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Volume: 121 No.57, February 13, 2024

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PM: KEEP MURDERS OFF THE FRONT PAGE Davis says local press coverage of killings harming tourism

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis criticised local press coverage of the crime rate yesterday, saying prominent reporting of murders has a ricochet effect that is harming the tourism sector.

His comments quickly drew attention to the

Restoring pride in our history

Progressive Liberal Party’s infamous decision to erect billboards around New Providence highlighting the murder rate under the last Ingraham administration, a move Mr Davis defended, despite fear that it would deter tourists.

The country’s murder rate has repeatedly grabbed headlines this year and

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net BAHAMIAN taxi drivers are blaming the crime alert fall-out “for at least” a 50 percent earnings decline, with their union president yesterday blasting: “A few criminals have the country under siege.”

Wesley Ferguson, the Bahamas Taxi Cab Union’s president, told Tribune Business that all drivers are “growing tried” of constantly having to reassure tourists they are safe in this nation with their “main conversation” constantly focusing on the crime situation following the recent murder spike.

SEE PAGE THREE

POLICE REVEAL LINK OVER MURDERS OF TWO WOMEN

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net BEFORE she was released from prison, the 39-year-old woman killed on Ragged Island Street on January 31 sent threatening messages to a woman who was killed on South Street and Hospital Lane on January 21, Police Commissioner Clayton

CRIME ALERT BLAMED FOR DOWNTURN ON TAXI EARNINGS

Fernander said yesterday.

The 39-year-old woman, whose identity has not been officially confirmed, was shot alongside two other people but was the only one killed.

Commissioner Fernander said the woman was in prison for three months, charged with causing harm to Dejah

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

‘Govt to brinG DOWNTOWN RODENT ISSUE NASSAU Paradise Island Promotion Board (NPIPB) CEO, Joy Jibrilu, speaks during a press tour of SEE PAGE THREE the Queen’s Staircase to mark the start of a restoration project spearheaded by the NPIPB yesterday. under control’ See PAGE TWO for story.

Photo: Dante Carrer

BANNISTER GIVES TESTIMONY ON WSC CONTRACTS

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net FORMER Works Minister Desmond Bannister claimed in court yesterday that he never approved contracts to paint water tanks and buildings belonging to the Water and Sewerage Corporation (WSC) when he was in office.

Mr Bannister, who had responsibility for WSC under the Minnis

FORMER DPM Desmond Bannister administration, the court that

to

told his

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

recollection, neither projects were ever referred to him.

His evidence came during the bribery and fraud trial of Long Island MP Adrian Gibson and five others.

The former deputy prime minister claimed he rarely got involved with awarding contracts and never directed the corporation’s board to refer all contracts above $250k to him.

RODENTS have infested downtown for years, but Senator Randy Rolle, a Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation consultant, said a “multi–faceted” extermination approach would keep the pests away.

After mentioning the matter in the Senate yesterday, Mr Rolle told The Tribune that pest control efforts are underway on Junkanoo Beach, with

SEE PAGE FOUR

SEE PAGE FIVE

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

PAGE 2, Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Queen’s Staircase set to receive a $200k facelift THE Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board (NPIPB) has adopted The Queen’s Staircase to restore the popular tourist attraction to its former glory.

The project will involve

an initial investment of $200k, with work to begin this week.

Plans include restoring the water feature, landscaping and improving site signage.

THE TRIBUNE

Officials said during a press conference yesterday that work will not impact visitors to the site, with most of the work to be done around the waterfall and out of the walkway.

FROM left are Bjorn Munroe, Assistant Facility Manager, Antiquities Monuments & Museums Corporation (AMMC), Quincy Thompson, Operations Manager, Elevations Plumbing, Thomas Frazier, Assistant Electrical Engineer, Ministry of Works, Nikia Deveaux-Christie, Director of Marketing, Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board (NPIPB), Joy Jibrilu, CEO, NPIPB, Rosel Moxey, Chair, AMMC Board, Kipling Thompson, Proprietor, Elevations Plumbing, Dr. Christopher Curry, Director, AMMC and Carol Johnson, Secretary, AMMC pose for a group photo during a press tour of the Queen’s Staircase to mark the start of a restoration project spearheaded by the NPIPB yesterday.

Photo: Dante Carrer

JOY JIBRILU, CEO, NPIPB

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, February 13, 2024, PAGE 3

PM: Keep murders off the front page from page one sparked travel advisories from the United States and Canada. Mr Davis said concern is growing about the nature of media coverage of the incidents and the potential tourism fallout.

“Right now, the hotels are seeing some fall off, but more importantly, those who are in the hotels today, they’re not coming out into the community,” he said yesterday during a meeting with religious leaders.

“They’re not going to the restaurants, for example.

They’re not going sightseeing as they used to.”

Mr Davis urged the press to understand their role in maintaining the country’s reputation. He said other countries give less prominence to certain crimes than the local media does.

“I want to call upon the press to be sensitive,” he said.

“I think they should see their role as trying to help the country. I’m not saying not to report, but where you report, it may make a difference.

“And all I ask them to do is check, check to see where their crime report is. Check Trinidad, check the United States, just check and see where it is. It’s never on the front page.

“But every bullet that is fired appears to be front page news on all of our daily news. And what happens, AP picks it up, Reuters pick it up and what happens, and it’s continuing.”

After yesterday’s event, a reporter asked Mr Davis about the PLP erecting billboards highlighting the murder rate in areas trafficked by tourists and locals ahead of the 2012 general election. The billboards said there had been more than 490 killings under the Ingraham administration. The PLP campaigned that it had the answers to violent crime, while the Ingraham administration did not.

At the time, Mr Davis accused Mr Ingraham of “suppressing free speech” when the government removed the banners. PLP supporters then replaced the signs in certain locations.

“We cannot hide the truth,” he said. “Are we about hiding the truth? Are we going to be concerned about the impression that the truth gives? The only way we can get rid of these things is to address the issue.”

“The fact is that there were more than 490 murders in this country. We cannot run away from

PRIME MINISTER PHILIP ‘BRAVE’ DAVIS that.”

Yesterday, Mr Davis said: “That’s the past. I am looking forward.”

“What I am saying now is, I now have evidence that this is impacting how

it’s accepted in the international community. I didn’t have evidence then on how it was accepted, and now that I know how it is accepted, I will say to the press, just be responsible in

how you report to ensure that you don’t harm your country.”

During yesterday’s event, Mr Davis revealed that long-promised anti-gang legislation will be released

next week.

He said a plan of action is underway, with the government preparing to launch an aggressive campaign to promote and protect the country’s reputation.

Police reveal link over murders of two women from page one Kemp, the woman killed on January 21.

“During her time in prison, she was sending text messages that ‘when I come out, I will deal with you,’” Commissioner Fernander said. “(Dejah) never told anybody. She told her mom and them, but they just took it lightly, never reported it to the police, and a few days, (the 39-year-old) came out on a Friday, and the young lady (Dejah Kemp) on Hospital Lane was dead Sunday night. “(The 39-year-old) was questioned, but she denied it. We didn’t have any evidence at that time, and she was released pending. Days later, she now is dead.”

Police have repeatedly said most murders are retaliatory.

Commissioner Fernander said over the weekend, police arrested a suspect wanted in

connection with the shooting death of 16-year-old Davinique Gray, who was murdered in her Nassau Village home on January 6. He said the suspect was found in the Berry Islands.

Davinique was the country’s eighth murder victim.

Shinikia Johnson, the girl’s mother, was charged with harbouring a fugitive, a man police believe was the intended target of her daughter’s killer.

Commissioner Fernander spoke during a meeting involving Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, Cabinet ministers and religious leaders about recent crime trends in the country.

He gave an update on the 25 murders for the year. He said in January, 1357 suspects were arrested and 704 people charged.

He said the Royal Bahamas Police Force will soon launch a plan for the major gangs in the country, adding that the majority of crimes result from them.

COMMISSIONER OF POLICE CLAYTON FERNANDER

PAGE 4, Tuesday, February 13, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

Bannister gives testimony on Water and Sewerage Corporation contracts from page one Acting Director of Public Prosecutions and lead prosecutor Cordell Frazier asked Mr Bannister if he was familiar with painting contracts for the corporation’s water tanks.

He said he was not at the time the work was being done.

“Did you approve the amount of $778,502.69,” asked Ms Frazier, referring to the cost of that project.

Mr Bannister said he did not.

Asked whether he approved the cost of painting works for the E George Moss Building and Somerset House, the former minister said he didn’t recall doing so.

Mr Bannister was also questioned about WSC policies after testifying about receiving an email in 2017 concerning contract approval levels.

When asked if he was aware of the corporation’s policy requiring ministerial approval for contracts awarded over $250k, Mr Bannister said he found out about that after police brought it to his attention during their investigation.

“When you become a minister, you’re given handover notes. In the case of the Ministry of Public Works, those handover notes, you’re supposed to be reading over them and digesting them. I would not have

recalled seeing those guidelines in those handover notes,” he said.

Under cross-examination from Gibson’s attorney Damian Gomez, Mr Bannister said he never asked the board to recommend contracts over $250k to him.

“I never imposed any limits, financial limits on the board,” he said.

He also claimed there were no specific qualifications for contractors hired for painting works and that it was not unusual for companies to subcontract other people.

Mr Gomez questioned Mr Bannister about Mr Gibson’s character.

The witness described him as personable and thorough in his work.

Mr Gibson is charged with Mr Donaldson, Jr, Ms Peaches Farquharson, Rashae Gibson, Joan Knowles and Jerome Missick.

Together, the group face 98 charges, including bribery, fraud, receiving and money laundering. They have denied all of the allegations.

Mr Gomez, KC, Murrio Ducille, KC, Bryan Bastian, Ryan Eve, Raphael Moxey, Christina Galanos, Mr Cargill and Donald Saunders represent the defendants.

Meanwhile, the Crown’s prosecutors are Ms Frazier, Cashena Thompson, Karine MacVean and Rashied Edgecombe.

FORMER Deputy Prime Minister Desmond Bannister speaks with Acting Director of Public Prosecutions and lead prosecutor Cordell Frazier yesterday.

Photo: Leandra Rolle

Pinder: FNM choosing politics and BTC SHOWS SUPPORT FOR ROTARY GB BALL theatrics over being tough on crime

ATTORNEY GENERAL RYAN PINDER

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net ATTORNEY General Ryan Pinder criticised Free National Movement legislators yesterday for abstaining rather than voting for amendments to the Bail Act, calling the opposition’s “political theatrics” a vote against being tough on crime.

The amendment bill would automatically revoke a person’s bail recognisance when they breach their bail conditions.

The FNM argued last week that the bill doesn’t go far enough to address

bail issues, but unlawfully restrains the judiciary.

As Senators debated the bill yesterday, Mr Pinder said: “We have heard report after report of accused persons committing crimes while they’re out on bail, and in many instances just to be released back on bail after a small fine. This is not acceptable. It is not appropriate. And it is not going to happen any longer. These stories have made people across our hemisphere question what is going on in The Bahamas.”

Mr Pinder said the FNM chose “academia over being tough on crime, all for political purposes”.

Senator Darren Henfield called Mr Pinder’s comments “rubbish.”

Senator Michela Barnett-Ellis said the Davis administration’s proposed amendments are not a solution because it is the judiciary’s job to grant or revoke bail.

“The power to grant or revoke bail belongs solely with the court,” she said.

“Therefore, it is not surprising that some may think that the way to limit bail is to limit the court’s powers in relation to bail. But Parliament can’t infringe on the powers of the court that are enshrined in The Constitution.”

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

FROM left to right: Decarlo Sweeting (Rotary of Sunrise President) and BTC’s Leteasha Lord, Dominic Petty, BTC’s Executive Senior Manager for the Northern Bahamas; Polernne Alonzo, Sarena Rolle, Daphne McKinney and Shannie Lightbourne.

BTC was a Premium BTC's Senior Executive Executive Senior ManPartner at the Rotary Club Manager for the Northern ager for the Northern of Grand Bahama Ball, Service, Dominic Petty, Service, Dominic Petty. held at The Grand Lucayan along with other BTC team “The Rotary Club has a Convention Center on Sat- members and special guests strong presence in The urday, February 3rd. attended the Ball. BTC Bahamas, and they have Held under the theme Senior Associate of Mar- been around for dec"Creating Hope in The keting, Leteasha Lord, was ades. We were therefore World,” the Ball stands also recognized as the Belle very happy to support the as a testament of BTC’s of the Ball.

Rotary Ball, which in turn unwavering commitment “It is always an honor would only strengthen our to community upliftment for BTC to support those relationship with a serand support, particularly in organizations whose main vice organization that is Grand Bahama’s ongoing mission is service to the known for its great work recovery efforts post Hur- community and help- in the Grand Bahama ricane Dorian. ing others,” said BTC community.”

PARENTS arrive to pick up children yesterday after classes were dismissed early at the CW Sawyer Primary School due to a plumbing issue, the Ministry of Education announced.

Photo: Dante Carrer

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that DAESHANEL NICOLE WILLIAMS of #102 Lakeview Manor, Freeport, Grand Bahama, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 13th day of February, 2024 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that RHODEL TIFFALO FRANCIS of #14 Domingo Heights West, Nassau, Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 13th day of February, 2024 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that ANDREEN ELECIA BOYD of Cowpen Road, New Providence, Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 13th day of February, 2024 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

‘Govt to bring downtown rodent issue under control’ THE TRIBUNE

from page one

other downtown areas to be impacted. He attributed the proliferation of rats, cockroaches, and other pests to inadequate garbage disposal.

“Right now, you have a number of storefronts that throw out garbage all hours of the day,” he said.

“That’s not something that has been managed, so these rodents had food to be able to come out in the evening, and it was continuing to feed them.”

He said the ministry has got two dune buggies that will pick up garbage “every 30 minutes” in the Downtown area. The litter will be relocated to a designated spot for collection.

“The more we avoid garbage from sitting on Bay Street for long periods of time, we think that’s going to help curb it as well,” Mr Rolle added.

The rodent infestation Downtown has been a long-existing problem, with many concerned about how they impact the cleanliness of local

Tuesday, February 13, 2024, PAGE 5

businesses.

Mr Rolle said: “We have hired some companies to give us assessments. We’ve done an assessment.

And we know where the problem areas are. Environmental Health is using poison. So it’s not only poison, it’s having different treatments to be able to rassle this issue.”

Khaliah Brown, project manager of the Ministry of Tourism, said treatments began in Pompey Square in December after the ministry hired a pest control company.

She said pest control efforts are ongoing and stressed the importance of the treatments being done simultaneously from Junkanoo Beach to Rawson Square.

“Because, as with anything else, logic dictates,” she said. “If you treat one area, they’re going to run from one area to the next.

And they keep ping-ponging back and forth.”

Elite Precision is the company conducting pest control for Junkanoo Beach and Pompey Square.

SENATOR and Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation consultant Randy Rolle.

Mitchell says National Honours Committee could limit number of recipients in years to come

FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER FRED MITCHELL

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said the number of people receiving national honours will likely be limited over time.

He was responding to criticism that the significance of the awards has been diluted by the high number of people receiving them.

“I think there is that concern,” he said after announcing that nominations are now open for the awards until March 29.

“What happened, for example, in the last year and the year before is remember during COVID, virtually there was nothing done in the process, so there was a lot of catching up that had to be done during those years.”

Nonetheless, he said the committee that chooses who to award may one day limit how many could be awarded in each category.

“What happens now, you know, in the old British honours, there’s a limited category, and so The Bahamas gets two or three a year or something like this in the various categories. So at some point, some committee, maybe this committee will decide that it’s only going to be ten in this category, 20 in this category, but I don’t think we’ve reached that point yet.”

“We are really concerned, I think I can speak for everybody, really concerned, that people feel that these awards are

valuable and that their services are rewarded, and particularly in the posthumous category as well because so many people have given service to their communities and not been recognized.”

Mr Mitchell highlighted Cecil Cooke, the sailor who won the gold medal in sailing at the 1964 Olympics with Durward Knowles.

“He was the number two man on Durwood Knowles’ boat, but through Sir Durwood’s lifetime, he tended to be overshadowed,” he said, adding that his family was delighted when he was honoured.

Mr Mitchell also responded to complaints that awards are given based on political favour.

“Well, politicians run the country,” he said. “Let me put it that way. That’s the system we have.

It’s not partisan political, only political in the administrative sense. The politicians have to make the decision, but the thing is so structured that you have both parties sitting on the committee.

“They make an input, and I think no criticism can be made that there’s any partisan choice because if you look at all of the persons who’ve been awarded, it’s been across the scene. One of the persons who nominated several people was former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, and I don’t think anybody on the committee said yes or no based on that. I think it’s based on the person’s contribution.”

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PAGE 6, Tuesday, February 13, 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”

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Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

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

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

RT HON EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,

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

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‘Are we about hiding the truth?’

“ARE we about hiding the truth?”

Not our words but those of Philip “Brave” Davis. Not today, but back in 2012, when he was in Opposition.

It was in April of that year when, a month before a general election, large billboards bloomed along the western highway in full view of visitors being driven from the airport to their uptown hotels.

The billboards informed the world that The Bahamas was a crime-ridden destination, not the glorious get-awayfrom-it-all paradise that the Tourism Ministry was spending mega dollars advertising.

Bahamians were alarmed that their tourist industry was being torpedoed by a desperate opposition hungry for power. That opposition went on to become the Christie government.

And one of the main proponents of those billboards in opposition is now Prime Minister.

On the billboards, crime figures were posted in startlingly large figures. When they were torn down, Mr Davis said it was “FNM goon” squads doing so. He went on to accuse then Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham of being a dictator, desperate for power and intent on concealing the truth.

“I do not know why they would take down the signs with the murder count on them. That’s a fact,” said Mr Davis, adding: “The fact is that there were more than 400 murders in the country. We cannot run away from that and it’s not just that poster, they also took down posters with the unemployment statistic and others, it was not just the murders.”

When asked directly if he thought the posters would scare potential tourists from visiting the country, Mr Davis said: “We cannot hide the truth and we cannot suppress the facts. We have to address the issues of crime.”

And yet, yesterday, Mr Davis was calling exactly for the hiding of the truth.

Is his solution to deal with the spike in murders? No, it is to blame the media for reporting the murders that have actually taken place.

Mr Davis acknowledged that there has been “some fall off” in the hotels, “but more importantly, those who are in the hotels today, they’re not coming out into the community. They’re not going to the restaurants, for example.

They’re not going sightseeing as they used to.”

Mr Davis went on to “call upon the press to be sensitive”. He said: “I think they should see their role as trying to help the country. I’m not saying not to report, but where you report, it may

make a difference.

“And all I ask them to do is check, check to see where their crime report is. Check Trinidad, check the United States, just check and see where it is.

It’s never on the front page.

“But every bullet that is fired appears to be front page news on all of our daily news. And what happens, AP picks it up, Reuters pick it up and what happens, and it’s continuing.”

Let us first debunk some of that. We have had 25 murders so far this year.

When there are 25 murders in such a short space of time in a population of 400,000, that is a significantly high murder rate and would be reported wherever you are in the world.

Take a look at United States newspapers after a mass shooting – you will find it prominently reported.

As for AP and Reuters, they have stories filed to them directly by Bahamian journalists, it is not a matter of being picked up because it is on a front page. And the crime alerts, from the likes of the US and Canada as have been issued, are not reacting to front pages but to statistics and facts.

This is the same man who said in 2012: “We cannot hide the truth.

Are we about hiding the truth? Are we going to be concerned about the impression that the truth gives? The only way we can get rid of these things is to address the issue.”

And right there is the heart of it.

Address the issue. Stop the murders and there will be no murders to put on the front page. The weekend just gone saw no additions to the murder count, perhaps the first such weekend this year. The front pages instead told different stories.

Stop the bloodshed, and there will be no bloodshed to report. But do not tell the press not to report on what is taking place on our streets, especially when you yourself have done exactly the same on billboards that catch the attention so much that we are still reporting on the fact 12 years later.

Asked about those self-same billboards yesterday, Mr Davis’ response was: “That’s the past. I am looking forward.”

It is wrong for a leader to try to tell a free press what it should or should not do. It is dangerous for a leader to try to encourage the press to hide the truth. People are concerned about the violence on our streets. There is genuine worry. And it is bullets not headlines driving such fears. If the government wants to restore faith, then it has to start by ending the violence. Pretending it is not there will not help anyone.

Why no income tax?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

EXACTLY who do the PLP thinks it is serving by yet again “ruling out” personal income tax becomes less clear by the day.

The party must by now realize that its FNM counterpart naturally represents those with an interest in keeping the tax burden disproportionately on poorer Bahamians, while its own support base is hardest hit by it.

Yet replying to the International Monetary Fund’s latest proposal for a tax on the income of the top 10 percent of earners and a shift away from taxes on consumers (the poor), State Finance Minister Michael Halkitis pushed back on the basis that the

move would “necessitate extensive consultation and consensus-building”.

The question that comes to mind is “Consultation and consensus-building with whom?” With the 10 percent that would be affected by the IMF’s proposal?

Or is Mr. Halkitis seriously suggesting that the majority of underpaid, overtaxed Bahamians, who now pay among the most in the world for luxuries like fresh vegetables and groceries (thanks in part to our regressive tax structure) would be fuming to hear that their government is going to transfer some of their tax burden to the wealthy without first consulting with them?

Get serious! The government that introduces income tax in The Bahamas would be guaranteed re-election if it did nothing else for the remainder of its term.

The fact that the IMF, a body known for pushing regressive, anti-poor and ultimately harmful policies all around the world, would have to be urging us to introduce a more progressive tax structure (and being flatly refused) speaks volumes about how badly (and almost comically) generations of our postindependence politicians have let this country down.

ANDREW ALLEN Nassau, February 12, 2024.

TOURISTS assend the Queen’s Staircase during a press tour to mark the start of a restoration project spearheaded by the Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board yesterday.

Photo: Dante Carrer

Are fifty somethings “obsolete”?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

“THIS is a sore point for many older adults.

As we age medical science and healthcare mean we are well and able far longer than in the past but are viewed as needing to move on and out of the workplace even when we could offer some wisdom and mentoring to the newer workforce.” (Linda Nicholls).

I have been looking for a job that would allow me to locate closer to my hometown, thereby spending less gas on travel, with less wear and tear on the family vehicle. Resume upon resume sent out. No responses of value yet.

My son, who has a university degree, also sends out resumes only to be waiting for some response.

Is it because I am 50 plus years young? Have many years education and work experience behind me to back up my claims. My son is well educated, super smart, yet nothing after a second meeting.

I have had many responses, all centred upon what my salary expectations maybe. With the experience I have one can expect to demand a signing bonus like some professional sports person may get. Employers want young, low wage earners willing to do not just their job, but the job of two-three other people.

Employers’ expectations vary, but their fear of hiring a young woman they will train only to get pregnant some day, or an elderly individual who may have existing or up and coming illnesses make their decision-making even more difficult. The sooner they realise that the population is getting older, with fewer youngsters to fill the employment opportunities available, the better.

Being old sucks! That is a fact, unless you have an endless supply of money to cushion your financial existence and take care of your needs on that up

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net and coming rainy day.

Seems your education, work experience all mean very little to the employers of the day. If you are a looker and are willing to accept an income package offered, there is a job for you somewhere, but if you are deemed over qualified, too old, too young, too inexperienced, not educated enough, a high school drop out or graduate, overly religious, the wrong culture, the wrong colour, the wrong sex there will be problems you’ll certainly face. And sure the government protects us from undue prejudice and racism, but all we need is a good paying job, and getting involved in legal procedures and costs we mostly cannot handle now or ever.

Ageism is a thing, just as sexism, racism and being disabled can measure your lifestyle as inadequate and unacceptable to some. We all are getting older, and those who feel themselves to be untouchable and exempt from challenges will face these in time. Problem is many of us don’t have a lot of time like the youngsters do. Like an aged vehicle our original parts need more maintenance or even replacement, and that brings with it excessive costs to our time and pocketbooks. 50 somethings know they will face these challenges, and also realise that the costs of maintaining our life styles into the sixties and beyond are excessive, often not planned for, and certainly bring with it an element of fear. If you are in your fifties young people consider you old, the government considers you a future cost to the healthcare and social systems and their families consider them a source of future inheritance. A fifty something

also needs to think about the unthinkable, their lasting legacy, their deaths and distribution of their precious possessions some day.

Wills, retirement funds, taking care of the kids, funeral costs and, if you are a male the fifties introduce you to the “midlife crisis”(who can live to a hundred anyways?)

Politicians and their political parties will take your money, but all their efforts, propaganda are centred upon those who are younger than you. Free dental and medication for 75-80 somethings? What a bunch of bull sh*t By the time you are that age your teeth, heart, lungs and libido are shot, after all we are not Scandinavians here.

Government promises us a bright future, but only if they can build the needed housing and hospitals of the future. Fifty somethings are obsolete to the present day economy, a future cost to our families and the government.

Our school system should involve fifty somethings to their party, after all “soon to be seniors” have more work experience, along with an understanding of the human condition than most. Fifty somethings and seniors should be highly prized employees, instructors, advisors, but are often seen as potential costs, nuisance and cash cow to be financially taped. Many fifty somethings have cash, but the question is will it be enough for their future needs?

“There is nothing stressful about turning 50, except when people remind you that you’re 50.” (M. Ali) “Looking 50 is great, if you’re actually 60 plus. “(Joan Rivers).

“Turning fifty is like flying, hours of boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror.”(Erica Jong).

STEVEN KASZAB Bradford, Ontario, Canada.

February 7, 2024.

THE TRIBUNE

BTC and RBPF partner to address cyberbullying THE Bahamas Telecommunications Company awarded completion certificates to ninety high school students who can now boast that they are much more knowledgeable about internet safety and the consequences of cyberbullying.

The students participated in a Safer Internet Day Summit hosted by BTC in partnership with the Public Affairs Unit of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) on February 7. The summit, held at the Paul Farquharson Conference Centre at police headquarters, brought students from three high schools together to learn more about cyberbullying and the various ways to use technology respectfully and responsibly.

BTC’s recent Safer Internet Day Summit allowed CI Gibson, CC Sweeting, and Government High school students to engage in frank discussions with members of the RBPF. Deputy Commissioner of Police Leamond Deleveaux urged the students to stay focused on their educational goals and use the internet responsibly.

“The internet was

designed for the purpose to educate and to do good, however, we have seen that many among us use the internet to do very bad things to people,” Mr Deleveaux told the students.

“When you use the internet to do wrong, it is likely that you would find yourselves on the wrong side of the law, so please be careful and think about everything that you post online.”

Members of the RBPF also presented high school students with live scenarios that showed how people could be charged with an offence based on what is posted online.

The students were given the opportunity to collaborate and suggest ways to address various online issues and cyberbullying, and members of BTC’s team also gave video presentations that outlined several safety tips to adopt when using the internet.

One of the highlights of the summit was having the presence of Reginald McPhee, a teen TikTok social media influencer whose popularity escalated overnight after one post generated millions of views.

BTC CEO Sameer

REGINALD MCPHEE, a 12th grade student of C.I. Gibson Sr. High School, also known as “Get Dem Reggie,” shares light banter with BTC CEO Sameer Bhatti.

Bhatti, who also addressed students at the Safer Internet Day Summit, said: “As a technology company, we believe that it is so important to educate students and adults on how to safely use the internet. This is the fourth year that we are celebrating Safer Internet Day, and we always include the youth because it is so important to have them learn of the many ways to use technology responsibly.”

Every year, Safer Internet

Day is celebrated globally on February 6th to raise awareness of a safer and better internet for all, especially children and young adults.

In addition to hosting a Teen Summit, BTC has also launched a Video Essay Competition where students in grades 10-12 will address topics related to internet safety. Winners will receive cash prizes of up to $1,000. The competition will continue from February 1st to 29th.

UB SIGNS MOU WITH PERRY INSTITUTE OF MARINE SCIENCE TO FURTHER JOINT ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH

Tuesday, February 13, 2024, PAGE 7

American man charged with importing guns and ammunition granted bail at $9,500

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net AN American man with dual citizenship was granted bail yesterday after he was accused of being involved in a firearm smuggling scheme in 2020.

Senior Magistrate Shaka Serville charged Aaron Stubbs, 25, with four counts of importation of a firearm, four counts of importation of ammunition, two counts of conspiracy to import firearms and two counts of conspiracy to import ammunition.

Stubbs’ co-accused Goshon Fox, 26, and Marvinique Burrows, 24, were previously arraigned for the charges on April 1, 2020.

Bryan Bastian represented the defendant.

Stubbs is accused of importing 16 rounds of 9mm ammunition, five

rounds of .45 ammunition, a chrome and black Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol and a chrome and black Smith & Wesson .45 pistol into New Providence from Fort Lauderdale on March 27, 2020.

Following Stubbs’s not-guilty plea, the prosecution objected to his bail, citing him as a potential flight risk. Mr Bastian countered that his client has strong ties to the local community and family here. He also said there was precedent for suspects getting bail in similar cases.

Magistrate Serville set Stubbs’ bail at $9,500 with one or two sureties. Under the terms of his bail, he must sign in at the Grove Police Station every Tuesday and Saturday by 7pm.

The accused must also be fitted with a monitoring device.

His trial is expected to start on March 19.

MAN GETS SEVEN MONTHS PRISON FOR BREACHING BAIL CONDITIONS

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN was sentenced to seven months in prison yesterday after admitting to breaching his bail for allegedly robbing a former parliamentarian outside his home with a gun in 2020.

Magistrate Algernon Allen Jr charged Brenville Hanna, 24, with fourteen counts of violation of bail conditions.

Hanna was on bail for two counts of armed robbery, two counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder.

Hanna, while armed with a handgun, allegedly robbed former Pinewood MP Reuben Rahming and his wife, Natasha Rahming, as they sat in their car outside their house on August 13, 2021. A reported $300 in cash was stolen from the couple, along with luxury cell phones and jewellery.

While on bail, Hanna failed to obey his nightly residential curfew fourteen times between December 19, 2023 and February 1, 2024.

After pleading guilty, Hanna was sentenced to seven months at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

MAN ACCUSED OF STEALING $9,000 FROM WOMAN GRANTED $12,000 BAIL

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

UNIVERSITY of The Bahamas and Perry Institute for Marine Science unite forces for ocean conservation and research excellence.

Pictured (left to right): Dr Gadville McDonald (vice chair, UB Board of Trustees), Dr Krista Sherman (senior scientist,PIMS), Dr Craig Dahlgren (executive director,PIMS), Janyne Hodder (UB president), Dr Maria Oriakhi (VP academic affairs, UB), and Dr Carlton Watson (associate professor, UB) UNIVERSITY of The benefit for The Bahamas. ongoing efforts to increase According to UB offiBahamas’ commitment and Such ventures will not only marine science research cials, the new partnership capacity to conduct leading- expand the research land- capacity. will usher in a new era edge marine science and scape in The Bahamas, but “It is very clear that Uni- of marine/environmental environmental conserva- also nurture an environ- versity of The Bahamas has research at UB. The new tion research has taken ment where innovation the intention and has made partnership is expected another major leap forward and academic excellence in a deliberate commitment to to, among other things, following its recent partner- marine science research can becoming a national force increase marine science ship with one of the oldest thrive. for conservation in The research capacity, collaboleading research organisa“The important work to Bahamas, and we applaud rative research work in tions in The Bahamas. be carried out in marine that effort,” said Dr Dahl- the field, research training, On Tuesday, February and environmental conser- gren. “And I think we’re programme development, 6, UB executed a memo- vation and research lives uniquely positioned to career development, and randum of understanding through partnerships like help the University of The development at joint (MOU) with the Perry this one, which build on dia- Bahamas achieve those facilities.

Institute for Marine Science logue and provide greater objectives in the marine “This collaboration is (PIMS), an organisation structure for execution into conservation space.” more than just expanding with a rich history of con- the future,” said UB PresiDr Krista Sherman, opportunities,” said Vice tributing to important, dent Janyne Hodder. “UB PIMS Senior Fisheries Sci- President of Academic innovative marine research will achieve all that it must entist, added: “At PIMS we Affairs, Dr Maria Oriakhi. and ecosystem restoration in national development are proud to be the largest “It’s about leveraging our around the Caribbean Sea. goals and research capacity marine science research combined expertise to The MOU signing took output through increasing employer in the country: address matters of national place in the President’s its partnerships like the one over two-thirds of our team and/or global importance in Boardroom of the Harry C. we’re engaged in.” are Bahamian, at least half marine science. We aim to Moore Library and InforPIMS Executive Direc- of those individuals are UB position The Bahamas as a mation Centre (HCML) at tor Dr Craig Dahlgren said graduates. We are most regional and global centre UB’s Oakes Field campus.

UB’s commitment to marine pleased to build further on for marine science educaBy combining resources, and environmental science this shared history together tion and research. Through UB and PIMS’ new part- research, as evidenced by between UB and PIMS. this joint agreement, we nership will work toward its recent landmark Con- When advanced marine sci- will enhance UB’s marine the development of joint servation Conclave, is to ence research is permitted, offerings, contributing to research facilities and part- be commended. He said the opportunities for Baha- the country’s vision for a nerships with renowned PIMS is fully committed mian careers in this space vibrant and sustainable global institutions, a net to supporting UB in its are boundless.” blue economy.”

A MAN was granted $12,000 bail yesterday after being accused of stealing $9,000 from a woman last week.

Magistrate Raquel Whyms charged Delvon Pinder, 23, with major stealing.

Pinder allegedly stole

$9,000 from Juliusia Rolle on February 9 in New Providence.

Following his not-guilty plea, Pinder was told that under his bail, he must not have any contact with the complainant or any witnesses. He must also sign in at the East Street south Police Station every Friday by 6pm.

Pinder’s trial begins on March 22.

MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO THREE COUNTS OF DRUG POSSESSION, FINED $2,000

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN was fined $2,000 yesterday after he was found with several illegal drugs last week.

Senior Magistrate Shaka Serville charged Jason Petilhomme, 29, with three counts of possession of

dangerous drugs with intent to supply.

Petilhomme was found with quantities of marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamines on February 7 in New Providence.

After pleading guilty to the charges, the accused was ordered to pay a fine of $2,000 or risk a sixmonth prison term.

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that RITCHIE NELSON of Cowpen Road, New Providence, Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 13th day of February, 2024 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that DORINE DORMEUS of Faith Avenue off Carmichael Road, New Providence, Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 13th day of February, 2024 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that JORDANY JOSEPH of P. O. Box FH-14406, #25 Pine Barren Road, Prince Charles, New Providence, Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 13th day of February, 2024 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

PAGE 8, Tuesday, February 13, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

Fighting for the rights of fathers CHILDREN who have a close relationship with their father are twice more likely to find stable employment or enter college after high school. They are 75 percent less likely to have a teen birth; 80 percent less likely to spend time in jail; and half as likely to experience multiple depression symptoms. Children with dads in their lives are 43 percent more likely to earn A’s in school, and 33 percent less likely to repeat a grade level. These statistics, found by a US-based children’s bureau, back what one community activist says is part of the reason for the high murder rate in the inner city areas of The Bahamas’ capital city, Nassau.

More than 60 percent of Bahamian households are fatherless, according to the Bahamas National Statistical Institute. This statistic directly correlates to the crime problem, says Clever Duncombe, founder of Bahamian Fathers for Children Everywhere (BFCE). For two decades, he and his colleagues have been pushing for legislative and policy changes that would support those fathers who really want to be in their children’s lives.

BFCE has been calling for Bahamian laws to be upgraded to meet international standards on the rights of fathers. The children of The Bahamas, he said, need their fathers now more than ever. The figures show that with fathers on board, there is hope to redress social ills and bring peace back to the streets of Nassau.

“The world average is 5 murders per 100,000, Duncombe said. “Last year, we had 111 murders; the year before that, 128. Some twenty-five people have already been murdered in this year alone. We are averaging 30 murders per 100,000 - inner city New Providence is a conflict zone.”

Bahamian Fathers for Children Everywhere stands on the principle that every father should play a pivotal role in their children’s upbringing.

According to the United Nation Convention on the Rights of the Child, fathers should feel empowered to hold the role of active caregiver. The Bahamas signed the Convention on October 30, 1990, and ratified it on February 20, 1991.

To date, Duncombe says, Bahamian legislation still lacks the kind of backing that fathers need in order to actively participate in their

TOP LEFT: Clever Duncombe, a proud father, with his daughter, Ebony at her graduation from the University of The Bahamas.

He wants other father’s to have this kind of pride after investing in their child from birth.

Face to Face

BOTTOM LEFT: Founder of Bahamian Fathers for Children Everywhere (BFCE), Clever Duncombe, standing, right, at CW Sawyer presenting two tablets to the most improved boy and girl.

By FELICITY DARVILLE

children’s lives, essentially helping to tackle the crime problem.

Between 2003 and 2007, the BCFE actively lobbied the government until the Child Protection Act was passed in 2007 and enforced in 2009. This Act replaced Affiliations Proceedings Act (119), which was in place for children born out of wedlock.

“The only purpose that piece of legislation was for mother’s access to their child,” Duncombe recalls.

“The father couldn’t petition the court.

A whole compendium of legislation was repealed to clear the way for the Child Protection Act.” “Since the enforcement of the Act, fathers can now petition the court for access to their child. The UN Convention says the State must respect the rights and responsibilities of parents and extended family members to provide guidance to their children as a appropriate for their evolving capacity. Another article in the Convention states that parents would have shared common responsibility in raising the child.”

The BFCE continue their quest to have the laws work in favour of supportive fathers. The current Child Protection Act, Duncombe says, states that if a father is not married to the mother of his child, he would have to satisfy Article 14 (2) of the Act, involving maintenance, and a Magistrate has the power to deny access to the child if he is delinquent on maintenance.

The Act, says Duncombe, is not being properly regulated, and the laws and court processes frustrate many fathers who would, otherwise, have been active in their children’s lives.

The men are calling for the appointment of a National Child Advocate, similar to an ombudsman, as the Act indicates.

“The Act is not gender neutral,” Duncombe continued.

“The law

automatically assumes that the mother is more fit and ready for raising the child, without even interviewing both parents. If the mother is on drugs or abusing the child, the father has to prove that. The law is not on his side.”

“In 2024, we still have to get permission of the mother to

BOTTOM: Clever Duncombe, left, at Stephen Dillet Primary with principal Clinton Josey, right, with two tablets to the most improved students, donated by the group BFCE

CLEVER DUNCOMBE

apply for a passport for our child.

Some of the wording in the Act takes The Bahamas 50 years backwards.

Parents should be equal whether they are married or unmarried - this is what the international convention calls for.”

While they push for legislative support, the men of BFCE have also been busy helping thousands of Bahamian men and children stay connected. They help fathers through the frustrating court process with hopes of gaining more access to their child.

Duncombe says that in order to rid The Bahamas’ capital city, Nassau, of the scourge of murder, “all hands on deck” means fathers have to play a big part.

He encouraged fathers to go and look for their children today. Reach out to them, support them, and guide them in the right path.

Even if it means changing

your own life in order to do so.

“If there are problems with your child’s mother, it doesn’t mean you cannot be a part of your child’s life,” Duncombe said.

“I encourage fathers to create a cordial relationship with their child’s teacher. Attend PTA meetings. Connect with their children through the church, and supporting their extra curricular activities. There are lots of avenues they can take to have a positive impact on their child’s life, rather than abandoning that child because of the mother.”

“Men have turned away from their responsibility because of the hurdles they have to go through with the courts just to see their child. Nobody wants to be locked up over their child or find themselves in these acrimonious situations with the mother who doesn’t see the value of a father. Some fathers wait until the child is 18 and most times, by then

it’s too late.”

“We have an even bigger problem to overcome which is unbelievable,” Duncombe continued.

“We have pastors and politicians who are also fathering children out of wedlock and do not want the legal responsibility to these children. So if they don’t want it, nobody gets it and because of it, our society bleeds.”

Duncombe, who is CEO of DunMac Contractual

services, started Bahamian Fathers for Children Everywhere 21 years ago because of his own battle to see his daughter. It was tough, but he fought through the courts and because of it, he was able to play an active role in his daughter’s life. He is proud of having given his all to be in his daughter’s life as she is now an educator, and he is the proud grandfather of her son.

No lessening of last year’s troubled times THE TRIBUNE

HAVING written this weekly column continuously for nearly five years, apart from the odd short holiday break, it has been hugely disappointing personally to have been prevented through ill health from producing it since the beginning of January. But it feels good to be back in harness today even though there are two subjects rather than the usual three.

My last column on January 2 briefly reviewed 2023 as a tumultuous year of unprecedented turmoil in modern world history. Now, at the start of another year there is no sign of any let-up in the existing crises. As the perception grows that the world may be close to nuclear Armageddon with global conflict edging closer than ever, in January the new British foreign secretary and former prime minister, Lord Cameron, warned that “it is hard to think of a time when there has been so much danger, insecurity and instability in the world”.

As the danger grows of the use of nuclear weapons by Russia, North Korea and China – added to the hostility shown

by Iran and its support for terrorist groups -- he was referring primarily, of course, to the ongoing Ukraine and Israel-Gaza wars.

The latter has been exacerbated more recently by acts of terrorism committed by the Iran-backed militant groups Hezbollah to the north of Israel and the Houtis in Yemen, who have been firing rockets at international vessels in the key shipping lane of the Red Sea. Such interference with international navigation is unacceptable in the rules-based order under which the world operates and Western countries were bound to react in self-defence.

Thus, the US and UK have launched air strikes

Tuesday, February 13, 2024, PAGE 9

The Peter Young column on the Houtis’ bases on the Yemeni mainland. The US has also carried out air strikes on targets in some Middle Eastern countries, though not on Iranian territory, in response to the killing of three of its own military personnel.

Meanwhile, other major global issues like climate change continue to cause huge controversy; and there also remains the heartrending issue of the Israeli hostages still held

by Hamas.

For me, one advantage of being confined for a prolonged period to a sick-bed is to have the time and opportunity for a detailed study of international events and to read a wide range of varied opinion in the foreign media.

So, despite the plethora of information available about the latest developments in relation to the various global crises, some further analysis might be interesting.

As the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine approaches, the war drags on with no end in sight. Last week, in his first interview with Western media since the invasion, Putin was given air time by Tucker Carlson, the controversial American right-wing talk show host. Most observers consider that

IN this photo released by Sputnik news agency on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin attends an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on February 6, 2024.

Photo: Gavriil Grigorov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo/AP Carlson confined himself package. nations were quick to another day. But the to lobbing ‘soft balls’ at Unlike Ukraine, the state that Israel had a public rejection by Israeli the Russian leader who Israel-Gaza war only right to defend itself but prime minister, Benjamin used the interview to started after the hor- they warned that military Netanyahu, of a two-state portray his country as a rific murderous rampage action should be targeted solution is, in the minds of victim of Western betrayal by Hamas terrorists on at Hamas and not involve many, a severe setback. and NATO aggression, Israeli soil on October 7 civilians. Other countries Meanwhile, at the time justifying the invasion of that resulted in the death also acknowledged the of writing over the weekUkraine – his so-called of 1,300 Israelis. This has importance of this right end, it has become clear special military operation become known as the to self-defence. But, in that observers are cur-- as the need to protect nation’s ‘darkest day’. seeking remorselessly rently obsessed with the Russian speakers in the Predictably, Israel’s fierce to destroy Hamas once danger of Israel mounteast while he continues his reaction to hunt down and for all, Israel’s pur- ing an attack on the city relentless missile attacks and completely destroy suit of its heavy-handed of Rafah in the south of on civilian and other tar- Hamas has precipitated policy of destruction of the Gaza strip which has gets in the rest of the unrest, turmoil and insta- the Gaza strip has, accord- been an aid distribution country. bility in the Middle East ing to figures produced centre and where more He also delivered a his- because of worldwide by Hamas, resulted in than a million Palestinians tory lesson of doubtful concern about the so- more than 28,000 deaths, have found shelter after accuracy about the ori- called collateral damage mostly from air strikes fleeing the fighting in the gins and development of of comprehensive Israeli on civilian buildings. In north. According to the Russia as a nation and military action in the Gaza criticizing Israel, there has latest reports, an aerial the claimed non-existence strip that has involved been revulsion around the bombardment has already of Ukraine as a separate heavy loss of life and world at this terrible loss started overnight causcountry. This interview wholesale destruction of of life. ing 67 Palestinian deaths has come at an awkward civilian infrastructure, and Because of space con- already. The US has said time for Ukraine as some a consequent humanitar- straints, analysis of that a ground invasion in US legislators are going ian disaster and possible current views in the inter- this refugee-packed area cold on further mili- famine. national media about would be disastrous and tary assistance, though After the terrible the longer term future of has warned Israel not to the EU, by contrast, has events of October 7, the Israel and the Palestin- attack without a ‘credible’ just approved a new aid US and other Western ians will have to await plan to protect civilians.

Trump’s controversial and unwise utterances FORMER US president Donald Trump is well known for his extreme views on a variety of issues. When he won the 2016 election, many people thought that in office such views would be toned down to enable him to fulfill his role as leader of the whole country. Many also now think that, in order to secure election again after having lost to Joe Biden in 2020, he would likewise be careful to avoid unnecessary publicity about his extreme positions on certain key, controversial subjects in order to avoid alienating swing voters in particular. On the other hand, he needs to confirm to his supporters where he stands on important issues.

Against this background, it has been surprising, if not shocking, to learn that last Saturday at a rally in South Carolina Trump said that as US president he “would encourage” Russia “to do whatever the hell they want” to a member

country of NATO that did not meet its defence spending guidelines of a minimum of 2 per cent of GDP. According to NATO’s own figures for 2023, nineteen of its member states are spending below this target.

The 31-member NATO, with Finland the latest country to join and Sweden not far behind, was established in 1949 and has been the linchpin of Western security ever since. In response to Trump’s remarks, the alliance’s secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, has already said that the former president’s suggestion that the US will not protect NATO allies failing to spend enough on defence “undermines all of our security”, including that of the US. Members of NATO commit to defend any nation in the bloc that gets attacked – Article 5 of its constitution stipulates that an attack on any member state calls for collective defence by all.

Jens Stoltenberg went

on to emphasize that the alliance remains “ready and able” to defend its members and any attack “will be met with a united and forceful response”.

He added that he thought that, regardless of who wins November’s US presidential election, the US would remain a strong and committed NATO ally.

Trump’s weekend remarks have already been widely criticised as “appalling, unhinged and dangerous”, since they could have an effect on Putin’s future policy towards countries in the region of Ukraine that are under potential threat from Russia.

It remains to be seen how all this pans out. But it should be remembered that, while Trump likes to grab the headlines, many of his supporters - 74 million of whom voted for him in the 2020 election – will favour his stance on European nations meeting their defence spending quotas which goes back to 2018 when he was president.

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

PRESIDENT Donald Trump meets with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte during the NATO summit at The Grove, Wednesday, Decemner 4, 2019, in Watford, England. Former US president Donald Trump says he once warned that he would allow Russia to do whatever it wants to NATO member nations that are “delinquent” in devoting 2% of their gross domestic product to defense. Trump’s comment on Saturday represented the latest instance in which the former president and Republican front-runner seemed to side with an authoritarian state over America’s democratic allies.

Photo: Evan Vucci/AP

PAGE 10, Tuesday, February 13, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

Post-Roe v. Wade, more patients rely on early prenatal testing as states toughen abortion laws WASHINGTON Associated Press IN UTAH, more of Dr. Cara Heuser’s maternalfetal medicine patients are requesting early ultrasounds, hoping to detect serious problems in time to choose whether to continue the pregnancy or have an abortion.

In North Carolina, more obstetrics patients of Dr. Clayton Alfonso and his colleagues are relying on early genetic screenings that don’t provide a firm diagnosis.

The reason? New state abortion restrictions mean the clock is ticking.

Since Roe v. Wade was overturned, many health care providers say an increasing number of patients are deciding the fate of their pregnancies based on whatever information they can gather before state bans kick in. But early ultrasounds show far less about the condition of a fetus than later ones. And genetic screenings may be inaccurate.

When you find out your fetus has a serious problem, “you’re in crisis mode,” said Sabrina Fletcher, a doula who has helped women in this predicament. “You’re not thinking about legal repercussions and (state) cutoff dates, and yet we’re forced to.”

About half of states ban abortion or restrict it after a certain point in pregnancy. In Utah, it’s generally illegal after the 18-week mark; in North Carolina, after 12 weeks.

This leaves millions of women in roughly 14 states with no option to get follow-up diagnostic tests in time to feasibly have an abortion there if they wanted, a paper published last March in the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology found. Even more states have abortion

cutoffs too early for midpregnancy ultrasounds.

“More people are trying to find these things out earlier to try to fit within the confines of laws that in my mind don’t have a place in medical practice,” said Alfonso, an OB-GYN at Duke University.

CHECKING FOR PRENATAL PROBLEMS

When done at the right time, doctors said prenatal testing can identify problems and help parents decide whether to continue a pregnancy or prepare for a baby’s complex needs after delivery.

One of the most common tests is the 20-week ultrasound, sometimes called an “anatomy scan.” It checks on the fetal heart, brain, spine, limbs and other parts of the body, looking for signs of congenital problems.

It can detect things like brain, spine and heart abnormalities and signs of chromosomal problems such as Down syndrome.

Follow-up testing may be needed to make a diagnosis.

The type of ultrasounds patients receive – and when in pregnancy they have one done – can vary depending on the risk level of the patient, as well as the equipment and policies each practice has. For example, some women may have a firsttrimester ultrasound to estimate a due date or check for multiple fetuses.

But it’s not standard practice because it is too early to see many of the fetus’ limbs and organs in detail, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says.

It’s impossible to spot problems like serious heart defects much before mid-pregnancy because the fetus is so small, Heuser said. Nonetheless, she said, more patients are having ultrasounds at 10 to

13 weeks to get access to abortion if needed.

Experts say there are no statistics on exactly how many people opt for early ultrasounds or make choices based on them. But some health care providers say they’ve noticed an uptick in requests for the scans, including Missouri genetic counsellor Chelsea Wagner. She counsels patients from around the nation through telehealth, frequently discussing the results of ultrasounds and genetic tests.

Wagner said these early ultrasounds can’t provide the assurance patients are looking for because “you can’t give somebody an ‘everything looks good’ or a clean bill of health off of an ultrasound at 10 weeks.”

Doctors also can’t make a firm diagnosis from a genetic screening, which is done at 10 weeks gestation or later.

These screenings, also called “non-invasive prenatal tests,” are designed to detect abnormalities in fetal DNA by looking at small, free-floating fragments circulating in a pregnant woman’s blood.

They screen for chromosomal disorders such as trisomy 13 and 18, which often end in miscarriage or stillbirth, Down syndrome and extra or missing copies of sex chromosomes.

The accuracy of these tests varies by disorder, but none is considered diagnostic.

Natera, one of only a handful of US companies that makes such genetic tests, said in an email that prenatal test results are reported as either “high risk” or “low risk” and that patients should seek confirmatory testing if they get a “high risk” result.

Some may be pretty accurate, doctors said, but false positives are possible. In 2022, the Food

AN OPERATING room technician performs an ultrasound on a patient at Hope Medical Group for Women in Shreveport, Louisana, on July 6, 2022. Doctors in states with strict abortion restrictions say an increasing number of pregnant women are seeking early prenatal testing, hoping to detect serious problems while they still have time to choose whether to continue the pregnancy.

Photo: Ted Jackson/AP and Drug Administration issued a warning about the screenings, reminding patients and doctors that results need further confirmation.

“While genetic noninvasive prenatal screening tests are widely used today, these tests have not been reviewed by the FDA and may be making claims about their performance and use that are not based on sound science,” Jeff Shuren, the director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health, wrote in a statement.

The agency is poised to release a new regulatory framework in April that would require prenatal screenings, and thousands of other lab tests, to undergo FDA review.

AN ‘AWFUL’ DECISION TO MAKE Even before Roe was overturned, pregnant patients have sometimes been confused by what prenatal testing does – or doesn’t – reveal about the pregnancy or fetus, said bioethicist Megan Allyse, whose research focuses on emerging technologies around women’s reproductive health. She said it’s important for doctors to go over the limitations of such screens and emphasize that the results they receive are not diagnoses.

Alfonso and Wagner said they advise getting diagnostic tests too. In addition to amniocentesis, which removes and

tests a small sample of cells from amniotic fluid, these also include CVS, or chorionic villus sampling, which tests a small piece of tissue from the placenta.

Both carry a small risk of miscarriage.

But lately, Wagner said, there’s “more urgency to patients’ decisions” in many states.

That’s because of the specifics of test timing. It can take a week or two to get the results of genetic screenings. CVS is offered at 10 to 13 weeks gestation, with initial results taking a few days and more detailed results around two weeks. Amniocentesis is typically done at 15 to 20 weeks, with similar timing for results.

If a state has a 12-week abortion ban, for instance, “some people may have to act on a screening,” Alfonso said.

Wagner said she’s had to counsel patients who couldn’t afford to travel out of state for an abortion if they waited for diagnostic testing.

“They are forced to use the information they have to make choices they never thought they’d have to make,” she said.

Some states restrict abortion so early that women would not have the chance to get any prenatal testing done before the cutoff.

That was the case for 26-year-old Hannah in Tennessee, which has a strict abortion ban. An

ultrasound in late November, at about 18 weeks gestation, revealed she had amniotic band sequence, which is when very thin pieces of the amniotic membrane get attached to the fetus, sometimes causing fetal amputation and other problems. In Hannah’s case, the bands were attached to many of her baby boy’s body parts and ripped open multiple areas of his body.

She called clinics in Ohio and Illinois looking for a place to terminate the pregnancy, while her genetic counsellor’s office phoned roughly six facilities. She finally found a clinic 4 ½ hours away in Illinois and had the procedure in early December at 19 weeks gestation. A set of results from the amniocentesis – which was done to look for the cause of the problem – came back the day after her abortion, and other results after that.

Hannah, who didn’t want her last name used for fear of backlash, said it’s “awful” to have to think about state timelines, and to travel long distances out of state, when dealing with something like this.

But she’s grateful she had a firm diagnosis from the ultrasound and enough information to feel confident in her decision, which she made so her baby wasn’t in “pain and misery.”

“I know some women are not that lucky,” Hannah said. She named her son Waylen.

‘He Gets Us’ Super Bowl ads featuring Jesus stand out for change-of-pace message Associated Press FOR the second year in a row, a religious Super Bowl ad campaign promised viewers that Jesus “gets us.”

Two commercials shown Sunday night centred Jesus’ message to love your neighbours — even across ideological divides.

In one, people of different races, classes and gender expressions have their feet washed, including a woman outside a family planning clinic.

“Our goal is to really show that Jesus loved and cared for anyone and everyone,” He Gets Us campaign spokesperson Greg Miller told The Associated Press on Monday. He said the campaign’s website received 715,000 views in the previous 24 hours.

Critics have noted the campaign’s welcoming and progressive messages seem at odds with some of its Christian funders, who have also supported anti-LGBTQ+ and antiabortion causes.

Last year’s ads were overseen by the Servant Foundation, also a donor to Alliance Defending Freedom, a prominent conservative legal organization that helped overturn Roe v. Wade — the ruling establishing a nationwide right to abortion — and has represented clients challenging same-sex marriage and transgender rights.

The family behind Hobby Lobby also contributed to “He Gets Us.” They previously won a Supreme Court case challenging requirements to cover some birth control for employees on antiabortion grounds.

The “He Gets Us” campaign is now under a new charitable organization, Come Near, meaning the Servant Foundation is no longer overseeing it. The nonprofit says it is “committed to sharing the life and love of Jesus in thought-provoking new ways.”

On its website, the campaign notes that “probably the most common questions” received are about its stance on the LGBTQ+ community. “So let us be clear in our opinion.

Jesus loves gay people and Jesus loves trans people … No matter who you are, YOU are invited to explore the story of Jesus and consider what it means for your life.”

The “He Gets Us” campaign says it plans to advertise during other major cultural moments over the next year, including the Paris Olympics, the NFL draft, and the Republican and Democratic conventions.

Other faith-based ads at this year’s Super Bowl included a spot from Scientologists, inviting viewers to “see for yourself who we are.” An ad for the Catholic prayer app Hallow, featuring actor Mark Wahlberg, also broadcast in select markets during the game.

This is the 12th consecutive year the Church of Scientology has premiered a new ad during the Super Bowl, said spokesperson Erin Banks.

Banks said the ad “brings viewers inside a church alongside other curious people who want to learn more about the world’s youngest major religion” while highlighting the religion’s “spiritual technology”

THIS image provided by He Gets Us LLC shows a scene from “Foot Washing,” the 60-second commercial from “He Gets Us” that debuted at the Super Bowl on Sunday. For the second year in a row, a religious Super Bowl ad campaign promised viewers that Jesus “gets us.” Two commercials shown Sunday night centred Jesus’ message to love your neighbors — even across ideological divides.

Image: Julia Fullerton-Batten and Scott Mayo/He Gets Us LLC/AP and its humanitarian campaigns.

Scientology is a system of beliefs, teachings and rituals focused on spiritual betterment. Science fiction and fantasy author L. Ron Hubbard’s 1950 book “Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health” is a foundational text. The religion has a notable celebrity

following — Tom Cruise, John Travolta and Kirstie Alley are among those who have practiced Scientology.

Some high-profile members have publicly had a falling out. Actor Leah Remini said in her memoir and a documentary series that the church uses manipulative and abusive tactics

to indoctrinate followers into putting its goals above all else, and that leaders worked to discredit critics who spoke out. The church has disputed such claims.

Within the NFL, Christianity has long permeated the culture, and regular fans are familiar with expressions of faith, from locker-room prayers

to Hail Mary passes to players pointing skyward after touchdowns.

“One of the main purposes for ‘He Gets Us’ is to try and invite anyone, no matter what they believe, to explore the story of Jesus,” Miller said. “The audience of the Super Bowl allows us to do that with the greatest potential reach.”

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, February 13, 2024, PAGE 11

BRAZILIAN SOCCER’S CRISIS DEEPENS AFTER MISSING OUT ON PARIS OLYMPICS

ADAM PEATY, of Britain, competes in the men’s 100-metre breaststroke final at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

By MAURICIO SAVARESE AP Sports Writer

Peaty marks his return from a mental health break with a bronze at swim worlds - US wins two golds DOHA, Qatar (AP) — World-record holder Adam Peaty marked his return to major competition with a bronze medal in the 100-metre breaststroke at World Aquatics Championships yesterday after an extended break to deal with mental health issues.

American swimmer Nic Fink won gold in 58.57 seconds, Nicolo Martinenghi of Italy claimed silver in 58.84 and Peaty touched in 59.10 — far off his world record of 56.88 set in 2019.

Peaty didn’t shave his red mustache and wore hoop earrings for the final.

The British standout had a slow start and never quite recovered but his main goal this season is still to come at the Paris Olympics.

“I’m a bit disappointed with the execution,” Peaty said. “But that’s what I’ve got to focus on for the next five months now.”

Peaty, who took a break last year as he struggled with depression and alcohol abuse after an unprecedented run of success, won the 100 breast at the last two Olympics and claimed gold at worlds in 2015, 2017 and 2019.

“It’s bittersweet, because we did get a medal, which we didn’t aim for,” Peaty said. “The only thing I’m disappointed about is obviously the lack of skills but also going slower from the semi to the final. I don’t want to be that person who does that. I never have been.

“I’ve got to keep things in perspective that (since his return) this is my first triple — heats, semis, final — so still getting used to that, still enjoying this sport and being back in the arena,” Peaty added.

Peaty missed the 2022 worlds due to a foot injury and was taking his break during last year’s worlds — meaning his last major meet was the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

“I do believe everything happens for a reason,” Peaty said. “I’m going to take the success along with the failures. At this time of the season a failure is a good thing and makes me tune and learn a little bit more. We’ll see how it pushes us through trials and the Olympics.”

The 30-year-old Fink added to his gold in the 50 breast at the 2022 worlds in Budapest. He celebrated by propping himself up on a lane rope and pointing to his flexed right bicep, then tumbled backward into the water.

“It’s definitely crazy getting the first worlds gold in the 100 at the age of 30,” Fink said. “The fact I was able to accomplish so much in my career and I’m still experiencing new things is really fun right now.”

Kate Douglass — the only American individual gold medallist from last year’s worlds in Fukuoka, Japan, who came to Doha — comfortably defended

KATE DOUGLASS, of the United States, competes in the Women’s 200m Individual Medley Final at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

ANGELINA KOHLER, of Germany, centre, cries at the podium after winning the gold medal in the women’s 100m Butterfly Final as she is comforted by Claire Curzan of the United States, left, who won silver, and Louise Hansson of Sweden, who won bronze, at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

DIOGO MATOS RIBEIRO, of Portugal, celebrates after winning in the men’s 50m Butterfly Final at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

KATE DOUGLASS, of the United States, reacts after competing in the women’s 200-metre individual medley final at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha, Qatar, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

her 200 individual medley title in 2:07.05 ahead of Sydney Pickrem of Canada (2:08.56) and Yu Yiting of China (2:09.01).

Angelina Kohler became the first German woman to win individual gold in 15 years at worlds when finished first in the 100 butterfly. Britta Steffen swept

the 50 fly for Portugal’s first-ever gold at worlds, touching in 22.97 ahead of Michael Andrew of the U.S. (23.07) and Cameron McEvoy of Australia (23.08). The 19-year-old Ribeiro claimed silver in the same event at Fukuoka last year for Portugal’s first ever medal at worlds.

the 50 and 100 free in 2009.

Kohler touched in 56.28 to shave a whopping 0.77 off her fifth-placed finish in Fukuoka less than seven months ago.

Claire Curzan of the U.S. took silver in 56.61 and Louise Hansson of Sweden took bronze in 56.94. Diogo Ribeiro won

The 50 fly is not an Olympic event.

In women’s water polo, the U.S. beat Australia 10-9 to set up a semifinal against Spain, which beat Canada 12-9.

Also, Hungary beat the Netherlands in a penalty shootout and will next face either Italy or Greece.

SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazilian soccer fans were already in a funk after a year that saw a string of poor results, a coaching void and a political tug of war at the country’s federation.

Things got even worse Sunday after Brazil failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics thanks to a loss to archrival Argentina, meaning the two-time defending champion will not be part of the tournament this summer.

“It is sad, but it is more of an embarrassment,” striker John Kennedy said after the 1-0 loss. “We should have wanted to win more than we did.”

Brazil also failed to qualify for the 1992 and 2004 editions of the Olympic tournament, but those blips didn’t coincide with a crisis for the senior national team. Brazil is only in sixth place in South American qualifying for the 2026 World Cup and its biggest star Neymar has been out with a serious knee injury since October.

Some fans and analysts had hoped 17-year-old striker Endrick — who is set to join Real Madrid this summer — would provide some cause for optimism by showcasing his talent during the Olympic qualifying tournament. And many supporters had been hoping to see Endrick and the 32-year-old Neymar play together on the Olympic team in Paris and lead Brazil to an unprecedented third straight gold medal.

But the Brazilian teenager scored only twice in seven matches in Olympic qualifying. Argentina’s World Cup-winning midfielder Thiago Almada netted five.

The Olympic soccer tournament features mainly Under-23 players and does not carry nearly the same status as the World Cup or contintental championships — such as the Copa America that starts in June — but missing out completely still stings the pride of many Brazilians.

Especially those who are viewing Endrick as the country’s next big star, and had been expecting him to show that he could help lead the senior team’s attack alongside Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo at the Copa America.

Meanwhile, Brazil’s senior team will return to action in March in friendlies against England and Spain amid serious concerns about its current form.

Last year, Brazil lost a home match in World Cup qualifying for the first time ever; 1-0 to Argentina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. It also lost at Uruguay and Colombia in the South American roundrobin competition after two poor performances.

New coach Dorival Júnior was only hired in January after the president of the Brazilian soccer confederation, Ednaldo Rodrigues, failed to fulfill his promise to bring in Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti.

Previous coach Tite stepped down after Brazil lost in the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup, and the team had been led

by Fernando Diniz on an interim basis last year.

The frustration of seeing Argentina win the World Cup in Qatar as well as the last Copa America has only added to the pressure facing Dorival as he takes up the job — even before Sunday’s loss.

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PAGE 12, Tuesday, February 13, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

Rev Dr William Thompson honoured at sports fun day before his 80th birthday CELEBRATIONS CLIMAX WITH BANQUET FRIDAY AT ATLANTIS RESORT AND A GRAND CELEBRATION AT FAITH UNITED MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH ON HIS BIRTHDAY ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18 IT was a birthday celebration, highlighted by a pair of Masters Softball League games and entertainment that included rake-n-scrape, marching bands and a junkanoo rush-out, that left the Rev. Dr. William Thompson flabbergasted.

Saturday’s sports fun day at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex to help commemorate his 80th birthday turned out to be a little more than Rev Dr Thompson anticipated.

“This has been a tremendous blessing to me today.

I truly thought when the team told me they were having this and they were going to invite all of the former athletes to come and have two competitive games going on, I had no idea this would have been so tremendous in terms of the support,” he said. “It’s really been a blessing and a joyful day for me.”

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg, who stood by his side in the VIP lounge, said he considered Rev. Dr. Thompson to be more of a spiritual father to him and he made sure and mentored and guided him when he started his political career.

“He was a gentleman who impacted many young people, whether it was through junkanoo or playing sports or through religion, so it’s no better way to celebrate 80 years of life here on earth,” Bowleg said.

Making a special appearance for the event was Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis. He noted that Rev. Dr. Thompson made a profound impact on his life and he just wanted to express his gratitude.

“He was my first baseball coach. I played for his junior league baseball team as the shortstop,” Davis said.

“He taught me how to hold the gloves and to throw the ball. Since then, he has been in my life and so I had to come and show my face.”

In one of the two games played, Da Boys nipped the Corner Boyz 19-18 as Sidney Thomas got the win on the mound over Vernon Clarke, who was tagged with the loss.

Marcellus Hall had a big day, going 4-for-4 with five RBI and two runs scored, Dwayne Taylor was 3-for-4 with two RBI and four runs scored, Julian Pratt went 2-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored and John Lockhart was 2-for-5 with a RBI and three runs scored.

Martin ‘Pork’ Burrows, who not only played but was one of the committee members, said it was good for them to pull off the win because they had some new players who filled in for some of the starters, who weren’t able to make it.

In the loss, Andy Percentie went 4-for-5 with a RBI and two runs scored, Godfrey Willie was 2-for-5 with a RBI and two runs scored, Chuckie Wilkinson was 2-for-2 with three RBI and three runs scored, Vernon Clarke went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored and Leron Burrows was 3-for-4 with a RBI and three runs scored.

In the first game played, the Quality Home Center Divers outslugged the Scorpions as Don Dean got the win and Foster Dorsett was tagged with the loss.

Designated player and coach Robert Cox went 3-for-4 with five runs batted in (RBI) and three runs scored, Jayson Clarke was 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored, Pat Lockhart was 3-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored and Kervin Culmer and Todd Isaacs Sr were both 2-forwith two RBI apiece. Isaacs also scored a run.

Dorsett, Brian Harvey and Greg Burrows all went 2-for-4 in a losing effort.

Dorsett added two RBI with two runs scored, while Harvey scored twice and Burrows drove in two RBI. The Eva Hilton Raken-Scrape band, which has been in formation for the past 11 years under the direction of physical education teacher/coach Zindora Munnings, kicked off the entertainment segment.

“It’s a privilege to be here to celebrate along with Rev. Dr. Thompson on his milestone,” Munnings said.

“Like he told us, he doesn’t feel 80, so it’s definitely a pleasure for our young people to experience the games and also to participate in these grand celebrations for him.”

The entertainment came to a close with a junkanoo rush-out by the Valley Boys, the group that Rev. Dr. Thompson is closely associated as a member.

The celebrations will climax with a big banquet to be held on Friday at the Atlantis resort. Tickets are priced at $250 per person.

And on his birthday on Sunday, February 18, there will be a grand celebration at Faith United Missionary Baptist Church where lunch will be served to everyone present.

Photos: Moise Amisial

PRE-BIRTHDAY BASH: Rev. Dr. William Thompson enjoys a sports fun day on Satutrtday at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex to help celebrate his 80th birthday on Sunday, February 18.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, February 13, 2024, PAGE 13

Hield scores 24 as 76ers end Cavaliers’ 9-game win streak

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer CLEVELAND (AP) — Chavano “Buddy” Hield is still getting used to his new surroundings. He looked much more settled in last night.

Hield scored 24 points in his third game for Philadelphia, Kelly Oubre Jr. also had 24 and the 76ers halted Cleveland’s nine-game winning streak, hanging on for a 123-121 victory over the Cavaliers.

The Cavs nearly rallied from a 10-point deficit in the final 1:25. They had a chance to win at the buzzer, but Darius Garland missed a 3-pointer from the right corner. “It felt good coming off,” Garland said.

“It looked good.”

All-Star Tyrese Maxey added 22 points as the Sixers won for just the third time in 11 games. Maxey split a pair of free throws with 6.9 seconds left, giving Cleveland a last possession to extend its longest winning streak since it had LeBron James in 2018.

Donovan Mitchell, who led the Cavs with 36 points, drove the lane and had a contested layup blocked by Oubre. Cleveland got the rebound under the basket and kicked the ball to Garland, who couldn’t convert.

Hield was acquired from Indiana before the trade

deadline last week by the Sixers, who are trying to stay afloat while waiting for Joel Embiid to return from knee surgery. It’s going to be tough haul without the reigning MVP, but Hield will seek to prevent the Sixers from sliding too far in the standings.

“I’ve been in this position a long time,” said Hield, who also had eight assists before fouling out in the final minute. “In a close game like this, I know you have to play to your strengths and play together.

The trades all happened fast, but we’ve all bought in and coach Nick (Nurse) is doing a great job just playing to our strengths. We’re playing fun. We’re playing unselfish.”

One of the NBA’s most dangerous outside shooters, Hield made two 3-pointers and scored nine straight points in the fourth quarter as Philadelphia opened a 113-106 lead.

“With Buddy down the stretch, it turned into him looking a guy right in the eye and nailing a 3,” Nurse said. “He can shoot the ball — we know that.”

The Cavs, who had won 17 of 18, were still within seven when Oubre drained a 3-pointer with 1:25 left to put the Sixers up 120-110.

But Cleveland battled back with Garland hitting a 3-pointer and Mitchell

CLEVELAND Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) pressures Philadelphia 76ers guard Buddy Hield, right, in the second half of an NBA basketball game last night in Cleveland.

(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) converting a three-point play before hitting a 3 to make it 120-119 with 14 seconds to go. The Cavs put themselves in position to pull it out but dropped to 22-5 since December 16.

“I don’t mean to say this in a harsh way, but we kind of deserve to lose this game just based off of how we started,” Mitchell said.

“We came out as if they were going to lay it down and let us just continue to do what we do.”

Jarrett Allen added 21 points and 10 rebounds

and Evan Mobley had 14 points and 10 boards for Cleveland.

The Cavs’ winning streak was the club’s longest since a 13-gamer in 2017-18, when James led them to their fourth straight NBA Finals appearance before leaving for second time as a free agent.

“This is nothing to overreact to and get upset at,” Mitchell said. “I think the biggest thing is just coming out with the right mentality. We hadn’t done that in months. It’s OK to have a

blip on the radar, but for us it’s continuing to sustain that and not getting bored with success.”

The short-handed Sixers were without forward Tobias Harris (sore left hip).

The Sixers were expected to sign guard Kyle Lowry today once he clears waivers. The 37-year-old Philadelphia native had his contract bought out and was released over the weekend by Charlotte, which acquired him from Miami last month.

‘WEMBY’ POSTS HIS FIRST TRIPLE-DOUBLE WITH BLOCKS TORONTO (AP) — Victor Wembanyama had 27 points, 14 rebounds and a career-high 10 blocks in his second triple-double, Devin Vassell added 25 points and the San Antonio Spurs snapped a sevengame losing streak by routing the Toronto Raptors 122-99 last night.

Wembanyama made 10 of 14 attempts and had five assists and a pair of steals in 29 minutes as the Spurs won for the first time since January 27 against Minnesota.

His previous career high for blocks was eight, against Memphis on Nov. 18. He leads the NBA in that category.

It was the first tripledouble with blocks since Clint Capela had 13 points, 19 rebounds and 10 blocks for Atlanta against Minnesota on January 22, 2021.

That had also been the last time anyone in the NBA blocked 10 shots in a game.

Jeremy Sochan scored 16 points and Keldon Johnson added 12 as San Antonio snapped a four-game road losing streak.

Gradey Dick scored 18 points, Kelly Olynyk had 17 and RJ Barrett 13 for the Raptors, who had won the past six meetings with San Antonio. Toronto has lost 14 of 18.

BUCKS 112, NUGGETS 95 MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 36 points, 18 rebounds and five assists as Milwaukee showcased its improved defence in beating Denver.

After losing five of their first six games under new coach Doc Rivers, the Bucks have won two straight by a combined

margin of 53 points and allowed fewer than 100 points in back-to-back games for the first time this season.

Nikola Jokic had 29 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists for the Nuggets. Aaron Gordon scored 14 and Michael Porter Jr. had 11. Denver’s Jamal Murray sat out the second half due to shin splints, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope left with tightness in his right hamstring.

Damian Lillard scored 18 points for the Bucks, and Bobby Portis added 13 points before getting ejected with 4:54 remaining.

MAVERICKS 112, WIZARDS 104 DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic had his 10th triple-double of the season despite missing five minutes of action after taking a charge and helped rally Dallas past Washington.

Doncic finished with 26 points, 15 assists and 11 rebounds. Kyrie Irving scored 26 points for the Mavericks, who have a season-best five-game win streak.

Daniel Gafford, dealt to Dallas from Washington before last week’s trade deadline, had 16 points and matched a career best with 17 rebounds.

Deni Avdija scored 25 points to tie a career high, and Kyle Kuzma added 23 for the Wizards, who have lost seven straight. Tyus Jones had 14 points and 16 assists.

WARRIORS 129, JAZZ 107 SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Klay Thompson scored 26 points, Stephen Curry made five 3-pointers in the fourth quarter and

SPURS centre Victor Wembanyama (1) dunks as Raptors guard Immanuel Quickley (5) defends last night. (AP) had 25 and Golden State beat Utah without coach Steve Kerr.

Kerr was in Serbia for the funeral service for Golden State assistant coach Dejan Milojevic, who had a heart attack at a team dinner in Salt Lake City on January 16 and died the next day.

Assistant coach Kenny Atkinson led the Warriors to their fifth straight victory, moving them above .500.

Andrew Wiggins added 17 points and Jonathan Kuminga had 14 – his 31st straight game in double figures – for the Warriors.

Jordan Clarkson had 22, but just two in the second half. Collin Sexton also scored 22 and Lauri Markkanen added 19 for Utah.

ROCKETS 105, KNICKS 103 HOUSTON (AP) — Aaron Holiday had 18 points, capped by two

free throws with less than a second remaining after a disputed foul by Jalen Brunson behind the 3-point line, and Houston dealt New York its third straight loss.

Houston had a fourpoint lead with less than a minute to go before Brunson had the next four points, capped by a jump shot with 8.1 seconds left to tie it at 103.

Precious Achiuwa blocked a short shot by Jalen Green and Holiday grabbed the ball beyond the arc and shot it as Brunson rushed out at him.

Holiday made the first two free throws before missing the third intentionally to run out the clock.

Dillon Brooks scored 23 points, Jabari Smith Jr. added 20 and Alperen Sengun had 18 to help the Rockets snap a four-game skid.

Brunson had 27 points and Donte DiVincenzo scored 23 for the Knicks.

BULLS 136, HAWKS 126 ATLANTA (AP) — Ayo Dosunmu had a careerhigh 29 points and seven assists as Chicago scored a season-best point total.

DeMar DeRozan scored 29 points and Nikola Vucevic added 24 points and 11 rebounds. Coby White added 20 points and seven assists.

Bogdan Bogdanovic and De’Andre Hunter led the Hawks off the bench. Bogdanovic had 28 points and Hunter 23.

Trae Young had 19 points, including 2-for10 shooting from 3-point range.

The win kept Chicago two games in front of the Hawks for the No. 9 seed

in the East. The Bulls have won both games against Atlanta this season.

HORNETS 111, PACERS 102 CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Miles Bridges had 20 points and 10 rebounds and Charlotte won its second straight game since adding five new players via trade.

Newcomers Grant Williams, Seth Curry, Tre Mann and Vasilije Micic added an offensive spark for the Hornets, who finished with 27 assists.

Williams led the way with 21 points and Curry added 18 off the bench. Mann got the start and finished with 11 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.

Myles Turner had 22 points and Aaron Nesmith scored 21 for the Pacers.

Tyrese Haliburton chipped in 13 points and 12 rebounds while playing 34 minutes in the loss.

PELICANS 96, GRIZZLIES 87 MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Herbert Jones scored 17 points, Brandon Ingram added 16 points, including a pair of late buckets, as New Orleans sent Memphis to its ninth straight loss.

Zion Williamson finished with 14 points and CJ McCollum added 11 as New Orleans won its second straight. Jones had nine rebounds and New Orleans outrebounded Memphis 49-37.

Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies with 22 points, while Vince Williams Jr. and Luke Kennard finished with 12 points apiece.

Yuta Watanabe had 11 points, keying a failed fourth quarter push by Memphis.

TIGER WOODS

FROM PAGE 16 Red incorporates Woods’ 15 major championships into the logo of a tiger stretched across the three words.

Woods said he would update the logo if he were to win another a major.

The logo came from the “Rule of Three” — using three words for greater impact. Woods is fond of saying his goals in golf were to “Work hard, think hard, play hard.”

“I have learned so much over the years and have a lifetime of experience adjusting my apparel and footwear to help me play better based on the way it was constructed,” Woods said in a news release.

“There are things that I could tell you that no one knew I was doing over the years. I’m ready to share those secrets with the world.”

Woods has worn some variation of red on Sunday his entire career because his Thai-born mother, Kultida, told him it was his power colour.

TaylorMade Golf plans to launch online in the United States and Canada its first apparel line for men on May 1, between the Masters and the PGA Championship. The website went live as Woods and TaylorMade CEO David Abeles spoke.

The hope is to expand to key markets, along with eventually adding footwear, women’s and kids’ lines.

Shadow boxes revealed various apparel, along with golf shoes, golf gloves and the tiger logo on the front of the cap, which for a quarter-century featured a Nike swoosh or a “TW.” Sun Day Red is a standalone brand that will have its own designers, staff and headquarters. Woods and TaylorMade have added leaders from fashion and culture to run the brand.

Brad Blankinship, who previously led lines such as Quiksilver and RVCA, has been appointed president of Sun Day Red. The announcement came three days before Woods makes his 2024 debut in the Genesis Invitational at Riviera, a signature event on the PGA Tour for which he is the tournament host.

Woods and Nike ended 27 years together at the end of last year. He wore the swoosh on his shirt for the final time at the PNC Championship that he played with his son, Charlie, who was wearing clothes from a different apparel company.

All signs pointed to an expanded deal with TaylorMade, which filed four trademark applications with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for “Sunday Red” or “SDR.” Woods has been teasing the announcement on social media recently. He posted a closeup of his face a week ago Monday that said, “The vision remains the same.”

On Friday, he posted a darkened picture of him wearing a red shirt that said, “A new day rises.”

Key to his fabled red shirt on Sunday is getting to the final round, and his chances are more limited than ever because of his multiple injuries.

Woods played all four rounds at Riviera last year.

He made the cut in the 2023 Masters, only to withdraw before finishing the rain-delayed third round on Sunday morning. He had surgery to fuse his ankle after the Masters and did not return until December for his Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas against a 20-man field.

SUPER BOWL THRILLER WAS MOST-WATCHED PROGRAM EVER, AVERAGING 123.4 MILLION VIEWERS

By JOE REEDY AP Sports Writer THE longest Super Bowl game will also go down as the most-watched program in television history.

According to Nielsen and Adobe Analytics, Kansas City’s 25-22 overtime victory over San Francisco on Sunday night averaged 123.4 million viewers across television and streaming platforms. That shattered last year’s mark of 115.1 million for Kansas City’s last-play victory over Philadelphia and is a 7% increase.

The game was televised

by CBS, Nickelodeon and Univision and streamed on Paramount+ as well as the NFL’s digital platforms.

Nielsen also said a record 202.4 million watched at least part of the game across all networks, a 10 per cent jump over last year’s figure of 183.6 million.

The CBS broadcast averaged 120 million.

The network’s previous mark for its most-watched Super Bowl was 112.34 million for the 2016 game between the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers.

Some of the increase can be

attributed to a change in the way viewers are counted.

Nielsen began including out-of-home viewers in its ratings in 2020, but only from limited markets. That measurement expanded to all 50 states beginning this year.

Sunday’s game was only the second of the 58 Super Bowls to go to overtime.

The previous one was in 2017, when New England rallied from a 28-3 deficit and beat Atlanta 34-28.

“I was managing my expectations, but I had a bit of hope that it would happen,” CBS Sports

chairman Sean McManus said of overtime, which was set up when San Francisco kicker Jake Moody had an extra point blocked in the fourth quarter, which kept it a three-point game.

“I can’t imagine a Super Bowl any better or more exciting than this.”

Kansas City sent it to overtime on Harrison Butker’s field goal.

After the 49ers kicked a field goal on the opening possession of OT, the Chiefs won when Patrick Mahomes threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman.

This Super Bowl had the added attraction of Taylor Swift in attendance. The pop superstar is dating Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, a romance that has brought new fans to the NFL. It was the second straight year the Super Bowl averaged more than 100 million viewers after a period where four of the five games before 2023 had fallen short of that number because of cord-cutting.

That included 95.2 million for the 2021 Super Bowl between Tampa Bay and Kansas City, which was

the game’s lowest TV-only average since 2007.

Univision averaged more than 2.2 million viewers, the highest Super Bowl viewership on record for a Spanish-language network.

The Super Bowl has been televised in Spanish in the United States since 2014.

The NFL playoffs averaged 38.5 million viewers the first three weekends, a nine per cent increase over last year.

That followed a regular season that averaged 17.9 million, tied for the second highest since averages were first tracked in 1995.

PAGE 14, Tuesday, February 13, 2024

THE TRIBUNE

Timberwolves top Rattlers 63-55

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net THERE were some thrilling outcomes yesterday as the CH Reeves Raptors junior girls, DW Davis Royals junior boys, CV Bethel Stingrays and Anatol Rogers Timberwolves senior boys all prevailed in game one of the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association basketball championships.

The excitement will continue today at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium when game two of all of the best-of-three series will be played, starting at 4:30pm with the junior girls.

If necessary, the third and deciding games will be played on Wednesday.

Senior boys Timberwolves 63, Rattlers 55: After losing the pennant in the final regular season game by five points, Anatol Rodgers came out with a vengeance and took the sting out of CI Gibson, the defending champions.

“It was good for us to come back. We were able to work on some things and we executed as best as we can,” said Denykco Bowles.

“Thank God we got the victory.”

As they look ahead to game two, Bowles said once they come out and play with the “same intensity and the same zeal and fight right to end,” they will be in great shape to win it.

Jefferson Bethel led Anatol Rodgers with 12 points, Kirkwood Rolle and Derek Francis both had nine, both Xavier Thompson and Marco Nottage contributed eight and Cavelle Ferguson chipped in with six.

For CI Gibson, Tashon Butler had a game high 19, Gerrad Rolle had 11, Dwayne Finley seven and Stevachko Jacques five in a losing effort.

In shooting the ball from the outside, Anatol Rodgers was able to open a 17-15 lead at the end of the first quarter. The trend continued in the second half as they surged ahead 36-24 at the half.

It was a scoring drought for over one minute before both teams finally scored to start the third. But with 1:42

ON THE REPLAY: The Anatol Rogers Timberwolves senior boys defeated the CI Gibson Rattlers in game one of the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association basketball championship series 63-55 yesterday at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium. left, the Rattlers turned up the heat and trimmed the deficit to 45-37.

A buzzer beating jumper

by Cavelle Ferguson (No.4) put Anatol Rodgers back up by 10 (51-41) at the conclusion of the third period.

With 3:51 left, CI Gibson trimmed the lead to 59-51, but with 1:51 on the clock, Thompson got a driving lay-up to push their lead back to 10 (61-51). Then at 52.6, Finley converted a pair of free throws to knock it down 61-55.

But with 32.2 seconds left, Rolle got a fast break lap-up for a 63.55 margin to seal the deal.

Senior girls Stingrays 38, Knights 34: In a match-up that went right down the wire, CV Bethel took the upper hand in their senior girls’ series against CR Walker as Trinity Bodie paced the way with a game high 19 points.

Riccarra Beadle had eight points, Garanique Bethel contributed seven and Danielle McCoy, who made her presence felt on the defensive end, chipped in with four.

CV Bethel’s coach Shantell Rolle spoke about the stunning turn of events in the game. “I told my girls how we play will dictate the outcome of the game.”

Shamaraja Cummings paced the Knights with 12, Shenell Stewart had eight, Raynia Russell six and both Shania Munroe and

Valtinique Simmons had four in a losing effort.

The Knights polished off the first quarter with an impressive 12-0 lead.

Nothing else to say.

The Stingrays were stunned.

Finally, in the first minute and-a-half of the second quarter, the Stingrays got on the scoreboard on a basket from No.24. What a shocker it turned out to be the rest of the period as CV Bethel stormed back for a 17-16 lead at the half.

In the third quarter, it turned out to be sea-saw battle until the Stingrays got a couple of fast break baskets and slowly pulled away for a 29-22 margin at the final break.

When it counted the most in the fourth, CV Bethel opened a slim four-point lead, until Stewart hit two throws for a 34-32 deficit. And with 41 seconds, Bodie banked a three-point shot to extend their lead to 37-32.

Junior boys Royals 66, Timberwolves 54: DW Davis got the 1-2-3 connection with Zion Goodman leading the way with a game high 18, Windisky Paul had 15 and Kernaj Dean added 13.

Khamani Dean finished with nine in their attack.

“I want to thank God for the victory. We picked up our intensity when we had to, but we’re going to go back to the drawing board

GAME two of all of the best-of-three series will be played today, starting at 4:30pm with the junior girls. If necessary, the third and deciding games will be played on Wednesday.

Photos: Moise Amisial and we will come out much a 49-33 lead at the end of 17 and 16 points respecbetter in game two tomor- third. tively and Shawnovia row,” said DW Davis coach Junior girls Moxey chipped in with Mark Hanna.

Raptors 58, Lions 42: In eight in the loss.

Joshua Russell scored 16 what was supposed to be a The Lady Raptors points, Ephraim Hepburn chess match between two opened up with a 4-0 lead had 12, Philip Rolle 10 and juggernaut coaches, Varel in the first two minutes of Damarion Ellis eight in a Davis and her CH Reeves the game and by the end losing effort. junior girls got the better of the first quarter, they In what started out as of Patricia ‘Patty’ Johnson had extended their margin a keenly contested junior and her HO Nash squad in to 14-5 as they applied the boys’ match-up, DW Davis a huge win. pressure. managed to connect on the “I knew that coach Patty Although the Lions made final points to end the first Johnson and HO Nash a slight dent into the lead as quarter with a slim 13-8 are a pretty good team. Andrewnique Smith picked lead.

They beat us in the regular up her third foul early in In a fast paced second season, so we went back to the second quarter, the quarter, Anatol Rodgers the drawing board and we Lady Raptors were able to used their height advan- made the adjustments.” maintain their composure. tage to control the boards Thanks to TajhaniCH Reeves posted a and were able to make a qua Morley’s game high 28-16 halftime lead. surge, but it wasn’t enough 42 points, including 11 in The intensity level conas they still trailed 26-17 at the first quarter, nine in tinued in the third quarter halftime. the second quarter, 17 in as Morley literally took Coming out of the locker the third and seven in the control of their offenroom, the Royals applied fourth, the defending cham- sive attack, surging ahead a full-court press that pions Raptors made game with several key defensive resulted in them extending one look so easy. rebounds. They extended their lead to 30-19 in the Rihanna Bethel helped their lead to 49-21 at the first minute. out with eight and Ellshy final break. HO Nash made But every time the Tim- Canton had the other seven a gallant comeback in the erwolves were able to to make the difference fourth, but it was a little too make a surge, they couldn’t in the win. Anthonique late. stop the attack from their Pedican and Jada Frazier Morley finished with a opponents, who held onto provided a 1-2 punch with game high 42 points.

SHOWN , from left to right, are Dwayne Higgins, Cindy Gay, Leonardo Lightbourne, Minister Clay Sweeting, Terrence Bootle, Lori Lowe and Cristain Palacious.

Photo: Stephen Hanna

FIRST REGATTA FOR JUNIOR SAILORS SINCE 2018 SET FOR FEBRUARY 22 FROM PAGE 16 School and the CV Bethel Secondary High.

“I am advised that almost 200 children from various youth sailing clubs and

schools will be competing in the Optis, Sunfish, Lasers and E-Class sloops,” Sweeting said.

Lori Lowe, the chairman of the National Sailing Association, said they are proud that the junior sailors, especially those competing in the E-class, will get their chance to shine on the national stage.

Like every international regatta, Lowe pointed out that the sailors will get a chance to compete in at least six races with the opportunity to discard their worst result.

All of the other points will be accumulated for their overall tally and final positions. “We are looking forward to the competition,” she said.

“The focus will be on the E-class because all of the other classes have their own nationals. But that doesn’t mean that they won’t be competitive. They will be there to complement the E-class.”

Dwayne Higgins, the assistant director of student development in the Ministry of Education, shared that while there are a number of schools they are targeting for sloop sailing in the island nation, only CV Bethel will be ready to compete in the nationals.

He said it’s their hope that by the time the next junior nationals is held next year, there will be a tremendous increase in the amount of schools participating in the competition.

Notwithstanding that, Higgins said the competition will be fierce as some of the competitors competing have just recently participated in Family Island regattas and they have fared very well in the E-class among their senior counterparts.

“So we expect that these young sailors will come out and compete very well against each other,” he stated. “We are looking forward to some very exciting

competition from all of them,” said Higgins.

For those who are concerned about the safety aspect, Sweeting said his ministry will be partnering with the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, the nurses and the teacher cadets to provide a wholesome environment for all involved.

Insurance is also provided for all of the participants.

The regatta will be broadcasted and live streamed, while there will be announcers providing play-by-play of all of the excitement as it unfolds on the water.

Among the onshore entertainment will be the junkanoo groups from Lyford Cay, Government High and CV Bethel as the pop bands from Government High, CV Bethel and the RM Bailey Schools.

Cindy Gay, head of the Regatta Desk at the ministry, said it’s their aim,

as projected by Minister Sweeting, to showcase the youthful talent available in the country, just as they did for the Best-of-the-Best Regatta that was held in December.

She noted that the entertainment will be one that everyone would enjoy and she encouraged the Bahamian public to come out and support the rising stars of The Bahamas as they showcase their skills.

Sweeting said it’s hoped that the Sir Durward Knowles National Championships will be a beacon for future champions, inspiring them to set sail towards new horizons with courage, determination and a love for the sea. “Let the winds of competition propel our youth towards greatness, and may the legacy of Sir Durward Knowles continue to inspire generations to come,” he summed up.

“Fair winds and smooth seas to all participants. Let the championships begin.”

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, February 13, 2024, PAGE 15

CONTEST FOR YOUNG POETS

St Cecilia’s at a Rush

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Education Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net STUDENTS at St Cecilia’s Catholic School participated in Junkanoo rush out and cultural show to mark the end of Catholic School Week.

The week of festivities began with “Serving Sunday”, where staff, students and alumni attended the church of their choice with students proudly wearing their school uniform of a shirt with the school’s logo or name to church.

The students continued the celebrations all week and celebrated the conclusion of Catholic Schools

Week with a Junkanoo rush out and cultural show.

The excited students joined by teachers, administrators, parents and other supporters participated in two laps around the primary school’s campus before being entertained by artists such as Sweet Emily, Novie Pierre, and DMac. Consolidated Water (Bahamas) Ltd. (CWCO) made a donation to the school’s swag-a-thon which was in part aimed at promoting Bahamian culture.

Lavant Pratt, DJ Rev Sweeting, Ian AlleyneMcQuay, DJ Godson, Shaad Collie and The VIPs, and Ilsha McPhee were also involved in the cultural show.

YOUNG writers can participate in the 2024 Caribbean World Poetry Day Competition for 2024.

The Bahamas, Curaçao, British Virgin Islands, and St. Maarten National Commissions for UNESCO have joined forces to organize an online Caribbean World Poetry Day Competition for 2024.

This year’s theme is ‘The Impact of Climate Change in the Caribbean Region’ and the competition has four age groups, 6 to 8; 9 to 12; 13 to 17; and 18 plus.

Each country can submit two entries per country for each age group and a local panel of judges will select the finalists in each category.

Entries must be submitted in English. Poems must be typed. There is no line or word limit, and any poetry style can be used.

Must clearly identify the participants’ name, age range, name of school, and language.

The submission deadline is 20 February 2024 and entries can be sent to deidrebevans@bahamas.gov. bs.

YOUNGSTERS from St Cecilia’s during their Junkanoo rush out.

STUDENT T H SPOTLIG

TRAINING AGENCY LAUNCHES FIRST BOOTCAMP FOR CAREERS COHORT OF YEAR STUDENTS participated in a Bootcamp to explore Technical and Vocational Careers.

A group of twelfth grade students participated in a one-day Bootcamp put on by the Career and Technical Education (CTE) section of the Ministry of Education and Technical & Vocational Training (MOETVT).

The Bootcamp was one of the “flagship” activities for CTE Month, giving schools and industry partners an opportunity to showcase their offerings and capabilities in this area.

CTE comprises business studies, family and consumer science education (inclusive of hospitality and tourism studies

and cosmetology), and technical studies.

The theme for CTE Month 2024 is ‘Exploring Career Pathways, Finding Your Passion and Purpose.’

The month, which includes skill demonstrations and products, and job and tertiary opportunities, will be officially opened on Thursday, February 15.

THE National Training Agency launched its first cohort for 2024 in New Providence.

Students will undertake 14 weeks of Mandatory Workforce Preparation and Practical Skills instruction and will be trained in the areas of Allied Health, Auto Body Repair, Auto

Service & Care, Business Applications & Technology, Butler Service, Culinary & Baking, Food & Beverage, Housekeeping, Office Procedures and Teacher’s Aide.

Nearly 100 students have enrolled in the programme and once it is completed successful trainees will be assisted with job placement.

CRISTIN Dorsett is a twelfth-grade student at St Johns College.

Cristin is an honour roll student and is involved in numerous extracurricular activities such as serving as the Vice President of YEPWestern District, a junior Member of Parliament for the Golden Isles Constituency, an ambassador for the (BLYD) Bahamas Youth Leadership Development Programme and nursing cadets.

She also enjoys playing softball and is a JBLN Diva softball player.

• Do you know a student you’d like to nominate to feature in Student Spotlight?

Email details to jsimmons@ tribunemedia.net and celebrate our next generation.