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Volume: 121 No.11, December 5, 2023

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‘TIME FOR FNM TO HOLD CONVENTION’ Bannister calls for vote but Lewis questions if party factions will unite

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net FORMER Deputy Prime Minister Desmond Bannister urged Michael Pintard to call a convention “at the earliest possible date,” saying a delay would diminish confidence in his leadership amid divisions in the party.

His comment drew a rebuke from Dr Nigel

Lewis, the coordinator of the FNM’s 2021 general election campaign, who said in a leaked internal message that he was disappointed with the tone of Mr Bannister’s letter.

The discourse among such prominent FNM members shows unity in the party remains elusive two years after the last general election.

SEE PAGE THREE

ATLANTIS SUPERVISOR OF WOMAN ON JURY DUTY SCOLDED BY JUDGE

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net A SUPREME Court judge in the Adrian Gibson corruption trial declined to fine an Atlantis supervisor yesterday, but reprimanded her for allegedly telling a juror to take vacation leave while on jury duty.

Justice Cheryl

US ‘newlywed’ killed by shark

Grant-Thompson summoned Stevette Moncur, a concierge manager at Atlantis, according to the woman’s LinkedIn page, after a juror complained about the woman’s instructions.

Ms Moncur countered that there was a miscommunication between the two,

MORTUARY services personnel transport the body of a female tourist after what police described as a fatal shark attack in waters near Sandals Royal Bahamian resort yesterday.

Photo: Dante Carrer

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net A SHARK attack that killed a 44-year-old American woman yesterday was likely the result of an “accidental bite,” a shark expert said yesterday.

“It appears that this was an

investigative bite of an animal that would feed on animals of the size of a paddle board on the surface,” Cristina Zenato said after a Sandals guest was bitten while paddleboarding in waters near the resort.

A jet ski operator who is said to have witnessed the attack claimed the victim had just married on

Sunday.

He said he saw the couple laughing and talking moments before the tragedy.

He said the husband started screaming. He believes the shark bumped the victim off the paddle board.

SEE PAGE TWO

SEE PAGE FOUR

Technical issues upset residents trying URCA LOOKS INTO to buy Junkanoo tickets on Aliv’s app Cable’s failure

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net THIRTY-SEVEN per cent of Junkanoo parade seats are reserved for certain people, with many seats located in prime positions in Rawson Square and in the front of Scotiabank.

This, ALIV chief information officer Dwayne Davis suggested yesterday,

VALLEY BOYS could explain why many struggled to get tickets

yesterday after Boxing Day and New Year’s Day tickets went on sale at noon.

Frustrated residents complained about technical challenges with the ALIV Events app.

Some said many seats were not available for purchase. Others said it was difficult to see which seats were taken, describing the

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE FIVE

ON NFL GAMES

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net THE Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) is looking into Cable Bahamas’ recent failure to broadcast some NFL games, which sparked complaints from National Security Minister Wayne SEE PAGE FIVE

PAGE 2, Tuesday, December 5, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

US ‘newlywed’ killed by shark from page one Ms Zenato speculated that a tiger shark attacked the woman, though she emphasised she didn’t have all the information.

She said “unless there are things going on that we’re not aware of”, the incident should not cause alarm.

“As someone who works with sharks, it’s a small risk,” she said. “It’s unfortunate that it happened, and I feel extremely heartbroken for this couple and for this lady and husband and for us in The Bahamas because it’s never a positive event, but again, it’s very, very rare, and the best thing we can do is try not to come up with reasons why or anything.”

“But at the end of the day, it sounds like what I call an accidental bite.”

Police Sergeant Desiree Ferguson, from the RBPF’s Public Affairs and Communications Department, said police were notified of the incident shortly after 11am.

The woman, said to be from Boston, Massachusetts, was reportedly with a male relative nearly a mile from the shoreline when the shark attacked her.

“A lifeguard on duty who

observed what was happening went out on a rescue boat, retrieved the victim along with a male relative and brought them to safety,” she said. “CPR was administered to the victim.

However, she suffered injuries to the right side of her body, including the right hip region and also her right upper limb.”

EMS later pronounced the woman dead.

“We remain in close contact with them and are providing all support possible during this difficult time,” Sandals said in a statement yesterday.

The Bahamas has had several shark attacks this year.

Last month, a German tourist went missing after a shark attacked her in waters near West End, Grand Bahama.

In August, police found the body of a man floating at Saunders Beach with injuries they said were consistent with a shark attack.

In June, an American woman was attacked by a shark in waters south of Taino Beach, Grand Bahama. She was taken to the Rand Memorial Hospital, where she was said to be in serious condition.

THE SCENE at the resort pier after what police described as a fatal shark attack against a tourist at Sandals Royal Bahamian resort yesterday.

Photos: Dante Carrer

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, December 5, 2023, PAGE 3

‘Time for FNM to hold convention’ from page one Mr Bannister suggested in his letter that the FNM has not adequately supported Long Island MP Adrian Gibson, who faces corruption charges, and that party leaders have unconstitutionally interfered in constituency associations.

In turn, Dr Lewis said Dr Minnis should intervene to control his supporters for the sake of unity and to facilitate political success.

It is widely believed that Dr Minnis would challenge Mr Pintard at an FNM convention.

The party must have a convention every two years, according to its constitution, although this requirement has been ignored many times over the years. The party must hold a convention by next year to comply with its constitution.

Mr Bannister’s letter to Mr Pintard, which was leaked to the press, came after the party’s vice chairman, Richard Johnson, was involved in a physical altercation outside a meeting at the FNM’s headquarters last week.

Although police have not

confirmed Mr Johnson’s attacker and the motive for the assault, Mr Bannister still described it as a politically inspired attack, claiming: “The blatant and violent attack on one of our members outside FNM headquarters on Thursday night threatens to undo decades of progress. Our party has always condemned political violence.”

He added: “The recent constant discordant and hostile public airing of disagreements within the party together with litigation among party executives; allegations of unconstitutional interference in constituency associations; and the perceived failure of our party to support a sitting member of parliament as he faces criminal prosecution before the courts have all combined to negatively impact public confidence in our ability to lead. The vocal public enmity among loyal party supporters clearly hampers the ability of the FNM to be considered as a serious alternative to the governing party just when they appear to be conceding the next general election

FORMER DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER DESMOND BANNISTER to us through their blatant miscues and alleged acts of malfeasance.”

Mr Bannister said if Mr Pintard fails to retain leadership at a convention, this would prove it is not his time, but if he wins, his mandate could not be legitimately questioned.

“To delay calling a convention will diminish confidence in your

leadership,” he wrote.

“Party members will question your confidence in remaining party leader, as well as your ability to raise the requisite amount of funds that will be required to hold a convention and to successfully contest a general election.”

In response to Mr Bannister, Dr Lewis wrote: “If you were a constant

attendee at council you would know that the same singular individual vulgarly disrupts the proceedings every month. The same person smashed the glass top in the conference room; this same mercenary has taken our party to court. It’s his litigation that you referenced. The young man has multiple enemies outside of the party as is evidenced by

his constant attacks. I doubt that our leadership has the time to participate in this foolishness. Is your fellow another Jussie Smolette (sic)?”

Dr Lewis said he does not believe Mr Pintard winning at convention would stop his critics from attacking him.

“There is nothing indicating that your man and the other mercenaries will stop at anything less than the return of the last leader,” he said. “Nothing less.

“You speak of the lack of funding for the party and I find myself laughing at your statement. As a former DPM I am sure that you are aware that a significant number of contributors have stated that they will not support the party if the last PM is returned to leadership.

“My dear friend, I hope that you and the former PM will address the mercenaries and convince them that their narrow-minded goals can possibly have widespread negative consequences for their party and the country.”

Four honoured for their heroic actions saving a woman from a sinking car

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net THE Royal Bahamas Police Force gave four people bravery awards for helping to save Saniyah Penn, 16, from waters near Arawak Cay when a vehicle she was in went overboard and started sinking on October 22.

A Nissan Cube went overboard near the bridge on Arawak Cay after the driver lost control of the vehicle.

The driver and a juvenile passenger made it to shore, but the 16-year-old was trapped in the vehicle. A civilian and a police officer dived into the water to rescue her from the car, bringing her to the surface in an unresponsive state.

Yesterday, Commissioner Clayton Fernander and his executive team honoured Keyshawn Marshall, Chief Superintendent David Lockhart, Constable Miller, and

COMMISSIONER Clayton Fernander and his executive team honoured Keyshawn Marshall, Chief Superintendent David Lockhart, Constable Miller, and Margo Adderley for their heroic actions for helping to save Saniyah Penn, 16, from waters near Arawak Cay when a vehicle she was in went overboard and started sinking on October 22.

Margo Adderley for their actions.

He said: “We want to salute all of you for a job

BTC THE TITLE SPONSOR OF 50TH RED CROSS BALL NEXT year’s Red Cross Ball, scheduled for January 27, is being dubbed by planners as “the best to come”, with organisers set to celebrate the ball’s 50th anniversary as BTC serves as a $30,000 title sponsor.

The highly anticipated event will be held at the Baha Mar Resort under the theme, “50 Shades of Red, a Golden Celebration”.

“The Bahamas Red Cross is an organisation whose outreach spans far and wide, and our corporate social responsibility efforts have always extended to the Red Cross, whether it’s assisting them after a hurricane or supporting their initiatives, we ensure that we are always there to lend a hand,” said BTC’s CEO Sameer Bhatti.

He added: “We are more than delighted to serve as the title sponsor for the upcoming 50th Ball, we are looking forward to supporting what we know will be a grand celebration of five decades of service to the Bahamian people.”

Alicia Pinder, director general of the Bahamas Red Cross, said the ball committee is thrilled to have BTC serve again as the title sponsor.

“We are just thrilled because BTC has really helped us in such a wonderful way to get our ball event

started,” Ms Pinder said.

“Last year the sponsorship was $20,000 and they have moved this up to $30,000, so we are grateful that BTC can continue to support us in this way.”

She added: “Looking at all the things that we must do, we will always need support, and BTC has accepted the call once again to be our title sponsor. This is so important because we had one or two setbacks this year and we do need the support of our generous corporate sponsors such as BTC. We depend on corporate sponsorship as that is the key to helping us achieve more and do more.

We have big goals, but our greatest limitation is always funding.”

Ms Pinder said next year’s Ball will be memorable as the committee plans to “pull out all the stops” to ensure that the event is exciting.

“We will have great entertainment, the best menu, and many gifts and surprises,” she said. “Attendees will have a chance to win bigger and better prizes as well as take part in a silent auction.

It will be super!”

The ball will feature performances by The Royal Bahamas Police Force Pop Band, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Pop Band, the Rhythm Band, DMac, and Nishie LS.

well done. So, on behalf of my deputy, my senior executive leadership team and all the members

of this noble organisation, the Royal Bahamas Police Force, including our civilians and reserve,

we want to thank you who responded and saved this young lady’s life.”

Ms Penn, a 12th-grade

student of Government High School, expressed gratitude for everyone’s assistance.

Governor General gives thanks for workers at PHA institutions PAGE 4, Tuesday, December 5, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

GOVERNOR General Cynthia “Mother” Pratt expressed appreciation to Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre (SRC) staff yesterday during the annual governor general’s visit to Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) institutions.

Officials gave remarks to the staff and toured a part of the geriatrics unit. The event’s theme was “A Shining Star of Health. Help.

Hope. Healing”.

“Some of you may remember that I am not a stranger to the work of your institution and I have developed a deeper understanding and appreciation for the crucial aspects of mental health, substance abuse as within the contexts of The Bahamas, all of which are available to our people in the pursuit of wellness.”

“I have also been

HEALTH and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville welcomes Governor General Cynthia ‘Mother’ Pratt to Sandilands Rehabilition Centre as she toured PHA facilities.

Photo: Dante Carrer

immensely impressed by the involvement of various partners and volunteers who donate time, treasure and talent to this

honourable institution to support a visionary approach of the team with your commitment to addressing the unique needs of the residents

and your dedication, fostering inclusivity for the elderly within the broader community.”

“Having witnessed the

Ministry of Agriculture giving $64k held to Potters Cay vendors affected by fire

meticulous preparations that are underlying success of your multi-faceted projects, I assure you of my continued support of your vision

to improve health, self-sufficiency and the quality of life for those you care, treat and rehabilitate.”

Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville highlighted improvements to Sandilands facilities.

“We’ve upgraded the physical plant and we are now discussing the possibility to expand our geriatric unit, while at the same time putting in more safe and more efficient protocols that is clearly outlined in our new Mental Health Act,” he said.

“This was something that was passed in the House of Assembly. It has been enacted by the Governor General and now we’re trying to bring it into force with training, upgrading the facilities, as well as putting new medical equipment in place so that we can do a better job for the administration of pharmaceuticals at our Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre.”

ATLANTIS SUPERVISOR OF WOMAN ON JURY DUTY SCOLDED BY JUDGE from page one

saying she simply suggested the juror take vacation leave before it expires because a blackout period for Atlantis workers occurs when the hotel experiences high occupancy levels.

Justice Grant-Thompson said her suggestion could make a juror uncomfortable and prompt a $2,000 fine.

She said the juror’s presence in court was not a choice, but an order from the court.

“She did not come here voluntarily. She was summoned to attend,” she added.

THE MINISTRY of Agriculture and Marine resources provided over $64,000 in assistance to vendors who lost their stalls in a recent “Therefore, she cannot Fire at Potter’s Cay Dock.

Photo: Moise Amisial be influenced, threatened or

By JADE RUSSELL and resume their operations “Truth be told, the fires The ministry added that made to feel uncomfortable Tribune Staff Reporter as soon as possible, especially weren’t started by the ven- clean-up efforts at the in any way, and I just want jrussell@tribunemedia.net knowing that the holiday dors,” he said. “But the dock are continuing to ensure to make sure that you fully season is fast upon us,” Mr vendors happened to be the a “clean environment” for understand that.”

“In relation to the fine POTTER’S Cay Dock Campbell said during a press victims of what took place. vendors and residents. vendors whose stalls were conference yesterday.

So, we have to ensure that Winston Beckles, the that is open to me as a destroyed during a recent fire He noted this is not the first it’s a collective effort and owner of Captain Beck- result of the complaint that will share $64,823 from the time the ministry has pro- that everyone is as secure as les, said he was sleeping was made to this court, I Ministry of Agriculture and vided relief to vendors after possible.” on his boat when his stall will not go so far to fine you Marine Resources to rebuild. a fire. In April 2021, Potter’s Mr Campbell said the was engulfed in flames. He personally. I will not fine The November 19 fire Cay Dock experienced a fire, investigations into the recent said he’s worked at Potter’s Atlantis. I would’ve fined destroyed four stalls. which left six stalls destroyed. fires are ongoing.

Cay for 50 years and never you personally.

“I will not go so far as to Jomo Campbell, the Minis- Mr Campbell said at the Potter’s Cay Dock Fish, experienced anything so fine you personally today, ter of Agriculture and Marine time the ministry gave over Fruit, and Vegetable Vendors devastating.

Resources, said stall owners $97,000 through credit for Association President OrmaHe expressed gratitude nor will I move to ask you will be given $16,205.88 to building supplies. nique Bowe applauded the for the ministry’s assistance, to show cause as to why help rebuild.

He said moving forward, ministry’s quick response in but said the funding won’t be you should not be before this court for contempt He said the ministry is the ministry will ensure that helping vendors rebuild. enough to rebuild his stall. establishing a credit line all stalls are insured and Ms Bowe said vendors “My stall cost much more with Premier Importers so properly registered. sometimes are discouraged than that, but we’ll see where vendors can access buildMr Campbell noted when the garbage is not col- it goes from here,” he said. ing materials to rebuild their that another fire on Friday lected, vagrants hang around, Mr Beckles wishes he stalls. resulted in one person being and stalls are broken into. could get a stipend until his “By providing this assis- injured after three vessels However, she noted vendors stall is rebuilt, noting income tance, the ministry aims to caught fire at Potter’s Cay are still determined to keep from that business sustains help those affected to recover Dock. their businesses going. him.

provision in which case the services of the attorney that you have engaged would have been required because charges would have been drawn.

“I believe a word to the wise is sufficient.”

The judge said she was happy the press attended yesterday’s hearing to spread word about the expected conduct of employers.

Mr Gibson is on trial for allegedly failing to declare his interest in the WSC contracts awarded to various companies.

Mr Gibson and his co-accused –– Elwood Donaldson Jr, Peaches Farquharson, Rashae Gibson, Joan Knowles and Jerome Missick –– face 98 charges altogether, including conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery, fraud, receiving and money laundering.

Damian Gomez, KC, Murrio Ducille, KC, Bryan Bastian, Ryan Eve, Raphael Moxey, Christina Galanos, Ian Cargill and Donald Saunders represent the defendants.

Meanwhile, the Crown’s prosecutors are Cordell Frazier, Cashena Thompson, Karine MacVean, and Rashied Edgecombe.

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, December 5, 2023, PAGE 5

Tourist spending in local economy will ‘far exceed $6bn’, says Cooper

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net

TOURISM officials estimate that direct visitor spending in the Bahamian economy amid record tourist arrivals will “far exceed $6bn” this year, exceeding previous records, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation Chester Cooper.

Mr Cooper hosted top tourism officials and the press at Margaritaville Beach Resort yesterday to celebrate the tourism milestones.

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis later said in a statement that the country’s record-breaking eight million visitors this year is boosting national income, creating extensive employment and stimulating various sectors of the economy.

“This historic achievement in tourism is more than a fleeting moment of success; it is a foundation upon which we will build a more robust, diverse, and prosperous economy,” Mr Davis said in a statement.

With November and December numbers not yet counted, the country has already blown by its previous yearly record of visitor arrivals, 7.2 million in 2019.

Mr Cooper said foreign air and sea arrivals in October increased by 45.7 per

cent compared to the same period in 2022 and surpassed 2019 by 32 per cent.

Foreign air arrivals for October year-to-date were up by 19.7 per cent compared to 2022 and higher than in 2019.

“Cruise arrivals were up 54.2 per cent over 2022 levels and 43.2 per cent over 2019 levels,” Mr Cooper said.

Earlier this year, the unemployment rate dipped to a 15-year low. But amid complaints about inflation and the cost of living, statistics have not shown whether salaries have started to increase.

Mr Cooper nonetheless said the tourism records are translating into economic improvements for average Bahamians.

“Much of what happens by way of take home is driven by gratuity, tips,” he told reporters. “The higher the level of occupancy, the higher the levels of arrivals, the more people eating at restaurants, I think it follows that the large majority of workers in the tourism space directly would have seen an increase in their overall take-home pay.

“When we talk about the overall impact of tourism, I mentioned today $6 billion of new spending.

A lot of it’s going directly into the pockets of Bahamians, workers, vendors large and small, tour operators, tour workers, hotels,

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND MINISTER OF TOURISM, INVESTMENTS AND AVIATION CHESTER COOPER hotel workers, restaurant, restaurant workers. There is no question in my mind

that everyone is feeling the impact from the boom in tourism.”

During his speech, Mr Cooper said “pent-up

post-pandemic demand can no longer explain” the growth in tourism.

He said visitors recognise the country’s brand as an

“unparalleled tourist paradise where the breathtaking beauty of the islands of The Bahamas and service delivered are unmatched.”

URCA looking into Cable’s TECHNICAL ISSUES UPSET RESIDENTS TRYING failure on NFL games from page one Munroe, among others.

“If you do research, you will see in other countries the regulator often fines a cable provider, makes them put something back on customers bills,” Mr Munroe told The Tribune yesterday, adding he wants URCA to hold the cable provider accountable.

“If I am one day late paying my cable bill, they give me a late fee of $5. I pay to watch content on basic cable. There are four channels I couldn’t find to watch anything on all day.

So they should owe me, and they should owe everybody else with basic cable.”

URCA said in a statement yesterday that it is aware Cable Bahamas customers had NFL games blocked on certain channels on Sunday.

“Consumers have a reasonable expectation that

their service should not be intentionally disrupted without notice and service providers have an obligation to inform their customers on changes to service ahead of time,” the regulator said in a statement, adding that many consumers filed complaints.

URCA said it is inquiring to understand what happened and will update the public if necessary.

Cable Bahamas, meanwhile, apologised to customers for the interruption in NFL game broadcasts, saying it deeply “regrets the inconvenience”.

“Recognising the importance of reliable service, we are actively engaging with the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) in a constructive dialogue to review and enhance our broadcasting processes and standards,” the company said.

Mr Munroe said a licensing issue likely prevented consumers from watching the NFL games.

He said: “You see how Cable and Aliv bought the rights to Junkanoo, right, and ZNS can’t play it. I gather that BTC brought the right to the games, to play it on the network, and Cable didn’t. So they knew they couldn’t broadcast the games on those networks.

So they deliberately put that message there. And they put an advertising message to say you have to get the NFL ticket, which means you would have to pay Cable more money.”

“It’s sinister. They need to be punished for it. Let’s say they weren’t going to be able to put on the game.

They should have gotten some other content to play, then I couldn’t complain. Go buy a Bahamian play. Go get rights to some soccer game, but you can’t not put anything on.”

to buy Junkanoo tickets on aliv’s app

from page one process as tedious.

During a press conference, Mr Davis said 37 per cent of seats are reserved for government partners, groups and sponsors.

“Sadly, everybody wants to sit in Rawson Square, and everybody wants to sit in front of Scotiabank,” he said. “Where did most of that 37 per cent come from? In Rawson Square and Scotiabank.

“Those areas are sold out but there are other areas on Bay Street that are available for purchase. So it’s no conspiracy. No, we did not take all the tickets out

before they went on sale.”

The launch of the app last year was seen as an opportunity to modernize ticket purchasing for the Junkanoo parades. People can also buy tickets ALIV Cable Beach and Habour Bay stores.

Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence (JCNP) chairman Dion Miller said an estimated 8100 seats were available. Officials said within the first hour of yesterday’s launch prime sections were sold out.

Mr Davis acknowledged technical challenges.

“We had an issue with payments this morning,” he said. “Because we had so

many transactions trying to process at the same time, it was rejecting a token, probably looking as fraud.”

“Another issue that we have is a mandate by the government and if I’m speaking out of turn, minister, let me know. It was mandated that persons are allowed to purchase tickets in cash as well as in the app, so you will have situations where persons were either at Harbour Bay or Cable Beach purchasing a ticket with cash, and you try and purchase the same ticket via the app.”

Fifty per cent of the tickets were reportedly sold up to yesterday afternoon.

PAGE 6, Tuesday, December 5, 2023

The Tribune Limited

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FNM needs to get house in order ALL is not well in the ranks of the FNM. The party seems to be divided, with little sign of unity coming any time soon.

Some of this seems to be manufactured by partial interests in the party – with considerable talk of a rivalry between party leader Michael Pintard and his predecessor, former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis.

Dr Minnis, of course, was roundly voted out at the last election by a Bahamian electorate unhappy with his tenure through the twin hurdles of Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic.

And now there are calls for a convention, the latest being from former Deputy Prime Minister Desmond Bannister, who has called for one “at the earliest possible date”.

The party’s constitution mandates a convention every two years – with the last convention having been held in November 2021. So a convention is due, certainly, but the question is what will a convention achieve?

No matter who is leader after such a convention, will the rest of the party unite to support him? There has been little sign of certain factions giving such support to Mr Pintard after being appointed leader.

Dr Nigel Lewis, who coordinated the last FNM general election campaign, says as much in his leaked response to Mr Bannister’s convention call.

He said: “There is nothing indicating that your man and the other mercenaries will stop at anything less than the return of the last leader. Nothing less.”

Mr Bannister, in his letter calling for the convention, also throws around some reckless comments. Last week, the party’s vice chairman, Richard Johnson, was involved in a physical altercation outside the FNM headquarters. Mr Bannister described that as a politically inspired attack, despite the absence of any evidence that has been presented to support such an allegation.

That said, the party’s constitution does indeed call for a convention – and a party should honour its constitution, though there have been times in the past when conventions have been long

overdue.

Mr Bannister writes that delaying a convention diminishes confidence in Pintard’s leadership – and while Mr Bannister might be wishing for a convention to allow Dr Minnis to stage a challenge, he is not wrong that a delay makes Mr Pintard seem as though he has a reason to avoid calling such a gathering.

Some have pointed to the recent byelection as a blow for Mr Pintard – but in truth, the FNM lost a by-election they were expected to lose. The margin did not shift in their direction – but equally, Dr Minnis did not offer any support on the campaign trail to the party’s efforts.

Had he thrown his weight behind the campaign, might that have shifted the dial? Perhaps, perhaps not. But his absence was noted, and perhaps gave uncertain voters another reason to stay home. If you cannot even count on the support of a previous leader, can you count on turning out the vote in a by-election that would not shift the dynamics of Parliament substantially?

Whether the leader is Dr Minnis, Mr Pintard or someone else entirely, this division in the party is not helping it make its case that it ought to be the next administration.

By comparison, looking across at the PLP, there was plenty of division on show in the lead-up to the party’s own convention and in choosing its byelection candidate, with Shane Gibson particularly vocal in his criticism, sometimes thinly veiled of party chairman Fred Mitchell especially.

But come the election trail, there was Mr Gibson showing his support and cheering on the candidate.

What can the FNM learn from that?

Well, it probably depends on how willing certain individuals are to learn – and how many are putting party before personal interest.

If the FNM wants to make a convincing case to the electorate at the next general election, it first needs to convince its own members.

Military strategy talks of the problem of fighting a war on two fronts. The FNM cannot fight both the PLP and itself and expect to win.

GOLIATH grouper.

Photo: Jen Theodore

Pintard needs to deal with rebels EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE open rebellion within the Free National Movement towards Marco City MP Michael Pintard is not unique, but the irrational expectations of the beleaguered leader’s detractors is borderline unprecedented. I cannot recall a high ranking political party official of Sir Lynden Pindling, Hubert Ingraham, Perry Christie, Hubert Minnis or current Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis going to the media to openly challenge their leadership, while publicly campaigning for someone else. When I say official, I am not referring to parliamentarians.

Dissent within the parliamentary caucus is quite common in The Bahamas, dating all the way back to the 1960s with the PLP, which led to the formation of the National Democratic Party of Sir Orville Turnquest and Paul Adderley. Both Turnquest and Adderley refused to support Pindling’s planned Black Tuesday protest against the United Bahamian Party government in 1965.

By officials, I am talking about card carrying members of the party who are stalwart council and executive council members of the Progressive Liberal Party and the FNM. Pintard seems to be expected by these political dissenters within the FNM to just lay flat on his back while they walk all over him like a doormat. Any reasonable and measured retaliation on his part is disingenuously interpreted as him acting like a dictator -- a characteristic not in accordance to the democratic principles of the FNM we are told. I believe that many of these FNM rebels who are giving the Marco City MP a hard time had no issue with the strong, no nonsense and authoritarian leadership of Ingraham. Many of them probably were cheering Ingraham on when he fired Algernon Allen, Pierre Dupuch and Tennyson Wells from the Cabinet in 2001 and Kenneth Russell in 2011. Ingraham had

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net learned well at the feet of his political father, Sir Lynden, who fired both him and Christie from the PLP Cabinet in 1984 or thereabouts, for their outspokenness on the alleged corruption within the government of the day. This was around the time of the 1984 Commission of Inquiry. Not only were Christie and Ingraham sacked from the Cabinet, both were expelled from the PLP. The PLP would even field candidates in North Abaco and Centerville in the 1987 general election with the obvious aim at burying the two, politically speaking. The only thing that saved both independent candidates was Sir Cecil WallaceWhitfield and Sir Kendal G.L. Isaac refusing to run FNM candidates in their areas. Undoubtedly, the votes of FNMs were the main reason both men were re-elected in that controversial general election. Had it not been for this kind gesture of Sir Cecil and Sir Kendal, Christie and Ingraham probably would’ve never become prime minister.

Christie, as prime minister, would sack Marco City MP Gregory Moss as National Insurance Board chair in 2013; Bamboo Town MP Renward Wells as parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Works and Urban Development and Dr Andre Rollins as Gaming Board chair in 2014. Both Moss and Rollins were openly critical of Christie. Regarding Minnis, after Neko Grant, Theo Neilly, Edison Key, Richard Lightbourn, Andre Rollins and Hubert Chipman petitioned former Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling to appoint Loretta Butler-Turner as the new opposition party leader in December 2016, all seven FNM MPs were asked by Minnis to resign from the FNM or face disciplinary

action from the executive council of the political organisation. For months Butler-Turner openly led a rebellion against Minnis.

Not one of the seven FNM rebels were renominated

by Minnis, as the undisputed leader of the FNM in the lead up to the 2017 general election. At the time, I thought Minnis was well within his rights to discipline the rebels for openly undermining his leadership.

Today, Pintard faces a somewhat similar rebellion, albeit from a group of executives within the various branches of the FNM, who are seeking to have Minnis reinstalled as leader.

They’re mainly responsible for the chaotic state of the FNM, while they dishonestly shift blame to Pintard. Imagine supporters of Sir Clement Maynard, A D Hanna or Darrell Rolle openly campaigning on ZNS TV13 in the eighties for their candidate of choice to replace Pindling as PLP head. Pindling would’ve wasted no time in sacking the men from his Cabinet. Again, I cannot recall an executive council member of the FNM being openly critical of Ingraham. Christie may have had his faults, but no one can question the unflinching loyalty of PLP stalwarts to him.

And despite the whispers of Parliamentarians planning on unseating him as PLP leader, no one dared to attempt such a move, which would’ve been political suicide. Pindling, Ingraham, Christie and Minnis all dealt swiftly and ruthlessly with rebels within their parties. But when it comes to Pintard, he is expected by FNM rebels to just sit idly by while they are working feverishly to embarrass and unseat him before the watching eyes of the Bahamian people. As FNM leader, Pintard is well within his rights to discipline the obstinate rebels.

KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Grand Bahama December 3, 2023.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, December 5, 2023, PAGE 7

‘My son threatened a pastor before police shot him dead’

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net THE mother of Ishido Saunders testified that her son threatened a pastor at Golden Gates Assembly Church before he was killed.

She spoke as the inquest into her son’s policeinvolved killing got underway in the Coroner’s Court.

Acting Coroner Kara Turnquest-Deveaux presided as a five-person jury was empanelled to make a finding after Saunders, 38, was killed by police on April 28, 2022.

Bjorn Ferguson represents the two officers whose actions are the subject of the inquest: Corporal Dominique Bain and PC

Calvino Jones.

Angelo Whitfield marshalled the evidence.

Ruth Cox, the deceased’s mother, testified that on the day of her son’s death, she drove him to Golden Gates Assembly Church to meet Pastor Trent Davis.

She said her son and Pastor Davis were involved in a discussion about the police. She said her son became angry when she mentioned Andrew Farquharson, a man whose death caused Saunders to spend 12 years in prison.

Saunders was reportedly convicted in 2006 and released in 2018.

Ms Cox said her son told her not to embarrass him, became enraged and pulled out a chain with a pocket knife attached. When she saw the weapon, she told

the deceased that she was leaving, only for Saunders to lock the door of the foyer and tell her: “You aren’t going anywhere.”

Mrs Cox said the deceased began swinging the knife in the church, demanding that Pastor Davis open his office door after he locked himself inside out of fear.

She said Saunders eventually left the building through a side exit, and that by the time church officials let her outside, police had gathered around her son on the street.

She said that she saw him lying on his right side and knew he was dead given how he was positioned on the street. She said it looked like he was sleeping.

Someone across the street who knew the deceased

later told Mrs Cox her son was shot twice to the head after he pulled out a gun and fired it at a police car.

Mrs Cox said the witness gave her a photo of the deceased lying on the ground, but she never saw a video of the incident, though she said she was told one was given to police.

The deceased’s mother said that she identified her son’s body at the morgue before he was cremated later that year.

She said her son was not sick or mentally ill before his death. She also explained that Pastor Davis had often helped him and took him to the police when he feared someone was trying to kill him. She said Pastor Davis was a family friend.

Describing Saunders’

upbringing, she said he grew up in a Christian house and was a loving and caring child. She said his coworkers highly praised him as a foreman.

Throughout her testimony, Mrs Cox appeared calm and composed.

During cross-examination from Mr Ferguson, she said she did not know her son had a weapon and that if she had known, she wouldn’t have driven him anywhere.

Although she said she was not afraid of her son during his outburst at the church, she acknowledged that he was angry before his death.

Nathaniel Hopkins, a man who lived across the street from the church, testified that he was eating breakfast when he heard

the deceased cursing some 12 to 20ft from his kitchen.

He said he saw Saunders walk past his kitchen window and heard him yelling at someone toward the church, saying: “You think this a game, hey? You don’t know who you‘re talking to.”

He said he saw the deceased pull out a gun and twirl it in the direction of the person he was threatening. He said he never saw who Saunders allegedly threatened.

He said a couple of minutes later, he heard two to four shots, followed by eight to 12 continuous shots.

He said police sirens blared soon after. He later saw someone lying on the street about five houses down from him.

MAN CHARGED WITH MURDER IN MAN REMANDED AFTER BEING SUSPECT ACCUSED OF RAPING THE KILLING OF ANGELO ANTONIO CHARGED WITH MANSLAUGHTER WOMAN IN SHIRLEY ST HOME

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN was remanded after he allegedly gunned down a 37-year-old man who was sitting in his car outside a bar on West Bay Street last month.

Acting Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley charged Christopher Ramsey, 22, with murder yesterday.

Ramsey is accused of shooting and killing

Angelo Antonio as he sat in his car while parked in the area of Show Boy Bar on West Bay Street on the night of November 25.

The accused was told that his matter would be transferred to the Supreme Court through a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI). Ramsey will be sent to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until the higher court grants him bail.

Ramsey’s VBI is set for service on April 11, 2024.

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN was remanded yesterday after he was accused of causing the death of a person last month.

Magistrate Raquel Whyms charged Johnnian Godin, 34, with manslaughter.

Godin is accused of causing the death

of Makyrie Carey on November 17 in New Providence.

While the accused was told that his matter would be moved to the Supreme Court by way of a voluntary bill of indictment, the prosecution objected to his bail.

Godin will be remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until his bail hearing on December 11.

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN was remanded yesterday after he was accused of sexually assaulting a woman at a residence on Shirley Street last week.

Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans charged Danis Cezalien, 30, with rape.

Cezalien is accused

of raping a 25-year-old woman at a residence on Shirley Street on November 25. The accused was reportedly known to the victim.

The accused was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. Cezalien’s case will be transferred to the Supreme Court by a voluntary bill of indictment to be served on March 4, 2024.

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PAGE 8, Tuesday, December 5, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

Making a world of difference for people with disabilities PEOPLE living with disabilities are no different from any other kind of human being; all are deserving of the same level of respect and consideration, so that human rights are truly guaranteed to all. One of the major reasons why the rights of people living with disabilities are still not fully recognised is the fact that they are not included in enough decision-making processes. How can we truly accommodate their needs if we do not understand what those needs are through their own perspective?

Nalini Bethel, long-time advocate, says it’s by including them in every facet of Bahamian life that we can reverse this trend.

“Inclusion can bridge the gap and completely change the way we think about, communicate with, and empower people living with disabilities,” she said.

“They deserve to be included in every decision being made - whether on a national or a community level. Nothing about us without us” is what most organisations for people with disabilities and the individuals themselves subscribe to and adhere to.”

With this in mind, Bahamas Disability Awareness Week 2023 is currently underway with the theme: “Inclusion in Action”.

Nalini, chairman of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, is calling on corporate Bahamas, churches, NGOs, other groups and individuals to sow seeds of love into causes that will directly and positively impact the lives of people living with disabilities in The Bahamas.

This Friday, December 8, begins the National Disabilities Giving Drive. There’s a mammoth task at hand, but Nalini is confident that with the public’s help, a number of organisations dedicated to disabilities will be able to empower their members and directly impact the lives of people living with disabilities.

She is also a founding member of the REACH support group for autism, which today is a vibrant support group for parents and children on the autistic spectrum. She is also part of a small group that made a three-phase proposal to the government to achieve a cluster classroom at Garvin Tynes Primary School for children with autism. The Garvin Tynes cluster classroom was so successful that, today, there are special needs classrooms in several public schools in New Providence. Phase two was to include a day centre for people with disabilities who aged out of the school system. Phase three of the proposal was to provide a long-term boarding facility

Face to Face

By FELICITY DARVILLE

DISABILITY Awareness Weeks starts off with a bang with a Beep Basketball. The Police Cadet team emerged as the winners. They are pictured with Deputy Chairman of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Kendrick Rolle NALINI BETHEL

NALINI BETHEL, Chairperson of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, (right) pictured with the Down Syndrome Group during the Mall at Marathon’s Christmas Parade 2023 such as a group home.

“We are still working to achieve phases two and three,” she said.

Having also served as a commissioner on the National Commission for Special Education, Nalini found there was a great need for inclusion in education and, today, inclusion is most apparent in public schools.

REACH is The Bahamas’ resource and educational source for autism and other related challenges. As a non-profit organisation, REACH aims to provide parents with comprehensive knowledge and tools in all areas of this neurobiological disorder. REACH Bahamas has a wide variety of social activities throughout the year to make the public more socially aware of autism within the islands.

Nalini also lived and worked in the United States, where she continued to cultivate her passion for advocating for people living with disabilities. In her personal time, she was a member of the day programme committee of the Catholic Church in Broward County, which wrote grants to support the creation of a day-programme for people living with disabilities who had aged out of school.

The church also recruited Best Buddies members as volunteers for the day programme.

“I joined a group home organisation called LIFE (Living Inclusively For Everyone) and experienced

first-hand how a group home functions, how it is funded and the services that it provides,” Nalini shared.

LIFE also runs a dayprogramme for those with special needs that have aged out of school.

As a member of the parent-teacher association of an adult day programme sponsored by Broward County, Nalini gained valuable knowledge of legislation in Florida for the disabled.

She was part of a group that went to the Florida Legislature in Tallahassee to lobby for the funding of the Broward County DayProgramme, which was a discretionary fund of the Florida Governor but needed the support of both the Senate and Congress.

She also learned how Transportation Options (TOPS), a countysponsored, subsidised transportation system, functions and is funded and the National Commission is investigating the feasibility of a transportation system here in Nassau.

Nalini’s advocacy for people living with disabilities is just one aspect of her life - one enriched by her penchant for helping others.

Following three decades in the tourism industry, she is now fully focused on her personal passion: to change the quality of life for people living with disabilities.

“My goal is to continue to work, contribute and serve the people of The Bahamas, especially those with challenges and some of the most

ELAINE SANDS, Beijing Rodgers, Nalini Bethel, Hon Obediah Wilchcombe, Jewel Major, Townsley Roberts, William Hilton attending the official launch of AccessAbility Bahamas App

vulnerable in our society,” she said.

“I have become familiar with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities that The Bahamas ratified in 2015 and we must work to achieve these human rights and principles for the betterment of persons with disabilities.”

Disability Awareness Week provides an opportunity nationwide to show “Inclusion in Action”. The week began on December 1 with a T-Shirt Day, which will continue every Friday this month. On Saturday, December 2, a blindfold challenge held at the Blue Hill Road Sporting Complex gave participants the opportunity to experience what people who are blind go through on a daily basis. The event was fun and allowed able-bodied attendees to appreciate what it’s like to live with a disability. Beep baseball and archery were activities that were part of the Blindfold Challenge.

On Sunday, Disability Awareness Week was celebrated in a service of thanksgiving at Bahamas Harvest Church, RND Plaza, John F Kennedy Drive. On Thursday, the Bahamas Association for the Physically Disabled (BAPD) will host a Christmas programme at its Dolphin Drive Location at 11am. Saturday is Disability

Love Day. The public is invited to attend a “Celebration of Unity and Strength Concert” at Stapledon School Auditorium, Dolphin Drive, from 2pm to 8pm.

Each year, the UN International Day for the Disabled is celebrated on December 3, and The Bahamas, along with 185 countries around the world, marked this occasion to raise awareness for the disabled.

All of the activities are organised in partnership with the Department of Social Services’ Disability Affairs Division, where people living with disabilities apply for assistance and benefits.

Nalini believes these events provide an opportunity for the public to come out and show support, donate, and to share love with the large community of people living with disabilities in The Bahamas. She is currently employed by the Ministry of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting as a consultant and functions as the chairman of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities. For a brief period, she also served as a Director of Special Olympics in The Bahamas.

It’s easy to participate in National Disabilities Giving Day, she said. Visit www. disabilitiescommissionbahamas.org for more details.

You can learn more about

the commission, read the Persons with Disabilities Act, learn about the rights of the disabled, source information for employers, and lodge complaints.

The National Commission has also launched an app - AccessAccessibility Bahamas - which gives very timely and useful information. It includes accessibility formats for those with disabilities and to help them in their careers.

The app is downloadable, free from Google and Apple play stores. Technology, she said, can help to level the playing field and give equal opportunities to people living with disabilities.

Nalini’s personal life and work proves that people from all walks of life and disciplines can make a difference in the cause to see “Inclusion in Action” happen for people living with disabilities. Her lengthy career in tourism made a national impact. At the Ministry of Tourism, she ended her career as senior director of Global Communications.

People from every profession and career can find meaningful work, and even a life purpose, in helping to advance the cause of people living with disabilities. Normalising their inclusion and empowerment would make a world of difference, ensuring that current struggles for people living with disabilities are transmuted into an inclusive society for all.

Wokeness is destroying west, says Boris Johnson THE TRIBUNE

HE’S back. To general acclaim, whether you like him or not, ousted former British prime minister Boris Johnson has returned to his old trade by becoming a regular columnist for the UK’s mass circulation tabloid newspaper, the Daily Mail. So he has a new platform to express his views on a variety of issues and to maintain his relevance as a political figure in Britain – believing, apparently, that he still has a future in that most unforgiving of occupations.

In his column this past weekend, Boris Johnson delivered a tirade against what he regards as the pernicious ideology of wokeness. What has stoked his indignation, and even rage, is the example of this in claims in the latest book lambasting the Royal Family. Entitled ‘Endgame’ by writer Omid Scobie, the book refers again to alleged racism in the Royal Family and, specifically (though doubts have been raised about this) to claims that King Charles himself and the Princess of Wales are the ones who supposedly made remarks about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s baby, Archie’s, likely skin colour when speculating, as people do, about the looks of a new baby.

In his customary dramatic language, Johnson writes about the media being whipped in to an ‘ecstasy of confected indignation’ over a book that is nothing more than what he calls ‘royal tripe-mongering, pure tittle tattle and complete drivel’.

Nothing could be more natural or innocent, he writes, than to wonder what a new baby is going to look like

Tuesday, December 5, 2023, PAGE 9

The Peter Young column and to claim that either Royal concerned was racist was utter nonsense. To say otherwise was to surrender to ‘wokery and cancel culture’ that he believed were at the heart of this latest royal controversy.

Significantly, amidst a growing backlash, an influential figure in the UK, Trevor Phillips, who was Chairman of the country’s Equality and Human Rights Commission, has also described the allegations about ‘racist Royals’ as nonsense.

For the interest of readers, it might be worth repeating what I wrote in this column some six months ago on the issue of wokeness; namely, that Britain’s liberties as a democracy were now under an increasingly remorseless threat from the so-called woke revolution and cancel culture which seeks to divide people with different views. These ideologies are being imposed on the nation’s way of life. As a

reminder, woke is usually defined as a state of being aware – especially of racism and inequality that produce social problems – and being alert to prejudice, discrimination and related injustice.

As I wrote then, some people argue that in certain ways all this is admirable.

But critics say that those who make it their business to act for woke purposes pose all too often as champions of tolerance while in reality they behave like left-wing zealots who resort to bullying in demanding submission to their dogma which brooks no discussion, argument or counterview on an issue.

I went on to say that many in the UK now believe that, to an extent, wokeness has taken over the Civil Service and public institutions, corporations, universities, banks, the arts and the media. Many believe the woke movement amounts to a determined assault on the Western way of life because it attempts to crush free speech by relating this to the views of a limited number of people or segment of society, whereas varied opinions in open debate should always be respected.

Interestingly, in a recent interview the 89-year-old American, Gloria Steinem, who, as a journalist and social political activist, was the face of the women’s rights movements of the 1970s and an icon of feminism, has spoken out strongly about the dangers of ‘cancel culture’. She has been named recently as one of the BBC’s 100 inspiring and influential ‘Women for 2023’. She says that her concern is that free speech

FORMER Prime Minister Boris Johnson outside his London home. is crucial to any democracy.

Cancel culture is a form of censorship and, as such, is ‘definitely not a good thing’.

At least one recent prominent example of the increase in wokeness that I discovered while researching the issue was the ‘Tudor Trust’, which is one of Britain’s biggest charitable trusts and receives substantial government funding. It recently sacked its existing board after an ‘anti-racist review’ and wants to be ‘governed by a more diverse group of trustees’. That sounds to many people suspiciously like discrimination which is supposed to be against the law – and it is noteworthy that a former head of the UK’s Charity Commission has commented that, while every charitable foundation

should be able to choose which charities to support, it would be worrying, and could limit the benefit of charitable endeavour, if foundations allowed political agendas to start influencing grant-making decisions.

During this research, I also read about how – as one example -- the divisiveness of wokeness has taken hold in the UK government Department of Business and Trade whose Secretary of State, Kemi Badenoch, is of Nigerian descent.

She has attacked Critical Race Theory, describing it as a ‘dangerous trend in race relations’ – an ideology, she says, that ‘sees my blackness as victimhood and their whiteness as oppression’.

Looking again at Boris

Photo: Kin Cheung/AP Johnson’s column, he claims that people in Britain have had ‘enough of all this’ and that government ministers should find a way to put an end to it. He states that ‘it’s time to stop this nonsense and re-draw the distinction between the ugliness of racism and prejudice – against which we have abundant statutes – and ordinary innocent patterns of human thought and behaviour.’

One may not always agree with what Boris Johnson says, but there are many who will reluctantly accept his conclusion that already wokeness and cancel culture are making a mockery of the liberal values for which Britain as a nation still stands – and, for many people, this is a worrying development.

FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS SHOULD NOT OWN ANOTHER COUNTRY’S NEWSPAPERS A SIGNIFICANT news item appeared in the UK press last week which may have gone largely unnoticed by people outside the newspaper world. But it comprised a report covering an important matter of principle involving the objectivity and independence of the process of gathering and disseminating news and information in Britain.

This has come to light because the Secretary of State for Culture and Media in Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government has intervened to scrutinize the sale of the UK’s prestigious and right-leaning Tory-supporting Daily Telegraph newspaper and Spectator magazine to a company called RedBird IMI that is backed financially by the Abu Dhabi ruling family. This has caused concern, on public interest grounds, that the takeover could

influence these publications’ operations.

The details of this sale that involve RedBird IMI taking over the Telegraph group’s debt should not be the business of the British government since it would be wrong for it to become involved in any debt repayment transaction of this sort.

Rather, the latter’s concern is that, after the debt has been paid, the company, which is in effect financed by the royal family that rules Abu Dhabi, will control the Daily Telegraph, its sister paper the Sunday Telegraph, and the Spectator.

Thus, the government considers that the transfer of the politically influential Daily Telegraph to what is essentially a foreign power is a matter which it and the established UK regulators ought to study in some detail. The British government has, therefore, issued

a Public Interest Intervention Notice in respect of further investigation, and this includes provision for the official regulator, Ofcom, to look at ‘the need for accurate presentation of news and free expression of opinion in the newspapers’.

Unsurprisingly, the experienced news chief of RedBird IMI, Jeff Zucker, has rejected any suggestion that the editorial independence of the publications concerned would be compromised by a Gulf state’s ownership and has provided assurances that his company is fully committed to maintaining the existing editorial teams.

However, those who watched the same media executive change CNN into an aggressive left-wing news network in the US may take such assurances with a pinch of salt.

In Britain, former editors, senior politicians and

JAPAN’S FOLLY IN ATTACKING PEARL HARBOR FOR those of a certain age brought up on war stories and military history, the first week of December has always had a special resonance. December 7 marks the anniversary of Japan’s surprise -- and what turned out ultimately to be suicidal – aerial attack in 1941 on the US Pacific Fleet which was at anchor at its base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. It was an act of folly by the Japanese because arousing the American sleeping giant could only lead to one conclusion however long it took – Japan’s own annihilation.

On the morning of that fateful day, Japan launched its horrific attack with several hundred bombers and fighters which succeeded in crippling or destroying some twenty American ships and more than 300 airplanes. A total of 2,403 sailors, soldiers and civilians were killed and about 1,000 people were wounded.

In the historic words of President Roosevelt,

SMOKE rises from the battleship USS Arizona as it sinks during a Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on December 7, 1941.

Photo: Associated Press December 7, 1941 was ‘A day which will live in infamy’. For the rest of the world, it was overwhelmingly significant because it precipitated America’s entry into the Second World War -- with its immediate declaration of war against Japan -- following the US period of neutrality and isolationism during the 1930s.

For Britain’s wartime leader, Winston Churchill, whose nation was at a very low ebb towards the end of

that year, Pearl Harbor was a blessing even though he mourned with Roosevelt and the American people the heavy loss of life. Much later, he wrote that ‘to have the United States at our side was for me the greatest joy’ because, of course, he knew that, with America’s ironclad commitment and overwhelming political and military power, there could only be one outcome to the war – the ultimate defeat of both Germany and Japan.

grassroots Conservatives have voiced concerns about this deal involving foreign state ownership of publications that are influential in the nation’s Conservative politics.

Having now read a range of opinion on the issue, my own view is that it would be quite wrong to allow Abu Dhabi effectively to nationalise the Daily Telegraph and Spectator. These are important British institutions and should not be subject to any foreign influence in their day-today operations. The UK government has a duty to safeguard the freedom of the press.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice

President of the United Arab Emirates, who under the deal will put up the bulk of the money, cannot be regarded as being separate from the state. It would be unthinkable for the British government to contemplate a power grab of a major national newspaper. How much more so is this true in the current case, especially when the foreign country concerned does not itself have press freedom at home.

The UAE, of which Abu Dhabi is the main component, is not a democracy and does not enjoy the institutionalized rights and liberties of the Western world. Apparently, there is already a widespread

perception that, if the state of Abu Dhabi were to own these titles, it would want to interfere in editorial opinion and, if a difficult or threatening situation arose, there can be little doubt that it would act in its own state’s interests rather than those of Britain and would dictate its editorial stance accordingly.

It remains to be seen how all this will pan out.

These sort of great British institutions should surely not be owned by foreign powers – and, to those who argue that Sheikh Mansour already owns Manchester City football club, the answer is that the individual importance of each cannot be compared.

PAGE 10, Tuesday, December 5, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

Gore blasts COP28 climate chief and oil companies’ emissions pledges at summit DUBAI Associated Press

DON’T trust the oil and gas industry to report their actual carbon pollution, said former US Vice President Al Gore, who added that the man leading the United Nations climate talks runs one of the “dirtiest” oil companies out there.

“They’re much better at capturing politicians than they are at capturing emissions,” Gore told The Associated Press in a sitdown interview.

The Nobel Prize-winning climate activist, author and filmmaker blasted Sultan al-Jaber, the president of the United Nations climate talks, who is also president of the national oil company of the host nation, United Arab Emirates. Gore said alJaber’s Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. is “one of the largest and one of the dirtiest, by many measures, oil companies in the world.”

Gore can make these claims because he just released a massive update of the Climate TRACE database of emissions that he helped create. It tracks carbon pollution from every nation and city across the globe with 352 million pieces of information.

Looking at the data released Sunday, Gore said, “the No. 1 surprise was how far off the reporting from the oil and gas industry is. And we see it here in the United Arab Emirates, you know, nice folks. But the numbers they put out are just not right. And we can prove they’re not right.”

In a one-hour data-heavy presentation at the UN conference, Gore said: “The

Abu Dhabi National Oil Company still claims to have no emissions from methane or anything else from the transport of oil and gas. Well, actually, they do. We can see them from space.”

“Why can we see the leakage from space if there are no leakages? Well, these were self-reported emissions,” Gore said. Then showing his data: “And this is the actual emissions. And these are the emissions last year here.”

In his interview, Gore repeatedly took aim at alJaber being picked by the UAE to chair the climate conference. As summit host, the local government chooses the president of the talks.

“He’s a nice guy. He’s a smart guy. I’ve known him for years. But he has a direct conflict of interest,” Gore said. “And this isn’t some kind of nitpicking complaint.

This goes to the heart of whether or not the world is going to have the ability to make intelligent decisions about humanity’s future.”

Gore said “his main job is the head of the oil company.

And honestly, when I look at the massive expansion plan that they have to increase their production of oil, 50%, increase their production of gas” when the climate conference ends, he asked, “do you take us for his fools?”

In a rare, combative and brief press conference Monday, al-Jaber defended his record and the idea of bringing oil companies into the efforts to curb climate change.

“They’ve stepped up,” al-Jaber said of oil industry colleagues. “Is it enough?

No.” In previous comments,

AL GORE, former US vice president, speaks to The Associated Press at the COP28 UN Climate Summit on Sunday in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Photo: Kamran Jebreili/AP al-Jaber’s colleagues have dismissed media coverage detailing ADNOC’s expansion plans. The company in 2019 announced plans to expand to 5 million barrels per day.

Al-Jaber made a splash in the beginning of the summit with an announcement that 50 oil companies had pledged to capture leaking and flaring methane emissions from gas production and pipelines. But the problem is that it’s voluntary, and when industry in general is asked to report its own emissions they underestimate it by about a third, and most of the worst methane emitters weren’t part of the deal, Gore said.

“I want to recall for you that two years ago there was

the global methane pledge to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030. Well, what’s happened? Well, since that pledge was made. Methane emissions have increased almost 2%,” Gore said in his public presentation.

“The final problem I have with (the pledge) is that the main issue is phasing out oil and gas production,” Gore said in the interview. “And they don’t do that. And whenever I see a bright, shiny object held up in front of the public and they say ‘look at this, don’t look at the actual emissions from oil and gas, look at the bright, shiny object’ then I think, you know, come on, we’ve been down this road before and it’s way too late to take us for fools.”

“Let’s get on with it. The climate crisis is a fossil fuel crisis, and we can solve the climate crisis, stop the temperatures going up, start the healing process by phasing out oil and gas,” Gore said.

“And I know they don’t want to do it. And I know that it’s really tough. I mean, look, 80% of the energy we use in our global economy is from fossil fuels.”

The former vice president said he hopes he’s wrong about al-Jaber and that maybe he can deliver more than others have in the past.

But he’s not betting on it.

And because world leaders can’t even agree where next year’s climate talks will be or who will run them, Gore said he has great hope for 2025. That’s because it

will be in Brazil and run by leftist president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who Gore said “is raring to go.”

Gore, who says that he is generally is an optimist, said between climate disasters and public pressure, the world is near a “political tipping point.” Climate scientists often use the term “tipping point” for when ecological systems like Arctic sea ice or coral reefs hit a point-of-no-return change.

Gore sees a political version of that approaching.

“We don’t have time to be depressed about it,” Gore said. “You just got to keep fighting. We’ll get there. The question is whether we get there in time, but I think we’ll get there.”

AP’s toP songs of 2023: ‘on My MAMA,’ ‘flowers,’ ‘MonAco’ And More LOS ANGELES Associated Press

“Dumbest Girl Alive,” 100 gecs

TEN of the best songs of the year, as determined

by Associated Press Music Writer Maria Sherman, in no particular order. Dive in.

What came first: the chicken or the egg, 100 gecs or the Internet genre of hyperpop? It doesn’t matter. The duo of Laura Les and Dylan Brady are not in the market for sense; rather, their musical art is fuelled by pixelated chaos.

In the case of “Dumbest Girl Alive,” a choice cut from their sophomore LP “10,000 gecs,” the only thing that matters is the nu-metal bass lick and distorted vocals that deliver unintelligible lines like “Put emojis on my grave / I’m the dumbest girl alive.”

It’s 2023’s best song that sounds like getting sucked into a computer simulation, fun and dumb in equal measure.

“On My Mama,” Victoria Monét Buckle up for some positive affirmations!

The 10-time Grammynominated Victoria Monét, once best known as a hit-maker for Ariana Grande, Fifth Harmony and Chloe x Halle, is getting her flowers these days as a soloist — and passing them right along to the mothers listening.

Her blockbuster single “On My Mama” is a loving tribute to her mom and her daughter, with Monét’s buttery voice and bright brass production carrying throughout.

It may very well be the best R&B track of the year — with one of the best samples, utilizing Chalie Boy’s 2009 banger “I Look Good.” It takes a real talent to borrow from such a recognizable sound. Monét doesn’t just manage to do that — she makes it her own.

“Monaco,” Bad Bunny Bad Bunny’s 2023 album, “Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana,” is a reclamation of his past sound, the hardhitting rap that preceded his mainstream superstardom.

Perhaps it’s an exercise in getting back to the basics while unravelling the complications of fame, the source material for most of the album’s lyrics. At any rate, the combination makes for a more restrained, pointed listen: a true success on the stellar “Monaco,” a Latin trap song with a need for speed that wouldn’t feel too far removed on his debut album, 2018’s “X 100PRE.” Benito’s smooth, somber baritone carries the track, as does the rush sound

“OMG,” NewJeans

BAD Bunny performs at the Latin Billboard Awards in Coral Gables, Florida, on October 5, 2023. Bad Bunny’s “Monaco” was named one of the top songs of the year by The Associated Press.

Photo:Marta Lavandier/AP of a Formula One car that bleeds into baroque production.

“Flowers,” Miley Cyrus There’s a thin line between courageous and corny when it comes to uplifting pop records. Far too often, an empowering song with an ascendant chorus loses all tension and hits the ear like a too-sweet dessert. But on Miley Cyrus’ Grammynominated “Flowers,” her first No. 1 hit in a decade, the pop superstar makes magic happen.

It’s a summery, retropop single teeming with optimism born out of divorce. “No remorse, no regret / I forget every word you said,” she sings — the musical equivalent of someone saying, “I’m bored with this conversation” — before launching into a self-help mantra. Then, she finds an emotional solution and musical resolve in her

chorus: “I can love me better than you can.”

“Boy’s A Liar Pt. 2,” PinkPantheress and Ice Spice It is the song of the summer — heck, the year — and it came out in January. The dream team of Bronx rapper Ice Spice and hyperpop-punk hero PinkPantheress made “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2” an examination of modern dating with an undeniable hook. It is so space-y as to take flight; a lackadaisical remix for the current moment. Plus, the pronunciation of “Liar” like “Leo” in the song’s chorus is “It’s Gonna Be May”level creativity. What’s not to love?

“I Remember Everything,” Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves Country artist Zach Bryan knows a thing or two about writing the

loneliness of heartbreak into song with cutting specificity. It is one of the reasons his 2022 major label debut “American Heartbreak” was named one of AP’s top albums of last year. And it is part of the reason why his 2023 single and first No. 1 track, “I Remember Everything,” is one of our favourites of this year. It’s confessional, rich, balladic songwriting amplified by his full-hearted voice — those open, resonating notes — and the sweetness of Musgraves’ tone.

“Crave,” Paramore Long gone are the burnt orange pop-punk days of Paramore’s youth. The Tennessee rock band flirts with animated post-punk these days, experimenting with asymmetrical synth production that mirrors internal anxieties and the external forces that augment them. “Crave” is the latter reflecting on the former: a propulsive,

matured band dancing around a prickly guitar riff. But at its core, like in all great Paramore tracks, is frontwoman Hayley Williams stretching her vast vocal range, belting out frustrations and excising misguided desires.

“Rush,” Troye Sivan The opening track and lead single from Australian pop powerhouse Troye Sivan’s third fulllength album, “Something to Give Each Other,” is all falsetto, locker room chants, and utopic homoeroticism: “I feel the rush / Addicted to your touch,” a group of men harmonize on the perfect pop of his lead single, “Rush.” Bravado is instituted only to drive home a sort of sweaty sexuality, all fun and light atop house and EDM beats. Sivan offered AP a kind of mantra for the song in an interview earlier this year: “Things are good. Life is fun. Sex is great.”

In 2023, girl groups dominated the K-pop conversation. At the fore is NewJeans, with their Y2Knostalgic sound that pulls from the turn of the millennium’s R&B and pop music.

“OMG” was the catalyst for their fame, with its addictive trap rhythm, propelled

by UK garage-inspired production, tasteful cowbells (you read that correctly) and a sticky staccato synth that lays a strong foundation, brought to the next level by the quintet’s ebullient harmonies. Oh my, oh my god, indeed.

“Tantor,” Danny Brown Danny Brown’s absurdist approach to contemporary rap has made him one to watch for years, and “Tantor,” the teetering lead single from his long-awaited sixth studio album “Quaranta,” is proof. The Alchemist-produced track is, in moments, prog-rock avant-rap, a retro-futuristic hip-hop filtered through, like, “Robocop.”

If cyborgs aren’t your thing, look away — but then you’d be missing one of the most welcomingly clangourous and charming tracks of 2023.

SPORTS PAGE 11

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2023

Buddy, Page 13

Stars align for Baha Mar Cup

JUNKANOO 242 TEAMS UP WITH Mark Knowles gets set for one-of-a-kind tennis fundraiser WORLD RELAYS

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

A

nother talented group of international stars will be in town this weekend to participate in the fourth annual Baha Mar Cup. The one-of-a-kind tennis fundraiser, organised by legendary Bahamian tennis player Mark Knowles, is scheduled for Friday to Sunday with a variety of events being staged for both the visitors and local participants.

Fans will get to see some of the top players who have been or are still ranked among the top five

in the world, on both the men and women sides.

They include Victoria Azarenka, James Blake, Jessica Pegula, Milos Raonic, Taylor Townsend and Austin Krajicek along with icon Knowles. “I’m looking forward to it. It’s going to be a great weekend. We have a great line-up for the public to come out and see,” Knowles said.

Pegula, currently ranked at number four in the world in women’s singles and No.8 in doubles, is a threetime major quarterfinalist in singles and was a 2022 French Open doubles finalist. Coco Gauff will also be returning for an encore after participating in last

year’s event, along women’s douwith Blake, who bles, a four-time had a career high WTA doubles No.4 in singles, title holder, a 2022 was a 10-career US Open doubles ATP Tour men’s finalist and 2023 singles champion, French Open three-time major Doubles finalist. quarterfinalist and Raonic is a a 2007American former No.3 representative on player in the the Davis Cup world in singles team. who made the Azarenka is Wimbledon finals a former No.1 MARK KNOWLES in 2016 and has player in the won eight career world in singles, a two-time ATP Tour singles titles.

Australian Open chamKnowles, on the other pion, three-time US Open hand, is a five-time Bahafinalist and winner of 21 mian Olympian who was career WTA women’s sin- a former No.1 player in gles titles, while Townsend the world in doubles and a is pegged at No.5 in three-time doubles major

winner with Canadian Daniel Nestor at the 2002 Australian Open, 2004 US Open and 2007 French Open.

“We have a good line-up.

It’s exciting to have such great players coming to the Bahamas,” Knowles stated.

“The players on tour have a short off season, so I’m extremely appreciative when the great players can take the time out of their busy schedule to come down to the Bahamas and support the event.

“We will also have our local stars Jacobi Bain and Michael Major Jr, who are both in college. They are in

SEE PAGE 14

Class A champions CREW OF SILENT PARTNER FROM BLACK POINT, EXUMA, TAKES SPOTLIGHT

THE World Athletics Relays Bahamas ‘24 announced the partnership with Junkanoo 242 at their official launch over the weekend.

From Paradise to Paris was introduced to the nation and the world that the Bahamas World Athletics Relays will be the last qualifier for nations still looking to make the Olympics in Paris in 2024.

“They have to come through us”, said World Athletics Relays Bahamas24 Local Organising Committee chairman, Dr Danny Johnson.

“This will be the qualifier for the Olympics in Paris, everybody who wants to qualify in Paris have to come here.”

When introduced to the massive audience at Arawak Cay where the Junkanoo Committee of New Providence held their official Junkanoo number picking (both Boxing Day

SEE PAGE 12

REV DIANA FRANCIS SET TO BE HONOURED AT AWARDS BANQUET

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

SWEET SAILING VICTORY: Class A champions, the crew of Silent Partner, out of Black Point, Exuma, celebrate during the closing ceremony of the Best-of-theBest Regatta Championship in Montagu Bay over the weekend.

SEE MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE 14 Photo: Patrick Hanna/BIS

SPORTS CALENDAR A BASEBALL CHRISTMAS THE National Sports Authority is slated to host a Baseball Christmas at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium from December 22-23.

The public is invited to come out and get signed autographs from the Bahamian professional baseball players, who will also complete in a series of games.

There will also be an over-40 exhibition game between some of the former players. Tickets are priced at $5.

MACEDONIA BAPTIST CHURCH FAMILY FUN WALK THE Men’s Department of Macedonia Baptist Church is scheduled to hold a Family Fun Walk Race to kick off the new year and the beginning of its Men’s Anniversary at 6am on Saturday, January 6 with a Family Fun Walk Race.

The event will honour the late Minister Charles Albury, who passed away

SEE PAGE 12

Dec 2023

this year. It starts at the church on Bernard Road, Fox Hill, and heads west on Bernard Road to the Village Road round-a-bout and returns on Bernard Road to the church. Awards will be presented to the first three finishers in each category for men and women.

There will be an award for the church with the most finishers. T-shirts will be provided, as well as a bowl of souse.

The registration fee is $20 per person.

For those not participating in the walk, souse will be sold at $10. Interested persons are urged to contact Brent Stubbs at 426-7265 or stubbobs@gmail.com for further information.

NPVA VOLLEYBALL NEW Providence Volleyball Association continues its regular season this week with the following games on tap:

SEE PAGE 12

THE Rev. Diana Francis is expected to be honoured on Saturday night when the Roadrunners Track Club hosts its 23rd annual Presentation and Awards Banquet at the Sandals Royal Bahamian hotel on West Bay Street.

Club president and head coach Dexter Bodie said Francis, the senior pastor at First Baptist Church, was selected based on her commitment and dedication to the club over the years.

Bodie said they decided to

AGAPE Most Valuable Player Emma Sawyer and coach Stephon Johnson receive their awards.

Agape Eagles senior girls, LIS boys win Northern Bahamas volleyball title THE Northern Bahamas Volleyball Championships took place Saturday at St George’s gym in Grand Bahama with both the senior girls and boys games being completed in two-game sweeps.

Winning the senior girls’ title was the Agape Eagles, coached by Stephon Johnson, with a 21-15 and 21-11 sweep over Lucayan International School.

Emma Sawyer was named the Most Valuable Player. The Patrick J’ Bethel out of Abaco got third place. On the boys’ side, Lucayan International School, coached by LaToy Williams, knocked off Agape 21-15 and 21-11. Ethan Paice was named the Most Valuable Player. Third place went to Patrick J Bethel.

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PAGE 12, Tuesday, December 5, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

VOLLEYBALL FAMILY: Players and coaches huddling together in the Northern Bahamas Volleyball Championships at St George’s gym in Grand Bahama on Saturday.

Lucayan International School senior boys, Agape Eagles girls sweep the Northern Bahamas Volleyball Championships

MEN CHAMPIONS: Lucayan International School senior boys celebrate with their trophy.

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER Ethan Paice with trophy.

LADY CHAMPIONS: Agape Eagles senior girls and coach Stephon Johnson with their trophy.

JUNKANOO 242 TEAMS UP WITH WORLD ATHLETICS RELAYS FROM PAGE 11 and New Years Day parades), Dr Johnson announced that this partnership with the Junkanoo Committee is beneficial to the publicity of this world event.

“We want to let you know that 100 million people saw junkanoo live on TV three times in a row for World Relays”, said Dr

Johnson. “We want to let you know that World Relays is back next year, May 4th and 5th in the 242. We intend to do the jam down right here.”

“Here’s to Junkanoo, from Paradise to Paris”, continued Dr Johnson. “Congratulations to everyone.”

The Bahamas is again to host these prestigious Relays for the

fourth time and, this time, the event is expected to attract the world as the Olympic Games will be held in Paris next year, and many countries still have to qualify to make these games.

The Bahamas World Relays is the final qualifier for countries still looking to qualify. The World Athletics Relays is scheduled to be held in The Bahamas

May 4-5, 2024. The Bahamas successfully campaigned to host this event again after hosting the first three times.

The relays are expected to attract more than 1,600 elite athletes and support teams to The Bahamas as it is the key qualifying event for the Olympic Summer Games in Paris, France, next year.

REV DIANA FRANCIS SET TO BE HONOURED AT AWARDS BANQUET FROM PAGE 11 honour pastor Francis because she has been instrumental in the development of their club from a spiritual standpoint.

She also served as his senior pastor at First Baptist, where he was a longtime member.

Under the theme “Chosen to Rise Up,” the event is also expected to attract a number of dignitaries, including Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg, North American and Central American president Mike Sands, Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations president Drumeco Archer and former BAAA president Rosamunde Carey.

Athletes of the club will be recognised for their stellar performances on and off the track as well as in the classroom. As usual, an array of awards will be presented to the deserving student-athletes.

Among some of the athletes to be honoured for their achievements in the sport are Trent Ford, Tamia Taylor and A’Karee Roberts, all of whom made this year’s CARIFTA track team. Most outstanding athletes from the AAU Club Championships in Orlando, Florida, will also be awarded.

And for their scholastic achievements, athletes will be recognised for making the honour roll at their various schools and also for passing their BGCSE examinations.

SPORTS NOTES

FROM PAGE 11 NPVA VOLLEYBALL Wednesday - 8pm - Lady Techs vs.

Panthers (L).

Friday - 7:30pm - Spikers vs.

Poppers (L). 9pm - Lady Techs vs.

UB Mingoes (L).

Sunday - 3:30pm - UB Mingoes vs.

Lady Warhawks (L) 5pm - Panthers vs. Spikers (L).

BASKETBALL BSAA ACTION THE Bahamas Scholastic Athletic Association resumed its basketball regular season action yesterday at 4pm at the Hope Center located on University Commons and Bahama Games Boulevard. Games will be played in the primary, junior and senior girls’ divisions as well as the affiliated division for schools not a member of the association.

BASKETBALL BAISS ACTION THE Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools will continue its regular season action this week at various school grounds, starting at 4pm each day. Games will be played in the junior and senior boys and girls divisions.

BASKETBALL GSSSA ACTION THE Government Secondary Schools Sports Assocation will continue its regular season basketball competition this week at 4pm with games being played at both the CI Gibson and DW Davis Gymnasiums. Competition will take place in the junior and senior boys and girls divisions.

THE TRIBUNE

INGRAM LEADS PELICANS PAST KINGS 127-117

By JOSH DUBOW AP Sports Writer SACRAMENTO, Calif.

(AP) — Brandon Ingram scored 30 points and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Sacramento Kings 127-117 last night in the quarterfinals of the NBA’s In-Season Tournament.

Ingram helped New Orleans erase an early deficit and the Pelicans never trailed in the second half as they advanced to play the winner of tonight’s game between Phoenix and the Los Angeles Lakers in the semifinals Thursday in Las Vegas.

Herb Jones added 23 points and Jonas Valanciunas had 18 to give the Pelicans their third win over Sacramento in the past two weeks.

De’Aaron Fox scored 30 points and Domantas Sabonis added 26 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists for the Kings. Sacramento lost for the first time in the tournament after sweeping all four games in group play.

There was good energy from the sellout crowd, with many fans wearing blue T-shirts handed out to give the In-Season Tournament a playoff feel.

The intensity carried over to the court, with Sacramento’s Trey Lyles getting into a dustup with Valanciunas in the first half that earned him a technical foul.

The Kings made 12 of their first 14 shots to take a 32-17 lead before going cold during a 28-5 run spanning the first two quarters for the Pelicans. Sacramento missed 16 of 18 shots from the field during the spurt.

New Orleans built its lead to 15 in the third quarter before Sacramento started to chip away. The Kings got within six midway through the fourth before the Pelicans scored nine straight points to put the game away.

Valanciunas made a hook shot and Trey Murphy hit a 3-pointer before Ingram and Jones each made a pair of free throws for New Orleans.

Tuesday, December 5, 2023, PAGE 13

Buddy Hield, Haliburton help Pacers oust Celtics from NBA tournament MONDAY

BASKETBALL RESULTS

By MICHAEL MAROT AP Sports Writer INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — All that Tyrese Haliburton wanted before the season was to get his first taste of playoff basketball.

Last night’s NBA InSeason Tournament quarterfinal seemed like the perfect dry run.

So the 23-year-old AllStar guard registered the first triple-double of his career, completed a tiebreaking four-point play with 1:33 left and heard the large, raucous crowd chanting “M-V-P! M-V-P!” near the end of Indiana’s 122-112 victory, which ousted leagueleading Boston from the tourney.

“It means the world to me to represent Indiana and this organisation,” Haliburton said after acknowledging he struggled to breathe during the first half. “I don’t even know if it was as much about what was at stake, as what they did to us the last time. I think that (51point loss) left a bad taste in our mouths.”

This was one felt far sweeter even if he needed a halftime assist from an inhaler.

Haliburton scored 16 of his 26 points in the second half and finished with 13 assists and 10 rebounds.

Chavano “Buddy” Hield contributed 21 points, two rebounds, two steals and two assists. Myles Turner added 17 points and 10 rebounds. Seven Pacers reached double figures as Indiana remained unbeaten in the tourney.

The Pacers were 4-0 in group play.

Indiana is the first team to reach the inaugural tourney’s semifinal round Thursday in Las Vegas and will face the winner

PACERS’ Buddy Hield (7) shoots against Celtics’ Jayson Tatum (0) during the first half last night in the NBA basketball In-Season Tournament game in Indianapolis.

(AP Photo/Darron Cummings of today’s game between New York and Milwaukee.

Boston, meanwhile, heads home despite getting another strong performance from its dynamic duo.

Jayson Tatum had 32 points and 12 rebounds, and Jaylen Brown finished with 30 points and nine rebounds for the Celtics.

But it wasn’t enough to extend a three-game winning streak, with All-Star Kristaps Porzingis missing his fourth straight game because of a strained left calf.

Still, the Celtics fought back from an 11-point third-quarter deficit and managed to force seven fourth-quarter ties — before Haliburton’s 27-footer drew a foul on Brown and ignited Indiana’s decisive 9-0 run. “He played well. The whole

team played well,” Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said, referring to Haliburton and the Pacers. “(Brown) did the best he could (defensively).”

For the young Pacers, many of whom including Haliburton have never been to the playoffs, this was a different experience.

From the towel-waving crowd’s chants of “Defence!” to the heavy media presence, single-elimination fate and festive atmosphere, this felt like a postseason game.

“I haven’t heard it like this here in like three or four years, probably since (Victor) Oladipo was here,” Turner said. “The energy was just incredible. I think this city really started rallying around this team.”

There was a difference between the lines, too.

NEW PROVIDENCE PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS SPORTS ASSOCIATION

In this season’s first matchup on November 1, Boston blew out Indiana 155-104 — posting the second-highest points total in franchise history.

This time, Indiana turned the game in the third quarter, charging back from a 55-48 halftime deficit to tie the score at 71 before pulling out to an 85-74 lead.

Boston finally tied the score at 94 on Brown’s 3-pointer with 6:07 left.

But after the teams traded baskets for 4 1/2 minutes, Haliburton made the crowd roar again with his big basket.

UP NEXT Celtics: Host the loser of the New York-Milwaukee quarterfinal Friday.

Pacers: Play in Thursday’s tournament semifinals at Las Vegas against the New York-Milwaukee winner today.

BENGALS STUN JAGUARS 34-31 IN OVERTIME, TREVOR LAWRENCE INJURES ANKLE

By MARK LONG AP Pro Football Writer

Girls’ softball and boys’ baseball champions earn bragging rights THE New Providence Public Primary Schools Sports Association completed its girls softball and boys baseball competition on Friday at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.

Eva Hilton emerged as the girls’ champions over Garvin Tynes while

Centreville got third place.

In the boys’ baseball, Sadie Curtis captured the title with Eva Hilton as the runners-up. Gerald Cash got third.

Association president Latoya Bain-Sturrup said she was quite impressed with the level of

competition exhibited by all of the teams.

“The event was very competitive. Teams did not have an easy win,” said Bain-Sturrup of the 10 girls and 12 boys teams that participated.

“One can tell that the students knew the game and

they knew how to throw and catch the ball.

“They also knew what positions they were playing, compared to last year, so it showed that the coaches have been putting in the work to get their teams ready for the competition,” said Bain-Sturrup.

THE Bahamas Scholastic Atheltic Association continued its basketball regular season yesterday at The Hope Center located on University Commons and Bahama Games Blvd.

Primary Boys Freedom 22, Queens College 9 Dennis Dawkins scored nine points in the win.

Blaine Bonaby had six in the loss.

Genesis 34, Jordan Prince William B-Team 4 Caz Bethel and Steven Johnson 10 points each in the win. Charmon Jennings two points in the loss.

Junior Girls Teleos 26, Achievers Academy 1: Kayla Bien scored 16 points in the win.

Junior Boys Teleos 40, Akhepran 12 Raymond Lowe scored 12 points in the win. Khamani Wilson had five points in the loss.

Senior Boys Genesis 29, Boost Academy 25 O’Rhyan Darville scored 10 points. Keon Mott had 16 points in the loss.

Today, starting at 4pm: MD – Queen’s College vs Lighthouse Preparatory Academy PB – Kingsway Academy vs Hillcrest Academy PB – Queen’s College vs Genesis Academy SMD – Teleos Christian School vs ISBET JG – C. W. Saunders vs St. John’s College JB – Lighthouse Preparatory Academy vs Freedom Baptist Academy SB – Mt. Carmel Preparatory Academy vs Teleos Christian School

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Jake Browning threw for 354 yards and a touchdown in his second career start, and the Cincinnati Bengals stunned the Jacksonville Jaguars 34-31 in overtime last night.

Browning also ran for a score as the Bengals (6-6) won on “Monday Night Football” for the first time since 1990 on Evan McPherson’s 48-yard field goal in the extra frame.

This one was shocking and potentially costly for the Jaguars (8-4), who lost quarterback Trevor Lawrence to a right ankle injury late in the fourth quarter.

Left tackle Walker Little stepped on Lawrence’s ankle, causing him to twist it as he was sacked. Lawrence tried to get up, but dropped to the ground, ripped off his helmet and threw it in disgust. He was helped off the field and into the tunnel for X-rays.

It ended an otherwise stellar night for Lawrence, who completed 22 of 29 passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for a score.

Browning was equally stout in place of star Joe Burrow, who watched and coached from the sideline while wearing a cast and a sling. Browning completed 32 of 37 passes and directed the overtime drive that set up McPherson’s winner. McPherson, who played collegiately at nearby Florida, banged a 57-yarder off the crossbar in the same direction early in the game.

Jacksonville backup C.J. Beathard completed 9 of 10 passes for 63 yards in relief of Lawrence.

Beathard put the Jaguars in position for Brandon McManus’ 40-yard field goal with 26 seconds remaining in regulation.

Ja’Marr Chase caught 11 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown, a 76-yarder in the third quarter that got the Bengals going.

Joe Mixon ran for 68 yards and two scores, and rookie Chase Brown added 61 yards on the ground for the league’s worst rushing attack.

Mixon also had six receptions for 49 yards.

The Bengals made it harder that it should have been when coach Zac Taylor called a trick play that turned into a debacle in third.

Browning lateraled to receiver Tyler Boyd, who inexplicably threw directly to pass rusher Josh Allen.

Allen caught the ball for his second career interception.

The Jaguars scored four plays later when Lawrence jumped and stretched the ball across the goal line.

It was the second bungled trick play for the Bengals, who also lost 7 yards when Chase completed a double pass to Browning.

Still, the Bengals finished with 491 yards and were 8 of 14 on third down.

UP NEXT Bengals: Host Indianapolis (7-5) on Sunday.

Jaguars: At Cleveland (7-5) on Sunday.

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PAGE 14, Tuesday, December 5, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

6TH ANNUAL BEST-OF-THE-BEST REGATTA CLOSING CEREMONY @ MONTAGU BAY

Champion sailors and crew celebrate

SOLID SAILING WEEKEND: Class B champions, the crew of Susan Chase, of Long Island, celebrate during the closing ceremony of the Best-of-the-Best Regatta Championship in Montagu Bay over the weekend.

Photos by Patrick Hanna/BIS

CLASS C CHAMPIONS, skipper Stefan Knowles and crew of Sassie Sue, of Long Island, are presented with their trophy by Acting Prime Minister Chester Cooper, far left.

ACTING Prime Minister Chester Cooper gives remarks during the Best of the Best Regatta closing ceremony on Sunday.

BAHA MAR CUP FROM PAGE 11

town and they are two guys who have been huge beneficiaries of the Mark Knowles Charitable Foundation and so it’s always good to have them involved as well as they show how they are progressing year after year.”

This is going on the 20th year that Knowles has

been bringing the highlevel tennis competition to the Bahamas, although he started out in the first 13 years at Atlantis.

“We’re happy to have this relationship with Baha Mar to be able to continue this event over the past four years,” Knowles said.

“I’m always passionate about our country and what better way for me to use my platform than to provide opportunities for those less fortunate.

CLASS E CHAMPIONS, Joss Knowles skipper and crew of Lady Kayla, receive their trophy from Acting Prime Minister Chester Cooper.

“At the same time, I get to expose our country to some of these great tennis players. Sometimes we get a lot of great pros who come to the event and they want to come back. It just goes to show that we have a lot to offer to the world and so we are excited to be able to partner with Baha Mar.” The Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association, as well as a number of young players, are expected to benefit from the funds raised during

the tournament. In the past, charities such as Cancer Society of the Bahamas and the Sassoon Heart Foundation and several others have benefitted.

Knowles, who has been working as a TV commentator for the Tennis Channel and serving on the Board of Directors for the ATP, will be coming from his home in Dallas on Thursday.

He’s married to Dawn and they have three children. Their oldest son is

18-year-old Graham, a quarterback in his senior year in high school who has received a full scholarship to attend Georgia Tech in January.

Their middle son Brody, 15, is a wide receiver in football and an avid basketball player and their daughter Presley, 12, has not yet decided on which sport she will play, but is leaning more towards tennis as she follows in her father’s footsteps.

A series of events have been planned for the weekend.

They include the following: Friday - Welcome Reception at ECCHO. Saturday - 9:15-10am Kickoff Classic, 10am-12:30 pm Pro-Am Tournament, 2:30-4:30pm - Pro Exhibition. 7pm - Baha Mar Foundation Dinner hosted

by Marcus Samuelsson.

Sunday - 9:30-11am Kid’s Clinic.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, December 5, 2023, PAGE 15

THE ST Andrew’s Chamber Choir performd during the school’s 75th anniversary celebration assembly on November 30.

Photos: Dante Carrer

75 years and going strong ST ANDREW’S celebrated its 75th anniversary with a special assembly.

Students, teachers and alumni of the St Andrew’s International School celebrated the institution’s 75 years with an assembly that allowed students to showcase their talents and pay homage

STUDENTS Taryn and Kieon.

STUDENT DOCUMENTARY EARNS TOP HONOURS IN FILM COMPETITION

to individuals that contributed to the school’s success.

The event was attended

by Mario Bowleg, Minister of Youth Sports and Culture, Michael Pintard, opposition leader and former principals who gave tributes, reflecting on the school’s journey and milestones.

NICKY SADDLETON, Opposition leader Michael Pintard, Sir Franklyn Wilson, Charge d’Affaires Usha Pitts and Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg during the assembly.

HEAD girl Khalilah Barr and head boy Shannon Fawkes during the St Andrew’s International School 75th anniversary celebration assembly on November 30.

GRADE 3 students during the St Andrew’s anniversary celebration assembly.

ELEUTHERAN students Taryn McKinney-Lambert and Kieon Sands, clinched the top spot in the ‘Best Documentary’ category at the Kids N’ Film Festival in California with their compelling documentary My Island, My Future.

The film was made two years ago, when 12-year-old Taryn initiated the project, penning a letter to former Prime Minister, Hubert Minnis, expressing her determination to raise awareness about a cause that was important to her as a young Bahamian.

The short film addresses the perils of oil drilling in The Bahamas as an archipelago that is heavily reliant on its marine resources. It is a devoted collective of Bahamian and international advocates committed to safeguarding the nation’s waters Kareem Mortimer a Bahamian film director, lent his expertise to the project, which was filmed on Eleuthera.

He said that he was excited for the opportunity to collaborate with the young, passionate environmental advocates.

He said: “I am happy to support the next generation of filmmakers and storytellers in the best way I can.

“All the credit is deserving to the young filmmakers that wanted to tell their story. All I did was provide support” Taryn and Kieon, both students of Deep Creek Middle School at the time, formed a partnership through shared hours of discussions on environmental conservation and marine life during school projects.

“We both really cared about the things that we are talking about in the video and about our island; and we shared a lot of experiences and an appreciation for the ocean,” Taryn explained.

The coalition that endorsed the film is a group of local and international organisations dedicated to safeguarding Bahamian heritage and economic sustenance from the threat of oil drilling and advocate for a prohibition on oil drilling in The Bahamas.

GIVING STUDENTS A CHANCE TO TOUR ART MORE than 500 students from schools across New Providence will have the opportunity to tour the Prix Pictet exhibit at the Central Bank Art Gallery.

The exhibit showcases the work of 12 shortlisted photographers from 12 countries, each contributing a series of photos depicting the human condition impacting or impacted by sustainability.

In the 15 years since the Pictet Group, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, introduced the Prix Pictet with the underlying thread of sustainability and a related theme that changes annually, the photography award has become the most recognised and prestigious

reality fine arts photography competition in the world with a US$115,000 prize.

The tour’s visit to the Bahamas will be the first time the exhibit has been viewed in such a small population centre and from here, the touring exhibit will travel to major metropolitan destinations including Singapore, Sydney, New York and Paris Pictet Bank & Trust Limited’s CEO-designate Carlos De la Torre addressed the first group of students of nearly 50 from Kingsway Academy and St Anne’s, inviting them to “allow these works of art to open your eyes and your mind as you read the words

next to the photographs and understand the storytelling.”

Other schools, including all government upper schools, are scheduled to tour the exhibit before it closes on December 15.

Pictet is covering all costs related to the tours, including bus transportation, to ensure that as many students as possible in The Bahamas have an opportunity to look through the lens of another’s eye to see how sustainability defines life across the globe.

Thirteen of the 14 upper schools throughout New Providence are on tap to visit the exhibit making it the largest high school student audience in Central Bank’s history.

STUDENTS visiting the Prix Pictet Human Photography Exhibition at the Central Bank of The Bahamas.