02012024 NEWS AND SPORT

OBITUARIES

CARS! CARS!

The Tribune

THURSDAY

CLASSIFIEDS TRADER

Established 1903

HIGH 75ºF LOW 60ºF

L AT E S T

N E W S

O N

T R I B U N E 2 4 2 . C O M

Biggest And Best!

Volume: 121 No.49, February 1, 2024

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: PRICE–$1

‘DON’T GIVE CROOKS GOVT CONTRACTS’ Minnis says if he gave out names he would fear for life

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net FORMER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis urged his successor to commit not to give criminals government contracts, saying: “I cannot go into any more detail because my

life would be in danger.”

Dr Minnis’ comment about what would endanger his life came after Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said such a commitment would only encourage criminal activity by taking financial means from people SEE PAGE THREE

KILLARNEY MP and Former Prime Minister Hubert Minnis speaks during a sitting of the House of Assembly yesterday.

Photo: Dante Carrer

Police squadron leader recounts the CALLS TO EXTEND FORMER PM CALLS ON GOVT TO CANCEL ANKLE MONITOR CONTRACT events that led to death of three men BUSINESS LICENCE DEADLINE DENIED

BY GOVERNMENT

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis wants the Davis administration to cancel its contract with the company that monitors

people on bail, saying “it’s quite evident they cannot manage” the system.

His comments came after Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis told reporters on Tuesday that the SEE PAGE THREE

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

THE leader of the police squadron that conducted a fatal raid at a Blair Estates mansion in 2019 testified that officers were executing a search warrant for Tony

Smith as the Coroner’s Court inquest continued yesterday.

He said Smith, one of the three men killed in the incident, was a wanted murder suspect.

Police killed Tony Jamal “Foolish” Penn Smith, Valentino “T-Boy” Pratt and

Trevor “Coopz” Cooper on Commonwealth Avenue in the early morning of May 17, 2019.

Chief Superintendent Raynard Woods said that he was the leader of Flying Squad on the night they

Yesterday’s press conference came after members protested at the Sidney Poitier Bridge last week.

“Martin Luther indicated that a man cannot ride your back if you are standing up, and so we are calling our members to action,” Mr Woods said. “That is from the clubhouse in the east to Lyford Cay in the west.

We are now on full-fledged

THE Government was yesterday said to have rejected calls to extend the Business Licence filing deadline despite multiple companies complaining they were unable to access its online tax payment portal.

Pretino P. Albury, the Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants (BICA) president, told Tribune Business that the body’s calls for an extension to yesterday’s deadline were met with “a resounding ‘no’” from government officials on the basis that “some people are getting through” with their returns.

SEE PAGE FIVE

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

SEE PAGE FOUR

HOTEL UNION ON WORK TO RULE AT ATLANTIS

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union president Darren Woods said members are now on work to rule as he promised further action if concerns are not met.

Mr Woods said the union is in its second phase of industrial action, a “blackout” period he said could

PRESIDENT of the Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU) Darren Woods exist indefinitely.

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

PAGE 2, Thursday, February 1, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

US Embassy helping to empower women to realise their entrepreneurial dreams in GB

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Staff Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE US Embassy is

helping women in Grand Bahama realise and achieve their entrepreneurial dreams through its Academy of Women

Entrepreneurs (AWE) programme.

A welcome reception was held for participants at the Pelican Bay Resort this

week as a new group prepares to begin its 17-week course on Wednesday.

Suemayah Abu-Doleh, public affairs officer at the

SAMANTHA ROLLE, executive director of the Small Business Development Centre, said the partnership with the US Embassy is helping vulnerable groupings in society.

Photo: Vandyke Hepburn US Embassy, reported that over 300 Bahamian women have passed through the programme since its inception.

“The US Embassy is committed to empowering women entrepreneurs, and we want to help give women who are interested in entrepreneurship a leg up,” she said.

“We have over 300 alumni of this programme, and this year, we wanted to focus on a class outside the capital and put our attention and resources into building up the economy.

We have seen in Grand Bahama that it is slowly and surely been improving after Hurricane Dorian and the US Embassy wants to be a part of that.”

Ms Abu-Doleh said the US Embassy has partnered with the Small Business Development Centre to help 50 women in observance of the 50 years of US relations with the Bahamas.

Through the programme, she said the women would be provided resources and education on how to build

their business plans, how to access resources and grow their businesses to succeed in Grand Bahama.

Samantha Rolle, executive director of SBDC, said the partnership with AWE has been beneficial, especially in assisting vulnerable groupings of entrepreneurs, including women, young people, and the disabled.

At the end of the programme, she said there would be a pitch competition where participants could win $5,000 in grant funding.

“The 17-week programme will provide training to help turn their dreams into profits. But the great thing is the level of networking and collaboration they will gain through the experience that can boost their entrepreneurial endeavours,” she said.

Ms Rolle believes such a programme in Grand Bahama is pivotal and critical “because Grand Bahama needs that boost and we are focused on Family Island development and Grand Bahama.”

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, February 1, 2024, PAGE 3

‘Don’t give crooks govt contracts’ from page one who would otherwise struggle to get employed.

Mr Davis recalled meeting inner city residents who were on bail for several years.

“They said Brave I had a construction job on Paradise Island,” he said in the House of Assembly yesterday. “Someone whisper to the employer, do you know who that is working for you? What happened? The fella, next week or so, he ain’ get the job no more. And this continue to happen. They are unemployable in the mainstream employment space.

“They said Brave, if I can’t get meaningful work, how do you expect me to survive? What do you think I could do to put food on the table? What you think I gon’ do to pay my children school fees or pay my light bill or pay my rent? What I gon’ do when my ma is sick and have to go to the hospital?”

Mr Davis said an initiative to help people on bail “put food on their table” and “take care of their children” until their case was heard kept “idle hands busy”.

“As you would’ve known growing up in the circumstances you suggest you grew up in, idle hands is what?

The devil’s workshop,” he said.

Dr Minnis, however, countered that he was referring to large contracts given to major criminals.

“The prime minister knows we’re talking about apples versus grapes, two different things altogether,” he said. “Prime Minister knows that I’m referring to large contracts and I don’t want call any names cuz I may endanger myself and my family, but I would say, he knows I’m talking about Abaco, he knows I’m talking about Bozine Town, he knows I’m talking about Pinewood, he knows I’m talking about individuals who was extradited from the Dominican Republic and he knows I’m talking about individuals that served time.

“I can go on and on. He knows what I am talking about. I am not talking about the little man, the individual who still has a record that should have been expunged and as a result he has difficulty obtaining a job. I’m not talking about that.

He knows exactly what I’m talking about, but I cannot go in any more detail because my life would be in danger.”

The back and forth came as parliamentarians debated a bill to amend the Bail Act.

Former PM calls on govt to cancel ankle monitor contract from page one government is reviewing Metro Security Solutions’ contract after receiving reports that their monitoring system is failing.

Dr Minnis had previously expressed concerns about the system and yesterday accused the government of ignoring him.

He added: “The question is now how many individuals would’ve been involved in criminal activity in spite of having an ankle bracelet, but leaving the ankle bracelet home at their houses and subsequently go into the community and engage in criminal activities? That’s a possibility.”

“I’m certain that a number

of incidents would’ve occurred, which meant had the government acted on what I said two or three months ago, then those groups could’ve been dealt with appropriately. But the government must take the contract from the existing contractor because it’s quite evident that they cannot manage it.”

In November, Dr Minnis said more advanced technology is needed to alert authorities faster.

He said at the time: “I’ve been advised last week, and I don’t want to go into details, but a member who had an ankle bracelet was wandering all over the place, yet his bracelet showed that he was at home relaxing. When the

FNM LEADERS EXPECT TO MEET WITH POLICE COMMISSIONER NEXT WEEK TO ADDRESS CONCERNS OF POLITICAL USE OF OFFICERS

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net LEADERS of the Free National Movement will meet with Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander next week to discuss their concern that political operatives are using officers to intimidate and harass party members.

FNM leader Michael Pintard said the two parties will also delve into other issues, including efforts to fight crime.

The planned discussions come after the FNM accused police of colluding with Progressive Liberal Party operatives as it investigates last year’s physical attack on FNM vice chairman Richard Johnson outside the party’s headquarters in November.

The FNM said officers visited the workplace of a senior FNM party officer on Monday and later his personal residence.

The FNM said before the man entered the police car, “social media operatives”

associated with the PLP and others publicly said he “was currently in police custody,” suggesting they had insight into police operations or intentions.

They also published the man’s image.

“Affixed to these widely circulated notes, was the emblem (crest) of the RBPF,” the FNM said.

“The pre-emptive timing of the posting of these notes

FNM LEADER MICHAEL PINTARD makes it obvious that infor- operatives of the PLP, mation of the movement other interested parties and and activity of RBPF offic- a small group of officers of ers had to have been shared the RBPF.” with political operatives.

Mr Johnson was involved At no time has the RBPF in a physical altercation disassociated itself from outside the FNM’s headthese notes. quarters on November “We do not consider this 30. He publicly linked the a coincidence, as it repre- attack to FNM leaders sents yet another example without evidence, promptof a coordinated attempt at ing the leaders to file a character assassination and defamation complaint with political collusion between the police.

police checked, the bracelet was resting on the bureau in the young man’s home while he was all over doing whatever he chose to do.”

Authorities note that people on bail for serious crimes comprise a large number of perpetrators and victims of violent crimes.

Police said some of the people being electronically

monitored have been found without their ankle bracelets, while others do not charge their batteries.

On Tuesday, Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander said Metro Security Solutions is now adjusting the bracelet after police found that people can remove their devices with a paper clip.

PAGE 4, Thursday, February 1, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

Police squadron leader recounts the events that led to death of three men from page one attempted to apprehend wanted fugitives.

He said after assembling a team of police officers and marines at CDU, they made their way to the mansion shortly after 2am.

He said upon reaching the residence, the officers broke into two teams with one flanking left to the garage and the other heading to the front door with Superintendent Woods in the lead.

He said a third team maintained the perimeter outside the property gate.

Superintendent Woods said while climbing the stairs to the front door, he heard police identify themselves from the garage.

He said shortly after, he heard a dog bark, followed by gunfire from that direction.

He said when officers hammered on the front door, he heard one say, “Police, search warrant, open the door.” He said it was at this point he saw Jamal Penn, the man for whom there was a warrant for his arrest, peeking at police from an upstairs window.

He said police entered the residence after a woman accompanied by two boys opened the front door. He said after securing the civilians, the officers splintered into another two subgroups, with one team proceeding left up the staircase and another continuing their search downstairs with Superintendent Woods in tow.

He said the house was in darkness as officers breached the foyer.

He added that while

A BODY being removed from the scene where oficers shot three men on May 17, 2019. searching the dining room, he heard an officer upstairs shout “gun”.

He said he then heard Corporal Curtis, who led the team upstairs, say: “Put down the child, put down the gun and come downstairs.”

After the command was repeated, he recalled two gunshots going off in quick succession and ran toward the gunfight.

At a bedroom doorway on the second floor, he found the body of Penn Smith lying on the floor shirtless and in boxers.

Nearby, he claimed there was a gun lying in a pool of blood.

He said when he asked Corporal Curtis what happened, the officer said Smith refused to comply with his orders and fired at police, resulting in them returning fire.

He said the operation was over in under 20 minutes.

He said while surveying the scene in the aftermath of the shootings, he saw a bullet-riddled silver coloured Nissan Note in the garage.

He said he saw the body of Trevor Cooper in the

front seat of the car with a gun in the backseat area.

In a room next to the garage, he saw the body of Valentino Pratt on the ground with a gun in his left hand.

All three men were pronounced dead at the scene.

Superintendent Woods handed over the scene to initial investigator Corporal Desmond Rolle.

K Melvin Munroe, an attorney for the 15 officers who are the subject of this inquest, produced a search warrant in the name of Jamal Penn, which Leyvon Miller signed. Superintendent Woods confirmed that this was the warrant he acted on during the raid.

A wanted poster of Smith was also shown in court for crimes, including those of drugs and firearms.

Superintendent Woods said that the dead men were wanted for several incidents, including shootings. However, he could not say if any of the victims in those alleged matters had perished.

During this cross-examination, the officer described the results of the raid as “fruitful”. He also said

that it was his first encounter with Smith and that he did not witness any of the shootings directly.

He defended the large size of the raid team. He said a team of only two officers would have produced a bad result, given the number of firearms they found on the property.

Superintendent Woods told Ciji Smith-Curry, an attorney for the estates of the dead men, that he could not recall the exact number of officers in the raid.

Mrs Smith-Curry indicated that nowhere in his report did he say he heard Corporal Curtis command Smith to put a gun down.

He responded that he did not write it in his report, nor did he check the bodies for a pulse.

Mrs Smith-Curry said his oral report contradicts his written one because it claimed the gun was found near Pratt’s body and not in his hand. Superintendent Woods responded that the gun was resting above the closed fingers of Pratt’s left hand. Pratt’s mother previously testified that her son was right-handed.

Superintendent Woods told Romona Farquharson Seymour, another lawyer for the estates, that officers did not fire when they first entered the gate. However, he could not explain why a bullet casing was photographed near that same gate. He agreed that it could have been ammo from his squad.

He agreed with acting Coroner Kara Turnquest Deveaux’s suggestion that the bullet could have rolled down the hill to where investigators found it.

He could not say who shot Smith. While he maintained

that both sides fired shots, he said officers’ safety was his paramount concern when he questioned them.

He said he did not see a child upstairs despite hearing officers order Smith to put one down.

Mrs Farquharson Seymour suggested that the search warrant produced in court was issued in 2018.

He said he couldn’t speak to this.

The lawyer further suggested that the wanted poster shown in court wasn’t brought to him before this investigation.

He responded that he was told the dead men had drugs and firearms.

He accepted that he did not mention drugs being found on the premises in his report.

He said he saw nothing strange about how the gun was found in Pratt’s hand despite Mrs Farquharson Seymour saying it looked like it was placed there.

He recalled Smith being on his back when he first got upstairs, though crime scene photos showed him lying face down.

Superintendent Woods said there might have been security footage of the incident. He disagreed with the suggestion that the officers in his operation wore masks, claiming they went barefaced.

At this point during the cross-examination, Mrs Farquharson Seymour noted that officers in the court were chuckling in their seats despite the severity of the matter under investigation.

Superintendent Woods disagreed with her suggestion that he was dishonest in his testimony and lying to protect his officers.

He said there was no warrant or wanted poster for Trevor Cooper.

When asked by Ryzard Humes, the last attorney for the estates, why the operation didn’t focus solely on Smith once they’d ascertained his position, he replied that gunfire occurred in the garage before Smith was seen. He said it was possible Smith only went to the window in response to gunfire.

Defense Force Petty Officer Doyle Burrows testified that he and Marines Forbes, Pinder and Rolle participated in the operation.

He said he was stationed on perimeter duty outside the mansion on Eastern Road when he heard gunfire. He said three or four officers were with him at the time.

He said he provided security outside the mansion’s gate after the area was cordoned off and allowed EMS onto the scene.

The marine could not tell Mrs Farquharson Seymour how many cars went to the operation or who was in the jeep with him. He also could not remember which officers secured the perimeter with him.

The lawyer questioned why he was in charge of maintaining the perimeter when he couldn’t remember such details.

The coroner then told officers in court to check their posture as giggles again broke out during Mrs Seymour’s cross-examination.

Petty Officer Burrows said he may have written his own report of the incident but couldn’t say so definitively because it was almost five years since the incident.

BUSINESSMAN BLAMES CRIME AND POOR GOVT PR FOR TOURIST CANCELLATIONS

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net THE owner of a fishing charter business reported multiple cancellations within a week, attributing them to recent international travel advisories about violent crime in The Bahamas.

Mike Russell, owner of Chubasco Charters, believes the government needs better public relations about the country following widely reported travel advisories from the United States and Canada.

He said his company rarely gets cancellations.

After getting four in a week, he believes “something is amiss”.

The first cancellation involved a group of women set to come on a cruise ship Friday afternoon.

He said a message from one of the women to his wife, who deals with bookings, said: “I’m so sorry, but we are going to have to cancel the charter for this Friday. Because of the recent string of violence, none of the girls are comfortable getting off the ship

in Nassau. I feel terrible for what you and your families are going through during this time. I want you to know that you and the guys are in my prayers. Please be safe, and I will definitely charter with you next time I am in Nassau.”

Mr Russell told The Trib une yesterday: “Two of them stated that they were cancelling because of the crime problem.”

“The other two pretty much were vague about why they were cancelling. They were sort of not saying that’s what it was,

but very seldom we get cancellations, and to get four within a week and two of them to state that they’re cancelling because of the crime problems.”

Mr Russell said the US Embassy’s advisory was fair, but noted there have been false international reports about the country. Last week, a Daily Mail article wrongly said a violent incident in Trinidad happened here.

Mr Russell said the government “should have had a PR team ready from the go.”

Tourism Minister Chester Cooper noted yesterday that tourism arrivals are already more than 40 per cent ahead of 2022’s numbers and expressed confidence that international coverage about the country’s soaring murder rate will not have lasting impact.

“Our brand is very strong,” he said in the House of Assembly. “Our island is diverse and our people are resilient, peaceful and friendly.

“The world knows our allure, and this is why we

have been able to attract more than nine million tourists in 2023, posting the best results in the history of The Bahamas.”

“However, I acknowledge the concerns raised by recent international media reports, notwithstanding our view that many of the reports have sensationalised or mischaracterised the issue. While we are confident that these reports will not cause lasting damage, we cannot be passive observers to a narrative that misrepresents our beloved Bahamas.”

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, February 1, 2024, PAGE 5

Hotel Union on work to rule at Atlantis from page one

industrial action.”

He said work to rule ensures members only work according to their job description and no more.

He noted that anyone who attempts to prevent members from exercising their rights will be met with “vicious and ferocious retaliation”.

The union is taking action because it said negotiations with The Bahamas Hotel and Restaurant Employers Association for employees in the tipping category to get a salary increase were going poorly.

The union wants all members to get a pay increase, saying more than 5,000 employees have been affected by the association’s failure to give a pay increase.

“The blackout could go from tonight to tomorrow to something different, it depends on how they receive it,” Mr Woods said. “Because I say it again, if any of our members are prevented from exercising their rights, then all the gloves off.”

Stephanie St Fleur, an employee of Atlantis for 25

years, expressed her grievances at yesterday’s press conference.

“I’ve been there for 25 years. From 2013, no raise,” said Ms St Fleur. “The government raised minimum wage, but minimum wage is not a livable wage.”

“You go to the food store right now, people have to nip and pick, you know, between groceries, between light bill, between taking care of their children, and you mean to tell me my employer, who I laboured for the past 25 years, giving up my weekends, giving up my holidays, giving up time away from my children, don’t think that I deserve to get this raise?

“You can’t go to the bank with your basic salary. You cannot get anything working in a hotel with your basic salary from the banks. So why am I not entitled to or deserve this increase? Why have I laboured for the past 25 years making sure you meet your bottom line?”

In ending the meeting, Mr Woods “rang the bell” to signal the beginning of the industrial action.

BAHAMAS Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union president Darren Woods speaks to union members last week at a protest at the bridge to Paradise Island. He said members are now on work to rule as he promised further action if concerns are not met.

The bill to amend the Bail Act was debated but not passed

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net MEMBERS of parliament debated a bill to amend the Bail Act yesterday, which the Davis administration hopes will crack down on bail violators and help reduce violent crime.

The bill was not passed.

Freetown MP Wayne Monroe, leader of government business in the House, said the debate would be suspended to get proposals from members of the opposition.

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said the amendment sends a strong message to people who commit crimes while on release.

“You break the rules, you go to jail,” he said.

“No more fines for violations. No more freedom to commit new crimes.”

“When people show us they cannot follow the rules, it is more than reasonable to infer they pose too great a risk to public safety to be free as they await trial. Their disregard for the judge and for the court means they are too likely to re-offend or to commit new crimes.”

He noted that where judges determine “no such risks exist”, they can still grant bail after due process.

The amendments passed the House of Assembly not long after the country recorded its 20th murder for the month.

ONE WOMAN IS DEAD AFTER THREE PEOPLE SHOT LAST NIGHT

POLICE on the scene at Ragged Island Street where one man and two women were shot - one died.

Photo: Moise Amisial A WOMAN who was in woman appeared to be in her police custody over the week- mid-30s. Another two shootend for questioning about a ing victims were taken to the murder was killed last night in hospital - one man and one a triple shooting on Ragged woman - where their condiIsland Street and Cordeaux tion was unknown up to press Avenue. time.

Police said shortly after The woman’s death 7pm, officers received reports marked the 20th murder of of the shooting. Police said the the year.

NOTICE Due to the death of Dr. Susan M. Donald Life Chiropractic Centre will be closing permanently effective Friday, 29 February 2024 Patients wishing to collect a copy of their file may do so between the hours of 1 pm to 5 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays until the above date.

Phone: 393-2774

PRIME Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis speaks with members of his party during the Bail Act amendment debate in the House of Assembly yesterday.

Photo: Dante Carrer Mr Davis said the bill’s objectives are straightforward.

“One of the core principles of the effective administration of justice is that penalties must be sure and swift if they are to be an effective deterrent,”

he added. “So, if anyone thinks they are going to just duck out of coming to court, commit additional offences, tamper with the monitoring devices placed upon them, or breach the conditions imposed on them in any

way, then I have news for them, Madam Speaker.

It’s a new day for justice and accountability in The Bahamas.”

St Anne’s MP Adrian White said the bill was not groundbreaking, and East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi

Thompson said it would not fix the country’s crime problems.

“Fix the system,” he said. “Take real steps to fix the system. Take real steps to reduce the length of time to try persons charged with serious offences.”

PAGE 6, Thursday, February 1, 2024

The Tribune Limited

THE TRIBUNE

PICTURE OF THE DAY

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

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,

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

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

RT HON EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,

C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B. Publisher/Editor 1972-

Published daily Monday to Friday

Shirley & Deveaux Streets, Nassau, Bahamas N3207 TELEPHONES News & General Information Advertising Manager Circulation Department Nassau fax Freeport, Grand Bahama Freeport fax

(242) 322-2350 (242) 502-2394 (242) 502-2386 (242) 328-2398 (242)-352-6608 (242) 352-9348

WEBSITE, TWITTER & FACEBOOK www.tribune242.com

@tribune242

tribune news network

How easy would it be if govt would only listen?

ONE of the common frustrations with government is the feeling that as a whole it does not listen.

Businesses have been particularly frustrated with government on a number of occasions – earlier this week in this column we detailed the distance from reality of the phrase “ease of doing business”.

So given that the countdown is on to the filing of business licences, government is not showing much of a listening ear to businesses that are expressing concerns.

Let us consider some recent issues.

First, there was the rethink on fees for boat registration. Many people, especially fishermen, had raised concerns over the size of the hikes – and then it seemed reality started to kick in when there seemed to be a significant drop in marina bookings.

Even the rethink did not seem to go well, however, with confusion over which vessels it would apply to.

The secretary of the National Fisheries Association, Paul Maillis, said that much angst could have been avoided if only the government had consulted the maritime industry before imposing the increases, some of which were a rise by 1,000 percent or more.

Even as Deputy Prime Minister, speaking as acting Prime Minister at the time, announced a suspension of the increases, it seemed that certain agencies were not on the same page, with the Port Department piping up to say that it was not for all vessels, but just for private and recreational vessels. Commercial craft? Up go the fees still, according to them. So fishermen, tour boats, tug boats, salvage vessels, barges, and so on all still faced the steep hike. A lack of coordination and clarity.

Then came the difficulty over the VAT portal which saw businesses struggling to access the online tax payment portal to pay what was due.

Businesses tried and tried and tried

again to access the portal to do what was required, only to face endless frustration as it was clearly not up to the task of handling so many requests.

The Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants, mindful of the deadline for business licence filings, called on government to extend that deadline seeing as the portal was having so many issues.

The government, in its infinite wisdom, has said no, it would seem.

Will this be another occasion when government should have listened? We shall see. Although one accountant told Tribune Business that the government will not levy fines who missed yesterday’s deadline as long as they could show they made efforts to comply only to be foiled by a faulty portal.

If true, that seems a tacit acknowledgement that something is indeed wrong – so it is right that businesses should not be penalised for the government’s equipment failure. But why even go to the point of essentially looking the other way over a legal penalty? Why not just listen to businesses in the first place and extend the deadline?

As that accountant said in frustration, “It’s become normal. The roads have pot holes, the Road Traffic Department doesn’t work, etc, etc.”

That’s a damning indictment on our state of being, where a failure to carry out the basic tasks is greeted with a shrug and an oh well, so it goes.

It should not be beyond a government – especially one that exacts so much in taxation – to ensure basic things do what they should. Keeping the lights on.

Making sure a website is fit for the purpose it is designed for. Filling a hole in the road.

We will see very shortly how effective the system was for yesterday’s deadline.

And if it was another mess, think how easy it could have been for the government to listen.

Declare state of emergency, Mr Davis EDITOR, The Tribune.

LAWLESSNESS continues to plague our nation.

The year has just begun, the month of January is not finished and we are already at record breaking numbers as it relates to murders.

It is time the Prime Minister, under article 29 of the constitution, declares a state of emergency. We are in a serious crisis, and losing the war on crime.

The police force every year is increasing its numbers by enlisting new recruits and yet still it isn’t doing much to curb the murder rate.

The Minister of National Security seems to have run out of ideas, and in many ways seems incapable of giving the citizens of this country hope that crime and lawlessness will ever be stamped out.

I beg to question why isn’t the Davis administration capable of thinking out of the box and resorting to doing what could be in the best interests of the citizens?

Lawlessness committed with impunity has become a way of life and there appears to be no solution to bringing these human scourges under control.

Might it be that the declaration of a state emergency could be the relief the country requires?

A declared state of emergency should never be considered a permanent feature; its implementation should be short-term, but with clearly defined results calculated to restore peace and order.

There is no doubt that fear is visible in our country; in our homes, streets, and churches. Fear, violence and crime is everywhere. And we are no longer feeling safe in a place that has guaranteed us freedom, and the fundamental rights to live!

The message is clear, and it’s bold. The people no longer see the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) as a credible entity to protect them from crime and violence. Law and order, it seems, have irretrievably broken down.

The RBPF is constitutionally mandated to prevent, combat and investigate crime, maintain public order, protect and secure the people of the country and their property, and enforce and uphold the law.

But we have lost confidence as a people in the very entity charged with carrying out this mandate.

Hence, there is no doubt and question that the Prime Minister needs to consider declaring a state of emergency for our country. To save it from being run to the ground by criminal syndicates.

Our country is in shambles.

And has been taken over by lawless men whose aim is to destroy our very sense of peace, security and happiness all while undermining law and order.

We deserve the right to live peacefully, not always having to look over our shoulders or constantly in fear for our lives.

The declaration of the state of emergency may just give the country a fighting chance to reset and calm raging waters.

I urge the Prime Minister to do what is in the best interest of the Bahamian people.

And what must be done, must be done now! This is a matter of urgency. Declare a state of emergency!

DR MATHEO SMITH Nassau, January 22, 2024.

FORMER Prime Minister Hubert Minnis presents Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis with a copy of his book ‘The Power of Determination’ in the Majority Room of The House of Assembly yesterday.

Photo: Dante Carrer

Housing crisis needs solving EDITOR, The Tribune.

IT has long been accepted that there is a severe affordable housing crisis here in the capital island of New Providence. This did not just pop up out of the proverbial blue but has been fueled by the apparent lazy, laid back modus operandi and non-innovative approach of our home grown urban designers and politicians, across the political chess board.

One does not have to be a rocket scientist or even half as smart as I am to come to the inescapable conclusion that over fifty percent (50%) of our roughly 400,000 strong Bahamian population reside here in New Providence... an island measuring some 21x7 square miles.

Out of that thirty percent (30%) comprises what we refer to as Crown Land or the Well Fields. The rest is either privately owned or being occupied by squatters. In short the land availability on this island has long been maxed out and the costs of the same is beyond the financial reach of the average native/resident of New Providence.

As a capitalist to the core, I have never supported or espoused the state/government of the day being involved in home construction/I have no difficulty with the central government laying out subdivisions with all of the necessary infrastructure and simply selling residential lots at costs to qualified buyers, who would be strictly prohibited from hoarding such properties for speculative purposes.

One fully serviced residential lot per individual or family.

These prospective buyers would then seek financing either through The

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net Bahamas Mortgage Corporation or their private bankers for the actual construction of their well designed homes, which could be selected from an array of approved plans from the Ministry of Works, again, at basic costs. Proposed building contractors would be vetted by that Ministry and the Department of Physical Planning and bonded by reputable insurance companies. The days of individuals getting unapproved; unlicensed and ‘friendly builders’ are over.

The allotted land could be used as instant collateral to secure mortgage loans.

There is enough Crown Land right here in New Providence, especially in the South Western areas to lay out at least 2,500 medium sized residential lots. I would want to see the allocation of such lots based solely on merit and financial capacity. This debilitating and discriminatory phenomenon whereby ‘kisses go by favour; and/ or who you know, must be shut down once and for all.

It should not a matter if one is a supporter of the PLP or the FNM. If the average residential lot could be available at less than B$40,000 even though it’s market value would be in the B$100,000 range, buyers would have an automatic equity to lay on the proverbial table when they enter the mortgage company or bank doors. The central government would then have no financial burdens which would have to be borne or subsidised by the Bahamian taxpayers.

This would be a win/win situation.

Ordinary Bahamians would be empowered to become proud home building contractors and their employees would be assured of a steady stream of work. The banks and lending institutions would be secured with tangible collateral and the automatic pride that comes with land/ home ownership would translate into economic activity and generate substantial tax revenue into the Treasury. Private home ownership and construction would automatically accelerate. Building suppliers; landscapers; fencing; designers, interior decorators and, of course, furniture stores would all reap from a bountiful economic harvest.

I, again call on the Hon Philip ‘Brave’ Davis, KC, MP, the minister with responsibility for Crown Land to liberalise the granting/sale of such land throughout The Bahamas, but especially here in New Providence and the larger inhabited family islands, such as Abaco; Eleuthera’ Exuma and, of course, my beloved Andros.

There are few things in life, apart from salvation itself, more important than home ownership. The staff at The Lands and Survey Department, may have been in place too long and may be entrenched in their paternalistic and parochial mind set. The PM needs to consider replacing; reassigning or retiring many of the ‘old guard’ up there.

To God then, Who first provided housing for his creation, in all things, be the glory.

Jr

ORTLAND H BODIE, Nassau, January 30, 2024.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, February 1, 2024, PAGE 7

Govt holds consultation session for a Creative and Performing Arts School

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net GOVERNMENT officials held a consultation session for the Bahamas Creative and Performing Arts School (CAPAS) yesterday, marking what they called a significant step in developing an artistic hub for students.

The session at Margaritaville Resort attracted local fashion designers, musicians, dancers, and artists.

Office of the Prime Minister’s policy and communication advisor Ian Poitier presented a detailed presentation of the desired vision for CAPAS. CAPAS students must be at least 18 years old and would be allowed to take only performance, creative, and technical courses rather than follow a traditional academic curriculum.

Mr Poitier said a wide range of full-time and parttime courses will be offered to students.

“We have already started to form significant partnerships with the top schools and other establishments related to this field around the world,” he said. “Already we have some offers of sponsorship and potential offers which come purely on the fact that we are doing this for The Bahamas. People want to see us succeed.”

Regarding CAPAS’ syllabus, students can study as performers on the main stage through singing, musical theatre, and acting. They can also focus on producing, costuming, filmmaking, directing, and talent management.

Mr Poitier noted that

officials are discussing a potential partnership with the University of The Bahamas.

CAPAS is expected to have a mixture of Bahamian and international teachers for its courses.

The school will target highly talented local and international performers dedicated to making a career in the creative arts.

Enthusiastic amateurs are also welcome to develop their skills.

It is unknown how many students could attend the school or how many courses would be offered. A location for CAPAS has not been determined.

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis described the launch of CAPAS as a landmark moment.

“It has been a longcherished ambition here to establish a school to train people for careers in the performing arts,” he said.

“Today, we plant the seeds of that ambition.”

Education Minister Glenys Hanna Martin said a focus on cultural expression and preservation is overdue, and Minister of Youth, Sports, and Culture Mario Bowleg said it is time to pursue an economic agenda that harnesses the potential of The Bahamas’ cultural industry.

Economic Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis said a performance arts institution would be a great economic investment and that CAPAS would help keep local talent and cash flow in the country.

CAPAS is expected to move into its selected building in January 2026, and the first showcase is expected to be held in May 2026.

PUBLIC COMPLAINS OF LONG LINES AND BAD ATTITUDES AT ROAD TRAFFIC DEPARTMENT

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net PATRONS of the Road Traffic Department criticised the long lines and slow service yesterday.

The Ministry of Energy and Transport noted the suspension of services at the Road Traffic Department’s Thomas A Robinson National Stadium location last week, leaving people to use the Carmichael Road and Fort Charlotte substations.

Some have since complained that the substations cannot handle the influx of people.

When The Tribune visited the Fort Charlotte location yesterday, many customers said they had been waiting for at least an hour. The parking lot and the facility’s outskirts were full, with many choosing to leave without getting served.

Franklyn Robinson had no complaints about the wait time, but complained about the conditions and attitudes of the staff.

“Well, in terms of the time movement, it’s okay, but you are encountering a very nasty attitude from the attendants,” he said

yesterday.

“They are speaking to the public very harshly, and I don’t think it’s necessary considering everything else that the public has to deal with as it relates to the road traffic department and this chaos.”

“The Bahamian people have to now resort to this chaos, business in the yard.

No bathroom facilities, nothing, it’s just horrible, it’s just disgusting, it’s demeaning to Bahamians, and it’s a reflection on the attitudes of these governments, that the Bahamian people are insignificant, they mean nothing.“ Yesterday, the department announced the reopening of the main office, which will be located in the Edwin “Smiley” Bastian Corporate Centre.

The services at this location are limited but include driver’s licence collection, collection of plates, foreign driver’s licence transfer, examinations and gateway processing.

Opposition Leader Michael Pintard has urged the Davis administration to reopen the Road Traffic Department’s substations at Elizabeth Estates, South Beach, and Cable Beach.

THE ROAD Traffic Department re-opend the main office at the Edwin ‘Smiley’ Bastian Corporate Centre with limited services.

Photo: Moise Amisial

PRIME Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis speaks during the launch of the consultation on the Creative and Performing Arts School (CAPAS). The OPMs policy and communication advisor Ian Poitier reveals the logo and speaks about the project yesterday.

Photos: Moise Amisial

The sociological roots of violence and crime PAGE 8, Thursday, February 1, 2024

“VIOLENCE toward others, such as homicide, is an attempt to replace shame with pride.” – Dr James Gilligan, MD. Dr James Gilligan is an expert on criminal violence, a topic that has preoccupied most of his professional life as a psychiatrist and author writing extensively and passionately on the roots of crime and violence. He once directed the Centre for the Study of Violence at Harvard Medical School.

Dr Gilligan spent 25 years in the US prison system talking to prisoners, their families and prison officials. He has firsthand experience as a prison psychiatrist. He has blended his academic cum medical training and practice with in-depth research.

He has talked to criminologists, police officers, lawyers and others in the criminal justice system, particularly carceral or penal institutions, trying to understand “the motivation and causes behind violent behaviour.”

He has focused on the etiology of murder. Etiology is defined as: “The cause, set of causes, or manner of causation of a disease or condition.”

As we experience another frenzied and seemingly unrelenting period of bloodshed on New Providence, much of the public conversation, and some of the

proposed responses, is superficial, unconvincing and self-defeating.

Dr Gilligan has noted throughout his career that proposed solutions like the death penalty and longer prison sentences have generally failed to reduce crime and violence in the United States and other jurisdictions.

It appears that our political leadership over the years has generally failed to understand and to respond creatively and comprehensively to the nature and degree of violence in The Bahamas.

It is highly likely that most of the current and previous members of cabinet do not appreciate the underlying reasons for

THE TRIBUNE

the violence will not abate, and indeed may increase, if we fail to understand its deep roots and equally fail to realize intelligent, well-resourced and creative responses. violence in the country.

There have been various crime reports, some of which were useful and had various insights into crime in The Bahamas.

If one asks the members of today’s political and policy directorates about the causes of crime, there is likely to be all manner of garbled and halting responses. The same applies to many of the leaders of the Bahamas Christian Council.

Imagine trying to respond to a matter of economic policy absent a basic understanding of economics.

Correspondingly, most of our political and religious leaders clearly do not even understand basic concepts of sociology or anthropology. How then can they propose longterm measures to address various forms of social dysfunction?

It would be more useful for a prime minister to sit attentively with prisoners, young people, teachers, crime experts from home and abroad, and others to better understand and discuss the causes and experience of crime than it is to sit in a police car looking at the newest technologies.

By the time the police car or hearse arrives at the scene of a horrendous crime, the sociological and other problems have already metastasized. A deeper dive into the roots of violent behavior among Bahamians might yield a number of insights.

One of Dr Gilligan’s more compelling works, written in 1997, is Violence: Reflections on a National Epidemic. In the chapter, “Shame: The Emotions and Morality of Violence”, he writes of the mindsets which may result in violent behavior: “Behind the mask of ‘cool’ or self-assurance that many violent men clamp onto their faces – with a desperation born of the certain knowledge that they would ‘lose face’ if they ever let it slip – is a person who feels vulnerable not just to ‘loss of face’ but to the total loss of honour, prestige, respect and status – the disintegration of identity, especially their adult, masculine, heterosexual identity; their selfhood, personhood, rationality, and sanity.”

Many of our political and religious leaders are adept at understanding how to manipulate, entice or bamboozle voters or congregants with prosperity gospels, patronage, cronyism and “throw me out” rewards.

But they do not more fully understand what it takes to build, form, educate and humanise a person, including many of our exceedingly vulnerable, fragile men who, as Dr Gilligan notes, “[lack] the emotional capacities or feelings that normally inhibit the violent impulses that are stimulated by shame”.

Our leaders would do well to educate themselves about the human nature and impulses behind violence, as well as what is required for human development. They may wish to find local and international experts to inform their thinking and decision-making in addressing crime and violence They may also consider insights such as this by Dr Gilligan: “The first precondition [for violence] is

probably the most carefully guarded secret held by violent men. … This is a secret that many of them would rather die than reveal; I put it that extremely because many of them, in fact, do die in order not to reveal it.

“They try so hard to conceal this secret precisely because it is so deeply shameful to them, and of course shame further motivates the need to conceal.

“The secret is that they feel ashamed – deeply ashamed, chronically ashamed, acutely ashamed, over matters that are so trivial that their very triviality makes it even more shameful to feel ashamed about them.”

“And why are they so ashamed of feeling ashamed? Often violent men hide behind their shame behind a defensiveness mask of bravado, arrogance, ‘machismo’, self-satisfaction, insouciance, or studied indifference Many violent men would rather die than let you know what is distressing them, or even that anything is distressing them.”

This is not soft-headed liberal gobbledygook.

Getting tough on crime requires hard and soft power. By example, there are successful prison models that have reduced recidivism by training offenders in various job skills, and coping skills such as transcendental and other forms of meditation.

Most of us are bewildered when it comes to the nature of violence and crime. This lack of understanding is not applicable only to The Bahamas. Crime is clearly complex, requiring multiple responses.

But, in The Bahamas, we generally do not understand the fuller nature of violence. This is why we continue to fail miserably in various areas of social intervention including more comprehensive prison reform, youth and family intervention, and other responses.

How do we stop people from going to prison?

What do we do with these mostly men, once they are in prison or released from incarceration? We have made some efforts in these areas. But our efforts are not as comprehensive and as aggressive as necessary.

Here at home, some continue to argue that we do not have a serious crime problem, and that both Bahamians and tourists are not likely to be murdered. This wholly misses several compelling realities.

Foremost, we are a violent society with a murder rate considerably higher than numerous jurisdictions with much larger populations. Additionally, there are a range of other

violent offences which do great harm to victims of crime, including domestic violence.

The view that it is the “bad boys” and gang members killing each other ignores the moral and sociological reality and failure that some of our young men, regardless of their familial background, are engaged in such violence.

There will always be criminals and violence in a society. But the level of such criminality and violence in The Bahamas is not inevitable. It can be addressed through sustained and “multigenerational efforts”, in both senses of the term.

There is sometimes an upper class conceit that it is those poor people who are at risk because: “Me and my family are safely ensconced behind our gates and alarm systems.”

Such arrogant disregard is part of the moral indifference to our cycle of violence.

Just last week, there were reports of EMS professionals being outfitted with bulletproof vests. Over the decades, the medical professionals at the A&E of Princess Margaret Hospital have attended to many hundreds, if not thousands of Bahamians, who were the victims of shootings and stabbings.

The number of people dying from such wounds would be much higher if we did not have such dedicated nurses, doctors and technicians. Moreover, many Bahamians are victims of violent crimes, stabbings, sexual assaults and armed robberies.

There is a disturbing magical thinking that one is safe as long as one travels along certain routes on our small twenty-one by seven island.

Tell this to those who witnessed the fairly recent double-murder during broad daylight and a highly-trafficked period on Prince Charles Drive, a major thoroughfare. The killings were in the vicinity of a government school, a leading bank, and homes and businesses, as motorists reeled in fear and horror.

We are not only experiencing gangland killings.

Some people apparently are being killed in personal disputes.

Those living in their isolated mountaintops may try to ignore or rationalize the violence in the valleys and streets of New Providence.

But the violence will not abate, and indeed may increase, if we fail to understand its deep roots and equally fail to realize intelligent, well-resourced and creative responses.

We must not lose hope.

There are possibilities. But we must summon the faith and will to save lives and renew our life in common.

Key campaign issues in place as Trump-Biden rematch all but set PAGE 10, Thursday, February 1, 2024

THE stage is now nearly set for the Trump-Biden rematch in November.

Major campaign issues are becoming clear: immigration and border security; the Middle East, and the economy.

The most dramatic issue at the moment is America’s border with Mexico.

Biden is now declaring that he would close that border temporarily if the press of immigrants grew to overwhelm the US border forces deployed to keep out unwanted migrants. To many, this represents a long-overdue change to acknowledge the severity of the issue.

As Biden pivots, the public feud continues between Biden and Congress on now-stalled legislation linking immigration and border reform with further assistance to Ukraine and Israel.

Trump’s meddling from the campaign podium has not been helpful, to say the least.

The administration’s position on the Israel-Hamas conflict is moving toward more forceful pressure on the Israelis to suspend and ultimately call off their current evisceration of Gaza.

This situation changes daily.

And Biden will be sorely tested in the months to come by the theocrats in Tehran who want Iran to lead the charge to expel or reduce American influence in the Middle East.

The US must be constantly wary of Iran, a regional powerhouse whose ambitions are great and whose economic, political and cultural reach is truly significant.

THE TRIBUNE

STATESIDE with Charlie Harper There are reports that Tehran is inching closer to development of a full military nuclear capability, which would only make them more formidable.

Both Tehran and Washington will need to be especially cautious as the tit-for-tat attack and response cycle accelerates slowly in the region. On Tuesday, the head of the influential Iranian Revolutionary Guards warned Iran will respond to any threat from the United States.

“We hear threats coming from American officials,” he said. “We tell them that they have already tested us, and we now know one another. No threat will be left unanswered.”

As those verbal fistfights over border security and the Middle East intensify, however, there is increasing evidence that the US economy is really recovering well from the COVID pandemic-era shocks, and that there is credit to be shared, including for Trump. An American economic recovery is of course terrific news for The Bahamas.

Biden’s challenge will be to show voters these economic policy results while hoping other factors like wage increases lower the impact of stubborn price rises.

Meantime, many officials are touting this resilient American economy. Biden boasted last week that the annual US inflation rate dropped to two percent over the last half of 2023. Over the past four years covering the pandemic, wage growth overall has been 2.8 percent.

Yellen has been more specific and more vocal.

“The current American economy has been the fairest on record,” she said last week. “We have avoided pain for most middle-class American families.

“The US has seen a particularly strong recovery, and inflation has cooled more quickly than in other large economies,” Yellen said. “The US recovery is on a very desirable path.” Recent data have backed up her assertions.

How has this happened?

Economists cite the massive US government infusion of literally trillions of dollars into the economy as the driver for this uniquely effective recovery. This may herald a switch in future crises from using primarily monetary policy levers such as interest rates (the province of the Federal Reserve in Washington)

to employing fiscal measures like cash infusions (the province of the US Congress and Executive Branch).

The International Monetary Fund estimates that all Congressionally-approved stimulus measures (individual checks, small business loans, unemployment benefits) added up to 25.5 percent of the US gross domestic product! Britain was closest with 19 percent, but other European nations spent closer to ten percent. It made a difference.

And all this spending came both in the latter part of the Trump administration and at the beginning of the Biden presidency. Both men deserve high marks for their support of Congressional action – as does the US Congress.

In the current toxic, internet-fueled atmosphere of internecine fratricide in American political life, it is worth noting that some of its most currently reviled individuals (the past two presidents) and institutions (the Senate and House of Representatives) nevertheless did a better job at leading the US back from the brink of a crippling depression better than did any other

PRESIDENT Joe Biden speaks to members of the media before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Tuesday for a short trip to Andrews Air Force Base, Md., and then on to Florida for campaign receptions.

Photo: Andrew Harnik/AP

Super Bowl Sunday set with Forty-Niners rematch against the Chiefs OVER the weekend in the NFL’s semifinal games, both underdogs covered the betting line spread, but only one actually won the game.

That was the Kansas City Chiefs, who are now set to appear in the Super Bowl for the fourth time in the past five years, have rediscovered their brilliance, enjoy the faithful support of the world’s greatest pop star, and are beginning to force comparisons with Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots as the greatest dynasty in the history of pro football in the United States.

Patriots (and Bucs) Quarterback Brady is now retired. His coach through the glory years in New England, Belichick, has just parted ways with the Patriots and has failed to secure another NFL head coaching job for the upcoming season. The Patriots played so poorly and lost so many

games this past season that they own the third pick in April’s NFL draft.

Kansas City, in stark contrast, is rolling. They had to beat the three other best teams in their conference playoffs, successively defeating the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills and the Ravens – the last two wins on the road where their sensational QB Patrick Mahomes had never previously won or hardly ever played a playoff game. The Chiefs faced top-seeded Baltimore in Sunday’s conference championship game as decided underdogs.

The Ravens are led by the best dual-threat quarterback of the past fifty years, Lamar Jackson, whose passing prowess has finally caught up with his shifty, deceptively elusive running ability to produce the league’s most dangerous run/pass threat. But Jackson, while accumulating

one MVP award and presently awaiting his second, has faded in the postseason.

He now owns a 2 – 4 playoff record, and there are whispers that he underperforms when the stakes are highest.

Against the Chiefs Sunday with megastar Taylor Swift joining superstar tight end Travis Kelce’s parents and brother in a luxury box, the Ravens fumbled and fiddled away a winnable game. Jackson faded. His young receivers made some really headscratching mistakes. The strong Ravens running game was ignored by the play-calling coaches. Baltimore deserved to lose.

Meantime out west, the San Francisco 49ers overcame a three-touchdown halftime deficit to squeeze past the Detroit Lions. The comeback triumph was impressive, but for comparison, Detroit was clobbered on the road against the

Ravens this season by 32 points. Kansas City’s win was by far the more impressive.

The 49ers remain nonetheless a team that can afford to pay several stars top dollar on both offense and defense, because their quarterback was the very last player chosen in the 2022 draft and they haven’t yet needed to pay him a salary commensurate with his value to the team. That creates lots of room for big salaries for the team’s all-star runner, linemen and pass catchers. On top of that good fortune, San Francisco has a capable front office that has hit on a more than average number of its draft choices.

The 49ers are a carefullyconstructed team loaded with talent. They have a young, talented coach. But while they opened as slight favorites over the Chiefs in the championship game set for February 11 in Las Vegas, the 49ers should not be the betting favorite in the title game.

With ten days still to go before the Super Bowl is played, it wouldn’t be too surprising to see the betting line creep steadily in favour of the Chiefs. They have too much experience and self-assurance for the 49ers.

Belichick was not alone in leaving a lengthy, highly successful coaching gig.

Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks departed, as did collegiate champion Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh (in a

SAN Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) celebrates after a touchdown run by Elijah Mitchell during the second half of the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Santa Clara, California, Sunday.

Photo: Mark J. Terrill/AP return to the NFL’s San Diego Chargers) and perhaps the greatest collegiate coach of all time, Alabama’s Nick Saban.

The departure of just these four coaching legends may mark this as the most

significant offseason of football coaching turnover of all time, but there were as usual plenty of other important arrivals and departures. In football, only the Super Bowl on February 11 remains.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, February 1, 2024, PAGE 11

Tourism engaging Margaritaville at Sea to reverse GB ticket decision

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation said it is engaging Margaritaville at Sea to reverse its decision to no longer allow trips from Grand Bahama to Florida, calling the service essential to Grand Bahama residents.

The Tribune reported on Monday that the cruise line no longer offers the one-way tickets out of Grand Bahama or the

one-way sailing out of West Palm Beach.

An agent said the twonight round trip from West Palm Beach is still working as normal.

East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson said the change was troubling.

He said the vessel is a shipping option for Bahamian passengers to ship furniture and other large items when they travel.

“This is a very unique way of travelling for Grand Bahamians. If this is discontinued, it would

MAN CHARGED IN STABBING DEATH OF SANCHEZ GITTENZ

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunbemedia.net A 20-YEAR-OLD man was imprisoned yesterday after being accused of fatally stabbing 18-yearold Sanchez Gittenz as he attended a friend’s party at a bar last weekend.

A woman was also charged with abetting in the same murder.

Magistrate Raquel Whyms charged Bardon Major, aka “Brandon Major”, with murder.

Nel Major, 23, was charged with abetment to murder.

Alphonso Lewis represented the accused.

Following a verbal argument, Major is accused of stabbing Gittenz

multiple times near a bar on East Street and Soldier Road shortly after 2am on January 27.

While on the way to the hospital, Gittenz’s female friend reportedly crashed their car into a wall on East Street and Sands Lane.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

The accused were told that their matter would be moved to the Supreme Court by a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).

They will be sent to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until the higher court grants them bail.

The VBIs in this matter are set for service on April 19.

WOMAN ACCUSED OF ABUSING HER SON GRANTED $8,000 BAIL

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunbemedia.net A 30-YEAR-OLD mother was granted bail yesterday after being accused of abusing her eight-year-old son last month.

Senior Magistrate Shaka Serville charged the mother, whose name is being withheld to protect the identity of the child, with cruelty to children.

A representative of social

services was present during her arraignment.

The accused allegedly physically abused her young son, resulting in injury on January 21 in New Providence.

After pleading not guilty to the charge, the defendant’s bail was set at $8,000 with one or two sureties.

She must return to court for a trial date fixture before Assistant Chief Magistrate Carolyn VogtEvans on February 12.

MAN RECEIVES 18-MONTH JAIL SENTENCE FOR BREACHING BAIL

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunbemedia.net A MAN broke down in tears as he was sentenced to 18 months in prison after admitting to once again breaching his bail on a pending murder charge.

This defendant had previously served six months in prison after admitting to a bail breach last January.

Magistrate Kendra Kelly charged Shaquille Culmer, 31, with four counts of violating bail conditions.

Culmer was on bail for alleged involvement with

the shooting death of Alexander Gibson on John Road on February 22, 2021.

The defendant reportedly breached his court-ordered nightly residential curfew four times between January 5 and 10.

After pleading guilty to the charges, the prosecutor, Sergeant Vernon Pyfrom, noted the defendant had previously been sentenced in the same court on similar charges.

Magistrate Kelly sentenced Culmer to serve 18 months at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

FORTY-YEAR-OLD MAN ALLEGEDLY DROWNED NEAR POTTERS CAY A FORTY-YEAR-OLD man allegedly drowned Tuesday during the early morning hours.

Police were reportedly notified that the man fell into the water on the

western side of Potters Cay dock around 1am.

The deceased was retrieved by bystanders, who performed CPR until EMS arrived and found no vital signs.

harm Grand Bahama’s economy as many businesses use this as a means of travel and shipping,” he said.

The FNM MP noted that the government provided marketing subsidies and other concessions to the cruise line.

“If this is still continuing, we question whether a change in the arrangement would breach their marketing agreement with the government,” he said.

“Further, we understand passengers originating

from West Palm Beach will no longer be able to stay overnight at Grand Bahama hotels. If this continues, why can’t Bahamians purchase a one-way ticket? I am informed that if a Bahamian attempts to leave in Freeport, they will blacklist them and not sell another ticket.”

“We call upon the government to intervene immediately to protect the Grand Bahamian economy and way of travel and also protect against loss of our tourism product.”

MARAGARITAVILLE at Sea - Paradise.

PAGE 12, Thursday, February 1, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

Meta, TikTok and other social media CEOs testify in heated Senate hearing on child exploitation Associated Press SEXUAL predators.

Addictive features. Suicide and eating disorders. Unrealistic beauty standards.

Bullying. These are just some of the issues young people are dealing with on social media — and children’s advocates and lawmakers say companies are not doing enough to protect them.

On Wednesday, the CEOs of Meta, TikTok, X and other social media companies went before the Senate Judiciary Committee to testify as lawmakers and parents grow increasingly concerned about the effects of social media on young people’s lives.

The hearing began with recorded testimony from kids and parents who said they or their children were exploited on social media. Throughout the hours-long event, parents who lost children to suicide silently held up pictures of their dead kids.

“They’re responsible for many of the dangers our children face online,” US Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, who chairs the committee, said in opening remarks.

“Their design choices, their failures to adequately invest in trust and safety, their constant pursuit of engagement and profit over basic safety have all put our kids and grandkids at risk.”

In a heated question and answer session with Mark Zuckerberg, Republican Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley asked the Meta CEO if he has personally compensated any of the victims and their families for what they have been through.

“I don’t think so,” Zuckerberg replied.

“There’s families of victims here,” Hawley said. “Would you like to apologize to them?”

Parents attending the hearing rose and held up pictures of their children. Zuckerberg stood as well, turning away from his microphone and the senators to address them directly.

“I’m sorry for everything

SOCIAL media platform heads, from left, Discord CEO Jason Citron, Snap CEO Evan Spiegel, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew, X CEO Linda Yaccarino, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, are sworn in before testifying during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, yesterday on child safety.

Photo: Susan Walsh/AP “When you’re faced with you have all been through. he’d take personal respon- and law enforcement to proreally important safety and No one should go through sibility for the harms his tect minors.

Snapchat had broken privacy decisions, the revethe things that your fami- company has caused. Zucklies have suffered,” he said, erberg stayed on message ranks ahead of the hearing nue in the bottom line should adding that Meta continues and repeated that Meta’s job and began backing a federal not be the first factor that to invest and work on “indus- is to “build industry-leading bill that would create a legal these companies are considliability for apps and social ering,” said Zamaan Qureshi, try-wide efforts” to protect tools” and empower parents.

“To make money,” Hawley platforms who recommend co-chair of Design It For Us, children. harmful content to minors. a youth-led coalition advoBut time and time again, cut in.

South Carolina Sen. Snap CEO Evan Spiegel reit- cating for safer social media. children’s advocates and parents have stressed that none Lindsay Graham, the top erated the company’s support “These companies have of the companies are doing Republican on the Judiciary on Wednesday and asked the had opportunities to do this panel, echoed Durbin’s senti- industry to back the bill. before they failed to do that. enough.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi So independent regulation “Meta’s general approach ments and said he’s prepared is ‘trust us, we’ll do the right to work with Democrats to Chew said TikTok is vigilant needs to step in.” about enforcing its policy Republican and Demothing’, but how can we trust solve the issue.

“After years of working barring children under 13 cratic senators came together Meta? The way they talk about these issues feels like on this issue with you and from using the app. CEO in a rare show of agreement they are trying to gaslight others, I’ve come to con- Linda Yaccarino said X, for- throughout the hearing, the world, said Arturo Béjar, clude the following: social merly Twitter, doesn’t cater though it’s not yet clear if this will be enough to pass a former engineering direc- media companies as they’re to children.

“We do not have a line of legislation such as the Kids tor at the social media giant currently designed and operknown for his expertise in ate are dangerous products,” business dedicated to chil- Online Safety Act, proposed dren,” Yaccarino said. She in 2022 by Sen. Richard Blucurbing online harassment Graham said.

He told the executives said the company will also menthal of Connecticut and who recently testified before Congress about child safety their platforms have enriched support Stop CSAM Act, a Sen. Marsha Blackburn of on Meta’s platforms. “Every lives but that it is time to deal federal bill that make it easier Tennessee. for victims of child exploitaMeta is being sued by parent I’ve met with a kid with “the dark side.”

Beginning with Discord’s tion to sue tech companies. dozens of states that say it under 13 is afraid of when Yet child health advocates deliberately designs features their kid is old enough to be Jason Citron, the executives touted existing safety tools on say social media companies on Instagram and Facebook in social media.”

Hawley continued to their platforms and the work have failed repeatedly to pro- that addict children to its platforms and has failed to press Zuckerberg, asking if they’ve done with nonprofits tect minors.

Haiti pushes forward with new program to boost police department overwhelmed by gangs Port-Au-Prince Associated Press PRIME Minister Ariel Henry met for the first time Tuesday with officials from various countries who are part of an international steering committee aimed at boosting the country’s beleaguered police department as it awaits the potential deployment of a foreign armed force to help it fight gangs, according to Haiti’s government.

The committee responsible for overseeing the program includes officials from the United States, Canada, Japan, Germany, the United Nations and the European Union, according to the office of Haiti’s prime minister.

The office did not provide further details, except to say the program is for the operational and institutional reinforcement of Haiti’s National Police.

A government official who was not authorized to speak to the media told The Associated Press the program aims to generate more money for an existing basket fund created to help Haiti’s National Police. The

protect them from online predators.

New internal emails between Meta executives released by Blumenthal’s office show Nick Clegg, president of global affairs, and others asking Zuckerberg to hire more people to strengthen “wellbeing across the company” as concerns grew about effects on youth mental health.

“From a policy perspective, this work has become increasingly urgent over recent months. Politicians in the US, UK, EU and Australia are publicly and privately expressing concerns about the impact of our products on young people’s mental health,” Clegg wrote in an August 2021 email.

The emails released by Blumenthal’s office don’t appear to include a response, if there was any, from Zuckerberg. In September 2021, The Wall Street Journal released the Facebook Files, its report based on internal documents from whistleblower Frances Haugen, who later testified before the Senate.

Meta has beefed up its child safety features in recent weeks, announcing earlier this month that it will start hiding inappropriate content from teenagers’ accounts on Instagram and Facebook, including posts about suicide, self-harm and eating disorders. It also restricted minors’ ability to receive messages from anyone they don’t follow or aren’t connected to on Instagram and on Messenger and added new “nudges” to try to discourage teens from browsing Instagram videos or messages late at night. The nudges encourage kids to close the app, though it does not force them to do so.

Google’s YouTube is notably missing from the list of companies called to the Senate Wednesday even though more kids use YouTube than any other platform, according to the Pew Research Center. Pew found that 93% of US teens use YouTube, with TikTok a distant second at 63%.

official said he didn’t know how much additional money, if any, each country pledged or what the money would be used for specifically.

The meeting comes just days after a court in Kenya ruled that deploying police officers to Haiti as part of a U.N.-backed mission approved last year is unconstitutional.

Haiti’s police department has long been overwhelmed by violent gangs estimated to control up to 80% of the capital of Port-au-Prince, with only some 10,000 officers on duty at a time in a country of more than 11 million people.

Last year, gangs attacked more than 45 police stations across Haiti, forcing police to abandon some of them. Dozens of officers also were reported killed, according to the U.N. While the police budget for the current fiscal year was increased by 13%, a recent U.N. report found that “the appropriation falls short of needs” and noted that donor funding has provided basic items such as vehicles and personal protective AN ARMORED police car patrols the streets in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Friday. A court in Kenya on Friday blocked the deployment equipment. of a U.N.-backed police force to help fight gangs in the troubled Caribbean country.

Photo: Odelyn Joseph/AP

SPORTS PAGE 14

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2024

Super Bowl, PAGE 16

Bahamasair partners with NFL Flag Bahamas

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

B

ahamasair, the national flag carrier, is now officially on board with NFL Flag Bahamas and will sponsor Team Bahamas for the Pro Bowl Games scheduled for February 1-4 in Orlando, Florida.

Three teams will represent the country this weekend for the first time at the NFL Flag Football Championships and go

head-to-head with clubs from Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Ghana, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand and the United Kingdom in tourney play.

The major announcement came yesterday morning at the Bahamasair Administrative Office on Blake Road.

Tracy Cooper, managing director of Bahamasair, was overjoyed to have the national flag carrier support this latest sporting initiative. “This is indeed a very special occasion. Any time

that we can have corporate and government combining to help our youth out and, in this case flag football, it is indeed a good occasion and Bahamasair as one of its sponsors for Team Bahamas, Dallas Cowboys and Bahamasair at the tail end, this is indeed a good occasion. We are here to celebrate any accomplishments that our children can have,” Cooper said.

Team Bahamas will have adult and youth representatives. The latter will be co-ed and team members aged 8-12.

NFL Flag Bahamas has hit the ground running since their inception last June.

The historic announcement made The Bahamas the first Caribbean country to join the organisation. After the announcement, they have hosted multiple clinics for youth and officials to be well versed in all things related to NFL flag football.

With plans heading in the right direction, president of NFL Flag Bahamas Chris Prudhome is looking forward to the imminent success of Team Bahamas on this journey.

“As we navigate the path forward towards progress, our vision to expand NFL Flag Football and the NFL Flag brand in The Bahamas is clear. I have confidence in the support of all relevant stakeholders to turn this vision into a reality.

“The NFL is all about teamwork, nothing happens on the back of one person.

We look forward to celebrating the success of our team as we strive to make history,” the NFL Flag Bahamas president said.

Prudhome added that the talent level that exists

BAISS Basketball Championships set

CHAMPS ARE HERE: The 2024 Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools (BAISS) basketball championship matchups are all set. The number one seeds in each division advanced yesterday evening to punch their tickets to the best-of-three championship series. The final round is set to begin on Monday at the Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium.

Photo: Moise Amisial SEE THE FULL STORY AND MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE 17

SPORTS CALENDAR YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL THE Bahamas Youth Flag Football League will be hosting a free offensive camp February 3 and Feb 10 @ the multipurpose field at the Sports Center.

Kids ages 6 - 17 are invited to attend and can sign up by email byffl242@ gmail.com.

This is the first official event for the BYFFL this year and will be followed by the 2nd Annual High School Tournament planned for April 13.

5K RUN/WALK Bahamas Feeding Network THE Bahamas Feeding Network will hold its 5K Fun Run/Walk & Health Fair on Saturday, February 3. The registration fee is $20. Interested persons can register online at www.facebook.com/ qcpharmacypi or www.bahamasfeedingnetwork.org.

For more information, persons can also contact 242-605-9559, 242-395-9559 or 242-676-2676.

Feb. 2024

Inaugural Valentine’s Doubles Tennis Classic Open Invite THIS February, during the season of love, Insurance Management and The Gym Tennis Club of Winton invite tennis players in the country to experience the “love of the game” with their inaugural Valentine’s Doubles Classic Tennis Open Invitational. The tournament will begin on February 10 and tennis players from all around the island will converge at the Gym Tennis Club in Winton to battle it out in a “doubles” only tournament featuring four categories, including: Men’s, Ladies, Over 55, and the always entertaining Mixed Doubles category. Interested players should e-mail “gtctourbah@ gmail.com” to get their registration forms. Insurance Management and the Gym Tennis Club encourages fans and those who want to discover the love of tennis, to come come out, cheer, enjoy and even hit a ball or two.”

within The Bahamas is quite vast.

“The Bahamas boasts extraordinary sporting talent and we believe there is a significant contribution it can make to the NFL. We are committed to bringing our expertise to nurture Bahamian talent, ensuring that The Bahamas has a stake in the game of flag football and football overall,” he said.

The NFL Flag Football Championships at the 2024 Pro Bowl Games will

SEE PAGE 19

BAISS TRACK AND FIELD MEET CANCELLED?

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools (BAISS) basketball playoffs are in full swing but, according to reports, the impending track and field meet will be shelved this time around.

The Tribune Sports section initially reported that the three-day meet could be potentially postponed or delayed due to conflicting dates with the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association (GSSSA).

The meet was first scheduled for February 14-16 at the original Thomas A Robinson Stadium and then switched to March 6-8.

However, according to multiple sources, the new date was disapproved due to it being one week before the CARIFTA Trials scheduled for March 15-17.

Officials, coaches and parents weighed in on the matter.

Drumeco Archer, president of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA), spoke on the cancellation of the 2024 BAISS track and field meet.

“I don’t speak for the BAISS conference, I don’t have the standing to do so but what I can say from the BAAA side, we have and will continue to do

SEE PAGE 18

BFA FESTIVAL IN ELEUTHERA: A CELEBRATION OF SOCCER AND COMMUNITY THE Bahamas Football Association’s (BFA) Soccer Festival in Eleuthera on January 27, was a vibrant showcase of soccer’s growing presence in the community.

Held at the Savannah Sound playing field, the event brought together young players from the Eleuthera Soccer Club ranging from Gregory Town in the north to Rock Sound in the south in a lively celebration of the sport.

The festival focused on getting kids excited about soccer, providing essential equipment to local soccer clubs and schools, and honouring the achievements of newly certified soccer coaches.

The distribution of six pairs of goals and 100 soccer balls to the Eleuthera Soccer Club and schools ensured that the children have what they

KICKING Off a New Chapter - Eleuthera kids get set for soccer. need to play and enjoy soccer.

Children, aged 6 to 12, actively participated in various soccer activities during the festival, showcasing their developing skills in areas like dribbling and ball-handling. This part of the event was not

just about playing soccer, it was a display of inclusivity, bringing together young players from diverse backgrounds to share in the joy and learning of the game.

A highlight of the festival was the presentation

SEE PAGE 18

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, February 1, 2024, PAGE 15

Kawhi scores 31 points, Clippers outscore Wizards 40-19 in 3rd in 125-109 win

NBA APPROVES PLAN TO HAVE DRAFT HELD OVER 2-DAY FORMAT FOR FIRST TIME

WASHINGTON (AP) — Kawhi Leonard scored 31 points, James Harden added 25 and the Los Angeles Clippers pulled away with a big third quarter to beat the Washington Wizards 125-109 last night.

Los Angeles outscored Washington 40-19 in the third after leading by 10 in the first half.

Harden’s pullup 3 from the top of the arc stretched the lead to 20 for the first time with 5:42 left in the period.

Later, Leonard’s emphatic dunk off a driving, spinning feed from Russell Westbrook pushed it 25, and Norman Powell’s basket made it 106-79 at the end of the third.

Leonard and Harden each had nine rebounds.

And Harden hit five 3-pointers to help the Clippers snap out of a longrange shooting slump on a night they rested eighttime All-Star Paul George because of groin soreness.

Kyle Kuzma scored 23 of his 27 points the first half for Washington. The Wizards are 2-2 under interim coach Brian Keefe after Wes Unseld Jr. was fired last week.

TIMBERWOLVES 121, MAVERICKS 87 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Karl-Anthony Towns had 29 points and nine rebounds for the Minnesota Timberwolves in a 121-87 victory over the depleted Dallas Mavericks, who played last night without stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

Rudy Gobert scored 17 points for the West-leading Wolves (34-14). They endured a sluggish start until Towns sparked their surge with two 3-pointers in the last 35 seconds of the first half to give them the lead for good. Towns had 11 points in the third quarter.

Doncic (sprained right ankle) and Irving (sprained right thumb) both sat for the third game this season, and the Mavericks have lost all three. They’ve played without at least one of them 26 times in 48 games.

Josh Green had 18 points and Tim Hardaway Jr. added 14 points for the Mavericks. They shot just

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer

LOS Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots against Washington Wizards forward Deni Avdija (8) during the first half of an NBA basketball game last night in Washington.

(AP Photos/Nick Wass) 6 for 29 from 3-point range against the NBA’s best scoring defence.

CAVALIERS 128, PISTONS 121 CLEVELAND (AP) — Donovan Mitchell scored 20 of his 45 points in the fourth quarter, Darius Garland had 19 points in his return from a broken jaw and Cleveland held off NBA-worst Detroit.

Jarrett Allen had 14 points and 11 rebounds, and Isaac Okoro added 14 points. Cleveland won for the 11th time in 12 games and is an NBA-best 16-4 since December 16.

Danilo Gallinari scored 20 points and went 4 of 4 on 3-pointers, and Cade Cunningham had 19 points and seven assists for Detroit, which was seeking its first back-to-back wins since Oct. 27-28. The Pistons are 6-41.

HEAT 115, KINGS 106 MIAMI (AP) — Jimmy Butler scored 31 points and Miami beat Sacramento to end a seven-game losing streak.

Butler shot 10 of 14 from the field and had seven rebounds for the Heat, who ended their longest losing streak since dropping 15

CLIPPERS guard James Harden (1) gestures after he made a three-point basket during the second half.

straight during the 2007-08 season. Josh Richardson was 6 of 10 from 3-point range and finished with a season-high 24 points.

Domantas Sabonis had 19 points, 17 rebounds and 13 assists for his 13th triple-double of the season for Sacramento. Keegan Murray scored 33 points.

PELICANS 110, ROCKETS 99 HOUSTON (AP) — Jonas Valanciunas scored 25 points, Brandon Ingram added 24 and New Orleans beat Houston to snap a three-game skid.

New Orleans led by five to start the fourth quarter before scoring the next 15

points to make it 99-79 with just under 6 1/2 minutes remaining. Jose Alvarado hit a 3-pointer during that stretch and Valanciunas had six points to help the Pelicans pad the lead.

Jalen Green led the Rockets with 31 points.

MAGIC 108, SPURS 98 SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Paolo Banchero scored 25 points, Franz Wagner added 20 and Orlando held on to beat San Antonio.

Devin Vassell had 26 points and Victor Wembanyama 21 for San Antonio.

After trailing by 25 points in the final quarter, San Antonio went on a 15-0 run over 3:38 to pull within three at 99-96.

But the Spurs had three turnovers in the final three minutes.

BULLS 117, HORNETS 110 CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Coby White scored 35 points, Nikola Vucevic had 22 points and 12 rebounds and Chicago sent Charlotte to its fifth straight loss.

Ayo Dosunmu added 16 points for Chicago.

Miles Bridges had 30 points and 15 rebounds for Charlotte.

THE NBA draft is moving to a two-day format for the first time.

The league yesterday announced the change, which had been in the works for several months.

Round 1 of the draft this year will be on Wednesday, June 26 at Barclays Center in New York. Round 2 will follow on June 27 at ESPN’s Seaport District Studios in New York.

Last year’s draft — with Victor Wembanyama going No. 1 overall to the San Antonio Spurs — lasted nearly five hours and ended around 12:45am Eastern, which is one of the primary reasons for stretching it over two days.

The time between picks in the first round will remain five minutes. It will increase from two minutes to four minutes in the second round.

Teams have a slew of business to tend to in the hours following the draft, such as reaching agreements with undrafted free agents and finding players to fill rosters for the looming summer leagues. The league also expects that having draft broadcasts ending at a more reasonable hour will be more viewer-friendly.

The June 26 start date for the draft is three days after Game 7 of this season’s NBA Finals, if the series goes the full distance. The finals are scheduled to begin on June 6.

The order for this season’s draft will be finalised at the draft lottery on May 12. That’s followed by the draft combine in Chicago, scheduled this year for May 13-19 under new rules.

All prospects who are invited by the NBA must attend the combine — where they’ll have to participate in certain skills evaluation, height and wingspan measurements, medical examinations, team interviews, media sessions and more — in order to be eligible for the draft. Prospects will not be required to take part in scrimmage games that are part of the combine’s offerings. This is a significant change from past years, when many top draft picks chose to skip the combine entirely.

Premier League powers Liverpool and Man City flash deep squads in big wins to fire up title race LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Liverpool and Manchester City look primed and ready for another heavyweight clash for the Premier League title.

Liverpool routed Chelsea 4-1 yesterday to restore a five-point lead for Jürgen Klopp’s team atop the table before going to third-placed Arsenal this weekend.

City eased to a 3-1 win over Burnley and moved up again to second, ahead of Arsenal on goal difference, and having played a game fewer than its two rivals.

With their fourth straight wins, the Premier League powers showcased deep squads, fast-improving young stars and, for City, the tentative return of feared forward Erling Haaland after nearly two months out injured.

Haaland came off the bench with City comfortably in a three-goal lead as Julián Álvarez again stepped up to lead the attack with two goals. The second was created by Kevin De Bruyne making his first start in the Premier League since August.

For Liverpool, Diogo Jota again covered for the absence of Mohamed Salah and opened the scoring early against a poor

Chelsea taking a pass from the impressive Conor Bradley.

Bradley, an unheralded 20-year-old right-back filling in for Trent Alexander-Arnold, then scored his first goal for the club before assisting again for Dominik Szoboszlai to effectively seal the win in the 65th.

Liverpool had the luxury of forward Darwin Núñez missing a first-half penalty, one of a Premier League record four times one player struck the frame of the goal in a game.

Man City edged Liverpool in epic duels for the title in 2019 and 2022, and north London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham are also currently in this race.

Tottenham scored three goals in eight second-half minutes to beat Brentford 3-2 and rise to fourth, trailing Liverpool by eight points.

CUP FINAL REHEARSAL Liverpool and Chelsea meet again in the League Cup final on February 25.

Maybe this time there will be a winner at Wembley Stadium within 90 minutes after the teams on Wednesday ended their streak of seven straight draws in games between them for the past 2½ years.

LIVERPOOL’s Diogo Jota scores his side’s first goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Chelsea, at Anfield Stadium, Liverpool, England, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Jon Super) HAPPY Two of those seven were BIRTHDAY the English domestic cup On the day he turned 24, finals in the 2021-22 season.

Both the League Cup and Julián Álvarez scored twice FA Cup finals ended 0-0 in the first 22 minutes to set before Liverpool won both Manchester City on its way to an easy win over Burnpenalty shootouts.

Just like two years ago, ley. Rodri extended the Liverpool is aiming for an lead 30 seconds after the unprecedented quadruple second-half restart. Álvarez now has six goals trophy sweep of each comin his last five games to help petition it entered.

Also like two years ago, the English, European and the Premier League shapes world champion manage up as the toughest to win the absence through injury with three-time defending of Erling Haaland.

The Argentina forward’s champion Man City starting another of its mid-season scoring run started with two goals in a 4-0 win over surges.

Fluminense in the Club World Cup final on December 22.

That title success capped a week in the Saudi Arabia sunshine that seemed to reset City’s league campaign after a run of dropped points because of uncharacteristically conceding late goals.

City has won six straight since coming home from Jeddah and also now has Haaland back in action.

The Norwegian, who has 19 goals in all competitions this season, came on in the 71st minute after missing six Premier League games and the Club World Cup. Haaland had shooting chances but the only further goal was Ameen Al-Dakhil’s consolation for Burnley in stoppage time.

TITLE-CHASING TOTTENHAM? Tottenham cannot be counted out just yet. Whatever Premier League road that coach Ange Postecoglou’s team takes, it should be one of the most watchable on its journey.

After a poor first half at home to Brentford, Tottenham burst into a 3-1 lead within 11 minutes of the second half.

Destiny Udogie levelled in the 48th, one minute before Brennan Johnson

scored the go-ahead goal.

Richarlison scored what proved the decisive goal in the 56th.

Ivan Toney cut the lead scoring for the second straight game since his return from an eight-month ban for betting violations.

A testy edge was created

by Brentford forward Neal Maupay appearing to mock the dart-throwing goal celebration favored by Tottenham playmaker James Maddison after scoring in the first half.

Maddison confronted Maupay in the centre circle and the gesture was later made by Johnson and Richarlison when Tottenham led.

“I just said to (Maupay) he probably hasn’t scored enough goals of his own over the last few years to have his own celebration,” Maddison said, “so he probably had to copy mine.”

TO ADVERTISE TODAY IN THE TRIBUNE CALL @ 502-2394

PAGE 16, Thursday, February 1, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

To Publish your Financials and

Legal Notices Call: 502-2394

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, February 1, 2024, PAGE 17

BAHAMAS ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SECONDARY SCHOOLS BASKETBALL HIGHLIGHTS

CHAMPS ARE HERE: The 2024 Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools (BAISS) basketball championship matchups are all set. The number one seeds in each division advanced yesterday evening to punch their tickets to the best-of-three championship series. The final round is set to begin on Monday at the Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium.

Photos by Moise Amisial

BAISS BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS ALL SET

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net THE 2024 Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools (BAISS) basketball championship matchups are all set. The number one seeds in each division advanced yesterday evening to punch their tickets to the bestof-three championship series. The final round is set to begin on Monday at the Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium.

The junior girls of St Augustine’s College (SAC) and St John’s College will battle for the crown a second straight year after the Big Red Machine eliminated the fourth seeded Charles W Saunders in a 39-25 win.

The Big Red Machine advanced 13-3 on the scoreboard in the first quarter and closed out the period in charge 17-3. SAC pushed ahead 30-6 with 1:56 left on the clock in the second quarter. The Cougars tried to climb back into the game, closing in 36-17 in the second half, but it was not enough.

Kailie Moss led her team in scoring with 11 points.

The Giants obliterated the SAC junior boys, making them the third basketball team from the school to advance to the finals. They knocked out the Big Red Machine 79-30 and will now prepare for the Queen’s College Comets.

The Giants came out with poise, remaining on top 30-9 at the 3:46 mark of the first period. They were in the driver’s seat 30-17 at halftime and never gave SAC a chance at redemption. By the fourth quarter, they dictated the game on offence, changing the score to 67-26.

Leonard Rolle took over and stuffed the stat sheet

THE 2024 Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools (BAISS) basketball championship matchups are all set.

The final round is set to begin on Monday at the Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium. with a team-high 19 points in the win. He scored 12 of his 19 points in the opening period.

The senior girls of Kingsway Academy took care of business in comfortable fashion, defeating the Comets 46-16 in the BAISS sudden death playoffs.

They will now look ahead

to the Giants’ senior girls who are hungry after last year’s loss in the finals.

The Saints had all the momentum in the third quarter on top of the game 33-8. The game was a foregone conclusion after that juncture.

Andica Curtis and Michalya Joseph both had 12

apiece to lead the Saints on the stat sheet.

The Cougars’ senior boys have made their return to the championship game.

They routed the Comets team 63-47.

The Comets had a slight edge in the first quarter, leading by only two (16-14).

With the Comets in striking distance, the Cougars pounced and pulled out to a 59-38 fourth quarter advantage to derail any chances of a QC win.

Nakero Brown could not be stopped for the Cougars. Brown scored one bucket the entire first half but turned up the intensity in the fourth quarter and poured in an extra 14 points to propel the defending champions. He finished with 16 points.

Raymone Woods was also a force to be reckoned with, doing most of his damage in the first half. He carried the team in the first segment of the game, earning 11 of his 16 points.

The best-of-three championship series will get underway on Monday at the Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium.

PAGE 18, Thursday, February 1, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

Deandre Ayton cans 20 points as Trail Blazers beat Bucks

By ANNE M PETERSON AP Sports Writer PORTLAND, Oregon (AP) — Anfernee Simons scored 24 points, including making a key floater with 17.1 seconds left, and the Trail Blazers spoiled former teammate Damian Lillard’s return to Portland with a 119-116 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks last night.

Lillard finished with 25 points for the Bucks in their second straight loss under new coach Doc Rivers.

Giannis Antetokounmpo added 27 points and eight rebounds. Deandre Ayton posted another double double - 20 points and 11 rebounds - for the Blazers, who have won two straight.

It was Lillard’s first game in Portland since he was traded to the Bucks in the offseason. Lillard was the face of the Blazers’ franchise for his first 11 seasons in the NBA. The Blazers held a narrow lead at the half and kept it close in the third quarter, pulling ahead 86-81 on Matisse Thybulle’s

3-pointer. Simons hit a jumper that gave Portland a 96-61 lead going into the final quarter.

Malcolm Brogdon hit a 3-pointer that stretched Portland’s lead to 101-91.

Lillard’s 3 closed the gap to 101-95 for the Bucks.

Milwaukee pressured Portland down the stretch.

Brook Lopez’s 3-pointer narrowed it to 113-112, but Jerami Grant answered with an off-balance jumper for Portland on the other end with 2:21 left.

Lillard’s layup pulled the Bucks within a point again.

Antetokounmpo put the Bucks in front on an ally-oop dunk from Lillard with 37.2 seconds left.

But Simons’ floater gave Portland back the lead and Grant added a pair of free throws.

In the final seconds, the Blazers fouled Antetokounmpo, who missed both free throws to give Portland the win.

Despite the loss, it was Lillard’s night. The eighttime All-Star was treated to a lengthy ovation before the game and tributes

PORTLAND Trail Blazers centre Deandre Ayton (2) shoots the ball over Milwaukee Bucks centre Brook Lopez (11) as forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) looks on during the first half last night.

(AP Photo/Steve Dykes) played on the video scoreboard during timeouts. At one point, he appeared to be moved to tears.

His driving layup was Milwaukee’s first basket of the game. It was just the second game for the Bucks under Rivers. The Denver Nuggets spoiled his debut

on Monday night with a 113-107 victory.

Rivers took over last week for first-year Bucks coach Adrian Griffin, who was fired after 43 games and a 30-13 record.

While Milwaukee sits just behind leaders Boston in the Eastern Conference,

there were concerns about the Bucks’ slipping defensive rating.

Lillard was acquired just before the start of the season to team up with twotime MVP Antetokounmpo in hopes of another NBA title. The Bucks won the championship in 2021.

ANTHONY EDWARDS RECEIVES $40,000 FINE FROM NBA FOR CRITICISING OFFICIALS NEW YORK (AP) — Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards has received a $40,000 fine from the NBA for publicly criticising the officiating repeatedly.

The fine was handed down yesterday in response to comments Edwards made after the Timberwolves’ 107-101 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in a Monday matchup between two of the Western Conference’s top teams.

“I’m going to take the fine, because the refs did not give us no calls tonight,” Edwards said in an interview with Bally Sports North on the court after the game. “We had to play through every bump, every grab. I don’t know, I don’t know how we won tonight.”

Edwards continued to criticise the officiating to reporters afterward.

BFA SOCCER

FROM PAGE 14 of BFA D Licence Course certificates to 10 local coaches from Eleuthera. This moment marked a significant step in their journey to help develop young soccer talent in the area.

Bruce Swan, technical director of the BFA, shared his thoughts on the festival’s success. “Seeing these kids come together and enjoy soccer is exactly what we aim for. It’s about more than just playing, it’s about building a community around the sport,” Swan said. “These events are crucial in showing the potential of soccer in The Bahamas, and today, we’ve seen just how bright that future can be.”

The BFA extends its gratitude to all participants, especially Youth Empowerment through Soccer Initiative (YESI) organisation, Eleuthera Soccer Club, players and community supporters.

The association remains dedicated to promoting soccer’s growth and ensuring it continues to thrive in The Bahamas.

FUN AND GAMES: Eleuthera’s young, rising soccer stars in action.

BAISS TRACK AND FIELD MEET CANCELLED? FROM PAGE 14 everything that we can to ensure that we can facilitate the move towards a successful event. Of course that takes some planning and some compromising and

we are prepared to do that.

We don’t set the calendar, it is a collaborative effort in that exercise and that began in September of last year where stakeholders came together and mapped out a calendar that we thought

to be a calendar that we can all live with. I think that we are at an impasse but it’s not an impossibility to be able to find good resolve,” the BAAA president said.

The BAISS track and field meet is one of the top

meets during the season fuelled by the long-standing rivalry between top athletic schools St Augustine’s College and Queen’s College.

The marquee athletics event brings out scores of parents and alumni meshing as one for the sake of school pride.

The Big Red Machine hauled away their third consecutive BAISS track and field championship in 2023, making it their fifth win of the last eight meets.

Meanwhile, QC dethroned the defending champions in 2015 and took bragging rights again in 2016 and also won in 2019.

Everette Fraser, head coach of the Comets, said despite the change of the prior date given, the Comet Nation is ready to go and the BAISS meet would give athletes another chance to qualify for the 51st CARIFTA Games.

“QC is willing to do BAISS with the date that they have from March 6-8.

We are willing to do it and we do not have a problem.

I know they had an earlier date but we couldn’t do it due to midterms so they changed it to March 6-8 and that is what we were willing to do.

“In the past, Nationals were sometimes right before the CARIFTA Trials so we are supposed to be used to this by now. It might

be too close but we had this situation before and I don’t know what is the difference between now and then,” Fraser said.

He expressed that it would be disappointing for BAISS to be cancelled as it is one of the biggest track and field meets of the year.

“BAISS would give athletes another opportunity to qualify for CARIFTA and because of the fierce competition at BAISS, that would bring out the best in the kids.

“I would be very disappointed if BAISS was cancelled and this is the biggest meet of the year. There is no way we should cancel it for no one,” he said.

Additionally, reports indicated that some schools were reluctant to have their top athletes compete with the CARIFTA Trials just around the corner due to risk of injury.

The cancellation not only affects the various private schools involved but also the parents who were also looking forward to the competitive event.

Latina Rolle, who is the parent of a Queen’s College student, was disappointed in the latest revelation.

“We need to stop the cancellation culture when it comes to kids. They are already at a deficit due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

You have kids that have

trained year round just to compete to represent their school for either bragging rights or just to wear their school colours with pride.

“If we were to call a BAISS competition on Christmas Day, you would have a sold out crowd. This is the energy this competition brings so I say to the organisers, get it together,” Rolle said.

Echoing her sentiments were Cherelle Cartwright, a parent of a student at Windsor School who felt the decision was not the best.

“I do not understand the rationale. I think they have been making some questionable calls from last year.

BAISS still provides the chance for athletes to qualify, whereas if you decide you are gonna cancel BAISS and just have the CARIFTA Trials, it is a hit or miss there.

“They do not have that extra opportunity to be able to qualify for the team.

“I do not get it and it makes no sense. I am dumbfounded, that is the biggest meet and that is where they make money and nothing compares to BAISS,” Cartwright said.

Attempts to reach BAISS president Perry Cunnigham were unsuccessful.

The BAISS track and field meet was last cancelled in 2021 due to the COVID19 pandemic.

THE TRIBUNE

NFL FLAG FROM PAGE 14

feature teams of different tiers in flag football, including youth, adult and international clubs. There will be more than 250 teams participating in the flag football tourney for the first time ever.

Team Bahamas will be adorned in national colours and uniforms also include the star of the Dallas Cowboys. The trio of teams are hopeful to bring home championship hardware, according to head coach Tito Bethel. He added that

Thursday, February 1, 2024, PAGE 19 the team will definitely leave their mark and is looking forward to being greeted by the sounds of Junkanoo music in the airport when they return with the championship trophy.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg said the moment is an historic one and he is expecting great results from Team Bahamas. “Today marks an historic moment not just for The Bahamas but for the entire Caribbean region. We stand on the premise of an incredible journey as The Bahamas becomes the first Caribbean country to compete in the

MEANINGFUL PARTNERSHIP: Bahamasair has officially partnered with NFL Flag Bahamas ahead of their journey to Orlando, Florida for the 2024 Pro Bowl Games scheduled for February 1-4.

NFL Championships at the Pro Bowl. “This is not just a momentous occasion but it is a testament of dedication, perseverance and talent of our athletes.

“As we prepare to face against teams from Africa to Japan, we do so with the sense of excitement, determination and immense pride that we will come out

on top like we always do,” said Bowleg.

Minister Bowleg thanked the Fox Foundation, Black Gold Trucking, Prudhome and NFL Flag Bahamas as

well as Bahamasair. Additionally, he expressed gratitude to George Kittle, who plays for the San Francisco 49ers, for his donation of cleats to the youth participants of Team Bahamas.

Justina Thompspn, who will play for Team Bahamas, is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of something special.

“It feels good to be at this point where in The Bahamas most people do not have this opportunity to do this type of stuff and travel around the world and get scholarships. “So we are excited to be in this position to play,” she said.