12162022 NEWS AND SPORT

Case over detention and repatriation back to Supreme Court

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

THE Judicial Committee of the Privy Council has awarded Bahamas-born Jean Rony Jean-Charles the right to have his case returned to the Supreme Court for consideration of an application of constitutional aid over his detention and repatriation from the country more than five years ago.

This development is the latest in Mr JeanCharles’ legal battles concerning his expulsion

from the Bahamas to Haiti on November 24, 2017, after being detained from September 17 of that year.

Subsequently, Supreme Court Justice Gregory Hilton made a landmark ruling that both his detention and expulsion were unlawful.

At the time, Justice Hilton further found that Mr Jean-Charles was deprived of his personal liberty, unlawfully arrested and detained/falsely imprisoned in breach of his rights guaranteed him under the Constitution.

$800M SOUTH ABACO AGREEMENT SIGNED

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

THE government signed a heads of agreement yesterday for the Kakona South Abaco Development worth over $800m.

The project is expected to provide hundreds of jobs.

Steve Harrell, the senior trustee for the Harrell Family Trust, talked about

his vision for the location and commitment to South Abaco.

“I have been coming to The Bahamas for 30 years. My family has been coming here for 25 years — 15 years ago I was in Abaco and someone introduced me to this 700-acre property that I just couldn’t get off of my mind.”

MAN GUNNED DOWN AS HE ARRIVES AT HOME

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg @ tribunemedia.net

his 20s.

“Sometime

BID FOR BAIL BY LAWYERS FOR FTX’S FOUNDER

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

LAWYERS for former FTX CEO Sam BankmanFried have filed a bail application in the Supreme Court, after the disgraced businessman was sent to prison on Tuesday.

The Tribune understands the matter will be heard in January.

The former billionaire was first denied bail the day after he was arrested by police at the request of the US government. BankmanFried faces several fraud charges in the US, including wire fraud, money laundering and conspiracy to commit fraud.

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

Shevonn

A MAN was shot dead shortly after he arrived at a home in eastern New Providence yesterday. Police said the victim had just pulled up to the

home on Broadfield Road when he was accosted by a gunman who shot him several times.

Chief Superintendent Michael Johnson, officer-in-charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, said the victim appeared to be in

shortly after 3pm the police were called to this area of Broadfield Road, where we received information of a male being shot in this area.”

BAHAMAS Power & Light (BPL) is ending a deal that supplies around 50 percent of New Providence’s base load electricity generation despite concerns its own staff are not trained to operate the engines involved.

Cambridge, BPL’s chief executive, confirmed to Tribune Business that Wartsila’s contract to operate, and provide routine maintenance for, some 132MW of generation capacity at the Clifton Pier power station will not be renewed after it expires at year-end.

Jean Rony wins at Privy Council

from page one

Although the ruling was thought by many to have far-reaching effects on how the country handled similar matters of citizenship, the Court of Appeal dismissed Hilton’s ruling due to procedural issues.

In a ruling handed down yesterday, the Privy Council recounted the particulars of the case, concluding that “the appeal be allowed, but only to the extent of remitting the application for constitutional redress to the Supreme Court to enable it to direct that the application proceeds as though begun by writ.”

The London body said parties have to lodge their submissions as to costs within 21 days.

Mr Jean-Charles was represented by Edward Fitzgerald, KC, Frederick Smith KC, Adrian de Froment and Roderick Dawson Malone. Tom Poole, KC, and Kayla Green Smith were Crown counsel.

In the Privy Council’s analysis and determination, the board noted that the parties were correct in their agreement that it was competent for the appellant to raise an application for constitutional redress by motion in his action for habeas corpus. This is based on several key articles of the

is being or is likely to be contravened in relation to him then, without prejudice to any other action with respect to the same matter which is lawfully available, that person may apply to the Supreme Court for redress.”

The JCPC also noted: “It is clear from the wording of paragraph (1) of Article 28 and the expansive nature of what is provided in paragraphs (4) and (5) that the Constitution does not lay down any formal procedures to be followed when an applicant seeks constitutional redress and that it seeks to facilitate the exercise by the Supreme Court of its constitutional jurisdiction. Although Parliament has not made laws relating to practice and procedure in this field, paragraph (5) is unquestionably facilitative in its intention. An expansive approach to Article 28 of the Constitution is also consistent with the wellestablished constitutional jurisprudence of the board that provisions of the Constitution be given a liberal interpretation in order to give individuals the full measure of the rights and freedoms which the Constitution confers.”

Additionally, the committee said it appears to be common ground that Mr Jean-Charles did not apply for Bahamian

citizenship between his 18th and 19th birthdays “as he may have been entitled to do under Article 7 of the Constitution.”

“It also does not appear to be contested that the appellant is entitled to permanent residence in The Bahamas if it is established that he was born there and has resided there all of his life or, if he has travelled outside The Bahamas, he has done so and returned with the necessary travel authorisations,” the body said.

“The respondents wish to investigate whether the appellant may have travelled outside The Bahamas without authorisation and may have returned illegally as a possible justification of the arrest, detention and removal to Haiti.

“Mr Poole on being questioned by the board accepted that this was a speculation. He did not assert that the respondents had any evidence to suggest that the appellant had done so. It is not clear how an investigation into whether the appellant’s mother had obtained travel documents for her family, including the appellant, will serve to show on the balance of probabilities that on some occasion the appellant travelled out of and returned to The Bahamas illegally. In any event, it is not clear

how such an investigation will assist the respondents in asserting the legality of the arrest, detention and removal of the appellant unless it is demonstrated among other things that the appellant had landed in The Bahamas within a relatively short time before his arrest on 18 September 2017.

“In these circumstances the appropriate course of action is to remit the application for constitutional redress to the Supreme Court so that that court can direct that the constitutional proceedings continue as though begun by writ. The court can decide what ancillary directions are appropriate to enable the parties to assemble and file relevant evidence and to advance legal arguments in those proceedings. It appears to the Board that the factual issues between the parties are in short compass and ought to be capable of resolution in a timely and proportionate manner.

“Mr Smith informed the board that the appellant had not been provided with the necessary papers to obtain a work permit. Given the passage of time it will be important that the court manages the case so as to prevent dilatory behaviour which might delay the resolution of this case.”

BID FOR BAIL BY LAWYERS FOR FTX’S FOUNDER

from page one

He also faces a warrant from the Southern District of New York and a federal warrant.

The collapse of the crypto giant has grabbed local and international headlines, with some scrutiny and criticism being levelled at the Bahamas government.

Yesterday, Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said he believes there is a lot of “overblown rhetoric” about FTX’s collapse.

He described the crypto giant’s implosion as a “business failure”, saying such events happen in other countries all the time and added The Bahamas is no different.

He was asked to respond

to negative commentary in international media about the country’s digital regulatory framework and “the lack of transparency” from Bahamian regulators related to FTX’s downfall.

“The jurisdiction in which the failure took place or has taken place has nothing to do with the actual alleged crimes or misdeeds,” Mr Mitchell told reporters on the sidelines of an event yesterday.

“Fraud, for example, happens in any country. It doesn’t turn on the jurisdiction. So, it isn’t useful, in my view, at this juncture to be wagging fingers saying ‘this one’s at fault, and the next one’s at fault.’

“The fact is, there was a business failure. We need to find out who is responsible and if we can get recovery

for those people who were damaged, fine.

“Those people who did wrong should be punished and that’s what’s going on. The Bahamas has an enviable reputation around the world. There have been business failures here before, we’ve survived those.”

Mr Mitchell, who is also chairman of the Progressive Liberal Party, said some jurisdictions like the United States have also seen “these kinds of massive business failures”, yet they still survived.

He added: “And, I suspect we will survive.”

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

‘LEARN FROM FTX COLLAPSE’

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS lmunnings @ tribunemedia.net

THE collapse of FTX serves as a crucial learning lesson and an opportunity to fight for the reputation of the country, according to representatives of the Organization for Responsible Governance.

Hubert Edwards, chief executive officer of Next Level Solutions consulting firm, said the fallout of FTX should not be the primary focus, but instead the reputation of the broader financial services sector within the country.

Yesterday, Mr Edwards told this newspaper that the Securities Commission of The Bahamas should make the necessary changes moving forward, however he noted that effective resolution of the present issue serves as a priority.

“I believe that there will be a time and place for dissecting and debriefing, that time is not now. It is of little value at this moment for the country to delve into what deficiencies may or may not have existed,” he said.

The chair of ORG’s economics committee also said: “What might be at issue here is the public’s demand for more information. However, one must

appreciate that we are here dealing with very sensitive matters, including legal manoeuvrings which are clearly contentious at the moment. It is, therefore, unreasonable to anticipate information to be provided more rapidly than it is being done currently.”

He continued: “What we have seen thus far does not, in my mind, suggest a lack of transparency on the part of the authorities, but rather necessary caution and professional diligence.”

When asked by this newspaper what he believes could be handled differently in the process, he said it is “unreasonable” to speak on what should be done differently at this current time.

“It’s not reasonable to speak to what could be done differently at this stage as we do not yet fully appreciate all that was or was not done,” he said.

“Any statement in that direction at this point will necessarily include some level of speculation and for those committed to the best interest of the country such an approach should be avoided at all cost.”

With the collapse of FTX Digital Markets currently being investigated

by local and international law enforcement agencies, ORG Executive Director Matt Aubry said this serves as an opportunity to reinforce the dynamic of transparency and accountability being the path forward.

In an interview with this newspaper yesterday, Mr Aubry acknowledged the attempts of the government to be transparent, however, he suggested putting more attention on fixing “longterm” circumstances.

“At the end of the day, though, the whole lesson of FTX I think comes into a few different things,” he told this newspaper yesterday.

“It reinforces the dynamic that transparency and accountability is the path forward. There needs to be greater transparency related to entities like FTX in terms of their board, governance systems, ensuring that they have the sufficient funds.”

He continued: “Transparency can also help to establish the trust of the public.”

He said officials should attempt to learn from situations such as FTX and more importantly similar instances have happened in past administrations.

It was founded by Bankman-Fried, also known as SBF, who resigned last month as CEO of the company after it came under heavy scrutiny last month following reports that it mismanaged customer assets.

Bankman-Fried is likely to face extradition to the United States; though the former billionaire has said he will fight extradition.

Asked whether he had any concerns about the country’s reputation being damaged if Bankman-Fried remains

in the country, Mr Mitchell replied: “Well, look, as I said before this has all been done here before.”

“The Shah of Iran, after he was deposed, came to The Bahamas, you know and so, this is the kind of country we have. We have a country, which is small, but has an important reputation in the world. People come here. Our laws are good. The regulations are good.

“And we’re sometimes in the spotlight, Anna Nicole Smith, that was another

one. You know, it happens. John Travolta, it happens. So here we are, again but our systems, I’m satisfied, are strong. There are no implications, as far as I can discover, in terms of our international relations with any state and I’m satisfied that at the end of the day, the systems will work the problems out, seeking to punish those who are responsible for any fraud which is proven and to compensate those to the extent that the law allows.”

Constitution among them Article 28, which reads: “If any person alleges that any

of the provisions of Articles 16 to 27 (inclusive) of this Constitution has been,

JEAN Rony Jean-Charles pictured in 2018.

MAN GUNNED DOWN AS HE ARRIVES AT HOME

from page one

“The brief information is that sometime around 3.02pm, the victim had pulled up to a residence on Broadfield Road, when he was accosted by a lone gunman who produced a firearm and shot him several times,” CSP Johnson said.

“He ran east on Broadfield Road and then north on to St Anne’s Crescent where he collapsed. This gunman was seen getting into a black vehicle, which we believe is a Nissan-type model where he made good his escape.”

A woman on the scene, who identified herself as the victim’s wife, said the deceased is Christonio Young.

CSP Johnson said police believe the deceased lived in the area where he was killed, but are not certain if he was shot at his residence. He could not say if the victim was known to police.

Asked by a reporter if the incident was a robbery gone wrong, CSP Johnson said it was “too early” to tell.

He expressed confidence that police would be able to solve the case with the public’s help.

“Based on what we’re working with, we believe

that this is a matter that we will be successful in detecting once we receive the information from members of the public,” he stated.

According to The Tribune ’s records, this latest killing has pushed the country’s murder toll to 126 for the year. There is a fear that 2022 will be a record-breaking year for murders.

The country’s highest murder count was in 2015. That year there were 146 killings on record. In 2011, 127 murders were recorded.

Pressed on crime strategies, CSP Johnson said: “Well, again, we look at crime trends and we always tweaking our strategies when it comes to crime fighting, but I would like to say that I know we look at the amount of murders but I want us to look at the way that we are solving these matters with the assistance of the public that I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the public for assisting us in closing many of these matters and so we accept an appeal to members of the public once again, to assist us in this investigation.”

Anyone with information on this shooting is asked to contact CID at 5029991/2 or Crime Stoppers at 328-(TIPS)-8477.

SAN SALVADOR COUNCIL STAFF ‘UNPAID FOR TWO MONTHS’

By JADE RUSSELL jrussell@tribunemedia.net

THE chief councillor for San Salvador said employees of the island’s district council have been without pay for two months, adding it has left them “handicapped” this Christmas season.

“The employees of the district council in November and December have not received their payments. Also, as you are aware this is the Christmas season, and everyone needs their money,” Rennard Storr,

chief councillor for San Salvador, said.

“So now the district of San Salvador has been handicapped because we need to do some Christmas things. We normally have an annual Christmas tree lighting, also we normally have a give-back for the kids. But everything is centred around money,” Mr Storr told The Tribune

Mr Storr said that in September, San Salvador got a new island administrator but has not been able to access funds due to some red tape.

“We need her (the administrator) to be regularised so that we can have work done in San Salvador. And with that, I believe that we will be back on the road to success. We have been going over and beyond the call of duty for our people of San Salvador,” he said.

Mr Storr said that few people would want to work and not be compensated. He added that the district council deals with road cleaning, garbage collection, and the overall maintenance of the island.

“We don’t want to be putting our hands in our pockets to get stuff done. So, the answer would be to get the island administrator regularised, and then we will be on the roll again,” he said.

He pointed out that the government has made significant strides on the island such as the re-opening of the Club Med resort in October. The return of the island’s main economic driver and employer was expected to create 300 direct jobs for Bahamians and create total

employment for up to 350 persons.

However, he said, there are still some issues on the island that need to be addressed such as the phone service. The island is represented by Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis.

“The other issue would have been BTC. We need a technician who will definitely take care of it when we have phones and stuff breaking down,” he said.

“We need a technician on the island of San Salvador, especially in the area from

Hall’s Landing to Sugarloaf, they can only use cell phones. But when a person’s phone breaks down, there is no technician here for a while.”

He also said: “So we need to be able to communicate on a daily basis. Even children and everything who uses the internet daily.

“Our guests who go to certain locations need to be able to have access to the phone.”

Mr Storr also noted roadwork on the island is needed as well.

$800M SOUTH ABACO AGREEMENT SIGNED

“I felt like it was the most incredible piece of beachfront property on the planet and I moved swiftly to purchase that 15 years ago,” he said.

“And we have been daily, Tom and I, in pursuit of this moment, and we are simply thrilled. Finally, we can make a point to the people of South Abaco that we are in their corner. I’ve slept in the homes of the people in Sandy Point.

“I know everybody down there, we go down there frequently and I’ve made promises as to what our family trust would do for South Abaco. And we’re at a point now that we can move swiftly through the other governmental approvals.”

Central and South Abaco MP John Pinder explained that all of the project will be developed on private land.

“The full cost of the project is well over $800m. It’s nearing a billion dollars.

The start is going to be within months as best I can say. There are some finalisations that have to do with certain governmental approvals,” he said.

“However, we’ll have shovels in the ground within months and the finalisation is dependent on how quickly we could develop the skill set within our people to make it happen and supply chains and so on, so forth.”

He said this project is a “monumental step forward” in the development

of Abaco.

“The community and the people of South Abaco are behind this,” he said. “It involves hundreds of room keys. It has a marina that will be able to accommodate boats up to 250 feet, which goes in line with the ever developing and increasing demand for yachting facilities.

“The workforce in South Abaco will have somewhere to go besides driving all the way to central where the economy is now centric. So it is important for

the people of South Abaco to be able to feed their families, to be able to have a career and the youth to have a future right there in South Abaco.”

The area MP spoke on the number of jobs being created.

He added: “It’s a significant undertaking to build, but it’s also going to be hundreds of jobs to sustain long term and there’s a skill training component to it. So we won’t be only looking for skilled workers outside of this country, we’ll

be training our people to do the right jobs, and the skills will evolve as the project evolves.”

Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper described this as “significant” and a boost economically for the island.

“As I’ve indicated before, I’m delighted for South Abaco and I celebrate with my colleague, John. This is going to be a boost for the entire economy that’s going to build around this resort in South Abaco,” Mr Cooper said.

THE SCENE at Broadfield Road yesterday after a man was shot dead as he pulled up outside a residence.

Photos: Austin Fernander

Halkitis ‘open’ to proposal on Village Road stimulus

By LETRE SWEETING lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

ECONOMIC Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis said he is open to reviewing a proposal from Village Road business owners who are requesting an economic stimulus package for loss of business due to ongoing road works.

After more than six months of ongoing road works and shifting completion deadlines, most recently to January 2023, some 16 Village Road business owners signed a proposal for better communication and some financial support.

In response to this Mr Halkitis told The Tribune yesterday that though he has not personally received the proposal he would be open to reviewing it.

“They have a proposal?

If so, we can definitely take a look at it. Have not seen anything. Tell them to send it to me,” he said.

Meanwhile, Michael Fields, president of Four Walls Squash and Social Club, said yesterday on behalf of some Village Road businesses that they are “urgently” requesting a meeting with the government on this matter.

“We are requesting an urgent meeting with the

government on behalf of a group of Village Road businesses. We have 16 signatories so far, and we are continuing to go door to door, for a proposal submitted last week requesting consideration of an economic stimulus proposal,” Mr Fields said.

“We were astonished to learn by listening to the radio this morning (Thursday) that the Village Road Improvement Project has been delayed by another month. This update was provided by the project engineer during an interview with Dwight Strachan on Guardian Radio. We happened to be listening,” he said.

MINISTRY: NOT ALL ROAD FEES AFFECTED

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS lmunnings @ tribunemedia.net

THE Ministry of Transport and Housing released a statement yesterday on impending Road Traffic Department fee increases, clarifying that not all fees have been affected by the adjustments set to take effect January 1, 2023.

The statement clarified that licence fees for Class A motor vehicles remain “unchanged”, but an increase is expected in both Class B and Class C.

For example, most personal vehicles in The Bahamas fall under the class A designation, these include vehicles such as Honda Civics, Nissan Notes, Toyota Corollas, Suzuki Swifts, which are under 5,000lbs,” the statement said. “Fees for Class A designated vehicles remain unchanged.”

In an effort to modernise,

new services have been added to meet the needs of the Bahamian public, the ministry said.

One of the new services allows the option of a fiveyear driver’s licence at the cost of $125.

The new price increases are inclusive of the issuing and renewal of commercial driver’s licences; Class A, B, and C.

Commercial driver’s licence tests are expected to increase to $75, in comparison to the current price of $50.

As of January 1, private motor vehicle registration surcharge for vehicles after the fourth vehicle will be $30.

To change a photograph on a driver’s license or the retaking of a theory test will now be $25.

The Ministry of Transport assured members of the public that they are committed to improving customer experience.

Recently, the Free

National Movement accused the Davis administration of being a “tax and spend” government due to the impending increase in Road Traffic Department fees.

In a statement released on Sunday, FNM deputy leader Shanendon Cartwright said the fee increases are an additional tax burden during a time when people are already struggling with high prices because of inflation.

When contacted Michael Pintard, FNM leader, said the Davis administration is seeking to “claw back” funds from the Bahamian public after “squandering” a number of opportunities relative to the management of finances.

He urged the government to thoroughly explain to the Bahamian public the reasoning for the increase in fees, as he suggested the “financial pressures” the government is experiencing may be the reason.

“This was very surprising given that we had requested a meeting with the government from last week to discuss an economic stimulus proposal for Village Road businesses,” he said.

“When we notified the group about the delay to January they were flabbergasted. The uncertainty and the disruptions are crippling businesses, and while we understand and appreciate the importance of the project, businesses in the area need the support of the government to continue surviving and to rebound in the New Year.

“The conversation is long overdue, and we

are requesting an urgent response from the government to meet with businesses in the area,” Mr Fields said.

Graham Weatherford, owner of Sure Alarm Systems Ltd on Village Road, added: “If you put everybody on Village Road out of business how does that work versus if you give people some incentives like you give them a break on real property tax and VAT.

“Whatever break you can give them to grow the business, so that when the roads are finished, they can be bigger, better and stronger, have more people, have more business to make

more tax. You’ll give it now, but you’ll receive double later,” Mr Weatherford said.

On December 9, Mr Fields submitted a letter addressed to Alfred Sears and The Ministry of Works petitioning for several forms of support including VAT credits, a waiver on several business-related fees, refurbishment grants, sponsorship, concessions on Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) and the appointment of a public affairs officers who can communicate with business owners.

Mr Fields said as of yesterday, there has been no response from the government on the proposal.

CONSTRUCTION work in Village Road in April this year.

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

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

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

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

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

TELEPHONES

News

(242) 322-1986

Advertising Manager (242) 502-2394

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

Biden pumps up Africa relations

PRESIDENT Joe Biden said Thursday he will visit sub-Saharan Africa next year, the first US president to travel there in a decade. He announced the trip — still unscheduled — as he wrapped up a US-Africa Leaders Summit by stressing he’s serious about increasing US attention to the growing continent.

His promise of a personal visit came as Biden declared to the 49 leaders gathered for the summit that “Africa belongs at the table” in every conversation of global consequence.

“I’m looking forward to seeing you in your home countries,” Biden said near the end of the three-day summit that the administration billed as primarily a listening session with the continent’s leaders.

The Biden administration used the summit — a follow-up to one held in 2014 by Barack Obama — as the latest part of a charm offensive with leaders of African nations. The administration is looking to strengthen relations with those nations as China has surpassed the US in trade with Africa and is aiming to grow its military presence.

The continent is crucial to global powers because of its rapidly growing population, significant natural resources and sizable voting bloc in the United Nations. Some leaders who took part in summit made clear they want the Biden administration to steer away from forcing them to choose between the US and its global competitors when it comes to trade matters.

“These are economic opportunities,” Niger President Mohamed Bazoum told The Associated Press. “Companies from Turkey and China come and invest in Niger in a win-win type of relationship. It is something that American investors can do as well.”

Biden on Thursday formally announced that he supports the African Union becoming a permanent member of the Group of 20 nations. He also announced plans to spend $2 billion to help bolster food security on the continent and $165m to help African nations carry out peaceful and transparent elections next year.

Those announcements came after Biden this week detailed his administration’s commitment to spend $55 billion on government programming in Africa over the next three years, over and above the billions that American private companies would invest.

“Our eyes are fixed squarely on the future,” Biden said.

The elections-funding announcement came after Biden met on Wednesday with a small group of leaders whose countries have big votes in the new year.

Those leaders: Democratic Republic of the Congo President Felix Tshisekedi, Gabon President Ali Bongo Ondimba, Liberia President George Manneh Weah, Madagascar President Andry Nirina Rajoelina, Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari and Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio.

The White House said in a statement that Biden, in his meeting with the leaders, reflected on the state of democracy in his own country after last year’s Jan. 6 attack on the US Capitol. That’s when supporters of then-President Donald Trump violently sought to stop Congress from certifying the results of the 2020 election, which Trump lost to Biden.

Biden also spoke about the recent US midterm elections, when voters rejected a number of 2020-results-denying candidates, with the president making his case that “the strength and resilience of American democracy was reaffirmed in the process”.

Thousands of Trump supporters descended on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, in a violent insurrection, breaking through police barricades and smashing windows in the building, crying out to hang the vice president.

Trump and his allies also launched roughly 50 lawsuits aimed at overturning vote counts in battleground states. They lost almost every legal battle they waged and Biden was declared the winner.

The upcoming elections in African nations are seen as important indicators of the strength of democracy across the continent.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country with more than 210 million people, is

already confronted with violent attacks relating to its election, to be held in February.

Congo is battling an upsurge of rebel violence in its east, which will complicate efforts to hold elections. Tshisekedi won power in tumultuous elections in that country in 2019, and the upcoming elections, scheduled for next December, will be crucial to solidify his rule.

West Africa has had several coups in recent year, and Burkina Faso and Mali are currently ruled by military juntas. With this in mind, the elections in Gabon and Sierra Leone will be key markers. Sierra Leone had anti-government demonstrations this year over high inflation and displeasure with President Bio, who was elected in 2018.

In Madagascar, with a history marked by coups and disputed elections. President Rajoelina was elected in 2019, replacing rule by a military-backed junta. Rajoelina will be striving to consolidate his rule and the country’s democracy in the elections.

The United States has already provided nearly $50m in support of civil society and the electoral commissions in Nigeria and Congo.

Senegalese President Macky Sall, the African Union chairman, in remarks at Thursday’s session thanked Biden for his commitment to Africa. But he also said Africa’s countries face steep challenges - from rising food insecurity to badly needed infrastructure improvements to fend off the scourge of climate change.

Sall criticised pending US legislation that he said unfairly “targeted” Africa, an apparent reference to a measure titled “Countering Malign Russian Activities in Africa”. Lawmakers sponsoring the bill say the legislation is intended to prevent Moscow from using Africa to bypass US sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine.

Sall also raised concerns about yearslong US sanctions against Zimbabwe for corruption and human rights violations, saying that it was time to lift the penalties so the nation could “fight against poverty and underdevelopment.”

Earlier this week, the US Treasury Department announced it was hitting four Zimbabwean people, including the adult son of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, and two companies with new s anctions, accusing them of roles in undermining democracy and facilitating high-level graft.

Africa has been disproportionately harmed by the rise of global food prices sparked by Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Sall said it was critical to take heed of the “lessons” of the crises of the pandemic and war.

“The time is right to take vigorous action in the field of agriculture and food security,” Sall said.

Biden concurred at a closing summit session focused on food security. He said, “If a parent can’t feed their child, nothing else really matters.”

Sall also said the African Union expects a “strong commitment and support” from the United States on countering terrorism.

“We wish for the fight against terrorism to be an integral part of the world struggle against thus blight,” he said.

Biden’s visit to Africa will include stops in multiple countries, according to a US official who was not authorised to comment by name and spoke on the condition of anonymity. The White House has not released any details about where or when Biden will be travelling.

He made a brief stop in November in Egypt, which spans across the northeast corner of Africa and southwest corner of Asia, for an international climate summit.

In the first two years of his presidency, Biden’s international travel has focused on Asia and Europe, as he has sought to recalibrate his foreign policy to put greater focus on the Indo-Pacific. He has also had to deal with the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Biden’s Republican predecessor, Trump, did not make it to Africa during his COVID-19 shadowed presidency in which he made no foreign visits during his final 11 months.

By AAMER MADHANI and COLLEEN LONG, Associated Press

Price Control is government intervention

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I SEE why Government had no alternative to pass legislation to enforce the recent amendments to the Price Control regime - the existing law allows for a required approval if the merchant applies if his first cost has increased – a change cannot be refused, the Minister has to sign approval. We all know prices across the board have increased.

But in a modern society surely Government must consult pre-changing unilaterally over 5000 items and including them in the Price Control list?

Unilaterally without even a call to the Association?

Isn’t it time the Price Control Act be revisited - brought up to date

LETTERS

— rationalised like stop the ridiculous practice of Price Control going into stores with ZNS News camera crews and basically finding the merchant guilty of a breach without any legal approach or magisterial hearing – this should be illegal. In these ‘raids’ price control seized merchandise and removed the offending products from the premises.

Review how the current list of products, food, was created? Should Price Control, limiting mark-ups, be only enforced on low priced items?

Editor, this recent addition of 450 plus items, which I am told converts to

about 5000 individual shelf items now Price Controlled, just how can the small operator survive?

Is the arrogance factor playing its part again? Remember Bahamians detest arrogance. I have to suggest how this sensitive issue was handled was precisely in that vein... be warned, Government be warned.... Arrogance saw all Governments since 1973 thrown out of office.

Let‘s re-examine and rationalise Price Control. We all know PM Davis is super sensitive to noise in the market, but there has to be a rational approach, not dictatorial imposition with zero consultation.

T SWEETING

Nassau, December 8, 2022.

Bahamian sport honours

EDITOR, The Tribune.

LATELY, there have been numerous conversations in the press and elsewhere with regards to persons being awarded the Hall of Fame designation, and some being additionally included in the Legends Walk. In my opinion, all the inductees are deserving, some more than others. However, I am immensely surprised and somewhat shocked at some obvious omissions, or delays as I am now being advised.

Growing up in Nassau in the 50s and 60s, there were some sporting disciplines that we poor, black overthe-hill boys participated and excelled in, namely basketball, baseball, boxing, track and field, etc.

Then, there were those in which, only affluent white

persons along with a few affluent blacks, were the main participants. Having grown to accept this, it was with great pride and almost astonishment when a poor, young black boy from the “Cop pit” of all places, became the best tennis player in the country.

That was what Leo Rolle did for us as a people. Leo became the Junior Champion, the National Champion and the Bahamian flag-bearer, representing the country almost a dozen times for a period in excess of 20 years.

These feats inspired an entire generation of us young, poor, black boys, who only then realised that we too could play tennis. That became an inspiration for all future generations. Should not

Leo have been among our earliest inductees?

The other person, who although he did not venture into the prohibited sporting disciplines, tried and ably participated in so many of them, that he became almost a folklore. That person was the late Leonard “Boston Blackie” Miller, a boxing champion, a cycling champion, a wrestling champion, sports teacher, boxing trainer, youth mentor, etc. So, I hereby implore those in authority to remember that our prowess and success in sports did not just start and this new generation should be knowledgeable of our rich sporting heritage and legacy.

ARNOLD F BAIN Jr Nassau,

December 12, 2022.

FTX & insider trading

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I BELIEVE that we first heard that FTX computers had been hacked. Then we heard that the Bahamas Government took custody of some of the FTX Assets and that was refined down to the Securities Commission had put them in Cold Storage for safe keeping.

Today, The Tribune published an email to Ryan Pinder from SBF asking his (Pinder’s) permission to liquidate assets held by Bahamians or residents of the Bahamas. And SBF

tells Pinder that if he does not get a response he is going to do it anyway.

I am just wondering now, when all of these people who allegedly got inside knowledge of the impending collapse will be charged with insider trading? And also wondering when these same people will be told by the liquidators that the proceeds of their liquidation will have to be turned over to them.

The figure mentioned by Pinder is $100,000,000.00 (100 million) and one can assume

that the fiat payout would be in USD. Curiously a few pages along Financial Secretary, Mr Simon Wilson is crowing about Bahamians investing USD in Bahamas Government Bonds of a similar amount I believe. And the Central Bank conveniently waived the Premium Dollar mandate.

No this is not fiction!. It’s all in the Tuesday, December 13th, Tribune.

MONKEEDOO Nassau, December 13, 2022.

letters@tribunemedia.net

ON the march at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services passing out parade yesterday.

Photo: Austin Fernander

Prison officer recruits welcomed by PM Davis

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Department of Correctional Services welcomed its latest group of recruits during a passing out parade at the prison facility yesterday.

The 99 trainee correctional officers of the A squad 2022 were surrounded by close friends and family as they were officially added to the law enforcement agency after several months of intense training.

They were also offered words of encouragement from several government officials, including Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis, who applauded them for their hard work and sacrifice.

Jomo Campbell, who was serving as acting national security minister, told the graduates that yesterday’s ceremony was just the beginning of what’s to come.

However, he also said it would require serious commitment and sacrifice.

“Despite having passed the renewal of the first phase of your test, your most critical test will be your commitment to the organisation as you would have pledged in maintaining and safeguarding your integrity, consistent performance and the ability to work peaceably with your colleagues,” Mr Campbell said.

“You have the best and a golden opportunity to protect and serve your country over your employment at the Bahamas Department of Corrections. Your main mandates are to ensure that offenders are kept in safe custody while you seek to rehabilitate them in preparation for their re-entry into society.

“I understand that your job can be complex,” he also said, “but I urge you to serve your Bahamian people diligently and faithfully and with pride.”

Mr Davis offered similar advice and also extended well wishes to

the new recruits. “This is a major milestone in your lives, the beginning of what I hope will be a long and rewarding career within the Correctional Service,” he told those gathered

at BDCS yesterday.

“You are part of a strategic recruitment drive which will see, by the end of next year, approximately 200 new trainee correctional officers joining the service. Another recruitment exercise is currently underway and once again family islanders are included.”

He added: “This, ladies and gentlemen, is important, as we seek to diversify the workforce, and meet the establishment strength staffing levels for the Department of Corrections. It will also allow for the Service to make up the loss of numbers with those who are retiring.”

Mr Davis said the government was making a significant investment into the correctional facility’s development and also spoke to plans to break ground for a new high medium prison early next year.

He also said promotions for correctional officers were being addressed and “will be forthcoming in short order.”

As for his hopes for the new trainee officers, Mr Davis said he expects each recruit to act responsibly and remember their role as a correctional officer.

“When your minister, honourable Wayne Munroe took office, I tasked him with ensuring that true reform takes place within these facilities,” he continued. “You trainees, along with the other correctional officers, are in the vanguard of this process. We expect you to act responsibly and ethically, in order to effectively contribute to the safe, secure and humane custody of the people in your care.

“It is important that you understand the role you play in the care and rehabilitation of those who are incarcerated. Let me remind you most emphatically, that prisoners, just like other citizens, are entitled to enjoy their fundamental human rights, restricted as they may be. Our community and indeed the world will be watching to see how you safeguard those rights.”

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis making a presentation during yesterday’s Bahamas Department of Correctional Services passing out parade.

Photos: Austin Fernander

Eat well and be merry

“IT’S beginning to look a lot like Christmas,” and there is so much to be excited about this year.

Our country’s premier national festival, Junkanoo, is back! Holiday house hopping will once again be in full effect – boiled fish breakfast at the parents, Christmas ham and turkey dinner at Grammy’s house and numerous stops at friends’ homes to share some holiday cheer. At each stop, you will be invited to partake in culinary delights resulting from hours of careful planning and painstaking preparation, all for your dining pleasure.

Dining is one of the main sources of feel-good vibes at this time of year as we enjoy elaborate meals lovingly prepared from scratch and enjoyed in the warm company of those, we hold dear. What’s not to feel good about?

Nonetheless, most people enter the New Year lamenting their gastronomic sins, begrudgingly resolving to adopt a diet of deprivation, usually for the sole reason of losing the extra few pounds that got hitched to the wagon during the festive season.

However, it is possible to navigate holiday dining and emerge on the other side feeling good, with fewer or no extra pounds to show for our enjoyment of the traditional cornucopia of

By Dr Selima Hauber PhD

holiday delights.

First, it is important to acknowledge the gems of holiday dining. One notable upside is that most holiday meals are home-cooked and made from scratch using whole ingredients.

The biggest problem with how we eat for most of the year is that it is composed largely of highly processed foods.

Modern-day Bahamians have adopted a diet that is identical to that of our American neighbours. Unfortunately, the standard American diet is one of ultra-processed foods, including sugary soft drinks, packaged snacks and pastries, cereals, processed meats and instant soups and noodles. Statistics show that Americans derive almost 60 percent of their total caloric intake from ultra-processed foods.

Created in factories by Big Food using ingredients from Big Agriculture, these calorie-rich but nutrientpoor foodstuffs create chronic inflammation in

the body, which can fuel the epidemic of chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. If we were to maintain our holiday tradition of preparing and eating more nutritious, home-cooked meals throughout the year, we would be on the right track for improved health and smaller waistlines.

The second gem of holiday dining is enjoying meals in the company of others. Studies have shown that intimate and casual social connections, such as those made around the holi day table, are important predictors of longevity.

We thrive when we are a part of strong, positive relationships and circles. The convivial nature of dining offers other ben efits in addition to strengthening social ties. Engaging in dinner conversation can slow down eating, enabling us to recognise that we are satiated sooner, hence preventing overeating.

When we are on the hamster wheel of everyday life, as is the case for most of the year, many of our meals are consumed on-the-go, or at our desks while we multitask on electronic devices to keep up with numerous obligations. Bringing the social and celebratory spirit of holiday dining with you into the New Year and making it a point to enjoy your meals intentionally and in good company can also yield benefits.

As you anticipate the various gastronomic adventures that await you this season, consider these tips to help you burst into the New Year without bursting the seams of your trousers.

For starters, try drinking two glasses of water before each meal. In a study comparing two groups of overweight participants, those who drank two

glasses of water before each meal lost weight 44% faster than compared to those who did not preload with water. Simply hydrating yourself is a cheap and uncomplicated way to reduce your appetite and avoid extra pounds.

Enjoy a low-calorie salad as an appetizer. Studies investigating preloading showed that consuming one cup of a low-calorie food before a meal, results in the consumption of 100 fewer calories during the main course.

Another study investigating preloading lunch with a low-calorie vegetable soup recorded participants eating less at lunch and less at the following dinner.

In yet another study where participants were given a large apple before their main meal, a whopping 300 fewer calories were consumed. To gain a similar calorie deficit, consider starting your meal with one cup of fresh fruit or vegetables. For family dinners or group gatherings a Crudité (veggie) platter is an excellent and visually enticing choice.

Preloading behind you, here are additional strategies to help guide you away from those extra holiday pounds. Make sure most of your plate is plant rich. The

high fiber content of plantbased dishes means you will feel full quicker. Not only is fiber exceptionally low in calories, but it also slows fat absorption by absorbing it from your meal and sweeping it through your digestive system and out of the body before it reaches the bloodstream.

Another amazing benefit of consuming large quantities of fiber-rich, plant-based dishes stems from what our microbiome does to the fiber. The good bacteria in our gut break down the fiber and, in the process, produces shortchain fatty acids. These short-chain fatty acids enter the bloodstream and travel to the brain, where they dial down our appetite. This triple score for plantbased dishes is exactly why they should dominate your plate even beyond the holiday season.

With these simple tips under your belt and in

practice, the guilt-induced habit of launching into a daunting or extreme deprivation diet in January may finally be broken. When those tantalising and delicious culinary opportunities present themselves over the next few weeks, do enjoy, but resolve to resist the temptation to overindulge. Not only will you avoid the dreaded post-holiday scale gains, but you will be developing healthful dining practices to take into the New Year. Lastly, determine to be fully present in each moment. Allow yourself to embrace the feeling of deep gratitude and joy as you break bread to nourish your body, soul, and mind surrounded by the greatest gift of all – close family and friends.

Dr Selima Hauber, PhD, is the agricultural education and outreach officer at OEF and CTI. Established in 2012, the One Eleuthera Founda- tion (OEF) is a non-pro t organisation located in Rock Sound, Eleuthera. For more information, visit www. oneeleuthera.org or email info@oneeleuthera. org. The Centre for Training and Innovation (CTI) is the rst and only postsecondary, non-pro t education and training institution and social enterprise on Eleuthera. CTI operates a student training campus in Rock Sound, Eleuthera, with a 16-room training hotel, restaurant and farm.

For more information about CTI’s programmes email: info@oneeleuthera. org.

of One Eleuthera Foundation

DR SELIMA HAUBER, PhD, holding fresh produce harvested from the Oasis Grow House at CTI’s farm.

CLOCKWISE from top left, Farmer’s Table delight: Root Vegetable Trio with Balsamic Glaze, Herb-Stuffing and Creamy Cilantro Dressing; Stuffed Mini Bell Peppers; and assorted and flavorful beets grown on the CTI Farm.

FARMER’s Table delight: Celery boats with smoked salmon spread.

ROASTED quinoa salad with mixed greens and spiralized beets.

A true story of brotherly love

By Diane Phillips

YOU see them walking together, never one or the other, always the two of them, side by side, each wearing worn out clothes and carrying worn out bags.

If you did not know better, or failed to look closely to see the camaraderie between them and the simple honesty in their ways, you could mistake them for Jonesers. You could, but you would be about as wrong as you could be. There is a bible in each of those worn out tote bags, along with tools or work clothes for whatever job they are working that day, rags for cleaning, a uniform for washing dishes at a restaurant. Look even closer at their worn-out shoes and your heart could break right there. They walk, on average, more than ten miles a day, from the place they currently rent off Prince Charles Drive in Elizabeth Estates to the Montagu area where they find work or odd jobs and often wait until bible study starts in the evening in the waterfront park before starting the long fivemile trek back home.

They are the Knowles brothers. Devon, who is the shorter of the two, is 47, Lorenzo, 41. They are as constant a fixture in the Eastern District as the view of the distant sun rising over Montagu Bay. Two slight, brownskinned men getting by day-to-day but never alone. They have each other.

was a dream come true, though they missed family and home.

“It is a nice, beautiful place, Long Island, lots of coconut trees, bananas, go fishin’ when you want,” says Lorenzo. They’d catch mackerel, jack fish, and cook ’em fresh.

The job at Queen’s College lasted eight years. They lived at St Anne’s housing and until his death in 2011, Bishop Michael Eldon was neighbour and respected elder in their lives.

In the years since fulltime work ended at QC, though they still help out when needed, life has gotten harsher for Lorenzo and Devon. They clean cars for regular customers, wash dishes in a restaurant that provides them with a welcome hot meal. A manufacturer in the area supplies them with daily drinking water, another gentleman often gives them a lift home to save that five-mile stretch of walk in the dark.

‘On most things, the compatible brothers who are rarely seen apart, agree, like swimming along West Bay. The water at Montagu, they say, is too dirty because of the fish parts and garbage disposed of in it.’

Back at their rental, they cook on a hot plate, sometimes canned mackerel, a sentimental bow to memories of home.

On occasion, they heat up steamed corn beef and treat themselves to white rice. But there are days when no one needs a car cleaned or the restaurant is closed and there is nowhere to turn for the next dollar.

The Knowles brothers grew up in the Mangrove Bush settlement of Long Island. The family was large, busy and productive, with seven kids, mom, dad, grandparents. Their grandfather was the late Bertram Knowles, Sr, an Olympic sailor, they said, their grandmother, Irene Williams. The children all attended the all-age school and most of the siblings went on to marry and have families of their own. Lorenzo calculates that there are about 15 grandchildren. While most stayed close to home, Lorenzo and Devon moved to Nassau after a close friend of the family’s, Reverend James Neely, called to offer them a job as groundskeepers at Queen’s College.

They thought the offer

On most things, the compatible brothers who are rarely seen apart, agree, like swimming along West Bay. The water at Montagu, they say, is too dirty because of the fish parts and garbage disposed of in it.

Like many who live together, the few arguments they do have usually involve money.

“Devon likes to eat too much,” says Lorenzo, who is taller, a few inches broader and the sentinel of the wallet that sustains them day-to-day. “We have to be careful. I tell him we have to watch what we spend so we have money for food the next day.”

Devon agrees. “Sometimes we argue and the next minute we make back up.” What the Knowles brothers don’t do is complain. For 15 years, they have been walking together,

working together, living together. Sometimes one goes to the store and leaves the other behind just to get a little space or the one left behind wants to meditate.

Lorenzo and Devon Knowles, two brothers like Siamese twins, walking as one, their tolerance, patience, and simple approach to getting through one day and into the next could teach all of us a lesson.

Two quiet Long Island men, inseparable, joined at the hip even if the clothing that covers that hip is ragged and neither is sure where the next meal is coming from. But together, they know they will work it out and nod in silent understanding that they will be together, whatever it takes to put that can of mackerel that reminds them of home on their plate.

LORENZO and Devon Knowles have never asked to borrow a penny. The most they ever requested during the worst of times was a glass of water. But they win your heart without even trying to because of their simple approach, determined to make it through from one day to the next and sharing the kind of unspoken love few families experience in

an age when we focus on what we have instead of who we walk next to. Both of the men need new shoes. Devon is a men’s size 7, Lorenzo is a 10. They could use fresh shirts and work pants. Maybe a bit of non-perishable food. If you want to help, please call Diane Phillips on 394-0677 or email diane@dpamedia.com.

DEVON, left, and brother Lorenzo Knowles.

SMASHING UP EX’S CAR BRINGS PROBATION ORDER

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A WOMAN was placed on three months’ probation in court yesterday after admitting to smashing her former boyfriend’s car and other belongings after she found he was cheating on her.

Tashae Hanna, 29, stood before Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux on a charge of damage.

On December 6 in New Providence, it is said that Hanna went to Frank Smith’s home and drove her car into the back of his vehicle three times resulting in damage to his rear bumper cover and right brake light. She then proceeded to smash Mr Smith’s Wave Runner and Ring doorbell camera with a hammer. During this incident, which amounted to $1,335 worth of damage,

Hanna also threatened to kill the complainant.

In court, the accused pleaded guilty to the charge. She then explained to the magistrate that she had damaged Mr Smith’s belongings out of revenge because she said she caught him cheating on her. Hanna, however, apologised for her actions.

In view of this and citing the defendant’s early plea of guilt, Magistrate Turnquest-Deveaux placed Hanna on probation.

During this period she was ordered not to have any contact with the complainant and was further told to fully compensate him for the damage.

Should she default on these conditions, she faces a three-month prison term. After making a $500 payment to the court yesterday Hanna is expected to pay off the remainder by March of next year.

BAIL GRANTED IN CAR ATTACK CASE

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN accused of hitting a woman with his car was granted bail in Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Deremie Bethell, 24, faced Magistrate Algernon Allen, Jr, on charges of assault with a dangerous instrument and causing harm.

He is accused of assaulting the complainant with a car, resulting in her suffering an injury on December 11 at Bay Geranium Avenue, Pinewood Gardens.

In court, Bethell pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was granted $3,000 bail. Bethell’s trial is set to begin

on February 9, 2023.

In a separate case, a man and a woman were charged with stealing a man’s $4,000 pet dog earlier this week.

Paul Farquharson, 30, and Denise Clarke, 35, both stood before Magistrate Algernon Allen, Jr., on charges of stealing and receiving.

It is alleged that on December 12, the accused being concerned together stole a French bulldog belonging to Charles Adderley.

In court, both accused pleaded not guilty.

Farquharson was granted $4,000 bail and Clarke got $3,000 bail.

They are to return to court for trial on February 9, 2023.

MAN ACCUSED OF HOUSEBREAKING

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was sent to prison yesterday in connection with a housebreaking in Andros last month.

Theodore Woodside, 27, stood before Magistrate Algernon Allen, Jr, charged with burglary.

It is alleged that between 1.30am and 2am on November 30 in Stafford Creek, Andros, Woodside broke into Avery Sherman’s home.

He was not required

to enter a plea in court because it’s an indictable offence. He was informed that his matter would proceed to the Supreme Court by a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).

The magistrate did not have the jurisdiction to grant him bail, but Woodside has the right to apply for it in the higher court.

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

He is expected to get his VBI on March 3, 2023.

Lawmakers are quick to unload FTX donations

A WRITER’S workshop in Alaska. Food banks in California. A charity that fights diabetes.

Lawmakers who accepted piles of cash from onetime wunderkind Samuel Bankman-Fried now can’t move fast enough to offload their contributions from the disgraced crypto mogul to anywhere else but their own campaign coffers.

Before his arrest in The Bahamas this week, Bankman-Fried, the former CEO of cryptocurrency exchange FTX, was a prolific political donor to individual candidates — from local campaigns all the way up to President Joe Biden — as well as super PACs that can wield outsized influence in campaigns. But in a matter of days, Bankman-Fried — a proponent of “effective altruism” — became a pariah facing allegations of massive financial fraud and potentially decades in prison.

The Associated Press contacted more than four dozen current and incoming lawmakers who received campaign contributions from Bankman-Fried this election cycle — a group that included members of both political parties and chambers of Congress, but predominantly House Democrats. Many of the recipients of BankmanFried’s cash were quick to respond, stressing that they had already donated or plan to send the money to charity. Several also stressed that the lawmakers did not solicit the contributions from Bankman-Fried.

Recipients of BankmanFried’s campaign largesse included lawmakers at the most senior levels of House and Senate Democratic leadership. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-NY, the incoming leader of House Democrats, donated the contribution to the American Diabetes Association.

Rep Pete Aguilar, D-Calif, who will be the third-ranking House Democrat next year, donated his contributions from Bankman-Fried to local charities last month.

In the Senate, Majority Whip Dick Durbin of Illinois, the No 2 Democrat in the chamber, will donate his contribution to an “appropriate charity”, a spokeswoman said. Sen Patty Murray, D-Wash, who will be third in line to the presidency next year, will donate her cash to a local Washington state charity.

Sen Tina Smith, D-Minn, donated Bankman-Fried’s contributions to Planned Parenthood North Central States. Sen Alex Padilla, D-Calif, sent his cash to food banks across California. Sen Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, donated her contribution to Storyknife Writers Retreat in Homer, Alaska.

Democratic Rep Ruben Gallego of Arizona, who is strongly hinting he’ll challenge Democrat-turned-independent Kyrsten Sinema for the Senate, gave the $5,800 he received from Bankman-Fried to incoming Democratic Rep Andrea Salinas of Oregon. In her Democratic primary, Salinas defeated a rival backed by millions of spending from Bankman-Fried.

“Congress must take immediate action to regulate the crypto industry, implement strict oversight standards and shield consumers from schemes like this in the future,” said Rep Angie Craig, D-Minn, who added she will donate her Bankman-Fried contribution to a bankruptcy fund to compensate FTX customers.

Sens Cory Booker, D-NJ, John Boozman, R-Ark, Bill Cassidy, R-La, Susan Collins, R-Maine, John Hoeven, R-ND, Joe Manchin, D-WVa, Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich, Sen.elect Peter Welch, D-Vt, and Reps Josh Gottheimer, D-NJ, Salud Carbajal, D-Calif, Joe Neguse, D-Colo, Josh Harder, D-Calif, Kim Schrier, D-Wash, Ritchie Torres, D-NY, all donated their Bankman-Fried donations to various charities or plan to, according to their aides.

The main campaign committees dedicated to electing congressional Democrats also received tens of thousands from Bankman-Fried, while House Majority PAC, a deep-pocketed outside group backing House Democrats, got a $6m contribution, according to FEC records. Officials at HMP, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee did not return requests for comment on what the groups planned to do with Bankman-Fried’s contributions.

The White House has also been mum on the multimillion-dollar boost his presidential bid received. Press secretary Karine

Jean-Pierre referred inquiries to the Democratic National Committee, which declined to comment.

Then there were the millions given to more obscure political action committees: The Protect Our Future PAC, financed by Bankman-Fried, spent up to $2m in ads in support of Lucy McBath, who ran a successful campaign in Georgia’s 7th Congressional District against incumbent Rep. Carolyn Bordeaux. Bankman-Fried wired at least $27m to the PAC in 2022, according to the FEC website.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Bordeaux said the dilemma surrounding Bankman-Fried’s campaign spending isn’t as simple as returning individual donations. In some cases, the money already has been used to affect elections.

“The larger issue at play is the super PACs,” Bordeaux said. “That’s not something they can refund. Here is an example of a billionaire using money he stole and diverted into political contributions — it’s an egregious example of the corruption in our political system.”

“This is a good opportunity to reopen the conversation about campaign finance reform,” she said.

Brett Kappel, a longtime campaign finance attorney who has worked for both Republicans and Democrats, said it would be “prudent” for members of Congress who received donations from Bankman Fried or other FTX officials to set the money aside “given the high likelihood the bankruptcy receiver will be seeking their return”.

That’s because, in bankruptcy cases, courts have often sided with those looking to recoup money that they unfairly lost. Lawmakers who gave donations from company officials to charity could still find themselves on the hook to return the money they receivedor face the perilous optics of stiffing constituents who lost investments when the company melted down.

Still, the lawmakers face no liability themselves “unless they knew the contributions were illegal at the time they received them”, Kappel said.

The US government charged 30-year-old Bankman-Fried with a host of financial crimes this week, alleging he intentionally deceived customers and

investors to enrich himself and others, while playing a central role in the company’s multibillion-dollar collapse.

Among the counts listed in his indictment is conspiracy to defraud the United States and violating campaign finance laws enforced by the Federal Election Commission. At a press conference on Tuesday, US Attorney Damian Williams said Bankman-Fried made “tens of millions of dollars” in illegal campaign donations.

The Securities and Exchange Commission complaint alleges that Bankman-Fried raised more than $1.8 billion from investors since May 2019 by promoting FTX as a safe, responsible platform for trading crypto assets but instead diverted customers’ funds to a privately held crypto hedge fund called Alameda Research LLC without telling them.

The SEC says Bankman-Fried then used those customer funds to make undisclosed venture investments, lavish real estate purchases and large political donations. He contributed funds to both political parties, BankmanFried said in an interview last month, adding that “all my Republican donations were dark”, meaning undisclosed.

On the Republican side, Ryan Salame, the co-CEO of FTX Digital Markets, one of FTX’s affiliates, contributed millions to Republicans on behalf of Bankman-Fried, including to Rep Steve Scalise in Louisiana, Rep Greg Pence in Indiana and others.

Bankman-Fried also sent campaign cash to a slew of incoming House Democrats, including Reps-elect Becca Balint, D-Vt, Nikki Budzinski, D-Ill, Robert Garcia, D-Calif, Sydney Kamlager, D-Calif, Morgan McGarvey, D-Ky, and Brittany Pettersen, D-Colo, who all donated their contributions to local charities. Tweeting that he rejects not just corporate PAC cash but also “stolen money,” Rep-elect Maxwell Frost, D-Fla, said he donated his contribution to the Zebra Coalition, a group that aids LGBT youth.

“The situation with FTX is both distressing and unsettling,” said Rep-elect Valerie Foushee, D-NC She said she donated her contribution to a non-profit in Chapel Hill.

WASHINGTON Associated Press

THE FTX Arena logo is seen where the Miami Heat basketball team plays in Miami. Photo: Marta Lavandier/AP

It’s gameday

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

After losing to Ohio in their initial appearance here in 2017, interim head coach Bryant Vincent said there’s still no better place for his University of Alabama at Birmingham Blazers men’s football team to be than here at the HomeTown Lenders Bahamas Bowl.

“This is the bowl game that our team wanted to go to. We were excited to be here. I don’t know if there’s another bowl in the country that our team would rather be at,” Vincent said. “To come to the Bahamas and play a really good Miami (Ohio) team is an opportunity that they’re excited about.

“Where else can you come to paradise and also play a football game against a good football team and end the 2022 season and a lot of great careers here? It’s the opportunity of a lifetime and our players realise that, and they’re excited about that. They’re ready to go out there and play one last game together.”

Vincent will be leading the Blazers this time around as they take on

the Miami RedHawks in today’s bowl game at 11:30am on ESPN at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

Vincent said after giving his Blazers a chance to enjoy themselves during the week, they are ready to face their opponents with the same intensity that they did all season long.

“It’s really not going to change. What we do at UAB offensively is what we’ve done here the last six years. We’re going to establish the run, we’re going to play-action pass, we’re going to do what we do. To win championships, you’ve got to be able to run the football. We’re going to establish the run, that’s our rule every game, and then everything else feeds off the run.

“Defensively, we’ve got to stop the run. I know that’s a cliché, but it’s proven true. We have the opportunity to win our 50th football game since

our programme’s return. That’s 50 wins in six years, that’s pretty impressive.” That’s more wins than anybody in Conference

USA. We’re going to stop the run, cover up the receivers, be great in the kicking game and find a way to finish it off in the

fourth quarter. That’s really our game plan every game.”

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer

ORLANDO, Florida (AP) — Twenty years have passed since Padraig Harrington first faced Tiger Woods on the weekend at a major, and the Irishman has kept a close watch ever since.

He doesn’t think Woods is finished. Harrington believes Woods can win another major if he can just get to the final nine holes.

“You’d never run Tiger off,” Harrington said, drawing from the two hours he watched Woods play in a 10-hole made-for-TV exhibition last weekend. “But I actually think he might be ... in a better place than I had thought.”

Never mind that the 15-time major champion turns 47 at the end of the month, or that Woods has had as many — if not more — surgeries than he has won majors.

Plantar fasciitis in his right foot kept Woods from playing the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas two weeks ago, and he wouldn’t be playing with his 13-year-old son in the PNC

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WHILE Xavion Johnson continues to make a name for himself on the international judo scene, he’s not forgotten by the Bahamas Judo Federation for his achievements.

During a reception at Cocoplum Bistro & Bar organised by his mother, Ordain Moss and family, as well as the federation on his return home from competing in a series of events in

Canada, Johnson was presented with a plaque for the Junior Athlete of the Year by BJF executive Reno Culmer.

Additionally, his member of Parliament for Fox Hill, Fred Mitchell, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, presented him with an undisclosed amount in a cheque after Moss showed a video presentation on her son’s journey from his introduction to the sport to the present day.

Johnson, who noted that he had a passion for the

By JOHN WAWROW AP Sports Writer

ORCHARD PARK, New York (AP) — Growing up in Houston, and spending his college career at Alabama, Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle acknowledged having never played in a snow game in his life.

And the potential of finally doing so on Saturday night, when Miami (8-5) travels to play the Buffalo Bills (10-3) in an AFC East showdown, barely registers for the second-year player given what’s at stake.

When asked if he’s packing extra clothes to brace for a forecast calling for cold and snow, Waddle responded by saying: “Our competitive spirit. Shoot. That’s what I’m going to bring.”

Putting aside the distraction of weather, and how it might affect two teams with players who mostly hail from warm climates, Waddle is more focused on furthering the Dolphins’ bid to clinch a playoff spot for the first time in six seasons and their outside shot to claim the division title.

The Dolphins have an opportunity to sweep the season series with Buffalo following a 21-19 win in September.

And just as important, snap a two-game skid that dropped them to sixth in the AFC playoff race after a 23-17 loss at the Chargers on Sunday.

Miami faces an opponent that has won four straight, while also dealing with an altogether different set of elements after the Bills wore down in the 89-degree

sport from the time he got started, has moved from the US Open junior champion to the Ontario Open

champion. He hopes to resume his training in January for his next tournament in Denmark in February.

But, in the meantime, he said he’s just delighted to be able to return home and get the reception that he got.

“I’m pretty happy,” he said.

Foreign college athletes chase endorsement money outside US

By AARON BEARD AP Basketball Writer

PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas (AP) — Marta Suarez stepped in front of the white backdrop, rotated the basketball to put the logo forward and propped it against her hip. She looked into the camera and smiled, her head tilting slightly to the right.

Flashes came in quick succession. Music streamed from a nearby Bluetooth speaker.

knee exposed by her cutoff jeans.

Only a few hours had passed since the thirdyear forward from Spain had helped Tennessee win its Battle 4 Atlantis tournament opener. This part of the trip — in a foyer outside the Atlantis resort’s Grand Ballroom — was for herself, available only because the Lady Vols were in the Bahamas.

South Florida heat in their previous meeting.

“Yeah, it’s a little ironic or I don’t know what type of word it is,” Bills quarterback Josh Allen said of what could be a 60-degree difference in temperature — not including the heat

index and wind chill — between the two meetings.

“Poetic, yeah, I guess you can say,” Allen added. “Playing in December in Buffalo is not the easiest task to do.”

Suarez lifted the ball onto her right shoulder and smiled again, and soon was spinning the ball on her finger from a squatted pose.

“Get the bruises,” she quipped, pointing to a

College athletes from foreign countries have been left out of the rush for endorsement deals because student visa rules largely prohibit off-campus work while in the US. But a growing number are using a loophole when

BAHAMIAN judokas, from left to right, Andrew Munnings, Xavion Johnson and Cynthia Rahming.

DOLPHINS wide receiver Tyreek Hill, left, and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle can be seen before Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

(AP Photo/ Mark J Terrill)

FACE OFF: UAB head coach Bryant Vincent and Miami head coach Chuck Martin.

ROADRUNNERS TRACK CLUB’S 22ND ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET

Recognising our athletes

THE Roadrunners Track Club, led by president and head coach Dexter Bodie, hosted their 22nd annual presentations and awards banquet for their athletes on Saturday in the Imperial Ballroom at the Atlantis resort and was presented under the esteemed patronage of three of the club’s young female coaches - Edvania Missick, Stephanie Stubbs and Krysten Black. The event has been a staple for the club for several decades and each year they are happy to provide a space for the recognition and celebration of their athletes.

49ers topple Seahawks 21-13, win NFC West

By TIM BOOTH AP Sports Writer

SEATTLE (AP) —

Rookie Brock Purdy threw a pair of touchdown passes to George Kittle, and the San Francisco 49ers won their first NFC West title since 2019, beating the Seattle Seahawks 21-13 last night.

Despite using their third starting quarterback this season, the 49ers (10-4) continued to show they might be the class of the NFC alongside Philadelphia. San Francisco won its seventh straight, using its stifling defence to frustrate Seattle into countless mistakes.

The Niners got a handful of big plays from their rookie quarterback. Playing on the road for the first time in his career, Purdy

BOWL

FROM PAGE 11

Miami head coach Chuck Martin, whose team is making their debut here, said they are just as eager about the game.

“The biggest thing is UAB really likes to run the ball and they like to throw it over your head. They are fifth in the country in rushing this year so if we don’t stop the run it is going to play into their favour,” Martin said.

“We also have to stop them getting big plays in the pass game. Offensively, we need to be able to run the ball and they have a very stingy defence. We need to have big chunk plays in the passing game. Our defence is excited for the challenge and our offence is excited to compete against a very good defence.”

When asked what’s going to be the difference in their approach for the Bahamas Bowl compared to other bowls Miami has played in, Martin said they try to approach them all the same.

“We get extra practices back home and have two and-a-half weeks to prepare for the game. We are going to do all the work at home. When we get on the plane to wherever we are going, we are prepared to win the game before we leave,” he said.

“What we try to do when we get to the bowl site is to let everybody enjoy the experience. This is the best place I have been to, but

DOLPHINS

FROM PAGE 11

The Bills are far more accustomed to the elements, having gone 10-1, including the playoffs, in home games played on November 29 or later since 2020. The Bills are 7-2 in their past nine December home games against Miami, not including a 16-3 loss in Buffalo’s “home” outing played indoors in Toronto in 2008.

The AFC-leading Bills are one win from clinching their fourth straight playoff berth, and have the inside track to claiming their third

TIGER

FROM PAGE 11

Championship this weekend if not for carts being allowed. No matter.

“There’s two things that make a golfer — how talented they are and how resilient they are,” Harrington said yesterday after storms washed out the PNC Championship pro-am. “Usually you get very talented, not very resilient; or you get very resilient and not very talented. Tiger, through his whole career, has both of those, which is very unusual.

“So I would never doubt.”

His views were contrary to Colin Montgomerie saying earlier this week on a podcast he doesn’t think Woods can win again.

“Listen, yes, he’s great,” Montgomerie said. “But Tiger doesn’t have to now

connected on his first 11 pass attempts, including a 28-yard TD to Kittle in the first quarter when Purdy executed two fakes before hitting his tight end wide open.

Purdy and Kittle connected again early in the second half as Seattle’s defence blew a coverage and left Kittle open for a 54-yard TD and a 21-3 San Francisco lead.

Purdy finished 17 of 26 for 217 yards, joining Aaron Rodgers as the only QBs since at least 1950 to have a passer rating of at least 115 in each of their first two starts.

Kittle had four catches for 93 yards and Christian McCaffrey rushed for 108 yards, including a 1-yard TD run in the final minute of the first half following a Seattle turnover.

we have enjoyed the other bowls we have been to. We let the kids and coaches and families enjoy being at a bowl and then starting two days before the game we get locked in.”

Both teams are coming into the game with a 6-6 win-loss record. But for some of the players, it’s an experience here in the Bahamas off the field that they will never forget, winloss or draw on the field.

For Miami, on transitioning from the water slides at the Atlantis to the game on Friday, said freshman quarterback Aveon Smith:

“It was pretty cool to get the experience, spending time with coaches and teammates whether it was on the slides or kicking it in the lobby,” he said. “At the end of the day we came here to win a bowl game. When it is time to lock back in, we will lock back in.”

As for the game, Smith said it’s important to send the seniors out with a win.

“It is pretty important. We have a lot of seniors on offence, and defence as well,” he said. “They have put in a lot of work from one season to another they have been grinding. It is only right to send them off with a victory.”

One of those players are senior linebacker Ryan McWood.

“I have been to other bowls before and this was definitely an awesome experience. When it is time to work, it is time to work but you need to do what you need to do to win the

straight division title. Buffalo is also driven to make up for the last meeting, in which it blew a 17-14 third-quarter lead and lost despite outgaining the Dolphins 497 yards to 212.

While both coaches, Buffalo’s Sean McDermott and Miami’s Mike McDaniel, played down the impact of the elements by saying they affect everyone equally, Bills safety Jordan Poyer said the mere prospect of playing in the cold can have a mental effect.

Poyer recalled his first time experiencing wintry Buffalo, while playing for the Browns in 2014, three years before signing with

just get back to the standard he was performing at then. He has to improve it. The standard is improving all the time, and there’s not one or two guys that can beat him now. There’s 22 guys that can beat him. So, it’s Tiger trying to get not back to where he was but to get to a standard he’s never been at before and I don’t think that’s possible.

“I can’t see that happening. I’d love it to happen because it’s great for the game. I would love him to win. But I just can’t see it happening.”

Woods has played all of 172 holes this year in tournaments — 162 while walking.

He tied for 48th in the Masters, withdrew after the third round of the PGA Championship on a cold day at Southern Hills and he missed the cut at St Andrews. He was in a cart for the team match last

Seattle (7-7) lost for the fourth time in five games and its playoff hopes took another hit. Geno Smith threw for 238 yards and Seattle’s first offensive TD this season against the 49ers, but was under constant pressure.

Seattle pulled within one score late in the fourth quarter after Robbie Gould missed a 43-yard field goal and the Seahawks went 67 yards in 1:25. Smith hit Noah Fant on a 10-yard TD with 3:35 remaining.

But Purdy converted a third-and-1 with a scramble before the 2-minute warning, and Jordan Mason sealed the victory with a 55-yard rush with 1:02 remaining.

Smith was sacked three times and hit nine times. When he did have time to throw, open windows

for his pass catchers were small. Seattle had one play longer than 20 yards. And Seattle missed taking advantage of a 49ers mistake late in the first half.

Seattle scored its first offensive points in two games against the 49ers midway through the second quarter on Jason Myers’ 38-yard field goal. Seattle’s only points in the first matchup in Week 2 came on a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown. But the Seahawks followed with a pair of critical mistakes. Quandre Diggs dropped a potential interception that would have

given Seattle the ball on San Francisco’s side of the field. And Travis Homer fumbled on a big hit by Dre Greenlaw at the Seattle 41 with 1:08 left in the second quarter.

The fumble was returned 35 yards by Charvarius Ward, and two plays later, McCaffrey scored to give the 49ers a 14-3 lead.

The 49ers have allowed 17 points or fewer in every game of their win streak.

TRIUMPHANT IN SEATTLE

Niners coach Kyle Shanahan also won his first division title at Seattle when San Francisco won

the final game of the 2019 regular season.

GREEDY GREENLAW Greenlaw has either a forced fumble, fumble recovery or interception in five straight games. He had eight tackles.

INJURIES

Seattle was without starting defensive tackle Al Woods due to an Achilles tendon injury and lost his backup Bryan Mone to a knee injury in the first quarter. San Francisco CB Ambry Thomas suffered an ankle injury. Seattle LB Jordyn Brooks (neck) didn’t play in the fourth quarter. 49ers DE Samsom Ebukam limped off in the fourth quarter.

UP NEXT San Francisco: Hosts Washington December 24. Seattle: At Kansas City December 24.

with all the guys and finish out the season with one last game, it’s just a great experience. We’ve all been able to relax the last few days with the lazy river, the pool, stuff like that, but we’ll be ready come tomorrow.”

On balancing the off-field experiences with the game this weekend, Rykard felt they did a fantastic job.

“A lot of us have played a lot of football. We know what it is. Back home there are a lot of distractions just like there are here. It’s just different - there’s school, other people,” he said.

“We’ve gotten to enjoy the past few days, the coaches let us enjoy a lot and have some time off. Yesterday we started reeling it back in and we know what it is, we know it’s time to go.”

On what he knows about Miami, Rykard said they play hard defensively, and they are a good, sound football team.

game,” he said. “The first two days were in kind of vacation mode and yesterday we had practice and got back into game mode.

“It is about having that switch inside you that we have practice for two hours today and let’s lock into that and then we can get off our feet after.”

The UAB players are just as ecstatic about being here for the Bahamas Bowl.

“It’s been a really special week, especially for us and it being our last game here,” said redshirt senior linebacker Noah Wilder.

“Coming here, being with

the Bills. “You get off that plane, and that wind chill hits you for the first time, it definitely plays a factor in your head,” Poyer said, laughing. “I’m like, ‘I don’t want to be here right now.’”

‘I WISH IT WERE COLDER’

During training camp this summer, McDaniel and Dolphins players wore “I Wish It Were Hotter” shirts as they practiced in South Florida’s scorching 90-plus degree temperatures.

On Wednesday, McDaniel wore an “I Wish It Were Colder” shirt, and the Dolphins blasted the air conditioner inside their indoor practice facility.

the guys, especially at a place like this, it’s just really special to come here and be able to enjoy yourself and have that camaraderie, one last ooh-rah together.

“There would be no greater feeling than to go out with a win. These have been some of the best years of my life. These guysthey’re friends that I’ll have forever, and this is just a great place to be with those guys.”

On what the team needs to be successful, Wilder said they just have to get back to what got them here in the first place. “We think they

GOTTA RUN

The Dolphins are 29th in the league in rushing and have been inconsistent all season, but McDaniel said he doesn’t want those past outcomes to dictate what Miami can do moving forward. Saturday’s weather conditions could be a chance for Miami to establish the run early in the game.

“I think the cold really makes it a lot harder to catch,” said Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert, “but it’s definitely a game where it’s also like a rainy game where you’re going out there and running backs do a little bit better in the

play really hard. We play really hard,” he said.

“Just like every week, as long as we stick to UAB football and do what we do, that’s what we’re going to do.”

And redshirt junior offensive lineman Will Rykard said this will definitely be a trip he will never forget.

“It’s been a once-in-alifetime experience for most of us. There are a lot of guys that have never been out of the country, so this will be the first [international] place they’ve been. It’s pretty cool. “To spend it

cold because they’re ready for handoffs.”

DON’T FORCE IT

McDaniel said the Chargers’ ability to take away the middle of the field against the Dolphins was not anything Miami hadn’t seen, adding that Los Angeles simply played more physically and executed their game plan better.

Tagovailoa said the key in future games will be to get a few short, easy completions early in the game instead of forcing throws down the field.

“Finding the rhythm of the game for the guys up front,” Tagovailoa said, “for the receivers, for

Bethpage Black in 2002 — Woods won his second straight major — and they have been friends since then, with Woods having respect for the Irishman’s work ethic.

Harrington used to say his goal was to see where he stood through 63 holes, and then show what he has on the final nine. He won three majors in 2007 and 2008.

What inspired him from watching 10 holes in the match last week was the speed Woods showed in his swing, which he thought was enough power to keep up with today’s generation and to at least get him to the back nine.

“They’re disciplined up front. We know we’re going to have to come out as an offensive line and play hard, play well,” he noted.

“At the end of the day, just like every game, we think it’s about us. If we go out there and handle what we’re supposed to handle and do what we’re supposed to do, we’ll be alright.”

The game will be carried live on ESPN with Steve Levy handling the playby-play duties, while Joey Galloway will serve as the colour analyst. Kris Budden will cover the sidelines.

myself, and not just always wanting to take deep shots, essentially, even when it’s not there.”

TRE’ TIME

After being eased in during his first two games since missing a year with a torn knee, Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White played all 74 defensive snaps in a 20-12 win over the Jets last weekend. Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier called White’s outing encouraging, while cautioning it will take more time for the player to regain his dominant form.

“He’s still very, very good, even though he’s still recovering from major knee surgery,” Frazier said.

stage. I think he’s in a better position to get himself into that last nine holes.”

It only takes 27 holes to get to the last nine at the PNC Championship, which Woods is playing for the third time.

Woods and Charlie, now 13, finished one shot behind John Daly and his son a year ago.

The competition can be serious at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club Orlando, though this is mostly about time spent among fathers, mothers, sons and daughters. With Woods involved, everything always feels bigger, however much time he has left.

Saturday with Rory McIlroy as his partner.

Woods said in the Bahamas that “I don’t have much left in this leg,” referring to the right leg that

was shattered in a February 2021 car crash in Los Angeles.

Harrington and Woods first squared off in the third round of the US Open at

“The little bit of extra speed will help him because in the first 63 holes ... you know, who would want to be coming down the stretch against Tiger?” Harrington said.

“You know he’s capable of doing anything at that

“I would say we are never really going to know how much is in there because he just continues to do more than we thought he would ever be able to do,” Stewart Cink said. “He continues to defy really all conceivability.”

TIGER Woods speaks during the trophy ceremony of the Hero World Challenge PGA Tour at the Albany Golf Club, in New Providence, Bahamas, on Sunday, December 4. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

UAB’s redshirt junior offensive linesman Will Rykard, redshirt senior linebacker Noah Wilder and interim coach head coach Bryant Vincent.

MIAMI’s senior linebacker Ryan McWood, freshman quarterback Aveon Smith and head coach Chuck Martin at the Bahamas Bowl press conference.

SAN Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy celebrates last night after the 49ers defeated the Seahawks in Seattle. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

He thanked everyone who came out and supported him, but for everyone who played a part in his development, including his parents, grandmother, great-grandmother, family, friends, the federation, Andrew Munnings, whom he looks up to as his role model and Cynthia Rahming, who has been there assisting him from day one.

In making his presentation to Johnson, Mitchell said as he listened to his commentary, he remembered how as a 10-year-old, his only interest was being a politician and that is what he is today. He said he’s thrilled to see how passionate Johnson is about competing in judo.

“You have to decide early in life that you will side with the good guys, or you will side with the bad guys,”

Mitchell said. “Come what may, if you decide to be one of the good guys, that’s where you are. No matter what the pain, the difficulties, the trials and the ups and downs, if you are on the side of the good people, you are on the side of the good people.”

In commending Moss, Mitchell said he remembers his former friend Al Dillette, who along with his wife, Kathryn, raised three children and supporting them in all of their sporting endeavours and he emphasized that as one of the good guys, the community is expecting great things from Johnson and while he’s proud of what he has done, he will be there to continue to support him.

Oria Wood, the deputy director of sports at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, represented Minister Mario Bowleg. She commended Johnson on his accomplishments and

even his aspirations to go on to compete at the Olympic Games.

As the officer for judo at the ministry, Wood said he was able to develop a bond with federation president D’Arcy Rahming when he came to register the sport at the ministry, and she has been able to assist the BJF financially and will continue to do so, especially to the point where Johnson becomes the next judoka to get on the government subvention.

“Xavion, we know that we have a diamond (in the rough) because if an athlete can achieve world-class status as a teenager, then we know that you are going to go far,” Wood said.

“In your dreams, as long as you persevere, push hard and remain disciplined, you will get to the Olympic Games, and you will do well.”

In addition to family and members of the Ministry

of Sports, also present were Munnings and Cynthia Rahming, the top two senior judokas and Kent Bazard, one of the top martial arts instructors and personal trainers in the island nation.

During his latest appearance in Canada, the 16-year-old Johnson won the Quebec Open at the Claude Robillard Sports Complex in the under-18 boys’ division of the 60-kilogram class over Luka Tsatsalashvili with a 3-0 decision in just two minutes and 49 seconds on the clock.

In the process, Johnson qualified for the Cadet World Championships.

Prior to that, Johnson claimed the bronze in 18-and-under 66kg class in October at the Manitoba Open at the Dakota Community Center in Manitoba, Canada where he lost to Peter Velonas. He also won the bronze medal in the

NPPPSSA honours Lynch and Stubbs

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

IN the spirit of the holiday season, the New Providence Public Primary Schools Sports Association found themselves on the giving and receiving end of gifts during their year-ending celebrations on Wednesday at Claridge Primary School.

With school already closed for the students, the associations took the time out to get their physical education teachers together to participate in a breakfast fest and a time to share their experiences on the return of their

sporting activities in the aftermath of the COVID19 pandemic.

During the event, the NPPPSSA also took the time out to honour Carl Lynch, the assistant secretary general of the Bahamas Football Association and Tribune sports reporter Brent Stubbs for their dedication to the association.

They were both presented with a certificate and a fruit basket for their contributions.

In return, Lynch presented the association with a new logo on a banner for them to use during the duration of their games. Stubbs offered some words

of encouragement as they look forward to the rest of the season following the Christmas holiday.

NPPPSSA president Latoya Sturrup-Bain expressed the gratitude of the association to both Lynch and Stubbs.

“This is our meeting for the year and so in this time of giving and sharing, we just wanted to share our love to you guys to let you know how much we appreciate you,” SturrupBain told both Lynch and Stubbs.

“We appreciate your support.

“Anytime we call on you, you all are there. You never told me no.”

“The general public will also see our presence in the community when we continue our breakfast initiative and giving our grocery bags,” said Sturrup-Bain of a programme they started during the pandemic.

“We have given out over 1,300 breakfast and about 250 grocery bags and clothing. It was sure a positive event going into communities like Bains & Grants

Depending on the donations they receive, Sturrup-Bain said they could return to some of the areas they visited before.

“We know that there is still a need out there in the community and so we will be assisting in whatever way we can,” she said.

Claire Hepburn, representing the Ministry of Education, was also on hand and she endorsed the proceedings for the day. She also commended Lynch and Stubbs for their support to the NPPPSSA.

IGA SWIATEK, RAFAEL NADAL HONOURED AS ITF WORLD CHAMPIONS

LONDON (AP) — Iga Swiatek and Rafael Nadal were honoured by the International Tennis Federation as its 2022 ITF World Champions yesterday after each claimed two Grand Slam titles this season.

The ITF determines its awards based on criteria that include all events and give special weight to the four major championships and two team events, the Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup.

Nadal won despite finishing No. 2 in the ATP rankings behind Carlos Alcaraz, while Swiatek topped the year-end WTA rankings.

It’s the fifth time Nadal has earned the ITF honour, following 2008, 2010, 2017 and 2019. He raised his Grand Slam title total to a men’s-record 22 by winning the Australian Open in January and the French Open in June.

This is Swiatek’s first time as ITF World Champion and it comes after she won the French Open and the US Open for her second and third career major trophies.

She led the WTA with eight titles this year and put together a 37-match winning streak that was the longest unbeaten run in women’s tennis since 1997.

The ITF awards will be presented at a ceremony on July 8 at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Messi carries the weight of Argentina into World Cup final

By JAMES ROBSON AP Soccer Writer

DOHA, Qatar (AP) —

As Lionel Messi approaches his second and likely last World Cup final, the stakes could hardly be higher.

The same goes for Argentina after more than 30 years of disappointment since it last won soccer’s ultimate prize.

For Messi, victory against France at Lusail Stadium on Sunday is a chance to finally get his hands on the one major trophy that has eluded him in his storied career.

In doing so, he would push ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, who has also never won a World Cup, in the long-running rivalry between the two greatest players of their generation.

COLLEGE

they leave the country, doing the legwork needed — but not allowed on U.S. soil — to eventually profit from the use of their name, image and likeness (NIL).

At holiday tournaments in the Bahamas this fall, startup company Influxer worked with about three dozen international athletes to create photos, videos and introductory podcasts that could be used for potential

While 37-year-old Ronaldo exited the tournament at the quarterfinals stage, benched by Portugal and in tears in the likely recognition that his last chance had passed, Messi is summoning some of his finest moments in an Argentina shirt to inspire his country’s run to the final.

“Each time we see him play, he makes us and the players feel something special,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. “There’s something about him that people like, not only Argentines. “We feel lucky and privileged to have him wear our shirt.”

Messi’s place alongside Diego Maradona as one of Argentina’s two most iconic soccer stars has been secure for some time now. But he is yet to emulate Maradona’s

deals. Founder and chief executive Tyler Jaynes said the sessions are something Influxer wants “to repeat over and over.” There’s no guarantee they will lead to deals for international athletes, but it’s an avenue for them to find what might be out there. “Having fun?”

Jaynes asked Suarez during a pause in her shoot.

“Yeah,” she said, nodding back to the speaker.

“The music.” “Yes,” Jaynes said, “we’ve thought of everything.”

LIONEL Messi (AP)

greatest achievement by leading his national team to a World Cup title.

Maradona did that in Mexico in 1986 and Messi has lived with the expectation of repeating the feat since he emerged as a prodigy at Barcelona nearly 20 years ago.

There have been numerous false hopes during that time.

That’s the hope for international athletes hoping to cash in on their fame like their American teammates.

“I’m just glad right now we at least get a chance to do something, even if it’s just outside the U.S.,” said DePaul’s Brendan Favre, a graduate student guard from Switzerland. “It’s still nice to be able to do something.”

International athletes account for roughly 14,000 of the more than 113,000 athletes across Division I,

There was the potential “dream team” of Maradona as coach and Messi as star player in South Africa in 2010. But Argentina went out in the quarterfinals after being beaten 4-0 by Germany.

In 2014, with Messi approaching his peak years, Argentina reached the final in Brazil.

Again it faced Germany. Again Messi was on the losing side, beaten 1-0 through extra time.

At the age of 35, he knew this was probably his last shot at the World Cup and he has risen to the occasion as the tournament’s coleading scorer with France forward Kylian Mbappé with five goals.

Perhaps more notable have been his assists, such as the disguised pass

according to NCAA data. The obstacle for them to make NIL money is federal immigration law, not NCAA rules. The NCAA largely cleared the way in July 2021 for athletes to earn NIL money and deals worth millions have been struck across the country. But the majority of international athletes are on F-1 student visas prohibiting off-campus work except in rare exceptions such as internships or work-study programs. Violations could

for Nahuel Molina’s goal against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals.

Then there was his mesmerising run, turning Croatia defender Joško Gvardiol inside out, before setting up Julián Álvarez for Argentina’s third in the semis. “It’s at least something I can talk (about) with my kids one day that I guarded this great, great player,” Gvardiol said Thursday.

Those assists have been indicative of the fact that Messi can no longer do it on his own. The emergence of Álvarez, with four goals, has been vital to Argentina’s progress.

Messi doesn’t dominate for an entire 90 minutes anymore. Instead, he decides matches with key moments.

lead to the visa’s termination, and deportation.

Blake Lawrence, co-founder/CEO of athlete-marketing platform Opendorse, said it is unclear exactly how much international athletes are missing out.

But with their presence in men’s and women’s basketball, two of the most marketable and compensated sports, he said it takes merely “deductive reasoning” to know there is an impact.

He isn’t as dynamic as he was in his younger years, but he has been more influential than at any of his previous four World Cups.

While Messi is aiming to complete his personal collection of trophies, having won four Champions League titles and seven Ballon d’Or awards for the best player in the world, Argentina is looking to end its long wait for a third World Cup.

It won the tournament for the first time when hosting in 1978 and then again eight years later thanks to Maradona.

Messi was supposed to emulate that feat long before now.

If he retires without ever winning the World Cup, then how much longer will Argentina have to wait?

Now the market is evolving to address it. “Administrators and coaches are trying to solve this problem, and it will be solved,” Lawrence said.

“It will not be as convenient as driving down the street and signing autographs. But international student-athletes that are having an impact from their community will benefit from NIL.

“They just might have to take a flight or a longer drive.”

Coming off the Christmas break, the NPPPSSA will gear up for its basketball tournament, starting on January 28. Then it’s volleyball in March and the year will close out with track and field in April.

Town, Nassau Village and Fox Hill. We want to be able to continue by going back into areas that we didn’t visit before.”

senior division 66kg division after he lost to Ashton Debruyne. Johnson, who revealed that his first name Xavion means “Warrior,” represented the Bahamas earlier

this year in the Sarajevo World Championships Cadets, Panamerican - Oceania Junior Championships and the Panamerican - Oceania Cadets Championships.

XAVION JOHNSON, left, receives the Bahamas Judo Federation’s Junior Athlete of the Year award.

MEMBERS of the NPPPSSA display their new association banner.

SPECIAL guests Carl Lynch and Brent Stubbs receive their gifts from NPPPSSA executives.

Andrew Munnings returns home from training in Japan

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AFTER returning home from a two-month training session in Osaka, Japan, top Bahamian male judoka Andrew Munnings said he’s so pleased with his performance that he definitely feels that he will be able to compete at a higher level in the future.

Munnings, who left town on October 8, returned home on Tuesday night. While he was there specifically for training at the Tenri University, he participated in the Tokyo Grand Slam where he got to make some improvements.

There was also an international training camp in which Munnings got to train with a number of international competitors who also came to Japan for the camp.

He said this allowed him to hone his skills as he got to improve on some of the mistakes he made in the past.

“The experience was really good,” Mullings said. “They had just won the AllJapan competition, which made them the number one ranked university. So, the training was above average. Even the international athletes, including grand slam champion and Olympians, when they came there, they were also shocked at how hard they were training.

“So, it was definitely an eye opener for me, just to see the level the human body can go to. It really helped to make me a stronger athlete on the whole. So, I was really proud of my experience there.”

Before COVID-19, Munnings had the opportunity

to train with some of the Japanese judokas at the Tenri University, so when he reached out to them about his decision to return to Japan, they welcomed him. He got to renew some old friendships and also developed some new ones in Japan.

Having enjoyed his time in Japan, Munnings said he’s looking forward to reaching out to some of his other friends in Israel with the view of going over there to train in preparation for the Pan American Championships in April and the Pan American Games in August, while gaining some points at the various open and grand slam competitions to qualify for the World Championships in Doha, Qatar, in May.

Munnings expressed his gratitude to the Bahamas Olympic Committee for assisting him financially and to Bahamas Judo Federation president D’Arcy

Rahming for his assistance in securing the funding that he got, along with the assistance from his family and friends for their support.

The 24-year-old Munnings was coming off first-round losses at both the Bogota Panamerican and Panamerican Oceania Senior Championships earlier this year.

He also competed at the World Judo Senior Championships in Hungary in 2021 where he made a firstround exit.

Before the pandemic struck in 2020, Munnings participated in the Osaka Grand Slam and the Rome European Open in 2019, the World Junior Championships in 2018, the World Senior Championships in Budapest and the Fort Lauderdale Junior Pan American Cup in 2017, the Junior PJC Cup in Santo Domingo in 2016 and the World Junior Championships in 2014.

ANDREW MUNNINGS, left, and Maruyama Joshiro, of Japan.