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Tuesday, augusT 18, 2026

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Business booming for AC companies astemperatures soar and outages continue

BY ANNELIA NIXON TRIBUNE Business Reporter anixon@tribunemedia.net BAHAMIAN air-conditioning companies are reporting a sharp increase in demand this summer as record heat, prolonged power outages and unstable electricity supplies drive homeowners and businesses to repair, replace and upgrade cooling systems.

Industry operators say the combination of extreme temperatures and repeated outages is creating a double burden for consumers. They reported that Bahamians are relying more heavily on air conditioning while also facing costly damage to equipment caused by power fluctuations.

Nikieva Wallace of Absolute Comfort AC & Refrigeration said the company has seen a 30 to 40 percent increase in servicing requests this summer, much of it linked to electrical surges following BPL outages.

“We have been seeing a lot of requests for servicing because most times when there are outages, because the HVAC systems have like boards and inverters, they’re very sensitive to those high and low surges,” she said. “So a lot of times, those surges can cause issues, and we have to go and repair these systems.”

Craig Bethel, owner of Absolute Comfort, said the increase in business is also being driven by consumers seeking relief from the heat.

Cheaper AC units raise efficiency concerns

Rising refrigerant costs hit consumers

“Both of those are contributing factors, so it’s an increase in spending for comfort…” he said.

Ms Wallace said the prolonged heat has also changed the way many Bahamians view air conditioning, with the appliance increasingly being regarded as a necessity rather than a luxury.

“I would say that a lot of people feel like air conditioning is not a luxury,” she said. “It’s definitely a necessity now, especially with the heat wave because people are more prone to heat strokes.”

She added that the demand extends beyond people, with some

Fuel hedge will shield Bahamians from global oil hikes, PM pledges

BY FAY SIMMONS TRIBUNE Business Reporter jsimmons@tribuneemedia.net PRIME Minister Philip Davis said a fuel hedge covering 2.5m barrels will continue to shield Bahamian consumers from global oil price shocks through December, as the government works to reduce BPL’s exposure to volatile fuel PHILIP DAVIS KC costs through cheaper LNG and permanent generation.

Speaking during a National Address last night, Mr Davis said the hedge, executed in December, provided a full year of protection against movements in global fuel prices and meant geopolitical disruptions should not affect electricity bills in the same way they otherwise could have.

“We executed a fuel hedge in December, two and a half million barrels, a full year of protection, so a war on the other side of the world does not impact your light bill the way it would have if we had not executed the hedge,” he said.

Mr Davis said the government was also pursuing longer-term measures aimed at lowering the cost of generating electricity rather than relying solely on protection from movements in international fuel prices.

He pointed to the government’s shift away from rented generation, saying 40MW of rental generation will begin being phased out in January as permanent capacity comes online.

The move is part of an effort to reduce a major recurring cost at Bahamas Power and Light, which Mr Davis said had been spending more than $40m a year to rent engines

REFORM - See Page B3

By what authority did Govt move $700M to NIF, demands Pintard?

BY FAY SIMMONS TRIBUNE BUSINESS REPORTER jsimmons@tribuneemedia.net

AC technicians swamped by summer demand

OPPOSITION leader Michael Pintard yesterday questioned how the Government could have transferred $700M in excess borrowing into the National Investment Fund while there is still no evidence that the fund's governing board was established or that the account receiving the money was opened.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Pintard said the Government has failed to demonstrate where the $700M in excess borrowing went, despite Finance Minister Michael Halkitis previously stating that the Government's excess borrowing had been transferred to the NIF. “We see no evidence of $700m that the minister claim is in the NIF, but what we do know is that the government's own fiscal reports show that the NIF fund held $265.3M,” said Mr Pintard.

“In just three months, that balance had effectively disappeared, dropping to some $200,000.”

The NIF's $265.3M drawdown has previously come

customers seeking smaller units to keep pets cool.

“We’ve even had people come in and ask if we had like smaller units so that they could have an area for their pets, their animals, because it’s just so bad,” Ms Wallace said.

However, the surge in demand is coming at a time when consumers and businesses are facing higher equipment and operating costs. Ms Wallace said refrigerants used to service air-conditioning systems have become significantly more expensive as the industry transitions away from older gases toward alternatives

HEAT - See Page B2

Pintard demands energy crisis answers from Davis administration

BY FAY SIMMONS TRIBUNE Business Reporter jsimmons@tribuneemedia.net OPPOSITION Leader Michael Pintard yesterday challenged the government to explain how the country reached its current energy crisis after the Davis administration said in June that 95 percent of critical transmission

and distribution upgrades had been completed.

Speaking at a press conference, Mr Pintard questioned how Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) could be in the grip of a worsening energy crisis after claiming the majority of system upgrades were complete, demanding to know what was left unfinished that contributed to the system’s “catastrophic failure”.

“We're trying to understand what was that 5percent that they didn't get to that caused the catastrophic failure of the system,” said Mr Pintard.

His comments came as the government continues to grapple with widespread power outages affecting New Providence and several Family Islands, with residents and businesses facing prolonged disruptions during a period of extreme heat.

Mr Pintard was referring to comments made by Energy Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis in June, when she said the transmission and distribution upgrade programme was 95 percent complete and that

Domestic aviation network strengthened through partnership with U.S. college

BY ANNELIA NIXON TRIBUNE BUSINESS REPORTER anixon@tribunemedia.net THE BAHAMAS is moving to strengthen its domestic aviation workforce through an expanded partnership with Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) through an MoU. The partnership will create new pathways for Bahamians to pursue training in areas ranging from piloting and aircraft maintenance to air traffic control and aviation management. The Bahamas Department of Aviation, within the Ministry of Energy, Utilities and Aviation, signed an amended Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with MTSU to expand aviation education, training and workforce development opportunities for Bahamians.

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The agreement, signed on August 13 at MTSU’s campus in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, is aimed at increasing the number of trained Bahamians able to fill

TRAINING - See Page B4

MICHAEL PINTARD

NIF governance questioned over $700m FNM challenges NIF account and board Central Bank queried over $700m transfer under scrutiny, with questions raised over the fund's safeguards and the Government's use of the money for airport infrastructure.

The Davis administration has argued that the fund will provide a mechanism for mobilising capital and supporting long-term national investments, particularly

BORROWING - See Page B3 officials expected “another few weeks” of work.

At the time, Mrs Coleby-Davis said much of the disruption was linked to the ongoing upgrades, which had been delayed by eight weeks and were being carried out during unusually early extreme heat.

She also said some areas that would normally be supplied by two circuits were operating on one while work continued, increasing the strain on the system during periods of high demand.

Mr Pintard said the government therefore needed to explain what remained

CRISIS - See Page B3

PAGE 2, Tuesday, August 18, 2026

TARYN MULLINGS

THE TRIBUNE

MELISSA MACKEY

ALEX CAMPBELL

PHILIP CURLING

BTC launches Next-Gen Mentorship Programme

BY ANNELIA NIXON TRIBUNE BUSINESS REPORTER anixon@tribunemedia.net THE BAHAMAS Telecommunications Company (BTC) announced the launch of its Next-Gen Mentorship Programme, a new pilot initiative designed to support succession planning and career development within the organisation.

The programme pairs associates from across the company with experienced managers, creating opportunities for knowledge sharing, cross-training and peer-to-peer development.

Over the next six months, five mentor-mentee pairs will work closely together across four divisions. The pilot’s mentors — Kenisha Higgins of the Finance Team, Darleen Bartlett of the Retail Operations Team, Hulan Hanna of the Technology Team, and Tyronne Knowles of the B2B Team — will be responsible for guiding Associates matched within their respective divisions.

The mentees are Taryn Mullings of the Finance Team, Melissa Mackey of the Retail Operations Team, Alex Campbell of the Technology Team, Philip Curling of the Technology

Team, and Nicole Thurston of the B2B Team.

“This programme is a reflection of BTC’s commitment to our people,” Patrice Thompson, Director of People said. “Investing in our team isn’t just about preparing for the future; it’s about building a culture where growth, knowledge sharing and mentorship happen every single day.

What makes this launch even more special is that the idea came from one of our own Senior Associates, Cassandra Edwards. She brought the vision, and we moved quickly to turn it into reality. Watching these five pairings grow over the next six months is going to

For the mentors, the experience has already proven to be a two-way exchange.

“Being a part of this pilot has been just as valuable for me as I hope it is for my mentee,” Kenisha Higgins, Finance Team mentor said.

“It’s pushed me out of my usual routine, given me a reason to share everything I’ve learned along the way, and it’s changed how I see the business, through her eyes and not just mine.”

Retail Operations Manager Darleen Bartlett added: “The introduction of the Next-Gen Mentorship Programme is awesome. I was so excited when I was asked to be a part of the first cohort. This is yet another way that BTC is demonstrating its commitment to investing in the next cohort of managers and leaders in the company. This will be a two-way learning experience. I am learning from my mentee, and I hope that she is learning from me.”

Lowell Burrows, Technology Team mentor said: “My mentee, Philip Curling, is an incredibly talented young man. He is positive, driven, and I think he will be a viable candidate for leadership in the future. My objective is to stretch him, challenge him and help him get closer to the career he is building toward.”

The mentees, too, are already feeling the impact of the programme.

“Having someone in my corner who’s already walked the path I’m on makes all the difference,” Taryn Mullings, Finance Associate said. “I’m learning things I wouldn’t get from a training manual — how to think bigger, ask better questions, and see where my career could go within BTC.” BTC will evaluate the outcomes of the pilot with an eye toward expanding the mentorship programme to additional teams across the company.

Also re-elected to the Board were Julian R. Brown, Chairman of Benchmark (Bahamas) Limited and president of Alliance Investment Management Ltd., Idris G. Reid, a former Permanent Secretary with more than 50 years of public service; G. Clifford Culmer, a veteran Chartered Accountant, former Director of the Central Bank of The Bahamas and member of Benchmark’s Investment Advisory Board; Renee Saunders-Forsythe, a financial services and human resources executive with more than 25 years of industry experience; and Ruth

Bowe-Darville, a respected attorney, former Justice of the Supreme Court of The Bahamas, and former President of the Bahamas Bar Association.

The Board appointments come as the Benchmark Group continues to build on its longstanding investment and financial services businesses while expanding into emerging areas of financial technology. The launch of BahamasOvryde represents a significant step in that direction, combining international technology with Bahamian financial services, governance and regulatory expertise.

Power instability pushes repair bills higher

their higher upfront cost is pushing some consumers toward cheaper units.

“The high SEER inverter units, they tend to burn less electricity,” she said. “But people are not interested.

They just want the cheapest thing to hook up and go.”

Ms Wallace warned that cheaper, lower-SEER systems can draw more electricity, potentially placing additional pressure on an already strained power grid during the summer.

“For our community, we’re already pulling a lot of amperage from it being summer alone,” she said. “I feel like people are opting out of the higher SEER systems. They don’t want to pay the highest SEER price. They want the more affordable prices, which in the long run for us as a community, it’s not good.”

Consumers are also facing higher costs when specialised parts have to be imported. Mr Evans said import duties on some specialised air-conditioning parts can reach between 60 and 80 percent, with many companies charging the full 80 percent.

For homeowners looking to protect their investments, Mr Albury recommends a layered approach to electrical protection.

“I’ve suggested to a number of my clients to purchase what they call a whole-house surge protector,” he said.

He also recommends individual protectors for appliances, arguing that a whole-house surge protector alone does not provide complete protection.

As temperatures remain high and the country’s electricity infrastructure continues to experience reliability challenges, air-conditioning companies expect demand for cooling, repairs and electrical protection to remain elevated.

be one of the highlights of my year.”

Through the programme, mentees will gain firsthand exposure to various parts of the business, building skills and relationships that extend well beyond their day-today roles. The programme includes 12 leadership seminars, cross-departmental rotations, personalised LinkedIn Learning pathways, and one-on-one peer development between each pair. To close the programme, the group will work in teams to participate in an AI-driven hackathon designed to solve a business problem.

Two new directors for Benchmark

BY ANNELIA NIXON TRIBUNE BUSINESS REPORTER anixon@tribunemedia.net BENCHMARK (Bahamas) Limited has announced the appointment of two directors to its Board following the Company’s 2026 Annual General Meeting.

The AGM was held during the inaugural Fintech Digital Conference, hosted by Benchmark subsidiary Benchmark Advisors (Bahamas) Ltd. In collaboration with international technology firm Ovryde Ltd., during which the two announced its joint venture BahamasOvryde Ltd., a Bahamas-based, DARE-regulated

digital asset infrastructure company.

Against that backdrop of growth and innovation, Benchmark announced the appointment of Brent Roberts, who returns as a Director, and Latonia Symonette-Tinker, who joins the Board for the first time.

Mr Roberts has had a longstanding relationship with Benchmark, having served continuously as Secretary to the Board for many years. An Audit Partner at BFO Bahamas and a Certified Public Accountant, he brings more than 30 years of audit and assurance experience across banking, investment funds, broker-dealers, insurance, pensions, government and the private sector.

BRENT ROBERTS Ms Symonette- Tinker brings more than 20 years of experience in financial services, regulatory affairs, compliance risk management and corporate governance. She is president and Managing Director of The Bayshore Group LLC and has held senior positions with Santander Bank & Trust (Bahamas) Ltd. And Swiss Financial Services (Bahamas) Ltd. She ahs also advised the Government of The Bahamas

NICOLE THURSTON

LATONIA SYMONETTETINKER on international regulatory matters and is a former Chairman of the Bahamas Financial Services Board.

HEAT - from page B1 considered more environmentally friendly.

“At one time, you could have bought a tank of Freon, probably maybe for like $120, $130, and today they’re going for $450 something a tank,” she said.

Those higher input costs are ultimately affecting consumers.

“It’s increased,” Ms Wallace said when asked whether the company has had to pass higher costs on to customers.

Mr Bethel said Absolute Comfort has also raised prices on some products, although the company has attempted to absorb some of the increases. Shipping and fuel costs have added another layer of pressure. Mr Bethel said rising fuel costs caused a slight increase in shipping expenses, although those costs now appear to be stabilising.

In Eleuthera, however, Albreeze Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Mechanical Contractor owner Paul Albury said the impact of power instability has become particularly severe.

Mr Albury said the transition to newer refrigerants and constant power outages are the two major factors affecting air-conditioning systems.

“But mostly it’s electricity,” he said. “One hundred percent of the persons who receive any electricity from BPL, they don’t have

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anything in their system to tell them when they’re getting too much current or when it’s not enough current.”

Mr Albury said the unstable electricity supply is ultimately shortening the lifespan of both air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment.

“They’re definitely responsible for shortening the lifespan of the air conditioning, and household refrigeration equipment,” he said.

The problem is occurring during what Mr Albury described as the industry’s busiest period of the year.

“Peak season for us is literally between June and late August,” he said. “Right now, every air-conditioning refrigeration technician, and more so the ones who are doing air conditioning, they are swamped.”

The increased demand is also being seen in New Providence.

Leandor Albury of Albreeze Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Mechanical Contractor said the company typically sees an influx of customers during the summer because consumers use their air conditioners less during cooler months.

He also pointed to a broader issue with appliance maintenance among Bahamian consumers.

“Bahamians when it comes to any appliances, we don’t really maintain,” he said.

Rodney Evans, owner of Arctic Air, reported an even larger increase in business, estimating that activity had risen by 50 to 70 percent.

But while demand is rising, consumers are also making difficult decisions about what equipment they can afford.

Ms Wallace said higher-efficiency, high-SEER inverter systems can reduce electricity consumption, but

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, August 18, 2026, PAGE 3

FNM leader demands proof of transfer BORROWING - from page B1 through infrastructure and public-private partnership (PPP) initiatives.

Mr Pintard, however, said the broader issue was how the Government could have moved the money into the NIF in the first place.

“We want to know by what authority did they move the money, and then they have to then show us: Do you have any account that would show $700M having ever been placed in the fund? And if so, how did you set up that account?

Because you need a board of directors in order to do so, and again, we have no evidence that a board has ever been established or any fund has ever been opened.”

The FNM leader said Parliament’s approval to borrow money did not itself give the Government authority to move those funds into the NIF. “Because if you first put it in the consolidated fund, you’ve borrowed the money. You need parliamentary approval to take the money out of the consolidated fund and put it in the National Investment Fund.”

“So even if you move a resolution in Parliament to borrow funds, that does not give you the authority to put those funds wherever

LYNDEN PINDLING INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT you like. You need an appropriation bill to do so, and we have no record of the bill.”

Mr Pintard’s position echoes concerns he raised earlier this year over the Government’s handling of the $700m in excess borrowing, when the FNM demanded greater transparency over the borrowing and the legal authority for transferring the funds into the NIF. However, yesterday’s comments placed greater emphasis on the mechanics of the alleged transfer, with Mr Pintard questioning

whether the NIF had the governance structure or account necessary to receive the funds.

“We are unable to find any fund registered. We are unable to find a board that has the authority to set up the fund. We have not found any officials who sit on the board.”

Mr Pintard said he had also written to Central Bank governor John Rolle seeking clarification on the Central Bank’s role in the matter and had copied the Auditor General on his correspondence.

He said the Government should identify where the money was held and what it was used for.

“We are also concerned that to date, no member of the government, of substance in terms of the Minister of Finance or the Prime Minister, has seen it necessary to answer the straightforward question: Why did you borrow the $700M? Where exactly is it?

Since, in your own words, you’ve transferred it into the fund, which bank today is holding the fund? How were you able to transfer it if there is no board to first

open the fund? Where have you stashed the money?”

“So this is not a political question. This is a financial question.”

Mr Pintard also challenged the Government’s explanation that NIF funds were being used to support airport development, arguing that the NIF was intended to function as The Bahamas’ sovereign wealth fund rather than as a substitute for the capital budget.

“I remind the public the NIF fund, and I sat in Parliament when it was approved, is really the sovereign wealth fund of the Bahamas, and so the sovereign wealth fund of the Bahamas was not designed necessarily to do capital works.”

“You have a capital section of the budget that address capital works, and so this discussion about having moved the funds, a portion of those funds to fund airport, flies in the face of what the NIF was designed to do, and it also contradicts what the government’s own budget in the capital section of the budget said it intended to do during the financial period.”

Mr Pintard said the Government should identify the projects funded with the money and provide a full accounting.

Pintard demands details on BPL failures CRISIS - from page B1 outstanding and why the system was still experiencing such severe failures.

“The Minister with responsibility for Energy said just weeks ago that they were 95percent complete with the repairs,” he said.

“So if it was an issue that they met antiquated equipment — and they did because it existed when we were there — she’s saying that 95 percent of those upgrades and improvements have occurred. So we’re trying to understand what was that 5 percent that they didn’t get to that caused the catastrophic failure of the system.”

Mr Pintard said the energy crisis was not simply an issue involving BPL’s management or internal disputes, arguing that the consequences were being felt across the economy,

particularly by the tourism and healthcare sectors.

“Our biggest concern is the Minister with responsibility for Energy, the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, must give us the assurance with very specific details on how they are going to stop the reputational damage being caused to the tourism industry in The Bahamas because the lights are going off,” he said.

“People who own accommodations throughout the Family Islands are screaming about cancellations.”

He said the government also needed to provide concrete assurances about how it intended to restore reliable electricity.

Mr Pintard also criticised the government’s focus on BPL overtime amid the wider crisis, arguing that the administration remains responsible for managing the utility.

Davis pledges shift to cheaper power REFORM - from page B1 when he first outlined the state of the electricity system.

“Renting. Money out the door, and not one dollar of it buying an asset we would own at the end,” said Mr Davis.

He said BPL was restoring permanent generation capacity, with Blue Hills GT2 expected to return to service, the battery storage system that helps shave the evening peak also returning, and two Clifton Pier engines scheduled to be back before the end of September.

“The Blue Hills turbine under major inspection returns in the first quarter of next year,” said Mr Davis.

The government is also looking to change BPL’s fuel mix, with the first phase of liquefied natural gas coming online this year and gas-fired capacity expected to scale to 190MW by late 2027.

New pipelines will replace a pipeline more than 40 years old, while combined-cycle plants at Blue Hills are expected to be commissioned during 2027 and 2028.

Mr Davis said the shift to LNG would significantly reduce the cost of producing electricity.

“We will be able to produce power at a fraction of today’s fuel cost,” he said.

He also pointed to savings already delivered to

consumers through the Equity Rate Adjustment, which he said saved consumers $11.5m last year.

“One in five residential customers paid no base rate charge at all,” said Mr Davis.

The measures form part of the government’s broader effort to move BPL away from shortterm measures to keep the system operating and toward permanent generation, fuel diversification and improved financial management.

Mr Davis said BPL must continue completing critical overhauls, maintain its assets based on reliable data and integrate and expand battery storage, while rental generation should only be phased out

“So this issue of electricity, it strikes the issues of life and death.”

Mr Pintard said the government needed to provide a clear plan for resolving the crisis, including timelines and accountability.

“It is the hope of the Bahamian people that the Prime Minister is going to give them some concrete reassurance that we know exactly what the problem is, and this is how we are going to fix it, and by this timeline, and who we are holding responsible, and if they are unable to deliver, we’re going to get rid of that group, and we’re going to put in place the right crew to solve the problem.”

BAHAMAS POWER & LIGHT HQ “A failing government, a failing government on the energy reform. They are talking about what is appropriate for BPL and not appropriate, as if they are not the managers of BPL. They are the managers. They are responsible.

They are responsible for the overtime,” he said.

“The people aren’t paying themselves. The once replacement capacity has been tested and is ready.

He said the government’s energy reforms were also being recognised by international credit rating agencies, with Moody’s upgrading the country’s credit outlook twice within a year after nearly two decades without such an improvement and citing energy reform as one of the factors.

The fuel hedge provides protection through the end of this year, but the government’s longer-term strategy is aimed at reducing the extent to which BPL’s costs and consumers’ bills are exposed to international fuel markets once that protection expires.

Mr Davis said the goal was to move from a system that spends to survive the next emergency toward one that invests in infrastructure and generation capable of reducing future costs.

government is paying them.”

“A government that is, whose backs are against the wall because of their failing to deliver affordable power, consistent power, and cleaner power, they are pointing to their employees as the primary issues, but they continue to reward the same employees in the same way, despite all of the complaints.”

“That’s why I say for them it’s a sideshow.

They’re seeking to create a distraction.”

“What has the government done with the $700M of excess borrowing?

Where is that money? Who did they give it to? Can they release the names? Can they identify the projects?”

He added: “Can they even identify, even what they said went to the various airports, since we were told by them that these airports were funded by various sources already?”

The NIF controversy comes as the Government continues to face questions over the reported depletion of its $265.3M balance. Mr Pintard said the latest questions should be answered directly by the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.

“The Prime Minister should be speaking. He should not be using or hiding behind anyone else.

He should speak to this matter and do so urgently.”

Mr Pintard said the Government’s failure to account for the money raised wider concerns about public finances.

“The Bahamian people have $700M they must pay back. The PLP has borrowed the money, and we don’t know where the money is. They have stashed the money.”

“It can only be corruption. It can only be corruption that a government would not answer a question of that magnitude.

Where is the $700M that you borrowed on our behalf that our children will have to pay back? That is the central issue.”

Mr Pintard said the immediate priority should be restoring reliable electricity and holding those responsible for the system accountable.

“It is tragic,” he said of the current crisis.

“For so many Bahamians, there are persons who have physical ailments, and on a good day, regular heat that we’ve grown accustomed to over the years poses a problem. Now what we’re facing is a heat wave, and persons who do not own an air condition having problems even turning on their fans.”

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PAGE 4, Tuesday, August 18, 2026

THE TRIBUNE

Discord halts livestreams in Brazil after watchdog cites child safety failures

By ELÉONORE HUGHES and MAURICIO SAVARESE Associated Press DISCORD, the popular platform for gamers to communicate online, said on Monday it suspended its livestreams in Brazil after criticism that it failed to protect children and adolescents. The move takes place in the wake of a suicide case. Brazil’s government under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the country’s Supreme Court have tried to regulate the use of the internet by minors, with mixed results so far, at a moment when countries, including Australia, Canada and Indonesia, are undertaking similar efforts.

The decision comes after Brazil’s national agency of data protection ordered the suspension last week. The U.S.-based company added it is in conversations “to seek a solution that allows us to reestablish those resources for our users in Brazil.”

“We remain committed to working with public policymakers in Brazil to help create an online experience that is safer for all, on Discord and across the internet,” said the platform.

A suicide draws attention to digital protections for minors In July, an underage girl in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul was allegedly coerced by other users into committing suicide during a livestream on the platform, putting the company under increased scrutiny.

Brazil’s first lady Rosângela Lula da Silva, known as Janja, said on Aug. 6 that the platform should be taken offline, citing the case.

“I can’t accept seeing a 13-year-old girl self-harming live on the internet, on Discord, hanging herself and dying,” said Janja at a ceremony in the capital, Brasilia, during which Lula signed a law that increases the punishment for those who commit sexual violence against children and adolescents.

Five teenagers were arrested in connection with the death, according to an

Aug. 4 statement by Brazil’s justice ministry.

“Livestreams have been repeatedly used to facilitate violence, harassment and the incitement of self-harm and suicide,” the country’s data protection agency said in a statement Wednesday.

The agency cited robust evidence that the company had not sufficiently prevented risks of exposure to content that “represent serious violations of the rights of children and adolescents within its service, especially inducement, incitement, instigation, or assistance to violence, self-harm, and suicide,” it said.

Discord has more than 90 million active daily users worldwide, according to its website.

In a statement to The Associated Press Wednesday, Discord said groups or individuals who promote or encourage violence have no place on the platform.

It denied that the July case was shown live.

The platform said it was committed to user safety and has dedicated teams working “to disrupt violent groups, remove violative content and take action against bad actors on our platform.”

It added that it had investigated a private server where individuals involved in criminal activity are believed to have encouraged self-harm, and shut it down before the recent death of the 13-year-old.

Discord complaints surge as Brazil confronts online threats to children and teens In recent years, Discord has been cited in investigations and reports worldwide involving extreme violence, including threats or planning related to school attacks, the distribution of abusive material, grooming and coercion of minors, and the encouragement of selfharm and suicide.

The number of complaints involving Discord between January and July increased by 54% compared to the same period last year, according to data from Safernet Brazil, a nonprofit that defends human rights on the internet.

NOTICE OF APPLICATION (pursuant to section 23 of the Natural Gas Act, 10 of 2024, Statute Laws of The Bahamas) NOTICE is hereby given that RenugenPro Ltd. has made applications to the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (“URCA”) for licenses to: import liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) (commercial) and operate LNG terminals. The applications are made with the object of licensing and regulation of the Applicant’s activities for the import of LNG and the operation of LNG Regasification Terminals at (1) Cat Island (2) San Salvador and (3) Long Island. The applications can be inspected by appointment at the Applicant’s oSice at No. 138 Robinson Road, New Providence, The Bahamas. Any objections to the applications must be made on or before the 25th September, 2026 and shall be made by ASidavit and solemn declaration to be submitted exclusively to URCA’s oSice located at Frederick Street, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

Dated the 17th day of August, 2026 Italia C. Chambers Attorney for the Applicant No. 36 Nassau Street New Providence, The Bahamas

NOTICE WEYMOUTH INCORPORATED. (Voluntary Liquidation)

Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000, the abovenamed Company is in dissolution, which commenced on the 14th day of August, A.D., 2026. The Liquidator is Galnom Ltd., CUB Financial Center, Western Road, Nassau, Bahamas.

GALNOM LTD. Liquidator

Photos:Anthony Thompson/BIS

Aviation partnership targets Bahamian skills gap TRAINING - from page B1 critical positions in the aviation sector while strengthening the country’s capacity to train aviation professionals locally.

Minister of Energy, Utilities and Aviation JoBeth Coleby-Davis described the agreement as a commitment to the next generation of Bahamian aviation professionals.

“Today we take a significant step towards securing the future of aviation in The Bahamas,” Ms Coleby-Davis said. “By signing this amended memorandum of understanding with Middle Tennessee State University, we are not simply signing a document. We are signing a commitment to our people, to our young Bahamians who dream of becoming pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers, and aviation leaders who will continue to propel the Bahamas as the regional leaders in aviation.”

The expanded partnership will provide pathways for Bahamians to access training in flight, aviation maintenance, aviation management, air traffic control, aerospace advancements and aviation safety.

It will also support curriculum development, instructor training and certification programmes, with the aim of strengthening the country’s institutional capacity to provide more aviation training domestically.

MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee said the university has been engaged in discussions with the Ministry of Aviation for roughly two years to develop the partnership.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is a historic day as we put together an incredible opportunity between this great university and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas,” Mr McPhee said.

Mr McPhee said the collaboration would give MTSU and the Ministry of Aviation the opportunity to develop a “world-class partnership” focused on building the workforce needed to support the Bahamian aviation industry.

The partnership will also involve the University of The Bahamas (UB), which signed an agreement with MTSU several months ago to broaden cooperation between the institutions.

“We have also have signed an agreement with the University of The Bahamas a few months ago to

NOTICE International Business Companies Act (No.45 of 2000 ) MJ Capital LTD (the “Company”)

Notice is hereby given that, in accordance with Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, No.45 of 2000, the Dissolution of MJ Capital LTD has been completed, a Certificate of Dissolution has been issued and the Company has therefore been struck off the Register. The date of completion of the dissolution was the 29th day of July 2026.

develop this partnership across the board,” Mr McPhee said.

The collaboration comes as The Bahamas seeks to further develop its aviation sector and ensure that the country has skilled workers capable of operating and maintaining its expanding aviation infrastructure.

The agreement places particular emphasis on national resilience, with the partners expected to work toward ensuring a skilled workforce is available to operate airports and air services across New Providence, Grand Bahama and the Family Islands.

The initiative also seeks to position Bahamians to take advantage of opportunities emerging from climate sustainability and infrastructure development in the aviation sector.

According to the ministry, MTSU, described as one of the most respected aviation universities in the United States, and its Bahamian partners will

spend the coming months finalising implementation timelines and student intake processes.

Those plans are expected to include a customised summer internship initiative, as well as in-person and online academic and vocational studies.

Mr McPhee said the programme represents an opportunity to deepen cooperation between MTSU and The Bahamas while improving opportunities for both existing and future aviation professionals.

“This is a historic day, as we put together an incredible opportunity between this great University and The Commonwealth of The Bahamas in advancing a programme and collaboration on a world class partnership with The Department of Aviation to enhance the aviation workforce and deepen our shared commitment to excellence, safety, and opportunities for existing and future aviation professionals,” he said.

The Bahamian delegation at the signing included Director of Aviation Dr Kenneth Romer, Airport Authority Chairman Paul Beans, Managing Director Peter Rutherford, and a UB delegation led by Council Chair Allyson Maynard-Gibson and President Robert Blayne.

The government said the strengthened partnership is ultimately intended to create a sustainable pipeline of Bahamian aviation professionals and ensure the sector is equipped with the skills needed to support the country’s aviation infrastructure and future economic development.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, August 18, 2026, PAGE 5

US civil rights Lula calls oil near the Amazon agency moves to end River a passport to Brazil’s future demographic data after Petrobras strikes new find collection after 60 years

By ALEXANDRA OLSON and CLAIRE SAVAGE AP Business Writers

By GABRIELA SÁ PESSOA Associated Press BRAZIL’S President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on Monday that oil drilling in northern and northeastern coastal regions could be “a passport to the country’s future” after visiting a Petrobras offshore drilling vessel following a find announced last week near the mouth of the Amazon River.

Petrobras, Brazil’s majority state-owned corporation, said on Friday that it had detected hydrocarbons during exploratory drilling about 180 kilometers (112 miles) off the coast of Amapa state. The country’s coastal regions near the mouth of the Amazon are known as the Equatorial Margin.

The exploratory drilling began in October. Environmental and Indigenous groups have since sued the Brazilian government and Petrobras to halt exploration, arguing the licensing process failed to properly consult traditional communities, underestimated spill risks and did not adequately assess climate impacts. The company has long argued it has never caused spills in its drillings.

“When I say ‘passport,’” Lula said, “I’m not denying my commitment to the fight for a day when we no longer need fossil fuels, because Brazil will continue to be the king of biofuel innovation and will remain a major player in renewable energy.”

Lula, who faces what is expected to be a tight election in October for a fourth term as president, spoke at an official event in the municipality of Oiapoque in Amapa after visiting the vessel.

Lula has pushed both for drilling and alternative energy Under Lula, Brazil has backed the need to transition away from fossil fuels such as oil, coal and gas that heat the planet and impact its climate.

BRAZIL’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks during the inauguration ceremony for the new president of the state-run oil company Petrobras, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, June 19, 2024.

Photo:Bruna Prado/AP The position was touted at the U.N. climate summit Brazil hosted last year, and also in other forums, such as an April meeting in Colombia that focused on shifting away from fossil fuels. At the same time, the country is ramping up new drilling investments.

The Equatorial Margin is believed to hold significant oil and natural gas reserves, and preliminary estimates suggest the basin could contain up to 10 billion barrels of oil, with a potential value of about 3.8 trillion reais ($720 billion).

“All of our studies indicate substantial potential.

This discovery confirms our findings, and we will continue exploring,” the Petrobras president, Magda Chambriard, said Monday about the latest find. The company still needs to conduct further research to determine how much oil the area contains, she added.

Still, according to Shigueo Watanabe Jr., an energy expert with the Brazilian nonprofit ClimaInfo, commercial drilling remains a distant prospect at this stage. Determining whether

Japan’s economy manages 1.1% growth rate despite headwinds

By YURI KAGEYAMA AP Business Writer JAPAN’S economy grew an annual rate of 1.1% in the April-June quarter even as private consumption stayed flat and the growth of exports declined, according to government data released Monday.

Japan ‘s real GDP, or gross domestic product, the sum value of nation’s goods and services, grew at a seasonally adjusted rate of 0.3% from the first quarter to second quarter of this 2026, according to Cabinet Office data.

The annualized rate shows what the growth rate would have been if it had continued for a whole year.

It was 2.1% in the January-March period.

Private spending dipped 1.2% in April-June compared to January-March, while exports grew 0.5%.

Exports for the latest period were driven by the global demand for Japanese autos and semiconductors.

Japan is home for Toyota Motor Corp., Honda Motor Co. and other top automakers. Global demand for computer chips being

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL The Public is hereby advised that I, CHRISSONIA ERICA NEELY of P.O. Box # N-9152, #12 Bellot Road, Mother of PANCHO VILLA LUIS GOMEZ JR. intend to change the minor’s name to C’ON CHRISTOPHER GOMEZ. If there are any objections to this change of name by deed poll, you may write such objection to the Chief Passport Officer, P. O. Box N-742, Nassau, The Bahamas or at deedpoll@bahamas.gov.bs no later than thirty (30) days after the date of the publication of this notice.

extraction would be commercially viable would require further research that could take up to a decade.

Lula spoke in Oiapoque a day after kicking off his election campaign at the Vila Euclides Stadium outside Sao Paulo — a city where he rose to political fame 47 years ago as a metalworkers union leader during the country’s 1964-1985 military dictatorship.

The leftist leader, who is running against Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro — the lawmaker son of former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro — said Chambriard, the head of Petrobras, has told him the new-found oil is of high quality.

Lula, wearing the orange uniform of oil workers, held up a small bottle of black crude oil that he described as “blessed,” and said that he would like to keep it in a safe. At stake, he said, are both “the interests of the country and the interests of the company,” referring to

Petrobras. “And Amapa’s right not to end up as merely an exporter of acai and tucunare,” he said, referring to the region’s top products, the coveted berries and the freshwater fish.

Displayed behind him was a huge photo of Lula from his visit to the drilling vessel earlier Monday, showing the president holding up both hands stained with black crude — a gesture he famously made in 2008, when he announced the discovery of vast offshore oil reserves in southeastern Brazil.

Back then, Lula was at the height of his popularity.

Now, he has become a polarizing figure, with opinion polls showing that nearly half of Brazilians approve of his administration, while a similarly large share disapprove of it.

Breno Rodrigues de Messias Leite, a political scientist and professor at the Federal University of Amazonas, said Lula’s Monday trip sends an important message to voters, especially in northern Brazil and its state capitals, where he has faced criticism.

powered by interest in AI, helping to support Japan’s exports.

Government consumption rose 1.6%.

Quarterly GDP growth was lower than what analysts had expected. The Japanese economy has been hurt by the war in Iran, which has sent energy costs surging. That’s especially difficult for resource-poor Japan, which imports almost all its oil. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital transport route for oil exports from the Persian Gulf to Asia, has been effectively blocked due to the war, pushing prices higher. Japan has released some oil reserves and is working on alternate routes. Brent crude has been recently trading at about $88 a barrel, up from about $65 a year ago,

although that’s lower than earlier this year, when it shot above $110 a barrel.

A weak yen has also worked as a plus for some Japanese companies, including giant exporters like Toyota, boosting the value of overseas earnings when translated into yen.

But a weak yen makes it more expensive to import raw materials, raising prices for consumers and denting spending. Concerns have been growing about rising prices, as wage growth in Japan has been relatively stagnant.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has promised to get growth going again, but her public support ratings, while still high compared to some of her predecessors, have been gradually sinking.

Lula’s announcement appears to follow a political calendar

PUBLIC NOTICE INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL The Public is hereby advised that I, PACHARAN CHRISTINIQUE DOROTHEA GOMEZ of P.O Box N-9152, #12 Bellot Road , Nassau, The Bahamas intend to change my name to CAJAH CHRISTINIQUE GOMEZ . If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the hief Pass ort Officer, P.O.Box N-742, Nassau, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.

HOW many women hold executive-level positions at top U.S. companies? What is the racial and ethnic breakdown of those roles? What is the gender and racial breakdown of the lowest-paid roles at those companies?

The Trump administration is making it harder for the public to know, moving to toss aside a 60-year-old requirement for tens of thousands of private sector employers to submit workforce demographic reports each year to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the agency responsible for enforcing anti-discrimination laws in the workplace.

The EEOC’s Republican majority voted 2-1 Tuesday to rescind the data collection requirement, submitting the proposal to a 30-day public commentary period before final approval. The proposal is a quiet but profound salvo in President Donald Trump’s shake up of civil rights enforcement, ending a practice that has endured through 10 Republican and Democratic administrations.

EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas, an outspoken critic of diversity and inclusion practices who has urged white men to come forward with discrimination complaints, argued that requiring companies to submit the annual demographic reports risks encouraging companies to justify discriminatory practices to diversify their workforce.

“It may promote racial stereotyping at work, and it may encourage employers to engage in discrimination,” Lucas said during a hearing ahead of the vote.

Former Democratic EEOC commissioners and civil rights organizations have denounced the proposal, saying it will deprive the agency of a critical tool for uncovering discrimination patterns and tracking how women and racial minorities have fared since the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which created the EEOC and prohibited employment discrimination based on race, color, sex, national origin and religion.

The EEOC, which receives more than 88,000 worker complaints each year, has historically used

the data to guide its enforcement priorities and inform some of its investigations.

Commissioner Kalpana Kotagal, the sole Democrat left on the EEOC since Trump moved to wrest control of the agency, voted against the proposal.

“Today, the commission discusses whether to turn back time to a period before the civil rights movement, kneecapping its ability to protect workers,” Kotagal said.

Here’s what to know about the reporting requirement and the proposal to end it:

How the EEOC has collected the data Since 1966, the EEOC has required companies with at least 100 employees, or federal contractors with at least 50 workers, to submit a form called the EEO-1 each year.

The form, which has evolved over time, identifies 10 job categories from “Executive/Senior Level Officials and Managers” to “Laborers” and “Service Workers.” It asks employers to report on the number male and female workers in each job category, as well as the number of workers from different race and ethnicities: Hispanic or Latino, Black or African American, Asian, Native Hawaiian, American Indian or Alaska Native and two or more races.

The data typically covers more than 50 million employees and 73,000 employers nationwide.

A view into gender and race in the private sector The EEOC launched during the Biden administration an interactive tool allowing the public to explore historical demographic metrics across industries and job categories. The most recent data is from 2023. Under the Trump administration, the EEOC last collected EEO-1 data for the year 2024 but has not publicly disclosed it. Collection of the year 2025 would have begun this year.

The data shows white men dominating executive and senior manager roles at private companies, though women and minorities have made inroads, especially in the years following the #MeToo and Black Lives Matters movements.

PUBLIC NOTICE INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL The Public is hereby advised that I, CLEO PAT WILLIAMS of P.O. Box N-3008, #5 Seven Hills, Nassau, The Bahamas intend to change my name to CLEOPATRA WILLIAMS. If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Officer, P.O.Box N-742, Nassau, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that I LOUSSANDIA VICTOR of 237 NW North Macedo Blvd, Port Saint Lucie, Florida, 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 18th day of August, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that I RIVALDO VICTOR of 237 NW North Macedo Blvd, Port Saint Lucie, Florida, 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 18th 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 OCHITOE MAHIYAMA LOUIS of P.O.BOX N-4615 Golden Isles Southern, 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 11th 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 ESTEPHENE EXIMOND of Faith 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 11th day of August, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

PAGE 6, Tuesday, August 18, 2026

THE TRIBUNE

States take Meta to trial in California in the biggest fight yet over social media harms to children

By BARBARA ORTUTAY AP Technology Writer OF the thousands of lawsuits Meta faces over child safety on its platforms, none may be more consequential than one going to trial this week in California.

States are seeking extensive financial damages that could, in theory, total as much as $1.4 trillion, plus changes to how the company operates Facebook and Instagram.

The lawsuit accuses the social media giant of contributing to the youth mental health crisis by knowingly and deliberately designing features that get children addicted to its platforms. It also claims that Meta routinely collects data on children under 13 without their parents’ consent, in violation of federal law.

“Meta has harnessed powerful and unprecedented technologies to entice, engage, and ultimately ensnare youth and teens. Its motive is profit, and in seeking to maximize its financial gains,” the lawsuit says.

Dozens of states filed the lawsuit three years ago. The trial set to begin Tuesday in federal court in Oakland, California, features four of the states as plaintiffs — California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey.

The other 25 states are expected to have trials later.

Meta said it disputes the allegations, and the trial evidence will show its commitment to supporting

young people. “We’ve listened to parents, worked with experts and law enforcement, and conducted in-depth research to understand the issues that matter most,” the company said in a statement.

accountable on state and federal statutes

States seek to land a major blow against Meta For Meta, which already lost two pivotal cases over harms to children and teens this year, the stakes are high. The company reported a rare profit decline last month, in part due to $2.4 billion in legal expenses.

The $1.4 trillion figure, which Meta disclosed in a legal filing, is almost as high as the Menlo Park, California, company’s entire market capitalization — that is, the value of all its outstanding shares on the stock market. Paying it would inevitably put Meta Platforms in bankruptcy and perhaps put the company under state ownership.

“The state attorneys general are going for the gusto,” said Eric Goldman, a professor and co-director of the High Tech Law Institute at Santa Clara University School of Law. “They are trying to set the definitive precedent in this case and they have asked for extraordinary damages and they are going to seek extraordinary structural remedies if they succeed.”

Meta calls the possible penalty “untethered to any claimed violation” by the states.

ATTORNEY Paul W. Schmidt, representing Meta, right, arrives at a Federal Courthouse Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, in Oakland, Calif.

Photo:Jeff Chiu/AP “A sanction of that size has no analog in the history of consumer protection enforcement,” Meta said in a July 6 filing with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

If Meta loses the trial, the court would have wide discretion over the size of any financial penalty, and legal experts say anything close to $1.4 trillion would be unlikely.

“It’s not plausible in the sense that Meta doesn’t have that much money and could not get it,” said James Grimmelmann, a law professor at Cornell Law School and Cornell Tech. “An award that large would put Meta into bankruptcy, wipe out its owners,

Trump dwarfs his predecessors in the number of ultra-rich in his second White House, report shows

and effectively result in the states owning Meta.”

As a practical matter, Grimmelmann added, “that seems extremely unlikely to happen.”

In other cases that have involved high potential damages for multiple individual offenses, he said courts have stopped short of imposing the maximum penalties. One example is the Anthropic artificial intelligence training case, where plaintiffs were claiming damages of $150,000 per book that Anthropic copied, but the penalty ended up being $3,000 per book, totaling about $1.5 billion.

Trial seeks to hold Meta

By THOMAS BEAUMONT Associated Press WEALTH, perhaps second only to loyalty, has been a prized attribute for Donald Trump during his second presidency.

The federal trial this week is more complex than one earlier this year, in Los Angeles, where a state court awarded $6 million in damages from Meta and Google’s YouTube to a single plaintiff, a young woman who testified she became addicted to social media as a child.

That case was a bellwether, or test case, picked from thousands of similar civil tort lawsuits to give both plaintiffs and the defendants an idea of how their arguments fare in court. The jury determined that Meta and YouTube were negligent in the design or operation of their respective platforms, and that the negligence was a substantial factor in causing harm to the plaintiff. They also determined each company knew their platforms could be dangerous when used by a minor and that they failed to adequately warn of that danger.

The Oakland case, meanwhile, has state attorneys general as the plaintiffs and centers on state and federal statutes they allege Meta violated, which lay out potential penalty amounts for each violation.

“And there’s a lot of them because it’s four different states and at least three different kinds of statutes. There’s a child privacy statute, there’s a false advertising statute and there’s unfair competition The number of people worth at least $100 million whom the Republican president has appointed to his administration is more than four times the combined total under the three previous presidents, according to a report from the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen.

It’s the numbers for the Trump administration, in the context of previous administrations, that stand out in Public Citizen’s report, published on Monday. In all, 57 Trump officials are worth at least $100 million, including 17 ambassadors and the remaining 40 in senior posts across the executive branch.

Look no further than Trump’s Cabinet. Eight of its 23 members fit the category, notably Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Education Secretary Linda McMahon, both billionaires.

The president, himself a billionaire, has described his inclination toward appointing the ultrawealthy as deference to financial success. And yet, Trump, who owes his White House comeback to support from middle-income, working Americans drawn to his pledge to lower everyday costs, now faces a midterm election electorate decidedly less keen on his handling of the economy.

Presidents have long sought counsel from the nation’s wealthiest people and tapped some for high-profile administrative leadership roles.

Likewise, presidents routinely reward wealthy and influential supporters with ambassadorships.

Among the most notable examples is Andrew Mellon, the aluminum, oil and banking tycoon who was among the handful of the nation’s wealthiest people in the 1920s and served as treasury secretary for three presidents.

statutes,” said Rebecca Allensworth, a professor at Vanderbilt University Law School.

Meta has added safety tools — but states want more An outcome that leads to changes in how Facebook and Instagram operate could be as consequential as any financial penalty.

Meta has introduced a slew of new features in recent years designed to protect minors. In 2024 it launched teen accounts on Instagram, which are private by default and come with messaging and content restrictions, and parental controls. The company also uses artificial intelligence to determine if kids under 13 are using Instagram or if teenagers are lying about their age to access adult accounts.

Safety advocates have called on the company to do more. A New Mexico judge earlier this month ordered new safety measures on the platforms including time limits for minors, AI chatbot restrictions, and mandatory warnings on the platforms, but his order applied only to users in the state.

“These AGs have a real chance at fixing the product,” Laura Marquez-Garrett of the Social Media Victims Law Center said Friday in a virtual discussion with advocates hosted by the Tech Oversight Project.

The Trump officials worth at least $100 million include Deputy Secretary of Defense Stephen Feinberg and Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler, who are also billionaires, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and special envoy Steve Witkoff, both worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

By comparison, Republican George W. Bush’s administration and Democrat Joe Biden’s each included five members worth $100 million or more.

Democrat Barack Obama’s included three, the report states.

A government populated by so many of the economic elite presents potential problems, the report’s authors said.

“When the people holding the reins of government are drawn overwhelmingly from the ranks of the ultrarich, it leads to misplaced incentives and corruption, and begs the question, ‘Whose interests they are truly serving?” said Lisa Gilbert, Public Citizen’s co-president.

The list does not include Trump, whose net worth Forbes estimates at more than $6 billion. Nor does it include space and social media giant Elon Musk, who advised Trump last year on an effort to reduce the federal government’s size, scope and workforce and is the world’s wealthiest person, with a net worth Forbes estimates at about $860 billion.

Trump’s views are well established: Financial success is evidence of executive mastery and negotiating strength.

“They have great competence, those people.

Incredible competence.

Some of the smartest business leaders,” Trump said last year in explaining why he put considerable weight on advice from business executives.

COMMERCE Secretary Howard Lutnick speaks during an event with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in Washington.

Photo:Alex Brandon/AP

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, August 18, 2026, PAGE 7

Arrow-words are like crosswords, but the clues inside squares on the grid. Write your an blank squares in the direction indicated by Solutio

WORDSEARCH JUDGE PARKER

CARPE DIEM

MARVIN BLONDIE

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

WORDS RELATED TO DAD

Find all the terms listed below in the Solution tomorrow CHEESEMAN ● FRAZER ● GODF HODGES ● HOME GUARD ● INVAS JONES ● MAINWARING ● MRS FOX PLATOON ● SISTER DOLLY ● SPO UNCLE ARTHUR ● VICAR ● WAL WALMINGTON-ON-SEA ● YEATM

HAGAR THE HORRIBLE

TIGER

YESTERDAY QUICK CROSSWORD Across: 4 Operate, 8 Debris, 9 Conduct, 10 Openly, 11 Occult, 12 Ravenous, 18 Telltale, 20 Devoid, 21 Stroll, 22 Compute, 23 Lesser, 24 Prelude.

Down: 1 Adjourn, 2 Observe, 3 Violin, 5 Proposal, 6 Reduce, 7 Tackle, 13 Outdated, 14 Carouse, 15 Declare, 16 Devour, 17 Compel, 19 Lather.

CALVIN & HOBBES

DENNIS THE MENACE

WORDSEARCH

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

TARGET

THE ALPHAPU

FLATTERER after alert alerter alter arete earl eater falter fare farer fart fatter fear feral ferrate ferrel ferret fetter fettler flare flatter FLATTERER fleer free freer fret later latter leer letter raft rafter rale rare rate ratel ratter rattle rattler real realer rear reef reel refer reflate reflet relate relet rete retreat tare tart tarter tear tetra treat treater tree tref trefa

Across: Libel, Catch, C Rule, Grab, Prize, Hem Thou (clue), Tax, Dam, Punk, Scat, Grotesque, Refit.

Down: Myrrh, Tepid, C Brae, Kris, Prawn, Let, Here, Col, Sir, Ethos, Th Prejudice, Kebab, Meta

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

PAGE 8, Tuesday, August 18, 2026

THE TRIBUNE

What is lung cancer, and can it be prevented? within the past 15 years.

By Dr Paul Ramphal Cardiothoracic Surgeon

AS the Cancer Society of The Bahamas observes August as Lung Cancer Awareness Month, Dr Paul Ramphal, a cardiothoracic surgeon, is answering these questions and more to raise awareness of this deadly disease.

Through increased education, people can become better equipped to lower their risk or detect it early, when treatment is most effective.

Lung cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world, usually starts in the airways or small air sacs (alveoli), where the lungs and blood exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide during breathing.

When lung cancer occurs, genetic DNA damage, often due to smoking or inhaling hazardous chemicals, causes cells to grow uncontrollably and form a tumour.

Without treatment, the tumour can spread throughout the lung, destroying healthy tissue and damaging lung function.

Dr Ramphal says eventually the tumour will spread to other parts of the body.

Types of Lung Cancer The two main types of lung cancer are: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): This is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for approximately 85 per cent to 90 per cent of all cases.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC): Compared to nonsmall cell lung cancer, small cell lung cancer grows more

What causes lung cancer, and what are its symptoms? quickly and is harder to treat.

Symptoms of Lung Cancer Lung cancer is referred to as a silent killer, as it doesn’t display any symptoms in its early stages. When lung cancer is advanced, symptoms may include: • A new cough that doesn't go away.

• Chest pain.

• Coughing up blood, even a small amount.

• Hoarseness.

• Shortness of breath.

• Wheezing.

As lung cancer spreads to other parts of the body, such as the neck or back, it causes other symptoms to appear.

Some of these symptoms are: • Bone pain.

• Headache.

• Losing weight without trying.

• Loss of appetite.

• Swelling in the face or neck.

Risk Factors Whether it's cigarettes, cigars, or pipes, smoking tobacco products is the leading risk factor for lung cancer.

Dr Ramphal said that smoking causes at least 80 per cent of all lung cancer cases. In addition to

Diagnosis Diagnosing lung cancer is a multi-step process, typically beginning with an examination of the patient’s medical history and ending with a biopsy.

damaging cell DNA, tobacco smoke can introduce carcinogens (cancer-causing substances) and weaken the body’s immune system.

While smoking is the most well-known and common cause of lung cancer, he states that other risk factors include : • Being exposed to secondhand smoke.

• Exposure to harmful substances, like radon, asbestos, uranium, diesel exhaust, silica, coal products, and toxins in the air.

• Having previous radiation treatments to your chest.

• Having a family history of lung cancer.

Initial Evaluations • Medical history: Doctors ask about your health and symptoms.

• Physical exam: Checks for lumps, swelling, or other changes.

• Lab tests: Blood and urine tests check for abnormal chemical levels or tumor markers

Screening

Confirmation • Biopsy: Removes a small tissue sample to check for cancer cells under a microscope.

To check for early signs of lung cancer in patients without any symptoms, doctors employ an annual low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan. The screening test is fast and painless. Current guidelines, recommend annual LDCT scans to adults who meet the following requirements: • Aged 50 to 80 years old.

• Heavy smoking history of at least 20 pack-years (such as 1 pack a day for 20 years).

• Current smoker or someone who quit

Imaging and Scans • CT and MRI scans: Create detailed pictures of the inside of the body.

• Ultrasound: Uses sound waves to see organs and tissues.

• PET scan: Uses a safe radioactive material to highlight active cancer cells.

Treatment Depending on its stage, healthcare providers target lung cancer with a combination of two or more treatments, each designed to either remove the cancerous cells from the body or slow down their growth.

Some of the main treatment options for lung cancer, include the following: Surgery: When the tumour is localised and

hasn’t spread, it can be removed using surgical procedures, the most common being lobectomy, segmentectomy, and pneumonectomy.

Chemotherapy: Uses drugs to shrink the tumour and stop it from growing.

Radiation Therapy: Uses high-energy beams, such as X-rays, to destroy cancer cells.

Targeted Drug Therapy: Uses specialised drugs that block specific genes, proteins, or tissue environments that cancer cells need to grow and divide.

Immunotherapy: Stimulates the body’s immune system to fight cancer.

Prevention While there is no guaranteed way to prevent lung cancer, you can significantly reduce your risk by making several lifestyle choices, such as: •Not smoking.

•Avoiding secondhand smoke.

•Limiting workplace toxins.

•Eating healthy foods.

What is the Cancer Society doing to help?

The Cancer Society encourages Bahamians to become more proactive with their health, stop ignoring the warning signs, and seek medical help by getting screened.

The Cancer Society will continue to provide information on our social media platforms, in our weekly newsletter, and at health fairs.

At the Cancer Society, we offer the following programs and services for persons

Dr. Paul Ramphal

diagnosed with cancer: • Free accommodations and transportation to the Family Islanders undergoing cancer treatment in New Providence.

• Emotional and mental support at our Adult Support Group.

• Holding quarterly social events for children aged 2 – 17 years in our Freedom Kids Club.

• Financial Treatment Assistance Program (funded by the Bahamas Hope Challenge) for unemployed or uninsured persons who have been diagnosed with cancer.

• Monthly Free Pap Smears and PSA Screening in the Family Islands.

• Free mammogram screenings in Nassau for women from various Family Islands through the FIMS (Family Island Mammogram Screenings) program.

To learn more about what the Cancer Society is doing, subscribe to our newsletter at www.cancersocietybahamas.org/newsletter. Call us at (242) 323-4441 or (242) 325-2483 or email us at admin@cancersocietybahamas.org to become a volunteer, spokesperson, or advocate for a healthier Bahamas.

Community leader donates four wheelchairs to PMH FREE Town Community leader, Andrew ‘Blue’ Johnson, recently donated four wheelchairs to the Princess Margaret Hospital to support patients in need of mobility assistance.

Mr Johnson explained that the donation was made to help address the ongoing demand for wheelchairs at the hospital and to ensure that patients particularly seniors and those recovering from treatment have access to proper care and comfort during their hospital stay.

“Too many Bahamians go to PMH and struggle to get basic equipment, said Mr Johnson.

“This about people, If 4 wheelchairs can make a difference for a mother, a father or a grandparent today, then it is worth it. We have to take care of each other.”

Hospital staff received the wheel chairs on behalf of PMH and exressed gratitude for the timely donation, noting that mobility aids are among the most requested items for patients and their families.

Mr Johnson said he remains committed to supporting healthcare, education and community infrastructure in Freetown and across Nassau.

A DRIVE-thru coffee and donut shop the Donut Hole is seen in Los Angeles in November 1970.

AP Photo/David F. Smith, File

Pull up to the window, please, for a glimpse of an American icon: The drive-thru

By ASHRAF KHALIL Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Full disclosure: this should really be two tales. How better to pay tribute to the natural and perhaps inevitable combination of two distinctly American icons: fast food and cars?

Those two massive sociological forces had already joined up, Voltron-style, early in the 20th century with the development of the drive-in restaurant – that classic scene evocative of "Happy Days" where customers sat in their cars while servers (ideally on skates) brought out food that was consumed on site from window trays.

But the real innovation dates to the late 1940s and is the brainchild of either (depending on which source you trust) an In-N-Out Burger in California in 1948 or Red's Giant Hamburg in Springfield, Missouri in 1947. (In comparison, the first reported drive-thru in

Europe didn't open until 1985 in Dublin.)

By the mid 1960s, this had mushroomed into a robust American market, spawning imitators and innovators. Jack in the Box pioneered the drive-thru exclusive restaurant with no indoor seats and no parking — and a talking mechanical clown to take your order.

In Western states, residents of a certain age will recall the Wienershnitzel chain with its distinctive A-frame structures specially built with a tunnel down the middle for cars.

The innovation sparked unexpected knock-on developments.

Restaurant menus shifted heavily toward sandwiches, fries, chicken strips and other portables that could be consumed on the go. The cars themselves adjusted over the years to accommodate larger and larger drink holders. What sociological (and nutritional) impact this has all had on the actual consumers would

be the subject of a much longer essay.

The innovation hasn't stopped. Modern drivethrus have evolved into tightly coordinated multi-lane affairs. At Chickfil-As around the country, actual humans with electronic tablets now stand – breathing in exhaust fumes all day – to ensure a seamless ordering process with no mechanical speaker garbles.

The drive-thru, with its distinctly American creative spelling, has become woven into the fabric of the culture. It has been enshrined in the Smithsonian Museum of American History and has played a memorable role in recent and successful Presidential campaigns.

As one historian put it, somewhat pointedly: "The drive-in was less a pure novelty than an expression of great American passions that go hand in hand: speed, efficiency and, sometimes, laziness."

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, August 18, 2026, PAGE 9

CIBC Caribbean launches Ribbons for Hope campaign

ALL 10 CIBC Caribbean branches across The Bahamas are becoming displays of hope, remembrance and encouragement as the bank carries out its Ribbons for Hope campaign.

The initiative invites clients, colleagues and members of the public to honour individuals whose lives have been impacted by cancer.

From now until October 30, through a donation of any amount, participants will receive a ribbon to personalise with the name of a cancer warrior, a message of encouragement or a tribute to someone special.

These ribbons will then be displayed in branches as a collective representation of the many stories of courage, resilience and hope within our

communities.

“Ribbons for Hope is about bringing people together and creating a visible reminder that behind every ribbon is a story,” said CIBC Caribbean Head of Country, Terrance Gibson.

“Our branches are more than places where we provide financial services, they are spaces where we connect with and support the communities we serve.

Through Ribbons for Hope, we will fill our branches with messages of encouragement and remembrance that reflect the strength and compassion of the Bahamian community.”

The Ribbons for Hope campaign also sets the stage for CIBC Caribbean’s annual Walk for the Cure scheduled for October 3.

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-DAY FORECAST

TODAY

TONIGHT

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

UV INDEX TODAY

SATURDAY

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11+ LOW

ORLANDO

Intervals of clouds and sunshine

Intervals of clouds and sun

Hazy sun

Hazy sun

Low: 79°

High: 90° Low: 80°

High: 92° Low: 79°

High: 91° Low: 80°

High: 90° Low: 81°

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

108° F

90° F

107°-91° F

106°-86° F

106°-89° F

104°-89° F

High: 97° F/36° C Low: 78° F/26° C

TAMPA

High: 93° F/34° C Low: 82° F/28° C

Partly sunny

Mainly clear

High: 91°

E

W

ABACO

S

N

High: 93° F/34° C Low: 81° F/27° C

6-12 knots

S

WEST PALM BEACH High: 98° F/37° C Low: 79° F/26° C

6-12 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE E

W

FREEPORT

High: 96° F/36° C Low: 79° F/26° C

N

S

E

W

High: 94° F/34° C Low: 80° F/27° C

MIAMI

High: 99° F/37° C Low: 80° F/27° C

6-12 knots

KEY WEST

High: 92° F/33° C Low: 82° F/28° C

Ht.(ft.)

Low

Ht.(ft.)

2.8 3.0

6:31 a.m.

7:14 p.m.

0.5 1.0

ALMANAC

Wednesday 1:04 a.m.

1:44 p.m.

2.5 2.9

7:17 a.m.

8:11 p.m.

0.8 1.2

Statistics are for Nassau through 2 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 89° F/32° C Low .................................................... 75° F/24° C Normal high ....................................... 89° F/32° C Normal low ........................................ 76° F/24° C Last year’s high .................................. 91° F/33° C Last year’s low ................................... 79° F/26° C Precipitation As of 2 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ................................................ 14.67” Normal year to date ................................... 22.65”

Thursday

1:56 a.m.

2:41 p.m.

2.3 2.8

8:07 a.m.

9:12 p.m.

0.9 1.4

Friday

2:53 a.m.

3:40 p.m.

2.2 2.8

9:03 a.m. 1.0 10:14 p.m. 1.4

Saturday

3:54 a.m.

4:38 p.m.

2.2 2.8

10:01 a.m. 1.1 11:12 p.m. 1.4

Sunday

4:52 a.m.

5:31 p.m.

2.3 2.9

10:57 a.m. 1.0 ---------

Monday

5:45 a.m.

6:18 p.m.

2.4 3.0

12:03 a.m. 1.2 11:49 a.m. 0.9

Today

SUN AND MOON Sunrise Sunset

6:45 a.m.

7:42 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

12:22 p.m.

11:22 p.m.

First

Full

Last

New

Aug. 19

Aug. 28

Sep. 4

Sep. 10

CAT ISLAND

E

High: 91° F/33° C Low: 78° F/26° C

N

S

E

W

4-8 knots

S

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 88° F/31° C Low: 78° F/26° C

High: 90° F/32° C Low: 78° F/26° C

3-6 knots Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2026

N W

EXT.

High

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

VERY HIGH

12:16 a.m.

12:52 p.m.

High: 92° F/33° C Low: 84° F/29° C

High: 91° F/33° C Low: 79° F/26° C

HIGH

TIDES FOR NASSAU

The patented AccuWeather.com RealFeel Temperature® is the only index that includes all the weather factors that play a role in how we perceive temperature, including the effects of wind, humidity, sunshine, precipitation, pressure, and elevation. Shown are the highest and lowest values for each day.

N

MODERATE

The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection. Shown is the highest value of the day.

ANDROS

N

High: 94° F/34° C Low: 82° F/28° C

E

W S

LONG ISLAND

TRACKING MAP

High: 90° F/32° C Low: 76° F/24° C

4-8 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 90° F/32° C Low: 78° F/26° C

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS

tonight’s lows.

RAGGED ISLAND

High: 90° F/32° C Low: 77° F/25° C

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 79° F/26° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 93° F/34° C Low: 79° F/26° C

N

E

W

E

W

H

N

S

S

6-12 knots

7-14 knots

MARINE FORECAST ABACO ANDROS CAT ISLAND CROOKED ISLAND ELEUTHERA FREEPORT GREAT EXUMA GREAT INAGUA LONG ISLAND MAYAGUANA NASSAU RAGGED ISLAND SAN SALVADOR

Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday:

WINDS SW at 6-12 Knots SSW at 6-12 Knots W at 4-8 Knots WSW at 4-8 Knots SSW at 4-8 Knots S at 4-8 Knots ENE at 6-12 Knots E at 6-12 Knots W at 4-8 Knots SSW at 6-12 Knots W at 6-12 Knots SW at 4-8 Knots S at 3-6 Knots S at 4-8 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots ENE at 7-14 Knots E at 4-8 Knots ESE at 6-12 Knots ENE at 4-8 Knots ESE at 6-12 Knots WSW at 3-6 Knots S at 4-8 Knots E at 6-12 Knots E at 6-12 Knots SW at 4-8 Knots S at 4-8 Knots

Tribune First Alert Weather

NASSAU WhatsApp Channel

WAVES 2-4 Feet 1-3 Feet 0-1 Feet 0-1 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-2 Feet 0-1 Feet 0-1 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-2 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 0-1 Feet 0-1 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-2 Feet 0-1 Feet 0-1 Feet

VISIBILITY 10 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 84° F 84° F 87° F 88° F 86° F 87° F 85° F 85° F 87° F 88° F 86° F 86° F 86° F 87° F 85° F 85° F 85° F 86° F 84° F 85° F 88° F 88° F 84° F 85° F 87° F 88° F

“We got you covered under the radars”

SECTION D

TuESDay, auguST 18, 2026

Leadership not measured by titles but by the lives they touch

By Cara Hunt Tribune Features Writer cbrennen@tribunemedia.net

SOCIAL Services Minister Barbara Cartwright reminded women that leadership is not measured by a person’s title, but instead by the lives they touch and the opportunities they create for others.

The minister spoke at the Global LeadHERship Empowerment Network Awards Luncheon last week which was attended by a number of women who have helped to shape the national landscape of the country. It was held under the patronage of Governor General Cynthia Pratt.

Ms Cartwright described the gathering as one where "history was sitting all around the room."

She reminded attendees that while awards recognise achievement, legacy recognises influence.

“Leadership is about leaving things better than we found them — better families, better communities, better institutions and a better Bahamas,” she said Dr Brenda Pratt, the president and founder of the Global LeadHERship Empowerment Network, celebrated the remarkable accomplishments of Bahamian women whose leadership and service have made a lasting impact across government, law, business, healthcare, sports and community development.

Reverend Helen Mcphee opened the day’s events with prayer for the honourees and for blessings for the country.

Internationally acclaimed leadership strategist, humanitarian, best-selling author and former Bermuda Senator Dr Cindy Trimm provided attendees with a global perspective on leadership, challenging them to embrace an elevation mindset and prepare themselves for increase. She encouraged women to position themselves for greater opportunities by cultivating vision, purpose and the confidence to rise to new levels of leadership.

The key note address was given by Shannon Lady Ighodaro, a Bahamian native whose journey from Nassau to elected public office in the United States inspired the audience to embrace leadership, service and civic engagement.

Born at Princess Margaret Hospital and raised in Montell Heights, Ighodaro, whose maiden name is Hanna, became the first Bahamian elected to the Miami Gardens City Council, serving one of the largest majority-Black cities in the United States with a population of approximately 120,000 residents. She is currently a candidate for the Florida Senate.

She encouraged attendees to recognise the power of of public service.

"Politics connects you to people, information, resources and the distribution of those resources," she said.

She also reminded attendees that a single vote can alter the course of history.

"One vote can change the course of history," she said, before adding that ultimately, "the main vote we need is from God." She concluded with a strong message.

"Titles will fade, but the way you treat people will last."

The events honourees included: Ruby Ann Cooper-Darling; Dame Janet Bostwick,Italia Johnson; Glenys Hanna-Martin; Melanie Griffin; Allyson Maynard Gibson, KC; J LaShell Adderley; Leslia Miller-Brice; Sharon Wilson, KC; Pleasant Bridgewater; Dr Lanisha Rolle; Patricia Deveaux; Justice Hope Strachan; Cleola Hamilton; Verna Grant; Shonel Ferguson; Lisa Rahming; Pakesia Parker Edgecombe; and the Juanianne Dorsett.

Former Minister of Social Services Melanie Griffin spoke on behalf of the honourees and expressed heartfelt appreciation for the recognition. She encouraged women to continue leading with purpose, integrity and compassion, reminding them that their greatest legacy is the lives they inspire.

Legacy House a welcome home for Girl Guides with support from Sandals LEGACY House is living up to its name, providing a welcoming home for Girl Guides and their leaders while supporting the continued growth of the Guiding movement throughout The Bahamas.

The property was completed thanks to two generous donations by the Sandals Foundation.

An initial gift of $100,000 assisted with the completion of the building’s interior. A second donation of $27,000 was used to furnish the entire third floor, known as the Granger Lodge, which can accommodate up to 18 girls and five leaders.

Elma Garraway, chair of the Properties Committee and head of the Management team of Legacy House, shared that the facility is already fulfilling its purpose. Rangers and Guides from Grand Bahama, Abaco, Eleuthera, Harbour Island, Exuma and New Providence have stayed at Legacy House on several

occasions. The property has also hosted a weekend residential training programme for leaders, helping to strengthen the Association’s capacity across the islands.

Heidi Clarke of the Sandals Foundation recently paid a visit to the facility to observe its progress

She was delighted that the facility was in active use and commended the Association for the high standard at which Legacy House is being maintained. She also encouraged the group to use the Sandals Foundation’s online application process to submit

another grant proposal that could further advance the work of the Association.

For more than a century, the Bahamas Girl Guides Association has helped to shape generations of Bahamian girls and young women.

Its programmes—Sunflowers,

Foundation gifts help make the realisation of a dream possible Brownies, Guides and Rangers—promote leadership, service, teamwork, positive values and responsible citizenship.

Through Legacy House, the Association now has an important space where girls and leaders from throughout the archipelago can gather, learn, build friendships and participate in the full residential experience of Guiding.

The support of the Sandals Foundation has therefore extended well beyond the completion and furnishing of a building. It has helped to create a national home for Guiding—one where young women can develop their confidence, strengthen their leadership skills and prepare to make positive contributions to their communities and country.