11172021 NEWS, SPORT AND BUSINESS

PUZZLER WEDNESDAY

McRib HIGH 82ºF LOW 74ºF

i’m lovin’ it!

CARS! CARS!

The Tribune

Volume: 118 No.246, November 17, 2021

Established 1903

Biggest And Best!

L AT E S T

N E W S

CLASSIFIEDS TRADER

O N

T R I B U N E 2 4 2 . C O M

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: PRICE–$1

ROAD RAGE VICTIM FIGHTING FOR LIFE

Footage reveals full horror of beating and driver’s ‘attack’

By RASHAD ROLLE and EARYEL BOWLEG NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe said yesterday the attack on a woman who was beaten in the street and struck by a car shown in a viral video that has sparked outrage around the country is “completely unacceptable”.

Police confirmed they have a man in custody in connection with the incident, which took place on Key West Street on Monday afternoon.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Audley Peters said yesterday the woman in the video is in critical condition.

The video shows a man dragging and beating the woman—who was holding a young child at the beginning of the attack—in the street before running her over with his car. Police said it was a domestic dispute. “...The videos that I saw with a woman being beaten and then ran over at high speed, I would call that

SERENE SIENNA IN AN intimate ceremony at the Balmoral Club on Sunday night, Sienna Evans was crowned the new Miss Bahamas World. She was selected as the new queen during a private screening process and will be representing the country at the 70th Miss World pageant in Puerto Rico on December 16.

(Photo/Miss Bahamas Organisation)

THE Coalition for Concerned Citizens is urging the Grand Bahama Port Authority not to approve Grand Bahama Power Company’s application for a rate increase in electricity.

The GBPA is the regulator for the sector.

- SEE PAGE EIGHT

‘REVENUE RISE FRUIT OF FNM’S POLICIES’

FORMER State Minister for Finance Kwasi Thompson said the former Minnis administration’s fiscal strategy is bearing fruit, citing a recent report that found that revenue performance surpassed $550 million in the first quarter of the fiscal year 2021/2022.

In a statement issued yesterday, he said the Free National Movement is SEE PAGE FIVE

SEE PAGE THREE

BETHEL JOINS BRANVILLE AS CONSULTANT

COALITION TO STOP GB POWER PRICE INCREASE

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

ALICIA WALLACE - WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHY GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE EXISTS AND ONLY THEN PLAN HOW TO TACKLE IT

Pastor Eddie Victor, with his wife, Margo Victor, and Senator Kirkland Russell, say the Power Company/ EMERA has made a significant increase in profits year after year on the backs of struggling residents and businesses in Grand Bahama.

“The intention of EMERA and GBPC is to

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

SEE PAGE TWO

‘YOU RISK CAREER TAKING PUBLIC BOARD JOB’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE National Sports Authority’s (NSA) exchairman has warned “you risk your career to serve your country” when sitting on Boards at governmentowned agencies.

Burton Rodgers spoke out as he disputed findings by the Auditor General’s Office that he signed-off on the purchase of a vehicle for the Authority “without the approval of other Board members”.

He told Tribune Business

BURTON Rodgers he was “directed” by Lanisha Rolle, the former minister of youth, sports and culture, to acquire a white Kia Soluto Sedan for use by the

Authority’s financial controller on the basis that the provision of a vehicle was included in the latter’s employment contract.

Revealing that the financial controller had been hired

by Mrs Rolle, who resigned in controversial circumstances in February 2021, the former chairman said he had been unaware of the vehicle commitment until she issued her directive. Subsequent checks confirmed the National Sports Authority was obligated to provide a car.

SEE BUSINESS SECTION

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

EX-ATTORNEY general Carl Bethel QC has teamed up with Branville McCartney’s law firm as part of an expansion drive to help it cope with increased business volumes.

The former Democratic National Alliance (DNA) leader last night confirmed to Tribune Business that Mr Bethel has joined his Halsbury Chambers law firm as senior legal consultant, saying he “brings a wealth of knowledge” obtained by practicing law for 36 years.

SEE BUSINESS SECTION

TECHNOLOGY HUMAN-STYLE EYES FOR ROBOTS

- SEE PAGE NINE

PAGE 2, Wednesday, November 17, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

COALITION TO STOP GB POWER PRICE INCREASE FROM PAGE ONE

increase the rates of electricity during the worst time in the history of Grand Bahama,” Pastor Victor said yesterday.

“EMERA has already reported to their shareholders that they expect to receive an increase in the electricity rate. But how is this so when the application is still pending based on consultation with the public?”

Pastor Victor said the government has already indicated it would not support any rate increase in electricity in Grand Bahama. He also added residents, businesses and the hotel and tourism industry are also opposed to it.

Referring to an article published in Monday’s Tribune Business, Mr Victor noted GBPC is seeking returns of close to 13 percent in its proposed revision to Grand Bahama’s electricity tariff.

Mr Victor pointed out

the article stated that in the disclosure made in financial filings by EMERA, the company confirmed it expects the GBPA will decide on whether to approve its application before year-end.

EMERA tripled its profits in the third quarter of 2021, jumping from $1m to $3m, and quadrupled for the year to date, jumping from $2m to $8m for the first nine months of 2021.

Even though the company is making profits, Pastor Victor said GBPC is still seeking an increase in electricity rates at a time when the island’s economy and social conditions are worse than they have ever been.

“The people are burdened with an increase in prices at the stores, for services and taxes. The unemployment in Grand Bahama we believe is just under 50 percent. It is in this backdrop of these facts, that any proposal for an

increase in the electricity rate is unacceptable and should be rejected by the people of GB,” he said.

Mrs Victor said Grand Bahamians are slowly falling below substandard living.

She said that profits are not the only thing that businesses should be concerned with, but also about improving the quality of life for those they serve in the community.

“If people can no longer turn on their AC, use their water heater, and some do not even have power, then you are no longer solving the problem in this community. Supporting baseball teams and having employee Christmas parties is not enough,” she stressed.

Mrs Victor also said: “Right now, there are too many dark spots, is that what you want your legacy to be? To turn this island into black holes, into areas where there is no power, and where people no

FROM LEFT: Senator Kirkland Russell, Pastor Eddie Victor and Margo Victor. Photo: Vandyke Hepburn

longer have the necessity of power?

“We are calling for a shift and a major change in the leadership to become good stewards in what you have been given charge over,” she said.

Senator Russell, a veteran trade union leader, and an executive member of CCC, commended the government for its swift response not to support any rate hike by GBPC/ EMERA. “I thank the Prime Minister for his decision to appoint a five-man team comprised of substantive ministers to review

and address that matter of power on Grand Bahama with GBPA and EMERA,” he said.

Mr Russell said it is time that GBPA demonstrates its commitment to the people of Grand Bahama, which has experienced many years of hurricanes dating back to 2004, and more recently in 2019.

“This is absolutely not the time to discuss a rate hike. We should be joining hands… to work with the government to see how we can shift the direction of this island.

“We need to be… not putting pressure and

burden on the backs of the people,” Senator Russell said.

Mr Russell called on the regulatory board to vote “no” to the GBPC’s application for a proposed increase in electricity rate.

Pastor Victor encouraged residents to call the GBPA at 350-9000 or email them at info@gbpa.com and request the regulator to vote “no” to any increase in rates of electricity.

The CCC is also urging residents to attend a virtual town meeting on Tuesday, November 23, at 7 pm via Zoom at 878 0234 269, or their Facebook page.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, November 17, 2021, PAGE 3

‘ISSUES OF RESOURCING’ AT POLICE INSPECTORATE

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe said yesterday he is not satisfied that the Police Inspectorate, a civilian organisation that should provide oversight of the Complaints and Corruption Unit of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, has been adequately carrying out its functions, citing resource issues.

The Inspectorate was established in 2009. It has the power to review how the RBDF handles complaints from residents. However, little is known about the body’s work since the Police Act was passed in 2009.

Speaking to reporters ahead of a Cabinet meeting yesterday, Mr Munroe said: “I did meet with the Police Inspectorate, I think it would’ve been last week.

They briefed me on their progress. As I suspected, there were issues of resourcing in terms of resources for them. One of their members died, one of their members never showed up and so we had a very fruitful meeting where they will go and present a report as to proper structure, as to resource needs and then I will bring that to Cabinet to make sure they are resourced to do their jobs.”

In its annual human rights report, the United States has frequently highlighted the lack of information surrounding the Inspectorate’s activities.

The body is currently chaired by Tanya McCartney.

Mr Munroe said the current iteration of the Inspectorate fulfilled its mandate only in a limited way.

“They were able to do it within the context of the resources available to them,” he said.

“They did request information, they did review information but the fullness of what their function is they were not satisfied that they were able to discharge it. I’m not satisfied that they were able to discharge it.

“It really is a matter of resourcing the body properly to do its job properly so that it could give advice on, one, a proper complaints process and updating of that; two it can set timelines for when things should happen and ensure the public can know about their complaints with the system and then, three, it’s an audit on the system, so having a place where people can complain if their matters aren’t moving as they ought to move.

“Also, once they are properly resourced, getting an account of all the matters so they can compare whether punishment and treatment is consistent across all matters. So they’re very alive to the completeness of their functions but they have been hampered by resources and I’m going to do my best to get them the resources they need to properly do their jobs.”

BAHAMIAN MAN KILLED IN OHIO A BAHAMIAN man was killed in Ohio after a gunman shot him in the head through the window of his home, according to US reports.

The victim, Clement J Smith Jr, was found dead lying on a bed in a bedroom of the house around 9.30pm Saturday, WHIO7 reported on its website.

The local US outlet reported that police believe Smith was targeted and don’t believe it was a random shooting.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that Smith, 21, is a Bahamian citizen.

“According to the Sidney Police Department, investigations continue into the shooting death of Mr Smith which occurred at a residence where he was located,” the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry extended condolences to Smith’s family and to the Devils Point community in Cat Island.

According to US reports, no arrests have been made in the incident

THE SCENE of the incident on Key West Street on Monday.

Road rage victim fighting for life FROM PAGE ONE more than a domestic dispute,” Mr Munroe told reporters ahead of a Cabinet meeting.

“You think of a domestic dispute as a row, that’s much more than a row.

There is some concern that as people are locked up together tensions can flare but at the moment the country is open. Regardless of what stresses of life (are) upsetting you, there is no excuse for that kind of violence towards each other. I’m not interested in any excuse about money problems, about the woman troubling you, about her rowing, you just walk away.

“This is some of what I’ve spoken about which is what we have to address ourselves, our behaviour.

That’s completely, completely unacceptable. When I was raised I was raised that you didn’t hit women.

That’s much more than hitting a woman, so we have to address again as I say the socialisation of persons. We have to address the anger that seems to be rampant in this country but that’s completely unacceptable.”

CCTV footage of Monday’s incident showed a man dragging a woman towards his car and hitting her as she lies in the street while clutching a young child before bystanders intervened. A bystander removed the child from the woman’s arms and the woman remained on the

ground.

The assailant then drove away before returning a few seconds later, hitting the woman with his car as bystanders scrambled to get out of the way. One woman tried unsuccessfully to drag the woman out of the car’s path.

Police said after the man hit the woman with his car, he dragged her body a short distance before he crashed into a parked car.

The assailant’s car overturned and he exited the vehicle and tried to flee the scene but was restrained by bystanders who held him until police arrived.

The video prompted widespread outrage yesterday.

Transport and Housing Minister Jobeth Colbey Davis said on Twitter: “I just saw the video! What is going on? I am completely outraged! This type of treatment must be condemned by all. Women, men, boys and girls, we must join our voices in the fight against domestic violence. So blatant, my goodness.”

The founder of a local women’s rights group called for stiffer penalties for perpetrators who hurt women and children.

Prodesta Moore, president and founder of Women United, told The Tribune she is “outraged” and in “disbelief”.

“I can’t even express the words from just seeing the video,” she said. “I’m in disbelief when I saw that, to

TRANSPORT and Housing Minister Jobeth Colbey Davis.

Photo: Racardo Thomas/Tribune staff see how this man dragged this woman out and then in turn got his car then hit her.”

Ms Moore said laws protecting women and children need to be strengthened. “….When we talk about petitioning the government to bring back the death penalty people don’t understand quite necessary

NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe.

Photo: Racardo Thomas/ Tribune staff

and it’s because of this now people don’t understand and it’s because of this now people are getting away with these kind of violence against our children, the reason why they’re doing it because the laws are not stiff enough. The penalty is not severe enough to fit the crime.”

She added: “… We need

to define what’s the worst of the worst because when we continue to allow people to get away and get a slap on the wrist but just in the system for periods of time.

Talk about ten years, come out and monitoring them – it’s not sufficient. “…We have to make sure the sentencing fits the crime. We have to make sure that these cases are dealt with swiftly. So we’re hoping that we can have the sexual offenders court because we don’t know the story behind whatever has happened. We don’t know if it’s a sexual offence or just domestic violence… We have a gender-based violence bill that we’re trying to get passed.”

Capital punishment is on the country’s law books, however, it has not been carried out since 2000.

A 2006 decision by the London-based Privy Council, The Bahamas’ highest court of appeal, quashed the country’s mandatory death penalty for murder convicts, which it said was unconstitutional.

In 2011, the Privy Council also said the death penalty should only be given in cases where the offence falls into the category of the “worst of the worst.”

That same year, the Ingraham administration made changes to the Penal Code to set out the criteria for the types of murders that would attract a discretionary death penalty after conviction.

Police cited some attendees of Carnival bubble event

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe said police cited some attendees of a Carnival bubble event that happened over the weekend.

However, he could not specify what the citations were for.

“I’ve seen a video,” he told reporters outside of Cabinet, “and I was advised by the Commissioner of Police that there was an event at, I think, Breezes, that when the vehicles were leaving the patrons left the property and followed the vehicles.

“That came to the attention of the police who investigated and issued citations. I cannot say what the citations were for, but I can say the report is that all of the persons that were behind the vehicle were persons who had been in the bubble so they were persons who were vaccinated or had a test done at the site.

“I wasn’t made aware as to what the citations were for.”

Those attending left the bubble to dance in the street behind a truck that was playing music.

Several Carnival bubble

events, including a concert, were held at the Breezes all-inclusive resort on the weekend.

Health Minister Dr Michael Darville recently said officials are considering vaccination bubbles for some events.

“We are now in Cabinet finalising the two pieces of regulations under the current Health Management Act which will guide us on how we put new rules in place because we’ve made it very clear that on the 13th of November the emergency orders will fall away and we would have to have legislation in place,” he said at a press conference in late October.

“Now, this has been brought up because there’s some events that are coming to the country, sporting events, and we know from other parts of the world they can create a bubble and so our team is looking at ways how we can create a similar environment for these types of events.

“It’s not completed and we want to ensure that we do not hinder our tourism sector and our economic growth, but we want to ensure that the safety of every Bahamian is paramount in the legislation that we’ll bring forth.”

PAGE 4, Wednesday, November 17, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

MP ‘HAS DOCUMENT TO PROVE HE IS NO LONGER US CITIZEN’

YOUTH, Sports and Culture Minister Mario Bowleg speaking yesterday.

PHOTO: Racardo Thomas/Tribune staff

By TANYA SMITH-CARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunmedia.net A PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party Member of Parliament has defended himself against allegations that he has not renounced his American citizenship as required by law when one runs for public office.

John Pinder, PLP MP for Central and South Abaco, told The Tribune yesterday he has a document dated July 29, 2021 which proves he is no longer a citizen of the United States and is now strictly a citizen of The Bahamas.

During the general election campaign, there were rumblings from the now opposition Free National Movement on the dual citizenship of Mr Pinder and the fact that he had to renounce one to be in compliance with Bahamian law.

On Monday, The Tribune explored the US Quarterly Publication of Individuals Who Have Chosen to Expatriate on federalregister.gov.

The notice, which was posted November 15, 2021, contains the name of each individual losing United States citizenship “with respect to whom the Secretary received information during the quarter ending September 30, 2021.”

Mr Pinder’s name did not appear on the list.

When asked about this Mr Pinder said as he had gone through the renouncement exercise in July, his name would not be included on that list.

“The date was July 29 and it was done right after my ratification as the PLP’s standard bearer for Central and South Abaco,” Mr Pinder explained. “I’ve sent the pertinent information to the Minister of Foreign Affairs this morning and the DPM some time ago. July 29 was the day it came back from Washington, DC, with the official stamp on it.

“Three months from then would be August, September, October. It was no doubt included in the one (federal list) previous to that. Renunciations are very, very rare. I’m surprised there is even a list on it. From my understanding from the embassy when I was doing it, there were not a lot done in embassies around the Caribbean. With that said, I did that long ago.”

This form of listing names of ex-citizens is not unique to the United States. Before the 1990s, however, loss of United States citizenship was not a matter of public record.

At the time, the US State Department considered disclosure of the names of people giving up US citizenship may violate the Privacy Act of 1974 along

JOHN PINDER, PLP MP for Central and South Abaco. with other laws.

The first list of former US citizens was released in a State Department letter to Congress made public by a 1995 Joint Committee on Taxation report.

That report contained the names of 978 people who renounced US citizenship.

The Tribune searched the next available list which was dated July 29, 2021. Mr Pinder’s name was not on that list either.

However, that date was the actual date that he said was on his document and it is not clear if the list was made up before his document was stamped.

The Tribune contacted Fred Mitchell, PLP chairman and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Public Service, about the matter.

He said he is satisfied the law was adhered to in Mr Pinder’s election to office.

“The party believes that John Pinder was duly qualified to be elected to office and has been so elected per the laws of The Bahamas,” Mr Mitchell said. “I cannot comment on the US document or its laws.”

Before the election, Mr Pinder, a resident of Abaco, was an estate manager and Realtor who lost his home in Hurricane Dorian and was living in a tent with his family. He chose to stay in Abaco to help with recovery and rebuilding.

The Abaco MP, who was actually born in the United States, explained his citizenship history and said he was happy to do away with it to serve his country.

“I was the last one ratified for the PLP party and just after that I started the process of renunciation of the citizenship,” he said.

“The official document states July 29 and I came back from Washington, DC, with the stamp on it.

“That citizenship … I only got it because my father was going to technical school in the States at the time and that’s where I was born.

“So it’s just one of those things.

“As soon as I had the opportunity to get rid of it to serve my country, I was more than happy to.”

Mr Pinder is the parliamentary secretary at the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation.

Minister not suprised by audit of National Sports Authority

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net YOUTH, Sports and Culture Minister Mario Bowleg said he is not surprised by an audit that found numerous problems at the National Sports Authority.

“I wouldn’t say it was a surprise, but knowing some of the information prior to the election and prior to the former minister having to resign, it’s just facts that came to light,” he said.

“I wouldn’t want to respond on the audit because it happened before my time, but at the end of the day there were some things that came to light. But again it’s not up to me, it’s up to the Prime Minister if they are going to do anything with that. “... I know there are some

things that need to be fixed which I will have the power to fix and that’s with some personnel, ensuring the things are supposed to be done in the right way and the controlling of the finances as it relates to contracts.”

The report of Auditor General Terrance Bastian covered the period between July 1, 2018 to January 2021.

The report found “poor maintenance practices at the agency, inadequate inventory controls and boards that were not able to carry out the functions of the authority, among other things.”

The report found that a contract was awarded without Cabinet approval and also instances where cheques to contractors were made out to named individuals, no companies, and collected by a senior official of the Ministry

of Youth, Sports & Culture.

“We were concerned about the following,” the report said. “(A) The micromanagement of the operational affairs of NSA. Section 8 of the Sports Authority Act, 2011 indicates that ‘the minister may give to the authority directions of a general or of a specific nature as to the policy to be followed by the authority in the performance of its functions as appear to the minister to be requisite in the public interest.’

“However, documents obtained suggest that circumvention of controls may have occurred. “(B) The awarding of a contract without Cabinet approval along with the receipt of items by NSA before payment was effected.”

In its conclusion, the OAG said: “Having examined the accounting system, we conclude that there were many failures of executive management in breach of the Financial Administration and Audit Act 2010, Financial Regulations 1975 and the Sports Authority Act 2011.

“We have noted our observations in the report and concluded that besides several control functions in need of overhaul the accounts are being fairly maintained.”

Earlier this year, former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis ordered a lockdown of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture before receiving an internal audit that led to the resignation of then-Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture MP Lanisha Rolle.

HAPPY 100TH

BIRTHDAY!

CORNELIUS A. SMITH, Governor General, visited centenarian Mrs Victoria Wilkinson at her home and sang happy birthday for her on Monday. He also presented her with an arrangement of flowers and letters from Queen Elizabeth II and the Office of the Governor General.

(BIS Photos/ Letisha Henderson)

INITIAL TESTING OF MARCO ALERT SYSTEM ‘SUCCESSFUL’

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

CABLE Bahamas Group of Companies officials said initial testing of the MARCO Alert system was successful on its platform on Monday.

Dwayne Davis, chief information officer for Cable Bahamas, said there will be a full test with the Ministry of National Security soon, as several

more tests of the system are required before full deployment.

“The ALIV engineering team was able to successfully test the alert system in a limited environment over a short period of time,” Mr Davis said in a press statement yesterday. “We anticipate a full test with the Ministry of National Security very shortly.”

The MARCO Alert, which stands for Mandatory Aggressive Action

for Rescuing Children Operation (MARCO) alert system, was established after the murder of 11-year-old Marco Archer in 2011 when he went missing near his home.

The system is designed to alert citizens across The Bahamas electronically when a child goes missing to heighten public awareness and increase the chances of recovering them safely.

This system will allow for broadcast messages

to be deployed over various platforms, including cell phones, pagers, emails, and television channels countrywide.

The test comes after National Security Minister Wayne Munroe, QC, told reporters last week that ALIV, a company under Cable Bahamas’ umbrella, was the only communications provider in the country ready for the launch of the alert system.

Company officials said ALIV continued to demonstrate its commitment to support local law enforcement and to deepen its commitment as a world class partner in corporate and social responsibility by moving ahead with its initial testing of the system.

Additionally, ALIV CEO John Gomez said the company stood ready to assist in any national effort to protect children.

“The ALIV team stands ready and committed to assist the Ministry of National Security along with social service agencies with any efforts that help protect children in the Bahamas,” Mr Gomez said.

“We extended critical support to the development of this initiative because the safety of our nation’s children is critical to us all.

“We are pleased with the system’s performance so far and we look forward to further testing in alternate environments.”

The official rollout of the MARCO Alert technology is expected within the next few weeks, the company has said.

THE TRIBUNE

‘REVENUE RISE FRUIT OF FNM’S POLICIES’ FROM PAGE ONE pleased at the revenue performance of $572.8 million as reported in the First Quarter (Q1) Fiscal Report for FY 2021/22.

He said the report details the last three months of the FNM’s term in office.

“Not only does the outturn substantially beat revenue projections for the first quarter by over $90 million, it comes in even higher than the $552.7 million revenue total reported in the corresponding first quarter before the onset of the pandemic the period of July to September 2019,” Mr Thompson said.

The former minister of state for Grand Bahama further explained that the First Quarter Fiscal Report shows the government earned more revenue than projected, spent less than projected, decreased the deficit and borrowed less.

“Clearly and unambiguously, the FNM’s Accelerated Bahamas plan has been working so well, that even emerging from the pandemic, the government’s revenue figures are higher for the first quarter of this fiscal year, than they were in 2019/20 before the devastating economic effects of the pandemic,” said Mr Thompson.

“The economic and fiscal plan left in place by the FNM administration was and is working,” he stated.

“We see the abundant newspaper ads advertising new job openings. We hear the DPM bragging about the robust tourism numbers and forecasts. We see the Ministry of Finance reporting revenue numbers that are beating projections and that are even better than preCOVID levels. We are pleased to have been the ones to put in place the plan that is beating all expectations,” said the MP for East Grand Bahama.

He said the PLP government should continue with the plan left in place.

“Bahamians are rightly questioning, why change the plan at this juncture?

Despite their pronouncements, we remind the government that it is not too late to admit that our plan was and is working and to stay the course.

We admonish them to do so,” Mr Thompson said.

Wednesday, November 17, 2021, PAGE 5

KWASI THOMPSON SUBMITS NOMINATION FORM AS FNM LEADERSHIP CANDIDATE

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

EAST Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson yesterday officially submitted his nomination form to the Free National Movement as a candidate for the leadership of the party.

In remarks to supporters and party officials at the FNM’s headquarters, Mr Thompson doubled down on his promise that he is the right man to unify the party, adding politics was not about power, but about service.

His nomination form was duly signed by Maurice Moore, one of the FNM’s founding fathers, and Lady Naomi Wallace Whitfield, widow of the late Sir Cecil Wallace Whitfield.

As he voiced support for Mr Thompson yesterday in an interview with The Tribune, Mr Moore said he preferred the former state finance minister because he was seasoned and had the best personality to pull the party together.

The FNM will convene its one-day convention to settle the leadership issue on November 27 at Holy Trinity Activities Centre.

“We must continue to focus on uniting our party,” Mr Thompson said.

“That must be our focus moving forward.

“We are stronger when we are united.

“How can we unite our party? By going back to the principles and values that those same Dissident Eight and the founding fathers formed this party for.

“We must go back to these principles. Those are the principles that will unite us.

“We must also continue to reach out. Reach out to all aspects of this political party. Our FNM is a large party with a large tent and we must continue to reach out to all of them because as I said we are stronger when we are united and together.

“Politics is not about power, but politics is about service. I am moving forward to offer myself for this position not because I want to attain a position, but because I want to make a difference and that is the key factor that we as a party must continue to focus on.

“We must emphasise service and we must emphasise getting back to those basic principles.”

Mr Thompson was supported by former Attorney General Carl Bethel and former MP for Golden

PHOTOS from Kwasi Thompson’s Facebook page showing him handing in his nomination form at the FNM headquarters.

Gates Michael Foulkes, who were present at FNM headquarters yesterday.

Secretary General of the FNM Serfent Rolle and chairman Carl Culmer were present to receive the nomination form.

Mr Culmer said he was pleased there had been many skillsets of the FNM offering for various roles.

“We are happy and we know the party has a lot of skill sets and we are happy to see that many of our persons have offered themselves for leadership and different roles in our party,” Mr Culmer said.

“Our party is a big party.

I admonish all of the candidates that we are one big family and we want to make sure that at the end of the day we treat each other as family as we move forward.

“So, we want to keep this clean.

“We don’t want to give anything to those guys on the other side.

“So, let’s make sure that at the end of the day we have all the necessary things in place.”

Mr Culmer said on Friday at noon, the party was expected to further advise on the way forward.

“At noon we will have a meeting with you or your agent to inform you of what is expected going forward and give you all the necessary documents, the financial list of all members and delegates.

“Once again on behalf

of the party we accept your nomination and we thank you for offering yourself as a candidate for the Free National Movement.”

Central Grand Bahama MP Iram Lewis and Marco City MP Michael Pintard have also announced their intentions to run for the leader position of the party.

Mr Lewis is scheduled to submit his form to the party today.

For his part Mr Moore maintained that he did not agree with the way the party had decided to go about choosing a leader.

He said FNM Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest should have been made to carry out the administrative roles of the party until

its full convention next year.

“There are three of them here from Grand Bahama and I prefer to have Thompson,” Mr Moore said when he was contacted for comment yesterday. “They are all good fellas, but I prefer him.

“I am not really interested in it and I am not coming up to Nassau for it either.

“Kwasi called me and I told him fine (I’ll support him).”

He added: “I support him because he’s been in a leadership role in Parliament longer than Michael and I think he’s more seasoned to deal with the leadership you know. So

that’s why.

“Like I say I’m not coming to Nassau for it, but I signed his nomination but I’m not coming to Nassau because I don’t think they should have done it the way they’re doing it.

“You have a deputy so if something happens to the leader before the next convention of the party that’s why you have your deputy leader you know, but to go ahead and have a special election three months before a convention, I don’t think it was a wise thing to do.”

Mr Moore said he was of the view the men should have decided among themselves who would offer for the position.

Last Rites for Devon Lorenzo Munnings, 42 of Hart Street, Dannottage Estates, will be held on Thursday 18th November, 2021 at 11:00 AM at Faith United Missionary Baptist Church, Faith United Way, Baillou Hill Road. Officiating will be Pastor Vanda P. Rahming, assisted by Minister Cherilyn Munnings. Interment will follow at Lakeview Memorial Gardens, John F. Kennedy Drive.

He was predeceased by his father Rex Davis.

He is survived by his Children: Devon Jr, Devontae, Nicholas and Devin Munnings; Parents: Carol and Vernal Brown; Sisters: Kimily Curry, Amanda Johnson, Roxanne Pratt, Jade McDonald; Sistersin-law: Keisha Davis; Brothers: Orlando, Rex, Jamaal, Jermaine and Ryan Davis; Brothers-in-Law: Petty Officer Marko Curry (R.B.D.F), Lavar Johnson, Sean Pratt; Nieces and Nephews: Markel, Miguel and Maleeya Curry, Alicia, Orleisha and Oj Davis, Katelyn and Kade Johnson, Azari Pratt, Reshae, Faith and Aniya Davis; Aunts: Vanessa Horton, Betty Rolle, Carmen Kemp, Janice (Walter Missick) Shelly Munnings, Lynette Pratt; Grand Aunt: Paula Gibson, Uncles: Minister Charles (Minister Cherilyn), Ruiz ( Ingrid), Kendal (Debbie) Munnings, Dr. Ricardo Davis; Cousins: Pastor Vanda, Vanria, Laverne, Godfrey Jr. Emrad Rahming, Mechela McCartney, Astrid Bodie, Shawn (Carol ) Bethel, R.B.P.F 895 Quentin (Nicolette) Bethel, Corey (Donette) Munnings, Carlos Munnings, Samantha Oaks, Larricker and Larrinee Nottage, Allena Johnson Capt. Jason (Malderine) Horton, Capt. Christopher Horton, Denizio (Monique) Horton, Leslie Bethel, Linda, Dorothy and Wayne Hunt, Elliot, Hermis Jr, Ashley, Crystal Rolle, Soma Smith, Cecil Jr., Robert Dorsette, Rishundolyn, Shamareka, Kanieshe Davis, Leslie Bethel, Clarissa Cooper, Debbie Deal. Other Relatives and friends including: Nicole Jackson, Nicola Smith, Cynara Knowles, Miriam Evans, Pauline Robinson, Michael, Joan, John, Don, Lisa, Cassius, Tiffany, Tamara, Deon Gibson, Antoinete Sands, Lana Deal, Mahalia Levarity, Crystal Rolle, Icelyn Woods, Dwight Grant, Geno Stubbs, Corbin, Damien and Thea Brown, Gardiner, Dokie, Miguel, Maxi, Blake, Mond, Maine, Jolly, John, Melissa, Christine, Kadime, Cheryl, Dellerese and Deangelo Brown, Sophia and Trevor Stubbs, The Dialysis Unit of PMH especially Nurse Judy Johnson, Sister Roker and Nurse Maycock, O’Lydia Williams and family, Mickelle Dean and family, Bishop Neville E. Hart and Family, Patricia Curry and family, Marie Peters, Rosalie Guerrier, Francis Forbes and family, Sylvia Peterson and family, Willamae Newbold, Eugene Horton and Family, Carmetta Dorsette and family, Willamae Newbold, Hank Knowles and family of Rock Sound, Eleuthera, Hartley Lundy, Cisco, Troy, Vyrene Kemp, Christa, Ciji and a host of other relatives and friends too numerous to mention.

The body will repose at Curtis Memorial Mortuary, Robinson Road & 5th Street on Wednesday from 10:00AM to 4:00PM

PAGE 6, Wednesday, November 17, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

The Tribune Limited NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI “Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,

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

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,

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

Published daily Monday to Friday

Shirley & Deveaux Streets, Nassau, Bahamas N3207 TELEPHONES

News & General Information Advertising Manager Circulation Department Nassau fax Freeport, Grand Bahama Freeport fax

(242) 322-1986 (242) 502-2394 (242) 502-2386 (242) 328-2398 (242)-352-6608 (242) 352-9348

WEBSITE, TWITTER & FACEBOOK www.tribune242.com

@tribune242

tribune news network

Disturbing cases involving public monies Most of us had never heard the name Melissa Hall, a former general manager of the Bridge Authority, until we read the ruling on her claim for a pay out after being let go from her job.

The facts of the case are quite astonishing and lay bare the cancer we have long suspected lies at the heart of working in public office in The Bahamas.

Ms Hall had joined the bridge authority board in July 2012 and just five months was made the general manager. Her salary appears to have been well into six figures which is an incredible amount of money - how difficult can it be to oversee the gathering up the daily dollars collected at the turnstiles, report back to the board on how things are going and what needs to be done next?

In her contract Ms Hall was provided with a termination clause which gave her 30-days notice should her employment come to an end.

In April 2017 - just a few weeks before the general election where the FNM stormed to power - Ms Hall’s contract had an incredible change.

Instead of 30 days notice she was now on THREE YEARS and.

How did this come about? Had the board suddenly discovered something about her which meant she was so vital to the bridge authority’s operations she had to be ‘locked in’ to her role.

No. That’s a million miles from the truth.

Ms Hall herself decided her notice period needed improved and she drafted an addendum to her own contract and had it emailed to thenLabour Minister Shane Gibson.

Did any alarm bells go off for Mr Gibson? Surely in his position as a cabinet minister and with the protection of public funds part of his responsibility he would have asked a few questions. Again, no. He just agreed to the change.

As Supreme Court Justice Bowe Darville said in her ruling yesterday: “Even a blind man could see that it was a well calculated form of entrapment. What was even more apparent was the fact that the plaintiff (Hall) was not satisfied with her salary

structure prior to 2017 and sought to increase the same beyond measure.”

Justice Darville continued:”... To have claimed a notice period of three years was delusional on her part.... (and a) clear and rank abuse of power.”

When the FNM came into office shortly afterwards Ms Hall’s fears came to fruition when she was let go from the bridge authority. What followed was her claim for more than $600,000 based on her three years notice clause.

It will be interesting to see what, if anything, happens in this case now.

Likewise in two other public finance issues which came up yesterday.

First was the Auditor General’s report into failings at the Ministry of Youth and Sport.

In this case the AG conveniently left out any names as he detailed the bypassing of correct processes for the issuing of contracts, a board bypassed by the ministry.

We all of course can recall that former minister Lanisha Rolle resigned from her role after then-Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minister “locked down” her ministry when numerous irregularities were brought to light.

To add more fuel on to the public finances fire, Works and Utilities Minister Alfred Sears revealed serious issues had been raised at the Public Parks and Beaches Authority.

According to officials who briefed Mr Sears in the weeks running up to the September 16 election ALL contracts held by the authority had been renewed - even with contractors who had been underperforming.

Does this sound familiar - companies happily carrying on with valuable contracts despite the change in government? The former administration seemed to have a simple way of dealing with this issue - especially on high-value contracts - by simply not paying what was owed and operating a ‘see you in court’ policy knowing this is a long and expensive road to travel.

It will be interesting to see what happens over the coming months.

In one day we heard of three disturbing cases involving public monies.

Will anything be done or is it just another cross we have to bear?

THE FNM TROIKA AND THE BAHAMIAN MORAL MAJORITY EDITOR, The Tribune.

Reading The Nassau Guardian heading of a news report about Central Grand Bahama MP Iram Lewis’ claims about God calling him to lead the Free National Movement (FNM) brought to mind Christian Broadcasting Network founder Pat Robertson making similar claims about being divinely called to lead the Republican Party and the United States in 1987. Robertson’s presidential bid would come to a screeching halt in early 1988, when he would subsequently endorse then Vice-President George H.W. Bush, who would win the presidential election that year, succeeding President Ronald Reagan.

About a decade prior to Robertson’s entrance into frontline politics, he, along with Jerry Falwell and Tim Lahaye, founded the Moral Majority, with the goal of influencing Capitol Hill and the White House to enact laws conducive to a Christian framework. Admittedly, Falwell and Co. committed several missteps, one of which is appearing to attempt to Christianize America through legislation,

which led to the accusation of the lobby group attempting to establish a Christian caliphate. Historians have long pointed to the Calvinist theocratic experiment in Geneva during the height of the Reformation in Europe, in which a Unitarian heretic, Michael Servetus, was executed for publicly rejecting the Trinitarian doctrine.

Another issue observers had with the Moral Majority was its penchant for cavalierly joining forces with other conservatives whose theology veered far off from orthodox Christian theology.

The FNM troika of Michael Pintard, Kwasi Thompson and Lewis are all born-again Christians. Assuming that one of the trio is christened FNM leader at the party’s November 27 National Convention, it would then mean that an evangelical is head of one of the two major political organizations in The Bahamas, which would be a first. And assuming that the FNM is successful in the presumed 2026 general election, we would then have the very first evangelical Christian as prime minister.

Pintard, Thompson or Lewis would then be in the position

to emulate Robertson and Falwell by establishing a Bahamian Moral Majority that would enact pro-Christian legislation. I am not lobbying for a theocracy, similar to what John Calvin and others attempted in Geneva.

What I would like to see is a government that would not make laws that are spiritually detrimental to Bahamians, while appreciating the fundamental tenets of democracy.

What we want is a government that will recognise its divine mandate to govern according to biblical principles, which includes placing an intrinsic value on human life, inclusive of the unborn.

That would entail carrying out the death penalty on convicted murderers, which will send the message to the criminal enterprise that killing another human being will no longer be tolerated.

With the Bahamian Moral Majority and an evangelical Prime Minister, the possibilities of promoting a fundamentalist worldview would be endless.

KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Grand Bahama November 15, 2021.

Christopher Columbus of 1492; friend or foe?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

AN ONLINE petition started in 2020 rallied support to have Columbus statue removed from Government House captured more than 15,000 signatures.

A 37-year-old man, namely Shervandez Smith, was accused of trespassing on Government House property; partially damaging Christopher Columbus’ statue and has been remanded to Sandilands Rehabilitation Hospital pending a psychiatric evaluation.

Shervandaze Smith appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt charged with causing $2,000 worth of damage to the Columbus Monument. The statue’s right leg was destroyed with a sledge hammer on Saturday, October 9, 2021.

Police were dispatched to the scene around 1:20pm; when they arrived, they arrested a man who they said was caught in the act of destroying the Columbus statue. It has appeared he was willing to enter a plea to damages and trespassing charges. Smith’s mother who was present during the hearing requested that her son be evaluated at the institution, namely Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre, as Shervandaze has been acting strangely for a while and her family has been concerned about his behaviour.

Afterwards, Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt said she was going to “err on the side of caution” because “Smith may not be a mentally competent person” and as a result she adjourned the matter to November 15, 2021 at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS) for a psychiatric evaluation as Sandilands is full to capacity.

The Christopher Columbus Statue on the steps of Government House was vandalized on Saturday, October 9, 2021 in the afternoon at two days ahead of National Heroes Day by a sledge hammer as he shouted “Let’s go Bahamas.” “Let’s go.” Causing extensive damage to the statue, removing one of the arms and one of the legs.

The statue at Mount Fritz Williams was a gift to the

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net Bahamian people from Sir James Carmichael Smith, perhaps the best and most admirable Governor Bahamians have ever had during the colonial era.

Rev. Sebastian Campbell says Bahamians are too docile and laid back and should march to force the removal of Christopher Columbus’ statue in front of Government House.

Christopher Columbus’ statue has been targeted for removal or destruction by protestors due to the controversial killing of American George Floyd in Minneapolis in May 2020 as people worldwide rebelled against systematic racism.

Father Sebastian Campbell, who is remembered as being one of our more outspoken sons, often said: “Maybe this is an ideal time for Bahamians to have their protest and bring this to the forefront.” This is an ideal time, Bahamians are too docile and too laid back.

We need to march and have this as our centre piece of our march to educate, educate, educate.

Should Shervandaze Smith be given a psychiatric evaluation and given a house at Sandilands or given time at her Majesty’s Prison, Fox Hill?

If we were to turn the hands of time should Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling who hurled the Mace out of the window of the House of Assembly and Sir Milo Bolton Butler who threw the hourglass out of the House’s window have been granted prison time or time at Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre for psychiatric evaluation?

This is the same scenario we are dealing with, my fellow Bahamians.

On Wednesday, October 6, 2021 a copy of The Tribune under the caption “End Columbus Celebration”, Antigua and Barbuda’s ambassador to the organisation of the American States, Sir Ronald Sanders has called for an end to the celebration of “The Encounter of two worlds,” an annual event promoted by the Government of Spain to mark the so-called discovery of the New World

by Christopher Columbus.

The Encomienda system of Mine’s, a form of slavery and work on plantations demanded an ever increasing labour force. Spanish settlers were given large grants of land and authority over a large number of natives who were obviously to be used as ideal slaves.

See A History of the Bahamas by Michael Craton pg.

39.

Encomienda, which was force labour allegedly essential for development.

In 1498 Columbus began a system of encomienda which was a grant of Indian labour in return for the trust of educating the Indians and converting them to Christianity.

Encomienda was seen adopted throughout the Spanish empire. The Laws of Burgos passed in 1512, stated that although the Indians were free men, they were forcibly converted to Christianity.

By the end of Ovando’s term of office there was about 300 surviving settlers in Hispaniola.

In 1506 there were 12,000 Spaniards in Hispaniola.

The population was increasing so fast that it put more pressure on the acute labour shortage of Arawaks. See “Americans to Africans” by Robert Greenwood and Shirley Hamber and revised by Brian Dyde, 2nd Edition.

See also “The Caribbean people” by Lennox Honychurch – smallpox, measles, influenza and genital sores swept through the Amerindians who lacked resistance to these Europeans during the 1500s epidemic that killed hundreds of thousands of Indians.

For instance, smallpox, measles, influenza, syphilis, bubonic plague, diphtheria plague, typhus and cholera to name a few.

The symptoms were horrible, genital sores, abscesses and ulcers covering the body, severe muscle and joint pain.

The ulcers could eat all the way into the bone and cartilage and could even be deadly.

So you see, Christopher Columbus was not all that and a piece of cake.

LOXSLEY BASTIAN Nassau, November, 2021.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, November 17, 2021, PAGE 7

WOMAN CONVICTED OF EX-BOYFRIEND’S KILLING

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

LYNETTE Charlton was unanimously convicted by a Supreme Court jury yesterday for killing her ex-boyfriend, Wayne Seymour, nearly six years ago.

Charlton, who showed no emotion after the verdict was read, is to receive her sentence on February 3.

The 48-year-old was remanded to prison after being accused of fatally shooting Seymour on December 27, 2015.

Prosecutors said she shot Seymour on Adelaide Road with a handgun, before fleeing the scene in his Chevy truck and leaving him in the road to die.

They said the accused later set Seymour’s truck on fire and abandoned the vehicle some distance away on Unison Road.

At the opening of the trial, the court heard from several police officers who testified that Seymour told them he was shot by Charlton hours before he died.

The court was told Seymour claimed the incident unfolded after the two got into an argument, resulting in Charlton pulling out her gun and shooting him as he tried to leave the truck.

Similar testimony was also offered by Seymour’s uncle during the trial, who recalled how his nephew called him on the night of the incident, saying “my ex shot me.”

However, Charlton has maintained her innocence, insisting Seymour gave inaccurate information to responding officers at the time.

Charlton told the court she and Seymour were never in a relationship and added they were only friends “with benefits.”

She also insisted she was not with

Seymour when he was shot, claiming to be at the hospital with her daughter at the time of the incident.

She claimed another woman, who was both known to them, was responsible for Seymour’s death and explained that Seymour may have named her as the perpetrator because he may have thought that she “set” him up.

During closing arguments of the trial, the Crown’s attorney submitted that Charlton was responsible for Seymour’s death and contended that the answers lied within the statements previously issued by the deceased.

The prosecutor also claimed the woman named by Charlton as a potential perpetrator did not exist and said the accused killed her former lover simply because she could not accept that they were no longer an item.

However, the defence argued that the Crown submitted a “weak” case and further asserted there was no “proper investigation” carried out.

After summing up the evidence of the case, Justice Jeanine Weech-Gomez excused the jury shortly before 2pm yesterday for a lunch break and then ordered them to decide on Charlton’s fate.

She also cautioned the all-female ninemember jury to rely solely on the facts and evidence produced during the trial and to avoid all speculation.

Shortly after 4pm, the jury returned to the courtroom with a 9-0 guilty verdict.

After the verdict was read, Charlton’s attorney, Sonia Timothy, requested a probation report and for her client to undergo a psychiatric evaluation – which was granted by Justice Weech-Gomez.

MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO SCAM ON FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

A 40-YEAR-OLD man who admitted to defrauding several people of more than $30,000 in connection with a Facebook Marketplace scam was yesterday remanded to prison ahead of his sentencing next month.

Shane Mackey, aka “Master Mind”, stood before Magistrate Kendra Kelly charged with nine counts of fraud and one count of attempted fraud for actions he was accused of committing between August and October.

He is accused of defrauding Pleshette Mackey of $5,500 cash between September and October; Angelique Cartwright-Stuart of $2,200 between September 24 and September 25; Wayde Collins of $6,200 between August 3 and August 31; Roderick Carey of $5,000 on August 26; Darvin Russell of $3,000 on September 17; Jillian Edgecombe of $6,250 between August

SHANE Mackey 17 and August 18 and Ali Zarazek of $4,250 on August 5.

Officers also allege that Mackey tried to defraud Pleshette Mackey of another $1,800 on October 8.

Mackey pleaded guilty

to all of the charges and the case was adjourned to December 13 for sentencing.

He was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services in the meantime.

Funeral Service for FREDERICA LENA EUNICE SCAVELLA, 81 of #13 Cabbage Drive, Excellence Estates and formerly of St. Catherine, Jamaica, who died on Thursday October 28, 2021, will be held on Thursday November 18, 2021 at 11:00 am at Evangelistic Temple, Collins Ave. Officiating will be Rev. Dr. Vaughn Cash, assisted

by Other Ministers. Interment will follow in Lakeview Memorial Gardens, John F. Kennedy Drive.

She is survived by her children, Basil, Hope (Bill) and Sherwin Scavella; grandchildren, Shanae and Shaniece Scavella; nieces, Michelle, Kerleen, Doreen, Angella, Lois, Shauna, Nicola and Sharon; nephews, Ed, Leighton, Winfield, Leo, Andrew, Collin, Rodger, Clifton and Howie; grandnieces and nephews including: Rashaun, Treshuan, Tahje, Amirah, Cameron and Leighana; numerous other relatives and friends including: Nerissa Grandison, Venlyn and Victor Ferguson, Lorna Cobbert, Daisy Pinto, Cora Demeritte-Armbrister, Kerlena and Winston Isaac, Hazel Higgins and Family, Olympia Pearce and family, Denise Greene, Dkneko Stuart and Family, Iris Williams, Stephanie Major, Shirley Smith, Sheril Wilson and Family, Ciprianna Strachan, Lenora Blake and Family, Evangelistic Temple Family and neighbors and friends in Excellence Estates.

Viewing will be held in the Legacy Suite of Vaughn O. Jones Memorial Center, Mt. Royal Ave. and Talbot Street on Wednesday from 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm.

CANADIAN GOVT GIVES $1M WORTH OF PPE THE Ministry of Health and Wellness received a million dollars’ worth of personal protective equipment (PPE) from the Canadian government, as this country continues to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Michael Darville, this spells “good news” as the country is experiencing a reduction in the number of cases after an aggressive third wave.

Dr Darville made these comments during a courtesy call paid by Emina Tudakovic, High Commissioner of Canada to Jamaica and The Bahamas, at the ministry on Friday.

She also presented the minister with

medical supplies donated by Canada, facilitated by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Dr Eldonna Boisson, PAHO/WHO Country Representative, was on hand for the presentation.

“Through this donation of medical supplies from the Canadian government, facilitated by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), The Bahamas can maintain a healthy medical supply inventory for dissemination throughout our archipelago,” Dr Darville said.

The Canadian High Commissioner pledged further technical assistance and support in combating vaccine hesitancy on social media.

PAGE 8, Wednesday, November 17, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

We need to understand why gender-based violence exists and only then plan how to tackle it

G

ENDERBASED violence is still on the minds of many in The Bahamas as we continue to see reports of violence against women by their (former) intimate partners. There tend to be a few days of upset, then most people move on to the next thing. This time, there seems to be one event after another in the news. Those of us working to end gender-based violence know there are far more incidents occurring than are being reported.

I was the guest speaker at a women’s club meeting earlier this week where the members expressed interest in expanding their work to join this struggle. First, we talked about what gender-based violence is, the various forms it takes and the insufficient response it receives in various communities.

We did not have time for a workshop, so I was only able to offer guidance the club could use throughout its process of deciding on a set of actions.

When planning an intervention, the problem has to be clearly defined. This is more than “genderbased violence is bad” or “gender-based violence is increasing”. To get to the real problem - and one that a single intervention can address - we have to ask why. If the main concern is gender-based violence is increasing, we need to ask why that is happening. There can, of course, be more than one answer and an intervention responds to one of them.

If we ask why gender-based violence is occurring in high numbers and frequencies, we will have a range of answers.

People do not know how to build healthy relationships. People are taught that men are to be in control and women are to be controlled. People are stressed. People do not know how to effectively communicate. People lack conflict resolution skills.

There are too many people holding on to patriarchal views. Young people learn to be violent from their parents and guardians. There don’t seem to be any consequences for violent behaviour against

partners.

We could go on and on with possible answers to this question and, though none of the answers would capture it all, each one could lead to different interventions.

Let’s take the first answer as an example.

People do not know how to build healthy relationships. We could try to address this issue, or we could ask why this issue exists. If we do the former, we may come up with responses like teaching young people about healthy relationships.

If we do the latter, we may say this issue exists because unhealthy relationships are modelled in the home and we continue those patterns. Going this route, we may then determine that intervention needs to begin with a different generation, and not focus solely on youth.

The more we ask why, the closer we get to the root of the issue. In many cases, as we narrow it down to a set of influencing factors, we end up with more sources to address.

In the earlier example, we see there is an issue with young people in unhealthy relationships that stems from older generations modelling those kinds of relationships. We either have to choose one of these groups to work with, or find an intervention that works for both.

In this case, it could be a programme for families, specifically designed for multiple generations.

Many organizations and individuals talking about gender-based violence put too much focus on symbolic acts. These can be meaningful in certain ways, but often do not extend beyond a gesture in a particular moment in time. Wearing ribbons may draw attention if people encounter a large number of people wearing them and bother to ask why. Candlelight vigils in honour of the people who were killed by gender-based violence can be healing experiences for loved ones and affected communities.

These, however, do not stop gender-based violence. They serve a particular purpose; we still need intervention.

In my short session with the group this week,

I prompted members to think about the forms of gender-based violence they know exist in their country. I asked them

“If we ask why gender-based violence is occurring in high numbers and frequencies, we will have a range of answers. People do not know how to build healthy relationships.

People are taught that men are to be in control and women are to be controlled. People are stressed. People do not know how to effectively communicate.

People lack conflict resolution skills.” to identify the people affected by it and the factors that put certain groups of people at higher risk. This helps to narrow

the focus. They needed to get from “help end gender-based violence” to, for example, “address the issue of sexual violence against school-age girls walking home from school in the downtown area.”

With this focus, they could consider interventions such as safe transportation by school bus, supervised walking groups, awareness campaign on school campuses, clearing of bushes and clean-up of abandoned buildings, hotline for reporting people displaying predatory behaviour, bystander intervention training for businesses and people in the area, and barbershop talks for, with and by men.

Effective interventions can be developed when the problem is clearly defined and there is a specific group to focus on.

It also important to think about who you are, what you have and what you are able to do.

How are you perceived?

What relationships do you have that can be useful?

What resources do you already have? What skills do members of your group have? All this will help determine which action(s) you take.

If no one in your group has a car, it would be difficult to organize an after school safe ride home programme without the use of paid transportation, but if your group has sufficient funding, this may not be a problem.

If members of your group are involved in small business groups, this could be a good starting point for offering bystander intervention training and engaging employers in activities which increase their community involvement.

One of the most helpful tools we all have is our communities.

These include family, workplace, sports teams, service clubs, faith groups, neighbourhoods and social groups.

How can we engage these groups of people, and how can we involve them in other activities in order to reach more people and have a greater impact?

Activism is not just marching in the streets, wearing certain colours, or participating in short-term campaigns.

It is about creating change. It is easy to see a problem.

We need to go beyond that. We have to name the problem, show other people the problem and, in many cases, explain why it is a problem.

We have to get other people to care, then compel them to act. We have to assess the problem, find the reasons it exists, and choose an intervention point and method that makes the best possible use of our resources.

This action needs to be sustained and sustainability.

It needs to lead to change. Making headlines is not enough. To end gender-based violence, we have to be consistent in our action, and it needs to include interventions that not only respond to it or remind people that it is happening, but prevent it from happening at all.

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence The Global 16 Days Campaign, also known

as 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence starts on November 25 which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Equality Bahamas, as always, has a series of events planned and, due to the ongoing pandemic, they will all be virtual, hosted on Zoom.

On November 25 at 6pm, we will be joined by the Global 16 Days Campaign manager Ardra Manasi who will speak with us about the 30th anniversary theme of femicide.

We will talk about what this term means, why it is important to use, where it is relevant, and the actions we need to take to end the gender-based killing of women and girls.

On November 27 at 6pm, we will get regional perspectives on the theme and the issue femicide with speakers Postdoctoral Associate at Rutgers University’s Center for Women’s Global Leadership Hasnaa Mokhtar, WE-Change (Jamaica) Policy and Research Officer Kristina Neil, Wiikwemkoong First Nation member and Director at the First Peoples House of Learning at Trent University Dr. Dawn Lavell-Harvard, and Head of Global Advocacy at Islamic Relief Worldwide Shahin Ashraf MBE. Other events planned by Equality Bahamas during the campaign include a discussion with CEDAW Committee member Marion Bethel about CEDAW as a tool to end gender-based violence, a conversation for and with men about genderbased violence with Chief Mental Health Officer and Founding CEO of Thompson Counseling & Consulting Stephen Thompson and photographer Dominic Duncombe, and a poetry workshop with black queer feminist scholar, poet and Ph.D. candidate in Anthropology at Columbia University Brendane Tynes.

For more information about the campaign and the event line-up, visit facebook. com/equality242.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, November 17, 2021, PAGE 9

TECHTALK

HUMAN-STYLE EYES FOR ROBOTS – WITH SOME INSPIRATION FROM JABBA THE HUTT

By CARL STRATHEARN Research Fellow, Computing, Edinburgh Napier University theconversation.com IN HUMANOID robots, artificial eyes are often referred to as dolls’ eyes because they are made from glass or acrylic.

This is a problem as their pupils don’t respond like living human eyes do.

Pupils are important as they emit visual signals that we subconsciously interpret as emotions and understanding.

For many scientists working in robotics, replicating human qualities is an important part of our work.

To that end, my research is the first to create robotic eyes that react to both light and emotion using an artificial muscle.

This will help them to interact with people, who tend to be more comfortable with robotic features that mirror their own. More lifelike robots will allow people to interact with technology more naturally.

My work was inspired by meeting John Coppinger, one of the engineers of Jabba the Hutt, from the 1983 film Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.

Coppinger designed the dilating eyes of Jabba, and we spoke about the difficulties of making something similar to fit a human-sized eye due to the complexity of the mechanisms.

• How it works It has taken over four years of lab experiments to get the right materials for robotic eyes to function like human eyes. You can see the results in the lead image. To replicate the soft tissue of the human iris, we 3D-printed a colourised gelatine membrane using a digital map of a human eye. Unlike glass and acrylic, gelatine is natural, highly flexible and can hold an image.

In the centre of each iris are holes, which we refer to as portals. One can fit a camera to see the world, while the other is for a photo sensor to measure light.

To make the pupils expand and contract, as they do when people are happy or scared, we made an artificial muscle from a stretched silicone membrane, coated on each side with graphene. When they are activated, they squish the silicone membrane together giving a contraction effect. Graphene is so fine that a single coating allows light to pass through it like a human eye.

An artificial muscle is activated by creating a positive and negative field of static electricity on each side of the membrane that compresses and relaxes the muscle with high and low voltage. Think of squeezing an object on each side, and then letting it release. The surface area will increase and decrease with the amount of pressure you apply to it. To further help create human-like eyes we used a

ELECTRIC VEHICLE MAKER TO MOVE HEADQUARTERS TO ARKANSAS

flexible 3D-printed material to hold the artificial muscles and sensors in place.

Another feature of the robot eye is that it can respond to both light and emotion simultaneously. This is vital for accurately emulating the functionality of the human eye, but robot eyes have not been able to do it before.

A microprocessor switches the robot’s eyes between emotion and light modes so the eyes can react just as human eyes do: in humans, our pupils expand in reaction to light and happiness, and contract in darker places and when we are more unhappy.

When the robot is interacting with someone, a camera uses machinelearning software to predict their emotional state from their facial expressions.

This assigns an emotion to the robot such as happiness or sadness, and sends a message to the pupils to expand or get smaller accordingly.

Similarly, in light mode, the robot’s pupil dilates in darkness and shrinks in brighter conditions.

• Why robots need human eyes The benefits of creating more lifelike robots is that they allow people to interact with technology more naturally. This is important as for some people, a human-like interface is comforting and can improve how humans react to robots.

This should make it easier for robots

to socially interact with people, which could be useful for people living alone.

Over time, robots will hopefully be able to provide them with additional support and companionship.

To learn more about how robots’ eyes needed to react, I carried out an experiment with people watching different videos. They then stared into an artificial light at different levels of brightness. Participants wore a pupiltracking headset which recorded their pupil dilation and light frequencies, and this was used to fine-tune the robot eyes.

In the final experiment, robotic eyes were installed inside a realistic humanoid robot and compared against a robot with standard acrylic eyes.

They were then tested out on humans to measure emotion and attention. Participants who noticed the robots’ eye dilation showed heightened emotion and attention levels.

These results show the benefits of these robotic eyes so people react to them more naturally. This is important because otherwise humanoid robots appear unemotional. By replicating subtle gestures and cues, we increase our understanding and familiarity with robots. This includes things like lip synchronisation, speech tonality and facial expressions.

One day we could have robots that are so human-like that are virtually indistinguishable from ourselves, even when looking into their eyes.

NEW MEXICO SPACEPORT BOSS SEEKS FUNDS TO KEEP MOMENTUM GOING

By SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN Associated Press

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Operations are ramping up at Spaceport America in New Mexico, and the executive director told lawmakers Monday that he needs an additional $2 million in annual funding to keep the momentum going.

Scott McLaughlin testified before a legislative science and technology committee. Without the funding, he warned that he would have to cut staff and limit operations at the desert outpost to just five days a week.

Now, the spaceport operates around the clock based on customers’ needs.

The current budget is around $10 million, with about 60% of that coming from customers such as anchor tenant Virgin Galactic, which reached the edge of space over the summer with billionaire Richard Branson aboard its winged rocket ship.

McLaughlin told lawmakers that the goal is to grow revenue and that the return on investment will be jobs for the southern New Mexico economy. He pointed to about 460 direct and indirect jobs that stem from activity at the spaceport, saying that activity results in an estimated $2 million in taxes that are returned to the state.

The extra money being requested “would stabilise us

and get us to a point where we just could grow and we could service the customers we have and continue to bring in more customers,” McLaughlin said.

Investors will be watching for Virgin Galactic to start up commercial flights in late 2022. McLaughlin said that in 2023 there are expectations of about three flights from the spaceport per month, and that’s expected to bring in more revenue.

Meanwhile, rocket company SpinLaunch recently tested its launch system from the spaceport and has indicated it will return next year for more tests.

McLaughlin said the idea is to sell New Mexico as a “complete ecosystem”

THE SPACEPORT America hangar in Upham, N.M. (AP Photo/Matt York, File) that can accommodate the aerospace industry through competitive tax policies and access to researchers at the state’s universities and national laboratories. He told lawmakers that New Mexico doesn’t have to lose customers to California, Texas or Florida.

Spaceport officials also plan to start working on obtaining a re-entry license

from federal aviation officials. Aside from vertical and horizontal launches, McLaughlin said that could open up a new avenue for customers.

The New Mexico Legislature will meet in January for a 30-day session focused on the budget. Revenue projections have suggested that the state will likely be flush with cash.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. (AP) — The electric vehicle company Canoo has announced plans to relocate its headquarters to northwest Arkansas and create more than 500 new jobs.

The company said Monday that its headquarters will move from California to Bentonville — which is also the home of Walmart — and a research and development facility will be in nearby Fayetteville.

Canoo announced earlier this year that it would build a manufacturing facility in Pryor, Oklahoma, and said Monday’s announcement is part of a plan to make the U.S. 412 corridor from Oklahoma to Arkansas a “centre of electric vehicle research, development and manufacturing power.”

The Pryor assembly plant is expected to open in 2023 and employ 2,000 people.

TOP PAID iPHONE APPS: 1. Minecraft, Mojang 2. Bloons TD 6, Ninja Kiwi 3. Geometry Dash, RobTop Games AB 4. Heads Up!, Warner Bros.

5. HotSchedules, HotSchedules 6. Procreate Pocket, Savage Interactive Pty Ltd 7. Plague Inc., Ndemic Creations 8. Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Rockstar Games onopoly, Marma9. M lade Game Studio 10. True Skate, True Axis

TOP FREE iPHONE APPS: 1. TikTok, TikTok Pte. Ltd. 2. YouTube: Watch, Listen, Stream, Google LLC 3. Instagram, Instagram, Inc. 4. Facebook, Facebook, Inc. 5. Snapchat, Snap, Inc. 6. Messenger, Facebook, Inc. 7. Amazon Shopping, AMZN Mobile LLC 8. Cash App, Square, Inc. 9. Gmail - Email by Google, Google LLC 10. Google Maps, Google LLC

PAGE 10, Wednesday, November 17, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

POLAND USES WATER CANNONS AGAINST MIGRANTS AT BELARUS BORDER

By VANESSA GERA AND DARIA LITVINOVA ASSOCIATED PRESS WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Polish forces at the border with Belarus used water cannons and tear gas Tuesday against stone-throwing migrants, as Warsaw accused Belarusian authorities of giving smoke grenades and other weapons to those trying to cross the frontier.

The events marked an escalation in the tense crisis on the European Union’s eastern border, where the West has accused President Alexander Lukashenko of using the migrants as pawns to destabilize the 27-nation bloc in retaliation for its sanctions on his authoritarian regime. Belarus denies orchestrating the crisis.

The Poland Border Guard agency posted video on Twitter showing water being sprayed across the border at a group of migrants who threw debris, and the Defense Ministry also said tear gas was used against the attackers.

Polish authorities said nine of its forces were injured — seven policemen, one soldier and a female border guard.

Some 2,000 migrants were at the frontier in makeshift camps in the freezing weather, but only about 100 were believed involved in attacking the Polish forces at the crossing near Kuźnica, said Border Guard spokeswoman Anna Michalska.

The crossing has been closed since last week.

Police spokesman Mariusz Ciarka later said the migrants there had been “pacified.” He added that the attackers had been given smoke grenades by the Belarusians and threw stones at the Polish police, with the events monitored by the Belarusian services using a drone. The Polish Defense Ministry also said Belarus gave some migrants flash-bang grenades.

Belarus’ State Border Guard Committee and the Foreign Ministry said they would investigate Poland’s actions.

“These are considered violent actions against individuals who are on the territory of another country,” committee spokesman Anton Bychkovsky was quoted as saying by Belarus’ state news agency Belta.

Lukashenko on Tuesday again rejected accusations of engineering the crisis and said his government has deported about 5,000 illegal migrants from Belarus this fall.

“We’re not collecting refugees all over the world and bringing them to Belarus, as Poland has informed the European Union.

“Those who come to Belarus legally, we accept here, the same way any other country would.

Those who violate the law, even in the slightest, (we put) on a plane and send back (home),” he told a government meeting dedicated to the situation at the border.

In May, however, he had railed against the EU sanctions imposed on his country for its harsh crackdown on internal dissent, saying: “We were stopping migrants and drugs — now you will catch them and eat them yourself.”

On Tuesday, Lukashenko said he and German Chancellor Angela Merkel agreed Monday by phone that neither Belarus, nor the EU would benefit from an escalation of the crisis. He said he proposed a resolution but did not elaborate, adding that Merkel is discussing it with other EU leaders.

Some of the migrants have children with them at the border in their desperate bid to reach the EU. Most are fleeing conflict, poverty and instability in the Middle East and elsewhere.

At least 11 deaths have been reported in recent weeks as the weather has turned colder and they are trapped in the dank forest between the forces of the two countries.

While some have managed to get into the EU before Poland, Lithuania and Latvia bolstered their borders, passage appears to be much harder now.

THIS image provided by Pfizer shows its COVID-19 pill. Drugmaker Pfizer said Tuesday, it is submitting its experimental pill for U.S. authorisation, setting the stage for a likely launch in coming weeks. (Pfizer via AP)

Pfizer asks US officials to OK promising COVID-19 pill

By MATTHEW PERRONE AP HEALTH WRITER WASHINGTON (AP) — Pfizer asked U.S. regulators Tuesday to authorize its experimental pill for COVID-19, setting the stage for a likely launch this winter of a promising treatment that can be taken at home.

The company’s filing comes as new infections are rising once again in the United States, driven mainly by hot spots in states where colder weather is driving more Americans indoors.

Pfizer’s pill has been shown to significantly cut the rate of hospitalisations and deaths among people with coronavirus infections. The Food and Drug Administration is already reviewing a competing pill from Merck and several smaller drugmakers

are also expected to seek authorisation for their own antiviral pills in the coming months.

“We are moving as quickly as possible in our effort to get this potential treatment into the hands of patients, and we look forward to working with the U.S. FDA on its review of our application,” said Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla, in a statement.

Specifically, Pfizer wants the drug available for adults who have mildto-moderate COVID-19 infections and are at risk of becoming seriously ill.

That’s similar to how other drugs are currently used to treat the disease. But all FDA-authorised COVID19 treatments require an IV or injection given by a health professional at a hospital or clinic.

The FDA is holding a public meeting on the Merck pill later this

month to get the opinion of outside experts before making its decision. The agency isn’t required to convene such meetings and it’s not yet known whether Pfizer’s drug will undergo a similar public review.

Some experts predict COVID-19 treatments eventually will be combined to better protect against the worst effects of the virus.

Pfizer reported earlier this month that its pill cut hospitalisations and deaths by 89% among high-risk adults who had early symptoms of COVID-19. The company studied its pill in people who were unvaccinated and faced the worst risks from the virus due to age or health problems, such as obesity. If authorised, the FDA will have to weigh making the pill available for vaccinated

people dealing with breakthrough infections, since they weren’t part of the initial tests.

For best results, patients need to start taking the pills within three days of symptoms, underscoring the need for speedy testing and diagnosis. That could be a challenge if another COVID-19 surge leads to testing delays and shortages seen last winter.

Pfizer’s drug is part of a decades-old family of antiviral drugs known as protease inhibitors, which revolutionised the treatment of HIV and hepatitis C. The drugs block a key enzyme which viruses need to multiply in the human body. That’s different than the Merck pill, which causes tiny mutations in the coronavirus until the point that it can’t reproduce itself.

On Tuesday, Pfizer signed a deal a with

U.N.-backed group to allow generic drugmakers to produce low-cost versions of the pill for certain countries. Merck has a similar deal for its pill, which was authorised in Britain earlier this month.

The U.S. has approved one other antiviral drug for COVID-19, remdesivir, and authorised three antibody therapies that help the immune system fight the virus. But they usually have to be given via time-consuming infusions by health professionals, and limited supplies were strained by the last surge of the delta variant.

The U.S. government has already committed to purchasing Merck’s pill.

Federal authorities were in negotiations with Pfizer to buy millions of doses of its pill, according to an official familiar with the matter.

At least one dead from mudslides in Canada after heavy rains

By JIM MORRIS and ROB GILLIES Associated Press

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — The body of a woman was recovered from one of the mudslides caused by extremely heavy rainfall in the Pacific coast Canadian province of British Columbia, authorities said Tuesday.

Police said search and rescue personnel were continuing to look for other possible victims from Monday’s slides.

“Our team did recover one person,” said David MacKenzie, the Pemberton District Search and Rescue manager.

He said his team came across seven vehicles at the slide site on Highway 99 near the town of Lillooet and police were trying to determine if there were any other bodies.

“It is a significant amount of debris. It makes it very difficult for our search crews. The mud is up to their waist. I can’t recall our team being involved in anything like this in the past,” he said.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet said the total number of people and vehicles unaccounted for had not yet been confirmed. She said investigators had received reports of two other people who were missing but added that other motorists might have been buried in the slide.

Jonathan Gormick, spokesman for the Vancouver Heavy Urban Search and Rescue Team, said that while the roadway had been cleared of potentially trapped vehicles or people, they would now be searching the slide’s debris field.

About 300 people spent Sunday night in their vehicles and were helicoptered to safety Monday.

Elsewhere in the province,

A WOMAN and children who were stranded by high water due to flooding are rescued by a volunteer operating a boat as another person’s car is submerged near them in Abbotsford, British Columbia, on Tuesday.

(Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP) Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun said impassable highways were creating havoc in his city as police and firefighters tried to get people to evacuation centers.

“It breaks my heart to see what’s going on in our city,” Braun said.

Sunny skies followed two days of torrential storms that dumped the typical amount of rain that the city gets in all of November, but the mayor said the water was still rising and Highway 1 would be cut shut down for some time.

Braun said he was worried about getting enough information from officials in Washington state about water levels that have risen

dramatically from the overflowing Nooksack River and over the Sumas dike.

“When are we going to crest?

When is it going to level off here?

It’s like a full cup of coffee. Once it’s full, it keeps flowing over the sides,” he said.

Abbotsford Police Chief Mike Serr said officers removed some people from the roofs of cars awash in flood waters Monday night but left some motorists in semi-trucks because they were higher above the water.

“I was out there last night. You could not see where the side of the road was. We had one member

put on a life-jacket and swim out towards a car that was overturned to bring someone back. And that was on a regular basis for about two hours,” Serr said.

About 1,100 homes had been evacuated in Abbotsford, adding to others in various parts of British Columbia, including in Merritt, where the entire town of 7,000 people was forced to leave after the sanitation system failed.

Multiple roadways have been closed because of flooding or landslides, including sections of Highway 1A, Highway 3, Highway 5, Highway 11, Highway 12 and Highway 91.

SPORTS PAGE 11

NBA, Page 15

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2021

Elite NCAA women are taking flight at Atlantis

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

S

everal of the elite NCAA Division I women’s basketball programmes are due in the capital this week for one of the most anticipated early season tournaments on the college basketball schedule.

The inaugural Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis Women’s Tournament, presented by Complete Sports Management, will be a three-day event, hosted November 20-22 at the Atlantis resort.

The tournament features a 12-team field that includes several past national champions.

The No.1 ranked South Carolina Gamecocks, led by head coach Dawn Staley, and No.2 ranked UConn Huskies, led by head coach Geno Auriemma, will headline the group.

Staley was named the Naismith, United States Basketball Writers Association, Associated Press, and Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 2020. She led the Gamecocks to a Final Four last season and said she considers being a part of this field an honour.

“It’s an honour to be part of the inaugural women’s Battle 4 Atlantis, and we’re extremely excited to

Inaugural Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis Women’s Tournament November 20-22

SOUTH Carolina’s Brea Beal passes to teammate Laeticia Amihere during NCAA college basketball game against South Dakota on Friday, November 12, at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D. (Erin Woodiel/The Argus Leader via AP) get to The Bahamas to take part in this event,” she said. “The long history of a well-run men’s tournament means we are confident we will have everything we need to prepare to face a challenging

field and it’s a chance for our team to have an amazing experience off the court as well.”

Auriemma, the Hall of Fame coach who has led the Huskies to 11 National Championships, said:

“We’re excited to participate in the first-ever women’s Battle 4 Atlantis. There’s a lot of great teams in this tournament, and fans are going to see a lot of great basketball. It’s a really good test for our players early in the season in a really great location.”

Other teams set to compete include 2021 NCAA tournament teams the Oregon Ducks (PAC 12), South Florida Bulls (American Athletic Conference), Syracuse Orange (Atlantic Coast Conference), Buffalo Bulls (Mid-American Conference), Minnesota Golden Gophers (BIG 10) and Oklahoma Sooners (BIG 12).

Oregon is ranked No.10 and head coach Kelly Graves said his team sees it as an opportunity to rise the ranks in a great location.

“We’re thrilled to be able to compete with other elite programmes in what is the most competitive tournament in the country. There’s nothing better than having your team tested early in the season against three strong opponents in a place as

beautiful as The Bahamas,” he said.

The South Florida Bulls are at No.21 in the rankings.

Head coach Jose Fernandez said he and his team are happy to be a part of the tournament.

“I think this is an incredible opportunity for all eight teams to experience The Bahamas and play in such a high calibre basketball tournament.

“When you talk about the student-athlete experience, this is something our players will always remember,” he stated.

The men’s tournament, presented by Bad Boy Mowers, will move into its 10th edition.

The field for the men’s tournament will be hosted November 24-26 and will feature several returning programmes.

The UConn Huskies (American Athletic Conference) will make their third tournament appearance while the Syracuse Orange (ACC), Michigan State Spartans (BIG 10), and Virginia Commonwealth Rams (A10) will make their second appearance.

The remainder of the field includes the Baylor Bears (Big 12), Arizona State Sun Devils (PAC 12), Auburn Tigers (SEC) and Loyola-Chicago Ramblers (Missouri Valley Conference) making their B4A debut in the 2021 field.

Ayton: ‘Everyone told me I brought AUS BASKETBALL: GIBSON SCORES CAREER HIGH 19 the energy coming out the gate’

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net DEANDRE Ayton was thrilled to be healthy and back on the floor for the Phoenix Suns but his main focus was ensuring the team extended their league-leading win streak.

“I was telling everybody, make sure you bring that same energy yall was bringing the last few games. Don’t try to take the ‘L’ when I’m back. So I tried to make sure on my end I did what I could, everyone told me I brought the energy coming out the gate,” Ayton said following his team’s 99-96 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves Monday night.

“Man I knew my teammates were coming off a back-to-back so I knew I had to bring it so they complimented me by making sure I’m in the best spots on the floor, they were feeding me the ball and we played together.”

Ayton is the only player averaging more than 15 points and 10 rebounds per game while shooting over 60 percent from the field.

He said he had complete trust in head coach Monty Williams and the staff to clear his return at the right time. “I trust my coach and my teammates so much, they know me when it comes to this basketball thing so he just put me in the right position where I was really energised, when I needed one, he took me out. We spoke before

the game so he made sure I was ready to go,” Ayton said. “[I just had to be comfortable with] defensive coverages. Just knowing where I needed to be, where my team needed me to be, just getting us back in rhythm on both sides of the court.”

Ayton finished with his fourth double double of the season with 22 points and 12 rebounds. He shot 10-14 from the field and opened with a 4-4 first quarter, highlighted by an alley-oop from point guard Chris Paul.

“Glad to be back. I’m glad ‘C’ threw me that, I needed that to see where I was at to be honest. Running was my main thing on my mind to see how I felt when I was running, especially just doing hard turns and quick stops,” Ayton said. “After that first quarter it kicked my but a little bit but when I got back in I knew what I needed to do, I said to myself ‘this is a tight game, it’s going to be a scrappy game’ so it was just setting screens and making sure I get to the rim. I was on the rim early so it made me get comfortable and I started crashing, just attacking the glass like I normally do so I eased my way in.

“I didn’t give up. I didn’t kick out, I stuck with it. To be honest, after the pump fake all I could hear the ref saying ‘that could be three now DA’ counting the amount of time I’m in the paint, so I’m thinking I have to throw this up,

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

BIG RETURN: Phoenix Suns centre Deandre Ayton shoots against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first quarter on Monday in Minneapolis.

(AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn) didn’t make sense throwing hop in his step,” Paul said it out they always steal out postgame. “His energy, his so I have to do what I have offensive rebounds. Didn’t to do.” know he went 10-14, that’s The fourth-year centre big time.” missed the past five games All-Star guard Devin with a lower right leg con- Booker said: “Deandre tusion. Ayton has been in coming off missing those and out of the lineup since games, coming and having he suffered the injury on a matchup against KAT October 30 in a win over is not easy so to come in the Cleveland Cavaliers. here, play the right way is “Big fella came back with a big time.”

QYEMAH Gibson posted a career high scoring night and Shamar Burrows returned to the lineup with a double double to highlight play from Bahamian student athletes in the top tier of Canadian university basketball.

Gibson’s weekend began with a game-winning layup in the final minute of a 96-93 win over the St Francis Xavier X-Men. He finished with 19 points and six rebounds as the Huskies opened play in the Atlantic University Sport Conference at 5-0.

The Huskies lost their first game of the season the following night in the second game of the backto-back against the X-Men. Gibson scored a career high 34 points and grabbed nine rebounds in the loss.

He shot 6-18 from threepoint range and finished 11-19 from the field.

The third year forward is averaging 18.3 points and 7.2 rebounds per game on the season.

Burrows and the Tigers, nationally ranked at No.6 in the latest U Sports poll, split their pair of matchups with the Memorial Hawks.

In game one, Burrows finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds in an 83-79 loss. The Tigers regrouped in game two and responded with their most dominant win of the season (101-64) to even the series.

Burrows finished with 11 points and three assists.

QYEMAH Gibson

SHAMAR Burrows On the season, the fourth year guard is averaging 12 points and 8.9 rebounds per game.

Diangelo Woodside and the Cape Breton Capers recorded their first wins of the season with a weekend sweep over the Prince Edward Island Panthers.

In game one, Woodside finished with eight points in a 91-71 win. He followed with six points and seven rebounds in a 60-59 win in game two.

In his first year with the programme, after stints with the Holland College Hurricanes and Mount Allison Mounties, Woodside is averaging 5.2 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.

PAGE 14, Wednesday, November 17, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Medvedev reaches ATP Finals semifinals, Sinner impresses TURIN, Italy (AP) — Defending champion Daniil Medvedev clinched his place in the ATP Finals semifinals after beating 2018 champ Alexander Zverev yesterday to make it two wins out of two in Turin.

Late entrant Jannik Sinner could join him after storming past Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets in the evening match, just hours after replacing Italian compatriot Matteo Berrettini in the tournament.

Medvedev, who won the US Open in September for his first Grand Slam title, took just over 2 1/2 hours to beat Zverev 6-3, 6-7 (3), 7-6 (6) and move level with the German on a tour-leading 56 wins after a tense tiebreaker in the decisive set.

“Definitely one of the matches to remember,” Medvedev said. “When you win 8-6 in the tiebreak in the third, it was 4-2 for him so I was like OK, he serves a few aces it’s done.

I made it 6-4 and I was like OK, that’s my moment now. It’s back to 6-6 ... Just an amazing feeling. Not actually much to say about the match, just amazing.”

Medvedev leads Red Group and was assured of

his place in the final four after Berrettini pulled out of the tournament. Berrettini retired against Zverev on Sunday with an abdominal injury and although he trained yesterday he could not recover in time and was replaced by Sinner — the first alternate.

Helped by fast conditions inside the Pala Alpitour, Medvedev served 14 aces and Zverev 18.

Medvedev was in a fight from the start, fending off three break points in his opening two service games but also breaking Zverev to take a 3-0 lead. The world No. 2 went on to win the opening set with a delightful backhand down the line.

Victory looked in good time in the second set as Medvedev dropped only two points in his first five service games. But Zverev held on and saved three break points to force the tiebreaker which the German won.

In the deciding set, Medvedev had to save a break point to prevent Zverev from serving for the match, and he won the tiebreaker on his third match point when Zverev netted a backhand.

Medvedev will face Sinner in the final group

By CARLOS RODRIGUEZ Associated Press

RUSSIA’s Daniil Medvedev celebrates after defeating Germany’s Alexander Zverev during their ATP World Tour Finals singles tennis match, at the Pala Alpitour in Turin, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Luca Bruno) match and despite having played a match less than his rivals, the young Italian can still reach the final four.

The 20-year-old Sinner showed no signs of nerves as he won 6-2, 6-2, breaking his opponent’s serve twice in each set and sealing the result when Hurkacz sent a forehand long — much to the delight of the passionate home crowd.

Instead of signing his name on a TV camera lens as most winners do, Sinner wrote: “Matteo sei un idolo” (Matteo you’re an idol).

“I’m playing this tournament for Matteo,” an emotional Sinner said in his on-court interview after the match.

Sinner later revealed he only found out he was definitely replacing Berrettini

four hours before the scheduled start of the match.

“Everything happened really quickly, honestly,” Sinner said.

“Around 5pm I found out I would be playing.

Matteo sent me a message saying ‘go warm-up, good luck and enjoy yourself.’

He’s an incredible person, apart from being a great player.”

Dutch head back to World Cup, playoffs for Turkey and Ukraine

By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer THE Netherlands will be back at the World Cup after an eight-year gap, forcing Norway star Erling Haaland to wait until at least 2026 to make his debut on the biggest stage.

The Dutch did just enough yesterday with late goals in a 2-0 win in Rotterdam that eliminated the Norwegians who were missing Haaland, their injured 21-year-old forward.

Turkey overtook Norway into second place in Group G, winning 2-1 in Montenegro to enter the European playoffs in March.

Ukraine also won away, 2-0 at Bosnia-Herzegovina, to join Turkey as unseeded teams who will be on the road again in the playoffs semifinals.

The unbeaten Ukrainians, who drew six of their eight Group D games, rose into second place above Finland, which was eliminated by losing 2-0 at home to table-topping France.

Kylian Mbappe set up Karim Benzema to score in the 66th before getting the second himself 10 minutes later after a speedy solo run down the left flank.

Wales and the Czech Republic started their Group E games yesterday knowing both were heading to the playoffs, with leader Belgium already having claimed the direct qualification spot to the finals tournament in Qatar.

Wales ensured it will be seeded in the playoffs by drawing 1-1 with the topranked Belgians in Cardiff to finish runner-up in the group.

The Czechs, who beat visiting Estonia 2-0, placed third in the group and take one of the two playoffs entries for teams that won a Nations League group last year.

DUTCH RETURN The Netherlands failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup despite being the beaten finalist in 2010 and reaching the semifinals four years later under then-coach Louis van Gaal.

Now back in charge aged 70 and nursing a newly injured hip that kept him from the dugout, Van Gaal oversaw yesterday’s win from a seat high up in the

NETHERLANDS’ STEVEN BERGWIJN, bottom left, is congratulated by teammates after scoring his team’s first goal during the World Cup 2022 group G qualifying soccer match against Norway at De Kuip stadium in Rotterdam, Netherlands, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Peter Dejong) stands of the empty stadium in Rotterdam.

Entering the final 10 minutes, a Norway goal could have eliminated the Dutch completely. The tension was banished by Tottenham winger Steven Bergwijn scoring with a hard rising shot in the 84th.

Barcelona forward Memphis Depay sealed the win in stoppage time by finishing off a breakaway move through an exposed Norway defence.

Van Gaal’s team finished two points ahead of Turkey after the tightest three-way contest in the 10 European qualifying groups.

“Now we have a long preparation ahead of us, which I am sure will make us an even better team,” captain Virgil van Dijk said.

PLAYOFFS LINEUP Turkey, Ukraine, Wales and the Czech Republic completed the lineup of 12 nations that will compete for three tickets to Qatar in a tense six-day span in March.

They will go into three knockout brackets of four teams each when FIFA makes the draw on November 26 in Zurich.

Wales is the only one of those playing Tuesday to be among the six seeded teams who will play at home in the singleleg playoff semifinals on March 24-25. The other seeded teams are Italy, Portugal, Russia, Scotland and Sweden.

The unseeded teams who will play away from

MUGURUZA DOMINATES BADOSA, REACHES WTA FINALS TITLE MATCH

BELGIUM’s Kevin De Bruyne celebrates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the World Cup 2022 group E qualifying soccer match between Wales and Belgium at Cardiff City stadium in Cardiff, Wales, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) — Garbiñe Muguruza dominated Paula Badosa in a 6-3, 6-3 victory yesterday and will play for the WTA Finals title for the first time in her career.

The sixth-seeded Muguruza, who lost in the semifinals in 2015, is the first Spaniard to reach the singles final since 1993, when Arantxa SanchezVicario was runner-up to Steffi Graff.

“I’m very happy with my performance, it was the best match I played here in Guadalajara,” Muguruza said. “It’s the first time we encountered each other.

I’m very proud of Paula, she started the year back in the rankings and made all the way to the top 10.”

The 28-year-old Spaniard now has a 13-2 record on Mexican soil, where she won back-to-back titles in Monterrey in 2018 and ‘19.

Mugurza awaits the winner of eighth-seeded Anett Kontaveit and fourth-seeded Maria Sakkari who play the other semifinal match later at the Centro Panamericano de Tenis in Zapopan, a suburb of Guadalajara.

Muguruza started the season-ending tournament with a loss to third-seeded Karolina Pliskova but bounced back with victories over second-seeded Barbora Krejcikova, Kontaveit and Badosa.

“I don’t feel like a favourite, maybe on paper or for the TV, but I don’t feel like it,” she said. “I started here losing and I thought that I could be eliminated, so for me to say that I feel like a favourite for the final is complicated.”

The Spaniard reached 41 victories this season, her most in a single campaign since 2017 when she finished with 45.

Muguruza broke the seventh-seeded Badosa in the third game and then held to win the first set in 35 minutes.

In the second set, Muguruza had a break in the second game, saved a couple of break points in the third and never looked back.

Badosa, who turned 24 on Monday, was the youngest player in the semifinals.

The Spaniard finished a breakthrough season that saw her crack the top 10 for the first time in her career.

“It was a tough day, I did not feel myself and she played good, all the credits go to her,” said Badosa, who earlier in the tournament said that Muguruza was her inspiration.

The WTA Finals are being played in Guadalajara for this year only, with the event scheduled to return in 2022 to Shenzhen, China.

NELLY KORDA HAS A NEW COACH

FINLAND’S LEO VAISANEN, left, fights for the ball with France’s Kylian Mbappe during their World Cup 2022 group D qualifying soccer match at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium in Helsinki, Finland, yesterday.

(Markku Ulander/Lehtikuva via AP) home first are the Czechs, North Macedonia, Poland, Turkey, Ukraine and Austria, the other team claiming its place via the Nations League.

North Macedonia is the only European team left in contention that never played at a World Cup

finals tournament. Wales has not been since 1958, which was its only appearance. The three playoff finals will be played on March 28 or 29. Home advantage for those singlegame finals in each bracket will also be drawn by FIFA later this month.

FIFA will make the finals tournament draw on April 1 in Doha. The 10 European qualifiers so far in the 32-team lineup are Belgium, France, England, Spain, Denmark, Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Croatia and Serbia.

NAPLES, Fla. (AP) — Nelly Korda won her first major championship, rose to No. 1 in the world for the first time in her career and topped it off by winning an Olympic gold medal.

That didn’t stop the quest to improve, which is why she has a new coach.

Fresh off her fourth LPGA Tour victory of the year, the 23-year-old American said she began working a few weeks ago with Jamie Mulligan, the longtime pro at Virginia Country Club in Long Beach, California, whose clientele most notably includes Patrick Cantlay.

Korda said she “surfed around” for a new coach, an appropriate choice of words since Mulligan is a surfer at heart when he’s not doing his day job.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, November 17, 2021, PAGE 15

COMING SOON: Spartan kids’ race headed to The Bahamas SPARTAN, the world’s leading endurance sports and extreme wellness brand, announced today that it will hold its Kids World Championship at the world’s most remarkable resort destination - the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas - on August 25-28, 2022.

It is the first Kids World Championship event in nearly three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

And for the first time, the Spartan Kids World Championship will be run outside the United

States at a world-renowned resort.

At the championship race — scheduled for Saturday, August 27 - the globe’s toughest junior Spartans will encounter approximately 26 obstacles along a 2.99-mile course of sand, hardpack, water and cement.

The race will feature qualified athletes in two age groups (9–11 and 12–14) competing in boys’ and girls’ heats for a share of $20,000 in prizes and the title of Spartan Kids World Champion. “These kids have proven

themselves to be the best of the best in our sport,” said Spartan founder and CEO Joe De Sena.

“They’re fast. They’re tough as hell. They’re unbreakable.

They’re all in for an adventure, testing their limits at one of the world’s most amazing destinations. But only four will go home with the title. Let’s do this.”

“The accomplishments of these young athletes speak volumes about their incredible talent, dedication, and commitment to the sport,” said Audrey Oswell, president and managing director,

Atlantis, Paradise Island. “We look forward to welcoming the athletes, parents, coaches, and fans to cheer on these mighty competitors and share our authentic Bahamas at heart hospitality.”

Kids World Championship weekend will also feature a fastpaced Spartan City for parents and adults.

Participants in the City will race three to five kilometres through the resort and onto the beach, braving challenges such as the gauntlet, paracord crawl, and sixfoot wall.

Other kid and family-focused activities include: boat excursionsdaily workouts and workshops; influencer meet-and-greets; the parade of nations; open heats of a half, one and two miles for individual athletes and families; and an inclusive heat for Spartans who may have an intellectual and/ or physical disability to ensure a fun, safe and engaging experience while accommodating any sensory impairments.

Participants will also have access to the world-class amenities at Atlantis, Paradise Island.

Curry cans 37, Warriors rout Nets

MCCOLLUM SCORES 29 AS TRAIL BLAZERS BEAT RAPTORS 118-113

By BRIAN MAHONEY AP Basketball Writer

By ANNE M PETERSON AP Sports Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Stephen Curry had 37 points, easily winning matchup of the NBA’s top two scorers when Kevin Durant had his worst night of the season, and the Golden State Warriors beat the Brooklyn Nets 117-99 last night.

Durant came in leading the league with 29.6 points per game, but he managed only 19, the first time all season he didn’t hit 20. He shot 0 for 8 in the decisive third quarter and finished 6 for 19 after sitting the fourth.

Curry almost caught his former teammate for the NBA scoring lead, making nine 3-pointers and raising his average to 28.7 per game. Durant dropped to 28.9.

Curry was 12 for 19 overall, with fans loudly cheering his long shots and giving him “MVP! MVP!” chants while Durant and the home team misfired.

Andrew Wiggins added 19 points for the Warriors, who bounced back from a loss in Charlotte that stopped a seven-game winning streak and improved their NBA-best record to 12-2.

James Harden scored 24 points for the Nets, who came home from a 5-1 road trip and fell flat in the nationally televised matchup that pitted Durant against his former team.

He won both meetings last season, his first playing for Brooklyn after leaving Golden State.

But this is a much improved Warriors team this season and showed it off during a dominant third quarter when they outscored the Nets 35-18 after a close first half.

Wiggins had the first two baskets of the third and Curry the next two, pushing a five-point lead to 71-58.

Both had to go to the bench during the period with their fourth fouls, but the Warriors did some of their best work without them.

GOLDEN State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (30) shoots over Brooklyn Nets’ DeAndre’ Bembry (95) during the first half last night in New York.

(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

BULLS EXPLODE FOR 121-103 ROUT OF LA, DAVIS TOSSED

By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — DeMar DeRozan scored a season-high 38 points and Zach LaVine had added 26 in the Chicago Bulls’ 121-103 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night.

Lonzo Ball had a season-high 27 points, eight assists and seven rebounds against his former team as the promising Bulls rolled to their fourth win in five games, following up their win over the Clippers on Sunday night by sweeping back-to-back games at Staples Center. Chicago also snapped an eight-game skid against the Lakers dating to November 2016 while going to 10-4 in a promising start to the season.

“I think we are one of the top teams in the NBA,” Ball said. “We’ve still got a lot to improve on and a long way to go, but I think we’re moving in the right direction.”

DeRozan and LaVine combined for 39 points in the first half at Staples Center, hitting seven 3-pointers in a dynamic two-man display. DeRozan kept it up after halftime, following up his 35-point effort against the Clippers with another dominant night on his hometown floor.

“Every night you’ve got to find some type of extra motivation,” said DeRozan, a Compton native.

“We’ve got a couple of guys that played here, (others who are) from here. Just having that extra juice, that energy to go out there and compete, is always beneficial.”

DeRozan and the Lakers flirted with each other in free agency during the summer, but the Lakers

LOS Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis, right, grabs a rebound away from Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso, lower left, and forward Derrick Jones Jr, second from right, as guard Lonzo Ball watches during the first half Monday in Los Angeles.

(AP Photo/Mark J Terrill) eventually went with Russell Westbrook over DeRozan, his fellow Los Angeles-area native.

Anthony Davis had 20 points and six rebounds before getting ejected by referee Scott Wall with 2:20 left in the third quarter.

The Lakers already were well on their way to their fourth loss in the last seven games without LeBron James, who is out with an abdominal strain.

“Coming out with (James) out, you always know you’ve got to play hard and make up the slack for a big piece of our team,” said Talen Horton-Tucker, who had a career-high 28 points against his hometown team. “We’ve all got to bring our games up to another level.”

Westbrook got 19 of his 25 points in the first half for the Lakers, who wrapped up a five-game, eight-day homestand with three narrow wins and two embarrassing defeats.

Three days after Minnesota routed the Lakers with

a dominant third quarter, Chicago went ahead by 25 in the third while scoring 37 points.

TIP-INS Bulls: Coby White played 11 scoreless minutes in his season debut after shoulder surgery.

White started 54 games last season, but Ball has taken over as Chicago’s starting point guard.

Lakers: Kendrick Nunn is still “a ways away” from his Lakers debut, coach Frank Vogel said. Nunn has a right knee bone bruise. ...

Los Angeles played 12 of its first 15 games at home, but will play five road games in eight days before Thanksgiving.

DAVIS OUT Davis was ejected for only the second time in his career. He got his first technical midway through the first quarter, and he got another after he lost his shoe while falling out of bounds with the ball under the Lakers’ basket.

He yelled at Wall when the referee allowed Chicago

to inbound it before Davis put his shoe back on.

“Typically, the ref will wipe the ball, let the guy get his shoe on,” Vogel said. “Have some common sense. Quick inbounds — AD said, ‘That’s B.S.,’ which happens about 15 times in the NBA every game. Quick tech, ejection.

I don’t know what to say about that.”

THE GREAT CARUSO Alex Caruso played 35 scoreless minutes with six rebounds and five assists in his first game against the Lakers since Los Angeles declined to match the Bulls’ free-agent offer last summer. Caruso worked his way from the Lakers’ G League affiliate to a key

role on their 2020 championship team, and the Bald Mamba also became an enormous favourite among the Lakers’ worldwide fan base. Staples Center played a tribute video to Caruso during the first timeout, and he waved to a lengthy standing ovation.

BRING BACK TERRITORIAL DRAFT PICKS The Bulls put out a starting lineup with two former Lakers, two UCLA products, a USC product and two Los Angeles-area natives. The Lakers had two Chicagoland products in their starting lineup: Horton-Tucker is an Uptown native, and Davis is from the South Side.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — If only the Trail Blazers could figure out why they’re successful at home but struggle on the road.

CJ McCollum had 29 points and Damian Lillard added 24 to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to a 118-113 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Monday night.

The Blazers, who were playing the second of a back-to-back, improved to 6-1 at home. That’s in stark contrast to the road, where Portland is 1-7.

“When we play at home, it’s a different team than when we play on the road.

That’s just the truth. And I’m not sure what it is,” Lillard said. “I think when you’re at home there’s just a level of comfort and support that you feel from the fans. But at the same time, we’re NBA players. We play on the road a lot.”

OG Anunoby had 27 points for the Raptors, who have lost five of six. Pascal Siakam added 20.

“They made tough shots,” Anunoby said. “We were playing hard. They’re making tough shots, but we were playing hard. That’s how it goes sometimes.

They have good players on their team.”

It was a streaky fourth quarter for both teams.

Larry Nance Jr’s alleyoop dunk gave Portland a 99-89 lead before McCollum’s 3-pointer pushed it to 105-92.

The Raptors rallied with a 9-0 run, pulling to 105101 on Fred VanVleet’s 3-pointer with 5:34 left.

Portland didn’t let Toronto get any closer, and Lillard’s 3 stretched the Blazers’ lead to 110-101.

VanVleet made consecutive 3-pointers to narrow it to 112-111 with 1:51 to go.

After Norman Powell made free throws for Portland, McCollum hit a jumper to make it a five-point game.

PAGE 16, Wednesday, November 17, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Packers grab No. 1 spot in AP Pro32 poll, Cardinals fall to 4th

By SIMMI BUTTAR AP Pro Football Writer NEW YORK (AP) — The Pack are back.

Aaron Rodgers’ return helped lift the Green Bay Packers four places to the top spot of the latest AP Pro32 poll.

Rodgers missed the Packers’ Week 9 loss in Kansas City after testing positive for COVID-19.

However, the reigning MVP returned for Sunday’s 17-0 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.

The Packers received six of the 12 first-place votes for 378 points in balloting yesterday by media members who regularly cover the NFL. “Defence coming on and (running back) A.J. Dillon packs a power punch, won without Rodgers throwing a TD,” Fox Sports’ John Czarnecki said.

The surging Tennessee Titans, who have won six in a row, got the remaining six first-place votes for 375 points to remain in second place.

Another first-place NFC team, the Dallas Cowboys, climbed four places all the way to No. 3 after a blowout win over the Atlanta Falcons. The Cowboys head to Kansas City to face Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs on Sunday in one of the top matchups of the week.

The Chiefs rocketed up five spots to round out the top 10 after routing the Las Vegas Raiders 41-14.

“The Packers, now that they have Rodgers back, are my pick this week,” said Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk.

“The Titans, perhaps, have the most impressive résumé thus far. The Cowboys were impressive Sunday, but it’s hard to overlook last week’s game against the Broncos. That was a rout against a team that was routed by the Eagles this week.

“It appears the Chiefs are back, but I need to see it again this week against the Cowboys to be sure.”

The Arizona Cardinals, last week’s top team, dropped three spots to No. 4 after a 34-10 loss to the Carolina Panthers.

The Buffalo Bills rebounded after losing to the Jacksonville Jaguars by dominating the New York Jets 45-17 and gained two spots to No. 5.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers slid three places to No. 6 after dropping their second consecutive game, this one to Washington.

The Bucs will finish off Week 11 when they host the New York Giants on Monday night.

The Los Angeles Rams also dropped their second in row and fell three spots to No. 7 after losing to the

GREEN Bay Packers running back AJ Dillon (28) rushes against the Seattle Seahawks during an NFL football game on Sunday in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

(Adam Niemi/The Daily Mining Gazette via AP) San Francisco 49ers 31-10 (Falcons) have also thrown like contenders once more, on Monday night. two interceptions for scores as rookie Mac Jones gets “Matthew Stafford threw this season.” more comfortable each a league-leading three Don’t look now, but week and (coach) Bill Beliinterceptions for touch- the New England Patri- chick gets his team playing downs last season when he ots are back in the top 10. the kind of intelligent footquarterbacked the Detroit The Patriots, who climbed ball that helped create a Lions,” said Rick Gosselin four spots to No. 8, have dynasty,” Newsday’s Bob of Talk of Fame Network. won four in a row and Glauber said.

“He now has thrown trail the Bills by only half “Jones is no Tom Brady, interceptions for touch- a game in the AFC East. but he looks good enough downs in back-to-back The Patriots, coming off a to get this team back into games this month for 45-7 rout of Cleveland, will the tournament.” the Rams. Joe Burrow open Week 11 when they And the Baltimore (Bengals), Derek Carr head to Atlanta to take Ravens fell three places to (Raiders), Mac Jones on the Falcons on Thurs- No. 9 after last week’s loss (Patriots) and Matt Ryan day. “The Patriots look at Miami.

LE’VEON BELL WAIVED

BY RAVENS AFTER MINIMAL IMPACT OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — The Baltimore Ravens waived running back Le’Veon Bell yesterday.

Bell was one of three veterans the Ravens picked up after losing running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards to preseason injuries. Baltimore also brought in Latavius Murray and Devonta Freeman, and Bell had the fewest carries of the three even though Murray has missed the past three games with an ankle injury.

The 29-year-old Bell rushed for 83 yards on 31 carries for the Ravens. He did run for two touchdowns.

“This hurt, but it’s been a blessing to be here to say the least,” Bell said on Twitter. “I’ve enjoyed every second of this short period.”

Now Bell’s career is at another crossroads. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards three times in five seasons for Pittsburgh, then sat out the whole 2018 season in a contract dispute.

After signing with the New York Jets, he rushed for 789 yards in 2019.

Bell was cut early last season by the Jets. He then rushed for 328 yards in 11 games with Kansas City, but he did not play in the Super Bowl for the Chiefs.

GIANTS RETURN FROM BYE FOCUSED ON TOM BRADY AND THE BUCCANEERS

By TOM CANAVAN AP Sports Writer EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — After selfscouting his team and doing a little preparation on the upcoming game against Tom Brady and the Bucs, New York Giants coach Joe Judge gave himself a little time to relax during the bye week.

Judge went to his son’s high school playoff game and then went to a little league football game where a second son plays and a daughter is a cheerleader.

Both won.

The 39-year-old also got a chance to channel surf

NFL games on Sunday before returning to work on Monday.

“You’ve got to prioritise and obviously right now, football is very significant in all of our lives,” Judge said before practice. “It’s our job, it’s our career path, but also when the families come around, you’ve got to make sure you take time to carve that time out.”

The players had a light day of work in their return.

It focused on getting bodies moving again, working on fundamentals and introducing a scheme or two for the final eight games, which start with a nationally televised matchup against

the defending Super Bowl champions, who are now 6-3 after two straight losses.

The Giants (3-6) have won two of three, including an impressive win over the Las Vegas Raiders leading into the bye week.

Remarkably, New York still is in the playoff hunt, 1 1/2 games out of the seventh and last wild-card spot in the NFC. Judge didn’t bother discussing that with the team on Monday. His focus is on Tampa Bay. “They’re one of the best teams in the league for a reason,” Judge said.

“They have arguably the greatest player to ever play

TAMPA Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady stands on the sideline in the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team on Sunday. Washington won 29-19.

(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) the game down there running the huddle, so we’ve got a lot of things to prepare for.

“Talking about hypotheticals, we’ve got enough real things coming at us in a week’s time.”

The Giants are hoping this is the week star running back Saquon Barkley returns to the lineup for the first time since October 10.

He sprained his ankle stepping on the foot of a Cowboys defensive back while running a pass pattern. He missed most of last season after tearing his ACL in the second game.

While Barkley missed a couple of days before the Raiders game because of a positive COVID-19 test, he was back out on the field on Monday.

“He’s done a great job as far as leadership, staying active as a captain on the team and active in the captains’ meeting,” Judge said.

“He has a lot of great insight into what’s going on in the locker room for me, a lot of pertinent feedback that I need, so he’s done a great job as far as that’s concerned.”

Judge also added that running backs coach Burton Burns and running

NEW York Giants head coach Joe Judge talks to players during the first half against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.

(AP Photo/Bill Kostroun) back Gary Brightwell are back with the team after being sidelined by positive COVID-19 tests.

The Giants had a rash of false positive tests in the week leading up to the game against Las Vegas.

“Everyone’s had to test, take multiple tests before getting in the building today and that includes every coach, every player, every staff member,” Judge said,

adding no one has tested positive.

Tight end Evan Engram said getting the win over the Raiders helped going into the bye.

“That was big just for our morale and our mindset as a team,” said Engram, who returned to Mississippi to watch its win over Texas A&M. “It was definitely good to get away and take some time off.”

TO ADVERTISE TODAY IN THE TRIBUNE, CALL 502-2394

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, November 17, 2021, PAGE 17

CWCO sponsors D-Squad Basketball Club A LOCAL sports club known for teaching the fundamentals of basketball during its annual summer camp is now dribbling on international courts.

Throughout November, the D-Squad Basketball Club will have scrimmages with high school coaches and participate in the AUU Turkey Tourney in Florida this weekend.

The trip, sponsored by Consolidated Water (Bahamas) Limited (CWCO), will give players more exposure and assist with attracting scholarships.

Said Harcourt McCoy, principal of CV Bethel

Senior High School and director of the D-Squad Basketball Club: “CWCO’s donation is a help to parents who, in this time, don’t have the kind of money it would take to send their children or take care of the accommodation, tournament, food and transportation costs.”

During the cheque presentation to Mr McCoy, CWCO’s general manager Bryan Russell underscored the impact the D-Squad Basketball Club has had over its 17-year span.

“For almost a decade, we have seen the talent and character development

SHOWN, from left to right: Jeff Burrows, operations supervisor, CWCO, Harcourt McCoy, director of D-Squad Basketball Club, Welliya Cargill, accounts manager, CWCO, and Bryan Russell, general manager, CWCO. being fostered during D-Squad Basketball Club’s annual summer camp.

“It brings us great joy to see Mr McCoy, his team and the students’ tenacity and commitment make

way for new opportunities.

As the players take off to compete internationally, we know they will all represent both their club and The Bahamas very well.

“CWCO is extremely proud

to continue supporting D-Squad Basketball Club’s mission to foster discipline, hard work and community spirit,” he added.

According to Mr McCoy, CWCO “is a constant in the

equation of what D-Squad Basketball Club is doing as a non-profit organisation.”

The club plans to play in local and at least four international tournaments throughout the year.

ENGLISH CRICKET RACISM EXPOSED BY VICTIM RAFIQ AT PARLIAMENT

By ROB HARRIS AP Sports Writer LONDON (AP) — English cricket was forced to confront its racist culture yesterday when former player Azeem Rafiq testified through tears at a parliamentary hearing but with a determination to expose the Islamophobia and bullying he suffered for more than a decade.

“Do I believe I lost my career to racism? Yes, I do,” said Rafiq, who played for Yorkshire — England’s most successful cricket club.

“I hope in five years’ time we are going to see a big change, that I did something far bigger than any runs or any wickets I got.”

Racism complaints that led to Yorkshire launching an investigation in September 2020 reached the British Parliament after the report that dismissed some abuse as “friendly banter” led to no immediate departures from the club’s hierarchy and was not publicly released.

Rafiq told legislators that Yorkshire teammates used an offensive term referencing his Pakistani heritage and that the leadership at the 33-time winners of the

English county championship failed to act on the racism.

“Pretty early on, (for) me and other people from an Asian background,” Rafiq told a House of Commons select committee overseeing sport, “there were comments such as, ‘You lot sit there near the toilets,’ ‘Elephant washers.’ The word P(asterisk)(asterisk) (asterisk) was used constantly. And there just seemed to be an acceptance in the institution from the leaders and no one stamped it out.”

Asked if he thought cricket was institutionally racist in the country, Rafiq responded: “Yes, I do.”

Two former players at Essex have recently also said they were racially abused at that club, whose chairman resigned las week over the use of racist language at a board meeting four years ago.

Rafiq, a former England Under-19 captain, said he felt “isolated, humiliated at times” by his treatment at Yorkshire during two spells playing for the club from 2008 to 2018.

During testimony, Rafiq also made fresh claims of racial discrimination against

US to co-host 2024 T20 World Cup with West Indies DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United States will host a cricket World Cup for the first time after global events from 2024-31 were allocated yesterday.

Pakistan will also stage a first major event in 29 years when it defends the Champions Trophy in 2025.

India, cricket’s financial driver, received the most global events; the 2026 T20 World Cup with Sri Lanka, the 2029 Champions Trophy, and the 2031 ODI World Cup with Bangladesh.

The 2027 ODI World Cup was awarded to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Australia, which will host the T20 World Cup next year, will organise the event again in 2028 with New Zealand. The 2030 T20 World Cup was awarded

to England, Ireland and Scotland.

The International Cricket Council spread its eight global events in the cycle to 14 countries.

The US will co-host the 2024 T20 World Cup with the West Indies. “The USA is a strategic growth market for us,” ICC chairman Greg Barclay said.

Pakistan suffered the withdrawals of tours from New Zealand (security concern) and England (player health) in September, and chairman Ramiz Raja said in receiving the next Champions Trophy, “the ICC has expressed complete confidence and faith in our management and operational capabilities and skills.”

The last major event Pakistan staged was the 1996 ODI World Cup with India and Sri Lanka.

AZEEM Rafiq former England internationals Matthew Hoggard, Tim Bresnan, Alex Hales and Gary Ballance who are accused of using the offensive abbreviation of Pakistani toward him.

“For any part I played in contributing to Azeem Rafiq’s experience of feeling bullied at Yorkshire, I apologise unreservedly,” Bresnan said.

Rafiq said Ballance’s use of “Kevin” as a blanket derogatory term for all people of colour was “an open secret in the England dressing room” and

Hales called his dog Kevin because it was black.

“It’s disgusting how much of a joke it was,” Rafiq said.

As a graduate of the Yorkshire academy, Rafiq recalled Hoggard told Asian players “you lot sit over there” and referred to them as “elephant washers.”

Rafiq has also said former England captain Michael Vaughan said “there’s too many of you lot” at a 2009 game for Yorkshire.

Vaughan denies saying it.

Yorkshire said last month that it would not take any disciplinary action against any of its employees, players or executives despite a report upholding seven of the 43 allegations that Rafiq was the victim of racial harassment and bullying. Only recently have the chairman and chief executive resigned.

The England and Wales Cricket Board has suspended Yorkshire from hosting international matches over its “wholly unacceptable” response to the racism faced by Rafiq, while sponsors are ending deals, including kit supplier Nike.

“I agree that the handling of the report indicates

issues around institutional racism,” ECB chief executive Tom Harrison told legislators.

Rafiq said he was being talked about as a captain of Yorkshire before reporting his concerns in 2017. Then Rafiq said board minutes said he was “a problem, a troublemaker and an issue that needs to be resolved.”

That followed a 2017 preseason tour when Rafiq said he suffered abuse from a teammate in front of others.

“Gary Ballance walks over and goes, ‘Why are you talking to him? You know he’s a P(asterisk) (asterisk)(asterisk).’

Or, ‘He’s not a sheikh, he’s got no oil,’” Rafiq testified.

Two weeks ago, Ballance, a former England cricketer, admitted to using a racial slur against Rafiq when they were teammates at Yorkshire, but said that was in the context of friends saying offensive things to each other.

In a written submission to the hearing, Rafiq claimed that Yorkshire “protected” Ballance by allowing him to miss drug hair sample tests to avoid sanctions.

“When he failed a recreational drug test and was forced to miss some

games,” Rafiq said, “the club informed the public he was missing games because he was struggling with anxiety and mental health issues.”

At one point the committee had to break for several minutes after Rafiq grappled with the emotions of recounting painful experiences.

The Pakistan-born Rafiq, who is Muslim, described his distressing first experience of alcohol at the age of 15 after being asked about his drinking.

“I got pinned down at my local cricket club and had red wine poured down my throat, literally down my throat,” the 30-year-old Rafiq said. “I (then) didn’t touch alcohol until about 2012 and around that time I felt I had to do that to fit in. I wasn’t perfect. There are things I did which I felt I had to do to achieve my dreams.

“I deeply regret that but it has nothing to do with racism. When I spoke I should have been listened to. The game as a whole has a problem, with listening to the victim. There is no ‘yeah, but’ with racism; there is no ‘two sides’ to racism.”

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, November 17, 2021, PAGE 19

$6M CLAIMS JUMP DRIVES BAHAMAS FIRST INTO LOSS FROM PAGE 24

of the health account in Cayman and we will bolster our mitigation strategies to bring this performance back in line.”

Net claims incurred for the three months to endSeptember more than doubled, rising by 126.8 percent to $11.366m compared to $5.01m in the year before period. For the first nine months of 2021, they have increased by 42.3 percent to $26.903m compared to $18.908m in 2020.

“Unfortunately, net incurred claims for the current quarter exceeded prior year results. For the cumulative nine-month period, claims grew by $8m or 42 percent over the same period in 2020,” Mr Ward confirmed.

“During August 2021, Cayman experienced a brush with Tropical Storm Grace, which had sustained winds of 60 miles per hour (mph) and gusts of 100mph. Gross claims expected from this loss event are currently estimated at $2.3m and should not impose a material net impact on the group.”

As a result of the increased claims payouts, Bahamas First’s Cayman subsidiary fell to a $2.41m loss for the nine months to end-September 2021 as opposed to a $1.644m profit in the 2020 comparable period. This wiped out the $1.365m profit produced by the Bahamian operation, although this was itself more than 70 percent down on the $4.674m generated in 2020.

Seeking to point out the positives, Mr Ward said:

“During the third quarter 2021, we saw a continuation of the growth in premiums for both the property and casualty and health segments of our business. Taken in isolation, gross premiums written for the third quarter amounted to $45.5m compared to $42m for the same period in 2020.

“For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, gross premiums grew by 7.8 percent to $135m compared to $125m in the prior year......

Investment income remains flat for the year, due to the Group’s largely unchanged legacy investment in Commonwealth Bank’s equity.

We continue to monitor and control administrative expenses across the group, which are well within budget at this stage of the year.”

Bahamas First is not the only BISX-listed insurance stock with challenges.

Alister McKellar, J S Johnson’s managing director, told investors in unveiling its 2021 third quarter and nine-month results that the combination of COVID-19 and increased reinsurance rates have “taken their toll” on its property and casualty underwriter, Insurance Company of The Bahamas (ICB).

“COVID and reinsurance rate increases took their toll on our underwriting segment for the quarter. The business posted a modest result of $514,267 in net income, which is a substantial decline from the $1.3m it registered in the third quarter 2020,” he explained.

“While we continually look for ways to mitigate

rate adjustments for our customers, it proves extremely challenging in such a tight market.” The figures unveiled by J S Johnson show ICB’s net income for the first nine months of 2021 declined by 60.5 percent year-over-year.

However, net income from the agency and brokerage business helped to more than compensate, as this rose 41.6 percent year-over-year to hit $5.54m compared to $3.913m for the same period to end-September 2020. As a result, J S Johnson’s total nine-month profits jumped by just over 16 percent to hit $6.054m compared to $5.214m the year before.

“Despite the negative impact of COVID-related disruption that we continue to face in the country, our overall financial results for

the third quarter of 2021 were relatively solid and steady,” Mr McKellar said.

“Understandably we’ve seen an increase in customer requests for premium installment payments, and some fall-off in policy renewals, but we continue to monitor and manage the situation effectively. The result of these efforts has been an increase in net income to $6.05m.

“Total income for the quarter rose 7 percent, driven largely by strong performance from our agency business. Net revenue from contracts with customers in this segment rose to $16.8m, a 17.5 percent increase over 2020. A sharp focus on expenses company-wide also helped with profitability in the third quarter by limiting the increase in total expenses to just 3 percent over last year.”

PAGE 20, Wednesday, November 17, 2021

FORMER AG TEAMS UP WITH BRAN’S LAW FIRM FROM PAGE 24

also increased, Mr McCartney said, as has divorce and bank foreclosures on delinquent borrowers.

Disclosing that Mr Bethel joined Halsbury Chambers three weeks ago, having vacated the Attorney General’s Office following the Minnis administration’s September 16 general election defeat, Mr McCartney said he comes with expertise in areas such as civil litigation, conveyancing, mortgages, investments

“and extremely complex matters”.

“He brings a wealth of knowledge,” he added of Mr Bethel. “He’s been practicing law for about 26 years. I’ve been practicing for 31 years. He’s a QC, been attorney general twice, and has contacts throughout the judiciary locally and internationally.

He brings a wealth of experience, knowledge and very good counsel.”

Mr McCartney said two other attorneys, Godfrey Perpall and Syann

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that DEANDRA SHEAKERA SMITH of, #40 Fifth Street, The Grove, Nassau, The Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 17th day of November, 2021 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that LOU BENSON PROSPERE of Cotton Tree Lane Nassau, The Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 10th day of November, 2021 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that EMILY EDMOND of, Abaco, Nassau, The Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 17th day of November, 2021 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

LEGAL NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(8) of the International Business Companies Act. 2000, the dissolution of ALTERNATIVE ASSET ADVISORS S.A. is completed, a Certificate of Dissolution has been issued and the company has therefore been struck off the Register.

The date of completion of the dissolution was 10th September, 2021.

Lashaunda Strachan situated at Garden Hills No. # 1, House#17 Armeryllis Avenue, Nassau, The Bahamas is the liquidator.

LIQUIDATOR ______________________ LEGAL NOTICE

Andros Evolution Limited International Business Companies Act (No. 45 of 2000) In Voluntary Liquidation Notice is hereby given that, in accordance with Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act, (No. 45 of 2000), that Andros Evolution Limited (IBC no. 174059 B) is in dissultion. The date of commencement of the dissolution is 15 day of November 2021. Liquidator of the Company is Crowe Bahamas and can be contacted at Harbour Bay Plaza, Shirley Street, Suite 587, P.O. Box AP-59223, Nassau, Bahamas. All persons having claims against the abovenamed Company are required to send their names, addresses and particulars of their debts or claims to the Liquidator before 14 day of December 2021.

Thompson, were also joining Halsbury Chambers, and added: “We were looking to expand the firm a bit, and that’s what we did.”

He added that he approached Mr Bethel “about a month-and-ahalf ago” following the Free National Movement’s (FMM) election defeat, adding that it occurred “when I was really in search of someone and he came to mind.

“I’ve known him for many, many years. I’ve known him since I started practicing law, and before my involvement in politics,” the ex-DNA leader added.

“I’ve known him to be a very astute, hard working and intelligent lawyer, and he’ll bring those elements to the firm.”

Since leaving ministerial office, Mr Bethel has come under sustained attack from his successor as attorney general, Ryan Pinder, who said his predecessor had spent some $1.1m - or

30 percent of the funds paid to the Government’s foreign law firms between November 2017 and August 2021 - on the failed “political” prosecutions of Shane Gibson and Frank Smith.

Slamming what he branded as “several anomalies and questionable decisions” by Mr Bethel, the current attorney general also hit out at the former administration’s decision to hire two African prosecutors and allow them to sign off on multiple prosecutions despite not being allowed to practice in this nation by the Bahamas Bar Association.

A successful legal challenge subsequently resulted in the prosecution signoffs by the duo being declared invalid by the Supreme Court due to the Bar’s rejection - a ruling that, if not overturned by the Court of Appeal, could impact some 160 cases.

Mr McCartney, meanwhile, said the volume of

PUBLIC NOTICE In accordance with the Order of the Honorable Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson made October 21, 2021, Shares numbered 2,001 to 4,000 describe in share certificate #2 in Blue Illusions Ltd. are to be sold by public auction on Friday November 26, 2021, in front of Supreme Court main Building, Bank Lane, Nassau, The Bahamas between the hours of 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that ARIST NECKO of #19B Tasman Close, Freeport, Grand Bahama, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 10th day of November, 2021 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

legal work coming to his firm is increasing as the economy continues to reopen post-COVID. Besides the continued increase in divorce-related matters, he added: “Surprisingly, we’ve seen an increase in mortgages and conveyances.

“It’s a different type of receipt of fees. It goes through the banks for the most party, and fees are paid in that regard. We’ve seen an increase in mortgages and conveyances, I would say to the tune of about 25 percent since the pandemic, and quite a few wills and probate matters have been coming in.”

However, the other side of real estate-related legal work has also increased despite the protection afforded to delinquent mortgage borrowers by the Homeowners Protection Act. “Unfortunately, to some extent, we’ve seen some increase in foreclosures,” Mr McCartney said.

“It’s modest. For the most part financial institutions are trying to work with the customer, but when it gets to the stage of lack of communication and there’s complete ignoring of their calls by the borrower, they will move towards that [foreclosure].

“The Homeowners Protection Act comes into play, and there’s the requirement to give the homeowner notice. It’s really helpful to the customer. Once that has

THE TRIBUNE

been exhausted the bank moves forward. There’s legislation for the protection of the customer, but we’ve seen where - due to the economy and the pandemic - there’s been an increase in that area unfortunately.”

With legal business increasing across-the-board, Mr McCartney added: “It has picked up tremendously to the extent I would say that, a year ago, we were on a partial ‘go slow’, but it has certainly picked up to where we are extremely busy. I’m even in court trying to get the work out, something which I have been trying to shy away from.”

However, the economic devastation inflicted by COVID-19 means that many clients are struggling to pay their legal bills in full and on time. “There’s no shortage of work, but it’s a business,” the Halsbury Chambers chief said.

“People, for the most part, don’t have the funds. What do you do?

“We’ve had clients for many, many years and you don’t turn your back on them. You help out where you can. You make payment arrangements and work with clients to take care of their legal needs.

That applies across the board. It is based on people not having a job or working part-time, and that has a trickle down effect.”

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that DAWN MARIE CASANDRA HIND-SYMONETTE of #23 Adelaide RoadNassau, The Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 10th day of November, 2021 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, November 17, 2021, PAGE 21

BAHAMAS HAD TO ‘WALK AND CHEW GUM EARLIER’ FROM PAGE 24 stock at end-September 2021, which was below the 42.5 percent stake at endJune 2021 but exceeded the comparative year-earlier of 37.3 percent,” the report said.

“The central Government’s debt stock totalled $10.087bn at end-September, representing respective gains of $151.7m from endJune 2021 and $1.183bn from end-September 2020.

The latter change included the $825m international bond issue, several new loan facilities from the multilateral agencies and a commercial credit.

“The outstanding debt equated to an estimated 98.1% of GDP(gross domestic product) at endSeptember 2021, down slightly from an estimated 100.5 percent at end-June, but considerably above the 84.3 percent in the year-earlier comparative period,” it added.

“External debt at end-September 2021, of $4.353bn, accounted for 43.1 percent of the central Government’s debt portfolio - a net decline of $15.7m from end-June 2021 and the slightly higher share of 44 percent. During the reporting quarter, the Government had drawings of

$23.7m against existing foreign currency facilities.”

Mr Pinder’s argument is that had The Bahamas struck a balance tilted slightly more towards an earlier re-opening of the economy, the foreign currency borrowings over the past year may not have needed to be so excessive to support the reserves and the one:one currency peg with the US dollar.

This would have required an earlier tourism reopening, given the sector’s importance to the overall Bahamian economy, but Mr Pinder and others have long argued that heavy foreign currency borrowing stores up potential problems in later years due to the pressures it imposes on the external reserves and export-earning sectors to generate inflows to service debt repayment.

“In the early stages we were pretty much in line with what other countries were doing as we were in uncharted territory,” the Bahamian economist said of the pandemic response, “but I feel that the constant lockdowns brought us to our knees and we needed to find a way to straddle the fence there.

“One of the luxuries we don’t have as a small country is that we don’t have

the ability to print money.

The US, UK and larger countries can stimulate their economies by printing money. We don’t have that luxury. We don’t have a currency that’s convertible, tradeable. That limits your options.

“I felt as a small economy we had to find a way to straddle the fence by allowing some commercial activity while controlling the pandemic. I felt we should not have gone into an extended lockdown for a lengthy period of time. As a result, we had a massive increase in foreign currency debt.”

The July-October period in 2020 was punctuated by various lockdowns and associated COVID restrictions, with the tourism industry only properly re-opening in November - almost exactly one year ago.

“It was too late,” Mr Pinder argued. “They [the Minnis administration] had kind of a moment where it was recognised we could not have these extended lockdowns because of both the build-up in foreign currency debt and the failure of businesses.

“We had to find a way to manage the situation while maintaining some level of commercial activity, and it

would have been helpful if this was done even earlier.”

The Davis administration has been seeking to reduce The Bahamas’ reliance on foreign currency borrowing since taking office, instead wanting to tap the $2.4bn in surplus liquidity held in the domestic banking system.

It has also pushed back the $700m foreign currency bond issue, which was planned by the former administration, until the second half of the 20212022 Budget year. But, with more than $2bn worth of debt maturing and coming due for payment in the next eight months to endJune 2022, Mr Pinder said the Government had little option but to refinance or rollover this sum.

Of the $2.078bn in debt principal due to mature over this period, the vast majority - some $1.908bn - is held by domestic investors such as banks, pension funds, insurance companies, mutual funds and other institutional investors.

This will make it easier for the Government to refinance or rollover the existing debt with new bond issuances, given that $1.516bn or just under 75 percent of that $2.078bn is held in local securities.

Just under 10 percent of the Government’s total debt

BIDEN CHOICE FOR JUSTICE ANTITRUST POST WINS SENATE APPROVAL

By MARCY GORDON AP Business Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s choice to lead enforcement of competition laws at the Justice Department has won Senate approval as his administration pursues action against outsized market power it has condemned in several industries, including Big Tech, health care, airlines and agriculture.

The bipartisan vote Tuesday was 68-29 to confirm Jonathan Kanter, an antitrust lawyer who has opposed tech giants in private practice, as assistant attorney general heading the Justice Department’s antitrust division. The position has been without a permanent head for nearly a year as Biden and his advisers sifted through a number of qualified candidates and then nominated Kanter in July to face Senate vetting.

Kanter, who also has experience in government at the Federal Trade Commission, will join the team of competition regulators and advisers that Biden has assembled to carry out an anti-monopoly agenda.

They include Big Tech critic Lina Khan, elevated by Biden in June to head the FTC, and Tim Wu, another previously outspoken critic of Big Tech, who is a top White House adviser on technology and competition policy. The FTC, an independent regulatory agency, also oversees consumer protection and privacy in addition to competition issues.

As part of the efforts to increase competition, protect consumers and curb

corporate dominance, Biden has ordered regulators to give greater scrutiny to mergers.

At his confirmation hearing last month, Kanter promised vigorous enforcement to ensure a level playing field for businesses and consumers. He said he’s been a strong advocate of “vigorous antitrust enforcement in the technology area, among others.”

As head of the antitrust division, Kanter likely will direct prosecution of a landmark case against

Google filed by the Trump Justice Department in October 2020, accusing the company of abusing its dominance in online search and advertising. Kanter has represented smaller companies that have competed with Google and have lodged complaints about the search giant’s conduct.

The FTC, meanwhile, is pursuing an antitrust lawsuit against Facebook, now called Meta, asserting that the tech giant is a monopoly in the social networking market. The

stock, some 9.5 percent, is due to mature within the next year.

The Davis administration may also seek to offer extended maturities on any new debt issues in a bid to spread out repayments, although investors are shying away from longterm paper because of the perceived greater risk associated with investing in government securities.

Appetite is also thought to be low because many are at their regulatory or prudential limits on such holdings.

“The good thing is that domestic debt gives you greater flexibility to refinance, rollover etc,” Mr Pinder said. “At least they have some flexibility there. You cannot afford to make $2bn in repayments. You have to rollover or refinance. There’s no alternative.”

ADVERTISE TODAY! CALL THE TRIBUNE TODAY @ 502-2394

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE Pursuant to the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act, (as amended) NOTICE is hereby given that Corona Capital Associates Corp. is in dissolution and the date of commencement of the dissolution is the 16 November 2021.

Maria-Clara Polidura and Joycelyn Curry LIQUIDATORS c/o EFG Bank & Trust (Bahamas) Ltd Goodman’s Bay Corporate Centre 3rd Floor, West Bay Street and Sea View Drive P.O. Box CB 10956 Nassau, Bahamas

PAGE 22, Wednesday, November 17, 2021

‘YOU RISK YOUR CAREER TO SIT ON GOV’T BOARDS’ FROM PAGE 24 without the other Board members’ approval. Further, the 2012 Black Toyota Camry and the 2010 Grey Mazda Premacy were purchased without the chairman and any other Board members approving the purchase.

“It was further noted that none of the purchases were ever mentioned in

Board minutes and, during a meeting of the Board dated December 9, 2020, it was indicated that ‘all works that were approved at the last meeting have to be on hold because of lack of funds’. However, we noted that the Kia Soluto Sedan and the Toyota Camry were purchased at this time.”

As to the consequences of all this, the Auditor General’s Office added: “The

unauthorised purchase of vehicles can lead to abuse of funds that were intended for the operations of the National Sports Authority. It is recommended that the practice of unauthorised vehicle purchases cease immediately; all vehicle purchases should obtain Board members’ approval.”

Mr Rodgers, who asserted that the white Kia was not a 2021 model, vehemently refuted the Auditor General’s Office finding that he had approved the vehicle’s purchase without reference to his fellow Board members. “Never. Never. Never.

B.S,” he responded, when questioned by Tribune Business, adding that he immediately challenged the need to buy all three automobiles.

“The minister gave the directive; it came from her.

I found out about the vehicles when I went to work and they called me for a Board meeting. I said: ‘What’s it for?’ The minister said: ‘The financial controller has in his contract that he has a car’. I said: ‘If it’s in his contract that’s fine; I didn’t know’. I saw it [the contract] afterwards. I made them bring it to me. It was there that he get the car.”

Mr Rodgers said he had “a problem” with the

Authority spending money to buy vehicles for managerial staff, adding that he would “never” follow such practices in the private sector, but was overriden

by Mrs Rolle. “One was approved by me for the financial controller after he got that in his contract. The other two [vehicles], I said: ‘Where are they coming from?” he added.

“I just don’t buy cars for my employees. Never. If you are a manager, I may give you an allowance. The Government wastes too much money; it’s too much money.”

The ex-National Sports Authority chair, though, said the Auditor General’s disputed findings over the vehicle purchases shows how government Board appointees take a major reputational risk when accepting their seats.

“For a person like me in the private sector, you risk your career taking these jobs on,” Mr Rodgers told Tribune Business. “You risk your career to serve your country. You cannot risk your career for this.

Why risk your career doing something like this?”

Mr Rodgers, meanwhile, said it was himself and the Board who called in the Auditor General’s Office

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL The Public is hereby advised that I, KEYRON LIVINGSTON SMITH AKA KEYRON LIVINGSTON McMILLAN of Poppy Avenue, Garden Hills, Nassau, The Bahamas, intend to change my name to KEYRON LIVINGSTON SMITH. If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Officer, P.O.Box N-742, Nassau, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.

to conduct an audit rather than the other way around.

“That’s why I wanted to meet with the Auditor General,” he added. “You tell me what the rules are, and we are going to follow the rules based on what you say.

“We met with the Auditor General so we could have a direct understanding of what their expectations are. We had a follow-up meeting with them, and we expressed our concerns to them as to what was happening between the ministry and the Board.”

Many government corporation and agency Board appointees are often unaware prior to accepting the job just how big a task they are taking on. This newspaper can recall one well-known Bahamian businessman complaining privately to it that their chairmanship of a leading educational institution was consuming 60-70 percent of their time.

Mr Rodgers’ fellow Board members included National Sports Authority general manager, Quinton Brennen; Ministry of Sports’ sports director, Timothy Munnings; Bahamas Olympic Committee representative Wellington Miller; Gravette Brown; Telford Munnings; and Gregory Bonimy as well as consultant Ulrick ‘Rick’ Fox. The former chairman said that Mr Fox, who won three consecutive NBA titles with the Los Angeles Lakers and is now in an acting career, “never one day collected $1” for his role. “He did it as a favour to me,” Mr Rodgers said.

Appointed as chairman in August 2019, he added that the combination of Hurricane Dorian and

THE TRIBUNE COVID-19 had prevented the National Sports Authority from making the desired advances during his tenure.

“I took over in August.

Four days after I took over, Dorian came,” Mr Rodgers recalled. “Everything was cancelled, and we became a shelter. Right after we came out of the shelter, in February 2020, was when COVID hit.

“That lasted until July this year when things started to open, and when we started to go into planning on the calendar. The way sports works, you have to a plan a year in advance.

You don’t plan for tomorrow. I was there 18 months as chairman, and only for three months did actual work.”

The Auditor General’s Office disclosed that the National Sports Authority’s annual income has dropped progressively in previous fiscal years, falling by $57,257 or 29 percent in 2018-2019 and $47,017 or 30 percent in 2019-2020. As a result, its top-line earnings dropped by $100,000 over the two-year period following the 2017-2018 fiscal year’s end.

Attributing the decline to $97,917 to a combination of COVID-cancelled events and Dorian, the report said: “We were informed that the decrease in revenue during the year 2019 resulted from the National Sports Authority’s inability to generate revenue from the use of their Sir Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium and rental suits of 37W and 39W due to individuals displaced

by Dorian occupying the gymnasium.”

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, November 17, 2021, PAGE 23

HALF OF BUSINESSES YET TO LAUNCH ONLINE

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

MORE than half the Bahamian businesses surveyed by the Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) have yet to launch an e-commerce platform, it was revealed yesterday.

The research, conducted by the Chamber’s digital transformation committee in July 21, also found that over 40 percent of respondents listed cyber security concerns as the primary reason for not making their goods and services available online.

Although the sample size was relatively small at just 42 businesses, the results indicate that a sizeable percentage of the Bahamian private sector has yet to make the transition from ‘bricks and mortar’ to the e-commerce world at

a time when the COVID19 pandemic’s fall-out has accelerated the digitisation process.

“While there was an increase in the number of companies that have integrated components of digital transformation into their business model, more than half of those surveyed did not launch an e-commerce platform,” the Chamber said in a statement of the findings.

“More than 40 percent of the respondents listed cyber security concerns as the reason for not making e-commerce platforms available to their customers. However, the research showed an increase in the awareness of the importance of e-commerce for sustainable business operations.”

Analysing the findings further, the Chamber added: “Several respondents indicated an interest in integrating a digital payment

platform in the next six to 12 months. Respondents indicated a need for more general information about the Sand Dollar and how it will work in their business as the digital currency was not currently in use.

“They were equally divided between the decision to integrate or not to integrate the Sand Dollar as a payment option in the next six to 12 months....

There appeared to be interest because of the convenience for the customer.

However, the main reasons for hesitancy in the uptake within the respondent group were not having enough information about the digital currency and lack of demand from customers.

“Related to digital payments, some respondents felt that their customers were not sufficiently techsavvy to use digital payments or that implementing the infrastructure to enable

these types of transactions would be onerous,” the analysis continued “The top challenge to businesses implementing digital transformation initiatives was a lack of internal understanding of digital strategies. Companies indicated a willingness to invest in digital strategies, expecting the primary outcomes to be increased operational efficiency and improved customer experience.”

Still, the Chamber said 64 percent of companies surveyed have a technologybased business continuity plan (BCP) that would allow their business to operate digitally.

Some two-thirds of respondents also served clients outside The Bahamas, with a similar proportion stating that online was part of their general business strategy. “Respondents felt that their organisations were innovative, and that

innovation was considered an essential part of their success,” the Chamber said.

“Respondents indicated strong agreement with the importance of digitisation and digital transformation within their organisations.

Moreover, they also strongly agreed that their organisations support a culture of collaboration, knowledge sharing and constant innovation.

“They were most likely to use social media (82.14 percent), cloud computing (71.43 percent) and mobile apps (67.86 percent), and web content management (67.86 percent) as part of the digital strategy. Social media was the primary means of collecting customer data and feedback used to improve operations.”

Despite the strong interest in cloud computing, and numerous respondents saying it us part of their operations, the Chamber

KALIK MAKER EYES 10% SUPPLY CHAIN COST RISE FROM PAGE 24

Up against relatively weak year-over-year comparisons, given that the 2020 third quarter was hit by multiple lockdowns and other COVID-related restrictions, Commonwealth Brewery’s third quarter sales rose by close to $7m or just over 29 percent, hitting $29.13m as opposed to $22.533m in 2020.

Hit hard last year by the tourism industry’s shutdown, rising unemployment and reduced incomes, and restrictions on bars, restaurants and nightclubs, as well as alcohol sales generally, Commonwealth Brewery said that it “continued to experience strong growth in net revenue” compared to the same period last year.

“The company’s expectation is that growth will continue for the

remainder of the year as COVID-19 related restrictions are more relaxed and the economy recovers, led by rebound of the tourism sector,” Commonwealth Brewery said in a statement to shareholders.

“The retail and offpremises channels have demonstrated rapid improvement driven by consumer spending preferences for home and small gathering consumption, rather than at events attended in large numbers.

“Going into the fourth quarter of the year, the company anticipates that with the approach of the festive season and further easing of curfews and other restrictions, there will be further improved growth in revenue as the hotel and on-premises channels continue to experience boost to their performance.”

Noting, though, that supply chain and other headwinds remain, Commonwealth Brewery added: “Operating expenses have increased to $23m for the period (13 percent), which is in line with the increase in production to mirror the increase in consumer purchases.

“The current disruption of the global supply chain has resulted in increases to the cost of goods and production materials. The company anticipates that this disruption will result in approximately a 10 percent increase in cost over the remainder of the year.

Commonwealth Brewery will continue to implement cost mitigation and other measures to maintain the profit margin.

“In the third quarter, Commonwealth Brewery continues to show profitability with net profit of

$1.9m in comparison to the net loss of $0.8m for the comparative period 2020.

Overall, Commonwealth Brewery realised comprehensive income of $6.121m for the first nine months of 2021. Management will continue to adjust its business strategies as we restore operating results to preCOVID 19 levels.”

For the nine months to end-September 2021, Commonwealth Brewery’s bottom line has undergone a positive $10m swing back into profitability, generating net income of $6.12m for the period as opposed to a $3.923m loss last year.

Revenues for the period rose by close to $14m or 20 percent, hitting $83.339m as opposed to $69.42m in the nine months to endSeptember 2020. As for operating expenses yearto-date, they were up 4.2 percent at $68.544m.

The BISX-listed brewer, which is 75 percent majority owned by Heineken, unveiled its 2021 third quarter results just after its managing director warned shareholders not to expect the group’s revenues to fully recover from COVID19 “before 2023” following a $38.2m drop-off in 2020.

Jurgen Mulder had reminded investors of the pandemic’s impact in the 2020 annual report, with the global health crisis having derailed what he described as a strong start to the year despite Hurricane Dorian’s impact on Grand Bahama and Abaco.

Branding January and February 2020 as “financially very strong”, the Kalik manufacturer ultimately endured “a dramatic year” in 2020 where its revenues fell by 29 percent or $38.2m year-over-year due to the combined impact of

added: “While there is strong interest in cloud computing for business continuity, most respondents replied that the main method of communicating with - and connecting to - customers was via social media.

“Most did not have e-commerce capabilities available to their customers.

The belief in innovation and the overall lack of implementation of innovative initiatives may result from a lack of clarity about digital as a business strategy.

“In addition to perceived cyber security issues related to e-commerce, the lack of e- commerce capabilities may also point to a lack of awareness about the existence and purpose of the e-Commerce Advisory Board and/or the e-commerce legislation passed over the past 12 months.”

COVID-19 lockdowns, prohibitions on alcohol sales and other health-related measures.

“Only a relentless focus on cost allowed us to reduce our expenses by $27.8m (24 percent), minimising the overall loss to $0.6m for the full year. Our focus on cash led to a reduction of $4.8m (17 percent) in inventories and a reduction of $3.8m (56 percent) in our receivables. Our loans and borrowing increased by $1.2m,” Mr Mulder told shareholders.

Turning to the future, he indicated that Commonwealth Brewery’s top-line will not return to pre-pandemic levels this year or in 2022. “We are carefully optimistic for 2021, but don’t expect a full recovery of revenues before 2023,” Mr Mulder said. “In the meantime, we will be focused on revenue recovery and managing our cost base carefully, while building a bright future.”

business@tribunemedia.net

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2021

$5.10

$5.17

$5.11

‘You risk your career to sit on Gov’t Boards’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE National Sports Authority’s (NSA) ex-chairman has warned “you risk your career to serve your country” when sitting on Boards at government-owned agencies.

Burton Rodgers spoke out as he disputed findings by the Auditor General’s Office that he signed-off on the purchase of a vehicle for the Authority “without the approval of other Board members”.

He told Tribune Business he was “directed” by Lanisha Rolle, the former minister of youth, sports and culture, to acquire a white Kia Soluto Sedan for use by the Authority’s financial controller on the basis that the provision of a vehicle was included in the latter’s employment contract.

Revealing that the financial controller had been hired

by Mrs Rolle, who resigned in controversial circumstances in February 2021, the former chairman said he had been

• Ex-Sports Authority chair: ‘Serving country’ can come at price • Rejects Auditor General’s finding on vehicle purchase sign-off • Says directive to buy three autos came from resigned minister

$6m claims jump drives Bahamas First into loss

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS First has warned “it will take some time” to correct problems with its Cayman subsidiary’s life and health portfolio that have been blamed for a $6mplus jump in claims payouts.

Patrick Ward, the underwriter’s president and chief executive, said the issues at Cayman First had pushed the group into a near-$1m loss for the nine months to endSeptember 2021 - a near $8m negative turnaround from the $6.842m comprehensive income generated in the same period last year.

The Bahamas First chief could not be reached for comment, despite Tribune Business leaving several messages for him, so the precise nature of the difficulties with the Cayman subsidiary’s life and health portfolio - and how long it will take to redress them - could not be ascertained.

Still, Mr Ward told shareholders via the third quarter and nine-month report: “The escalation in health claims costs highlighted in earlier reports continued on an accelerated track in the 2021 third quarter, resulting in an increase of about $6m in claims costs over the same period in 2020.

“This adverse claim development accounts almost entirely for the reduction in net underwriting income to $20.5m compared to the $27.6m achieved in the prior year. While we are reasonably confident that we have identified the underlying causes, it will take some time to correct the situation fully and restore the health account to acceptable profitability targets......

“The Group’s comprehensive [loss] is now $1m, compared to $6.8m [in profits] in 2020. It is clear that the difference in outcomes is chiefly related to the performance

SEE PAGE 19

unaware of the vehicle commitment until she issued her directive. Subsequent checks confirmed the National Sports Authority was obligated to provide a car.

The Auditor General’s Office report into the National Sports Authority, which details the events leading up to the minister’s departure, warned that the “unauthorised purchase of vehicles can lead to abuse of funds”. However, Mr Rodgers said the white Kia and two other automobile acquisitions were all directed by instructions received from Mrs Rolle.

“It was noted that three vehicles, namely a 2021 white Kia Soluto Sedan ($17,360); a 2012 Black Toyota Camry ($14,393); and a 2010 Grey Mazda Premacy ($6,500) were all purchased by the National Sports Authority. However, [they] were not listed in the asset register,” the Auditor General’s Office found.

“It was revealed that the 2021 white Kia Soluto Sedan was approved by the chairman

Bahamas had to ‘walk and chew gum earlier’ • Economist challenges foreign borrowing scale • Nation needed to ‘straddle fence’ on COVID • Extended lockdowns ‘brought us to our knees’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

CARL BETHEL QC

BRANVILLE MCCARTNEY

hiring other attorneys in response to what Mr McCartney described as “an extremely busy” workload compared to the “partial go slow” that the Bahamian legal profession endured for much of 2020.

He told this newspaper that mortgage

and conveyancing legal work has increased by “about 25 percent” since The Bahamas emerged from the worst of the COVID-19 lockdowns.

Financial services work and related litigation has

THE Bahamas should have “found a way to walk and chew gum” earlier in the COVID19 pandemic so as to minimise its foreign currency debt hike, an econoRUPERT PINDER mist argued yesterday.

Rupert Pinder, who lectures at the University of The Bahamas (UoB), told Tribune Business that while the external reserves needed support amid last year’s tourism shutdown he was still questioning whether “such a big build up of foreign currency debt” was necessary if the country had struck a better balance between re-opening the economy and COVID controls.

The Bahamas’ foreign currency debt increased by $1.3bn in the year to endJune 2021, according to Central Bank data, and Mr Pinder said: “I think one of the concerns was really in terms of the foreign currency debt. When tourism was pretty much shut down, to stabilise your foreign reserves it was felt there was a need to increase foreign currency debt.

“I still question whether there was a need to have such a big build-up of foreign currency debt. I was not a big proponent of the increase in foreign currency debt. To be honest, I felt all along that we should have found a way to walk and chew gum, and extend that long-term.”

The Ministry of Finance’s Public Debt Bulletin, released on Monday night, pegged the foreign currency share of The Bahamas’ total public sector debt stock at just under 42 percent at end-September 2021.

“External indebtedness at $4.778bn constituted 41.8 percent of the total debt

SEE PAGE 20

SEE PAGE 21

SEE PAGE 22

THOMAS A. ROBINSON STADIUM

Former AG teams up with Bran’s law firm

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net EX-ATTORNEY general Carl Bethel QC has teamed up with Branville McCartney’s law firm as part of an expansion drive to help it cope with increased business volumes.

The former Democratic National Alliance (DNA) leader last night confirmed to Tribune Business that Mr Bethel has joined his Halsbury Chambers law firm as senior legal consultant, saying he “brings a wealth of knowledge” obtained by practicing law for 36 years.

The move, which took effect three weeks ago, comes as the law firm is

$5.18

Kalik maker eyes 10% supply chain cost rise

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net COMMONWEALTH Brewery is predicting that global supply chain disruption will increase its costs by 10 percent over the remainder of 2021 as it sustains its return to profitability.

The BISX-listed Kalik manufacturer, unveiling its results for the 2021 third quarter and first nine months, said it will seek to maintain its profit margin despite the cost base

pressures after it produced a positive $2.7m bottom line swing for the three months to end-September.

Aided by the economy’s continued re-opening and relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions, the vertically-integrated brewer, wholesaler and retailer turned the $766,965 comprehensive loss sustained in 2020’s third quarter into a $1.976m profit this time around.

COMMONWEALTH BREWERY LTD

SEE PAGE 23