12132022 NEWS AND SPORT

FTX FOUNDER ARRESTED

• US expected to seek extradition

• Emails to Attorney General revealed

• Pinder denies govt authorised withdrawals

By LEANDRA ROLLE and NEIL HARTNELL

SAM Bankman-Fried, former CEO of crypto giant FTX, was arrested by the Royal Bahamas Police Force yesterday and will likely face extradition to the United States, Attorney General Ryan Pinder announced.

In a statement issued last night, Senator Pinder

said Sam Bankman-Fried’s (SBF) arrest “followed receipt of formal notification from the United States that it has filed criminal charges against SBF and is likely to request his extradition”.

Mr Pinder also last night denied that he or any government official gave permission for FTX’s nowarrested founder to violate a freeze order by returning

$100m in assets to 1,500 purported “Bahamian” clients.

Meanwhile, major legal battle was brewing last night for control of $256.3m worth of Bahamian real estate assets as FTX’s local liquidators sought to extract them from Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in the US.

MINNIS: NATION COULD HIT NEW MURDER RECORD

By JADE RUSSELL jrussell@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said yesterday the country is on track to set another murder record due to the government’s failed handling of crime.

Dr Minnis’ comments came during his contribution to the National Investment Funds Bill in Parliament yesterday.

“In the first full year of the Davis administration,

we are nearing a national murder record. Nearly 130 have been murdered this year thus far. The violence

in New Providence is out of control.

“Investors and tourists could be less likely to come here and spend their money if this administration does not get a handle on the situation,” he said.

Dr Minnis criticised Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis’ response to crime as he argued, “on the rare occasion when he’s (prime minister) in The Bahamas,” Mr Davis does not address the issue.

YOUNG: HARRY AND MEGHAN SHOW MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

SAM BANKMAN-FRIED

PETER

DR HUBERT MINNIS

FTX founder arrested

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

SAM Bankman-Fried, former CEO of crypto giant FTX, was arrested by the Royal Bahamas Police Force yesterday and will likely face extradition to the United States, Attorney General Ryan Pinder announced.

In a statement issued last night, Senator Pinder said Sam Bankman-Fried’s (SBF) arrest “followed receipt of formal notification from the United States that it has filed criminal charges against SBF and is likely to request his extradition”.

He added: “As a result of the notification received and the material provided therewith, it was deemed appropriate for the attorney general to seek SBF’s arrest and hold him in custody pursuant to our nation’s Extradition Act.

“At such time as a formal request for extradition is made, The Bahamas intends to process it promptly, pursuant to Bahamian law and its treaty obligations with the United States.”

Responding to the former billionaire’s arrest, Prime Minister Philip Davis said The Bahamas will continue to investigate Mr Bankman-Fried.

“The Bahamas and the United States have a shared interest in holding accountable all individuals associated with FTX who may have betrayed the public trust and broken the law. While the United States is pursuing criminal charges against SBF individually, The Bahamas will continue its own regulatory and criminal investigations into the collapse of FTX, with the continued cooperation of

its law enforcement and regulatory partners in the United States and elsewhere,” Mr Davis said.

The arrest came as a result of a sealed indictment from the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.

“Earlier this evening, Bahamian authorities arrested Samuel Bankman-Fried at the request of the US government, based on a sealed indictment filed by the SDNY. We expect to move to unseal the indictment in the morning and will have more to say at that time,” Damian Williams,

the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said on Twitter yesterday.

FTX, Alameda Research, and “dozens other affiliated companies” filed a bankruptcy petition in Delaware last month after facing a liquidity crisis.

FTX Digital Markets, which is headquartered in The Bahamas, is the Bahamian subsidiary of FTX Trading Ltd, the owner and operator of FTX.

It was incorporated in The Bahamas in July 2021.

The firm’s collapse is currently

being investigated by local and international law enforcement agencies, who are probing the handling of FTX customers’ funds.

However, local authorities had been accused of being too quiet on their investigations.

Hours before news of Mr Bankman-Fried’s arrest broke, East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson called on the government to provide an update on the status of investigations related to the FTX collapse, saying the attorney general’s speech last month on the crypto giant’s collapse was not enough.

“At present, we are still not doing enough to defend ourselves internationally and in the international community from the fall of FTX. It is all connected,” Mr Thompson told parliamentarians yesterday.

“We are being called all manner of things from all manner of people. One speech from the attorney general is not enough. Truth be told ,there seems to be even more negative reviews.”

Last week, Mr Bankman-Fried, also known as SBF, sat down with Bahamian journalist Jerome Sawyer in his first local interview since the crypto giant’s implosion.

The episode aired on Sunday night.

During the interview, the former billionaire denied claims of the company being non-compliant with the country’s digital assets regulations and disagreed with the characterisation of The Bahamas’ digital assets regulatory regime in international media.

He claimed his team had spent an enormous amount of time “on regulations and compliance”.

‘ALARM’ AS 53 KILLED ON ROADS THIS YEAR

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

AFTER a string of traffic fatalities in recent weeks,

accidents in the country is “alarming”.

He revealed that 53 people have died in traffic accidents thus far this year.

CSP Lockhart said the traffic fatality rate has surpassed last year’s rate of 46, and is two counts shy of surpassing that of 2020, which was 55.

He is hopeful there will be no more traffic fatalities for the remainder of the year.

“We are advising the motoring public to adhere to the posted speed limit and all the road traffic rules and regulations,” he said yesterday.

“As we approach the holidays, we (police) are asking people to not text and drive. Not to be distracted while driving. Do not drink and drive; if you must drink, do not drive,” he continued.

Over the weekend, four separate traffic fatalities occurred: two in Eleuthera, one in New Providence, and one in Grand Bahama.

In one of the incidents, police in Eleuthera reported that a male passenger was left dead after a woman driver hit a wall and tree. According to reports, the female driver received minor injuries, however, the male

passenger received serious injuries and died on the scene.

The second incident in Eleuthera involved a 30-year-old male who was the passenger on the back of a 2006 Chevy Silverado 250 truck when he accidentally fell from the truck as the driver overtook another vehicle.

In the third incident, a 19-year-old motorcyclist was left dead after a traffic accident in New Providence.

Meanwhile, a 70-year-old male of Sea Grape, Eight Mile Rock, was killed after being struck by a vehicle while crossing a street in Grand Bahama on Saturday.

Speeding is a big concern for police, according to CSP Lockhart.

The highest speed limit within the country is 45mph.

“Well for the most part this year

speed was a major contributing factor for a number of the fatal crashes, also careless pedestrians,” he told this newspaper yesterday.

He continued: “So we are saying to pedestrians if you have to use the road, if there are sidewalks provided, please use the sideways. If you have to walk at night, wear clothes that are highly visible and if you have to cross the road always ascertain the road is clear and the driver sees you before you cross.”

He noted that police visibility will be high on the streets as the holidays are approaching to crackdown on traffic offences and ensure the safety of motorists.

CSP Lockhart reported that the Ministry of Transport is in discussions to launch a road safety month within the “early new year”.

He also gave insight into his relationship with local regulators in The Bahamas before his company’s implosion.

He said he really appreciated having an “open line of communication” with the Securities Commission of The Bahamas (SCB) and described Prime Minister Davis as a great leader who has been “incredibly empathetic” and “incredibly well intentioned.”

Earlier this year, the crypto exchange broke ground to start construction on its $60m headquarters.

The project, however, has since been put on hold, according to Mr Bankman-Fried.

The former billionaire was expected to testify virtually before the US House Financial Services Committee today.

In a statement last night, the Royal Bahamas Police Force confirmed Mr Bankman-Fried’s arrest and said he would appear at court today.

The statement said: “Police wish to inform that 30-year-old Samuel Benjamin Bankman-Fried, of California, USA, has been arrested.

“Officers of the Financial Crimes Investigation Unit (FCIU), arrested Bankman-Fried shortly after 6pm on Monday, December 12, 2022, at his apartment complex, located Albany, Nassau, Bahamas.”

The statement added: “He was arrested reference to various financial offences against laws of the United States, which are also offences against laws of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

“He was taken into custody without incident and will appear in Magistrate Court, Nassau Bahamas, on Tuesday, December 13, 2022.”

POLICEMAN CHARGED WITH CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT MURDER

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A POLICE officer along with his alleged accomplice were formally charged with conspiracy to commit murder yesterday in connection with the death of a Passport Office employee earlier this month.

Police Corporal 2500 Darren Davis, 47, and Stephan Davis, 27, faced Magistrate Shaka Serville on the charge.

Corporal Davis was represented by attorney Ian Cargill and Mr Davis was represented by Alleecia Delancy. Sergeant Deon Bart served as prosecutor.

It is alleged that on December 2 in New Providence, being concerned together and with others, the pair agreed to commit the murder of Jayson Whitfield.

The 43-year-old victim was found dead in his

government-issued vehicle by authorities around 7.30am on December 3 in Garden Hills. Johnson’s body was discovered in his neighbourhood with apparent gunshot wounds.

Due to the severity of the offence, neither man was required to enter a plea in court. As such they were informed that their matter would proceed to the Supreme Court by way of a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).

The accused were told that as the magistrate lacked the jurisdiction to grant them bail, they had the right to apply for it through the higher court.

Until bail is granted to them, they will be remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

They are expected to receive their VBIs on March 29, 2023.

Chief Superintendent David Lockhart of the Royal Bahamas Police Force Traffic Division said the number of

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis at the official opening of the FTX Digital Markets

Headquarters alongside Sam Bankman-Fried.

THE SCENE of the fatal traffic accident in Grand Bahama on Saturday.

Photo: Vandyke Hepburn

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis touring FTX facilities with Sam BankmanFried at the official opening.

THANKFUL FOR A HELPING HAND IN A TIME OF NEED

By JADE RUSSELL jrussell@tribunemedia.net

CHERYL Adderley said since being diagnosed with a brain tumor, her life has changed drastically as she now depends on the assistance of Social Services.

Yesterday, The Tribune canvassed the Department of Social Services to see how residents in need were coping this holiday season.

Ms Adderley spoke to The Tribune yesterday at the department’s office on Blue Hill Road where she patiently waited to receive food stamps.

Visibly emotional, the 58-year-old said she is originally from Long Island, but had to move to New Providence after being diagnosed with a brain tumor.

She explained the diagnosis changed her life completely as she went from being a successful chef to now spending some of her days in the lobby of Social Services for much-needed help.

“I live with my daddy, but he’s sick and he is retired, so I take care of me and him.”

Holding back tears, Ms Adderley described going to Social Services as a saving grace in the last four times she’s come for assistance.

“It helped me a lot because it gives me the food coupon and I’ll be able to buy food and stuff like that.”

Although the $80 in food stamps she has received from the department isn’t a lot she expressed gratitude for the assistance.

Ms Adderley said it is challenging trying to make the little money she has “stretch” when food prices are high in the grocery stores.

‘I didn’t have the money so the government paid. When I look at it, the government has helped me a lot. I can’t complain and I can’t leave it up to the government all the time.’

“I was to work and that happened on the 17 of May I got sick. I rented a car then two days later, I couldn’t move. When I went to the clinic, they sent me off on an emergency flight,” she said.

“When I went to the hospital, they told me that I had a brain tumor. So, they placed me in the ward for a month and a half. I was taking treatment. I’m still taking treatment now.”

Asked if she had any children to help support her, Ms Adderley said: “I had two foster children, but they’re not able to help me.

Like many other residents, Ms Adderley is grappling with the high cost of living, inflation, and the disadvantage of being unemployed.

She continued: “I mean, the government is helping me a lot because they help with my medical bills.

Like, I just had to take an MRI and that was $1,200, and Social Services paid for that. Then I had to take blood work, which was like $800.

“I didn’t have the money so the government paid. When I look at it, the government has helped me a lot. I can’t complain and I can’t leave it up to the government all the time. So the food stamps are helping.”

Ms Adderley wiped tears from her eyes as she said that in these times people cannot be “too prideful” to seek help when needed.

COOPER HAILS ‘TRANSFORMATIONAL’ NATIONAL INVESTMENT FUNDS BILL

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

economic certainty of the country and its people.”

Mr Cooper, who is also Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, moved the bill in the House of Assembly as he opened debate on it.

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The proposed legislation seeks to repeal and replace the Sovereign Wealth Fund Act, 2016 and allow for the establishment and management of a national investment fund regime.

It also creates a framework that will aid national efforts to advance the blue, green, and orange economies of The Bahamas.

“The bill provides a legacy for future generations of the citizens of The Bahamas,” Mr Cooper told parliamentarians yesterday.

“It provides for the management of the natural resource wealth of The Bahamas and private investments held by the government of The Bahamas for the present and future benefit of its people in an effective and efficient manner.

“This bill ensures that investments and private share holdings of the government are managed professionally for the longterm benefit of citizens of The Bahamas.

“It ensures that revenues from the natural resources and investments of The Bahamas contribute to the

The bill was first tabled in Parliament in October by Prime Minister Phillip Davis who supported the legislation, saying it will assist the country’s development and future progress.

Yesterday, Mr Cooper congratulated Mr Davis, who is currently out of the country, for the work put into the legislation.

“You would note the name of the bill, Madam Speaker, is the National Investment Funds Bill,” he continued. “The plural nature of the word ‘funds’ is deliberate as the bill provides for the establishment of one or more national investment funds and subfunds. This is a Sovereign Wealth Fund, but it is so much more.

“Part two of the bill lays out the following reasons that a fund may be established under this law.”

These include the development of national infrastructure and public improvement projects; a public development and advancement project related to the blue, green and orange economy; to receive revenues derived from national assets and resources in public-private partnership, to receive revenues derived from the trading of carbon credits; among other reasons.

“We can set up an infrastructure fund, an

education fund, a utilities development fund, a disaster recovery fund, et cetera, to drive national development,” he also said.

Mr Cooper said in short, the bill will allow for the government to maximise its revenues.

Through this bill, the fund will be managed by an appointed board of governors, which will consist of five members who are knowledgeable in matters of finance, investment, economics, business management or law.

For his part, East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson said there were a number of problems with the bill.

“It is an investment fund which means even if the government owns assets you have a board that must be independent and transparent and free from government political influence,” Mr Thompson said during his contribution to the debate.

“As I recall it was designed to have an investment fund manager who is a global investment firm who is free from political interference. This should be mainly driven, and I believe the member of Exuma said it should be driven mainly by the private sector and the private sector board.

“The problem, though, with this bill is that it is full of potentially political influence,” Mr Thompson said.

ACTING Prime Minister Chester Cooper yesterday hailed the National Investment Funds Bill 2022 as

a

“transformational” piece of legislation that will lay the foundation for public sector investing and reinvestment

in support of the country’s national development goals.

CHERYL Adderley pictured yesterday.

Photo: Austin Fernander

Mitchell defends Sears over BPL fuel hedging

By LETRE SWEETING lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

FOREIGN Affairs

Minister Fred Mitchell yesterday defended Works and Utilities Minister Alfred Sears over the controversy surrounding the latter’s conflicting statements over the Bahamas Power and Light fuel hedging issue.

Mr Sears has been accused of misleading Parliament and there have been calls for him to resign.

However, Mr Mitchell shifted the blame onto Bahamas Power and Light saying that “BPL itself rejected recommendations for a fuel hedge”.

In a circulating voice note released on Monday, Mr Mitchell, chairman of the Progressive Liberal Party, accused the media and the Free National Movement of spreading untruths.

Mr Mitchell called out Michael Pintard, leader of the FNM as well as The Nassau Guardian and The Tribune for “practising to

deceive” the public about who should be blamed for the fuel hedge controversy and discrepancies when Mr Sears admitted that he in fact was aware of the recommendation made to hedge oil prices in advance of the BPL surcharge increase this year for consumers.

“The bottom line is this, after all ‘the horse dead and cow fat’ all the nonsense that press and the FNM and all this stuff about BPL, the problem is BPL itself rejected the hedge left in place and they believed it would have been negligible in its effects and so not worth the effort,” Mr Mitchell said.

“What we know is BPL made the right decision on the hedge. It was not worth the paper written on. All of these millions of dollars claimed would have been saved was a fantasy on their part. As for The Tribune and The (Nassau) Guardian, oh what a web we weave, when first we practise to deceive,” he said.

Mr Mitchell claimed yesterday that Mr Sears did not mislead the House of Assembly on the question of the hedge to protect against an increase in future oil prices at BPL and in fact he corrected himself on the floor of The House of Assembly.

“Last week there was a concerted push by Mr Pintard, his colleagues to get Mr Sears to resign they said because he misled the House of Assembly on the question of the hedge to protect against future oil prices at BPL left in place by the FNM administration,” Mr Mitchell said.

“The only problem with their argument for resignation is that it’s built on a false premise. Mr Sears indicated that as soon as he recognised the error of his statement, he corrected it on the floor of the House. So, where then was the misleading? Misleading requires malice. That means that you knew it was false and you deliberately told a falsehood. Not so in

this case. So, the whole Pintard FNM case collapsed on its face long before their demonstration in front of Mr Sears’ office. It was just showboating on their part,” he said.

Mr Mitchell added that the media also misled the public by “doing the work of the opposition”.

“The intrepid Nassau Guardian and (The) Tribune were doing the work of the opposition. They asked Mr Sears the question about the hedge during his press conference doing Michael Pintard’s dirty work, sabotaging the press conference, which was really on the renewal of the roads in New Providence and instead they brought that question up,” Mr Mitchell said. “Mr Sears simply repeated what they said in the House.”

On Thursday, Mr Sears said that he misspoke in Parliament, which resulted in a misleading account of events leading up to the rejection of the BPL fuel hedging trades

recommendation.

Mr Sears said he initially did not recall receiving the email on the matter when first mentioned by Mr Pintard, the opposition’s leader.

“I did not recall having received that email. And I stated that I wrote BPL, and I also wrote the PS (permanent secretary), and I asked: ‘Could you refresh me, and did I receive it?’ I didn’t get a response, a confirmation,” Mr Sears said at the time.

“For several weeks, I was in New York, and I took a day and I brought my old iPad. I went back personally and did a search, and I found that I did receive - I think it was on October 9I did receive an email with the attachments. It would have gone on to be sent on to the financial secretary, which is normal because they are the technical review in terms of financial clearance. It really was to access a loan which is managed by the Ministry of Finance,” Mr Sears said.

MINNIS: NATION COULD HIT NEW MURDER RECORD

He described the prime minister’s inability to create a workable crime plan as being “disgraceful,” adding the Davis administration’s Blueprint for Change promised to combat crime, but has failed to do so since being in office.

Dr Minnis continued: “In fact, citizens of The Bahamas can see no effective crime response at all from this prime minister and his administration.”

Dr Minnis said innocent bystanders and children have fallen victim to incidents where criminals have caused violence.

“Bahamians want to live in peaceful communities. They want to raise their families in a place of law and order. But the government themselves are not following the law.”

Dr Minnis said the prime minister’s “greatest failure” is not leading the way when it comes to addressing crime in the country.

In November, National Security Minister Wayne Munroe expressed disappointment in the country’s murder toll, which is the highest since 2017, saying “if one person is murdered, I am disappointed”.

“We are disappointed when people decide that they want to kill other people. It’s our job to stop them from wanting to do that. And if they do it, catch them and imprison them and correct that behaviour. “For the record if one person is murdered, I am disappointed,” Mr Munroe told The Tribune When asked if it was expected that the country’s crime level would get worse before it got better, Mr Munroe responded: “It’s difficult to say it’s expected, but it’s easy to say we see it all over the world.”

from the press briefing held by the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources at which Minister Vaughn Miller announced the launch of a cleanup campaign for New Providence and the Family Islands.

Photos: Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources

THE Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources has embarked on a “massive” clean-up campaign for New Providence and several Family Islands in preparation for the nation’s 50th independence celebrations next July.

Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources Vaughn Miller recently outlined plans for the national campaign.

The phased programme is organised by the Ministry of the Environment in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development, the Ministry of Public Works and Utilities and other government ministries.

Mr Miller said in the first phase, New Providence will receive a $1.1m investment to beautify the communities of Englerston, Freetown, Fort Charlotte, Fox Hill, Bain and Grants Town, Fort Charlotte, and Golden Isles.

“It will focus on the removal of derelict vehicles from properties within those communities, followed by the systematic removal of all bulk waste,” said Mr Miller.

“Our little island is filthy; it’s dirty, and the time has long been that we needed to clean it up. Sweep it

clean, and keep it clean. We are going to clean it up, and let’s all do our best to keep it clean.

“This revolutionary programme is the brainchild of our leader and Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Hon. Philip Davis who has a deep concern for the plight of the average Bahamian, especially those who were born and reside in the inner city of New Providence and those living on the Family Islands.”

The programme will focus on the acquisition of vacant properties for the erection of community centres, parks and recreational facilities. Street lighting, street signs, replacement repairs to the potable water system, and a total refurbishment of all government rental complexes will be included in the upgrade to these communities.

Mr Miller said the Urban Renewal Commission, headed by Stephen Dean,

former assistant commissioner of police and Leslie Miller, former Cabinet minister, along with various community partners, will renovate homes that are in dire need of repairs and collaborate with landlords to ensure that they upgrade all rental properties in New Providence and the Family Islands.

“Those who continue to dump vehicles and bulk waste indiscriminately should be aware that the government’s newly implemented environmental court will place severe financial penalties on those who decide to use The Bahamas as their personal dumping ground,” he said.

In the Family Islands, the cost is projected at some $400,000 and will focus on the islands of Andros, Bimini, Cat Island, Eleuthera, Exuma, and Great Harbour Cay in the Berry Islands.

He highlighted that other countries are also battling the issue of crime as he described it as a phenomenon the world is facing.

“All we need to do is look to the south of us in the Turks and Caicos. Look to the north of us in the US, look at Jamaica, in Trinidad. Look, in every country it’s a phenomenon that the world is facing.”

Since then, there has been a series of murders in the country, the latest killings occurred in a double shooting.

On December 9, a man in his early 20s and a teenage boy, who was out on bail, were shot dead that morning when they were ambushed by gunmen in a parking lot on Ferguson Road off West Bay Street.

Their deaths have taken the country’s murder toll to 125 for the year, according to this newspaper’s records.

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

Published daily Monday to Friday Shirley & Deveaux Streets, Nassau, Bahamas N3207

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Circulation Department (242) 502-2386 Nassau fax (242) 328-2398 Freeport, Grand Bahama (242)-352-6608 Freeport fax (242) 352-9348

Questions remain after FTX founder’s arrest

THE news of the arrest of Sam Bankman-Fried’s arrest feels as if it has been both inevitable and strangely overdue.

The FTX founder has talked repeatedly in somewhat colourful language about how the collapse of the business falls on his shoulders.

He has spoken in podcasts of interviews quite freely about practices that sound very questionable.

Meanwhile, there was a seeming back and forth about whether he would or would not testify before the US House Financial Services Committee in messages on social media between him and California representative Maxine Waters.

That committee will proceed with its hearing today – but Mr Bankman-Fried shall be otherwise engaged following his detention.

The legal process will now proceed, with it seeming apparent that there will be moves to extradite Mr BankmanFried from his Bahamian home to face charges in the US.

The sheer scale of the collapse has of course attracted global interest and there will be huge questions over the structure of the business and the checks and safeguards it operated, or the lack thereof.

Of particular pertinence to The Bahamas are questions about how FTX was able to reopen withdrawals despite a freeze order on its assets. In that process, about $100m was released to 1,500 clients supposedly from The Bahamas.

Who received those funds will be of particular interest, especially if those funds are to be pursued by liquidators for reclamation.

Mr Bankman-Fried’s emails with Attorney General Ryan Pinder are also now in the spotlight, with Mr BankmanFried having emailed Mr Pinder about those funds being released to Bahamian customers.

He said: “We would be more than happy to open up withdrawals for all Bahamian customers on FTX, so that they can, tomorrow, fully withdraw all of their assets, making them fully whole. It’s your call whether you want us to do this, but we are more than happy to and would consider it the very least of our duty to the country, and could open it up immediately if you reply saying you want us to. If we don’t hear back from you, we are going to go ahead and do it tomorrow.”

Let us be clear – there is no evidence that has been presented that Mr Pinder or any other Cabinet minister or government official gave the go-ahead for Mr Bankman-Fried to go ahead with his proposal. But he did indeed proceed.

FTX’s Bahamian attorney, former Attorney General Allyson

Maynard-Gibson, was copied on the email.

There is also the question of what will happen to the property portfolio bought up in The Bahamas by FTX – and there is a legal bid to make the case pertaining to that part of the saga heard here rather than in Delaware.

Today, in the Southern District of New York, an indictment is due to be unsealed against Mr Bankman-Fried. Reportedly, the charges are to include wire fraud, wire fraud conspiracy, securities fraud, securities fraud conspiracy and money laundering.

This will be a big case, and Mr Bankman-Fried has of course to be given every opportunity to defend himself.

For The Bahamas, we need to know very specific answers related to our part in the process – including when people knew of steps being taken, and what was done to prevent improper actions.

We must keep a close eye on what these proceedings reveal – and rest assured, we shall.

Oban again

In today’s Tribune Business, former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis offers a new defence over the Oban debacle that tarnished his administration.

You may recall the $5.5bn deal being unveiled with much excitement at a Heads of Agreement signing – only for it all to unravel after questions were raised over the people fronting Oban.

Dr Minnis during his term as Prime Minister admitted to “mis-steps”, while saying that “our heart was in the right place”.

In 2018, he admitted “more comprehensive due diligence” should have been done.

Now, he’s pointing the finger of blame at the former Perry Christie administration, saying they are the ones who should have done the due diligence.

Come off it, Dr Minnis. For a project of any size, you don’t accept someone else’s say on the matter – you do your own homework. For a deal with a $5.5bn price tag, you absolutely make sure that everyone involved lives up to their promised reputation. It didn’t take long for The Tribune to pick holes in the Oban deal – so why didn’t the Minnis administration do that same diligence?

This isn’t the first time Dr Minnis has tried to point the finger at his political opponents over Oban – he tried to do so previously when pointing out the company came before the National Economic Council during the Christie administration. But you can’t blame anyone else if you haven’t checked the details yourself.

A winter we may not forget

EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE Farmers Alamac, an American Periodical has been forecasting North America’s weather since 1818. These long-range forecasts have offered farmers, meteorologists and the public a explanation of what will possibly happen with our climate and why. Well, the Alamac’s predictions for the winter of 2022-2023 should elicit our attention and possible response to the highly active weather to come.

A major weather divide is in the forecast. The weather in Canada, USA and Mexico will be affected, a divide where one half of the continent will be blistering cold while the other will be mild. Like the summer, where drought and horrendous heat was felt in the western regions while central and easter regions experienced rains and pleasant weather, this winter will be an aching sever experience sometimes, while more pleasant moderate weather acts as a weather break throughout the winter months. The weather services warn us that our winter will be severely cold, and with the high degree of moisture within our weather systems, snow will be plentiful. Just ask the citizens of Buffalo - Niagara Region who just experienced historic snow falls, especially around the Great Lakes. As high as 211 inches, with an average snow fall of 79 inches within hours. Climactic Episodes like this present us with many questions and concerns about public and private actions needed to take place, so we will all be safe.

Sever snowfalls happen when high levels of moisture are present in the air, and driven upward by high winds freeze, falling as

hail and snow. This winter season has such high levels of moisture. La Nina is back this winter, the third year of this weather pattern. There is a large supply of warm air available that can and will be moving into cold masses producing precipitation.

A coast-to-coast survey of 1508 Canadians commissioned by First Onsite Property Restoration this spring has shown just how concerned Canadians are about their weather experiences, and the fear of not being prepared for whatever is to come. A concern for how, why and if the insurance industry will be able to assist those inflicted by weather damage annually. Whatever the natural disaster or weather event, a massive stress has been placed upon our assurance of financial protection. Last year the US Insurance Industry experienced historic financial draws upon its reserves, caused by Hurricanes, Twisters, demanding winter snowfalls with severe weather, flooding in the off seasons, droughts throughout the west and southern regions. $20-35 Billion assurance demands and payouts and counting. Canada has experienced weather severity on both coasts, while the western region experienced droughts in the summer(wildfires), and severe cold in the winter.

The public needs to” hope for the best, be prepared for the worst”. What can the public do to be prepared?

1. Get weather, natural disaster property insurance. No one expects the roof to collapse until six feet of

snow in one day drops onto it.

2. Take the time to insulate all exposed and interior pipes, walls and attic areas. While in the attic inspect for mold, the presence of animals and undue moisture.

3. Make a habit of inspecting your home and property, especially before and during a weather event.

4. Have appropriate medical supplies and training should you be called upon to serve.

5. If possible, get a generator and have it properly installed. A good weather survival tool.

6. Be informed through media, news and personal contacts about weather events and patterns.

7. Create a familyNeighborhood weather watch and support group.

8. Have propane, BBQ, Lighting, Batteries and cooking - heating equipment available at first need. There is an Arctic Vortex hovering above the North Pole, keeping the cold weather up there, but this vortex can extend at times as far as Texas. The Farmers Alamac has warned us of the approaching record breaking cold, spooning southward. The EU and UK will also experience colder weather, with active weather events challenging the region and possibly threatening their populations. Overall plunging temperatures and above average snowfall is expected, with multiple storms within the Gulf and Southern Regions of America. The greater the moisture count in our atmosphere, the greater the chance that North America will experience a winter it may not forget easily.

STEVEN KASZAB Bradford, Ontario November 24, 2022.

Thank you, Mr Duffy

EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE Bahamas Press Club today is sad to learn of the passing of Mr Eugene Duffy, managing editor of The Tribune

Over the years, he has been a strong supporter of the Press Club, accommodating press releases on

pertinent issues regarding the local media, and the annual Press Club Media Awards. He ensured that his editorial team submitted their best work for judging; the end result was winning coveted awards in various categories.

Mr Duffy’s strong editorial managerial stance will

be missed.

We offer our sincerest condolences

England.

to The Tribune family, and especially his family across the pond in

ANTHONY CAPRON President, The Bahamas Press

PILGRIMS camp outside the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City, early yesterday. Devotees of the Virgin of Guadalupe make the pilgrimage for her December 12 feast day, the anniversary of one of several apparitions of the Virgin Mary witnessed by an Indigenous Mexican man named Juan Diego in 1531.

Photo: Aurea Del Rosario/AP

Detention Centre upgrades ‘to cost at minimum seven figures’

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

LABOUR and Immigration Minister Keith Bell revealed that necessary upgrades to the Carmichael Road Detention Centre will cost “seven figures at the very minimum”.

He said there is a new medical facility at the site and soon the government hopes to have an official commissioning of that facility in collaboration with the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Health.

The minister gave the updates to reporters when questioned about the detention centre.

He said: “The detention centre, again, that is a work in progress. I am pleased to report that just last week we have a new medical facility and very soon we hope to have an official commissioning of that facility in collaboration with the Ministry of Works and, of course, the Ministry of Health and so I’m very pleased with that. We’re looking to upgrade our detention centre and we’re also looking to possibly move towards the construction of a detention centre in Inagua.”

Asked how much it cost the government for upgrades on the books so far, Mr Bell stated: “The upgrades you’re talking seven figures, at the very minimum. The detention centre obviously needs a whole lot of upgrade in terms of infrastructure, physical and otherwise in terms of ensuring that all of the technical support that they need, the cameras, the CCTV, the lookout tower. All of that

is updated. As I indicated, the medical dorm, now we have to move towards equipping it and so you’re talking some good sum of money.”

Meanwhile, Mr Bell also expressed optimism regarding the impending increase of the minimum wage in the private sector.

“From all indications it is going very smoothly. All of the employees, the Employers’ Confederation and all they’re on board, certainly. As you would be aware, the government public service has already gotten their increase and so we’re very pleased with what we have achieved. We told the people that, once elected, we will increase minimum wage, and that is done,” he said.

“As a matter of fact, I can even take it

further. We’re now moving in the direction of a liveable wage. And so today, I have a meeting with the department heads of the Department of Labour to discuss the start of actually educating everybody on ensuring that we get the employers on board as quickly as possible. So we get the dialogue going, and determine what it is, how the legislation will take shape.”

Many have been disgruntled over the cost of living increasing, but not salaries. Road Traffic officials have confirmed the department’s plan to increase service fees in the new year, with the changes set to take effect January 1, 2023.

The minister mentioned the importance of everybody getting onboard the

PROSECUTOR CALLS FOR MAN GUILTY OF INCEST TO BE JAILED FOR UP TO 30 YEARS

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A PROSECUTOR said that a father convicted of two counts of incest against his daughter should face 20 to 30 years in prison.

These remarks came during the man’s sentencing hearing in the Supreme Court yesterday.

The 48-year-old convict, whose name is being withheld to protect the identity of the victim, is represented by Murrio Ducille, KC, before Justice Guilliminia Archer-Minns.

He was present for the reading of his probation report.

It was in this report that his daughter said that he had done the “unthinkable”

to her when he forced her to have sex with him when she was only 15 and 16 years old. She further said that she wishes for her father to suffer for his actions against her, which occurred in 2015 and 2016, so that he cannot hurt anyone else.

During Mr Ducille’s remarks after the probation report was read, he said that his client is not beyond redemption. The attorney went on to say that the two months his client has spent in prison following his conviction has had a “devastating” impact on him, even saying that it has left the father “fragile”.

Mr Ducille then urged the justice not to destroy his client, but to use her discretion in regard to his sentencing.

Basil Cumberbatch, assistant director of public prosecutions and prosecutor in this case, countered this argument by saying that the victim in this matter is herself “fragile” from her ordeal. He then explained that she had to relive the trauma her father put her through in what he called an “abuse of a position of trust” during this trial.

In addition to citing the convict’s decision to not plead guilty to spare his daughter a trial, Mr Cumberbatch called the incest charges akin to rape. As such he told the justice that a 20- to 30-year sentence would be appropriate in the dispensing of this matter.

Justice Archer-Minns is set to deliver her sentencing on the matter on February 16, 2023 at 2pm.

TWO CHARGED WITH RAPE ATTACKS

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

TWO men were remanded to prison yesterday after being accused of two separate sexual assaults against women.

Shaquille Hanna, 30, stood before Senior Magistrate Derence A Rolle Davis on a charge of rape.

It is alleged that on December 2 in New Providence, Hanna had sexual intercourse with a 25-yearold woman without her consent.

Hanna was not required to enter a plea in court

due to his matter being an indictable offence. He was informed that his case would be fast tracked to the Supreme Court by a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).

The accused was further told that as the magistrate did not have the jurisdiction to grant him bail he had the right to apply for it in the Supreme Court.

Until bail is granted, Hanna will be remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS).

His VBI will be served on February 15, 2023.

The second man, Livingstone Fox, 27, appeared before Magistrate Algernon Allen, Jr, on a charge of attempted rape.

Fox is accused of attempting to force a woman to have sex with him on September 29 on Paradise Island.

Fox was also not required to plead and was informed that his matter would proceed to the higher court by way of a VBI.

He was remanded to BDCS until he is granted bail by the Supreme Court.

Fox’s VBI is set for service on April 4, 2023.

MAN ACCUSED OF ARMED ROBBERY

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN appeared in court yesterday in connection with two armed muggings in the nation’s capital earlier this month.

Durante Davis, 24, faced Magistrate Shaka Serville on two counts of armed robbery.

It is alleged that on December 5 in New Providence, Davis, while being

concerned with others and armed with a handgun, robbed Deonta Johnson of her $300 black Samsung A21 cellphone and her grey Chevy Cruz valued at $7,000.

On the same day, it is further alleged that the accused robbed Ashton Lopez at gunpoint of his $500 blue TCL cellphone.

As this charge is an indictable offence, Davis was not required to enter a plea at this time. He was informed that his matter would

proceed to the Supreme Court by way of a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).

The accused was further told that as the magistrate lacked the jurisdiction to grant him bail he had the right to apply for it through the higher court.

Until bail is granted, Davis will be remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

Service of the defendant’s VBI is slated for February 21, 2023.

discussion for a liveable wage.

“This is why they ought to get involved into the debate moving towards a liveable wage, and the idea

and the objective of a liveable wage is to ensure that as inflation and Road Traffic and food and the food stores, everything goes up, that your wage goes up at

the same time. How we achieve that is open for discussion and debate and that is why we need everybody to get on board,” Mr Bell said.

Funeral Service for ALPHONSO ROBERT “Boogaloo” ELLIOTT, 80

of Lakeshore and Atlantic Drive, will be held on Thursday, 15th December 2022, at 10.00 a.m. at The Church of The Most Holy Trinity, Triinity Way, Stapledon Gardens. Officiating will be Rev. Fr. DeAngelo Bowe, assisted by Archdeacon Mark Fox, Rev. Fr. Roderick Bain, and other members of the clergy. Interment will follow in Lakeview Memorial Gardens & Mausoleum, John F. Kennedy Drive and Gladstone Road.

He is survived by his, wife: Lorraine Elliott; daughters: Tanya McCartney, Kira Horton, India (Marco), Alia and Thea Elliott, Erin and Fallon Stubbs; sons: Micah Valdez, Michael Elliott, Covance Cooper, Anwar, Rhyan and Rhandi Elliott; special sons: Anton (Krista), Rafel (Debris) and Gary (Dennica); special friends: Ruby Anne CooperDarling, Rev’d Dr. Reuben Cooper Jr. and Family, Fannie Pletka; brothers: Kenneth (Eula), Barry, Elvis, Steve (Uhura) Bruce (Dianna), George (Tammy), Norbert (Angela), and Jerome (Edris); sisters: Theresa, Naomi, Judy, Verona (Ervin) Missick, and Nicola; loyal friend and confidante: Rt. Honourable Hubert A. Ingraham and Mrs. Delores Ingraham; grandchildren: Alphonso, Robin, Adrian, Lavaugn, Lorenzo, Shenique, Tairyn, Ariah, Michael, Destiny and Daniel; sisters-in-law: Lilliard Elliott, Denison (Edwin) Balfour, Ordette; brothers-in-law: Godfrey (Delores), Derek, Ronald Simms, Barry (Edith); nephews: Mutahi, Norbert, Jr., Jasson, Alexander, Dominic, Deonte, and Adrian Jerome Elliott, Milon, Ronrick, Satchel, Owen, Percival, Alphonso, Matthew, Kenvaughn, Rodrick and Ramon, Shawn, Juan, Tamara, Jerome, Don, Wenzel, Craig Jr.; nieces: Chanelle, Danielle, Sasczha, Suzette, Bruanne, Laurel, and Meagan, Owen, Oprah, Tanya, Duquesa, Ramona, Kenreece , Evra, Tiffany, Karen, Jurelle (Marco), Oprah, Tiffany and Karan Walkes, Jessica, Tara,Christin, Monique, Regina, Andrew, Andrea, Steve, Stevino, Stephon, Dashanique, Adassia, Shamaron, Craniska and Alexis, Messita (Durante); cousins: Oswald Brown, Patricia Horsford, Mabel (Lee) Moultrie, Alfred Elliott, Norma Elliott, Wayne Saunders, Derrick Elliott (Monique), Olga Therese (Bruno) Thompson, Dr. Marcella (Kendal) Ferguson, Sgt. Joseph Elliott, Gerard (Eulie) Elliott, Lawrence (Deborah) Elliott, and Terrance Elliott, Denrea Johnson, Margaret Inniss, Cassandra Gibbons, Wayne Elliott, Valentino Elliott, Sherry Elliott Cartwell (Dianna) Curtis, Conrad (Katie), Curtis, Leslie (Rosetta) Duncombe, Leonard, Lendrex, and Lenroy Ross, Dwight (Donna) Brown, Pierre Jerome Brown (Amanda), Nathan (Lisa) McPhee, Christopher Horsford, Dr. Gerald Forbes, Mabel and Linda Seas, Leonardette King (Daniel), Rachelle Munson (William), Florida, Antoinette (Christopher), Burrows, Sonia McPhee, Juliette (Solomon) Lightbourne, Anna Neely, Fayann Oxley, Alexandria Curtis-Rolle, Karen (Dwayne) Rolle, Devereaux and Amadi King, Carrington Munson, Marieshan and Jade Burrows, Lorenzo and Kenya, Lithera and Hollina Sears, Lauri, Lauren and Lawrence Bethel, Jania and Marco Brown, Lana, Khalid and Belle Ross, Laron Thompson, Solana and Magnus Lightbourne. Mr. Ruis Munnings (Ingrid) and family; other relatives and friends: Nurse Pearl Mills, Nurse Debra Wallace, Nurse Althea Bonamy, Rt. Rev. Bishop Laish Boyd and Mrs. Boyd, Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie, Most Hon. Hubert A. Minnis, Hon. Philip “Brave” Davis, Dr. Duane Sands, Dr. Beverton and Rosel Moxey, Dr. Robin Roberts, Dr. Ronnie Knowles, Mr. Wes Bastian, Dr. Conville Brown, Harry and Eldece Louis, Mandel and Tarah Curry, Charlene Sealy, Celeste Russell, Tamika Ingraham, Troy and Jill Smith and Family, Beverly Smith and Family, Justice Rhonda Bain and Family, Elisha Knowles, Mr. Edward Williams, Mr. Clifford Culmer, Philip Sears and Family, Michael Cunningham and Family, Lenore Scott and family, Kenneth Knowles and family, Rex Rolle and Family, The Holy Trinity Family, The Officers and Members of The Free National Movement, Out the Box Fitness, The Fit Fam Group, The Simms Family, The McCartney Family, The Newton, Edgecombe, Hanna, Woodside, Robinson, Whymms, Lundy, Riley, McNeil, Pickstock, Bowleg, Cargill and Coakley Families of Andros, Maud Adams The management and staff of Bahamas Welding & Fire, Island Gases (1992) Ltd., Grand Bahama Industrial Gases & Supplies and many other relatives and friends too numerous to list

May He Rest In Peace

Friends may pay their last respects at Bethel Brothers Morticians & Crematorium, 44A Nassau Street, on Wednesday, 14th December 2022, from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. There will be no viewing at the church

THE CARMICHAEL Road Detention Centre.

Following a path that is still evolving

WHEN Deidre Moss graduated from the College of the Bahamas with an Associates Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication back in 2007, she dreamed of making her mark in the media field and impacting lives. The road, however, was not so smoothly paved. A small industry with limited opportunities meant that many who graduated with a degree like hers would have to find alternative ways of making their dreams come true. For Deidre, she decided to follow another path that is still evolving for her today.

When she was a child, her father George Moss instilled the importance of education in her. Growing up in the Englerston community, he knew that his daughter - and other youngsters in the area - would face an uphill battle for opportunities for success. To help her stand out from the crowd, he placed a seed in her of a love for education.

Because of it, Deidre never wanted to settle with an Associate’s degree. She decided to further her education as a way to create new paths to success in her life. The opportunities that availed themselves to her through education; the lecturers who impacted her life; and the knowledge that helped to elevate her became the driving force behind her next decision.

Deidre became an educator: “I consider myself an unintentional educator. I had no intention of pursuing teaching, since I came from a family of educators.

“I wanted to take a different path. This is why I pursued Journalism and Mass Communication as my first degree. My goal was to become a journalist.

“However, I ended up forging a career in education. I have taught pre-school, high school, and college/university.”

It turned out to be a good path for Deidre. She has had the opportunity to make an impact on young lives and even help inner city kids see the path to success reflected in her own story.

is currently the Student Affairs professional and a First Year Seminar Instructor at the University of The Bahamas. Her path has always been one of self improvement through education. After her first degree, Deidre obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Public Administration. But the thing she was running from came to follow her and lead her to her destiny.

Deidre is currently schooling at the University of the West Indies through its online services, and she is in the final leg to earn a PHD in higher learning.

“I have found that education has impacted my life and has allowed me to impact the lives of others,” she told me.

In addition to serving as an instructor at the nation’s top tertiary institute, Deidre created her own - the Career Training Institute.

Through this institute, she has held workforce skills training seminars which help with resume

job readiness and more. But once you’re bit with the journalism bug, it’s hard to eradicate. She went out into the field to find her footing. A radio station executive flat out told her ‘no’. Another media executive never responded. Several media executives, she said, met with her and even expressed interest; but to no avail.

In spite of this, Deidre had a vision. She connected with friends from University and together, they designed a show that did not just have a local flair, but also a regional and international one.

She started out with a classmate from Trinidad and Tobago and one from Jamaica. The title of the show is “Can WeTalk? withDeidreMoss”.

“The goal was to highlight various topics and address it from our perspective, seeing that we are all from different countries in the region,” she explained.

“When my colleagues could not continue due to other obligations, I

continued. I have been able to connect with people regionally and internationally including guests from Australia, Africa, the United Kingdom, the United States,

“Deidre has met up with many mentors along the way, and those from whom she could gain inspiration. However, she says her biggest motivation is her relationship with God. Although her father is gone, Deidre can still hear her father’s loving voice helping her steer the ship of life. She is also motivated by her spiritual leader, Apostle Butler.”

Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago.”

“Can WeTalk? withDeidreMoss” can be found on Facebook, where Deidre goes live at 5pm every Friday. Her last episode

alone brought thousands to her page. In addition to the weekly show, Deidre often posts job availability, motivational tips, and more on her Facebook page.

Deidre learned a valuable lesson - she didn’t need to find a job in the media. She could create her own platform and draw people to her.

She never accepted the ‘no’ and she kept on pushing.

“I didn’t accept ‘no’ as a reason not to pursue this goal of having a media platform for the masses,” she said.

To create impactful shows, she connected with non profit organisations such as the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities; the Bahamas Alliance for the Blind and Visually Impaired; and the Hearing Impaired communities to use this platform that she has created to advocate for advancements on their behalf.

Most recently, she enjoyed hosting me as a guest as we spoke about the 16 Days of Activism To End Gender-based violence. We spoke about the need for activism and we both believe in the positive outcomes that are

born for working towards a worthy cause. In this case - we were bringing awareness of the need for a safer Bahamas for us all.

Deidre was impacted by the issues we discussed so much that she invited me to join a virtual panel at the University of the Bahamas along with Alicia Wallace of Equality Bahamas and Maris Masom Smith of the Zonta Club of New Providence.

Students commented that they learned a lot more about what gender based violence is and what they could do to stop it. One of her most memorable shows, she shared, was with Bahamian legend Vera Jane Chase: “We did a show on a ‘Drive through History’. Mrs Chase was able to peel back a lot of layers of Bahamian history. I enjoyed the casual way that she was able to recall so much and give anyone their personal background based on their surname. Mrs Chase was a library; she was a treasure and we are very saddened to lose her.”

Deidre has met up with many mentors along the way, and those from whom she could gain inspiration. However, she says her biggest motivation is her relationship with God. Although her father is gone, Deidre can still hear her father’s loving voice helping her steer the ship of life. She is also motivated by her spiritual leader, Apostle Butler.

Today, she considers herself as a motivator, speaker, producer and content creator - and most of all, a talk connoisseur.

Finally, Deidre has paid the kind of dues in the industry that is reaping benefits.

A radio station has brought her into the fold with a view to changing lives for the better. With her PHD nearly in hand, and a new opportunity at a radio station, Deidre is now at the pinnacle of her career.

But no matter how high she climbs, she will still be looking for that twinkle in the eye of an underprivileged kid, like her, and she will be ready to help guide them on the path to making their own dreams come true.

DEIDRE, centre, welcomes Cynthia Mother Pratt (on her left) who was a guest speaker at her Public Administration Course.

DEIDRE considers herself a motivator, speaker, producer and content creator - and most of all, a talk connoisseur.

HARRY AND MEGHAN MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

THOSE looking for explosive new disclosures will be disappointed. Despite the huge anticipation generated by the much-hyped trailers of Netflix’s documentary purporting to tell the story of the life together of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, last week’s airing of the three-hour long volume one was judged by many to be nothing more than a remorselessly repetitive and tedious rehash of old information – notably the Oprah Winfrey interview of last year – and it contained no new bombshell revelations. Judging from this, it is unlikely that the rest of the “docuseries” will contain any jaw-dropping new ones either.

Netflix claims its production is an ‘unprecedented and in-depth documentary series’ about Harry and Meghan’s “love story” and those who have watched it say it is undoubtedly a slickly presented narrative about the couple. But it is heavily one-sided and selective, with no dissenting voices permitted. It is dominated by details of the couple’s perceived grievances about the Royal Family and the UK media and their claims of being badly treated by both; and we are surely in for much more of the same when Harry’s promised tell-all memoir, Spare, is published early next year.

This documentary looks to be primarily for US audiences who tend to remain fascinated by the Royal Family, judging, not least, by the success of “The Crown” TV series which is said to “take liberties with reality” and whose authenticity is, at best, questionable. According to people close to the Royals who are in a position to know, some of the events which “The Crown” purports to portray are simply untrue and did not happen. It is said that the Royal Family are particularly upset by the Netflix

The Peter Young column

documentary’s criticism of the late Queen and her Commonwealth legacy.

It depicts this voluntary association of more than 50 countries as a continuation of the British Empire that was guilty of extracting wealth from the rest of the world. That is, of course, a gross oversimplification both of the history of Empire and the role of the modern-day Commonwealth and, as such, is wholly misleading.

It is generally agreed - both within the Commonwealth and more widely - that The Queen herself should be credited with ensuring that this body, which works to improve international co-operation in numberless different spheres, has survived and thrived over the years. It became a key part of her life and its growth and influence is regarded as one of her greatest achievements.

Moreover, such criticism in the documentary is now being seen as particularly deceitful, disloyal and hurtful given that Harry was president of The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, supporting youth empowerment in Commonwealth countries, before he quit being a working Royal. Since the

documentary is essentially a repetitious account of existing grievances, littered with falsehoods, it is said that Buckingham Palace does not consider it worth engaging with. So it comes as no surprise that there has been no official reaction on its part. Reportedly, King Charles and the Prince of Wales will not enter a tit-fortat war of words. They will maintain a dignified silence and carry on with business as usual – in royal parlance, “getting on with the job”. But insiders are said to have dubbed the $150m Netflix series a “circus”.

Meanwhile, observers have reflected that the late Princess Diana, who was herself a devout monarchist and attracted huge public affection during her many years of service as a leading member of the Royal Family, would be appalled at the damage Harry is doing to his father and brother.

When Harry announced in 2000 that he and his new wife would be stepping aside from royal duties and no longer be “senior working royals”, many people criticised him for failing to honour the obligations and responsibilities deriving from his birth. But they respected his right to choose another path if that was what his new American wife and he really wanted. However, far from just moving to California to obtain some privacy and to lead a so-called normal life, both of them have gone out of their way to cause maximum trouble and embarrassment for his father and brother as well as the Royal Family as a whole -- and, most importantly, for The Queen herself. They have relentlessly attacked it as an institution, for reasons that most people consider unjustified, spurious and mischievous – not least accusations of racism with, apparently, zero real evidence; and Harry is now even talking about

“unconscious bias” which is so vague as to be impossible to refute.

The extraordinary outpouring of loyalty, affection and love in reaction to the passing of The Queen in September is clear evidence of the strong public support of the monarchy in Britain. It now seems that more and more people regard the complaints by Harry and Meghan of being treated badly by the Royal Family and the media as partly contrived grievances. The majority are becoming increasingly fed up with their constant whingeing and now condemn it. “Why don’t they just keep quiet and get on with their lives” is the growing cry. What is more, there appears to be increasing hostility to Harry trashing his own heritage to which he owes his privileged life style and, indeed, everything he has. The tedious nature of his and his wife’s continuous nasty campaign to discredit and smear his own family, as well as Britain as a whole, shows pure malice, duplicity, hypocrisy and vindictiveness on their part – and for many this is hard to forgive, so that public patience is wearing thin.

The question now is whether the currency of Harry and Meghan is starting to wane? In the international media there have been some withering comments about the Netflix documentary like references to “a vague ‘B’ actress and a fallen prince” and to selling to the highest bidder the story of their “undying vacuousness”. But the test will come when people finally lose interest in the whole charade. If this happens as the public progressively grow weary of it all, Harry and Meghan may still want to battle royal institutions and the media. But, as has now been said, it may turn out that their real battle will be to maintain ongoing relevancy.

A NEWSPAPERMAN PAR EXCELLENCE

IT WAS truly shocking and saddening to learn last week the shattering news of the untimely passing of Eugene Duffy. It was hard to take this in because, even though everybody knew, of course, that he had travelled home to England for medical treatment, he had been tight-lipped about his medical condition. Although we spoke regularly, I for one was unaware that he was seriously ill.

Eugene was a journalist of the highest order who, from my own observation, played an important role in maintaining the high standards of The Tribune as well as being responsible for a number of innovations during his fiveyear stint as managing editor. He was simply very good at what he did and I believe he truly made his mark here in The Bahamas, not least in dealing so competently with the major issues and problems resulting from Hurricane Dorian and the coronavirus pandemic.

He was an experienced

operator of the traditional Fleet Street old school where the skills and commitment required for real journalism were honed and which gave the UK press such a high reputation. He believed in the continuing importance of newspapers in the modern digital age of alternative sources of news and information; and, to my eye, this shone through in the way he ran The Tribune

He worked for a long time with the Daily Mirror group in London, notably during the editorship of the ebullient and controversial Piers Morgan, and he had many an amusing tale to tell of those times, not least about reporting on the shenanigans of the notoriously flamboyant and dishonest Conservative MP Robert Maxwell who was universally known as Captain Bob. There has been an outpouring of tributes to him in the UK in which he has been described as a legend and the backbone of the Daily Mirror and a colossus in the

newspaper world.

It was good to have regular contact with Eugene through contributing to editorials and later as a weekly columnist concentrating on international affairs. We talked all the time and I found him incredibly well informed about what was going on in the world. Exchanges with him were invariably interesting, stimulating and refreshing. I used to marvel at his capacity for quickly absorbing texts submitted to him, identifying the essential points and then coming up almost instantly with apt and penetrating headlines.

When I once congratulated him on this, he replied in typically self-deprecatory fashion that he surely ought to be good at it after so many years of experience.

In the numerous tributes to him over the past week, there have been many references to his warmth as a person underneath that tough, no-nonsense and, on occasion, somewhat brittle

exterior. There was always a healthy dose of cynicism tempered by an endearing sense of humour, all of which made him so likeable to others. But above all, you knew where you stood with him for ‘he told things as they were’, not least when he made it clear in no uncertain terms that he did not much like a particular draft column. This happened to me once when he said he had had enough of my writing about Brexit which was starting to bore the pants off people – and needless to say I quickly changed tack.

In what turned out to be his swan song, he received much praise for organising and publishing within 24 hours The Tribune’s excellent supplement to mark the passing of The Queen in September. The speed and imagination he showed in putting this together – including getting his columnists to contribute text at a few hours’ notice -- was remarkable but surely not

ENGLAND’S FOOTBALLING DREAM IS OVER

FOOTBALL’S showpiece on the global stage is now down to the last four semi-finalists as the World Cup in Qatar approaches its end. After completion of the quarter-finals at the weekend, Argentina, Croatia, France and Morocco remain to fight it out with hopes of lifting the trophy in a week’s time and be crowned world champions. In dramatic confrontations involving penalty shootouts, Croatia beat the favourites Brazil while Argentina finally prevailed over the Netherlands by the narrowest of margins. But perhaps what has sent shockwaves through the footballing world was Morocco’s historic win over Portugal, making them the first African team ever to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup. Although Portugal were the clear favourites, Morocco’s victory was no fluke since they had earlier performed well in defeating Belgium and Spain.

But for this correspondent, all that was overshadowed by England’s narrow loss to France at the quarterfinal stage on Saturday. The tension was high as the match went down to the wire. England, who were trailing by one goal

to nil at half-time, later were down 1-2 before a penalty was awarded to them deep into the second-half. This would have brought the scores level and extended the match into extra time. However, their normally reliable skipper, Harry Kane, who currently equals England’s goal scoring record, fired the ball over the crossbar and all was lost.

This defeat was all the more brutal and painful for the players and supporters alike because England had played well and for most of the match were on top of a talented French team. But they failed to take their numerous chances. Moreover, they fancied their prospects against Morocco in the semi-final and had genuine hopes of going all the way and lifting the world cup for the first time since England’s historic win against Germany in 1966. But it was not to be.

Nonetheless, amidst a familiar sense of missed opportunity, with a mix of youth and experience this England team appears to have a promising future – and its supporters will now be looking for the glory of winning ways in major tournaments to come.

surprising to those who knew what he was capable of.

I shall miss him enormously as a colleague and a friend. He was a true professional who excelled at what he did and was an example of the very best

of Fleet Street journalism. Under that sometimes bluff front, he was a notably kind and caring family man who will be missed by so many. I should like to offer deepest condolences to members of his family. May his soul rest in peace.

EUGENE DUFFY

ENGLAND’s Harry Kane is comforted by head coach Gareth Southgate.

Photo: Abbie Parr/AP

Black Lives Matter sets up student relief fund

By AARON MORRISON AP National Writer

THE Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation launched a new relief fund yesterday aimed at Black college students, alumni and dropouts overburdened by mounting education costs and the student loan debt crisis.

The foundation said it set aside $500,000 for the fund and plans to award more than 500 recipients with relief payments ranging from $750 to $4,500. A public application process for the fund opened on Monday, and recipients will receive their money in January if selected. Details about the fund were shared with The Associated Press ahead of the launch.

The BLM foundation’s Student Solidarity Fund is an expansion of a previous initiative it started last year as millions of Americans struggled to make ends meet amid economic uncertainty in the coronavirus pandemic. This time the foundation said it intends to use philanthropic dollars to draw attention to issues of economic injustice, especially while a proposed federal student

debt forgiveness plan is held up by litigation from opponents.

“The fact of the matter is that black people who work to get an education are struggling right now,” BLM foundation board chair Cicley Gay said. “We recogniae that we can’t build a world of true liberation without the brilliance of black people who are committed to furthering their education.”

The relief is meant for bachelor’s degree recipients, as well as those who did not complete their degree but still carry student loan debt. Applicants must have attended a college or university in the US. The foundation is asking applicants to submit loan documents to prove their eligibility.

If selected, applicants with $75,000 or less in debt will receive $1,500. Applicants with debt between $75,001 and $150,000 will receive $3,000. And applicants with $150,001 or more in debt will receive $4,500.

The money is not restricted for use only on student loan payments, but the foundation said its relief funds are meant to lower recipients’ overall debt

burden.

In a second phase of the fund, the BLM foundation said it will give microgrants of $750 to relief fund applicants who are currently attending historically black colleges and universities, to help with housing, food, technology, books and transportation costs.

Foundation board secretary Shalomyah Bowers, who runs the consulting firm that the movement organisation hired to build out its philanthropic capacity, said Student Solidarity Fund applicants do not have to prove they are black. But fund administrators will be working to weed out scammers.

“Black people shouldn’t have to jump through hoops and jump over hurdles to get the access that they need,” he said.

Tahir Murray, an HBCU ambassador for the BLM foundation’s Student Solidarity Fund, said he hears from black students all the time that stress over the lack of scholarships and grants is a persistent distraction from their studies.

“Black students have disproportionate access to aid and resources that take into account historical

discrimination and the experiences of black people navigating a society that does not see or treat us as equal,” said Murray, who is a 2021 graduate of Howard University and owner of the HBCU lifestyle brand LegacyHistoryPride.

The relief fund comes less than two weeks after the Supreme Court agreed to decide whether the Biden administration can proceed with a plan to broadly cancel student loans. In August, President Joe Biden said the government would forgive $10,000 in student loan debt for Americans with annual incomes below $125,000, and would cancel up to $20,000 for recipients of the Pell Grant.

More than 26 million people had already applied for the relief, with 16 million approved. But the government stopped processing applications in November after a federal judge in Texas struck down the plan. Conservative attorneys and Republican lawmakers are challenging the legality of the debt forgiveness plan on an argument that Biden cannot take this step without congressional approval.

A high court ruling is expected by early summer.

“We could sit around and wait, and hope that legislators do what they promised by providing loan relief, or we could step up and do it ourselves. And we’ve decided to do the latter,” Gay said.

Last year, while Americans waited for Congress to approve a $2 trillion coronavirus relief package that included direct payments of $1,400 to Americans earning less than $75,000, the BLM foundation gave out $3m in microgrants of $1,000 to nearly 3,000 Black people.

That initiative launched just as the foundation opened up about the tens of millions in donations it took in after the 2020 murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer, a case that helped spark racial justice protests across the US and around the world. Earlier this year, the foundation revealed in a nonprofit tax filing that it had nearly $42m net assets at the end of the last fiscal year.

The tax filing also showed the foundation spent nearly $6m on a Los Angeles-area property that includes a home with six bedrooms

and bathrooms, a swimming pool, a soundstage and office space. The property is intended as a campus for a black artists fellowship, the foundation said.

The financial revelations set off a fresh wave of criticism from the left and right in the political world and from both inside and outside of the broader BLM movement. Several months after the disclosures, the foundation’s structure remains the same. It is run by a three-member board of directors, including Gay and Bowers.

In August, a group of local chapters and activists known as BLM Grassroots filed a lawsuit in a California Superior Court against Bowers. The suit alleges that he and his consulting firm broke an agreement to turn over control of the foundation’s digital assets and its finances to the grassroots organisers of BLM, allowing him to profit personally and professionally from the surge in donations.

Bowers told the AP the allegations are “frivolous” and untrue. An attorney for the foundation last week filed a court motion asking a judge to dismiss the lawsuit.

UKRAINE PRESIDENT AGAIN PRESSES FOR ADVANCED WEAPONS

KYIV, Ukraine Associated Press

UKRAINIAN president Volodymyr Zelenskyy pressed Western leaders on Monday to provide more advanced weapons to help his country in its war with Russia, and he repeated his calls for Russian forces to withdraw from occupied areas of Ukraine, suggesting Christmas as a retreat date.

During a video conference, Zelenskky told host Germany and other leaders of the Group of Seven industrial powers: “It would be right to begin the withdrawal of Russian troops from the internationally recognized territory of Ukraine this Christmas. If Russia withdraws its troops from Ukraine, then a reliable cessation of hostilities will be ensured.”

He added: “The answer from Moscow will show what they really want there: either a further confrontation with the

world, or finally an end to aggression.”

The Kremlin has rejected all previous appeals to reverse its land grabs in Ukraine. It didn’t immediately respond to this latest one.

The two countries haven’t engaged in any recent peace talks and there is no end in sight for the war, which is in its 10th month and has killed and wounded tens of thousands of people and left dozens of Ukrainian cities and towns in ruins.

Russia has illegally annexed parts of eastern and southern Ukraine, including the Crimean Peninsula in 2014, though it doesn’t fully control all of them. Zelenskyy has said his goal is to reclaim all occupied territory, while Russian President Vladimir Putin insists on solidifying his forces’ control over the areas.

In his address to the G-7, Zelenskyy echoed his prime minister’s Sunday appeal for long-range missiles, modern

tanks, artillery and missile batteries and other hightech air defense systems to counter Russian attacks that have knocked out electricity and water supplies for millions of Ukrainians. He acknowledged that, “Unfortunately, Russia still has an advantage in artillery and missiles.

Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal told French broadcaster LCI that in addition to making Ukrainians suffer, Russia wants to swamp Europe with a new wave of Ukrainian refugees by continuing to strike power stations and other infrastructure.

Zelenskyy said protecting Ukraine’s energy facilities from Russian missiles and Iranian drones “will be the protection of the whole of Europe, since with these strikes Russia is provoking a humanitarian and migration catastrophe not only for Ukraine, but also for the entire EU.”

Poland’s president, Andrzej Duda, said his

nation already has seen an increased demand to shelter refugees.

“The number of refugees in Poland has risen (recently) to some three million. That will probably also mean an increase in their numbers in Germany,” Duda said following talks with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Berlin.

Millions of Ukrainians fled after Russia invaded on February 24. Thousands of people have died and dozens of cities and towns across Ukraine have been reduced to rubble. On Monday, Russia shelling again mostly focused on eastern and southern regions that Putin illegally annexed.

To defend against further strikes, Shmyhal reiterated Ukrainian calls for Patriot surface-to-air missiles — a highly sophisticated system. During the LCI interview, he also asked for more German and French airdefense systems, resupplies

of artillery shells and modern battle tanks.

Organisers in France expect more than 45 nations and 20 international institutions to take part in a Paris conference starting Tuesday to raise and coordinate aid for Ukraine’s water, power, food, health and transportation needs during the tough winter months.

Providing Patriot missiles to Ukraine would mark a major advance in the kinds of defense systems the West is sending to help the country repel Russian aerial attacks. So far, no country has offered them, and such a step would likely mark an escalation in the fight against Russia.

A US official told reporters that the Pentagon has no current plans to send Patriot missiles to Ukraine, but that discussions continue. The key issue is that the complex, high-tech system requires significant maintenance and training, said the official, who spoke on the condition of

anonymity to discuss ongoing operations in Ukraine.

Air defenses were also a topic of a phone call Zelenskyy held Sunday with US President Joe Biden. Zelenskyy, his office said, told Biden “about 50% of the Ukrainian energy infrastructure was destroyed”.

Biden “highlighted how the US is prioritising efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence through our security assistance, including the December 9 announcement of $275m in additional ammunition and equipment that included systems to counter the Russian use of unmanned aerial vehicles,” the White House said.

Russian drone attacks near the Black Sea port of Odesa over the weekend destroyed several energy facilities and left all customers except hospitals, maternity homes, boiler plants and pumping stations without power.

IN this December 12, 2020, photo, MD Crawford carries a Black Lives Matter flag before a march in La Marque, Texas. The Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation launched a new relief fund yesterday aimed at black college students, alumni and dropouts overburdened by mounting education costs and the student loan debt crisis.

Photo: Stuart Villanueva /The Galveston County Daily News via AP

Grant named to All-Tournament team

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsrtt@tribunemedia.net

Team Bahamas second baseman Adari Grant was named to the All-Tournament team for the fourth annual Caribbean Baseball Cup.

The St Louis Cardinals prospect was the lone Bahamian to receive the post tournament honour following Sunday night’s finale at the new Andre Rodgers National Stadium.

The remainder of the All-Tournament team included Dudley Leonora (first base), Darren

Seferina (shortstop), Reysheandall Michel (rightfield) and Reyshelon Carolina (leftfield) of Curacao; Yoelkis Gilbert (designated hitter) and Yeudi Reyes (relief pitcher) of Cuba; Ruben Castro (catcher), Jose Burgos (starting pitcher), Reynaldo Navarro (third base) and Miguel Egea (center field) of Puerto Rico.

two RBI, and a stolen base in the first matchup against Curacao.

After a hitless night against Cuba, Grant responded with consecutive multi-hit games.

He went 2-4 with a run, RBI, and a stolen base against the first matchup against Puerto Rico and followed 2-4 with a double and an RBI.

Grant became the first Bahamian player to join the Cardinals organisation when they signed him in the 2021 class.

In his rookie season he was assigned to the Dominican Summer League with the DSL Cardinals Blue.

MAJOR JR, BAIN FACE OFF WITH TOP TENNIS PLAYERS IN WORLD

For the tournament, Grant hit .273, slugging .318 with a .320 OBP and .638 OPS. He finished second on the team with six hits, scored two runs, with four RBI and two stolen bases. He opened the tournament 1-4 against USVI followed by a 1-3,

Defensively, he finished with a .963 fielding percentage, 10 put outs, and helped turn three double plays.

He finished with a batting average of .220 with a .691 OPS on the season with 36 hits, one home run, 27 runs, 10 RBI and seven stolen bases in 43 games.

GRANT

The Bahamas finished fourth in its return to international baseball at the senior level.

He progressed to the Florida Complex League last season and in 37 games he hit .206 with .594 OPS, the season with 20 hits, 14 runs, seven RBI and six stolen bases in 43 games.

Buddy Hield scores 19 in 87-82 loss to Heat

By MICHAEL MAROT AP Sports Writer

INDIANAPOLIS (AP)

— Bam Adebayo had 22 points and 17 rebounds and Jimmy Butler scored seven straight points late in the fourth quarter to help the Miami Heat hold off the Indiana Pacers 87-82 last night.

Butler finished with 20 points. The Heat had lost three of their previous four and evened the season series with Indiana by pulling away late.

Buddy Hield led the Pacers with 19 points and nine rebounds - one shy of a double doubleand Andrew Nembhard scored 18 as Indiana lost its second straight and for the sixth time in eight games.

It was a rough-and-tumble game in which baskets came at a premium. But Butler finally cranked it up in the closing minutes, his late flurry turning a 77-73 contest into an 84-75 cushion with 2:26 to go.

The Pacers and Tyrese Haliburton didn’t get closer than four again. Haliburton missed all nine of his shots, all six of his 3-pointers and wound up with one point and three assists.

Miami had just enough scoring punch to survive Indiana’s 8-0 run midway through the third quarter that finally gave the Pacers a 62-57 lead and ended the quarter on a 10-2 spurt to take a 67-64 edge before

Butler’s late flurry finally put it away. Miami scored 15 straight points in the second quarter to charge out to a 43-28 lead, but the Pacers finished the half on a 13-2 run to make it 47-42.

TIP-INS Heat: Two-time AllStar Victor Oladipo was welcomed back to Indiana with a highlight reel that played on the video board before the national anthem. Miami improved

to 14-49 all-time in Indianapolis. Kyle Lowry had eight points and made a 3-pointer in his 26th consecutive game, the third-longest streak of his career. Adebayo has scored in double figures in 42 consecutive games.

Pacers: NBA commissioner Adam Silver and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Al Unser Jr. attended the game. Indiana has lost two straight home

games to Eastern Conference foes after opening the season at 7-1. The Pacers were 11 of 39 on 3s but gave up only nine offensive rebounds two nights after allowing 29 in a loss to Brooklyn.

ON THE MEND

The Pacers could be getting one of their key rotational players, secondyear guard Chris Duarte, back soon. Coach Rick Carlisle said the all-rookie

After Neymar, Croatia aims to end Messi’s World Cup dream

By JAMES ROBSON AP Soccer Writer

AL KHOR, Qatar (AP)

— Croatia has already ended Neymar’s World Cup dream. Now it hopes to do the same to Lionel Messi.

Croatia, runner-up in 2018, is the next obstacle for Argentina to overcome today in the semifinals as Messi aims to win the one major trophy that has eluded him.

But Croatia, which lost to France in the final in Russia, is on its own mission to go one step further this time around.

“I don’t think we need to fear anybody. We need to look at ourselves to play our best game,” Croatia defender Josip Juranovic said Sunday. “I would say the secret of our success is our togetherness, our unity.

The fact that we act and play as a family.”

Neymar was left in tears after Croatia beat Brazil 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw through extra time in their quarterfinal match.

Messi has been in inspired form during Argentina’s run to the semifinals, scoring four goals in five games. His assist for Nahuel Molina against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals was a moment of magic from the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Messi appears to have taken it on himself to lead his country to its third World Cup triumph and a first since 1986.

Argentina last reached the final in 2014 — losing 1-0 to Germany at the Maracana Stadium in Brazil. That was as close as Messi has come to lifting

soccer’s biggest trophy and he is just one game away from having another shot at it.

Croatia appears calm for now ahead of the game at Lusail Stadium.

“We don’t have a specific plan, at least not yet, for stopping Lionel Messi,” Croatia striker Bruno Petkovic said. “Usually we don’t concentrate on just

stopping one player but the whole team.

“The way we approach that is we need to stop them as a team. Not by man marking or some kind of similar tactics. Argentina is not only Messi.”

One of Croatia’s main strengths is a midfield led by Real Madrid star Luka Modric.

Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic described it as the best midfield in the world after beating Brazil, adding that it “paralysed” Neymar and Brazil.

“I think Mateo (Kovacic), Luka (Modric) and Marcelo (Brozovic) are the best Croatian midfield in history,” Juranovic added. “When you pass them the ball it’s safer than having your money in the bank. Everything gets real easy when you play with them.”

team player practiced with the team’s G League affiliate in Fort Wayne yesterday and is expected to play in two games in Wisconsin later this week.

Duarte has been out since November 4 with a sprained left ankle. “After practice today the first thing he said to me is ‘I feel better than I thought I would,’” Carlisle said. “We want him to feel good. We want him to feel great.”

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

IT was a rare opportunity when high school sensation Michael Major Jr and collegian Jacobi Bain got to play against some of the top tennis players in the world at home.

Thanks to legendary host Mark Knowles, that opportunity came on Saturday as the top junior tennis players teamed up to represent the Bahamas in an exhibition match at the third Baha Mar Cup at the Baha Mar Tennis Club.

The duo fell victim to the American pair of James Blake and Jessica Pegula, but it didn’t matter that they fell short 6-3 in the final score. They were both just eager to be on the same court with Blake, one of the former top men’s players in

JONQUEL JONES POSTS 29 POINTS, 19 REBOUNDS IN BLOWOUT VICTORY

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsrtt@tribunemedia.net

JONQUEL Jones continues to lead CBK Mersin to the top of the standings in Turkey’s Herbalife Nutrition Women’s Basketball Super League, and contention in FIBA EuroLeague play.

Mersin improved to 9-1 with a 90-61 win over seventh ranked Hatay. Jones finished with 29 points and 19 rebounds. She shot 9-14 from the field and 3-5 from three-point range.

Jones’ other Turkish league performances this month include 21 points and 16 rebounds in a 79-75 win over Canyaka and 28 points, 16 rebounds in an 81-80 win over Besiktas. She currently averages 19.3

USA Basketball to play men’s World Cup group games in Manila

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer

USA Basketball will play all its games at next year’s World Cup in Manila and won’t need to travel during the tournament, assuming the American men qualify for the event.

FIBA, the sport’s governing body, made the announcement yesterday.

The World Cup is being contested in the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan next summer and each of those host nations got to pick one team that it wanted to have for the group stages.

The Philippines chose the United States — not a surprise given the NBA’s

enormous popularity there. Japan picked Slovenia, a team led by Luka Doncic. And Indonesia selected Canada, coached by Toronto’s Nick Nurse and should feature a slew of top NBA players such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jamal Murray.

“I’d like to think it works to our advantage,” said Grant Hill, USA Basketball men’s national team managing director.

“I think we have to be mindful and respectful that these players are on airplanes all throughout the regular season and kind of move from city to city, bed to bed, hotel to hotel. It’s a grind. ... I

LIONEL MESSI

ADARI

INDIANA Pacers’ Buddy Hield (24) goes to the basket against Miami Heat’s Tyler Herro (14) during the second half last night in Indianapolis.

(AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

PATRIOTS RALLY FOR 27-13 WIN OVER CARDS, QB MURRAY HURT

By DAVID BRANDT AP Sports Writer

GLENDALE, Arizona (AP)

— Mac Jones threw for 235 yards, Raekwon McMillan had a crucial fumble return for a touchdown and the New England Patriots rallied for a 27-13 win last night over the Arizona Cardinals, who lost starting quarterback Kyler Murray in the first quarter to a potentially serious knee injury.

New England trailed 13-10 at the break but tied the game at 13-all early in the third quarter after a short field goal. The Patriots got their game-changing play and a 20-13 lead later in the third when McMillan scooped up a fumble and returned it 23 yards for a touchdown.

Kyle Dugger forced the fumble by stripping Cardinals three-time All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who had just caught a pass.

TENNIS

the world and Pegula, who is now the top American female player ranked at No.3 in the world. “It was honestly amazing. I’ve never felt like that ever,” said the 16-year-old Major Jr, who is completing his final year at Windsor High School through the Albany Tennis Academy. “I would normally be a little nervous, but as soon as I got on the court, I kept a smile on and I was having fun the whole time.”

Although he and Bain have not played together since he left for college, Bain said he was even more delighted to renew his relationship with Bain. The duo were actually tied at 3-3 in the one set match, but the Americans used their experience to win the next three points to hold on for the win.

“Jacobi is one of my longtime friends. He just went to college, but we were training at the same academy, so

The Patriots pushed their advantage to 27-13 early in the fourth quarter on Pierre Strong Jr’s 3-yard run, then leaned on their defence to complete the much-needed win.

Jones finished 24 for 35 with an interception as New England (7-6) snapped a two-game losing skid to stay in the AFC playoff hunt. Arizona (4-9) has lost five of six games, including the last three.

Murray was hurt on the third play of the game, immediately changing the complexion of the evening.

The fourth-year quarterback was flushed out of the pocket and running to his right when he tried to juke past a Patriots defender, but tumbled to the grass in obvious pain.

Players from both teams surrounded the quarterback before he was carted off the field with a towel draped over his head.

it was good to finally play with him,” Major Jr said. “Today was actually the first day I saw him since he came back and so it’s just great to play with someone whom I have known for such a long time and who has had such an influence on my life in tennis.”

The feeling was mutual for 19-year-old Bain, who is back home after taking a break from his sophomore season for the Xavier University of Louisiana Gold Rush men’s tennis team.

“It was a great experience. I just want to thank Mark Knowles for putting this on and giving us an invite to play. It was great for me,” Bain said. “It was also the first time me and Michael played doubles in a long time, so it was good to get that opportunity here.”

While Bain is preparing to head back to New Orleans before the end of the month, Major Jr is contemplating where he will pursue his collegiate career.

“I got just a D1 (division one) college offer. I have an official visit in January,”

said Major Jr, who declined to disclose the location.

“Tennis has been good for me.”

Having already gotten his feet wet from his freshman year last year, Bain said he’s eager to see what progress he has made for this year.

“My season has been amazing. I’ve played some doubles and made finals

with

“Then I played in the ITF Cup and lost in the quarterfinals and finished the preseason ranking at number six.”

Major Jr is coming off a trip to Bradenton, Florida,

halftime lead. The Cardinals took a 3-0 lead early in the second quarter after a 33-yard field goal by Matt Prater. They had good field position for the drive after Isaiah Simmons intercepted a pass from Jones, who was hit on the arm by rookie Cam Thomas as he was throwing.

James Conner bulldozed his way forward for a 10-yard touchdown late in the second quarter, breaking multiple tackles to give the Cardinals a 13-7 lead late in the second quarter. Conner finished with a team-high 85 yards rushing.

The Patriots scored their lone touchdown of the first half when rookie Kevin Harris ran 14 yards to the end zone.

UP NEXT Patriots: Travel to face the Raiders on Sunday.

Cardinals: Travel to face the Broncos on Sunday.

where he participated in his last tournament two weeks ago where he reached the third round of the qualifying.

“I thought I could win the tournament, but I got to see what I need to improve on, but there’s always a next time,” Major Jr said.

There’s another time coming up for Major Jr to compete against the top Bahamian male players when the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association hosts its annual Giorgio Baldacci Open National Championships, scheduled for December 19-22 at the National Tennis Center.

The tournament serves as the first qualifier for the men’s Davis Cup and women’s Billie Jean King Cup teams.

For Major Jr, the goal is to make the team. But before he participates in the tournament, he will be travelling on Wednesday with Justin Roberts to Jamaica to play against their Davis Cup team before they return home on Sunday.

“Me and Justin playing

Durant, Irving propel rested Nets past skidding Wizards

WASHINGTON (AP)

— Kevin Durant scored 30 points, Kyrie Irving had 24 and the well-rested Brooklyn Nets methodically pulled away for a 112-100 win against the overmatched Washington Wizards last night.

The Nets, who won at Indiana on Saturday night with their top seven scorers sitting out, matched a season best with their fourth straight victory. All those players were back in action Monday except Royce O’Neale, who missed a second consecutive game for personal reasons.

Will Barton had a season-high 22 points for the Wizards, who lost their season-worst seventh game in a row. Washington was missing leading scorer Bradley Beal (right hamstring strain) for the fourth straight game.

Kristaps Porzingis scored 20 points for the Wizards, but departed with 3:37 left in the third quarter and didn’t return. Porzingis

rode an exercise bike with a pad strapped to his back while on the bench in the first half.

MAVERICKS 121, THUNDER 114

DALLAS (AP) — Luka

Doncic had 38 points and 11 rebounds in his return from a one-game absence, and Spencer Dinwiddie added 20 points and 10 assists as Dallas defeated Oklahoma City.

Tim Hardaway Jr scored 20 for the Mavericks, who ended a two-game skid.

Doncic sat out a 29-point loss at Chicago on Saturday night with a strained right quadriceps. The Mavericks were completing a back-to-back, having played at home Friday in a 9pm start.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander matched his season high with 42 points for the Thunder, who lost their third straight in the finale of a five-game road trip.

GRIZZLIES 128, HAWKS 103 MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP)

— Tyus Jones had 22

nations in the 32-team field will be in Manila for the group stage.

points and 11 assists, Dillon Brooks added 18 points and streaking Memphis beat shorthanded Atlanta with both teams minus key starters.

Santi Aldama scored 16 points and Jaren Jackson Jr had 15 points and a careerbest eight blocks for the Grizzlies, who won their sixth straight and moved within a half-game of Western Conference-leading New Orleans.

De’Andre Hunter led the Hawks with 19 points, and Jalen Johnson added 14 points and nine rebounds. Atlanta lost for the fourth time in five games.

Both teams were missing their leading scorers.

Grizzlies guard Ja Morant sat out with right thigh soreness, while counterpart Trae Young was dealing with lower back tightness. Young’s absence

meant Atlanta was down five of its top six scorers, including Dejounte Murray and Bogdan Bogdanovic.

SPURS 112, CAVALIERS 111

SAN ANTONIO (AP)

— Keldon Johnson scored 21 points and blocked a late shot by Donovan Mitchell as San Antonio held off Cleveland.

Josh Richardson had 24 points to help the Spurs win their third straight after an 11-game losing streak.

Mitchell scored 28 to keep Cleveland close. The Cavaliers trailed by 19 in the third quarter and rallied from a 10-point deficit in the final 4 1/2 minutes for a chance to win.

Mitchell’s runner was blocked by Johnson with 6.1 seconds remaining.

Following an offensive rebound by Caris LeVert, Darius Garland missed a 3-pointer with 0.1 seconds remaining. LeVert finished with 23 points, and Evan Mobley had 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Cavs.

together is dangerous,” Major Jr said. “Just imagine if we both make the team along with Jacobi. I think we can do some damage.” Bain said while the focus is on making the Davis Cup team at the tournament, he will be using it to prepare himself for his return to college in January.

“I will be out to try my best and see how far it will take me,” Bain said. “I still have a lot of tennis to play at college, so I’m really looking forward to that right now. If I make the team, it would be great, but if I don’t, I still have college to look forward to.”

While home, Bain said he wants to take advantage of the home-cooked meals that he missed the most. “I miss my conch,” he stressed.

Even though he will be eating more than he would at school and relaxing and having some fun with his family and friends, Bain said he’s not neglecting any opportunity he has to get on the court and play some tennis.

points, 12.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.

In FIBA EuroLeague play, Jones continued her dominance but the club fell to 2-3 on the season in Group B. She finished with 18 points and 14 rebounds in a 76-72 loss to Italian club Beretta Familia Schio.

Jones has four double doubles in four EuroLeague appearances, highlighted by 24 points, 19 rebounds, two steals and two blocks to lead her club to their first win of the 2022 EuroLeague campaign with a 68-61 win over French club Basket Landes.

Mersin will face Spar Girona on November 16 in Mersin, Turkey.

Jones highlighted a season of high-priced acquisitions that initially vaulted Mersin to no.3 in the FIBA EuroLeague power rankings, however, they fell to no.6 in the latest edition after a pair of losses.

Jones is averaging 19.3 points and 14.5 rebounds per game in EuroLeague play.

In 11 EuroLeague games last season with Russian powerhouse UMMC Ekaterinburg, Jones averaged a team-leading 17.1 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 blocks per game.

think once we get there, and we get settled, we can kind of plant some roots for a couple of weeks. I think it is something that can work to our advantage.”

Slovenia will play groupstage games in Okinawa, and Canada will play its opening games in Jakarta. Okinawa is about 900 miles (1,450 kilometres) from Manila, while Jakarta is roughly 1,700 miles (2,735 kilometers) away.

The Okinawa and Jakarta groups will each send two teams to Manila for the final phase of the tournament. The other four nations that qualify for the final phase already will have been there; the US, the Philippines and 14 other

At the most recent men’s World Cup at China in 2019, some teams said travel between multiple cities was draining. The setup for next year, FIBA said, addresses those concerns.

“We will have a reduction in the transfers,” FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis said yesterday.

“You’ll remember that teams changed (locations) two or three times in China. There will be one transfer and this is only for those who will be playing in Japan or Indonesia ... and after the transfer we’ll also have an extra rest day before the final phase starts.”

Slovenia and Canada are among 17 teams that already have qualified for the tournament. The rest of

the field will be decided in February, and the US is on the brink of earning a spot — but hasn’t gotten it done yet. The Americans are 8-2 in their 12-game slate of

qualifying games, in which they are using players from G League and international clubs. The World Cup roster will have NBA players.

A win at Uruguay on February 23 or at Brazil on February 26 would be enough to clinch a berth for the US. The only way the Americans wouldn’t qualify for the World Cup — the primary way teams will earn a spot into the 2024 Paris Olympics — is by losing both games in February, have at least four outcomes of other games not go their way and then lose a series of tiebreakers.

The World Cup draw is April 29 in Manila. The tournament starts August 25.

ON GRINER

Zagklis, at a virtual news conference, said yesterday that FIBA had some talks with international officials in the early days of the saga of Brittney Griner — the US women’s star, WNBA great and Olympic gold

medallist who just returned to the US after more than nine months in a Russian prison.

He said he hopes to see Griner play again one day.

“I can simply say, very happy that she’s back home and that she’s well,” Zagklis said.

“I think right now there are other priorities for her, but hopefully she can find the motivation and the will and the desire to come back on the court.

“She’s definitely one of the best players, one of the more decorated players, female players in the world right now. And on a personal level, I’ve met her a couple of times. She’s a very, very nice person.”

The US women played this summer without Griner and won the Women’s World Cup.

MAVERICKS guard Luka Doncic reacts to scoring a basket against the Bucks in Dallas on Friday, December 9. The Bucks won 106-105.

(AP Photo/LM Otero)

The 36-year-old Colt McCoy has proven a capable replacement for Murray over the past two seasons, coming into Monday’s game

a 3-2 mark when Murray was injured. He worked his magic again — at least for a while — leading the Cardinals to a 13-10

in regionals in singles and doubles. I forfeited the singles and just played the doubles and lost in the third set,” Bain said.

SHOWN, from left to right, are Michael Major Jr, Bahamian tennis legend Mark Knowles and Jacobi Bain at Baha Mar.

NETS guard Kyrie Irving (11) reacts after he scored during the first half against the Wizards yesterday in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

CARDINALS quarterback Kyler Murray (1) is brought off the field after an injury during the first half against the Patriots last night. (AP Photo/ Darryl Webb)

RIP: BACO members are laid to rest

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

IT was an unusual Saturday for members of the Bahamas Association of Certified Officials.

Instead of the BACO members officiating a track and field meet or a road race, they spent the day expressing their condolences to the family of two of their members who were laid to rest one after the other in Lakeview Memorial Gardens following their funeral services at two different churches.

Immediate past president Courtney Wallace’s funeral was held at Evangelistic Temple where the Rev. Dr. Vaughan Cash did the eulogy.

Following that, the funeral service for elder Ivy Faceitha Charlton was held at New Destiny Baptist Cathedral where apostle Delton Fernander was officiant.

At both services, members of BACO as well as the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations, led by returned elected president Drumeco Archer, and government officials attended, along with family members and friends.

Wallace, 57, passed away on November 15. The Saxons Junkanoo Group member served in BACO for more than 20 years, ascending from a floor member to become the vice president and the immediate past president.

Matice Rolle, who worked as the chief call room referee, said she remembers when Wallace became the president, he was “excited, energetic, challenged to inspire officials to a higher level in training” and to become a force to reckon with.

“Without a doubt, our former president loved what he was doing,” she said. “At various meets, he would be one of the first ones there, setting up the field. He participated in assisting at the high jump, shot put and long jump pit. And most times he was the last one to leave.”

This year, the BAAA afforded Wallace the opportunity to serve as the manager of the CARIFTA team and while they attended the event, Rolle said they watched as he arduously carried out his job.

“I remember looking down at the stadium in Jamaica and I saw Courtney

loading down with bags and escorting athletes to their events,” she said.

“I tried to reach him but was not successful, so I ended up sending a message to him to be careful and slow down.

“I guess the message never reached him and the next day I saw him loaded down with bags and

transporting athletes to their various events.

“The only thing I could say, ‘Lord, give him the strength because he isn’t letting nothing get in the way of what he loves to do.”

Not only did Wallace have a love for track and field, but Rolle said he also had a love for God and their conversations on the

road from the track stadium on many occasions was about the “goodness of God and where God brought us from.”

“He said and I quote ‘God is a God of a second chance’ and I replied to him and said he is third, fourth and he is just that kind of God. No matter what, he loves me and you the same.”

Charlton, on the other hand, was a long-time physical education teacher at a number of schools, including Green Castle Primary in Eleuthera, EP Roberts, CW Sawyer, SC McPherson and Sybil Strachan Primary.

She died on November 11 at the age of 67 after serving for a number of years as an official of BACO, particularly at the high jump pit.

Barry Saunders, one of the starters of track and field meets, said Charlton was a member of a diverse bunch of officials, covering different socio-economic levels, nationalities, religious, political and cultural divides joined together for the good and advancement of the sport.

He said she was the glue for their family structure and their togetherness.

“Never was an ill word

spoken of or by her as she was always respectful of athletes and her fellow officials and she was given that respect in return,” Saunders said.

“She worked anywhere she was asked and did so with great humility, pride and unselfishness and though she had great knowledge of officiating, she would show up to every training exercise and immerse herself in it like it was her first time learning it.

“Yes, she was humble like that. These are the qualities we’d do well to emulate.”

As they mourn, Saunders said Campbell was similar to Wallace, as they were both individuals who were kind, caring, giving and loving to the end.

“Yes, we need more of them. Yes, we need to be just like them.

“Our lives are richer because they passed our way,” said Saunders, as he offered his condolences on behalf of the executives and members of BACO and the tech team to their family praying that God will sustain then during the days and months as he holds them close to his bosom.

May their souls rest in peace.

COURTNEY

WALLACE IVY CHARLTON

“Yes, we need more of them. Yes, we need to be just like them. Our lives are richer because they passed our way.” — Barry Saunders

The Return: Chickcharney Challenge set for January 28

IF you have not yet registered for the Chickcharney Challenge there’s still time, as organisers of the island nation’s premier obstacle course challenge have announced a new date for the wildly popular event.

Chickcharney Chirren chief executive officer Chester Robards says that the event will now be held on January 28, 2023, after the initial date of December 3 was scrapped so as not to conflict with a number of other events scheduled that weekend.

Following a two-year hiatus, the upcoming iteration of the event aptly dubbed “The Return” will

be held at the Clifton Heritage Park.

The Chickcharney Challenge, which is now in its seventh edition, puts one’s fitness and endurance to the test over a three-mile course featuring some 16 obstacles.

Robards says the postponement was somewhat of a “blessing in disguise.”

“We, like so many others, are still suffering from some shipping issues and so some things had not come in yet. It has also allowed more time for people who wanted to become sponsors to now come on board.

“Hurricane Nicole also impacted the part of the

beach where our starting line was going to be so hopefully it will be remediated in time for the event.”

Robards said: “We have our package pickup and happy hour at Crypto Isle the night before the event.”

The package for Chickcharney Challenge registrants would include their entrance and timing chip.

“We are also inviting people running in the event to camp over in the park the night before.

“If they’re running at 6.30am they don’t have to drive out early. They can’t camp at the site in their vehicle unfortunately, but

they can use a tent. We do have a limited number of them for rent,” says Robards.

Persons interested in participating in the obstacle challenge are urged so sign up as soon as possible as there are limited spots available.

The Chickcharney Challenge is geared toward not only serious fitness enthusiasts but also those simply looking to have fun while trying something new.

The event began back in 2015, typically attracting around 100 participants, a number Robards says he hopes to see doubled this time around.

The event is being held in partnership with Clifton Heritage, with Colina Insurance as the lead sponsor.

The cost to participate in the challenge is $70 for adults and $50 for persons under the age of 17.

For groups of four or more participants the cost is $65 per person and groups with participants ages 17 and under, the cost to participate is $45 per person.

Obstacle course racing is one of the fastest growing segments in endurance sports globally.

An official governing body - the International Obstacle Racing Federation (IORF) - was

established nearly a decade ago to legitimise efforts to have obstacle course racing become an Olympic sport.

Robards says that when that becomes a reality, he hopes to someday see a Chickcharney participant competing in the Olympics.

In keeping with efforts to foster greater adoption of digital payments in the country, The Chickcharney Challenge is going digital this year and accepting Sand Dollars. SunCash is the payment solution provider for this year’s event

To register for the Chickcharney Challenge go to https://www.chickcharneychirren.com.

PARTICIPANTS enjoy the 3rd Annual Baha Mar Cup over the weekend.

On the final day the young kids were invited to participate in a free tennis clinic.

BAHA MAR JUNIOR TENNIS CLINIC ‘A HUGE SUCCESS’

THE 3rd Annual Baha Mar Cup was held this past weekend.

On the final day the young kids were invited to participate in a free tennis clinic.

The kids played with the tennis professionals and received tips from the world #3 in singles and doubles, Jessica Pegula, James Blake former world #4 and Milos Raonic, former world #3.

Bahamian tennis star Mark Knowles, former world #1 in doubles, has been instrumental in the organisation of the Baha Mar Cup since its inception.

Knowles also was on the court with the kids at the Baha Mar Racquet Club sharing his love of the sport.

Others who assisted in the clinic included coach Turner, Cory Francis, Afrika Smith, Jacobi Bain and Michael Major Jr.

The Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) joined in the event with

many of the NTC “Play Tennis” kids taking part in the clinic.

The kids were inspired to dream big and to work hard to make those dreams a reality.

The tennis professionals who played with the youngsters were also very gracious signing balls and taking pictures with the aspiring tennis players many of whom are relatively new to the sport.

Despite the rain the kids had fun and went away with a positive tennis experience.

President Perry Newton noted that the impact the Baha Mar event has had on the young kids will be long lasting as they were able to meet and play with the tennis pros who were very kind and considerate in giving back to the children.

It is a wonderful work that Baha Mar Foundation is doing and the BLTA supports the tennis work and the community focus.

The Baha Mar Cup also featured an exhibition game on Saturday that was led by tennis stars American Andy Roddick former world #1, Australian Lleyton Hewett former world #1, James Blake, Mark Knowles and Jessica Pegula.

The pros played in an exhibition game with ESPN legend Cliff Drysdale providing live game commentary.

The matches were exciting and fun as Jacobi and Michael were also invited to play in an exhibition game.

The fundraising event is expected to benefit the Baha Mar Resort Foundation, supporting Mark Knowles Children’s Tennis Initiative.

The 3rd Annual Baha Mar Cup has concluded but the work continues.

Congratulations to the entire Baha Mar team on a very successful event and we look forward to great things ahead.

THE CHILDREN played with the tennis professionals and received some helpful tips.