10012025 BUSINESS

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Government overshot its 2024-2025 full-year deficit target by just $9.1m thanks to last-minute revisions that cut its first-half ‘red ink’ by $37.3m and enabled it to hit Budget goals.

The Ministry of Finance, yesterday unveiling the Government’s fiscal performance for June and the full Budget year, revealed that the fiscal deficit only exceeded initial projections by 13 percent to close at $78.9m compared to the originally-targeted $69.8m.

“For fiscal year 2024-2025, the deficit stands at an estimated 0.5 percent of GDP (gross domestic product), which remains firmly

within the targeted range of 0.3 to 0.7 percent of GDP,” the Ministry of Finance asserted. That range also aligns with the prediction given by Prime Minister Philip Davis KC in presenting the 20252026 Budget, signalling that the Government has hit a key fiscal goal.

However, a closer inspection of the figures - particularly a comparison of the Ministry of Finance’s May and June fiscal reports - discloses that the Government only came so close to its target because of last-minute changes to monthly expenditure and deficit figures for the first four months of the 20242025 fiscal year.

The May 2025 fiscal report, released just over one month ago towards the end of August,

revealed a $141.5m deficit for the first 11 months of the 20242025 fiscal year. To reduce that to $78.9m would have required the Government to generate a $62.6m surplus in June, which is traditionally a month when heavy deficit spending is incurred, but yesterday’s report showed just a $25.4m surplus for June.

That would have taken the full-year deficit for 2024-2025 to $116.1m, some $37.2m above the end-June number of $78.9m. A Tribune Business analysis found that the difference, or gap, can be explained by last-minute government revisions to its spending and deficit figures for the first four months of the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

‘Come on Brave, let’s get it done’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamian entrepreneur battling to restore Paradise Island’s lighthouse yesterday argued that its lantern would never have been destroyed if the Government had allowed his $3m project to proceed.

Toby Smith, principal of Paradise Island Lighthouse and Beach Club Company, urged Prime Minister Philip Davis KC to partner with him and “let’s get it done” rather than continue their legal fight after the more than two centuries’ old lighthouse - first structure cruise passengers and watercraft see as they approach Nassau Harbour - suffered a fresh blow from Tropical Storm Imelda.

Speaking to Tribune Business after he published a Facebook video yesterday, he revealed that the lighthouse lanternwhich had been hanging

GB business owner renews Taino Bridge repairs demand

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Editor

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

A GRAND Bahama business owner yesterday renewed calls for urgent repairs to the deteriorating Taino Beach Bridge while raising fears it is stifling business activity and affecting residents’ quality of life.

Tony “Zips” Hanna, owner of Tony Macaroni’s Conch Experience, told Tribune Business that the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) has failed to communicate with licensees and other relevant stakeholders about when the only connection between ‘mainland’ Freeport and Taino Beach will be restored.

He accused the GBPA of playing “political games” rather than fulfilling its responsibility to maintain Freeport’s infrastructure, adding: “The Port Authority is playing a political game. I don’t know what they’re doing, but they’re not doing the right thing. Not only that, they have not even made a statement to the public concerning the bridge.

“The Port has not done anything. They have not invited the public to release any information concerning it. The businesses and residents around it don’t know what’s going on.” Mr Hanna said the deteriorating state of the Taino Beach Bridge is not just an inconvenience but is actively stalling economic growth and deterring both domestic and international investors from putting capital into the area.

He added that the uncertainty surrounding the bridge’s future has created a climate

This covers the four months from July to November. In particular, November’s monthly deficit, which was shown in the May fiscal report as standing at $82.8m, ended up being cut by $25.9m or 31.3 percent to $56.9m in the June fiscal report that was released yesterday. The revised November 2024 deficit figure resulted from a downwards revision to total government spending, which was cut from $336m in the May 2025 report to $310.1m in the latest publication. The near-$26m, or 8.4 percent, reduction resulted largely from a $22.9m drop in capital spending - from $53.7m in the May 2025 report to just $30.8m in its June equivalent.

In particular, November 2024’s ‘transfers N.E.C’, which stands for ‘transfers not elsewhere classified’, were cut from $28.3m in the May 2025 report to just $5.4m one month later in the June report. No explanation was provided for such a substantial, late revision that favours the Government by bringing it in close to its 20242025 deficit target.

Smaller revisions, according to Tribune Business’s analysis, also occurred for the Government’s monthly spending and deficit

Super Value chief: ‘No

one left out’

precariously for some time - is now in a broken, mangled heap at the property’s base after finally being blown down during Sunday’s storm.

With windows blown out, timbers and panelling rotting and steel braces corroding, Mr Smith told this newspaper that he “can start tomorrow” to reverse the lighthouse’s decay and transform its appearance provided the Government ends their courtroom battle and resistance to granting him two Crown Land leases of two two and three-acre parcels, respectively, at Paradise Island’s western end.

“My mission was to truly restore the Paradise Island Lighthouse, which would take about 18 months to do, and the Government have stalled for 14 years, including the last five years since they offered me the lease that I was approved for,” Mr Smith said.

Gov’t spending under-shoot offsets 5% VAT target miss

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Government narrowly missed its full-year deficit target despite key revenue streams such as VAT and real property tax under-shooting projections by 5 percent and 9 percent respectively. The Ministry of Finance, unveiling the Government’s fiscal performance for June and the 2024-2025 full-year, disclosed that VAT collections missed their target by $77.6m as they closed at $1.438bn - a sum representing 94.9 percent of the $1.516bn full-year target. However, the $1.438bn received was some $85m higher than the prior Budget year’s collections. Meanwhile, real property tax revenues came in some $20m below the $230m forecast to account for 91.3 percent of Budget estimates. The $210m collected, though, was slightly higher than the prior year’s $203.4m when property tax revenues beat the 2023-2024 Budget’s target. For the 2024-2025 fiscal year, the only revenue source to exceed target was “taxes on international trade and transactions” - largely meaning Customs duties imposed at the border which totalled $871.7m - a sum 5 percent higher than the forecast $830.5m

Total revenues missed Budget forecasts by $147.3m, totalling $3.396bn compared to the projected $3.543bn, to stand at 95.8 percent of target. Total tax revenues were off from target by $116.2m, standing at $3.026bn or 96.3 percent of projected collections which were $3.143bn.

The revenue misses, though, were balanced by the Government’s spending coming in 3.8 percent below forecast at $3.475bn compared to $3.613bn projected. Recurrent spending, which covers the Government’s fixed costs such as civil service salaries and rents, was almost $80m less than forecast at $3.189bn compared to Budget forecasts of $3.269bn.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance’s report revealed that the Governments outstanding debt decreased by almost $361m in June as it received the proceeds from its $1.067bn foreign currency external bond issue. Some $767m of this sum was used to refinance, rollover and replace existing debt.

“During June 2025, central Government’s outstanding debt decreased by an estimated $360.9m,” the Ministry of Finance added. “Proceeds of borrowings totalled $1.746bn, primarily derived from foreign currency

on loyalty awards concern

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

SUPER Value’s president yesterday pledged that “no customer should be left out” after some shoppers voiced concerns about changes to its loyalty and rewards initiative set to take effect from today. Debra Symonette told Tribune Business that the reforms are designed to better protect customers from potential fraud and other abuses that might impact them as she promised the 13-store supermarket chain’s goal is to remain “all-inclusive” and deal with any worries shoppers have over its digital transformation. She spoke out after the company informed its customers that, with effect from today, they must use “the bar code” in the Super Value app downloaded to their cell phone “to receive and redeem your digital points”.

Explaining how this would work, Super Value said: “The bar code will be scanned by the cashier to identify your account. Your points will be adjusted in accordance with your transaction. Customers will no

longer be able to use their phone for points.”

This prompted concern from several shoppers. One, writing to this newspaper on condition of anonymity, said of the requirement to use Super Value’s mobile app to earn loyalty points: “While promoted as a modern convenience, this policy is deeply flawed, exclusionary, and risks alienating many loyal shoppers.

“The app is not universally accessible. Apple accounts not linked to The Bahamas cannot download it, leaving out residents, frequent visitors and second home owners who regularly shop at Super Value. Many loyal customers, particularly older shoppers or those less comfortable with technology, are effectively barred from participating in a programme that should reward them.

“Requiring reliable Internet access adds yet another unnecessary barrier,” the shopper added. “In contrast, Solomon’s operates a completely inclusive loyalty programme using only a physical scannable card. No app is required, yet all customers can participate fully.

RF BANK & TRUST JOINS THE BNT AS CORPORATE PARTNER

RF Bank & Trust says it has joined the Bahamas National Trust (BNT) as a corporate affiliate partner to reaffirm its commitment to sustainability, stewardship and ecological leadership.

As one of the first partners under the BNT’s newly-restructured corporate partnership programme, RF Bank & Trust added that it will contribute to the organisation’s ongoing efforts to manage and protect The Bahamas’ 33 national parks.

“Our corporate partnership with RF will help protect the very resources that sustain us: Our national parks, pristine waters, unique ecosystems and the natural jewels that make The Bahamas unlike

anywhere else,” said Alexis Hanna, the BNT’s corporate donor relations officer.

“Conservation is more than preserving beauty. It’s safeguarding our way of life and the future of our communities. We are grateful for RF’s leadership and commitment to protecting what matters most.”

As a corporate affiliate partner, RF Bank & Trust’s support will help the BNT protect fragile ecosystems such as coral reefs, mangroves and wetlands that are vital to climate resilience and fisheries.

It will also assist with preserving cultural and historical heritage sites for future generations, delivering environmental education to thousands of Bahamian students each

year, and enhancing visitor experiences across national parks, thus strengthening the tourism economy.

“RF Bank & Trust is no stranger to stewardship,” said Ethan Knowles, its regional communications supervisor. “We are the leading investment bank in the Caribbean, with decades of experience managing wealth for clients from all walks of life.

“We take stewardship seriously, whether it’s an estate or a wetland. We’re delighted to be a pioneering corporate partner in BNT’s new programme, and we look forward to advancing its mission of protecting the Bahamian natural environment.”

Gov’t must explain changes to avoid ‘fudged’ accusations

comment before press time last night.

revisions for July 2024 through October 2024. The deficits shown in the May 20205 fiscal report were subsequently revised downwards by $4.6m for July; $0.7m for August; a $3.9m reduction for September; and a $2.2m drop for October.

When added to the November changes, these last-minute revisions for the June and year-end 2024-2025 fiscal report cut the deficit by a combined $37.3m compared to previous monthly reports. This, together with the May and June Budget surpluses, meaning revenue income exceeds the Government’s spending, is what enabled it to come so close to the fullyear deficit target.

Simon Wilson, the Ministry of Finance’s financial secretary, did not respond to Tribune Business phone calls and messages seeking

The Davis administration will likely argue that the near-miss, coming within $10m of its full-year deficit projection, will further boost its credibility with international investors and capital markets especially following The Bahamas’ first credit rating upgrade for more than a decade by Standard & Poor’s (S&P) last week.

However, one financial source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Tribune Business that the scale of the November swing and late revisions to the deficit and spending numbers “demands an explanation” from the Government as to the cause so that it quashes any suggestion that the fiscal numbers are being “fudged”.

“That is truly, truly inexplicable,” the source said of the November 2024 deficit and spending revisions. “You’d expect to see movement of only a couple of million dollars up and down. These are significant, massive swings that should have an explanation to them. I think they have some explanation to do on the backward revisions. It would be interesting to know what caused them to revise expenditure.”

They suggested that the revisions may represent payables owed to suppliers and vendors, which the Government kicked into the 2024-2025 fiscal year to ensure it came close to the 2023-2024 deficit projection, being taken out and put back to June 2024 “where they belonged” and payments incurred.

“Were any of those expenditure revisions revised back to the prior

They added that ‘transfers N.E.C.’ refers to spending that does not fall into “general categories” such as subsidies to state-owned enterprises (SOEs).

year? That’s a key question,” the source said, noting that the Government has more control of its spending, which makes the scale of the changesparticularly for November - more surprising.

While acknowledging that the revisions may have resulted from some government spending being incorrectly posted or misclassified, they added: “Such downward revisions in expenditure mean something was misplaced in a material way. It demands an explanation.”

The Ministry of Finance’s June report and accompanying release had, as of last night, only been posted on the website dedicated to international investors. They have yet to appear on the Government’s Budget website, which is targeted mainly at Bahamians, and were back-dated with a release date of September 26 although they only appeared yesterday.

The timing of the release is likely to have been chosen to coincide with The Bahamas’ sovereign credit rating upgrade by S&P, with the rating agency likely viewing the Government’s latest

fiscal numbers as key to its positive conclusions.

However, the last-minute spending and deficit revisions, and the absence of any explanation for far, are again likely to provoke calls for the Government to complete the long-promised transition to accrual-based accounting across the public sector so that a true picture of its financial position is presented.

The Ministry of Finance’s monthly fiscal reports affirm that the figures and data presented are based on “a modified cash basis of accounting” that is guided by International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS). This makes clear “revenue is recognised when received and not when earned”, and that “expenditure is recorded in the period in which it is paid”. While there is nothing wrong with this, such a form of accounting does not recognise spending commitments made, or bills that are owing such as those due to the Government’s vendors. Accrual-based accounting would record, and expose, such commitments and payables, but under the present system these do not show up

in the revenue and expenditure figures.

There is also likely to be scepticism over June’s $25.4m surplus given that this has traditionally been a month when the Government’s spending far exceeds revenues due to government agencies, departments and ministries presenting the Ministry of Finance with bills for payment prior to fiscal year-end that it knows nothing about.

The Opposition charged that last year’s moderate June surplus was achieved by the Government kicking its payables over into the 2024-2025 fiscal year, as it is allowed to do under cash-based accounting, to enable it to hit the deficit target. There have long been suggestions that the Government is suffering liquidity and cash flow challenges due to delays in paying its suppliers and vendors.

However, in its 2025-2026 Fiscal Strategy Report, the Government said it had cut vendor arrears as a percentage of GDP to 1.7 percent of nominal GDP at end-2024 compared to 2.1 percent of nominal GDP 12 months prior.

GB NOT FEELING ‘TRICKLE DOWN’ WITH CELEBRATION KEY LAUNCH

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

A GRAND Bahama

business owner yesterday asserted the island is no longer benefiting from the economic “trickle down effect” of cruise tourism following the opening of Carnival’s $600m Celebration Key.

Tony “Zips” Hanna, owner of Tony Macaroni’s Conch Experience, said the number of cruise visitors participating in local activities at Taino Beach and surrounding areas has dropped significantly since the opening of the cruise line’s private port. He added that most cruise passengers now remain within the private enclave, leaving local businesses cut off from a vital tourism revenue stream.

Speaking to Tribune Business, Mr Hanna said that since Celebration Key’s debut, Carnival and its affiliates have monopolised the cruise passenger experience, controlling nearly all aspects of guest spending including tours, transportation and retail.

“Carnival is making all the tourism sales, including souvenirs, transportation, tours - everything they control from that ship. Before Celebration Key came to this island, these local businesses shared a small portion from their cruises,” he explained.

“Now, the only person benefiting from Carnival cruises are the vendors who they hire to work for them and Carnival itself. No money is floating down. The trickle down effect for tourism in Grand Bahama is gone since Carnival has opened up.”

The shift has impacted not only beachside vendors but also operators at Freeport Harbour, who have seen cruise traffic decline as vessels now dock at Celebration Key instead. Dillon Knowles, president of the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce, confirmed the downturn, noting that excursion operators and harbour vendors are among the hardest hit.

“Carnival has shifted its passengers from Freeport Harbour to Celebration Key. Freeport Harbour is definitely showing a huge downturn in vessel calls, and therefore passengers. That is having a significantly negative impact on the vendors at the harbour, as well as on the excursion operators, who would have had first dibs at the passengers that were coming to the harbour, because they were excited to leave

and go somewhere else in order to experience Grand Bahama and experience The Bahamas,” said Mr Knowles

Despite the decline, Mr Knowles remains cautiously optimistic. He believes the current lull in demand for onshore experiences is temporary, as repeat visitors to Celebration Key may eventually seek new experiences beyond the facility.

“Most of the passengers that they’re bringing are staying at Celebration Key for the time being. But the way I see it is as Carnival is now scheduling every one of the trips to cut through

Celebration Key, it’s only a matter of time before people start having Celebration Key as a repeat stop on their itinerary, and I would imagine at that point in time, people want to get outside of Celebration Key and do more than just sit in the pool drinking pina coladas,” said Mr Knowles.

“From my perspective, there’s a short-term low in excursions and other onisland activities. But I don’t see this lasting indefinitely.” Mr Knowles added that although the industry is facing “growing pains,” he sees opportunities for local businesses to adapt. He urged tour operators and vendors to innovate and collaborate to draw passengers beyond the borders of Celebration Key and into the wider Grand Bahama community.

SMALL GROCERY STORES SEE NO MAJOR IMELDA BOOST

By ANNELIA NIXON Tribune Business Reporter

SMALL independent grocery stores did not experience a large spike in sales when shoppers rushed to prepare for Tropical Storm Imelda.

Noting that sales did not measure up to the usual hurricane “rush”, Ivan Carey, who runs Kenneth’s Food Store’s Bahama Avenue branch, said he saw a slight uptick in business just before the storm hit

New Providence on Sunday. He added that the location kept its usual hours from 7am to 8pm to ensure shoppers remained well stocked. “We were well stocked,” Mr Carey said. “The store is usually kept very well stocked, and so we didn’t have any issues like running out of anything. It wasn’t like the normal hurricane rush, but it was better than normal - a little less than when they know that it’s an actual hurricane that’s travelling. So the inventory, we didn’t have any any shortage of inventory.”

Garfield Johnson, proprietor of Amanda’s Convenience Store, also did not experience the usual uptick in business before a storm or hurricane.

“The people in my vicinity, they didn’t do any extra shopping like they used to do years ago,” Mr Johnson said. “I’m assuming those that ran to Super Value are those that have the funds to do that. Other than that, sales afterwards is basically the same.”

The reports differ from Super Value, which experienced Bahamians “shopping like crazy”.

ELEUTHERA ENERGY WOES GROW AMID 38-HOUR POWER OUTAGES

By ANNELIA NIXON Tribune Business Reporter

anixon@tribunemedia.net

ENERGY woes have intensified on Eleuthera due to the passage of Tropical Storm Imelda with some parts of the island experiencing outages of more than 38 hours. Bahamas Power & Light’s (BPL) direct WhatsApp channel advised that gusty winds and adverse weather

caused outages throughout Eleuthera and other islands as the storm passed. Up to yesterday, BPL noted that multiple islands including Inagua, Mayaguana, Long Cay, Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Island, Rum Cay, San Salvador and Cat Island had reported outages. It added that, on Eleuthera, operational teams were addressing power issues in The Bluff impacting around

30 consumers - including the area’s primary school - as well as some ten consumers in The Current and one consumer in Whale Point.

Former local government representative for the settlement of Current, Aldred Albury, said the northern part of Eleuthera had experienced prolonged outages.

“There is one section that, over the last 48 hours, they've only had about three hours of electricity, which was actually last

‘Are we going to deal with another 10 years of this?’

of hesitation and risk aversion, making it difficult for current property owners and entrepreneurs to capitalise on opportunities or complete transactions.

“People can’t sell their property, which they contracted to five years ago. Taino Beach Resort decided to expand their property to a new buyer. They cannot do anything so that can go forward until the bridge is fixed and the Port Authority knows this and they’re playing games,” added Mr Hanna. The bridge represents the only transport link to attractions and businesses such as Smith’s Point Fish Fry, Pirate Cove Zip Line and Water Park, the Dolphin Experience, Stoned Crab Restaurant and Tony Macaroni’s Conch Experience. However, repair progress has been slow.

Mr Hanna noted that the inability to guarantee reliable access to Taino Beach has effectively frozen real estate transactions and halted commercial expansion, with prospective investors unwilling to commit to projects in an area where basic infrastructure is in limbo.

He questioned how, despite major revenue generated through cruise tourism and other ventures, the Port Authority has failed to prioritise the repair of a critical transport artery.

Mr Hanna also argued that this inaction sends a discouraging signal to developers and stakeholders about the seriousness with which the Port approaches long-term planning and infrastructure development.

“They made tons of millions from Carnival coming here so they don’t have an excuse about money. So the question is: Are we going to deal with the Port Authority for another 10 years of this?” he added.

Last year, attorneys for Taino Beach Resort and its affiliated property, the Flamingo Bay Hotel and Marina, warned Ian Rolle, the Grand Bahama Port Authority’s (GBPA) president, in an August 14, 2024, letter that failure to properly maintain the crumbling Taino Bridge could spark legal action especially if “a collapse or closure” of this vital transport connection occurs.

Terence Gape, senior partner at Dupuch & Turnquest, in a document seen by Tribune Business warned that the bridge’s condition “represents a major

threat to all residents and income earners” based on Taino Beach Island as well as potentially endangering the investments made by his client and other developers.

He argued that “the general opinion” is that the bridge’s deterioration is now so severe that a rebuild, rather than just merely repairs, is required especially given the seeming failure to resolve the key infrastructure asset’s state earlier.

The letter urged the GBPA and its affiliates, namely the Grand Bahama Development Company (DevCO) and Lucaya Service Company (LUSCO), to release a survey and engineer’s report alongside their plans to rebuild the bridge within the next 30 days. Mr Gape said developing an infrastructure asset to match “the salubrious nature” of the area would ease “the anxiety of investors and residents alike”.

And he also warned that Taino Beach Resort’s owner was exposed to a potentially “enormous” loss if the proposed purchaser were to cancel or withdraw from the deal due to concerns over Taino Bridge’s condition and the uncertainty surrounding plans to address this.

Super Value’s president noted that customers were properly taking advantage of the store remaining open, while many other establishments closed earlier than normal.

Giovanna RahmingCharles, owner of Bahama Clear Water, said saw sales increase by about 30 percent above normal on Friday with last-minute shoppers visiting the water depot on Saturday, which was when most of the rush came. Ms Rahming-Charles said the depot had to close for 40 minutes to an hour at one point to restock.

night,” Mr Albury said. “BPL came down and was able to restore it, but it only lasted for about three hours, and then it tripped back out.

"So they're still waiting for the technicians to come now to get that sorted out. It was off in a particular area in Current for about 38 hours, and then it came on for about three hours and they went back off, and it's still as of now.”

Thomas Sands, president of the Eleuthera Chamber of Commerce, said residents and businesses were experiencing extended outages before the island felt the storm’s impact.

“In fact, it started I felt prior to the storm system

“Water, especially for five-gallon bottles, the business model is that you are reusing jugs, so you can’t ever have enough jugs,” Ms Rahming- Charles said. “So we, at one point, did have to close down and refill all the jug empty jugs we had. And then we opened back up to serve people.

“Sometimes you get a lot of chaos. People start to think that inventory is too low and they’re not going to get served. So to avoid that, we just closed the gate and restocked the depot, and then people were able to come and get their water.”

even getting near us,” Mr Sands said. “So this is a process that started on Friday evening. We started to experience power problems prior to a storm being in our immediate area. And so there were extended periods prior to, there were extended periods during and, I think, up until yesterday I thought all areas had come back on.

“The operators need to come together and figure out how to weather this short-term storm, and develop themselves in a way that they can encourage these passengers to come outside of Celebration Key and experience Grand Bahama. From the Chamber’s perspective, we see lots of opportunity, but there’s some growing pains, too,” said Mr Knowles.

While Tropical Storm Imelda brought a crowd to the depot, Ms RahmingCharles said the next few months may not see the same turnout. “We always have a lot of sales just before the storm. It’s after the storm when business is very slow,” she added.

“It’s water, so it’s a seasonal business. Sales in the summer are a lot more than sales in the winter because nobody drinks as much water. They don’t consume as much ice in the winter. Kids are at school, so they’re not home, wasting water or consuming water all day. As soon as school goes back in, that’s when business drops by like 50 percent.”

“I could say at this point I think there are great concerns about the direction that we are heading in as consumers of utilities on Eleuthera. And I think there's a great question about the capacity of utilities to service Eleuthera, and to service it at the level that it's at and the level that is projected to come. So there are great, great question marks.”

Entrepreneur: ‘We can start tomorrow’ on PI restoration

DETERIORATIONfrom page B1

“The Bahamas government wants to say it’s open to investors when it’s only open to a select few, and most Bahamians don’t qualify for that...Legitimate Bahamian businesses that are trying to create employment, despite the unemployment numbers being higher than before, are held back by lack of opportunity because at some point they will need government approval.”

Mr Smith’s legal battle with the Government over whether the Crown Land lease seemingly agreed with the former Minnis administration is valid, and legally binding on both parties, has now reached the Privy Council. However, in the meantime, the Paradise Island Lighthouse - a building of historical and cultural significance - is continuing to deteriorate and decay to the point where it is now an eyesore.

“The historical significance of the Hog Island Lighthouse is, one, it was the first lighthouse built in the West Indies in 1817,”

Mr Smith told this newspaper. “It has not received structural beautification in more than 50 years, and it’s significance as a navigational aid to the sea-faring traffic is lost with modern lighthouses. “While it is an integral part of Bahamian history and culture, it is a historical representation of the neglect of structures in The Bahamas and a decrepit, sad sight for everybody entering the western entrance of Nassau Harbour. It’s a poor first impression, not only to our visitors, but the way we can be viewed as a people looking after our structures.”

Mr Smith argued that the Paradise Island Lighthouse’s disrepair would have been reversed if his project had been given the go-ahead by the Government. It is no longer competing with Royal Caribbean for the same three-acre Crown Land parcel after the cruise line eliminated this from its Royal Beach Club venture and reduced its needs to a separate four-acre parcel.

He pledged that he still wants “to fully restore the

Paradise Island Lighthouse at no cost so that Bahamians and our guests can enjoy the cultural and historical significance of the oldest lighthouse in The Bahamas with safe access and a sustainable, lowimpact beach club that will generate revenues to support the lighthouse’s successful operation and provide free access to the beach for Bahamians and residents”.

“The initial investment was $3m,” Mr Smith told Tribune Business, “which would eventually become tens of millions of dollars to be reinvested in the project, and with a staff of 60 jobs for Bahamians only initially, which would grow exponentially and partner with other Bahamian businesses.

“Yes, yes, the fight can stop simply by the Prime Minister instructing Ryan Pinder KC, the attorney general, to end the legal battle and we get on as friends and business partners and show the world a successful Bahamian business on a global platform.

“We can start tomorrow. We have everything we need except the Crown

Supermarket chain placing wi-fi across its 13 locations

REWARDS - from page B1

This simple approach is fair, accessible and ensures that no customer is left out.

“Super Value’s current policy, if left unchanged, risks punishing loyal customers and undermining trust. Loyalty programmes should reward patronage, not impose technological hurdles that exclude many who have supported the store for years.

“I strongly urge Super Value to reconsider and adopt an inclusive system, such as issuing a physical card alongside the app or making app use optional.

The community deserves a loyalty programme that works for everyone, not just

those with certain devices or account types.

Ms Symonette, though, in response challenged the assertion that Apple accounts were unable to download the Super Value app as one of her employees was able to access and download it on their phone while she spoke to this newspaper.

The Super Value chief also explained that the changes due to take effect today were designed to safeguard shoppers’ own security, while adding that wi-fi Internet is being installed at all locations - including Quality Supermarkets locations - to ensure that customers without mobile data can still

participate in the loyalty and points award scheme. She added that the supermarket chain is ultimately seeking to get to the point where customers see their receipt in the app, look at the items they have bought and what they cost, and how many points they have earned. Super Value is thus seeking to catch up with the digital technology and processes embraced by Wal-Mart and other US supermarkets where Bahamians shop on their travels.

“They will be using their phone, but using the bar code in the app,” Ms Symonette explained of the changes. “At the moment, folks are coming in and giving their phone number

Gov’t repays almost $361m in debt liabilities during June

TAXES - from page B1

sources (80.6 percent) and the remaining in Bahamian dollars (19.4 percent).

“Of the $2.107bn in debt repayment, 70.6 percent was mainly linked to foreign currency obligations

Land lease, which the Gov-

ernment is holding in its hands. Financing has been ready for the last 14 years. Come on, Brave, let’s get it done.”

Sir Michael Barnett, then-president of the Court of Appeal, in his March 14, 2024, verdict split the court with a dissenting ruling that he would order “specific performance of the lease” by the Government as Mr Smith had “a binding agreement” to lease five Crown Land acres - split into two separate parcels - for a beach break-type destination.

He also found that the then-Minnis administration did not sign the agreement with Mr Smith because it “determined that it had found a better deal”namely Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines’ Royal Beach Club project, which itself wanted to lease three of the same acres sought by the Bahamian entrepreneur.

However, Sir Michael’s dissenting verdict did not prove decisive, as his two fellow justices on the threestrong Court of Appeal panel rendered the majority decision in favour of the Government by finding the reverse - that no valid, legally binding lease agreement was in place. This is the decision Mr Smith has now got permission

as such and such. You will now come in, produce the app on the phone and the cashier will scan the bar code.

“It’s really for safety measures because it’s kind of operating with the phone number. We’re trying to protect the customer’s account. We don’t want anybody putting in someone else’s number or any number. That’s what we’re protecting them against.

“Some customers have voiced concerns about not having data on their phones, and we’ve told them we’re going to ensure we have Wi-fi in all stores for the public. I hope we can live up to that. We’ve started putting it in all the stores, and are hoping the technicians are finished by tomorrow.”

Ms Symonette said the Super Value app should be available for download on all Apple and Android

Government’s fiscal position to a surplus of $25.4m from a deficit of $35.8m in June 2024.

to challenge at the Privy Council level. Appeal justice Gregory Smith, in the majority Court of Appeal verdict, said Richard Hardy, then acting head of the Department of Lands and Surveys, sent Mr Smith and his company a letter headlined “approval for Crown Land lease”. This covered a two and three-acre parcel, respectively, with the first adjacent to the lighthouse at Paradise Island’s western end and the other for the ‘beach break’ destination.

The letter contained instructions on how the attached lease documents were to be signed, dated, sealed and notarised, then returned to the Department of Lands and Surveys. Once the minister responsible for Crown Lands, who was then Dr Minnis, signed a copy of the lease was to be returned to Mr Smith.

The Bahamian entrepreneur signed the lease forwarded by Mr Hardy, and returned it to the Government for execution two days later on January 9, 2020. Dr Minnis, though, did not sign the lease on the Government’s behalf as it emerged that Royal Caribbean had rival designs on the three-acre Crown Land parcel for its own Royal Beach Club project.

Sir Michael, though, disagreed and said he would

phones. She urged any Bahamians experiencing difficulty to reach out to the supermarket chain’s customer service representative, who would be able to “walk them through the process” and will be in stores to encourage persons to use the technology.

“It’s something we are pushing, and getting cashiers to ask the customer if they want to go digital or need the paper stamps,” the Super Value president said. “That will change in a while. It [stamps] will only last until the supply of paper stamps runs out. We do have a pretty large supply left but we’re going to be working through it.

“With customers that appear to be hesitant about using the technology, we’re going to show them how easy it is to use.... as we build it out more and more. The intent is to be all-inclusive. No customer

enhanced enforcement measures on export duties.

have ordered

“specific performance of the lease” by the Government. Describing Mr Hardy’s letter as being of “major importance”, the Court of Appeal president said the letter was headlined “approval for Crown lease” and did not say or suggest there were any matters left to be agreed between the parties.

“In my judgment, the critical question in this appeal is whether the letter of January 2020 evidenced a binding agreement between the appellant and the minister for the lease of five acres of land on Paradise Island,” Sir Michael wrote. “The Chief Justice formed the view that there was no concluded agreement.

“It is difficult to see how it can be said that there was no concluded agreement. The lease sent on January 7, 2020, had been prepared by the respondent’s [Attorney General’s] lawyers on the respondent’s instructions. There was nothing further to be negotiated and agreed....

“The document reflecting the terms of the agreement was sent by the respondent to the appellant for signature. All that was left was for the respondent to sign and seal the lease. He did not do so because the Government determined that it had found a better deal.”

should be left out. If they are unable to deal with the technology the intent is not to exclude them. We’ve rewarded them all this time. Why would we want to exclude them?

“The shoppers are a major part of what Super Value represents, and we will continue to do that offering and particular aspect of our business.” Ms Symonette, acknowledging that some Bahamians will be sceptical about using the technology and/or do not have a cell phone, added that once this phase is complete Super Value will determine it it needs to introduce a card similar to Solomon’s.

“We’re hoping that will be very few people,” she added.

which included $767.4m in Eurobond repurchases.”

A net $294.8m in Bahamian dollar advances from the Central Bank was also repaid, along with a net $246.8m in domestic bonds. Some $261m in new Treasury Bills and notes was also issued, while there was a net $345.9m repayment of foreign currency bank loans.

As for the Government’s fiscal performance in June 2025, the Ministry of Finance added: “Preliminary data for June 2025 indicates a notable improvement in the

“This positive outcome was driven by a $74.4m (31.6 percent) year-over-year increase in total revenue to $310m, which offset a $13.2m (4.9 percent) rise in total expenditure to $284.6m.

Based on the June fiscal outturn, the full-year 20242025 deficit represented an estimated 0.5 percent of GDP, remaining within the targeted range of 0.3 to 0.7 percent of GDP.”

On the revenue front, the Ministry of Finance added: “Tax revenue grew by $58.8m (28.7 percent) to $263.3m, underpinned by taxes on international trade and transactions advancing by $29.9m (43 percent) to $99.5m, benefiting from

“VAT receipts rose by $13.8m (13.9percent) to $113m due to improvements in collections related to realty, Customs and other goods and services. Taxes on the use of goods and permissions increased by $8.3m (52 percent), driven by revenue gains from communication levies. Non-tax revenue strengthened by $16.2m (52.9 percent) to $46.7m, largely attributed to higher receipts from property income and dividends.”

Turning to government spending, the Ministry of Finance added: “Recurrent spending for the review month amounted to $268.7m, a gain of $22.4m (9.1 percent) from the corresponding period in the prior year.

“Outlays for the use of goods and services expanded by $27.3m (79.2 percent) to $61.8m, primarily linked to timing differences in payments for communication expenses. Personal emoluments increased by $14.1m (18.9percent) to $89.1m, reflecting payments of allowances and NIB contributions.

“Public debt interest payments were higher by $18.6m (33.4 percent) at $74.5m, consistent with growth in the Government’s overall liabilities. Capital expenditures contracted by $9.1m (36.3 percent) to $15.9m. The bulk was expended for the acquisition of non-financial assets (59.8 percent), and the remaining 40.2 percent represented capital transfers.”

‘AI actor’ Tilly Norwood stirs outrage in Hollywood

By JAKE COYLE AP Film Writer

LIKE thousands of actors, Tilly Norwood is looking for a Hollywood agent.

But unlike most young performers aspiring to make it in the film industry, Tilly Norwood is an entirely artificial intelligencemade character. Norwood, dubbed Hollywood's first "AI actor," is the product of a company named Xicoia, which bills itself as the world's first artificial intelligence talent studio.

Since the Dutch producer and comedian Eline Van der Velden launched the digital character's prospective career, Tilly Norwood has been all the talk in Hollywood.

But not in a good way. Guilds, actors and filmmakers have met the Xicoia product with an immediate wave of backlash, protesting that artificial intelligence should not have a starring role in the acting profession. In a statement Tuesday, the Screen Actors Guild said that "creativity is, and should remain, human-centered."

"To be clear, 'Tilly Norwood' is not an actor, it's a character generated by a computer program that was trained on the work of countless professional performers — without permission or compensation," the guild said. "It has no life experience to draw from, no emotion and, from what we've seen, audiences aren't interested in watching computer-generated content untethered from the human experience."

Van der Velden, founder of the AI production studio Particle6, last weekend promoted Tilly Norwood at the Zurich Summit, the industry sidebar of the Zurich Film Festival. She said then that talent agencies were circling Norwood and that she expected to soon announce a signing.

Many in Hollywood, though, hope that never happens.

"Hope all actors repped by the agent that does this, drop their a$$," wrote actor Melissa Barrera ("In the Heights," "Scream") on social media. "How gross, read the room."

"Any talent agency that engages in this should be

boycotted by all guilds," wrote Natasha Lyonne on Instagram. The "Russian Doll" star is directing a feature titled "Uncanny Valley" that pledges to use "ethical" artificial intelligence in combination with traditional filmmaking techniques. "Deeply misguided & totally disturbed," she added. "Not the way. Not the vibe. Not the use."

Artificial intelligence is often used as a tool in film production, though its implementation is hotly debated. It was a major bargaining point in the lengthy strike by SAG-AFTRA that concluded in late 2023 with some safeguards put in place to protect the use of actors' likenesses and performances by AI. A yearlong strike by video game actors hinged on AI protections. In July, video game actors approved a new contract that mandates employers obtain written permission to create a digital replica. But there have been numerous controversies over the use of AI in acting. The Oscar-winning 2024 film "The Brutalist" used artificial intelligence

DoorDash is expanding into restaurant reservations and robot deliveries

By DEE-ANN DURBIN and MICHAEL LIEDTKE AP Business Writers

DOORDASH is expanding its offerings, adding restaurant reservations and robot deliveries in some U.S. markets.

The San Francisco-based company, already the largest U.S. delivery provider, announced its expansion plans Tuesday, saying it wants to bring even more business to the merchants it works with and stay ahead of ever-increasing customer demand. DoorDash's total orders jumped 20% to 761 million in the second quarter of this year.

DoorDash's robots will bring new challenges to the company as it takes on the responsibility for storing and maintaining the devices. But DoorDash CoFounder Stanley Tang said the company needs more delivery options to help fuel its future growth.

"The shift to autonomy is happening right now, and DoorDash is uniquely positioned to do something like this," Tang said Monday during an interview at the company's San Francisco headquarters. "We need to find ways to keep up with the demand. The complexity of the deliveries being made on our platform is increasing too."

Still, investors appeared lukewarm about the company's plans. DoorDash shares fell 1% Tuesday.

DoorDash's plans also threaten other delivery and reservation platforms like OpenTable and Instacart. On Monday, after DoorDash said it would expand its partnership with Kroger to offer delivery from the grocer's 2,700 U.S. stores, Instacart's shares fell 10%.

DoorDash said Tuesday that its new "Going Out" tab will let users book tables at restaurants. Reservations will be offered first in New York and Miami, with other cities to be added later this year. In cities without restaurant reservation capabilities, the "Going Out" tab will let DoorDash customers earn rewards and in-store offers.

DoorDash said its DashPass members – who pay $9.99 for free deliveries on most orders – will also get extra perks, like the ability to reserve exclusive tables.

DoorDash signaled its interest in adding reservations with its recent purchase of SevenRooms, a New York company that makes reservation and hospitality management software. DoorDash announced the $1.2 billion purchase in March.

DoorDash said adding reservations and deals helps it deepen its relationship with restaurants and bring them new patrons. During testing in San Francisco, the company found that 80% of customers using "Going Out" visited a restaurant they had never ordered food from before.

DoorDash also said Tuesday it will soon begin providing some deliveries in the greater Phoenix area with an autonomous robot. The robot, which was designed by DoorDash and is dubbed Dot, can reach speeds of up to 20 miles per hour and travel on streets, sidewalks and driveways.

DoorDash has spent the last seven years developing the robot. The company decided to develop its own after finding that other delivery robots on the market, which are mostly designed for short runs on college campuses or urban

for Hungarian dialogue spoken by Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones' characters, the revelation of which prompted debate in the industry.

Van der Velden responded to the stir around Tilly Norwood on Instagram.

"To those who have expressed anger over the creation of my AI character, Tilly Norwood, she is not a replacement for a human being, but a creative work — a piece of art," Van der Velden said on

Sunday. "Like many forms of art before her, she sparks conversation, and that in itself shows the power of creativity."

Van der Velden didn't respond to interview requests Tuesday. In her post, she argued that AI characters should be judged as their own genre.

"Creating Tilly has been, for me, an act of imagination and craftsmanship, not unlike drawing a character, writing a role or shaping a performance," she added. "It takes time, skill and

iteration to bring such a character to life."

That statement was also shared on Tilly Norwood's own Instagram account. Posts include photos of the creation drinking coffee, shopping for clothes and preparing for various projects. As of Tuesday, the account had more than 33,000 followers.

"Had such a blast filming some screen tests recently," one post reads. "Every day feels like a step closer to the big screen."

sidewalks, weren't capable of operating in the suburban neighborhoods where DoorDash makes many of its deliveries.

The company said it could also use its own data to optimize the robot.

"After 10 billion deliveries, we have data on what works, what breaks and what scales," said Tang, who leads DoorDash's autonomy and robotics division.

Dot is bright red and resembles a big baby stroller. It's 3 feet wide, 4.5feet tall and large enough to handle up to six large pizza boxes or 30 pounds of cargo.

Tang said DoorDash has already made hundreds of successful deliveries with Dot during the past few months in Tempe and Mesa, Arizona. If things continue to progress smoothly,

DoorDash plans to bring Dot to more markets across the U.S. as quickly as possible, Tang said.

DoorDash executives view Dot's development as the next major step in an evolution that has already seen the company expand from a shoestring operation

Spotify founder steps down from CEO role

LONDON Associated Press

SPOTIFY said Tuesday that founder Daniel Ek is stepping down as CEO to become the executive chairman, in an announcement that sent its shares sliding in Tuesday trading. The Stockholm-based streaming giant said Ek will be replaced by two lieutenants who will become co-CEOs: Chief Product and Technology Officer Gustav Söderström and Chief Business Officer Alex Norström. The pair, who are also currently copresidents, will transition into their new jobs on Jan. 1 and will report to Ek.

Spotify said in a press release that the move "formalizes" how Spotify has been operating since 2023, with Söderström and Norström largely leading strategic development and operational execution.

Ek said that he had already "turned over a large part of the day-to-day management and strategic direction" to the pair.

"This change simply matches titles to how we already operate," he said.

As executive chairman, Ek said he will focus on Spotify's "long arc."

In an online question and answer session following the announcement, Ek said his new role would not

that was making a few restaurant deliveries in Palo Alto, California, 13 years ago. DoorDash has become a ubiquitous service that now operates in more than 30 countries.

DoorDash has also been testing drone delivery for several years in Australia, Texas and North Carolina.

be a ceremonial one that investors with a "U.S. perspective" might expect.

In Europe, an executive chairman is typically "quite active in the business," and acts as a representative to "certain stakeholders" such as governments, he said.

Ek said he still sees growth opportunities, including a "huge part of the world that's really not accustomed to streaming"

Tang said the company is developing a system that will automatically determine the best mode of delivery depending on the order and where it's going.

"Our vision is hybrid, human delivery and autonomy working together to expand access to more people," Tang said.

stretching from Asia to Africa, as well as new technology including artificial intelligence.

"I'm gonna keep pushing for us to look around the corner, stay focused on the long term," he said.

Since Ek founded Spotify about two decades ago, the platform's rise has helped transformed the music business and paved the way for modern streaming.

OPENAI’S SORA JOINS META IN PUSHING AI-GENERATED VIDEOS. SOME ARE WORRIED ABOUT A FLOOD OF ‘AI SLOP’

By MATT O'BRIEN AP Technology Writer

IF the future of the internet looks like a constant stream of amusing videos generated by artificial intelligence, then OpenAI just placed its stake in an emerging market.

The company behind ChatGPT released its new Sora social media app on Tuesday, an attempt to draw the attention of eyeballs currently staring at shortform videos on TikTok, YouTube or Meta-owned Instagram and Facebook.

The new iPhone app taps into the appeal of being

able to make a video of yourself doing just about anything that can be imagined, in styles ranging from anime to highly realistic. But a scrolling flood of such videos taking over social media has some worried about "AI slop" that crowds out more authentic human creativity and degrades the information ecosystem.

"These things are so compelling," said Jose Marichal, a professor of political science at California Lutheran University who studies how AI is restructuring society. "I think what sucks you in is

that they're kind of implausible, but they're realistic looking."

The Sora app's official launch video features an AI-generated version of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman speaking from a psychedelic forest, and later, the moon and a stadium crowded with cheering fans watching rubber duck races. He introduces the new tool before handing it off to colleagues placed in other outlandish scenarios. The app is available only on Apple devices for now, starting in the U.S. and Canada.

What will happen if there’s a government shutdown at day’s end

By KEVIN FREKING Associated Press

WASHINGTON is hours away from another federal government shutdown, with prospects looking bleak for a last-minute compromise in Congress to avoid closures beginning at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.

Republicans have crafted a short-term measure to fund the government through Nov. 21, but Democrats have insisted the measure address their concerns on health care. They want to reverse the

Medicaid cuts in President Donald Trump's megabill passed this summer and extend tax credits that make health insurance premiums more affordable for millions of people who purchase through the marketplaces established by the Affordable Care Act. Republicans call the Democratic proposal a nonstarter. Neither side shows any signs of budging, with the House not even expected to have votes this week.

Here's a look at how a shutdown would occur:

What happens in a shutdown?

When a lapse in funding occurs, the law requires agencies to cease activity and furlough "non-excepted" employees. Excepted employees include those who work to protect life and property. They stay on the job but don't get paid until after the shutdown ends.

During the 35-day partial shutdown in Trump's first term, 340,000 of the 800,000 federal workers at affected agencies were furloughed.

Meta launched its own feed of AI short-form videos within its Meta AI app last week. In an Instagram post announcing the new Vibes product, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg posted a carousel of AI videos, including a cartoon version of himself, an army of fuzzy, beady-eyed beings jumping around and a kitten kneading a ball of dough. Both Sora and Vibes are designed to be highly personalized, recommending new videos based on what people have already engaged with.

The remainder were "excepted" and required to work.

What government work continues during a shutdown?

A great deal, actually. FBI investigators, CIA officers, air traffic controllers and agents operating airport checkpoints keep working. So do members of the Armed Forces.

Those programs that rely on mandatory spending also generally continue during a shutdown. Social Security payments continue going out. Seniors relying on Medicare coverage can still see their doctors and health care providers and submit claims for payment and be reimbursed.

Veteran health care also continues during a shutdown. Veterans Affairs medical centers and outpatient clinics will be open, and VA benefits will continue to be processed and delivered. Burials will continue at VA national cemeteries.

Will furloughed federal workers get paid?

Yes. In 2019, Congress passed a bill enshrining into law the requirement that furloughed employees get retroactive pay once operations resume.

While they'll eventually get paid, the furloughed workers and those who remain on the job may have to go without one or more of their regular paychecks, depending upon how long the shutdown lasts, creating financial stress for many families.

Service members would also receive back pay for any missed paychecks once federal funding resumes.

Will I still get mail?

Yes. The U.S. Postal Service is unaffected by

Marichal's own social media feeds on TikTok and other sites are already full of such videos, from a "housecat riding a wild animal from the perspective of a doorbell camera" to fake natural disaster reports that are engaging but easily debunked. He said you can't blame people for being hard-wired to "want to know if something extraordinary is happening in the world."

What's dangerous, he said, is when they dominate what we see online. "We need an information environment that is mostly true or that we can trust because we need to use it to make rational decisions about how to collectively govern," he said. If not, "we either become super, super skeptical of

a government shutdown. It's an independent entity funded through the sale of its products and services, not by tax dollars.

What closes during a shutdown?

All administrations get some leeway to choose which services to freeze and which to maintain in a shutdown.

The first Trump administration worked to blunt the impact of what became the country's longest partial shutdown in 2018 and 2019.

But in the selective reopening of offices, experts say they saw a willingness to cut corners, scrap prior plans and wade into legally dubious territory to mitigate the pain.

Each federal agency develops its own shutdown plan. The plans outline which agency workers would stay on the job during a shutdown and which would be furloughed.

In a provocative move, the White House's Office of Management and Budget has threatened the mass firing of federal workers in a shutdown. An OMB memo said those programs that didn't get funding through Trump's mega-bill this summer would bear the brunt of a shutdown.

Agencies should consider issuing reduction-in-force notices for those programs whose funding expires Wednesday, that don't have alternative funding sources and are "not consistent with the President's priorities," the memo said.

That'd be a much more aggressive step than in previous shutdowns, when furloughed federal workers returned to their jobs once Congress approved government spending. A reduction in force would not only lay off employees but eliminate their positions, which would trigger another massive upheaval in a federal workforce that's already faced major rounds of cuts this year due to efforts from the Department of Government Efficiency and elsewhere in Trump's Republican administration.

Shutdown practices in the past

Some agencies have recently updated plans on their websites. Others still have plans that were last updated months or years

everything or we become super certain," Marichal said. "We're either the manipulated or the manipulators. And that leads us toward things that are something other than liberal democracy, other than representative democracy."

OpenAI made some efforts to address those concerns in its announcement on Tuesday.

"Concerns about doomscrolling, addiction, isolation, and (reinforcement learning)-sloptimized feeds are top of mind," it said in a blog post. It said it would "periodically poll users on their wellbeing" and give them options to adjust their feed, with a built-in bias to recommend posts from friends rather than strangers.

ago, providing an indication of past precedent that could guide the Trump administration.

Here are some excerpts from those plans:

— Health and Human Services will furlough about 41% of its staff out of nearly 80,000 employees, according to a contingency plan posted on its website. The remaining employees will keep up activities needed to protect human life and property.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will continue monitoring for disease outbreaks. Direct medical services through the Indian Health Service and the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center will remain available. However, the CDC communications to the public will be hampered and NIH will not admit new patients to the Clinical Center, except those for whom it's medically necessary.

At the Food and Drug Administration, its "ability to protect and promote public health and safety would be significantly impacted, with many activities delayed or paused." For example, the agency would not accept new drug applications or medical device submissions that require payment of a user fee.

— Education Department: Already diminished by cuts by the administration, the department would see more of its work come to a halt in the event of a shutdown. The department says many of its core operations would continue — federal financial aid would keep flowing, and student loan payments would still be due — but investigations into civil rights complaints would stop and the department would not issue new federal grants. About 87% of its workforce would be furloughed.

— National Park Service: As a general rule if a facility or area is inaccessible during nonbusiness hours, it'll be locked for the duration of the lapse in funding, said a March 2024 plan. At parks where it's impractical or impossible to restrict public access, staffing will vary by park: "Generally, where parks have accessible park areas, including park roads, lookouts, trails, campgrounds, and open-air memorials, these areas will remain physically accessible to the public."

— Smithsonian Institution: An announcement on its website reads: "In the event of a government shutdown, our museums, research centers, and the National Zoo will remain open through at least Monday, October 6.

National Flood Insurance Program is set to expire Tuesday, halting new policies and some home loans

By GABRIELA

AOUN ANGUEIRA Associated Press

AUTHORIZATION

for the largest residential flood insurance program in the U.S. is set to expire Tuesday, leaving homeowners unable to access new coverage and potentially wreaking havoc on home sales in flood-prone areas.

Millions of policyholders rely on the National Flood Insurance Program to secure flood coverage that is rarely part of standard homeowners policies and is required for mortgages in areas deemed high-risk. If Congress is unable to pass a spending bill before midnight Tuesday, the NFIP, like much of the federal government, will freeze.

Claims could still be paid, but with two months left in the Atlantic hurricane season and winter weather on its way, homeowners and renters would be unable to buy, renew, or add to policies.

That would also thwart real estate transactions where mortgages require flood insurance. Lenders are prohibited from issuing government-backed mortgages for properties in FEMA-designated " special flood hazard areas " unless the building or mobile home is covered by flood insurance. Since private

insurance does not offer flood coverage in many parts of the U.S., buyers often depend on the NFIP. "Each day a shutdown continues, the effects on the housing sector grow," said Shannon McGahn, executive vice president and chief advocacy officer at the National Association of Realtors.

NFIP supports nearly half a million home sales annually, according to NAR. Past lapses have shown the potential impact on the market: During a roughly 30-day freeze in June 2010, NAR estimated 1,400 home

sales were canceled or delayed each day.

The problem would be most acutely felt in Florida where about 14,800 monthly home sale closings depend on securing flood insurance. Texas, with 3,500 monthly closings, would also be impacted.

Flood insurance access is "just one of the many ways the extended shutdown could worsen the outlook for the housing market across the country," said Francis Torres, associate director for housing and infrastructure projects at the Bipartisan Policy

Amazon unveils new generation of AI-powered Kindle and other devices

By ANNE D'INNOCENZIO AP Retail Writer

ONLINE juggernaut

Amazon Inc. unveiled its next generation of Kindle, Ring and Echo devices, among other gadgets, that are all powered by artificial intelligence and connected to Alexa+, its AI-infused personal assistant, which made its debut in February.

The lineup, announced at a presentation and showcase in New York, includes new cameras for its Ring video monitoring device with a new AI facial recognition feature that allows users to register friends and family and notify them who is at the front door.

Amazon unveiled four new Echo devices revamped with Alexa+ that serve up personalized insights like whether the user left the front door unlocked after midnight.

The Seattle-based company also announced a series of Alexa+-infused Fire TVs that offer more personalized searches like finding a specific scene in a movie or getting commentary about last night's football game.

The presentation Tuesday was the first big product event for Panos Panay, who joined Amazon in 2023

to head up the company's devices and services teams after a 19-year career at Microsoft where he served as chief product officer. Panay told the audience of several hundred journalists and bloggers that Alexa+ and artificial intelligence are allowing technology to work "in the background when you don't."

"Products creating subtle shifts in all our behavior, driven by AI, integrated into the hardware," Panay said. "And flowing natural through the products themselves. Whether it's a camera catching what you missed. Or your Fire TV updating you on a game. Or your Kindle remembering exactly where you left off."

Amazon's effort to infuse more AI into its device lineup is part of technology's latest craze as all the industry's major players jockey to gain the upper hand.

The battle so far has focused on leveraging AI to make smartphones even smarter and turn digital assistants into more conversational and versatile companions better equipped to help people manage their lives. So far Samsung and Google have been making

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that MARLENE PIERRE of Taylor Street, Nassau, The Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 24th day of September, 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE

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 01th day of October 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

more significant strides with the AI features on their devices than Apple has made with the iPhone, which still doesn't have all the tools that the company promised more than a year ago. Meanwhile, OpenAI has joined forces with former Apple design guru Jony Ive to work on a wearable device built on AI technology PP Foresight analyst Paolo Pescatore wrote in a note Tuesday that the Amazon offerings were "a much needed refresh to the lineup, as it was starting to look a bit dated."

Center, citing housing vouchers and FHA-backed loans for first-time homebuyers as other areas that could be undermined by limited funds and staff.

"There is a direct through-line between a protracted shutdown and worsening conditions for the nation's housing crisis," said Torres.

Congress created the NFIP through the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968. It was meant to improve flood insurance access and affordability but also to set floodplain management standards.

"Attention to detail may not grab headlines, but it should not be overlooked, especially how the products look and feel, " he wrote."The latest generation of devices is designed to blend into users' lives without them realizing they exist ... Alexa+ is clearly the glue that holds the stack together..." Amazon has been expanding its home security features since the company bought Wi-Ficonnected cameras and doorbell maker Ring in 2018. Amazon said Tuesday that it's infusing the device with more technology and upgraded cameras that will transform the device into a doorbell attendant and community tool for pet

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that JEAN PAUL DERILUS P.O. Box SP 63988 Hampden Road, 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 01th day of October 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that DAPHNE ISEMA Lobster Avenue, Nassau, The Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration/ Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 30th day of September 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE

FLOODWATERS surround homes and vehicles in the community

"It's not just an insurance program, and that's probably the most misunderstood aspect," said Chad Berginnis, executive director of the Association of State Floodplain Managers.

The over 22,500 communities participating in the program must adopt minimum standards to access the program. They can also apply for mitigation funding to reduce risk ahead of time.

The FEMA-managed program has over 4.7 million policies representing $1.3 trillion in coverage.

NFIP's last long-term reauthorization was in 2012. Since the end of 2017, its continuation has depended on 33 short-term reauthorizations. Lawmakers, industry groups and policyholders have long called for NFIP reform to give the program stability and to address issues with floodplain mapping, affordability and solvency.

Floods are the "most common and widespread" type of disaster in the U.S., according the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, occurring in every state and territory and putting pressure on the insurance system. But only

owners among other new uses.

Amazon said the ring cameras with retinal vision now come with 2K resolution for sharper detail and 4K resolution video. Amazon's new AI facial recognition feature called "Familiar Faces," allows the user to register friends and family. The smart doorbell, infused with Alexa+, will also be able to manage deliveries and provide instructions for delivery workers among other tasks.

For pet owners, Amazon has a new feature that helps owners reunite lost dogs with their families. It works like this: A neighbor reports a lost dog in the Ring app, which would notify people nearby with a Ring camera. The cameras would then

on March 13, 2023.

about 4% of homeowners had flood coverage as of November 2024, according to the Government Accountability Office.

The GAO has cautioned that FEMA maps "may not reflect current flood risks," and Berginnis said the agency has a long way to go in mapping flood zones: "We've only mapped about a third of the nation's floodplains, and we wonder why flood losses keep going up," he said.

The NFIP has also struggled to set premium prices that balance affordability with solvency. The program borrows from the U.S. Treasury when it cannot payout claims and currently owes almost $23 billion.

A group of House lawmakers introduced a bill last week to reauthorize the program until Nov. 21. But Congress must look at a longer term solution, said Amanda Devecka-Rinear, executive director of the disaster-survivor advocacy group New Jersey Organizing Project.

"It's not fair to storm survivors and their communities to have this unpredictability and instability," she said.

use AI to look for a possible match with the lost dog. Ring Wired Doorbell Pro, priced at $249.99 and Wired Doorbell Plus, priced at $179.99, among other Ring cameras, will be available for pre-order on Tuesday, Amazon said. Ring's "Search Party" for dogs will begin rolling out in November, followed by cats and other pets. And Alexa+ Greetings and Familiar Faces will be offered in December, the company said. Amazon unveiled new versions of the Kindle Scribe that the company touts as lighter and faster and features an AI-powered notebook search. One of them includes a color screen.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that MYRTHO CADET South Beach, 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 01th day of October 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that DENEYL WILNICA SAINPHAR Marsh Harbour, Abaco, 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 01th day of October 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

FTC SUES ZILLOW AND REDFIN OVER DEAL IT ACCUSES OF SUPRESSING COMPETITION IN RENTAL ADS

By WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS AP Business Writer

THE U.S. Federal Trade Commission is suing Zillow and Redfin, accusing the real estate companies of entering what the regulator says is an illegal deal to suppress competition in online rental advertising.

In a lawsuit filed on Tuesday, the FTC alleges that this agreement started in February — when Zillow paid Redfin $100 million. In exchange for that and other compensation, the commission said, Redfin agreed to end contracts with advertising partners, stop competing ads for multifamily properties for up

to nine years and serve as a syndicator of Zillow listings on its own sites.

Redfin also fired hundreds of employees shortly after the announcement of this plan, Tuesday's complaint notes, alleging that the company also helped Zillow hire "its pick" of these workers.

"Zillow paid millions of dollars to eliminate Redfin as an independent competitor in an already concentrated advertising market — one that's critical for renters, property managers, and the health of the overall U.S. housing market," Daniel Guarnera, director of the FTC's

Bureau of Competition, said in a statement Tuesday. Guarnera added that Zillow and Redfin's actions were a violation of federal antitrust laws. The Commission argues that the companies' "unlawful scheme" maybe reduce incentives for further competition, and could lead to higher prices and fewer choices for multifamily rental advertising customers.

In a statement, a Zillow spokesperson maintained that its "listing syndication with Redfin benefits both renters and property managers" — adding that it had "expanded renters' access to multifamily listings."

CIVIL RIGHTS AGENCY DROPS A KEY TOOL USED TO INVESTIGATE WORKPLACE DISCRIMINATION

By CLAIRE SAVAGE and ALEXANDRA OLSON Associated Press

THE U.S. civil rights agency responsible for enforcing worker rights will stop investigating complaints about company policies that don't explicitly discriminate but may disproportionately harm certain groups, according to an internal memo obtained by The Associated Press.

The memo, emailed to all area, local and district office directors of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on Sept. 15, says that the agency will discharge by Tuesday any complaints based on "disparate impact liability," a legal concept that argues that even if a policy looks fair on the surface, it can still be discriminatory if it creates unnecessary barriers that make it harder for certain groups of people to succeed.

The EEOC's decision to drop such cases aligns with President Donald Trump's April executive order directing federal agencies to deprioritize the use of disparate impact in civil rights enforcement because it encourages the assumption that any racial imbalance in the workforce is a result of discrimination, which creates undue burden on businesses.

The move marks a significant shift in EEOC enforcement, and critics

say it weakens an effective legal tool used to root out workplace discrimination. That's especially true when it comes to addressing algorithmic bias as more employers rely on AI in the hiring process. Since AI draws on large amounts of data to generate results, it can replicate the patterns of inequality even if it's not programmed to do so. In one infamous example, Amazon developed a resume-scanning tool to recruit top talent, but abandoned it after finding it favored men for technical roles — in part because it was comparing job candi-

Historically, discrimination claims invoking disparate impact have been less common than those alleging intentional discrimination, known as disparate treatment. But in AI systems, discrimination is more likely to occur in the disparate impact context, said Littler attorney Bradford Kelley, who was chief counsel to former Republican EEOC Commissioner Keith Sonderling. Kelley said companies should still be concerned that their algorithms could invite disparate impact complaints, noting that many states and local

“As AI is becoming more and more popular, it’s particularly important that we have the disparate impact tools available to be able to police it and make sure it’s not being

used to resegregate the workforce.”

Christine Webber

dates against the company's own male-dominated tech workforce.

"As AI is becoming more and more popular, it's particularly important that we have the disparate impact tools available to be able to police it and make sure it's not being used to resegregate the workforce," said civil rights and plaintiffside employment attorney Christine Webber.

authorities have their own laws and regulations.

"The risk is still there," he said.

Despite its modern-day applications, the idea of disparate impact is not new: It has been an established part of U.S. civil rights law for decades, and has helped stop unfair practices that keep minorities, women, people with disabilities, older adults, and others

The Seattle-based company said the agreement was "pro-competitive and pro-consumer."

A spokesperson for Redfin, which was acquired by Detroit-based mortgage giant Rocket Companies earlier this year, added that the company "strongly disagrees with the FTC's allegations" and was confident about prevailing in court. Redfin reiterated the Zillow partnership had given its users access to more rental listings and advertising customers access to more renters — noting that by the end of 2024, the company had determined that its own number of advertising

customers "couldn't justify the cost of maintaining our rentals sales force."

The FTC still maintains that the agreement isn't the partnership Redfin and Zillow say it is. The Commission, which authorized

filing Tuesday's complaint in a 3-0 vote, is seeking to get the companies to end this deal, in addition to other relief from the court — such as potential divestiture of assets or business reconstruction "to restore the competition."

from getting jobs, loans, or equal pay.

The EEOC memo cites Trump's executive order arguing that disparate impact has become a "key tool" of a "pernicious movement" that threatens meritocracy in favor of "racial balancing" in the workforce, and instructs districts to compile a list of pending disparate impact cases, then close them by Tuesday. Workers who submitted complaints solely on these grounds will receive a notice from the agency saying they can pursue the case in court on their own if they wish.

The EEOC declined to comment on the memo, citing that its contents are privileged. But a spokesperson said that as an executive branch agency, the EEOC "will fully and robustly comply with all Executive Orders" and that it "continues to fulfill its statutory obligation of accepting all charges of discrimination from all charging parties and serving all charges of discrimination on the relevant employer, regardless of the theory of discrimination alleged."

Georgia farmers will get $531M in Hurricane Helene aid, but

By JEFF AMY Associated Press

THE wait continues for Georgia farmers who need more aid after Hurricane Helene, even as state and federal officials in other states announce agreements.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper on Tuesday announced Georgia farmers will receive $531 million, on the same day that federal and state officials

the deal's not done yet

announced $38 million in additional aid for South Carolina farmers. But unlike in South Carolina, as well as earlier announcements in Florida, North Carolina and Virginia, Georgia's aid amount wasn't accompanied by a finalized agreement on how the state is going to hand out the block grant.

Matthew Agvent, a spokesperson for the Republican Harper, said Georgia officials are "ironing out administrative details in the agreement

with USDA while we also finalize the state's work plan." He didn't estimate when a final agreement might be signed. Agvent said Tuesday's announcement is significant, though, because it means state and federal officials agreed on how much money should be spent aiding farmers for different crops. Agvent called that "the vast majority of the negotiation process."

"This funding is absolutely essential to help our farm families bounce back from Hurricane Helene, and

our team invested hundreds of hours into the negotiation process to secure the maximum possible amount of federal funding for our state and our producers," Harper said in a statement, citing the "urgency of the situation." U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said in her statement that aid was being delivered "in record time."

Harper, a strong supporter of President Donald Trump, has been facing questions about when money would begin flowing around the anniversary of Helene's Sept. 26, 2024, landfall. Georgia officials previously said they had hoped to finalize their agreement in May or June.

The delays are frustrating Georgia farmers, who have operated for a year without making up losses not covered by insurance or other assistance. Some farmers have dipped into savings. Others have unpaid debts from last year, and couldn't borrow as much to plant 2025 crops. A few have sold equipment or land to generate cash. The financial stress comes as farmers face low prices for some crops even as the price of farming has risen. Vann Wooten, a farmer in south

Webber said the EEOC's decision not to pursue these investigations "definitely erects an unnecessary hurdle" for workers who filed complaints, and now no longer get the benefit of a publicly-funded investigation, which can be difficult and costly. Unlike private lawyers, the EEOC has the ability to compel employers to provide information early in the process.

Former EEOC general counsel Karla Gilbride, who was fired in January alongside two Democratic commissioners, said she was "disturbed" by the agency's decision to close charges based on their category, not the facts and evidence.

And because disparate impact often involves company-wide or industry-wide policies, the number of people affected is usually larger than an individual discrimination complaint.

"You're talking about thousands of people who could be affected by this," added former EEOC commissioner Chai Feldblum.

Despite the EEOC's new stance, some businesses are proactively addressing potential bias. Job search

website Indeed, for example, recently developed a virtual hiring assistant using generative AI aimed at helping employers find and connect with talent, according to senior product director Heidi Laki.

She said a core tenet of building out that product is ensuring AI is used responsibly — and conducting both disparate impact and disparate treatment analyses to "make sure that we don't have outcomes that disproportionately affect populations."

And following the EEOC's shift in enforcement, "we are maintaining all of our responsible AI analysis that we had before," Laki said. ________ The Associated Press' women in the workforce and state government coverage receives financial support from Pivotal Ventures. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

Georgia's Jefferson Davis County, told WJCL-TV last week that he's stopped raising chickens and refocused on cattle and produce after the storm demolished his chicken houses, causing $2 million in damage. Georgia officials have said the poultry industry is a big target for additional aid.

"We still haven't gotten nothing. We still haven't even got a word," Wooten, also a county commissioner, told the television station.

"We got a promise. But nothing on paper." Delays came even though state and federal officials promised the process would move quickly, unlike after October 2018's Hurricane Michael, when assistance to farmers got held up because of a dispute between Trump and Democrats over additional aid for Puerto Rico.

Then, Georgia officials didn't start taking grant applications until March 2020.

U.S. Sen Raphael Warnock, a Georgia Democrat, called Tuesday's announcement "welcome news" but said, "I'm concerned this agreement has taken so long and is still not finalized. Georgia farmers and foresters can't wait any longer for relief."

Helene storm cut a swath from Florida's Big Bend across eastern Georgia and upstate South Carolina before causing historic flooding in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. It's the seventh-most expensive disaster in the United States since 1980, causing an estimated $78 billion in damage and 219 deaths.

Democrats vote down GOP funding bill, putting government on path to shutdown

By MARY CLARE JALONICK, LISA MASCARO and STEPHEN GROVES Associated Press

SENATE Democrats

have voted down a Republican bill to keep funding the government, putting it on a near certain path to a shutdown after midnight Wednesday for the first time in almost seven years.

After the vote, the White House's Office of Management and Budget issued a memo saying that "affected agencies should now execute their plans for an orderly shutdown."

The Senate rejected the legislation as Democrats are making good on their threat to close the government if President Donald Trump and Republicans won't accede to their health care demands. The 55-45 vote on the bill to extend federal funding for seven weeks fell short of the 60 needed to end a filibuster and pass the legislation.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said Republicans are trying to "bully" Democrats by refusing to negotiate on an extension of health care benefits and other priorities.

A government closure would mean that hundreds of thousands of federal workers could be furloughed or laid off.

Trump threatened retribution on Democrats for a potential shutdown, saying Tuesday that it could include "cutting vast numbers of people out, cutting things that they like, cutting programs that they like."

Instead of negotiating, Democrats and Republicans angrily blamed each other Tuesday and refused to budge from their positions.

"It's only the president who can do this. We know he runs the show here," Schumer said Tuesday morning, after a bipartisan White House meeting the day before yielded little progress. "Republicans have until midnight tonight to get serious with us," Schumer said.

Trump and his fellow Republicans said they won't entertain any changes to the legislation, arguing that it's a stripped-down, "clean" bill that should be noncontroversial.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune. R-S.D., said Republicans "are not going to be held hostage" by the Democrats' demands. The GOP-led House was on a weeklong recess, unavailable for immediate votes even if the Senate did find bipartisan agreement. And far from entering into negotiations, Trump instead posted a fake, mocking video of Democrats on Monday evening after the White House meeting. After Tuesday's votes, it was increasingly unlikely that either side would blink before the deadline.

Blame game escalates

While partisan stalemates over government spending are a frequent occurrence in Washington, the current impasse comes as Democrats see a rare opportunity to use their leverage to achieve policy goals and as their base voters are spoiling for a fight with Trump.

Pfizer agrees to lower prescription drug costs for Medicaid in a deal with Trump

By TOM MURPHY and MICHELLE L. PRICE Associated Press

PFIZER has agreed to lower the cost of prescription drugs for Medicaid under a deal struck with the Trump administration, President Donald Trump said Tuesday as he promised similar deals with other drugmakers under the threat of tariffs.

Trump made the announcement at the White House alongside Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla just hours ahead of a possible government shutdown in a partisan standoff over health care and spending.

Pfizer Inc., one of the largest U.S. drugmakers, produces the COVID-19 vaccine Comirnaty and the treatment Paxlovid. Its products also include several cancer drugs, the blood thinner Eliquis and Prevnar pneumonia vaccines.

Under the deal, New York-based Pfizer will charge most-favorednation pricing to Medicaid and guarantee that pricing on newly launched drugs, Trump said. That involves matching the lowest price offered in other developed nations.

Pfizer also agreed to participate in a new website the administration plans to start called TrumpRx, which will allow people to buy drugs directly from manufacturers. Pfizer said many of its treatments will be offered at discounts that average 50% through that platform.

The agreement builds on an executive order Trump signed in May, setting a deadline for drugmakers to electively lower prices or face new limits on what the government will pay. Trump said deals with other

Republicans who hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate needed at least eight votes from Democrats after Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky opposed the bill.

Still, Schumer said Trump and Republicans would be to blame if the government shuts down.

Thune said before the vote that he was "hoping there are Democrats out there who are reasonable and understand what's at stake here."

The last shutdown was in Trump's first term, from December 2018 to January 2019, when he demanded that Congress give him money for his U.S.-Mexico border wall. Trump retreated after 35 days — the longest shutdown ever — amid intensifying airport delays and missed paydays for federal workers.

Democrats' health care asks

Millions of people could face higher insurance premiums if the health care subsidies expire at the end of the year. Congress first put them in place in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, to expand coverage for low- and middle-income people who purchase health insurance through the Affordable Care Act.

Democrats have said they want the subsidies immediately extended. They have also demanded that Republicans reverse the Medicaid cuts that were enacted as a part of Trump's "big, beautiful bill" this summer and for the White House to promise it will not move to rescind spending passed by Congress.

"We are not going to support a partisan Republican spending bill that continues to gut the health care of everyday Americans,"

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said.

Thune pressed Democrats to vote for the funding bill and take up the debate on tax credits later. Some Republicans are open to extending the tax credits, but many are strongly opposed to it.

In rare, pointed backand-forth with Schumer on the Senate floor Tuesday morning, Thune said Republicans "are happy to fix the ACA issue" and have offered to negotiate with Democrats — if they will vote to keep the government open until Nov. 21.

No agreement at the White House

The bipartisan meeting at the White House on Monday was Trump's first with all four leaders in Congress since retaking the White House for his second term. Schumer said the group "had candid, frank discussions" about health care and the potential for health insurance costs to skyrocket once expanded Affordable Care Act tax credits expire Dec. 31.

But Trump did not appear to be ready for serious talks. Hours later, he posted a fake video of Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem

Jeffries taken from footage of their real press conference outside of the White House after the meeting. In the altered video, a voiceover that sounds like Schumer's voice makes fun of Democrats and Jeffries stands beside him with a cartoon sombrero and mustache. Mexican music plays in the background. At a news conference on the Capitol steps Tuesday morning, Jeffries said it was a "racist and fake AI video."

Schumer said that "we have less than a day to figure this out" and Trump is trolling on the internet "like a 10-year-old."

A critical, and unusual, vote for Democrats

Democrats are in an uncomfortable position for a party that has long denounced shutdowns as pointless and destructive, and it's unclear how or when it would end. But party activists and lawmakers have argued that Democrats need to do something to stand up to Trump.

"The level of appeasement that Trump demands never ends," said Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt. "We've seen that with universities, with law firms, with prosecutors. So is there a point where you just have to stand up to him? I think there is."

Some groups called for Schumer's resignation in

March after he and nine other Democrats voted to break a filibuster and allow a Republican-led funding bill to advance to a final vote.

Schumer said then that he voted to keep the government open because a shutdown would have made things worse as Trump's administration was slashing government jobs. He says now that he believes things have changed, including the passage this summer of the massive GOP tax cut bill that reduced Medicaid.

Shutdown preparations begin

The stakes are huge for federal workers across the country as the White House told agencies last week that they should consider "a reduction in force" for many federal programs if the government shuts down. That means that workers who are not deemed essential could be fired instead of just furloughed. Either way, most would not get paid. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated in a letter to Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst on Tuesday that around 750,000 federal workers could be furloughed each day once a shutdown begins.

Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, a Democrat, said some of the many federal workers in his state support a shutdown.

drug companies would be coming over the next week.

"I can't tell you how big this is," the president said Tuesday.

"We are turning the tide and we are reversing an unfair situation," Bourla said.

But prescription drug pricing expert Stacie Dusetzina said it isn't clear yet the extent of the pricing changes that will occur.

The Vanderbilt University Medical Center professor noted that Pfizer is keeping specific terms of the deal confidential, and it wasn't clear how different any new pricing levels will be from what Medicaid already pays Pfizer.

Consumers are not expected to start seeing lower prices under the Pfizer deal until 2026, according to senior administration officials who were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

Patients in Medicaid, the state and federally funded program for people with low incomes, already pay a nominal co-payment of a few dollars to fill their prescriptions, but lower prices could help state budgets that fund the programs.

Lower drug prices also will help patients who have no insurance coverage and little leverage to negotiate better deals on what they pay. But even steep discounts of 50% found through the administration's website could still leave patients paying hundreds of dollars a month for some prescriptions.

Drugmakers in the past couple of years have started launching websites to connect customers directly with some products, such as obesity treatments or the blood thinner Eliquis.

WALL STREET YAWNS AT DC’S LOOMING SHUTDOWN AS THE DOW SETS ANOTHER RECORD

By STAN CHOE AP Business Writer

U.S. stocks coasted to the finish of their latest winning month on Tuesday, as Wall Street yawned at the potential shutdown of the U.S. federal government that's looming.

The S&P 500 rose 0.4% to close out its fifth straight winning month after setting a record last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 81 points, or 0.2%, to set its own all-time high, and the Nasdaq composite ticked 0.3% higher.

The quiet trading came as a midnight deadline approached, when the U.S. government could shut down because of Washington's latest political impasse. That's because history has shown that past shutdowns have had limited impact on the economy and stock market, and many economists and professional investors expect something similar this time around.

The S&P 500 has climbed an average of 4.4% during past shutdowns and is positive over the last five, according to Monica Guerra, head of U.S. policy at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. What could make this shutdown different, though, is that the White House may push for large-scale firings of federal workers.

The broad stock market has been on a nearly relentless run since hitting a low in April on expectations that President Donald Trump's tariffs won't derail global trade and that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates several times to boost the slowing job market.

Treasury yields wavered in the bond market but ultimately held relatively steady following mixed reports on the U.S. economy. One said consumers are feeling less confident than economists expected, with many respondents in the Conference Board's

survey pointing to the job market and to inflation that has remained higher than anyone would like.

A second report suggested the job market may be remaining in its "lowhire, low-fire" state. U.S. employers were advertising roughly the same number of job openings at the end of August as the month before. The hope on Wall Street had been for a number that's neither too high nor too low, one balanced enough to keep the Fed on track to continue cutting interest rates.

The Fed just delivered its first cut of the year, and officials have penciled in more to give the job market a boost. But too-strong data on jobs could make the Fed less willing to cut rates, which would strengthen criticism that the U.S. stock market has become too expensive after prices ran so high. Too-weak numbers, meanwhile, could signal a coming recession,

which would also hurt stock prices. When Wall Street will get the next data reports on the job market is uncertain, though. A shutdown of the federal government would cause delays for several important reports, including Friday's on how many jobs U.S. employers created and destroyed in September. That could make Wall Street more twitchy when investors are already nervous about the state of the economy and what that means for the potential for cuts to rates. The Department of Labor has already said that the Bureau of

Labor Statistics will completely cease operations if there's a lapse. On Wall Street, CoreWeave jumped 11.7% after saying Meta Platforms will pay up to $14.2 billion for a new order for cloud computing power made under its existing service agreement, with the potential for more.

Lamb Weston climbed 4.3% after the supplier of frozen French fries and other potato products reported a stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected.

On the losing end of Wall Street was Spotify

Technology, which sank 4.2%. The Stockholmbased streaming giant said its founder, Daniel Ek, is stepping down as CEO to become the executive chairman. Two of his lieutenants will replace him as co-CEOs: Chief Product and Technology Officer Gustav Söderström and Chief Business Officer Alex Norström.

Oil-related companies weighed on the market as the price of crude fell again as traders see too much oil washing around the world. Baker Hughes sank 3.6%, and Schlumberger fell 2.1%.

MARINE FORECAST