11282025 BUSINESS

Bahamian legal ‘gaps’ over unfair dismissal protection

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIAN law has “gaps” in the protection it gives workers against unfair dismissal, a Supreme Court judge is warning, with employers able to dismiss staff “at any time” without having to provide reasons for their actions.

Justice Loren Klein described the Employment Act’s safeguards on this issue as “minimalistic” in a November 7, 2025, verdict where he awarded Shernal Bethell, a once “rising star” at Family Guardian as its Chippingham district manager, a further $166,230 after finding she was both wrongfully and unfairly dismissed by the BISX-listed life and health insurer.

Comparing Bahamian legal safeguards on unfair dismissal with those in the UK, he added that employers in this nation - unlike their

• Judge warns on ‘omission’ of many provisions

• Employment Act ‘minimalistic’ to UK counterpart

• Ex-Family Guardian ‘rising star’ gains $166,230

British counterparts - have no legal duty or responsibility to explain why they are terminating an employee. And Bahamian companies can take such decisions/action in an instant once the appropriate notice, severance pay and benefits are provided.

Justice Klein, contrasting the Employment Act with similar UK statute law, said that while the Bahamian legislation “is obviously” modelled on the British statute it “omits many provisions that

are fundamental” to unfair dismissal protections in that country. Unlike in The Bahamas, UK companies have the burden of demonstrating why they fired a worker and if this falls within various categories of “potentially fair reasons”. It is only after this is determined that a UK court or employment tribunal moves on to consider whether a dismissal is “fair or unfair”, whereas Bahamian firms do not have to pass the “potential

fairness” test as a first step in the process. Referring to Ms Bethell’s case, Justice Klein wrote: “The plaintiff’s claim, and the arguments of counsel for the plaintiff on the failure to provide the reason or reasons for the dismissal in the termination letter, bring into sharp relief a lacunae [gap] in the statutory position

Bahamas ‘selling ourselves short’ on investor donations

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

A PROMINENT realtor yesterday argued that The Bahamas should raise the $1m economic permanent residency threshold by a further $250,000 to help fund this nation’s public services and social needs, as he argued: “We’re selling ourselves short.” Mario Carey, the Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate MCR Group founder, told Tribune Business that The Bahamas must understand the value it offers to foreign developers and

investors and adopt a new approach that shrugs off the traditional position of “always negotiating from a position of weakness”.

Ex-Chamber chief brands looting excuses ‘malarky’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

AN ex-Abaco Chamber of Commerce president yesterday dismissed excuses given for the looting of a recently-stranded barge as “malarky” as she urged The Bahamas to take “serious action” in both prosecuting the offenders and mitigating environmental damage.

Daphne DeGregory-Miaoulis told Tribune Business that further prosecutions of persons responsible for looting the Brooklyn Bridge “absolutely” need to occur as wrong-doing occurred regardless of how some persons “try and spin it”. Trailer Bridge, the Jacksonville-based operator of

Aviation chair ‘premature’ on no fee hikes assertion

EXECUTIVES with Bahamas Aviation, Climate and Severe Weather Network (BACSWN) yesterday asserted it is “premature” for the Civil Aviation Authority’s chairman to state he does not “foresee any increases in fees” for the industry in the near future.

Michael Strachan, chief operating officer at the company which had earlier this year signed a Heads of Agreement with the Government for a $427m project to overhaul aviation safety and weather

monitoring, said the deal gives it the right to implement fees and charges for the products it will provide. He added, in a statement responding to comments by Devard Francis, the Civil Aviation Authority of The Bahamas (CAA-B), that BACSWN is hoping to implement the charged to be paid by all aircraft transiting Bahamian air space in 2026 once approval is obtained from the industry’s world governing body. And Mr Strachan also

Asserting that the fear off scaring developers away is a “conversation that is so far gone”, he argued that The Bahamas should seek an even greater contribution from its economic permanent resident community while also holding resort, real estate and other developers accountable for the commitments made in their investment deals.

Mr Carey told this newspaper that the Government must also “disclose every Heads of Agreement” that it has entered into with foreign investors so that Bahamians can understand what it is “giving away” in terms of

Crown Land, tax breaks and other incentives so both sides can be held responsible for fulfilling their obligations.

Noting that Bahamian real estate is “still a strong market”, he said: “I think the permanent residency market continues to prosper. I still feel there should be a caveat to that where there should be a ‘give back’ to a fund that is directed to social issues.”

The Government, in the 2024-2025 Budget, raised the minimum investment required for economic permanent residency by one-third or $250,000, from $750,000

• Brent queries if ‘guise’ to support developer’s other projects

• PI, Rose Island developer in PPP with BFA and Government

• Eyeing marina, five-storey parking garage with retail aspect

By ANNELIA NIXON Tribune Business Reporter anixon@tribunemedia.net

AN ex-deputy prime minister has challenged whether an $8m-$10m marina and multi-level parking garage project next to East Bay Street’s beach soccer stadium is merely a “guise” to support the developer’s other interests on Paradise Island and Rose Island. Brent Symonette, speaking at a Town Hall meeting on Wednesday night, expressed concerns over the five-storey car park, which would include a welcome centre, retail shopping and ferry boat access, plus marina that is being proposed through a private-public partnership (PPP) between HotelConsult Bahamas (HCB), the Bahamas Football Association (BFA) and the Government.

Michael Paddon, HotelConsult’s representative, said that while the group is in advanced talks with the Government it does not have any financial details to provide. He did later on state that the PPP is estimating that a $8m to $10m investment id required, but clarified that nothing has been signed yet. While ready to proceed with their plans, they are waiting on the Government to give the go-ahead.

“We are working in partnership with them right now, and so we're at advanced meetings and, at this moment in time, there is nothing signed,” Mr Paddon said. “But this Town Hall meeting has been put together so that we can listen to the public, hear what the public has to say, and also adhere to that when we are in the negotiations with the Government. The BFA, for example, we're working in combination with them, to really enhance this area.”

HotelConsult Bahamas representatives spoke to the lack of dock access, which

BRENT SYMONETTE LINCOLN DEAL

DAPHNE DEGREGORYMIAOULIS

MARIO CAREY

JUSTICE LOREN KLEIN

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC AUTHORIZES MORE FLIGHTS FOR TOURISTS REROUTED BY HURRICANE MELISSA

By MARTÍN ADAMES and DÁNICA COTO Associated Press

THE Dominican Republic has authorized the arrival of 800 new flights to accommodate a surge in tourists who were originally planning to vacation in Jamaica and other nearby islands but were rerouted following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa.

The flights, a combination of regular and charter ones, were approved as the Caribbean country prepares for peak tourism season, industry officials said Wednesday.

“This will have a positive impact on hotel occupancy in the Dominican Republic, and Dominican hotels have the capacity to receive that influx,” said Nairobi Santos, spokesperson for the country’s Association of Hotels and Tourism.

She said the additional flights will occur over eight months, noting that an average occupancy rate of more than 95% is projected for the holiday season.

“We authorized 800 flights in one fell swoop because all that tourism that was going to Jamaica, the Dominican Republic will benefit,” Héctor Porcella, president of the country’s Civil Aviation Board, told reporters this week.

He lamented the disaster that the Category 5 storm unleashed in the northern Caribbean last month, noting that the impact was especially hard in Jamaica, the Bahamas, Cuba and Haiti.

The number of tourists who arrived in the Dominican Republic last month rose to more than 672,000, compared with more than

575,600 in September. Officials say they expect that number to surge this month, although data was not yet available. The Dominican Republic has so far welcomed more than 8 million visitors from January to October.

Hotel occupancy rates rose to 63% last month from 58% in September, according to statistics from the Dominican Central Bank. Tourism is a cornerstone for the Dominican Republic’s economy, generating nearly $11 million last year. As the Dominican Republic prepares for a higher-than-normal influx of visitors, Jamaica is struggling to recover from Hurricane Melissa after it made landfall in the western part of the island on Oct. 28.

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett said there have been several flight cancellations, and some major hotels have said they

don’t anticipate reopening until mid- or late 2026.

But Bartlett said earlier this week that he expects about 60% of hotel rooms to be available starting in mid-December.

He also noted that cruise ships have visited Jamaica since the storm, bringing some 32,000 passengers so far, with that number expected to double next week. Melissa ravaged Jamaica’s western region, with 76% of the power grid operational as of Wednesday, nearly a month after the storm hit, said Alvin Gayle, director of the island’s emergency management office. Meanwhile 82% of customers had water, he added. The storm killed 45 people, with 16 others still missing, Gayle said. Eleven other people in Jamaica have died of suspected or confirmed leptospirosis, with 91 overall suspected cases reported, said Health Minister Christopher Tufton.

RESIDENTS walk through Lacovia Tombstone, Jamaica, in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025.

Photo:Matias Delacroix/AP

SOCCER-RELATED PROJECT MUST BENEFIT BAHAMIANS

By ANNELIA NIXON Tribune Business Reporter anixon@tribunemedia.net

A BAHAMAS-based developer with interests on Rose Island and Paradise Island says it is seeking to create a sports and leisure destination in partnership with the Bahamas Football Assocation and the Government.

HOTELConsult Bahamas (HCB), at a Town Hall meeting on Wednesday night, said its project adjacent to the beach soccer stadium at the foot of Paradise Island bridge will inclue a five-storey car park, welcome centre, retail shopping and ferry boat access along with a marina that will allow for more slips.

Its officials said the venue would feature three padel and six pickle ball courts, direct dock access and a marina to act as an inter-island Bahamian transport hub between Nassau, Paradise Island and Rose Island. Also included is a 100-seat day-to-night coffee or bar concept and 355 car parking spaces.

“Okay, so we wish to work with The Bahamas and the Bahamas Government in enhancing the overall space here in the beach soccer stadium,” HotelConsult Bahamas’ representative,

Michael Paddon, said. “And as you may already know, this is not just beach. It can be turned into multi-faceted assets.

“But what is something that's very interesting is that in order to generate big events, you need somewhere for people to park. And at the moment we don't have rail or underground or anything like that. We only have cars. So in order for us to really develop this further, it's going to need some form of enhancements.

“So for us to build a five-storey car park here, which will have some form of design like we showed you on the presentation, we then have decided to incorporate within the whole area, sports. So right now, what's important to a lot of people and a lot of youth, is pickle, paddle. And depending on really which area we go down, we could enhance the site by utilising more of the land over this way. And if we were to do that, then we could encompass a lot more sports.”

HotelConsult Bahamas said it is open to expanding the development to accommodate the neighbouring Royal Bahamas Defence Force and Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association (BASRA) facilities with new offices located on

the ground level. It added that the car park will help reduce traffic congestion although persons will be charged a fee, but reassured that the benefits would go back into the Bahamian economy through VAT.

In terms of employment, HotelConsult Bahamas said the development will encourage short and longterm jobs for Bahamians, adding that construction contracts will be awarded to local contractors. It added that the project may not be developed 100 percent by a Bahamian company because their management team does include a few expatriate workers.

“And so what does that do? That will generate jobs for people to build it, so we will have to go out to tender to local contractors, so we'll be able to give back to the community that way,” Mr Paddon said.

Frederick Lunn, the BFA’s general secretary, added: “A lot of things are in early stages of discussions in terms of what will take place here. We started back in May, and it's been talking about what the benefits will be to the BFA. Those things we have to go in writing, we have to involve our lawyers and documents to do. But the partnership would be beneficial to us in terms of our

development for football in the country, whether kids are playing pickle ball, tennis, futsal, soccer, running, they're involved with sports, and that's important.

“We've had many kids who've come through soccer who become great track stars here. So we're not selfish in that arena, in terms of what the group is bringing here that can attract the Pickleball Association, who contacted us, who wanted to put courts here, but that was way before any discussions took place. So the opportunities to bring other sports to this, which could become a sporting complex, which could become shops, restaurants, bars, things that we can drive people, maybe a little further east from downtown, and have activities here. We think it's a great opportunity for us to do and be involved with a project like this.”

Lincoln Deal, FNM candidate for Freetown, where the development is proposed to be located, recommended that the developers ensure “tangible benefits” be made available through the project for children in the constituency.

“This project is happening in the Freetown constituency,” Mr Deal said. “We strongly suggest that the developers ensure that

there are tangible benefits to the young kids in this constituency that want to grow up and play football, to play other recreational sports that are happening here, and these projects need to be more beneficial for Bahamians.

“It looks good, it sounds good, but we just want to ensure that our young people, the young kids in the Freetown constituency that play basketball under the bridge, the young kid that wants to play soccer when he grows up, that these facilities are able to be accessed by those individuals and they're not prevented from developing their natural skills.”

Noting that the proposed location for the project is Crown Land, Chris Gomez, an area stakeholder, said the Government needs to ensure there are benefits for the soccer community.

Airport upgrade outlay rises further to $750m

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas is embarking on an “unprecedented” investment in aviation infrastructure with more than $750m committed to modernising airports nationwide, the Government’s aviation chief said yesterday.

Dr Kenneth Romer, director of aviation and deputy director-general of tourism, said this outlay will transform The Bahamas’ stopover tourism gateways, boost airlift and support the continued growth of commerce.

Speaking at the Office of the Prime Minister’s weekly media briefing, Dr Romer said the Airport Renaissance Project, focused on Family Island airports, exceeds $500m in combining private sector

contributions with government funding. He added that Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) is also slated for $200m in investment on the terminal side, which includes a request for proposals (RFP) for a new airport hotel.

“The airport renaissance project, for the Government's initiative, is about $300m. When we look at our private partners, the price tag again for the entire renaissance, including the PPPs, is going to be over a half a billion dollars. And I want to quantify that, because when we speak about renaissance, that half a billion really is Family Island renaissance through PPP arrangements and also the Government's input of cash,” said Dr Romer.

“We know there's a $10m investment on the air side at LPIA, and through the

president, chief executive, has announced plans to invest some $200m on the terminal side, inclusive of plans in the RFP for a new airport hotel. So overall, the investments for infrastructure in aviation really is north of three-quarters of a billion dollars in terms of overall investments, unprecedented again in our country's history.”

Dr Romer said the first phase of airside improvements at LPIA has been completed and Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD) will soon release a comprehensive plan for public viewing that outlines what full development at LPIA will look like.

“The LPIA phase one has been completed - the $10m on the airside - and I do know that they have gone to RFP, inviting persons to express an interest in the hotel airport,” he added.

“NAD will be announcing plans soon about a comprehensive plan for public consumption on what full development looks like for LPIA, but I’m very very pleased with the leadership there and the direction that they’re going in, in terms of addressing our country’s premier gateway that is experiencing unprecedented numbers.”

Dr Romer added that passenger traffic and hotel demand was “record breaking” over the Thanksgiving holiday and, with capacity exceeded, plans are now underway to expand the airport.

Dr Romer said Prime Minister Philip Davis KC and Chester Cooper, deputy prime minister, have been actively leading negotiations on Grand Bahama International Airport and will make the official announcements.

ENTREPRENEUR BEATS CANCER TO SEAL KELLY’S PARTNERSHIP

By ANNELIA NIXON Tribune Business Reporter

anixon@tribunemedia.net

PERSEVERING through her battle with breast cancer, a Bahamian entrepreneur has secured a partnership with Kelly’s House and Home who will launch her Junkanoo dinnerware line as part of their bridal selection in December. Gina Luree, a Bahamian and owner of Cultureware by Gina Luree, has seen a “miracle” unfold as she refused to let breast cancer discourage her from designing and putting into production a dinnerware line that will be featured as part of Kelly’s House and Home’s bridal selection. She said she designed during her time in hospital last year, and is now seeing her dream of having her products featured in a store that is part of Bahamian culture come to life.

“I designed it [the dinnerware line] last year in 2024, and I did that during the time I was in the hospital fighting breast cancer,” Ms Luree said. “I had breast cancer last year. So while I was on my back, I was designing this dinnerware. And I believe that it was for ‘Him’ to say to me, 'Hey, I'm not done with you yet. There's more.' I don't hide it, because what God did is a miracle.”

Ms Luree said she is investing about $30,000 into the line, which includes the production and the container costs. “You have to pay for all the costs associated with it and the production of it,” she said. “I designed my own box.

So the company, not only did they do the dinnerware, they also provided the packaging for it.

“And then also, because we are trying to meet December deadlines for me to bring in Kellys’ order, the first initial order, that cost me $10,000. And then for me to bring in the 20-foot container, that's another, close to $20,000, so this whole exercise is costing me about $30,000.”

As a home-based operation, Ms Luree said once the designs for the 20-piece porcelain Junkanoo dinnerware set were complete, she needed a partner to house them. She reached out to Kelly’s, who expressed excitement during their initial October meeting. She added that it will be carried year-round, beginning in December, and Kelly’s will have a launch where customers can meet the artist.

“I met with them [Kelly’s]. At that meeting, the decision was made,” Ms Luree said. “They didn't have to have no deliberations. When I walked in and they saw the product, they decided that this is something that they are interested in.

“We're still waiting on the dinnerware to arrive, because I had them made in porcelain so they could be more durable. So we're just waiting on them to get here. They should be here next week. Once they hit the ground, then Kelly's will decide which day they're going to do the promotion. So what Kelly's wants to do is they want to do a big launch, and they want to also have a time for the

public to come and meet the artist.”

Looking for a “pillar” in the Bahamian community, Ms Luree said Kelly’s was

chosen as her ideal partner due to its years-long presence in The Bahamas and her familiarity with the department store.

He said Grand Bahama remains “high on the infrastructural development priority list” as the destination has seen the highest year-over-year increase in airlift since 2019.

“Our deputy prime minister and our Prime Minister have been leading the discussions, negotiating to ensure that Grand Bahama gets a new terminal, and also the return of US pre-clearance. And we've spoken again to our US partners also about airport remediation for Grand Bahama. So I would just allow both the Prime Minister and the deputy prime minister to make the exciting announcements, but Grand Bahama remains high on the infrastructural development priority list,” said Dr Romer.

“As we build airports and infrastructure, it's going to increase the airlift, and

“Kelly's was chosen because of their long-standing involvement and presence in The Bahamas for all those years,” she said. “They've been here from I can't remember the year- 1940 something.

“So the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas needs to make sure that we have working lights on the park. And since this is Crown Land that is going to football, soccer development, there needs to be benefits for the soccer community. There are many areas very close, Kemp Road, Bain, Town, Centreville, the kids who want to learn soccer need to benefit somehow from this project.

“If land that is currently being dedicated to a soccer beach stadium, there needs to be benefits for Bahamians for soccer. There's no reason why the Eastern Parade Public Park shouldn't have cameras, shouldn't have lights and shouldn't be used for soccer development. That's a regulation football field, right there, soccer field. So I hope that the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas ensures that there are benefits for Bahamians from this project.”

“I have nothing against the development, but I really hope that, since this is Crown Land - this belongs to your children, my children - that the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas gets some benefits for Bahamians out of this project...,” Mr Gomez said. “The lights on the Eastern Parade public park, which is one of the largest public parks in the Freetown constituency, have not worked since 2021. Four years, no working lights. You look at the traffic, there's plenty. All the lights. The garbages aren't empty, the streets aren't clean. There's no drainage in the area.

we've already showed that Grand Bahama has had the highest year-over-year increase in airlift since 2019, and also the largest percentage in overall arrivals with the opening of our Celebration Key and others.

“So Grand Bahama is booming and bustling, and the Government, again, as communicated by both the Prime Minister and the deputy prime minister, has made clear that Grand Bahama is a priority.”

But Kelly's has been here for a long time. So when I was trying to make a decision as to how I go about it, it was because of their years of being a part of

PRODUCT - See Page B7

DR KENNETH ROMER

Family Guardian provided dismissal reason ‘after fact’

unfair dismissal in the UK context.”

regarding unfair dismissal in the Bahamas.

“That is, unlike the position in the UK, there is no statutory duty on the employer under the Employment Act to provide reasons…. While the unfair dismissal scheme is obviously patterned on the UK legislation, the Employment Act is minimalistic in its approach and omitted many provisions that are fundamental to the working of the statutory scheme for

Key among the provisions missed out by The Bahamas is the legal duty/responsibility for employers to give the main reason for dismissing an employee and show it was “potentially fair”. Only then can a UK court decide if this action was fair or unfair “in accordance with equity and the substantial merits of the case”.

Justice Klein said the Employment Act had adopted the latter test, “but not the first stage or condition precedent for applying

the second stage”. He added: “Thus it is clear that in Bahamian law - at least in private law - an employee can be dismissed at any time once the appropriate notice and severance pay are paid, either in accordance with the contract or the statute.”

However, he acknowledged in his written ruling that the Privy Council, the highest court in the Bahamian judicial system, had determined that the ability to dismiss workers without cause does not eliminate their right to not be unfairly dismissed.

In Ms Bethell’s case, Justice Klein noted that she had won numerous performance awards at Family Guardian, including manager of the year in 2017 and runner-up in 2018, “when a calamitous series of events in 2019” resulted in the BISX-listed life and health insurer dismissing her in September that year.

Family Guardian had alleged she was “terminated for cause, as a result of myriad management, performance and staffing issues, which were raised in several warning letters”.

However, Ms Bethell contended that “the real reason was her refusal to rescind a disciplinary memo placed on the file of a subordinate employee whom senior management wanted exonerated”. The termination letter from Family Guardian did not provide a reason for her dismissal, highlighting Justice Klein’s identification of gaps in Bahamian law.

The judge, noting that Ms Bethell was hired by Family Guardian on September 15, 1997, as a sales representative, said she enjoyed a series of promotions to staff manager on March 1, 2010, then to Chippingham district manager on September 14, 2014. “It appears she was a high-flying employee and manager up until 2019.,” Justice Klein wrote in his verdict.

“As an agent, she received the Agent of the Year awards in 1998 and 1999, and received awards as staff manager between 2004 to 2007. She also received the top award as manager of the year for 2017 and runner up in 2018. Things started to fall apart in early 2019.

“For one, the company was planning to introduce at the beginning of January a new software system, the Oracle Insurance Policy Administration (OIPA), which was intended to modernise and automate the accounting system for policies. It was alleged that the plaintiff’s district was unprepared for the roll-out of the software, despite significant training efforts. These deficits were laid at her feet,” Justice Klein added.

“Secondly, there were said to be serious ‘shortages’ - unaccounted for deposits from clients - with respect to agents under her supervision, and allegations that she failed to assist with the auditing of those accounts. There were other management and performance issues raised, in particular that her district had an inordinately high turnover rate, which was attributed to her attitude and management challenges.

“Further, the plaintiff had run into some roadblocks in trying to discipline a subordinate staff manager, who will simply be called by her initials ‘SM’. Her efforts in this regard were countermanded by the company’s senior executives, including the plaintiff’s direct line manager, and the issue soured relations between her and the plaintiff that

may have played a role in the events leading to her termination.”

Ms Bethell sought a meeting with senior management in Family Guardian’s human resources department, in a bid to address these issues, in January 2019. The Supreme Court described this as “the tip of the iceberg”, with further meetings, e-mails and two warning letters leading to her September 24, 2019, termination.

Family Guardian paid Ms Bethell some $111,252 in severance and notice pay, as well as $1,342 in outstanding vacation pay and commissions said to be worth $11,399 according to the financial services provider’s calculations. Dissatisfied, she initiated a Supreme Court action claiming $356,863 in damages and compensation for unfair and wrongful dismissal.

The unfair dismissal claim was based on Family Guardian’s alleged failure to hear Ms Bethell’s side, while the wrongful dismissal was grounded on insufficient notice pay and summary dismissal that breached her employment contract and the law. Family Guardian denied this, adding it had provided several warning letters that we not heeded, while it had used a “progressive disciplinary process”.

Ms Bethell oversaw Family Guardian’s largest district with some 42 staff. She had taken disciplinary action against ‘SM’ for “recruitment deficits” amid a “long-running conflict” between the two. However, on July 9, 2019, she received a warning letter from Ramona Neely, vice-president of Family Guardian’s home services department, detailing a $15,698 “sales agent shortage”; client policy lapses; and failure to prepare the district for the Oracle software.

Ms Bethell refused to sign the letter, as there had been no verbal or written warnings prior. “She replied to each of the concerns raised in turn,” Justice Klein wrote. “As to the alleged high shortages, she had taken steps after the shortage was uncovered and the agent and staff manager implicated were immediately terminated.

“As to the lapses, she indicated that her district was the largest and for this reason always trailed in lapses, but this was countered by the fact that her district had the ‘highest production’. Additionally, some of the issues were system errors attributed to the implementation of the Oracle.” Ms Bethell argued that her team had not been sufficiently trained on Oracle, and that she had raised this with senior management.”

However, a second warning letter was issued followed by her termination.

Ms Neely, in her evidence, alleged that Ms Bethell did not fully co-operate with an internal audit into an agent

with “high shortages”, which found a $15,008 discrepancy dating back to early 2029.

“This was a ‘red flag’ and was said to indicate that the plaintiff neglected to monitor and perform the necessary audits in her district,” Justice Klein said of Ms Neely’s evidence.

The judge said that none of the witnesses at trial were “unreliable or untruthful”, describing Ms Bethell as “candid and honest” and admitting to issues “potentially unfavourable to her”. He added that the written evidence provided by the three Family Guardian witnesses was “heavily lawyered”.

Justice Klein said the explanation for Ms Bethell’s dismissal was “all over the place”. Family Guardian asserted that she was terminated for poor attitude; “highest shortage of all districts”; poor performance on Oracle; and failing to take ownership of these weaknesses. However, the BISX-listed life and heath insurer then changed its pleadings from a dismissal in accordance with the Employment Act to one that was based on her contract.

Obie Ferguson KC, representing Ms Bethell, said the insurer appeared to have “a problem deciding what reason” she was terminated for. And Ms Bethell also asserted that Family Guardian never gave her an opportunity to respond to the allegations against her.

Justice Klein, in his verdict, wrote: “The defendant [Family Guardian] contends that, notwithstanding the lack of a stated reason in the letter of termination, the plaintiff at all times knew the reasons for the termination and had an opportunity to address them with the defendant. With respect, I am unable to accept this.

“For one, while it is correct that the defendant raised various issues in the warning letters related to management performance and personal issues, in all fairness these could not automatically translate into reasons for her termination. None of the letters indicate that her termination was being contemplated.”

Justice Klein found it was “rather clear that the panoply of reasons” for Ms Bethell’s dismissal were supplied after her termination. “I therefore find that the combined factors of failing to provide reasons, and the resultant failure to provide a proper procedure for [Ms Bethell] to be heard before her dismissal, when considered on the substantial merits of the case, amount to an unfair dismissal under the terms of the Employment Act,” he added.

As for the wrongful dismissal claim, the judge said Family Guardian had failed to satisfy him there was “just cause” for summarily dismissing Ms Bethell. Referring to the internal audit findings and Oracle system issues, Justice Klein wrote: “To be sure, the plaintiff had overall management responsibility, but it appears she was being unfairly singled out for these breaches when she had no control over the quality of the staff managers hired, and her efforts to attempt to discipline at least one of them was being thwarted by the very senior managers who wanted her to be accountable for them.

“In fact, in respect of the agent and staff manager who had the lion’s share of the shortages, there were several warnings and letters on file from the plaintiff as to their performance.” He added that a list of 14 supposed breaches was “obviously conjured up post the plaintiff’s termination” and amounted to a “blunderbuss approach [that] only further muddies the water as to the real reason for the plaintiff’s termination”.

Justice Klein awarded Ms Bethell $151,997 for unfair dismissal, calculated at three weeks’ pay for every 22 years worked, plus a further $14,000-plus in due benefits. When added to the initial $111,252 severance payout, the Supreme Court award took her compensation to a total $166,230.

BAHAMAS PRESSES ITS CASE ON IMO COUNCIL RE-ELECTION

THE Bahamas this week pressed its case for re-election to the Council overseeing the global maritime industry through a ministerial-led delegation’s visit to London.

JoBeth Coleby-Davis, minister of energy and transport, headed a team that participated in a series of high-level meetings ahead of the upcoming International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Assembly elections.

The ministry, in a statement, said the visit and meetings were designed to re-enforce The Bahamas’ proactive role at the IMO and dedication to

international maritime governance. They were also intended to boost The Bahamas’ campaign for re-election to the IMO Council under Category C. The Ministry of Energy and Transport added that The Bahamas is seeking to cement its reputation as a trusted flag state, responsible port and coastal state, and its contributions to maritime safety, security, environmental protection and innovation within the global shipping industry. During her address to the general assembly, Mrs Coleby-Davis, stressed the need for more training and educational opportunities in

the maritime sector, while highlighting the increasing number of Bahamian students pursuing careers in shipping.

Joining Mrs Coleby-Davis were Paul Rolle, permanent representative of The Bahamas to the IMO; Kingsley Smith, parliamentary secretary, Ministry of Energy and Transport; Peter John Goulandris, deputy chairman, The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) Board; Captain Dwain Hutchinson, BMA managing director and chief executive, and alternate permanent representative to the IMO, and senior Commander Berne

BAHAMAS EYES ASIA’S ‘UNTAPPED POTENTIAL’ FOR FINANCIAL SERVICES

THE Bahamas has tar-

geted the Asian financial services market’s “untapped potential” through a promotional trip to Hong Kong and Shanghai in a bid to drive increased wealth management, investment and innovation-related business.

The first-ever Bahamas Asia Forum, hosted by the Ministry of Economic Affairs in Hong Kong, was said by the latter to be oversubscribed by an attendee mix that included institutional investors, wealth advisors, attorneys and industry leaders from across Asia.

Brandace Duncanson, The Bahamas’ director of financial services, said of the event: “Today represents an exciting new chapter in the growing relationship between The Bahamas and the nations of Asia.

“Our message resonated because investors are looking for stability, modern regulations and world class expertise. The Bahamas offers all of that and more. We offer an environment where investments can thrive with clear rules, a resilient economy and a cadre of world class professionals.

“Attendees saw first-hand that The Bahamas is the ideal place to live, work, play and invest.” Abdoulaye Fadiga, founder and president of Champion Spirit Country Club Bahamas, outlined why The Bahamas is an attractive jurisdiction for investors.

The Bahamas’ marketing push continued at the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Asia conference, where the Ministry of Economic Affairs served as a ‘silver sponsor’

and sponsor of the event’s gala dinner.

This sought to enhance The Bahamas’ brand across the region by highlighting local entrepreneurship and culture. Bahamian companies Tasty Teas, Bahari, TIFF Bahamas and others featured prominently.

“Our creative entrepreneurs showcased The Bahamas beyond the typical angles of financial services and tourism. They highlighted The Bahamas as a nation filled with talent and amazing possibilities,”

Ms Duncanson added. The tour finished at the Outbound Investment Shanghai Financial Services Summit, which featured a Bahamian panel including Antoine Bastian, chief executive of Genesis Fund Services; Michael Clare, head of digital assets and Fintech operations for LionGate Bahamas; Delphino Gilbert Cassar,

head of business development for Equity Bank; and Andretti Bain, Olympic Silver Medalist and head of sports for Champion Spirit Country Club Bahamas.

Ms Duncanson said The Bahamas plans to build on the tour as the foundation for long-term partnerships.

“Our ties with the Asian community are long-standing, but there is still so much untapped potential. What we began this month will grow into an enduring foundation for investment, collaboration and shared prosperity,” she said.

She added that interest generated in Hong Kong and Shanghai will drive follow-up engagements aimed at converting discussions into concrete investments, expanded private sector partnerships and the continued promotion of The Bahamas as a global financial services leader.

Wright, Bahamas port controller.

The delegation also worked closely with Paul A. Gomez, Bahamas High Commissioner to the UK, officials from the Bahamas High Commission and Ministry of Tourism (London) and BMA team.

Securing re-election to the IMO Council Category C will enable The Bahamas to further advocate for balanced global decision-making, especially on issues affecting small island developing States (SIDS), ships, seafarers and the broader maritime community.

FROM L TO R: Paul Rolle, permanent representative of The Bahamas to the IMO; Paul A. Gomez, Bahamas high commissioner to the United Kingdom; JoBeth Coleby-Davis, minister of energy and transport; Kingsley Smith, parliamentary secretary, Ministry of Energy and Transport; Peter John Goulandris, deputy chairman, BMA Board; Captain Dwain Hutchinson, managing director and chief executive of the BMA, and alternate permanent representative to the IMO, and senior commander Berne Wright, Bahamas port controller.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Peter John Goulandris, deputy chairman, BMA Board; Kingsley Smith, parliamentary secretary, Ministry of Energy and Transport; JoBeth Coleby-Davis, minister of energy and transport; Arsenio Dominguez, secretary-general, IMO; Paul Rolle, permanent representative of The Bahamas to the IMO; Senior commander Berne Wright, Bahamas port controller; and Captain Dwain Hutchinson, managing director and chief executive of the BMA, and alternate permanent representative to the IMO.

JOBETH COLEBY-DAVIS

BAHAMAS representatives at the Outbound Investment Financial Services Summit in Shanghai, China. From L to R: Michael Clare, Liongate Bahamas; Delphino Gil Cassar, Equity Bank; Brandace Duncanson, Ministry of Economic Affairs; Andretti Bain, Champion Spirit Country Club Bahamas; and Antoine Bastian, Genesis Fund Services. Photo:Minister of Economic Affairs

‘Conversation

so far gone’ on scaring investors away

FUND - from page B1

to $1m, but Mr Carey argued: “We’re really selling ourselves short. If the Government looks at how many people are buying permanent residency per year, think how much money we are leaving on the table for social programmes.”

He suggested requiring all those who qualify for economic permanent residency to pay an extra $250,000, on top of the present $1m fee, which would be directed to an investment fund overseen and managed independently of the Government and its Consolidated Fund. This fund would be operated by independent private sector fund managers and administrators, supervised by a non-government Board and external auditors, to ensure transparency, accountability and that monies are

directed in accordance with its mandate to where they are needed.

“That fund will invest monies for schools, hospitals, medical, taking care of senior citizens,” Mr Carey said. “There are so many things we can do. If they can pay $1m for permanent residency, they can pay $250,000. It may not have to be all in one chunk; it could be spread over five years. And, if they sell the properties they have purchased, the proceeds can come from the sale.

“It’s a contribution. You know how much money they are saving on their economic permanent residency with their tax planning? It’s huge, massive. That’s reality. They’re doing it. Everything currently goes into the Consolidated Fund and there’s no trickle down for social programmes. It can’t be that difficult. It makes them give

BACSWN pledges to fully consult over planned fees

pledged that BACSWN will consult with all aviation industry stakeholders prior to implementation.

“While we respect Mr Francis’ position as chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas, we find his comments about fee increases to be premature, especially in regards to BACSWN’s appointment as the Aviation Meteorological Authority via its May 7, 2025 Heads of Agreement signing, which grants BACSWN the rights to charge for the products and services that we will be providing through our proprietary WxSenseNet system - for

which a charging scheme will be implemented in 2026 for these services,” Mr Strachan said.

“In addition, to echo Captain Randy Butler’s remarks, a proposal will be made to ICAO (the International Civil Aviation Organisation) for the implementation of the new charges that will be levied on all aircraft transitioning through Bahamian air space for the services that BACSWN will be providing. “While we work to improve better weather reporting, and more accurate systems to provide safer flights throughout the Bahamas that will be a

‘Serious action’ required on fall-out over grounded barge

PROTECT - from page B1

the barge that grounded on a reef in the channel between Nunjack Cay and Ambergris Cay after its tow line snapped, earlier this week revealed that

181 of the 192 containers on board had been broken into, looted or tampered with. Given that each contained between $50,000 and $200,000 worth of goods, the amount of loss and damage could range

back. Right now they are benefiting tremendously.”

The Government last year also diversified how economic permanent residents can qualify through a move long-urged by the Bahamian financial services, legal and real estate industries. They can now acquire $1m worth of “zero coupon bonds” from the Central Bank, with the proceeds to be invested in education, health, Family Island infrastructure development and culture - in line with Mr Carey’s thinking.

Prime Minister Philip Davis KC promised these monies would not go into the Government’s Consolidated Fund to finance operational expenses, but there has been no confirmation yet that this has happened.

But, in a bid to ensure investors value economic permanent residency, become established members of this society and do not abuse this status, he added that as a condition of obtaining their permits they must hold either of these

world first and exceed current international standards when build-out is complete, we will give local operators the same courtesy for consultation and would be delighted to sit at the table as we continue with the process to improve the aviation safety and culture in The Bahamas.”

Mr Francis, during an interview with this newspaper, appeared to be referring specifically to CAA-B fees and charges - not those relating to air navigation services. His comments came in response to initial push back from aviation operator pushback to the new proposed levies unveiled earlier this month.

He said: “We’re not raising any fees now. We want to consult some more. We’re not raising any fees right now. I don’t foresee that

between $9.05m and $36.2m.

“Whoever’s responsible for looting should be prosecuted. Absolutely,” Mrs DeGregory-Miaoulis told this newspaper. “Pirating is against the law. It’s pirating; looting on the water is pirating. That should be in no way condoned. People were saying they were only lessening the weight. Not so.

assets - real estate or bondfor a minimum ten years.

Mr Carey, though, suggested that The Bahamas is a strong enough investment destination to extract more than just Immigration fees, VAT on a property’s sale and real property tax from economic permanent residents. And he argued that the same should apply to corporate investors developing Bahamas-based investment projects.

“I’ve always said it over and over again; if you have a Heads of Agreement with a developer, a percentage of that should go into this fund,” he said. “If it’s a $150m, $200m project, a percentage of that - it again can be spread outshould go into this fund to support schools, hospitals, education, research. We don’t have to be aggressive; we can spread it out. Why do we think to continue the same way?

“A condo at the Four Seasons Residences [project on Paradise Island] has just sold for $22m. There are 67 units. Let’s just say

happening on January 6.

This is purely to consult the industry first. We want to talk with them first so that they can provide comments. We’re not raising any fees right now. Definitely not in January.

“I don’t see that happening very soon or in the near future. We just want to have a conversation, talk with all the stakeholders and have a fruitful discussion. Even then I foresee us having more consultation with the stakeholders. I don’t foresee anything in the foreseeable future from us to do any increase right now.” BACSWN, though, is making the point that this does not impact or include its proposed fees and levies.

Captain Randy Butler, the former Sky Bahamas chief, highlighted this and other aviation industry concerns in a November

“You can justify any kind of wrong-doing that you want, but it’s wrong-doing, however you call it and however you try and spin it.” Three persons are so far known to have been charged with looting the Brooklyn Bridge and all have pleaded not guilty. Describing that as “one issue” stemming from the barge’s grounding, Mrs DeGregory-Miaoulis said

the average price is $15m.

Under the Hotels Encouragement Act there’s no real property tax, no duties and VAT on construction materials.

“I think the Government should disclose every Heads of Agreement that it’s done so everybody should be able to have the concessions in it, know if Crown Land is being given away. We need to know what the Government is giving away,” argued Mr Carey. “Every Heads of Agreement should be fully disclosed. The public should know what it will do. The public should know if the Government has negotiated a Heads of Agreement and the people are not performing. Why are we not holding them accountable?

“We are becoming a very, very attractive development opportunity. Look at Exuma, look at Eleuthera taking off with big-name brands such as Ritz-Carlton.

I don’t think we’re managing that part properly. We’re always negotiating from a position of weakness when

19, 2025, letter to Chequita Johnson, the Civil Aviation director-general, where he pointed out that, according to ICAO, the global industry regulator, aviation-related fees and charges must be “directly tied to the cost of providing the service”. In other words, they must be determined on a ‘cost recovery’ basis rather than viewed as a profit centre.

BACSWN earlier this year said it plans to install 26 automatic weather observation systems (AWOS), 109 ADS-B transmitters and radars and three monopulse secondary surveillance radars across The Bahamas to provide real-time weather data for every operational airport. Only nine AWOS are currently in place.

“These installations are essential for the safe

the losses suffered by businesses and residents of Puerto Rico - the barge’s final destination - have yet to be mentioned. She challenged how Bahamians would feel if the same had occurred with another country looting and making off with hurricane relief supplies destined for Abaco and elsewhere in The Bahamas in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian.

“I feel terrible for the people of Puerto Rico,” she added. “These people are still suffering from hurricanes and I think we can relate to that. I’m sure these goods not reaching their shores is going to hurt them tremendously. How long is it going to take to file insurance claims, how long is it going to take to reorder goods, how long will it take to get them?

“I have more concerns about that at this time, especially people counting on them for their stores, communities etc, and they are not going to have them. What the world needs to see is a serious response by our government and our people. They don’t need to hear the malarky about trying to justify it. We need to consider who is really affected by this and it’s the people that should have been getting the goods.

“I’ve not heard one single soul mention the people of Puerto Rico and their loss. They are only really talking about the looting that took place and the shipping company getting the insurance,” Mrs DeGregory-Miaoulis added. “Not one soul ever considered the people in Puerto Rico.

“Imagine if that is post-Dorian, and we had containers of goods shipped to help us and another country looted them. Maybe we need to put that out and show how detrimental it can be to the whole country. This is an island nation similar to ourselves. We should be concerned about them and their well-being, and what this is doing to them.

“We have to hit people in the heart. When we take the focus away from what everybody is thinking about, look at what we’ve done to some other country now.” While the negative international media coverage “certainly doesn’t bode well for us as a people”, Mrs DeGregory-Miaoulis argued that it can be “countered, and needs to be countered by

people are paying $4,000 per square foot for condos on Paradise Island, $3,500 per square foot at Albany,” the Bahamian realtor continued.

“There just has to be a different approach to what we have. We cannot be frightened it’s going to scare developers away; that conversation is so far gone. People are making profits. They’re not signing Heads of Agreement to help us. They’re coming here to bring money because they know they will make a lot of money. We’re selling ourselves short.”

Mr Carey said many developers would be able to “write-off” social donations in The Bahamas against their tax bills at home. “If we don’t ask, we don’t get,” he added. “That’s the cardinal rule. Once the people know it goes into a fund that’s not the Consolidated Fund, and where it’s actually spent and meaningfully helps people, they’ll have no problem with that; no objection to that.”

passage in and out of airports throughout The Bahamas,” Mr Strachan said at that time. “They will deliver automatic weather information, including altimeter readings, that pilots rely on to ensure safe landings and departures.” He added that the radar systems will expand tracking across one of the busiest air spaces in the world, enhancing both flight safety and storm monitoring capacity. Mr Strachan said nearly 700,000 flights cross Bahamian air space annually, but only a fraction of allowable fees are collected. Restructuring those charges, he said, is key to sustaining the system and funding emergency medical services (EMS) capacity at Family Island airports.

the serious action of our government” in prosecuting offenders and protecting the environment.

“Our concern is prosecuting people who broke the law in our country, our citizens, and mitigating the damage to the reef,” she told Tribune Business. “That affects fisheries and tourism. People come to The Bahamas because of our beautiful reefs for diving, tourism and fishing.

“We need to show to the world that we respect our environment to the utmost, especially when the Prime Minister goes around the world making it his primary platform with climate change and everything else. We need to treat this very seriously otherwise it’s two-faced.

“We cannot say on one hand we’re blaming the rest of the world for not contributing for the damage they’re causing to us if we do not take seriously what is happening to our environment in our country. We have got to be seen to mean what we say in a very real way. That’s my concern from the Government standpoint,” Mrs DeGregory-Miaoulis said.

“Internally, we need to take this matter extremely seriously in dealing with what happened in our country by our people, making sure they pay for their crimes.” She also urged the Government and environmental regulators to explain what specific actions will be taken to mitigate and restore the reef damaged by the Brooklyn Bridge.

Tribune Business previously reported that there are many unanswered questions over the Brooklyn Bridge’s grounding, including why it was seemingly so close to shore when its towing cable snapped and whether it is the “proper protocol” to tow an “unpowered barge” over such a long distancefrom Jacksonville in north Florida to San Juan, Puerto Rico - through the Atlantic Ocean.

Well-placed sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, raised similar questions. They said ship tracking data showed the barge and its tug were only three to four miles off Abaco’s coast when the towing cable broke, instead of the normal 17-20 miles, which meant there was little to no “buffer” to prevent it drifting in to shore.

prevents relationships with marine traffic and inter-island transport. The marina would support transportation between Rose Island, Nassau and Paradise Island - effectively providing a logistics and transportation hub to move persons between the Nassau waterfront and Rose Island and Paradise Island.

Mr Symonette, though, argued that the presentation by HotelConsult Bahamas “lacked details”. He pointed to the developers’ other projects, stating they would need a base in New Providence, and questioned if the development and its marina marina will be used for the properties on Rose Island. HotelConsult Bahamas added that it has a Bahamian-owned ferry service that can transport persons to Rose Island.

“If you’re having massive functions here, you need a car park,” Mr Symonette said. “But underlying is a question in my mind; is this being developed to support the developer’s other projects on other islands where he needs a land-based operation to move from.

“So you see, if you build a hotel in Rose Island, you need a base in Nassau. It’s night and day. So you need to be able to get the garbage up there, or the people up there, the staff up there. So is this being developed as a parking lot, but under the guise of 355 parking spaces for staff in that area?

“So if you look at a number of the areas where boats are going backwards and forwards on the Thompson dock, the Dolphin Encounters had to rent space. These are people that need space in Nassau to get over to the other... so a developer will be controlling this. That’s some question as to how open it is.”

HotelConsult Bahamas officials said the development would create jobs during the construction phase and promised longterm employment for Bahamians once it’s operational. They added that the project, which will be located at the site of the of Pan-Am building next to the beach soccer stadium, would reduce traffic congestion. It is unclear, though, whether it would take over the site presently occupied

by the Royal Bahamas Defence Forces harbour patrol and the Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association (BASRA). Wayne Munroe, minister of national security, who said he was off-island, was unaware of any relocation of the RBDF base.

However, Mr Symonette added: “I raised the issue of traffic. We only have to look at the traffic here. It’s what, 7pm a night on Mondays and Tuesdays, and many other days. This is a constant traffic jam. My office is just down the road. You have trouble coming through that, and a lot of it is Potter’s Cay not going over the bridge.

“I have very big doubts that people on Paradise Island will park over here, because then there’ll have to be a ferry, a jitney service of some sort to go over there. Traffic going across the harbour is again, traffic to their marina or their properties, because the same developer has three or four properties on Rose Island. These are all details that need to be worked out.

“It was interesting. It just being when the cruise ship started, minister Hanna-Martin jumped up and down and said: ‘You shouldn’t rent land to foreigners’. Well, I mean, they said they’re a Bahamian

company. 60/40 is a Bahamian company. He might be a Bahamian resident... we’ve got to be sure…” Tribune Business sources, as well as documents seen by this newspaper, confirm that HotelConsult’s principal is a Paradise Island-based billionaire.

HotelConsult has quietly assembled a significant high-end real estate portfolio on Paradise Island as well as the former Ritz-Carlton project on Rose Island.

Besides the ex-Paradise Harbour Club and former Columbus Tavern site, and the two marinas directly in front of it, they have also acquired the Paradise Island residence of Mohammed Harajchi, principal of the collapsed Suisse Security Bank & Trust, as well as property owned by the late George Myers.

HotelConsult promised employment opportunities during the construction phase and long-term, but Mr Symonette said he does not see the retail spaces promised for the development taking off as “retail is dead from East Street straight into the reach over Paradise Island” and “it takes very few people to run a parking lot”.

“No one satisfied me on that deal. So, as a private-public partnership,

SOUTH KOREA'S LARGEST SATELLITE LAUNCHED ON NURI ROCKET IN AMBITIOUS SPACE MISSION

By KIM TONG-HYUNG Associated Press

SOUTH Korea launched its largest satellite yet on its nationally developed space rocket early Thursday in the fourth of six launches planned through 2027.

The three-stage Nuri rocket lifted off from a spaceport on an island off the southwestern coastal county of Goheung. Aerospace officials said the rocket placed a 516-kilogram (1,137-pound) science satellite and 12 microsatellites into a target orbit about 600 kilometers (372 miles) above Earth.

The Korea Aerospace Administration said the main satellite made contact with a South Korean ground station in Antarctica about 40 minutes after liftoff at 1:55 a.m., confirming normal function and deployment of its solar panels. The satellite later established links with ground stations in South Korea's central Daejeon city and Svalbard, Norway, as well as further contact with the King Sejong Station in Antarctica.

Five of the 12 microsatellites had contacted ground stations as of Thursday afternoon, and the rest were expected to do so in a scheduled sequence.

Kyunghoon Bae, the country's science minister, said the successful launch reaffirmed that South Korea had independent space launch and transport capability.

He said the launch was a turning point as the first time a private company, Hanwha Aerospace, assembled the rocket under a technology transfer from the Korea Aerospace

Research Institute, the national space agency.

"Building on today's success, we will steadfastly pursue the development of next-generation launch vehicles, lunar exploration and deep-space missions," Bae said.

The main satellite launched Thursday is equipped with a wide-range airglow camera to observe auroral activity and separate systems for measuring plasma and magnetic fields and for testing how life-science experiments perform in space.

The dozen smaller "cube" satellites, developed by university teams and research institutions, include GPS systems to study Earth's atmosphere, infrared cameras to track plastic in the oceans, and systems for testing solar cells or communication equipment.

Thursday's event was the country's first launch involving a Nuri rocket since May 2023, when it successfully placed a 180-kilogram (397pound) observation satellite into orbit, and the fourth overall since its first attempt in October 2021, which failed to deliver a dummy device.

Further launches are planned in 2026 and 2027 to advance the country's space technologies and industries, and to reduce the gap with leading Asian space powers, such as China, Japan and India.

Nuri is a three-stage rocket powered by five 75-ton-class engines in its first and second stages and a 7-ton-class engine in its third stage, which releases the payloads at the desired altitude. It's the country's first space launch vehicle built primarily with

what percentage is it? You know, if it’s $10m to build a parking lot, does that mean they have 90 percent of the votes on the board, and the FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) have 5 percent? Those details weren’t there. And if I have 90 percent interest in anything, I want 90 percent control, or whatever the percentage is. And that’s my concern,” Mr Symonette added.

“Retail, I don’t see happening. Who’s going to come up here to do retail?

Retail is dead from East Street straight into the reach over Paradise Island.

I mean, it’s a fact - been dead for years. So those are issues. The idea of pickle ball, and I think those are fantastic, needed recreation for the kids. The idea of providing jobs is fantastic. But once you get it up and running, it takes very few people to run a parking lot.”

Lincoln Deal, the Free National Movement (FNM) candidate for Freetown, which is also the location of the proposed development, said he expected more information than what was provided at the Town Hall meeting on Wednesday night.

“I expected more information tonight, especially for a Town Hall meeting,”

IN THIS photo released by the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, the Nuri rocket lifts off from a launch pad at the Naro Space Center in Goheung, South Korea, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025. Photo:Korea Aerospace Research Institute/AP

domestic technology, a core asset for a nation that had largely relied on other countries to launch its satellites since the 1990s.

The Naro Space Center, South Korea's lone spaceport, saw its first successful launch in 2013 with a twostage rocket built with

Russian technology, following years of delays and repeated failures. The rocket reached its target altitude during its first test in 2009 but failed to deploy a satellite, and then exploded shortly after liftoff during its second test in 2010.

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL

The Public is hereby advised that I, VALERIE DENISE BRICE BROWN of Golden Gates, Nassau, Bahamas, intend to change my name to VALERIE DENISE BRICE If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Officer, P.O.Box N-742, Nassau, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.

Mr Deal said. “The purpose of a Town Hall meeting is to have an exchange of information. You telling us what is being proposed, where you are in the process, and what happens next.

“I think that there needs to be more details. I think it’s a bit vague right now. There were a lot of questions that we put to the developers that they weren’t able to answer with intention. And so I think that there needs to be more details as it relates to the funding, the core benefits to Bahamians.

“Who’s going to be constructing it? Are we going to have 100 percent Bahamians constructing this project? Is this going to be foreign entities constructing it? What’s the timeline? The land that it’s being proposed to be on, what’s going to happen to that? What is the public-private partnership structure and its finite details?” Mr Deal added.

“I think all of those things, we missed a lot of those details tonight, and I’m hoping that there’s another Town Hall meeting with more concrete information where we can really have a fair exchange to ensure that this truly benefits the people of The Bahamas, and in this case, for me, ensure that it benefits the people of Freetown.”

- from page B3

the Bahamian culture and society.

“And as a child, I used to go to Kelly’s with my great-grandmother on Bay Street to purchase wholesale items. And so when I came about with putting it someplace, I wanted to put it in a place that not only is a pillar or a bedrock in Bahamian homes, but also one that I’m familiar with and one that has great influence. So one of my goals is to become a household name, Cultureware becoming a household name.”

Ms Luree’s long-term vision is to become a staple in Kelly’s and eventually use her culture as a means of creating wealth on an international level. “I’m

starting here but my goal is to be international,” she said. “It’s to be global, to take the culture, my culture, to the world. And I want to be able to inspire others to use their culture to obtain wealth.”

Ms Luree, in October, became a vendor for Super Value. A line of Junkanoo paper products including paper plates, paper cups and napkins is being sold in the supermarket chain. The Cultureware proprietor, who has been in the business for over 20 years, has products being sold in 11 locations including both Depre Bahamas locations in New Providence as well as two locations in Freeport, four locations in Abaco, one location in Harbour Island and two in Eleuthera.

NOTICE is hereby given that DIEUDONNE MONT AIMABLE  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 28th day of November 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that MAGDALA TILME

Black Friday arrives with solid momentum despite tariffs and economic uncertainty

By ANNE D'INNOCENZIO AP Business Writer

BLACK Friday may no longer be the retail bacchanalia of years past, when the promise of one-time bargains caused people to leave Thanksgiving tables for malls where some customers got into fistfights over toys or TVs. But the event still has enough enthusiasts to make it the biggest shopping day in the U.S.

For that reason, the day retains its crown as the official start of the holiday shopping season. This year's kickoff comes as companies navigate an uncertain economic environment and wrestle with the volatility of President Donald Trump 's wide-ranging tariffs on imported goods.

Many have absorbed some of the costs and pulled back on hiring instead of raising prices for customers. Consumer confidence in the U.S. economy fell this month to the lowest since April — when Trump announced his tariffs — in the aftermath of the government shutdown, weak hiring and stubborn inflation, according to a report The Conference Board issued Tuesday.

Shoppers nonetheless have remained resilient and willing to spend, at least judging by the solid quarterly sales reports from Walmart, Best Buy and other retailers. But many

retail executives also say customers are focusing on deals and have been selective in what they're buying.

Aron Boxer, 50, from Greenwich, Connecticut, said he delayed buying a car this year amid worries about tariffs. He said he'll be looking for deals on toys on Cyber Monday but is also willing to wait to the end for the best discount.

"The tariffs definitely are not behind me, and I am concerned about it," the founder of an educational services company and a life coaching service said. "I did consider buying earlier this year, but I feel like some people made some pretty

GECKO HILL LIMITED

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act 2000, notice is hereby given that the above-named Company has been dissolved and struck off the Register pursuant to a Certificate of Dissolution issued by The Registrar General on the 21st day of November, A.D., 2025.

Dated the 28th day of November, A.D., 2025.

BENNET R. ATKINSON LIQUIDATOR

Ronald Atkinson & Co.

Chartered Accountants

24 Marron House, Virginia & Augusta Streets P.O. Box N-8326 Nassau, Bahamas

LIMITED

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act 2000, notice is hereby given that the above-named Company has been dissolved and struck off the Register pursuant to a Certificate of Dissolution issued by The Registrar General on the 21st day of November, A.D., 2025.

Dated the 28th day of November, A.D., 2025.

BENNET R. ATKINSON LIQUIDATOR

Ronald Atkinson & Co. Chartered Accountants

24 Marron House, Virginia & Augusta Streets P.O. Box N-8326 Nassau, Bahamas

bad business decisions anticipating tariffs to have a bigger impact than they did."

Still, analysts and mall executives cited solid momentum heading into Black Friday week.

"We're seeing a very positive start to the holiday season," said Jill Renslow, chief business development and marketing officer at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, which plans to give gift cards and other giveaways to the first 250 customers who show up at 7 a.m. on Friday. "The last few Saturdays in November have been very strong."

Mall traffic heading into Black Friday surpassed the numbers from pre-pandemic 2019, Renslow said.

A forecast from the National Retail Federation, the nation's largest retail trade group, predicted a healthy increase in holiday sales. The group estimated that shoppers would collectively spend between $1.01 trillion and $1.02 trillion in November and December, or 3.7% to 4.2% more than last year.

Retailers rung up $976 billion in holiday sales last year, or a 4.3% increase from 2023, the group said.

Mastercard SpendingPulse, which tracks

ABRIL RENTERIA, an Apple certified advisor, helps a customer check out after their purchase at a Best Buy store, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, in Dallas. Photo:Tony Gutierrez/AP

spending across all payment methods including cash, predicted a 3.6% increase in holiday sales from Nov. 1 through Dec. 24. That compares with a 4.1% increase last year.

"Clearly, there's uncertainty," Mastercard Chief Economist Michelle Meyer said. "Clearly, consumers feel on edge. But at the moment, it doesn't seem like it's changing how they are showing up for this season."

Online sales have been strong so far. From Nov. 1 to Sunday, consumers spent $79.7 billion, according to Adobe Analytics. That represented a gain of 7.5% from a year earlier and was bigger than Adobe's 5.3% growth forecast for the season.

Tariffs have played a role in stores' merchandising and pricing strategies. Many retailers accelerated shipments of some holiday merchandise before the tariffs took effect while also absorbing some of the extra import costs. But stores still have passed on some of the expense for items like toys, which are largely sourced in China.

Market research firm

Circana's retail tracking service examined various subcategories of general merchandise and found 40% of all general

merchandise sold in September saw a price increase of at least 5% compared with the first four months of the year.

Toys, baby products, housewares, and team sports equipment were among the hardest hit. For example, 83% of toys sold in September saw an increase of at least 5%, Circana said.

That number was up from 32% in June and will go even higher in coming months, according to Marshal Cohen, the firm's chief industry advisor.

Some executives have noticed retailers advertising tamer holiday discounts. Mall of America's Renslow said deals didn't show up at the mall as early as she anticipated. But she estimated store tenants had ramped up this week with discounts in the range of 30% to 50%. She thinks they'll likely go deeper for the weekend.

Stephen Lebovitz, CEO of CBL Properties, which operates 85 shopping properties, also noted unimpressive holiday discounting.

"I think one of the benefits of the tariffs or the silver lining is that the inventory levels for the retailers are leaner, and they've tried to allow themselves to keep pricing power," he said.

Legal Notice

N O T I C E

WALETON FUND ICON

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:

(a) Waleton Fund ICON is in dissolution under the provisions of the Investment Condominium Act, 2014

(b) The dissolution of the said Investment Condominium commenced on the 20th day of November, 2025 when its Notice of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

(c) The Liquidator of the said Investment Condominium is Deltec Fund Directors Ltd., Deltec House, Lyford Cay, P.O. Box N-3229, Nassau, Bahamas.

Deltec Fund Directors Ltd. Liquidator

NOTICE Develop

Ltd. Incorporated under the International Business Companies Act, 2000 of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Registration number 211484 B (In Voluntary Liquidation)

Notice is hereby given that the above-named Company is in dissolution, commencing on the 27th day of November A.D. 2025.

Articles of Dissolution have been duly registered by the Registrar. The Liquidator is MR. AGNALDO MENDES, whose address is Av Alvaro Machado Pedrosa, 00186 BL 1, Apt 71, Parada Inglesa, CEP: 02245-000, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil. Any Persons having a Claim against the above-named Company are required on or before the 27th day of December 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 27th day of November A.D. 2025. AGNALDO MENDES LIQUIDATOR

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act 2000, notice is hereby given that the above-named Company has been dissolved and struck off the Register pursuant to a Certificate of Dissolution issued by The Registrar General on the 21st day of November, A.D., 2025.

Dated the 28th day of November, A.D., 2025.

GISELLE PYFROM LIQUIDATOR

C/o Office Number 2, Pineapple Business Park, Airport Industrial Park Nassau, Bahamas N O T I C E BONEFISH ALLEY

Santa Fe tackles rental rates with firstin-US minimum wage approach

By SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN Associated Press

SANTA Fe has long referred to itself as “The City Different” for its distinct atmosphere and a blending of cultures that stretches back centuries.

Now, it’s trying something different — something officials hope will prevent a cultural erosion as residents are priced out of their homes.

It’s the first city in the

United States to directly link wages to housing affordability, aiming to counter high rents by tying minimum wage increases to consumer prices as well as fair market rental prices.

Many see the new ordinance as a big step forward for workers, but Mayor Alan Webber also sees it as an important tool for addressing an affordability crisis that threatens the very fabric of Santa Fe.

“The purpose is to make a serious difference in assuring that people who work here can live here,” he said. “Santa Fe’s history and culture is really reflected in the diversity of our people. It’s that diversity that we’re trying to preserve.”

Santa Fe is not alone.

Rising rents and housing prices have squeezed households nationwide, leaving many with less income to pay for other necessities. Experts say the financial pressure on renter households has increased

compared to pre-pandemic conditions.

How the ordinance works

Santa Fe’s minimum wage will increase to $17.50 starting in 2027. The annual increase historically has been tied to consumer prices, but going forward a new blended formula will be used to calculate the annual increase, with the Consumer Price Index making up one half and fair market rent data making up the other.

There’s a 5% cap in case costs skyrocket, and if consumer prices or rents tank in any particular year, the minimum wage will not be reduced.

Santa Fe first adopted a living wage in 2002. The ordinance has been expanded over the years and the mission this time was to deal with median housing prices and rental costs that were far above any other major market in New Mexico.

University of New Mexico finance professor Reilly White presented the city with 25 years of data that showed changes in fair market rents and consumer prices. He said people earning minimum wage were falling behind.

“It became clear that any index that was made had to be duly weighted in favor of some of this real estate

side and some of the cost of living side,” White said.

Crafting the ordinance was like threading a needle, the mayor said, explaining that the aim was to benefit workers while not overly burdening the mom-andpop shops that are the backbone of Santa Fe’s economy.

Who benefits

About 9,000 workers will see a bump in wages once the ordinance kicks in. That’s about 20% of the city’s workforce.

Diego Ortiz will be among them. The 42-yearold father has called Santa Fe home for nearly three decades, working

What's open on Thanksgiving? Not much, as many stores rest -- or prepare -- ahead of Black Friday

By MATT OTT AP Business Writer

WITH Thanksgiving and the formal launch of the holiday shopping season this week, Americans will again gather for Turkey Day meals before knocking off items on their Christmas gift lists.

Most big U.S. retailers are closed on Thanksgiving Day. However, many will open early the following day, Black Friday, the unofficial start of the holiday gift-buying season and the biggest shopping day of the year.

Here's what is open and closed this Thanksgiving, along with a travel forecast from the experts at AAA auto club.

Government Buildings Government offices, post offices, courts and schools are closed.

Banks and the stock market

U.S. stock markets and banks are closed Thursday; however, markets reopen on Friday for a shortened trading day, wrapping up at 1 p.m. Eastern.

Package Delivery

Standard FedEx and UPS pickup and delivery services will not be available on Thanksgiving, although some critical services will be offered at certain locations.

Retailers

Walmart will be closed on Thanksgiving but most stores will open at 6 a.m. local time on Black Friday.

Target will be closed on Thanksgiving, but most stores will open at 6 a.m. local time on Black Friday.

Macy's will be closed on Thanksgiving, but most stores will have extended hours from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Black Friday.

Kohl's will be closed on Thanksgiving, but many stores will be open as early as 5 a.m. on Black Friday. Check your local location for hours.

Costco will be closed on Thanksgiving, but will reopen on Black Friday. Check your local store's website for hours.

CVS will close early on Thanksgiving. You can call your local store or check store and pharmacy hours on the CVS Pharmacy website.

Walgreens will close most of its stores on Thanksgiving, though some 24-hour locations will be open. Check your local store for more information.

Grocery Stores

Most national grocery store chains are open on Thanksgiving for those last-minute turkey day needs, although many close early. Check your local store for details.

Travel

With most schools closed Thursday and Friday, the long Thanksgiving weekend is the busiest holiday travel period of the year, according to AAA.

AAA projects that 81.8 million people will travel at least 50 miles from

home over the Thanksgiving holiday period between Tuesday, Nov. 25 and Monday, Dec. 1. That's 1.6 million more travelers compared to last Thanksgiving,

which would be a new record.

AAA estimates that at least 73 million people will travel by car, amounting to nearly 90% of Thanksgiving travelers. About 1.3 million

poses for a photo holding one of the signs advocates used in the campaign for updating the city’s minimum wage law, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on Wednesday, Nov. 26,

construction jobs to support his family. Choosing between paying rent, buying groceries and helping his children is a constant worry. He also talked about wanting his children to be able to focus on their studies. His son is having to delay school so he can work and save money, he said.

“If there’s economic stability where we can get a good wage with the sweat of our brow, then we’re going to be able to pay our rent, pay our bills, or get a house,” he said. “Our families will be better and that will be a big change.”

According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, the lowest income renters are disproportionately Black, Native American and Latino.

“Raising the minimum wage is an important thing to do in terms of affordability. Certainly part of the problem is an income problem,” said Dan Emmanuel, a senior researcher with the coalition. But he also warned that raising wages wouldn’t address affordability for seniors or those with disabilities who are not part of the workforce but make up a large share of low-income renters.

More tools

more people will be on the road this year compared to last year, AAA predicts.

Providing an income boost to a subset of the population also won’t necessarily resolve the underlying shortage of housing that’s driving up prices overall, said Issi Romem, an economist and fellow at the Terner Center for Housing Innovation at the University of California-Berkeley.

That’s why Santa Fe officials say they’re working to permit more homes and apartment units. On the edge of town, leasing flags whipped in the wind Wednesday as construction crews were busy building new complexes with adjacent swaths of dirt cleared for more. Mayor Webber said the uptick in permitting already is paying off — rental prices grew by just 0.5% this year.

Santa Fe also is counting on revenue from a so-called mansion tax, which targets home sales over $1 million, to fuel a trust fund for affordable housing projects.

Webber said the stakes are high and the city must tackle affordability from every angle.

“Can the people who work here afford to live here?” he asked. “Can we keep Santa Fe diverse? Can we continue to be ‘The City Different’ in spite of the economic pressures that are at work?”

Drivers are currently paying around $3 for a gallon of regular gasoline, according to AAA. Last year, the national average was $3.06 on Thanksgiving Day. According to AAA, 6 million U.S. travelers are expected to take domestic flights over the 7-day holiday period, a 2% increase over 2024. That figure could end up lower if flights are canceled or delayed.

Travel by other modes is expected to increase by 8.5% to nearly 2.5 million people. Other forms of travel include bus, train, and cruise ships.

ISMAEL Cortes Estrada

2025. Photo:Susan Montoya Bryan/AP