11282022 NEWS AND SPORT

AG DEFENDS THE NATION OVER FTX

Ryan Pinder hits out at assertions over Bahamas regulations

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

ATTORNEY General

Ryan Pinder last night defended the country’s digital asset regulations in the wake of international criticisms over its regime following FTX’s collapse, calling assertions that FTX only came to The Baha mas because it was a poorly regulated jurisdiction

“shocking” and ignorant.

Mr Pinder also expressed disappointment over “inac curate allegations” made by John Ray, FTX Trading Ltd’s new chief executive, who said he had “credible evidence” that the Baha mas government “directed unauthorised access” to FTX’s systems, and aided the withdrawal of digital assets.

Mr Ray made the claims

POLICE APPEAL TO DRIVERS AFTER TWO DIE IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS

By DENISE MAYCOCK and LETRE SWEETING Tribune Staff Reporters

TWO people are dead after separate traffic acci dents in Grand Bahama and New Providence over the weekend, prompting police to appeal to motorists to slow down while driving.

Shortly before midnight on Saturday, a 39-year-old male pedestrian was hit while attempting to cross

Queens Highway in the area of Pine Forest.

Chief Superintendent of Police Jeremy Henfield, officer in charge of the Eight Mile Rock Police Station, reported that the victim, a resident of Holmes Rock, died at the scene.

Police said a small grey car was travelling east along the highway when it hit the pedestrian on the southern side of the road.

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle @ tribunemedia.net

STERLING Global

Financial

David

this

ceremony to mark the mari na’s opening.

Among those present at Friday’s event included Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, National Security Minister Wayne Munroe, Labour and Immigration Minister Keith Bell and other dignitaries.

Giving keynote remarks, Prime Minister Davis hailed the Hurricane Hole

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor

INSIGHT THE LONG WALK TO FREEDOM FOR WOMEN IN THE BAHAMAS

He spoke at a grand

A DRAFT Cabinet paper seemingly prepared for the Prime Minister advised that Bahamians could enjoy a further $22m in savings if trades were executed to continue Bahamas Power & Light’s (BPL) fuel hedging at discounted prices.

A FORMER Asso ciation of Bahamas Marinas (ABM) president says he has suffered “the worst Thanksgiving in 30 years” while linking the drop-off in boating traffic directly to VAT’s imposition on foreign yacht charters.

officially opened its Hurricane Hole Supery acht Marina on Paradise Island on Friday, marking a significant milestone for the international company.

Kosoy, Sterling Global’s founder and exec utive chairman, thanked his team and the government of The Bahamas for their support, saying: “None of

could really be done as I said without all of the people working there and the dignitaries, all of the politicians.”

RUBY ANN COOPER-DARLING, the first Bahamian woman who registered to vote, was honoured on Saturday at a ball hosted by the Progressive Liberal Party. The gala ball, held at Baha Mar, was organ ised as the country celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Women’s Suffrage Movement. Mrs CooperDarling registered to vote in the 1962 general election, which was the first time women were allowed to vote in The Bahamas. Mrs Cooper-Darling (right) is pictured with United States Congresswoman Frederica Wilson, who presented her with a copy of the Congressional Record showing her contribu tions and achievements which will be permanently placed in the United States Library of Congress.

PHOTO: Moise Amisial

PRIME

at the event.

AG defends the nation over FTX

in US court filings on November 17.

The Securities Commis sion has since shot down the characterisation, explain ing that it requested control of FTX’s assets and upon court approval, had it trans ferred to a digital wallet under its management for “safekeeping.”

Yesterday, Mr Pinder called Mr Ray’s remarks “regrettable” and defended the Securities Commission’s decision to protect FTX Digital Markets’ assets for the benefit of clients and creditors.

“It is extremely regretta ble that in Chapter 11 filings for bankruptcy protection made in New York last week, that the new chief execu tive of FTX Trading Ltd – not the Bahamas-based FTX Digital Markets – but an affiliate company incor porated in Antigua and Barbuda—misrepresented the timely action taken by the Securities Commission, and used inaccurate allega tions lodged in the transfer motion to do so,” Mr Pinder said.

“It is possible that the prospect of multi-million dollar legal and consult ant fees is driving both their legal strategy and the intemperate statements. In any case, we urge prudence and accuracy in all future filings.”

The attorney general spoke on the FTX saga during a televised national address yesterday.

For much of his speech, Mr Pinder addressed inter national criticisms of this country’s digital asset regu latory regime and also hit out at false claims made about the FTX debacle.

FTX Digital Markets, which is headquartered in The Bahamas, was placed into provisional liquida tion earlier this month after experiencing a liquidity crisis, sparked by clients’ simultaneous withdrawal of assets from FTX.

Following its liquidation, FTX, its sister company Alameda Research and dozens of other affiliates filed for a bankruptcy peti tion in Delaware and FTX founder Sam BankmanFried resigned as CEO.

Mr Bankman-Fried has since been replaced by Mr Ray who was appointed to the role after his resignation.

The firm’s collapse has since attracted international attention and sparked inves tigations by Bahamian and international law agencies, who are now looking to see whether customer funds have been misappropriated or mishandled and whether any laws were violated.

“As is provided for under our regulatory framework, we are already working with a number of specialists and experts, and will continue to do so as the need arises. There are a number of pro tective measures which the regulator has taken under the authority conferred by the Supreme Court of The Bahamas,” Senator Pinder continued.

“For the time being, we will not set out those meas ures in any further detail, until we are confident that doing so will not jeopardise any aspect of the ongoing investigations.”

As investigations con tinue, Mr Pinder advised authorities to exercise “pru dence and restraint” while commenting on matters related to FTX, adding that “ill-informed speculation” will not be helpful to anyone involved.

He also hit out at those who have criticised the gov ernment for being “silent” on matters regarding FTX’s implosion, explaining that due to ongoing investi gations, officials must be careful in how they respond to questions related to the embattled crypto currency exchange.

“The dozens and dozens of companies involved, registered in numerous jurisdictions across the world, the scope of related

parties, including some of the world’s most sophisti cated investors, demonstrate the cross-border, multijurisdictional nature of this event,” Mr Pinder said.

“And it is deeply mis guided to conclude that reluctance to communicate the details of an active inves tigation means that nothing is happening; in fact, the government’s discretion stems from how seriously we take our commitment to the rule of law and the inde pendence of the securities regulator.

“We have been shocked at the ignorance of those who assert that FTX came to The Bahamas because they did not want to submit to regu latory scrutiny; in fact, the world is full of countries in which there is no legislative or regulatory authority over crypto, but The Bahamas is not one of them.”

Mr Pinder added: “We have been able to assert our leadership in this new field because in the digital assets arena, what matters is not the size of your land mass, or the size of your GDP, but the ingenuity and rigour of your people and jurisdiction.

“When a respected risk and market integrity firm ranked the world’s digital assets regulatory regimes earlier this year, our coun try was first, and for good reason. The digital asset sector is a high profile, embryonic sector of the Bahamian financial ser vices sector, an area where The Bahamas has demon strated global leadership for decades.

“As a world-leading desti nation for tourism, we have been audacious before in

ELDERLY WOMAN’S DEATH AT EXUMA RESORT BELIEVED TO BE ‘ACCIDENTAL’

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

AN elderly American woman was found dead at a local resort in Exuma early Friday morning, with officials believing her death was “accidental”.

The woman, said to be 87-years-old and from Pennsylvania, was found unresponsive in the shower of a condo hotel residence at Grand Isle Resort and Residences.

She was staying at the resort while on vacation with family from Virginia, accord ing to a statement released by the resort.

Police said they were alerted to the inci dent around 12.15 am Friday.

Foul play is not suspected, police added; however, investigations are said to be continuing.

“Until authorities have determined what led to the tragic accident, we cannot com ment further except to say that on behalf of all the staff and others at the resort who have heard of the incident, our hearts are sad dened, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the family,” Grand Isle Resort also said.

“We ask that you provide them the privacy and the peace they need at this time.”

Exuma and Ragged Island MP Chester Cooper, who is also minister of tourism, investments and aviation, offered condo lences to the victim’s family on Friday and advised that his ministry was willing to lend support in whatever way possible.

“Our heart goes out to the family,” he told reporters on the sidelines of an event on Friday night.

“The Ministry of Tourism reached out today (Friday) to the family and we have offered our thoughts our prayers and support.”

He also said from all indications, it is believed that the victim’s death was accidental.

“All indications are that it was acciden tal,” Mr Cooper continued. “No foul play, according to the advice that I have received. It’s just a very unfortunate set of circum stances whenever one of our guests passes in our country. We feel it and it’s a part of our family and community so we grieve with the

family, and we hope that God will give them strength during this difficult time.

“It’s unfortunate and we have had our share of tragedies in Exuma, but we are positive about the future and there is a very strong outlook for Exuma and The Bahamas.”

Exuma has attracted heavy media atten tion this year.

In May, three Americans, all in their 60s, were found dead at the Sandals Emerald Bay Resort in Exuma after falling ill.

They were identified as Michael and Robbie Phillips, a couple from Maryville, Tennessee, and Vincent Paul Chiarella, of Florida.

Police later confirmed that asphyxiation due to carbon monoxide poisoning was the cause of their deaths.

Chiarella’s wife was the lone survivor in the incident after being airlifted to the United States for treatment.

In August, another American tourist died at the same Sandals Emerald Bay resort in Exuma after reportedly complaining of experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.

The man was believed to be 70-years-old.

Despite these unfortunate incidents, island officials have remained hopeful about Exu ma’s economic outlook, saying they didn’t believe they would affect the island’s tourism product.

Mr Cooper was also of the same view on Friday when asked if he was concerned that this latest tourist’s death would negatively impact the island.

“There’s nothing mysterious about the death,” Mr Cooper continued.

“The information will reveal itself in due course.

“The police (are) continuing their investigations.

“They will release the findings. I won’t endeavour to speak on the police part but there is nothing mysterious about it and I’m confident that in the course of time, police will speak to the issue.

“This will not have (any) impact on the product and no impact on Exuma and we just want to reach out to the family at this time and offer our best wishes and our thoughts and prayers at this time.”

asserting that ‘it’s better in The Bahamas.’”

“We will not hesitate to do so again,” he also said.

As for the future of the nation’s digital asset indus try, Mr Pinder echoed comments similar to that of Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis, saying he had every confidence The Bahamas will emerge from the FTX’s fall out “in even higher esteem.”

The attorney general also said officials believed this turbulent period will pass and that opportunities for more growth laid ahead for the sector.

“A turbulent cryptocurrency period on a global basis, and the downfall of a single Bahamian company, in no way threatens a bright future for The Bahamas. Quite the opposite,” he added.

“Those entrepreneurs who are ready to create new financial products that serve a broader range of consum ers, remain welcome to come to The Bahamas. They can be certain that we have in place a principled, fair, comprehensive and ethi cal regulatory regime. They can also be certain we will act quickly and decisively to enforce it, if and when our laws and regulations are breached. They will see that The Bahamas is a place of laws.

“They will see that the rule of law, and the exercise of due process, characterise the integrity of our jurisdiction.

“And they will have found yet another reason why, it’s better in The Bahamas,” he concluded.

POLICE APPEAL TO DRIVERS AFTER TWO DIE IN TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS

CSP Henfield said the male driver stopped his vehicle and made checks. Soon after, he said police arrived at the scene.

“An ambulance was called to the scene, but the male suc cumbed at the scene,” he told reporters.

“This is the second accident we had in EMR within a matter of days, and I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to the motoring public to please drive with due care and attention.”

Chief Supt Henfield said there is a lack of streetlights in the area and motorists should be alert and reduce their speed.

“We are asking them not to drive beyond the headlights, in other words do not drive further than you can see. We know we have dark pockets without streetlights in the EMR area, and this accident happened within a mile of the last accident. The area is a little dark, so we are asking motorists in the EMR area or any residential area to drive within the speed limit.”

He also urged pedestrians to wear fluorescent or light col oured clothing so that motorists can see them at night.

When asked about the victim’s identity, CSP Henfield said they are still in the initial stages of their investigations.

“My understanding is that the victim is a resident of Holmes Rock and frequents the EMR Fish Fry. We are still in the preliminary stages of this accident. It is sad we lost another resident of West Grand Bahama just within a matter of days. You can imagine how those parents feel. Please slow down, we are on the brink of the yuletide season and people will be traversing the street more frequently.”

In an effort to curtail speeding in the community, CSP Henfield said that a police cyclist has been stationed in EMR to deal with speeders.

“So, we are here, always out on the streets and our cars are out on patrols. We are doing those things to ensure persons slow down,” he said.

That same day, around 1.30am in the capital, a 59-year-old woman who was driving a white Nissan March, occupied by two other women, crushed into a parked breakfast van.

All those in the vehicle received serious injuries and the driver died at the scene, police said.

Emergency Medical Services responded and carried the remaining passengers to the hospital where they remain in serious condition, police said.

Police are appealing to the public to drive with care and “to arrive alive”.

“Police are investigating and appealing to members of the public to drive with due care and attention.

“Additionally, police would like to remind drivers as the holiday season approaches of the following: Never drink and drive, if you decide to drink, ensure there is a designated driver, obey all traffic laws, be careful when overtaking and watch out for blind spots, wear seat belts at all times and drive to arrive alive,” police said.

These recent incidents follow a series of traffic accidents throughout The Bahamas earlier this month that resulted in the deaths of five people.

Shortly before 10pm on Wednesday, a male pedestrian died after being struck by a vehicle while crossing a street in Eight Mile Rock, Grand Bahama.

The victim was then taken to the Rand Memorial Hospital where he was examined by a doctor and pronounced dead.

Around 7.30pm on November 20, a 62-year-old West Street pedestrian was struck by a vehicle on Carmichael Road, New Providence. He was taken to hospital, where he later died.

Around 9.28pm, that same day, in Gregory Town, Eleuthera, a silver colored Nissan Note, occupied by a man and a woman, crashed into a casuarina tree.

The male driver was airlifted to New Providence and is listed in serious condition.

However, the female passenger died from her injuries at the scene.

Earlier this month, two other traffic fatalities occurred in North Andros and Acklins.

Investigations into the latest incidents are continuing.

FROM PAGE ONE

POLICE at the scene of the accident in the area of Pine Forest. PHOTO: Vandyke Hepburn

FROM

ATTORNEY General Ryan Pinder speaking on Sunday.

US CONGRESSWOMAN FREDERICA WILSON PAYS COURTESY CALL ON PM

By LETRE SWEETING lsweeting @ tribunemedia.net

UNITED States Con gresswoman Frederica Wilson joined Prime Min ister Philip “Brave” Davis at the Office of The Prime Minister for a courtesy call on Friday to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Women’s Suffrage Movement.

Congresswoman Wil son’s visit came a day after a special joint sitting at the House of Assembly which brought members of Parliament and sena tors together in the lower chamber.

The joint sitting cel ebrated the contributions that Bahamian women have made to the national development of the country.

Mr Davis welcomed the Bahamian American con gresswoman with open arms pointing to the great strides females have made in Parliament.

“We are celebrating the 60th anniversary of

the suffragette move ment, when women were permitted the right to reg ister to vote, and the first woman to have done that, Ms Ruby Ann Darling, in whose honour a gala ban quet is going to be held tomorrow (Saturday) night, and I’m so pleased that you consented to be a part of that auspicious occasion with us,” he said.

“The women of our Parliament, our Congress women put us men on the side on Wednesday, the usual sitting. And we were quieted by the voices of the ladies,” Mr Davis said.

“And it was a joint ses sion, a bicameral session between both houses. We had the Senate and Par liament meeting together, which is a rare occasion, at which time, our ladies just recounted the history and spoke to the journey and the struggle. They also reminded us of the rest of the glass ceilings that have yet to be broken,” he said.

“It was a wonderful occasion and a wonderful

expression of women in the Bahamas. And we’ve come a long way,” Mr Davis said.

Congresswoman Wilson called it an honour to be back in The Bahamas.

“I am just so happy to be here for women all over The Bahamas.

“Because of Ruby’s legacy, today, there are seven women elected to Parliament. This is his toric,” she said.

She added, “So I am so happy to be here and at the Ruby ball, I will present a copy to Miss Ruby Ann Darling, a copy of the Con gressional Record showing that her incredible contri butions and achievements have been recorded in the US congressional record.

“The official record will be permanently placed in the United States Library of Congress forever.

“(It) is a privilege to recognize all that she has done to forge a bright, brave future for Bahamian women, which reminds us how far women have come,” she said.

Hurricane Hole Superyacht Marina officially opened

Superyacht Marina, which is a part of a $250m redevelopment project of the Paradise Island loca tion, as a welcome addition to the continued develop ment of The Bahamas’ world-renowned tourism product.

He said: “This 250-mil lion-dollar development is set to revitalise and diversify Paradise Island’s luxury vacation profile. The entire development has effectively created a downtown district on Para dise Island and includes restaurants, harbourfront residences, professional offices, a food store, a wines and spirits retailer, and other commercial and retail vendors.

“This boon is bringing excitement to Paradise Island, adding to the con venience for Paradise Island residents and the experience of visitors at hotels and short-term rent als. More dining, boating choices, entertainment, and convenient services will serve to augment the over all experience of residents and visitors alike.

“At the heart of this development is the Sterling Hurricane Hole Superyacht Marina capable of hosting the world’s most exclusive superyachts — boats up to 420 feet in length,” Mr Davis also said.

“I’ve been made to understand that this marina boasts a cutting-edge rede sign with floating and fixed docks, and an impressive 6,100 linear square feet of berthing space.”

Continuing his praise of the high-end marina, the prime minister said it is poised to perhaps “be the best and most sought after” in the region and stands to become a standard bearer in the industry.

He also congratulated project developers for their vision and commitment in bringing this project to life, which he said will likely have a long-term posi tive impact on the nation’s recovering economy.

Mr Cooper, minister of tourism, investments and aviation, also delivered remarks at Friday’s event, saying this of the develop ment: “These are exciting times for Nassau’s Paradise Island.”

He added, “These are exciting times for tour ism, and we know that our bookings for the next three months are 16 percent ahead of where they were in 2019.

“That didn’t happen by chance. We have a great brand called the islands of The Bahamas and we have a great team called team tourism and we have a phenomenal strategy to take The Bahamas to the world.”

Ground was broken on Hurricane Hole’s redevel opment in January 2019.

The project encom passes residential, retail, professional office space and already features a 700 Wines and Spirits store, as well as the newly opened Hurricane Hole Superyacht Marina.

“(Bookings are) where we expected,” Mr Kosoy told reporters in a later interview Friday. “And so, as people come, they tell their friends. I mean you can see here today that it’s probably 80 percent or 90 percent full so the book ings and quite truthfully, nobody else has floating

docks and big boats want floating docks. It’s that simple.”

The multimillion-dollar Hurricane Hole project will also include a restaurant, bars, a clinic and pharmacy and grocery store, which are set to be constructed in its second phase of development.

Sterling Global Finan cial is an international financial services company, headquartered in The Bahamas, with over $9b under its administration and management.

The firm has over the years undertaken several Bahamas-based projects, including Beach House Villas among others. It has financed the Courtyard Marriott resort in down town Nassau, and Ocean Terraces on West Bay Street.

It is also working on sev eral major developments throughout the Family Islands, including Abaco.

UNITED States Congresswoman

Frederica Wilson and Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis.

PHOTO: Letre Sweeting

FROM PAGE ONE

DEPUTY Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism Chester Cooper; David Kosoy, Sterling Global’s founder and executive chairman and Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis. Photos: Austin Fernander

This year’s Black Friday successful for local businesses

By JADE RUSSELL jrussell@tribunemedia.net

LOCAL businesses said Black Friday was successful this year as customers dashed to the stores to catch the sales.

The Tribune canvassed several busi nesses on Black Friday, which was on November 25.

There were customers anxiously wait ing in line with shopping carts and baskets filled with items that were on sale.

Celeste Romer, customer representa tive of BTC, said from 6am when they opened their location at the Southwest Plaza, customers quickly came in to take advantage of the store’s 50 percent off Friday sale.

“It’s been awesome. Lots of custom ers have been coming in since 6am this morning when we opened and it’s been more than we expected,” Ms Romer said.

When asked how Black Friday was compared to last year when there was a mask mandate and stricter protocols due to the high level of COVID-19 cases, Ms Romer responded: “I feel now customers are coming in more and we have a better turnout. Last year we didn’t see as many people considering the circumstances, but people are out and about and they’re getting what they need to get done.”

Shawn Gomez, marketing director at CBS Bahamas, said that there was a crowd of people anxiously waiting to get in the store after 3am.

Ms Gomez said CBS opened its doors at 6am and offered up to 75 percent off

on items.

“So shortly before 4am we had people lining up already. It’s always a fun time for us, a lot of people anticipate it because we do the early morning shop ping that is much like the United States.

“They like the excitement and the hype of it. I think for us it’s special because we have two stores now, the Southwest Plaza store and the one that’s on Robinson Road. And we are doing Black Friday for the first time on both sides simultane ously,” Ms Gomez said.

When asked what some of the most popular items that flew off the shelves this year during the sale, Ms Gomez said ceiling fans, irons, air fryers and small appliances for homes were in high demand for customers.

Meanwhile, Merline Cash, manager of Fine Threads, said although Black Friday was a success for the store, they still pulled in the same amount of sales com pared to last year. The store also offered 20 percent off on items with up to 40 per cent off on selected items.

“I didn’t really see a big difference because the people were still shopping even with the mask mandate. So, there’s not really a big difference for us,” she said.

Ms Cash described the flow of custom ers on Friday as pretty good.

Black Friday, the day after the US Thanksgiving holiday, is regarded as the first day of Christmas shopping in Amer ica. It’s a day when US retailers normally have big sales, and the trend has caught on locally.

TEENAGER CHARGED WITH ARMED ROBBERY

A TEEN was sent to a juvenile detention facil ity on Friday after he was charged with robbing a man at gunpoint earlier this month.

The 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named because he is a minor, stood before Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux on a charge of armed

robbery. He is accused of robbing David Palmer of $1,000 cash on November 9, while concerned with another and armed with a handgun. Due to this being an indictable offence, the accused was not required to enter a plea in court. His case will be fast tracked to the Supreme Court by a voluntary bill of

indictment (VBI).

The accused was further told that as the magistrate lacked the jurisdiction to grant him bail he would have to apply for it through the higher court. Until bail is granted, he will be sent to the Simpson Penn Centre for Boys. The VBI in this matter is due for ser vice on March 1, 2023.

BTVI SEARCHING FOR NEW PRESIDENT

THE Bahamas Technical and Voca tional Institute has launched the search for its new president.

According to a press release, the new president will ideally be a Bahamian citizen; will preferably possess an earned terminal degree (highest level attained in the field) from a recognised and accred ited institution of higher learning; and will have at least ten years of senior leadership/administrative experience in

progressively more responsible positions, with a strong record of achievement, preferably having achieved this experience in an institution of higher education.

All applicants should be familiar with educational systems in the British Com monwealth (including The Bahamas and the Caribbean) and in North America. Applications are being accepted until December 31.

MAN AND WOMAN IN HOSPITAL AFTER SHOOTINGS

A MAN and a woman are in hospital after sepa rate shootings in New Providence on Friday and Saturday.

Police said shortly before 9am on Friday, a 28-yearold woman was standing at Goal Alley off East Street north with a male friend when they were approached by two male occupants of

a black Nissan Note who opened fire on them.

The woman was shot multiple times and later taken to hospital in a pri vate vehicle.

A 24-year-old man is in serious condition in hos pital after he was shot on Saturday around 1.30am. Police said the victim was dropped off at the hospital

by two unknown men in a dark vehicle.

Officers said the circum stances surrounding the incident are unknown and appealed to members of the public who have informa tion to call police at 911/919, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at 5029991/2 or Crime Stoppers at 328-TIPS (8477).

WILCHCOMBE PLANS TO DISCUSS ISSUE OF MARITAL RAPE AT WOMEN’S CONFERENCE

By LETRE SWEETING lsweeting @ tribunemedia.net

SOCIAL Services and Urban Development Min ister Obie Wilchcombe yesterday said he plans to discuss the issue of marital rape among other things next March at a three-day women’s conference.

“We’re going to have in March of next year a threeday women’s conference to deal with national women’s issues and that will coin cide with International Women’s Day.

“It’s all intended to speak to the scope of issues that women are dealing with,” Mr Wilchcombe said yesterday.

“Marital rape will be on the agenda, but we want to talk about also other matters of legislative importance to women.

“We want to talk about wages, we want to talk about domestic violence generally, we want to talk about women’s lack of access to capital,” he said.

“Once we get a hold on the issues, then we’ll be able to deal with the issues. But at the present time we hear a number of things, but I want to bring every body together. I want to have a full discussion on these subjects over a threeday period and come up with a paradigm, a plan of action that we can carry forth,” Mr Wilchcombe said.

In September, the Min istry of Social Services and Department of Gender and Family Affairs’ hosted a one-day symposium at Superclubs Breezes on sexual offences legislation.

A draft amendment to the Sexual Offences Act that seeks to criminalise marital rape and redefine what consent is and dis cussed at the forum and there was some pushback from a few religious leaders to the proposed changes.

Mr Wilchcombe previ ously said the government hoped that consultations

on the drafted Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2022 would be com pleted before early next year.

Asked how long the consultative period will last, the minister said the government is hoping to complete it ahead of the attorney general’s meeting with the United Nations representatives in early 2023.

“We’re trying to move as quickly as we possibly can because we do have some commitments. The attor ney general has to speak at the United Nations next year February or March and we don’t want to be in a situation where we’re continuing having to answer questions about our human rights while we’re critical of (other) countries and their human rights, so let us be leaders,” he said in September.

Yesterday Mr Wilch combe attended the Memory March celebrat ing the 60th anniversary of the Women’s Suffrage Movement.

The march, which started shortly after 2pm at the Southern Recreational Grounds on Blue Hill Road and ended at Rawson Square on Bay Street, included many govern ment and non-government agencies.

Mr Wilchcombe said yesterday that the march is a celebration of the hard work that women of The Bahamas have done and continue to do.

“It is a reflection on the work done by those who came before, the blood sweat and tears, the efforts, the diligence, the determi nation to allow women to achieve as they have,” he said.

“Women in our coun try have responded to the work of the Women’s Suf frage Movement, have done incredibly well in all spheres and continue to move in a progressive way,” Mr Wilchcombe said.

“What we intend to do today is celebrate the day, celebrate the founders, celebrate the suffrages and plan for tomorrow,” he said.

Among those march ing yesterday were representatives from the Free National Movement, Women United advocacy group, Bahamas National Alliance Trade Union Congress (BNATUC), Bahamas National Breast feeding Association, Princess Court Ministries, Bahamas Department of Correctional Services Band, the Urban Renewal Band, Customs Depart ment and others as well as Mr Wilchcombe.

SOCIAL Services and Urban Development Minister Obie Wilch combe.

NULLIUS

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-

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(THE CONVERSATION) Bar bados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley spoke passionately to the United Nations General Assembly in September about the mounting debt many developing countries are shoul dering and its increasing impact on their ability to thrive.

The average debt for low- and mid dle-income countries, excluding China, reached 42% of their gross national income in 2020, up from 26% in 2011. For countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, the annual payments just to service that debt averaged 30% of their total exports.

At the same time, these countries are facing a “triple crisis of climate change, of pandemic and indeed now the conflict that is leading to the infla tionary pressures that lead regrettably to people taking circumstances into their own hands,” Mottley said.

Rising borrowing costs coupled with high inflation and slow economic growth have left developing countries like hers in a difficult position when it comes to climate change.

High debt payments mean countries have fewer resources for mitigat ing and adapting to climate change. Yet climate change is increasing their vulnerability, and that can raise their sovereign risk, increasing the cost of borrowing. Declining produc tive capacity and tax base can lead to higher debt risks.

It’s a vicious cycle.

As one solution, countries and international organisations are talk ing about “debt-for-climate swaps” to help tackle both problems at the same time. U.N. Deputy Secretary-Gen eral Amina Mohammed mentioned debt-for-climate swaps ahead of the November 2022 U.N. Climate Change Conference as one option for refinanc ing countries’ “crippling” debt.

HOW DEBT SWAPS WORK

Debt-for-climate swaps allow coun tries to reduce their debt obligations in exchange for a commitment to finance domestic climate projects with the freed-up financial resources.

They have been used since the late 1980s to preserve the environment and address the liquidity crisis in develop ing countries, including Bolivia, Costa Rica and Belize.

These are commonly known as “debt-for-nature swaps.”

Belize, for example, was able to lower its debt in exchange for com mitting to designate 30% of its marine areas as protected areas and to spend $US4 million a year for the next two decades on marine conservation under a complex debt-for-nature swap.

The swap, organised in 2021 by The Nature Conservancy, involves the U.S.-based environmental group lending funds at a low-interest rate to Belize to buy back $553 million in commercial debt at a deep discount of 45%. The Nature Conservancy raised funds from the investment bank Credit Swisse via the issuance of “blue bonds” backed by the U.S. government, which gave the bonds a strong investmentgrade credit rating.

Similarly, Costa Rica has carried out two debt-for-nature swaps with the United States.

Under the swaps, Costa Rica agreed to allocate $53 million for conserva tion projects.

It has already planted more than 60,000 trees and reversed its deforestation.

While debt-for-nature swaps have been used mostly for conservation, the same concept could be expanded to climate change mitigation and

adaptation activities, such as building solar farms or sea walls. Some finance experts have suggested that debt-forclimate swaps could be structured in a way that could also encourage pri vate-sector bond holders to exchange the national debt they hold for carbon offsets.

THREE KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL DEBT-FOR-CLIMATE SWAPS

I work with the Climate Policy Lab at the Fletcher School at Tufts Univer sity. Our experience with debt swaps offers lessons for the design and imple mentation of debt-for-climate swaps.

First, the complex governance struc tures of debt swaps have limited their use. In the past, transactions were gen erally small, generating only about $1 billion in funding for the environment from 1987 to 2003. A term sheet tem plate for future debt-for-climate swaps could reduce the complexity and lower the time and costs involved.

Second, debt-for-climate swaps would need to relieve enough of the debt burden to allow debtor countries to invest in climate adaptation and mitigation projects. For instance, the U.S. created debt-for-nature swaps with Indonesia in 2009 that were criti cised for not doing enough to help the Indonesian government achieve its conservation goals.

Another concern is known as “addi tionality” – ensuring that the swaps lead to additional climate efforts, as opposed to covering efforts already planned or already paid for with inter national climate finance.

With widening gaps between the amount of adaptation assistance reach ing countries and the amount they need, debt-for-climate swaps can be a meaningful source of funding. Climate Policy Initiative, a nonprofit research group, recently estimated that about 90% of the adaptation needs countries listed in their Nationally Determined Contributions – the climate change plans they submit to the U.N. – can be only met with help from development banks or other countries.

REGIONS EXPERIMENTING

WITH DEBT SWAPS

A few regions are testing debt-forclimate swaps.

The Economic and Social Commis sion for Western Africa has developed a Climate/Sustainable Development Goal Debt Swap, in which it func tions as a liaison between creditors and seven pilot countries. The initia tive focuses on advancing sustainable development and climate goals, such as developing more resilient agriculture.

Similarly, as part of the Caribbean Resilience Fund, the Economic Com mission for Latin America and the Caribbean plans to launch a Debt for Climate Adaptation Swap.

It aims to reduce the $527 million of debt in three pilot countries by issuing green bonds, similar to Belize’s debt swap.

Development banks would play a crucial role by guaranteeing new bonds and reducing the credit risk.

With carefully designed debt-forclimate swaps and support from international institutions, developing countries could expand their finance for desperately needed climate miti gation and adaptation actions and remove some of their heavy debt burden.

(This article is by Soyoung Oh of Tufts University for theconversation. com. The Conversation is an inde pendent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from aca demic experts.)

Taken aback by how FTX met its demise

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Greetings and thank you yet again for the opportu nity to address these several points of national impor tance, I appreciate it.

I am a follower of the local news. And especially this week in The Bahamas, what made news has left a bitter taste in the mouths of countless Bahamians. And I, for one, have been taken aback and trying to bring structure to how such a well intentioned and futuristic digital asset conglomerate met its demise so haphaz ardly, or was it?

Some economists have compared it to Enron, but, you know, it is still early in what could prove to be quite an Herculean taskto-garner-all, or most of the relevant pieces of evi dence, the material dossier, the blueprint-of-sort, that would help to illuminate the story regarding the who, how, what, why, and per haps when?

This financial debacle has drawn the attention and comments from all across the globe and with some negative statements being expressed by people who should know better, referring to the Bahamian authorities and, or banking institutions as crooks, why?

It seemed to me, and the last time I checked this American businessman Mr Sam Bankman-Fried

in his initial news confer ence in Nassau, indicated that he has travelled the world looking for the right country to launch his main headquarters, but not until he found the Bahamas did he know that he had had found the right country.

But what did he mean by looking for the right coun try? To do what? When I heard it, it caused my antennas to be elevated because it pointed to gar bage, I thought? There are many countries in the world where this kind of com pany could be successfully launched, even if it were to do it in a country dominated by vacation properties, etc, would be ideal for this kind of business. Or did he find that The Bahamas and its financial systems were not as updated as some other countries and so could be exploited?

And to the powers that be, perhaps it is time for the Hon Prime Minister and his Deputy, to recuse themselves from press con ferences, where a foreign investor(s) was unveiling plans to do business in The Bahamas. And as the pre ponderance of what that objective had as its centre investments, falling under

Finally, while the FTX Digital Market Ltd, may be domiciled in the Com monwealth of the Bahamas, does not negate the fact that possible crimes were perpe trated in multi- jurisdictions that also have a legitimate and inherent right to pursue wrongs, or possible crimes committed against its citi zens. Therefore, and while the local authorities have desires to take total charge, or authority over the FTX Digital Market Ltd, and Chief Executive Officer Sam Bankman-Fried-filed bankruptcy proceedings, but is suspected of pos sibly having committed a series of serious blue collar crimes? I entreat you and for you to have no author ity over how, for instance, the United States may want to pursue their interests, for crimes possibly committed against Americans, which they are lawfully able to do?

The only difficulties I envision is how to share the same evidence?

Who will pursue that information and how will they marshal it?

FRANK GILBERT

Nassau, November 19, 2022.

Is this a parking zone?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

West Bay opposite OPM the Wynn property the centre green median – is this a parking zone? The past few weeks obviously construction workers are using this green no parking zone for a convenient park ing area – one, it obstructs the view for oncoming traf fic, secondly, if there was an accident certainly poten tial for fire in a number of vehicles.

Parking in Goodman’s park, noted a reserved open space by law, but the

eastern end parking area clogged to over flowing with construction workers‘ vehicles from the Wynn Hotel - what will happen when it opens?

The employees with their 110 vehicles will jam pack the public parking area and walkers, swimmers and the public trying to use the public open space will have to find an alternative location.

Where are Parks 86 Beaches - wake up, the parking areas west and east end should be reserved for public use only – west end

a limited area set aside for the jet skiers, but no food trucks and the east end solely and only for the public.

The construction work ers’ trucks-vehicles parked down the centre median of West Bay - watch out the wrecker coming - where are the Police?

I hope not nine months too late!

I am tired - tired of so much slackness.

P BULLARD Nassau, November

16, 2022.

the remit of The Bahamas Investment Authority’s hierarchy, should be the ones on the podium, joint hosting the press confer ence, not the nation’s leaders.

How debt-for-climate swaps can help solve low-income countries’ crushing debt and environmental challenges at the same time

DANCE fans attend a Guinness World Record attempt at the Teo Capriles velodrome of the National Sports Institute of Caracas, Venezuela, Sunday. The group is part of Venezuela’s Salsa Casino dance schools that intend to break the Guinness World Record for the largest number of couples dancing this type of Latin rhythm. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

AFTER being closed in March 2020 due to the pandemic and experienc ing an extended closure to undergo needed repairs/renovations, Fort Charlotte held an ‘open house’ event on Satur day. The event included a drilling reenactment and simulated cannon firing.

PHOTOS: Moise Amisial

MAN FINED $300 FOR DRUG POSSESSION

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was fined $300 in the Magis trate’s Court after admitting to having drugs for his own personal use.

Aljaharez Brennen, 30, appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney on a charge of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply.

On November 20 in New Providence,

Brennen was arrested after he was found with six grams of Indian hemp as well as six marijuana infused gummies.

In court Brennen pleaded guilty to the offence and admitted that the drugs were for his personal use.

His charges were reduced to simple pos session of dangerous drugs.

However, given the fact that Brennen has prior convictions, the magistrate imposed a fine of $300 or in default, a month in prison.

THREE CHARGED IN SEPARATE CASES OF SEXUAL ASSAULT

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

THREE men were charged in Magistrate’s Court on Friday in three separate cases of sexual assault.

One of these cases involved a recent home invasion and rape of a woman in Andros earlier this month.

Garnet Thompson, Jr, 24, appeared before Mag istrate Algernon Allen, Jr, on charges of burglary and rape.

It is alleged that on the night of November 18 in Cargill Creek, Andros, Thompson broke into the house of a 27-year-old

woman. It was at this time that the accused is said to have had sex with the female complainant with out her consent.

Peter Stuart, 34, rep resented by Miranda Adderley, faced Magistrate Kendra Kelly on a charge of rape.

On June 5 in New Provi dence, Stuart is accused of having sexual intercourse with a 17-year-old girl against her will.

The final male, Dominique Brennen, 36, also represented by Ms Adderley, stood before Magistrate Shaka Serville on a charge of assault with intent to rape.

On November 18 in New Providence, it is alleged

that Brennen assaulted a woman to force her to have sex with him.

Due to the nature of these offences none of the three defendants was required to enter a plea for their respective charges. They were all informed that their matters would pro ceed to the Supreme Court by way of a voluntary bill of indictment.

The judges in these cases could not grant bail, but the men have the right to apply for it in the Supreme Court.

They were sent to prison in the interim.

Thompson’s VBI is set for service on February 24, 2023, with Stuart and Bren nen’s VBIs scheduled for release on February 4 and

The long walk to freedom for women in The Bahamas

By MALCOLM STRACHAN

THE pomp and ceremony of Parliament was on full display last week –but for the best of reasons.

A joint sitting of Parlia ment was held to mark the 60th anniversary of the Women’s Suffrage Move ment in The Bahamas.

The women who stood up to be counted were cel ebrated, the rights that they brought for women demon strated no more ably than by the women speaking up during the joint session, either as elected Members of Parliament or as appoin tees in the Senate.

Those women who started the campaign for equality 60 years ago had the courage to speak to power – but sometimes it can be as bold for someone in power to speak.

That courage was shown by the Senate president, LaShell Adderley. This could have been a plat form merely to laud those who had gone before and nothing more – but Ms Adderley took her chance in the moment to raise an issue of equality that still sits before us today, the issue of marital rape.

“Our long walk to free dom has not yet ended when the marital bed has become a violent mat tress,” she said. “Rape is rape, notwithstanding the context. The Bible reminds us that men ought to love their wives in the way that Christ loves the church and died for it.

“This love is defined in 1 Corinthians Chapter 13 as being patient, kind and not delighting in evil. Freedom and justice demand legisla tion which outlaws rape.”

She added: “Free dom, justice and equality demands a Gender-Based Violence Act now.”

Sitting watching as she spoke were some of the remarkable women who have led the way in previ ous years – such as Dame Janet Bostwick, the first woman elected to serve in the House of Assem bly; Italia Johnson, the

first female Speaker of the House of Assembly; and Cynthia “Mother” Pratt, the first woman to serve as Deputy Prime Minister.

This is not the first time that Ms Adderley has spoken out on the issue of rape – and she does so from the perspective of a woman of faith.

She is a member of the Johnson Park Seventh-Day Adventist Church, and in an interview in Septem ber with Adventist Today, she talked of combining her role in office with the beliefs of her faith.

She said: “I read the Bible and I see where there were many Christians, men and women, who allowed themselves to ascend to high office. They took their Christianity, took their God with them. And so I think

it’s important to show that the two are not inextricably linked -there are many per sons in the Bible who allow their high office to be used to serve God through love, through humility, through humanitarian assistance, and they were able to demonstrate quite clearly the love God has for man kind, and the fact you can still be in a political office and serve God with ethics, serve with fairness, serve with love, serve with hope, and you in that office can be a shining light, a Chris tian example, in terms of showing people what fair ness is like, what equality is like and sometimes in very tough decisions. And so a position such as this one, it draws you even closer to Christ.”

Often in the discussions

over marital rape, there are concerns raised by mem bers of various churches, but Ms Adderley speaks from within her faith of the need to protect victims of crime.

This is not the first time she has spoken out regard ing issues surrounding rape. When a 40-year-old man was sentenced to a sentence she called a “slap on the wrist” after he impregnated a 14-year-old girl who was too young to consent to sex, her remarks drew headlines, but she was forthright in saying at the time: “Societal laws must reflect societal values. What we value we must protect.”

She told Adventist Today about her comments at that time, saying: “I uti lized that time to bring

awareness to the need for us to have stiffer penal ties with respect to issues of rape, domestic violence, also marital rape. So this is a very important issue here that needs to be addressed and we need to ensure that persons who are suffering from gender-based violence are properly protected - we have to protect the vul nerable against any crime against themselves.”

It is also striking how Ms Adderley referred to the need for reform. She called it a “long walk to freedom”, which was surely a con scious reference to Nelson Mandela, given it was the title of his autobiography.

The famed leader said: “I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter. I have made mis steps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.”

For women in The Baha mas, some of those great hills have been climbed.

The right to vote was won. Women were voted in to Parliament. Some rose to great office. And yet still there are hills to climb –and Ms Adderley is rightly drawing attention to the next hill, one we have still to climb.

And it is a long road. To go back to 1867 and the words of US suffra gist Sojourner Truth, “I want women to have their rights. In the courts women have no right, no voice; nobody speaks for them. I wish women to have her voice there among the pettifoggers.”

As it stands, a woman who is married to her rapist has less protection in the law than a woman not married to her attacker. Married women are left with no right, no voice in the eyes of the law in such matters. Nobody speaks for them? Well, thankfully they have people such as Ms Adderley to speak for them.

There are hurdles to cross for such laws. It would serve no one to pass laws that were never used. A law that is passed in name only without giving protection to those it would claim to help serves no one.

Already, it can be hard for a rape case to reach court – a marital rape case will likely be even more challenging to prosecute successfully. But with one in 12 married women in a survey reporting having been raped, to leave them as victims with no hope of legal redress is a con demnation of our society. If, as Ms Adderley says, societal laws must reflect societal values, the failure to protect parts of our soci ety in our laws reflects the absence of care we have in our values.

It took bravery to stand up at a ceremony to mark past success and declare that we still had work to do. It also showed the same spirit as those who started this journey. May all of our leaders be filled with the same restless dissatisfaction with our lot, and the need to always climb the next hill.

EDUCATION Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin flanked by Dame Janet Bostwick and Cynthia “Mother” Pratt, along with Members of Parliament and the Senate.

ABOVE: Senate president LaShell Adderley.

LEFT: The joint sitting of Par liament in honour of the 60th anniversary of the woman’s suffrage movement.

Photos: Austin Fernander

Beside the dilly tree

TIM spent sum mers with his grandparents on the island of Andros during some of the happiest times of his life. He recalls as a child awakening to a warm, bright sunlight that boldly danced across the island sky and wrapped it in a deep red and golden yellow hue. The spectacular glory of this fleeting skyscape was particularly noteworthy on Sundays when he was getting ready for church with his grandfather. That’s when the birdsongs crooned their forenoon lullaby, as the morning dew was laid to rest.

Of the times Tim spent with his grandparents during those idyllic sum mers, Sunday was always the best day of the week. When church was over, he got to play with neighbour ing kids. It was the kind of island innocence and freedom that can never be replaced - tree climbing, bike riding and basketball often lasting until midnight. His backyard, a field of sugarcane, mango, guava and coconut trees, became a makeshift playground where’d they play ball and then ride their bikes to the nearest basketball court, something that would influ ence his later life. As a young boy, he was doubly lucky because that court was beside a large dilly tree close to his grandparents’ home. Tim never imagined that years later he’d be faced with the possibility of never being able to run or jump again.

By the time he was 32, living in Nassau, he was married and employed in law enforcement. His past medical history was

significant for high blood pressure but it was well controlled with prescription medication. Tim weight lifted three times per week and was incredibly active at work, often having to run quickly and many times along uneven terrain. He still loved to play basketball with friends and he did so as often as possible. During one of his games, his heels felt tight and painful. The pain persisted for several days but he shrugged it off and played again one week later. As he landed after jumping for a rebound, he heard and felt a snap in his heel. Tim tightened his laces and attempted to play some more but the pain was too intense. He limped off the court and sought medi cal care the following day.

X-rays taken at his orthopedist revealed that a heel spur had broken off and was lodged within his Achilles, the long and fibrous tendon that con nects the calf muscle to the back of the heel. A steroid injection was administered to the area, which took away his pain but further weakened his tendon. Not long after that, one day while at work, as he was running, he twisted his left ankle and fell forward hear ing another snapping sound at the back of his leg. The pain was immediate and severe. Tim hobbled to the nearest tree to lean on and squeezed his calf with both hands. By the following day, the area had ballooned to three times its original size. An MRI was subse quently ordered by his orthopedic surgeon and verified that Tim had torn his Achilles. He describes it as feeling like someone had smashed the back of

his leg with a car. The pain shot up and down his leg like a lightning bolt and the surrounding muscles throbbed and spasmed in anger. Unable to apply any pressure to the area, Tim ambulated with crutches for several months and he healed uneventfully with treatment including serial casting, pain medica tion and intense physical therapy.

Two years later, Tim became a patient of mine when he abruptly rose out of his chair and heard a loud, familiar, popping sound, but this time in his right ankle. Given his previ ous injury, he was referred for an MRI immediately. It confirmed a tear in his right Achilles tendon and in one of his ankle ligaments.

Tim was devastated at the thought of having to wear another cast and ambu lating with crutches once again so a CAM boot was alternatively dispensed. He wore the boot for one month until both tears were assessed as fully healed.

Then, like clockwork, two years later while run ning on an asphalt surface for exercise, he felt a snap in his left ankle. A new MRI of the area revealed severe microtears through out the tendon.

So, given the patient’s age, work requirements and severely weakened and chronically torn Achil les tendon, I recommended that he undergo surgical repair of both Achilles tendon (left one initially) to prevent any further dete rioration and subsequent ruptures.

I referred him to a trusted friend and colleague who specializes in such repairs and is highly skilled in this

regard. Tim underwent surgical intervention as advised and healed without issue. He was able to return to work on light duty six months following his left tendon augmentation sur gery with resection of his gastrocnemius muscle and heel spur.

Unfortunately, four months later, while out with his family, a fight between two men erupted nearby. In an attempt to move away from that area to some place safe, Tim twisted and injured his right ankle. A right ankle MRI was this time nota ble for moderate tears and inflammation throughout his Achilles tendon. Given his high risk for a complete rupture, it was decided that his right ankle surgery should be performed as quickly as possible. Three months later he had the same surgical procedure performed, this time on his right lower extremity. As with his left surgery, Tim required six months of heal ing and rehabilitation. He is now pain free and able to walk and move around freely without restriction, something for which he is especially grateful during this week of giving thanks. The tradition of Thanks giving dates back to the early 1600s when Native Americans broke bread with Pilgrims to celebrate their harvest. Today, that

tradition persists through out North America to remind us all the impor tance of giving thanks. This past week Tim reflected on his multiple injuries and his successful recovery and he’s incredibly grateful to his wife for her unyielding support.

His take home message to readers is multi-layered - surround yourself with people you can depend on during challenging times, stay positive in your darkest hour, seek medical atten tion early and trust your gut when it comes to your medical care.

As a physician who’s seen so many strong men like Tim be taken down by pain and injury because they ignored or downplayed early signs of trouble, I add this advice – leave the machismo behind. You can’t enjoy a good Sunday run or basketball game if you’re in a wheelchair. Real men seek advice when they know in their gut that something’s wrong.

Tim is walking, running and working today because he caught his injury in time but he knows how close he came to missing that window.

Holocaust survivor, Viktor Frankl, having lost his pregnant wife, his par ents and his brother while imprisoned in a Nazi camp, wrote a book in 1946 enti tled ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’.

In it he states that the last of human freedoms is

our freedom to choose our attitude to any given cir cumstance. In other words, we get to choose how we react to any situation because how we react is how we will be judged and it’s important that in each scenario we remain true to our character.

Tim’s most grateful that through it all, he was able to laugh and thank God for his many blessings. While others may have consid ered quitting to find easier employment, their convic tions wavering wildly from one entrepreneurial pros pect to another, Tim held firm.

He loves his job and, with the heart of an athlete, he recognizes that injury is a natural consequence of a job that’s patently ripe with criminal uncertainty.

With his grandparents now long deceased, Tim still travels as often as possible to the island that brought him so much happiness. There, he finds a level of peace that he can’t ever put into words.

So, with a grateful heart, his childhood beckons as he takes his own children to Andros every summer, keen to see them enjoy a similar freedom and innocence.

And, like he has years before, Tim visits the court beside the dilly tree where he loved to run and jump as a child, today unwilling to test the limits of his surgi cal repair but, all the more, happy to watch his children play.

He is survived by his wife, Catol Harrison; sons, Jason Harrison and Dr. Jeremy Harrison; grandchildren, Adtielle, Zachary and Zoe; brother, Donald Darville; sisters, Angelia Robertson and Etoile Maxine Darville; daughters-in-law, Lessie (Jason) Harrison and Melanie (Jeremy) Harrison and many other relatives and close friends.

In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be sent to the Christian Counselling Centre, P.O. Box S.S. 6106, Nassau or by direct deposit RBC, Palmdale Branch No. 05745, Calvary Biblre Church Account No. 7370885 in memory of Mr. Clarence A. Harrison.

of Little Blair, Nassau, The Bahamas died at Doctors Hospital, Shirley Street, Nassau on Tuesday 22nd November, 2022.

(The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States of Amer ica and the Organization of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London and Massey College in the Uni versity of Toronto).

CALL me a cynic, but years of participation in negotiations between developed and developing countries have schooled me to be cautious about grand announcements and prom ises. The devil is usually in

the detail. Experience has taught me to remain hope ful, but to be vigilant in ensuring the commitments, pledges and promises are kept. That experience has been

garnered in negotiations in the Commonwealth, the World Trade Organiza tion, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the Organization of American States, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Financial Action Task Force and in direct bargaining between European Union countries and the Caribbean. In each of these fora, the countries of the developed North have sought advantage over the underdeveloped countries of the South. By various stratagems, the developed countries have got their way, including by making com mitments at major occasions such as COP27 which con cluded on November 20.

In the words of Barba dos’ Prime Minister, Mia Mottley, at the opening of COP27, “This world looks, still, too much like when it was part of an imperialistic empire”.

Therefore, while the lead ers of small island states, including Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister, Gaston Browne, who, for years, as the Chair of the Association of Small Island States (AOSIS) has been advancing the argument for a fund to pay for loss and damage caused by Climate Change, are to be applauded for gaining acceptance by developed nations that such a fund should be created, the game is not yet over.

The negotiated text has recognized the need for financial support from a variety of sources, but no decisions have been reached on who should pay into the fund, where the money will come from, and which coun tries will benefit.

When COP27 had to be extended into the weekend of 19 and 20 November to address the loss and damage issue, Ministerial negotia tors for many small island states had already departed Egypt. It was left to Antigua and Barbuda’s Environ ment Minister, Sir Molwyn Joseph, and the Envi ronment Minister of the

Maldives, Shauna Aminath, with their technical teams, to ensure that the concerns of small island states were adequately met.

Much work remains to ensure that the loss and damage fund is established and adequately resourced. Further, it has to be clear that new money will finance the Fund, and not a shifting of monies already pledged for other purposes which, regrettably, happens far too often.

It should be recalled that wealthy nations still have not fulfilled an out standing pledge to provide $100 billion to help vulner able countries adapt to the impact of Climate Change that they have been suffer ing for decades.

It is critically important for small island states and other developing countries to monitor, and participate actively in, the work of the ‘transitional committee’ which was established at COP27. That committee is tasked with “making rec ommendations” on how to operationalize the loss and damage Fund, including new funding arrangements to resource it. That com mittee is expected to meet before the end of March 2023, but its “recommenda tions” won’t be considered until COP28 in Dubai in November-December 2023. Note the committee will make “recommendations”.

We can be quite certain that the bargaining within the ‘transitional commit tee’ will be intense and that many developed nations will seek to avoid or minimize their obligations.

So, while praise must be given to the leaders of small island and other develop ing states for finally getting ‘loss and damage’ on the COP agenda, there are still hurdles to be jumped before they can realistically say that the problem has been functionally and effectively addressed.

A credible Fund will require sufficient money.

Adapting to the impact of Climate Change will require a comprehensive approach, including building sea walls and creating drought-resist ant crops. This could cost developing countries any where from US$160-US$340 billion annually by 2030.

The number could rise to US$565 billion by 2050 if Climate Change accelerates. That’s the estimate of the United Nations Environ ment Programme (UNEP) in its 2022 Adaptation Gap Report.

These numbers have been made convincing by the fact that not enough was done at COP27, or by any

of the previous COPs, to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions responsible for the climate crisis. The final agreement mentioned “the urgent need for deep, rapid and sustained reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions” to limit global warming to 1.5°C above preindustrial levels.

However, a UNEP report, released just before COP27, painted a worrying picture for small island states and low-lying countries, such as Bangladesh. The report was clear “there is no credible pathway to a 1.5°C future”. What is more, the report points out that “for each fraction of a degree that temperatures rise, storms, droughts and other extreme weather events become more severe”.

This is why, as Prime Minister Gaston Browne, pointed out at COP27, the worst emitters, includ ing China and India, must begin to act beyond their own interest to include the interests of the world. The development of a few coun tries should not happen at the expense of many others.

It is more than likely that both the initiative by Vanuatu to seek an advisory opinion by the International Court of Justice on the rights to be protected from climate change, and the establishment by Antigua and Barbuda, Tuvalu, Palau and Niue of a Commis sion of Small Island States (COSIS), backed by 17 international legal experts, to seek a similar opinion from the International Tri bunal on the Law of the Sea, sufficiently worried major developed countries to encourage them to con sider a loss and damage fund at COP27. They can influ ence the latter, while cases before international courts are beyond their control. It was a case of better the devil you know.

In the fight against the present damage and clear danger to their existence, all Caribbean Island States should join in using the international legal system to preserve their rights against the world’s major emitters of greenhouse gases. All small island states should actively back the Vanuatu initiative and join COSIS.

The United Nations Inter governmental Panel on Climate Change says that emissions must decline by 45% to limit global warming to 1.5°C if the already rav aged world is to be saved. There isn’t a moment to waste.

Responses and previous commentaries: www.sir ronaldsanders.com

MOLWYN JOSEPH, minister of health, wellness and environment for Antigua and Barbuda. (AP Photo/Nariman El-Mofty)

AMINATH SHAUNA, Maldives environment minister. (AP Photo/Teresa de Miguel)

By MEGAN JANETSKY Associated Press

HAVANA (AP) — In the Telegram group chat, the messages roll in like waves.

“I need liquid ibupro fen and acetaminophen, please,” wrote one user. “It’s urgent, it’s for my 10-month-old baby.”

Others offer medicine brought from outside of Cuba, adding, “Write to me in a direct message.” Emoji-speckled lists offer antibiotics, pregnancy tests, vitamins, rash creams and more.

The group message, which includes 170,000 people, is just one of many that have flourished in recent years in Cuba along side an exponential increase in internet usage on the communist-governed island.

The informal sale of eve rything from eggs to car parts – the country’s socalled black market – is a time-honoured practice in crisis-stricken Cuba, where access to the most basic items such as milk, chicken, medicine and cleaning products has always been limited. The market is tech nically illegal, but the extent of illegality, in official eyes, can vary by the sort of items sold and how they were obtained.

Before the internet, such exchanges took place “through your contacts, your neighbours, your local community,” said Ricardo Torres, a Cuban and eco nomics fellow at American University in Washington. “But now, through the inter net, you get to reach out to an entire province.”

With shortages and eco nomic turmoil at the worst they’ve been in years, the online marketplace “has exploded,” Torres said.

Bustling WhatsApp groups discuss the informal exchange rate, which pro vides more pesos per dollar or euro than the official bank rate.

Meanwhile, Cuba’s ver sions of Craigslist — sites such as Revolico, the island’s first digital buyingand-selling tool — advertise everything from electric bicycles brought in from other countries to “capital ist apartments” in Havana’s wealthy districts.

Many products are sold in pesos, but higher-priced items are often listed in dol lars, with payments either handled in cash or through bank transfers outside the country.

While wealthier Cubans — or those with fami lies sending money from abroad — can afford more lavish items, many basic items remain unaffordable for people like Leonardo, a state-employed engineer who asked that his real name not be used because

he fears retribution from the government.

Three months ago, Leon ardo began buying items such as inhalers, antibiot ics and rash creams from friends arriving from other countries, then resell ing them for a small profit online. Government author ities are harshly critical of such “revendedores,” or resellers, especially those who buy products in Cuban stores then sell them at a higher price.

In late October, Presi dent Miguel Díaz-Canel called for a crackdown on the practice, referring to the revendedores as “criminals, swindlers, riffraff, the lazy and the corrupt.”

“What we can’t allow is that those who don’t work, don’t contribute and break the law earn more and have more opportunities to live well than those who actually contribute,” he said during a meeting with government officials. “If we did that … we’d be breaking the con cepts of socialism.”

But Leonardo said he and others like him are just trying to get by.

“This medicine goes to the people who need it, people who have respira tory issues,” he said. “Those who use them are people who really need them. ... More than anything else, we sell antibiotics.”

With the money he’s earned from his sales, Leon ardo has been able to buy soap and food, as well as antibiotics and vitamins for his elderly parents.

The rise of the new digi tal marketplaces speaks to a specific brand of creative resilience that Cubans have developed during decades of economic turmoil. Much of the crisis is a result of the U.S. government’s six-dec ade trade embargo on the island, but critics say it’s also due to government misman agement of the economy and reluctance to embrace the private sector.

So people on the island tend to be highly resource ful, working with whatever they have available to them — think old cars from the 1950s that still roll through the streets, thanks to mechanics using ingenuity and spare parts to address a shortage of new vehicles.

Entrepreneurs have used the same creativity to deal with what was initially very limited internet access.

Carlos Javier Peña and Hiram Centelles, Cuban expatriates who live in Spain, created Revolico in 2007 to help “alleviate the hardships of life in Cuba.”

They kept the site design simple, similar to Craig slist, to match the island’s sluggish internet. But in 2008 — the same year the government lifted a ban on

sales of personal comput ers — it blocked access to Revolico. The ban remained in place until 2016. In the meantime, Peña and Cen telles used digital tools and different host sites to jump the firewall.

Using the site was still a challenge for many, how ever, given the lack of cellphone internet.

Heriberto, a university student in 2008, was able to access it through a small monthly internet package given to him by the school. Others asked friends and family to buy items for them while at work, where they sometimes had internet access.

“Here, the markets more often than not don’t have the things you’re looking for,” said Heriberto, now 33, who asked that only his first name be used because he also feared repercussions from the government. “So you develop this custom of looking first in the store. Then when they don’t have it, you look on Revolico.”

Sales on WhatsApp, Facebook, and Telegram really took off in 2018, when Cubans gained access to the internet on their phones, something American University fellow Torres described as a “game changer.”

Between 2000 and 2021 the number of Cubans using the internet rose from less than 1% of the population to 71%, International Tele communications Union data shows. The internet was a lifeline for Heriberto and many other Cubans during the COVID-19 pandemic, they said.

Now, with the island’s main economic sector, tour ism, still recovering, many have built entire enter prises on the online sale of goods — both basic neces sities such as medicine, as well as many higher-priced specialty items. Heriberto recently used the site to sell a mountain bike he priced in dollars.

Revolico co-founder Centelles says the site and similar tools have evolved to adapt to a constantly changing Cuba. For exam ple, as the island suffers crippling blackouts, sales of power generators and rechargeable batteries have skyrocketed, he said.

Government officials have said the internet is important for the coun try’s economic growth — but have treated it with a “grudging acceptance,” said Valerie Wirtschafter, a senior data analyst at the Brookings Institution who tracks internet usage in Cuba.

“They have never really been able to control the internet in many ways,” Wirtschafter said.

Perhaps the most visible example came when mass protests erupted in 2021, largely thanks to rapidly spreading communications on social media sites includ ing Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and Telegram. The government blocked many key social media and messaging sites for a

number of days to stop pro tests from spreading.

While Leonardo said he considers it risky to sell on Telegram, “in the end, you need medicine ... so you assume that risk.”

Heriberto still uses Revolico, but he said he now prefers sites such as Facebook that offer a level

of anonymity. On those sites, he can sell using a fake profile, he said, as opposed to Revolico, which requires you to post your phone number.

“It’s a basic necessity now,” Heriberto said.

“The internet has arrived in Cuba, and now it’s fundamental.”

A YOUTH uses his smartphone as he and a friend walk along the Malecon seawall in Havana, Cuba, Friday. Ever-widening access to the internet is offering a new opportunity for Cubans looking for hard-to-obtain basic goods: online shopping. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

POCKETS OF SHELLING ACROSS UKRAINE AS WINTRY WARFARE LOOMS

By SAM MEDNICK and JAMEY KEATEN Associated Press

KHERSON, Ukraine (AP) — Russian forces struck eastern and south ern Ukraine early Sunday as utility crews scrambled to restore power, water and heating with the onset of snow and frigid tem peratures, while civilians continued to leave the southern city of Kherson because of the devastation wreaked by recent attacks and their fears of more ahead.

With persistent snow fall blanketing the capital, Kyiv, Sunday, analysts pre dicted that wintry weather — bringing with it frozen terrain and grueling fighting conditions — could have an increasing impact on the conflict that has raged since Russian forces invaded Ukraine more than nine months ago.

Both sides were already bogged down by heavy rain and muddy battlefield con ditions, experts said.

After a blistering series of Russian artillery strikes on infrastructure that started last month, workers were fanning out in aroundthe-clock deployments to restore key basic services as many Ukrainians were forced to cope with only a few hours of electricity per day — if any.

Ukrenergo, the state power grid operator, said Sunday that electricity producers are now supply ing about 80% of demand, compared to 75% the previ ous day.

The deprivations have revived jousting between Ukraine’s president and Kyiv’s mayor. Mayor Vitali Klitschko on Sunday defended himself against allegations levelled by Pres ident Volodymyr Zelenskyy that too many Kyiv resi dents were still without power and that insufficient centres had been set up for them to stock up on food, water, battery power and other essentials.

Kitschko wrote on Tel egram that hundreds of such centres are in opera tion, as well as hundreds of emergency generators, adding that “I do not want, especially in the current situation, to enter into polit ical battles. It’s ridiculous.”

The president and the mayor have sporadically sparred since Zelenskyy took office in 2019. Zelen skyy has accused Klitschko and officials around him of corruption, while Klitschko contends the president’s office has put him under political pressure.

The Institute for the Study of War, a think tank that has been closely moni toring developments in Ukraine, said reporting from both sides indicated that heavy rain and mud have had an impact — along with wider freezing expected along the front lines in the coming days.

“It is unclear if either side is actively planning or preparing to resume major offensive or counteroffensive operations at that time, but the meteorologi cal factors that have been hindering such operations will begin lifting,” it said in a note published Saturday.

ISW said Russian forces were digging in further east

of the city of Kherson, from which Ukrainian forces expelled them more than two weeks ago, and contin ued “routine artillery fire” across the Dnieper River. The think tank also cited reports that Russian forces were moving multiple launch rocket and groundto-air missile systems into positions closer to the city as part of a possible plan to step up “the tempo of rocket and anti-air missile strikes against ground tar gets north of the Dnieper River in the coming days.”

Kherson city, which was liberated more than two weeks ago — a develop ment that Zelenskyy called a turning point in the war — has faced intense shelling in recent days by Russian forces nearby.

The top U.N. official in Ukraine said civilians, many of whom lamented unlivable conditions and feared more strikes to come, continued to pour out of Kherson on Sunday.

“The level of destruction, the scope of the destruc tion, what’s required in the city and in the oblast — it’s massive,” said U.N. resident coordinator Denise Brown, referring to the region. U.N. teams were ferrying in supplies like food, water, shelter materi als, medicines, and blankets and mattresses, she said.

“Time is of the essence, of course, before it becomes an absolute catastrophe,” Brown told The Associated Press in Kherson.

Galina Lugova, head of the city’s military adminis tration, said in an interview that evacuation trains had been lined up and bomb shelters set up in all city districts with stoves, beds, first aid kits and fire extinguishers.

“We are preparing for a winter in difficult con ditions, but we will do everything to make people safe,” Lugova said. Her big gest worry, she said, was “shelling that intensifies every day. Shelling, shelling and shelling again.”

On the roads out of the city, some residents felt they had no choice but to leave.

“The day before yester day, artillery hit our house. Four flats burned down. Windows shattered,” said Vitaliy Nadochiy, driving out with a terrier on his lap and a Ukrainian flag dan gling from a sun visor. “We can’t be there. There is no electricity, no water, heat ing. So we are leaving to go to my brother.”

In the eastern Donetsk region, five people were killed in shelling over the past day, governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said. Overnight shelling was reported by regional leaders in the Zaporizhzhia and Dnipro petrovsk areas to the west. In addition, he said two people were killed in artil lery firing on the town of Kurakhove.

Kharkiv governor Oleh Syniehubov said one person was killed and three wounded in the northeast ern region.

Russian rockets hit unspecified railroad facilities in Kryvyi Rih, Zelenskyy’s hometown, on Sunday, according to a regional official.

No injuries were immedi ately reported.

A MAN cleans debris of the destroyed house after recent Russian air strike in Chasiv Yar, Ukraine, Sunday. Shelling by Russian forces struck several areas in eastern and southern Ukraine overnight as utility crews continued a scramble to restore power, water and heating following widespread strikes in recent weeks, officials said Sunday. (AP Photo/Andriy Andriyenko)

GENERAL view of the damaged Antonivsky Bridge in Kherson, Ukraine, Sunday. The bridge, the main crossing point over the Dnipro river in Kherson, was destroyed by Russian troops in earlier November, after Kremlin’s forces withdrew from the southern city. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

NEWBORN AMONG SEVEN DEAD IN LANDSLIDE ON ITALY’S ISCHIA ISLAND

By COLLEEN BARRY Associated Press

MILAN (AP) — Search teams have recovered seven dead, including a 3-week-old infant and a pair of young siblings, buried in mud and debris that hurtled down a mountainside and through a densely populated port city on the resort island of Ischia, officials said Sunday.

The Naples prefect con firmed that five people remained missing, and feared buried under the debris of an enormous landslide that struck Casam icciola before dawn on Saturday. Its force collapsed buildings and pushed vehi cles into the sea.

The other victims were identified as the infant boy’s parents, a 5-year-old girl and her 11-year-old brother, a 31-year-old island resident and a Bulgarian tourist.

“Mud and water tend to fill every space,’’ Luca Cari, the spokesman for Italian firefighters, told RAI state TV. “Our teams are search ing with hope, even if it is very difficult.”

“Our biggest hope is that people identified as missing have found refuge with rela tives and friends and have not advised of their posi tion,” he added.

The risks of landslides remained in the highest part of the town, near where heavy rainfall loosened a chunk of mountainside, requiring search teams to enter by foot, he said. Small bulldozers first focused on clearing roads to allow rescue vehicles to pass, while dive teams were brought in to check cars that had been pushed into the sea.

“We are continuing the search with our hearts broken, because among the missing are also minors,” Giacomo Pascale, the mayor of the neighbouring town of Lacco Ameno, told RAI.

Pope Francis expressed his closeness to the people of Ischia during the tradi tional Sunday blessing in St. Peter’s Square. “I am pray ing for the victims, for those who are suffering and for those who are involved in the rescue,” he said.

The Naples prefect, Claudio Palomba, said on Sunday that 30 homes had been inundated and more than 200 people had been

displaced. Five people were injured.

The massive landslide before dawn on Saturday was triggered by exceptional rainfall, and sent a mass of mud and debris hurtling through the port of Casam icciola, collapsing buildings and sweeping vehicles into the sea.

One widely circulated video showed a man, cov ered with mud, clinging to a shutter, chest-deep in muddy water. Another family escaped a home on the mountainside that appeared Sunday to teeter over a precipice, the daily Corriere della Sera reported.

The island received 126 millimeters (nearly five inches) of rain in six hours, the heaviest rainfall in 20 years, according to officials. Experts said the disaster was exacerbated by building in areas of high risk on the mountainous island, which is also in an seismically active zone. Two people were killed in 2017 when a 4.0-magnitude quake struck Casamicciola and Lacco Ameno.

“There is territory that cannot be occupied. You cannot change the use of a

zone where there is water. The course of the water cre ated this disaster,” geologist Riccardo Caniparoli told RAI. “There are norms and laws that were not respected.”

Vincenzo De Luca, presi dent of the Campagna region where Ischia is located, said houses in areas at risk must be demolished, suggesting they had been built without necessary permits.

“People need to under stand that you cannot live in some areas. There is no such thing as the neces sity (to build) illegally,” De Luca told RAI. “Buildings in fragile zones should be demolished.”

The Italian government declared a state of emer gency for the island during an urgent Cabinet meet ing Sunday, earmarking 2 million euros (nearly $2.1 million) for the rescue and to restore public services.

“The government expresses its closeness to the citizens, mayors and towns of the island of Ischia, and thanks the rescue workers searching for the victims,” Premier Giorgia Meloni said in a statement.

A CATERPILLAR removes mud from a flooded road after heavy rainfall triggered landslides that collapsed buildings in Casamic ciola, on the southern Italian island of Ischia, Saturday. (AP Photo/Salvatore Laporta)

AN AERIAL view of damaged houses after heavy rainfall triggered landslides that collapsed build ings in Casamicciola, on the southern Italian island of Ischia, Sunday.

(AP Photo/Salvatore Laporta)

Skyler, 11, breaks two Bahamas Open records

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Grand Baha mian Skyler

Smith stamped her name on a part of Bahamas Open records on Saturday to highlight the performances posted as the Lightning Aquatics Swim Club hosted its first Fall Invita tional Swim Meet at the Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex.

Lightning Aquatics Club, an amalgamation of the Dolphins and Orca Swim Clubs just before COVID19 struck, hosted the last meet on the Bahamas Aquatics’ calendar for the year. The swimmers will take a break for Christmas and will be back in action in January.

Smith, a member of the Alpha Aquatics, posted her double record breaking

feat in the girls 9-10 division with her record-breaking performances in the 400 metre freestyle in five min utes and 13.98 seconds and clocked a time of 1:17.50 in the 100m backstroke.

For 11-year-old Smith, a seventh grader at Bishop Michael Eldon High School, she was compet ing in her final meet in the 9-10 age group. She said it was a good way to prepare herself for her advance ment to the 11-12 division in January.

“I was pretty proud of myself,” said Smith, who emerged with a dominat ing feat as the high point winner, accumulating 58 points, the most by any swimmer in the meet and 15 points better than her nearest age group rival, Alissa Ferguson of the Bar racudas Swim Club with 43 for second place.

“I enjoyed the 400m free the most because it wasn’t

really a sprint and I like long distance races.”

Already as she looks ahead to 2023, Smith said she would like to make

medals and possibly some more records in the process.

• Other divisional win ners during the meet are as follows:

Girls 8-and-under Delnia Hamilton of the Barracuda with 37, fol lowed by the next four spots from the Blue Waves with Cailyn Dean (33), Kirsten Rolle (25), Makayla Ferguson (21.50) and Rinia Johnson (18.50).

Boys 8-and-under Logan Comarcho (52) and Fraser Menzies (32) provided a 1-2 punch for Alpha Aquatics ahead of Mantas Swim & Water Polo’s Asher Bastian (30), Alpha’s Lyall Menzies (23) and Sea Waves’ Anthony Knowles (18).

Girls 9-10 – Following Smith and Ferguson in order were Alpha’s Isabella Cuccurullo (41), Mako

KAI JONES STEPS UP, HAS CAREER BESTS IN WIN OVER T-WOLVES

By STEVE REED AP Sports Writer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 28 points, and the Charlotte Hornets stopped Minnesota’s five-game win streak with a 110-108 vic tory over Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves on Friday night.

And Kai Jones stepped up big. The lanky, athletic 6-foot-11 2021 first-round draft pick out of Texas, was the first player off the Hornets bench as Charlotte looked to combat Minne sota’s height.

The gamble paid off as the seldom-used Jones fin ished with nine points and 12 rebounds — both career bests. “I don’t see that he’s doing anything that he can’t

MONSTER DOUBLE DOUBLE

By MARK AMBROGI Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS (AP)

— Chavano “Buddy” Hield scored 26 points to lead four Indiana players with 20 or more, and the Pacers beat the Brooklyn Nets 128-117 on Friday night.

“He’s unafraid,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “He puts the ball in the basket. You have to choose to look at things that guys do well.”

Myles Turner added 23 points, Tyrese Halibur ton had 21 and Bennedict Mathurin finished with 20 for the Pacers. Halburton also had 15 assists.

Kevin Durant scored 36 points, including 20 in the fourth quarter for the Nets.

Ben Simmons made all eight shots and scored 20 before fouling out in the final minute.

Kyrie Irving also had 20. Mathurin, who scored 16

Auger-Aliassime, Shapovalov give Canada 1st Davis Cup title

MALAGA, Spain (AP) — Canada won its first Davis Cup title yes terday, beating Australia behind victories from Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger-Aliassime.

Auger-Aliassime secured the winning point when he downed Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-4 after Shapovalov opened the day by rolling past Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-2, 6-4.

Seven years after leading Canada to the top of junior tennis, Auger-Aliassime, Shapovalov and their team mates finally got to lift the top team trophy in their sport. “I think of us all here, we’ve dreamt of this moment,” Auger-Aliassime said.

Shapovalov had dropped both his singles matches this week and needed treat ment on his back during a

three-set loss Saturday in the semifinals to Italy’s Lor enzo Sonego that lasted 3 hours, 15 minutes. But the left-hander moved quickly around the court Sunday, setting up angles to put away winners while racing to a 4-0 lead in the first set.

Auger-Aliassime then finished off his superb second half of the season by completing a perfect week in Spain. He twice had kept the Canadians alive after Shapovalov dropped the opening singles match, and on Saturday he replaced his weary teammate to join Vasek Pospisil for the deci sive doubles point.

This time, Auger-Alias sime made sure the doubles match wouldn’t even be necessary. He fell onto his back behind the baseline after the winning point before teammates raced off

the Canada bench to jump on top of him. They then got up and danced around in a circle.

Canada had reached the final only once, falling to host Spain in Madrid in

2019, when Rafael Nadal beat Shapovalov for the clinching point after AugerAliassime had lost in the opening match.

British Open champion Cameron Smith wins 3rd Australian PGA

BRISBANE,

The world No. 3 shot a 3-under 68 to finish at 14-under par, three strokes clear of equal sec ond-place Ryo Hisatsune (65) and Jason Scrivener (67), who had moved up the leaderboard yester day to briefly share the lead and threaten Smith’s attempt for his fifth title

this year. Play was sus pended twice for a total of two hours when electri cal storms swept through Brisbane, sending play ers and about 10,000 fans searching for cover.

“You kind of get the mojo and for it to be stopped not once, but twice, is a little bit frus trating,” Smith said. “But I held on to it and played solid on the last eight holes.”

When play resumed for the second time Smith, playing in Australia for the first time in three

Aus tralia (AP) — British Open champion Cam eron Smith has won his third Australian PGA Championship by three shots after a day of wild weather stopped play twice at Royal Queens land Golf Club yesterday.

the CARIFTA cut, go on the team to represent the Bahamas in Curacao during the Easter holiday and return home with some

CANADA’s Felix Auger Aliassime, centre, celebrates with team mate yesterday after defeating Australia’s Alex de Minaur during the final Davis Cup tennis match against Australia. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

JAZZ forward Kelly Olynyk (41) falls after a collision with Suns centre Deandre Ayton in the second half on Saturday in Phoenix. Olynyk was called for a blocking foul.. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

STORY

SKYLER Smith, a member of Alpha Aquatics swim club, posted her double record-breaking feat in the girls 9-10 division in the 400 metre freestyle and 100m backstroke.

Shockers get 76-53 win over Mingoes

THE New Providence Basketball Association completed week two of their regular season action over the weekend at the AF Adderley Gymnasium with the Caro Contractors Shockers putting a shocker on the University of the Bahamas Mingoes.

In the division one fea ture game on Saturday at the AF Adderley Gymna sium, the Shockers stunned the Mingoes 76-53, while the Produce Express beat the RC Liquors Eagles 91-42 in the division II encounter.

On Friday night, the Sand Dollar Imports High Flyers routed the Rebels 125-72 and in the division II opener, the Discount Distributors Rockets held off the Mekaddish Million aires 69-61.

Shockers 76, Mingoes 53: William Rigby led four

players in double figures with 20 points and eight rebounds as Caro Contrac tors opened their season on Saturday on a high note.

Dominique Fernander helped out with 18 points and nine rebounds and both Horris McKenzie (with eight Rebounds) and Shakwon Lewis (four assists, three rebounds and two steals) contributed 10 points.

With the loss, the Uni versity of the Bahamas dropped to 1-1. Delano Armbrister was the lone player in double fig ures with 12 points, eight rebounds, five steals and two assists. Erquantae Edgecombe added eight points, six rebounds and a pair of steals and assists.

High Flyers 125, Rebels 72: Shanton Pratt posted a game high 35 points, shoot ing 14-for-19 from the field

and connecting on seven of his 11 three-pointers as the Sand Dollar opened their season with a blowout on Friday night.

Van Hutchinson Jr (eight rebounds, five steals and four assists), Devonte Gibson (six rebounds, three assists and steals and a block shot) and Rashad Ingraham (four rebounds), all had 16 points. Jeremy Neely added 13 points with five rebounds, five assists and three steals and RusShorn Strachan had 10 points and five rebounds.

In dropping their season opener, the Rebels got 16 points and seven rebounds from Deniro Kemp, 13 points and eight rebounds from Theo Ferguson and 12 points and six rebounds from Johnley Noel. Rockets 69, Millionaires 61: Torrez Basden scored 12 points with 13 rebounds,

three steals and an assist and a block to pace the Discount Distributors as they won their season opener.

Quebell Martin had 11 points and seven rebounds and Davito McIntosh also had 11 points with six rebounds, two assists and as many steals to help out.

Mekaddish, in suffer ing their season opening loss, got 15 points, five rebounds, two steals and an assist and a block in a losing effort. Travjuan Alleyne had 12 points and 17 rebounds, Roahan Pierre also had 12 points with three rebounds and three assists and Preston Ferguson had 10 points and eight rebounds.

• Here’s a look at the fix ture for this week:

Monday

7pm - Discount Distribu tors Rockets vs Cyber Tech

Blue Marlins (Michael Reid Div.II)

8pm - Commonwealth Bank Giants vs Leno Reg ulators (Div.1)

Wednesday 7pm - YES Giants vs Mekaddish Millionaires (Michael Reid Div.II)

8pm - Sand Dollar Imports High Flyers vs Zulu Media Market ing Great White Sharks (Div.1)

Friday 7pm - Rebels vs BIBT Great White Sharks (Michael Reid Div.II)

8pm - Leno Regulators vs Rebels 1 (Div.1)

Saturday 7pm - Cyber Tech Blue Marlins vs YES Giants Sharks (Michael Reid Div. II)

8pm - University of the Bahamas Mingoes vs Dis count Liquor Rockets (Div.1)

SOUTH CAROLINA’S ALIYAH BOSTON IN WALKING BOOT AFTER FALL

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina forward Aliyah Boston was side lined with a walking boot on her right foot after a hard fall duing the No. 1 Gamecocks’ game yester day against Hampton. The Most Outstand ing Player of last spring’s NCAA Tournament was driving for the basket when she fell and took several moments to get up after getting fouled.

MIREAULT: ‘OUR BOYS DID A SUPER JOB’

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

COACH Shirley Mireault liked what she saw from the two cyclists representing the Bahamas this week at the Junior Caribbean Cycling Cham pionships in the Dominican Republic.

Mireault, who travelled along with Kenton Roker, the federation’s first vice president and head of the delegation, said both Liv ingston ‘Launy’ Duncombe and Aydan Bain performed to the best of their abilities and that was all they could ask for.

“The meet was excel lent,” Mireault said. “Our boys did a super job. They were the youngest compet ing and even though this was their very first time competing, they did very well. They finished.”

The individual time trial was 10 kilometres (riders left one minute apart) and road race was 70 kilometres.

The federation was hoping to take a larger team, including a couple of girls, but Mireault said because of their examina tions they were taking at school, they could not have travelled.

SKYLER

FROM PAGE 14

Mireault said while there, they made sure Duncombe and Bain com pleted their homework assignments issued by their respective teachers.

Mireault said one of the good things is the fact that at age 14, Bain will have another two years to com pete in the same age group and Duncombe, 15, will be able to participate another year.

Hopefully, next year, she said they will be able to carry a larger team.

In the time trials on Wednesday, Duncombe was ninth in a time of 16 minutes and 29.87 sec onds and Bain was 10th in 16:37.24. Alonso Rodrigo of the Dominican Republic won the gold in 13:39.29, followed by Gonzalez Jurvin of Aruba in13:39.29 and David Angel, also of the Dominican Republic, in 14:01.74.

The road race on Thurs day was a lot harder, but Duncombe placed 13th in 1:59.30, while Bain was 19th in 2:10.28.

Rodrigo moved up to claim the gold in 1:907.26, Dominica’s Casimir Ajqniah won the silver in 1:07.26 and Bryan Mor robel of the Dominican Republic picked up the bronze in 1:58.22.

Aquatics’ Helsinki Mitchell (28) and Mantas Swim & Water Polo’s Tiah Seymour (29).

Boys 9-10 – Alpha Aquat ics took the top spot with Blake Comarcho scoring 50 points. Mako’s Nitayo Knowles (34) was a distant second, Blue Waves’ Christon Joseph (34) third and Mako’s Sean Norville-Smith (32) and Benecio Robinson (25) came up fourth and fifth respectively.

Girls 11-12 – Alpha Aquatics got another leading performance from Adaiah Smith with 42. Bar racuda’s Saleste Gibson was runner-up with 36, Alpha’s Siann Isaacs (33) third and Mako’s

“They both did very well,” said Mireault on the performances of Dun combe and Bain. “They didn’t get lapped because once you get lapped, you have to get off the course. We were very proud of the performances from these two young men.”

Next year, because of the performances of Dun combe and Bain, Mireault said the federation will be looking at ensuring that a

DF McKenzie (32) and Kimaya Saunders (27) was fifth.

Boys 11-12 – Alpha picked up another 1-2 feat as Rafael McB room took the top spot with 44 and Noah Knowles was the runner-up with 40. Blue Waves’ Dijon Simmons (36) was third and the Barracuda got fourth and fifth from Will Farrington and David Singh, both with 31.

Girls 13-14 – Mako Aquatic got a little greedy and claimed the top three spots behind Zoe Williamson (46), Zarria Watson (43) and Seannae Norville-Smith (30). Lyford Cay Swim Club’s Elina Piaux (29) was fourth and Barracuda’s Chloe Rolle fifth.

Boys 13-14 – Alpha Aquatics once again had the top spot as

bigger team gets to travel and gain the international exposure.

Federation president Roy Colebrooke had noth ing but praise for the two cyclists, who hail from Grand Bahama.

“I think for the two young cyclists, they rode very well,” Colebrooke said. “Keep in mind, they were the two youngest in the field and so we expect some really good things

Tristen Hepburn picked up 44 points.

Lightning Aquatics’ Donald Saunders was second with 39, Mako Aquatics’ Ellie Gibson (38) and Ayton Moncur (34) were third and fourth and Alpha’s Caellum Darville (28) was fifth.

Girls 15-and-over – Lyford Cay got its best showing from Delaney Mizell (41) and Katie Goulandris (34) for the top two spots. Alpha’s Leylah Knowles (33) was third, Mako’s Seannia Norville-Smith (33) fourth and Lyford Cay’s Isabelle Zatarain (31) fifth.

Boys 15-and over – Shawn Nelly, competing unattached, took the title with 45 points.

from these two young men next year. I believe they will have a very good show ing at the Junior Caribbean Cycling Championships. It only speaks volumes for the junior programme that the federation has ongoing. So we’re very pleased with their performances.”

With both cyclists coming from Grand Bahama, Colebrooke said it shows the versatility in the federation.

Black Marlins’ Thomas Bowers was runner-up with 39.

Alpha’s Daniel Ferguson (37) was third, Barracuda’s Hodari Prince (31) fourth and Barracu da’s Cairo Bastian (25) was fifth.

Saunders, one of the swimmers from Lightning Aquatic, said he swum very well and he was proud of himself, considering that it was only the second meet for the season. “I performed to the best of my abilities and I really liked what I did,” Saunders said. “I enjoyed my 100m backstroke the most because I was just a couple seconds off my best time.”

Saunders, a 14-year-old 10th grader at St John’s College, said he plans to go to CARIFTA and win a few more medals like

Boston, the 6-foot-5 senior, missed two foul shots, then ran down the floor on defence. South Carolina coach Dawn Staley subbed out Boston, who walked into the tunnel toward the locker room.

Boston rejoined her teammates on the bench midway through the third quarter with a boot on her right foot.

Boston was the Associ ated Press Player of the Year in 2022 during the Gamecocks’ run to the national championship.

She has averaged 13 points and 10.6 rebounds in South Carolina’s 5-0 start this season.

She had six points and four boards before leaving yesterday.

DAVIS CUP

But with Auger-Alias sime having since surged up the rankings to his current spot at No. 6, the Canadians are a much more formida ble team now. They won the ATP Cup in January and finally added the Davis Cup crown to the junior Davis Cup title Auger-Aliassime and Shapovalov led them to in 2015.

“We wanted to grow up and be part of the team and try to help the country win the first title,” Shapovalov said, “so everything is just so surreal right now.”

Australia was trying for its 29th title and first since current captain Lleyton Hewitt was part of the titlewinning team in 2003.

he did last year with a couple of golds in the relay and silver in his individual events.

Lightning Aquatic’s head coach Shawn Neely said since the merger of the Dolphins and Orca, he’s seen a vast improve ment from their 40-plus strong club. “The meet went very well. This was just our first swim meet and I was very pleased with the turnout and the performances from the club and the overall meet itself,” he said.

“We had some pretty good performances. Most of the kids swum at least two best times so, for the most part, that was what we were looking forward to. Now it’s time to look ahead to the new year.”

SOUTH Carolina forward Ali yah Boston (4) shoots against Hampton during the second quarter of an NCAA college basketball game in Columbia, S.C., Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022.

(AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

CYCLISTS Ayden Bain and Livingstone Duncombe with coaches Shirley Mireault and Kenton Ro ker at the Junior Caribbean Cycling Championships in the Dominican Republic.

BAHAMAS junior cycling team of Ayden Bain and Livingstone Duncombe with their bicycles.

Ayton has 29 points, 21 rebounds as Suns edge Jazz 113-112

By DAVID BRANDT AP Sports Writer

PHOENIX (AP) —

There was much debate during the NBA offseason about whether Deandre Ayton was worth a max contract.

On nights like Saturday, the answer is a resounding yes.

Ayton notched season highs with 29 points and 21 rebounds, Devin Booker added 27 points and the Phoenix Suns held on for a hard-fought 113-112 win over the Utah Jazz.

The Jazz led 81-78 after three quarters, but the Suns pushed ahead 99-93 by midway through the fourth. The game remained tight through the final min utes, but Phoenix never lost the lead.

On top of Ayton’s scor ing and rebounding, he also had a crucial steal in the final minutes that helped thwart a final Jazz rally. “I don’t know what he ate for Thanksgiving,” Booker said. “I should have been over there.”

Ayton grabbed his 21st rebound of the game on the final possession, secur ing Booker’s miss off a 3-pointer to keep the Jazz from a final possession.

Ayton signed a four-year, $133 million deal during the offseason after the Suns matched an offer sheet from the Indiana Pacers.

“That young man has been coming to the gym at crazy hours, lifting with (coaches), so that he can be prepared for moments like this,” Suns coach Monty Williams said.

“It’s just good to see the work pay off. It’s good to see him have monster games against really good teams on a back-to-back. That’s pretty impressive,” he said.

Ayton was the first player to have at least 28 points and 20 rebounds in a game for the Suns since Amar’e Stoudemire in 2007. He shot 11 of 19 from the field and added three assists and two blocks.

“I want to do more, I feel like I can do more,” Ayton said. “I’m just trying to do

what I can to contribute to my team.”

Curiously, the Jazz didn’t foul the Suns on their final possession, essentially allowing them to run out the clock.

Utah coach Will Hardy said the last play simply didn’t unfold like the team expected and there was some miscommunication.

“We wanted to get the ball out of Booker’s hands, and then foul,” Hardy said.

Ayton scored a season high for the second straight night. He poured in 28 points against the Pistons in a 108-102 win on Friday. Booker had a tough night shooting, making just 8 of 27 shots.

Utah was one of the NBA’s surprise teams in the first few weeks of the season, starting with a 10-3 record.

The Jazz are just 3-7 since that point.

“One game, one stretch of the season doesn’t define your season,” Jazz forward Kelly Olynyk said. “You’ve got to go through ups-anddowns. Adversity — learn

from it and come out the other side better for it.”

The Suns have an 11-1 record at home this season and have won four straight games.

Jordan Clarkson scored 22 points for the Jazz. Collin Sexton added 20 while Lauri Markkanen had 15 points and 10 rebounds.

The Jazz had a 54-51 lead at halftime. Clarkson led the Jazz with 12 points while Ayton had 11 points and seven rebounds.

TIP-INS

Jazz: G Leandro Bol maro (concussion), G Mike Conley (left knee) and F

Rudy Gay (left hand) were not available. ... Three players scored in double figures off the bench. Malik Beasley had 14 points, Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 12 and Talen Hor ton-Tucker added 10.

Suns: G Landry Shamet returned after missing the previous seven games with a concussion. ... Booker shot just 3 of 13 from the field in the first half. ... Hosted a sellout crowd for the 38th consecutive game. ... Jock Landale played just five minutes in the game and all came in the fourth quarter. He scored four crucial points.

Zubac has 31 points, 29 rebounds as Clippers get win over Pacers

LOS ANGELES (AP)

— Ivica Zubac scored a season-high 31 points and pulled down a career-best 29 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Clippers pulled away in the second half to beat the Indiana Pacers 114-100 yesterday.

Zubac had the most rebounds in an NBA game this season and was one board away from the league’s fourth 30-point/30rebound rebound game and first since 2018 when he fouled out with 3:40 remaining.

Norman Powell added 19 points and Terance Mann 14 for the Clippers, who are still without Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.

Jalen Smith scored a career-high 23 points for the Pacers, while Tyrese Haliburton added 15 and T.J. McConnell 14.

WARRIORS 137, TIMBERWOLVES 114

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Steph Curry had 25 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, Jordan Poole pitched in 24 points off the bench and Golden State used a 47-point first quar ter to spark a victory over Minnesota.

Klay Thompson went 5 for 8 from deep for 21 points and tied Joe John son (1,978) for 15th place on the NBA’s career list for 3-pointers made for the Warriors, who raised their perplexing road record to 2-9. They’ve won five of their last six games overall and eight of 11.

Draymond Green had his first double-double of the season with 19 points and 11 assists. Andrew Wiggins scored 17 points against his old team for the Warriors, who went 2 for 12 from 3-point range in the second quarter and still led by 20 points at the half.

Anthony Edwards scored 26 points for the Wolves, who were outre bounded 47-31 and allowed their highest opponent score of the season.

NETS 111, TRAIL BLAZERS 94

NEW YORK (AP) — Kevin Durant scored 31 points, Seth Curry added a season-high 29 off the

bench and Brooklyn beat Portland.

Curry was 7 for 10 from 3-point range and had his highest point total with the Nets and the most by a Brooklyn reserve this season.

Kyrie Irving added 22 points for the Nets. Ben Simmons took just three shots but had 12 rebounds and eight assists.

Jerami Grant scored 29 points for Portland. Jusuf Nurkic had 17 points and 14 rebounds, while Anfernee Simons added 15 points and Justice Winslow had 14.

HEAT 106, HAWKS 98

ATLANTA (AP) — Bam Adebayo scored 14 of his 32 points in the third quarter, Caleb Martin added 20 points and Miami snapped a seven-game road losing streak with a victory over Atlanta.

Tyler Herro had 11 points, 10 assists and 11 rebounds and Max Strus had 16 points for the Heat, who outscored Atlanta 34-21 in the third to take charge of the game. They went on a 10-2 run early in the period to make it 65-64 on Kyle Lowry’s left wing 3, and Atlanta trailed the rest of the way. It was Miami’s first lead since it was 3-2.

The Heat led by 14 on Martin’s 3, ending a 17-6 run, with 5:45 left in the game.

Trae Young finished with 22 points and a seasonhigh 14 assists and John Collins had 23 points and a season-high 14 rebounds for Atlanta, which has dropped two straight and three of four.

GRIZZLIES 127, KNICKS 123

NEW YORK (AP) — Ja Morant had 27 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds in his fifth career triple-dou ble, and Memphis held off New York.

Morant scored 10 points in the fourth quarter, hit ting the go-ahead basket after rebounding his own miss with 13.9 seconds left in regulation.

Dillon Brooks scored 23 points and Jaren Jackson

Jr. added 21 for the Griz zlies, who lost a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter but recovered for their second straight victory.

Jalen Brunson had 30 points and RJ Barrett added 22 for the Knicks, who have lost two straight and four of their last five.

CAVALIERS 102, PISTONS 94 DETROIT (AP) — Donovan Mitchell scored 32 points, Evan Mobley added 20 and Cleveland rallied late to beat Detroit.

Cleveland trailed for much of the game, but out scored the Pistons 29-16 in the fourth quarter.

Darius Garland added 16 points for Cleveland, which has won five of six.

Marvin Bagley III had 19 points for the Pistons, who were missing starters Bojan Bogdanovic (ankle), Jaden Ivey (knee), Isaiah Stewart (foot) and Cade Cunning ham (shin).

CELTICS 130, WIZARDS 121 BOSTON (AP) — Jaylen Brown scored 36 points and Boston held off Washington.

Malcolm Brogdon added 17 points and Derrick

White finished with 15 for the Celtics.

The Celtics have won three straight and 12 of their last 13.

KAI JONES

FROM PAGE 14

do every night,” Hornets coach Steve Clifford said. “He’s playing to his real strengths. He’s tough, he’s a terrific athlete, he’s got a good nose for the ball, and he’s playing very smart.”

Terry Rozier had 22 points and eight assists, helping the Hornets (6-14) win back-to-back games for the first time this season. P.J. Washing ton scored 16 points, and reserve Theo Maledon finished with 14 points and seven rebounds.

“It’s a great mood booster for sure,” Oubre said of getting two wins in three nights. “We have to continue to learn from our losses and mistakes and learn how to win. The more you win the more you can do the same things you did in the game before.”

It is also Boston’s second win this season over Wash ington, which has lost its last three.

Celtics star Jayson Tatum missed his first game this season with a sprained left ankle.

But his absence didn’t slow down the offence, as Boston jumped out to 17-point halftime edge and grew its lead as high as 26 in the third quarter.

Bradley Beal led Wash ington with 30 points. Kristaps Porzingis added 21.

76ERS 133, MAGIC 103

ORLANDO, Florida (AP) — Shake Milton had 29 points and seven assists, and Philadelphia routed Orlando.

Tobias Harris added 25 points for Philadelphia, which also beat the Magic 107-99 on Friday night. Danuel House Jr. scored 19 points, and fellow reserve Paul Reed had 12 points and 13 rebounds.

Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 18 points and Franz Wagner scored 17 for the Magic, who lost their fourth straight.

Edwards scored 25 points for the Timber wolves (10-9), who shot 22% from 3-point range.

D’Angelo Russell had 20 points and 10 assists, and Rudy Gobert finished with 17 points and 17 rebounds.

The Timberwolves bolted to a 62-52 halftime lead as Edwards and KarlAnthony Towns combined for 30 points. But Char lotte battled back to take a 91-83 lead after outscoring the Timberwolves 39-21 in the third quarter behind 11 points from Oubre and 10 from Rozier.

“We just came out with not much energy or focus and not a lot of purpose,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said of his team’s effort in the third. “We haven’t done that for a long time. It was kind of our habit at the beginning of the season. Tonight, we just didn’t have it in the third quarter for whatever reason.”

points in the fourth quarter, sank a 3-pointer from the corner to give the Pacers a 99-96 lead, their first since the middle of the first quarter. The Pacers expanded the lead to 108-98 with a 3-pointer by Hield with 6:43 left in the fourth quarter.

Brooklyn closed the defi cit to 110-107 when Durant sank a 3-pointer, was fouled and converted the fourpoint play. But Indiana pulled away again.

Nic Claxton, who had 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Nets, was called for a flagrant foul for shoving Haliburton, who had to be restrained from going after Claxton. Haliburton sank two free throws to push the lead to 120-111 with 3:38 to go.

“I think we have a mature group,” Turner said. “We may be young, but we lock into the details of the game. We don’t allow ourselves to get rattled. We got Tyrese back there, the head of the snake. It seems like he always has his com posure in key moments and he keeps us calm.”

Turner said that was important in the fourth quarter

“There were some chippy plays,” Turner said. “They were trying to get our heads a little bit. They kept composure and didn’t allow that to mess up the flow of the game.”

The Pacers outscored the Nets 40-23 in the final period.

“They were becoming the aggressor and shifted the momentum in their favour,” Nets coach Jacque Vaughn said.

The Nets shot 61% to take a 65-57 lead at half time. Irving set the pace with 14 points, followed by Simmons with 12. The Pacers made nearly 48% of their shots in the first half.

For the game, the Nets shot 53% while the Pacers shot 50%. But the big dif ference was at the free throw line, where the Pacers sank 30 of 38 while the Nets were 8 of 10.

“We wanted to get them off their 3-point line, but I’m not sure how disci plined we were when they got to the rim of not foul ing,” Vaughn said. “(We) have to have discipline when they get to the rim and just be vertical. A lot of times guys are going to miss those shots and we rewarded them with fouls. You’re on the road, you can’t expect any calls. For us, it’s a good lesson to be more disciplined in how we approach the defensive end of the floor.”

TIP-INS

Nets: Yuta Watanabe was sidelined with a right ham string strain for the second consecutive game. … Sim mons scored in double figures for the sixth straight game. In the three games prior to the streak, Sim mons had a combined total of 10 points.

Pacers: Andrew Nemb hard missed his third consecutive game with a bruised left knee. … After a long discussion with the referees during a timeout in the third quarter, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle was issued a technical. Durant missed the free throw. ... Haliburton had four of the Pacers’ 13 steals. In contrast, the Nets had two steals.

Charlotte carried that momentum into the fourth. Nick Richards rejected Gobert at the rim, setting up a high-fly ing dunk by Kai Jones off a feed from Rozier that brought the crowd to its feet and helped push the lead to 14.

The Timberwolves had a chance to tie the game in the final seconds after Rozier missed a floater, but they were unable to corral the rebound.

That forced them to foul Washington, who made one of two throws with 4.7 sec onds left to help close it out. After the free throw, Washington smiled and gave a nod to his bench.

“The game we played tonight and the one before (a 107-101 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night) are two that we can grow from. If we play to our strengths it is going to be hard for teams to beat us.”

LOS Angeles Clippers centre Ivica Zubac dunks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers last night in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J Terrill)

SUNS centre Deandre Ayton (22) shoots over Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen during the second half on Saturday. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Germany salvages 1-1 draw with Spain at World Cup

By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer

AL KHOR,

Qatar

MOROCCO PULLS OFF 2-0 UPSET VS BELGIUM

By GERALD IMRAY AP Sports Writer

(AP)

— Germany forward Niclas Füllkrug salvaged a 1-1 draw against Spain yes terday at the World Cup.

The Germans still need to win their last group match to have a chance of advancing to the knockout stage. The four-time cham pions were eliminated in the group stage four years ago in Russia.

Germany will next face Costa Rica, which defeated Japan 1-0 earlier yester day. Even a win may not be enough for the Ger mans, who are in last place in Group E and need the other result to go their way.

Germany has one point, two behind Japan and Costa Rica. Spain has four points and holds a big goal difference thanks to its opening 7-0 rout of Costa Rica.

The match between the pre-tournament favourites was one of the most antici pated in the group stage.

Spain tried to control the pace of the game with ball possession but wasn’t able to create many significant opportunities until Álvaro Morata found the net in the 62nd minute with a nice one-touch from close range after a well-place low cross from Jordi Alba.

Germany struggled and only threatened sporadi cally in a few breakaways and set pieces, but Füllkrug

Croatia downs Canada 4-1 on Kramaric’s two goals

By ANNE M PETERSON AP Sports Writer

AL RAYYAN, Qatar (AP) — Croatia bounced back strong and knocked Canada right out of its first World Cup in 36 years.

The 2018 runners-up got two goals from Andrej Kramaric yesterday in a 4-1 victory over a Canadian team that has been elimi nated after two matches in Qatar.

Alphonso Davies scored Canada’s first-ever World Cup goal one minute into the match but Marko Livaja and Lovro Majer also scored for Croatia, which lost to France in the final four years ago in Russia and opened with a scoreless draw against Morocco.

Luka Modric, the 37-year-old captain who runs the midfield for Croa tia, is still looking for his first goal of the tournament in what is likely his final World Cup.

Croatia and Morocco, which caused another upset at this year’s tourna ment by beating Belgium 2-0 earlier yesterday, both

have four points in Group F. Belgium has three points and still has a chance to advance.

Canada, however, earned no points from its first two matches and can’t advance even if it beats Morocco on Thursday in its final match.

Croatia and Belgium will play at the same time.

Davies, who plays for Bayern Munich, headed a cross from Tajon Buchanan just out of goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic’s reach 1 minute, 8 seconds into the match.

The goal had the swath of red-shirted Canadian fans chanting “Can-a-da! Can-a-da!” at Khalifa International Stadium.

“I am disappointed in the result. It was not easy,” said Davies, who had a penalty saved in the open ing loss to Belgium.

“We did our best, we fought the entire game. We’re looking forward to the next game and hope fully we get some points.”

Kramaric appeared to score another for Croa tia in the 26th minute but he was ruled offside. His

second chance counted about 10 minutes later, making it 1-1.

Livaja put Croatia in front with a blast from outside the penalty box in the 44th minute, Kramaric added his second in the 70th and Majer scored in stoppage time.

Canada opened the tour nament with a 1-0 loss to Belgium.

Afterward, coach John Herdman stirred a bit of controversy when he recounted his post-game message to his players, using the first letter of a profanity to describe how they would beat Croatia.

In response, Croatia’s coach hit back at his Eng lish counterpart the day before the match. “This way of putting words

together is not a sign of respect,” Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said. “The way we play, the way we behave and the way we respect all others are the reasons we are worthy of respect.”

Canada was also elimi nated in the group stage of the team’s only other World Cup appearance in 1986.

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Morocco pulled off yet another World Cup shock, and it was Belgium’s aging “Golden Generation” that took the hit this time.

The 2-0 upset left Kevin de Bruyne and the 2018 semifinalists in peril of a group-stage exit at what is likely the final World Cup for numerous players on a team that hasn’t been able to win a major title.

Morocco substitute Abdelhamid Sabiri gave his team the lead by whipping in a free kick from a tight angle on the left in the 73rd minute that got under the body of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois — for many, the best in the world at his position.

Zakaria Aboukhlal then guided a shot into the roof of the net off a pass from Hakim Ziyech in stoppage time as Courtois was beaten again.

Belgium, ranked No. 2 in the world behind Brazil, had won its last seven group games at the World Cup before the upset. It was Morocco’s first win at a World Cup since 1998 and only its third ever.

Belgium would have become the second team after defending champion France to qualify for the knockout stage if it had beaten the Moroccans but now will play 2018 finalist Croatia in what will be a crucial final group game.

Morocco, which thrived off the deafening support provided by its fans at Al Thumama Stadium, also had a goal from a free kick by Ziyech disallowed in the first half for offside.

Belgium coach Roberto Martinez put in forward Romelu Lukaku, the coun try’s record scorer, as a substitute with less than 10 minutes to go in a desper ate attempt to get one back when it was 1-0.

Lukaku hadn’t played since October and is only just returning from a left thigh problem.

Belgium reached the semifinals at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, driven by goals from Lukaku, De Bruyne and Eden Hazard, but lost to eventual cham pion France.

The Belgians were also impressive early at last year’s European Champion ship, eliminating Portugal before losing to Italy in the quarterfinals.

Italy went on to win that title.

Belgium laboured to a 1-0 win over Canada in its opening game in Qatar, when the absence of Lukaku was glaring.

Belgium again dearly missed the big striker, who scored four goals at the 2018 World Cup and another four at Euro 2020.

Morocco drew confi dence from a 0-0 draw with Croatia in its first game and boosted its chances of reaching the knockout round for first time since 1986 — the only time it has ever advanced.

Costa Rica rallies to beat Japan 1-0 in Group E

By STEPHEN WADE

(AP) — Essentially writ ten off after being battered by Spain, Keysher Fuller has changed everything for Costa Rica.

Fuller took advantage of a defensive error and

scored the only goal of the match to lead his team over Japan 1-0 yesterday at the World Cup. Both teams now have three points after two matches and a good chance to advance to the round of 16 from Group E.

“We’re still alive,” said Costa Rica coach Luis Fer nando Suarez, a Colombian who also guided Ecuador and Honduras to World Cup berths. “We weren’t dead yesterday, and now we are very much in this. The main thing is we are still alive. No one can forget about us. We can still dream.”

Fuller scored his goal in the 81st minute after Japan failed to clear the ball. He hit the net from 18 metres

(yards), with the shot going in off the fingertips of leaping Japan goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda.

The match at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium was tacti cal and largely lacklustre, particularly in a first half that did not yield a single shot on goal. Japan pressed throughout the second half until Costa Rica broke through.

Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas came up with several saves in quick suc cession in the final minutes to ensure the victory.

Japan has one Group E game remaining against Spain, while Costa Rica faces Germany in its final match. With a victory, Japan

could have all but wrapped up a place in the knockout stage after a 2-1 upset win over Germany in its opener. Costa Rica was pounded by Spain 7-0 in its first game and just trying to survive.

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu said Costa Rica’s “solid defence” prevented his team from attacking more. “In the first half we couldn’t really develop any chances,” Moriyasu said. “I believe to a certain degree we were playing OK, however the result was a shame.”

The first half might have been one of the dullest of a tournament that has already seen five 0-0 draws. Neither team had a shot on goal.

Ritsu Doan, who scored one of Japan’s goals in the 2-1 win over Germany, looked the most threaten ing early with runs down the right side looking to cut in crosses. Costa Rica’s most menacing player was Joel Campbell, trying to use his speed on the left flank.

“We had more confidence with the ball than we had in the first game. We were more focused on defence and took advantage of our chances up front,” Camp bell said.

There was more action in the first two minutes after the break than in the entire first half. Hidemasa Morita tested Navas with a blister ing shot in the first minute,

and Takuma Asano forced another save a minute later.

Japan, which is appear ing it its seventh straight World Cup, has reached the knockout stage on three occasions, losing each time in the round of 16. Costa Rica reached the quarterfi nals in Brazil in 2014.

Japan is still winning goodwill with its tradition of cleaning up fan areas and player dressing rooms after the match.

This dates from Japan’s first appearance at the World Cup in 1998. This time, Japanese team offi cials arrived with 8,000 trash bags with thank you greetings in Arabic, Japa nese, and English.

finally found the equaliser in the 83rd with a shot from close range into the top of the net. The goal kept

Germany from enduring consecutive losses at the start of a World Cup for the first time.

WHAT’S NEXT Spain’s next match is against Japan at Khalifa

International Stadium, while Germany returns to Al Bayt Stadium to face Costa Rica.

SPAIN players celebrate after Alvaro Morata scored the opening goal during the World Cup group E soccer match between Spain and Germany, at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)

AL RAYYAN, Qatar

CROATIA’s Andrej Kramaric celebrates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the World Cup group F soccer match against Canada at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, yesterday. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

No. 22

Tennessee beats No. 3 Kansas 64-50 for Atlantis title

By AARON BEARD AP Basketball Writer

PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas (AP) — Ten nessee’s players proved to be determined defenders and relentless rebounders, along with having the kind of toughness to ensure the reigning national champi ons would have little chance to get comfortable.

It was all enough to give the 22nd-ranked Volunteers a title of their own, along with the blueprint that coach Rick Barnes hopes they follow the rest of the year.

Santiago Vescovi scored 20 points while Ten nessee locked down on third-ranked Kansas in a 64-50 win Friday night in the championship game at the Battle 4 Atlantis, snap ping the Jayhawks’ 17-game winning streak.

Vescovi hit five 3-point ers as the tournament’s most valuable player for the Volunteers (5-1), who dom inated the glass, overcame their own turnover troubles and made the Jayhawks work for clean looks.

And for the third time in as many days, Tennessee won without leading scorer Josiah-Jordan James (knee soreness).

Perhaps that’s why reserve guard Zakai Zei gler, who had 14 points and four steals, showed up wearing sunglasses to the postgame news confer ence after the Volunteers had danced and hollered through the on-court trophy ceremony.

“We know if you can’t stop the man in front of you, then you’ll have no shot at winning the game,” Zeigler said, adding: “We just like to play defence, and we just happen to be good at it.”

The Vols held the Jay hawks to 32.1 percent shooting, bothering them with size and length around the rim. They also took the ball right at the Jayhawks with 5-foot-9 Zeigler lead ing the way, down to him refusing to let go of a jump ball and trading words with 6-8 forward Jalen Wilson.

Zeigler’s night included a 3-pointer to beat the shot clock at the 7-minute mark to push Tennessee’s lead to 56-38. He followed with another big one from the right wing with 4:42 left after Kansas had closed within 11.

Wilson and Joseph Yesefu each scored 14 points to lead the Jayhawks (6-1), who shot 28.6 percent in the first half and never warmed up. They made 5 of 21 3-pointers in what was an all-around rough night, from losing starting guard Dajuan Harris to fouls with 9 minutes left to failing to keep the Vols off the glass (45-27).

“We played a team tonight that was older and

more mature and obvi ously played stronger and tougher,” Kansas coach Bill Self said.

“We didn’t handle the sit uation near as well as what I would hope a poised team would.”

BIG PICTURE

Tennessee: The Vol unteers opened the tournament with a win over Butler, then grinded through an overtime win against Southern Califor nia in Thursday’s semifinals. This time, Tennessee played in front the entire way en route to its first title in three tries at the Atlantis resort.

“I think the main thing from the whole week was stay together through tough times, that’s what you’ve got to do,” Vescovi said.

Kansas: The Jayhawks didn’t have an easy first two days in the Bahamas. First came a battle to the final minutes with North Caro lina State.

Then came Thursday’s overtime win against Wis consin on Bobby Pettiford Jr.’s last-second putback. But they never looked in any type of offensive flow this time with their smaller lineup. “I feel like if we were able to get them out of place and not just have them standing there, wait ing to contest a layup, that could’ve gave us some better chances at finishing at the rim,” Wilson said.

STRONG RUN Tennessee held its three Atlantis opponents to 36.9 percent shooting and 15 of 59 (25.4 percent) from 3-point range.

The Volunteers also averaged a +9 rebounding margin, ending with having Jonas Aidoo (nine) lead ing five players snagging at least six rebounds against Kansas.

“You can be a good defensive team but if you can’t be a great one if you give them second and third shots,” Barnes said.

SIDELINED

Beyond Harris’ foul trou ble, the Jayhawks played most of the way with out Pettiford, who exited midway through the first half grabbing at his right leg.

Afterward, Self said he would be out “for a while” with a hamstring strain.

UP NEXT Tennessee: The Vol unteers return home to host McNeese State on Wednesday.

Kansas: The Jayhawks host Texas Southern today.

KANSAS’ Jalen Wilson shoots against Tennes see’s Jonas Aidoo (0) on Friday during an NCAA college bas ketball game in the Battle 4 Atlantis at Paradise Island, Baha mas.

Photo: Tim Aylen/ Bahamas Visual Services via AP