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Tuesday, December 23, 2025

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Fiscal deficit cut Marinas fear $25m hit as 32% during first Yacht Show is cancelled two months By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net BAHAMIAN marinas fear they will lose $25m in direct revenue as a result of boating fee hikes and cumbersome regulatory processes, it was revealed yesterday, with the industry also blaming these woes for the cancellation of next month’s Bahamas Charter Yacht Show. Peter Maury, the Association of Bahamas Marinas (ABM) president, told Tribune Business that a recent survey of its members also disclosed that around 1,000 jobs could be endangered by the sharp “40 percent” decline in both charter and cruising arrivals as he warned: “The Bahamas is not the most popular destination right now.” The cancellation of the fourth annual Bahamas Charter Yacht Show emerged as Chester Cooper, deputy prime minister and minister of tourism, investments and aviation, finally announced that the Government will “review” the fee increases and regulatory changes that were implemented on July 1, 2025, following six months of warnings and advocacy by maritime and tourism stakeholders about their likely damaging impact. While Mr Cooper said the review (see other article on Page 1B), for which no start or finish dates were given, will assess the “competitiveness” and “impacts” of The Bahamas’ boating regulatory regime, several marina and tourism sources

• ABM chief says: ‘It’s 100% the fees’ • Concern up to 1,000 jobs threatened • ‘Damage is done’ for winter season

Gov’t boating fee review: ‘We start over yet again’ By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Government yesterday pledged to “review” the “competitiveness” of the boating fee hikes and accompanying regulatory reforms following the Prime Minister’s intervention, with marina industry chiefs asserting the sector feels as if “every five years we start over again”. Chester Cooper, deputy prime minister and minister of tourism, investments and aviation, in a statement that was released to the international boating community as well as for local consumption, asserted that the Davis administration will assess the “impacts” and “implementation” of the new and increased fees, plus regulatory

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

PETER MAURY

adjustments, that were introduced with other Budget reforms on July 1, 2025. Finally responding to more than six months of advocacy and warnings, and with marinas asserting they will be “satisfied” to generate just 50 percent of the prior year’s business volumes, Mr Cooper voiced optimism that a solution that reverses this sharp drop-off - as well as generates funding for environmental preservation and sustainable management of maritime resources - can be delivered. Speaking as the full impact of the Government’s policy is hitting home, with many in the maritime sector describing the 2025-2026 winter boating season as lost, Mr Cooper said: “The Bahamas has built its global reputation on a foundation of warmth, openness and a seamless partnership with those who visit our waters. Our priority is to protect that

ANALYSIS SEE Page B5 CHESTER COOPER

RESERVATION - See Page B4

Doctors chief: Tax fast food eateries ‘to the hilt’ By ANNELIA NIXON Tribune Business Reporter anixon@tribunemedia.net A DOCTOR’S union president yesterday called for new taxation to be imposed on fast food restaurants to help cover the public healthcare system’s forecast $24m financing deficit while also slamming the fees being levied on National Health Insurance (NHI) providers. Dr Charelle Lockhart, the Consultant Physicians

Staff Association (CPSA) president, told Tribune Business that fast-food restaurants must bear some responsibility for poor dietary and eating habits among Bahamians as she backed suggestions by Dr Michael Darville, minister of health and wellness, that adding a “nominal” 50 cent tax on every sugary drink sold could collectively generate “millions”. “We also need to be taxing all of these fast food restaurants,” said Dr Lockhart, who heads the union

representing more senior doctors at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) and in the public healthcare system. “They should be taxed heavily because they are a big part of the problems that our society is facing right now. “It's just a proliferation of fast food restaurants, and they need to get taxed, and people need to be taxed buying food from them because it is not healthy. It is unhealthy, and they need to put the taxes down on fresh fruit and vegetables

and tax these fast food restaurants up the hilt. “I like my fast food here and there, but people literally are eating fast food every day - every single day. I'm talking to parents with little children, and I'm asking the kids what they eat, and the first thing that comes out of their mouth [is] Bamboo Shack, Wendy's, McDonald's... They eat fast food five days a week,” she added.

LEVY - See Page B6

THE Government slashed its fiscal deficit by 32 percent, or almost one-third, for the first two months of the current 20252026 Budget year due to a more than $50m decline in the amount of ‘red ink’ incurred during August. The Ministry of Finance, unveiling the monthly fiscal report for August 2025, disclosed that the month’s deficit - measuring by how much government spending exceeds its revenue income - contracted by some 83.3 percent compared to the prior year’s $61.1m to come in at just $10.2m. This, in turn, helped to more than offset the yearover-year jump in July’s deficit to $69.1m. The total deficit for the first two months of the current Budget year was thus relatively contained at $79.3m, representing a $37.3m fall compared to the $116.6m incurred during July and August 2024. While the two-month deficit figure represents a $154.8m difference, or gap, to the Government’s forecast $75.5m Budget surplus for the full 2025-2026 fiscal year that closes at end-June

2026, it still has plenty of time to make that up. This is because the revenue-rich part of the Budget cycle does not occur until the calendar year’s first four months, coinciding with the peak winter tourism season as well as the bulk of Business Licence fee and real property tax payments. The Government, in the last 2024-2025 fiscal year, generated a more than $182m monthly surplus in April. However, the relatively modest deficits for August and the first two months of the 2025-2026 fiscal year contrast somewhat sharply with the near$308m increase in total public sector debt that was recorded for the three months to end-September. The Ministry of Finance’s public debt bulletin for the 2025-2026 fiscal year’s first quarter seemingly indicates that a relatively large deficit was incurred in September given the gap between the $79.3m deficit for the first two months and the $307.9m debt increase, coupled with the Government’s continued reliance on modified cash-based accounting which only records and tracks expenditure when it is incurred.

SLASH - See Page B6

PAGE 2, Tuesday, December 23, 2025

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, December 23, 2025, PAGE 3

NEW PROVIDENCE’S AIR ARRIVALS OFF ALMOST 3% By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

AIR arrivals to New Providence fell by almost 3 percent year-over-year for the first ten months of 2025, it was revealed yesterday, as the Central Bank cited “decreased demand” from this nation’s largest visitor source market - the US as a key factor behind the drop-off. The banking industry regulator, unveiling its report on November’s monthly economic developments, noted that Family Island air arrivals through October were also 1.7 percent down on prior year comparatives while the total for The Bahamas was off by 1.9 percent at 1.401m visitors - a decline of more than 26,000. While the 21.7 percent increase in air arrivals to Grand Bahama helped cut the overall year-overyear fall, that improvement comes from a relatively modest base and was not significant enough to offset a national decline suggesting that higher-spending stopover visitor numbers have hit a plateau or even slightly stagnated. “Although tourism continued to register healthy growth, inflows remained

tempered by subdued performance in the high value-added stopover category, given constrained accommodation capacity and softer demand from the US market. However, healthy gains persisted in the cruise sector,” the Central Bank said. “Initial data revealed that tourism output continued to grow during the review month, although at a more moderate pace, as the stopover segment still faced headwinds such as accommodation capacity constraints and decreased demand from the US-sourced market. Nonetheless, the cruise segment remained buoyant. “Official data from the Ministry of Tourism indicated that total arrivals grew by 18.4 percent to 869,002 in October 2025 vis-à-vis the corresponding period in 2024. The outturn was largely attributed to a 20.8 percent growth in sea passengers to 786,457. Conversely, air traffic declined by 0.9 percent to 82,545,” the monetary policy regulator added. “A breakdown by major port of entry showed that total arrivals to the Family Islands rose by 15.6 percent to 400,000 visitors relative to the comparative 2024

period. Specifically, sea passengers expanded by 16.3 percent to 404,085, overshadowing the 4.6 percent fall-off in air passengers to 10,530. “In addition, arrivals to Grand Bahama strengthend to 135,143 from 27,605 visitors a year earlier, primarily due to a rise in sea traffic to 131,116 from 24,487 passengers in 2024. Likewise, air traffic was higher by 29.2 percent at 4,027.” Grand Bahama’s cruise visitor numbers will have been boosted by the opening of Carnival’s $600m Celebration Key destination in July 2025 - an impact that would not have been present in 2024. The venue has now welcomed over one million passengers. “In contrast, visitors to New Providence decreased by 8.2 percent to 319,244, explained by a 9.9 percent reduction in sea passengers to 251,256 and a 1.6 percent fall-off in air passengers to 67,988,” the Central Bank said. “On a year-to-date basis, total arrivals grew by 9.5 percent to 10m visitors through October. Contributing to this outcome, sea arrivals expanded by 11.6 percent to 8.6m. However, air arrivals reduced by 1.9 percent to 1.4m.”

Turning to passenger data from Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA), the Central Bank said: “The most current data from the Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD) showed that total departures - net of domestic passengers - were relatively unchanged at 113,763 in November vis-à-vis the same period in 2024. “In particular, non-US international departures grew by 14.9 percent to 21,533 relative to the comparative 2024 period. However, US departures decreased by 2.9 percent to 92,230. On a year-todate basis, total outbound traffic fell by 2.2 percent to 1.5m owing largely to a 3.4 percent decline in US departures to 1.2m. In a slight offset, non-US international departures rose by 5.4 percent to 200,000.” As for The Bahamas’ vacation rental market, the Central Bank said: “AirDNA data showed that in November total room nights sold declined by 0.4 percent to 48,288 compared with the prior year. Correspondingly, the occupancy rates for both entire place and hotel comparable listings fell to 47 percent and 47.4 percent, respectively,

from 49.2 percent and 47.8 percent in the prior year. “Meanwhile, the average daily room rate (ADR) for entire place listings increased by 7.9 percent to $455.53 relative to the previous year. However, the corresponding rate (ADR) for hotel comparable listings declined by 9.1 percent to $154.76, vis-à-vis the same period last year. “On a year-to-date basis, total room nights sold increased by 5.3 percent supported by gains in entire place listings (5.6 percent) and hotel comparable listings (4.7 percent). Moreover, the average daily room rate (ADR) for entire place listings moved higher by 5.1 percent. However, the rate for hotel comparable listings declined by 2.7 percent. “Meanwhile, the occupancy rate for both entire place listings and hotel comparable listings fell by 2.8 percent and 3.1 percent, respectively.” Elsewhere, the Central Bank noted that the national Bahamian unemployment rate of 9.3 percent for the 2025 second quarter was still higher than that for the year-before comparative period. “Based on quarterly data compiled by the Bahamas National Statistical Institute, labour market conditions

Non-profit to recruit 200 for big fund-raising drive By ANNELIA NIXON Tribune Business Reporter anixon@tribunemedia.net GREAT Commission Ministries yesterday said it plans to recruit and train 200 new volunteers in 2026 to help with its fund-raising efforts due to a lack of support from both the Government and private sector. Bishop Walter S Hanchell, its chair, said that - while grateful to supporters and donors who have assisted for many years funding is still an issue for the organisation. He said it has been calling for “an increase in the annual subvention received from the

Government of The Bahamas” for a while hopes next year’s Budget will deliver that. “The ministry is vastly underfunded by the public and private sectors, and has been advocating for an increase in the annual subvention received from the Government of The Bahamas for a number of years. It is hoped that this matter will be dealt with in the next Budget and not again be rejected or ignored,” Bishop Hanchell said. “We strongly believe that insufficient financial and other resources are being made available to organisations like Great Commission Ministries

Travel advisors’ visit aims to give GB tourism boost EIGHT travel advisors from Florida were hosted on a familiarisation trip in a bid to boost Grand Bahama’s visitors and tourism product. The Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, in a statement, said the visit was designed to increase travel bookings to Grand Bahama and other islands. The advisors, who actively market The Bahamas to US travellers, completed site inspections and toured properties including Old Bahama Bay. The tour aimed to give them first-hand insight into Grand Bahama’s accommodations, activities, culture and cuisine. “These are among our top travel sellers and they play an essential role in bringing guests to

The Bahamas,” said Nuvolari Chotoosingh, general manager at the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation. “This visit allows them to experience Grand Bahama’s offerings first-hand and identify opportunities to boost tourism numbers, particularly through increased airlift - our main focus moving forward.”The advisors actively promoted their experiences on social media platforms, including TikTok and Twitter, sharing photos, videos and highlights that are reaching thousands of potential travellers.Ministry of Tourism officials said the familiarisation programme will continue into 2026, with plans to host a larger group of between 20 to 25 travel advisors

How broker/dealer left The Bahamas TRIBUNE Business, in a December 17, 2025, article headlined ‘Ex-FBI informant asserts appeal ‘vital’ to other Bahamas dealers’, reported on how Guy Gentile and his brokerage house, Mintbroker International, departed this jurisdiction. It was stated: “Mr Gentile and his company exited the Bahamas at end-2019 when faced with regulatory actions and investigations by the Securities Commission of The Bahamas. However, in so doing, he bought sufficient time to voluntarily wind-up the broker/dealer himself and remove all its assets from The Bahamas.” The Securities Commission has asked this

newspaper to clarify that Mr Gentile did not “voluntarily wind-up” Mintbroker International himself. While he had largely closed the broker-dealer’s business in The Bahamas, this did not amount to a voluntary winding-up, and it was the Securities Commission which successfully petitioned the Supreme Court to first appoint provisional liquidators for Mintbroker International despite Mr Gentile’s opposition, then place it into full court-supervised liquidation. This newspaper, in the original article, also reported that Mintbroker International’s winding-up “came after Philip Davis KC, then

that are involved in the fight against poverty. As a result of the increasingly high cost of living, and relief to the poor not seeming to be a priority to successive administrations, a radical policy shift must be embraced as it relates to the under-privileged in our nation. “New fundraising strategies will also be required to offset the huge increase in persons needing social and financial assistance. This will only be achieved with an increased amount of dedicated volunteers who are willing and able to do what it takes to be effective in serving poor, homeless and needy persons. Great

in March. The initiative aligns with the Government’s broader strategy to stimulate economic activity and strengthen the tourism sector on Grand Bahama.“Our goal is simple,” said Peter C. Williams, regional manager for Miami-Dade County with the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation. “We want more heads in beds. Once we create consistent visitor traffic, everyone benefits - taxi drivers, small businesses, store owners, hotel staff and the wider community.”One travel advisor described the experience as “warm, authentic and unforgettable”, praising Grand Bahama’s hospitality, natural beauty and cultural richness, especially in West End.“The people are welcoming, the food is incredible and everywhere you go you’re surrounded by beautiful water,” she said. “West End has a special cultural feel. Clients want unique, authentic

the Opposition’s leader, acting on Mr Gentile’s behalf filed a successful Judicial Review challenge that thwarted the Securities Commission’s efforts to take regulatory action against MintBroker for several months”. The Securities Commission has asked this newspaper to clarify that the Judicial Review challenge was not successful, and was dismissed by the Supreme Court. Instead, Mr Davis obtained a mid-September 2019 injunction that overturned a five-day suspension of Mintbroker’s licence while obtaining permission to launch the ultimately unsuccessful Judicial Review proceedings. The injunction provided time for Mr Gentile to largely close his Bahamas business.

improved in the second quarter of 2025 vis-à-vis the first quarter. The unemployment rate decreased to 9.3 per cent in the review quarter from 10.8 percent in the previous quarter, although still higher than the 8.7 percent in the same period last year,” the Central Bank said. “In particular, the number of employed persons rose to 218,620 in the review quarter, up from 214,725 in the preceding quarter and 213,210 in the comparable 2024 period. Meanwhile, the youth unemployment rate decreased by 0.6 percentage points to 20.3 percent in comparison to the first quarter of 2025. “A breakdown by island showed that the jobless rate in New Providence was lower at 9.3 percent in the second quarter from 11 percent in the prior quarter, but firmed by 0.7 percentage points year-on-year. In Grand Bahama, the jobless rate declined to 9.4 percent from 12.8 percent in the prior quarter and 9.8 percent in the same period last year. In Abaco, the unemployment rate fell to 10.6 percent from 13.8 percent in the first quarter and 14 percent in the comparative 2024 period.”

Ministries has provided around 600 freshly cooked meals daily to needy families and mentally challenged persons living on the street, and has made food deliveries to elderly persons and shut-ins. Bishop Hanchell said it has continued to fulfill its mission of providing living accommodation to homeless families, refugees and mothers living in their vehicles or in abandoned buildings with their children. He added that it has hosted regular tent giveaways providing household supplies, clothing, toys, furniture and clothing. “Great Commission Ministries is a non-profit

charitable organisation that is focused on caring for the needs of poor, homeless, needy and hurting persons in The Bahamas,” Bishop Hanchell said. “All of the services are free. “Great Commission Ministries has experienced a year of highs and lows in 2025. The year has been successful but quite challenging. The ministry has operated one of the largest and longest-serving feeding programmes in The Bahamas for almost 40 years since 1987. Additionally, Great Commission Ministries is the only non-governmental organisation that provides emergency shelters and housing accommodations for homeless men, women and children in the country.”

THE MINISTRY of Tourism, Investments and Aviation (MOTIA) partnered with eight US-based travel advisors to continue strengthening destination marketing and boost visitor arrivals to the island. Photo:Andrew Miller/BIS

experiences and Grand Bahama delivers that. The snapper, conch salad and fresh seafood are selling points I can confidently recommend.”She added that Grand Bahama exceeded expectations, noting its cooler winter climate, culture and charm make it stand out among other destinations. The island, she said, is “full of pleasant surprises” and ranks highly among Bahamian locations she has visited.

Commission Ministries will be recruiting and training 200 new volunteers to serve in 2026 and beyond.” Bishop Hanchell said the ministry is in urgent need of financial aid, groceries, meat, equipment, land and vehicles as well as renovations and repairs to its buildings and properties. Another challenge is the delayed Hope City homeless shelter, which was first announced in 2023. Bishop Hanchell said further information will be released in 2026, as Hope City is planned as a 100-bed complex with dormitories and an empowerment centre. Despite the challenges, Great Commission

PAGE 4, Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Show attendance down as ‘boats not coming’ RESERVATION - from page B1 - speaking on condition of anonymity - told this newspaper that any reforms will almost certainly come to late to save the peak 20252026 winter season, one saying simply: “I think the damage is done.” Another added of the Government: “About time they understand the error of their ways but, to be honest, a lot of charter boats have moved on never to return or at least it will take years before this reversed. Not that it is the be all, but we make the economy go round in the Exumas and Abacos for sure. Two big charter companies - 30 boats each in Abaco alone are closing shop because it’s too expensive to operate.” One Abaco contact added: “It’s really bad. The marinas are empty here. The harbour is empty and the marinas. Green Turtle Cay is empty, Hope Town marina is empty, Sea Spray is empty. Our biggest issue is that, even if it changes tomorrow, most people have made their plans. We’re not going to see a rebuild until the end of the first quarter in 2026 as it has to filter down and get the word out.” Another casualty is the 2026 Bahamas Yacht Charter Show, which was scheduled to be held from January 28 to February 1 in the New Year. In an online notice that was shared with Tribune Business, it was announced: “We regret to inform you that the 2026 Bahamas Charter Yacht Show has been cancelled

due to circumstances beyond the control of the ABM. “While we are saddened by this decision, we sincerely appreciate your understanding and look forward to welcoming you back in 2027.” Mr Maury linked the cancellation directly to the new and increased boating fees, and bureaucratic entry processes that visiting vessels have to navigate, as The Bahamas’ resulting loss of competitiveness means the Show cannot attract sufficient boats to make it economically viable. The ABM chief argued that the greatest losers from the Show’s cancellation will not be the marinas but, instead, the spin-off and support Bahamian-owned businesses that support the sector. These firms, ranging from boat cleaners and carpet cleaners to provisioners, numbered around 40 exhibitors at last year’s event, and Mr Maury explained that the Show provided a one-stop platform for them to show what they can do to boat owners, captains and brokers. Noting that Bahamian exhibitors at the previous three Shows, which first launched in January 2023, are typically not present at international boat shows, Mr Maury said of next month’s event: “We did cancel it. “Last year, at this point we had 40 boats. Right now, we have less than 20. We were just going to be paying more money to have the show. There’s no boats. We need a minimum of 25

THE TRIBUNE boats, and we’re not even close to that. I think they said they have 12, and it’s a month before.” The ABM president said the small number of exhibiting boats meant the 2026 Show was unlikely to be financially and economically viable, especially after a major sponsor, Safe Harbour, which operates a number of Florida-based marinas, pulled out. Show organisers must “put a guarantee” on the “block” of rooms they have reserved at Atlantis, as well as marina slips, and with reservations and attendance unlikely to match they had little choice but to give up these bookings and reclaim their funds prior to passing the ‘30 days before occupancy’ deadline at which point their money goes ‘hard’ and cannot be recovered. “Last year we lost; we didn’t lose a lot, but we lost some money,” Mr Maury recalled, “and this year we were going to be losing thousands. The marinas are already losing enough money because of the fees and everything else. We cancelled. We talked to the Ministry of Tourism, Bahamas Yacht Brokers Association… “The whole point of the show was to feature Bahamian companies. We charged $100 for Bahamian companies to be in the show, and if we don’t have a major sponsor we cannot charge them more because they cannot pay more. It’s a real loss. It’s no Florida boat show, but it’s a couple hundred thousand to the local economy in room sales, restaurant business. “Last year I cannot remember where it ended up. We had around 100 brokers and close to 40 boats.

The year before we had 180 brokers and 80 boats. Everybody was shopping in the food stores, getting rooms, and we were actually growing. Then this happened.” Linking the Show’s woes, and attendance drop-off, directly to the increased boating fees, Mr Maury added: “It’s 100 percent the fees. The brokers can’t sell charters in The Bahamas. They’ve seen a 40 percent reduction in bookings for The Bahamas while the Caribbean region has seen a 25 percent uptick. It’s not hard to figure out. It’s just maths. “The problem is also the processing [entry/clearance of visiting boats into The Bahamas]. I have realised a lot of Bahamians don’t understand what these boats go through. They think these boats are getting all the fish and other stuff.” The ABM president said boat captains, owners and brokers he has spoken to have contradicted the belief that the extra costs involved in bypassing The Bahamas in favour of the Caribbean, particularly fuel expenses, mean vessels have no choice but to remain in this nation’s waters. “A boat captain of a 180foot vessel told me that his fees were now $12,000 to come to The Bahamas, and then to go Antigua the fuel and the fees - the fuel was $650 and the fees much less. He paid for his fuel there and back, and his charter fees, and they were less than he had to pay here,” Mr Maury said. “I know these guys say these people can afford it, but they can do math and they are very good at it. It’s cheaper to go there. We see the AIS register, we see the charter bookings in

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the Caribbean. It is what it is. The Bahamas is not the most popular place to come right now, which is a shame. This is why we cannot get the boats here [for the Show]. Without the boats, the brokers aren’t coming. “A lot of people are saying: ‘You know what? We’ll wait until something changes in The Bahamas. But service businesses, Bahamian industries in hospitality, depend on gratuities and service to live. It’s these boats and rentals and everything else that provide the income,” he continued. “This is what our argument has always been. People said it’s just the marinas; they don’t want to lose money. We wouldn’t be a good Association if we were not looking out for our friends and other businesses in the Family Islands. Boats may come to Nassau and Atlantis, but we want to encourage these boats to go to the Out Islands and experience The Bahamas because we have such a diverse group of islands.” Turning to the economic fall-out, Mr Maury told Tribune Business: “Based on the recent survey we did within our organisation, we’re probably going to see a $25m loss of revenue throughout our business, fuel docks, but there are spin-off business in the Family Islands - grocery stores, services, restaurant waiting staff who are saying they are seeing less gratuities coming in, which Bahamians rely on to afford Christmas and live. “I’m not saying anything bad, but I have 200 employees, including bar tenders, who tell me that while Bahamians tip the biggest ones tend to come from boat guests and crews, but they are not getting anything of those.. Anyone in the service industries around these businesses will tell you yacht guests and crews take care of people that work in Bahamian businesses. “I see so many negative comments online about the marinas, but that’s not what it’s about. I and the rest of us have to live in communities that are not having opportunities to make a living,” Mr Maury added. “Price is one thing but the [clearance] process is so confusing that people are not coming to The Bahamas. “A boat owner with a home in The Bahamas said they are not coming over

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to the house because what is going on is so confusing. He said all his friends are in Costa Rica this Christmas and he is going there. What if he decides to sell his home in The Bahamas? We’re losing perpetual business every day. That’s why this is so important. “It’s every marina. It’s not just one marina or a specific group of marinas. Abaco, Eleuthera, Exuma, everybody is saying the same thing. It’s not something we made up. This is what is happening. I’ve seen Instagram videos, TikTok videos, Eleuthera, Exuma, Grand Bahama… I’ve seen them all. It’s a consensus. It’s what everybody is feeling.” While The Bahamas’ new two-year frequent digital cruising card (FDCC) has gained traction with boaters, others have pointed out that The Bahamas has gone from charging $600 for a cruising permit, which included a fishing permit and no anchorage fee, to a $1,000 cruising permit fee, $350 anchorage fee and $300 per month fishing permit fee. The ‘temporary’ 12-month cruising permit fee for a vessel below 50 feet in length has risen from $300 to $500, a two-thirds or 66.67 percent rise, with those between 50 feet and 100 feet seeing an increase of similar magnitude from $600 to $1,000. And the new anchorage fees range from $200 to $1,500 “for foreign pleasure vessels not mooring at a marina”, and are again linked to vessel size. As Tribune Business previously reported, none of those voicing concern about the revised boating fees and their impact are disputing that The Bahamas has a sovereign right to determine and set these levies at the level it deems appropriate, or that visiting boaters should pay their fair share in taxes and fees in return for commercial exploitation of this nation’s waters and environment. They have even acknowledged that smaller, properly communicated rises may have been justified. Instead, the main issue has been the zero consultation with boaters and industry, coupled with the lack of notice and time to adjust, as well as the scale and breadth of the changes and how they have been implemented in practice. This has led to significant uncertainty and confusion, with The Bahamas not providing a timely or coherent message to its visitors.

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Tuesday, December 23, 2025, PAGE 5

‘Making process easier’ equally as important as fee adjustment ANALYSIS - from page B1 eputation and ensure the economic prosperity of the Bahamians who depend on it. “Over the past several weeks, we have listened closely to the concerns expressed by our marina operators, tour guides, service providers and small business owners - particularly in Abaco, Bimini and The Exumas - regarding recent changes to the regulatory framework affecting our boating sector. We have also heard reports of cancellations and the sentiment from some visitors that they felt unwelcome. “After discussions with Prime Minister Davis on the issues that have arisen, key notes of concern have been identified, and there will be a review of the current framework and its implementation. It is important to note that these measures formed part of a broader policy approach, driven by considerations of regulation, environmental stewardship and building infrastructure for the sustainable management of our maritime space,” Mr Cooper added. “The Ministry of Tourism is focused on ensuring that The Bahamas remains one of the most welcoming and competitive destinations in the region for boating

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visitors. To that end, I will be working closely with my Cabinet colleagues, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Transport, as we advance a review of the process and its ultimate competitiveness. The aim is to assess the framework, its implementation and its impacts. “I am confident that through dialogue, cooperation, and good faith, we can arrive at an outcome that reflects our values, protects our interests, and reaffirms to the world that The Bahamas remains open, responsive, and ready to welcome all who wish to responsibly enjoy our waters.” Mr Cooper’s promise of a review was broadly welcomed by Bahamian maritime and tourism industry stakeholders. Emanuel Alexiou, the Bahama Out Island Promotion Board’s president and proprietor of the Abaco Beach Resort, told Tribune Business: “I think there’s some intent in moving the needle.” He declined to comment further, which is perhaps an indication that the Government and private sector may already be discussing changes. Meanwhile, the Association of Bahamas Marinas (ABM), in a statement added: “This is encouraging news. The Association of Bahamas Marinas welcomes this as a positive signal and an opportunity to help rebuild and strengthen the industry for Bahamians. “We look forward to working collaboratively

NOTICE Jolliland Holding Company Ltd. In Voluntary Liquidation

Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act. 2000, Jolliland Holding Company Ltd. is in dissolution as of December 11, 2025 GESTAM ADMINISTRATION LTD with address at 204 Church Street, Sandy Port, Olde Town, West Bay Street, Nassau, the Bahamas is the Liquidator.

with the Government to develop a process that is both economically viable and operationally efficient, while supporting sustainable growth and long-term success for the sector.” Peter Maury, the ABM president, told this newspaper that The Bahamas simply needs to revert to the electronic entry and clearance processes that it implemented during COVID-19 - and which helped the boating industry to spearhead Bahamian tourism’s own revival and recovery from the pandemic prior to the recent fee hikes and other reforms. “The ABM stands by to assist the Government in anything we can help with,” he added. “We can provide them with the information we have, and what we see as problems in the industry. Will they listen to us this time? Who knows? “Our position never changes. We went through this with COVID, we went through this in other times. We want a chance to help, to collaborate. It’s like every five years we start over again in this industry. We make a little bit of growth and then go backwards. Hopefully this will be a review that will make some changes.” Mr Maury said that making the Customs and Immigration clearance process as clear, easy and efficient as possible, along with the payment of any fees or taxes, is equally as important as adjusting the fees themselves in undoing the damage caused

since their July 1, 2025, introduction. “It’s not necessarily the fees; it’s the whole process,” he added. “It’s four or five different fees. We’ve got to get the country back on track. This is not good for anybody. We need to simplify things back to what worked four years ago.” The ABM chief said there needs to be both clarity and consistency over the new anchorage fees, as these are being levied on vessels docked in marinas when it was thought they only applied to boats anchoring off. And Customs and Immigration officers are still charging attendance fees even though these were believed to be included within the revised fee package. “We asked Customs what the attendance fees are, and they said it depends on who clears them,” Mr Maury said. “In Harbour Island, one boat owner cleared for $200 while his friend in Nassau paid just $50. That’s what upsets people. People are coming here on holiday and don’t want to be harassed to that extent here. “The thing is to make the process easier. Go back to the 90-day cruising permit, not the 30-day permit. We want the boats in The Bahamas to spend money, not having them go back and forth and paying every 30 days. I don’t know who thought that up. Hopefully they [the Government] will call a meeting soon.” While The Bahamas’ new two-year frequent digital cruising card (FDCC) has gained traction with boaters, others have pointed out that The Bahamas has gone from charging $600 for a cruising permit, which included a fishing permit and no anchorage fee, to a

NOTICE

$1,000 cruising permit fee, $350 anchorage fee and $300 per month fishing permit fee. The ‘temporary’ 12-month cruising permit fee for a vessel below 50 feet in length has risen from $300 to $500, a two-thirds or 66.67 percent rise, with those between 50 feet and 100 feet seeing an increase of similar magnitude from $600 to $1,000. And the new anchorage fees range from $200 to $1,500 “for foreign pleasure vessels not mooring at a marina”, and are again linked to vessel size. The Opposition yesterday seized on the boating fee fall-out to promise it will both cut these levies and modernise permit and licensing systems so that they are “accessible” and user-friendly for visitors. Jeremy Sweeting, the Free National Movement (FNM) candidate for south and central Abaco, said in a statement: “In Abaco, marinas are not amenities. They are the heartbeat of our communities. When slips are full, communities thrive, but when marinas sit empty the damage spreads quickly and quietly. “Today, the message is unmistakable. Cruisers are staying away from Abaco, and from The Bahamas, because of drastic increases in cruising permit fees. Marina operators across Abaco are feeling it, and the empty slips tell the story better than any press release. This fee hike was poorly thought out and badly executed, with little to no consultation with those whose livelihoods depend on boating tourism. “The Government chose higher fees over smarter policy. Instead of hundreds of boats contributing

steadily to our local economy, we are left with fewer visitors, less activity and weaker revenue overall. The math does not work, and neither does the policy.” Promising that an FNM administration will reverse course if elected to office, Mr Sweeting said: “The Free National Movement is committed to reversing the damage and unlocking the full potential of maritime tourism. Under an FNM government, we will reduce and standardise taxes on charter services to make The Bahamas competitive again. “We will modernise fee, permit and licensing systems so they are simple and accessible. We will relaunch focused initiatives to reenergise our boating, yachting and cruise economies, and expand cultural and marine festivals that create jobs and drive tourism across our islands. Each passing week brings more empty marinas and fewer tourism dollars circulating in Abaco. That strain is real, and families are feeling it.” Explaining the boating industry’s impact for Family Island economies such as Abaco, the FNM candidate added: “My first job out of school was working at a marina as a fuel dock attendant and dock master. I spent three years in that industry and learned early how deeply a busy marina supports an entire community. “When boats come in, the economy moves. Cruisers eat in local restaurants, they shop, hire taxis and fishing guides, and they buy fuel. They need mechanics, air conditioning repairs and routine maintenance at boat yards. One vessel supports many livelihoods.”

NOTICE

Gulf Pearl Shipping Limited

Gulf Moon Shipping Limited

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:

(a) Gulf Pearl Shipping Limited is in dissolution under the provisions of the International Business Companies Act, 2000.

(a) Gulf Moon Shipping Limited is in dissolution under the provisions of the International Business Companies Act, 2000.

(b) The dissolution of the said Company commenced on the 19 December 2025 when its Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

Dated the 19th day of December 2025.

LIQUIDATOR

H&J CORPORATE SERVICES LTD. Registered Agent for the above-named Company

NOTICE

Gulf Mews Shipping Limited

Gulf Mist Shipping Limited

Gulf Crystal Shipping Limited

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:

(a) Gulf Mews Shipping Limited is in dissolution under the provisions of the International Business Companies Act, 2000.

(a) Gulf Mist Shipping Limited is in dissolution under the provisions of the International Business Companies Act, 2000.

(a) Gulf Crystal Shipping Limited is in dissolution under the provisions of the International Business Companies Act, 2000.

(b) The dissolution of the said Company commenced on the 19 December 2025 when its Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

Dated the 19th day of December 2025.

H&J CORPORATE SERVICES LTD. Registered Agent for the above-named Company

NOTICE

Legal Notice

NOTICE

Gulf Horizon Shipping Limited NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows: (a) Gulf Horizon Shipping Limited is in dissolution under the provisions of the International Business Companies Act, 2000. (b) The dissolution of the said Company commenced on the 19 December 2025 when its Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General. (c) The Liquidator of the said Company is Brian Selvadurai. Dated the 19th day of December 2025. H&J CORPORATE SERVICES LTD. Registered Agent for the above-named Company

414 QTR FUND ICON The Investment Condominium Act, 2014

In Voluntary Liquidation

Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 14 (b) of the Investment Condominium Act, 2014, that 414 QTR FUND ICON (Registration no. 86) is in dissolution. The date of commencement of the dissolution is 19th day of December, 2025. The Liquidator of the ICON is ATMOS CAPITAL GESTÃO DE RECURSOS LTDA and can be contacted at Avenida Borges de Medeiros, 633, Leblon, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. All persons having claims against the above-named ICON are required to mail their names, addresses and particulars of their debts or claims to the Liquidator before 29th day of December, 2025.

ATMOS CAPITAL GESTÃO DE RECURSOS LTDA Liquidator

Gulf Coast Shipping Limited NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows: (a) Gulf Coast Shipping Limited is in dissolution under the provisions of the International Business Companies Act, 2000. (b) The dissolution of the said Company commenced on the 19 December 2025 when its Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General. (c) The Liquidator of the said Company is Brian Selvadurai. Dated the 19th day of December 2025. H&J CORPORATE SERVICES LTD. Registered Agent for the above-named Company

PAGE 6, Tuesday, December 23, 2025

August deficit down $50m year-on-year SLASH - from page B1 “Outstanding debt of the public sector was estimated at $13.551bn at end-September 2025, respective gains of $307.9m (2.3 percent) and $480.7m (3.7 percent) since end-June 2025 and end-September 2024,” the Ministry of Finance’s previously published debt report asserted. “Compared to the previous quarter, foreign currency debt decreased by $46.2m (0.8 percent) to

$5.837bn and accounted for a reduced 43.1 percent of the total portfolio relative to 44.8 percent at end-September 2024. “Since end-June 2025, the Bahamian dollar component expanded by $354.1m (4.8 percent) to $7.714bn. This corresponded to 56.9 percent of overall debt - an upturn of 1.7 percentage points year-over-year. Central government’s net financing operations remained the principal driver for fluctuations in the public debt stock.”

‘Saw train coming’ on health finance deficit LEVY - from page B1 “They’re starting them off young, and that’s wild to me. And so taxes on all of those things that are contributing to our society being obese with chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes, I am all for 100 percent.” Speaking on NHI’s planned introduction of fees and charges for doctors to access electronic medical records, Dr Lockhart said the taxpayer-funded scheme in its present form is not financially sustainable. “What they’re doing with NHI right now, and taxing

the providers and putting these fees on them, I think, is wrong,” she blasted. “That’s my personal opinion. They signed up to a capitation programme, and the Government or the NHI Authority is now changing the rules of engagement, and that’s one thing that I do not like across the board. “Do not change the rules of engagement half-way through. That’s going to get people very upset. And having the providers pay for what we told them was going to be a shortfall when they started this whole scheme is not nice.

THE TRIBUNE As for August’s fiscal performance, the Ministry of Finance said: “Preliminary data on the fiscal outturn for August 2025 showed a significant decline in the estimated deficit to $10.2m from $61.1m in the prior year. This outcome reflected a 12 percent ($26.2m) rise in revenue receipts to $244.2m alongside an 8.8 percent ($24.7m) decrease in spending to $254.5m.” Total government revenues rose from $218m the year before, while tax revenues increased by $28.3m or 14.6 percent year-over-year to hit $221.8 as opposed to $183.3m during August 2024. “Tax revenue rose yearover-year by 14.6 percent

($28.3m) to $221.8m,” the Ministry of Finance added. “VAT, which totalled $126.5m, increased by $26.4m, partly reflecting enhanced compliance measures. “Taxes on use and permission to use goods were higher by $6.3m at $12.2m due to receipts of Business Licence fees. Non-tax revenue declined by 8.6 percent ($2.1m) to $22.4m.” On the spending front, the Ministry of Finance added: “Recurrent expenditure for August totalled $214.7m for a reduction of 7.4 percent ($17.2m) from the corresponding period in the prior year. “Spending for the use of goods and services declined

by 19.8 percent ($9.2m) to $37.2m due to comparatively lower payments for services and supplies and materials. Other payments decreased by 54.8 percent ($19.5m) to $16m due to timing of insurance premium payments. “Capital expenditure declined by 15.9 percent ($7.5m) to $39.7m. The bulk was expended for the acquisition of non-financial assets, 71 percent, and the remaining 29 percent represented capital transfers.” However, despite the narrowed deficit, the Ministry of Finance acknowledged that the Government’s debt increased by some $28.5m during August although no new figures were provided

for its direct debt or the national debt. There were net borrowings of $25m from the Central Bank, in the form of advances, plus a net increase in outstanding Bahamian dollar bonds of $36.3m. “During the review month central government’s debt outstanding increased by an estimated $28.5m. The $94.7m in proceeds from borrowings was almost entirely derived from domestic currency sources,” the Ministry of Finance added. “Aggregate debt repayment of $68.2m was allocated between domestic (60.7 percent) and foreign (39.3 percent) currency redemptions.”

“The way they went about it as usual is wrong. But we told them when they first consulted us on starting NHI many years ago, we told them this is not sustainable. The way you have it planned is not sustainable, and that’s one of the reasons why I, personally, as a paediatrician, never signed on to NHI because I knew that it was not sustainable, and I knew that for paediatrics it would not work.” As for the predicted $24m public healthcare financing deficit for 20262027, which was disclosed in the just-released National Health Strategy report, Dr Lockhart said she “saw the train coming for a long time”. “I feel like we saw this coming,” the Association

president said. “We saw the train coming for a long time. We’ve been saying, the providers have been saying this, for a very long time. “So the fact that the people who are supposed to be supplying the money had their heads in the sand all this time also doesn’t surprise me. The fact that we’re at a deficit does not surprise me... Healthcare costs money, and we cannot have people coming to the public health care system and paying zero dollars and expecting, you know, A1 care. It just doesn’t work that way.” Dr Ian Kelly, of Nu-Life Health Centre, also said taxes on sugary drinks and other health vices, such as alcohol and tobacco consumption, can “help pay for

what those things cost the community and the country in general”. “That is something they have in England,” Dr Kelly said. “But I mean, it’s not just sugary drinks. It should be on all sugar, and everything breaks down to sugar. Rice breaks down to sugar, and potatoes and bread and pasta and stuff like that. So it’s these things that contribute to diabetes and hypertension, and probably increase the risk of cancers. “The Government has to be a player in this. We actually can’t prevent any disease. We can only treat diseases that the people bring on themselves. Diabetes and hypertension, and all these other things, are almost like self-induced.

So it’s like the Government has to play their part in educating people to how to stay healthy. And we come in where we help treat those people, and help reduce the mortality and morbidity rates. “The purpose shouldn’t be to reduce that $24m.. We should be putting taxes on those things to help pay for what those things cost the community and the country in general. So figure out, what does cigarette smoking cost us in the country in terms of illness? What does sugar and things that break down into sugar.. what do they cost the country in terms of hypertension, diabetes, etc, and tax accordingly.”

The European Commission, which manages trade talks and issues on behalf of the 27 EU member countries, expressed concern over the tariffs. "The commission's assessment is that the investigation is based on questionable allegations and insufficient evidence, and that the measures are therefore unjustified and unwarranted," spokesperson Olof Gill said. Gill told reporters that the commission is examining the reasoning behind the move and intends to provide comments to the Chinese authorities. Beijing's probe into EU dairy products covered subsidies given under the EU's Common Agricultural Policy and subsidies offered to farmers by EU countries

including Italy, Ireland and Finland, the Commerce Ministry said in August 2024. China's relationship with the EU is fractious, with the Chinese trade surplus with the EU recently coming into the spotlight. The EU runs a significant trade deficit with China, at more than 300 billion euros ($352 billion) last year. Last week, Beijing announced it was imposing up to 19.8% tariffs on EU pork imports — significantly lower than preliminary tariffs of up to 62.4%. It accused the EU of dumping pork and pig by-products in the country, selling them at cheap prices which in turn harmed its domestic pork industry.

China to impose up to 42.7% provisional tariffs on EU dairy products By CHAN HO-HIM AP Business Writer CHINA will impose up to 42.7% of provisional tariffs on dairy products including milk and cheese imported from the European Union, its Commerce Ministry said Monday. The elevated duties, which take effect Tuesday, were based on preliminary results from an investigation

opened by China's Commerce Ministry in August 2024 as tensions between Beijing and Brussels flared. Beijing reviewed subsidies provided by EU countries for their dairy and other farm products. Beijing's probe was launched as part of tit-fortat measures as the EU investigated Chinese subsidies on electric vehicles, and later imposed tariffs as high

as 45.3% on China-made EVs. China had initiated other probes into European brandy and pork imports as counter measures for the EU's tariffs on Chinese EVs. It had also urged the EU to scrap its EV tariffs. The temporary duties on EU dairy imports will range from 21.9% to 42.7%, according to the Commerce Ministry, and will cover a

basket of dairy products, including fresh and processed cheese, blue cheese, milk, and cream with a fat content exceeding 10% by weight. The ministry said preliminary findings from its investigation determined that subsidies provided by the EU and EU member states for their dairy products had damaged China's dairy industry.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that VADIM ISHUTIN of P.O. Box EL-25178 Banks Road, Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera, 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 23rd day of December 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that LOUIS DELHOMME of #4 Andros Avenue off Wilson Tract, Nassau, The Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration/ Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 16th day of December 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that AMANDA ADDERLEY AREVALO of #4 Malcolm Road, Nassau, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration/ Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 23rd day of December 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

blank squares 23, in the direction Tuesday, December 2025, PAGEind 7

THE TRIBUNE

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CALVIN & HOBBES

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across: Dispos (clue), Appendi Campus, Coyote Prod, Resolve. down: Adroit, A Typhoid, Potash Crease, Gangwa Ticket.

DENNIS THE MENACE Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so the each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday Best described as a number crossword, the task in Kakuro is to fill all of the empty squares, using numbers 1 to 9, so the sum of each horizontal block equals the number to its left, and the sum of each vertical block equals the number on its top. No number may be used in the same block more than once. The difficulty level of the Conceptis Kakuro increases from Monday to Sunday.

MICRO CROSSwORD

CHALLENGER

Yesterday’s Answers

Yesterday’s

Sudoku Answer

Kakuro Answer

PAGE 8, Tuesday, December 23, 2025

THE TRIBUNE

Portion or not to portion? Finding balance at the holiday table

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net AS the holiday season approaches, tables become fuller and routines looser. For many people, that shift brings enjoyment but also anxiety around food, weight gain, and the fear of undoing months of healthy habits. According to Bahamian family medicine physician Dr Dontae Jacobs, the issue is rarely the food itself. Dr Jacobs shared with Tribune Health that indulgence itself is not the problem. Given that food is cultural, emotional and social, he said enjoying

festive dishes in reasonable portions can “absolutely” fit into a healthy lifestyle. Dr Jacobs is a family medicine specialist who practices lifestyle medicine. His work focuses on helping patients prevent, manage, and, in some cases, reverse chronic conditions using evidence-based strategies that include nutrition, movement, sleep, stress management, and behaviour change. He also incorporates holistic wellness coaching, tailoring care plans to help patients take control of their health. “Being healthy is not a simple code to follow. It is a multi-layered sequence of practices that contribute to balance, growth, and wellness,” he told Tribune Health. In his day to day practice at Body Temple Health & Wellness, Dr Jacobs sees a wide range of attitudes towards food during the holidays. Some patients lean fully into indulgence, promising themselves they will reset in January. Others approach the season with

Bahamian family medicine physician, Dr Dontae Jacobs fear and restriction, worried that one misstep will erase months of progress. “For the beginner who is accustomed to eating until they are full, after the third plate of Christmas ham and turkey they will say, ‘I will just start up in January. I am going to live my best life right now,’” he said. At the other end of the spectrum are patients who feel anxious about weight gain and control.

How cranberries can be a Christmas cracker for health this festive season By DIPA KAMDAR Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice, Kingston University CRANBERRY supplements are promoted as a convenient way to get these benefits without the sugar or sharp taste of the juice. So what does the science actually say about cranberries, and are supplements as effective as eating the fruit? Cranberries are best known for their role in helping prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs). The fruit contains compounds called proanthocyanidins. These compounds appear to stop bacteria such as E. coli from sticking to the lining of the urinary tract, which is one of the first steps in developing an infection. This explains why cranberry products may help prevent UTIs, although they do not treat infections once bacteria have already attached and multiplied. Research supports cranberries’ preventive role in women who experience recurrent infections and in children, although results vary between studies. One study found both cranberry juice and tablets reduced UTI rates in women, but tablets worked slightly better and were more cost-effective. Both forms reduced antibiotic use compared with placebo. Cranberries have also been investigated for their effects on heart health. They are rich in antioxidants such as anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins and quercetin. Antioxidants

help protect cells from damage caused by unstable molecules called free radicals. Research shows that cranberry juice or extracts can improve several risk factors for heart disease. These include raising levels of HDL cholesterol, often called good cholesterol because it helps remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream, and lowering LDL cholesterol in people with diabetes. LDL is sometimes described as bad cholesterol because high levels can build up in artery walls, and it becomes even more harmful when it is oxidised. Oxidised LDL is more likely to stick to artery walls and fuel inflammation, which contributes to plaque formation. Cranberries’ antioxidants may help slow this process. They may also improve flexibility in blood vessels, reduce blood pressure and lower homocysteine, an amino acid linked to inflammation at high levels. However, not all studies report the same findings, so the evidence remains mixed. Researchers are also studying cranberries for their possible role in cancer prevention. Lab and animal studies show that cranberry compounds, including ursolic acid, may slow the growth of tumour cells. Some compounds have anti-inflammatory effects, which is important because chronic inflammation can contribute to the development of cancer. A clinical trial found that cranberry juice may help reduce the risk of stomach cancer by

blocking H. pylori, a bacterium strongly linked to this form of cancer, from attaching to the stomach lining. Adults who drank about two glasses of cranberry juice had lower infection rates. Lab and animal studies point to other possible anti-cancer effects, and upcoming research will determine whether these laboratory findings translate to humans. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of cranberries may also support brain health. A 2022 study found that adults who consumed freeze-dried cranberry powder each day, which is equivalent to about 100 grams of fresh cranberries, showed better memory for daily tasks and improved blood flow to brain regions involved in learning. They also had reduced LDL cholesterol. High LDL can contribute to hardened arteries, which affects circulation. Cranberries may also support the immune system. Studies suggest their natural compounds can make it less likely to catch colds or flu. Cranberries are a source of vitamin C, vitamin E,carotenoids and iron, all of which contribute to normal immune function. SUPPLEMENTS, JUICE AND WHOLE FRUITS Cranberry supplements are often promoted as an easier alternative to juice or fresh fruit. They deliver concentrated extracts of dried, powdered cranberries, usually standardised

“Some worry that one piece of guava duff will undo months of progress, which can be true for some,” he added. “There is also confusion. People want to enjoy family traditions but feel pressure to eat perfectly. That internal conflict often creates more stress than the food itself.” That stress, he noted, can worsen existing health conditions. “It can contribute to obesity or worsening conditions like diabetes or hypertension,” he said. Rather than focusing on eliminating foods, Dr Jacobs encourages patients to rethink portions and patterns. From his clinical experience, it is repeated over-consumption paired with inactivity, poor sleep, and stress driven eating that causes problems over time. “It is rarely aunty’s macaroni and cheese that creates the issue,” he said. Strict restriction, he added, often backfires. “I have yet to see a Bahamian successfully cut off chicken in the bag from

their diet. It is too delicious for a reason,” Dr Jacobs said. He explained that labelling foods as forbidden creates a scarcity mind-set. “When people call foods bad, those foods become more tempting. This leads to cycles of deprivation followed by overeating or bingeing. The body does not respond well to extremes.” Instead, Dr Jacobs advocates moderation rooted in intention. “Moderation means being intentional about your portions. Choose one protein, one carbohydrate, and one fat, with vegetables being the largest portion on your plate.” He also emphasised practical habits that support balance. “Moderation looks like not going for seconds or third servings, slowing down while eating, stopping when you are satisfied and not stuffed. It also means staying active, staying hydrated with water, and limiting sugar rich beverages,” Dr Jacobs said.

Guilt, he added, is rarely helpful. “Guilt does not lead to better habits. It often leads to overeating.” For Dr Jacobs, the goal is progress, not perfection. He said he often preaches progression over perfection. As the holidays approach, his advice is grounded in perspective. “Life is about balance. To be truly healthy, we must consider physical, mental, and spiritual health. Food can be a tool to achieve wellness in all these aspects with the right blueprint.” One meal, he stressed, does not define a person’s health. “Rome was not built in a day,” Dr Jacobs said. “Progress comes from what you do most of the time, not from occasional celebrations.” His message to patients and readers alike is simple. “Enjoy your food fully and without guilt. You can celebrate and still be healthy,” he said.

warfarin, which increases the risk of bleeding. Evidence is inconsistent, but people taking warfarin are usually advised to avoid large quantities of cranberry products. There may also be interactions with other drugs processed by the liver, although these effects are not well established. Cranberries, then, whether eaten whole or taken as supplements, offer real health benefits, especially in reducing the risk of recurrent urinary tract infections. They may also support heart health, reduce inflammation and provide some protection against certain cancers,

although the evidence for these effects is less clear. Supplements cannot replace a balanced diet, and whole cranberries provide additional nutrients and fibre that extracts cannot match. Some people should exercise caution, particularly those at risk of kidney stones or those taking specific medications. Cranberries are not a magic solution, but they can be a valuable addition to the table, whether in a festive sauce, a handful of fruit or an occasional supplement. Enjoy them for their flavour and colour, and consider any health benefits a welcome bonus.

to contain a set amount of proanthocyanidins. This allows people to obtain active compounds without the sugars found in many commercial cran-

berry juices. However, whole fresh or frozen cranberries provide fibre and a wider range of nutrients that may be missing in supplements. Eating fruit also encourages healthier overall habits, while capsules can tempt people to treat them as a shortcut. For most people, cranberries are safe to consume in moderation. Large amounts of juice or supplements can cause stomach upset or diarrhoea. Cranberries contain oxalates, natural chemicals that may contribute to kidney stones in people who are prone to them. Sweetened cranberry juices can also undermine potential health benefits by raising sugar intake. The most important safety concern is the potential interaction between cranberries and certain medicines. Some case reports suggest cranberry juice may enhance the blood-thinning effect of

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, December 23, 2025, PAGE 9

More than just being well: teens and Gen Z are redefining what it means to be healthy

Photo: rawpixel.com / Techi By SUSANNA TRNKA Professor of Anthropology, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau HEALTH isn’t what it used to be – namely, the absence of being sick. Ask any teenager today what it means to them to be healthy, and you’re likely to hear about the vast array of areas in their lives they are “working on”. This can include emotional health, aesthetic health, fitness, nutrition, social health, financial health, social media health, mental health, spiritual health, and more. When I was a teenager in the 1980s, health wasn’t something my friends or I thought about much. We took it for granted that it was either something you had or were unfortunate to have lost. In contrast, today’s young people view health as something they can “grow” and should already be working on. Health has become an investment. And, through a process of expansion I call “healthization”, it has

WHEN people talk about cancer treatment, the spotlight usually shines on the big players—chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, immunotherapy. They get the headlines, and rightfully so. After all, they’re the heavy hitters in the fight. But once the dust settles and the last appointment card is tucked away, many survivors find themselves facing a surprising new chapter: rebuilding their bodies, their strength, and often their confidence. And this is where physiotherapy quietly steps in, rolling up its sleeves like an old friend ready to help move the furniture. Most of us don’t think of physiotherapy as part of cancer recovery. It’s the thing you do after spraining your ankle on a hiking trail or pulling your back lifting your “light” suitcase that definitely wasn’t as light as you pretended it was. But for cancer survivors, physio is so much more than stretches and resistance bands—it can be a genuine lifeline. Let’s start with the most obvious challenge: fatigue. Not the “I stayed up too late watching a show I promised I’d only watch one episode of” kind of fatigue. Cancer-related fatigue is next-level—the sort that sits on your shoulders, crawls into your bones, and doesn’t seem to care how much you rest. Physiotherapists understand this unique monster and use gentle, customised exercise programs to gradually rebuild stamina. Oddly enough, moving more actually helps people feel less tired. It sounds suspicious, I

become an diverse one.

increasingly

BEYOND DR GOOGLE In my recent research, I asked 235 young New Zealanders aged 14–24 to discuss how they utilised digital technology in their understanding of their health. The results inform my recent book, Healthization: Turning Life into Health. Some of the results were not unexpected: young people discussed googling their symptoms and self-diagnosing anything from a sore throat to a miscarriage. They also talked about using online quizzes and a variety of websites and forums to ascertain their mental well-being, including self-diagnosing themselves with anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. But at the same time as invoking the value of using “Dr Google”, they also talked about sophisticated strategies they use for determining what forms of online and offline knowledge are trustworthy.

They described how they triangulate online results, determine when to check with medical professionals, and frequently compare their understanding of health information with friends, siblings or parents. Perhaps more unexpectedly, their definitions of what it means to be healthy were all-encompassing. So much so that for some, there appeared to be almost no limit to the role that striving to be healthy plays in their lives. Things that a generation ago were thought to be important but not necessarily part of being healthy –such as friendship, beauty, having a sense of community, dating, doing well in school, creating “downtime” or moments of relaxation – are now rolled into this expansive concept of health. Not having these things is no longer seen as sad or due to misfortune, but as being actively detrimental to one’s health. HEALTH’S MORAL DIMENSION

In a country often stereotyped for its rugged but sometimes cavalier “she’ll be right” ethos, young people openly worry about their own and other people’s physical health in ways strikingly at odds with previous generations. There has been a lot written about the 21st-century focus on self-improvement. But young people also describe eagerly helping others in their health projects or “journeys”, spending time googling mental health issues so they can help diagnose friends, or even taking their parents along on a run. Indeed, mental and emotional health in particular are singled out as areas where young people see a generational role to promote greater transparency and social acceptance. Health takes on a moral dimension as young people describe investing in their own and others’ health as a means to achieve “a good life”. In fact, not to work on one’s health was often depicted as morally wrong. Through the process of healthization, health has come to cover a much

broader terrain than it did a generation or so ago. So, is it even achievable? Or, given so many different components to health – from minding one’s time on social media to drinking enough water, from working on establishing meaningful friendships to logging in with MapMyRun – is it an illusion that no one can possibly fulfil? While this might initially appear to be the case, the young people I interviewed suggest otherwise. While some did indeed seem overwhelmed by the amount of necessary “work” on health that faces them, others noted the need for “balance” and pathways (sometimes multiple ones) toward enacting those aspects of health that appear most meaningful and achievable. FINDING REAL BALANCE In my book, I suggest the turn towards such holistic views of health not only helps us acknowledge the wide variety of things that affect our well-being, but highlights how the mind

and body are interrelated– how our mental well-being can influence our physical health and vice versa. The downside is that it can feel overwhelming and also draw attention away from other things we value and which we need or want to do. These may not necessarily be good for our health, but are nonetheless socially meaningful. That might include devoting time to caring for family members, for example, rather than working on our physical fitness. Or sacrificing our time or well-being to promote or protect a greater cause. The trick, the book concludes, might be to adopt a point of view that embraces the merits of a broad view of health while also encouraging ourselves to look beyond it. Just as young people are recognising the importance of working on the self while also emphasising the importance of their relationships with others, maybe we can all discover a better kind of “balance”.

Physiotherapy:

The unsung hero in life after cancer

know, but survivors will tell you it works. Then there’s the muscle weakness. Months (sometimes years) of treatment can leave muscles feeling like they’ve gone on strike and forgotten to file the paperwork to return. Physiotherapy offers a structured way to wake everything back up—slowly, safely, and with a plan. It’s not about turning anyone into a marathon runner; sometimes it’s just about making it easier to climb stairs again or carry a bag of groceries without needing a recovery nap afterwards. Balance and coordination are also big hurdles. Certain chemotherapy drugs can cause nerve changes, making feet tingly or numb and walking feel like navigating a fun-house floor.

Physiotherapists use targeted exercises to improve proprioception—a fancy word for “your body knowing where it is in space”—so survivors can move with more confidence and less fear of falling. Because let's be honest, nobody wants their triumphant post-cancer life to include an avoidable tumble in the supermarket aisle. And then there’s the issue many people whisper about but don’t talk openly: pain. Surgical scars, stiff joints, nerve pain, or radiation-tightened tissues can linger long after treatment ends. Physiotherapists are trained to work with scar tissue, teach gentle stretching that actually helps (not the kind that makes you want to swear), and

offer strategies to manage long-term discomfort. Sometimes the goal isn’t eliminating pain entirely but reducing it enough that it no longer dictates the day. One of the more specialised roles physios play is helping with lymphedema— the swelling that can happen when lymph nodes have been removed or damaged during treatment. It’s common after breast cancer treatment but can happen with other cancers too. Physiotherapists who specialise in lymphedema can do manual drainage techniques, teach safe exercises, and advise on compression options. It’s a niche skill, but for the people who need it, it’s absolutely life-changing.

Let’s not forget mobility. After a major surgery, whether it’s for breast, abdominal, or head-andneck cancers, moving “normally” again can feel like learning choreography for a dance you didn’t audition for. Physiotherapy helps survivors gradually regain range of motion so everyday tasks feel, well, everyday again—like reaching into cupboards, turning your head to reverse the car, or sleeping without waking up feeling like a tent peg. But possibly the most underrated benefit physiotherapy gives cancer survivors is something you won’t find in an anatomy textbook: reassurance. Many survivors fear pushing themselves physically. After months of people telling them to “take it easy,” it can be scary to start exerting effort again. A physiotherapist becomes a guide—someone who understands the body deeply and can say, “Yes, it’s safe,” or “No, let’s try this instead.” That confidence boost is immeasurable. And while physio is grounded in science, there’s a very human element to it too. It provides structure when life has felt unpredictable. It offers progress

that can be measured in steps—literally and figuratively. It gives survivors a sense of control when so much of their journey has been controlled by medical schedules and treatment plans. For many, physio becomes the bridge between the world of illness and the world of living again. Of course, physiotherapy isn’t a magic wand. It won’t erase what someone has been through, and it’s not the same for every person or every cancer type. But it is one of the most practical,empowering tools survivors can use to reclaim their bodies and rebuild strength—not just physically, but emotionally too. So the next time someone rings the bell at the end of treatment or celebrates their final scan, remember: the journey doesn’t stop there. Sometimes the quiet heroes—like the physios with their exercise sheets, foam rollers, and uncanny ability to say “just one more rep” with a straight face— play some of the most important roles in helping survivors feel like themselves again. And honestly? That deserves some headlines too.

PAGE 10, Tuesday, December 23, 2025

THE TRIBUNE

Tis the season… to be grieving By CARA HUNT Tribune Features Writer cbrennen@tribunemedia.net CHRISTMAS is not always merry and bright. Sometimes it can be heartbreaking and dark, especially if you are navigating the loss of a loved one. That was certainly my story last year. I had a very dear friend pass away from breast cancer on December 15, 2024 and my mom was recovering from major surgery. It clouded my entire holiday. If it weren’t for the fact that my children deserved holiday magic, I

might have stayed in bed and boycotted Christmas all together. This year my family will be celebrating without a very special aunt on my maternal side, the one whose holiday spirit always filled our parties with cheer and on my paternal side another cousin also ripped away by that most horrid word - cancer. It can be hard, but grief can also be healing. “Grief at Christmas is so difficult,” says Tamara who recently lost her brother. “Everywhere you look things are merry and bright and happy and all you want is for it to be

stormy and rainy because that is how your heart is feeling. “And when you have kids so much worse. You have to sit through their lil Christmas productions, and take pictures with Santa and take them to the carnival and Junkanoo do all those things that ordinarily are fun and exciting all while all you do want to do is scream,” she said. And for Taylor, it is an exceptionally difficult time of year. “My dad passed away on Christmas Day 2023,” she said. “I was like Daddy, of all the days of the year, this the day you chose to leave us? Christmas will never be the same .

This image released by Lionsgate shows Amanda Seyfried in a scene from "The Housemaid." Photo: Daniel McFadden/Lionsgate/AP

Paul Feig's 'The Housemaid' is a twisty horrorthriller with nudity and empowerment SANTA left us a present this holiday season, and it is exactly what we didn't know we needed: A twisty, psychological horror-thriller with nudity that's all wrapped up in an empowerment message. “The Housemaid” is Paul Feig’s delicious, satirical look at the secret depravity of the ultra-rich, but it's so well constructed that it's not clear who's naughty or nice. Halfway through, the movie zigs and everything you expected zags.

It's almost impossible to thread the line between self-winking campy — “That's a lot of bacon. Are you trying to kill us?” — and carving someone's stomach with a broken piece of fine china, yet Feig and screenwriter Rebecca Sonnenshine do. Sydney Sweeney stars as a down-on-her-luck Millie Calloway, a gal with a troubled past living out of her car who answers an ad for a live-in housekeeper in a tony suburb of New York City.

Her resume is fraudulent, as are her references. Somehow, the madam of the mansion, Nina Winchester, played with frosty excellence by Amanda Seyfried in pearls and creamy knits, takes a shine to this young soul. “I have a really good feeling about this, Millie,” she says in that perky, slightly crazed clipped way

“Personally, I am leaning into their love of the season. Some of my best memories are of being with them during the holidays and that has helped the Christmas spirit I lost last year to return.” What added to the pain of that Christmas was that she had no idea that it would be the last Christmas she spent with her mom. “I buried my dad in December and then my mom passed away the next June. So I am now an orphan – it makes the holidays hard, because I miss them so much.” So what do you do when your heart is filled with grief rather than holiday joy?

“Personally, I am leaning into their love of the season. Some of my best memories are of being with them during the holidays and that has helped the Christmas spirit I lost last year to return.” Taylor says that she and her siblings now all take a family trip. “Since our parents are gone, we have lost that going home for Christmas feeling - we don’t have a ‘home to go to,’ so last year we went to Disney World and this year we are going on a cruise. It gives us something to look forward too and then we know our parents up there happy we keeping the family together.” Tamara advises that you don’t try to avoid the pain. “I know Christmas will be rough, I know I will cry and the rest of the family will cry so don’t try to fight the grief let it come and let it go and in between all that, find some happy moments,” she said.

that Seyfried always slays with. “This is going to be fun, Millie.” Maybe not for Millie, but definitely for us. The young housekeeper gets her own room in the attic — weird that it closes with a deadbolt from the outside, but no matter — and we're off. Mille gets a smartphone with the family's credit card preloaded and a key for that deadbolt. “What kind of monsters are we?” asks Nina. Indeed. The next day, the house is a mess when the housekeeper comes down, and Seyfried is in a wide-eyed, crashing-plates, full-on psychotic rage. The sweet, supportive woman we met the day before is gone. But her hunky husband (Brandon Sklenar) is helpful and apologetic. And smouldering. Uh-oh. Did we mention he's hunky? If at first we understand that the housekeeper is being a little manipulative — lying to get the job, for instance, or wearing glasses to seem more serious — we soon realise that all kinds of gaslighting games are being played behind these gates, and they're much more impactful. Based on Freida McFadden’s novel, “The Housemaid” rides waves of manipulation and then turns the tables on what we think we've just seen, looking at male-female power structures

and how privilege can trap people without it. The film is as good-looking as the actors, with nifty touches like having the main house spare, welllit and bright, while the husband’s private screening room in the basement is done in a hellish red. There are little jokes throughout, like the husband and the housemaid bonding over old episodes of “Family Feud,” with the name saying it all. Feig and his team also have fun with horror movie conventions, like having a silent, foreboding groundskeeper, adding a creepy dollhouse and placing lightning and thunder during a pivotal scene. They surround the mansion with fussy, aristocratic PTA moms who have tea parties and say things like “You know what yoga means to me.” Feig’s fascinating combination of gore, torture and hot sex ends happily, capped off with Taylor Swift's perfectly conjured “I Did Something Bad” playing over the end credits. Not at all: This naughty movie is definitely on the nice list. “The Housemaid,” a Lionsgate release that's in theatres Friday, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association for strong bloody violence, gore, language, sexuality/ nudity and drug use. Running time: 131 minutes. Three and a half stars out of four.

This image released by Lionsgate shows Sydney Sweeney in a scene from "The Housemaid."

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, December 23, 2025, PAGE 11

Miss Jamaica Universe 2025 Gabrielle Henry breaks silence after stage fall MISS Jamaica Universe 2025 Dr Gabrielle Henry has issued her first personal statement since suffering a serious fall during the Miss Universe preliminary competition in Thailand last month, saying she will share more details in her own time. Henry addressed supporters in an Instagram post nearly two weeks after the incident, which occurred on November 19 during the evening gown segment of the competition. The fall happened after she stepped through an opening on the stage, resulting in significant injuries. In her message, Henry said she is grateful to be back in Jamaica as she continues her recovery, noting the importance of stillness, healing and

the support she has received at home. She thanked her family, friends and medical teams, along with the Miss Universe Jamaica organisation and the Jamaica Tourist Board, for their care and support. Henry, who is also an ophthalmology resident, reflected briefly on the experience, writing that moments of darkness do not diminish vision but can refine it. She said her focus remains on healing, purpose and service, adding that more will be shared in time. According to a statement previously issued by the Miss Universe Organisation and Henry’s family, she suffered an intracranial haemorrhage with loss of consciousness, facial lacerations, fractures

and other injuries after falling through an opening on the stage. She was immediately admitted to intensive care in Bangkok, where she remained under close neurological monitoring before being transferred to Jamaica. Legal representatives for Henry told People that she remains hospitalised and that the incident has taken a significant physical and emotional toll. They said their priority is ensuring she can focus fully on her recovery following what they described as a traumatic event. Henry’s post has since drawn messages of support from fellow Miss Universe titleholders and supporters Miss Jamaica Universe 2025 Dr Gabrielle Henry in an undated photo. Photo: Miss Universe Jamaica / Facebook across the region.

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-DAY FORECAST

TODAY

TONIGHT

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

UV INDEX TODAY

SATURDAY

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

ORLANDO

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 58° F/14° C

TAMPA

Windy with plenty of sunshine

Clear

Breezy with sun mixing with clouds

Partly sunny

Sunny and pleasant

Plenty of sunshine

High: 80°

Low: 68°

High: 79° Low: 69°

High: 80° Low: 68°

High: 79° Low: 66°

High: 80° Low: 66°

AccuWeather RealFeel

79° F

66° F

78°-67° F

82°-68° F

83°-67° F

82°-66° F

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 61° F/16° C

ABACO

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 64° F/18° C

12-25 knots

WEST PALM BEACH High: 80° F/27° C Low: 65° F/18° C

10-20 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE E

FREEPORT

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 68° F/20° C

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 63° F/17° C

MIAMI

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 68° F/20° C

10-20 knots

NASSAU

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 71° F/22° C

9:42 a.m. 10:04 p.m.

2.8 2.2

3:19 a.m. 4:14 p.m.

0.1 0.1

ALMANAC

Wednesday 10:22 a.m. 10:49 p.m.

2.8 2.2

4:02 a.m. 4:54 p.m.

0.2 0.1

Statistics are for Nassau through 1 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 79° F/26° C Low .................................................... 75° F/24° C Normal high ....................................... 79° F/26° C Normal low ........................................ 67° F/19° C Last year’s high .................................. 77° F/25° C Last year’s low ................................... 64° F/18° C Precipitation As of 1 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ................................................ 49.76” Normal year to date ................................... 39.21”

Thursday

11:04 a.m. 11:38 p.m.

2.7 2.3

4:49 a.m. 5:35 p.m.

0.3 0.1

Friday

11:51 a.m. -----

2.6 -----

5:43 a.m. 6:20 p.m.

0.3 0.0

Saturday

12:32 a.m. 12:43 p.m.

2.4 2.4

6:42 a.m. 0.4 7:09 p.m. -0.1

Sunday

1:30 a.m. 1:40 p.m.

2.6 2.3

7:47 a.m. 0.3 8:02 p.m. -0.2

Monday

2:30 a.m. 2:41 p.m.

2.7 2.2

8:54 a.m. 0.2 8:58 p.m. -0.4

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 69° F/21° C

Today

SUN AND MOON Sunrise Sunset

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 70° F/21° C

N E

12-25 knots

9:39 a.m. 8:47 p.m.

First

Full

Last

New

Dec. 27

Jan. 3

Jan. 10

Jan. 18

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 70° F/21° C

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 72° F/22° C

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 69° F/21° C

W S

LONG ISLAND

TRACKING MAP

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 72° F/22° C

6:52 a.m. Moonrise 5:27 p.m. Moonset

CAT ISLAND

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

TIDES FOR NASSAU Ht.(ft.)

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

Low

KEY WEST

VERY HIGH EXT. TM

Ht.(ft.)

ELEUTHERA

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 68° F/20° C

HIGH

High

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

MODERATE

20-30 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 82° F/28° 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: 81° F/27° C Low: 76° F/24° C

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 72° F/22° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 84° F/29° C Low: 75° F/24° C

15-25 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

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

WINDS NE at 10-20 Knots NNE at 8-16 Knots NE at 12-25 Knots NE at 10-20 Knots ENE at 15-25 Knots NE at 12-25 Knots E at 15-25 Knots NE at 12-25 Knots ENE at 12-25 Knots NE at 12-25 Knots E at 12-25 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots NE at 12-25 Knots NE at 12-25 Knots E at 12-25 Knots ENE at 12-25 Knots ENE at 20-30 Knots NE at 12-25 Knots ENE at 20-30 Knots NE at 12-25 Knots ENE at 12-25 Knots NE at 10-20 Knots NE at 15-25 Knots ENE at 12-25 Knots NE at 20-30 Knots NE at 12-25 Knots

WAVES 6-10 Feet 4-7 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-2 Feet 8-12 Feet 5-9 Feet 6-10 Feet 5-9 Feet 8-12 Feet 4-8 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 4-7 Feet 4-7 Feet 5-9 Feet 3-6 Feet 8-12 Feet 8-12 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-3 Feet 4-8 Feet 4-7 Feet 3-5 Feet 1-3 Feet

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

WATER TEMPS. 76° F 76° F 74° F 73° F 79° F 79° F 82° F 81° F 78° F 78° F 77° F 75° F 77° F 77° F 82° F 82° F 81° F 81° F 81° F 81° F 79° F 78° F 81° F 80° F 79° F 79° F

Tuesday, December 23, 2025

SECTION D

Bahamian entrepreneur

BEYONCÉ FORBES

shines on global stage at Miss Cosmo 2025 Beyoncé Forbes

presented community project proposals and participated in a live debate designed to assess strategic thinking, reasoning skills and vision for social impact. Each finalist was allotted 90 seconds to present her project, followed by a timed exchange to question and explain their ideas. Several special awards were also presented during the finale. Best in Swimsuit was awarded to Brazil’s Gabriela Borges, Best Ao Dai to Peru’s Kelin Rivera Kroll, and Best Catwalk to Cuba’s Amys Napoles Ochoa. The competition concluded a nearly two-month program of activities, cultural exchanges and training sessions for contestants. Beyond the stage, Forbes brought her entrepreneurial and

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net BAHAMIAN entrepreneur, hairstylist and model Beyoncé Forbes has concluded a transformative international journey after representing The Bahamas at the Miss Cosmo International pageant in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Forbes, first runner-up in the Miss Bahamas Universe pageant, competed among more than 70 contestants from countries and territories around the world in the second edition of Miss Cosmo, an emerging global competition known for its emphasis on leadership, strategy and social impact. The event, produced by UNICorp and UNIMedia, was founded in 2023 under the leadership of Trần Việt Bảo Hoàng, with its inaugural title awarded in 2024. Representing The Bahamas on the international stage, Forbes described the experience as a fast-moving and deeply personal journey. Following the pageant, she shared that the weeks in Vietnam felt like a “once-in-a-lifetime experience,” noting that the pace of the competition made it important to pause and fully take in each moment. In a statement released ahead of the finale night, Forbes reflected on the growth she experienced throughout the competition, describing the journey as one that

“stretched” and “grounded” her while reaffirming her purpose. She emphasized that her participation was never solely personal, but rooted in national pride, carrying The Bahamas with intention and gratitude. Miss Cosmo 2025 ultimately crowned Yolina Lindquist of the United States, who outshone a competitive field during the final rounds. Unlike many traditional beauty contests, the Miss Cosmo finale did not include a conventional question-and-answer segment. Instead, finalists

community-focused background to the Miss Cosmo platform. A native of Grand Bahama Island, she is the founder of Benifor Beauty, a luxury beauty brand and studio specializing in hair and lash extensions. Her work centers on helping women build confidence through beauty, while also mentoring young women through her growing business.

She is actively involved with youth-focused and empowerment organizations including Crown Her Productions, You Matter Foundation and H.O.Y.T.E.S., aligning closely with Miss Cosmo’s emphasis on leadership and social responsibility. Forbes often credits her faith as a guiding force, drawing inspiration from the belief that strength is rooted in “power, love and a sound mind.” Throughout the competition, Forbes consistently highlighted her connection to home, acknowledging the support she received from Bahamians near and far. In her pre-finale message, she thanked supporters for their prayers, messages and encouragement, describing the moment as a shared one between herself and the nation she represented. As Miss Cosmo continues to establish itself on the international pageant circuit, Forbes’ participation marks another instance of Bahamian representation on a growing global stage. While the crown went elsewhere this year, her journey reflects the expanding role of modern pageantry - one that blends beauty, business acumen, advocacy and cultural pride. Forbes returns home with international exposure, professional growth and a renewed sense of purpose, carrying forward lessons from Vietnam that she said will shape her path long after the stage lights fade.