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Volume: 121 No28, January 2, 2024

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SAXONS MARCH TO TWO STRAIGHT The Superstars sweep Boxing Day and New Year’s Junkanoo parades

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net THE Shell Saxons Superstars unofficially won the New Year’s Day Parade, rocking the crowd with a theme of exploring the indigenous history of the archipelago.

The victory completed

the group’s sweep of the season’s parades.

The group scored 91.90 points, barely edging out the Valley Boys’ 91.08 points for the second consecutive parade.

The Saxons featured the country’s indigenous history with vibrant costumes

MEMBERS of Shell Saxon Superstars rushing during the New Year’s Day Junkanoo Parade. The Saxons placed first in the A division.

Photo: Dante Carrer

SEE PAGE TWO

SEE PAGE 2, 4, 5, 7 And 12 for morE PicturES of nEw YEAr’S JunkAnoo ProdiGAl SonS’ AbSEncE duE to Father stabbed in year’s first murder ‘unforESEEn circumStAncES’

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net YOUTH, Sports and Culture Minister Mario Bowleg said the Prodigal Sons blamed “unforeseen

circumstances” for dropping out of the Boxing Day and New Year’s Day junkanoo parades, an explanation he finds insufficient.

Mr Bowleg said he plans

RHEMA OTABOR NAMED FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

SEE PAGE FOUR

SEE SPORTS

POLICE Commissioner Clayton Fernander.

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN allegedly stabbed his father during an argument five hours into the new year, the first murder of 2024.

Police said a 51-year-old

man was killed and his son was detained at their family home in Western New Providence.

Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander, meanwhile, said crime declined in 2023 compared to 2022, but police will be more aggressive this year.

Photo: Moise Amisial He spoke after the country recorded 110 murders in 2023.

“We intend to be more aggressive to continue to have that crime trend go down we will be out there in full force,” Commissioner

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE THREE

MORTGAGE INDEMNITY REQUIREMENT SCRAPPED BY cEntrAl bAnk

SEE BUSINESS

PAGE 2, Tuesday, January 2, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

Saxons march to two straight from page one depicting the Lucayans and Arawaks.

The group won five Division A categories: best free dancer, best off the shoulder, best step down, best-choreographed dancers and best overall performance.

Kedenique CampbellMoss, Saxons’ press liaison and representative to the JCNP, said that the group drew from the past to captivate audiences with recreations of indigenous life.

“Our inspiration came from history, it came from our need to tap into what we know and how to create magical theatrical performances around the theme,” she said.

Mrs Campbell-Moss called their dual victories a triumph that resulted from the tireless dedication of the entire Saxon team.

“Winning both parades was a huge triumph for the group. The victory comes with great anticipation for what is to come. We worked tirelessly this year to perfect our craft, the music, the performance, and the love of our culture was what we wanted to exhibit to our fans and sponsors.”

“This win was a yeoman’s effort on behalf of all of the women and men of the Saxons Superstars.”

“We are a rushing group.

We wanted that staple to remain in the forefront. We are the Saxons Superstars.

Fortitude was paramount.”

Mrs Campbell-Moss said the Saxons would continue drawing inspiration from the local communities to ensure Junkanoo’s continued growth in the future.

“My group will study our performance, we will prepare, we will go into the community and continue

the workshops that we have begun with the youth, our expectations are that we, as an organisation and a community, create the environment for Junkanoo to evolve for the culture.”

The Valley Boys’ theme celebrated the group’s 65th anniversary with tributes to its past and present members.

Both the Saxons and The Valley Boys got a one-point deduction on their overall scores.

One Family finished third with 89.86 points, Roots finished fourth with 88.37, Genesis placed fourth with 64.69 points with a 22-point deduction, and Music Makers were disqualified for eligibility issues.

Fancy Dancers was the unofficial winner of the B division with a score of 82.66. Colours came second with 81.95 points. The Immortals placed third with 75.52, Body of Christ finished fourth with 74.09, and the Conquerors of Christ came fifth with 71.27.

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis was among the spectators.

He said he was enthusiastic about the parade, but again conceded that the event has outgrown Bay Street.

“The truth of the matter is that Junkanoo has just grown and it’s such a cultural event for Bahamians,“ he said. “We recognise that there is some challenges, but we still enjoy it the way it is. The essence of Junkanoo is Bay Street and obviously, it’s outgrown Bay Street, but what do we do?”

“And so the time will come when we will have to decide how we keep the spirit of Junkanoo in a sense that if it’s not on Bay Street, it will still be as exciting, as exhilarating and as joyful as it is now.”

MEMBERS of Shell Saxon Superstars rushing during the New Year’s Day Junkanoo Parade.

The Saxons placed first in the A division.

Photos: Dante Carrer

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, January 2, 2024, PAGE 3

Father stabbed in year’s first murder from page one be out there in full force within our community. The bottom line is prevention.

We want to prevent these things from happening, so you will see our Urban Renewal team, along with all other government agencies and the private sector.”

“We don’t know when these murders will happen, but conflict, we have to go hard in our communities.

We have to be able to deal with that to educate the young on how to behave themselves. Please just reach out. If you see something, say something.”

Commissioner Fernander said the murder in western

New Providence happened around 5am on January 1.

Last Thursday, a 50-yearold man was stabbed to death by a 36-year-old male suspect on Finlayson Street.

The suspect in this matter turned himself into police after he stabbed the victim in the head with a knife after the two got into an argument.

Pintard raises concerns over inactivity of Fiscal Responsibility Council IN a letter to Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis on Thursday, Opposition Leader Michael Pintard raised concerns about the state of the Fiscal Responsibility Council (FRC), in view of a Tribune article from earlier this month.

Gowon Bowe, the Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants (BICA) representative on the FRC, told Tribune Business in an article printed on December 5, that there has been “no movement since” he revealed at the end of August that the FRC’s work and composition were in limbo, or on hold, following enactment of the new Public Finance Management Act. In his letter, Mr Pintard said: “In a news article from The Tribune dated December 5, 2023, it was reported that an original member of the Fiscal Responsibility Council (FRC) indicated that the council is essentially disbanded and non-functional. He mentioned that all of the appointed members of the council, aside from himself, consider their terms to have ended.

It is also reported that since the Public Finance

Management Act 2023 moved the FRC away from the Speaker of the House of Assembly and directly under the remit of the Ministry of Finance, the FRC has received no guidance and no instruction on the way forward from the ministry despite having requested same.

“If these reports are accurate, there is presently no functioning FRC. Based on previous reporting, this seems to have been the case for some time. It is thus no surprise that the FRC has been unable to fulfill its legal obligations to undertake independent assessments of the government’s fiscal plans and performance.

The now defunct FRC has six reports outstanding and has failed to produce a single report since your administration took office.

“When the Opposition queried the status of the FRC during the committee phase of the most recent budget debate this past June, your government undertook to provide an imminent update to the Bahamian people on the status and way forward for the FRC. That was some

six months ago.

“At this stage, the Opposition and all Bahamians can only be left to conclude that the apparent dismantling of the statutorily required FRC must be a conscious and purposeful act on the part of your administration. There is no acceptable excuse that could justify your Ministry’s total abdication of its legal responsibilities. It is yet another clear example of your administration’s contempt for the principles of accountability and transparency. You apparently do not want to have independent watchdogs reviewing your policy actions who may have the temerity to do their jobs and provide analysis and insights that run contrary to your endless public relations spin exercises.

“The Opposition once again demands that your office take immediate steps to properly constitute the FRC and provide the council with the necessary support to allow it to meet its legal obligation.

We anticipate that you will make a public statement on the way forward for the FRC at your earliest convenience.”

Desantis says again he woulD ‘flatten the Bahamas’ if it attackeD floriDa

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net FLORIDA Governor Ron DeSantis again said he would flatten The Bahamas in a hypothetical war –– this time explaining it would take only 12 hours to get the job done.

Despite criticism from Bahamians, Mr DeSantis, who is running to be president of the United States, has said he would decimate The Bahamas if it ever bombed his state.

His comment has come when justifying Israel’s behaviour in its war with Hamas.

His latest comment came during a campaign trip to Manchester, New Hampshire, over the weekend.

“If someone was firing missiles from The

Bahamas into, like, Fort Lauderdale, we would never accept that,” he said. “We would flatten.

Anything that happened, it would be done like literally within 12 hours, it would be done.”

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said in November that he believes Mr DeSantis’ continued references to The Bahamas show he is misinformed.

“We rely on the US to assist us in the event of any sort of invasion on us,” Mr Davis said, “so I think he’s obviously misguided, and he needs to step back, look at what our relationship is, and he ought to realise that in the state of Florida, you have more Bahamian diaspora that’s engaged in a political landscape there than ever and

FIRST OF THE YEAR - HOSPITAL WELCOMES NEW BABIES OF 2024

NURSES who helped deliver the first boy and girl of 2024 receive gift baskets.

Photo: Dante Carrer IN a partnership first girl, born at 7.58am, between the Public Hospi- weighing seven pounds. tals Authority and Lowe’s Lowe’s representaWholesale Drug, gift bas- tive Giavannia Turnquest kets were given to nurses gave the gift baskets to who helped deliver the first maternity nursing superviboy and girl of the new year sor Judith Clarke, PMH yesterday. administrative officer Tara Hanna-Rolle Rishar Gray and duty sister was the first boy, born Joanna Oliver. at 2.57am, weighing six Items in the basket pounds and seven ounces. included chocolates and Dieulie Sampson was the baby products.

he should speak to them to understand what our true relationship is because I don’t think he’s familiar with the relationship.”

Bahamians have also reacted bitterly to Mr DeSantis’ comment, noting the implausibility of The Bahamas attacking Florida.

Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Nassau has downplayed his remarks, noting the close relationship between the US and this country.

The victim succumbed to his injuries in hospital after he was taken there in a private vehicle.

Police are also investigating the murder of a 38-year-old male who was shot and killed by two male culprits on Stanton Street at around 2pm on New Year’s Eve. Initial reports say that

two male suspects got into an altercation with the victim before he was shot and killed by his assailants.

A 27-year-old male is in custody in connection with this shooting after he was arrested in the Yellow Elder Gardens area later that same day. Two firearms suspected of being used in the incident were found in

the vicinity of the suspect’s arrest.

The Thursday and Saturday murders brought 2023’s murder tally to 110, missing Commissioner Fernander’s goal of keeping the death count under 100.

This figure is still below the murder tally for 2022, when 128 people were killed.

PAGE 4, Tuesday, January 2, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

Prodigal Sons’ absence due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’ from page one to meet with the leaders of the Junkanoo group this week to get more details on their actions.

He said his ministry received a letter from the group and a list of receipts detailing how their seed money was spent.

“They sent me a letter

saying unforeseen circumstances, but that’s not sufficient for the ministry, and so we are requesting them to reveal those circumstances to us, and unless that meets our satisfaction, we won’t be satisfied with just an unforeseen circumstances report and no details to go with it,” he said.

Category A groups like

the Prodigal Sons received $30,000 from the $928,500 in seed money the government provided this year.

Mr Bowleg said groups are also required to sign a contract confirming their attendance for the parades and that the funds will be used for junkanoo purposes.

“If they are in breach of the contract, then we would

then request funding back, but I don’t want to say that that’s the way it’s gone right now because we have to see if their rationale of unforeseen circumstances makes sense,” he said. “Because if it doesn’t, then we have to see to do some things.”

He said the ministry would report to the public about the matter, adding:

“We can’t have this to be the norm.”

Eric Knowles, the group leader, did not respond to calls by this newspaper yesterday.

In November, he told The Tribune his group wanted to dazzle attendees after a fire destroyed its shack last year, consuming dozens of drums, costumes and

Valley Boys FORMER PM Perry Christie joins the Valley Boys on Bay Street as they rush in the New Year’s Day Junkanoo Parade.

Photos: Moise Amisial

One Family

MEMBERS of One Family perform on Bay Street for the New Year’s Junkanoo Parade.

Photos: Moise Amisial

materials.

“You know, when you have a God and a few good friends, we have been able to put things together,” he said. “As a matter of fact, we have completed one-half of our shack. We were able to get BPL to come and turn the lights back on after trying to get it on for quite some time.”

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, January 2, 2024, PAGE 5

Roots ROOTS rushes on Bay Street for the New Year’s Day Junkanoo Parade.

Photos: Moise Amisial

Genesis

MEMBERS of Genesis perform for the New Year’s Day Junkanoo Parade.

Photos: Moise Amisial

PAGE 6, Tuesday, January 2, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

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DeSantis and his Bahamas rhetoric WHAT is RonDeSantis’ problem with The Bahamas?

The Florida Governor continues to repeat his clumsy analogy comparing the United States and The Bahamas with Israel and Gaza.

In case you have not been following his ridiculous rhetoric, then yes, you read that right – he thinks that the US and The Bahamas are an adequate comparison with the situation in the Middle East.

The entire basis of his theory seems to be that we are nearby – neglecting to take into consideration the long, long history between Israel and Gaza, and the generations that have grown up with the conflict there, now a full-blown war.

Quite what group in The Bahamas he considers to be the equivalent of Hamas is beyond us.

Of course, if proximity was his only criteria, there are lots of other places he could have suggested. Perhaps rivals in nearby Georgia? Perhaps Cuba?

No, that would not work well with the Cuban population in Florida he might rely on for votes. Instead, he chooses a nearby country with a majority black population, be that coincidental or not.

Even with all of that, to what end?

He wants to boast about how quickly the US would decimate The Bahamas if ever our nation launched missiles at Fort Lauderdale. Never mind the fact the closest we have to a missile is the water tower, what is his boast? That the US is better equipped to take out a nearby country with fewer military resources? Is this supposed to be belittling Israel for not concluding its assault on Gaza quicker?

Mr DeSantis is a presidential candidate in the current race to be the Republican pick – one would think he would have plenty of other things to be talking about rather than a potential war only going on in his own head.

Interestingly, though, when Hurricane Dorian hit The Bahamas, he was quick to be hands-off, passing the buck to the federal government for any assistance, saying it wasn’t up to officials at the state level. He also was reluctant to comment on the prospect of accommodating any Bahamians who needed shelter in Florida after the storm.

So when it comes to help for those in need, he thinks that is up to the national government. But when it comes to carpet bombing your neighbours, he is all in for flattening a country without an arsenal capable of his imagined attack.

Quite what he gets out of this is a mystery, except perhaps deflecting scrutiny away from policies that might actually affect voters in the US. Meanwhile, the US Embassy here has given the equivalent of a diplomatic sigh to say his comments are nothing to do with US policy, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis has said the comments are misguided, and Mr DeSantis has united the current Foreign Affairs Minister, Fred Mitchell, and predecessor Darren Henfield against his comments.

The trouble is, of course, that it is a ludicrous statement – but if the last few years of politics have taught us anything, it is that there will be those who will believe and amplify such statements.

The nuance of it being an analogy for the Middle East will be lost on some, or ignored by others, for their own benefit.

All it takes is one person to believe it enough to be willing to harm a Bahamian. Words can have consequences, even ridiculous words, sometimes especially those ones.

In no world, Mr DeSantis, is The Bahamas going to be firing rockets at Florida – and in no world should you be suggesting such a thing could be the case. Smarten up your speeches, Mr DeSantis, your words are making you look like a fool.

MEMBERS of Shell Saxon Superstars taking a rest after the New Year’s Day Junkanoo Parade. The Saxons placed first in the A division.

Photo: Dante Carrer

Failure to learn how we got here EDITOR, The Tribune.

I THINK that it was Wednesday of last week that a raft of Tax Amendments were analysed by BICA (Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants) from the Department of Inland Revenue. Changes from Real Property Tax increased penalties, to VAT updates, and on to Business Licence changes, and I could only think to myself “Do these people even have a clue how we (The Bahamas) got to where we are today”?

Do they even know why it was, that Canadian industrialist Sir Harry Oakes came to The Bahamas in

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net the first place? Or why the world’s super wealthy took up residence here in droves after the second World War? This is all a repeat of the stupidity that left a significant Bahamas Tourism sector dead in the water (pun intended) earlier this year when they ganged another ten percent on direct tax costs of yacht charters.

Wealthy people have money, not by paying government taxes, but by minimising them. This government seems to have a

notion I think, that people like paying taxes and the higher they are the merrier they will be.

What do they think our Financial Services Industry does for a living? We help the World’s Wealthy “preserve and even enhance their family wealth.” And one thing we all should know is that money is the easiest commodity to move.

There are two sides to every ledger and we really should try to spend less in government and reduce the need to bleed the people to death with taxes.

MONKEEDOO Nassau, December 26, 2023.

Start with licences EDITOR, The Tribune.

TRAFFIC Lights — running ‘red’ light… How many accidents occur from that? Supt Lockhart RBPF or Road Traffic can’t ensure that 50% of the vehicles on the road are licenced and insured and you want to spend money on red light technology?

Get basics working first,

sir.

If any technology is needed are speed cameras as unfortunately RBPF only appear at the end of the month checking speeding to collect fines …How many motorcycles have you? How are they deployed? Probably more escorting our VIP’s!

West Bay is a Grand Prix track average speed 60!

After this letter RBPF will appear on West Bay … it’s all a political comedy...you just aint serious.

Get vehicles licenced and insured... that will be a start. Laughing more and constantly at wee self!

3. How much is of this Government subsidy?

Could Junkanoo happen without the Government money?

4. Live TV coverage... what is the local audience? Remember - No Parade in 2022 and no room at the hotels!

Oh, critical because Cruise ships are the main producers for Tourism numbers arrivals - How many cruise ships are in port at the time of the Junkanoo parades?

T MOSS Nassau, December 22, 2023.

Impact of Junkanoo EDITOR, The Tribune.

TO GET some insight can National Junkanoo Committee confirm certain obvious questions.

1. How many visitors actually attend in person the parades?

2. How much is expended by the groups?

CHET FLOWERS Nassau, December 26, 2023.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, January 2, 2024, PAGE 7

Fancy Dancers

FANCY Dancers rushing on Bay Street for the New Year’s Day Junkanoo Parade.

Photos: Moise Amisial

New Year Junkanoo Music Makers MUSIC Makers perform for the New Year’s Day Junkanoo Parade, where they were also disqualified again for not having enough praticipants.

Photos: Moise Amisial

ONE FAMILY: A dancer during the New Year’s Day Junkanoo parade.

Photo: Moise Amisial

MUSICIANS bringing the sound of Junkanoo to the New Year Parade..

Photo: Moise Amisial

Overcoming obstacles and breaking glass ceilings PAGE 8, Tuesday, January 2, 2024

DIAMOND Pearson is breaking barriers and paving her own path to success - one that will ultimately allow her to contribute to her country in an area where not too many experts exist.

As 2023 comes to a close, her family and friends are celebrating her graduation from North Carolina Central University, a public historically black university in Durham, North Carolina. She graduated just weeks ago with a Master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders a field where few black people, and even fewer people of Caribbean descent exist. To top it off, she graduated with a 3.85GPA as Magna Cum Laude.

Diamond found that it was rare to be a Caribbean student studying in this area, but it gave her the impetus to break glass ceilings and set a pace for many other Bahamian and Caribbean students to follow.

“When you look at the global statistics of speech language pathologists in the United States of America, only about four percent are black, and even a smaller percentage are from a Caribbean country like I am,” Diamond said.

“Just knowing there are only a small number of individuals doing what I am doing motivates me.”

The communication sciences and disorders field is a big umbrella, under which the science of speech therapy exists.

Diamond’s discipline, and she did so well in her classes, meant that she was offered a job at

Face to Face

By FELICITY DARVILLE

DIAMOND Pearson with her Grandfather Reverend CB Moss at her graduation.

Spoken-4 Communica- years old, providing early tions in Durham, North intervention for paediCarolina. The clinic spe- atric children. Diamond cialises in the evaluation starts work next week and treatment of speech with high hopes of touchlanguage services to indi- ing lives and improving viduals from birth to three her own.

THE TRIBUNE

Diamond won’t rest there. She has every intention of continuing her journey and earning a doctorate degree in audiology, allowing her to be dual certified in speech language pathology and audiology.

“I think my skills will be important for The Bahamas,” she said.

“At the time that I chose to become an audiologist, there were only two audiologists in the entire country. I got a chance to work with one of them - Dr Kim Scriven at Doctor’s Hospital. The other audiologist is also a female and this is another reason for my aspiration to achieve this goal.”

Her capstone project for graduation was: “We have to work twice as hard to get half of what they have: dialectal differences and its impact on international students.”

Her work highlights some of the struggles that international students, especially those with dialects, face while pursuing tertiary dreams. Their spirit of tenacity towards their goals make it even more laudable when they achieve them.

For Diamond, 2023 started out as a difficult year. She had to sit out a semester when her grandfather, Rev CB Moss, community and church leader in Bain Town, had a serious health scare that left him in a coma for several weeks. However, she returned to school and not only completed; she earned Magna Cum Laude the second highest honour amongst graduates.

“I have always been one to do the impossible,” she shared.

DIAMOND PEARSON

REV CB Moss and his wife Francisca Moss along with Diamond Pearson’s Aunt Carolyn Moss attend her graduation at Noth Carolina Central University.

“From undergrad when I found out that students could graduate in three years instead of four, that became my mission in my freshman year. I achieved that! Then when I transitioned to graduate school, even though I had a significant amount of challenges towards the end of my goal, I pushed through and persevered.”

“In January of 2023, my grandfather’s situation took a toll on me because we have a close relationship. I took time out from school to come back home to The Bahamas to be at the hospital and support him and my grandmother. It was difficult going back to school at first, and it was difficult leaving my grandfather in the hospital, but because of the emphasis my grandparents put on education, I had to finish my programme.”

Things came full circle as Rev Moss made a miraculous recovery and

by December, he was able to travel to North Carolina and see Diamond receive her degree.

“I was so thankful that my grandfather was able to come to my graduation,” she said.

“He was able to walk, able to talk... and it just shows that God never forgets about us. Your January doesn’t determine what your December will be. The year 2023 started off very ‘touch and go’ for our family. I am so glad that we were able to transition out of that and be together and celebrate with one another at the end of this year.”

In addition to focusing on her studies, Diamond had to participate in

clinical rotations, and she was also a graduate assistant to the tutoring and supplemental instruction department at North Carolina Central University. Her hard work did not go unnoticed. School faculty knew about Rev Moss’ health troubles and Diamond’s tenacity and as a result, when he and his wife Francisca attended their granddaughter’s graduation, they received the royal treatment from the school.

One of Diamond’s proudest achievements is that she graduated debtfree. Financial literacy, she said, is very important to her. She intends to fund her graduate studies and receive her doctorate degree debt-free as well.

“When I started this graduate school journey, I was 20 years old; now I am 22,” Diamond pointed out.

“Statistically it’s still a young age to hold a Master’s degree - I don’t take this achievement lightly.

I am very proud of where I have come at a young age and from such a small country. I am making a name for myself and my country in a state like North Carolina.”

“Thanks to my professors and supervisors at my clinical rotations,” Diamond said.

“Thank you to my parents Crystal Moss and Tracy Pearson, and to my immediate and extended family. I am also thankful to my church family, Mount Olive Baptist Church (Rev Moss Church on Meadow and Augusta Streets) and to my church family in North Carolina.”

Tumultuous year and passing of a statesman THE TRIBUNE

SINCE this column is mainly about international affairs, it might be appropriate at the beginning of January to attempt a brief broad brush review of the year and offer some thoughts about the coming months in what has become a crisis-ridden world. But I fear that in today’s state of febrile uncertainty it would be hazardous to try to predict even the immediate future.

Instead, while commenting on the perceptible shift of power away from a USdominated world with its long-standing Western values, it might be more rewarding to look at the role, achievements and influence on the world stage of certain prominent people who passed away last year. Among many others, I am thinking, for example, of French politician and statesman, Jacques Delors, the former long-serving president of the European Commission in Brussels, who died in December at the age of 98.

He was a towering political figure who shaped the modern European Union.

But, first, the general consensus is that 2023 was a period of almost unprecedented turmoil in modern world history and that the coming year promises to be little better. Momentous times are ahead with national elections in the US, Britain and for the European Parliament, not to mention Russia where Putin will – more likely than not – consolidate his position of overwhelming power.

For the West, the balance of power and the influence of NATO and the EU have been affected primarily by the war in Ukraine not going as well as had been expected

Tuesday, January 2, 2024, PAGE 9

The Peter Young column despite the huge influx of weaponry, military aid and equipment from the US and other sources and after the apparent failure of the much-anticipated Ukrainian counter-offensive in the east; and now support in Washington seems to be ebbing while the EU’s new aid package is reportedly being held up by Hungary. However, one positive impact of the Ukraine war is that NATO as an organisation has been galvanised into action.

Despite being indicted by the International Criminal Court, Putin seems not to have become an international pariah and has travelled to China, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. EU sanctions have not brought him to his knees as Russia continues to trade through third countries. Furthermore, South Africa has been holding joint naval exercises with Russian and Chinese warships.

It is now being said that some countries do not see Russia’s invasion and brutal actions in Ukraine as so abhorrent after all and consider these were

KING’S CHRISTMAS DAY SPEECH

BRITAIN’s King Charles III poses for a photo, during the recording of his Christmas message at Buckingham Palace, in London, Saturday, December 7, 2023.

Photo: Jonathan Brady/AP THROUGHOUT The Queen’s long reign, a major part of Christmas for millions was her annual informal address to the nation televised on Christmas Day itself. Broadcast at 3pm, many families ensured their celebratory lunch was over in time to gather, as a time-honoured ritual, in front of the TV to watch “The Queen’s Speech”.

Pre-recorded, the speech was said to have The Queen’s personal stamp on it and she was speaking from the heart about matters of concern to her. It usually covered the main issues of the day and invariably conveyed an inspiring message of encouragement and hope.

This practice was started in 1932 by King George V via the radio as a means for the monarch to communicate directly with the people. That year, he broadcast live from Sandringham.

Following this tradition, King Charles has just delivered his second Christmas address since the passing of his mother in September, 2022, that focused on the importance of shared values in time of conflict, with the theme of “Do to others as you would have them do to you”.

He stressed the importance of universal values shared between major religions at a time of what he called increasingly tragic conflict around the world, and of showing compassion towards one another. He also praised the efforts of volunteers for their invaluable contribution to the community, calling them the backbone of society – and he spoke of protecting the planet as a spiritual duty.

In this second such speech, the King wove together some of his most personal causes like building bridges between faiths, protecting the environment and caring for the most vulnerable. It reflected his personal views without taking a political stance and lecturing people. His message was nonetheless direct and clear. To some, this also represented a change of style from The Queen who was inclined to convey her message in more general terms by allusion and inference.

Overall, this new King’s speech appears to have struck the right balance while not shying away from some of the important issues of the day. British people will surely welcome this and find it reassuring in these troubled times.

Happy New Year to all.

anyway provoked by NATO encroaching too far east towards Russia and thus constituting a perceived threat.

Critics also accuse the US and UK of hypocrisy in protecting Israel at the UN over their action in Gaza and accusations of genocide. Against this background, it is reported that the Balkan states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania now increasingly fear that, if Putin succeeds in Ukraine, he will come for them next.

In addition to all this, there are other developments that are contributing to today’s turbulent world – for example, Iran’s supply of drones to Russia to bomb Ukraine and its involvement in the forces arrayed against Israel including support for Houthi forces attacking shipping in the Red Sea, the succession of destabilising military coups in Africa’s Sahel region, North Korea’s support of Russia and China’s malign influence and threat to Taiwan despite the recent apparently successful summit with the US. Turning to Jacques Delors, for a decade from 1985 he served a record three times as President of the European Commission. Before that, he was Minister of Finance in President Francois Mitterrand’s socialist government in France in the early 1980s.

Arguably, he was the most significant architect and leader of the European project since its emergence after the Second World War to such an extent that he was considered to be the founding father of today’s EU. Specifically, Delors’s greatest achievement was

SMOKE rises during conflict between Israel and Hamas. creation of a single regulated market for goods and services across the EU and the allowance of free movement of people.

British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher enthusiastically signed up for that. But Delors wanted to go further as he saw the need for a European single currency and a centralised system of governance, saying “national sovereignty no longer means much… we need to be supranational to compete on the world stage”.

Historians say that Jacques Delors displayed his Gallic confidence in centralised government but his ideas about what

became termed as ever closer political union towards an EU federal superstate put him on a collision course with many, not least Margaret Thatcher who opposed any idea of such a supranational body exercising new dominance from Brussels.

He became a symbol of everything eurosceptics in Britain feared and despised about the great European project and it was the case that, while his ideas about the EU single market met with general approval, his vision of a centralised, federalist bloc found less favour. Meanwhile, public opinion against his socialist ideas gradually grew to

Photo: Associated Press the extent that thereafter no European Commission president was allowed to acquire so much power again.

As far as Britain was concerned, it seems that it was the EU’s creeping interference in member states’ national democratic procedures – not least the existing requirement to incorporate EC Directives in their national legislation – that swung the UK’s 2016 referendum in favour of leaving the bloc, albeit by a narrow margin. But Jacques Delors had set the EU on the path towards greater integration to which, of course, it remains wedded to this day.

PAGE 10, Tuesday, January 2, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

BIGSU calls for better safety and medical coverage for workers following incident at GB Shipyard relevant authorities should take steps and address this issue.

Mr Brookes recalled that in a Caribbean Public Services general meeting held in New Providence in early 2000, CARICOM nations had warned the Bahamas against the practice of casual labour, as it had proven to be harmful in their countries.

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net JULIAN Russell, president of the Bahamas Industrial General Services Union (BIGSU), is calling for better safety and medical coverage for casual workers after a recent incident at the shipyard.

He and other trade unionists expressed their concerns on Friday at the entrance of the Grand Bahama Shipyard.

On December 16, casual worker Graham Pinder suffered multiple injuries after falling approximately 60 feet while cleaning a tanker at the shipyard. He sustained injuries to his face, neck, back, and lower extremities and is recovering in hospital.

Mr Russell has called for contractors to have insurance coverage for casual workers against industrial accidents. He also believes that employers should ensure the safety, health,

WOMAN ACCUSED OF INJURING WOMAN AND DAMAGING HER CAR JULIAN RUSSELL, president of BIGSU, calls for better safety and medical coverage for casual workers. Also seen are Deron Brookes, president of the Bahamas Customs Immigration Allied Workers Union; and Randal Minnis and Xavier Wildgoose, executives of BIGSU. Photos: Vandyke Hepburn and welfare of individuals on their job sites.

The trade unionist called for an inspectorate regime to assess companies’ compliance with health and safety

regulations.

He further stated that several previous incidents and the recent incident involving Graham Pinder highlight the plight of casual workers.

Deron Brookes, president of the Bahamas Customs Immigration Allied Workers Union, believes that casual labour is detrimental to Bahamians and that the

Three men charged in three separate murders which occurred over the Christmas holidays

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net THREE MEN are behind bars after they were allegedly involved in three separate murders that occurred over the Christmas weekend in New Providence.

Acting Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley charged Jonathon Davis, 30, Kazinski Johnson, 19, and Nelson Major , 30, with three individual charges of murder.

Both Johnson and Major faced a second charge of attempted murder, while Davis faced an additional charge of possession of an unlicensed firearm

Rudolph Stubbs, a veteran trade unionist and activist, said the Bahamas is a member of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and has ratified conventions concerning the health and safety of workplaces.

He emphasised that safety should not be compromised and called for the protection of workers from job-related injuries.

Levan Johnson represented Johnson and Major.

Davis along, with an accomplice, allegedly shot and killed 31-year-old Vantoi Bethune as he left a store on West Bay Street on the night of December 23.

The defendant allegedly fled the scene in a red Mazda Versa before switching to a grey Honda Civic. A chase ensued where Davis was allegedly caught on Lancaster Lane with a loaded black & silver .40 pistol reportedly in his car.

Johnson allegedly shot 29-year-old Turvaughn Nairn and 18-year-old Reuben Martin while he tried to steal Nairn’s motorcycle in the area known as “the tracks”

on December 24.

Both victims in this matter were taken to hospital where Nairn succumbed to his injuries. The 18-yearold was last listed in critical condition.

Later that same Christmas Eve night, Major along with another male, allegedly chased Torvaz Dames and Cardicyn Collie as they rode motorcycles in the Balfour Avenue area.

During this chase both Dames and Collie were shot by their assailants while also reportedly returning fire at them. Later the victim’s damaged bike came to a stop on Robinson and Claridge Roads where officers saw Collie

put Dames into the back of a white vehicle. Although Collie allegedly attempted to flee in the vehicle officers caught him in Montell Heights where Dames died of his injuries.

The 23-year-old Dames was the father of two young sons.

The accused were told that their respective matters would be moved to the Supreme Court through a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI). They will be sent to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until the higher court grants them bail.

The three defendants’ VBIs are all slated for service on April 11, 2024.

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A WOMAN was granted bail on Friday after she allegedly injured a woman with a rock on Davis Street last month.

Magistrate Kendra Kelly charged Cadesha Thompson, 27, with causing harm, damage and assault with a dangerous instrument.

Thompson allegedly assaulted and injured Viola Price with a rock on Davis

Street on December 11.

During this same incident the defendant allegedly caused $475 worth of damage to the front windshield of Ms Price’s maroon 2013 Honda Civic.

Following her not guilty plea, the defendant was granted $2,000 bail with one or two sureties. Under the terms of this bail she is to sign in at the Carmichael Road Police Station every Thursday by 6pm.

Thompson’s trial begins on March 4, 2024.

THREE MEN ALLEGEDLY FOUND WITH LOADED GUN GRANTED BAIL

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net THREE men were granted bail after they were allegedly found with a loaded gun in New Providence last month.

Magistrate Lennox Coleby charged Valentino Ferguson, 24, Kerol Butler, 21, and Wilden Desir, 23, with possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition.

Bjorn resented

Ferguson repthe accused.

The trio were arrested after they were allegedly found with a black 9mm Taurus pistol and one round of 9mm ammunition in New Providence on December 18 After pleading not guilty to the charges, bail for the three was set at $7,500 with one or two sureties each.

The trial in this matter begins on February 26, 2024.

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PAGE 12, Tuesday, January 2, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

New Year Junkanoo

THE SHELL Saxons Superstars on their way to victory in the New Year Junkanoo.

Drone photo: Eric Rose

THE CROWD enjoying the show during New Year Junkanoo.

Photos: Moise Amisial

Immortals Conquerors for Christ

Redland Soldiers

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, January 2, 2024, PAGE 13

PROVIDENCE BASKETBALL CLUB’S 24TH YULETIDE CLASSIC

Agape Eagles win title FROM PAGE 16 on Saturday night at the CI Gibson Gymnasium with a dramatic 53-39 comeback win over the Jordan Prince Williams Falcons.

In the eight years he has been building the basketball programme at Agape in Abaco since he left Kingsway Academy, coach Johnson said they have won several island tournaments, but they never could have gotten over the hump in New Providence or Grand Bahama until now.

“We’ve been in a lot of big games, semifinals and championships, but we never won,” said Johnson, who was highly animated all through the second half as they made their comeback.

“This is the best team I’ve had for junior boys.

They really fought hard tonight. They were down by 12 and still came and

won by 14. So I’m very proud of this team. God has been good to us and good to me.”

Eagles 53, Falcons 39: Most valuable player Valdez Johnson led a balanced scoring attack with 14 points and both Joshua Cornish and Davon Simms had 11.

Corey Roberts contributed nine and Taurus Sainvil ended up with six to join the celebrations for Agape.

In a losing effort, Malachi Cadeau led the way for Jordan Prince Williams with 17 points. Broc Glinton also finished in double figures with 12. Alijah Pierre helped out with eight.

After falling behind 16-12 in the first quarter and 29-21 at the half, highlighted by Cadeau’s 13 and Glinton’s 10, Agape managed to turn things around in the second half as Jordan Prince Williams started to fall apart.

FROM PAGE 16

CHAMPIONS: The Agape Eagles junior boys celebrate their Providence Basketball Club’s 24th Yuletide Basketball Classic title on Saturday at the CI Gibson Gymnasium.

Photo: Moise Amisial/Tribune Staff “We just wanted it. We to a pair of baskets from and work on their miscame out flat in the first Sainvil and Simms. takes as they prepare for half, but we turned it on “We just lost focus. The the second half of the in the second half,” coach guys just got too relaxed,” Bahamas Association of Johnson said. “The boys said Falcons’ coach Ernest Independent Secondary were not rebounding, but Saunders on their com- Schools’ basketball season after my two best guys plete collapse in the third next week. started to pick it up, the that made the difference in At the end of the tourrest of the team fed off the game. ney, the following players them and we continued to “When I made some were named to the Allsoar.” substitutions, some of the Tournament Team: The Falcons were held guys were not ready to Jordan Prince Williams scoreless in the third as play. I had a lot of faith in - Broc Glnton, Malachi the Eagles came back for our second and third and Cadeau and Alijah Pierre. a 34-29 advantage as Cor- fourth chances, but that Agape - Corey Roberts, nish and Johnson came was what really killed us.”

Valdez Johnson and Joshua through with six and five Despite the loss, Saun- Cornish. respectively. They went on ders said it just gives them DW Davis - Whiskey a 14-10 spurt in the fourth the incentive to go back Paul, Zhyon Thompson. St to preserve the win, thanks to Jordan Prince Williams John’s - Leonardo Rolle.

game. However, their CI GIBSON the efforts came a little too RATTLERS late.St George’s only had one

FROM PAGE 16

basket on a threepointer at the buzzer, had 15. Bedner Termius had seven and Romero Adderley chipped in with four.

The Rattlers led 27-18 at the end of the first quarter as Butler connected on three free throws and a field goal for five and Rolle and Finley had four each and Hanna canned a three-pointer.

They extended their lead to 38-27 at the half with Butler duplicating his feat from the first quarter.

Ignited by Russell’s pair of three-pointers and field goals for 10 in the third, St George’s got back into the game, trailing 52-39.

But they couldn’t stop Butler, who added 10 more points to his ledger, including two three-pointers and as many field goals.

In the fourth, Russell and Williams both knocked down a pair of three-pointers to keep the Jaguars in

OTABOR FROM PAGE 16

(57.48m). That propelled her to the World Athletics’ 19th World Championships in Budapest, Hungary in August where she made her debut by falling short of advancing to the final with 15th place in her group in the qualifying round with 175-11 (53.62m).

However, the flame continued as she went on to capture the silver medal at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile in November, capping off the year with her personal best of 198-7 (60.54m).

Only Eve has thrown further as a Bahamian with her national record of 209-1 (63.73m) she established in 2000 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Despite the performances of Otabor and Charlton and Strachan, Jones clinched the second spot on the Tribune’s Female Athlete of the Year list.

The 29-year-old Grand Bahamian native, who played in her first season with the New York Liberty, earned her second Most Valuable Player honours in the Women’s National Basketball Association.

This time, the 6-foot, 6-inch centre captured the 2023 Commissioner’s Cup with 16 points and a game high 15 rebounds as the Liberty knocked off the Las Vegas Aces 82-63 in August. For her efforts, she collected an extra $5,000 to go along with the $30,000

game to recuperate after they held off the Charles W Saunders Cougars 47-39 in their semifinal match-up, while CI Gibson played ahead of them, securing a 53-44 win over the CC Sweeting Cobras.

The tournament closed out with the awards ceremony and carting off trophies as they were selected to the All-Tournament Team were the following players: Blazers Elite - N Gedeus.

St George’s - Deryl Williams and Kevaro Russell.

CI Gibson - Tashon Butler and Gerard Rolle.

CC Sweeting - Andrew Bethel and Tavari Roker.

Charles W Saunders - Raymone Woods and Nakero Brown. Queen’s College Tashon Taylor.

As the founder and organiser of the Providence Basketball Club, coach Johnson said he was quite concerned at the start on Wednesday after some of the teams dropped out.

PARIS OLYMPICS

WILTON Johnson presents senior boys’ MVP winner Tashon Butler of CI Gibson with his award.

Photo: Moise Amisial/Tribune Staff “But as we progressed, things got better and that is what the tournament is all about. The tournament is being used to keep the players active during the Christmas season, but it also allows the teams to work on a few things as

they head into the second half of their season.

“St George’s, I’m quite sure they got better. CC Sweeting, I’m sure got better.

“They played well here.

Charles W Saunders, Queen’s College, Teleos

and St John’s, I saw how they all got better.”

Johnson also gave high marks to the Agape Eagles, coached by Stephan Johnson, who took the junior boys’ title home to Abaco after they upset the Jordan Prince Williams Falcons 53-39 in their championship game.

“Coach Johnson did an excellent job,” Johnson said. “He’s always been doing an excellent job down there. It’s just that a lot of Grand Bahama and New Providence teams take his players.

“But he put in the hard work to prepare his teams and he’s going to continue to work hard. I’m glad to see that they finally won their first title here.

If he can keep that team together, they will be hard to beat down the stretch.”

This was the second year that the junior division was added to the tournament, which was primarily designed for senior boys.

There is a possibility that the senior girls’ division could be included in the future.

ATHLETE OF 2023: Javelin specialist Rhema Otabor has been selected as The Tribune Sports’ Female Athlete of the Year

the BOC, said they will be looking at ways of sensitising the public sector on how they can invest in the athletes of the country.

“We jump on the bandwagon when our athletes attain their success, but I ask corporate Bahamas what have you done to assist,” Knowles said. “I know some of them have and some of them will.

“We just want to prick their subconsciousness to ensure that we get the best returns on their investments because as we look at some of the social ills in our country, if sports were properly funded, I think we have the antidote in sports to assist in combating their social ills.”

If sports is properly funded, both from the private and the government sectors, Knowles said they can better accommodate the sporting organisations in the country.

And although he admitted that it’s against his conscience, he said there is an opportunity and a need for the establishment of a national sports lottery in the Bahamas so that sports is properly funded.

“That would enable us to address some of the social ills, we can address culture,” Knowles said. “We just came through a heck of a cultural experience with junkanoo.

“How do we sustain junkanoo? Through education.

We know the challenges we are having in our government schools with the shortage of teachers and equipment. How do we change that? How do we support that? How do we ensure the three pillars of our country - sports, education and culture - how do we make it more economically viable for all involved in a mighty way?”

This year, as they seek to assemble the best team possible to represent the Bahamas at the Olympics, Knowles said they will do all they can to secure the necessary funding for the federations to get the athletes ready to compete.

He noted there are also plans to assist the federations with sound business advice and preparing athletes for life after they would have retired from competing.

As for competing, the BOC plans to assist the Bahamas Basketball Federation in its efforts to get the men’s national basketball team qualified to compete in the Olympics.

The team is on the verge of becoming the first Bahaian team sport to compete at the games. The team qualified to compete in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament that will take place in July in Paris just ahead of the games.

In addition to basketball, the Bahamas is hoping to qualify athletes to compete in the traditional sports such as track and field, swimming, boxing, tennis, beach volleyball and judo.

SPORTS NOTES

FROM PAGE 16

ATHLETE OF 2023: Javelin specialist Rhema Otabor has been selected as The Tribune Sports’ Female Athlete of the Year 2023. bonus each her teammates semifinal playoffs. Jones Hungary in August where Strachan, who posted pergot for winning the first played with the Sun from she placed fourth in the sonal best times of 10.92 title for New York. when she joined the women’s 100m hurdles in a in the 200m and 22.15 in Although it was an in- WNBA in 2016 to 2022, time of 12.52 seconds. the 200m, while finishseason incentive that didn’t including the WNBA MVP She ended the year at ing sixth at the World count towards their regular in 2021, but she’s yet to the Weltklasse Zurich Championships and third season statistics, Jones and secure a league team title.

Diamond League Meet in at the Diamond League the Liberty did make it to For the third spot in the Zurich, Switzerland where Finals, the return of World the WNBA Final where Tribune’s Female Athlete she was eighth overall in and Olympic champion it counted the most. The of the Year honours, Charl- 12.75. She had 13 races Shaunae Miller-Uibo Aces got revenge as they ton came through with under 13 seconds, but after having a baby and captured back-to-back some fantastic feats that season’s best was off her the appearances of both titles with a 3-1 best-of-five was just shy of getting her national record of 12.44 she Waltiea Rolle, the first series win over the Liberty. on the podium. set at the Olympic Games Bahamian to compete in Prior to falling short in The 28-year-old national in 2022 in Eugene, Oregon. the WNBA, and European the final, Jones helped the record holder came so close Other athletes making player Lashann Higgs, Liberty to eliminate her to getting on the medal their presence felt this year, along with tennis players former team, the Con- dais at the World Cham- but falling short of the top Sydney Clarke and Larikah necticut Sun 3-1 in their pionships in Budapest, three were Anthonique Russell.

Friday at CI Gibson Gymnasium, starting at 4pm - AF Adderlery vs TA Thompson (junior girls and boys).

Friday at DW Davis Gymnasium, starting at 4pm - Anatol Rodgers High vs CR Walker (senior girls and boys).

BASKETBALL BASIS ACTION THE Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools will resume their 2023/24 basketball regular season on Monday at various high schools starting at 4pm.

The association will be returning to action after taking a break in December for the Christmas holiday.

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PAGE 14, Tuesday, January 2, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

Pacers win 122-113, end Bucks’ home win streak MILWAUKEE (AP) — Tyrese Haliburton had 26 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds, and Indiana snapped Milwaukee’s 15-game home winning streak.

Bennedict Mathurin added 25 points and a career-high 13 rebounds for the Pacers, and Isaiah Jackson had 18 points and nine assists. T.J. McConnell scored 12 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter and also had nine assists.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 30 points, 18 rebounds and 11 assists for his 38th career triple-double, and third this season. The twotime MVP is averaging 46.3 points, 13.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists in four meetings with Indiana this season, but the Bucks are 1-3 in those games.

Brook Lopez and Khris Middleton each scored 21 points for the Bucks.

Damian Lillard had 13

points while shooting 3 of 16 overall and 1 of 9 from 3-point range.

RAPTORS 124, CAVALIERS 121 TORONTO (AP) — Pascal Siakam scored 36 points, Jakob Poeltl had 14 points and 11 rebounds and new-look Toronto recovered after squandering a 19-point lead to beat Cleveland. RJ Barrett had 19 points and nine rebounds and Immanuel Quickley added 14 in the players’ first start for the Raptors.

Barrett and Quickley were acquired from the Knicks on Saturday in a trade that sent OG Anunoby to New York.

Scottie Barnes scored 20 points and Dennis Schroder added 12 points off the bench as Toronto bounced back after falling at Detroit on Saturday, when the Pistons snapped an NBA record-tying 28-game losing streak.

Caris LeVert scored 31 points and Donovan Mitchell had 26 for the Cavaliers, who have lost two straight and three of five.

Isaac Okoro, Jarrett Allen and Sam Merrill each had 16 points for Cleveland.

KNICKS 112, TIMBERWOLVES 106 NEW YORK (AP) — Julius Randle scored 39 points, OG Anunoby had 17 in a strong debut with his new team and New York beat Minnesota.

Jalen Brunson added 16 points and a career-high 14 assists for the Knicks, who snapped a three-game losing streak after putting Anunoby into the starting lineup for his first game since coming from Toronto in Saturday’s trade that sent RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley to the Raptors.

The Timberwolves cut a 22-point deficit down to four midway through the fourth quarter, but Randle

INDIANA Pacers’ Buddy Hield shoots against the Milwaukee Bucks Bobby Portis Jr. during the first half of an NBA basketball game last night in Milwaukee.

(AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps) rescued the Knicks by scor- recent scoring slump with ing their next 11 points, 29. including a three-point play ROCKETS 136, that made it 110-102 with 23 PISTONS 113 seconds remaining.

HOUSTON (AP) — Anthony Edwards scored Two nights after their NBA 35 points, his third straight record-tying 28-game losing game above 30, to lead streak ended, the Detroit Minnesota. Karl-Anthony Pistons were blown out Towns snapped out of a 136-113 last night by the

Houston Rockets, who got 26 points and nine assists from Alperen Sengun and 22 points from Jalen Green.

Detroit (3-30), which beat Toronto 129-127 on Saturday, failed to win consecutive games for the second time this season.

Green and Sengun combined to score 37 points in the third quarter as the Rockets outscored the Pistons 47-25 in the period to take a 106-80 lead into the fourth.

Sengun shot 9 of 13 from the field and Green made five 3-pointers as the Rockets snapped a three-game skid.

Alec Burks scored 21 points, Jaden Ivey added 19 and Bojan Bogdanovic had 14 for the Pistons. Jalen Duren had 12 points and 13 rebounds. Tari Eason had 17 points, Jae’Sean Tate scored 16 and Fred VanVleet had 15 points and seven assists for Houston.

Lamar Jackson’s perfect day clinches top seed in AFC for Ravens, fuels rout of Dolphins BALTIMORE (AP) — In what may have been his final bid for the MVP award, Lamar Jackson threw for 321 yards and five touchdowns, finishing with a perfect passer rating and helping the Baltimore Ravens clinch the top seed in the AFC with a 56-19 rout of the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.

Isaiah Likely caught two TDs for the Ravens, who won their sixth straight game and also wrapped up their first AFC North title since 2019, Jackson’s first MVP season. Now Baltimore (13-3) can rest Jackson — and anyone else it chooses — in the regular-season finale against Pittsburgh.

Miami (11-5) is also postseason bound, but now the winner of next weekend’s Dolphins-Bills game will take the AFC East. And now the Dolphins face a potentially significant injury. Linebacker Bradley Chubb — with his team down 30 points — had to be carted off with 3:05 remaining after hurting his knee.

Serenaded with periodic “MVP!” chants from the home crowd, Jackson went 18 of 21 passing.

Jackson also had a perfect passer rating of 158.3 against Miami in 2019. He joins Tom Brady (against Detroit) as the only quarterbacks with two perfect ratings against the same team, with a minimum of 20 attempts.

49ERS 27, COMMANDERS 10 LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Brock Purdy bounced back from the worst game of his career to throw two touchdown passes, and San Francisco clinched the top seed in the NFC by beating Washington.

Philadelphia’s stunning home loss to Arizona, combined with Detroit’s defeat at Dallas on Saturday, allowed the 49ers (12-4) to secure a first-round bye and home-field advantage.

Washington (4-12) wasn’t much of an obstacle for the Niners, whose only concern could be the status of Christian McCaffrey. Their do-it-all running back left the game in the third quarter with a right calf injury after gaining 91 scrimmage yards on 18 touches.

San Francisco also got touchdown catches from Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk and a rushing TD from Elijah Mitchell.

Purdy, coming off throwing four interceptions in a humbling home loss to Baltimore, was 22 of 28 for 230 yards to reach 4,280 and break Jeff Garcia’s franchise record of 4,278 set in 2000.

The Commanders’ Sam Howell was intercepted twice and has an NFL-worst 19 picks this season.

CHIEFS 25, BENGALS 17 KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Harrison Butker was a career-best 6 for 6 on field-goal attempts and

Kansas City rallied past Cincinnati to win the AFC West for the eighth straight season.

Patrick Mahomes had 245 yards passing and a touchdown for Kansas City (10-6), which also secured the AFC’s No. 3 seed and at least one home playoff game. Isiah Pacheco ran 18 times for 130 yards while Rashee Rice had five catches for 127 yards.

The Bengals (8-8) led by 10 early but found themselves trailing 25-17 when Butker hit the last of his field goals — a 46-yarder through blustery wind — with 2:59 remaining in the game.

With one last chance, Jake Browning hit Tyler Boyd to convert a long fourth down and get into Kansas City territory, but back-to-back sacks by George Karlaftis and Chris Jones gave the Chiefs eight on the day and ended the Bengals’ comeback hopes.

The Chiefs held the Bengals scoreless on their final seven possessions.

Butker converted from 54, 43, 27, 24, 48 and 46 yards, accounting for the game’s final 18 points.

CARDINALS 35, EAGLES 31 PHILADELPHIA (AP) — James Conner ran for a 2-yard touchdown with 32 seconds remaining, Kyler Murray threw three TD passes, and Arizona rallied from a 15-point deficit to stun Philadelphia.

The Eagles (11-5) could have won the NFC East with wins against Arizona and the New York Giants next week. Now, Dallas can win the division with a win next week at Washington, and San Francisco has locked up the top seed in the conference.

Jalen Hurts, who threw three touchdown passes, was picked off in the end zone on a desperate heave to end the game.

Murray finished 25 of 31 for 232 yards and got stronger as the game progressed, overcoming a 99-yard pick-6 by Sydney Brown early in the second quarter. Conner rushed for 128 yards on 26 carries for the Cardinals (4-12).

Former Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon got his biggest win yet as Arizona’s coach.

PACKERS 33, VIKINGS 10 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jordan Love threw three touchdown passes and ran for a score, and Green Bay took control of its playoff fate by pounding Minnesota.

Aaron Jones rushed for 120 yards and Jayden Reed had two touchdown catches for the Packers (8-8), who can get the NFC’s last wild-card spot by beating Chicago at home next week. They moved into playoff position when Seattle lost to Pittsburgh earlier in the day.

Love went 24 for 33 for 256 yards.

RAVENS quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) looks to pass as he scrambles against the Dolphins in Baltimore on Sunday.

(AP Photo/Matt Rourke) The Vikings (7-9) defence did its part to keep benched quarterback Jaren the Bucs (8-8) from clinchHall at halftime after he ing their third consecutive threw an interception and division title by intercepting lost a fumble, both of which Baker Mayfield twice and the Packers converted into forcing a pair of fumbles. touchdowns. Nick Mullens Tampa Bay can still took over, the fifth time the repeat as NFC South chamVikings have switched QBs pion by winning at division since Kirk Cousins tore his rival Carolina next week.

Achilles tendon during a The Saints (8-8) close with win at Green Bay on Oct. a division game at home 29. against Atlanta.

Minnesota still has a Carr completed 24 of 32 chance to make the playoffs passes and outshined Maybut needs to win at Detroit field, who went 22 of 33 for next Sunday and have sev- 309 yards with two late TD eral other results go its way. passes. He was sacked twice BILLS 27, and didn’t get the Bucs PATRIOTS 21 into the end zone until the ORCHARD PARK, fourth quarter.

N.Y. (AP) — Josh Allen RAMS 26, ran for two touchdowns, GIANTS 25 cornerback Rasul DougEAST RUTHERFORD, las returned one of his two N.J. (AP) — Kyren Wilinterceptions for a score, liams ran for 87 yards and and Buffalo beat New Eng- a career-best three touchland, setting up a showdown downs, and Los Angeles at Miami next weekend for beat New York, clinching the AFC East title. a playoff berth hours later The three-time division when Seattle lost to champion Bills (10-6) have Pittsburgh. already defeated the DolMatthew Stafford threw phins (11-5) this season, for 317 yards and a touchand Miami blew a chance down but also had his first at clinching the division two interceptions in the title by getting blown out at last five games as the Rams Baltimore.

(9-7) held on to win their Buffalo won its fourth third straight and sixth of straight and fifth in six seven. games. The Bills gave up Gunner Olszewski scored Jalen Reagor’s 98-yard on a 94-yard punt return return of the opening kick- to get New York (5-11) off for a touchdown and within a point with 3:27 to settled for a touchdown play. After an encroachand two field goals off three ment penalty on the extra takeaways inside the Patri- point attempt, coach Brian ots 30. Allen concluded the Daboll elected to go for a opening drive of the third 2-point conversion — but quarter with his second Tyrod Taylor missed a rushing TD — his 15th of wide-open Saquon Barkley. the season — and the Bills Later, a 31-yard run by held on from there.

Taylor allowed Mason The Patriots (4-12) are in Crosby to attempt a gamejeopardy of finishing with winning 54-yard field goal, their fewest wins in coach but it was short. Taylor Bill Belichick’s tenure. threw for 319 yards and a Bailey Zappe threw three touchdown in his first start picks and receiver Pharaoh since replacing Tommy Brown lost a fumble.

DeVito.

SAINTS 23, Williams, the NFL’s secBUCCANEERS 13 ond-leading rusher coming TAMPA, Florida (AP) — in, scored on runs of 4, 2 Derek Carr threw for 197 and 28 yards. yards and two touchdowns, STEELERS 30, and New Orleans moved SEAHAWKS 23 into a tie atop the NFC SEATTLE (AP) — South by halting Tampa Najee Harris rushed for a Bay’s four-game winning season-high 122 yards and streak. bullied his way into the end Carr tossed TD passes of zone for a pair of touch4 yards to Juwan Johnson downs, and Pittsburgh beat and 22 yards to Taysom Hill Seattle to keep its playoff in the first half. The Saints’ hopes alive.

Using a punishing running attack that faced little resistance from Seattle, the Steelers (9-7) ensured that coach Mike Tomlin would finish a 17th straight season with a record of .500 or better.

The Seahawks (8-8) had their two-game win streak snapped and while they weren’t eliminated from the postseason, they will need a victory and a lot of help in Week 18.

Harris averaged 4.5 yards per carry and reached the 100-yard mark for the first time since Week 17 of last season against Baltimore.

Jaylen Warren added another 75 yards rushing and scored on a 18-yard run in the first quarter.

Pittsburgh finished with 202 yards rushing and a season-high 468 total yards.

It became the sixth straight opponent to rush for at least 135 yards against the Seahawks.

Mason Rudolph was 18 of 24 for 274 yards and hit the big throws when needed for the Steelers. George Pickens had seven catches for 131 yards.

JAGUARS 26, PANTHERS 0 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Travis Etienne scored twice, including a 62-yard TD that was his longest run of the season, and Jacksonville blanked Carolina to end a fourgame skid.

The Jaguars (9-7) won for the first time in December — and with quarterback Trevor Lawrence watching from the sideline — to set up a regular-season finale at Tennessee that will help decide the AFC South.

Jacksonville can clinch the division with a victory next weekend. A loss to the Titans would hand the AFC South to the winner of the Houston-Indianapolis game.

Lawrence missed the game with a sprained throwing shoulder, ending his consecutive starts streak at 51. C.J. Beathard completed 17 of 24 passes for 178 yards without a turnover in his first start since 2020.

The Panthers (2-14) dropped to 0-9 on the road and were held scoreless for the first time since losing to Atlanta in Week 12 of 2002.

TEXANS 26, TITANS 3 HOUSTON (AP) — C.J. Stroud threw for 213 yards and a touchdown in his return from a concussion, and Houston rolled past Tennessee.

Houston (9-7), Indianapolis and Jacksonville all won Sunday to leave the three teams with identical records in the AFC South.

A victory next week at Indianapolis will guarantee the Texans, who won just three games last season, their first postseason berth since 2019. The Texans had a 17-point lead at halftime with some help from defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, who returned a

fumble by rookie quarterback Will Levis for a score in the second quarter.

Levis injured his foot on the play and Ryan Tannehill took over. Tannehill threw for 168 yards but couldn’t get the Titans in the end zone as Tennessee (5-11) fell to Houston for the second time in three weeks.

COLTS 23, RAIDERS 20 INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Gardner Minshew threw a touchdown pass, Jonathan Taylor ran for a score, and two late defensive penalties helped Indianapolis beat Las Vegas to stay in the AFC playoff chase.

Indy (9-7) remained in a first-place tie atop the AFC South with Houston and Jacksonville. The Colts host the Texans next week.

The Raiders (7-9) had their two-game winning streak end and were eliminated from the postseason.

Minshew finished 15 of 23 for 224 yards. Taylor had 21 carries for a season-high 96 yards.

Las Vegas’ Aidan O’Connell was 30 of 47 with 299 yards and two TDs, both to Davante Adams, who had 13 receptions for 126 yards.

BEARS 37, FALCONS 17 CHICAGO (AP) — Justin Fields threw for 268 yards with a touchdown pass and a rushing TD in what could be his final home game for Chicago, which dealt Atlanta’s playoff hopes a big blow.

D.J. Moore finished with nine catches for 159 yards and a touchdown, and Khalil Herbert ran for 124 yards and a score as the Bears (7-9) overwhelmed the Falcons (7-9).

Chicago grabbed a 21-7 halftime lead and rolled to its fourth win in five games.

The Bears intercepted Taylor Heinicke three times and Desmond Ridder once.

Fields completed 20 of 32 passes. He also ran for 45 yards. The Bears could end up with the top overall pick in the draft because of an offseason trade with Carolina and will have to decide whether to move on from him.

BRONCOS 16, CHARGERS 9 DENVER (AP) — Jarrett Stidham threw for 224 yards and a touchdown in his first start in place of the benched Russell Wilson, and Denver beat Los Angeles.

Stidham earned his first career win as a starter thanks to some timely plays such as a nifty 54-yard catch-and-run for a score

by Lil’Jordan Humphrey and a stellar defensive performance. The Broncos (8-8) forced one turnover, allowed two third-down conversions on 11 attempts and kept the Chargers (5-11) out of the end zone.

Denver was eliminated from the playoffs because Kansas City beat Cincinnati.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, January 2, 2024, PAGE 15

Top scholars to receive merit awards for 2023

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Education Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net THE country’s top scholars are set to be awarded with the All-Bahamas Merit (ABM) and National Merit Scholarships for 2023 this week The ABM Scholarship is the most prestigious scholarship awarded by the government and is valued at $35,000 per year for up to five years while the National Merit Scholarship has a value to $15,000 to $25,000 per year for up to four years.

The programme is collaborated between the Central Bank of The Bahamas and the Ministry of Education. The scholarships are intended for undergraduate studies and is tenable at accredited international colleges and universities Hodari Prince, of Queen’s College, is the 2023 ABM winner and is studying biomedical engineering at the University of Guelph. Jada Francis, also of Queen’s College, was named the runner-up, she is studying musical theatre at Webster University.

The programme is open to 12th grade students in Bahamian high schools with a cumulative GPA of 3.7 or above, a minimum of eight BGCSEs with at least eight “A” passes, a SAT score of 1220 or higher or an ACT score of 25 or higher.

Applicants must also be exceptionally well rounded and have applied to or been accepted to an academically prestigious international college or university. Candidates must also go through an interview process and

ALL-Bahamas merit winner Hodari Prince, above left, and runner-up Jada Francis, both of Queen’s College. prepare a portfolio with their accomplishments.

The Ministry of Education noted a diverse group of candidates this year, with 12 males and 11 females.

This year’s recipients hailed from schools in New Providence, Grand Bahama and Eleuthera with applicants’ cumulative GPA’s ranging from 3.70- 4.19 and SAT Scores ranging from 1220-1360.

TOP row, from left, Dereo Maycock, Danielle Williams, Azariah Neely, Jermaine Sands Jr, second row, Ajani Moss, Andrew Styles, Cordae Strachan, third row, Eli Sawyer, Elliot Rahming, fourth row, Sarah Hepburn and Hannah Robinson.

SPORTS SECTION E

TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 2024

NFL, Page 14

Otabor named senior female athlete of 2023

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

W

ith a strong showing in her first transfer collegiate season and a breakout year on the senior international scene, javelin thrower Rhema Otabor has emerged as The Tribune’s Female Athlete of the Year (2023).

She earned the honours over a field of track and field athletes, including hurdler Devynne Charlton and sprinter Anthonique Strachan and basketball star Jonquel Jones.

The 21-year-old, who is now in her senior year at the University of Nebraska after transferring from Florida International

University for her junior year this season, took the spotlight, winning three major medals and being named to the Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honour Roll in the Fall 2022 and Spring 2023.

After winning the Michael Johnson Invitational and placing second at the Jim Click Shootout (185-10 (56.64m), Otabor won the Big Ten women’s javelin title with a heave of 189-90 (57.85m).

She qualified for the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Division One Championships in June at the Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas where she hoisted the championship trophy in the javelin with her winning toss of 195-2 (59.49),

ATHLETE OF THE YEAR: Javelin specialist Rhema Otabor has been selected as The Tribune Sports’ Female Athlete of the Year 2023.

THE CI Gibson Rattlers clinched another senior boys’ title in their own Providence Basketball Club’s 24th Yuletide Basketball Classic on Saturday on their home floor at the CI Gibson Gymnasium.

But coach Kevin ‘KJ’ Johnson said although they won 69-66 over the visiting St George’s Jaguars from Grand Bahama, it was no easy walk through their familiar territory.

“It feels good. We played against a very good shooting St George’s team. We

are not at full strength.

It’s no excuse. We went out and allowed them to get back into the game,” Johnson said. “Defensively we had a lot of lapses and Deryl Williams and Kevaro Russell shot the ball very well for St George’s. But our boys shot the ball pretty well too. Down the stretch, we closed it out and pulled it off.”

Calvin McIntosh, the assistant to head coach Darrel Sears, admitted that fatigue may have played a factor for them, having to play three games in a few hours.

“It was a lot for the guys to take, but we grit it out,”

CHAMPIONS: CI Gibson Rattlers senior boys celebrate their Providence Basketball Club’s 24th Yuletide Basketball Classic title on Saturday at the CI Gibson Gymnasium.

Photo: Moise Amisial/Tribune Staff he stated. “One of our big with the three key players added three, while Zavian men got injured, so he was they left at home on their Lloyd finished with two. not that effective today, but roster. “This team grew up.

Kevaro Russell, held to we gritted it out.

That’s all we could ask,” he just two points in the first “We have some players stated. “So look out for us quarter and scoreless in the back home who couldn’t in February.” second, fuelled St George’s make it. but we got what Rattlers 69, Jaguars 66: comeback in the second we wanted by coming here Tashon Butler, who was half. He knocked down for this tournament. We named the Most Valu- a pair of three-pointers wanted to get better. We able Player, scored a side and added two field goals wanted to teach them how high 16 points with a solid for 10 in the third and to win games. I think we performance in each quar- had another pair of threes got that.” ter to lead CI Gibson to in the fourth in his eight As they now look at victory. points to finish with a game returning here in February Dwayne Finley had high 22 points. for the prestigious Hugh 14, Gerrad Rolle had 13, Deryl Williams, who Campbell Basketball Clas- Prince Whitley had four canned the game’s final sic, McIntosh said they and both Darius Hanna hope to be at full strength and Stevachko Jacques SEE PAGE 13

SPORTS CALENDAR BASKETBALL SIR DAVIS PASSED AWAY THE sporting fraternity is mourning the loss of long-time volleyball/basketball player and executive Sir Winston ‘Tappy’ Davis. He died on New Year’s Day at the age of 94.

Davis was a member of the Vikings basketball team, a renowned high jumper and a cricket player. He also served as a manager of the men’s national basketball team in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

He is survived by family members, including his children Patrick Davis, Dr Linda Davis, Maria Davis-Ferere and Dr Harry Ferere, Kathy Ingraham, Philip and Susan Davis, Monique Davis-Cooper and Farion Cooper, grandchildren Kyle and Amiel Ingraham, Shari Ferere-Smith and Alex Smith, Mark Ferere, Philip Davis Jr,

SEE PAGE 13

AGAPE EAGLES JUNIOR BOYS TAKE CROWN

CI Gibson Rattlers keep title

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

becoming just the second Bahamian to accomplish that feat, following in the footsteps of national record holder Lavern Eve, who did it for Louisiana State University in 1987.

Otabor came home in June and won the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associationas’ National Junior and Senior Championships crown at the Thomas A Robinson Stadium with her performance of 196 (59.75m). She earned the rights to represent the Bahamas at the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association’s under-18 and under-23 championships where she won the javelin title with a toss of 188-7

Jan. 2024

Farion Cooper Jr, Dante Cooper and Winston Davis.

He is also the uncle of basketball official/referee Larry ‘Doc’ Davis, who served as a long-time executive of the Bahamas Olympic Association, now known as the Bahamas Olympic Committee.

BASKETBALL GSSSA ACTION THE Government Secondary Schools Sports Association’s 203/24 basketball season will continue this week with the following games on tap: Thursday at CI Gibson Gymnasium, starting at 4pm - LW Young vs CH Reeves (junior girls and boys).

Thursday at DW Davis Gymnasium, starting at 4pm - CC Sweeting vs RM Bailey (senior boys).

SEE PAGE 13

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net THERE was much cause for celebrations for coach Stephan Johnson and his Agape Eagles, even if it took eight years to achieve it.

Johnson, whose team uses the motto from Isaiah 40 and verse 31 on the jerseys, which indicates that “they that wait on the Lord, shall renew their strength and mound up like Eagles,” soared to the junior boys’ championship win in the Providence Basketball Club’s 24th Yuletide Classic

SEE PAGE 13

KNOWLES, BOC LOOK AHEAD TO PARIS OLYMPICS

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net AS we turn over a new leaf of life for the new year, Bahamas Olympic Committee president Romell Knowles expressed his desire for the Bahamas heading into the Olympic Games in July.

The world’s greatest sporting spectacular is set for July 26 to August 11 in Paris, France.

It’s the quadrennial event for the International Olympic Committee that includes the Central American and Caribbean Games, the Pan American Games and the Olympics, all of which take place in a four-year cycle. Today, as Tribune Sports starts its

ROMELL Knowles series of expectations from the various sporting bodies in the island nation, we focus on the BOC, headed

by Knowles, who was reelected to office last year for the next four years.

“How do we make sports funding more

sustainable?”

Knowles asked. “For example, it’s important for sporting federations, for its budgetary purposes, to know exactly when and when they will have access to the government grants.

“I can tell you that I know that the Minister (Mario Bowleg) is working diligently to ensure that sports is funded. We intend to offer him the support that he needs because national sports federations really need the funding from the government and the private sector.”

Knowles, who served as a former versatile athlete turned administrator in softball and volleyball before he ventured into

SEE PAGE 13