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A TIME TO HEAL

Pintard concedes party made ‘unforced errors’ as he issues call for unity

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net MARCO City MP Michael Pintard became the fifth leader of the Free National Movement on Saturday and immediately called for unity in the party and a plea to disillusioned supporters to return to its ranks.

Mr Pintard received 297 votes, 67 percent of the total votes cast in the leadership election, trouncing East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson and Central Grand Bahama MP Iram Lewis who got 120

and 44 votes respectively.

The result of the convention, which was held at the Holy Trinity Activity Centre, gave the former FNM chairman the mandate to steer the party after its demoralising general election defeat and positioned him as the person most likely to lead the party into the next general election.

Mr Pintard had been the frontrunner for the post since the FNM’s loss in September, having galvanised supporters who cite his eloquence and appeal to SEE PAGE THREE

INGRAHAM - HE WILL NOT KICK ANYONE TO THE CURB

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said Michael Pintard represents a new kind of leader for the Free National Movement, one who will be inclusive and not exclude party supporters.

Mr Ingraham has made no secret of his strained relationship with his successor, Dr Hubert Minnis, and has suggested in the past he was sidelined under Dr Minnis’ tenure.

Asked on Saturday if the FNM will now emerge unified after Mr Pintard’s victory, he said: “It’s going

to take a little while for a few, but for the vast majority we’ll be united from today onwards, but for some others it will take a little while to massage them, but Michael is the man who will do that.

“He’s able to do that kind of stuff and he’ll be collegial, he’ll be inclusive, he will reach out and he will not be someone who excludes anybody or kicks anybody to the curb. “I think that FNMs will come to accept and like that this is a new kind of leadership that we have and we’ll embrace it and go forward with it.”

SEE PAGE THREE

MICHAEL Pintard celebrates, surrounded by fellow FNMs, as he is elected leader of the party on Saturday.

Photo: Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff

NEW COVID VARIANT SPARKS RESTRICTIONS

HOTELS: WE COULDN’T HAVE ASKED FOR MORE

IN response to the new Omicron variant, the government announced yesterday it will impose travel restrictions against several African countries, including Botswana

BAHAMIAN resorts are seeing the high-occupancy Christmas period expand by 50 percent, Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Associated president Robert Sands has revealed, adding of the

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

and Zimbabwe.

Starting at midnight, The Bahamas will deny entry to non-residents who recently visited Botswana, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe and South Africa.

SEE PAGE FOUR

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

‘LET US LAY BELLA TO REST’

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

BELLA Walker’s paternal grandmother Meredith Grant says she is appalled by certain public statements made in the wake of the child’s death and an impending legal fight over the little girl’s remains.

“All we want to do is lay Bella to rest,” Ms Grant said yesterday.

BELLA WALKER She suggested that because the child lived with her from the time she was a two-week-old baby until a

few months before her death, the paternal family should have the right to bury her.

In an interview yesterday, Ms Grant questioned what role maternal grandmother Monalisa Walker played in Bella’s life, adding that had it been a different scenario the child would not have been living in Grand Bahama with her father’s family.

SEE PAGE TWO

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

post-COVID rebound: “We couldn’t have asked for more.”

Mr Sands said the industry’s typically strong festive occupancies were this year set to last for ten days as opposed to the traditional six to seven-day period enjoyed pre-COVID. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

INSIGHT CAN PINTARD PUT THE PIECES OF THE FNM BACK TOGETHER?

SEE PAGE EIGHT

PAGE 2, Monday, November 29, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

THREE DEAD, SEVEN HURT IN SHOOTINGS

By LEANDRA ROLLE and EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporters

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

POLICE are investigating after a man was shot dead in Eleuthera early yesterday morning.

According to police reports, shortly after 2am officers were informed of a shooting on Three Island Road where upon arrival, they found an unresponsive man lying in the street.

An inspection of the body revealed he had wounds consistent with gunshots.

A local doctor was called and pronounced the victim dead. Police did not release the victim’s identity, however, sources say he is Drew Storr.

His death follows a string of shooting incidents over the weekend that left seven people injured and in hospital.

Shortly after 8pm on Friday, police in Grand Bahama received information of a shooting involving four men in the area of Cornwallis Drive off

POLICE at the scene of the double murder in Eight Mile Rock on Thursday night.

Columbus Road.

Preliminary investigations revealed the group was at a residence when they were approached by a lone gunman who fired shots in their direction.

“Three of the males were shot in the leg and one was (g)razed to the head. The victims were all transported to the Rand Memorial Hospital to seek medical attention where they are listed as serious, but in stable condition,” police said in a statement.

Hours later, police were alerted to a second shooting in New Providence.

Officers said around 9pm, they were alerted to the sound of gunshots on Lily of the Valley Corner through ShotSpotter technology.

Officers responded and on arrival were told a man had been shot in his body.

The victim was taken to hospital where he is listed in serious condition.

In the third incident, shortly before 11pm, police were called to the scene of a shooting in the Chippingham area.

Upon arrival, officers found a man with gunshot wounds. He was taken to hospital and is also listed in serious condition.

The next day, police reported they received information that a man, while in the area of Rock Court, had been wounded after being involved in a heated argument with another man who fired shots in his direction.

The victim was taken by car to the hospital, where he is listed in serious condition.

Police said investigations are continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers at 328TIPS (8477).

• GRAND Bahama police are investigating a double homicide that took place Thursday night.

Police said shortly after 8pm, the control room received a report of a shooting in Hanna Hill, Eight Mile Rock.

Initially, it was reported only one of the victims had died. However, a second man later died.

“Upon the officer’s arrival, initial investigations revealed that a group of men were at the rear of a residence situated in Hanna Hill gambling. They were approached by a male, who brandished a firearm and discharged the same in the direction resulting in two of the males receiving gunshot injuries about the body,” said police.

“EMS attended the scene and pronounced one of the males lifeless. The other male was transported to the Rand Memorial Hospital, to seek further medical attention. Both males were seen and examined by a doctor who pronounced both males dead.”

‘LET US LAY BELLA TO REST’

from page one

Ms Grant said the child’s father Deno Smith, Jr, and other relatives just wanted the opportunity to let the toddler rest in peace with a proper burial.

Ms Grant admitted Mr Smith never signed Bella’s birth certificate, but said this was no secret to anyone and was never an issue.

Last week in an interview with Our News, Ms Walker said she was a part of Bella’s life and likened the ordeal to a “nightmare from hell.”

Ms Grant took issue with this.

“We have to answer to whatever is going on because we had to get some stuff done to prove that we had the child because we had Bella, actually I had Bella from she was twoweeks-old,” Ms Grant told The Tribune.

“My son was summoned to appear and so we have to get an affidavit done saying what happened in her life and how long we had her.

“The lady is saying that she was a part of Bella’s life and I can’t tell you when that was because we always had her.”

She continued: “So, it is appalling to me that she would go on TV to say that she was a part of her life. (If that were the case)... I don’t think that I would have had her from two weeks knowing that he didn’t sign for her. It isn’t that you are just finding out that he didn’t sign for her. You always knew that.”

Ms Grant said her son has not been handling the situation well.

“All we want to do is lay Bella to rest. Bella is not at peace and when she (Ms Walker) would have seen her body, she would have known that Bella is not at peace.

“I saw her on Tuesday and it wasn’t easy. We just need her to be at peace.

Just let us bury her.”

Attorney Bjorn Ferguson, who is representing Ms Walker, has said the murdered toddler’s body was

removed from the morgue and taken to a funeral home without the consent of anyone who has legal custody of her remains.

Mr Ferguson wrote to Serenity Funeral Home & Cremation to demand the remains be released to Ms Walker.

Mr Ferguson’s letter to the funeral home selected

by Mr Smith read in part: “If we fail to hear from you by noon on Friday 26, November 2021, we will commence legal proceedings on behalf of Miss Monalisa Walker against your company in the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.”

His letter dated November 25 also said Bella’s mother had sole custody of the child and by virtue of the fact that she has been remanded, she has given that authority now to her mother to deal with her burial arrangement while the situation plays out.

“On the 5th day of November, 2021, our client was advised of the death of her granddaughter, D’onya Bella Walker. Our client further advised us that she identified her granddaughter’s body at the Rand Lab as at the 8th day of November, 2021. Upon identifying the body, our client did not provide any instructions to the agents of the Rand Lab relative to release of the body or the burial of the deceased.

“We have been advised that Deno Alexander Smith Jr, is the putative father of the deceased and is not so entitled to have control of the body of the deceased or to make any burial arrangements relative to the same.”

Mr Ferguson said Mr Smith never signed Bella’s birth register and that her mother had sole custody of Bella.

“He can’t just insert himself in this equation, the law doesn’t allow him,” he said.

The matter is scheduled to be heard before the Supreme Court today at 3pm.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, November 29, 2021, PAGE 3

A time to heal from page one

the general public as winning attributes. He won a greater share of votes in his constituency during the election than any other FNM candidate.

On Saturday, Mr Thompson and Mr Lewis ushered him to the stage in a show of unity as chants of “Pintard” broke out.

Adrian White, the St Anne’s MP and leader of opposition business in the House of Assembly, said the party is eager for him to be sworn in as leader of the official opposition, something that could happen as early as this morning.

“We would like to enter the House before commencement of the debate on the supplementary budget and the VAT legislation with our new leader sworn in as leader of the opposition,” Mr White said yesterday. “We most definitely think that will happen this week. We are making every effort to see it happen (this) morning.”

Mr Pintard follows Sir Cecil WallaceWhitfield, Hubert Ingraham, Tommy Turnquest and Dr Hubert Minnis as leader of the FNM. Mr Ingraham and Mr Turnquest embraced him on stage on Saturday.

However, Dr Minnis, with whom he has had a strained relationship, did not attend the ceremony.

Under Dr Minnis’ tenure, several prominent figures and factions in the FNM felt marginalised. Mr Pintard made unity and reconciliation prominent themes of his leadership campaign, repeatedly saying he will work to bring back those who felt sidelined.

“Our collective genius is always better than a single-minded focus of a leader or a small group of leaders,” he said during his victory speech. “We need all of you. That’s why we sent out the clarion call, asking FNMs who felt marginalised or disenfranchised or who had left. We’re saying to you, we wish for you to return home. We understand that we are weaker without you. You are at the centre of our consideration.

We are asking you to return to the organisation that we built.”

Recognising the former FNM parliamentarians who ousted Dr Minnis as leader of the official opposition in 2016 and were subsequently sidelined for doing so, he said: “We’re calling on our sister, Loretta Butler-Turner, we want you to know the tent is open, feel free to join us. Hubert Chipman, Richard (Lightbourn), Neko Grant.”

He added: “I told our immediate past leader, I said sir, Dr Minnis, know that I will be blowing up your phone on a regular basis, sir. You are on speed dial.

We intend to utilise the skills, the network, the talent of our former Prime Minister Hubert Alexander Minnis.”

Mr Pintard has said he wants Bahamian politics to be less tribalistic. He said under his leadership the FNM will constructively engage with the governing Progressive Liberal Party.

“Many Bahamians are relying on us, the Free National Movement, as an opposition force to hold the government’s feet to the fire,” he said. “But they also want us to constructively engage the government and to make recommendations on legislation, on policies, on programmes so that the government might function properly and our country can grow from strength to strength.

“It is not in our collective interest that this government fails. It is true that early indications are that there will be some who engage in excesses in the management of their portfolios but from the bottom of our heart we wish them success because more importantly we wish our country to succeed.”

Mr Pintard said while the last FNM administration did much to be proud of, it also made missteps.

“We know that part of our loss had to do with having to make very difficult decisions that were difficult for a population to embrace, but lest we make the mistake of not listening carefully to the population we also had some missteps,” he said. “We made some mistakes. We had some unforced errors. The truth is sometimes we didn’t listen to you the way we ought to. Sometimes we forget that we are your servants, we work for you, that we have temporary jobs.”

Among the first significant decisions Mr Pintard will have to make is

NEW FNM leader Michael Pintard addressing the crowd on Saturday.

Photos: Racardo Thomas/ Tribune Staff

whether to change the makeup of the Senate. Dr Minnis appointed Viana Gardiner, Reuben Rahming, Darren Henfield and Maxine Seymour to Senate posts. It is not clear if Mr Pintard will keep them all in place.

“I have no comments on the senatorial appointments,” he told reporters on Saturday. “We are going to have a discussion as a family and then we are going to address that issue publicly.”

The FNM will have another convention in February when the party will vote for chairman, deputy leader and other posts.

In the meantime, Mr Pintard said FNM officials will tour constituencies and talk to party supporters.

“We intend to convene a conclave immediately after the February convention to make sure that we’re able to share the post-mortem so that we can go beyond the anecdotal evidence that we have in terms of what went wrong,” he said.

“We are going to commission the studies to be done which will be ready in time for February.

We’ll discuss that post-mortem.

We’ll plan the way forward.”

MINNIS: PINTARD WILL HAVE MY SUPPORT

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

DR HUBERT Minnis says newly elected Free National Movement leader Michael Pintard will get his full support as the FNM focuses on repairing itself following a devastating general election defeat in September.

The party held a oneday leadership convention Saturday and elected the Marco City MP as leader of the party.

Mr Pintard received 297 votes, which was 67 percent of the votes cast. His rivals, East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson and Central Grand Bahama MP Iram Lewis, got 120 and 44 votes respectively.

The former prime minister said despite him

leading the party to a loss in the September 16 general election, the FNM is still the best choice for The Bahamas.

“I am a party man,” Dr Minnis said yesterday in an interview with The Tribune.

“I am an FNM and I will remain an FNM. My job, like all FNMs, is to work together to ensure that we remove the PLP. “All of the programmes that we instituted are working. The economy is coming back, but now we are facing a new variant — the Omicron variant — and that will present great headwinds for us moving forward.

“The programmes we had instituted in terms of dealing with COVID they were working and those programmes have to be continued, but my job is to ensure that the FNM

returns because the FNM has a plan for this country the FNM has a plan for the people and a plan for the young people.

“It has a plan to try and decrease poverty within the country and increase the middle class so as to expand the middle class. We must continue on that road and I will do all I can to ensure the success of this Bahamas and our party.

“Pintard and the entire party will have my full support. I am an FNM. “I want the PLP removed. I want the FNM back in power because we have direction and a plan.

So, Pintard has my full support,” Dr Minnis said.

The Killarney MP also responded to criticism that his absence on stage where Mr Pintard gave his first remarks as party leader

signaled that he would not support the Marco City MP. Both former leaders Hubert Ingraham and Tommy Turnquest stood on either side of Mr Pintard as he spoke.

“No, me not being there does not show that I don’t support Pintard,” Dr Minnis said. “That is a bad interpretation. That is an incorrect and wrong interpretation.

“Pintard was chosen by the people and Pintard will have my full support.”

Similarly, Mr Thompson said he would be supportive of the new leader and accept the outcome of the convention.

“The people of our party have spoken and I congratulate our new leader Michael Pintard,” Mr Thompson said in remarks to The Tribune.

FORMER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis with supporters.

“The new leader has my Bahamians.

“Yesterday’s result has full support. I wish to thank the many supporters and only motivated me to work voting delegates for their even harder for my consupport and encouragement. stituency, our Party and our We have our new leader Country. It is not about a Michael Pintard and we must position, but making a difall join together to support ference. I give God thanks for his favour, grace, purhim in leading our party.

“It is time for us to pose and the opportunity.”

Mr Lewis did not respond unite and reignite our Free National Movement to The Tribune’s inquiries in the best interest of all yesterday.

INGRAHAM - HE WILL NOT KICK ANYONE TO THE CURB from page one

Mr Pintard won 67 percent of the votes on Saturday at the party’s leadership convention, beating East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson and Central Grand Bahama MP Iram Lewis.

He received 297 votes, while Mr Thompson and Mr Lewis got 120 and 44 votes respectively.

Dr Minnis, according to sources, backed Mr Thompson for leader. Mr Pintard and Dr Minnis have had a strained relationship, sources say, and the Killarney MP was absent during Mr Pintard’s victory speech and presentation on Saturday.

Asked if he felt slighted by this, Mr Pintard said: “Not at all. Listen, political contests are very difficult and I’m sure Dr Minnis has some legitimate reasons why he may not be here, but I expect that each time I

FORMER Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham on Saturday. pick up the phone to call my former leader, he is going to make himself available so that we can discuss the issues that affect the Bahamian people. I believe he loves the Bahamian people as much as any of us who are here right now so, no, I don’t feel slighted.”

Earlier on Saturday, Dr Minnis said he will remain

an FNM supporter. He said he has an excellent relationship with the party.

“Whomever comes out I will support,” he said. “I’m an FNM, I’ve always been an FNM, I will remain an FNM. I think the FNM is the best government for this country and I will do all I can to ensure the FNM re-emerges even stronger,

better and projects the country in the direction where it belongs.”

When asked to assess the strength of the three people nominated for leader, he said: “Everybody has strengths and weaknesses, everyone. They all have their strengths, they all have their weaknesses and I wish them all the best.”

Mr Ingraham, meanwhile, said he will give advice to Mr Pintard, but will not be pushy.

“The party needed a change and many of us worked hard behind the scenes to effect that change,” Mr Ingraham said.

“We think Michael will do well. We will give him all the support he needs and go with him throughout The Bahamas when he needs us to go, speak for him, but stay in the background, be advisors, not seek to guide him, not seek to lead him, just simply give him as much information and support as we can

at any time. We will not be pushy. We’ll just be here, available, speed dial.

“As the longest serving leader of the Free National Movement in its 50-year history, having served for 19 years as leader of this party, having led this party to three victories as government of

The Bahamas, I stand here today to say how pleased I am that the party has nominated, elected and ratified Michael Pintard as our next leader. I want you to know that he has my support, he can call up on me anytime, anywhere, any day. Go for it, Michael.”

PAGE 4, Monday, November 29, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

New COVID variant sparks restrictions from page one However, as it relates to Bahamians and residents who travelled from those areas, officials said while they will not be prevented from entering the country they will be required to self-isolate for two weeks as a precautionary measure.

In a statement the Ministry of Health and Wellness said: “Individuals not ordinarily residents in The Bahamas who have travelled to, through, or from these countries within the last 14 days will not be allowed entry into The Bahamas at this time.

“Individuals who are ordinarily resident (citizens, permanent residents, individuals with work permits) may be permitted to enter The Bahamas, but will be subject to mandatory quarantine for 14 days at their own expense and will undergo screening as mandated by the Ministry

of Health and Wellness,” the ministry added.

The rules apply to both vaccinated and unvaccinated travellers.

The decision to tighten travel restrictions comes after Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville on Friday again urged Bahamians to get vaccinated and follow COVID-19 restrictions in preparation of a potential fourth COVID wave.

“In recent weeks, we have seen a substantial and very welcome decrease in the number of COVID-19 infections in The Bahamas,” Dr Darville said.

“However, several developments internationally threaten our progress, and require all of us to act with urgency to prepare for another potential surge in cases.

“In the last several weeks, there has been a very significant and sustained increase in cases in both Europe and the United States. We

have seen that in our highly connected world, surges in other regions have tended to lead to a surge in our country a few weeks later.”

Dr Darville said these concerns are also compounded by the new Omicron threat, which was declared a variant of concern by the World Health Organisation last week.

The strain, first detected in South Africa, has already been discovered in several countries, including the UK, Israel and Hong Kong.

It is believed the strain could be more transmissible than the Delta variant, however health experts said it’s still too early to confirm this.

“We have heard about many new variants in the last few months, and many of them disappeared without any significant impact,” Dr Darville added. “However, there are several reasons to be particularly vigilant when it comes to this new variant.

“It has taken off in South Africa, where it was first identified and it appears to be outcompeting other variants. In less than two weeks, it has become the dominant variant in that country. A variant significantly more transmissible than Delta would be a very serious threat indeed.

“We will learn more in the coming days and weeks, but we cannot wait for more information to act with urgency.”

The Bahamas now joins the list of countries that have implemented similar travel guidelines because of the new strain.

Speaking to The Tribune yesterday, former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said it’s only a matter of time before the new strain arrives here, warning that now is not the time for Bahamians to let their guards down.

He also called on health officials to increase surveillance of those travelling

from the US and UK. His comments came just hours before the new travel policy was announced.

He said: “We believe a travel ban should be placed on those African countries where the Omicron originated. As the USA is the loophole, all travelling from Africa through the US should be closely monitored and also we should increase surveillance. Those European nations, including the UK where the virus has now been identified should also be closely monitored with increased surveillance upon arrival here.

“The government should take this new variant very seriously. We still don’t have lots of data on that because that’s new but we have to increase our surveillance and mask wearing though we don’t know the effects of the new virus.

“We should also consider some sort of travel restrictions from individuals travelling from those

affected areas like South Africa or we should aggressively monitor them. We must really be aggressively focused on this virus and COVID in general.”

Dr Minnis also said it’s time for officials to address the country, outlining their plans to combat this new COVID threat.

“I think it’s time that the Competent Authority, Minister of Health or Prime Minister address the nation on the COVID-19 pandemic and what they’re doing with this new strain,” he added. “I have no doubt it will reach The Bahamas, it’s a matter of when, not if.”

In its November 27 dashboard, the Ministry of Health reported 12 new cases, bringing the nation’s total confirmed count to 22,763. The day before saw 17 infections recorded.

There have also been 671 virus related deaths confirmed, while 68 still remain under investigation.

COOPER: WE MUST LEARN TO CO-EXIST WITH THE VIRUS

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

WHILE admitting the government is concerned about a fourth COVID-19 wave, Tourism, Investment and Aviation Minister Chester Cooper insisted Friday the country must learn to co-exist with the virus, saying COVID-19 is not “going away anytime soon.”

The minister made the remarks while defending the government’s decision to loosen virus restrictions and further re-open the economy in view of concerns about another surge.

This comes as some countries, including the United States and Europe, are seeing a rise in infection rates, prompting the re-implementation of restrictive measures in some jurisdictions.

Although cases have considerably declined in The Bahamas, some observers have questioned if the Davis administration may have acted too soon in eliminating certain restrictions.

Responding to those concerns Friday, Mr Cooper conceded the

TOURISM, Investment and Aviation Minister Chester Cooper. government does not make decisions blindly and without being guided by the latest data.

The minister further said the country can either choose to move forward or shut down its businesses and allow people to die from starvation.

“Let me just say that we’ve been very methodical in terms of making the requirements more relaxed first of all. We haven’t been loosened free in terms of what we’re doing. We have followed the science but we recognise that we have to live with COVID,” Mr Cooper said.

“It hasn’t gone away. It’s not going away anytime soon and we can stay cooped up in our houses.

We can close our borders. We can close our industries and we can stay at home and die from hunger.

That’s a very extreme example, but I say it only to say that we have to move on and we have to live with COVID. “If we find that we made some error in judgement in terms of the relaxations, we’ll adjust them but right now we believe that the new rules are working. We’ve promised the Bahamian people that we’re going to get out of the state of emergency and go back to a sense of normalcy and this is what we’re seeking to do. So far, so good.”

He said virus numbers are currently down because the

government’s COVID-19 policies are working.

However, he also noted officials have not ruled out the possibility of a fourth wave and urged Bahamians to remain on guard.

“What we’re doing is working,” The Exuma and Ragged Island MP also said. “We’re expanding free testing and we have some pilot programmes running, this is going to continue. We’re going to start a very active public education campaign. We think that’s important, but we believe the restrictive measures in certain areas should continue.

“We’ve limited sizes in gatherings. I believe we’ve limited night clubs, etc, so I believe we’re making sensible practicable changes, but we have to recognise that COVID is going to be with us for a long time and we have to learn to live with it and that’s what we’re doing.”

Former Health Minister Dr Duane Sands earlier this week cautioned local officials to “get ready” for a potential increase of COVID-19 cases, insisting a

fourth wave of the disease was imminent.

“Experience has shown us what happens in Europe and what happens in the United States is a reasonable predictor of what is likely to happen in The Bahamas and so, as goes the rest of the world, I believe we’re going to see a fourth wave and it beholds us to learn the lessons that other people have learned with horrible consequences,” Dr Sands told The Tribune recently.

“And so, the methods should be let us get ready, let us hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst and that means to get vaccinated, adhere rigidly to the disciplinary approaches that work – social distancing, mask wearing, hand sanitisation, avoiding large crowds, etc, you know the drill.”

Since the start of the pandemic, The Bahamas has recorded more than 22,720 cases, with 248 of those still active as of November 24.

There have also been 671 virusrelated deaths confirmed, while 68 still remain under investigation.

HOSPITAL LAUNCHES PROBE INTO DEATH OF JOURNALIST’S SISTER

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net THE Public Hospitals Authority has launched an investigation into a recent complaint that alleged negligence caused the death of a woman being treated at the Princess Margaret Hospital.

However, the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) did not specifically identify in a

press release on Friday the complaint to which they referred.

The statement came after “Beyond the Headlines” host Shenique Miller alleged in an interview with The Tribune Thursday that she blamed PMH “negligence” for the death of her sister, Swanson Miller.

“This inquiry is one of several undertaken by the authority into allegations of similar nature that we

continue to take seriously and are addressing consistent with internal policies and protocols,” the release said.

“Patient confidentiality protocols prevent the PHA from publicly disseminating the information of patients entrusted to our care. The PHA will share the outcome of our inquiry with the authorised family members upon completion. Patients and authorised representatives are encouraged to file

official complaints with the PHA to initiate an investigation. The PMH/PHA is mandated by policy and law to investigate all matters brought to our attention.

“The inquiry and investigation process are automatic once a complaint is made verbally or in writing to medical staff, department heads or hospital administrators.”

The most notable social media complaint has been

that of the well-known television host.

Asked on Thursday if the family planned to take legal action against PMH, Ms Miller reserved comment, adding: “We

observably have to see what the autopsy shows and we will as a family come together and make a decision that is best for all involved moving forward.”

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THE TRIBUNE

Monday, November 29, 2021, PAGE 5

‘We’ll make the most of Junkanoo Beach’

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

TOURISM, Investment and Aviation Minister Chester Cooper has pledged to enhance and upgrade infrastructure on Junkanoo Beach.

The deputy prime minister said his ministry is committed to maximising the site’s full potential in a bid to improve the nation’s tourism product.

Mr Cooper’s comments to reporters came after he, along with other officials, conducted a tour of the area on Friday. While there he also promised to address concerns of Junkanoo beach vendors.

Describing the site as one of the “busiest” beaches in the country, Mr Cooper said there was no doubt Junkanoo beach had great economic potential given its strategic location and current attractions.

“This is the type of marketplace that we want to encourage across the country,” Mr Cooper said on Friday. “One of my biggest focuses in my role as minister responsible for tourism is to encourage linkages with tourism and this is a great example of what can happen.

“Of course, this is the busiest beach in the country and certainly, one of them given the millions of tourists that come by cruise ship in the immediate vicinity and, of course, the hotels and surrounding area. This

TOURISM, Investment and Aviation Minister Chester Cooper at Junkanoo Beach. is a great location. It’s well positioned for tourism enterprises.

“Tourists can come and experience the local food and the typical environment that we would find in a family island anywhere across the country. Talk with our local population.

The vendors and our other local guests and really one of the things that we emphasise in the Ministry of Tourism is not just the sun sand and sea, which we magnificently display here but also the warmth of our people and, therefore, this marketplace is so important for that experience as well.”

Among those who participated in Friday’s

walkabout included McKell Bonaby, Executive Chairman of The Bahamas Parks and Beaches Authority, and Dr Kenneth Romer, the Ministry of Tourism & Aviation’s executive director of product quality and support, and others.

According to the minister, at the root of concerns expressed by vendors was the lack of lighting on the beach and insufficient security.

However, he said his ministry was seeking to address those issues. “There are some concerns with respect to lighting (and) general security”, Mr Cooper told reporters Friday. “We’ll be having some discussions

with police to increase their patrol in the area, especially at night.”

“We looked at the facilities. They’re clean and commendable and clearly, there’s some improvements that can happen in relation to the restrooms, but the vicinity is generally clean. There can be a little bit more standardisation in terms of some of the physical buildings, etc, and no doubt there can always be room for improvement, but we’re coming out of a very difficult time.

“COVID has taken a toll and business is here and no doubt the association as well, so over time we’re going to cause there to be

Photo: Kemuel Stubbs/BIS more improvements in the physical plant here at Junkanoo Beach.”

Mr Cooper also said he was concerned about the shortage of lifeguards at the local beach, adding that work was now underway to launch a training programme to boost manpower in that regard.

“One of the things that I’m personally concerned about, and the Ministry of Tourism as well, is the need to have more beach wardens and more lifeguards on duty. We did see some here today, but there is a shortage of lifeguards across the country,” the Exuma and Ragged Island MP said on Friday.

“The Ministry of Tourism is taking a lead in causing there to be an active training programme. You will hear more about this shortly. We’ll be working along with Mr Bonaby from Beaches and Parks.

We know that when we visit the private islands of cruise ships and when we talk with investors, one of the things they complain about is that they can’t find lifeguards in the country.”

“So, we’re going to be spearheading a training initiative beginning hopefully with at least 100 new recruits in our lifeguard programme to ensure that when we talk with investors, whether it’s the cruise line or whether it’s the hotel, we no longer need to grant work permits from persons from around the world to come to watch our beaches and make sure that our guests are safe so we’re going to take this matter into our own hands.

“This is an opportunity for young people across the country and, therefore, this is something that Junkanoo Beach will benefit from but all of the beaches and parks under the mission and mandate of Mr Bonaby,” the deputy prime minister added.

Speaking after Friday’s tour, President of the Junkanoo Beach Association, Byron Austin told reporters he was grateful for Mr Cooper’s visit and also expressed confidence that the government will keep their commitments to vendors.

RECORD HOTEL OCCUPANCY LEVELS OVER THANKSGIVING

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net TOURISM Director General Joy Jibrilu said hotels are seeing record occupancy levels for the Thanksgiving period and a target of one million stopover visitors by year-end is within reach.

She said projections for the first and second quarters of 2022 are positive despite a fourth wave of the COVID virus affecting the United States and European countries.

“Our hotels are stating that they are seeing record occupancies for the Thanksgiving period,” she said during a press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday.

“In fact, we are seeing occupancies in the hotels 90 percent and beyond so numbers are above that of what we saw in 2019, which was a banner year for us.

And the good news is it’s not just hotels in Nassau, Paradise Island, but the Family Islands who have been doing well throughout our recovery period. And this confirms the position that The Bahamas is ahead in terms of its recovery when we look at where the world is globally.”

Ms Jibrilu said The Bahamas could record its one million stopover guests for the year, a once ambitious target set by former Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar.

“When we floated that number in September, that seemed like a far-off dream,” she said. “We said wow, what if we reached one million stopover visitors in 2021, unbelievable, no one would imagine it.

But that dream is a possibility and so that would be great.”

“But it’s more than that at this stage. We’re realising that during our recovery, it’s not necessarily about the quantity of numbers, it’s the quality of numbers. So, what we have seen that’s been tremendous is that our hotel occupancy rates, while they’re good, what we call the ADR, average daily rate for these hotel properties, they’ve not dropped, they’ve increased. Visitor spend has increased so what

TOURISM Director General Joy Jibrilu. we’re hoping to see is real uptick in economic input into the destination. So, I think that’s going to be very interesting at the end of the year to say, yes, we made our goal of a million but more than that, the spend that we saw in 2021 was equal to that of a great year and so that’s what this year is unveiling for us.”

The improving tourism numbers and forecast come as fears grow about a fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although cases have recently declined in The Bahamas, some countries are again imposing restrictions, which can affect the ability of their residents to move and travel.

“As we look at projections, as I stand now, for the first and second quarter of 2022, our projections are trending very, very well,” Ms Jibrilu said. “Sometimes I look at the projections, I don’t just look at them in the context of The Bahamas, which is, of course, my primary interest; I then say how are we comparing regionally, how are we comparing globally? And it does give cause for you to look two and three times and say is The Bahamas really doing that well? So, if we look at where we are now, we’re in a very, very good place.

Ms Jibrilu said a move among some countries to avoid policies that wound the economy could help maintain the positive forecast for tourism in The Bahamas.

“The thing with COVID19,” she said, “is that it is such a dynamic situation, the situation changes daily.

I look at Germany and I look at France, I look at the rest of Europe. (We’re) so excited with the airlift coming out of those places.

But we see the measures that the governments of those countries are going to put in place that can potentially restrict people leaving

those jurisdictions.

“The United States, I think, they too have reached a stage where they too recognise that they are balancing the economy with a health crisis and so in terms of measures for closures, I don’t think that’s an immediate concern that we in The Bahamas or anyone in the tourism sphere has.

“I think a lot of countries are at that place where they are making the hard decisions to say vaccinations are the key and I should state that our hotel partners are telling us and it’s being confirmed by the travel health visa, up to 70 percent of all visitors coming to The Bahamas are fully vaccinated and that’s a big plus as well.”

The US Centres for Disease Control recently improved The Bahamas’ travel rating advisory from level four to level three.

Ms Jibrilu said that shift is already positively impacting the tourism industry.

“If we look at our major resort properties,” she said, “Atlantis, Baha Mar, a lot of their business is predicated upon group business. They have larger conference facilities, meeting rooms, meeting spaces and that’s really where a great deal of their business comes from. I want to say that’s the cream of the business for them. With a level four rating many, many companies had put in place a measure that said their companies would not travel to jurisdictions where the CDC had a level four rating and so this was having an impact on our groups, our conferences, our ability to host the major events, so Battle for Atlantis, the hoops event they are having there that is attracting huge amount of visitors.

Those events were really under question marks with the level four rating.

“With the level three rating, all of a sudden that means that every manner of business can return to the jurisdiction. And we’re seeing it immediately. I think the hotels will tell you that the level of interest in The Bahamas as a destination has been tremendous and so they are going to benefit.”

PAGE 6, Monday, November 29, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

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A change that had to be made for the FNM MICHAEL Pintard has won the favour of the FNM to be chosen as the party leader – and now must win the favour of the Bahamian public as he seeks to turn the party around.

He was the likeliest winner of the leadership race, and that proved to be the case as he won two-thirds of the votes cast to beat Iram Lewis and Kwasi Thompson to the role.

His appointment is to be welcomed, not least because it moves the FNM on from the general election defeat, and will no longer see former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis as the Leader of the Opposition. If the FNM is indeed to try to change and present a new face to the public, that process couldn’t start while an old face still led the party in the House.

Now Mr Pintard will have a chance to present himself as a new leader, perhaps a different kind of leader.

We will see too if the party can work with the PLP where necessary, whether such elements as the Parliamentary Accounts Committee – which should be a powerful method of holding the government to account – can be effective once more, and whether the FNM is willing to admit its missteps in government.

There has been a hint towards that already from Mr Pintard, who spoke of the party’s “unforced errors” in office.

A further barb came from former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, who said that Mr Pintard “will not be someone who excludes anybody or kicks anybody to the curb”. The unspoken words there hinted that this would be unlike Mr Pintard’s predecessor.

That predecessor, Dr Minnis, says that he will remain an FNM supporter – and said that “Pintard and the entire party will have my full support”. Dr Minnis remains an MP, and will sit alongside his new party leader in the House of Assembly.

It will not be easy for Mr Pintard to live up to his pledge of unifying the FNM. Deep splinters have appeared in the party over the years – so much so that the party’s former deputy leader, Loretta Butler-Turner, now suggests she is more aligned with the PLP. Those who were cast aside under Dr Minnis may not be easy to bring back into the fold – but that is the challenge facing the new leader.

Mr Pintard faced that head on after his election, saying: “We’re calling on our sister, Loretta Butler-Turner, we want you to know the tent is open, feel free to join us. Hubert Chipman, Richard (Lightbourn), Neko Grant.”

He also suggested he would be calling on Dr Minnis, saying: “I told our immediate past leader, I said, sir, Dr Minnis, know that I will be blowing up your phone on a regular basis, sir. You are on speed dial. We intend to utilise the skills, the network, the talent of our former Prime Minister Hubert Alexander Minnis.”

With questions circling about some of the decisions made by Dr Minnis in office – and indeed the people who drifted away after falling out with him – that may test Mr Pintard’s bid to bring unity, but time will tell.

It is also reassuring to see that he does not wish to rush into decisions but approach some things in a collective manner – saying that he would not comment on Senate appointments because “we are going to have a discussion as a family and then we are going to address that issue publicly”.

He went on to say that they would “plan the way forward”. Taking the time to think and plan makes sense.

The country needs a strong Opposition – regardless of which party is in office.

We hope Mr Pintard can put the FNM on the path to holding the government to account, for the sake of improving our nation.

The House of Assembly EDITOR, The Tribune.

OUR House of Assembly... over the past four-six years the practice and following of the socalled Westminster system has slowly but very surely been eroded — today every single MP, except Ministers, making a communication read off a script... the Rules says different - you may use notes.

A pre-written script could be the thoughts of any unelected person, a scriptwriter paid by the MP because the MP simply can’t put pen to paper and compose a rational argument. If the MP spoke without a script imagine the removing of hot-air and waste of gibberish...hours.

Madam Speaker, since opening of the new House kudos like your spirit and decorum.

Change the practice of reading off a script, which is not in the Rules of the House, except for Ministers making an official Communication.

Do we really have to have that constant opening about how proud they are of their Constituency, most, if not many, have not seen it since September 16th!

Should cellphones be permitted? MP, especially Ministers, are using them now to find newspaper articles and intel from the other end of the cell — of course not an elected MP...

How can the MP provide a printed copy of documents they must table at the time of use using a cell phone for the means of ending the evidence or past document statement of a Minister?

Impossible.

Why, or why the Leader

of the House has to ask for an extension at 6.00pm every time... surely not necessary.

Points of Order... If you practice as they do in Westminster never would what we do be accepted... it is only the MP standing that gives the floor not the Speaker and the MP can talk till the kingdom comes without giving to the alleged Point of Order.

Wednesday every week for at least the morning session should be Prime Minister’s Question time... remember folks in the Minnis administration they left with over 400 Questions unanswered...yes 400!

PM’s Question time every Wednesday morning.

H ALBURY Nassau, November 24, 2021.

Minnis era is over EDITOR, The Tribune.

TODAY, November the 27th, is a meaningful day, we got rid of the stranglehold that suffocated our party for the last five years, causing the thousands of indigenous long serving members who didn’t fall in line with his dictatorial leadership who he

ostracized, he became the Bahamas’ Donald Trump, in my opinion he was uncaring, and vindictive during his short-lived term, we give thanks to God for his grace and mercy in relieving us of the burden and angst he brought, we can now look forward in working with our new Leader.

The Hon Michael Pintard in bringing a breath of fresh air back to our party in appealing to the disenfranchised who were turned off by the thin God. The Minnis ERA is over!

KELLY BURROWS Freeport, Grand Bahama.

November 27, 2021.

A second Christmas of COVID EDITOR, The Tribune.

MY thoughts recently have been over how is Christmas going to be this year – year two of COVID? Will there be the usual true Bahamian celebrations – free-willy style – oh, yes, how will junkanoo be impacted ... hear virtual this year .... how will this all pan out?

Driving around yesterday, a Thursday, no schools in, but traffic was head to tail in some areas traffic jams and I thought we are virtually four weeks from Christmas and this experience now?

Will Santa be able to deliver all those gifts the young ones hope and have wished for? Kelly’s full to the ceiling seems their buyers were busy this summer ordering and got their stock in and have missed the mess off the California coast following the US election... great Kelly’s.

In the height of COVID

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net delivery came into our lives…a thought why don’t the merchants adopt delivery…buy-on line pay on line and have the item delivered- 60+% less traffic I would suggest and less stressful. Extend shopping hours merchants…maybe start later and stay open longer.

November 13th big day... one will be Emergency Power hearsay also curfew so Free at last, but, Editor we must maintain the strictest of COVID protocols we mustn’t rock back forget masks…forget washing hands and distancing as here will come COVID surge #4…Dr Forbes prudently warns be careful we are far from being out of the COVID dangers and fears.

On social sites we see photo-ops of officials,

etc, and the majority the persons are not wearing masks…please don’t be stupid wear them don’t let egos take the better of you… masks save lives.

Vaccinating - those who qualified to take the first doses of AstraZeneca... in US FDA-CDC are advocating boaster shots for their Pfizer recipients – what is the status of the Astra Zeneca recipients?

If the 25plus K recipients need one more shot then you have to acquire at least 60-80k more pfizer units.

Methinks Christmas will be a lot more joyful and triumphant than last year… hopefully the churches will be protocol full and carols will be heard in and out in our neighbourhoods celebrating the reason for Christmas. Let everyone feel the Peace on Earth a most troubled earth!

J KNOWLES Nassau, November, 2021.

Who got the land first?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

AFTER the press conference yesterday and the statements of the spokesperson of Government certainly one scratches ones head and ponders — did the previous administration consider decisions before they made them?

There is the Rule of Law — well we all presume that, but many times question it.

Isn’t it time the Minister

responsible for Land — Prime Minister — will table all documents of this affair and report to Parliament.

Who was granted the Crown Lease first?

Do, as is alleged, the two grants compromise each other by actually granting part of the same land granted to the first party — one grant actually incredibly is part of the other.

The matter is sub

judicial so public comment on the arguments should be limited not as the official spokesperson of Government did yesterday where opinion certainly was stated... rather emphatically in fact judgmental.

It’s time for clarity ....

Who got the Crown Grant first?

T WATKINS Nassau, November 26, 2021.

THE TRIBUNE

LIQUOR THIEF TO BE SENTENCED

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN who was caught on a local liquor store’s surveillance video stashing two bottles of alcohol into his pants’ pockets will be sentenced today.

Police arrested Cody Rahming after he stole two 40-ounce bottles of Ciroc and Jack Daniels from a wholesale bar on Nassau Street on November 23.

He owned up to the offence during his arraignment before Magistrate Kendra Kelly, but said he only stole the alcohol to sell it so he could buy food.

The court was told that on the day in question, the owner of the bar told police that a man had come into his store and put two bottles of rum in his trousers, before leaving his establishment. The prosecution said a video of the incident circulated on social media and officers were able to identify and arrest Rahming a short time later.

When he was questioned in custody, he admitted the offence.

During the hearing, Rahming told the magistrate he

was going through a difficult time. Still, he said, his “situation” did not justify what he did and insisted he was “apologetic” for his actions.

“I just came out of prison,” Rahming told the court. “I’m homeless and I got a room at a motel, but they kicked me out after I could not pay and they took my clothes. I ended up sleeping outside or in old cars. I had no way to eat and I have no family in Nassau.”

On Friday, Rahming also said he had received a job offer in Eleuthera and begged the court for “one last chance.”

In response, Magistrate Kelly said while the court was minded to give him another opportunity, she did not want to “send him out on the street to continue his same pattern of behaviour.”

As a result, she said she would defer her sentence to next week to give herself the opportunity to verify the information Rahming told the court.

He was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until then.

ACCUSED TO FACE TRIAL OVER FRAUD

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A 49-YEAR-OLD man who claimed he was unknowingly recruited to commit more than $10,000 worth of fraud will stand trial early next year.

According to court dockets, Patrick Petty, with the intent to defraud, had in his possession a Commonwealth Bank cheque made payable to DC Technology in the amount of $10,223.36.

Prosecutors further alleged he had uttered the forged cheque in an attempt to defraud the electronic store of over $10,000 worth of merchandise that

same day.

During his arraignment before Magistrate Kendra Kelly, Petty denied the allegations and claimed he was given the fake cheque and told to pick up the items.

As a result, his case was adjourned to January 24, 2022 for trial.

In the meantime, Petty was granted $9,500 bail.

As part of the conditions of his release, he must sign into the Nassau Street police station weekly and have no contact with any of the witnesses involved in his case.

Magistrate Kelly warned him that if he failed to comply, he could risk being remanded until his trial.

MAN TOLD TO PAY UP OVER MISSING DOG

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN who was found with another man’s stolen dog was ordered to pay compensation for the missing pet.

Jason Knowles was arrested after he was found with another man’s pit-bull puppy in April.

He initially denied the allegations; however at the start of his trial before Magistrate Samuel McKinney, he opted to change his plea to guilty.

The prosecution said on April 1, the owner of

the $1,000 pup told police someone had entered his yard and stolen his brown and white dog. After he requested police action, a subsequent investigation led to Knowles’ arrest.

After he owned up to the offence, his attorney told the magistrate his client did not want to waste the court’s time and insisted Knowles was apologetic for his “mistake in judgement”.

As a result, Knowles was ordered to compensate the dog owner $900.

If he doesn’t, he could risk spending a month behind bars.

BAIL FOR PAIR ACCUSED OF CURSING AT POLICE OFFICER

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

TWO women who denied disorderly behaviour and cursing at a police officer were on Friday granted bail before their trial.

Indera Miller and Jennika Jean were arrested after they were accused of acting in a disorderly manner and using obscene language to the annoyance of a police reserve Corporal

on November 20.

When the pair appeared before Magistrate Kendra Kelly, they pleaded not guilty.

As one of the accused is pregnant and expecting to deliver her child within a few weeks, the prosecution expedited the matter and said he would have his witnesses available on November 29 for trial.

Miller and Dean’s police bail were extended to that time.

TEENAGER CHARGED IN COURT

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A TEENAGER was charged in the Magistrate’s Court on Friday with committing grievous harm.

Police said Asher Munroe, 19, seriously

injured Kyle Munroe on November 23.

He denied the allegations during his arraignment before Magistrate Samuel McKinney and his case was adjourned to next year for trial.

In the meantime, the teen was granted $5,000 bail.

Monday, November 29, 2021, PAGE 7

‘More must be done to stop domestic violence’ ANN Marie Davis, representative of the Office of the Spouse of the Prime Minister, said more must be done to respond to the cries for justice from women and children who have suffered from abuse and violence.

In a statement issued on Friday regarding the United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Mrs Davis noted that violence against women and girls has been a longstanding problem in The Bahamas.

“In The Bahamas we are currently faced with the COVID-19 pandemic, but for many years we have struggled with the pandemic of violence against women and girls. The (worst) form of which is domestic violence,” Mrs Davis said.

“Nearly one in three women have been abused in their lifetime. In times of crises, the numbers rise, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic and recent humanitarian crises, conflicts and climate disasters.

“A new report from UN Women, based on data from 13 countries since the pandemic, shows that two in three women reported that they or a woman they know experienced some form of violence and are more likely to face food insecurity. It is startling to know that further reports state that only one in ten women said that victims would go to the police for help.”

She also noted a recent high-profile case of domestic violence, saying many others suffer this fate in silence.

ANN Marie Davis of the Office of the Spouse of the Prime Minister, centre, with members of Zonta International at Englerston Park on Saturday.

Photo: Yontalay Bowe/BIS Mrs Davis noted that November 25 marked the launch of the UNiTE to end Violence against Women global campaign – 16 days of activism to highlight this vexing social ill. This campaign, led by the United Nations Secretary General and UN Women, will conclude on December 10.

The UN has planned a series of events for this campaign, including the “orange-ing” of “iconic buildings and landmarks” to “recall the need for a violence-free future,” according to the UN. The Office of the Spouse of the Prime Minister has partnered with ZONTA Club and both stand in solidarity with the United Nations in recognising the campaign, Mrs Davis said.

“In the coming days, the Office of the Spouse will communicate a series of public events to mark this

occasion,” she said.

“I encourage all of us who are both victims and observers of violence to not be afraid of the public stigma associated with this crime, but to courageously speak out and allow the law and the court to prevail and take its natural course.

“We must do much more to respond to the many cries for justice by our women and girls who have suffered violence and abuse, be it physical, emotional or psychological. We must combine our efforts to put an immediate end to these horrendous abuses and the nonchalant attitudes that allow these human rights violations to continue. Violence against women continues to be an obstacle to achieving equality, development, peace, and robs our women and girls of their constitutionally guaranteed human rights.

This social scourge must end.”

THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021

Can Pintard put the pieces back together?

By MALCOLM STRACHAN

The new administration is already signalling it won’t allow such a deal to go through – but the spotlight ON Saturday evening the will be on one of Mr PinMinnis era came to an end. tard’s own MPs: Dr Minnis.

In the place of Dr Hubert He will be sitting right Minnis now as leader of beside Mr Pintard. Will the FNM and Leader of the his new leader support Dr Opposition stands Michael Minnis’ decisions in office?

Pintard. He faces a tough And where will that leave task ahead of him.

Mr Pintard as he tries to Mr Pintard ran for leader piece together a splintered on a platform of uniting FNM? the different factions of the After being elected as FNM. How tough that will party leader, Mr Pintard be can be seen from sev- said: “Our collective genius eral news stories in the past is always better than a sinweek. gle-minded focus of a leader Former deputy leader or a small group of leaders. of the party We need all of Loretta Butler- ‘Our collective you. That’s why Turner was one genius is always we sent out the of those most clarion call, at odds with better than a asking FNMs former Prime single-minded who felt marMinister Dr focus of a leader ginalised or Minnis.

Last disenfranchised, week, she indi- or a small group or who had left. cated she now of leaders.

We’re saying to aligns herself We need all you, we wish for more with the you to return of you. That’s PLP. home.

Mrs Butler- why we sent “We underTurner is far out the clarion stand that we from alone in are weaker without you. being a disen- call, asking You are at the chanted FNM FNMs who felt supporter – she marginalised or centre of our consideration. was not alone when she was disenfranchised, We are asking Photos: Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff part of the or who had left. you to return to MICHAEL Pintard speaking to the media on Saturday. the organisation Rebel Seven We’re saying to show that he will bring made some mistakes. We deal was “a rookie mis- from many FNM supportthat we built.”

FNM MPs who substance. had some unforced errors. take”, although he seemed ers to vote for the party. to you, we It was an withdrew their He has begun by admitThe truth is, sometimes we to miss the point a little Dr Minnis as party leader, overwhelming support from wish for you to ting some failings by the didn’t listen to you the way by saying it was “a clumsy and many FNM MPs who victory for Mr Dr Minnis as return home.’

Pintard, who last administration. He said we ought to. Sometimes execution of a ceremo- lost their seats, paid the Leader of the won a little on Saturday: “We know we forget that we are your nial signing” rather than price for that. But it would Opposition and voted for Mrs Butler- more than two-thirds of all that part of our loss had servants, we work for you, honing in on the problem be wrong to pin the blame Turner to lead them. That votes cast. From the start to do with having to make that we have temporary of doing a deal with a com- solely on Dr Minnis. There pany that didn’t stand up was no Rebel Seven this group included Richard of his candidacy, he always very difficult decisions that jobs.” time who opposed Dr were difficult for a populaIn Mr Pintard’s defence, to scrutiny.

Lightbourn, Hubert Chip- seemed the likeliest bet, Minnis before the election tion to embrace, but lest this isn’t just hindsight Still, admitting there while rivals lacked the solid man, Dr Andre Rollins, Neko Grant, Theo Neilly presentation he was able to we make the mistake of after being in office – he were failings is the first step call, there was no challenge to his leadership before the not listening carefully to previously admitted prob- on the path to fixing them. put forward from the start. and Edison Key. In the last election, there vote.

But presentation is only the population, we also lems while in office, saying Each of those had their Oddly enough, had Dr own reasons for stepping style, and now he needs had some missteps. We the controversial Oban seemed little enthusiasm Minnis lived up to his away from Dr Minnis and promises of transpareach has experienced being ency and accountability, cast out into the cold since. made on the election trail Next up is former Prime before he became Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, Minister, perhaps there who last month said that might have been a differhe did not feel his advice ent outcome. was wanted or appreciated Instead, many felt he had by the FNM for the past been unaccountable, and several years. It doesn’t even arrogant when it came take much working out this to his pronouncements covers the era of Dr Minnis’ about lockdowns and panleadership. Mr Ingraham demic orders. still has a substantial influHe too often made eneence over many FNM mies of allies and that took supporters and he too repa toll in the ballot box as resents one of the different well. factions Mr Pintard speaks This is the party Mr Pinof unifying. tard inherits, the party he Then there is Dr Minnis seeks to unite before he himself – Mr Pintard’s FNM even gets to present a case will face some uncomfortato the electorate. ble questions about some of One thing stands large the deals done by the previin his favour, however – no ous administration. Just last Prime Minister has won week, some of those quessuccessive elections in this tions came to the fore with country this century. If that regard to the deal done holds true, and Mr Pinwith Royal Caribbean that tard retains his leadership, could see them with Crown then he has every chance Land on Paradise Island for of being the next Prime a century and a half, at an FORMER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis. annual rent of just $140,000. FORMER Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham.

Minister.

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

INSIGHT

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021 PAGE 9

What we know about the variant worrying the world Since early in the COVID pandemic, the Network for Genomics Surveillance in South Africa has been monitoring changes in SARS-CoV-2. This was a valuable tool to understand better how the virus spread.

In late 2020, the network detected a new virus lineage, 501Y.V2, which later became known as the beta variant. Now a new SARSCoV-2 variant has been identified – B.1.1.529. The World Health Organisation has declared it a variant of concern, and assigned it the name Omicron. To help us understand more, The Conversation Africa’s Ozayr Patel asked scientists to share what they know.

WHAT’S THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SEARCH?

Hunting for variants requires a concerted effort.

South Africa and the UK were the first big countries to implement nationwide genomic surveillance efforts for SARS-CoV-2 as early as April 2020.

Variant hunting, as exciting as that sounds, is performed through whole genome sequencing of samples that have tested positive for the virus. This process involves checking every sequence obtained for differences compared to what we know is circulating in South Africa and the world. When we see multiple differences, this immediately raises a red flag and we investigate further to confirm what we’ve noticed.

Fortunately South Africa is well set up for this.

This is thanks to a central repository of public sector laboratory results at the National Health Laboratory Service, (NGS-SA), good linkages to private laboratories, the Provincial Health Data Centre of the Western Cape Province, and state-of-the-art modelling expertise.

In addition, South Africa has several laboratories that can grow and study the actual virus and discover how far antibodies, formed in response to vaccination or previous infection, are able to neutralise the new virus. This data will allow us to characterise the new virus.

The beta variant spread much more efficiently between people compared to the “wild type” or “ancestral” SARS-CoV-2 and caused South Africa’s second pandemic wave. It was therefore classified as a variant of concern. During 2021, yet another variant of concern called delta spread over much of the world, including South Africa, where it caused a third pandemic wave.

Very recently, routine sequencing by Network for Genomics Surveillance member laboratories detected a new virus lineage, called B.1.1.529, in South Africa. Seventyseven samples collected in mid-November 2021 in Gauteng province had this virus. It has also been reported in small numbers from neighbouring Botswana and Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, Botswana, Germany, Australia Israel, Italy and the United Kingdom.

The World Health Organisation has given B.1.1.529 the name Omicron and classified it as a variant of concern, like beta and delta.

WHY IS SOUTH AFRICA PRESENTING VARIANTS OF CONCERN?

We do not know for sure.

It certainly seems to be more than just the result of concerted efforts to monitor the circulating virus.

One theory is that people with highly compromised immune systems, and who experience prolonged active infection because they cannot clear the virus, may be the source of new viral variants.

The assumption is that some degree of “immune pressure” (which means an

TRAVELERS wearing protective face masks arrive at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel, yesterday. Israel has approved barring entry to foreign nationals and the use of controversial technology for contact tracing as part of its efforts to clamp down on a new coronavirus variant.

Photo: Ariel Schalit/AP immune response which is considered. It is a complex, analyses that have com- provide a degree of “natunot strong enough to elimi- demanding and expensive menced is looking at how ral immunity” for at least a

By Prof Wolfgang Preiser, nate the virus yet exerts undertaking, which will many vaccinated people period of time.

Stellenbosch University; infected with Ultimately, everything some degree of selective carry on for months, but become Cathrine Scheeper, Univerpressure which “forces” the indispensable to under- B.1.1.529. known about B.1.1.529 so sity of the Witwatersrand; virus to evolve) creates the stand the virus better and The possibility that far highlights that universal Jinal Bhiman, National conditions for new variants devise the best strategies to B.1.1.529 may evade vaccination is still our best Institute for Communicable combat it. to emerge. the immune response is bet against severe COVIDDiseases; Marietjie Venter, Despite an advanced University of Pretoria; and disconcerting. The hope- 19 and, together with antiretroviral treatment Tulio de Oliveira, Univerexpectation is that non-pharmaceutical interDO EARLY INDICATIONS ful programme for people sity of KwaZulu-Natal the high seroprevalence ventions, will go a long way POINT TO THIS VARIANT rates, people who’ve been towards helping the healthliving with HIV, numer ous individuals in South • Originally published on infected already, found care system cope during the CAUSING DIFFERENT Africa have advanced HIV theconversation.com by several studies would coming wave.

SYMPTOMS OR MORE disease and are not on SEVERE DISEASE? effective treatment. Several clinical cases have been There is no evidence investigated that support for any clinical differthis hypothesis, but much ences yet. What is known remains to be learnt. is that cases of B.1.1.529 infection have increased rapidly in Gauteng, where WHY IS THIS VARIANT the country’s fourth panWORRYING? demic wave seems to be The short answer is, commencing. This sugwe don’t know. The long gests easy transmissibility, answer is, B.1.1.529 car- albeit on a background of ries certain mutations that much relaxed non-pharare concerning. They have maceutical interventions not been observed in this and low number of cases. combination before, and So we cannot really tell yet the spike protein alone has whether B.1.1.529 is transover 30 mutations. This mitted more efficiently than is important, because the the previously prevailing spike protein is what makes variant of concern, delta. up most of the vaccines.

COVID-19 is more likely We can also say that to manifest as severe, often B.1.1.529 has a genetic life-threatening disease in profile very different from the elderly and chronically other circulating variants ill individuals. But the popof interest and concern. ulation groups often most It does not seem to be a exposed first to a new virus “daughter of delta” or are younger, mobile and “grandson of beta” but usually healthy people. If rather represents a new lin- B.1.1.529 spreads further, it eage of SARS-CoV-2. will take a while before its Some of its genetic effects, in terms of disease changes are known from severity, can be assessed. other variants and we know Fortunately, it seems they can affect transmis- that all diagnostic tests that sibility or allow immune have been checked so far evasion, but many are new are able to identify the new and have not been studied virus. as yet. While we can make Even better, it appears some predictions, we are that some widely used still studying how far the commercial assays show mutations will influence its a specific pattern: two of behaviour. the three target genome We want to know about sequences are positive but transmissibility, disease the third one is not. It’s like severity, and ability of the new variant consistthe virus to “escape” the ently ticks two out of three immune response in vacci- boxes in the existing test. nated or recovered people. This may serve as a marker We are studying this in two for B.1.1.529, meaning we ways. can quickly estimate the Firstly, careful epide- proportion of positive cases miological studies seek to due to B.1.1.529 infection find out whether the new per day and per area. This is lineage shows changes in very useful for monitoring transmissibility, ability to the virus’s spread almost in infect vaccinated or previ- real time. ously infected individuals, and so on.

ARE CURRENT At the same time, laboratory studies examine the VACCINES LIKELY TO properties of the virus. Its PROTECT AGAINST viral growth characteristics THE NEW VARIANT? are compared with those Again, we do not know. of other virus variants and it is determined how well The known cases include the virus can be neutral- individuals who had been However ised by antibodies found in vaccinated. the blood of vaccinated or we have learnt that the immune protection prorecovered individuals.

In the end, the full signifi- vided by vaccination wanes cance of the genetic changes over time and does not observed in B.1.1.529 will protect as much against become apparent when the infection but rather against results from all these dif- severe disease and death. ferent types of studies are One of the epidemiological

PAGE 10 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021

INSIGHT

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

My neighbour’s keeper In The Bahamas we have a special breed of dogs known as Potcakes. Colloquially named after the overcooked (burnt) rice at the bottom of a pot that nobody wants, these dogs are incredibly resilient. As such they appeal to those who like animals but are not so crazy about caring extensively for them.

Potcakes come with all sorts of advantages. They’re free, plentiful and easy to maintain, meaning selfsufficient as much as a dog can be. No food handy? No problem. A Potcake can turn into a Garbage Can Pointer in no time. They’re so remarkable, in fact, that they are the only nonpedigree dog recognised as a breed by the American Kennel Club.

Growing up my siblings and I had three Potcakes - well actually my brother and sister had them, whereas I was more of a reluctant observer with transient custodial rights.

But Fritz was my absolute favourite. He didn’t have a proverbial salty attitude like his sister or a jarring lack of common sense like his nephew. No, Fritz was a total rock-star champion.

He was resoundingly more excited to see me than anyone else. Then one evening, when I went outside to help my dad bring in some groceries, he became hyper-excited since I hadn’t had a chance to play with him earlier that day. He ran to the gate and back and then out into the road and was instantly struck by a large white truck. The driver was notably intoxicated, slammed into our neighbour’s wall and sped away.

I ran to help, breathless and flat-footed with no shoes on, but there was nothing that I could do.

Fritz died some ten minutes later as I stayed by his side.

Too overcome with emotion, I never said anything.

I just sat there quietly in shock. I was eight years old at the time. In retrospect I wish I had said something, shown my pain or sorrow or anger. To this day it remains my one eternal regret.

Indubitably, and without hesitation, I can attest to

MALLORY, a potcake rescued after Hurricane Dorian in 2019.

By DR KENNETH D KEMP

the fact these moments stay with you forever.

It’s not something that’s mentally ever-present but I do think of that day from time to time and was recently reminded of it when speaking to the patient highlighted in today’s report. In 2014 and at the age of 59 she was nearly killed after being hit by a van. This patient’s past medical history was normal. She was not on any medications, had no allergies and had not undergone any previous surgeries and only became a patient of mine after the

accident that nearly stole her life.

She awoke that sunny Saturday morning feeling great and excited because her daughter and other family members were competing in a marathon.

She went to cheer them on and show support. During the race, she stood at the bottom of Fort Charlotte and was about to cross the street. Just then she heard a loud screeching noise and felt a massive shocking blow to the back of her body. She flew forward with incredible force and lost consciousness immediately. Within seconds, she awoke to extreme, searing, agonising pain only to realise that a large van was sitting on top of her. The van had been coming down the hill and the driver wasn’t paying attention when he smashed into her with ferocious speed.

In that moment, the driver attempted to take off and, in doing so, scraped her flesh and underlying soft tissue from off her bone from her elbow to her knee.

Her distal leg and ankle took most of the impact and was shattered into multiple fragments. She also crushed her coccyx (tailbone) which accounted for the massive pain in her hip and she sustained lacerations to her face and neck.

Fortunately, bystanders ran over to help. They pounded on the oversized

van to stop it from rolling this day, she struggles with over her entirely, which in anxiety just taking a walk all likelihood saved her life. or getting behind the wheel My patient was in shock. It of a car. During the initial all happened so quickly and recovery period, she had a the pain was unbearable. cast and ambulated with the In the distance she heard use of crutches, grateful to her sister scream with deep be alive. She was on pain heart-breaking intensity medication and underwent but she was an intense comforted physical ther‘Perhaps while to know that the Thanksgiving apy regimen if she were for several to die there, holiday sentiments months that at least her are still upon us, focused on sister would we can collectively pain manbe by her agement side.

Police take a moment and helping nearby ran to to reflect on her regain assist. She was what being my strength and pulled from stability. neighbour’s keeper I performed underneath the van. She truly entails. The a gait analyrecalls being sis on her and bystanders who loaded into a subsequently car, holding ran to my patient’s provided her sister’s rescue and yelled, advice regardhand. Because ing proper of the mara- screamed and footwear and thon a lot banged on the ankle supof the roads van to prevent port.

Over were blocked, the years, which is why the driver from she has made they opted to propelling over remarkable take her to the her impaled improvement. hospital themSpeaking to selves rather body intrinsically her earlier than wait understood this week, for a poten- this concept.’ the message tially delayed she hoped ambulance. and prayed The fear was that she was readers would take away bleeding internally and from her story was to just would die within minutes. slow down. Slow down as Fortunately, the surgery a driver and slow down as she underwent was success- human beings to enjoy and ful. The patient survived appreciate your loved ones though her recovery took because, without warna full six months and to ing, it can all be gone in an

instant.

My patient’s ongoing trauma-induced anxiety is an emotion shared by an innumerable number of cyclists and pedestrians throughout our capital who have experienced a threat to their lives, though few, if any, as severe and traumatic as this patient.

Perhaps while the Thanksgiving holiday sentiments are still upon us, we can collectively take a moment to reflect on what being my neighbour’s keeper truly entails. The bystanders who ran to my patient’s rescue and yelled, screamed and banged on the van to prevent the driver from propelling over her impaled body intrinsically understood this concept. The standard saying is to be ‘my brother’s keeper’ but it’s not realistic to expect people to always treat strangers like family.

So, I offer instead that we be ‘our neighbour’s keeper’ and give others the respect and kindness that this label so richly entices.

It’s been over 30 years since my Potcake Fritz was killed and I’ve never wanted to get another dog.

In fact, playing with my niece’s puppy (Cash) has more than fulfilled that desire. But who knows?

I will, perhaps someday soon, but that’s a story for another day.

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

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

INSIGHT

BRITAIN’S PRINCE CHARLES, right, greeting Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Mottley during the COP26 summit in Glasgow on November 1.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021 PAGE 11

Photo: Jane Barlow/Pool Photo via AP

Barbados’ Republican status is not a yen for pieces of silver AMONG the most nonsensical statements uttered by a British Parliamentarian and repeated in the British newspaper, The Sunday Times, is that Barbados will become a Republic at the dictation of the Government of the People’s Republic of China.

The unvarnished truth is that within the next decade all of the independent English-speaking Caribbean countries will likely become Republics. On November 30, Barbados will become the fourth, following Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and Dominica.

The move to Republican status will probably also be taken by Australia and other Commonwealth countries where the Queen remains the symbolic Head of State. After Barbados becomes a Republic, the Queen’s realms, other than Britain, will be reduced to 14, the majority of them (eight), being in the Caribbean.

It should be noted that when Elizabeth II was crowned Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in June 1953, she also became Head of State of 67 other countries, then either colonies or dominions of Britain.

Over the last 68 years, 52 of those countries opted to become Republics. Barbados will become the 53rd.

None of the countries that chose to become a Republic did so because of pressure from China or any other country. They became republics because, even though the Queen’s role was only symbolic, exercising no real executive authority, it was simply not acceptable that a foreign person, residing thousands of miles away with no daily experience of life in a country, could credibly be its Head of State.

Indeed, breaking the link with the Queen as Head of State, also completed the process of national sovereignty and independence from Britain as the former colonial power.

There are two reasons why the remaining eight independent English-speaking Caribbean countries have not already moved to Republican status. The first is that, for many of them, a Constitutional amendment will be required. Political parties in government know well that this would become a political football for their political opponents, with allegations that governing parties want a republic so that they can assume greater powers and control. Notwithstanding, the examples of Dominica and Trinidad

World View

By SIR RONALD SANDERS

and Tobago where Presidents have little more than symbolic roles, this argument will have its supporters.

The second reason is a residual and deserving respect for Queen Elizabeth who, in the almost seven decades as Head of State, has been an example of rectitude, particularly on matters of race. Her stance against apartheid in South Africa and the end to white rule in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) are enduring qualities of her reign. But the high regard for the Queen will not transfer to her successor.

Prince Charles has already been selected to succeed the Queen as the Head of the Commonwealth of Nations that includes the countries of the English-Speaking Caribbean. This transition will be regarded as important and satisfactory.

The notion that Barbados is becoming a Republic because the Queen’s symbolic headship of the country stands in the way of Chinese ambition, is nothing but utter foolishness. It started in September this year when the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the British House of Commons, Tom Tugendhat, said that: “China has been using infrastructure investment and debt diplomacy as a means of control for a while and it’s coming closer to home for us. British partners have long faced challenges from rivals seeking to undermine our alliance. Today we’re seeing it in the Caribbean.

Some islands seem to be close to swapping a symbolic Queen in Windsor for a real and demanding Emperor in Beijing”.

We should note Mr Tugendhat has long adopted an anti-China position, having nothing to do with Barbados. His remark about Barbados “swapping” the Queen for “a demanding” Chinese Emperor is less about Barbados and more about his taking every opportunity to criticize what he calls “the rise of China”. As I remarked, in a commentary, when Mr Tugendhat first tried to align Barbados’ decision to become a Republic with China’s influence, given the fact he is the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the British Parliament, he should have

been better informed. But clearly, he was more interested in accusing China of seeking world control than he was with the truth of the Barbados decision.

On November 20, the Sunday Times carried a story, written by journalist, Matthew Campbell, which had the appearance of carrying the views of many persons in Barbados, but which was more selective in its reporting. The story was evidently meant to justify its headline: “Awash with cash from Beijing, the island is ditching the Queen. Some

fear it is simply swapping elsewhere, of the threat of one colonial master for Chinese dominance, fails another”. Again, the truth, to understand the mettle of that will not acknowledge Caribbean leadership, and its name, especially is that the ‘The unvarnished of the fierce people who truth is that within nationalpeddle the ist and fears of “the the next decade all regionalist Chinese will of the independent disposition of end up in English-speaking Mia Mottley. control”, judgment, Caribbean countries His are the same and theirs, people who will likely become are rooted would have Republics. On in the conpreferred descending November 30, that Barbacolonial Barbados will dos remain mindset that ‘little Eng- become the fourth, our people land’ which following Guyana, cannot bestowed for Trinidad and Tobago think upon them themselves. and Dominica.’ perceived Caribbean rights they countries feel they have lost. need economic assistance Mr Tugendhat’s assertion, because of their vulnersupported by like-minded ability and the legacies of people in Barbados and colonialism that underlay

their structures of economic weakness. Their leaders and their people want to advance their countries’ social and economic development. To achieve this, they engage in economic and financial cooperation with all in a fair and just way. But they will not surrender hard won sovereignty because of a yen for pieces of silver.

• Responses and previous commentaries: www. sirronaldsanders.com (The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States 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 University of Toronto. The views expressed are his own).

PAGE 12, Monday, November 29, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Smollett to face trial over WHO CAUTION his claims of race attack OVER FLIGHT CHICAGO Associated Press

A POPULAR actor steps out onto the street and is brutally reminded that, despite his fame and wealth, places still exist where the color of his skin and sexual orientation put him in danger.

That was the story that ricocheted around the world after Jussie Smollett, a Black and openly gay actor, reported to Chicago police that he was the victim of a hate crime.

Nearly three years later, Smollett is about to stand trial on charges that he staged the whole thing.

He was charged with felony disorderly conduct after law enforcement and prosecutors said he lied to police about what happened in the early morning

JUSSIE SMOLLETT hours of January 29, 2019, in downtown Chicago.

He has pleaded not guilty.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin today. Disorderly conduct, a class four felony, carries a sentence of up to three years in prison but experts have said it is more likely that if Smollett is convicted he would be placed on probation and perhaps ordered to perform community service.

Smollett told police he

was walking home from a Subway sandwich shop at 2am when two men he said recognised him from the TV show Empire began hurling racial and homophobic slurs at him. He said the men struck him, looped a makeshift noose around his neck and shouted, “This is MAGA country,” a reference to then-President Donald Trump’s campaign slogan, “Make America Great Again”.

Democratic politicians and others called it a shocking example of Trump-era bigotry and hate, while Republicans accused liberals of rushing to paint the president’s supporters as racists.

Just weeks later came the stunning announcement that Smollett was charged with staging the attack to further his career and secure

a higher salary. And, police said, he hired two brothers from Nigeria, to pretend to attack him for $3,500.

This made the spotlight on Smollett shine even brighter, but this time he was vilified as someone willing to use one of the most potent symbol of racism in the US to further his career.

All that set the stage for what turned a simple question of Smollett’s innocence or guilt into a convoluted legal saga that has dragged on for nearly three years.

Key witnesses will be the brothers, Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, who say Smollett wrote them a check to stage the attack.

They are expected to characterise Smollett as the star and director of an “attack” in full view of a surveillance camera he believed would record the whole event.

RUSSIA JAILS FIVE OVER DEADLY COAL MINE FIRE

AMBULANCES and fire trucks near the Listvyazhnaya coal mine on Thursday.

MOSCOW facing charges of violating than four million rubles Associated Press industrial safety require- (roughly $53,000) for safety ments for hazardous violations.

A RUSSIAN court on production facilities that A total of 285 miners Saturday ordered five resulted in multiple deaths. were in the Listvyazhnaya people to remain in pre- If convicted, they may be mine Thursday morning at trial detention for two imprisoned for up to seven the time of explosion, which months pending an inves- years. quickly filled the mine with tigation into a devastating Two officials of the local toxic smoke. A total of 239 blast in a coal mine in Sibe- branch of Rostekhnadzor, people were rescued shortly ria that resulted in dozens Russia’s state technol- after the blast, and more of deaths. ogy and ecology watchdog than 60 sought medical Russian authorities — Sergei Vinokurov and assistance for an assortment reported 51 deaths after a Vyacheslav Semykin — of injuries. methane explosion rocked have also been jailed for Officials on Thursday the Listvyazhnaya mine in two months on the charge said 11 miners and three the Kemerovo region in of negligence that led to rescuers perished while southwestern Siberia on two or more deaths, punish- searching for others in a Thursday — 46 miners and able by up to seven years in remote section of the mine. five rescuers. The tragedy prison as well.

Thirty-five miners were still appears to be the deadliest Law enforcement offi- trapped in the mine when in Russia since 2010. cials said Friday that miners rescuers were forced to halt The Central Dis- had complained about their search several hours trict Court in the city of the high level of methane into it because of a buildup Kemerovo ruled to jail in the mine. Russia’s top of methane and carbon the director of the List- independent news site, monoxide gas. vyazhnaya mine, Sergei Meduza, reported that this Three more rescuers Makhrakov, his deputy year authorities suspended went missing and had been Andrei Molostvov and the work of certain sec- presumed dead along with section supervisor Sergei tions of the mine nine times the trapped miners by Gerasimenok. They are and issued fines of more Thursday might. However,

on Friday morning, search teams found one rescuer in the mine who was still alive and conscious. He has suffered shock and carbon monoxide poisoning of moderate severity and is undergoing treatment at a hospital.

Officials have described his rescue as a “miracle” and said that finding any other survivors at that point was highly unlikely.

Kemerovo Governor Sergei Tsivilyov on Saturday announced the resumption of the search operation, saying that “we need to lift everybody (to the surface).” He noted, however, that rescue crews must act “cautiously.”

“We don’t have the right to lose even a single person more,” Tsivilyov wrote on the messaging app Telegram.

Later Saturday, search teams recovered the bodies of five miners.

RESTRICTIONS FROM AFRICA JOHANNESBURG Associated Press

THE World Health Organization yesterday urged countries around the world not to impose flight bans on southern African nations due to concerns over the new omicron variant.

WHO’s regional director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, called on countries to follow science and international health regulations in order to avoid using travel restrictions.

“Travel restrictions may play a role in slightly reducing the spread of COVID-19 but place a heavy burden on lives and livelihoods,” Moeti said in a statement. “If restrictions are implemented, they should not be unnecessarily invasive or intrusive, and should be scientifically based, according to the International Health Regulations, which is a legally binding instrument of international law recognised by over 190 nations.”

Moeti praised South Africa for following international health regulations and informing WHO as soon as its national laboratory identified the omicron variant.

“The speed and transparency of the South African and Botswana governments in informing the world of the new variant is to be commended,” said Moeti.

“WHO stands with African countries which had the courage to boldly share life-saving public health information, helping protect the world against the spread of COVID-19.”

Cases of the omicron variant of the coronavirus popped up in countries on opposite sides of the world Sunday and many governments rushed to close their borders even as scientists cautioned that it’s not clear if the new variant is more alarming than other versions of the virus.

While investigations continue into the omicron variant, WHO recommends

that all countries “take a risk-based and scientific approach and put in place measures which can limit its possible spread.”

Dr Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health in the United States, emphasized that there is no data yet that suggests the new variant causes more serious illness than previous COVID-19 variants.

“I do think it’s more contagious, when you look at how rapidly it spread through multiple districts in South Africa,” Collins said on CNN’s State of the Union.

Israel decided to bar entry to foreigners, and Morocco said it would suspend all incoming flights for two weeks starting Monday — among the most drastic of a growing raft of travel curbs being imposed as nations scrambled to slow the variant’s spread.

Scientists in several places — from Hong Kong to Europe — have confirmed its presence. The Netherlands reported 13 omicron cases on Sunday, and Australia found two.

The US plans to ban travel from South Africa and seven other southern African countries starting Monday.

“With the omicron variant now detected in several regions of the world, putting in place travel bans that target Africa attacks global solidarity,” said Moeti.

“COVID-19 constantly exploits our divisions. We will only get the better of the virus if we work together for solutions.”

WHO said it scaling up its support for genomic sequencing in Africa so sequencing laboratories have access to adequate human resources and testing reagents to work at full capacity. WHO also said is ready to offer additional help, reinforcing COVID19 responses including surveillance, treatment, infection prevention and community engagement in southern African countries, it said.

SWITZERLAND VOTES FOR COVID MEASURES BERLIN Associated Press SWISS voters yesterday gave clear backing to legislation that introduced a system with special COVID-19 certificates under which only people who have been vaccinated, recovered or tested negative can attend public events and gatherings.

Final results showed 62% of voters supporting the legislation, which is already in force. The referendum offered a rare bellwether of public opinion on the issue of government policy to fight the spread of coronavirus in Europe, which is currently the global epicenter of the pandemic.

The vote on the country’s “COVID-19 law,” which also has unlocked billions of Swiss francs (dollars) in aid for workers and businesses hit by the pandemic, came as Switzerland — like many other nations in Europe — faces a steep rise in coronavirus cases.

The Swiss federal government, unlike others, hasn’t responded with new restrictions. Analysts said it didn’t want to stir up more opposition to its anti-COVID-19 policies before they faced Sunday’s test at the ballot box — but that if Swiss voters gave a thumbs-up, the government may well ratchet up its anti-COVID efforts.

Health Minister Alain Berset said, with the

result, authorities “still have the necessary instruments to manage the crisis, and we can, if necessary, adjust the instruments to developments.”

Of the country’s 26 cantons (states), only two — Schwyz and Appenzell Innerrhoden, both conservative rural regions in eastern Switzerland — voted against the legislation.

“A decision has been made and we must come together now to get through this winter as well as possible,” Berset said. “This is an appeal for unity but also for respect for decisions that have been taken.”

Turnout on Sunday was 65.7 percent, unusually high for a country that holds referendums several times a year.

On Tuesday, Swiss health authorities warned of a rising “fifth wave” on infections in the rich Alpine country, where vaccination rates are roughly in line with those in hard-hit neighbors Austria and Germany at about two-thirds of the population. Infection rates have soared in recent weeks.

The seven-day average case count in Switzerland shot up to more than 5,200 per day from mid-October to mid-November, a more than five-fold increase.

Austria, meanwhile, has imposed a national lockdown to fight the rising infections.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, November 29, 2021, PAGE 13

SPORTS PAGE 14

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021

Canada routs Bahamas, 115-73

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

T

he Bahamas senior men’s national basketball team continues its struggles against Team Canada and the regional powerhouse dominated in the first window of the FIBA World Cup 2023 Qualifiers.

The Bahamas suffered a 115-73 loss to Canada last night in the first game of a back-to-back in Santo Domingo, The Dominican Republic. Dominick Bridgewater led the Bahamas with 13 points, David Nesbitt scored 12, Mychel Thompson scored 11 and JR Cadot finished with nine. Game two is set for 4pm today local time.

“It was a competitive game, we didn’t play to our full potential but you took your hats off to Canada, they played well, they barely missed. We have a short turnaround but we have to shape up on some stuff to come back a lot stronger,” Bridgewater said.

“Our transition defence has to be better. Canada gets out in transition to look for shots and they are making them. So, we have to get back, match the ball, rebound better and play harder next game.”

Kyle Wiltjer led four Canadians in double figures with 23 points, Aaron Best scored 21, Kenny Cherry scored 18, Kyle Alexander added 12 points and 12 rebounds and Phill

COACH Moses Johnson.

Photo: FIBA Americas Scrubb finished with 11 assists.

Canada outrebounded The Bahamas 47-32, outscored them 31-16 on fastbreak opportunities and outshot them 16-8 from three-point range.

“It was an ok effort.

We turned the ball over

way too much, we were outrebounded and those were two key stats that really decided the game,” head coach Moses Johnson said. “Their size was a factor, especially on second-chance points. We were not able to secure the boards, we had some unforced turnovers that led to easy scoring baskets and the game got out of hand.

Hats off to Canda you can tell those guys had time together to prepare for this window. We will sort out those miscues and be back better and stronger tomorrow.”

Team Bahamas was drawn into Group C alongside Canada, The Dominican Republic and The US Virgin Islands. In the second window, The

Bahamas is slated to face The USVI on February 24, 2022, and The Dominican Republic on February 27, 2022.

In the third and final window, Bahamas will have its 2nd matchup against The USVI on July 1, 2022, and will conclude with the 2nd matchup against The Dominican Republic on July 4, 2022.

In the 2nd window, The Bahamas face The USVI on February 24, 2022, and The Dominican Republic on February 27, 2022.

In the third and final window, The Bahamas will have its second matchup against The USVI on July 1, 2022, and will conclude with the second matchup against The Dominican Republic on July 4, 2022.

NFL, Page 16

BAHAMAS BOWL: BLUE RAIDERS, ROCKETS ACCEPT INVITES NASSAU, Bahamas – Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders will represent Conference USA and Toledo Rockets will represent the MidAmerican Conference as both institutions accepted bids today to the 2021 Bahamas Bowl, set for Friday, December 17 in Nassau’s Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

The Bahamas Bowl will be played at 12p.m. ET, and will be televised on ESPN and broadcast on Bowl Season Radio. Middle Tennessee (6-6, 4-4 C-USA) and Toledo (7-5, 5-3 MAC) will play for The Prime Minister’s Trophy, awarded to the champion of the Bahamas Bowl. It will be a return to The Bahamas for both schools, as Middle Tennessee participated in the 2015 game, and Toledo played in the 2018 edition.

SEE PAGE 17

JR PAN AM: SWIMMERS REACH THE B FINALS

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

KINGS guard Chavano “Buddy” Hield (24) goes to the basket while defended by Lakers centre Dwight Howard (39) during the 2nd half in Los Angeles on November 26. In a 128-101 loss to the Grizzlies last night, Hield led the Kings with 14 points, but was 5 of 17 from the field.

(AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

‘Buddy’ erupts for 25 in triple OT win, Jones scores first NBA points

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net IN an eventful weekend for Bahamian players in the NBA Kings interim head coach Alvin Gentry continues to laud the growth of Chavano “Buddy” Hield, Deandre Ayton and the Phoenix Suns chase franchise history and Kai Jones got the first field goal of his NBA career.

Hield scored 13 of his 25 points after regulation to help lead the Kings to a 141-137 triple overtime thriller on Saturday night at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Gentry, now 2-1 as interim head coach since the Kings fired Luke Walton last week, said Hield’s growth and maturation has been evident in the years since the two were first connected with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Gentry served as Kings head coach when the franchise selected Hield with the No.6 pick in the 2016 Draft. He spent 57 games of his rookie season in New Orleans before he was traded to Sacramento.

“I drafted him. That’s all you need to know. I mean it’s pretty simple, I think he’s a good player.

I drafted the guy in New Orleans and he played for us as a rookie,” Gentry said. “Obviously he’s advanced since those days and became one of the premier shooters in the league. He’s about all the right things, he gets himself kind of in a quandary sometimes but for the most, he’s playing hard, he’s playing to win and if you got guys like that’s all you can really ask for.”

HORNETS forward Kai Jones reacts after dunking the ball against the Timberwolves on Friday, November 26.

(AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

SUNS’ Deandre Ayton runs up the court against the Spurs November 22.

Phoenix won 115-111.

(AP Photo/Darren Abate)

Hield shot 8-21 from the field and just 3-13 from three-point range, but hit several key shots down the stretch, including a three pointer to force overtime and another mid-range jumper to force a second overtime.

“I don’t really look at Buddy’s shooting percentage or anything like that. I think with him, you just have to let him go and, at some point in the game, he’s going to make a big shot for you, or he’s going to put you in a position where you can win the game. We ride with him because we really do feel like there’s going to be a point in the game where he can help us win,” Gentry said. “We’ve got a resilient group. We just have to try to establish consistency in what we’re doing and how we’re playing the game. For us it takes a village and that’s what we’re trying to do.”

Deandre Ayton and the Phoenix Suns are currently in the midst of the second-longest win streak in franchise history at 16 games.

Ayton finished with 10 points and six rebounds in Saturday’s 113107 win over the Brooklyn Nets.

In eight games since he returned from injury with a leg contusion, Ayton has averaged 16.4 points and 11.6 rebounds on 68 percent shooting from the field with four double doubles.

During the win streak, the Suns rank near the top of the league in several categories, including fifth in offence, second in defence, second in net rating, fourth in effective field-goal percentage, fourth in true-shooting percentage and second in pace.

The Suns are currently second in franchise history behind the 2006-07 side that won 17 straight and finished with the second best regular season record in Suns history at 61-21. Phoenix looks to tie the franchise record in a matchup of the league’s top teams tomorrow night when the Suns (17-3) will host the Golden State Warriors (17-2) at Footprint Center in

Phoenix, Arizona. The two teams will face each other three times in the next 28 days.

Suns head coach Monty Williams said continuity is the key to the team building on last year’s success of advancing to the NBA Finals.

“We have had to turn the age as it relates to last year. We accomplished a lot but my mindset is to continue to grow the programme,” he said. “I thought we would be better just because of the continuity having Chris in back-to-back years was going to make us a lot better. We’ve had a number of guys in our programme for three years and that has helped us but adding JaVale [McGee], Elfrid [Payton] and Landry [Shamet] has certainly helped our programme so I’m not surprised, I’m grateful that the Lord has blessed us with guys who compete everyday, has embraced our culture and I hope our fans are enjoying the kind of basketball we play night in and night out.”

Kai Jones has fluctuated between the Hornets’ main roster and the G-League affiliate Greensboro Swarm but had the opportunity to record a career milestone in his latest callup.

Jones scored the first points of his NBA career Saturday night in the Hornets’ 133-115 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Jones scored a late dunk with an assist from fellow rookie James Bouknight.

The No.19 pick in last June’s Draft, Jones played sparingly before he was assigned to the Swarm. In three games with Greensboro he averaged nine points and 4.3 rebounds per game.

TEAM Bahamas opened competition at the inaugural Junior Pan American Games in Cali, Colombia, with the triathlon and swimming events first on the schedule.

William Tyler Russell was the standout performer for Team Bahamas and took 1st place in a pair of B Finals at the Hernando Botero O’ Byrne Aquatics Complex.

In the 100m breast, Russell swam a personal best and winning time of 1:04.02 seconds and in the 200m breast, he again took first place in 2:24.80.

Lamar Taylor and Davante Carey both reached the B Final of the 100m backstroke. Taylor finished second in 58.05 while Carey was fourth in 58.66. Taylor also swam in the B Final of the 100m free style where he was 4th in a season’s best time of 51.86.

Carey also advanced to the B final in the 200m back and finished 8th in 200m 2:14.03. He improved on his prelim time of 2:14.89 which earned a 5th place finish.

Nigel Forbes reached the B Final of the 200m butterfly where he finished 7th in a season’s best time of 2:17.67.

In the 100m fly he finished 6th in a season’s best time of 1:00.63 in the prelims.

Rahniska Gibbs swam a season’s best time of 1:18.09 to finish 7th in the prelims of the 100m breast while the men’s 4x100m free relay team finished 6th in 3:39.35 and the mixed 4x100m relay medley team was 6th in 4:14.11.

Rachel Lundy was sixth in the 100m free in 1:00.86 and the mixed 4x100m free relay team finished 6th in 3:50.50.

Ralph Wood III was the first member of Team Bahamas to compete and finished 28th in the field of the individual male triathlon at the Calima Lake Yacht Club on opening day.Wood finished in a time of 1 hour 14:14 seconds. He completed the run in 22:43, cycled 37: 14 and swam 11:21.

The Bahamas will be represented in 5 disciplines - athletics, swimming, rowing, triathlon and wrestling - featuring thousands of the best youth athletes across the region, through December 4.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, November 29, 2021, PAGE 15

SELF BESTS PITINO IN 1ST MEETING, NO. 4 KANSAS TOPS IONA

By MARK DIDTLER Associated Press

BAYLOR guard James Akinjo (11) celebrates with teammates after defeating Michigan State, claiming their second Battle 4 Atlantis title in programme history. The No.6 Bears defeated the Spartans 75-58 in Friday’s championship game at the Atlantis resort’s Imperial Arena on Paradise Island.

(Tim Aylen/Bahamas Visual Services via AP)

Baylor Bears claim second Battle 4 Atlantis crown in programme history

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net THE defending NCAA Division I men’s national champion got their bid to repeat in the 202122 season off to a promising start when they claimed their second Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis title in programme history.

The No.6 Baylor Bears defeated the Michigan State Spartans 75-58 in Friday’s championship game, at the Atlantis resort’s Imperial Arena.

The Bears remain undefeated in their two Battle 4 Atlantis appearances.

Head coach Scott Drew credited Complete Sports Management for continuing its tradition of organising one of the most challenging tournaments on the annual NCAA schedule and ensuring that his players enjoyed a uniquely Bahamian celebration.

Prior to the trophy presentation, the tournament champions had the opportunity to join in a junkanoo rush out at centre court.

“The postgame celebration - I really wanted these guys to be a

part of because the first time I was blown away with how cool it was.

They even got some of our older coaches out there dancing with the music. I couldn’t be more pleased and proud of these guys,” Drew said. “Lea Miller-Tooley and the Battle 4 Atlantis are a first-class operation.”

Down 36-31 in the first half, Baylor went on a dominant 32-10 run and improved to 7-0 on the season. MSU has an all-time record of 4-2 in two trips to the Bahamas for the tournament.

“We are who I thought we were.

You have to have great toughness to win three games in three days [playing against] different styles,” Drew said of his team. “They were mature the whole time, focused, they treated it like a business trip, now we get to go on the slides and have fun, hopefully none of us older guys get injured. They were humble servants, they played for each other.”

Baylor leads the all-time series with Michigan State 2-0 and both games have been played in the Battle 4 Atlantis.

Two of the last three tournament winners have also gone on to win

the NCAA national championship (2017-18 Villanova and 2018-19 Virginia).

Drew said he hopes his programme can continue that trend in their bid to repeat.

“As teams and coaches we want to be challenged. To win three games in three days against NCAA Tournament-type teams speaks a lot, gets you ready, exposes where you need to get better, but unless you go up against people - iron sharpens iron - you don’t know what you need to work on,’ he said. “We have good players but they got a lot of character, they got a lot of heart, they got a lot of toughness and togetherness.”

Championship game MVP James Akinjo led the Bears with 15 points. “We want to make a long run in March Madness and this is a resemblance of what it’s going to be like,” he said. “As a team we came out strong every game. There were really good teams and there were ups and downs but we knew as long as we put God first we were going to be ok.”

The field for the 2022 edition of the tournament was recently revealed, featuring several

returning programmes and one returning champion.

The Tennesse Volunteers (Southeastern Conference) and Butler Bulldogs (Big East) will each make their third tournament appearance when the tournament tips off November 23-25, 2022.

The 2014 B4A champion, the Wisconsin Badgers (Big 10), headline a list of programmes making their second appearance. That list also includes the Kansas Jayhawks (Big 12), USC Trojans (PAC 12), North Carolina State Wolfpack (ACC) and Dayton Flyers (Atlantic 10).

The BYU Cougars (West Coast Conference) will make their tournament debut.

In addition, the second edition of the women’s tournament will be hosted November 19-21.

The eight team field includes the Louisville Cardinals (ACC), Tennessee Volunteers (SEC), South Dakota State Jackrabbits (Summit League), Rutgers Scarlet Knight (Big 10), UCLA Bruins (PAC 12), Marquette Golden Eagles (Big East), Texas Longhorns Big 12), and Gonzaga Bulldogs (West Coast Conference).

NCAA champ Baylor among teams thriving with retooled rosters

By AARON BEARD AP Basketball Writer PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas (AP) — Baylor coach Scott Drew knew his sixth-ranked Bears might need time to blend a changed roster after they lost four starters from a national-championship run.

Instead, the Bears rolled through the Battle 4 Atlantis. They were among a group of teams — including Maui Invitational champion Wisconsin and No. 5 Duke in its takedown of No. 1 Gonzaga — that thrived over Thanksgiving week after retooling in the offseason.

It’s quite a starting point if each continues an upward trajectory, too.

“It’s kind of like dating,” Drew said of two-time transfer James Akinjo as his new point guard. “You just start dating somebody, you’ve got to figure things out. When you’re married a couple of years, you know what your wife likes and doesn’t like. We’ll continue to go through that process.”

The Bears’ departed starters include a first-team Associated Press AllAmerican in Jared Butler, a third-team All-American and No. 9 overall NBA draft pick in Davion Mitchell and their second-leading scorer in MaCio Teague.

Drew turned to Akinjo, who had prior stops at Georgetown and Arizona. Talented freshman forwards Kendall Brown and Jeremy Sochan arrived. Returnees like L.J. Cryer and Matthew Mayer stepped into bigger

roles. And Baylor (7-0) keeps winning big, the last against Michigan State in the Atlantis title game with Akinjo as MVP. Baylor has won 13 straight dating to last year’s title run in the Indianapolis bubble.

“Nobody cared who scored, they all played pretty hard defensively,” Spartans coach Tom Izzo said. “It was nice to watch.

Unfortunately I had to watch them from a negative side.”

At the relocated Maui Invitational in Las Vegas, Wisconsin beat Texas A&M, No. 12 Houston and Saint Mary’s with its youngest team in decades. The Badgers (5-1) lost six seniors and have two returning starters and 12 underclassmen. The average age of their opening-night starting lineup was 19.8 years, down from 22.6 last year.

The driving force was sophomore Johnny Davis, who averaged 23.7 points and 6.7 rebounds over three games to become the Maui MVP. Davis averaged 7.0 points as a freshman reserve but is playing roughly 32 minutes a game in a starring role.

“I’m learning just like everybody else is watching this group mature and grow in front of us,” Wisconsin coach Greg Gard said after the win against the Cougars.

Then there were the Blue Devils (7-0), who beat Gonzaga in Las Vegas on Friday in a late-March-calibre game. Duke missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1995 last season, but reloaded with a top-flight recruiting class,

WISCONSIN guard Johnny Davis (1) poses with the MVP trophy after a college basketball game against St Mary’s at the Maui Invitational in Las Vegas.

(AP Photo/ Rick Scuteri)

a veteran boost from Marquette transfer Theo John and a surge from veteran co-captain Wendell Moore Jr. That group could have a claim to No. 1 in today’s AP Top 25 in Hall of Famer Mike Krzyzewski’s final season.

“Since the offseason, every day we’ve been trying to come in and be consistent and practice well,” star freshman Paolo Banchero said. “One thing is no bad practices. ... So when you just stack days like that, coming in every day and be consistent, in big games like this you’re going to be able to pull out wins and battle it out.”

GONZAGA’S UPSIDE The Gonzaga-Duke battle came three days after the Zags offered a reminder of their upside by dominating No. 2 UCLA in Las Vegas. The performance included shooting 56 percent with No. 1 national recruit Chet Holmgren among four players with at least a dozen points.

“That’s the beauty of our system: Anybody

can step up on any given night,” coach Mark Few said. “And this team is so unselfish.”

BIG MOMENTS The holiday-week tournaments included multiple classic moments, starting with Dayton beating No. 4 Kansas on Mustapha Amzil’s buzzer-beating shot in the ESPN Events Invitational at Walt Disney World.

There was also a wild opening-round game of the Battle 4 Atlantis between No. 19 Auburn and No. 22 UConn, with the Huskies claiming a 115-109 doubleovertime win that had the feel of a second-weekend NCAA Tournament matchup.

SMITH’S RISE Holmgren and Banchero have attracted the most attention among top freshmen, but Auburn’s Jabari Smith his having his own strong start.

The 6-foot-10 McDonald’s All-American stood out as an Atlantis all-tournament pick, balancing

his outside shooting with stretches of back-to-the-basket work.

He averaged 19.3 points against UConn, Loyola Chicago and Syracuse, including going 15 for 26 (58 percent) in the last two.

“I want him to be a complete player,” Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said.

“I want him to be inside and out. I want him to be able to guard multiple positions. And I just want him to affect winning. That’s all he cares about.”

SPARTANS’ CLEANUP Izzo’s Spartans grinded through a tough win against UConn in the Atlantis semifinals, but faded against Baylor’s second-half surge to cap a tournament performance that had Izzo promising “a few changes.”

His concerns: 51 turnovers in three games and getting tougher mentally.

“We’re going to do some different things,” Izzo said, “because it’s easy to get better physically. ... Mentally it’s a little harder.”

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) — Christian Braun had 18 points and seven rebounds, Ochai Agbaji added 17 points, and No. 4 Kansas beat Iona 96-83 yesterday in the first meeting between Hall of Fame coaches Bill Self and Rick Pitino.

David McCormack scored 13 points for Kansas (5-1). The Jayhawks were coming off their first loss of the season, 74-73 to Dayton on a buzzer-beater in an ESPN Events Invitational semifinal on Friday.

Beating Pitino’s Iona team, which opened the tournament with a win over No. 10 Alabama, was enough to salvage third place in the tournament for Self’s Jayhawks.

“Now that I’ve faced Kansas, I’m glad we didn’t play them in all those years,” Pitino said.

“I’ve always admired him. I’ve always thought he’s one of the best coaches in the game.

“What I admire most is, whether it’s his fast break, his offensive sets, his rebounding, he doesn’t have a weakness as a coach.”

When asked what he had to say to Pitino, a smiling Self said: “Good game and he said good game, too.”

“The way that his teams always competed on a very national high level and doing it without five-star recruits compared to the way some other people do it means they develop and they get the most out their guys,” Self said.

Iona (6-2) got 14 points apiece from Tyson Jolly and Ryan Myers.

The Gaels also lost for the first time Friday, dropping a 72-65 decision to Belmont.

Both teams had five players score in double figures.

Unlike its first two games in the invitational, Kansas built a double-digit firsthalf advantage and held onto it, taking a 46-31 lead at the break behind 13 points from Braun.

“We didn’t accomplish the goal,” Braun said of the Jayhawks’ tournament performance.

“All of us weren’t pleased. We have stuff to improve on. We’re going to do it.”

Agbaji had a dunk and Braun made a 3 during an 8-0 surge that made it 64-43 with 11 minutes left.

Another long-range jumper

by Braun gave Kansas a 75-52 lead 3 1/2 minutes later.

Myers, who came off the bench, had a pair of 3-pointers that helped Iona get within 80-68 with 5 minutes remaining, but the Gaels got no closer.

The Jayhawks put together first-half runs of 12-0, 10-0 and 8-0, and shot 58.8 percent (20 of 34).

They shot 54.9 percent (39 of 71) overall and had 22 assists.

Iona had a pair of 4 1/2minute scoring droughts, and turned the ball over 10 times during the opening 20 minutes.

THE TAKEAWAY Kansas: The Jayhawks tried to make a case to stay in the Top 10. They are 104-15 after a loss under Self since 2003-04. Kansas won its opener at the invitational 71-59 over North Texas.

Iona: The Gaels look like a squad that could reach the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season with Pitino at the helm.

“We’d like to get to the point where we have the same type of talent Kansas has,” Pitino said.

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PAGE 16, Monday, November 29, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Fournette’s 4 touchdowns lift Tampa Bay over Indianapolis INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Leonard Fournette capped a four-touchdown game with a 28-yard scoring run with 20 seconds left yesterday, giving Tampa Bay a 38-31 come-frombehind win at Indianapolis.

Tom Brady led the Buccaneers (8-3) on the eight-play, 75-yard tiebreaking drive after getting the ball back with 3:29 to go. Fournette rushed 17 times for 100 yards and three scores. He also caught Brady’s only touchdown pass.

The defending Super Bowl champs have won two straight overall while Brady improved to 16-4 all time against the Colts in his first appearance against Indy with Tampa Bay. Indy (6-6) had a chance to force overtime when Isaiah Rodgers returned the kickoff 71 yards to the Bucs 32-yard line with 10 seconds left. But Carson Wentz’s first pass to Jack Doyle fell incomplete and former Colts cornerback Pierre Desir picked off Wentz near the goal line as time expired.

PACKERS 36, RAMS 28 GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Aaron Rodgers withstood pain from a toe injury, threw two touchdown passes and also ran for a score.

The Rams outscored Green Bay 11-0 in the fourth quarter, but their comeback attempt ended when Adrian Amos recovered an onside kick with 17 seconds left.

Rodgers went 28 of 45 for 307 yards as the Packers bounced back from a 34-31 loss at Minnesota.

The reigning MVP threw touchdown passes of 7 yards to Randall Cobb and 5 yards to A.J. Dillon.

Green Bay (9-3) has never lost consecutive games within the same season during Matt LaFleur’s three-year coaching tenure.

Rodgers, who didn’t practice all week, says he has a fracture of his pinky toe. The injury had caused him to practice just once in the week leading up to his 385-yard, four-touchdown performance at Minnesota.

The Rams (7-4) dropped their third straight game and continually made mistakes to create scoring opportunities for Green Bay, which scored 16 points off three Rams turnovers.

Matthew Stafford went 21 of 38 for 302 yards with three touchdown passes.

But he also lost a fumble to set up a touchdown and had an interception returned for a touchdown.

Stafford has thrown a pick-6 in each of the last three games.

BENGALS 41, STEELERS 10 CINCINNATI (AP) — Joe Mixon rushed for a career-high 165 yards and two touchdowns, Joe Burrow scrambled for

a score and passed for another one and the Bengals swept the season series for the first time since 2009.

Mixon, coming off a rugged 123-yard, two-TD performance in a win over Las Vegas last week, pounded away for 117 yards in the first half. He helped the Bengals cruise to a third straight win over their AFC North rival after losing 11 straight in the series.

The Steelers (5-5-1) are winless in their past three games. The Bengals (7-4), dominated by Pittsburgh for so many years, have stamped themselves as a legitimate playoff contender.

Cincinnati scored on its first four drives, and former Steeler Mike Hilton returned an interception of Ben Roethlisberger for a 24-yard touchdown late in the first half to push the Cincinnati lead to 31-3 at the intermission.

The Bengals’ defence kept Roethlisberger from getting any real traction until it was too late. He was picked off twice and sacked three times.

PATRIOTS 36, TITANS 13 FOXBOROUGH, Mass.

(AP) — Mac Jones threw two touchdown passes, New England’s defence forced four turnovers and the Patriots earned their sixth straight win.

The victory snapped New England’s two-game skid against the Titans.

The Patriots hadn’t beaten Tennessee since former Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel took over as coach in 2018. New England (8-4) improved to 6-1 against AFC opponents this season.

Jones completed 23 of 32 passes for 310 yards.

Kendrick Bourne had both of the Patriots’ TD receptions, finishing with five catches for 61 yards.

The Titans (8-4) stayed close early, but couldn’t survive a bevy of errors that included three fumbles by their running backs and an interception by Ryan Tannehill. He finished 11 of 21 for 93 yards and a touchdown.

Playing without star Derrick Henry for the fourth straight game, the Titans had mixed results from their rushing attack. Dontrell Hilliard and D’Onta Foreman became the first Tennessee backs other than Henry to rush for 100 yards since 2018. Hilliard carried 12 times for a career-high 131 yards and a 68-yard TD. But he also had a fumble in the second quarter that set up a Patriots field goal.

BRONCOS 28, CHARGERS 13 DENVER (AP) — Rookie Patrick Surtain II picked off Justin Herbert twice, returning the second one 70 yards for a touchdown. The Broncos’ big win sets up a showdown

TAMPA Bay Buccaneers’ Leonard Fournette (7) runs past Indianapolis Colts’ Bobby Okereke (58) during the second half last night in Indianapolis.

(AP Photo/Michael Conroy) for the AFC West lead next weekend in Kansas City, where the game between Denver (6-5) and the Chiefs (7-4) already was flexed to Sunday night.

Surtain’s first interception came in the end zone on a pass intended for tight end Jared Cook early in the fourth quarter. The Broncos converted that takeaway into a touchdown when Teddy Bridgewater hit tight end Eric Saubert from 9 yards to make it 21-7.

His second one came off the hands of Austin Ekeler, who watched helplessly as Surtain cradled his second interception and sprinted down the Broncos’ jubilant sideline to push Denver’s lead to 28-7.

49ERS 34, VIKINGS 26 SANTA CLARA, Calif.

(AP) — Deebo Samuel ran for two touchdowns before leaving with an injury and Elijah Mitchell ran for 133 yards and a score.

The matchup between two .500 teams fighting for wild-card spots was a highly entertaining one with six scores in the third quarter alone, including a 99-yard kickoff return score by Minnesota’s Kene Nwangwu.

But the 49ers (6-5) made just enough plays, including a fourth-down stop near the goal line midway through the fourth quarter, to win their third straight following a stretch of five losses in six games.

Jimmy Garoppolo threw for 230 yards and a TD, but the Niners once again did more of their work on the ground, with Samuel’s two scores making him the first receiver since the merger to run for five TDs in a season. Samuel had six carries for 66 yards and also caught one pass for 15 yards before leaving with a groin injury.

San Francisco finished with 208 yards rushing on 39 carries. Kirk Cousins threw for 238 yards and

two TDs to Adam Thielen for the Vikings (5-6).

GIANTS 13, EAGLES 7 EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The Giants’ defence rose up to intercept Jalen Hurts three times and held Philadelphia to a season-low in points in beating the errorprone Eagles.

Daniel Jones hit Philadelphia native Chris Myarick with a 1-yard score and Graham Gano kicked field goals of 35 and 39 yards as the Giants (4-7) somewhat responded to the firing of offensive coordinator Jason Garrett by ending the Eagles’ twogame winning streak.

The Eagles (5-7) were their own worst enemy.

They had four turnovers, with running back Boston Scott losing a fumble that Julian Love recovered at the New York 40 with 1:34 to play.

The Eagles had one more chance in the final 1:11.

They got a first down at the Giants 27 and had to spike the ball. Hurts threw three passes and nearly had Jalen Reagor for a TD on second down with a sideline pass the receiver got his hands on before dropping. A pass to Reagor at the goal line on fourth-and-10 also was incomplete.

DOLPHINS 33, PANTHERS 10 MIAMI GARDENS, Florida (AP) — Jaylen Waddle had nine catches for a season-best 137 yards and a touchdown, and the Dolphins forced Cam Newton into one of the worst statistical days of his career.

Myles Gaskin had two short rushing scores for Miami (5-7), the sixth team in NFL history to immediately follow a 1-7 start with four consecutive wins. Duke Riley blocked a punt that led to a score for Miami. The quarterback matchup was totally one-sided. Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa completed 27

of 31 passes for 230 yards and a score. Newton was pulled in the fourth quarter after completing just 5 of 21 passes for the Panthers (5-7), who lost for the seventh time in their past nine games.

Newton finished with 92 yards passing, no touchdowns and two interceptions. It all added up to a quarterback rating of 5.8, by far the worst of his career. He did have Carolina’s lone touchdown, a 1-yard spin in the first quarter.

Jaelan Phillips had three of the Dolphins’ five sacks, and Nik Needham, Xavien Howard and Jevon Holland had interceptions for Miami.

FALCONS 21, JAGUARS 14 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Cordarrelle Patterson scored twice in his return from an ankle injury, and the Falcons found the end zone and the win column for the first time in three weeks.

The Falcons (5-6) managed just a field goal in their previous two games, lopsided losses to Dallas and New England in which they turned over the ball a combined seven times and failed to score a touchdown in consecutive games for the first time since 1987.

They put an emphasis on playing “smarter football” against Jacksonville, and it paid off. It surely helped that the Jaguars (2-9) made all the early mistakes.

Trevor Lawrence threw an interception on Jacksonville’s second series.

James Robinson fumbled on the team’s next drive.

Patterson found a gaping hope up the middle for a 12-yard TD run. Patterson also had a 7-yard score on the game’s opening possession. He finished with 108 yards rushing and 27 more receiving.

JETS 21, TEXANS 14 HOUSTON (AP) — Zach Wilson threw for 145 yards and ran for a touchdown in his return from a sprained right knee, helping the Jets snap a three-game skid.

Wilson, the No. 2 overall draft pick in April who missed the last four games, was rusty early and threw an interception, but put the Jets (3-8) on top with a 4-yard scamper in the third quarter.

The Jets converted two fourth-down attempts on a drive that ended with a 37-yard field goal by Matt Ammendola that made it 21-14 with about 3½ minutes to go.

The Texans (2-9) hoped to build on an upset of Tennessee last week that ended an eight-game slide and looked good early.

Tyrod Taylor threw two touchdown passes in the second quarter to give Houston 14-3 lead, but the Texans couldn’t do anything offensively after that.

US ELIMINATED FROM DAVIS CUP FINALS AFTER LOSS TO COLOMBIA

By ANDREW DAMPF AP Sports Writer UNITES States captain Mardy Fish hinted at a lack of passion within his team after the record 32-time champion Americans were eliminated from the Davis Cup Finals by following up a lopsided loss to host Italy with a humbling defeat to Colombia yesterday.

The Americans left Turin 0-2 when Reilly Opelka and Jack Sock retired from the decisive doubles match while trailing 3-0 in the opening set against the accomplished Colombian pair of Juan-Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah.

Daniel Elahi Galan, ranked No. 111, had levelled the series at 1-1 by beating John Isner 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (5). “You can see the passion for Davis Cup, playing for their country,” Fish said of Colombia.

“It’s infectious for them ...

These guys are giving fist pumps every other point.

It’s impressive, and it’s something that I hope, as a captain, to strive for and get our players to do.”

Meanwhile, Russia with second-ranked Daniil Medvedev beat Spain 2-1 in a result that eliminated the defending champion and allowed Serbia with topranked Novak Djokovic to advance as the second-best runner-up.

Russia, which is being called RTF (Russian Tennis Federation) for the event amid an ongoing doping suspension in international sport, will face Sweden, the best runner-up, in the quarterfinals.

The other quarterfinals are: Italy vs. Croatia; Britain vs. Germany; and Serbia vs. Kazakhstan.

Played in three cities, each matchup on indoor hard courts is a best-ofthree series featuring two singles and one doubles match. The six group winners plus the two second-place teams with the best records based on sets and games advanced to the quarterfinals.

The semifinals and final will be played in Madrid.

After Opelka and Isner were swept aside by rising Italians Lorenzo Sonego and Jannik Sinner on Friday, the US needed an almost perfect performance against Colombia to have any hope of advancing.

Fish moved Frances Tiafoe into the second singles spot ahead of Opelka and Tiafoe responded by rallying past Nicolas Mejia 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7) to give the Americans an early lead.

Tiafoe saved two match points in the decisive tiebreaker before finally closing it out on his fifth match point with an ace.

The 38th-ranked Tiafoe was a late pick for the team, replacing Taylor Fritz, and this marked his first Davis Cup victory.

Ready for Rangnick: Sancho helps Man United draw at Chelsea

By ROB HARRIS AP Global Soccer Writer LONDON (AP) — The cautious game plan, with Cristiano Ronaldo dropped to the bench, worked for Manchester United.

Hitting Chelsea on the counterattack, with Jadon Sancho scoring his first Premier League goal, and grabbing a point is the type of damage limitation-mode United is in this season.

Snatching a 1-1 draw yesterday — after home humiliations to Liverpool and Manchester City in the fading embers of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign — gives Ralf Rangnick a platform to build on.

The German is yet to officially take charge — with a post-Brexit work permit still to be secured — but this could well be Michael Carrick’s final act as interim caretaker manager.

The disappointment for United will be not holding onto the lead after Aaron Wan-Bissaka caught the back of Thiago Silva’s heel when clearing the ball. Jorginho equalised from a penalty in the 69th minute — a day before the

Italian discovers if he has won the Ballon d’Or. Jorginho had been at fault for the United goal in the 50th minute. Mis-controlling a clearance from United midfielder Bruno Fernandes’ hooked long ball allowed Jadon Sancho to seize possession. The 21-year-old forward had the space to race through on goal before slipping a shot past goalkeeper Edouard Mendy that crept inside the right post.

Sancho, who joined in July for 85 million euros (then $100 million), also netted in the Champions League on Tuesday in a win at Villarreal.

Now another positive result — after losing five of its last seven league games under Solskjaer — has taken United to within five points of West Ham in the fourth Champions League qualification place.

“It’s not enough to draw, but at the moment, the way we are it’s a big point,” United goalkeeper David de Gea said. “In the last games we were conceding three or four goals, now we conceded

MANCHESTER United’s Bruno Fernandes, on the ground, fouls Chelsea’s Thiago Silva during their English Premier League soccer match at Stamford Bridge stadium in London yesterday.

(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) one from a penalty and got a crossfield ball. Fernandinho’s clean sheet against Villarreal, so I strike in the 90th meant Manuel think we are improving. “But this Lanzini’s dipping shot in stoppage is two games, we need to show in time would only be a consolation. the games that are coming, like Snow was falling at the Etihad Arsenal — a big game again. Let’s Stadium in Manchester but it was keep going, keep focused.” a heavier storm about 30 miles (48 CHELSEA’S LEAD CUT kilometres) north at Turf Moor Manchester City beat West that forced the postponement of Ham 2-1 as the defending champi- Burnley’s home game against Totons trimmed Chelsea’s lead at the tenham less than an hour before top to a single point. kickoff.

Ilkay Gundogan tapped in EVERTON STRUGGLES City’s opener in the 33rd minute Ahead of the Merseyside from Riyad Mahrez’s deflected derby reunion with former club

Liverpool, Rafa Benitez has gone a seventh match without a win as Everton manager.

Ivan Toney, who played under Benitez at Newcastle but struggled for playing time, scored the goal that gave Brentford a 1-0 win over Everton.

Brentford claimed a first home league win since the opening day of the season against Arsenal in August to move up to 12th. Everton is two places lower in the 20-team standings.

RANIERI’S MISERABLE RETURN Five years after so unexpectedly winning the Premier League title with Leicester, Claudio Ranieri’s mission now is avoiding relegation with Watford.

Losing 4-2 at Leicester, though, leaves Watford two places above the relegation zone with a fourpoint cushion.

James Maddison scored a goal and provided two assists for Jamie Vardy.

Ademola Lookman also netted as Leicester celebrated only a third win in 10 league games to move up to 10th place.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, November 29, 2021, PAGE 17

‘We are Baha Mar Hoops champions’ STEPHEN Curry.

NBA-LEADING WARRIORS TOP CLIPPERS, AWAIT THE SHOWDOWN VS SUNS

PRIME Minister Philip Davis, DPM Chester Cooper and Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg are pictured with the winners of the ‘Baha Mar Hoops’ Bahamas Championship - Louisville Cardinals men’s basketball team - after the trophy presentation. Louisville defeated the Maryland Terrapins 63-55 on Saturday morning to win the championship.

Photo: Kemuel Stubbs/BIS)

Cardinals claim ‘Bahamas Championship’ with 63-55 victory over Terrapins

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net THE inaugural Baha Mar Hoops event concluded Saturday night after hosting 18 NCAA Division I teams and 21 games in three tournaments across six days at the Baha Mar Convention Center.

The Louisville Cardinals claimed the “Bahamas Championship” Saturday with a 63-55 win over the Maryland Terrapins. The Cardinals improved to 5-1 with acting head coach Mike Pegues at the helm as head coach Chris Mack continued his suspension.

Pegues credited his team’s downtime at the Baha Bay Water Park for their rejuvenated focus on the court for the tournament finale.

“I think its because I let them go to the waterpark Wednesday morning.

Sometimes I can be a pretty hard guy and I felt like it was a no brainer that we had to let these guys breathe a little bit,” he said. “I leaned on them pretty well and we

scheduled some downtime after breakfast and I think it was good and refreshing for everyone to get away. I even went down the water slide myself, it was exhilarating and it was good. We got away for four hours, the guys were happy, I think everyone decompressed and thankfully so because we came out and played pretty well.”

It was the 31st regular season championship in programme history.

Both teams play in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge on Wednesday with the Terps hosting Virginia Tech and Louisville playing at Michigan State.

The Bahamas Championship also featured the Richmond Spiders and Mississippi State Bulldogs.

The Cardinals have been in local news recently after they got the early commitment of top ranked Bahamian prospect Fredrick King Jr. King, a product of the NBA Academy Latin America, will join the programme in the upcoming fall campaign.

The 6’10” forward chose the Cardinals ahead of

the Washington State Trojans, Creighton Bluejays, Georgetown Hoyas and Miami Hurricanes.

ESPN listed King as one of the class of 2022’s top prospects emerging from the NBA Academy Invitational in September.

The “Pink Flamingo Championship” featured several elite women’s programmes.

The No.18 ranked USF Bulls may make the biggest leap in the pools following a weekend where they posted two wins over top 10 ranked opponents.

The Bulls concluded their time in The Bahamas with a thrilling 57-54 win over Stanford on Friday.

Sydney Harvey hit the go ahead three pointer with 2.8 seconds left to play. She finished with a team high 15 points.

“Coach called the play and I hit the shot and we had a couple of defensive stops and that was that,” Harvey said. “It was a very exciting game to play in.”

The Bulls played four ranked teams in their last five games. “That fivegame stretch was difficult

on us,” Bulls coach Jose Fernandez said.

“We were tied up in the fourth quarter against Connecticut and rebounded against Oregon. This was good for us. We had two days to get ready for them.

We defended. We got the stops when we needed to especially at the end of the game.”

The defending NCAA National Champion and No. 7 Stanford Cardinal which finished 2-1 in games against three ranked teams over the weekend.

The Cardinal opened the tournament with a 69-66 win over the No.4 Indiana Hoosiers and after the loss to USF, concluded play with an 86-67 win over the no.2 Maryland Terrapins.

The shorthanded Terrapins, beset by injuries, went 0-3 in The Bahamas.

“I built this schedule so we would learn a lot about ourselves. This tournament, the adversity we faced, I think the biggest thing I’m disappointed in is our lack of competing today. We lost our poise, we lost our composure early in this game. Stanford

had a lot to do with that. I thought they outworked us, out-hustled us, competed for 40 minutes. That’s what a championship team looks like. That’s obviously where we strive to be. They showed it for four straight quarters,” head coach Brenda Frese said after the loss to Stanford.

“We’ve got to get ourselves back and regroup, get everyone back, get healthy and be able to put the team together that we have.

“Again, liked our second half, especially our fourth quarter, but not really into moral victories within this tournament. We’re trying to play at a higher level than just winning a half or a quarter.”

Six of the seven participating teams have played in last season’s NCAA Tournament.

Other teams included North Carolina State, Washington State and Miami and South Florida.

The Toledo Rockets won the “Nassau Championship” with a 79-70 win over the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers.

BOWL

NEW COUNTRY, NEW NAME FOR US CITIZEN ‘ENES KANTER FREEDOM’

FROM PAGE 14 The Bahamas Bowl, which will kick off the 2021 Bowl Season, is the longest-running international bowl game in college football history. It debuted in 2014.

The early invitation allows both Middle Tennessee and Toledo additional time to prepare to play in an international destination, including obtaining passports for those who still need them to travel to the Bahamas as well as giving extra time for fans to make their travel plans to Nassau for bowl week.

Tickets to the 2021 Bahamas Bowl can be purchased through the ticket offices of the participating institutions. A reminder that all US citizens who wish to attend the game must have a valid US Passport to enter the Bahamas, and a Bahamas Travel Health Visa (travel.gov.bs) is required prior to travel to the Bahamas.

Fans wishing to purchase rooms at the host resort for the Bahamas Bowl, the Atlantis Bahamas, can do so by clicking the Bowl Travel tab at BahamasBowl.com.

This will be the first meeting between Middle Tennessee and Toledo. The all-time Bahamas Bowl series between Conference USA and the MAC is tied 3-3.

Middle Tennessee will play in its 13th bowl game, while Toledo will participate in its 18th bowl game.

Middle Tennessee (6-6 overall, 4-4 Conference USA) is led by

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Stephen Curry scored 13 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter and the Golden State Warriors extended their winning streak to eight with a 105-90 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers yesterday.

Otto Porter Jr added 18 points, and Jordan Poole had 17 for the Warriors.

They improved their NBAbest record to 18-2 heading into a showdown Tuesday night in Phoenix against the streaking Suns — 17-3 after winning 16 straight.

Paul George led Los Angeles with 30 points, and Eric Bledsoe and Marcus Morris added 13 apiece.

The Clippers came into the game with wins in eight of their last 10 home games.

The Warriors are 7-0 on the road.

BUCKS 118, PACERS 100 INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 26 points and 13 rebounds and Milwaukee beat Indiana for its seventh straight victory.

Jrue Holiday scored 11 of his 23 points in the third quarter. Bobby Portis added 15 points, and Khris Middleton and Pat Connaughton each had 14, Caris LeVert led the Pacers with a season-high 23 points.

CELTICS 109, RAPTORS 97 TORONTO (AP) — Marcus Smart scored 21 points, Al Horford had 17 points and 11 rebounds and Boston beat Toronto to snap a two-game losing streak.

Josh Richardson scored 18 of Boston’s 32 bench points. Jaylen Brown added 16 points, and Grant Williams had 15 to help the Celtics improve to 11-10.

Fred VanVleet led Toronto with 27 points. The Raptors lost for the sixth time in eight games to fall to 9-12.

GRIZZLIES 128, KINGS 101 MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Dillon Brooks scored 21 points, Desmond Bane added 18 and Memphis took advantage of Sacramento’s poor shooting.

Memphis was playing its first game without scoring leader Ja Morant. He sprained his left knee Friday night in a loss to Atlanta.

head coach Rick Stockstill, who is in his 16th season (100-98) as a college head coach, all with the Blue Raiders. Stockstill leads Middle Tennessee to a bowl game for the ninth time in his career. The 2021 Bahamas Bowl will be the first bowl game for Middle Tennessee since the 2018 R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.

“On behalf of our President, Dr. Sidney McPhee, I am honoured and above excited about accepting a bowl invitation from the Bahamas Bowl,” said Middle Tennessee director of athletics Chris Massaro.

“This will be our second trip to the Bahamas Bowl, and our experience was second to none at a place that is truly paradise.

“We can’t wait to get there and create memories of a lifetime for our student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans.”

“We are honoured to be representing Conference USA in the Bahamas Bowl,” said Middle Tennessee head coach Rick Stockstill.

“I am thrilled for this team and especially our senior class. This is a tremendous award for a team who has overcome a ton of adversity

this season. We can’t wait to get there.”

Toledo (7-5 overall, 5-3 MAC) is led by head coach Jason Candle, who is in his sixth full season (4526) as a collegiate head coach, all with the Rockets, Candle coaches Toledo in a bowl game for the fifth time in his career.

The 2021 Bahamas Bowl will be the first bowl game for the Rockets since the 2018 Bahamas Bowl.

“We are extremely excited to accept an invitation to play in the Bahamas Bowl against Middle Tennessee,” said Toledo vice-president and athletic director Mike O’Brien.

“We had a wonderful bowl experience on our trip to the Bahamas three years ago and are looking forward to working with the people of the Bahamas again to make this a memorable and rewarding experience. I also want to congratulate head coach Jason Candle, his staff and our entire Rocket football team for earning this bowl invitation and finishing our 2021 season strong.”

“We are excited to participate in the Bahamas Bowl,” said Toledo

head coach Jason Candle. “It is an outstanding bowl game and will be the first time many of our players have the opportunity to travel outside the United States. The hospitality shown to our football team last time we were there was incredible. The Bahamas Bowl is a great way for our players and staff to cap off our 2021 season.”

“Congratulations to Middle Tennessee and Toledo, along with their student-athletes, coaches, staffs and fans on their invitation to the 2021 Bahamas Bowl,” said Richard Giannini, executive director of the Bahamas Bowl.

“Both schools had very successful seasons, and we are very excited about the matchup of the Blue Raiders and Rockets on December 17. We know everyone involved with Middle Tennessee and Toledo will have a wonderful experience during bowl week in the Bahamas and at the Atlantis Bahamas resort.”

For more information on the 2021 Bahamas Bowl, visit BahamasBowl.com. The game is owned and operated by ESPN Events, a division of ESPN.

BOSTON (AP) — Boston Celtics centre Enes Kanter is changing his name to “Enes Kanter Freedom” to celebrate becoming a United States citizen.

Kanter’s manager, Hank Fetic, told The Associated Press that Kanter is will have his citizenship oath ceremony this afternoon and at the same time will complete his legal name change. The news was first reported by the Athletic.

Kanter, 29, is a native of Turkey who has been an outspoken critic of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Turkish government. Kanter has said his passport was revoked by his homeland in 2017. The 2011 first-round draft pick has also taken to social media to support Tibetan independenc and to criticise Chinese treatment of the Uyghur people. During games, he has worn shoes decorated to say “Free Tibet” and argue for a boycott of the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

PAGE 18, Monday, November 29, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

RAVENS OVERCOME JACKSON’S 4 INTERCEPTIONS, BEAT BROWNS 16-10

By NOAH TRISTER AP Sports Writer BALTIMORE (AP) — Lamar Jackson provided one brilliant highlight during an otherwise subpar performance and his 13-yard touchdown pass to Mark Andrews in the third quarter was enough to lift the Baltimore Ravens to a 16-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns last night.

Jackson threw a careerhigh four interceptions in this mistake-filled game, but the only touchdown for Baltimore was memorable. Dogged by Cleveland’s pass rush all night, Jackson scrambled all the way back to about the 35-yard line before lofting a pass over the middle to a remarkably open Andrews in the end zone. That made it 13-3, and the Ravens (8-3) held on to take over the top spot in the AFC standings.

Cleveland (6-6) never could get its running game — which entered

ranked No. 1 in the league — going against the Baltimore defensive front. Nick Chubb managed only 16 yards on eight carries, and Kareem Hunt had 20 yards on seven attempts.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh improved to 18-2 in prime-time games at home and 23-4 overall against the Browns.

Baker Mayfield threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to David Njoku late in the third quarter, but Cleveland didn’t score again. Up 13-10, the Ravens took over with 6:28 remaining in the game and nearly ran out the rest of the clock. A holding call on guard Ben Powers helped stall that drive, and Justin Tucker’s 49-yard field goal pushed the lead to six with 1:10 to play.

The Browns never got a first down on their final drive.

This was a far cry from December, when these teams played one of the most exciting games of the 2020 NFL season — a 47-42

BALTIMORE Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson looks to pass against the Cleveland Browns during the first half last night in Baltimore.

(AP Photo/Nick Wass) Ravens victory in Cleveland. This time, a quiet first half devolved into a series of mistakes toward the end of the second quarter, including five turnovers in the final 3:04.

The Ravens used up 8:41 off the clock on a 17-play drive, but settled for a field goal and a 6-0 lead after guard Kevin Zeitler

committed a false start on fourth-and-goal from the 1. The Browns drove into Baltimore territory, but gave the ball away on a trick play. Receiver Jarvis Landry took a shotgun snap and moved around as if to throw, but he was hit and fumbled.

The Browns answered quickly with a takeaway of

their own, when a pass by Jackson caromed to Denzel Ward for an interception.

Cleveland turned that turnover into a field goal.

Jackson was intercepted again, giving the Browns the ball at the Baltimore 28 with 56 seconds left.

Two plays later, Mayfield lost the ball — nobody was even credited with a forced fumble — and the Ravens recovered near midfield.

Jackson threw his third interception of the quarter with 21 seconds left in the half.

Cleveland’s mistakes weren’t confined to the end of the first half. Chase McLaughlin missed a 46-yard field goal in the first quarter, and then the Browns kept a Ravens drive alive when they were called for too many men on the field as Baltimore lined up to go for it on fourthand-2 from its own 33.

What was remarkable about that was that Cleveland had just called a timeout after appearing

Tough early season matchups test top women’s hoops teams

By DOUG FEINBERG AP Basketball Writer NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Tara VanDerveer loves to ski.

Stanford’s Hall of Fame coach compared her seventh-ranked team’s schedule this past week to going down one of the toughest trails on a difficult mountain, after the Cardinal played three AP Top 25 teams in a span of three days in the Bahamas.

Stanford came away with two wins, beating No. 4 Indiana and second-ranked Maryland.

“If I had to do it over again, I probably wouldn’t take this team to the top of the mountain and go down the double black diamonds, but that’s what I’m doing,” said the winningest coach in women’s college basketball. “I’d have been on some greens or blues instead of double black diamonds. They are welcoming the challenge.”

It’s not just the defending national champions that are facing tough competition early on. So far, in the first few weeks of the season, there already have been half a dozen matchups between teams ranked in the top seven in the poll.

Four of those matchups took place over the past week in the Bahamas, where the top five teams travelled for pair of tournaments. There never has

been such a collection of talented teams assembled in one place during the regular season.

ESPN analyst Deb Antonelli, who helped put together the Baha Mar tournament field in Nassau, couldn’t remember a time with so many quality early season games between top teams.

“I’ve been saying all season the product is the narrative and it’s really true,” she said. “The game is so good right now. The most appealing part of being here to teams was the level of competition.”

There are more top matchups on the way over the next couple of weeks, with the Big Ten/ACC challenge featuring Indiana and North Carolina State. Top-ranked South Carolina has games against Maryland and Stanford in December.

“Teams are playing a much more competitive schedule and learning about themselves in November to prepare themselves for what lies ahead,” Maryland coach Brenda Frese said. “It’s exciting for women’s basketball.”

Frese, whose team is beset by injuries and illness, is facing one of her most daunting season schedules in years.

Two years after winning the national championship in 2006, the Terrapins

SOUTH Carolina head coach Dawn Staley, left, talks with an official during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford) faced six ranked teams in November and December.

This time around, the No. 2 Terrapins played No. 6 Baylor, No. 5 N.C. State and Stanford in three consecutive games over the span of six days, beating the Bears and losing to the Wolfpack and the Cardinal.

VanDerveer’s team also just finished up a difficult

stretch. The Cardinal faced four ranked teams in six games, going 2-2, including three tests in the Bahamas.

Stanford played three consecutive days against No. 4 Indiana, No. 18 South Florida and Maryland.

Even before the tournament in the Bahamas, Stanford lost at home to Texas and played on the

road against a tough Gonzaga squad.

“We all wanted to be tested early I think,” VanDerveer said. “We have so much respect for our league and prepare our kids for what they have to look forward to in the Pac-12. This is great for our game. This is a barometer where we’re at. This is going to serve us well down the road.”

What the week showed is that there could be a lot of contenders for the NCAA championship this season.

No. 1 South Carolina left still undefeated but challenged by UConn.

The season isn’t even a month old and six of the top seven teams already have at least one loss, all to each other.

Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks won the inaugural women’s Battle 4 Atlantis on November 22, beating the then-No. 2 Huskies.

That came after a rout of then-No. 9 Oregon.

“It gives us another top-10 win,” Staley said after the UConn victory.

“We said it before this game. Whether we win or lose, it can only help us.”

That seems to be the mantra from so many of the top coaches.

“No one likes losing,” N.C. State coach Wes Moore said. “Playing the top teams in the country won’t hurt you that bad at the end of the day.”

to have substitution issues on that fourth down. Then the Browns came out of the timeout and were called for too many men on the field anyway.

Tucker made a 52-yard kick at the end of that possession to give the Ravens a 3-0 lead.

INJURIES Hunt was in his first game back from a calf injury. ...

Ravens DT Calais Campbell (concussion) missed the game. ... Cleveland T Jack Conklin, who returned from an elbow injury for this game, hurt his knee in the first quarter. He tried to walk off gingerly, but then his right knee seemed to give out.

UP NEXT Browns: Off next weekend, then face the Ravens again in their next game in a scheduling quirk. That game is December 12 in Cleveland.

Ravens: Play another division rival next Sunday when the Ravens are at Pittsburgh.

REESE LEADS NO. 9 ARIZONA TO 80-44 ROUT OF RUTGERS ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands (AP) — Arizona coach Adia Barnes had been looking for time to play her reserves during the Virgin Islands Paradise Jam. The opportunity finally presented itself Saturday, as the ninth-ranked Wildcats went to their bench early and cruised past Rutgers 80-44 on the final day of the tournament.

Cate Reese scored 16 points and Arizona (7-0) got strong contributions off the bench from Gisela Sanchez (15 points) and Aaronette Vonleh (12 points).

The Wildcats led by as many as 42 points and won the tournament’s Island Division title.

“We definitely wanted to play everybody and give some experience to our people,” Barnes said.

“I like doing that during our nonconference schedule, but we’ve played so many good teams that I haven’t been able to do that a whole lot. I was glad I was able to do that today.”

Osh Brown had nine points and Shug Dickson scored eight points for the Scarlet Knights (4-4), who had won three Paradise Jam titles but went 0-3 in their fourth appearance.

NEW ZEALAND TRAILS INDIA BY 280 RUNS AFTER DAY 4 OF 1ST TEST

BANGLADESH LEADS PAKISTAN BY 83 RUNS AFTER DAY 3 OF 1ST TEST

KANPUR, India (AP) — Shreyas Iyer and Wriddhiman Saha struck half-centuries yesterday before India declared its second innings on 234-7 on day four of the first test against New Zealand to set the tourists a target of 284 in Kanpur.

Iyer scored 65 runs, while Saha was unbeaten on 61 runs as they resurrected the Indian innings from a precarious 51-5.

At stumps, New Zealand was on 4-1 with Tom Latham on 2 and William Sommerville on nought after losing Will Young (2) shortly before the close of play.

Earlier, India had reached 84-5 at lunch after Kyle Jamieson (3-40) and Tim Southee (3-75) ran through the Indian toporder in the morning.

Cheteshwar Pujara (22) nicked off his gloves down leg side off Jamieson. Southee had Mayank Agarwal (17) caught at slip and then trapped Ravindra Jadeja lbw for nought.

Azaj Patel (1-60) trapped Ajinkya Rahane (4) lbw to reduce India to

CHATTOGRAM, Bangladesh (AP) — Pakistan’s fast bowlers reduced Bangladesh to 39-4 in its second innings at the end of day three yesterday to leave the first cricket test evenly poised.

Bangladesh had secured a 44-run lead after bowling out Pakistan for 286, thanks largely to left-arm spinner Taijul Islam, who returned figures of 7-116.

Instead, the home side ended the day by extending its lead to 83 runs but has just six wickets remaining. Mushfiqur Rahim, who made 91 in the first innings, was batting on 12 and Yasir Ali on 8 after surviving several close calls.

“I think we can’t take it (losing four wickets) as a disappointment. This is the nature of cricket,” Taijul said. “Nobody wants to get out voluntarily. We came back after being four wickets down in the first innings.

We hope to do the same in this innings too.”

Despite the first-innings deficit, Pakistan fought back through its fast bowlers — Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali — who

51-5 after starting from an overnight 14-1. Then, Iyer put on 52 runs for the sixth wicket with Ravichandran Ashwin (32) on either side of lunch and rescued the Indian innings.

Following his debut hundred in the first innings, Iyer’s half-century in the second innings came off 125 deliveries and included eight fours and a six.

Sunil Gavaskar was the last Indian batsman to score 50-plus in both innings of his debut test, a feat he managed against the West Indies in 1971.

He also became the first Indian batsman to score a hundred and a half-century on his test debut.

Jamieson bowled Ashwin after India crossed 100. Iyer then added 64 runs with Saha as they helped India reach a defendable total. Southee dismissed Iyer before tea as India reached 167-7 at the break. Saha scored his sixth test half-century and put on 67 runs with Axar Patel (28 not out) for the eighth wicket.

India declared with little time left in the day

INDIA’s Shreyas Iyer flicks the ball towards leg during the day four of their first test cricket match with New Zealand in Kanpur, India, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Altaf Qadri) but Ashwin managed to remove Young before stumps. The ball seemed to be missing leg but the batsman ran out of time to use a DRS review.

New Zealand will need 280 runs on the final day for victory.

India scored 345 in the first innings thanks to Iyer’s 105 and New Zealand was bowled out for 296 in reply as Axar Patel took 5-62 on day three.

used the short ball to precision, leaving Bangladesh in a potentially precarious position.

Afridi cracked the game open, striking twice in his third over.

He trapped Shadman legbefore for 1 with a ball that swung sharply and then two balls later had Najmul Hossain caught at first slip for a duck with a short ball.

His short ball again worked for him when opener Saif Hasan gave the return catch and was dismissed for 14.

Ali also got into the act, dismissing captain Mominul Haque for a duck with a leading edge, leaving Bangladesh on 25-4.

“We will try our level best to bowl them out quickly and hopefully (the) spinners will get into action tomorrow as well,” Afridi said. “Our target is to keep the target under 200.”

Earlier, Taijul pegged back the Pakistan innings after the visitors began the day on 145 for no loss.

Opener Abid Ali topscored with 133 off 282, hitting 12 fours and two sixes.

Taijul struck in the first over of the day, dismissing Abdullah Shafique and Azhar Ali via review with consecutive deliveries.

Shafique couldn’t add any runs to his overnight total of 52.

Abid, who started the day on 93, flicked Taijul past square leg for a couple to reach his fourth century off 209 balls.

Skipper Babar Azam appeared to be in control before offspinner Mehidy Hasan’s (1-68) quicker delivery rattled his stump for 10.

Taijul used his flight and variation well to curb the aggression of Pakistan’s batsmen and reaped the rewards again when he spun one sharply to dismiss Fawad Alam (8), also via review. He also got the key wicket of Abid Ali, who had used his feet nicely against the Bangladeshi spinners, and then dismissed Hasan Ali for his ninth and second consecutive five-for.

Fahim Ashraf kept Pakistan in the game, guiding the lower order before he was dismissed as the last batsman for 38.