01092024 BUSINESS AND FEATURES

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2024

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‘Another kick in the teeth’: GB to lose 100 PharmaChem jobs

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE loss of more than 100 wellpaid jobs through PharmaChem Technologies’ Friday shutdown was last night branded “another kick in the teeth” for Grand Bahama’s struggling economy.

James Carey, the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce president, told Tribune Business the pharmaceutical manufacturer’s closure revelation had taken him by “total surprise” and raised fears that “something has gone terribly wrong” with its recent $400m expansion.

With the move “putting a damper” on renewed late 2023 optimism that Grand Bahama’s economy is poised for a turnaround, he suggested it must have also come as “a real shock” to the company’s workforce, who were only informed via Zoom call yesterday afternoon that they will be unemployed in three days’ time.

“That’s a total surprise. I didn’t expect that,” Mr Carey told this newspaper. “PharmaChem has just spent millions on creating a new plant to begin a new manufacturing process. This comes as a complete surprise really.

“There’d been no indication of problems coming out of

South Andros utilities branded ‘a hot mess’

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net SOUTH Andros residents and business owners yesterday branded the area’s utilities and physical infrastructure as a “hot mess” that is undermining commerce.

Julian Gibson, owner of Eula Nixon Convenience Store and Last Stop Gas Station, said residents have become frustrated over both the level of service and crumbling infrastructure.

He explained that he hasn’t received Internet or landline phone service since a pole was knocked over four months ago, while the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) office in the area is closed.

“People are frustrated because everything is falling apart in South Andros. The BTC office is closed; I haven’t gotten Internet in three or four months. Every couple of days I have to buy a data plan,” he said. “The land line, somebody knocked down a BTC lamp pole about four months ago, so there’s no land phones in the area. It’s like everything is crashing down in South Andros.”

Mr Gibson said the water supply is disconnected for several hours in the morning, and these issues even led to school closures last year. As for Bahamas Power & Light (BPL), he said he believes the staff on the island are doing a “great job” with outdated equipment.

“The water is off in the mornings for a couple hours. In September, the beginning of school, they had to shut down for a few days because there

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“For Grand Bahama it’s just another kick in the teeth. I’ve personally been upbeat on Grand Bahama and the prospects for 2024, and we’ve hardly begun the year when here we go again. There’s no control over private enterprises; they must do what they have to do, but we can’t get a start.”

Mr Carey said that while “there’s other developments coming on

stream”, such as Carnival’s $500m Celebration Key cruise port; Weller Development’s $250m Six Senses resort; and the Grand Bahama Shipyard’s near-$600m investment in two new docks, “they will take time” to come to fruition and fully transform a Grand Bahama economy that continues to struggle in escaping its recent stagnation.

“It just seems to put a damper on things all of a sudden,” the GB Chamber chief told Tribune Business of PharmaChem’s imminent closure.

“While some people may say it’s only 100 jobs, 100 jobs in the Freeport market is a lot, particularly when they are well-paid jobs.

“There seems to be more to it than the announcement. It just can’t be that simple. Something has gone terribly wrong. Something has gone awry, and it’s hard to determine what that is.” This newspaper understands that up to 120 jobs will be terminated come Friday this week.

PharmaChem itself provided no details on what has driven it to start winding down its business with effect from yesterday, with operations set to totally cease from Friday, January 12. The company, which was not entertaining media inquiries yesterday, would only say it “has faced unprecedented challenges that have

FNM chief: Ensure GB still perceived as ‘fertile ground’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Opposition’s leader yesterday called on the Government to urgently dispel any notion that PharmaChem Technologies’ “devastating closure” was caused by local ease of doing business impediments.

Michael Pintard, also the MICHAEL PINTARD Marco City MP, told Tribune Business that the Davis administration must “combat the perception that Grand Bahama is not fertile ground for future investment” after the pharmaceutical producer announced it will cease operations this Friday with the loss of 120 jobs (see main article).

While there were signs last night that PharmaChem’s closure has resulted from company-specific challenges, he added it was vital to maintain investor and business confidence in Grand Bahama by clarifying that “none of the local” ease of doing business factors has driven the shutdown.

“It is our hope that both the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) and the Government will move quickly to speak to this issue, and investors both

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SEC claiming ‘intimidation’ of Bahamian whistleblower

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net US regulators have accused the principal of a now-defunct Nassau broker/dealer of seeking to intimidate a Bahamian whistleblower and “threaten his livelihood”.

The Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), in filings with the south Florida federal court, slammed Guy Gentile, head of Swiss America Securities, for “continued sharp litigation tactics” in seeking to prevent 11,000 e-mails possessed by his former chief compliance officer, Philip

Dorsett, from being used as evidence against him.

The exchief of Swiss America Securities, which GUY GENTILE subsequently operated under the names SureTrader and Mintbroker International, has now made a second bid to dismiss this evidence centred on a “small” group of e-mails that Mr Dorsett incorrectly stated were “deleted” when he was cross-examined last year.

The e-mails in question involve communications with Mr Gentile and SureTrader’s lawyers that are attorney/client privileged, meaning they cannot be used as evidence at trial or before a court.

Among the e-mails involved in the dispute are those sent to, and received from, Philip Davis KC, who acted as the former broker/ dealer’s Bahamian attorney prior to becoming Prime Minister.

Tribune Business previously reported how Mr Davis, who was then-Opposition leader, acting on Mr Gentile’s behalf filed a successful Judicial Review challenge

Pineapple revival ‘not as easy as throwing $2.5m’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net A BAHAMIAN pineapple farmer yesterday warned that the Governments ambitions to revive this agricultural niche will “not be as simple as just throwing $2.5m at it”.

Stephen Wrinkle, whose family grows around 20,000-25,000 plants on Eleuthera, told Tribune Business that the promised financing is “great but certainly not everything in agriculture” as he warned it needs to be accompanied by training and investment in supporting facilities such as testing laboratories.

Speaking ahead of Thursday’s town meeting in Governor’s Harbour, which the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources hopes will provide a springboard to resuscitate pineapple farming and attract young people to invest in the sector, he backed the Government’s

objectives but argued that achieving them will achieve more than just providing money.

“A lot of this is lack of knowledge at the local level,” STEPHEN Mr Wrinkle told this WRINKLE newspaper. “We don’t have the expertise here to do these things. We don’t have a laboratory here to do soil analysis and tissue samples. It’s a fact. We don’t have the laboratory facilities here with the expertise attached to that to improve the harvest we’re now getting...

“You go down to Potter’s Cay and look at the typical crops that come in, and very few of the collection you see in the food stores. This presents a problem for marketing. These are frustrating obstacles that must be overcome in we

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PAGE 2, Tuesday, January 9, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

ANDROS CHAMBER PUTS BACK INVESTOR CONCLAVE TO MARCH

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net THE Andros Chamber of Commerce has pushed back its economic and investment conclave, which is designed to connect entrepreneurs with investors, from late January to midMarch 2024.

Darrin Bethel, its president, said the event will allow entrepreneurs to “tailor” their investment plans to take advantage of emerging industries on Andros and expand existing trades.

He said: “We decided to put together a conclave outlining future potential investments in Andros, and the economic impact from those investments, so that entrepreneurs and investors can position themselves for the future.

“We’ve seen a lot of young entrepreneurs investing in areas that are not suitable or conducive to the economy and the direction of the economy. So we decided to help them out with their ideas so that they can tailor them in alignment with what may be coming for Andros in the near future, and so that they can invest areas that can be

profitable and beneficial to them in the long run.”

Mr Bethel explained that many entrepreneurs encounter difficulties when seeking financing, so banks and lending institutions will be attending the event to provide guidance to them.

He said: “We also want to consider the financial aspect for people who don’t have the funding, and so we are inviting a group of banking and lending institutions to come in there to give people an idea how to position themselves to obtain lending.

“A lot of entrepreneurs have been seeking lending and have had difficulties with that process, so we

hope that having a group of lenders at the conclave can give entrepreneurs a better idea of what they need to do to position themselves to obtain lending.”

Mr Bethel said the event, slated for March 13, will cover several industries including fly fishing, agriculture, renewable energy, aviation and freight forwarding.

He added that it will also serve as a membership drive for the Chamber of Commerce, and permit local business owners to discuss the range of goods and services needed to support projects targeted at Andros.

He said: “The fly fishing industry has been a staple industry for the Andros community, but there are areas that they are looking to expand. We are going to have someone present on that, and explain to locals what kind of investments they can get into to support the expansion of industry.

“The Government is looking into now putting together a renewable energy plan and putting a hybrid power plant in Andros. We want to know if there’s any economic impact from that and what would that mean for us as a community.

“See what areas there are for business investments

and if there’s anything that locals can do to position themselves to support such entities here on Andros.

The same goes for aggregate minin; we want to know what type of spin-off businesses we can expect,” Mr Bethel added.

“Freight forwarding is also a business that has been picking up, so we want to have people present and obtain support for their ideas so that they can be more successful. We have a lot of events scheduled for the upcoming year.

We’re trying to reignite the Chamber and make it a more focal entity in our community.”

BFSB discloses its new chief executive THE Bahamas Financial Services Board (BFSB) has named Niekia Horton as its new chief executive and executive director with effect from February 1, 2024.

She replaces Dr Tanya McCartney, who completed her eight-year tenure in the post at the end of 2023.

The BFSB, in a statement, described Mrs Horton as an experienced senior executive with more than two decades of experience in the financial services industry.

With a background in governance, risk

management and accountancy, she has held senior positions at a large private bank and served as a director for multiple investment and trust companies. Mrs Horton has developed and implemented policies and procedures on corporate governance, and overseen activities in various jurisdictions.

She has previously served as director and deputy chairperson of the Association of International Banks and Trusts (AIBT), and as a BFSB director. Mrs Horton holds a Masters in business administration with a

minor in international business from the University of Miami. She is a licensed chartered accountant, chartered director and a senior professional in human resources, and a member of the Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants (BICA).

“Niekia’s extensive experience in financial services, qualifications and her tenure on the boards of both BFSB and AIBT position her well for success in her new role”, said LaTonia Symonette-Tinker, BFSB’s chairman

“Her senior management background in various aspects of the financial services industry, combined with her proven leadership and communications skills, brings the experience and expertise that are required in the role of chief executive.

“We are delighted Niekia has accepted the position, and confident she will provide the strategic leadership expected from the industry and which is required to deal with the complex issues facing the industry both locally and internationally.”

Mrs Horton added: “I am truly honoured to have been selected for the position and look forward to follow in the footsteps and build on the legacies of the former BFSB chief executives in promoting The Bahamas as an international financial centre and serving as an advocate for industry.”

Besides her professional accomplishments, Mrs Horton is passionate about education, reading and supporting others in achieving their goals. She is a big fan of TED Talks and enjoys the exchange of ideas, as

NIEKIA HORTON well as the challenge of turning a concept into reality. She is married and has three children.

Ex-AIBT chair named Bahamas leader for ‘impact’ investor group A FORMER Association of International Banks and Trust (AIBT) chair has been named as The Bahamas’ “leader” for an international group that holds an annual investor conference in this nation.

Forum for Impact (FFI), which brings together investors, family offices and business leaders to discuss impact finance, said in a statement that Antoinette Russell, chief executive of Maran Global Solutions, has joined it as the regional leader in The Bahamas.

“We are delighted that Antoinette has joined FFI in our mission to engage investors in impact, and to help promote The Bahamas as a global hub for the blue economy,” said Michael Meehan, FFI’s co-founder.

“Following the success of our first two events in The Bahamas, we look forward to attracting increased numbers of foreign investors to The Bahamas in 2024 and beyond to highlight the extraordinary and impactful developments in the region.

“With Antoinette’s extensive experience and expertise, we are very excited about our Bahamas dialogues and their influence in the emerging FFI impact conversation around the world.” FFI’s 2024 Grand Bahama event, entitled ‘Building for the future in the Blue economy’, is scheduled to take place from May 22 to 24.

“I am excited to join FFI to assist in formulating the platform while creating dialogue around sustainable development for the islands of The Bahamas,”

said Ms Russell. “We have a lot to offer from within our archipelago that must be preserved to ensure longevity, meriting ongoing dialogue.”

“After two successful dialogues in The Bahamas, FFI plans to host an annual event on Grand Bahama across the next three years as part of a growing number of interconnected dialogues around the world,” said Mr Meehan. “This is part of Forum for Impact’s commitment to The Bahamas, in addition to our

ANTOINETTE RUSSELL global strategy of initiating exciting impact dialogues around the world.”

Prior to establishing Maran Global Solutions, a boutique provider of corporate services, family office support, regulatory and compliance services, and human capital consulting, Ms Russell served as managing director for Credit Suisse Trust (Bahamas).

Besides a 30-plus year career in international financial services, Ms Russell has also served on the board of directors for the AIBT, the Bahamas Financial Services Board (BFSB) and the Bahamas Association of Compliance Officers (BACO).

As AIBT chairperson, she was a leading player in introducing an annual regulatory forum, which

provides a platform for industry leaders to engage in high-level dialogue with regulators. As BFSB chair, she was at the forefront of discussions on international initiatives impacting The Bahamas financial services sector.

In addition to serving as an independent non-executive director on various boards, Ms Russell has been involved with non-profit and advocacy organisations such as The Bahamas AIDS Foundation and The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) where she serves as a director. She has been recognised with various industry awards, including the Minister’s Award for Contribution to Financial Services.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, January 9, 2024, PAGE 3

CABBAGE BEACH VENDORS WILL ‘STAND UP’ FOR ACCESS

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net A ATTORNEY for the Cabbage Beach Vendors Association yesterday pledged its members will “stand up and fight” if the Ocean Club’s expansion impacts their access to Paradise Island’s northern shore.

Maria Daxon, also the Coalition of Independents deputy leader, in a voice note said the Association was ready to safeguard its interests notwithstanding suggestions that the Government is negotiating an agreement with the $400m project’s developer to secure access to Cabbage Beach for vendors and other Bahamians.

“The Four Seasons is building whatever it is they are building there, but that property don’t have nothing to do with Cabbage Beach.

That property where the Four Seasons is supposed to be putting whatever they are putting there has

THE OCEAN CLUB, Four Seasons Residences, Bahamas. nothing to do with Cabbage Beach,” Ms Daxon added.

“We don’t have a problem with them as long as they don’t bother with us.

When the RIU was building they said the same thing - that they were going to close the easement for Cabbage Beach - and no, they didn’t. They built their hotel and we benefit off of them, so whenever Four Seasons put their hotel there we will benefit off of their guests.”

Ms Daxon, though, said the Government needs to “shut it down” if the Ocean Club expansion blocks access for Cabbage

Beach vendors. Wendi Constantine, president of the Bahamas Dock and Allied Venues Vendors Association (BDAVVA,) who represents the Cabbage Beach vendors, told Tribune Business that maintaining access to Cabbage Beach would be “good” for the vendors.

Access Industries, the existing Ocean Club’s owner, has confirmed it is partnering with Floridabased real estate developer, Two Roads Development, and the high-end Four Seasons resort brand, to construct 67 private

residences on land it owns at Cabbage Beach that will be priced between $6.5m and $23m. The project is billed as creating 200 fulltime jobs for Bahamians when it is completed in 2027.

Tribune Business understands that the The Ocean Club, Four Seasons Residences will be developed at a 6.1-acre site located between the RIU Paradise Island resort and Sunrise Beach Villas on Paradise Island’s northern coast.

The developer consortium is thought to be concluding the project’s final details, including obtaining all planning and environmental approvals and other necessary permits, with the Davis administration. Among the key issues being discussed by the two sides is the preservation of access to Cabbage Beach for Bahamian vendors and locals, and it is understood a solution may be close or have been agreed upon.

“The issue they had was how to leave it open to the public but keep the right to a five-star resort,”

one source familiar with developments confirmed on condition of anonymity. “They’ve agreed the roadway will be open and remain in place. I think it will be a win-win for all sides.”

Beach access for Bahamians has long been a sensitive and emotive issue, with Cabbage Beach an especially sore point.

The issue has erupted under both the last Christie administration and its Minnis successor, with protests in 2016 resulting in the tearing-down of a gate and fencing that blocked public access to Cabbage Beach over Access Industries’ property.

It reared up again in 2021 after Bahamian vendors, returning to work after COVID restrictions were eased, found the Paradise Island beach entrance locked and their items relocated across the street. This sparked immediate upset and protests, with some vendors forcing open the locked gates and placing their possessions back on the beach.

Access Industries, at the time, explained that it installed fencing and locked the gates as a measure to guard against “safety” concerns related to the construction of its residences project - although it has taken another two-plus years for the development to come close to reaching that stage.

However, the beach access by the RIU is not a public right of way or easement. For it is located on private land whose owners have allowed Bahamians to use it, a judge having branded it a “private access way” with the Supreme Court ruling in favour of the owners/developers and against the Cabbage Beach vendors every time the matter has been taken to court.

Ownership of the 6.1 acre development parcel, and the Cabbage Beach access point, was transferred by Atlantis and its owner, Brookfield Asset Management, to Access Industries when the latter acquired the Ocean Club from them in 2014.

SEC claiming ‘intimidation’ of Bahamian whistleblower FROM PAGE B1 that thwarted the Securities Commission’s efforts to take regulatory action against SureTrader for several months. There is no suggestion Mr Davis did anything wrong, and the SEC asked Mr Dorsett to separate out all communications involving him and others.

Alleging that Mr Gentile was seeking to exploit the appointment of a new judge by filing an-almost identical motion to the one that the south Florida court dismissed last year, the SEC argued that he is seeking to “short circuit” and prevent their dispute from ever reaching a full trial on the merits.

“In his latest attempt to smear the name of a nonparty witness (Mr Dorsett) and the SEC, Gentile has again filed a factually and legally baseless motion for sanctions claiming spoliation of evidence... even though the subject Electronically Stored Information (ESI) - a small subset of e-mails voluntarily produced by a non-party located in The Bahamas were not deleted and have been produced,” the US regulator blasted.

“The genesis of this dispute is Gentile’s objection to Mr Dorsett’s voluntary production of his SureTrader e-mails to the SEC, approximately 11,000 minus e-mail communications with SureTrader’s attorneys, in April 2022.

“Instead of working with the SEC to create protocols for the review, Gentile filed a motion for sanctions, which this court denied. On January 9, 2023, this court ruled that the SEC could commence review of the 11,000 emails it received from Mr Dorsett and provide same to Gentile’s counsel.”

However, Mr Dorsett admitted in a June 13, 2023, affidavit that he “misspoke” when stating during a February 8, 2023, deposition that he had “deleted” all the e-mails in his possession relating to the former Bahamian broker/dealer’s communications with Mr Davis and another Bahamian attorney, Michael

Miller, as well as the latter’s colleague, Bettina Albury.

The ex-chief compliance officer, who worked for Mr Gentile from November 2011 to August 2017, sought to clarify that “the more accurate explanation is that the e-mails with SureTrader’s attorneys were” separated and segregated into a different file from the one containing all the other communications that were sent to the SEC. The US capital markets regulator, in January 5, 2024, court filings said the segregated attorney e-mails were located by Mr Dorsett and produced to it, with the same being passed to Mr Gentile to disprove the latter’s allegations that this evidence had been “spoiled”.

Now, seven months later, the SEC is alleging that the former SureTrader principal has filed a nearlyidentical bid to have all the e-mails in Mr Dorsett’s care struck out as evidence. And it claimed that the latest filing was another attempt to intimidate Mr Dorsett and undermine his continued career in Bahamian financial services.

“The renewed motion is replete with inaccuracies and assumptions, and is nothing more than an obvious attempt to make inflammatory and baseless accusations against Mr Dorsett,” the SEC blasted.

“Tellingly, Gentile used the same intimidation tactic he employed when he filed his original motion” by placing it on the court record accessible to the public and thus “potentially threatening Mr Dorsett’s livelihood”.

“This is consistent with Gentile’s repeated unfounded accusations that Mr Dorsett and another former SureTrader employee, who have both testified that Gentile and SureTrader violated US securities laws by soliciting US customers, ‘stole’ SureTrader records and violated the law in voluntarily providing information about the violations to the SEC.....

“The two former employees voluntarily reached out to the SEC (separately and at different times) because of their significant

concerns that Gentile and SureTrader violated US securities laws. To be clear, these former employees reached out to the SEC, a regulatory agency, to provide information related to potentially illegal activity, as they are protected under US law to do.”

The second employee referenced is Yaniv Franz, SureTrader’s former chief operating officer. The crux of the SEC’s case is that Mr Gentile and his Nassaubased company violated US securities laws by actively soliciting American clients while failing to register with it as a broker/dealer as required by law.

“It is worth noting that Gentile has repeatedly rushed to file motions for sanctions in this case in an effort to short-circuit this court’s consideration of this

case on the merits, each time accusing the SEC and non-party witnesses of purported misconduct without any basis,” the SEC added in its January 5 filings.

“Each motion for sanctions was rejected by this court. The instant motion should be met with the same scepticism and result.

Gentile’s continued sharp litigation tactics should not be condoned, and his renewed motion should be denied......

“Gentile has taken one moment in time - when Mr Dorsett misstated during his deposition that he “deleted” the e-mails he searched for and segregated with SureTrader’s counsel - and has attempted to convert it into a vehicle to undermine a former employee’s testimony about Gentile and SureTrader’s

violations of US securities laws, and to secure an advantage in this litigation by preventing Mr Dorsett from testifying at trial or precluding the use of his deposition testimony at summary judgment.”

The case raises important issues surrounding whistleblower protections.

Mr Dorsett aided the SEC without the protection of a Supreme Court Order authorising him to hand over confidential and sensitive documents belonging to his former employer, and nor did he appear to take his concerns to the Bahamian regulator, the Securities Commission, which has a legal pathway to co-operate with its US counterpart.

Mr Gentile, whose business was located in Bay Street’s Elizabeth on Bay

Plaza, enjoyed a colourful - and sometimes controversial - time in The Bahamas.

His broker/dealer was used as “bait” by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) to allegedly help snare numerous international securities fraudsters, with his Bahamian offices ‘bugged’ to record video and sound.

These activities resulted in several guilty pleas and convictions. 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 he broker/dealer himself and remove all its assets from The Bahamas.

PAGE 4, Tuesday, January 9, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

‘ANOTHER KICK IN THE TEETH’: GB TO LOSE 100 PHARMACHEM JOBS FROM PAGE B1 unprecedented challenges that have significantly impacted our ability to sustain operations”.

Tribune Business, though, was told by well-placed sources that PharmaChem had run into “technical and operational issues” with its $400m plant expansion, which one contact labelled as “a very ambitious project”.

The expansion, designed to expand the range of drugs supplied to the company’s sole client, Gilead Life Services, was said to have gone significantly

over-budget due to cost overruns. And both Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the construction completion and production of test batches.

“In the chemical world, they have to do test batches, and each batch has to meet specific criteria before they can do a production run,” one contact, speaking on condition of anonymity, said. It is understood there were quality issues with these test batches, while some PharmaChem staff were said to be reluctant to work the 24-hour production shift system that was

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required to meet Gilead’s orders.

Ultimately, with the Grand Bahama-based manufacturer unable to meet Gilead’s desired production timelines and volumes, the latter pulled its financial support from PharmaChem, resulting in yesterday’s closure announcement.

PharmaChem Technologies, in yesterday’s statement, said it will “immediately petition” for the company to be placed into full liquidation and wound-up. Attorneys stressed this does not necessarily mean it will be put into Supreme Courtsupervised liquidation, and there is no suggestion of any wrongdoing.

“PharmaChem Technologies GB Ltd regretfully announces the commencement of winding down current operations, effective January 8, 2024,” the company said.

“After 20 years of service to both the local community and global markets, despite our best efforts, dedication of our talented team and support from our customer and lender, PharmaChem has faced unprecedented challenges that have significantly impacted our ability to sustain operations.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our employees, customer and lender and other stakeholders who have been part of our journey. PharmaChem will cease operations by January 12, 2024, and immediately petition for a formal liquidation

process in accordance with requirements under Bahamian law.”

The closure was likely timed to avoid making employees redundant before Christmas and the New Year. PharmaChem pledged that all staff will be paid due severance and benefits in accordance with Bahamian employment law.

It added: “Our company has always been proud to contribute to the industrial landscape of Grand Bahama and The Bahamas, and we are grateful for the relationships that we have built over the years.

“PharmaChem will continue to uphold its commitment to integrity and transparency through the winding down process. We thank everyone who has been a part of our journey and look forward to the possibility of crossing paths in the future.”

The pharmaceutical producer hinted it will say more about the closure decision at a later date, adding in a message likely targeted at sub-contractors, suppliers and creditors who may be owed money that “further information will be forthcoming to address inquiries related to the closure and any ongoing commitments”.

The Ministry of Grand Bahama, speaking for the Davis administration, described PharmaChem’s closure as “heartbreaking” given that the island seemed poised for economic recovery and “our efforts to bolster the industrial

sector”. Tribune Business understands that the Government was given advance warning of the company’s intentions.

“The Government of The Bahamas was advised by PharmaChem Technologies of their decision to commence winding down of operations, effective today, as a result of ‘unprecedented challenges that have significantly impacted their ability to sustain operations’,” the ministry said. “This decision is heartbreaking, considering the ongoing recovery of Grand Bahama and our efforts to bolster the industrial sector.

“PharmaChem, for many years, has contributed significantly to the economic landscape of Grand Bahama and, of course, our immediate concern is the well-being of the affected employees.

While the situation is challenging, the Government remains actively engaged, and PharmaChem has reaffirmed its commitment to adhere to all legal and environmental obligations.”

The Ministry of Grand Bahama pledged that the Government, through the Department of Labour, “will work closely with the employees of PharmaChem on potential redeployment opportunities, retraining, soft-skills enhancement and counselling”.

Howard Thompson, the Department of Labour’s labour director, confirmed that the company had notified it of the terminations

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as required by law. “We’re looking to help redeploy them based on their skills.

Their entitlements are being taken care of in terms of their redundancy packages.

They’re operating in accordance to the law,” he said.

Mr Carey, though, suggested some of PharmaChem’s staff might have difficulty finding alternative employment with similar pay because of the specialised nature of their work. “Most of the jobs at PharmaChem will be fairly well paid jobs, and that is going to create a very great impact,” the GB Chamber chief said.

“Those persons are going to be out looking for employment, and many of them are specially trained in that field. It’s going to be a challenge for a lot of them to get jobs. It must be a real shock that it’s all come tumbling down right now.”

PharmaChem, which was founded by Italian entrepreneur, Pietro Stefanutti, supplied antiretroviral API drugs (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) for Gilead, which employed them in the worldwide treatment of HIV/AIDS. This product helped treat one million persons worldwide, and the new plant was intended to give it the capability to produce an additional two to three drugs.

“We manufacture the single API for Gilead, the anti-retro viral drug for HIV/AIDS. We are looking for a sustainable future by diversifying our product line, and the new facility will be a multi-product facility so we can handle two or three products at the same time,” said PharmaChem chief executive, Randy Thompson, in 2018.

“The best-kept secret in The Bahamas - right here we actually produce material that treats more than one million HIV/AIDS patients around the world. Gilead is committed to offering product at a discount price at cost to various countries. Like Gilead, we at PharmaChem believes it is our responsibility to extend medicine beyond developed countries around the world.”

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, January 9, 2024, PAGE 5

FNM chief: Ensure GB still perceived as ‘fertile ground’ FROM PAGE B1 Bahamian and foreign, to combat the perception that Grand Bahama is not fertile ground for future investment,” Mr Pintard told this newspaper, “The closure of such a significant player raises questions if there are challenges in Grand Bahama itself that makes it an unattractive place to sustain business enterprises even though the company catered primarily to the international community.

“We don’t want the message to be that there are local impediments to sustaining operations in The Bahamas. It’s important that it be clarified that none of the local conditions contributed in any way to this company ceasing operations.”

As reported by Tribune Business today, PharmaChem’s closure stems from the decision by its sole and major client, Gilead Life Sciences, to cease providing financial support after the Grand Bahama plant’s $400m expansion proved unable to meet its production timelines and volumes.

The expansion was hit by significant cost overruns, and also suffered delays due to the impacts from COVID-19 and Hurricane Dorian.

Mr Pintard, meanwhile, described PharmaChem’s decision as “devastating for the community” while questioning how much advance warning had been provided to the Davis administration. Besides the loss of up to 120 jobs, which were paid “better than average”, he said sub-contractors and suppliers who provided

goods and services to the drug maker will also be dealt a financial blow.

“The multiplier effect of these closures is going to inflict a significant amount of pain in the Grand Bahama community,” he added. “This most unfortunate news comes at this time when we are struggling to get other businesses started in Grand Bahama.”

The Ministry of Grand Bahama, in a statement responding to the PharmaChem decision, sought to talk up “significant opportunities for new employment” by touting a combined $1.8bn in investment projects targeted at the island.

These included Carnival’s $500m Celebration Key cruise port; Grand Bahama Shipyard’s $600m investment in two new dry docks; Liwathon’s $71.3m spend on its newly-acquired South Riding Point terminal; and $200m investments apiece in Grand Bahama International Airport and Freeport’s health sector.

“We remain optimistic about the economic future of Grand Bahama as we recover, rebuild and continue to revolutionise,” the Ministry of Grand Bahama added.

Kwasi Thompson, the Opposition’s finance spokesman and another Grand Bahama MP, yesterday questioned whether PharmaChem’s closure has any implications for an industrial/manufacturing sector which, via the likes of Polymers International and Buckeye Bahamas (BORCO), has played a critical role in sustaining the island’s economy for many years.

N O T I C E KERZNER INVESTMENTS MOROCCO LIMITED Pursuant to the provisions of Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act 2000, notice is hereby given that the above-named Company has been dissolved and struck off the Register pursuant to a Certificate of Dissolution issued by The Registrar General on the 21st day of December, 2023 Dated the 9th day of January A.D., 2024

Kirvy Ferguson Liquidator of KERZNER INVESTMENTS MOROCCO LIMITED

The pharmaceutical manufacturer’s closure represents a hit for Bahamian economic diversification, and Mr Thompson told Tribune Business: “I think it’s a severe blow. I think losing over 100 employees all at the same time is in itself a severe blow.

“PharmaChem is one of the leaders in the industrial sector and, I would venture to say, they have numerous other sub-contractors and service providers that serve PharmaChem that will now be severely affected. It all has a domino effect. I think it will be a serious blow to the island.

“All through the tourism downturn and Hurricane Dorian and the pandemic we have looked to the industrials as a steady source of economic development, and to have one of the major industrials fall is again a very serious blow.”

Mr Thompson, urging the Government to investigate whether PharmaChem’s closure is a sign of wider problems in Freeport’s industrial sector, said: “We

have to question what does this mean for the other industrials; how strong are they? We have to ask some very serious questions at this point.

“It’s up to the Government to make that determination, to make sure this does not have an affect on the other industrials and wider economic development for the island.

It’s a major, major industrial and we are very concerned in terms of what has happened.”

The east Grand Bahama MP, while saying it was too early to determine the PharmaChem closure’s impact on investor confidence, said: “These are the types of questions the Government has to have answers for. We call upon the Government to look at what the reason was to ensure it has no affect on investor confidence and make sure there’s no impact on other industrials we have.

“However, the focus today should be on the 100 employees and their families, ensuring their severance entitlement is met

and all government agencies provide whatever assistance is required. Given that this industrial company was dealing with pharmaceuticals, we need to ensure that whatever clean-up process needs to happen, environmental health is there to monitor and ensure all protocols are in place.”

The PharmaChem plant could prove attractive to potential purchasers given that they will inherit a relatively new $400m investment, and The Bahamas’ best hope would be that a buyer or several emerge quickly.

Pharmachem sits on 22 acres of the original site of the former Syntex plant, which it acquired. It leased an additional 40 acres from the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA), and purchased another seven acres to facilitate construction of its new plant for a total of some 70 acres.

Mr Thompson, meanwhile, added in a statement: “The Opposition is shocked and disturbed at the news of the abrupt closure of

PharmaChem Technologies.

They have been a leader for over 20 years in the industrial sector in Grand Bahama. The industrial sector has been a pillar of strength for Grand Bahama and has seen the island through many difficult years.

“What is even more shocking is the fact that there was no public warning or notice. Our hearts go out to the 100 employees who were highly skilled and wellpaid. It will also severely affect all the sub-contractors who did business with PharmaChem. The entire island will be severely affected.

“The Government must ensure that all of the employees and families represented receive their entitlement and any assistance required. All relevant Government agencies should be ready to provide whatever assistance required. We also call upon the Government to ensure that, in their closure process, all proper environmental health procedures and clean-up are followed.”

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given MARC GERAL that JOSEPH of Fox Hill Road, New Providence, 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 9th day of January, 2024 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that DELIO FELIZ SUERO of South Beach, New Providence, 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 9th day of January, 2024 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

PAGE 6, Tuesday, January 9, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

South Andros utilities branded ‘a hot mess’ FROM PAGE B1 wasn’t any running water,” Mr Gibson added. “The BPL manager here is doing a great job, but he has old infrastructure from Columbus days so only so much he could do. The light is a problem, the water is an issue, the telephone and the internet… I mean the Internet is a hot mess.”

Mr Gibson said South Andros has many activities that appeal to foreign and domestic tourists, but they need an improvement in services and infrastructure for the community to thrive. “South Andros is one of the most beautiful places in The Bahamas.

We have a crawfish season, we have a pigeon shooting season when guys come

from Spanish Wells, Abaco all over and pump money into the economy,” he added.

“We have a bonefish season where some of the richest people in the world come to fish. We have coconut. All year-round we make coconut oil, coconut soap. We have a good thing going. All we need is the basic infrastructure. Just

give us good utilities and roads and we can fend for ourselves. “ Eddie Johnson, a South Andros resident, said he has spent over $1,000 in repairs to two vehicles damaged by the area’s roads.

He added that residents are paying their utility bills and road traffic fees, but are not getting their money’s worth due to constant interruption

in utility services and dated infrastructure.

He said: “Everything in South Andros is down.

BTC is closed down, the light always on and off, the water is always on an off and the situation over here is very bad. We need some help and we need it fast.

“The infrastructure is old.

It’s like all the garbage they don’t want they send it to Andros. It’s nobody to complain to but we pay bills and we’re not getting use out of what we are paying for.

The last set of infrastructure down here was from Pindling, and at this point the whole of South Andros need to do over again.

We need infrastructural everything.”

Carnard Bethel, owner of Midway Wholesale, complained that the phone line for his business has not been reconnected even though he paid the $500 required some 18 months ago.

He said: “I had an application for reinstatement of my telephone. I paid $500 and I’ve been waiting a year-and-a-half. My business phone is still off. I’ve had to change my sign and put my cell phone number up so that customers can call and reach me.

“We have not been able to reach anybody in their office there. There is an engineer I can see passing in the van and, from time to time, I’ve been able to talk to him and get some information from him as to why the office is not open.”

Mr Bethel, who is also a former island commissioner and permanent secretary, said that although BTC is supposed to open the office in Kemp’s Bay twice a week he has not been able to see a representative to authorise the reinstatement.

He added that outside of BPL, the majority of agencies have poor communication with their customers in South Andros.

He said: “They have said that the person responsible for operating the office is in Mangrove Cay and should be in Kemp’s Bay on Tuesday and Thursday every week, but we haven’t been getting that.

“The communication system is non-existing.

The same is true for many agencies here, except BPL. They’re doing their best.

We have some government agencies here, works and environmental health, but you can hardly get a hold of them.”

PINEAPPLE REVIVAL ‘NOT AS EASY AS THROWING $2.5M’ FROM PAGE B1 are to be successful in the agriculture industry here.

So far we have not been able to provide enough people that are specialised in this field to get over it. It’s a tough nut to crack.

“Anything they [the Government] can do to help agriculture and get young people to be interested and successful in this industry is going to of benefit to the country. No doubt about it. We fell away from agriculture a century ago. We have three to four generations growing up without farming. Now we have to resuscitate this. There’s a lot of obstacles to overcome.”

The Government has placed renewed emphasis on growing Bahamian agriculture, and expanding it from the grassroots up via initiatives such as backyard farming, to ensure this nation produces more of what it consumes. This is designed to boost food security in the COVID-19 pandemic’s wake, as well as combat high prices and inflation on food imports by replacing them with cheaper domestic produce.

The Bahamas, though, has a long way to go in achieving such objectives with the Government starting out by targeting niches it believes Bahamian farmers can compete in - first eggs, and now pineapples.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources, in a statement, said it plans to design a three-year project that will revive pineapple farming on Eleuthera via a $2.5m investment.

This is intended to help develop a small pineapple export sector. Jomo Campbell, minster of agriculture and marine resources, said: “We are excited that this project will come into fruition and enhance the country’s exports and economic opportunities for the island of Eleuthera.

“We note that there are 15 active pineapple farmers but many of them are over the age of 55 years-old. We are hoping that this project will be sustainable, modernise the industry, draw younger farmers and reduce our pineapple imports by at least 10 percent. It is hoped that the Government will establish a partnership with pineapple farmers to grow this industry exponentially.”

The ministry’s statement said the goal is to develop “a processing facility under a contract farming system”, noting that Eleuthera’s

TO ADVERTISE TODAY IN THE TRIBUNE CALL @ 502-2394

pineapple farmers at present produce on average about 10,000 to 15,000 pineapples per acre.

This Thursday’s Town Meeting, set for 5.30pm at Workers House in Governor’s Harbour, will explore ways to increase pineapple production with officials from Costa Rica, the largest producer of pineapples in the world, set to attend and discuss a new variety of product.

Mr Wrinkle, who said he and his family have just finished planting their crop, promised to “support it any way we can” and “we certainly hope it is successful”.

However, he warned that agriculture is labour intensive, and added: “One of our problems is we haven’t trained enough Bahamians in agriculture. Maybe we should send some people down to Costa Rica for a year. It would be a good investment.

“We have to educate the people in the industry to be successful. Throwing money at it is great; it’s part of it, but is certainly not everything. In agriculture you can’t fake it. You either have a successful harvest or fail and can’t take it to market.”

Mr Wrinkle added that “other avenues have to be addressed in the financing package”, including the inability of Bahamian farmers to obtain insurance for their crops, which in turn blocks them from accessing bank loans and other forms of credit.

He also pointed out that The Bahamas’ archipelagic geography makes moving crops, and getting them to market, more costly and difficult than in other nations with produce having to be shipped from the Family Islands to Nassau once it is grown, harvested and packaged.

“It’s not easy. It’s very involved, the logistics” Mr Wrinkle said. “I applaud the Government for doing this, and hope we will see some benefits, but it’s not as simple as throwing $2.5m at it. We’ll see how it goes.”

The Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources, in its statement, said the town meeting will also seek to obtain farmer feedback so it can make better decisions. Shacara Lightbourne, the project consultant, said: “In order to revitalise the industry we need to do some baseline studies and get some information on the profiles of the farmers their ages, locations, types of fertilizers they use and the varieties they use.

“We want to make preliminary recommendations on how they can improve their production. We will share some of our preliminary findings during the week based on our field notes. Based on this, we will design the project on the pineapple industry.”

PAGE 8, Tuesday, January 9, 2024

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Wednesday, January 10th, 2024 Happy Majority Rule Day

THE TRIBUNE

NOTICE International Business Companies Act No. 45 of 2000

B.Conde Company Ltd. (the “Company”)

Notice is hereby given that, in accordance with Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, No.45 of 2000, the Dissolution of B.Conde Company Ltd., has been completed, a Certificate of Dissolution has been issued and the Company has therefore been struck off the Register. The date of completion of the dissolution was the 27th day of December, 2023.

Gerardo Fabio Noejovich

LEGAL NOTICE International Business Companies Act (No. 45 of 2000)

Anjo Fund Limited (the “Company”)

Notice is hereby given that, in accordance with Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, No.45 of 2000, the Dissolution of Anjo Fund Limited has been completed, a Certificate of Dissolution has been issued and the Company has therefore been struck off the Register. The date of completion of the Dissolution was the 14th day of December, 2023.

Marcio Goldenzon de Albuquerque Liquidator

LEGAL NOTICE International Business Companies Act (No. 45 of 2000)

PBV Investment Ltd. (the “Company”)

Notice is hereby given that, in accordance with Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, No.45 of 2000, the Dissolution of PBV Investment Ltd. has been completed, a Certificate of Dissolution has been issued and the Company has therefore been struck off the Register. The date of completion of the Dissolution was the 18th day of December, 2023.

Gustavo dos Santos Vaz Liquidator

LEGAL NOTICE Kwanan Investment (Holdings) Limited INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMPANIES ACT (No.45 of 2000)

In Voluntary Liquidation Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, No.45 of 2000, the dissolution of Kwanan Investment (Holdings) Limited has been completed, a Certificate of Dissolution has been issued and the Company has therefore been struck off the Register. The date of completion of the Dissolution was the 27th day of December, 2023.

Crowe Bahamas Liquidator

PAGE 12, Tuesday, January 9, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

BODY AND MIND

Skip the New Year’s resolutions! Do this instead

By DR FELICIA ADDERLEY, RPT, DPT, CKTP, CHC, MLD-C, CLT Physiotherapist

Cancer Wellness Coach AS THE new year unfolds, many of us are drawn to the idea of making resolutions to kickstart a healthier and happier life.

However, for cancer survivors, the journey to improved health, energy levels and fitness requires a different approach – one that is centered on sustainable habits and holistic well-being. Instead of setting traditional resolutions, let’s delve into a mindful and personalised approach to enhance your overall wellness in the coming year.

Embrace a holistic wellness plan

Prioritise daily movement

Exercise doesn’t have to mean gruelling gym sessions or intense workouts. For cancer survivors, especially those dealing with lymphedema, prioritising

daily movement can be a gamechanger. Gentle activities such as walking, yoga, and swimming can promote circulation, boost energy levels, and contribute to an overall sense of well-being. Consult with your healthcare team or a certified lymphedema therapist to tailor a fitness plan that suits your individual needs.

Fuel your body with nourishing foods

Instead of succumbing to restrictive diets, focus on nourishing your body with wholesome foods. Cancer survivors often find that embracing a nutrition plan tailored to their specific needs can contribute significantly to their

recovery and long-term health.

Consider consulting with a certified health coach specialising in cancer rehab to create a personalized and sustainable eating plan.

Cultivate a positive mindset

The power of positivity cannot be overstated in the realm of cancer survivorship.

Instead of setting resolutions that may induce stress or unrealistic expectations, cultivate a positive mindset. Celebrate your victories, no matter how small, and practice gratitude daily. Engage in activities that bring joy and surround yourself with a supportive

network that understands and uplifts you.

Establish restorative sleep habits Quality sleep is a cornerstone of good health. Establishing restorative sleep habits can positively impact your energy levels, mood, and overall well-being.

Create a calming bedtime routine, limit screen time before sleep, and ensure your sleep environment is comfortable and conducive to rest. If sleep disturbances persist, consult with your healthcare team for personalised guidance.

New antibiotic zosurabalpin shows promise against drug-resistant bacteria – an expert explains how it

By JONATHAN COX Senior Lecturer in Microbiology, Aston University (THE CONVERSATION) Researchers have identified an entirely new class of antibiotic that can kill bacteria that are resistant to most current drugs.

Zosurabalpin is highly effective against the bacterium carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (Crab), which is classified as a “priority 1” pathogen by the World Health Organization due to its growing presence in hospitals.

Crab can kill up to 60 percent of people infected with it. It commonly causes infections of the urinary tract, respiratory tract and blood stream, potentially leading to sepsis. It is responsible for around 20 percent of infections in places like hospitals, care homes or other similar healthcare settings.

Antibiotics commonly work by crossing the cell wall that surrounds infectious bacteria to reach the vital machinery inside.

Once inside the cell, antibiotics block that machinery in such a way as to either stop the bacteria from growing or to cause cell death.

Crab is a clinical challenge as it has a double-layered cell wall, a feature that microbiologists describe as “gram negative”. This means that antibiotics need to cross both layers to reach the vital machinery inside the bacteria to kill them and treat the infection.

An exception to this rule is penicillin-based antibiotics, where

Navigating life after cancer can be a unique and sometimes challenging experience. Instead of facing it alone, connect with supportive communities that understand your journey. Join local cancer survivor groups, engage in online forums, or participate in wellness events tailored for survivors. Sharing experiences and advice can foster a sense of camaraderie and empowerment.

Reflect and adjust

Certified Lymphedema Therapist

Resist the urge to jump into generic resolutions that may not align with your unique needs and experiences as a cancer survivor.

Instead, consider embracing a holistic wellness plan that encompasses not only physical health but also mental and emotional well-being. Begin by reflecting on your personal journey, recognising your strengths, and identifying areas that require attention.

Connect with supportive communities

the target is in the cell wall itself.

These antibiotics, known as carbapenems, were derived from penicillin some 48 years after it was first discovered and still work in the same way. However, they have undergone clever chemical modification to prevent bacteria successfully evolving to resist them. This makes them a vital part of treating infections like those caused by Acinetobacter baumannii.

But Crab, the superbug version of this infection, has developed

the ability to break down carbapenems, giving it an evolutionary upper hand, which has led to its rise to supremacy in hospitals.

Zosurabalpin

This new class of antibiotic, zosurabalpin, is shown to be highly effective against Crab both in the laboratory and in infected animals. Researchers tested zosurabalpin against more than 100 Crab samples from patients suffering from the infection.

The research team, found that

zosurabalpin was able to kill all of these bacterial strains. It could also kill the bacteria in the bloodstream of mice infected with Crab, preventing them from developing sepsis.

Crab has the ability to make a toxin called lipopolysaccharide that it uses as part of its weaponry for infecting people and which it normally embeds into its outer cell wall.

Zosurabalpin works by blocking a molecular machine called LptB2FGC that transports the

Rather than setting rigid resolutions, approach your wellness journey with flexibility. Regularly reflect on your progress, celebrate achievements, and be willing to adjust your plan as needed. Your body and mind are continually evolving, and your wellness plan should adapt to meet your changing needs.

In conclusion, as a cancer survivor, the focus should be on nurturing yourself and building sustainable habits that contribute to your well-being. Skip the traditional New Year’s resolutions and instead embark on a journey of holistic health, mindful movement, and positive living.

By embracing a personalized approach, you can pave the way for a fulfilling and energized year ahead.

Disclaimer: Any information discussed in this post is not meant to be taken as medical advice.

Always consult your primary care physician before making any changes to your treatment protocol, exercise or diet regimens.

U ÀÊ ÀiÊ v À >Ì Ê Ê cancer wellness, nutrition and lymphedema treatment, feel free to connect on Facebook on the Adderley Physiotherapy page or on Instagram @iamdrfelicia. To find out if cancer wellness coaching is right for you, send an email to info@adderleyphysio.com to book a complimentary 15-minute call.

lipopolysaccharide toxin from the inside barrier to the outside one. This makes the toxin build up inside the bacteria, causing the Crab cells to die. Essentially, the bacteria pull the pin out of their own grenade but zosurabalpin stops them from being able to throw it.

This LptB2FGC mechanism is pretty unique to Crab, which has some advantages and disadvantages. The bad news is that zosurabalpin will only kill Crab infections and not those caused by other types of bacteria. This means doctors would need to accurately diagnose patients with this infection to decide if zosurabalpin would be the right drug.

But a major advantage is that the chance of antibiotic resistance emerging is reduced, as this resistance could only emerge from Crab and not other types of bacteria. Hopefully, this could extend the shelf life of this drug.

The researchers say they have already seen some mutations in the drug target, LptB2FGC. However, these only seem to reduce the effectiveness of zosurabalpin, rather than stopping it working entirely. The great news is that this is the first time an antibiotic has been reported to work in this way. It gives microbiologists a new avenue to explore ways to kill our bacterial enemies before they kill us.

Zosurabalpin is now in phase 1 clinical trial for use in patients infected with Crab. This early testing in humans will help the company developing the drug, Roche, to work out any side effects of the drugs as well as potential toxicity. Most importantly, they need to check that the drug works just as well in humans as it did in mice, and look to see if any antibiotic resistance emerges in the trial patients.

It’s early days and the failure rate for new antibiotic development is high, but scientists are rising to the challenge. This discovery offers significant opportunities to the scientific field as a whole and a vital lifeline in the fight against antibiotic-resistant infections.

UÊ / ÃÊ >ÀÌ V iÊ ÃÊ Ài«ÕL Ã i`Ê from The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, January 9, 2024, PAGE 13

After two heart procedures, she’s celebrating her 70th birthday with a half-marathon

By EMILY HALNON American Heart Association News GENEVA Humdy was retired and living in Costa Rica when a tour guide and friend scheduled a 5,000-foot hike up to a dramatic vista: an overlook of the Continental Divide where the Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea can be seen.

Humdy was 66 and recently retired from her career as a professional fundraiser. She was still fit enough to run 12 miles, so she didn’t think twice about the climb.

On the way back down, she started feeling lightheaded and off-kilter. By the time she was back at her hotel, she was feeling even worse. She suspected something was very wrong with her health. She decided to seek medical help, which was complicated by the fact that it was September 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic had severely stressed the medical system.

She went to a health clinic, where a doctor checked her blood pressure. It was alarmingly high.

She was driven in an ambulance for five hours to a private hospital in San Jose. There, she received medication to control her blood pressure and was told to see a specialist as soon as she could.

That was tough, too. Because of pandemic restrictions, she had to stay in Costa Rica for two months until she could see a cardiologist in Florida. While she waited, she could barely walk around her apartment.

By the time she made the trip, she was travelling in a wheelchair.

She told her doctor, “This is a humbling experience for someone who’s used to running every day.”

The doctor diagnosed Humdy with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, a congenital heart condition that causes the heart to beat abnormally fast. The doctor

explained her treatment options and told her to take some time to think about what she wanted to do.

“I told him I didn’t need any time to think about it,” she said.

“I knew I wanted to get the procedure done and get back to my life, and running.”

The diagnosis seemed to clear up a lingering health mystery.

Years before, she’d had several episodes of a racing heartbeat and shortness of breath. Her cardiologist at the time never determined the cause; he didn’t offer any

treatment or express much concern. After the scare, she became more careful about her diet.

She underwent a procedure called an ablation, which essentially burned away the spots that triggered her racing heart. It went well. So did her recovery. But, 15 months after her diagnosis, she was back at the hospital with a new health issue.

“My heart started shaking like a bowl of Jell-O,” she said.

In March 2022, Humdy was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, or AFib, another type of

abnormal heartbeat. She had a second ablation and settled into another period of recovery to let her heart heal.

She couldn’t run, but had faith she’d be back – and she spent a lot of her downtime thinking about when she could lace up her shoes again. She would close her eyes and imagine her ideal 70th birthday.

“I always knew I wanted to run another half-marathon for my 70th birthday,” she said. “I told my cardiologist I would do anything he told me if I could run it.”

In June, her cardiologist granted her wish and told her she could start training again. She slowly built her miles back up.

She registered for her 13.1-mile birthday party.

“Life can be rough and difficult, but running helps me work out so many things and it changes my mood,” Humdy said. “Running makes me feel good and I feel grateful every day that I’m healthy and able to run again.”

Her strong return is no surprise to Adrian Clough, her friend and longtime training partner. Clough has seen Humdy run through every kind of weather. And when they finished a run, Humdy would sometimes keep going for a few more miles.

“She’s always been so active and driven, I knew she wasn’t going to let anything stop her from running again,” Clough said. “If she says she’s going to do something, you can bet your bottom dollar that that’s what she’s going to do.”

Humdy, who now lives in Roanoke, Virginia, will head to Hawaii in March to celebrate her 70th birthday at the Ku’ikahi Half Marathon. She’ll also use the race to raise money for the American Heart Association in hopes of helping other people detect and manage heart conditions.

“This run is more than just a personal milestone,” said Humdy, who has run five previous halfmarathons. “I’m grateful for those who saved my life.” She credits her cardiologists, surgeons, friends and family. “Without all of them, I’m not sure if I would have survived and returned to the life of adventure that inspires me.”

People taking Wegovy and Ozempic have lower risk of suicidal thoughts vs older drugs, study finds

By JONEL ALECCIA AP Health Writer People taking the popular diabetes and obesity drugs Ozempic and Wegovy had a lower risk of suicidal thoughts than those taking other medications to treat the same conditions, a new federal study finds.

The research, funded by the National Institutes of Health, was published Friday and comes as European and US regulators look into anecdotal reports that people taking the drug, semaglutide, had thoughts of self-harm.

NIH and Case Western Reserve University researchers analysed electronic medical records from more than 1.8 million patients prescribed semaglutide or another drug to treat obesity or diabetes between 2017 and 2022. They included about 240,000 patients treated for obesity or being overweight and nearly 1.6 million patients treated for diabetes.

They found that people taking semaglutide had a 49 percent to 73 percent lower risk of first-time or recurring suicidal thoughts than those taking another drug for those conditions during a sixmonth follow-up period.

The researchers called for closer evaluation of reports of suicidal thoughts linked to the drugs and for patients to be followed for a longer period of time. Their review only considered patients taking semaglutide or another drug for diabetes or obesity, not those taking semaglutide in the general population.

Study co-author Dr Rong Xu, of Case Western, also noted obesity and diabetes are risk factors on their own for suicidal thoughts.

But the study wasn’t designed to determine if the GLP-1 drugs reduced those thoughts.

The scientists launched the review after the European Medicines Agency said in July that it was reviewing about 150 reports of possible cases of self-injury and suicidal thoughts linked to semaglutide and other drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. The drugs work by targeting the hormones in the gut and brain that

(Novo Nordisk via AP, file)

regulate appetite and feelings of fullness. Older weight-loss drugs work differently.

In December, the EMA’s drug watchdog group said it would seek more data from drugmaker Novo Nordisk about the reports.

The US Food and Drug Administration also is investigating unconfirmed reports of suicidal thoughts or actions in people taking the GLP-1 drugs.

Millions of people in the US are taking semaglutide, which has soared in popularity since Wegovy was approved to treat obesity in June 2021.

A spokesperson for Novo Nordisk said the new study reflects

the company’s data collected from large clinical trials and since the drug has been on the market — all of which showed no “causal association” between semaglutide and thoughts of suicide or self-harm.

U/ iÊ Ãà V >Ìi`Ê *ÀiÃÃÊ i> Ì Ê > `Ê -V i ViÊ i«>ÀÌ i ÌÊ ÀiVi ÛiÃÊ ÃÕ«« ÀÌÊvÀ ÊÌ iÊ Ü>À`Ê Õ} iÃÊ i` V> Ê ÃÌ ÌÕÌi½ÃÊ -V i ViÊ > `Ê `ÕV>Ì > Ê i` >Ê À Õ«°Ê / iÊ *Ê ÃÊ Ã i ÞÊ Àië à L iÊ v ÀÊ > Ê V Ìi Ì

PAGE 14, Tuesday, January 9, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

Coffy: how Blaxploitation star Pam Grier helped lead the way for strong resilient women in film from Sigourney Weaver in the Alien franchise and Terminator’s Linda Hamilton, to Black Panther’s Danai Gurira and Lupita Nyong’o. Crucially, it should be added that these descendants had the advantages of rich narrative and developed characterisation that were denied to Grier as she worked on the rapid production line of low-budget Blaxploitation cinema.

By ANDREW DIX Senior Lecturer in American Literature and Film, Loughborough University (THE CONVERSATION) When Pam Grier’s breakthrough movie Coffy was released in 1973, American International Pictures was clearly confident that her eponymous character was a supercharged heroine who would excite filmgoers.

“She’s the ‘GODMOTHER’ of them all!”, exclaimed the poster, linking the African-American Coffy to Marlon Brando’s Don Corleone in The Godfather (released the previous year).

More enthusiastically still, the poster also called her “The Baddest One-Chick Hit-Squad That Ever Hit Town!”

Grier’s starring role in Coffy marked an upgrade in her screen status, following a series of smaller roles in exploitative prison flicks. Her proficiency in energetic action sequences and her openness to frank bodily display made her a perfect fit for American cinema in an era permitting more violence and nudity on screen than before. But Coffy saw her for the first time as the main propulsive force in a Blaxploitation movie.

A label more popular than scholarly, Blaxploitation captures the wave of low-budget, black-character-centred films that emerged from Hollywood in the first half of the 1970s.

This cinematic movement was simultaneously reactionary and progressive, manifesting in the same instant both restrictive effects and liberating gestures.

On the one hand, Blaxploitation was the product of a studio system that was still white-dominated, with relatively few African-American executives, producers and directors. The films were not so much clear political statements as nakedly commercial ventures, characterised by low production values and familiar genre codes.

But on the other, the movies highlighted African-American agency and creativity. Crude and cartoonish though many of them were, they were nevertheless more Malcolm X than Martin Luther King in atmospherics, with protagonists who preferred to defeat whites than build multiracial alliances.

Coffy embodies the contradictions of Blaxploitation in a highly concentrated form. The film’s

Dreaming of something better

PAM Grier as vigilante nurse Coffy who seeks to punish drug dealers and corrupt officials. (Allstar Picture Library Ltd) 50th anniversary allows us to reassess this vein of filmmaking and, more particularly, to think about the mixed politics of Grier’s own star image.

A liberated woman In her day job, Coffy is a nurse engaged in emergency care. Outside working hours, however, she embarks on a one-woman crusade to annihilate the drug dealers who have rendered her young sister comatose and brought misery to many in the black community.

According to her lover, African-American politician Howard Brunswick, Coffy is a liberated woman. Just as she does in later Blaxploitation films such as Foxy Brown (1974) and Sheba, Baby (1975), Grier dispenses with legal niceties as she dynamically sets about remedying her people’s ills.

Nevertheless, a sense of constriction, as well as liberation, is still apparent in her screen persona.

Only two years after Coffy’s release, feminist film theorist Laura Mulvey published her essay Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema. This theorised the heterosexual male gaze that Mulvey saw as governing mainstream film.

While men are “bearers of the look”, women by contrast are coded on screen “for strong visual and erotic impact, so that they can be said to connote

to-be-looked-at-ness”. Grier, in Coffy, is frequently exhibited in this way, her unclothed body a point of obsession for the camera.

Yet if Grier is a female object in the film, she is also emphatically a feminist subject. As she said in her 2010 autobiography, Foxy: “My movies featured women claiming the right to fight back, which previously had been out of the question.”

Coffy fights back heroically, surviving injury and laughing in the face of death as she erases drug pushers, bent cops and corrupt politicians. She is not only physically adept, but mentally agile too.

Grier’s performance in Coffy helped to initiate an American action cinema oriented around resourceful and resilient women.

Think of the tradition that extends

More than once, as she enacts her spree of purifying violence, Coffy speaks of being in “a dream”. Fantasy, or wish-fulfilment, is central to the film, as it is in so many other Blaxploitation movies where heroes with improbable powers engineer magical solutions to the problems of racism and inequality.

Coffy’s dream of one woman redressing systemic injustice prompts caution, if not scepticism.

Though the film is touched by the Black Panther Party’s imperative of militant resistance, it utterly lacks the Panthers’ attention to communal struggle. As black studies academic Kehinde Andrews insists: “Radical engagement must be built on collective agency … to reassert black radicalism we have to push back against the corrosive idea that there can ever be an individual revolution.”

At the same time, however, fantasy is part of any liberatory politics. If the actual prospects of an African-American woman triumphing as thoroughly as Coffy does are negligible, the spectacle of her unimpeded resistance to the unjust is still inspirational.

This finally, perhaps, is the value of Blaxploitation movies such as Coffy. In the face of a long history of African-American pain, from chattel slavery to the violence galvanising Black Lives Matter in our own moment, these films alter the mood and start to imagine what a better society might look like.

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Add a cheery splash to Dry January with colourful Hibiscus Mocktails

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By KATIE WORKMAN

/ ÊÃiÀÛi\

Associated Press Is there anything more festive than a red drink? I think not. And just because the holidays are over, that doesn’t mean we can’t keep looking for little celebratory moments.

During the annual tradition of Dry January, many people are eliminating or reducing their alcohol intake — perhaps as a “New Year, New You” resolution, or just to take a break from the boozy flow of December.

Luckily for all of us, the world of mocktails is blooming, with sophisticated zero-proof drinks appearing on menus, from high-end restaurants to burger joints. And even more luckily (and economically), they are easy to make at home.

Layering some non-alcoholic liquids and amping up

(Cheyenne Cohen/Katie Workman via AP) the flavour with spices and seasonings is what mocktails are all about. They can be as simple as a combo of lemon soda and cranberry juice, or have all the bells, whistles and garnishes of a fancy drink.

One of my favorite bases for both cocktails and mocktails is hibiscus tea.

Hibiscus is a flower, also known as Jamaica flower, flor de Jamaica, sorrel or roselle, and is available at Latin or Mexican markets, and online.

Hibiscus tea, or Agua de Jamaica, is a refreshing drink in itself and fantastic to have in the fridge. But don’t stop there. With some festive fruit garnishes and a few added ingredients, you can have a zingy sweet-tart mocktail.

If you prefer to buy premade hibiscus tea, go right ahead, but it’s not hard to make. Simply steep the

hibiscus flowers with some sugar, oranges, fresh ginger, and cinnamon sticks until the liquid is bright red and imbued with flavor. The result can be compared to Red Zinger tea (which contains hibiscus leaves) or cranberry juice.

So, that’s our base, which already has a lot going on flavour-wise. Then you simply add a bit of honey, agave or simple syrup, as well as sparkling water and orange juice. You can lighten the mocktail’s flavour by increasing the amount of sparkling water.

To add a little kick, try replacing the regular honey with hot honey, which is infused with chili peppers (you can find a number of them on the market).

(Note: Using agave keeps

the drink vegan; honey does not).

TIPS Hibiscus tea already has some sugar in it, so start by mixing in just 1 tablespoon added sweetener to the batch of Hibiscus Mocktail below, and then another tablespoon or two to taste. I have found that 2 tablespoons is the right level of sweet-tartness in this pitcher mocktail, when made with a Hibiscus tea base with 1/3 cup sugar added to the tea itself (as suggested in the recipe), and the sweetness of the orange juice.

Simple syrup is an easy way to add sweetness to any drinks, particularly those served chilled. Just mix 1 part sugar with 1 part water

in a small pot, heat until the sugar dissolves and then chill. Store it the fridge for up to 2 weeks, and use it to sweeten anything from lemonade to iced tea to cocktails.

You can juice any oranges you have, from plain old juice oranges to clementines to blood oranges.

Store-bought orange juice will work in a pinch.

This recipe makes more of the hibiscus tea base than you’ll need for one batch of mocktails. You can dilute the rest with additional chilled water, add sweetener to taste, and just have a lovely pitcher of cold hibiscus tea in the fridge.

Or store the hibiscus base in the fridge for up to five days and make another batch of mocktails!

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THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, January 9, 2024, PAGE 15

Sixth grader with a big heart strives to make a positive impact AT JUST age nine, Paisley Johnson is already making a mark in her community with her philanthropic endeavours.

The sixth grader’s love for helping others and making a positive change can be seen through her “Passion for Philanthropy” programme.

Through the movement, Paisley has volunteered time, saved money, donated funds and purchased food and other items for the underprivileged.

Her platform is “Eradicating hunger in the Bahamas and feeding the less fortunate among us.”

The Remnant MiniVersity & Academy student draws inspiration from Matthew 25:40: “If you have done unto the least of these my brothers, you have done it unto me”.

To date, Paisley has donated various items to the Persis Rodgers Home for the Aged, the Twilight Home For The Elderly, Unity House and the Bahamas Children’s Emergency Hostel.

Additionally, she recently participated in an outreach event with her church, the Remnant Tabernacle of Praise, by distributing clothing and grocery items to people in the Kemp Road area.

Paisley respects the environment and believes in keeping it clean. She knows that the health

She believes that helping others along the way is most important of all.

Paisley’s favourite subject in school is science and her hobbies are mainly centered around the performing arts, includin music, dance and theatre. She is a creative child with a love for reciting poetry, drawing, dancing, singing and reading books. She also loves being a big sister to her brother Parai.

She has always been the youngest in her class but works and studies very hard to stay on top.

Paisley was recently selected as the head girl for the year 2023/24.

Paisley is also involved in many extracurricular church and school activities, namely the Remnant Academy Mathematics Club, the Remnant Academy Dance Club, the Remnant Academy Spelling Club, the Remnant Academy Choir, the 86th Brownie Pack, the Remnant Tabernacle of Praise “TRTOP” Dance Group, the TRTOP Children’s Choir, Sunday School, and RAID Youth Ministry.

She has received numerous awards and honours, including Sunday School Student of the Year, and a Citizenship Award.

PAISLEY JOHNSON, 9, finds fulfillment in helping others

of all people is linked to the health of the planet. In keeping with this, she has conducted her own cleanup events for different beaches across New Providence.

Her future dream and career goal is to become a doctor because she has a desire to make positive changes in the Bahamian health care system.

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-DAY FORECAST

ORLANDO

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 53° F/12° C

TAMPA

TODAY

TONIGHT

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

UV INDEX TODAY

Windy and humid with high clouds

Humid with plenty of clouds

Humid; a couple of morning showers

Humid with some brightening

Mostly sunny and humid

Sunny and humid; breezy in the p.m.

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

High: 82°

Low: 72°

High: 80° Low: 67°

High: 79° Low: 69°

High: 83° Low: 71°

High: 83° Low: 68°

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

85° F

74° F

86°-68° F

85°-70° F

91°-73° F

91°-68° F

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 57° F/14° C

E

W

ABACO

S

N

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 73° F/23° C

25-35 knots

S

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 63° F/17° C

20-30 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE

FREEPORT

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 65° F/18° C

E

W S

E

W

WEST PALM BEACH

N

High

Ht.(ft.)

5:43 a.m.

5:56 p.m.

2.9 2.1

12:16 p.m. 0.0 ---------

ALMANAC

Wednesday 6:33 a.m.

6:48 p.m.

3.1 2.2

12:00 a.m. -0.5 1:05 p.m. -0.2

Statistics are for Nassau through 1 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 77° F/25° C Low .................................................... 72° F/22° C Normal high ....................................... 77° F/25° C Normal low ........................................ 65° F/19° C Last year’s high .................................. 81° F/27° C Last year’s low ................................... 68° F/20° C Precipitation As of 1 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date .................................................. 0.00” Normal year to date ..................................... 0.37”

Thursday

7:21 a.m.

7:39 p.m.

3.3 2.4

12:52 a.m. -0.6 1:53 p.m. -0.4

Friday

8:10 a.m.

8:30 p.m.

3.3 2.5

1:43 a.m. -0.7 2:40 p.m. -0.5

Saturday

8:59 a.m.

9:23 p.m.

3.3 2.6

2:36 a.m. -0.7 3:28 p.m. -0.6

Sunday

9:48 a.m.

10:17 p.m.

3.3 2.7

3:30 a.m. -0.7 4:16 p.m. -0.6

Monday

10:38 a.m.

11:13 p.m.

3.1 2.8

4:26 a.m. -0.5 5:05 p.m. -0.6

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

N

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 71° F/22° C

MIAMI

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 64° F/18° C

12-25 knots

KEY WEST

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 66° F/19° C

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 72° F/22° C

Today

Low

Ht.(ft.)

SUN AND MOON Sunrise Sunset

6:57 a.m. Moonrise 5:37 p.m. Moonset

5:12 a.m.

3:43 p.m.

New

First

Full

Last

Jan. 11

Jan. 17

Jan. 25

Feb. 2

CAT ISLAND

E

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 74° F/23° C

N

S

E

W

12-25 knots

S

10-20 knots Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2024

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 76° F/24° C

N W

TIDES FOR NASSAU

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 73° F/23° C

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 77° F/25° C

N

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 74° F/23° C

E

W S

LONG ISLAND

TRACKING MAP

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 76° F/24° C

12-25 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 83° F/28° C Low: 75° F/24° 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: 81° F/27° C Low: 77° F/25° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 83° F/28° C Low: 76° F/24° C

N

E

W

E

W

N

S

S

12-25 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 SE at 20-30 Knots WNW at 8-16 Knots SE at 12-25 Knots WNW at 7-14 Knots ESE at 12-25 Knots S at 7-14 Knots ESE at 12-25 Knots SE at 7-14 Knots SE at 15-25 Knots SSW at 8-16 Knots SSE at 20-30 Knots WNW at 8-16 Knots SE at 10-20 Knots S at 7-14 Knots SE at 12-25 Knots SE at 6-12 Knots ESE at 15-25 Knots SSE at 7-14 Knots ESE at 12-25 Knots SSE at 8-16 Knots SE at 10-20 Knots SW at 7-14 Knots SE at 12-25 Knots SE at 6-12 Knots SE at 12-25 Knots SSW at 8-16 Knots

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

VISIBILITY 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 5 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 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles

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

SECTION B

TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2024

Why women stay in bad relationships ever receive. Everything outside of that is a gamble.”

Tribune reader Lateia believes too many women suffer from low self-esteem and think they have to hold on to a man no matter the cost.

“Many women think having a man, and better yet, a husband, is the be all and end all in life. They think once they have that, they have to simply cope and make do with the rest. And while compromise is part of every relationship, they will put up with pretty much anything just to say, ‘I have a man’,” she said.

“They may also think they will never find better; that no other men will want them. And I have to admit, unfortunately in today’s world, there are indeed only a few high-quality alternatives out there.”

Annelle thinks societal pressures and familial expectations also play a big role.

“If you’ve been dating a guy for a while or are married, and especially if you have children together, your family expects you will remain together. Although they have done nothing wrong, some women feel like failures if they have to admit to their families that the relationship isn’t going to last and that the happy picture they painted on social media wasn’t the truth. They can also be afraid to lose faith in front of their friends and extended social circle,” she said.

Martina referenced the on and off-again relationship betweenGrammy Award-winning rap artist Cardi B and her husband Offset of the hip hop group The Migos.

“That man has been known to publicly cheat on his wife, he

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net

FROM a very young age, most girls dream of one day experiencing a grand romance; of finding that special someone who will sweep them off their feet and make their life complete.

But what happens when after a long and arduous search for Mr Right, the fairy tale doesn’t quite live up to expectations; when, in fact, it turns out to be somewhat of a nightmare?

Unfortunately, many Bahamian women find themselves in this less-than-ideal situation; a situation that constantly delivers pain and heartbreak. The question is, why don’t they leave when they find out their long dreamedof grand romance makes them unhappy?

Tribune Woman spoke to a number of readers who shared their thoughts on why women stay in bad relationships despite the destructive effects on their emotional well-being, their mental and sometimes even physical health.

“Denial is a serious thing,” said Trisha. “There are so many factors why women stay in relationships that they know are over.

It can be children, the house, financial status, or love. But the price you pay for all of this is losing yourself. When men are unhappy, they will leave you in a heartbeat. They move on. Yes, this is a cliche saying, but love isn’t hard and it doesn’t hurt. Love is a beautiful thing. Women know the real feeling of love when they give birth to children. That right there is the realest feeling of genuine and innocent love you will

‘Da Nail Cop’ – a defender of the law and an artist that uplifts

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net

WHEN she is not fighting crime as an officer of the law, Pam Russell-Allen uses nails as a canvas to express her creativity.

“Da Nail Cop”, as she calls herself and her business, as had very interesting career journey over the years; from banking to hospitality, to law enforcement and becoming a nail artist as well as a member of the Bahamas Barbering and Cosmetology Association.

“As an officer, my career has been both challenging and rewarding. I have the opportunity to protect and serve my community, ensuring the safety and well-being of others. It’s a responsibility I take seriously. Every day brings new experiences and situations, and it’s important to be prepared and adaptable. Building relationships with the community is also crucial in fostering trust, earning respect and in ascertaining cooperation. Overall, being an officer allows me to make a positive impact and contribute to a safer environment for everyone at large,” she told Tribune Woman.

Becoming an owner of a creative business has likewise been an incredible journey.

It’s a mix of hard work, passion, and lots of learning, she said.

Pam said starting her own business allowed her to discover and express her creative side, and to share it with others. While it’s been challenging at times, she said it is also incredibly rewarding to see her ideas come to fruition and make a positive impact on women.

“Art as a hobby has opened many doors. I get to express it and help people feel beautiful and confident. It’s such a rewarding feeling to see clients and students alike happy with the results,” she said.

“I’ve always strived to provide top-notch services, using superior quality products while managing to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and techniques.

“With a Bachelor of Science degree in Fine Arts and Nail Technology, I am also presently

working to complete my Masters, alongside the successful completion of many other local and international training courses and certificates

obtained in the field,” she said.

Pam loves how nails can be a canvas for self-expression. Seeing

then chases her down, apologises publicly and they are back at it with the bulls**t cycle. I obviously don’t know either of them personally, but Cardi seems to be very much family-oriented and I can only assume she wants the relationship to work for the sake of her children, but we can all see from our view that she deserves so much more as it relates to love,” she said.

“People look down on (celebrity ‘It’ girl) Lori Harvey for skipping from man to man, but what I see is her choosing herself every time. All her relationships were high profile, but not high enough to make her stay where she didn’t want to.”

Tribune Woman reader Shantelle said she thinks it’s the fear of being alone and the fear of actually starting over that keeps some women stuck in bad relationships.

“Being lonely is a serious thing, and some women are scared to be alone. They know that they are in a bad situation but they figure that that it is better than coming home to nobody or having to fend for themselves. So they just stay and lie to themselves that it is OK, or that things will get better - and then it just never does,” she said.

Mia echoed this sentiment and said she knows lots of women who are in their late 30s like her who are staying in relationships they really don’t want to be in out of a fear of starting over.

“This used to be me until I accepted the fact that what is for me, is for me, and what is not, I am OK with. The more you tell yourself this, the better off you will be. Why would you stay with someone you are just tolerating?

Trust me, you’d be pulling your hair out. There are many other things in life that are already stressful and you can’t control, but being with someone who doesn’t mean you any good or isn’t good for your peace of mind - you have a choice to walk away. Not one person will tell you it’s easy, because it is not. But I promise you it will be worth it,” she said.

Both Krislee Neely at Luvlee Nails and Carlin Simone at Nails

by Carlin Simone, alongside by my best friend Trevor, they are the ones that keep me enthused whenever my spirits drop, as sometimes the burnout experience becomes really real,” said Pam. Through her brand, Da Nail Cop, Pam offers acrylic and gel nail application, structured gel nails, manicures and pedicures, from basic to advanced, and nail art such as abstract, encapsulation, free-hand drawings and line art.

“I believe my skills have grown tremendously. I’ve had the opportunity to work with a variety of clients and tackle different nail designs and techniques. Through practice and experience, I’ve become more confident in my abilities and have developed a keen eye for details. I’ve also expanded my knowledge by staying up-todate with the latest trends and attending workshops and training sessions. Obtaining a degree has also fuelled my desire...and I hope to see what’s next in this wonderful world of possibilities. It’s been an exciting journey of growth and learning, and I’m excited to continue honing my skills in the future,” said Pam. With many a memorable client experience under her belt, Pam POLICE officer and nail technician Pam said there is one that stands out, Russell-Allen believes in the transhowever: having the opportunity formative power of a good manicure to do a special nail design for a bride on her wedding day.

“She wanted something elegant and unique to complement the transformative power of a her dress and theme. We worked well-done manicure or nail art together to create a stunning inspires her to want to branch out design that incorporated delicate even more. It’s a way for her to lace patterns and shimmering combine a love for art and beauty, accents. Seeing her face light up while making a positive impact on when she saw her nails was truly people’s lives. heart-warming. It was such a spe“There have been many people cial moment to be a part of her big who have influenced and inspired day and contribute to her happime throughout my life; persons ness. It’s moments like these that like Mrs Quetel Deveaux - an make being a nail tech so rewardextreme advocate for excellence ing,” she said. and professionalism in the nail “My overall goal for Da Nail industry,” she said, Cop is to establish it as a wellPam said Mrs Deveaux is like known and respected brand in the Leonardo da Vinci Pablo the nail industry. I want to conPicasso of nail art. tinue providing top-notch nail She is also inspired by Dr Ber- services and create unique designs netta Rose, owner of Da Nail that make my clients feel amazDepot. ing. In the future, I see Da Nail “(She) gave me my fresh start Cop expanding its reach to interand taught me to hold the acrylic national arenas, maybe even brush. It was there I received my opening multiple locations and very first certificate as a certified collaborating with other beauty nail technician. brands.”