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Wednesday, august 12, 2026

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Spending watchdog probes to help deter future funds ‘misuse’ BY NEIL HARTNELL TRIBUNE Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

Judge urged: Clarify $10m tax dispute not dismissed BY NEIL HARTNELL TRIBUNE Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net A SUPREME Court judge was yesterday urged to swiftly clarify that his recent verdict does not mean the challenge to the Department of Inland Revenue’s demand for nearly $10m in unpaid taxes owed on the former Ginn project’s land assets is dismissed. Attorneys for LRA-OBB and Resort Holdings, the two corporate entities that hold several thousand acres in Grand Bahama’s West End, called on Justice Franklyn Williams KC to confirm that the separate Tax Appeal Commission case - disputing the tax authority’s land valuation, and therefore the real property tax arrears allegedly owed - remains live and unresolved. Michael Scott KC, their principal attorney, in an August 11, 2026 letter to the judge and his clerk, Barron Musgrove, asserted that “a serious public misunderstanding” had arisen as a result of Justice Williams’ recently-published July 31 verdict in which he refused to give LRA-OBB and

Ginn land owners fear ‘serious public misunderstanding’ from verdict But back in Old Bahama Bay control and pledging to preserve 30 jobs Ask court to confirm Tax Appeal Commission case unaffected, ongoing Resort Holdings permission to bring Judicial Review proceedings. That case, which was brought before the Supreme Court, focused on a separate element of the Ginn real property tax dispute - the Department of Inland Revenue’s (DIR) bid to sell a 1,143 acre parcel from the project’s West End holdings for $26m to Bristol Pointe Ltd, an affiliate of Coakley International. The latter has unveiled an ambitious $6.5bn proposal to redevelop

BPL ‘murder’, 60% delivery cost hikes hit water suppliers BY ANNELIA NIXON TRIBUNE Business Reporter anixon@tribunemedia.net BOTTLED water and ice suppliers yesterday revealed rising fuel and operating costs, combined with repeated Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) outages, are making it increasingly difficult to capitalise on increased demand generated by the extra hot summer. Jaimi Hanna, owner of Alka Boost Water Refill Store, said summer is traditionally the company’s busiest period and sales have increased since the heat began intensifying around June. However, Ms Hanna added that the increase in demand has also placed additional pressure on her small operation, which relies on a single delivery truck to service customers in New Providence and the Family Islands. “We’ve had to add an additional day to our route to keep up with the demand,” she said. “A lot of my business, believe it or not, we have a lot of Family Island customers. So trying to service both the Family Islands, and then trying to service our local customers here on New Providence, has been tight, but we’ve been making it happen.” The company supplies Family Island customers with gallon-case orders, while its New Providence clients include a construction company and smaller shops. Ms Hanna said construction workers have been particularly important customers because of their exposure to the summer heat. “They working outdoors, so definitely I service them year-round,” she said. “And, of course, since the heat has started, they’ve been drinking a lot more water.” But while demand has risen, Ms Hanna said BPL’s electricity woes have disrupted operations at a time when the business would normally be looking to maximise sales. “The outages most certainly affected my business in that there were days that we had to go

PROVIDERS - See Page B6

THE OPPOSITION’S leader yesterday voiced hope that public officials and others will be deterred from “misusing” taxpayer monies by Parliament’s spending watchdog as it held “a productive meeting” with a provider of the controversial pre-election building vouchers. Michael Pintard told Tribune Business that the five-strong Public Accounts Committee, the only House of Assembly body for which the Opposition holds the majority, met with executives from the Grand Bahama-based Do It Centre to gain an understanding of how the $1.5m-plus vouchers initiative was implemented earlier this year. Declining to provide details, on the grounds that he did not want to “prejudice” or “pre-empt” interviews with other witnesses, the Marco City MP added that the Committee also plans to meet with other building materials suppliers who provided the vouchers as well as Ministry of Finance officials who were involved in their purchase. He even hinted these could include Simon

the destination via a project billed as creating 2,800 construction jobs and 6,000 permanent posts for Bahamians. While Justice Williams’ verdict will have no practical impact, given that the separate Tax Appeal Commission case remains active and undertakings have been given on the DIR and Treasurer’s behalf not to pursue or close the Coakley International sale until this is resolved, Mr Scott reiterated fears that an “erroneous impression” has been created of its dismissal and that this is “materially prejudicial” to his clients. It is understood that LRA-OBB and Resort Holdings, and their attorneys, are especially concerned that Coakley International/Bristol Pointe and its principals may seek to exploit Justice Willams’ verdict and promote the decision as removing all obstacles to their 1,143-acre purchase and wider plans for redeveloping Grand Bahama’s West End. The Supreme Court verdict, and resulting controversy and fall-out, have also emerged just as LRA-OBB

NARRATIVE - See Page B4

‘We’ll have to be independent of BPL and Gov’t’, asserts attorney BY NEIL HARTNELL AND FAY SIMMONS TRIBUNE Business Reporters BAHAMIAN attorneys yesterday questioned whether the courts will now have to be independent of Bahamas Power & Light’s (BPL) grid as well as the Government after repeated energy outages since last Friday finally forced the Supreme Court’s closure.

Paul Moss, an attorney who heads Dominion Management Services, a financial services provider, told Tribune Business that the enforced closure was “really a blow to the judiciary” and administration of justice, as well as Bahamians’ rights to access and seek legal redress, while describing the country’s energy supply as “a disaster” and “a crisis”. His concerns were echoed by Khalil Parker

KC, the Bahamas Bar Association president, who yesterday demanded “urgent intervention” by BPL and the authorities to rectify “the unacceptable state of affairs” that disrupted the functioning of a judicial system of “paramount constitutional importance”. Asserting that the repeated power outages, which began on Friday and ultimately led to yesterday’s Supreme Court shut-down, have “materially disrupted the administration of justice” and “orderly discharge of court and judicial business, Mr Parker warned that it will further setback and delay any cases that were due to be heard yesterday while

Vendor open but cautious on $2m Potter’s Cay marina plan BY FAY SIMMONS TRIBUNE Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net A POTTER’S Cay vendor yesterday welcomed the potential benefits from the proposed $2m Blu Cay marina project but said he remains cautious about how much additional business it will generate for nearby businesses. Kenneth McKenzie, owner of McKenzie’s at Potter’s Cay, said he saw potential in the proposed development after hearing directly from Blu Cay’s president, Larune Russell, at a meeting with nearby business owners earlier this week. However, he questioned whether the project will ultimately be limited to the amenities outlined by the developer. “He got good potential, but I don’t know,” said Mr McKenzie. Mr Russell told vendors that the proposed $2m-plus, 25-boat slip marina, which will also have 50 spots for jet ski storage, would

focus primarily on tour boat operators and include a coffee shop, welcome centre, cabanas and spaces for dominoes and checkers players, while seeking to direct visitors toward existing Potter’s Cay businesses. Mr McKenzie said he is pleased with plans to improve the appearance and amenities of the area, including the proposed spaces for domino players and other community uses. “I mean, that's good. I’d really like having the place cleaned up and looking like something,” he added. However, he questioned whether the proposed coffee operation would be the extent of the commercial activity at the development. “I don't see a man want to spend that kind of money to go just put a cafe there to sell coffee and doughnuts, and no gas station for the boat,” said Mr McKenzie. “I know it could be more than just that”

WELCOME - See Page B6

MICHAEL PINTARD

PAC holds ‘productive meeting’ with building voucher supplier Aims to question other vendors, Finance officials in next weeks Pintard: ‘Two more sessions’ planned before report on findings Wilson, the Ministry’s financial secretary. “We had a productive meeting with one of the vendors to get a good sense of how the programme had been executed,” Mr Pintard told this newspaper. “We’ll have another two sessions next week Tuesday and again the following week. We’re going to continue

INQUIRY - See Page B5 placing Bahamian rights in “jeopardy”. Mr Parker, adding that the Bar Association “decries in the strongest terms” the failure by BPL and the authorities to properly communicate what was happening, said: “The Bahamas Bar Association is deeply concerned about the persistent power outages that have, over the past several days, adversely impacted the courts, resulting in the closure of critical judicial facilities and materially disrupting the administration of justice. “Matters have been adjourned, litigants and witnesses have been turned away,

DISRUPT - See Page B7

PAGE 2, Wednesday, August 12, 2026

THE TRIBUNE

Bahamas to ‘accelerate’ digital Gov’t with Estonia partnership THE Bahamas will seek to leverage Estonia’s “model for e-governance” to “accelerate” its own roll-out of digitised public services, a Cabinet minister has affirmed. Sebas Bastian, minister of innovation and national development, in a statement said a just-signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Baltic state establishes a long-term partnership and co-operation that will help to advance digital transformation and innovation in The Bahamas. Besides learning from Estonia, regarded as being among the world’s digital society and government leaders, the agreement will also seek to foster Bahamian entrepreneurs and creativity in this sector so that the country builds increased capacity. Mr Bastian said Estonia's experience provides The Bahamas with an invaluable opportunity to learn from one of the world's leading digital governments. "Estonia has really been the model for e-governance in their advancement in digital identity, interoperable frameworks and how modern governments work,” he added in the statement. “As The Bahamas looks to move in that direction, having a country that has travelled that road and has the experience, the learnings

MINISTER Sebastian Bastian and Liisa-Ly Pakosta, Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs of the Republic of Estonia. and even the missteps to share helps us move faster. Being able to draw on that technical support allows us to take out some of the guesswork and accelerate our efforts as we modernise government for the Bahamian people." Mr Bastian said that while the partnership is technology-based, its success will ultimately be measured by the opportunities it creates for Bahamians and the country's ability to build lasting national capability. "Success isn’t simply importing technologies from all over the world and being adopters of AI (artificial intelligence), but being developers and builders. Capacity building is

what success looks like and, most importantly, success looks like sovereignty,” he explained. “We want our people building these technologies, operating them, owning them, deploying them and exporting them. Sovereignty means capacity. It means access. It means oversight. It means true ownership of government and private sector data and protections, and we felt Estonia understood and supported that vision." Mr Bastian signed the MoU with Liisa-Ly Pakosta, Estonia’s minister of justice and digital affairs, on the sidelines of the 41st annual CANTO regional

communications conference and trade exhibition. The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration between the two countries in the exchange of knowledge, technical expertise and best practices across a range of digital transformation priorities, including digital government; interoperability; digital identity; artificial intelligence; cyber security; digital infrastructure; institutional capacity; and citizen-centred public services. The deal also provides for technical exchanges, study visits, workshops and partnerships involving government, industry and technology stakeholders in both countries. The agreement builds on discussions started just one month earlier during the United Nations (UN) global dialogue on AI governance in Geneva, where Mr Bastian met Estonian officials to explore opportunities for strategic co-operation in AI, digital government and government modernisation. The Ministry of Innovation and National Development described Estonia as recognised worldwide for having one of the globe’s most advanced digital societies. It added that the Baltic state is viewed as a pioneere for secure digital identity, interoperable

government systems and citizen-centred digital public services. Through the partnership, the ministry said The Bahamas will seek to leverage Estonia's experience as it pursues digital transformation and builds the institutional capacity needed to support a modern, efficient and future-ready government. Ms Pakosta said Estonia views the partnership as an opportunity for both countries to learn from one another while advancing inclusive digital transformation. "Estonia is a small country and we value co-operation globally because we believe there should be no digital divide, and that every country should have the opportunity to benefit from digital transformation,” she said. “We see this co-operation not as showing others how to do things, but as learning from each other. Estonia is a good partner because we not only share our successes, but also our mistakes so they can be avoided. We are very practice-oriented, results-oriented and open in our co-operation." Ms Pakosta added that the ultimate measure of success for the partnership will be the tangible improvements it delivers for Bahamian citizens, businesses and future generations. "The success of this partnership will be when your citizens feel that services are becoming more efficient and better, and when your companies feel they have more opportunities. Most importantly, your young people

Exclusive realtor says project signals GB real estate revival A BAHAMIAN real estate firm says it has been appointed as the exclusive broker for a new waterfront residential development under construction on property next to Grand Bahama’s Taino Bridge. HG Christie, in a statement, added that one residence has already been sold, with further homes expected to come to market as construction progresses. It said the project’s developer, Hanno Strack, has spent the last 20 years planning, designing and building waterfront residential communities in Majorca and, now, The Bahamas. Mr Strack’s other Bahamas projects also include The Coral Villas, located off Coral Road near Royal Palm Way, where the first completed model residence is now ready for prospective buyers to view.

HG Christie said the arrival of new real estate inventory was particularly significant given that Grand Bahama’s property market is showing renewed signs of activity following a prolonged period in which relatively few new residential developments came to market. “We’re excited to be representing The Beach Residences at Taino Beach, but we’re equally excited about what these developments represent for Grand Bahama,” said John Christie, HG Christie’s chief executive and lead broker. “For a long time, there simply hasn’t been enough new development. We are beginning to see that change, and we believe projects like these can help create momentum for other developers to take a fresh look at Grand Bahama.”

Mr Christie said the island needs new investment across several segments of the housing market, including properties designed to serve the tourism and shortterm rental sector as well as homes for local residents. “Grand Bahama needs inventory,” he said. “We need quality properties that can appeal to investors and visitors, but we also need developers building homes that local families can afford - and communities can grow - with all the new projects coming online. It’s an encouraging sign that the market is beginning to move in the right direction.” The Beach Residences’ town houses feature three bedrooms, and are designed to overlook a private pool and a private dock on Freeport’s canal system. Mr Strack said the combination

THE BEACH Residences at Taino Beach features town homes being built by developer Hanno Strack. Photo:Barbara Walkin/Barefoot Marketing of location, design and flexibility was intentional. “We built these homes with today’s buyer and today’s traveller in mind,” he said. “People want privacy and space, but they also want the option of using the property themselves and renting it when they are away. Waterfront access adds another dimension to that experience.”

That combination is particularly relevant to Grand Bahama’s growing visitor economy, which is severely lacking hotel rooms, so there is demand for private properties that can function as vacation rentals while also providing owners with a personal retreat. Sarah Kirkby, an HG Christie realtor and co-listing agent, said: “Increasing our inventory is important

BTC parent’s chief: Innovation must flow from digital progress THE head of the Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) immediate parent says the Caribbean has reached a critical moment in its digital progress and must now translate advances in connectivity into greater innovation, productivity and global competitiveness. Inge Smidts, chief executive of Liberty Caribbean, in delivering the keynote address on the opening day of CANTO’s regional communications conference and trade exhibition, said: “Connectivity has transformed the Caribbean, but our ambition cannot stop there. “We now have an opportunity to build on the digital

foundations we have created and use them to drive innovation, strengthen our economies and position the Caribbean to compete more effectively on the global stage.” Ms Smidts delivered the address as Liberty Caribbean returned for the fifth consecutive year as headline sponsor of the 41st conference, which ends today at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Punta Cana. It was held under the theme, ‘Elevate the Caribbean: From connectivity to global competitiveness’. “We cannot build a globally competitive digital Caribbean in isolation.

INGE SMIDTS, chief executive, Liberty Caribbean, delivers the keynote address at CANTO’s 41st annual conference and trade exhibition.

should know they have a bright future in their own country because it is digitally advanced and creates opportunity,” she said. The Ministry of Innovation and National Development said that, for The Bahamas, the partnership represents an important milestone in work to modernise government, strengthen national capability in emerging technologies and position the country to compete in an increasingly digital global economy. Mr Bastian said: “The Ministry's approach is grounded in the belief that innovation must ultimately translate into better public services, greater economic opportunity and stronger national competitiveness for Bahamians. “The speed with which this partnership has progressed, from our initial discussions in Geneva to today's signing, reflects the shared commitment of both countries to moving from dialogue to meaningful impact. We are grateful to the Republic of Estonia for its friendship and willingness to share its expertise, and we look forward to working together to develop practical solutions that reflect The Bahamas' unique needs and priorities.” The signing forms part of the Ministry of Innovation and National Development's broader international engagement strategy, which seeks to establish practical partnerships that support government modernisation, responsible AI adoption, digital transformation and the development of futureready skills for Bahamians. as Grand Bahama begins to regain momentum and property sales increase.” She added that the development’s flexibility could make it attractive to buyers who want an investment property without giving up the ability to enjoy it themselves. “I think Hanno has chosen a concept that fits the market very well,” Ms Kirkby said. “An owner can come to Grand Bahama, enjoy the property, the pool and the easy boat access - and then rent it to guests when they’re not here. We have a real shortage of this type of accommodation, particularly properties with three bedrooms, a pool and a dock that Florida residents can pop over for weekends and enjoy.” “We’re excited to be part of this next chapter,” Mr Christie added. “When developers are willing to put capital into new projects, it creates confidence. It creates opportunities for buyers, investors, workers and businesses. We want hope to see more of it.”

It will take governments, regulators, technology companies, businesses and communities working together, along with the courage to invest, the willingness to innovate and the urgency to turn ambition into action,” Ms Smidts said. “The Caribbean has the talent, creativity, entrepreneurial spirit and resilience to compete. Our responsibility is to give that potential the infrastructure, technology and opportunity it needs to thrive.” Ms Smidts also joined the ‘CEO dialogue: Powering Caribbean competitiveness’, which featured John Gomez, Aliv’s chief executive. The conference also featured a presentation by Caribbean economist Marla Dukharan, “Economic outlook: The Caribbean in the AI decade’, exploring the potential economic impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and the opportunities it presents for the region. CANTO’s 41st annual conference and trade exhibition brought together more than 800 delegates from across the Caribbean and beyond for four days of dialogue, knowledge-sharing, networking and collaboration focused on advancing the region’s information and communications technology (ICT) sector. CANTO is a non-profit association made up of operators, organisations, companies and individuals primarily focused on advancing the information and communications technology (ICT) sector across the Caribbean region and the Americas..

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, August 12, 2026, PAGE 3

Exuma eatery eyes two-week re-open after enforced closing BY ANNELIA NIXON TRIBUNE Business Reporter anixon@tribunemedia.net A POPULAR Exuma restaurant yesterday said it is aiming to re-open within the next two weeks as it works through labour and supply challenges to resolve the concerns that sparked its enforced closure by health officials and other government regulators. Kenneth “KB” Bowe, founder of Chat ‘N’ Chill, said the Stocking Islandbased business has already begun work to address the issues that led to its closure, but acknowledged that completing the necessary improvements has been complicated by labour shortages and the difficulty

of getting materials and equipment to Exuma. “In about two weeks,” Mr Bowe said when asked when the restaurant is expected to reopen. “We are having a problem with labour and a problem with getting material here. But we started a little while ago. But you know how things can get blown out in the island. We would say about in two weeks’ time we should be ready.” The restaurant was shut down last week following inspections conducted by a number of government agencies, including the Bahamas Agricultural Health and Food Safety Authority (BAHFSA), Department of Inland Revenue, Royal Bahamas Police Force, Department

of Public Health and local government. Mr Bowe said the business employs around ten people, who are currently not being paid while it remains closed. He added that some employees have viewed the closure as a temporary break, while others have been assisting with the work being carried out on the property. The closure, Mr Bowe explained, stemmed from difficulties surrounding a project that was intended to address the property’s needs. “[I] trusted someone to do the project, and it was half-way done, and then we had to fire him. And as a result, we have a closure,” he said. Despite the restaurant being closed, other areas of the property remain

Bimini MP: More needed for Bahamians to get FDI benefit BY FAY SIMMONS TRIBUNE Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net BIMINI’S MP, and the Ministry of Tourism’s parliamentary secretary, yesterday said more work needs to be done to maximise foreign direct investment’s (FDI) benefits for Bahamians as he hailed the opening of Westgate Resorts’ first Caribbean destination on the island. Randy Rolle said the move is expected to expand Bimini’s limited room inventory, and create new opportunities for Bahamian businesses to service increased visitor demand, after Westgate unveiled the opening of Westgate Bimini Bay. The move follows last year’s announcment featuring Westgate, Gissy Family Investments and other partners working with RAV Bahamas on the Banyan Tree Bimini Resort & Residences on Rockwell Island project. RAV Bahamas,

led by developer Gerardo Capo, was identified at the time as the developer behind the $850m Bimini Bay project. Mr Rolle yesterday welcomed the project as an important investment in Bimini’s tourism future, noting the additional accommodation will help address the island’s limited room stock for stopover visitors. “As we work to make Bimini the go-to island in The Bahamas, this investment aligns with our plans to strengthen and expand the island’s tourism product and create more opportunities for visitors to experience Bimini’s unique culture, food, history and people,” he said. “Bimini currently has a limited number of rooms for stopover visitors, so this additional capacity will allow more people to stay on the island and experience Bimini year-round.” Mr Rolle added that increased visitor numbers

BTC outages disrupt southern Bahamas BY FAY SIMMONS TRIBUNE Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net PROLONGED Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) outages across several southern islands disrupted economic activity over the weekend, with residents stressing they were unable to work online, operate digital businesses or access services while still paying for data and connectivity. BTC said yesterday that services had been restored in Acklins, Crooked Island, Rum Cay, Inagua and

Mayaguana after technical teams worked to reconnect customers affected by interruptions to mobile, fixed, television and internet services. The company had previously warned customers in those islands that they could be experiencing service interruptions and apologised for the inconvenience. A Mayaguana resident said the impact of the outages went well beyond inconvenience, particularly for residents who depend on Internet connectivity for work and commerce. “It impacts everything. It impacts work a lot because

should also create opportunities for locals to establish and expand businesses providing transportation, excursions, dining, entertainment and other visitor services. “This is a great investment and a testament to the viability of Bimini and the Berry Islands - our community, our culture, our history and, most importantly, our people,” said Mr Rolle. Located in North Bimini, the Westgate property features newly renovated studio and two-bedroom villas and is accessible by commercial airline, ferry or private boat. Westgate said rental and owner exchange reservations are available for arrivals beginning October 1. The company said the property is being managed locally by G&G Luxury Property Management, which it described as a Bimini-based property management company. And its latest announcement said the opening

a lot of stuff is on the computer. When the service is down, it is like your whole life stops,” she said. “A lot of residents have digital products and digital stores, and when the service is down, they can’t even do that.” The resident said the loss of mobile service also raised concerns about emergency communications, recalling a fishing accident over the weekend when there was no service available to make a call. “There was a fishing accident over the weekend and there was no service to call in,” she said. The connectivity problems have also affected travel arrangements, with the resident recalling that two weeks earlier, while flying out of Mayaguana, the airport could not print tickets because the ticketing

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accessible to visitors as work continues. Meanwhile, Exuma local government officials warned that the shutdown has temporarily taken a key revenue generator and tourism attraction off-line. Glen Davis, Exuma’s chief councillor, said Chat ‘N’ Chill has become an established destination for tourists, particularly boaters visiting Stocking Island. “It is a high travel tourist area for boaters,” he added. “It’s a little island, so people who do a lot of boating go there for drinks some days.” Mr Davis said the restaurant’s absence removes one of the island’s attractions for visitors and represents a temporary economic loss for the wider community. “It impacts tourists because that’s one less

destination that they can go hang out, have a drink and lay on the beach,” he said. “So we hope that it gets back up and running in a short space of time.” Beyond its role as a tourist attraction, Mr Davis described Chat ‘N’ Chill as an important contributor to the Exuma economy. “It generates a lot of revenue, and it employs quite a few people, so it is important to our community,” he said. The closure comes as Exuma continues to rely heavily on tourism-related businesses, restaurants and small operators to provide employment and generate economic activity across the island. Mr Davis stressed, however, that the inspections and enforcement action were intended to protect

of Westgate Bimini Bay “builds upon” that strategic investment and further expands the company's presence in the region. Mr Rolle, however, warned that the benefits of foreign investment must extend beyond employment and include opportunities for Bahamian-owned businesses. “At the same time, we must be intentional about ensuring that Bahamians benefit first from the opportunities created by foreign investment,” he said. Mr Rolle added that second-home residents and owners must respect the rules governing businesses and jobs reserved for Bahamians. “We see too often investors creating side-business opportunities that ultimately benefit non-Bahamians while locals are left on the sidelines,” said Mr Rolle. “Biminites are not prepared to tolerate that kind of economic abuse.” He added that the Government's approach to foreign investment has to move beyond measuring success through the number of jobs created. “We have moved beyond the idea that foreign investment

simply means jobs,” he said. “Foreign investment must also mean business spin-off opportunities for Bahamians.” Mr Rolle said the Government has to ensure that locals are positioned to benefit as the island's tourism economy expands. “It will be incumbent on the central government to navigate these waters and ensure that, as Bimini grows, our people grow with it,” he added. Westgate said Bimini's proximity to Florida, natural environment and established tourism appeal made it an attractive

area did not have Internet service. “The Airport Authority was the only part of the airport that had Starlink, so the ticket desk didn’t have the Internet service it needed,” she said. The resident added that the outages were also affecting people trying to conduct

CONNECT - See Page B7

the public rather than undermine local businesses. “We have to appreciate BAHFSA and all those other agencies that ensure that the public is safe at all times,” he said. “So it’s not an easy job, but someone has to do it.” Mr Davis said food safety remains an important issue across Exuma, where businesses range from established restaurants to conch salad stands and other small food vendors. “For the most part, I’ll say yes,” he said, when asked whether food safety is taken seriously in Exuma. “There’ll be those people that take short-cuts, but for the most part, they’re safe.” He added that food businesses are particularly important to local livelihoods, noting that many operators depend on restaurants, fish fries and businesses in the town area to make a living. For Chat ‘N’ Chill, Mr Bowe said the immediate priority is completing the required work and getting the restaurant back into operation. location for its first Caribbean destination. The company said the new property will give guests access to boating, fishing, snorkelling, diving and other water-based activities, while allowing visitors to experience Bimini's local culture. For Mr Rolle, the expansion represents an opportunity to strengthen Bimini's position as a yearround destination while ensuring that the economic activity generated by tourism growth reaches Bahamian businesses and residents.

PAGE 4, Wednesday, August 12, 2026

THE TRIBUNE

‘Erroneous impression’ Ginn tax arrears battle now over NARRATIVE - from page B1 and Resort Holdings have finally succeeded in their long-running, almost 18-month fight to regain control - in their capacity as owners - at Old Bahama Bay and oust Island Ventures Resort and Club (IVRC), the entity formed by the 73 condo owners to manage the property following Ginn’s demise. John McDonald, IVRC’s president and leading figure, did not respond to Tribune Business calls and messages seeking comment before press time last night, but Mr Scott confirmed to this newspaper that his clients have finally repossessed the West End resort and changed the locks. He added that all jobs will be protected and safeguarded, with Don Churchill, the well-known Grand Bahama hospitality management consultant and realtor, taking on all former IVRC employees through his management company that will operate Old Bahama Bay moving forward. Meanwhile, Mr Scott, in his letter to Justice Williams, requested that the Supreme Court issue “without delay a short clarification” of addition to his ruling affirming that the matter before him is separate and distinct from the Tax Appeal Commission challenge, upon

which a decision is now awaited. While the Supreme Court case dealt with the DIR’s threatened sale of the 1,143-acre parcel, the Commission proceedings focus on the valuation and amount of real property tax arrears owing. “We write respectfully, but as a matter of urgency, to draw to Your Lordship’s attention to a serious public misunderstanding arising from the reasons recently delivered in the related Judicial Review proceedings,” Mr Scott wrote. “Those reasons are now being circulated and reported… in a manner which has created the erroneous impression that the appellants [LRA-OBB and Resort Holdings] tax appeal was dismissed on the ground of delay. That is not the procedural or factual position. “The tax appeal remains pending before the Tax Appeal Commission. The chief valuation officer’s [Shunda Strachan] preliminary objection, including the contention that the appeal was brought out of time, was fully argued before the Commission. The Commission reserved its decision and has not yet delivered it. The tax appeal has therefore not been dismissed, whether for delay or otherwise.” Justice Williams, in his verdict, found that the Judicial Review by LRA-OBB

(standing for Lubert Adler-Old Bahama Bay) and Resort Holdings was launched too late, and failed to meet the deadlines set by Bahamian law. As a result, even though he conceded the point was never argued by either the Ginn land owners or the Attorney General’s Office, he found the delay was “dispositive of the claim” and both dismissed it and any extension of time to launch the action. Mr Scott, though, said the “question of delay” was never put before Justice Williams and the Supreme Court but, instead, argued before the Tax Appeal Commission which has yet to rule. “The applicants did not ask the Supreme Court to determine either the merits or the timeliness of the tax appeal,” he wrote. “Our immediate concern is particularly acute because these proceedings, and your Lordship’s decision, have attracted immense public and media scrutiny. The reasons are presently being widely circulated and reported upon, with the consequence that an erroneous impression has gained currency in the public domain that the underlying tax appeal has already been dismissed on the ground of delay. It has not. “The Tax Appeal Commission has delivered no decision. The preliminary issue concerning the

timeliness of the appeal was argued before that Commission and remains reserved for its determination…. That misunderstanding is materially prejudicial to the applicants and, more importantly, risks creating public confusion as to the respective proceedings before the Supreme Court and the Tax Appeal Commission,” Mr Scott added. “Given the exceptional degree of public scrutiny which this matter has attracted, we respectfully submit that the distinction ought now to be placed beyond doubt.” Justice Williams had even signed an earlier Supreme Court Order, dated March 12, 2026, giving effect to the DIR and Treasurer undertaking not to proceed with the Coakley International deal. This stipulates the Department of Inland Revenue and the Bahamas Treasurer take no further steps to close the sale until the challenge LRA-OBB and Resort Holdings are mounting over the unpaid tax is resolved. The Order, which has been seen by this newspaper, mandates that the Department of Inland Revenue and Treasurer “do respectfully undertake not to complete the sale of the property…. until after the completion of the appeal proceedings”. Mr Scott, in effect, is arguing that Justice

Williams went further than the pleadings and actual case that was before him by deciding the substantive Judicial Review issues when he and his clients were still at the preliminary stage of only seeking the Supreme Court’s permission to launch proceedings. Meanwhile, he confirmed that LRA-OBB and Resort Holdings have wrested control of Old Bahama Bay from IVRC, with the actual resort as well as the marina and associated amenities, back in their hands. Mr Scott said steps are also being taken to preserve the jobs of an estimated 30 employees previously employed by IVRC. “What they are going to do, because they don’t want to create an unemployment situation for people working out there, is they are going to put together a hospitality company operated by Don Churchill in Freeport and West End, and they will substitute his service company for what IVRC was doing,” Mr Scott told Tribune Business. “What will happen with them is Don Churchill will operate a management services company on behalf of LRA-OBB and Resort Holdings, and provide the same functions as IVRC, which means there will be no loss of employment. “They do not want to leave the situation where West End is closed down,”

Mr Scott added of his clients. “It’s like Bimini - a port of call for weekend getaways from Florida. The way forward is Don Churchill substituting for what IVRC is doing. It will be new business as usual.” Acknowledging the lengthy effort to oust IVRC, in which at least four attempts to achieve this objective were met, he added: “It was not just the last 18 months. It’s been two months of continuous pressure and being resisted not just by IVRC but by the police. The police were running interference for IVRC, which I found extraordinary. I write three letters to the Commissioner of Police and not one was replied to. All we wanted was IVRC out, and that’s where we are.” Mr Scott and his clients took the position that, because IVRC has no lease agreement with them and only held a “bare licence” to operate the resort, it was therefore not a tenant at Old Bahama Bay. As a result, they argued that no eviction notice or Supreme Court possession order was required for LRA-OBB and Resort Holdings, and their managing agent, Reunion Cay, to reclaim operational and management control.

Tourism minister visits with Junkanoo Beach

Glenys Hanna-Martin, minister of tourism, toured Junkanoo Beach yesterday where she met with vendors and got a first-hand look at the tourism venue. She was accompanied by Randy Rolle, parliamentary secretary, Lorraine Armbrister, permanent secretary, and other tourism officials

Minister in meeting on cruise tourism impact

GLENYS HANNA-MARTIN, minister of tourism, and Ministry of Tourism and Carnival Cruise Line executives, met on Monday, August 10, 2026, to discuss a cruise tourism impact study on The Bahamas. Photos:Kemuel Stubbs/ BIS

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, August 12, 2026, PAGE 5

Pintard hopes to ‘impact way Gov’t funds managed’ INQUIRY - from page B1 to raise the questions with several of the vendors, and persons with the Ministry of Finance, we will also be interviewing them so that we have a rounded picture of how the programme was executed.” The Opposition leader, though, declined to provide specifics on what was discussed or learned from yesterday’s meeting with Do It Centre representatives. “We want to get a fuller picture before we comment on the details since we have not been able to speak with all the vendors,” he explained. “We don’t want to pre-empt our discussions with them by any public comments related to the process. “We don’t want to go any further than that at the moment. I don’t want to prejudice discussions that we are having in any way. We want to get the full picture at the front end, and have a full disclosure on the back end.” Mr Pintard, though, expressed optimism that the Committee will be able to uncover much of what occurred with the pre-election building vouchers based on “the participation from all concerned” on both the private sector and government sides, even referencing Mr Wilson. Tribune Business previously reported that the Government’s own procurement records showed the Ministry of Finance collectively purchased more than $1.5m worth of building vouchers from various building materials suppliers in New Providence, Grand Bahama and Abaco during March and April 2026 in the general election run-up.

Some $663,437 worth were acquired in April, including $413,437 from Freeport-based Contractors Direct, with the $250,000 balance obtained from Premier Importers. Both purchases were made by the ‘direct award’ method, meaning there was no competitive bidding, and took place on April 13, 2026 less than one month before the general election. The vouchers were acquired for the purpose of obtaining “building materials in Grand Bahama and Abaco” - seemingly to assist still-struggling residents with rebuilding and repairing their homes more than six-and-a-half years after Hurricane Dorian devastated both islands. Controversy, though, arose after Premier Importers revealed the vouchers had been purchased by the Ministry of Finance. But the vouchers, which were issued in “amounts of $200, $300 and $500”, carried the names and signatures of Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) election candidates and officials, raising concerns - vehemently denied and disputed by the governing party - that taxpayer monies were being employed to finance its campaign. The April 2026 purchases also added to the $900,000 worth of building materials vouchers purchased by the Ministry of Finance in March. Some $250,000 was sourced from 21st Century Building & Hardware, located on Palm Beach Street, along with a further $200,000 from Wulff Roadbased FYP. Some $150,000 was obtained from each of Cartwright’s Building Supplies, Pinder’s Enterprise and Hanson Building

Materials to bring the total to $900,000 for that month. Mr Pintard yesterday said it was the Committee’s “hope and anticipation” that its vouchers inquiry, and others that it plans to issue reports on such as the CARIFTA track and field championships and the Jubilee Games, as well as Auditor General investigations into these events, will “impact the way government funds are managed”. “We want to make sure that funds and processes, where people are tempted to misuse funds and processes, that these type of discussions and meetings in future give persons pause before making any decision which may be in violation of the law or the Public Finance Management Act,” the Opposition leader told Tribune Business. “We just want people to follow the law, the regulations and the procedures. We want them to follow the process and use public funds appropriately, and be open and transparent, having sent a message to all concerned so it informs future behaviour.” Mr Pintard said the Public Accounts Committee will likely spend “two more sessions”, spanning the next two weeks, focusing on the building materials vouchers and then “be in a position to wrap up shortly thereafter” given that it has attracted “significant public interest”. He added that a report on the matter would likely be circulated to Committee members around 14 days after the final meeting to obtain their feedback and ensure it accurately reflects interviews and findings.

PAGE 6, Wednesday, August 12, 2026

THE TRIBUNE

McKenzie’s chief: Developer must be ‘true to his word’ WELCOME - from page B1 The developer has said the planned cafe would primarily serve coffee and light breakfast items to early-morning boaters and would not compete directly with Potter’s Cay food vendors. Mr McKenzie said he is content with the proposed welcome centre and other amenities, but stressed that vendors would need to see the plans translate into tangible improvements. “We don’t want them to say one

thing and then it’s a different thing,” he added. The comments come as the proposed 25-slip marina continues to face questions from some Potter’s Cay stakeholders over its potential impact on existing businesses, traffic, environmental conditions and competition. Mr McKenzie said he believes the development could benefit the wider area if it succeeds in attracting more visitors to Potter’s Cay rather than keeping them within the marina. He added that the area has lost significant

business due to competing tourism attractions and visitors increasingly remaining within other developments rather than making their way to Potter’s Cay. The proposed marina’s focus on tour boat operators could provide an opportunity to bring additional visitors into Potter’s Cay, Mr McKenzie said, but the benefits would depend on how those visitors move through the wider area. “I mean, things have just slowed down on this side. I remember they said with the cruise port, business would come this way. Now

Higher water demand offset by BPL outages, fuel rises PROVIDERS - from page B1 without servicing customers at a busy time like this,” she said. Ms Hanna added that outages had already damaged some of her machinery before the summer peak. The experience has been even more costly for Bahama Clear Drinking Water owner, Giovanna Rahming-Charles, who said the company’s delivery expenses have risen because of higher diesel prices.

“Delivery costs have gone up mainly because of the prices of fuel, diesel,” she said, estimating that delivery costs have increased by almost 60 percent. Despite those higher costs, Ms Rahming-Charles said the company has resisted raising its prices because of what customers can afford. For a five-gallon bottle, customers who already have a bottle pay $4.50, she said. “We haven’t increased our prices because the market could only bear

so much, but all the costs associated have gone up: Electricity, water, diesel,” she added. Bahama Clear has also enjoyed a seasonal demand increase and, with the many heat advisories that have been issued, Ms Rahming-Charles said the strongest growth has been in ice rather than bottled water. “The highest sales is always as soon as kids get out of school until they go back in school,” she said. Unlike Alka Boost,

they have a water park, restaurants, bars, Bamboo Shack... the tourists don’t even need to come this way any more,” said Mr McKenzie. “And after Royal Caribbean opened their island, it’s even less folk who come down this way. So any project that bring the guests down this side is good but we just have to make sure this marina isn’t just continuing the pattern.” Mr McKenzie said Potter’s Cay had the potential to attract substantially more visitors if its wider environment was improved, as

visitors needed to feel comfortable and safe coming into the area, purchasing food and services and leaving without being subjected to disorderly activity. He said improved security, better management of the public space and efforts to clean up the area would be necessary for any new investment to translate into stronger business for existing vendors. “We need security and a bigger police presence. I know they have the station out here but we need to see them more,” said Mr McKenzie. He added that

Potter’s Cay already has the potential to become a better attraction, but needs the right management and investment to restore its reputation. Mr McKenzie said he was therefore prepared to give the Blu Cay proposal an opportunity, but will be watching to see whether the developer follows through on the commitments made to vendors. “Hopefully, he stays true to his word,” he said.

Bahama Clear does not rely heavily on Family Island customers because of the expense involved in transporting water by mail boat. “It’s just too costly to transport water on the mail boat,” Ms Rahming-Charles said. However, the biggest threat to her operation has been the reliability of the electricity supply. “Murder,” she said, when asked about the impact of BPL outages on operations. “Ice can’t refreeze. I’ve lost a whole freezer full of ice. Once it melts down, you have to throw it away. You can’t refreeze it.” The losses extend beyond inventory. Ms Rahming-Charles said repeated power disruptions and outages have damaged

industrial equipment, including several motors. “And then motors, because of the dirty electricity... BPL has been shocking the motors,” she said. “So I’ve lost like four or five motors, and each time I lose them, it costs me $800.” The financial impact, Ms Rahming-Charles said, goes beyond the cost of replacing or repairing the motors because equipment failures also create downtime. “And then you have down time in the business because it goes out and you have to wait to find a motor company to come in, take it out, rewind it, bring it back, then you can get up and running,” she said. “So

they’re wreaking havoc on industrial equipment.” Their comments come as New Providence has seen a summer of repeated power disruptions. Ms Rahming-Charles said the experience demonstrates why higher sales during hot weather do not necessarily translate into higher profits. “So you don’t necessarily make money just because it’s hot, because if you have other factors going on, then they increase your cost of doing business,” she said. For Ms Hanna, the summer has similarly brought a balancing act between meeting stronger demand and absorbing the additional costs and operational disruptions needed to fulfill it.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that I MARK GEORGE MYERS of Harbour Drive Paradise Island, 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 12th day of August, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that I MEIKALOR SABRENA TAYLOR of McKinney Drive, 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 12th day of August, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that I ADELROSE NIKITA AUGUSTE of Calvin Street, Soldier Road, New Providence, Bahamas, applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twentyeight days from the 12th 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 is hereby given that I MARK ANTHONY ROTHIE MYERS of Harbour Drive Paradise Island, 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 12th day of August, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that I 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 STANLEY PIERRE of P.O.BOX N-7060, John Chipman 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 12th day of August, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that I 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 is hereby given that I ERNA DIEVDONNE of Soldier Road, New Providence, Bahamas, applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 12th day of August, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

N O T I C E

MIDDLETON EXPORT FUNDING LIMITED

LEKKI REFINERY FUNDING LIMITED

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act 2000, notice is hereby given that the above-named Company has been dissolved and struck off the Register pursuant to a Certificate of Dissolution issued by The Registrar General on the 27th day of May, 2026.

Dated the 12th day of August 2026.

Kirvy Ferguson Liquidator of MIDDLETON EXPORT FUNDING LIMITED

Kirvy Ferguson Liquidator of LEKKI REFINERY FUNDING LIMITED

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, August 12, 2026, PAGE 7

Bar president blasts ‘disruption of justice’ DISRUPT - from page B1 and the orderly discharge of the business of the courts has been compromised. The judiciary is a co-equal branch of government under our Constitution. Its stable operation, and its access to the resources necessary to function without interruption, is not a matter of executive or administrative convenience; it is a matter of paramount constitutional importance. “When the doors of the courts cannot open, the rights of citizens to be heard, to have their liberty preserved or vindicated, and to have their disputes resolved in a timely manner are placed in jeopardy.” Mr Parker asserted that BPL’s failure to communicate what was happening “denied the judiciary the ability to put appropriate remedial and contingency plans in place, and has left

court users, members of the profession and the wider public without the clear and timely information to which they are entitled. This is unacceptable. “We call for an urgent intervention,” the Bar president added, urging “transparency and accountability” through BPL explaining publicly what has occurred and providing “the requisite assurances” that the outages will not continue. “The bench, the Bar, and the public are entitled to nothing less,” Mr Parker said. The Supreme Court closure occurred after the constant BPL outages since Friday eventually damaged its back-up generators, with fuel supplies also running low as these were kept running through the weekend. While refuelled on Monday, one of the main generators was damaged through being forced to run continuously,

resulting in its failure and shut down for repairs. Mr Moss warned that yesterday’s enforced Supreme Court closure will further impact already-significant case backlogs in the Bahamian judicial system given that matters are often scheduled up to six to 12 months in advance. “We know there are backlogs going back years,” he told Tribune Business. “Cases that have court dates right now will be in 2027, 2028. The delay just proves to be catastrophic. We have [an energy] crisis on our hands, and we have to mitigate what is going on with it. It’s a disaster what’s going on right now.” Describing the Supreme Court closure as “incredible”, Mr Moss added: “It speaks to really being totally independent, which means being independent of the grid. I’m not sure how practical that is. It’s really a PRESIDENT Donald Trump holds up an image taken from his Truth Social account at an event about coal, Thursday, June 4, 2026, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. Photo:Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

As Trump Media scraps some businesses, it’s doubling down on Truth Social and the president By BERNARD CONDON AP Business Writer THE president’s media company has tried its hand at a half-dozen new lines of business to lift its stock, but nothing has worked. Now it’s getting back to its roots. In a conference call with investors Monday, the company behind Truth Social said it will be unwinding much of its expansion and doubling down on its original media business by selling a form of White House access, a move that has raised big ethical questions among Democrats and government watchdogs. Donald Trump started Truth Social after he was kicked off Twitter and Facebook, but the two reinstated him more than three years ago, so the company has had to transform itself. Instead of a “free speech” forum, it now acts more like a “hear it here first” site, a second White House press office where people get scoops from the president on everything from the Iran war to tariffs to the future of the U.S. central bank. But shares of the parent company, Trump Media & Technology, kept falling so it decided to become more than a media company, and branched into unrelated industries like online betting, finance, investment funds, buying and storing bitcoin and nuclear energy. Now it’s returning to its original mission, with a twist: It’s offering a special new service that grants fast access to President Trump’s posts for a fee. The new business could double or triple revenue In a conference call with investors, the company’s new chief executive, Kevin McGurn, said it had already signed up several high speed trading firms, each paying between $60,000 and $100,000 a month. “We’re in the early innings,” said McGurn, noting that the potential market included data center companies, news organizations and developers of large language models, not just traders, and he was talking to them all. McGurn has rejected the idea that the new business is an ethics quagmire as good-government groups have said, noting that other social media companies

provide a similar service. As for the White House, it denies conflicts even exist between Trump the president and Trump the businessman where his private interests may influence his public policy. Traders on Wall Street can make big money if they get White House news faster and so are signing up — 10 in the week since the service began, which may seem like a tiny number but translates into a major boost for the company. The monthly customers collectively are paying as much as $7 million and $12 million annually — two to three times the revenue the company took in for all its businesses last year. Trump Media needs the money — and a lot more. It’s lost more than $1 billion since the start of last year, and its earnings report released Monday for the three months ended June 30 showed relief is not on the horizon. It lost another $238 million, though much of that was due to paper losses from the plunging value of its bitcoin holdings. Time is running out The clock is ticking to fix the company. Trump Media depends partly on outside funding, specifically $1 billion raised from lenders with a special agreement that allows them to get paid back early. They can demand the company buy back their convertible notes on Nov. 30, 18 months before the loans mature. That cashout date is just after the November midterms, which could impact the company should Democrats get control of Congress. Several current members, including Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, say they will hold formal investigations of Trump’s businesses, including Trump Media, should they take over. A third deadline is farther out, but the most consequential — the end of Trump’s presidency. Trump is a big draw for the platform’s users, but it’s not clear how many will read his posts after he leaves office, much less why traders will pay as much $1.2 million a year for sneak peeks at his posts if he’s no longer able to declare on the site that the Strait of Hormuz is open or that he’s hiking tariffs on dozens of countries.

blow to the judiciary that way. There are some cases that are being heard right now that will have been in the pipeline for several years. It’s a delay that I’m not sure they are going to get back.” He said that cases scheduled to be heard yesterday, and which had to be postponed, may not be able to be heard today or in the near future as witnesses, for example, may be due to leave The Bahamas and not be back for some time. Mr Moss, adding that BPL’s outages are just as impactful for the legal profession as they are for the Bahamian public, added: “It’s a national crisis, and we have to determine how to deal with it. We have one more month left of this summer heat, so I am not sure what they are going to do about it, but it’s absolutely essential and critical right now. It’s

a terrible situation. It’s a crisis, what we have.” BPL yesterday blamed an outage caused by a cable fault near Rawson Square for forcing the Supreme Court to close early. In a notice, the court advised individuals with scheduled matters to report to their respective courts today to obtain new court dates. “The public is hereby notified that the offices of the Supreme Court, Nassau, Bahamas, will close with immediate effect today, 11 August, 2026, due to power outages,” the court’s notice stated. “The Supreme Court will reopen tomorrow, 12 August, 2026, at 9am. Persons with matters scheduled for court are asked to report tomorrow to their respective court to obtain new adjourned dates. The court regrets any inconvenience caused, and appreciates the public’s cooperation

Islands blast disruption as BTC restores service CONNECT - from page B3 ordinary transactions and maintain communication with businesses and service providers. “I had an Airbnb service that was down and I couldn’t communicate with the host. It affects everything when you have no Internet or phone service,” she said. The latest disruption followed another widespread outage in the southern Bahamas, with the resident recalling that the islands had been without service for more than 24 hours in July.

She said the latest outage began on Friday, with service returning around 10am on Saturday before dropping again around 5pm and returning around 2pm Sunday. She was in Cat Island over the Emancipation Day holiday and said the same problem occurred there. “There was no service or it was poor service,” the resident said. The outages have also raised concerns about the value customers receive for mobile data and connectivity during periods when the network is unavailable.

and understanding in this matter.” Meanwhile, another round of BPL power cuts swept across western New Providence last night as the utility resorted to rotational load shedding amid increased demand. BPL yesterday announced that it would begin a rotational power supply schedule at 3pm for several western New Providence communities. The company said the power cuts were due to “increased demand” on the system, with residents placed on three-hour rotating intervals. “Due to an increased demand, a rotational power supply schedule will be initiated beginning at 3pm,” BPL said. The initial load-shedding exercise was projected to be completed at 9pm, but the utility later advised that additional communities would be included in the rotation, with those interruptions expected to conclude at 11pm. “BTC has to recognise that they are impeding things in this country. They don’t even take into consideration the data plans being used when they are not providing a service,” the resident said. “People aren’t getting the service they paid for and there is nothing coming back.” BTC said in its Monday update: “We’re pleased to advise that services have been restored in Acklins, Crooked Island, Rum Cay, Inagua and Mayaguana.” The company thanked customers for their patience and understanding while its teams worked to restore connectivity.

ADVERTISE TODAY! CALL THE TRIBUNE TODAY @ 502-2394

Frighten

Arrow-words are like crosswords, but the clues are printed inside squares on the grid. Write your answers in the blank squares in the direction indicated by the arrows. Solution tomorrow

WORDSEARCH JUDGE PARKER

BLONDIE

Japanese musical dwarf tree recording

Plunder

Show or record

Upright pillar

PAGE 8, Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Approach boldly

THE TRIBUNE

Overseas

Herb type

Plant cultivated in Peru

Banners

Grab Used to be Bird of prey

_ Geller, illusionist

E Q L T E U S T E R F L E O M S K K O D R O F X E W G E X W B C W O C S N P K X R Y L Q F A I P Y S H P K G A R X B A Y R W W D O H N D V O D Z M Y L M S I W N E C E M S C W A F A O I T K K R S R S A I V N N N U H G U O E E K R S O J S P M T C U M N B G D H B N T B W N H E E D O H I T C Y R Z W A S D R D T V G Y O U U Z J Z L R A I G U A L W Y T K G L O T P R T D N B E K H F I L E Y B U T G Y E S L E S E A C O A X Z L T H G I R B D U C K R I K R

Lav Insect Metal enclosures

Interlaced structure

Legal possessor

Den Sharp reprimand (7-2) Sight

CARPE DIEM _ Carrey, pictured

Small coin

Dutch cheese

We'll Meet Again singer, _ Lynn

Quivers

Penned

Body part Radio DJ, _ Mac

Notion Fruit

Annoyance

Vaselike vessel

Speed contest Metal type

German city

Useless or broken

Squirrel's nest

Film, _ Doubtfire

_ Nuttall, actress

Make beloved

Assistant

Cook in hot fat Rub hard

Gratis

Conclude

Anger

Poker stake Asian country

Prospers

Before

Mild

MARVIN

LIFEBOAT STATIONS Find all the terms listed below in the grid. Solution tomorrow AMBLE ● ANSTRUTHER ● BARMOUTH BLYTH ● BUDE ● CARDIGAN ● CHISWICK COWES ● CROMER ● DART ● FILEY GRAVESEND ● KIRKCUDBRIGHT LOCH NESS ● MOELFRE ● SELSEY TOBERMORY ● WEXFORD

Catch sight of

Go in again (2-5)

_ Rantzen, pictured

Cold dish

Run a _, be very alarmed

Affirmative

By or in itself (3,2)

Regular

Past of lead

Survive or So or thus last America beyond (inits.)

EastDes _, north-east desirable (abbr.) residence

The self

Always

S in SWALK

DNA unit

To set Romantic flowers

FRIDAY’S SOLUTIONS TIGER

THE ALPHABEATER

ARROW-WORD

Black squares: 4, 5, 6, 11, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 32, 33, 38. Across: Stiff, Drink, Joist, Formulaic, Ply, Blush, Idea, Axle, Scold, Jag, Dishonour, Yodel, Quota, Exams. Down: Scowled, Pique, Bag, Fitful, Topaz, Harpsichord, Odium, Larynx, Wad, Anvil, Leavers.

Across: Brides, Full, Joel, Blag, Joe, Shut, Lest, Ana, Data, Six, Tire, Carlyle, Reds, Grantham, Ali, Tint, Stilt, Erie, Hod, Geyser, Cos, Piano, Robert, Bye, Len, Erred, Ninths, Ape. Down (left to right): A-ha, Rat, E.coli, Lifebelt, Reality, Ben, Dull, Earl, Nil, Spent, Gel, Ass, Yet, Their, Slights, Orates, Iterated, Taxi, Emir, Cobra, Rod, Nico, Yep, Are, Site, Suede. Shaded letters: John Lennon

THE ALPHAPUZZLE

CALVIN & HOBBES

Across: Russet, Salary, Raw, Jibe, Raze, Equator, Desk, Yarn, Camel, Cold, Kilo, Often, Adds, Hove, Textile, Purr, Wage, Tot, Settee, Saddle. Down: Dacha, Unite (clue), Deuce, Solid, Sleek, Strut, Trauma, Fixate, Mat, Swathe, Edicts, Lorry, Hewed, Amino, Razor, Vigil, Noose.

TV CROSSWORD Across: 5 Kian, 7 Ashton, 8 Moira, 11 Baker, 12 Peep Show, 13 Anna, 15 Days, 16 Burstyn, 17 Meat, 18 Clunes, 21 Kaye, 22 Naya. Down: 1 Isla, 2 Horrid, 3 Rose, 4 Daphne, 5 Kennedy, 6 Anya, 9 Upsy Daisy, 10 Owusu, 14 Susan, 17 Monk, 19 Len, 20 Ena. TV show: Sandokan

DENNIS THE MENACE

WORDS SYRUP

MUDDLESOME Martina Navratilova Lindsay Davenport Marion Bartoli

CLOCK-WISE Leda, Dame, Mead, Adam, Amid, Idle

QUIZ OF THE WEEK 1 Madness, 2 Red, 3 Fulham, 4 Escape, 5 Chancel, 6 Rolling Stones, 7 Yvette Cooper, 8 Australian, 9 Sir Winston Churchill, 10 Manhattan.

SUDOKU EASY DITLOIDS HAGAR THE HORRIBLE 1 2 Bites of the Cherry, 2 16 Main Bodies of Water in the Lake District, 3 4 Squares on a Battenburg Cake, 4 3 Legs on a Tripod, 5 28 Days Later Directed by Danny Boyle, 6 Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne

TRIVIA WORDSEARCH 1 Cetus, 2 Tolstoy, 3 Jane Porter, 4 Rommel, 5 William Blake, 6 Die Fledermaus, 7 Bergman, 8 Richard Harris, 9 Gromit, 10 Falklands War

2 6 4 5 9 8 3 7 1

1 8 3 7 6 4 9 5 2

9 5 7 3 2 1 4 6 8

3 1 6 4 7 9 2 8 5

4 9 2 8 5 6 1 3 7

8 7 5 1 3 2 6 9 4

6 2 8 9 1 5 7 4 3

SUDOKU MEDIUM 5 3 9 2 4 7 8 1 6

7 4 1 6 8 3 5 2 9

BATTLESHIPS

4 3 2 9 8 5 1 6 7

7 9 8 2 1 6 5 4 3

1 5 6 7 4 3 9 2 8

6 8 3 5 2 7 4 9 1

9 1 5 8 6 4 3 7 2

8 2 7 4 9 1 6 3 5

3 4 1 6 5 2 7 8 9

SUDOKU DIFFICULT

5 6 9 3 7 8 2 1 4

KAKURO 4 1 5 2

SUMTHING

2 7 4 1 3 9 8 5 6

KEIJO 3 1 3 4 1 2

8x3=24, 5x3=15, 3x9=27

8 1 2 8 9 3 2 4 1 8 9 2

SMALL CROSSWORD

9 3 8 2 1 4 3 9 3 1 8 1

4 3 2 1 9 8

Across: 1 Elephants, 7 Lame, 8 Group, 10 Tar, 11 Bonsai, 13 Off-thepeg, 14 Seraph, 16 Ava, 18 Timid, 19 Coil, 20 Emergency. Down: 1 Elaborate, 2 Lay off, 3 Pens, 4 Ark, 5 Notepad, 6 Sprightly, 8 Go-ahead, 9 Inflame, 12 Peptic, 15 Race, 17 Sir.

CROSS DOUBT Across: EIGHT Down: RIVER

1 6 2 7

QUICK CROSSWORD

TARGET

Across: 1 Complicate, 7 Atoll, 8 Amnesia, 10 Intended, 11 Disc, 13 Unseen, 15 Turgid, 17 Arch, 18 Complain, 21 Evident, 22 Arena, 23 Interested. Down: 1 Croft, 2 Malinger, 3 Leader, 4 Cant, 5 Testing, 6 Manipulate, 9 Accidental, 12 Supplant, 14 Section, 16 Jostle, 19 Amend, 20 Mete.

UNPLANNED aped dupe duple leap nape neap pale paled pane panel panned peal pedal penal pend penna plan plane planed planned plea plead pled pule puled punned UNPLANNED upland

CRYPTOQUOTE AXYDLBAAXR is L O N G F E L L O W One letter stands for another. In this example, A is used for the three L’s, X for the 2 O’s, etc. Single letters, apostrophes, the length and formation of words are all hints. Each day the code letters are different. Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so the each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday

Yesterday’s Sudoku Answer

MICRO CROSSWORD

CHALLENGER

Yesterday’s Answers