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Volume: 120 No.215, November 9, 2023

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: PRICE–$1

BPL GIVEN GO-AHEAD TO CHARGE LATE FEES Company can impose $5 a month as it tries to cut $100m in arrears

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) has received approval to impose a $5 monthly fee on the 80 percent of customers who pay their bill late as it bids to slash its $100m accounts receivables.

Shevonn Cambridge, its chief executive, yesterday told the Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants (BICA) annual accountants’

BOY, EIGHT, HIT

BY ARMOURED TRUCK ON HIS WAY TO SCHOOL

weeks seminar that it has received regulatory go-ahead to implement the levy given that more than four out of every five customers pay their monthly bills after the due date.

The cash-strapped stateowned utility’s accounts receivables, representing monies owed by residential and business customers, stands at $100m as of August 2023, he said.

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net AN eight-year-old boy was rushed into surgery after he was hit by an armoured vehicle while trying to cross the road yesterday.

Police are investigating the traffic accident which they said left the child seriously injured. He was promptly taken to the hospital by Emergency Medical Services where his condition was last night listed as serious.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

MINISTER SAYS MINIMUM WAGE increase call ‘a little reckless’

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net LABOUR and Public Service Minister Pia Glover-Rolle said yesterday the government would not support another increase to the country’s minimum wage so soon after the last wage hike was introduced and believes calls from union leaders over the issue are “a little reckless”.

Her comments came after Obie Ferguson, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) president, announced his union’s plans to lobby for another minimum wage increase.

Mr Ferguson said the union wants at least $350 per week and is prepared to “take a strike vote” as a means to pressure government and private employers SEE PAGE SEVEN

SEE PAGE TW0

SEARS PLEDGES TRANSPARENCY but won’t talk ABOUT BELL

Making music in the sun THE BAHAMAS Department of Correctional Services Band performs during a ceremony at Pompey Square yesterday. See PAGE FOUR and FIVE for stories.

Photo: Dante Carrer

Quinton Lightbourne.

Eyes are on the chairmanship race as Fred Mitchell faces off against Ms Lynes.

However, Ms Lynes said there has been “an assigned attack on my character and my motives” in a note yesterday.

She said: “There has been so much in circulation with an assigned attack on my character and my motives

IMMIGRATION Minister Alfred Sears refused to comment on the alleged actions of his predecessor yesterday, saying his focus is on improving efficiency and maintaining transparency at the Department of Immigration.

“My responsibility is to speak to the issues of my personal knowledge during this period of my responsibility and we will, we are transparent and the commitment is to improve the efficiency and the confidence of the public will

SEE PAGE THREE

SEE PAGE THREE

LYNES CLAIMING ATTACK ON HER CHARACTER

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net AS the Progressive Liberal Party convention begins today, Robin Lynes has said there has been an “attack” on her character as she challenges for the chairman post.

More than 2,000 PLP members are expected to be at the party’s 55th national convention at

ROBYN LYNES Baha Mar on November 9 and 10, according to the event’s co-chair Senator

LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

PAGE 2, Thursday, November 9, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

Boy, eight, in surgery after being hit by armoured truck on his way to school from page one A police representative told The Tribune the child underwent surgery.

The incident occurred yesterday before 9am in the area of Wulff Road and Quintine Alley.

Police said: “Preliminary investigations revealed that the eight-year-old male child, while attempting to cross the Wulff Road corridor, was struck by an armoured vehicle driven by an adult male

who was travelling east along Wulff Road.”

A series of videos were posted online showing a crowd of people on the street in shock after the accident. Screams could be heard as people rushed to the boy’s aid.

Civilians and two police officers could be seen attending to the minor on the ground. Another man could be heard calling for someone to call an ambulance.

A SCREEN capture from a video posted on social media shows a crowd rushing to check on the eight-year-old boy moments after he was struck by an armoured truck.

Lynes claims attack on her character ahead of convention THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, November 9, 2023, PAGE 3

from page one

for entering this race, but I have stayed focused, respectful and honest.

Referencing my record of service and dedication over the 14 years I served as national vice chair and deputy chair.

I am as strong as ever in my commitment to the party, our leader and our members.”

She added: “We need a chair with a singular focus who can fulfill the constitutional mandate of the chairman… I am ready to serve as your chairman.”

The convention will see a number of meetings held, including night sessions open to the public.

“So we expect to have a lot of exciting Members of Parliament, first time MP speaking, definitely

his chairmanship to date, while reports of commissions and committees of the party are also planned. This includes reports from Progressive Young Liberals, National Women’s Branch, National Men’s Branch, National Progressive Institute Grand Bahama, and Treasurer’s Report. The keynote speaker on Thursday will be Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper.

On Friday, the election of party officers will take place, with voting from 9am to 3pm.

Mr Lightbourne said: “So anytime after seven, we’ll be making an announcement on the

ROBYN LYNES to display and say everything that they’ve already accomplished and done in

their constituency, with what the government has completed thus far in

convention.”

The convention will see the election of party officers as well as discussion on hot topics such as marital rape, legalising marijuana for recreational use and transitioning to a republic.

Mr Lightbourne said: “We’re going to have polling booths at the convention whereas voting delegates are able to poll and voice their opinion on what we should all view on those particular topics because the idea is to get a consensus on what the party feels.”

The keynote speaker for day two will be Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis.

their term in office.”

Mr Mitchell is expected to give a report on

Sears pledges transparency but won’t talk about Bell from page one watch the manner of our bearing,” he told reporters.

Mr Sears said there are a number of critical issues at the department that require attention and pledged to address them.

He highlighted the need for more resources and promotions to improve efficiency and build staff morale.

“The focus, as we indicated this morning, is on training, improving the preparation so that we can not only be efficient, but also there can be better customer relations with the public,” he added.

“The past year, the Immigration Department brought in close to

$100m. We will substantially increase that going forward so we have to continually improve the efficiency, and, of course, build the morale.”

Mr Sears’ reassignment to the Ministry of Immigration came months after the agency was embroiled in controversy.

A series of leaks showed that top immigration officials were concerned about former Immigration Minister Keith Bell’s alleged intervention in matters related to work permits, citizenship and law enforcement operations.

His role in allowing the release of Chinese nationals staying at the British Colonial Hotel in January despite their work permit

IMMIGRATION MINISTER ALFRED SEARS irregularities and granting citizenship to a woman and her children at a funeral were among the incidents brought to the public’s attention.

The Davis administration has since formed a commission to review

how the Department of Immigration exercises its discretion.

Immigration Director William Pratt is also now back at the department.

Mr Sears said since his return, he has “hit the ground working”.

Conciliation talks have begun with Union of Public Officers and NIB, says Sears

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net NATIONAL Insurance Minister Alfred Sears said conciliation talks have started between the Union of Public Officers and the National Insurance Board and that he expects “there will be a meeting of minds” soon over unresolved issues.

“A week and a half ago, I met with the leadership of both unions, the management union, as well as the public officers union and the next day, I met also

with the chairman of NIB and the acting director of NIB,” he said.

“Both sides are now in conciliation with the director of labour. I’ve been advised on the progress of that conciliation and I expect that there will be a meeting of the minds over the issues which are currently in dispute.”

His comments came after NIB line staff voted in favour of industrial action during a strike poll held last week.

Nadia Vanderpool, UPO’s president, told The Tribune that the strike

poll was held because, for more than two years, NIB failed to resolve the union’s grievances, including merit pay increase issues.

She accused NIB of not adhering to the Industrial Act’s stipulations about when payments must be made and said for three years, workers have been denied three months of their new salaries.

Incorrect increment increases for people promoted is another concern, she added.

“The lowest on that scale I think, is $1,125, and it goes right up to, I think,

about $1,900,” she said.

“So that is the new scale that the board is supposed to be referencing when it comes to promotions, but, like I said, the board decided that okay, we’re going to continue to use the $1,200 for whatever reason.”

Meanwhile, NIB chairman Philip McKenzie has previously said the board is not trying to deny employees benefits.

He said the industrial agreement changed the merit pay assessment period, but not the pay period.

‘A number’ of undocumented migrAnts POSITION AVAILABLE Apprehended, immigrAtion minister sAid SHIPS AGENT

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

IMMIGRATION Minister Alfred Sears said authorities apprehended “a number” of undocumented migrants living in the Kool Acres shanty town before demolition exercises in that community this week.

He told reporters yesterday that the group’s arrest came after they were unable to prove their legal status in the country.

“Those persons were taken (and) processed in the detention centre to be presented to court,” he added. “I will have to get

a briefing to see where the process is with respect to those persons.”

Works and Family Island Affairs Minister Clay Sweeting said last week that 162 structures in the Kool Acres and All Saints shanty towns would be demolished as part of the government’s wider strategy to rid the country of unregulated communities.

Those exercises officially began Monday despite Saturday’s blaze that tore through the Kool Acres shanty town engulfing more than 70 homes.

Many residents in those communities told The Tribune they have nowhere to go with little

funds on hand.

Mr Sweeting suggested that work permit sponsors are legally required to care for those they employ.

“The law is very clear,” Mr Sears said when asked to respond to concerns that sponsors have not been doing enough to assist their employees.

“But the taskforce has as part of its strategy to prosecute those persons who are facilitating.”

Meanwhile, Prime Minster Philip “Brave” Davis recently said he is not concerned that the demolition of shantytown structures would lead to a humanitarian crisis in the country.

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BDCS works to address over 200 upgrades for prison certification PAGE 4, Thursday, November 9, 2023

By LETRE SWEETING Tribune Staff Reporter lsweeting@tribunemedia.net CORRECTIONS Commissioner Doan Cleare says the Bahamas Department of Corrections should be a certified correctional facility by mid-2024, pending completion of more than 200 upgrades and recommendations from the American Correctional Association.

Commissioner Cleare said that upgrades to the Bahamas Department of Corrections (BDCS) - previously priced at $93m - had been reduced by about 40 per cent, following a request by government officials in July.

As the prison continues to seek accreditation through the American Correctional Association, proposed upgrades include an administration complex, a solar energy system, a medical facility, mental hospital, central intake for booking, and classrooms.

“We have commenced the process of accreditation and we are looking

to be certified on August 4, 2024,” Commissioner Cleare said yesterday.

“The American Correctional Association has given us over 200 recommendations and thus far we have finished 61 of them. We are far away from accreditation, but it has started.

“We have hired the psychiatrist, the psychologist. We are now bringing on the four medical psychiatric nurses. We have now a nutritionist. And we are now doing massive upgrades to the various facilities. Also, a part of the exercise is we have to put an end to slopping,” he said.

In June, Commissioner Cleare admitted the prison failed an accreditation inspection earlier this year, saying officials knew it would “fail miserably”.

He said the prison’s most significant problem was the inadequate toilet system, noting that slopping, a defining characteristic of the institution in Bahamian culture, must be eradicated for the institution to be accredited.

THE TRIBUNE

OFFICERS of the Bahamas Department of Corrections attending the opening ceremony for Fox Hill Road prison celebrating 71 years of service, yesterday, which included the BDCS marching band, the self defence team, the K-9 Unit, the Correctional Officers Choir, and the BDCS pop band.

Photos: Dante Carrer Commissioner Cleare said yesterday that the assistance of the Canadian and Italian governments

will help the department as it seeks accreditation.

“Our new way forward is corrections and corrections

entail us bringing in a new correctional model, which entails classification, programming, assessments, sentence plans. We’re going to start the process of prerelease case management, community industries and community parole,” he said.

“So that’s our new trust going forward. It’s a whole new concept and we are being aided by the Canadians, the American Correctional Association and the Italian government.

We are now revamping the entire programme at the BDCS. He added that new programmes for the prison are planned for January.

“As it relates to our facilities, that too will come in time, because you cannot put new wine in old bottles.

The current facility cannot adapt to the changes that we wish to make.

So coming soon, hopefully in January, you will see a brand-new release of new programmes, new ideas, emanating from the Bahamas Department of Corrections,” he said.

Commissioner Cleare’s comments came as the Fox Hill Road prison celebrated 71 years of service. Correctional Officers were at Pompey Square across from Senor Frogs, downtown Nassau from 11am yesterday celebrating with food drinks and laughter under

the theme: Building on the Legacy, Advancing on Corrections.

Some 50 Corrections officers, tourists and local onlookers were present at Pompey Square, enjoying presentations and demonstrations from the BDCS marching band, the self defence team, the K-9 Unit, the Correctional Officers Choir, and the BDCS pop band.

“We are not only about locking up persons behind bars, we are now trying to transform lives by introducing our new Correctional Model. That new model will entrust us to go into the public, showing the public that we are serious about reforming offenders,” Commissioner Cleare said.

“So on our 71st year, we are about to release a whole set of brand-new programmes to the public and to our residents and our staff members.”

As a part of the department’s Recognition Week from November 5-11, BDCS will host a number of events this month. The Long Service Awards will take place today, followed by a retirement luncheon tomorrow. On Saturday, the department will hold a family Fun Day. On November 18, there will be a staff party and on November 24, there will be a Marksman Competition.

THE BDCS Marching Band and other demonstrations took place during the opening ceremony yesterday.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, November 9, 2023, PAGE 5

BDCS commissioner seeks promotions wants two per year for prison officers

By LETRE SWEETING Tribune Staff Reporter lsweeting@tribunemedia.net SOME 444 Corrections officers are awaiting promotions at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services, with the process expected to commence before the end of the month, Commissioner Doan Cleare said yesterday.

With more than half of the force needing to be promoted, Commissioner Cleare said this has led to some jarring gaps within the department and a need for the department to recruit on an annual basis.

“The promotional exercise, at this current term is the most comprehensive and the fairest that we have ever had in the history of the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS).

We have had some 400 plus recommendations that were sent to the Department of Public Service and the Public Service Commission. We have checked on the promotions daily and it is being worked on as we speak.

“We hope to start receiving some of the promotions some time within the next two weeks. It is our desire, going forward, to have two promotions per year.”

Commissioner Cleare said the department’s last promotion exercise happened last year, with only 19 people, which is very small compared to this year’s request.

“That’s a drop in the bucket. They were assistant commissioners; chief officers. This year, I put in 444 and I am looking for 444, but I may not get what I ask for, because the process is external.

“We have to recruit pretty much every year, because just this year alone, we have had 49 people retire and we have seven prisons to man.

So that’s why we have to recruit pretty much on an annual basis. We have about 850 plus officers.

We have 106 people in the squad right now in training.

They will be coming out of training on August 8, 2024, at 3pm.

“Right now, our sergeant rank is the most decimated rank in the BDCS. We are supposed to have over 70 sergeants, but we have six and we have two with two training correctional officers (TCO) squads that should have been officers now, but again the process is just too slow. We are now adding a next squad on top of that. So that’s almost 600 officers, who need to be promoted,” Commissioner Clear said.

Commissioner Cleare suggested that the BDCS should have a commission, similar to the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s Police Service Commission, which is a body empowered to make recommendations and promotions of officers above the rank of inspector.

Currently, promotion of BDCS officers falls under

BAHAMAS Department of Correctional Services Commissioner Doan Cleare speaks at the opening ceremony for Fox Hill Road prison celebrating 71 years of service, yesterday, which included the BDCS marching band, the self defence team, the K-9 Unit, the Correctional Officers Choir, and the BDCS pop band.

Photo: Dante Carrer the Public Service Com- promoted, as compared to like the police. Hopefully one day we will have our mission, which also deals other sister agencies,” he going forward, if that could own commission. I’m hearwith promotions for all said. change, we could have our ing for us to do it, there other public servants.

“Our commission deals own commission and pro- has to be a referendum, “It is very unfortunate with the entire Public motions would be on a so I don’t know where that it takes so long for Service, we don’t have timely basis. that starts,” Commissioner those at the BDCS to be a personal commission, “Let’s hope and pray that Cleare said.

CLEARE CALLS FOR BETTER WORKING CONDITIONS FOR CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS

By LETRE SWEETING Tribune Staff Reporter lsweeting@tribunemedia.net AMID recent allegations of prison officers breaking the law, Commissioner Doan Cleare is calling for better working conditions and increased payment to ensure more quality officers are attracted to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

Recently, police seized a quantity of suspected marijuana from two women at the Department of Corrections and took them into custody, on October 18. Two days later, they were granted $4,000 bail in the Magistrate’s Court, where they denied the allegations. The defendants are scheduled to return to court on March 11.

Speaking in general yesterday, Commissioner Cleare said that although the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS) always seeks the best officers, some break the law. However, he gave an assurance that those who break the law will be punished accordingly.

“When you look at 850 officers, one or two who go afoul of the law, that’s a good ratio,” he said. zWhat we have to realise is that officers are a cosmetic of this society. What takes place in society will take place at any institution. But we try to seek the best officers and sometimes, some may go afoul of the law. But if you

do, you will be put before the courts,” he said.

Commissioner Cleare added that funds allocated to better working conditions and better salaries for prison officials would ensure the department has better officers.

“Prison is not an easy place to work. The conditions are hard and the salary is low. So if we improve the conditions and improve the salaries, I think we will attract better people. To be frank and fair, their first options are the police, defence force, Customs and Immigration.

“Prison is normally the last

they will choose if they can’t get into those departments.

But once we up our level of attraction, we will get more of the better crop coming in,” Commissioner Cleare said.

Disciplinary charges were brought against 55 prison officers in 2021, according to a 2021 Bahamas Department of Corrections report tabled in the House of Assembly on October 18.

The report did not specify what led to the charges or how many disciplinary matters are advanced to the judicial system for prosecution.

PAGE 6, Thursday, November 9, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

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

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BPL albatross around govt’s neck BAHAMAS Power and Light may just be the albatross around the neck of this government.

The revelation that BPL can now charge late fees on customers will not win the Davis administration any favours.

BPL’s chief executive, Shevonn Cambridge, yesterday told an accountancy seminar – and please note the venue of such an announcement instead of addressing customers directly – that the company has received regulatory goahead to impose the levy.

The levy is $5 per month on customers who pay their bill late. It should be noted that is most of BPL’s customers – 80 percent, in fact.

It does not help BPL’s case that their online payment system can often be frustrating at best and impossible at worst.

In recent months, a member of The Tribune’s staff was told – after trying repeatedly to pay online and ending up calling the company up – that the website was down for payments, and to try again when the website was less busy.

Does a customer get charged if BPL’s website isn’t up to the job?

Plenty of customers will be angry that a company that frequently has power outages leaving people in the dark or incur extra costs running generators to keep going has the temerity to now charge even more money.

This comes at a time when bills are soaring – and the government has found itself in a tangle trying to justify why it did not go ahead with more fuel hedging that could have saved people significant amounts of money as oil prices rocketed.

The FNM has attempted to call the government to account on the issue of fuel hedging – while the Speaker of the House announced that she was tired of hearing about the issue, even though it goes directly to the pocket of every Bahamian.

Mr Cambridge said of the plan to

impose late fees that BPL “depends on consistent and timely payments to better manage cash flow and adequately fund projects”.

He pointed to other companies, saying: “A $5 monthly late fee is already in use by many other utilities in The Bahamas. It can be a deterrent to late payments and, at the same time, based on our numbers, it could generate funds to offset the carrying costs associated with those late payments.”

Rather than offer an incentive programme – why not a $5 discount for paying early? – BPL has gone straight to punishment instead.

If four out of five people are not paying on time, who is the extra charge going to hurt the most? The ones who struggle to pay at all, of course. This will be an extra burden on those who can least bear it.

Now of course you might say it is only $5. But $5 a month soon adds up for those who cannot afford it.

And at a time when bills have doubled and more, it seems like it is rubbing salt in the wounds of customers.

If BPL wants to go down this path, then what do customers get out of it?

Do they get to claim compensation when brownouts cause equipment to burn out? Do customers get a rebate for the days when there is an outage in their area? Or does it just go to pay off BPL’s own debts?

Meanwhile, MR Cambridge is also talking about an increase in the base rates too, while saying it will “not increase electricity bills significantly”.

He said those funds will be used to improve efficiency and eventually lower fuel costs. Eventually.

As politicians hit the election trail for the West Grand Bahama and Bimini vote, we hope people will press them on the question of whether they support an extra charge being added on top of the already high BPL bills. As they ask for your votes, we suggest you ask for straight answers.

A MEMBER of the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services Band performing at Pompey Square yesterday.

Photo: Dante Carrer

Power of the pen and democracy EDITOR, The Tribune.

WITH your kind permission I wish to offer an opinion on the power of the pen and the expression of democracy. Having written letters to The Editor since the age of 18, which was more than a few years ago, I have always enjoyed and appreciated the democratic freedom I possess while I express my opinion via the pen. I believe every human being in this country ought to have the right to express their opinion. And when that individual is prevented from the expression of an opinion, then Houston we have a problem.

I believe, especially former Prime Ministers, church leaders, former politicians, the man and woman on the street, wives of former and present Prime Ministers, ought to offer an opinion to help and move the country forward.

It is ignorant and unfair to suggest that former Prime Ministers Ingraham, Christie and Minnis ought to go off into the sunset. What utter rubbish! I, like former attorney general Allyson

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net Maynard-Gibson and attorney Jeannie Thompson, among hundreds of other letter writers, have expressed their opinions via the pen.

In some countries Prime Ministers give lectures, write books, offer advice to governments and act as consultants. I believe it is foolishness for some to suggest that our former Prime Ministers ‘ought to go rest they sef’. It is premature and rather ignorant to not utilise the wisdom of these men and women.

Former government leaders and professionals ought to get more involved in Think-Tanks. Can you imagine an Ingraham, Christie and Minnis thinktank? That vast amount of education, knowledge and experience in one room offering advice and guidance on the way forward.

We need to get to the point of being self-less, objective, non-petty, and

set aside our differences for the advancement of the country. I have the step forward and founded two think tanks: a) Centre for Real Estate Policy and b) Centre for Economic and Social Equality. These two I anticipate will enhance the discussion and to address Real Estate, economic and social issues in our country.

We ought to be hearing more from the University of the Bahamas. The economic, political and social department. What are the opinions of the professionals on local politics?

The economic? The social issues? More voices need to open up.

We ought to be offering solutions to our nation’s challenges. It’s not all about us. It’s about the next generation and the one after.

In conclusion, I wish to encourage more persons to express an opinion through the pen. And to the former Prime Ministers, think about the Think-Tank idea.

PAT STRACHAN Nassau, November 8, 2023.

Mr Pintard, grow up EDITOR, The Tribune.

AS A loyal FNM, I want to urge party leader Michael Pintard to grow up. It is time for maturity and wisdom, not for flying off the handle talking foolishness, especially during a by-election. He needs to show humility and stop being so arrogant.

In one breath, he says the party is under new management and has a new vision.

In the next breath he lists all the wonderful things the party has done for West End and Bimini. Instead of building on that legacy, Mr Pintard seems to think that the FNM’s vision begins with him.

The FNM has an extraordinary record in office for the entire Bahamas. Both Hubert Ingraham and Hubert Minnis did good

things for the country. Yes, both men made mistakes like all human beings. But I would prefer an FNM prime minister any day over a PLP one.

Many people believe that Philip “Brave” Davis has been the worst prime minister ever. The current PLP have accomplished very little. The cost of living is out of control because of their bad decisions.

Mr Pintard needs to concentrate on the PLP instead of attacking the legacy of the FNM, which is like putting an axe to the root of a tree from which you expect to get fruit. His comments about the Disaster Reconstruction Agency were wrong on many fronts. This includes the fact that he was in Cabinet at the time.

If he ever serves as prime minister, would

he like one of his ministers breaching cabinet rules?Unfortunately, Mr Pintard is not the best team player. It often seems like it’s all about him. There is something wrong when a leader feels like he must cut down everybody around so he can be seen to be the big man.

We need to unify the FNM. He needs to stop fighting the last convention and instead concentrate on the present. Mr Pintard’s recent comments sow division.

The senior members of the party need to take in hand and help him to mature. Amateur hour needs to end for the sake of the party and the country because the PLP has to go.

SENIOR FNM November 8, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, November 9, 2023, PAGE 7

Minister says minimum wage increase call ‘a little reckless’ from page one over outstanding labour issues.

Mrs Glover-Rolle said while the Davis administration is committed to introducing a liveable wage, it must ensure its decisions are balanced and data-driven.

“I have no issues with increases,” she said yesterday, “but we just had a minimum wage increase of 23 percent and to suggest a 67 percent hike within two years of initial increase is a little reckless.

“In particular, we have to consider that we’re moving from an informed place, which I would have stated before, this is consultation, this should be data driven and the consultations have to take place

with a tripartite - yes, the employees and the unions, the government, but most importantly, the businesses.

“We don’t want to put companies in a position where we are imposing an increase that could essentially put companies out of business and thereby these same employees will be out of work so we have to make sure that we’re moving from a qualified and quantified data driven position of consultation.”

She added: “So, while we initially gave a minimum wage increase that we said was the start and we are looking to move towards further increases, we have to ensure that we’re from an informed place. We have to ensure that we’re not disenfranchising any of our stakeholders.”

When asked if she plans to meet with union leaders on the issue, Mrs GloverRolle said she meets quite frequently with union leaders and had a discussion with Mr Ferguson Wednesday.

“This wasn’t a part of the conversation,” she said of the meetings, “but we have an open line of communication – our prime minister, me as the minister of public service and labour and all of my Cabinet colleagues.”

Calls for a new minimum wage come as many Bahamians grapple with the high cost of living compounded by inflation.

The Davis administration has said it’s exploring ways to ease the burden on Bahamians until the situation improves.

LABOUR AND PUBLIC SERVICE MINISTER PIA GLOVER-ROLLE

Govt investigating how to tackle inflation costs, says Halkitis

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net ECONOMIC Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis said the government acknowledges Bahamians’ “serious concern” over inflation - and that it is investigating how to tackle costs.

He said yesterday: “We acknowledge inflation is a serious concern for Bahamians and, matter of fact, we are doing a deep dive right now in the entire supply chain and to see where through government policy, we can make an impact on some of the costs that we are experiencing, recognise what we say we know a lot of the increases are imported, but that does

not mean we throw up our hands and do nothing.”

Mr Halkitis was speaking during the second reading and the committal of the Consumer Protection Bill, which was passed.

Senator Darren Henfield suggested a measure to help with healthy foods.

He said: “We should consider, seriously consider, zero rating healthy products because we spend a hell of a lot of money on healthcare in The Bahamas.

“My brother spoke about diabetes and you can add on to that hypertension and all of the rest of these, I forgot what kind of sicknesses - non communicable diseases that they call them.

“Obesity is like crazy, right, in our country. We are extremely obese. So

minister, I know it’s not yours to do... but maybe your colleagues in the cabinet will hear me. Let’s look at possibly zero rating of healthy food products. We can do this and lower the food bills for Bahamians.

“We can do it and have less high blood, have less diabetes, less people on dialysis, less people having to take that medication every morning.

Meanwhile, Mr Halkitis noted that complaints to the Consumer Protection Commission have nearly tripled this year. He said 140 complaints have been made to the Consumer Protection Commission this year as of October 31.

“I am advised that complaints to the Consumer Protection Commission

SANDS: DAVIS ADMINISTRATION NEGLECTING NATIONAL PRIORITIES WHILE CAMPAIGNING

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Staff Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net FNM chairman Dr Duane Sands has accused the Davis administration of prioritising spending on campaigning in West Grand Bahama and Bimini while neglecting other national priorities.

He said schoolchildren in the Prime Minister’s constituency of San Salvador lack functioning toilets due to the absence of running water.

He said the new primary school in the Prime Minister’s constituency has open vats of water that they are siphoning for sanitation, and they won’t fix the school because no funds have been set aside for it.

Dr Sands claims the government has suspended parliament to go off and campaign in Bimini and West Grand Bahama where they are now spending money to fix things up after two years in office.

According to Dr Sands,

the clinic in Bimini has had a fresh coat of paint in the last couple of days.

And in Eight Mile Rock, the workers are planting grass and “prettying up” a building the government had not touched in more than two years.

He said: “Money spending, but where is it coming from?”

Meanwhile, the FNM chairman said across the country, National Health Insurance has been put on go-slow due to a lack of funds.

“Doctors payments have been delayed and enrollment is slow because there is no money in the kitty,” Dr Sands said. NHI is rationing healthcare because this administration does not believe that it should get the money it needs to run it.

The Tribune has previously reported concerns from NHI providers over delays in payments.

Dr Sands added that Bahamians abroad are having to leave school because the government

is not paying scholarship grants on time.

“Yes, grants for scholarships are not being paid by this administration on time, and students around the world are having to struggle to stay in school.

Some families have had to pull their kids from school,” he said.

Dr Sands said medical supply companies have not been paid since August even as the government brags about the billions of dollars they are extracting from the pockets of Bahamian taxpayers.

He also said the required reporting on the country’s fiscal state of affairs is late again.

“So, as you look at the preparations for West Grand Bahama and Bimini, let’s send this government a message because they clearly believe that the money they are spending is for the PLP’s political interests, and they are pretending to care about the people of West Grand Bahama, but we ain’t no fool,” he said.

OVER 30 IMMIGRATION OFFICERS RECEIVE PROMOTIONS AND RECLASSIFICATION LETTERS

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net THIRTY-four immigration officers received their promotion and reclassification letters yesterday in an exercise officials said was long overdue.

Labour and Public Service Minister Pia Glover-Rolle commended the group for their hard work and the role they play in protecting the country’s borders.

She said the promotional

exercise comes on the heels of National Public Service Week and represents the beginning of what’s to come.

“We’re committed to ensuring that the promotions you’ve earned, you will receive and that you will receive them in a timely manner,” Mrs Glover-Rolle added.

“It’s been a long time that you’ve been waiting and while it’s a point of pride, it’s also a point of embarrassment that successive governments have failed

to serve you while you continue to serve us, the country and our people,” she added.

For his part, Immigration and National Insurance Minister Alfred Sears expressed pride in the officers to whom he referred as “buffalo soldiers”.

He congratulated the group on their well deserved promotions and said it “was a small gesture” of the government’s appreciation for their years of dedicated service.

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since last year have almost tripled. In 2022, 52 complaints were made to the commission. As this year as of the 31st of October, 2023, 140 complaints have been made to the Consumer Protection Commission with 27 complaints made in October alone.”

He cited the opening of a new commission location where there has been an increase in complaints made by people visiting the new premises. He said: “The public might know that the Consumer Protection Commission has moved to a new location on Tonique Williams Darling Highway and they have seen, I’m advised, an increase in the amount of walk-in complaints.”

ECONOMIC AFFAIRS MINISTER MICHAEL HALKITIS

PAGE 8, Thursday, November 9, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

‘We’ll see how it plays out’, says Atlantis president - as they wait for the results of a traffic study

ATLANTIS’ president and managing director Audrey Oswell speaks with reporters at the opening of Kings College School, Monday.

Photo: Dante Carrer

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

FOR SALE

ATLANTIS’ president and managing director Audrey Oswell said the resort will see “how it plays out” after Wendy’s was granted approval for its Paradise Island restaurant.

She said their concern is about the traffic.

Psomi Holdings, an affiliate of Aetos Holdings, the Wendy’s and Marco’s Pizza franchisees, criticized Atlantis last week after approval was granted for the Paradise Island restaurant, saying the resort had masterminded a “meritless, aggressive and

self-serving campaign” to block the move.

Pressed on Wendy’s being on Paradise Island as well, Ms Oswell replied: “We’ll see how it plays out. Our concern is traffic. We’re waiting for a traffic study to come back.”

She described the effect on other businesses and the hotel’s staff.

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LOCATION: Traveling south on Bacardi Road from the junction of Carmichael Road and Bacardi Road, turn on the sixth (6th) street west (right) known as Evergreen Close. The property is the 5th on the right.

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“Our biggest concern is the traffic,” Ms Oswell explained.

“There’s already a lack of parking in that shopping centre for the existing businesses and our concern is especially for our team members when they’re coming to and from work that the outgoing roadways onto the bridge are not held

up and they’re not backed up due to the lack of parking.”

She further added: “If anybody is familiar with PI and you come out there during shift changes now, you’ll see that there’s a lot of traffic and sometimes it’s backed up for quite some time and we’re just concerned because of the lack

of parking that shopping centre already has and the lack of parking at the old Scotia Bank site that it will just back up even more, which is why we, through PIDA, the Paradise Island Tourism Development Association, have engaged a traffic study and we hope to have the results back quickly.”

44 YEAR-OLD MAN GRANTED BAIL, CHARGED FOR ALLEGEDLY MOLESTING 13 YEAR-OLD GIRL

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A 44-YEAR-OLD man was granted bail yesterday after he allegedly molested a 13-year-old girl in April.

Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans charged

Nacarl Minnis with indecent assault.

The defendant allegedly inappropriately touched the underaged girl sometime between April 1 and 30.

After pleading not guilty to the charge, Minnis was granted $5,000 bail. The

defendant is expected to sign in at the Nassau Street Police Station on the last Sunday of every month.

He was also warmed not to interfere with the alleged victim or any witnesses in this matter.

Minnis’ trial begins on February 1, 2024.

MAN ACCUSED OF STEALING TWO GENERATORS FROM THE BAHAMAS RED CROSS LAST MONTH

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN accused in connection with the theft of two generators from the Red Cross last month was charged in court yesterday.

Antonio Scantlebury,

56, is accused of abetment to commit stealing and receiving.

Scantlebury allegedly aided and abetted in the stealing of the two generators from the Bahamas Red Cross on October 9. The items are valued at $11,998 in total. He appeared before Magistrate Kendra

Kelly to be charged.

He was granted $6,000 bail after pleading not guilty, and was informed that as a condition of his bail he is to sign in at Wulff Road Police Station every Thursday by 6pm.

Scantlebury’s trial date will be fixed at a later date.

MAN ACCUSED OF HAVING $11K OF MARIJUANA

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN was granted $7,500 bail after he was allegedly found with $11,000 worth of marijuana at a business on Montrose Avenue last week.

Magistrate Samuel McKinney charged Carlos Nesbitt, 50, with possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply.

Levan Johnson

represented the accused.

Nesbitt was allegedly found with 11lbs of marijuana which police officers reportedly found hidden in boxes on the night of November 2. An undisclosed large sum of cash was also seized.

Following his not guilty plea to the charge, Nesbitt was told he is to sign in at the Wulff Road Police Station every Wednesday by 6pm.

The trial in this matter starts on December 2.

A national lottery can help Bahamians in countless ways PAGE 10, Thursday, November 9, 2023

IN our 50th year of independence, the national debt remains a source of deep concern, with state resources stretched across our archipelago.

The country remains at risk of downgrade from various rating agencies.

The debt will worsen with the next major hurricane, pandemic and/or financial crisis.

Correspondingly, our social needs in areas such as education, health care and youth development are extensive amidst the social decay we continue to experience.

There is an enormous pool of resources mostly untapped to help in our social development, including funds for the arts, sports and programmes for at-risk youth.

Sadly, the political directorate, some enthralled to the owners of gaming houses, have refused to consider a national lottery or considerably higher taxes on such businesses as a means of increasing the resources necessary to address national development, climate change and debt servicing.

Unlike other economic enterprises, those who run the gaming houses produce nothing of economic value in terms of the gaming business itself.

A well regulated national lottery or higher taxation of gaming interests could return more for the benefit of the mass of Bahamians.

There are many models that can be utilised in The Bahamas. In the UK, its National Lottery is a state-franchise operated by a private group. From March 2021 to March 2022 alone, it raised £1.84 billion or approximately $2.2 billion for good causes. It was a new yearly record.

Over the years, tens of

billions have been raised.

The UK lottery distributes funds through grants.

Its funding mix is as such: “25 percent of lottery revenue goes towards the fund, along with all unclaimed prizes; 12 percent goes to the state.

The prize fund is about 53 percent of revenue, with the remaining 10 percent going toward running costs and profits for the lottery organisers and ticket sellers.”

This is an equitable mix that serves the public, with the state and business interests sharing profits. Our domestic gaming model is woefully inequitable, lopsided, serving very narrow interests, aided and abetted by various politicians who benefit from the current arrangement.

Domestic gaming constitutes a vast redistribution of wealth, mostly from lower income Bahamians, to a few gaming business owners, who are further enriching themselves, and who are giving very little back to the country relative to their enormous gains.

This is an offence to social justice and national progress.

Over the

THE TRIBUNE

decades we are witnessing the considerable ethical and opportunity costs of allowing a few to live lavishly while thousands more Bahamians could benefit.

Instead of a national or public lottery benefitting significantly more Bahamians, the Perry Christie government regularised/legalised a privately-owned lottery system in which the majority of the profits accrue to already wealthy individuals, with the government receiving some funds from taxing the private lottery.

Today, money continues to pour out of poorer neighbourhoods and many Family Island communities into the bank accounts of a relative few, with next to nothing returning to these communities, often leaving them even more impoverished.

These communities do not primarily need Christmas parties and giveaways. They need concentrated economic and social investments partly derived from a national lottery in which money is sustainably reinvested in these communities.

The idea of allowing Bahamians a few shares in the lottery business was meant to sweeten the pot and drum up support for the “Yes” Vote in the gaming referendum/opinion poll of some years ago, the results of which were ignored by Prime Minister Perry Christie.

The idea of a public offering was done for very specific strategic reasons, including public relations. Instead of a few shares, a few tokens to the masses, the Bahamian people should be the majority shareholders and owners of a legalised lottery system, a sort of modern asue that can be

A national lottery can go a long way in addressing the natural or social lottery which may disadvantage various segments of a society.

used to advance human development.

Life is often a natural and social lottery.

The lotteries of life involve chance, luck and happenstance.

In the natural lottery our genetic make-up is critical.

Unfortunately, some are born with a greater predisposition of developing breast or ovarian cancer or other diseases. Kai Jones is certainly a hardworking athlete. But his genes make a difference.

The genetic lottery can mean all the difference as to whether one typically enjoys a sunny disposition or suffers from chronic depression. From general health to the distribution of talents, the natural lottery is highly influential though not necessarily fully determinative.

The social lottery involves the circumstances of birth from income levels to the ethnic and cultural heritage into which one is born.

Being born into a higher income family does make one naturally more intellectually gifted than being born into a lower income family. Yet, circumstance quite often determines economic prospects and educational attainment.

Political and economic debates have raged for centuries over the state’s role in balancing or negating the effects of the natural and social lotteries of life.

For progressives, government plays a critical role in addressing the

inequality involved in life’s lotteries, especially on matters such as ensuring access to education, health care and a variety of social goods.

Public action can go a long way in terms of equality of access if not equality of outcome.

Which raises the question of gaming lotteries.

A lottery is unlike other businesses. It is based exclusively on chance and luck.

A national lottery can go a long way in addressing the natural or social lottery which may disadvantage various segments of a society. Today, many less advantaged Bahamians are being adversely affected because of an addiction to gambling.

Walk into a grocery store, spend $80 and you come out with a certain amount of groceries, especially as food prices continue to rise seemingly on a weekly basis. Walk into a web shop or play $80 online and you come away with a “hope” which is more often than not dashed.

You usually come away with nothing or next to nothing, rarely winning that pot of gold at the end of an ever elusive payout at the end of an imaginary rainbow.

In playing games of chance most people lose substantially more than they gain. Lotteries often prey on fear and hope, superstition and randomness. It involves the ultimate irrational exuberance. Still, a national

lottery might help transform certain human traits into certain common goods and gain.

A public or national lottery is typically designed to expand opportunity and equality for citizens.

They ensure a greater common good than do privately-owned lotteries which overwhelmingly concern the narrow interests of a few, with little by way of return to the mass of citizens.

Because of the nature of lotteries, in most civilized societies they are largely government-owned and for a reason. These societies utilize lotteries to help rebalance the lotteries of life which leave fellow citizens in need of help from the state.

Throughout the US, the UK and many other countries lottery profits are used overwhelmingly to fund public goods such as education rather than to primarily enrich already bulging private coffers.

While a national lottery is not a panacea in terms of public revenue, it can provide significant revenue, without the need to increase certain taxes, which may more adversely affect the poor.

In the years ahead, we should rise to the challenge to create and introduce a national lottery that is well-run, accountable and a significant source of revenue that is returned to the Bahamian people. In the interim, we should consider higher taxes on gaming houses.

Trump’s prognostication of a pro-choice pushback was right THE TRIBUNE

TUESDAY was Election Day in the US. It might be easy to overlook that fact, because no regular Congressional elections were scheduled. Those come a year from now. But Tuesday’s elections did produce some interesting outcomes, and here are some of them.

Donald Trump was correct again. Almost as soon as the Supreme Court, packed with anti-abortion zealots recruited and nominated by Trump and his allies, last year overturned 50 years of established precedent and withdrew federal protections for abortion rights, Trump noted that the issue would be a political disaster for Republican candidates.

Tuesday’s election results reaffirmed Trump’s assessment. In making his judgment, Trump is likely laying the groundwork for explaining away his potential defeat in the forthcoming rematch with Biden next year, but still: Trump’s assessment was right.

Democrats recaptured both legislative houses in Virginia, probably puncturing the balloon of Republican governor Glenn Youngkin’s hopes to emerge as a credible alternative should the GOP finally tire of Trump’s circus and seek

Thursday, November 9, 2023, PAGE 11

STATESIDE with Charlie Harper a different candidate. The Democrats hammered their opponents on the abortion issue.

Governor races produced a decisive win in deep-red Kentucky for a popular Democratic incumbent and a closer-than-expected contest in deep-red Mississippi, where the Democratic candidate was a distant relative of Elvis Presley who shares his surname. Abortion was a Democratic priority in those races also.

Ohio, once a real swing state but now reliably red, overwhelmingly approved a state constitutional guarantee of women’s reproductive rights.

It will be difficult for Trump to uncouple his candidacy from the Supreme Court’s abortion decision even though he will evidently try to do so.

Despite the importance of Tuesday’s contests in a few states, however, everyone in the political sphere

can now focus undivided attention on November 5, 2024. Here are some facts and thoughts about that.

It looks like Donald Trump is planning to run as a messianic figure, or perhaps even as the contemporary Messiah. He continually rants to his supporters about how he is “running for you; they’re coming for you next”. For some, it’s eerily reminiscent of the Christian belief that Jesus Christ “died for our sins”.

In his outrageous rants and blusters during his current New York City court appearance to defend himself and his family against charges of corporate fraud, Trump sounds like a victim. Perhaps in his mind, he really is the victim of a politically-driven conspiracy by his political opponents to deny him his rightful place back in the White House. But his bombast is also intended as a

England’s PrEmiEr lEaguE soccEr and thE forEign ownErshiP controvErsy

FC Copenhagen’s Denis Vavro, right, and Manchester United’s Rasmus Hojlund, left, challenge for the ball during the Champions League Group A soccer match between FC Copenhagen and Manchester United in Copenhagen, Denmark, Wednesday.

Photo: Liselotte Sabroe/Ritzau Scanpix/AP THE most powerful With its Saudi riches, New- embarrassment to fans. league in the world’s most castle is now regarded as Chelsea and United popular sport has now fin- the world’s richest soccer share another distinction. ished about one-third of club.

They are American-owned. its 2023-2024 schedule. But Another challenger is But they are hardly unique while England’s Premier Birmingham-based Aston in this. Here is a current League commands the lion’s Villa, like Newcastle a tra- list of EPL soccer clubs share of world soccer atten- ditional English power that have American owntion, its foreign ownership team that has not prospered ership, with a note about remains controversial. And in the EPL. But the Villans other US professional although Persian Gulf oil haven’t won a league title teams owned by the same riches sustain some clubs, for over 40 years, and few wealthy people. ties to American ownership expect them to seriously Arsenal - Stan Kroenke continue to expand. contend this time.

(Los Angeles Rams, Over this past weekend, Two teams have been Denver Nuggets, Colorado the world’s most powerful notable for their recent Avalanche of NHL and team reclaimed its place at tumult and stark lack of Colorado Rapids of Major the top of the EPL stand- traditional success. The League Soccer). ings.

Manchester City, world’s “biggest club”, Aston Villa – Wes Edens owned by an entity closely Manchester United, car- (Milwaukee Bucks). affiliated with the United rying a brand rivalled only Bournemouth - Bill Foley Arab Emirates’ royal by Spanish giants Real (NHL’s Las Vegas Golden family, clobbered out- Madrid and Barcelona, has Knights). gunned Bournemouth 6-1 stumbled this season under Chelsea - Todd Boehly to edge past previous front- Dutch manager Eric Ten (LA Dodgers, LA Lakers, runner Tottenham. Spurs Hag, and some of its most and LA Sparks of WNBA). were drubbed at home prominent players have Crystal Palace – Josh by mercurial Chelsea in a brought themselves and the Harris (Washington Comhighly contentious London team into disrepute with manders, Philadelphia 76ers derby match. unseemly behaviour. and NHL’s New Jersey Lingering close behind Since Sir Alec Fergu- Devils). are powerful Liverpool and son retired ten years ago Fulham - Shahid Kahn Arsenal, so the top four as United manager, the (Jacksonville Jaguars). places remain occupied team has not approached Leeds United – York by members of the EPL’s the success he achieved in family (San Francisco traditional “Big Six” pow- 27 years at its helm. It has 49ers). erhouse clubs. been, maddeningly for its Liverpool – John Henry But this soccer oligopoly millions of worldwide fans, (Boston Red Sox, NHL’s is now being threatened supplanted at the apex of Pittsburgh Penguins). by clubs that have not sus- soccer by cross-town rivals Manchester United – tained greatness since the Manchester City.

Glazer family (Tampa Bay EPL was formed in 1992.

The other big disap- Buccaneers).

Newcastle, acquired in pointment in 2023 has been There is also English 2021 by the Saudi Ara- Chelsea. After the Brit- League Two’s Wrexham, a bian government’s private ish government last year Welsh team purchased in investment fund, has quali- forced the team’s sale by 2020 by actors Ryan Reynfied for the Champions Russian oligarch Roman olds and American Rob League this year and is Abramovich, the team has McElhenney, and the subthreatening to force its way been in disarray and its ject of a widely-viewed TV into a new “Big Seven”. inconsistency has been an documentary.

distraction from the seemingly inevitable revelation that he and his company really are, in some respects, frauds.

He wants voters to challenge and disbelieve all the evidence presented to them that he is corrupt and disdainful of democracy, the free market economy, the established American juridical system and rule of law.

Liberal pundits have ramped up the rhetoric about Trump’s existential threat to American and world democracy. That’s to be expected. But there is a lot of evidence that Trump is running as hard as he is for president at least partially to wreak revenge on his opponents and “traitors,” as well as to enrich himself and his friends.

Opposing Trump is of course incumbent president Joe Biden. Biden still isn’t polling strongly, and is blamed for economic woes that are actually fading. As we have discussed in recent months, Biden looks and often sounds old, in ways that Trump, only three years younger, does not.

Pundits and politicos alike are grumbling out loud that he shouldn’t run. So why does Biden persist?

He thinks his public service has earned him

REPUBLICAN presidential candidate former President Donald Trump gestures after speaking Oct. 11, 2023, at Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Fla. Photo Rebecca Blackwell/AP a second term. After all, he has been offering himself as a presidential candidate since 1987. Earlier, Biden had been the seventh-youngest senator in American history when he was elected to the US Senate from Delaware in 1972, at the age of 29.

He was re-elected to the Senate six times, and rose to become the fourth-most senior senator.

He ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic presidential nomination in both 1988 and 2008.

Biden didn’t run in 1992 partly because he, like most of the Democratic political establishment, didn’t think George H W Bush could be beaten after American forces triumphantly routed the Iraqi Republican Guard, drove Iraq’s army from Kuwait and pushed Saddam Hussein

off his presidential perch in Baghdad.

In 2000, Vice-President Al Gore just had too many political chits in his pocket, as did Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2016.

But Biden never gave up his presidential ambitions, and he has also never stopped believing that he deserves to continue as America’s chief executive. He benefited in 2020 from COVID and he did, as Republicans charge, largely campaign remotely, thus both avoiding the physical rigors of the presidential race and concealing from view his age-related deficiencies.

Still, if Biden can manage to avoid stumbling too much – either physically or verbally – over the next 12 months, he should still be the favorite to win re-election.

PAGE 12, Thursday, November 9, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

Ronald Dames, one of five inducted into National Youth Leaders Hall of Excellence

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Staff Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

MR Ronald Dames is inducted into the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture’s first National Youth Leaders Hall of Excellence on Tuesday evening at Government House. Sandena Neely, head of the Division of Youth, is pictured with Mr Dames.

GRAND Bahama engineer Ronald Everette Dames was among five people inducted into the first National Youth Leaders Hall of Excellence by the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture.

Mr Dames, the only honoree from Grand Bahama, was officially inducted at a ceremony held at Government House on Tuesday evening.

He was recognised for his many years of dedicated service to youth development in Grand Bahama, particularly through his involvement in the Junior Achievement programme.

“I am humbled by the honour that is being bestowed not only on me but on all of the other honorees tonight. This honour would not be possible without God’s favour,” he said as he delivered the response on behalf of the honorees.

“As youth leaders, we are asked the question where you find the energy and dedication to continue your own professional career while also mentoring thousands of young people. Where do we find compassion for those who need guidance, I can give one answer and summarise it in one word -purpose. I truly believe our purpose in life is to use the gifts God has given us to positively impact others, especially our youth,” Mr Dames said.

The National Youth Leaders Hall of Excellence is historic in that it is the first of such an honour held by the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture.

Mr Dames is an engineer by profession, employed at PharmaChem Technologies. He is married to retired educator Evelyn Pinder- Dames.

He served in the Junior Achievement (JA) programme for more than 25 years, and as the programme manager for the JA programme on Grand

Bahama for more than 22 years. As a result of his leadership, he was instrumental in helping more than 8,000 students.

Mr Dames has been a part-time lecturer in mathematics at the University of the Bahamas for over two decades and founded the Top Achievers programme, recognising youth for outstanding academic performance in Grand Bahama, Bimini, Moore’s Island, and Grand Cay. He also assists with math at Sunland Baptist Academy. He is also involved with the Gospel group DECISION. He said of the indication: “It was the first time they had this particular induction of youth leaders of excellence. It is good to know someone is watching and saw it fit to honour me.

“I feel my passion for the well-being of young people is one of my purposes, and doing what I can to positively impact them.”

Mr Dames attributes his passion for youth development to his upbringing in the Family Islands with his parents, Athlone and Rebecca Dames, who he saw always helping young people in their community.

His father was a school teacher and headmaster who had been transferred to Deep Creek, Andros, Rum Cay, Roker’s Point, Exuma, and Moore’s Island.

Carla Brown-Roker, of the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture, said Mr Dames truly deserves the honour as he has touched the lives of many young people.

She said: “Mr Dames always found time for Junior Achievement and Youth Development, including honouring young people with his Operation Encouragement’s Top Achievers Programme. A very talented Bahamian, Mr Dames has a big heart for youth development that he has displayed during his 25 years with the Junior Achievement programme.”

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THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, November 9, 2023, PAGE 13

US airstrike on site in Syria in response to attacks by Iranian-backed militias

DEFENSE Secretary Lloyd Austin testifies before a Senate Appropriations Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, October 31, 2023. The US launched an airstrike on a facility in eastern Syria linked to Iranian-backed militias, in retaliation for what has been a growing number of attacks on bases housing US troops in the region for the past several weeks, the Pentagon said.

Photo: Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP WASHINGTON Associated Press THE US launched an airstrike on a facility in eastern Syria used by Iranian-backed militias, in retaliation for what has been a growing number of attacks on bases housing US troops in the region for the past several weeks, the Pentagon said.

Wednesday’s strike by two US F-15 fighter jets was on a weapons storage facility linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.

“The President has no higher priority than the safety of US personnel, and he directed today’s action to make clear that the United States will defend itself, its personnel, and its interests,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement.

This is the second time in less than two weeks that the US has bombed facilities used by the militant groups, many operating under the umbrella of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, which US officials say have carried out at least 40 such attacks since Oct. 17.

That was the day a powerful explosion rocked a Gaza hospital, killing hundreds and triggering protests in a number of Muslim nations.

The Israeli military has relentlessly attacked Gaza in retaliation for the devastating Hamas rampage in southern Israel on Oct. 7.

Israel denied responsibility for the al-Ahli hospital blast, and the US has said its intelligence assessment found that Tel Aviv was not to blame.

But the Israeli military has continued a ferocious assault on Hamas, with ground troops now deep inside Gaza City in a war that has a staggering death toll of more than 10,000 Palestinians, two-thirds of them women and children, according to the Health Ministry of the Hamas-run territory.

The latest US strike was designed to take out supplies, weapons and ammunition in an effort to erode the abilities of the Iranian-backed militants to attack Americans based in Iraq and Syria. And it reflects the Biden administration’s determination to maintain a delicate balance. The US wants to hit Iranian-backed groups suspected of targeting the US as strongly as possible to deter future aggression, possibly fuelled by Israel’s

war against Hamas, while also working to avoid further inflaming the region and provoking a wider conflict.

Similar US airstrikes on Oct. 27 also targeted facilities in Syria, and officials at the time said the two sites were affiliated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. When asked why those locations in Syria were chosen — since many of the attacks have happened in Iraq — officials said the US went after storage sites for munitions that could be linked to the strikes on US personnel.

The US has often avoided bombing sites in Iraq in order to lessen the chances of killing Iraqis or angering Iraq’s leaders.

While officials have said the strikes are meant to deter further attacks, they have not had that effect. Rocket and drone attacks have occurred almost daily, although in nearly all cases they have resulted in little damage and few injuries.

According to the Pentagon, a total of 45 personnel have been injured and all of those were in attacks on Oct. 17 and 18. Of those, 32 were at al-Tanf garrison in southeastern Syria, with a mix of minor injuries and traumatic brain injuries, and 13 were at al-Asad air base in western Iraq, with four cases of traumatic brain injury and nine of minor injury. One person was injured at Irbil air base in Iraq.

The Pentagon has faced repeated questions about whether deterrence against Iran and its proxies is working because the attacks have only increased.

At the same time, the department has moved a number of air defence systems and other forces into the region to beef up protection for US forces.

And on multiple occasions, the systems have intercepted incoming strikes. According to a US official, the number of ships in the Middle East has more than doubled, the number of Patriot air defence missile systems has about tripled, a few more fighter jet squadrons have been added and hundreds of additional troops have been deployed to the region. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss force numbers not yet made public.

WEDNESDAY’s strike by two US F-15 fighter jets was on a weapons storage facility linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.

SPORTS PAGE 14

F

our teams between the junior and senior divisions have advanced to a 1-0 series lead in the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association (GSSSA) volleyball championships.

Eight teams took the floor yesterday evening at the Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium vying for the first win in their respective best-of-three series.

For the senior division, the CV Bethel Stingrays senior girls took game one against the Government High School Magic.

The Anatol Rodgers Timberwolves asserted their dominance against the defending champions CI Gibson Rattlers in the opening game to go up 1-0.

The HO Nash Lions junior girls team remained locked in and dropped the LW Young Golden Eagles.

The fourth-seeded Timberwolves delivered a defeat to the secondseeded Golden Eagles in the junior boys game last night.

Senior Division The pennant winning Stingrays meant business against the second-seeded Magic. The senior girls quashed the chances of the Magic winning in consecutive sets.

The Stingrays stung their opponents 25-9 to begin the senior divisions’ championship series.

In the following set, they once again outmatched the Magic on the floor and defeated them 25-16.

Shantelle Rolle, head coach of the Stingrays, talked about how it felt to be the first to earn a victory in the championship round.

“I think our performance was a little bit better than yesterday. I told my girls we have to continue the trend from yesterday - taking care of the ball,

Page 18

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2023

Four teams take 1-0 lead in championships

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

NBA,

GSSSA volleyball in the spotlight

the strategy for the senior girls’ team remains the same. “There is no new strategy, we are going with the same old hustle, talk, move the ball when we

come out here, we do not take any team for granted, this is volleyball and anything is possible,” she said.

The top senior boys’ team, the Timberwolves,

HAS HIGH HOPES FOR FUTURE OF ATHLETICS

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

proved why they were this season’s pennant winners against the Rattlers. They opened up the first set

OLYMPIC bronze medallist Leevan “Superman” Sands made an appearance at the National Sports Awards on Saturday evening and expressed high hopes for the future of athletics in The Bahamas.

The men’s triple jump national record holder recently conducted a jumps clinic in conjunction with the fourth edition of the Red-Line Athletics’ Motivational Health and Wellness Seminar.

The top triple jumpman was grateful for the opportunity to pass on some of his knowledge in the field event to the participants in SANDS attendance.

“I wish it was done for me because a lot of them have coaches but I think they have not really interacted with people who have actually won medals.

All Olympians should be coming home and doing free clinics for the youth of The Bahamas,” Sands said.

With regards to the talent he saw on display at the jumps clinic, the assistant jumps coach at Florida State University (FSU) said there were some talented athletes on display over the weekend.

“There are a few of them that really stood out so in the next few years I will be back here scouting. I saw potential,” said the national record holder.

Sands has endured a few setbacks during his illustrious track and field career, and most recently had the Courage Award named in his honour at the National Sports Awards.

He has faced obstacles including suspension, injuries and some pushback

SEE PAGE 17

SEE PAGE 19

ONE MORE TO GO: The CV Bethel Stingrays and Anatol Rodgers Timberwolves senior girls and boys teams advanced to a 1-0 series lead in their championship games at the Kendal GL Isaacs gymnasium yesterday. The HO Nash Lions and Timberwolves junior girls and boys also lead their series 1-0.

Photo: Moise Amisial/Tribune Staff serving, moving to the ball, hustling and communicating,” Rolle said.

Game two is just a few hours away at the same venue and for coach Rolle

‘SUPERMAN’

Waltiea Rolle transitions RELOADED KIDS from hoops to coaching PRE-APPROVED FOR

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net WALTIEA Rolle, the first Bahamian to be drafted to the WNBA, will be the newest addition to the coaching staff at Noble Preparatory Academy (NPA) this school year.

The former WNBA player is expected to lead the charge for the women’s basketball team and serve as a teacher for family life and physical education.

The Bahamian centre has always aspired to move into the coaching/teaching environment following her professional career and is excited to venture into this new chapter of her life.

“It is exciting. I have always wanted to drift into the coaching and teaching environment after my professional career and Mr Bullard is very supportive and believes in me so it is an exciting feeling,” Rolle said.

The former Seattle Storm centre has played in Bulgaria, China, the Czech

Republic and Turkey.

One of her most notable stretches came while playing in the Czech Republic’s ZBL League, where she averaged 16.3 points and 10.4 rebounds in 31 games played.

Additionally, she played in the Turkish second division with Edremit Belediyesi Gurespor and averaged 14.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.9 blocks in 17 games.

Other stints included Haskovo 2012 in the Bulgari NBL League where she put up 13.9 points and 12.3 rebounds in 21 games.

After playing in multiple women’s leagues around the world, Rolle wants to share her skills and knowledge with the NPA Lady Spartans.

“The programme that exists here is pretty decent so there are not a lot of changes. I would make just a few minor tweaks. I will take the skills that I have learned and try to implement it into the future generation,” she said.

PERFECT GAME SERIES TEXAS CHALLENGE

19 rebounds to pair with four blocks in an elimination game. In addition to that, earlier this year she played in Spain’s professional women’s league for Estepona (Spain-LF Challenge) where she turned in 9.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in 14 games.

TAITUM Brown and Frederick Anderson III, who partcipated on one of our first travel ball teams this past summer, have been invited and preapproved to participate in the Perfect TAITUM Brown FREDERICK Anderson Game (PG) 2023 Series Texas Challenge at Big League Dreams, League City, Texas, December 27-31.

“The executive team along with myself are proud to announce the invite and pre-approved selection of two of our Reloaded players who played in a Perfect Game Tournament this past summer in Sanford, Orlando.

“We are proud to see how the programme is fullfilling its mandate to develop our kids to international standards.

We have only been in existence in a little over a year and we have achieved milestones in regards to the development of the kids in the programme.

“We wish Taitum and Frederick all the best and they have the full support of the Reloaded team as they go off to participate at this event. They are not only representing Reloaded and themselves but also bringing awareness so

SEE PAGE 18

SEE PAGE 19

PASSING THE TORCH: Walteia Rolle, the first Bahamian to be drafted to the WNBA, joins the Noble Preparatory Academy coaching staff for the women’s basketball programme The newest women’s coach added that her goals with the Lady Spartans are to be unstoppable, and to make a difference in the programme.

Most recently, Rolle played a pivotal role for the Abaco Survivors at the 6th Bahamas Games where she scored eight points, and a team-high

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, November 9, 2023, PAGE 15

KING CHARLES PROPOSES BILL THAT TAKES AIM AT EUROPEAN SUPER LEAGUE

By JAMES ROBSON AP Soccer Writer

UNIVERSITY of The Bahamas Mingoes players in action against United FC on November 5 at The Roscow A. L. Davies Field.

Mingoes hold on for BFA seasonopening win THE University of The Bahamas men’s soccer team had to fight to pull off a win to open the team’s season in the Bahamas Football Association.

The Mingoes won 3-2 over United FC at The Roscow A. L. Davies Field to open the season Sunday.

The Mingoes came out strong in the first half with a swarming defensive attack to hold United from scoring.

Neither team scored in the first half.

Out of the break the scoring started for both teams.

Midfielder Peter Julmis entered the match in the 61st minute as The Mingoes were taking a corner kick.

Julmis - on his first touch of the match - headed the ball in the net to put The Mingoes up 1-0.

United though responded quickly by scoring in the 70th and 73rd minute to go up 2-1 on The Mingoes.

In the 75th minute, midfielder Ronaldo Green was on a charge to the goal and in the box, and he suffered a hard tackle earning a penalty kick. He connected easily to even the match at 2-2.

Stanley Grand Pierre was determined to score after four shots on goal earlier in the match. He connected in the 77th minute after some spectacular footwork to give The Mingoes the goahead goal.

The Mingoes took a hard defensive stand to hold

on for the 3-2 win to open their BFA campaign.

“We are missing quite a few players due to some circumstances and we had to go out there and play with what we have,” Green said. “Some players had injuries so we really had to fight to get the win. It was

a tough game but it was key for us to get the win and start the season with a win.”

Mingoes keeper Antonio Beckford had seven saves on the night for the side.

The Mingoes next play IM Bears at 5:30pm on November 19 at RALD.

THE UB Mingoes won the match 3-2.

Photos: UB ATHLETICS

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Over two fraught days in April 2021, a newly formed “Super League” threatened to change the face of European soccer by creating an elite tournament that would protect 15 top clubs from relegation.

It quickly collapsed, but a U.K. government bill announced by King Charles on Tuesday proposes powers to block English teams from attempting to join a breakaway league in the future.

In a document explaining the new Football Governance Bill, the government said the European Super League was “fundamentally uncompetitive” and “threatened to undermine the footballing pyramid against the wishes of fans.”

“Fans will no longer face the prospect of seeing their clubs sign up to ill-thought out proposals such as the European Super League,” the document said.

Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham were among 12 rebel clubs from England, Spain and Italy that planned to be part of the breakaway league.

Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan were also part of the proposed 20-team league.

It would have effectively replaced the Champions League — Europe’s elite club tournament — and had the potential to impact domestic leagues given the guaranteed entry of teams regardless of their success in their national competitions.

The lack of relegation was fundamentally at odds with European soccer, which, unlike elite U.S. sports has the risk and reward of moving up or down divisions based on performance.

The British government had threatened legislation to block it, and fans across Europe objected — even ignoring COVID-related social gathering restrictions to protest outside stadiums.

Soccer executives hastily backed down. Since then, clubs in England’s top flight, in particular, have sought to build bridges with fans and vocalised their commitment to the Premier League.

REALLY IMPRESSIVE MADRID, SOCIEDAD ADVANCE IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer GENEVA (AP) — On a royally good evening for standout Spanish teams, Manchester United fell in another wild loss in the Champions League yesterday.

Real Madrid and Real Sociedad advanced to the round of 16 with two games to spare after impressive home wins over Portuguese opponents, respectively 3-0 against Braga and 3-1 over Benfica.

Bayern Munich and Inter Milan also won and will be in the knockout phase after getting key late goals from their talismanic strikers, Harry Kane and Lautaro Martínez.

Kane scored in the 80th and 86th minutes in a 2-1 win over Galatasaray and Inter’s 1-0 win at Salzburg was sealed by Martínez’s penalty in the 85th.

Man United almost never has straightforward games in the English giant’s drama-filled season on and off the field.

A 4-3 loss at Copenhagen — the same result as United’s opening game at Bayern — after twice letting leads slip left coach

MANCHESTER UNITED FALLS AGAIN IN WILD LOSS Erik ten Hag’s team last in Group A. The three-time European champion seemed in total control with a two-goal lead after 28 minutes earned by $80 million forward Rasmus Højlund, returning to face his former club.

A red card for United forward Marcus Rashford in the 42th sparked the chaos to follow, which saw Copenhagen level the score in 13 minutes of first-half stoppage time because of two pauses in play, including a protester on the field.

United led again when Bruno Fernandes scored from the penalty spot in the 69th but could not hang on.

Lukas Lerager levelled in the 83rd before 17-year-old substitute Roony Bardghji won it in the 87th.

The Kuwait-born, Sweden under-21 winger scored with a bouncing shot to lift the Danish champion into second place in the group standings, though with just four points.

Galatasaray also has four points before hosting United, which has three,

REAL Madrid’s Vinicius Junior celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal during the Champions League match against Braga at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Jose Breton) next on November 29. games. Napoli wasted a Arsenal took a four-point lead in a 1-1 draw that lead in Group B by com- Union earned when David fortably beating Sevilla 2-0 Datro Fofana, a forward on while PSV Eindhoven rose loan from Chelsea, scored from last place to second in the 52nd for his first goal with its first win, 1-0 at in almost a year.

REAL IMPRESSIVE home to Lens.

Real Madrid coach Carlo In Madrid’s group, Napoli has a grip on second place Ancelotti plans included despite failing to extend resting breakout star Jude Union Berlin’s losing run Bellingham in what was a in all competitions to 13 vibrant game with Braga

for the record 14-time European champion.

Not in the plan was selecting Ukraine goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, who got a late call when first choice Kepa Arrizabalaga was unable to warm up because of a leg muscle injury.

Just six minutes into his third game of the season for Madrid, and first since August, Lunin saved a penalty from Braga’s Alvaro Djaló.

Brahim Díaz had a goal disallowed before he gave Madrid a first-half lead and Brazil teammates Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo added goals in a three-minute spell around the hour mark.

Real Sociedad threatened to sweep aside Benfica in the first half of a 3-1 win that saw its three goals all scored by the 21st and a penalty missed minutes later.

In its first Champions League campaign for 10 years, Real Sociedad and long-serving coach Imanol Aguacil are impressing with a largely homegrown group

of players from the Basque region.

BENFICA BUST A Champions League quarterfinalist in each of the past two seasons, Benfica is a total bust this season.

The champion of Portugal sustained its fourth straight loss, leaving no chance of reaching the knockout stage.

One year ago, Benfica went unbeaten through its group and finished top ahead of Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.

Coach Roger Schmidt’s team then included Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez and Portugal forward Gonçalo Ramos who would both later shine at the World Cup in Qatar.

They are now at Chelsea and PSG, respectively.

Schmidt acknowledged on Wednesday his players “aren’t ready for the demands of a game at this level in the Champions League.”

Benfica has two games left to save face and secure entry into the Europa League knockout playoffs in February by finishing third in Group D. A last game at Salzburg December 12 should be decisive.

PAGE 16, Thursday, November 9, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

Pro Picks: Bears edge Panthers to improve their chances of landing No. 1 overall pick

By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer THE Chicago Bears can increase their chances of landing the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s NFL draft by winning a game.

It’s not often that a win would help a team improve draft positioning, but the Bears (2-7) own Carolina’s first-round pick. They host the Panthers (1-7) tonight.

The two struggling teams meet for the first time since a blockbuster trade sent wide receiver D.J. Moore to Chicago and gave Carolina the No. 1 overall pick it used on quarterback Bryce Young.

Things haven’t worked out for either team.

Young has been inconsistent and the Panthers have to be wondering if C.J. Stroud would’ve been the better pick.

The Bears still have questions about Justin Fields, who has missed three straight games with a thumb injury.

A prime-time audience gets to watch the least intriguing matchup of Week 10. The Bears are 3-point favourites, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. Pro Picks expects a close game.

BEARS, 20-19 DENVER at BUFFALO Line: Bills minus 7 1/2 The inconsistent Bills (5-4) already surpassed last season’s loss total. The Broncos (3-5) are rested after a bye and are rejuvenated following two straight wins. Josh Allen and the Bills have too much talent to be floundering.

They need a convincing win Monday night.

BEST BET: BILLS, 30-17 INDIANAPOLIS vs NEW ENGLAND, in Germany Line: Colts minus 1 1/2 The Patriots (2-7) have been pitiful. The Colts (4-5) snapped a three-game losing streak and aim to get back to .500. Led by backup QB Gardner Minshew, Indianapolis is the only team to score at least 20 points in each game this season.

UPSET SPECIAL: PATRIOTS, 24-23 SAN FRANCISCO at JACKSONVILLE Line: 49ers minus 3 Both teams are coming off byes. Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars (6-2) have won five in a row. The 49ers (5-3) have lost three straight but could get WR Deebo Samuel and AllPro LT Trent Williams back. They’ll have Chase Young for the first time since he was acquired from Washington.

49ERS, 26-22 NEW ORLEANS at MINNESOTA Line: Saints minus 2 1/2

CHICAGO Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent (17) runs during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans on Sunday.

(AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Joshua Dobbs has more time to learn the playbook and his teammates’ names after rescuing the Vikings (5-4) last week and leading them to their fourth straight win in their first game without Kirk Cousins.

The Saints (5-4) lead their division thanks to a playmaking defence.

Derek Carr has played well in two straight wins.

VIKINGS, 23-21 TENNESSEE at TAMPA BAY Line: Buccaneers minus 1 1/2 After C.J. Stroud had an historic game against them, the Buccaneers (3-5) face another rookie QB in Will Levis. The Titans (3-5) haven’t won a road game since last November 17 in Green Bay. The Buccaneers (3-5) have lost four in a row and couldn’t even win a game when Baker

Mayfield and the offence put up 37 points.

TITANS, 24-20 CLEVELAND at BALTIMORE Line: Ravens minus 6 The two top defences in the NFL square off in an AFC North matchup.

Lamar Jackson and the Ravens (7-2) have won four in a row with two dominant wins against firstplace teams. The Browns (5-3) were blown out by Baltimore in Week 4, but will have Deshaun Watson this time around.

RAVENS, 19-16 HOUSTON at CINCINNATI Line: Bengals minus 6 1/2 Joe Burrow and the Bengals (5-3) are back to form with four straight wins, including impressive backto-back games against San Francisco and Buffalo. The Texans (4-4) are

much improved this season thanks mainly to Stroud and new coach DeMeco Ryans.

BENGALS, 27-20 GREEN BAY at PITTSBURGH Line: Steelers minus 3 The Steelers (5-3) keep finding ways to win despite being outplayed and outgained in yards. The Packers (3-5) just snapped a four-game losing streak.

They haven’t scored 20 points in six straight games as first-year starter Jordan Love has had ups and downs.

STEELERS, 23-17 ATLANTA at ARIZONA Line: Falcons minus 1 1/2 Taylor Heinicke gets another opportunity to start this week and the Falcons (4-5) have an opportunity to get back to .500 facing the lowly Cardinals (1-8).

Arizona could have Kyler

Murray back this week but he might hinder their chances of landing the No. 1 overall pick.

FALCONS, 23-20 DETROIT at LOS ANGELES CHARGERS Line: Lions minus 2 1/2 The Lions (6-2) are coming off a bye while the Chargers (4-4) have a short week after a Monday night road win against the Jets.

Detroit is 4-1 against the spread when favoured by at least 2 1/2 points.

LIONS, 30-26 NEW YORK GIANTS at DALLAS Line: Cowboys minus 16 1/2 Dallas (5-3) selfdestructed with a chance to beat the Eagles.

Now, the Cowboys have to avoid a letdown against the lowly Giants (2-7) who are down to third-string QB Tommy DeVito.

COWBOYS, 31-10 WASHINGTON at SEATTLE Line: Seahawks minus 6 The Seahawks (5-3) try to rebound after getting dominated by the Ravens.

Geno Smith’s production is down from last season and his turnovers are up. Sam Howell and a few rookies give the Commanders (4-5) reason for optimism.

SEAHAWKS, 26-18 NEW YORK JETS at LAS VEGAS Line: Jets minus 1 1/2 The Jets (4-4) are favourites on a short week after a Monday night loss in which the offence was anaemic yet again.

The Raiders (4-5) celebrated Josh McDaniels’ firing with a lopsided win over the Giants and some victory cigars.

JETS, 17-13

COWBOYS SIGN WIDE RECEIVER MARTAVIS BRYANT FRISCO, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys signed receiver Martavis Bryant to their practice squad yesterday, ending a five-year absence from the NFL for a player who has been suspended three times.

Bryant last played in 2018 with the Raiders before they moved from Oakland to Las Vegas. He was indefinitely suspended over substance-abuse violations late that season.

The 31-year-old was a fourth-round pick by Pittsburgh in 2014 and spent four years with the Steelers, including when he was suspended for the entire 2016 season.

Bryant spent time in the CFL and more recently the XFL before signing with the Cowboys after a workout following his reinstatement

by Commissioner Roger Goodell.

“I know I’m 31, but I’m still fast, still big, I still want to play football,” Bryant said. “I haven’t lost anything. I got a lot of doubters out there. It’s more of me proving to myself that I still got it.”

MARTAVIS BRYANT (AP) Bryant scored eight touchdowns with Pittsburgh as a rookie, then had his career high with 765 yards receiving and six TDs in 11 games a year later after serving his first suspension, a four-game ban.

After missing all of 2016, Bryant had 603 yards and three touchdowns with the Steelers in 2017 before eight games with the Raiders in 2018.

“I’ve been through a lot over those last years that I haven’t played ball,” Bryant said. “Getting down on myself and wanting to give up on football. But at the end of the day, I had to look myself in the mirror and face my own demons.”

Bryant joins a group led

by CeeDee Lamb, who has had three consecutive 100yard games to reach fifth in the NFL with 824 yards.

Brandin Cooks, an offseason trade acquisition, was in the same draft class with Bryant.

Levis credits Tannehill for easing his transition as Titans starting QB

By TERESA M WALKER AP Pro Football Writer NASHVILLE, Tenn.

(AP) — Ryan Tannehill’s first big move as a reserve quarterback for the Tennessee Titans came as he worked his way back into practice.

The veteran made clear to Will Levis that the rookie now goes first in the team’s quarterback drills.

“I didn’t want to step over him, but he came to me first to be like, ‘Hey, this is you,’” Levis said yesterday of Tuesday’s practice session. “So it’s cool to hear that. But I know that isn’t going to change our relationship and how we go forward.”

Titans coach Mike Vrabel announced the change at quarterback Tuesday.

Tannehill said he learned of the decision to go with the rookie as the Titans

starting quarterback in a conversation with Vrabel on Monday.

It’s a bit of a reverse from mid-October 2019 when Tannehill was the veteran was promoted to starter with Marcus Mariota struggling in his fifth season.

“I want to handle the situation with class right?”

Tannehill said. “It’s not a fun situation to be in, but I want to be a pro and handle it with class and still be a guy that people can look to, so. Yeah, not ideal situation, but I want to try and handle it well.”

For now, Tannehill is continuing to recover from his sprained ankle. The 35-year-old quarterback was limited in practice yesterday, and Vrabel has said they hope the veteran is able to progress enough to back up Levis on Sunday when the Titans (3-5) visit Tampa Bay (3-5).

TENNESSEE Titans quarterback Will Levis looks to throw the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 2.

(AP Photo/Matt Freed) Tannehill has a better completion rate than Levis at 62% and has completed 98 of 158 passes for 1,128 yards. But he has only two touchdown passes and six interceptions with a passer rating of 71.9.

Levis, the 33rd pick overall out of Kentucky, is 1-1 as a starter since taking over

after Tennessee’s bye. In his NFL debut, Levis immediately doubled the number of touchdown passes Tannehill had in six starts, becoming just the third quarterback to throw four in his first regular-season game.

Levis has thrown for 500 yards with only one

interception in the final seconds of a loss last week in Pittsburgh. His passer rating is 96.4.

“The news didn’t change anything,” Levis said of being selected as the starter moving forward. “It was cool to hear that and to see it become official. But it doesn’t change really much how I’m approaching things.”

The bigger challenge is wide receiver Treylon Burks is in the concussion protocol and likely to miss Sunday’s game after being carted off the field in Pittsburgh. He’s among five starters who did not practice yesterday, a group including two starting offensive linemen.

Levis has been sacked six times in two starts, and he said he’s easily his hardest critic.

“I’m definitely going to watch the tape, and

regardless of how I play, come away thinking that I got to be a lot better than I am,” Levis said. “So I feel like you got to have that mindset to keep improving in this league.”

Some fans want to focus on Tannehill’s three interceptions in a divisional loss to Cincinnati in January 2022 with the Titans the AFC’s No. 1 seed. He is 40-26 as a starter for Tennessee with two AFC South titles and three playoff berths.

Tannehill said he felt as if he did a lot of good to help turn things around for the franchise by winning a lot of games.

“It wasn’t perfect, never is perfect,” Tannehill said.

“But hopefully people can look back and see the good things that I did and how I helped this city, helped this organisation and helped to turn things around.”

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, November 9, 2023, PAGE 17

SAC junior girls clinch spot in BAISS softball championships BAISS SOFTBALL PLAYOFF RESULTS (DAY 1) JUNIOR GIRLS St Augustine’s College defeat St Anne’s 31-11 JUNIOR BOYS Nassau Christian Academy defeat St Anne’s 10-0 SENIOR GIRLS Queen’s College defeat St John’s College 11-1 SENIOR BOYS Nassau Christian Academy defeat Kingsway Academy 13-8

ON TO THE NEXT: The St Augustine’s College Big Red Machine junior girls have clinched a spot in the BAISS softball championships after defeating St Annes 31-11 yesterday at Freedom Farm.

Photo: Tenajh Sweeting/Tribune Staff

Four teams take 1-0 lead in the GSSSA volleyball championships FROM PAGE 14 of two with an early 10-1 lead. The defending champions tried to climb back in the game but their opponents advanced to 18-8 on the scoreboard.

Ultimately, the first set concluded with a 25-12 Timberwolves victory. With the Timberwolves firmly in the driver’s seat after a strong opening set, the Rattlers seemed determined to push for a third match. The first-seeded team got control in the opening minutes, advancing to a 10-7 lead.

However, the Rattlers displayed resilience when they climbed back in set two 15-14, one point shy of tying with their competitors. Although last year’s title holders hung around

on the scoreboard, the Timberwolves stole set two 25-21.

Theodore Hanna, head coach of the Timberwolves, was happy to go up 1-0 against the Rattlers.

“We are in the finals, as the top team, we have to know that the next team is coming to fight. We have to build ourselves up and stay up to the level where no matter how much push they put in, we put in more,” Hanna said.

The head coach added that the latest win made him very happy and felt it gave them the confidence boost needed to continue on to become the champions.

Junior Division The Lions junior girls answered the call against the Golden Eagles in two

ON THE REPLAY: The CV Bethel Stingrays and Anatol Rodgers Timberwolves senior girls and boys teams advanced to a 1-0 series lead in their championship games at the Kendal GL Isaacs gymnasium yesterday.

Photo: Moise Amisial/Tribune Staff straight sets. The thirdseeded team overwhelmed their opponents in set one 25-14. The Golden Eagles once again got demolished in set two, this time 25-12.

The Timberwolves junior boys joined the seniors with a 1-0 series lead. The Golden Eagles once again suffered a loss in this division. They went down 25-15

in the initial set and in the following set the Timberwolves completed the job, winning 25-16.

The Timberwolves (junior and senior boys),

Lions and Stingrays will look to complete a sweep 4pm today at the Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium.

Games will continue on Friday if necessary.

BEN STOKES’ FIRST CRICKET WORLD CUP CENTURY HELPS ENGLAND END LOSING STREAK WITH WIN VS NETHERLANDS PUNE, India (AP) — Ben Stokes scored his first World Cup century to help England finally end a five-game losing streak by beating the Netherlands by 160 runs yesterday.

Stokes reached his hundred off just 78 balls and finished on 108 to help England reach 339-9 after his team opted to bat first. Pace all-rounder Chris Woakes also scored 51 off 45 balls, and he and Stokes put on 129 runs to rescue England from a precarious 192-6.

In reply, the Netherlands was all out for 179 in 37.2 overs. Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali took three wickets each for England, which climbed off the bottom of the table with a second win from eight games.

The defending champions had already been eliminated from semifinal contention, but can still clinch a spot in the 2025 Champions Trophy with a win over Pakistan in its final game on Saturday.

The Netherlands’ slim chances of advancing to the last four of the tournament officially ended with the loss. The Dutch can still finish eighth or higher to qualify for the Champions Trophy, but must beat

ENGLAND’s Ben Stokes tosses a ball yesterday during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup match against Netherlands.

(AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool) table-toppers India in their final game on Sunday.

England made a quick start given the good batting conditions in Pune. Jonny Bairstow scored only 15 runs, but put on 48 together

with Dawid Malan for the first wicket. The latter scored 87 runs off 74 balls, with 10 fours and two sixes, and added 85 for the second wicket with Joe Root, who scored 28 runs.

Logan van Beek bowled Root through his legs, as the batter tried a switch-hit.

It became a double blow as Malan was out 10 balls later, run-out after a mix-up with Stokes.

England lost more quick wickets thereafter. Harry Brook holed out for 11, while Jos Buttler’s poor form continued as he was caught at mid-off for 5.

Moeen Ali was out caught off Aryan Dutt as the English showcased another poor batting performance despite the bright start.

But Stokes held one end together with Woakes providing him good support as the duo counterattacked and scored quickly in the last 15 overs.

England crossed 300 in the 47th over, before Stokes was last out, caught at long off.

In reply, the Dutch innings started poorly.

Woakes removed opener Max O’Dowd for 5 and David Willey had Colin Ackermann caught behind for a two-ball duck.

Wesley Barresi and Sybrand Engelbrecht added 54 off 71 balls for the third wicket, but the wickets fell quickly thereafter as

Barresi was run out, while Engelbrecht gave a simple catch to mid-on.

Adil Rashid got into the act then, bowling Bas de Leede for 10. His pairing with Ali didn’t allow the Dutch to recover from 104-5.

Skipper Scott Edwards scored 38 and put on 59 runs with Teja Nidamanuru,

who top scored with 41 not out.

Once Edwards holed out off Ali, though, the end came swiftly as the Netherlands lost its last five wickets for 13 runs in 21 balls.

Rashid and Ali ran through the lower order, sharing six wickets in 16.2 overs.

PAGE 18, Thursday, November 9, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

Joel Embiid has 27 points and BRADLEY BEAL TAKES ON 10 rebounds, 76ers beat Celtics SPOT COURT FOR 106-103 for 6th straight victory PHOENIX PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid had 27 points and 10 rebounds and the Philadelphia 76ers won their sixth straight game, 106-103 over the Boston Celtics last night.

Tyrese Maxey added 25 points for the Eastern Conference-leading 76ers. They are undefeated since an opening loss at Milwaukee.

Kristaps Porzingis led Boston (5-2) with 29 points.

The Sixers were amped for the first game between the long-time rivals since their Eastern Conference semifinal matchup last season.

The 76ers blew a 3-2 series lead and collapsed in Game 6 and 7 losses that ushered in a summer of upheaval.

Coach Doc Rivers was fired and replaced by Nick Nurse. James Harden soon demanded a trade and never again played for the Sixers.

KNICKS 126, SPURS 105 NEW YORK (AP) — Victor Wembanyama’s first game at Madison Square Garden was one of the worst of his young career, with the San Antonio rookie managing just one basket in the first three quarters in New York’s victory.

The 7-foot-3 Wembanyama missed his first seven shots and had more airballs (2) than field goals through three quarters, when the Knicks led by as much as 30 points.

He was in danger of failing to reach double figures for the first time before scoring eight points in the fourth to finish with 14 on 4-for-14 shooting.

Jalen Brunson scored 25 points for the Knicks. RJ Barrett added 24 points

BUDDY HIELD SCORES 10 IN WIN OVER JAZZ

INDIANA Pacers’ Buddy Hield (7) knocks the ball out of the hands of Utah Jazz’s Jordan Clarkson (00) during the first half of an NBA basketball game last night in Indianapolis.

(AP Photo/Darron Cummings) and six assists, while Julius Randle had 23 points and 16 rebounds.

NETS 100, CLIPPERS 93 NEW YORK (AP) — Lonnie Walker came off the bench to score 21 points and Brooklyn beat Los Angeles.

Former Nets star James Harden had 12 points and eight rebounds in his second game with Los Angeles since being acquired from Philadelphia on October 30.

Paul George led the Clippers with 24 points.

Cam Thomas scored 14 points in the first half for the Nets before leaving early

in the third quarter after spraining his left ankle.

ROCKETS 128, LAKERS 94 HOUSTON (AP) — Jalen Green scored 28 points in three quarters and Houston never trailed against Los Angeles.

The Rockets have won four straight after dropping their first three games this season. They’ve won four in a row for the first time since winning seven consecutive games in late 2021.

Rui Hachimura scored 24 for Los Angeles. LeBron James had a season-low 18 in a game in which Los Angeles was without

Anthony Davis because of a groin injury.

TIMBERWOLVES 122, PELICANS 101 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Anthony Edwards scored 26 points and had a season-high eight assists and Minnesota beat shorthanded New Orleans.

Karl-Anthony Towns scored 23 points on 9-of12 shooting and Rudy Gobert had 17 points and 20 rebounds to help Minnesota win its fourth straight game.

Brandon Ingram had 24 points for the Pelicans. New Orleans was without its two leading scorers, with Zion

Williamson out for personal reasons and CJ McCollum sidelined for the second straight game by a collapsed lung.

PACERS 134, JAZZ 118 INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Aaron Nesmith scored 24 points and Bennedict Mathurin and Myles Turner each added 22 to help Indiana beat Utah.

Tyrese Haliburton scored all 16 of his points in the second half and finished with 13 assists. Jalen Smith had 16 points and 11 rebounds. Jordan Clarkson led Utah with a seasonhigh 33 points. The Jazz lost

CHICAGO (AP) — Bradley Beal finally took his spot on the court for Phoenix on Wednesday night, giving the Suns two of their three stars against the Chicago Bulls.

Acquired from Washington in June, the 30-year-old Beal sat out of the first seven games of the season because of a back injury. He joined Kevin Durant in the startling lineup, while the Suns await Devin Booker’s return from a calf injury.

Beal averaged 22.1 points in 11 seasons with Washington. Coach Frank Vogel said the three-time All-Star guard would see limited playing time against the Bulls.

‘We’re going to be smart with his rotation, not let him have too long of runs with it being his first game,” Vogel said.

“We will have a minutes restriction, but it’s more of a range. We’re not going to put a number on it.” their fourth in a row and fell to 0-5 on the road.

WIZARDS 132, HORNETS 116 CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kyle Kuzma scored 33 points and Washington made 18 3-pointers to beat Charlotte and snap a fourgame losing streak.

Danilo Gallinari and Delon Wright each added 18 points and Landry Shamet had 15 as Washington’s reserves outscored Charlotte’s 72-23.

LaMelo Ball had a season-high 34 points for the Hornets. Both teams are 2-5. They meet again Friday night in Washington in an NBA In-Season Tournament game.

WALTIEA ROLLE IS THE NEWEST ADDITION TO COACHING STAFF AT NOBLE PREP ACADEMY FROM PAGE 14 Despite all she has accomplished since being drafted by the Minnesota Lynx in 2013, she now feels ready to leave it all behind.

“As of now I am done.

I am physically and mentally tired, it is not easy, it takes a lot of sacrifice but overall I am very proud of

myself and the things I have accomplished. I have peace of mind.

“I get to see my kids everyday and know what they are doing everyday. Just being here at home is a good feeling,” she said.

Geno Bullard, president of NPA, was delighted to add someone who has

broken barriers for women basketball players in The Bahamas to the Spartans staff. “We are very excited to have coach Rolle here.

Her background spans over many continents and she has a wealth of information and experience that she has an opportunity to give back,” Bullard said.

“We have been building our women’s basketball programme for a while now and I feel we are at that place now where it is in comfortable hands.

“I have full confidence in coach Rolle to be able to help us get to that next level with our women’s basketball and also help the

country with the knowledge she has,” the NPA president added.

The 2013 graduate of the University of North Carolina had two of the 10 best shot blocking seasons in Tar Heels history during her stint at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 school.

WALTIEA ROLLE

Diana Taurasi in new role as she chases history and 6th Olympic gold medal

By TERESA M WALKER AP Sports Writer KNOXVILLE, Tenn.

(AP) — Diana Taurasi is settling into a new role with USA Basketball.

She is trying to earn a spot on the U.S. Olympic roster for the 2024 Paris Games, which would be her sixth. But this one feels like her first.

Ignore that she turns 42 before the Paris Games even start next July. Or that the veteran guard is chasing a chance at Olympic history, seeking to become the first to win six straight gold medals in basketball.

“I’m in a different position where you know in the last couple of them I did it with my peers, and now I’m doing it with B (Betnijah Laney) and you know, players that I’m not that familiar with,” Taurasi said

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Sunday night after a 95-59 exhibition win over No. 11 Tennessee.

This time around, there’s no Sue Bird as they made history at the 2021 Tokyo Games winning a fifth straight gold.

That hit Taurasi on Tuesday morning when she woke up in Atlanta for the first day of a three-day training camp, reaching for her phone to text Bird to go get coffee.

“It was a stark realisation that it’s just me here now,” Taurasi said.

“I miss her dearly. We’ve obviously gone through this for a long time together. On the flip side, it’s been really fun to get to know some of these young guys I haven’t spent a lot of time with.”

Yes, Taurasi won gold with Brittney Griner in 2021 and 2016. Her WNBA teammate with the Phoenix Mercury is in the group for this training period.

Taurasi is building chemistry that simply existed previously. This group that caps this training stint Sunday with an exhibition at Duke includes only Ariel Atkins (2021) and Angel McCoughtry (2012 and 2016) along with Griner as teammates Taurasi

celebrated Olympic gold with before.

A’ja Wilson, who just led the Las Vegas Aces to the WNBA title, currently has her left wrist in a cast.

Breanna Stewart is awaiting the birth of her second child with her wife. Chelsea Gray is recovering from an injured foot that will keep her from a return to her college home at Duke.

That means getting to know a bunch of new teammates off the court.

“That always helps you when you’re in the game,” Taurasi said.

She understands how major a factor that can be when playing on big stages, having played her best when the stakes are at the highest. Taurasi is one of only 12 players ever to win a World Cup gold medal, Olympic gold, an NCAA championship (three) and WNBA championship (yes, three more).

Taurasi is just as feisty, sarcastic and relentless as ever. Once the ball tips, that’s when the 6-foot Taurasi becomes the focused competitor that makes her so valuable.

Tennessee coach Kellie Harper said Taurasi’s “unbelievable” still playing

TEAM USA guard Diana Taurasi (12) looks to shoot a free throw during the first half of an NCAA college basketball exhibition game against Tennessee on Sunday.

(AP Photo/Wade Payne) as she enters her fifth year coaching her alma mater.

Harper, 46, said she was doing the math and realised she’s not much older than Taurasi. Not that Harper could do now what Taurasi does still.

“She’s savvy, she gets it, she’s a great leader,” Harper said.

Taurasi spoke to Harper’s Lady Vols before

Sunday night’s exhibition, and Harper said she was impressed with how Taurasi carries herself. Not an easy thing to say considering how bitter the UConn-Tennessee rivalry once was and remains to fans with long memories.

Harper said Taurasi was cordial, gave her a hug and had a great visit with her team. Then Harper went onto the court before warmups and saw a different Taurasi.

“I locked in on her with my eyes, and you could just see she was on go,” Harper said. “I was like, ‘Oh, this could be interesting’ because she just flipped that switch, and she was great at practice, cordial at practice, and I thought she was going to tear us apart in warmups.

But that’s how competitive she is.”

Taurasi knocked down three 3-pointers in the first quarter and a pair of free throws, scoring all of her 11 points in 7:44. As Tennessee adjusted how it defended Taurasi, she switched up and handed out three assists.

“Like Coach (Cheryl Reeve) said, when you wear the USA jersey, it’s whatever you have to do

to make the team better,” Taurasi said. “Different moments call for different things.”

Playing against Taurasi can still be intimidating for an opponent, particularly the first time.

Tennessee forward Rickea Jackson, who has some USA Basketball experience, said she knew the Lady Vols would be playing Team USA in an exhibition.

Then Harper started handing out the specific matchups.

“Then she goes, ‘Jewel (Spear), you’re guarding Diana Taurasi.’ My heart dropped,” Jackson said. “I was like, ‘Oh, this is real.’

We’re really playing against the best players in the world.”

Make no mistake. If USA Basketball calls asking Taurasi to play in Paris, the answer will be the same as 2004 to play in Athens, Beijing in 2008, London in 2012, 2016 Rio and the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games.

“It’s always an honour when you get the call,” Taurasi said. “I’ve always taken it. And if I’m ready, you know, I get that opportunity, it’ll be nice.”

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, November 9, 2023, PAGE 19

LEEVAN SANDS HAS HIGH HOPES FOR FUTURE OF ATHLETICS IN THE BAHAMAS FROM PAGE 14 when he tried to join the coaching ranks overseas.

“When I first applied to a few schools like my alma mater, I was turned down and it was said that I had no coaching experience but to go from a small D1 school in Colorado and after two years get called from a school like FSU, it speaks wonders and I think it is only up from here,” he said.

The strides achieved in his two seasons as jumps coach has not only helped to improve the jumpers at FSU, but also attracted the likes of three-time national champion Kaiwan Culmer and NACAC under-23 (U23) silver medallist Charisma Taylor.

Both will train under the tutelage of Sands in preparation to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. “I think for me moving in The Bahamas,

it is a lot going on, I feel like when people train in the states, especially coming to FSU, it is a more controlled environment where everything is in one facility, “He (Culmer) is in a controlled environment with a coach who has a lot of experience and competed in four Olympics. I just know what to look for and look at and with Charisma as well I think they are both in good hands,” he said.

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All regulatory filings and reporting Review, investigation and onboarding of new customers and accounts Participate in the ongoing review of existing clients to ensure adherence to AML/CFT and regulatory requirements Ensure compliance with relevant guidelines and regulations issued by The Securities Commission of The Bahamas, Central Bank of The Bahamas, Compliance Commission of The Bahamas, and other applicable government bodies Collaborate with projects and other ad-hoc work as assigned by the CEO and Board of Directors Assist with the development, implementation and enhancement of Risk and Compliance policies and procedures Assist with monitoring and testing activities to ensure adherence to group policies and procedures Encourage and promote a compliance-oriented culture within the organization Report to Boards of Directors

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The Bahamian triple jump legend has competed at four Olympic Games, including the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China, 2012 Summer Olympics in London, England, and 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He shared his thoughts on the country’s Olympic chances ahead of next year’s multi-sport event in Paris, France.

“The teams have been a lot smaller than what we had, very small but impactful.

“We have some strong people like Shaunae who just came back a couple months after having a baby and Steven Gardiner, we have two top 400 metre runners,” he said.

Sands set the national record for the men’s triple jump with 17.59 metres for bronze at the Olympics in 2008.

RELOADED FROM PAGE 14

that other Bahamians kids can be recognized from a much younger age and aslo prove to the international baseball world that we also do have the same skill sets and talent levels of our international counterparts.

“Reloaded has sparked alot of international interests since our travel ball trip to the Perfect Game tournament this past summer and we intend to tap into all of these resources in the pursuit of development to international standards for our Reloaded kids. We will not be deterred in this pursuit as good is never enough as we are developing tomorrows leaders.