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L A T E S T

Volume: 118 No.237, November 4, 2021

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‘LET’S VACCINATE 200K BY YEAR END’

Health officials set goal of half of nation given jab by January

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net HEALTH officials plan to “ramp up” the country’s vaccination campaign with a goal to have about 50 percent of the population vaccinated by the end of the year, Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville said yesterday.

He spoke as the Ministry of Health and Wellness received a shipment of 134,550 doses of the Pfizer vaccine yesterday.

The shipment was facilitated by the Caribbean

Public Health Agency (CARPHA).

Dr Darville said the vaccines were a donation from the United States government.

“It’s very important for us because you know at one particular point we did have some challenges, now with this amount of vaccines there should be no setbacks in terms of our facilities being able to offer the first and second dose of the Pfizer vaccine.”

He said the vaccination campaign will be ramped up.

FULL STAFFING REBOUND IS ‘VERY DIFFICULT’ TOP hotelier Robert Sands yesterday conceded it will “be very difficult” for existing Bahamian resorts to fully return to 100 percent of pre-COVID staffing levels due to the changed working environment.

Mr Sands said ongoing health protocols and the increased use of technology meant industry employment - while recovering to numbers “fairly close” to those enjoyed prior to the pandemic - was unlikely to fully rebound.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

SEE PAGE FOUR

a timeline for the in-person opening of schools.

However, she said the schools that suffered “egregious neglect” and will not open include L W Young, Yellow Elder Primary, C W Sawyer Primary, Ridgeland Primary, Sybil Strachan Primary, Uriah McPhee Primary, S C McPherson Junior High School, Gerald Cash Primary School, Carlton Francis Primary and the Centre for the Deaf.

SEE PAGE FIVE

- SEE PAGE EIGHT

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

VAT BILL TO BE TABLED BY WEDNESDAY

‘SCHOOLS NOT READY’ FOR CLASSES IN PERSON

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

WHILE officials hope to soon announce a date for the resumption of face-toface learning, Education Minister Glenys Hanna Martin disclosed that several schools will be unable to open due to an unsatisfactory state of repair.

Speaking in the House of Assembly yesterday, the Englerston MP did not give

FRONT PORCH: WHAT HAPPENS IF A CAT 5 STORM HITS NASSAU?

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

MICHAEL Pintard MP at the event at the British Colonial Hilton last night to launch his leadership bid for the FNM. Photo: Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff

MINISTER of Economic Affairs Michael Halkitis yesterday said legislation to cut the rate of VAT will be tabled in Parliament by next Wednesday.

He also said making homeowners insurance VAT-able was “not even on the table”.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

PINTARD: I’LL UNITE FNM FACTIONS

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

MARCO City MP Michael Pintard pledged to shake up the status quo and unify the different factions of the Free National Movement as he launched his leadership bid last night.

The event, held at the British Colonial Hilton, gathered dozens

of people as Mr Pintard joined Central Grand Bahama MP Iram Lewis and East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson in the race. Supporters of Mr Pintard who attended the event include former parliamentarians Alvin Smith, Travis Robinson, Don Saunders and Pakesia Parker Edgecombe.

“We regularly need to refresh the organisation,” Mr Pintard said,

“embracing the new without alienating the veterans. Not only can we co-exist, we must coexist. It really does not matter if you are pre-92 FNM or post-92. It didn’t matter if you came from a neutral place, an independent voter or you were PLP before, you with us now, you still family.”

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE THREE

STATESIDE ELECTION RESULTS MAY SHOW A PATH WITHOUT TRUMP

- SEE PAGE NINE

PAGE 2, Thursday, November 4, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

STRAW MARKET DATE ‘VERY SOON’

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net SOUTH Beach MP Bacchus Rolle, parliamentary secretary for public works and utilities, said yesterday the government is looking forward to announcing a new date “very soon” on the reopening of the Nassau Straw Market more than a year after it was ordered closed due to the COVID19 pandemic.

He also noted that consultation has started with several stakeholders on how best to safely reopen the downtown site, with several recommendations already made.

This comes as straw vendors continue to agitate for officials to provide them with a definitive timeline on the market’s return, citing financial challenges among other things.

Yesterday, Mr Rolle told parliamentarians: “While we are anxious just as the straw vendors and the straw business persons and their families to have the market reopen, every effort to do so will be and must be done to ensure that there is a safe environment for vendors and visitors alike.

“In that regard, we have begun consultation with the necessary stakeholders, namely the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance, the Department of Environmental Health and the Straw Market Authority, the Royal Bahamas Police Force Fire Protection Services and, more importantly, Madame Speaker the vendors themselves.”

Mr Rolle said recommendations made thus far include “staggered” work days, meaning employees

will work different times; limited seating capacity and mandatory training completion from the respective agencies.

“Officials from the Ministry of Works and Utilities recently conducted an assessment with the Bay Street Straw Market and met with other government officials and representatives from the Straw Market Vendors Association to chart the way forward with regards to the opening of the straw market,” he said.

“Some of the recommendations coming out of this initial meeting were staggered work days, staggered seating to ensure proper seating to ensure social distancing. A mandatory completion of the Ministry of Tourism compliance rating and mandatory first aid and CPR training by the Bahamas Red Cross.

“As we construct this new day for our craft and straw vendors, we do so by reconstructing with resiliency. Our refocus will be to deliver a product that promotes national identity and true Bahamian culture.

We look forward, Madame Speaker, to announcing a new date very soon with regards to the opening of all markets,” Mr Rolle said.

Works and Utilities Minister Alfred Sears has previously said there is a need to get the market reopened.

“The Straw Market has been closed for well over a year now, so we have to get that open and it has to be done in a manner that’s consistent with the COVID protocols and the conditions that the Ministry of Health has imposed on them,” the minister said last month.

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394 BACCHUS Rolle MP speaking yesterday.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, November 4, 2021, PAGE 3

ASSESSMENT ORDERED OF BPL OPERATIONS

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

THE government has ordered a rapid assessment of Bahamas Power and Light’s operations in order to create a strategy for the way forward, according to Public Works and Utilities Minister Alfred Sears yesterday.

The 30-day assessment

by Deloitte & Touche will also look into the $535m refinancing rate reduction bond and BPL’s fuel hedging strategy, which was introduced last year.

“To carry out the massive restructuring, there is a rate reduction bond to borrow about $523m. That matter came before the Cabinet in

WORKS Minister Alfred Sears yesterday.

June of this year,” Mr Sears told Parliament yesterday.

“It was not approved and we are currently reviewing it and I would like to announce that the government will be engaging Deloitte & Touche to do a rapid assessment into the next 30 days of the rate reduction bond, the hedge strategy and the operations of BPL so that the government can get a very quick study in order to make decisions about the strategy going forward.”

Following his contribution in the House of Assembly, Mr Sears said he was unsure of the cost of the rapid assessment.

However, he said there was a need by the new Davis administration to

take a “deep dive” by a forensic team to probe what had taken place before the September 2021 general election.

“So, in 30 days they will come back to us and say this is what our preliminary findings are with respect to the rate reduction bond, the hedging strategy and the general operations and based on their preliminary assessments we will make a determination whether to extend it for a more thorough and deeper review.”

Regarding the findings of an independent investigation commissioned by former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, Mr Sears said questions about that should be addressed to the Office of the Prime

Minister.

Mr Sears also commended the work of BPL in restoring power to about 5,000 Abaco residents following Hurricane Dorian in 2019.

He said of the 9,000 customers on the island, 5,000 now have power.

The minister also revealed plans by public works officials to commence the Gladstone Road Improvement Project and a traffic study at 80 intersections in New Providence to address traffic issues.

There also will be a review of The Bahamas’ building code with a view to fall in line with trends sparked by climate change and worsening hurricanes, the minister said.

JOHN Pinder II MP yesterday.

Photos: Donavan McIntosh/Tribune Staff

ABACO RESIDENTS PINTARD: I’LL UNITE FNM FACTIONS ‘FACE HARDSHIP’ MICHAEL Pintard with party supporters last night.

Photos: Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff

from page one “We are embracing all of those who wish to cast their lot with us.

We’re welcoming you back home and for those of you that are in a house and you’re uncomfortable we just want to let you know that we have room in the inn.

“I send out a clarion call. For those that supported Sir Cecil and if you’re not with us right now we’d love to have you, we need you. For those who support Prime Ministers Ingraham and Minnis and (former leaders) Tommy Turnquest and Kendal Isaacs, those who supported Loretta, we need you, we want you, you are a part of our family.

“If you left on your own or you felt as if you were pushed out, I’m telling you we need you, we are weaker without you. Everybody who leaves carries this sphere of influence with them.

“And so tonight I’m offering myself for leadership because I believe that our organisation should be a meritocracy. In other words, people’s talent should determine whether or not they are going to achieve greatness and not because they are attached, in relationship to somebody with power. Loyalty is important because in politics if you don’t have loyalty you may be short lived. However, loyalty should not be the most important core value because loyalty and incompetence is a problem.”

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

ATTENDEES at Michael Pintard’s leadership campaign launch last night.

Mr Pintard’s call for unity is a key pitch in his campaign as some insiders believe former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis alienated some factions of the party with some of his decisions and his leadership style.

“We need leadership that can handle a difference of opinion,” Mr Pintard said. “It’s a wonderful thing to be in a room with a bunch of smart people and it’s always good to have some folks in a room much smarter than you.

“This is an ego business for a lot of folks. There’s a lot of testosterone in the room, that’s why we need more women in leadership in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

Many times people are getting in fierce arguments not over deep ideological issues, not over issues that determine whether someone lives or dies, can feed their family or they can eat, but over procedure or process. Many of the arguments in the House of Assembly (are) about minutiae, it is not about the hundreds of people in Grand Bahama right now who are without light or those in New Providence and so we have to be careful. We have to be careful that the public can clearly see and hear that when we are animated and agitated it is on their behalf that we are.”

The FNM’s leadership convention is set for November 27.

RAMON MILLER SITUATION SORTED ‘SOONER RATHER THAN LATER’

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

PUBLIC Works Minister Alfred Sears says it will be “sooner rather than later” for approval to be granted to fund the placement of light and water infrastructure at Olympian Ramon Miller’s Tropical Gardens home.

In an interview yesterday, the minister suggested that a Cabinet paper for the funding for the work in the subdivision was completed, adding it was just a matter left to come up on the executive branch of government’s agenda.

Last month, The Tribune broke the news that Mr Miller has been in a years-long battle, beginning in 2014, to have infrastructure placed for his home on land gifted by

the government following a gold medal victory at the London Olympics in 2012.

The home was completed in 2018.

“I have been in contact with Mr Miller and I also communicated with the Ministry of Works,” Mr Sears said yesterday after the morning sitting of Parliament.

“A scope of works, which was prepared some time ago for the installation of the infrastructure for that subdivision, they have revived it. They have brought it to me and I have also spoken with the Minister for Housing (JoBeth Coleby Davis) and I will be carrying a Cabinet paper forward for the funding to install the infrastructure.

“In the meantime,” he said, “I have also spoken with both utility companies

about providing service for Mr Miller.

“I think it’s unfortunate that that matter has been allowed to persist without addressing the question, especially for someone that has served the country so well but we’re not looking back, we’re looking forward,” he said.

In a show of support for Mr Miller, one of the Golden Girls also revealed to this newspaper that their struggles for infrastructure at government-gifted land had dragged on since 2002.

Following this, Frank Rutherford said he had not received any of the rewards that he was promised nearly 30 years since he brought home the country’s first medal in a track and field event — bronze — from the 1992 Olympics.

Their accounts shed light on the treatment of elite

athletes who put on stellar performances in the country’s name.

As for a timeline for the funding to be approved, Mr Sears was unsure.

“When it came to my attention, I consulted, I gave the instruction and the Cabinet paper has been advanced so it’s a question of it coming up on the agenda and for Cabinet to consider and determine with respect to the funding for the infrastructure.”

Asked if this meant early next year, Mr Sears said: “No, no, no. I think it will be sooner rather than later because it’s a question of the funding being provided and the Cabinet paper has been settled by me and the Cabinet in early course when it comes on the agenda will make a determination to provide the funding,” he said.

TWO years after Hurricane Dorian destroyed Abaco, many residents still face immense hardship with some living in close proximity to raw sewerage and others living in cars.

This was the picture painted by Central and South Abaco MP John Pinder who told Parliament he would not sleep until his fellow Bahamians have a safe place to reside.

“The damage from superstorm Dorian is clear,” Mr Pinder said during his inaugural communication in the House of Assembly yesterday. “The land and the people are visibly affected two years on.”

Mr Pinder said the previous lack of representation “is real” as he told members of Parliament that basics like garbage collection and

fire trucks were absent from the island.

He said: “The temporary housing domes were never completed properly. My Abaconians at their time of need were put in hard tents that are not safe or sanitary.

“Bahamians living with raw sewerage around them sharing electricity from neighbours with drop cords and living in cars is common.

“I am saddened. I am hurt how we were treated.

Millions were spent with little to no help for the people.

“Our government workers are living in trailers parked outside the government complex offices and international airport. If you are lucky to have a house that is livable there is often no water.

“I will not sleep well until my fellow Bahamians have a safe place to sleep,” he said.

PAGE 4, Thursday, November 4, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

‘Let’s vaccinate 200k by year end’ from page one “Well as it stands right now, The Bahamas is at about 39 percent vaccinated and we want before the end of the year to get in excess about 45 to 50 percent (vaccinated). “We’re gonna work hard to achieve that goal and we’re definitely gonna ramp up our public education so that every Bahamian in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas will know the importance of being vaccinated.”

He said officials are uncertain if a fourth wave will impact The Bahamas, but they want to get the message out that vaccines save lives and reduce the chances of severe disease and hospitalisation.

The national vaccination committee has a goal of 200,000 fully vaccinated Bahamians by the end of the year.

As for the Family Islands, the minister noted: “Vaccines are being

administered by the clinics, by our nurses, and other medical staff. We intend to make sure that we now have sufficient vaccines.

They will actually be moved to the Family Islands so that the Family Island residents will have the choices that they need and be able to get vaccines as soon as possible.”

Officials will be offering vaccines at different locations. They will be at the Fish Fry at Arawak Cay on Saturday and Sunday between the hours of 2pm8pm in the storytelling pavilion.

Vaccination is being offered at Town Centre Mall as well the Kendal G L Isaacs National Gymnasium on Saturday.

Officials said there is a partnership with the Mall at Marathon to utilise the facility all of next week from about Tuesday to Friday between the hours of 10am-5pm.

Officials are also looking

at having vaccine locations at Fusion Superplex next Saturday and also the Southwest Plaza.

Meanwhile, the minister gave an update on free testing.

“For free testing, we have to do a variety of pilot projects,” Dr Darville said. “We’re gonna do some additional pilot testing in New Providence and in Grand Bahama and a few of our other Family Islands. We’re gonna get the data together and we’re gonna determine exactly how we’re going to use the data….The data will be very important because the data will help us to establish and put together a digital platform that would tag testing to contact tracing.”

This latest tranche of Pfizer vaccines supplements the 128,700 doses the United States delivered to The Bahamas on August 12.

The donation is part of the US’ commitment to

A SHIPMENT of 134,550 Pfizer vaccine dones arrives at Lynden Pindling International Airport yesterday. Present to meet the shipment were Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Michael Darville; US Embassy Charge d’Affaires Usha Pitts; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Wellness Colin Higgs; Chief Medical Officer Dr Pearl McMillan, and other officials. Photo: Patrick Hanna/BIS fighting COVID-19 across vaccines, in July the US — also donated medical supthe globe. The US has now through the US Northern plies — valued at $115,000 delivered over 260,000 of Command (USNORTH- — needed to administer the 379,000 vaccine doses COM) — also donated and handle Pfizer vacthe Biden administration four ultra-low temperature cine doses, including pledged to The Bahamas, freezers to The Bahamas syringes, specialised tools and has delivered a total valued at over $100,000 and personal protective of over 200 million doses required to store and equipment for manipulatworldwide. distribute the Pfizer vac- ing materials at sub-zero In addition to the cine.

USNORTHCOM temperatures.

DECLINE IN CASES ACROSS CARIBBEAN REGION ‘STEP IN RIGHT DIRECTION’

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net

THE Pan American Health Organization is reporting good news for the region with a steady decline in COVID-19 cases and a drop in related deaths.

The news came from Dr Jarbas Barbosa, PAHO’s assistant director, during the organisation’s weekly webinar on COVID-19.

PAHO reports that over the last week, the region has recorded more than 745,000 new COVID-19 infections and just over 18,000 COVID-related deaths.

This is the eighth consecutive week that overall cases have declined in the region.

“In North America, all three countries reported drops in weekly cases and deaths, and there has been a notable decline in hospitalisations in the United States and Canada,” Dr Barbosa said.

“Consistent with the other parts of the region, cases and deaths are trending downward or remaining stable throughout much of the Caribbean.

“However, Barbados

continues to report its highest number of COVIDrelated infections and deaths since the start of the pandemic, and there are concerning shortages of hospital capacity in the Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago.

“There have been similar declines across most countries in Central America.

After weeks of a persistent outbreak in Belize, I am pleased to report a nearly 20 percent decrease in cases and a 60 percent decrease in deaths,” he said.

Dr Barbosa said the same downward trends are present in much of South America apart from a few exceptions which are being monitored closely.

He turned his attention to vaccinations against COVID-19 and how they are affecting hospitalisations positively.

“In all countries that are publishing data about the vaccination status of the hospitalised cases, a very high percentage of those hospitalised have not been immunised against the virus,” Dr Barbosa said.

“The progress in our region is not a reason to become

complacent or discontinue the public health measures that help keep us safe.

“Quite the opposite. The decline in cases and deaths shows that our approach is working, and it is critical for all of us to stay the course until everyone is vaccinated and protected from the virus.”

To date, 1.2 billion COVID vaccine doses have been administered across the Americas and 46 percent of the population of Latin America and the Caribbean has been fully vaccinated.

Dr Barbosa said at least 32 countries have already reached the WHO’s target of 40 percent vaccination coverage, and several more are on track to reach and surpass it by the end of the year.

He continued, “This progress is encouraging but not surprising, thanks to our region’s strong immunisation systems. However, there are still several countries facing delays and 19 that remain below the 40 percent target.

“PAHO is working closely with all these countries, especially Haiti, Nicaragua, Jamaica, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Guatemala, which are still below

20 percent coverage. Vaccine inequity remains the biggest barrier to reaching our coverage targets.”

PAHO is still working on its COVAX programme to assist regional countries to obtain COVID-19 vaccines.

He said: “The COVAX Facility, with the support of PAHO’s Revolving Fund, has delivered 63.9 million doses to the region. Roughly 30 percent of these vaccines, over 19 million doses, were donations by the United States, Spain, Canada, and other governments. We are thankful for these donations, which have improved the situation in the Americas.

“We continue to expect allocations of vaccines from COVAX to accelerate in the coming weeks, so we urge countries to monitor their absorptive capacity and to continue to scale up vaccination operations. PAHO is providing technical cooperation to our member states in all relevant aspects to guarantee successful vaccination: communication strategy, training health care workers, adopting new strategies to facilitate the access of the population, and cold chain capacity.”

‘VACCINATING CHILDREN WILL REDUCE SPREAD’

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

INFECTIOUS disease expert Dr Nikkiah Forbes has said vaccinating young children against COVID-19 will significantly reduce the disease’s transmission in the school setting.

This week, Health Minister Dr Michael Darville said the government is negotiating with the United States and other diplomatic channels to bring the Pfizer vaccine for children under the age of 12 years into the country.

He said vaccine uptake among children and teenagers will help pave the way to a safe reopening of schools. but stressed that the vaccine

will only be made available to children should their parents request it.

Dr Forbes, director of the National HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Programme at the Ministry of Health, explained reasons why parents may want their children to be vaccinated.

She said there is the risk of multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS) following acute COVID infection and the risk of severe disease in children with underlying medical problems. Then there is the general desire to prevent COVID-19 in children.

“So as it relates to the scientific study on the COVID-19 vaccine in this age group, the dose is

lower for children and it’s age dependent and there is safety data from the clinical trial,” she said. “That safety data indicated that the experience was comparable in the 5 to 11 age group as that of 16 to 25-year-olds and the majority of the side effects are the most common side effects—mild fever, headache, and chills.

And these were generally milder in the younger age group than the teenage 12 to 15 years of age.”

Minister of State for Education and Technical and Vocational Training Zane Lightbourne expressed previously the ministry’s hope for face-to-face learning to resume by the end of the year. He revealed that some

15,000 out of 50,000 students have “not been consistently identified on the system” as attending online classes.

Asked how children being vaccinated will help schools to be a bit safer, Dr Forbes replied: “With a paediatric COVID-19 vaccine indication, that can help to reduce children getting COVID and as we already discussed COVID-19 children can transmit COVID so that will help significantly reduce the chance of transmission in that setting.”

The US Food and Drug Administration has authorised the emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children five through 11 years of age.

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

CHIEF Medical Officer Dr Pearl McMillan yesterday expressed full support of the new health regulations drafted by the Davis administration to replace the current COVID-19 emergency orders, noting it is a step in the right direction.

“I think it’s on a continuum,” she told reporters yesterday.

“Transitioning from the emergency orders directly into the health rules which my minister would’ve tabled, I think is a positive thing in that there will be no gap and we sought to give the guidance to the rules that speak to many of the things that was included under the orders but now we have it in a way where it’s actually (written) in legislation, full legislation without the emergency orders so I think transitioning into that will be positive and it will help us to continue to maintain the measures that’s required to manage this pandemic.”

The 2021 Health Services Rules tabled in Parliament on Monday will allow the government to continue managing the pandemic after the Emergency Powers Order ends on November 13.

Under the new rules, many of the existing restrictions are set to still remain in place, including mandates of mask wearing, sanitisation and COVID testing for travel. Limitations on social gatherings will also remain, with only 20 people allowed to attend a private social event indoors under the condition that they are fully vaccinated.

For outdoor events, all attendees must also be vaccinated and adhere to public health measures.

However, curfews will no longer be enforced after the November 13 deadline.

Still, this could change if the COVID-19 situation worsens, according to Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville.

“There (are) no curfews mentioned in these orders,” Dr Darville told reporters on Tuesday. “As you can see, that with our plan, you’re beginning to see changes where the numbers are falling. It’s very important to understand that we’re trying to regulate

COVID-19 via rules by way of the Health Services Act through amendments to Section 29.

“This is a new way. It is very well laid out, but I want to let the country know that the rules are very fluid. As the cases begin to rise and God-forbid it doesn’t, we will have to make additional adjustments to those rules.”

Yesterday, Central Grand Bahama MP Iram Lewis branded the government’s decision to remove the curfews as “reckless”. “We are still in the COVID-19 pandemic. There are still spikes. We’re still experiencing issues as it relates to COVID-19 and I think it’s a very reckless decision that was not well thought out,” Mr Lewis told The Tribune.

The move away from the emergency orders comes as local infection rates appear to be trending downward, with only 39 new COVID cases reported on Tuesday.

Yesterday, Dr McMillan said the country was doing well in keeping COVID-19 infections low, attributing it to increasing vaccination rates.

She said: “I would say that we are in a position now where we are pleased with the positive trends in the country as it relates to new cases, hospitalisations and even deaths, we seem to be trending down. However, I would say we should not rest on our laurels. We have to continue to practice all of the measures, the protocols and all of the public health measures and certainly we adhere today to receive additional vaccines because we realise that vaccination is the way to go.

“And we have reason to believe that some of what we’re seeing is related to a pretty good uptake of vaccines in the country so far, so we have to continue to encourage persons to come out and get vaccinated.”

For the long term, she said: “There must be an ongoing awareness and individual responsibility for maintaining the measures as well as I go back to why we’re here today. Let’s get vaccinated because the more persons we get vaccinated, we decrease the chances of the surge and even if you get COVID, you’re less likely to be hospitalised and less likely to die.”

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THE TRIBUNE

Gibson denies ‘vicious’ claims

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net LONG Island MP Adrian Gibson yesterday addressed “vicious” allegations in Parliament surrounding his tenure as Water and Sewerage executive chairman.

Mr Gibson said that a previous statement he had released on the matter in August was issued on the advice of the Free National Movement’s election public relations team.

Mr Gibson was accused of facilitating a cleaning and maintenance contract to a company, Elite Maintenance, whose director had the same name as a woman previously identified as his fiancée. Yesterday, Mr Gibson said the woman attorney is “known” to him.

He was also accused of acquiring a vast number of businesses and properties in Long Island. He has denied all the allegations.

“Frankly, the last campaign was perhaps the most vicious campaign I’ve ever witnessed,” he said.

“It is certainly the worst that I’ve been a part of.

To my colleague, Mr Stephen Greenslade, who ran in Garden Hills, I want to thank you for securing my home as I campaigned in Long Island.

“During the campaign, I was asked to issue one comprehensive statement and not engage in a persistent back and forth and that may not bode well and drag out

longer than the PR team or the party had an appetite for. I complied. Admittedly, given my history of quick responses to matters, that might not have been the wisest approach.

“This political concoction featured different documents from different matters – notwithstanding they concerned different things. It’s unfortunate that as we move on from that election cycle that politics would have descended to this point.”

Getting into the matter of the contract that involves the woman in question, Mr Gibson reminded his parliamentary colleagues that these are real life situations that involve reputations and careers.

“A few years ago, WSC issued cleaning memorandums for the provision of yard cleaning and ground maintenance services to a number of vendors.

“The corporation awarded a memo to a company whose principals engaged an attorney known to me, to provide corporate services. I am further advised that — having legal authority to represent her clients — the attorney signed a memo on their behalf for the provision of maintenance services and that was also accompanied by correspondence to the corporation’s general manager, advising of the same.

“I am advised that in the process of incorporating this company the attorney was legally authorised to

act on their behalf. She was engaged by private individuals and it was upon that basis that the corporation interacted with her.

Pursuant to Bahamian law, in order to incorporate a company... most times if someone comes to you to form a company you are a subscriber and someone is your office, some friend you know, family member,” Mr Gibson said.

Mr Gibson pointed out that the attorney was no longer acting on behalf of the said company.

“Sometime later there was a further correspondence issued stating she was no longer authorised to act on behalf of the company as agent and requested an amendment of the records to reflect the same,” he said.

Even after that another correspondence was issued.

“That bid went through the internal procedures and by the way this attorney was no longer involved.

Shares had been issued to the beneficial owners. At the time of that engagement, I am advised that the attorney was no longer involved with the company in any capacity.

“As far as I am aware, she always operated in a legal and professional capacity.

I can speak to the extent of that capacity, that is the legal professional capacity, and I can only speak to the corporation’s policy, which does not restrict any vendor’s discretion to choose who they wish to carry out their affairs.”

‘SCHOOLS NOT READY’ FOR CLASSES IN PERSON

from page one

All Family Island schools are ready to open with the exception of George Town Primary and L N Coakley High, both in Exuma, the minister said.

“We understand that there is much anxiety and angst and growing concern as to the question of the resumption of face-to-face instruction as it is clear that this is the ideal method in teaching instruction and student learning for a myriad of reasons,” Mrs Hanna Martin said.

“It is also understood the pressures placed on children, teachers and parents operating in a hybrid or fully virtual school environments and those who have fallen outside of the system and the damage being caused.

“We are preparing for the resumption of faceto-face instruction in our public schools, but cannot do so until our health officials say that it is safe to do so and mandate the requisite health protocols to be undertaken to assure a safe environment for all.

“We must also work closely with parents and the unions to seek to allay any concerns they may have.”

She continued: “I am hoping that very soon we will be able to announce a date for the resumption of face-to-face classes.

“However, as previously pointed out in my communication, several schools nationwide, including here in New Providence, will not be able to reopen promptly due to the unsatisfactory state of repair and, in some instances, select schools will not be ready until early next year.

“It is very unfortunate and disappointing that the previous administration did not cause for the annual school repair exercise to be undertaken expeditiously and there has been egregious neglect.

“Since taking office and assuming responsibility for this state of affairs, we have been collaborating closely with the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of

EDUCATION Minister Glenys Hanna Martin.

Finance to accelerate these works and we will do our utmost to minimise disruption due to circumstances which have been beyond our control.”

The closure of the nation’s schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in thousands of school “drop-outs”, the minister said.

This is due to some students being unable to access the internet to attend virtual classes.

“While we gear ourselves up to reform education in this country, we are faced on a simultaneous basis with an immediate and daunting crisis brought on by the coronavirus pandemic – I gave a communication on this last week in this honourable House as to the enormity of this situation. And if we do not move quickly and decisively, we will reap a terrible fallout in this country.

“We have sought the assistance of the Department of Statistics to undertake a scientific survey to gain full insight into the reasons and issues resulting in thousands of children at all grades and levels having not signed on to the virtual learning programme and so, essentially being absent from school in some instances for almost

two years.

“We hope the findings will allow us to assist in the overcoming of obstacles to access to learning, which we suspect comprise an array of challenges.

“We are now embarking on the identification of each individual child, and his or her grade level and school, to devise a strategy based on the results to provide remediation for these children.”

Amongst this group are children who would have, under normal conditions, completed their final year of school both last year and this year, she said.

These children must now be considered “dropouts” and Mrs Hanna Martin said officials are devising strategies to engage these young people through programmes — public and private — at the National Training Agency, Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute, youth training initiatives now under consideration, and apprenticeship programmes.

“This is an urgent situation, an emergency of sorts, which has the potential to seriously impact our national development and future prospects,” Mrs Hanna Martin said.

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He defended the issuance of contracts by politicians to party supporters and attorneys who play the role of directors in the clients’ companies.

“During the campaign I remember my supporters telling me about receiving calls about contracts,” he said. “I do not know of any elected politicians who call contractors and supporters – ‘did you get a contract?

How many from WSC? How many school repair contracts? So I heard you got one too? So you got the one to repair the clinic?’

“I don’t know any elected politician who has not ensured that supporters and constituents and others had opportunities to bid on or obtain contracts.

And, every MP who has served at least one term can attest to that. There are many attorneys in this place who, today, are subscribers and nominee directors of companies.

“Does that mean that they are the owners or part owners? If that is the case, then many of us need to recheck our declarations. By that reasoning, nearly every lawyer here owns anywhere from 50 to a few thousand companies. It is not unusual for attorneys to form companies and act on behalf of companies or clients. None of this is out of the ordinary,” he said.

Mr Gibson maintained that he has no beneficial interest or any other interest in Elite Maintenance.

Thursday, November 4, 2021, PAGE 5

LONG Island MP Adrian Gibson.

Photo: Donavan McIntosh/Tribune Staff “The references to the joint bank account is a red herring. That account is and was at all times a personal account for which a rogue contractor placed $200 on it.

“The money was removed and the bank wrote me a letter of apology, which I have, after having conducted their investigation and discovering that someone internally would have released the account information. The matter is now before the courts.”

Mr Gibson also defended himself against other allegations made about him.

“It is time to be a myth buster and address all the lies and acts of intentional and criminal libel,” he continued.

“I do not own any plaza and/or gas station in Long Island. I do not own Harbour Breeze Villas. I do not own the bar/restaurant on Gordon’s Beach.

“There are one or two other pictures of my constituents’ properties that were

taken; I don’t own them and will happily say what I own.

Long Islanders know this, so the objective must have been to deceive the wider public. If anyone wanted to know what I own, I would happily tell them.”

He said generators that were at his constituency office in Long Island were purchased by him to be donated to the local government administrator.

As he tried to end his speech, the timer went off indicating his time had run out. Mr Gibson requested another three minutes from House Speaker Patricia Deveaux, but he was denied.

A back-and-forth followed over a matter that Speaker Deveaux instructed to be removed from House records and when Mr Gibson tried to explain it, she repeatedly asked him if he was “bombarding the chair.” She also asked several times if she “does not have the authority”.

PAGE 6, Thursday, November 4, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

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Soon the unvaccinated will be the minority HALF of our nation might be vaccinated by the end of the year.

That’s a laudable goal set by the government in its efforts to ramp up vaccination – and we hope it comes true.

About 39 percent of the country is presently vaccinated, so there is a distance to go, but every step closer will save lives.

It has routinely been noted now that the vast majority of deaths from COVID-19 now take place among those who are unvaccinated. Taking the vaccine vastly increases your chances of survival from the virus – and it’s not just about you. For those who cannot take the vaccine, for whatever reason, or who are unable to acquire the antibodies, you serve as protection from them too, reducing the chances they will be affected and stopping the virus from getting a grip.

This week, Dr Duane Sands has warned there is every possibility of a fourth wave. We have seen the death and pain caused in the third wave – now is the time to act for those who haven’t yet been vaccinated in order to reduce risks in any subsequent wave.

There is the prospect too of more children being able to be vaccinated as the science develops, so there will be an opportunity to limit risks as they return to in-person learning as well.

Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville said yesterday: “Well as it stands right now, The Bahamas is at about 39 percent vaccinated and we want before the end of the year to get in excess about 45 to 50 percent (vaccinated). We’re gonna work hard to achieve that goal and we’re definitely gonna ramp up our public education so that every Bahamian in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas will know the importance of being vaccinated.”

The vaccines are in hand – the latest shipment of 134,550 doses of Pfizer vaccine arriving yesterday – so it’s time to get the jab if you can.

The other part of the government’s plan to tackle the virus isn’t there yet – the free testing programme promised

in the election campaign is still only a handful of piecemeal pilot projects on an island here, an island there. It’s certainly a long way from taking over the testing requirements of workers at locations such as Atlantis, as had been suggested.

So don’t wait for the testing regime to catch up, go get your vaccine now. Fifty percent of the country vaccinated would be a good step forward. If we all play our part, we can do even better than that.

School repairs

Education Minister Glenys Hanna Martin tells us that a number of schools are not ready for the resumption of face-to-face learning because of an unsatisfactory state of repair.

She cited “egregious neglect” and said schools that will not open include LW Young, Yellow Elder Primary, CW Sawyer Primary, Ridgeland Primary, Sybil Strachan Primary, Uriah McPhee Primary, SC McPherson Junior High School, Gerald Cash Primary School, Carlton Francis Primary and the Centre for the Deaf – as well as Exuma schools George Town Primary and LN Coakley High.

COVID-19 has absolutely caused disruption – along with supply chain issues for construction, but these schools should have been ready for the start of September. The half-term has just passed for most schools, so how far would they have missed their original deadline by for construction and repairs?

We hope Mrs Hanna Martin can very quickly give answers on when these schools will be able to reopen. It is one thing to not reopen doors because of children’s safety, it is another thing entirely to do so because work that should have been done hasn’t been. Too many children are being left behind in virtual learning – every day those students are denied a chance to go back to school is another day slowing down their education.

Up, up, up go the costs EDITOR, The Tribune.

WITH the presentation of the Supplementary Budget yesterday somehow I felt a lot more reassured in the presentation than when the previous administration talked about finances.

Of course, the controversial issue is that the previous administration understated contractual commitments by $1 billion needs to be examined and I expect someone from the Government side to give details...the counter argument of the outgoing Government was honestly

laughable. If you missed they suggested that the $1 billion was spent between September 16th and yesterday.

On the revenue side... thought they were going after delinquent tax payers? Real Property zero increase...

Fuel Duties... gas-diesel costs have jumped from eight-nine months ago at $40.00 a barrel to $80.00 a barrel and zero increase in Duties/Fees? I know at my gas station I am paying far more, which is hurting many.

Nice to see projected

increase in Revenue side of $92.3 million... but it could be in the hundreds... PM mentions one delinquent tax payer owes $1.4m... hope by next week he will confirm that collected.

Annoyed on the Expenditure side... OPM expenses jump by $6.7m... Finance has to be a typo, but the Estimates show $31m increase... majority of Ministries cut.

Editor, a whopping $53m increase in expenses...

P THOMPSON Nassau, October 28, 2021.

Government appointments EDITOR, The Tribune.

HERE are three appointments the government should consider to bring peace in the relevant departments.

1) Give the nurses union

lady, Ms Williams, the PS job in Ministry of Health.

2) Give the teachers union lady, Ms Wilson, the Director of education job in Ministry of Education.

3) Give the public service gentleman, Mr Ferguson,

the PS job in Ministry of Labour.

Thank God, finally there will be peace.

THE OBSERVATORY Nassau, November 1, 2021.

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VAT issue good, bad or stupid?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

COMMENTS by a leading manager indicates that removal of the exemptions and returning VAT on Insurances will have a double-edged sword for Government... isn’t the Government Health Insurance some $100m premium so 10% = $10m VAT payment.

Yes, agreed the NZ consultants told the then Government 7% no exemptions and met with the FNM and DNA leadership and told them if you get into Office leave the VAT formula alone... never play with exemptions... well the FNM meddled with exemptions everywhere and increased basic VAT from 7% to 12%. Key politically

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net they exempted all bread basket items.

Is it possible to put some logic into this proposal?

If Government will cause additional costs of a minimum of $10m just for health insurance can government afford that? No, better exempt Government, yes, Government will not be liable to VAT on Insurances except motor vehicles.

Bread basket items...

I am sure the food industry can give the Minister detailed statistics as to what items were sold under the higher VAT rate

12% and what will be at 10%... ask.

The media has not given much coverage of the fact that a recent Central Bank securities offer was under subscribed by 60% and the Central Bank had to pick up that unexpected cost.

Media, investigate as this sets an issue borrowing USA’s is probably a minimum of 10% and now to get B$ Securities sold Central Bank is going to have to offer much higher interest rates.

The old adage KISS — keep it simple stupid might be good advice as we see if we can get through these rough waters.

A K MAJOR Nassau, November 1, 2021.

Cycle your way to a fitter life EDITOR, The Tribune.

HIP! Hip! And away!

Park your car, throw away the keys, jump on your bike and make your noble contribution to climate change!

However, after daily picking up my newspaper and seeing photos of so many obese Bahamians, I think we might all do ourselves a favour by not only saving the planet, but saving ourselves from an early grave by doing something about our excess weight!

Can you imagine instead of the bumper-to-bumper

morning and evening traffic to and from work, if we were cycling – not only to be among the heroes to give our planet a chance –but also to be giving ourselves a chance for a longer, and healthier life!

Why not let’s try it?

Instead of the bumperto-bumper morning and evening traffic, spewing its evil fuel, why not let’s get together and form a bicycle brigade cycling ourselves to and from our offices! Yes, instead of breathing fumes, we would be breathing God’s fresh air. Added to which we can then sleep well at night

knowing that we have added a few more centuries to the life of our planet for the enjoyment of future Bahamians! And, just maybe added a few more healthy years to our own lives!

Come on let’s get together and see who gets his bicycle out first — it just takes one to start the wheels rolling, so that maybe we can not only have a healthier Bahamas, but healthier and happier Bahamians.

A HOPEFUL BAHAMIAN Nassau, November 2, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, November 4, 2021, PAGE 7

THE CARMICHAEL Road Detention Centre.

Cubans deny damaging Detention Centre

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

FORTY-FOUR Cubans who denied damaging more than $18,000 worth of infrastructure at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre were yesterday remanded to prison leading up to their three-day trial.

The group of men, who

range in age from 18 to 50-years-old, appeared before Magistrate Shaka Serville, accused of intentionally and unlawfully causing $3,400 worth of damage to a fence, $8,400 worth of damage to bathroom plumbing fixtures and $6,249 worth of damage to 20 under bed storage units at the Detention Centre.

The prosecution said all

of the items, which were the property of the Bahamas Immigration Department, had a combined value of $18,049.60. They also alleged the accused men destroyed the items sometime between October 1 and November 2.

Due to social distancing protocols, the 44 men were not arraigned in a court, but rather made to stand in three lines behind the Magistrate’s

60-YEAR-OLD ACCUSED OF INDECENT ASSAULT BY KISSING TEENAGE GIRL

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

grabbed the minor by the neck and kissed her on her lips.

Sergeant Kenny Thompson said that after the young girl pushed him away in fear, Munnings told her that he liked her.

He said this prompted the girl to run to the home of a nearby neighbour, where she contacted her mother.

A few days later, Munnings was arrested and cautioned when he went to CID. When officers held a confrontation between him and the teenager in the presence of her mother, she maintained her story. When the accused was interviewed separately, he declined to comment.

Yesterday, Munnings’ attorney asked the court to consider the fact that his client was remorseful and accepted responsibility for his actions. He also asked the magistrate to temper justice with mercy and consider ordering counselling or probation, instead of imposing a custodial sentence.

Munnings’ attorney noted that the accused had worked for the government “in the presence of young people” for 27 years with no incident and insisted the

A 60-YEAR-OLD man who admitted kissing a teenage girl on her lips against her will was yesterday remanded into custody pending sentencing.

Police said Vernal Munnings indecently assaulted a 15-year-old girl who he personally knew when he kissed her and told her he liked her on April 19.

Munnings initially denied doing so when he was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt earlier this year and the matter was adjourned and transferred to Magistrate Shaka Serville.

At the start of his trial yesterday, Munnings opted to change his plea to guilty in the presence of the young girl’s parents, sister and the investigating officer who were all to give evidence against him.

The court was told that the 15-year-old went to the Criminal Investigations Department with her father to report the incident around noon on April 19.

The prosecution said they told police that Munnings

matter was “out of character for him.” He also said Munnings, who is a married father of six, had known the 15-year-old for eight years and was particularly sorry for the embarrassment he caused his family.

In response, Magistrate Serville told Munnings that at his age, he should have been “armed with a particular level of restraint and maturity.” He also said the offence was especially serious as it was carried out on a minor who the accused knew personally. He said this fact caused him to wonder whether there was a “build up” to the incident.

“It was not just simply a kiss,” he said. “It is far more than that. It is a violation of a person who is of tender years in a fashion that can affect her ability to form relationships for the rest of her life.”

Magistrate Serville said he did not want to “rush the process” of sentencing and said he would defer his sentence to give himself ample opportunity to consider the facts of the case.

Munnings returns to court Friday for sentencing.

In the interim, his bail was revoked and he was remanded into custody.

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Court complex. However, one man was allowed to have a seat and given a bottle of water, after he indicated that he was suffering from high blood pressure and was not feeling well.

During the hearing, all of the men pleaded not guilty after electing to have their matter heard in the Magistrate’s Court. Several of them could also be seen

shaking their heads in disagreement and laughing as the charges were read.

Speaking through a Spanish interpreter, a few others also raised concerns about retaining legal counsel.

After accepting their pleas, Magistrate Serville adjourned the Cubans’ case to November 16-18 for trial.

After the prosecution objected to them being

released on bail, the magistrate told the accused it was his understanding that none of them had legal status in the country and could potentially be flight risks. He said in view of this fact, the court was going to exercise its discretion and remand them to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until their trial.

PAY UP OR GO TO JAIL OVER DRUGS

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN caught with $600 worth of marijuana must pay more than twice that amount to avoid spending four months in prison.

Police arrested Ricardo Brown after they found 10 ounces of Indian hemp in his home on October 31.

He admitted the offence during his arraignment before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt.

The prosecution said that around 10.45am on the morning in question, a team

of officers went to Brown’s residence armed with a search warrant.

The court was told that when they arrived, they met him and some other men sitting on a dog cage.

The prosecution said officers then showed Brown their warrant and informed him that he and his house would be searched for dangerous drugs and firearms.

Although they did not find any contraband on Brown, when they deployed a dog from their K-9 unit, he made indications towards a western bedroom in the accused’s house.

Officers found two plastic bags and a vacuum package which both contained marijuana, underneath a white bucket in the room. Brown was subsequently arrested and taken to the Drug Enforcement Unit, where he told police the drugs were his and claimed that he had a smoking problem.

After Brown accepted the facts of the prosecution’s case, Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt accepted his guilty plea and fined him $1,500 or four months in prison.

PAGE 8, Thursday, November 4, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

HURRICANE DORIAN

“I COME to you straight from the front line of the war on climate change. With physical and emotional difficulty I have left my bleeding nation to be with you here today.”

– Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit UN Address September 2017, days after Hurricane Maria devastated his country.

THERE is a deep ocean of rhetoric from countries producing the vast majority of carbon emissions heating our planet, with myriad pledges on reducing emissions, and promises cum pledges of funds for developing countries facing existential danger amidst rising sea levels, increasing inequality and natural disasters.

The latter pledges are like the annual New Year’s resolutions from those feasting throughout the Christmas season, of their intention to lose weight and sign up for the gym.

The pledges never materialise but they are ritually repeated at the beginning of the year or at least until both types of Christmas spirits run out.

At the Copenhagen UN summit on climate change 12 years ago rich nations promised US$100bn to less wealthy nations by 2020, “to help them adapt to climate change and mitigate further rises in temperature.”

The promises were mostly broken and were already dramatically less than what is desperately needed.

Director of the International Centre for Climate

Change and Development in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Saleemul Huq noted: “By the time we get to Glasgow, if they haven’t given us another $100bn [for 2021], then they are completely unable to meet their obligations… But the $100bn is iconic in terms of the good faith of the countries that promised it.”

With a population of approximately 165 million, two-thirds of the Southeast Asian nation is less than five meters above sea level.

With a 50cm rise in sea level, the country could lose approximately 11 percent of its land by 2050, affecting an estimated 15 million living in low-lying coastal areas.

PROMISES

Countries like The Bahamas should not wait upon promises from richer nations, which will likely amount to little. We will have to work with partners like Caricom and other small island developing states to share strategies for adaptation and resilience.

Though these nations are low emitters of carbon, they will be engulfed by the rising and warming waters caused by the habits and indifference of the global powers, including the polluters promising all manner of assistance.

If we wait for this assistance, it may arrive around the time that more of us have died or been displaced by more monster hurricanes

and annual and very costly and constant flooding of homes, businesses, tourism plant and public facilities.

The existential threat to our survival has already been visited upon us with Hurricane Irma in 2017, which destroyed most of the infrastructure on Ragged Island, and two short years later, Hurricane Dorian, which devastated Abaco and Grand Bahama.

These islands are still recovering and rebuilding, with many more years of work ahead.

Puerto Rico, which should enjoy the largesse of the United States of America, is still rebuilding from Hurricane Maria in 2017. An NBC News story in mid-September of this year reported: “There are reminders of the destruction, with thousands of homes, many of them still covered with blue tarps, yet to be fixed. Constant power outages remind Puerto Ricans that essential work to modernise the antiquated electric grid decimated by Maria has not yet begun.

“Deteriorating school buildings, roads, bridges and even health care facilities point to a slow reconstruction process that has not yet picked up its pace.”

Congresswoman Rep Nydia Velázquez explained: “If a hurricane today, category one, hits the island, it will not survive. The power grid will not survive.”

Much of the commentary and some of the complaints in the aftermath of Dorian

CLIMATE EMERGENCY: WHEN A CAT 5 STRIKES NASSAU? island government could have addressed such a mega storm without foreign assistance. Sadly, many simplistic narratives and myths perdure about the aftermath of the storm.

Despite the many complaints, Abaco and the Abaco Cays are recovering quicker than many jurisdictions in the aftermath of hurricanes. This includes the removal of vast amounts of debris, the reinstallation of the electrical grid, and other infrastructure, mostly paid for by the Government of the Bahamas. stunningly failed to take into account the magnitude of the devastation and the very limited resources available to the Government of The Bahamas, including assets such as helicopters, morgue capacity and security personnel.

If The Bahamas did not receive international aid, the disaster would have been considerably worse.

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CATEGORY HELL

We are a small developing country, with few resources and capacity to respond to a Dorian-like event, which UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres described as: “Category Hell”.

Visiting Abaco after the devastation, Guterres exclaimed: “I have to say that I have seen in my life in different capacities, earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, cyclones, I don’t remember seeing such a systematic level of devastation. Even when I came two years ago to Dominica... This kind of systematic destruction is unique.”

But what would happen if this level of systematic destruction occurs on our capital?

It is possible and likely that New Providence and Paradise Island will be struck by a Category 5 Hurricane in the lifetime of the majority of Bahamians.

Because of our location, we are extremely vulnerable to hurricanes. The quick moving easterly trade winds blow storms toward South America but they “get funneled up through the Caribbean and later further up into the Northern Atlantic.”

A number of researchers note that because of climate change, Atlantic hurricanes appear to be increasing in frequency and intensity. Hurricanes are fueled by warm waters, providing storms with more heat energy, helping them to become more powerful, more destructive, and deadlier.

Potentially weakening trade winds may result in slower moving storms, causing them to linger and to wreak more damage.

We sit in the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, which is “vulnerable to thermal expansion”, and higher waters because of glacier melting, posing a double threat to The Bahamas.

A leading tourism expert has observed for decades

that 80 percent of our tourism income is derived from two percent of our land.

According to the same tourism expert, between 60 to nearly 80 percent of our GDP is from tourism and related economic activity.

Approximately 70 percent of our population lives on this same two percent of land. A catastrophic hurricane hitting New Providence and Paradise Island would plunge The Bahamas into an economic, political and social nightmare that will make Dorian seem like a prelude to our potential collapse as a nation for an extended period.

Nassau, the economic centre of the archipelago, is “no more than 10m above sea level.” The largest resorts, including Baha Mar, Atlantis and Sandals sit on the coastline, just some metres above sea level. A direct strike on New Providence could shatter government revenues.

After Dorian struck, tourism rebounded quickly on New Providence, thanks in part to the marketing and communications effort of tourism officials. But what happens if our major resorts are under water and sustain enormous damage?

DESTRUCTION

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit flew to the UN General Assembly meeting in New York to plead for help and to describe conditions in the Caribbean after Maria destroyed much of his homeland: “Warmer air and sea temperatures have permanently altered the climate between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. Heat is the fuel that takes ordinary storms – storms we could normally master in our sleep – and supercharges them into a devastating force. In the past we would prepare for one heavy storm a year.

“Now, thousands of storms form on a breeze in the mid-Atlantic and line up to pound us with maximum force and fury. Before this century no other generation had seen more than one Category 5 hurricane in their lifetime. In this century, this has happened twice... and notably it has happened in the space of just two weeks.”

In The Bahamas, there was Irma in 2017, Dorian in 2019, and previous storms, such as Joaquin. When will New Providence experience a direct and devastating blow from a Category 5 storm? Will we be anywhere near ready? How will we respond? What will be the aftermath?

• More next week

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, November 4, 2021, PAGE 9

Could Youngkin’s victory show path without Trump?

STATESIDE

with Charlie Harper

TUESDAY might have answered the biggest contemporary question in American politics.

Republican Glenn Youngkin not only captured the governorship of the Commonwealth of Virginia for his party’s first such triumph since 2009, but he carried with him into office the state’s first black female lieutenant governor and swept aside a two-term Democratic attorney general.

While the election had seemed to tighten considerably in the waning weeks of a long, acerbic campaign, the nonetheless surprising result seemed to offer the US a political path forward that does not include pouting, puerile, pernicious and petty Donald J Trump.

Such a path was not previously apparent, leaving the country vulnerable to the dangerous, demagogic rhetoric and divisive policies of the former president and acolytes such as the governors of Florida and Texas and senators such as Texas’ Ted Cruz and Missouri’s Josh Hawley.

It’s not as though the former president has experienced an epiphany and now realises that despite his enduring support among the self-identified rank and file Republican voters who respond to poll questions, he may represent the biggest threat to a Republican resurgence that seems to be gaining significant momentum.

In a tele-rally on the eve of Virginia’s momentous election, and after what were reportedly quiet and sensitive negotiations between Trump’s camp and the Youngkin inner circle, Trump rambled on for six minutes extolling Youngkin, a “fantastic fellow”.

According to news reports, Trump also repeated numerous mendacious, tired taglines. He claimed that a victory by Democrat Terry McAuliffe would “destroy your neighbourhoods, wreck your schools, endanger your security and crush your property values”.

In fairness, these charges all have some indirect basis in policy fact. Progressive and hyper-liberal Democrats across the country, emboldened by Trump’s defeat last year and their part in Joe Biden’s victory, have indeed introduced measures that have

proposed the following: zoning changes to reduce the preponderance of single-family homes in relatively prosperous areas to encourage affordable housing; curriculum adjustments in public schools that can be characterised as promoting white guilt over past and continuing racial injustice; defunding city police forces in favour of multi-disciplinary law enforcement staffing that might stimulate criminal violence, and, as a potential result of all of the above, a major depression in currently robust property values in many parts of the US. A large number of American voters, like voters everywhere else where such choices are confronted, will seek alternatives.

This is not to say that defeated Virginia Democrat Terry McAuliffe openly espoused any of the scary policies outlined above. But even as he doggedly continued to tie Trump to Youngkin, McAuliffe was unable to deflect the shade thrown his way by the Republicans.

Terry McAuliffe also looked old this year. And his candidacy also felt old.

This veteran political fixer first made his national name thirty years ago as a prodigious fundraiser for first Bill and then Hillary Clinton. He’s as much a relic of the past as Hillary was as a presidential candidate in 2016. He was also previously governor of Virginia, from 2013-2017. The state constitution does not permit governors to run for a second consecutive term, so McAuliffe was termlimited after four years and only returned to active statewide politics last year.

He was also facing, in Youngkin, someone who looks like a Virginian. With a shock of brown hair constantly unfurling on his brow and an acknowledged folksiness that belies the immense personal wealth that largely allowed him to self-finance his campaign – to the reported tune of $20m – this former investment banker carefully navigated the treacherous path first to nomination and then to general election.

His challenge was what many expect to confront Republicans everywhere next year: At present, it appears that to get the GOP nomination for public office and/or discourage a

financially damaging primary election challenge, Republicans must first persuade Trump’s supposedly rabid base of their fealty to him. Then, as Republicans, and Democrats, have mostly been obliged to do for generations in similar situations, they must inch toward the political centre to triumph in the general election.

Because Trump represented such an uncivil, jarring extreme in personal behaviour, many felt that such a delicate balancing act would prove insurmountable for Republicans in 2022.

Youngkin seems to have nonetheless pulled it off.

After publicly bowing down to Trump during the Republican primary campaign earlier this year and emerging with the GOP nomination from a crowded field, Youngkin edged carefully away from the former president. Youngkin managed to be nowhere near Trump’s election eve telerally, for example. He never invited Trump to campaign with him. He admitted that Joe Biden was legitimately elected as president last year.

Trump stayed faithfully loyal. This was likely in part because Trump respects power and money above all else and Youngkin has clearly made a lot of money in his career. But in any case, the ex-president issued no snarky reactions to Youngkin’s rebuffs.

Indeed, Trump praised him this week again as a “fantastic guy”.

It’s early in the forthcoming process of dissecting this election. But Youngkin won because voters saw him as more a steady, traditional, instinctively conservative Republican.

And they seemed to have looked beyond his great personal wealth to see him as more like them than, for example, the aloof Mitt Romney and George H W Bush, whose elitism could not be so easily disguised in their own unsuccessful national campaigns in 1992 and 2012.

Republican, conservative values look good in America this morning.

As Fox News opinionshow hosts Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham smugly but credibly intoned on Tuesday night, the presidency of Joe Biden has stumbled out of the gate in many areas.

VIRGINIA Governor-elect Glenn Youngkin greets supporters at an election night party in Chantilly after he defeated Democrat Terry McAuliffe.

Photo: Andrew Harnik/AP First, he has clearly been unable to keep his own party in line. Look for example at the US Senate.

Democrats Joe Manchin, a reported coal-mine part owner from West Virginia and Kirsten Sinema, a maverick gadfly of indeterminate policy roots from Arizona, have been allowed to hijack Biden’s ambitious reform agenda on issues like climate change and taxes that enjoy significant popularity among American voters.

Contrast that disorder with the Republicans in the Senate, who continue to do just as Minority Leader Mitch McConnell tells them to do. What are we hearing from the once-rebellious Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Ben Sasse of Nebraska, or Susan Collins of Maine these days? Any dissent from the monolithic GOP resistance to Biden and his policy initiatives? Not recently.

Voters have become inured to Republican obstructionism in the Senate under McConnell.

No one, including liberal pundits, expects anything else. But voters could reasonably have expected

change and progress under Biden and Democratic working majorities in both houses of Congress. Maybe Youngkin’s success will scare Democrats into compromise and unity on major initiatives now, but the first impressions of Biden aren’t a good look for him or his party.

Biden also does look old.

On television, unless he is looking straight into the camera, it is easy enough to view him as the old, balding man that he indubitably is.

Second, the performance of Biden and his party has been susceptible to credible attack on many fronts.

Lifting restrictions on climate-threatening practices such as hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) for gas and oil reserves enabled Trump & Co. to tout American energy independence. Now it is easy to superficially link reimposition of climate-friendly government restrictions with rising gasoline prices in the US, which make everything more expensive and have a tendency to drive inflation.

The Democrats’ left wing apparent extremism on education, together with the party’s indivisible

alliance with the National Education Association public school teachers’ union, has expanded the party’s vulnerability.

And the debacle at the southern American border, while it has receded from the headlines temporarily, continues to reinforce the notion that Democrats cannot be trusted with matters of national security or foreign policy.

Biden’s precipitous, impulsive withdrawal from Afghanistan looks clumsy even though most observers acknowledge it was long overdue.

Furthermore, criticism of the Biden administration from outspoken Democratic representatives like Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez of New York and Jim Clyburn of South Carolina reveals the impatience on the left to accelerate progressive advances beyond the pace that is acceptable to many Americans.

Biden is now back in the US from the Glasgow climate change summit.

Will Youngkin’s Virginia triumph help him to unite his party and rise from the ashes again?

SPORTS PAGE 14

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2021

Minister Bowleg outlines ‘Blueprint for Change’

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

M

inister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg gave his first parliamentary address since he was appointed to the post and highlighted how his administration plans to develop Bahamian sport during its tenure.

Minister Bowleg outlined his administration’s “Blueprint for Change” which will be highlighted by mass improvements in the infrastructure of local sporting facilities, the revitalisation of the “Sports in Paradise” initiative, and the return of landmark events like the Bahamas Games and World Athletics World Relays.

“The role and significance of my ministry, I believe, has far too long been unappreciated and it is my intent to change that perception. My focus has been on conducting an assessment of the state of the multiple sporting facilities within the ministry’s inventory,” Bowleg said. “I am to report, the results of the assessment were very concerning and highlighted the tremendous amount of technical and financial support which will be needed to ensure that my ministry will be appropriately prepared to meet the opportunities my government intends to deliver.”

In an effort to expand beyond a Nassau-centric mindset, Bowleg got a firsthand view of some of the sporting facilities that come under his jurisdiction earlier this month, both in the capital and on Family Islands.

“The sporting facilities at the Grand Bahama Complex along with the sporting properties of my ministry in Nassau that is - the South Beach Pools, the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex, the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium, the Betty Kelly Kenning Swimming Complex, and

the Thomas A Robinson National Track and FIeld Stadium all require much attention. In order to raise the standard of those facilities to the comfort of patrons and for the functionality to properly host events, it is my intention to address these concerns immediately,” Bowleg said.

“We will address the shortage of proper sports facilities in the Family Islands by mounting a multi-billion sports facility development plan over a 10-year span - commencing in the next budget cycle.

The ultimate goal here is to empower the young Family Island athletes, with the ability to hone their skills and maximise their potential from the comfort and convenience of their respective islands.”

The re-establishment of the “Sports in Paradise” is an initiative that partners the ministry with various sporting federations, National Sports Authority and the Ministry of Tourism, to formulate strategies of a plan for success. To that end, the World Relays, a marquee athletics event hosted in the Bahamas from 201417, heads the lists of events targeted to return.

“The ministry has begun preliminary discussions on the steps necessary to secure and return the World Athletics World Relays to our shores,” he said. “We have learned that the next opportunity to host these games, these exciting races, is not until 2025. This means that we will have sufficient time to assess the feasibility study of the venture and if satisfied, devise a strategic plan not only of having the success of submitting the winning bid but ensuring its cost effectiveness to the government and the people of The Bahamas.”

On the local front, the Bahamas Games, last hosted in 2021, is also set to return. “In the spirit of unity and showcasing our sports might, we will

MINISTER of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg gave his first parliamentary address since he was appointed to the post and highlighted how his administration plans to develop Bahamian sport during its tenure. seek to create an annual games for each island and the relaunching of the Bahamas games to be held every three years. My ministry continues to advance the plans for the hosting of the Bahamas Games, which is being planned as the Golden Jubilee Games in 2023 to coincide and commemorate the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence,” Bowleg said.

“My ministry is convinced that the Bahamas Games promotes the kind of social cultural integration that enhances nation building.

Indeed, the unique atmosphere generated by the represented assembly of all Bahamian athletes, coaches, their team, attendees and added supporters combined creates lifelong friendships among the scattered islands and communities of the Bahamas. The added value of previous games is reflected in the early detection of abundant world-class athlete talent, residents in the Family Islands.

The ministry seeks to revive the Bahamas Games as a matter

of national interest and as the impetus for greater national cohesion.”

At the administrative level, he noted that both Tokyo Olympics gold medal winners - Steven Gardiner and Shaunae Miller-Uibo received cash rewards of $40,000 each while finalist Devynne Charlton received $5,000.

In addition, a pension fund for national athletes will also be established.

“In consistency with this administration’s ideology, my ministry will seek the support of stakeholders to make contributions for the success of sports,” Bowleg said. “For this reason, we will immediately seek the reactivation of the National Sports Advisory Council. Likewise, there will be the re-establishment of a national Family Island Sports Council, whereby persons on the ground in their respective communities are able to bring new innovative ideas for the growth and development of sports throughout the country.”

The construction of the Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium also took

centre stage, and while no timeline was given for its completion, Bowleg said the continued growth of baseball has warranted improvement in local facilities.

The Bahamas is expected to host the Babe Ruth Baseball Caribbean Zone Championships and 16U Invitational, July 7-11, 2022. “Local baseball development leagues continue to provide a strong fundamental base of training for our youth.

International baseball leagues have taken note and an increasing numbers of young athletes are being recruited into pro leagues, creating economic opportunities like no other for them,” Bowleg said.

“For this reason my ministry will continue to work closely with the Minister of Works to complete the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium in the fastest means possible. These sporting events provide much-needed economic benefits to both athletes and country. Equally as important, they provide community pride and national unity.”

Paris Masters, page 18

DURANT SCORES 32 POINTS, NETS BEAT HAWKS 117-108 NEW YORK (AP) — Kevin Durant scored 32 points and led the spurt that broke open the game late in the third quarter, and the Brooklyn Nets beat the Atlanta Hawks 117-108 last night for their third straight victory.

Durant had 13 points in a 20-4 run to end the third that turned a tie game into a 16-point Nets lead going to the fourth. He added seven rebounds and five assists overall.

Joe Harris made six 3-pointers and scored 18 points, James Harden had 16 points and 11 assists, and the Nets finished 4-2 on their homestand.

76ERS 103, BULLS 98 PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid had 18 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in his return to the lineup, and Seth Curry scored 22 points and hit a crucial jumper late to lead Philadelphia over Chicago.

Georges Niang added 18 points to help the shorthanded 76ers win their fourth in a row.

MAVERICKS 109, SPURS 108 SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Jalen Brunson had 31 points and 10 rebounds, Luka Donic added 23 points and 12 rebounds and Dallas rallied past San Antonio.

Tim Hardaway Jr also had 23 points for Dallas.

Dejounte Murray scored 23 points, and Devin Vassell had a season-high 21 for the Spurs. They have lost six of seven since a seasonopening victory.

PACERS 111, KNICKS 98 INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Myles Turner scored 25 points, hitting 7 of 10 3-pointers, and had 13 rebounds in Indiana’s victory over New York.

Turner scored the first eight points of the game — and the Pacers never trailed. Caris LeVert added 21 points for Indiana. RJ Barrett led New York with 23 points, and Julius Randle added 18 points and 14 rebounds.

PRO BASKETBALL PLAYER ‘SHAQ’ College players make their CLEARE WILL RETURN TO SPAIN debuts at the JuCo level

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net SHAQUILLE Cleare will return to Spain in the Española de Baloncesto – Gold while Travis Munnings and Kino Burrows had season high performances for their respective clubs.

Cleare will join Actel Forca Lleida in the second division in the country’s basketball system.

In 24 games with the club in the 2018-19 season, he averaged 11.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.

Cleare initially signed with SO Maritime Boulogne of France’s Nationale Masculine 1 League for the upcoming season.

Last season, Cleare briefly joined Munnings at UD Oliveirense in Portugal’s Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol (LPB).

In just six games with the club, he averaged 9.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game.

In his four-year professional career, he has also played in Mexico and Switzerland.

CLEARE Munnings had his best game of the FIBA EuroCup since he joined Sporting Lisboa Benfica.

The third year forward finished with 22 points, six rebounds and six assists in Benfica’s 99-89 win over Opava on Tuesday. He followed with just three points last night, but Benfica continued their EuroCup win streak with a 78-76 win over Heroes Den Bosch in the Netherlands.

Munnings is averaging 11 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game, shooting 53 percent from the field and 53 percent from three-point range. He is currently in his second season in Portugal’s LPB. Last year he averaged 12.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game for

UD Oliveirense. Burrows scored a team high 19 and grabbed five rebounds for St. Thomas Basket Le Havre in a 77-59 win over So Pont de Cheruy Charvieu Chavanoz to improve to 5-4 on the season.

The veteran forward shot 9-10 from the field to help his team improve to No.6 in Group B of France’s NM1 League. On the season, his first with the club, Burrows is averaging a team high 13.9 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.

Also in the NM1 League, Willis Mackey has emerged as the leading scorer for Mulhouse Basket Agglomeration.

In six games, the third year forward is averaging 14.3 points and six rebounds per game on 68 percent shooting from the field and 50 percent from three-point range.

Mackey spent last season with JSA Bordeaux Métropole Basket as the team struggled to a 7-19 record, 13th place in Group A. In 16 games he averaged 13.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net SEVERAL Bahamian collegiate basketball players made their season debuts with new programmes at the JuCo level in NJCAA basketball.

Joshua Dames and Bradley Lightbourne got the Kansas City Kansas Community College Blue Devils off to a promising start this season with an 87-65 lopsided win over Southwestern Community College Tuesday night.

Dames finished with 10 points and nine rebounds.

He shot 4-5 from the field and 2-3 from three-point range and also added a pair of steals and assists in 19 minutes.

Lightbourne scored a team high 15 points off the bench on 7-11 shooting from the field and a team high three steals in just 17 minutes.

The Blue Devils return to the floor tomorrow night when they travel to face North Central Missouri College in the NCMC Challenge. KCKCC will

JOSHUA Dames and Bradley Lightbourne. play the second game of a back-to-back against Spoon River College on November 6.

Both freshman guards transferred to KCKCC after a COVID shortened season with Midland College Chaparrals in Midland, Texas. They completed their high school at British Columbia Christian

Prep Panthers and signed their letters of intent to join the Midland College Chaparrals in Texas.

In his senior season with the Panthers, Dames averaged 18 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.8 steals and two assists per game while shooting 63 percent from the field and 34 percent from three-point range.

Lightbourne averaged 12 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.4 steals per game while shooting 55 percent from the field.

Richard Lowe also had a successful debut week with the Western Oklahoma State College Pioneers.

After playing sparingly in a 100-54 win over Dallas Premier Prep on Monday, Lowe got the start Tuesday night in an 85-63 win over Wayland Baptist JV. Lowe finished with 18 points, eight rebounds, two steals, and two blocked shots. He shot 7-8 from the field and a perfect 4-4 from the free throw line.

The Pioneers will look to remain undefeated when they face the University of the Southwest JV on November 6.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, November 4, 2021, PAGE 15

Guptill powers New Zealand to 16-run win over Scotland DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Martin Guptill smashed seven sixes before missing out on a century as New Zealand secured a 16-run victory over Scotland at the T20 World Cup yesterday.

Guptill made 93 runs off 56 balls in the Black Caps’ total of 172-5 in sweltering heat and humidity after fitagain Scotland captain Kyle Coetzer won the toss and chose to field.

In reply, Scotland finished on 156-5 for its third straight Group 2 defeat.

Matthew Cross (27) hit five boundaries in one over against Adam Milne in the batting powerplay and Michael Leask scored a brisk 42 not out off 20 balls.

New Zealand’s experienced pacers, Trent Boult (2-29) and Tim Southee (1-24), bowled well but legspinner Ish Sodhi (2-42) proved expensive against Leask late in Scotland’s chase.

Guptill’s power-hitting rescued New Zealand but not before seamer Safyaan Sharif (2-28) had removed Daryl Mitchell for 13 and then found a faint edge from captain Kane Williamson (0) in the fifth over.

Devon Conway (1) fell to leftarm spinner Mark Watt’s first ball when he gloved a reverse sweep behind as New Zealand slipped to 52-3 at the start of the seventh over. But Guptill then took charge in

a 105-run partnership with Glenn Phillips (33).

Guptill became only the second batter to reach 3,000 runs in T20 internationals after India’s Virat Kohli (3,225) when he flicked Alasdair Evans to fine leg for a six early in his knock.

Guptill completed his half century off 35 balls before Scotland managed to fight back late in the innings by giving away only 22 runs in the last three overs.

Brad Wheal (2-40) was expensive, but removed both Phillips and Guptill off successive deliveries in the penultimate over with both batters holing out at long on while going for big shots.

New Zealand has four points from three games

NEW Zealand’s Martin Guptill bats during the Cricket Twenty20 World Cup match between New Zealand and Scotland in Dubai, UAE, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili) and needs to beat Afghanistan and Namibia in its last two group matches to guarantee a place in the semifinals. Pakistan, which beat New Zealand, has

already qualified for the semifinal.

They won four successive matches.

Scotland, which stormed into the Super 12s on the

back of three successive victories in the qualifiers, also lost to both Namibia and Afghanistan and faces India and Pakistan in its last two group games.

India gets first points, beats Afghanistan at T20 World Cup ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul combined for a blistering 140-run opening stand yesterday as India racked up the highest score in this year’s T20 World Cup and finally won its first game, beating Afghanistan by 66 runs.

Rohit smashed 74 off 47 balls and Rahul made 69 off 48 deliveries in India’s mammoth total of 210-2 after captain Virat Kohli lost his third successive toss and was asked to bat first.

Hardik Pandya (35 not out) and Rishabh Pant (27 not out) provided a brisk finish by hammering 65 runs in the last four overs as Afghanistan’s premier bowler Rashid Khan returned with a rare unimpressive figure of 0-36.

Afghanistan never looked likely to come close before finishing on 144-7 to lose its second game in four matches.

Ravichandran Ashwin, playing his first game of the tournament, picked up 2-14 and buckled Afghanistan in the middle overs with fellow spinner Ravindra Jadeja.

“Much better wicket as well,” Kohli said.

INDIAN players applaud teammate Hardik Pandya who took a catch to dismiss Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz yesterday during the Cricket Twenty20 World Cup match in Abu Dhabi, UAE. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi) “In the other two games as well, if we just had two overs of that free-flowing batting capability, that could have sent the message to the opposition that we’ve put them under pressure.”

Karim Janat, who reached 1,000 runs in T20 internationals, remained unbeaten on 42 off 22 balls

to narrow the margin of defeat.

Despite the big win, India’s slim chance to progress into the semifinals depends on whether it can beat Scotland and Namibia by big margins while other results also go in its favor.

“Net run-rate was on the back of our mind,”

Kohli said. “We spoke in the team meeting that we have to focus on the chance we have (to qualify for the semifinals) and stay positive and hunt that chance down.”

India lost to archrival Pakistan by 10 wickets and to New Zealand by eight wickets before its top order

batsmen finally came good in the third Group 2 game.

Rohit’s elevation back as an opener after being demoted in the last game against New Zealand paid off as Afghanistan’s seamers and spinners couldn’t stem the flow of runs.

Afghanistan’s decision to prefer Sharafuddin Ahmed

ahead of in-form spinner Mujeeb-ur-Rahman didn’t bear fruit as the leftarm spinner was taken out of the attack after conceding 25 runs with the new ball.

Rohit hit eight fours and three sixes and Rahul smashed six fours and two sixes before both fell in the space of seven runs.

Rohit holed out to extra cover in the 15th over and Rahul was beaten by Gulbadin Naib’s slow yorker while attempting a scoop against the right-arm seamer.

But Pandya and Pant then punished Afghanistan seamers Naveen-ul-Haq (0-59) and Hamid Hassan (0-34) in the death overs to post the first score above 200 runs in the tournament.

“We wanted to bat second because of the dew, and the wicket looked really good for batting,” Afghanistan captain Mohammad Nabi said.

“In the end there wasn’t that much dew, but India batted well on this pitch and put our bowlers under pressure.

“We didn’t rotate strike well in the middle (overs), threw away our wickets and got under pressure.”

SUMMER CASTOFF JORGE SOLER TRANSFORMS INTO WORLD SERIES MVP

By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer HOUSTON (AP) — A spare piece no more, Jorge Soler drove a pitch over the train tracks, out of Minute Maid Park and deep into the heart of Texas. He dropped his bat, tapped his chest twice and jabbed a hand toward the Atlanta Braves dugout, yelling “I’m here!”

Three months earlier, he was a .192 hitter on a fourth-place team.

Two weeks ago, he was sidelined by COVID-19.

Now, he was a World Series star, finishing off the Houston Astros for the Braves’ first World Series title since 1995.

A bit player during the Chicago Cubs’ droughtsmashing victory over Cleveland five years ago, Soler was voted MVP of Atlanta’s six-game Series win over the Astros.

“We’ve known what he can do for so long,” Freddie Freeman said in the interview room as Soler waited to walk up to the podium.

“Two years ago, he’s hitting 50 homers. It’s actually pretty incredible what he did in the World Series, getting COVID in the NLCS and missing 10 days and then coming back and not missing a beat.”

Soler hit .300 with three home runs and six RBIs. Numbers tell only part of the story.

Each home run was a moment in time, a roundtrip trio that will be replayed over and over

when Soler is introduced for the rest of his life.

He started off the 117th World Series with something that had not occurred in the first 678 games of baseball’s championship — a home run by the very first batter. After taking two balls from Framber Valdez, he turned on a 93.7 mph heater at the letters and drove it 382 feet, about four rows deep into the Crawford seats behind the 19-foot high left-field scoreboard.

Then, after Dansby Swanson hit a tying home run in the seventh inning Saturday at Atlanta, Soler pinch hit against Cristian Javier and got just enough of a hanging slider.

The ball sailed over the glove of a charging Yordan Álvarez as he crashed into Truist Park’s 6-foot chain link left-field fence and landed in the Astros bullpen for a 3-2 lead that stood up, giving the Braves a three games to one Series lead.

Soler saved his best for last.

With the score 0-0 in the third inning Tuesday night, Atlanta put two on with two outs against Luis Garcia. Soler worked the count full.

There was double-barreled action in the Astros bullpen. Freeman watched intently from halfway between the on-deck circle and the plate.

Soler fouled off a slider, slapping the ball harshly behind third base, and then a fastball, even farther foul.

ATLANTA Braves designated hitter Jorge Soler holds up the MVP trophy after winning baseball’s World Series in Game 6 against the Houston Astros on Tuesday night in Houston. The Braves won 7-0.

(AP Photo/David J Phillip) “I was sitting on the offGarcia didn’t turn to was just 2 for 5 with a walk speed, and I was thinking to look, either. Like Charlie in the 2016 Series and was myself, if he throws me an Brown, he knew. dealt to Kansas City that offspeed pitch, I can con“You know it happens, September for reliever nect and drive the ball,” right? It happens. That’s it,” Wade Davis.

Soler said through a trans- Garcia said. “I mean, it’s Soler led Amerilator. “If he throws me a OK. It just happens.” can League batters with fastball, I’m just going to Soler’s three Series home 48 home runs in 2019 try to stay alive during this runs matched the most for — and also with 178 at-bat.” the Braves, equalling Hank strikeouts. With Atlanta As catcher Martín Mal- Aaron in 1957, Lonnie seeking replacements for its donado splayed his right Smith in 1991 and Ryan depleted outfield, the outleg wide toward the first Klesko in 1995. of-contention Royals dealt base dugout to set his glove Soler had a Cuban flag the 29-year-old on July down low, Javier threw an draped around him during 83.4 mph cutter and the ball the celebration, the second spun right over the middle World Series MVP from of the plate, belt high. the island nation after the Soler didn’t see the ball Marlins’ Livan Hernandez clear the stadium. in 1997.

“Immediately after I hit After defecting from it, I turned around just to Cuba in 2011, Soler agreed look at our dugout and start to a $30 million, nine-year celebrating,” he said. contract with the Cubs. He

30 for minor league righthander Kaley Kalich.

“It was challenging at first. I felt a little out of my comfort zone. I didn’t really know people,” Soler said.

“It was kind of tough to go to a new place and start making those acquaintances and everything. Within a week, I felt right at home.

Everyone in that clubhouse welcomed me in, and it felt instantly, after a little while, just like a family.”

Soler revived with the Braves, hitting .269 with 14 homers and 33 RBIs. He didn’t drive in any runs in the NL playoffs, missing five games because of a positive COVID-19 test.

He was among the fabulous four players acquired by general manager Alex Anthopoulos ahead of the July 30 trade deadline.

Eddie Rosario, Joc Pederson and Adam Duvall also played key roles.

“You can go and get players, and you can throw him in a clubhouse, and sometimes that piece just don’t fit into that puzzle,” Freeman said.

“They came into our clubhouse, and they fit perfectly.”

And now World Series rings will fit snugly, too.

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PAGE 16, Thursday, November 4, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Paul now 3rd in all-time assists, Suns earn victory over Pelicans

By DAVID BRANDT AP Sports Writer PHOENIX (AP) — Chris Paul was struggling through the first half and — frankly — looking a little old and creaky.

The moment was fleeting.

The 36-year-old Paul responded with a vintage performance in the second half, finishing with 14 points and 18 assists as the Phoenix Suns rallied for a 112-100 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night.

“It’s pretty cool to watch greatness,” Suns coach Monty Williams said.

Paul is now third in NBA history with 10,346 career assists, passing both Mark Jackson and Steve Nash.

The point guard scored all of his points in the second half and dished 10 assists to help the Suns steamroll the Pelicans down the stretch.

“I’m just inspired by it honestly,” Suns guard Devin Booker said. “Been a fan for a really long time.

It’s really fun to see, it’s really fun to be a part of it.

A long time from now, I’ll be able to say I got to play with Chris Paul.”

The Suns improved to 3-3 this season. The Pelicans fell to 1-7.

Mikal Bridges led the Suns with 22 points. Little-used reserve Frank Kaminsky added 17 points and four steals, and JaVale McGee had 18 points and five rebounds. The two big men were particularly good as the Suns regained control of the game in the second half.

The Pelicans led by as many as 20 points in the first half, but that advantage was cut to 65-62 by midway through the third quarter. New Orleans took an 82-76 lead into the final quarter. Then it was Paul’s turn to take over — he was 5 of 5 shooting from the field in the fourth and 2 of 2 on free throws.

“We made a lot of mistakes, especially in that second half to a team you can’t make mistakes to,” Pelicans guard Josh Hart said. “Being young is not an excuse. We weren’t dialed in the second half defensively to focus on getting stops and playing our game.

“When that happens, we blow a 20 point lead and lose.”

The Pelicans took a 36-22 lead in the first quarter after making 6 of 10 3-pointers and forcing eight Suns turnovers. New Orleans had a 59-48 lead at halftime.

It was a brutal start for the Suns’ All-Star backcourt of Paul and Devin Booker, who combined for eight turnovers in the first half. The home team even heard scattered boos from fans in the second quarter before the cheers came in the second half.

Jonas Valanciunas led the Pelicans with 16 points and eight rebounds before the break. He finished with a team-high 23 points.

PAUL’S MILESTONES Paul earned the No. 3 spot in assists late in the first half, finding Jae Crowder for a wide open 3-pointer. If Paul continues

FANS cheer for Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul after his score against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half Tuesday night in Phoenix. The Suns won 112-100.

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) to move up the list, it’ll hole in each team’s starting job in New Orleans. Wiltake a while. Jason Kidd lineup. liams often said Green was is No. 2 with 12,091 assists Ayton’s averaging 13.8 instrumental in helping ,while John Stockton is No. points and 11.4 rebounds Phoenix build a roster that 1 with 15,806. per game. Ingram leads went to the NBA Finals “It means a lot,” Paul the Pelicans with 25 points last season. said. “I’m grateful and I per game, providing a big Williams and Suns guard thank God for this oppor- chunk of the scoring since Chris Paul sent messages tunity. Not just to be on star forward Zion Wil- to Green after his first win this team or still in the liamson hasn’t played this as a head coach last week. league, but just to be play- season.

Green said Phoenix will ing. I don’t take that for McGee started for the always be a special place granted.”

Suns in place of Ayton. for him.

Paul also climbed into Hart got the start for the “It’s surreal being back,” the 45th place for all-time Pelicans.

Green said. “Really good points with 20,056. He GREEN RETURNS memories here.” passed former Suns star Pelicans first-year coach TIP-INS Tom Chambers.

Willie Green returned to Pelicans: F Herbert MISSING MEN Phoenix for the first time Jones didn’t return after Suns forward Deandre since he was hired away taking an inadvertent Ayton (right leg contu- from the Suns. elbow to the eye from sion) and Pelicans forward Green was the lead teammate Valanciunas.

Brandon Ingram (right hip assistant under Suns coach Suns: G Cam Payne contusion) missed Tues- Monty Williams for two (hamstring) didn’t play. day’s game, leaving a large years before getting the

HEAT BEAT MAVERICKS 125-110 DALLAS (AP) — Four Miami Heat players had 22 or more points in holding off a late Dallas rally to beat the Mavericks 125-110 on Tuesday night.

Tyler Herro scored 25 points off the bench, 15 alone in the second quarter when the Heat outscored the Mavericks 46-32 to take a 70-62 halftime lead.

Jimmy Butler added 23 points, Kyle Lowry had 22 and Bam Adebayo scored 22 and grabbed 13 rebounds.

Luka Doncic scored a season-high 33 points for the Mavericks, who lost for the first time in four home games.

Jalen Brunson added a season-high 25 points in his first start of the season, necessitated by injuries that have sidelined Dallas big men Kristaps Porzingis and Maxi Kleber.

BUCKS 117, PISTONS 89 DETROIT (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 28 points, nine assists and eight rebounds in Milwaukee’s rout of Detroit.

The Bucks, who ended a three-game losing streak, also got 16 points from Pat Connaughton and reserve Jordan Nwora.

Jerami Grant led the Pistons (1-6) with 21 points, but Trey Lyles was the only other player to reach double figures with 13.

Cade Cunningham, the No. 1 pick in this summer’s draft, went 2 for 14 in his second NBA game, including 0 of 9 from behind the 3-point line. He is shooting 13.6% (3 of 22) thus far and has missed all 14 3-point attempts.

LeBron, Westbrook propel Lakers past the Rockets again, 119-117

By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Lakers’ immediate rematch with Houston was a whole lot tougher than the initial meeting, and it wasn’t decided until Kevin Porter Jr’s 3-pointer rimmed out right before the buzzer.

Los Angeles still kept winning with a huge collective game from its new Big Three.

LeBron James scored 14 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter, Russell Westbrook added 27 points and the Lakers swept back-to-back games against the Rockets with a 119-117 victory Tuesday night.

Anthony Davis had 27 points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots for the Lakers, who have won three straight and five of six after an 0-2 start to their reboot season.

After dominating Sunday’s visit from Houston, Los Angeles struggled through the first half and trailed by 11 in the third

quarter of the rematch before they were spurred to the win by Westbrook and James, who put LA ahead to stay while scoring 10 straight points midway through the fourth quarter.

“It was just about the moment,” said James, who has been managing a right ankle injury. “Just trying to make the best plays to help our team win.”

Rookie Jalen Green scored 24 points for Houston, but the second overall pick was scoreless in the second half until he hit back-to-back 3-pointers in the final minute, abruptly slicing the Lakers’ lead to one point with 8.2 seconds left. Malik Monk then made just one of two free throws for the Lakers, but USC product Porter missed a step-back 3 for Houston to end it.

“I didn’t like how we played the first game, (but) we for sure grew up a lot,” Green said. “I think today showed that we grew and started playing as a team and trusting each other.”

LOS Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) in action against the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night in Los Angeles.

(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) James, Davis and West- even better as the season the team said. ... German The officials took two brook scored at least 20 progresses. ... As long as big man Daniel Theis Lakers points off the board points apiece for the first we continue to learn from couldn’t play due to a sore with 2:31 to play when they time in their nascent part- game to game, we’re going right big toe, forcing Hou- realised a foul they had nership, while James added to see results.” ston to start the 19-year-old called was only the Rock10 assists and Westbrook Two nights after Los Sengün in its first starting ets’ fourth of the quarter, contributed nine rebounds Angeles held Houston to lineup change of the season. not the fifth. That meant and seven assists. Carmelo 85 points, the Rockets had ... Danuel House also sat Kent Bazemore hadn’t been Anthony also provided yet 70 by halftime against an out with a sprained right entitled to the two free another impressive perfor- unimpressive effort on foot. throws he had made — but mance off the bench, hitting defence by the Lakers, Lakers: Dwight Howard as the Lakers pointed out, three 3-pointers while scor- whose consistent defen- missed his second straight Los Angeles effectively ing 15 points. sive investment has already game with neck stiffness. ... lost a possession because Christian Wood had 26 appeared to be a problem Wayne Ellington was in uni- the game had already propoints and 16 rebounds for this season for a veteran form again, but still hasn’t ceeded past that point. the Rockets, who have lost roster. played this season while he “It’s definitely something five straight and six of seven “All of their guys shot recovers from a left ham- the league has got to look to begin this rebuilding the ball well,” Davis said. string strain. ... With two at,” Lakers coach Frank season. Houston still played “Hats off to them. That’s a steals, James (2,077) passed Vogel said. “I understand 2 1/2 impressive quarters young team that’s coming Mookie Blaylock (2,075) the mindset to get it right ... against the star-studded in and playing with a lot for 12th place on the NBA’s but the league can’t give us Lakers led by Wood and of freedom, and their guys career list. Karl Malone that possession back. Very Jae’Sean Tate, who had 20 can play. Sunday night, they (2,085) is 11th. ... West- frustrated by that.” points. didn’t make a lot of shots. brook scored his 22,000th Vogel, Bazemore and “Like I’ve said from the Tonight they did.” point, becoming the 34th Anthony all got technijump, we’re seeing the Alperen Sengün had player in league history to cal fouls for arguing calls growth,” Tate said. “We’re four points for Houston in do it. during the first half. seeing us get more com- the Turkish teenager’s first FOUL FOLLY UP NEXT fortable with each other. NBA start.

An unusual refereeRockets: At the Suns You’re seeing us get more TIP-INS ing review decision late in tonight. comfortable in the system, Rockets: Eric Gordon the fourth quarter left the Lakers: Host the Thunand I think it’s going to get couldn’t play due to nausea, Lakers fuming. der tonight.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, November 4, 2021, PAGE 17

Liverpool, Ajax cruise into Champs League KO rounds

By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer GENEVA (AP) — Liverpool and Ajax extended their perfect winning records in the Champions League yesterday to advance into the round of 16 — which is starting to take a 1970s throwback look.

Liverpool cruised past Atlético Madrid 2-0 at Anfield and Ajax hit 10-man Borussia Dortmund with late goals in a 3-1 come-from-behind win in Germany.

The four teams with four straight wins — after Bayern Munich and Juventus sealed their places Tuesday — have already given the knockout lineup a nostalgic feel. Ajax, Bayern and Liverpool combined to win all eight European Cup titles from 1971-78.

Liverpool had never opened a Champions League group stage with four wins, though it was rarely troubled against Atlético in Group B after Diogo Jota and Sadio Mané scored in the first 21 minutes. Atlético dropped to third in the group behind Porto, which was held to a

1-1 draw at last-place AC Milan.

Ajax is having a standout Champions League campaign after being ignored by the Super League founders from England, Italy and Spain when they lined up their ill-fated project several months ago.

The Dutch champion made it back-to-back big wins over Dortmund, which had veteran defender Mats Hummels sent off in the first half.

Second-place Dortmund trails Ajax by six points in Group C with two rounds left. Dortmund is level on points with Sporting Lisbon, which routed Besiktas 4-0 and hosts the German side next on Nov. 24.

Real Madrid and Inter Milan — two of the 12 Super League clubs — have taken control of Group D from upstart Sheriff after important wins yesterday.

Karim Benzema’s goals ensured Madrid beat Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 and lead the standings by two points from Inter. The Italian champion made it two straight wins over Sheriff, 3-1 away to the champion of Moldova.

Indianapolis floundering in AFC South, but Derrick Henry injury gives hope

By BARRY WILNER AP Pro Football Writer NOT all is lost for the Indianapolis Colts.

Sure, they are three games behind Tennessee in the AFC South. And yes, the Titans swept Indy this season to hold a massive tiebreaker.

Consider this, however: Derrick Henry, the Titans’ outstanding running back and the best offensive player in the division, is sidelined possibly for the remainder of the season.

So while hope doesn’t exactly spring eternal in Indianapolis (3-5), the team was handed something of an opening to get back in the race.

The Colts will start that climb as they open Week 9 when they host the New York Jets tonight.

“I understand it’s a really big hole to come back from and win the division, the odds are really stacked against us,” Colts coach Frank Rich says.

“I’m just not wired to think like that. The way I’m wired, the way our team is wired is we’ve got a game on Thursday night. We have to come back.”

As for the Jets (2-5), the only race they figure to be in is for the top overall draft choice next April. Even that is a long shot considering three teams have one win and Detroit has none.

Give the Jets, No. 27 in the AP Pro32 and getting 10 1-2 points from No. 20 Indianapolis according to FanDuel SportsBook, some due credit.

They’ve knocked off the Titans and last week Bengals, both of which are division leaders.

The spread seems huge, but so is the chasm in talent between these two rosters.

The short week could be a difference-maker, but ...

COLTS, 30-16 KNOCKOUT POOL: It figures that when Pro Picks goes for the Bengals, they turn into the Bungles again and lose to

the Jets. We’ll keep trying and go with DALLAS with or without Dak Prescott.

No. 20 Jacksonville (plus 14 1-2) at No. 6 Buffalo It’s time, and a perfect opportunity, for Buffalo to reassert its superiority.

BEST BET: BILLS, 33-10 No. 16 Cleveland (plus 2 1-2) at No. 11 Cincinnati A big-time rival should keep the Bengals from losing focus.

Or not.

UPSET SPECIAL: BROWNS, 23-21 No. 25 Atlanta (plus 6) at No. 8 New Orleans A big-time rival should keep the Saints from losing focus after a big win.

SAINTS, 20-16 No. 2 Green Bay (plus 1 1-2) at No. 14 Kansas City This would have been the Upset Special if Aaron Rodgers was playing.

Jordan Love?

CHIEFS, 22-13 No. 21 (tie) Denver (plus 9) at No. 4 Dallas This would have been the Best Bet if we were sure Dak Prescott would play.

Unsure so ...

COWBOYS, 26-13 No. 7 Tennessee (plus 7 1-2) at No. 1 Los Angeles Rams Losing Henry affects everything Tennessee does.

The Rams don’t need any such help.

RAMS, 31-20 No. 15 New England (minus 4) at No. 18 Carolina The Patriots finally beat a good team last week. Carolina is not a good team.

PATRIOTS, 19-13 No. 13 Los Angeles Chargers (minus 1 1-2) at No. 23 Philadelphia After looking like amateurs last week, can the Chargers look like pros at Philly?

CHARGERS, 26-22 No. 17 Minnesota (plus 5 1-2) at No. 10 Baltimore Another tight game — and close loss — for the Vikings.

RAVENS, 28-27 No. 9 Las Vegas (minus 3) at No. 26 New York Giants

LIVERPOOL’s Diogo Jota heads the ball to score his side’s first goal during the Champions League group B soccer match against Atletico Madrid in Liverpool, England, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Jon Super) Manchester City overpowered Club Brugge 4-1 and was rewarded with top spot in Group A after late drama at Leipzig where Paris Saint-Germain drew 2-2. A PSG team missing the injured Lionel Messi rallied from an early Leipzig surge to lead at halftime through two goals by Georgino Wijnaldum. But PSG dropped points after a stoppage-time penalty by Leipzig substitute Dominik Szoboszlai.

City took a one-point lead over PSG before they meet in Manchester in three weeks’ time.

ALEXANDERARNOLD ASSISTS Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold typically creates as many scoring chances in a season as a playmaker wearing No. 10.

His precision passes into the heart of the goalmouth carved open Atlético Madrid’s defence to set up Jota and Mané for simply taken goals.

They ensured Liverpool will be seeded as a group winner in the round of 16 draw on December 13. The 2019 champion is seven

points clear of second-place Porto.

Atlético’s loss ensured seven-time European champion AC Milan can still advance as group runner-up despite taking only its first point yesterday.

A 1-1 draw with Porto at San Siro ended with 40-year-old Milan substitute Zlatan Ibrahimovic being marked by 38-yearold Pepe. Ibrahimovic had a goal disallowed in the closing minutes because a teammate was offside.

Atlético hosts Milan in three weeks’ time when Liverpool welcomes Porto.

AJAX REVIVAL Ajax sold its core of young Dutch talent after its stellar Champions League run in 2019, when it was minutes away from reaching the final against Liverpool.

Serbian playmaker Dusan Tadic stayed and he scored yesterday in the 72nd minute to spark Ajax’s three-goal comeback at Dortmund.

Sébastien Haller scored for the fourth straight game and the former West Ham forward now has seven goals in the group stage.

Dortmund had led when Marco Reus scored a firsthalf penalty minutes after Hummels was sent off. It seemed a harsh decision for a sliding tackle on Brazilian forward Antony that did not appear dangerous.

PSG PAYS PENALTY Paris Saint-Germain already trailed to an early goal by its former player Christopher Nkunku, his fifth for Leipzig in the group stage, when the German side got a penalty in the 12th minute.

That spot-kick from Andre Silva was saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma, and PSG turned the game around with Wijnaldum’s first goals for the club.

When a second spot-kick was awarded in the closing minutes, Neymar tried to sway the outcome.

Szoboszlai didn’t and there is now an extra edge to PSG’s upcoming visit to Man City with Club Brugge still in contention just four points off second place.

City got goals from Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus after resting Kevin Kevin De Bruyne ahead of facing Manchester United this weekend.

AP PRO PICKS: Taking home Colts over Jets Thursday night

Give the Jets, No. 27 in the AP Pro32 and getting 10 1-2 points from No. 20 Indianapolis according to FanDuel SportsBook, some due credit. They’ve knocked off the Titans and last week the Bengals, both division leaders. Also the short week could be a difference-maker, but still.

GAME

STORYLINE

PICK

NYJ at IND

Spread seems huge, but so is chasm in talent between two rosters

IND 30-16

JAC at BUF

Perfect opportunity for Buffalo to reassert its superiority

BUF 33-10

CLE at CIN

A big-time rival should keep Bengals from losing focus ... or not

CLE 23-21

ATL at NO

A big-time rival should keep Saints from losing focus after a big win

NO 20-16

GB at KC

Would’ve been Upset Special if Aaron Rodgers was playing

KC 22-13

DEN at DAL

Would’ve been Best Bet if we were sure Dak Prescott would play, not sure ...

DAL 26-13

TEN at LAR

Losing Henry affects everything Titans do, Rams don’t need the help

LAR 31-20

NE at CAR

Patriots finally beat a good team last week ... Carolina is not a good team

LAC at PHI

After looking like amateurs last week, can Chargers look like pros at Philly?

LAC 26-22

MIN at BAL

Another tight game – and close loss – for the Vikings

BAL 28-27

NE 19-13

LV at NYG

Meadowlands not kind to Raiders but Giants tend to beat themselves

LV 26-24

CHI at PIT

Some positive vibes in Steel City, things very bleak in the Windy City

PIT 22-10

ARI at SF

If Arizona truly is a title contender, Cardinals will rebound here

ARI 26-21

HOU at MIA

MIA 17-9

Only drama here could have concerned a Deshaun Watson trade

NAUGHTY’S NFL PICKS - WEEK 9 LAST WEEK: 8-7 SEASON: 86-36 BYES - Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Football Team Obviously Halloween wasn’t kind to me, I got more tricks than treats.

Lots of teams wore disguises last week and were not their real selves.

Anyway that’s all in the past, I’m over my Halloween hangover, it’s a new week and here’s who I like.

THURSDAY NIGHT Colts vs Jets The Jets have a folk hero in the making in the form of backup QB Mike White, while the Colts are still trying to make out the Jekyll and Hyde like Carson Wentz.

So am I, as a matter of fact Wentz was bad last week so ....

COLTS 24 - Jets 23 SUNDAY 1:00PM Vikings vs Ravens Ravens off the bye at home are too much for the reeling Vikings on the road.

RAVENS 24 - Vikings 20 Patriots vs Panthers Bellichick makes Panthers QB Sam Darnold see ghosts again, just like when he was a Jet. PATRIOTS 27 Panthers 17 The Meadowlands has not been kind to the Raiders. But the Giants tend to beat themselves.

RAIDERS, 26-24 No. 24 Chicago (plus 6) at No. 12 Pittsburgh, Monday night While matters have a more positive appearance

Bengals vs Browns Youth will be served in this tough AFC North matchup.

BENGALS 31 - Browns 20 Broncos vs Cowboys Dak will be back under centre this week ... so 7 straight wins for the ‘Boys COWBOYS 38 - Broncos 20 Bills vs Jags The Bills plenty to lil’ bit !

BILLS 34 - Jags 17 Texans vs Dolphins Coin flip .... Dolphins at home.

The streak is over !!

DOLPHINS 24 - Texans 23 Falcons vs Saints Saints avoid the letdown against a divisional opponent.

SAINTS 23 - Falcons 20

in the Steel City, they are very bleak in the Windy City.

STEELERS, 22-10 No. 3 Arizona (minus 1) at No. 19 San Francisco If Arizona truly is a title contender, it will rebound here.

CARDINALS, 26-21

Raiders vs Giants Another dark cloud hangs over Raider nation, Saquon Barkley returns for the Giants, Raiders show resilience yet again.

RAIDERS 24 - Giants 23 Chargers vs Eagles Chargers are very inconsistent one week off one week on ... Chargers steal one on the road in Philly.

CHARGERS 23 - Eagles 20 Packers vs Chiefs No Aaron Rodgers no win for the Pack!

Chiefs at home, possibly big too.

CHIEFS 34 - Packers 24 Cardinals vs 49ers Tough NFC West matchup, Cardinals get back in the win column this week.

CARDINALS 27 - 49ERS 20 SUNDAY NIGHT Titans vs Rams No Derrick Henry for the Titans, LB Vaughn Miller newly acquired at the trade deadline makes the Rams’ defence lethal.

RAMS 31 - Titans 23 MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL Bears vs Steelers The Steelers add a Bear pelt to their collection. Steelers ugly at home.

STEELERS 23 - Bears 20

No. 31 Houston (plus 6 1-2) at No. 29 Miami The only drama here could have concerned a Deshaun Watson trade.

DOLPHINS, 17-9 ___ 2021 RECORD Last Week: Straight up: 8-7. Against spread: 7-8.

Season: Straight up: 77-45.

Against spread: 65-53-2.

Best Bet: Straight up: 5-3.

Against spread: 6-2.

Upset Special: Straight up: 7-0.

Against spread: 7-0.

PAGE 18, Thursday, November 4, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

MEDVEDEV ADVANCES, TSITSIPAS RETIRES AT PARIS MASTERS PARIS (AP) — Defending champion Daniil Medvedev stayed in contention for the year-end No. 1 ranking by defeating Ilya Ivashka of Belarus 7-5, 6-4 yesterday in the second round of the Paris Masters.

The second-seeded Russian squandered three set points at 5-1 in the first set and then allowed Ivashka to rally for 5-5. However, Ivashka then dropped serve with a double-fault and three unforced errors and Medvedev clinched the set with a backhand volley.

The U.S. Open champion broke for a 2-1 lead in the second but then hit doublefaults on his first two match points before converting the third when Ivashka sent a forehand wide.

Novak Djokovic, who is also playing in Paris, has a lead of 800 points over Medvedev in the rankings and could clinch the year-end No. 1 this week depending on their respective results.

Earlier, an injured Stefanos Tsitsipas retired from

his second-round match while trailing 4-2 against Australian opponent Alexei Popyrin.

The third-seeded Greek leads the ATP Tour with 55 wins this year and was playing his 73rd singles match.

However, his form has declined since he reached the French Open final, losing in the third round of the U.S. Open in September and in the second round in Vienna last week.

“I haven’t retired once in my life, and it was something that I had to do today,” Tsitsipas said. “Also I’m trying to be cautious for the next tournament, which is the most important one for me.”

Tsitipas has qualified for the season-ending ATP Finals, an eight-man tournament that starts on Nov. 14. He declined to say what was bothering him on Wednesday but he clutched his right arm several times during the match.

“I have had an issue there for quite a while now,” Tsitsipas said. “It has gotten

ALEXEI POPYRIN, of Australia, reacts yesterday after winning a point during his match against Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Paris Masters tennis tournament at the Accor Arena.

(AP Photo/Thibault Camus) bigger in the last couple of weeks, so I’m just trying to protect it. I felt the pain playing in the match, and I just don’t want for it to get worse than it is now.”

Americans Taylor Fritz, Marcos Giron and Sebastian Korda caused a few upsets in the second round.

Fritz beat fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev 7-5, 7-6 (2), qualifier Giron edged 11thseeded Diego Schwartzman 7-6 (2), 7-6 (4), and Korda cruised past St. Petersburg Open champion Marin Cilic 6-2, 6-4. Fritz converted the only break point he earned in the final game of the first

set and then saved the only break point he faced at 1-1 in the second.

Ranked 26th in the world, Fritz has been playing well in recent weeks.

He beat Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals at Indian Wells last month and reached the final of the St. Petersburg Open last week.

Rublev defeated Fritz 6-3, 6-1 in Dubai earlier this year. Felix Auger-Aliassime and Pablo Carreno Busta both dropped out of contention for the ATP Finals by losing in the second round, but seventh-seeded Hubert Hurkacz and 10th-seeded Cameron Norrie stayed in the race with victories.

The ninth-seeded AugerAliassime lost to Dominik Koepfer 6-3, 7-5, while the 12th-seeded Carreno Busta was beaten by French qualifier Hugo Gaston 6-7 (3), 6-4, 7-5. Koepfer, who saved seven match points against Andy Murray in the previous round, broke Auger-Aliassime twice in each set, winning seven straight games to take a 3-0

lead in the second. “Very disappointing. I should have done much better,” Auger-Aliassime said.

“He played very well, but I fought against myself at some times.”

Hurkacz beat American qualifier Tommy Paul 7-5, 7-6 (4) while Norrie defeated Toronto runnerup Reilly Opelka 6-3, 6-4.

Hurkacz overtook Jannik Sinner in the Race to Turin, virtually taking the last spot for the ATP Finals.

Also yesterday, the fourthseeded Zverev downed Dusan Lajovic 6-3, 7-6 (5).

The Olympic champion needed a medical timeout at 3-2 in the opening set to treat a neck strain.

The 16th-seeded Grigor Dimitrov rallied past 2018 Paris Masters champion Karen Khachanov 4-6, 6-2, 6-0, Carlos Alcaraz ousted Sinner 7-6 (1), 7-5, James Duckworth beat Lorenzo Musetti 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, and the 15th-seeded Gael Monfils of France overcame Adrian Mannarino 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2 to next play Djokovic.

US beats Spain to set up BJK Cup semifinal against Russia

By KAREL JANICEK Associated Press PRAGUE (AP) — The United States won both singles matches against Spain to reach the semifinals of the Billie Jean King Cup on yesterday.

The Americans faced a must-win situation after losing to Slovakia 2-1 in Group C on Tuesday, and Sloane Stephens and Danielle Collins both earned straight-set victories to render the final doubles meaningless.

The U.S., the most successful team in the competition formerly known as the Fed Cup with 18 titles, will face Russia in the semis.

The Russians eliminated defending champion France earlier in the day.

Stephens beat Nuria Parrizas-Diaz 6-4, 6-4, earning her seventh break of the match in the final game and converting her first match point with a backhand winner.

“I came out really confident, I knew that I’m ready,” said Stephens, the 2107 U.S. Open champion.

Collins secured the second point by easing past Sara Sorribes Tormo 6-1, 6-0 in just under one hour to seal the victory and eliminate Spain.

“I think in this format, every game, every set counts,” Collins said. “For me, I was just on a roll. I think it’s quite hard putting to words when you have a performance like that.”

After sweeping Canada 3-0 the previous day, Russia needed only one win from the best-of-three match against France to advance from Group A. It could rely on its top player, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, to deliver it.

The 12th-ranked Pavlyuchenkova rallied to beat Alize Cornet 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 to earn Russia the semifinal spot.

“I’m so happy and so proud of myself,” Pavlyuchenkova said. “It was an incredible match. It was very good tennis but the more important was the amazing fighting spirit from both of us.”

After dropping the first set, the Russian broke Cornet in the opening

games of the following two sets to improve her record against her 59th-ranked opponent to 7-1, hitting 34 winners on the way.

After the 2019 champion was upset by outsider Canada 2-1 in its opener on Monday, France needed to beat Russia 3-0 to advance.

Last year’s edition was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The 12 teams in the finals are divided into four groups of three teams in a new format of the competition. Only the group winners advance to Friday’s semifinals.

Earlier, Clara Burel kept France alive, winning the opening singles.

The 77th-ranked Burel upset Ekaterina Alexandrova, ranked 32nd, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 for her first victory over a top-50 player in her singles debut in the competition.

The Russian hit 34 winners but also produced 44 unforced errors before double-faulting on Burel’s fourth match point.

The Russians also won the doubles for a 2-1 overall win.

SLOANE STEPHENS, of the US, serves to Spain’s Nuria Parrizas-Diaz during their group C Billie Jean King Cup finals tennis match in Prague, Czech Republic, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Sepp Blatter, Platini indicted for fraud in Switzerland

By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer GENEVA (AP) — Former FIFA officials Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini were charged with fraud and other offences by Swiss prosecutors on Tuesday after a six-year investigation into a controversial $2 million payment.

The 85-year-old Blatter and 66-year-old Platini now face a trial at federal criminal court in Bellinzona. They could be jailed for several years if found guilty, though Swiss cases often take years to reach a conclusion.

“This payment damaged FIFA’s assets and unlawfully enriched Platini,” Swiss federal prosecutors said in a statement.

The case was opened in September 2015 and ousted Blatter ahead of schedule as FIFA president. It also ended Platini’s campaign to succeed his former mentor.

It centres on Platini’s written request to FIFA in January 2011 to be paid backdated additional salary for working as a presidential adviser in Blatter’s first term, from 1998-2002.

Blatter told FIFA to make the payment within

weeks. He was preparing to campaign for re-election in a contest against Mohamed bin Hammam of Qatar, where Platini’s influence with European voters was seen as a key factor.

“The evidence gathered by the (attorney general’s office) has corroborated that this payment to Platini was made without a legal basis,” prosecutors said.

Both Blatter and Platini have long denied wrongdoing and cited a verbal agreement they had made, now more than 20 years ago, for the money to be paid.

Blatter has been charged with fraud, mismanagement, misappropriation of FIFA funds and forgery of a document. Platini has been charged with fraud, misappropriation, forgery and as an accomplice to Blatter’s alleged mismanagement.

Fraud and forgery charges can be punished with jail sentences of up to five years.

“I view the proceedings at the federal criminal court with optimism — and hope that, with this, this story will come to an end and all the facts will be worked through cleanly,” Blatter said in a statement.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter, left, and UEFA President Michel Platini are engaged in conversation during the 65th FIFA Congress in Zurich, Switzerland, on Friday, May 29, 2015.

(Walter Bieri/Keystone via AP) Platini, was not placed under formal investigation until last year, and months later the more serious allegation of fraud was included against both men.

The three-time Ballon d’Or winner, who was captain of his national team when France won the European Championship in 1984, said Tuesday he was “perfectly confident and calm” about the outcome.

“I fully contest these unfounded and unfair accusations,” Platini said in a statement.

Platini has long said, and Blatter repeated Tuesday, that he declared the payment and paid taxes on it in Switzerland.

Prosecutors had opened criminal proceedings

against Blatter ahead of a police raid at FIFA headquarters in Zurich on the day he and Platini attended a meeting of the soccer body’s executive committee.

That came four months after a sweeping U.S. Department of Justice corruption investigation into world soccer was revealed with early-morning arrests of officials from the Americas at luxury hotels in Zurich in May 2015.

In the fallout of those hotel raids, and only days after being elected FIFA president for a fifth time, Blatter announced his plan to resign and call another vote to find a successor.

Platini had long been the expected FIFA heir but his

campaign was derailed by the police visit to FIFA’s offices even though he was not yet a suspect.

The FIFA ethics committee soon suspended both men for several weeks before banning each for six years.

Platini’s ban was later reduced to four years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on appeal, and he was cleared to return to soccer duty in October 2019. He had been linked to seeking a seat on the executive board of FIFPRO, the global group of soccer player unions.

Blatter has been in poor health and a final round of questioning by Swiss investigators was delayed until August.

After undergoing heart surgery last December, Blatter spent a week in an induced coma.

Blatter also faces a separate criminal proceeding related to authorizing a $1 million FIFA payment to Trinidad and Tobago in 2010 into the control of then-FIFA vice president Jack Warner. Two former FIFA officials are also suspects in that investigation.

The Swiss investigations of Blatter, and later Platini,

were refocused after prosecutor Thomas Hildbrand joined the case following turmoil in the attorney general’s office. The former lead prosecutor, Olivier Thormann, left the federal office in late-2018 after being cleared of a complaint of misconduct in the investigation.

Hildbrand, who is from the same hometown as Blatter, was then brought on to the investigation team with the reputation of having led a previous highprofile case tied to FIFA: the 2001 financial collapse of World Cup marketing agency ISL. Blatter’s lawyers failed in court to have Hildbrand removed from the current case.

The attorney general who was overseeing FIFA investigations in Switzerland, Michael Lauber, resigned last year because of misconduct. He was found to have misled an internal investigation into his undeclared meetings with current FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

Infantino was elected to lead FIFA in 2016 after stepping in to be UEFA’s emergency election candidate when Platini was suspended and then banned.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, November 4, 2021, PAGE 19

JONQUEL JONES, in action for the NBA’s Suns in this file photo, posted 17 points and 10 rebounds - both team highs - yesterday as her UMMC Ekaterinburg Foxes remained undefeated in the FIBA Women’s EuroLeague in Hungary. (AP)

Jonquel Jones delivers another double double, Foxes stay undefeated in FIBA EuroLeague

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net JONQUEL Jones delivered another double double and her UMMC Ekaterinburg Foxes remained undefeated in FIBA Women’s EuroLeague play in Europe.

Jones finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds - both team highs - in an 82-67 victory over KSC Szekszard in Szekszard, Hungary, yesterday.

She shot 7-12 from the field and also added five assists, with three blocked shots.

Through three EuroLeague games, since she concluded her historic MVP campaign in the WNBA, Jones has averaged 17 points, 9.7 rebounds, three assists and two blocks per game for the Foxes.

UMMC are unbeaten both domestically in the Russian Premier League and in the EuroLeague Women, where they stand at 5-0 after wins against BLMA, TTT Riga, Umana Reyer Venezia and ZVVZ USK Praha last month.

The Foxes only loss on the year was against Valencia, 73-66, in the SuperCup final.

Jones joined the club in week three with 19 points and nine rebounds against BLMA. She followed with 15 points and 10 rebounds against USK and 15 points and 11 rebounds USK Praha.

The Foxes are slated to continue EuroLeague play against MBA Moscow on November 24.

UMMC is favoured to repeat as EuroLeague champions for the seventh consecutive year, and boasts

a roster that also includes Brittney Griner (Phoenix Mercury), Breanna Stewart (Seattle Storm), Allie Quigley (Chicago Sky) and Courtney Vandersloot (Chicago Sky).

Last season, Jones averaged 14.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in EuroLeague play. She also shot 74 percent from the field and a league leading 62 percent (8-13) on threepoint field goals.

Jones’ extended offseason last year included three championship titles with the Foxes. They claimed their sixth FIBA Women’s EuroLeague title.

The Foxes’ season of milestones also included the Russian Premier League title for the 15th time in club history, and for the 13th consecutive season, along with the RFB Super Cup.

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THE TRIBUNE