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Volume: 121 No.34, January 11, 2024

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: PRICE–$1

IMMIGRATION ‘A RISK TO NATION’

MILLER: NO GUTS FOR CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

Pastor warns of those who come to Bahamas illegally at Majority Rule service

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net AS TOP government officials looked on yesterday, Pastor TG Morrison railed against illegal immigration during a Majority Rule Day ceremony, claiming that “something cataclysmic is going to happen” if the issue is not addressed.

He described illegal migration as an “existential threat” to The Bahamas and said unless people are brave enough to stand against it, the country will face a lifetime of regret.

“While we sympathise

with the plight of others, we do not do so at our own peril, for we cannot cut off our nose to spite our face,” he said.

His comments during an ecumenical church service at Zion Baptist Church in honour of Majority Rule Day came weeks after Defence Force Commodore Raymond King said irregular migration from Haiti had declined by 22 per cent in 2023 compared to 2022. Commodore King said there were no reported or detected migrant landings in 2023.

SEE PAGE THREE

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net FORMER Cabinet Minister Leslie Miller said legislators lack “the guts” to ensure murderers experience capital punishment, which he considers a deterrent to violent crime.

He was discussing the country’s soaring murder rate, which has involved eight killings this year.

“It is disgraceful what is happening right now,” he told reporters. “Eight Bahamians dead in eight days.”

SEE PAGE THREE

DAVIS TRIES TO EXPLAIN MITCHELL - BUT RECORDING DOESN’T MATCH

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis explained Fred Mitchell’s dismissive comments about the Freedom of Information Act yesterday in a way that does not reflect what the foreign affairs minister told

reporters.

In a recent interview with ZNS, Mr Mitchell was asked about Michael Pintard’s critique that the Davis administration is lackadaisical about implementing the information system, which proponents believe is critical to good governance.

SEE PAGE THREE

GOVT ‘BROKE WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION’

HOLIDAY STYLE

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Prime Minister Perry Christie and former Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling looking stylish during an event to celebrate Majority Rule at PLP headquarters yesterday. See more photographs from Majority Rule Day on pages 3, 12 and 13.

Photo: Dante Carrer

‘NO MASK MANDATE’ AS COVID CASES RISE

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said there is no need to reintroduce COVID-19 prevention mandates such as wearing

masks after an uptick in cases of the disease, though people are recommended to wear masks.

He said businesses could enforce a mask mandate.

His comment yesterday came as Free National Movement chairman Dr

Duane Sands, the former minister of health, claimed the COVID-19 ward at the Rand Memorial Hospital is full of patients.

“There is no need at this time, according to all of science, to implement any SEE PAGE FIVE

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

A TOP civil servant is alleging the government violated the Freedom of Information Act’s ‘whistleblower’ protections by “intimidating” and sidelining her after she sought to highlight “wrongdoing”.

Antoinette Thompson, permanent secretary in the then-Ministry of Transport and Housing until she was placed on “unrecorded leave” in April 2023, is now seeking “exemplary” and “aggravated” damages for alleged breaches of that law and the Public Finance Management Act after the government sought to “punish” her for drawing attention to alleged “clear acts of public misfeasance”.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

PAGE 2, Thursday, January 11, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

78-year-old who went missing is back with family MERLYN Cooper reunited with her family.

By DENISE MAYCOCK was filed with the MiamiTribune Freeport Reporter Dade Police Department on dmaycock@tribunemedia.net Sunday. An official missing person’s flyer with a photo AFTER a harrowing of Ms Cooper was released two days for her family, on Monday by police. The 78-year-old Merlyn Cooper Coopers also posted a phoof Grand Bahama was tograph of their mother on found safely in Miami and social media to spread the has been reunited with her word. family.

Ms Cooper thanked The elderly woman suf- everyone who called and fers from dementia, and offered support and shared had wandered away from the message on social her family at the Miami media.

International Airport on Consul Chayla CartSunday afternoon. wright, of the Bahamas She was discovered in Consulate General in an area near the airport Miami, said she was pleased on Tuesday morning after that Ms Cooper had been being missing for more than found and is now back safe 36 hours. with her family.

Her daughter Astrid She explained that police Cooper told The Tribune Liaison at the Consulate she was relieved when they Chief Superintendent received a call that their Hylton Cash was conmother had been found. tacted and notified by The elderly woman was a local authorities about a bit shaken, but “in good Bahamian citizen who was health,” Ms Cooper said. reported missing.

According to Ms Cooper, Supt Cash was in consomeone noticed that her stant contact with Cooper’s mother needed assistance daughters providing them and contacted Miami with updates and getting a Police. necessary plan together to “We are very relieved try to find her, said Consul and thankful, and we are Cartwright, who met with glad that we were able to the family at the airport on find her,” she said.

Monday. She commended “She is just a little shaken local authorities in an interup and dehydrated. So, we view with The Tribune on are working on getting her Tuesday. rehydrated and some rest “We wanted to be there before we come home.” for them to provide moral Ms Cooper continued: support and assist with “A shop owner found her anything they may have and realised she was not needed,” she explained. okay, and they called the Ms Cartwright added: police. The police picked “This morning detectives her up and they had a nurse and local officers were on check her out and made it, and they had a plan of sure she was okay.” action which I believe led to A missing person’s report finding her.”

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, January 11, 2024, PAGE 3

Immigration ‘a risk to nation’ from page one The United Nations, meanwhile, has urged the country to halt deportations of Haitians because of the unrest in that country.

Earlier this month, Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said migration was needed to maintain the country’s population and meet the labour demand.

“The problem we have here is that there’s a lack of understanding or recognition of this, and people are emotionally upset about what they see as a group of people trying to take over the country,” Mr Mitchell said. “I assure you, no one can take this country over

unless Bahamians allow it.”

Yesterday, Rev Morrison acknowledged the need for skilled workers, but claimed, without evidence, that the country faces an era of children who “would lift up a certain flag and dare Bahamian students to pass that way because they declare that is their territory”.

“This is what we are up against, and unless somebody is brave enough to say that something has to be done, we will regret what happens, for after all, we fought for The Bahamas for Bahamians, and after 57 years, there ought to be a Bahamian people who are prepared to take charge,” he said, adding

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis greets Pastor TG Morrison during an Ecumenical Service celebrating Majority Rule Day at Zion Baptist Church yesterday.

Photo: Dante Carrer that some people lack “the political will” to stem illegal migration.

“One does not have to be a social scientist to see that our country is seething right now,” he said.

The religious leader also called for a review of citizenship laws, saying they need “urgent and radical

MILLER: NO GUTS FOR CAPITAL PUNISHMENT from page one “That should not happen.

We need to show more love to each other. Why do we have to kill each other?

Why is that? You have an argument, someone is dead.

We just need to show more compassion, more love and concern for each other’s welfare than we have been doing in this country and hopefully this year, it’ll be a better year but it ain’t turning out to be that way for the first eight days.”

Mr Miller said he was especially saddened to hear about the murder of 16-year- old Davinique Gray, who was charging her phone at home when she was fatally shot.

“We got to bring back capital punishment,” he said. “Is it going to happen?

I don’t see it in my lifetime because they don’t have the guts to do it.”

Although the law allows for capital punishment, the death penalty has not been enforced since January 2000, when David Mitchell was executed for stabbing two German tourists to death.

In 2006, the Londonbased Privy Council ruled that the country’s

LESLIA Miller-Brice MP and her father, former Cabinet Minister Leslie Miller, during an event to celebrate Majority Rule at PLP Headquarters yesterday.

Photo: Dante Carrer mandatory death sentence for convicted murderers was unconstitutional.

Some legislators believe the Privy Council would never uphold the death penalty.

“The great United States of America, just north of us, have capital punishment,” Mr Miller said. “The European countries have capital punishment.”

“We wouldn’t execute it, because you know why?”

“Those so-called upper Bahamians don’t want no part of it until somebody kill one of their family members. Then it’ll change.”

Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander has

called the increase in violent crime alarming.

Last week, he renewed calls for changes to the Bail Act after expressing concern about the short timeframe in which people accused of serious crimes are being granted bail.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis has invited the Bahamas Christian Council to hold a national day of prayer for healing and comfort in response to the increasing murders.

He said more will be said in coming weeks about “a strategic initiative to implement a whole government response to tackling gang crime”.

DAVIS TRIES TO EXPLAIN MITCHELL - BUT RECORDING DOESN’T MATCH from page one Over 100 countries in the world have FOIA laws, and the United States has repeatedly noted this country’s failure to fully enact the FOIA in various annual reports.

Mr Mitchell told ZNS: “We oppose this Freedom of Information Act idea.”

He then explained that the administration would eventually deal with the matter, but did not see it as a priority. He contrasted the Progressive Liberal Party’s view on such legislation with that of the Free National Movement, suggesting the PLP does not view it as essential.

Mr Mitchell was criticised for his comment. The PLP pledged to implement the system in the “good governance” section of its pre-election manifesto, the “Blueprint for Change”.

Asked yesterday about Mr Mitchell’s comment, Mr Davis claimed: “He did not say that we are opposed to the idea. What he said is that when the question was being mooted, when it was first being mooted, there was an issue about it.

At that time, we wanted to understand what was being implemented so he was

opposed to what was then being implemented.

“The bill that’s now there is something that we have now embraced, but we will be bringing (it) in time when it becomes a priority for us.”

“Right now, our priority is addressing those issues of poverty in this country.”

The Tribune obtained the recording of Mr Mitchell’s interview in Grand Bahama. He did not allude to previous iterations of the FOIA or suggest that the latest version is the one he embraces.

“We oppose this Freedom of Information Act idea,” he said. “The FNM has this view; they’ve passed something called the Fiscal Responsibility Act, Procurement Act, and Freedom of Information Act. All of these things that really have nothing to do with people’s ordinary lives.

It’s just a bunch of public relations, accounting procedures and confusing activity with action.”

“So what did the prime minister say? Yeah, we got Freedom of Information Act. We’ll get to it.

If you want information –– if you want any information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs –– you can come get it. There’s

no issue with information being disclosed in his country. So, the issue right now is high prices. What are we going to do about the high prices? That’s the issue. The issue is how are we going to stop these young men from killing one another every day.

That’s the issue. Freedom of Information? I don’t think so. That’s basically my view about this, and it’s bureaucratic and expensive to execute. I’m not sure you get any results from it that people can actually see and feel.”

Mr Mitchell’s comments came after Information Commissioner Keith Thompson told The Nassau Guardian that his office has done what it can to get a FOIA pilot programme rolling, but needs the Office of the Prime Minister to provide the necessary technology.

Mr Davis later told reporters the FOIA is not a priority for the administration right now, pointing to cost of living concerns and other issues. The FNM countered that the government has enough people and a dedicated FOIA department to implement the system, adding that it only needs support from the administration.

revisiting,” though he did not elaborate.

Yesterday’s service at Zion Baptist was one of several events held to commemorate the country’s 56th anniversary of Majority Rule. After the service, a wreath-laying ceremony was held at the gravesite of Sir Lynden Pindling.

PAGE 4, Thursday, January 11, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

154 prison officers promoted but others wait for their turn

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net ONE hundred and fiftyfour prison officers were promoted this week, but the head of the association representing them said he will not be satisfied until others awaiting promotion are advanced.

During a ceremony on Monday, 28 sergeants were promoted to correction officers, 77 recruits were promoted to the rank of officer, and 49 corporals were promoted to

sergeants.

“I am definitely not satisfied because there are some outstanding promotions,” said Hervie Culmer, Correctional Officers Staff Association president.

“However, we are relieved to know now that the promotions are rolling in.”

“It would have been a glorious day to have all of the promotions come to the department at one time so everyone can celebrate. However, that’s not the case, but promotions are rolling in, so

we look forward to the completion.”

Mr Culmer said over 500 promotion recommendations were made, leaving a “huge balance remaining”.

Nonetheless, acting Corrections Commissioner Doan Cleare said promotions for all ranks are expected to be completed in the coming weeks.

Commissioner Cleare encouraged officers as he reiterated his pledge to ensure ongoing promotions within the department.

“I’m happy that you all

are receiving your reward,” he said on Monday.

“I made a pledge, and I will keep my pledge. You will never see again a long gap in promotions in this place as long as I am here.

“It will not happen because there is no rule.

There is no policy in place that prison ought to wait for three to four years or send a big batch every single year.

“Listen, man, look here: We can promote at any time. Anytime we can promote. And what we will be doing going forward, we will do that. We will do

that.”

Correctional officers have long complained about how long it takes to get promoted compared to police and defence force officers.

Commissioner Cleare had previously suggested that the BDCs needs a commission similar to the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s Police Service Commission, a body to recommend promotions of officers above a certain rank.

Currently, the promotion of BDCs officers falls under the Public Service Commission, which also deals with

promotions for all other public servants.

Mr Culmer said yesterday: “It’s just we can’t fathom, you know, why the process takes so long, but like I said, we long for the day when it doesn’t.”

National Security Minister Wayne Munroe had previously said correctional service officers with pending promotions would receive back pay dating to 2020.

The department’s last promotion exercise happened in 2023 when only 19 people were promoted.

FUN RUN WALK TO HELP FIGHT DROP IN FEEDING NETWORK DONATIONS

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net QUALITY Care Pharmacy is hosting a Fun, Run, Walk and Health Fair on February 3 to raise funds for the Bahamas Feeding Network amid a 40 percent drop in donations.

The cost of registration for the initiative is $20 per person, with group rates available as an incentive.

Every group can donate, both monetarily and with non-perishable items, to the BFN. The event will commence at 6am with stretches and a warm up.

Free health screening, demonstrations, lectures, and entertainment, will occur immediately afterwards.

Nicolette Fountain Archer, BFN executive assistant, noted it will be the first fundraiser for BFN for the year, and its first combined effort. She underscored the level of need has not decreased in the country, but the income has.

The chairman pointed to about a 40 percent drop in donations.

“When we started out at the beginning of the year, we were giving 100 of our partners assistance every month,” Ms Fountain Archer said.

“We had to pull back and we went to giving to those

partners every other month.

At the end of the year, we had to reduce what we put in the parcels. So the parcels weren’t as hefty as they were. So that right there we had to halve it twice in one year and we can’t,” She said: “We really need corporate Bahamas, individuals. We have children who are coming and giving up their lunch money and I’m really trying to get schools involved in a big way because much of the time it’s going to go back to those children and their families or somebody they know.”

Between the period of January 2022 to June 2023, 129,492 persons were fed and 32,373 food parcels were given. This yielded 1,122,336 meals.

Philip Gray, the CEO of Quality Care Pharmacy, said the Bahamas Feeding Network’s impact and contribution to Bahamians is “tremendous”.

“Its mandate and scope of service is significant with tentacles reaching the length and breadth of our archipelagic nation,” Mr Gray said.

“To say that they could use the assistance of us all - both individually and corporately is the understatement of the year.

“Ms Archer just underscored the need and the fact that donations are down but the needs become greater.

We, at Quality Care Pharmacy, commend them for their services and initiative, and we see the need for us to join in the fight against hunger and malnourishment. Our philanthropic arm proposes to work hand-in-hand with The Bahamas Feeding Network to see how we can help this nonprofit entity to achieve its goals.”

Iona Henderson, Sterling Hurricane Hole Limited’s Sales and Marketing associate, said the company is thrilled to support Mr Gray in this initiative.

“As Mr Gray mentioned, Sterling and Hurricane Hole Marina, which is our marina here at the development have three charities that we support deeply and long term and one is the Bahamas Feeding Network.

So the fact that this is the charity that Mr. Gray has chosen to support makes us very happy. It’s close to our hearts,” she said.

The route is from Sterling Commons south onto the old bridge west onto Shirley Street. Then all the way to Government House, north onto Bay St. Via Cumberland Hill, east on Bay Street to the Sidney Poitier Bridge north — back over the bridge and ending where participants started.

There will be awards for the greatest participation as well as giveaways, prizes, and surprises.

FROM left, Phillip Gray, CEO Quality Care Pharmacy; Nicolette Fountain Archer, of Bahamas Feeding Network, and Archdeacon James Palacious at the launch of the Fun, Run, Walk and Health Fair to be held on February 3.

Photo: Stephen Hunt

MAN DIES AFTER BEING HIT

BY TWO VEHICLES IN ANDROS

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net A MAN died after he was struck by two vehicles while crossing the street in North Andros on Monday, police said.

This incident occurred after 6pm on Queens Highway, and is the second recorded traffic fatality of the year.

According to reports, the man was a resident of Red Bays, North Andros.

He was crossing the street when he was struck

by two vehicles, both traveling in a southern direction.

Both drivers remained on the scene and are assisting police with the investigation, police said.

When examined by a local doctor on the scene, the victim was pronounced dead.

Last week Thursday, the country recorded its first traffic fatality of the year that claimed the life of a 17-year-old boy in Abaco.

The grieving family identified the victim as Jamarion Russell, a recent graduate of SC Bootle High School.

SUSPECTED SUICIDE BID PROBED

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net POLICE have launched an investigation into an alleged attempted suicide in Grand Bahama this week.

According to reports, a 21-year-old woman was found in a car with multiple

wounds on her left wrist near a canal on Silver Point Drive on Monday. The woman was found by family members shortly before noon in her vehicle, police said.

The victim was transported in private vehicle to the hospital for medical attention and evaluation.

TOURIST DIES AFTER SWIMMING TRIP A TOURIST died on Wednesday morning after getting into difficulty while snorkelling during a visit to The Bahamas.

The Asian man from New Jersey, aged 66, had been snorkelling at Athol Island shortly before 11am, but collapsed as he tried to board a vessel, police

reported.

The man was administered CPR by boat crew members and was transported to Paradise Island where emergency medical technicians awaited his arrival. He remained unresponsive and was taken to hospital where a doctor pronounced him to be dead.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, January 11, 2024, PAGE 5

Davis: PharmaChem loss a blow to GB - but we tried to intervene

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said the government was unsuccessful in intervening to prevent the closure of PharmaChem Technologies and the loss of more than 100 employees, which he called a “blow” to Grand Bahama’s economy.

PharmaChem announced its closure on Monday, saying it expects to cease

all operations on Friday, January 12. The company attributed its closure to “unprecedented challenges”, which affected its ability to sustain operations.

Tribune Business reported that the company was experiencing “technical and operational issues” related to its $400m plant expansion, which was designed to expand the range of drugs supplied to its sole client, Gilead Life Services. The

project reportedly went significantly over budget due to cost overruns.

With the company unable to meet Gilead’s desired production timelines and volumes, the latter pulled its financial support from PharmaChem, prompting its closure.

“Sadly, we tried to intervene, but unfortunately, the issue that involves the high-tech company is such that we are unable to bring any real solution to that

challenge,” Mr Davis said after a wreath-laying ceremony at the Progressive Liberal Party’s headquarters yesterday.

“We are hopeful that the employees that are being impacted by it are being sorted out according to our laws, and hopefully, we will be able to try to retrain and place them elsewhere.

“My conversation with the hierarchy of Gilead, which is the key figure in all of this, is to see whether

they could be redeployed elsewhere until there is a solution for the plant.”

PharmaChem announced they have petitioned for a formal liquidation process under Bahamian law.

Labour Director Howard Thompson said the company was operating under the law and notified the Department of Labour of the terminations. Mr Thompson said the government is helping employees be redeployed based on

‘EXCEPTIONAL BEAUTY’: TRIBUTE AFTER DEATH OF FORMER MISS BAHAMAS CONTESTANT BIMINI native Anva Roberts has died, according to the Miss Bahamas Organisation, who noted that she was a former contestant.

“The Miss Bahamas Organisation wishes to express condolences on the sudden passing of Anva Roberts, a native of Bimini and former contestant of the Miss Bahamas World Beauty Pageant,” the organisation said in a press statement yesterday. “Anva passed away this morning at her home in Bimini. A health and wellness advocate, she had just returned home from her morning

run when the unthinkable occurred.

“An exceptional beauty both inside and out, Anva was one of the ‘Fabulous Fifteen’ contestants who competed for the prestigious title of Miss Bahamas World back in 2007. Entered as Miss Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas, her stunning looks, humble persona, and ‘Island Gal’ innocence propelled her to a Top 10 placement. MBO president Michelle Malcolm expressed shock at the news of her untimely passing.”

“Her passing comes as a

tremendous shock to this organisation and to the MBO class of 2007,” she said. “Anva was the epitome of what MBO stands for. As a contestant, she represented what it means to be beautiful inside and out. She continued to live by the organisation’s motto of “beauty with a purpose” years after competing, working throughout the Bimini community, promoting healthy living and a commitment to building her island. Our condolences to her family and the closeknit community of Bimini who are mourning her loss.”

LATE NEWS: MAN DIES AFTER SHOOTING A MAN died last night in the ninth murder of the year so far.

Police reported that a man had been shot in the Montel Heights area, although details were sparse at the time of going to press.

The victim was taken to hospital by emergency medical technicians, police reported.

However, he succumbed to his injuries.

Police said that further details would be released later.

‘NO MASK MANDATE’ AS COVID CASES RISE from page one new measure,” Mr Davis told reporters, adding that Bahamians have been asked to police themselves.

“That is the primary initiative we have taken, you police yourself, keep yourself safe, and keep your neighbour safe. That’s the implementation,” he said.

“We recommend wearing masks, but it’s not mandatory. An establishment, a restaurant, they could enforce the mask mandate if they wish for their premises, but at the moment, there is no need for us to alarm.

“Recalling now, COVID has not gone anywhere. It has always been amongst us, it has been around, it hasn’t gone anywhere, and that tells me that Bahamians have been very responsible in looking after themselves, and I think they will remain responsible in looking after themselves.”

On Sunday, Dr Michael Darville told reporters that Grand Bahama had recorded 11 new

COVID-19 cases in the past two weeks, with a man on the island dying from the disease.

In New Providence, two people were hospitalised after testing positive for the disease. Dr Daville said none of the cases required intensive care management.

He noted that the JN.1 variant of the virus is in the country, which he said appears mild and similar to influenza A or B. A US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention report in December said the strain may be more transmissible or better at evading immune systems than other variants currently circulating, according to the New York Times.

Dr Sands, nonetheless, claimed more than one case required intensive care management and questioned whether Dr Darville was giving factual information.

“Certainly, the numbers in recent days, inclusive of the death that he alluded to in Grand Bahama, he didn’t mention the death in New Providence, and persons

admitted to critical care beds even now,” he said.

“I was surprised that he didn’t mention the fact that the COVID ward in Grand Bahama was full.

And so, you know, I think we must ask whether or not the minister of health and wellness is adequately engaged and adequately informed about the COVID situation.”

Dr Sands said health officials in Grand Bahama are concerned about the situation.

“Have candid, honest conversations with the Bahamian people to let them know exactly what is happening in our healthcare system,” he said.

In a press statement on Tuesday, the Ministry of Health and Wellness reiterated the importance of adhering to essential preventative measures that limit the spread of COVID-19.

The statement gave advice on hand hygiene, cough and sneeze etiquette, mask-wearing, physical distancing, vaccination and travel safety.

TRIBUTES have been paid following the death of Anva Roberts.

their skills, noting their redundancy packages are also being handled.

PharmaChem, which Italian entrepreneur Pietro Stefanutti founded, supplied antiretroviral API drugs Gilead, which employed them in the worldwide treatment of HIV/AIDS. This product helped treat one million persons worldwide, and the new plant was intended to help produce two to three more drugs.

PAGE 6, Thursday, January 11, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

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PICTURE OF THE DAY

NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI “Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

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Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

RT HON EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON, C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B. Publisher/Editor 1972-

Published daily Monday to Friday

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Evidence there to check the facts EVIDENCE is a powerful thing.

By strict definition, it is the available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid. By practice, it is what we can use to weigh against what people are telling us.

Take today’s Tribune, for example, and let us start with former Cabinet member, who says lawmakers don’t have “the guts” to implement capital punishment.

He said: “We got to bring back capital punishment. Is it going to happen? I don’t see it in my lifetime because they don’t have the guts to do it.”

Capital punishment is on our books, of course, but has not been carried out since 2000, with the Privy Council ruling in 2006 that a mandatory death sentence for murder was unconstitutional. There has been much debate about what constitutes the “worst of the worst” when it comes to cases that might attract such a penalty.

Mr Miller’s argument, while saying “we need to show more love to each other. Why do we have to kill each other?” is that we should execute criminals to deter violent crime.

But does that really work? Evidence is slim that it does, with numerous studies showing no effect on murder rates.

The National Academy of Sciences says research is “uninformative about whether capital punishment increases, decreases, or has no effect on homicide rates”. The National Institute of Justice says “there is no proof that the death penalty deters criminals”. Amnesty International reports that “evidence from around the world has shown that the death penalty has no unique deterrent effect on crime. Many people have argued that abolishing the death penalty leads to higher crime rates, but studies in the USA and Canada, for instance, do not back this up.”

Amnesty goes on to cite 2004 figures that show states where the death penalty was in use having a higher murder rate than states that did not.

Are those figures wrong? Anyone suggesting that killing people is the way to reduce crime had best state their case with actual evidence.

Evidence is notable in other stories today. Take a look at the speech by pastor TG Morrison where he rails against the danger of illegal immigration to our nation, using phrases such as

“cataclysmic” and “existential threat”.

The evidence here is that the Defence Force Commodore, Raymond King, has said that irregular migration from Haiti – and it is Haitians the pastor seems to be meaning – is down by more than a fifth in 2023. Any cataclysmic tidal wave seems to be ebbing.

The pastor also suggests we face an era where children “lift up a certain flag and dare Bahamian students to pass that way because they declare that is their territory”. He provides no evidence of this, and if there were, we have laws to deal with such matters.

Finally, there is Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis seeming to try to explain away PLP chairman Fred Mitchell’s comments on Freedom of Information.

Mr Mitchell said clear as day: “We oppose this Freedom of Information Act idea.”

Now, granted, he went on to say that Mr Davis had said that we’ve got the act and said “we’ll get to it” – but Mr Davis said yesterday that Mr Mitchell did not say what he actually said. He went on to suggest that the PLP had an issue “when the question was being mooted”.

Evidence being what it is, The Tribune got the recording and checked, and no, Mr Mitchell was speaking in the present day, not of the past.

The party, it should be noted, also promised to implement the system in its election Blueprint for Change.

It is clear that the government has no sense of priority for this legislation – but the more it talks itself into a corner, the more pressure there will be for the administration to make it a priority.

Interestingly enough, freedom of information will provide one thing in abundance for Bahamians: Evidence.

Obituaries tomorrow A note to our readers to round off today’s editorial – for those of you looking for our obituaries section, due to the Majority Rule holiday it will be in tomorrow’s edition instead.

You will also find our religion section there, our Weekend section, clubs and societies and more.

It shall return to its regular Thursday spot next week.

A TATTERED tribute to our nation from one flag spotted by reader Bruce Raine.

Pride and progress for Abaco?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

IT DOESN’T take a village; it takes a country.

Post Hurricane Dorian, Abaco remains primarily independent of government aid, yet resilient individuals are committed to progress despite the irreplaceable losses and traumas that still linger in the shadows.

Added to this challenging circumstance are the daily, ‘in your face’ reminders of catastrophic remnants such as shells of buildings, heavy equipment, cars, and other debris dotting nearly every block and specific places where death took its cruel toll. It has been years since Hurricane Dorian wreaked havoc; these now decrepit structures beg for swift attention even though taxation has resumed with another blow: VAT for all.

Meanwhile, the faithful, ever-returning visitors need to see more improvements not reminders of what happened over four years ago!

Otherwise, “Welcome to Abaco! Have a great vacation” will become depressing and old. The negative impact of dilapidated buildings in city tourist centres diminishes the welcoming and vibrant experience that new and repeat tourists seek.

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net Yet, still, there is pride.

Locals press on within our reviving commerce sector at the heart of our Abaco islands because their futures matter. However, most locals empathize with the financial constraints and personal struggles that may render property owners helpless to deal with their distressed properties. But those with ample means also seem helpless, opting against rejuvenating their unsightly homes or offices because of the instability of waiting for the economic conditions to warrant the expenditure. Despite the many different situations, the conscious neglect of our government on the number of derelict buildings now demands urgent attention under the law. Derelict facilities are hazardous, breed vermin, damage the water table, and must be condemned for removal. Their disintegration further adds to the clogging of drainage systems, now causing widespread flooding issues.

But as Abaconians press forward with a commitment to enhancing our

communities, it demonstrates personal pride, respect for our neighbours, and appreciation for those working to elevate our island’s economic, social, and environmental standing. ‘Abaco Strong’ is partly about this; other islands identify Abaconians with this catchphrase. Yet, where budgets are concerned, Abaconians remain “out of sight, out of mind” to the point that Nassau spends Abaco taxpayer money mostly elsewhere. The government spent thousands on Christmas decorations in 2023 in Nassau, but none for Abaco. But Abaconians would reject that extravagance anyway. Imagine in the spirit of Christmas if the government had charitably announced that instead, that money could help Abaco’s recovery in a beautification project, planting native species or fixing a few roads... maybe even tearing down a few eyesores? That would be the kind of progress that would help us get out of our residual trauma.

DAPHNE DEGREGORY MIAOULIS President Abaco Chamber of Commerce January 10, 2024

Govt must not sit down with leaders of gangs EDITOR, The Tribune.

IT HAS often been said that ‘Whom the gods would destroy they first make mad’. This is an age old adage that I have always observed, especially in the context of Bahamian politics. Every reasonable and right thinking person in our wonderful country would readily admit that the levels of crime and the fear of crime are way too high. Many have waxed eloquently and sometimes disjointedly as to solutions to this debilitating and vexing national issue.

Some supposedly responsible Bahamians have advocated that the state and its law enforcement

units should sit down and dialogue with reputed gang leaders!

If this is correct it sends a wrong message to the criminal elements within our midst. That message says brazenly that the state and it’s apparatus have failed in their efforts, over these many decades, to put an effective damper on crime, especially alleged homicides and assaults against the person.

It must be borne in mind that our beloved Prime Minister, when he was in opposition, was the victim of an apparent criminal home invasion and, but for the grace of God, he may not be PM today.

Also while Commissioner of Police, before he was elevated to the third floor, was assaulted and robbed in

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the alleged area of his residence.

In addition, according to the then police reports, he was shot at and, again, by the grace of God, he was wearing a medallion on his neck chain and the bullet ricocheted.

Today he is the point law enforcement officer in his unenviable role as Commissioner of Police.

For any right thinking Bahamian leader, across the spectrum, to believe that sitting down with the ‘known’ gang leaders and their apologists, is dead wrong and will now enhance their status within the hoods. If I am aware that you are suspected of being a rapist or scum bag, am I going to want to sit down and dialogue with you before or after you would have committed a criminal act of that nature?

This is a major dogma which afflicts our every day society. The powers that be appear to cloak and cuddle individuals who are often ‘known’ to the police. Too many people are living large on the suspected proceeds of crime.

This disregard for life, much less respect for the law, eminates from

the fact, in my view, that the traditional family units have been utterly abandoned and destroyed over these decades. Our people, by and large, have come to accept a degree of criminality almost as a matter of course. These so-called criminals live in abodes with friends and relatives, more than likely. The police should have intelligence and data as to the gang people.

Yes, it must also be admitted that the detection rate of the RBPF is second to none. It must also be admitted that no matter how many resources are allocated to the police or the dramatic increase of personnel that that will not cut it. Even the construction of a bigger detention centre and jails, will not cut it. What is the real solution as to mere posturing and capitulation We simply need to bring God back into the humanistic equation. The average Bahamian may profess to know God, in my humble opinion, but do most of us actually act and live our individual lives in accordance with easy

biblical precepts, I dare say no.

You see, beloved, it is only when a person decides, consciously to change or transform the way he/ she thinks. This is where Scripture, and not mere religion comes in. There is saving power in the name of The Lord Jesus Christ.

Unless and until we restore the nuclear family and reestablish the traditional landmarks we will continue to see unabated crime and criminal behaviour. The collective church, as opposed to the secular state, should step in to the everwidening gap and apply the balm which is right before our very eyes. These are the low hanging solutions. By the way, if gang leaders are easily acknowledged and identifiable why are they walking our streets and sitting down with the law enforcement agencies with impunity? Is the job too hard for Commissioner Fernander and his high command? To God then, in all things, be the glory!

ORTLAND H BODIE, Jr Nassau, January 10, 2024.

THE TRIBUNE

TWO MEN ACCUSED OF RECENT MURDERS

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net TWO MEN are behind bars after they were allegedly involved in two separate murders in New Providence in the last month.

Acting Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley charged Malek Sawyer, 22, and Tameko Dorsette aka “Deangelo Dorsette”, 34, with separate counts of murder. Wendawn MillerFrazer represented the defendant Sawyer.

Sawyer, along with a male accomplice, allegedly shot and killed Jermaine Williams outside a residence on

Martin Close on the evening of December 22, 2023.

Dorsette allegedly beat 50-year-old Darrell Ferguson to death in a park in Miller’s Height on the night of January 5.

The victim died in hospital from apparent head injuries.

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

Their VBIs are slated for service on May 26.

TWO YEARS IN JAIL FOR TEEN OVER GUN

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net AN 18-year-old was sentenced to two years in prison on Tuesday after admitting to owning a loaded gun found in a car Sea Breeze last week.

Magistrate Lennox Coleby charged Danny Francois along with Courtney Belton, 30, and Shantika Belton, 28, with possession of an unlicenced firearm and possession of ammunition.

Keevon Maynard, Ian Cargill and Levan Johnson represented the accused.

Police stopped the Beltons in a silver Honda Accord outside their residence on Coptan Close on the morning of January 7. A search uncovered a black Austria Glock 9mm pistol along with 14 round of 9mm ammunition in the centre console of the vehicle.

Francois would later turn

himself into police where he admitted to owning the gun.

Francois was the sole defendant to plead guilty to the firearm charges. Following their not guilty pleas, the charges against the Beltons were withdrawn.

During Mr Maynard’s mitigation he stated that his teenage client had no priors and had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity to spare the court’s time.

In addition to saying that Francois had realised the error of his ways, the attorney asked for the court’s mercy. He implored the court to consider a fine in lieu of a custodial sentence given his client’s young age.

After crediting Francois for his early plea, Magistrate Coleby sentenced the defendant to 24 months at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

During his incarceration Francois will be enrolled in carpentry classes.

JAILED FOR A YEAR OVER BAIL BREACH

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN was sentenced to one year in prison yesterday after he admitting to breaching his bail while on release for pending armed robbery charges.

During this same timeframe the defendant was allegedly involved in a house-breaking spree in Andros.

Magistrate Samuel McKinney charged Shelton Kemp, 20, with breach of bail, three counts of house breaking and two counts of stealing and receiving each.

Alphonso Lewis represented the accused.

While on release for two armed robbery charges from last summer, Kemp failed to sign in to the Fresh Creek Police Station every Tuesday and Thursday by 6pm between October 10

and December 12, 2023.

Kemp allegedly broke into the residence of Zane McGhee in Kamalame Cay, Andros and stole his $120 Ray Band glasses on November 19, 2023.

Kemp is also alleged to have broke into the residence of Brian Koehler in Kamalamae Cay and stole his $1524.25 brown Gucci Sweater and $200 cash on December 31, 2023.

Kemp is further alleged to have broken into the residence of Carley Burns in Kamalame Cay on January 4.

Although Kemp pleaded guilty to bail breach, he entered a not guilty plea for the remaining charges.

He was sentenced to one year at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

Kemp’s house breaking trial is set for March 5.

TEENAGER ACCUSED OF INJURING FELLOW STUDENT IN MALL FIGHT

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A 16-YEAR-OLD male was granted bail after he was accused of injuring someone in a fight outside the mall last November.

The juvenile defendant, whose name is being withheld due to him being a minor, was charged with causing harm before Magistrate Algernon Allen Jr. The defendant’s guardians were present for his

arraignment.

The defendant allegedly injured a fellow male student during a fight outside the Mall at Marathon on November 30, 2023.

After pleading not guilty to charge, the defendant was granted $1,500 bail with one or two sureties. Under the terms of his bail, he is to obey a 6pm to 8am daily residential curfew.

The trial in this matter begins on May 24.

Thursday, January 11, 2024, PAGE 7

Call to prosecute mother for harbouring criminal after girl killed in shooting

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net ACTIVIST Terneille Burrows is calling for authorities to prosecute the mother of the teen girl gunned down in her home for harbouring a criminal suspect, calling the act “egregious”.

Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander recently revealed that 16-year-old Davinique Gray’s mother was harbouring a fugitive at the time of her daughter’s death, adding that he was the intended target of the shooter.

The fugitive, Gamaliel Gray, was a suspect wanted in connection with the death of Gerrad Coakley, who was shot and killed at his residence on January 2.

“Harbouring a criminal is a crime and seeing the results of what that crime led to is even more egregious,” said Ms Burrows during a press conference on Tuesday.

“I agree that she must be grieving because if I was in her position I would be absolutely distraught and remorseful because we are all human beings and of course, we understand that, but at the end of the day the onus rest with her.

“It seems to be a culture of harbouring criminals and not going to the police with information, withholding information, that needs to stop and that has to stop if we want to see change. The gun influx in the country, high powered weapons, we have to crack down on that some way.”

With the country’s murder count currently standing at eight, Ms

TERNEILLE BURROWS Burrows expressed deep concern about the uptick in violent crimes.

“We have a major issue of income inequality in The Bahamas and people that are not able to earn a decent wage are sometimes forced to consider alternative means of income and may resort to criminal activities of some sort,” she said.

“Their frustration and helplessness

become anger and violence.”

Ms Burrows continued: “The general feeling seems to be that we as a populace are less concerned about the spate of murders because many of the victims are people known to the police. The murder rate has been high for the last few decades, but in 2024 we are seeing unprecedented numbers, with no end in sight.”

PAGE 8, Thursday, January 11, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

Museums overlooked - but important to tell our story APARTHEID, the system of institutionalised racism and minoritarian rule in South Africa, formally existed from 1948 to the early 1990s. It was steeped in a history of slavery, colonialism, and the warring for political and economic control between competing groups and powers.

A kleptocratic authoritarian political culture employed vicious practices of state control and violence.

The country was dominated politically, socially and economically by the minority white population, mostly Afrikaners, who rationalised severe social stratification, with blacks degraded as subhuman.

The effects of apartheid continue, including the legacy of inequality and truncated versions of history of the diverse peoples and stories of South Africa.

The widespread effects of apartheid perdure.

One of the pernicious legacies of this era was the propagandising and formulation of the country’s racist history from the warped, self-serving and triumphalist perspective of both the colonisers and the architects of apartheid.

To the victors and conquerors often go the spoils of how history is manufactured, packaged, or erased.

The reconstruction of a broader historical narrative is difficult and demanding work for any country. It requires careful and layered research and reimaging over generations.

More diverse and accurate narratives require myriad platforms and public spaces to present and exhibit a more honest and comprehensive recording

and retelling of history, including social history.

In 2001, the Apartheid Museum opened in South Africa. It is the world’s foremost museum “dealing with 20th century South Africa, at the heart of which is the apartheid story… [illustrating] the rise and fall of apartheid.”

The museum’s website notes: “An architectural consortium, comprising several leading architectural firms, conceptualized the design of the building on a seven-hectare stand. The museum is a superb example of design, space and landscape offering the international community a unique South African experience.

“The exhibits have been assembled and organised by a multi-disciplinary team of curators, film-makers, historians and designers.

They include provocative film footage, photographs, text panels and artefacts illustrating the events and human stories that are part of the horrific period in our history, known as apartheid.”

South Africa realised the imperative of such a museum to help all of its citizens to better understand the history of apartheid. The Museum is an essential institution in helping South Africans to understand and wrestle with this part of their history.

Museums have an enduring and unique power to entice, to provoke and to capture the imaginations of people of diverse backgrounds, divergent views, and all levels of intellect and learning.

They are experiential platforms which foster learning, understanding, inquisitiveness – and memory.

Today, the physical space of a museum may be linked to an array of social media and interactive platforms, which can educate and inform everyone from pri-

mary school students to domestic and international researchers.

Museums are repositories of art, artefacts and archival material which help to exhibit the fecundity and complexity of the topics to which they are dedicated.

Imagine how spiritually, artistically and intellectually poorer we would be without the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas (NAGB), on whose organising committee Kim Outten Stubbs served.

Mexico has an impressive and extensive museum systems, much of which is dedicated to the history, artistry and archaeological record of its indigenous peoples. Some of the museums are breathtaking in their design and exhibits.

Throughout the Americas, there are museums and exhibits which recall the history of indigenous peoples from their perspectives, rather than that of the colonialists, both foreign and domestic.

This includes the Museum of Pre-Columbian and Indigenous Art, an ethnographic museum in Montevideo, Uruguay. The museum is dedicated to various indigenous cultures in Latin America.

Imagine the United States or Washington DC, without the Smithsonian Institution, a museum and research complex consisting of 17 museums and galleries, including art and history museums, and a zoo, Imagine Greece or Egypt, without museums dedicated to their ancient history or Britain, without the British Museum.

National museums, are not luxuries. They are vital institutions necessary for national development and the fostering of national identity.

Why after 50 years of independence are we still without a national museum? A short answer: many of our political leaders and most Bahamians have not deemed it essential.

Yes, such an institution is expensive to create and maintain, especially given other demands on the public purse. But we are paying an ever higher price for not having a museum, for which we could derive development assistance from private benefactors.

It is sad, telling of who we are as a country that we have not opened such a museum. We are falling dramatically to inculcate a deeper understanding of Bahamian civics, history,

from 2015 to 2018, she led the team that curated the new permanent exhibition for the restored Pompey Museum titled, The Struggle for Freedom in The Bahamas.

The team included international museum specialists in African American History and museum exhibit design.

A former graduate assistant at the Department of African and African American Studies at the State University of New York at Albany, and a high school teacher of Bahamian, West Indian, Ancient World History, and Bahamian Civics, Outten Stubbs helped to develop varied learning spaces and platforms, particularly museums and exhibitions.

She served as curator from 1996 to 2005 at the Museum/Corporation.

From 1998 to 1999, she worked in the Museum and Historic Preservation Section of the Department of Archives, which became the National Museum of The Bahamas.

Outten Stubbs was responsible for the reestablishment of the Pompey Museum following the 2001 THE BAHAMAS has landStraw mark locations such as the Market National Art Gallery and the fire on Pompey Museum - but what Bay about a national museum? and herStreet. She itage in supervised successive museum staff generations, at the Pompey all of which Museum, Balcony are a part of idenHouse, and the Long tity formation and Island Museum. nurturing.

In 2004, she coordinated A people’s identity is related to their understand- and curated the internaing and assimilation of tional traveling exhibition, their history. The National A Slave Ship Speaks: The Museum of The Bahamas Wreck of the Henrietta should be a cornerstone in Marie, loaned from the Mel fostering a greater Baha- Fisher Museum, Key West, mian identity, especially Florida.

She coordinated in 2015, given the bombardment of the international traveling certain foreign influences.

As Kim Outten Stubbs exhibition, Lest We Forget: insists: “A national museum The Triumph over Slavery, defines a country in our loaned from the Schomburg world, as attaining a cer- Center for Research in Black tain ‘level of civilisation’, a Culture, New York City.

As chief curator from certain acknowledgement and accomplishment. It 2005 to 2017, Outten can certainly help to create Stubbs was responsible for one common identity for museum supervision as well people of many origins and as supervising the education programme and the from so many islands.”

This museum would research section.

She initiated and organcultivate in Bahamians a greater knowledge and ised the historic military appreciation of our geo- re-enactment programme logical and social history, at historic forts in 2013.

Lucayan history, the history From 2012 to 2014, she of slavery and colonialism, was the team leader for the the struggle for majority Peter Mowell Exhibition rule and independence, and for the reopening of the Pompey Museum. post-independence history.

She was an executive The cultural failure to have such a museum is council member of the Comnear akin to not having a monwealth Association of National Insurance Board Museums from 2013 to 2017. to address social welfare She is also a member of the Museum Association of The and development.

That we do not have Caribbean, the American a national museums is a Association of State and symptom cum reason of Local History, the Museum Association, the why we urgently need one. Store Could not more of the Bahamas Historical Society, funds that were spent on and a founding member of ephemeral independence the Bahamas Archaeologifestivities been earmarked cal Team.

Outten Stubbs has for the Museum!?

We boast of punching always been part of a team, above our weight interna- which includes the staff at tionally but have failed to the Corporation/Museum, open an institution dedi- including current director, cated to the preservation Chris Curry, and Dr Grace and presentation of Baha- Turner, chief archaeologist mian history. Much of our and research officer. She boasting is empty, loud and also served alongside Dr superficial absent a national Keith Tinker, the first direcmuseum, which could also tor of the AMMC. She enthuses: “Studying welcome millions of paying museums has given me an tourists.

To our credit, we estab- avenue for presentation of lished the NAGB – a heritage and culture that quarter of a century after can open doors to people in independence – which every sphere of life. Estabwas realised because of lishing a national museum a Hubert Ingraham-led has been my goal for the government.

We also past 30 years, even more.”

The Bahamas is fortuestablished the Pompey Museum of Slavery and nate to have talent and expertise like Kim Outten Emancipation.

Some of the preparatory Stubbs. She has dedicated work for the Museum was her rich and varied profesdone by the late Sir Clem- sional life to lifting up the ent Maynard. Fred Mitchell country and the people she promoted legislation for the loves. More of us should Museum. Outten Stubbs share her 30 years plus goal.

When we finally open and others also played vital roles in establishing the the National Museum, the architects of its creation will Pompey Museum.

As deputy director of include 2023’s Person of the the National Museum of Year, and perhaps more of The Bahamas, Antiquities, us, who will work to ensure Monuments and Museum its opening, hopefully, in the Corporation (AMMC), not too distant future.

PAGE 10, Thursday, January 11, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

Harvard president caught in the political crossfire WHEN the president of Harvard University stepped down last week under severe pressure from alumni, donors and Republican congressmen and women, Elise Stefanik literally rubbed her hands in glee. She reportedly said “Two down, one to go,” evidently referring to Congressional testimony last month during which three female presidents of prestigious American universities gave maladroit replies to a question from Stefanik about antisemitism. Harvard’s president at the time, Claudine Gay, was the second of the three to resign in the aftermath of their testimony.

The chair of the House Republican Conference since 2021, Stefanik is the fourth-ranking House Republican. Stefanik is a Harvard graduate. Why was she so pleased to help dispatch her university’s president?

A colleague named Jack Bradshaw offered some insight. A respected professional, he attended both Yale and Harvard Universities. He tried to explain why Stefanik may have celebrated Gay’s downfall, and why other GOP leaders disparage the liberal, “woke” culture they decry at their own schools.

“Let’s look at four current Republican leaders,” Bradshaw said.

“They share some significant experiences,” Bradshaw explained.

“They are Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley, Ron DeSantis

STATESIDE with Charlie Harper and Elise Stefanik. And they attended as undergraduates perhaps the four most illustrious American universities.”

“Cruz, the Texas senator who was born in Canada and attended high school in Houston, went to Princeton as an undergraduate and Harvard Law School.

Hawley, raised in Missouri which he currently represents in the US Senate, attended Stanford for his undergraduate degree and Yale Law School. DeSantis, growing up in Dunedin, Florida, attended Yale as an undergraduate and Harvard Law School. Stefanik went to a girls’ high school in Albany, New York prior to earning her undergraduate degree from Harvard.

“These GOP stalwarts were just about as well-educated as you can be in America. People who attend schools like they did are expected to become leaders.

They have done so. But none of them appears to be especially sophisticated, nor do their actions and words represent the upper-crust values we associate with their schools. Instead, each appears to have become

alienated from their college environment.

“Here’s what I think happened. When these four kids arrived at their undergraduate campuses, all of them had developed some degree of conservative values. They had been active in Republican politics as high-schoolers. That, together and their undoubted academic ability, no doubt impressed their college admissions officers, who are always on the lookout for diversity in their student bodies.

“And these four did diversify their classes.

Because at those four schools, as at many US universities, the prevailing culture is left-leaning.

Roughly half of their classes is drawn from private high schools. Many kids come from real privilege, either via their parents’ wealth or standing in the community.

There is some snobbery in play here. And part of that college snobbery looks down on conservatives.”

Bradshaw paused for a moment, thinking about his next words. “My guess is that Cruz, Hawley, DeSantis and Stefanik all experienced some degree of ostracism

from classmates for not only their conservative political beliefs but also from the fact that they did not graduate from prestigious, well-known prep schools.

“All four were doubtless stars in high school.

DeSantis was a prep AllAmerican baseball player in high school, for instance.

Then they get to these high and mighty college campuses and they’re thrown in with other kids who devalue their experience, achievements, background and beliefs.

“It’s little wonder that they harbour some resentment.

They actually experienced the cutting edge of Ivy League snobbishness that Donald Trump often vilifies but never quite qualified to experience as a high school student of his middling achievement.”

Back to Dr Claudine Gay, the 30th president of Harvard and its first black president. Featured on the cover of the university’s alumni magazine this past September, she was widely celebrated for her achievements in the byzantine bureaucracies of academia and for her courageous

DR CLAUDINE GAY advocacy of minority rights.

The daughter of Haitian immigrants, Gay clearly symbolised a version of the contemporary American Dream whereby a bright, hard-working child born to no particular privilege can ascend to the loftiest perch in American higher education.

In impugning her scholarship, Stefanik and others were really asking whether Gay had gotten her presidential position because she is black. Ironically, as conservatives attack “diversity, equality and inclusion” in the courts and elsewhere, their Supreme Court stalwart, Clarence Thomas, is widely believed to have

been chosen for his current appointment precisely because he is black.

Gay defended herself in the New York Times after resigning. “(Attacking me) was merely a single skirmish in a broader war to unravel public faith in pillars of American society. Trusted institutions of all types — from public health agencies to news organisations — will continue to fall victim to coordinated attempts to undermine their legitimacy and ruin their leaders’ credibility. For the opportunists driving cynicism about our institutions, no single victory or toppled leader exhausts their zeal.”

A Swift distraction to help the Dolphins?

KANSAS City here we come! On Sunday, the Miami Dolphins lost their division title to the Buffalo Bills. As a result, instead of hosting the surging Pittsburgh Steelers this Saturday, the Fins will travel west to Kansas City to face off against the underachieving, inconsistent defending champion Chiefs.

Many are bemoaning the resulting drop in seeding from No 2 to No 6, and the loss of at least one home playoff game. It’s easy to see Sunday’s results as a setback. Actually, the outcome might not be so lamentable.

It’s true that the oddsmakers have installed Buffalo as a whopping ten- point favorite over the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers in Sunday’s first game, and that Miami has been rated a 3.5-point underdog in Kansas City.

But all is not lost. Consider that the Chiefs have actually been even less consistent than the Dolphins this year, and have hardly been insuperable at home.

It is entirely possible that the romance between allstar tight end Travis Kelce and pop star Taylor Swift has become a distraction.

Furthermore, former and current offensive coordinator Matt Nagy has come under fire almost all season for his management

of Kansas City’s powerful offense led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

The Chiefs lost at home this season to three playoff teams – the Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills. They also lost to the Las Vegas Raiders.

They have shown vulnerability at home. This game should be worth watching on Saturday evening.

Miami might just pull off an upset.

The Bills, meanwhile, host Pittsburgh in the early game Sunday afternoon. The Bills may have shrugged off their mid-season blahs. But the visitors are led by a coach in Mike Tomlin who has never experienced a losing season in an astounding 17 years as an NFL head coach. It’s also true that the Steelers have a losing playoff record under Tomlin, however, and that stud pash rusher T J Watt may not play.

But the Bills should be wary. The Steelers are almost always a tough out, and if Buffalo looks past them, they may get ambushed.

Elsewhere in the American Conference, the Browns return to Houston to face the Houston Texans, now buoyed by the return of NFL rookie of the year quarterback C J Stroud. Cleveland is a

3.5-point favorite and won easily a month ago on the same field. The Browns have valuable experience in quarterback Joe Flacco, receiver Amari Cooper and likely defensive player of the year Myles Garrett.

Houston’s inexperience might hurt them.

In the National Conference, Dallas is a big home favorite (7.5 points) over the Green Bay Packers and Detroit is favored over the visiting Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. On Monday evening, the Eagles are picked to defeat the Buccaneers in Tampa.

Dallas and Philadelphia look like good bets to win and advance to the next round, though Green Bay and Tampa Bay may keep the score close until late in these games. The Lions – Rams game is intriguing because the teams’ respective quarterbacks were traded for each other just a couple of years ago. The guess here is that LA may pull a surprise upset.

One thing is certain: These games will all attract lots of viewers. According to figures just released, over 90 percent of the most-watched American television shows in 2023 were NFL games. It’s little wonder the league is so stuffed with cash.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, January 11, 2024, PAGE 11

Armed men storm TV studio in Ecuador GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador Associated Press MASKED men broke onto the set of a public television channel in Ecuador waving guns and explosives during a live broadcast on Tuesday, and the president issued a decree declaring that the violence-plagued country had entered an “internal armed conflict”.

The men armed with pistols and what looked like sticks of dynamite entered the set of the TC Television network in the port city of Guayaquil during a news programme airing live in thousands of homes across the nation and shouted that they had bombs. Noises similar to gunshots could be heard.

No one was killed in the attack, and authorities later said all the masked intruders had been arrested, 13 in all, and would be charged with terrorism.

Authorities have not said who was behind the television station occupation, or a series of other attacks that have shaken the South American country recently, but they follow the apparent escapes from prison of two leaders of Ecuador’s most powerful drug gangs.

Alina Manrique, the head of news for TC Television, said she was in the control room at TC Television, across from the studio, when the masked men burst into the building. One of them pointed a gun at her head and told her to get on the floor, Manrique said.

The incident was aired live, although the station’s signal was cut off after about 15 minutes.

Manrique said some of the assailants ran from the studio and tried to hide when they realised they were surrounded by police.

“I am still in shock” Manrique told The Associated Press in a phone interview.

“Everything has collapsed .... All I know is that its time to leave this country and go very far away.”

Ecuador has been rocked by a series of attacks,

including the abductions of several police officers, in the wake of a notorious gang leader’s apparent weekend escape from prison. President Daniel Noboa on Monday declared a national state of emergency, a measure that lets authorities suspend people’s rights and mobilise the military in places like prisons.

Shortly after the gunmen stormed the TV station, Noboa issued another decree designating 20 drug trafficking gangs operating in the country as terrorist groups and authorising Ecuador’s military to “neutralise” them within the bounds of international humanitarian law. It also said the country had entered an internal armed conflict.

Ecuador’s attorney general’s office said the 13 people arrested will be charged with terrorism. It tweeted that it will present the charges in coming hours.

Ecuadorian law establishes a penalty of up to 13 years in prison for anyone convicted of terrorism.

The government has not said how many attacks have taken place since authorities announced that Los Choneros gang leader Adolfo Macías, alias “Fito”, was discovered missing from his cell in a low security prison Sunday. He was scheduled to be transferred to a maximum security facility that day.

On Tuesday, Ecuadorean officials announced that another gang leader, Fabricio Colón Pico of the Los Lobos group, had escaped from a prison in the town of Riobamba. Colón Pico was captured on Friday as part of a kidnapping investigation and has also been accused of trying to murder one of the nation’s lead prosecutors.

Other attacks have included an explosion near the house of the president of the National Justice Court and the Monday night kidnappings of four police officers. Police said

HOLIDAY GATHERINGS AND A NEW VARIANT DRIVE UP COVID CASES, REPORTS UN GENEVA Associated Press THE head of the UN health agency said holiday gatherings and the spread of the most prominent variant globally led to increased transmission of COVID-19 last month.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said yesterday that nearly 10,000 deaths were reported in December, while hospital admissions during the month jumped 42 percent in nearly 50 countries — mostly in Europe and the Americas — that shared such trend information.

“Although 10,000 deaths a month is far less than the peak of the pandemic, this level of preventable deaths is not acceptable,” the World Health Organization director-general told reporters from its headquarters in Geneva.

He said it was “certain” that cases were on the rise in other places that haven’t been reporting, calling on governments to keep up surveillance and provide continued access to treatments and vaccines.

Tedros said the JN.1 variant was now the most prominent in the world. It is an omicron

variant, so current vaccines should still provide some protection.

Maria Van Kerkhove, technical lead at WHO for COVID-19, cited an increase in respiratory diseases across the globe due to the coronavirus but also flu, rhinovirus and pneumonia.

“We expect those trends to continue into January through the winter months in the northern hemisphere,” she said, while noting increases in COVID-19 in the southern hemisphere — where it’s now summer.

While bouts of coughs, sniffling, fever and fatigue in the winter are nothing new, Van Kerkhove said this year in particular, “we are seeing co-circulation of many different types of pathogens.”

WHO officials recommend that people get vaccinated when possible, wear masks, and make sure indoor areas are well ventilated.

“The vaccines may not stop you being infected, but the vaccines are certainly reducing significantly your chance of being hospitalised or dying,” said Dr Michael Ryan, head of emergencies at WHO.

one officer was abducted in the capital, Quito, and three in Quevedo city.

THIS screen grab of live video from the TC Television network shows a masked, armed person standing over journalists during a live broadcast, in Guayaquil, Ecuador, on Tuesday. The country has seen a series of attacks after the government imposed a state of emergency in the wake of the apparent escape of a powerful gang leader from prison.

Photo: TC Television network via AP

PAGE 12, Thursday, January 11, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

MAJORITY RULE DAY

FORMER Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling during a wreath laying ceremony at the grave of her late husband, former Prime Minister Lynden Pindling, at St Agnes Cemetery yesterday.

GOVERNOR General Cynthia “Mother” Pratt during an Ecumenical Service celebrating Majority Rule Day at Zion Baptist Church yesterday.

Photos: Dante Carrer

PASTOR TG Morrison and Bishop Delton Fernander during an Ecumenical Service celebrating Majority Rule Day at Zion Baptist Church.

MINISITER of Labour and Public Service Pia Glover-Rolle speaks during an event to celebrate Majority Rule at PLP Headquarters.

MINISTER of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell speaks during an event to celebrate Majority Rule at PLP Headquarters.

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis greets Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander during an Ecumenical Service celebrating Majority Rule Day at Zion Baptist Church yesterday.

ATTENDEES at yesterday’s Ecumenical Service celebrating Majority Rule Day at Zion Baptist Church.

OPPOSITION Leader Michael Pintard during an Ecumenical Service celebrating Majority Rule Day at Zion Baptist Church.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, January 11, 2024, PAGE 13

FORMER Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling during a wreath laying ceremony at the grave of her late husband, former Prime Minister Lynden Pindling, at St Agnes Cemetery yesterday.

Photos: Dante Carrer

Majority Rule Day TEMPLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

ENTRANCE EXAMINATION 2024-2025 On Saturday, January 13, 2024, Temple Christian School will hold its Entrance Examination for students entering grades 7,8,9 and 10.

TIME: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

LOCATION: High School Campus, Shirley Street

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis and his wife Ann Marie Davis during an Ecumenical Service celebrating Majority Rule Day at Zion Baptist Church yesterday.

Application forms are available at the High School Office and should be completed and returned to the school by Friday, January 12, 2024. The application fee is twenty-five dollars ($25).

For further information, please call telephone number: 394-4481/394-4484.

FORMER Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling picks a juju from the tree on her way to a wreath laying ceremony at the grave of her late husband, former Prime Minister Lynden Pindling, yesterday.

DEFENCE Force Commodore E Raymond King and Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander during an Ecumenical Service celebrating Majority Rule Day at Zion Baptist Church yesterday.

SPORTS PAGE 14

THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 2024

Adderley and Bain Jr to sign with Mets and Blue Jays

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

NASSAU NETBALL CLUB LOOKING TO EXPAND MEMBERSHIP

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net THE Nassau Netball Club is looking to expand their membership in the upcoming months. Netball, a sport primarily played by women, can be considered a nontraditional sport in The Bahamas but the Nassau Netball Club is hoping to mount a resurgence not only in the sport but in various communities.

Marisa Mustard, coach at the Nassau Netball Club, shared some of the benefits in joining the club which was established in 2021.

“Netball is generally a women’s sport. It is similar to basketball but it has set positions, with seven people on the team, so it is very team based. A lot of what I want to do with the club is to have an opportunity for girls and women to get fit and active, have a bit of a social atmosphere, while being able to get back into sports and maintain their fitness,” Mustard said.

The club is open to women 18 and over. They usually train on Wednesdays from 6.30 to 8pm at the Windsor School. For anyone interested, sessions are typically priced at $10 each week.

Next Wednesday will SEE PAGE 15

BAHAMAS YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUE HAS BIG PLANS FOR 2024

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net THE new year is set to be a promising one for the Bahamas Youth Flag Football League (BYFFL) with lots of development initiatives on the horizon. After making great strides in 2023 including youth football clinics, an inaugural high school tournament along with international play at the USA Flag Football World Championship in December, the youth league is expecting to take things a step further in 2024.

Jayson Clarke, programme director of the BYFFL, said they have wasted no time in starting their development exercises beginning with an offensive camp which got underway this month.

“We have started the year off already with a free offensive camp during the month of January. We are gonna hit the ground running this year.

Although we just returned from Texas last week there are a lot of things we have planned. We SEE PAGE 15

The International Elite Sports Academy 2024 signing class will feature Bohan Adderley and Javado “JT” Bain Jr who are both looking to take the next step on their baseball journeys.

Adderley has committed to the New York Mets, while Bain will sign with the Toronto Blue Jays. The two I-Elite prospects will make their signings official with the respective teams next week Monday and Tuesday.

Adderley, who plays as a centre fielder and shortstop, is grateful to embark on his new path with the Mets.

“It feels great because I know that the team is invested in me and they have a plan for me. I feel safe going there because it feels like it is not just any pick but they actually like me and want to see the best version of me,” he said.

Although the 6-foot-3 shortstop, who is also right handed, will now enter a new arena, he has some expectations for himself as he prepares for his next sporting milestone.

“My goals are to be a leader on the team, leading the team and just being the best teammate that I can be to my teammates.

Also, I want to be the best player for all the other coaches and the organisation and of course make it to the big leagues,” he said.

With the foundation set by the I-Elite Sports Academy, including the various opportunities for exposure via frequent traveling, allowing players to display their talent at showcases and placing emphasis on training, Adderley was thankful for their continued support.

“It was continuous trips over the summer and sometimes in the fall which allowed for scouts to see us play in games and showcases. They definitely put a lot of effort into us

whether it was food, gym and training. It was a lot of effort put into us so they helped a lot,” he said.

The swift shortstop offered a special thanks to his family for their support over the years leading up to this momentous occasion.

Bain, who is an infielder and outfielder, narrowed his list of teams, which included the St Louis

Cardinals and the Boston Red Sox, down to the Blue Jays.

He was excited to start the new experience which not only involves baseball but more opportunities for travel and meeting new people.

“It feels great I am very excited and waiting to see this new chapter of my life and where exactly it is going to take me. I wanted to sign with the Blue Jays

because of their development and my teammates,” he said.

The 5-foot-7 Class of 2024 prospect credited the work of I-Elite Sports Academy in helping him get to this next step.

“They were consistent with the showcases and making sure the scouts saw me. They paid a lot of attention to me and they flew scouts down to see me. Because I come

from I-Elite I like to push. I know I have to work harder and be consistent to continue to prove myself to everyone,” he said. The duo will complete their signings next week beginning with Bain at the Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium on Monday followed by Adderley at the Charlottesville ClubHouse on Tuesday.

THE ROLE OF SPORTS PSYCHOLOGY IN INJURY REHABILITATION:

A PATH TO RECOVERY AND RESILIENCE IN THE world of professional sports, injuries are an unfortunate and often inevitable part of an athlete’s journey. Whether it’s a torn ligament on the basketball court, a strained muscle during a game, or a debilitating stress fracture, these injuries can have profound physical and psychological implications. However, there’s an often-underestimated ally that plays a crucial role in the recovery process – sports psychology.

to alter the trajectory of his career. The physical aspect was daunting, but the mental challenge was equally formidable.

Durant’s recovery was not merely about the physical therapy and rehab; it was about fortifying his mindset.

With the guidance of a sports psychologist, he adopted a growth mindset.

He saw his injury as an opportunity to become mentally tougher, more determined, and resilient.

Instead of fixating on setbacks, he focused on what he could control—his attitude and unwavering dedication to the recovery process.

Understanding the Psychological Impact of Sports Injuries When a high-profile athlete like Kevin Durant of the Brooklyn Nets suffers a significant injury, the spotlight is often on the physical aspect of the damage. Yet, what’s equally impactful is the psychological toll. These athletes invest not just their bodies but their entire identities into their sport.

An injury can evoke emotions like shock, anger, frustration, and even depression. The fear of losing one’s competitive edge or disappointing their team looms large, and uncertainty about the future can be daunting.

Goal Setting and Visualisation

Real-Life Resilience: Kevin Durant’s Inspiring Comeback Kevin Durant’s journey back to the basketball court after a devastating Achilles tendon injury is a prime example of the profound role that sports psychology plays in injury rehabilitation.

In 2019, Durant faced an injury that had the potential

Durant worked closely with sports psychologists to set comprehensive and realistic goals for his recovery.

These goals encompassed not only physical milestones but also critical mental attributes like confidence and resilience.

Visualisation techniques helped him mentally rehearse his triumphant return to the basketball court, enhancing his confidence and alleviating anxiety.

Managing Fear and Anxiety

Fear of re-injury is a common concern for athletes returning from significant injuries. In Durant’s case, sports psychologists equipped him with a toolbox of techniques to manage anxiety and fear, allowing him to regain his competitive edge without hesitation.

Social Support and Communication Throughout his rehabilitation journey, Durant highlighted the importance of open communication with his teammates, coaches, and support systems. This maintained his sense of belonging and prevented feelings of isolation during the challenging recovery process.

Returning to Play: Beyond Physical Rehabilitation While physical rehabilitation is a critical aspect, sports psychology helped Durant prepare mentally for his triumphant return to the basketball court. It involved building unwavering confidence, managing performance anxiety, and gracefully handling the

immense pressure to perform at the highest level.

A Testament to Sports Psychology Kevin Durant’s remarkable journey serves as a testament to the indispensable role of sports psychology in injury rehabilitation. It exemplifies how the right mindset, goal setting, and mental resilience can heal not only the body but also fortify the mind. As athletes confront adversity, the guidance of sports psychologists becomes the bridge not just to recovery but also to reaching new heights in their careers.

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THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, January 11, 2024, PAGE 15

BAHAMAS YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUE HAS BIG PLANS FOR 2024 FROM PAGE 14 full year of activities and this is actually the fullest calendar we have ever had. To increase our development and level of play we already have two camps scheduled,” Clarke said Among some of the events expected to be on the 2024 BYFFL calendar will be the second edition of the high school flag football tournament. The event, which was introduced last year, saw St Augustine’s College High School take home the trophy for the under14 division. Meanwhile, Kingsway Academy hoisted the first championship trophy for the inaugural tourney in the 14 and over division.

“We did introduce the first high school tournament and that is also on our calendar for this year in April. We have already reached out to all of the schools that participated last year and we have an additional two schools who have already said they want to participate. We are working on some promotional material to invite some other schools,” the programme director said.

In the latter part of 2023, the BYFFL partnered with the Barracudas Flag Football Club in Harbour Island to host a youth clinic. However, in 2024, Clarke is expecting to expand their presence throughout the Family Islands starting with Eleuthera and Freeport with the long term goal of having nationals for the sporting discipline.

“We started to work with Eleuthera and there is a team in Harbour Island right now working and we are partnering with them so they intend to be a part of the high school tournament. We have also reached out to

Freeport as well as it relates to youth flag. We are looking to expand youth flag being played across more and more islands,” he said.

Additional plans for the year will include the implementation of a spring and fall season due to high demand to allow the young athletes to play more and aid in their development.

The 2024 BYFFL schedule of events is slated to be released in upcoming weeks.

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: The Bahamas Youth Flag Football League (BYFFL) closed out their 2023 season with three teams competing at the USA Flag Youth World Championships in San Antonio, Texas. Ultimately, all teams came up short in the elimination round with one of the teams advancing to the semifinals

NASSAU NETBALL CLUB LOOKING TO EXPAND MEMBERSHIP FROM PAGE 14 be a special one for the Nassau Netball Club as members of the public have an opportunity to try out a free session along with a friend. Individuals with experience and those without are encouraged to join in on the camaraderie among women while getting active.

With approximately 18 members in total since their start in 2021, a major goal of the Nassau Netball Club is to recruit more members in 2024.

“I would like to keep building in numbers,” Mustard said. “Ideally I want to be able to have sessions in the West and in the East.

However, it is proving to be challenging in terms of facilities in the East with lights so that we could train in the evening. I just want the club to continue growing so as many women as possible can get the opportunity to get in the sport and back to being active within a social atmosphere for a positive experience.”

The Bahamas had a women’s national netball team which competed at the 1971 and 1979 World Netball Championships.

The team was also in action at the 1976 and 1977 Caribbean Games, but since then, netball has been a sport of the past. Individuals interested in joining the experience with the Nassau Netball Club on Wednesday can contact 242-820-9767 for more information. As previously mentioned, next week Wednesday the club will host a free “Bring a Friend” session at the Windsor School.

Bahamas Waste to continue support for Marathon Bahamas

AN APPRECIATION plaque for Bahamas Waste.

RENEWING its commitment to honouring cancer survivors and supporting those still in the fight, Bahamas Waste has once again come on board as a corporate sponsor for Sunshine Insurance’s Marathon Bahamas.

Bahamas Waste has been a proud sponsor of Marathon Bahamas, which raises funds for the support of cancer research and support groups in The Bahamas, since the inaugural race in 2010, providing sanitation equipment and supplies along the course of the route.

Francisco de Cardenas, Bahamas Waste Managing Director, said the decision to provide tangible and much-needed support for what he called a brilliant event for a good cause is worth it.

“Everybody in this country has been touched by cancer in one way or the other,” de Cardenas said. “I think getting everyone to understand the importance of getting check-ups and the seriousness of the disease is also key, which this event always aims to do. So, anything that we can do to

support that, we do our utmost to try.

“You can certainly look forward to our continued support of Marathon Bahamas as the years go on,” de Cardenas said as he renewed the company’s commitment to the annual event.

“I think it’s important that we continue to support this cause because cancer isn’t going anywhere. We’re going to need to keep offering support so that people can get care and treated until hopefully, someday there is a cure. We will continue to do what we can to help.”

This year’s race is scheduled for Sunday, January 14 along a fast, flat course, and serves as an ideal venue for Boston qualifying times. For years, Marathon Bahamas has proven to be the ideal winter running event with an ocean front start and finish.

Sunshine Insurance Vice-President of Operations Shelly Wilson said Bahamas Waste’s commitment since 2010 is invaluable and appreciated as the company is the true example of corporate

Bahamas giving back to its community.

“Reliable sanitation equipment and supplies are critical for safety of participants, volunteers and spectators at any sporting event,” according to Wilson.

“Marathon Bahamas’ event spans 26.2 miles along the northern coast of New Providence, making the logistics of sanitation services extensive. We remain proud of the professionalism that Bahamas Waste has displayed each year; and the company’s demonstrated commitment to support the worthy local charities that benefit from Marathon Bahamas’ fundraising.”

Marathon Bahamas’ course was designed to showcase many of the focal points of this amazing destination including quaint and scenic downtown Nassau with its historic buildings and dramatically upgraded Cruise Port, the glitz and glamour of Paradise Island, the business districts, exciting Cable Beach and the life of the residents hugging the northern shore of the Island.

PAGE 16, Thursday, January 11, 2024

BEARS TO KEEP EBERFLUS AS COACH, FIRE OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR LUKE GETSY AND OTHER ASSISTANTS

By ANDREW SELIGMAN AP Sports Writer LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Bears answered their most immediate offseason question. The biggest one, however, still lingers.

The Bears said Wednesday they are sticking with coach Matt Eberflus after the team showed improvement over the second half of the season following a brutal start.

They were noncommittal when it came to the franchise’s quarterback situation, whether they are staying with Justin Fields or taking Caleb Williams or Drake Maye with the No. 1 overall pick.

While Eberflus is coming back, there will be some big changes to his staff.

The Bears have fired most of their offensive assistants, including coordinator Luke Getsy after two seasons. Quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko, wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert, running backs coach Omar Young and assistant tight ends coach Tim Zetts also were let go.

General manager Ryan Poles said he was impressed with Eberflus’ “leadership through hard times.”

“We had some adversity early in the season, in the middle of the season, his ability to stand strong and keep the team together was incredible,” Poles said.

As for the quarterback situation? Stay tuned on that.

The Bears were in a similar situation a year ago. They dealt the top pick to Carolina for a haul that included top receiver DJ Moore and the Panthers’ first-rounder in 2024. That turned out to be the No. 1 selection after Carolina finished with a 2-15 record.

“I’ve got to weigh all those things to see what’s going to help our team take the next step,” Poles said.

The Bears won five of seven late in the season behind an improved defense and finished with a 7-10 record after having a league-worst 3-14 mark in 2022. But for fans clamoring for a fresh start, particularly with the No. 1 pick and a shot at a potential franchise-changing quarterback, the moves announced Wednesday probably didn’t go far enough.

At 10-24, Eberflus has the third-worst record in franchise history. Only John Fox (14-34 from 2015-17) and Abe Gibron (11-30-1 from 1972-74) have a worse winning percentage.

The Bears blew doubledigit, fourth-quarter leads in three of their losses.

And they bookended the season with losses to rival Green Bay — at home in the opener and then at Lambeau Field on Sunday.

“I just feel here, with the people that we have in this building, the changes that we’ve started to make today, the people that we will hire, the core group of players that we have, the draft capital that we have, the salary cap situation that we’re in, the free agents, just look what was accomplished,” said team president Kevin Warren, who completed his first season.

“I’ll firmly believe, go back 12 months ago and look at the progress that we’ve made. And so once you feel like, yes, you’re not where you want to be, we’re not where we’re going to be, but we’re pointed in the right direction.”

Warren mentioned the Rams going 5-11 and 4-12 in their first two seasons under Dick Vermeil before winning the Super Bowl in Year 3. Warren worked in their front office at the time.

“They were ready to

THE TRIBUNE

PLENTY RESTS ON THE SHOULDERS OF TUA TAGOVAILOA AS DOLPHINS GO FOR FIRST PLAYOFF WIN SINCE 2000

By ALANIS THAMES AP Sports Writer

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — It has been more than 23 years since the Miami Dolphins won a playoff game.

Tua Tagovailoa gets a chance to stop that drought on Saturday night.

The fourth-year quarterback makes his first postseason appearance when Miami visits the Kansas City Chiefs for a wild-card game this weekend. The Dolphins are seeking their first playoff victory since Dec. 30, 2000, when they beat Indianapolis 23-17 in overtime. The franchise has just three road playoff wins and only one (at Seattle on Jan 9, 2000) since 1972.

Tagovailoa has played in high-stakes games before.

He was a freshman at Alabama when he replaced then-starter Jalen Hurts during the 2018 national championship game and led the Crimson Tide past Georgia for the school’s fifth national title under Nick Saban.

The 25-year-old Tagovailoa has spoken about how those experiences helped shape his path to the NFL, but he couldn’t quite find the words to describe the emotions of competing in his first playoff game.

“I don’t think I could compare this to anything,” Tagovailoa said Wednesday. “It’s all new.

Everything is all new. This is a different feeling than it was in the national championship game. Different feeling than it was in the SEC championship game.

I think they all come with new feelings. The way I cope with it is go about my business the way I’ve been going about my business.

MIAMI Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa speaks after an NFL football game, Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Bills defeated the Dolphins 21-14. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Take care of my job and trust that my teammates will do the same.”

Tagovailoa added that he hasn’t had a chance to sit down and reflect on his areas of growth this season — one that he finished as the NFL’s leading passer with a career-high 4,624 yards — but probably one of the biggest differences is his health.

He started every regular-season game this year for the first time after dealing with various injuries since entering the NFL. He missed Miami’s playoff game last year, a loss to Buffalo in a wildcard game, after being diagnosed with his second concussion of the season.

“It’s a blessing that I get to play the entire season,” Tagovailoa said. “I think

anyone would say the same around the league that it’s a blessing to make it this far. ... I don’t take this for granted.”

Now he has a chance to add a playoff win to his list of accomplishments ahead of a potentially lucrative offseason. The Dolphins exercised the fifth-year option on his rookie deal last March, but the sides are expected to discuss the possibility of a contract extension after this season.

Tagovailoa was Miami’s first quarterback to lead the league in passing since Dan Marino in 1992. His 69.3% completion rate was the best in a single season in franchise history.

And he was selected to his first Pro Bowl after guiding Miami’s No. 1 passing

offense. He also has made some critical mistakes in some of Miami’s biggest games, including a total of four interceptions in consecutive losses to playoff teams Baltimore and Buffalo to close the season.

The Dolphins were 1-5 against playoff opponents this season, and Tagovailoa had a 65.1% completion rate, seven touchdowns and six interceptions against those teams. He completed 72.9% of his passes against Miami’s 11 non-playoff foes.

Tagovailoa was intercepted on the Dolphins’ final drive against Buffalo, which effectively sealed the loss.

“Every game is different. It’s a constant development,” Dolphins

coach Mike McDaniel said. “One thing I do know is as much, if not more, than any player I’ve been around, this guy has, in front of our very eyes, learned and continued to grow, and no situation regardless of how much weight is on his shoulders or how much noise is out there, he continues to find a way to improve.”

NOTES: The Dolphins signed linebacker Melvin Ingram from the practice squad to the active roster, and signed linebacker Malik Reed to the practice squad. ... Miami held a walkthrough on Wednesday, but S DeShon Elliot (calf), S Jevon Holland (knees) and CB Xavien Howard (foot) were estimated as nonparticipants.

HOUSTON Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) makes a catch during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

COLLINS LOOKS TO LEAD TEXANS IN PLAYOFFS AFTER BREAKOUT REGULAR SEASON

By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer HOUSTON (AP) — C.J. Stroud was blown away the first time he worked out with Nico Collins. Houston’s rookie quarterback knew immediately that the receiver was special.

“I said: ‘You’re a superstar,’” Stroud recalled.

Collins doesn’t remember the interaction but said that’s probably because Stroud is always encouraging him and providing positive feedback.

“I really don’t, but I believe he said it … we always motivate each other, man,” Collins said. “I feel like that’s why things get kind of blurry.”

As the Texans return to the playoffs for the first time since 2019 on Saturday when they host the Cleveland Browns, Collins might not be considered a superstar across the league, but in Houston, there’s no doubting his status as a top receiver.

“He’s a big-time playmaker for us, and he shows up every single day,” coach DeMeco Ryans said.

“He hasn’t changed who he is. He still shows up in a humble manner.

He shows up and he works hard every day at practice, and that’s

why he continues to get better.”

Collins, a third-round draft pick in 2021, has had a breakout season with Stroud under centre. After combining for just 927 yards receiving in his first two years, this season he leads the team and ranks eighth in the NFL with 1,297 yards receiving despite missing two games.

So, what helped him take his game to a new level this season?

“I just trust in my craft, trust in the grind I’ve been putting in in the offseason and just thanking God for everything,” he said. “I feel like just getting better every single day has kind of been my mindset.”

And having Stroud throwing to him certainly hasn’t hurt.

“That dude is special man,” Collins said. “I tell you, the way he’s carried himself every single day, ever since he stepped foot here from Day 1, he’s got that ‘it factor’ with him.”

Collins joins Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins as the only players in franchise history to have at least 1,200 yards receiving in a season. He’s proud to have his name associated with the two greatest receivers in team history.

“That’s big time,” he said. “Those are some big names, them names hold weight, and to be a part of

that, it’s a blessing. But I feel like it’s only the beginning for me. I feel like it’s still room for improvement in my game and we’ll see what happens, but I think the sky’s the limit.”

Collins enters his first playoff game after catching nine passes for a career-high 195 yards in Houston’s 23-19 win over Indianapolis last week.

He gave the Texans an early lead when caught a 75-yard touchdown pass on the team’s first offensive play.

The Browns know containing him will be a key to Saturday’s game.

“He’s just a really physical football player, can make contested catches, has the speed, has breakaway speed,” Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski said.

“He’s a big play receiver as you saw in the first play of the game the other night.

“He’s really talented.”

Stroud, the second overall pick in the draft, has made Houston’s passing attack the team’s biggest strength after two seasons in which the Texans ranked among the worst in the league in yards passing with Davis Mills at quarterback.

Stroud has credited his early NFL success to the help he’s received

from his teammates and has been particularly complimentary of Collins.

“I told him, my goal is to make you look as best as you can, to make you look like you,” Stroud said.

“I appreciate him being just a consistent, great friend to me, somebody who I can just let my hair down with, and I think our chemistry shows on the field. Our friendship shows on the field. I’m super proud of that dude.”

Stroud didn’t play in Houston’s 36-22 loss to Cleveland on Dec. 24 while recovering from a concussion.

With Case Keenum and Mills filling in, Collins had one of his worst games of the season, with just 18 yards receiving.

“For him to be back, it’s a great feeling for the team,” Collins said.

“And it’s gonna be fun. It’s gonna be a great day.”

Collins is thrilled to make his playoff debut after going through two tough seasons when the team combined for just seven wins.

“It’s a higher level,” he said. “So, you got to leave it all out there because there’s no guarantee for next week. So go crazy, man. Just rock out.

“I feel that’s our mindset.”

THE TRIBUNE

LIVERPOOL STAGES SECOND HALF RECOVERY TO BEAT FULHAM 2-1 IN FIRST LEG OF ENGLISH LEAGUE CUP SEMIS LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Liverpool staged a secondhalf fightback and scored twice in a three-minute span to beat Fulham 2-1 in the first leg of the English League Cup semifinals on Wednesday.

With second-tier Middlesbrough defeating Chelsea 1-0 on Tuesday in the first of the semifinals, another upset looked on when Fulham took the lead at Anfield through Willian in the 19th minute after Virgil van Dijk failed to make a clearing header.

Liverpool’s attacking threat was limited in the first half without Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is injured, and Mohamed Salah, who is away with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.

A double-substitution in the 55th saw Darwin Núñez and Cody Gakpo enter and it proved

decisive, with Núñez having a hand in both of Liverpool’s goals and Gakpo scoring one of them.

After Núñez’s layoff, Curtis Jones equalised with a shot that took a vicious deflection off the back of Tosin Adarabioyo and looped into the corner past stranded goalkeeper Bernd Leno in the 68th.

Núñez then crossed for Gakpo to sweep home a finish in the 71st, handing Liverpool the advantage ahead of the second leg at Fulham’s Craven Cottage on Jan. 24. The Reds could have been taking a bigger lead to London but Leno saved brilliantly at the feet of Núñez in the 89th.

The victory comes three days after another second-half recovery at Arsenal, where Liverpool won 2-0 in the FA Cup.

“It’s the mentality in the group, in the club,” Gakpo said.

“In the city, everything is like this. The mentality is to keep going, that it doesn’t matter what has happened.

“If you have that mentality, a lot of beautiful things can happen.”

Fulham was competing in the semifinals for the first time in its 144-year history, while Liverpool — a record nine-time winner of the competition — was looking to reach the final for a record-extending 14th time.

LIVERPOOL’S Cody Gakpo celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal during the EFL Cup first leg semi final soccer match between Liverpool and Fulham at Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England, Wednesday.

(AP Photo/Jon Super)

ASIAN CUP: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW AS WORLD CUP HOST QATAR STAGES LATEST SOCCER TOURNAMENT

By JAMES ROBSON AP Soccer Writer DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Just over a year after Lionel Messi led Argentina to the World Cup title in Qatar, international soccer is back in the Middle Eastern nation for the Asian Cup. The 18th edition of the competition kicks off in Lusail on Friday. The tournament was originally scheduled for 2023 in China, but those plans were canceled as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Qatar, which was already preparing for the 2022 World Cup with an array of state-of-the-art stadiums, was selected from a second round of bidding and a new date of 2024 was set for the biggest international soccer event in the region.

ASIA’S BEST Qatar won the title for the first time in 2019 and will defend the trophy against the elite of Asian soccer.

World Cup-qualifying teams South Korea, Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia and Iran are among the nations competing in the tournament that runs from Jan. 12 through Feb. 10.

Saudi Arabia secured one of the most famous upsets in World Cup history when it beat Argentina in its opening game in Qatar, and Japan topped a group that included Spain and Germany to advance to the knockout stage.

FORMAT The quadrennial tournament sees 24 teams drawn into six groups of four that play in a round-robin format. The top two from each group and the four best third-placed teams advance to the round of 16.

From there it is a knockout competition through to the final.

FAVOURITE Japan is the favourite to win the trophy for a fifth time, ahead of South Korea, Australia, Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Hong Kong is the big outsider.

STADIA The Asian Cup will be another chance to see many of the spectacular stadiums used to host the World Cup. Lusail, which hosted arguably the greatest World Cup final in history when Argentina beat France on penalties after a 3-3 draw, will be used for the opening game of the Asian Cup and the final.

Al Bayt Stadium was one of the most distinctive from the World Cup, having been constructed to look like a tent.

TOTTENHAM’S Son Heung-min celebrates at full time of the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and AFC Bournemouth at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, Sunday, Dec. 31. (AP Photo/Ian Walton) Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, which opened in 1975, was not used for the World Cup but will host seven matches of this tournament.

STAR PLAYERS Tottenham’s South Korea forward Son Heung-Min is perhaps the biggest star attraction, but there are a number of players from leading clubs who will be in action.

Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo will be competing for Japan and he will be joined by countrymen Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton), Takumi Minamino (Monaco) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal).

On-loan Roma forward Sardar Azmoun is part of Iran’s squad, while South Korea also has Bayern Munich defender Kim Minjae, Wolverhampton forward Hwang Hee-Chan and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Lee Kang-in.

There are star names among the coaches as well, with multiple title-winning Italian Roberto Mancini in charge of Saudi Arabia and German great Jurgen Klinsmann leading South Korea.

Argentine coach Hector Cuper was a two-time Champions League runnerup with Valencia and is now in charge of Syria’s national team.

PAST WINNERS Japan in the most successful team in the history of the Asian Cup, having won it four times — most recently in 2011.

Saudi Arabia and Iran have each won three titles and South Korea has won two. Australia won the tournament for the first time in 2015.

PRIZE MONEY The champion receives $5 million and the runner-up gets $3 million. Losing semifinalists pick up $1 million each and all 24 participating teams receive a fee of $200,000.

Thursday, January 11, 2024, PAGE 17

PAGE 18, Thursday, January 11, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

AS EXPECTED, DJOKOVIC AND SWIATEK GET NO.1 SEEDINGS AHEAD OF AUSTRALIAN OPEN Playing true to their rankings, defending champion Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek will be the top seeds at the Australian Open in the first Grand Slam tournament of the year which begins Sunday at Melbourne Park.

The men’s seedings mirror the ATP rankings as of Wednesday from Nos. 1-32, with 24-time major winner Djokovic followed

by Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz, the only player to beat him a Grand Slam event in 2023.

The women’s seedings followed the WTA rankings from Nos. 1-8, then Barbora Krejcikova is promoted to No. 9 at Melbourne Park because of the injury enforced absence of her fellow Czech Karolina Muchova, the French Open finalist last year.

Muchova hasn’t played since losing to eventual champion Coco Gauff in the U.S. Open semifinals last September.

NOVAK Djokovic

IGA Swiatek

Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova is pregnant and skipping the year’s first major and last year’s U.S. Open semifinalist Madison Keys has an injured shoulder, taking the players ranked 17th and 18th out of the equation for Australia.

The seedings mean that players in the top 32 avoid each other in the early rounds when the brackets are determined for the major tournaments. The top two seeded players cannot meet before the final.

Here is a list of the seedings:

MEN 1. Novak Djokovic 2. Carlos Alcaraz 3. Daniil Medvedev 4. Jannik Sinner 5. Andrey Rublev 6. Alexander Zverev 7. Stefanos Tsitsipas 8. Holger Rune 9. Hubert Hurkacz 10. Alex de Minaur 11. Casper Ruud 12. Taylor Fritz 13. Grigor Dimitrov 14. Tommy Paul 15. Karen Khachanov 16. Ben Shelton 17. Frances Tiafoe 18. Nicholas Jarry 19. Cameron Norrie 20. Adrian Mannarino 21. Ugo Humbert 22. Francisco Cerundolo 23. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 24. Jan-Lennard Struff 25. Lorenzo Musetti 26. Sebastian Baez 27. Felix Auger-Aliassime 28. Tallon Griekspoor 29. Sebastian Korda 30. Tomas Martin Etcheverry 31. Alexander Bublik 32. Jiri Lehecka

WOMEN 1. Iga Swiatek 2. Aryna Sabalenka 3. Elena Rybakina 4. Coco Gauff 5. Jessica Pegula 6. Ons Jabeur 7. Marketa Vondrousova 8. Maria Sakkari 9. Barbora Krejcikova 10. Beatriz Haddad Maia 11. Jelena Ostapenko 12. Zheng Qinwen 13. Liudmila Samsonova 14. Daria Kasatkina 15. Veronika Kudermetova 16. Caroline Garcia 17. Ekaterina Alexandrova 18. Victoria Azarenka 19. Elina Svitolina 20. Magda Linette 21. Donna Vekic 22. Sorana Cirstea 23. Anastasia Potapova 24. Anhelina Kalinina 25. Elise Mertens 26.Jasmine Paolini 27. Emma Navarro 28. Lesia Tsurenko 29, Zhu Lin 30. Wang Xinyu 31. Marie Bouzkova 32. Leylah Fernandez