10292025 BUSINESS

Bahamas‘regressed inthepast10years’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas “has regressed over the last ten years” due to the National Development Plan (NDP) being “shelved”, its vice-chairman asserted yesterday, resulting in the country “standing still” while other nations progress.

Gowon Bowe, vice-chairman of the newly-appointed steering committee charged with the Plan’s implementation, told Tribune Business that its reformation is “only the frst step on a long journey” to revive an initiative largely neglected during the nine years since the ‘State of the Nation’ report was produced in 2016 under the last Christie administration.

Suggesting that successive administrations and “all political parties are responsible” for that outcome, he warned that the international community will not wait for The Bahamas to catch up and prove it has a development strategy not solely reliant on its US proximity and “the belief that we’re being looked after by the Almighty”.

The Plan was designed to create an enduring, non-partisan road map or guide for The Bahamas’ short, medium

• Nation ‘stood still’ as Development Plan ‘shelved’

• Political parties ‘shied away’ over accountability

• Committee revival ‘frst step on a long journey’

and long-term economic and social development, while setting out a series of benchmarks and milestones - together with associated timelines for their attainment - to measure progress.

To move it forward, Mr Bowe told this newspaper “there’s going to have to be maturity by the political class” to treat it as a national, rather than partisan, development tool. And he suggested that, to-date, the major political parties have deliberately “shied away” from implementing the Plan for fear it would hold them “accountable” for their achievements and failings while in ofce.

“What has been re-engaged is only the frst step of a long journey,” the Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) chief said of the revived steering committee, which held its frst meeting

Dealer chief: NewCarShow proved‘spoton’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

A BAHAMIAN auto dealer yesterday said the 2025 New Car Show proved “spot on” in terms of industry expectations and seemingly attracted “a higher volume” of visitors interested in purchasing as opposed to just viewing models.

Ben Albury, the Bahamas Motor Dealers Association’s (BMDA) president, told Tribune Business that he and his competitors will “have a better idea in a month” of how successful the annual event has been in generating new business as it provided a platform for the industry to showcase all of what it ofers in just one venue.

“I would say we had an excellent turnout,” he said. “One thing I noticed in speaking to some of the other dealers is that it seemed like we had a high volume of buyers. Sometimes when you have an event like this you end up with a high ratio of people that are just looking around.

“I shouldn’t say that’s typical, but when you’ve been in this business a long time as I have, when you go to these things you can kind of gauge the interest. It seemed like a lot of people, when they cam through, were prepared, were pre-approved [for fnancing], had a good idea of what they were looking for, and got a number of quotes. I’ve already seen one or two of those come through at this point and stage.”

The Bahamas Bus & Truck general manager told this newspaper that “it takes a while” for New Car Show interest to evolve into actual vehicle purchases as potential buyers often have to be approved for fnancing by banks and other lenders.

“I’ve seen times in the past where people came out and looked and, six months later, they come into the shop and say they were not in the market at the time, circumstances have changed, I remember this and want to look at the options and alternatives,” he added. “I’ve seen shows where you sell 50 cars and I’ve seen shows where you sell 10-20.

“It’s not the instant gratifcation; it’s the trickle down efect down the road. Sometimes it takes a month to get the fnancing in

on Friday, October 3. “Some may take a bit of ofence to me saying this, but the country has regressed over the last ten years as a result of the shelving of this particular plan.

“By that I mean there have been external factors like COVID-19, Hurricane Dorian, a haphazard US economy and the like, but the reality is we have not progressed [in the absence] of the National Development Plan.” As an example, he cited the “severely challenged” Bahamian public healthcare system, and the fact it seems “not much further ahead in bricks and mortar”, but also access to and quality of medical care, than it was in 2016 when the ‘State of the Nation’ report was released.

“In education, have we seen any progress in exam results and competencies coming out of high school? The answer is

no,” Mr Bowe added. “If you look at our social challenges they have actually worsened in terms of the proliferation of gang culture and, in terms of socio-economic aspects, if it’s more proftable to live a life of crime than live as a law-abiding citizen, then that’s the natural draw.

“When we look at our economy, do we have a clear idea of the extent of our progress economically. Our two main industries are tourism and fnancial services. Has there been any clear strategy for tourism and fnancial services?

DoctorsHospitaltakes$18m unpaidmedicalbillprovision

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

DOCTORS Hospital has taken impairment provisions for almost 31 percent of the $58m in unpaid medical bills owed to it by individual patients and third-party payers such as insurance companies and the Government.

The BISX-listed healthcare provider, in unveiling a $905,603 total comprehensive loss for the year to end-January 2025, also disclosed in its fnancial statements that provisions for expected credit losses - meaning medical bill arrears it expects to not collect - have increased by more than $5m or 41.9 percent year-over-year to just shy of $18m.

Of the $58m gross trade receivables due to Doctors Hospital, some $7.454m was owed by the Government at the January 31, 2025, year-end date. The latter fgure, though, represented a more than $4.2m

or 36.3 percent decrease compared to the $11.704m that was due from the Government at the close of the healthcare provider’s 2024 fnancial year.

Dennis Deveaux, Doctors Hospital’s chief fnancial ofcer, could not be reached for comment by Tribune Business via phone or message before press time last night, but the impairment provisions cut Doctors Hospital’s net trade receivables to just over $40m and represented a $2m decline on the prior year’s $42.041m.

Describing trade receivables as comprising sums owed by self-pay patients; patients who have received a settlement from their insurance companies; sums due directly from insurers; and from the Government, Doctors Hospital’s audited fnancial statements said: “Based on the modelling prepared by management, the expected credit losses on patient and third- party receivables as at January 31, 2025 is $17.967.”

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

CABLE Bahamas’ top executive says “we like where we are” despite the net loss for the year to end-June 2025 doubling to $6.746m as 50 percent of New Providence subscribers have now been switched to its new AlivFibr network.

Franklyn Butler, the BISX-listed communications provider’s president and chief executive, told Tribune Business in a recent interview that despite closing the 2025 fnancial year “slightly behind plan” the company had made signifcant progress in completing the 100 percent roll-out of its new fbre-tothe-home infrastructure throughout New Providence.

With the Cable Bahamas group now aiming to fnish the AlivFibr build-out in Abaco this year, he also cited Aliv’s “50 percent and growing market share”, with operating income margins “in line” with global mobile industry standards, as further evidence that the operator is on sound foundations despite its net loss jumping from the

This compared to $12.664m in 2024, and the healthcare provider added that the debts owed by the Government are viewed as low-risk in terms of its prospects for collection. “The group considers that any receivable balance that is more than 90 days past due is impaired,” Doctors Hospital added.

“Included in the trade receivables –third party payors are the amounts due from the Government of The Bahamas totalling $7.454m (2024: $11.705m), on which the group measures impairment losses using the general approach.

Fay SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

MINISTRY of Works employees yesterday complained they are struggling to perform their duties due to a lack of essential tools and unpaid vendor bills that have left them frustrated and over-extended.

Senior Superintendent Angelo Rolle raised concerns during a protest at the Ministry of Works headquarters on JFK Drive, saying the garage section has faced difculties receiving equipment from vendors because outstanding bills remain unpaid.

“We fnd out when we go to get a quote, they say we can't even give you a quote because you all didn't pay your bill yet. So the bill is not paid. We can't even get a quote, so we come back. All we do is sit down and wait,” said Mr Rolle.

He added that the ministry has repeatedly failed to provide the tools staf need to complete their work, leaving employees frustrated and forced to rely on their own resources.

“For the fact of us having tools, the Ministry don't supply the tools that we need. Over and over we’ll write up list over list, and they don't send the adequate tools that we need. So we have to use our personal tools,” said Mr Rolle.

He added that the the fnancial strain of purchasing these tools has been compounded by the delay in the Government implementing a salary increase for line staf civil servants, which has made it difcult for employees to cover these costs out of pocket.

“Its $300 for a tool. So if that tool is broke, then you got to come up with a drill and then now, remember what you getting paid now. They're refusing to give you

Director hails Caribbean over fnancial services compliance

THE Bahamas’ fnancial services director has hailed the Caribbean for being “among the most compliant regions in the developing world” while emphasising the importance of regional collaboration.

Brandace Duncanson, addressing the Caribbean Regional Compliance Association (CRCA) Conference 2025, held last week in St Kitts and Nevis, called for fair competition in fnancial services by demanding that the same regulations and standards apply to all countries.

Praising the Association’s role in uniting regional professionals, and for fostering a culture of transparency and co-operation, she said: “The Caribbean’s success in compliance will be defned by our ability to unite.

“When we work together as regulators with the industry, governments with the private sector, and islands with other islands, we not only strengthen our defences against fnancial crime, we also strengthen investor confdence and protect the integrity of our fnancial systems.”

Ms Duncanson further emphasised that collaboration must extend beyond compliance enforcement to collective advocacy for fairness in international fnancial services.

“The Caribbean is already among the most compliant regions in the developing world. What’s needed is for the same rules to apply to everyone. Decisions that afect our economies and reputations should not be made in rooms where we have no voice,” she added.

Cable seeking ‘right balance’ on dividends, debt refnance

prior year’s $3.363m - something it blamed primarily on the payment of preference share dividends.

These payments rose by almost $4m, growing from $17.5757m to $21.589m during the 12 months to-end June 2025, and marking a 21.6 percent jump. Mr Butler told this newspaper that Cable Bahamas is “trying to strike the right balance” between using its $69m cash holdings to pay down expensive preference share debt and “rewarding common shareholders” via dividend payments.

The BISX-listed communications provider paid an $0.08 per share dividend to its equity owners at end-September 2025, and Mr Butler pledged the company will “do all we can to achieve the results to make” such payouts consistent, signalling there are no plans to change dividend policy. However, post the endJune fnancial year close, its Aliv mobile subsidiary also redeemed $20m of its outstanding $54.291m Series B

preference shares on July 15, 2025.

“We were slightly behind plan for 2025; nothing signifcant,” Mr Butler said. “I’d say we were almost on target. The reality for us is that it was a good year because we were able to fnish a lot of the work on fbre-to-the-home. We have converted 50 percent of New Providence [subscribers] to it.

“On mobile, Aliv has over 50 percent market share and growing. It had a strong year in mobile roaming as it took advantage of a strong economy and tourism.” Mr Butler confrmed that the AlivFibr network now passes all homes and businesses in New Providence, although only half of subscribers have so far been switched to it.

“We had some slight overspend in certain areas where we had to put in more underground infrastructure than was anticipated, but we think that was a good investment for that purpose,” Mr Butler added of the $80m network rollout. “We continue to fne tune the installation costs

Kidney Centre deal cuts 2025 losses by $574k

that the purchase price paid to acquire that business was $8.067m.

The conference brought together regional compliance professionals, policymakers, regulators and private sector executives committed to advancing compliance standards across the Caribbean.

The Ministry of Economic Afairs has been a sponsor for the conference over the past four years,

and the use of third-party contractors versus internal resources.

“We like where we are. A lot of capital expenditure is largely behind us. We’re focusing on completing Abaco for 2026; connecting customers in New Providence and getting Abaco done. In Abaco we are just about done and and we are connecting customers to AlivFibr there. Our capital expenditure is going to improve.”

Mr Butler acknowledged that Cable Bahamas’ legacy TV/video business continues to battle competition from streaming rivals such as Netfix as well as customers who are switching to Internet or Internet/fxedline phone services. “TV is still where we struggle,” he added. “There’s a bit of pressure on subscribers as people just want Internet or Internet and voice.

“Any subscriber issues we are seeing are in line with cyclical trends. While people come on and of, we are not seeing anything signifcant. In the Family Islands we are seeing some churn in subscribers. If you go into some of those places like Eleuthera, we are seeing some of that, but in New Providence we are not seeing any erosion of the subscriber base from that perspective.”

in recognition of its vital role in strengthening the region’s fnancial integrity and promoting best practices in governance and compliance.

The conference saw signifcant participation from The Bahamas, including Fareda Sands, former president of The Bahamas Association of Compliance

Cable Bahamas’ losses in recent years have been largely driven by intangibles and accounting treatments involving the write-down of network asset values via depreciation, plus signifcant interest and dividend payments on its preference shares and bank debts. “I think 2026 will be the last of those big tranches,” Mr Butler said. “I’m not worried about that on a global basis. It’s not something I have a big anxiety over.”

Further write-downs of Cable Bahamas’ legacy network infrastructure, due to its replacement by AlivFibr, will likely be incurred moving forward as more subscribers are switched to fbre-to-the-home. Mr Butler, though, said the communications provider will continue to use its cash holdings to pay down and retire more expensive debt to slash interest and servicing costs.

“We have got free cash fow and we want to pay down debt,” he told this newspaper. “Eight percent is expensive debt. The more we can pay that down, the better. It’s best to reduce that with excess cash. We’re trying to strike the right balance between rewarding our common shareholders and paying down expensive debt on the balance sheet when we can.

Ofcers (BACO) and one of the event’s co- chairs.

The Insurance Commission of The Bahamas also participated, with Dana Munnings-Gray, superintendent of insurance, delivering a presentation.

Valdez Russell, a Bahamian communications executive, served as the moderator for the event.

Attendees included Dr Terrance Drew, prime minister of St Kitts and Nevis; Marcella Liburd, governor general of St Kitts and Nevis; Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles, attorney general of the Turks and Caicos Islands; and Jay Saunders, minister of innovation, technology and energy for the Turks and Caicos Islands. Ms Duncanson said collaboration through forums such as CRCA not only strengthens compliance but also contributes to economic resilience across the Caribbean.

“Each Caribbean nation on its own will always face size and resource constraints. But, together, we form a bloc that has already achieved results. When we link arms, share knowledge and open doors together, we go beyond meeting standards; we set them,” she added.

“Aliv is performing very well. Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) is very strong. Margins are really in line with industry standards from an EBITDA perspective. We feel that business is in good shape now, and going to impact cash and free cash fow.”

NETWORK - See Page B1 AUTO - See Page B1

“The expected weighted-average credit loss rate for the balances due from the Government of The Bahamas is 0.57 percent as at January 31, 2025, (2024:1.25 percent). As at January 31, 2025, the provision for impairment losses amounted to $42,772 (2024: $127,267).” Meanwhile, Doctors Hospital, which remains frmly in expansion mode and investing for anticipated future growth, sufered a $2.5m bottom line reversal with 2024’s $1.945m proft turning into a $905,603 loss. The audited fnancials disclose that the loss would have been greater, and exceeded $1m plus, had it not been for the BISXlisted healthcare provider’s April 2024 acquisition of The Kidney Centre. The latte business generated a $574,093 proft on $6.794m worth of patient service revenues during the latter nine months of Doctors Hospital’s fnancial year. The latter’s fnancial statements reveal

“On April 30, 2024, the group acquired 100 percent of the shares and voting interests of Kidney Centre Ltd (KCL) and, as a result, the group gained control of the subsidiary,” Doctors Hospital’s fnancial statements said.

“For the nine months ended January 31, 2025, KCL contributed revenue of $6.8m and proft of $574,093 to the group’s results. If the acquisition had occurred on February 1, 2024, management estimates that the [group’s] consolidated revenue would have been $123.465m and the consolidated net loss for the year would have been $714,239.

“In determining these amounts, management has assumed that the fair value adjustments that arose on the date of acquisition would have been the same if the acquisition had occurred on February 1, 2024,” it added.

“At the acquisition date, the group transferred cash

consideration in the amount of $8.067m. The group incurred acquisition-related costs of $626,514 on legal fees and due diligence costs. These costs have been included as a part of the acquisition costs.” The $2.975m worth of ‘goodwill’ that Doctors Hospital booked from the Kidney Centre’s purchase was also subject to testing by its external auditors, KPMG. Doctors Hospital, in its 2024 annual report, had warned that the rise in trade receivables was a “material headwind” to proftability after it was forced to then more than triple provisions to cover medical bill non-payment by government patients and insurers to $12.7m.

Warning shareholders then about its “rising exposure to uncompensated care and declining payer coverage [and] reimbursement”, Doctors Hospital management nevertheless confrmed it will never turn any patient in need of care away while pledging to work with the Government to address the challenges posed by uninsured persons who cannot aford to cover treatment costs themselves.

“Due to broad issues with inpatient capacity at

the national level, and the spillover efects of those constraints as a driver of higher self-pay patients in New Providence, Doctors Hospital Health Systems (DHHS) saw its related provision for expected credit losses under IFRS (international fnancial reporting standard) nine grow to $11m versus $3m in the prior year,” the BISXlisted healthcare provider wrote.

“Notwithstanding these earnings challenges, the group continues to stand afrmatively in the gap, bridging bottlenecks in the public system and working collaboratively with the Government of The Bahamas to defne long-term solutions to its capacity challenges for uninsured patients.” And the inability of the Government and public healthcare patients to cover their bills is not the only challenge.

Asked about Cable Bahamas’ goals for its current 2026 fnancial year, and likelihood that it will maintain September’s dividend payout rate, Mr Butler replied: “We’re going to give more rewards to shareholders and give them good returns on their investment in Cable Bahamas.

“We’re going to take care of our customers and give them a taste of the best in class Caribbean network we have on a network here in The Bahamas.” As for dividends, he added: “We’re going to try all we can to achieve the results to make that happen. I don’t expect anything to change… We don’t envision, save for any catastrophe or natural disaster, any change in dividend policy.”

Meanwhile, Felix Stubbs, the former IBM (Bahamas) chief, has replaced Ross McDonald, the ex-head of Royal Bank of Canada’s (RBC) Bahamas operations, as the chairman

against third-party accounts receivables balances increased to $1.7m in fnancial year 2024, up materially from $0.5m in the period prior.

Private sector partners supporting this efort include Champion Spirit Country Club Bahamas; the Securities Commission; Baha Mar; Maran Global; Leno Corporate Services; Caystone Solutions; Liongate Bahamas; and Equity Bank Bahamas.

The Asian tour will also include attending and sponsoring the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Asia conference in Hong Kong, and a fnancial services summit in Shanghai, which will feature a panel of Bahamian fnancial services executives. The Bahamian delegation will be led by Ms Duncanson.

The Ministry of Economic Afairs said its participation in the Asia tour underscored its ongoing commitment to expanding global partnerships and promoting The Bahamas as a world-class jurisdiction for fnancial services, innovation and investment.

Following the CRCA conference, the Ministry of Economic Afairs will embark on an Asian tour during the frst week of November, which will begin with the Bahamas Asia Forum on November 5. This will showcase the ‘Bahamas Advantage’ as the country seeks to tap into new fnancial services markets across Asia.

of Cable Bahamas’ Board. The change was disclosed in the communications provider’s just-released annual report for the 2025 fnancial year.

Mr Butler, in his message to shareholders, wrote:

“We took decisive steps to strengthen our fnancial position, including the successful issuance of Series Two preferred shares, which raised $60.9m in net proceeds. This bolstered liquidity and supported ongoing investments in AlivFibr, which now connects over 24,000 households in New Providence.

“Capital expenditures of $53.9m were directed toward network expansion, digital innovatio, and sustainability enhancements. Meanwhile, the ordinary dividend was increased from $0.12 to $0.16 per share refecting our confdence in long-term value creation for shareholders.

“While the Group reported a net loss of $6.7m, driven primarily by preferred share dividends, we remain focused on disciplined cost management and operational efciency. With a strengthened balance sheet, robust cash fow and a clear path to earnings recovery, Cable Bahamas is well-positioned for continued growth and innovation in fnancial year 2026.”

“Decreased reimbursement exists when payers remit less than what is invoiced for services or when higher fnancial risk is transferred to members/ groups in the form of higher out of pocket obligations - co-payments, deductibles - which are subsequently unmet.” This means more patients are unable to meet their share of treatment costs as insurers move to mitigate and reduce their own risk exposure.

Car industry awaits ‘trickle down efect down the road’

to showcase their products and services to consumers.

“Usually the Friday there is a slow day for us, but there was a stronger turnout than what we expected. On Saturday, people have more time, they are not are work and do not have to get the kids home from school, so it turned out quite well.”

Mr Albury said visitor attendance was overall comparable to 2024 and prior years, and said the New Car Show had fulflled its role of providing a one-stop shop for the auto industry and allied sectors

“In addition to growing self-pay fnancial risk, the group saw increased exposure to declining reimbursement rates across large payers which also negatively impacted net income,” Doctors Hospital added in relation to sums due from Bahamian health insurers. “The provision place. I believe that, in a month, we’ll have a better idea of what the success was.

“Can you imagine if you had to get into your car in Nassau and drive around to all the major car dealers, all the banks, all the insurance companies getting quotes and looking at the product?” he asked. “It would take a week for you to do what you need to do.

“You can to the entire thing and the application in a matter of a couple of hours, while having lunch, browsing stores and whatever else you may like. It’s just good exposure for the industry. It’s nice to showcase the product, and people can come and look around and write quotes. It’s just overall a good experience.”

BPL evacuates workers from islands under Melissa threat

Fay SIMMONS

Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Power & Light (BPL) yesterday said employees have already been evacuated from southern islands poised to be struck by a still-strong Hurricane Melissa after taking measures to safeguard power stations and other equipment.

Pedro Marcello, BPL’s southern region manager, said operations on Long Cay, Acklins, Inagua and Crooked Island have been suspended or adjusted ahead of the storm, with

staf evacuated to New Providence for their safety.

“We were able to shut down Long Cay operations as of yesterday morning.

Around 7.30am, the only contracted vendor who carries out our operations there, he was taken to Crooked Island and expected to travel to New Providence. In Selena Point, Acklins, at 8am this morning we shut down operations there to allow our only employee there to be evacuated to New Providence based upon the mandatory evacuation,” said Mr Marcello. “Later on today [yesterday], Inagua operations will also be shut down, but

that won’t happen until the last fight is ready to leave Inagua. That fight is expected to receive fuel. Once they've received fuel, BPL will shut down its operations in Inagua, and it’s expected that fight should await our only employee on that island once he has already secured operations. In Crooked Island, that operation will be shut down later today [yesterday] once persons are able to board those fights. Our three employees there, that operation will be shut down.

Mr Marcello also said a new generator installed in Crooked Island earlier this week will be disconnected

and relocated to higher ground along with other vehicles and equipment to avoid food damage.

“The new generator that we just put in there this weekend, that generator is expected to be disconnected and transported to a higher area because the area where the power station is is the subject of fooding, and we're going to take that generator and our vehicles, bucket truck and fat bed truck, to high areas to ensure that they'll be protected, at least from fooding,” he added.

Operations in Acklins and Long Island will remain active until wind speeds reach 40 miles per hour, at

Resort operators brace for Melissa disruption

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

TOURISM operators in the central Bahamas were yesterday bracing for potential disruption and damage from a still-strong Hurricane Melissa, whose imminent arrival has forced resorts to scale back operations and reduce staf.

Beverly Brittain, marketing manager for Hideaways at Palm Bay in Exuma, said the resort is 98 percent complete with preparations ahead of the storm.

Speaking to Tribune Business, Ms Brittain said staf have completed all essential precautions for the approaching storm with numbers reduced to essential emergency personnel. She said most international guests are departing the island, except for a few local

and business travellers who will remain.

“We're pretty much completely ready to go. We've done all the necessary preparations. We've cleared all our storm drains, put all our materials away, and strapped down everything - any furniture, being like the beach and poolside furniture. All the patios are cleared of, so we are completely ready,” said Ms Brittain

“We've limited the number of staf that are coming in, except for our emergency teams. We will be right on site. We have fve team members that live on property, so they will be there for any emergencies. Most of our guests, the last of our guests, are leaving today, with the exception of some local travellers and business travellers that are on the island.”

She added that the resort’s hurricane

preparedness plan has gone smoothly thus far, and only the restaurant remains to be secured, as guests will be able to use the amenity until tomorrow when it will close for half a day.

“We're 98 percent of the way. We just have a few things that are going to be last minute, but we have our team all prepared and our hurricane preparing plan has gone very well. We’ll have a few last-minute things to put away, just because our restaurant isn’t all ready to go,” said Ms Brittain.

“We do have some guests that are still utilising the outside patios and, this afternoon, those will all be put away. We've reduced our hours for the restaurant for tomorrow. We’re closing a little earlier so our team can be home and safe as well. The restaurant will be on for just half a day shift tomorrow.”

which point the power stations will begin controlled shutdowns to safeguard equipment and the electrical grid.

“Acklins operations, which supply consumers from Pompey Bay to Lovely Bay, are expected to remain on until conditions reach around 40 miles per hour. At that point, we will perform a controlled shutdown, followed by an assessment after the storm before restoring supply once the all-clear is given,” said Mr Marcello.

“Long Island operations, the ofce has been closed as of noon today to allow our employees to travel home, take care of their families,

supplies are in place, and are ready to respond if conditions worsen, but the unpredictability of the storm remains a concern.

Ms Brittian said while the potential wind and fooding from the storm remain a concern, the resort has taken every possible precaution and is now closely monitoring its progress.

“We're defnitely hoping that the winds slow down or calm down. We want it to move quickly but the wind speed and fooding is obviously a concern. We’ve done all we can, we've prepared all our storm drains, cleared all the paths down, secured the property, put up sandbags. So now we just hope for the best,” she added.

Carl Rolle, owner of Rollezz Villas and Beach Resort in Cat Island, said that while his team has completed all storm preparations, there is still an underlying sense of fear and uncertainty about what the coming days may bring. Staf have secured the property, ensured emergency

Speaking to Tribune Business, Mr Rolle also noted the importance of staying prepared not just for local impact but for assisting other countries afected by the hurricane, highlighting the increasing frequency and intensity of storms linked to climate change.

“We have done our preparation, but it’s scary. We’re as prepared as we can be and hopefully it will only be afecting us maybe as a Category One or Two because we'll be fully prepared for that. We are monitoring and they're not sure whether we’ll be experiencing conditions on Wednesday or even Thursday. I'm looking at it all the time. It's not clear but we are prepared,” said Mr Rolle.

“Right now, we also have to be prepared to do as much as we can to assist others caught in this storm’s

Salary increase wait exacerbates strain

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the money that you’re supposed to get. So imagine now you waiting on your money, and now you have to buy this tool, where that

would put you,” said Mr Rolle.

Superintendents also criticised changes to parking arrangements at the ministry, saying they are no longer allowed to drive to their work stations at the rear of the property and

and secure their staf homes. Around 1pm we will begin precautionary maintenance on the grid to mitigate any potential problems during the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

“Once wind speeds reach approximately 40 miles per hour, we will implement a controlled shutdown at both the Spring Point and Long Island operations. After that, our employees will evacuate, return to their families and, once the all-clear is issued, an assessment will be conducted before restoring supply to consumers as quickly as possible.”

path. Jamaica has to go through the second most powerful storm in history. Our thoughts and prayers, because I know Jamaica doesn't get as many hurricanes as The Bahamas does, and I mean, the way it’s going it could be this time for Jamaica and next time for us. So we always have to be mindful of that.”

A hurricane warning remains in efect for the central and southeast Bahamas. Hurricane Melissa is expected to move across the area beginning early Wednesday through Thursday morning, producing hurricane and tropical storm conditions including widespread showers and thunderstorms, plus very strong winds along with dangerous seas.

Early this week, Prime Minister Philip Davis KC issued an evacuation order for residents in Inagua, Mayaguana, Acklins, Crooked Island, Long Cay and Ragged Island.

must walk from the front while carrying their tools.

“We’re not respected as superintendents. We have to walk in the back, whether it’s rain or shine and a lot of us have ailments. So for us to have to walk in the back is not fair,” said Mr Rolle. Tribune Business reached out to minister of wWorks and Family Island afairs, Clay Sweeting, for comment but had received no response up to press time.

• Oversee

• Manage

• Perform

• Ensure

• Professional

Cross-party

vital to Development Plan’s success

PROGRESS - See Page B1

We promote a lot, but do we have a strategy where these are the jurisdictions, countries we are targeting? Do we have an idea of our customers.. high-end? Low-end? There’s no documented strategy.

“On the environment, which is the other pillar, it’s almost a national disgrace when we talk about the state of our road infrastructure, it’s almost a national disgrace the level of government buildings that are dilapidated with some still being used in a dilapidated state,” Mr Bowe added.

“We know we are short in ports, airports and seaports, but we haven’t identifed the hubs for a hub and spoke system. Do we need seaports in every island? Maybe not, but do we have hubs to ship to and then deliver to the smaller islands? We talk about the ‘blue economy, blue carbon credits, but all of it is being done on a http://192.168.2.148/i4/ IDSN/do.ashx?cmd=data&dataid=1927483 reactive basis. When I say regressed,

I think the world as moved forward as we have stood still, which means we’ve moved backwards.”

Suggesting that both major political parties must accept their share of blame for this, Mr Bowe told this newspaper: “All political parties are responsible for that. The change in 2017 [to the Minnis administration] led to pieces of the plan being taken up, but not in a holistic approach. And the current administration did not embrace it until the end of their term.”

The Davis administration announced its intention to give the National Development Plan legal standing during the late 2023 ‘Speech from the Throne’ that opened the current legislative session of Parliament. However, it has taken a further two years to reappoint the steering committee, and a general election is now less than a year - and possibly months - away.

“All the political parties have shied away from it for probably one reason: Accountability,” Mr Bowe said, explaining that the Plan would provide a tool

for the Bahamian people to measure and judge the success/failure of government policies, programmes and decisions. “In the absence of it, we’ve regressed,” he added.

“That means, in and of itself, if we do not get it done we will continue to move backwards by virtue of the rest of the world moving forward and us standing still. The importance of the plan can never be over-stated because the confdence society had gained by its drafting and work that had been done going back 20 years - the 2016 report was part of the work put in. If we sit here with the viewpoint that the developing world will wait on us to respond we’re going to be sorely disappointed.”

Mr Bowe pointed to the Seychelles, Singapore and Jamaica (pre-Melissa at least) that have benefted from a national development plan and its implementation, with the latter’s fscal consolidation process having been a part of its own.

“The importance of this is that if we even want to remain relevant in a global context, we have to meet fre with fre and demonstrate we have a strategy that does not live of the gains of our location and the belief we are

being looked after by the Almighty,” he added. “Faith without work is dead. We are very much a Christian nation and have to put that into action. We have faith we excel as a country, but if we don’t do the work to bring it to fruition, it will all be for nought.”

Mr Bowe said the steering committee has already hired two economists to update the data, statistics and information contained in the 2016 ‘State of the Nation’ report, which was designed to provide a foundation that informs the Plan. Its successful implementation, he added, requires the provision of fnancing and resources for its eforts by the Government as well as buy-in by key stakeholders, politicians from all sides, and wider Bahamian society.

“It’s not to suggest that funding and resources be unlimited, but it’s the capacity to engage secretariat staf, hire experts and fund research that will be necessary,” he added. “It’s not from the viewpoint that there be a blank cheque book, but there has to be fnancial resources.

“It’s also going to require the support and maturity of the political parties. There’s going to have to be maturity by the political class which says this is a national initiative and not

Trump-Xi meeting looms over APEC conference in South Korea as free trade falters

By KIM TONG-HYUNG and HYUNG-JIN KIM

Associated Press

SOUTH Korea this week will host leaders from major Pacifc Rim economies, including the United States, China and Japan, for an annual summit that has long championed free trade. But this year’s Asia-Pacifc Economic Cooperation meetings come as U.S. President Donald Trump continues to send shock

waves around the world with his sweeping tarifs and other measures upending the postwar global trade order, unsettling both allies and rivals.

The multilateral gathering in Gyeongju is expected to be overshadowed by a sideline event — a face-toface meeting on Thursday between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping — as their intensifying trade war leaves the South Korean

hosts in a difcult balancing act. Here’s look at this year’s APEC meeting: APEC’s makeup

Established in 1989 as a 12-member forum to promote free trade and economic cooperation, APEC now has 21 members, including the United States, South Korea, China, Japan, Australia and Russia. The members wield signifcant collective weight,

a political platform to say who’s shelved it, who’s stopping it, who’s benefting, who’s not. That’s not only on the current government but the Opposition.” Besides Mr Bowe and Felix Stubbs, as vice-chair and chairman respectively, the National Development Plan steering committee members also include ex-Cabinet minister and MP, Loretta Butler-Turner, and former political candidates such as Drumeco Archer. Joseph Curry is executive director, with Dr Anthony Hamilton, head of Civil Society Bahamas, and Matt Aubry, the Organisation for Responsible Governance’s (ORG) executive director, also included.

Three current and former Bahamas Chamber of Commerce chief executives are included in the shape of Dr Leo Rolle, Jefrey Beckles and Edison Sumner. Also present on the committee is Samantha Rolle, the Small Business Development Centre’s chief.

The National Development Plan, which was conceived and put together during the last Christie administration, was intended to be a cross-party, non-partisan and non-political efort to develop a ‘road map’ that would guide the country’s direction and progress The Bahamas towards

often addressed at the forum.”

Diferent landscape in 2025

accounting for 37% of the world’s population and more than half of global trade in goods as of 2024, according to South Korean government data.

Each year, one of APEC’s members hosts the annual leaders’ meeting, serving as its chair. A furry of highlevel bilateral meetings typically take place on the sidelines of APEC’s main conference, underscoring the forum’s role as a platform for dialogue and cooperation.

This year’s summit will be held from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1 in the southern city of Gyeongju, a cultural hub home to three UNESCO World Heritage sites.

APEC has a narrow focus limited to trade and economic issues and has no military component. Still, experts say APEC’s strength is its ability to bring together countries that might otherwise compete aggressively or even clash, enabling collaboration on major initiatives, though without binding agreements.

In the buildup to the summit, members hold a series of ministerial and other meetings to discuss practical cooperation on various issues, and economists have credited the forum with helping reduce tarifs and other trade barriers in past years.

“While APEC is inherently a loose organization and has its limitations, it has carried symbolic signifcance as all the leaders come together, and even if discussions were somewhat vague, they could still gain infuence over time,” said Kim Tae-hyung, a professor at Seoul’s Soongsil University. “But the atmosphere is completely diferent this year and we might not see the usual range of discussions or topics that were

Having last chaired APEC in 2005, during the height of postwar globalization, South Korea now faces a far trickier challenge as host, navigating a trade landscape transformed in the months since Trump returned to the White House.

Long shaped by the United States and its allies promoting free trade and multilateralism, the forum now faces a stark contrast under Trump, whose steep tarifs and unilateral trade measures have shaken its closest allies.

“The United States drove the launching of APEC with the goal of expanding global cooperation under a rules-based international order, but now, the Trump administration is precisely rejecting all of that,” said Park Won Gon, a professor at Seoul’s Ewha Womans University.

The situation is likely to force APEC’s pro-American members — particularly host South Korea — into a delicate balancing act, calibrating their diplomatic and public messages to advocate free trade without alienating Washington, while trying to prevent China from seizing the stage as a self-styled defender of global order, Park said.

Trump and Xi are expected to meet

The main event will likely be Thursday’s bilateral in Busan between Trump and Xi, their frst since the U.S. president began his second term.

Trump and Xi in recent months have been locked in an escalating trade war, with Washington imposing high tarifs and tightened technology controls and China retaliating with curbs on rare earth shipments, one of its key sources of leverage.

It’s unclear whether either leader will be willing to make major concessions, but it’s possible the meeting

the kind of nation its citizens desire. It represented the frst ever co-ordinated efort to plan the Bahamas’ development in a systematic manner using empirical data and analyses, and input was sought and obtained from multiple stakeholders including the private sector, civil society groups, non-profts and the general public.

Labelled ‘Vision 2040’, it aimed to break with The Bahamas’ past ad hoc approach to national growth by setting a clear path towards a more sustainable future. Its ‘road map’ was designed to feature measurable goals and objectives for the Bahamas to attain, so that its progress towards achieving its development targets can be judged according to set timelines.

Vision 2040 focused on four main policy pillarsthe economy, governance, social policy and the environment, both natural and built - in its frst 400-page draft. However, despite seeking to be non-partisan, the National Development Plan appeared to be shelved under the Minnis administration, with little to no progress made as frst Hurricane Dorian, and then the COVID-19 pandemic, dominated its tenure in ofce.

could ease tensions, said Ban Kil Joo, a professor at South Korea’s National Diplomatic Academy. They likely wouldn’t meet if they weren’t confdent about reaching some sort of agreement, Ban said.

Trump’s meeting with Xi will come after his bilateral talks with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Gyeongju on Wednesday. Trump’s trip to South Korea will follow a visit to Japan where he met the country’s new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, who is also expected to attend the APEC forum.

Both Seoul and Tokyo have pledged hundreds of billions in U.S. investments while seeking to avoid the Trump administration’s highest tarifs, which they fear would batter their auto industries and other major exports. However, Washington and Seoul have struggled to reach a deal, with South Korean ofcials rejecting U.S. demands for upfront payments, which they fear could trigger a fnancial crisis, and proposing loans and loan guarantees instead.

Addressing free trade

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun in a radio interview last week said it could be difcult for APEC leaders to issue a joint statement strongly endorsing free trade, given their difering positions. He instead anticipated a broader declaration emphasizing peace and prosperity in the Pacifc region.

Instead of being caught up in the Washington-Beijing rivalry, South Korean should use its role as chair to convey a message from “middle power” nations promoting free trade and global cooperation, said Choi Yoon Jung, an analyst at Seoul’s Sejong Institute.

“APEC’s strength is that we can bring together countries engaged in disputes and let them discuss practical cooperative steps, even when there could be no immediate, substantial breakthroughs,” Choi said.

Layoffs are piling up, raising worker anxiety. Here are some companies that have cut jobs recently

By WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS AP Business Writer

IT'S a tough time for the job market.

Amid wider economic uncertainty, some analysts have said that businesses are at a "no-hire, no fre" standstill. That's caused many to limit new work to only a few specifc roles, if not pause openings entirely. At the same time, some sizeable layofs have continued to pile up — raising worker anxieties across sectors.

Some companies have pointed to rising operational costs spanning from President Donald Trump's barrage of new tarifs and shifts in consumer spending. Others cite corporate restructuring more broadly — or, as seen with big names like Amazon, are redirecting money to investments like artifcial intelligence.

In such cases, "it's not so much AI directly taking jobs, but AI's appetite for cash that might be taking jobs," said Jason Schloetzer, professor business administration at Georgetown University's McDonough School. He pointed to wider "trade ofs" from employment to infrastructure investment seen across companies today.

Federal employees have encountered additional doses of uncertainty, impacting worker sentiment around the job market overall. Shortly after Trump returned to ofce at the start of the year, federal jobs were cut by the thousands. And many workers are now going without pay as the U.S. government shutdown nears its fourth week.

"A lot of people are looking around, scanning the job environment, scanning the opportunities that are available to them — whether

it's in the public or private sector," said Schloetzer. "And I think there's a question mark around the long-term stability everywhere."

Government hiring data is on hold during the shutdown, but earlier this month a survey by payroll company ADP showed a surprising loss of 32,000 jobs in the private sector in September. Here are some companies that have moved to cut jobs recently.

Amazon

Amazon said Tuesday that it will cut about 14,000 corporate jobs, close to 4% of its workforce, as the online retail giant ramps up spending on AI while trimming costs elsewhere.

A letter to employees said most workers would be given 90 days to look for a new position internally.

CEO Andy Jassy previously said he anticipated generative AI would reduce Amazon's corporate workforce in the coming years. And he has worked to aggressively cut costs overall since 2021.

UPS

United Parcel Service has disclosed about 48,000 job cuts this year as part of turnaround eforts, which arrive amid wider shifts in the company's shipping outputs.

In a Tuesday regulatory fling, UPS said it's cut about 34,000 operational positions — and the company announced another 14,000 role reductions, mostly within management. Combined, that's much higher than the roughly 20,000 cuts UPS forecast earlier this year. UPS also said it closed daily operations at 93 leased and owned buildings during the frst nine months of this year.

Target

Last week, Target that it would eliminate about 1,800 corporate positions, or about 8% of its corporate workforce globally.

Target said the cuts were part of wider streamlining eforts — with Chief Operating Ofcer Michael Fiddelke noting that "too many layers and overlapping work have slowed decisions." The retailer is also looking to rebuild its customer base. Target reported fat or declining comparable sales in nine of the past eleven quarters.

Nestlé

In mid-October, Nestlé said it would be cutting 16,000 jobs globally — as part of wider cost cutting aimed at reviving its fnancial performance.

The Swiss food giant said the layofs would take place over the next two years. The cuts arrive as Nestlé and others face headwinds like rising commodity costs and

OpenAI may move forward with new business structure, partnership with Microsoft, regulators say

By MATT O’BRIEN and THALIA BEATY AP Business Writers

OPENAI said Tuesday it has reorganized its ownership structure and converted its business into a public beneft corporation after two crucial regulators, the Delaware and California attorneys general, said they would not oppose the plan.

The restructuring paves the way for the ChatGPT maker to more easily proft of its artifcial intelligence technology even as it remains technically under the control of a nonproft.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said in a call Tuesday that “the most likely path” for the newly formed business is that it becomes publicly traded on the stock market, “given the capital needs that we’ll have and sort of the size of the company,” though a Wall Street debut was not a part of the announcements detailed Tuesday.

Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings and California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in separate statements that they would not object to the restructuring, seemingly bringing to an end more than a year of negotiations and announcements about the future of OpenAI’s governance and the power that for-proft investors and its nonproft board will have over the organization’s technology.

The company also said it has signed a new agreement with its longtime backer Microsoft that gives the software giant a roughly 27% stake in OpenAI’s new for-proft corporation but changes some of the details of their close partnership. Microsoft’s $135 billion stake will be just ahead of the OpenAI nonproft’s

$130 billion stake in the forproft company.

The attorneys general of Delaware, where OpenAI is incorporated, and California, where it is headquartered, had both spent months investigating the proposed changes.

“We will be keeping a close eye on OpenAI to ensure ongoing adherence to its charitable mission and the protection of the safety of all Californians,” said Bonta.

OpenAI said it completed its restructuring “after nearly a year of engaging in constructive dialogue” with the ofces in both states.

“OpenAI has completed its recapitalization, simplifying its corporate structure,” said a blog post Tuesday from Bret Taylor, the chair of OpenAI’s board of directors. “The nonproft remains in control of the for-proft, and now has a direct path to major resources before AGI arrives.”

AGI stands for artifcial general intelligence, which OpenAI defnes as “highly autonomous systems that outperform humans at most economically valuable work.” OpenAI was founded as a nonproft in 2015 with a mission to safely build AGI for humanity’s beneft. It later started a for-proft arm.

Microsoft invested its frst $1 billion in OpenAI in 2019 and the two companies formed an agreement that made Microsoft the exclusive provider of the computing power needed to build OpenAI’s costly technology. It was a lifeline for the startup research lab, which is now valued at $500 billion but continues to lose more money than it makes. In turn, Microsoft heavily used the technology behind ChatGPT to enhance its own AI products.

The two companies frst revealed in January that they were altering that agreement, enabling San Francisco-based OpenAI to build its own computing capacity, “primarily for research and training of models.” That coincided with OpenAI’s announcements of a partnership with Oracle and SoftBank to build a massive new data center in Abilene, Texas.

It’s since announced what Altman described Tuesday as a “$1.4 trillion total fnancial obligation” over the next few years, which includes more data center projects planned in the U.S., Asia, Europe and South America, along with big deals with chipmakers like Nvidia, AMD and Broadcom.

Those investments left Microsoft’s OpenAI arrangement up in the air as the two companies appeared to veer further apart before reaching a tentative new agreement in September.

OpenAI had previously said its own nonproft board will decide when AGI is reached, efectively ending its Microsoft partnership. But it now says that “once AGI is declared by OpenAI, that declaration will now be verifed by an independent expert panel,” and that Microsoft’s rights to OpenAI’s confdential research methods “will remain until either the expert panel verifes AGI or through 2030, whichever is frst.” Microsoft will also retain commercial rights to OpenAI products “postAGI” and through 2032.

“Microsoft can now count on 7 years of runway,” said an investor note from JP Morgan analysts, interpreting the news as a positive development for the software giant.

U.S. imposed tarifs. The company announced price hikes over the summer to ofset higher cofee and cocoa costs.

Lufthansa Group

In September, Lufthansa Group said it would shed 4,000 jobs by 2030 — pointing to the adoption of artifcial intelligence, digitalization and consolidating work among member airlines.

Most of the lost jobs would be in Germany, and the focus would be on administrative rather than operational roles, the company said. The layof plans arrived even as the company reported strong demand for air travel and predicted stronger profts in years ahead.

Novo Nordisk

Also in September, Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk said it would cut 9,000 jobs, about 11% of its workforce.

Microsoft put out the same joint announcement about the revised partnership Tuesday but declined further comment. Its shares spiked about 2% on Tuesday.

Going forward, the nonproft will be called the OpenAI Foundation and Taylor said it would grant out $25 billion toward

Novo Nordisk — which makes drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy — said the layofs were part of wider restructuring as the company works to sell more obesity and diabetes medications amid rising competition.

ConocoPhillips

Oil giant ConocoPhillips has said it plans to lay of up to a quarter of its workforce, as part of broader eforts from the company to cut costs.

A spokesperson for ConocoPhillips confrmed the layofs on Sept. 3, noting that 20% to 25% of the company's employees and contractors would be impacted worldwide. At the time, ConocoPhillips had a total headcount of about 13,000 — or between 2,600 and 3,250 workers. Most reductions were expected to take place before the end of 2025.

Intel

health and curing diseases and protecting against the cybersecurity risks of AI. He did not say over what time period those funds would be dispersed.

Intel has moved to shed thousands of jobs — with the struggling chipmaker working to revive its business as it lags behind rivals like Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices.

In a July memo to employees, CEO Lip-Bu Tan said Intel expected to end the year with 75,000 "core" workers, excluding subsidiaries, through layofs and attrition. That's down from 99,500 core employees reported the end of last year. The company previously announced a 15% workforce reduction.

Microsoft

In May, Microsoft began began laying of about 6,000 workers across its workforce. And just months later, the tech giant said it would be cutting 9,000 positions — marking its biggest round of layofs seen in more than two years. The latest job cuts hit Microsoft's Xbox video game business and other divisions. The company has cited "organizational changes," with many executives characterizing the layofs as part of a push to trim management layers. But the labor reductions also arrive as the company spends heavily on AI.

Procter & Gamble

In June, Procter & Gamble said it would cut up to 7,000 jobs over the next two years, 6% of the company's global workforce.

The maker of Tide detergent and Pampers diapers said the cuts were part of a wider restructuring — also arriving amid tarif pressures. In July, P&G said it would hike prices on about a quarter of its products due to the newly-imposed import taxes, although it's since said it expects to take less of a hit than previously anticipated for the 2026 fscal year.

Robert Weissman, co-president of the nonproft Public Citizen, said this arrangement does not guarantee the nonproft independence, likening it to a corporate foundation that will serve the interests of the for-proft.

Even as the nonprofit’s board may technically remain in control, Weissman said that control “is illusory because there is no evidence of the nonproft ever imposing its values on the for-proft.”

Vice President Vance says troops will be paid as pressure builds on Congress to end the shutdown

By KEVIN FREKING and STEPHEN GROVES Associated Press

VICE President JD Vance said Tuesday he believes U.S. military members will be paid at the end of the week, though he did not specify how the Trump administration will reconfgure funding as pain from the second-longest shutdown spreads nationwide.

The funding fght in Washington gained new urgency this week as millions of Americans face the prospect of losing food assistance, more federal workers miss their frst full paycheck and recurring delays at airports snarl travel plans.

"We do think that we can continue paying the troops, at least for now," Vance told reporters after lunch with Senate Republicans at the Capitol. "We've got food stamp benefts that are set to run out in a week. We're trying to keep as much open as possible. We just need the Democrats to actually help us out."

The vice president reafrmed Republicans' strategy of trying to pick of a handful of Senate Democrats to vote for stopgap funding to reopen the government. But nearly a month into the shutdown, it hasn't worked. Just before Vance's visit, a Senate vote on legislation to reopen the government failed for the 13th time.

Federal employee union calls for end to shutdown

The strain is building on Democratic lawmakers to end the impasse. That was magnifed by the nation's largest federal employee union, which on Monday called on Congress to immediately pass a funding bill and ensure workers receive full pay. Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, said the two political parties have made their point.

"It's time to pass a clean continuing resolution and end this shutdown today. No half measures, and no gamesmanship," said Kelley, whose union carries considerable political weight with Democratic lawmakers.

Still, Democratic senators, including those representing states with many federal workers, did not appear ready to back down. Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine said he was insisting on commitments from the White House to prevent the administration from mass fring more workers. Democrats also want Congress to extend subsidies for health plans under the Afordable Care Act.

"We've got to get a deal with Donald Trump," Kaine said.

But shutdowns grow more painful the longer they go. Soon, with closures lasting a fourth full week as of Tuesday, millions of Americans are likely to experience the difculties frsthand.

"This week, more than any other week, the consequences become impossible to ignore," said Rep. Lisa McClain, chair of the House Republican Conference.

How will Trump administration reconfgure funds?

The nation's 1.3 million active duty service members were at risk of missing a paycheck on Friday. Earlier this month, the Trump administration ensured they were paid by shifting $8 billion from military research and development funds to make payroll. Vance did not say Tuesday how the Department of Defense will cover troop pay this time.

Larger still, the Trump administration says funding will run out Friday for the food assistance program that is relied upon by 42 million Americans to supplement their grocery bills. The administration has rejected the use of more than $5 billion in contingency funds to keep benefts fowing into November. And it says states won't be reimbursed if they temporarily cover the cost of benefts next month.

A coalition of 25 states and the District of Columbia fled a lawsuit Tuesday in Massachusetts that aims to keep SNAP benefts fowing by compelling the Agriculture Department to use the SNAP contingency funds.

Vance said that reconfguring funds for various programs such as SNAP was like "trying to ft a

square peg into a round hole with the budget."

The Agriculture Department says the contingency fund is intended to help respond to emergencies such as natural disasters.

Democrats say the decision concerning the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, goes against the department's previous guidance concerning its operations during a shutdown.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York said the administration made an intentional choice not to the fund SNAP in November, calling it an "act of cruelty."

Another program endangered by the shutdown is Head Start, with more than 130 preschool programs not getting federal grants on Saturday if the shutdown continues, according to the National Head Start Association. All told, more than 65,000 seats at Head Start programs across the country could be afected.

Judge blocks frings

A federal judge in San Francisco on Tuesday indefinitely barred the Trump administration from fring

federal employees during the government shutdown, saying that labor unions were likely to prevail on their claims that the cuts were arbitrary and politically motivated.

U.S. District Judge Susan Illston granted a preliminary injunction that bars the frings while a lawsuit challenging them plays out. She had previously issued a temporary restraining order against the job cuts that was set to expire Wednesday.

Federal agencies are enjoined from issuing layof notices or acting on notices issued since the government shut down Oct. 1. Illston said that her order does not apply to notices sent before the shutdown.

Will lawmakers fnd a solution?

At the Capitol, congressional leaders mostly highlighted the challenges many Americans are facing as a result of the shutdown. But there was no movement toward negotiations as they attempted to lay blame on the other side of the political aisle.

"Now government workers and every other American afected by this

shutdown have become nothing more than pawns in the Democrats' political games," said Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D.

The House passed a short-term continuing resolution on Sept. 19 to keep federal agencies funded. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has kept the House out of legislative session ever since, saying the solution is for Democrats to simply accept that bill.

But the Senate has consistently fallen short of the 60 votes needed to advance that spending measure. Democrats insist that any bill to fund the government also address health care costs, namely the soaring health insurance premiums that millions of Americans will face next year under plans ofered through the Afordable Care Act marketplace.

Window-shopping for health plans delayed

When asked about his strategy for ending the shutdown, Schumer said that millions of Americans will begin seeing on Saturday how much their health insurance is going up next year.

"People in more than 30 states are going to be aghast, aghast when they see their bills," Schumer said. "And they are going to cry out, and I believe there will be increased pressure on Republicans to negotiate."

The window for enrolling in ACA health plans begins Saturday. In past years, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has allowed Americans to preview their health coverage options about a week before open enrollment. But, as of Tuesday, Healthcare.gov appeared to show 2025 health insurance plans and estimated prices, instead of next year's options.

PAYPAL AND UPS HELP LEAD US STOCKS TO MORE RECORDS

By STAN CHOE AP Business Writer

THE U.S. stock market pushed further into record heights on Tuesday.

The S&P 500 added 0.2%.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 161 points, or 0.3%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.8%. All three indexes set all-time highs for a third straight day.

Moves were also relatively modest in the bond market as Wall Street waits for a few events that could shake things up. On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve will announce its latest move on interest rates, while some of the stock market's most infuential companies will report how much proft they made during the summer. On Thursday, President Donald Trump will meet China's leader, Xi Jinping, in hopes of smoothing tensions between the world's two largest economies.

Until then, proft reports from overnight and the morning were the main drivers of Tuesday's action.

United Parcel Service rallied 8% after delivering stronger proft and revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected. UPS also gave a forecast for revenue in the all-important holiday shipping season that was slightly above analysts' expectations.

PayPal climbed 3.9% after saying it made a bigger proft during the summer than analysts expected. It also said it plans to pay its shareholders a dividend every three months, while announcing a deal where internet users will be able to pay for purchases through OpenAI's ChatGPT.

Skyworks Solutions climbed 5.8% after saying it would merge with Qorvo in a cash-and-stock deal where Skyworks shareholders will own roughly 63% of the combined company, valued at $22 billion. Qorvo's stock rose nearly as much, 5.7%. Microsoft was one of the strongest forces lifting the market after rising 2%. That sent the company's total value on Wall Street above $4 trillion. On the losing end of Wall Street was Royal Caribbean, which lost 8.5% despite reporting a stronger proft than analysts expected. Its revenue for the latest quarter fell short of expectations. The cruise operator also said it's seen a "minimal" hit to its business this quarter because of bad weather, along with the temporary closure of one of its exclusive destinations in Haiti.

Homebuilder D.R. Horton sank 3.2% after

reporting a weaker proft for the summer than analysts expected. Executive Chairman David Auld said his company is still dealing with homebuyers fnding it challenging to aford a house, along with cautious consumer sentiment. He said D.R. Horton will likely have to keep ofering incentives in the upcoming fscal year to attract buyers.

Amazon, meanwhile, rose 1% after saying it will cut about 14,000 corporate jobs, or about 4% of its corporate workforce, as it ramps up spending on artifcial intelligence while cutting costs elsewhere.

A slowing job market is one of the main reasons Wall Street expects the Fed to announce another cut to interest rates on Wednesday. It would be the second time this year that it's lowered the federal funds rate in hopes of helping the job market.

The widespread expectation is that the Fed will also cut rates for a third time at its fnal meeting of the year. A lot is riding on that, in part because U.S. stock prices have already rallied to records on expectations for it. That means the most important part of Wednesday's announcement for Wall Street will be whether Fed Chair Jerome Powell gives any hints about upcoming moves. Fed ofcials have indicated that they're likely to keep cutting interest rates next year, but they may have to change course if infation accelerates beyond its still-high level. That's because low interest rates can make infation worse.

In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury eased to 3.97% from 4.01% late Monday. A report showing confdence among U.S. consumers is a smidgen better than economists expected had little efect on the market.

On Wall Street, the S&P 500 rose 15.73 points to 6,890.89. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 161.78 to 47,706.37, and the Nasdaq composite gained 190.04 to 23,827.49.

In stock markets abroad, indexes were mixed in Europe following modest losses in Asia.

Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 0.6% from its record high. South Korea's Kospi sank 0.8% for another one of the world's larger moves. Some of the strongest action in fnancial markets was again for the price of gold. It's been struggling after an astonishing run this year, setting records and nearly reaching $4,400 per ounce last week.

Senate votes to block tariffs on Brazil. It shows some pushback to Trump over trade policy

By STEPHEN GROVES Associated Press

THE Senate approved a resolution Tuesday evening that would nullify President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Brazil, including oil, coffee and orange juice, as Democrats tested GOP senators’ support for Trump’s trade policy.

The legislation from Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, a Democrat, passed on a 52-48 tally. It would terminate the national emergencies that Trump has declared to justify 50% tariffs on Brazil, but the legislation is likely doomed because the Republican-controlled House has passed new rules that allow leadership to prevent it from ever coming up for a vote.

Trump would almost certainly veto the legislation even if it were to pass Congress.

Still, the vote demonstrated some pushback in GOP ranks against Trump’s tariffs. Five Republicans — Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rand Paul of Kentucky and Thom Tillis of North Carolina — all voted in favor of the resolution along with every Democrat. Kaine said the votes are a way force a conversation in the Senate about “the economic destruction of tariffs.”

He’s planning to call up similar resolutions applying to Trump’s tariffs on Canada and other nations later this week.

“But they are also really about how much will we let a president get away with?

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that ALAINIA GARRICK of #85 Churchill 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 29th 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 HUGUESSON EMMANUEL VALCOURT of #23 St. James Road , Nassau, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration/ Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 29th day of October 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

Do my colleagues have a gag refex or not?” Kaine told reporters.

Trump has linked the tariffs on Brazil to the country’s policies and criminal prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro. The U.S. ran a $6.8 billion trade surplus with Brazil last year, according to the Census Bureau.

“Every American who wakes up in the morning to get a cup of java is paying a price for Donald Trump’s reckless, ridiculous, and almost childish tariffs,” said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York.

Republicans have also been increasingly uneasy with Trump’s aggressive trade policy, especially at a time of turmoil for the economy. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Offce said last month that Trump’s tariff policy is

one of several factors that are expected to increase jobless rates and infation and lower overall growth this year.

In April, four Republicans voted with Democrats to block tariffs on Canada, but the bill was never taken up in the House. Kaine said he hoped the votes this week showed how Republican opposition to Trump’s trade policy is growing.

To bring up the votes, Kaine has invoked a decades-old law that allows Congress to block a president’s emergency powers and members of the minority party to force votes on the resolutions.

However, Vice President JD Vance visited a Republican luncheon on Tuesday in part to emphasize to Republicans that they should allow the president to negotiate trade deals. Vance told reporters

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that ALEXANDER JOSEPH of Claridge Road, Nassau, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration/ Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 29th 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 NIKISHA CHARLES of Solider Road, Nassau, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration/ Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 29th day of October 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

afterwards that Trump is using tariffs “to give American workers and American farmers a better deal.”

“To vote against that is to strip that incredible leverage from the president of the United States. I think it’s a huge mistake,” he added. The Supreme Court will also soon consider a case challenging Trump’s authority to implement sweeping tariffs. Lower courts have found most of his tariffs illegal.

But some Republicans said they would wait until the outcome of that case before voting to cross the president.

“I don’t see a need to do that right now,” said Sen. Kevin Cramer, a North Dakota Republican, adding that it was “bad timing” to call up the resolutions before the Supreme Court case.

Others said they are ready to show opposition to the president’s tariffs and the emergency declarations he has used to justify them.

“Tariffs make both building and buying in America more expensive, “ said Sen. Mitch

McConnell, the former longtime Republican leader, in a statement. “The economic harms of trade wars are not the exception to history, but the rule.” His fellow Kentuckian, Republican Sen. Rand Paul, told reporters, “Emergencies are like war, famine, tornado. Not liking someone’s tariffs is not an emergency. It’s an abuse of the emergency power. And it’s Congress abdicating their traditional role in taxes.”

In a foor speech, he added,

“No taxation without representation is embedded in our Constitution.” Meanwhile, Kaine is also planning to call up a resolution that would put a check on Trump’s ability to carry out military strikes against Venezuela as the U.S. military steps up its presence and action in the region.

He said that it allows Democrats to get off the defensive while they are in the minority and instead force votes on “points of discomfort” for Republicans.

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL

The Public is hereby advised that I, THEO FERGUSON of Pinewood Gardens, Plane Street, Nassau, The Bahamas, the parent of TIMOTHY TYLER SANDS a minor intend to change my child’s name to TIMOTHY TYLER FERGUSON. If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Deputy Chief Passport Offcer, P.O. Box N-742, Nassau, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that NATHALIE FLEUROSIER of St. Georges Street, off Wulff Road, Nassau, Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 29th day of October, 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

How to help those impacted by Cat 5 Hurricane Melissa

By GABRIELA AOUN

ANGUEIRA Associated Press

HURRICANE Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on Tuesday as a devastating Category 5 storm, tied for the strongest landfalling Atlantic hurricane in history.

While the extent of the destruction is not yet known, relief organisations are already mobilising to help across the northern Caribbean. As is typical in disasters, nonproft groups told The Associated Press that cash is the best way to help, since unsolicited goods donations can overwhelm already strained systems. Experts recommend using sites like Charity Navigator or the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance to check out unfamiliar charities before donating.

Here is some of the work being done and ways to support people impacted by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica and beyond.

Locals supporting locals:

United Way of Jamaica

The 40-year-old nonproft has a history of supporting Jamaicans after disasters, especially the country’s farmers. Last year, United Way of Jamaica mobilised help for female farmers hit hard by Hurricane Beryl, helping them replace farm equipment, repair roofs, and pay tuition fees for their kids right as the school year began. The Kingston-based group accepts cash donations.

Doubling your dollars: American Friends of Jamaica

The AFJ has donated to Jamaican charitable organisations since 1982, supporting education, economic development and health care. Its disaster relief fund helped repair nearly 800 roofs after Hurricane Beryl, according to the group.

The New York-based organisation’s board of directors is currently matching donations to its Disaster Relief Fund, up to $1 million.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that ALOUSE JOSEPH of #92 Faith Avenue North, 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 29th 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 JACKSON SEJOUR of Sandilands Village Road, Nassau, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration/ Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 22nd day of October 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

Immediate relief and rebuilding: CORE CORE ‘s local staff is already responding in Haiti and will arrive in Jamaica when airports reopen to deliver relief items like hygiene kits and tarps, conduct medical assessments an distribute immediate cash assistance.

The group, which was active in Jamaica after Hurricane Beryl in 2024, will also help households remove debris and rebuild homes.

The Los Angeles-based nonproft is accepting cash donations to its Emergency Response Fund.

Installing backup power systems: Footprint Project

The solar-energy nonproft supplies communities and frst responders with temporary power equipment to aid their response and restore communications.

Footprint Project is shipping 150 portable solar and battery power stations from Florida to Jamaica, and

deploying mobile microgrid equipment from Puerto Rico and Barbados, working with local partners like Jamaica Renewable Energy Association to ensure the systems are deployed where they are most needed.

The New Orleans-based group is accepting cash donations to support staffng and logistics, as well as in-kind donations of “turn-key” renewable power technologies that can be rapidly shipped. Equipment donations can be coordinated through give@ footprintproject.org.

Transporting cargo for relief groups: Airlink Airlink works with major airlines like United and American, using their underbelly cargo space to move critical aid to disaster zones.

It is moving cargo to Jamaica on behalf of 16 NGOs including World Food Programme and Mercy Corps. It will also charter at least two planes to move more goods for its partners, free of charge.

The Washington, DC-based

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that FRAIS CELICOURT of #92 Faith Avenue North, 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 29th 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 FLORANCE DORCEUS of Prison Lane off East 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 22nd day of October 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

group accepts cash donations and donations of United frequent fyer miles.

Medical aid: Direct Relief

The humanitarian organisation supports the Caribbean year round with medicines and other supplies, and has delivered more than $3 million in medical aid in the last month to areas now under threat.

Direct Relief will support health facilities, many of which it says are in coastal and low-lying areas vulnerable to fooding and power outages. The group also sent 100 feld-medic packs for Jamaica’s National Health Fund, and is working with the Pan American Health Organization to preposition supplies for Cuba.

The Santa Barbara, California-based group is accepting cash donations and said that all contributions specifcally designated for “Hurricane Melissa” will go directly to those efforts.

High-quality supply donations: Good360

Good360 connects corporate donors who have surplus, high-quality supplies with nonprofts that need those items.

The group has prepositioned supplies at a Florida warehouse and will partner with local groups to deliver what’s needed. It is anticipating demand for generators, tarps and hygiene kits.

Good360 is accepting cash donations to support delivery of these supplies.

Long-term recovery: Center for Disaster Philanthropy

While the immediate needs will be vast, CDP focuses on long-term recovery, an often underfunded aspect of disaster response. The group will give grants to local organisations that are most in tune with the needs, focusing on the most at-risk residents and emphasizing solutions that leave communities better prepared for future climate events.

The Washington, DC-based organisation is accepting cash donations to its Atlantic Hurricane Season Recovery Fund.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that LAUREEN SINGH of Cable Beach West, 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 22nd 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 DESILENE JEAN-LOUIS of Nassau Village, 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 22nd day of October 2025 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

US appeals court overturns West Virginia landmark opioid lawsuit decision

By JOHN RABY Associated Press

A FEDERAL appeals court on Tuesday overturned a landmark decision in West Virginia that had rejected attempts by an opioid-ravaged area to be compensated by U.S. drug distributors for a infux of prescription pain pills into the region.

The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, ruled that a lower court judge erred when he said West Virginia's public nuisance law did not apply to the lawsuit involving the distribution of opioids.

"West Virginia law permits abatement of a public nuisance to include a requirement that a defendant pay money to fund eforts to eliminate the resulting harm to the public," the 4th Circuit wrote. "West Virginia has long characterized abatement as an equitable remedy."

The ruling sends the case back to U.S. District Court in Charleston for "further proceedings consistent with the principles expressed in this opinion." Thousands of state and local governments have sued over the toll of opioids. The suits relied heavily on claims that the companies

created a public nuisance by failing to monitor where the powerful prescriptions were ending up. Most of the lawsuits were settled as part of a series of nationwide deals that could be worth more than $50 billion. But there wasn't a decisive trend in the outcomes of those that have gone to trial.

In July 2022, U.S. District Judge David Faber ruled in favor of three major U.S. drug distributors who were accused by Cabell County and the city of Huntington of causing a public health crisis by distributing 81 million pills over eight years in the county. AmerisourceBergen Drug Co., Cardinal Health Inc. and McKesson Corp. also were accused of ignoring the signs that Cabell County was being ravaged by addiction. Faber said West Virginia's Supreme Court had only applied public nuisance law in the context of conduct that interferes with public property or resources. He said to extend the law to cover the marketing and sale of opioids "is inconsistent with the history and traditional notions of nuisance."

Last year the federal appeals court sent a certifed question to the state Supreme Court, which

states: "Under West Virginia's common law, can conditions caused by the distribution of a controlled substance constitute a public nuisance and, if so, what are the elements of such a public nuisance claim?"

The state justices declined to answer. That 3-2 opinion in May returned the case to the federal appears court.

"We hold that West Virginia's highest court would not exclude as a matter of law any common law claim for public nuisance caused by the distribution of a controlled substance," the 4th Circuit wrote Tuesday. "Therefore, we necessarily conclude that the district court erred when it held that a public nuisance claim based on the distribution of opioids was per se legally insufcient under West Virginia law."

During arguments earlier this year before the state Supreme Court over the certifed question, Steve Ruby, an attorney for the companies, called "radical" the plaintifs' arguments to extend the public nuisance law to opioid manufacturers. If allowed, he said, that would "create an avalanche of activist litigation."

The appeals court previously noted that the West

Virginia Mass Litigation Panel, which works to resolve complex cases in state court, has concluded in several instances that opioid distribution "can form the basis of a public nuisance claim under West Virginia common law."

In his 2022 decision, Faber also said the plaintifs ofered no evidence that the defendants distributed controlled substances to any entity that didn't hold

a proper registration from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration or the state Board of Pharmacy. The defendants also had suspicious monitoring systems in place as required by the Controlled Substances Act, he said. But the 4th Circuit Court found Tuesday that the lower court "misconstrued the distributors' duties" under the Controlled Substances Act.

MacKenzie Scott gives $60 million to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy

By GABRIELA

AOUN ANGUEIRA Associated Press

MACKENZIE Scott, one of the world's richest women and most infuential philanthropists, has donated $60 million to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, according to a Tuesday announcement from the nonproft.

The donation is among the largest single gifts Scott, the ex-wife of Amazon founder Jef Bezos, has made to a nonproft, and the largest the Center for Disaster Philanthropy has ever received.

Patricia McIlreavy, CDP president and CEO, called the gift a "transformative investment" that would help the nonproft "strengthen the ability of communities to withstand and equitably recover from disasters."

The gift comes at a time when climate disasters are becoming more frequent and costly and as President Donald Trump stokes uncertainty about how much federal support communities will receive to recover from future emergencies.

Founded in 2010, CDP ofers advice and resources to donors seeking to maximize their impact on communities recovering from climate disasters and other crises. The organization emphasizes medium- and long-term recovery, two oft-neglected phases of disaster response.

CDP also does its own disaster giving, including through its Atlantic Hurricane Season Recovery Fund which will soon support Hurricane Melissa recovery in the Caribbean, according to the group.

The $60 million grant would go toward

"improving disaster preparedness, addressing the root causes of vulnerabilities to hazards and providing vital resources for the long-term recovery of disaster-afected communities," according to a CDP statement.

Scott, 55, amassed most of her wealth through shares of Amazon that she acquired after her divorce from the company's founder and executive chairman, Jef Bezos. Forbes estimates her current wealth to be about $34 billion.

Soon after her divorce, Scott signed the Giving Pledge, promising to give away at least half of her wealth throughout her lifetime. She has donated more than $19 billion since 2019. The author of two novels is known for her quiet and trust-based giving. Scott rarely comments on her donations apart from sporadic essays published on her website, Yield Giving. Nonprofts are often surprised to learn they are receiving one of her grants, which come without restrictions on how groups can use the money.

McIlreavy told The Associated Press she found out about the gift in September through a phone call. "There was a disbelief and joy mixed together," she said. The lack of restrictions allows CDP to put some of the money toward general operations like stafng, an aspect of nonproft work for which it is often difcult to fundraise.

McIlreavy said nonprofits trying to raise money for administrative costs can sometimes feel like they are running a pizza shop. "People would come in and say 'I want pizza, but I don't want to pay for the staf to

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:

(a) Pioneer Production, Ltd. is in dissolution under the provisions of the International Business Companies Act, 2000.

(b) The dissolution of the said Company commenced on the 24th October 2025 when its Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

(c) The Liquidator of the said Company is Brian Selvadurai.

Dated the 27th day of October 2025.

make it, or the trucks that bring in the cheese.'"

The support comes as climate disasters continue to grow in frequency and cost, stretching the abilities of both governments and donors to respond.

The U.S. has experienced at least 14 disasters this year that exceeded $1 billion in damages, according to Climate Central, totaling $101.4 billion. That count does not include the deadly

July Texas foods, which are still being assessed.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly foated the idea of eliminating the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which manages the federal response to disasters. He has denied major disaster declaration requests to states even when FEMA assessments proved extensive damage. His administration has also cut billions in disaster resilience funding.

The uncertainty is challenging for survivors, and for donors and philanthropists who can't anticipate where and when their support will be most needed, said McIlreavy. "When people are facing disasters across this country, not knowing what may come, how they may get assistance and from whom, that steals a bit of the hope that is intrinsic in any recovery," she said.

The plaintifs had sought more than $2.5 billion that would have gone toward opioid use prevention, treatment and education over 15 years.

In 2021 in Cabell County, an Ohio River county of 93,000 residents, there were 1,059 emergency responses to suspected overdoses — signifcantly higher than each of the previous three years — with at least 162 deaths.

Several other groups announced this month that they received grants from Scott, including the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, which got $40 million, and the Freedom Fund, which received $60 million. Scott donated $70 million to UNCF, the nation's largest private provider of scholarships to minority students, last month. Scott hinted at a new cycle of donations in an Oct. 15 essay on her website while downplaying her own giving and touting the power of smaller acts of kindness and generosity.

South Korea trade deal appears elusive as Trump seeks $350B investment

By CHRIS MEGERIAN Associated Press

AFTER a charm ofensive in Japan that culminated in $490 billion in investment commitments, President Donald Trump is set to meet with South Korea's leader on Wednesday as a trade deal with that country appears more elusive.

Top ofcials in Washington and and Seoul say the sticking point for an agreement continues to be the logistics behind Trump's demand that South Korea invest $350 billion in the United States.

Korean ofcials say a direct cash injection could destabilize their economy, and they'd rather do loans and loan guarantees instead. The country would also need a swap line to manage the fow of its currency into the U.S.

The disparity between what Trump is asking for

and what South Korea can deliver threatens to overshadow the meeting between Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Gyeongju, a historical city playing host to the annual Asia-Pacifc Economic Cooperation summit.

Oh Hyunjoo, a deputy national security director, told reporters that the negotiations have been proceeding "a little bit more slowly" than expected.

"We haven't yet been able to reach an agreement on matters such as the structure of investments, their formats and how the profts will be distributed," she said Monday. It's a contrast from Trump's experience in Japan, where the government has worked to fulfll its commitment of $550 billion in investments as part of an earlier trade agreement. Commerce

Secretary Howard Lutnick announced up to $490 billion in commitments during a dinner with business leaders in Tokyo.

Trump bonded with Japan's new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, on his trip Tuesday, taking her with him as he spoke to U.S. troops aboard an aircraft carrier and then unveiling several major energy and technology projects in America to be funded by Japan.

In contrast, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday, said a deal wasn't ready in South Korea.

"Just a lot of details to work out," he said, although he suggested they were close.

For now, South Korea is stuck with a 25% tarif on automobiles, putting automakers such as Hyundai and Kia at a disadvantage

against Japanese and European competitors, which face 15%.

Lee took ofce in June and had a warm meeting with Trump at the White House in August, when he cranked up the fattery. But there's been points of tension since then, notably a U.S. immigration raid on a Hyundai plant in Georgia in September. More than 300 South Koreans were detained, sparking outrage and a sense of betrayal.

Lee said companies would likely hesitate to make future investments unless the visa system was improved.

"If that's not possible, then establishing a local factory in the United States will either come with severe disadvantages or become very difcult for our companies," he said. "They will wonder whether they should even do it."

South Korea's Foreign Ministry said in early October that the U.S. had agreed to allow South Korean workers on short-term visas or a visa waiver program to help build industrial sites in America.

Asked Monday about the immigration raid, Trump said, "I was opposed to getting them out," and

he said an improved visa system would make it easier for companies to bring in skilled workers.

While in South Korea, Trump is also expected to hold a closely watched meeting on Thursday with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Washington and Beijing have clashed over trade, but both sides have indicated that they're willing to dial down tensions.

He has also dangled the possibility of meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, expressing disappointment that Kim hadn't yet responded to his outreach.