01032023 NEWS, SPORT AND BUSINESS

WARRIORS DOUBLE

One Family wins parades back-to-back

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

ONE Family emerged as the unofficial winner of the New Year’s Day Junkanoo Parade, kicking off the new year with back-to-back wins after rushing to victory just days earlier on Boxing Day.

It marks a significant milestone for the group following a two-year hiatus of the cultural event, as it has been some 20 years since One Family secured consecutive

wins, according to its chairwoman.

The group first took Bay Street by storm a week ago, captivating the judges and crowd with its warrior-like theme that saw them finish first place at the Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade.

Committed to winning for a second time, One Family returned to Bay Street to put on another spectacular show, but this time under the theme: “Happy Hour, Come Celebrate with Us.”

FUEL OIL ON SURFACE AFTER SHIP SINKS

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrollle@tribunemedia.net

CLEAN-UP crews have reportedly been deployed to Abaco to assist with oil remediation efforts after a cargo ship that was carrying heavy fuel onboard sank in waters in the southern part of the island.

Officials said fuel oil has been observed on the ocean’s surface.

Onego Traveller, a general cargo ship registered in

The vessel was carrying 12 crew members along with other cargo such as steel products and heavy fuel and marine gas oil before it sank. The crew members were evacuated.

In a statement released on Friday, the Ministry of Transport and Housing said a meeting with members of the National Oil Spill Contingency Advisory Committee (NOSCAC) was held to discuss the way forward.

COUPLE SHOT DEAD IN THEIR SLEEP

By LETRE SWEETING lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

A MAN and a woman were shot dead while they were sleeping in a Montell Heights home yesterday morning.

Shortly after the incident, police arrested two suspects, one of whom had been in an argument with the male victim before the shooting.

The suspects are on bail on an armed robbery charge while the male victim — identified on social media as Kevin Andrews — was acquitted in 2017 of a murder that occurred during a home invasion in 2014.

PM PRIORITES INCLUDE JOBS, YOUTH AND INFLATION

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

empowerment, Prime Minister Phillip Davis said yesterday.

“We’re hoping to be able to create more opportunities for the Bahamians, to empower them and to better their lives and definitely doing initiatives to lower the cost of living, that is key on our agenda as well,” Mr Davis said when asked about his administration’s plans for 2023.

‘WE DID NOT DIRECT FTX TO MINT TOKENS’

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

THE Securities Commission of The Bahamas has denied allegations of directing the failed cryptoexchange FTX to mint $300m tokens prior to its collapse.

The SCB last night challenged FTX’s chief executive officer, John J Ray, on his allegations, calling claims that the commission gave instructions to mint tokens “unfounded”.

Antigua and Barbuda that was built in 2002, reportedly began taking on water in the ballast water tank area near Hole in the Wall, located in South Abaco, on Thursday.

THE government’s top priorities for this year will include tackling inflation, creating more job opportunities for Bahamians and fostering youth

DEAD fish floating at the scene of the sinking.

A MEMBER of the One Family group as they marched to victory in the New Year Junkanoo parade.

Photo: Austin Fernander

ONE Family marching to victory in the New Year parade.

Photos: Austin Fernander

Warriors double

from page one

The group wore several eye-catching pieces that paid homage to popular beverages and other forms of entertainment that Bahamians would usually take part in during “happy hour”, wowing the crowd with a colourful display and lively performances.

Ahead of One Family’s performance, fans chanted “Two straight” and “One Family coming,” exciting event goers.

And just as fans had predicted, the group remained undefeated and was declared the unofficial winner of the New Year’s Day event, securing a winning score of 93.37.

They also won several categories, including best music, best off the shoulder, best overall performances, best overall costume and best Shirley Street scores.

The unofficial results were released at around noon yesterday.

Saxons, who won the 2019 New Year’s Day Parade, came in second place with 90.62 points — beating Roots by just one point — and swept categories of best lead costume.

Roots finished third with 90.61 points, the Valley Boys placed fourth with 90.29 points, while Genesis finished fifth with 76.94 points after a ten-point penalty deduction.

Music Makers rounded

out the top six after suffering a 42-point penalty.

Christina “Muffin” Fernander, One Family’s chairwoman, was elated about the group’s second victory, describing it as “overwhelming.”

“It is very overwhelming,” she said with tears in her eyes. “We’ve lost members this week preparing for the parade and so you know while we were on the high from winning the Boxing Day, we also (grieving) in losing two of our One Family members.

“After a two-year break and to walk away as successful as One Family did this Junkanoo season, it’s just - words cannot express but it’s all teamwork. It’s not just me. It takes 200 plus persons to get this all done, and I am grateful and appreciative of all of (the) One Family members that support us.”

She explained that last year was a difficult one

for the group financially, among other things, but noted that through it all, One Family endured and “pulled through.”

“It’s great motivation to get us now to kick off our 2023/24 season,” she said.

She also told The Tribune the victory was historic, as she was the first female chairman of One Family or any other Junkanoo organisation to secure two consecutive wins.

However, this is not the first time the group has won the parades twice in a row, according to Ms Fernander.

“It’s been 20 years since we’ve done it and have had a consecutive win, but this was my first time as chairman,” she said.

With respect to the B Division groups, Colours emerged victorious, beating the Fancy Dancers, the Immortals, Original Congos, and Body of Christ, which rounded out the top five.

KING’S HONOURS REVEALED

GOVERNOR General Sir Cornelius A Smith has announced the Bahamians who have been recognised with King’s Honours this year.

Nathaniel Beneby has been awarded Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) for services to business and religion while former Deputy Commissioner of Police Emrick Seymour has been awarded the King’s Police Medal

(KPM) for services to law enforcement.

Leslie Alexander Bowe has been awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to business and community.

Government House has also announced that

King Charles has conferred the award of Knight Bachelor to Chief Justice Sir Ian Winder in recognition of his stellar contributions to the legal and judicial system of The Bahamas.

ONE Family marching to victory in the New Year parade.

Photos: Austin Fernander

The meeting was chaired by the ministry’s acting Permanent Secretary Gaynell Rolle who spoke with representatives from the Department of Environmental Health Services, the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection, the Bahamas Maritime Authority and the Port Department.

“The ministry has been advised that there is no extensive pressure on the fuel holding tanks. However, Ferix and heavy fuel oil have been observed on

the water’s surface. Ferix is a slightly corrosive chemical used for water treatment and fertiliser,” according to the statement.

“The public is being advised that measures are being taken to address the incident, which includes the deployment of ocean booms and efforts to seal leaking fuel vents by divers. A skimmer boat is enroute to the site.”

When contacted yesterday for additional information, Dr Rhianna Neely-Murphy, director of environmental planning and protection, was unable to confirm the volume of oil

that spilled into the site’s waters.

“At this point in time, we’re still waiting for those reports, but a crew is on site now so we should have that information soon,” she told The Tribune

“But the area has been boomed off to contain any fuel that would’ve leaked out of the vessel, so we have that area contained and another vessel - is there to actually physically remove whatever other hydrocarbon is on board.”

Officials are also still doing their assessments to determine if any marine life was affected, she noted.

“We don’t know what is the substrate on the seabed like if it’s coral or sand or whatever it is so once the divers get in, they will take photos and we’ll be able to determine what will be the next step,” Dr Neely-Murphy said.

In the meantime, the general public is advised to stay away from the affected area.

“The government of The Bahamas wishes to assure the Bahamian people that the necessary steps are being taken to address the incident. Further information will be shared with members of the public as

VALLEY BOYS

Photos: Austin Fernander

SAXONS: WE’LL PLAN WAY FORWARD

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

ALTHOUGH yesterday’s Junkanoo parade did

not end on a victorious note for the Saxon Superstars, group representatives say members are still thankful for their second-place finish and are planning to meet as

early as Friday to discuss the way forward.

Kendenique CampbellMoss, the group’s public relations director, spoke to The Tribune hours after the unofficial New Year’s Day results were announced.

While One Family was crowned as the unofficial victors of the 2023 parade, Saxons came in second place.

It was a big improvement for the group after coming in fifth place at the 2022 Boxing Day parade.

Still, Mrs CampbellMoss admitted that there was some disappointment among group members that they did not win certain categories like best music and best overall performance, which went to One Family.

The Saxons’ theme, called “The Bahamas Celebrates 50 - Our Golden Jubilee” centred on the nation’s upcoming independence celebrations.

“We were hoping for the best possible outcome, but we were able to capture the number two spot,” Mrs Campbell-Moss said. “We are disappointed that we did not capture music and overall posturing. However, the Saxons, they’re very

MUSIC MAKERS

happy that we did capture the second place for the New Year’s Day Parade.

“We also want to extend congratulations to the winners of One Family and to all the other Junkanoo groups that would’ve participated and we look forward to an evolution and a complete change in how we bring Junkanoo to the world in the new years to come.”

At last week’s Boxing Day parade, the group encountered several challenges that affected their performance, including the weather and being first in

the line-up.

Yesterday, Mrs Campbell-Moss told The Tribune she was very pleased with their road presence this time around, adding that “we performed to the highest point that we could’ve”.

She added: “We were not able to hold on to the ring, but we came, we performed, and we did our very best. There was unity. There was cohesiveness. We tried to bring it home. We didn’t quite get it, but we did a good job nonetheless.”

The Saxons won the 2019 Boxing Day Parade and the 2020 New Year’s Day

Parade.

With their recent losses, the group now plans to do some internal assessments to see how they need to improve before the next holiday parades.

“The very first meeting is Friday for us to galvanise and to think outside of the box as to what we need to do logistically and what we need to do cinematically and what we need to do in terms of theme and processes of getting the group to the next level so as early as Friday, we are back in the shack,” Ms CampbellMoss said.

THE Ministry of Health and Wellness said precautionary measures have been implemented in the Intensive Care Unit and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Princess Margaret Hospital following a noticed uptick in COVID19 cases related to exposure at the hospital.

The hospital’s COVID19 protocols have been reinstated to only allow for two visitors per patient for a total of 15 minutes per visit.

People are asked to pay attention to all health updates and to continue

to wash their hands and wear a mask in public if they test positive for COVID positive, if you are immunocompromised, or if you have any signs and symptoms of a respiratory illness.

The ministry also dismissed a report on social media that sought to spread alarm regarding COVID-19 cases.

The erroneous social media report was about the increasing number of cases of the Omicron COVID-19 XBB 1.5 variant reported in the US but was not issued by the ministry.

“The Ministry of Health and Wellness continues to receive reports of and monitor positive cases of COVID-19 as well as submit samples for sequencing according to existing procedures,” a statement from health officials said.

“To date, the ministry has not been informed that any samples submitted for sequencing have uncovered the variant in question. The Ministry of Health and Wellness will provide any additional relevant updates regarding variant presence in The Bahamas should it become necessary.”

MEMBERS of the Saxons during the New Year parade.

Photos: Austin Fernander

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Macao eases COVID rules but tourism yet to rebound

ONLY a few tourists crisscrossed the wavy black and white paving of Macao’s historic Senado Square on a recent weekday and many of the shops were shuttered.

The gaming hub on China’s south coast near Hong Kong has endured some of the world’s strictest anti-virus controls for nearly three years, and a loosening of border restrictions after China rolled back its “zero-COVID” strategy in early December is widely expected to boost its tourism-driven economy.

But for now, China’s worst wave of infections so far is keeping away the hoards of high rollers who usually fill its casinos. From Dec. 23-27, the city saw a daily average of only 8,300 arrivals, according to police data. That’s just 68% of November’s level. The scene improved on New Year’s Eve with 28,100 visitors entering the city that day, but that’s only 66% of the level a year ago. The daily average was 108,000 in 2019, before the pandemic.

Last week, China announced it would resume issuing passports for tourism, potentially setting up a flood of Chinese going abroad, but also spicing up competition for Macao.

Businesses are hoping the Lunar New Year holidays in late January will bring better luck for the territory of 672,000 people, a former Portuguese colony and the only place in China where casinos are legal.

“Tourists just come here to have a walk instead of shopping,” said Antony Chau, who sells roasted chestnuts on the square known for the Europeanstyle buildings that recall its history as a former Portuguese colony. “They’re just wandering.”

When the coronavirus hit in 2020, the city’s gambling revenue collapsed 80% to just $7.5 billion from a year earlier. In 2021, the figure recovered to $10.8 billion, but that’s still down 75% from a peak of $45 billion in 2013. Gambling revenues last year was halved to $5.3 billion.

A rebound could not come a moment too soon for souvenir shop owner Lee Hong-soi.

He said his business has been even quieter recently than before entry rules were relaxed. Since entry into Macao requires a negative PCR test result before departure, many in mainland China could not visit because they were infected, he said. And now Macao and other parts of China are battling outbreaks.

“I am running out of strength after enduring for three years,” he said.

Several hundred meters away, visitors were enjoying an unusual degree of tranquility at the Ruins of St Paul’s, originally the 17th century Church of Mater Dei.

Rain Lee, 29, visiting from Hong Kong with her husband, said she was happy not to deal with crowds, but disappointed so many businesses were shuttered.

“Many shops are gone,” said Lee, a property manager. “I wish it could be like the pre-pandemic days when all stores were open, with many people walking in the streets. It was more vibrant back then.”

Beijing visitor Xylia Zhang, 36, taking her first trip outside the mainland since the pandemic began, was looking forward to trying her luck in the casinos.

“It’s quite exciting because I may lose the several hundred dollars (in Chinese yuan) that I budgeted,” she said. “I have been to casinos in Seoul and Las Vegas. But I haven’t experienced that in Chinese-speaking places.”

The surge of cases in China has prompted some people to go to Macao to get shots of the mRNA-based Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which is not available in the mainland, the Chinese business news website Caixin reported last month. Macao’s University Hospital, which provides the service, did not reply to an emailed request for comment and its phone rang unanswered Friday.

But there has been no sign of a rush of customers, especially not in the casinos.

Gambling floors at two major casinos were half-empty Wednesday, with just a few small groups of Chinese visitors sitting around slot machines and craps tables, dealers visibly bored with the lack of activity.

It will take a while for Macao to regain its pre-pandemic pizzazz, said Glenn McCartney, associate professor in integrated resort and tourism management at the University of Macao.

“(For) tourism, you can’t sort of snap your fingers, and things start to move,” McCartney said.

But he said Macao’s tourism officials have staged road shows in China during the pandemic, leveraging the scenic city’s location just across the border.

The Lunar New Year will bring a sense of the potential for a longer term rebound in tourism, he said.

“That could be the cue.”

By KANIS LEUNG Associated Press

Show faith in police

EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE Bahamas government, Bahamian and residents must find ways to demonstrate their faith in the performance of our Law Enforcement Agencies, in particular the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

We very often tend to criticise, malign and bash our police officers with statements condemning their performance.

We often hear about the lack of training by media personnel, who have not seen fit to visit our Police College. Very little credit is given to the remarkable work being done by officers engaged in the struggle to eradicate crime. The remarkable performance of our police service can be recognised by the large number of arrests for major

crime, the huge backlog in our courts and the population of our prisons. In today’s Tribune the Police Report on the number of arrests for serious crimes should be noted by all peace loving residents.

The report of a shooting on Marathon Road when a security officer was shot at and damage caused to the establishment. The criminals were pursed by an off-duty police officer and a female suspect arrested. The performance of the police officer merits commendation. Our police officers are never off duty when a crime is being committed in their presence or hearing.

They will react. It is part of the training and the challenge. It would be helpful if the media would desist from using the term

off-duty police officer. I have faith in the standard of performance of our law enforcement agencies. I am concerned about the long delays experienced in getting persons to trial in the Supreme Court and the need to grant bail. The gun and drug court should be reconvened to expedite such trials.

To my former colleagues I express pride in their performance. They are maintaining the legacy. A safe, healthy and productive New Year to the Commissioner, the executive team and all members of the force and law enforcement agencies. The blessings and protection of the Almighty God be with you.

PAUL THOMPSON, Sr Nassau, December, 2022.

Lives of service

EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE Bahamas is a great little nation despite the challenges and obstacles which confront us every so often. 2022 was a good year for many and I, for one, thank the Lord Jesus Christ for having assisted our people with successfully emerging into 2023. Some of us did not, unfortunately, make it through. Many of us did, however, and as a people and individuals we must now put our shoulders to the wheel and develop ourselves on a personal level and the nation collectively. We have any number of distinct role models.

In the first years Honours List for 2023 by King Charles III, His Majesty awarded a number of stellar Bahamians secular honours that, in my opinion, are well deserved. Dormer Police Commissioner, Emerick Seymour was recognized for his long and exemplary service to The Bahamas via the Royal Bahamas Police Force and within the wider community.

Bishop Nathaniel Beneby is a long time Banker and a religious leader. He has served on various committees and governmental boards and brought a vast array to the table. He and his extended family have long played a critical role in business and religious growth in the nation. The good Bishop was also a pace setter in the banking industry where he served as a top executive within the Royal Bank of Canada organisation.

My good friend, Mr. Leslie Bowe from Montell Heights (can anything good come out of Montell Heights?) I say a resounding yes and would wish to posthumously commend my late beloved father, Dr. Ortland H. Bodie Sr. for having had the foresight to conceptualize and lay out Montell Heights way back in the early 1960’s. Those were the days when ordinary black Bahamians could only dream of acquiring an affordable piece of residential land. Brother Bowe was one of the first businessmen to relocate in that area where he and his family continue to serve the residents over there.

While all of the honours conferred by King Charles III are well deserving, there

is none more so than the award made to my lifelong brother and friend, the Rt Hon Algernon SPB Allen. He, in recognition of his extensive life of service to The Bahamas and our people in an array of areas like: elective politics; as a cabinet minister and leader of government business under the former Prime Minister, Hubert A Ingraham, “Bulgy”, as he is affectionately widely known, wrought many governmental subdivisions which have turned out to be resounding successes in particular Millennium Gardens.

As a prototype as to what a ‘real’ Minister of Youth; Sports & Culture should be like, Bulgy, led that ministry at a critical time in the development and motivation of tens of thousands of youthful and hopeful younger Bahamians. He did not, thank God, leave out the adults and more mature Bahamians. In fact, he coined the phase: ‘Little Darlings and Precious Pearls’ almost single handedly. Even to this day that phase is more relevant than before.

It is a phenomenon of the highest order that many of our old people have failed or neglected to ensure that they’d have adequate assets and savings for inevitable retirement. They are obliged to rely on a pension from NIB or would have to continue gainful occupations well into the 60’s and 70’s. Often times they are neglected by ungrateful children and abandoned. These are the ‘precious pearls’ whom Bulgy would have been referring to. We all stand on the shoulders of our parents and grandparents.While we must never forget the seniors, I am more concerned with our wayward youths and younger Bahamians.

I have urged the enlightened Most Hon Prime Minister, Philip ‘Brave’ Davis, KC, MP to establish The National Youth Service Consultative Commission. Such a Commission would be tasked with conceptualising an embryonic national youth service designed to “rescue” and “rehabilitate”

as many of our younger generation as possible. Such a commission would not “compete” with the substantive Ministry of Youth; Sports & Culture, but would rather work in conjunction with the same, but directly reporting to the Office of the Prime Minister. As a former Crown Counsel and later in private criminal defense practice, Bulgy excelled. He has a vast knowledge of the ins and working of the “criminal mantra” and the way too many of our younger and some older people think and relate to crime on the ground. Brother Allen would make a dynamic; motivational and wonderful inaugural Chairman of the National Youth Service Commission.

Such a commission could/ should have elements of component from the FNM; non governmental and civic organisations as well, of course, of the religious community. There should also be representatives from the media and other relevant stake holders. In 2022 we had a record number of alleged homicides mostly within a certain age bracket. One life lost to senseless violence is one too many. Bulgy is the right man for this crucial task at this time. I am certain that if he is asked to serve by the PM that he would readily agree so to do.

It is fitting also that after some 50 solid years within the highly competitive legal profession that the Rt. Hon. Algernon SPB Allen would, finally, be professionally awarded the singular title of King’s Counsel, which, in my opinion, is long overdue. In fact, it has been said that good things come to those who wait.

In Bulgie’s case, however, this award is timely. He and Dame Anita just celebrated more than 50 years of marriage which according to the good Dames, were wonderful and an extraordinary marital adventure. Along that journey they produced several wonderful children who are all following in their gigantic footsteps in service to The Bahamas. May the Lord Jesus Christ continue to guide and protect The Bahamas in 2023.

ORTLAND H. BODIE, JR. Nassau,January 2. 2023

YOUNG members of the New Year Junkanoo crowd watching the parade pass by. Photo: Austin Fernander

Farewell to ‘Dud’ Maynard

By LETRE SWEETING lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis with other officials joined the family and friends of Andrew “Dud” Maynard in a final farewell to the former parliamentarian at his funeral on Friday.

Mr Davis spoke of his close relationship with Mr Maynard, calling him a mentor, friend and colleague who made great contributions to the nation’s development.

“I knew Dud personally, so I’ve lost a political mentor, a friend, a colleague, who I’ve known for decades,” he said at the funeral at St Agnes Anglican Church. “Dud’s leadership style, political activism... were as demonstrative, old, (and) fearless as his faith and colourful personality,” he said.

“Dud’s conviction, confidence, commanding and booming voice, strong personality and political view served him and the PLP well in that era,” Mr Davis said.

“Many personalities within the PLP, including myself, could attest that long after Dud’s departure from the PLP, the relationships and interactions remained cordial. The many friendships and bonds of fraternal brotherhood transcended politics and were endearing and enduring,” he said.

“I thank him for his national service and contributions to this nation’s development, especially in the areas of politics, governance and business. His contributions were immeasurable, palpable and indelible, touching many in meaningful ways,” Mr Davis said.

Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, who also had a personal relationship with Mr Maynard, noted his dedication to the Free National Movement, following his son, Charles Maynard’s rise to chairman of the party.

“He excelled as a master election coordinator. He was a straightforward, no nonsense man. He spoke his

mind. He said he didn’t leave the PLP, the party changed and left him. But in my case they expelled me,” Mr Ingraham said.

“In short, Dud helped in a big way toward the FNM’s 2017 election victory, in fact he told me ‘I won that probably over there, Hubert.’ He leaves a rich legacy to his family, to the PLP, to the FNM and to The Bahamas,” Mr Ingraham said.

Other officials present at the funeral on Friday included former Attorney General Allyson Maynard Gibson, Education Minister Glenys Hanna Martin, Social Services and Urban Development Minister Obediah Wilchcombe, National Security Minister Wayne Munroe, St Barnabas MP Shandendon Cartwright, and Bahamas Christian Council President Bishop Delton Fernander.

Mr Maynard, who was a former senator and parliamentarian with affiliations with both the Free National Movement and the Progressive Liberal Party, died on the morning of December 16 at the age of 82.

A viewing was held for his body on Thursday at the Senate.

Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, FNM leader Michael Pintard and former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis were some of several officials to honour Mr Maynard’s life and legacy at the viewing on Thursday.

Mr Maynard was buried at Woodlawn Gardens.

BAIL DENIED FOR CANADIAN AFTER $300K OF DRUGS FOUND IN LUGGAGE

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A CANADIAN man was denied bail in Magistrate’s Court on Friday after he was allegedly found with nearly $300,000 worth of marijuana in his luggage at LPIA.

Marvyn Bryce Ndema Moussa, 34, of Toronto, Canada, faced Magistrate Samuel McKinney on four drug charges. These include possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply, conspiracy to possess dangerous drugs with intent to supply, conspiracy to import dangerous drugs and importation of dangerous drugs.

It is alleged that on December 28, Moussa while at LPIA, was

detained by authorities after 149.7 lbs of Indian hemp was uncovered in his luggage. The drugs seized in this matter are said to have an estimated street value of $298,000.

In court, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges. Prosecutor Sergeant Vernon Pyfrom objected to his bail on the basis that he is a foreign national and posed a flight risk.

Magistrate McKinney denied Moussa bail. His attorney Dion Smith indicated his intentions to apply to the Supreme Court for emergency bail.

Until bail is granted, Moussa will be remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

Moussa’s trial is set to begin on February 6.

MAN ADMITS TO ATTACK ON WOMAN

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was placed on six months’ probation on Friday after admitting attacking a woman and damaging her phone.

Samuel Duncombe, 27, appeared before Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux on charges of causing harm and damage.

On December 28 in the area of Masons Addition Duncombe injured a woman during a physical argument.

During this same incident, it is said he damaged her black Samsung A03

cellphone valued at $90.

In court, the accused pleaded guilty.

Magistrate TurnquestDeveaux placed Duncombe on a conditional discharge. Under these terms, he was placed on three months’ probation on the causing harm charge. If he violates this, he will go to prison for three months.

He was also placed on six months’ probation for the damage charge, which in addition to carrying a six-month prison term in default, he was ordered to compensate Williams $150.

Duncombe is to return to court for a report on March 10.

THE SERVICE held at St Agnes Anglican Church for Andrew “Dud” Maynard.

Photos: Moise Amisial

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis speaking at the funeral.

Giving voice to the children

THIS is the beginning of one of the most significant years in Bahamian history.

This year, 2023, marks the 50th anniversary of Bahamian Independence. Let the celebrations begin!

But at the same time, let the reflections be deep. Let the commitment to creating a better country for us all be foremost in our minds. This is our time. We are at a juncture that will define the future of The Bahamas. In all that is celebrated, praised, and reflected, let us remember the children of The Bahamas.

Children are so much wiser than we give them credit for. They are able to give often unbiased opinions about the world in which they live, if given a chance. But often, children are not given the opportunity to express themselves fully, and this can affect the trajectory of their future - and this country. One of the easiest ways to get children to open up, to hear their voice, and to give them praise is through music. Flora Simpson knows this well. She has dedicated her life to nurturing the minds and hearts of children in The Bahamas through music.

Most recently, Flora joined Sonovia Pierre, better known as the Bahamian entertainer “Novie”, in presenting a combined children’s choir that knocked the socks off all who heard them perform at the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. There, Flora served as accompanist to a choir which comprised children between the ages of 6 to 15 and from all walks of life in The Bahamas.

Novie, the senior cultural affairs officer in the Division of Culture, Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, took on the task of putting together a special children’s choir for the occasion. Novie wrote the song “Christmas in My Country” for the children to sing. She asked Flora Simpson to join them

Face to Face

By FELICITY DARVILLE

as the accompanist, helping to bring the song to life.

“We had kids whose backgrounds were Bahamian, Scottish, British, American... all residents here, coming together to be a part of the combined children’s choir,” Novie said, “And they came from schools like Eva Hilton, EP Roberts, Gerald Cash, Lyford Cay International, Kingsway Academy and Queen’s College.

“Music is universal and brings everyone together. Those children didn’t see colour, race, creed or nationality. That brought joy and cheer to my heart.

Those kids came together to practice for eight Sundays. Their parents brought them - friendships were forged, and culture was shared... and for that I am grateful.”

For Flora, this event reignited her passion for performing with children on a national level. As a teacher, she has the opportunity to help the children perform recitals at school. But there was a time when she travelled the world representing The Bahamas with the National Youth Choir as the principal accompanist to Cleophas RE Adderley.

“The Christmas tree lighting ceremony awakened my spirit,” she told me. “It was so wonderful to see how the kids came out each Sunday when they could have been doing something else. They actually wanted to stay longer every week! We had no problem with them. It was wonderful to watch and to hear little kids singing again.”

Flora knows how important it is to sow seeds of

confidence into little children. When she was six years old, she was enrolled into piano lessons with Muriel Mallory. Her instruction in music as a child ended with E Clement Bethel, cultural icon.

“Muriel was instrumental in me falling in love with the piano,” Flora mused.

“She pushed me to become the best I could. But E Clement Bethel carried it a step further. He made music come to life. He showed me that music was in every thing that we do. If I played Beethoven, for example, he made me research exactly what it meant to be deaf like Beethoven... and the science behind someone going deaf. He would say, ‘Imagine it being you and put that feeling into whatever you do’. I watched him bring music to life this way.”

Flora went on to become a noted accompanist for the Bahamas National Youth Choir under the direction of another departed cultural icon, Cleophas Adderley.

“He was a perfectionist,” she said of Mr Adderley, whose tenacity pushed the choir and its young members to international acclaim.

“He pushed them to be their best. He wanted something cultural that could be expressed at a higher level, so that the young people could be exposed to the bigger stages around the world like Carnegie Hall. He taught them to perform in a variety of cultural mixes. They would sing songs in several foreign languages. I played music from around the world to accompany them as they sang classical, contemporary, pop and cultural music.

“They sang in many languages including African, Creole, French and Italian. They also took Bahamian music all around the world. He really made the choir what it was.”

Flora toured with the Bahamas National Youth Choir for five years as they visited Caribbean countries and throughout the United States of America. Youth members ranged in age from 15 to 25 and were well respected ambassadors of the country.

The enriching experiences that moulded her youth and those she gained as an accompanist helped her to carve out a life purpose in educating and empowering young people through music.

She has a 32-year history as an educator: “I brought that same passion for music to my students to help them get a more

enriched experience from life lessons.”

“I want them to know there’s more to life than what they currently experience. Sometimes, students are thrown into music that don’t want to be there. I meet them where they are at. Usually by the time they leave, they may not have a career in music, but they see how it can impact their lives for the better. At the end of the day, you want them to go out in the big world and know they can do anything they set their minds to do.”

Flora also impacted younger students during her tenure at EP Roberts Primary School. At this institution, many inner city kids had the opportunity to excel in education due to the power of music.

For 22 years, Flora led a group of young children, all skilled in playing stringed instruments. They were so good that they were invited to perform around the capital, New Providence and the Family islands,as well as outside of the country in places like Jamaica and several American states during the 1990s. Flora was able to fulfil the school’s vision to advance the children through musicsomething that began even before her time.

“Giving the children the power to control an instrument and play music is powerful,” Flora said.

“They can focus - especially when they are on stage - and they can carry the feeling. The audience loves them and the kids love the applause and the encouragement. These kids go on to do more positive things in their lives. This is what I set out to do and was successful.”

Several of her students actually became musicians in their own right. Perrice Saunders, for example, is a music teacher who has shared her gift with students at schools like SC McPherson. Mark Knowles, a noted saxophone player, also came under Flora’s tutelage in his youth. But things are now changing in Flora’s life as she approaches retirement from teaching.

“My basic focus throughout my career has always been on my students; it’s always been about my students; never about me, until now,” she said.

“When I say until now... I am retiring from teaching soon, so I will focus more on my performance as an accompanist and possibly even start my own venture with students. Until then, I will continue to focus on my students where I currently teach at RM Bailey, helping them pass their BGCSE exams and helping them get scholarships for college through music.”

Novie, she says, did much for her and for the kids of the Combined Children’s Choir.

“That was her baby - she put it together and asked me to be the accompanist,” Flora said.

“Even though I am not performing as much anymore, I went ahead and I did! It renewed my interest in accompanying and playing the piano.”

Other young people were highlighted at the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, held at Rawson Square on Sunday, December 11. They include the W2 Dance Club; David Cox, a singer who is a grade 10 student at Anatol Rodgers School; D’Angelo Whyms, a spoken word artist who performed an original piece; and the Lyford Cay International School steel pan ensemble, among others. Francyss Pratt was also instrumental in the success of the Combined Children’s Choir. She is the director of the Treble Clef School for the performing arts. Her students played the drums along with the choir.

COMBINED children’s choir coordinator Sonovia “Novie” Pierre; Elizabeth Taylor, music teacher at Lyford Cay International School; Flora Simpson, accompanist for the choir and music teacher at RM Bailey; and Francyss Pratt, music teacher at The Treble Clef Music School and Queen’s College; and, left, Flora Simpson.

When political leaders fail to act in their country’s interests

DESPITE the normal festivities surrounding Christmas, my wife and I found there was more time this year for reflection since I was house-bound while recovering from hip replacement surgery. So I was particularly grateful to a good friend for his kind gift of an interesting book entitled ‘The March of Folly’ by American Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and author, Barbara Tuchman. In her heyday in the 1960s she was well known as one of America’s foremost popular historians for she had an engaging style and succeeded in making the past interesting to millions of readers.

First published in 1984, the theme of this book is that throughout history governments have tended to pursue policies contrary to their self-interest. Counter-intuitive as that might sound, Tuchman makes the bold contention that it is a phenomenon that is noticeable regardless of place or period. Defining wisdom as an exercise of judgment acting on experience, common sense and available information, she casts doubt on its lack among political leaders and the consequent folly, in so many cases, of their actions.

She contrasts mankind’s incredible advances, inventions and achievements in so many different spheres with the history almost worldwide of mismanagement of international affairs and relations, characterised all too often by tyranny or oppression. She offers examples of this -from the Trojans taking the ‘Wooden Horse’ within their walls to Spanish King Philip II’s attempt to conquer England by mounting the Spanish Armada and to Britain’s insistence on coercing rather than conciliating its American colonies. She speaks of Germany’s twice-attempted rule of Europe by what she terms a self-conceived master race and of Japan’s bid for an Empire in Asia in the run-up to the Second World War – and now Russia’s failed invasion of Ukraine is yet another case of a leader acting against the best interests of his own country.

Tuchman puts all this down to the ‘woodenheadedness’ of political leaders that is the principal source of self-deception and of their reluctance to take account of experience and learn from it instead of acting within the confines of preconceived fixed notions. Other specific examples include what now seem to be obvious mistakes by the statesmen of the time who negotiated the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 at the end of the First World War. Some say that the harsh terms of this treaty led inevitably to a second global conflagration barely twenty years later. Earlier, there had been Germany’s decision to resume unrestricted submarine warfare in 1916 which hastened the US’s entry into the First World War the following year; and - most obvious of all even at the time -- the foolhardiness, in terms of their own interests, of the Japanese

The Peter Young column

surprise attack on the US fleet at Pearl Harbor in December, 1941. This was immediately condemned by President Roosevelt in his ‘Day of Infamy’ speech followed by America’s declaration of war, after which there could only be one ultimate consequence; namely, defeat for Japan once the American giant was awakened even though its surrender took another four years to achieve.

The author reserves her fiercest criticism for the folly of US policy in Vietnam from the end of the Second World War in 1945 to America’s forced withdrawal in 1973, calling it persistence in a policy demonstrably unworkable and counter-productive. She devotes more than one hundred pages to a section entitled ‘America betrays herself in Vietnam’, and she describes what she calls the basic flaw of the ‘missionary compulsion’ to guide the Vietnamese toward US policy objectives rather than toward their own. Furthermore, withdrawal was not even contemplated because of the so-called domino theory and fear of encouraging Communism in the region together with the damage to US prestige.

But the major folly was the American illusion of omnipotence. The presumption by policy-makers that its will could be made to prevail was based on the sense of competence and strength of a superpower deriving from victory in the Second World War. Moreover, there was an evident failure to understand that problems and conflicts exist among other peoples that are not soluble by the application of American force or even its goodwill so that only the inhabitants themselves can make the process of nation-building work.

Although published some 40 years ago, Barbara Tuchman’s ideas are as relevant today as ever. In his Christmas message this year, The Pope said that the world was suffering from a “famine of peace” and he lamented the “icy winds of war”. He called for an immediate end of the “senseless” war in Ukraine and for resolution of humanitarian crises in places like Syria, Myanmar, Iran, Haiti and the Sahel region of Africa while also deploring the fact that the ‘path of peace’ was blocked by social forces that included attachment to power and money, pride,

NEW KING FOLLOWS IN HIS BELOVED MOTHER’S FOOTSTEPS

IT WAS interesting to read a rare press interview over the Christmas holiday with the Speaker of the House of Commons at Westminster, Sir Lindsay Hoyle. He acknowledged the political turmoil last autumn which had been damaging to British democracy and its global reputation and he described the “bizarre” events which saw three Conservative Prime Ministers in the space of as many months, saying that the country was still struggling to recover from this unprecedented upheaval.

This seemed to me a stark reminder of a particularly difficult period for Britain when at the same time the nation was coming to terms with the passing in September of its longest serving and much loved monarch.

In the midst of such political uncertainty, it was all the more important for Britain to have a well ordered and peaceful transition within its constitutional monarchy, and that the immediate accession

hypocrisy and falsehood.

All that is encapsulated in the current disaster of the war in Ukraine. Given what has happened since the Russian invasion last February, it is baffling to some that President Zelensky’s recent visit to the US asking for further supplies of weaponry and other support should have induced opposition in some quarters in Washington to any idea of an open-ended commitment by NATO and the US

to the throne of a new monarch as Head of State, King Charles III, should be as smooth as possible in order to maintain national unity and stability.

From all the evidence, it appears that the new King has slipped almost effortlessly into his new role. Early on, he displayed a new human touch of personal warmth and concern by clearly relating well to the crowds gathered at various venues to express their sadness at the passing of The Queen and their support for him.

It was also notable that during the period of national mourning before his mother’s funeral he visited the different parts of the United Kingdom to attend ceremonies designed to reinforce the strength of the union.

With his coronation now due to take place in May, an important early test for the King was the monarch’s traditional Christmas Day message. He used this effectively to convey his sense of social

itself. So is there a risk of our leaders repeating the mistakes of the 1930s, when, as is now clear to historians, instead of disarmament more could have been done to prevent another world war? This time last year, despite the build-up of Russian armed forces on the border, few thought that Putin would be crazy enough to invade Ukraine. But, since the West did not really react to his intervention in Syria and only limply protested

awareness, humanity and compassion towards people of all faiths and his empathy with the public who are going through difficult economic times.

A study of the UK press also reveals much public sympathy for him and the new Prince of Wales, in particular, as they maintain a dignified silence in the face of the renewed appalling accusations by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The senior Royals have steadfastly refused to engage in any public exchanges with the couple and, judging from the photographs over the holiday period, the Royal Family seem happier and more close-knit than ever.

While so many people continue to mourn the late Queen, they will be delighted that the reign of the new King has started so well despite the difficult circumstances.

A new start indeed – and as we face our own new start with the arrival of another January, I wish a happy new year to all.

against his annexation of Crimea in 2014 -- while the failure of the US and its allies’ mission in Afghanistan was there for all to see - he was evidently emboldened to do so.

Last week, Putin targeted cities across Ukraine with Russian missiles in one of the largest bombardments since the war began. Moscow is now accused of seeking to destroy critical infrastructure and to kill civilians en masse. There can surely be

no doubt that the West has to continue to stand firm in trying to stop this evil and to deter any further Russian expansionism. One can only hope that this time the lessons of the past will be heeded and the leaders of the world’s democracies will provide full and lasting support to a nation prepared to sacrifice lives in defence of its democratic freedoms and independence – in the interests of the free world as a whole.

WHAT WILL 2023 BRING? BBC CORRESPONDENTS LOOK AHEAD

BY COMMON consent, making predictions about what another New Year has in store in other countries is a hazardous business to be avoided if possible unless they are based on a solid knowledge of events in the country concerned.

But, since the BBC’s resident correspondents in different parts of the world are always well informed and knowledgeable about their countries, the corporation attempts such a task each year.

It asks a selection of its correspondents to look into their crystal balls and predict what might be in store during the coming year.

This has included this year its representatives in

Africa, North America, China, South Asia and in Russia itself.

The BBC World Service released an hour-long programme for 2023 on December 30 which I found to be well worth listening to and is available for over a year.

This year’s programme is against a backdrop of a world altered by the continuing war in Ukraine that has made other countries more unstable and insecure and with the ramifications of the conflict felt beyond Europe – like spiralling energy and food costs and increased levels of inflation in a market already chaotic after the pandemic -- as Russia has

become a pariah state.

It is also against a background of worsening relations between the US and China, widespread and sustained protests in Iran against its theocratic regime without posing any real threat to the status quo, and with results of the mid-term elections in the US turning out surprisingly well for President Biden despite predictions to the contrary.

Speculation is growing about whether he will run for president again in 2024 and about the degree of pressure he will face in the meantime from the Republicans after they assume a small majority in the House of Representatives.

As reported by the

experienced and well informed BBC correspondent in Moscow, Steve Rosenberg, Putin’s so-called special military operation to force Ukraine back into Russia’s orbit has turned out be nothing short of an utter disaster for him - with international sanctions, massive reverses and heavy losses of personnel and equipment on the battlefield as well as loss of territory and growing domestic opposition following partial mobilisation to replace Russian casualties. There appears to be no way back for Putin who now faces accusations of war crimes, but there is no sign yet of his ending the conflict.

Developments elsewhere include tighter gender restrictions in Afghanistan as the Taliban prevents the education of women under its strict interpretation of Sharia law. The importance of foreign funding for infrastructure appears to have taken centre stage in Africa together with the problems of growing Russian influence in the Sahel region while efforts to restore peace in Ethiopia are being closely watched.

Meanwhile, after excessive lockdowns the ditching of China’s zeroCovid policy – a key issue supported by President Xi Jinping – is a big story there as the accuracy of the numbers affected by

coronavirus and of those vaccinated remains uncertain. Tensions between China and the US remain high and the level of engagement seems limited as strategic challenges remain, not least over Taiwan, while there have also been border clashes between China and India.

All this and more is covered by the BBC’s foreign resident correspondents concerned with their deep knowledge of individual countries.

For comprehensive, well informed, objective reporting and trustworthy assessments of current developments, the BBC is hard to beat – and I recommend this latest production.

BRITAIN’s King Charles III delivers his message during his first Christmas broadcast in the Quire of St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, Berkshire, England.

Photo: Victoria Jones/AP

Fox Hill Congos

Conquerors for Christ Conquerors for Christ

Individual entry

Paper Boys

Crusaders

Conquerors for Christ

Sting

Crusaders

Photos: Austin Fernander

FANCY DANCERS

Photos: Austin Fernander

WHAT IS ON YOUR 2023? BUCKET LIST FOR

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

THE calendar for 2023 is wide open for most people who are anticipating what the new year will bring. Others though, are all for curating experiences and having a blast while doing it.

Tribune Woman took an opportunity to speak with readers who said that while they do not have any new year resolutions per se, there are several things are on their bucket list for this year.

Antonia said she has done way with New Year’s resolutions for some time now.

“I never ever accomplish any of it. What’s really the purpose if you are not getting anything accomplished.”

“The difference, in my opinion, is that a bucket list is generally more positive and achievable. The New Year’s resolution carries a more negative connotation of things you want to give up or stop doing, but doesn’t always come with a plan to help you achieve that goal,” she said.

As for Antonia, there is a laundry list of things on her bucket list, however for the first quarter of this year she will focus on checking one thing off at a time.

“My fitness has always

been important to me. This year I am looking to challenge myself in this area. I want to run a marathon this year.

Fortunately for Antonia she will be moving on her bucket list item once she has secured her spot in an upcoming marathon next month.

“Then I will be onto another bucket list item. At least at the end of the year I will be able to say, I challenged myself by doing something I have never done before.”

Beauty is on Katrina’s mind and not being able to apply her own make-up when it is time to go out has been frustrating. On her bucket list this year is

taking a basic make up artistry class.

“I really want to learn the basics of makeup. Every occasion I have, I book a makeup artist. That runs me into at least $60 a time,” she said.

By investing in a makeup artistry course, Katrina said she could save money.

“If I take that money, I spend on getting my makeup done everytime, I can invest in learning. I always envy people who have the skill to do their makeup like a professional.”

This bucket list is not all talk either, as Katrina has already been searching for the best make-up course to suit her needs.

Hosting a workshop and monetising her skills is on the bucket list for Raquel, who wears many hats.

“I am a stylist and a crafter. I also bake but not for gain. I have a lot that can I offer,” she told Tribune Woman.

“This past year I struggled with getting clarity on how to approach my ideas. But now since financial growth is a big thing for me, I am finding ways to monetise my skills.

The first thing I want to do is host a baking workshop. I have a passion for baking. This is something I am planning for.”

Dede wants to volunteer for a worthy cause this year.

“It’s unfortunate my

I’m

now that I am older, I want to be up and down giving back. I think I should have done this when I was more vigorous. But I guess later is always greater.”

She hopes to do volunteer work with a local organisation.

“I have been doing my research and I think I have towards the cause of HIV/AIDS. So, I want to give back my time to that cause,” she said.

As for Nelly, on her bucket list is travelling much more, but to places very far on the map.

“I’m thinking Australia or Thailand,” she said.

...OR MAYBE JUST DON’T SET YOURSELF UP TO FAIL

By CARA HUNT Tribune Features Writer cbrennen@tribunemedia.net

IT’S a new year and with it comes thoughts of resolutions and being all you can be.

Self-help books abound, gyms are offering discount memberships for persons who vow to lose those extra holiday pounds and social influencers are flooding their pages with inspirational though annoying hash tags about how they will be manifesting all their hopes and dreams

in the new year. And while it’s good to have goals, many women feel that are New Year’s resolutions are just another way the world tries to make you feel inadequate.

Shelly says that she stopped making resolutions years ago.

“I don’t make resolutions because let’s be real, I am lazy, I won’t be working out to lose twenty pounds, I will probably gain a few more. I want to be patient with my kids but honestly they will annoy me at some point and I will go off them, I

want to save more money, but with bills and expenses rising everyday unless we starve I don’t see how that will happen, so I guess my only goal is to get through the year with minimum drama.”

Christina says the social media New Year’s hype is just another way influencers try to prove they are better than others.

“Honestly, since the beginning of the holidays, I have felt like I am not on the ball, between the 30 days of gratitude posts

that started in November, all the cookie nights and matching family pajamas pictures and the fabulous Christmas posts. Now we getting all the New Year New Me posts, meanwhile I still have gifts in the closet I have not gotten around to wrapping and parts of my house that never got decorated.

“I am not gonna pretend I will magically get it together since it’s January, I just gonna take it one day at a time and pray for guidance and wisdom.”

Meanwhile, Tanya said: “To me, making resolutions is setting yourself up because say I say I want to lose 30 pounds and I only lose 15, that is still an accomplishment, so my resolution is not to lose weight, just to eat healthier, my resolution is to try be a better wife and mother and to be more tolerant of others whatever way I can.

“Life is hard enough without putting extra pressure on yourself. I don’t want to knock the people who do use the new year to reset, but it’s not necessary.”

philanthropy spirit kicked in later in my life.

in my late 40s. How ironic is that

Canary in a coal mine

IN THE 1900s, British coal miners were exposed to carbon monoxide and other lethal toxic gases. John Scott Haldane and his research on carbon monoxide would in that age provide a solution of using canaries, as early indicators of trouble prompting the miners to evacuate.

A recent study published in human reproductive update has stirred up similar sentiments with regards to the future of mankind. A team of international researchers led by Dr Hagai Levine have shown that the sperm count is declining at an accelerated rate globally. Their meta-analysis looked at 223 studies based on sperm samples from over 57,000 men across 53 countries.

According to the results published last month, globally over the past 5 decades the sperm counts have halved and the rate of decline has more than doubled since the turn of the century. While the sperm count remains an imperfect proxy for fertility, it is closely linked to fertility. Therefore, the substantial and persistent decline should be recognised as a significant public health concern.

Sperm counts are also an indicator of men’s health; with low levels linked to chronic diseases and reduced lifespan. The true canary in the mine. Whilst the study was not designed to provide information on the causes of the declining trend, multiple environmental and lifestyle factors are deemed to play a role, right from the male foetus in the mother’s womb to adult life.

ENDOCRINE DISRUPTING CHEMICALS

These are chemicals that mimic, block, or interfere with the hormones in the endocrine system of the body. These chemicals may be natural occurring or man-made and formed as by-products during manufacture or combustion of waste or undergo biological/ environmental transformation. Such chemicals now form a wide

ALARMING GLOBAL FALL IN SPERM NUMBERS

in semen parameters in healthy young men, just 4 months after adopting a Mediterranean diet and doing moderate physical activity.

SUBSTANCE USE

sperm production is 2-40 lower than the body temperature, hence the strategic placement where “boys” hang low outside the body. Certain aspects of modern-day living regress this advantage:

two years old, sperm antibodies, testicular trauma, radiation exposure, hormonal abnormalities, obesity, nicotine smoking and systemic or neurological diseases.

array of products that we use in the modern day- from pesticides, metals, active ingredients in pharmaceuticals, additives or contaminants in food, personal care products, cosmetics, plastics, textiles, and construction materials.

Notoriously chemicals like Phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA) are used in the manufacturing of everyday use plastics and seep into our food. Most studies have now demonstrated the negative effect these chemicals have on the sperm count. There is mounting concern that in utero exposure to these chemicals to the male foetus can negatively impact various bodily systems, including sperm production.

OBESITY

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 39% of men globally are overweight and 11% are obese. Several studies have backed up the negative connection between obesity and low sperm count. Several reasons have been postulated including the release of inflammatory substances that interfere with testosterone production or action and the formation of the sperm is testosterone driven.

A recent study from Italy showed marked improvement

Vaping, tobacco use, marijuana, alcohol, and cocaine, all affect the sperm count and quality of semen. Anabolic steroids are typically used by young men, 20-40 years old who are interested in the performance enhancing effects of steroids. A survey conducted on 10,259 students in secondary schools showed that approximately 3% of the boys use anabolic steroids. Though some of these steroids can be sourced for cheap rates from the internet or local suppliers, they do have major long term side effects including- heart failure, mood and anxiety disorder, infertility directly related to poor sperm production.

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS (STIS)

According to the WHO more that 1 million STIs are acquired globally on a daily basis. Infections such as Syphilis and Gonorrhoea can cause inflammation, scarring and blockage of the epididymisa vital structure in the storage of sperm. This results in obstruction and subsequent decline in sperm count in men. Newer evidence shows that Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma and trichomonas can directly impair sperm production. HIV is known to impact on semen production and sperm counts deteriorate as the disease progresses.

TESTICULAR TEMPERATURE

The optimal temperature for

• Tight underwear - notorious for turning up testicle heat by bringing it next to the body.

• Tech - laptops and mobile phones emit a considerable amount of heat which are unfortunately placed right over or next to the testicles, jeopardising the low temperature advantage that the little swimmers desperately need to develop.

• Hot saunas and hot baths - though marketed to have several health benefits when it comes to matters fertility and testicular health these are counterproductive.

MALE INFERTILITY

Infertility is defined as the failure of a couple to achieve pregnancy after more than one year of regular unprotected intercourse. Infertility is not just a female problem as men are just as equally responsible.

In North America about six percent of men suffer from male infertility. One of the common causes of male infertility is a varicocele, which is an abnormal swelling of the testicular vein.

About 40 percent of men with primary infertility and 81 percent of secondary male infertility (previously had a child but currently unable to conceive) have a varicocele. Approximately 15 percent of men in the general population have a varicocele. A varicocele can be corrected by a urologist in a minimally invasive, relatively quick, outpatient procedure.

Other common causes of male infertility are genetic or anatomical abnormalities, previous infections, a prior history of early childhood undescended testes that required surgical correction but occurred after the age of

Male infertility can be a complex issue and low sperm numbers is not necessarily the cause or only cause. There are several parameters analyzed in a diagnostic sperm analysis that play important roles in male fertility including total sperm movement/ motility, progressive motility, the shape/ morphology of the sperm, the ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, amongst other important parameters.

One abnormal sperm analysis cannot be used to confirm male infertility, as a repeat sperm analysis should be performed a minimum of three months later.

Modern reproduction assistance technology such as IUI Intrauterine Insemination and IVF In Vitro Fertilisation with or without ICSI Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection has provided great hope for men with low sperm numbers, poor movement of sperm and low numbers of normally shaped sperm, in allowing them in many cases to achieve viable pregnancies with their partners.

A lot is changing in and around us, the findings of the study by Levine are alarming and perhaps a wake-up call to all of us in matters affecting the male reproductive health. We all have a role to play, small changes will go a long way- changing lifestyle and dietary practices, sexual practices, and our health seeking behaviour.

• Dr Greggory Pinto is a board certified Bahamian Urologist and Laparoscopic Surgeon. Dr. Pinto can be contacted at OakTree Medical Center #2 Fifth Terrace and Mount Royal Avenue, Nassau, Bahamas Telephone: (242) 3221145(6)(7) Email: welcome@ urologycarebahamas.com or visit the website:www.urologycarebahamas.com

Nursing - not only a profession for women

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

CHRISTON Deveaux was the only male in the nursing cadet programme at his alma mater CR Walker back in 2012. Fast forward a decade later, and the field of nursing almost mirrors those days - Christon still stands as one of few male nurses touching lives through health care.

It is Christon’s mission to help change the way nursing is viewed. By telling his story, sharing his inspiration and what has been driving his passion all these years, he hopes it is no longer viewed as a female only profession.

“Ever since I was a child, I dreamt of being in the health care profession,” he said.

Christon’s path was not solidified until joining the nursing cadet programme in at CR Walker. In the cadet programme, initiated by the then Ministry of Health in 2012-2013, under the nursing direction of Marcel Johnson, he was the only male from his school in the programme.

Through this experience, Christon was afforded the invaluable opportunity to rotate throughout the government clinics and the hospital, where he was introduced to nursing care. This early exposure influenced his decision to study nursing at University of The Bahamas.

“I must add that the nursing cadet programme is an excellent programme for school students interested in nursing,” he told Tribune Health.

Christon who makes a point to mention his roots

growing up in the Bain Town area, later obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of The Bahamas.

He is a registered nurse, licensed with The Bahamas Nursing Council since December 12, 2019.

He has worked at Doctors Hospital in the Emergency Room and Princess Margaret Hospital in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. As well as with The Bahamas Ministry of Health and Wellness as “The Focal Point Nursing Officer Consultant” for the Climate Change and Health Project, in preparation for the Prime

Minister to Present at COP 27 hosted in Egypt this past November.

Currently, he works as a nursing officer managing a health care centre and as a staff nurse at the Walk-In Medical Clinic.

Christon is also presently pursuing a Master of Science Degree at the University of the West Indies in Advanced Nursing Practice.

“What I enjoy most about nursing is the therapeutic nurse patient relationship that can be developed. And the experience of having a patient simply says, ‘Thank you Nurse Deveaux’. It makes me feel as if there is

reason to go on,” he said.

While he is passionate about caring for individuals, Christon admits the job does not come without its share of ups and downs.

“Often times working as a nurse in The Bahamas, especially in the government system, you are over worked, undervalued and then under payed. Therefore, to know that you have contributed to a patient, or a client being pleased, it causes me to enjoy nursing.

“Being a former nursing union member under the able leadership of Amancha Williams, I had the opportunity to be a part of creating and accepting some of the clauses in the Present Industrial agreement which advocated for nurses to benefit more. Therefore, being a transfor-

mational leader or “A change Agent” for Nursing, this contributed to my enjoyment.

Some of those downsides as party of job can also come in the form of discrimination. He recalls a time he was “aggressively chased” out of a maternity ward last year sometime.

“I never knew that discrimination against male nurses existed until I became a Staff Nurse at the public hospital. I was literally aggressively chased out of the maternity ward earlier this year by a senior nursing officer with no explanation, while assisting a doctor to resuscitate a newborn baby as a Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse. Additionally, discrimination through marginalisation is another challenge. Many

times, as a male I was allocated to work away from the direct care of females, even if I was allocated just to serve medication for the entire eight hours.

“Many days I asked for the reason, but no reason could never be stated. I gathered it was more of personal opinions than current nursing practice and standards.

Also, there is a prevailing stigma that if a male decides to become a nurse, he is a homosexual. Which I can attest to is not true. Sometimes I wonder if the discrimination is based on nationality because, foreign male nurses such as Filipinos and Indians and now Cubans can work anywhere in our public hospital, while Bahamian male nurses marginalised,” he said.

He said changing these ideas even nurses themselves have about the profession will take vigorous education.

“Being a male nurse can be a distinction or a bad idea, it all depends on what you allow. I always try my best to uplift male nurses and hold the title with high distinction. Especially due to the scarcity of male nurses in our country. Additionally, as a male nurse, you always have to stand your grounds and demand respect or be fired by egotistical femininity in the nursing profession.”

Despite the playing field not being particularly leveled, more male nurses, he said are needed in the profession.

“We can use much more Bahamian male nurses in the profession to strike a gender and a nationality balance.”

CHRISTON Deveaux and, far left, carrying out his duties.

I Gibson Rattlers win senior boys’ title

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

It went right down to the wire as the CI Gibson Rattlers prevailed with the senior boys’ title over the Jordan Prince Williams Falcons in a nailbiting championship game that brought the curtain down on the Providence Storm Basketball Club’s 2022 Holiday Classic at the CI Gibson Gymnasium.

The Rattlers, who led 33-25 at the half, withstood every challenge that the Falcons mounted as most valuable player Gerrard Rolle led the attack with 15 points. Dwayne Finley had 13 and Tayshon Butler, James Delia and Steven Joseph all came up with nine points.

“Prince Will played a very good game, more so on their defensive sets.

Big Red Machine take senior girls’ crown

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

IN an epic battle right to the end, the St Augustine’s College Big Red Machine rolled past the CV Bethel Stingrays 46-41 behind the stellar leadership of Antonia Moultrie to win the senior girls’ title of the Providence Basketball Club’s Holiday Classic.

Moultrie, the game’s most valuable player, finished with a game high 27 points, including 13 in the second half, while DiorRae Scott and Arianna Gomez both provided all of their seven and six points respectively in the second half. Teanna Gibson contributed four.

“Most of these girls are just juniors and so I’ve been teaching and coaching the game at the same time,” said SAC’s coach Anastacia Moultrie. “So

it’s always back to fundamentals when it comes to these players, that’s why it’s so good to be able to play in tournaments like this so they can get better at it.”

Moultrie, however, was particularly impressed with the way her daughter stepped up and controlled the tempo for the Big Red Machine. She said she advised her that as a 12th grader, she has to perform at her best because she will have to do the same thing when she heads off to college.

The Stingrays, coached by Shantelle Rolle, got a solid game from Trinity Bodie with 17, including 12 in the second half. Danielle McCoy had 10, but her older sister Terrell McCoy got in foul trouble and didn’t score. Geraniqua Bethel added eight and Maquell Hall chipped in

Brady leads Bucs’ rally past Panthers for NFC South title

TAMPA, Florida (AP)

— Tom Brady threw for 432 yards and three long touchdowns to Mike Evans, helping the Tampa Bay Buccaneers clinch their second straight NFC South championship with a 30-24 come-from-behind win over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

Evans finished with 10 catches for 207 yards, scoring on receptions of 63, 57, and 30 yards and becoming the first player in NFL history to begin a career with nine consecutive seasons with 1,000-plus yards receiving.

The Panthers (6-10) led 14-0 early and 21-10 after Sam Darnold’s third TD pass of the day, 10 seconds into the fourth quarter.

It was all Bucs from there, with Evans beating

cornerback C.J. Henderson for touchdowns twice and Darnold losing a fumble on a sack inside his own 10. That turnover set up Brady’s 1-yard TD sneak, which put the game out of reach with 1:58 left.

The Bucs (8-8) can finish the regular season with a winning record by beating Atlanta on the road next weekend. As division champs, they are assured of beginning the playoffs with a home game in two weeks.

Darnold threw for 341 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He also lost two fumbles while falling to 3-2 since becoming Carolina’s starter on Thanksgiving weekend.

PACKERS 41, VIKINGS 17 GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers threw

JORDAN PRINCE WILLIAMS FALCONS JR BOYS’ CHAMPIONS

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

JORDAN Prince Williams Falcons pulled off an impressive 54-19 victory over St John’s Giants to win the junior boys’ title in the Providence Storm Holiday Classic at the CI Gibson Gymnasium on Friday.

The Falcons opened a huge 31-10 advantage at the half behind 15 points from Broc Glinton and seven apiece from Condae Smith and Akeem Major. They were never challenged as they built on their lead in the second half.

Glinton, the most valuable player, finished with a game high 17 points. Major contributed 10, Michael Munnings had eight and Smith ended up with seven. Philip Hanna, who coached the team from the sidelines while Ernest Saunders worked the bench, gave God all the glory for a total team effort that enabled them to achieve their accomplishments.

“It was a good game. The boys competed. It could have gone either way, but thank the Lord. We give God all the glory for this victory,” Hanna said. “It was up and down, but the guys locked on the defensive end in the second half and we got the job done.”

Even when Jordan Prince Williams went to their bench, St John’s College didn’t have the defence to contain their offensive flow.

Leonardo Rolle had seven and Christopher Francis five for the Falcons, coached by Darshtyn Baker.

• Here’s how they advanced out of the semifinals earlier in the day:

Jordan Prince Williams 22, Agape 20: Akeem Major scored a pair of free throws to seal the game in the final seconds. He finished with three points.

Broc Glinton, however, led with seven points for the Falcons, who posted a 12-6 half-time advantage.

Joshua Cornish scored a game high 10 and Tayshawn Clarke added eight in the loss for the Eagles.

Aaron Judge is AP male athlete of year after setting HR mark

By MIKE FITZPATRICK AP Baseball Writer

NEW YORK (AP) —

Aaron Judge has always stood out.

With the imposing size and muscular frame of an NFL tight end or NBA power forward, the 6-foot-7, 282-pound New York Yankees slugger towers over teammates and opponents on the diamond.

Never more so than in 2022.

from news outlets across the country.

The outfielder edged Los Angeles Angels twoway star Shohei Ohtani, last year’s winner, in voting announced Friday. Stephen Curry of the NBA champion Golden State Warriors finished third.

a touchdown pass and ran for a score, and Green Bay continued its improbable playoff push by shutting down Justin Jefferson and Minnesota.

Keisean Nixon scored on a 105-yard kickoff return

After hitting 62 home runs to break an American League record that lasted six decades, Judge has been voted The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year by a panel of 40 sports writers and

Judge joins an esteemed fraternity of honourees that includes Jesse Owens, Muhammad Ali, Wayne Gretzky and Michael Jordan. Among the former Yankees to win were Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris — the man who established the previous AL mark of 61

and Darnell Savage had a 75-yard pick-6 of Kirk Cousins — one of four turnovers by the Vikings QB — to help Green Bay build a 27-3 halftime lead. Aaron

editors

TAMPA Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady passes during the first half against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS: The CI Gibson Rattlers senior boys with their championship trophy and medals.

CHAMPIONS: St Augustine’s College Big Red Machine senior girls wih their hardware.

Jones rushed for 111 yards on 14 carries and A.J. Dillon had a 2-yard touchdown run as the Packers won their fourth straight.

Green Bay (8-8) will reach the playoffs if it beats division rival Detroit at home in its regular-season finale. A fourth straight postseason berth seemed out of the question after a 1-7 stretch dropped the Packers to 4-8, but they haven’t lost since and have benefitted from favourable results around the league.

Rodgers went 15 of 24 for 159 yards and the Packers’ defence made life miserable for Cousins and Jefferson, the NFL’s leading receiver who was held to one catch for 15 yards.

Savage, Adrian Amos and Rudy Ford each intercepted passes by Cousins, while Kenny Clark recovered a fumble on a strip sack.

Cousins went 18 of 31 for 205 yards for the NFC North champion Vikings (12-4). His only touchdown pass came in garbage time. Dalvin Cook was held to 27 yards on nine carries.

STEELERS 16, RAVENS 13

BALTIMORE (AP) — Kenny Pickett threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Najee Harris with 56 seconds remaining to give Pittsburgh the win over Baltimore.

It was the first touchdown allowed by Baltimore at home in four games, and the Steelers (8-8) needed it to avoid elimination from the playoffs. Pittsburgh can now make the postseason by beating Cleveland next weekend — if Miami and New England both lose. And Steelers coach Mike Tomlin can still avoid his first losing record in 16 seasons.

Down 13-9, Pickett drove the Steelers 80 yards in 3:20 against their rivals with the season on the line. On third-and-8 from the 10, the rookie scrambled away from pressure and threw a perfect pass to Harris, who had slipped behind linebacker Roquan Smith along the left sideline.

GIANTS

38, COLTS 10

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Daniel Jones threw two touchdown passes and ran for two more, and New York routed Indianapolis to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

Landon Collins, one of two players from the ‘16 team, broke the game open late in the second quarter with a 52-yard pick-6 as the Giants (9-6-1) put a final stamp on a surprising playoff run under first-year coach Brian Daboll.

The Colts (4-11-1) lost their sixth straight and ninth in 10 games.

New York’s point total was a season high and its first time scoring 30 or more since a 37-34 loss to Dallas on October 11, 2020.

Jones threw touchdown passes of 6 yards to Richie James and 6 yards to Isaiah Hodgins in the first half and scored on runs of 18 and

JUDGE

FROM PAGE 15

homers in 1961. “Wow. That’s incredible,” Judge said of his selection. “All these other great athletes that not only impacted the game and their sport, but also impacted their communities and the culture in the sports world and outside the sports world. So getting a chance to be amongst that list is an incredible honour.”

Judge hit 16 more homers than any other big league player, the largest gap since Jimmie Foxx hit 58 for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1932 and Babe Ruth had 41 for the Yankees.

And while Barry Bonds holds the major league record of 73 home runs in a season for San Francisco in 2001 during baseball’s steroid era, the achievement by Judge had some fans celebrating what they view as baseball’s “clean” benchmark.

Maris’ mark had been surpassed six times in the National League — but all those players were ultimately stained by steroids.

10 yards in the second half. He finished 19 of 24 for 177 yards and had 11 rushes for 91 yards.

Colts quarterback Nick Foles was injured late in the second quarter when he was sacked by Giants rookie Kayvon Thibodeaux. He was taken to the locker room on a cart.

SEAHAWKS 23, JETS 6

SEATTLE (AP) — Geno Smith threw two first-half touchdown passes, Kenneth Walker III rushed for 133 yards and Seattle remained in playoff contention while ending New York’s postseason chances.

Seattle (8-8) snapped a three-game losing streak and ensured its Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams will be meaningful. The Seahawks must win and hope for a loss or tie by Green Bay against Detroit to reach the postseason.

New York’s playoff hopes ended with a thud after its fifth straight loss and extended the longest active playoff drought in the NFL to a franchise-record 12 seasons. The Jets (7-9) last reached the postseason in 2011 and will finish with a losing record for the seventh straight year.

Smith finished 18 of 29 for 183 yards and added the Jets to the list of victories against former employers that already included wins over the Chargers and Giants.

Smith was especially good in the first half, throwing touchdowns of 12 yards to Colby Parkinson on the first possession of the game and 7 yards to Tyler Mabry early in the second quarter. Mabry’s touchdown was the first catch of his career.

Mike White returned at quarterback for the Jets after missing two games with fractured ribs, but offensive success was fleeting for the Jets. White was 23 of 46 for 240 yards and threw two interceptions.

PATRIOTS 23, DOLPHINS 21

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) —Kyle Dugger intercepted Teddy Bridgewater and returned it 39 yards for a go-ahead touchdown late in the third quarter, and New England rallied to beat skidding Miami and stay in playoff contention.

Mac Jones had touchdown passes to Tyquan Thornton and Jakobi Meyers to help the Patriots (8-8) snap a four-game losing streak to their AFC East rivals. Jones finished 20 of 33 for 203 yards, and his 1-yard pass to Meyers put New England ahead 23-14 late in the fourth quarter.

The Dolphins (8-8) entered with a chance to clinch a postseason berth. Instead, Miami lost its fifth straight game and will need to win next week against the Jets and have Buffalo beat New England to qualify for the postseason for the first time since 2016.

Miami played without quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who’s in the concussion protocol for the second time this season.

Bridgewater completed 12

Mark McGwire hit 70 homers for St Louis in 1998 and 65 the following year.

Sammy Sosa had 66, 65 and 63 for the Chicago Cubs during a four-season span starting in 1998.

McGwire admitted using banned steroids, while Bonds and Sosa denied knowingly using performing-enhancing drugs. Major League Baseball didn’t begin testing with penalties for PEDs until 2004.

“It’s an incredible feat,” Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner said.

Judge’s astounding season was about more than just power, though.

Partly because of injuries to teammates, the rocket-armed right fielder shifted to centre much of the season and provided his usual strong defence in both spots. With the Yankees missing DJ LeMahieu at the top of the lineup, Judge batted leadoff at the end of the regular season — which also maximised his plate appearances while pursuing Maris’ record.

He even stole 16 bases, seven more than his previous career high.

of 19 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown before leaving late in the third quarter with an injured right ring finger after being picked off by Dugger.

SAINTS 20, EAGLES 10

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Marshon Lattimore returned an interception 11 yards for a late touchdown, and New Orleans put a serious dent in Philadelphia’s bid for the top seed in the NFC.

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts missed a second straight game with a sprained right shoulder. Philadelphia (13-3) now needs to beat the New York Giants next weekend to secure the conference’s top seed. A loss would give Dallas a shot at the division crown.

The Saints (7-9) won their third straight game but were later eliminated from playoff contention when Green Bay beat Minnesota. Taysom Hill had a 1-yard TD run in New Orleans’ surprising first half.

Andy Dalton, who threw for 204 yards, completed his first 13 passes, including a 58-yard reception by Rashid Shaheed. That play set up one of two field goals by Wil Lutz in the first half that gave the Saints a 13-0 lead.

49ERS 37, RAIDERS 34, OT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Tashaun Gipson intercepted Jarrett Stidham in overtime and returned it 56 yards to set up Robbie Gould’s 23-yard field goal, and San Francisco beat Las Vegas to extend its winning streak to nine games.

The 49ers (12-4) can clinch the No. 2 seed in the NFC with a win against Arizona next week or a loss by Minnesota. San Francisco also has a shot at the No. 1 seed and a bye if Philadelphia loses to the Giants in Week 18.

San Francisco allowed its most points since its most recent loss — 44-23 to Kansas City on October 23.

Christian McCaffrey rushed for 121 yards and caught six passes for 72 yards. He surpassed 1,000 yards rushing for the third season and has scored touchdowns in five consecutive games.

LIONS 41, BEARS 10

DETROIT (AP) — Jared Goff threw three touchdown passes, including two in the first half to Brock Wright, and Detroit

beat Chicago to remain in the playoff chase.

The Lions (8-8) have won seven of nine to give themselves a shot at earning a postseason spot for the first time since 2016 going into their regular-season finale at Green Bay. Detroit needs a win and a loss by Seattle to the Los Angeles Rams. The Justin Fields-led Bears (3-13) took two leads in the opening quarter before collapsing and losing a franchise-record ninth straight game.

Goff completed passes to 10 receivers, went 21 of 29 for 255 yards and did not throw an interception for an eighth consecutive game. Jamaal Williams had a career-high 144 yards rushing on 22 carries — including his 15th rushing TD this season — and D’Andre Swift added 117 yards from scrimmage and two scores.

Fields rushed for 105 yards in the first quarter and finished with 132 yards on the ground, giving him 1,143 this season. The NFL record for rushing yards by a QB is 1,206 by Lamar Jackson in 2019.

CHIEFS 27, BRONCOS 24 KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes threw for 328 yards and three touchdowns, two of them to Jerick McKinnon, and Kansas City overcame another sloppy start to hold off Denver.

Isiah Pacheco and Blake Bell also scored for the Chiefs (13-3), who overcame a 17-13 third-quarter deficit to beat the Broncos for the 15th consecutive time while keeping alive their hopes for the AFC’s No. 1 seed and lone postseason bye.

The Chiefs began the day tied with the Bills, who played Cincinnati last night, for the conference’s best record.

For a while, the Broncos (4-12) looked as if they would cap a chaotic week that began with the firing of first-year coach Nathaniel Hackett in a stunning victory. But a late letdown by one of the league’s best defences, and another interception by embattled quarterback Russell Wilson, resulted in the first loss for interim coach Jerry Rosburg.

JAGUARS 31, TEXANS 3

HOUSTON (AP) — Travis Etienne ran for 108 yards and a touchdown before halftime,

second in the AL with a .311 batting average, falling a few points short of a Triple Crown.

And not to be overlooked, No. 99 in pinstripes played in 157 of 162 regular-season games, carrying the Yankees to their second AL East title in 10 years.

Tyson Campbell returned a fumble for a score and Jacksonville won its fourth straight while snapping a nine-game skid against Houston.

The AFC South-leading Jaguars (8-8) need to beat slumping Tennessee at home next weekend to win the division for the first time since 2017.

Trevor Lawrence threw for 152 yards, but played just one possession in the second half, and Etienne didn’t carry the ball after halftime with the Jaguars up 28-3 on the way to their first win over the Texans since 2017.

COMMANDERS 24, BROWNS 10

LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Carson Wentz threw three interceptions after getting the starting quarterback job back, defensive miscues added up and Washington lost to Cleveland.

The Commanders (7-8-1) were later eliminated from playoff contention when Green Bay beat Minnesota.

Wentz was 16 of 28 for 143 yards, and the offence gained just 261 yards — 96 on Washington’s only touchdown drive.

Fans booed and chanted early on for Taylor Heinicke multiple times after Wentz missed open receivers or lobbed the ball into the hands of a Cleveland defender.

But Wentz remained in the game and struggled to move the ball beyond handing it to rookie running back Brian Robinson Jr, who rushed for 87 yards on 24 carries. The Commanders’ fourth-ranked defence allowed a handful of big plays, including a 46-yard pass from Deshaun Watson to Amari Cooper that became a touchdown when top cornerback Kendall Fuller missed an open-field tackle.

CHARGERS 31, RAMS 10

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Austin Ekeler rushed for 122 yards, scored two touchdowns and became the fifth running back with 100 receptions in a season as the Chargers won the matchup of Los Angeles teams.

Ekeler, who has an NFLleading 18 touchdowns (13 rushing, five receiving), also had a career-best 72-yard TD run midway through the second quarter to extend the Chargers’ lead to 14-3.

It was the third 100yard rushing game in Ekeler’s six-year career and his second this season.

Justin Herbert passed for 212 yards and two touchdowns as the playoff-bound Chargers (10-6) won their fourth straight. Mike Williams had seven receptions for 94 yards, including a one-handed, toe-tapping 18-yard grab along the left sideline late in the second quarter.

FALCONS 20, CARDINALS 19

ATLANTA (AP) — Younghoe Koo made a 21-yard field goal on the final play and Atlanta beat Arizona to end a four-game skid. In a matchup of teams eliminated from playoff

“It’s amazing. Because it wasn’t just the pressure of the home run chase. It was the pressure of, you know, what’s to come?”

BILLS’ HAMLIN COLLAPSES ON FIELD, GETS CPR, GAME SUSPENDED

CINCINNATI (AP) — Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field and appeared to be getting CPR before being driven off the field in an ambulance during last night’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Hamlin collided with Bengals receiver Tee Higgins after a completion, got to his feet and then fell backward a second or two later and lay motionless.

He was surrounded by stunned players from both teams, and when he was taken off the field 16 minutes later, the Bills gathered in prayer.

While medical personnel were gathered around Hamlin, his uniform was cut off and he appeared to be getting CPR. He was strapped to a backboard and moved into the ambulance.

The game was suspended 21 minutes after the injury, and players walked off the field slowly.

The 24-year-old Hamlin is in his second year with the Bills. He didn’t see much playing time as a rookie but has been a much bigger part of Buffalo’s defense this season. Entering the game, the 6-foot, 200pound Hamlin had 91 tackles, including 63 solo tackles, and 1 1/2 sacks.

contention, Atlanta rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder got his first career victory. He was 19 of 26 for 169 yards and no interceptions in his third start as he auditions for a starting job next season.

The Falcons (6-10) improved to 5-8 in onepossession games. They were 7-2 in such games last season.

“He’s everything,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “An amazing two-way player, one of the great players in our sport. He’s an ambassador for the game.”

With a bright, toothy smile that he can’t hold back at times, the 30-yearold Judge led the majors in runs (133), on-base percentage (.425), slugging percentage (.686), OPS (1.111), extra-base hits (90) and total bases (391). He tied for the big league lead with 131 RBIs and finished

“That’s one of the things I love about Aaron: He’s a gentle giant in his interactions with people and kids and whoever, he’s kind and gentle, but he is going to rip your heart out between the lines,” Boone said. “He plays the game with energy, but with a coolness and a swagger and an intensity.”

Judge easily beat out Ohtani, the pitching and hitting phenom, in AL balloting to become the tallest MVP in major league history.

Without a doubt, it was one of the greatest individual seasons in baseball annals. All while playing for a new contract and shouldering the enormous weight of chasing Maris in the second half.

“I don’t think there’s one person that didn’t marvel at that,” Steinbrenner said.

Just before opening day, Judge declined New York’s offer of $213.5 million over seven years (202329) and bet big on himself. He became a free agent in November and cashed in, getting a $360 million, nineyear contract to re-sign with the Yankees — the thirdlargest deal in baseball history.

Once it was done, he was appointed the team’s 16th captain, and first since Derek Jeter retired following the 2014 season.

“Everything about him just screams out leader,” Jeter said. “And everyone says the exact same thing.”

Judge hit his 62nd home run in the penultimate game of the season October 4 at Texas.

With opponents pitching carefully to him, his only homer in the previous 13 games came when he matched Maris on September 28 in Toronto. No. 60 came on September 20 against Pittsburgh.

As he approached the record, MLB Network cut in for live coverage of Judge’s at-bats. Fans stood up when he stepped to the plate, going quiet on each pitch while taking photos and video with their cellphones. “That was a weird experience,” Judge said, chuckling. “Definitely a different scene. But glad I finally got past it. It was definitely a relief.”

After the Yankees won a playoff round, Judge went 1 for 16 and the team was swept in the ALCS by the World Series champion Astros. The four-time AllStar has never reached the Series, and New York hasn’t won a pennant since 2009.

“There’s a lot of unfinished business here,” he said.

Back in 2017, Judge slammed 52 homers to set a rookie record that was soon broken.

Now with the record and big contract, all eyes will be watching his encore in 2023.

“You never know. Maybe 62 is my floor,” Judge said of expectations. “Maybe I’ve got a little bit more in the tank.”

AARON JUDGE (AP)

PACKERS’ Aaron Rodgers runs for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

BILLS safety Damar Hamlin looks on during the second half against the Cleveland Browns on November 20 in Detroit. Hamlin collapsed on the field and appeared to be getting CPR before being driven off the field in an ambulance during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals last night. (AP)

Hield, Mathurin lead Pacers past Raptors for 4th straight

By MARK AMBROGI Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS (AP)

— Bennedict Mathurin scored 21 points and Buddy Hield added 19 to lead the Indiana Pacers to a 122-114 victory over the Toronto Raptors for their fourth consecutive victory last night.

Myles Turner had 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Tyrese Haliburton added 16 points and eight assists for the Pacers.

Gary Trent Jr scored 32 points and Pascal Siakam had 26 for Toronto. Scottie Barnes added 23.

Indiana’s bench outscored Toronto’s reserves 54-7. The second unit included Mathurin, T.J. McConnell (15 points) and Jalen Smith (11 points and 11 rebounds).

“Their starters are a tough matchup for anyone in this league,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said of the Raptors. “They were tough at the start of each half. Our second unit came in and gave us what we needed — force, energy, attacking, unselfish play. They were the difference in the game as a whole.”

Carlisle had special praise for McConnell, who made a career-high seven free throws in seven attempts.

“T.J. McConnell is a once-in-a-decade player,” Carlisle said.

“You don’t find those guys like that who have boundless energy and indomitable spirit that can lift the entire building with one defining loose ball play. His minutes have been a little less. But he gets everything he can out of the minutes.”

McConnell said defence was the difference.

“We locked in and got stops and do what we do best — that’s get out and run,” McConnell said. “We moved the ball and I thought we did that at a high level. Things kind of slowed down. (Mathurin) really bailed us out like he’s done all year. It’s been special to watch.”

Mathurin went 6 of 9 from the field and 7 of 10 on free throws.

“It was amazing the difficulty of some of those shots,” Carlisle said.

The Pacers, who shot 45 percent from the field, had a 50-36 edge in rebounds.

“When you play Toronto, it’s always a possession

game,” Carlisle said. “They keep coming and coming. You have to outlast them.”

With the score tied at 101 in the fourth quarter, Haliburton sank a 3-pointer to put the Pacers ahead for good.

Toronto used a 20-2 run in the third period to take an 83-75 lead. With the Raptors leading 83-77 with 3:25 left in the quarter, O.G. Anunoby was called for a technical foul after pushing Mathurin.

Mathurin missed the technical free throw, but he scored six points, including a step-back 3-pointer, the rest of the quarter to help the Pacers grab a 91-90 lead after three.

“I’m trying to go with the flow,” Mathurin said. “I had a couple opportunities and went to the rim and got fouled a lot. I was trying to get myself going through my defence.”

Toronto led by 13 in the first quarter before settling for a 33-29 advantage after one.

Trailing 47-42 with 7:26 left in the first half, the Pacers outscored the Raptors 24-10 the remainder of the half to take a 66-57 halftime lead.

TIP-INS Raptors: Precious Achiuwa played his first game since injuring his right ankle November 9 against Miami. Achiuwa scored three points in 12 minutes. Fred VanVleet started after missing two games with back spams. VanVleet scored nine points on 3-of15 shooting.

Pacers: Indiana is 13-7 at home. The Pacers had 31 consecutive seasons of winning home records snapped in 2021. Hield hit four 3-pointers and has made four or more in six straight games.

Chris Duarte went down in pain in the fourth quarter and went to the locker room. He was holding his left ankle. He missed six weeks earlier this season with a sprained left ankle.

KNICKS 102, SUNS 83

NEW YORK (AP) — Julius Randle had 28 points and 16 rebounds to lead the New York Knicks to a 102-83 win over the Phoenix Suns yesterday in New York.

Jalen Brunson, who returned after missing three games with a sore right hip, scored 24 points. Immanuel Quickley scored 15 points,

Quentin Grimes had 12 and Mitchell Robinson finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Knicks.

Deandre Ayton led Phoenix with 12 points. Chris Paul had 11 and Mikal Bridges added 10.

The Suns, who lost for the sixth time in their last seven games, scored the first four points of the game. The Knicks followed with the next 14 and led the rest of the way.

Monday’s win snapped a three-game home losing streak.

NETS 139, SPURS 103

NEW YORK (AP) — Kyrie Irving made his first seven shots, sparked a big bench celebration with a one-handed follow slam after he finally missed and scored 27 points as Brooklyn earned a 12th straight victory.

Kevin Durant added 25 points and 11 assists for the Nets (25-12), who have ridden the longest winning in the NBA this season to within a game of Boston for the best record in the league. Brooklyn has won 16 of its last 17 games.

Irving shot 11 for 14, Durant was 10 for 14 and neither played in the fourth quarter for the Nets, who are 23-7 under Jacque Vaughn. T.J. Warren finished with 18 points and Brooklyn shot 62 percent from the field.

Keldon Johnson scored 22 points for the Spurs. 76ERS 120, PELICANS 111

PHILADELPHIA (AP)

— Joel Embiid had 42 points and 11 rebounds, James Harden scored 27 and Philadelphia beat a

New Orleans team that lost Zion Williamson to a strained right hamstring. Williamson scored 26 points on 10-of-12 shooting through three quarters before he left for the locker room in the fourth. Williamson pulled up on a fastbreak and handed off the ball late in the third. Williamson, averaging 26 points, gingerly ran to the corner and lingered on the court for a bit before he was lifted from the game.

CJ McCollum scored 26 points for the Pelicans.

LAKERS 121, HORNETS 115

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — LeBron James scored 43 points to pull within 500 of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s NBA career scoring record, and Los Angeles avenged last month’s home loss to Charlotte.

James had two dunks on alley-oops, including a highflying reverse slam off a feed from Dennis Schroder, to push his career total to 37,903 points, leaving him 484 behind Abdul-Jabbar’s long-standing record of 38,387.

Thomas Bryant had 18 points and 15 rebounds, and Austin Reaves and Schroder each had 15 points as the Lakers finished a 3-2 road trip.

Terry Rozier had 27 points to lead the Hornets, who have lost 13 of their last 16 games. LaMelo Ball added 24 points and Mason Plumlee had 18 points and 14 rebounds for Charlotte.

CAVALIERS 145, BULLS 134, OT CLEVELAND (AP) — Donovan Mitchell set a Cleveland record with 71

points, the most by an NBA player in 17 years, and the Cavaliers rallied from 21 down to beat Chicago in overtime.

Mitchell forced OT by grabbing his own intentionally missed free throw and making a circus-shot with 3 seconds left, tying the game at 130.

Jarrett Allen added 21 points for the Cavs and Cedi Osman scored 19.

DeMar DeRozan scored 44 points, Zach LeVine had 26 points and Nikola Vucevic added 20 points and 13 rebounds for Chicago, which did not trail in regulation.

MAVERICKS 111, ROCKETS 106

HOUSTON (AP) — Luka Doncic had 39 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists as Dallas rallied from an 18-point second half deficit to beat Houston for the Mavericks’ seventh straight win.

Doncic scored 29 of his points in the second half to lead the comeback. Doncic has scored at least 32 points in each of the last six games, including three 50-point games during that span.

Christian Wood added 21 points, and Tim Hardaway Jr scored 21 points for Dallas, which has their longest winning streak since the 2010-11 season.

Kevin Porter Jr had 25 points, Jalen Green added 20 points and Eric Gordon scored 19 points for the Rockets, who lost their fourth straight and seventh straight at home.

TIMBERWOLVES 124, NUGGETS 111 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Anthony Edwards scored 29 points, including 15 in the third quarter, to help Minnesota withstand a push by Denver.

Jaden McDaniels had 21 points and Kyle Anderson added 19 for Minnesota, which snapped a six-game losing streak and won its fourth in a row against Denver.

Nikola Jokic finished with 24 points, seven rebounds and nine assists for the Nuggets, and Jamal Murray added 14 points after a scoreless first-half.

Bones Hyland added 18 points off the bench, but Denver was undone by its sluggish start on the second game of a back-to-back following Sunday’s home win against Boston.

The Nuggets had won 10 of their previous 12 games.

TEEN PRODIGY VICTOR MVP IN FRENCH LEAGUE’S ALLSTAR GAME

PARIS (AP) — French teen prodigy Victor Wembanyama embellished his fast-growing reputation when he became the youngest MVP in the French league’s All-Star game.

The 18-year-old Wembanyama finished with 27 points, 12 rebounds and four assists on Thursday night as the All-Star France team won 136128 against the All-Star World team — an annual contest between French and non-French players in the French league’s LNB.

The 7-foot-3 Wembanyama is considered the likely top pick in the 2023 NBA draft next June and is a near-certainty to be the first top-five draft pick from France. In the two months since his jaw-dropping performances in two exhibition games in Las Vegas, “Wembamania” has swept France with sold-out games whenever he plays for Paris-based Metropolitans 92.

Wembanyama is leading the French league with averages of 22.9 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. And those are his final numbers as an 18-year-old. He turns 19 on January 4, 2023.

He hit a purple patch from early November to early December with a streak of four consecutive 30-or-more-point games.

Wembanyama’s international career got off to a good start and he is 2-0 with Olympic silver medallist France, with 39 points scored and 13 rebounds in those two games.

France plays Lithuania and the Czech Republic in February.

By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer

HANSEL Enmanuel paused for a moment and then reached for his left leg.

“I’m going to show you something I haven’t shown nobody,” he said, slowly lifting the leg of his sweatpants until the leg is exposed to the thigh. “Look.”

He pointed to scar after scar after scar down the length of the leg of an internet sensation, a one-armed basketball player for Northwestern State who stands 6-foot-6. It is the physical evidence of a grim time etched deep, a lifelong reminder of a journey that has brought him to Division I basketball.

“You see all this right here?” he asked during a recent interview at a Houston hotel. “That’s because every time I fall… (that) happened.”

He shook his head before continuing.

“That time was too hard for me,” he said. “That was crazy because I didn’t think it was going to happen.”

The 19-year-old Enmanuel has drawn attention for several years now after videos went viral showing him dunking with ease in high school. Dribbling past opponents intent on shutting him down. Draining 3-pointers. Sinking turnaround fadeaways.

All with just his right arm.

It looks almost effortless when he plays. It’s not. It never has been.

Enmanuel was 6 and living in the Dominican Republic when he playing with friends, climbing a wall. It wasn’t stable and it fell over him, pinning his left arm. He was rushed to the hospital, but doctors couldn’t save his arm and it was amputated several inches below the shoulder.

He was hospitalised for about six months. It was a dark time for Enmanuel and his family.

“When the accident happened, I was thinking like: ‘What am I going to do now?’” he said. “I was thinking: ‘It’s over for me.’”

By the end of his hospitalisation, Enmanuel said his mental approach had improved thanks to his relationship with God. Slowly, things got better.

Small things became huge victories. He vividly remembers the first time he tied his shoes. Months after the accident, Enmanuel tried basketball, too.

His missing arm left him lacking balance. With his equilibrium off, every time he tried to run, he’d crash to the ground, falling on debris strewn across the makeshift courts he played on. The scars piled up. So did his confidence as he gained experience.

By 13, he started attending camps and tournaments in the United States and he

began to realise just how good he could be. He first dunked at 14 and it wasn’t long before his internet celebrity started to grow along with the views on those videos.

He played high school ball in Kissimmee, Florida, and was considered a top prospect as a senior, when he averaged 25.9 points, 11 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 3.4 blocks per game.

It wasn’t the highlightreel plays that piqued Northwestern State coach Corey Gipson’s interest. He liked his attitude and the way he carried himself on the court.

“Hansel is a very resilient person, which makes

him a very resilient player,” Gipson said. “That mindset translates to the game. When you see him on the floor, you just see a formidable force that doesn’t take anything for granted.”

As a freshman on Gipson’s team, Enmanuel has seen limited minutes. But he has shown flashes of the skills that made him famous before he stepped on campus.

On December 10 against Louisiana-Monroe, Enmanuel scored the first points of his collegiate career, finishing with five points. A layup, a free throw. But he capped the performance in stunning fashion when he missed a free throw,

grabbed the rebound and finished with a thunderous dunk.

Gipson and Enmanuel’s teammates understand the interest in him is amplified because he’s missing an arm. To them, he’s just one of the guys.

Gipson, who is also in his first year at Northwestern State, shared a story from early in camp that perfectly illustrated that point. When a player makes a mistake in practice, Gipson makes them do fingertip pushups. He ordered Enmanuel to do it after a miscue, then immediately felt bad and said he could do sit ups instead.

Enmanuel refused: “No, coach.”

As he struggled to complete the task, teammate Cedric Garrett sprang into action, grabbing his midsection to help.

“And when they grabbed him by the waist, he got down and he did it. He dug down and he did it,” Gipson said. “And from that moment on, the team, the staff and everybody (said): ‘Hey, we are all on the same page. Nobody’s... asking for entitled treatment, but, dadgum, if Hansel is not asking for any favours, nobody else better... ask for any.’”

Northwestern State President Marcus Jones was instrumental in Enmanuel signing with the school in Natchitoches, Louisiana,

because he’s fluent in Spanish and helped assuage the concerns his Spanish-speaking parents had about his transition to college.

“We had an opportunity to talk about the university and what they wanted to see happen to their to their son,” Jones said. “They didn’t want him to be treated as a number and just as a showpiece.”

The reaction people have had to Enmanuel playing college basketball has overwhelmed Jones.

“Having a Hansel at Northwestern, you cannot imagine the number of calls and emails and messages that I’ve gotten from individuals who have children who have disabilities and saying how great it is to see Hansel essentially overcome that and be able to play at this level,” he said.

Enmanuel’s celebrity has also led to endorsement deals with Adidas and Gatorade, among others. He has high goals, too, including the NBA.

“That’s the big goal,” he said. “Nobody is going to stop me. Only God.”

Another aspiration is to one day become a motivational speaker so he can share his story.

“I think that’s my perfect … destiny God gave to me,” he said. “To be that person so I can inspire some people and motivate a lot of people. Yeah, I can be a positive.”

HANSEL ENMANUEL, a freshman guard from the Dominican Republic for Northwestern State, practices dunks during warm-ups before an NCAA college basketball game against Rice on December 17. Enmanuel lost his left arm in a childhood accident and has attained the talent and skill to play at the college level.

(AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

VICTOR Wembanyama

INDIANA Pacers’ Chavano “Buddy” Hield reacts after hitting a shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the LA Clippers on Saturday in Indianapolis. Last night, he scored 19 points in the Pacers’ win over the Toronto Raptors. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Hats off to them,” said CI Gibson’s coach Kevin ‘KJ’ Johnson, who also heads the Providence Storm Basketball Club. “On the flip side, my boys never got into the flow of the game.

“Not taking anything away from Prince Will, but we missed far too many free throws and far too many lay-ups and we had no energy on the defensive end, but we were able to win a grind out game that the fans enjoyed. So we will take the win.”

Johnson said they will go back to the drawing board and get ready for the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association season in January. Hopefully, they can correct the mistakes they made and be in contention to have a successful season.

For Jordan Prince Williams, Jakavo Kemp scored 15, 14 of which came in the second half; Trevon Clarke had 14; Kamari Minns 13, including 11, three of which were three-pointers, in the first half and Backley Cadet helped out with 12, including 10 in the second half.

Despite the loss, Falcons’ coach Ernest Saunders said they provided the excitement for the fans to enjoy.

“We did a great job. At the end of the day, we played a great team with a great coach, so we have to tip our hats off to them,” he stated. “As time goes

SAC

FROM PAGE 15

with four. In what started out as a real defensive battle, SAC ran into a problem after Scott picked up her third foul in the first quarter and had to sit down the rest of the period. Gibson also picked up her third foul, but she stayed in.

For CV Bethel, Terrell McCoy got her fourth foul and Crishae Kemp had to help off the court with a slight left ankle injury before she would return, but only for a brief period. McCoy also came back, but she didn’t last long before she fouled out.

In what turned out to be a real defensive battle, most of the points for both teams in the period were generated in the paint and from the foul line until Bethel hit a three-pointer for a 15-11 lead for the Stingrays, who went on to post a 19-17 margin at the half.

With McCoy on the bench, SAC picked up their intensity as they ran the ball and went up 23-19. A pair of three-pointers from Sands and Scott extended their lead to 30-25. Up 32-27, McCoy fouled out.

Down the stretch, Moultrie took over on both ends of the court, but Bodie hit a three-pointer to cut the deficit to three, 38-35. From there, Moultrie directed the show, either getting a block or rebound to start the offensive fast break.

• Here’s how they got out of the semifinals:

CV Bethel 15, Freedom Baptist 12: Danielle McCoy scored 13 points and

on, we will get better. I’m looking forward to playing them again. I wish we could play them every day because they will only make us better.”

As Jordan Prince Williams gears up for their participation in the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools (BAISS) season, Saunders said they will review the video recording of the game and develop a sense of patience when executing their plays on the court.

The Falcons didn’t execute enough patience to get the right shot off twice in the winding seconds of the game that prevented them from pulling off the victory. With 20.5 seconds left on the clock, Delia drove

Geranque Bethel had 10 as the Stingrays pulled away from a 17-10 first quarter lead to win their senior girls semi-final match-up.

Shanika Darins had six in the loss.

St Augustine’s College 37, CI Gibson 30: Antonicia Moultrie drove in for a game high 17 points, including 13 in the second half for the Big Red Machine, who rolled out to a 18-10 lead at the half.

Teanna Gibson had 11 and Ananna Gomez five and Dior-Ray Scott chipped in with four.

Jada Francis had 16, including 14 in the second half and Trenea Greene and Philippa Ferguson helped out with six and four respectively in the loss for the Rattlers.

Named to the All-Tournament team for the senior girls are the following players:

Freedom Baptist – Weddslinnesi Alexis and Shanika Darins; CV Bethel – Geraniqua Bethel, Trinity Bodie and Danielle McCoy; St Augustine’s College –Teanna Gibson, Antonicia Moultrie and Dior-Rae Scott and CI Gibson – Jada Wilson and Trenae Greene.

Winning the individual awards were the following players:

Most rebounds- Antonicia Moultrie – St Augustine’s College; most assists – Dior-Rae Scott – St Augustine’s College; most blocks – Antonicia Moultrie – St Augustine’s College; defensive player – Antonicia Moultrie; offensive player – Danielle McCoy –CV Bethel and tournament MVP – Antonicia Moultrie.

to the baseline for an easy lay-up for a 60-59 lead for CI Gibson.

Jordan Prince Williams came back at the other end and turned the ball over.

With 4.3 seconds, Rolle converted just one of three free throws for the Rattlers, but the Falcons couldn’t hit their final shot as time expired.

Semifinal action CI Gibson A 34, CC

Sweeting 26:

Tayshon Butler and James Delia provided a 2-2 punch for the Rattlers with 15 and 12 points respectively as they held onto their 18-17 halftime lead to advance to the championship.

Jamerolston Vil scored nine, Jason Williams had six, Tavari Roker five and

Mateo Minnis four in a losing effort for the Cobras.

Jordan Prince Williams 41, Doris Johnson 38: The Falcons led 26-19 at the half, thanks to Backley Cadet’s 12 points and they held on in the second half for the win. Kamari Minns scored 10; Keino Stuart added nine and Jakano Kemp chipped in with six.

Laterrio Young scored a game high 20, Torrien Marshall had nine and Khyze Smith five in the loss for the Mystic Marlins.

• Here’s how they got out of the pool championships

Pool D championship

Doris Johnson A 35, Charles W. Saunders 34: Ryan Lewis hit a threepointer to seal the win for the Mystic Marlins. He finished with six. Laterrio

Young had nine, Torrien Marshall eight and JayOnn Joseph chipped in with seven. Doris Johnson led 20-9 at the half.

Romial Lightbourne scored nine, Tenaj Strachan had seven and both Raymon Woodside and Traymon Pickstock had six in the loss.

Pool C championship

CC Sweeting 32, Queen’s College 7: Mateo Minnis scored a game high 15 points to pace the Cobras, who led 22-6 at the half.

The Comets, with only five players in uniform, scored just one point in the second half. Daniel Rolle led their attack with five.

Pool B championship

Jordan Prince Williams 27, CI Gibson B 17: Kamari Minns scored 10 points and

both Devon Ferguson and Keino Stuart both had six in the win for the Falcons, who came from a 13-9 deficit at the half.

Prince Wheatley had 11 points in a losing effort.

Pool A championship CI Gibson A def. 66, Doris Johnson B 21: James Delia scored 19 points, including eight in the second half, along with Gerard Rolle had eight of his 15 in the second half for the Rattlers. Tayshon Butler added 11 points.

Brendon Williams had 15 and Timothy Adderley six in the loss.

Named to the All-Tournament team for senior boys are the following players:

CC Sweeting – Jamerolston Vil; Queen’s College – Leo Burrows; Jordan Prince Williams –Kamari Minns and Jakavo Kemp; Doris Johnson A –Laterrio Young and Torrien Marshall; CV Bethel –Derick Edgecombe; Agape – Jason Williams and CI Gibson A – James Delia and Gerrard Rolle.

Winning the individual awards were the following players:

Most rebounds – Leo Burrows – Queen’s College; most assists – Laterrio Young – Doris Johnson; most blocks – Kaman Minns – Jordan Prince Williams; defensive player – Laterrio Young – Doris Johnson; most offensive player – James Delia and tournament MVP – Gerrard Rolle – CI Gibson.

Monday, January 2nd, 2023 CROSSWORD PUZZLE

FALCONS

FROM PAGE 15

St John’s College 28, DW Davis 12: Leonardo Rolle scored a game high 10 points and Christopher Francis added six in the win for the Giants, who led 16-3 at the half.

Windisky Paul had six in the loss.

Named the All-Tournament team for the junior boys were the following players: St John’s College – Leonardo Rolle, Ranault Lewis and Jamal Gibson; Jordan Prince Williams – Broc

Winning the individual awards were the following: Most rebounds – Michael Munnings (Jordan Prince Williams); most assists –Akeem Major (Jordan Prince Williams); most block shots – Ranault Lewis (St John’s College); defensive player – Ranault Lewis (St John’s College); offensive player – Leonardo Rolle (St John’s College); Tournament MVP – Broc Glinton (Jordan Prince Williams).

11 Cormorant, 12 Neurotic, 13 Adept, 15 Annoyed, 17 Trawler, 19 Elevate, 21 Disturb, 22 Pecan, 24 Appraise, 27 Reconcile, 28 Knave, 29 Suez, 30 Under wraps.

Down: 1 Pool, 2 Vengeance, 3 Toper, 4 Excited, 5 Apricot, 7 Amaze, 8 Set store by, 9 Nowadays, 14 Take up arms, 16 Yearning, 18 Louisiana, 20 Evasion, 21 Deplete, 23 Cycle, 25 Askew, 26 News.

Glinton, Michael Munnings and Condae Smith; Apage – Tayshawn Clarke and Joshua Cornish and DW Davis – Darius Hanna.

JUNIOR boys MVP Broc Glinton, of Jordan Prince Williams, gets his award.

COACH Kevin Johnson shares a moment with MVP Gerrard Rolle.

JORDAN Prince Williams Falcons with their runners-up awards in the senior boys’ division of the Providence Storm Basketball Club Holiday Classic on Friday night.

ST Augustine’s College Big Red Machine senior girls with their championship awards.

COMMISSION DENIES CLAIMS BY FTX’S CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Debtors”), in both the press and court filings.

“On December 30, 2022, the Chapter 11 Debtors publicly challenged the Commission’s calculations of the digital assets which were transferred to digital wallets controlled by the Commission on November 12, 2022, for safekeeping in the exercise of its powers as regulator acting under the authority of an Order made by the Supreme Court of The Bahamas. Such public assertions by the Chapter 11 Debtors were based on incomplete information. The Chapter 11 Debtors chose not to utilize their ability to request information from the Joint Provisional Liquidators pursuant to a court

order of the Supreme Court of The Bahamas that the Commission obtained in an effort to allow the Chapter 11 Debtors to obtain this information. The US Debtors’ continued lack of diligence when making public statements concerning the Commission is disappointing, and reflects a cavalier attitude towards the truth and towards The Bahamas that has been displayed by the current officers of the Chapter 11 Debtors from the date of their appointment by Sam Bankman-Fried.”

The statement continued: “Previously, Mr. Ray made public statements alleging that the Commission gave instructions to ‘mint a substantial amount of new tokens’. These statements were made in a court filing

WORLD MARKETS MIXED

By ELAINE KURTENBACH AP Business Writer

SHARES began the year mixed, with European benchmarks opening higher on Monday after a lackluster session for the few

Asian markets not closed for New Year holidays.

U.S. markets are also closed.

This week brings employment data and minutes from the latest meeting of the Federal Reserve, as 2023 begins with persisting uncertainties over the war

on December 12, 2022, without evidence, and then made again under oath, on December 13, before the United States’ House Financial Services Committee. Statements suggesting that Bahamian officials directed FTX employees to mint US$300m in new FTT tokens were widely reported by the international press. Such unfounded statements have the impact of promoting mistrust of public institutions in The Bahamas. The Commission addressed the process by which it took possession of digital assets under the custody or control of FTX Digital Markets Ltd. (“FTXDM”) or its principals, both in a court filing and, its statement of December 29, 2022.”

The release also said: “The Chapter 11 Debtors have also alleged that the digital assets controlled by the Commission in trust for the benefit of customers and creditors of FTXDM were stolen, without providing any substantiated bases for such claims, particularly, as to their claims to ownership of the assets. Per US Debtors’ own court filings, they appear to recognise that there are disputed claims to those assets. As the Chapter 11 Debtors’ own filings reveal, Ryne Miller, General Counsel of FTX US, stated “As long as it’s custodied somewhere safe, we can sort it out as the time goes”. Mr Miller correctly recognized what the Commission recognised at the time: that it was vital that assets be custodied

somewhere safe to secure those assets, and allow any disputed claims to those assets to be resolved at a later date.”

The commission went on to say that Mr Ray had never reached out to confirm any information before making allegations. The statement said: “Mr Ray has not once reached out to the Commission to discuss any of his concerns before airing them publicly.

The Commission has still not received a response to its 7 December 2022 letter to Mr Ray offering cooperation with Chapter 11 Debtors. The Commission is extremely concerned that its investigation (particularly the gathering of critical supporting evidence) is being impeded by the Chapter 11 Debtors’

500 ENDS WORST YEAR SINCE 2008

in Ukraine and over the risk that interest rate hikes meant to tame inflation might lead to recession.

Germany’s DAX gained 0.5% in early trading to 13,996.02 and the CAC40 in Paris added 0.7% to 6,520.71. Markets in Britain and in the U.S. are closed

Monday in observance of the New Year’s Day holiday.

In Asia, South Korea’s Kospi fell 0.5% to 2,225.67 and the Sensex in Mumbai gained 0.4% to 61,109.23. Jakarta’s benchmark was flat. Over the weekend, a report showed that Chinese manufacturing contracted

for a third consecutive month in December, in the biggest drop since February 2020, as the country grapples with a nationwide COVID-19 surge after suddenly easing anti-epidemic measures.

A monthly purchasing managers’ index declined to

insistence on not allowing the Court Supervised Joint Provisional Liquidators access to FTX’s AWS system.

“The Commission notes that proceedings being conducted by the authorities in relevant jurisdictions should have the dual aim of pursuing justice and ensuring that all customers and creditors of FTX be made whole, with the support and cooperation among supervisory authorities in each country. To this end, the Commission hopes that the Chapter 11 Debtors proceed with these matters in good faith and the best interest of customers and creditors of FTX.”

47.0 from 48.0 in November, according to data released from the National Bureau of Statistics on Saturday. Numbers below 50 indicate a contraction in activity. It’s uncertain what impact removing strict COVID-19 policies that crimped production for raw materials and goods and discouraged travel will have on the global economy.

Saturday Sunday Monday

a.m. 2.7 11:42 a.m. 0.2 5:23 p.m. 2.0 11:27 p.m. -0.1 5:57 a.m. 2.7 12:29 p.m. 0.1 6:09 p.m. 2.0

6:39 a.m. 2.8 12:11 a.m. -0.2 6:52 p.m. 2.0 1:11 p.m. 0.0

7:20 a.m. 2.8 12:52 a.m. -0.2 7:33 p.m. 2.0 1:51 p.m. 0.0

7:58 a.m. 2.8 1:32 a.m. -0.1

8:12 p.m. 2.0 2:29 p.m. 0.0

8:36 a.m. 2.8 2:11 a.m. -0.1 8:51 p.m. 2.1 3:06 p.m. 0.0 9:12 a.m. 2.7 2:50 a.m. 0.0 9:31 p.m. 2.1 3:42 p.m. 0.1

A massive U-turn in China

Having maintained a strict zeroCOVID policy for almost three years, the Chinese government had become a prisoner of it.

The strategy was designed to address the low vaccination rates of the elderly population (80 million people aged 80+ years are not vaccinated and 44% of the population did not receive the third dose, this percentage rising to 60% among people aged 80+ years). And, although studies in Hong Kong comparing CoronaVac with BioNTech’s vaccine have not been conclusive, the Chinese government did not seem to have much confidence in the degree of immunity provided by their own vaccines.

Authorities in Beijing feared that relaxing the strict COVID rules would lead to a significant increase in the number of deaths, with some estimations pointing at more than a million fatalities in the short term, and a huge number of admissions of patients with COVID that could congest hospitals (the number of beds in ICUs in Chinese

hospitals is lower than in the West). Despite the World Health Organization having publicly declared the COVID-zero policy as unsustainable, the fact is that until the 20th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC), in October of this year, political priorities remained unchanged.

After the popular uprising against the endless zero-COVID policy, in late November, and with economic stability at stake, the Chinese government realized that it needed to revise policies, albeit without saying so clearly. On December 7, a ten-point plan was approved, giving freedom to provincial authorities in how to deal with COVID. This led to reductions in quarantine periods and a more rational and focused application of lockdowns and mass testing. Another significant

change was the downgrading of the condition, from infectious disease A to B.

The Chinese government’s decision to, in practice, end the COVIDzero policy, will allow it to relaunch economic growth. However, the move entails obvious social and health risks, as stems from data on unvaccinated elderly people or without a first booster dose, as well as the limited ICU bed capacity in hospitals.

This policy change contains important lessons. In the Chinese Party-State, all leaders - whether at state, provincial or public company level - know that decisions triggering serious disruptions of public order and social stability can have serious consequences, especially for the decision makers. In this case, with demonstrations taking place spontaneously in

numerous cities in China, it was clear that the responsibility did not lie with local or provincial authorities.

China was the only country left in the world with a zero-covid policy, and the resentment of the population, after crowds of unmasked football fans in Qatar were shown on TV, was approaching dangerous levels. Against this

SKYLINE AT DUSK

background, the CCP leadership was forced to react, completely changing course to preserve political and social stability, and avoid losing authority.

Despite the removal of leaders like Li Keqiang, who symbolised the primacy of economic growth, the new Party leadership proved to be attentive and quickly reversed course,

before the slowdown of the Chinese economy triggered a recession. Such a scenario would have called into question the pact underlying the CCP’s Mandate of Heaven (reduction of the sphere of political and civil rights in return for economic growth and individual prosperity), threatening the very foundations of the regime.

Contractor: I’m not to blame over Treasure Cay sewerage

A CONTRACTOR for the Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) has said he is not the one to blame for problems residents of Treasure Cay are experiencing with their sewerage system.

Gregory Miller, Sr, owner and operator of Apex Underground Utilities, said he is just one of the contractors on the Treasure Cay Sewerage System Rehabilitation Project, and it was not him who abandoned sewer works there over the holiday period.

Along with Apex, there is BRON Ltd and an additional sewerage pumping contractor.

Treasure Cay residents had to endure a Christmas holiday with their sewerage backing up into their homes, due to the damage still left over from Hurricane Dorian in 2019.

Residents have to pump their own sewerage and dispose of it themselves, which has not only become costly over time but cumbersome as they have to call a private contractor to pump sewerage waste from each individual home.

Mr Miller also said: “I want to clarify there is more than one contractor on this project. I am the WSC private contractor who has been contracted to install the new lift stations and the force mains.”

Apex has been off duty for one day only since being mobilised on the project and that is on Christmas Day when they were asked by the residents to take the day off so they can have a motorcade without all of the heavy equipment littering the roadways. “Boxing Day we were right back on the job site,” Mr Miller added.

Currently, the truck that pumps the sewerage is reportedly down and the

contractor has not given any indication as to when it will be up and running again. Despite this, residents of Treasure Cay have already donated $350,000 to WSC to have this matter resolved, but delays in shipping of materials is posing a challenge to contractors doing the work.

He added: “Most of the hindrance has been the weather and material procurement because when we quoted the job we quoted it for all of the materials to come in at one time, but we still have to go and clear material now six months later.

“The completion date should be in February and the homeowners are aware of this. What they were more upset about is the communication breakdown [between] WSC and the homeowners association, but all of the homeowners association leadership has given us high marks and praise for our level of our work.”

On Friday, Treasure Cay homeowner representatives Bill McLean and Dan Proctor from the Sewer Task Force met WSC Board chairman Sylvanus Petty, North Abaco MP Kirk Cornish, Mr Miller and other representatives from WSC in an attempt to urgently resolve the recent sewage overflow issues.

The meeting was coordinated by developer Craig Roberts and held at The Bahama Beach Club.

Top executives from WSC Robert Deal, the general manager, deputy general manager Cyprian Gibson, and assistant general manager Gregory Stubbs communicated from Head Office through a WhatsApp conference call.

Discussions involved the septic trucking contractor problems over the past week, which created challenges to water and sewage usage to several hundred residents and tourists.

A series of corrective options were explored and

firm plans were agreed upon to address the timely removal of lift station waste safely, in compliance with the rules and regulations governing such operations, and inspect and make repair recommendations based on technical findings to the community injection well.

The parties also agreed to establish an enhanced communication network to include all relevant stakeholders in an effort to expedite resolution should any future issues arise. Relief for residents was promised to start on a consistent basis within 24 hours.

(242)323-2330 (242) 323-2320 www.bisxbahamas.com

39.95 39.950.00 0.9321.26042.93.15% 2.761.60Benchmark 5.35%

0.0000.0000.0000.00%

17-Nov-2030 15-Feb-2031 15-Jul-2039 15-Jun-2040 4.53% 5.00% 29-Jul-2023 15-Jan-2039 15-Oct-2049 17-Jan-2040 15-Jun-2030 5.65% 5.35% 5.00%

25-Jul-2026 26-Jul-2037 26-Jul-2035

22-Sep-2033

30-Sep-2025 30-Sep-2022

BEIJING

L-R: Mr. Desmond Johnson, Dan Proctor, Bill McLean, WSC Chairman Petty MP Nth El, Kirk Cornish MP Nth Ab, Anthony Bostwick WSC Consultant, Mr. Curry, Mr. Gregory Miller, Mr. Travaughn Evans.

FTX claim over $300m in assets

FROM

JPLs in their separate liquidation proceedings simultaneously underway in the Bahamas Supreme Court over the collapsed cryptocurrency exchange.

The court documents state: “First, the Motion to Compel is premature. This Court has neither recognised the provisional liquidation of FTX Digital Markets Ltd. (“FTX DM”) as a foreign proceeding, nor recognised Messrs Simms, Cambridge, and Greaves (the “JPLs”) as foreign representatives. Chapter 15 of the Bankruptcy Code (“Chapter 15”) requires both. Only ‘upon recognition of a foreign proceeding’ are the foreign representatives ‘entitled to participate as a party in

interest in a case regarding the debtor under this title.’ 11 USC § 1512. The Motion to Compel puts the cart before the horse. Recognition must be addressed first. Until recognition, the JPLs are not parties in interest.

“Second, the Motion to Compel is premised on inaccurate factual assumptions regarding the ownership of the materials sought by the JPLs. The JPLs make no showing, prima facie or otherwise, that any of the materials sought through the Motion to Compel are assets of FTX DM. They are not. The materials are resident within computer architecture that is property of the Debtors. FTX DM has no contractual right to any of these materials or access to the architecture. Thus, the Motion to

Compel is not a motion to compel the Debtors to turnover FTX DM property to the JPLs. Instead, it is a motion to compel the production of information owned by the Debtors only available through discovery. As to such discovery, the Debtors have objections to the breadth of the requests, the relevance of the requests, and the unreasonable burden the requests would impose on the Debtors. Notwithstanding the JPLs’ lack of any right to the materials demanded, the Debtors have made a good faith proposal that should resolve the pending dispute, as described below, to provide documents and information to the JPLs relating to FTX DM and the services it provided.”

They further argued that the motion to compel is based on “inaccurate factual assumptions” about FTX DM in that it was never the centre of the FTX Group and was “virtually a nullity” in the FTX Group and essentially served as a match-maker for the group. The court documents also said: “The objections are premised on, among other things, clear evidence that (a) nearly $100m of the Debtors’ cryptocurrency assets were released to account holders identified as Bahamian residents during a 25.5-hour period that began on November 10, 2022, the day that the PL was commenced, and continued to midday on November 11, 2022, the day that these Chapter 11 Cases were commenced, during

which time Mr Simms was in control of FTX DM, and (b) on November 11 and November 12, 2022, digital assets located in digital wallets of the Debtors, worth at the time approximately $300m, were taken by some combination of the SCB, Mr Simms, Mr Bankman-Fried, and Mr Wang. Allowing the withdrawals and taking the digital assets both violated the automatic stay. Those purporting to be foreign representatives who have, without explanation, either violated the automatic stay or aided and abetted violations of the automatic stay by others, are not entitled to recognition. Discovery, both documentary and depositions, as well as an evidentiary hearing will be required. A schedule for discovery and trial will

need to be approved by the Court.”

It continued that “the stunning press release issued late yesterday, on December 29, 2022, by the SCB, along with certain related materials, is a game changer. The press release (and the supporting affidavit of the Executive Director of the Commission) boldly admits that the Commission violated the automatic stay in taking certain of the Debtors’ digital assets and then recklessly values the assets taken at $3.5bn, the disclosures demonstrate conclusively that the JPLs and the Commission are cooperating closely to do an end run around this Court and Chapter 11”.

BPL charging customers ‘against the law’ says FNM

FROM PAGE A24

months, keeping track of the actual cost of fuel in an “over-under” recovery account, and was required to adjust the fuel rate during the 12-month period if the actual price of fuel was +/5 percent of the flat fuel fee that was being charged to customers. In examining what happened to the fuel charged when the Davis administration failed to conduct the requested fuel hedge transaction in October 2021, and the resulting press release from BPL in

February 2022 to increase the fuel charge by more than 30 percent, the Davis administration made a decision to ‘subsidize’ the fuel costs to the tune of millions of dollars per month, possibly circumventing the law at that time.

The current administration led by Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis decided to scrap the fuel hedging strategy left in place by the former FNM administration of Dr Hubert Minnis, which would have reduced the cost of electricity for consumers

over the next three years. Instead, the Davis administration decided to increase rates on consumers in October, citing BPL’s inability to meet the demand and pay off its bill simultaneously.

Plans to raise customers’ fuel charges were initially announced by BPL in late February last year but the company later recalled the statement with government officials calling the announcement premature and ultimately denying the company approval for the increase.

Bahamas warning of ‘US airspace ban’

FROM PAGE A24

Department of Transportation to do something about it on their behalf or they will be forced to stop flying into The Bahamas. In addition, they are asking for US authorities to ban all flights coming out of The Bahamas into the US until this matter is resolved.

Mr Hamilton said a ban on Bahamas-based flights into the US “cannot be accommodated” and is urging the government to do something about the matter before it escalates.

Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism,

Investments and Aviation, said The Bahamas has a right to collect overflight fees and the government will defend that right and respond to the US airlines and relevant authorities in due course.

Mr Hamilton said: “This is the fundamental thing about this conversation and the stakeholders of the industry is concerned that we are still a ways off from having the quality consultation that is necessary so that informed proper policy decisions can be taken.”

Further arguing the matter needs to be “fully negotiated” before the

LEGAL NOTICE

Capital Protection Fund Ltd.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMPANIES ACT (No.45 of 2000)

In

Voluntary Liquidation

Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, No.45 of 2000, the Dissolution of Capital Protection Fund Ltd. has been completed, a Certificate of Dissolution has been issued and the Company has therefore been struck off the Register. The date of completion of the Dissolution was the 31st day of August, 2020.

Crowe Bahamas Liquidator

LEGAL NOTICE

B

Capital UK Commercial Property Fund Ltd.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMPANIES ACT (No.45 of 2000)

In Voluntary Liquidation

Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, No.45 of 2000, the dissolution of B Capital UK Commercial Property Fund Ltd. has been completed, a Certificate of Dissolution has been issued and the Company has therefore been struck off the Register. The date of completion of the Dissolution was 21st September, 2021.

Crowe Bahamas Liquidator

government makes any further statement, “when you leave all the cards on the table this always goes back to the fact that we need to sit down and think it over.

Something I’ve been saying all along with regard to reform for Bahamianisation, it is time for the whole industry to be taking a proper look at some things that are in the works.”

The entire aviation industry needs to be involved in any discussions moving forward with US authorities on right-sizing overflight fees so there is no disruption or turbulence in the future.

Mr Pintard also said: “Now BPL has decided to bill customers differently for fuel costs based on their electricity consumption levels, but there is no provision in the amendment to the electricity act to support this. URCA needs to provide details on how BPL determined the different levels of billing for fuel to their customers, and how they came to a conclusion that BPL is in compliance with the law.

“The Bahamas is a country of laws and as such consumers have the right

to take matters to court should they conclude that they are not being treated fairly under the law. Has URCA considered the possibility of a class action lawsuit brought against URCA and BPL by consumers, especially small, medium, and large business who are bearing the bulk of the 163 percent increase in fuel costs which could lead to as much as a doubling of their overall electricity bills next summer

“The June 2020 amendment to the electricity act was set forth to allow for

FEARS OVER SLOW RESPONSE

FROM PAGE A24

the people in Exuma for help and they said their skirting is too small. We then asked the people in Grand Bahama and they didn’t have any. So the only alternative is we have to ask the US for help with skirting,” she said.

An oil spill containment boom is a floating barrier used to contain an oil spill on water. Containment booms usually consist of an above-water floating fence or “freeboard” designed to contain the oil and prevent waves from splashing over the boom, and a weighted skirt or “draft” to reduce the amount of oil lost underneath the boom. Couplings on at least one end are used to connect booms to one another, thereby allowing

LEGAL NOTICE

OCIM Mining Fund Ltd. Registration No. 202811 B

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMPANIES ACT (No.45 of 2000)

In Voluntary Liquidation

Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, No.45 of 2000, the dissolution of OCIM Mining Fund Ltd has been completed, a Certificate of Dissolution has been issued and the Company has therefore been struck off the Register. The date of completion of the Dissolution was 12th December, 2022.

Crowe Bahamas Liquidator

LEGAL NOTICE

Income Global Fund Ltd.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMPANIES ACT (No.45 of 2000)

In Voluntary Liquidation

Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, No.45 of 2000, the dissolution of Income Global Fund Ltd has been completed, a Certificate of Dissolution has been issued and the Company has therefore been struck off the Register. The date of completion of the Dissolution was 26th January, 2021.

Crowe Bahamas Liquidator

for unlimited overall boom length so that the spill can be completely contained.

Ms Degregory-Miaoulis said: “It is unfortunate that the spill happened around the holiday season because Junkanoo season is taking over and everybody seems totally engrossed in that. The response time on this should be on all engines forward, making this a priority.”

She added: “The fishermen are very anxious. This is their livelihood. With everyone being caught up in Christmas and New Year’s

the billing of all consumers equally depending on their total consumption, rather than billing them differently with tiered pricing according their consumption levels. URCA needs to come clean to BPL consumers by making public their comprehensive assessment of the price increases, and explain why BPL’s new tiered fuel billing policy is in compliance with the law.”

events, we haven’t had any meetings to discuss the way forward on this other than at the official level. The thing is now who is going to bear the responsibility for this?”

Tapping into loan ‘like printing money’

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

OPPOSITION leader Michael Pintard has warned of “grave concern” over the government tapping into $232m International Monetary Fund (IMF) special drawing rights (SDR), warning of the “equivalent of printing money”.

In a release to the media, Mr Pintard says the FNM “registers its grave concern about the reported planned use by the government of up to $232.8m worth of IMF Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) which are held as part of the external reserves of the Central Bank.

“When the government borrows from the Central Bank, it is the equivalent of printing money. This is why the Central Bank Act 2020

(Section 21) limits the types and amounts advances by the Central Bank to the Government. As such an action is only used judiciously and within the legal limits.”

The Central Bank of The Bahamas said it made arrangements with the Ministry of Finance for the government to have direct access to the $174.8m in SDRs allocated to The Bahamas by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2021.

In August 2021, the IMF made a $650bn general allocation to 190 of its member states, of which The Bahamas was allocated $174.8m at a 0.05 percent interest rate, which converted to about US$247.5m.

At the time, the Central Bank said the funding would be used to bolster external reserves. As of this month, the bank said

the allocation was valued at $232.8m.

Mr Pintard added: “The Central Bank notes in its November 2022 Monthly Economic and Financial Developments Report that the use of these funds ‘create a direct foreign currency liability of the Government to the Central Bank’. In other words, this is an advance or loan from

the Central Bank to the government and must be subject to the provisions of the law as prescribed in the Central Bank Act.

“Section 21 of the Central Bank Act only permits the Bank to offer short term loans and advances to the government which must be subject to prevailing market interest rates, and for a period not exceeding 91 days. In fact, Section 21 subsection 1 says that aside from the limited exceptions noted above, the Central Bank shall not make any direct or indirect advances to the government or any state-owned enterprise.

“So we demand that the Minister of Finance explain what the legal basis is for this loan from the Central Bank that allows the government to borrow these IMF-issued SDRs. We note also that this facility and related facility was not

announced by the government - which is curious given their endless public relations exercises.

“We note that the intent to take out this Central Bank loan was not mentioned in its annual borrowing plan published just a few months ago. Could it be that the Davis administration is finding that it cannot raise the money it had planned from its domestic sources and so has chosen to borrow from the foreign reserves instead, and outside the established legal parameters?”

Mr Pintard added: “It appears that the government is using a Central Bank loan facility to access more than $200m IMF provided-resources and has failed to inform the Bahamian people of the details of this transaction. There are several crucial questions that must

be answered! How long is the loan for? What are the repayment terms? How will this be accounted for by the Central Bank and by the government? What is the state of the country’s finances that necessitated this irregular decision? What has changed over the last several months that has caused this apparent reversal in the Central Bank’s position?

“As always, this administration pays lip service to the notions of accountability and transparency, but consistently hides all serious and material matters from the Bahamian people.

“This is a grave matter and the Bahamian people must be assured that the government is undertaking all of its financial matters fully consistent with all applicable Bahamian laws and for the benefit of the Bahamian people.”

FTX liquidators: Don’t sell off assets - wait for restructuring

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

THE Joint Provisional Liquidators (JPL) appointed after the collapse of the FTX crypto-exchange are arguing in court in the US that any sale or auction of assets should be reserved for any of the Bahamian company’s rights.

Brian Simms KC, the Lennox Paton senior partner, and the PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) accounting duo of Kevin Cambridge and Peter Greaves, made the argument in recent court documents to the district court in Delaware.

The JPLs are arguing that FTX’s new chief executive, John Ray, is rushing the process of selling off all of FTX’s assets without exploring all of the businesses interests that FTX

has and not, instead, seeing the virtue in the restructuring process of the company, where they believe more value would be found for persons who are owed by the company.

The court documents also said: “While the Chapter 11 Debtors are apparently comfortable that now is the time to monetize certain assets that are part of the international FTX. com platform, the Foreign

Representatives – operating in the dark without access to their own information – are unable to assess that decision. Despite multiple requests and good faith efforts to compromise by the Foreign Representatives, the Chapter 11 Debtors continue to deny the Foreign Representatives access to the Chapter 15 Debtor’s own information. The Foreign Representatives have court-appointed duties to protect, investigate, and evaluate the Chapter 15 Debtor’s estate under Bahamian law for the benefit of its creditors.”

It continued, “By the Chapter 11 Debtors’ design, the Foreign Representatives have been unable to fulfill these duties generally, and here specifically in order to properly evaluate the Bidding Procedures Motion. In short, there is a disconnect between the

Chapter 11 Debtors’ public statements and the immediacy of the relief sought in the Bidding Procedures Motion, and the Foreign Representatives believe that information currently withheld may shed light on infirmities in the proposed process. A full and fair opportunity for the Foreign Representatives to evaluate what is purportedly being sold, and who actually owns what is purportedly being sold, must occur prior to any sale of the Chapter 11 Debtors’ assets.”

The JPLs will “oppose” any action that proposes to sell any of FTX’s assets without taking into consideration their concerns and their debtors interest in the liquidation proceedings in The Bahamas. But, if the Deleware court decides that it will grant FTX’s new leadership the right to sell off any assets then it will invoke Chapter

15 proceedings, which will trigger “Debtor ownership interests,” in any assets that may hold value, which may end up prolonging the Chapter 11 process and subsequently the liquidation process in The Bahamas.

The court documents also said: “Pursuant to the Bidding Procedures Motion, the Chapter 11 Debtors seek authorisation to sell equity and/or assets of the Businesses, in each case including ‘any associated contracts, rights or other property of the Chapter 11

Debtors,’ free and clear of any liens, claims, interests, and encumbrances.

“The Foreign Representatives file this Preliminary Statement and Reservation of Rights to preserve their rights with respect to any property interest in the Businesses, including, without limitation, in the Intellectual Property and Licensing Agreements, and otherwise protect their interests with respect to the sale process and potential sale proceeds.”

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BRIAN SIMMS KC

MICHAEL PINTARD

Fears over slow response to ship sinking

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

THE Onega Traveller ship leaking oil off the coast of South Abaco is a threat to fishing grounds as clean-up crews do not have all of the equipment necessary to contain it, an Abaco business leader has warned.

Daphne Degregory-Miaoulis, the Abaco Chamber of Commerce’s president, told Tribune Business that residents of South Abaco depend on the Hole In The Wall fishing grounds where the Onega Traveller started taking on water and leaking fuel. “The fallout from this could be catastrophic for fishermen. That is a very important fishing ground.”

She added: “Attempts are being made to get a boom that can go around and skirt the area to try to contain the oil that is leaking.”

Clean-up crews have been deployed to Abaco to assist with oil remediation efforts of the Onega Traveller last week and a meeting of the National Oil Spill Contingency Advisory Committee (NOSCAC) was held to discuss the way forward.

Ms Degregory-Miaoulis said: “This is just why we shouldn’t have oil drilling in our waters. If we can’t clean up a small spill like this in a short space of time, what can we do if we were to have a major spill?”

The Onega Traveller oil spill is the second significant fuel spill of 2022 after the Sun Oil fuel spill in Exuma

FTX claim over $300m in assets

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

THE new ownership of FTX has accused the joint provisional liquidators (JPL) in The Bahamas of conspiring with the Securities Commission of The Bahamas (SCB) in hiding $300m in assets during the liquidation process.

FTX, along with the committee of unsecured creditors to FTX, filed an objection to the JPL’s bid for emergency relief from an automatic stay for the sale of FTX’s assetsalong with objecting to the request for the company to turn over its electronic records. FTX claims that $300m was taken by the SCB, which JPLs now have control over and seem to

be “cooperating closely to do an end run around” the Chapter 11 proceedings in the Delaware Court.

In court documents filed before the New Year, FTX’s “debtors in possession” - essentially the company’s new ownership and leadership headed by John Ray, along with the committee of unsecured creditors to FTX - filed a formal objection to JPLs Brian Simms, Peter Greaves and Kevin Cambridge’s bid for relief from a stay of the sale of assets owned by the company, currently undergoing a Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding in the US.

FTX’s ownership also objects to the transfer of electronic documents that would assist the

in July, something that was contained in roughly three weeks. But the Onega Traveller may take some more energy by the clean-up crews because the “skirting” used to contain the Sun Oil spill was adequate for what happened in Exuma, but what took place in South Abaco needs more skirting and containment equipment.

DAPHNE DEGREGORYMIAOULIS

“There isn’t enough skirting in the country to contain this spill. I spoke to an official that was over here assessing the spill. We asked

BPL charging customers ‘against the law’ says FNM

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

FNM leader Michael Pintard said Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) is now charging consumers “against the law” after government botched the fuel hedging strategy left in place by previous administration.

In a release to the media, Mr Pintard said: “The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) issued a press statement on December

15, 2022, where it stated unequivocally that after a comprehensive review of the recent BPL fuel charge increase and billing tiers, it was satisfied that BPL made an ‘adequate’ case for the rate increase of as much as 163 percent for some consumers over the next 13 months as per its billing tiers. However, if one were to look at the June 2020 amendment to the Electricity Act with respect to how the fuel charge is to be calculated and passed onto consumers, there seems to be a ‘disconnect’ between what

Bahamas warning of ‘US airspace ban’

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

THE Securities Commission of The Bahamas has denied allegations of directing the failed cryptoexchange FTX to mint $300m tokens prior to its collapse.

The SCB, in a press release last night, challenged FTX’s chief executive officer, John J

Ray, on his allegations they had any control over the failed crypto-exchange’s assets after its filing for liquidation and Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.

The release said: “The Securities Commission of The Bahamas must once again correct material misstatements made by Mr. John J Ray III, the representative of the US FTX debtors (“Chapter 11

A BAHAMIAN aviation operator has warned that a ban on Bahamianbased flights entering the US “cannot be accommodated” and warned of the danger of a dispute between US airlines and the Bahamas government escalating.

Anthony Hamilton, Southern Air’s director of administration, and president of the Bahamas Association of Air Transport Operators, told Tribune Business the allegations made by several

US airlines over what they termed the “discriminatory and unreasonable” collection of overflight fees in The Bahamas can have a “serious negative impact on Bahamian aviation”.

Eight US airlines, represented by trade association and lobbying group Airlines for America, have filed a complaint with the US Department of Transportation against the Bahamas government and a number of Bahamian air carriers, claiming discrimination over the collection of fees for the use of Bahamian airspace.

The complaint is also asking for the US

is allowed by law and what BPL has been allowed to do by URCA, a statutory body that is in place to protect consumers.

“In accordance with the June 2020 amendment to the Electricity Act, fuel charge is to be calculated as a per kilowatt hour cost on a monthly basis, and this cost passed on to each consumer at the same price with the consumer billed at this single calculated rate in accordance with how much

electricity they consumed within that specific month.

“Additionally, when the fuel hedging programme was put in place in July 2020, BPL was allowed to charge consumers a flat fuel rate for up to 12

ONEGA TRAVELLER SHIP OIL SPILL CLEANUP

MICHAEL PINTARD