard and “real nuisance and environmental concern”.
Brent Williamson, ex-assistant Port controller, and a 40-year international maritime consultant who has worked for both the Ministry of Transport and as a lecturer at LJM Maritime Academy, said wrecked vessels have often “remained
in place for years” - stretching from Potter’s Cay to the Exumas - with little to no regulatory enforcement or salvaging eforts. He unveiled his concerns in a report commissioned over the ongoing legal battle surrounding the $200m Rosewood Exuma development on Big Sampson Cay. Mr Williamson, who was hired by Callenders & Company, attorneys for Turtlegrass Resort & Island Club, the project’s chief opponent, detailed numerous maritime safety issues that he asserts were neglected in both the
LANDING - See Page B8
Fatal crash raises ‘urgency to break down the barriers’
BY NEIL HARTNELL
Day’s fatal Andros plan crash has reinforced “the urgency of breaking down the barriers and walls” in the aviation industry, a senior executive is urging, with the planned Bahamas Aviation Safety Committee very much “needed”.
Dr Anthony Hamilton, president of the Bahamas Association of Air Transport Operators, told Tribune Business that while no details on the
Committee’s membership, formal role and responsibilities were discussed at last week’s meeting between Jobeth Coleby-Davis,
ACCIDENT - See Page B7
Cable: Dismiss ‘meritless’ piracy lawsuit from PBS
BY NEIL HARTNELL TRIBUNE Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
CABLE Bahamas is urging the south Florida federal court to dismiss a top US public service broadcaster’s “meritless” piracy claim on multiple grounds - including that it has failed to prove copyright ownership in almost 79 percent of the alleged violations cited.
The BISX-listed communications provider, in July 17, 2026, court flings argued that Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and its fellow non-proft, WGBH Educational Foundation, lack the necessary legal standing to pursue their lawsuit because they own the rights to just 706 of the 3,308 programs they claim it broadcast to Bahamian subscribers without permission.
And Cable Bahamas also made good on its previous threat to demand the PBS action be struck out on jurisdictional grounds, arguing that it has “no contact whatsoever” with Florida and thus is not within reach of that state’s local or federal courts. Instead, it argued that it “is fairer and more convenient to litigate”
US public broadcaster fails to prove ownership in 79% of claimed violations
BISX-listed provider: ‘Fairer and more convenient’ to battle in e Bahamas
But halts broadcasts of disputed PBS programming in ‘good faith gesture’
the dispute in The Bahamas, and pledged its willingness to battle PBS’ claims in the Supreme Court.
Franklyn Butler, Cable Bahamas president and chief executive, in an afdavit fled with the south Florida federal court, asserted that at no time during his nine years in the post has the BISX-listed provider or any of its afliates “captured and transmitted” PBS programming from Florida. He afrmed that PBS content - which includes the likes of Sesame Street and Wild Kratts from PBS Kids, plus adult content such as Frontline and Antiques Roadshows - is instead being sourced from Canada-based Gulfcom Inc, with which Cable Bahamas has the necessary commercial and licensing agreements to enable such programming to be rebroadcast in this nation.
Mr Butler also revealed that, without admitting liability, Cable Bahamas in “a good faith gesture” has voluntarily halted broadcasts of the disputed PBS programming in The Bahamas until the courtroom fght is resolved. He also denied that the company’s fully-owned
DR ANTHONY HAMILTON
FRANKLYN BUTLER
CABLE BAHAMAS HQ
Governance standards drive corporate culture
CULTURE is often presented as the foundation of corporate success. Boards monitor it, executives seek to strengthen it, and consultants are frequently engaged to improve it. Yet culture is rarely the starting
point. More often, it is the outcome of leadership decisions repeated over time.
Employee engagement surveys, cultural assessments and staf feedback often identify problems only after behaviours have become established. By
the time companies detect declining accountability, inconsistent decision-making or weakening trust, those behaviours have frequently been reinforced through months or years of leadership decisions. Culture, therefore, resembles
a fnancial statement. It reports the efects of corporate choice rather than predicting future performance. Throughout this author's experience and academic research, companies seldom develop inefective
cultures because their values are poorly written. They develop them because incentives, accountability and leadership behaviours gradually shape what employees come to regard as normal. In this sense, culture is not a leading indicator of corporate performance. It is a lagging indicator of the systems that govern behaviour. This article examines why culture should be viewed as an organisational outcome rather than a driver, what Boards should be asking instead, and how leadership determines the conditions from which culture ultimately emerges.
Culture refects organisational design
Corporate culture does not emerge in isolation. It develops through repeated decisions. Incentives infuence behaviour, repeated behaviour establishes informal norms and, over time, those norms become recognised as culture. By the time culture is measured through employee surveys or engagement scores, the conditions that produced it have often existed for years. Edgar Schein, widely regarded as one of the leading authorities on corporate culture, argued that culture develops as groups learn which behaviours consistently solve problems and achieve success. Those behaviours gradually become accepted assumptions that guide future decisions. Culture, therefore, refects what a company repeatedly rewards, tolerates and reinforces rather than what it formally communicates (Schein & Schein, 2021).
This distinction is important because companies often attempt to improve culture by rewriting values or introducing engagement initiatives. While these eforts may reinforce expectations, they rarely change behaviour unless
the underlying corporate systems also change.
Boards need better questions
Boards frequently ask whether the company has the right culture. This author would argue that the more relevant question is whether governance systems consistently produce the behaviours leadership expects. Employees pay close attention to company signals. Promotion decisions, performance measures, incentive structures, policy exceptions and leadership responses to misconduct all communicate organisational priorities. Formal values infuence behaviour, but informal governance often infuences it more.
Boards often believe they oversee culture. In reality, they oversee governance. Culture simply reports how well governance is working.
Leadership shapes the outcome
The responsibility of leadership is therefore not to manage culture in isolation. It is to create organisational systems that consistently reinforce the desired behaviours.
This requires alignment between incentives
BEHAVIOURS - See Page B7
Taxi drivers threaten to escalate dispute at LPIA
BY ANNELIA NIXON TRIBUNE Business Reporter anixon@tribunemedia.net
TAXI drivers are threatening to escalate the dispute with their livery rivals at Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) by summoning other unions for joint industrial action after recent talks with Leon Lundy, minister of transport, failed to produce a meaningful resolution.
The move represents a shift in position just one week after Tyrone Butler, the Bahamas Taxi Cab Union (BTCU) president, said he was prepared to give Mr Lundy “the beneft of the doubt” following the pre-Independence Day protest that saw taxi drivers briefy disrupt access to LPIA’s international departures terminal.
Mr Butler said the union is now ipreparing to consult with the Bahamas Trade
Union Congress (TUC), its umbrella union body, on calling out afliates to support industrial action.
“We will now speak with our Congress leader, Obie Ferguson KC, who will then convene a meeting with all the other afliates, and then we’ll plan our next move, which will not just be taxi drivers, but it’ll be us and the Congress along with our afliates,” Mr Butler said.
Asked whether that could result in wider strike action involving other unions, Mr Butler replied: “That’s our next move. And so we will be moving towards that from here on in. I don’t see any way that we can avoid going down that path because we obviously are not getting anywhere with the Government.”
The dispute centres on the taxi union’s long-standing claim that livery operators are unlawfully soliciting passengers on-the-spot at LPIA
Green Turtle Cay concern on ‘no notice’ Gillam Bay project
BY ANNELIA NIXON TRIBUNE Business
GREEN Turtle Cay residents have deep concerns over a proposed development at Gillam Bay, questioning why the community was not consulted earlier and whether one of the island’s most valuable natural spaces can withstand further development.
A Town Hall meeting held last week discussed the Gillam Bay project by developer Reginald Curry, who has received environmental approval to construct nine 1,900-square foot villas, a single-storey clubhouse with a restaurant and bar, an administrative ofce and a back-of-house facility.
While ofcials stressed the project has met all legal and environmental requirements to-date, many residents argued Gillam Bay’s ecological signifcance and cultural value warrant greater public input and stronger protections.
Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP) ofcials said Mr Curry’s project was granted a certifcate of environmental clearance (CEC) on April 22 after completing the required baseline assessment and management plan. Samantha Cartwright, DEPP’s representative at the meeting, said the developer followed all procedures required under the Environmental Planning and Protection Act and accompanying regulations.
She stressed that the current approval applies only to the project’s frst phase.
“He was approved for a CEC for nine 1,900 square foot villas, a single-storey clubhouse and restaurant and bar, an administrative ofce, and a back of house facility,” she said. “That is all he was approved for. That is all he presented a CEC application for.”
Ms Cartwright said any future additions including a marina, dock or other marine infrastructure, as shown on broader conceptual site plans, would require an entirely new environmental review and certifcate.
“There is no application for any marine portion of the site,” she said. “Anything beyond that, he
instead of operating strictly through pre-arranged bookings, thereby placing licensed taxi drivers at a competitive disadvantage. This, though, has been vehemently rejected by the livery drivers. Mr Butler said the meeting with Mr Lundy left him convinced that the Government was unwilling to enforce existing transportation laws. “I didn’t go in there with high hopes,” he said. “We had a good meeting. We laid on the table some of our pressing issues, but just like the previous minister [JoBeth Coleby-Davis] we just didn’t seem to accomplish much, which was disappointing.”
He added that the meeting was one of few held with Mr Lundy in recent weeks, but said discussions had produced “nothing. Just a bunch of talk, talk, talk and promises”. Mr Butler accused Mr Lundy of placing too much weight on
representations made by livery operators, while failing to act on what the taxi union says are clear legal breaches.
“He kept referencing a lot of stuf that the livery drivers have promised to do and steps that they’re going to take,” Mr Butler said. “The biggest disappointment is that he’s having talks with us, then he goes and has talks with NAD or the livery, and everybody’s telling him what he wants to hear. I said to him: ‘I’m not here to tell you what you want to hear. I’m telling you what the law says.”
Mr Butler further alleged that the Government has efectively chosen to support practices that the union believes violate existing regulations. “I think that this government has decided they will hang their hat on the wrong side of the law,” Mr Butler said. “Whether it’s right or wrong, they’ve decided that
they were going to support livery drivers, even though it’s illegal.”
Mr Butler argued that the minister missed an opportunity to demonstrate decisive leadership by implementing relatively straightforward changes already supported by legislation. “I thought he would have made a decision that would cause people to say, ‘This minister looks like he means business’,” he said. “But he hasn’t done anything. All he’s done is just meet. We talk, we take notes, and that’s it.”
Mr Butler said the union had hoped to leave the latest meeting with at least one concrete commitment that could be presented to members as evidence of progress.
“You can’t meet with the person who has the ability to afect the change, and you just sit there for hours meeting, meeting, meeting, and they can’t make a decision to change one thing,” he added.
Mr Butler’s comments came after he recently praised Mr Lundy’s willingness to engage, and said the minister had already addressed some initial concerns. At the time, the union agreed to suspend further
Pharmacists seek clarity over Cannabis Authority
cannot do at this time.” Ms Cartwright also outlined numerous environmental conditions attached to the approval, including prohibitions on marine works, excavation beyond building foundations, mining, mass clearing and burning.
Buildings will be elevated on pilings rather than requiring extensive excavation, she added, while vegetation clearing is limited to 40 percent of the approved development footprint and only native landscaping may be used. Failure to comply with those conditions could result in revocation of the certifcate and signifcant fnancial penalties.
“We do our pop-up visits,” Ms Cartwright told residents. “Mr Curry has to comply or he has a lot of money to spend.” Despite those assurances, many residents remained unconvinced.
Several attendees questioned why a formal Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and public consultation were not required before approval. Ms Cartwright responded that DEPP determined the proposal did not meet the threshold for an EIA because it involves construction on pilings rather than major excavation, mining or marine works.
“If he was doing major excavation or mining in that area, or if he had the marine work that’s associated as part of the CEC… then yes, he would have been required to do an impact assessment,” she said.
Instead, the department required an environmental baseline assessment and environmental management plan (EMP). Residents repeatedly returned to concerns about Gillam Bay’s environmental sensitivity, pointing to wetlands, bird habitats, sharks, shifting sand dunes and the area’s recovery following Hurricane Dorian.
One resident described Gillam Bay as an internationally-signifcant bird habitat, and questioned whether wildlife would remain once villas and commercial buildings are constructed. Another questioned whether engineering studies could truly account
HEARING - See Page B5
The Bahamas Waxing Center (WAX MOI)
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We are located at The Mall at Marathon (next to Kelly’s) Walk-ins available
BY FAY SIMMONS TRIBUNE Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net
PHARMACISTS are seeking clarity on the Government's medical marijuana push after raising concerns the industry's regulator still lacks a public presence despite earlier assurances the roll-out would begin before endJune 2026.
The issue emerged during a nearly three-hour meeting between the Bahamas Pharmaceutical Association (BPA), Dr Michael Darville, minister of health and wellness, and Owen Wells, minister of state for health, where pharmacists sought a progress update.
Dr Marvin Smith, BPA president, said members were particularly concerned by what they viewed as a lack of visible advances at the Cannabis Authority. "One of the issues that we raised is that there's been what seems to be a lack of movement with the Cannabis Authority," Dr Smith told Tribune Business.
"They don't have a building identifed yet. There's no phone contact with them yet."
The comments come weeks after Dr Lynwood Brown, the Cannabis Authority chairman, said the regulator expected to unveil its licensing platform, government website and application process before the end of June after signing an agreement with cannabis tracking company, Metrc.
At the time, he said prospective participants would soon begin hearing "a lot more" about the roll-out, and promised an extensive public education campaign before applications opened.
Dr Smith said pharmacists and pharmacy owners have become increasingly anxious because they are receiving little ofcial information despite previous public statements indicating the industry was close to launching.
"The former attorney general, Ryan Pinder KC, came out in the last administration and made all these statements about licences
coming out and that we'd be ready," he said. "As pharmacists and pharmacy owners, we're not hearing anything ofcially, and when you try to contact the Authority, there's no one to contact."
Despite those concerns, Dr Smith said the Association left its meeting with Dr Darville encouraged after receiving assurances that work on the regulatory framework is continuing.
"The minister indicated that they had made some changes, particularly with the software, and upgraded some things, and that they would be moving it out in phases," he said.
"He showed us the way the system is working, and that no local participant in the system is going to be left out. We're looking forward to continuing working with him on the medical cannabis aspect because that was a major concern for us."
demonstrations while giving the Ministry of Transport an opportunity to resolve the dispute.
The July 9 protest temporarily blocked vehicular access to the international departures terminal as taxi drivers accused livery operators of illegally soliciting fares inside the airport. During the demonstration, Mr Lundy proposed establishing a dedicated transportation desk inside the terminal stafed by Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD) personnel to better manage ground transportation services and reduce conficts between the two sectors.
Mr Lundy also said the Government was reviewing proposals from both taxi and livery operators while seeking a solution that would protect visitors’ experience and the country’s tourism brand. However, Mr Butler said the absence of concrete decisions following subsequent meetings has left the union with little confdence that voluntary discussions will resolve the dispute.
“From here on in, we’ll be guided by the president of the Congress now and what we should do,” he said.
"He will make sure that once the Authority is ready to roll out licensing and everything else, we as Bahamians, in all areas, are at the front of the line," Dr Smith said.
The BPA president said the Association intends to remain engaged with the Government as the regulatory framework develops, and views pharmacists as key participants in the emerging medical cannabis industry.
"We're not here to create obstacles," said Dr Smith. "We're looking forward to continuing to work with the minister to make sure the roll-out is successful.”
Dr Smith said Dr Darville also assured the delegation that Bahamians would remain at the forefront of the licensing process as the industry moves towards implementation.
DR MARVIN SMITH
Digital booking guide launch for Bahamas y- shing tours
BY ANNELIA NIXON TRIBUNE Business Reporter anixon@tribunemedia.net
A DIGITAL guide that allows travellers to book guided outdoor tours in The Bahamas, such as bonefshing, has ofcially been launched.
Digital Sportsman says it has ofcially launched DS Guide, marking the latest phase of the US-based company’s expansion into the Bahamian tourism sector. DS Guide is a consumer-facing online marketplace that allows travellers to instantly book
guided outdoor experiences in The Bahamas and US, further aiding its expansion into the lucrative fy and bonefshing industry.
The launch builds on Digital Sportsman’s partnership with the Bahamas Fly Fishing Industry Association (BFFIA), which saw the company introduce its business management platform to local guides and lodges.
The new DS Guide marketplace now allows travellers to search for, and directly book, those same operators online.
Michelle Faul, of Digital Sportsman, said the launch represents an evolution
Workshop addresses termination missteps
THE Society for Human Resource Management in The Bahamas (SHRM Bahamas) has teamed with Blue Chip Consulting to stage a seminar on employment law.
The event, designed to address the challenges Bahamian companies face in mishandling terminations, focused on the fundamentals of both wrongful and unfair dismissals.
Featured speakers included Justice Simone Fitzcharles, a Supreme Court judge; Lakeisha Strachan-Hanna, partner at Harry B. Sands, Lobosky & Company, and Eddie Noelus, labour advocate.
The Society and Blue Chip, itself a human resources consulting frm, said terminations are not solely the preserve of human resources. It added that they are a shared responsibility involving company executives at all levels down to front-line supervisors, and said it is essential that all understand the relevant employment laws and comply with internal policies and procedures when managing terminations.
The two companies explained that, given litigation in The Bahamas can
be extremely costly, companies must be proactive in managing terminations.
The workshop equipped participants with tools and information to manage terminations efectively, and demonstrated how to minimise legal risks and promote best practices.
Some of the practical advice provided by the presenters included:
* Ensure the termination decision is based on all relevant facts and that there is sufcient evidence
* Follow the company’s disciplinary and other internal procedures
* Maintain comprehensive documentation when issues arise
* Ensure that an employment contract exists
* Adhere to the terms of the employment contract/ industrial agreement
* The allegations should be clear, and the employee should be notifed
* Compile witness statements
* Conduct a reasonable investigation
* Ensure natural justice was observed - that is, the employee had an opportunity to respond
* Provide an appeals process
of the company’s existing platform rather than an entirely new business. “Digital Sportsman launched in 2025 as a booking and business management platform for guides, lodges and outftters,” she said.
“The year of preparation we referenced was specifc to our Bahamian launch, working alongside the BFFIA to bring guides and lodges on to the platform and building out the onboarding, payments and business tools they need to operate. That groundwork is what made the Bahamas ready.
* Where appropriate, have an independent decision-maker
* Ensure that dismissals are handled with dignity and respect
* The evidence must support the conclusion or decision reached
* The burden of proof rests with the employer if the dismissal is challenged
Denise Knowles, SHRM Bahamas president, said: “I was proud to partner with Blue Chip Consulting with this vital initiative. This masterclass on dismissals and wrongful terminations was designed to equip leaders at every level with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate these complex situations lawfully and fairly, and I believe we achieved that objective.
“As leaders, we were reminded of the legal framework and to follow clear procedures that protect both employees and businesses. I am proud that through this workshop, we have strengthened the capacity of our local workforce to handle terminations with professionalism, transparency and respect.
“SHRM Bahamas and its partners like Blue Chip Consulting remain committed to supporting the professional development of HR practitioners and organisational leaders to contribute positively to workplace standards and employee relations nationwide.”
“DS Guide is the newest extension of the Digital Sportsman platform. It’s our consumer-facing marketplace, so travellers searching for their next trip or experience can now discover and book those same Bahamian guides and lodges directly.”
The platform launched with more than 250 outdoor experiences across the US and The Bahamas, and features verifed, licensed guides ofering fy-fshing trips targeting bonefsh and tarpon. Travellers can also book lodge accommodations through the platform.
Digital Sportsman has entered into an exclusive partnership with the BFFIA, making DS Guide the only platform where travellers can book both afliated guides and participating lodge accommodations in one place, according to the company.
Rather than forecasting booking volumes or market penetration, Ms Faul said the company’s success will be measured by the performance of Bahamian operators using the platform.
“What I can tell you is how we measure success: Guides actively taking
bookings, repeat travellers and revenue landing directly with Bahamian operators,” she said.
Although The Bahamas’ fy-fshing industry has been estimated to generate roughly $400m annually, Ms Faul said Digital Sportsman is not focused on capturing a specifc share of that market.
“We’re not thinking about it in terms of market share,” she said. “We measure success by the success of our guides, lodges and operators: Are they growing their businesses, flling their calendars and keeping more of the revenue from every trip? Those are the numbers that matter to us.”
She added that protecting The Bahamas’ natural resources is equally important to the company’s long-term strategy. As part of its agreement with the
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Carnival hails GB destination’s 1,000 Bahamian full-time jobs
CARNIVAL has hailed the 1,000 permanent Bahamian jobs created by its $600m Celebration Key private cruise port, and the 80 percent of food and retail outlets that are locally-owned, as the destination celebrates its frst anniversary.
creating new experiences for our guests and deepening our commitment to Grand Bahama and its people.”
The cruise line, in a statement, said the Grand Bahama location has received 2.4m guests since opening on July 19 last year. It added that 400,000plus treats alone have been served by Mini Donut King, a Bahamian-owned food truck, while over half-a-million guests have enjoyed its water slides.
for the constantly changing shoreline.
“My sister and I walk Gillam Bay a lot, and from one week to another… the face of the beach can completely change,” the resident said. “I’m afraid to lose it.”
Ms Cartwright said she had personally visited the site four times, spending extended periods there, while environmental consultants conducted geotechnical and baseline studies over a much longer period.
Beyond environmental concerns, residents repeatedly expressed frustration that they only learned of the project after activity
Carnival said Celebration Key also achieved another milestone by becoming the world’s frst cruise
began on the site. Ms Cartwright acknowledged she had received no calls, e-mails or letters questioning the project before the CEC was issued.
“When Ms Cartwright… said no one wrote in, none of us knew about it,” one resident said. “This isn’t a problem against the developer… Any major developer… needs to be making sure that they’re following the right steps.”
Chief Councillor Ron Levarity said the local government board itself was unaware of the proposal until earlier this year. “This just came to our table in May,” Mr Levarity said. “We had no idea what was going on… We didn’t have a full Board here at the time,
Digital booking platform to boost local lodges
VISIT - from page B4
BFFIA, a portion of every booking made with afliated guides through DS Guide will be directed to a local conservation fund supporting the long-term sustainability of Bahamian fsheries.
“This industry exists only because of healthy fats, fsheries and islands,” Ms Faul said. “A healthy environment drives a healthy economy, and a healthy economy funds a healthy environment.”
The company currently has around 40 Bahamian guides and lodges either fully onboarded or in the onboarding process, with additional operators joining each week. “That number grows weekly, and honestly, we care more about how those frst 40 do than how fast the number climbs,” Ms Faul said.
She said Digital Sportsman is already working with operators throughout the Family Islands as
it expands beyond its initial launch markets. “Our team has been meeting with guides and lodges throughout the Family Islands, and those conversations are turning into onboarding as we speak,” Ms Faul said. While fy fshing served as the platform’s entry point because of its partnership with the BFFIA, Ms Faul said Digital Sportsman intends to broaden its reach across Bahamian outdoor tourism.
“Digital Sportsman was built for operators who provide experiences in and around the water and the woods, so diving, eco-tours, kayaking, boating, birding, all of it fts naturally on the platform,” she said. “Fly fshing is where we started in The Bahamas because of our partnership with the BFFIA, but the platform isn’t limited to it.
“What excites us is what that means for Bahamian operators specifcally. The same tools our guides usebooking, payments, business
destination to earn Sensory Inclusive Certifcation through the partnership with KultureCity, reinforcing its commitment to providing welcoming and accessible experiences for all guests.
“We’ve built something special here at Celebration Key,” said Christine Dufy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Our goal is to
so we denied it until we had a full Board.
“That’s why we brought it to the community to get your voice and your opinion.” Kirk Cornish, North Abaco MP, acknowledged residents’ frustration but stressed that the process is governed by law rather than public sentiment alone.
“The local government… can approve or reject proposals,” Mr Cornish said. “However, the developer… has a recourse.” If an application is rejected, he added, the developer can seek legal remedies, meaning any denial must be legally justifed rather than based solely on public opposition.
“If the community… can prove that there is a present danger to the environment… then the court may possibly rule in your favour,” he said. Asked whether residents could independently challenge the project, Mr Cornish
management - work just as well for a dive shop in Nassau or an eco-tour operator on Eleuthera.”
With online travel bookings increasingly targeted by cyber crime, Ms Faul said payment security has been built into the platform through PayPal, with customer payment information handled within the payment processor’s secure infrastructure rather than stored on Digital Sportsman’s own systems. Looking ahead, Digital Sportsman said its primary investment in The Bahamas will continue to centre on growing local operators’ businesses “Our biggest investment in the Bahamas is the one we’re already making - helping the guides, lodges and operators on our platform grow and scale their businesses,” Ms Faul said. She also revealed the company recently unveiled DS.Fish, tournament management software introduced at the ICAST fshing trade show, saying The Bahamas’ strong fshing tournament sector presents another opportunity for future expansion.
create unforgettable memories for our guests and, in its frst year, the destination has done exactly that for more than two million people.
“We’re proud to be part of those moments while also creating real, lasting impact in the local community. As we look ahead, we’re excited to continue building on this momentum,
encouraged the community to organise.
“If you want to go and get independent studies done, do that,” he said. “Form your committee… get legal counsel… If you believe you have legal rights, pursue it.”
Several described Gillam Bay as one of the island’s last publicly accessible natural spaces, and questioned whether economic development should always take precedence over preservation.
“We have enough bars. We have enough restaurants,” one resident said. “We need places where people can go and fnd peace and quiet.” Another said the property “should have never ever been sold for development”.
“We need to leave some things the way God made it,” the resident said. “This is a done deal, and that is
Carnival said Celebration Key supports around 1,000 year-round Bahamian jobs and continues to prioritise partnerships with Bahamian entrepreneurs and businesses. It added that more than 80 percent of Celebration Key's food and retail operators are locally owned, including Bahama Mama Seafood Pit, Flippin' Fritters and Mini Donut King. The frst-year anniversary was celebrated with special festivities for guests
exactly why people don’t speak up because they feel like nobody’s listening to us.”
One resident, however, supported the project, arguing it would create economic opportunities for Green Turtle Cay through increased visitor spending.
Another resident disagreed, arguing that preserving Gillam Bay’s natural character is precisely what makes Green Turtle Cay attractive to tourists.
Ofcials also assured residents that public beach access must remain open, with Ms Cartwright noting that DEPP conditions
from the Carnival Conquest and Carnival Freedom. These included a Junkanoo performance, interactive scavenger hunts and a giant birthday cake displayed at the entrance. The anniversary also coincided with Carnival’s expansion of its Less Left Over food waste reduction strategy to The Bahamas, where its vessels, Carnival Freedom and Carnival Conquest, made the programme's frst surplus meal donation in the country. This redirected prepared, unserved meals to local community organisations on Grand Bahama.
prohibit developers from blocking access to the shoreline.
Even so, residents pointed to previous coastal developments at Gillam Bay, claiming approved conditions were not properly enforced and resulted in sections of beach becoming unusable. Ms Cartwright maintained that environmental enforcement has since become signifcantly stronger, citing tougher penalties, environmental bonds, expanded monitoring requirements and more frequent inspections under recently amended regulations.
Caribbean Crossings subsidiary, which owns, operates and maintains the deep sea fbre optic cables carrying Internet and other digital trafc between The Bahamas and the US, has received any PBS programming content from Florida.
Vehemently rejecting the foundations of PBS’s allegations and legal complaint, Mr Butler afrmed:
“During my time as president and chief executive of Cable Bahamas, Cable Bahamas has not captured, received and/or transmitted any transmission of Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) programming from Florida. Likewise, Caribbean Crossings has not captured, received and/or transmitted any transmission of PBS programming from Florida.
“The subject PBS programming is received by Cable Bahamas from Canada via an agreement with Gulfcom Inc. Cable Bahamas has broadcast the subject PBS programming exclusively within The Bahamas. No such broadcast by Cable Bahamas has ever extended into, or otherwise reached, the US.
“As a good faith gesture and without conceding liability, while the parties explored a potential resolution of the dispute that is the subject of this lawsuit, Cable Bahamas voluntarily refrained from airing the disputed PBS programming.”
Tribune Business revealed in late April 2026 how PBS had launched legal action against Cable Bahamas for allegedly retransmitting its content to Bahamian subscribers - despite lacking the necessary licences and authorisation to do so - for a six-year period up until August 19, 2025.
”This action arises from a deliberate, years-long, sustained piracy scheme in which defendant Cable Bahamas captured US broadcast signals in Florida, converted and encoded plaintifs’ copyright protected PBS and PBS Kids programs, and retransmitted that programming to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas for commercial gain without any licence, authorisation or payment,” PBS claimed.
“Cable Bahamas illegally reproduced, distributed, publicly displayed and publicly performed thousands of programs, including PBS and PBS Kids Programs, that were broadcast by WPBT, a PBS member station located in Miami, Florida… Cable Bahamas incorporated PBS Programming into its channel line-ups.
“Cable Bahamas then used PBS’s registered PBS and PBS Kids trademarks to market those infringing channels to customers and sold subscriptions that included plaintifs’ PBS Programming as part of Cable Bahamas’ core content ofering.” It demanded a variety of damages,
including up to $150,000 for “each copyright” violated by the BISX-listed provider.
And it also sought “treble the amount of damages” it has sufered “and any profts Cable Bahamas” has earned from its alleged conduct, plus up to $2m “for each counterfeit trademark or service”.
But, in its bid to strikeout the PBS action, Cable Bahamas challenged the US public service broadcaster’s standing to bring the lawsuit as ofcial registration records showed that, together with its WGBH afliate, it owned the copyright for less than one-quarter (just over 20 percent) of the programming works the BISX-listed provider is alleged to have transmitted without authorisation.
“At least 2,602 of the copyrighted works asserted in the amended complaint list neither plaintif as the owner on the registration certifcate,” Cable Bahamas said. “Indeed, out of the 3,308 works asserted, only about 699 identify plaintif WGBH as the owner, and only seven identify plaintif PBS.” As a result, the BISXlisted provider said it is unclear what alleged rights have been violated.
“Accordingly, plaintifs simply do not plausibly allege sufcient facts demonstrating their ownership or exclusive rights in the asserted works on the date Cable Bahamas allegedly broadcast the corresponding works. Because
Insurance Commission moves to battle Orry J Sands verdict
OVERTURN - from page B1
litigation in its own name and obtain relief on Sagicor’s behalf” just because it was the latter’s agent.
“In order for an agent to be able to sue for relief available to the principal, the right to sue has to be assigned to the agent by the principal or the action has to be brought by the agent in the principal’s name,”
the Insurance Commission and its attorneys, Callender’s & Co, assert in the draft appeal motion. “The learned judge failed to grapple with the fact there is no doctrine of law or rule of procedure that allows an agent to bring proceedings in its own name to pursue a principal’s claim.”
The Insurance Commission, also rejecting the judge’s fnding that the dispute and its outcome have wider consequences for Bahamian insurance regulation, added: “The learned
judge failed to take into account that Sagicor was in run-of and had ceased to underwrite new policies in The Bahamas prior to the commencement of the proceedings.” Documents fled in evidence with the Supreme Court, and which have been seen by Tribune Business, reveal that while Sagicor was aware Orry J Sands was mulling legal action, and that it disagreed with the Insurance Commission’s “branch” designation, it was not going to battle the regulator in the court or be named as a party.
Sagicor’s Keston Howell, in a May 12, 2022, e-mail wrote to the Insurance Commission: “Sagicor’s position on this matter has been consistent but compliant. We believe that our operations in The Bahamas are conducted via an agency arrangement with Orry J Sands & Company.
“We articulated this position previously and were
of this, plaintifs have failed to plausibly allege standing to sue for copyright infringement,” Cable Bahamas added.
It then attacked the south Florida court’s jurisdiction, or lack of it, over its status as a Bahamas-domiciled company. “The witnesses with knowledge of the operations of Cable Bahamas, together with its documents, business records, branding, operations, distribution and marketing, are located in The Bahamas, not in Florida or elsewhere in the US. Cable Bahamas is prepared to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of The Bahamas with respect to the claims asserted in this action,” Mr Butler asserted. This was echoed in Cable Bahamas’ motion to dismiss PBS’ claim, which states: “Plaintifs’ amended complaint should be dismissed because this court lacks personal jurisdiction over Cable Bahamas, a 100 percent Bahamian-owned telecommunications provider headquartered in The Bahamas that does not conduct business in Florida, does not maintain ofces, own property, have employees, maintain bank accounts, or have sales here, and thus is not subject to general jurisdiction in Florida.
“Simply put, Cable Bahamas has essentially no contact whatsoever with the state of Florida. Alternatively, this court should dismiss this action on forum non conveniens grounds. Even a cursory review of the complaint’s allegations
makes clear that it is fairer and more convenient to litigate this matter in The Bahamas.”
Asserting that Caribbean Crossings’ ties to Florida, via the fbre optic cable system that lands there, cannot be used to bind it, the BISX-listed provider said there was “no nexus” between PBS’ claims and the US state.
“Plaintifs’ allegations are full of contradictions designed to obscure their otherwise meritless claim of this court’s personal jurisdiction over Cable Bahamas. On the one hand, plaintifs allege that Cable Bahamas receives PBS content from non-party Gulfcom Inc,” Cable Bahamas asserted. “On the other hand, plaintifs allege the only way Cable Bahamas can receive PBS content and send it to The Bahamas is via its subsidiary, Caribbean Crossings.
“As set forth in the Butler declaration, however, only the former is true. At no point does the content received from Gulfcom pass through anything owned by Caribbean Crossings in Florida, nor does Caribbean Crossings ever capture or transmit PBS content.
Indeed, there is simply no connection between the state of Florida and Cable Bahamas or its subsidiary, Caribbean Crossings, related in any way to the allegedly infringing conduct. The burden is now on plaintifs to provide evidence to the contrary.”
And, arguing that The Bahamas is the better forum for resolving the dispute, Cable Bahamas added: “Although plaintifs apparently view this dispute from a narrow, US-centric perspective that assumes that all conduct occurs in the US, regardless of where it originates, the reality is that plaintifs’ allegations concerning a Bahamian company’s use and distribution of television materials is most certainly a dispute which focuses on conduct occurring in The Bahamas….. “Cable Bahamas is willing to submit to jurisdiction of a Bahamian court and accept service of a complaint based on the same factual allegations. Plaintifs can reinstate their suit in The Bahamas without undue prejudice or inconvenience. This willingness to litigate in The Bahamas further supports dismissal for forum non conveniens. As a result, all factors favour dismissal for forum non conveniens, and this court should dismiss this action under that doctrine.” Cable Bahamas also asserted that PBS’ allegations that US copyright law was violated cannot apply outside the US, and argued that claims it had “actively concealed its infringements” were “simply not plausible” as it had been regularly broadcasting the disputed programming to “hundreds of thousands of customers across The Bahamas”.
advised by the Commission that based on guidelines established by the Commission, our business in The Bahamas was classifed as a branch of a foreign company.
“While disagreeing, we noted the Commission’s view on this matter and, to the best of my knowledge have complied with all of the regulatory requirements of the Commission consistent with the Commission’s designation of Sagicor General’s operations in The Bahamas as ‘branch’ operations,” he added.
“It is apparent that Orry J Sands & Company has not accepted this position, and we were advised that they had taken up this matter with their attorneys. Our position was clear that we did not wish to lake any legal action against the Commission, and that Sagicor General would not be a party to any action taken by Orry J Sands & Company.
“The Commission is aware that was have since decided to exit The Bahamas market, and the portfolio is now in run-of mode. Sagicor General ceased writing new business in The Bahamas since October 1, 2021, and the last set of policies are due to expire on September 30, 2022.”
Sharanda Humes-Forbes, an Insurance Commission legal ofcer, argued that Orry J Sands’ claim was based “on a mistaken reading” of the Insurance Act’s section 28, and what that meant for the defnition of a “branch”. She argued that it was working on a “mistaken premise that operating as ‘a branch of a foreign company’ is inconsistent with carrying on insurance business through an agent”.
And while, in the Insurance Commission’s view, Sagicor’s Bahamian operation was a branch conducted via an agent, Orry J Sands appeared “to believe (wrongly) that a foreign company cannot both be operating as a ‘branch’ and through an agent”.
The Insurance Commission, in the draft appeal motion fled last week,
described the Bahamian agent’s action as “misconceived” and argued that the relief sought by Orry J Sands “serves no purpose”. It added: “The claim is based on a misunderstanding that operating as a branch means that Sagicor has its own presence in The Bahamas separate to Orry J Sands’ operations as an agent.”
But, noting that the Insurance Act contains no defnition of a ‘branch’, Justice Fitzcharles wrote in her June 30 verdict: “The Insurance Commission uses the term ‘branch’ and contends that it is not used as a legal term of art, and has no legal efect except to describe a certain situation.
“However, the fact that Sagicor has disagreed and has soon thereafter sought to wind up its afairs in The Bahamas, coupled with the insistence of Orry J Sands in maintaining this application, are factors which reveal that the designation of a foreign insurer as having a ‘branch’ in The Bahamas, when it is contended it operates through a general managing agency, is not taken lightly.
“In some jurisdictions, in the context of cross-border insurance, the designation of ‘branch’ may carry regulatory, legal and tax implications, whether it refers to a direct ‘brick and mortar’ extension of the foreign insurer’s head ofce or not. Further, how the claimant conducts its agency business and advises foreign insurers which approach it to act as general managing agent are some of the factors directly afected by the defendant’s designation,” she said. “In the circumstances, to confer the designation of ‘branch’ upon the operations of the foreign insurer and the managing general agent without reference to a legal meaning for that term, where such legal meaning may otherwise exist and give rise to other implications, readily invites the enquiry submitted by the claimant.”
Aviation Safety Committee details yet to be worked out
minister of energy, utilities and aviation, and industry stakeholders, it could improve “accountability” in the sector.
The meeting was held fve days after the fatal accident that killed all ten persons on board, when a plane owned by Flamingo Air crashed in bush on its descent towards San Andros Airport, and Dr Hamilton praised the minister for “opening the door” to greater aviation stakeholder contributions into “charting the way forward” for the domestic Bahamian aviation industry.
Acknowledging that the tragedy is “something we are going to live with forever”, given that it occurred on Independence Day, he nevertheless told this newspaper that Mrs Coleby-Davis’s initial outreach has created “an atmosphere conducive for inclusion” within the industry.
Describing the Aviation Safety Committee proposal as “nothing new”, Dr Hamilton said: “We are still trying to bring accountability into the sector in a meaningful way. The new minister is fresh to the game, fresh to ofce, and takes over the work from a previous minister [Chester Cooper]. This is a frst-time encounter.
She has to chart her own course, but has provided an atmosphere conducive for inclusion and consultation.
“The way forward is being charted from these discussions that are taking place now, so we stand to beneft from excellent participation. At the end of the day, the accident has brought forward the urgency of breaking down barriers and walls that existed previously in the sector so that we have the strongest environment to work in and that will prove benefcial to all parties.”
Dr Hamilton said that, while Mrs Coleby-Davis has to make some decisions on the way forward for Bahamian aviation, last week’s meetings with airline operators and other industry stakeholders have “opened the door for them to make their contributions and agree the way forward”.
“A very positive, proactive and productive stance has been taken,” he added, “and stakeholders should be supportive in that regard. There were no details [on the Safety Committee] but that’s where we’re headed and we now have a chance to map that out before sharing it with the public at large”.
Also director of administration for Southern Air Charter, Dr Hamilton said
bodies such as the proposed Aviation Safety Committee are “always absolutely necessary” given that the dominant principals in the industry are safety and security. “That’s the bedrock of it,” he added, “and paramount is improved communication. If we don’t have sufcient communication, that’s a failure.
“Once the door is open, and we are able to sit at the table, that produces inclusion in the frst instance and then consultation. The minister is to be applauded, particularly at this stage of the game. I think we are in for a healthy relationship. The fact the accident occurred on the 53rd Independence anniversary, that’s something we are going to live with forever.
“I must commend that she saw ft to engage stakeholders at this juncture so that all players at the table have an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution. It was a very positive response, a very positive response,” Dr Hamilton added.
“If I may use an analogy, the ground was not totally parched but it was parched enough so that water was running through it. Now, we have a situation where water is on the top and we can work with it. I would say we are in a good starting
place. I can be proven otherwise, but what was said was a very positive dialogue. We’ll see of we can keep that accountability as gatekeepers of the industry.
“This kind of environment and atmosphere is key to inclusion and consultation. You cannot out a price tag on it. It paves the way for Bahamian ownership of the industry, and that’s something we’ve always been calling for and expect to happen. We await the response from the minister, which was promised, and once that call is made we are prepared to be responsive.”
Aviation executives last week cited a “domestic safety culture void” and “very weak” regulatory enforcement as factors that potentially contributed to the fatal Independence Day plane crash that killed all ten persons on board.
Captain Randy Butler, former chief executive at Sky Bahamas, told Tribune Business that - while this nation already possesses a strong civil aviation legal and regulatory framework - it must address “system” weaknesses that have thus far prevented full and efective implementation. He also called to “keep the politics out” of regulating the domestic Bahamian aviation industry.
Paying for early access to Trump’s Truth Social could raise big money - and major ethical issues
BY BERNARD CONDON AP Business Writer
AMERICA’S frst bil-
lionaire president may soon be profting from a new line of business tied to his ofce: charging access for a frst peek at certain posts on his Truth Social platform.
Donald Trump’s struggling media company plans to sell Wall Street traders the chance to see posts from “highest-ranking” accounts — including possibly his own — milliseconds before others.
That could mean big money for them, and Trump.
Trump’s posts are often important enough to rattle fnancial markets, sending prices soaring and plunging within seconds. Until this moment, presidential policy announcements were considered sort of public property that should be free and available to all at the same time.
The president has the most followers on Truth Social — 12.9 million — so presumably will be included in the mix of high-ranking accounts.
Truth Social’s public parent, Trump Media & Technology, did not
respond to emailed questions, including whether Trump’s posts will be excluded from the ofering, but the planned service is attracting plenty of attention — and not just from traders.
“It’s odious, selling access to highest bidders on Wall Street,” said Dylan Hedler-Gaudette, an expert on federal ethic rules at watchdog Project on Government Oversight.
“Everything he says has market implications.”
Called Truth PSI, the service announced in a short press release Thursday would allow Wall Street trading frms and institutions to see certain posts earlier than other users so they could proft of subsequent moves in stocks, bonds and interest rates.
The Trump Media release did not give any sense of the size of the new business but quotes CEO Kevin McGurn as saying he expects it to become a “meaningful” source of revenue as part of a strategy to “monetize proprietary assets.” The company added that it expects to launch the service next month.
The customers that Truth Social is targeting are high frequency traders who jump ahead of others in reacting to news to buy and sell bonds and other fnancial instruments. And a few thousands of a second often spells the diference between profts and losses.
When Trump announced his sweeping tarifs on April 2 last year, it was major political and fnancial news —- and many found out frst on Truth Social.
“It’s Liberation Day in America,” Trump posted hours before a formal Rose Garden announcement, sending stocks plunging nearly 5% over the next few hours. Safe haven investments like gold and Treasury bonds soared.
A few days later, Trump reversed course by suspending the tarifs for 90 days with an announcement again on Truth Social, writing, “THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!!!”
Stocks soared 9.5% that day, adding $4 trillion to investor wealth as measured by the S&P 500 index.
“It’s yet more brazen corruption,” said Kathleen Clark of Washington University School of Law and an expert in government ethics rules. “Trump can line his pockets by selling access.”
Trump has announced major decisions and musings about other topics, including staf changes, immigration crackdowns, and matters of war and peace in Ukraine and Iran.
“THE CEASEFIRE IS NOW IN EFFECT. PLEASE DO NOT VIOLATE IT!,” he posted on June 24 last year about a short-lived Iran deal, sending oil prices plunging instantly.
No other social media platform has such access to the president, and presumably banks and traders will have to pay up for it.
This newspaper’s sources have suggested several high-ranking politicians from the major parties have fnancial interests in Bahamian airlines and domestic carriers, and Mr Butler described the post-crash Civil Aviation Authority of The Bahamas’ decision to temporarily suspend Flamingo Air’s air operator certifcate (AOC) - which prevents it from fying - as an example of “very reactive’ regulation as opposed to being proactive. One operator, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “You cannot blame oversight. That’s not the problem. All a safety management system involves is a piece of software feeding data into a computer.
“That’s not going to change the culture. The real problem is the lack of safety culture that appears to be taking place in domestic aviation in The Bahamas.”
They added that operator training and maintenance budgets in an industry that already has relatively thin proft margins have come under increasing strain in recent years from ever-increasing expenses and cost pressures.
“The economics of aviation are very difcult to begin with, and the Government has started squeezing harder and harder lately,”
the source said. “Part of it’s safety, part of it’s economics. The lack of a safety culture takes higher weight here. The other part is complacency.
“The Bahamas is blessed. We are fat; we don’t have obstacles at the end of the runway, we don’t have to contend with winter ice and very rarely have challenging runways. We exist in a very workload environment.” This, the source added, when coupled with the fact that pilots are routinely fying to the same destinations within The Bahamas, can breed over-familiarity and carelessness.
“Complacency is a factor, lack of training is a factor, economics is a factor, safety culture is a factor,” the source said. “With 40 year-old planes, this type of stuf will happen more as the lack of safety culture remains. In domestic aviation, there’s defnitely a void when it comes to safety culture. You throw all that stuf into the melting pot….” They added that it is also becoming increasingly difcult to retain qualifed pilots and mechanics given the higher salaries ofered by markets such as the US.
Does company oversight lead to desired behaviour?
BEHAVIOURS - from page B2
and performance, clarity in decision-making, predictable accountability and visible leadership consistency. Every promotion, exception, disciplinary decision and resource allocation communicates what the company genuinely values. Over time, these repeated governance decisions shape corporate culture far more powerfully than communication campaigns alone. In short, companies rarely develop the culture they aspire to. They develop the culture their governance systems consistently produce. Leaders seeking stronger cultures should therefore spend less
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time asking how to change employee behaviour and more time examining the conditions that shape it.
• NB: About Derek Smith Jr
Derek Smith Jr has been a governance, risk and compliance professional for more than 20 years with a leadership, innovation and mentorship record. He is the author of ‘The Compliance Blueprint’. Mr Smith is a certifed anti-money laundering specialist (CAMS) and holds multiple governance credentials. He can be contacted at hello@ pineapplebusinessconsultancy.com
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Ex-Port o cial calls for ‘regulatory framework’ on hotel’s water access
development’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Management Plan (EMP).
The study focuses on one of the most divisive issues in the battle between Turtlegrass and Rosewood Exuma’s developer, Miami-based Yntegra Group - commercial shipping moving through the environmentally-sensitive North Bay area between Big Sampson and Over Yonder Cay to reach the $200m project’s back-ofhouse service dock.
Mr Williamson, in a report which has been admitted as potential evidence for Turtlegrass’s planning appeal challenge to Rosewood Exuma’s preliminary site plan approval, highlighted the absence of “the necessary regulatory framework” to govern commercial shipping activity in North Bay.
He identifed the absence of buoys, channel markers and other navigational aids for vessels transiting North Bay as being of “extreme concern”, and suggested that escort and marine pilot services from experienced local Exuma mariners will be required to enable unwary commercial ships dock and exit safely at Rosewood Exuma’s back-of-house facility. However, Mr Williamson argued that these and other key maritime safety issues were seemingly ignored in the project’s environmental reports.
Yntegra, though, has repeatedly argued that concerns voiced by Turtlegrass and environmental advocates over potential dredging for a commercial shipping channel through North Bay so that vessels can access its service dock
have been exaggerated, over-hyped and misplaced. In a February 2026 Town Hall presentation, it asserted that no dredging for a service channel is required, and the only area set to be impacted by such activities is 1.26 acres around the service dock itself.
As for access, and the ability to navigate North Bay, Yntegra says it plans to use “shallow draft” landing-type craft with drafts in the four to eight-foot range and does not intend to use vessels with 10-15 feet draft. And it has also conducted navigation exercises with for Exuma-based Bahamian boat captains, while another purportedly confrmed “he would have no issues delivering fuel or accessing our proposed service dock”.
However, Captain Williamson’s assessment on The Bahamas’ failure to adequately deal with maritime wrecks - and the dangers they pose - is perhaps even more intriguing given the Government’s recent bid to crack down on abandoned and sunken vessels by imposing fnes and sanctions on their owners.
“Wrecks, as defned by the Merchant Shipping Act of The Bahamas, have been a real nuisance and safety and environment concern in The Bahamas. There are wrecks left all over The Bahamas that have remained in place for years,” he wrote.
“These wrecks are a hazard to navigation and the marine environment. Wrecks can be seen from Potters Cay to the Exumas and beyond. There is an inability to have these wrecks removed in a timely manner; thus impacting the safety of navigation and safety in general.”
One such example is the $5m-plus legal battle that
has erupted over a tug boat and barge that became stranded in an Abaco national park in late March 2024. Executive Marine Management Services, which was hired by the multi-billion Baker’s Bay development to transport sand and stones from Freeport to the latter’s Great Guana Cay location, in turn contracted FowlCo Maritime and Project Services’ tug boat to tow its barge.
FowlCo then sub-contracted the management, operation and crewing of its tug boat to Campbell Shipping Company and Campbell Marine. The two vessels’ subsequent grounding resulted in Executive Marine initiating Supreme Court legal action to recover what it alleges are “total losses” of $104,500, plus a further $3.593m in ‘special damages’ and $1.554m for purported ‘loss of future income’.
Given this wider backdrop, Mr Williamson said of North Bay: “It is essential that a regulatory framework is established at the North Bay to adequately manage, monitor, conserve and protect human lives, ships, other marine resources and the marine environment.
“It is critical that a regulatory framework is established prior to the introduction of commercial shipping activities. The ship types with specifcations must be named to adequately conduct a marine risk assessment. These factors were not provided in the EIA or the EMP.”
This, though, was addressed by Yntegra in its Town Hall presentation. “The service dock is designed for shallow-draft landing craft and barges commonly used in Bahamian construction and supply operations, often with loaded drafts in the
four to eight-feet range,”
the Rosewood Exuma developer asserted. “We are not planning for deepdraft vessels that require 10 to 15 feet of water. The operational model aligns with vessels that already work successfully across the Family Islands.”
“We are not dependent exclusively on the existing vessels, and there are plenty of alternatives in the market of vessels that can safely and efciently accommodate the navigation to the service dock….
It is important to state that the plan revisions reduced impact, avoided denser seagrass areas where possible, and limited dredging to approximately 1.26 acres for the service dock area.
“North Bay is not of-limits to progress. With responsible engineering and controlled operations, it can serve as a safe, limited-traffc gateway for service logistics without unnecessary alternatives that could cause greater disruption.”
Mr Williamson, though, argued that the need for navigational aids in North Bay be addressed as a matter of urgency - especially since government-maintained buoys in the Exumas are lacking.
“There are no buoys, channel markers or other aids to navigation established in North Bay. This is of extreme concern when considering the hazards to safety of navigation and the sensitive environmental nature of the North Bay,” he argued.
“There is a legal duty on the relevant authorities to ensure that these systems are put in place to protect lives, enhance the safety of navigation and to prevent pollution by ships.
“This issue should have been addressed at the outset of the [Rosewood Exuma]
Chinese AI model takes US tech industry by surprise with abilities rivaling Claude and ChatGPT
By MATT O’BRIEN AP Technology Writer
ANOTHER powerful new artifcial intelligence model from China took the
U.S. tech industry by surprise Friday, the latest sign that Chinese startups that publicly release their “opensource” AI technology are
making the California titans of AI sweat.
The newest Kimi K3 model from Beijing-based startup Moonshot, run by
a Pink Floyd-loving entrepreneur who earned his doctorate in Pittsburgh, appears to be catching up to the best versions of
proposal prior to the intro-
duction of any commercial vessel activity in the North Bay. In particular, aids to navigation are a fundamental safety requirement in any restricted or hazardous waterway, and their absence should have been identifed and remedied during planning and assessment stage,”
Mr Williamson argued.
“Even so, it should be noted that formal, government-maintained lateral buoys are exceptionally sparse, frequently missing or of-station in the shifting shallows of the Exuma Bank.” Pilot and escort services, according to a report which Turtlegrass is also aiming to have admitted as evidence in its Judicial Review challenge to Rosewood Exuma’s environmental approvals, also merit consideration.
“There are presently no requirements for mandatory escorts or pilotage service regulations within the North Bay and between Over Yonder Cay and Sampson Cay,” Mr Williamson said. “Escort services and marine pilotage services provide vessels with specialised expert knowledge of the area and assist ships in transiting the area safely.
“Navigating between Over Yonder Cay and Sampson Cay in the central Exumas involves shifting sandbars, strong tidal currents and shallow water corridors that make escort or pilotage services highly benefcial - and often necessary - depending on the vessel’s specifcations. [Neither] the EIA nor the EMP addresses the issue of escorts or pilotage for North Bay. This is concerning when considering the many grounding and wrecks that have occurred in the Exumas during previous years….
“Local navigational knowledge, pilotage and escort arrangements should have been considered as fundamental risk-mitigation measures when assessing the introduction
Anthropic’s Claude and OpenAI’s ChatGPT.
“This may be the single biggest release of the year,” and marks a moment when open-source Chinese models are surpassing closed U.S. models, said Anastasios Angelopoulos, co-founder and CEO of Arena, a platform for evaluating AI systems.
Kimi K3 topped the charts in Arena’s ranking of what it calls “front-end coding capability,” a measure of an AI large language model’s performance. “More results are rolling in that are likely to continue to show it is at the top of the pack,” Angelopoulos said on social media.
It was not likely a coincidence that K3’s unveiling came shortly before Chinese President Xi Jinping’s opening address Friday to the nation’s annual World Artifcial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai.
American-led restrictions have blocked China from accessing some of the world’s most advanced technologies, spurring China’s eforts to build its own know-how and intensifying the rivalry between the world’s two biggest economies.
“The development of artifcial intelligence should not be a solo performance by any single country but rather a symphony of global cooperation,” Xi said at the event.
Chinese AI models have shown large strides
K3 follows another major AI model release last month from the Chinese startup Zhipu, or Z.ai. Its new fagship GLM-5.2 model is already widely used by software developers around the world who say it can perform work almost as well as
of commercial marine traffc into North Bay,” Mr Williamson said.
“Given the prevailing circumstances and conditions within the area, including shifting sandbars, shallow and changing depths, strong tidal infuences and the limitations of electronic charting, it would be expected that these measures be evaluated during the planning and assessment stages of the project.
“The EIA and EMP do not appear to provide a detailed assessment of whether pilotage, escort vessels, transit restrictions or other navigational safety measures would be required for vessels operating in North Bay. In circumstances where fuel deliveries, tanker operations, supply vessels or other commercial marine trafc are contemplated, consideration of such measures would form an important component of a comprehensive marine risk assessment and could assist in reducing identifed navigational risks.”
Yet Yntegra, in its Town Hall presentation earlier this year, asserted:
“During our process we have done numerous navigability assessments with local captains, with Captain Gregory Adderley, a highly experienced maritime professional and former Royal Bahamas Defence Force ofcer with over 35 years of combined military, commercial maritime and private charter experience, Dwight Rolle, Gerard Rolle and Therevous Black.
“All of them have held certifed licenses of between 200 and 500 tons. In addition, Captain Linton Ritche, from Sol Petroleum Bahamas, a Bahamian captain and master mariner of international standards. Captain Ritche has over 30 years of experience doing fuel delivery in the Bahamas and the Exumas. Captain Ritche has confrmed he would have no issues delivering fuel and accessing our proposed service dock as presented.”
top U.S. models at a lower price.
The hype over the new Chinese model resembles the market-shaking panic that followed Chinese startup DeepSeek ‘s new model release in early 2025, though not everyone fnds it justifed. The response to K3 is an “overreaction shockingly similar” to DeepSeek’s release last year, said tech analyst Patrick Moorhead on social media. He said it could be good for parts of the broader AI industry but poses a revenue challenge to Anthropic and OpenAI.
During the conference, which runs until Monday, tech giant Huawei has also been showcasing a new AI computing system called the Atlas 950 SuperPoD, a signal that China increasingly is amassing the domestic hardware it needs despite U.S. restrictions on imports from chipmakers like Nvidia.
Moonshot hasn’t said what hardware it used to build K3, but the startup is a partner with Huawei.
The price to use K3 is the highest yet for a Chinese AI model, but is still half as expensive as OpenAI’s high-performing GPT-5.6 Sol model, according to a Friday report by Bank of America research analysts.
U.S. politicians and several major U.S. AI companies including Anthropic and OpenAI have accused Chinese AI models of illicit “distillation” of their models to extract their technologies, a claim that Beijing says is “groundless.”
Anthropic in February accused DeepSeek, Moonshot and a third China-based AI lab, MiniMax, of engaging in campaigns to “illicitly extract Claude’s capabilities to improve their own models” using the distillation technique that “involves training a less capable model on the outputs of a stronger one.”
e sell-o for AI stars worsens, while oil prices keep jumping
BY STAN CHOE AP Business Writer
THE sell-of for winners of the artifcial-intelligence boom deepened Friday and yanked stock markets lower worldwide. Oil prices, meanwhile, continued to jump because of the war with Iran.
The S&P 500 fell 1% to fnish its frst losing week in the last three and only its third since the end of March. Just a couple days earlier, it had climbed within 0.5% of its all-time high.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 406 points, or 0.8%, and the Nasdaq composite sank 1.4%.
Chip stocks and other AI darlings once again were at the center of the shaky trading. They’ve been under pressure for weeks on worries that their prices shot too high and that voracious demand for computer memory and processors may be unsustainable if AI ends up producing less proft and productivity than promised.
Nvidia was the heaviest weight on the S&P 500 after dropping 2.2%. Its recent losses forced it to briefy cede the No. 1 ranking as the most valuable company on Wall Street Friday, but it fnished the day back above Apple.
Applied Materials sank 5.6% to trim its surge for the year to 106%. Micron Technology swung between a loss of 5.8% and a gain of 3.2% before slipping 0.5%. Earlier in the morning, tech sold of worldwide. Indexes tumbled 6.5% in Taipei, 4% in Tokyo and 3% in Shanghai as stocks like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. dropped 7.3%.
South Korea’s stock market was closed for a holiday, ofering some respite, if only temporary. It’s been at the center of the AI swings because it’s dominated by two huge tech companies, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. This past week alone, Seoul’s Kospi stock index had one day where it surged 6.2% and two others where it sank 6.4% and 8.9%.
News of a powerful Chinese AI model by startup Moonshot, Kimi K3, further shook markets. Similar to when China’s DeepSeek announced its AI model in early 2025, another lowcost rival to big Western AI models like ChatGPT and OpenAI could potentially hurt demand for computer chips and other components.
European stock indexes, which have less of an emphasis on AI and tech, had milder moves.
Adding to the pressure on Wall Street were drops for several stocks following their latest earnings reports. Companies are under pressure to deliver big growth for the spring to justify the big moves upward their stock prices have already made.
Netfix sank 7.3% after its revenue for the latest quarter fell just short of analysts’ expectations, even though its proft was bigger than expected. Its forecasts for upcoming revenue and proft in the summer also fell below expectations.
e US plans to auction o sections of water around American Samoa in a push for deep-sea mining
By DÁNICA COTO Associated Press
THE U.S. government plans to auction of massive sections of water surrounding American Samoa for potential deep-sea mining in an unprecedented move that is expected to draw criticism from many countries.
The area of the water surface planned to be auctioned of covers a total of 33 million acres (about 51,560 square miles).
The proposed leasing notice was published on Friday as U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration seeks to expedite mining permits despite growing environmental concerns.
The unilateral U.S. move is also a departure from previous administrations that have respected the rules of the International Seabed Authority, a Jamaica-based U.N. body, which oversees deep international waters and has been debating mining rules for years.
More than 43 countries have called for a moratorium or ban on deep sea mining, which scientists have warned could unleash noise, light and sufocating dust storms and afect fragile marine life.
But the U.S. and others are eager to mine the seafoor for copper, iron, zinc and other minerals that are in demand for technology, military use and electric vehicles.
“Critical minerals have become a strategic asset in global competition, and China’s dominance in the supply of many of these materials creates unacceptable risks for America’s energy, defense and manufacturing sectors,” Matt Giacona, acting director of the U.S. Marine Minerals Administration, said in a statement Thursday.
In a statement to The Associated Press, the International Seabed Authority said it cannot comment as it has no jurisdiction over the area, which falls within the U.S. exclusive economic zone — meaning the U.S. has the sovereign authority to exploit and manage the waters and the seabed there.
Environmentalists decry the move
Seumalu Elora Raymond, a spokesperson for Fa’asao Amerika Samoa, a community group, said in a statement that the U.S. government’s fast-tracking of the lease sale is “ignoring
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The public is hereby advised that I, ASHLEY HOLZMAN O'BRIEN of 1645 Hebron Lane, Riverdale, GA 30296, intend to change my name to ASHLEY O’BRIEN. If there are any objections to the change of name by deed poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport O fcer, P. O. Box N-742, Nassau, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of the publication of this notice.
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NOTICE is hereby given that I JUSTIN ANTHONY DEROSIN of Lyon 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 20th day of July, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
Intuitive Surgical, a maker of robotic surgical systems, dropped 14.1% despite topping expectations for the latest quarter. Analysts pointed to worries about slowing procedure growth because of the expiration of enhanced tax credits that helped lower the cost of health insurance for many Afordable Care Act enrollees.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX fell 5.4% and touched its lowest level since its stock began trading on the Nasdaq just over a month ago. The owner of the xAI business has been swept up in the swings for AI stocks, and it also had to abort a test fight of its mega Starship rocket Thursday within a second or so from blasting of.
All told, the S&P 500 fell 76.08 points to 7,457.69.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 406.55 to
52,146.42, and the Nasdaq composite sank 361.70 to 25,520.24.
More climbs for oil prices also pressured the stock market.
The price for a barrel of Brent crude, the international standard, jumped 4.6% to settle at $88.10, up from roughly $76 a week ago. The United States expanded its airstrike campaign against Iran early Friday by hitting more bridges and collapsing a tower at a key Iranian port. That raised further worries about whether oil tankers will be able to use the Strait of Hormuz to carry crude from the Persian Gulf to customers worldwide.
High oil prices have sent Treasury yields upward in the bond market, which threaten to slow the economy and undercut prices for stocks and all kinds of
other investments. Higher yields have already sent the average 30-year mortgage rate to its highest level in nearly a year.
But longer-term Treasury yields eased Friday. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.55% from 4.57% late Thursday.
A report suggested sentiment among U.S. consumers is improving more than economists expected, while expectations for upcoming infation eased. That’s important for the Federal Reserve, which is considering hikes to interest rates to keep a lid on infation.
If expectations for infation remain anchored, it could prevent a vicious cycle where people make moves in anticipation of higher infation, which only worsen it.
the voices of the very people whose waters, traditions, and livelihoods are on the line.”
“We will not stand by while an untested industry threatens to destroy American Samoa’s environment and cultural heritage for corporate proft,” she said.
The government of American Samoa, which has banned deep-sea mining in local waters, did not immediately return a message seeking comment.
Earthjustice, a nonproft legal organization, accused the U.S. of bulldozing American Samoan outcry against deep-sea mining.
“The Trump administration continues to bow to this untested, extractive industry and seeks to make American Samoa one of the frst test sites,” said Earthjustice attorney J.V. Langkilde.
The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management said in a July environmental assessment report that the area proposed for lease sales has water depths ranging from 4,600 to 20,000 feet (1,400
to 6,000 meters). The area is located 57 miles (92 kilometers) from the Rose Atoll National Wildlife Refuge.
The bureau envisions issuing up to two commercial leases of nearly 17 million acres (67, 000 square kilometers) each, solely for preliminary activities. These would include geophysical surveys, biological sampling and oceanographic measurements.
“Ofering large lease areas provides fexibility for environmental and technical exclusions,” the bureau said in its report.
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NOTICE is hereby given that I MANIE - LOVE CHARLES of #34 Shamrock, Carmichael 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 20th day of July, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
that
It alternatively proposed issuing fve leases covering nearly 7 million acres (26,800 square kilometers) each. The bureau noted that any future mining would require a submission and its approval of a plan subject to an environmental review.
The US pushes for deep-sea mining
The report of the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management stated that “some uncertainty remains regarding the potential for indirect or
accidental impacts, particularly in deepwater and pelagic zones” near Rose Atoll and several national marine sanctuaries.
It asserted that there are no expected impacts to nearshore environments and no substantial adverse impacts to ofshore habitats. The bureau, however, acknowledged data gaps, especially in the area’s deeper waters, “where biodiversity, ecological function, and baseline conditions remain poorly characterized.”
The bureau stated in its report that because the U.S. has not ratifed the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration regulates U.S. exploration and commercial recovery of minerals. NOAA announced in January that companies could apply for an exploration license and commercial operations at the same time, scrapping what used to be a two-step process. In April, Trump signed an executive order directing NOAA to expedite the permitting process for seafoor mining. Meanwhile, the International Seabed Authority has authorized exploration licenses for 22 contractors, but it has not allowed any commercial mining.
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that I, MAXON DORLIS of Cowpen Road, New Providence, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 20th day of July, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.
TRADERS work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange in New York. Photo:Seth Wenig/AP
THIS photo provided by the U.S. Geological Survey shows polymetallic nodules in a sample from the seafloor that was collected on April 14, 2026, in U.S. waters off American Samoa. Photo:USGS/AP
China’s Xi calls for more global e orts to guide AI, chides US for its curbs on tech sharing
BY HAN GUAN NG and CHAN HO-HIM Associated Press
DEVELOPMENT and governance of artifcial intelligence should be a global efort, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Friday, while reiterating China’s objections to what he called the “overstretching” of national security concerns.
Speaking at a conference in Shanghai, Xi said AI should not be dominated by any single nation. American-led restrictions have blocked China from accessing some of the world’s most advanced technologies, spurring China’s eforts to build its own know-how and intensifying the rivalry between the world’s two biggest economies.
“The development of artifcial intelligence should not be a solo performance by any single country but rather a symphony of global cooperation,” Xi said at the opening of China’s annual World Artifcial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai. Others attending included the leaders of Kazakhstan, Cambodia and Thailand and U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres.
Xi opposes the ‘overstretching’ of national security in AI
“We should together oppose the practice of overstretching the concept of national security in the feld of artifcial intelligence, and of placing one’s own security above that of other countries,” he said, repeating a longstanding Chinese complaint.
China will expand AI cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the League of Arab States, the African Union, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the BRICS countries, Xi said. He promised to provide access for 30 countries to a Chinese-developed AI meteorological tool that provides early warning systems.
Over the next fve years, Xi said China will provide 5,000 AI training opportunities to developing countries.
Closer partnerships can help prevent “historical injustice in AI,” he said. China’s new AI cooperation body seen as response to the U.S. Ahead of the conference, 29 countries including Pakistan, Russia and Kazakhstan signed an agreement with China to establish a World Artifcial
Far above the Earth, NASA’s Apollo lunar lander put astronauts on the moon
By MARCIA DUNN
AP Aerospace Writer
AMERICA’S most daring, extraordinary feat — landing astronauts on the moon — remains the pinnacle of achievement by anyone anywhere. Ever.
And the lunar lander — a groundbreaking piece of America — is up there still, far away.
NASA put 12 men on the lunar surface more than half a century ago, beginning with Apollo 11’s Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. The two became the frst humans to explore another world when their lander, bearing the patriotic name Eagle, settled onto the Sea of Tranquility on July 20, 1969. “The Eagle has landed,” Armstrong radioed as a spellbound Earth erupted in cheers and tears.
Just 6½ hours later came the most momentous and memorable line of all. Armstrong descended the ladder and stepped onto the gray, gritty dust: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
At 23 feet (7 meters), the Apollo lunar module stood a little taller than a girafe and looked just as ungainly. It had two sections: a lower descent stage with four legs and an upper stage that housed the crew. The descent stage got the moonwalkers to the lunar surface and remained behind as the men blasted back into lunar orbit.
All six descent stages will be there for perpetuity, clumped around the equator on the moon’s near side.
NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and other countries’ satellites around the moon have photographed them. Resembling whitish splotches from orbit, the descent stages pinpoint the touchdown sites not only of Eagle but Intrepid, Antares, Falcon, Orion and Challenger. Its moon landing nixed, Apollo 13’s lunar module Aquarius was turned into a lifeboat that got its crew of three safely home. The ascent stages are scattered all over the moon — smashed to bits, no longer needed
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Chen, who was at the conference in Shanghai, also said Xi’s speech can be seen as a signal that China can be a reliable partner to the developing world, or “Global South” countries. “China will not let America be the monopoly of AI technology.”
China’s advanced tech showcased as it steps up self-reliance
More than 1,100 companies and 1,400 guests are participating in the annual AI conference this year, Chinese state media said.
Intelligence Cooperation Organization. State media described it as an intergovernmental organization headquartered in Shanghai promoting global AI governance.
The new AI cooperation organization can be viewed as China’s answer to the U.S.-led Pax Silica initiative, said George Chen, partner and chair of digital practice at Washington-headquartered consultancy The Asia Group.
The Pax Silica framework, launched late last year, focuses on strengthening collaboration with U.S. allies and partners on AI-related supply chains. Signatories include Japan, the U.K., Australia, the Philippines, Israel and India.
Following a visit by U.S. President Donald Trump’s to Beijing to meet with Xi in mid-May, China and the United States also agreed to conduct a dialogue on AI development and governance.
During the conference that runs until Monday, tech giant Huawei is showcasing its powerful AI computing system, the Atlas 950 SuperPoD.
Some technology analysts now believe China has become an innovator in AI and is no longer just catching up with the U.S. China’s fve-year plan until 2030 has prioritized progress in frontiers of science and technology including AI.
China’s open-source AI models, like DeepSeek, are seen, especially across the developing world, as appealing and often more afordable than U.S. AI models, which are largely closed-source.
Coinciding with the conference, the Chinese AI startup Moonshot released its latest AI model, Kimi K3. It said Kimi K3’s 2.8 trillion parameters — one of the measurements of an AI model’s capability — will make it the world’s largest open-source model. DeepSeek’s V4 Pro version has 1.6 trillion parameters.
once the moonwalkers were back inside the command module. Some speculate, however, that Apollo 11’s ascent stage might still be orbiting.
For NASA’s new Artemis program, private businesses are handling lunar lander details and operations.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Jef Bezos’ Blue Origin are scrambling to get their landers ready for a docking test in low-Earth orbit with a NASA crew capsule next year. If Artemis III’s docking rehearsal goes well, NASA could launch its frst moon landing with astronauts since Apollo as early
as 2028. SpaceX’s Starship is so tall that moonwalkers will need a 10-foor elevator to descend to the lunar surface. The Apollo astronauts used a nine-rung ladder. On that long-ago day, President Richard Nixon said in a phone call to Armstrong and Aldrin as the pair stood alongside the U.S. fag they had just planted 240,000 miles (385,000 kilometers) from home. Said Nixon: “For one priceless moment in the whole history of man, all the people on this Earth are truly one.”
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By KANIS LEUNG Associated Press
AN independent committee investigating the cause of Hong Kong’s deadliest fre in decades heard arguments on how improper practices that evaded regulatory oversight turned a small fre into a tragedy as the investigation neared its conclusion Friday. The November blaze spread through seven buildings of an apartment complex, killing 168 people and displacing thousands of residents at Wang Fuk Court in the suburban Tai Po district. Many of the residents now live in temporary housing.
Committee lead lawyer Victor Dawes said the use of non-fre-retardant scafolding netting was very likely a key reason for the fre’s rapid spread at the complex, which was undergoing a major renovation project when the blaze started.
Having wooden planks boarding up staircase windows caused plumes of smoke in residents’ escape routes, he said.
He said Will Power Architects Company, a consultancy, and Prestige Construction & Engineering Co., the main contractor on the project, cut corners in the work and the materials, in addition to deceiving regulators and homeowners, he said. Various substandard and improper practices were involved, including faked compliance inspections. Certain professionals responsible for inspections signed documents like a “rubber stamp,” he said.
Dawes also criticized the government’s reliance on an honor system in overseeing the project, saying relevant departments should bear part of the responsibility.
“When faced with dishonest bad actors, the entire system collapsed,” he said.
Some residents unhappy with what they heard
Several residents wept during and after the hearing for closing statements, which concluded Friday. Yip Ka-kui, who lost his wife in the fre, was one of them.
Yip said he was emotional because Dawes’ statements showed he tried his best to seek answers for them, even though the fnal results might not be what they had expected. But he said the arguments from the government’s lawyer a day earlier showed the government departments had not learned a lesson.
“Even in the face of such a massive disaster, they cannot bring themselves
to take bold and decisive action to completely root out these long-standing bad practices,” he said.
Lee Kwok-hung, whose mother and her two domestic helpers died, took issue with the government’s comments that others deceived it, questioning why so many had fallen into the lies.
“What kind of salary are they earning? And they were hired just to be deceived by people?” he said.
On Thursday, Lawyer Jenkin Suen, representing the government, acknowledged some systemic vulnerabilities but said it would be unfair to say government departments were the instigators of the fre. Some professionals and contractors abused a mechanism that aimed to protect the public and betrayed the trust placed in them, he said.
Jefrey Tam, a lawyer for nine residents of the Wang Fuk Court, noted some residents decided to give evidence despite being distressed by the tragedy.
“We heard some witnesses appear that they just wanted to to be shirking responsibility,” he said Thursday. “So sometimes I also understand why they could not hold back their anger.”
He added defecting responsibility like this would not help the city fnd out the truth.
Bid-rigging is common
Beyond the fre’s cause, the committee was examining whether systemic problems and bid-rigging corruption were involved in large-scale maintenance works.
Dawes on Friday said bid-rigging was common in the city and the situation at Wang Fuk Court was not an isolated case.
Last month, Hong Kong authorities charged seven people, alongside Will Power and Prestige, with ofenses including manslaughter and conspiracy to defraud over the fre.
Authorities alleged that the two companies and some defendants conspired together to defraud the apartment owners by concealing previous litigation records of Prestige and infating the score given to the frm in a tender analysis report. That eventually led to Prestige being awarded the renovation project, a contract worth more than 300 million Hong Kong dollars (over $38 million), they said.
IN this image released by NASA, Astronaut Edwin E. Aldrin Jr., a lunar module pilot, stands on the lunar surface after the Apollo 11 moon landing on July 20, 1969. The Lunar Module is seen in the background. Photo:NASA/AP
CHINESE President Xi Jinping waves as he arrives at the opening ceremony for the World AI Conference in Shanghai, Friday, July 17, 2026.
Photo:Ng Han Guan/AP
US strikes Iran over troop deaths as Israel warns Tehran’s attacks are coming close
BY JON GAMBRELL and SAM METZ Associated Press
THE United States launched more airstrikes at Iran on Sunday in response to the killing of U.S. troops, and Iran fred missiles toward Jordan that risked widening the confict into neighboring Israel.
Step by step, the U.S, and Iran have returned closer to all-out war as last month’s interim deal meant to permanently end the fghting has crumbled and shipping trafc in the Strait of Hormuz has largely stalled. Both sides have targeted civilian infrastructure relied on by millions of people.
The U.S. military said the latest strikes targeted Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard to retaliate for Friday’s killing of troops in Jordan. The campaign, now in its second week, has seen the U.S. target bridges, water desalination plants and electrical facilities in Iran. Tehran has hit U.S.-allied countries throughout the Middle East.
Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain again activated air defenses for incoming Iranian drones and missiles.
Israel warned that missiles launched toward neighboring Jordan could cause fre to spill over into Israeli territory for the frst time in weeks.
Iran says a nuclear site under construction was hit
The U.S. military’s Central Command said it hit “Iranian military coastal surveillance and air defense facilities, maritime capabilities and missile and drone storage sites.” It said the attack was designed to degrade Iran’s ability to control the strait and “swiftly punish Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces,” a power base in Iran’s theocracy that controls its ballistic missile arsenal.
Footage released by the U.S. military appeared to show strikes carried out by fghter jets and by Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from the sea. One target site appeared to be in a valley of a mountainous region. The Guard often has missile bases and other military equipment tucked into mountain ranges.
Iran’s atomic energy agency said U.S. strikes targeted the construction site
of a planned nuclear power plant in the southwest, state television reported.
Satellite images from Planet Labs PBC of the Darkhovin nuclear plant site showed earth clearing but little construction as of July 9. Iran did not previously announce it as being targeted.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said the site, in the “very early stages of construction,” contained no
US oil rms sign deals with Iraq to develop alternative
BY CHRISTOPHER RUGABER and QASSIM
ABDUL-ZAHRA Associated Press
U.S. companies signed roughly $60 billion in agreements and partnerships with the Iraqi government Friday, including deals intended to create alternative routes for shipping oil out of the Persian Gulf.
The deals, signed at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, also involved other industries, including healthcare, communications and infrastructure.
It’s not clear when the oil deals will be able to create viable alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a ffth of the world’s oil fows.
Goldman Sachs estimates that pipelines in just one country take at least two and a half years to build, and these pipelines would travel through two or more nations.
Iran has sought to close the Strait repeatedly since the U.S.-Iran war began Feb. 28, causing sharp gyrations in oil and gas prices.
On Friday afternoon, the price of West Texas crude rose nearly 5% to $88 a barrel, up from about $67 before the war began. It had topped $110 in early April before falling back after a truce was reached. It has since risen on renewed confict between U.S. and Iran.
Thomas Barrack, U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, said the oil pipeline agreements would lead to a program “that will make the Strait of Hormuz an afterthought.”
The signings followed a meeting between Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falah al-Zaidi Thursday with executives of Chevron in Houston, at which al-Zaidi
shipping routes
urged the U.S. energy company to expand and accelerate its investments in Iraq.
In a speech Friday, al-Zaidi said Iraq’s economy is seeking longterm investment and partnerships, not merely contractors to carry out projects.
Al-Zaidi stressed his government’s commitment to communication, dialogue and cooperation with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, describing it as “the place where economic decisions are made.”
On Friday, Chevron signed three agreements with the Iraqi government. Jake Spiering, Chevron’s president of corporate business development, said two would focus on boosting oil production, while a third would involve “investing in a pipeline that’s going to create another export route out of Iraq to world markets. This is very important for energy security.”
Also Friday, the State Department welcomed an agreement between Iraq and Syria “to advance the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Iraq-Syria crude oil pipeline as a priority infrastructure project.”
“The United States welcomes the engagement of a U.S.-led international consortium to execute the technical and fnancial aspects of this project,” the department said.
The pipeline will connect southern Iraq’s Basra to western Iraq’s Haditha and go from there to the Ceyhan port in Turkey and the port of Baniyas on Syria’s coast, Iraqi ofcials have said. The pipeline is projected to carry about 2 million barrels of oil per day.
In a note released earlier this week, analysts at Goldman Sachs estimated that seven diferent pipelines in the region under development could, by the end of 2028, carry about 60% of the oil currently shipped through the Strait.
The pipelines could carry roughly 14 million barrels
nuclear material when the U.N. watchdog last visited.
Jordan and nearly every Gulf Arab state have been targeted
Jordan’s military said it shot down several Iranian missiles. The country hosts major U.S. bases and relies on U.S. air-defense systems. The missiles did not cause casualties or damage,
per day by then, Goldman estimated. Roughly 23 million barrels per day were shipped through Hormuz before the Iran war.
After the U.S. and Israel launched their war on Iran Feb. 28, oil-rich Iraq — which is home to both Iran-backed militias and U.S. bases — found itself in the crosshairs. Syria, meanwhile, has been one of the few regional countries that has managed to stay on the sidelines of the confict.
according to Jordan’s military.
Israel’s military said Iranian missiles launched toward the Jordanian port city of Aqaba just across the border could spill over, warning Israelis to expect the frst air-raid sirens in weeks.
Eilat, the Israeli city that neighbors Aqaba, cited security ofcials as saying two interceptors were launched from its outskirts to prevent the fall of debris.
During the latest fghting, Iran has focused attacks on U.S.-allied Arab states rather than Israel, which launched the war with the U.S. on Feb. 28. Kuwait said one of its power and water desalination plants was attacked for the second time in two days, causing fres. Its Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy said the power grid remains stable. In Kuwait, about 90% of drinking water comes from desalination.
The secretary-general of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, Jasem Mohamed al-Budaiwi, has accused Iran of war crimes for strikes on infrastructure and civilian facilities.
Damascus has promoted Syria — still grappling with the aftermath of its own 14-year civil war — as a bastion of stability and has ofered it as an alternative transit route for energy shipments. With the war dramatically reducing oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz, some oil shipments have instead been trucked from Iraq into Syria and shipped to European markets via Syria’s Baniyas
International humanitarian law generally protects civilian infrastructure such as bridges and power plants from attack, but such sites can lose protections if used for military purposes. In such cases, attacks must be proportionate and minimize civilian harm.
The Strait of Hormuz remains key to the confict
U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to target Iran’s power stations and bridges to try to compel Tehran to loosen its hold on the Strait of Hormuz, which saw one-ffth of global oil supplies transit before the war. Recent attacks suggest the U.S. military is carrying out that plan.
The U.S. in the past week reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports to halt its shipments of crude oil. The military on Saturday said it had redirected fve ships and disabled one since then.
A maritime organization overseen by the U.S. Navy said Sunday that the threat to mariners is severe after previous Iranian attacks, “with deliberate hostile action considered highly likely.”
port, bypassing the Hormuz route. A key border crossing between northern Iraq and Syria reopened in April after being closed for more than a decade, with ofcials touting it as an additional route for energy exports. The overland route is less efcient and more expensive than shipping exports through the strait. The pipeline project envisioned would allow for exporting a larger volume of oil from Iraq to Syria and Turkey.
AN OVERTURNED car sits on a section of a destroyed bridge after a strike in Hormozgan province, southern Iran, Saturday, July 18, 2026.
Photo:Mahdi Negahban/AP
CRYPTOQUOTE
One letter stands for another. In this example, A is used for the three L’s, X for the 2 O’s, etc. Single letters, apostrophes, the length and formation of words are all hints. Each day the code letters are different.
