business@tribunemedia.net
Wednesday, august 5, 2026
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Bahamian bank’s $35m claim survives strike-out BY NEIL HARTNELL TRIBUNE Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net A BAHAMIAN bank yesterday hailed a south Florida court’s decision not to strike-out its $35m damages claim against a payments provider for “unlawfully withholding” funds belonging to itself and its clients as its accusations of theft and breach of fiduciary duty were upheld. Deltec Bank & Trust, responding to Tribune Business inquiries, said it was “encouraged” by Magistrate Judge Ellen D’Angelo’s August 3, 2026, verdict rejecting the bid by Ibanera, a US-headquartered money service business, and its principal, Michael Carbonara, to dismiss a lawsuit alleging they had kept some $20m owned by the Lyford Cay-based
Deltec hails south Florida judge’s decision in bid to recover $20m
Accuses payment provider of concealing $18m crypto conversion
But Lyford Cay’s ‘unjust enrichment’ accusation suffers dismissal
institution and its clients for their “own benefit”. The Bahamian financial services provider, in legal documents, is alleging that this involved Ibanera converting $18m of that sum into crypto currency without permission from itself and its clients and then moving it through various digital assets exchanges to generate a return for itself. However, Deltec Bank & Trust, which has been ordered to file a third amended complaint against Ibanera and Mr Carbonara, did not have everything its own way.
The payments provider and its principal were partially successful in persuading the south Florida court to dismiss Deltec’s claims of “unjust enrichment” against them, as well as allegations that Mr Carbonara personally “aided and abetted” a breach of fiduciary duty. Still, Deltec told this newspaper: “Deltec is encouraged by the magistrate judge’s thorough decision, which rejects Ibanera’s attempt to dismiss this action and recommends that Deltec’s claims for civil theft, conversion, breach
of fiduciary duty, breach of contract and defamation proceed. “The court concluded that Deltec plausibly alleged far more than a routine contractual dispute - that Ibanera took funds entrusted to it for safekeeping, converted $18m into crypto currency, transferred the assets to third-party exchanges for its own benefit, concealed what it had done, and refused to return Deltec’s property. Deltec intends to pursue recovery of its funds and hold Ibanera and Michael
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Carbonara accountable for their conduct.” Magistrate Judge D’Angelo, in her ruling, found that the payments dispute originated from a July 18, 2024, deal where Deltec and Ibanera agreed that the latter would perform “cross-border transfers and provide multi-currency payments accounts” for the Bahamian bank and its clients. Ibanera and its Singapore-based partner, IPL, established an account at the Development Bank of Singapore to hold the funds belonging to Deltec and its clients. Ibanera and IPL were thus acting as escrow or fiduciary agents, holding the monies in trust for Deltec and the latter’s customers. “In October 2024, IPL began having issues with the ability to execute payments on behalf of Deltec in Singapore and informed Deltec that it was unable to perform SWIFT transfers,” the US judge recorded. “On November 11, 2024, Deltec wrote to Ibanera about its funds that were frozen with Ibanera and IPL. IPL attempted to remedy the problem by switching its partner bank in Singapore from DBS to Green Link Digital Bank, but that attempt proved fruitless as IPL’s
LEGAL - See Page B4
Bahamas Grid investor: Loss of Pike alliance a ‘major risk’ BY NEIL HARTNELL TRIBUNE Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
ELEUTHERA CLUB ESTATES
ELEUTHERA CLUB & RESIDENCES
Developer: ‘No major talks’ with Gov’t over Crown Land and PPP for $650m proposal BY NEIL HARTNELL TRIBUNE Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE US developer behind a $650m resort project for the Governor’s Harbour area has revealed “no significant discussions” have been held with the Government amid growing concern he does not own much of the large land tracts he desires. Jeff Jacobs, chairman and chief executive of Jacobs Investments, and head of its Jacobs Entertainment
affiliate, confirmed to Tribune Business that he has also yet to receive an answer from the Davis administration on his offer to team for an up to-$50m public-private partnership (PPP) that would seek to resolve Eleuthera’s affordable housing, energy and water woes. And he also disclosed, in response to this newspaper’s questions, that no “purchase agreements” have been signed with other private land owners for acreage the project is targeting - including
New Providence grid firm suffers key skills shortage BY FAY SIMMONS TRIBUNE Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS Grid Company’s(BGC) top executive yesterday conceded the New Providence grid operator is suffering from shortages of staff and specialist skills, as he
asserted: “Local talent is somewhat limited.” Daniel McKenzie, Bahamas Grid’s chief executive, added that the company is in the final stages of completing the transfer of Bahamas Power & Light's (BPL) transmission and distribution (T&D) assets to its own balance sheet and signalled that it will pursue a strategic partner
BPL good news?…. $43m fuel hedge saving forecast BY NEIL HARTNELL TRIBUNE Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS Power & Light’s (BPL) latest fuel hedge is forecast to save households and businesses a combined $43m during 2026, a newly-released report has revealed, shielding energy users from the worst effects of the Middle
East conflict and crude oil price spikes. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), in its just-unveiled Caribbean Quarterly Bulletin for the second quarter, said the year-end 2025 move to lock-in the price of 2.5m oil barrels at $65 per barrel will give BPL’s consumers “365 days of protection” from the worst effects of oil price volatility sparked
property needed for his 100-acre solar farm that is said to belong to the Pyfrom family. As a result, many Governor’s Harbour and central Eleuthera residents are voicing increasing concerns and misgivings over whether Mr Jacobs and his US hospitality/gaming company can deliver on their promises if they do not own, or have access, to the necessary land. This includes the 100-acre government-owned tract at Eleuthera’s Navy Beach, which the developer is
Governor’s Harbour developer yet to attain key land tracts Alters gaming strategy from one facility to ‘smaller parlours’ Pledges that taxes will ‘pull Eleuthera up by its bootstraps’ proposing to divide and sell-off as residential lots to help finance the PPP, housing and utility infrastructure upgrades.
DEVELOPMENT See Page B5
to help recruit additional specialists from overseas. In particular, he cited a shortage of skilled underground cable workers while asserting that the legal and administrative transfer of New Providence’s grid assets from BPL remains ongoing because of the complexity involved in moving infrastructure that has been owned by one entity for decades. "We're actively in the process of completing that process," said Mr McKenzie. "It's a very complicated
process. When assets have been owned by one entity for several decades, there's a whole process that needs to be followed in order to finalise it." Speaking at the Office of the Prime Minister’s weekly media briefing, Mr McKenzie also sought to clarify the respective roles previously played by Island Grid and Pike Electrical as questions continue over the future of the companies' involvement in New
by the Iran war and last through to year-end. Drawing on data from the Prime Minister’s Office and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which is predicting per barrel oil prices will average $82.20 over the 2026 full-year given current market conditions, the IDB said the fuel hedge’s $65 price will result in BPL and its 100,000-plus users enjoying a $17.20 per barrel saving. Asserting that this means the Government’s “prudent risk-sharing
policies have paid off”, the multilateral lender said the outbreak of conflict between the US/Israel and Iran at end-February, which resulted in the key Strait of Hormuz shipping artery through which 20 percent of the world’s oil supply must flow being choked off, had left the BPL hedge in the money. “In December 2025, two months before the Iran conflict escalated, BPL locked in approximately 2.5m barrels of fuel oil
STAFFING - See Page B4
INSULATE - See Page B5
A BAHAMAS Grid Company bond holder says the “main risk” for New Providence’s electricity network operator is the absence of a new “strategic partner” to replace Island Grid Solutions and Eric Pike rather than the delayed transfer of grid assets. Gowon Bowe, chief executive of Fidelity Bank (Bahamas), which last year invested a net $7.5m in bonds issued by Bahamas Grid Company and other private sector entities involved in the Government’s energy reforms, told Tribune Business it was vital that New Providence’s grid owner ally with larger energy industry players to secure access to essential supplies and equipment. Failing to find a new partner, he warned, would leave Bahamas Grid Company outmatched and lacking the “gravity and presence” to compete with bigger overseas energy operators enjoying greater scale, purchasing power and better contacts for obtaining assets vital to the smooth functioning of Nassau’s power grid.
GOWON BOWE Mr Bowe told this newspaper that the inability, to-date, to replace Mr Pike, Island Grid and Pike Electrical, the US utility that was hired to perform the now-completed $130m in “foundational” grid upgrades, represents a greater threat to both Bahamas Grid Company and New Providence’s energy supply than the failure to transfer all grid assets from Bahamas Power & Light (BPL). Under Bahamas Grid Company’s June 3, 2024, Heads of Agreement with the Government, all the New Providence grid assets were supposed to be transferred to it from BPL. However, the Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) chief described concerns that the inability to complete this switch has deprived bond holders of TRANSMISSION See Page B4
PAGE 2, Wednesday, August 5, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
Residents renew concerns over $650m Eleuthera development BY ANNELIA NIXON TRIBUNE Business Reporter anixon@tribunemedia.net GOVERNOR’S Harbour and central Eleuthera residents yesterday asserted they remain opposed to a proposed large-scale $650m resort project, arguing it threatens the island’s tourism product, environment and social fabric despite promises of major infrastructure upgrades and 500 full-time jobs. Renewed concerns were voiced after Jeff Jacobs, chairman and chief executive of Jacobs Investments and its affiliate, Jacobs Entertainment, unveiled revised plans that would dedicate 30 percent of residential lot sale proceeds towards affordable housing, water and power infrastructure, and a proposed public-private partnership with the Government valued at up to $50m. However, many residents remain unconvinced. Doon McKinney, a Governor’s Harbour resident, said Eleuthera welcomes
development but believes it should come from financially strong investors with proven track records. “We want sustainable development, and we want development that’s done by someone who is wellfunded and knows what they’re doing,” she said. “How are they funding it? That’s another big part of it.” Ms McKinney challenged whether the developer can fulfil his promises, pointing to what she described as commitments that have not been met with Mr Jacobs’ development projects in Reno, Nevada, and Cleveland. She argued that failed developments often leave governments and taxpayers responsible for environmental clean-up and unfinished projects. “You know what happens,” Ms McKinney added. “People try things, and then the island is left with all the mess and all the failure and all the clean-up. There’s not a bond posted for clean-up. We’ve seen that all over; they just walk away, and all the mess and
the expense is left behind for the Bahamian people.” Ms McKinney also challenged the inclusion of a casino, saying previous Family Island gaming ventures have not succeeded. “Gaming has never worked in the Family Islands,” she said. “Bimini was a complete disaster. The whole project failed.” Beyond the economic concerns, Ms McKinney warned that a casino would fundamentally alter Eleuthera’s identity. “Eleuthera is known for being family friendly, safe,” she said. “The minute you start getting casinos, it’s different. It’s really different.” While Mr Jacobs has promoted the project’s proposed solar farm, water plant, affordable housing and expanded public access to beaches and roads, Ms McKinney dismissed those commitments as unrealistic. She also questioned the scale of the development, arguing that over 300 homes would compete with existing vacation rental operators while placing pressure on the island’s resources. “It’s too big for
Businesses: We cannot not afford to acquire generators BY ANNELIA NIXON TRIBUNE Business Reporter anixon@tribunemedia.net NEW Providence businesses yesterday warned that repeated Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) outages are disrupting operations, delaying customer orders and increasing costs with many now mulling whether they can afford not to invest in back-up generation. Matthew Sweeting, operator of Commonwealth Funeral Home, said the outages have changed how he views back-up power after a recent family viewing was disrupted. “We had a viewing, and when the family was supposed to come, it was hot,” he said. “I had to get some lights. And then afterwards I had to get a generator. So now I have to get a big generator that can run my business now. It’s a priority
now. It’s essential,” Mr Sweeting explained. He said that although he previously owned a generator, it was stolen several years ago and he has operated without one ever since. “And then I had bypassed two or three years without it,” he said. “But now it’s essential, at least for my funeral profession. It’s essential.” Commonwealth Funeral Home was without electricity into the following day during last Thursday’s island-wide outage. “Home was off from 1 o’clock to 10 o’clock the other day, and also at my business it was like nine until the next day,” Mr Sweeting said, adding that BPL power also failed twice over the weekend. Michael Turner, owner of Jumper Brothers Bakery, said the bakery has no back-up generator and production slows significantly whenever power was lost. He said employees were left
waiting for hours because they could not safely continue working in the dark. “I was unable to get people’s orders out as fast as I would have liked to,” he said. “People sat down for hours because they couldn’t see in order to work. I had to pay people. They worked so I still had to pay them. There was no compensation in no kind of way. “And when time up, I can’t hold them against their time, so what doesn’t get done gets left or I’ll have to cover it. Or I’ll have to let it go, and there’s no compensation for it.” While most customers understood, some expected Jumper Brothers Bakery to have a back-up generator in place. “Some persons were irritated,” Mr Turner said. “Some of them expect you to have a generator. But, for the most part, persons understood, and they were willing to wait.”
this island,” Ms McKinney said. “The rental houses are not for Bahamians.” She added that the proposal’s reliance on Government-owned Crown Land was among her greatest concerns. “I think it would be very risky for the Government to go into business with him,” she said, adding that Governor’s Harbour is already expecting significant investment through two other developments. “We’ve got two other developments currently. One already started and another one proposed on the old Club Med site. It’s too big, and it’s not in keeping with who we are as Eleuthera people,” Ms McKinney said. “It’s not environmentally right. It’s not socially right, and I think the gaming would really destroy the social fabric of who we are.” Carol Davis, a property manager and Governor’s Harbour resident, said she has heard similar concerns from visitors and overseas homeowners who own properties on Eleuthera. “It’s an absolute no…
straight across the board,” she said. Ms Davis, who has worked in property management for nearly 30 years, said many of her clients have already indicated they would sell their properties if the casino proceeds. She said visitors choose Eleuthera because of its peaceful atmosphere rather than entertainment associated with large-scale resort destinations. “Most of our guests that are coming here… are now saying that they’re going to find another place to go to if that project happens,” Ms Davis said. “They come to Eleuthera to get away from city life for peace of mind, for its quietness, to relax.” According to Ms Davis, while residents recognise the need for better infrastructure, they do not believe it should be tied to a casino development. “We need those things, but we don’t want to get those things through that route,” she said, questioning what safeguards would ensure the developer follows through on promised investments.
“What is in place to hold them accountable?” Ms Davis asked. “We need our water system. We need better water. We need better lighting, but we don’t need you to help us because you want something in return.” Like Ms McKinney, Ms Davis opposed the use of Crown Land for the project. “Crown Land belongs to the Bahamian people,” Ms Davis said. “The Government of this country needs to give the Crown Land to the Bahamian people… not to the developers.” She said making housing more affordable for Bahamians should take priority over allocating public land to private investors. Horatio Green also voiced reservations about the casino while expressing support for some marine-related infrastructure. “The casino, we don’t need that,” Mr Green said. “But a marina with fuel docking areas for boats, because we don’t have fuel on the water in central, so that would be good.” Still, he acknowledged that the ultimate decision rests with policymakers. “We can say anything, but the Government still have to give them approval. You vote against a lot of stuff, and… they’ll still go and do what they want,” Mr Green said.
Retailers also reported noticeable declines in customer traffic and sales. Ms Sarah, operator of Shore Boutique, said her store is forced to close whenever card payment systems become unavailable because of BPL’s outages. “We had one day off,” she said. “But thankfully the rest of the time we’ve been up. We were impacted because, obviously, without power,we can’t do charges, so we just couldn’t stay open.” Ms Sarah said one outage kept the business closed until midday because payment verifications could not be processed through the banking system. “There’s no way to call into the banks for verification on charges, so we do lose,” she said. “But thankfully, as we’re a local business, our customers do come back. “We did have some tourists come by, and they didn’t come back, but the locals did.” Beyond payment issues, Ms Sarah said the outages and extreme heat discouraged consumers from shopping altogether. “The heat and frustration has impacted overall sales because it made people not come out,” she said. “People who said they were coming didn’t come any more because they were stressed out. It definitely impacted overall last week’s sales from Thursday through the weekend. It was definitely noticeable.” Elizabeth Bullard, manager of My Wish List gift boutique, said power interruptions primarily affect electronic payments because many shoppers rely on debit and credit cards. Businesses without generators inside shopping plazas often have little choice but to shut their doors because they lack natural ventilation. “If you have a shop in a plaza, you don’t have
windows,” she said. “So if you don’t have a generator, and the AC cuts out, then we also have to close down because we can’t operate at all.” Although My Wish List has generator back-up, she said it still experienced challenges. “We did not have to close down,” Ms Bullard said “But it did take a few seconds to kick-in. It did affect our AC. Constant cutting off and then cutting back on, on the generator, so it tripped the power source for a bit.” Virginia McKinney, owner of a waste management company, said her office can continue operating because it has a manually-operated generator, although telecommunications disruptions that occur during outages remain a concern. “We do have a generator,” she said. “It doesn’t kick in automatically, and since we don’t work in the evening, we’re over there in the day and we can turn it on manually. “For us, the impact is not like it is for other businesses with refrigeration and stuff like that. The only problem is if BTC goes down at the same time, which often will occur in the landfill area. Then that becomes a huge problem with customers being able to get hold of us.” Ms McKinney warned that relying on generators substantially increases operating costs. “It definitely adds up,” she said. “Our last bill from BTC was literally double. We’ve always managed to hold it around the $200. It was $400. It literally doubled.” She added that prolonged generator use is neither economical nor sustainable. “Running a generator is not a cost-effective thing,” Ms McKinney said. “Most generators are not also designed to continually
run. These are all very, very critical, scary things for businesses.” The concerns come as BPL says New Providence’s electricity network is operating close to its limits. Anthony Christie, its chief operating officer, recently warned that circuits are overloaded and transformers are operating at peak capacity, forcing the utility to shift electrical loads and temporarily relieve pressure on equipment to prevent more serious failures. BPL has urged residents to reduce electricity consumption, particularly air conditioning use, while also asking government agencies and large commercial customers to switch to back-up generators during periods of peak demand to free additional capacity for residential consumers and small businesses. Verron Darville, the Government’s deputy director of energy, said government ministries have already been instructed to operate on back-up generation where possible during peak demand periods following energy audits conducted over the past three years to identify opportunities to reduce electricity consumption. BPL’s warnings followed last week’s island-wide blackout, subsequent localised outages and a transformer overload in the Palmdale area that disrupted electricity supply to businesses and nearby residents after equipment reportedly smoked, caught fire and exploded. BPL has attributed the growing strain on the network to an unprecedented heat wave that has driven increased air conditioning use and pushed electricity demand to record levels.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, August 5, 2026, PAGE 3
BPL chair defers outage relief decision to Gov’t BY FAY SIMMONS TRIBUNE Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS Power & Light‘s (BPL) executive chair yesterday declined to confirm whether consumers will receive additional financial relief following weeks of widespread outages, saying any decision rests with the Government. Christina Alston’s comments came days after Prime Minister Philip Davis said he had asked BPL to explore providing additional relief to customers affected by repeated electricity disruptions. Asked whether consumers should expect further bill credits, Mrs Alston said she had not yet discussed the matter with either the Prime Minister
or energy minister, Jobeth Coleby-Davis. "I can't speak to that yet. I haven't had a chance to speak with the minister or the PM since I've been working. I think it's a valid question. I'm not discounting your question. I just haven't gotten any details on that yet,” she replied. Pressed on whether consumers deserve compensation given the prolonged outages, Mrs Alston said rebates have historically produced mixed reactions from customers. "I think that's a difficult question," she said. "When utilities give rebates, often it's not received positively. If you are a consumer and I say to you: 'Well, I'm going to give you a rebate,' and it's $45 or it's $100, at what point does it become something
that consumers are satisfied with? We recognise that, in the utility space, we're not going to please all the people all the time." Mrs Alston said any decision on additional customer relief ultimately belongs to the Davis administration. "That's something for the PM and the ministry to address and to instruct, as we are their entity," she said. "This is a company owned by the Bahamian people, and when we receive those instructions, I'm sure there'll be those who say, 'Well, it's not enough’, and then there'll be those who may say, 'Well, thank you’." Mrs Alston also defended recent increases in electricity bills, arguing they are being driven by unusually high summer temperatures
BPL exceeds 2025 maximum demand ahead of peak time BY FAY SIMMONS TRIBUNE Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS Power & Light (BPL) yesterday said New Providence has already surpassed last year's maximum electricity demand twice, months before the traditional September peak, as prolonged high temperatures continue to strain the island's electricity network despite sufficient generation capacity being available. Christina Alston, BPL's executive chair, said demand has climbed to unprecedented levels this year and is expected to continue rising through the remainder of the summer. "We've already exceeded our peak demand from last year twice," said Mrs Alston. "We went past system peak in May, and we went past system peak in June. Usually our system peak is September. We exceeded last year's system peak twice already." Mrs Alston said BPL had anticipated higher electricity demand this summer because of sustained high temperatures, but stressed the utility has enough generating capacity to meet the increased load. "We have sufficient generation," she said. "BPL does a very good job in terms of maintaining contingency. We always have reserve engines in play as well." However, Mrs Alston warned demand is expected to continue increasing. "The system peak is going to keep climbing, and as temperatures rise and as more and more people come on to the grid, the system peak will continue in New Providence. We're growing very, very quickly,” she added.
While generation capacity has kept pace with demand, Bahamas Grid Company (BGC) executives said the greatest challenge remains transmitting electricity across an ageing transmission and distribution network. Daniel McKenzie, BGC's chief executive, said the company has already invested more than $130m in the network's foundational infrastructure, including new 132 kilovolt (kV) substations, transmission lines, fibre-optic communications and intelligent switching equipment. "We've completed that and more," Mr McKenzie said when asked whether the original programme of upgrades had been completed. "It's definitely not just $130m invested today." Mr McKenzie said those investments have strengthened the transmission backbone, but the utility is now shifting its attention to ageing distribution infrastructure, where many of the recent outages have originated. He said BGC's long-term strategy is built around "NRA" normalising, reconfiguring and adding to the system - with future investments guided by digital modelling of the network to identify the most vulnerable feeders and equipment. BPL is also moving ahead with a $90m Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) backed grid modernisation programme that will digitise much of the country's electricity network. Mrs Alston said the programme includes expanding BPL's SCADA control system, mapping every customer through a Geographic Information System (GIS), deploying
advanced metering infrastructure and introducing an advanced outage management system. "The world that we want to sit in is one where we will know when you're out of power. You don't have to call us. We'll know," she said. The modernised network will also eventually allow customers to monitor their electricity usage more closely and receive notifications before exceeding self-selected monthly spending limits. As electricity demand continues to climb, both BPL and BGC urged consumers to reduce unnecessary electricity consumption to ease pressure on the network during peak periods. Mrs Alston said conservation measures introduced by government agencies during last week's outages immediately reduced demand and helped restore service to residential customers more quickly. "That conservation technique immediately took load off the entire grid," she said.
BAHAMAS POWER & LIGHT‘S (BPL) HQ rather than higher electricity rates. "The fuel rate did not change this summer, nor did the base rate," she said. "Those two things have remained constant." Instead, the BPL executive chair said consumers are using substantially more electricity because of prolonged extreme heat. "I would have anticipated your consumption to have Mrs Alston said BPL intends to continue working with government agencies on measures such as pre-cooling buildings before employees arrive, reducing overnight air conditioning use and improving energy efficiency. Mr McKenzie also appealed to residents to conserve electricity where possible, while stressing the utility is not asking customers to sacrifice comfort. "We're not saying do without your air conditioning or the luxuries of your home," said Mr McKenzie. "Enjoy that. All we're saying is conserve." He also urged customers to report electrical upgrades properly, warning that unapproved increases in electrical loads, including electric vehicle chargers and additional air conditioning units, can place unexpected strain on the system because they are not reflected in utility planning. Despite the growing demand, BPL officials maintained there are no plans for scheduled load shedding, stressing the current challenge lies in improving the reliability and resilience of the transmission and distribution network rather than electricity generation itself.
gone up about 30 percent from your previous year," said Mrs Alston. "Last June we only had seven days over 90 degrees. This year June we had close to 19 days." She encouraged customers to review the consumption graph printed on their monthly bills and to request an energy audit if they believe their usage appears unusually high.
"We're launching our energy audit programme this month," said Mrs Alston. "You can call in and get an energy audit." She added that BPL's longerterm grid modernisation programme will eventually allow customers to monitor spending in real time and receive alerts before exceeding self-selected monthly electricity budgets.
PAGE 4, Wednesday, August 5, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
‘Major failing’ is grid firm’s lack of clear communication TRANSMISSION from page B1 collateral security for their collective $111m investment as “a tempest in a tea cup”. He explained that these concerns are lessened because neither BPL, nor Bahamas Grid Company, have thus far defaulted on their respective obligations and the interest payments due to bond holders. And Mr Bowe said there was unlikely to be competition for collateral assets with the Government as the latter is unable to deliver the promised energy reforms in its own. He spoke out before yesterday’s joint press conference on the recent power outages, during which it was confirmed that New Providence’s transmission and distribution (T&D) grid assets have yet to be transferred from Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) to Bahamas Grid Company, leaving a key element of the Government’s energy reform deal unfulfilled. BPL’s 40 percent equity ownership in Bahamas Grid Company was also supposed to have been financed by this asset transfer, meaning that due consideration for an interest valued at $100m has not been paid. Anthony Ferguson, CFAL’s principal and Bahamas Grid Company’s chairman, earlier this year conceded that the switch had been
delayed by legal issues surrounding pre-existing liens and charges secured on grid assets, which had been placed “in escrow” until the matter was solved. Bahamas Grid Company executives yesterday also confirmed they are seeking to address Mr Bowe’s concerns by seeking out new energy industry partners in the US and Canada following the departure of Mr Pike and his Island Grid Solutions vehicle. “If you really look at this, what is the principle risk facing Bahamas Grid Company, and it’s one that I shared with my Board, it is who is their strategic partner going to be?” the Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) chief told Tribune Business. “As an entity, it’s too small and lacks gravitas and presence to match competing demands for energy. “The absence of Pike is not so much in on-theground activity, but securing and procuring equipment and energy supplies. That is the biggest one because if The Bahamas, with 400,000 people, is competing for the same equipment with Florida Power & Light (FPL), we know where we stand in the game. “What’s more important is that Bahamas Grid Company articulate clearly who they are going to align with strategically to give them an avenue to critical equipment and energy supplies,” Mr Bowe added. “Purchasing power and strategic
Bahamas Grid says 60-80 off full workforce targets STAFFING - from page B1 Providence’s electricity network. “Island Grid was the managing entity in BGC. They helped to stand up BGC as a company,” he said. “The plan has always been to transition from Island Grid to a Bahamian-led and operated company. That’s where Mr
Holder [chief operating officer] and I step in.” He added: “Pike provided sub-contracting services in terms of the construction work on the grid. That’s why you saw their trucks around the system. That doesn’t impact anything. We had a good transition from Island Grid to me and my team, and we are now effectively managing and
alliances. My concern is not that we don’t have them on the grid and people on the grid. “My concern is who will be the strategic partner to put us in a room that we are not normally invited into because we don’t have scale and mass.” Mr Bowe added that he and BISX-listed Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) have fewer concerns over the delayed asset transfer to Bahamas Grid Company because there is no competition for assets that will give some security for the bond holders’ investments. Besides the absence of any default risk, he added: “The bond holders are not competing with anyone over collateral and, in reality, the outcome is the Government has to succeed because it is not in a position to deliver on its own… “The Government, I don’t believe, will be competing with Bahamian shareholders and investors for transmission and distribution assets because the Government of The Bahamas will bear the cost in any event. That’s not a zero risk, but has a lower risk element.” However, Mr Bowe slammed as “a major failing” the lack of “consistent and transparent” communications by Bahamas Grid Company and those responsible for structuring the special purpose vehicle (SPV) and the New Providence grid reforms. Though he called no names, he was
clearly referring to CFAL, the investment advisory firm that placed both the $111m in bonds and $30m equity investment in Bahamas Grid Company, as well as the Government. Calling on the Government to “take its thumb out and not treat The Bahamas” as if if was the 1990s, when public companies were reluctant to disclose material events to shareholders, he called on Bahamas Grid Company and its creators/ owners to “release news in an efficient manner” to avoid causing panic and information vacuums. Describing the New Providence grid operator as “one of the biggest public interest entities” in The Bahamas, given the combined $141m worth of investor capital it has received, its energy reform role and BPL’s 40 percent ownership interest, Mr Bowe suggested it needed to behave like a publicly-listed and traded company that releases profit and loss warnings, plus material event disclosures, when required. “That’s a major failing given who the principals are who structured the deal and their standing in the community as investment brokers,” the Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) chief executive said. “Certainly, when the prospectus was put out, there was much fanfare as to what the support and guarantee of the Government meant, what Pike
meant, and what Bahamian ownership meant.” Fidelity Bank (Bahamas), in its recently-released 2025 annual report, said the net $7.5m increase in its investments in corporate debt securities last year is part of a strategy to deploy surplus cash in higher-yielding, but low-risk, assets and thus generate greater returns for investors and more shareholder value. “Investments in debt securities issued by corporate entities focused on entities that have an integral role in the national development of The Bahamas, and the growth of its economy through their involvement in providing critical infrastructure in The Bahamas, namely energy,” the BISX-listed institution explained. “The corporate entities have no history of defaults and have strategic partners with either domestic or international track records in the provision of the respective utility services. Further, the corporate entities have either direct financial support and/or guarantees from the Government of The Bahamas, or monopolies on the provision of the utility services, but the financial forecasts indicate that these are not critical determining factors in their creditworthiness but rather credit enhancers.” Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) added that the 20-year nature of these corporate debt investments also
help better match assets with long-term liabilities. Besides Bahamas Grid Company, Mr Bowe said the 2025 investments also include Island Power Producers, the company that will supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuelled-energy to cruise ships docked in Nassau Cruise Port, plus EA Energy, which will supply solar and LNG energy to Abaco and Eleuthera. Disclosing that Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) also rolled over its investment in the Aliv mobile operator’s preference shares, Mr Bowe said: “The longterm investment strategy is using some of the cash flow for investments that are income-producing over a long period as opposed to just Treasury management. “We’re looking at it from the perspective of, no matter how you skin and dice it, The Bahamas must go through energy reform. Whether there’s full confidence or not in Bahamas Grid Company at this point, they are the ones signed up. The bottom line is it will happen. “EA Energy is in Eleuthera, which is on the verge of significant prosperity, and Island Power Producers has a monopoly on the power supply to the cruise ships that will be in port. These align with the long-term investment strategy.”
building on the foundation they put in place.” While confirming that BGC intends to continue developing Bahamian talent, Mr McKenzie acknowledged the company will need outside expertise as it accelerates repairs and upgrades to the electricity network. “It’s part of the long-term strategy,” he said. “We need to ramp up our local talent, skills and capability, but we’re going to augment that with contracted forces. “From what we’re seeing right now, to be honest with you, we probably need to go
overseas and get some more folks because we do want to expedite the repairs and the work that needs to be done. Local talent is somewhat limited. It’s a niche market.” The BGC chief said the most pressing need is for specialist underground cable joiners, also known as splicers. “What’s really needed to address those faults are what we call joiners, some of them also referred to as splicers. That’s a limited skill set internally to BGC,” Mr McKenzie said. “We’re working closely with BPL to get more of those resources. I have also reached out to contacts that I have overseas who are on stand-by, and I’m probably going to be pushing that button some time this week to get them to come over and help quickly reduce that backlog.” Mr McKenzie said BGC is targeting a workforce of between 160 and 180 employees, but currently
has about 100 staff. “Not all 100 are dedicated to line work,” he said. “I would say approximately 60 to 80 people are focused on actual line work, combined with contracted resources. By doing it that way, we can ramp up as we onboard and train more BGC line workers, and then reduce our reliance on contracted forces.” Mr McKenzie added that staffing levels are not preventing the company from responding to faults because BGC can draw on contractors and assistance from BPL when required. However, plans for BPL’s 120 New Providence-based transmission and distribution staff to switch to BGC have not materialised as few wanted to make the move for fear of losing their union benefits. Mr McKenzie also pushed back against suggestions that Pike’s departure has contributed to recent reliability problems. “What
the Bahamian public does not realise, and I hear it coming from the media as well, is, ‘Pike is gone’,” he said. “You’re in the hands of a very competent team. Between Mr Holder and me, we have almost 50 years of experience between us. They did a good foundation of work, but there’s a lot more for us to do, and we have the team to do it.” The BGC chief argued that public perception overlooks the impact of the network’s age and The Bahamas’ operating environment. “Last year Pike was here driving around. This year the system is one year older,” Mr McKenzie said. “What we don’t fully appreciate is that the environment in The Bahamas is rough on an electrical system. We have high salinity in the air, high humidity and a high water table. All those things wreak havoc on equipment.”
Judge: Allegations ‘go beyond’ mere payments deal breaches LEGAL - from page B1 licence to operate in Singapore had been terminated by” that state’s regulators. “When Green Link Bank closed IPL’s account, IPL transferred all customer money to the United States account of Ibanera,” the south Florida court’s verdict stated. “IPL no longer held any of Deltec’s funds, and Ibanera ‘agree[ed] to assume all of [IPL]’s liabilities to its customers’.” “Beginning in January 2025, Deltec made repeated requests to Ibanera to transfer the remaining funds - the equivalent of approximately $21m - to Deltec’s account to another financial institution,” Judge D’Angelo wrote. “On February 3, 2025, after not receiving a response from Ibanera, Deltec’s in-house legal counsel sent a demand letter to Carbonara regarding the failure to receive the payment transfer. “On February 11, 2025, Ibanera’s counsel responded to Deltec’s demand letter and stated that Deltec had failed to comply with its obligations under the payment services agreement, which caused Ibanera to suffer significant losses. According to Deltec, this was the first time Ibanera complained about Deltec’s alleged breaches of the payment services agreement that resulted in purported losses. “On February 21, 2025, Deltec’s outside counsel
responded to Ibanera and again demanded the immediate release and transfer of all of Deltec’s funds in Ibanera’s possession. In response, on February 26, 2025, Ibanera’s counsel promised that Deltec’s funds were in ‘safeguarded accounts and no one [was] misusing or misapplying such funds’,” the judge added. “Ibanera added that it was currently the subject of an audit by DBS and the [Singapore regulator] and also undertaking an internal audit and investigation. On April 7, 2025, counsel for Ibanera and Carbonara represented that Ibanera was entitled to keep the funds at issue to offset its losses caused by Deltec’s supposed unauthorised activities.” Judge D’Angelo noted that it was one month later, allegedly on May 5, 2025, when “Ibanera used $18m in Deltec’s funds to purchase crypto currency, specifically USD Coin. The next day, Ibanera transferred a portion of the funds that had been converted to USD Coin into an Ibanera account on the FalconX exchange, a digital asset brokerage and trading platform. “According to Deltec, on May 14, 225, Ibanera’s online ledger falsely represented that Deltec’s funds were being held by Ibanera in various fiat currencies. On August 23, 2026, Ibanera transferred Deltec’s
funds - now converted to USD Coin - on to Binance, another digital asset brokerage and trading platform,” the judge recorded. Rejecting multiple attempts by Ibanera and Mr Carbonara to have Deltec’s case dismissed against them in its entirety, Judge D’Angelo wrote: “Deltec has alleged sufficient facts to state a claim for breach of fiduciary duties.” As for the claim of civil theft and conversion, she added: “These allegations go beyond simply breaching the payment service agreement. “Deltec claims that Ibanera took Deltec’s segregated trust funds without authorisation, converted those funds into crypto currency, transferred them to wallets that Deltec could not access, and then invested the funds for Ibanera’s profit. Deltec further claims that Ibanera concealed the conversion and movement of the funds, and maintained false account and portal representations. “Deltec alleges that it gave Ibanera a specific set of funds for safekeeping, and Ibanera failed to segregate the money as plaintiff instructed. The allegations show that Ibanera converted the funds into crypto currency and invested it for its own benefit, without Deltec’s permission, and then misrepresented and concealed the whereabouts of the funds and refused to return them when asked to do so,” the judge wrote. “Once again, drawing all reasonable inferences in Deltec’s favour, it has alleged sufficient facts to state a claim for conversion and civil theft.”
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, August 5, 2026, PAGE 5
Eleuthera gaming strategy tied to ‘offshore wagering’ DEVELOPMENT from page B1 “No significant discussions have taken place with the Government of the Bahamas yet,” Mr Jacobs said in reply to Tribune Business ahead of his Thursday, August 13 meeting with the local community. “I believe that Prime Minister Davis is wisely deferring to the wishes of the Central Eleuthera residents. “Yes, we are engaged in conversations with property owners north and south of Governor’s Harbour regarding land for possible solar farms. While we have not entered into any purchase agreements, we are pleased that multiple parcels of land are available to be used as solar farms. “Regarding government approvals, we will begin to pursue those when and if the Government of the Bahamas wants to join us in a public-private partnership to move this project forward,” he added. “When all permits are approved, we will start with phase one. “Phase one includes the opening of the international terminal at the Central Eleuthera Airport, the sale of lots at the nearby Eleuthera Club and Estates, the improvement of Governor’s Harbour’s vehicle and pedestrian circulation - including phase one of the community pathway - and the opening of three access points to French Leave Beach.”
Mr Jacobs, in both his response to Tribune Business and recent July 31, 2026, message to Governor’s Harbour and Eleuthera residents also disclosed that he has modified his casino and gaming plans by shifting away from “a full-size 10,000 square foot facility” in favour of “smaller gaming salons located both at the J Resort and other properties to be created by other investors and developers he will attract to the island. He signalled that his plans are tied to regulatory changes in Nevada, the US state where he also owns gaming interests, which will facilitate “offshore wagering” or online gaming by tourists present in The Bahamas. Mr Jacobs suggested this could generate major gaming tax revenues for The Bahamas, although he did not provide great detail, with these funds and proceeds from his residential lot sales enabling Eleuthera to “pull itself up by its bootstraps:”. “We propose that job creation and the creation of tax revenue, as well as public and private sector development opportunities, will be maximised if Jacobs Entertainment creates several small gaming parlours in Eleuthera, including one in Governor’s Harbour,” Mr Jacobs wrote in his July 31 message to residents. “Jacobs Entertainment also proposes the creation of pilot projects with
But full fuel cost ‘to hit in 2027’ if no new hedging INSULATE - from page B1 at $65 per barrel, providing 365 days of protection through calendar year 2026 at a time when Brent crude prices averaged $100 per barrel for three months, and remained well above $70 for most of the first half of 2026,” the IDB recalled. “The hedge decouples domestic electricity tariffs from global spot prices, shielding households, hotels and businesses from energy-driven cost pressures. Fuel costs represent approximately 74 percent of total consumer electricity bills in The Bahamas, making the hedge’s coverage directly consequential for disposable income and operating margins. “Still, the hedge does not cover fuel prices at the pump, leaving the transportation channel open to oil price pressures…The Bahamas is projected to save $43m (0.25 percent GDP) with respect to expected post-shock bills using IMF oil price forecasts.” Instead of paying $205.5m for the same 2.5 million barrels of oil, based on the IMF’s average spot price estimate of $82.20 per barrel, the IDB predicted that it will now only cost BPL $162.5m at the lower hedged price. These findings are likely to make little impression on, and will prove cold comfort, to many Bahamian households and businesses more concerned with BPL providing reliable, consistent power that remains on so that they can keep cool amid the summer heat, not endure sticky nights and avoid disruption to workplace and daily routines. However, the $43m in fuel cost savings should in theory - go directly to reducing Bahamian household and business light bills. This is because the fuel charge is supposed to be passed through 100 percent to consumers by BPL, with the former - and not the state-owned utility - covering this portion of the bill. However, when spread across 100,000plus business and household consumers, the impact of the $43m forecast savings - which translates
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into $3.583m per month throughout 2026 - becomes somewhat less than implied by the headline figure. And, notwithstanding the hedge, BPL’s fuel costs still remain relatively high - standing at 17.4 cents and 21.4 cents per kilowatt hour (KWh), respectively for consumption below and above the 800 KWh benchmark. The latter figure, in particular, is still more than double the 10.5 cents per KWh fuel charge that resulted from the Minnis administration implementing its fuel hedge in summer 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, all savings help, and the Davis administration’s falls into this category even though the latest BPL and energy sector woes - which have spread to New Providence after impacting multiple Family Islands - appear to have occurred after the IDB composed its report. “The BPL fuel hedge carries a direct implication for tourism sector competitiveness. Stable electricity tariffs, locked at the $65 per barrel equivalent through December 2026, protect hotel and resort operating margins from the cost pressures that are compressing margins across higher energy-cost Caribbean competitors,” the multilateral lender said. “For an archipelago where energy represents a significant share of hotel operating costs - air conditioning, water desalination, cold chains and food and beverage operations - this insulation will translate into a relative cost advantage while high oil prices last. Combined with the proximity advantage on air fares, the hedge contributes to making The Bahamas one of the more insulated Caribbean destinations in terms of the demand and cost pressures of geopolitical events.” The Davis administration’s strategy, based on the timing rather than anything in the IDB report, appears to have been that the BPL fuel hedge would offer businesses and households some protection until the Government’s energy reforms begin to take full
the Government of The Bahamas dealing with the following two gaming related issues. Internet wagering has now caused the Nevada Gaming Control Board to approach offshore wagering in a new fashion, to the potential benefit of the Government of the Bahamas. “A Jacobs Entertainment tourist route model, which can generate significant revenue to the Government of The Bahamas, leading to future Family Island resort development.” Asked by Tribune Business to explain what this involves, and means, Mr Jacobs seemed to indicate it will generate sufficient tax revenues to aid Eleuthera’s infrastructure development. “Now that we better understand the need for significant improvements in the public infrastructure in central Eleuthera, we are proposing not only our boutique resort gaming parlour, but also an ability for other tourist resorts/facilities on the island to each have four to five games with a heavy tax staying in Eleuthera to pay for needed public improvements,” the US developer said in an e-mailed reply. “Sort of a ‘thanks for staying with us, and we hope you had fun’ gaming tax. So, bottom line is that central Eleuthera can pull itself up by its bootstraps by leveraging off the sale of land for residences on its wonderful beaches, combined with a
effect next year via the conversion to cheaper, cleaner liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel for New Providence’s baseload generation as well as the launch of utility-scale solar in both Nassau and the Family Islands. “The BPL fuel hedge expires in December 2026. The hedge provides electricity price insulation only through the end of calendar year 2026. If Brent crude oil prices remain above $65, the full cost adjustment will hit in 2027 unless the hedge is renewed and widened. The fiscal and tourism competitiveness implications of expiration of the hedge without a successor strategy represent the most significant medium-term risk,” the IDB warned. However, it acknowledged: “Healthy growth and continued institutional reform, particularly in the energy sector, have generally improved [economic growth] expectations. Fiscal and growth metrics have been revised upward, but so has inflation. “Taken together, the BPL hedge and the broader energy sector reform under way since 2024, anchored by the Electricity Act, the Natural Gas Act and a target of 30 percent renewable penetration by 2030, signal a meaningful improvement in the Government’s institutional capacity to manage the energy vulnerabilities that have historically transmitted directly into fiscal costs, inflation and external imbalances…. “The Government has proactively insulated the domestic economy from the energy shock through a forward fuel hedging strategy executed by BPL, which has helped to preserve household purchasing power. Inflation remains below the regional average. Consumer price inflation in March 2026 posted a year-overyear change of 3.1 percent, driven mainly by a rise in the restaurant and hotels components,” the IDB said. “The IMF projects a stable outlook of 1.8 percent for 2026, well below the Latin American and Caribbean average of 6.6 percent, reflecting a moderate pass-through of higher import and freight costs due to the oil price shock, but partially offset by the containment of energy costs due to the BPL hedge.”
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voluntary gaming tax paid by foreigners…. “Regarding the new Nevada approach to gaming, an operator can send an Internet signal of a table game from a Nevada property such as J Resort Reno to Eleuthera and allow the tax dollars generated in The Bahamas to stay in The Bahamas. This is basically a brick and click approach to gaming and generates additional tax revenue for Eleuthera and The Bahamas.” However, Mr Jacobs also confirmed that he requires additional private land - as well as Government and Crown Land - to bring his $650m vision, which is promising to create 500 full-time jobs once the ten to 20-year build out is completed, to reality. While his earlier June message named the Pyfrom family as owners of the solar farm site, his subsequent one omitted their name. The latter message said: “It is proposed that two private water/power project grids be created by Jacobs Entertainment to service current and future hospitality developments in Governor’s Harbour and the proposed Eleuthera Club, Residences and
Estates. The objective of generating 90 percent solar power is a priority for Jacobs Entertainment. The second solar farm is intended to serve the Eleuthera Club, Residences and Estates development. “It is proposed that a 100-plus acre solar farm be created on the previously referenced land adjacent to the proposed Queen’s Highway/Banks Road southern loop connector [Pyfrom family land]. This project utility loop will also be designed to accommodate future resort development along Banks Road, heading south of town along the Atlantic Ocean. “It is proposed that proceeds generated by PPP residential lot sales on the Atlantic Ocean for the Eleuthera Club, Residences and Estates be used to improve certain public rights-of-way, as well as to create circulation trenches for the placement of Jacobs Entertainment’s project power and water grids,” the US developer added. “Most importantly, we propose we will improve the current situation by placing a second pipe dedicated to BPL customers alongside our resort property power loop. A separate solar firm
will be created for BPL to serve potential power to Governor Harbour’s area customers.” However, one Governor’s Harbour source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that - based on the maps and renderings supplied by Mr Jacobs - much of the land he needs is owned by the Crown on behalf of the Bahamian people. “All the land he has listed for affordable housing is Crown Land. Then there is the Government land by the Navy Beach or the Pyfrom land to the south, which he doesn’t own,” they said. “The most valuable land for his project belongs to the Bahamian people, not him. Far and away the most valuable land is the Navy Beach land and that land belongs to the Bahamian people.” Mr Jacobs has also begun to circulate flyers asserting that he has lived up to his real estate development commitments in Cleveland and Reno, Nevada, to counter and push back against rival ones suggesting he has not. Gaining community approval and acceptance, not to mention that of the Government, appears to be a major task.
PAGE 6, Wednesday, August 5, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
Trump is making a rare Western trip to talk about the economy, something polls show he’s weak on By DARLENE SUPERVILLE Associated Press PRESIDENT Donald Trump is making a rare visit to California and Nevada this week to try to draw contrasts with Democrats on the economy, border security and crime, seeking to shore up support for Republicans in November elections that will determine whether his party keeps control of Congress. The Republican president has struggled to connect with voters on the economy as elevated inflation and Americans’ feelings of uncertainty have overshadowed the stock market gains he often cites along with a low national unemployment rate. Trump was headed to the Los Angeles area on Tuesday to speak at a fundraising dinner for the Republican National Committee at a golf club his family owns in the suburb of Rancho Palos Verdes. On Wednesday, Trump will discuss the economy during an event at Red Rock casino in Las Vegas.
Only 32% of U.S. adults approved of Trump’s handling of the economy in an AP-NORC poll conducted in late July. In the same poll, most Americans, 69%, characterized the state of the economy as “poor,” and many said the cost of everyday essentials like groceries and gas was a “major” source of stress in their lives. Trump’s overall approval rating is at 33%, slightly below where he stood at this point in his first term. Trump is likely to take aim at Democratic Gov. Newsom During the trip, Trump is likely to throw barbs at California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat eyed as a likely candidate for his party’s presidential nomination in 2028. Newsom has become one of the president’s highest-profile opponents. White House spokesperson Olivia Wales said the president plans to “draw a sharp contrast between his commonsense agenda and the radical policies
of Democrats like Gavin Newsom,” touting his own efforts to cut taxes, reduce fraud in government programs, and crack down on immigration and crime. California was one of Trump’s first domestic stops after returning to office in January 2025. He surveyed the aftermath of wildfires that had wiped out whole neighborhoods of Los Angeles County, left thousands of people homeless and killed more than two dozen. Newsom greeted Trump at the airport on that trip, and they chatted amiably and gestured toward cooperation despite a bitter history. But the comity did not last. Six months later, Newsom argued in a speech that “democracy is under assault” by Trump after the president sent National Guard troops and U.S. Marines into Los Angeles without Newsom’s consent. This came after protests following a series of immigration raids by federal authorities. Trump routinely mocks Newsom and refers to the governor using a derogatory
PRESIDENT Donald Trump speaks during a meeting about military families, in the Oval Office of the White House, Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, in Washington. Photo:Alex Brandon/AP nickname, while Newsom taunts the president with frequent social media posts. The Democrat’s press office on Tuesday put out a statement saying that Trump was traveling to California not to help survivors of the wildfires but to raise money and attack the state with lies. “More than anything, we’d like the President to keep the promise he made on January 24, 2025: to ‘take care of Los Angeles,’” Newsom said. “18 months later, survivors are still waiting. And while you’re here, Mr. President, welcome to the world’s fourth-largest economy — growing faster than Texas and Florida combined. Enjoy your stay.”
PUBLIC NOTICE
PUBLIC NOTICE
INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL
INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL
The public is hereby advised that I, TRISHA MADUAKA COLLINS of P.O. BOX CB-11130, Skyline Lakes, New Providence, Bahamas, intend to change my name to TRISHA COLLINS. If there are any objections to challenge the name by deed poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Officer, P.O. Box N-742, Nassau, The Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of the publication of this notice.
The public is hereby advised that I, SALLY MADUAKA COLLINS of P.O. BOX CB-11130, Skyline Lakes, New Providence, Bahamas, intend to change my name to SALLY COLLINS. If there are any objections to challenge the name by deed poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Officer, P.O. Box N-742, Nassau, The Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of the publication of this notice.
“Trump treats California like his personal political punching bag— right up until he needs someone to write a check,” California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks said in a statement. “He may hit up a few billionaire donors who bankroll his political operation, but the people of California have already made it clear: they want nothing to do with his chaos and corruption.” Housing prices are a big issue at Trump’s second stop: Nevada Nevada, where Trump will be on Wednesday, is led by a Republican governor, Joe Lombardo, who faces Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford in a battle for reelection in November. The contest is considered
one of the most competitive governor’s races in the country. The Nevada State Democratic Party is putting up billboard signs about Trump’s visit that tie him to Lombardo and higher costs. The state is grappling with a shortage of affordable housing, exploding energy demand from artificial intelligence data centers and federal cuts to key state programs. Trump has tried for several months to sell voters on his income tax cuts and claims of a manufacturing renaissance. But interest rates are high, a gallon of gasoline costs more because of the Iran war, tariffs are still reshaping the economy and, by the White House’s own estimates, there is a national shortage of housing.
NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that I MORNA SOIVILIEN of Homestead 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 5th day of August, 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 WEINCE JOSEPH of #43 Bahama Avenue, 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 5th day of August, 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 ASHLEY REGINE REYNOLDS of Podoleo 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 twentyeight days from the 5th day of August, 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 FRITZ JOACHIN of Toote Shop Corner, 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 29th day of July, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, August 5, 2026, PAGE 7
US stocks hit records as profits keep piling up for Palantir and others, while oil prices ease By STAN CHOE AP Business Writer THE U.S. stock market rallied to records on Tuesday as profits kept piling up for companies and as oil prices eased. The S&P 500 shot up 1.8%, and the main measure of Wall Street’s health topped its prior all-time high set a couple months ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 907 points, or 1.7%, to its own record set the day before, while the Nasdaq composite jumped 2.6%. Despite worries about high inflation, the war in Iran, frustration with the economy and a possible bubble in stock prices because of the boom in artificial-intelligence technology, Wall Street hit its latest apex and rewarded investors who remained patient because profits keep soaring for companies. Stock prices tend to follow the path of corporate earnings over the long term. Palantir Technologies helped lead the way and surged 29.5% after CEO Alex Karp said its overall revenue leaped 93% in what he called an “otherworldly” quarter. Besides
reporting a stronger profit for the spring than analysts expected, the AI company also raised its revenue forecast for the full year of 2026. Caterpillar climbed 5.6% after the heavy-equipment maker likewise reported stronger profit and revenue than analysts expected. It was the first time Caterpillar made more than $20 billion in sales and revenue in a quarter, and CEO Joe Creed said it’s seeing strong order rates and a growing backlog across its main businesses. Caterpillar is also benefiting from the AI boom through increased orders for turbines used to power data centers, among other things. They’re the latest companies to deliver even better profits for the latest quarter than investors expected, following strong results from Amazon, Microsoft and others. Coming into this week, companies in the S&P 500 index were on track to deliver growth of nearly 50% in earnings per share for the spring from a year earlier, according to FactSet. That would be the biggest such jump since 2021, when the economy was roaring
BIG oil companies continue to book massive profits as fighting in Iran disrupts energy markets and sends oil and gasoline prices sharply higher. Six of Europe’s largest oil companies posted combined first-quarter profits of $22 billion, more than 40% higher than last year. Profits at BP, based in London, more than doubled to $3.9 billion in the second quarter, the company said Tuesday. And Saudi Aramco reported a 44% yearon-year increase in second-quarter net profit that reached $32.69 billion, driven by higher crude oil, refined products and chemicals prices. The supercharged performances from big oil in Europe and the Middle East follow reports of enormous profits from the largest U.S. oil drillers last week. As the conflict has dragged on, high oil prices have driven up the cost of gasoline, jet fuel and diesel, which has led to higher shipping costs. In the West, filling up the car or buying a plane ticket is costing
consumers more. But the situation in parts of Asia are more dire because the region depends more heavily on fuel exported through the Strait of Hormuz. Fuel supplies have run low in some countries, leading to rationing and sporadic closures of schools and government offices. Despite oil prices falling to their lowest level in three weeks Tuesday, big U.S. energy companies drew the ire of President Donald Trump, who criticized them this week for their outsized profits.
back to life after cratering in the COVID-19 pandemic. With corporate profits up so much, when stock prices are still roughly where they were two months ago, stocks don’t look as expensive as they did before, according to Phil Segner, a co-portfolio manager at the Leuthold Group. Also helping stocks on Tuesday was another drop for oil prices. Brent crude, the international standard, sank 5.3% to $79.36 per barrel as hope
Trump said he’s not happy with Chevron and Exxon Mobil, though energy prices skyrocketed only after the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran in late February, and the Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed off to tanker traffic. About 20% of the world’s oil typically flows through the strait. “They made too much money, too much money,” Trump said Monday. “They ought to give some of that back to the public, and they better cut the retail price.” Exxon Mobil on Friday reported that its second
THE per-gallon price is displayed electronically over the various grades of fuel available from a pump at a QT gasoline station Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Greenwood Village, Colo. Photo:David Zalubowski/AP
McDonald’s posts strong second quarter profit, names new leader for US market By MICHELLE CHAPMAN AP Business Writer MCDONALD'S posted a strong profit in its second quarter and named a new head of the U.S. market with sales at home under pressure as many Americans grow increasingly cautious about spending. Same-store sales, or sales at locations open at least a year, edged up 0.8% in the U.S. That's a sharp slowdown from the 2.5% increase a year ago, when the company had a big win with a meal tied to "A Minecraft Movie." Global same-store sales rose 1.3%. CEO Chris Kempczinski said during the company's earnings call on Tuesday that the U.S. performance was partly hurt by inconsistent execution across its restaurants and marketing programs that didn't meet expectations. "We don't have a strategy problem," he said. "We simply didn't execute at the
level we needed to in the second quarter." Another issue was a pullback on the number of digital offers that customers received, Chief Financial Officer Ian Borden said. Without those offers, customers either bought less, or didn't buy at all. McDonald's plans to address this by launching more digital offers nationally, starting next week. The company is also looking to send more personalized offers to its most loyal users, he added. McDonald's, like many restaurant chains, is dealing with American consumers that are keeping a close eye on their wallets. The company warned in May that high gas prices and consumer anxiety over the U.S. conflict with Iran could dent its sales. The U.S. average for regular gasoline reached its most recent peak on May 21 at $4.56 per gallon, according to AAA. McDonald's has jostled its menu and tried to lure some cost-conscious
South Korea’s Kospi had a more significant move and climbed 1.6%. Seoul has seen some of the world’s sharpest swings because two companies swept up in AI mania dominate its market, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. The Kospi had dropped 5.1% and soared 17.9% in the prior two days. Stocks of computer chip companies also strengthened on Wall Street, where gains of 2.6% for Nvidia, 6.6% for Broadcom and 7.6% for Micron Technology were some of the strongest forces lifting the S&P 500. They more than offset a drop for Chipotle Mexican Group, which fell 9.7% on fears that future profits could be hurt after the chain removed jalapeños from some of its restaurants following a salmonella outbreak. Chipotle said that Minnesota health officials have no ongoing concerns with it. All told, the S&P 500 rallied 136.02 points to 7,736.52. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 907.47 to 54,085.88, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 671.10 to 26,584.99.
quarter profits doubled to $14.5 billion, boosted by record diesel production. The oil giant, based in Spring, Texas, brought in $116 billion in revenue, up 42%. Chevron, based in Houston, nearly quadrupled its profits to $12 billion and revenue jumped 56% to more than $70 billion. On Tuesday, the price of U.S. crude oil fell 5.4%, or $4.36, to $75.98 per barrel. The sharp decline followed
comments by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who told CNBC that the U.S. and Iran “may have a deal today or tomorrow to open the Strait.” Oil prices for U.S. crude are down from around $92 a barrel in late July, but still more than 13% higher than when the conflict with Iran started. Brent crude, the international standard, fell 4.9% to $83.87 per barrel.
A resolution to the Iran conflict, which has lasted more than five months, could give oil shippers the ability to send vessels out of the Persian Gulf, where tankers of oil and other products have been trapped during the fighting. Shares of major oil companies are up by around 20% to 30% this year, easily outpacing the 13% gains on the S&P 500.
A TRADER works on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Thursday, July 30, 2026, in New York. Photo:Yuki Iwamura/AP
Big oil companies continue to post banner profits as fighting in Iran drives prices higher The Associated Press undefined
once again took over from fear in the oil market. It had swung sharply between $72 and $102 through July on uncertainty about when the war with Iran would allow oil tankers to freely exit the Persian Gulf again to deliver crude around the world. It’s jerked up and down many times as uncertainty built, receded and then built again, not only week to week but also hour to hour. Analysts warn more swings could be ahead, but
the latest drop in oil prices nevertheless helped ease Wall Street’s worries about inflation. That pulled down yields in the bond market, which in turn relaxed pressure on the overall economy and on prices for stocks and other investments. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.62% from 4.70% Monday and from 4.75% at the end of last week. That’s a notable move for the bond market, though it remains well above its 3.97% level from before the war with Iran. Higher yields make it more expensive for all kinds of Americans to borrow money, from homebuyers looking for a mortgage to big companies looking to build AI data centers. Reports on the U.S. economy, meanwhile, showed it remains resilient even though inflation remains worse than anyone would like. One said U.S. employers were advertising nearly 7.4 million job openings at the end of June, a slight slowdown from May’s level but close to economists’ expectations. In stock markets abroad, indexes rose modestly across much of Europe and Asia.
customers to its restaurants through value meals and other specials. These items can be particularly important for low-income customers, who are hit hard by rising costs. In April, the chain introduced a simplified McValue menu, which has 10 items that cost $3 or less. Kempczinski said that about a year ago, McDonald's got a bit off target on value, and that its base menu pricing began running higher than its competitors in many places. The company has since worked to bring its prices below or closer to competitors on items ranging from burgers to drinks. For the three months ended June 30, the Chicago burger chain earned $2.36 billion, or $3.32 per share. A year earlier it earned $2.25 billion, or $3.14 per share. Excluding one time charges and benefits, earnings were $3.38 per share, beating the $3.32 per share analysts polled by FactSet expected.
PAGE 8, Wednesday, August 5, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
Utility’s idle transmission tower caused 2025 Eaton fire that killed 19, Los Angeles officials say By AMY TAXIN and CHRISTOPHER WEBER Associated Press SPARKS from an idle transmission tower owned by Southern California Edison caused the 2025 Eaton fire in the Los Angeles area that killed 19 people and destroyed more than 9,400 homes and businesses, Los Angeles County fire officials said in a report released Tuesday. It took firefighters nearly a month to extinguish the blaze, which scorched 22 square miles (57 square kilometers). The Eaton fire burned at the same time as the wind-whipped Palisades fire. An AP analysis at the time showed both blazes torched more urban area than any California fire in decades. The Eaton fire was caused by electrical arcing on the utility’s out-of-service tower atop a ridge covered with dry fuel, the agency said in a statement. When bare, uninsulated wires touch or come close together it can cause arcing, which is when electricity jumps through the air, producing sparks.
The report said SoCal Edison was responsible for maintaining and operating its electrical lines and equipment “in a manner that would minimize the risk of catastrophic wildfire posed by them.” Utility has acknowledged potential involvement The utility indicated previously its equipment may be involved. In early reports to the California Public Utility Commission, SoCal Edison said it detected a “fault” on one of its transmission lines around the time that the Eaton fire started. Kathleen Dunleavy, a spokesperson for SoCal Edison, said the utility is reviewing the report. “We have taken our potential role in the start of this fire seriously from the very beginning,” Dunleavy said. She said SCE previously acknowledged “it was likely our equipment was associated with the ignition of the Eaton Fire.” Utilities have been blamed for many of
TREES sway in high winds as the Eaton Fire burns structures Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. Photo:Ethan Swope/AP California’s most destructive fires in recent years. SoCal Edison, which provides electric service to about 15 million people in California, has paid out hefty sums over the years due to its equipment sparking fires, including $2.2 billion to settle insurance claims from the deadly, destructive Woolsey wildfire in 2018. Dunleavy said the utility has claims against other
agencies over issues such as emergency response and the condition of surrounding vegetation. “Ignition is different from spread,” Dunleavy said. “A fire of that magnitude – it’s never just one thing. There are numerous factors.” The utility is facing hundreds of lawsuits from fire victims, insurers and government entities related to the Eaton fire. The U.S. Department of Justice has also sued the company over damage to National Forest land, and has asked for more than $40 million in damages to the federal, state and local governments. Joy Chen, executive director of Every Fire Survivor’s Network, said the report confirms what thousands of fire victims already knew about what caused the blaze. “The real question is who pays?” asked Chen, whose
home sustained smoke damage. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said Tuesday that it will review the investigative report and will work with local, state and federal authorities to determine if criminal charges are warranted. The California Department of Justice didn’t immediately comment. Another California utility, Pacific Gas & Electric, filed for bankruptcy after its outdated equipment ignited wildfires in California that killed more than 100 people and wiped out entire towns, including Paradise. The utility pleaded guilty to 84 counts of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the 2018 Camp Fire. The Los Angeles County Arson Fire Investigation Unit jointly conducted the investigation with California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection or Cal Fire. The blaze was sparked during extreme weather conditions that included high temperatures, low humidity and powerful winds. Two “electrical arcing events” occurred in quick succession, causing an unknown burning material to fall from the tower to the ground below, according to the report. Investigators interviewed residents who saw flames The report cites interviews with several residents who saw the fire in its early stages on Jan. 7, some who said it occurred below power lines. One witness
who noticed flames under an electrical tower said “he observed an arc while watching the fire; he described it as a blue light,” the report said. The witness began taking photos around 6:25 p.m., then watched as the blaze spread rapidly amid heavy winds. Another Pasadena resident told investigators she was doing dishes with her daughter when she observed a circle of orange sparks that turned into flames. “The circle of fire was located at the base of the transmission towers,” the report said. Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone said “while the cause has been determined, our focus remains on assisting our residents to rebuild their homes and livelihoods, and ensuring lessons learned drive meaningful and impactful change in memory of the 19 lives lost.” The Palisades Fire was the most destructive blaze in Los Angeles to date and among the five worst in California’s history. That fire killed 12 people and destroyed more than 6,800 homes and buildings in Pacific Palisades. The fire ripped through hillside neighborhoods, destroying mansions with spectacular ocean views. The man accused of sparking the Palisades Fire will be tried again this fall after his first federal arson case ended in a mistrial in June. Prosecutors said Jonathan Rinderknecht used a barbecue lighter on Jan. 1, 2025 to spark a blaze that burned undetected deep in root systems before flaring back up Jan. 7.
THE Chipotle logo is displayed at a store, Aug. 13, 2025, in Newton, Mass. Photo:Charles Krupa/AP
Chipotle pulls jalapeños from some restaurants as health officials investigate salmonella outbreak By WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS AP Business Writer CHIPOTLE Mexican Grill said Tuesday that it had removed jalapeños from some of its restaurants after determining the peppers could potentially be tied to a salmonella outbreak public health officials are investigating. In a brief statement, Chipotle maintained that the “health and safety of our guests and employees is our highest priority” — and that it had pulled the jalapeños out of an abundance of caution and “replaced them with product from different growers” in all locations where a previous common lot had been distributed. The company did not specify where the initial peppers came from but noted that the jalapeños in question were sent across multiple states to several retailers. The Minnesota Department of Health on Tuesday confirmed that it was investigating a salmonella outbreak tied to several Mexican-style, quick-service restaurants — with jalapeños as the suspected source. Officials identified 110 cases in the state. Chipotle made up the majority of those where they were able to reach impacted consumers for an interview — who ate at the chain between mid-June and midJuly — but not all. “Based on all the evidence so far, the food that
made people sick was served at other restaurants as well,” Carlota Medus, senior epidemiologist supervisor in the Minnesota Department of Health’s Foodborne Diseases Unit, said in a statement. Medus said Chipotle had been cooperative over the course of the investigation — and that given the measures the company put in place, her department was not concerned about the chain at this time. Still, she said it was “too soon for us to know if the outbreak is ongoing” and that it’s possible contaminated food is being served elsewhere. The Minnesota Department of Health noted that other states are contributing to the investigation, without elaborating further. On the federal level, the Food and Drug Administration is conducting the traceback probe, covering but not limited to jalapeños. The FDA on Tuesday confirmed it initiated its traceback investigation “of multiple ingredients” on July 22, in response to a cluster of salmonella illnesses identified by both state officials and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In a statement, the agency said it appreciated Chipotle’s cooperation and that it would “provide additional information if and when there is an actionable public health update.” The CDC did not respond a request for
further comments Tuesday afternoon. Symptoms of salmonella poisoning include diarrhea, fever, severe vomiting, dehydration and stomach cramps. Most people who get sick recover within a week. Infections can be more severe in young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems, who may require hospitalization. Chipotle has been battered by larger outbreaks in years past — notably between 2015 and 2018, where a string of E coli., norovirus and food poisoning illnesses sent sales plunging. The California-based company has since boasted stronger food safety practices. The latest salmonella outbreak arrives at a tough time for restaurant-goers and the dining industry nationwide. A handful of fast-casual chains are still wrestling with the fallout of a separate, wider cyclospora outbreak linked to shredded lettuce that has sickened thousands of Americans. Chipotle hasn’t been tied to or named by government investigations into those cyclospora illnesses. Still, the company is among those bracing for lower sales because of that outbreak. Shares of Chipotle Mexican Grill plunged nearly 10% Tuesday.
Large marine mammal
WORDSEARCH
THE TRIBUNE
Hindu or Buddhist 90s film, _ Beauty temple
K B C H A R R I O T T Y M S F K E R R I D G E N H R T A Z D Y E R F F A J L I R V K R N I V K P L D K E P E S M I T H C I C U G A I T B T Y A S I M K P O I M T H V H S T A K N I S H D T H F S T W U R C S D C O O A T C E E Z N L S O V M V N L R E S Y D X X E E S S I A W L C L F U O V P Q M A A E J R Y J A A T H N E Q Y U F I G I W H G P W R B R E V I L O N G O J O M H S R G B D F O B U H O M T M K W O T M M Y Y B X T D R E Z P G M N W H O D P I Y
Wednesday, August 5, 2026, PAGE 9
Unwell
A in LAN
Wealth
Of _, as expected Obvious Fish eggs
Repeat
Tropical bird
Stitch
Animal doctor
Team trip
Name
Synthetic fibre
Expelled Cardinal number
Step in classical ballet Picture house
Annotation
Illegal burning
For every
Flavour
Sympathy
Cooking term
Scene of conflict
Pub Swindle Emerge from an egg
As well
_ Leone, African country
Puts right Information or news
Taken as a whole
Born as
Large sieve 80s film, The _ Strikes Back
_ the line, comply with
Aware of
Oozed
Scottish city
Give food to
TELEVISION CHEFS Find all the terms listed below in the grid. Solution tomorrow BERRY ● BLUMENTHAL ● CRADOCK DICKSON WRIGHT ● FLOYD ● GALETTI HARRIOTT ● HOLLYWOOD ● HOM HUSSAIN ● JAFFREY ● KERRIDGE LAWSON ● LEITH ● MARTIN ● OLIVER RAMSAY ● RHODES ● SMITH ● STEIN
Hardens
To father
Sandwich, informally
Male sheep
Plant ovule
Based on fact
Private (abbr.)
Edition
Bird sound
Shut
Regret
Welcome
Rapidity
FRIDAY’S SOLUTIONS THE ALPHABEATER
ARROW-WORD
DITLOIDS
Black squares: 2, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 16, 19, 22, 26, 28, 29, 34, 40. Across: Family, Car, Jumpy, Shrank, Axis, Vertical, Rebounded, Hosepipe, Kiln, Frozen, Cowed, She, Govern. Down: Arachnids, Murkier, Slice, Ewe, Lint, Index, Equip, Sugar, Brio, Ice, Cynic, Drizzle, Revulsion.
Across: Reilly, Sale, Drag, Goal, Aprons, End, Para, OBE, Lam, Spectre, Slated, Med, Ivor, Jar, Erie, Here, At sea, Rehab, Disease, Toe, Sell, Apse, Derek, Iran, Very, Coin, Pads, Kelly. Down (left to right): Bali, E-fit, Eva, Disagree, Aver, Soared, Lagoon, Storekeepers, Ill, And, Peri, Sky, Yells, Fed, Ears, Tees, Ice, Saltmarsh, Enrol, Rarer, Earl, Ail, Tamed, Jab, Lenny. Shaded letters: Desdemona
1 5 Strings on a Banjo, 2 3 Sons of Noah, 3 2 Hydrogen Atoms in a Water Molecule, 4 26 Counties in the republic of Ireland, 5 32 Travellers in The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, 6 4 Lobes in the Human Brain
THE ALPHAPUZZLE Across: Quad, Juvenile, Insipid, Types, Ounce, Terror, Indeed, Frieze, Loafer, Gable, Knelt, Avocado, Smellier, Hoof. Down: Quixotic, Skis, Arson, Diocese, Sphere, Fatal, Update, Arcade, Enter, Region, Improve, Beano, East (clue), Werewolf.
TV CROSSWORD Across: 1 Burns, 6 Hood, 8 Thank you, 10 Anton, 11 Kylie, 12 Elisha, 15 Trip, 16 Shobna, 17 Khan, 19 Noel, 21 Syal, 22 Cliff. Down: 2 Ugly, 3 Street, 4 Skye, 5 Substance, 6 Hunting, 7 Den, 9 America, 13 Also, 14 A Woman Of, 17 Kris, 18 Edmonds, 20 Mel. TV show: Number One Fan
WORDS ARGUE
MUDDLESOME Hackney Empire Orange Tree Donmar Warehouse
CLOCK-WISE Gear, Army, Myna, Name, Mesa, Sage
QUIZ OF THE WEEK 1 Invaders, 2 Princess Anne, 3 Richard Nixon, 4 Denise Welch, 5 Torquay, 6 Virginia Wade, 7 Life Of Brian, 8 Richard Adams, 9 Wembley, 10 MCMLXX.
TRIVIA WORDSEARCH 1 Pilot, 2 Antarctica, 3 UNCLE, 4 Maidenhead, 5 Carousel, 6 Tiberius, 7 Woody Allen, 8 Senate Square, 9 Gypsy Rose Lee, 10 Cruellest
SUDOKU EASY 8 7 6 3 1 9 5 4 2
4 3 5 6 7 2 8 1 9
1 2 9 5 8 4 3 7 6
5 1 4 2 3 6 9 8 7
6 8 3 9 4 7 2 5 1
2 9 7 8 5 1 6 3 4
7 5 2 1 6 8 4 9 3
SUDOKU MEDIUM 9 4 8 7 2 3 1 6 5
3 6 1 4 9 5 7 2 8
BATTLESHIPS
8 4 1 9 7 5 2 3 6
7 5 6 4 2 3 8 1 9
2 9 3 8 6 1 7 5 4
1 3 9 2 5 4 6 7 8
4 8 7 1 3 6 5 9 2
SUDOKU DIFFICULT
6 2 5 7 9 8 3 4 1
KAKURO
1 2 5 9 1 4 3 2 1 9 8 3 2
SMALL CROSSWORD
Across: FETID Down: TIDES
5 1 2 6 4 7 9 8 3
KEIJO 3 2 1 6
3 5 3 1 4 2 5 2 4 3 1 1 3
9x4=36, 4x4=16, 5x8=40
CROSS DOUBT
9 7 4 3 8 2 1 6 5
1 2
SUMTHING
Across: 1 Climb down, 7 Lola, 8 Cobra, 10 Sum, 11 Rimini, 13 Go-between, 14 Joanna, 16 Mia, 18 Ascot, 19 Acre, 20 Neediness. Down: 1 Clergyman, 2 Lotion, 3 Magi, 4 Don, 5 Obscene, 6 Name names, 8 Contort, 9 Embrace, 12 Tenors, 15 Alan, 17 Cod.
3 6 8 5 1 9 4 2 7
7 9 7 8 1 3 2 5 8 1 9 3
3
2
1
4
1
3
4
2
2
4
3
1
4
1
2
3
QUICK CROSSWORD
TARGET
Across: 1 Inlet, 4 Pretend, 8 Similar, 9 Cross, 10 Acts, 11 Devotion, 13 Lure, 14 Scan, 16 Negation, 17 Fire, 20 Outer, 21 Radiant, 22 Strange, 23 Emend. Down: 1 Instantaneous, 2 Limit, 3 Tilt, 4 Parcel, 5 Encroach, 6 Emotion, 7 Disinterested, 12 Brethren, 13 Lighter, 15 Coerce, 18 Image, 19 Idle.
ANNOTATOR anatto, annatto, ANNOTATOR, aorta, attar, onto, rant, ratan, rattan, root, rota, tantra, tarn, taro, tarot, tart, tartan, toot, torn, tort, trot