02202024 BUSINESS

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2024

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‘No harm’: Private aviation meets ‘bonkers’ prior years

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas’ private aviation business was yesterday said to have suffered “no harm” from saturation media coverage of this nation’s crime woes with visitor numbers matching the “bonkers” prior two years.

Rick Gardner, director of CST Flight Services, which provides flight co-ordination and trip support services to the private

aviation industry throughout the Caribbean and Latin America, told Tribune Business the private pilot social media forums he monitors showed regular fliers to The Bahamas “pushing back” and advising others not to worry about reports on the recent murder spike.

A Bahamas Flying Ambassador, he disclosed that his firm had witnessed no cancellations of flights to The Bahamas for which it was scheduled to provide services after negative reporting on

the country’s crime situation first surfaced in late January and earlier this month.

And Charles Bowe, general manager at Jet Nassau, the major fixed base operator (FBO) at Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA), told this newspaper that private aviation business handled by his company has remained “consistent” with prior years.

While the crime coverage had created a “hiccup”, and sparked multiple inquiries from concerned

aviation industry participants and visitors, Mr Bowe said Jet Nassau had largely been able to reassure them that The Bahamas remains a safe destination for tourists to visit and he has “personally” seen no flight cancellations as a result.

“They’ve been consistent,” he added of private aviation business volumes. “We had a slow period right after the New Year mark, but that’s normal. Everyone travels in that period, and then everybody settles down for two

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“We need that two weeks because that prior period is literally so crazy it wears you down.

Maintenance, giving your guys

SEE PAGE B4

Deltec pleaded Bahamas law breach, poverty over FTX evidence demands

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net DELTEC Bank & Trust pleaded poverty and violations of Bahamian law in a failed bid to block aggrieved former FTX investors from forcing it to provide evidence.

South Florida federal court files, seen by Tribune Business, reveal the extent of efforts by the Bahamian financial institution to prevent itself and its chairman, Jean Chalopin, from having to speedily provide both documents and testimony after they were named as defendants in a class action lawsuit over the crypto exchange’s collapse.

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asserted it was “impossible” to comply with over 70 document production requests in two weeks.

They based this on Deltec’s status as “a small Bahamian bank that does not litigate in the US”, with less than 150 fulltime staff and net profits of under $15m for 2023. Mr Chalopin and his bank also

demanded the very same day that the south Florida district court “quash” the former FTX investors’ attempt to obtain evidence and protect them from further discovery efforts.

However, US magistrate judge Eduardo Sanchez, in a January 19, 2024, verdict dismissed the duo’s efforts to dismiss the discovery action. “Defendants Deltec Bank and Trust Company and Jean Chalopin shall produce to plaintiffs documents evincing Deltec Bank and Trust Company’s banking license and corporate structure,” he ruled, “as well as any contracts and agreements that Deltec Bank and

SEE PAGE B4

Apprenticeship ‘Sting operations’ net 1,500 initiative to impact pounds of illegal grouper ‘big numbers’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE planned National Apprenticeship Programme will impact “big numbers” with ambitions to have the first entrants working in the Bahamian maritime industry as early as April/May 2024.

Peter Goudie, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation’s (BCCEC) labour division head, told Tribune Business that the initiative will have “a ripple effect” through the entire Bahamian economy as well as society through increasing employability, productivity and reducing the private sector’s demand for foreign labour.

Through certifying graduates, he explained that the scheme - once enshrined in law and operational - will provide employers with a pool of skilled labour whose abilities have been verified, thus improving the overall quality of the workforce and the job prospects of individual Bahamians.

“We’re hoping it will be starting very soon, April or May,” Mr Goudie told this newspaper, with the enabling legislation due to be debated by the House of Assembly next week on February 28. “We hope to have 100 apprentices working in maritime and, at the same time, another bunch will be doing soft skills in math and English and moving into maritime.

SEE PAGE B2

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

A SENIOR fisheries official yesterday revealed that “sting operations” over the past three weeks have netted more than 1,500 pounds of Nassau grouper caught illegally out-of-season.

Gregory Bethel, acting director of marine resources, disclosed at the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources’ first leadership conclave that his department has collaborated with the Royal Bahamas Defence Force to conduct two covert investigations into mail boats entering Potter’s Cay dock. This, he added, uncovered the 1,500 pounds of illegally harvested grouper.

He said: “The Nassau grouper closed season is from December 1 until February 28 of the following year. Let me say most recently, over the course of the last three weeks, we did two sting operations [which were] joint efforts between my department and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force. “[We] investigated mail boats coming in at Potter’s Cay and, to-date, we have uncovered in excess of 1,500 pounds of Nassau grouper that has been fished during the close season. So we want to take this opportunity

again to remind the public that we are still engaged in the Nassau grouper closed season.”

Mr Bethel said individuals found in possession of, or selling, freshly caught grouper are committing an offense and can receive fines and/or jail time. He added that the operation at Potter’s Cay was a “search and seize” so the items were confiscated and only two individuals faced penalties.

“It is an offence to fish Nassau grouper. It’s also an offence to have it for sale. The penalty is $3,000 or a year in prison or both.

A word to the wise is sufficient, so we want to encourage Bahamians to follow the law,” Mr Bethel said. “No penalties except for two were imposed. The ones coming from the sting operation of the mail boats, it was just a case of search and seize. We just seized the product.”

Mr Bethel said there have also been poaching incidents on the Family Islands, including two men who were in a traffic accident with and caught with 400 pounds of grouper. The individuals were fined $1,500 and given 50 hours of community service.

“We had an incident in Long Island where two young men,

SEE PAGE B2

NASSAU CRUISE PORT

‘Zero’ crime fall-out for cruise numbers

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net NASSAU Cruise Port’s top executive yesterday said he can “guarantee” passenger numbers for the past three days have surpassed prior years to show there has been “zero” impact from recent crime concerns.

Michael Maura, the Prince George Wharf operator’s chief executive, told Tribune Business that while cruise port employees have had to reassure a small minority of visitors that Nassau remains safe following international media coverage of

the recent murder spike there has been “no mass or overwhelming concern” expressed.

And, responding to assertions by Wesley Ferguson, the Bahamas Taxi Cab Union’s president, that drivers have suffered an up to 50 percent reduction in earnings due to the crime reporting fall-out, he suggested this may have also been influenced by the loss of passengers from three cruise ship cancellations due to bad weather in early February.

“An observation from where I sit, but I think it

SEE PAGE B4

PAGE 2, Tuesday, February 20, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

BAHAMAS MUST FEED ITSELF TO BE ‘TRULY INDEPENDENT’

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net A CABINET minister yesterday asserted that The Bahamas can only be “truly independent” if it achieves food security where its citizens are able to feed themselves.

Jomo Campbell, minister of agriculture and marine resources, said his ministry’s first conclave was an opportunity to ensure all departments are aligned with the common goal of enhancing food security and reducing The Bahamas’ food import bill. He added the number of Bahamians

JOMO CAMPBELL entering the farming and fishing industry has not been expanding with the necessary speed.

Arguing that The Bahamas must be able to feed

its citizens to be considered “truly independent”, he said: “The main goal of this conclave today is to ensure that all of the different departments and units under the Ministry realise that there is one collective vision.

“Our mission is to enhance food security in The Bahamas, and also to work towards reducing our food import bill. We have to ensure that, as a nation, we’re able to feed ourselves in order to be truly independent.”

Mr Campbell said the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources intends to increase stakeholder engagement, noting that the

number of active farmers and fishermen has not been increasing at a substantial rate. He explained that the ministry will continue to conduct school farming projects to educate young people on agriculture and generate interest in the sector.

“There are many things we have planned, and what’s going to happen is there’s going to be a more concentrated effort on the people whose hands are actually tied to the growth of the ministry,” Mr Campbell said. “When I say that, I mean the local farmers, the fishermen, even down to the backyard farmers and, just as importantly,

getting agriculture and the message of this ministry into the schools.

“We realise we go from island to island, and we see that the number of farmers and fishermen has not been increasing to the rate that we would like to see it increase. And so what better place to start than to start in the school, where we have young minds and new energy, and to get them interested and excited about what agriculture has to offer.

“So we’re going to be furthering the efforts of school farming programmes, having the children get that hands on experience.”

Mr Campbell added that

backyard farming initiatives will also continue throughout The Bahamas.

He said: “We want to further expand our backyard farming communities throughout the different neighbourhoods.

“There used to be a time where every house had a bird pepper tree right to the outside of the house somewhere, and that’s what we need to get back to because all of these things help to contribute towards lowering our food import bill.

What’s more important than ensuring that we have a hands-on approach to what we put in our mouths, and what we use to take care of our bodies?”

‘Sting operations’ APPRENTICESHIP INITIATIVE TO IMPACT ‘BIG NUMBERS’ net 1,500 pounds of illegal grouper FROM PAGE B1

FROM PAGE B1 they were found in possession of in excess of 400 pounds of Nassau grouper, and that only came by way of traffic accident,” Mr Bethel added. “When the police came on the scene they found them in possession of all of this grouper.

They have since been prosecuted. They were fined $1,500. I think it was 50 hours of community work.

“We just concluded another case in Central Andros where we had locals engaged in the capture of the Nassau grouper. That case is still before the Magistrate’s Court.”

Mr Bethel maintained that harsher penalties for catching fish out-of-season are provided for in the Fisheries Act, but it is up to the discretion of the courts to enforce penalties. He added: “Harsher penalties are on the books. That is a decision for the courts. How they litigate and so forth is the decision of the court.

“But harsher penalties are there. If you were to have a look at the new Fisheries Act, at the back of the Act and throughout the Act you will see that there has been a marked increase in penalties but, at the end of the day, it’s a decision of the courts.”

“We’re talking about big numbers. The Government is very serious about this. I’m very happy we’re moving ahead with this and that it’s going to be as big as it is. Let’s put it this way; we’re talking a lot of money, and a very high commitment from the minister, the Prime Minister and the Government. Pia GloverRolle [minister of labour and the public service] has been very, very supportive and very involved.”

The existing 40 year-old Apprenticeship Act was supposed to have been replaced, and the Programme launched, several years ago but the funding which was provided by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) - had to be diverted to finance social and economic support, and

other assistance, in the wake of the twin emergencies created by Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Mr Goudie acknowledged.

“We’ve put a lot of time and effort into it, but it’s nice to see it’s going to bear fruit. It’s very satisfying.” Besides maritime, industries such as construction and information and communications technology (ICT) are also being targeted by the National Apprenticeship Programme, which will add other sectors as it grows.

“The main thing is that we’re going to be certifying these individuals,” he added, “and then they’ll be able to go ahead on good long-term employment. It’s going to be hundreds and hundreds over the next few years. This is not a one-year programme. As we have people graduate we will be training just as many.

“It’s good on all those fronts, but it’s also going to be eliminating work

permits. It’ll be putting Bahamians to work and employers will not have to hire people from away.

At the end of the day it will save a lot of money, as people will not have to pay moving expenses and other costs. We’ll have more Bahamians working and will reduce the unemployment rate.”

Mr Goudie said the training and certification, via institutions such as the University of the Bahamas (UoB) and Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI), should also result in greater individual and workforce productivity.

“You’re increasing productivity, increasing the productivity of the country and increasing the ability to export,” he added. “We have a high trade deficit [almost $3.5bn] and if we can increase productivity and make our goods more available and able to ship out, that’s good news.

“Bahamian businesses want certified Bahamians to work for them. If it’s a

Bahamian, they’re going to be staying here. You won’t have to worry about foreigners leaving. People will be more employable, and it will have a ripple effect right through the country.

It’s been needed for years.

We weren’t happy when we had to abandon it before when we knew for years we needed this. Now it’s coming to fruition.

“I can’t be more supportive of something that is going to work and going to continue to work for the next few years. We’re going to continue to make sure it works, and people will be certified. Then you know somebody has been trained properly and they have the knowledge and skills that you need,” Mr Goudie continued.

“It’s just going to help the country, and a lot of people that would not normally get a job it’s going to help them get certified and then they’ll have the credentials to go anywhere in that business.

It’s good stuff.”

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Sterling Bank & Trust Limited is a boutique bank located in Paradise Island, The Bahamas with ambitious plans to grow and expand its business. The Bank is looking for a suitable candidate to fill the position of Business Development Manager to promote the growth of assets and liabilities franchise within its Off-shore banking environment.

Position Overview The Business Development Manager is responsible for overseeing the process of business development within the Bank to promote its longevity. Duties will include working closely with other company executives and management teams, meeting with potential business partners and maintaining existing client relationships while monitoring market trends to pursue new business ventures.

Main Responsibilities: The Business Development Manager is required to be self-motivated enough to reach out and bring in new business. He or she will typically have the following responsibilities: • Attracting new clients by innovative means and overseeing the process of onboarding; • Working with team members to identify and manage company risks that might prevent growth; • Identifying and researching opportunities that may be available in new and existing markets; • Preparing and delivering presentations for potential clients; • Fostering a collaborative environment within the business as a whole; • Communicating with clients to understand their needs and offer solutions to their problems; • Creating positive, long-lasting relationships with current and potential clients; • Organizing and spearheading outbound campaigns to create business opportunities; • Maintaining client activities reports, where applicable; • Developing and presenting proposals customizes for clients’ specific business needs; • Ensuring excellent customer service through regular client follow up; • Managing virtual and in-person business meetings; • Taking full responsibility for developing new business – from prospecting to implementation; • Developing rapport with key decision makers; • Managing overall relationship profitability and portfolio risk with responsibility for profitable growth of the portfolio; and • Ensuring compliance with all policies and procedures, including Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti Money laundering (AML) requirements in all dealings with existing and potential clients within the Off-shore banking environment.

Skills & Qualifications: Minimum 5 years of experience in business development in any Off-shore Bank.

Should be a graduate in Finance, Management or any equivalent qualification.

An energetic, forward-thinking and creative individual with high ethical standards and an appropriate professional image.

Solid knowledge of local and international regulations and standards in the financial services industry, KYC/AML and risk, excellent grasp of reporting requirements for FATCA and CRS, etc.

Sound technical skills, analytical ability, good judgment and strong operational focus.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed in this position. They are not intended as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.

Interested candidates may send their resume with a covering letter to the following address: To Apply: Please email your resume to hr@sterlingbt.com on or before 29th February 2024.

Only applications received to this email address will be accepted and those shortlisted will be contacted. Please no telephone call.

A BRANCH office of Capital One Bank is pictured on May 7, 2009, in New York. Capital One Financial is buying Discover Financial Services for $35 billion, in a deal that would bring together two of the nation’s biggest lenders and credit card issuers, according to a news release issued by the companies Monday, Feb. 19, 2024.

Photo:Mark Lennihan/AP

Capital One to buy Discover for $35 billion in deal that combines major US credit card companies

By KEN SWEET AP Business Writer CAPITAL One Financial said it will buy Discover Financial Services for $35 billion, in a deal that would bring together two of the nation's credit card companies as well as potentially shake up the payments industry, which is largely dominated by Visa and Mastercard.

Under the terms of the allstock transaction, Discover Financial shareholders will receive Capital One shares valued at nearly $140. That's a significant premium to the $110.49 that Discover shares closed at Friday.

The deal marries two of the largest credit card companies that aren't banks first, like JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup, with the notable exception of American Express. It also brings together two companies whose customers are largely similar: often Americans who are looking for cash back or modest travel rewards, compared to the premium credit cards dominated by AmEx, Citi and Chase.

"This marketplace that's dominated by the big players is going to shrink a little bit more now," said Matt Schulz, chief credit card analyst at LendingTree.

It also will give Discover's payment network a major credit card partner in a way that could make the payment network a major competitor once again. The U.S. credit card industry is dominated by the VisaMastercard duopoly with AmEx being a distance third place and Discover an even more distant fourth place.

It's unclear whether Capitol One will adopt the Discover payment system or may set up a payment network that allows parallel use of Discover and a second payment network like Visa.

"Our acquisition of Discover is a singular opportunity to bring together two very successful companies with complementary capabilities and franchises, and to build a payments network that can compete with the largest payments networks and payments companies," said Richard Fairbank, the chairman and CEO of Capital One, in a statement.

With its purchase of Discover, Capital One is betting that Americans' will continue to increasingly use their credit cards and keep balances on those accounts to collect interest. In the fourth quarter of 2023, Americans held $1.13 trillion on their credit cards, and aggregate household debt balances increased

by $212 billion, up 1.2%, according to the latest data from the New York Federal Reserve.

As they run up their card balances, consumers are also paying higher interest rates. The average interest rate on a bank credit card is roughly 21.5%, the highest it's been since the Federal Reserve started tracking the data in 1994.

Capital One has long has a business model looking for customers who will keep a balance on their cards, aiming for customers with lower credit scores than American Express or even Discover.

At the same time, the two lenders have had to boost their reserves against the possibility of rising borrower defaults. After battling inflation for more than two years, many lower- and middle-income Americans have run through their savings and are increasingly running up their credit card balances and taking on personal loans.

The additional reserves have weighed on both banks' profits. Last year, Capital One's net income available to common shareholders slumped 35% versus 2022, as its provisions for loan losses soared 78% to $10.4 billion.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, February 20, 2024, PAGE 3

Over 180 feet of clogged pipes are excavated at Arawak Cay

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net MORE than 180 feet of clogged pipes have been excavated to-date as part of sewerage upgrades at Arawak Cay, it was revealed yesterday.

Leyvon Miller, site operations manager for the project, said the work is currently on schedule and on budget. He added that the project is being undertaken at night and on weekends to avoid inconveniencing Arawak Cay vendors and their clients.

He said: “We have excavated about 180 foot of pipe so far. The project is going from the man hole at the bridge towards West Bay Street. We are estimating that it’ll take us another two weekends to actually make it to West Bay Street.

At which time we will close that part of the road back up and there will be no obstructions to the vendors on that main thoroughfare.

“We estimated at the onset that the project would be about eight weeks. What I want people to bear in mind is it is not an everyday project. In our effort to ensure that we didn’t

infringe with the vendors and that we allowed them to stay at maximum income earning capacity, we opted to go with night-time work.

So it’s going to be nighttime and weekend.

“There has been a small caveat that we’ve added recently which is, because of the way Arawak Cay is created, the tide poses issues for us in some instances. If God says ‘dig in the day’, then we have to dig in a day. Outside of that, though, we’re taking every man-made step possible to ensure that, as often as we can, we do all the things that we can to ensure that we’re not infringing on the vendors and their access to customers.”

Mr Miller said the clogged pipes had resulted from an accumulation of grease and debris over the past five to seven years. He explained that the pipe size has been increased from eight to ten inches, and the Water and Sewerage Corporation will be jetting the new lines to ensure that level of blockage does not reoccur.

He said: “The pictures that you’ve seen are an accumulation of what is estimated by the technicians to be between five and seven years of just build-up

in the pipe. So what we’ve done to mitigate that from happening again is we’ve increased the size of the pipe by an additional two inches. So we’ve taken an eight-inch main and we’re replacing that with a teninch main.

“We also have gotten Water & Sewerage Corporation as the contractor on this project, which means we no longer have to worry about lapses in contract etc with regards to maintenance because it will be a Water & Sewerage Corporation system. Water & Sewerage Corporation also procured a jetter system over the last two months.

“Once they put that pipe in place there will be intermittent jetting of the line, which will prevent that kind of back-up from ever happening again. So we’ve increased the capacity and we have now ensured that the maintenance regimen is going to be something that’s a bit more tightly stitched.”

The lack of a proper sewerage system has impacted Arawak Cay for years, giving the destination an unattractive look and smell.

The $130,000 upgrade will allow for increased water flow to meet peak demand times at the site.

PAUL GRIFFITHS, the CEO of Dubai Airports, talks to the Associated Press in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Feb. 19, 2024. The number of passengers flying through Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest for international travel, surged last year beyond its total for 2019 — just before the coronavirus pandemic grounded global aviation.

Photo:Kamran Jebreili/ AP

Dubai International Airport had 86.9 million passengers last year in a post-pandemic surge

By JON GAMBRELL Associated Press THE number of passengers flying through Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest for international travel, surged last year beyond its total for 2019 — just before the coronavirus pandemic grounded global aviation.

While still shy of its all-time high in 2018, the figures for 2023 showed just how far the airport, known as DXB, has bounced back from the pandemic. The number of passengers passing through its cavernous, air-conditioned terminals that are home to the longhaul carrier Emirates in Dubai, has served as a barometer for the aviation industry worldwide and the wider economic health of this city-state.

Overall in 2023, the airport had 86.9 million passengers. Its 2019's annual traffic was 86.3 million passengers. The airport had 89.1 million passengers in 2018 — its busiest-ever year before the pandemic, while 66 million passengers passed through in 2022.

"I think our performance post-pandemic has been quite exceptional and a tribute to the investment we've made in the technology to smooth things along and also, in our people who've performed absolutely magnificently," Paul Griffiths, the CEO of Dubai Airports, told The Associated Press.

Passenger traffic largely has been driven by the airport's standard travel destinations — India, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and Pakistan. Russia has also been a major market as Dubai remains one of the few places still open to Russians during Moscow's war on Ukraine.

Dubai was among the first cities to reopen to tourists in the pandemic.

That helped boost its tourism industry as attractions like the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building,

and the sail-shaped Burj Al-Arab luxury hotel drew both visitors and transit passengers out of airport lounges.

Earlier in February, Dubai announced its bestever tourism numbers, saying it hosted 17.15 million international overnight visitors in 2023. Average hotel occupancy stood around 77%. Its boomand-bust real estate market remains on a hot streak, nearing all-time high valuations.

"The economic contribution to the city of having more and more visitors, it's obvious for everyone to see," Griffiths said. "We can see it on the roads, we can see in hotel occupancy, and we see it in the general economy here."

The airport has estimated it will serve 88.8 million passengers this year — nearing its all-time high. But that will put increasing pressure on the already-stretched airport, which had its highest-ever number of aircraft takeoffs and landings in a single year — 416,405.

Dubai has another airport, Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central, some 45 kilometers (28 miles) away in its far southern reaches.

While used by commercial airlines when Qatar hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup, that airport, opened in 2010, largely sees cargo and private aircraft flights.

Plans to put Emirates and other major carriers there have been repeatedly pushed off. Griffiths said current efforts remained aimed at increasing plane stands at DXB and other remodeling at the airport. to allow for expected further growth in passenger numbers.

"Ultimately, there will come a time when a new airport will be required to continue to fund the expansion of the aviation sector," Griffiths said. "But plans for that are very much under discussion."

Meanwhile, DXB plans to invest in new security scanners to allow laptops, liquids and other objects typically needed to be removed for screening to remain inside hand luggage.

There's also work experimenting with cameras to allow for people to simply walk through an area and clear immigration without even stopping, Griffiths said.

THE EXCAVATION of 180 feet of clogged pipes as part of sewerage upgrades at Arawak Cay.

CIBC UNVEILS JET BLUE TIE-UP ON CARD LAUNCH

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net CIBC last night launched its MasterCard credit card partnership with the Jet Blue airline.

Dr Jacqui Bend, CIBC Caribbean (Bahamas) managing director, said the tie-up came about after the bank decided to expand its products and services due to the increase in digital banking.

She explained that many consumers switched to online banking during the COVID-19 pandemic and have continued using the platform to access services.

“The announcement of the partnership is another step in our transformation to make sure that we become the best omni channel banking services in the Caribbean,” Dr Bend said.

“We started out this journey several years ago when it was propelled by the COVID pandemic, when we were all under lockdown

and our clients - along with our staff - had to do our banking, and we found that online banking was the easiest way, the most convenient way, to do banking. With that in mind we needed to form the most superior services and products, this one being one of them.”

Dr Bend said both the banking and airline industry have been rebuilding post-COVID, and more consumers have opted to use digital banking services due to the convenience they offer. She added that the majority Canadianowned bank is undergoing a “transformation”, and The Bahamas is an “integral part of that transformation strategy”.

She said: “Like the airline industry, which has been rebuilding and innovating for the past few years, having been through a pandemic, we too at CIBC Caribbean are looking at best products and services for clients on a daily basis.

“We are seeing it recently day-by-day that our clients

are moving more to online channels because you can do your banking any time and anywhere, and we want to ensure that trend continues.

“Our transformation has not only been digital.

We are taking a long, hard look at our business, and we are making some strategic changes throughout our region and The Bahamas is an integral part of that transformation strategy.”

Dr Bend said the partnership will benefit consumers that frequently travel to the US to visit family and friends or to conduct business. She said: “This project with Jet Blur as our partner has brought close ties to us across the region because I think most of us, if not all, have relatives in the US or we pay to go to the US on vacation or maybe some retail therapy.

“It means that we now can be rewarded for this travel by getting some tru blu points to travel free, to then have money to shop or to relax for those who want to relax, and MasterCard, also our strategic partner this venture, one of the major credit cards in the region and the world, has partnered with us and we are developing that relationship.”

PAGE 4, Tuesday, February 20, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

‘No harm’: Private aviation meets ‘bonkers’ prior years FROM PAGE B1 some rest from the fatigue, because it’s a 24-hour operation... The only hiccup that we see is this crime situation. I got a lot of calls on that, both people in the industry and visitors from all over the world.

“They’d send me: ‘What’s up with this warning from the State Department?

Should we be concerned?’ etc etc.” Mr Bowe said he and his team responded to “quite a few inquiries” by reassuring existing and prospective clients that the murder and crime spike was largely confined to innercity New Providence areas not usually frequented by tourists, while visitors were not the target and not involved in any incident.

“We haven’t seen any tangible fall-off per se,” the Jet Nassau chief told Tribune Business. “I personally have not seen any cancellations based on it.

Someone seeing something in the news, they did reach out, but once we had a communication with most of the clients they were reassured to come down and had a great time.

“From the numbers I see, I don’t see where it’s had an affect. I don’t know about the hotels, the cruise ships,

but private aviation. Right after Christmas we expect a drop-off. That’s standard. Every year we have it.

Every year.

“It actually picked up a little earlier than expected, and it’s trending right along with last year and the year before. I think we are going to be right at the same numbers as last year. Nothing untoward has happened.”

Mr Bowe said he has yet to conduct a detailed analysis of the year-to-date numbers, but Mr Gardiner affirmed that private aviation business volumes are closely shadowing “the bonkers” post-COVID years of 2022 and 2023 when virtually the entire industry seemed to be travelling.

As for any fall-out from saturation media coverage of US and Canadian travel advisories, the Bahamas Flying Ambassador added: “I honestly have not seen any chatter or anything negative of any significance in the pilot forums I monitor, and nor have we had any cancellations or anything on the flights we’re providing services to due to the negative press.

“I’ve seen more about it on Bahamian diaspora chats on What’s App than anywhere else. I don’t see

it.” Mr Gardiner added that one online pilot private forum had clarified that the crime and murder spike was occurring in Over-theHill areas rarely, if ever, frequented by visitors and that no tourists had been involved or caught up in incidents that were mainly linked to gang-related retaliation.

“The stuff I’ve seen is that people who fly to The Bahamas are pushing back and saying: ‘Don’t worry about it’,” Mr Gardiner added. “To answer your question, quite simply I’ve not seen anything of any significance. The online communities where people may say they need to think twice about going, we haven’t seen anything.

“The short answer is we’ve not seen any chatter or anything of significance that would say this is really having an effect on private aviation. We’ve not seen anything.” Mr Gardiner said the private aviation market was more immune, and less likely to be impacted by the media reporting, as it features regular visitors to The Bahamas who know the country and understand the on-ground situation.

“They are more informed and are not the casual

tourist who hops to The Bahamas for the weekend,” he added. “These are people that regularly fly there and, if they don’t, they will pose a question and those that do will answer it on a factual basis, not on theory or drama.

“I’ve not seen anything to worry about at this point.

It’s just more because of the fact that there are so many people that regularly fly their air planes to The Bahamas, and there is a sufficiently large base of people that answer saying ‘I was just there or go every month. Let me tell you what my experience is’.

“That goes a long way to settle people down. You can get into more trouble in Miami than Nassau. You can find trouble in Atlanta, New York and Los Angeles.

It’s all a matter of putting things back in perspective,” Mr Gardiner added.

“I think overall that the market is still really, really strong and I don’t see any harm from any of the negative press and US State Department warnings and alerts. I’m not seeking any significant change.” While there had been “a slight softening” in January, the present month is enjoying “an uptick”, with Mr Gardiner pointing out that 2024

‘ZERO’ CRIME FALL-OUT FOR CRUISE NUMBERS FROM PAGE B1 was during the first week in February that the weather was really bad,” Mr Maura said. “If I’m not mistaken, we had three vessels cancel that week principally for it being too rough and too windy. I suspect that directly impacted the taxi business, the tour business and general visitation because the people who would have been coming would not have been here.

“Today [Monday], we have 21,085 passengers.

Yesterday, we had 15,675, and on Saturday we had 21,139. I use that as a reference point to say that the people are coming into Nassau on the ships.

If you are walking around the port, and up and down Woodes Rogers, you see evidence of those 20,000plus people enjoying the downtown area.....

“I guarantee those [numbers] are higher than in previous years. For two of the last three days, where we had over 20,000 passengers, that would not have occurred in 2019. The bookings remain strong. We haven’t seen any cancellations as a result of these matters. Zero,” the Nassau Cruise Port chief continued.

“The only dip we experienced was the first week of February when the weather was poor. Nassau gets the largest ships in the world,

and when you have 30-plus know winds it creates a difficulty for those ships to get in and out of the harbour.

I have not received any phone calls from the cruise lines sharing concerns.

We’re good. We’re fine.”

Voicing optimism that Nassau Cruise Port staff have successfully allayed any crime-related fears from a small minority of visitors, Mr Maura added: “Are there some that, over the past couple of weeks, have asked whether it is safe because they’ve read the various publications on alerts coming from the US and Canada? There have been, but we explain that Nassau is safe.

“It’s not like the only thing we’re doing out there.

A month ago we wouldn’t have had any, and in the last couple of weeks we’ve had a few, but I don’t want it to appear that there is mass, overwhelming concern on the part of visitors. We’ve had a few ask the question.”

Mr Maura reiterated that Nassau Cruise Port has enjoyed “very strong numbers the last few days”, and added: “On Thursday we have five ships again. We are getting strong traffic. It remains very busy, and the courtyard where the taxi drivers operate from is very busy. We have tours picking up passengers.”

is up against comparisons from the “bonkers high” of 2022 and 2023.

He added, though, that competition from Caribbean and Central American rivals for the private aviation market is intensifying.

Belize has been attempting to make inroads, while Costa Rica has cut landing and parking fees by between 30-50 percent to attract pilots and their planes. The Dominican Republic, too, continues to try and lure the business by offering a variety of fee discounts.

Mr Gardiner, though, argued that The Bahamas continues to retain a competitive advantage through its geographic proximity to the US and multi-island destination appeal. Both Belize and Costa Rica have to fight against the extra distance and complexity of flying there, as it requires multiple permits and flying through the air space of different countries.

“The distance and complexity for those countries is much greater, so the bar is much higher,” Mr Gardiner told Tribune Business.

“The Bahamas enjoys the geographic advantage, so keep it simple keep, keep it inexpensive, keep the bar low and they’ll jump over it.

They will complain about a $50 increase in the landing fee but stay at a luxury hotel.”

Comparing private aviation to high-end yachts, he added that while the latter arrived in The Bahamas already fully stocked and with on-board accommodation, the former needed a place to stay, activities to do and restaurants to eat out at.

“They’re going to pump a whole lot more money into the local economy than yachts will,” Mr Gardiner said. “That’s not to say yachts don’t pump some money into it, but nothing compared to private aircraft. If you get the itch to go see the swimming pigs in Exuma, you can jump on a plane to Staniel Cay. If you want to see Dean’s Blue Hole, you can jump on a plane to Long Island.

“Keep it simple and they’ll spread the money around the islands instead of it being concentrated in Nassau/Paradise Island and Freeport. I was just in Exuma at the end of last year, and it was rocking and rolling. There were a lot of private planes.”

Arguing that the US and Canadian alerts “should not imply that Nassau is unsafe”, he added: “We have had some very unfortunate incidents, but Nassau, the island of New Providence, is safe. You, I and the other 300,000 who live here for the most part can go about business without fear or concern of some type of criminal activity. It is safe.”

The Bahamas’ has not been downgraded by the US as the latter’s travel advisory has remained at ‘level two’ since 2022. Instead, the US merely urged its citizens to take care - and be aware of - the recent spike in murders in New Providence with the 25th and latest killing taking place yesterday.

However, this has received extensive media coverage in New York and

the north-east, which is the primary tourist source market for this nation, as well as across the US with much of the reporting giving the impression - described by Mr Sands as a “misinterpretation” - that the travel advisory has been elevated.

It has featured on major TV networks, such as NBC, ABC and CNN, as well as in newspapers including the New York Times, Washington Post and USA Today.

The New York Post told Americans to “think twice about a tropical getaway to the Caribbean this winter”, adding: “Safety concerns have reached a point of severity where US officials say people shouldn’t even try to ‘physically resist’ being robbed.”

Deltec pleaded Bahamas law breach, poverty over FTX evidence demands FROM PAGE B1 Trust Company, other Deltec entities or Jean Chalopin had with FTX, Alameda, and their related companies.

“In addition, Deltec Bank and Trust Company shall submit to a four-hour zoom deposition by plaintiffs, and Jean Chalopin shall submit to an additional three-hour zoom deposition unless Mr Chalopin serves as the corporate representative for Deltec Bank and Trust Company and the two depositions are consolidated.”

However, all other Deltec customers and their details were omitted from the discovery process.

However, the FTX class action group, in legal filings last Friday, alleged that Deltec and Mr Chalopin’s compliance with the January 19, 2024, order had been less than stellar. “On January 26, 2024, Deltec made a woefully insufficient and heavily redacted document production,” it claimed in documents made public on February 16.

“Two business days later, on January 30, 2024,

plaintiffs took the deposition of Deltec, at which Mr Chalopin served as the corporate representative. After follow-up communications with counsel for Deltec and Mr Chalopin regarding the deficiencies in Deltec’s document production and corporate testimony, counsel for Deltec produced unredacted versions of six contracts.

“The unredacted documents revealed extremely limited helpful information, the use of which is governed by protective order and, as such, is not quoted, summarised or otherwise referenced in any way, either in the instant motion or the plaintiffs’ proposed amended complaint.”

However, their frustration was soon eased by the co-operation provided by Caroline Ellison, former girlfriend of Sam BankmanFried and one of his inner circle, who has already turned witness against the former FTX founder as part of a plea bargain deal with US prosecutors.

The class action group appears to be hoping her

production of 7,000 pages featuring Telegram messages between executives at Deltec Bank & Trust, FTX and Alameda Research, the latter being Mr BankmanFried’s private trading arm and which played a significant role in the crypto exchange’s collapse, will provide the fresh evidence they need to reinvigorate their claim.

Meanwhile, the documents reviewed by this newspaper provide a trail showing how the dispute has reached this point. The FTX class action group, in legal filings on January 5, 2024, sought an order from the south Florida court that would both “compel” Deltec and Mr Chalopin to comply with previous rulings mandating their cooperation and to speed this up.

This came after the US attorneys representing the Bahamian bank and its chairman, on January 3, 2024, warned their clients would refuse to comply without an order from the Bahamian Supreme Court authorising them to hand over the evidence.

“Deltec Bank and Mr Chalopin object to the discovery requests on multiple grounds, including because Judge Moore’s order permitting jurisdictional discovery did not authorise depositions of either Deltec Bank or Mr Chalopin, and because the Bahamas Evidence (Proceedings in Other Jurisdictions) Act bars Deltec and Mr Chalopin from sitting for a deposition or producing any documents without first obtaining an order from the Supreme Court of The Bahamas that authorises the production of such evidence,” wrote Roshaan Wasim of the Davis, Polk & Wardwell law firm.

The FTX class action group fired back: “Defendants refuse, wholesale, to produce any discovery, and have manifested their intent to flout this court’s order by hiding behind a Bahamian

statute they claim ‘bars’ application of the Federal Rules and enforcement of the District Court’s order.

But the statute is neither mandatory nor applicable here, and in no way excuses defendants’ non-compliance with this court’s order.

“Defendants are parties to this litigation. They have appeared in this court, and they have availed themselves of the Federal Rules and this court’s authority in filing motions to dismiss.

They cannot now argue that the Federal Rules do not apply because it suits their position. Plaintiffs move this court to compel defendants’ production as ordered by the District Court.”

They argued that there was no provision in the Evidence (Proceedings in Other Jurisdictions) Act that “prohibits a Bahamian resident from disclosing documents and testimony in compliance with an order from this court.

“To the contrary, according to Bahamian practitioners, ‘[a] citizen residing in The Bahamas may volunteer to submit to the jurisdiction of a foreign court and give evidence in foreign proceedings’ under the Act,” the FTX class action group alleged.

Deltec and Mr Chalopin immediately pushed back against this in legal filings on January 12, 2024.

Describing the allegations against themselves as “paper thin”, they added that, “as Bahamian residents and citizens, they are bound by Bahamian law, which subjects Bahamian banking institutions and their directors to strict confidentiality requirements regarding the type of client information sought by the” lawsuit.

“Counsel further informed plaintiffs that they may obtain discovery by following the procedure set out in the Bahamas Evidence (Proceedings in Other Jurisdictions) Act,” Deltec and Mr Chalopin countered, asserting that

they faced exposure to a $25,000 fine and two-year prison sentence for the unauthorised disclosure of client information.

“Unless plaintiffs follow [the Act’s] procedure, which allows a Bahamian court to authorise the disclosure of documents and/ or testimony that is otherwise prohibited from disclosure under Bahamian law, Deltec and Mr Chalopin risk serious sanctions under Bahamian law if they produce information in response to the requests.

“Plaintiffs’ claim that Deltec and Mr Chalopin are seeking to ‘flout [Judge Moore’s] order by hiding behind a Bahamian statute’ is wrong. Deltec and Mr Chalopin cannot violate Bahamian law simply because plaintiffs would have them do so,” the Bahamian duo continued.

“Plaintiffs, having made the decision to sue foreign nationals in the US, cannot feign indignance at the fact that those foreign nationals are bound by the laws of their home jurisdiction.

Rather than ‘hiding behind a Bahamian statute’, Deltec and Mr Chalopin have shown plaintiffs an avenue through which they can obtain the requested discovery.....

“The Bahamas has a strong national interest in upholding its laws, and Deltec and Mr Chalopin should not be required to undercut that interest.”

As for the speed at which this evidence is to be produced, Deltec and Mr Chalopin added: “Plaintiffs’ request to expedite the discovery they are seeking is detached from the realities of discovery and the extraordinarily overreaching scope of the requests.

“Plaintiffs’ requests, which include 70 requests for production, including sub-parts, to Deltec; a deposition notice to Deltec that effectively seeks testimony on 77 topics; 19 requests for production to Mr Chalopin; and a deposition notice to

Mr Chalopin that is not limited to testimony regarding jurisdictional topics—are vastly overbroad, unduly burdensome and largely irrelevant to jurisdictional issues.

“It would be effectively impossible for any party to comply with such expansive discovery requests in approximately two weeks.

That difficulty is even more acute for Deltec, a small Bahamian bank that does not litigate in the US, has fewer than 150 full-time employees and had under $15m in net income in 2023 based on the bank’s unaudited financial statements for 2023.”

This, though, appears to have made little impression on Judge Sanchez, who largely granted what the FTX class action group was seeking.

Deltec and Mr Chalopin have already reaffirmed their stance that the latest allegations represent more “meritless claims” that will be “vigorously defended”, while suggesting that Ms Ellison and other former cronies of Mr Bankman-Fried are motivated by their desire to settle the same class action lawsuit’s claims against them.

“We are aware of the amended complaint filed by plaintiffs’ lawyers in the FTX matter. The new complaint does not cure the defects of the prior complaints and Deltec will continue to vigorously defend against these meritless claims, which do not belong in a US court,” they asserted in a written response to Tribune Business inquiries.

“The new allegations rely heavily on unsubstantiated statements by individuals who we understand are settling their lawsuits with plaintiffs in exchange for providing the information.

Like the rest of the world, Deltec Bank and Jean Chalopin had no knowledge of FTX’s misconduct until it was made public.”

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, February 20, 2024, PAGE 5

RECESSION HAS STRUCK SOME OF THE WORLD'S TOP ECONOMIES. THE US KEEPS DEFYING EXPECTATIONS SHOPPERS and sightseers walk on Fifth Avenue on Dec. 11, 2023, in New York. In the United States, the economy motored ahead in last year’s fourth quarter for a sixth straight quarter of growth since the pandemic’s early days.

Photo:Yuki Iwamura/AP

By STAN CHOE and CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP Business Writers AS some of the world's biggest economies stumble into recession, the United States keeps chugging along.

Both Japan and the United Kingdom said Thursday their economies likely weakened during the final three months of 2023. For each, it would be the second straight quarter that's happened, which fits one lay definition for a recession.

Yet in the United States, the economy motored ahead in last year's fourth quarter for a sixth straight quarter of growth. It's blown past many predictions coming into last year that a recession seemed inevitable because of high interest rates meant to slow the economy and inflation.

Give much of the credit to U.S. households, who have continued to spend at a solid rate despite many challenges. Their spending makes up the majority of the U.S. economy. Government stimulus helped households weather the initial stages of the pandemic and a jump in inflation, and now pay raises are helping them catch up to high prices for the goods and services they need.

On Thursday, a report showed that fewer U.S. workers filed for unemployment benefits last week. It's the latest signal of a remarkably solid job market, even though a litany of layoff announcements has grabbed attention recently.

Continued strength there should help prop up the economy.

Of course, risks still loom, and economists say a recession can't be ruled out. Inflation could reaccelerate. Worries about heavy borrowing by the U.S. government could upset financial markets, ultimately making loans to buy

cars and other things more expensive. Growing losses tied to commercial real estate could mean big pain for the financial system.

But, for now, the outlook continues to appear better for the United States than many other big economies.

The mood on Wall Street is so positive that the main measure of the U.S. stock market, the S&P 500 index, topped the 5,000 level last week for the first time.

"First and foremost, it's important to emphasize that the market's performance is more a reflection of a thriving economy rather than unwarranted 'animal spirits' from investors," according to Solita Marcelli, chief investment officer, Americas, at UBS Global Wealth Management.

When it upgraded its forecast for global growth in 2024 a couple weeks ago, the International Monetary Fund cited greater-thanexpected resilience in the U.S. economy as a major reason.

Several unique characteristics of the U.S. economy have sheltered it from recessionary storms, analysts say. The U.S. government provided about $5 trillion in pandemic aid in 2020-2021, far more than overseas counterparts, which left most households in much better financial shape and supported consumer spending well into 2023.

The Biden administration has also subsidized more construction of manufacturing plants and infrastructure through additional legislation passed in 2021 and 2022 that was still having an impact last year. About one quarter of the U.S. economy's solid 2.5% growth in 2023 was made up of government spending. Republican critics, however, charge that the extended spending contributed to higher inflation.

"We had some policies that I do think helped us a lot," said Diane Swonk, chief economist at KPMG. "But also the structure of our economy is so much different."

Americans have been better protected from rising rates than U.K. counterparts, for example, because most U.S. homeowners with mortgages have long, 30-year fixed rates. As a result, the Federal Reserve's rapid rate hikes of the past two years -- which have lifted mortgage rates from around 3% to about 6.7% -- have had little effect on many U.S. homeowners.

Yet their British counterparts carry mortgages that have to be renewed every two to five years. They've struggled with rapidly rising mortgage rates as the Bank of England has lifted borrowing costs to combat inflation.

JAPAN VOWS SUPPORT TO UKRAINE WHILE HOSTING CONFERENCE FOCUSED ON WARTORN COUNTRY’S RECONSTRUCTION

By MARI YAMAGUCHI Associated Press JAPANESE Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has pledged Monday his country's long-term commitment to Ukraine's reconstruction, calling it a future investment, while stressing support for the war-torn country about to mark the second anniversary of Russia's invasion.

In his keynote speech at The Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction, Kishida said Japanese public and private cooperation will be a long-term partnership based on inclusivity, humanitarianism as well as technology and knowledge.

Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, who led his country's delegation of more than 100 people, thanked Kishida and said that "today is the new start of cooperation between the two countries."

The conference was organized by the Japanese and Ukrainian governments as well as business organizations and Japan External Trade Organization. About 300 people and 130 companies from the two sides were in attendance, according to Japanese officials.

Kishida stressed the importance of investment across industries for the future of Ukraine's development in a way that caters to its needs. Japanese and Ukrainian government agencies and companies signed more than 50 deals, vowing cooperation.

Kishida also announced the opening of a new government trade office in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv.

Moreover, Japan pledged 15.8 billion yen ($105 million) in new aid for Ukraine

UKRAINE’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during the JapanUkraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction at Keidanren Kaikan building in Tokyo, Monday, Feb. 19, 2024.

Photo:Kazuhiro Nogi/AP to fund demining and other urgently needed reconstruction projects in the energy and transportation sectors, the Foreign Ministry said.

Support for Ukraine's reconstruction is about "investing in the future," Kishida said. "The war in Ukraine is still going on at this very moment and the situation is not easy. The promotion of economic reconstruction, however, is not only an investment for the future of Ukraine," but also an investment for Japan and the world, he said.

Japan hopes to build momentum for global support for Ukraine as the war drags on and attention has diverted to the war in Gaza. Japan's focus on reconstruction — in part due to its legal restraints on providing lethal weapons — contrasts with many Western countries, whose largely military support faces increasing scrutiny over costs. The U.S. has provided Ukraine with about $111 billion in weapons, equipment, as well as

humanitarian assistance, and a new aid package is stalled in Congress.

"By combining our powers ... we can change this challenge into an opportunity for future growth and prosperity," the Ukranian premier said.

"Japan's experiences in reconstruction (from World War II) and its economic miracle provide us with inspiration."

All eyes are on Ukraine, and "dictators and potential invaders" are also turning their eyes to see how Russia's violation of international law is seen and how the world will react to it, Shmyhal said.

Shmyhal said Ukraine's reconstruction goes far beyond the removal of landmines and debris. He emphasized his country's vast experience in the farming sector and how rich it is in natural resources. He also expressed Ukarinae's ambition of becoming a European digital hub with its information and cybersecurity expertise.

Catherine Mann, a member of the Bank of England's interest-rate setting committee, said Thursday that the U.K. economy's slowdown should be temporary. There are already signs in business surveys that the economy is picking back up, she added.

"The data we have today is rear-view mirror," she said on the sidelines of an economic conference in Washington. Forwardlooking reports "are all looking good." Like the Fed, the Bank of England is considering reducing its benchmark rate once it is confident inflation is under control.

Another benefit for the United States is that

it experienced a surge in immigration in recent years, which has made it easier for businesses to fill jobs, potentially expand their operations, and has led to more people earning wages -- and then spending those earnings.

Japan, by contrast, is rapidly aging and has seen its population shrink for years, as it is less open to foreign labor. A declining population can act as a powerful drag on economic growth.

In Europe, consumer sentiment is weak among consumers who are still feeling the effects of higher energy prices caused by the war in Ukraine.

Even China, whose economy is growing faster than

the United States', is under heavy pressure. Its stock markets have been among the world's worst recently due to worries about a sluggish economic recovery and troubles in the property sector.

The U.S. economy faces its own challenges. Its growth is forecast to cool this year as big hikes to interest rates by the Federal Reserve make their way fully through the system.

A report on Thursday may have given a nod to that. Sales at U.S. retailers slumped by more in January from December than economists expected.

Some pillars of support for consumer spending may be weakening. Student loan repayments have resumed, consumers have largely spent their pandemic stimulus money and credit-card balances are high.

PAGE 6, Tuesday, February 20, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

STOCK MARKET TODAY

World shares are mixed as Chinese markets reopen after the Lunar New Year

By ELAINE KURTENBACH AP Business Writer EUROPEAN shares were lower after a mixed session in Asia as Chinese markets reopened Monday from a long Lunar New Year holiday.

U.S. futures rose slightly while oil prices declined.

Markets will be closed Monday in the United States for President's Day. Germany's DAX shed 0.4% to 17,056.23 and the CAC 40 in Paris lost 0.5% to 7,729.47. In London, the FTSE 100 edged 0.1% lower, to 7,705.28.

In Asian trading, Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 1.1% to 16,155.61 on heavy selling of technology and property shares despite a flurry of announcements

by Chinese state banks of plans for billions of dollars' worth of loans for property projects.

Major developer Country Garden dropped 4.2% and Sino-Ocean Group Holding plunged 3.9%. China Vanke lost 3.8%.

RETIRED Army Col. Farrell Patrick, 91, wears a Mynd Immersive virtual reality headset at John Knox Village, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Pompano Beach, Fla. John Knox Village was one of 17 senior communities around the country that participated in a recently published Stanford University study that found that large majorities of 245 participants between 65- and 103-years-old enjoyed virtual reality, improving both their emotions and their interactions with staff.

Photo:Lynne Sladky/AP

The Shanghai Composite index gained 1.6% to 2,910.54.

"The reopening of China's markets after the Lunar New Year holiday typically garners attention, given China's significant influence on global trade and economic activity," Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management said in a report. "However, the market reaction has been muted, possibly influenced by the U.S. public holiday and the overall quiet week for US data."

Tokyo's Nikkei 225 fell less than 0.1% to 38,470.38.

Major video games maker Nintendo's shares sank 5.8% following unconfirmed reports that the successor to the Switch console would not be delivered within 2024.

Elsewhere in Asia, Australia's S&P/ASX 200 edged 0.1% higher to 7,665.10 and the Kospi in Seoul picked up 1.2%, to 2,680.26. Bangkok's SET added 0.1% and the Sensex in India was up 0.4%.

On Wall Street on Friday, the S&P 500 fell 0.5% from

A CURRENCY trader watches monitors at the foreign exchange dealing room of the KEB Hana Bank headquarters in Seoul, South Korea, Monday, Feb. 19, 2024.

Photo:Ahn Young-joon/AP

its all-time high set a day earlier and the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 0.4%. The Nasdaq composite sank 0.8%.

A report on inflation at the wholesale level gave the latest reminder that the battle against rising prices still isn't over. Prices rose more in January than economists expected, and the

numbers followed a similar report from earlier in the week that showed living costs for U.S. consumers climbed by more than forecast.

The data kept the door closed on hopes that the Federal Reserve could begin cutting interest rates in March, as traders had been hoping. It also

discouraged bets that a Fed move to relax conditions on the economy and financial markets could come even in May. Higher rates and yields make borrowing more expensive, slowing the economy and hurting prices for investments.

In the meantime, the hope is that the economy

will remain resilient despite the challenge of high interest rates. That would allow companies to deliver growth in profits that can help prop up stock prices.

A preliminary report on Thursday suggested that sentiment among U.S. consumers is improving, though not by quite as much as economists hoped.

That's key because consumer spending makes up the bulk of the economy.

In other trading Monday, U.S. benchmark crude oil gave up 82 cents to $77.64 per barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Brent crude, the international standard, shed 89 cents to $82.58 per barrel.

The U.S. dollar fell to 149.92 Japanese yen from 150.16 yen. The euro slipped to $1.0776 from $1.0778.

'SOARING' OVER HILLS OR 'PLAYING' WITH PUPPIES, STUDY FINDS SENIORS ENJOY VIRTUAL REALITY

By TERRY SPENCER Associated Press RETIRED Army Col. Farrell Patrick taught computer science at West Point during the 1970s and then at two private universities through the 1990s, so he isn't surprised by the progress technology has made over the decades.

But when the 91-year-old got his first virtual reality experience recently, he was stunned. Sitting in a conference room at John Knox Village, a suburban Fort Lauderdale, Florida, retirement community, Patrick sat up straight as his eyes and ears experienced what it would be like to be in a Navy fighter jet flying off the Florida coast.

"Oh my God, that's beautiful," he blurted before the VR program brought the jet in for a landing on an aircraft carrier.

John Knox Village was one of 17 senior communities around the country that participated in a recently published Stanford University study that found that large majorities of 245 participants between 65 and 103 years old enjoyed virtual reality, improving both their emotions and their interactions with staff.

The study is part of a larger effort to adapt VR so it can be beneficial to seniors' health and emotional well-being and help lessen the impact dementia has on some of them.

During the testing, seniors picked from sevenminute virtual experiences such as parachuting, riding in a tank, watching stage performances, playing with puppies and kittens or visiting places like Paris or Egypt. The participants wore headsets that gave them 360-degree views and sounds, making it seem like they had been all but dropped into the actual experience.

"It brought back memories of my travels and ... brought back memories of my experience growing up on a farm," said Terry Colli, a former public relations director at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C., of his 2022 experience. Colli, 76, liked swiveling in a chair to get a panoramic view. "That was kind of amazing."

Anne Selby, a 79-year-old retired counselor and artist, found VR "stimulated virtually every area of my brain, all of the senses."

"I particularly enjoyed the ones dealing with pets because I have a cat and

I've had pets most of my life," she said.

Stanford's peer-reviewed study, working with the company Mynd Immersive, found that almost 80% of seniors reported having a more positive attitude after their VR session and almost 60% said they felt less isolated socially. The enjoyment lessened somewhat for older respondents whose sight and hearing had deteriorated. Those who found VR less enjoyable were also more likely to dislike technology in general.

In addition, almost 75% of caregivers said residents' moods improved after using VR. More than 80% of residents and almost 95% caregivers said talking about their VR experience enhanced their relationships with each other.

"For the majority of our respondents, it was their first time using virtual reality. They enjoyed it. They were likely to recommend it to others, and they looked forward to doing it again," said Ryan Moore, a Stanford doctoral candidate who helped lead the research.

"We are proving VR to be a tool that really does help with the well-being of our elders," said Chris Brickler, Mynd's CEO and co-founder. The Texasbased company is one of a handful that specializes in virtual reality for seniors.

"It is far different than a two-dimensional television or an iPad." Separate from the study, John Knox Village uses virtual reality in its unit that houses seniors who have Alzheimer's disease and other dementia. It helps spur memories that lead to conversations with caregivers.

"It is like they come back to life when they tell their story." said Hana Salem, the facility's meaningful life coordinator. She said that with others who don't talk much perk up when given a VR experience putting them in nature.

"They'll start laughing and saying, 'Ooh, I'm going to catch the butterflies,' " Salem said. Catching butterflies is also part of a game Mynd developed that helps seniors enhance their mobility and flexibility as they stand and reach for objects.

"It's more fun for these seniors to come in and catch butterflies and work on shoulder rehab than it is to go pick up a weight," Brickler said.

PAGE 8, Tuesday, February 20, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

BODY AND MIND

“Over time, my kidney disease has gotten worse, causing my kidneys not to work well enough to keep me alive. This is what I am facing now, and my treatment options are limited to dialysis treatments or a kidney transplant,” she told Tribune Health.

Elizabeth had been undergoing regular dialysis treatments three times a week for some four hours at a time. And while this method has been keeping her kidney working, she dreams of having a new kidney that will offer her more freedoms and a better quality of life.

“A transplant would offer more freedom and the ability to live a longer, healthier, more normal life,” she said.

“It would also give me more time to do the fun things I enjoy most, like spending time with my family and friends.”

Finding a donor, however, is mammoth task, especially with her blood type O. “Just ask the 100,000 plus people on the waiting list for a deceased donor kidney like me,” she said.

“Time is not on my side. Some wait for years; many die while waiting. The average wait time is five years or more for a kidney from a deceased donor. However, there is another option: receiving a kidney from a living donor.”

Elizabeth had turned to family and friends, but has not had any success so far.

Now Elizabeth is making an appeal to anyone willing to become a living donor.

“Asking family members and friends to consider donating a kidney to me has turned out to be unsuccessful and this is why I am reaching out with hopes to improve my chances of getting a transplant. A living kidney donation typically lasts longer and has better function,” she explained.

“You might not know a lot about living donation - I know I didn’t before kidney disease affected my life. Understandably,

some people are afraid about the surgery and what living with one kidney will mean for them.”

According to the US’ National Kidney Foundation, people with two healthy kidneys may be eligible to donate one of their kidneys to save the life of another person.

A living donation can come from someone who does not have an emotional or genetic connection to the recipient.

Medical improvements today mean the genetic link between a donor and recipient is no longer required to ensure a successful transplant.

There are also paired exchange programmes within transplant centres and national paired exchange programs that allow an incompatible pair to match up with another incompatible pair; allowing the two donors to switch recipients.

Most donor surgeries are done laparoscopically, meaning through tiny incisions.

The recuperation period is usually fairly quick, generally two weeks.

Last week, Health Minister Dr Michael Darville said people looking to participate in the government’s new National Organs Transplant Programme will undergo psychological evaluation and counselling.

The Davis administration allocated $1.2m for the programme in the 2023/24 budget.

Kidney transplants are expected to be the first performed under the programme.

Dr Darville said the draft legislation for the programme is complete and now out for consultation.

The initiative is expected to reduce the ministry’s cost for the current public haemodialysis programme, through which more than 600 patients receive treatment.

Anyone interested in become a living kidney donor for Elizabeth can contact 242-894-1827 or 242-565-1553.

about machine learning is it can use thousands of bits of information and pick up on things that we might not see or know to look at, but that are there. Or maybe it’s something that we can’t even see or hear because the frequency is so small, or the colour is someDR Tom thing that we don’t see with the Nguyen human eye, but AI can see that. with a That’s the power of it,” he said. patient Dr Nguyen said there is a famous study that took retina scans and asked ophthalmologists to determine if the scans belonged to a male or female patient. The ophthalmologists were right only 50 percent of the time. When machine learning was used, it was able to take the retina scans and categorise them as belonging to a male or female, repeating this process thousands of times. The machine learning AI was then able to pick up information that believes move was a powerful one, humans weren’t able to pick up because Mr Altman is someone previously, such as a certain retina who has created the technology, colour or vessel that the ophthalrecognises its potential, but also mologists were unable to see. its dangers, and is encouraging After they trained the machine to do this, they then presented government regulation.

“AI is here and it is inevitable, the machine with brand new but we need to be cautious about retina scans that had not yet been appropriately regulating it to trained and the machine was right make sure it doesn’t spiral out of 97 percent of the time in categocontrol. Broadly speaking, (AI) rising them as male or female.

“In another example, one of the is going to revolutionise healthcare and ultimately allow doctors tools physicians use to assess heart to be better doctors. It will allow function is through an ultrasound, echocardiogram (echo), us to more accurately take care the of patients and provide them which is cumbersome, expensive, the best diagnosis and treatment and sometimes not readily available even at the hospital setting. options available,” he said.

“At the Miami Cardio and Vas- Another tool doctors use in their cular Institute and Baptist Health offices to listen to a patient’s heart as a whole, we are very innovative is a stethoscope, but the human and receptive to this technol- ear can only hear certain things, ogy. We recognise its potential like swishing sounds, and there’s and want to lead the field in AI. likely a lot more complexities Through our partnership with in sound that we cannot detect.

FIU, we envision creating a To address this, Baptist Health Miami Center for AI, which is at a is working with Florida Internavery preliminary stage, but is part tional University (FIU) to listen of our vision and mission to lev- to patients’ hearts and train the erage this technology to improve machine on what a normal heart sounds like, versus the sounds patients’ lives,” said Dr Nguyen.

Tribune Health asked Dr emitted by a heart that has someNguyen to provide information thing wrong with it, like aortic on the specific applications of valve disease or mitral valve disAI in surgery, such as managing ease. Eventually, the machine will electronic medical records and learn what sounds like a normal predicting postoperative com- heart, versus a heart that has a plications. Breaking it down for condition,” said Dr Nguyen.

He said this is a complete parreaders, he said human beings adigm shift as it will now allow learn by pattern recognition.

“You know that if you touch physicians figure out a diagnoa hot object, don’t do it again; it sis without using an ultrasound. hurts. You know that red is blood, A patient will be able to, from and you make that association. the comfort of their home, have The problem is that we really a stethoscope placed on their know what we know because we chest, which can then inform only have so many encounters to the machine about the existlearn from. The beautiful thing ence of a previously undetected

regurgitation, for example, or that a previously mild aortic stenosis has now progressed into a severe case.

“That is one of many different exciting things that we’re working with in the field of diagnostics.

Electronic medical records is another area that shows a lot of potential. Physicians have to document a lot of information in the course of their engagement with patients, spending a lot of cumbersome time in front of the computer, typing. There’s now technology that transcribes an entire conversation between a doctor and a patient, so that when the doctor walks out of the room, everything discussed is transcribed and uploaded into the electronic medical record, and the appropriate orders are submitted without the doctor having to sit on the computer and manually upload this information. I call this keyboard liberation. This is important because it saves time and allows doctors to be doctors and really focus on interacting with patients,” said Dr Nguyen.

He said there is also potential for predicting postoperative complications with AI technology.

This is the case with wearable devices like the WHOOP, Fitbit, and Apple Watch, which measure the user’s heart rate and heart rate variability. For instance, it is possible that there are changes to one’s heart rate that precede the appearance of symptoms related to a complication.

“Before a patient develops a complication after surgery, there are likely alterations to their heart rate that they are not yet able to predict, but that can be detected before the patient becomes physically aware. Studies where patients wore a wearable device, such as a Fitbit, before, during, and after surgery, have shown that the device was able to detect these changes in heart rate variability three days before the patient developed initial symptoms, like fever or feeling unwell. This ability to achieve earlier diagnostics is important and exciting at the same time,” he said.

“Some wearable devices can even measure how much sleep a user has had, and indicate the ideal bedtime necessary for a good, restful sleep. They can also measure how many hours a user has spent with a high-stress heart rate and find time to calm down. This is where big data, data analytics and AI can be very impactful.”

Retired nurse pleads for a new kidney

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

AFTER giving over 40 years of service to the local healthcare system, a retired Bahamian nurse is now facing her own major medical battle and hopes a kidney donor will come forward to

provide her with the miracle she so desperately needs.

Elizabeth K (who did not want her full name to be used) has been living with chronic kidney disease.

It’s a condition in which the kidneys experience gradual loss of their function.

Treatment options exist for chronic kidney disease; mainly dialysis, which artificially removes waste and extra product from the

blood and focuses on slowing the progression of kidney damage, usually by controlling the cause.

And dialysis is what Elizabeth had been undergoing to treat the condition, which is now between stages 4 and 5. However, she hopes having a kidney transplant will not only extend her life but also improve her general life quality.

How AI will revolutionise healthcare in the coming years

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net

RENOWNED expert in cardiothoracic surgery Dr Tom C Nguyen believes AI (artificial intelligence) will be even more transformative for society than electricity and the internet were before it.

“AI is at an explosive growth phase right now, with a lot of potential to positively impact patient care,” said Dr Nguyen, who is the Chief Medical Executive of Baptist Health Miami Cardiac and Vascular Institute, the Barry T Katzen Endowed Chair, and Director of Minimally Invasive Valve Surgery.

“One of the ways that it can help patient care is allowing physicians to more accurately make diagnoses.

Sometimes medicine can be very complex, and by using machine learning, deep learning and AI, we can go through big data and help figure out the correct diagnosis and the best treatment options for our patients.”

In an interview with Tribune Health, Dr Nguyen said another way AI will be most helpful is by making doctors’ interactions with patients a lot more efficient and meaningful. Right now, he said, a lot of physicians are “handcuffed to the keyboard”, having to spend a significant amount of time on the computer to document. AI will allow physicians to have a “keyboard liberation”, freeing up more time to spend with patients and have a more intimate encounter.

Moreover, he said, AI and the use of new technologies can help in predicting complications. Dr Nguyen said there are a lot of new technologies out there which allow patients to wear devices that measure their biometrics that can help predict potential complications after surgery.

“I will share another fascinating example of what AI has been able to do: in science and medicine, understanding protein structure is extremely important, especially when devising pharmaceutical drugs to help patients. PhD students spend two to three years of their career trying to figure out

the 3D structure of proteins,” he said.

“Using AI, DeepMind, a company bought by Google, has been able to find out 3D structures of proteins within two to three minutes. Now, they have actually even able to find out the 3D structure of all the proteins known in science, which has earned them the prestigious and highly coveted Albert Lasker Research Award, which is akin to winning the Nobel Prize in medicine. The beautiful thing about this is they have made this information publicly available so scientists can access it to find the 3D structure of any particular protein. This is just the tip of the iceberg of what we could do with AI.” When it comes to the pitfalls of AI in the medical field, Dr Nguyen explained that while Generative AI has the ability to take lots of data, thousands of pieces of information, and generate new content, the problem is that sometimes so-called “hallucinations” are created by the AI, or data that is actually not accurate.

“In this scenario, one could potentially use generative AI and create data that is inaccurate, or false, and this data is then used to create more data that is not accurate. This would potentially create a vicious cycle, and we might not know until it’s too late. That is one of the examples of where AI has a lot of potential, but we need to be careful and make sure it is appropriately regulated,” he said.

Dr Nguyen said one of the founders of ChatGPT, Sam Altman, testified in US Congress about the importance of government regulation of AI. He

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, February 20, 2024, PAGE 9

How’s your hearing?

Local audiologist warns of sudden hearing loss signs DR Treasurer McKinney ARE you suffering from consistent ringing in the ear, are your ears feeling clogged like they need to pop, or do you experience dizziness?

These symptoms, viewed by some as merely an annoyance, are associated with sudden hearing loss and it’s not uncommon for patients to delay seeking treatment, according to audiologist Dr Treasure McKinney.

“I’ve seen numerous patients affected by this. For many, a significant hearing loss, typically in one ear, is often discovered too late,” said the healthcare professional who diagnoses, manages and treats ear problems at Bahama Hearing Clinic in the Harbour Bay Medical Centre.

“Many times, the hearing loss is usually to a degree where they cannot depend on that ear for proper speech comprehension.

For instance, a patient might not understand telephone conversations using that ear.”

In 90 percent of cases, the cause of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSHL) is unknown.

“A sudden decline in hearing, usually within 72 hours, is more often than not a medical emergency. Many people believe that the issue may be blockage from earwax or perhaps sinus issues.

Even if it turns out to be something minor, it’s better to have this confirmed,” Dr McKinney advised.

That’s because the window for the best outcome in treating hearing loss is usually within a week of symptoms onset. Even then, recovery could be partial, full, or no recovery of hearing at all. In some cases, recovery may also occur spontaneously.

This month, the World Health Organisation reported over five percent of the world’s population, 430 million people, require rehabilitation to address their disabling hearing loss – hearing loss greater than 35 decibels (dB) in the better hearing ear.

In the case of SSHL, the typical course of treatment is

corticosteroids, which help to reduce inflammation and swelling.

If there is residual hearing loss, a hearing aid, cochlear implant, or CROS system (which routes sounds from the poor ear over to the better hearing ear) could be recommended, depending on the severity of the problem.

Other variables contributing to recovery include age, degree of hearing loss, presence of vertigo and how quickly treatment is administered.

“From an audiological perspective, having SSHL will cause issues with localising sounds, understanding speech in noise and may cause tinnitus (ringing in the ears). It is vital to address this issue promptly as it not only causes hearing difficulties but affects the patient’s emotional well-being and quality of life,” said Dr McKinney.

“If there is a drastic change to one’s hearing over a short period, it’s important to see an audiologist to assess the hearing and an ENT physician to treat the hearing loss medically, as soon as possible.”

Among those older than 60 years, over 25 percent are affected by disabling hearing loss.

Research shows age-related hearing loss, if left untreated, can take its toll on physical and mental health.

Dr McKinney’s goal is to build awareness of the importance of hearing care and to help reduce stigma and misconceptions associated with hearing loss and treatment.

“You want to take precautions to protect your hearing. Ideally, you want to get people to screen,” she said.

“Presently, in the Bahamas, when it comes to the adult population, we only focus on treatment, which in many cases are hearing aids when the damage has already been done. We tend to overlook prevention, protecting the hearing you already have, which makes a huge difference.”

DR Treasure McKinney examines a patient

Pretty in Pink Party raises $8,000 for Cancer Society of Bahamas A check for $8,000.00 was recently presented to the Cancer Society of the Bahamas by organisers of the Pretty In Pink Party.

Heather Lightbourn-Peterson of Coldwell Banker Bahamas and Destaney Cox of Blue Lagoon Island presented Susan Roberts, founder of the Cancer Society of the Bahamas, with the funds raised by popular event held in November 2023.

Sponsored by Coldwell Banker, John Bull and Blue Lagoon Island, the Pretty In Pink party took place at John Bull’s flagship store, Bay Street, and was attended by more than 160 guests.

“We sincerely thank the organisers and attendees of Pretty In Pink for this generous donation,” said Ms Roberts. “The funds will go towards the new caring centre extension where we hope to offer far more to Nassau-based cancer patients. The centre caters to Family Island patients, but we know there are a lot of Nassau based patients and we want to

(L-R) Heather Lightbourn Peterson, Coldwell Banker; Susan Roberts, Founder of the Cancer Society of The Bahamas; Destaney Cox, Blue Lagoon Island.

Her smartwatch alerted her to a heart issue the week of her 40th birthday

By DEBORAH LYNN BLUMBERG American Heart Association News Two days before her 40th birthday, JuNene K Harris was asleep at home in Lancaster, Texas, when she woke up to her smartwatch buzzing incessantly on her wrist.

JuNene – known professionally as JuNene K – had gone to bed exhausted. For the past year, she’d been the primary caretaker of her brother, GJ, who had brain damage after a heart attack and stroke. Now, jolted awake in the middle of the night, she felt her heart racing. Her breathing was erratic and she couldn’t speak.

Her watch showed that her heart was beating over 180 times per minute.

JuNene’s daughter, then-16year-old Jendayi, called her grandmother.

AUTHOR, life coach and social emotional specialist JuNene K Harris, 44 “Mom’s crying and her chest is hurting,” Jendayi said.

“Call an ambulance,” said Debra Ivy, JuNene’s mother.

Paramedics took JuNene’s blood pressure. It was high, too. Recognising the signs of a type of irregular heartbeat called supraventricular tachycardia, or SVT, they gave her medicine. JuNene’s blood pressure normalised.

Minutes later, she stopped breathing. Paramedics restored her heartbeat as the ambulance barrelled toward the hospital.

Doctors found a problem with the electrical system of her heart.

To correct it, they said she would soon need a procedure called an ablation. It essentially destroys the small area of heart tissue causing the irregular heartbeat.

The next day, JuNene went home to celebrate her 40th birthday. She left the hospital with medication to control her blood pressure and orders to rest,

returning a few weeks later for the ablation procedure.

She soon started having chest pain. She wore a heart monitor for a week. Doctors discovered she had a hiatal hernia. It’s when the upper part of the stomach pushes through the large muscle that divides the abdomen and chest. They gave her medicine.

In the meantime, with her brother’s health history – which included blood clots that had travelled to his lungs – JuNene wanted more testing.

Bloodwork uncovered a genetic mutation that makes her more likely to develop blood clots. She now makes sure to get up and move around after sitting for long stretches.

To lessen her stress, her family hired home health workers to help care for GJ. “I was dying to help him live,” JuNene said. “I had to be cognizant to pace myself, give more directives, let other people care for him with the same vigor that I did as a sister. I had to let go of the need to control. You can’t pour from an empty cup.”

help those people equally. We are ready to begin the extension under the supervision of Dr Williamson Chea.”

“The Bahamas has an unusually high rate of breast cancer particularly hereditary breast cancer,” said Mrs Lightbourn-Peterson.

“We are so thrilled to have raise $8,000 for the Cancer Society to support those fighting the disease.

We look forward to hosting Pretty In Pink again this October.”

Attendees enjoyed pampering, a raffle which included many luxurious prizes, champagne and hors d’oeuvres, free engraving on perfume bottles purchased, caricatures, a 360-photo booth, music, and desserts as they shopped all in aid of raising funds.

“The idea for this fundraiser was born from my sister’s journey through breast cancer,” added Kelly Meister. “We are grateful that Pretty In Pink continues to be embraced by attendees who genuinely wish to help make a difference in the lives of all fighting cancer. We sincerely thank Blue Lagoon Island, Coldwell Banker and John Bull for sponsoring this important event and to all who came out to support.”

To better fill her cup, she made time for meditation and nature walks, especially by the water.

Eight weeks after her ablation, JuNene climbed a 1,600-foot mountain in Georgia. Three months later, she scaled pyramids in Mexico. Last year, she went ziplining. This year, she jumped out of a plane.

“My heart disease doesn’t stop me from living. It keeps me alive,” she said.

GJ died in 2020. Since then, JuNene – now 44 – returned to school to get her PhD in natural medicine.

Recently, she felt a fluttering in her chest, a feeling she described as “almost like you’re going down a rollercoaster and you get butterflies, but in your heart.”

She regularly sees her cardiologist. The doctor said it may require another ablation.

When she feels a flutter, JuNene tries to remain calm. She focuses on her breath. She also keeps a small red bell on the dashboard of her car. When she feels nervous or anxious, she rings it. It’s an audible reminder to breathe and to centre herself.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, February 20, 2024, PAGE 11

The Fashion Report – Dune: Part Two Premiere

HIT

HIT

SPLIT

HIT

Zendaya

Florence Pugh

Karin says: “I love that she is cosplaying as C-3PO from Stars Wars...or I guess, an intergalactic warrior? Apparently, it’s the original fembot suit from the 1995 Mugler Fall collection. Either way, her famous stylist Law Roach has scored another hit with the ensemble. Zendaya had all her eyes on her, and rightly so. She looked amazing, and of course, totally on-theme.”

Karin says: “Miss Flo has had some real big misses on the red carpet in the past few years, but this time she got it right. It seems she was paying homage to her character in the movie, Princess Irulan, with this backless, hooded Valentino gown. The hood, or cowl, is actually what makes this so special; it’s gorgeous, as is the rich burgundy colour.”

Cara says: “I am usually not a fan of the foil paper metallic look, but I’ll give Zendaya a pass this one time. It’s actually pretty cool...especially for the occasion.

But honestly, all I can think about is how much going to the restroom has to be a real pain.”

Cara says: “Oh, OK, I like really this!

It’s retro glam and futuristic all at the same time - not a bad combo, and she looks really nice in it. It’s not trying too hard but still makes an edgy statement. The dark, dramatic colour and overall sequins are perfect!”

Rebecca Ferguson Karin says: “Normally, I wouldn’t dislike it as much as I do, but considering the competition on this red carpet...The asymmetrical Fendi knit and silk dress looks a bit off-centre. Even though it would’ve been just a relatively simple black dress without the silver sequins, I think it would’ve looked much better without them. Even the cape-style shoulder piece has the unnecessary sequins.”

Anya Taylor-Joy Karin says: “Is she trying to be an otherworldly nun or an alien bride? Either way, I like it. All the actresses really brought their A-game to this premiere. (I wonder if they discussed their choices beforehand).

This 1960s’ inspired bridal Dior dress makes her look ethereal. I absolutely love it.”

Cara says: “This is another hit for me.

The ladies definitely all understood the assignment and delivered. Again, the look is a tad subtle, but with just the right amount of sparkle to be a standout. I love that she is wearing the dress and not the other way around.”

Cara says: “This is one of those outfits that is totally appropriate for the event, but would be ridiculous to wear anywhere else. She brought the drama to the red carpet and that’s what we love to see. And with that backdrop? Sheer perfection.”

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-DAY FORECAST

ORLANDO

High: 71° F/22° C Low: 48° F/9° C

TAMPA

TODAY

TONIGHT

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

UV INDEX TODAY

Partly sunny and breezy

Mainly clear

Mostly sunny, breezy and pleasant

Sunny to partly cloudy and nice

Pleasant with clouds and sun

Breezy with a couple of showers

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

High: 76°

Low: 62°

High: 75° Low: 62°

High: 76° Low: 60°

High: 77° Low: 64°

High: 78° Low: 64°

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

77° F

59° F

75°-59° F

81°-59° F

80°-62° F

79°-58° F

High: 69° F/21° C Low: 48° F/9° C

E

W

ABACO

S

N

High: 72° F/22° C Low: 66° F/19° C

10-20 knots

S

WEST PALM BEACH High: 71° F/22° C Low: 51° F/11° C

10-20 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE

FREEPORT

High: 72° F/22° C Low: 53° F/12° C

E

W S

E

W

High: 73° F/23° C Low: 62° F/17° C

MIAMI

High: 71° F/22° C Low: 53° F/12° C

8-16 knots

Ht.(ft.)

4:57 a.m.

5:14 p.m.

2.6 1.9

11:30 a.m. 0.3 11:19 p.m. 0.0

ALMANAC

Wednesday 5:47 a.m.

6:03 p.m.

2.6 2.1

12:17 p.m. 0.2 ---------

Statistics are for Nassau through 1 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 75° F/24° C Low .................................................... 72° F/22° C Normal high ....................................... 77° F/25° C Normal low ........................................ 64° F/18° C Last year’s high .................................. 84° F/29° C Last year’s low ................................... 70° F/21° C Precipitation As of 1 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.36” Year to date .................................................. 2.58” Normal year to date ..................................... 2.41”

Thursday

6:30 a.m.

6:46 p.m.

2.7 2.2

12:07 a.m. 0.0 12:57 p.m. 0.1

Friday

7:09 a.m.

7:25 p.m.

2.7 2.3

12:50 a.m. 0.0 1:33 p.m. 0.0

Saturday

7:45 a.m.

8:02 p.m.

2.7 2.4

1:30 a.m. -0.1 2:06 p.m. 0.0

Sunday

8:19 a.m.

8:37 p.m.

2.7 2.5

2:09 a.m. -0.1 2:38 p.m. -0.1

Monday

8:52 a.m.

9:12 p.m.

2.6 2.5

2:46 a.m. 0.0 3:10 p.m. -0.1

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 76° F/24° C Low: 62° F/17° C

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2024

High: 74° F/23° C Low: 67° F/19° C

N

KEY WEST

High: 69° F/21° C Low: 60° F/16° C

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 66° F/19° C

N

S

E

W

8-16 knots

S

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

Today

Ht.(ft.)

SUN AND MOON Sunrise Sunset

6:41 a.m. Moonrise 6:07 p.m. Moonset

2:49 p.m.

4:17 a.m.

Full

Last

New

First

Feb. 24

Mar. 3

Mar. 10

Mar. 16

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 67° F/19° C

High: 76° F/24° C Low: 69° F/21° C

N

High: 76° F/24° C Low: 65° F/18° C

E

W S

LONG ISLAND

TRACKING MAP

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 69° F/21° C

L

Low

CAT ISLAND

E

W

TIDES FOR NASSAU High

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

N

N

(Photos by Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)

With Karin Herig and Cara Hunt

10-20 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 76° F/24° C Low: 68° F/20° C

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

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND High: 77° F/25° C Low: 70° F/21° C

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 70° F/21° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 78° F/26° C Low: 72° F/22° C

N

E

W

E

W

N

S

S

12-25 knots

8-16 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 NW at 10-20 Knots NNW at 12-25 Knots NW at 8-16 Knots N at 8-16 Knots NNW at 10-20 Knots NW at 12-25 Knots NW at 8-16 Knots NW at 10-20 Knots NNW at 10-20 Knots NNW at 10-20 Knots NNW at 8-16 Knots N at 10-20 Knots NW at 10-20 Knots NNW at 10-20 Knots NW at 8-16 Knots NW at 10-20 Knots NNW at 12-25 Knots NW at 12-25 Knots WNW at 8-16 Knots NW at 12-25 Knots NNW at 8-16 Knots NNW at 10-20 Knots NW at 12-25 Knots NNW at 12-25 Knots NW at 10-20 Knots NNW at 10-20 Knots

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

VISIBILITY 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 4 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 75° F 75° F 74° F 72° F 77° F 76° F 80° F 79° F 77° F 75° F 72° F 71° F 77° F 75° F 80° F 80° F 78° F 78° F 80° F 77° F 75° F 75° F 78° F 78° F 77° F 76° F

SECTION B

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2024

Modelling dreams can come true at the Bahamas Bridal Show Event organisers looking for participants of all ages and sizes

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

PREPARATIONS for the Bahamas Bridal Show are in full swing and organisers are looking for models to help put on the traditional “spectacular” fashion showcase.

Buttons Bridal & Formal Wear has issued a call for models interested in participating in the fashion show segment of the show’s 34th production under the theme “The One for Me”. It will be staged at Grand Hyatt Baha Mar on April 7 at 2pm.

Auditions are open to all ages and sizes. No prior modelling experience is required for this event.

Each year, the Bridal Show becomes an exciting platform for those wanting gain experience in show business.

“Aside from our production crew of 12, our modelling cast range from 25 to 40, depending on what we want to produce on the stage with our theatrical performances,” said Tommy Stubbs, the show’s producer.

“Most of the models get to meet each other for the first time at rehearsals and become life-long friends. Some never leave the show – perform other duties later on – when their modelling days are over. They love the show.”

Once the model selections have been made, the hard work begins during the rehearsals.

“Our rehearsals are serious business and models must be focused, so focused that they must have an idea how to play the role of any models who cannot make show date for whatever reason.

This has happened. We have had some models not show up or participate on show day for various reasons, including a car accident the night before showtime, oversleeping, a job commitment, emergency travel or they didn’t get back on the island,” said Mr Stubbs.

(Photos/Warren Grant Photography)

Author invites her mother to take in unique devotional project

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net

While some mother-daughter duos merely do lunch once a week together, Alexandria Johnson and her mom Olga Johnson decided to take part in unique project to serve as a bonding experience.

Alexandria and Olga both decided they wanted to contribute to a special devotional that was being compiled by leadership coach Chaundra Gore of the Lens of Faith project.

The book is called “Faith Moves 2024” and includes 366 author entries designed to strengthen and build the faith of readers.

“The book is the visionary project of Chaundra Gore. Her vision was to create an opportunity for 366 people around the world to share a message about faith.

Gore sought to ‘inspire, uplift and motivate people’. I align with her vision and did not hesitate to join the project,” Alexandria told Tribune Woman.

When asked about her mother’s involvement, she said she’s made it a habit that each time she’s personally exposed to an opportunity she will share that opportunity with others, including her mom.

“I asked my mom if she wanted to be a part of the project. She needed to think about it at first and then she said yes. My mother has been in ministry for over 27 years serving as an evangelist. I also knew that not only did

she have a powerful message on faith, but a desire to write. It was such an honour to have her join me writing on this project. Not only did we become co-authors together but we became best-selling co-authors together,” she said.

For the past 22 years, Alexandria has been involved and served in church ministry in various capacities. Her commitment is fuelled by her belief that having a strong spiritual life provides security, stability and a springboard for success. For the past 12 years, she’s been able to provide psychological support to those in need of it.

“As an author and speaker, I have had the amazing opportunity to share my message about the importance of psychological and spiritual wellness and to inspire hope. I have co-authored eight books including this book and have authored five books,” she said.

“Over the course of working on these many projects, I have been afforded the opportunity to be a six-time best-selling author.”

Alexandria’s confidence as an author has grown, but her understanding of true humility has also deepened, because for her it is only God who gives her the gifts that she can share with other.

Through her writing, the author said she is deepening her commitment to serving God and serving others.

With this new devotional, Alexandria said it is her hope to have readers understand that to live

by faith is not useless, and that living a faith-filled life yields great rewards. She also wants readers to know that to thrive is to live by faith.

“We seek to encourage readers to take a leap of faith and make a commitment to build their faith; it’s worth it. We want to encourage readers to embrace the opportunity to walk with God as they will not lose if they walk with God. We want to encourage people to partner with God, believe in Him, and stand on His promise and know that nothing will be impossible to them if they partner with God. We want people to know that their partnership with God and having faith in God is the big break that they are looking for,” she said.

Alexandria has also partnered with 19 authors from six countries around the world for the anthology project “Dare To Live Fearlessly: How We Took Back Our Power From Our Fear And How You Can Do It Too”. It is scheduled to be released sometime this month.

Another anthology, “The Me Project: A Woman’s Guide To Thriving In Singlehood”, with an all-star co-author team, will follow in March.

The “Faith Moves 2024” devotional is now available for purchase by contacting (242) 431-1187 or emailing winwithwinnersavenuebooks@gmail.com. It also available on Amazon.

In addition to the services on display by the numerous vendors at the show, the fashion showcase is always a major highlight for the event.

“Nothing will stop the fashion show; what most people come to see and enjoy. We cannot disappoint our audience,” said Mr Stubbs.

The dress rehearsal is the final stage of preparation and ensures all of the models are ready for action.

“We don’t go looking for professionals. Anyone can audition.

We usually look for bodies – size, height and complexion, hair texture - for certain scenes we’re putting together. Some models have never walked in high heels and never worn formal wear, particularly wedding gowns, which is a tough challenge,” said Mr Stubbs.

Buttons Bridal & Formal Wear, which no longer operates a storefront, has gone virtual, providing mobile conciergeservices.

“Times have changed.

Buttons has moved with the times as most clients want intimate, personalised services. We have been preparing for this day since 2018,” said Mr Stubbs.

The show’s poster couple for 2024 are Shantell Sweeting and Kyle Kerr.

They will join the cast on stage during the fashion show.