01122021 BUSINESS, WOMAN AND HEALTH

business@tribunemedia.net

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2021

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OBIE FERGUSON

Union chief: ‘Defer’ pay rises for completed industrial deals By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

A TOP union leader has suggested that organised labour defer salary and other benefit increases in exchange for employers concluding long-outstanding industrial agreements until the economy revives. Obie Ferguson, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) president, told Tribune Business that his “public plea” would show Bahamians that unions were not as greedy and demanding as employers and the government sometimes portrayed them to be. Renewing calls for a proper “partnership” between labour and capital, Mr Ferguson said unions and their members were keenly aware that COVID19 and Hurricane Dorian had brought the Bahamian economy to their knees, with many companies now struggling for survival. But, while not insensitive to the employer’s plight, he argued that “you cannot operate as though we do not exist” in reference to what multiple unions have branded as attempts to unilaterally alter or vary established working practices and industrial agreement terms without prior consultation with the unions. Atlantis has been accused of doing this three times by the hotel union with regard to Christmas bonuses,

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BPL given ‘free hand’ as Shell exclusivity ditched By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

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AHAMAS Power & Light (BPL) has ditched Shell North America’s exclusivity and has “a free hand” to negotiate the best electricity prices for New Providence with any supplier that can meet its terms. Desmond Bannister, deputy prime minister, yesterday confirmed to Tribune Business that BPL is free to negotiate with the generation provider of its choice even though it and the government still had “goodwill” towards Shell and want to “give it every opportunity to be the party that lands the agreement”. He declined, though, to state whether there was still a “preferred” bidder or give a timeline for when BPL’s efforts to outsource power generation will conclude. Mr Bannister, who has ministerial responsibility for BPL, would only say that negotiations will finish when the government and stateowned utility have the deal they want. “BPL is still negotiating with Shell, but they also have a free hand to speak to anyone else they wish to,” the deputy prime minister told this newspaper. “They’re still negotiating with Shell. We still have goodwill towards Shell, and would like to give Shell every opportunity to be the party that lands the agreement.” Mr Bannister’s comments back up Tribune Business’ November 20, 2020, revelation that Shell North America’s two-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BPL

• DPM affirms utility can speak to other providers • But still wants Shell to have ‘every chance at deal’ • Talks only finish if terms ‘where BPL wants them’

DESMOND BANNISTER had expired, thus ending the energy giant’s exclusivity on constructing and supplying fuel to New Providence’s proposed new power plant at Clifton Pier. This newspaper reported at the time that the MoU’s end would enable BPL to talk to rival electricity providers in a bid to obtain lower prices and better commercial terms than those offered by Shell North America - something that has now been confirmed by the deputy prime minister. Asked why Shell, BPL and the government had been unable to conclude an agreement, Mr Bannister replied: “I think you know how negotiations work. Parties bring forward their proposals, and you consider them. If those proposals are not where you’d like them to be, then you let them know and they have to determine whether to come back with something that’s better.” The Shell North America deal would have seen the energy giant acquire from BPL some 220 megawatts (MW) of generation assets

that have been built, or are due to shortly be constructed, at Clifton Pier. A liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification terminal was to be located nearby to provide fuel to the plant, which would have sold electricity to BPL via a 20-25-year power purchase agreement (PPA). Several sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, previously told Tribune Business that the government felt Shell was charging BPL too high a price for the energy provided by the new power plant and wanted the rates to be lower. It was also said to believe that the talks with the energy giant were dragging out too long and wanted to explore other options. “The negotiations are going to be complete whenever they are at the level that BPL wants them to be at, and the pricing is at the level BPL wants it to be at,” Mr Bannister replied, when asked about the timeline for completing talks and concerns over Shell’s pricing. “I don’t want to say there’s a

Foreign fisherman bar in legal battle By NEIL HARTNELL and YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporters TOP fisheries wholesalers have teamed with boat owners and foreign workers in a bid to overturn recent legal reforms passed by Parliament that ban the latter from working in the sector,. Paradise Fisheries and Percy Roberts, Geneva Brass Seafood’s principal, are among ten plaintiffs named in a January 8, 2021, summons that urges the Supreme Court to declare the ban contained in the Fisheries Act 2020 and Immigration Act changes as unconstitutional and discriminatory. The wholesalers, who are joined by various fishing boat-owning corporate entities, two Dominican fishermen working legally in this nation and their

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• Wholesalers, boat owners team to fight reforms • Fisheries Act ‘unconstitutional, discriminatory’ • Allege law’s supporters will soon ‘not gloat’ Bahamian wives, are ultimately seeking a “permanent injunction” from the court to prevent the government from implementing the provisions in the new Acts that they deem offensive. The summons, filed by Sears & Company, the law firm of ex-attorney general Alfred Sears, is focused on two parts of the Fisheries Act - sections 31 and 32 - that bar foreign fishermen - even those in The Bahamas legally with work and spousal permits, or permanent residency, from working on Bahamianowned fishing vessels. It argues that these create

“arbitrary and discriminatory treatment” for the two wives, Maria Jackson and Raquel Anthonya Major-Perez, as the reforms deprive them of support by their husbands in violation of numerous parts of the Bahamian constitution. The summons also alleges that the legislative changes have robbed their husbands of their “unrestricted right to work”. The summons, in particular, targets the constitution’s article 26, which prohibits discrimination on race or ethnic grounds. Other articles cited include those related to the individual’s freedom; protection from

inhumane treatment; and protection for the privacy of the home and other property. The legal papers argue that the Fisheries Act and Immigration Act also violate treaties that The Bahamas has signed on to, and result in “arbitrary and unlawful interference with family life” by introducing treatment “inconsistent with principles prevailing in democratic societies”. Other arguments allege that the bar will undermine the operations of the named wholesalers and fishing boat vessels, depriving

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preferred party. BPL has the opportunity to say what it wants, and what our country and people need as rates.” The end to its two-year exclusivity will represent a blow to Shell North America given the time and multimillion dollar investment it will have made to secure its status as preferred bidder, which was awarded in early 2018 when the former BPL Board chaired by Darnell Osborne was in office. The potential deal was muchtouted by the government at the time. Shell, though, has increasingly betrayed its eagerness to seal the deal with BPL in recent months by going public on several occasions. Gerard Van-Ginkel, the multinational energy giant’s project director, told Tribune Business in October 2020 that “a degree of urgency” was required to close the deal for New Providence’s new multi-fuel power plant. The failure to seal the Shell deal during the exclusivity period also further delays BPL’s goal of exiting the power generation business, thereby enabling it to focus solely on customer service and transmission and distribution, given that the new Clifton Pier plant represented the key element in this strategy. And as BPL’s negotiations drag out, it is Bahamian households, businesses and the wider economy that become caught in the

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$3.84 Harbour Island project confronts major opponents By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net A HARBOUR Island developer and its opponents confronted each other at a sometimes-tense planning meeting where it was revealed a project contractor was working 70 feet beyond the permitted area. David Hayes, 4M Harbour Island’s senior vice-president, admitted Bahamas Marine Construction had been working outside the area allowed under the approvals received to-date when questioned by rival Harbour Island hotelier, Ben Simmons. Mr Simmons, a member of Br-Island Responsible Development Association (BIRD), the group that has launched two Judicial Review challenges to the permits issued to 4M and its developer, Michael Wiener, had challenged whether the rock revetment being constructed to stabilise the shoreline was shown on environmental and planning documents. Mr Hayes, acknowledging that it was not shown, said: “The original permitted rock revetment area shown earlier on both the consultation and as being constructed was fully permitted. At this point in time we have not yet - and I use the word yet because we feel that it’s an improvement to the shoreline - sought permits to add the add the rock revetment area taking additional shoreline. “Now we all know the contractor working on-site exceeded the limits...” Mr Simmons, though, replied: “That’s news to me”, which brought an icy response from Mr Hayes, who accused him and BIRD of suggesting that Bahamas Marine Construction had mistakenly gone 200 feet - rather than 70 feet - beyond the permitted area.

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Online delivery firms: ‘We are here to stay’ By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net ONLINE delivery service providers say their business model will endure and is part of “the new norm” with strong consumer demand for continuing past Christmas. Kyle Albury, Kraven’s chief executive, told Tribune Business that the “Christmas season went well” and there was “nothing out of the ordinary” compared to previous operational months. “I think it’s becoming the norm now in the country,” he said of online delivery services. “People have some exposure to it. I guess they had no choice because of COVID-19, but it seems now and even post-COVID I think there’ll be a demand for it.” Granville Collie, MUTRU’s chief executive, said his business had experienced a “little increase” over the Christmas period season. He added that sales had been trending upwards slightly before the holiday season kicked-in during the last two weeks of December. “January has set in and it is very slow,” Mr Collie said. Despite this, he argued that The Bahamas “definitely needs” online delivery services through 2021 and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. “In order for us to have true e-commerce we need a

delivery network. It doesn’t make sense to order stuff if you can’t have it delivered. What’s the purpose of even ordering online if you still have to go to the store?” he added. Arguing that The Bahamas was ten years’ behind when it came to online delivery services, Mr Collie said the industry was sustainable not just in The Bahamas but worldwide. “I think a lot of people’s eyes are opening up now. A lot of people realise that it could actually happen here, and I think it only is going to go forward,” said Mr Collie. Jamial Rolle, chief executive of Runnah’s Bahamas, said: “Things were steady. People seem to love the option of having delivery as we have a lot of consistent users. “We are hoping people see the benefit of having both safety and convenience in one, and we are actually looking forward to things going back to normal in terms of the borders opening for more tourists. We think tourists would be more inclined to use these services as it’s more commonplace with them. “We also have officially launched in the Atlanta market, so we are looking forward to that, and have added a lot more security, driver and customer features all around.”

THE TRIBUNE

Vocational training neglect ‘disadvantages’ Bahamas A FORMER deputy prime minister says the decision to neglect vocational training has worked to The Bahamas’ “disadvantage” when it comes to developing a productive workforce to underpin its economy. K Peter Turnquest, speaking at the launch of Grand Bahama-based New Life Worship Centre’s apprenticeship initiative, said vocational skills had been a critical part of the education system up until the 1970s. He added, though, that at some point the decision was made to focus on academics. As a result, the former deputy prime minister argued that those skilled with their hands were often neglected or pushed aside as vocational training became de-emphasised. “That was to our disadvantage,” said Mr. Turnquest. “I believe we are where we are as a result of the abandonment of those programmes. So, for New Life to reintroduce those programmes back to the community means that they are moving in the right direction.” “I want to thank the instructors who have committed to this programme

MICHAEL PINTARD, minister of agriculture and marine resources, was the keynote speaker at the launch of an apprenticeship programme for students of grades seven to 12 at New Life Worship Centre on Saturday. Photo: Andrew Miller/BIS because it’s a major sacrifice. So I congratulate you for that.” Michael Pintard, minister of agriculture and marine resources, told the high school participants in the apprenticeship programme to “find their passion” and allow it to pay their bills, thereby positively changing their lives. Speaking at the same launch ceremony, Mr Pintard said vocational professions were rapidly becoming the primary revenue-generating jobs that replace traditional occupations. The apprenticeship programme was started by

Dominick Roach and the New Life Worship Centre. It is designed to teach students in grades seven to 12 about various vocations, including culinary arts, auto mechanics, plumbing, computer technology, electrical engineering and carpentry. Classes will begin in two weeks on Saturdays, with some 20 students taught by professionals in various fields who have volunteered their time to the programme. Mr Pintard told the the participants that the initiative was about selfempowerment, and that Bahamians must learn to own the rock on which they

Residential customers keep LPG firms afloat By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net RESIDENTIAL sales kept the liquefied propane gas (LPG) industry afloat during tourism’s COVID19 shut down even though some retailers suffered a 60-70 percent Christmas decline year-on-year. Premmie Thompson, Caribbean Gas general manager, told Tribune Business: “One of the things about it is because we are an essential business, the business never really stopped or slowed down [despite] the

restaurants and the hotels that were closed. We were still here to accommodate the residential.” She said residential demand kept her business going through the Christmas season. Many persons “panicked” about not having gas for the festive period as they were forced to stay home and had to cook for themselves. Ms Thompson, though, added: “We were probably down about 60 percent. We didn’t have any supply disruptions or anything. We had our ship come in and they gave us enough

stand. He pointed out that this can only be achieved if they possess the skill sets that make them employable or able to start their own business. The minister admitted that his generation, and the one before, did not seize the opportunity to develop critical skills needed for The Bahamas’ development. “My future, in large measure, depends on you young people and on the next generation. So, we are asking you who will be taking part in this programme to show up, listen and learn and stand firm,” Mr Pintard said. supplies to accommodate persons over the Christmas holidays. It really spiked up because everybody was cooking the turkeys and the hams.” Andy Thompson, E Charles Moss Gas Company’s general manager, said that while Christmas was “busy” it was slower than in years past. “I was down by 70 percent this year, but we had no supply disruptions,” he added. Lucille Brown, Country Gas Bahamas Company’s general manager, said Christmas LPG sales were down by about 30 percent. She added that this year’s business was impacted by the loss of hotel and restaurant custom due to COVID-19 related closures and restrictions.

Bay St revival to be ‘longer than thought’ By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Downtown Nassau Partnership’s (DNP) cochair has predicted Bay Street’s revival will take “longer than anticipated” given its near-total reliance on a cruise industry whose return is further delayed. Charles Klonaris, telling Tribune Business that the survival prospects for cruise-dependent merchants and other businesses were becoming “less and less” with every month that the industry’s comeback is postponed, said downtown Nassau was paying the price for “the risky business” of becoming reliant on just one sector. “It’s going to drag and will take longer than anticipated,” he added of the area’s COVID-19 recovery. “But it will come back. I don’t see it until at least 2022. Hopefully we will see some relief by the 2021 third quarter, or fourth quarter, but by winter season 2022 if all goes well with the vaccine and people become

comfortable to travel.... That’s the most optimistic view of the tourism industry. “I think the process will take longer than anticipated even though there are good signs like the cruise port, the US Embassy and The Pointe.” Mr Klonaris spoke out after Nassau Cruise Port slashed its 2021 arrival estimates by more than one million passengers, or 42.3 percent, due to Carnival and its affiliates delaying their return beyond end-March. Michael Maura, its chief executive, told Tribune Business that in a worstcase scenario cruise arrivals for this year could possibly fall by 1.5m compared to initial projections as the uncertainty created by COVID-19’s economic and health devastation continues to ravage the cruise industry. Acknowledging the shortterm blow from Carnival and its affiliates electing to delay their return beyond the 2021 first quarter, Mr Maura told this newspaper: “In answer to your question, had we anticipated revenue

streams at some point in the first quarter? Yes. “For us, back in the early second quarter of 2020, we had anticipated in 2021 that we would handle approximately 2.6m passengers. The protracted journey that the cruise industry has been on in terms of resuming cruise travel, principally from North America, has and will impact that forecast. “I would say that we would end up some place between 1m and 1.5m, on the low end at 1m, and more likely at 1.5m, but it really does depend on the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) requirements.” A decline to 1m would represent a 61.5 percent drop compared to initial projections, but a fall to 1.5m would be down just 42.3 percent. Some observers will likely consider these estimates still too optimistic given the pandemic’s devastating effects. The cruise lines are still grappling with the

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THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, January 12, 2021, PAGE 3

CENTRAL BANK INVESTING $24M IN ‘CASH CENTRE’ By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Central Bank is investing $24m in the construction of a new “cash and data centre” in southwest New Providence to complement its new headquarters building in downtown Nassau. A tender document, seeking a lead design consultant for the planned facility, is designed to separate its cash centre and oversight of Bahamian dollar notes in circulation from the proposed Royal Victoria Gardens head office that is presently under construction. The new site, located off Frank Watson Highway between the Albany and South Ocean properties, will also give the Central Bank extra security and a second data centre for business continuity planning (BCP) purposes should disasters such as a major hurricane strike.

CURRENT Central Bank building on Market Street. The facility, the Central Bank added, will be designed to cope with currency demand that it forecasts will reach between 50m and 73m banknotes in circulation by 2037. It is targeting some 61m notes by that year. “The construction budget for the project is $24m,” the Central Bank tender said. “The bank, in conjunction with the construction of the new Central Bank building at the Royal Victoria Gardens site, has determined

that the separation of its cash centre operations from that primary site would meet a major deliverable as part of its strategic plan. “Additionally, the building of proper security and logistical conveniences, and the co-locating the secondary data centre and business continuity planning (BCP) operations, would also aid in streamlining back-up operations.” “The selected site for the Cash and Data Centre...... permits an appropriate

Club Med ‘targets’ December return By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net CLUB Med has reiterated that the “target date” for re-opening its San Salvador resort remains December 2021 in the wake of its move to terminate between 180-190 workers. The resort chain, in a brief statement to this newspaper, said: “Club Med has operated in The Bahamas for more than 40 years and we remain committed to the health and safety of our staff, guests, partners and the local community. Barring any external factors that may impede travel or governmental restrictions, our target date to reopen Club Med Columbus remains December 2021.” Club Med’s statement contradicts John Pinder, the Government’s director of labour, who last week said the Columbus Isle property may not re-open before 2022. It may also provide some limited reassurance to former staff and the wider San Salvador community as at least they have a rough date for when the resort will be back in business. For Darrin Woods, the Bahamas Hotel, Catering and Allied Workers Union’s (BHCAWU) president, said the all-inclusive property had not indicated a re-opening date in the termination letters handed to employees last week. Workers, though, were largely paid the due severance and other benefits owed to them. Meanwhile San Salvador’s MP, Opposition

PHILIP “BRAVE” DAVIS Leader Philip Davis, said the termination of Club Med staff “came as no surprise” while blaming the government’s inaction for “weakening” the island’s economy. “The announcement of the furlough of scores of workers at the Club Mediterranean Resort at Columbus Isle, San Salvador, though very disappointing, came as no surprise,” Mr Davis said. “The government was duly notified of the hotel’s deferred opening until December 2021 and the connected reasons. Further, they could have anticipated this eventual furlough and moved proactively to prevent this devastating blow to the economy of San Salvador.” Mr Davis said he had appealed to the government months ago to “urgently address” these issues with Club Med, and added: “I again call on the government to urgently address and resolve the issues that are preventing the reopening of Club Med. “This is extraordinary negligence and incompetence on the part of the

prime minister, who claims to be leading the way in re-opening the country’s national economy. This inaction by the government has deepened the suffering of our people and further weakened the economy of San Salvador. This is totally unacceptable.” Mr Davis is likely suggesting that the government should have invested in upgrading San Salvador’s healthcare infrastructure to at least encourage Club Med to re-open earlier, as this was one of the reasons cited by the resort chain as being behind the prolonged closure. The resort chain, whose ultimate parent is Chinese conglomerate, Fosun International, said the property’s remoteness and lack of healthcare infrastructure could endanger guests and staff if an outbreak occurred. Mr Woods last week said: “The reason why they said they are not opening is because of limited airlift, limited hospital beds and an inability to get healthcare right away. “There’s only limited healthcare, a clinic, on the island. Their thing is if something were to happen, their ability to get employees and guests proper medical care would only go so far.” Club Med largely caters to a European client base, and guests would have a long way to travel with no frequently scheduled direct airlift if they were to contract COVID-19 and need urgent medical care.

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level of perimeter security to be designed into the site’s overall footprint,” the Central Bank added. “The area is a plot of undeveloped land located on Frank Watson Highway with proximity to the Lynden Pindling International Airport. The property is ideally located, providing easy accessibility from the airport and security due to the out of town location.” Together with construction of its new Royal Victoria Gardens head office, the Central Bank is investing a sum between $50m to $100m in new real estate and facilities for itself. The regulator’s officials have previously said

it, rather than Bahamian taxpayers, is funding the headquarters building and a similar arrangement will likely be in place for Frank Watson Highway. Outlining the new cash and data centre’s needs, the Central Bank said: “The market demand for cash is largely driven by the volume of currency in circulation, the country’s denomination structure, the type of substrate used (which drives circulation lifespan), and established rates of growth in currency demand against inflation. “By 2037, we forecast that the market will demand between 50m and 73m banknotes in circulation with a target of

approximately 61m. Taking into consideration production and delivery plans, including BCP and data centre needs, conversion of the maximum expected circulation demand into stock forecasts that a physical plant will require approximately 75,000 square feet on multiple levels with a footprint of approximately 45,000 square feet. “The primary functions of the building will include secure and general delivery for vehicles; general delivery and secure docks; general function space; cash operations including highly automated cash storage racking; administrative space; and staff parking.”

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THE TRIBUNE

Club Med ‘targets’ December return BAY ST REVIVAL TO BE ‘LONGER THAN THOUGHT’ FROM PAGE THREE Dionisio D’Aguilar, pictured, minister of tourism and aviation, last year admitted that the government had a “difficult mountain to climb” to persuade Club Med to re-open before December 2021 due to San Salvador’s limited airlift and healthcare capacity. “It’s devastating for the

economy of San Salvador for it to be that long,” Mr D’Aguilar said then. “December 2021 is, as you can imagine, an exceptionally long time. It’s 15 months, and Club Med is the single largest employer on that island, the only major employer. It’s naturally devastating for the residents of that island. “That’s a very special

TEMPLE CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL

ENTRANCE EXAMINATION 2021-2022 Temple Christian High School will hold its Entrance Examination on Saturday, January 16, 2021 at the school on Shirley Street from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon for students wishing to enter grades 7, 8, 9 and 10. Application forms are available at the High School Office. The application fee is twentyfive dollars ($25). Application forms should be completed and returned to the school by Friday, January 15, 2021. For further information, please call telephone number: 394-4481/394-4484.

situation given the fact the whole property’s focus is on the European market. It’s a bit different. Most of our Family Island properties are very American-centric, and it’s so much easier and closer to come up with a ‘Plan B’. “If you’re an American in the Out Islands it’s much easier to get home if you fall sick even though it has to be by private plane. Most people if they’re ill want to go back home, but if you’re coming from France and Italy, which is the greatest source of visitors to Club Med, it’s a long way away. You can’t put them on a commercial plane, and you can’t put them in our healthcare system as challenged as it is.” He confirmed that the main fears behind Club Med’s decision were the inability of San Salvador’s healthcare facilities to cope with a major COVID-19 outbreak, which was “compounded with the lack of international airlift” given that the resort operated just one flight per week in and out of the island from France. “That was not considered sufficient,” he added. “They’re working their way through all the resorts in terms of what are the safest locations to open, given that there are not sufficient healthcare facilities on the island, given that there was no robust trans-Atlantic or international airlift, it reached that point where it ranked low in all their resorts in terms of opening. “There wasn’t much the Government of The Bahamas could have done in terms of removing those significant obstacles. They [Club Med] would wish for a scenario where COVID19 is mitigated substantially, receded substantially or a vaccine is in place, would be my guess, before they go to a small remote location.”

POSITION VACANT Airport Authority Financial Accountant – Accounts Department KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: • Prepares monthly and annual financial and other statements by collecting data; analyzing and investigating variances; summarizing data, information and trends. • Manages and guides accounting staff by coordinating activities and responds to financial inquiries by gathering analyzing and summarizing and interpreting data. • Manages the accounts payable and accounts receivable function inclusive of overseeing collections of unpaid invoices and providing timely aging reports to Financial Controller. • Oversees the reconciliation of all bank accounts and provide cash management direction as needed. • Guides Accounting Internal Audit staff ensuring compliance to Accounting Policies and Procedures. • Provides financial advice by studying operational issues, applying financial principles and practices and developing recommendations. • Assists in external audit requests to ensure timely submissions to external auditors, and finally at Board and Cabinet level. • Maintains company chart of accounts, creating new accounts, as necessary. • Recommends financial actions by analyzing accounting options. • Maintains accounting controls by preparing and recommending policies and procedures of the related department divisions (i.e. Internal Audit, etc.). • Updates job knowledge by keeping current with financial regulations and accepted practices; participating in educational opportunities and reading professional publications. • Assists and acts as a Relief for the Financial Controller and other team members as required to ensure goals/objectives are met, optimizing a smooth-running department. • Assists in managing timely preparation of budgeting/forecasting information and ensures effectively communicated to managers and process owners for proper accountability. KEY SKILLS: • Budgeting/Forecasting expertise. • Customer-oriented and employee relations. • Leadership/communication skills. • Proficiencies in IT Applications (including Microsoft Applications – Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, etc.); as well as other Company Software Systems (i.e. SAGE, ISL Payroll, etc.) • Analytical ability to create unique solutions designed to yield revenue growth, cost reductions, profitability benefitting Company. • Close/timely monitoring & management of Cash Flow and Working Capital requirements. • Adherence to deadlines is a must. QUALIFICATIONS: • Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting • Must have a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation • Must have a minimum of five (5) years post qualification experience in various areas of Finance and Accounting. Experience at an audit firm is a plus. • Experienced in working with Accounting Software is essential. Interested persons can email their resume to humanresources@airportsbahamas.com by January 15th, 2021.

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COVID-19 prevention and mitigation protocols imposed upon them by the US health authority, although a designated CDC official is now working with each company to help them come into compliance. However, Carnival confirmed last week that it will not resume sailing from US ports by the end of March, while its affiliates, Princess

Cruises and Holland America, have postponed their returns through May 14 and April 30, respectively. This means one of the world’s two largest cruise lines, and its subsidiaries, will miss a first quarter that is traditionally the peak in the sector’s calendar. This also only adds to the misery facing Bay Street merchants and other downtown Nassau businesses that have traditionally relied on cruise ships for the bulk of their customers, including

restaurants, as well as the likes of tour operators, taxi drivers, straw vendors, hair braiders and others that all rely upon the sector their livelihoods. Private island employees will be similarly impacted, and the survival prospects for cruise industry-reliant businesses are becoming bleaker with every month it fails to return, given that it will have been away for a full year since last March’s shutdown

Foreign fisherman bar in legal battle FROM PAGE ONE them of the ability to hire expatriate labour that is present in The Bahamas legally while rival operators “have a pool of abundant and available professional commercial fishing divers in their islands”. Adding that the plaintiffs “had a reasonable expectation that they would have been consulted” before the legal reforms were made, the summons said the wholesalers and boat owners had agreed to work with the government to support the creation of a national dive programme at the National Training Agency and offer apprenticeship initiatives to help The Bahamas solve its labour shortages. Mr Sears yesterday said the summons “raises important constitutional questions” given the threat posed to the “livelihood” of his clients. They are also seeking an injunction, or stay, to prevent the reforms from being implemented before the main trial is heard. Michael Pintard, minister of agriculture and marine resources; Elsworth Johnson, minister with responsibility for Immigration, and Carl Bethel QC, the attorney general, are named as respondents. Errol Davis, a spokesperson for the Coalition For Responsible Fishing (CFRF), of which Paradise Fisheries and Geneva Brass Seafood, said: “Some of the local fishermen will not

gloat when they realise that there are other portions of the [Fisheries] Act that will adversely affect them. “The restrictions from fishing within a certain radius of other fishermen’s lobster condos and traps, essentially allowing a lease of portions of the sea bed with associated high financial penalties, along with the additional financial burden of installing monitoring equipment and hosting observers at their own cost.” However, the Fisheries Act’s supporters remained defiant. Keith Carroll, president of the National Fisheries Association, said: “I guess the government would be going to court to fight against the CFRF. They are taking the government to court, not us. This Act is a good thing. We have to reserve this for future generations.” Mr Carroll said he has seen the damage Dominican fishermen have done to the seabed, adding that “almost every Bahamian diver can tell you about how they operate”. Philip Neilly, owner of the fishing vessel Beyond Measure from the Current, Eleuthera, said: “These Dominicans come in here and destroy our waters like they did their waters. They cracked the conch on the bottom, just destroying the bottom itself.” He said by doing this they destroy the conch bed and the breeding ground for other marine life. Responding to the legal challenge that the CFRF is

mounting, Mr Neilly said: “It’s unconstitutional for them being here from the break. Go find another job. That’s how I feel about it. We have to reserve our fishing industry for generations to come.” Ralph Murray, owner of the fishing vessel, The Electa, said: “If we’re speaking solely upon the terms of Dominicans fishing in The Bahamas, I am 100 percent in support of the Fisheries Act. This should have been done 25 years ago and it might have resolved some of the current issues that we’re faced with now. “This is only a result of not dealing with the problem 25 years ago. That doesn’t change the fact that if it was right not to allow them fishing privileges then, then it’s right not to allow them fishing privileges now. To me it’s unbelievable that one of our few natural resources we’re allowing to be compromised. “What happens is the Dominicans that have legal status here, during the offseason they return to the Dominican Republic and fish on boats coming out of the Dominican Republic in our offseason. So they’re getting two bites at the apple one time.” Kevin Deveaux, owner of the fishing vessel, the Lu Lu, said of Dominicans married to Bahamian women: “We don’t want them. We don’t want them to be here to fish. If they want to be in this country they could find something else to do.”

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THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, January 12, 2021, PAGE 5

A year in the markets ACTIVTRADES WEEKLY By RICARDO EVANGELISTA www.activtrades.bs

T

he year 2020 is marked by the coronavirus pandemic and its sanitary and economic impact, forcing governments and financial authorities around the globe to intervene on an unprecedented scale. After the initial panic, which triggered a large sell-off in March, risk related assets, such as stocks, benefited

from the decisiveness demonstrated by governments that stepped in with farreaching social safety-nets designed to mitigate the impact of the economic contraction. Central banks also played a crucial role, deploying monetary policies that guaranteed liquidity and back stopped the risk for sovereign and corporate debt, sustaining the confidence of investors. Another vector supporting risk appetite arose from the very low interest rates and the shrinking returns

of investments traditionally seen as safe. Negative real yields pushed return-hungry investors into higher riskier assets, such as stocks and lower rating debt. The US Presidential election, which many saw as perilous due to the possibility of a result too close to call and the uncertainty such scenario could trigger, ended up paving the way for the scaling up of optimism. Despite President Trump’s insisting claims of wrongdoing, controversial lame duck presidential executive

POSITION VACANT Airport Authority Field Service Engineer – Electronic Maintenance Department The Airport Authority wishes to advise that a vacancy currently exists in the Electronic Maintenance Department for the position of Field Service Engineer. CANDIDATE EXPECTATIONS: • Associate Degree or Bachelor’s in Electronics required • Minimum of three years experiences in a multi-purpose maintenance, automation or technical environment • Experience with HMI/PLC programming preferred • Intermediate diagnostic, troubleshooting, testing and analytic capabilities for complex issues related to uninterruptible power systems • Ability to work productively with minimal supervision • Ability to work at heights above 30 feet • Excellent written and verbal communications skills • Ability to multi-task efficiently • Adaptability and willingness to meet evolving department demands and skillset requirements • Aptitude to learn about specialized equipment and software programs Interested persons can email their resume to humanresources@airportsbahamas.com by January 15th, 2021.

MARKET trading software. decisions, the markets’ remained calm, operating under the assumption that Joe Biden will, once swornin, support vast stimulus action and have a less belligerent stance towards America’s traditional allies. A sentiment amplified by the Democrat win of the two seats in the Georgia runoff Senate election. The promise of less protectionism in Washington, together with hopes generated by the COVID vaccine successes, which anticipate a massive economic rebound in 2021, kept investors spirits high as we reached the end of the year. Elsewhere, the European Union had what some called a “Hamiltonian” moment back in July,

when the 27 member states agreed on a massive new budget, which includes a recovery fund that will be jointly guaranteed by the 27 member states, which is the first step in mutualising debt for the block. The euro benefited greatly from the general increase in risk appetite and the perceived enhanced cohesion between core and periphery of the eurozone, and despite the biggest health and economic crisis in the continent since the end of world war II, the single currency gained almost 10% to the dollar during 2020. Another marking moment of 2020 arrived on Christmas eve, with the agreement between the EU and the UK for

a post Brexit trade deal. After four and half years of hard negotiating, both parts finally agreed on a basic deal that will neverthe-less fall short of what the pre-brexit relationship entailed for both sides. Still, the conclusion of the process brings with it an end to the political uncertainty, which would always support UK assets, at least in the short term. The pound saw modest gains in the aftermath of the announcement, which were capped by the limited scope of the arrangement. Finally, a word for Bitcoin: The cryptocurrency was one of the winners of 2020, staging an unexpected comeback and reaching a new all-time high, as large investors started hedging against the inflationary risks triggered by the prospect of a massive rebound in demand during 2021 against a backdrop of central banks’ accommodative stances.

PAGE 6, Tuesday, January 12, 2021

Union chief: ‘Defer’ pay rises for completed industrial deals FROM PAGE ONE

gratuity payments and recent furloughs, while similar charges have also been levelled at Restaurants (Bahamas) and the Water & Sewerage Corporation. All three employers have argued that the relevant trade unions were informed of their moves prior to implementing them, but Mr Ferguson also identified the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas (BCB), Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) and the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) as potential areas of industrial unrest. Acknowledging that he had previously warned Bahamian trade unions off industrial action, the TUC chief nevertheless said there may be “a different approach in 2021” to addressing industrial disputes unless companies and public corporations engage with organised labour and their staff. Still, striking a conciliatory tone, Mr Ferguson suggested that trade unions agree to “defer” any salary or benefit increases until such time as the Bahamian economy recovers from COVID-19’s devastation in return for employers agreeing to complete long outstanding industrial agreement negotiations.

THE TRIBUNE

“It doesn’t make sense,” he told Tribune Business. “You can’t take three years to negotiate an industrial agreement. How can you sit there and say you’re negotiating in good faith? I suggest to the public and private sector: Negotiate these agreements and agree to defer the economic terms until the economy shows signs of improvement. That seems logical.” While grievance procedures, training and other non-commercial terms could take effect straight away, Mr Ferguson explained: “I am suggesting they [employers] negotiate with the unions, negotiate all the terms and defer the economic ones until the economy turns around. “That would be my public plea, through which the public will understand that the unions are not as bad as they make them out to be. It’s just that we need a partnership arrangement.” Mr Ferguson, though, had earlier described industrial relations at many private and public sector employers as “very vexing”, even going so far as to suggest the government hire executives more used to dealing with trade unions at its corporations, as concerns mount about the unilateral changes to worker terms and conditions as companies fight for survival. “It’s at a stage where it’s very vexing to the trade unions because there seems to be an attitude adopted by the public corporations and, in some instances, the private sector, where there is no need to consult the unions on matters which have been agreed, on matters which have been

registered, on matters that have been included in industrial agreements,” the TUC chief blasted. “I’ve gone public, taken a public position, and said this is a crisis time. The economy is not in the best shape having regard for COVID19. We appreciate that. But you cannot operate as though we do not exist. We are prepared to work with the company. We have to. We’re in this together. “But when things are going well you do not recognise the union, and when things go bad you take the position you don’t need to consult the union,” Mr Ferguson said to employers. “Although I’ve asked the unions publicly to avoid taking strikes, that does not mean you can willy nilly change the terms of the agreement, change all the major things without consultation. “To me, it’s taking the union to a level where you may very well see a different approach in 2021. It will have to be. The unions will not have a choice. The unions are going to do what they tend to do when there’s no recourse, no collaboration, no respect and no consultation. “The unions will do what they traditionally do. That’s not an intentional act, that’s not a frightening act, but we cannot continue to operate in the manner in which we’re operating. We recognise the state of the economy. Ray Charles can see that. Let us work together with collective intent. Thus is a really vexing problem where if they continue to disrespect the trade union body you are creating some serious problems.”

Harbour Island project confronts major opponents FROM PAGE ONE “Be that as it may,” the 4M executive said in response to Mr Simmons, “the contractor exceeded what was permitted; certainly nothing had been authorised. It was purported by you to be 200 feet. That’s incorrect. It was by 70 feet. We do intend to seek environmental approval to continue the rock revetment along the original shoreline. We have not done that yet.” The meeting was held to discuss 4M’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the near-20 acre second phase expansion of its property, which includes mainly its real estate component. There was also an icy exchange between attorneys when Gail Lockhart-Charles, BIRD’s legal representative, and Ryan Pinder, the former Cabinet minister and Graham, Thompson & Company partner acting for 4M, addressed the developer’s bid to lease a further 4.85 acres of seabed to facilitate construction of a floating dock for 45-foot vessels. And Wanda Higgs, a Harbour Island councillor who

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that SARAH LOU MITCHELL MCQUEEN, of #4 Cadney Drive Freeport, Grand Bahama,, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 12th day of January 2021 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that GREGORY SPIRD GEORGE of #4 Woods Drive, Albany, Nassau, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 4th day of January 2021 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

MARKET REPORT www.bisxbahamas.com

FRIDAY, 08 JANUARY 2021

BISX ALL SHARE INDEX:

CLOSE

CHANGE

%CHANGE

YTD

YTD%

2092.22

-0.10

0.00

-0.24

-0.01

(242) 323-2330 (242) 323-2320

BISX LISTED & TRADED SECURITIES 52WK HI 4.15 33.05 2.00 1.84 2.39 6.00 6.75 4.10 7.15 4.50 6.16 12.77 3.64 6.85 10.88 8.44 15.08 4.25 9.26 15.21

52WK LOW 3.13 22.65 0.67 1.62 1.67 5.00 6.00 2.70 4.50 3.50 5.90 11.06 2.10 4.60 9.60 7.50 13.00 3.25 8.15 14.00

PREFERENCE SHARES 1.00

1.00

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00

1.00 10.00 1.00

1.00 10.00 0.90

SECURITY AML Foods Limited APD Limited Benchmark Bahamas First Holdings Limited Bank of Bahamas Bahamas Property Fund Bahamas Waste Cable Bahamas Commonwealth Brewery Commonwealth Bank Colina Holdings CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank Consolidated Water BDRs Doctor's Hospital Emera Incorporated Famguard Fidelity Bank Bahamas Limited Focol Finco J. S. Johnson

SYMBOL AML APD BBL BFH BOB BPF BWL CAB CBB CBL CHL CIB CWCB DHS EMAB FAM FBB FCL FIN JSJ

LAST CLOSE 4.15 32.12 1.62 1.84 1.67 6.00 6.61 2.99 4.75 3.59 5.90 11.26 2.61 6.75 10.00 8.40 13.75 3.94 8.50 15.20

CLOSE 4.15 32.12 1.62 1.84 1.67 6.00 6.61 2.99 4.74 3.59 5.90 11.26 2.60 6.75 10.05 8.40 13.75 3.94 8.50 15.20

1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 1.00

1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 1.00

SYMBOL FBB22 BFHB

LAST SALE 100.00 100.00

CLOSE 100.00 100.00

CHANGE 0.00 0.00

BAH29 BG0107 BG0207 BG0130 BG0230 BG0307 BG0330 BG0407 BSBGRS880378 BSBGRS920281 BSBGRS950304

107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.64

107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.64

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Bahamas First Holdings Preference Cable Bahamas Series 6 Cable Bahamas Series 8 Cable Bahamas Series 9 Cable Bahamas Series 10 Colina Holdings Class A Fidelity Bank Bahamas Class A Focol Class B

BFHP CAB6 CAB8 CAB9 CAB10 CHLA FBBA FCLB

CORPORATE DEBT - (percentage pricing) 52WK HI 100.00 100.00

52WK LOW 100.00 100.00

115.92 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 102.00 100.00 100.00 100.64

104.79 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.64

SECURITY Fidelity Bank (Note 22 Series B+) Bahamas First Holdings Limited

BAHAMAS GOVERNMENT STOCK - (percentage pricing) Bahamas Note 6.95 (2029) BGS: 2014-12-7Y BGS: 2015-1-7Y BGS: 2014-12-30Y BGS: 2015-1-30Y BGS: 2015-6-7Y BGS: 2015-6-30Y BGS: 2015-10-7Y BGRS FL BSBGRS880378 BGRS FL BSBGRS920281 BGRS FL BSBGRS950304

CHANGE 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 (0.01) 0.00 0.00 0.00 (0.01) 0.00 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

VOLUME

1,776 4,181

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

EPS$ 0.239 0.932 0.000 0.110 0.070 1.760 0.369 -0.438 0.140 0.184 0.449 0.722 0.102 0.467 0.646 0.728 0.816 0.203 0.939 0.631 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

VOLUME

DIV$ 0.170 1.260 0.020 0.030 0.000 0.000 0.260 0.000 0.000 0.120 0.220 0.720 0.434 0.060 0.328 0.240 0.540 0.120 0.200 0.610 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

P/E 17.4 34.5 N/M N/M N/M N/M 17.9 -6.8 33.9 19.5 13.1 15.6 25.5 14.5 15.6 11.5 16.9 19.4 9.1 24.1

YIELD 4.10% 3.92% 1.23% 1.63% 0.00% 0.00% 3.93% 0.00% 0.00% 3.34% 3.73% 6.39% 16.69% 0.89% 3.26% 2.86% 3.93% 3.05% 2.35% 4.01%

0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 6.25% 7.00% 6.50%

INTEREST Prime + 1.75% 6.25%

19-Oct-2022 30-Sep-2025

6.95% 4.50% 4.50% 6.25% 6.25% 4.50% 6.25% 4.25% 4.43% 4.34% 4.30%

20-Nov-2029 15-Dec-2021 30-Jul-2022 15-Dec-2044 30-Jul-2045 26-Jun-2022 26-Jun-2045 15-Oct-2022 26-Jul-2037 10-Nov-2028 25-Sep-2030

MATURITY

MUTUAL FUNDS 52WK HI 2.38 4.43 2.14 198.39 176.73 1.69 1.85 1.77 1.24 8.39 10.26 7.23 12.80 12.81 10.81 10.00 8.98 11.79

52WK LOW 2.11 3.30 1.68 164.74 116.70 1.65 1.79 1.75 1.05 6.41 7.62 5.66 8.65 10.54 9.57 9.88 8.45 11.20

FUND CFAL Bond Fund CFAL Balanced Fund CFAL Money Market Fund CFAL Global Bond Fund CFAL Global Equity Fund Leno Preferred Income Fund Leno Growth Fund Leno Diversified Fund Leno Global USD Bond Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Secured Balanced Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Targeted Equity Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Prime Income Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Equities Sub Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - High Yield Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Alternative Strategies Fund Colonial Bahamas Fund Class D Colonial Bahamas Fund Class E Colonial Bahamas Fund Class F

NAV 2.38 4.43 2.14 198.36 173.98 1.69 1.79 1.77 1.05 8.39 9.88 7.23 12.33 12.80 10.20 N/A 9.28 11.86

YTD% 12 MTH% 4.14% 4.49% 1.47% 2.97% 2.33% 2.57% 1.65% 2.39% 4.34% 9.82% 1.65% 1.95% -3.06% -2.22% 0.80% 1.17% -12.30% -11.81% 0.64% 0.98% 1.19% -3.63% 4.20% 5.04% 2.63% 7.68% 3.68% 3.93% -4.89% -4.62% N/A N/A -0.50% 3.70% -3.80% 4.10%

NAV Date

30-Nov-2020 30-Nov-2020 27-Nov-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 31-Oct-2020 31-Oct-2020 31-Oct-2020 31-Oct-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020

MARKET TERMS

BISX ALL SHARE INDEX - 19 Dec 02 = 1,000.00

YIELD - last 12 month dividends divided by closing price

52wk-Hi - Highest closing price in last 52 weeks

Bid $ - Buying price of Colina and Fidelity

52wk-Low - Lowest closing price in last 52 weeks

Ask $ - Selling price of Colina and fidelity

Previous Close - Previous day's weighted price for daily volume

Last Price - Last traded over-the-counter price

Today's Close - Current day's weighted price for daily volume

Weekly Vol. - Trading volume of the prior week

Change - Change in closing price from day to day

EPS $ - A company's reported earnings per share for the last 12 mths

Daily Vol. - Number of total shares traded today

NAV - Net Asset Value

DIV $ - Dividends per share paid in the last 12 months

N/M - Not Meaningful

P/E - Closing price divided by the last 12 month earnings

TO TRADE CALL: CFAL 242-502-7010 | ROYALFIDELITY 242-356-7764 | CAROLISLE 242-502-7525 | LENO 242-396-3225 | BENCHMARK 242-326-7333

insisted she was speaking as a resident and mother, blasted BIRD and Mr Simmons for their opposition to the 4M project whose principal is Michael Wiener. Arguing that it was hypocritical for Mr Simmons to raise concerns about 4M’s

beach use, when he and his resort “profit” from using if for weddings for their guests, she said: “Everybody needs to work. Why are we still dwelling on this?... You talk about the beach? You use the beach all the time for your profit....”

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL The Public is hereby advised that I, RESCHA AMBER MAJOR of Club Land’or, Paradise Island, of Nassau, Bahamas, P.O. Box CB-13228, intend to change my name to AMBER RICHEA MAJOR. If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Officer, P.O. Box N-742, Nassau, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that DEBORAH ANN GEORGE of #4 Woods Drive, Albany, Nassau, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 4th day of January 2021 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that DEANA YASMINE SOUFFRANT, of Amity Road, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 12th day of January, 2021 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that LOVELYNE LORMEUS, of Irish Spring Court off Plantol Street, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 5th day of January 2021 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that MARGO ALLIA SCARLETT of Johnson Park Road, Nassau, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twentyeight days from the 4th day of January 2021 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, January 12, 2021, PAGE 7

South Africa struggles with postholiday spike in COVID-19 JOHANNESBURG Associated Press SOUTH Africa is struggling to cope with a spike in COVID-19 cases that has already overwhelmed many hospitals, as people returning from widespread holiday travel have spread the country’s more infectious coronavirus variant. Of particular concern is Gauteng province, the country’s most populous, which includes the cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria. Authorities say it is already seeing a spike in new infections after people traveled to coastal areas, where the variant is dominant. “We expect that Gauteng is going to be hit very soon and very hard,” said Professor Willem Hanekom, director of the Africa Health Research Institute. “It is anticipated Gauteng will have a steep curve of increased cases and hospitalisations.” Already the Steve Biko Academic Hospital in the Pretoria area has reached capacity and has erected “fever tents” outside the main building to house people who are awaiting admission to the COVID-19 wards. “In almost all cases the patients have to be treated, whether they are struggling to breathe or other symptoms. That is why you see these oxygen tanks here at the fever tents,” Biko hospital CEO Dr Mathabo Mathebula said yesterday. Videos circulated on social media of many patients in the tents with oxygen masks, even as the parking lot pavement was covered with rainwater. “Over the last seven days the infections and admissions in hospitals in Gauteng have been doubling and the number of fatalities has increased quite exponentially,” Gauteng premier David Makhura said. Hospitalisations and deaths in the province are quickly surpassing the levels of the first peak experienced in July last year, he said. An additional 1,000 beds will be added to the Nasrec field hospital near Johannesburg’s Soweto township to cope with the rising number of patients, he said. South African health officials are bracing for more

A PATIENT wearing an oxygen mask is treated in a makeshift emergency unit at Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa yesterday which is battling an ever-increasing number of Covid-19 patients. Photo: Themba Hadebe/AP challenging numbers. “We are still three to four weeks away before we reach a peak but many facilities are already operating at 100% capacity,” said Professor Shabir Madhi, a specialist in vaccinology. “Many private sector hospitals are struggling to find beds and staff so it is not unique to our public sector.” He said South Africa’s rapid increase in hospitalization is a “sign of a virus variant that is much more transmissible. Much larger numbers of people are getting infected and more people are needing hospital treatment”. The wave of new cases is affecting all levels of society. The US ambassador to South Africa, Lana Marks, announced Monday that she had COVID-19 and spent 10 days in an intensive care unit and is now recuperating at her residence. Cabinet minister Jackson Mthembu has tested positive for COVID-19 and is showing symptoms, it was announced Monday. In response to the resurgence, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that 20 land borders to neighbouring Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Lesotho would be closed to many travelers until Feb 15. In a televised address to the nation last night, he maintained restrictions to curb the spread of the virus, including banning alcohol sales, closing bars, enforcing a nighttime curfew and limiting attendance at public gatherings including

church services and funerals. “Funerals have become a death trap for many of our people,” said Ramaphosa, explaining that when people gather for funerals they often become infected themselves. “These

gatherings to give a good send-off to our loved ones is deeply ingrained in our culture, yet they have become superspreader events. ... It is better to be safer and stay home.” Ramaphosa said the ban

NOTICE _________________________

on alcohol sales had already helped because emergency rooms at major hospitals are nearly empty as a result of a lack of alcohol-related trauma incidents, freeing up beds and staff for COVID19 patients. South Africa’s military is helping to enforce the curfew. South Africa, with a population of 60 million, has reported 1.2 million confirmed cases of COVID-19, representing more than 30% of all the cases in Africa, which this week exceeded three million. It has reported over 33,000 virusrelated deaths but experts say all numbers worldwide understate the true toll of the pandemic due to missed cases and limited testing. South Africa’s sevenday rolling average of daily new cases has risen from 19.87 new cases per 100,000 people on Dec. 27 to 31.52 new cases per 100,000 people on Jan 10, according to Johns Hopkins University.

The 7-day rolling average of daily deaths in South Africa has risen about 75% over the past two weeks, from 0.49 deaths per 100,000 people on Dec 27 to 0.86 deaths per 100,000 people on Jan 10. Neighboring Zimbabwe is also experiencing a resurgence of COVID19 infections, largely as a result of the high numbers of travelers between the two countries. Zimbabwean authorities have banned families from transporting dead relatives between cities, part of new measures to stop traditional funeral rites that are believed to be increasing the spread of the disease. The announcement stops families from taking the dead to their areas of birth for ceremonies and burial. Police have also banned public viewing of bodies and the tradition of having a corpse stay overnight in the family’s home before burial.

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE

VAN YU HOLDING INC. __________________________

SLOPEMOUNTAIN LTD.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that VAN YU HOLDING INC. has been restored to the Register of Companies pursuant to an Order of the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas dated the 21st day of December, A.D., 2020, granted in Supreme Court Action No. 00051 of 2020 in the Commercial Division of the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that in accordance with the relevant provisions of the International Business Companies Act, 2000, Slopemountain Ltd. has been dissolved and struck off the Register according to the Certificate of Dissolution issued by the Registrar General on the 21st day of December, A.D., 2020.

Dated the 5th day of January, A.D., 2021 Higgs & Johnson Ocean Centre Montagu Foreshore Nassau, Bahamas Attorneys for Van Yu Holding Inc.

Dated the 12th day of January, 2021 Beatus Limited Liquidator LEGAL NOTICE International Business Companies Act (No. 45 of 2000) AF Investments Ltd. (the “Company”)

Request For Bids Cemex Bahamas is requesting bids for trucking services for its two locations in New Providence. Interested parties are invited to send an email to (truckbids242@gmail.com). Bids will be received until February 9th, 2021

In Voluntary Liquidation Notice is hereby given that, in accordance with Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act, (No.45 of 2000), AF Investments Ltd. (the “Company”) is in Dissolution. The date of commencement of the Dissolution is 6th day of January, 2021. Luciane Ribeiro Moreno is the Liquidator and can be contacted at Rua Afonso Braz, 747, AP 41D, Vila Nova Conceição, CEP 04511-011, São Paulo – SP, Brazil. All persons having claims against the above-named Company are required to send their names, addresses and particulars of their debts or claims to the Liquidator before the 5th day of February, 2021.

Luciane Ribeiro Moreno Liquidator

PAGE 8, Tuesday, January 12, 2021

BPL given ‘free hand’ as Shell exclusivity ditched FROM PAGE ONE middle, with the objective of lower-cost, more reliable and cleaner energy

pushed further out at a time when all New Providence residents need all the savings they can get amid the devastation inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shell has steadfastly refused to comment on the end to its exclusivity, citing confidentiality provisions in the MoU. However, Mr Bannister said yesterday:

“BPL is interested in being able to ensure that they can come to the Bahamian people with an agreement that indicates that, once again, they’re going to have

THE TRIBUNE more reliable service and lower prices. “There are any number of companies operating on different islands in the country providing service, but when we are finished not one of them will come close to what BPL will offer in terms of pricing for power. It would be revolutionary. You have already seen how low the prices will come down, and they will come down even more.” Mr Bannister was referring to BPL’s recent fuel hedging strategy, which has stabilised the fuel component of consumer bills at 10.5 cents per kilowatt hour (KWh) until January 2022, as well as last year’s investment in 165 MW of new generation capacity. The latter’s installation has brought lower fuel costs and greater efficiency, and helped to avoid the previous summer’s load shedding nightmare. BPL, meanwhile, has rented 16 MW of generation capacity from Sun Oil/ FOCOL Holdings, whose major shareholders include Sir Franklyn Wilson and the Turnquest family, to help bridge the gap until a

further 90 MW of new permanent supply is installed at Clifton Pier. The BISX-listed company won the tendering process launched in May 2020, and Mr Bannister argued that the four units it is supplying will be more efficient and cheaper than the smaller 1 MW engines provided by Aggreko. The latter’s rental generation units typically use the more expensive automated diesel oil (ADO) fuel, while those provided by Sun Oil will run off much cheaper propane. “Aggreko has these little units. They’re not as reliable as we’d like them to be. They take up a lot of space. There are a lot of challenges with them,” Mr Bannister said. “We’ve bought these larger units from Sun Oil. “Appreciate that’s a Bahamian group we’re working with. We look forward to working with them until such time as we have the agreement we want to complete generation. There’s not going to be any more issues with BPL being unable to supply the level of power the country needs.”

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, January 12, 2021, PAGE 9

Business grows skittish about Trump and GOP after riots WASHINGTON Associated Press CORPORATE America is quickly distancing itself from President Donald Trump, pictured, and his Republican allies, with many of the biggest names in business — Goldman Sachs, Coca-Cola, Ford and Comcast — suspending political donations after a Trump-inspired mob ransacked the US Capitol in a deadly and violent spree last Wednesday. For now, the move is about affirming the rule of law and the clear results of an election that will elevate Democrat Joe Biden to the presidency. But it also signals that companies are growing skittish about lawmakers who backed Trump’s false claims of election fraud, possibly depriving Republicans of public backing from business groups who until recently were the heart of the GOP’s political brand. “This is spreading like wildfire,” said Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, a professor at Yale University’s management school who consults with CEOs. “The US business community has interests fully in alignment with the American public and not with Trump’s autocratic bigoted wing of the GOP.” Yet the pausing of donations announced by many companies — including Marriott, American Express, AT&T, JPMorgan Chase, Dow, American Airlines and others — was unlikely to deliver a serious blow to Republicans in Congress who voted to overturn Biden’s win. “These are symbolic pledges,” said Sheila Krumholz, executive director of the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan group that traces the role money plays in politics. “This is just one source of revenue and for some it’s vanishingly small, particularly in the Senate.” Corporate-sponsored political action committees are limited to donating $5,000 per candidate each year. In races that often cost incumbents millions of dollars, such contributions account for just a small fraction of the overall fundraising picture. Take Sen Josh Hawley. The Missouri Republican has drawn widespread scorn, including from longtime supporters and Senate Republican leadership, for becoming the first senator to announce he would oppose the certification of Biden’s victory. Since 2017, when he launched his Senate bid, only about $754,000 of the $11.8m he raised came from corporate PACs and trade groups. That accounts for about 15% of his total fundraising haul, according to an analysis of campaign finance disclosures. What’s more, Hawley wasn’t the biggest spender in his race. Outside

conservative groups, including those affiliated with Republican leadership, were the ones who dropped the lion’s share of money that helped him oust former Democratic Sen Claire McCaskill. Such groups are largely insulated from the corporate donation pause. Still, greeting card maker Hallmark went a step further than most companies. The Kansas City-based company has asked both Hawley and recently elected Kansas Sen Roger Marshall to return its contributions because of their votes opposing Biden’s win. “Hallmark believes the peaceful transition of power is part of the bedrock of our democratic system, and we abhor violence of any kind,” Hallmark spokeswoman JiaoJiao Shen said in a statement. A PAC for the company has donated $7,000 to Marshall, FEC records show. The company says it has also donated $5,000 to Hawley. In many cases, though, most companies are only suspending their giving for several months, leaving ample time to ramp up donations before the 2022 elections. “They are going into hiding until the news cycle moves on,” said Erik Gordon, a law and business professor at the University of Michigan. “They will be back with their checkbooks, and politicians who already are gearing up for the 2022 congressional contests are waiting at the back door.” Even if Trump sold himself to voters as a billionaire guru with a Midas-like grip on the economy, many business leaders had already quietly backed away from a president who had cracked down on trade, inflamed racism, curtailed immigration and failed to contain a deadly pandemic. But the rejection accelerated after he egged on a crowd at a Washington rally and urged them to march on the Capitol on Wednesday. Since then, technology companies have denied the use of services to Trump’s political operation. The payments firm Stripe has stopped processing donations for Trump campaign committees, according to a person familiar with the matter who requested anonymity because the decision hasn’t been made public. The move could cut off Trump’s fundraising arm from what has been a steady stream of small-dollar donations that are often solicited

through emails and text messages. Stripe’s decision was first reported by the Wall Street Journal. Shopify, an e-commerce platform for merchants to sell goods, shut down the Trump campaign’s merchandise website as well, as other tech companies including Twitter, Facebook and Amazon are putting new restrictions on Trump’s movement because of the violence. Leading business groups such as the National Association of Manufacturers, the Business Roundtable and the US Chamber of Commerce all condemned the insurrection. Yet these same groups also worked in support of Trump’s 2017 tax cuts and will face a Biden administration that wants to increase corporate taxes, a sign that they may not fully align with one political party. What surprised some ethics watchdogs was how quickly companies reacted by suspending their donations. “It looks like it is sincere for many of the corporations,” said Craig Holman, a campaign finance expert with Public Citizen, a liberal consumer advocacy organization. “There was no big public push or pressure to get Marriott and others to announce they would no longer make campaign contributions. They did it on their own — they shocked everyone in the campaign finance community.” The response has not been uniform by corporations. Dow, the chemical company, said it would suspend contributions for the next two years to any member of Congress who objected to the certification of the electoral college. Airbnb said it would also withhold support to those lawmakers. Some companies are trying to avoid politics

completely in the aftermath of last week’s riots. Citigroup confirmed on Sunday that it is pausing all federal political donations for the first three months of the year, including those to Democratic lawmakers. “We want you to be assured that we will not support candidates who do not respect the rule of law,” said

a memo from Candi Wolff, Citi’s head of global government affairs. She added that once the presidential transition is completed, the country can “hopefully” emerge “from these events stronger and more united”. The decision by Citigroup and others to pause all political contributions outraged some Democrats, who said

they were being punished for violence that originated with Republicans and left five people dead. “This is not a time to say both sides did it,” said New York’s Rep Sean Maloney on MSNBC. “What the hell did the Democrats do this week except stand up for the Constitution and the rule of law?”

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Monday, January 11, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, January 12, 2021, PAGE 11

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New advances in prostate treatments PAGE 12, Tuesday, January 12, 2021 PAGE 8, Tuesday, May 19, 2020

THE TRIBUNE THE TRIBUNE

BODY AND MIND

Tiana goes nuts for nuts and healthy living

Ultrasound imaging does not for the use of PARP inhibitors in may determine their lifetime risk THE good news: prostate generally show the location of treating prostate cancer. cancer, if detected early, can be of prostate cancer and be even The development of immuno- more diligent in early prostate prostate cancer lesions. The ultrasuccessfully treated, with a 98 sound guidance allows for the therapy and future vaccines for cancer diagnosis. Targeted more percent prostate cancer specific anatomical directed biopsy of the prostate cancer is currently being intense prostate cancer screening survival ten years after treatment. prostate. Ultrasound guided pros- investigated and has shown great for Bahamian men with BRCA Advances in prostate cancer tate biopsies can miss prostate potential. One type of prostate gene 1 or 2 mutations will help detection in the past 20-plus cancer altogether or biopsy low cancer treatment vaccine called prevent prostate cancer deaths years have led to the advent of grade prostate cancer and miss Sipuleucel-T (Provenge) has by enabling earlier detection in the prostate cancer management higher grade prostate cancer. It is FDA approval for the manage- this high-risk group for prostate option of active surveillance; estimated that 25% of ultrasound ment of advanced metastatic cancer. whereby clinically insignificant guided prostate biopsies under prostate cancer patients with few early and low-volume prostate Doctors Hospital has availstage or fail to detect prostate symptoms. Provenge helps the able to residents of the Bahamas cancer can be actively monitored cancer that is present. Urolo- immune system to target prostate the state-of-the-art 3T MRI maguntil the disease requires curagists can now use MRI prostate cancer cells. tive treatment. Many men with netic resonance imaging, that is An important development in an important advancement in the images in real time with ultrainsignificant prostate cancer have sound guidance and specifically prostate cancer on the horizon diagnosis, surveillance and manbeen able to delay prostate cancer Dr Greggory biopsy suspicious prostate lesions is a simple urine test introduced agement of prostate cancer locally. treatment for as long as eight, 10, even 12 years before curative Prostate cancer is a very treatPinto and thus provide highly accurate in 2019, that makes use of urine prostate cancer detection. MRI samples taken at home. The PUR able disease but yet hundreds of management. prostate imaging has led to a con- (Prostate Urine Risk) test has Bahamian men are diagnosed The unfortunate news: Bahasiderable reduction world-wide been pioneered to detect aggres- every year at an incurable stage mian men have a one in six in unnecessary prostate biopsies, sive prostate cancer and predict and far too many die unnecessarchance of developing prostate cancer in their lifetime. African multiple clinical trials has shown whereby biopsies are not per- which patients will require pros- ily from this disease. ancestry is a risk factor for a more that multiparametric MRI can be formed if the MRI has not shown tate cancer treatment within the From the age of 40 years old, aggressive form of prostate cancer an invaluable tool in the diagno- prostate cancer suspected lesions. next five years. The PUR test has have a PSA (prostate specific PARP (Poly ADP-Ribose Poly- the advantage of men being able antigen) blood test every year. that affects such men six to seven sis, staging and active surveillance years earlier on average than their of prostate cancer. Pre prostate merase) inhibitors for prostate to provide urine samples at home Early detection is the key to the other racial counterparts. BRCA biopsy use of MRI has been a cancer are an important advance- without the need for an uncom- cure of prostate cancer. gene 1 and 2 mutations have significant game changer in the ment in prostate cancer research fortable rectal exam. The PUR • Dr Greggory Pinto is a Bahaa relatively high occurrence in detection and stratifying of pros- and treatment in 2019. PARP is a test looks at gene expression in Bahamian men. The BRCA gene tate cancer. MRI prostate cancer substance that blocks an enzyme urine samples and provides criti- mian urologist who has trained in mutation increases the risk of imaging can with high sensitivity in cells. In prostate cancer treat- cal information as to whether South Africa, Germany, France prostate cancer four-fold and the and specificity determine which ment PARP may aid in keeping prostate cancer if detected, is low and India. He is a member of the afford a full-time healthofand lifeor an even aggressive form. The European repairing their risk Association UroloBRCA gene 2 mutation increases patients becoming more unhealthy,” capita, cells and from number six globally His plan suggests giving biopmem- cancer require prostate By risk JEFFARAH GIBSON he said. when it comes obesity.these The PUR bersand of the easy test research continues and gists. DNA, toleading the of prostate cancer eight- sies Dr Pinto be reached style coach or a can personal trainer.atI the public imaging of and the ready MRI damaged Tribune Features Writer “People needbeaccess the Urology country also hascells one to of the access to localcognitive health, wellness hopefully part ofto future cancer die, worst as a it will fold by the age of 70 years old. Care Bahamas at the prostate allows or real prostate believe that Bahamians genuinely jgibson@tribunemedia.net tools, professionals and education Surgical hypertension rates in the Ameriand image fitnessdirected resources through cancer diagnosis. of targeted prostate cancer prostate The use of multiparametric time Suite, Centreville By ALESHA CADET biopsies of part want to get healthier, theyMedijust can help them healthier cas. The Pan American professionals who will facilitate Genetic testing forlead BRCA gene cal PARP inhibitorHealth treat- that MRI magnetic resonance Centre, Collins Avenue and prostate lesions. Tra- treatment. Tribune Features Reporter imag- suspicious really could use support and guidlocal fitness and ditionally, and more fulfilling lives. If locally we do Sixth Terrace. Call 326 1929, Organisation the different areas cancer of wellness are available has an (PAHO) importantestimates role in mutations ing of the prostate for cancer prostate has ment acadet@tribunemedia.net ance because it’s not easy.” not that do something on a national that overgene 70 percent of allrelated deaths so programming. men, particularly with e-mail mutation diagnosis andwellness management coach has been welcome@urologycarediagnosed using biopsy nee- BRCA If the government wish proposal will history be even more bahamas.com, in the Bahamas as a result of alevel, promotion of prostate strongwefamily of proscancer. are Research conevolved considerably in the past dlesEducation, or does visitnotwww. directed into the prostate THERE ishopes no his doubt to implement his plan, Mr Quant for a national wellunhealthy, physically, mentally non-communicable diseases. health, as well as televised physitate cancer and breast cancer, tinues with great future promise 20 years. Long term data from urologycarebahamas.com. gland with ultrasound guidance. Bahamians have been ness programme cal activity programming and Mr Quant said the decline of and emotionally once things go said there are alternatives. becoming increasingly does not fall on deaf ears and is “The private sector would have health among Bahamians is why back to normal.” various wellness platforms that health-conscious in recent given the proper consideration Mr Quant, who himself once he believes a programme like the can educate people on food, its to step up. I mean, it is imporyears – exploring various now that the COVID-19 outbreak preparation, grocery shopping one he’s proposed should be given weighed over 300 pounds, knows tant that corporate Bahamas fitness options and adopting has eating highlighted the precarious and exercise are at the core of Mr consideration and put into effect. the struggle and effort it takes to steps up in any event. We know new habits, including state of Bahamians’ health. “We know the challenges that be healthy. This is why, he said, that around 90 percent of the Quant’s proposal. alternatives to unhealthy to the lower cracks appearpeople in the need access to readily While the establishment By DR SUSAN DONALD of a Bahamians face as can a result “I facilitated a pilotyour for knees the many snack foods. Bahamian work force is either back. last Yourof chiropractor walls at any level. And feet resources. national wellness programme has available our unhealthy lifestyles. When national wellness programme InYOUR the case ofa weightTiana can determine the cause of that aren’t properly aligned hip is been a long-cherished dream of year. Based on the data my team we look at the data, the vast “Wellness programming on a overweight or obese. We know Rolle, pictured, she all grew discomfort and ofreccan contribute to stress and level isn’t just something that this results in high healthbearing joint, and of cur- collected, we presentedyour Ethan Quant’s, he said the national majority our population are recomupyour in a family whose busiommend proper treatment. pressure at the hip joint. weight above the rent coronavirus pandemic has mendations to the Ministry of at risk of suffering severe effects that’s nice to have, it’s something care costs for companies as well ness it was has to sell If traumatic injury such COVID-19. Your feetThis also that helpwetoneed to have. I used to be as low productivity by employees. waistline to healthy beobvious sup- that Health. However, given the made it more than stats if contracting snacks to by the local popuas falling on the hip, a protect you against ported your hips. an over-arching, multi-tiered ini- about COVID-19 and the height- disease has put us face to face 306heelpounds; I lost 110 pounds, so Effective wellness programming lace. And now, Zumba carpeople accidentwith etc. our has been strike shock. time first-hand the challenges Whenever youthe stand, walk the ened risk factors for obese tiative is needed to address I know unhealthy lifestyle andEvery fitness instructor is now ruled and out, as anda result the pain heel oflockyour foot hits of my Bahamian broth- decreases healthcare costs and or run, obesity the weight–bearcountry’s problem and its and individuals with diabetes that many of thethe curfews, increases workplace productivity, following in her parents’ seems to lessen or go away the ground, a shock wave ing joints in your body consequences. hypertension, I decided to draft a down and working from home, ers and sisters are facing by being and improves the overall qualfootsteps, but putting her completely when people you’re are travels up through your and obese,” he said. are to external Mrsubjected Quant, CEO of Elite Well- revised paper for consideration overweight experiencing by many ity of life. But it does help to own spin things resting or offwhat your feet, you professionals body, all theare way to“Iyour forces likeon gravity andwith heel his the government based on ness Solutions, submitted know the struggle of wantindustry where aproposal new shock business venture may have a postural imbalhead. The healthier and strike and the strain after the government we are now,” he told Tribune call the ‘COVID 15’, because we ing to improve your health and have a multi-tiered approach that called Da Nut ance, a footsee problem and/ the more stable your failing, body isI know what that does to includes the government, corpoof repetitive motion, also, ideas Health. announced it Bar. was soliciting that across board people For years, her parents or a leg length inequality the more likely this shock mentally and emotion- rate Bahamas, the community, the weight of the body from the populace as to the way The Bahamas currently ranks are putting on more weight due someone operated awhen small on to yet that when could be of eating is either dissipated or have a“Being She told TribAdditionally, shecause offers withagain. gravity and heel everyone orders an entrepreneur stay encouraged by is supported on just one down everyforward it store comes the ally. from We lot of people who and each“Ihousehold, to the the constant and that inacnumber one instrike the world Prince Charles Drive called your hip pain. absorbed safely. But if your une Woman it made her seeds for added fibre; seed shock if it is good health Da Nut Bar,” she said. I have control my he seeing limb through tree-quarnot more everyone can of one,” it comes to diabetes cases per tivity, which means that we are want help, but nation’s health. said.the volume of repeat Da where determined The are seeds. the founare not find another flaxfeet and chia For feet with good to posture ensur- like Adding nutsintotheir your cordiet, time. I can wake up in the customers, the positive tersMarket of the Centre gait (walking) they offered nuts dried dationwith of your they rectly functioning ing a stable frame. But of income. Sheif those a bit body; of a sweet she said gives a position healthy morning to work out, make feedback from customers cycle. During thisand time, the source support she everything all times, more of this fruit alongin with you have slight her postural to start own tooth, sells above butter at source protein, healthy breakfast and start my day and by the love and supmuscles your an hiparray must decided them, nuts, including thecrunch hips. shock is allowed fats), to move ofcontract other products to their imbalancesselling and/orhealthy mis- toffee coconut fats (unsaturated die- without having to worry port from my family and to keep your torso business ensure tothat you I friends,” she said. Feet function body and customers. alignment, foods.those forces can and chocolate something covered through tary fibre,thepotassium and care abouttorushing a job. from falling to the opposite snack proper • “During Dr Susan this Donald can of like the basement of a weaken other joints includ- benefit When her parents’ store gradually cause a variety of almonds. “After receiving encourantioxidants. have setfrom delivery and hip, pick time side. knee and foot alignment. be reached at Life Chirohouse; if the basement ing the hips. wasBecause forced oftoits close in painful conditions which “Like all foods, you up times that work best social distancing we have Tiana said the goal is to structural aging words from my nothingdaily to lose Centre, Village doesn’t support the weight Thereconsume is no time the You 2016 due the to human road works, may affect only your “tempt in like moderawith have my current life- practic adapted by of9Bcourse folandnotresearching your taste buds” should design, body parents but that pain in your hip. Road. Call 393-2774. of the floors above it, stress present to start chiropractic she sought employment hips, but anything from lowing the COVID-19 canALESHA usually deal effectively products, packaging and while providing the cus- tion, but our products are style,” she said. By CADET elsewhere. During the pandemic, protocols and slowly marketing, Da Nut Bar was tomer with healthier snack healthier than picking up Tribune Features Writer Tiana, who holds an born,” she said. cashless…My options like homemade a bag of chips that contain Tiana had time to design becoming acadet@tribunemedia.net accounting degree, was saturated fats and a ton of her own website and find plans for 2021 are to conHer home-based com- granolas. ableIntotoday’s get a job with oneworld of with ways to make her products tinue to provide quality pany focuses on providing “Health and wellness is salt,” she said. fast-paced resorts on the island.‘one HowTiana enjoys not only more accessible for her cli- products and good service variety of raw, roasted, becoming more important its pre-packaged, size afits ever, the shutdown of most salted and unsalted nuts, to many Bahamians, there- providing Bahamians with ents. The power of social to all my customers. I also all’ solutions to life’s problems, ofthethe hospitality as well as dried fruit like fore I’m happy that I can healthier snack options, but media, she said, has helped plan on opening a store individual andindustry their personal due to are the often COVID-19 pan- mango slices, cranber- provide tasty and healthy also being an independent her to build her customer very soon in the Carmineeds overlooked. base. chael area.” demic changed Thompson-Ferguher path ries and diced papaya. snack products to each and woman. But Daniella son wants to change all of that, at least when it comes to the area of skin care. Although a quarantine may seem like a bad time to get a new business venture off the ground, the makeup artist and wellness Health coach Ethan OATMEAL, lavender and neem oil CARROT papaya vitamin C oil Health coach Ethan enthusiast said her new, all-natucleansing bar for sensitive skin Quant, of Elite Wellness ral Mindof Body Soul by Daniella turmeric soaps, charcoal soaps, Quant, Elite Wellness Solutions, has succeeded brand has actually really resoyoni soaps, face mask, body and Solutions, has loss succeeded nated Bahamians. lip scrub, whipped body butter, side effects. Botanicals are crein hiswith weight always loss been of the dark spot oil, acne oil, yoni ated for that purpose. Our goal in “I’ve his weight journey and now wants steams, eczema skin salves and is to be the future of clean, handresourceful type that looks for journey and now wants rose water. All of our herbs and made, luxurious beauty brands readily solutions to a DANIELLA Thompto shareavailable his methods toconcern. share And his methods growing in up an I was son-Ferguson oils are organic and the highest that do not just do things to get with the Bahamas quality available. Our fragrance accredited natural or organic, taughtthe natural remedies, using believes when it with Bahamas in an effort to foster foster acure culture oils are cruelty free, highly conplants and herbs toa the body comes to pampering effort to culture inside and out. So conquer when I was your skin, natural is centrated, enhanced formulas and but also offer guidance and highof wellness and ofsolely wellness andartist, conquer a makeup I always the way to go. ideal for crafting. We prefer to use performance, cleaner products. the obesity epidemic toldobesity my clientsepidemic. how to take care of vegan ingredients in each soap, Going forward we would also the their skin using natural products. body butter, oil, salve and scrub,” like to cater to the next generaIFwas you have been following ItFIRSTLY, only when thiswish pandemic said Daniella. I want to all of tion of conscious consumers,” said my column overtotally the past three came about and She hopes to educate her cli- Daniella. you a happy new year. obliterated May 2020 years you seen me talk about myyour business I ventured into ents on ways to make their own be best when year yet, and bring Mind Body Soul by Daniella “We have the solution for acne, skincare products and build their setting SMART products,” goals. This selling all-natural she soaps and scrubs to oils and you good health, happiness and products are available online for is the model that I have been creams, by hand, using vegan dark spots, eczema, discoloured told Tribune Health. confidence in natural beauty. prosperity. personally using for years and order via her Facebook page and and other sustainably sourced skin, sun burns, itchy skin, and HEALTH COACH “Chemical drugs are not the Daniella makes all of her skinI personally love the new year. one encourage my from clicare that products, which range ingredients. stretch marks. In our kits we have answer. For no drug is free from on www.tings4sale.com. There is a Icertain freshness and ents tothat use.isIfunmatched you are new or energy at any want atime reminder, an align with your own values and and training programme. other during SMART the year. isLitadditional boost is if you write it that if you are really serious you acronym “Specific, Measurbeliefs. Simply put, your goal erally youfor have the entire year wouldn’t Therefore, depending on your down. So many people don’t take wait until the new year able, Attainable, and should be relevant to you. ahead of you andRelevant, that means current situation, you may set the time to write their goals and to start working on a new you. Time-Bound”. Here possibilities is a further Time-Bound – Your goal should a target of one to two pounds a there are countless Now that we have our SMART action plan down, so I am going They say setting New Year’s breakdown: have aalso deadline. Giving your goal week. and opportunities. to help you out.on Take a sheetthe of working becoming failure and that you should give can stay track together. goals set.onThe next step is to write truly resolutions is a complete waste of Specific – Your should This is a great timegoal to set new a deadline will create a sense of upIfonyou set to lose one pound paper and a pen and write down setting goals and working out Weour will action cover: plan. This may best version of yourself. clearlycommit state what it ishabits that and you time. urgency for what you are working a week, goals, to new your It goal would be to sound goal of the followng This is in an each exciting time and I towards them. might just mean • Goal-setting and action plan one intimidating, but simply I wholeheartedly disagree with want to accomplish. Think who, toward. actively work on being better lose 12 pounds within three areas: am grateful that I get to share that you can try another way to development. ask yourself how are you going to both of these simply because you what, where, and last why.year, When I speak with clients months. That is a realistic, this year thanwhich, you were • Healthy behaviour – What is with you so that we all can be in get it done. • Progress tracking and achieve the goals you just set. What and you alone determine when Measurable – Your goal about their goals, one I often hear improving on all of the aspects non-aggressive goal that can be a healthy behaviour you want to better place at the end 2020. This being thesmall first month of the are the steps you will take and the astart ready make the change. should down into is “Iare want totolose weight”. This achieved that you be maybroken have fallen short in you with changes to monitoring. or an unhealthy oneofthat you you will dosupport every day that want Youtodeserve am going to be sharing in things • Building your system. this isstarting the time of year measurable elements, so that So is aifgood point, but that it is year, years past. your Ilifestyle. stop. to be happy and ultimately lead to suc- you get everything you with do youI begin?”, my top strategies These three topics areyour essential is goal. best for you can that track your ofprogress, not adecided SMART To you, makethen this depth I know this time year has you “Where you ask? will • deserve Diet andtonutrition – What is cess? Using the above example, want. So let’s get to it! to developing a system that will to creating the structure that will let’s get to it. or lack thereof. Ask yourself, also turned into a bit of a cliché. a SMART goal, we have to dig a First, you set a baseline measureone area you want to improve in my action could be to reduce keep youyourself, on tracksowith youplan to be successful. The this area? if you are anything like not how “New are you going to determine deeper. The Year, New You” has bitNow mentonly by weighing you enable eating fast foodthis to istwice a week •• You can contact Quant all year, butyou ensure that best part about that you can you set have set New Year’s whether or not havemany met meFirst, a specific amount of your gotten a bad rap you because knowgoals exactly where started. Physical activityEthan – What is a instead ofthese five times per week, to at using then take same principles. in thetopast your goal? weight you want lose,and but probmake you people (personal development resolutions Oncesmash that’sthem. done,I will yourbegeneral physicalethan@elite-wellnesssoluactivity goal you would toapply walking 20 to minutes day, tions.com or on Instagram at @ Attainable – Your goal should mytopersonal jour- start And them other aareas sticking them. For It’s examples sure failed the number is to realistic. and self-help gurus included) feel ably goal of “Ifor want lose weight” like to achieve this year? and check body weight weekly be realistic. In other instance, the average can that it’s all just “BS”.words, They you say OK, that doesn’t meanperson you are a ney, present, so that your lifemy to ensure that you are ethanquant. has past beenandtransformed into wea of This list will help you during the goal should be something well safely and healthily lose between SMART goal of “Over the next to see if I’m on track. year, so keep it close. That’s how simple this process within your ability to achieve. two to five pounds a week, and three months I want to lose 12 • You can contact Ethan Quant Relevant – Your goal should that’s with a structured nutrition pounds.” is. But what I find gives this an at ethan@elite-wellnesssolutions.

THE UROLOGY DOCTOR IS IN...

‘COVID-19 shows vital need for national wellness programme’

A

DEALING WITH HIP PAIN

One size fits all

NEW YEAR, GOAL-SETTING NEW YOU AND ACTION PLAN DEVELOPMENT ETHAN QUANT

THE ACTION PLAN

prostate

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, January 12, 2021, PAGE 13

Cryotherapy: A curative treatment option for prostate cancer CRYOTHERAPY is also referred to as cryoablation or cryosurgery. It uses freezing gas to destroy prostate cancer cells, while leaving the prostate gland intact. The term cryotherapy is misleading as it is not a form of surgery. Cryotherapy was US Food and Drug Administration approved for prostate cancer treatment in the year 2000. It has been used in the past 20 years as an effective, minimally invasive management option for prostate cancer. How does cryotherapy destroy prostate cancer? Living tissue and cells of the body and prostate cannot tolerate extremely cold temperatures. Nitrogen or argon gas infused into the prostate gland rapidly extracts heat from the prostate gland. Ice crystals are formed as the heat is drawn out of the prostate gland, which causes rupture of the prostate cancer cells and cell death. Following the death of the prostate cancer cells, white blood cells clean up the dead cells and the body’s immune system attacks and destroys

any remaining prostate cancer cells. There are two types of cryotherapy: Whole prostate cryotherapy which treats the whole prostate gland, this includes the prostate cancer cells and the healthy prostate tissue. Focal cryotherapy only treats the prostate tissue that involves the prostate cancer, thus less healthy prostate tissue is frozen when compared to whole prostate cryotherapy. Cryotherapy is an excellent treatment for men with localised prostate cancer, cases where the prostate cancer has only extended out of one side of the prostate gland or in the case of a prostate cancer recurrence after radiation therapy. Men with very large prostate glands are not very good candidates for cryotherapy, but these patients may have their prostate glands reduced in size by hormonal therapy and then receive cryotherapy. The occurrence of stress urinary incontinence with cryotherapy is generally much less than with other prostate cancer treatments

THE good news: prostate cancer, if detected early, can be successfully treated, with a 98 percent prostate cancer specific years aftererectile treatment. suchsurvival as radiationten therapy impaired function, or surgical removal of in the bladder and bowelcancer dysfuncAdvances prostate prostate. tion, blood in the urine and detection The cryotherapy in pros- the acutelypast painful 20-plus urination. tate cancer treatment is Focal cryotherapy generyears have led ally to has thelessadvent of minimally invasive and inciside effects sionthe free. prostate It is performed than whole prostate gland cancer management as an outpatient procedure cryotherapy. option involves of an active or sometimes The surveillance; key to prostate overnight hospital stay. cancer cure is always early whereby clinically insignificant A patient found to be a detection. Ensure early suitable candidate detection by getting a prosearly andfor crylow-volume prostate otherapy prostate cancer tate specific antigen (PSA) cancer can be monitored treatment will receive gen- actively blood test annually starting eral until or spinalthe anaesthesia. at the age of 40. disease requires curaThe urologist will use image Cryotherapy is one of tive totreatment. Manyprostate men cancer with guidance place six to many eight tiny needles through treatment options, includinsignificant prostate cancer cancerremoval have the skin in the perineum ing and been into the prostate gland. surgery, radiationcancer therapy, able to delay prostate Argon gas cools the nee- brachytherapy, high intenfor as eight, dles treatment within the prostate, sity long focusedasultrasound which freezes the prostate (HIFU), hormonal therapy 10, even 12 years before curative tissue and kills the prostate and active surveillance. management. cancer cells. One in six men will be Cryotherapy is less inva- diagnosed with prostate The unfortunate sive than even the da Vinci cancer news: in their Bahalifetime, robot assisted or lapawith men of African mian men have a one inancessix roscopic prostate cancer try often having a more chance developing removal surgery, of so there aggressive formprostate of prostate is acancer shorter hospital stay, cancer that occurs earlier in in their lifetime. African quicker recovery, it is less life than their other racial painful and thereisisa less ancestry riskcounterparts. factor for a more possible blood loss. Seek comprehensive, aggressive prostate Cryotherapy, likeform all of confidential and cancer compasprostate cancer managesionate care for prostate that affects such men six to seven ment options, can have cancer treatment and years earlier possible side effects suchon as average surveillance. than their other racial counterparts. BRCA gene 1 and 2 mutations have a relatively high occurrence in Bahamian men. The BRCA gene mutation increases the risk of prostate cancer four-fold and the BRCA gene 2 mutation increases the risk of prostate cancer eightfold by the age of 70 years old. The use of multiparametric MRI magnetic resonance imaging of the prostate for cancer diagnosis and management has evolved considerably in the past 20 years. Long term data from

THE UROLOGY DOCTOR IS IN...

Dr Greggory Pinto • Dr Greggory Pinto is a board certified Bahamian urologist and laparoscopic surgeon. He has trained in Germany, South Africa and France, and is a member of the European Association of Urology. He can be

contacted at OakTree Medical Center, #2 Fifth Terrace & Mount Royal Avenue. Telephone: (242) 322-1145 (6) (7); e-mail: welcome@ urologycarebahamas.com, or visit the website:www. urologycarebahamas.com.

multiple clinical trials has shown that multiparametric MRI can be an invaluable tool in the diagnosis, staging and active surveillance of prostate cancer. Pre prostate biopsy use of MRI has been a significant game changer in the detection and stratifying of prostate cancer. MRI prostate cancer imaging can with high sensitivity and specificity determine which patients require prostate biopsies and the imaging of the MRI prostate allows cognitive or real time image directed biopsies of suspicious prostate lesions. Traditionally, prostate cancer has been diagnosed using biopsy neehas many expladles directed into thepotential prostate nations. One explanation is gland with ultrasound guidance. that in positive states, your

u o r y C t r O a V m I s D t u o 1 9 o t fears w o H

m r o u o o d y i t n s o 2 o 0 b 21 d n a

By LAUREL MELLIN Associate professor emeritus of Family & Community Medicine and Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco

DEALING WITH HIP PAI

AFTER a year of toxic stress ignited by so much fear and uncertainty, now is a good time to reset, pay attention to your mental health and develop some healthy ways to manage the pressures going forward. Brain science has led to some drug-free techniques that you can put to use right now. I am health psychologist who developed a method that harnesses our riproaring emotions to rapidly switch off stress and activate positive emotions instead. This technique from emotional brain training is not perfect for everyone, but it can help many people break free of stress when they get stuck on negative thoughts. Why the stress response is so hard to turn off Three key things make it hard to turn off stress-activated negative emotions: First, our genes make us worrywarts. Our huntergatherer ancestors survived by assuming every rustle in the grasses was a lurking hungry lion, not harmless birds hunting for seeds. We’re essentially programmed to be hyperaware of threats, and our brains rapidly launch stress chemicals and negative emotions in response. Second, the chemical cascade of stress hormones in the brain associated with negative emotions impairs cognitive flexibility, goaldirected behavior and self-control. Third, our tendency to avoid dealing with negative emotions puts people in a perpetual cycle of ignoring unpleasant feelings, which amplifies stress and the risk of emotional health problems.

brain’s neural circuits that store memories from when you were in the same positive state in the past can be spontaneously activated. Another is that the switch from negative to positive emotions quiets your sympathetic nervous system – which triggers the fightor-flight response – and activates the parasympathetic system, which acts more like a brake on strong emotions. Here’s what the whole stress relief process might look like like for me right now: I feel angry that we’re all isolated and I can’t see my new grandson Henry. I hate it that everything is so messed up! I HATE THAT!!! I feel sad that I am alone right now. I feel afraid that this will never end. I feel guilty that I am complaining! I am lucky to be alive and have shelter and love in my life. Then the positive: I feel grateful that my daughter-in-law sends me photos of Henry. I feel happy that my husband and I laughed together this morning. I feel secure that this will eventually pass. I feel proud that I am doing the best I can to cope. After a daunting year, and with more challenges ahead in 2021, upgrading your approach to emotions can be a drug-free mood booster. Our COVID-19 fears need not consume us. We can outsmart the brain’s fear response and find moments that sparkle with promise.

By DR SUSAN DONALD

Traditional approaches for coping with stress were based on cognitive-behavioral therapy, which focuses on modifying patterns of thinking and behavior. It was developed before our modern understanding of stress overload. Researchers at New York University discovered a paradox: Although cognitive methods were effective in low-stress situations, they were less effective when dealing with the high stress of modern life. Emotional brain training works with these high-stress emotions in an effort to

YOUR hip is a weightbearing joint, and all of your weight above the waistline has to be supported by your hips. Whenever you stand, walk or run, the weight–bearing joints in your body are subjected to external forces like gravity and heel strike shock and the strain of repetitive motion, also, the weight of the body is supported on just one with gravity and heel strike limb through tree-quar- shock if it is good health ters of the gait (walking) with good posture ensurcycle. During this time, the ing a stable frame. But if muscles in your hip must you have slight postural contract to keep your torso imbalances and/or misalignment, those forces can from falling the opposite tame them, releasing nega-to health risks. negative feelings and tive emotions as the first Our technique is to release your stress: “I feel gradually cause a variety of side. of two steps in preventing switch off stress overload angry that …”; “I feel sad stress overload. by using a controlled burst that …”; conditions “I feel afraid that which painful Because of its structural of anger to help the brain …”; and “I feel guilty that may…” affect not only your design, the human Step 1: Release negative exert better body emotional conemotions troleffectively and allow emotions hips, to but anything from can usually deal The only negative emotion in the brain that supports taking action rather than avoidance and passivity is anger. Studies have shown that the suppression of anger is associated with depression and that suppressing anger doesn’t reduce the emotion. Healthy release of anger instead has been found to reduce other stress-related

flow rather than become chronic and toxic. After that first short burst, other feelings can flow, starting with sadness to grieve the loss of safety, then fear and regret, or what we would do differently next time. You can talk yourself through the stages. To experiment with the process, use these simple phrases to express the

Step 2. Express positive emotions After releasing negative emotions, positive emotions can naturally arise. Express these feelings using the same approach: “I feel grateful that …”; “I feel happy that …”; “I feel secure that …”; and “I feel proud that …” Your mindset can quickly change, a phenomenon that

NEW YEAR,

your kne back. Yo can deter your disc ommend If traum as falling car accide ruled ou seems to completel resting or may have ance, a fo or a leg that could your hip p The fe dation of support e them, inc Feet fun like the house; i doesn’t su of the floo

• This article is republished from The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com.

PAGE 14, Tuesday, January 12, 2021

THE TRIBUNE LINGERIE from the 1920s, far left, and 1940s.

Under wear through the decades: How styles ev olved FROM tag-free boxer briefs and seamless bikinis to weightless cotton fabrics and moisture-wicking technology, there’s a go-to type of underwear for everyone. Influenced by notable pop culture moments and the evolving fashion industry, underwear styles have taken huge leaps throughout the years. Fruit of the Loom, an underwear brand for over 160 years, offers the following look at the pivotal transformations of underwear, one of the most essential pieces of clothing, that also makes a great gift. 1920s: Creating flexible fits was vital for men’s and women’s undergarments. Inspired by the shorts worn by professional fighters, boxers, now one of the most common styles for men, were created to provide men and athletes with flexibility and freedom of movement. For women, an all-in-one revolutionary undergarment style, step-ins were introduced. Like the modern-day

romper, step-ins are a onepiece undergarment that combines a camisole and bloomers, high-waisted loose cotton underpants. 1930s to 1940s: Functionality was the dominant

factor for men when selecting underwear during this era, while women focused on style. For colder months, union suits, like the modern-day “onesie,” evolved from the ones that emerged

AI TECHNOLOGY UNCOVERS THE REAL WINNERS OF 2020 BEAUTY AWARDS THE People’s Beauty Taste Awards announced the winners for 20 categories, reflecting the biggest beauty trends in 2020 such as ‘mask-friendly,’ ‘social media’ and ‘natural self-care.’ The winners were selected by artificial intelligence throughout machine-learning crowd data from the reactions of beauty and cosmetic consumers around the internet using Glamai, an AI beauty search and recommendation service. Using this method, the top 10 ranking cosmetic and makeup products were determined to be: 1. Magic Cream Moisturizer by Charlotte Tilbury 2. Photo Finish Primerizer by smashbox 3. Photo Finish Primer Water by smashbox 4. Water Bank Moisturize Cream by Laneige 5. The Silk Cream by Tatcha 6. Zincscreen 100% Mineral Lotion SPF 40 by Supergoop! 7. Hello FAB Coconut Skin Smoothie Priming Moisturizer by First Aid Beauty 8. Hello FAB Coconut Water Cream by First Aid Beauty 9. UV Expert Aquagel Defense Primer and Moisturizer by Lancome 10. Original Skin Matte Moisturizer with Willowherb by Origins Other categories like ‘Socia Media Trends’ had winners like the ‘TikTok twotone eyebrow products’, which included palettes by Huda Beauty, Anastasia Beverly Hills and Marc Jacobs Beauty. In the ‘Inclusive Beauty’ category, the

winners of WOC-friendly products were shown to be Laura Mercier’s Translucent Loose Setting Powder, Becca Cosmetics’ Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Highlighter, and Anastasia Beverly Hills’ Sun Dipped Glow Kit. And in the ‘Mature Skin and Beauty’ category, for example, the AI method chose products to make your lips look young again. The winners were Stunna Lip Paint Longwear Fluid Lip Colour by Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty, Lip Cheat Lip Liner – Pillow Talk Collection by Charlotte Tilbury, and Vice Lipstick by Urban Decay. Glamai offers more than 6,100 beauty tastes in the form ‘AI KeyTalk’ a search unit created by learning industry trends and feedback from the public. AI KeyTalk serves to broaden and facilitate search experience for a myriad of tastes and trends circulated in the beauty industry. Glamai’s mission was made possible by utilising machine-learning on a great number of reviews on beauty products, make-up related articles, and cosmetic trends published on the internet and social media within the United States. It uses data to select winners for more than 70 awards out of 20 categories, with previously marginalised public reactions and detailed beauty tastes such as “the best eye products to look ‘awake’ for Zoom video conferences”, “Moisturisers to prevent ‘maskne’ for acne-prone skin”, and “Products approved by BOTH YouTubers and subscribers.”

in the 1800s to provide men and women an extra layer of warmth. Then, a new type of underwear inspired by an iconic postcard of a model donning a bikini-style bathing suit broke through for

men: the classic cotton briefs. These legless, cotton briefs, featured Y-fronts to allow better movement and all-day support. On the other hand, tight fitting corsets or girdles and decorative lingerie were popular among many women as they embraced shapewear, pulling inspiration from retro pin-up models. 1960s to 1970s: Women continued to celebrate their bodies and personal styles, hence the game-changing bikini and thong. Named after two-piece swimsuits, the bikini featured a moderate rise and coverage to offer comfort and purchasing a pair that matched the bra became the epitome of counterculture fashion. As pin-up models and calendar girls turned into runway models, thongs entered the scene eliminating panty lines while offering a higher cut to reveal more hip and thigh. 1990s: Comfort soon became a top priority as shoppers sought essential

underwear for softness and durability. Combining the length of boxers and the snug fit of briefs, boxer briefs were introduced and soon became the most popular selection for men. Providing men with ventilation and support, the first boxer briefs included elastic waistbands for comfort. Seeking comfortable yet flattering options, boy shorts became popular for women as an alternative to a traditional slip. 2000s to present day: With new technology continually evolving, underwear has changed and provided men and women with many options such as functionality, material, shape and design. Now more than ever, shoppers are seeking style, comfort and quality at great value. For example, Fruit of the Loom offers a wide selection of underwear styles, one of the most notable is its Breathable underwear for men and women.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, January 12, 2021, PAGE 15

TEACHER LETS BALLOON BUSINESS CARRY HER THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES from page 16

small business owners. “I have had many returning customers and this makes me very motivated as a small business owner. It gives me reassurance that I am satisfying my customers and it catalyses my urge to become better at what I do,” she said. “This year I decided to add to my line of products. The end of this month I will be launching a new product called ‘stuffaloons’.This is another creative way of presenting gifts to loved ones where the customer can place tangible items like chocolate strawberries, money, clothing, teddy bears and clothing inside a large balloon,” she said.

“I try to use the most unexpected and unconventional things to incorporate into the arrangements. I found myself using neckties, sequenced trimming, feathers, embellishments and flowers,” she said. Blaire admits that while some days she feels very motivated, on others it can be challenging to soldier on. However, she says the good has outweighed the bad during this unique time, and in spite of the challenges she has faced, she is staying positive and believes better days are ahead for her and her fellow

BLAIRE PERCENTIE

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

ORLANDO

High: 70° F/21° C Low: 50° F/10° C

TAMPA

TONIGHT

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Mostly cloudy with a thundershower

Partly cloudy

Times of clouds and sun

A couple of afternoon showers

A spotty shower and some sun

Clouds and a couple showers

High: 79°

Low: 69°

High: 79° Low: 67°

High: 78° Low: 66°

High: 77° Low: 67°

High: 77° Low: 61°

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

85° F

70° F

84°-68° F

82°-67° F

82°-67° F

77°-58° F

High: 66° F/19° C Low: 51° F/11° C

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

almanac

E

W

ABACO

S

N

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 69° F/21° C

3-6 knots

S

WEST PALM BEACH High: 78° F/26° C Low: 63° F/17° C

4-8 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE E

W

FREEPORT

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 64° F/18° C

N

S

E

W

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 66° F/19° C

MIAMI

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 65° F/18° C

4-8 knots

Statistics are for Nassau through 1 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 79° F/26° C Low .................................................... 61° F/16° C Normal high ....................................... 77° F/25° C Normal low ........................................ 65° F/18° C Last year’s high ................................. 82° F/28° C Last year’s low ................................... 72° F/22° C Precipitation As of 1 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ................................................. 0.03” Normal year to date ..................................... 0.49”

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 69° F/21° C

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2021

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 71° F/22° C

N

KEY WEST

High: 74° F/23° C Low: 67° F/19° C

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 72° F/22° C

N

S

E

W

6-12 knots

S

6-12 knots

ANDROS

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

tiDes For nassau High Today

Ht.(ft.)

Low

Ht.(ft.)

6:51 a.m. 7:10 p.m.

3.3 2.4

12:23 a.m. -0.8 1:22 p.m. -0.5

Wednesday 7:41 a.m. 8:01 p.m.

3.3 2.4

1:15 a.m. -0.8 2:12 p.m. -0.5

Thursday

8:29 a.m. 8:51 p.m.

3.2 2.4

2:06 a.m. -0.7 2:59 p.m. -0.5

Friday

9:16 a.m. 9:39 p.m.

3.1 2.4

2:55 a.m. -0.5 3:44 p.m. -0.4

Saturday

10:00 a.m. 10:27 p.m.

2.9 2.3

3:43 a.m. -0.3 4:28 p.m. -0.3

Sunday

10:44 a.m. 11:14 p.m.

2.7 2.3

4:31 a.m. -0.1 5:11 p.m. -0.1

Monday

11:28 a.m. -----

2.5 -----

5:20 a.m. 5:54 p.m.

0.1 0.0

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:57 a.m. 5:40 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

6:29 a.m. 5:15 p.m.

New

First

Full

Last

Jan. 12

Jan. 20

Jan. 28

Feb. 4

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 72° F/22° C

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 74° F/23° C

N

High: 78° F/26° C Low: 71° F/22° C

E

W S

LONG ISLAND

tracking map

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 73° F/23° C

4-8 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 82° F/28° C Low: 74° F/23° C

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

L

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

CAT ISLAND

E

W

uV inDex toDay

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND High: 81° F/27° C Low: 74° F/23° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 83° F/28° C Low: 74° F/23° C

N

N E

W

E

W

H

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 73° F/23° C

S

S

7-14 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 SW at 4-8 Knots NNE at 4-8 Knots NE at 6-12 Knots NE at 6-12 Knots E at 6-12 Knots ENE at 4-8 Knots E at 7-14 Knots E at 7-14 Knots ENE at 4-8 Knots NE at 4-8 Knots WSW at 4-8 Knots NNE at 4-8 Knots NE at 6-12 Knots NE at 6-12 Knots E at 8-16 Knots E at 7-14 Knots E at 6-12 Knots NE at 6-12 Knots E at 7-14 Knots ESE at 6-12 Knots NE at 4-8 Knots NE at 4-8 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots NE at 7-14 Knots NE at 4-8 Knots NE at 4-8 Knots

WAVES 2-4 Feet 3-5 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-2 Feet 3-5 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-5 Feet 3-6 Feet 3-5 Feet 3-5 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-2 Feet 3-5 Feet 3-6 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 4-8 Feet 4-8 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-2 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-3 Feet

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

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

SECTION D

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2021

PUTTING SELF-CARE INTO PRACTICE Bahamians strive for emotional well-being in 2021 By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net AFTER living through an unprecedented year full of turmoil and uncertainty, prioritising self-care should be at the top of everyone’s New Year’s resolutions list for 2021. Health professionals as well as laypersons have made great strides in recognising and understanding the importance of self-care in recent years. But never has the topic been more relevant than now - at a time when the whole world is still grappling with a pandemic that has killed millions and disrupted life as we know in every corner of the globe. Never has there been a higher demand for coping mechanisms and learning how to just unplug, pause and reflect. In order to keep themselves at optimal levels emotionally in 2021, Bahamians told Tribune Health they have already devised their self-care plans for this year, and they are not compromising on those plans. Teacher Sharon Bowe said she admits she had fallen into some very poor habits, including not

eating breakfast, which made her snack on junk food throughout the day, and staying up until the wee hours of the morning, logging in less than three

hours of sleep a night. But of that will be changing this year, Ms Bowe said. “When you have such a busy life you rarely think

TEACHER LETS BALLOON BUSINESS CARRY HER THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Reporter acadet@tribunemedia.net THE last nine months have been taxing on all of us. And it’s been extremely important for us to find new ways to stay positive for our mental health. One method Blaire Percentie is using to keep herself feel encouraged is prayer. Another way, she told Tribune Woman, is through small business support groups. “I must say, being apart of these groups have kept me aligned with my purpose as a small business owner and I have learned a lot of things that I can do to keep my small business afloat during these unprecedented times,” she said. A teacher by profession,

Blaire is also the proud owner of a fairly new business called Lulu’s Sugar Rush. The Exuma native said her company specialises in party machine rentals and gift boxes, as well as balloon arrangements, which are her top sellers. “Lulu’s Sugar Rush is named after my late sister London Percentie, also known as Lulu. She passed away due to a rare disease at the age of seven,” she said. “Before starting, I was lost as to which direction I would go in. After expressing my sentiments to a friend, I was advised to pray about it. I took the advice of my friend and suddenly I just grew a liking for things related to celebratory events. Thereinafter,

I decided to do research, and fortunately, with constant research, I was able to narrow down my focus and form the niche of my business.” As new business owner, Blaire said she loves networking with others. “I was able to meet other entrepreneurs in this field of service who were nice enough to guide me on how to start my business and keep it afloat,” she said. \Out of all of the services she provides, Blaire said the balloon arrangements are her favourite, as they challenge her to be creative. “Specifically for the balloon arrangements, the one thing that makes me stand out from the rest of the balloon artists is that SEE PAGE 15

about pumping the breaks and focusing on yourself. There are too many things to do, deadlines to meet, so rarely you want to pause,” she said.

Ms Bowe recognised that her pandemic and lockdown habits were not contributing to keeping her fit and healthy. In fact, she became more tired and depleted as the days went by. “This is why I am making a change. I am going to eat better, drink more water, go to bed earlier at night so that I have sufficient time to prepare breakfast and power up before work. I need that energy, especially for the kind of job I have,” she said. Meanwhile, self-care for stylist Tanisha Mackey means taking breaks from her heavy workload and getting out of the house to socialise more. “This is like a breath of fresh air for me and it helps to clear my mind,” she said. “This is super important for my mental state because I already operate my salon from home so I am constantly there. It can sometimes feel like I am in prison. That is why this year I am making it a priority to go out and enjoy my free time. That will surely help my sanity.” Exercise is the form self-care takes for Opal, who with a job in law

enforcement has barely had any time off to take care of her body as she would like to. “We have been working so much during this pandemic with little free time. But I have already been putting my self-care into practice. I have been making my way to the park to walk for two miles. Exercise was something I neglected for a very long time. But now I will not because it really makes me feel good and is a satisfying feeling,” she said. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to self-care. Taking care of oneself means doing the things that are beneficial for the mind, body and soul. That is the way Karen Johnson understands it to be. “It is all about doing those feel-good things. Journalling is how I will practice self-care while taking time to clear my thoughts in the morning. I am very scatterbrained and have a mind that is filled with so much clutter sometimes, and being able to organise my thoughts through journalling makes me feel at peace,” she said. “I encourage anyone to practice self-care.”