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Volume: 120 No.199, October 18, 2023

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BAHAMAS STAYS ON EU BLACKLIST AG says ‘we are doing everything in our power to get it right’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Government yesterday accused the European Union (EU) of relying on outdated information to keep The Bahamas blacklisted, as a Cabinet minister said: “We’re doing everything in our power to get it right”.

Ryan Pinder KC, the attorney general, who

corniSh Sex aSSault caSe heading to SupreMe court

had previously voiced optimism that The Bahamas would be delisted this month, told Tribune Business the Davis administration was “rather disappointed but not surprised” that this nation has not been permitted to escape what is a 16 nationstrong tax ‘blacklist’.

He explained that the EU based its decision on an April 2023 report.

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrrolle@tribunemedia.net NORTH Abaco MP Kirk Cornish received his voluntary bill of indictment in his sexual assault case yesterday, signalling the advancement of his matter to the higher court.

He is scheduled to appear before Supreme Court Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson next week to enter a plea to charges of rape, assault and threats of death.

Cornish is accused of raping a woman at

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

‘Migrant Mother didn’t want her children to be deported’

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net ACTING Immigration Director William Pratt said three children fended for themselves in a shanty town earlier this month when their detained mother failed to reveal their existence because she feared they would be deported to

Haiti.

He said the children’s godmother later took them to immigration officials, where they were reunited with their mother.

The Tribune reported on the children after visiting the Kool Acres shanty town three days after authorities posted eviction notices and SEE PAGE FOUR

SEE PAGE THREE

Woman grieves brother’s fatal traffic accident DEANDRE WOODSIDE, aged 27, died in a vehicle accident on Monday. For story SEE PAGE FIVE.

Sign of the tiMeS for inquiry ahead?

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net THE government has acquired space in a vacant building on Bernard Road, the entrance to which says the “Commission of Inquiry”.

Office of the Prime Minister director of communications Latrae Rahming confirmed to The

SIGN on vacant space in Bernard Road plaza says Commision of Inquiry.

Tribune yesterday that the government is paying for

barnett-elliS: decriMinaliSe abortion in all inStanceS

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

the space, but he neither confirmed nor denied that it will be used for official inquiries into matters of public interest.

“The prime minister has addressed the issue of a Commission of Inquiry and his lack of satisfaction in getting the answers he needs to report back to the Bahamian people and has

ALTHOUGH an underground culture of abortion exists in The Bahamas, current and former prosecutors say people have rarely been prosecuted over the years for violating abortion laws.

An Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions official told The Tribune yesterday: “We haven’t had much in the past. I am only aware of two matters this year.”

On Monday, Dr Jamil

SEE PAGE THREE

SEE PAGE SEVEN

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, October 18, 2023, PAGE 3

Sign of the times for inquiry ahead? from page one left all possibilities on the table,” he said.

He did not reveal cost details for the space nor when it was acquired.

As leader of the opposition, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis promised a Commission of Inquiry into events surrounding Hurricane Dorian amid confusion about how many people died in the storm.

He told reporters this summer that he has not ruled out an inquiry because there are lessons to be learned from the experience.

Central and South Abaco MP John Pinder recently said he wants a formal inquiry, insisting the likely number of people who died is “substantially more than the 74-odd that are public”.

Free National Movement Chairman Dr Duane Sands believes the Davis administration is gearing up to “distract the public from their dismal performance in government” by seeking to “generate some sexy, salacious information”.

“I suspect they’re gonna go after the COVID discussion or the food programme or something else,” he said yesterday.

The Commissions of Inquiry Act empowers commissioners appointed by the Governor General to

summon and compel the attendance of witnesses, call for the production of documents, and examine people before them on oath.

A commission was last appointed in 1992 by the first Ingraham administration to examine the practices, procedures, policies, systems and mechanisms, financial and otherwise, of the Bahamas Holdings Limited, the Hotel Corporation of The Bahamas and The Bahamas Telecommunications Corporation.

In 2018, the Brickell Management Group, a real estate company, advertised the Bernard Road building complex on Facebook.

Prominent businessman and Island Luck CEO Sebas Bastian, the non-resident ambassador to the Central American Integration System, is the chairman of that company.

A representative of Brickell Management Group said yesterday that the company no longer deals with the property. She referred The Tribune to a top official at the Fox Group of Companies, but that person said they were unaware.

Former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said yesterday his administration had approved leasing the property to house the Road Traffic Department out of concern for structural challenges to the Thomas A Robinson Stadium. However, he said technocrats

A SIGN reading Commission of Inquiry appears in a plaza on Bernard Road. concluded there was insufficient parking, so the plan never materialised.

He said his Cabinet later approved the space for the

Surveillance Unit during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the government ultimately used the Melia Hotel instead.

He said he did not know if a contract to lease the space was ever formalised.

Public Service Minister Pia Glover-Rolle said the

Photo: Dante Carrer government is looking to move some departments into the complex but that the Ministry of Finance “has control of the project”.

NORTH ABACO MP CORNISH SEX ASSAULT FNM to ratify candidate for West GB and Bimini CASE HEADING TO SUPREME COURT

by Thursday of this week

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net

NORTH ABACO MP KIRK CORNISH from page one knifepoint on March 25 in New Providence.

Prosecutors also allege that he sexually assaulted the same woman at her Cooper’s Town, Abaco, residence on April 4 and

threatened to kill her and her family.

He is also accused of assaulting her in Cooper’s Town on January 20.

He was officially arraigned on the offences in the Magistrate’s Court on August 9.

The Supreme Court granted him $9k emergency bail with one or two sureties. He must sign in at a police station in Abaco once a week.

Owen Wells and Anthony McKinney represent him.

THE Free National Movement expects to ratify a candidate for the upcoming West Grand Bahama and Bimini by-election by the end of this week after at least one person applied for the party’s nomination: Bishop Ricardo Grant.

The FNM had an executive meeting last night during which Bishop Grant’s biography was read, according to a source familiar with the matter.

The Central Council is expected to vote to ratify the candidate on Thursday.

The party’s application process ended at 5pm yesterday.

This newspaper understands that at least eight people applied for the nomination in the Progressive Liberal Party, which ended at midnight. They include previously reported names: Shane Gibson, Kingsley Smith, Paco Deal, Samuel Brown and Robert Grant.

Lewis Astwood, an applicant in 2021, also reportedly applied, as did Caleb Outten, a former senator and businessman.

The PLP is expected to interview hopefuls this week.

A date for the by-election has not been announced.

The election follows the unexpected death of Obie Wilchcombe last month.

While the race for the PLP nomination has been suspenseful, the situation

in the FNM has appeared to be a foregone conclusion since the Central Council on September 28 unanimously voted to contest the seat.

Mr Grant has been endorsed by Pakesia ParkerEdgecombe, the MP for the constituency between 2017 and 2021. Photos have captured the two campaigning.

Last week, Bishop Grant told this newspaper he believes his work as a religious leader is a solid foundation for launching a political career.

“When it comes to service and servitude, who better to speak to service and servitude like a minister,” he said. “That’s what we’ve been bred to do.”

‘Migrant mother didn’t want her children to be deported’ PAGE 4, Wednesday, October 18, 2023

from page one

apprehended numerous people on October 2.

One of the children, Clifton Charite, 12, said his siblings were at school when their mother was taken. They did not attend school the days after because no one was there to give them money.

“It is our practice,” Mr Pratt said in an e-mail yesterday, “to interview the female detainees, and once they advise the officers that they have children, we will arrange through family members and/or friends of the detainee to connect the mother with the children. It is not our practice to remove children from the school, hence, a more private and humane arrangement is made to the benefit of the child.

“Note that in some cases, the female detainee is deliberate in not informing the officers of their children because they wish for them not to be deported to Haiti along with them if that is the decision to be made by the department. They would prefer for them to remain in The Bahamas with a family member.”

Mr Pratt said in the case of the three children, the mother “admitted that she did not want the children to be repatriated.”

He estimated that 69 people were apprehended when eviction notices were

posted in Kool Acres and All Saints Way, including 68 Haitians and one American.

“In the Kool Acres community, we arrested 19 Haitian males, six Haitian females, one Haitian female child and one Haitian male child,” he said. “In the Golden Isles Unregulated Community, we arrested 22 Haitian males, 12 Haitian females, three Haitian female children, and four Haitian male children, along with one male American national.”

“These persons have already appeared before the Magistrate’s Court on the offences of overstaying and illegal landing. In some cases, subjects were given a fine or a custodial sentence at The Bahamas Department of Corrections.

“Those that were returned to immigration custody were most likely a part of our last repatriation exercise which took place on Wednesday 11, October 2023 when we repatriated a total of 67 Haitian nationals to Port au Prince, Haiti.”

Mr Pratt did not say whether the three siblings and their mother were repatriated.

The Bahamas has resisted international calls to halt repatriations amid instability in Haiti, which has been overrun by gang violence.

The government’s longstanding pledge to eradicate

THE TRIBUNE

MIGRANT mother picked up in a raid of Kool Acres shanty community did not admit to having children, which acting Immigration Director William Pratt says is not an uncommon practice as they don’t want their children to be repatriated. shanty towns has often been hindered, usually by court orders.

However, a ruling from Chief Justice Ian Winder

earlier this year paved the way for the minister of works to initiate a process under the Buildings Regulation Act.

On the day immigration officers posted eviction notices in two shanty towns, authorities also demolished the home of Aviole

Francois-Burrows in All Saints Way in accordance with a court ruling from May, sending a chilling message to residents.

BAHAMIAN WHO ESCAPED ISRAEL WANTS TO SEE PEACE BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net A BAHAMIAN who was stuck in Israel days after a war erupted there said he visited Palestine during his trip and wants to see peace between the two countries.

A wide-ranging conflict exploded on October 7 after Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, attacked Israel.

Hostilities have escalated since, with over 1,300 Israelis and more than 2,200 Palestinians killed.

Yesterday, an air strike reportedly killed hundreds at a Gaza hospital, though the source of the attack was disputed.

Howard Evans visited Israel on October 1st to strengthen his relationship with God before his birthday on October 8. He was one of three Bahamians known to be in that country when the fighting started.

With the help of the Canadian government, he left Israel on Monday for

Greece.

He said during his trip, he visited historic religious sites in Palestine and ate at a restaurant there: Segafredo Zanetti.

“To be honest, I found the Palestinians, at least in the area that I was in, they were full of hospitality and kindness,” he said yesterday, adding that the Israeli people were also kind.

Mr Evans said he saw signs of tension between the Palestinians and Israelis, with some locals telling tourists about the developing conflict between the two countries.

He said one Israeli tour guide told him his country needed peace more than ever. He said he saw his Israeli tour guide peacefully interact with Palestinians.

“My view is that there should be peace between the two sides,” he said, “because I was able to see how Israelis and Palestinians or Jews were able to co-exist.”

“The Palestinians are the sons of Ishmael, right in the Bible, and Israeli Jews are

the sons of Isaac. So really, they are brothers and sisters fighting amongst themselves, so there should be some sort of reconciliation for them to be able to work together, coexist, and bring peace to the region.”

Earlier this month, CARICOM called for a ceasefire in the conflict.

“The recent round of hostilities reflects the pain and suffering of ancient quarrels,” CARICOM said. “The ongoing harsh conditions under which the Palestinians live in veritable colonialism and Israel’s sense of insecurity will contribute to a cycle of violence until those realities are definitively addressed.

“Accordingly, CARICOM continues to support the United Nations Security Council Resolution 242 and the ongoing efforts of the United Nations towards a two-state solution as the best way to achieve comprehensive peace, security and tranquillity between Israel and Palestine.”

PHOTO of Howard Evans taken while vacationing in Israel.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, October 18, 2023, PAGE 5

‘I still don’t believe it’, says sister of man who died in a traffic accident on Monday

DEAN DRE WOODSIDE, aged 27, died in a vehicle accident on Monday.

By LETRE SWEETING Tribune Staff Reporter lsweeting@tribunemedia.net AFTER a crash claimed the lives of a man and a woman, a grieving sister said she is still catching her breath from the shock of losing her brother and his girlfriend.

On Monday, Latonya Marshall’s brother, Deandre Woodside, 27, was heading north on East Street South

on a black motorcycle.

His girlfriend and another woman were with him when they collided with a vehicle trying to overtake another car on the other side of the road.

The incident near Calvary Deliverance Church resulted in the death of Deandre and his girlfriend. The third passenger is in hospital with serious injuries.

Ms Marshall said she couldn’t breathe when she

heard the news.

“This is a lot for me to process right now because it’s still fresh,” she said. “I was hurt, shocked. I literally couldn’t breathe. As a matter of fact, I still don’t believe it.”

She said she last heard from her brother on Saturday night. She said he had been staying with her in New Providence, though she works on Andros and was on that island when they last

spoke.

“He was just talking to me, and he said, I’m going out by the tracks,” she said.

“I was always telling him be safe, be safe, and I told him I loved him.”

She said though Deandre was unemployed, he worked sometimes as a painter. She said his landlord recently offered him a job opportunity to help get his life back together.

“He was getting $100 a

week, and he was just trying turn his life around,” she said.

“This would have been the third week that he was working with the landlord.

That was something good, and I always used to tell him how proud I am of him.”

Ms Marshall said her brother was a “hustler that loved riding bikes”. She said he was the life of the party, brightening any room.

This crash is one of two

deadly traffic incidents this week.

Several hours after the incident, a black Nissan Juke collided with a white Chevy Express Bus near the London Bridge on Queen’s Highway in Andros.

Police reported that a local doctor determined the driver of the black Nissan Juke, a 29-year-old American man from Tallahassee, Florida, died of his injuries on the scene.

PAGE 6, Wednesday, October 18, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

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What will this ‘Commission of Inquiry’ look into?

SHARP eyes spotted what could be called a sign of the times at a complex off Bernard Road.

A sign, half hidden, has gone up on a long-empty development there. The sign reads “Commission of Inquiry”.

Of course, no such commission exists. Yet. What will such a commission explore? Well, there are various possibilities. In this column, we have agreed with the call from Central and South Abaco John Pinder for a formal inquiry to establish how many people really died in Hurricane Dorian.

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis in opposition promised a commission into the events surrounding Hurricane Dorian. He said in the summer that he has not ruled out an inquiry – although so far he has not ruled it in either.

It would not be out of line to consider such a commission into the handling of COVID-19 in The Bahamas – so that we might better learn how to handle such matters in future, heaven forbid such wisdom would be needed.

Then there are the unlikely options – we doubt the government is heeding our February 2020 call for a commission to sift through the allegations surrounding Peter Nygard, including claims Mr Nygard was able to carry out his alleged crimes protected by a screen of senior politicians and police.

The value of a commission is to thoroughly bring to light issues that deserve to be dealt with. The lack of closure suffered by relatives of those who died in Hurricane Dorian demands answers – but it is not just

about grief, it is about allowing individuals to move on, to resolve necessary paperwork to be able to confirm a death. That can have an affect on other people’s lives in terms of wills, all manner of documentation requiring proof of death, it can stop people remarrying, and so on.

That there is a place for such a commission is understandable – but it is curious that the build-up to it is so quiet if the issues are so pressing and demanding of answers.

What we don’t need is a side show that is intended to dig up dirt ahead of an election. If there is dirt to be had, it ought to be exposed, by all means – but the last thing relatives need is their situation of genuine grief being used for political point scoring.

We hope that is far from the case.

There is a curious side story to all of this, too.

Those who have driven past that Bernard Road complex have doubtless wondered over the years why it has been standing there empty so long.

If the government is renting it, it would be intriguing to know how long it has been rented and how much we have paid overall – plus who is being paid. It should be easy enough to check the contract and let people know.

Former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis suggested it had been approved as a location for Road Traffic under his administration but then deemed insufficient. We hope we have not been forking out for an empty space since then. Money for nothing is of no help to our pockets.

A PALESTINIAN boy sits on the rubble of his building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in Nuseirat camp in the central Gaza Strip on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023.

Photo: Hatem Moussa/AP

EV battery fires, are we ready?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

LITHIUM batteries … they can catch fire … what if my neighbour has an EV car which catches fire and causes fire damage to my property? What if he adds a electricity battery unit, lithium, to his solar panels? Electric bikes same. I hear certain Insurance providers are refusing to cover anything EV. Watched a TV news item recently, honestly scared me as in the cases - actual - the fire damage was extensive and neighbours are still in court.

Don’t think as yet we have had any EV vehicle fires … hope Fire

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net Services knows not to use water....water and lithium are explosive - are there re-assurances that the Fire Service can quickly control a lithium fire in my neighbour’s property - car - solar batteries Eve bike?

What if casually parked in a parking lot and the car parked next to mine an EV catches fire?

Should EV’s have special parking areas?

AG needs to start looking at this asap - please before we start having incidents and also of serious legal problems.

Should EV vehicles be banned from being parked in carports and closed in garages? Makes sense if there is a fire the home will not go up in smoke.

There is an issue here it needs addressing. What if the Insurance providers see your neighbour’s use of EV’s Lithium batteries as a risk to your property and increases your risk and premium?

Strong objection to PI Wendy’s PITDA is opposed to Wendy’s RE: Psomi Holdings, Proposed Change of Use (Restaurant) Warm Comfort Greetings from Paradise!

EDITOR, The Tribune.

COMFORT Suites Paradise Island strongly object to the conversion of the former Scotia Bank building to Wendy’s and Marco’s Pizza fast food restaurants.

It is indeed our position that tranquil exclusive resort haven of Paradise Island will be negatively

impacted by additional fast-food outlets.

Principle areas of concern include the expected congestion and parking problem anticipated with the opening of two new fast-food restaurants. There are significant parking concerns now, even with the closure of the Scotia Bank Paradise Island Branch. This situation will increase substantially with the addition of the proposed facility.

In addition, there may be possible environmental concerns namely the disposal of grease and the increase presence of rodents that is synonymous with such food and beverage outlets.

Comfort Suites Paradise Island continues to be in opposition to the proposed development.

JERMAINE WRIGHT General Manager, Nassau, October 13, 2023

C

Paradise Island Tourism Dev. Assoc. Objection Letter to Wendy’s/Marcos Pizza Development EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE Paradise Island Tourism Development Association (PITDA) and its member hotels and partners – Atlantis Paradise Island, Bay View Suites Paradise Island, Comfort Suites Paradise Island, Paradise Island Beach Club, The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, Paradise Landing, and Ocean Club Estates – strongly oppose the development and opening of Wendy’s and Marco’s Pizza on Paradise Island.

Paradise Island represents carefree days, relaxing white sand beaches, warm turquoise-blue water, natural attractions, oneof-a-kind amenities, world-class resorts and

hotels, and celebrity-chef restaurants. Ours is an extremely successful formula that employs many thousands of Bahamians.

Paradise Island is not about fast-food restaurants and cheap menu offerings, and these two brands do not convey what our island truly is … Paradise! If the development of these two restaurants is allowed, then it will open the floodgates to other fast-food restaurants opening on Paradise Island, thus damaging the overall Paradise Island brand, future tourism growth and local food vendors.

In addition, when visitors arrive onto Paradise Island, one of the first things they’ll see are these fast-food locations with windows draped in advertisements for cheap hamburgers and pizza.

Not exactly what someone

PAULA MINNS Nassau, October 15, 2023.

who’s paid thousands of dollars for a vacation in paradise would want to see as they arrive onto the island. This is not to mention the likely impact on the already overwhelming, ongoing traffic issues and parking shortages, which will no doubt end up further backing up traffic at the exit bridge at peak hours.

Any development that damages the Paradise Island brand, ultimately harms the thousands of families that are supported by our members. Again, PITDA strongly opposes these, or any, fast-food restaurant chains opening on Paradise Island!

GLENN A HADDAD Executive Vice President, Paradise Island Tourism Development Association.

Nassau, October 13, 2023.

Barnett-Ellis: Decriminalise abortion in all instances THE TRIBUNE

from page one

Minnis, the son of former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, was charged with helping a 15-yearold girl from Harbour Island get an abortion, prompting discussion throughout the country partly because of the rareness of the charge.

In addition to the gynaecologist, the 15-year-old girl’s mother and sister were also charged, with their arraignment coming a month after Alonzo Pinder was charged with having unlawful sexual intercourse with the girl.

In August, the mother of an 11-year-old girl allegedly raped by her stepfather was charged with causing harm to commit an abortion.

Free National Movement Senator Michela Barnett-Ellis said yesterday the country should decriminalise abortion in all cases and that doctors and parents should be left alone.

“It is our body,” she said. “She’s a 15-yearold. Yes, there are lots of teenage mothers who do well in life, but you know you’re closing opportunities.”

“I am aware of a recent decision where they found a doctor negligent in actions that resulted in an abortion, and he wasn’t charged, so we all have to wonder what’s the thinking behind this prosecution.”

“We shouldn’t be afraid. Someone should not be reluctant to seek

Wednesday, October 18, 2023, PAGE 7

medical help, and at the end of the day, that’s what it boils down to.

We should never create an environment where someone is reluctant to get medical help.”

It is unclear whether the Davis administration will tackle the abortion issue.

In August, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said he believes abortion is a personal choice.

He said changing the law so someone who is raped can get an abortion is a “medical matter” he would consider.

Several other Davis administration officials called for abortion laws to be reviewed, but the administration has made no public move that would suggest it is considering changing the law.

Some religious leaders oppose changing the status quo and would likely fight any move to do so.

Great Commission Ministries founder Bishop Walter Hanchell characterized abortion yesterday as murder. He said he opposes amending the law regardless of the circumstances of a pregnancy.

“The police should’ve been following up on the law and enforcing the law years ago,” he said.

“This thing has been happening for decades.

This hasn’t just started, and it’s become an acceptable behaviour, but wrong is wrong.

“The police need to

SENATOR Michela Barnett-Ellis said yesterday the country should decriminalise abortion in all cases and that doctors and parents should be left alone. enforce every case. If you’re going to go after one case, investigate all.

Charge whoever needs to be charged before the courts because it’s a crime.”

PAGE 8, Wednesday, October 18, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

Access to abortion and therapy is fundamental ABORTION is in the news again. This time, a doctor, along with two women, have been charged for providing an abortion.

The patient is reportedly a 15-year-old. Two months ago, there was a similar report on a mother who was charged for providing a medical abortion (using pills) for her 11-year-old child. It was also reported that she was impregnated, which means that she was raped, by her mother’s boyfriend.

The discussion about this story and the larger topic of abortion is disturbing.

Some people focus on what they believe to be the illegality of abortion rather than the sexual violence against the girls, the horror of pregnancy at their ages, the potential health risks of such early pregnancies, and the right to bodily autonomy (which, it must be noted, is not complicated by their legal inability to consent).

The pregnancy of these girls, and many others, is an indication of several failures. These cases show us that girls are at-risk of sexual violence. In at least one of the cases, we see that girls are at-risk in their own households, and are being raped —that is the correct word for these acts — by family members and people who have been trusted to participate in the provision of their care. We see that comprehensive sexuality education is necessary, and that it must include information on the law and the legal age of consent as well as the gap between it and the age at which people can access healthcare without parents/guardians, and ways to safely report rape and other forms of sexual violence, especially if the rapist lives with the child.

The conversations demonstrate that far too many people do not care about girls. They are not concerned about their lives, much less their health. They do not understand and do not care to consider their mental health. They are unwilling to consider the fact that abortion is healthcare, and that it is the best option for many women, whether they have been sexually violated, are unwilling and/or unable to remain pregnant, or are not in a situation that is conducive to pregnancy, childbirth, or parenting. The right to choose what happens to our bodies is central to the rights of women and girls.

The girls who recently had abortions were not able to choose — given their inability to consent to sex — what happened to their bodies when they were raped, and

By Alicia Wallace some people would have it so that they also cannot choose what happens to their bodies when they have an unwanted pregnancy resulting from that violation.

The anti-abortion position is dangerous, not only for the girls who are raped, but for all women and girls.

We have the right to make decisions about our own bodies. The barriers put in place by the law and by individual doctors and health centres do not strike down those rights, but limit access to them. It is nonsensical that they not only refuse to provide abortions, but they refuse to provide tubal ligation. This is not and has never been about morals or about lives, but about control —specifically control of women’s bodies. Women do not exist to reproduce.

Women are human beings with human rights. States and doctors who refuse to provide abortion on demand drive women and girls to seek services elsewhere, usually at a higher cost and lower safety. As has been proven for decades, people who need abortions will find ways to get them.

It is the responsibility of the government to ensure that access to abortion is safe.

This administration has proven, through the shelving of the Gender-based Violence bill and the passing of the weak “Protection Against Violence” Act, that it is uninterested in taking necessary action to end violence against women and girls, so this ought not to be a surprise, but it is upsetting. Anywhere that the rights of women and girls are restricted or denied, a red flag waves. This country, viewed from any direction, is on fire.

Which leads me to this: Everyone needs therapy.

Therapy is, thankfully, becoming more common and acceptable, not only in The Bahamas, but worldwide. It is not just for people who are sad, troubled, or need medication to manage chemical imbalances. It is for everyone who is facing challenges as they navigate life. That means everyone.

We could all benefit from a safe place to talk, honestly, about what has happened, what is happening, and what (we think) will happen. We could all use guidance and tools from someone who

does not know us in any other way and has nothing to gain aside from their well-earned pay. It is a good idea to look for a therapist before you feel as though you need one. Having a therapist who already understands your family dynamics, your workalike, your challenges, and your goals is incredibly helpful when you experience loss or have a crisis to navigate.

You do not have to start from the beginning and build context. For some, however, the need must be pressing for them to act.

Here are six signs that you need a therapist sooner than later.

1. You have recently experienced a traumatic event. It could be an act of violence, a horrific accident, or another shocking or dangerous experience that not only causes fear in the moment that it happens, but stays with you long after the event itself has ended and you are out of (immediate) danger.

The three main types of trauma are acute (one-time event), chronic (repeated), and complex (varied and invasive events), and they can all result in the return of the fear the event first caused, avoidance of certain circumstances and environments, and hyper-reactions to events that seem similar or anything that seems like a sign that the incident(s) could occur again. A therapist can help you.

2. You know you are still impacted by a traumatic event that took place a long time ago. Many people experienced trauma early in life, and there are ways that trauma from childhood can shape our worlds and make our worlds smaller.

They can also lead people to behave in aggressive, harmful ways as they try to (re)claim power. Sometimes people do not even remember the traumatic events that impact their lives, or are not aware of the impact that events they do remember have had and continue to have on them. Therapists are trained to ask questions that help people to reflect on events and consider the effects those events have had, and they can create treatment plans. Sometimes they make referrals to other therapists whose practices may be better suited to the client’s needs.

3. Talking to family and friends is not enough. We build communities for ourselves, and we determine who, within our communities, are the people with whom it is safe to talk. We talk to people and hear the advice they give, and we eventually work out who gives the best advice in which areas. There can come a time, however, that the advice from family members and friends it not enough. They do not always have the skills or experience to offer the best advice.

Sometimes, what we need is not advice, but gentle, productive questioning. We often need someone who is impartial and can more easily tell us when we are wrong. In many cases, the advice we receive from family members and friends is based on incomplete information. A therapist must be non-judgmental, must listen with intent, and must work to show you yourself. They help you to see where there is room for growth, and they guide you through that intentional process. You can be honest with a therapist in a way that you may never be honest with your parent, sibling, cousin, or best friend.

4. You are going through a transition. We know that life brings changes our way, some of which we choose, and others we have little control over. While we may expect or plan for certain changes, actually going through them can be quite difficult. New jobs take time to settle into and there are often many factors involved, from people and the physical environment to tools and work culture. New relationships have their own learning curves, and ending relationships present a wide range of challenges.

Moving, pursuing a certificate, diploma, or degree,

change in diet, and a change in income level can all be difficult to navigate. While many will say these changes are all a part of life, we do not have to go through them alone or without the tools to make it easier. A therapist can prepare you for what is ahead and provide a safe space for you to share thoughts and feelings about what is and is not happening, and they can point you to helpful resources.

5. You think you may have a mental health condition.

More and more, people are talking about their mental health diagnoses. On social media, in text and in video, people share the symptoms that led them to see a mental health professional. Some acknowledge that they struggled for a long time, not knowing “what was wrong with [them]” for years, so they are happy to share that the odd things they thought were specific to them are actually experienced by other people with the same or similar diagnoses. It is often a relief to get a diagnosis. It, for many people, makes everything easier to understand, and they have a way to explain their interactions and reactions with other people. Naming a mental health condition is not always about getting medication, but about

understanding who we are, how we function best, and what accommodations we need to be comfortable, creative, healthy and, in some cases, productive.

6. You have unhealthy coping mechanisms. We sometimes learn ways to cope when we are very young, by the way we are comforted by adults around us and the way we observe them when they are at rest or otherwise enjoying themselves. We sometimes try to “cancel out” the bad feelings with something that makes us feel good, neglecting to solve the underlying issue that results in the negative feelings.

We may resort to alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, sugar, comfort food, and exercise in excess. We reach for the things that we can afford and that have comparatively lower barriers to access. People with more money and connections may choose differently.

Still, the issues do not disappear. A therapist can help with identifying triggers and the issues to which they are connected, and they can recommend new practices for us to respond to them. This is, of course, not an overnight change, but a longterm process of identifying and addressing rather than avoiding and covering.

RECOMMENDATIONS 1. A letter to the friendships I have lost and will lose, by Ijeoma Olio. This blog post can be found through a Substack link on the homepage of ijeomaoluo.com.

2. Read Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo with Feminist Book Club, coordinated by Poinciana Paper Press and Equality Bahamas, and discuss it with the group at Poinciana Paper Press, 12 Parkgate Road on November 16 at 6pm.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, October 18, 2023, PAGE 9

TECHTALK SONY’S ACCESS CONTROLLER FOR THE CHINESE SEARCH COMPANY PLAYSTATION AIMS TO MAKE GAMING ENGINE BAIDU UNVEILS ERNIE 4.0 AI MODEL, CLAIMS EASIER FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES THAT IT RIVALS GPT-4

By BARBARA ORTUTAY AP Technology Writer

SAN MATEO, Calif. (AP) — Paul Lane uses his mouth, cheek and chin to push buttons and guide his virtual car around the “Gran Turismo” racetrack on the PlayStation 5. It’s how he’s been playing for the past 23 years, after a car accident left him unable to use his fingers.

Playing video games has long been a challenge for people with disabilities, chiefly because the standard controllers for the PlayStation, Xbox or Nintendo can be difficult, or even impossible, to maneuver for people with limited mobility. And losing the ability to play the games doesn’t just mean the loss of a favourite pastime, it can also exacerbate social isolation in a community already experiencing it at a far higher rate than the general population.

As part of the gaming industry’s efforts to address the problem, Sony has developed the Access controller for the PlayStation, working with input from Lane and other accessibility consultants. Its the latest addition to the accessible-controller market, whose contributors range from Microsoft to startups and even hobbyists with 3D printers.

“I was big into sports before my injury,” said Cesar Flores, 30, who uses a wheelchair since a car accident eight years ago and also consulted Sony on the controller. “I wrestled in high school, played football.

I lifted a lot of weights, all these little things. And even though I can still train in certain ways, there are physical things that I can’t do anymore. And when I play video games, it reminds me that I’m still human. It reminds me that I’m still one of the guys.”

Putting the traditional controller aside, Lane, 52, switches to the Access. It’s a round, customisable gadget that can rest on a table or wheelchair tray and can be configured in myriad ways, depending on what the user needs. That includes switching buttons and thumbsticks, programming special controls and pairing two controllers to be used as one.

Lane’s “Gran Turismo” car zooms around a digital track as he guides it with the back of his hand on the controller.

“I game kind of weird, so it’s comfortable for me to be able to use both of my hands when I game,” he said. “So

PAUL Amadeus Lane uses a Sony Access controller to play a PlayStation 5 video game at Sony Interactive Entertainment headquarters in San Mateo, California. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

I need to position the controllers away enough so that I can be able to to use them without clunking into each other. Being able to maneuver the controllers has been awesome, but also the fact that this controller can come out of the box and ready to work.”

Lane and other gamers have been working with Sony since 2018 to help design the Access controller. The idea was to create something that could be configured to work for people with a broad range of needs, rather than focusing on any particular disability.

“Show me a person with multiple sclerosis and I’ll show you a person who can be hard of hearing, I can show someone who has a visual impairment or a motor impairment,” said Mark Barlet, founder and executive director of the nonprofit AbleGamers. “So thinking on the label of a disability is not the approach to take.

It’s about the experience that players need to bridge that gap between a game and a controller that’s not designed for their unique presentation in the world.”

Barlet said his organisation, which helped both Sony and Microsoft with their accessible controllers, has been advocating for gamers with disabilities for nearly two decades. With the advent of social media, gamers themselves have been able to amplify the message and address creators directly in

By ZEN SOO AP Technology Writer HONG KONG (AP) — Chinese search engine and artificial intelligence firm Baidu on Tuesday unveiled a new version of its artificial intelligence model, Ernie 4.0, claiming that it rivals models such as GPT-4 in the U.S. Baidu’s CEO Robin Li demonstrated Ernie 4.0 at the company’s annual Baidu World conference in Beijing.

He said the model has achieved comprehension, reasoning, memory and generation, which uses algorithms to produce and create new content.

Li said that Ernie 4.0 was able to understand complex questions and instructions and apply reasoning and logic to generate answers to questions.

“It is not inferior in any aspect to GPT-4,” Li said, stating that the latest model was “significantly improved” compared to its original Ernie Bot model.

In a live demonstration, Li prompted Ernie 4.0 to generate advertising materials including advertising posters and a marketing video. He also asked Ernie 4.0 to come up with a martial arts novel complete with characters with various personalities.

Baidu is a frontrunner among a slew of Chinese companies racing to come up with artificial intelligence models, after OpenAI’s ChatGPT took the world by storm last year.

Beijing sees artificial intelligence as a key industry to rival the United States and aims to become a global leader by 2030.

TOP FREE iPHONE APPS (US): MARTIN SHANE, right, customises the button layout on the Sony Access controller before playing a video game at Sony Interactive Entertainment headquarters.

(AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) forums that did not exist before.

“The last five years I have seen the game accessibility movement go from indie studios working on some features to triple-A games being able to be played by people who identify as blind,” he said. “In five years, it’s been breathtaking.”

Microsoft, in a statement, said it was encouraged by the positive reaction to its Xbox Adaptive controller when it was released in 2018 and that it is “heartening to see others in the industry apply a similar approach to include more players in their work through a focus on accessibility.”

The Access controller will go on sale worldwide on Dec. 6 and cost $90 in the U.S. Alvin Daniel, a senior technical programme manager at PlayStation, said the device was designed with three principles in mind to make it “broadly applicable” to as many players as possible.

First, the player does not have to hold the controller to use it. It can lay flat on a table, wheelchair tray or

be mounted on a tripod, for instance. It was important for it to fit on a wheelchair tray, since once something falls off the tray, it might be impossible for the player to pick it up without help. It also had to be durable for this same reason — so it would survive being run over by a wheelchair, for example.

Second, it’s much easier to press the buttons than on a standard controller. It’s a kit, so it comes with button caps in different sizes, shapes and textures so people can experiment with reconfiguring it the way it works best for them. The third is the thumbsticks, which can also be configured depending on what works for the person using it.

Because it can be used with far less agility and strength than the standard PlayStation controller, the Access could also be a gamechanger for an emerging population: aging gamers suffering from arthritis and other limiting ailments.

“The last time I checked, the average age of a gamers was in their forties,” Daniel said. “And I have every

expectation, speaking for myself, that they’ll want to continue to game, as I’ll want to continue to game, because it’s entertainment for us.”

After his accident, Lane stopped gaming for seven years. For someone who began playing video games as a young child on the Magnavox Odyssey — released in 1972 — “it was a void” in his life, he said.

Starting again, even with the limitations of a standard game controller, felt like being reunited with a “long lost friend.”

“Just the the social impact of gaming really changed my life. It gave me a a brighter disposition,” Lane said.

He noted the social isolation that often results when people who were once ablebodied become disabled.

“Everything changes,” he said. “And the more you take away from us, the more isolated we become. Having gaming and having an opportunity to game at a very high level, to be able to do it again, it is like a reunion, (like losing) a close companion and being able to reunite with that person again.”

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PAGE 10, Wednesday, October 18, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

US Embassy-funded Academy of Women Entrepreneurs programme launches in GB

50 women entrepreneurs in Grand Bahama will have an opportunity to win a grant the the US Embassy’s Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) programme which launcged last week.

Photos: US Embassy

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Staff Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net SOME 50 women entrepreneurs in Grand Bahama will have an opportunity to win grant funding through the US Embassy’s Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) programme.

The programme, funded by the US Embassy, was launched in Grand Bahama last week in partnership with the Small Business Development Centre and the Women’s Investment Group. It will continue for 16 weeks.

Suemayah Abu-doleh, a public affairs officer at

the US Embassy, said 50 participants were selected this year to mark 50 years of relations between the US and The Bahamas and the 50th anniversary of the Independence of The Bahamas.

Ms Abu-doleh said interest in the programme has been high.

She noted the Embassy is embarking on a ‘Just Road Tour’ to visit islands outside of New Providence.

To get the grant, participants must be over 18 and a resident of Grand Bahama.

They don’t have to have a business, only an idea.

For business persons, the company must be majority

Bahamian-owned.

Samantha Rolle, executive director of Access Accelerator Small Business Development Centre, said the AWE programme is beneficial because it provides grant funding to help women entrepreneurs.

At the end of the programme, she said attendees

will participate in a pitch competition where grant funding will be available for winners.

Although everyone will not get grant funding, Mr Rolle said participants would receive invaluable information from facilitators, industry experts and mentors.

ABACO MAN HELD ON SUSPICION OF ILLEGAL DRUG POSSESSION POLICE officers in Abaco arrested a 25-yearold man after finding a quantity of illegal drugs and large sums of cash at a residence in Dundas Town.

According to reports, officers executed a search warrant shortly after 7pm on Monday at a residence off Forest Drive and found

suspected marijuana, cocaine and cash of mixed currencies believed to be the proceeds of crime.

Police reported that the marijuana weighed 166 grams and was valued at $830. The cocaine weighed 34 grams, valued at $850.

Investigations continue into the matter.

BAHAMAS CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT WELCOMES 55 NEW OFFICERS

BAHAMAS Customs & Excise Department welcomed new trainees in an Opening Ceremony for Induction Class #1 of 2023 on Monday at Customs Headquarters. Speakers were acting comptroller of Customs Ralph Munroe and Financial Secretary Simon Wilson. Mr Munroe welcomed 55 new trainee Customs Officers in New Providence and 29 in Grand Bahama, lamenting that the ranks had been reduced by 65-70 officers in some seven years because of resignation, retirement and death, during which time there have been two general elections, two major Category 5 hurricanes, and global pandemic: "We therefore welcome to our family with open arms this fine cohort of young men and women who represent some of our nation's finest and assure them that they have made the best decision by joining us here in the Customs Department to collect and protect the country's revenue."

Photos: Patrick Hanna/BIS

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, October 18, 2023, PAGE 11

Blast kills hundreds at Gaza hospital; Hamas and Israel trade blame GAZA STRIP Associated Press

A MASSIVE blast rocked a Gaza City hospital packed with wounded and other Palestinians seeking shelter Tuesday, killing hundreds of people, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said. Hamas blamed an Israeli airstrike, while the Israeli military said the hospital was hit by a rocket misfired by Palestinian militants.

The health ministry said at least 500 people had been killed. Video that The Associated Press confirmed was from the hospital showed fire engulfing the building and the hospital’s grounds strewn with torn bodies, many of them young children.

Around them in the grass were blankets, school backpacks and other belongings.

The carnage came as the US tried to convince Israel to allow the delivery of supplies to desperate civilians, aid groups and hospitals in the tiny Gaza Strip, which has been under a complete siege since Hamas’ deadly rampage in southern Israel last week. It also came a day before President Joe Biden was due to visit the region to show support for Israel and try to prevent the war from spreading.

Hundreds of Palestinians had taken refuge in al-Ahli and other hospitals in Gaza City in past days, hoping they would be spared bombardment after Israel ordered all residents of the city and surrounding areas to evacuate to the southern Gaza Strip.

Hamas called Tuesday’s hospital strike “a horrific massacre,” saying it was caused by an Israeli strike.

The Israeli military, however, said Palestinian militants had fired a barrage of rockets near the hospital at the time. “Intelligence from multiple sources we have in our hands indicates that Islamic Jihad is responsible for the failed rocket launch,” it said.

Ambulances and private cars rushed some 350 casualties from the al-Ahli blast to Gaza City’s main hospital, alShifa, already overwhelmed with wounded from other strikes, said its director, Mohammed Abu Selmia.

The wounded were laid onto bloody floors, screaming in pain.

“We are squeezing five beds into a single tiny room.

We need equipment, we need medicine, we need beds, we need anaesthesia, we need everything,” Abu Selmia said, warning that the fuel supply for the hospital’s generators will run out Wednesday. “I think Gaza’s medical sector will collapse within hours.”

Before the al-Alhi Hospital deaths, Israeli strikes on Gaza killed at least 2,778 people and wounded 9,700, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Nearly twothirds of those killed were children, a ministry official

said. Another 1,200 people across Gaza are believed to be buried under the rubble, alive or dead, health authorities said.

Hamas’ Oct. 7, attack in southern Israel killed more than 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and took some 200 captive into Gaza. Hamas militants in Gaza have launched rockets every day since, aiming at cities across Israel.

In protest over the purported airstrike, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas cancelled his participation in a meeting with Biden, Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Egypt’s president set for Wednesday in Amman, Jordan to discuss the war.

Abbas’ Palestinian Authority runs parts of the West Bank.

Hundreds of Palestinians flooded the streets of major West Bank cities including Ramallah, the seat of the Palestinian Authority, where protesters hurled stones at Palestinian security forces who fired back with stun grenades. Hundreds of people joined protests that erupted in Beirut and Amman, where an angry crowd gathered outside the Israeli Embassy.

With tens of thousands of troops massed along the border, Israel has been expected to launch a ground invasion into Gaza — but plans remained uncertain.

“We are preparing for the next stages of war,” military spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht said. “We haven’t said what they will be. Everybody’s talking about a ground offensive. It might be something different.”

Throughout the day Tuesday, airstrikes killed dozens of civilians and at least one senior Hamas figure in the southern half of the Gaza Strip, where the Israeli military had told Palestinians to evacuate to. An Associated Press reporter saw around 50 bodies brought to Nasser Hospital after strikes in the southern city of Khan Younis.

An airstrike in Deir al Balah reduced a house to rubble, killing a man and 11 women and children inside and in a neighbouring house, some of whom had evacuated from Gaza City.

Witnesses said there was no warning before the strike.

Shelling from Israeli tanks hit a UN school in central Gaza where 4,000 Palestinians had taken refuge, killing six people and wounding dozens, the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency said. At least 24 UN installations have been hit the past week, killing at least 14 of the agency’s staff.

The Israeli military said it was targeting Hamas hideouts, infrastructure and command centres.

A barrage of strikes crashed into the Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza, levelling an entire block of homes and causing dozens

of casualties among families inside, residents said.

Among those killed was one of Hamas’ top military commanders, Ayman Nofal, the group’s military wing said — the most high-profile militant known to have been killed so far in the war.

Nofal, formerly the intelligence chief of Hamas’ armed wing, was in charge of Hamas militant activities in the central Gaza Strip, including coordinating activities with other militant groups.

Netanyahu sought to put the blame on Hamas for Israel’s retaliatory attacks and the rising civilian casualties in Gaza. “Not only is it targeting and murdering civilians with unprecedented savagery, it’s hiding behind civilians,” he said.

In Gaza City, Israeli airstrikes also hit the house of Hamas’ top political official, Ismail Haniyeh, killing at least 14 people. Haniyeh is based in Doha, Qatar, but his family lives in Gaza City. The Hamas media office did not immediately identify those killed.

With Israel barring entry of water, fuel and food into Gaza since Hamas’ brutal attack last week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken secured an agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss creation of a mechanism for delivering aid to the territory’s 2.3 million people. US officials said the gain might appear modest, but stressed that it was a significant step forward.

Still, as of late Tuesday, there was no deal in place.

A top Israeli official said Tuesday his country was demanding guarantees that Hamas militants would not seize any aid deliveries. Tzahi Hanegbi, head of Israel’s National Security Council, suggested entry of aid also depended on the return of hostages held by Hamas.

“The return of the hostages, which is sacred in our eyes, is a key component in any humanitarian efforts,” he told reporters, without elaborating.

More than 1 million Palestinians have fled their homes — roughly half of Gaza’s population — and 60% are now in the approximately 14-kilometer (8-mile) long area south of the evacuation zone, the UN said.

Aid workers warned that the territory was near complete collapse. Hospitals were on the verge of losing electricity, threatening the lives of thousands of patients, and hundreds of thousands of people searched for bread and water.

The UN agency for Palestinians said more than 400,000 displaced people are crowded into schools and other facilities in the south with little food or water.

Israel opened a water line into the south for three hours that benefitted only 14 percent of Gaza’s population, the UN said.

PALESTINIANS wounded at Ahli Arab hospital sit on the floor at al-Shifa hospital, in Gaza City, central Gaza Strip yesterday.

Photo: Abed Khaled/AP

Semi Military Funeral Service for Reserve Superintendant

HERMES EMILE LAING, 87

of Foxdale Subdivision, will be held 11:00am on Thursday 19th October, 2023 at St. Agnes Anglican Church, Baillou Road. Officiating will be Venerable Keith N. Cartwright, Assisted by Reverend Canon Stephen Davies, Rev’d. Deacon Howard L. Bethel.

Interment will follow at St. Agnes Cemetery.

He was predeceased by his parents, Alexander and Pearline Laing; Brothers: Freeman, Levi and Leon Laing.

Left to cherish his memories are his, wife: Brenda Pickstock-Laing; Sons: Lorenzo Laing (Cleta) Orlando, Fl, Rev’d Father Hermes J. Laing II (Simone) Julien Laing, Dwayne F. Ingraham (Step-son) West Palm Beach, Fla.; Daughters: Desiree LaingJohnson (Kendal), La’Donna Laing-Hudson, Daphne Hermia Laing, Bridgette Kemp (Wellington) Freeport, Grand Bahama, Alexis Laing, Crystal Glinton, Donna Bain; Grandchildren: D’ Andrea Ramsey (Cario), Shannon Hudson, Hermes III, D’Asante (Corey) Small, Davin Beneby, Jasmine Laing, Lothario, Tareco, Lastedis Laing, Davon Galanos, La’Summer, Latoya, Lorenzo Payne, Quincy Nottage; Great Grandchildren: Caiya, Cael and Diorr Ramsey, Camani Laing; Sisters: Remilda Thomas, Clara Gibson; Sisters-In-Law: Vera Glinton, Louise and Vinnette Laing, Claudia Pickstock-Brown, and Linda Brice; Brother-In-Law: Hillarian Butler; Nephews: Tyrone, Vincent, Nathaniel, Gregory, Michael (DuQuesha) Thomas, Edgar Roberts, Brian, Roscoe (Pamela) Bain, Jarvis (Latoya) Glinton, Ian Bain, Timothy Glinton, Kenyon Symonette (Crystal) of Canada; Nieces: Andrea, Charlene, Judy, Elaine, Brenda, Pearline McKinney, Carla Bonaby, Monique Laing, Jane Cooper, Sheila (Earl) Williams, JoyAnne (Duane) Pennerman, Sophia (Keith) Pinder, Tanya (Marvin) Knowles, Leona, Dayle (Valika) Laing, Crystal Glinton, Heidi (Alan) Rigby, Pembroke Pine, Fl, Jauneatte Bethel, Boca Raton, Fl., Anishka and Tjeoma Bethell, Sharon Knowles, Rhonda Duncombe, Deborah (Nicolas) Kikivarakis, Antoinette and Tanya Bain, Kayette (Chris) D’Albenas; God child: Wendy Major; Other relatives and friends: Reserve Supt. Samuel Hunter, Reserve Supt., Livingston Adderley, Sherlyn Hall, Major, Junior Charlow and family, Earl Rahming, Troy and Bridgette Ward, Anthony (Skebo) Roberts, Crystal and Eva Glinton and family, Gwen McDeigan, Jullirth Minnis, Richard Gardiner, Thomas Butler and family, Reserve Sargeant 901 Demetrius Rolle, Roger and Ivamae Simmons, Pastor Alan and Ruby Srtrachan, Bishop Hulan and Margret Hanna, Paulette Beneby and family, Pickstock, Simms, McNeil, Fowler and Butler families, Audrey Ellis and Carla Stuart, Henry Dean, Elsie Strachan, Marcia Perpall, Dorothy Horton, Eleanor Conliffe, Rudy and Veronica Cooper, Ken and Mercelita O’Brien, Patricia and Monique Mitchell, Ledoris Lloyd and family, Beryl Adams, Family of the late Etan Stubbs, Debra Miller, Linda Symonette and Catherine Leach, Reserve Supt., Christopher Smith, Reserve Supt., Cleveland Gibson, Samuel (Booky) Johnson and family, Frank Taylor, Michael Johnson, Ray Adderley, Kent Major, Hon. Frederick Mitchell, M.P., Fox Hill, neighbours and the surrounding community, Mrs. Carolyn Bowe, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Retired) and Playdel Newton, Dr. John Johnson, Dr. Antonio Guorrero, and Dr. Denotrah ArcherCampbell, Dr. Bimal Francis. Special thanks to: The Rt. Rev’d Laish and Mrs. JoAnn Boyd, Rt. Rev’d Gilbert Thompson, Archdeacon Keith N. Cartwright, Rev’d Father Peter Ferguson, Fr, I. Ranfurly Brown, Rev’d Kari and Marcelle, Rev’d Deacon Howard L. Bethel, Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander, Woman Asst. Commissioner Colebroke, Rudolph Stubbs and the Usher Board family, Anglican Church men family, Sons of Thunder, St. Agnes Church family, Holy Trinity family, St. Barnabas church family, RBPF Reserve officers, Canon Stephen Davies, Canon Basil Lard, Sonia Tynes, Curtis Memorial Mortuary.

May he rest in peace!

The body will repose at the Police Headquarters East Street (TODAY) Wednesday, 18th October from 11am-4:30pm and at the church on Thursday from 9am until service time.

PAGE 12, Wednesday, October 18, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

Nuggets become pursued around league, Northwest Division after winning franchise’s 1st NBA title

By PAT GRAHAM AP Sports Writer DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets will raise their championship banner on opening night — with LeBron James in the building to witness, no less. The players will also receive their rings.

After that, no more mention of last season’s run that produced the franchise’s first NBA title. No more “remember-when” moments, either.

They have bigger things on their mind. Big picture: Milwaukee, Boston, Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix and Golden State, who are among the favourites to challenge for their crown.

Closer to home: A Northwest Division that features three teams going through some version of a roster revisions ( Oklahoma City, Utah and Portland) and another trying to take that next step forward (that’s you, Minnesota).

It’s a division that boasts an All-NBA first-team pick (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander), rising stars (Lauri Markkanen, Anthony Edwards) and new kids ready to bust out ( Chet Holmgren, Scoot Henderson).

Of course, Jokic and the defending champs reside there, too. Although the Nuggets lost the experience of Bruce Brown ( signed with Indiana ), they still have the combination of Jokic, the finals MVP, and Jamal Murray, a playoff maestro who’s searching for his first All-Star nod.

“This is a new season, new group,” said coach Michael Malone, whose team opens on October 24 by hosting James and the Lakers. “We have to hone in on that challenge and not live in the past, because no one cares what you did last year.”

For decades upon decades, Denver has been a team chasing a champion.

Now, the Nuggets are the ones being chased. They

went 16-4 in the playoffs — including a sweep of the Lakers — and finished things off by closing out Miami to start a summer of celebrations.

“I have a lot of respect for them,” Thunder general manager Sam Presti said. “Murray and Jokic are committed to winning with the Nuggets. The organisation is committed to those guys. They have just kept at it. ... They’re all in on winning together.”

But this is a determined division: — Edwards, Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns are ready to take the Timberwolves to the next level.

— Holmgren returns for the Thunder after missing last season with a foot injury, which gives Gilgeous-Alexander another scoring threat.

— The Jazz have a youthful mix with Taylor Hendricks and Keyonte George to complement Markkanen.

— The Blazers give the keys to the offence to Henderson after trading Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks.

“If a fighter goes into fight, and he’s not ready to fight, he’s going to get knocked out,” Murray said.

“You’ve always got to be the hunter.”

A look at each team in the Northwest Division in predicted order of finish: DENVER NUGGETS Gone is Brown, their versatile sixth man. But they still have “Joker,” who added finals MVP to a résumé that already included two NBA MVP awards. His offseason included a return home to Sombor, Serbia, where he spent time with family and doted over his race horses.

Now, he’s focused on transforming back into being a triple-double machine. The Nuggets didn’t make many offseason moves, preferring to ride with one of the league’s top lineups — Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Aaron

PORTLAND Trail Blazers centre Deandre Ayton and former Phoenix Suns signs autographs for fans after their preseason NBA basketball game on Monday in Phoenix. Phoenix won 117-106.

(AP Photo/Darryl Webb) Gordon, Jokic, Murray and Michael Porter Jr. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES Edwards, the first overall pick in the 2020 draft, has become the clear top dog for the Timberwolves. Part of the next wave of potential superstars in the NBA to receive maximum contract extensions during the offseason, Edwards will be trying to build off a strong summer performance with the U.S. national team and forge a stronger pickand-roll connection with Gobert. After losing Towns for the bulk of the season to a strained calf muscle, Minnesota is running it back with the two big men complementing Edwards on almost entirely the same roster as last season.

Forward Jaden McDaniels, who missed the first-round series loss to the Nuggets with a broken hand, will be counted on to advance his production after establishing himself as the team’s ace defender.

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER Gilgeous-Alexander leads a talented young

core that is worth watching after the Thunder reached the Play-In Tournament last season.

GilgeousAlexander was a first-team All-NBA selection last season after averaging 31.4 points per game. Josh Giddey, Oklahoma City’s No. 2 scorer last season, is back after averaging 19.4 points for Australia at the World Cup. Jalen Williams was runner-up for rookie of the year last season and Lu Dort returns as the team’s defensive stopper. Now, Oklahoma City adds Holmgren, the No. 2 pick in the 2022 NBA draft. The versatile 7-foot-1 forward/ center missed last season with a foot injury. This team has an extremely high ceiling.

UTAH JAZZ The Jazz drafted three young players in the first round over the summer — Taylor Hendricks (No. 9), Keyonte George (No. 16) and Brice Sensabaugh (No. 28). They have a young coach in Will Hardy who’s trying to mesh it all together. George is playing his way into the starting lineup, especially after

stellar performances in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas during summer league action. The Jazz march to the beat of Markkanen, who’s coming off a season in which he averaged 25.6 points and 8.6 rebounds.

The 7-footer from Finland made his first All-Star team.

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS For the first time in a dozen years, there’s no “Dame Time” in Portland. The longtime face of the franchise was shipped out as part of a threeteam trade that included the Bucks and Phoenix Suns. One of returns for the Blazers was Deandre Ayton.

The athletic big man figures to keep up with the pace set by Henderson, who was the third overall pick in the draft. Coach Chauncey Billups insisted the Blazers in this postLillard era will be more of a group effort. Ayton and Henderson also team with Anfernee Simons, who’s coming off a season in which he averaged a career-best 21.1 points.

Addition of Paul has Curry, Warriors thinking of another NBA title run

By JANIE MCCAULEY AP Sports Writer ON a far court in the Warriors practice facility, Chris Paul backs his body into Stephen Curry playing defence and tries to take the two-time NBA MVP 1-on-1 after a recent practice. Moments later, it’s Curry’s turn on offence and he drives on Paul.

They take turns firing up shot after shot from every perimeter spot. In games, they drive, dish and find each other – smiling or pointing to celebrate the playmaking while quickly establishing a rhythm.

As Curry and Chris work on their chemistry, the Warriors believe the addition of the veteran guard can provide Golden State with the immediate energy reminiscent to the lift instantly provided

by Kevin Durant during his two seasons in the Bay Area.

“He obviously plays a certain way, I play a certain way and there’s kind of a challenge there of I’ll lead a certain part of the workout, he’ll lead a certain part of the workout, kind of sharpen the tool kit that way,” Curry said.

“It’s really good right now in terms of the pace that we’re trying to go and the work that we’re trying to put in, the accountability to take advantage of training camp. We’re doing it together.”

Paul is confident he’s fitting in just fine.

“Believe it or not, it’s not my first time being traded

on another team,” he quipped. “You change jobs, anything, going into a new environment, you want to be around the guys -- the only way you get a chance to know each other.”

With the departure of Jordan Poole, Paul will be key in the Warriors pursuit of a another championship — though they are far from the only title contenders in the Pacific Division.

Durant and the Suns will have something to say about the Warriors’ title hopes — as will LeBron James and the Lakers, along with those upstart Sacramento Kings.

A look at each team in the Pacific Division in predicted order of finish: GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS Coach Steve Kerr also has enjoyed watching the relationship between Draymond Green and Paul develop, even with Green sidelined by an ankle injury early.

“There’s really good chemistry in terms of their connection, they spent a lot of time together this summer both in LA and playing pickup,” Kerr said.

“The on-court stuff will just have to unfold when Draymond comes back.”

The Warriors fell short of the big goal to get back to the NBA Finals and chase back-to-back championships when they lost to James and the Lakers in the Western Conference semifinals.

Andrew Wiggins finding some continuity again will be key after he missed

significant time for injuries, illness and personal reasons last season and played just 37 games in the regular season.

PHOENIX SUNS Suns have undergone a dramatic transformation under new owner Mat Ishbia, overhauling the roster in an attempt to bring its first championship since the franchise was founded in 1968.

Three-time All-Star Devin Booker is the only player who remains from the team’s trip to the Finals in 2021. He’ll be part of the team’s Big 3 that includes 13-time All-Star Durant and three-time All-Star Bradley Beal.

The Suns recently added centre Jusuf Nurkic, Grayson Allen and others in a trade, sending former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton to Portland. They also have a new coach in Frank Vogel, who won an NBA championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020.

LOS ANGELES LAKERS After making several big changes at the trade deadline and surprisingly reaching the Western Conference finals, the Lakers have tried to maintain continuity around James and Anthony Davis this time around.

As a result, they appear to have their most talented roster since their championship season in 2020. General manager Rob Pelinka re-signed Davis, Austin Reaves, D’Angelo Russell, Rui

Hachimura and Jarred Vanderbilt while adding veterans Gabe Vincent, Jaxson Hayes, Taurean Prince, Cam Reddish and Christian Wood. The mix is deep, balanced and versatile, but the health of James and Davis will determine whether LA is a contender for its 18th title in coach Darvin Ham’s second year.

“You take these opportunities whether it’s training camp or these preseason games, just to start to build your habits, build winning habits,” Ham said. “Again, transition defence is something we really zoned in on -- it’s one of the areas of our game that we really need to excel at.”

SACRAMENTO KINGS Brown has reminded his Kings team the expectations are higher now – from the fans, from the league, from everywhere, now that the Kings finally ended the longest postseason drought in NBA history and pushed the 2022 champion Warriors to a deciding seventh game in the first round.

“We know we’re a good team. How do we become a great team? First and foremost we have the understanding that the enemy of great is the good,” Brown said.

“We can’t get complacent. We have to be all in, and we have to continue building on our narrative that we laid the foundation for last year, continued this summer with our connectivity and our work ethic, and now going forward we have to build on it.”

LA CLIPPERS Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are healthy going into the season for the Clippers. Now if the two stars can only stay that way.

The Clippers’ hopes to win the franchise’s first NBA championship rest on the oft-injured duo.

Leonard only played in 56 games last season and got hurt in a first-round playoff loss, while George was limited to 52 games.

Coach Tyronn Lue hopes that a full season of Russell Westbrook and a return to full health for Leonard and George will allow this group to reach its full potential. There’s a nowor-never feel to this season for the current Clips to chase their title ambitions, particularly with the two superstars’ looming free agency and the scheduled opening of the Intuit Dome in Inglewood next season.

WITH MOVES AROUND NBA, CELTICS ARE ‘BEST OF THE ATLANTIC’

By BRIAN MAHONEY AP Basketball Writer WHEN James Harden was twice scoring 40 points against Boston in last season’s playoffs, it was easy to picture a championship in Philadelphia’s future.

Now it’s hard to picture a future at all between Harden and the 76ers.

The only Atlantic Division team with the look of a champion at this point is the Celtics, who the Sixers had down and nearly out five months ago.

With Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis arriving in Boston to join Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the Celtics should easily be the class of the division and maybe even once again the entire Eastern Conference after falling one game shy of the NBA Finals in 2022-23.

The New York Knicks should be back in the playoffs, the Brooklyn Nets could be and the Toronto Raptors, under a new coach, will try to bounce back after missing them.

The question mark is Philadelphia, at least until the saga with Harden has played out.

The 76ers opted not to give him a contract extension after he struggled in the final two games as the Celtics came back to take the East semifinals in seven games. Harden blasted general manager Daryl Morey as a “liar” and wants to be traded.

There is still no deal, so the 2018 NBA MVP has been practicing with the 76ers, though he didn’t play in any of their first three preseason games. Neither did MVP Joel Embiid, meaning new coach Nick Nurse would have at most one opportunity to see his top players on the floor before opening the season.

“I don’t know if you’re ever going to feel like you’re ready going into the opener,” said Nurse, who replaced the fired Doc Rivers. “I think you never really know.”

Philadelphia still has plenty of talent around Embiid, the league’s scoring champion. But without a focused Harden, who led the league in assists last season, or without moving him for a good package of players, the Sixers can’t quite match what the Celtics can put on the floor.

They acquired the 7-foot-3 Porzingis, who averaged a career-high 23.2 points in Washington last season, then traded for All-Star guard Holiday, who had been dealt by Milwaukee to Portland in the Bucks’ deal for Damian Lillard.

Adding those two to the duo of Tatum and Brown that took Boston to the 2022 NBA Finals, and to Game 7 of the East finals last season before falling to Miami, has the Celtics neck-and-neck with the Bucks for the best odds to top the East this season.

Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said those moves have left teams like his realising their challenge, saying “the obvious would be, when you look at a Boston and a Milwaukee, well, they were already good before any of the trade stuff.”

Now the Celtics appear even better and it’s hard to tell what the 76ers are.

WARRIORS guard Chris Paul, left, and teammate guard Stephen Curry talk during a timeout in the second half in a preseason NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.

(AP Photo/José Luis Villegas)

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, October 18, 2023, PAGE 13

National Youth Award nominees receive medals Pinning ceremony held at Government House

TYREEK HILL, OTHER NFL STARS MIGHT GET TO PLAY FLAG FOOTBALL IN THE 2028 OLYMPICS

By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer NEW YORK (AP) — If Tyreek Hill and other NFL players want to switch to flag football for a summer and compete in the Olympics, the possibility is becoming more real.

NFL executive Peter O’Reilly said yesterday the league will work with the players’ union on allowing current and former players to participate after flag football was among five sports officially added to the 2028 Los Angeles Games by the International Olympic Committee.

“It is the pinnacle of sport globally,” O’Reilly said at the league meetings. “Ultimately, that decision on the makeup of Team USA is a decision of USA Football and the national governing body or the governing bodies around the world in similar roles because we are thinking about Team USA, but there are also a lot of other passports in the NFL — 113 foreign-born players on NFL rosters as of Week 5.

“So, that opportunity for athletes to represent their countries, we understand the desire, what they have spoken out about and what we will continue to do is work with the players, (NFL) Players Association and the clubs in the time ahead to determine the process and then work with USA Football and IFAF on that.”

Hill, the Miami Dolphins’ All-Pro wide receiver, expressed his interest after the official announcement, asking fellow NFL players to “bring one home” in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“You know how amazing it would be to assemble a super team to play in the Olympics,” Hill later said on his podcast.

The NFL has worked hard to promote flag football and pushed for its inclusion in the Olympics.

Last year, the league turned its annual Pro Bowl into a weeklong series of competitions culminating with the AFC-NFC all-stars playing flag football.

“We’re committed to growing flag football around the world,” O’Reilly said. “The Olympic decision accelerates that. We do see it as a long-term commitment as we move forward.

And it’s not just about 2028 and that July, it’s about the next four years and how we, our clubs, IFAF take advantage of that opportunity to really grow this game, allow more girls and boys around the world to get a ball in their hands, get a flag belt on, and grow what we’re doing.”

MEDAL PRESENTATION: Governor General Cynthia “Mother” Pratt presented medals at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s 2023 National Youth Award nominees’ medal-pinning ceremony in the ballroom at Government House on October 11. Seated are the Governor General (centre), Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg and Cora Bain-Colebrooke, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture.

Photos: Letisha Henderson/BIS

NLCS: PHILLIES POWER PAST ARIZONA 10-0 IN GAME 2

By DAN GELSTON AP Sports Writer PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Kyle Schwarber hit two of Philadelphia’s three solo homers off Merrill Kelly, and the sweet-swinging Phillies pounded the Arizona Diamondbacks 10-0 last night for a 2-0 lead in NL Championship Series.

Trea Turner also connected and J.T. Realmuto had two hits and three RBIs as Philadelphia improved to 7-1 in the playoffs, moving closer to a second straight World Series appearance. Aaron Nola tossed three-hit ball and struck out seven in six innings.

Game 3 is Thursday at Chase Field. The Texas Rangers also hold a 2-0 lead over the Houston Astros in the ALCS headed into today’s game.

It was another loud night in Philly as Kelly was roasted after saying fans at Citizens Bank Park could not possibly be any louder than the ones he heard cheering for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.

Not just any Classic game. The one in May when Turner hit a grand slam for the United States that lifted them into the tournament’s semifinals.

“I haven’t obviously heard this place on the field,” Kelly said ahead of

Game 1, “but I would be very surprised if it trumped that (WBC) game down in Miami.”

As the kids say, challenge accepted.

Kelly, a 12-game winner this season, was voraciously booed from pregame introductions to his walk to the mound, a sort of we’ll-show-you vibe from 45,412 Phillies diehards determined to shake the ballpark again in October.

How loud?

“AC/DC concert level,” loud, Turner said before Game 2.

Phillies manager Rob Thomson said a rival coach told him last season that a playoff game in Philly

was “four hours of hell,” and Turner sent a charge through the crowd when he clocked a four-seam fastball to left-centre field for a 1-0 lead in the first.

Phillies fans this postseason have been registered as high as 112 decibels, per The Philadelphia Inquirer -- the equivalent of standing next to a jackhammer -- and Turner’s shot powered toward that mark.

Boisterous fans are great. So is the long ball.

Schwarber’s homers in the third and sixth were Philadelphia’s 14th and 15th homers in the last four games as the Phillies continue to mash their way through October.

Pitching, though, remains the ultimate decider.

Nola, eligible for free agency after the World Series, has only fattened the numbers for his impending contract.

The longest-tenured Phillie, Nola has won all three postseason starts and struck out 19. His ERA, 0.96.

Nola tossed seven shutout innings in the Wild Card Series against Miami.

And he struck out nine against the Braves in the NLDS. Against Corbin Carroll, Christian Walker and the Diamondbacks, Nola again was spotless.

OSCAR WINNER MICHELLE YEOH ELECTED TO BE IOC MEMBER MUMBAI, India (AP) — Oscar-winning actor Michelle Yeoh was elected as a member of the International Olympic Committee yesterday despite some “no” votes from her new colleagues.

Eight new IOC members were voted in to make a total of 107 drawn from royal families, sports officials, current and former athletes, and leaders from politics and industry.

After being summoned to the lectern by Princess Nora of Liechtenstein, the longest serving IOC member at 39 years, Yeoh read the 104word oath while holding a corner of the Olympic flag — white with five coloured rings.

“I promise to fight against all forms of discrimination and dedicate myself in all circumstances to promote the interests of the International Olympic Committee and Olympic Movement,” Yeoh said to complete the oath.

PAGE 14, Wednesday, October 18, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

DAWN N KNOWLES PRIMARY SCHOOL SOCCER TOURNAMENT KICKS OFF

FROM PAGE 16 said. She added that the competition has improved across the primary schools after consecutive weeks of training.

“We have improved, the competition is stiffer and the children are well prepared. You could see that they have been training more… it is just an exciting time and the kids are having a lot of fun,” the NPPPSSA president said.

For the boys in the under 10 category, Eva Hilton earned wins against Sadie Curtis and Woodcock Primary.

The primary school dropped Sadie Curtis 2-0 and Woodcock Primary 2-1. Antonio Hernandez earned three goals collectively on opening day for the school.

TG Glover defeated Woodcock Primary 2-0. Meanwhile, Sadie Curtis and Yellow Elder came out with a 0-0 draw in the division.

Eva Hilton once again shined but this time in the under 12 division.

Noah Forbes pulled off a hat trick in the 5-0 win against TG Glover.

THE NEWLY-named Dawn N Knowles Primary School Soccer Tournament got underway yesterday for the north group at the Roscow A L Davies Soccer Field. Fifteen games were played across the north group for boys and girls in the under 10 and 12 divisions. The north group included TG Glover, Eva Hilton, Woodcock, Yellow Elder and Sadie Curtis Primary Schools.

Photos: Tenajh Sweeting/Tribune Staff

The primary school also prevailed 5-2 against Woodcock Primary.

Meanwhile, Yellow Elder defeated the latter opponent 2-1.

The under 12 girls division saw Eva Hilton shutdown TG Glover 4-0. Raynique Tinker came away as the hat trick hero in the match.

Additionally, the team finished in a 0-0 draw with Yellow Elder Primary School. The north group club also collected a 3-1 win against Woodcock Primary. TG Glover finished with a 2-2 draw against Woodcock.

Eva Hillton beat Sadie Curtis 2-0 and TG Glover 1-0 in the under 10 girls division. Sadie Curtis came out tied 2 apiece in their match against Yellow Elder.

Sturrup extended a special thanks to the Bahamas Football Association (BFA) for their role in providing the kids with equipment, uniforms and breakfast as well as their continued support of the NPPPSSA. Games commence for the primary schools of the south group at 10am today.

PAN AM GAMES SET TO OPEN IN CHILE WITH ATHLETES EYEING SPOTS AT PARIS OLYMPICS FROM PAGE 16 American athletes will seek Olympic qualification in nine sports: breaking, boxing, gymnastics (rhythmic, trampoline), sport climbing, field hockey (men’s and women’s), modern pentathlon, artistic swimming, handball and water polo (men’s and women’s).

Athletes in archery, diving, equestrian jumping, table tennis, sailing and shooting can secure quotas that will send them to Paris next year. Those competing in badminton, 3x3 basketball, cycling, taekwondo and triathlon can get ranking points that allow them to qualify. Track and field athletes and swimmers can also get minimum qualification standards for U.S. Olympic team trials.

The U.S. team at the Pan American Games has 13

Olympic champions, including nine who won gold in Tokyo — six members of the women’s water polo team, fencer Lee Kiefer, shooter Vincent Hancock and swimmer Brooks Curry.

The other four won their Olympic titles prior to 2021, including Helen Maroulis and Kyle Snyder in wrestling, and Laura Kraut and McClain Ward in equestrian.

Four years ago, the United States won 293 medals in Lima, Peru — 122 gold, 87 silver and 84 bronze. Brazil came in a distant second with 54 gold, 45 silver and 70 bronze.

Mexico finished in third with 37 gold, 39 silver and 62 bronze, edging Canada with 35 gold, 65 silver and 52 bronze.

As the Olympics did in Japan, the Pan American Games are seeking to reach a younger audience with

WORKERS prepare the Stadium Sports Park, one of the venues for the 2023 Pan American Games, in Santiago, Chile, on January 27, 2023. Chile’s capital will host the international multi-sport event, scheduled to be held from October 20 to November 5.

(AP Photo/Matias Delacroix) new sports. Breaking, sport climbing and skateboarding will make their debuts at the event. The latter two have already had a first Olympic competition in Tokyo, while breaking will debut next year in Paris.

The opening ceremony of the Pan American Games will take place on Friday at the 47,000-seat Estadio Nacional, around which six new venues for 30 sports were built with an investment of $507 million.

Inaugurated in 1938, the Estadio Nacional held its first major sporting event in 1962 when Brazil beat Czechoslovakia 3-1 to win the World Cup title in soccer. Eleven years later, the stadium became a place

of horror with extrajudicial killings and torture after the coup d’etat that ousted President Salvador Allende and led him to kill himself in 1973.

“People will be surprised by how beautiful this National Stadium Park turned out,” Neven Ilic, the president of organiser Panam Sports, said last week. “All Chileans should feel proud of the level of the facilities and because they will be hosting a celebration never seen before in this country.”

The Chilean government says the park that includes the stadium will be a place for the public to practice sports, play and walk as part of the legacy of the Pan Am Games.

Authorities also promise to hand over the apartments in the athletes village to families after the event as permanent housing.

Men’s national soccer team secures 2-2 draw against Antigua and Barbuda FROM PAGE 16 Wells came from behind the penalty arc and sank the ball to the back of the net to give the national team an early 1-0 lead.

Gameplay continued with the home team

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remaining scoreless until the 54th minute mark in the second half where midfielder Joshua Parker made good on the equaliser.

He moved his way around the defenders and launched the ball from directly in front of the goal area to score.

Five minutes later Thomas James Bramble, of Antigua and Barbuda, followed up his single goal from the last game at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium with another at home.

At the 59th minute, he scored on The Bahamas to give the home team a 2-1

advantage with under 60 minutes on the clock.

The tides looked to be turning in favour of the Benna Boys once again

until the visiting team’s forward Nahum Johnson converted on an equaliser late in the Nations League match.

Following a

throw-in with 82 minutes on the clock, Johnson kicked the ball over the head of Antigua and Barbuda’s goalkeeper to tie the match and secure the draw before the November window.

The Junkanoo Boyz made some final attempts to go for the win, including a shot by Jean Tilo, but were unsuccessful.

With the team looking ahead to the final window of the Nations League matches, coach Davies is confident yesterday’s result will give them a boost going into the next segment of the competition. “They showed that they can play with

these guys and that they are not that much better than us, if better at all. If we play the way we want to play and can play, we can get good results once the guys have confidence in themselves,” he said.

The national team will play their next two matches against the top teams in Group D - Guyana and Puerto Rico. Guyana leads the group with 12 points.

Puerto Rico is ranked second with six points.

Antigua and Barbuda has a total of four points and The Bahamas has one point in the League B, Group D rankings.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, October 18, 2023, PAGE 15

Jonquel Jones on a roll in postseason

ACES’ Alysha Clark and New York Liberty’s Jonquel Jones watch a free throw attempt in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals.

New York Liberty to face Las Vegas Aces in Game 4 GRAND Bahama native Jonquel “JJ” Jones has of WNBA Finals tonight been on a tear in the post-

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

season which helped the New York Liberty to keep their championship window open on Sunday in an elimination game against the Las Vegas Aces.

The Brooklyn team handed the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) defending champions their first loss (87-73) of the postseason to make the series 2-1 behind a dominant performance from Jones on the weekend.

The confidence of the former WNBA MVP and her team received a huge boost from their latest win after they avoided a sweep and currently remain in contention for their first franchise title.

The Liberty forward has shown up in a big way for her team throughout the WNBA playoffs.

Her performances have been brilliant since the opening round against the Washington Mystics.

Since that series, the Grand Bahamian turned in eight consecutive double-double games to set a postseason record.

Her eight-game streak came to an end this weekend but the post player put up one of her highest scoring games of the WNBA playoffs - leading her team with 27 points - in the game three win. With the Liberty’s backs against the wall,

Jones stepped up to ensure the team did not go home.

Along with her team-high 27 points, she pulled down eight rebounds.

She also dished out three assists to help her teammates, and defensively she stopped three shots and picked up two steals.

In the bout she was dangerous from behind the arc. The 6-foot-6 forward nailed four of the Liberty’s 13 made three-pointers in game three. She went 4-for-7 from behind the three-point line for 57 per cent shooting and went 10-for-15 from the field.

The Grand Bahamian Liberty star has consistently

been a staple for the team as she has improved on her regular season averages in points, rebounds and blocks in the postseason.

She is the team’s second best scorer behind league MVP Breanna Stewart, with 18.2 points per game.

Jones is currently leading the team in rebounds with 11.7 and blocks with 2.3, showing her defensive prowess in these playoffs.

Now with a chance to tie the series or risk being sent home tonight at the Barclays Center, the Liberty will look to Jones to put on another show in New York. Game four of the

best-of-five series is slated to begin at 8pm. The following game, if the series is extended, will take place at 9pm in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Michelob ULTRA Arena on Friday.

Stakes will be high as the Aces are hoping to become the first team since the Los Angeles Sparks from 20012002 to earn back-to-back WNBA title honours.

For the Liberty, they are trying to hang their first championship banner at the Barclays Center and Jones will fight to add a WNBA championship to her impressive list of accolades in her WNBA finals return.

ACES’ A’ja Wilson (22) spins past Liberty’s Jonquel Jones in Game 3 Sunday in New York.

(AP Photos/Frank Franklin II)

SPORTS PAGE 16

NBA,

Page 12

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2023

WNBA Finals: Jonquel catches fire for Liberty

‘Junkanoo Boyz’ end up in 2-2 draw

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

T

NEW York Liberty’s Jonquel Jones (35) can be seen during the second half in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals series against the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday, October 15, 2023, in New York. The Liberty won 87-73. SEE THE FULL STORY ON PAGE 15 (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

he Junkanoo Boyz spoiled the Benna Boys’ chances of earning back-to-back wins when they secured a 2-2 draw yesterday evening in an away game in Piggotts, Antigua and Barbuda.

In the second game of their October window in the Concacaf (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) Nations League matches, the senior men’s national team earned their first point in League B, Group D. The match got underway at the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association’s Technical Center.

Kevin Davies, assistant coach of the men’s national team, shared the difference in their approach on the road. “I think the biggest difference tonight

was we played with a lot more heart and a lot more fight. We did not have that fire and passion when we played at home.

“The guys had enough losing and confided among themselves that they wanted to give some more and I think that was the difference today,” Davies said.

Overall, he was happy with the team’s performance away from their home turf.

“It is a great feeling and shows that we can do it if we put in the effort, concentration and the fight,” the assistant coach added.

The Bahamas changed the pattern of the previous game, which saw the Benna Boys score first by connecting on the first goal of the away game.

Midfielder Nathan Wells took charge in the first five minutes of the match. With his teammate battling with their opponents’ defenders,

SEE PAGE 14

BACK IN ACTION: The newly-named Dawn N Knowles Primary School Soccer Tournament got underway yesterday for the north group at the Roscow A L Davies Soccer Field.

Photo: Tenajh Sweeting/Tribune Staff

A NEW DAY IN PRIMARY SCHOOL SOCCER

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net THE newly named Dawn N Knowles Primary School Soccer Tournament returned to the Roscow A L Davies Soccer Field yesterday morning.

Fifteen games were played across the north

group for boys and girls in the under 10 and 12 divisions. The north group included TG Glover, Eva Hilton, Woodcock, Yellow Elder and Sadie Curtis Primary Schools.

Latoya Sturrup, president of the New Providence Public Primary Schools Sports Association (NPPPSSA), was excited

for the primary schools to be back on the pitch.

“I am very excited. Ms Knowles did a kick off and also made a goal. The kids are excited, even though we had some sprinkles, we still managed to get the game off and everything is running smoothly,” Sturrup

SEE PAGE 14

PAN AM GAMES SET TO OPEN IN CHILE WITH ATHLETES EYEING SPOTS AT PARIS OLYMPICS

By MAURICIO SAVARESE AP Sports Writer THE Pan American Games open Friday in Chile’s capital with more than 100 spots available for next year’s Paris Olympics and the usual contest to see who will finish second behind the United States in the medals chart.

More than 6,800 athletes from 41 countries and territories will compete in Santiago over 17 days.

Competitors in 20 sports, including gymnastics, boxing and swimming, will

be looking to directly qualify for the Olympics. Other sports will offer spots based on quotas, ranking points or minimum qualification standards.

The Pan American Games, the largest multisport event in the Americas, are held every four years and precede the Olympics by a year.

Santiago, where the streets have been rocked by protests in recent years, will debut as host.

About 17,000 volunteers and 3,000 security officers will work at the event. If injuries don’t get in the way,

the U.S. team in Chile will include 93 Olympians and 32 Olympic medallists in a roster of 631 athletes. Of those, 318 are women and 313 are men. They will compete in 43 of the 46 sports.

Brazil, Mexico and Canada are expected to fight for second place in the medals table. The three are bringing some of their biggest stars to the competition, including Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade, Mexican diver Osmar Olvera and Canadian swimmer Maggie Mac Neil.

SEE PAGE 14