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Volume: 118 No.244, November 15, 2021

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GLIMMER OF HOPE

Ratings agency S&P sees economic upturn but private sector cautious

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas does “not have enough control over our own plight” to take comfort from Standard & Poor’s (S&P) belief that COVID devastation has “bottomed out”, it was argued yesterday.

Matt Aubry, the Organisation for Responsible Governance’s (ORG) executive director, told Tribune Business this nation was “still too far off” from full recovery to take confidence from the credit rating agency’s decision to

‘MAKE ME YOUR LEADER’

upgrade this nation’s economic outlook to “stable”.

That action provided the one positive for The Bahamas amid S&P’s decision to further push this nation into “junk” status territory, as it downgraded the country’s sovereign creditworthiness from ‘BBB-’ to ‘B+’.

The “stable” outlook, based on the country’s economic recovery prospects, indicates the rating agency will take no further downgrade action over the next 12 months.

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

POLICE fatally shot a man who allegedly brandished a gun at them after leading officers on a car chase in the Nassau Village community early on Saturday.

Royal Bahamas Police Force said the deceased was being sought because he matched the description of an assailant who was said to be in possession of a firearm in the Nassau Village

SEE BUSINESS SECTION

CDC TO REDUCE OUR COVID RISK RATING

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

THE US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention will reclassify the COVID-19 threat in The Bahamas from a Level Four: Do Not Travel advisory to a Level Three warning, Chief Medical Officer Dr Pearl McMillan said on Friday.

Dr McMillan said she received the notification about the impending change from the Caribbean Public Health Agency, as local officials work closely with the agency regarding the CDC’s travel health

advisories.

“As we all know we would have been at a Level Four,” Dr McMillan said.

“The notification, actually it was a congratulatory notification, to say that we have been downgraded to a three based on the data recently submitted.

“We have to continue to do what we’re doing as a country. So that we can continue either move down that ladder but definitely not go back up to a four.”

Asked if the impending advisory change was based mainly on vaccinations or cases going down, Dr McMillan said: “They have SEE PAGE FOUR

SUSPECT IS SHOT DEAD AFTER CAR CHASE

SEE PAGE THREE

TIME TO GIVE BACK WITH VOLUNTEER INITIATIVE

CENTRAL Grand Bahama MP Iram Lewis addresses FNM supporters at Holy Trinity Activities Centre on Saturday night where he officially launched his party leadership bid. Mr Lewis will go up against East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson, who also held campaign events over the weekend, and Marco City MP Michael Pintard at the FNM’s leadership convention on November 27 to decide who takes over from Dr Hubert Minnis. SEE PAGE FIVE Photo: Racardo Thomas/Tribune staff

JUNKANOO ‘EVENT’ FOR BOXING DAY

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

ALTHOUGH Junkanoo parades will not be held again this year, chairman of the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence Dion Miller said officials still plan to celebrate the festival through several planned activities, including a potential in-person event.

In an interview with The Tribune yesterday, Mr

Miller said the group is now in its final stages of planning and hopes to make an announcement soon on how they plan to commemorate the festival.

He also confirmed that all the major Junkanoo groups will be participating in this year’s festivities.

“There won’t be any traditional Junkanoo parades this year, but there will be a virtual feature presentation,” Mr Miller said.

“We’re currently working on a virtual feature presentation which will include the majority of the Junkanoo groups so it will be a nice Junkanoo feature film and SEE PAGE THREE

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

GOVERNOR General Sir Cornelius A Smith has called on citizens and residents to take part in a national volunteer initiative.

His comments came as he launched the Volunteers Call To Action during a press conference last week at his temporary office at One Montagu Place.

“When we first formed the Governor General’s Volunteer Bahamas, we developed a tagline that defined our vision,” Sir Cornelius said. “It was very SEE PAGE 12

INSIGHT AN END TO CURFEWS BUT WILL CALL FOR DISCIPLINE GO UNHEARD? SEE PAGE EIGHT

PAGE 2, Monday, November 15, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

FAMILIES DISPLACED AFTER HAITIAN COMMUNITY FIRE

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net SEVERAL families have been displaced after a structural fire in a Haitian community just off the Kool Acres Subdivision last night.

Police press liaison officer, Assistant Superintendent Audley Peters said there were no reports of injuries or smoke inhalation.

Police responded to the fire around 7.49pm yesterday.

“While on scene they met a multi-structural wooden house engulfed in flames,” ASP Peters said. “The fire delta unit extinguished the fire and did a search of the structure and apparently at this moment there seems to be no life lost.

“We’re made to understand that this multistructure housed three families all of whom, we’re made to understand, are safe at the moment.”

Asked if the blaze was the result of an electrical fire, ASP Peters said: “No, we’re not able to determine how the fire started. Investigations are ongoing in this matter.”

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THREE families are believed to have lived in the building destroyed in the fire.

Photos: Racardo Thomas/Tribune staff Resident Tiffany Reubins told The Tribune she was at a shop with her daughter and was going home when she saw the neighbour’s house on fire.

“When I saw the neighbour’s house on fire I decided to grab at least two baskets… I grabbed two baskets and that was the only thing I was able to save . . . Everything was on fire and I have asthma so I

couldn’t even try to say go in smoke and save anything else,” the mother explained.

The 22-year-old and her daughter lost “literally almost everything” in the blaze.

THE TRIBUNE

Junkanoo ‘event’ for Boxing Day FROM PAGE ONE we are currently working with (stakeholders) as well as some of our corporate partners on finalising a Junkanoo event to be held on the 26 of December. I can’t get into details yet, but we’re in the process of finalising an additional Junkanoo experience.

“Those plans will be finalised I would say by Friday so definitely by early next week, I will be in a position where I can let the cat out of the bag and let you know exactly what we have and what we will be executing during the holiday season, but definitely there won’t be any traditional Junkanoo parades on Bay Street again this year, but the JCNP and our partners, we are working on a potential in-person experience for Junkanoo and the Bahamian people.”

This year marks the second year the cultural parades were cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Following a two-year absence, Mr Miller said it is expected Junkanoo parades will return to Bay Street next year. In the meantime, Mr Miller said the organisation hopes to keep the Junkanoo spirit alive through several alternative events.

THE VALLEY Boys on Bay Street at the 2019 Junkanoo Boxing Day parade.

“If you saw the reports, Carnival had an in-person event just over the weekend so with Junkanoo, we’ll do the same and so if events can happen, some form of Junkanoo will happen as well,” he said.

Current COVID-19 rules place limitations on social gatherings, with only 20 people allowed to attend a private social event provided they are fully vaccinated.

Social gatherings are also permitted to be held at outdoor events, however, all attendees must either be fully vaccinated or present

BPL WARNS OVER FAKE SOCIAL MEDIA NOTICE

BAHAMAS Power and Light has advised the public of a fake notice circulating on social media which promises an $8,000 prize.

In a statement issued yesterday, BPL said a fake notice of the company’s supposed 65th Anniversary “celebrations” promising the cash prize is currently circulating in social media channels.

“We strongly advise customers and the general public at large to not click on the link attached to the fake notice. It is not from BPL.”

a negative COVID test.

All COVID-19 protocols must be adhered to in both instances.

Asked what sort of restrictions will be in place to safeguard those attending, Mr Miller said: “It will be a private venue so the property won’t be easy access. It will be a small ticket for patrons to pay to enter the facilities. We won’t require everyone to be fully vaccinated, but we will require persons to show a negative COVID test three days prior to the event.”

As for next year’s events, Mr Miller said: “We have already received confirmation from our partners at the ministry next year that in all likelihood we will return back to parades and so the corporation is just getting ready to plan that.

“We have a meeting scheduled with tourism week after next to get an idea to work with the Ministry of Tourism to find out

what exactly their Junkanoo platform would be for next year but we anticipate that next year, we will be back to some normalcy in terms of having parades and it’s been a long road and Junaknooers are antsy and Bahamians are antsy and we want to get back to some sort of normalisation and doing what we love in a safe manner.”

He added: “...So next year is going to be a busy year and I am anticipating that there will be some of the biggest parades in terms of public support and outpouring that we have seen in our country in a long time due to this absence.

So, I’m excited and I’m ready and I’ve said earlier, we just recently received 13.2 acres of Crown land to establish our Junkanoo village and right now we’re working on funding that project so there’s a lot of beautiful things that’s on stream for Junkanoo in the not-too-distant future.”

MP SAYS COVID-19 BILL TIMING ‘LAST MINUTE’ ST Anne’s MP Adrian White a tabled item of legislation on has accused the government the same day as its first readof being late in bringing the ing, unless agreed by the House.

COVID-19 Pandemic (Spe“The House being both the memcial Provision) Bill 2021 to bers of government and of the Parliament. opposition.

The Bill was passed in the “Knowing the government House of Assembly last Wedneswould fail to get this piece of day and in the Senate the last-minute legislation through following day. a second reading and full debate In a statement released yesin the House and thereafter the terday, Mr White said the timing Senate, before November 13, of the Bill was “last minute” 2021, without the opposition’s ST Anne’s MP considering the fact the state agreement, the opposition, in Adrian White of emergency and associated the best interests of the nation, emergency orders were slated to end on agreed to proceed with the second reading November 13. and a debate on the same day as its tabling “On November 10, the late again gov- and first reading. ernment administration, who had wasted “This act of co-operation by the oppothree previous sittings of the House, sition forgave the government of their finally tabled the COVID-19 Pandemic inability to act in proper time. It was for(Special Provision) Bill, 2021 addressing giveness exercised in the interests of the local government, education, immigration Bahamian people.” and data protection,” his statement noted.

Mr White also said while the emergency “The timing of tabling this Bill was last orders have expired, many of their proviminute because the emergency orders sions are still in place in the new Health were set to end on November 13, 2021 and Services Rules. it would normally take at least two days “Other aspects of the former emergency to get it through the House of Assembly orders, like the provision on furloughed before it could begin in the Senate.” employees were not addressed and remain He said the opposition party “acted in in place, until at least December 13, 2021. the interests of the people and covered for “The government should see this as the PLP government.” another of their teachable moments and “Under the Constitution’s Article 55, not a precedent for future oversights in the House of Assembly Rules of Proce- their management of the COVID-19 pandure, 2005, Rule 66 (3) and Rule 66 (2), demic’s impact on our people and our there should be no second reading of economy,” he said.

Monday, November 15, 2021, PAGE 3

SUSPECT IS SHOT DEAD AFTER CAR CHASE FROM PAGE ONE area.

Police said a preliminary investigation indicated that shortly after 3am, officers from the Operations Unit went to a business on Alexandria Boulevard where a male suspect was said to be in possession of a firearm.

“On the arrival of the unit, they saw a male suspect fitting the description,” the RBPF said in a crime report.

“On seeing the police the suspect went into his vehicle and attempted to drive off in an easterly direction along Alexander Boulevard.

“The officers, with their service weapon drawn, beckoned the driver to stop and exit the vehicle.

“However, he accelerated in an eastern direction toward the officers. Being in fear for their lives, the officers discharged their weapon in the direction of the oncoming vehicle. The driver managed to evade them and sped off. He collided into a vehicle that was parked on the northern side of the street and continued travelling east along Alexander,” according to the release.

“The officers then pursued the suspect. As the suspect turned south onto Matthew Street, his vehicle crashed into another parked vehicle and came to a stop.

“The officers exited their cruiser in an attempt to affect an arrest. As they approached the vehicle, they noticed the suspect exiting his vehicle brandishing a firearm.

“As a result, the officers became aware of the threat toward their lives.

They discharged their weapons in the direction of the suspect, injuring him. The officers recovered a pistol from the suspect,” police said.

Emergency Medical Services visited the scene and pronounced the man dead.

The coroner also visited

the scene to be apprised of the facts.

Police said once investigations into this case are completed, the matter will be forwarded to the Coroner’s Court for an inquest.

The identity of the deceased was not known up to press time.

In June, police killed a man after he allegedly assaulted an elderly woman and shot a young man who followed him.

A video from a witness to the incident showed at least three police officers on the roof of a house shooting down at the suspect as bystanders assembled in the area. At least 19 shots were fired in the clip.

That same month, a man who “charged at” an officer with a cutlass was fatally shot by police on Poitier Avenue and Foster Street in Chippingham.

Relatives said the deceased appeared to be suffering from mental illness. Police had been called to the home because the deceased had reportedly been acting erratically before he was fatally shot.

In early October, a man who allegedly threatened his mother with a knife during an argument at her home, was fatally shot by his police officer stepfather on Wednesday night, police said.

According to Assistant Superintendent of Police Audley Peters, sometime before 11pm the young man arrived at his mother’s home off St Alban’s Drive and was let in.

An argument reportedly followed and an off-duty police officer in the home was said to have witnessed his stepson holding a knife to his mother’s throat.

ASP Peters said the officer called for back-up, but shot the victim before the reinforcement arrived.

There were 20 incidents of police involved shootings in 2020, resulting in 11 deaths and 11 non-fatal injuries.

PAGE 4, Monday, November 15, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

CDC TO REDUCE OUR COVID RISK RATING FROM PAGE ONE a combination of indicators that we monitor and we, I would say regularly, are reporting on those indicators and based on the last report that was submitted, we were able actually to move down.”

She added the report was submitted last week.

A Level Three advisory means there is a high level of COVID-19 in a country and travellers are advised to be fully vaccinated before travel. Unvaccinated travellers should avoid non-essential travel to Level Three destinations, according to the CDC. However, up to press time, the CDC’s website did not reflect the change, with The Bahamas still listed as a Level Four. The page was last updated on August 23.

This comes as the country continues to record low virus numbers.

Six new cases were recorded on Thursday, four were recorded on Friday and 11 new cases were recorded on Saturday, bringing the nation’s confirmed case total to 22,587.

At last report, 46 people were in hospital with the virus.

A press release issued by the Ministry of Health and Wellness yesterday said the upcoming change in the country’s COVID19 level “is based on the reduction in new COVID-19 infections recorded over the past several weeks.”

“The health reclassification also spells good news for tourism and the economy as it now means groups and conferences can be booked for The Bahamas,” the ministry said.

Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville applauded the work of healthcare professionals and the adherence

CHIEF Medical Officer Dr Pearl McMillan. to the COVID-19 protocols by Bahamians and residents saying, “these types of results come when we team-up to terminate the things that impact our country negatively.”

He added, “We can do the same when it comes to ensuring that our population takes advantage of the opportunity to receive the vaccine. A vaccinated population will significantly reduce restrictions and place us on a faster path to recovery.”

The CDC last moved the country to a Level Four warning in August.

MINISTER of Health and Wellness Dr Michael Darville.

OFFICIALS ‘EXPECTING BAHAMIANS TO BE DISCIPLINED’ AS CURFEWS END

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net WITH the country’s state of emergency now over— bringing an end to curfews and lockdowns—Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Michael Darville said officials are expecting Bahamians to be disciplined during this new period.

New health regulations have been introduced to allow the Ministry of Health and Wellness to guide the nation during the pandemic after the cessation of emergency orders. The state of emergency and associated emergency orders came to an end at 12am on Saturday.

Some have questioned if the government will be minded to reintroduce curfews at some point.

Asked about the matter at a press conference on Friday, Dr Darville said: “We understand the science. We understand what curfews mean. We’re not convinced that curfews (are) a true reflection of the science and of the reduction of the community spread.

MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT AND HOUSING

“It has a place because when you have a curfew you actually can limit the movement of an individual at a particular time. What we’re saying is that we’re expecting Bahamians to be disciplined. We need to move forward.”

There is some concern that COVID-19 cases will spike with the state of emergency and emergency orders now over.

However, the minister expressed confidence in the steps being taken so far.

“As it stands right now, our numbers are going down and we actually changed the curfew hours (in September) and so I want to speak on what is in place now. As a government, we have the opportunity to use a lot of different techniques and tools if the pandemic gets in a particular position. That’s why we have an advisory committee. The advisory committee with our technical support team will guide us on whatever we need to do to protect lives, families and prevent person-to-person spread,” he said.

He said the government is focused on managing the pandemic through legislation—not a state of emergency. “... I’m confident we’ve come this far as a result of instituting quite a bit of new policies and testing it and we feel confident that as we stand now with curfew being rolled back a few hours when we got back (in office) and the numbers are going down. It is obvious that Bahamians are executing the necessary public health protocols and I feel confident that with the grace of God we’ll continue (on) this trajectory….”

He said the government has metrics and guidelines from other countries and the Pan American Health Organization to follow if case numbers increase.

“We have metrics and we have guidelines that have come our way from different countries and through PAHO and WHO and things that we need to do when we see numbers going up, things that we can do when we see the numbers going down.

“So there is a lot of literature out there and our technical team, our responsibility is to review.”

He highlighted the difficulty of managing cases in Family Islands and the logistics needed to move those individuals to the capital for advanced healthcare. The clinics are being looked at and there are resources now being put in place to be able to upgrade clinics as well as have isolation facilities on those islands.

“When you look at our steering committee or our consultative committee you’ll see people from all walks of life. We’re contemplating adding a legal person on board and some other individuals… “….We are preparing.

We have metrics…COVID is brand new. We listen to what the Harvard (group) may say or other (groups) and we try to implement the best tools possible to manage the pandemic in our setting.”

As for tertiary healthcare resources, Dr Darville explained: “We have resources at our tertiary healthcare facilities.

Maybe not adequate. My job is to find additional resources and bed space.

I’m looking at that.

“Unfortunately, brick and mortar, that takes a while. So that’s not a shortterm thing for me. I have to find access to additional field hospitals or the possibility for us to be able to do something very quickly as other countries in the Caribbean has done and so I’m looking.”

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, November 15, 2021, PAGE 5

SHOOTING VICTIM DIES

A SHOOTING victim died in hospital Thursday night, police said.

Shortly after 11pm, police received a report about a shooting on Nassau Street near the Shoal Restaurant. A man was shot in his upper body. The victim was taken to hospital, however he later died of his injuries.

A homicide investigation is ongoing.

PEDESTRIAN KILLED

IRAM Lewis speaks on Saturday. Photo: Racardo Thomas/Tribune staff

KWASI Thompson speaking on Friday.

PHOTO: Donavan McIntosh/Tribune staff

IRAM LEWIS, KWASI THOMPSON MAKE BIDS FOR FNM LEADERSHIP

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net IN a bid to gain support, Central Grand Bahama MP Iram Lewis has sold himself as a man for the people who will get the Free National Movement “back on track” and more in touch with ordinary Bahamians if elected as the party’s leader at this month’s convention.

Mr Lewis was addressing dozens of party supporters who gathered at Holy Trinity Activities Centre on Saturday night where he officially launched his leadership bid.

The FNM’s leadership convention—scheduled for November 27—will see Mr Lewis go head-to-head against Marco City MP Michael Pintard and East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson, the latter of whom also held campaign events over the weekend to garner support.

“As you prepare to cast your vote, I encourage you to soberly and seriously consider the type of leadership we need at this critical time in our party,” Mr Lewis told supporters.

“I am a servant leader, someone who genuinely loves people, is a listener, someone who values everyone’s opinion and can make tough decisions after evaluating all options available. In fact, people will often hear me say I love people, not politics.

“I don’t like to be called a politician. I consider myself a people-tician. For me, service is not about power or prestige.

“It’s about people. I believe a leader is more than a collection of good speeches, flashy ads and a nice platform. A leader has to be an example. A leader has to engender trust and a leader has to be able to bring us together. I believe I am the man for the job and together, we can get the FNM back on track.”

For his part, Mr Thompson painted himself as the right man for the job who will “rebuild” and “restore” the FNM if chosen as the next leader.

While pledging to “build on the legacy” left behind by former leaders, Mr Thompson was also clear that he has no intentions of being anyone’s “puppet.”

“I am thankful to all who have previously served as leader,” Mr Thompson said during an event at Balmoral Club on Friday night. “We must honour all who have previously served as leader.

They have all made a valuable contribution to this party and this country.

“But today is a new moment and it is time for new leadership.

“While we build on the legacy of our former leaders... I will consult, I will listen but I ain’t gone be nobody’s puppet.”

In their speeches, both FNM MPs touched on familiar themes of unity, while pledging to bring more transparency to the organisation.

Mr Lewis said for far too long, longtime FNM support-

MICHAEL Pintard is also seeking the FNM leader position. ers have felt “overlooked, ignored, taken for granted”, but promised to change this negative outlook under his leadership.

He added: “When it’s time to support the party, you are asked to help with events, to walk the streets during campaigns, and to put your name and face out there with your friends, family and community to defend our party. But when you wanted to give input you have been shut down. When you needed help, far too often your calls have gone unanswered and messages unread.

“This can’t continue if we want to move our party and our country forward.

Tonight, I commit to you that as leader, we will take our party back to the grassroots level and build up. We are going to create systems that ensure you have a say in party decisions and in who will represent you. We will focus on better communication that flows both ways.”

Death Notice For Herbert Edgecombe, 73 of Nassau, died on Saturday, November 6th, 2021 at The Princess Margaret Hospital.

He is survived by his siblings: Rudolph Edgecombe and Eloise Curtis; and a host of other relatives and friends who will be announced at later date.

Funeral arrangement has been entrusted to Evergreen Mortuary located on Parkgate Road.

Mr Thompson, meanwhile, acknowledged that there were several mistakes made under the former government, but urged members to move past those errors and instead look forward to a new beginning.

“We can cry, we could complain about our past mistakes and there was some mistakes or we can acknowledge them and then learn from them.

The time for blaming is done and the time for complaining is done.

“This is now time for restoration. It is time for rebuilding and it is time for healing.

“It is also time for unity,” Mr Thompson said.

In addition to promising to unite the party, the former Cabinet ministers also pledged to fight for more women to be included in politics.

Mr Thompson said: “I also want to work hard to increase the number of women candidates that we have in the Free National Movement.

Tonight I ask for the support of (the) Women’s Association and all of the women delegates throughout our Free National Movement.”

Meanwhile, Mr Lewis said: “I have said so publicly, and I will say it again tonight, we need more women in frontline politics.

“Whatever we have to do to make it less burdensome to get involved, we will do.

Whatever it takes to make them feel safer and more respected, we will do. After all women have done for us in this party and in this country, it’s the least we can do for them!

“I implore women, especially our great women of the Women’s Association to join the Iram movement.

Together, we will build a more balanced organisation and get the FNM back on track.”

Asked if he felt confident in his chances of being elected as leader, Mr Lewis told reporters that he did.

“I do believe we stand a good chance like anyone else and like I said, I wish all of those behind me for leadership luck, but I wish me good luck,” he said.

A PEDESTRIAN was killed in Grand Bahama after he was struck by a vehicle.

Police said the incident took place in Eight Mile Rock on Friday night.

According to a police report, the man was attempting to cross the street on Queen’s Highway, Bartlett Hill at around 10pm when he was hit by a vehicle driving west.

The driver didn’t stop, but returned to the scene later after seeing damage to his vehicle.

The victim was taken to Rand Memorial Hospital, where he was examined by a doctor and pronounced dead. An investigation is continuing.

PAGE 6, Monday, November 15, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

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UN climate boss: ‘Good compromise’ beats no deal on warming GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) — It was no deal or a lump of coal at Glasgow climate talks and for Patricia Espinosa, the United Nations’ climate secretary, there was no choice.

“No deal was the worst possible result there. Nobody wins,” Espinosa said in an interview with The Associated Press Sunday, about 15 hours after nearly 200 nations agreed on what is now being called the Glasgow Climate Pact.

The world got a climate deal that outside experts said showed progress, but not success. It didn’t achieve any of the three U.N. goals: Pledges that would cut world carbon dioxide emissions by about half, $100 billion in yearly climate aid from rich countries to poor ones and half that money going to help the developing world adapt to the harms of a warming world.

Even more disappointing, a big world economy — India — which is already seeing droughts and extreme heat from global warming was the nation that watered down the final Glasgow deal.

“I am satisfied,” Espinosa said. “I think this is a very positive result in the sense that it gives us a very clear guidance on what we need to do in the coming years.”

One climate deal itself won’t do the trick to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) since pre-industrial times, the U.N.’s overarching goal, Espinosa said. But she said it sets the stage, creating a carbon market, allowing more money to flow from rich to poor nations, even if poor nations were unsatisfied and said it isn’t enough.

“It doesn’t fully satisfy everyone,” she said. “But it brings us forward. It’s a good compromise.”

Compromise was essential when a last minute proposal almost killed her possible deal.

India, the third-largest carbon-polluting country whose development is coal-centric said it couldn’t live with historic language calling for a phase out of coal and an end to fossil fuel subsidies. For many of the countries, especially small island nations facing threats from rising seas, ending coal was key in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and trying to keep warming to a level that would allow their nations to live. Many countries were telling Espinosa and conference president Alok Sharma that the coal phase-out language “has to be in there.”

But no deal or a deal without India was unacceptable.

A series of small negotiations erupted. Many on camera, which Espinosa said was important for the world.

Small island nations got consulted.

They didn’t like it, but they like Espinosa, and U.S. climate envoy John Kerry said had no choice. India would have preferred no coal language at all, Espinosa said. Instead India proposed “phased out” become “phase down” and country after country said they hated the idea, but accepted it.

“I think it’s a clear example of a compromise,” Espinosa said.

Is it blackmail?

“Some people see it like this, but I would say this is really the essence of multilateral negotiation,” the veteran Mexican diplomat said. “Everybody comes to the table with some specific concerns, puts it on the table and is participating in good faith.”

The way Espinosa sees it, the fact that India had to make the change was because the negotiations pushed and pushed India to do more. If talks hadn’t been pushing for more change, there wouldn’t have been the drama, she said.

Still, it’s not what Espinosa wanted.

“We would have preferred a very clear statement about a phasing out of coal and (the) elimination of fossil fuel subsidies,” Espinosa said, but she understands India’s needs.

And even the phrase “phase down” may mean more than what it seems Espinosa said: “When you say phase down you’re not saying what is the limit and therefore zero can be the limit.”

But somehow it wasn’t the most tense moment of the two-week climate negotiations for Espinosa.

That came Friday, the ostensible last day.

“I was worried,” Espinosa said. “I was looking at the at the clock and I was thinking, ‘OK, how can we make this still work if the text does not receive broad support?”

In the end, a day later, a hold-yournose deal to many nations because of the coal controversy was struck.

Espinosa then asked her staff to run out and get some celebratory sushi and wine.

“We had this very short toast and they we had to leave, because the premises were going to shut down,” she laughed.

• This article is by SETH BORENSTEIN, AP Science Writer

Former FNM Cabinet ministers were deprived of $44,000 in salaries EDITOR, The Tribune.

Former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis must now be deeply regretting his decision to call for a general election eight months before it was constitutionally scheduled, with the gradual decrease in COVID-19 infections and the uptick in tourist arrivals in Nassau.

Even had he held on until May 2022, history suggests that the Free National Movement (FNM) would’ve still lost.

The last incumbent administration to be re-elected was the Hubert Ingraham FNM government in March 1997.

It was a huge gamble.

Minnis deprived himself of eight months at the helm as prime minister.

He also deprived his Cabinet ministers of eight months worth of salaries. With a substantive minister’s annual salary of $66,000 or $5,500 monthly, the early election loss deprived ousted FNM Cabinet ministers of at least $44,000 – which is no chump change.

For Minnis, Marvin Dames, Jeff Lloyd, Michael Foulkes, Dionisio D’Aguilar, Romi Ferreira and Michael Pintard – all of whom are members of the millionaire club – the loss of $44,000 in income will not cause them to fall into poverty.

I am not suggesting that the other former Cabinet ministers, whose assets fell below $1 million, are now lining up outside National

Insurance or Social Services for financial assistance.

What I am suggesting is that, for several of them, $44,000 is a massive amount of money that they’ll have grave difficulty earning as private citizens.

For these individuals, being a Cabinet minister afforded them a level of financial stability and comfort they otherwise would’ve never had. And now, thanks to an early election that was called some eight months before May 2022, they’re out of pocket $44,000.

KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Grand Bahama.

November 11, 2021.

Downgrades are a blessing in disguise EDITOR, The Tribune.

There are few problems easier to fix than the fiscal “crisis” facing The Bahamas.

We spend the lowest proportion of our Gross Domestic Product on our people (18%) in the region and among the lowest in the world (which averages 35% to 45%).

Meanwhile, we burden the majority of our population with massive taxes on consumption yet collect no progressive income taxes on wealthier locals or even on corporations that earn millions of dollars exclusively from the pockets of those overtaxed consumers.

Not only does the consumption tax drag down the economy by reducing disposable income, but such taxes as are paid by businesses (like business license fees, VAT and duties) are themselves regressive in that they disadvantage small and emerging businesses and benefit large and established ones.

As former Member of Parliament Gregory Moss once pointed out in probably the most honest and on-point statement ever made in that chamber, insofar as we have a national debt it is essentially the size of the tax break we have over the years extended to the rich.

By reducing or removing consumer taxes and taxing incomes and property

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net instead (like almost every other independent country on earth) we would not only increase and make more flexible our revenue stream but also boost the economy by freeing up disposable income. The government that did it would remain in power for probably a generation.

Yet they don’t. In fact, one after another politician stands up to boast about their lack of plans to do so.

Why? Because, at least in part, politicians have listened to their own inherited narrative for too long. It is a narrative informed by a simplistic and one-sided view of fiscal matters that looks only at the spending side and ignores the revenue side. And it serves vested interests.

The fact that The Bahamas spends too little rather than too much on its population’s needs is laid bare by the reality that, while they frame discussions on fiscal issues in terms of “discipline”, every government since independence has known better than to actually engage in “belttightening” sufficient to meaningfully impact spending. If they did, it would not

only be deeply irresponsible but would rightly result in electoral decimation.

The result is a predictable cacophony of “reformers” and pro-rich interest groups pushing for austerity and politicians pretending that they can deliver it while also meeting the administrative, social and infrastructural needs of an over-taxed, under-served majority.

To date, they have managed this contradiction by a reliance on borrowing, a testament to our historic creditworthiness with institutions (like the IDB) that listen to groups like Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s.

It has allowed our leaders to maintain the pretense that our regressive tax and fiscal regime are somehow normal, or at least can be sustained alongside developmental needs that militate against austerity.

With each downgrade borrowing gets harder, making this false narrative harder to sustain.

Eventually, our leaders will simply have no choice but to shift taxes away from consumption and onto wealth and property and thus move this country into a virtuous cycle of growth and equity.

What a pity it takes a fake ‘‘crisis” to make them do it.

ANDREW ALLEN Nassau November 14, 2021

‘Every mickle makes a muckle’ EDITOR, The Tribune.

“Old time Bahamian, you need to reeducate yourself if you truly believe that a few charcoal burners in the pine barrens produced emissions on the scale of the carbon fueled power plants required to power your modern electrical appliances.

You and other old timers, myself included, lived in a paradise compared to how we live now, especially in Nassau.”

This was the comment below a letter published in The Tribune recently and signed by “An Old Time Bahamian.”

The old timer was referring to a time past when coal was used in the Bahamas for almost everything – from heating and lighting the home to ironing your clothes with the old Goose iron. With electricity and all the modern appliances coal burning is now a thing of the past. It is true that with all the coal burning done in those days the world would not be brought to

the edge of extinction by contributing to climate change. However, I wonder if the person commenting on this coal burning observation ever heard — or having heard understood the meaning of the expression – ‘‘every mickle makes a muckle!”

The absence of the old time coal burning was just so many “mickles” coming together to make a “muckle”. If each person in this world would take it upon themselves to add their “mickles” to the “muckles” and eliminating them then maybe – just maybe we can contribute to saving our planet from extinction – remember every “mickle makes a muckle” – and those “mickles and muckles” if eliminated by us working together would give a mighty boost to saving this precious planet that we call home.

ANOTHER OBSERVER Nassau, November 14, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, November 15, 2021, PAGE 7

Police officer: Julien ‘Believe’ Thompson accepted responsibility for social gathering

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net JULIEN “Believe” Thompson “accepted responsibility” for hosting a large social gathering in violation of the emergency protocols and even offered to pay the fine right away, a senior police officer testified on Friday.

The entertainer was given a $92,000 citation after police shut down an event they claimed he hosted at Bahama Barrels earlier this year.

As the fine was not paid, Thompson was summoned to court to answer to the charge.

He pleaded not guilty to violating social gathering protocols when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans in June and the matter was then transferred to Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt for trial.

When Superintendent Sean Thompson took the stand on Friday, he said he was the officer in charge of the 8pm-4am curfew shift when the emergency orders were still in effect. He said around 7.30pm on April 25, he was informed of a large gathering and proceeded to a West Hill building “believed to be owned” by Graycliff Hotel & Restaurant with a team of police and Defence Force officers.

Supt Thompson said when they arrived, they observed several persons running out of a door of a building on the northern side of the street. He said when

officers entered the building, he observed a “very large crowd” and captured a number of photos of the persons who were assembled on the first, second and third floors.

“I then asked for the person responsible for hosting the social gathering,” he told the court.

“While standing up, I noticed a male pointing towards me. He said to me his name is Julien Thompson and he was responsible for the event.”

Supt Thompson said he then told the accused his party was “over 100 percent capacity” which was a breach of the emergency orders which allowed outside gatherings to be hosted with 50 percent capacity.

The officer said he estimated that 400 persons attended the event, although he said about 100 of those individuals ran out when he and his team first arrived.

Some of the partygoers were not wearing masks and none of them was practising social distancing protocols, the court was told.

“They were so close until they were touching each other,” Supt Thompson said. “Once Julien accepted responsibility for the event, I told him he would be cited for the social gathering. He then replied ‘Officer, how much is the fine? I am willing to pay it now.’ He also admitted to being at fault for having persons not socially distanced.”

The officer said after he called a police constable who had a citation book, the accused “once

MAN DISCHARGED IN ASSAULT CASE

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAGISTRATE on Friday discharged a man who confronted another man during a traffic dispute.

Andrew Pinder, 24, was charged with assault after he pushed his cell phone in another man’s face on November 8.

He pleaded guilty during his arraignment before Magistrate Algernon Allen, Jr. The prosecution said around 9.50pm on the day in question, the complainant, Osmond Munroe, was travelling west on Orlando Street when he saw Andrew Pinder driving in a “reckless manner.” The court was told that the accused’s careless driving forced Mr Munroe to swerve his car to avoid an accident, but Pinder did not stop after the fact and continued driving.

Mr Munroe then followed Pinder blowing his horn which caused the accused to eventually pull over, the court was told. The prosecutor said when he did, the complainant informed him of his traffic offence and Pinder walked towards him and shoved his phone in Mr Munroe’s face.

The court was told that although Mr Munroe told the accused to stop, he continued to push his phone in his face in an aggressive manner. Pinder was later arrested. In an interview with officers at the Wulff Road Police Station, he admitted the offence.

On Friday, the accused was represented by attorney Alex Maillis. He told the magistrate his client committed “simple assault” and his actions did not support the charge of battery. He also noted that Pinder was a “public-minded young man” who volunteered with local fire services and assisted with Hurricane Dorian restoration efforts.

In response, Magistrate Allen, Jr, said he considered Pinder’s early guilty plea and the fact that he had no previous convictions. He also noted the accused’s “good character” and said in view of these facts he believed Pinder was a “fit and proper candidate for an absolute discharge.”

The case was dismissed.

ACCOUNTS MANAGER PLEADS GUILTY TO STEALING NEARLY $200,000

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net AN accounts manager who initially denied stealing nearly $200,000 from her place of employment has changed her plea to guilty.

Police said Tabitha Wells, 39, defrauded John Watling’s Distillery of $198,112.35 between February and August 2020.

Last December, she appeared before Magistrate Ambrose Armbrister charged with 12 counts of stealing by reason of employment, two counts of falsification of accounts and a single charge of acquiring the proceeds of crime.

Police said Wells stole the funds from the company’s Royal Bank of Canada and Commonwealth Bank corporate accounts.

They also said she stole $57,185.07 from the distillery’s RBC account

sometime between February 4 and 29.

They said she stole $10,090.40 from the company’s Commonwealth Bank account between May 10 and 27. Wells was further accused of making false entries into the distillery’s accounting software on two different occasions.

Although she denied the allegations at her first court appearance, at the start of her trial before Magistrate Kendra Kelly on Friday, Wells owned up to the offences and was convicted.

Now Wells’ attorney, Damian Gomez, QC, is in the process of drafting a plea agreement that would see Wells pay back the money she stole while avoiding prison time.

Wells returns to court February 22, 2022 to be sentenced. A probationary report from the Department of Social Services was also ordered to assist Magistrate Kelly with her ruling.

again” told him he did not want to receive a criminal record because he was an entertainer.

“While the constable was writing up the ticket for the gathering of 300 persons, Julien Thompson said again to me that he would like to pay for the ticket now,” Supt Thompson continued.

“I said to him that he don’t know how much the ticket is and to wait until the officer is completed writing it up…He was cited $300 per person which totaled $92,000. I asked him if he still wanted to pay for the ticket now and he said to me: ‘All of that?’”

Supt Thompson said after the citation was issued, he returned to the Cable Beach police station where he extracted the images he took at the event from his phone and printed them for “future evidential purposes”.

On Friday, the prosecution made a formal application to have those photographs entered into evidence.

The matter continues on November 23.

SENATOR ‘GRATEFUL TO BE ALIVE’ AFTER PLANE SKIDS OFF RUNWAY PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party senator Randy Rolle says he is grateful to be alive after his plane skidded off the runway and landed in bushes in Exuma on Friday afternoon.

Mr Rolle told The Tribune he was among five passengers onboard the flight when the incident occurred shortly after 4pm.

“I was one of five passengers on a private air charter from New Providence to Black Point, Exuma on Friday, November 12 at 4.15pm. The flight was unremarkable until the plane landed but rolled beyond the end of the runway,” he said.

He also said that to his knowledge, no one was injured in the incident and also thanked God for saving their lives.

“I am grateful to God for his mercies and a safe outcome. I thank those who reached out to me in various ways and well-wishers and the general public for

their support and concern. Being new in my role as a senator in the Phillip Davis administration, I look forward to making a positive contribution for the betterment of Bahamians.”

He also offered this advice for his political colleagues who may be travelling in the future.

“I would add for future reference as a general caution—and it always bears repeating—as I reflect on the recent national election campaign involving air travel throughout the country, that while everyone is entitled to our personal preferences for travel associations, our leaders should endeavour in the public interest to not travel in significant numbers all on one flight,” he said.

Mr Rolle, who is now back in New Providence, could not say what led to the incident but acknowledged the weather was bad during the entire trip.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2021

THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS

“We understand the science.

We understand what curfews mean. We’re not convinced that curfews (are) a true reflection of the science and of the reduction of the community spread. It has a place because when you have a curfew you actually can limit the movement of an individual at a particular time. What we’re saying is that we’re expecting Bahamians to be disciplined.

We need to move forward.”

Minister of Health Dr Michael Darville

An end to curfews but will call for discipline go unheard?

By MALCOLM STRACHAN

A

FTER a year and a half of curfews, The Bahamas got back to a world where everyone didn’t have to get home by midnight. No more COVID Cinderellas, where instead of your car turning into a pumpkin after the clock struck 12, it turned into a fine or a court appearance instead.

On Friday, Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville tackled the topic head on. He said: “We understand the science. We understand what curfews mean. We’re not convinced that curfews (are) a true reflection of the science and of the

reduction of the community spread.

“It has a place because when you have a curfew you actually can limit the movement of an individual at a particular time.

What we’re saying is that we’re expecting Bahamians to be disciplined. We need to move forward.”

That might be a tall order.

In February this year, The Tribune visited Cabbage Beach Bar and Grill on Paradise Island after being alerted over large crowds there.

There were 85 cars strewn along both sides of the road approaching the bar and nearby corners, including a car with a red government plate on it.

No COVID test was required for entrance, and

hardly a mask was in sight – although one senior corporation chairman was there, along with a well-known former Bahamasair pilot.

When police arrived, the reporter for The Tribune witnessed them chatting to management while drinking something from Styrofoam cups that had been given to them.

This was far from the only event to raise concerns through the time of curfews and COVID restrictions.

There was the wedding in Harbour Island where pictures and video went viral with no sign of social distancing protocols going on, and another wedding that featured more than the ten people allowed in Nassau, including a son of

a top government official.

If this is the discipline we are depending on, we might have a challenge ahead.

“We’ve seen three major spikes around the world – first, second and third wave. Let’s hope and pray that we don’t see a fourth, but unless there has been some dramatic change in the biology of this virus I think we are probably going to see another wave.”

Dr Duane Sands

Already, this weekend, there have been pictures online of people going out and gathering at events – some masked, some not.

The good news is COVID numbers have been dropping.

On Wednesday, 14 new cases were recorded and on Thursday, six cases. We would of course like to see that drop further still, but we welcome the drop from the previous surge.

Perhaps more importantly, the number of people in hospital has also dropped, with 46 in hospital as of Thursday, and eight of those in intensive care.

Even better, the number of Bahamians who have been vaccinated continues to increase, with a goal of vaccinating half the nation by the end of the year.

That may sound hopeful – but across the Caribbean 48 percent have been vaccinated, so we’re actually a little behind some of our neighbours.

That said, we are in a much better position than we were, of that there is no doubt. But we must be cautious and understand the pandemic is far from over. Indeed, earlier this month, former Health Minister Dr Duane Sands spoke on the matter, saying: “Let’s be grateful we don’t have 150 people hospitalised from COVID, that our emergency rooms are not over-run, but do not translate that into suggesting COVID is gone.

“We’ve seen three major spikes around the world – first, second and third wave.

“Let’s hope and pray that we don’t see a fourth,

but unless there has been some dramatic change in the biology of this virus I think we are probably going to see another wave.”

Dr Darville, though, is confident, it seems. He said: “It is obvious that Bahamians are executing the necessary public health protocols and I feel confident that with the grace of God we’ll continue to this trajectory.”

On the other hand, he says: “My job is to find additional resources and bed space.

“I’m looking at that.

Unfortunately, brick and mortar, that takes a while.

So that’s not a short-term thing for me. I have to find access to additional field hospitals or the possibility for us to be able to do something very quickly as other countries in the Caribbean have done and so I’m looking.”

In other words, he’s hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.

Some of the restrictions we have been living under have been lifted, but with that freedom, we have to consider our responsibility to our fellow Bahamians. Just because we can doesn’t mean we should.

Last week, it was reported vaccination rates are slowing down, and there have been moves to go into community locations to try to encourage people to get vaccinated without having to travel a distance to one of the larger sites.

But a lot of this is going to come down to our actions.

It’s going to be up to us to get vaccinated. It’s going to be up to us to act with discipline.

With so much reluctance from some to get their vaccination, and too many occasions when we have seen little respect for such discipline, it’s hard to believe we’re not setting ourselves up for a new wave of cases.

The proof of this new strategy will be seen in the case numbers in the weeks ahead.

It’s a gamble we all should hope works out – for the good of everyone.

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

By DR KENNETH D KEMP I have flat feet. My mom has flat feet, my dad, my siblings, my cousins. We’re just a happy flat-footed Cartwright family.

It’s certainly just conjecture but I suspect most Long Islanders like us are also flat footed. No DNA test required. Granted I boast some high-quality Kemp blood from Eleuthera but I haven’t met a lot of flat-footed Eleuthera patients except for my friend David from Tarpum Bay and he’s quite possibly just an anomaly. More research is required before any sound conclusions are made, however.

Nonetheless, I have flat feet and having flat feet most certainly altered the trajectory of my life.

When I was younger, I loved to play soccer in school. Unlike a three-tier athlete like Colin Kaepernick who excelled at football, basketball and baseball, soccer was pretty much the only sport I enjoyed.

Many years later I fell in love with tennis but playing soccer, which requires a significant number of quick pivots and turns, caused a great deal of foot pain.

By the time I got to college I had to see a podiatrist and was prescribed shoe insoles. My foot pain went away and I’ve dedicated my life since then to doing the same for other patients.

Before that I wanted to either be a paediatrician, cardiologist or a master ninja and truth be told, being a ninja is still on the table.

But being a physician required 15-plus years of post-high school education.

I’ve often told younger Bahamians that to be successful in this country you have to excel in either education, sports or arts and entertainment.

Do that and you can write your own ticket in life. But because I excelled at education, most people erroneously believe I loved school. In actuality I hated school. In fact, I drove my kindergarten teacher insane because I constantly snuck out of class to find my older sister, Kenya.

She was in high school and I knew the school must have made a mistake separating us so anytime my teacher turned around, I’d leave to find her.

Every period she changed classrooms, which annoyed me tremendously, but eventually I found her and proceeded to sit next to her. The first time it happened she held my hand and defiantly walked me out of her classroom. I immediately assumed she had devised a fantastical plan for our escape, but to my perpetual dismay she instead took me back to class in

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2021 PAGE 9

A legacy of influence

a cruel and treacherous act of betrayal. But such are the sharp vicissitudes of life that one must conquer at an early age. This happened at least once a day for over a year.

But karma always wins and by the time I got to high school, my younger sister Keisha did the same thing to me. My mom says I gave my teacher a nervous breakdown but I seriously doubt she left that year because of me.

I seriously doubt it.

Then in grade one, I met my teacher Ms Dawkins. There was just something about her. She was so warm, motherly and kind so, trust me when I say I never left her class.

Not even once. Even at lunch when all the kids went to play, I stayed with her.

I’d give her one of my cookies and she’d give me some of her chocolate milk.

Years later I found out it was Slim Fast and so I credit her with my first indirect introduction to weight loss and nutrition. My grade two teacher in comparison was an abysmal disappointment but only because Ms Dawkins

POPE Francis waves to faithful on the occasion of the Angelus noon prayer in St. Peter’s Square, at the Vatican, Sunday.

(AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

POPE TO POLITICIANS: BE COURAGEOUS, SHOW VISION ON CLIMATE VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis on Sunday urged political and economic leaders to show courage and long-range vision, hours after U.N. ledclimate talks in Glasgow, Scotland, ended in compromise on how to combat global warming.

Francis in remarks to the public in St. Peter’s Square said the “cry of the poor, united to the cry of the Earth, resounded in the last days at the United Nations COP26 summit on climate change.”

“I encourage all those who have political and economic responsibilities to act immediately with courage and farsightedness,’’ he said.

“At the same time, I invite all persons of good

INSIGHT

will to carry out active citizenry to care for the common house,’’ Francis said, referring to planet Earth.

The pontiff didn’t comment on the outcome of the two weeks of U.N. talks.

Nearly 200 nations agreed to a compromise deal aimed at keeping alive a global warming target.

But a last-minute change diluted crucial language about the use of coal, a fossil fuel whose use is the biggest single source of greenhouse gas emissions.

Francis has made attention to the Earth’s environment a major plank of his papacy, dedicating an encyclical, or major document, to the moral imperative of responsibly protecting the planet.

had set the bar so high and those fingerprints don’t fade. To this day she remains my greatest all-time favourite teacher and I recently shared this story to

“Then in grade one, I met my teacher Ms Dawkins. There was just something about her. She was so warm, motherly and kind so, trust me when I say I never left her class. Not even once.

Even at lunch when all the kids went to play, I stayed with her.” the patient featured in today’s report.

Also a teacher by profession and at age 39, this patient is the epitome of grace under fire. We first met over a year ago when she sought my help in treating a wound on her foot that has since successfully healed.

She has been living with Diabetes for 15 years and her other

comorbidities include anaemia, high blood pressure and thyroid disease.

At a time when her life was just getting started, she suffered a stroke but fortunately recovered with no focal deficits.

Prolonged and elevated blood sugar and pressure levels, however, caused sustained damage to the blood vessels in her kidneys and she therein developed kidney disease and ultimately kidney failure.

She is now one of many Bahamians who has to receive dialysis three times per week, hoping to some day receive a kidney transplant.

And yet despite her medical encumbrances her outlook has always remained extraordinarily positive.

Where others would have fallen, she has thrived. She works full-time and is incredibly philanthropic by nature constantly trying to devise ways to give back to the kids in her community.

She is determined to not let her situation stop her from living her life to the fullest and

engages in as many activities as she so desires.

True character is revealed over time and under pressure and this incredibly funny unsung hero represents the best of humanity.

She, moreover, provides a mirror for us all to reflect upon how we deal with our own challenges in life and reminds us daily that whomsoever God protects is well protected.

I have flat feet and I suspect if I hadn’t, I’d have an entirely different career – one where we may not have been able to communicate once a week.

In life you have to play the cards you’re dealt with and in my case being able to speak to you so often is my version of a royal flush.

So, for that I say thank you and offer my sincerest gratitude to all the world’s teachers who remain evermore and monumentally impactful with each passing day.

• Nick-named ‘The Prince of Podiatry’, Dr. Kenneth D. Kemp is the founder and medical director of Bahamas Foot and Ankle located in Caves Village, Western New Providence. He served as the Deputy chairman for the Health Council for 5 years and he currently sits on the board of directors for the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation in his role as co-Vice-chairman.

PAGE 10 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2021

INSIGHT

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

We need ‘A New Day’ for science in The Bahamas

By CANDACE FIELDS, Bahamian PhD Student, Marine Biology DID you know that for more than a year most scientific research in The Bahamas has all but stopped because of one Government department?

Our country is an unparalleled living laboratory the likes of which cannot be matched anywhere around the globe. Alongside Bahamian researchers, we draw in world class scientists to conduct research and to foster local leaders.

Renowned institutions and their funders have become significant investors in our economy through understanding and promoting the health of our natural resources and in training Bahamians like me to join their ranks.

With a tourism economy focused almost entirely on our natural wonders, we must collaborate globally to conduct the necessary research to understand, protect and manage our most valued asset in the face of a rapidly changing planet.

I am a Bahamian scientist and am currently a PhD student at Florida International University. My love of marine science was fostered by the natural beauty of my country. My dream of becoming a marine biologist was made possible by the experiences I had studying at local institutions and working with international partners. I am speaking out today as a voice for Bahamian scientists. Our ability to perform research in our own country has been completely disrupted, delayed, or outright cancelled by our own Government’s bureaucrats and with no logical explanation.

While The Bahamas made a strong showing at COP26 in Glasgow toward addressing the climate crisis, this is another crisis being self-imposed here at home – and well under the public radar. In 2021 the Government passed the Biological Resources and Traditional Knowledge Act which is meant to implement an important concept called “Access & Benefit Sharing” (ABS) for all scientists working in our country. As the name indicates, ABS is meant to help countries capture value when their natural resources are commercialized through

“With the new Cabinet’s focus on economic development, I hope the routine matter of processing permits will no longer be a quagmire. Without approving science permits, aspects of Government process, policy making and even economic development ventures are grinding to a halt.” product development. This is important, and I support it strongly. But it is not meant to stop basic research science for the sake of public understanding and policymaking. In fact, the ABS law’s self-stated intention is to promote conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of our natural resources.

My PhD research focuses on sharks in The Bahamas. In 1993, The Bahamas took its first step toward conserving shark populations by instituting a ban on commercial long-lining. In 2011 we then demonstrated global leadership by declaring a country-wide shark sanctuary. Every ten years, the sanctuary law mandates an impact assessment. I am part of a project to do this work. Yet for reasons surpassing understanding, receiving a simple permit to carry out this governmentmandated research seems impossible.

With the new Cabinet’s

focus on economic development, I hope the routine matter of processing permits will no longer be a quagmire. Without approving science permits, aspects of Government process, policy making and even economic development ventures are grinding to a halt.

For example, many academic researchers work at the request of the Fisheries Department to carry out the data collection needed to further develop our sustainable fisheries and achieve to-market certifications.

This now cannot happen without basic scientific research. What’s particularly frustrating to a student like me is that it seems like my own Government doesn’t understand that my research is meant for the public good. Instead, I’m being treated like some big pharma company seeking to steal my own country’s natural resources.

If this permit roadblock is not immediately changed,

local biographies like mine will soon no longer be written. The capacity to work with other scientists who bolster Bahamian researchers will disappear as many experts are forced to go to other countries where public interest research is welcomed and appreciated.

All because of one department that will not issue permits. This is not right and must change.

The research permit

process should be streamlined and the true intent of the Access & Benefit Sharing law be followed: to protect our country against commercial theft, not to protect us from ourselves. I want to do research here – we must do research here to preserve our economy and adapt to global warming. I, along with the Bahamian scientific community, are calling on Government to

dramatically reform this new but broken permit system. The black box, closed door permit process most of us are facing today must go.

We have already lost many international partners.

Soon we will lose local talent. Eventually we will lose the ability to understand and protect our environment for generations to come.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

AS VIRUS SURGES IN EASTERN EUROPE, LEADERS SLOW TO ACT

By DUSAN STOJANOVIC AND JOVANA GEC ASSOCIATED PRESS

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — At the main hospital in Romania’s capital, the morgue ran out of space for the dead in recent days, and doctors in Bulgaria have suspended routine surgeries so they can tend to a surge in COVID-19 patients. In the Serbian capital, the graveyard now operates an extra day during the week in order to bury all the bodies arriving.

For two months now, a stubborn wave of virus infections has ripped mercilessly through several countries in Central and Eastern Europe, where vaccination rates are much lower than elsewhere on the continent. While medical workers pleaded for tough restrictions or even lockdowns, leaders let the virus rage unimpeded for weeks.

“I don’t believe in measures. I don’t believe in the same measures that existed before the vaccines,” Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said last month as the Balkan nation sustained some of its worst daily death tolls of the pandemic. “Why do we have vaccines then?”

A World Health Organization official declared earlier this month that Europe is again at the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic. While several Western European countries are seeing spikes in infections, it is nations to the East that are driving fatalities. Romania, Bulgaria and the Balkan states recorded some of the highest per-capita death rates in the world in the first week of November, according to the WHO. Experts say fumbled vaccination campaigns and underfunded and mismanaged health systems set the stage for the latest outbreaks, which gathered pace as leaders dithered.

A MEMBER of the medical staff walks in a crowded COVID-19 isolation room at the University Emergency Hospital in Bucharest, Romania, in October.

Some are acting now — but many doctors say it took too long and is still not enough.

Many governments in the region are facing elections soon, and that no doubt made them reluctant to force people to get vaccinated or impose unpopular lockdowns even in former Communist nations that once carried out mandatory inoculations without hesitation or where leaders were quick to introduce closures earlier in the pandemic.

But politicians’ failure to quickly heed the calls of the medical community has likely undermined an already weak trust in institutions in countries where corruption is widespread. Misinformation about vaccines has also found fertile ground amid the broader distrust of authority.

That has left countries stumbling through the latest surge with few protections. While nations around the world have struggled with resistance

to vaccines, many in Central and Eastern Europe have particularly low rates for places where supply is not an issue. Bulgaria and Romania, both in the European Union, have fully vaccinated about 23% and 35% of their populations, respectively.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has just 21% fully vaccinated.

Referring to Romania’s slow response, physician and health statistician Octavian Jurma described his country as a “textbook example” of the “tragic consequences produced by a political takeover of the pandemic response.”

Leaders finally introduced a curfew this month, requiring people who don’t have a COVID pass — which shows proof of vaccination, recovery from the illness or a negative test — to stay at home from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Infections have since dropped slightly, but hospitals remain overwhelmed.

At the main one in Bucharest,

the bodies of those who died from COVID-19 lined a hallway in recent days because there was no room in the morgue. Part of a waiting room was transformed into an emergency ward, with the raising of a plastic sheet.

In Serbia, some hospitals are so swamped that they are only handling virus patients — leaving doctors to sue Brnabic, whose government faces elections in April.

“Since Brnabic said she doesn’t believe in measures, some 900 people have died,” Slavica Plavsic, a lung disease specialist, told N1 television on Oct. 21.

The prime minster has rejected that criticism, saying Thursday that she is proud of her government’s response.

Meanwhile, authorities at the graveyard in Belgrade say that now they have an average of 65 burials a day, compared with between 35 and 40 before the pandemic. Gravediggers now bury people on Sundays — which typically they didn’t — to handle the load.

In neighbouring Hungary, few mitigating measures are in place.

Like Serbia’s, Hungary’s government says it would prefer to rely on vaccinations. With nearly 60% of people fully vaccinated, the country is better placed than most in the region — but that still leaves a large swath of the population unprotected.

Hungary’s government earlier this month ordered mask-wearing on public transportation and allowed private employers to mandate vaccines for their staff.

But Gyula Kincses, chairman of the Hungarian Chamber of Doctors, said that that was “too little, too late” and recommended that masks be made mandatory in all indoor spaces.

In a recent radio interview, Prime

Minister Viktor Orban, whose populist party faces election next spring, said that mandatory vaccinations would “be beyond the limits of what Hungarians will accept,” even while acknowledging the new restrictions could only slow, not stop, the virus’s spread.

Hospitals in Bulgaria, with its low vaccination rate, were forced to temporarily suspended all nonemergency surgeries so more doctors could treat the influx of COVID-19 patients.

“Politicians now think only about the elections, but there inevitably will be a lockdown, however in tragic circumstances,” Ivan Martinov, a leading cardiologist at Sofia’s main emergency hospital, told national radio.

Parliamentary elections are being held Sunday.

Soaring infections appear to have been a wake-up call to some extent in Croatia, which saw unusually large lines of people waiting for vaccines in recent days.

Authorities said on Wednesday that more than 15,000 people received their first dose a day earlier — a significant jump after vaccinations all but halted in the Adriatic country of 4.2 million.

Croatia and neighboring Slovenia have also introduced COVID passes in recent weeks.

But medical organisations in Slovenia have warned that the Alpine country’s health system is still on the verge of collapse. They urgently appealed to people to do their best to avoid seeking urgent care in the coming months.

“There are traffic accidents, accidents at work, other infections,” gasped Bojana Baovic, head of Slovenia’s Medical Chamber. “This is an alarming situation that we can cope with through maximum solidarity.”

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

INSIGHT

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2021 PAGE 11

We’re not being alarmist - the dangers we face are real Dr Anne Gallagher, Director-General of the Commonwealth Foundation, has written today’s column instead of Sir Ronald Sanders who is in the middle of the 51st General Assembly of the OAS of which he is vice chairman. Sir Ronald’s column will be back next week.

By ANNE THERESE GALLAGHER

SMALL island states are experiencing global warming in ways that most of us can barely imagine.

From the Pacific to the Caribbean, these tiny nations, already highly vulnerable, are being battered by hurricanes and rising sea levels; their shorelines are retreating; salinisation is ruining agricultural land and compromising vital sources of freshwater. Whole villages and communities are physically shifting to higher ground.

For countries like Tuvalu in the Pacific, and Antigua and Barbuda in the Caribbean, claims of existential risk are not alarmist. Rather they reflect the very real possibility that, along with some of the world’s other 192 nation-states, Tuvalu and Antigua and Barbuda may not exist in physical form in just a few decades time. And this is not the only path to disaster.

Because they lack the capacity to absorb large shocks, a single severe weather event in a small island state can wipe out livelihoods and decimate the economy.

‘Some countries will sink while others will swim.’

The global diplomatic

discourse around climate favours a false equivalence, a mantra that we are all responsible, that we are in this together.

But that is untrue. Some countries will sink while others will swim. Some countries bear much more responsibility for damaging the climate than others. Some continue to enrich themselves in the full knowledge that they are causing real and lasting harm.

On the first day of the COP26 climate summit, Tuvalu and Antigua and Barbuda took a modest but important step towards climate justice.

Standing shoulder to shoulder, the Prime Ministers of these two small nations announced the establishment of a Commission of Small Island States on Climate Change and International Law. This is a momentous development. Until now, international law has not been consistently or effectively used to hold countries to account for the damage they have inflicted on others through practices that contribute to global warming.

This is despite wellestablished principles such as ‘polluter pays’; a dense web of rules that assign liability for foreseeable harm and ask that it remediate it; and a network of courts and tribunals that exist to uphold these laws and hold violators to account.

The hope is that all countries in similar positions to Tuvalu and Antigua and Barbuda will sign up to the Commission. The Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), an intergovernmental body that brings

ANTIGUA and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Alphonso Browne at COP26.

(Phil Noble/Pool via AP)

PRIME Minister of Tuvalu Kausea Natano arrives at the COP26 summit.(Phil Noble/Pool via AP)

together small and lowlying coastal developing States, is key here. The alliance has been instrumental in bringing its members to the big table: amplifying the voices of those who would otherwise be relegated to the sidelines. AOSIS Member States understand, very well, the problem of false equivalence. They are starting to reject handouts, rather demanding debt relief and fair access to vital financing for mitigation and adaptation as a right. They are now going even further: threatening, in very clear terms, to take their claims for loss and damage to international courts and tribunals.

No longer will they wait patiently while pledges of the rich and powerful go unfulfilled.

The issue of liability and compensation for loss and damage associated with global warming has long been a sticking point in climate diplomacy and a focal point for civil society advocacy. Despite strong lobbying by AOSIS members, the Paris Agreement (UNFCCC) failed to include any meaningful acknowledgement of loss and damage. Subsequent efforts by States Parties to the UNFCCC to fill this gap have been subdued and largely unsuccessful.

The announcement of an International Loss and Damage Commission— established outside the ‘formal system’—should be taken as a clear sign that the world’s small island developing countries have had enough.

No longer will they be lectured about needing to reduce their own meagre

carbon emissions while archaic development financing rules obstruct their access to vital funds.

No longer will they wait patiently while pledges of the rich and powerful go unfulfilled. No

longer will they pretend to be satisfied with vague commitments and empty promises.

For Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda and Prime Minister Kausea

Natano of Tuvalu, the time has come to use the sharp tools of international law to hold those who are most responsible for global warming to account. They deserve our respect and support.

‘WATERED-DOWN HOPE’: EXPERTS WANTED MORE FROM CLIMATE PACT

By SETH BORENSTEIN AP Science Writer

GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) — While world leaders and negotiators are hailing the Glasgow climate pact as a good compromise that keeps a key temperature limit alive, many scientists are wondering what planet these leaders are looking at.

Crunching the numbers they see a quite different and warmer Earth.

“In the bigger picture I think, yes, we have a good plan to keep the 1.5-degree goal within our possibilities,” United Nations climate chief Patricia Espinosa told The Associated Press, referring to the overarching global goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) since preindustrial times.

United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the conference host, agreed, calling the deal a “clear road map limiting the rise in global temperatures to 1.5 degrees.”

But many scientists are far more sceptical. Forget 1.5 degrees, they say. Earth is still on a path to exceed 2 degrees (3.6 Fahrenheit).

“The 1.5C goal was already on life support before Glasgow and now it’s about time to declare it

dead,” Princeton University climate scientist Michael Oppenheim told The Associated Press in an email Sunday.

A few of the 13 scientists the AP interviewed about the Glasgow pact said they see just enough progress to keep alive the 1.5-degree Celsius limit — and with it, some hope.

But barely. The optimists point to many agreements that came out of Glasgow, including a United StatesChina deal to work harder together to cut emissions this decade, as well as separate multi-nation agreements that target methane emissions and coal-fired power. After six years of failure, a market-based mechanism would kick-start trading credits that reduce carbon in the air.

The 1.5-degree mark is the more stringent of two targets from the historic 2015 Paris climate accord.

United Nations officials and scientists consider it key because a 2018 scientific report found dramatically worse effects on the world after 1.5 degrees.

The world has already warmed 1.1 degrees (2 degrees Fahrenheit) since pre-industrial time, so this is really about a few tenths of a degree more. The United Nations calculated that to limit warming to 1.5

degrees, countries need to cut their emissions in half by 2030. Emissions are now going up, not down, by about 14% since 2010, Espinosa said.

German researcher Hans-Otto Portner said the Glasgow conference “got work done, but did not make enough progress.”

“Warming will by far exceed 2 degrees Celsius. This development threatens nature, human life, livelihoods, habitats and also prosperity,” said Portner, who co-chairs one of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change scientific reports the United Nations relies on.

Instead of big changes in bending the temperature curve as the United Nations had hoped for from Glasgow, they got only tiny tweaks, according to scientists who run computer simulations.

“Heading out of Glasgow we have shaved maybe 0.1C off of warming ... for a best-estimate of 2.3C warming,” Breakthrough Institute climate scientist and director Zeke Hausfather said in an email. Hausfather has done climate modeling with colleagues for Carbon Brief.

MIT professor Jon Sterman said his Climate Interactive team crunched some preliminary

numbers after the Glasgow deal came out and it didn’t match leaders’ optimism.

“There is no plausible way to limit warming to 1.5 or even 2 (degrees) if coal is not phased out ... and as rapidly as possible, along with oil and gas,” he said.

On Saturday, India got a lastminute change to the pact: Instead of the “phase out” of coal and fossil fuel subsidies, the subsidies are to be “phased down.” Several of the scientists said that regardless of what the deal says, coal needs to end, not just decrease, to lessen future warming. “‘Lessening’ will do less to slow the harmful effects of climate change than ‘eliminating,’” former NASA chief scientist Waleed Abdalati, who runs environmental research at the University of Colorado, said in an email.

Before the pact was finished, Climate Action Tracker, which also analyzes pledges to see how much warming they would lead to, said emission-cut pledges would lead to 2.4 degrees of warming.

The 1.5 figure “is balanced on a knife edge,” said tracker scientist Bill Hare of Australia.

One paragraph in the pact

— which calls on countries whose emission-cutting goals aren’t in line with 1.5- or 2- degree limits to come back with new stronger goals by the end of next year — gives hope, Hare said.

But U.S. climate envoy John Kerry said Saturday night that paragraph probably doesn’t apply to the United States, the second-largest coal emitter and the largest historically, because the U.S. goal is so strong.

Jonathan Overpeck, a climate scientist who is dean of the University of Michigan’s environment school said the pact provided “watered down hope. ... We got an incomplete plan for slower action.”

“I went into the (conference) thinking 1.5C was still alive, and it appears the world’s leaders just didn’t have the backbone for that,” Overpeck said in an email.

Some progress was made, said University of Illinois climate scientist Donald Wuebbles, one of the key authors of the U.S. national climate assessment. “But the probability of getting to 1.5 degrees is much reduced, even to the point of almost being impossible. Even being able to get to 2 degrees is less likely.”

PAGE 12, Monday, November 15, 2021

WHITE HOUSE TO HOST FIRST SUMMIT OF TRIBAL NATIONS SINCE 2016

THE TRIBUNE

ANN MARIE DAVIS, PATRICIA MINNIS TIE FIRST RIBBON FOR ‘ORANGE THE WORLD’ CAMPAIGN

By DARLENE SUPERVILLE ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will announce steps Monday to improve public safety and justice for Native Americans during the first tribal nations summit since 2016, the White House said.

Leaders from more than 570 tribes in the United States are expected to join the two-day event, with nearly three dozen addressing the gathering.

The summit is being held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has affected Native Americans and Alaska Natives at disproportionate rates.

Cabinet Biden and first lady Jill Biden are set to speak on Monday, with Vice President Kamala Harris to follow on Tuesday. Several members of Biden’s Cabinet will also participate.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the summit coincides with National Native American Heritage Month and is being hosted by the White House for the first time.

The summit was not held during the previous Trump administration.

Past conferences were held at the Interior Department.

Biden will use the summit to announce steps to improve public safety and justice for Native Americans and to protect private lands, treaty rights and sacred places, Psaki said.

American Indians and Alaska Natives are more than twice as likely to be victims of a violent crime, and at least two times more likely to be raped or sexually assaulted compared to other races, according to the Association on American Indian Affairs.

Since taking office in January, Biden has taken steps several steps that the White House says demonstrate his commitment to tribal nations.

Influence Among them are naming Deb Haaland, a former congresswoman from New Mexico, as t he first Native American to lead the Interior Department, the powerful federal agency that has wielded influence over U.S. tribes for generations.

Haaland is a member of the Laguna Pueblo.

Biden’s coronavirus relief plan included $31 billion for tribal communities, and the administration also has worked closely with tribal leaders to help make COVID-19 vaccination rates among Native Americans among the highest in the country, the White House said.

Biden also recently became the first president to issue a proclamation designating Oct. 11 as Indigenous People’s Day, giving a boost to longstanding efforts to refocus the federal holiday celebrating Christopher Columbus toward an appreciation of Native peoples.

Earlier this year, Jill Biden spent two days in April visiting the Navajo Nation’s capital in Window Rock, Arizona.

ANN Marie Davis, wife of Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis and current representative of the Office of the Spouse, along with Patricia Minnis, former representative of the Office of the Spouse, together tied the first orange ribbon for the 2021 “Orange the World” Campaign.

On Saturday Mrs Davis and Mrs Minnis spoke in solidarity against the incidents of violence towards women and girls in the country.

Led by Zonta Club of New Providence, the campaign is part of international advocacy against violence. After the first bow was tied at Lincoln Boulevard Park, Zontians went throughout the Englerston and wider community tying bows and speaking to residents. Zonta received support from the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Rotary Club, and Englerston community leaders.

The United Nations-backed campaign kicks into high gear for the “16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence”.

It runs from November 25, the International Day to End Violence Against Women and Girls, to December 10, International Human Rights Day. Zonta has a series of events planned in New Providence, Eleuthera and Abaco.

TIME TO GIVE BACK WITH VOLUNTEER INITIATIVE FROM PAGE ONE

simply, Volunteer Bahamas, a call to action.”

However, the initiative was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Eighteen months later, with

Volunteer Bahamas having played an important role in the vaccination process and the country returning to some level of normalcy, Sir Cornelius said the time is now.

“Over the next week, we want everyone, young and old, rich and

poor, in Nassau, Grand Bahama and throughout The Bahamas to pledge to donate time for a worthy cause on Saturday, November 20, or Sunday, November 21,” he said.

This upcoming Friday has been designated as national volunteer

t-shirt day. Employers are asked to allow workers to wear a t-shirt of an organisation with which they are connected that does volunteer work.

November has been declared National Volunteerism Month.

Queen sprains back, misses Remembrance Sunday service

By SYLVIA HUI ASSOCIATED PRESS LONDON (AP) — Queen Elizabeth II missed out on the Remembrance Sunday service in London to pay tribute to Britain’s war dead because she sprained her back, Buckingham Palace said Sunday.

The service is one of the most important events on the 95-year-old monarch’s calendar, and was meant to be her first public appearance after taking a few weeks off to rest under doctor’s orders.

British media reported that the back sprain was not believed to be related to the recent medical advice to rest that prompted other cancellations.

“The Queen, having sprained her back, has decided this morning with great regret that she will not be able to attend today’s Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph,” officials said just hours ahead of the ceremony. “Her Majesty is disappointed that she will miss the service.”

The queen spent a night in a London hospital last month after being admitted for medical tests. It was her first such stay in eight years.

On Oct. 29, the palace said she had been told by doctors to rest for two weeks and only take on light duties.

She canceled plans to attend the U.N. climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland, but sent a video message.

But officials stressed at the time that “it remains the queen’s firm intention” to be present for the national Remembrance Sunday service.

On Thursday, Buckingham Palace said the monarch planned to watch the ceremony at the Cenotaph war memorial in central London from a balcony, as she has for several years.

The queen served in World War II as an army driver and mechanic, and is head of Britain’s armed forces. She attaches great importance to Remembrance Sunday, a solemn ceremony to remember the sacrifices made by fallen servicemen and women. The national service, which follows Armistice Day on Nov. 11, is traditionally marked by the wearing of poppies and a national two-minute silence observed at 11 a.m.

BRITAIN’S Queen Elizabeth II, Patron, leaves after attending a Service of Thanksgiving to mark the Centenary of the Royal British Legion at Westminster Abbey in London, Oct. 12. Buckingham Palace said Queen Elizabeth II had sprained her back and would not attend the Remembrance Sunday service in central London to remember Britain’s war dead, Buckingham Palace said Sunday. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, Pool, File) On Sunday, other royals and politicians led the ceremony in London’s Whitehall, with hundreds of military personnel and veterans lined up around the Cenotaph memorial.

It was the first time the event had returned to normal since the pandemic began.

After Royal Marine buglers sounded the “The Last Post,” Prince Charles, 73, laid the first wreath on the queen’s behalf, as he has done since 2017. He was followed by other royals and Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The queen has continued to work

from home, doing desk-based duties, during her period of rest.

She has spent most of the time at Windsor Castle, west of London, although she made a weekend visit to Sandringham, the royal family’s eastern England estate.

She has missed several other events, including the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday. Officials also said she will miss the opening of the Church of England’s governing General Synod on Tuesday.

Penny Junor, a royal biographer, said the queen may be entering a new

phase of her reign where she will not be seen as much in public.

“It’s very sad for the queen, because this is the one event in the year that she really, really likes to be at,” she said.

“We’re so used to seeing her out and about and looking years younger than she is that I think we’ve been lulled into thinking she can go on at this kind of pace forever. Clearly she can’t.”

Britain’s longest-lived and longestreigning monarch, Elizabeth is due to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee — 70 years on the throne — next year.

SPORTS PAGE 13

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2021

First 400: C

havano “Buddy” Hield added another accolade to his résumé as one of the best shooters in basketball.

Hield has now made more three-point field goals than any other player through the first 400 games of their NBA career.

He set the mark of 1,209 three pointers in his 400th game - a 105-103 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on November 12.

Hield shot 4-9 from three-point range to finish with 14 points and five assists. The sixth year Sacramento Kings guard heads the list of top three-point shooters through their first 400 games, well ahead of Stephen Curry (1,121) and Klay Thompson (1,098) of the Golden State Warriors, and Damian Lillard (1,050) of the Portland Trail Blazers.

In his role as the Kings’ sixth man this season, Hield is averaging 16.7

points and is shooting 39 percent on three pointers on an average of 10.5 attempts per game.

As of November 14, Hield is second in the NBA this season in three-point field goals made with 54.

Curry leads the league at 64. It marks the second record-setting moment for Hield this season.

In October, he became the franchise’s all-time leader in three-point field goals made and surpassed the mark of 1,070 set by Peja Stojakovic.

Hield shot 6-15 from three-point range and finished with 24 points and seven rebounds in a 110101 loss to the Utah Jazz.

Stojakovic spent eight years with the franchise and had a single season high of 240 three-point makes in the 2003-04 season. Hield accomplished the feat in just six seasons and has had single season highs of 278, 271 and 282 three point makes in the last three seasons.

A career 40.6 percent shooter from deep, who

SACRAMENTO Kings guard Chavano “Buddy” Hield (24) takes a shot as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey (3) closes in during the first half on Friday in Oklahoma City.

(AP Photo/Garett Fisbeck) Kings general manager ‘Buddy’ like the adult that was traded to the Kings midway through his rookie Monte McNair recently he is and I think he appreseason, Hield has contin- discussed Hield’s shoot- ciated that. He does the ued to produce despite ing prowess and role amid same with me.

“And I said, ‘Look, you moving in and out of the trade rumours with the know, obviously your name Kings’ starting lineup in Athletic.

“There’s one other guy has been out there. But if it recent years.

“I’m just doing what the in the league who’s a pretty doesn’t work out, if nothing team wants me to do. I’m good shooter (clearly refer- happens, you come back, doing my job,” Hield said encing Steph Curry). But you’re expected to let it Buddy is right there as one fly.’ And he’s been doing during training camp.

“Whenever Luke of the top two shooters in that.”

Last March, Hield also [Walton] puts me in and the league. His job is to let calls my number, just go in it fly, and he’s doing it,” he became the fastest player to make 1,000 career threeand do my job. If he starts said.

“And yeah, we had some pointers in NBA history. me or if he doesn’t I just Hield set the mark in have to be professional, (trade) conversations over just 350 games to reach do my assignment and the offseason.

“I don’t want to go into the milestone faster than make something happen when I get out there...be too much detail there, but Curry, who held the previ(the approach was to) treat ous record of 369 games. effective.”

Jonquel Jones scores 30, grabs 17 rebounds in win

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net JONQUEL Jones delivered another dominant performance for Bosnia and Herzegovina in the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2023 Qualifiers.

Jones finished with 30 points and 17 rebounds in an 80-64 win over North Macedonia yesterday at the SRC Kale Arena in Skopje, Macedonia. She shot 11-17 from the field, 5-8 from three-point range and added three assists in 33 minutes.

The reigning WNBA MVP went head-to-head with Connecticut Sun teammate DeWanna Bonner, who finished with 11 points and nine rebounds.

Bosnia and Herzegovina currently leads Group B at 2-0 in the first window of the qualifiers, powered by Jones’ 37 points and 19.5 rebounds per game.

In game one, Jones had the most dominant performance of her professional basketball career with 44 points and 22 rebounds in her team’s 87-81 win over Belgium.

She shot 14-26 from the field, 3-7 from three-point range and 13-14 from the free throw line.

After the game finished, Jones told Clutchpoints about the differences in the WNBA and international play.

She said: “I think overseas in general, the crowd, has a bigger appreciation for women’s basketball. I think it is way better than it is in the WNBA. You can go from a game where the gym is full to some games where there are a few people in the stands. I do not think they fully appreciate women’s basketball and the level it is played at,” Jones said.

“When I come overseas I definitely always appreciate that and appreciate

T20 CRICKET WORLD CUP QUALIFYING: BAHAMAS ENDS UP IN 5TH PLACE

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

‘Buddy’ bests Stephen, Klay in 3-pointers

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

NFL, Page 15

JONQUEL Jones finished with 30 points and 17 rebounds for Bosnia and Herzegovina in an 80-64 win over North Macedonia in the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2023 Qualifiers at the SRC Kale Arena in Skopje, Macedonia. people loving us and watching us, and understanding that we put a lot of time in our game. I think that is the biggest difference. WNBA, talent wise, is up there, there is a lot of talent every night and every team can win. Overall, the atmosphere overseas is second to none.”

The second leg of the qualifiers will take place in 2022 when Bosnia and Herzegovina face Germany on November 24 and Belgium on November 27.

In 2023, they will face North Macedonia on February 9 and Germany on February 12. A total of 30 countries are

participating in the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2023 Qualifiers.

Teams are divided into 10 groups, with each team playing the others in its group in home-and-away games, following a roundrobin system over three windows in November 2021, November 2022 and February 2023.

Ten group winners and the four best second-placed teams will qualify for the Final Round of the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2023 to fill the remaining fourteen spots.

Israel and Slovenia are directly qualified as the hosts of the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2023.

Jones will now return to her UMMC Ekaterinburg Foxes in the Russian Premier League. The Foxes will return to RPL regular season play on November 18 against Einsley. Their next Women’s EuroLeague game will be November 24 against MBA Moscow.

THE Bahamas finished in fifth place with a 2-4 record at the International Cricket Council’s T20 World Cup Americas Qualifying event in Antigua and Barbuda.

The team closed out the week-long event with losses to the United States and Panama Saturday at Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua.

The United States defeated The Bahamas by 10 wickets. The Bahamas won the toss, elected to bat first and scored 90 runs for seven wickets in 20 overs.

Kevron Hinds led the team offensively with 23 runs, Jonathan Barry scored 16 and team captain Gregory Taylor scored 14. Taylor was the top bowler for The Bahamas and allowed 25 runs in four overs.

The United States scored 91 runs in 12.1 overs to take the match.

Just hours later, The Bahamas returned in their tournament finale and suffered a 26-run loss to Panama.

After winning the toss, The Bahamas took the field first and placed Panama to bat. Panama scored 139

SEE PAGE 14

KAI JONES ASSIGNED TO NBA’S G-LEAGUE

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net KAI Jones and his fellow 2021 NBA Draft Class of the Charlotte Hornets were all assigned to the NBA G League after playing sparingly through the first 13 games of the NBA season.

Jones made his debut with the Hornets’ G League affiliate, the Greensboro Storm, in Saturday night’s 111-104 loss to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (Houston Rockets affiliate) at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Starting at centre, he finished with 15 points, seven rebounds, five blocks and two assists in 34 minutes.

He shot 6-9 from the field and made his only threepoint attempt.

Fellow Hornets first round draft pick James Bouknight also made his debut for the Swarm alongside Jones.

Bouknight finished with a game high 33 points and six rebounds in 39 minutes.

The two players have played sparingly to this point of the season with the Hornets. Bouknight has logged only five appearances for the Hornets, totalling two rebounds in eight minutes of play. Jones has played five minutes in four games.

SEE PAGE 18

PAGE 14, Monday, November 15, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Nelly Korda overcomes triple bogey to win LPGA in playoff BELLEAIR, Fla. (AP) — Nelly Korda made such a mess of the 17th hole that missing what amounts to a tap-in barely registered.

She made triple bogey and part of her couldn’t help but think she had thrown away her chances in the Pelican Women’s Championship.

“I honestly lost hope,” Korda said. “I was like, ‘OK, just try to make a solid par’ — 18 is a really tough hole — ‘If you have a chance or birdie, then try and go after it.’ My caddie really kept me in the moment and I didn’t give up.

“Thank God I didn’t.”

She birdied the 18th and got a second chance when Lexi Thompson had another late collapse, this time going bogeybogey, that turned an epic duel between Korda and Thompson into a four-way playoff.

Korda ended it quickly, making a 12-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole at No. 18 to win for the four time this year on the LPGA Tour.

None were this wild.

Korda fell out of the lead on the 17th hole at Pelican Golf Club by chopping her way to a triple bogey to fall two shots behind. She answered with an 18-foot birdie putt on the final hole for a 1-under 69 and got into a playoff when Thompson missed another par putt and shot 69.

They were joined at 17-under 263 by defending

champion Sei Young Kim (67) and Lydia Ko (66), neither of whom expected to be playing extra holes until Thompson and Korda imploded over the final two holes.

“It was a heated battle.

I actually really enjoyed it. It was a lot of fun,” Korda said. “She played some solid golf. Unfortunate on 17, 18. Seventeen, there were a lot of spike marks around the hole, so I don’t know if she hit one to three-putt. But that’s how golf is sometimes.

“You’re going to lose these and sometimes you’re going to win them.”

The victory paid off handsomely for the 23-year-old American.

She secured her spot at No. 1 in the women’s world ranking, and moved 12 points ahead of Jin Young Ko for LPGA player of the year going into the seasonending CME Group Tour Championship next week in Naples.

Korda now has five wins this year — four on the LPGA Tour to match Jin Young Ko’s total, one a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

She lost a two-shot lead on the par-3 12th hole when Korda made bogey and Thompson made birdie, and they matched par for the next four holes in a two-player race.

And then it was four players.

Kim birdied the 18th and figured she had tied for third with Jin Young Ko,

NELLY Korda holds the winner’s trophy after a one-stroke victory in sudden-death in the LPGA Pelican Women’s Championship golf tournament at Pelican Golf Club yesterday.

(AP Photo/Steve Nesius) who played bogey-free. It about an “amazing week” All 60 players — from was a matter of whether with hospitality “like no Jin Young Ko at No. 1 to Korda or Thompson would other.” It wasn’t clear if she Wichanee Meechai at No. win the tournament. was talking about her own 60 — only has to win the And then it changed so hospitality. tournament to claim the quickly. Korda pulled her Thompson now has gone $1.5 million prize and the second shot to the 17th, 38 tournaments since her Race to CME Globe title. dumped a wedge into a last LPGA Tour victory.

Lauren Coughlin, who bunker and missed what At the US Women’s Open earned a spot in the field appeared to be a tap-in. this year at Olympic Club, through Monday qualifyIt added to a triple bogey she lost a five-shot lead on ing, closed with a 70 and with one hole left. the back nine and finished tied for 16th. She moved Instead, Thompson with two bogeys to miss the from No. 106 to No. 97 to added to reputation of playoff by one shot. keep a full LPGA card for struggling to close out Korda wasn’t the only next season. tournaments. She bogeyed winner.

Stephanie Meadow the 17th, but still had a Yu Liu closed with a 66 moved up one spot to No. one-shot lead until making and tied for 16th, enough 100, the cutoff for full another bogey on the 18th. to move into the top 60 in status.

Korda made good on her the Race to CME Globe Korda and Jin Young Ko second chance. and qualify for the season- take their show down the Thompson took only ending tournament next coast to Tiburon Golf Club one question, and spoke week. for the final event.

Mickelson wins finale, Langer takes 6th Schwab Cup title

By JOHN MARSHALL AP Sports Writer PHOENIX (AP) — Phil Mickelson stood on the 18th green at Phoenix Country Club, a wide smile across his face as he held yet another PGA Tour Champions trophy.

Next to him was 64-yearold Bernhard Langer, grinning just as broadly as he hoisted the Charles Schwab Cup trophy at an age when most players are playing from the front tee boxes, not fighting for championships.

One ceremony, two champions with vastly different styles.

Mickelson birdied three of the final holes yesterday to win the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship, and Langer held on to win his sixth PGA Tour Champions season points title.

“It’s so fun for us to come back and play in front of everyone and then to come out on top here was a special week,” said Mickelson, who played collegiately at nearby Arizona State.

“I want to congratulate

Bernhard because he really is the gold standard for work ethic, discipline as well as talent and a great golf game. At 64, to win the season-long championship, that’s pretty impressive, pretty inspiring.”

For Mickelson, it’s always been about flash and creativity, pulling off shots few others would consider attempting. He did it through six major titles and 45 PGA Tour victories, and has kept it going on the senior circuit.

Mickelson was at his creative best at Phoenix Country Club, shooting a bogey-free 6-under 65 in the final round to join Jack Nicklaus as the only player to win four of his first six starts on the 50-and-over tour.

Lefty showed off his short-game skills to avoid bogeys and poured in six birdies in Sunday’s final round, the last an upand-down from short of the par-5 18th to reach 19 under.

“It’s been fun for me to play out here and see so many guys that I grew up and spent decades with

PHIL Mickelson watches his tee shot on the first hole during the third round of the Charles Schwab Cup Championship golf tournament on Saturday in Phoenix.

(AP Photo/Ross D Franklin) life-long friends,” Mickelson said. “Then to play well and have some success is very meaningful.”

Langer made a name for himself with precision and toughness through a stellar career, winning two Masters and 64 times internationally. The German star became unstoppable once he turned 50, winning 11 major championships and 42 tournaments overall.

Langer needed lean on that toughness to get through four rounds at Phoenix Country Club. He nearly withdrew two holes into the tournament due to intense back pain and battled as the discomfort lessened slightly each day.

Langer shot under his age for the first time in

CRICKET FROM PAGE 13 runs for eight wickets in 20 overs. The Bahamas responded with 113 runs and 10 wickets in 18.3 overs.

Barry scored a team high 22 runs and Taylor scored 17. Taylor was also the top bowler and allowed 24 runs in three overs.

The United States and Canada were the top two teams of the event and qualified for the next stage in hopes of ultimately advancing to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia.

Originally the tournament was scheduled to take place August 18-24, 2020.

However, in June 2020, the tournament was postponed

the third round, a sterling bogey-free 63 with bookend eagles that moved him within six shots of Jim Furyk’s 16-under lead. He pulled within two shots with birdies on Nos. 1 and 4, then rolled in a 15-foot eagle putt on the 306-yard par-4 fifth to reach 14 under.

Langer struggled getting putts to fall the rest of the way, labouring through a 2-under 69 to finish at 12 under.

He finished 17th, but was still in position to win the Schwab Cup after playing all 39 PGA Tour Champions events.

“I’m just overwhelmed, you know, at 64 to win this thing six times,” Langer said. “It will probably be my last one, I’m almost

until 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In December 2020, the ICC updated the qualification pathway following the disruption from the pandemic.

In May 2021, the tournament was postponed again due to the pandemic, after being scheduled to take place July 17-23, 2021, in Toronto, Canada.

The Bahamas scored wins over Belize and Argentina but lost matches to the USA, Panama, Bermuda and Canada.

On day one of competition, The Bahamas returned to ICC competition for the first time since 2013 and was outscored by 122 runs in a loss to Canada.

The Bahamas scored 68 runs in 15.2 overs, while Canada finished with 190

sure of that, but it’s very, very special.”

He had to wait a bit to get it.

Furyk needed to win the tournament or tie for third and have Langer end up worse than eighth to win his first PGA Tour Champions series title. He dropped in a long birdie putt on the par-4 17th to pull within two of the lead, but Mickelson’s birdie on No. 18 made it three shots.

Needing an eagle to win the Schwab Cup, Furyk pulled his second shot into the grandstand left of the 18th green and and had to drop in mulch. His next shot across the green into the rough and he got up and down for par. Furyk shot 71 to tie for fifth at 16 under.

“How exciting was it coming down the stretch?”

Langer said. “Literally, came down to the last shot.

If he would have eagled 18, he would be standing here lifting the Charles Schwab Cup trophy and he would be the winner. I’m overwhelmed with emotion.”

New Zealander Steven Alker, a PGA Tour Champions qualifier just three months ago, shot 67 to finish second at 18 under.

Darren Clarke had a 64 and David Toms a 65 to tie for third at 17 under.

runs for five wickets in 20 overs.

Marc Taylor scored 44 runs and Jagnauth Jagroo bowled for three wickets and allowed 24 runs in four overs.

In game two, the Bahamas got into the win column with a 12-run win over Argentina.

Batting first, The Bahamas improved offensively and scored 121 runs all out. Bowling, they limited Argentina to 109 runs for five wickets in 20 overs.

Marc Taylor scored 60 runs.

Jonathan Barry allowed 20 runs and earned two wickets in four overs.

Bermuda outscored The Bahamas by 140 runs in their matchup. The Bahamas finished with 99 runs in 20 overs, while Bermuda

WALES OVERCOME 14-MAN FIJI WITH FLATTERING 38-23 VICTORY CARDIFF, Wales (AP) — Wales avoided embarrassment from 14-man Fiji in laboring to a flattering 38-23 win at Principality Stadium yesterday.

Fiji wing Eroni Sau was red-carded in the 25th minute while his team was leading, and Fiji played 20 more minutes with 13 men, but Wales couldn’t grab the lead for good until the 67th minute.

Even then, the 24-23 go-ahead try came from a Fiji error — a missed lineout catch — and ended up being dotted down in the corner by Alex Cuthbert, playing his first test in more than four years.

Another Fiji error, a loose pass on Wales’ 22, ended up with the other wing, Louis Rees-Zammit, chipping from halfway and beating the cover to the ball at the back of the in-goal for 31-23.

IRELAND KNOCKS OVER THE ALL BLACKS AGAIN 29-20 DUBLIN (AP) — Ireland beat New Zealand 29-20 in a gripping contest featuring breathtaking defence embraced by a packed Lansdowne Road on Saturday.

The Irish couldn’t beat New Zealand for 111 years.

Now they have three precious wins in five years.

Under severe pressure from an Irish side emboldened with a fearless mindset, the No. 1-ranked All Blacks had to make a sapping 238 tackles to stay in touch. Yet, their resilience set up a grandstand finish. They had a try disallowed and trailed only 23-20 while hot on attack, but the Irish defense closed up and forced two more crucial penalties to kill the All Blacks’ hopes.

Joey Carbery slotted the first penalty kick from the halfway line in the 74th minute, and the much closer second kick in the 79th to seal the stunning result.

ENGLAND TOPS AUSTRALIA 32-15 FOR 8TH STRAIGHT WIN OVER RIVAL LONDON (AP) — England took its winning run over fierce rugby rival Australia to eight games in a 32-15 victory, a late breakaway try reflecting the home team’s dominance and the Wallabies’ error-strewn performance at Twickenham on Saturday.

England could muster only one try — a seventhminute effort by fullback Freddie Steward off a pop-pass by flyhalf Marcus Smith — before Jamie Blamire trundled over in second-half stoppage time after the 12th and final handling error by the Australians.

They managed to stay in touch despite playing two 10-minute periods with 14 men, following sin-binnings for winger Tom Wright and prop Angus Bell either side of halftime.

finished with 239 runs for six wickets in 20 overs.

Offensively for The Bahamas, Kervon Hinds totalled 40 runs. Greg Taylor Jr led the bowlers with a threewicket haul in three overs and allowed 24 runs.

Against Belize, The Bahamas won by 11 runs and Marc Taylor was named the Man of the Match at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

The Bahamas won the toss and elected to bat first.

They scored 150 runs for eight wickets in 20 overs.

Taylor accounted for 67 of the team’s runs. Bermuda responded with 139 runs for six wickets in 20 overs.

Kervon Hinds was the top bowler for The Bahamas and allowed 36 runs for three wickets in four overs.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, November 15, 2021, PAGE 15

MAHOMES’ 5 TD PASSES LEAD CHIEFS PAST RAIDERS 41-14

By JOSH DUBOW AP Pro Football Writer

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Patrick Mahomes threw five touchdown passes and returned to his usual form after a surprisingly shaky stretch this season, and the Kansas City Chiefs moved into first place in the AFC West with a 41-14 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders last night.

Mahomes and the Chiefs (6-4) showed little resemblance to the team that overpowered the AFC the past three seasons over the first nine weeks, raising questions about whether they could make it back to a third straight Super Bowl. But they used a dominant

performance over the Raiders (5-4) on a day everyone else in the division lost to return to the top of the standings.

Mahomes completed three short TD passes before flashing his playmaking brilliance early in the fourth quarter after Kansas City converted a fake punt on a 16-yard pass from Tommy Townsend to Marcus Kemp.

Two plays later, Mahomes scrambled away from pressure and just before crossing the line of scrimmage lofted a deep pass across his body that Darrel Williams caught for a 38-yard TD that made it 34-14.

Mahomes added a 22-yarder to Byron Pringle and finished 35

for 50 for 406 yards. He also connected on an 8-yarder to Tyreek Hill in the first quarter and then 1-yarders to Hill and rookie tight end Noah Gray.

The Raiders have dropped back-to-back games after a promising start to the season as poor execution and off-field issues have done them in.

They won two straight games after coach Jon Gruden resigned following the publication of his old offensive emails but haven’t looked the same the past two weeks. Both losses followed the release of Henry Ruggs III, who was charged with felonies in a DUI crash that killed a 23-yearold woman.

Las Vegas has turned the ball over five times the past two weeks, matching the total from the first seven games, and the improved defense was unable to slow down Mahomes.

Derek Carr threw two TD passes but also had his third interception in the past two weeks and the Raiders were held to 82 yards in the first half, their fewest in a home game in eight years.

ROUGH DEBUT The Raiders brought in speedy receiver DeSean Jackson this week to fill the void left by Ruggs’ release.

Jackson had an inauspicious welcome to Las Vegas. On his first target of the game in the third

quarter, Jackson caught a 40-yard pass from Carr.

But Rashad Fenton knocked the ball out and Tyrann Mathieu recovered.

Instead of the Raiders having a chance to cut into a 10-point deficit, the Chiefs drove for a field goal to make it 27-14.

PUNTERS ARE PEOPLE Punter AJ Cole delivered one of the plays of the first half for the Raiders when he forced a fumble by returner Mike Hughes that Foster Moreau recovered at midfield.

That set up Las Vegas’ only scoring drive of the first half when Carr connected on a 6-yarder to Hunter Renfrow.

Winless Lions at least get a tie, 16-16 in rainy Pittsburgh PITTSBURGH (AP) — Playing without star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, who entered the COVID-19 protocol on Saturday night, the Steelers slogged their way to a 16-16 tie with the Detroit Lions yesterday in an ugly nearly four-hour marathon that produced more comedy than highlights.

Mason Rudolph completed 30 of 50 passes for 242 yards with a touchdown and an interception, but struggled with consistency while making a spot start.

Najee Harris ran for 105 yards and at times appeared to be Pittsburgh’s only legitimate offensive weapon as the Steelers (5-3-1) saw their four-game winning streak halted in the dank mist at rainy Heinz Field.

De’Andre Swift ran for a career-high 130 yards for the Lions (0-8-1), who relied heavily on the run to avoid a ninth straight loss with quarterback Jared Goff rendered almost completely ineffective.

Goff connected on 14 of 25 passes for just 114 yards as the NFL saw its first tie since Cincinnati and Philadelphia played to a draw after 70 minutes on Sept.

27, 2020.

TITANS 23, SAINTS 21 NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) — Ryan Tannehill ran and threw for touchdowns as the Tennessee held off the Saints for their NFL-best sixth straight victory.

The Titans (8-2) also became he second team in NFL history to win five straight over playoff teams from the season before, joining the 2003 Philadelphia Eagles. Tennessee improved to 7-0 overall against 2020 playoff teams this season.

The Saints (5-4) dropped their second straight since losing quarterback Jameis Winston to a season-ending ACL injury.

Against the Titans, they also played without a trio of starters in four-time Pro Bowl running back Alvin Kamara because of an injured knee, left tackle Terron Armstead (knee and shoulder injuries) and defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson (foot), who was just put on injured reserve.

WASHINGTON 29, BUCCANEERS 19 LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Tom Brady threw two interceptions in the first quarter as part of an implosion by the reigning Super Bowl champions.

Washington lost Chase Young, last season’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, to a potentially serious injury.

Tampa Bay lost a second consecutive game on either side of its bye week and was dealt an extra blow in the last minute when nose tackle Vita Vea was carted off with an injury on the final play of a 19-play, 80-yard drive over 10:26 that sealed the victory for Washington (3-6).

Brady threw two picks just like in the loss to New Orleans two weeks ago and finished 23 of 34 for 220 yards and two touchdown passes.

The Buccaneers (6-3) couldn’t find much rhythm on either side of the ball in a rematch of their wild-card

DETROIT Lions kicker Ryan Santoso (5) misses a field goal attempt during the overtime period of yestetday’s NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh.

(AP Photo/Keith Srakocic) victory at Washington from touchdowns for the Pack- (5-5) from sweeping the and Alohi Gilman ran into January. Brady’s intercep- ers, who handed the NFC East teams on their each other. tions on two of his first six Seahawks their first shutout schedule just one week Cook extended the throws — one off the hands loss in a decade. after Denver dominated Vikings’ advantage to 27-17 of rookie Jaelon Darden A week after he was Dallas in one of the biggest early in the fourth quarter and another inexplicable forced to sit out a loss at upsets of the season. on a 1-yard run. toss that was caught by Kansas City because of a The Broncos had trouble PATRIOTS 35, Washington safety Bobby positive COVID-19 test punching it in all afternoon, BROWNS 7 McCain — disjointed the and the subsequent revela- stalling at the Eagles 3, FOXBOROUGH, Mass.

NFL’s best scoring and pass- tion he was not vaccinated, 10 and 11 before Melvin (AP) — Mac Jones threw ing offense.

Rodgers went 23 of 37 for Gordon III took the hand- three touchdown passes, Brady bounced back in 292 yards and threw an off on fourth-and-1 from rookie Rhamondre Steventhe second half, throw- interception in the end zone the Eagles 23 with the son rushed for a career-high ing TD passes to Cameron in the third quarter.

Broncos trailing 20-13 late 100 yards and two scores, Brate and Mike Evans. The Rodgers did not practice in the third quarter. He and the Browns lost quar40-yard connection with all week and was cleared gained the 2 yards neces- terback Baker Mayfield to a Evans cut the Buccaneers’ to play Saturday under the sary for the first down, but knee injury. deficit to 23-19.

NFL’s protocols for unvac- he coughed up the football The Patriots (6-4) won COWBOYS 43, cinated players. before going down. their fourth straight game.

FALCONS 3 Although Rodgers was Slay scooped the ball The Browns (5-5) have ARLINGTON, Texas hardly at his best, his return from the pile, reversed dropped four of their last (AP) — Ezekiel Elliott ran made this much clear: With direction just in front of his six and haven’t won at New for two touchdowns, Nah- him, the Packers (8-2) are 10-yard line and then zig- England since 1992, when shon Wright recovered a among the best teams in zagged his way downfield Bill Belichick was their blocked punt for a score the NFC and a Super Bowl through a smattering of coach. Jones finished 19 of a week after touching one contender. orange jerseys.

23 for 198 yards. Hunter kept Dallas from getting Inexplicably, Broncos QB Henry added a pair of the ball, and the Cowboys PANTHERS 34, Teddy Bridgewater failed to TD receptions. Playing routed the Falcons.

CARDINALS 10 even attempt a tackle, even without star running back Plenty of things that went GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) a halfhearted one, as Slay Nick Chubb, who missed wrong for the Cowboys in a — Cam Newton provided a ran right past him for the the game after a positive blowout loss to Denver that flashback to his Superman game-sealing score.

COVID-19 test, the Browns ended a six-game winning days in his second debut VIKINGS 27, were held to 217 total yards streak a week ago went with the Panthers, throwing CHARGERS 20 and were 1 of 11 on third right to help the NFC East for one touchdown, running INGLEWOOD, Calif. downs. leaders get back on track. for another.

(AP) — Kirk Cousins threw Mayfield limped off the Offensive execution was Newton, the 2015 NFL a pair of touchdown passes field after taking a pair of among them.

MVP who was signed by to Tyler Conklin and Dalvin hits in the third quarter.

Dallas (7-2) looked much the quarterback-thin Pan- Cook rushed for 94 yards Edge rusher Deatrich Wise more like the NFL’s No. 1 thers earlier in the week, and a score. drove Mayfield into the offense with Dak Prescott made his presence felt on Justin Jefferson had nine turf and was penalized for throwing two TD passes his first play of the game, receptions for 143 yards roughing the passer. Two to CeeDee Lamb and Elli- entering on third down to help Minnesota (4-5) plays later, linebacker Matt ott finishing two drives and screaming “I’m back!” snap a two-game losing Judon crunched into Maykept alive by fourth-down after barreling into the right streak after it squandered field’s midsection, and the conversions, all before corner of the end zone for a late leads to Dallas and QB was slow to get up. halftime.

2-yard touchdown.

Baltimore.

A few minutes later, Then came the sequence On Carolina’s next drive, The Vikings came into he left the game and was that led to the highest- Newton threw a 2-yard TD the game with five play- replaced by Case Keenum, scoring quarter in franchise pass to Robby Anderson ers on the COVID-19 list, who was sacked on back-tohistory (29 points in the as the Panthers (5-5) built including starting safety back plays. Mayfield visited second) and Dallas’ biggest a stunning 17-0 lead in the Harrison Smith and center the sideline medical tent halftime lead (36-3) since first quarter and a 23-0 Garrett Bradbury. They and later limped out. He 1971. advantage by halftime. also were missing four other remained on the sideline Dorance Armstrong’s The Cardinals (8-2) had defensive starters because for the rest of the game. one-armed block of Dustin the best record in the NFL of injuries.

COLTS 23, Colquitt’s punt was recov- coming into the game but Los Angeles (5-4) has JAGUARS 17 ered by Wright in the looked discombobulated dropped three of its past INDIANAPOLIS (AP) end zone with 37 sec- from the beginning. Backup four. The Vikings went up — Jonathan Taylor rushed onds remaining in the first Colt McCoy, playing a 13-3 in the second quarter for 116 yards and a touchhalf. A week earlier again second straight game for on a 5-yard touchdown pass down and Indianapolis Denver, Wright touched the injured Kyler Murray, from Cousins to Conklin. returned a blocked punt for a blocked punt past the coughed up a fumble after Minnesota had a short field a score. line of scrimmage without being sacked on the third to work with following a Indy (5-5) has won four securing the loose ball, and play of the game. diving interception by Eric of five to reach .500 for the the Broncos recovered to EAGLES 30, Kendricks at the Chargers first time this season. The retain possession.

BRONCOS 13 31.

Jaguars (2-7) have lost 12 PACKERS 17, DENVER (AP) — Los Angeles scored on consecutive road games and SEAHAWKS 0 Cornerback Darius Slay touchdowns by Larry Roun- nine straight against AFC GREEN BAY, Wis. returned a fumble 82 yards tree and Austin Ekeler for South foes.

(AP) — Aaron Rodgers for a touchdown and rookie a 17-13 lead. Minnesota Taylor has scored in seven was uneven in his return DeVonta Smith hauled in then regained the lead on straight games and gained from COVID-19 but did two TD passes from Jalen fourth-and-goal from the at least 100 yards from more than enough to sup- Hurts.

1. Conklin was open in the scrimmage in each of those, port a standout Green Bay The Eagles (4-6) won for back of the end zone on a both league highs. He’s the defense.A.J. Dillon rushed the fourth time on the road crossing route after Charg- fourth player during the for two fourth-quarter and prevented the Broncos ers safeties Derwin James Super Bowl era to achieve

both feats and he’s tied with two-time defending NFL rushing champ Derrick Henry for the league lead with 937 yards.

After taking an early 17-0 lead, the Colts struggled to seal it — again. All they could muster was Michael Badgley’s short field goal near the end of the first half and his 37-yarder with 2:22 left in the fourth quarter. It turned out to be just enough against a Jacksonville offense that finished with 331 total yards.

James Robinson scored on a 1-yard TD run and Trevor Lawrence hooked up with Dan Arnold on a 2-point conversion, getting the Jags within 20-17 early in the fourth.

Lawrence got the ball back with a chance to win it in the waning minutes — until he fumbled near midfield with 50 seconds to go and Colts defensive lineman Kemoko Turay recovered it.

Jacksonville couldn’t overcome a slow start.

Zaire Franklin’s blocked punt and E.J. Speed’s recovery in the end zone gave Indy a 10-0 lead less than seven minutes into the game. Taylor scored on a 4-yard run on Indy’s next possession.

Jacksonville finally answered with Jamal Agnew’s 66-yard scoring run. Matthew Wright missed the extra point, and each team finished the first half with field goals. Wright nailed a 56-yarder on the final play of the half.

Indy’s Carson Wentz was 22 of 34 with 180 yards but was held without a TD pass.

Lawrence finished 16 of 35 with 162 yards. He has 13 turnovers this season.

Agnew had three carries for 79 yards and Robinson ran 12 times for 57 yards after missing last week’s game with a bruised heel.

BILLS 45, JETS 17 EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Josh Allen threw two touchdown passes, Buffalo ran for four scores and the Bills’ top-ranked ranked defense intercepted Mike White four times. It was an impressive showing for the Bills (6-3), who rebounded from an embarrassing 9-6 loss at Jacksonville last week by thoroughly dominating the lowly Jets (2-7).

Allen was 21 of 28 for 366 yards with TD passes to Matt Breida and Stefon Diggs and an interception.

Breida added a scoring run, as did Devin Singletary, Zack Moss and wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie as Buffalo’s offense looked alive and well.

Taron Johnson, Tre’Davious White, Levi Wallace and Jordan Poyer each intercepted White, who made his third straight start for the injured Zach Wilson — and it might have been his last.

Wilson is getting closer to a return from a sprained knee ligament and there was some speculation the Jets could continue with White even when the rookie is healthy. His performance against the Bills might have ended all that.

White was 24 of 44 for 251 yards and the four INTs before leaving late with an injury and being replaced

by Joe Flacco.

PAGE 16, Monday, November 15, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Serbia shocks Portugal to join Spain, Croatia at World Cup

By JAMES ELLINGWORTH AP Sports Writer SPAIN, Serbia and Croatia are heading to next year’s World Cup. Sweden, Portugal and Russia aren’t — not yet, anyway.

Aleksandar Mitrovic’s 90th-minute header left Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal stunned in a 2-1 win for Serbia in Lisbon, which gave Serbia an automatic qualifying spot at the World Cup in Qatar. Portugal still has a chance to qualify, but it must navigate a four-team bracket in the playoffs in March.

All of the teams which booked a World Cup place in Europe yesterday did so with dramatic late goals.

Spain only needed a draw in its last game against Sweden to qualify, but Álvaro Morata made sure in the 86th minute with the only goal in a 1-0 win to leave veteran Sweden star Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s hopes of another World Cup appearance depending on the playoffs.

Croatia laid siege to Russia’s goal on a waterlogged field quickly turning into a swamp, and was finally rewarded when a Russian defender scored an 81stminute own-goal, enough for a 1-0 win.

Russia, too, heads to the playoffs, which start March 24 and will sort 12 teams — 10 group runner-ups and two with strong records from the Nations League — into three brackets of four teams. Each bracket has one World Cup place. The draw takes place November 26 in Zurich.

GROUP A Portugal was in a strong position when Renato Sanches scored the opening

SERBIAN players celebrate at the end of the World Cup 2022 group A qualifying soccer match between Portugal and Serbia at the Luz stadium in Lisbon yesterday.

(AP Photo/Armando Franca) goal after just two minutes against Serbia, but Dusan Tadic kept Serbia in the game with an equaliser in the 33rd. Mitrovic’s late header silenced the crowd and shocked Portugal’s players, including Ronaldo, who sat on the field at the final whistle.

“It was an amazing game, fully deserved,” Mitrovic said. “I think we deserved to win the game and to be in Qatar.”

Beating Portugal for the first time marks a

turnaround after Serbia failed to qualify for the European Championship.

There’s one positive for Portugal.

Its comparatively strong record in the group means it will be one of the seeded teams for the playoffs in March and will get a home draw for the single-leg bracket semifinal game.

Portugal last missed a World Cup in 1998.

Ireland won 3-0 at Luxembourg in the other Group A game.

GROUP B Substitute Morata scored the winner for Spain after Dani Olmo’s long-range shot bounced off the post to send Spain to its 12th consecutive World Cup. At the age of 40, Zlatan Ibrahimovic was bidding to reach his first World Cup since 2006 with Sweden — he didn’t make the squad in 2018 — but couldn’t change the game after coming off the bench in the 74th.

That ended a campaign which seemed to be under

control for Sweden before a shock 2-0 loss to Georgia on Thursday.

In Athens, already eliminated Greece and Kosovo drew 1-1.

GROUP H The runners-up from the 2018 World Cup, Croatia, had to brave 2018 host team Russia and the weather to book its place at next year’s tournament.

In driving rain on a waterlogged pitch which forced Croatia to switch its game plan to long shots and

crosses, an own-goal from Russian defender Fedor Kudriashov handed Croatia a win and a place in Qatar as group winner.

Croatia dominated the game against a Russian team for which a draw would have been enough to finish first, but poor shooting and some solid saves from goalkeeper Matvey Safonov made for a tense finish.

Russia will be seeded in the playoffs.

Third-place Slovakia eased to a 6-0 win over Malta with a hat trick from attacking midfielder Ondrej Duda. Slovenia beat Cyprus 2-1.

GROUP J On a night of drama for other big European teams, Germany stayed calm in a straightforward win.

Germany qualified last month and has spent this week burnishing its already impressive goal difference to +32, the best in European qualifying at the moment.

Except for Hansi Flick’s winning record as Germany coach, there wasn’t much riding on the 4-1 win over Armenia, a team which had only the slimmest mathematical chance of qualifying for the playoffs.

Two goals from Ilkay Gundogan helped Flick earn his seventh win from seven games in charge.

North Macedonia remains in contention to reach a World Cup for the first time after beating Iceland 3-1 to secure a spot in the playoffs.

Eljif Elmas scored twice for his team, which will be unseeded.

Romania beat Liechtenstein 2-0 but missed the playoffs because of North Macedonia’s win.

FRANCE AND BELGIUM WIN TO REACH WORLD CUP, DUTCH SLIP TO DRAW

By JEROME PUGMIRE AP Sports Writer PARIS (AP) — While Kylian Mbappe’s four goals in an 8-0 rout of Kazakhstan ensured defending champion France reached next year’s World Cup along with victorious Belgium, the Netherlands failed to join them Saturday after conceding two late goals.

Belgium was less spectacular beating Estonia 3-1 at home but has an unassailable five point-lead over second-place Wales, which beat Belarus 5-1 in Cardiff and has a three-point lead over the Czech Republic for a playoff spot.

After missing out on the last World Cup, the Dutch looked set to go through after leading 2-0 at Montenegro with goals from Memphis Depay.

Yet Montenegro struck twice in the last eight minutes to make it 2-2, and that gives Turkey and Norway a chance for top spot since they are two points behind

with one game left. “I don’t know what to say. Unbelievable,” Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk told Dutch broadcaster NOS. “It’s scandalous how we played in the second half.”

GROUP D France was playing away from its usual home venue Stade de France and took the field at Parc des Princes, where Mbappe stars for Paris Saint-Germain.

He became the first France player since Just Fontaine at the 1958 World Cup to score four times in one game.

“The most important thing was qualifying, and we have players in our squad who have never played in the World Cup,” said Mbappe, who starred in the last one.

“It’s a dream to play in it for your country.”

After 32 minutes he had his first international hat trick.

Karim Benzema combined with Theo Hernandez to set up his first goal and

then Kingsley Coman picked him out twice, the second with a cross from the right met by a rare header.

Mbappe has bounced back from a disappointing Euro 2020, where he failed to score, and his late goal helped France win the Nations League final last month. Benzema also scored in that game.

The irrepressible Hernandez whipped over another cross from the left for another assist as Benzema met it at the near post for 4-0 in the 55th.

Four minutes later, Benzema played a slick one-two with Mbappe for his second goal and 35th for France.

His partnership with Mbappe is blossoming fast.

“We showed we have a good understanding and combine well together,” Benzema said. “Personally, I’m delighted to play in another World Cup (after 2014).”

Adrien Rabiot and Antoine Griezmann also

FRANCE’s Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal during the World Cup 2022 group D qualifying soccer match against Kazakhstan at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, France, on Saturday.

(AP Photo/Michel Euler) scored late before Mbappe emulated the great Fontaine — the all-time leading scorer in a single World Cup with 13 goals in ‘58.

The second-place finisher enters the playoffs and Finland has a chance, although it next hosts rampant France.

The Finns won 3-1 at Bosnia and Herzegovina despite playing more than 50 minutes with a player less to move above Ukraine and into second place.

The home side was missing all-time 60-goal top scorer Edin Dzeko through injury and lacked a cutting edge.

GROUP E There was no Romelu Lukaku up front for Belgium as he recovers from a minor injury, so Christian Benteke stepped in and put his side ahead against Estonia after 11 minutes.

Aaron Ramsey was even quicker, taking three minutes to put Wales 1-0 up and Liverpool defender Neco Williams doubled the

lead in the 20th. Ramsey ‘s penalty made it 3-0 shortly after the break.

Yannick Carrasco and Thorgan Hazard netted second-half goals for Belgium, while goals from Ben Davies and Conner Roberts capped a fine night for Wales — which next hosts Belgium. Gareth Bale made his 100th appearance for Wales GROUP G Turkey profited from Norway’s slip to move into second and the playoff spot on goal difference after rocking Gibraltar 6-0.

Veteran striker Burak Yilmaz did not score but Galatasaray marksman Halil Dervisoglu — 15 years his junior — netted twice.

Norway missed star striker Erling Haaland because of a hip injury and failed to break down Latvia at home in a 0-0 draw.

Depay’s penalty put the Netherlands ahead midway through the first half and he tucked away a rightwing cross from Denzel

Dumfries with a backheel at the front post in the 54th to reach 37 international goals.

Turkey has a narrow +1 advantage over Norway on goal difference heading into their final group games on Tuesday, where scoring could prove crucial.

Norway travels to the Netherlands without the prolific Haaland and Montenegro hosts Turkey.

France, Germany, Belgium and Denmark are among the eventual 10 European group winners.

The 10 group runners-up will be joined in the playoffs by two teams which won a Nations League group last year.

Runners-up with the six best records will play at home first in the semifinals.

FIFA will make the playoffs draw on November 26 in Zurich.

The three winners of the playoffs finals on March 29 will complete the lineup of 13 European teams present in Qatar.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, November 15, 2021, PAGE 17

Medvedev and Zverev win, Berrettini injured at ATP Finals

BADOSA QUALIFIES TO LAST 4 AT WTA FINALS

TURIN, Italy (AP) — Strong serving and consistent baseline play propelled US Open champion Daniil Medvedev to a 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4 win over first-time qualifier Hubert Hurkacz in the opening match of the ATP Finals yesterday.

In the day’s second match, 2018 champion Alexander Zverev won when local favourite Matteo Berrettini of Italy retired early in the second set with an apparent abdominal injury.

Zverev won the first set 7-6 (7) and was leading 1-0 in the second when Berrettini dropped his racket to the ground, covered his face and bent over in apparent pain.

The result moved Zverev ahead of Medvedev atop the Red Group in the round-robin format.

Medvedev, the defending champion at the year-end tournament for the top eight players, served 15

GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) — Paula Badosa extended her winning streak to eight matches on Saturday with a 7-6 (4), 6-4 victory over Maria Sakkari to qualify for the semifinals at the WTA Finals.

After edging Sakkari, the 23-year-old from Spain had to wait for the result of the late match between Iga Swiatek and top seed Aryna Sabalenka, who prevailed 2-6, 6-2 and 7-5, to see if she advanced to the semifinals as the top player in her group.

“It was quite a tough match. I served well. I fought for every point. I knew was going to be a battle against Maria”, said Badosa. “I think I stayed aggressive. I was moving well. When you win these kind of matches you have to do a little bit of everything well”.

The WTA Finals, cancelled last year because of the pandemic, are played in a round-robin format with the top two players from each group of four moving on to the semifinals. Anett Kontaveit has already secured a semifinal place after winning both her opening matches in the other group.

The semifinals will be played on Tuesday and the final is set for Wednesday at the Centro Panamericano de Tenis in Zapopan, a suburb of Guadalajara, the second largest city in Mexico.

Badosa, ranked No. 63 a year ago, is having a breakthrough season. She won the first two titles of her career in 2021 (Belgrade and Indian Wells) and is among the six players to have made their top-10 debut this season.

“To be honest, I’m quite new. I was 70, 80 in the world at the beginning of the year. I think I got my first top 10 win maybe four months ago, and I needed experience”, Badosa said.

“When I got that experience, all of that things, it went well. I think I’m quite competitive. I think I needed a little bit to adjust myself, to be here and play these kind of matches, to learn”.

Swiatek, Sakkari, Kontaveit and Barbora Krejcikova, all of them playing at this tournament, are the others along with Ons Jabeur who narrowly missed out on a place in Guadalajara.

“I think it was a very high-level match from both of us. Even though I lost, that gives me a lot of confidence for my last match in the round-robin”, said Sakkari. “I haven’t seen any combinations or anything.

I know that I’ll give myself a better chance if I win the next match. I’m just going to focus on that. Anything else, it’s just irrelevant at the moment.”

Sakkari will play Sabalenka today for the last remaning semifinal berth.

aces and didn’t face a single break point against the seventh-seeded Hurkacz, who beat him in five sets at Wimbledon this year.

Medvedev attributed his strong serving performance to conditions he called the fastest he’s ever experienced on tour.

“I don’t think it’s the surface itself because (the) surface probably is exactly the same as in London,” the Russian said, referring to the previous tournament host.

“I think it’s a combination of air, which is really dry here, and I think the ball goes very fast through the air, the balls itself, which are quite fast balls, and the court.

“I was barely under pressure on my serve against a great returner,” Medvedev added. “And same for me, I had just two games where I had break points.”

It’s the first edition of the event in Turin — after 12 years in London.

DANIL MEDVEDEV, of Russia, returns the ball to Hubert Hurkaz of Poland during their ATP World Tour Finals singles tennis match, at the Pala Alpitour in Turin, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Luca Bruno) In the Green Group, top-ranked Novak Djokovic opens against eighth-seeded Casper Ruud today, then fourthseeded Stefanos Tsitsipas plays fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev.

With both players serving well inside the Pala

Alpitour, neither Medvedev nor Hurkacz produced a break point in the first set, when Hurkacz’s strong net play proved the difference in the tiebreaker.

Medvedev responded with an early break in the second set then broke again in the first game of

the third as he methodically wore Hurkacz down.

“Daniil is an amazing player and he plays great tennis for the whole match,” Hurkacz said.

“He doesn’t have dips in his game, so that makes him such a tough opponent.”

Berrettini, this year’s Wimbledon finalist, was treated by a trainer during a medical timeout. Then he played one more point before calling it quits.

“This is probably the worst moment in his career,” Zverev said, noting that Berrettini was playing in his home country.

Zverev saved two set points at 5-6 in a long first set, with the crowd erupting into soccer stadium chants whenever Berrettini won big points.

Jannik Sinner, another Italian, is the first alternate and could replace Berrettini for the next two group matches.

Alcaraz beats Korda in straight sets to win Next Gen Finals

By DANIELLA MATAR Associated Press MILAN (AP) — Just as he had done all week, Carlos Alcaraz dominated in Milan to beat Sebastian Korda of the United States and win the Next Gen ATP Finals on Saturday, capping a brilliant season for the Spanish teenager.

The top-seeded Alcaraz seemed to take a while to find his proper rhythm and had to save a number of break points in his first two service games of the final.

But once the 18-year-old was in his stride there was no turning back as he saw off Korda 4-3 (5), 4-2, 4-2 in 82 minutes.

And Alcaraz swiftly turned his mind to loftier ambitions.

“Great players like Stefanos (Tsitsipas), Jannik (Sinner) have won this tournament but winning this tournament doesn’t mean anything if you don’t combine it with hard work, with discipline that you need to achieve your dreams,” Alcaraz said.

“My dream is to become No. 1 in the world, so I work hard for that.

“And above and beyond winning this tournament, the truth is that I continue to be focused on my dream which is to become No. 1 in the world,” Alcaraz insisted.

Alcaraz will be looking to make it in rapid-quick time after coming on in leaps and bounds this season. He had just one

SPAIN’S CARLOS ALCARAZ, inset holding trophy, returns the ball to United States’ Sebastian Korda during the ATP Next Gen final tennis tournament in Milan, Italy, on Saturday.

(AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) tour-level win coming into than what his ranking is. by Korda in the fifth game so I had to play my best in 2021. He now has 32.

He won’t be in that spot for of the third set but that those moments.”

Victory in Milan saw long,” said Korda, who is only delayed the inevitable Both Korda and Alcaraz Alcaraz become the young- ranked number 39. as he won on his third, with had won all four of their est player to achieve that After beating Korda, a smash at the net. matches in the tournament number of wins in a season Alcaraz immediately ran “It is amazing,” Alcaraz for the top 21-and-under since Andrei Medvedev over to hug his coach — said. players on the ATP Tour. went 32-11 in 1992 when he former top-ranked Juan “To be able to win this Alcaraz had only dropped was 18.

Carlos Ferrero. tournament means a lot to one set all week — in the Alcaraz has moved “He is everything for me. I am so excited right third group game, after more than 100 places up me. I owe him everything,” now and emotional. I was he had already secured a the rankings this season Alcaraz said when asked very, very nervous at the semifinal spot. They were to a career-high No. 32 about his coach in an on- start. also the first Spaniard and and reached the US Open court interview.

“I had to be calm to save American to make the quarterfinals. “He’s defiAlcaraz had seen two the break points. I know final, in the fourth edition nitely playing a lot better championship points saved Korda is serving very well, of the tournament.

AMERICAN TOMMY PAUL WINS 1ST ATP TITLE AT STOCKHOLM OPEN STOCKHOLM (AP) — Tommy Paul won the first ATP Tour title of his career, beating Denis Shapovalov 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 to capture the Stockholm Open on Saturday.

The American player concluded the week of his life as a professional — during which he beat Andy Murray and compatriots Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe — by closing into the net on the back of a big first serve and hitting a winner on his third championship point.

Paul — wearing his cap back to front — only won two of his 12 break points against the defending champion, the big one coming at 4-4 in the third set when, at 0-40, he stretched to send a backhand down the line that Shapovalov of Canada couldn’t return at the net.

“It took my best tennis to beat Denis,” Paul said. “It’s

TOMMY PAUL, of the US, gestures as he plays Canada’s Denis Shapovalov, during the men’s final match of the ATP Stockholm Open tennis tournament in Stockholm on Saturday.

(Jonas Ekstromer/TT via AP) the most fun I’ve had playing a tennis tournament.”

The No. 52-ranked Paul is assured of breaking into the world’s top 50 after this week. He won the boys’ singles title at the French Open in 2015.

“It was just a matter of time when he got a week like this,” said Shapovalov, who was defending the title he won in 2019.

The 2020 event was cancelled because of the coronavirus outbreak.

PAGE 18, Monday, November 15, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Rozier helps Hornets end Warriors’ winning streak at 7 CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Terry Rozier had a big jump-ball win and made two late free throws to help the Charlotte Hornets snap the Golden State Warriors’ winning streak at seven, 106-102 last night.

Draymond Green tied up Rozier at midcourt with 17 seconds left, forcing a jump ball at midcourt. The 6-foot-1 Rozier outleaped the 6-foot-6 Green and the Hornets controlled the jump, bringing the crowd to its feet.

The Warriors were forced to foul and Rozier and he made both free throws with 12.7 seconds to make it a two-possession game.

Golden State missed its final two shots.

Rozier finished with 20 points, Miles Bridges had 22, LaMelo Ball added 21, and Cody Martin had 12 points and eight rebounds.

The Hornets have won three straight after a fivegame skid.

Andrew Wiggins scored 28 points for Golden State, and Stephen Curry added 24 points and 10 assists in his annual homecoming game. Coming off an eight-game homestand, the Warriors dropped to 11-2.

LAKERS 114, SPURS 106 LOS ANGELES (AP) — Anthony Davis had 34 points and 15 rebounds and Los Angeles beat San Antonio.

Talen Horton-Tucker scored 17 points in his season debut for the Lakers, and Carmelo Anthony and Wayne Ellington each had 15 points.

Los Angeles led by 14 points in the second half, then held on improve to 3-3 since LeBron James was sidelined November 4 because of an abdominal strain. The Lakers have won four overall games this season without James.

Davis had the big game two days after the Lakers were humbled by 24 points in a home loss to Minnesota, with the All-Star forward saying afterward the performance was “embarrassing” and that the team lacked effort in a deciding third quarter.

Dejounte Murray had a triple-double for the Spurs with 22 points with 10 rebounds and 10 assists.

Keldon Johnson scored 24 points.

NETS 120, THUNDER 96 OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Kevin Durant

KAI Jones and his fellow 2021 NBA Draft Class of the Charlotte Hornets have all been assigned to the NBA G League after playing sparingly through the first 13 games of the NBA season. Jones made his debut with the Hornets’ G League affiliate, the Greensboro Storm, in Saturday night’s 111-104 loss to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (Houston Rockets affiliate) at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex in Greensboro, North Carolina.

KAI JONES WARRIORS guard Stephen Curry (30) defends against Hornets forward Gordon Hayward yesterday. scored 33 points to help Brooklyn beat Oklahoma City.

Durant played eight seasons in Oklahoma City, winning four scoring titles and an MVP award and leading the Thunder to the NBA Finals once before joining Golden State in 2016. He was booed during pregame warmups and whenever he touched the ball early.

Patty Mills scored 29 points and made a careerhigh nine 3-pointers, and James Harden added 16 points and 13 assists.

Brooklyn has won eight of nine.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 23 points for the Thunder.

HAWKS 120, BUCKS 100 ATLANTA (AP) — Trae Young scored a season-best 42 points and Atlanta snapped a sixgame losing streak, beating Milwaukee in an Eastern Conference final rematch.

Young just missed a triple-double, finishing with 10 assists and eight rebounds to push the Hawks to a much-needed victory.

Despite the return of two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, the NBA champion Bucks lost for the seventh time in 10 games. Antetokounmpo scored 26 points in his return to the lineup after missing a game with a sprained right ankle. Jrue Holiday had 19 points.

SUNS 115, ROCKETS 89 HOUSTON (AP) — Devin Booker had 26 points and six assists and Phoenix won its eighth straight game and handed

GOLDEN State Warriors guard Jordan Poole (3) is defended by Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (2) during the second half yesterday in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photos/Matt Kelley)

LOS Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis, right, goes up against San Antonio Spurs guard Derrick White during the first half yesterday in Los Angeles.

(AP Photo/Alex Gallardo) Houston its 11th loss in a row.

Booker had 16 points in the first quarter, and

finished 9 of 23 from the field. JaVale McGee added 19 points and 14 rebounds, Chris Paul had 15 points

and seven steals, and Mikal Bridges had 14 points and six rebounds.

Christian Wood had 17 points and eight rebounds for Houston. The Rockets are an NBA-worst 1-12.

NUGGETS 124, TRAIL BLAZERS 95 DENVER (AP) — Nikola Jokic just missed out on his third straight triple-double, finishing with 28 points, nine rebounds and nine assists, and Denver spoiled Chauncey Billups’ hometown return as Portland’s coach.

Billups, a Denver native who had two playing stints with the Nuggets, lost his head coaching debut in his hometown without star Damian Lillard. Lillard was out with what the team called a lower abdominal tendinopathy.

CJ McCollum led Portland with 21 points.

FROM PAGE 13

The Swarm are celebrating their fifth season of G League basketball. The team’s roster also includes rookies JT Thor and Scottie Lewis and Hornets Summer League standout LiAngelo Ball, the 14th overall pick in the G League Draft.

In the preseason, Jones averaged 9.8 points and 9.4 rebounds in 28.1 minutes per game.

In his debut, he finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, a blocked shot in his team’s 93-86 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. He also added nine points and a team high 16 rebounds in the Hornets’ 80-79 loss to the Toronto Raptors.

The NBA’s official minor league, the NBA G League prepares players, coaches, officials, trainers and frontoffice staff for the NBA while acting as the league’s research and development laboratory. Featuring 29 teams, 28 with direct affiliations to NBA franchises for 2021-22, the league offers elite professional basketball at an affordable price in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere.

This season, teams will compete in the innovative Showcase Cup, a 14-game competition culminating at the NBA G League Winter Showcase from December 19-22. After the Showcase Cup, team records will reset and a 36-game regular season will begin with teams split up into Eastern and Western Conferences.

The NBA G League Playoffs presented by Google Pixel commence on April 5 and will conclude with the NBA G League Finals presented by YouTube TV.

76ERS LOSE AGAIN WITHOUT INJURED EMBIID, FALLING TO PACERS INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Justin Holiday came off the bench to score a season-high 27 points in the Indiana Pacers’ 118-113 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night.

Philadelphia centre Joel Embiid missed his fourth consecutive game after testing positive for COVID-19 on Monday. The 76ers have lost all four games.

Holiday was 9 of 11 from the field. Malcolm Brogdon had a triple-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Myles Turner added 20 points, and Domantas Sabonis had 18 points and 12 rebounds.

Tobias Harris led the 76ers with a season-high 32 points on 10-of-22 shooting.

Tyrese Maxey added 24.

HEAT 111, JAZZ 105 SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Tyler Herro had 27 points and eight rebounds to help Miami beat Utah.

Duncan Robinson made six 3-pointers and added 22 points. Kyle Lowry had 21. Miami swept the season series with the Jazz and snapped a three-game losing streak.

Bojan Bogdanovic scored 26 points –19 coming in the fourth quarter – for Utah.

Jordan Clarkson added 25 points, and Donovan Mitchell had 22.

The Jazz lost for the fourth time in five games.

CAVALIERS 91, CELTICS 89 CLEVELAND (AP) — Darius Garland made two free throws with 9.4 seconds left and Cleveland rallied from 19 points down in the third quarter to beat Boston to open a two-game set.

Dennis Schroder had an opportunity to force overtime for Boston, but missed a jumper from the right baseline as time expired.

There were five lead changes and seven ties in the final seven minutes.

The teams will meet again today at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

Garland finished with 22 points and six assists, and rookie Evan Mobley had 19 points, nine rebounds and three blocks.

Cleveland has won six of its last seven and is off to its best start in five years at 9-5. Schroder scored 28 points.

CLIPPERS 129, TIMBERWOLVES 102 LOS ANGELES (AP) — Paul George scored 23 points, Reggie Jackson added 21 points and Los Angeles routed Minnesota for its seventh victory in a row.

Ivica Zubac had 10 points and 12 rebounds, Eric

INDIANA Pacers forward Justin Holiday (8) shoots over Philadelphia 76ers guard Shake Milton (18) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, on Saturday. The Pacers defeated the 76ers 118-113.

(AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Bledsoe had 14 points and nine assists and George had nine rebounds for the Clippers.

Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 21 points and nine rebounds.

D’Angelo Russell and Jaden McDaniels had 15 points each. Karl-Anthony

Towns was held to eight points on 3-of-11 shooting.

PELICANS 112, GRIZZLIES 101 NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Nickeil AlexanderWalker scored 21 points, Brandon Ingram returned from a seven-game absence to add 19 and New Orleans

beat Memphis to snap a nine-game losing streak.

The victory was the first at home this season for the Pelicans, who had lost 12 of their first 13 games playing without Zion Williamson, sidelined with a broken right foot. Dillon Brooks led Memphis with 23 points.

Ja Morant had 22.

WIZARRDS 104, MAGIC 92 ORLANDO, Florida (AP) — Spencer Dinwiddie scored 23 points, Montrezl Harrell added 20 and Washington used a 20-0 first-half run to beat Orlando.

Kyle Kuzma added 17 points and 10 rebounds to help Washington improve to 9-3 for the first time since the 2014-15 season.

Orlando’s Cole Anthony scored 22 points, but he made just 4 of 16 shots.

PISTONS 127, RAPTORS 121 TORONTO (AP) — Jerami Grant scored 24 points, Isaiah Stewart had 20 and Detroit used a big fourth quarter to beat short-handed Toronto.

Killian Hayes had 13 points and 10 assists, Saddiq Bey scored 16 points, Josh Jackson had 15 points and Frank Jackson added 14.

The Pistons shot 6 for 8 from 3-point range in the fourth, outscoring Toronto 34-26 in the final period.

Pascal Siakam fouled out with 25 points and 12 rebounds, Gary Trent Jr. scored 23 points and OG Anunoby had 17 for the Raptors.

Toronto lost for the fourth time in five games and dropped to 2-6 at home.

PAGE 20, Monday, November 15, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

AUSTRALIA celebrate with the trophy after they won the Cricket Twenty20 World Cup final match against New Zealand in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, yesterday.

Australia won by eight wickets.

(AP Photo/ Kamran Jebreili)

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Australia wins its first T20 World Cup DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Mitchell Marsh and player-of-thetournament David Warner smashed half centuries as Australia won its first cricket T20 World Cup with an eight-wicket victory over New Zealand in the final yesterday.

New Zealand lost the allimportant toss and scored 172-4.

Skipper Kane Williamson, dropped on 21, led the way by scoring 85 off 48 balls, but his team was pegged back by Josh Hazlewood, who finished with impressive figures of 3-16 from four overs.

Marsh, who pulled fast bowler Adam Milne for a six over fine leg off the first ball he faced, smashed an unbeaten 77 off 50 balls and Warner made 53 off 38 as Australia reached 173-2 in 18.5 overs. The victory also ensured Australia kept intact its unbeaten record against the Black Caps in a knockout game since 1981.

“This is huge, to be the first Australia team to do it, so proud of how the guys went about the campaign,” Australian captain Aaron Finch said. “Can’t believe people wrote him (Warner) off a couple of weeks ago, it was almost like poking the bear, (and Mitch Marsh), what a way to start, put pressure on from the start.”

Marsh and Warner powered Australia’s solid run-chase with a 92-run second wicket stand, after coming together on 15-1, before Marsh and Glenn Maxwell (28 not out) featured in another solid half-century partnership to take Australia home.

Earlier, Hazlewood got the key wicket of in-form Daryl Mitchell (11) with a brilliant slower ball in an impressive three-over spell of powerplay as the Black Caps crawled to 57-1 by the halfway stage of their innings.

But Williamson, dropped

by Hazlewood at fine leg, cut loose against fast bowler Mitchell Starc, who returned 0-60 — the most expensive figures in a T20 World Cup final.

Williamson smashed seven of his 10 boundaries against Starc besides hitting the left-arm fast bowler for one of his three sixes.

Hazlewood returned in the

18th over and had both Glenn Phillips (18) and Williamson caught in the deep in the space of four balls.

Australia had successfully chased down a 177-run target against Pakistan in the semifinal match at Dubai, and a drier pitch made things easier for the likes of Marsh and Warner.

Both batters dictated the New Zealand seamers on a dry wicket despite Finch (5) holing out at deep midwicket off a short delivery from Trent Boult (2-18).

New Zealand’s hopes of Ish Sodhi striking in the middle overs didn’t work out with both Marsh and Warner dominating the legspinner, who conceded 40 off his three overs.

Boult returned and clean bowled Warner, but had a night to forget when he couldn’t hold onto a return catch off his last ball of the spell with Australia needing just 15 for victory off 19 balls.

New Zealand’s 172 was the same total which it had successfully defended against Scotland in a group game at the same venue earlier this month.

The other 12 games in the tournament at Dubai International Cricket Stadium were won by teams which batted second.

And Australia is not Scotland.

“They’re (Australia) a fantastic side, had a brilliant campaign and came out and turned it on,” said Williamson, whose team had knocked out England with a five-wicket victory in the semifinals. “Credit to the way Australia chased it, they didn’t give us an inch.

Wasn’t to be today, but proud of how we’ve operated ... there are only two possible outcomes, shame we couldn’t get the job done.”

The New Zealanders have still never won a title in one of the ICC’s whiteball World Cups.

In 2019, New Zealand and England met at Lord’s in the final of the 50-over World Cup. Neither team had ever won the trophy.

The final finished in an unprecedented tie, and the outcome couldn’t be decided after a tiebreaker — a so-called Super Over.

England was awarded the title on a boundary count.