01122023 NEWS AND SPORT

POLICE QUESTION FORMER MINISTER

Officers quizzed Lanisha Rolle as part of investigation

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

POLICE Commissioner Clayton Fernander confirmed that officers questioned former Cabinet Minister Lanisha Rolle and her husband yesterday as a part of their investigations into the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture.

“Yes, at this time they are being questioned,” the police chief said when asked to respond to reports circulating on the issue.

“They came into custody yesterday (Tuesday).

They were released pending last night, to return this (Wednesday) morning so at this hour, I believe they are still speaking to investigators at this time.”

Reports first circulated in November that Mrs Rolle was under active police investigation as a part of their probe into the ministry. Deputy Commissioner of Police Leamond Deleveaux later denied those reports when contacted by The Tribune and only said police were only looking into some “irregularities” at the ministry.

WILCHCOMBE: MARITAL RAPE LAW CONSULTATION DONE ‘IN WEEKS’

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

SOCIAL Services Minister Obie Wilchcombe said officials are hoping to have consultations wrapped up regarding marital rape legislation in the next several weeks.

The minister gave an update to reporters on consultation and the marital rape legislation outside Parliament yesterday.

“We’re still waiting,” he said. “We haven’t

completed (it) yet. We are to move with the president of the Bahamas Baptist Missionary Educational Convention. He wanted to meet with us to discuss a few matters and with members of his church and leadership, we’re waiting for that date.

“We’re hoping to have it done very shortly because in March we intend to have a national women’s convention that will coincide with International Women’s Day.”

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

of disrepair. The country’s top judge lamented the state of infrastructure at the courts while

He said roofs in some buildings are mouldy and leaking and also highlighted the issue of flooding.

“We continue to lament the state of our infrastructure,” Justice Winder said. “The court campus is spread out in many separate buildings across the city of Nassau, between Nassau Street, and East Street. Most of these buildings have long exceeded the optimal usefulness as court facilities.”

BPL POWER BILLS ‘MUST INCREASE’ IN FUTURE

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Power & Light’s (BPL) chief executive yesterday warned the utility’s base tariff rate must ultimately increase to offset “diminished returns”, adding: “The sooner, the better.”

Shevonn Cambridge, reassuring that no such hike is imminent, said it is “a necessary adjustment” that must be implemented for future financial stability given BPL’s margins continue to be squeezed by rising input costs that have only worsened from inflation.

No timelines for such an increase have been set, and he added that significant work over a six-12 month period would be required to determine the appropriate base tariff to set.

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE GOVERNMENT

The Bahamas, responding to allegations that its overflight fees regime imposes “unjust, anti-competitive and unreasonable” charges on US-based carriers, sought to turn the table on its accusers by asserting that they want to force this nation into the very conduct they are accusing it of by “discriminating against all airlines other” than themselves.

CHIEF Justice Ian Winder has reignited calls for the construction of a new modern court complex, saying the time for a “complete judicial complex” has long passed as current facilities are ill suited and in a state

speaking during the opening of the 2023 legal year at the Pointe yesterday.

yesterday accused major US airlines of seeking to use The Bahamas’ sovereign air space without paying for it through “empty arguments” and “attempting to inflame lawful conduct”.

‘WE NEED A NEW COURT COMPLEX’

“Our physical plant has not kept pace with the growth of the bench, increased size of the bar, the workload of the court and security threats which were not envisioned when these buildings were first commissioned.

“By way of example, the main Supreme Court building had a new roof installed to the old structure some nine years ago. On December 27, 2022, just before the new year, excess water was unable to properly drain from the roof and for the second time in less than six months since I was appointed chief justice, the entire building flooded.”

Due to flooding, ceiling tiles, light fixtures, furniture as well as court files and judges’ personal property have been destroyed, he continued.

Thus, the main Supreme Court building is not suited to be a court facility, Justice Winder conceded, adding “its best use unfortunately today is as a museum.”

“The annex one building, formerly known as Ansbacher House, which houses seven Supreme Courts, and annex two, which houses five courtrooms above the Central Police Station are in no

better shape,” the chief justice also said.

“They’re both plagued with mould and continually leaking roofs. Annex one, another historically significant structure, being the former site of BITCO was acquired during the leadership of Sir Michael. This building is over 75 years old and poses serious structural concerns.

“Cars no longer park under the building due to concerns from spalling concrete. They both provide genuine lessons in the challenges of trying to repurpose existing spaces into courtrooms.”

Justice Winder said successive chief justices have, over the years, spoken about the need to construct a new complex to house the Magistrate’s Court, the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal and agreed that the time has long passed.

He also expressed hope that their wishes will be fulfilled soon.

“The attorney general, myself and the prime minister have met specifically on this issue and I am assured that the nature of the challenge is understood, and that the government will seek to procure for the judiciary a complete modern court complex in the very short term,” he said.

from page one

MEMBERS of the judiciary during yesterday’s start of the legal year.

Photo: Moise Amisial

CHIEF Justice Ian Winder inspecting police officers during ceremonies for the start of the legal year.

Photos: Austin Fernander

SCENES from yesterday’s ceremonies.

Chief Justice defends judiciary

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

CHIEF Justice Ian Winder yesterday defended the work done by the courts, saying it is irresponsible for people to attack the judiciary and say they are responsible for all that ails the criminal justice system.

He said judges live in the same community as everyone else and they also want crime to be reduced.

Justice Winder also spoke about his plans to speed up criminal trials and help tackle the longstanding issue of a court backlog. These include the establishment of a court backlog committee and criminal case management reform committee and the assignment of an additional judge to the criminal division in New Providence to build capacity, among others.

There has been ongoing criticism about the length it takes for some criminal trials to start and wrap up as well as concern about

accused violent offenders being granted bail, only to reoffend or be killed on the streets.

Speaking about those who attack the judiciary about the issues in the system or the length it takes for trials to be complete, he said: “Not only is the suggestion wholly inaccurate, it ignores the non-realities in the criminal courts and in our country.

“In the past year, a considerable amount of nollies have been entered by the Office of the Department of Public Prosecutions. Most of these have been entered after the trial has begun, or on the morning when the trial was commenced, often causing considerable loss of court days.

“Judges do not live in ivory towers… We attend the same stores, churches and public places, as every member of the society, our children, and our families live in this society and we love this country as much as everyone else. We want our communities to be safe and crime at a reducible

minimum.”

He spoke during a ceremony to mark the opening of the legal year.

While acknowledging that criminal trials are not proceeding as fast as they used to, Justice Winder pointed to a number of issues that have caused lengthy delays in the trial process, including access to information, the extension of legal aid assistance to unrepresented persons, greater incidences of challenges to confession statements among other issues.

Additionally, the chief justice gave an update on their efforts to establish specialty courts, saying work continues for the establishment of a sex offences court.

As it relates to the family court, he said a site has already been identified.

“To meaningfully develop a family court however, a holistic approach must be undertaken as a proper family court is more than just an adequate and appropriately appointed building

space,” he continued.

“We need the legislative framework we put in place to achieve this goal. A working committee has been established… and the CEO of the Trinidad and Tobago judiciary has been engaged as a consultant to assist as we build out this project as it proceeds.”

Speaking to the Magistrate’s Court, Justice Winder said there is a need to amend the Magistrate’s Court Act which he suggested is outdated and does now allow the court to keep pace with the needs of the current age.

The chief justice told those gathered that he has asked officials to make recommendations on amendments to the act and was advised “by the attorney general that such a measure would have his support.”

With respect to the Coroner’s Court, Justice Winder maintained that proper functioning of this court continues to be a challenge.

He said while the acting coroner is doing a

commendable job, she is hampered by the absence of a marshal to lead the evidence before the court.

“While inquests, other than police-involved deaths, are being carried out, the court is unable to properly fulfil its mandate in respect of all debts. Discussions with the learned director of public prosecutions had initially identified an officer to perform the function,” he also said.

“That option has since fallen through and the search continues, I’m advised, to locate a replacement marshall. I implore the director of public prosecutions once again to bring the conclusion to this matter.”

He also foreshadowed significant changes to the judicial system this year and pointed to the upcoming appointment of five new Supreme Court judges, which he said will be announced very shortly.

“Two judges will be assigned to the commercial and civil divisions, who will be appointed with effect

from the first of February 2023,” the chief justice said. “Another judge who will be assigned to the criminal division will be appointed with effect from the first of February 2023.

“The fourth judge will be assigned to the family division and will be appointed with effect from the first of March 2023 and the fifth judge will be assigned to the northern region will be appointed with effect from the first of May 2023. He will be assigned to both civil and criminal divisions.”

He also bid farewell to several justices in the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal who are set to retire later this year, including Justice Carolita Bethel and Justice Diane Stewart.

“Whilst opportunities will arise for a proper farewell for these exemplary judicial officers, I want to use this occasion to publicly recognise their commitment and service to the judiciary and to wish them well in the next chapters of their lives,” he added.

‘IMPLEMENT OIA AND RAPE LAW’

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Bar Association president Khalil Parker once again urged the full implementation of the Freedom of Information Act, and called for action on Bahamian citizenship rights and said that there is “no place” for rape in the country or in marriage.

He spoke at a ceremony to mark the new legal year held at the Compass Ballroom at Margaritaville resort.

Mr Parker welcomed new Chief Justice Ian Winder and promised “renewed support” to him as they “seek to deliver upon the constitutional promise of a judicial system worthy of the citizens and guests of the nation.”

After thanking Justice Winder’s immediate predecessor former Chief Justice Sir Brian Moree for his service, the Bar Association president spoke of the importance of the long gestating Freedom of Information Act. He said that progress in implementing the act is necessary for transparency.

“The Bahamas Bar Association has

consistently urged and demanded a public commitment to transparency,” Mr Parker said. “Full implementation of the Freedom of Information Act is no longer merely an aspiration; instead it represents the bare minimum required to demonstrate a true commitment to transparency and delivering to the Bahamian people the meaningful righteous liberty they deserve.”

While Information Commissioner Keith Thompson said last September that Bahamians could expect to start making freedom of information (FOI) requests “soon”, this has yet to come to fruition.

Mr Parker further said that he welcomes the government’s commitment to the issue of citizenship and stated his belief that rape has no place in the country or in marriage.

“We also welcome the government’s commitment to addressing the longstanding and vexing issues of the discriminatory and arbitrary treatment of the children of Bahamians and their access to Bahamian citizenship which is their birthright,” Mr Parker said.

“And for the avoidance

of any doubt, there is no place for rape in either Bahamian society or marriage.”

These comments come as the Privy Council is set to decide later this month if children born out of wedlock to foreign women and Bahamian men are entitled to Bahamian citizenship at birth. Currently they are entitled to apply once they turn 18.

Near the end of his address the Bar Association president called on the government to pass the Court Services Bill which would give the judiciary control of their own budget.

“The attorney general has worked closely with the Bar Council and has produced a Court Services Bill of which we can all be proud and we await its urgent enactment.

“As I have said on previous occasions, to fully implement the changes and improvements necessary to deliver a world leading legal system we require, the judiciary must have the increased economic criminal resources funds promised by the Court Services Bill, which includes the checks and values one would expect from such a legislative reform.”

could be signed before the end of 2022, however that did not happen.

THE Davis administration hopes to conclude ongoing industrial agreement negotiations with the Bahamas Public Service Union this month, despite the union saying the government’s latest proposal puts its members at a “disadvantage”.

Public Service State Minister Pia Glover-Rolle said yesterday she is hopeful a new industrial agreement can be signed before the end of this month.

“I am hopeful that before the end of January, we would have all industrial agreements behind us. I would love to have the public service agreement signed today if possible,” Mrs Glover-Rolle said.

“On the 14th of December 2022, to the BPSU who would have received the final agreement for the public service general workers agreement, we subsequently got a response saying that the BPSU would like to come back to the table with our labour relations unit, our labour relations unit responded, the holidays came,” she said.

“Every agreement that we can get signed, is a step in the right direction. Our administration is still and always focused on good, positive, amicable labour relations. The agenda for this year is how we move forward. We would have wanted to get those agreements behind us,” Mrs Glover- Rolle said.

Last month, Mrs GloverRolle said she was hopeful a new industrial agreement

On the sidelines of an event at the Office of The Prime Minister yesterday, BPSU president Kimslet Ferguson said that there could be “no finality” in negotiations with the government about the union’s outstanding industrial agreement until there is discussion “at the table” between both parties.

“In our initial conversation, when the prime minister met with all trade unions he indicated that he wanted to give a uniformed increase and so we were expecting that. When the proposals were forwarded we found that we were at a disadvantage in comparison to other trade unions,” Mr Ferguson said.

“We haven’t been at the table yet. We had an introduction meeting. Hence, we would have forwarded communications submitting the names of our team members and are waiting for the government to indicate when we can get started. We had indicated that we would have been ready from the 23rd of December,” he said.

“We received a communication from the government indicating that they would have submitted a final proposal, could I suggest today that there is no finality in negotiations until we reach an agreement. So, we’re very concerned in that particular regard and are awaiting a response from the government on when we can commence those negotiations and sit like all the other unions would have sat and arrived at an

amicable solution,” he said.

When asked what is outstanding from the government in terms of negotiations, Mr Ferguson said: “Everything.”

He added: “There has been no discussion on the salary increases. We have seen where the government made a decision unilaterally to pay public servants a particular amount of money.

“Whenever there is an industrial agreement there is dialogue coming from both sides. And so we didn’t have the opportunity the other trade unions would have had in order to arrive at a solution and an agreement concerning what our members would receive.”

Mr Ferguson added that he has received no response on letters sent to Prime Minister Philip Davis, who is also the Minister of Finance regarding concerns he had including a conflict of interest, citing that the last letter sent was in November or December.

“Disappointingly, I haven’t gotten a response from the Prime Minister on any of the communications that the Bahamas Public Services Union would have written to him. We do have

some concerns about conflict of interest. I don’t want to go into detail in that particular regard, but we do intend to forward those communications again,” Mr Ferguson said.

“We have already invited counsel to forward communications in that particular regard and so we’re hoping that will prompt a response from the substantive Minister of Finance,” he said.

However, Mr Ferguson said he does not expect the union to take any further industrial action before meeting with government officials on negotiations for an agreement.

“I think we have to sit to the table. I don’t want to preempt anything. So I would wait and if there is any form of industrial action that may be taken, that is going to be determined by the membership,” Mr Ferguson said.

“It is my job and responsibility to present to the members what is presented to me by the employer and once there is a consensus from the membership as to whether we should accept or reject, then we follow the lead of the membership,” he said.

Mr Ferguson last voiced his concerns on December 7, when scores of BPSU members gathered outside the House of Assembly outraged over the government’s failure to meet with union executives to resolve several outstanding matters.

A week later, Mrs Glover-Rolle said she could

not fault BPSU for wanting more money for members, but explained that based on the country’s current financial state, the package proposed was the best offer the government could make at the time.

Should the union reject the proposal, Mrs GloverRolle said negotiations will continue.

SCENES from yesterday’s ceremonies to mark the start of the legal year.

Photos: Austin Fernander

WILCHCOMBE MARITAL RAPE LAW CONSULTATION DONE ‘IN WEEKS’

“So we want to have some of the things completed by then.”

He responded to criticism of the church being over consulted on the matter.

“Well, we should over consult the country at all times — it doesn’t matter

whether it’s a church or the Bahamian people. It’s always best to do it right the first time so you won’t have to come back and do it again. If we can cause for greater dialogue in our country, I believe that more would be had in our country in a positive way.”

Asked for a timeline on

the consultation, Mr Wilchcombe said he is hoping over the next several weeks before the end of the month.

The West Grand Bahama and Bimini MP also spoke about the increases in child neglect and abandonment.

According to data released by the Ministry of

Social Services, there were 240 new reported cases of child abuse, neglect and abandonment documented between January and October of last year. He also commented on the recent reports of the sexual assault of a 14-yearold girl and work to protect children as well as strengthening laws.

“We do have an issue, we’ve seen an increase in the number of abandonment, we see an increase in a number of neglect (cases), whether it’s verbal, whether it’s abuse or sexual. We’ve seen a number of increases over the last several months, particularly, as we saw the prices, inflation increase,”

the minister said.

“The levels of poverty are obviously reflective, and they’ve been high levels of depression in our country as well. We believe that relates to a number of the issues that we are seeing. What we want to do is begin a very massive educational campaign to move people away from negativity.”

Government searching for site for New Providence hospital

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

HEALTH and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville said yesterday that the government is actively reviewing potential sites for a new hospital in New Providence.

Yesterday, outside the House of Assembly, Dr Darville responded to speculation that the future site of the new hospital will be in Highland Park, which is in the Killarney constituency.

“Well, between me and you we have a few potential sites that we’re looking at,” he said yesterday.

“We (will) do a geotechnical study and the site where the rock is adequate

for a facility of this nature will be our most accepted site.”

He continued: “We made a commitment in our Blueprint for Change and we will construct a new state of the art hospital in Grand Bahama and one in New Providence, and that work is ongoing.

“There has been no finalisation exactly of the site, but we have a potential site that seems to be very promising and the geotechnical studies for that site (are) still ongoing. Once that’s completed and it seems suitable then we will notify the media.”

Yesterday, Dr Darville noted that once the geotechnical studies are completed, there will be a

town hall meeting to discuss the possible impact to the communities in close proximity.

Despite the recent comments, in October of last year Dr Darville said he was satisfied with the new proposed site.

He said at the time: “I would like to let the Bahamian people know that there is some study, some geo-technical studies that are going on, on the rock formation to ensure that it can handle multi-storey capability. I am pleased with the site; the site is about 50 to 55 acres. So, there’s room for expansion. It’s on high ground, which means that

we don’t have to worry too much about the elements of climate change.

“But I’m pleased that as we’re progressing with the final feasibility, it appears that we have a confirmed site.

“I figure in a couple of weeks - at the latest two months - I will be able to clearly articulate to the Bahamian people where the new site for the Princess Margaret Hospital will be,” he added.

The Progressive Liberal Party stated in its Blueprint for Change that its priority was to improve and build health care facilities in the country.

DPM: MORE HEALTH FACILITIES NEEDED IN EXUMA

By JADE RUSSELL jrussell@tribunemedia.net

DEPUTY Prime Minister Chester Cooper said yesterday there is a need for more health facilities on Exuma.

Mr Cooper’s comments came after a boating accident occurred in the Exuma Cays on Monday that left eight people injured. He said the passengers were a group of employees who were on their way back to work. Five of the passengers were taken to New Providence for treatment and

are currently doing well, Mr Cooper said.

According to a police report, the accident occurred shortly before 7pm in the area of Pelican Point, South Staniel Cay. Police said that a creamcoloured vessel with twin engines was travelling north from Black point towards Little Leaf Cay when it hit a rock on the southern point of Staniel Cay.

Three of the injured were taken to a local clinic for treatment and later discharged. The remaining five victims, including a man and four women,

were airlifted to New Providence for further medical treatment.

Mr Cooper, the Exuma and Ragged Island MP, said the boating accident pointed out the need for the expansion of healthcare on the island, adding that he has been in discussions with the Minister of Health.

“Just like there are sometimes traffic accidents on the street, we sometimes have these most unfortunate accidents on the seas. We’re going to look to see what we can do to provide more lighting in some of these potentially dangerous

areas. But I think it also highlights the need for more healthcare.

“And I’m already speaking, for quite some time now, with the Minister of Health about the development of new clinics in Black Point and Staniel Cay — those are actively on the drawing board. But the time has come where we need a doctor resident in the Exuma Cays,” Mr Cooper said. He added that the healthcare issues on the island have not only affected residents, but tourists as well. “We had an accident two

weeks before where a tourist broke her foot and we were not able to airlift her that evening. First thing the next morning we had to airlift her, fortunately there were visiting doctors on the island who were able to assist.”

Mr Cooper said tourism on the island of Exuma is growing; however, officials will continue to work with the Ministry of Health to ensure the necessary infrastructure is put in place to support the island’s growth.

In December, Health and Wellness Minister Dr

Michael Darville spoke on his plans to improve clinics on the Family Islands.

He said: “As we speak, there’s a transformation change that is presently in stream for the construction of nine new clinics throughout our Family Islands, the renovation of 22 clinics, the construction of a new state of the art hospital for Grand Bahama and a construction for new state of the art hospital here in New Providence. While this is going on, we are renovating the existing structures throughout our archipelago and our hospitals.”

‘ALL BACK TO NORMAL’ ASSURES AIRPORT AUTHORITY

By LETRE SWEETING lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

THE chairman of the Airport Authority yesterday allayed fears of further flight delays in New Providence following delays

at the airport last week and international reports of grounded flights in the United States due to computer outages.

Paul Bevans said the issues with delays at Lynden Pindling International

Airport (LPIA) last week are over, with the issues originating from America, not LPIA.

“It has been cancelled. It’s back to normal now. There were concerns prior to this, but we heard right before we started that it’s been cancelled. So everything’s back to normal,” Mr Bevans said.

“We had a situation the other day, where I think Miami had a situation with their towers or their computers, so we had some delays, so persons thought it was something going on at our airport that we were doing. But again, that was something on the US side,” he said.

Peter Rutherford, the managing director of the Airport Authority, added: “We have a national response where from time to time situations like these arise, and we do have contingencies and plans in

place should the FAA (the Federal Aviation Administration) interruption have been delayed, but we just got word from the FAA about a half an hour before we got in that it had been cancelled.

“So, all flights should be leaving on schedule. There may have been one or two delays coming out of LPIA, Grand Bahama and some of the other airports, but those have been resolved. We just got word that domestic flights within the US have resumed. So, all is well on that front,” Mr Rutherford said.

These comments came at the signing of a threeyear industrial agreement between the Airport Authority and the Bahamas Public Services Union (BPSU) yesterday at the Office of The Prime Minister.

The last industrial agreement between the two

parties was signed in 2015 and after more than eight years, the agreement to impact more than 650 union members includes several financial benefits, including increases in annual increments, continued insurance coverage and more promotions.

Mr Rutherford said: “There would have been some challenges in making sure that everything was consistent with what both parties wanted. And I’ll say each party did not get everything what they wanted. But I think this represents a banner day where all sides can come together and come to an agreeable position.

“We’ve also recently had about 80 promotions within the security department within the authority, another 73 promotions with team members throughout the Family Islands, and

then another 30 plus promotions within the Family Islands,” Mr Rutherford said.

While this new agreement is set to expire in June 2025, BPSU president Kimsley Ferguson added that he won’t wait until that time to start negotiations on a new one.

“Instead of waiting for this to expire, we would submit a proposed agreement for discussions even at this particular juncture that we can embark upon and assure that we do things in a timely fashion,” Mr Ferguson said.

“This particular industrial agreement would have spanned over two administrations. We would have actually had to resubmit it. It expired this morning. We’re just elated and excited that it’s being concluded, so that we can move on,” he said.

MAN HELD O ER SEX ATTACK IN HOME IN ASION

2023-2024

Temple Christian High School will hold its Entrance Examination on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at the school on Shirley Street from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon for students wishing to enter grades 7, 8, 9 and 10.

Application forms are available at the High School Offce. The application fee is twenty-fve dollars ($25). Application forms should be completed and returned to the school by Friday, January 13, 2023.

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

A MAN is in police custody in connection with a recent home invasion and sexual assault, according to Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander.

Police said three men entered a residence in southern New Providence and burglarised the home shortly after 5am on Sunday. Officers were told that a man, a woman

and other relatives were at their home on Marshall Road when three gunmen entered.

The residents were reportedly tied up and robbed of an undisclosed amount of cash. During the burglary, a woman in the home was sexually assaulted, police said.

Police are actively looking for the other two men

involved, Commissioner Fernander said. He added that during the suspect’s arrest, officers uncovered a .40 loaded pistol at the man’s home as well as a vehicle believed to be used in the commission of the crime.

Commissioner Fernander also shed light on another sex crime investigation, telling reporters that the

14-year-old who was reportedly sexually assaulted while at her residence in eastern New Providence earlier this month was an alleged victim of statutory rape.

Earlier this week police said the incident occurred between Monday, January 2, and Sunday, January 8.

Yesterday, Commissioner Fernander said the girl’s parents found out she had sex with a 19-year-old man, prompting the police investigation.

“The parents, it came to our attention through the parents that the 14-year-old was seeing an adult male, a 19-year-old. She is assisting us in trying to locate this individual.

“You know sometimes these young girls they will tell you one thing, but will not give us the full truth but... we are trying to locate this 19-year-old and bring some closure to this matter.”

HEALTH and Wellness

Minister Michael Darville. TEMPLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Police question former minister

from page one

However, he did not say if those irregularities occurred when the Minnis administration was in power or during Mrs Rolle’s tenure, explaining that the investigation into the matter was still in the early stages.

When asked why Mrs Rolle and her husband were being questioned, Commissioner Fernander replied: “Well, I can’t say exactly what the officers put to them, but you know

what was circulating in the media. We are speaking to them at this time.”

Mrs Rolle resigned from Cabinet in February 2021 for “personal reasons,” she said at the time.

Her departure came after former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis ordered a lockdown of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture.

The Tribune had previously reported that when ministry officials and the board of the National Sports Authority became concerned that established

processes and procedures were not being followed, they took their concerns to Dr Minnis.

The Auditor General was in the midst of auditing the NSA — which manages and develops sporting facilities — at the time.

The audit was later tabled in the House of Assembly in November 2021, months after the Davis administration was voted into office.

The audit - which was conducted between July 1, 2018 to January 2021uncovered several red flags, including “poor

maintenance practices at the agency, inadequate inventory controls and boards that were not able to carry out the functions of the authority, among other things.”

The report also found that a contract was awarded without Cabinet approval and also instances where cheques to contractors were made out to named individuals, no companies, and collected by a senior official of the Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture.

However, Mrs Rolle has repeatedly denied any

wrongdoing, saying her track record spoke for itself.

Most recently, she told reporters last November that she believed in due time, the truth will be revealed.

“I have resigned from Cabinet from February 23 of 2021 and since then, we are here today. I recall the last official audit report disclosed, to my information, that the accounts of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture (were) fairly maintained,” the former Cabinet minister

said at the time.

“I did not hear that another audit or any further investigation was going on and so we are where we are today. I trust the police. I have been a police officer. I have served the country in that capacity for 11 years. I served in the Cabinet. I served as a member of Parliament. I served as an officer of the court and I trust that the due process of the law will be followed, the rule of law shall take its course and justice shall prevail. I trust the Lord in all of that.”

PINTARD: MAJORITY RULE IS FOR ALL BAHAMIANS

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement leader Michael Pintard criticised the Progressive Liberal Party for not promoting the fact that Bahamians of “all walks of life” participated in majority rule.

His comments came a day after Dame Marguerite Pindling demanded an apology from PLP chairman Fred Mitchell as she publicly accused him and the PLP of using a Majority Rule Day event at her husband’s grave as “a stepping stone”.

As she stood at the podium, Dame Marguerite said before the event got underway she wanted to “set the record straight” and reminded people about the contributions she made to the PLP and former Prime Minister Sir Lynden Pindling’s political career.

Outside of Parliament yesterday, Mr Pintard spoke of other persons who had a hand in the historic movement and said they were not all PLPs.

“This morning I’m hoping that in the House (of Assembly) that both the Prime Minister and myself would have an opportunity to make comments about majority rule. It is the

REV MOSS STABLE IN HOSPITAL

THE REV CB Moss is in stable condition in hospital after he collapsed on Tuesday at a Majority Rule Day service at St Agnes Anglican Church.

According to a statement issued by a spokesperson, a team of competent doctors have stabilised the community leader and activist while he undergoes a “battery of tests and treatments.”

The statement shot down false social media reports about Rev Moss’ death and added that the Moss family appreciates the outpouring of love shown to him during this time.

They asked for people to keep him in their prayers.

After Rev Moss collapsed at the church on Tuesday, Health Minister Dr Michael Darville assisted him. He was taken to hospital by EMS personnel and accompanied by opposition leader Michael Pintard.

He was said to be in a medically induced coma on Tuesday.

The Mt Olive Baptist Church pastor is a longtime inner-city community leader who is dedicated to meeting the needs of people in the area. Over the years, Rev Moss has continuously contributed to the country through his involvement in community efforts, as well as political and religious programmes.

He is the executive director of Bahamas Against Crime and president of Bain and Grants Town Advancement.

view of the opposition that majority rule was achieved as a result of Bahamians from all walks of life participating in that event. PLPs at that time and those that left the PLP to form the Free National Movement. White and black Bahamians — Bahamians from all demographics,” he said.

“Unfortunately over the years, the Progressive Liberal Party has not projected the view that Bahamians of all walks of life have participated in this important event. It has become narrowly a PLP event which has become most unfortunate and disingenuous. So anyone contributing to clearing up that historical bias we support.”

When asked his view on Dame Marguerite’s call for an apology, Mr Pintard said it was a PLP matter.

“The PLP can address that matter. The point I’m

making is the comments I heard by way of the media is consistent with comments we have had. It is important for us to have a rounded view and tribute to all who participated in ushering majority rule credited and not for one particular group to try to give the impression only they formed majority rule.”

The Bahamas gained majority rule for the first time on January 10, 1967.

On that day both the PLP and the United Bahamian Party (UBP) won 18 parliamentary seats during the general election, with the remaining two going to Randol Fawkes, of the Labour Party, and Alvin Braynen, an Independent.

Mr Fawkes sided with the PLP, helping the party to form the first black-led government. Mr Braynen became Speaker of the House.

FNM leader Michael Pintard.

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Wait for marital rape legislation goes on

THE long, slow progress toward legislation on marital rape seems to be continuing.

In November, Social Services Minister Obie Wilchcombe set his sights on a three-day women’s conference in March as a landmark with regard to the legislation – but only to further discuss that which has already been discussed.

Yesterday, he reiterated that goal, but was there perhaps something a bit more concrete than mere discussion?

He said that the government was still waiting and had not completed consultation yet. He said: “We are to move with the president of the Bahamas Baptist Missionary Educational Convention. He wanted to be with us to discuss a few matters and with members of his church and leadership, we’re waiting for that date.

“We’re hoping to have it done very shortly because in March we intend to have a national women’s convention that will coincide with International Women’s Day. So we want to have some of the things completed by then.”

Over recent months, a number of voices have spoken out on the issue.

Bishop Laish Boyd supported legislation, calling it a “simple and no-brainer” step in pursuit of justice and basic human rights for all.

Former Attorney General Allyson Maynard Gibson said she believes there is now the political will to actually make changes to sexual offences legislation.

She is the chairwoman of the board of trustees at the University of The Bahamas – and the university produced a study that showed that one in 12 married women had been raped by their

husbands. Mrs Maynard Gibson said that study showed just the “tip of the iceberg”.

The wife of the Prime Minister also joined in calls for marital rape to be outlawed. Ann Marie Davis said: “Imagine, we are still living in a society where no does not mean no. How could that be?

I tell you no and you think I mean yes. No, sir. Of course I’m talking about marital rape, right. No means no.”

The bill has been circulated for consultation since October – but the discussion has been going on for a lot longer than that.

Still, with so many voices speaking up on the issue already, the government waits for an appointment with the president of the Bahamas Baptist Missionary Educational Convention.

Will that yield actual legislation by the March date that Mr Wilchcombe has targeted? Or will we just go on and on with more talk?

Last year ticked by without the law changing to make women any safer. How much of this year will pass before the political will that Mrs Maynard Gibson speaks of is found?

In today’s Front Porch column, our columnist chooses the person of the year for 2022 – but that choice is not one person, but all the activists who have fought for women’s rights down the years.

That journey is not yet done. Indeed, even passing this legislation will not complete that journey – but it will be one more step along the way, and one which will offer women protection that they are not presently afforded.

How much longer must we wait?

Pindling name fades in the

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I WASN’T surprised that Dame Marguerite Pindling took the opportunity on Majority Rule Day to publicly upbraid executives of the Progressive Liberal Party for the perceived wrong done to her late husband’s name.

Of the current 32 PLP MPs and 12 PLP Senators, not one is a Pindling.

The readership would recall newspaper rumours of Dame Marguerite publicly campaigning for her daughter, Monique, to get the PLP nod in Mangrove Cay and South Andros, in the months leading up to the 2021 general election.

This political move by the Pindling clan created quite a stir, as that constituency was already held by a PLP MP, Picewell Forbes, who would announce his plans to not run again.

I don’t think it is a coincidence that Dame Marguerite mentioned Sir Lynden transitioning from Nassau to South Andros in the 1960s.

Be that as it may, the PLP top brass, despite the politicking of Dame Marguerite and Monique, elected to run Leon Lundy instead.

It is quite possible that Dame Marguerite felt slighted and embarrassed by this move, in addition to other matters, and decided to vent her pent-up frustrations with the PLP.

What the nomination of Lundy suggested to onlookers is that Dame Marguerite carries very little weight within the PLP.

It also suggests that the Pindling brand has been greatly diminished within the PLP.

I believe that both Dame Marguerite and Sir Lynden held political aspirations for their children, with the aim of cementing their political dynasty.

In 1992, Michelle Pindling-Sands ran on the PLP

ticket

Sir Lynden was a contemporary of Jamaican Prime Minister Micheal Manley, who was the political heir of his father, Norman Manley, leader of the People’s National Party and the first premier of Jamaica.

Another Caribbean statesman Pindling was contemporary with was Sir Vere C Bird, who served as premier and prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda.

His son, Lester, would become prime minister in 1994 - six years before Pindling passed away. Another political dynasty would be the one Grantley Adams established in Barbados.

His son, Tom Adams, would serve as prime minister between 1976-1985. The Birds, Adamses and Manleys established political dynasties in their respective Caribbean nations, something Pindling may have also entertained.

With none of his posterity being in Parliament or the Cabinet in the current PLP regime, it is not surprising that the Pindling name is no longer in the political limelight.

Unlike Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, Perry Christie engaged the Pindling family in his administrations.

In 2002, he appointed Michelle Pindling-Sands to the Senate and in 2014 he appointed Dame Marguerite as governor general.

Christie may have felt deeply indebted to the Pindling family, as it was Sir Lynden who endorsed him as his successor to the PLP helm in 1997 over the late Dr Bernard Nottage and Philip Galanis.

It was Pindling who expelled Christie from the PLP in 1984 or thereabouts after the latter criticised the party hierarchy due to the damning report that came out of the Commission of Inquiry.

Pindling would subsequently reconcile with Christie in 1990, by reinstating him to the PLP and the Cabinet.

In light of all this, one can appreciate Christie’s indebtedness to Sir Lynden and Dame Marguerite. With Davis, however, his connections to the Pindling brand do not appear to be as deep as Christie’s.

To be clear, Davis as prime minister reserves the right to appoint whomever he desires to serve in his administration.

Those appointed serve at the pleasure of Davis.

In actuality, Davis has done nothing wrong by not engaging any of the Pindlings.

Still, the mindset within the Pindling clan just might be that this administration is inundated with Johnnycome-latelies and persons who are not bonafide PLPs, while Monique Pindling, whose father helped in solidifying the party as a viable political organisation during the 1960s, was denied the opportunity to run in her father’s former constituency.

Looking at the current PLP legislative caucus, probably half of them were either teens or young adults when Pindling was voted out of office over 30 years ago.

A few were in primary school. The PLP has dramatically evolved. It is no longer Pindling’s PLP. This is a reality that Dame Marguerite might be finding difficult to accept.

KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Grand Bahama January

11, 2023.

in Yamacraw, which was represented by the legendary Janet Bostwick.

POLICE band drum major Ryan Cartwright pictured during yesterday’s ceremonies for the start of the legal year. Photo: Austin Fernander

Remediation ‘continuing’ on sunken ship

By JADE RUSSELL jrussell@tribunemedia.net

THE Transport and Housing Ministry said yesterday remediation efforts of the sunken Onego Traveller ship off Abaco are continuing, adding 3,119 tons of steel coils and 4,505 tons of Ferix in bulk remained submerged.

The ministry said that steps to address the sunken cargo ship were still active.

On December 29, 2022, Onego Traveller sank with heavy fuel onboard.

The general cargo ship registered in Antigua and Barbuda, built in 2002, reportedly began taking on water in the ballast water tank area near Hole in the Wall, off South Abaco.

“The Ministry of Transport and Housing wishes to advise members of the public that efforts to monitor and address the sinking of MV Onego Traveller off Abaco, The Bahamas remain ongoing,” a statement said yesterday.

“The primary focus of efforts by the Ministry of Transport and Housing, the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources, the Department of Planning and Protection, the Department of Environmental Health Services,

and the Port Department is to ensure that salvage operations are conducted in a safe manner, and that the marine environment is protected,” the statement said.

The statement added that the ministry is receiving daily progress reports from Resolve Marine which is overseeing the salvage operations.

“The cargo remains submerged and consists of 3,119 tons of steel coils and 4,505 tons of Ferix in bulk,” it added.

The ministry highlighted that efforts were being made to remediate the issue.

“Divers continue to inspect the sunken vessel.

The booms remain in place and continue to hold. Efforts to remove the fuel are continuing. The public is advised to stay away from the area.

“The Government of The Bahamas wishes to assure the Bahamian people — especially the residents of Abaco — that diligent efforts to resolve this incident are being taken. The Ministry of Transport and Housing will continue to share additional information with members of the public as more details become available,” the statement said.

On January 6, the Bahamas National Trust in a statement expressed concerns about the sunken cargo ship and its affect on the marine environment

BNT executive director Lakeshia Anderson-Rolle said, “The BNT’s key concern at this time is the impact of the ship on the seabed and the potential impact of the vessel’s spilt chemical contents on coastal and marine organisms and habitats in the area, especially given that the vessel is currently within the boundaries of a marine protected area, not yet assigned to any protected area management agency. If the chemicals are not quickly and properly contained, they can potentially spread to other areas.

“The BNT is prepared to support any remediation or monitoring efforts, including the creation of long-term policies to prevent or respond more quickly to such incidences in the future. We have been in constant communication with the director of DEPP, who has requested assistance to conduct ecological assessments; and our park wardens and scientists are on standby and ready to help with these efforts as soon as it is safe to do so.”

BELL DEFENDS EFFORTS TO CURB RISE IN MIGRANTS

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

LABOUR and Immigration Minister Keith Bell yesterday defended the government’s efforts in handling irregular migrants amid a significant influx of people from Haiti and Cuba to The Bahamas.

Yesterday, Mr Bell told reporters outside the House of Assembly that he was expected to have a meeting with the commissioner of police, along with the director of immigration and executives to discuss recent migration trends.

He also confirmed migration activity in Marsh Harbour, Abaco, last week, adding that there was an additional landing of 50 Cubans on Tuesday night.

In addition to the continuous migration of Haitians to The Bahamas, Mr Bell noted that the government has seen a marked “upswing” in the number of irregular migrants from Cuba who are escaping food shortages and rising inflation, among other issues.

“I want to reassure the Bahamian people that all of the law enforcement partners are working very closely together in respect to ensuring that they are able to apprehend these persons as they seek to make their way to the United States and when they end up in our jurisdiction, there is swift intervention,” he said yesterday.

He continued: “We check them and screen them obviously for medical reasons, and then we repatriate as quickly as possible. So, we have several exercises, repatriation, underway this week as well. And we’re continuing to monitor and when we need to prosecute, we will do so again.”

Much like The Bahamas, the US, particularly the Florida Keys, has seen a marked increase in migration over the last several months, which has resulted in hundreds of interceptions.

Mr Bell said that all irregular migrants go through due process and are screened by immigration officials for proper

evaluation and assessment.

He noted that there has been a significant change in the type of vessels used to conduct the activity.

Previously, the irregular migrants were transported in wooden sloops, however, recently the boats are being propelled by engines. In some instances, they are said to be smuggled through “pleasure crafts,” according to the immigration minister.

As a result of these findings, Mr Bell said law enforcement is monitoring all vessels travelling within the jurisdiction.

The immigration minister has previously said that as a developing country The Bahamas cannot afford to accommodate the large influx of irregular migrants coming here.

Earlier this month, he acknowledged the influx of irregular migration, noting that law enforcement officials will remain on high alert and also committed his ministry to ensuring “that anyone who comes here through illegal means” will be repatriated as quickly as possible.

THREE ACCUSED OF CARJACK AND KIDNAP

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

THREE men were remanded to prison yesterday in connection with a recent armed carjacking when a man was kidnapped and had $1,130 stolen from him.

Shaqulle Demeritte, 28, represented by Alphonso Lewis, with Keno Knowles, 27, and Wilnaldo Williame, 20, all stood before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson Pratt. There they faced charges of armed robbery and kidnapping. Demeritte

faced an additional charge of receiving.

On January 4 in New Providence, the accused, while armed with a black handgun, are alleged to have temporarily abducted and then robbed Michael Lightbourne of his red 2011 Ford F-150 truck.

In addition to his vehicle, valued at $10,000, it is said the accused stole the complainant’s $200 Samsung A20 phone, his wallet containing his IDs and bank card as well as $1,130 in cash.

The following day, Demeritte was arrested

after he was found with the stolen vehicle.

In court, the accused were not required to enter a plea as this was an indictable offence. They were informed that their case would proceed to the Supreme Court by a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).

The chief magistrate told the trio that as she lacked the jurisdiction to grant them bail they had the right to apply for it through the higher court.

They are expected to receive their VBI on March 31.

AN IMAGE of the sunken ship as provided to The Tribune

Person of the Year 2022

WOMEN ACTIVISTS THE ONGOING STRUGGLE FOR EQUALITY

“The best judge of whether or not a country is going to develop is how it treats its women. If it’s educating its girls, if women have equal rights, that country is going to move forward. But if women are oppressed and abused and illiterate, then they’re going to fall behind.”

– Barack Obama

IT IS a lazy misnomer and misread of world and Bahamian history to repeat the cliché that women were “granted” the right to vote. It was not a grant or gift. Women fought ceaselessly, organised, were jailed, ostracised, went on hunger strikes, were mocked – and sometimes died in demanding and seizing the right to vote.

The struggle took centuries. Into the second decade of the 21st century, women are struggling still for equality!

The fight for equality is about more than certain constitutional or legislative changes, though these are vital. The broader struggle is moral, cultural, about values and core democratic principles.

In his 1857 “West Indian Emancipation Speech”, Frederick Douglass famously declared: “The whole history of the progress of human liberty shows that all concessions yet made to her august claims have been born of earnest struggle...

“If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom and yet deprecate agitation are men who want crops without plowing the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the roar of its mighty waters.

“The struggle may be a moral one or it may be a physical one, or it may be both moral and physical, but it must be a struggle.

Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never has and it never will.”

EQUALITY

At the forefront of the movements for gender equality have been mostly female but also male activists who lent their values, intellect, imagination, willpower, anger, frustration, joy, hopes and dreams in securing certain human rights.

These activists have had to demand, demonstrate and mobilise to secure their freedoms in the face of entrenched male power that resists change in every generation.

Though the issues cover a range of social, economic and political rights and power, a core mission has been an unwavering insistence on the full equality and participation of women and girls codified in numerous international agreements and conventions but often

breached in practice in many countries.

In The Bahamas, generations of women activists have been at the vanguard of the enduring struggle for equality, and the recognition of the innate dignity of women as human beings and as full citizens and not as appendages of male supremacy and domination.

The 2022 Person of the Year title winners are the women activists who are today at the forefront of the relentless work for equal rights in The Bahamas, including on marital rape, constitutional equality, gender-based violence, greater representation in parliament, LGBTQ+ rights, public safety and other areas of national life.

The opposition to legislation to criminalise marital rape is yet another example of such resistance that will only be overcome by ceaseless activism, including education and conversion of hearts, minds and consciences.

Activists and change agents appear in diverse forms. The brilliant American activist and political theorist Saul Alinsky suggested: “True revolutionaries do not flaunt their radicalism. They cut their hair, put on suits, and infiltrate the system from within.”

Alinsky, ever the radical, was being clever. Often, radicals are forced to engage in militant

nonviolent direct action, such as those political activists fighting for majority rule.

INSPIRATION

Activists today might draw inspiration from the legacy of the former National Committee for Positive Action (NCPA), which included men such as Sir Arthur Foulkes, as well as the late Warren Levarity, Jeffrey Thompson and Dr Eugene Newry.

The NCPA was an advocacy and activist group which helped to radicalise the PLP, providing the party with ideas, strategy and a program of nonviolent direct action.

Still, the women who fought for equality in The Bahamas have included: women in the struggle for majority rule; women who sat in parliament and around the Cabinet table, and pioneers like psychologist and human rights activist Dr Sandra Dean Patterson who has done groundbreaking work on domestic and sexual violence.

They included activists in community organisations and nonprofits; female senior advisors in government; women journalists like Athena Damianos; writers, thinkers and activists such as Marion Bethel, Jeanne I Thompson, Helen Klonaris, various educators and others.

Today, women, including: Dr Dean Patterson; Prodesta Moore, the founder of Women United; Alicia Wallace, columnist and founder of Equality Bahamas; poet and public intellectual Patricia Glinton Meicholas; the Bahamas executives of the Caribbean Institute for Women in Leadership; educator Dr Jacinta Higgs. A new generation of female artists are also advocates for equality.

LESSONS

History offers lessons and guideposts for activism in a 21st century Bahamas. When Bahamian women were petitioning, marching and arguing for the right to vote, they were confronted with the baseless arguments that stymied progress for women in areas such as educational advancement, economic opportunity and a other pathways of equality.

It was said by many men and women, that women did not have the intelligence or education to understand certain issues. Many said women should listen to and follow the lead and advice of their husbands and domestic partners in all matters including political issues and current affairs.

In her January 19, 1959, philippic and plea for female enfranchisement Dame Dr Doris Johnson understood how difficult the road ahead was in the face of male intransigence and stupidity.

She drummed in 1959: “This mobilisation of our energies was called forth by the challenging statement issued by the Right Honourable Secretary of State, Mr Lennox-Boyd on 13th April 1958 that there was not sufficient interest on the part of Bahamian Women for him to recommend the enfranchisement of women at that time.

“This statement by the Secretary was issued despite the fact that a petition signed by more than 3,000 women had been presented to Mr LennoxBoyd by a delegation of women from the Suffrage Movement.

“To add insult to injury, Mr Lennox-Boyd at the same time recommended the extension of the franchise to all males who have reached the age of 21. May we remind you that there has never been any demand from our husbands and sons to secure their rights, but these are freely recommended...”

A senior Bahamian statesman involved in the struggle for majority rule and equal access to voting regardless of race, gender and class, noted: “In 1962 after years of valiant struggle and much sacrifice on the part of men and women of my generation who valued the right to vote, universal adult suffrage was achieved with every adult citizen having the right to cast a ballot in general elections.”

Women secured the vote in time to participate in the 1962 general election. But they would not secure a seat in the House for another two decades. It was not until 1982, two and a half centuries after the establishment of the House

of Assembly that a woman, Dame Janet Bostwick, was elected to that chamber.

From the inception of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) in 1953, and most certainly from the 1956 general election until 1987 –over 31 years – a Bahamian woman was never afforded nomination for a safe or winnable seat in the House by the party.

By royal mandate, the House of Assembly was established in the Bahama Islands in 1729 during the governorship of Woodes Rogers.

The institution was intended for white men of means. Slaves, their descendants and women did not legally qualify to sit in the House. White men of lesser means were unable to sit by virtue of their lower economic standing.

The institution evolved over the centuries, becoming the centrepiece of Bahamian democracy representing the relative advancement and equality of various segments of society.

Near the end of November 2012, a joint session of Parliament was held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Bahamian women attaining the right to vote.

A joint resolution was passed promising an end to constitutional discrimination against women, “so as to fully and irrevocably engage and utilize the indomitable spirit of Bahamian womanhood in nation-building”.

Last year, ten years later, another joint sitting of Parliament was held to mark the 60th anniversary of the Women’s Suffrage Movement in The Bahamas. Thankfully, there are once again more women in the current PLP cabinet and in parliament near akin to the years of previous FNM administrations.

These commemorations are important, though insufficient. The ritual encomiums to the suffragettes were grandiloquently delivered. But juxtaposed to legislative inaction on marital rape, and other issues of gender-based violence, the rhetoric is sometimes cloying, frustrating, meaningless.

Senate president LaShell Adderley, who in the spirit of Alinsky, was well-suited and dressed in the regalia of her office, has “infiltrate[d] the system from within.” Her words on the occasion were a plea for change.

“Our long walk to freedom has not yet ended when the marital bed has become a violent mattress. Rape is rape, notwithstanding the context. The Bible reminds us that men ought to love their wives in the way that Christ loves the church and died for it.

“This love is defined in 1 Corinthians Chapter 13 as being patient, kind and not delighting in evil. Freedom and justice demand legislation which outlaw rape.”

She spoke in the clarion language and tone of past and current activists, demanding action in the struggle for equality: “Freedom, justice and equality demands a Gender-Based Violence Act now.”

Circus over McCarthy’s bid for House speaker

THE circus atmosphere surrounding the dogged efforts by California congressman Kevin McCarthy to become the new speaker of the US House of Representatives was widely mocked and derided in various American news media. It did seem odd that an extensively televised contest in which the outcome was largely preordained dragged out over an entire week and 15 separate votes.

McCarthy’s bid for leadership was stoutly opposed by twenty House members of the self-described Freedom Caucus. This group espouses hard-right positions on many issues including domestic spending and international isolationism. They profess general allegiance to Donald Trump. A leader and oracle of this group is Mark Meadows, the former North Carolina congressman whose tenure as Trump’s White House chief of staff covered the last period of Trump’s presidency.

These Freedom Caucus stalwarts held the influence they were able to wield during McCarthy’s humiliating ordeal because the Republicans only earned a 9-vote majority in the 435-member House of Representatives in November, meaning they could only suffer a handful of defectors in order to prevail in the face of a unified Democratic opposition.

Much attention during this endless imbroglio went to four-term Florida congressman Matt Gaetz, who is the son of a former Florida Senate leader and now represents the westernmost congressional district in Florida that includes the city of Pensacola, upscale “Redneck Riviera” beach communities like Destin and huge military installations, including Eglin Air Force Base and the Pensacola Naval Air Station.

Gaetz made headlines

last year for eloping to California to marry his girlfriend while he was reportedly implicated in a federal sex-trafficking investigation. Nonetheless, Gaetz won re-election last November with almost 70 percent of the vote.

He was one of the last holdouts in the McCarthy Speaker saga, at one point so enraging one of his GOP House colleagues that the two almost became involved in a real-time, televised fistfight.

“There’s no deal you can make with Gaetz,” Newt Gingrich said in an interview a week ago at the height of the drama. “He’s essentially bringing ‘Lord of the Flies’ to the House of Representatives.” Gingrich is the still politically-active former Georgia congress-

and recent critic of the Freedom Caucus rebels, Gingrich told reporters that “we weren’t just grandstanders (in the 1990s). We were purposeful.” He said he would be glad to show the current rebels how to successfully wield power. “But anything that takes longer than waiting for their cappuccino, I doubt they’re interested in.”

When Gingrich led the Republicans to control of the House of Representatives in 1994, he succeeded in taking over the House from a Democratic majority for the first time since 1952. That victory launched what has been described as “the zero-sum brand of politics that mutated into the Tea Party movement and the grievance-based populism of the Trump era”.

Outgoing House majority leader Steny Hoyer told reporters that the Freedom Caucus holdouts “are employing the old Gingrich argument that you don’t get any benefit from cooperation or compromise, only from confrontation.” Hoyer, who entered the House 42 years ago, recalled that Gingrich “played to the anger and disaffection of people whom Nixon had called ‘the silent majority’ twenty years earlier”.

man who is largely credited with ushering in the era of a take-no-prisoners political approach that has steadily suffused the Republican party over the past 30 years.

Gingrich, often ridiculed in the liberal press for his combativeness, public extramarital affair with his current wife while married to her predecessor, and disdain for the “establishment” generally, has been a very consequential American politician. A consistent Trump supporter

“Those feelings of bitterness and resentment predated Gingrich,” Hoyer said. “But he took extraordinary advantage of them, just as Trump did later and just as this (Freedom Caucus) crowd’s doing now.”

Another congressman said: “Gingrich was the one who understood best how to use the television cameras that had been recently installed in the House chamber when he was first elected. And that was one of the tools that over time helped coarsen the process and led to this increasing degree of militarism we’re seeing.”

Assessing the current GOP slender majority, Gingrich said “we’re in a period where everything’s going to be very hard.” No kidding.

When US politics gets particularly outrageous, fractious, scary or simply embarrassing, as many as 15 percent of Americans declare they’re ready to emigrate to somewhere else, according to recently published research by the Gallup Poll organisation. But hardly any of them follow through and move permanently to another country.

While the US remains the runaway world leader in attracting immigrants, it ranks only 26th in emigrants. According to figures released by the United Nations, around 2.8 million

American-born people had emigrated to other countries as of 2020. But two-thirds of those emigrants were minor children born to two Mexican parents while they were living in the US, and they were simply returning to Mexico with their parents.

After Mexico, the top emigration destinations for Americans were Canada, the UK, Germany, Israel and Australia. Language, cultural and/or religious affinities often underpinned these moves.

A leading researcher told The Washington Post that “very few Americans leave their homeland for political reasons. And fewer still leave under real duress or peril. The UN Refugee Agency listed just

FIRST ROUND OF NFL PLAYOFFS HAS ARRIVED

The NFL playoffs have arrived, with the first round spread out over Saturday, Sunday and Monday for maximum television exposure and revenue for the league and its wealthy owners.

Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers missed the playoffs by losing the last game of the regular season at home to the Detroit Lions. But Tom Brady has made it to the postseason again with his Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Florida’s other two franchises in Miami and Jacksonville also were able to extend their seasons with critical home wins last weekend. It’s the first season in 25 years that the Sunshine State’s three NFL teams are all in the playoffs.

For the Fins, much depends on the health of their often-spectacular quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. But even if he is cleared to play, Miami will be a significant underdog Sunday afternoon, facing the Buffalo Bills in the refrigerated air and animated crowd atmosphere of western New York state.

Plus, the Bills are still playing for their stricken defensive back Damar Hamlin, whose heart stopped beating on the playing field in Cincinnati ten days ago and who has created a national sensation with his inspiring recovery. Miami’s dramatic home win over the Bills back in September was, and feels like, a long time ago.

The Cowboys, at least until they stumbled on Sunday in Washington, had been playing relatively well, and are likely to be a much more formidable opponent for Brady & Company this time around.

And the Bucs are in the playoffs with a losing record. Still, the teams don’t play until Monday evening.

Jacksonville and its young quarterback Trevor Lawrence face an up-and-down Chargers team also led by a very talented young QB in Justin Herbert.

This Saturday evening game is a tricky one to forecast, but the oddsmakers say it might be wise to go with Herbert’s and his team’s greater recent experience in the playoffs.

In the weekend’s other playoff games, the home teams (San Francisco, Minnesota and Cincinnati) can be expected to triumph.

426 American refugees in 2021”.

That compares with UN estimates in the same year of 6.8 million refugees from Syria, 2.7 million from Afghanistan and 2.4 from South Sudan.

“Exploration is the key underlying factor for most Americans who leave,” the researcher said. “But there’s also something else going on as well, whether it’s a job, a partner, studying abroad, wanting to help others – something like that.”

So unless these patterns change, those affronted by the political chaos to come in Washington won’t actually leave the US. They’ll just rant.

BUFFALO Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin, pictured here in 2021, whose heart stopped beating on the playing field in Cincinnati ten days ago and who has created a national sensation with his inspiring recovery.

You might better like the chances of the Bucs and Jags, both playing at home against teams they vanquished on the road in September. Then, the Jags outclassed the Los Angeles Chargers by four touchdowns, and the Bucs beat the Dallas Cowboys by 16 points.

Would you favour inconsistent Dallas QB Dak Prescott over 45-year-old Brady on what might be the last playoff season for the Greatest of All Time?

HOUSE Speaker Kevin McCarthy of Calif., stands by the newly installed nameplate at his office after he was sworn in as speaker of the 118th Congress in Washington, early Saturday. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

NEWT GINGRICH

(Photo: Gage Skidmore)

(AP Photo/Joshua Bessex, File)

Prince Harry’s book raises Royal questions

LONDON Associated Press

IN PUBLIC, they present a united front — always. But Prince Harry has a very different story to tell about the British royals and the way they operate.

Harry’s explosive memoir, with its damning allegations of a toxic relationship between the monarchy and the press, could accelerate the pace of change already under way within the House of Windsor following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Harry’s description of royals leaking unflattering information about other members of the family in exchange for positive coverage of themselves is but one of the more tawdry allegations in his book, “Spare,” published this week. The prince singled out King Charles III’s wife, Camilla, accusing her of feeding private conversations to the media as she sought to rehabilitate her image after her long-time affair with Charles when he was heir to the throne.

Far from the unity that is presented in public, the royal family and their staffs are depicted as scheming rivals, ready to stab each other in the back to make themselves or their bosses look better in the public eye. The palace that Harry describes resembles a modern version of the court of King Henry VIII, where courtiers jockeyed for the monarch’s favor and some lost their heads.

The book leaves the impression of a deeply dysfunctional British royal family whose members are so concerned about the tabloid press that they are forced to make deals with journalists, says Ed Owens, author of “The Family Firm: Monarchy, Mass Media and the British Public, 1932-53”. And the public, when faced with this proposition, may think twice.

“I think there needs to be some kind of reset, and we need to think carefully about what the monarchy is, what role it plays in society,’’ says Owens, a historian. “Because this idea of ‘we, the British taxpayers, pay and in return they perform’ — it’s really a broken and corrupting kind of equation.”

Largely funded by taxpayers, the monarchy plays a mostly ceremonial role in British society these days — masters of soft power. But supporters argue that the institution still serves a vital role, uniting the country behind shared history and traditions embodied in both the grandeur of royal ceremonies and the day-to-day work of royals as they open schools and hospitals and hand out honors to those who serve the nation.

News coverage of the royal family generally falls

into one of two categories: carefully orchestrated public appearances or sometimes chaotic stories about the private lives of royals based on unidentified sources.

But change may be at hand.

The history of colonialism — so deeply intertwined with the crown — is being re-examined around the world. Protesters have torn down or defaced statues in British cities, and internationally respected universities such as Oxford and Cambridge are changing their course offerings. It all adds up to one thing: An institution that was once the symbol of the British Empire is facing scrutiny as never before.

Charles, who became king after the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September, faces the challenge of modernising Britain’s 1,000-year-old monarchy to guarantee its survival. He has already said he plans to reduce the number of working royals and reduce the cost of the monarchy.

This has been a long time coming, perhaps, but was delayed by one key factor: Elizabeth herself.

Personal affection for the queen meant that the monarchy’s role in British society was rarely debated during her seven decades on the throne. Now that she’s gone, the royal family is confronting questions about its relevance in a modern, multicultural nation that looks very different than when Elizabeth ascended the throne in 1952.

In Elizabeth’s world — governed by the mantra “never complain, never explain” — the sort of personal revelations in Harry’s book would have been unthinkable. He describes his mental health struggles following the 1997 car accident that killed his mother, Princess Diana, He recounts a physical altercation with his older brother, Prince William, reveals how he lost his virginity and describes using cocaine and cannabis.

“Spare” is the latest effort by Harry and his wife, Meghan, to tell their own story after they quit royal life and moved to California in 2020, citing what they saw as the media’s racist treatment of Meghan and a lack of support from the palace.

In the ghostwritten memoir, Harry, 38, alleges that Camilla forged connections with the British press and traded information on her way to becoming queen consort, essentially feeding unflattering stories on Harry and Meghan to the press in exchange for better coverage of herself.

The allegations are particularly sensitive because of Camilla’s role in the acrimonious breakdown of Charles’ marriage to Diana.

While many members of the public initially shunned Camilla, she has won fans by taking on a wide range of charitable activities and has been credited with helping Charles appear less stuffy and more in tune with modern Britain.

Daily Mail columnist Stephen Glover leapt to her defence, arguing that Harry was just thin-skinned.

“I daresay some members of the royal family have passed stories to the press through their courtiers over the years, but it is absurd and naïve to infer that this was part of an orchestrated attempt to destabilise Harry and Meghan,’’ he wrote. “Royals are not puppets of the press, since — if they have any sense — they realise they can be biffed as well as praised. The wise ones know how to take the rough with the smooth.’’

But unlike Elizabeth, who famously issued a statement suggesting that “some recollections may vary’’ when confronted with racism allegations after Meghan’s interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, Buckingham Palace has responded to the first major crisis of Charles’ reign with silence.

That has left Harry to dominate the headlines on both sides of the Atlantic, apparently being served tequila on a late night US television show and repeatedly talking about the House of Windsor’s dirty laundry.

Since this isn’t the first scandal to rock Buckingham Palace —among other sensations, Elizabeth’s uncle abdicated the throne to marry a divorced American — many of those who bought Harry’s book on Tuesday seemed certain the institution would weather the storm.

“They just have to shrug it off and carry on being the royal family,” James Bradley, 61, said as he bought a copy. “After the queen’s death, the royal family’s stock has never been higher in my lifetime, and this will just bounce off. In six months’ time we won’t be talking about this.”

But Steven Barnett, a professor of communications at the University of Westminster, expects Harry’s revelations to push the palace to be more transparent — perhaps more like other institutions such the White House or the British prime minister’s office at 10 Downing Street.

“He’s done us a favour in exposing the collusive nature, the conspiratorial nature of relationships between the royal family and the British press,’’ Barnett says. “They will have to change the way in which they do business with the press. And that’s a good thing. It’s a good thing for the monarchy and it’s a good thing for British society.’’

BRITAIN’S Prince William and Prince Harry, right, pictured in 2021. Photo: Yui Mok/AP

Brazil fears more demonstrations to overturn vote

BRASILIA, Brasil Associated Press

BRAZIL’S capital prepared for the possibility of more violent demonstrations yesterday by people seeking to overturn the presidential election, with local security officials blocking access to buildings trashed four days earlier by a horde of rioters.

A flyer promoting a “mega-protest to retake power” circulated on social media platforms, particularly Telegram, and urged protesters to turn out in two dozen cities, including the capital. It was unclear how large or violent such demonstrations might shape up to be, but skittish authorities took no chances.

Speaking to journalists in Brasilia, the federal appointee who has assumed control of the capital’s security said police were shutting down the main avenue to traffic and limiting pedestrian access with barricades. They are blocking all access to the square that was the site of Sunday’s mayhem, said the official, Ricarado Cappelli.

He said a small area on the avenue has been reserved for peaceful demonstrations, but will be surrounded by police and the national guard and all protesters searched upon entry.

“The right to protest freely will always be respected and cannot be confused with terrorism,” Cappelli said.

Citing the call to action on social media, a Supreme Court justice ordered local authorities in cities across Brazil to prevent protesters from blocking roads or occupying public spaces and buildings. Justice Alexandre de Moraes also ordered arrests and fines for people and companies who participate or help with logistics and funding.

The nation remains on edge after supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro rampaged through Congress, the Supreme Court and the presidential palace on Sunday, laying ruin to the government’s three most important buildings. Officials arrested or detained some 1,500 people by the following morning, hundreds of whom were sent to prison.

Though there is no evidence of fraud in the October 30 presidential election, the protesters have claimed the true winner was far-right Bolsonaro. He has fired up his base about the vulnerability of electronic voting machines despite independent experts’ assurances they are closely scrutinised. Bolsonaro also has warned his supporters that the election’s leftist victor, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, would impose communism.

The fresh call for an uprising yesterday sparked concern that the crackdown hadn’t damped the will of radicals. Among those who vow to continue struggling is Daniel Bressan, 35, who traveled some 300 miles from the interior of Parana state to join Sunday’s protest in Brasilia. He was detained by police the next morning, though he denies participating in any of the vandalism.

“A lot of people are going to be afraid to go to the streets and be arrested — I myself fear persecution by the legal system — but I’m not going to stop fighting and I’m not going to get discouraged,” Bressan said by phone from the federal police’s temporary holding center. “I’m ready for everything. Our freedom is worth more than our lives.”

Jailing rioters represents only part of the government’s effort to hold people responsible, with authorities also seeking to track down those who enabled the uprising. That includes organisers who summoned protesters to the capital and paid their way as well as local security personnel accused of either standing by and allowing the destruction to occur, or even cooperating.

Justice Minister Flávio Dino told local press this week that authorities have identified some of the protest’s financiers. He said they are based in the south and center-west regions that Bolsonaro carried in the election. Without identifying individuals, he said they are members of the agribusiness sector, local business owners and people registered to own firearms.

Dino previously said the riot was apparently intended to spark a domino effect around the country.

He has referred to the encampments that had been set up by Bolsonaro supporters outside military buildings to call on the armed forces to overturn election results as “incubators of terrorists”.

Authorities cleared away the camps in Brasilia and other cities after the rioting.

In November, the Supreme Court froze 43 bank accounts of people accused of having financed roadblocks that disrupted highway traffic in the wake of Lula’s victory. At least 30 were in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil’s top soybean producer.

De Moraes, the Supreme Court justice, also ordered preventative detention for the men who were serving on Sunday as head of the federal district’s security and military police chief, as well as searches of their residences. Both men have been fired since the rioting.

“Absolutely NOTHING justifies the omission and collusion of the security secretary and the military police commander,” de Moraes wrote in his decision, which was made public late on Tuesday.

The justice also denounced the protest encampments sponsored by diverse financiers.

“There are strong indications that the conduct of criminal terrorists could only have occurred with the willful participation or omission — which will be determined in these investigations — of the aforementioned public authorities,” de Moraes wrote.

The fired security secretary, Anderson Torres, had been Bolsonaro’s justice minister. Cappelli, the federal appointee who now controls the secretariat, said yesterday that Torres assumed his new position, immediately fired subordinates and then traveled to Florida.

Cappelli previously told local media there were signs Torres’ actions amounted to intentional sabotage of security ahead of Sunday’s violence.

Torres said on Tuesday night on Twitter that he was interrupting his vacation and returning to Brazil to present his defence. He said ethics and legality had always governed his actions.

JILL BIDEN HAS CANCEROUS LESIONS REMOVED

Associated Press

SURGEONS removed a cancerous lesion above first lady Dr Jill Biden’s right eye yesterday, as well as another cancerous lesion on her chest, the White House said, while a third lesion on her left eyelid was being examined.

Dr Kevin O’Connor, the president’s physician, said examinations showed that the lesion over Dr Biden’s left eye and one newly discovered on her chest were both confirmed to be basal

cell carcinoma. The lesion on her right eye was “fully excised, with margins, and was sent for standard microscopic examination”.

Dr Biden and her husband, President Joe Biden, spent the day at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, while she underwent the scheduled outpatient procedure known as Mohs surgery to remove and examine the lesions.

O’Connor said the first lady was “experiencing some facial swelling and bruising, but is in good spirits and is feeling well”. She was expected to return to the White House yesterday evening.

WASHINGTON

FIRST lady Jill Biden yesterday.

PROTESTERS, supporters of Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro, attack a police armored vehicles as they storm the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil, on Sunday. Photo: Eraldo Peres/AP

GSSSA

FROM PAGE 16

third quarter and five in the fourth, while Bredon Williams scored 16, canning two of his three threepointers in the third quarter when they turned the tables on CC Sweeting. Sammy Joseph and Jay-Onn Joseph both had eight and Mervin Miller chipped in with six in the win.

As the last team to win the GSSSA senior boys crown since the league went into a two-year hiatus because of COVID-19, Spence said all they need to do is “take it one game at a time” and they will be in a good position to go after another title.

CARIFTA

FROM PAGE 16

we hope to contribute to its success.”

CARIFTA LOC chairman Lynden Maycock welcomed NUA on board and indicated that they are looking forward to them making the games a success as they make this one of the most memorable games ever held.

“Once again, thank you, thank you, thank you,” Maycock summed up.

Mataeo Minnis had 12, Jason Williams 10 and Tavari Roker added six in the loss. It was a loss that assistant coach Brian Tucker said they deserved. “We didn’t come out and play our style of basketball,” admitted Tucker, who assisted head coach Darshtyn Baker. “We had a lot of turnovers, which were unforced. We really didn’t play our game. This was the first game of the season, so we had to get the jitters out, but we will learn from this. We will go back to practice and get it together.”

Cobras 45, Mystic Marlins 20

Although they were short-handed, it didn’t matter as Doris Johnson

Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations president Drumeco Archer, in reading from the mandate of NUA from their website, said he’s delighted that they have decided to support track and field, the largest sporting body in the Bahamas and by extension, the CARIFTA Games, the largest track and field event in the world for junior athletes.

“I believe that by your sponsorship, you will receive exponential returns

didn’t have any answers for CC Sweeting’s 1-2 punch of Dominiqua Rolle and Bernell Colebrooke.

Rolle poured in a game high 19 points and Colebrooke finished with 13 as the Cobras got some extra help with Alferan Destamar and Diamond Evans scoring four and three respectively in the win.

“I want to give God thanks. As believers, we are admonished to give God thanks for whatever the situation is, whether it is a win or a loss. Today we came out with a W, but we are lacking personnel in terms of what we have to go through for the entire season,” McSweeney said. “At one point, we had up

for your investment,” Archer stated.

“Through our LOC, headed by Lynden Maycock, we hope to make this the most exciting games hosted in its 50th year of existence.”

Mike Sands, the president of the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC), which comprises of 36 area associations or nations and 26 of which are a part of CARIFTA, said while it’s good that NUA is making

to 22 girls who signed up to play, but it came down to just 11 this week. We took a break for Majority Rule and our physical education head Tiffany Wildgoose has been doing a tremendous job to come out, but some decided they would not play today. So we’re just glad we walked away with the win.”

With some time off because they play again next week, McSweeney said they have sufficient time to iron out some things defensively as they go to a zone until their players get in better shape. He said they won’t cry over spilled milk, but rather will make the adjustment with what they have. With a full squad,

its presence felt in the Bahamas, it’s his hope that they will be able to spread their wings into some of the countries participating in the games.

Sands pledged his commitment to introduce Charlton and his team to the NACAC membership as he looks forward to NUA assisting the region in the hosting of the games here in the Bahamas and at the same time, welcomed them as a partner of NACAC.

FROM PAGE 16

weekend with the T-Bird Flyers Track Classic, starting at 6pm on Friday and from noon on Saturday at the original Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

The T-Bird Flyers Club, headed by BAAA first vice president Foster Dorsett, is expected to honour Courtney Wallace, the immediate past president of the Bahamas Association of Certified Officials (BACO) and one of their field judges Ivy Charlton, both of whom recently passed away.

On the heels of that meet will be the DTSP Wolf Pack Track Meet, scheduled for January 21, honouring former coach, educator and Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Neville Wisdom.

The month will close out over the weekend of January 28-29 with the Red-Line Athletics’ Third Annual Sonja Knowles Track and Field Classic.

“We’re looking for really exciting performances,” Archer projected.

“We started a stimulus programme by the Bahamas Coaches Association several months leading into the new year.

“We believe that is something that has caught the imagination of our athletes, not just in New Providence, but in the Family Islands. So, I’m really excited about

coach Zena Kemp expected a lot more from her Mystic Marlins, but they just folded up down the stretch when it counted the most in the second half.

Anthonique Delancy scored eight and Faith McKinney added four, but it wasn’t enough.

“They came out playing pretty good, but then we just couldn’t maintain our composure,” Kemp said.

The league will be back in action today with Anatol Rodgers playing SC McPherson in junior girls and boys at CI Gibson, starting at 4pm, while the Government High Magics and the RM Bailey Pacers will tangle in the senior girls and boys at Kendal Isaacs.

Rev Harrison Thompson, the chairman of the CARIFTA Games, said the games are in great shape with a medical firm, Oak Tree, as the major sponsor and now NUA, as an insurance company, as a gold medal sponsor. He thanked NUA on behalf of the LOC and encouraged them to increase their donation to another $50,000 and at the same time, he advised them to consider sponsoring the BAAA in some of their ventures this year.

what fruit can come out of that initiative.

“I believe that there is much more that can come out of it, but we are pleased with where we are with it right now.”

With the games being staged here at home in the new Thomas A Robinson National Stadium, Archer said it could be a little bit intimidating for the athletes to compete in front of their home crowd, but he’s confident that they will rise to the occasion and perform at their optimum level.

With a new executive board in place, Archer said they have just sent out their applications to the Coaches Association, headed by Corrington Maycock, to make their recommendations for the coaching staff for the team.

Once they respond over the next few weeks, Archer said they will release the list of the entire management and coaching staff no later than the first week in February.

In the meantime, Archer said they have released the requirements for the athletes to attain through the qualification standards in order to make the team to represent the Bahamas.

“Before the start of this year, I think in September or October, we engaged the coaches in an effort to come up with a reasonable standard for the games, which has always been a major bone of contention in our association,” he stated.

“Finally, we came to a conclusion of those standards at our general meeting last week and they have been ratified, with the exception of the field events. All of the standards will be based on an average of fifth place performances of CARIFTA.”

Archer, however, said while the primary focus is to

SOCCER

BFA ACTION THE Bahamas Football Association will kick off its night league play this weekend at the Roscoe Davies Development Centre at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

Here’s a look at the schedule of games on tap:

Friday 6:30pm - Baha Mar Jr Under-18 vs Renegades FC Under-18.

8:30pm - Dynamos FC Under-18 vs Cavalier FC Under-18.

Saturday

9am - Dynamos FC Under-15 girls vs Baha Mar Junior Under-15 girls.

10:30am - Cavalier FC Under-15 girls vs Renegades FC Under-15 girls.

5pm - United FC Women vs Dynamos FC Women.

7pm - Baha Mar Jr Women vs Cavalier FC Women.

Sunday 4:30pm - Renegades FC vs Baha Mar Jr FC

7pm - Future Stars vs Cavalier FC

CHESS National Chess Championships

THE Bahamas Chess Association’s 2023 Bahamas National Chess Championship schedule at the J Whitney Pinder Building, Colina, Collins Avenue are as follows:

Round 1 - Friday 13 January @ 6:30 pm

Round 2 - Saturday 14 January @ 9:00 a.m.

Round 3 - Saturday 14 January @ 2:00 p.m. Round 4 - Sunday 15 January @ 9:00 a.m.

Round 5 - Sunday 15 January @ 2:00 p.m. Round 6 - Friday 20 January @ 6:30 p.m.

Round 7 - Saturday 21 January @ 9:00 a.m.

Round 8 - Saturday 21 January @ 2:00 p.m. Round 9 - Sunday 22 January @ 9:00 a.m.

SOFTBALL BLOOD NEEDED FOR DARVILLE

Kenise SymonetteDarville, whose mother Zella Brown-Symonette, passed away last month, is in urgent need of blood. Immediately after the death of her mother, Symonette-Darville was admitted to the Princess Margaret Hospital for treatment.

Family and friends of Symonette-Darville, who followed in her mother’s footsteps as a softball player in the New Providence Softball Association, is still in PMH and need your assistance.

If you can assist, you can contact the PMH Blood Bank and donate under the name of Kenise Symonette.

increase their fan participation and their sponsorship engagement, when the dust is settled, they still have a federation to run.

“I just want to remind corporate Bahamas, both large and very small, to the extent that we are looking at individuals, to primarily fund the BAAA,” he stressed. “We have a full complement of international events that we have to underwrite. So, we’re looking for continued support.”

Archer also revealed that during the CARIFTA Games, the BAAA will honour three pillars of the sport in former public relations officer and president Alpheus ‘Hawk’ Finlayson, administrator Doyle Burrows and the late Leviticus ‘Uncle Lou’ Adderley, who was responsible for the formation of BACO.

“We want to celebrate them during these 50th Jubilee CARIFTA Games for their work and contribution to our sport over the years,” Archer declared.

“We feel they are all worthy of the recognition that will be bestowed upon them at the games.”

A banquet is expected to take place during the games to recognise and honour the men for their contributions that were second to none in the roles that they all played.

COACH KEVON SPENCE, far left, in the huddle with his Doris Johnson Mystic Marlins senior girls yesterday as the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association kicked off its 2023 basketball season at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium. The senior girls lost to the CC Sweeting Cobras 45-20

Photo: Austin Fernander/Tribune Staff

Wild-card weekend features 6 rematches, 3 division games

By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer

WILD-CARD weekend is all about familiarity.

All six games feature teams that already faced off this season, including three matchups between division rivals going head-to-head for the third time and two clubs playing each other in back-to-back weeks.

Bust out the popcorn. It should be a wild weekend.

The action kicks off Saturday with the San Francisco 49ers (13-4) hosting the Seattle Seahawks (9-8).

The 49ers are the hottest team in the NFL, entering the postseason on a 10-game winning streak that gave them the NFC’s No. 2 seed.

The Seahawks walked off the field last week uncertain about their playoff berth and got in when the Detroit Lions upset Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night.

Rookie third-string quarterback Brock Purdy, the very last player selected in the draft, has won all five of his starts since replacing the injured Jimmy Garoppolo. Purdy has thrown multiple touchdown passes in the last six games, helping the 49ers score an NFL-best 33.5 points per game in that stretch.

Purdy has plenty of talent around him, including Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel and George Kittle. The Niners also have the league’s top-ranked defence. They swept Seattle in the regular season.

Geno Smith broke several of Russell Wilson’s passing records in his first year as Seattle’s starter, but the Seahawks struggled down the stretch. They had lost five of six, including three in a row, before winning their last two games.

The 49ers are 9 1/2-point favourites, per FanDuel Sportsbook. It’s not enough.

49ERS, 31-16

Los Angeles Chargers (minus 2 1/2) at Jacksonville

Brandon Staley and Justin Herbert are in the playoffs for the first time in their second season together in Los Angeles.

Doug Pederson needed one season to take the Jaguars from worst to first in the AFC South. Pederson, who led the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl title after the 2017 season, has helped 2021 No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence develop into a franchise QB.

The fifth-seed Chargers (10-7) have the eighth-ranked offence and 20th-ranked defence. The fourth-seed Jaguars (9-8) are ninth in offence and 24th on defence. The Jags won their last five games to capture the AFC South.

The Chargers have plenty of firepower on offence with Herbert, Austin Ekeler, Mike Williams, Keenan Allen and others. They were dominated by Jacksonville in a 38-10 loss in Week 3.

CHARGERS, 24-20

Miami (plus 13 1/2) at Buffalo

The Bills (13-3) and Dolphins (9-8) split their

regular-season games, each winning at home. Miami had a dynamic offence when Tua Tagovailoa led them to an 8-3 start, winning all eight games he finished.

But Tagovailoa is in the concussion protocol, Teddy Bridgewater injured his finger and the Dolphins were down to third-string rookie Skylar Thompson last week.

No matter who’s under centre for Miami, going to Buffalo to face a superior Bills team playing for fallen teammate Damar Hamlin is a tall task.

Josh Allen and Co. are on a mission.

BEST BET: BILLS, 31-13

New York Giants (plus 3) at Minnesota

The Vikings (13-4) beat the Giants (9-7-1) on Greg Joseph’s 61-yard field goal as time expired on Christmas Eve.

They had a 11-0 record in one-score games this season, winning eight of

them after trailing in the fourth quarter.

The Giants, resting many starters, gave No. 1 seed Philadelphia a tough time in the regular-season finale.

Two first-year coaches — Kevin O’Connell for Minnesota and Brian Daboll for New York — go head-to-head while Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson and Giants star running back Saquon Barkley make their playoff debuts.

VIKINGS, 23-21 Baltimore (plus 8 1/2) at Cincinnati

The teams split their regular-season matchups, with the Bengals beating the Ravens 27-16 last week to secure home-field advantage for this one.

Baltimore had Lamar Jackson when it rallied for a 19-17 win against Cincinnati on Justin Tucker’s 43-yard field goal in the final seconds back in October.

Jackson missed the last five games of the regular season with a knee injury, and he still hasn’t returned

to practice. The Ravens (10-7) have no chance without him.

Joe Burrow was outstanding in leading the Bengals to eight straight wins to secure the No. 3 seed. The Bengals (12-4) reached the Super Bowl last season as the fourth seed. They’re determined to go back and finish the job. It starts Sunday night.

BENGALS, 27-18 Dallas (minus 2 1/2) at Tampa Bay

The Cowboys (12-5) looked awful last week in a loss that eliminated Washington.

They barely beat lowly Houston in Week 14 and lost to Jacksonville the following week.

Dak Prescott is turning over the ball far too often, with three pick-6s in the last four games. But Micah Parsons could make life miserable for Tom Brady against an inferior offensive line.

The Buccaneers (8-9) struggled all season,

winning a woeful NFC South to get the No. 4 seed. Brady led them to three comeback wins in the fourth quarter over the final six games for their only wins in that span.

Tampa beat Dallas 19-3 on the road in Week 1 for one of just two double-digit wins.

Chasing his eighth Super Bowl ring, Brady has never entered the playoffs on a team this bad. It could be a quick exit.

COWBOYS, 24-23

2022 RECORD

Last Week: Straight up: 11-5. Against spread: 8-8.

Season: Straight up: 171-99. Against spread: 136-129-5.

Thursday: Straight up: 13-6. Against spread: 9-10.

Monday: Straight up: 10-7. Against spread: 8-9.

Best Bet: Straight up: 10-8. Against spread: 9-9.

Upset Special: Straight up: 6-11. Against spread: 8-8-1.

Blockbuster boxing event all set for

THE Bahamas Boxing Commission (BBC) on Wednesday announced that after working diligently with Bahamian entertainment promoter Whitney Ferguson, for three years, a blockbuster of an event is scheduled for Saturday, May 13, for the New Thomas Robinson Stadium at the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre.

“This is the finest indication of a revival of the sport we love so dearly, in the last decade,” said BBC chairman Fred Sturrup. “I wish to heap praises on

promoter Whitney Ferguson. He has demonstrated perseverance at the highest level.

“The calls made to me over the last three years and to BBC secretary Calvin Greene have been quite an amount.

“There were disappointing occasions when it seemed he would not be able to put a show together, but Ferguson pressed on.

“He networked through the commission with Mario Bowleg, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, US boxing affiliates and

(Sturrup who also represents the Commonwealth Boxing Council) to get to this point.

“Now a super boxing show, inclusive of participating Bahamian boxers, a matter being negotiated, is planned.

“The commission has endorsed the process and confirmed as much with Minister Bowleg. The show has been sanctioned by the Government of The Bahamas through its commission, and hopefully everything will work out,” Sturrup said.

The show, dubbed “The Return of Drama In Paradise”, will be headlined by a 10-round match featuring lightweights Xolosani Ndongeni and Ladarius Miller.

Other bouts scheduled are: Welterweight-Layla McCarter (USA) vs Claudia Andrea Lopez (Argentina), 10 rounds; heavyweight-Justin Jones (USA) vs Saul Farah (Bolivia), 10 rounds; heavyweight-Richard Lamontage (USA) vs Esteban Hillman (Bolivia), 8/10 rounds; super

featherweight-Alexander Casares (Mexico) vs Kevin Lionel Acevado (Argentina), 10 rounds; bantamweight-Abdulazeez Alamoodi (Dubai) vs Jose Garcia Sifuentes (Mexico), 8 rounds; super lightweightEduardo Javier Abreu (Argentina) vs Jose de Leon Jasso (Mexico), 6/8 rounds; flyweight- Marlen Avila (USA) vs Haiulie Villalobos Martinez (Mexico), 4 rounds; lightweightAshton Barreras (USA) vs Reymundo Gutierrez (Mexico), 4 rounds; heavyweight-Anonia Zepeda

BAHAMAS NATIONAL CHESS CHAMPS. RETURNS ON JANUARY 13

THE venue is ready, the chess boards are set and the players vying for the title of the top chess player in The Bahamas have been paired indicating that the kickoff for the 2023 Bahamas National Chess Championship is near. The 2023 Bahamas National Chess Championship will return on Friday, January 13, as an elite over the board national championship event featuring the strongest chess players in The Bahamas.

The tournament will take place over two full weekends.

This year the tournament will be held at the J. Whitney Pinder Building on Collins Ave. Round 1 will begin at 6:30pm on Friday, January 13.

The slate of players for the 2023 Bahamas National Chess Championship are CM Kendrick Knowles, Shawn Barker, NM Valentine Cox, Noah Albury, Curtis Pride Jr, Dr Kenville Lockhart, Avian Pride, CM Byron Small, FM Cecil Moncur and Trevor Bridgewater.

“This tournament marks the return of the National Championship since the start of COVID-19”, said Elton Joseph, treasurer, The Bahamas Chess Federation (BCF).

“Five-time national champion, candidate master (CM) Kendrick Knowles is set to defend his title.

This year he is up against many aspiring young talents in the country, junior players. It will be an exciting year for chess in The Bahamas as the Nationals starts off a great year for the BCF.

“We would also like to thank Colina for sponsoring the prestigious 2023 Bahamas National Chess Championship.”

The 2023 Bahamas National Chess Championship is a FIDE rated tournament, set up as a 10 round Swiss format with game in 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move.

Chief arbiter for the 2023 Championship will be international arbiter (IA), Andre White. Mr White will be assisted by deputy chief arbiter, Angel Pride.

National Championship Schedule:

Round 1 - Friday, January 13 (Start Time: 6:30 pm)

Round 2 - Saturday 14 January (Start Time: 9:00 am)

Round 3 - Saturday 14 January (Start Time: 2pm

Round 4 - Sunday 15 January (Start Time: 9am Round 5 - Sunday 15 January (Start Time: 2pm

Round 6 - Friday 20 January (Start Time: 6:30 pm

Round 7 - Saturday 21 January (Start Time: 9am

Round 8 - Saturday 21 January (Start Time: 2pm

Round 9 - Sunday 22 January (Start Time: 9am

Round 10 - Sunday 22 January (Start Time: 2pm.

(USA) vs Skylar Lacy (USA), 6 rounds; super lightweight-Keith Hunter vs TBA (to be announced).

The commission in its press release, appealed to government agencies, in particular, the Ministry of Tourism, Immigration and Customs Departments, to accommodate promoter Ferguson as he seeks to present a major event in our 50th Independence anniversary year.

SEATTLE Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) showers against the New York Jets during the first half of an NFL football game, on Sunday, January 1, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Godofredo A Vásquez)

‘Buddy’ Hield scores 31 in 119-113 loss to Knicks

By JEFFREY BERNSTEIN Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) —

Jaylen Brunson scored 34 points to help the New York Knicks beat the Indiana Pacers 119-113 last night.

RJ Barrett added 27 points in his return from a finger injury that sidelined him six games, and Julius Randle had 14 points and 16 rebounds.

“I was trying to be aggressive,” Barrett said. “I’ve’ been working, I haven’t just been sitting down. I just wanted to find some sort of rhythm. I’m cool with giving it my all and living with the results.”

Buddy Hield led Indiana with 31 points, eight rebounds and a steal.

After New York led by 25 points in the third quarter, Hield cut it to 105-103 with a 3-pointer with 3:10 left. Brunson countered for the Knicks, scoring the next seven points of the game.

“I think we stayed poised and finished out the game,” Brunson said.

“We obviously want to keep a lead and win comfortably, but that team wasn’t going to quit. I have to give them a lot of credit. For us, we have to continue to hold leads better. Keep our foot on the gas with the lead. That is a work in progress for us. But, a win is a win.”

Hield’s four-point play with 1:22 remaining pulled the Pacers to 112-109. He had a chance to tie it on Indiana’s next possession, but his 3-pointer was off the mark.

Quentin Grimes’ 3-pointer with 25 seconds remaining sealed it for the Knicks.

“Once he called my number I knew I had to be ready,” Grimes said. “And if the pass was coming to

me I had to knock it down, and that’s what happened tonight.”

Grimes finished with 18 points, Immanuel Quickley had 11 and Mitchell Robinson had 10 points and nine rebounds.

Bennedict Mathurin scored 20 points for Indiana. Tyrese Haliburton, who left with a sore knee late in the third quarter and did not return, had 15.

“Our guys showed great competitive spirit in making an amazing run to cut it I think to two,” Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said.

“As a coaching staff, we are really proud of our effort in the second half, particularly in the absence of a lot of our top players.”

CELTICS 125, PELICANS 114

BOSTON (AP) — Jaylen Brown scored a seasonhigh 41 points and had 12 rebounds and the Boston Celtics won their fourth straight game, holding off the New Orleans Pelicans 125-114 last night.

Jayson Tatum added 31 points and 10 rebounds, Malcolm Brogdon scored 20 points, and Al Horford had 14, making four 3-pointers. The Celtics have won their last five home games.

CJ McCollum had 38 points for New Orleans, his fifth consecutive game with at least 25 points.

Naji Marshall added 18 points and Trey Murphy III had 15 for New Orleans, The Pelicans have lost three of four.

BUCKS 114, HAWKS 105

ATLANTA (AP) — Jrue Holiday scored 27 points, Brook Lopez had 20 points and 12 rebounds and Milwaukee held off Atlanta.

Giannis Antetokounmpo added seven points, 18 rebounds and 10 assists, and Bobby Portis II had

13 points and 10 rebounds. Milwaukee has won four of five. Atlanta played without Trae Young (illness) and Clint Capela (strained right calf). Bogdan Bogdanovic led the Hawks with 22 points.

WIZARDS 10, BULLS 97

WASHINGTON (AP) — Kyle Kuzma broke a tie with a 3-pointer with 5.7 seconds left and Washington beat Chicago.

Zach LaVine missed a 16-footer for Chicago with 2.3 seconds left, with Deni Avdija grabbing the last of his career-high 20 rebounds for Washington. Earlier, LaVine beat the shot clock to tie it at 97.

Kuzma finished with 21 points. Backup forward Anthony Gill scored a career-high 18 points, and Monte Morris added 17 for Washington.

LaVine had 38 points for Chicago. Bulls scoring leader DeMar DeRozan missed his first game of the season because of quadriceps strain.

PISTONS 135, TIMBERWOLVES 118 DETROIT (AP) — Saddiq Bey scored 31 points and Detroit rallied to beat Minnesota.

Bojan Bogdanovic added 27 points for the shorthanded Pistons.

Anthony Edwards scored 20 points for Minnesota. D’Angelo Russell added 19 and Rudy Gobert had 16 points and 14 rebounds.

GRIZZLIES 135, SPURS 129 MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP)

— Ja Morant scored 38 points, Jaren Jackson added 21 points and 12 rebounds and Memphis beat San Antonio for its season-high eighth straight victory.

Morant, who missed the previous two games with right thigh soreness, was 14 of 25 from the field,

including 3 for 5 from outside the arc. Desmond Bane finished with 18 points and Tyus Jones added 16.

Keldon Johnson, who missed the past two games with left hamstring tightness, led the Spurs with 24 points.

Tre Jones had 22 points and six assists.

INDIANA Pacers guard Buddy Hield (24) goes to the basket past Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) in the first half last night at Madison Square Garden in New York.

(AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Mystic Marlins bite up Cobras

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Coach Kevon Spence said he felt his Doris Johnson Mystic Marlins were in a 10-round heavyweight main event fight against the CC Sweeting Cobras.

As the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association kicked off its 2023 basketball season yesterday at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium, the Mystic Marlins senior boys took the sting out of the Cobras with a 65-52 victory.

The win came after CC Sweeting, with only seven players in uniform, turned back a fully loaded Doris Johnson in a 45-20 rout in the senior girls’ opener.

Over at the CI Gibson Gymnasium, the junior

girls and boys played. CH Reeves Raptors demolished the AF Adderley Fighting Tigers junior girls 41-5, CH Reeves held off AF Adderley junior boys 33-31 and TA Thompson Scorpions got by the LW Young Golden Eagles junior boys 28-16.

After helping to coach the Mystic Marlins in the senior girls’ loss, Spence didn’t want to get his senior boys knocked out as well.

“I felt really good that we came out here and executed. It was like after all of the sparring, we got a chance when the lights were on to execute in the ring,” he said. “We executed when we needed to on the court and that got us the win.”

The Cobras opened a 9-1 run and held on an 11-5 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

The Mystic Marlins, however, stormed back to cut the deficit to two (22-20) at the half.

In the third period, the Marlins outscored the Cobras 22-17 to take control of the game. They cruised in the fourth quarter on an 18-12 spurt to seal the deal.

“I was pleased with the way our team was able to respond to the punch of the next team,” Spence said. “We talked about it a lot. We said when the next team gave us a punch, we must know how to react. So it was great that we had so much time to come back in the game and get the job done.”

In Doris Johnson’s comeback, Laterro Young had 17, including eight in the

Insurance gold sponsor for the CARIFTA Games

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WITH their cheque presentation of $50,000, NUA Insurance Agents & Brokers became a gold sponsor of the 50th Golden Jubilee CARIFTA Games over the Easter holiday weekend.

The cheque presentation was made yesterday in the foyer of the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

Speaking on behalf of NUA was Stanford Charlton, the managing director, who said they are happy to partner with the LOC in putting on the 50th edition of the CARIFTA Games,

marking the ninth time it will be held in the Bahamas.

“Our $50,000 sponsorship is a reflection of our commitment to the shared goals and spirit of the games,” said Charlton, noting that they hope the games will deliver an unparalleled experience for the athletes, spectators and fans, who will fill the stadium.

“This year, the Bahamas celebrates 50 years as an independent nation and it coincides with the 50th CARIFTA Games,” Charlton said.

“We understand the magnitude of this moment and

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

ALTHOUGH there are a number of international events on their agenda for 2023, Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations president Drumeco Archer said they are making sure that they are ready for the hosting of the 50th Golden Jubilee CARIFTA Games.

The games, to be hosted here for the ninth time, will be held April 7-11 and will be a part of the 50th Independence celebrations of the Bahamas.

Coming out of a successful election in November as he was returned to office for the second consecutive four-year term, Archer said the buzz in track and field

is very high for the games.

“The athletes are excited about competing and this is the most excitement I’ve seen for the games in a long time,” Archer said.

“What I can say is that there are people who are emerging as superstars, who we have never seen before.

“That’s a testimony to the work that our coaching staff have been doing since last year. So, I’m very excited about what our season holds for us and what we can expect for the CARIFTA Games.”

After attending their annual church service on Sunday at St Barnabas Anglican Church, the BAAA 2023 calendar of events will kick off this

NUA Agency Limited and its members joined the Local Organising Committee of the 50th CARIFTA Games as a gold sponsor.