BY NEIL HARTNELL TRIBUNE Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
THE Bahamian entrepreneur battling to restore Paradise Island’s lighthouse yesterday asserted he has “fought the right fght” as his claim to have a valid, legally binding Crown Land lease hit the judicial system’s highest court.
Toby Smith told Tribune Business he has also “fought a clean fght” without fnancial support or other assistance from deep-pocketed supporters during the 14-year bid by himself and his Paradise Island Lighthouse and Beach Club company to lease fve acres on the island’s western end for development into a beach break-type destination.
Speaking after attorneys representing himself and the Government yesterday battled before the Lon don-based Privy Council, the highest court in the Bahamian judicial system, over whether there “was a binding agreement” based on a January 7, 2020, letter issued by the Department of Lands and Surveys’ acting director, he voiced
Privy Council hears Toby Smith’s Crown Land lease challenge Bahamian ‘con dent’ of success on ‘very compelling argument’ Accuses Gov’t of ‘keeping foot on necks’ of local entrepreneurs
optimism that a “very compelling argument” has been made to overturn previous Supreme Court and Court of Appeal verdicts. Both lower courts, albeit with a split two:one majority in the Court of Appeal, ruled in the Government’s
lease” that is enforceable and binding on both parties. And he suggested his eforts will “pave the way”, and encourage, other Bahamian entrepreneurs to stand up for their legal rights when pursuing their own ambitions and ven-
“keeping its foot on Bahamians’ necks” and forcing them to “stand aside” as foreigners receive “red carpet treatment”.
“I’m happy that, after more than 14 years of waiting, we have fnally managed to have our day in court,” said Mr Smith, who was present in London for yesterday’s hearing. “I am pleased with how our legal team worked up to this day and presented in court a very compelling argument.”
Describing the hearing as “a huge day, one of the biggest of my life”, he added: “I appreciate all the support I have received from around the world, and we are confdent that - within the next two to fve months - we will receive a ruling in our favour.”
TOBY SMITH
Should that occur, and the lease for both Paradise Island Crown Land parcels - one for three acres, the other two - be deemed valid, binding and enforceable, it would set up a potential scenario where Mr Smith and Paradise Island Lighthouse and Beach Club will become the immediate western neighbours for Royal
APPEAL - See Page B4
Contractor president challenges whether Health and Safety Act su ciently ‘robust’
BY NEIL HARTNELL TRIBUNE Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
THE Bahamian Contractors Association’s (BCA) president yesterday challenged whether the Health and Safety at Work Act is sufciently “robust” and can be properly enforced after inspectors identifed “serious safety violations that presented an imminent danger” at four New Providence construction sites.
Leonard Sands told Tribune Business that he has major questions over whether, in its current form, the Act can be used as an enforcement tool to crackdown on workplace practices because it does not “defne what is safe and unsafe” for workers in any industry - including construction. Suggesting that this exposes enforcement actions by the Department of Labour’s Occupational Safety and Health Unit
Carnival 20% of tours failing to make grade
BY ANNELIA NIXON
TRIBUNE Business Reporter
SOME Grand Bahama tour operators have lost business from Carnival Cruise Line after it removed roughly one-ffth of its shore excursion oferings at Celebration Cay following guest feedback, the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce’s president said yesterday.
Ralph Hepburn told Tribune Business the move underscores the need for Bahamian businesses to continuously improve their products to remain competitive. With the Celebration Cay destination now open for one year, Mr Hepburn reported visitor participation in of-site excursions as trending upwards but Carnival’s annual review process has also exposed weaknesses among some operators.
“In terms of when they initially started to where we are now, we would see more persons coming from Celebration Cay to
(OSHA) to potential legal action, he added that there no industry-specifc health and safety requirements - for construction or any other sector - are laid out in the Act. As a result, Mr Sands voiced fears that fndings of safety violations, and subsequent enforced workplace closures, could be based on “subjectivity” or opinion rather than grounded in law.
‘Serious safety violations’ at four New Providence construction sites Inspectors halt ‘unsafe’ activities that presented ‘imminent danger’ Drone technology to aid inspections; 30 inspectors year-end target
Taxi/livery driver dispute ‘top of agenda’ for trade union body
BY NEIL HARTNELL TRIBUNE Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
TRADE union leaders will meet today to determine how best to “intervene” in and resolve the dispute between taxi and livery drivers amid fears the situation will otherwise “take on a life of its own” and “seriously damage” the tourism industry.
Obie Ferguson KC, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) president, told Tribune Business that all the umbrella body’s afliate unions will discuss how best to assist the Bahamas Taxi Cab Union (BTCU) and its members in resolving their diferences with the Bahamas Livery Drivers Union (BLDU) over access to guests at the major hotels and Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA).
‘Complete
BY NEIL HARTNELL TRIBUNE Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
ATTORNEYS representing the Bahamian entrepreneur seeking to restore Paradise Island’s lighthouse yesterday argued it was “a complete nonsense” for the Government to assert that lease documents it dispatched for signing were part of continuing negotiations.
Damian Falkowski, the UK-based counsel representing Toby Smith and Paradise Island Lighthouse and Beach Club in their bid to persuade the Privy Council they had a valid, legally-binding and enforceable fve-acre Crown Land lease, challenged why Richard Hardy, then-acting director of Lands and Surveys, would send his client a lease with instructions on how to execute it if negotiations remained ongoing. He also pointed to evidence given by Candia Ferguson, former director of the Bahamas Investment Authority (BIA), at the earlier Supreme Court trial when she said she was unable to think of any remaining issues to be decided over the lease for two parcels on Paradise Island’s western end - one
for three acres, the other for two.
“The case the defendant can run is this part of ongoing negotiations,” Mr Falkowski said. “In my submissions, this is a nonsense. She [Ms Ferguson] could not think of anything to be agreed. Everything that had to be agreed was done, and the letter contains the answer.”
The dispute centres on a 21-year lease that the then-Minnis administration allegedly granted Mr Smith for two Crown Land parcels in the Colonial Beach area. The Bahamas Investment Authority (BIA), via a May 23, 2018, letter informed him that his $2m beach club project had been approved, although rather than the 17 acres initially sought, the Crown Land lease was to cover just fve.
Then, on January 7, 2020, Richard Hardy, acting director of the Department of Lands and Surveys, sent Mr Smith and his company a letter headlined “approval for Crown Land lease”. This covered a two and three-acre parcel, respectively, with the frst adjacent to the lighthouse at Paradise Island’s western end and the other for the ‘beach break’ destination.
HEARING - See Page B5
The dispute, which centres on competing rival claims that each side is encroaching on the other’s turf by soliciting passengers when not permitted to do so, resulted in a taxi driver protest that temporarily blocked access to LPIA’s international departures terminal one day before the Independence Day holiday - a major travel period.
Mr Ferguson told this newspaper that resolving the argument rocking the Bahamian public
OBIE FERGUSON KC
New Providence housing in ‘super seller’s market’
BY FAY SIMMONS TRIBUNE Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net
A BAHAMIAN realtor yesterday said New Providence's housing inventory has entered a "super seller's market" with buyers bidding above asking prices within hours of properties being listed as limited supply continues to fuel intense competition for homes.
Matt Sweeting, RE/ MAX Bahamas presiden, told Tribune Business he recently listed a multi-family property in a western gated community that attracted multiple ofers within 23 hours of being placed on the market,
with prospective buyers even attempting to identify the owner privately in hopes of submitting ofers above the asking price. "We're in what I would call a super seller's market. It's even tighter than it was before," he said. "We listed the property at market value at 10am, and by 8pm the next morning we had multiple ofers. People were carrying out their own investigations to identify the owner so they could submit ofers above the asking price."
Mr Sweeting said the bidding war refects an acute shortage of available homes across New Providence, particularly in gated and relatively safe communities.
Realtor gains broker licence from BREA
AN Engel & Völkers
Bahamas realtor has been licensed as a broker by the Bahamas Real Estate Association (BREA).
The real estate frm, in a statement, said Claire Thackray earned the designation by completing four rigorous, specialised education programmes: The
Certifed International Property Specialist (CIPS) credential; the Council of Residential Brokers & Managers (CRB); the Council of Residential Specialists (CRS); and the Bahamas Realtors Institute Designated Course (BRI). "Real estate runs in my blood," said Ms Thackray,
BCA chief: Law fails to ‘de ne what are safe and unsafe acts’
PROTECT - from page B1
With the timing of OSHA’s crackdown suggesting it has been sparked, at least partially, by a recent series of industrial accidents and fatalities, the BCA president told this newspaper that based on information received since the weekend its actions could be “discriminatory” as it appears construction sites are being targeted.
He argued that, instead of a rush to enforcement, the Government and Department of Labour instead frst need to revise and “purpose
more robust legislation” as the present Health and Safety at Work Act “does not do anything to improve safety in the workplace”.
Mr Sands spoke after the Department of Labour, in a statement last night, said inspectors had “immediately halted unsafe work activities” at four separate western New Providence construction sites following recent inspections. It also revealed that it is poised to use drone technology to aid inspections of “high-risk construction activities”. It confrmed that the enforcement and
"That's how difcult it is to fnd properties in New Providence right now," Mr Sweeting said. "We're seeing tremendous demand across every segment of the market, whether it's single family homes, multi-family properties vacant land or condominiums."
The supply shortage, Mr Sweeting said, is creating challenges that extend well beyond fnding a property. With homes frequently selling at or above their appraised values, he warned buyers are increasingly entering "negative equity" territory, where they pay more than a property's market value and must wait for appreciation before building equity.
whose grandfather Freeman Smith served as president of the Bahamas Real Estate Association (BREA) from 1976 to 1977. "My grandfather, Freeman Smith, founded Tropical Realty and was a real estate broker and developer in The Bahamas from the 1950s. I like to think he'd be proud to know I followed in his footsteps."
The BREA broker's licence recognises advanced competency across residential sales, property management principles and
compliance push has been motivated by recent workplace accidents and fatalities, with the safety violations including the absence of safety signs; missing fre extinguishers and frst aid kits; and the absence of personal protective equipment (PPE) for workers operating heavy machinery.
Sharan Moss, senior safety ofcer/supervisor for the Department of Labour’s Occupational Safety and Health Unit, said in a statement to this newspaper: “The Department of Labour extends its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives, or have been afected, by the recent
"If you're buying a property above its market value, you're entering negative equity territory," he said. "You have to wait for the property to appreciate before it reaches its market value."
Mr Sweeting said that, even after securing a property, many buyers are delaying construction because of escalating building costs.
"Construction costs are the highest they've ever been," said Mr Sweeting. "Some buyers may have to sit on a lot for one or two years, allow some equity to build and then revisit construction."
He added that obtaining fnancing has also become more difcult,
industrial accidents across The Bahamas.
“These tragic incidents underscore the critical importance of maintaining the highest standards of occupational safety and health. Every workplace injury or fatality is one too many, and the Department remains steadfast in its commitment to preventing future workplace accidents through education, compliance and enforcement.”
She added: “As part of its ongoing enforcement of the Health and Safety at Work Act, the Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Unit continues to conduct routine and unannounced inspections of construction sites throughout the country to ensure compliance with national safety standards and to eliminate workplace hazards before they result in injury or loss of life.
“During recent inspections of four construction sites in western New Providence, inspectors identifed several serious safety violations that presented an imminent danger to workers. These included the absence of required safety signage at site entrances; missing fre extinguishers and frst aid kits; the lack of visible eyewash stations where required; uncapped exposed reinforcing steel; improperly secured scaffolding; workers operating machinery without the required personal protective equipment (PPE); and employees working at heights without approved fall protection or safety harnesses.
“In accordance with the Department’s enforcement responsibilities, inspectors immediately halted unsafe work activities involving non-compliant employees. Workers who were not wearing the required PPE were removed from the sites until they obtained the appropriate protective equipment, and employers were instructed to ensure that no worker is permitted to enter a construction site without the required PPE.
“Employers were also reminded that it is their responsibility to verify each morning that all workers are properly equipped before work begins. Follow-up inspections will be conducted to ensure that all identifed defciencies have been corrected.”
Mr Sands, meanwhile, said it was vital that the inspections comply with the Act’s legal requirement to issue “improvement notices” to guilty employers so they have the chance to eliminate any health and safety breaches before being shut down. And he also questioned whether the Health and Safety Advisory
with mortgage approvals and closings taking signifcantly longer than in previous years. "We're seeing extraordinarily long delays in mortgage approvals and closings across almost every lending institution," he said.
Mr Sweeting also pointed to ongoing concerns surrounding contractor accountability, noting proposed contractor licensing legislation could help provide greater confdence for consumers, even if it cannot eliminate every dispute.
international real estate practice. Ms Thackray holds the CIPS credential, which is awarded to practitioners who complete a demanding curriculum of core and regional coursework designed specifcally for real estate professionals working across borders. This brings particular expertise to clients navigating transactions between The Bahamas and international markets.
Colin Lightbourn, Engel & Völkers Bahamas managing partner, said: “The
Council, which the Act calls for, has been formed.
Suggesting the Act, in its current form, provides an inadequate legal basis for OSHA’s regulatory enforcement, the BCA president said: “The Act doesn’t defne what is unsafe. It doesn’t even defne what is safe. It doesn’t defne what is safe or unsafe. It simply says that the employer must maintain a safe workplace.
“Any determination of what is safe is subjective. Based on the subjectivity, you cannot make a factbased decision to shut something down. It’s subjective; it’s opinion based. This is very serious. I heard it on Saturday, and I heard it again today.” Mr Sands said there has also been precious little education for the construction industry, with many contractors and workers not realising that it applies to them and how it does so.
“The tens of thousands of people operating in the construction industry have no idea the Act concerns them,” Mr Sands said. “It was never addressed to them, they never talked about it. It happened in the middle of the night.” However, Ms Moss, in her statement yesterday, said OSHA had recently partnered with the BCA and Mr Sands over a fall protection course from Bahama Safety Solutions.
Still, the BCA president asserted of the Act: “It’s full of holes. It cannot stand. I would caution them. The contractor will probably get a lawyer that pulls the case apart because it does not defne how someone can be held liable.
“There should be a discussion on how they think this Act regulates behaviour in construction. It does not set out how the Act relates to construction… It does not defne construction sites. I would argue they are simply targeting construction sites and it seems discriminatory to me. I’ve read the Act; it’s a short read, and it does not set out anything specifc to demonstrate what is safe and unsafe.
“It does not defne unsafe activities; what are unsafe practices. It goes over the general obligations of employers to employees and is not specifc to any industry. They need to look at this again; it’s not binding on anyone,” Mr Sands said.
“I believe this is a response to the fact there’s been fve deaths in two months. The frst response has to take this legislation, revise this legislation, purpose more robust legislation. This legislation in its current form does not do anything to improve safety in the workplace.” Ms Moss, meanwhile, warned: “The Department
"Licensing is not a guarantee, but it would require contractors to meet professional standards and complete continuing education, which gives some indication of their professionalism and ethics," he said.
Given the range of issues afecting the housing market, Mr Sweeting said a co-ordinated response is needed from both the public and private sectors.
"There may need to be a meeting of all the stakeholders - realtors, attorneys, bankers and policymakers - to see what can be done to ease the stresses of the housing market," he said.
Mr Sweeting also argued that the current market signals a need for additional residential development to meet demand. "It's calling for developers, it's calling for policymakers and it's calling for everyone involved in housing and development to do more development because there's tremendous demand,” he added.
diference between an agent and a broker is that a broker has the experience, training and skill-set to anticipate problems and manage them before they become issues in a transaction. Claire has consistently proven that she is fully capable of handling her transactions and relationships without issue.”
Ms Thackray is based in Nassau and works with clients across residential sales, lifestyle property and international transactions.
reminds all employers that, under the Health and Safety at Work Act, they have a legal duty to provide and maintain a safe and healthy working environment. Employees also have a responsibility to comply with established safety procedures and wear the appropriate PPE to protect themselves and their fellow workers. Preventing workplace accidents is a shared responsibility.
“Beyond enforcement, the Department remains committed to education and prevention. The Occupational Safety and Health Unit has facilitated several training programmes, including OSHA 10-hour and OSHA 30-hour construction safety courses, as well as construction site safety and inspection training.”
She added: “The Department is also embracing modern technology to enhance workplace safety investigations. In collaboration with ACP Warren Johnson (retired), a former ofcer of the Royal Bahamas Police Force and drone specialist, the Occupational Safety and Health Unit has begun incorporating drone technology into its inspection and investigative processes.
“During recent feld operations, drone demonstrations were conducted to support the safe assessment of high-risk construction activities and improve the efectiveness of enforcement eforts. The Department also welcomes the Government of The Bahamas’ ratifcation of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 155 on occupational safety and health. This signifcant milestone refects the country’s commitment to strengthening workplace safety and aligning same with international standards.”
Howard Thompson, the director of labour, said OSHA is aiming to expand to 30 inspectors by yearend. He added: “Since the ratifcation of ILO Conventions 155 and 187, and more so since the registration of The Bahamas Instrument of Ratifcations in Geneva, Switzerland last month, Minister Glover-Rolle had instructed me to focus on health and safety matters throughout the country and to prioritise the Department’s OSHA Unit.
“That is what myself and the department’s executive committee have done, and so we have directed significant resources to that unit and have focused on further training and development of the persons in that unit and on capacity building with the hopes of expanding the unit to a total on 30 inspectors before year-end.”
MATT SWEETING
CLAIRE THACKRAY
Pharmacists ‘little less nervous’ over drug plan’s NHI transition
BY FAY SIMMONS TRIBUNE Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net
THE Bahamas Pharmaceutical Association (BPA) is "a little less nervous" about the National Prescription Drug Programme's switch to the National Health Insurance (NHI) Authority after receiving assurances the National Insurance Board (NIB) will continue managing the programme and payments will not be interrupted.
Dr Marvin Smith, the BPA's president, said the Association emerged from
a nearly three-hour meeting with Dr Michael Darville, minister of health and wellness, and Owen Wells, minister of state for health, with greater confdence in the transition after receiving updates on how the scheme will operate under NHI.
"The most important thing we learned is that the team from the National Insurance Board continues to manage the operation of the programme, so there's been no disruption in service," said Dr Smith. "For now, there have been no operational changes in how the programme afects pharmacy owners or
patients, and that's a good sign. We're happy to hear that's the case."
The National Prescription Drug Programme, which was previously administered by the National Insurance Board, is being integrated into the National Health Insurance Authority as part of the Government's wider healthcare reforms. The planned transition had prompted concerns among pharmacists over governance, operational continuity and reimbursement arrangements.
Dr Smith said one of the Association's biggest concerns had been ensuring there was no interruption to
Green Turtle Cay eyes legal action on project
BY ANNELIA NIXON TRIBUNE Business Reporter
GREEN Turtle Cay residents yesterday said they are exploring potential legal action as opposition to the proposed Gillam Bay development intensifes over the need to preserve what they say is one of the cay’s last undeveloped coastal areas.
Following last week’s Town Hall meeting on the development, opposition extends beyond environmental concerns, with many residents expressing frustration over what they describe as a lack of transparency throughout the approval process and arguing the community was deprived of an opportunity to voice concerns before environmental approvals were granted.
The proposed project by developer Reginald Curry has already received a Certifcate of Environmental Clearance (CEC) from the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP) for nine 1,900-square-foot villas, a clubhouse with restaurant and bar, administrative ofces and back-of-house facilities.
DEPP ofcials have maintained the project complied with all legal and environmental requirements, and said a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and public consultation were not required because the proposal did not meet the statutory threshold. Any future marina, dock or marine works would require a separate application and environmental review.
Elvardo Butler, Green Turtle Cay’s deputy chief councillor, said the overwhelming majority of residents who have approached him oppose the project.
“I was elected by the Green Turtle Cay people to represent the Board,” Mr Butler said. “And from what I can see, defnitely no one wants that development to go on. They just care to save that parcel of land to be used for generations to come as a recreational area, also for nature.”
Mr Butler argued the Government should consider reclaiming the land and preserving it for public use. He suggested the property could instead become a national park or be placed under the Bahamas National Trust (BNT) to protect it for future generations.
“It was granted by the Government,” he said. “It’s not like it’s a private parcel of land that someone went out and invested hundreds of millions of dollars in. The Government has the right to take it back if they wish and listen to the people.”
While acknowledging North Abaco MP Kirk Cornish’s explanation that any challenge would ultimately have to be pursued through the courts, Mr Butler said many residents feel they were not adequately informed early enough to object.
“If you don’t know something is going on, how could you prevent something from going on that
you’re unaware of?” he said. “We’re not trying to break the law. We’re trying to uphold the law.”
Mr Butler said rumours frst surfaced about three years ago that work in the area was only intended to provide utility access to another development.
“They told us they were only pushing the road through there to get power to another project,” he said.
He added that during his two terms on the local government Board he has never experienced this level of public concern. “I have never had this many people approach me asking, ‘What are you going to do? What are you going to say?’ The vast majority of people do not want it.”
Mr Butler said he does not believe the opposition is personal. “Living in The Bahamas, you understand what we have and we sell it all of… then we all got nowhere to go,” he said. “If it’s possible, we’ll preserve it. If it’s not, whatever happens in the end, at least we tried.”
Carol Jean Lowe, owner of Kool Kart Rentals, described the atmosphere at the Town Hall meeting as tense from the outset.
“I’ve never been to a meeting before like this in my life,” she said, recalling ofcials informing attendees they would each have only three minutes to speak and warning police ofcers would remove anyone who became disruptive.
Ms Lowe said residents repeatedly questioned why they had not been informed about the project sooner. “Nobody knew this project was even going on,” she said. “Everybody kept asking about it. We were always told they were only pushing a road through there to get power.”
She said DEPP ofcials informed residents that the necessary environmental approvals had already been granted before the matter reached the local Board.
According to Ms Lowe, every attendee except one opposed the development.
She also questioned whether the project’s location on shifting sand should have warranted additional scrutiny. “When we started dating in 1984, that area was a total sandbar covered over with water,” she said. “How could they even give anything away that wasn’t property? It’s just pure sand. It moves all the time.”
Ms Lowe said residents are now organising a legal response. “I think they’ve already acquired a lawyer, and we’re trying to get a meeting with the Prime Minister as of right now,” she said.
She also claimed the area serves as a bird sanctuary with nesting birds currently present. Resident David Farrington described Gillam Bay as one of Green Turtle Cay’s last remaining natural recreational areas. Mr Farrington said residents were not necessarily opposed to development generally but believed a project of this scale should have involved earlier community engagement.
payments as responsibility for the programme shifted to the NHI Authority.
"Currently, we have not experienced any disruptions in payments under the National Prescription Drug Programme, even though it is now being brought under the National Health Insurance Authority," he said. "The minister indicated that he intends for that to continue, so we're pleased that everything appears to be moving along."
The BPA had also sought greater consultation on the programme's expansion and future implementation - requests Dr Smith said were met positively by the Ministry of Health.
"We asked for more information and greater engagement, and those requests were met with a positive response," he said. "I think we've received
“A lot of this nobody knew about, and now it’s thrown in our face,” he said.
“If I was doing a development like this, I would let the community know, especially considering where it is.”
However, not all residents share that view. One resident, who requested anonymity, argued the developer had complied with every regulatory requirement.
“All the environmental impact studies were done,” he said. “He received his CEC from the Government. He got all of the relevant documents.
“There’s a few people, native, who will not like to see it. But the majority of those persons are Americans. You would have about 50 percent of the people on Green Turtle Cay who will not like to see it happen.”
The resident also argued previous prominent members of the community had unsuccessfully sought to acquire the same property.
“This is not an all-ofa-sudden pop-up thing,” the resident said. “Persons tried to get that before… and they didn’t get it. Now Mr Curry is able to get it.” The resident added the development would require improvements to an existing access road that could provide easier public access to the area.
enough information now that will allow us to be a little less nervous about how we move forward."
Dr Smith said the Association remains supportive of National Health Insurance and universal healthcare, provided reforms continue to involve the private sector.
"We're supporters of National Health Insurance. We've always supported universal healthcare," he said. "We just believe it has to happen in an environment where both the public and private sectors can function and thrive."
Dr Smith added that the Government appeared to share that philosophy.
"The minister said this programme only works if it is sustainable, and it can only be sustained if there's a partnership between the public and private sectors,” he said.
Dr Smith said the Association intends to remain an active partner as the programme expands, while also advocating for pharmacists to play a broader role in healthcare delivery beyond dispensing medications, including patient monitoring, medication compliance and immunisation services. Following the meeting, Dr Smith said the Government had provided sufcient information to reassure the sector that the NHI transition is proceeding without disrupting patient care or pharmacy operations.
DR MARVIN SMITH
‘Roller coaster of emotions’ ignited by 14-year struggle
Caribbean’s Royal Beach Club. The Bahamian entrepreneur and multinational cruise giant have clashed multiple times in the past on their sometimes-competing ambitions.
Mr Smith, meanwhile, yesterday said he has ridden “a whole roller coaster of feelings” during the 14-year struggle to revive Paradise Island’s historic lighthouse, which is now derelict and continues to fall into disrepair, and fnance this through the small-scale, low density beach break destination that would target Bahamians and visitors alike.
“It has been 14 years where I have not taken any investor fnances,” he told this newspaper. “I have fought the right fght, I believe, and patiently waited. Now it’s up to the fve Law Lords as justices on the Privy Council who will decide. We appreciate their engagement, their interest, and ultimately, hopefully, a decision that favours ourselves.”
The Bahamian entrepreneur said he had been “guarded in celebrating throughout the experience”, and events had proven this to be right. “It took eight years to January 7, 202, to get the lease, only to be told a few weeks later on February 27, 2020, that my lease
was not valid and now, more than six years fghting for the Government to honour what we agreed - an agreement for a lease.
“They approved me in 2018. Six years to get approved, then two years to get the lease. Six weeks to tell me we don’t have an agreement for a lease, and six years trying to honour an agreement for a lease.”
Voicing hope that has ordeal will nevertheless encourage others to not abandon their dreams, Mr Smith told Tribune Business: “Yes, I think it will help and pave the way for other Bahamian entrepreneurs wishing to bring quantity and quality to the market, and I would encourage them to never give up and keep pushing and holding the Government to account.
“While the Government, on one side of its mouth, publicly wishes to have more Bahamian entrepreneurs step forward and bring projects, their actions are to strangle and keep their foot on Bahamian necks while we stand aside and watch foreign investors receive the red carpet. I wish to change that urgently.
“For the most part, this has been me solo with the support of family and friends. I have taken no investor dollars, and there has been no wrongdoing on my side. I’ve fought a clean fght - at least on my side.”
Mr Smith’s dispute with the Government centres on the 21-year lease that the then-Minnis administration allegedly granted him for the use of two Crown Land parcels - one two acres in size, the other three - on the western end of Paradise Island in the Colonial Beach area.
The initial application was made in 2012, and some six years later the Bahamas Investment Authority (BIA), via a May 23, 2018, letter informed Mr Smith that his $2m beach club project had been approved. However, rather than the 17 acres initially sought, the Crown Land lease was to cover just fve.
Then, on January 7, 2020, Richard Hardy, acting director of the Department of Lands and Surveys, sent Mr Smith and his company a letter headlined “approval for Crown Land lease”.
This covered a two and three-acre parcel, respectively, with the frst adjacent to the lighthouse at Paradise Island’s western end and the other for the ‘beach break’ destination.
The letter contained instructions on how the attached lease documents were to be signed, dated, sealed and notarised, then returned to the Department of Lands and Surveys. Once the minister responsible for Crown Lands, who was then-prime minister
Celebration Cay vendor reports 20% sales jump
SLASH - from page B1
the various tour oferings that were initially implemented. So yes, the numbers of persons leaving the cay has increased,” Mr Hepburn said.
However, he added that Carnival audited its excursion portfolio in late May and June and discontinued around 20 percent of tours available to its guests after customer feedback failed to meet expectations. “These were tours being ofered by tour operators outside of the Cay,” Mr Hepburn said.
He explained that some operators were removed because of poor guest ratings and weak sales performance.
“Some of these persons lost the oferings because the ratings that the guests were giving them were not that good,” he said. “The volume of sales being generated by these tours were not that high in terms of meeting what Carnival was looking for in terms of being able to sell the number of tours across the board daily,
weekly or however. So they had to discontinue it.”
While some organised excursions have been cut, Mr Hepburn said taxi operators are benefting from a growing number of visitors opting to explore Grand Bahama independently.
“What we are now seeing as a trend is that a lot of persons are leaving the Cay by taxi,” he said. “So the taxi business has increased from Celebration Cay.” Mr Hepburn argued that the experience should serve as a wake-up call for Grand Bahama’s tourism sector as other major cruise investments, including MSC Cruises’ expansion and Royal Caribbean’s planned developments, continue to intensify regional competition.
“What we have to look at is we have to be very keenly aware of the oferings we’re providing to these ships and what we’re selling to their guests in terms of being able to compete internationally with the level of service, the standard of equipment, safety, maintenance and everything as it relates to
providing a service to these guests,” he said.
The GB Chamber president added that Carnival benchmarks Bahamian excursions against experiences ofered internationally, prompting businesses such as Pirate’s Cove to study competing destinations frst-hand.
“We actually went down to Cancun, Mexico, to see a number of facilities that Carnival considers their number one tour destination in the Caribbean,” Mr Hepburn said.
“That’s what we did here at Pirate’s Cove to see what is it we can do to improve our oferings in terms of safety, standard, stafng, presentation, maintenance, the whole works in terms of what Carnival is looking for.”
He added that Carnival evaluates excursions annually, even when operators have longer-term contracts, meaning businesses cannot aford to become complacent.
“They do an audit every year of their tours,” Mr Hepburn said. “Your contract might be for two years,
Dr Hubert Minnis, signed a copy of the lease was to be returned to Toby Smith.
The Bahamian entrepreneur signed the lease forwarded by Mr Hardy, and returned it to the Government for execution two days later on January 9, 2020. Dr Minnis, though, did not sign the lease on the Government’s behalf as it emerged that Royal Caribbean had rival designs on the three-acre Crown Land parcel for its own Royal Beach Club project - although the cruise line later dropped this to extract itself from confict with Mr Smith.
Mr Smith, aware of the competing cruise line interest, wrote to Dr Minnis on February 12, 2020, to voice growing concern over the situation. “As you are aware, I have been requesting a meeting with you for the past more than two years,” Mr Smith wrote. “Unfortunately, I have been reduced only being able to chat with you briefy on your way to the House of Assembly and Cabinet.
“I would appreciate to have a formal meeting with you as is aforded to others. In such a chats (sic), in the past and today, you advised me that the land that I am asking for in the Crown Land lease would not be compromised with ‘Carnival, Royal Caribbean
but they audit all their tours every year to see if you’re meeting their requirements, the number of quotas are being met, the standard, the safety, presentation, all those things are done. They’re looking for improvements. They’re looking for customer feedback.”
He also urged operators to encourage guests to leave reviews through Carnival’s own booking platform rather than relying solely on public review sites. “If it’s not on Carnival’s site or their hub where you book, they’re not going to pay attention to Google,” he added.
Meanwhile, one business operating inside Celebration Cay said visitor trafc has remained strong since the destination opened.
John Fox, owner of Seashore Treasures in the destination’s Artisan Market, said his business has recorded roughly a 20 percent increase in sales over the past year and has enjoyed steady customer volumes from the outset.
“From day one it was good,” Mr Fox said. “As time goes on, you improve some things, and you learn a little bit about the business and you could make it just a little bit better. It was very consistent from day one.”
Responding to claims from some businesses that
Cruise Lines or any other cruise company’.”
Mr Smith added that Dr Minnis had referred him to Joshua Sears, his senior policy adviser, on “several occasions” but the latter had provied no update on the lease “other than it awaits your signature”.
Clearly anxious, the entrepreneur requested that the Government provide him with a “comfort letter” to give certainty and confrm that all terms in the lease, as set out in Mr Hardy’s letter, “remain a binding agreement”.
“You mentioned today that my ‘land matter will be dealt with at the same time that you deal with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines’ land matter on March 2, 2020,” Mr Smith told Dr Minnis.
“As you are aware, my application is almost eight years in the making. I have patiently waited for a favourable outcome so I am rather surprised that my lease is now somehow commingled with a foreign party’s expression of interest that is only recent.
“Further, I understand directly from Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines’ legal counsel that they have applied for the whole area of Crown Land situated on the western portion of Paradise Island, which wishes to encompass the land that I have applied for
customer trafc declined after the initial opening, Mr Fox said the destination continues to attract thousands of passengers daily.
“The people are like ants on the beach,” he said. “On average, every day there’s a minimum of 6,000-plus people there. Like today, it was over 11,000 people.” Mr Fox argued that success depends largely on businesses’ ability to market their products efectively.
“For somebody to say the people are staying on the ship, I don’t know if that’s accurate,” Mr Fox said. “I think what’s really happening is that just not everybody has the keys to procuring sales or attracting buyers for whatever products they are ofering.”
Mr Fox also believes more passengers are beginning to realise that Celebration Cay ofers access to attractions beyond the cruise destination itself. Despite strong sales, he identifed labour shortages as one of his biggest operational challenges.
and contained within the Crown Land lease agreement. This has me deeply concerned......
“We are not about to be marginalised by a large cruise ship company when we have invested eight years and are a 100 percent Bahamian-owned and operated company.” However, Mr Smith met with then-attorney general Carl Bethel KC, Candia Ferguson, then director of investments at the BIA, and Mr Sears on February 27, 2020, to be told he had no binding Crown Land lease agreement. This triggered the current legal action that has now reached the Privy Council.
Mr Smith, in a statement yesterday, said: “Our project is to fully restore the Paradise “Hog” Island Lighthouse back to its original 1817 glory and have free beach access for all Bahamians to enjoy our great Bahamian Crown Land as a low impact, sustainable development, actively preserving of our culture and history with deep respect for our environment and fully honouring corporate and community responsibility……
“Each facet of this Bahamian advancement, to participate in the tourism ofering, must be afrmed, through the litmus test: Is this best for The Bahamians and is this best for The Bahamas?”
“Finding good, reliable employees is the challenge,” Mr Fox said. “We spend so much time trying to fnd the right people - hiring them, training them, and then they either leave or they don’t work out.” Managing inventory has also become increasingly demanding because of the pace of sales.
“It’s just very high turnover,” he said. “That’s a good problem to have… but you don’t get a break.”
Looking ahead, Mr Fox said businesses are preparing for another jump in visitor volumes once Celebration Cay’s expanded pier facilities become fully operational later this year. The second pier has already been completed and is expected to allow the destination to accommodate up to four ships simultaneously beginning in September.
“We’re looking forward and trying to prepare in advance, because that in itself will double the amount of people that may pass through the shop,” he said.
TUC to meet today amid fears for tourism industry
TRANSPORT - from page B1
transportation industry is “right at the top of the agenda” for the TUC and its afliates alongside outstanding pay and other industrial issues impacting the doctors union, nurses union and former Grand Lucayan staf.
“We are having a meeting some time tomorrow [today] and we are going to take a fnal position on how best we can assist the taxi drivers in achieving their objective,” he said. “We will have a meaningful discussion on how we can intervene, try to intervene and have a manageable understanding. What we do know, the law as we understand it, makes provision for livery, limousine drivers to interact with tourists by way of appointment.”
Mr Ferguson thus echoed the taxi driver argument that their livery rivals are restricted to serving guests who have booked rides with them in advance. However, they claim that livery drivers are also soliciting guests
and fares on the spot, and not in advance, thus bringing them into direct unpermitted competition with taxi drivers.
“The taxi drivers, the legislation provides for them to be able to interact with tourists by going to the hotels’ front door and the airport front door,” the TUC president said. “What’s happening is that they are now mixed up in trying to deal with the tourists and passengers alike.
“That is not proper, that is designed to create mischief and possible physical altercations. The taxi drivers have legislation, the Road Trafc Act, which provides for them to do that, not the livery drivers. That is creating a problem, and will have a serious efect on the tourism industry and local people who may provide a certain amount of business for them.”
Describing the dispute as “a serious matter”, particularly if it is allowed to persist, Mr Ferguson added: “We do not want Bahamian transportation operators
to be fghting each other in front of the tourists. If that happens, things can get out of line, and it could create a woeful experience or reduction in the quality of that ofering.
“If we see something that can create problems for the tourism industry, we need to meet with them, sit down and work out something that’s livable. Other than that, it takes on a life of its own and afects our tourism industry. That is certainly not something we want to happen, but unless and until we have proper procedures, confict will happen.
“I told the presidents and ofcers of the unions that something needs to be done swiftly, otherwise it will afect tourism and Bahamians who want to travel by taxi or limo. That’s the reason why the meeting has been set up for tomorrow [today]. We need to get a clear position on what we’re going to do, and how we’re going to go about bringing resolution and fairness to the process. That’s the
Govt: Minnis would have signed if intent was to ‘irrevocably bind’
HEARING - from page B1
The letter contained instructions on how the attached lease documents were to be signed, dated, sealed and notarised, then returned to the Department of Lands and Surveys. Once the minister responsible for Crown Lands, who was thenprime minister Dr Hubert Minnis, signed a copy of the lease was to be returned to Toby Smith.
Mr Falkowski yesterday challenged why Mr Hardy’s letter made no mention of the lease being a draft but, instead, contained detailed instructions for its signing and execution. “It would be the simplest thing for Mr Hardy to put ‘subject to contract’,” he argued. “Why send a counterparty a lease for signing, sealing and notarising?”
Describing this as “complete nonsense”, he reiterated: “If one says it’s subject to contract, why send this if it’s part of ongoing negotiations? Why on earth say sign, seal and notarise something that’s a draft?” Mr Smith, who was present in London for the appeal to the Privy Council, the highest court in the Bahamian judicial system, also appeared to be encouraged after one of the fve UK law lords hearing the case noted the signifcance of the letter being headlined “approval for Crown Land lease”.
However, Charles Russell Speechlys, the UK law frm representing the Government, argued that former prime minister, Dr Hubert Minnis, in his capacity as minister responsible for lands, would have signed the lease before it was sent to Mr Smith if everything
had been agreed and the intent was to bind the Government.
“If it was intended to bind the minister irrevocably in terms of the draft lease, the minister would have signed it frst, sent it of and all Mr Smith was required to so was to sign-of,” the Charles Russell representative argued. “Because it was sent of without the signature of the Government, it was making sure the putative tenant was willing to accept those terms.”
He added that the January 7, 2020, letter was an “ofer” and “intention to treat”, designed to test if Mr Smith was willing to accept those terms rather than a binding, enforceable lease agreement. Both sides were just as vigorous in the arguments contained in their written submissions.
“In this appeal, the appellant contends that the letter of 7 January, 2020, from the minister responsible for Lands and Surveys evidenced a binding agreement between the appellant and the minister for the grant of a lease,” Mr Smith and his attorneys argued. “There was a binding legal obligation to grant a lease to the appellant in the terms of the lease sent under cover of letter dated 7 January, 2020….
“The error in law was that the learned justices of appeal (by majority) asked themselves the wrong question. The real question was not whether the lease signed by the appellant, but not signed by the respondent, could be considered as a valid agreement for a lease. The real question was whether the essential terms
NOTICE is hereby given that I CLENOR CLENISE LOUIS-BERTILUS of Charles Saunders Highway, 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 21st day of July, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that I MARGIE VONETTA REID-PAUL of #10 Eaton Road, Yellow Elder Gardens , 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 21st day of July, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
objective. Tomorrow you’ll hear something from us.”
Mr Ferguson continued:
“The TUC takes the view that every dispute, and disputes will arise because that’s human nature, but what we fail to do in this country is fnd the most suitable, rational and logical way of resolving conficts or disputes. If you recall, I said this coming fve years is going to be very proactive for the TUC.
“We want to make sure this country survives, but also make sure every Bahamian benefts from this country, this system, the economic system of the country. Every Bahamian should beneft, and that’s why we have decided to do everything we do together, collectively. I’m sure that if all my afliates do what they decide to do, they will get results and make things happen.
“The livable wage is the sort of thing we ought to be able to resolve. It shouldn’t take ten years to do what is live and something we all know about. All of us are
intention, the minister himself would have signed the lease and then sent it to the appellant for fnal signature,” it continued.
of an agreement for lease were present.”
However, the Government countered: “Whether negotiated terms are intended by the parties to be fnal and binding at that stage, or are advanced ‘subject to contract’, depends on the context and the particular facts and circumstances of the case. It is plain in this case that the parties were negotiating towards a formal Crown lease.
“Either the negotiations would end in an executed Crown lease or they would not. Everything, in other words, was subject to contract. Whilst there are less formal scenarios in which a diferent conclusion might be inferred, these were negotiations for a lease from the state. It is obvious that there would be no deal until a contract was formally executed.”
The Government added:
“This was precisely the fnding made by the trial judge after careful consideration of the evidence and surrounding circumstances of the case. The Chief Justice held that the draft lease provided to the appellant was not an unconditional ofer but depended on execution by the Government.
“The Board [Privy Council] can imagine, no doubt, why it might have been thought important to have the appellant, as potential lessee, consider and agree in advance to what would or may be the terms of the demise should it go ahead.
“But the minister, in sending the draft, was not irrevocably binding the Government to enter into the lease on those terms or at all. As the Chief Justice held, had that been the
“On the basis of the evidence before him, the Chief Justice was entitled to hold that there was no fnal agreement. The potential demise was, as his lordship put it, ‘subject to execution’. This view is supported by the fact that the formalities required to demise Crown lands had not been complied with.”
The Privy Council questioned both sides over whether negotiations had been completed, and if the January 7, 2020, correspondence enclosing a completed lease, together with years of negotiations between the parties, amounted to an enforceable agreement without the signature of the responsible minister.
Mr Falkowski argued the dispute ultimately turns on a single question: Whether a binding agreement for lease had already been reached. He maintained the lease forwarded by the Government contained all of the essential commercial terms, leaving nothing further to negotiate before execution.
“The lease sent on January 7 had been prepared by the respondent’s lawyers,” he argued. “There was nothing further to be negotiated and agreed. All that was left was for the respondent to sign and seal the lease.”
Mr Falkowski further contended the Government abandoned the transaction only after deciding to pursue what he described as “a better deal” with Royal Caribbean for its Royal Beach Club.
The law lords repeatedly tested that argument, questioning whether the signed letter from Mr Hardy enclosing the lease could itself constitute an agreement for lease,
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that I SARINA JOSEPH of Cowpen 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 21st day of July , 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
entitled to beneft from the fruits of the country. We cannot have three to four benefting and nobody else benefting. It makes no sense to me.”
Tyrone Butler, the Bahamas Taxi Cab Union (BTCU) president, previously confrmed that the union was seeking assistance in its dispute. “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 July 9 protest temporarily blocked vehicular
notwithstanding the absence of the minister’s signature on the lease document itself.
One member of the Board asked whether the acting director’s signature could efectively bind the Government, while another questioned whether, even if the negotiations had initially been conducted on a “subject to contract” basis, a binding agreement may nevertheless have arisen by the time the lease package was sent to the developer.
Mr Falkowski argued the accompanying letter instructed the company to sign, seal, witness and notarise the lease, language that he said would make little sense if negotiations were still ongoing or the document remained merely a draft.
However, Charles Russell rejected that interpretation, maintaining no binding contract was ever formed because the proposed Crown lease was never executed by the minister and the parties had not reached
access to the international departures terminal as taxi drivers accused livery operators of illegally soliciting fares inside the airport. During the demonstration, Leon Lundy, minister of transport, 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.
a fnal legally enforceable agreement. Throughout the hearing, the judges also explored whether the case should properly be analysed as an “agreement for lease” or under more conventional principles of ofer and acceptance, questioning both parties on how the claim had been pleaded and whether the legal basis advanced on appeal difered from earlier proceedings.
The Board also raised questions about whether Bahamian law governing contracts relating to land — including the Statute of Frauds — could have implications for the appeal. While the issue had not formed a central part of the parties’ submissions, the judges indicated they may invite further written arguments if they determine additional consideration is required before delivering judgment. The Privy Council reserved judgment. No timetable was given for a decision.
NOTICE
BARBOSA ALEXANDRE LTD. Incorporated under the International Business Companies Act, 2000 of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Registration number 208591 B (In Voluntary Liquidation)
Notice is hereby given that the above-named Company is in dissolution, commencing on the 20th day of July A.D. 2026. Articles of Dissolution have been duly registered by the Registrar. The Liquidator is MR. DOUGLAS BARBOSA ALEXANDRE whose address is R Bernardino Macieira 538, APT 501, CENTRO, CEP: 37200-200, Lavras, MG, Brazil. Any Persons having a Claim against the above-named Company are required on or before the 19th day of August A.D. 2026 to send their names, addresses and particulars of their debts or claims to the Liquidator of the Company, or in default thereof they may be excluded from the beneft of any distribution made before such claim is proved.
Dated this 20th day of July A.D. 2026. DOUGLAS BARBOSA ALEXANDRE LIQUIDATOR
NOTICE is hereby given that I BRIGGETTE SAINT-LOUIS of Bedrock, Bacardi Road, New Providence, Bahamas, applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 14th day of July, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
NOTICE is hereby given that I WILFRED BONENFANT of Robinson 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 14th day of July, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
NOTICE is hereby given that I CHRISHANNA AKELIA REID of, #10 Eaton Road, Yellow Elder Gardens, 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 21stday of July, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
Wall Street drifts as AI stocks hold steadier after last week’s losses
By STAN CHOE AP Business Writer
WALL Street drifted to a quiet fnish Monday after stocks of chipmakers and other winners of the artifcial-intelligence boom trimmed some of their recent losses.
The S&P 500 dipped 0.2%, coming of its frst losing week in the last three and just its third since the end of March. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 307 points, or 0.6%, and the Nasdaq composite was basically fat after slipping by less than 0.1%.
Nvidia added 0.2% and held frmer following its drop on Friday, when it was the heaviest weight on the S&P 500. Sandisk climbed 2.7% after tumbling 29% last week.
Advanced Micro Devices rose 1.6% after announcing an expanded partnership where Microsoft will use its products for AI, including its new Helios product starting in the second half of the year. Such stocks have been under pressure for weeks on worries that their prices shot too high in the euphoria around AI. On one hand, companies are making billions of dollars in revenue as customers pour money into AI chips and data centers. But all that spending may fzzle out if AI doesn’t produce as much proft and productivity as promised.
Wall Street may get some hints on that soon as some of the biggest spenders on AI report their latest quarterly results. On Wednesday, Alphabet will tell investors how much it made during the spring and give updates on its AI eforts.
All kinds of companies are under pressure to report
strong growth in proft for the spring. They will need to in order to justify the big moves their stock prices have made. Indexes are near their records, even with the recent shakiness for AI stocks.
AMC Entertainment jumped 26.8% after the movie-theater operator reported stronger revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected. It also said some of its theaters in Los Angeles and other cities ran “The Odyssey” for more than 85 straight hours from Thursday through Sunday to meet demand. Domino’s Pizza climbed 2.1% after delivering stronger revenue for the spring than expected. CEO Russell Weiner said the company saw growth in orders for both its carryout and delivery businesses, even with the broad industry continuing “to face pressure on consumer demand.”
Another restaurant chain, Jersey Mike’s, is beginning its roadshow to raise interest in its stock, which it’s planning to sell on the New
York Stock Exchange for between $21 and $25 per share in an initial public ofering.
It and other businesses are facing pressure in selling to U.S. households feeling crunched by stillhigh infation, thanks in large part to high gasoline prices. The average cost for a gallon of gasoline in the United States has gotten back above $4 because of higher crude oil prices.
After dropping below $72 early this month, roughly back to where it was before the war with Iran began, the price for a barrel of Brent crude has been jumping recently as fghting continues in the Middle East.
On Monday, the price swung between roughly $86 and $91 before settling at $89.22, up 1.3%.
The war with Iran is keeping oil tankers from using the Strait of Hormuz to deliver crude from the Persian Gulf to customers, which pushes up oil’s price. S&P Global counted only 127 vessels crossing the strait during the week through Sunday, down
nearly 50% from the week before.
Worries about expensive oil and high infation have sent Treasury yields higher in the bond market, which threaten to slow the economy and undercut prices for stocks and other investments.
The yield on the 10-year Treasury climbed to 4.59% from 4.55% late Friday and from just 3.97% before the war with Iran. Higher yields have already sent the average 30-year mortgage rate to its highest level in nearly a year.
The higher yields weighed on the broad U.S. stock market, and the majority of stocks fell on Wall Street.
A 3.8% drop for Warner Bros. Discovery also helped erase a gain for the S&P 500 early in the day. A federal judge ordered it and Paramount to halt their $81 billion merger for at least two weeks, allowing states that are challenging the deal more time to see their case through in court.
All told, the S&P 500 fell 14.41 points to 7,443.28.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 307.16 to 51,839.26, and the Nasdaq composite slipped 12.17 to 25,508.07.
In stock markets abroad, indexes ended mixed in Europe.
The moves were sharper in Asia, where South Korea’s Kospi fell 4.5%. It’s been at the center of the huge swings for AI stocks because it’s dominated by two tech companies, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix.
Stocks were stronger in China, where indexes rose 2.4% in Hong Kong and 0.9% in Shanghai.
Florida GOP lawmaker and governor candidate says AI data center legislation keeps utility costs down
By MATT BROWN Associated Press
BYRON Donalds, a Republican congressman running for Florida governor, on Monday announced legislation intended to prevent artifcial intelligence data centers from driving up utility costs, the latest sign of a political backlash over the new technology.
The proposal, if passed by Congress, would require data centers to obtain all their electricity and water needs from private sources, rather than the power grid or public water systems. The idea aligns with an earlier, voluntary initiative from President Donald Trump.
“If you talk to these guys who are building these data centers, if it means that they have to pick up the utility costs, they’re more than willing to do it,” Donalds said in an interview with The Associated Press. “It’s in their interest to make sure that we can construct these centers, and I think the number one way you address and mitigate the concerns that people are having is to just ensure their utility bills aren’t going up in the process.”
Donalds’ proposal is noteworthy coming from a candidate backed by pro-AI political action committees and Trump. The legislation comes during a rapid nationwide buildout of data centers to match growing demand
for artifcial intelligence systems. Major technology frms at the heart of the AI boom have quickly become some of the world’s most valuable and watched companies, while the Trump administration has aligned itself with the industry’s major players.
Several major tech companies developing AI infrastructure have committed to agreements with the Trump administration to cover the expenses of building new power sources rather than shifting the burden to residential households. But given the expected increase in demand, it’s unclear if the voluntary agreement is legally enforceable.
The furious pace of construction and high stakes of the technology have raised concerns among many Americans. In Florida, more than 20 counties and municipalities have voted to reject the construction of major data centers, while others have banned their construction for at least a year. Residents and local leaders often cite concerns over increased utility bills, disruption of local communities and environmental damage as major reasons for the pauses.
“These companies have been a step behind and didn’t realize how quickly the ground was shifting under their feet,” said Matt Gorman, a Republican strategist.
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that I EMMANUEL FILS NICOLAS of Farrington 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 21st day of July, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that I RONIE OLIBRISSE of #33 Rue 810 Boulevard, Cap, Haiti, 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 twentyeight days from the 14th day of July, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that I WAYNE ANDREW CHRISTIAN of #9 Reeves Street, 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 21st day of July, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
I BRANDON SIMILUS of #1 Rhodes Lane,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 21st day of July, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
A PERSON walks in front of an electronic stock board showing Japan’s Nikkei index at a securities firm Friday, July 17, 2026, in Tokyo. Photo:Eugene Hoshiko/AP
Find all the terms listed below in the grid.
Solution tomorrow
BROOKS ● CAMPBELL HAGGARD ● HARRIS KRISTOFFERSON NELSON ● PARTON TWAIN ● TWITTY ●
By CARA HUNT Tribune Features Writer cbrennen@tribunemedia.net
HIV continues to afect our nation in ways that extend far beyond healthcare, the president of the Bahamas AIDS foundation Arame Ford said, adding that much more education about the diease is needed.
Ms Ford said a recent dinner conversation reminded her that the foundation can not give up its education eforts.
“Some time ago while having dinner with a group of friends, the topic turned to HIV and the work of The Bahamas AIDS Foundation. As president of the Foundation, I'm always happy to talk about the work we do and our ambitious plans to improve prevention, education, and support throughout The Bahamas.”
However she says she left surprised that her dinner companions were not aware of two of the most important medical advances available to help prevent HIV.
“Around the table sat a group of educated, successful professionals, people I considered well-informed and engaged. Yet not one of them knew about PrEP or PEP, two of the most important medical advances available to help prevent HIV”
The experience left her both mortifed and motivated.
“Those of us who work in HIV prevention often believe we are getting the message out. We produce public service announcements, distribute educational materials, speak at events, and engage communities across the country.
“But that conversation reminded me that we cannot assume people know the facts simply
because the informa tion exists.”
Ms Ford said that HIV continues to afect our nation in ways that extend far beyond healthcare.
“It intersects with social and economic challenges, gender inequality, gender-based violence, power imbal ances within relation ships, access to healthcare, regular screening, and com prehensive sexual health edu cation. These are not always easy conver sations, but they are conversations we must continue to have,” she said.
Ms Ford said that the foundation is committed to to increasing its public
Knowledge is power Aids Foundation president encourages Bahamians to educate themselves on the disease
Hannah Foster-Middleton
Why your neck hurts more than you think
If you’ve ever woken up with a stif neck, spent a long day hunched over a computer, or found yourself rubbing the back of your neck after scrolling through your phone, you’re certainly not alone.
Neck pain is one of the most common complaints I hear from patients in my physiotherapy clinic. What often surprises people, however, is that the cause of their neck pain is not always as obvious as they think.
Many people assume neck pain only occurs after an injury, such as a car accident or a fall. While trauma can certainly cause neck problems, most neck pain develops gradually over time as a result of everyday habits, poor posture, stress, and muscle imbalances.
In fact, the source of your discomfort may have been building up for months or even years before you started noticing symptoms.
The Modern Lifestyle and Neck Pain
One of the biggest contributors to neck pain today is technology. Whether we're working at a desk, checking emails, scrolling through social media, or binge-watching our favourite television shows, we spend more time looking down and sitting still than ever before.
education eforts through social media, community outreach, and public service announcements.
“Our goal is simple: to make information about HIV prevention and care so widespread that everyone knows where to go, what to do, and how to protect themselves. If we become just a little repetitive along the way, we'll gladly accept the criticism, because when it comes to saving lives, repetition is a small price to pay.”
Ms Ford stressed that Bahamians need to know their options and take charge of their own health.
She also shared that the foundation recently launched an app called BSMART STATUS.
“The app provides a wealth of reliable information, including a sexual health risk assessment and a comprehensive directory of available services. I encourage everyone to download it and become familiar with the resources it ofers.
She noted that HIV does not discriminate.
“It is not a disease confned to a particular race, ethnicity, gender, age group, sexual orientation, or economic status. HIV is a human disease. If we continue to believe that it only happens to "other people," we leave ourselves vulnerable,” she said.
Finally Ms Ford said that knowledge is power.
“Get tested. Know your status. Learn about PrEP and PEP. Have honest conversations with your healthcare provider and with the people you care about.Because when it comes to HIV, protecting yourself also helps protect our community.
None of us are truly safe until all of us are safe.”
The Bahamas AIDS Foundation provides education, support services, HIV self-test kits, counselling, and referrals.
PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) this is medication that signifcantly reduces your risk of contracting HIV before exposure. If you believe PrEP may be right for you, speak with your primary care physician or contact The HIV/AIDS Centre at the Ministry of Health & Wellness.
· Telephone: (242) 6049060 or (242) 604-9113
Stress Shows Up in the Neck
Many people don't realise that emotional stress can have a signifcant physical impact on the body. When we are stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed, we tend to unconsciously tighten our shoulders and neck muscles. This constant tension can create painful trigger points, muscle fatigue, and headaches. Some individuals even experience jaw pain or teeth grinding, which further contributes to neck discomfort.
I often ask patients if they have been under increased stress recently, and many are surprised by how closely their symptoms coincide with demanding work schedules, family responsibilities, or major life changes. The body and mind are more connected than we often realise.
Neck Pain Can Cause More Than Neck Pain
Our heads are surprisingly heavy. The average adult head weighs between 10 and 12 pounds. When the head is positioned directly over the shoulders, the muscles and joints of the neck can support that weight efciently. However, every inch the head moves forward increases the strain placed on the neck muscles and surrounding structures. This condition, often referred to as "tech neck," has become increasingly common. Hours spent looking down at phones, tablets, and laptops force the neck into a prolonged fexed position, causing muscles to tighten and joints to become irritated. Over time, this can lead to persistent pain, stifness, headaches, and reduced mobility.
One of the reasons neck problems are often misunderstood is that symptoms do not always stay in the neck.
Neck dysfunction can contribute to headaches, shoulder pain, upper back pain, dizziness, and even tingling or numbness in the arms and hands. When nerves become irritated or compressed, symptoms may travel far from their original source. Many patients seek treatment for recurring headaches without realising that the root cause may be tight muscles and restricted joints in the neck. Others believe they have a shoulder problem when, in reality, the issue is originating from the cervical spine. This is why a thorough assessment is so important. Treating only the symptoms without addressing the underlying cause often leads to temporary relief rather than lasting improvement.
Movement Is Medicine
When neck pain develops, many people instinctively try to avoid
movement altogether. While rest may be appropriate for a short period after an acute injury, prolonged inactivity can actually make things worse.
The neck is designed to move. Gentle movement helps maintain fexibility, improve circulation, and prevent stifness from becoming more severe. Staying active within comfortable limits is often one of the most efective ways to support recovery.
Simple exercises that improve posture, strengthen the upper back muscles, and increase neck mobility can make a signifcant diference. However, it is important to ensure that exercises are appropriate for your specifc condition, as not all neck pain is the same.
How Physiotherapy Can Help Physiotherapists are trained to identify the factors contributing to neck pain and develop
individualised treatment plans. Treatment may include manual therapy to improve joint mobility, soft tissue techniques to reduce muscle tension, postural correction, strengthening exercises, ergonomic advice, and education about movement habits. For some patients, techniques such as dry needling may also be benefcial in reducing muscular trigger points. Decompression therapy can eliminate pain radiating into the arm.
Perhaps most importantly, physiotherapy focuses on addressing the cause of the problem rather than simply masking symptoms
Prevention Starts With Small Changes
The good news is that many cases of neck pain can be prevented or signifcantly reduced through simple lifestyle adjustments.
PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis) this is emergency medication that must be started within 72 hours after a possible exposure to HIV. Time is critical, so seek medical attention immediately through your physician or The HIV/ AIDS Centre. If you would like an HIV self-test kit, confdential support, or someone to talk with, The Bahamas AIDS Foundation Resource Centre is here to help.
Pay attention to your posture when using electronic devices. Position computer screens at eye level. Take regular movement breaks throughout the day. Strengthen your upper back and core muscles. Manage stress through regular exercise, relaxation techniques, and adequate sleep. Most importantly, don't ignore persistent neck pain. What begins as a minor ache can gradually develop into a more signifcant problem if left untreated. Your neck works hard every day to support your head and allow you to move freely. Giving it the attention it deserves can help you stay comfortable, active, and pain-free for years to come. After all, your neck may be telling you more about your overall health and lifestyle than you ever realised.
• For questions and comments, call Hannah Foster-Middleton at 356 4806, e-mail genesisphysiotherapy@gmail.com, or visit www.physiotherapybahamas.com.
Arame Ford
By Dr Leopoldo Arosemena, Hepatology specialist, Cleveland Clinic
Hepatitis can go unnoticed for years – which is why it is important to continue to raise awareness about its efects and how to recognise it.
World Hepatitis Day is held on July 28 – and ahead of the day, expert Dr Leopoldo Arosemena, from the Cleveland Clinic, answers questions on how the disease is spread, how to recognise it and what treatment you will need.
1
Hepatitis is often described as a “silent” disease. Why can many people live with hepatitis for years without showing symptoms?
Many forms of hepatitis, especially chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C, can cause ongoing infammation in the liver without producing noticeable symptoms. The liver has a remarkable ability to continue functioning even when it is being damaged. As a result, people may feel completely healthy for years or even decades while liver scarring gradually develops. Symptoms often do not appear until signifcant liver damage, cirrhosis, or liver failure has occurred.
2 What are the main diferences between the diferent types of viral hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E and which ones represent the greatest public health challenge today?
The fve major viral hepatitis infections difer in how they spread and whether they become chronic:
•Hepatitis A (HAV): Spread through contaminated food or water. It causes an acute infection and does not become chronic. A vaccine is available.
•Hepatitis B (HBV): Spread through blood, sexual contact, and from mother to baby during childbirth. It can become chronic and lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer. A vaccine is available. It is not curable but can be controlled with medication.
•Hepatitis C (HCV): Primarily spread through blood exposure, especially from shared needles and sexual contact. It frequently becomes chronic but is now curable with modern antiviral therapies. There is currently no vaccine.
What you need to know about hepatitis – the ‘silent’ disease
one of many causes. Hepa-
titis can result from:
Viral infections (A, B, C, D, and E)
Alcohol-related liver disease
Autoimmune diseases
Metabolic disorders
Certain medications and toxins
Chronic liver inflammation
Fibrosis (scarring of the liver)
Cirrhosis (the highest degree of liver scarring).
Liver decompensation (jaundice, GI bleed, altered mental status, muscle mass loss, etc...)
Liver failure
•Hepatitis D (HDV): Only occurs in people who already have hepatitis B because it depends on HBV to survive. It can make liver disease more severe.
•Hepatitis E (HEV): Usually spread through contaminated water and generally resolves on its own, although it can be dangerous during pregnancy.
Today, hepatitis B and hepatitis C remain the greatest public health challenges because they can become chronic infections and are major causes of cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer worldwide.
3 How are hepatitis B and hepatitis C actually transmitted? What myths about transmission are still common among the general public?
Hepatitis B spreads through infected blood and body fuids, including sexual contact, sharing needles, needlestick injuries, and transmission from mother to child at birth.
Hepatitis C is transmitted primarily through bloodto-blood contact, most commonly through sharing needles or other equipment used for injecting drugs. It also can be transmitted sexually. Less common routes include childbirth and certain high-risk exposures.
Common myths include the belief that hepatitis B or C can be spread through:
Hugging
Handshakes
Sharing meals
Coughing or sneezing
Casual social contact
These activities do not transmit hepatitis B or C
4 Who should get tested for hepatitis, even if they feel completely healthy?
Testing is important even for people without symptoms. Individuals who should discuss hepatitis screening with their healthcare provider include: Anyone who may have been exposed to infected blood.
People who have ever injected drugs. Healthcare workers with potential blood exposure.
People born to mothers with hepatitis B. Sexual partners of infected individuals. Individuals with unexplained liver abnormalities.
Adults who have never been screened for hepatitis B.
People with risk factors for hepatitis B or C.
Since hepatitis often causes no symptoms initially, screening is one of the most efective ways to identify infection before complications develop.
5
How important is early diagnosis, and how does the prognosis change when the disease is detected before complications appear?
Early diagnosis can be life-changing. When hepatitis is identifed before signifcant liver damage occurs, treatments can prevent or dramatically reduce the risk of cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer. For hepatitis C, modern antiviral medications can cure most patients. For hepatitis B, efective treatments can suppress the virus and reduce long-term complications. Patients diagnosed early generally have a much better prognosis than those whose infection is discovered after advanced liver disease has developed.
6
Many people associate hepatitis only with alcohol consumption. How accurate is this perception, and what are the most common causes of hepatitis?
This is a common misconception. While excessive alcohol use can cause liver infammation known as alcoholic hepatitis, it is only
Fatty liver disease associated with obesity and diabetes
Portal hypertension
Liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma)
In clinical practice, viral hepatitis remains one of the most important causes of chronic liver disease worldwide. Alcohol can worsen other liver diseases.
7
What role do vaccines play today in preventing hepatitis, and who should make sure they are protected?
Vaccination is one of the most efective tools for preventing hepatitis. Safe and highly efective vaccines are available for hepatitis A and hepatitis B. Because hepatitis D depends on hepatitis B infection, hepatitis B vaccination also protects against hepatitis D.
People who should ensure they are protected include: All infants and children according to vaccination schedules. Unvaccinated adults.
Healthcare workers. Travelers to areas with higher rates of hepatitis. Individuals at increased risk of exposure to blood or body fluids. There is currently no vaccine for hepatitis C or E.
8 If hepatitis is not diagnosed or treated in time, what long-term complications can it cause in the liver and overall health?
Untreated chronic hepatitis can lead to serious complications, including:
Chinese Embassy donates assistive devices to bene t persons with disabilities across The Bahamas
ceremony on Thursday, July 16. Ambassador Yan said the Embassy is already preparing to order additional assistive devices, further strengthening the partnership between The Bahamas and China in support of accessibility, mobility and inclusion.
donated 15 wheelchairs, 15 walkers and 15 pairs of crutches to the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities during a handover
Ann Marie Davis of the Ofce of the Spouse of the Prime Minister said assistive devices provide more than practical support; they also contribute to
mental well-being, confdence and self-assurance.
Mrs Davis afrmed the worth of persons with disabilities, noting that every individual deserves an opportunity and that the wealth of talent and ability within the disability community must be recognised and valued.
Senator Barbara Cartwright, Minister of Social Services, described the donation as an act of kindness and friendship that is deeply valued, particularly
on the heels of Disability Empowerment Month, observed in June.
Ms Cartwright said the ministry is working with the Department of Statistics to examine data on the growing population of persons with disabilities as it develops measures to improve their lives.
She said this work includes reviewing the use of disability parking decals to ensure they are issued to and used by eligible persons. The minister stressed
Need for liver transplantation
Premature death from liver-related disease
These complications often develop gradually over many years, reinforcing the importance of early detection.
9 What everyday habits can help protect liver health and reduce the risk of liver disease?
To maintain a healthy liver:
Stay up to date on recommended vaccines.
Avoid sharing needles or personal items such as razors and toothbrushes.
Practice safer sex.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Exercise regularly.
Limit or avoid excessive alcohol consumption.
Use medications only as directed.
Seek medical care if you have risk factors for hepatitis.
Get recommended hepatitis screening tests.
Decrease or avoid highly processed food, artificial sweeteners, uncooked pork, game meat
Avoid drinking water that is not potable.
These habits can significantly reduce the risk of hepatitis and other liver diseases.
10
If you could share one key message for World Hepatitis Day, what would be your main recommendation for people to protect their liver health and take action in time?
My message would be simple: “Get tested, get vaccinated, and don't wait for symptoms.”
Hepatitis is often a silent disease, but it is also one of the most preventable and treatable causes of liver damage. Many people live for years without realizing they are infected. Knowing your status, staying up to date on vaccinations, and seeking care early can prevent life-threatening complications and save lives.
The devices will be distributed not only in the capital but also to persons with disabilities in Family Island communities. A wheelchair can provide greater independence, while walkers and crutches support mobility, accessibility and fuller participation in everyday life.
Returning to China’s broader commitment to disability inclusion, Ambassador Yan said her country follows a people-centred approach to development and recognises that inclusion is essential to sustainable national development.
She said China has approximately 13,600 rehabilitation institutions, about 3,000 employment support centres and more than 20,000 accessible activity spaces in libraries focused on supporting persons with disabilities.
that persons with disabilities must have access to government buildings, services and opportunities.
Minister of State in the Ministry of Social Services, Bacchus Rolle, delivered the welcome and recognised the importance of partnership and international cooperation in advancing support for persons with disabilities.
Townsley Roberts, Deputy Executive Secretary of the Secretariat of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, said the donated devices will efectively serve as “legs” for individuals who cannot walk. He added that as more resources and assistance become available, an increasing number of persons with disabilities are registering with the Commission because they recognise that help is available.
Ambassador Yan advised that meaningful progress requires strong legislation, efective policy implementation, investment by the government and private sector, and support from factories, other industries and universities.
The Ambassador has also supported the disability community in The Bahamas through several recent engagements. She visited Camp Inclusion in Abaco, operated by the Disability Afairs Division of the Ministry of Social Services, and attended the recent Disability ICON Awards held during Disability Empowerment Month.
Dr Anthony Hamilton, Chairman of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, moderated the ceremony and underscored the national importance of inclusion.
“If we get it right for persons with disabilities, we get it right as a nation,” Dr Hamilton said.
Photo:Clarke, Matthews/ MOSS
AS The Bahamas continues to grapple with shortages across nursing and allied health services, 25 young Bahamians have taken their frst steps towards careers that could help strengthen the country’s healthcare system.
Bahamas Baptist University College concluded its inaugural Pre-Nursing, Pharmacy and Allied Health Summer Camp on Friday, July 17, with a White Coat Ceremony at its Jean Street campus.
The ceremony marked the completion of an intensive four-week programme, but the students left with more than certifcates and ceremonial coats. Participants were also able to earn college credits in selected areas, giving them a tangible academic head start should they continue into tertiary healthcare studies.
The programme represents an early investment in a workforce The Bahamas urgently needs. The World
White coats, new hope: BBUC builds healthcare pipeline for young Bahamians
Health Organisation has identifed shortages of nurses and allied health professionals as barriers to timely access to care, while recent recruitment of overseas healthcare workers underscores the continuing difculty of flling critical positions locally.
BBUC’s response begins before college enrollment—helping high-school students identify their inter
the academic and professional demands ahead. Participants explored careers in nursing, pharmacy, medicine and allied health sciences while receiving instruction in CPR, basic frst aid, anatomy and physiology, medication safety, medical ethics and patient confdentiality. They were also introduced to college-level health sciences and the
expected of healthcare professionals. Importantly, the camp presented healthcare not only as a calling, but also as a complex and evolving industry.
Facilitator Paul Taylor guided groups of students through live-action presentations showcasing healthcare business models they developed during the programme. The assign-
real-world research and practical decision-making: students had to identify the services their businesses would provide, determine stafng and personnel needs, calculate operating costs and project revenue and proft. The demonstrations also contributed towards public-speaking credit, requiring students to explain and defend ideas designed to be viable beyond the classroom.
Registered nurse and author Tomia Shearer delivered the keynote address, drawing upon her professional journey and the lessons explored in her book, How to Defeat the Struggles of a Student Nurse and Become a Registered Nurse. Her message ofered students insight into the discipline and resilience required to move successfully from nursing school into professional practice.
Under the leadership of President Dr The
BBUC currently ofers programmes in Licensed Practical Nursing, Pharmacy and Health Information Technology. Medical Laboratory Technology and Radiologic Technology are expected to come on stream in January 2027, expanding training in areas essential to diagnosis and treatment. The institution is also developing a Junior Healthcare Cadet Programme intended to provide high-school students with continued exposure to healthcare education, leadership, teamwork and community service. Together, the summer camp, cadet programme and expanding college curriculum refect an efort to build a complete healthcare education pipeline—from early exposure and college credit to professional qualifcation and employment. Exactly what the country
Students receive their white coats during the closing ceremony, marking the completion of the four-week healthcare summer programme
Programme facilitators, including BBUC President Dr Theresa Adderley-Smith, gather following the closing ceremony for the institution’s inaugural Pre-Nursing, Pharmacy and Allied Health Summer Camp, part of its expanding efforts to prepare young Bahamians for future healthcare careers
BBUC President Dr Theresa Adderley-Smith gives remarks during the White Coat and Closing Ceremony at the institution’s Jean Street campus
She knew he wasn’t real. She was in love with him anyway. Takeaways about romance scams
By Juliet Linderman, Associated Press
ONE rainy afternoon in August, Jean Booth scurried up the stairs of a nondescript Thai restaurant, shook out her blue, shoulder-length hair and took out her phone. She bit her lip; no messages.
Her boyfriend, Donnie, was due to arrive at the airport in a matter of hours, but Jean hadn’t heard from him all day. Over the next half-hour, Jean checked her phone a few more times, but Donnie didn’t text or
call. Part of her knew he wouldn’t — they had never met in person or even spoken on the phone. Jean wouldn’t hear from Donnie until hours later, when he’d send a WhatsApp message telling her he couldn’t get a plane ticket, that he was stuck, that he was scared and in danger. When he’d tell her he was sorry, and ask her, again, for money. Jean would then pull into a sprawling parking lot in suburban Virginia, and cry. Here are some takeaways from The Associated Press'
story about romance scam victims like Jean Booth:
— Romance scams are on the rise across the United States. Last year, more than 49,000 Americans reported losing a collective $1.3 billion to romance scams, according to available FTC data shared with the AP. That’s an increase of at least 14 per cent and likely more from the previous year.
— The growth in romance scams comes in part from acute social isolation ushered in by the COVID19 epidemic and lockdowns. In a frst-of-its-kind study
in 2025, the World Health Organisation found that years after the world opened up again, people continue to sufer from loneliness. Estimates for people globally who report loneliness range from 1 in 6 to 1 in 2.
— Like Booth, some romance scam victims are aware at some level that they are being manipulated.
Ally Armeson, the executive director of FightCybercrime. org, has worked with 880 victims, many of whom were caught in romance scams. She likens their conundrum to a desert prison: They see the bars trapping them, but the unbearable desolation outside the prison seems worse.
— The guilt, shame and social stigma surrounding these scams compound the loneliness that propels so many victims into them in the frst place. Many victims Armeson has worked with have considered taking their own lives.
“Social connection is a fundamental biological need,” psychologist Julianne Holt-Lunstad said. “If it’s lacking, we may seek it out in unhealthy ways.”
— Scientists have found that humans evolved to rely on each other, and our brains are hardwired to seek out relationships and community for survival. Love is a necessity like food, water and shelter.
THE WEATHER REPORT
“They’ve been living this life where somebody loved them, they believed in them, they promised a beautiful future,” Armeson said. “Then, all of a sudden, that life collapses. ... The person who gave them purpose is a ghost they can’t even mourn.”
A text message exchange between Jean Booth and her romance scammer are seen on her phone, Oct. 3, 2025, in Dublin. Photo/David Goldman/ AP
FASHION REPORT with
Charlize Theron (Miss)
Photo:Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Cara says- “Its not as formal as her co-stars but let’s judge it on its merit. Charlize just always looks so efortlessly chic. “I’ll just throw on this little white coat dress it’l work.”
Ava says “This look from Charlize feels incredibly safe, its well-tailored but bordering on bland. The suit top is impeccable, and feels really ferce when paired with her makeup but something about the bow and frills as we go down that feels unfnished conceptually.”
Ava Turnquest and Cara Hunt
Lupita Nyong'o (Hit)
Photo:Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Cara says- This picture confrms why Lupita was cast as Helen of Troy the face that launched a thousand ships.She is fawless that gold on her skin is gorgeous. Love how simple yet stunning it looks.
Ava says - “Corset is snatched to the Gods and Lupita is a goddess, so really this is bare minimum. Do I think putting her in a gold number is a bit on the nose and unimaginative, yes. Does it work, like a charm.”
Minister Rahming takes team approach to The Bahamas’ representation at
United Nations
Minister of Urban Renewal and Community Relations Lisa Rahming highlighted collaborative leadership during The Bahamas' representation at the United Nations by inviting senior members of her delegation, including two women, to deliver the country's interventions on sustainable urban development.
The High-Level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on the Midterm Review of the New Urban Agenda was held on July 16 and 17 to assess progress since the global framework was adopted in 2016 and identify priorities for accelerating its implementation through 2036. Rather than delivering every intervention herself, Mrs Rahming called on Permanent Secretary Montez Williams, Urban Renewal Authority Managing Director Stephen Dean, Urban Renewal Advisor Sharon Martin and Deputy Director for the Family Islands Melony Rahming to
address fnancing and governance, innovation, climate resilience and the development needs of remote island communities.
Mrs Martin focused on integrating resilience into national development before disasters occur, noting that the failure of a single road, dock or utility can isolate entire communities in The Bahamas and that hurricane damage has reached as much as 25 per cent of GDP from a single event.
She called for resilience to be embedded in housing, zoning, infrastructure and environmental management, while urging greater access to climate fnancing for vulnerable states.
Mrs Rahming underscored the unique realities facing Family Island communities, saying no island should be considered too remote and no community too small to beneft from sustainable development. She proposed afordable subdivisions farther inland to reduce repeated hurricane damage, improve
access to essential services and create safer, better-connected communities. She also highlighted generational land issues that prevent many Family Islanders from obtaining bank fnancing to build resilient homes.
Anne
Hathaway (Split)
Photo:Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Cara says- Anne is glowing in this pregnancy- this dress is perfection on her, she looks glamorous yet comfortable which is always a fashion win for expectant moms. Love this.
Ava says - “I don't got nothing for this. Pregnant appropriate I guess?”
Zendaya (Hit)
Photo:Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
Cara says- “ Zendaya is one of my new red carpet favourites to watch for, she always looks stunning. This dress literally looks like she futtered down from Heaven- she looks fawless.
Ava says -Let's just get one thing clear: Zendaya can do no wrong. With that established, she is giving sizzling angel sculpted chic. Perfect hair, perfect makeup, no notes.
Mr Williams called for funding mechanisms that allow local authorities to access resources more efciently while maintaining transparency and
accountability. He highlighted the establishment of the Urban Renewal Foundation to attract support from local and international private partners and
pointed to the ministry's 30 Urban Renewal Centres across 11 islands, which provide safe spaces and opportunities for young people.
"Every dollar invested should improve the quality of life for the people we serve," Mr Williams said.
Mr Dean said futureready cities are not defned by technology alone but by good governance, reliable data, strong partnerships and responsive public services.
"A future-ready city is not just a smart city; it is a city where citizens are heard, communities help shape solutions, and government remains accountable for results," he said.
Through the four presentations, The Bahamas delivered a coordinated message that sustainable urban development must be adequately fnanced, guided by reliable information, resilient to climate threats and inclusive of communities throughout the archipelago.
The meeting marked the halfway point of the New Urban Agenda, assessing progress since its adoption in 2016 and setting priorities for its fnal decade of implementation through 2036. The Bahamas used the international platform to reafrm its commitment to ensuring sustainable development reaches every community and leaves no island behind.
New York premiere for Christopher Nolan's epic The Odyssey took place at the AMC Lincoln Square Theater. The starstudded red carpet featured a massive 40-foot practical Trojan horse and was attended by the flm's ensemble, including Matt Damon, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, and Lupita Nyong'o and Charlize Theron.
URBAN Renewal Permanent Secretary Montez Williams and Minister of Urban Renewal and Community Relations, the Hon. Lisa T. Rahming at the United Nations High-Level Meeting.
