12122023 BUSINESS AND FEATURES

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2023

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By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net ROYAL Caribbean Cruise Lines is eyeing the potential acquisition of Freeport’s longclosed Xanadu Beach Hotel as part of plans to develop a resort and water park destination, it can be revealed.

Multiple well-placed sources, speaking to Tribune Business on condition of anonymity, also disclosed that the cruise giant’s ambitions extend to “all the tracts of land down to Princess Isle” that are presently controlled by Irish-headquartered Harcourt Developments, the Royal Oasis owner.

This newspaper’s contacts, while stressing that no deal has yet been concluded with either Harcourt or Xanadu’s owner, Italian/Bahamian businessman, Mario Donato, said talks between representatives of both property owners and Royal Caribbean are ongoing and seem to be progressing towards a formal purchase offer being made shortly by the cruise line.

They added that Royal Caribbean’s interest in what one estimated is a 40-50 acre site, should it acquire all the targeted land parcels, is a signal that it must have reached - or be close to sealing - a deal for Freeport Harbour’s transformation. It has been locked in negotiations with Freeport Harbour Company,

which is 50/50 owned by Hutchison Whampoa and the GBPA’s Port Group Ltd affiliate, for several years.

“They want all the tracts down to Princess Isle,” one source said of Royal Caribbean. “It’s probably 40-50 acres. If you look at the map you will see Xanadu at one end and four more ten-acre pieces going down to the west to Princess Isle. Harcourt Developments owns the next two.”

Tribune Business was subsequently informed that the Royal Oasis owner controls all the property between Xanadu and Princess Isle. This newspaper can also reveal that Colliers, the Canadian-headquartered international real estate firm that was selected by the Government to

market the Grand Lucayan to potential buyers, has also been called in to fulfill the same role with all Harcourt’s Bahamian properties.

Besides the land parcels attracting Royal Caribbean’s attention, Colliers’ assignment is also understood to include marketing the Royal Oasis to prospective purchases. The lead Colliers executive dealing with the Harcourt properties was said to be Gerhard Beukes, its Caribbean managing director and former head of Renew Bahamas, the ex-New Providence landfill operator under the last Christie administration.

Mr Beukes last night responded to Tribune Business calls via

Compliance chief loses bid to block grilling by ex-boss

Bahamas suffers 3,000 gap over trademark applications

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BAHAMIANS made 3,000 more trademark protection applications abroad than at home during the five years to 2022, it has been been revealed, with government income from the sector “stagnant” for a decade.

A presentation to the Davis administration’s Cabinet, dated December 5 this year, discloses how The Bahamas’ ambitions to develop an innovation-driven economy and unlock the full earning potential of its cultural and creative industries is being undermined by an outdated intellectual property rights regime not fit for the 21st century.

The 34-page document, likely put together by Ryan Pinder KC, the attorney general, and released alongside proposed

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net A BROKER/dealer’s former compliance chief has failed in his bid to prevent attorneys acting for his ex-boss from cross-examining him over his answers to 74 questions posed by US federal regulators.

Edward Cooper, former chief compliance officer for Mintbroker International, the defunct Bahamian securities firm that operated as SureTrader, had argued the Supreme Court’s new civil procedure rules did not permit Davis & Co, representing his former principal, Guy Gentile, from questioning him over the answers he submitted to Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) questions.

GUY GENTILE However, his plea was ultimately rejected by Justice Carla Card-Stubbs in a December 6, 2023, verdict.

She found that the examination of witnesses under the Evidence (Proceedings in Other Jurisdictions) Act, as applied in Mr Cooper’s particular case, “must be conducted in the same manner as if the witness was giving evidence at trial”.

SEE PAGE B4

LPIA operator leaves its COVID debt woe behind

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE BAHAMAS’ major airport continues to leave its COVID debt woes behind it with the coverage ratio stipulated by its lenders now healthier than it has even been since the pandemic started.

Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD), operator of Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA), disclosed in its justreleased annual report for the year to end-June 2023 that its debt service coverage ratio at that date stood at 1.55:1 - well in excess of the required 1.3:1 required by its financiers but for which it had to seek a waiver during two years of COVID.

This temporarily freed NAD from having to maintain that debt service coverage ratio, and the airport operator as a “precautionary measure” obtained the waiver’s extension until December 31, 2022. Ultimately, that extension was not needed because NAD’s debt service coverage ratio rebounded to 1.36 to one, above the limits stipulated by its financing terms, and has ultimately continued to improve since then.

And, in a further sign that NAD’s financial health has been restored, the LPIA operator is forecasting that it will remain in compliance with its debt service coverage ratio for the next nine months through to September 30, 2024 - a signal that

SEE PAGE B4

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

t *OOPWBUPST IFBE BCSPBE GPS HSFBUFS QSPUFDUJPO t 6SHFOU *1 VQHSBEFT UP IBMU AXPSSJTPNF USFOET t 0UIFSXJTF JOOPWBUJPO DVMUVSBM FDPOPNZ IBMUT legislative and regulatory reforms to overhaul The Bahamas’ intellectual property rights safeguards, highlighted what it branded as “worrisome” trends in local trademark, patent and copyright registrations stemming from “a loss of competitiveness” in the sector.

When it came to trademarks, which are defined as signs or symbols that distinguish a particular company’s goods or

services from those of its competitors, the Cabinet presentation highlighted the growing tendency of Bahamian creators to seek protection for their products from more robust overseas intellectual property (IP) rights regimes.

“For The Bahamas with a relatively weaker legal framework for IP protection as compared to Caribbean neighbours, a much larger portion of Bahamians opt for protection of IP internationally as compared to Caribbean counterparts,” it said.

“Over the period 2018 to 2022, a total of 7,275 trademark applications were made by Bahamians abroad, while only 4,205 patent applications were recorded domestically...

Should the additional 3,070 applications have also been filed locally, Registrar General fees would have increased by more

SEE PAGE B5

RYAN PINDER KC than $153,000 under the current fee structure.

“Notably, over the same period, regional leaders in trademark applications include the Dominican Republic (58,007); Jamaica (14,902); Cuba (12,468) and Trinidad & Tobago (8,474).”

Among the sectors identified as benefiting from the proposed trademark and other IP reforms, which have been put out to consultation until March 15, 2024, are producers of local jams, jellies and pepper sauces, plus locally produced salt, and the branding of Junkanoo products, bonefish lodges and Bahamian artists.

Pointing to increased brand recognition from

SEE PAGE B5

Gov’t patent earnings down 44% in decade

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Government’s earnings from trademark and patent applications nosedived by 44 percent over past decade as The Bahamas’ “loss of competitiveness” on intellectual property safeguards intensified.

A Cabinet presentation on the proposed comprehensive overhaul to The Bahamas’ intellectual property (IP) rights regime, dated December 5, 2023, blamed the country’s failure to modernise these protections for the country’s continued slide against rival jurisdictions despite previous administrations repeatedly pledging to undertake reforms.

The report estimated that “the revenue loss due to the absence of modern legislation is estimated at 200 percent annually”, although it did not describe what the 200

percent referred to or give a dollar figure.

“Owing to the limited progress in modernising the legal framework for IP protection, government revenue from the IP sector over the past ten years remained stagnant,” the Cabinet presentation confirmed. “The Registrar General’s Department analysis showed the largest volume of IP work related to trademark applications and registrations, similar to most developed countries “Revenues associated with trademarks and patents were estimated at $398,593 in 2012-2013, but by 2021-2022, they steadily declined to $224,049.

Revenues associated with copyrights were estimated at $1,324 in 2012-2013, decreasing to $726 in 2021-2022.

The noncommercial fee structure regime for licensing of IP, last updated in 2003, further erodes the IP regulator’s revenue.”

SEE PAGE B6

PAGE 2, Tuesday, December 12, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

US TRAIN IS WRAPPED UP IN THE BAHAMAS THE Bahamas has teamed with Brightline, the Florida-based inter-city rail travel provider, to wrap one of its passenger trains in this nation’s tourism branding.

The move is designed to showcase a new partnership that celebrates the links between Florida’s most visited regions (south and central Florida) and the nearby Bahamas. Brightline and this nation launched their tie-up at Brightline Orlando Station, in partnership with Orlando Health, on December 6 and at Brightline Miami Central on December 7 Branded inside and out, The Bahamas-themed Brightline train has joined the inter-city fleet of trains operating between Orlando and Miami with stops in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Aventura and Fort Lauderdale.

This week, Brightline began running 32 trains daily with 16 daily departures from Miami and Orlando. “Orlando, South Florida and The Bahamas have a rich shared history of

travellers experiencing the iconic destination’s attractions, beautiful natural sites and warm hospitality,” said Latia Duncombe, directorgeneral at the Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation.

“Brightline represents this connection in a very special way and we are thrilled to roll out this partnership.”

The festivities included a tour of the wrapped train, a Junkanoo rush out and authentic Bahamian cuisine for sampling.

“The islands of The Bahamas-branded Brightline train represents our partnership of connectivity, promoting travel, tourism and what makes the 16 islands so special and close,” said Johanna Rojas, Brightine’s senior vice-president of sales and partnerships.

“As we move into the busy travel season, and with the holidays around the corner, this is the perfect time to celebrate this partnership and raise awareness.”

BRIGHTLINE’S BAHAMAS-BRANDED TRAIN. THE MINISTRY of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, led by directorgeneral Latia Duncombe, was on site at Brightline Miami Central Station to celebrate the country’s partnership with Brightline and unveil the new Bahamas-branded train that travels between Miami and Orlando.

Photo:MOTIA

CHAMBER ELECTS NEW CHAIRMAN

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE BAHAMAS Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) has elected Timothy Ingraham to serve a two-year term as its new chairman.

The Summit Insurance chief executive was chosen to replace outgoing chair, Khrystle Rutherford-Ferguson, at the private sector body’s annual general meeting (AGM) on November 30, 2023.

Other newly-elected Board officers include vicechairman Don Williams, of Island Rum Bahamas, who previously served as the Chamber’s treasurer.

Charnette Thompson, who served on the last Chamber executive committee, was elected to serve as the Board’s secretary while Kendra Culmer, a former director, takes the treasurer’s post. Mrs Rutherford-Ferguson completes the new executive committee.

Seven of the ten directors elected to serve alongside

the officers are returning to their posts. They include Antoinette Russell, Maran Global Solutions; Cristobal Gomez, Nassau Tile Factory; Odetta Morton, Deltec Bank & Trust; Peter Goudie, PGHR Consulting; Royann Dean, ONWRD Advisors; Sean Moree, McKinney, Bancroft & Hughes; and Davinia Bain, Crypto Isle.

The three newly-elected directors are Ja’Ann Major, Higgs & Johnson; Kimberly Bodie, AML Foods; and attorney Joan Dilworth.

PICTURED from L to R: Khrystle Rutherford-Ferguson, immediate past chairman; Peter Goudie, director; Kimberley Bodie, director; Don Williams, vice-chairman; Timothy Ingraham, chairman; Kendra Culmer, treasurer; Joan Dilworth, director; Ja’Ann Major, director; Antoinette Russell, director; and Charnette Thompson, secretary.

THE JAMAICAN National Agency of Accreditation conducted a five-day workshop for various stakeholders at the New Providence Community Centre on Blake Road. Pictured L to R: Stephan Farquharson, technical officer, CROSQ; Pauline V. Curry, chairperson, BBSQ Standards Council; Michael Halkitis, minister of economic affairs; Sharonmae Shirley, chief executive, JANAAC; and Dr Renae Bufford, executive director, BBSQ. Photo:Betty Vedrine/BIS

Five-day workshop boosts companies’ product quality A JAMAICAN government agency held a five-day training workshop last week to encourage Bahamian companies to achieve high standards and quality in the products and services they supply.

The Jamaica National Agency for Accreditation (JANAAC) led the event, entitled ‘Transformative quality management training for businesses’, between December 4-8, 2023.

The workshop, which was hosted by the Bahamas Bureau of Standards and Quality (BBSQ), was held at the New Providence Community Centre on Blake Road. An official opening ceremony

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was staged on Wednesday, December 6, with the event part-sponsored by the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) and Economic Partnership Agreement’s (EPA) technical barriers to trade (TBT) programme.

Dr Renae Bufford, the Bahamas bureau’s executuve director, said: “These types of workshops are not just standalone events but annual events, which extend the quality and standards for The Bahamas. The adoption of these international standards also enhances the experience of the consumer.”

Michael Halkitis, minister of economic affairs,

added: “Whether consumers are purchasing goods, engaging with industries or utilising services, quality serves as the foundation upon which trust is built - the currency of all successful relationships, personal and professional,” he said.

“For business, what you offer your customers extends beyond products and services. It is my firm belief that pride is synonymous with quality, and the sense of pride we infuse into our work and offerings. It is what builds not only better businesses but also better economies and communities.”

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Perhaps you are raising funds for a good cause, campaigning for improvements in the area or have won an award. If so, call us on 322-1986 and share your story.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, December 12, 2023, PAGE 3

SEAPLANE OPERATORS IN CALL FOR OUT ISLAND INFRASTRUCTURE

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Editor jsimmons@tribunemedia.net SEAPLANE operators are urging Family Island resorts to install ramps to facilitate their operations and increase airlift to remote destinations.

Bridell Cargill-Sweeting, guest services concierge at Coco Bahama Seaplanes, told the Bahamas Out Island Promotions Board’s annual general meeting (AGM) that seaplane operators need the support of Family Island tourism partners through developing the necessary docks that are “easy to install and inexpensive”.

She said: “What we need from you is just to support the Bahamas’ agenda in reference to working with seaplanes and amphibious airlines. As opposed to building more airports,

working with an airline that can land anywhere.

“We have the infrastructure to land in the water, which doesn’t require additional investment. We have the same infrastructure as the average marine business. Sea plane docks are easy to install and inexpensive. The footprint is no larger than the marine industry and it’s beneficial to the country’s ecosystem.”

Ms Cargill-Sweeting added that providing such infrastructure can create an opportunity for visitors to New Providence to “island hop” and experience the Family Islands on a day trip or an extended stay with a partnering resort.

She said: “We also provide the opportunity for more revenue to go to the hoteliers in the Out islands.

Our guests that are staying in Nassau can go on and island hop, and experience maybe one of the activities

you have on the island or take a day trip to your hotel from Baha Mar or Atlantis to stay at your resort for a weekend if they’re on a longer stay.

“So all of these opportunities give us an opportunity to work together so that we can ensure that we’re always providing the best experience for our customers.”

Ms Cargill-Sweeting said Coco Bahama Seaplanes has served over 5,000 guests and plans island excursions, boat transfers and hotels, allowing customers to have the ease of travel that many visitors seek.

She added: “We offer guests staying in Nassau the connectivity to explore and have adventure on the Family Islands, and we have served upwards of 5,000 passengers. We plan everything - their boat transfers, we plan hotels sometimes.

We can plan experiences on the Family Islands.

“They will come to Odyssey Aviation. We meet them in the lobby with amenities. They have amenities in flight. They fly over the beautiful Bahamian islands, they land on the water, they can pull up to the beach or the seaplane ramp and immediately the vacation starts. No connectivity, no drives, they are able to have the experience of a lifetime.”

Patricia Summerfield, partner development manager at Tropic Ocean Airways, said Family Island hoteliers can assist seaplane providers by installing seaplane docks at new developments or as part of upgrades to existing resorts.

She said: “Just letting people know that we exist, and considering the seaplane docks as part of upgrades and also new construction. So if there’s a

new development or additions that are happening, we would always love to be part of that plan to at least have the discussion and the opportunity to talk through that with you and tell you how that works.”

Ms Summerfield added that local communities can also advocate for the Government to assign Customs and Immigration officers so that guests can fly directly and not have to make a stop at an island where facilities are available.

She said: “Of course landing on the water, we don’t have Customs everywhere.

We have them in certain locations like Baker’s [Bay] and other areas. But again, coming together with that region and advocating on behalf of the hotels and asking to add Customs in some of those locations to make it a better experience for your customers.”

SEAPLANE SERVICE MUST Artificial Xmas trees enjoy BE PROPERLY REGULATED ‘overwhelming’ sales jump

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net A FAMILY Island hotelier yesterday backed the use of seaplanes to increase airlift once such services are properly zoned and regulated.

Jeff Birch, owner of the Small Hope Bay Lodge in Andros, said he supports resorts and developments in providing sea plane docks but warned that landings in the flats should not be permitted.

He said: “I don’t think that they should land in the flats or on the west side.

I think that they can be a very large disruption to the eco-balance in those areas.

“I think they should service hotels. We can pull out our little docks and they can pull up to the resorts and service hotels, but I don’t think they should be bringing people into the vast unspoiled areas around Andros.”

Mr Birch added that Andros has had a “pretty good” year but hotels have been affected by the high cost of utilities and food.

He said: “I think that everybody in Andros has had a pretty good year. I think what we’re feeling a little bit now is that the cost

of business has gone up substantially.

“The cost of utilities, food and beverage have increased the most this year, beverage not as much but definitely food.” Mr Birch explained that with rising costs, businesses have had to adjust their projected profit margins to accommodate the change.

He said: “You get an increase in business, so if you have an increase in revenues, your cost of generating those revenues is very, very high. Then whatever little margin you might have had, you might have foreseen in the past, you’re not going to see in the future, so you have to do even more business. So I’m not sure how that’s going to play out.

“But as far as the business and Andros, I think everybody in Andros is seeing an upsurge. I think Kamalame Cay has been doing well, bonefish lodges have been quite busy. I think all of them, whatever offerings they have in Andros, they’ve been doing better.”

Mr Birch added that Andros would benefit from having its airports renovated to accommodate increased airlift to the island.

Hasbro cuts 1,100 jobs, or 20% of its workforce, prompted by the ongoing malaise in the toy business

By ANNE D'INNOCENZIO AP Retail Writer TOY maker Hasbro said Monday it is cutting about 1,100 jobs, or 20% of its workforce, as the malaise in the toy business extends through another holiday shopping season.

The nearly century-old Rhode Island-based company behind Monopoly, Play-Doh and My Little Pony toys disclosed the layofafs in a memo to employees published in a regulatory filing. The Wall Street Journal first reported the news.

The company said that the reductions are on top of 800 job cuts that have been taken so far in 2023 as part of moves announced last year to save up to $300 million annually by 2025. As of year-end 2022, the company said it had 6,490 employees.

Like many toy companies, Hasbro is struggling with a slowdown in sales after a surge during pandemic lockdowns when parents were splurging on toys to keep their children busy. Last holiday season, many toy companies had to slash prices to get rid of merchandise due to weak demand. And the challenges have continued. Toy sales in the U.S. were down 8% from January through August, based on Circana's most recent data.

"The market headwinds we anticipated have proven to be stronger and more persistent than planned," Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks wrote in the memo. "While we have made some

important progress across our organization, the headwinds we saw through the first nine months of the year have continued into holiday and are likely to persist into 2024."

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net SALES of artificial Christmas trees have been “overwhelming” in the run-up to the holiday season with the premium pre-lit variety also sparking demand, vendors said yesterday.

Tanya Heastie, Shop Smart’s general manager, told Tribune Business that consumers are increasingly seeking out pre-lit

trees because they will not have to throw them away in January and can reuse them “year after year”.

Artificial tree sales were also said to be “even better” than in 2022, with Bahamians able to give the Alexa Artificial Intelligence tree commands and watch the colour of its lights change.

“They have trees that can go multi-colour and clear at the same time, and they are a big seller,” Ms Heastie added.

Brent Burrows Jr, CBS Bahamas vice-president of retail and sales, said:

“Sales compared to last year are about the same, fairly strong, although this year we see more of the premium trees being sold like the pre-lit, for example. Also, people seem to be going after the larger trees, seven feet up to 12 feet, versus the smaller varieties.”

A vendor of authentic Christmas trees, speaking on condition of anonymity, said sales were improved compared to 2022. They added: “It’s not as bad as it was last year, and it definitely won’t be bad

Ms Summerfield added that seaplanes can land near cays that do not have an existing airport, and if hoteliers collaborate and request the it, seaplane operators will provide the service.

She said: “We’re not restricted to the runways; we can really go anywhere.

Abaco Cays or those other places that are hard to reach because there isn’t an airport, and you may have to take a 45-minute boat ride after landing to an airport there.

“So any of those locations we want to hear what you need and we just need people to come together.

Obviously it’s hard to launch a scheduled service in an area where you only have, you know, one or two hotels but if there’s a region that needs us, we’re happy to come there.” next year because I think next year will be the first year where there will be an influx of trees and the market will be back where it used to be.

“But as for this year, everything is going fine. We have some new competition in the game now, too.”

Prices for real trees are “not expensive” because people should know what to expect, but “some people are saying they are too expensive” for 2023.

The vendor said last year’s woes stemmed from sourcing Christmas trees in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, as there was a shortage of supply from traditional sources. This forced retailers to look to other markets for trees.

GB CHAMBER CHIEF IS ‘POSITIVE’ ON ISLAND’S INVESTMENT OUTLOOK

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net THE Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce’s president yesterday said “positive” things are happening for the island’s economy despite strained relations between its quasigovernmental authority and the Government.

James Carey told Tribune Business he believes the island’s investment outlook has changed and now is a “great time” for persons to acquire a second home or start a business because Grand Bahama is “certainly on a rebound”.

He added: “The positive thing is that Derek Newbold (chief investment officer at the GBPA) has come in and said that the GBPA has been talking about $1.5bn in investment for Freeport, and is now saying it’s more in the area of $1.8bn.

PUBLIC NOTICE THE BAHAMAS CYCLE CO. Will be holding it’s ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING On Friday 15th December At the PHOENIX RESTAURANT On Bay St & Elizabeth Ave. At 6pm All Shareholders are welcome to attend.

“I’m not sure if this is the same $1.5bn that the Prime Minister is talking about when he mentioned it on the campaign trail, but I’m hoping it’s two separate pools of money, and when it comes together it spells great things for us.”

While there has been no mention yet of where the extra $300m is coming from, Mr Carey added: “I know Mr Newbold has just now come back to the island from an extended trip because he’s been travelling for almost two months, so let’s hope he’s come back with some more goodies in his bag, but I can’t say for sure. But I want to remain all positive.”

“I don’t think we are going out of 2023 with a bang or a whimper, but I think there is a certain buzz in the air and there seems to be a little more activity on the ground with people starting to move around and that spells good news.

“Spending a few dollars during the Christmas,

whether they have something or not, and credit cards will also get a pretty good burn on them during the holidays, but that’s just

the way business goes.” All these developments are “small steps, but leading in the right direction” for Freeport.

PAGE 4, Tuesday, December 12, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

Compliance chief loses bid to block grilling by ex-boss FROM PAGE B1 This permitted the various forms of witness questioning seen in Supreme Court trials, including examination, re-examination and the cross-examination that Davis & Co attorneys, Philip McKenzie KC and Glenda Roker, were seeking to do on Mr Gentile’s behalf.

Besides Mr Cooper, the SEC is also seeking evidence and witness testimony from multiple other former Bahamian executives at SureTrader to bolster its case against Mr Gentile in their now twoand-a-half year legal battle.

It has also moved to examine Antonio Collie, the now-defunct broker/ dealer’s ex-chief financial officer; Stephen Darville, its former IT chief; Janay Symonette-Pyfrom, thenchief marketing officer; and Drameko Moore, described as an affiliates professional.

Mr Cooper’s bid to block his cross-examination by Davis & Co, filed

on November 1, 2023, has further delayed the SEC’s efforts to obtain the evidence it desires from The Bahamas. It has now sought, and obtained an extension until January 26, 2024, to complete the pretrial “discovery” process from the south Florida federal district court.

“The SEC was also successful in its efforts to take testimony from some of the third-party former SureTrader employees located in THe Bahamas through the letters rogatory process, which was started in August 2022 with this court’s approval,” the US capital markets regulator said.

“Because of their roles at SureTrader, these former employees have relevant information about SureTrader and Gentile operating an offshore broker/dealer in The Bahamas designed to help day traders in the United States circumvent the US rules that regulate pattern day trading, illegally soliciting US customers and acting as an unregistered securities broker/dealer.

“Although the SEC successfully completed the testimony of three of the five former Bahamian employees subject to testify through the letters rogatory process, the testimony of former compliance officer Edward Cooper was started, but not completed, due to objections made by Mr Cooper’s counsel,” the SEC added.

“These objections were raised in a specially set hearing in the local Bahamian court. On November 28, 2023, the Bahamian court overruled Mr Cooper’s objections and stated that his testimony may continue. Thus, the parties are now trying to reschedule a date before the Bahamian registrar to conclude Mr Cooper’s testimony.”

Tribune Business understands that the examination of Ms Symonette-Pyfrom was delayed due to incorrect contact details for her, but that has now been overcome and she will be examined accordingly. “The SEC has conferred with Bahamian local counsel

regarding scheduling of the remaining testimony and was advised that due to the upcoming holidays there is limited availability,” the SEC added in its filings.

“Although the parties are diligently working on finalising discovery, essential discovery from The Bahamas will not be completed by the court’s current discovery deadline of November 30, 2023.

Without this discovery, the SEC will be hindered in many aspects of pre-trial preparation. Thus, the SEC requests that the current discovery deadline be extended until January 26, 2024.” That was duly granted.

Justice Card-Stubbs, in her ruling, noted that the SEC had submitted some 74 questions for Mr Cooper to answer in his examination before the Supreme Court registrar. She had ordered that all the former SureTrader executives appear on March 10, 2023, having determined that the US request for judicial assistance was proper.

This Order, though, was varied on May 16, 2023, upon the application of Davis & Co. The changes allowed Mr McKenzie and Ms Roker, as Mr Gentile’s legal representatives, “to participate in all proceedings” and attend the depositions of the five former Bahamian executives as well as “to cross-examine the said witnesses”.

The depositions were proceeding until Mr Cooper’s attorneys, Amicus Chambers, objected to him being cross-examined because the proceedings were “non-adversarial in nature”. As a result, the civil procedure rules 2022 - especially parts 33 and 69 - “do not contemplate

witnesses being cross-examined by counsel for parties to these proceedings, on questions provided by a foreign court”.

The process thus stalled until Justice Card-Stubbs delivered her ruling. She took a dim view of Amicus Chambers’ last-minute letter, the day before the November 28, 2023, hearing that none of its attorneys would be available to attend on Mr Cooper’s behalf.

“While courts may, for practical purposes, attempt to set convenient dates for the hearing of matters before it, a court cannot be constrained or hamstrung by any one party’s diary. To allow such a state of affairs would be disruptive to the justice system,” Justice Card-Stubbs said.

“In this case an applicant, not a party to the matter, has filed an application before this court. If this court were to yield to the applicant’s unavailability without question, then a non-party could, without explanation, delay in pursuing an application that has resulted in the stay of one aspect of the matter and thus effectively obstruct the just disposal of the proceedings that the parties have pending against each other.

“That is an undesirable state of affairs,” the judge added. “What an applicant cannot be encouraged to do is to derail proceedings by the filing of an application which he does not proceed with in a timely fashion.

‘Timely fashion’ is to be considered on a case-bycase basis.

“To permit counsel to dictate the diary of this court in these circumstances would result in a process that would be unfair as it would prejudice the proceedings for the named parties given the time

constraints. This is a matter that required the observation of time constraints.

“Counsel for the applicant was well aware that the deposition was undertaken in the context of proceedings pending elsewhere.

Counsel for the applicant was also aware that the deposition process was stayed pending the hearing of the application.”

Having decided to proceed with the hearing, Justice Card-Stubbs found that the law provides for the cross-examination of witnesses at Evidence (Proceedings in Other Jurisdictions Act) especially as there was sufficient protection available to them.

“It seems to me that the law in relation to the conduct of the examination of a witness under this regime is that the examination conducted by the registrar must follow the method known in this jurisdiction as obtains at trial,” she found.

“While the RSC (Supreme Court rules) specifically provided for examination, cross-examination and re-examination, the phases of questioning known to trials in this jurisdiction, the current civil procedure rules provide merely for the examination to ‘be conducted in the same way as if the witness were giving evidence at a trial’.

“In this jurisdiction, evidence at trial is adduced via examination, cross-examination and reexamination.

Therefore, in my opinion, the law allows for the examination, cross-examination and reexamination of a witness ordered deposed pursuant to a request under the Evidence (Proceedings in Other Jurisdictions) Act.”

LPIA operator leaves its COVID debt woe behind FROM PAGE B1 the prospect of needing government and Bahamian taxpayer support has been virtually eliminated.

“On September 30, 2020, the company was unable to achieve the debt service coverage ratio covenant requirement of 1.3 to one under the senior financing agreements,” NAD’s 2023 financial statements recalled.

“However, on November 25, 2020, the company obtained a waiver of the debt service coverage ratio covenant through the execution of an amendment and waiver agreement, which was extended to December 31, 2022.

“Additionally, the Government of The Bahamas expressed to the noteholders of the company’s senior debt, through a letter dated November 25, 2020, a commitment to take such action as may be necessary to enable the company to continue to meet its obligations under the senior financing agreements,” the audited financial statements.

“The commitment letter was also extended to December 31, 2022. On September 30, 2022 the debt service coverage ratio was 1.36 to 1.00 and, as of June 30, 2023, the debt

service coverage ratio is 1.55 to 1.00.

“The company’s current forecasted cash flows indicate that the debt service coverage ratio covenant is expected to be in compliance at 1.3 to one or above for each of the consecutive calendar quarters in the period through to September 30, 2024.” As a result, NAD’s management and Board determined that it was appropriate for the financials to be presented on the basis that the company is a going concern.

A debt service coverage ratio assesses whether a company has sufficient cash flow and income to pay its debts. It is normally calculated by dividing net operating income by total debt servicing costs, including both principal repayment and interest expense and, for NAD, the economy’s re-opening and robust tourism rebound have driven a sharp improvement in key financial indicators.

Net operating income, which is key to the debt service ratio, improved by more than $18m in the 12 months to end-June 2023 to finish the period at $77.533m as opposed to $59.26m in 2022 when the airport and economy were dealing with the final

removal of COVID-era restrictions.

Net income more than tripled, from $7.574m in 2022, to $26.643m, while total revenues of $108.2m rebounded to the preCOVID levels enjoyed in 2019. Gary Sawyer, NAD’s chairman, wrote in the annual report: “The final quarter of 2023 began with April numbers ahead of budget. Over the Easter holiday weekend, LPIA tracked 2,925 aircraft movements.

“Easter passenger traffic increased by 14.8 percent over 2022 but remained 12.2 percent behind 2019 traffic. By the end of April, there was an increase in passenger performance across all sectors compared to prior year - US passenger numbers up by 21 percent, international by 21 percent and domestic by 15 percent.

“Thanks to a collaborative approach to air service development with key industry stakeholders, overall seat capacity year-to-date improved by 18 percent. The uptick came primarily from Virgin Atlantic Airways and British Airways in the International sector,” Mr Sawyer added.

“We rounded out the fiscal period with total operational revenue of $108.2m, up from $83.9m in 2022, and a net income of $26.6m compared to $7.5m in 2022.

Financial year 2023 ended with 3.716m total passengers, financial year 2022 ended with 2.808m, and financial year 2019 ended with 3.997m.”

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THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, December 12, 2023, PAGE 5

Royal Caribbean eyes possible Xanadu deal FROM PAGE B1 What’s App, apologising and saying he “can’t speak now”. However, one source familiar with Colliers’ task said: “They are marketing all the Harcourt properties.

The lender has instructed Colliers to market everything to see if they can extricate Harcourt from its debt. Harcourt has exited from every other jurisdiction and this will be the last one.”

Neither Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean’s president and chief executive, nor Jay Schneider, the cruise line’s chief product innovation officer, responded to Tribune Business messages sent to their mobile phones seeking comment before press time last night. Philip Simon, the cruise line’s Nassau-based Bahamas chief, said he was unaware of its Freeport interest.

One source, though, said Royal Caribbean’s Xanadu interest also involved its high-end affiliate, Celebrity Cruises. “Celebrity is Royal Caribbean’s premier cruise line, the best of the best, which is very good news for Freeport, because we usually get the worst of the worst,” they

added. “They’ll [the two cruise lines] probably use it together and share it.

“It’s a wonderful plan. It looks too big to me to just be a water-based adventure or theme park. That would be a major first step for Freeport. We’d have the Shipyard investment, the new harbour docks for the mega cruise ships, be it Royal Caribbean, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) or whoever else, and then the 50 acres on the beach. This could also be the impetus for the airport to get done.”

Tribune Business had previously been told that Royal Caribbean was seeking a more tourist-friendly location for the water park it had initially planned to locate at Freeport Harbour, which has a more industrial feel, hence its interest in the Xanadu.

Should the cruise line’s plans come to fruition, this newspaper was told that ITM Group, its Mexican partner on the aborted Grand Lucayan venture, and their Holistica joint venture will ultimately operate the proposed amenities and attractions.

Another source familiar with the Xanadu, which has been closed for 12 years

and is falling further into disrepair, said: “I’ve heard the same about Royal Caribbean and the Xanadu, and Royal Caribbean and Harcourt.

“There’s a lot of sniffing going on. The scenario is that Royal Caribbean is after the Xanadu, and after the land to the west of the Xanadu that is all owned

by Harcourt. That would be perfect for them as they would have their own marina there and have a place of their own.

“They would have access to a built-in canal system coming from Princess Isle to the back of their property and it would be perfect for them. They would be able to do similar to what Carnival is trying to do up at Barbary Beach. All these cruise lines want their own little beach area for people to have fun and play, and the money stays on the ship.”

Another source, also aware of developments, said they understood that the Xanadu and Harcourt tracts are just one of multiple Grand Bahama locations that Royal Caribbean is exploring to see if they meet its needs and an appropriate deal can be worked out.

“It would augment the cruise offering of Bahamas Ports Investments in the harbour,” they added referring to the Royal Caribbean group’s name. “It would combine a world-class cruise port with a worldclass beach resort.” The source added that they were also familiar with Colliers’ involvement in marketing the Harcourt properties.

Built in 1968 by US shipping tycoon, D. K. Ludwig, the Xanadu established itself as a venue for the socalled “Rat Pack” - the likes of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jnr, Cary Grant and Dean Martin - as well as accommodating reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes, who once lived in its 13th storey penthouse.

The 184-room property was acquired by Mr Donato in 1987, but it ultimately closed in 2011. The Xanadu is listed for a $25m asking price on Bahama Islands Properties’ website, which says: “The 184 rooms has it all.

“Set on a world class beach, it also boasts a 75-slip marina with incredible potential, and in addition more than 20-plus acres strategically located near downtown and the airport. It is perfect for

aggressive rooms and amenities expansion or adding condominiums.”

Another realtor, James Sarles Realty, has the resort listed for $35m.

Ian Rolle, the Grand Bahama Port Authority’s (GBPA) president, told a Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) meeting in late April that October 2023 was being targeted for completion of the $70m Freeport Harbour deal in which Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) had teamed with Royal Caribbean and ITM Group.

“They are looking to redevelop the existing harbour,” he confirmed. “At first, ITM and Royal Caribbean were the only ones involved in this process.

MSC has now come along and joined them in this partnership and we intend for this deal to be closed by October this year.”

Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean’s president and chief executive, previously told this newspaper that Royal Caribbean was “increasingly optimistic” that its joint venture with ITM Group will finally come to fruition as negotiations - which have already taken several years

- continue with Freeport Harbour Company.

“That’s still going through its process,” he told Tribune Business then. “I would say we are increasingly optimistic about the timing of that.

In the coming months hopefully we will be in a position to make some positive announcement on Freeport.

Our intent is to bring more capacity into Freeport. The first step, which will be in conjunction with others, is investing in improving the port.”

The cruise chief said that investment would involve other parties, especially fellow lines that will use Freeport Harbour’s revived cruise port. Mr Bayley also confirmed that Royal Caribbean/ITM’s plans still call for an expansion in the number of cruise ship berths, and development of a water-based adventure theme park for passengers in close proximity to the harbour.

Mr Rolle had told March’s Grand Bahama Business Outlook conference that both Carnival and Royal Caribbean’s Grand Bahama investments are projected to each bring one million cruise visitors per annum to the island once fully operational.

Bahamas suffers 3,000 gap over trademark applications FROM PAGE B1 labels such as ‘Made in China’, which has helped boost exports as well as domestic purchases, the Cabinet presentation added: “The opportunity exists to create and promote a similar ‘Made in The Bahamas’ collective brand, particularly to provide support to small businesses and collectives “Such a brand may support locally manufactured and produced products such as straw bags, pepper sauces, local jams/jellies and other products with significant Bahamian content. The use of a collective trademark must be deployed in tandem with a process to monitor product quality standards to ensure the long-term viability of the trademark.”

Meanwhile, The Bahamas was also witnessing similar trends with patent and copyright registration. Over the five years between 2018-2022, local patent applications had declined from a peak of around 35 per year to just

over 20 in 2022. During the same period, foreign patent applications by Bahamians had risen from a low of just over 20 in 2020 to more than 50 in both 2021 and 2022.

On trademark applications, while the local variety has climbed slowly to under 1,500 by 2022, Bahamians had filed some 2,000 such submissions abroad. And, on industrial design (copyright) applications, those made by locals in foreign countries had recovered from a COVID-induced dip in 2020 to again exceed local submissions in 2022.

“Save for the spike in domestic IP registrations during the COVID-19 pandemic period, there has been a trend of low domestic IP registrations and a preference for Bahamians to register IP abroad,” the Cabinet presentation said.

Patents, which are designed to protect an innovator’s creativity or the ‘fruits of their mind’, are issued to protect inventions from being stolen, copied or pirated. They are applied to products and processes

that offer “a new way of doing something” or a new solution to a long-standing problem.

“Over the period 2018 to 2022, a total of 214 patent applications were made

by Bahamians abroad, 91 applications more than the 123 registered domestically during the period,” the report to Cabinet said.

“Notable outliers are Antigua and Barbuda (2,207) and Barbados (3,707), who have significant patent filings by citizens/residents abroad.

The new framework is hoped to reverse this trend to encourage more domestic patent applications in line with regional trends.”

Overseas patent applications by Bahamians thus exceeded the domestic variety by almost 74 percent over those five years.

Among the opportunities that could be stimulated by more robust Bahamian patent protection, the Cabinet presentation said, is “local, unique salt extraction and production processes”.

The upgrades contained in the

package of proposed IP reforms, it added, could help strengthen brands and increase the value of Bahamian salt products.

“The Bahamas has operated in the niche sea salt production marketplace for generations, using creative methods to extract mineral rich salt from local salt ponds and flats, and has only entered the commercial salt market in the 1900s,” the Cabinet presentation added.

“The local extraction method itself, tied to environmentally sustainable practices, itself may offer unique patent and branding opportunities in sustainable harvesting. Similarly, branded products retail for $0.25 per ounce ($4 per pound) and more, attributed to the boosted health options and high mineral content associated with the natural harvesting methods.”

As for copyright, which is typically used to protect the creativity in literary and artistic works, ensuring that the creators of books, music and films receive due

and appropriate compensation for use of their works, Bahamians again sought refuge abroad in greater numbers.

“Over the period 2018 to 2022, a total of 109 copyright applications were made by Bahamians abroad, while only 50 such applications were filed locally during the period,” the Cabinet presentation said. “Regional leaders in this category include Jamaica (836), Belize (343) and Dominican Republic (134).

“The low level of domestic copyright applications is in stark contrast to the more then 110 musicians, performers, playwrights and registered parties who produce copyrightable material. Concurrent with growth and development of the local tourism sector is the need to expand and develop a local cultural identity to support the sector.

“Expansion of copyright protection provides the base to ensure local artisans in the sector are duly compensated for their artistic

work. Based on Government data, there are more than 110 licensed performers, painters, writers and other persons engaged in the creative economy space who may potentially benefit from an expanded framework.”

The Cabinet presentation suggested that the proposed upgrades would provide Bahamian artists with greater protection against the unauthorised use of their work both domestically and abroad, thus ensuring they retain the necessary rights, are able to receive the remuneration that is due to them and initiate legal action against violators.

It thus reiterated that The Bahamas’ ambitions of becoming a technology hub, and realising the potential of its cultural or ‘orange’ economy, may never be realised without strengthening IP protections for both those industries.

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE

LONETREE PROPERTIES LIMITED (In Voluntary Liquidation)

LONETREE PROPERTIES LIMITED

FINVEST PROPERTIES LIMITED (In Voluntary Liquidation)

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Shareholders of LONETREE PROPERTIES LIMITED is hereby called to be held at the office of the Liquidator, East Hill Street, Nassau, Bahamas on the 8th day of January, 2023 at 10:00 o’clock in the forenoon.

In accordance with Section 228 of The Companies Act, NOTICE is hereby given that at an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Company held on the 1st day of December, 2023 the following Resolutions were passed:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Shareholders of FINVEST PROPERTIES LIMITED is hereby called to be held at the office of the Liquidator, East Hill Street, Nassau, Bahamas on the 8th day of January, 2023 at 10:00 o’clock in the forenoon.

The object and purpose of the said meeting is to have the liquidator, BF Company Limited, give an account of the manner in which the winding-up of LONETREE PROPERTIES LIMITED has been conducted and to hear any explanation that may be given by the said Liquidator.

Dated the 1st day of December, 2023

(In Voluntary Liquidation)

1.

That LONETREE PROPERTIES LIMITED be voluntarily wound up.

2.

That BF Company Limited be appointed Liquidator for the purpose of winding up the affairs of LONETREE PROPERTIES LIMITED

BF COMPANY LIMITED Liquidator

The object and purpose of the said meeting is to have the liquidator, BF Company Limited, give an account of the manner in which the winding-up of FINVEST PROPERTIES LIMITED has been conducted and to hear any explanation that may be given by the said Liquidator.

Dated the 1st day of December, 2023

BF COMPANY LIMITED Liquidator

LONETREE PROPERTIES LIMITED (In Voluntary Liquidation)

LONETREE PROPERTIES LIMITED (In Voluntary Liquidation)

DATED the 1st day of December, 2023

FINVEST PROPERTIES LIMITED (In Voluntary Liquidation)

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE

FINVEST PROPERTIES LIMITED (In Voluntary Liquidation)

LONETREE PROPERTIES LIMITED (In Voluntary Liquidation)

FINVEST PROPERTIES LIMITED

Pursuant to the appointment of the undersigned as a Liquidator of the above mentioned Company, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that all persons having any outstanding claims against FINVEST PROPERTIES LIMITED should send particulars thereof to the undersigned at P. O. Box N-4853, East Hill Street, Nassau on or before the 29th day of December, 2023.

Pursuant to the appointment of the undersigned as a Liquidator of the above mentioned Company, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that all persons having any outstanding claims against LONETREE PROPERTIES LIMITED should send particulars thereof to the undersigned at P. O. Box N-4853, East Hill Street, Nassau on or before the 29th day of December, 2023.

In accordance with Section 228 of The Companies Act, NOTICE is hereby given that at an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Company held on the 1st day of December, 2023 the following Resolutions were passed:

BF COMPANY LIMITED Liquidator

BF COMPANY LIMITED Liquidator

FINVEST PROPERTIES LIMITED (In Voluntary Liquidation)

LONETREE PROPERTIES LIMITED (In Voluntary Liquidation)

DATED the 1st day of December, 2023

DATED the 1st day of December, 2023

BF COMPANY LIMITED Liquidator

(In Voluntary Liquidation)

1.

That FINVEST PROPERTIES LIMITED be voluntarily wound up.

2.

That BF Company Limited be appointed Liquidator for the purpose of winding up the affairs of FINVEST PROPERTIES LIMITED

BF COMPANY LIMITED Liquidator FINVEST PROPERTIES LIMITED (In Voluntary Liquidation) DATED the 1st day of December, 2023

PAGE 6, Tuesday, December 12, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

Gov’t patent earnings down 44% in decade FROM PAGE ONE Analysing the wider impact, the Cabinet presentation showed the present IP regulatory regime has left The Bahamas non-compliant with its obligations under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) trade agreement with the European Union (EU) that was signed around 15 years ago.

“The Bahamas joined the CARIFORUM/EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) in October 2008 with the aim of increasing exports to the European market and diversifying the economy.

Prior to joining, the legal framework for intellectual property (IP) in The

Bahamas was outdated,” the report added.

“In 2013, amidst efforts to diversify the Bahamian economy utilising new trade sources, new legislation was drafted to modernise and enhance IP protection. This legislation includes the Copyright Act, Patent Act, Trademarks Act and others. However, the legislation was never enacted.” Thus potential export opportunities have also been nullified.

“Lack of modernisation has led to a loss of competitiveness in the IP sector and potential revenues for the Government and businesses,” the Cabinet presentation added.

“The updated legislative framework for IP was not

fully enacted, remaining non-compliant with CARIFORUM-EU EPA and WTO (World Trade Organisation) guidelines.

“The revenue loss due to the absence of modern legislation is estimated at 200 percent annually.

Weak domestic IP protection prompts businesses to seek protection in the neighbouring US and other international jurisdictions, further exacerbating the revenue loss.”

Outlining the legislative package designed to transform The Bahamas’ IP regime, which has been put out for public consultation until March 15, 2024, the Cabinet presentation said the Government’s ambitions to unlock the full

potential of the creative or ‘orange’ economy will not be realised without urgent reform.

“The World Bank estimated that the creative economy (orange economy) continues to be a significant source of employment and provided around 30 million jobs in 2020 globally,” the report said.

“As outlined in the 2023 Speech From the Throne, a key component of the Government’s legislative agenda includes the enhancement of the creative economy through expansion of IP protection for entrepreneurs operating in the orange economy.

“The Bahamian strategy for improving the creative economy involves

incentivisng creatives to protect their work, facilitating negotiation for international distribution.

It also includes facilitating the use of IP as collateral for financing, introducing best practices, expanding to adoption and use of IP in The Bahamas by entrepreneurs and creatives, and preventing the abuse and loss of local creative material.”

Pointing to the growing importance of IP globally, and as a source of wealth, the Cabinet presentation added: “Intangible assets constitute a crucial part of global value chains and production processes. From 2000-2014, intangible assets were estimated to account for one-third of company

market values, double the contribution of tangible capital.

“COVID-19 and related health protocols caused significant challenges to global economies.

Despite challenges, there was an innovation surge and increased value of intellectual property, contributing to global economic rebound....

“Global intangible asset value grew from $65.7trn in 2019 to an estimated $74trn in 2021. Recent research conducted by Angus Chu (2021) demonstrates a positive correlation between strong intellectual property (IP) protection and innovation.”

WALL STREET ENDS HIGHER AHEAD OF THE FINAL FEDERAL RESERVE MEETING OF THE YEAR

By DAMIAN J. TROISE AND ALEX VEIGA AP Business Writers STOCKS on Wall Street finished modestly higher Monday ahead of the Federal Reserve’s final meeting of the year.

The S&P 500 rose 0.4% after drifting between small gains and losses in the early going. The benchmark index finished at its highest level in 20 months.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average also added 0.4%, while the Nasdaq composite finished 0.2% higher.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that KIMANIE DOWNER of P. O. Box N-8582, Symonette Street, Chippingham, New Providence, 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 12th day of December, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

The gains were broad among S&P 500 stocks, with technology, financial and health care among the big winners. Communications services stocks were the only laggard.

Cigna surged 16.7% for the biggest gain among S&P 500 stocks after the health insurer announced a $10 billion stock buyback, and the Wall Street Journal reported that the company is no longer pursuing a merger with Humana.

Macy’s jumped 19.4% following reports that an investor group is launching a bid to take the storied retailer private for $5.8 billion.

All told, the S&P 500 rose 18.07 points to 4,622.44.

The Dow gained 157.06 points to 36,404.93 and the Nasdaq added 28.51 points to close at 14,432.49.

The latest gains, while muted, follow a six-week winning streak by the major stock indexes. The S&P 500

SIGN at the intersection of Broad and Wall streets is shown outside the New York Stock Exchange, Monday, Dec. 11, 2023, in New York. Stocks drifted higher in afternoon trading Monday on Wall Street ahead of the Federal Reserve’s last meeting of the year.

Photo:Yuki Iwamura/AP is up 20.4% for the year and the Nasdaq is up 37.9%.

Wall Street’s big focus this week will be updates on inflation at the consumer and wholesale levels, along with the Fed’s latest update on its interest rate policy.

On Tuesday, the government will release its November report on consumer inflation. Analysts expect the report to show that inflation continued

slowing to 3.1% from 3.2% in October. On Wednesday, the government will release its November report on inflation at the wholesale level, which is also expected to show that the rate of inflation is easing.

The inflation data comes ahead of the Fed’s latest statement on interest rates Wednesday afternoon. The central bank is expected to hold its benchmark rate steady for a third consecutive time after spending much of 2022 and a large portion of 2023 aggressively

raising rates to their highest levels in two decades.

Wall Street is overwhelmingly betting that the Fed will keep its benchmark interest rate at a range of 5.25% to 5.50% into early 2024 and could start cutting rates by the middle of that year. Analysts are also becoming more comfortable with the possibility that the central bank can pull off a “soft landing,” which refers to inflation easing under high interest rates without the economy falling into a recession.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that MARIE-DAFNAY CLARKE of, Mount Plesant, New Providence, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 12th day of December 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that ANTHONY ALEXANDER OTTLEY, Great Harbour Cay, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 5th day of December 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that CHRISTOPHER JAMES PEEL of, New Providence, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 12th day of December 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

PAGE 8, Tuesday, December 12, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

BODY AND MIND

How to eat healthy during the holidays

By CARA HUNT Tribune Features Writer cbrennen@tribunemedia.net

The holidays and healthy eating may seem like two things that don’t go together. After all, who wants to think about diets and exercise when they are surrounded by treats and goodness all month long?

Nathan Sweeting, a Christian fat loss and mindset coach, however, maintains that staying and eating healthy during the Christmas season is completely doable; it just needs some planning and commitment.

Nathan, who helps busy parents meet their objectives by using custom workout and nutrition plans, said the best way to ensure that you don’t fall into a holiday weight slump is by approaching the holidays with intention.

“I would never say starve yourself this time of year; you should enjoy the holidays and all the events, but you must be intentional and plan for how you eat and exercise during the season,” he said.

There are number of strategies he recommends people can implement to stay on target and yet still ensure that they enjoy that full Christmas Day dinner.

His first tip is to ensure that 90 percent of the food you eat during the season comes from your own home.

“If you are preparing the food, then you can control what ingredients are included and how healthy they are,” he explained.

A lot of times, he said, people may purchase meals which they think are healthy, but the ingredients or portion sized may be off. You will have more control at home.

rather to finish each glass before getting refills, so that you can monitor exactly how much you consume. But water, of course, should be the main beverage consumed throughout the season.

That way you stay hydrated and it helps clean you out.

And while it may be tempting to get in a quick crash diet to fit into that holiday dress, Nathan said this is not a healthy option and suggests you look at the dress every day to motivate you to get out and do exercise to lose the weight instead.

For more information, contact Nathan at 4477864 or find him on social media, including Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, under ‘Nathan L Sweeting’.

Nathan also suggests finding ways to make your favourite foods just a tad healthier.

For example, instead of white rice, try jasmine rice. If you want a burger and fries, make it a turkey burger and bake not fry your French fries, and eat leaner pieces of chicken.

His second piece of advice is to remain consistent with the positive steps you have been taking all year.

“I recommend that you continue to exercise as much as you can. I recommend people exercise three times a week for 45 minutes to an hour. So, if you have been doing that and seeing results, you need to continue to do that all through December and then you can enjoy Christmas dinner with no stress or guilt,” he said.

Thirdly, he said you should never go out during the holidays hungry.

“I don’t care if you are going to dinner, always eat something before you go out. Have you ever gone out to dinner and been so hungry that you end up eating all the bread on the plate before the meal even arrives? So, eating just a little something before you go out will help you stay on track and ensure you don’t binge,” he said.

It is also important to watch what you are drinking.

Nathan suggests that you stick to drinking “cleaner” alcoholic beverages such as vodka as opposed to mixed drinks which may have a high sugar content.

He also suggests not allowing your drink to be topped up, but

Battling the holiday blues

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

ALTHOUGH we are currently in full holiday mode and there is an expectation to be merry and bright all season long, there are many people who are grappling with mental challenges in their life that make flashing a smile a chore.

While most people see this a a fun time of the year filled with parties, celebrations and other social gatherings with family and friends, it also a time which can exacerbate feelings of anxiety, loneliness and sadness in some.

There are some though who are adamant to fight through their feelings and get over their melancholy. They say they are taking the right steps to make it happen.

Tribune Health readers (whose names have been changed) shared some of their struggles with us and spoke about their coping mechanisms during the Christmas season.

In the case of Deanna; she recently ended an eight-year relationship with her partner who she thought she would be walking down the aisle with.

Ever since their break up two months ag,o she has been on an emotion roller coaster, but is doing her best not to be a Debbie Downer.

“I am not my most happiest self, to be honest. And it’s unfortunate because this is the time to be most happy. But what can I say; life has happened to me and while I do not understand, I am learning to accept what is,” she told Tribune Health.

Deanna said sometimes getting out of an emotional rut means accepting those things you cannot control.

“I am not a psychologist or anything, but I think the reason we struggle so much mentally is because we keep trying to figure out why we are currently going through what we are going through. We will never have the answer to that question. We will never know why. It was when I had that revelation that I understood that we have to accept things for what they are and trust that there is a learning curve and a purpose as to why we are where we are currently. Don’t fight with it. Accept what is,” she said.

For Trinity, she was hoping to have her home renovations complete by now so she could decorate her home for the holidays.

FAT loss coach Nathan Sweeting

However, her living room is in complete disarray and her incomplete kitchen means she cannot cook a proper meal on Christmas Day for her loved ones.

“It really bothers me because I really wanted my children to feel like they are having Christmas at home. I wanted a proper space and it’s just frustrating.

It’sfrustrating when your living space is in chaos and it’s taking a toll on me mentally,” she said.

“So what we have decided to do his rent an AirBnB for the holidays so we can actually put up a tree and feel like Christmas. The thought of that has brought me some type of relief. At least we have something to actually look forward to.”

Tommy, on the other hand, said he is experiencing small business woes, However the beauty of the holidays is that the cheer all around has also been lifting his spirits.

“I find that when you are down and out, one of the first things that

can help is a change of scenery.

Maybe you need to take a breath of fresh air somewhere else. And just doing that may affect how you are feeling,” he said.

Candia, who is dealign with her own personal struggles, said that while she does not feel upbeat all the time, the holidays give her a reason to fake it until she makes it.

“I am especially grateful for these times. During Christmas, for the most part, people are bubbly.

You go into a store and people in a good mood and friendly. People are trying their best to be happy.

So perhaps being around those people, and faking a smile or happiness, something in my brain will rewire. Maybe I will have no other choice but see life through the eyes others. And maybe the glee that I feel by just surrounding myself with happy people will be the fresh start I need to the new year,” she said.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, December 12, 2023, PAGE 9

Diet and kidney stones – Part II THE historical journey of urinary stones is an incredible story linked with the rise of human civilisation, unveiling insights into ancient medical practices and scientific understanding.

Historically, diets rich in oxalate and salt, limited clean water access, poor hygiene and hot climates contributed to stone formation.

Presently, diverse factors like dehydration, high levels of organic compounds such as uric acid or calcium oxalate, metabolic disorders, familial history, diet, specific medical conditions, and environmental influences contribute to kidney stone formation.

Diet composition notably emerges as a crucial factor in urinary stone formation, according to Prof Dr Roswitha Siener’s article.

According to Prof Dr Siener from the Department of Urology in Bonn, Germany, the global rise in kidney stone disease is becoming more prevalent. Recurrence rates for these stones are estimated to reach up to 50 percent, posing an increased risk for longstanding and end-stage kidney ailments.

There’s compelling evidence highlighting that insufficient fluid intake stands as a significant dietary risk factor for the formation of stones in the urinary tract.

While the advantages of increased fluid intake are wellestablished, debates persist regarding the impact of various beverages. Questions arise concerning the effects of different drinks such as tap water, mineral water, fruit juices, soft drinks, tea, and coffee were considered in last week’s article.

Metabolic syndrome

The modernisation of technology, the widespread accessibility of high-calorie fast food, reduced physical activity, and a more sedentary way of life have collectively contributed to a substantial rise in the average weight in our society.

This increase in weight is a global phenomenon and has reached pandemic levels over the last five decades according to an article by R Lubawy and D Formanowicz.

As civilisation advances, so does the prevalence of obesity,

giving rise to a host of related health conditions like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, lipid disorders, and urolithiasis (formation of urinary stones) collectively termed as metabolic syndrome.

Diet stands as a pivotal player in this intricate symphony of factors influencing metabolic syndrome.

Certain dietary choices, such as a high intake of refined sugars, saturated fats, and processed foods, contribute to insulin resistance, a key feature of metabolic syndrome, where cells struggle to effectively utilize insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar levels.

On the other side, a harmonious diet composed of nutrient-rich, whole foods, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats promote metabolic health.

These choices aid in maintaining healthy blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and optimal weight, crucial components in thwarting the development of metabolic syndrome.

Understanding the profound impact of dietary habits uncovers the power we hold in shaping our metabolic health. It is not merely about counting calories; it is about composing a dietary masterpiece that harmonises with our body’s intricate workings, safeguarding against the dissonance of metabolic syndrome.

Protein consumption

Ensuring adequate protein intake is crucial for health, with recommendations typically falling between 0.8 and 1.0 gramnes per kilogramme of body weight per day for adults. However, excessive protein consumption might impact urinary stone formation.

High-protein diets can elevate the body’s acid load, leading to increased urinary calcium levels, reduced urine pH, and lower citrate excretion.

While systematic reviews on the link between protein intake and kidney stone formation yield mixed findings, larger observational studies indicate a connection between higher dietary acidity and an increased risk of stone development.

Interestingly, these studies propose that the ratio of vegetables and fruits to protein intake may

be a more reliable indicator of urinary stone risk.

Fruits and vegetables possess alkalising properties, countering the acidic effects of consumed protein. For instance, examples of protein-rich foods include beef, pork, lamb, poultry, fish, legumes (like lentils and beans), nuts, seeds, and dairy products. These sources contribute to overall protein intake, but when excessively consumed, they might lead to an increased acid load in the body.

Lower urine pH and citrate excretion due to a high dietary acid load pose a greater risk for various urinary stones, particularly calcium oxalate and uric acid stones.

Higher urine pH levels support the excretion of stoneinhibiting citrate and enhance the body’s ability to bind calcium, thereby reducing urinary calcium excretion overall reducing the possibility of urinary stone formation.

Oxalate

Urinary oxalate levels play a pivotal role in the formation of calcium oxalate stones, a common type of kidney stone in the Bahamas. Changes in urinary oxalate concentration significantly impact the saturation of calcium oxalate in the urine. Oxalate, a byproduct of metabolism, is sourced from both internal production within the body and dietary intake.

Plant-based foods primarily contribute to dietary oxalate intake, leading to varied estimates based on the consumption of oxalate-rich foods.

Understanding and identifying sources of excessive dietary oxalate becomes crucial. A thorough grasp of the oxalate content in foods is essential for managing calcium oxalate stone patients through dietary intervention.

Foods abundant in oxalate include a wide range of items such as vegetables, legumes, fruits, cereals, nuts, herbs, and spices.

It is noteworthy that cooking methods, particularly boiling, can result in substantial oxalate losses into the cooking water. Hence, food processing and preparation significantly impact the final oxalate content.

THE UROLOGY DOCTOR IS IN...

Dr Greggory Pinto

Individuals prone to kidney stone formation are often advised to limit the intake of oxalate-rich foods and beverages to reduce the risk of calcium oxalate stone development.

Other components of our diet

Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates’ impact on kidney stone risk remains unclear.

Studies suggest oral glucose might increase calcium excretion, potentially linked to elevated serum insulin. However, for individuals with excessive urinary calcium, high insulin levels may not significantly contribute to calcium stone formation, as per research done

by Yoon and colleagues.

Fructose consumption has risen notably, often used as a sweetener in various foods and beverages. A systematic review linked increased fructose intake to a higher risk of stone formation. However, the specific mechanisms driving this relationship remain unclear despite the observed association.

Fats

Data on dietary fat’s link to urinary stones are inconclusive. Fish oil supplements show promise in reducing oxalate and calcium in some studies, but evidence lacks consistency. While metabolic research is encouraging, clinical trials focusing on stone formation as a primary outcome are needed for conclusive recommendations.

Calcium

Hypercalciuria, an excess of calcium in the urine, significantly raises the risk of calcium stone formation. Balanced calcium intake, from both dairy and non-dairy sources, helps prevent urinary stones. Restricting dietary calcium can lead to bone loss and increase urinary oxalate levels, worsening the risk for forming stones. For those prone to calcium stones, a daily intake of 1,000 to 1,200 mg of dietary calcium is recommended to counter this risk.

Salt

Consuming too much sodium chloride (table salt) raises the risk of stone formation by increasing urinary calcium levels. Excessive salt intake can prompt higher calcium excretion by affecting how the kidneys reabsorb calcium due to the expansion of fluid volume caused by sodium.

In summary Diet adjustments prove highly effective in managing urinary risk factors for the most common kidney stone type, calcium oxalate. Tailoring dietary therapy to each patient’s unique biochemical and dietary risks, starting with a metabolic evaluation and stone analysis, is crucial. Various factors like fluid intake, proteins, carbohydrates, oxalate, calcium, and salt can influence the urinary risk profile for stone formation.

Therefore, a comprehensive dietary assessment helps identify habits contributing to stone formation. Customized dietary therapy, guided by this assessment and metabolic evaluation, proves more effective in preventing recurrent stones than general dietary measures.

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many factors, including agriculture, cooking and food storage.

Softer, easier-to-chew food means teeth have a less challenging job.

As a result, modern human jaws have evolved to be smaller and faces to be flatter than our extinct ancestors’ were, because our meals don’t require the same big, sharp teeth that theirs did.

Given these changes, which took place very slowly over millions of years, the third molars – wisdom teeth – might not be as important now as they once were.

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Why do people have wisdom teeth?

By ARIADNE LETRA University of Pittsburgh (THE CONVERSATION) Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to curiouskidsus@ theconversation.com.

Why do people have wisdom teeth?

– Jack J, age 17, Dedham, Massachusetts Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars located at the very back of the mouth. They look just like

the first and second molars, but can sometimes be a little smaller.

They are commonly called wisdom teeth because they are the last of the 32 permanent teeth to appear, emerging between 17 and 25 years of age, when you are older and wiser.

You might know that not everyone grows all four wisdom teeth. You might also know many people get them pulled. So it’s fair to wonder – why do humans even have them?

We study teeth and can tell you the answer has a lot to do with the distant past – and a bit about the present day, too.

More powerful jaws

Just like you have many features in common with the people you’re related to, humans share features with their extended family – the primates. Monkeys, gorillas and chimpanzees all have wisdom teeth.

A few million years ago, early human ancestors had larger jaws and teeth than humans do today.

For example, a species called Australopithecus afarensis, nicknamed Lucy’s species after a famous fossil specimen called Lucy, lived roughly 3 million to 4 million years ago.

The jaw and teeth of an Australopithecus afarensis individual were quite a bit larger and thicker than your own. They had three

big molar teeth with thick enamel.

The fossil skulls of some of these very early humans also show evidence of powerful chewing muscles.

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Scientists think more robust jaws and teeth were needed because the foods early human ancestors ate, like raw meat and plants, were much more difficult to chew than food is today.

Researchers look at things like marks and microscopic wear patternson fossilised teeth to figure out what extinct ancestors may have eaten.

Today’s food is much softer than it was in the past due to

About 25 percent of people today are missing at least one wisdom tooth completely, meaning it never formed at all. While people occasionally don’t grow other teeth, it’s much more common for wisdom teeth.

Scientists are not sure why this is the case, but it may have to do with the genes you inherit from your parents. Some scientists have argued that the lack of wisdom teeth is an advantage for modern, smaller-jawed humans. It’s certainly easier to fit fewer teeth into a smaller jaw.

Sometimes, due to lack of space, wisdom teeth can get stuck inside the jawbone and never fully come up – or they only partially emerge.

A so-called impacted wisdom tooth happens more often in the lower jaw than in the upper jaw.

In cases where wisdom teeth are only partially up, people can sometimes experience pain, tooth decay or gum inflammation, which is why they have them pulled by a dentist.

But wisdom teeth don’t usually need to be removed if they are fully erupted in the mouth, positioned correctly and healthy.

Dentists can examine your mouth to see if your wisdom teeth are present, or look at X-ray pictures of your jaw if these last molars haven’t yet emerged and you suspect they may be impacted.

Dentists can also advise you if any treatment – or removal – is recommended for your wisdom teeth. In the meantime, brushing at least twice a day and flossing daily will help keep all your teeth healthy.

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PAGE 10, Tuesday, December 12, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

Christmas self-care for ‘the girlies’

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net

IF you’re active on TikTok you’ve probably encountered the latest trend of videos promoting self-care for “the girlies”.

This trend is now spilling over to other social media platforms as well.

The idea is take the week leading up to Christmas to indulge in some much needed self-care and maintenance.

On the list are things like getting your hair and nails done, facials, purchasing new clothing, taking trips, and so on.

Often, it’s the negative or outright dumb videos that go viral, so it’s been nice seeing young girls and women living their best lives.

Tribune Woman asked a number of our readers to share their thoughts on the topic.

Christina Bethell had this to say: “It does something to us to get fixed and dolled up. I can speak for myself and say it makes me feel so good walking out of a salon on a regular day with a full service done. It literally gives me goosebumps. And I’m a huge fan of Christmas, so that feeling multiplies for me. You notice I said,

for me. I do it for no one else but myself. Stress comes very easy, so why not do things that make you happy in spite of?”

Many agreed with this sentiment.

Tammy Martin said she is definitely intending to get some self-care and beautification in before all res big events start.

“There are people going to events and parties; they are taking photos with family and friends, and some are travelling for the holidays. It’s not just a one day thing; it’s a season. Your children’s school production, office parties, and various functions where you are seeing people that you have not seen all year. There’s much more to it than a Christmas day dinner.

“For me, I love it and it is part of who I am. I love how it makes me feel. It makes me enjoy the holidays much more and adds to the festiveness of the season,” she said.

Carolyn Brown said: “The vibes are festive; activities are happening. In order for you to participate in these events, you have to look ready.

“You can’t go to holiday parties half-stepping, still wearing the old nail set from November.

The last thing you want to do is be in a dressed-up place and you

are not dressed. I mean, even the Christmas trees are dressed up.

Whatever space you go into this season is going to be dressed up,

so you want to do the same. It is just a time to put a little extra in.

When I am ready and prepared for the holidays, in the way I

Look where we are In 1970, a man described as a futurist, Alvin Toffler, became famous for his book called “Future Shock”.

Why is a book written 53 years ago relevant today? Because it offers us a rational explanation of why our lives, societies, our world, are in their current chaotic state; why we as human beings are in many instances, failing to cope adequately with life on a small scale or in the larger orbit.

He wrote the book (together with his spouse Adelaide Farrell) and I quote: “the authors define the term “future shock” not only as a certain psychological state of individuals but of entire societies. The shortest definition for the term in the book is a personal perception of “too much change in too short a period of time.”

And isn’t that what we are struggling with? Changes on so many fronts- an unprecedented pandemic and the consequences and aftermath in terms of health and escalating market prices for every commodity; global warming and its impact on our environment; the massive constant overload of valid information and fake information: technology delivering it every nano second through some medium or other.

The trouble now is that with so much expertise in all these field readily available, and the ‘anything goes ‘and should be acceptable attitude, as some who push this ideology would have it, anyone can spew information - inaccurately by accident or deliberately with more malevolent intent and the challenge is

trying to discern fact from fiction or manipulation and get to the nugget of truth.

Whilst all of this technological wizardry has advanced and

continues to advance at lightning speed, for most of us it’s hard for our brains to take it all in and process at the same rate. We live in confusing times and with the

pace of our lives speeding up as we try to cram everything into it, we don’t seem to take the time to stop, breathe and analyse exactly what it is we are being told or directed to follow; nor ask ourselves why we should indeed do that.

In a nutshell, this is how Toffler goes on to describe what he believed at the time would happen: “He argued that society is undergoing an enormous structural change, a revolution from an industrial society to a “superindustrial society”. This change overwhelms people. He argues that the accelerated rate of technological and social change leaves people disconnected and suffering from “shattering stress and disorientation”—future shocked!

Toffler stated that the majority of social problems are symptoms of future shock. In his discussion of the components of such shock he popularised the term “information overload.”

And here we are with ever more challenges and life-changing dilemmas to absorb and make decisions about; the next big ‘future shock’ being artificial intelligence. Already enough scary doomsday scenarios have been posited as well as the potential benefit, causing troubling anxiety as we wrestle with technology we barely understand and depending on our understanding, belief, or religious persuasion, has the potential to make human interaction irrelevant. Make us irrelevant and maybe extinct. Hard subjects to wrap our heads around when we are usually trying to live our

Attention all Barbz: Nicki Minaj releases ‘Pink Friday 2,’ 13 years after the original

By MARIA SHERMAN AP Music Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Nicki Minaj ‘s highly anticipated fifth studio album, “Pink Friday 2,” is finally here.

Released last Friday, the 10-time Grammy nominee’s 41st birthday, “Pink Friday 2” is Minaj’s first full-length release since 2018’s “Queen.”

The 22-track release is stacked with features, including contributions from Drake, Lil Wayne, J. Cole, Lil Uzi Vert, Future, Tate Kobang, Lourdiz, Skillibeng, Skeng, and Tasha Cobbs Leonard.

Little was known about the album prior to its release, which makes its surprises even more effective. Opener “Are You Gone Already” includes a sample of Billie Eilish’s 2019 breathy cut “when the party’s over”; Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” makes an appearance on “Pink Friday Girls.”

The hyper-energetic “Everybody” with Lil Uzi Vert plays with a chopped-up sample of Danish pop duo Junior Senior’s 2002 retro-hit “Move Your Feet.”

And there must be something to pulling from addictive Y2K production, because “Red Ruby Da Sleeve” samples Lumidee’s 2003 hit “Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh).”

The reality is, of course, that Minaj is a master of borrowing from immediately recognizable sounds and making it her own

choose to look, it makes me feel good to participate in the festivities. I encourage all women to do it if they want to.”

WOW WORLD OF WOMEN

By VICTORIA SARNE lives on an everyday level as best we can. It leaves us feeling powerless and inadequate -we are living in his future shock.

I suppose the point of this for me is to reflect on how many people, from Roman times onwards to more recent centuries, have always had futurists, philosophers, wise men and women with the ability to logically extrapolate what could occur in the future, and others who seem simply able to call upon another sense and predict the future - hundreds of examples throughout history and still we fail to listen or take notice - or, taking a look around at other countries, see the climb in numbers in the last few years, of suicides, addiction and violence.

It’s time to stop, slow-down, take a breath and ask ourselves if this is really what we want for ourselves or for our children, this confusion, lack of direction and sense of purpose.

When one of us breaks or breaks down, a thread breaks in the network that holds a society or a country together and gradually the whole ball of string unravels. We are living in a time of future shock.

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with her idiosyncratic flow — standing on the shoulders of giants and offering something completely her own ( and F-R-EA-K-y ) in the same breath.

“Fallin 4 U” is airy alt-R&B stacked with strings that would make Enya envious, Minaj and Drake reunite on the Afrobeatsheavy “Needle.”

“This entire album will be the biggest gift I have ever given humanity thus far,” Minaj said in a recent livestream. “I have never in my life been so in love with something that I’m working on.”

The original “Pink Friday” was released in 2010, with her sophomore album, “Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded,” following two years later.

The road to “Pink Friday 2” has been long. Fans suspected it was on the horizon when the rapper tweeted a simple three-character message, “PF2,” in the summer of 2020. But it wasn’t until this past June that Minaj announced the album title. The release date, originally slated for October 20, was pushed back twice, too.

In the days leading up to the December release of “Pink Friday 2,” Minaj’s loyal fans, called Barbz, inspired headlines when they created “Gag City,” a pink AI metropolis inspired by the album’s cover.

In September, Minaj hosted the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards and performed her latest single, the dreamy “Last Time I Saw You” before teasing a fiery new trap cut from “Pink Friday 2,” now revealed to be “Big Difference.”

“I ain’t nothing like you,” she rapped, “I’m on a whole other level.”

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, December 12, 2023, PAGE 11

Joycelyn Rahming honoured for her generosity towards those in need SHE feeds the homeless, the poor and the disenfranchised in her community without ever looking for accolades or credit.

But her quiet work she did for the Lord was recognised publicly during a special awards banquet.

Joycelyn Rahming received the Excellence in Covenant Partnership Award from the New Goodwill Church of God during a gala banquet on December 2, at Baha Mar. According to Bishop Darrin M Woods, senior pastor of the New Goodwill Church of God, Ms Rahming was honoured for her generosity to the children, elderly and anyone in need, not only in their church, but in the wider community. She is a member of Faith Temple Church of God, but she is also a “faithful, generous and loving supporter” of New Goodwill.

“Her presence is made felt during any special service or event being held, but also any random Sunday service,” he said.

“At our annual cookout fundraiser, you will see her smiling face behind the ticket booth; but the kids from the community are even happier to see her because they know she has set aside their popcorn, soda, cake and snowball money.

“My mom’s heart extends to the homeless, not only through providing meals, but also supporting ministries and churches dedicated to this cause. Her commitment shines through her involvement in the Koinonia a non-denomination religious retreat, exemplifying her generous spirit.”

JOYCELYN Rahming received the Excellence in Covenant Partnership Award from Bishop Darrin M Woods “In a similar fashion, she feeds the homeless, poor and disenfranchised in the community, even supplying them with clothing. A woman with a big heart, she is deserving of the award for Excellence in Covenant Partnership.”

Ms Rahming is the mother of Member of Parliament for Sea

Breeze and Ambassador to CARICOM Leslia Miller-Brice.

“I am celebrating my ultimate woman crush, my mom, best friend, and biggest supporter, Joycelyn Rahming,” Mrs MillerBrice said.

“On Saturday, December 2, she was rightfully honoured for her unwavering dedication and

impact. As a cherished member of Faith Temple Ministries International, she wears many hats – usher, protocol officer, and altar worker. But that’s not all – she’s a two-time president at Club 6796 in Toastmasters, earning the distinguished title of Distinguished Toastmaster, the programme’s highest honour.”

“Her favourite scripture, 2 Timothy 1:7, resonates in all she does: ‘For God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind.’ She is my guiding light, confidante, and inspiration. Her dedication to God and others makes her shine bright.”

The New Goodwill Church’s gala banquet also honoured: Quintin Percentie; Adrian Ramsey Jr; Robert “Sandy” Sands; Apostle Phalmon Ferguson; Antonio Smith; Angelina Cooper; Recina Scully; Sheila Butler; Susan Palmer; Fedline Raymond; and LaBrayna Strachan-Robinson.

Bishop Charles Gardiner, Sr, gave the opening prayer and blessing of the food. Kensa Pinder gave the welcome, and entertainment was provided by Ignite Band, Garrett Cooper, and the group Unified.

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-DAY FORECAST

ORLANDO

High: 73° F/23° C Low: 61° F/16° C

TAMPA

TODAY

TONIGHT

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Windy; rain and drizzle in the p.m.

Some rain and a thunderstorm early

Cloudy and breezy; p.m. showers

Cloudy and windy with showers

Cloudy and windy with showers

Windy with rain

High: 80°

Low: 73°

High: 79° Low: 71°

High: 80° Low: 71°

High: 77° Low: 71°

High: 77° Low: 72°

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

81° F

72° F

82°-72° F

81°-65° F

75°-66° F

75°-69° F

High: 70° F/21° C Low: 58° F/14° C

E

W

ABACO

S

N

High: 76° F/24° C Low: 72° F/22° C

12-25 knots

S

WEST PALM BEACH High: 77° F/25° C Low: 71° F/22° C

12-25 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE E

W

FREEPORT

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 71° F/22° C

N

S

E

W

High: 76° F/24° C Low: 68° F/20° C

MIAMI

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 73° F/23° C

12-25 knots

KEY WEST

High: 75° F/24° C Low: 70° F/21° C

NASSAU

6:54 a.m.

7:08 p.m.

3.2 2.3

12:26 a.m. -0.3 1:25 p.m. 0.0

ALMANAC

Wednesday 7:40 a.m.

7:55 p.m.

3.3 2.3

1:11 a.m. -0.4 2:12 p.m. -0.1

Statistics are for Nassau through 1 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 81° F/27° C Low .................................................... 73° F/23° C Normal high ....................................... 79° F/26° C Normal low ........................................ 67° F/20° C Last year’s high .................................. 83° F/28° C Last year’s low ................................... 66° F/19° C Precipitation As of 1 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.02” Year to date ................................................ 50.88” Normal year to date ................................... 38.92”

Thursday

8:26 a.m.

8:44 p.m.

3.3 2.4

1:58 a.m. -0.4 2:59 p.m. -0.2

Friday

9:15 a.m.

9:36 p.m.

3.3 2.4

2:47 a.m. -0.4 3:48 p.m. -0.2

Saturday

10:05 a.m.

10:32 p.m.

3.2 2.4

3:39 a.m. -0.3 4:39 p.m. -0.1

Sunday

10:58 a.m.

11:31 p.m.

3.1 2.5

4:36 a.m. -0.1 5:32 p.m. -0.1

Monday

11:54 a.m.

-----

2.9 -----

5:37 a.m. 0.0 6:26 p.m. -0.1

Today

Ht.(ft.)

SUN AND MOON Sunrise Sunset

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 71° F/22° C

N

S

E

W S

8-16 knots

6:45 a.m. Moonrise 5:22 p.m. Moonset

6:27 a.m.

5:02 p.m.

New

First

Full

Last

Dec. 12

Dec. 19

Dec. 26

Jan. 3

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 74° F/23° C

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 78° F/26° C

N

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 75° F/24° C

E

W S

LONG ISLAND

TRACKING MAP

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 77° F/25° C

H

Low

CAT ISLAND

E

12-25 knots

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

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2023

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 76° F/24° C

N W

TIDES FOR NASSAU Ht.(ft.)

ELEUTHERA

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 73° F/23° C

The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.

High

The exclusive AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature® is an index that combines the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body—everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels. Temperatures reflect the high and the low for the day.

N

UV INDEX TODAY

8-16 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 84° F/29° C Low: 74° F/23° C

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

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND High: 83° F/28° C Low: 78° F/26° C

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 77° F/25° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 85° F/29° C Low: 76° F/24° C

N

E

W

E

W

N

S

S

10-20 knots

12-25 knots

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

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WINDS NE at 12-25 Knots NE at 15-25 Knots NE at 12-25 Knots NE at 10-20 Knots E at 7-14 Knots ENE at 10-20 Knots ENE at 10-20 Knots ENE at 12-25 Knots NE at 10-20 Knots ENE at 10-20 Knots NE at 10-20 Knots NE at 15-25 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots ENE at 10-20 Knots NE at 12-25 Knots E at 12-25 Knots ENE at 8-16 Knots ENE at 12-25 Knots ENE at 10-20 Knots ENE at 12-25 Knots NE at 10-20 Knots ENE at 8-16 Knots NE at 10-20 Knots ENE at 12-25 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots ENE at 10-20 Knots

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Passion and purpose SECTION B

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2023

Veteran Bahamian designer honoured for community impact

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

WHEN a passion also becomes a purpose, results will not only prove to be personally gratifying, they will also impact those around you.

This is the lesson veteran designer Gillian Curry-Williams has learned over the years and now she is being recognised for it.

Her clothing brand and small enterprise were recently honoured for the impact they have had on the local community.

Gillian is the mastermind behind Remilda Rose Designs.

She was honoured with the National MSME (Micro, Small Medium Enterprise) Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the sector in the area of fashion by the Small Business Development Centre and the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

These were the second annual MSME Honours; an award that recognises the accomplishments of Bahamian MSMEs across various industries.

Gillian, who is a breast cancer survivor, advocate and caregiver, was among the honorees who have been blazing a trail in their respective fields.

“It’s humbling to say the least,” she said speaking about receiving her award. “It tells me that persons are watching and paying attention to what I am doing.”

“This is huge for me. It’s heartwarming to receive my flowers while I’m still here to smell them and enjoy them, she told Tribune Woman.

Gillian has worked non-stop over the years to make a mark in the world of fashion, while also seeking to empower others through various initiatives.

She has done this specifically through her business and her Fabric of Hope – a special fabric designed to feature the representative colours of the various types of cancers.

FASHION designer Gillian Curry-Williams receives her National MSME Award.

Gillian believers her passion, drive and commitment are what make her stand out.

“This is not a job for me. Being a fashion designer is my passion, my purpose,” she said.

Gillian has been making garments since she was just 14 years old.

In 2010, she left the Bahamas to move to Canada to get a fresh start and to make a move that would solidify her place in the world of fashion, both locally and abroad.

In Canada, she attended the Academy of Design in Toronto, subsequently

graduating as valedictorian at the age of 50 with a showcase called “Manifestation.”

Armed with a new confidence and matching credentials, Gillian returned to Nassau on December 30, 2012 to reestablish herself. A year later, she married the love of

her life, Franklyn KM Williams, on September 5, 2013.

Gillian marked the re-establishment of her brand by debuting her first collection since graduating and getting married. The show was called “Rebirth” and was held on January 25, 2015 at the National Art Gallery.

She also launched her business, Remilda Rose Designs. The brand name that was inspired by two loved ones whom she considers profound examples of womanhood: her grandmother Remilda Ethelyn Davis-Taylor and her mother Letitia Rose Taylor-Curry.

“So much has been going on, but I have been working on finalising some exciting things with the Fabric of Hope, a print that is made up of some of the colours associated with the various types of cancer, including the one for caregiver. I took a step back a year ago to focus on my health.

Now I’m back in the groove while pacing myself and being mindful of the volume of work I take on,” she said.

Business owner and mother-of-five debuts 2024 planner for success Church leader and mother-offive Dr Denise Johnson wants to help people around her prosper in whatever they do with her new planner, “Succeeding On Purpose”.

The book, she told Tribune Woman, is designed to help people pursue their goals and aspirations systematically and strategically in the new year.

In the 2024 planner, she explained, readers can find sections devoted to daily planning, prioritising, strategic planning, and monthly reviews that can help with self-accountability, financial record keeping to help with budgeting, and motivational scriptures that can encourage you along the way.

The married mother-of-five, whose youngest turned 16 this year, is also the founder of a church called IPAD Ministries; the abbreviation stands for International Prayer and Deliverance Ministries. Additionally, she is business owner, empowerment speaker and also the founder of the Succeeding On Purpose Mentorship and Empowerment programme.

Through the programme, Denise seeks to help people awaken to their purpose in life and develop methods to help them maintain continuous progress.

“One of the motivations for the planner came during one of our Succeeding On Purpose mentorship and empowerment programmes that is normally hosted every September. During

DR Denise Johnson during one of her Succeeding On Purpose Mentorship and Empowerment sessions. this session, we dealt with vision activation and casting, goalsetting, budgeting, and strategic planning. During those sessions many people were activated in their vision and business. After the session, I decided to put together a manual and a planner that was designed to help persons to follow through in the areas mentioned above,” she explained.

While this is not the first time Dr Johnson created a Succeeding On Purpose planner, this time

around she was able to revise, upgrade and refine the planner with the assistance of the True Vine Publishing Company.

“They helped me to take the planner to a new level of presentation,” she said.

“One of the messages I want persons to receive from this planner is that faith with activation and strategic planning can cause what was only a dream to become a reality.

“I hope that the feedback that I get from Bahamians is that with the help of the planner they were able to write their vision, set achievable goals, become more disciplined, put strategic systems in place to help with advancement, become more intentional about attaining their endeavours, and succeed on purpose.”

For all those interested, the planner will be available for purchase through Amazon, via the

website succeedingonpurpose.org, or by contacting (242) 465-3753.

“This upcoming year we are upgrading our programmr to become more efficient in training our participants in the area of personal development, and empowerment,” Denise added.

Her IPAD Ministries can be found at four locations: Cowpen Road in Nassau, Lower Bogue in Eleuthera, 6202 Fairington Ridge Circle in Lithonia, Georgia, and in Liberia, Africa.