‘Disastrous for the Exumas’: Second Rosewood challenge
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
A SECOND neighbouring developer is challenging the Rosewood Exuma project’s planning approvals amid fears the latter “will be disastrous for the Exumas” and threaten its own $148m investment.
Darla Tollefson, president of Yonder Holdings, the Over Yonder Cay developer, in a March 21, 2025, letter to the Department of Physical Planning argued that maritime conditions in the “narrow strait” that will serve Rosewood Exuma’s commercial dock “are simply too treacherous” for it to be used as the main route for supplying the proposed $200m project.
Citing “strong currents”, large underwater rocks and the presence of “shallow, narrow cuts”, the
• Yonder Cay developer fears for $148m investment
• Strait to project’s supply dock ‘just too treacherous’
• To join Turtlegrass on site plan approval overturn
Over Yonder Cay chief asserted that such “dangerous conditions” mean “it is not a question of ‘if’, but ‘when’ a catastrophic” marine accident will occur and damage a pristine environment located just 1,700 feet away from its own property.
Tollefson, explaining that Yonder Holdings its seeking to safeguard its investment and “protect it for generations to come”, argued that the Rosewood Exuma development’s density and scale “will have a net negative impact on the region’s long-term environmental, social and economic welfare”.
Asserting that Yonder Holdings and its principals are not opposed to development, Tollefson nevertheless insisted “it needs to be smart development that preserves the natural environment for both Bahamians living in
Hotel’s $23m ‘fire sale’ not sparked by wind-up move
By NEIL HARTNELL
Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
THE Chief Justice has rejected claims that a Bahamian developer’s winding-up petition triggered the $23m “fire sale” of a prominent downtown Nassau resort property.
Sir Ian Winder, in a September 17, 2025, verdict dismissed allegations by a former Courtyard by Marriott owner that an affiliate of Sterling Global Financial, the Hurricane Hole and Montage Cay developer, and its two principals, David Kosoy and Stephen Tiller, had acted maliciously
and engaged in a conspiracy over their 2017 bid to place it into liquidation. In an extensive ruling, the chief justice described Yaron ‘Ron’ Hershco, a New York-based developer who was president and majority shareholder of Sunset Equities, the resort’s former owner, as “evasive” in the evidence he gave at trial. As a result, Sir Ian said he was “not satisfied” that Mr Hershco was “entirely truthful, frank and forthright” making it “difficult to rely on many of his assertions”.
SpaceX now targeting 19 more Bahamas landings
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
ELON Musk’s SpaceX is bidding to resume booster recovery operations in Bahamian waters with up to 19 further landings projected should the necessary government approvals be obtained.
The just-released Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), which the Davis administration demanded before any further landings in the Exuma Sound are permitted, asserted that “the environmental impacts of the Falcon 9 booster recovery are minimal” due to its design and operational features.
However, while seemingly paving the way for SpaceX to obtain the necessary certificate of environmental clearance (CEC) from the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP),
Morton Salt hails its Inagua deal ‘win-win’
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
MORTON Salt has described the sale of its Bahamas operation as a “win-win” for all parties - including its employees - and pledged that Inagua will “remain a vital component of our long-term supply mix”.
The US-headquartered salt producer, in a statement responding to Tribune Business inquiries, sought to reassure over the future of Inagua and the southern Bahamas’ largest employer by asserting that it will remain the operation’s “anchor customer” via a supply deal once the sale to Grand Bahama-based Lusca Group closes.
“Morton Salt is excited to partner with the Lusca Group on the announced transaction. Inagua has long served an important role in helping Morton Salt meet its supply needs, and while the pending transaction will convert Morton Salt
customer, Inagua salt will remain a vital component of Morton Salt’s long-term supply mix,” Morton Salt promised.
“Equally, if not more important, we believe that capital investments required to expand the Inagua operation – and potentially develop other business opportunities on the island – will benefit our Inagua employees and the local community. Accordingly, Morton Salt believes the announced transaction offers a ‘win, win’ outcome for all stakeholders.”
It is understood that Morton Salt, and its USheadquartered owner, Stone Canyon Industry Holdings, were not actively seeking to sell the Inagua operation but, when Lusca Group came along, felt the offer was too good to pass up given the seeming benefits for itself, the buyer, employees and the island as a whole.
GB Shipyard to double apprentice investment
THE Grand Bahama Shipyard is planning by 2028 to double the current investment in its Bahamian apprenticeship programme to coincide with the arrival of its two new floating docks worth $600m.
The Grand Bahamabased employer, in a statement, said it aims to double the apprenticeship outlay from the present $1.5m to $3m with the goal of having 80 Bahamians enrolled in the initiative at any one time.
The current programme is internationally-certified, and Bahamian apprentices spend 18 weeks training at The Engineering College, an elite institution in
Liverpool, the UK. Sixtythree current employees have graduated from a predecessor apprenticeship programme and, of these, almost one-third have advanced from tradesmen roles to higher-earning specialist, supervisor or manager positions.
The Shipyard said it spends around $1.5m per year on the programme, and this commitment is projected to double to around $3m by 2028 with the goal of having up to 80 Bahamian apprentices enrolled in the initiative at any one time. The expanded apprenticeship investment comes with the Shipyard set to have two new floating
docks and supporting infrastructure coming on stream in 2026.
Marvin Basden, who began at the Shipyard as a young electrician, today serves as its vice-president of environment, quality, facility maintenance and infrastructure development. His journey is seen as a reflection of the company’s commitment to providing opportunities and training for Bahamians, enabling them to rise through the ranks while strengthening Grand Bahama’s industrial workforce.
“The Shipyard has always believed in opening doors for Bahamians - from our apprenticeship programme
to on-the-job training with international experts,” Mr Basden said. “Employees are constantly encouraged to stretch themselves, learn new skills and advance.
“I am living proof of that commitment, starting as an electrician and now being part of the executive team preparing for the arrival of two of the most advanced floating docks in the world.”
Mr Basden recalled his early years when access to new challenges propelled his career forward. From rising to manage the electrical department to learning how to operate cranes, and playing a central role in the installation of the Shipyard’s third dock in 2008, he
MARVIN
of environment,
the
facility maintenance and infrastructure development, is an example of the company’s commitment to local training and skills development.
was consistently exposed to cutting-edge projects and international collaboration.
“There’s no tuition you can pay at a university for this kind of experience,” he said. “I worked alongside engineers in France, helped design new power systems to accommodate a top-class European dock. It was a huge opportunity to be exposed to different technology and collaborate with international industry experts.
“The Shipyard creates these unique opportunities right here in The Bahamas, and that’s something many Bahamians – and particularly Grand Bahamians - can benefit from.” With two new docks under construction in China and slated for installation at the Shipyard, Mr Basden believes the facility’s “heyday” is set to return, creating jobs and careers for Bahamians as well as significant spin-off benefits for the wider community.
“When the Shipyard was at its peak, you could feel it across Freeport; the airport was constantly busy and business was good for stores and restaurants, as well as there being high demand for rental properties,” Mr Basden said. “With the addition of the new docks, this will boost economic activity and provide job and
growth opportunities for Bahamians at every level.
“This is a company that should be held up as a model for others,” he added. “The Shipyard has proven that when major investments are paired with a genuine commitment to training and development, the benefits ripple far beyond the gates of the facility, reaching families, businesses and the entire island.”
The Shipyard presently employs more than 200 Bahamians in core roles and, with the inclusion of locally contracted personnel to meet fluctuating demands, more than 60 percent of the company’s workforce are Bahamian.
Project-specific requirements mean the core workforce needs to be supplemented, and where this specialised knowledge and expertise is unavailable locally in the numbers required, this is sourced internationally to ensure the Shipyard can continue to compete in the global ship repair market.
With the arrival of the new docks fast approaching, the Shipyard needs to expand its core workforce and ensure that Bahamian workers and service providers are ready for the expected increase in activity.
BASDEN,
Grand Bahama Shipyard’s vice-president
quality,
ART SCHOOL’S CRITICAL ROLE FOR DOWNTOWN ‘BOURBON STREET’
By NEIL HARTNELL
A CABINET minister says the new Bahamian performing arts school will play a key role in the Government’s ambition to transform downtown Nassau into the equivalent of New Orleans’ Bourbon Street.
Pia Glover-Rolle, minister for labour and the public service, told the Abaco Business Outlook conference that the Bahamas Creative and Performing Arts School (CAPAS) - set to launch today with a first intake of 50 students - will be critical to economic diversification and unlocking the full potential of this nation’s “rich and ripe” cultural - or orange - economy.
Explaining that the school will provide the required “structure” and “professional” platform for Bahamian entertainers and creative artists to realise their full potential, she lamented that this
nation “now have to build an industry” due to the decline in opportunities for local stand-outs to perform before hotel guests and other visitors.
Suggesting that CAPAS will open new career paths for Bahamians interested in fields such as music, theatre, audio and visual production, Mrs GloverRolle said: “When we talk about diversification of our industry and our economy, we hear about the ‘orange economy’.
“The Bahamian ‘orange economy’, our creative and entertainment industry, is rich and ripe but we need to build the proper framework for it. We always had to travel to be [recognised and qualified] in the arts and, when we came home, there were always three to four hotel shows a week and visitors would be able to see a show in a hotel over the course of the week.
“I don’t know if any hotel shows exist any more. That was the main feeder for entertainment in the country. You had a gig at a hotel, and that was something you’d have on a weekly basis. We now have to build an industry.”
Mrs Glover-Rolle said she was not seeking to speak for Chester Cooper, deputy prime minister and minister of tourism, investments and aviation, who has ultimate responsibility for downtown Nassau’s revival, but asked: “What are we going to do with downtown to make it similar to a Bourbon Street, where there’s something going on
Gov’t urged: Fufilll your pledges on Bahamian fly fish ownership
By ANNELIA NIXON
Business
THE Bahamian fly fishing industry is urging the Davis administration to fulfill previous promises and ensure the sector is protected for Bahamian ownership and participation only.
The Bahamas Fly Fishing Industry Association (BFFIA), at its conclave last week called on Fred Mitchell, the PLP chairman and minister of foreign affairs, and the Government to deliver on their pledges over the industry’s regulation.
When previously in Opposition, Mr Mitchell, in a YouTube video, blasted the Free National Movement (FNM) for suspending regulations that governed fly fishing and asserted that this was a “mistake”. Noting that those regulations limit catches, called for a Bahamian guide and protected Bahamian resources while generating revenue for the Department of Fisheries through licensing, Mr Mitchell pledged that, when voted in, the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) would reinstate those regulations.
“First, when the PLP gets back to power, we will put the regulations back in place,” Mr Mitchell said. “Secondly, we call on the Government to put the regulations back in place - not only to protect the sector
for conservation reasonsbut also to make sure that Bahamians are protected in the sector. It’s a sector which should be preserved for Bahamians.
“It’s really a shame and disgrace this government can’t stand up against foreign interests. They’ve been lobbied hard by these foreign interests, and they’ve now capitulated, and they should really resign from the position and go back to putting the regulations in place.
“You can see how beautiful this is. This is a sector which provides millions of dollars in revenue for Bahamians entrepreneurs, and they should have first call on the benefits of the sector, and the FNM should reverse themselves, put the regulations back in place and not continue with this disgraceful day.”
The Association, during its Fly Fishing Industry Guides’ Homecoming Conclave, called on the PLP to follow through on its promise to allow for the fly fishing industry to be protected and reserved for Bahamians only.
Prescott Smith, its president, said while the law states the industry should be exclusive to Bahamians, this is currently not being enforced. He pointed to a few items included in a petition which outlines 11 key areas the Association wants the Government to address.
While one item calls for the “declaration of the protection of the industry for Bahamians”, another stated that outfitters’ licences only be allowed for Bahamians in the industry “to access the flats fishing resources of The Bahamas”.
“They have been afraid to enforce it,” Mr Smith added. “And I’ll tell you how they are working around it, because the way tourism was originally set up, where persons came in our country and built physical properties, the foreign lodges have been coming in under the guise of lodging and supported by the various tourism promotion boards.
“Because, as a young country, we don’t have a designation for what actually is a fishing lodge. So you would notice here in this petition: ‘Outfitters licence only given to Bahamians in the industry to access the flats fishing resources of The Bahamas.’
“So it would be like you and I now build this beautiful, physical facility for dentistry, but now we need the dentist to make it functional. So what it is they come in, and they build a beautiful facility, but because we don’t have no designation as to what is a lodge, they then access our flats resources by buying some bonefish boats, getting guides to fish there,” Mr Smith added.
24 hours a day, where we have an opportunity for entertainers to fulfill their craft and be paid?”
The minister added that CAPAS will provide free tertiary level education for Bahamian students, and be open to those from the rest of the Caribbean and wider world. It will also forge links with overseas arts institutions and talent agencies to provide Bahamians with training and further opportunities abroad.
Mrs Glover-Rolle, noting that the school will offer courses in disciplines such as music, theatre and dance production, reiterated: “This is not just a cultural investment but an economic strategy. We talk about growing cultural diversity in our economy and expanding opportunities. We can think of so many ways to expand the ‘orange economy’.
“However, we have to ensure again that there are structures to meet the opportunities. CAPAS will professionalise talent and fuel careers in media,
“And that is to the disadvantage of Bahamians, because once you see they get in here and given access to our resources... I would use an example like South Africa, or many other places. Once they get control over your resources or your land, it ain’t easy to get back. And we’re not too late for us to lose this. But the real danger is: Why would you give a foreigner control of the world’s largest flat fishing resources?
Mr Smith continued:
“The current minister, Fred Mitchell, while he was in Opposition as the chairman, he stated that the Government was positioning that this industry should be reserved for Bahamians. He spoke in relation to the
fashion, in audio engineering and cultural tourism, and open new pathways for people who don’t want traditional employment, a traditional job.”
CAPAS is operating from the former Phil’s Food Services property on Gladstone Road, which has three buildings. In the initial phase, students will be taught in the northeastern section of the site, behind the Small Business Development Centre.
Renovations are ongoing to prepare the main building, which will eventually house the full campus and studios.
“Next year we might have the full plan finished to move into the main building, but right now our focus is to get the students into the first phase and then move from there,” project manager Hartman Longley said last week.
The 50 students are split between full-time and part-time enrollment. Ian Poitier, policy and communications advisor in the Office of the Prime Minister, described this as
then-administration catering to foreign and special interests.
“But, in reality, you’re now the Government of The Bahamas, so you have to enact what you stated while you’re in Opposition. We want the industry protected for Bahamians.”
Calling attention to the “proliferation throughout many islands in The Bahamas”, Mr Smith said Exuma has 3,000 foreign-owned homes from where many illegal businesses are operated, adding that Eleuthera has more.
“They are marketing these facilities using the resources of the country in the marine space. So whether they are kayaking, fly fishing, snorkelling,
CAPAS’ “foundation year”, focusing on acting, dance and singing. He said interest has already come from abroad, with inquiries from Barbados and Guyana, and officials expect international enrolment to grow over time.
Musical director Victor Johnson, founder of the Musicians Artists of Vocalist Showcase, leader of the Essence Band and a member of the Lyford Cay International School music faculty, will oversee productions. He said the programme will stress discipline while providing a broad education designed to spark creativity and give students a stronger chance of achieving global success. Bahamians will attend tuition-free, while international students will pay fees. Mr Poitier acknowledged some students may struggle with other costs and said fundraising is underway to provide care packages, with donations already pledged by private supporters.
offshore fishing, you name it, bottom fishing, deep drop fishing. And because of the rich marine environment that we have here, I want to share this with you where our attorney can hear us,” Mr Smith said.
“I have a brother who lives in Florida, and the red snapper season in the state of Florida annually is two days. Not two days a month. Two days a year. And if the three of us go out on the boat to catch red snapper, we are only allowed one red snapper each. That’s it.
“So when you see them kick up about The Bahamas and fees, then they come here, they can fish seven days a week, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. There’s no
PROMISE - See Page B6
Gov’t touts
civil service pay increases of 8-31%
By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net
THE Government last night said Bahamian civil servants will have received base pay increases of between 8 percent to 31 percent over the last four years following completion of the latest salary review.
The Davis administration, in a statement yesterday evening, confirmed that public employees excluded from the previous wage adjustment will receive a minimum of two salary increments in their December pay period. It added that the upcoming pay adjustments will be retroactive to September 1, 2025, and are intended to “narrow the gap” between compensation in the public and private sectors.
“The latest round of increases will be reflected in the December pay period and will be retroactive to September 1, 2025. Employees not covered in the June adjustment will receive a minimum of two salary increments, with the size of the increase varying by category,” said the Government.
“This exercise covers all classes of officers directly employed by the public service on a non-contractual basis. Its purpose is to close the wage gap between the public service and the wider private sector, and ensure fairness for Bahamian workers. For example, this increase will narrow the gap between non-contractual
employees and those who already received increases as a result of trade union negotiations.”
The Davis administration said the Government has been gradually increasing salaries for public workers over the last four years. Entry-level workers received the highest raises, and new college graduates such as nurses and teachers also saw a noticeable rise in their pay.
“With this adjustment, public officers will have seen increases to their base compensation over the last four years ranging from 8 percent to 31 percent, with the largest percentage increases going to entrylevel employees,” said the Government. “College graduates, including graduate nurses and graduate teachers, will see their base compensation increase by 19 percent over the same period.”
During his 2025/2026 Budget communication, Prime Minister Philip Davis announced middle management public servants would receive salary increases at the end of June and there would be broader pay raises of between 2 to 8 percent for the rest of the public service coming in September, along with expanded health insurance coverage for all government employees.
“This second phase will bring salary adjustments of 2 to 8 percent for the remainder of the public service, a vital step to help restore purchasing power lost to inflation while also promoting fairness, retention and morale across the public sector. The second phase will be implemented in September 2025,” Mr Davis added.
‘DON’T DEMONISE LAWFUL WATER SPORTS OPERATORS’
By ANNELIA NIXON Tribune Business Reporter anixon@tribunemedia.net
THE Bahamas must not permit the “demonisation” of its water sports industry due to the actions of rogue operators, a well-known industry executive is urging.
Astra Charlton, director of business development at My Own Water Sports, warned that stereotyping the sector - and treating all operators as equally responsible for its problems - will threaten the livelihoods of all law-abiding Bahamians employed in it.
She spoke out after Kimberly Furnish, the charge d’affaires at the US embassy in Nassau, called for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible after Second Lieutenant Robert Rosa, of the Alaska Air National Guard, died when a boat hit his jet ski while on vacation in The Bahamas. She also called for penalties to be imposed against water sports operators who break the law and regulations.
Ms Charlton, while backing the US Embassy’s call for the arrest and prosecution of “rogue” operators in the sector, warned that the “demonisation” of all could severely damage an important niche within the tourism sector.
“Demand for jet ski experiences in The Bahamas remains robust,” Ms Charlton said. “US citizens and residents account for the overwhelming majority of participants, approximately 85 to 90 percent of our customers.
“Despite travel advisories issued earlier this year, our guest bookings from the US are up roughly 17 percent year-to-date, underscoring that this activity continues to be one of the most sought-after experiences for visitors. Jet skiing has become a staple of the Bahamian tourism product, supporting local operators and contributing to our destination’s overall competitiveness.
“If travellers perceived this activity as unsafe, the consequences would extend beyond individual operators. Tourists would lose access to a unique experience, operators would lose vital income, and the destination would see its appeal diminished. Bahamian families and thousands of jobs are at stake if we cannot get this right. We therefore welcome balanced efforts to improve safety without demonising the entire industry.”
Ms Charlton acknowledged that a minority of operators within the industry compromise the safety of visitors, and added that - in a Bahamian-centric business, particularly the motorised watercraft field - safety must be “a shared responsibility” between both operators and regulators.
“We recognise that lapses in safety, and the actions of a few bad actors, have harmed the industry’s reputation,” Ms Charlton said. “We share the Embassy’s call for zero tolerance of assaults and unsafe practices. At the same time, public safety must be seen as a shared responsibility. Operators must uphold the
highest standards, while regulators must enforce the rules consistently and without compromise.
“It is essential to recognise that the vast majority of Bahamian jet ski operators are licensed, professional and compliant. Just as important, the public must understand that this industry is 100 percent Bahamian-owned,” she added.
“In the 2024 national budget debate, the Prime Minister announced the ‘full Bahamianisation’ of the water sports sector, making it clear that only Bahamian citizens may hold licences for the commercial operation of motorised watercraft, including jet skis.
“This industry stands among the few areas of tourism reserved exclusively for Bahamians. From straw markets to taxis, Bahamians have long defended their right to ownership in key parts of the tourism economy. The watercraft sector represents the latest chapter in that proud legacy. Operators approach their work with professionalism and dignity, delivering experiences marked by the warmth and authenticity of Bahamian hospitality,” Ms Charlton continued.
“The livelihoods at stake are those of operators, guides and support staff who rely on this sector to feed their families, pay rent and mortgages, and educate their children.”
Ms Charlton emphasized that risks exist with all motorised and water activities, including jet ski excursions. She added that clear rules and enforcement will ensure that jet ski rides, especially in The Bahamas, are just as safe as other recreational activities.
“We respect the US Embassy’s responsibility to safeguard its citizens and agree that no visitor should ever feel unsafe while enjoying our waters,” Ms Charlton said. “As parents and community members, we stand with the victims and condemn such acts without hesitation.
“Our focus is on solutions. We welcome dialogue with the Embassy and local law enforcement to raise standards, strengthen enforcement and ensure that only licensed, responsible operators remain on our beaches.
“With constructive input from US partners and vigorous oversight by Bahamian authorities, we are confident this industry can emerge safer, stronger and more accountable. By working together, we can preserve jet skiing as one of The Bahamas’ most iconic and secure adventures, protecting visitors while safeguarding the Bahamian families and communities whose livelihoods depend on it.”
“Therefore, any erosion of the jet ski sector erodes the livelihoods of hardworking Bahamian families. This is not an industry of foreign investors; it is Bahamians who carry the weight of it. For over three decades, local entrepreneurs have built this industry from the ground up, investing their work into making it a proud part of our tourism product.
VENEZUELAN PRESIDENT’S YOUTUBE ACCOUNT OFFLINE AS TENSIONS WITH US ESCALATE
By MANUEL RUEDA Associated Press
THE YouTube account of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was offline Saturday, with Venezuelan state-run channel Telesur claiming in a message on X that it was "eliminated" late the previous night without justification. YouTube's parent company Google did not immediately respond to questions on the apparent termination of the Venezuelan president's account. It comes amid rising tensions between Venezuela and the United States over the deployment of American
warships and fighter jets in the southern Caribbean.
Maduro's YouTube account had more than 200,000 followers before it became unavailable Friday and was used to publish the Venezuelan president's speeches, as well as clips from his weekly show on Venezuelan state TV.
On its website, YouTube says it eliminates accounts that commit "repeated violations of community guidelines" that include publishing misinformation, hate speech and content that "interferes with democratic processes."
Maduro has been widely accused of stealing last year's presidential election in Venezuela, which he lost by a landslide according to tally sheets gathered by hundreds of Venezuelan opposition activists. Venezuela's elections agency, which is controlled by the
ruling socialist party, never published tally sheets to support its claim that Maduro won the vote.
In 2020, Maduro was indicted by a federal court in New York where he has been charged with conspiring to traffic cocaine to the United States. Recently, the U.S. doubled a bounty payment for Maduro's capture to $50 million, with White House officials often referring to Maduro as a drug cartel leader who must be brought to justice. While Venezuela continues to sell oil to the United States and take deportation flights, relations between the two nations have worsened with the deployment of eight U.S. warships last month to an area of the southern Caribbean near Venezuela's coast. The Trump administration says the ships, which are fitted with long-range missiles and are also transporting a landing force of 2,000 Marines, are on an anti-drug trafficking mission.
PETITION DEMANDING 11 KEY FLY FISHING REFORMS
By ANNELIA NIXON
THE Bahamas Fly Fishing Industry Association (BFFIA) has launched a petition demanding reforms in 11 key areas including a ‘fronting’ crackdown and changes to the licences held by captains and guides.
The Association’s attorney, Keod Smith, said that by end-Friday he expected to have more than 100 signatories to a petition that was unveiled at the Fly Fishing Industry Guides’ Homecoming Conclave. Some 80 persons were said to have already signed-up, and the Association now plans to seek support from those who were not in attendance at the conclave.
Among the petition’s goals is prohibiting foreignowned ‘Bed and Breakfast’ type businesses, which often offer do-it-yourself fishing services. Prescott Smith, the Association’s president, branded this as ‘fronting’, and argued that the Government is losing “hundreds of
millions of dollars” through these types of businesses. The petition also calls for a warden programme, “not token wardens for birds only”, and its restructuring to provide enforcement powers in areas involving flats and marine resources. It is also seeking implementation of a conservation fund, which was passed into law in 2016; a declaration that the industry be protected and reserved for Bahamians only; that outfitters’ licences only be given to Bahamians in the industry when it comes to accessing flat fishing resources in the country; exemptions for certified guides; support of the Association through annual subventions; and the addition of stingrays to the protected species list.
Keod Smith said the petition is intended to inform the Government of issues that the Bahamian fly fishing industry wants addressed, noting that if it fails to act “we might actually petition Parliament”.
“I’m all about solutions,” Prescott Smith said. “I’m not
DISNEY UNVEILS $50K DONATION TO THE BNT
By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net
DISNEY Cruise Line has unveiled a $50,000 donation to the Bahamas National Trust (BNT), with the funds earmarked to support conservation and education programmes in the Abaco National Park.
The announcement was made by Bradley Watson, conservation manager with Disney’s animals, science and environment team, during his presentation at the Abaco Business Outlook conference.
“Our company was able to donate $50,000 toward the Bahamas National Trust. And this is the breaking news. So this is the first announcement of that, and I think it might be one of the proudest things that we’ve done as a company for me,” said Mr Watson.
The donation will help enhance conservation efforts within the Abaco National Park and expand educational outreach for students and community members. The funding will be used to
support eco-tours, summer camps, biodiversity workshops and maintenance of the park’s nature trails.
As part of Disney’s broader environmental management initiatives at its Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point cruise destination, Mr Watson outlined the company’s ongoing efforts to protect marine ecosystems, including coral reef monitoring at 36 sites and the implementation of restoration programmes.
“That Environmental Management Plan is a product of the public’s input into how we should operate that site. And so we do marine surveys during construction that happen on a quarterly basis, where we’re monitoring 36 different sites, observing how coral is growing, how the fish populations are changing at these different sites,” said Mr Watson.
“We’re thinking about what impacts we’re having on the environment, and how we can develop what they call a baseline for us, so we can understand what our impacts are going to be during operations.”
interested in the talk. We generated a petition, and we documented all of the key things that even we’re working on. For example, SBDC (Small Business Development Centre) policy is part of the thing we are working on with them as well, so that you can get the exemptions for certified guides that will allow them to get the kind of equipment to expand the industry and the revenue…
“We generated a petition with about 11 key things on it. And we got the signatures of everyone here, and who hasn’t signed it, they will be signing it before they leave here. And, on that, it speaks to all of the key things that the Government needs to address that would deal with a lot of the pressing issues. It has been going on for so many years.
“For example, the warden’s programme, the appointment. So you had like 50-plus guides who were appointed as wardens. And while the minister of the environment did an incredible thing with the appointment under forestry, it’s restricted under
Mr Watson revealed that more than 800 corals have been transplanted so far as part of Disney’s reef restoration efforts. Artificial reef structures made from locally-sourced limestone have also been introduced to the seafloor to enhance marine habitats.
“We have transplanted over 800 corals so far. We have added structure to the marine environment and are putting in artificial reef habitats. And those habitats are innovative in that we’re using local limestone on these sea bed habitats that create an environment that is beneficial for sea life. Within hours of us putting these rocks into the ocean, they were colonised by groups of fish,” said Mr Watson
Beyond coral restoration, Disney is also investing in building local capacity for environmental stewardship. Last year, the company trained 12 persons in scuba diving and reef monitoring. This year, it plans to train an additional 20 participants, including both beginner and advanced scuba certification, along with specialised reef rescue and first aid training.
“We were really happy that we were able to train 12 people to scuba dive last year. And this year we’re doing 20 individuals, and ten of them are going to get open water
the Wild Birds Protection Act. So even though the mangroves are under that division, they need to make an amendment that includes extending it to the flats. It’s not a big issue. This is just step by step.”
The conclave called for more partnerships to be established through the Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) and the Association itself. “It isn’t just for SBDC to come up with the funds,” Prescott Smith said. “I’m going to use, for example, Royal Bank, or Bank of The Bahamas.
“You have millions of dollars passing through these institutions because of the revenue that comes into The Bahamas, the fly fishing. But unless you engage with them and say, ‘look, if we do targeted investment in this sector, it’s going to grow the industry, which means you’ll have more currency coming through the bank, and you can charge more fees’......
“And so let’s look at it. This industry doesn’t work without the fuel companies. To have that conversation
certification. That’s the initial scuba certification, and then another ten of them will get advanced school certification, and all of them will receive training in Reef Rescue, so being able to move coral from one place to the next and clean coral nurseries, as well as a firstaid course,” said Mr Watson
with them, to say, ‘look, you know, you could do more targeted investment in this industry’. And so you grow the industry, and it means you’re going to sell more fuel,” Prescott Smith added.
“And let’s look at the airline company. So I spoke to Western Air, I spoke to Titan Air, and I said: ‘Well, you’ve noticed over the last five, ten years, you’re seeing more and more anglers show up with their fly rods.
They’re sitting in your seats.
“Now imagine, if you partner with the industry, like in specific areas, how you can grow this sector?
Because if you don’t do that, what is happening is there’s a lot of foreign encroachment because they realise the Bahamians are not aware... The majority of our citizens hear about this, but they don’t really know the details of the industry...
“Let’s say aviation. You have companies here, like Makers and other companies, where their business has grown tremendously by flying in all these clients. And many of the pilots are not even aware that the
He added that these programmes are being delivered in partnership with the Perry Institute for Marine Science and the University of the Bahamas, combining marine and terrestrial education.
volume of business exists out there. And sometimes these float planes or sea planes are bringing in customers, and they’re taking them to these private yachts. They fish in The Bahamas, and they take them out. And, you know, there’s no local participation like that.”
Captain and guide licences are another pressing issue. Prescott Smith said amendments must be made to ‘A’ and ‘B’ licences. “For example, the captain’s ‘B’ licence,” he added. “If you get your ‘B’ licence in Abaco, it says on the licence that you are only to operate in the waters around Abaco, and that’s a bit of a problem, because guides sometimes find themselves fishing in shallow waters in different parts of the Bahamas...
“It’s like you can be issued your driver’s licence in Abaco, but that doesn’t stop you from driving in Andros. And so, because you’re fishing in the shallow water, it should apply to the flats throughout The Bahamas because these boats are not operating in the ocean.”
“We’re doing that with the Perry Institute of Marine scientists. In addition, we’re doing a workshop with the University of the Bahamas, particularly geared towards terrestrial biology, so that people would have an understanding of which birds are they looking at, which plants are they looking at.”
such thing as take a day off. And so when they dropping down 600 feet, 1,000 feet, 1,500 feet, and they catching Queen eye snapper, yellow eye snapper, silk snapper, black fence snapper, black snapper. The list goes on, right?” Mr Smith added.
“And so you can see the great attraction if you have accommodations in The Bahamas. It’s just you printing money, because they got the beautiful beach, the most crystal clear waters. And they can go and shoot hog snapper, they can pick up the conch. They can shoot lobster. This is what’s going on.
“So we went for a meeting in New York, and it was with the deputy directorgeneral of tourism. They said in their database they had 3,000 foreign homes running as illegal businesses just in Exuma alone - one island, 3,000. “Our vice-president, he claims in Eleuthera there is more. You go to Abaco. That’s a whole other story. So you have the Government [losing] hundreds of millions of dollars just with this activity alone. But, you got to look at what
Employee surprise at sale following 1m tonne harvest
ACQUISITION - from page B1
MORTON Salt was also seeking to reduce the risk posed by the increased frequency and strength of hurricanes, plus heavy summer rainfalls, to its Inagua operation. Last year’s relatively modest storm and rainfall totally destroyed the salt brine at its 300,000 acre property, plus a lot of crystalliers, and halted and disrupted salt production for several months.
The Inagua operation generates between 750,000 and 900,000 tonnes of salt exports to Morton’ US operations per annum, depending on rainfall, storms and other weatherrelated events, and their increasing frequency and unpredictability meant the salt producer was becoming ever-conscious of this risk.
But, while Morton Salt was prepared to invest further capital in the Inagua operation, it is thought this outlay is out-paced and exceeded by what Lusca Group is planning. And not just for the salt operation, but for the rest of Inagua’s community from a development perspective. As a Bahamas-based operation, Lusca Group is seen as being able to bring more direct focus to the needs on Inagua.
The two sides - Morton Salt and Lusca Group - are seeking to close the sale before year-end 2026. And, while some employees in
Inagua and their union representatives have voiced concerns about becoming a standalone operation, and the rebranding to Salt Bahamas with the loss of the ‘Morton’ name, this is seen as opening up possibilities for expansion as it can sell to other customers beyond Morton. No longer will Inagua, and the island, be solely tied to supplying Morton Salt as it will remain the “anchor customer”. However, Richard Ingraham, president of the Bahamas Industrial Manufacturers & Allied Workers Union (BIMAWU), which represents Morton Salt’s line staff, told Tribune Business that workers surprised by the news of a sale at this time because the company has enjoyed “a very good harvest”.
“Everybody is sitting up,” he said. “They really were surprised. They were calm but everybody was just straight up like ‘wow’. Everybody was like ‘wow’. We’ve been doing well. We’ve almost harvested one million tonnes of salt. That’s for this year. We started in March. We were down for a while because of the rain and storm from last year. It’s been a very good harvest.
“As it stands right now, everybody is sceptical at this time because it’s something that just came up. Nobody was prepared at this time, after the company’s been doing so well
in production. We weren’t expecting to hear the news that the company is being sold to the Lusca Group.”
Employees and their union representatives were informed of the proposed sale last week by company management. “The people here in Inagua are pretty calm, the employees are pretty calm... Right now we’re expecting for the best to happen and they promised us none of our pensions, none of our industrial agreement benefits, will be touched. Everything will remain the same.
“What people are really shocked about is that Morton Salt has been around for 60-plus years, and what’s really shocked everybody is the brand, the name change, is going to be history-making.” Mr Ingraham said the union was due to meet with its members last night to get more input on their feelings and concerns about the Lusca Group deal, and stand ready to advocate on their behalf if needed.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Philip Davis KC said the Lusca Group and its subsidiary Grand Bahama Salt Company, have already engaged with the Government and are expected to present their business plans for Inagua in the near future.
“The potential purchasers have been in conversations with the Government. We encourage them to seek to come with the arrangement
the real issue is. You have this resource. Either we’re going to be serious about managing it or, like Mr Pindling said, it’s going to be taken away from you.”
Mr Smith said there are foreign non-profits making hundreds of millions of dollars leveraging Bahamian resources in the sector.
“Let’s say an NGO from the US writes a $10m grant, and they’re using the flats, the mangroves, to leverage - to raise this resource,” he added.
for the acquisition. It’s now for us to sit down and see how we roll out the businesses that they want to do there,” Mr Davis told ZNS at the weekend.
According to the Prime Minister, Lusca Group has defined a brand vision for Inagua that it intends to present to the Government as part of efforts to ensure the initiative benefits the local community. “They have a brand vision for Inagua. They’ll be putting that vision to us very soon for us to look at, and to partner with them to ensure that what is happening here benefits the people of Inagua,” he added.
Mr Davis asserted that the transaction signals growing international investor confidence in The Bahamas, particularly as the country continues to attract foreign direct investment across key sectors.
“Related to this new turn of events and initiative, again, it shows that the international community and the international business community finds favour with us and they have confidence in the country to be able to invest the kind of money that they invest in our country,” said Mr Davis.
Mr Ingraham, though, said he, Morton Salt workers and the wider Inagua community are waiting to hear the details of Lusca Group’s plans. “Man, listen. That sounds good but we want to see it happen,” the union chief said. “You just can’t talk; you have to do it. When management told me about that, I said it sounds good. Morton Salt has done
“But they don’t ever engage with... the ministry of marine resources or the environment. How do we build capacity in these areas? So very little of the money actually comes in the country, but they’re using the resources of the country because the wealthy donors have to give the monies away.
“So when you hear of The Bahamas with the largest flats in the world, the largest concentration of blue holes in the world, the third largest reef in the world, we
a lot of giving back to the community.”
Lusca Group is linked to the Liwathon Group, which has acquired and restarted operations at Grand Bahama’s former South Riding Point oil storage terminal.
have more coral reefs than any country in the Western world - it’s a never-ending source of funds for them,” Mr Smith said.
“And you can look at the amount of sea grass in The Bahamas. There’s no country on the planet that has, in percentage terms, the sea grass The Bahamas has. But yet they’ll talk about carbon credits and so forth. But the bottom line is that’s because they know that all this funding internationally exists.”
Tribune Business research found that both Lusca Group and Liwathon’s Bahamas operation share the same phone number and Grand Bahama address, at 100 Grand Bahama Highway, East End, on their respective websites. The prospective Morton Bahamas purchaser’s website also referred to “strategic storage facilities in The Bahamas and Estonia” - the precise locations where Liwathon has assets.
Yonder Cay: ‘We’d like to protect $148m investment’
the region and tourists”. He argued that the current plans submitted by Rosewood Exuma’s developer, Miami-based Yntegra Group, do not meet this criteria.
Over Yonder Cay’s protest letter, which was issued to Charles Zonicle, the Department of Physical Planning’s director, has emerged just days before itself and another neighbour, Turtlegrass Resort and Island Club, this Wednesday challenge the site plan approval granted to Rosewood Exuma for its East Sampson Cay project by the Town Planning Committee on March 28, 2025.
Yonder Holdings, which has secured former minister of the environment, Romauld Ferreira, as its attorney, is citing similar arguments to Turtlegrass - such as “a breach of transparency and procedural fairness” - in the arguments seeking to persuade the Subdivision Development Appeal Board to overturn the Town Planning Committee’s original decision.
And Mr Ferreira, in a September 12, 2025, letter to Mr Zonicle, which complained that the Department of Physical Planning never replied to the concerns raised in the Tollefson letter, echoed Turtlegrass and its attorneys in arguing that the appeal’s very existence prevents Yntegra from doing any construction or development work at the project site until the case is decided.
Asserting that his clients were never informed of the Town Planning Committee’s decision to grant site plan approval, Mr Ferreira reiterated: “The appeal operates as a stay of the approval, and therefore prohibits any works/development/construction until the determination of the appeal”. That will be heard by the Appeal Board this Wednesday, September 24.
Yonder Holdings, in setting out its case, argued that the Town
Planning Committee failed to “comply with the requirements for holding public hearings”, as set out in the Planning and Subdivision Act and the Town Planning Committee rules, “and the principles of natural justice”.
In common with Turtlegrass, the most vocal Rosewood Exuma opponent, Yonder Holdings is also alleging that there was “a breach of transparency and procedural fairness” because the plans submitted by Yntegra for the Town Planning Committee’s public hearing “materially differed from those made available for public inspection” prior to the event.
Other grounds cited by Yonder Holdings included the absence of “further consultation”, despite the concerns raised by its March 21, 2025, letter, which it argued was “contrary to the Committee’s duty to act judicially” under the rules that govern its operations. It also argued that the approval is “void” as a result of violating the Town Planning Committee’s rules, and needs to be sent back for a fresh hearing.
Yntegra Group, which is headed by Felipe MacLean, has consistently rejected and pushed back against the environmental concerns. The Miami-based developer has asserted that its project will have a $1.6bn impact over 20 years, translating into $80m per year, along with an $834m boost to Bahamian economic output (GDP) and $336m in additional income for Bahamian workers over the same period.
However, Yonder Holdings’ president, in the March 21, 2025, letter to Mr Zonicle, asserted of Rosewood Exuma: “In short, we believe the development as currently proposed will be disastrous for the Exumas.
“Yonder Holdings, a Bahamian company, acquired the Crown Lease for Over Yonder Cay in 2007 and has since spent in excess of $148m to develop and maintain the island,
all the while doing so in harmony with the local ecosystem and preserving the natural beauty of the Exumas. Over Yonder Cay is staffed and maintained almost exclusively by Bahamian employees.
“Over Yonder Cay is approximately 1,700 feet away from where the developer intends to build a service dock capable supporting 486,627 square feet of living space for 352 hotel/ condominium guests and 150-unit employee housing,” the letter written Tollefson, Yonder Holdings’ president, added.
“Given our close proximity to the proposed high density development and our very substantial investment in the region, we are understandably concerned. We are not against development in The Bahamas that will promote the long-term prosperity of the region, but as designed this project will have a net negative impact on the region’s long-term environmental, social and economic welfare.”
Yonder Holdings, in particular, echoed the arguments for Rosewood Exuma to relocate its commercial service dock to East Sampson Cay’s southern shores where the waters are deeper and it would not have to “dredge through sacred seagrass” such as that which surrounds the present site on the island’s north.
It would be situated “in the very narrow strait between Over Yonder Cay and East Sampson Cay”, and Yonder Holdings added: “This narrow strait is well-known for shallow, narrow cuts with strong currents and large underwater rocks. Supporting the dense luxury resort will require a steady stream of supply boats and barges to navigate these dangerous conditions.
“If conditions were ideal, the level of traffic necessary to support the extensive resort would have a high impact on the seagrass beds, the coral, the conch nursery, and all of the marine life, flora and fauna that currently thrive in the area
as well as the scuba, snor-
kelling and fishing that are popular in this area.
“But conditions are not ideal. It is not a question of ‘if’, but ‘when’, a catastrophic accident will occur with a supply barge releasing thousands of gallons of fuel and other hazardous substances into the pristine environment. The conditions in this shallow narrow strait are simply too treacherous to serve as a highway for routine supplies.’
Tollefson, Yonder Holdings’ president, said paying guests to their property “will drop to zero” should such an event occur. “Bahamians are blessed with the natural beauty of the Caribbean and, in particular, the Exumas. This natural beauty draws millions of visitors to The Bahamas each year, pumping money into the local economy,” they wrote.
“When guests stay over at Yonder Cay, they pay substantial amounts of VAT, supporting services provided by local and national government, and they support local small businesses such as scuba dive operators and fishing charter companies. If the natural beauty goes away, the tourists go away, and the jobs the developer is supposed to provide will go away.....
“A worst case scenario, but not unlikely, would include the developer destroying the local ecosystem and abandoning the resort because profitably attracting guests is no longer viable.”
Turtlegrass and its principal, Bob Coughlin, have already threatened to halt development of their $75m project once the latest phase is completed - after already investing $17m - unless his concerns are addressed.
He has consistently argued that the Yntegra Group project is too large for East Sampson Cay, and also asserted that its development plans, especially the proposed dredging for its marinas, will damage the environment on which his property relies.
Yonder Holdings, though, said: “Unlike the Turtlegrass resort we cannot
put our investment dollars on hold. Our investment in the region has been made, and we would like to protect it for generations to come...... “As mentioned, we are not against development of the region. But it needs to be smart development that preserves the natural environment for both Bahamians living in the region and tourists. In this case, significant impacts are expected from development and operations, and supply vessels will routinely encounter dangerous conditions.
“Simply put, building a commercial service dock in a shallow narrow strait with strong currents and large underwater rocks on the north side of the island is not a smart development.”
Yonder Holdings said Yntegra Group’s own Bahamian environmental consultants, BRON Ltd, had recognised the “habitat loss”, and negative impact to seagrass beds, marine life and the seafloor, from the dock dredging.
The Rosewood Exuma developer has previously said its project will generate an average $41.7m GDP impact, and $16.8m in extra income, over a 20-year span. The increase in government taxes is forecast at $176m over two decades, with Yntegra Group also projecting it will help create “533 full-time equivalent jobs annually” in
construction, tourism and other industries. It previously announced a series of entrepreneurial opportunities tied to the resort’s “heart of house”, where staff will live and work. The company is inviting Bahamian entrepreneurs to express interest in operating amenities that will serve the 150 resort employees, including a staff restaurant, a bakery and coffee shop, a hair salon and a Captain’s Lounge.
The developer added that it is already working with about a dozen local vendors, and nearly 20 Bahamian businesses have already signed on to support various aspects of the project, including food service, logistics and construction. Close to 200 individuals have reportedly expressed interest in job opportunities related to both the construction and operational phases. The announcement followed an update from Bahamas Industries & Construction Company (BICCo), which said it had identified 146 prospective employees from the Exuma Cays and surrounding areas. The controversy has exposed a divide between Exuma residents, who are largely in favour of the project, and environmental advocates and other nearby developers/businesses who are opposed.
WHEREAS it appears to the Prime Minister as the Minister in the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas responsible for the Acquisition and Disposition of Lands that the lands described in the Schedules annexed hereto are needed for a public purpose.
NOW THEREFORE notice is hereby given by the promoter the Minister Responsible for Housing that the said lands are required for a public purpose namely for housing of persons of low or middle Income and that the said promoter intends to acquire the said lands for the said public purpose.
All persons interested in the said lands shall within thirty (30) days of the publication of this declaration in The Gazette or posting of the same, state in writing to the Promoter. The Minister Responsible for Housing, University Drive in care of P.O. Box N-275, Nassau, The Bahamas enunciating the nature of their claim to compensation for such interests and the document supporting those interests.
The survey plans of the said lands may be inspected at the Office of the Department of Lands and Surveys Bay and Armstrong Street between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday.
Dated the 22nd day of September. A.D., 2025
Signed KEITH R. BELL, M.P Minister Responsible for Housing
SCHEDULES (Annexed)
SCHEDULE A (1)
Area = 4,270 SQ. FT
ALL THAT certain lot piece or parcel of land containing by admeasurement Four Thousand Two Hundred and Seventy square feet or thereabouts being Lot Numbered 272 on a Plan recorded in the Department of Lands and Surveys as Plan numbered 473NP of New Providence in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas in a Subdivision known as Sunshine Park Estate in the Constituency of Golden Gates ABUTTING AND BOUNDING towards the North by Public Road known as Moonshine Road toward the East by Lot Numbered 273 toward the South by Lot Numbered 281 and toward the East by Lot Numbered 271 or however else the same may abut and bound which said lot piece or parcel of land is more particularly delineated and shown coloured pink on the plan of the area.
SCHEDULE A (2)
Area = 3,200 SQ. FT
ALL THAT certain lot piece or parcel of land containing by admeasurement Three Thousand Two Hundred square feet or thereabouts being Lot Numbered 462 on a Plan recorded in the Department of Lands and Surveys as Plan Numbered 581 NP of New Providence in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas in a Subdivision known as Yellow Elder Gardens Phase 2 in the Constituency of Mount Moriah ABUTTING AND BOUNDING towards the North by Public Road known as Dennis CT. East toward the East by Lot 459 toward the South by 100 Feet Wide Way Leave and toward the West by Lot Numbered 465 or however else the same may abut and bound which said lot piece or parcel of land is more particularly delineated and shown coloured pink on the plan of the area.
SENATE REJECTS COMPETING BILLS TO FUND GOVERNMENT, INCREASING RISK OF SHUTDOWN ON OCT. 1
By KEVIN FREKING Associated Press
THE Senate rejected competing measures on Friday to fund federal agencies for a few weeks when the new budget year begins on Oct. 1, increasing prospects for a partial government shutdown on that date.
Leaders of the two parties sought to blame the other side for the standoff. Democrats accused Republicans of not negotiating with them to address some of their priorities on health care as part of the funding measure, even though they knew Democratic votes would be needed to get a bill to the president's desk.
Republicans said Democrats were making demands that would dramatically increase spending and were not germane to the core issue of keeping agencies fully running for a short period of time while negotiations continued on a full-year spending package.
It's unclear how the two sides will be able to avoid a shutdown. Republicans are planning on what amounts to a do-over vote on their proposal close to the deadline in the hopes that more Democrats will have second thoughts. Democrats are repeating their demand that Republicans sit down with them and work on a compromise.
"The theater must end,"
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.,
said after the vote. "Let's sit down and negotiate."
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., gave no indication of a change in course.
"All it takes is a handful of Democrats to join the Republicans in keeping the government open and funded, and to ensure we have a chance to get the appropriations process completed in the way it was intended," Thune said.
The Senate action came after the House earlier in the day passed the Republican-led funding bill. The measure would extend government funding generally at current levels for seven weeks. The bill would also add about $88 million in security funding for lawmakers and members of the Supreme Court and executive branch in the wake of the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The vote was 217212. Rep. Jared Golden of Maine was the lone Democratic member to support the bill. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., also said she tried to vote for the bill but was not recognized by the presiding officer. She was listed officially as not voting.
House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana said he knew he had few votes to spare as he sought to persuade fellow Republicans to vote for the funding patch, something many in his conference have routinely
opposed in past budget fights. But this time, GOP members saw a chance to portray the Democrats as responsible for a shutdown.
"The ball is in Chuck Schumer's court. I hope he does the right thing. I hope he does not choose to shut the government down and inflict pain on the American people," Johnson said.
President Donald Trump had urged House Republicans to pass the bill and put the burden on Democrats to oppose it. GOP leaders often need Trump's help to win over holdouts on legislation.
Trump predicted Friday that there could be "a closed country for a period of time." He said the government will continue to "take care" of the military and Social Security payments in a closure.
Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said that in opposing the continuing resolution, Democrats were working to protect the health care of the American people. He said that with Republicans controlling the White House and both branches of Congress, "Republicans will own a government shutdown. Period. Full stop."
The Senate moved quickly after the House vote to take up the measure plus the Democratic counter. Both bills fell far short of the 60 votes required for passage.
SENATE Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., is met by reporters as he walks to his office while Congress works on a government funding solution, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. Photo:J. Scott Applewhite/AP
Hurricane Hole developer is cleared
Sir Ian also found that any losses sustained by Sunset Equities as a result of the Courtyard by Marriott’s 2022 sale by another lender, due to the former’s loan default, were not caused by Bahamas-based Sterling’s winding-up petition - as claimed by Mr Hershco.
He noted that the Sunset Equities developer did “not properly disclose” to the Supreme Court that he had filed a separate New York legal action against Donald J. Urgo and Associates seeking more than $23m in damages on the basis that the latter’s termination of the hotel management agreement for the Courtyard by Marriott had sparked the loan default and the resort’s sale.
This was exactly the same charge, that Mr Hershco and Sunset Equities were levelling against Sterling, Sir Ian said, noting the contradictory evidence and competing claims made in two separate courts. His ruling even revealed claims that Mr Kosoy and Mr Tiller hired security guards for their personal protection following “a specific threat” purportedly made by Mr Hershco during an airport encounter.
The two sides’ dispute stems from a total $12.5m in loans provided by Sterling to Sunset Equities more than a decade ago, in March 2013, to help the latter finance the acquisition and redevelopment of the then-Nassau Palm Resort. The resort, located across West Bay Street from Junkanoo Beach, was later rebranded Courtyard by Marriott.
Sterling’s loans were secured by a debenture and mortgage on the resort’s property, plus charges over Sunset Equities’ other assets. The Bahamianbased lender also took a
Iraq's
minority 10 percent equity ownership interest in Sunset Equities. A rift between the two sides started to emerge in February 2016 when Sunset Equities and Mr Hershco started to seek alternative financing from another lender, Bixby Capital, to pay-off the Sterling loans. The latter signalled it had no objection to this, but Sunset Equities failed to raise the necessary funding within the agreed 90-day period and Sterling issued it with a ‘notice of default’.
Sterling offered to provide Sunset Equities with a refinancing during JuneJuly 2016, but the latter failed to provide the executed loan documents and commitment letters despite prompting on September 23, 2016, by the Lennox Paton law firm acting as attorneys for the Bahamian lender.
Mr Herscho and Sunset Equities then obtained a Supreme Court injunction to prevent the “perceived threat” of Sterling seeking to have a received appointed for itself and the Courtyard By Marriott. However, the two sides subsequently reached a November 2, 2016, agreement where Sunset Equities paid Sterling off using funds supplied by a new lender, Stabilis Capital Management.
Sterling also received an additional 5 percent equity interest in Sunset Equities, taking its ownership stake to 15 percent. However, Sterling - via Lennox Paton - then requested that Sunset Equities provide it with accounting and financial records via a January 4, 2017, correspondence.
When these were not provided, Sterling filed a winding-up petition to liquidate Sunset Equities on April 6, 2017, alleging that “the amount of Sunset’s liabilities exceeded the value
claim
of its assets” and it was thus insolvent”.
“Sunset disputed the petition and demanded that it be withdrawn,” Sir Ian recorded. “On December 11, 2018, Sunset wrote to Sterling requesting that it withdraw the petition, asserting that Sunset had a commitment for a loan in the amount of $26m, and that the petition would present an impediment to Sunset’s ability to successfully complete the terms and conditions of the new commitment.”
Sterling replied that it had the available capital to make the required $26m loan to Sunset Equities. Its winding-up petition, initially struck out by the Supreme Court on September 23, 2019, was then reinstated by the Court of Appeal on April 8, 2021, before the Bahamian lender ultimately obtained the courts’ permission to withdraw it in March 28, 2022 - around the time Courtyard by Marriott was sold.
In the meantime, the $23.5m “construction loan” that Sunset Equities and an affiliate, Beachfront Construction, had obtained from Stabilis had passed the November 3, 2018, repayment deadline. The new lender, citing “multiple events of default”, sold the Courtyard by Marriott “following Sunset’s failure to repay or refinance” the loan upon its maturity.
Tribune Business records show the resort was sold to London Regional Hotels. That is the resort arm of a privately-owned group said to have amassed a $9bn global property portfolio, which includes owning hotels in Barbados, Turks & Caicos and the Cayman Islands as well as Florida. It has tie-ups with operating brand partners including Marriott, Nobu Hotels, Club Med and Melia.
first industrial-scale solar plant opens in Karbala desert to tackle electricity crisis
By QASSIM ABDULZAHRA and SALMAN AMIN Associated Press
IRAQ is set to open the country's first industrialscale solar plant Sunday in a vast expanse of desert in
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that DEAVON CHARISME of Pinewood Gardens, Buttonwood Avenue, The Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration/ Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twentyeight days from the 22th day of September 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that BEATRICE CHRISTINA MAUGHAN of 70 Howards Lane, London, SW15 6QD, England, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration/ Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 15th day of September 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that JOSEPH NOILLE of Hartswell, Exuma, The Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration/ Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 15th day of September 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
However, Sunset Equities launched legal action against Sterling, and Mr Kosoy and Mr Tiller, in their respective capacities as chairman and chief executive and vice-president, respectively, accusing them of “malicious prosecution” over the winding-up petition and “conspiracy to injure by unlawful means”. It claimed the assertion it was insolvent, with liabilities exceeding assets, was false and that “by the time the winding-up petition was withdrawn considerable damage” had been caused through inducing the loan default with Stabilis.
This was denied by Sterling, Mr Kosoy and Mr Tiller, who all asserted they “possessed a reasonable and proper cause” to file the winding-up petition and had evidence that Sunset Equities was insolvent.
Mr Hershco, giving evidence at trial, accused Sterling and its principals of “pursuing a predatory ‘lend to own’ strategy, making it difficult for Sunset to refinance elsewhere by insisting on onerous terms, including requiring Sunset to buy back Sterling’s equity stake for $1.83m as a precondition for refinancing”.
He questioned why, if the company was insolvent, Sterling would value its 15 percent interest at $1.83m - something he cited as a contradiction.
“Hershco details the harm caused by the winding-up petition, including the inability to refinance the Stabilis loan or sell the hotel at market value, leading to a ‘fire sale’ of the hotel and significant losses for Sunset,” Sir Ian noted.
“He asserts that no lender or buyer would proceed while a winding-up petition was pending, and that the petition was only withdrawn after the hotel was sold and the petition was no longer useful as leverage.
“Hershco concludes that Sterling’s conduct was in bad faith, intended to force Sunset into disadvantageous financing or to take over the hotel, and that the winding-up petition was a
malicious abuse of process that directly caused Sunset’s losses.” However, while acknowledging he was the subject of a previous fraud judgment in the US, he disputed its relevance to this case.
As for the alleged threat to Sterling’s principals, Mr Hershco denied making this but admitted a police complaint was filed against himself. He claimed it was “false and part of Sterling’s intimidation tactics” in trying to force Sunset Equities to default so that it could take over the Courtyard by Marriott. The Sunset Equities chief blamed a fire at the resort and lack of access to computer servers postsale when challenged by Sterling’s attorneys about missing financial records, e-mails and loan documents. He also admitted that a $12.8m shareholder loan, subsequently converted to equity, that he made to the hotel-owning company was initially removed from the financial statements but later reinstated.
Mr Kosoy, in his evidence, maintained that the winding-up petition was filed based on the best available information and stemmed from Sunset Equities’ failure to provide Sterling with financial information and transparency it was entitled to as a minority shareholder. Valuations obtained for the hotel, varying from $24.8m to $35m, still resulted in liabilities exceeding assets. He also rejected the accusation of a ‘loanto-own’ scheme. While shown a CRBE report that appraised the Courtyard by Marriott at $39m in 2017, and seemingly contradicted the insolvency assertion, Mr Kosoy denied seeing this before the winding-up petition’s filing and accused Mr Hershco of “a pattern of harassment” that included threats and intimidation against himself or others.
Sir Ian, in his verdict, said that while Sterling may have been “misconceived” over its winding-up petition no malice was involved or
proven. “I also accept that Sterling was led by aggressive businessmen believing that they were protecting their financial interests,” he wrote.
“The evidence, which was accepted, was that Sterling was concerned that its reputation was being impacted through its involvement in the hotel, and that Sunset was less than forthcoming in its obligation to provide Sterling, a shareholder, with records of the company.”
The Chief Justice also dismissed the claims of “unlawful means of conspiracy”, finding that there was no such evidence against Mr Kosoy and Mr Tiller and the duo “were always within the ambit of Sterling’s true business pursuits by acting as its directors” rather than in their personal capacities.
“I did find that, while Sterling [through Kosoy] aggressively pushed its business interests upon Sunset, I did not find that Kosoy and Tiller pursued a predatory ‘lend to own’ strategy,” Sir Ian wrote. And he ruled that Sunset Equities’ principal assertion, that the winding-up petition caused it to default on the Stabilis loan, had not “been made out”. Instead, he found that Sunset Equities’ failure to repay the loan by the maturity date was the principal cause of the default and subsequent sale of the Courtyard by Marriott. And, in their separate New York action, Mr Hershco and Sunset Equities had sought to blame Donald J. Urgo and Associates for causing the default by terminating the hotel management agreement - exactly what they were accusing Sterling of.
However, Sir Ian awarded Sunset Equities a modest $10,000 after finding Sterling’s filing of the winding-up petition did breach the shareholders’ agreement with Sunset Equities. Brian Simms KC of Lennox Paton represented Sterling and its principals, while Gail Lockhart-Charles KC acted for Sunset Equities.
Karbala province, southwest of Baghdad. It's part of a new push by the government to expand renewable energy production in a country that is frequently beset by electricity crises despite being rich in oil and gas.
"This is the first project of its type in Iraq that has this capacity," said Safaa Hussein, executive director of the new solar plant in Karbala, standing in front of row after row of black panels. From above, the project looks like a blackclad city surrounded by sand.
The plant aims to "supply the national network with electricity, and reduce the fuel consumption especially during the daytime peak load, in addition to reducing the negative environmental impact of gas emissions," he said.
The newly opened solar plant in Karbala will eventually be able to produce up to 300 megawatts of electricity at its peak, said Nasser Karim al-Sudani, head of the national team for solar energy projects in the Prime Minister's Office. Another project under construction
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that REVNEAR LOUIS-JEAN of Cox Street, Fox Hill Nassau, The Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration/ Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twentyeight days from the 22th day of September 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that KEVIN SHEEHAN of #2 Clipper Island, Sandyport, Nassau, Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration/ Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 15th day of September 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
in Babil province will have a capacity of 225 megawatts, and work will also begin soon on a 1,000 megawatt project in the southern province of Basra, he said.
The projects are part of an ambitious plan to implement large-scale solar power projects in an effort to ease the country's chronic electricity shortages.
Deputy Minister of Electricity Adel Karim said Iraq has solar projects with a combined capacity of 12,500 megawatts either being implemented, in the approval process, or under negotiation. If fully realized, these projects would supply between 15% and 20% of Iraq's total electricity demand, excluding the semi-autonomous northern Kurdish region, he said.
"All the companies we have contracted with, or are still negotiating with, will sell us electricity at very attractive prices, and we will in turn sell it to consumers," Karim said, although he declined to disclose the purchase rates.
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that SAMMUEL EDWIGE of Nassau, The Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration/ Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 22th day of September 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that LILY MARY MAUGHAN of 70 Howards Lane, London, SW15 6QD, England, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration/ Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 15th day of September 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
WORKERS walk between solar panels at a newly opened industrial-scale solar power plant in Karbala, Iraq, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025.
Photo:Anmar Khalil/AP
Latest EIA identifies key ‘areas for improvement’
the study by its Bahamian consultants, BRON Ltd, nevertheless conceded it had “identified critical areas for improvement” following the much-hyped and controversial February 18, 2025, booster recovery.
“Data gaps, chiefly due to scheduling shifts and equipment limitations, restricted the completeness and consistency of the environmental monitoring effort. These findings underscore the importance of strengthening future logistical planning, standardising methodologies, and investing in more robust and calibrated instrumentation, particularly for noise monitoring,” BRON Ltd’s EIA conceded.
“Several methodological constraints, namely, limited hydroacoustic resolution, access restrictions due to adverse weather and tidal conditions, and reduced temporal sampling windows due to launch rescheduling impacted the overall completeness and resolution of the monitoring effort.”
The SpaceX EIA pledged that these issues were being addressed through increased monitoring “at all priority locations”, with an focus on bird and and wildlife migration corridors, although these locations have to be determined with scientific and environmental groups. Air and water quality monitoring will also be “refined”, and shipping and marine traffic will be given advance warning of any booster recoveries.
Bahamas National Development Plan (Vision 2040) to maximise the value added from the tourism sector...
particularly in least developed countries (LDCs),” it added.
“In alignment with the anticipated series of future launches and booster recoveries in The Bahamas, a structured programme of continued environmental oversight will be initiated,” the EIA added.
“All subsequent launches will require environmental revalidation under the DEPP’s CEC process, with full submission of monitoring data, mitigation efficacy reports and impact assessments within the Government of The Bahamas’ stipulated reporting intervals. A year-long monitoring post landing will be conducted to assess long-term and cumulative impacts.”
Noting that the booster recoveries are part of a wider deal between SpaceX and the Government, specifically the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, the EIA said: “This EIA evaluates the environmental impacts associated with both the initial booster recovery and the projected series of up to 19 additional Falcon 9 landings.
“The EIA includes assessments of underwater noise, marine traffic, potential debris generation, air emissions and wildlife disturbances. It also considers terrestrial ecological resources on Important bird areas (IBAs) on nearby cays.
The study pledged “implementation of dynamic marine traffic management, through advanced notification to mariners, establishment of time-bound exclusion zones and co-ordination with the Port Department”.
“The environmental impact assessment determined that the overflight, re-entry, landing and demobilisation of the SpaceX Falcon 9 booster in Exuma Sound are likely to result in primarily negligible to minor impacts across most assessed parameters. SpaceX has successfully landed 400 times on a drone ship in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans with no observed impacts to species,” BRON Ltd wrote.
“No major disturbances to air or water quality, marine habitats or terrestrial ecosystems were observed during the first landing exercise in the Exuma Sound. Acoustic impacts were detectable both in air and underwater but were short in duration and below thresholds likely to cause physiological harm to marine fauna.
“No evidence of waste discharge, marine debris or adverse community impacts was recorded. Potential indirect impacts include minor marine traffic interference and short-term noise exposure. In a standard, anomaly-free scenario, these operations were found to be environmentally compliant, with the potential for minor beneficial economic contributions through engagement in logistical and support services.”
The EIA added that SpaceX’s Ministry of Tourism tie-up is “part of a broader agreement.... to enable technological collaboration, digital infrastructure expansion and space industry growth in alignment with the
In battles over free speech, comedians are often center stage
By JAKE COYLE
AP Film Writer
BASSEM Youssef, the Egyptian satirist whose "Daily Show"-like program was canceled after the military seized the once pro-democracy government, watched the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel with an immediate sense of familiarity.
"My Fellow American Citizens," Youssef wrote on X. "Welcome to my world."
Youssef's show skewering public figures led to a criminal investigation in 2013 after complaints that he had insulted then-President Mohammed Morsi. When a military coup followed, pressure on Youssef intensified. He announced that the climate in Egypt was "not suitable for a political satire program." Youssef fled the country and resettled in the United States.
In all the stunning things about ABC's swift removal of Kimmel, its longtime late-night host and Oscarshosting face of the network, perhaps the least surprising was that a comedian was at the center of a battle over free speech.
As long as jokes have been told, comedians have drawn the ire of the powerful. That has often put comedians on the front lines of free-speech battles, from George Carlin violating obscenity laws to a satirical puppet show trying to exist in Vladimir Putin's Russia. In authoritarian regimes,
crackdowns on speech usually make comedy a target. "Comedy doesn't change the world, but it's a bellwether. We're the banana peel in the coal mine," Jon Stewart said in 2022 at the Kennedy Center, with Kimmel looking on from the audience. "When a society is under threat, comedians are the ones who get sent away first."
Kimmel's indefinite suspension followed comments he made about the Republican response to Charlie Kirk's killing. Conservatives said Kimmel misrepresented the political beliefs of Tyler Robinson, who is accused of assassinating Kirk.
Federal Communications Commission chairman Brendan Carr responded to Kimmel's comments with the threat: "We can do this the easy way or the hard way." After a group of ABC-affiliated stations said they wouldn't air "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"
The Walt Disney Co. pulled the show Wednesday just before air, prompting a firestorm of debate over free speech. Comedians have been among the passionate protesters.
"If you have any concern or belief in real freedom or the Constitution and free speech, this is it," said the stand-up comedian and podcaster Marc Maron. "This is the deciding moment. This is what authoritarianism looks like right now."
NOTICE Magic Formula Ltd.
Incorporated under the International Business Companies Act, 2000 of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas registered in the Register of Companies under the registration number 211158 B. (In Voluntary Liquidation)
Notice is hereby given that the above-named Company is in dissolution, commencing on the 19th day of September A.D. 2025.
Articles of Dissolution have been duly registered by the Registrar. The Liquidator is Mr. Cleber da Fonseca Cezino de Medeiros, whose address is R Cdor Araujo 143, Conj 183 – Centro, CEP: 80420- 900, Curitiba, PR, Brazil. Any Persons having a Claim against the above-named Company are required on or before the 18 th day of October A.D. 2025 to send their names, addresses and particulars of their debts or claims to the Liquidator of the Company, or in default thereof they may be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such claim is proved.
Dated this 19th day of September A.D. 2025. CLEBER DA FONSECA CEZINO DE MEDEIROS LIQUIDATOR
“A series of additional Falcon 9 launches and recovery missions are scheduled for the Exuma Sound, Bahamas, requiring continued environmental oversight. These activities signal a new chapter of space-industry collaboration within The Bahamas and underscore the need for robust environmental safeguards, stakeholder engagement and adaptive management..
“The number of landings in the Exuma Sound are expected to vary monthly. Launch and landings involve numerous aspects that could delay a launch, such as weather at the launch site, weather at the landing site, availability of airspace, amongst other considerations.”
As for why The Bahamas has agreed to accept Space X’s booster landings, the EIA said: “Under the ‘no action alternative’, Falcon 9 boosters would not land in the Exuma Sound. SpaceX would continue to land first-stage boosters outside of Bahamian territorial waters.
“The ‘no action alternative would not support the SpaceX and Ministry of Tourism programme objectives, such as advancing space technology, meeting the commercial demand of the Starlink network, or fulfilling the international partnership.
“Additionally, it would also neglect an opportunity to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal [of] expanding affordable access to the Internet and ICTs (information and communications technologies),
“The ‘no action alternative’ would eliminate the economic and social benefits associated with rocket landings. The first landing event demonstrated that even short-duration operations can result in measurable local economic stimulation. During the initial mission, local hotels, restaurants and service providers indicated an increase in activity as spectators and support personnel travelled to the area to witness the landing.
“This surge in visitation led to increased customer flow to small businesses, providing short-term revenue boosts that helped alleviate ongoing financial strain, particularly for small, locally-owned establishments. The cancellation or absence of future landings would remove these opportunities, thereby limiting workforce engagement, reducing visibility for local vendors and diminishing potential investments in regional infrastructure or tourism.”
Explaining why Exuma Sound was chosen as the location for the booster recoveries, the EIA added:
“The Exuma Sound provides a sheltered, deep water location for the drone ship and recovery vessels to safely operate. The sea state in the Exuma Sound is generally calm compared to the Atlantic Ocean, particularly in winter months, which reduces the potential for damage to the first-stage booster during droneship transit back to Florida....
“A landing location outside the Exuma Sound is not feasible due to several factors. First, landing locations west of the Exuma Sound would shift the trajectory west, forcing the
vehicle to fly closer to densely populated areas such as New Providence, Port-au-Prince and Santo Domingo. This trajectory would likely result in an exceedance of public safety risk criteria which are calculated for all populations based on the best international standards.
“Shifting the location west would shift the landing location within ten miles of the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park. This ultimately would prevent SpaceX from landing in The Bahamas. In addition to the public safety concerns, a new landing location further west would require landing in shallower water. This water is too shallow for the drone ship to navigate, making this landing location unfeasible,” the EIA added.
“Landing locations east would also shift the Falcon 9 trajectory east, forcing the vehicle to fly closer to Eleuthera and Cat Island, which is also in exceedance of public safety risk criteria and within ten miles of the protected areas in South Eleuthera and North Cat Island. The sea state conditions east of Eleuthera and Cat Island are not conducive to safe landing while the area may be deep water similar in depth to the Exuma Sound.
“Similarly, the northern and southern Bahamas would shift the trajectory closer to densely populated locations, protected areas and less reliable sea state conditions. A landing location north and south of Exuma are not viable as there is not enough propellent remaining in the rocket to reliably land. Finally, altering the landing location would also result in the fairing splash down area potentially stretching over the populated areas if certain wind conditions occur.”
Late-night hosts, current and former, rushed to Kimmel's defense. Jay Leno, the longtime host of "The Tonight Show," shrugged to reporters Thursday: "It's a comedian talking." On Thursday night's "The Late Show," Stephen Colbert — whose own show will end in May over what CBS called financial reasons but Colbert has called "a big fat bribe" to Trump — mocked Carr, the FCC chairman, for declaring that programming should represent "community values."
"Well, you know what my community values are, buster?" Colbert said. "Freedom of speech."
Since before Charlie Chaplin mocked Adolf Hitler in the 1940s film,
"The Great Dictator," comedy has served as one of the most unfiltered expressions of free speech and a reliable metric of a democratic republic's health. On Wednesday, MSNBC's Chris Hayes noted: "The countries where comedians can't mock the leader on latenight TV are not really ones you want to live in."
Outside the U.S., media control has often meant policing comedy. Thinskinned leaders and autocrats have taken punch lines as genuine threats.
Shortly after Putin became president of Russia in 2000, armed operatives raided the offices of NTV, the network that aired "Kukly," a satirical puppet show that often lampooned Putin. NTV owner Vladimir Gusinsky was jailed on embezzlement charges and "Kukly" disappeared in 2002.
Zeinab Mousavi, one of the first Iranian women to
Legal
Notice NOTICE
International Business Companies Act (No. 45 of 2000) In Voluntary Liquidation
Notice is hereby given that, in accordance with Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, No.45 of 2000, the Dissolution of KRONOS INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS CORP. 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 7th August, 2025
do stand-up comedy in her country, was charged last month with making statements that were "contrary to public morality."
In India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, political comedy has grown increasingly off-limits. In March, a performance by the popular comedian Kunal Kamra included a Bollywood song parody that indirectly made apparent reference to a local politician. Government employees ransacked the comedy club.
Kamra pledged to cooperate with police and then added: "But will the law be fairly and equally deployed against those who have decided that vandalism is the appropriate response to being offended by a joke?"
'A massive shift' The Kimmel situation isn't as extreme as those international examples, let alone countries like China and Hungary, where curbs on expression have all but extinguished comedy. But it bears similarities. Trump, who has long chafed at late-night hosts' jokes at his expense, warned broadcasters on Thursday that run negative commentary of him.
"I would think maybe their license should be taken away," Trump said. Carr has said Kimmel is just the beginning. "This is a massive shift that's taking place in the media ecosystem," he said. "I think the consequences are going to continue to flow."
NOTICE La Brera Ltd.
Incorporated under the International Business Companies Act, 2000 of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas registered in the Register of Companies under the registration number 212385 B. (In Voluntary Liquidation)
Notice is hereby given that the above-named Company is in dissolution, commencing on the 19th day of September A.D. 2025.
Articles of Dissolution have been duly registered by the Registrar. The Liquidator is Mr. Cleber da Fonseca Cezino de Medeiros, whose address is R Cdor Araujo 143, Conj 183 – Centro, CEP: 80420- 900, Curitiba, PR, Brazil. Any Persons having a Claim against the above-named Company are required on or before the 18 th day of October A.D. 2025 to send their names, addresses and particulars of their debts or claims to the Liquidator of the Company, or in default thereof they may be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such claim is proved.
Dated this 19th day of September A.D. 2025.
MARINA FERNIE LIQUIDATOR
ASHER Rogers holds an image of Jimmy Kimmel outside El Capitan Entertainment Centre, where the late-night show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" is staged on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Los Angeles. Photo:Jae C. Hong/AP
PENTAGON STEPS UP MEDIA RESTRICTIONS, NOW REQUIRING APPROVAL BEFORE REPORTING EVEN UNCLASSIFIED INFO
By MORGAN LEE
Associated Press
THE Pentagon says it will require credentialed journalists at the military headquarters to sign a pledge to refrain from reporting information that has not been authorized for release — including unclassified information.
Journalists who don't abide by the policy risk losing credentials that provide access to the Pentagon, under a 17-page memo distributed Friday that steps up media restrictions imposed by the administration of President Donald Trump.
"Information must be approved for public release by an appropriate authorizing official before it is released, even if it is unclassified," the directive states.
The signature form includes an array of security requirements for credentialed media at the Pentagon.
Advocates for press freedoms denounced the non-disclosure requirement as an assault on independent journalism. The new Pentagon restrictions arrive as Trump expands threats, lawsuits and government
pressure as he remakes the American media landscape. "If the news about our military must first be approved by the government, then the public is no longer getting independent reporting. It is getting only what officials want them to see," said National Press Club President Mike Balsamo, also national law enforcement editor at The Associated Press.
"That should alarm every American."
Hegseth says no more permission to 'roam the halls'
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News Channel personality, highlighted the restrictions in a social media post on X.
"The 'press' does not run the Pentagon — the people do. The press is no longer allowed to roam the halls of a secure facility," Hegseth
Big foundations and nonprofits still flood to the sidelines of a diminished United Nations
By THALIA BEATY Associated Press
EVEN as it ponders a diminished future facing cutbacks and questions of relevance, the United Nations will still draw foundations and nonprofits to New York next week for a packed schedule of conferences, meetings, happy hours and dinners on the sidelines of its general assembly of world leaders.
But the uncertainty has already had an impact.
The Gates Foundation, which usually releases a report about progress toward global development goals before the U.N. General Assembly meets, has delayed this year's report because it's not yet clear how much foreign aid and global health funding countries will commit going forward. Former President
Bill Clinton said the Clinton Global Initiative, which started convening its annual meeting on the U.N. sidelines in 2005, will change its format this year to ask leaders from business, politics and philanthropy to develop new programs during the two-day conference.
The changes are among the signals the U.N. General Assembly — also known as UNGA Week among attendees — will be different this year.
The U.N.'s largest funder, the United States, has frozen funding or sought to claw it back, prompting major layoffs and program reductions across U.N. agencies. Its most powerful body, the Security Council, has not acted to stop two major wars, despite its founding mandate after World War II "to save
succeeding generations from the scourge of war."
The world's uncertainty has made this year's UNGA Week even more important, say some ready to join in the gatherings.
"It is still the only place that the whole world gets together and that alone, in my view, is enough to justify its existence," said Kevin Sheekey, senior adviser to billionaire and former New York mayor Mike Bloomberg. Since 2017, Bloomberg's organization has convened a forum on the U.N. sidelines, which Sheekey said is a unique opportunity to make connections between world leaders, businesses and philanthropies. This year it will focus on global collaboration and investment opportunities in African countries, especially around sports.
said. "Wear a badge and follow the rules — or go home."
The Pentagon this year has evicted many news organizations while imposing a series of restrictions on the press that include banning reporters from entering wide swaths of the Pentagon without a government escort — areas where the press had access in past administrations as it covers
the activities of the world's most powerful military.
The Pentagon was embarrassed early in Hegseth's tenure when the editorin-chief of The Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg, was inadvertently included in a group chat on the Signal messaging app where the Defense secretary discussed plans for upcoming military strikes in Yemen. Trump's former national security adviser, Mike Waltz, took responsibility for Goldberg being included and was shifted to another job.
The Defense Department also was embarrassed by a leak to The New York Times that billionaire Elon Musk was to get a briefing on the U.S. military's plans in case a war broke out with China. That briefing never took place, on Trump's orders, and Hegseth suspended two Pentagon officials as part of an investigation into how that news got out.
The United Nations Foundation, founded by Ted Turner in 1989 to promote cooperation with the U.N., compiles a list of public events that take place on the sidelines. This year, the foundation has tracked about the same number of events as in previous years, said George Hampton, one of the foundation's executive directors. But he said there seems to be a greater emphasis on smaller roundtables, where conversations
"This policy reeks of prior restraint — the most egregious violation of press freedom under the First Amendment — and is a dangerous step toward government censorship," it said in a statement Saturday. "Attempts to silence the press under the guise of "security" are part of a disturbing pattern of growing government hostility toward transparency and democratic norms."
And Matt Murray, executive editor of The Washington Post, said in the paper's columns Saturday that the new policy runs counter to what's good for the American public.
"The Constitution protects the right to report on the activities of democratically elected and appointed government officials," Murray said. "Any attempt to control messaging and curb access by the government is counter to the First Amendment and against the public interest."
Media organizations clap back On Saturday, the Society of Professional Journalists also objected to the Pentagon's move, calling it "alarming."
we also know that the CGI community and thousands of organizations that span the public and private sector have always worked to meet the unique and urgent challenges of the time."
An early event, hosted Thursday at the Ford Foundation, was Free Future, which focuses on ending gender-based violence. Speakers, including former Liberian president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, reflected on the 30th anniversary of the U.N. conference on women in Beijing in 1995, where countries made many pledges to move toward gender equality.
can be more frank and substantive.
"It is clear that the space we have to solve problems is shrinking, the kind of global cooperation table is shrinking as the problems themselves grow," Hampton said. "So it does feel there's a new urgency, a new sense that this time matters more than those before it."
Clinton Global Initiative CEO Gregory Milne said the changes the nonprofit plans for this year's meeting are similar to how it responded to the Haiti earthquake in 2010 and the COVID-19 pandemic.
"This is a critical moment for the global development community," he said. "But
She said while there's been progress in terms of the promotion of women leaders and access to opportunity, "We have not done enough."
The conference this year was co-hosted by Pivotal, Melinda French Gates' organization, and highlighted the economic toll that violence takes.
"Violence has a cost," said Monica Aleman, international program director at the Ford Foundation, adding, "that money can make a difference in bringing a solution, whether that is through cash transfers or other economic opportunities that you can offer survivors."
In accordance with Article 7, paragraph (1) of the Bahamas Public Service Union Constitution, the BPSU will be hosing the Annual General Membership Meeting on Friday the 26th of September, 20225 at the Bahamas Public Service Union Hall, East Street South at 6:30pm.
Only financial members will be allowed to participate in the meeting as the Reports from the Executives will be presented.
Refreshment will be served after the meeting.
DEFENSE Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during the POW/MIA National Recognition Day Ceremony at the Pentagon, Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, in Washington.
Photo:Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP
THE SYMBOL of the United Nations is displayed on the main gate outside UN headquarters, Feb. 24, 2022, in New York. Photo:John Minchillo/AP
TRUMP RAMPS UP RETRIBUTION CAMPAIGN WITH PUSH FOR BONDI TO PURSUE CASES AGAINST HIS FOES
By MEG KINNARD Associated Press
EIGHT months into his second term, President Donald Trump's long-standing pledge to take on those he perceives as his political enemies has prompted debates over free speech, media censorship and political prosecutions.
From late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel's suspension to Pentagon restrictions on reporters and an apparent public appeal to Attorney General Pam Bondi to pursue legal cases against his adversaries, Trump has escalated moves to consolidate power in his second administration and root out those who have spoken out against him.
In a post on social media this weekend addressed to Bondi, Trump said "nothing is being done" on investigations into some of his foes.
"We can't delay any longer, it's killing our reputation and credibility," he said. Noting that he was impeached and criminally charged, "JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!"
Criticizing investigations into Trump's dealings under Democratic President Joe Biden's Justice Department, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said Sunday that "it is not right for the Trump administration to do the same thing."
Directive to Bondi to investigate political opponents
Trump has ratcheted up his discussion of pursuing legal cases against some of his political opponents, part of a vow for retribution that has been a theme of his return to the White House. He publicly pressed Bondi this weekend to move forward with such investigations.
Trump posted somewhat of an open letter on social media Saturday to his top prosecutor to advance such inquiries, including a mortgage fraud probe into New York Attorney General Letitia James and a possible threat case against former FBI Director James Comey. He posted that he had "reviewed over 30 statements and posts" that he characterized as criticizing his administration for a lack of action on investigations.
"We have to act fast — one way or the other," Trump told reporters later that night at the White House. "They're guilty, they're not guilty — we have to act fast. If they're not guilty, that's fine. If they are guilty or if they should be charged, they should be charged. And we have to do it now."
Trump later wrote in a follow-up post that Bondi was "doing a GREAT job." Paul, a frequent Trump foil from the right, was asked during an interview on NBC's "Meet the
Press" about the propriety of a president directing his attorney general to investigate political opponents. The senator decried "lawfare in all forms."
Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., said it was "unconstitutional and deeply immoral for the president to jail or to silence his political enemies." He warned it could set a worrisome precedent for both parties.
"It will come back and boomerang on conservatives and Republicans at some point if this becomes the norm," Murphy told ABC's "This Week."
The Senate's Democratic leader, Chuck Schumer of New York, said on CNN's "State of the Union" that Trump is turning the Justice Department "into an instrument that goes after his enemies, whether they're guilty or not, and most of them are not guilty at all, and that helps his friends. This is the path to a dictatorship. That's what dictatorships do."
The Justice Department did not respond Sunday to a message seeking comment.
Appointment of new prosecutor in Letitia James investigation
Each new president nominates his own U.S. attorneys in jurisdictions across the country. And Trump has already worked to install people close to him in some of those jobs, including former Fox News
host Jeanine Pirro in the District of Columbia and Alina Habba, his former attorney, in New Jersey.
Trump has largely stocked his second administration with loyalists, continuing Saturday with the nomination of a White House aide as top federal prosecutor for the office investigating James, a longtime foe of Trump.
Trump announced Lindsey Halligan to be the U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia on Saturday, just a day after Erik Siebert resigned from the post and Trump said he wanted him "out."
Trump said he was bothered that Siebert had been supported by the state's two Democratic senators.
"There are just two standards of justice now in this country. If you are a friend of the president, a loyalist of the president, you can get away with nearly anything, including beating the hell out of police officers," Murphy said, mentioning the defendants in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol pardoned by Trump as he returned to office. "But if you are an opponent of the president, you may find yourself in jail."
New restrictions on Pentagon reporters
Trump has styled himself as an opponent of censorship, pledging in his January inaugural address to "bring free speech back to America" and signing
AIRPORT CYBERATTACK DISRUPTS MORE FLIGHTS ACROSS EUROPE
BRUSSELS
Associated Press
FALLOUT from a cyberattack that disrupted check-in systems at several European airports extended into a second full day on Sunday, as passengers faced dozens of canceled and delayed flights — and the impact poised to worsen for at least one major airport.
Brussels Airport, seemingly the hardest hit, said it asked airlines to cancel nearly 140 departing flights scheduled for Monday because a U.S.-based software system provider "is not yet able to deliver a new secure version of the checkin system." The airport said 25 outbound flights were canceled on Saturday and 50 on Sunday.
Starting late Friday, airports in Berlin, Brussels and London were hit by disruptions to electronic systems that snarled up check-in and sent airline staffers trying options like handwriting boarding passes or using backup laptops. Many other European airports were unaffected.
The cyberattack affected software of Collins Aerospace, whose systems help passengers check in, print boarding passes and bag tags, and dispatch their luggage. The U.S.-based company on Saturday cited a "cyber-related disruption" to its software at "select" airports in Europe.
It was not immediately clear who might be behind the cyberattack, but experts said it could turn out to be hackers, criminal organizations or state actors.
The European Commission, the executive branch
of the 27-nation European Union, said that aviation safety and air traffic control were unaffected. There was currently no indication of a widespread or severe attack, while the origin of the incident remained under investigation, it added.
Half of Monday's flights from Brussels Airport canceled While departure boards for London's Heathrow and Berlin's Brandenburg airports were showing signs of smoother arrivals and departures on Sunday, Brussels Airport was still facing considerable issues.
Brussels Airport said in an email Sunday that it had asked airlines to cancel half of the 276 scheduled departing flights on Monday, "because Collins Aerospace is not yet able to deliver a new secure version of the check-in system." Cancellations and delays will continue as long as manual check-in is necessary, it said.
RTX Corp., the parent company of Collins Aerospace, did not immediately respond to two emails Sunday seeking comment.
On Saturday, the aviation and defense technology company said in a statement that it was working to resolve the issue: "The impact is limited to electronic customer check-in and baggage drop and can be mitigated with manual check-in operations."
Brussels Airport said it nonetheless was able to maintain 85% of scheduled departures over the weekend thanks to the deployment of extra staff by airport partners "and the fact that self bag drop
and online check-in are still operational."
The cyberattack affected only computer systems at check-in desks, not self-service kiosks,
an executive order that no federal officer, employee or agent may unconstitutionally abridge the free speech of any American citizen.
Under a 17-page memo distributed Friday, the Pentagon stepped up restrictions on the media, saying it will require credentialed journalists to sign a pledge to refrain from reporting information that has not been authorized for release, including unclassified information. Journalists who don't abide by the policy risk losing credentials that provide access to the Pentagon.
Asked Sunday if the Pentagon should play a role in determining what journalists can report, Trump said, "No, I don't think so."
"Nothing stops reporters. You know that," Trump told reporters as he left the White House for Charlie Kirk's memorial service.
Trump has sued numerous media organizations for negative coverage, with several settling with the president for millions of dollars. A federal judge in Florida tossed out Trump's $15 billion defamation lawsuit against The New York Times on Friday.
computers to help cope with the impact.
airport spokesperson Ihsane Chioua Lekhli said, and teams were turning to alternative backup systems and pulling out laptop
The airports advised passengers to check the status of their flights before traveling to the airports, and using alternative check-in methods.
"Work continues to resolve and recover from
Jimmy Kimmel ouster and FCC warning
Perhaps the most headline-grabbing situation involves ABC's indefinite suspension Wednesday of veteran comic Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show. What he said about Kirk's killing had led a group of ABCaffiliated stations to say it would not air the show and provoked some ominous comments from a top federal regulator.
Trump celebrated on his social media site: "Congratulations to ABC for finally having the courage to do what had to be done."
Earlier in the day, the Federal Communications Commission chairman, Brendan Carr, who has launched investigations of outlets that have angered Trump, said Kimmel's comments were "truly sick" and that his agency has a strong case for holding Kimmel, ABC and network parent Walt Disney Co. accountable for spreading misinformation.
"We can do this the easy way or the hard way," Carr said. "These companies can find ways to take action on Kimmel or there is going to be additional work for the FCC ahead."
Friday's outage of a Collins Aerospace airline system that impacted check-in," a Heathrow statement said. "We apologize to those who have faced delays, but by working together with airlines, the vast majority of flights have continued to operate."
PRESIDENT Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, in Washington.
Photo:Alex Brandon/AP
WALL STREET COASTS TO THE FINISH OF ITS LATEST RECORD-SETTING WEEK
By STAN CHOE AP Business Writer
WALL Street tacked on some more gains Friday as it glided to the finish of its latest record-setting week.
The S&P 500 rose 0.5% to close out its sixth winning week in the last seven.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 172 points, or 0.4%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.7%.
All three hit all-time highs for a second straight day. They've been rallying on expectations that the Federal Reserve will continue to cut interest rates in order to give the economy a boost after the central bank lowered them for the first time this year on Wednesday.
FedEx helped lift the market after delivering stronger profit and revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected. It rose 2.3%, thanks in part
to strength for its domestic package business. Newmont rallied 4.3% after the gold miner sold its investment in Canada's Orla Mining for $439 million. It added to a stellar run, and Newmont's stock has more than doubled so far this year as the price of gold has shot to records. Gold has benefited from expectations for lower interest rates, along with worries about high inflation and the potential that mountains of debt for the U.S. and other governments could make their currencies worth less.
On the losing end of Wall Street was Lennar, which dropped 4.2% after the homebuilder reported weaker revenue for its latest quarter than analysts expected.
Executive Chairman Stuart Miller pointed to "the continued pressures of today's housing market" and said Lennar had to
offer additional incentives to entice customers to buy homes, which dragged down the average sales price.
All told, the S&P 500 rose 32.40 points to 6,664.36. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 172.85 to 46,315.27, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 160.75 to 22,631.48. If the Fed does keep cutting interest rates, that could give the struggling housing market a boost, and mortgage rates have already come down in expectation of a rate-cutting campaign.
Lower rates could likewise tamp down widespread criticism that the U.S. stock market has become too expensive after prices rose so quickly. But expectations have grown so strong for coming cuts to rates that the stock market may be set for a sharp drop if the Fed does not cut as much as traders expect.
Fed officials did indicate earlier this week that they're likely to deliver more cuts to rates this year and next. They're hoping to give support to the job market, which has slowed and made it more difficult for U.S. workers to find new positions.
But Fed Chair Jerome Powell also warned Wednesday that the central bank is in a precarious position and may have to change course quickly. That's because the economy is in an unusual situation where inflation is
remaining stubbornly high at the same time that the job market is slowing. And President Donald Trump's tariffs are threatening to push inflation higher, at least temporarily.
The Fed is in charge of fixing both high inflation and a weak job market, but it has only one tool to do so.
And helping one by moving interest rates often hurts the other in the short term.
Scott Wren, senior global market strategist at Wells Fargo Investment Institute, warned that the stock market could become
shakier following its recent glide to records as "the economy slows, tariff impacts arrive piecemeal and political uncertainties continue."
In stock markets abroad, indexes mostly ticked lower in Europe and Asia. Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 0.6% after the Bank of Japan said it will sell some of its massive trove of Japanese stock funds. It also held interest rates steady. Chinese indexes finished mixed ahead of a phone call between Trump and China's President Xi Jinping.
MARINE FORECAST
A DEALER watches computer monitors near the screens showing the foreign exchange rates at a dealing room of Hana Bank in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. Photo:Lee Jin-man/AP
Trump’s economic promises to Black voters fall short after a modest shift in support for him in 2024
By JOSH BOAK Associated Press
AT ONE of his final rallies before the 2024 election, then-candidate Donald Trump warned that Black Americans were losing their jobs in droves and that things would get even worse if he did not return to the White House.
“You should demand that they give you the numbers of how many Black people are going to lose their job,” Trump said. “The African American population, they’re getting fired at numbers that we have never seen before.”
But with Trump back in office since January, an already fragile financial situation for Black Americans has worsened. Upset by inflation and affordability issues, Black voters had shifted modestly toward the Republican last year on the promise that he could boost the economy by stopping border crossings and challenging foreign factories with tariffs. Yet a recent spate of economic data instead shows a widening racial wealth gap.
Black unemployment has climbed from 6.2% to 7.5% so far in 2025, the
highest level since October 2021. Black homeownership has fallen to the lowest level since 2021, according to an analysis by the real estate brokerage Redfin.
Earlier this month, the Census Bureau said the median Black household income fell 3.3% last year to $56,020, which is roughly $36,000 less than what a white household earns and evidence of a bad situation becoming worse.
That creates a major political risk for the president as well as an economic danger for the nation because job losses for Black Americans have historically foreshadowed a wider set of layoffs across other groups.
“Black Americans are often the canary in the coal mine,” said Angela Hanks, a former official at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Labor Department who is now at The Century Foundation, a liberal think tank.
The Trump White House stressed that some of these downward trends, such as a relative decline in Black wealth, began under Democratic President Joe Biden. It emphasized that the “diversity, equity and inclusion” policies pushed by
Democrats failed to deliver economic gains.
“Despite his lunatic obsession with DEI, Joe Biden’s disastrous economic agenda reduced the Black share of household wealth by nearly 25%,” said White House spokesman Kush Desai. “His inflationary policies caused interest rate hikes that froze Americans out of homeownership, and his open borders policies flooded the country with tens of millions of illegals who drove down wages.”
Some Black voters see Trump’s policies as doing more to hurt than help
Some Black voters who stayed on the sidelines in 2024 feel they need to be more engaged politically.
Josh Garrett, a 30-yearold salesperson in Florida, said he could not find a candidate last year with whom he agreed. He is frustrated by Trump’s layoffs of federal workers and sees a government more geared toward billionaires than the middle class.
“I don’t understand how you could be for the American people and have Americans lose their jobs when they have families, have bills,” Garrett said.
TRUMP REVEALS MURDOCHS AND DELL COULD POTENTIALLY TAKE PART IN TIKTOK DEAL
By ALAN SUDERMAN AP Business Writer
PRESIDENT Donald Trump said prominent billionaires – including media mogul Rupert Murdoch and tech founder Michael Dell – could be part of a deal in which the U.S. will take control of the social video platform TikTok.
Trump namedropped the 94-year-old Murdoch and his son Lachlan Murdoch, the head of Fox News and
News Corp, as part of a group of possible participants in a deal during an interview recorded Friday and aired Sunday on Fox News.
"I think they're going to be in the group. A couple of others. Really great people, very prominent people," Trump said. "And they're also American patriots, you know, they love this country. I think they're going to do a really good job."
Trump's disclosure of the potential involvement of the Murdochs and Dell, the founder and CEO of Dell Technologies, is the latest twist in a fast-moving potential deal to keep TikTok operating in the U.S.
Trump also said Sunday that tech giant Oracle founder and CEO Larry Ellison was part of the same group. His involvement had been previously disclosed. On Saturday, White House
While the financial outlook for Black Americans is deteriorating, the net worth of white households is largely holding steady or increasing, largely due to stock market performance.
Hanks notes that the “chaotic effects” of Trump’s tariffs and spending cuts are hitting more vulnerable populations right now but that the damage could soon spread beyond.
Black leaders see Trump’s policies as discriminatory based on race
The federal layoffs appear to have disproportionately hit Black Americans because they make up a meaningful share of the government workforce. The administration maintains that its income tax cuts, tariffs and deportations of immigrants who are in the United States illegally will help Black Americans, but there is little evidence so far in the data of that.
At the same time, Trump has said that he would like to deploy the National Guard to Chicago, New Orleans, Baltimore and Memphis, Tennessee — cities led by Black mayors.
The president has called for redrawing congressional
press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Oracle would be responsible for the app's data and security and that Americans will control six of the seven seats for a planned board.
Much is still unknown about the actual deal in the works. Trump discussed the TikTok deal with China's Xi Jinping in a lengthy phone call on Friday. Chinese and U.S. officials have until Dec. 16 to hash out the details, following the latest deadline extension by the Trump administration.
TikTok is a hugely popular app currently owned by a Chinese company, ByteDance. American officials have warned the algorithm
districts to favor Republicans, which could dilute the ability of Black voters to shape elections. He has sought to diminish the legacy of slavery and segregation from the Smithsonian museums.
“The message that they are sending is very clear: In these places, these people are incapable of governing themselves,” Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said. “They are incapable of helping to solve their own issues. And make no mistake about it, it’s partly due to how we look.”
The Democrat warned that the mounting economic challenges could contribute to crime in the future, reversing progress that cities have made in recent years to lower homicide rates.
Trump might not be able to afford alienating
Black voters
Black Americans are the dominant core of the Democratic base, though Trump has improved his standing with them. In 2024, Trump won 16% of Black voters, doubling his 2020 share, according to AP VoteCast, an extensive survey of the electorate. One of the key
TikTok uses to shape what users see is vulnerable to manipulation by Chinese authorities, who can use it to push content on the platform in a way that's difficult to detect.
Congress passed legislation calling for a TikTok ban to go into effect in January, but Trump has repeatedly signed orders that have allowed TikTok to keep operating in the United States as his administration tries to reach an agreement for the social media company's parent company to sell its U.S. operations.
On Sunday, Trump said that he was "a little prejudiced" about TikTok
differences appeared to be frustration over inflation and affordability.
Roughly one-third of Black voters (36%) in the 2024 presidential election said the economy and jobs was the most important issue facing the country, up from 11% in 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic was the top issue. In a July poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, about half of Black adults (52%) said the amount of money they get paid was a “major” source of stress in their life right now, slightly higher than for U.S. adults overall (43%) and significantly higher than for white adults (37%).
When it comes to incomes, some associated with the conservative movement suggest that Black households are more vulnerable because fewer of them are in married families, which generally tend to have higher incomes.
Delano Squires, a fellow at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, said the “connection between family structure and financial stability is one that is fairly consistent across time.”
because he credited the app for helping him connect with young voters. Trump said slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk encouraged the president to use the app. Representatives for Ellison, Dell and the Murdochs could not immediately be reached for comment.
Trump filed a lawsuit against Murdoch and one of his newspapers, The Wall Street Journal, in July after it published a story reporting on the president's ties to wealthy financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
