Issuu

business@tribunemedia.net

Tuesday, OcTOber 20, 2026

$ 7.45

$ 8.05

$ 7.08

$ 7.50

$ 7.56

Mall’s peak hours disrupted by ‘aggressive’ Immigration SIR FRANKLYN WILSON

BY NEIL HARTNELL TRIBUNE Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE BAHAMAS’ largest retail mall yesterday asserted “there has to be a better way” after peak Saturday shopping was disrupted by Immigration enforcement actions branded “very aggressive” and heavy-handed. Troy Johnson, the Mall at Marathon’s general manager, emphasised to Tribune Business that - while the complex and its tenants have no intention of prohibiting, or obstructing, the Immigration Department or other government agencies in the lawful execution of their duties - the whole approach must be radically different from the past weekend. He confirmed that Immigration officers, double the number who would usually be present for enforcement activities, “pulled people off the line, pulled them to the side” at the Mall on late Saturday morning during the height of the week’s busiest shopping day to check their lawful status in The Bahamas. This, in turn, provoked “unease” among Mall shoppers, Mr Johnson told this newspaper, adding that when he arrived both patrons and staff at tenant businesses were talking about the “whole demeanour” displayed by the Immigration officers. The latter’s actions sparked intervention by Mall security and police, who urged Immigration to be mindful of the crowds and resulting disruption.

DR DUANE SANDS

Gov’t launches new $1bn-plus financing MALL AT MARATHON

Retail complex: There must be ‘better way’ after weekend ‘ordeal’

Enforcement branded heavyhanded as patrons ‘pulled off line’

The Mall general manager added that the Immigration enforcement team “dialled down” and left the retail complex after that encounter, but he pledged he “does not intend to leave the matter and let it lie” given fears that Saturday’s events could be repeated unless addressed with the authorities. He added that the Mall will now undertake legal “due diligence” to determine what enforcement powers officers have under the Immigration Act and its regulations given that the weekend’s actions sparked multiple questions over whether they required

Shed anemic growth by ‘aiming for 3% at least’ BY NEIL HARTNELL TRIBUNE Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net A BAHAMIAN economist is urging policymakers to focus on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) prediction that economic growth will revert to its “anemic” long-term trend as early as 2027, while asserting: “We should be aiming for at least 3 percent”. Rupert Pinder, associate professor of economics at the University of The Bahamas (UoB), told Tribune Business that the Fund’s forecast that this nation’s annual economic growth will slip to 1.9 percent next year, and then further to 1.8 percent in 2028, are what the Government must “pay attention” to rather than one-off spikes or dips. Speaking after the IMF unveiled its October 2026 world economic outlook, in which it cut The Bahamas’ projected economic growth for 2026 from 2.8 percent to 2.5 percent, he added that this trimming was not surprising given the cost of living pressures imposed on both Bahamians and tourists from global oil and fuel price shocks feeding into the supply chain. The Fund also predicted that The Bahamas will this year suffer the highest rate of annual inflation in the tourism-dependent Caribbean at 5.2 percent, with only Jamaica higher at 5.4 percent. The Bahamian inflation rate is thus forecast to more than double from the 2.3 percent sustained in 2025, although it is predicted to moderate to 3.2 percent in 2027 before falling again to 2.2 percent in 2028. Mr Pinder, too, argued that the inflation hike and cost of living pressures come as little surprise given The Bahamas’ status as an import-dependent nation with little domestic production capacity of its own, which forces it to bring in virtually all it consumes. This makes The Bahamas especially vulnerable to economic shocks including imported inflation. “To the extent to which we see the kind of unrest in the Middle East and knock-on effects, oil prices feed into everything in the

EXPAND - See Page B5

Approach created ‘unease’ among some shoppers, tenant staff

warrants or court Orders signed by a judge/magistrate to act as they did. One source familiar with events, and speaking on condition of anonymity, told Tribune Business that when challenged on this point by Mall security, the senior Immigration officer in charge replied to the effect: “We are Immigration. We have total control. We can do what we want.” This was later corroborated by Mr Johnson, with the source adding: “Immigration was walking around from store to store looking for people. Saturday is the busiest

SEARCH - See Page B4

BY NEIL HARTNELL TRIBUNE Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

Unveils plans to refinance up to $813m existing debt

THE GOVERNMENT yesterday pulled the trigger on what is likely another $1bn-plus foreign capital raising that seeks to refinance up to $813m in existing sovereign debt following the model established in last year’s bond issue. The Davis administration, copying the template used for June 2025’s $1.067bn bond, announced it is seeking to raise fresh debt that will pay-out investors holding five different existing bonds carrying interest rate coupons ranging from 6 percent to a maximum 9 percent. Should it raise sufficient capital between yesterday’s launch and the planned

Targets lower interest, longer maturity on five issues Set to wrap in GB Power; deal set to close next week Tuesday, October 27, closing, the Government will then repurchase these existing bonds from those investors who agree to sell it back. And, in exchange, those same investors will receive the new bond raised by The Bahamas on the international capital markets.

FUNDING - See Page B4

Island Luck co-founder targeting 13-storey condo next to Sandals BY FAY SIMMONS TRIBUNE Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net ISLAND Luck’s co-founder and his Fox Group are seeking planning permission to develop a 13-storey condominium building on a 3.4-acre beachfront property off West Bay Street between Sandals

and Tower of Cable Beach Apartments. The plans by Adrian Fox’s group, filed with the Department of Physical Planning ahead of an October 29, 2026, public consultation, feature 64 residential units plus a range of on-site amenities. The proposed development, which is the subject

BUILD - See Page B5

Opposition challenges Gov’t over latest SpaceX landing BY FAY SIMMONS TRIBUNE Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net THE OPPOSITION yesterday demanded that the Government disclose the status of its SpaceX partnership after it was revealed another rocket booster landing was due to occur in The Bahamas’ exclusive economic zone. Senator Arinthia Komolafe, the FNM’s spokesperson for energy, utilities and aviation, questioned why Bahamians were suddenly being advised by the Civil Aviation Authority of The Bahamas (CAAB) of the planned Falcon 9 landing just months after officials said the programme had ended following two touchdowns in this nation’s waters. “The Government must disclose theb actual status of SpaceX partnership,” she said. Mrs Komolafe asserted that Bahamians were “shocked” to learn of the planned landing

through a CAAB advisory issued on Sunday - just one day before the operation was originally scheduled to take place. The Authority advised that the booster landing was expected between 6.30am and 7am on Monday, October 19, warning residents and visitors on the eastern side of Abaco and North Eleuthera that the operation could be visible on the horizon and that sonic booms might be heard. However, SpaceX subsequently scrubbed Monday’s launch attempt because of poor weather in the booster recovery zone and rescheduled the launch for today. The Falcon 9 is scheduled to launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida during a window opening at 6.30am, carrying 32 payloads on the Bandwagon-5 rideshare mission.

FLY - See Page B4

FOX GROUP 13-STOREY CONDOMINIUM BUILDING PLANS

PAGE 2, Tuesday, October 20, 2026

THE TRIBUNE

GB Power chief: Are we up to renewables shift? BY FAY SIMMONS TRIBUNE Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net GRAND Bahama Power Company’s chief executive yesterday warned that Caribbean energy providers must find ways to expand renewable energy while keeping power affordable and reliable for customers. Speaking at the opening of the 2026 CARILEC Resilient/Renewable Energy Community conference and exhibition in Nassau, Nikita Mullings said the region's energy transition will depend on more than ambitious targets, requiring investment, clear regulatory frameworks and stronger

partnerships among governments, regulators, utilities and investors. “The energy transition is not just a technology challenge; it is a financing challenge, an execution challenge, and ultimately a leadership challenge,” she said. Mrs Mullings said Caribbean utilities face common pressures from volatile fuel prices, high electricity costs, exposure to severe weather and the need to modernise their energy systems While renewable energy, battery storage, energy efficiency and smarter grid technologies offer opportunities to address those challenges, she said the question is how to deliver the transition at a scale,

speed and cost that customers could sustain. For utilities such as GB Power, this means balancing affordability, reliability and resilience while integrating renewable energy safely, strengthening electricity networks and attracting investment, she added. Mrs Mullings said the region needs co-ordinated national plans, finance-able projects and regulatory frameworks that provide clarity for investors while protecting consumers. She urged conference participants to focus on the barriers that must be removed, the investments that must be mobilised and the partnerships needed to move the energy transition forward.

“Are we up to the challenge?” Mrs Mullings asked, arguing that regional co-operation can help Caribbean countries learn from one another rather than attempt to solve common problems independently. Toni Seymour, Bahamas Power & Light’s (BPL) chief executive, also highlighted the importance of regional co-operation, noting CARILEC provided utilities with an opportunity to exchange ideas, examine new technologies and discuss both successful initiatives and approaches that have not worked. Although Caribbean islands differ in size and available resources, many face similar energy challenges, she said.

Mrs Seymour said BPL is working to expand renewable generation through independent power producer (IPP) agreements, diversify the country's energy supply and support a more sustainable electricity sector. The energy transition could not be accomplished by any one utility alone, she said, pointing to the need for sound policy, strategic planning, responsible investment and partnerships. Mrs Seymour encouraged participants to share their experiences and develop practical solutions that could continue to benefit utilities after the conference ends. BPL and GB Power are co-hosting the conference, which brings together utility executives and other energy sector stakeholders from across the Caribbean to discuss policy, planning and the transition towards more resilient and sustainable electricity systems.

Mrs Seymour said the gathering also provides an opportunity to share information about the Bahamas' New Energy Era and the projects being pursued to meet its renewable energy goals. Conference participants are also expected to tour BPL's battery energy storage system, providing an opportunity to examine the technology and discuss how utilities across the region are working towards their renewable energy targets. Mrs Mullings said the success of the transition should ultimately be measured by the clean energy integrated into electricity systems, stronger infrastructure, managed costs and the communities those systems serve. “Our success will be measured not by the targets we announce and put on paper, but by the clean energy that we continue to integrate, the infrastructure that we strengthen, the costs that we manage,” she said. FROM L to R: Back Row: Chadero Sealy, architectural designer; Preston Rolle, architectural designer; Kenyon Osborne, licensed architect and interior design associate; Trevor Fawkes, architectural designer. Front Row: Amanda Neely, office administrator; Carlos Hepburn, principal and lead architect; Marcus Laing, junior principal and licensed architect; Theshala Mills, licensed architect; Lyndira Fowler, interior design associate.

BRITISH COLONIAL NASSAU

British Colonial Nassau rated third among region’s resorts A DOWNTOWN Nassau resort has been ranked third among the top ten hotels in the Caribbean and Central America in the 2026 Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards. The British Colonial Nassau, in a statement, said recognition highlights the guest experience, hospitality and service that the 288-room property offers at its location overlooking Nassau Harbour. “We are honoured to see British Colonial Nassau recognised among the region’s

leading hotels,” said Kristen Whylly, its general manager. “This achievement reflects our commitment to exceptional hospitality, the dedication of our team, and the rich heritage that makes British Colonial a distinctive part of Nassau’s tourism landscape.” The British Colonial Nassau said the Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards reflect the experiences and preferences of travellers.

Bahamian architectural firm hails 30th birthday A BAHAMIAN architectural firm is celebrating its 30th anniversary after completing more than 150 projects, and serving over 500 clients, since its founding in 1996. TDG Architects, in a statement, said it has delivered projects covering commercial and healthcare facilities, hospitality venues and private residences during its 30 years in existence. "Three decades of practice is a reflection of the trust our clients and communities have placed in

us," said Carlos J. Hepburn, principal of TDG Architects. "From the very beginning, our commitment has been to design with intention and build with responsibility. That standard has never changed, and it will not change in the decades ahead." TDG Architects added that its portfolio includes architectural design work on institutions such as Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH), as well as Bahamas Medical and Surgical Supplies.

The firm says it was an early adopter of Building Information Modelling (BIM), offering clients full 3D visualisation before construction begins, and it treats hurricane resilience assessment as a key component in every project brief than an optional add-on. TDG Architects holds active memberships in the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Urban Land Institute (ULI), the US Green Building Council (USGBC), the Institute of Bahamian Architects (IBA), and the

National Trust of The Bahamas (NTB). As the firm enters its fourth decade, TDG Architects said it is focused on investing in the next generation of Bahamian architects and designers. The firm employs young professionals and provides them with mentorship, real world experience and professional development. "Architecture is not just about the buildings we design today. It is about the designers and architects we develop for tomorrow," said Marcus Laing, junior principal at TDG Architects. "I am proud to be part of a firm that has always believed in young Bahamian talent. The best work is still ahead of us, and I look forward to being part of what we build next."

HG Christie realtors attend global summit HG Christie realtors recently joined their counterparts at the 2026 Christie’s International Real Estate (CIRE) Masters Circle and Agents Summit in Chicago to explore emerging technology and evolving market demands. Held at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, the event brought together members of the global Christie’s International Real Estate network for two days of education, discussion and networking. HG Christie was represented by John Christie, president and managing broker; agents Frank Knowles and Patrick Maura from Hope Town; and Dylan Christie, Anya Mousis and Phillip Hillier in Nassau. Artificial intelligence (AI) was a major focus, with sessions examining how technology is changing the way consumers discover and evaluate real estate professionals, plus how agents can use emerging tools to improve their marketing, visibility and efficiency. Discussions also explored personal branding, client relationships and the importance of understanding the individual circumstances that shape property decisions. “AI was a major focus of the summit this year, and it’s clear that it will continue to change the way we work in real estate,” Mr Christie said. “The opportunity is not to replace the personal relationships and local expertise that are at the heart of our business, but to use these tools to make us smarter, more efficient and ultimately better at serving our clients. Being able to exchange ideas with other Christie’s International Real

Estate affiliates, and see how they are approaching these changes, was incredibly valuable.” Mr Knowles, who represents HG Christie in Hope Town, added: “The Christie’s Summit is always a wonderful experience filled with so many opportunities for networking and education on what’s new in our industry. “It can sometimes be challenging to take it all in, but I have always believed that if you can come away from an experience like the Christie’s Summit with one key takeaway that you can HG Christie realtors recently joined fellow real estate executives from around the world at the 2026 Christie’s International Real Esimplement to improve your tate (CIRE) Masters Circle and Agents Summit in Chicago. Pictured L to R are agents Frank Knowles and Patrick Maura, Hope Town, business and how you pro- Abaco; John Christie, president and managing broker; Anya Mousis, Dylan Christie and Phillip Hillier, Nassau-based agents. vide your services to your clients and customers, it is well worth it. This year, the discussion on AI was definitely that takeaway subject.” Beyond technology, the event explored the advantages of belonging to a global real estate network, including opportunities to build relationships with experienced professionals in other markets, share knowledge and connect clients with properties and experPictured are HG Christie real estate agents, Anya Mousis and tise beyond their home Phillip Hillier, at the brand’s global summit. country. The programme also highlighted the relationship between real estate, art, design and collecting, reflecting the wider Christie’s brand and its connection to the Christie’s auction house. Sessions and networking opportunities encouraged agents to look beyond the physical features of a property and consider the lifestyle, design PICTURED on the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago roof-top are the JOHN CHRISTIE, president and managing broker at HG Christie, and individual interests HG Christie Team: Frank Knowles, Dylan Christie, John Christie, said artificial intelligence (AI) was a major focus of the brand’s that can influence a client’s Anya Mousis, Patrick Maura and Phillip Hillier. Photos:HG Christie/Barefoot Marketing global summit this year. decisions.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, October 20, 2026, PAGE 3

Bahamas learns lessons from later launch of energy reform BY FAY SIMMONS TRIBUNE Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net GRAND Bahama Power Company’s chief executive yesterday warned Caribbean renewable energy ambitions risk remaining unrealised without bankable projects, clear commercial terms and financing. Speaking during a discussion at the 2026 CARILEC Resilience Renewable Energy Community conference and exhibition, Nikita Mullings said the Caribbean must ensure its energy transition goals are backed by commercially viable projects, adequate resources and teams capable of delivering them. “We want to ensure that we have projects that are indeed bankable, with clear commercial terms. We want to ensure that whatever the goals and the ambitions are,

we have financing to back those projects,” she said. “We also want to ensure we have a clear resource plan. We want to ensure that we are upgrading the grid, ensuring that there is storage, and upgrading human capacity for training to ensure that as we integrate renewables on to the grid, we're able to withstand and sustain those.” Mrs Mullings identified financing and project execution as the biggest gaps holding back the Caribbean's energy transition, arguing that bankable projects must be matched with teams capable of delivering them and clear accountability for results. “Policy is what I like to say creates direction. Planning is what prepares for the investment, and then what we need is sessions like this where you have leadership that'll drive those through to results,” she said.

PM urges investment in land, ocean and culture BY FAY SIMMONS TRIBUNE Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net THE PRIME Minister yesterday urged international investors to help The Bahamas turn its ocean, land and cultural resources into trade, investment and jobs, pitching the country’s “blue, green and orange” economies as new frontiers for development. Addressing the opening of Diplomatic Week 2026, Philip Davis KC called on overseas partners to invest in shipping and logistics, sustainable agriculture, agro-processing, clean energy, marine research and cultural enterprises, arguing that The Bahamas has natural advantages it must do more to convert into economic opportunities. “The orange, blue and green frontiers are open,” Mr Davis told participants, adding that The Bahamas is stable and governed by the rule of law. “In a world like this one, that may be the most valuable offer on the table.” Mr Davis said the country wanted prosperity that Bahamians own, with local entrepreneurs able to access the capital needed to build businesses at home and graduates able to see their future in The Bahamas. He identified the ocean as one of the country's most significant economic

frontiers, arguing that The Bahamas' extensive marine territory and position along major shipping lanes could support greater investment in shipping, logistics and transshipment across the Americas. Mr Davis also pointed to the proximity to the US, the world's largest consumer market, as an advantage for investors looking to develop commercial activity around regional and international trade. On agriculture, he highlighted the country's continued dependence on imported food, noting that the problem had been identified by the late Sir Lynden Pindling in 1973 but remained unresolved more than five decades later. “Fifty-three years later, we still import most of what we eat. Every imported meal is a vulnerability,” said Mr Davis. He urged investors to support sustainable farming, agro-processing and clean energy, arguing that reducing The Bahamas’ exposure to overseas food supplies is a matter of national security as well as economic development. The Prime Minister's third frontier was the ‘orange economy’, encompassing Bahamian music, art, Junkanoo, food, story-telling and design. He called for partnerships that will help local artists, festivals and cultural enterprises

Toni Seymour, Bahamas Power & Light's (BPL) chief executive, agreed that financing was a major obstacle, particularly for The Bahamas, where electricity infrastructure must serve a widely dispersed archipelago with multiple islands and separate grids. “I think for us that would be what I would consider our greatest challenge,” she said, noting that while The Bahamas had established a national energy policy and made legislative changes ahead of its “new energy era”, securing the capital needed to implement projects remains difficult. Mrs Seymour also argued that the different circumstances across Caribbean islands meant there was no single approach to the energy transition that will work everywhere. “What works in New Providence doesn't necessarily work in Grand

Bahama, doesn't necessarily work in Bermuda,” she said, pointing to the importance of sharing knowledge and lessons from renewable energy developments across the region. She cited Barbados and Dominica as examples of Caribbean countries from which others could learn, while arguing that regional co-operation can help utilities identify suitable technologies and develop actionable plans for their respective islands. Mrs Seymour said The Bahamas had begun its energy transition later than some regional partners, but argued that this has allowed it to learn from their experiences and assess which technologies and approaches are most suitable. She said the country is pursuing an aggressive schedule ahead of 2030, including independent

power producers (IPPs) and power purchase agreements (PPAs), while pointing to progress that delegates will see during a tour of BPL's battery energy storage system. However, Mrs Seymour warned that the commercial terms of renewable energy projects will be critical to whether customers ultimately benefit from the transition. While the IPP model can reduce the upfront capital that utilities themselves must provide, Mrs Seymour said some costs will still be passed on to consumers. Projects must therefore be priced correctly to ensure that savings on fuel translate into lower electricity costs. “You got to get the costing right because if it's not less than the cost of fuel the fuel savings - they don't see any benefit in their bottom lines,” she said. Mrs Seymour added that customers continue to expect reliable electricity while seeking relief from high bills, creating a difficult balance between affordability, reliability and the transition to cleaner energy. Mrs Mullings said that tension will remain a

reach international markets and generate greater commercial returns from The Bahamas’ cultural identity. Mr Davis said the three frontiers offered investors opportunities that could endure beyond changes in the country's political leadership, while creating jobs and expanding trade. Beyond the investment pitch, however, he warned that the international environment is becoming more difficult for small states, with supply chains being redrawn around security concerns, trade disputes multiplying and commitments on climate and development coming under strain. Mr Davis also highlighted the withdrawal of correspondent banks from the Caribbean, stressing that small states are bearing the effects of decisions over which they had little influence. He argued that small states needed a stronger voice in the international institutions and financial decision-making processes that affect their economic prospects, including the boardrooms that determine the price of capital. Mr Davis also called for international financing arrangements to account for climate vulnerability rather than relying primarily on national income when assessing a country's needs. He cited Hurricane Dorian, which struck Abaco and Grand Bahama in September 2019, causing damage and losses estimated at about

one-quarter of The Bahamas' national output or $3.4bn. “A country can look wealthy on paper and still lose a quarter of its economy to a single storm,” he said. “Finance on fair terms has to reflect vulnerability as well as income.” The argument is particularly relevant to small island states, which can face substantial reconstruction and resilience costs following natural disasters despite having income levels that may limit their access to concessional financing. Mr Davis said small states also want greater recognition of the historical circumstances that shaped the region and the climate

crisis they had done relatively little to cause. He presented the country's commitment to stable institutions and sound governance as part of its offer to international partners, pledging that The Bahamas will honour its treaties, meet its financial obligations, maintain independent courts and keep its public service clean. “The Bahamas will keep its word,” he said. “We will honour our treaties. We will pay our dues. We will keep our courts independent and our public service clean. We will meet the standards we ask of others.” Mr Davis also used his address to press for international support for The

challenge for utilities, as customers could be reluctant to pay the actual cost of renewable energy while continuing to demand reliable service. The executives also raised concerns about the implementation of energy policies and regulations. Mrs Mullings said discussions with regional regulators had highlighted instances where regulations were established but not implemented, while competing priorities could delay the execution of policies and strategies. Mrs Seymour said policymakers, regulators and utilities need to be aligned and moving in the same direction if the Caribbean is to accelerate the transition. Asked what should be done within the next six to 12 months to move from ambition to implementation, Mrs Seymour called for greater alignment among the institutions responsible for energy policy and delivery. Mrs Mullings said Caribbean countries first needed to define what success looks like before developing the strategies and resource plans required to achieve it. Bahamas' bid for a seat on the United Nations Security Council for 2032 and 2033, arguing that small states need to be represented in institutions responsible for decisions affecting their future. He framed the country's investment appeal within a broader argument for international co-operation, noting the rules-based international order that protects small states also benefits larger countries. “The frontiers are mapped. Orange, blue and green. The partners are here. What remains is the choice to act,” he said.

Golf Cart & Outdoor Power Equipment Dealer – Service Manager Wanted We seeking a highly organized and motivated Service Manager to lead the daily operations of our Golf Cart & Outdoor Power Equipment Service Department. The successful candidate will be responsible for supervising the service team, managing repair and maintenance workflows, and ensuring exceptional service quality and customer satisfaction. Golf Cart & Outdoor Power Equipment Mechanic Wanted We are seeking a skilled and reliable Golf Cart & Outdoor Power Equipment Mechanic to join our team. This position involves diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining a variety of golf carts, small engines, and outdoor power equipment. The ideal candidate will have strong mechanical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced service environment. If interested, email eastablished242@gmail.com for more information.

PAGE 4, Tuesday, October 20, 2026

THE TRIBUNE

Mall manager doesn’t plan to ‘leave matter and let it lie’ SEARCH - from page B1 shopping day of the week. It was right before lunch on the busiest shopping day. “The Mall, as a Bahamian-owned entity, is probably the largest taxpayer to the Government when you look at real property tax, the VAT paid on rentals and Business Licence, and then you throw in the VAT paid by tenants and Business Licences. Why come and disrupt that business flow on the busiest day? “Why are you doing this on a Saturday? Come back on a Monday or a Tuesday if you want to carry through this exercise. You cannot totally disrupt operations. Under what law can you do this? It’s ridiculous. What are you doing? Are we turning into a communist or authoritarian state now? That’s what it looks like.” Darron Pickstock, the Golden Gates MP and

minister of state for Immigration, did not respond to a Tribune Business message seeking comment before press time last night. Other efforts to obtain comment from the Immigration Department also proved fruitless. “Here’s my whole take on the ordeal,” Mr Johnson told Tribune Business. “The overall encounter was very aggressive in the sense there were so many officers - not the usual amount, where there may be three to four who come through. In reality, on Saturday, when the Mall was packed, there were eight or nine officers. “Their overall demeanour, pulling people off to the side, pulling people off the line, yes, you may look at someone and they may a foreigner, but how do you come to that conclusion” without more evidence. The general manager added that the way it was carried out was “not the best look”

for either the Mall or The Bahamas. Disclosing that he was alerted to Immigration’s presence and actions by Mall staff, and came back in in response, Mr Johnson said: “It had got pretty intense. When I came in I had patrons at the Mall, people working in the Mall, talking about the general role of the officers, their whole demeanour, and how they stopped people to check their permits.” “Based on what I was told, and some of what I have seen, there were some people who were kind of uneasy with the overall approach,” the general manager said. “It was just disruptive, and made some patrons at the Mall uneasy about the whole take down so to speak. It’s something that does not to be seen in the community spotlight. We cater to all walks of life.” Mall security then intervened to request that the

Sir Franklyn: Markets ‘not listening’ to Opposition over public finances FUNDING - from page B1 The Government’s goal is persuade as many investors as it can to accept the deal so that it can consolidate a significant portion of the five existing issues into just one bond. Similar to debt consolidation processes familiar to many Bahamians, where multiple debts are restructured into just one payment, the aim is to reduce interest (debt servicing) costs and extend out further the debt’s maturity. If successful, this could reduce debt servicing/interest costs for Bahamian taxpayers while lengthening the time before the new bond has to be repaid. The five existing bonds, which the Government hopes to replace, are due to mature between 2028 and 2038 meaning that the earliest date upon which investors must be repaid their principal is just two years away. The Bahamas’ last foreign currency bond issue involved the repurchase, and refinancing, of $767m in existing sovereign debt and the Government will likely be seeking a similar result here. One capital markets source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said of the latest offering: “It’s going to be interesting to see what interest rate

they are able to strike in the marketplace. “It’s not the perfect time to be going to the market now. It will be interesting to see what kind of rates they are able to lock in when they are wedded together given all the turmoil in the marketplace. I hope that, at the end of the day, they are able to term it out and end in a better position from an interest payables standpoint.” The “turmoil” relates to the recent increase in yields on 10-year US Treasuries, the global benchmark for setting most bond rates and prices, which have risen by 1.1 percentage points this year amid growing market concerns over America’s fiscal and debt sustainability. French government bonds also came under pressure yesterday due to recent rioting and social unrest. Rising yields, or interest rates, also push down bond prices. This has also affected The Bahamas’ bond valuations with one of the issues targeted for consolidation, paying a 6.95 percent coupon and due to mature in 2029, dropping below ‘par’ in around April 2026 and remaining there despite a recent mini-rally that may be linked to the refinancing. The new bond’s launch, and offer to repurchase debt from existing investors,

has occurred just days after Prime Minister Philip Davis KC unveiled the much-disputed $39.3m fiscal “surplus” for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. And he later confirmed the Government would soon be tapping the international bond markets in the debate on Grand Bahama Power Company’s refinancing. This signals that, besides attempting to refinance the existing $813m debt at lower costs and longer maturities, this new bond issue will likely also involve the combined $332m in existing GB Power debt to take it beyond the $1bn threshold. GB Power’s debts feature the $200m borrowed by the Government to finance its purchase, plus $131.82m in legacy debt left by the former owner. “As part of the Government’s broader debt financing exercise for this fiscal year, the Ministry of Finance is preparing to approach the external bond market for a facility sized to meet both the central Government’s refinancing needs and these Grand Bahama obligations,” Mr Davis told Parliament last week. “By consolidating them in that exercise, the Government expects to reduce annual debt service and to secure certainty about future interest payments…..

Immigration team “be mindful” of the impact their actions were having on Saturday trading. “The whole approach to how it played out could have been conducted a bit quieter,” Mr Johnson added, questioning why officers simply did not stand at the Mall’s entrances and check the legal status of shoppers there. “There was no method to the madness,” he said, adding that Immigration departed after the encounter with Mall security and the police. “I would say, again, the approach. We do not want to be prohibitive to them doing what they’re doing, but be mindful that the Mall is crowded and, at the very least, there will be some disruption.” Mr Johnson said management could have worked to “help minimise disruption” if they had known of Immigration’s plans in advance. “The main point is we’re not opposed to what

they are doing; we get it, but there has to be a better way to do it,” the Mall chief added. “Would they do this at Atlantis or Baha Mar? “We’re going to address it. During the whole ordeal I had an opportunity to chat with one of my directors. I said we need to have some conversations [with Immigration and the Government] . The approach is not to say we are stopping you, or have the right to stop you, but there has to be a better way to do so. “Now this has come up, we’re going to do our due diligence from a legal perspective to see what rights they have, what does the law truly allow just because you want to go into stores and look for anyone without a valid permit,” Mr Johnson added. “I don’t intend to leave it and let it lie. If it could happen once, it can happen again. Who’s to say, because of this approach, it doesn’t happen again in a worse

manner than before…. The views of the customers, patrons and tenants are.. was this even necessary?” Mr Johnson said Immigration’s enforcement powers, and whether it should notify Mall management of its plans, are “questions we are going to follow through to find answers on. We don’t intend to leave it quietly. We need the Government agencies to carry out their jobs effectively and efficiently. But it’s the manner in which it’s done, and how it affects the Mall as a community centre going forward”. The Mall chief said Immigration had informed him it plans to investigate Saturday’s events. He added that the Mall’s surveillance system captured footage of the incidents and it would be “more than happy” to share this with the authorities if required.

The benefits to the two companies are considerable. “Once these facilities are retired, the Grand Bahama Energy Company [acquisition vehicle] will be left with only its working capital facility to service, which substantially reduces its debt burden and improves its financial flexibility,” the Prime Minister added. “The Grand Bahama Power Company will shed significant debt service costs, and savings that would have otherwise gone to the banks can be directed instead to the maintenance, operational improvements and capital works on which the people of Freeport, Eight Mile Rock, West End and East Grand Bahama depend.” Sir Franklyn Wilson, the Arawak Homes and Sunshine Holdings chairman, yesterday argued it is especially noteworthy that, for the first time, Scotia Capital (USA) is acting as one of the dealer managers charged with placing The Bahamas’ latest bond and repurchase offer alongside the likes of BNP Paribas, J P Morgan Securities and Standard Chartered. This, he signalled, shows the confidence that the international capital markets have in The Bahamas and its fiscal position, and

which suggests they are “not listening” to the likes of the Opposition and concerns related to governance of the National Investment Fund, plus whether a $39.3m surplus has truly been achieved. “I can say to you that, the people I spoke to, they keep saying the country is in a good place in terms of the perception of the international capital markets,” Sir Franklyn said. “That’s [Scotia Capital’s involvement] that more and more institutions are wanting to get that role,. “You don’t have, on an $800m deal, four names of that calibre doing it. What I’m saying to you, the comment I am making, is it’s worthy of note the calibre and diversity of people who are taking the matter to market. That in itself is a statement. Otherwise how are you going to get that?” Sir Franklyn added: “When you look at the country going back to the bond market, and look at the people doing the leadership, it gives you reason to believe the international market sees things differently from what has been the local narrative around here with political operatives. “There are two different narratives, two

different strains. It’s obvious the international markets are not listening to these local operatives including the shadow minister of finance [Kwasi Thompson]…. The fact there’s an expanding range of credible financial institutions willing to be part of it, and lead the initiative to get the funding in and put their name to it, is a positive thing for the country.” Dr Duane Sands, the Opposition’s chairman, reiterated that the Government is now “onboarding external debt you didn’t have before” by refinancing GB Power’s legacy $131.82m commercial bank debt. This, he argued, is shifting the repayment liability from what was a private company to the Bahamian taxpayer. “I’m sure they are going to get it done and say we are refinancing our debt. It’s not our debt. It’s their debt,” Dr Sands added of GB Power. “The question is ultimately whether or not they are refinancing at better rates, which is prudent, or whether this is more debt exposure which is not so great. The devil is in the details.”

Rocket’s Bahamian water landing postponed to today FLY - from page B1 Mrs Komolafe questioned when CAAB became aware of the planned landing, whether the director of the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP) had been informed, and whether the two agencies had completed their due diligence. “Why are Bahamians just being informed on the eve of the scheduled landing?” she asked. Her questions follow confirmation reported last month that SpaceX had formally ended its Falcon 9

booster landing programme in The Bahamas. Dr Rhianna Neely-Murphy, the DEPP director, confirmed the company had formally said it would conduct no further landings in Bahamian waters. The programme was initially promoted as an opportunity to position The Bahamas for space tourism and technology, with up to 20 Falcon 9 booster landings planned in Bahamian waters. The first landing took place in Exuma Sound in February 2025, followed by a second in February 2026. Environmental advocates subsequently welcomed

the reported end of the programme, raising concerns about potential environmental risks and the transparency of the approval process. Mrs Komolafe said Bahamians had previously been advised that DEPP required SpaceX to formally request each landing and conduct environmental studies before and after each operation. “Has this been done?” she asked. Mrs Komolafe also questioned the current status of the partnership, given the earlier confirmation that SpaceX would no longer conduct booster landings in The Bahamas. “What is the real status of the SpaceX partnership?” she asked.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, October 20, 2026, PAGE 5

Fox Group planning project with 64 units BUILD - from page B1 of a prelimimnary site plan approval application, would include 85 parking spaces, three retail units, a restaurant, gym and spa. The application covers portions of Lots 31 and 32, and Lot 33, in the Cable Beach subdivision, which appears to be the site of the former Cable Beach Manor. The property features about 147,320 square feet of beachfront land. The proposed building would have a gross floor area of approximately 229,200 square feet and reach 165

feet and six inches at the top of the roof slab, rising to 177 feet and six inches at the top of the mechanical screen. The residential component will comprise 40 units measuring 1,600 square feet each, 20 units measuring 2,900 square feet and four larger units measuring 4,200 square feet. The plans also provide for a 1,300 square foot lobby and common area, 1,500 square feet of retail space across three units, a 4,500-square-foot gym and spa, and a 5,300-square-foot restaurant, alongside swimming pool and gazebo areas.

In its application, the Fox Group said the amenities are designed to “enhance the quality of life for residents”. The developer is proposing 85 parking spaces, equivalent to approximately 1.33 spaces per residential unit, and argued that the provision will be sufficient for the anticipated profile of condominium owners. “Given the anticipated resident profile, we believe that the majority of unit owners will require only one parking stall,” the application said.

IMF: Bahamas at Caribbean’s second highest inflation rate EXPAND - from page B1 transportation of goods and services, and we are a very tourism-dependent economy,” Mr Pinder explained. “Fuel prices affect transportation costs including the movement of people. It has an effect on everything. “This trimming of the growth rate has a lot to do with the dampening of consumer demand because of inflation pressures. That

affects aggregate demand, and we see a slowing down in the overall growth rate. I’m not surprised in the revision to the overall outlook and the inflation outlook.” Mr Pinder added that Bahamian tourism, in common with the same sector in many other Caribbean nations, is “import dependent, and to the extent it’s import dependent, we have a lot by way of imported inflation. With what’s going on in the global

economy it’s not surprising to see these things playing out in terms of inflation’s impact”. However, he quickly added: “While these revisions for growth rates and inflation rate a watching brief, what’s more important for me is the longer-term growth prospects are at 1.9 percent and trending towards 1.8 percent. The IMF’s long-term growth rate is not materially different

It added that the proposed parking arrangement will allow for “increased landscaped open space, thereby enhancing the overall aesthetics and environmental quality of the site”. Fox Group’s website says it has four real estate projects, worth a combined $350m, in the development pipeline. These are the Cable Beach Hotels and Residences, Discovery Island, Vistonian and Foxview, the latter of which is said to have been completed. The first two, Cable Beach Hotels and Residences and Discovery Island, appear to

form the project that Mr Fox and the Fox Group signed a Heads of Agreement with the Government for in February 2025. This was for a $300m project billed as creating up to 1,000 permanent jobs. They at the time confirmed plans to develop the former Cable Beach Manor apartments immediately to the west of Sandals Royal Bahamian into a mixeduse resort complex plus transform part of nearby Balmoral Island into “a recreational paradise” featuring a 100-slip marina, 23 land and over-water cottages,

helipad and seaplane docking facilities. Mr Fox had also revealed to Tribune Business in October 2021 his desire to transform the former Cable Beach Manor site into a $100m European-style boutique resort that would create 300 full-time jobs. But, given that the condo project before the Departmnent of Physical Planning appears to be targeted at the same location, it appears the plans may have changed again. The Department of Physical Planning’s public hearing will allow interested parties to discuss and raise planning issues relating to the proposed development.

from what they’ve found before. “But, from the policy standpoint, that’s the number we have to watch and really pay more attention to. It’s not the one-off growth rates; having strong growth at 2.5 percent and above. The growth is with respect to long-term growth, which speaks to systemic sorts of issues. “That is the one that requires a lot of attention; it’s not the strong growth rates in one year versus another but how we are trending in our long-term prospects.” Asked what The Bahamas should be targeting as a sustained annual gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate, Mr Pinder replied: “In my view I think a healthy growth rate, particularly on a sustainable

basis, we should be aiming for at least 3 percent; in that territory. I’ve always said that 3 percent is at the lower end.” To achieve this, Mr Pinder said The Bahamas needs to concentrate on unlocking Family Island development potential and creating an “integrated” tourism models that better links other local sectors with the country’s largest industry. “When we consider there is still a lot of development potential in the country, we still have the capacity for strong growth,” he told Tribune Business. “The tourism sector is still very much under-exploited when it comes to development in the Family Islands and there being linkages; the inter-industry linkages that are going to create a more value-added proposition.

“For example, let’s say smaller resorts build ownership and an integrated form of development. When it comes to tourism development, we have the enclaves of large destination resorts, but integrated resorts are found to be more efficient earners of foreign exchange with local ownership, local participation and local sources of material. “It deepens inter-industry linkages and, at the same time, reduces foreign exchange leakages on imports. We have a lot of pent-up opportunities in that area with respect to the Family Islands. That’s the premise which I stand on when I say we can experience strong longer-term growth rates rather than an anemic 1.8 percent to 1.9 percent.”

PAGE 6, Tuesday, October 20, 2026

THE TRIBUNE

Analysis: For Trump, results have often revealed the art of no deal THEN-REPUBLICAN presidential candidate Donald Trump holds up his book “The Art of the Deal,” given to him by a fan as he speaks during a campaign stop, Nov. 21, 2015, in Birmingham, Ala. Photo:Eric Schultz/AP

By WILL WEISSERT Associated Press TRUMP Tower had just opened and “The Art of the Deal” was three years from publication when 38-year-old Donald Trump suggested he could negotiate Russian arms control better than Ronald Reagan. “It would take an hour-and-a-half to learn everything there is to learn about missiles,” Trump told The Washington Post in 1984. It was all about dealmaking prowess. “You either have it, or you don’t,” he said. Before there was much talk of being a personal brand, Trump had landed on his: the consummate, swashbuckling, never-lose negotiator. It was an image he cultivated in the New York tabloids and later on reality TV, repeating it so often that, to his supporters, perception became reality. Now, as he zigzags the country for Republican candidates, from Florida to Alaska, Trump is exhorting voters to again embrace him as an unqualified success in a midterm election that has become a referendum on his presidency and his record as a dealmaker. An examination of Trump’s dealmaking, both in his time in the White House and in the private sector, shows decidedly mixed results. “He’s not as good at this as he thinks he is,” said Christopher Preble, senior fellow and director of the Reimagining U.S. Grand Strategy program at the Stimson Center, an international security think tank. As president, Trump’s boasts of deals have not materialized

Tim O’Brien, author of “TrumpNation: The Art of Being The Donald,” said Trump may finally find out after Election Day on Nov. 3 “how much voters believe that he’s a competent manager and a great dealmaker.” Many of Trump’s business and presidential deals collapsed

He insisted that Iran would be defeated in mere weeks. He later brokered what he called a “great” ceasefire, though it quickly fizzled. Trump repeatedly has said Tehran is desperate to make a deal to end fighting. That also proved untrue. He promised to negotiate an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine in a day. He announced an agreement that he said meant Moscow and Kyiv would not attack each other’s energy infrastructure. That pause never happened, even as the president insisted it would hold. “I said, ‘You agreed,’” Trump said in defending his assertions. “That’s why.” Trump promised he would use the threat of tariffs to negotiate the best trade deals ever, only to offer unilateral duties nearly the whole world over. Those import taxes have raised domestic prices and sparked trade wars with America’s close friends, including Canada. The levies brought in more than

$83 billion this year through September, much of it paid for by American consumers and still far less federal revenue than Trump suggested. Even on less consequential matters, Trump’s deals have foundered. He said he had a “guy who’s unbelievable at doing swimming pools” who could fix the Lincoln Memorial’s Reflecting Pool for a little more than $1 million. The cost has been closer to $20 million so far. Trump’s presidential efforts follow his business patterns The president’s public acts typically mirror a well-traveled private sector pattern. He frequently boasted about doing better in negotiations than he really had, then sought to cover expensive missteps by refusing to pay people working for him, often suing them. His biggest successes came when he had maximum leverage. “You can spin a real estate deal, as, ‘Oh, you

know, I got the better part of the deal because I bought it for this much and I sold it for this much,’” Preble said. “There’s a certain bit of tap dancing around those details that he just can’t do given what’s happening in the world today.” Trump’s core narrative as master dealmaker had begun to fade until “The Apprentice” debuted in 2004. Allowed to play a rich and powerful tycoon on television, Trump rebooted his dealmaker persona. That image of wealth and success helped launch his first presidential run “because people feel like, ‘Well, if he’s the president some of that success and wealth is gonna rub off on me,’” said Joel Penney, a professor at Montclair State University who studies the intersection of pop culture and politics. But even now, as his approval ratings have sunk to near-historic lows, Trump still insists he is among the best dealmakers the world has known.

Marty Latz, a negotiation expert and author of “The Real Trump Deal: An Eye-opening Look At How He Really Negotiates,” said Trump the businessman saw every negotiation as a zerosum game. “The reality is, he did negotiate some excellent deals, but also that he did fail spectacularly in a number of deals, and that he has never really successfully negotiated as president in a significant number of contexts,” Latz said. Trump has long been guided by the notion that he can only win. “He could be a better negotiator if his ego didn’t get in the way,” said Barbara Res, a former executive vice president in charge of construction at the Trump Organization, who wrote “Tower of Lies: What My Eighteen Years of Working with Donald Trump Reveals about Him.” “Any concession that should be made, he can’t make. Then, with the other parts of it, nothing can continue. He just has to win everything.” Some Trump deals have succeeded or still might Top officials in the Trump administration go to great lengths to amplify the

idea that he is a master negotiator. “I make one of those deals every day that no normal person would make,” the president said in May, defending having the U.S. take a stake in the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern rail merger. A parade of advisers, including former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, have all labeled Trump “the dealmaker in chief.” Republican South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott posted on X that the ceasefire with Iran “once again” proved that Trump “is the Dealmaker in Chief” — before it fell apart. Trump has credited his own negotiating chops with helping to lower prescription drug prices and stimulate domestic manufacturing. The White House also pointed to a long list of trade agreements that Trump announced since last year with China, Japan and countries across Europe, Southeast Asia and elsewhere. White House spokesman Matthew Middleton said “this administration will continue advancing an America First economic agenda.” “Downplaying President Trump’s record as a dealmaker-in-chief would require overlooking the nearly 20 trade agreements he successfully negotiated and the trillions of dollars in announced manufacturing investments secured during his presidency,” Middleton said in a statement.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, October 20, 2026, PAGE 7

AI stocks lead a rebound on Wall Street as European markets drop following protests By STAN CHOE AP Business Writer

A GENERAL view of the New York Stock Exchange is seen, Aug. 7, 2026, in New York. Photo:Yuki Iwamura/AP

STOCKS in the artificial-intelligence industry bounced back on Wall Street Monday and recovered some of their steep losses from last week, but the rest of the market and stocks worldwide were shaky. The S&P 500 rose 0.4%, coming off its worst week since June, and the Nasdaq composite rallied 1.1% because it’s full of technology stocks. The majority of U.S. stocks outside of AI and tech fell, though, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average swung between losses and gains before finishing with a drop of 36 points, or 0.1%. In Europe, the losses were sharper, and indexes slid more than 1% following violent protests that could ultimately force the French government to increase its spending to ease voters’ anger. That in turn could put even more pressure on bond markets, and yields cranked higher worldwide. Even with all the cross currents flowing through financial markets, AI stocks stood out, as they have for most of the past few years. A frenzy in spending for AI technology has forced them to the forefront of the market, sending them to record prices and driving indexes higher. Last week, AI stocks grabbed the spotlight after tumbling on worries about how expensive it has become to borrow money, which could threaten the boom. Much of the spending on AI chips and data centers has come from borrowed

of 29% for companies in the S&P 500 from the prior summer, according to FactSet. Those high expectations are what has allowed the U.S. stock market to run to records despite worries about war, high inflation and pressure from the bond market. Cleveland-Cliffs rallied 16.3% after reporting a bigger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. CEO Lourenco Goncalves said it was the strongest quarter for the company in three years and that the outlook for profit in 2027 “has improved materially” from three months ago. All told, the S&P 500 rose 31.29 points to 7,690.73. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 36.38 to 51,966.03, and the Nasdaq composite rallied 290.85 to 26,430.89. In stock markets abroad, rebounds for AI stocks helped South Korea’s Kospi jump 1.8% to recover some of its 14.5% drop from last

money, and Treasury yields in the bond market have recently hit their highest levels in years or even decades. That has raised the cost of borrowing money for everyone. Nvidia added 1.4% Monday and was one of the strongest forces lifting the S&P 500. Because it’s the largest stock on Wall Street by total market value, a 1% move for its stock has more effect on the index than any other’s. SpaceX, which controls the xAI business, rose 1.3% to $147.96. Its founder, Elon Musk, pledged on Monday to give one share of SpaceX to “every kid in America” next year. The offer came after Anthropic said over the weekend that it will commit 5% of the shares in its highly anticipated initial public offering of stock to a new “public benefit” fund. The moves for AI stocks were still choppy, though.

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL The Public is hereby advised that I, JUNISHA JEAN PIERRE (mother) of Campbell Avenue,New Providence, The Bahamas, parent of JANAE DELSHANAE JEANPIERRE intend to change my child’s name to JANAE DELSHANAE ROLLE of Deep Creek Eleuthera, #9130 If there are any objections to this change of name by deed poll, you may write such objection to the Chief Passport Officer, P. O. Box N-3746, Nassau, The Bahamas or at deedpoll@bahamas.gov.bs no later than thirty (30) days after the date of the publication of this notice.

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL The Public is hereby advised that we, MICHAELA MACKEY (mother) and JIMMY (father) of Saffron Road,New Providence, The Bahamas, parents of CHASE MAX MACKEY intend to change our child’s name to MAX CHASE MACKEY of Deep Creek Eleuthera, #9130 If there are any objections to this change of name by deed poll, you may write such objection to the Chief Passport Officer, P. O. Box N-3746, Nassau, The Bahamas or at deedpoll@bahamas.gov.bs no later than thirty (30) da s after the date of the publication of this notice.

PUBLIC NOTICE

NT NT TO

The public is hereby advised that I, PETERSEN JEAN CHARLES JOE of Freeport Grand Bahama, intend to change my name to PETERSEN JEANCHARLES. If there are any objections to challenge the name by deed poll, you may write such objections to the hief Passport Officer, P.O. Box N-74 , Nassau, The Bahamas no later than thirt 3 da s after the date of the publication of this notice.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that I JOEL ELIENIST of Hanna Hill, Eight Mile Rock Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas, applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 20th day of October, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

Consider CoreWeave, a company that’s borrowed to buy AI chips that it rents out to customers over the cloud and has been at the center of the market’s swings. After initially jumping more than 7% in the morning, it flipped to a loss of 3.5% before finishing with a dip of 0.4%. That followed its loss last week of 25.2%. The swings came ahead of profit reports coming later in the week that could offer more details about

the strength of AI-related spending. Meta Platforms, which is pushing its Muse AI agent, will report its latest quarterly results on Wednesday. Lam Research, which supplies equipment and services for the making of semiconductors, will also talk about how its business is doing on Wednesday. Expectations are high across the board for U.S. companies’ profits from the summer. Analysts are forecasting overall growth

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL The Public is hereby advised that I, JUNISHA JEAN PIERRE (mother) of Campbell Avenue, New Providence, The Bahamas, parent of DELSHANIQUE CHLOE JEANPIERRE intend to change my child name to DELSHANIQUE CHLOE ROLLE of Deep Creek Eleuthera, #9130 If there are any objections to this change of name by deed poll, you may write such objection to the Chief Passport Officer, P. O. Box N-3746, Nassau, The Bahamas or at deedpoll@bahamas.gov.bs no later than thirty (30) days after the date of the publication of this notice.

week. It is dominated by two huge players in the AI industry, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, which has made it much jumpier than other markets. In Europe, bond yields climbed following the French protests against the rising cost of living and poor school conditions. The protests could put pressure on governments to boost their spending to offer help, but that would likely only add to their already big piles of debt. Yields rose for French bonds on worries about the government’s already strained budget and climbed much more than yields for German government bonds, which investors have historically seen as a safer bet. In the U.S. bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury climbed to 5.14% from 5.09% late Friday. It topped 5.30% earlier this month and touched its highest level since 2002.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that ERICA ENGEL ARISMA of 3900 NW, 33rd Avenue, Lauderdale Lakes, 33309, United States of America 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 20th day of October, 2026 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

PAGE 8, Tuesday, October 20, 2026

THE TRIBUNE

Arrow-words are like crosswor inside squares on the gr blank squares in the direc

JUDGE PARKER

CARPE DIEM

WORDSEARC

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

MARVIN BLONDIE

Find all the terms list Solution t B.B. KING ● BLACK BO DIDDLEY ● DOCTOR ROSS ● HOWLIN’ WOLF ● IDA JACK OWENS ● JESSE MA RAINEY ● MUDDY W SON HOUSE ●

HAGAR THE HORRIBLE

TIGER

QUICK CROSSWORD Across: 1 Dire, 3 Manually, 9 Several, 10 Regal, 11 Extravagance, 13 Spirit, 15 Collie, 17 Unhesitating, 20 Amble, 21 Bolster, 22 Pressing, 23 Tray. Down: 1 Dispense, 2 Rivet, 4 Afloat, 5 Unreasonable, 6 Logical, 7 Yell, 8 Creativeness, 12 Beggarly, 14 Ignoble, 16 Ribbon, 18 Inter, 19 Damp.

CALVIN & HOBBES

DENNIS THE MENACE

CRYPTOQUOTE

WORDSE

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

TARGET

AVOIDABLE abed abide able abode above adobe AVOIDABLE baaed bade bail bailed bald bale baled bead bide bile blade bled bode boil boiled bold bole doable lobe lobed viable vibe voidable

Acro Wilt, Sniff Army Statu Dow Pithy Enjo Asse

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

Yesterday’s Sudoku Answer

MICRO CROSSWORD

CHALLENGER

Yesterday’s Answers