12202022 NEWS AND SPORT

FTX founder’s lawyers say he will not resist legal efforts by US

By EARYEL BOWLEG and PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporters

AFTER a confusing day in court, Sam BankmanFried has decided not to fight extradition to the United States, his attorneys announced yesterday.

“He has decided to waive his right to fight the extradition and he is going to go to the United States freely,” Krystal Rolle, KC, who represents Bankman-Fried on non-criminal matters, told The Tribune She said part of the reason the 30-year-old has

agreed to be extradited is he believes he can be more helpful in the US in his quest to make FTX customers “whole”.

“I think the core issue is the fact that he wants to be as useful as he can in his pursuit to make customers whole and that is his ultimate objective and he wants to make sure that he can do all that he can to make that happen,” Ms Rolle said.

“The extradition and the fight to a large extent would become the issue.”

RELIEF FOR INSURERS AS GOVT DROPS LICENCE MOVE

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIAN insurers yesterday voiced relief that there is “light at the end of the tunnel” after the government said it would drop plans to move the industry to a business licence fee regime.

Anton Saunders, RoyalStar Assurance’s managing

director, said both sides have made “significant progress” in resolving concerns stemming from the May Budget announcement that the Davis administration planned to ditch the existing 3 percent premium tax in favour of a switching to a 2.25 percent business licence.

GROUND BROKEN ON $250M LONG ISLAND PORT

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

AZUL Destinations broke ground yesterday for the construction of a $250m resort and cruise port for south Long Island.

The multimillion-dollar project, called the Calypso Cove, will consist of a 200-bedroom hotel, mega yacht marina facilities, interior pools, casinos, a cruise port, cruise pier and 18-hole golf course.

Other features will include a zip line, rock climbing wall, sporting

activities, excursions, among other amenities.

Some 300 people are expected to be employed during the project’s construction phase that will take place over a two-year period.

A heads of agreement for the project’s development was signed between the government and Azul Destinations and Calypso Cove Destinations Ltd in October.

IZMIRLIAN BAHA MAR REMOVAL ‘COST HIM OVER $3BN’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

SARKIS Izmirlian would so far have “lost more than $3bn” in potential profits alone if the Baha Mar resort from which he was ousted hit his financial projections, an analyst’s report has calculated.

David Bones, the HKA partner and co-lead of its commercial damages practice, in an analysis filed with the New York State Supreme Court on Saturday revealed that he used more “conservative” indicators to calculate the loss of profits and damages suffered by the Cable Beach mega resort’s developer after he was removed from the project in late 2015.

Meanwhile, contractor China Construction America has accused Mr Izmirlian of xenophobia and trying to “inflame antiChinese sentiment”.

WARNING OVER SEVERE WEATHER

SEVERE weather is expected in the northwest Bahamas tomorrow due to a passing low-pressure system. The Department of Meteorology said thunderstorms, torrential rainfall, possible tornado and funnel cloud activity is expected in Bimini, Grand Bahama and Abaco. Residents in these islands are advised to exercise extreme caution while going about their daily routine as flooding in coastal, low-lying and flood prone areas is possible.

SAM Bankman-Fried outside court yesterday.

Photo: Austin Fernander

yesterday.

Photo: Moise Amisial

WOMAN KNOCKED DOWN AT PARADISE ISLAND BRIDGE

A WOMAN was knocked down yesterday in the area of the Paradise Island bridge.

According to police, shortly after 3pm yesterday they received reports of a woman being knocked down and taken to hospital by ambulance.

Pictures of the scene, which circulated on social media, showed a standstill of cars, bumper-to-bumper, as they tried to leave the bridge, which caused a backup in traffic.

In one of the pictures, a woman is seen lying in the middle of the street.

One bystander said the victim is an older woman who works at a Paradise Island resort.

He claimed the woman was hit by a vehicle that was driving off the bridge.

“This lady was coming over the bridge right and she was heading east. So, when she reached that area by the light to head east, she looked right to see if any incoming traffic was coming.

“But while looking right she pressed the gas and not looking left to see if

anything was in front of her. And she runs straight into the woman. She’s an older lady, she worked for Atlantis,” the witness said. The witness also claimed that the ambulance and police took a long time to arrive at the scene of the incident, noting some residents had to divert traffic.

Police did not provide an update on the victim’s status up to press time.

This incident comes after two women were killed in separate traffic accidents on the weekend, one in New Providence and the other in Grand Bahama.

On Friday, Transport and Housing Minister Jobeth Coleby-Davis advised members of the public to exercise “greater” caution on the roadways amidst the increase in traffic fatalities in recent weeks.

The Ministry of Transport is expected to launch a road safety campaign aimed at reducing the number of traffic fatalities in accordance with the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021 to 2030.

POLICE PROBE LAUNCHED AS MAN ‘JUMPS

FROM MOVING VEHICLE’

POLICE said they are investigating the circumstances surrounding an incident where a man received significant head injuries after he reportedly jumped from a moving vehicle.

The incident is said to have occurred shortly after 7pm on Sunday.

Police said initial reports indicate that the 33-year-old victim and a female companion were

occupants of a gray Toyota that was travelling in the area of Joe Farrington Road.

At some point, the victim, a front seat passenger, allegedly jumped from the vehicle, following an argument.

He was taken to hospital by EMS personnel where he remains in critical condition. A 44-year-old woman is assisting police with this investigation.

WARNING OVER SEVERE WEATHER

Therefore,

BYSTANDERS gather at the scene of the collision yesterday that saw a woman knocked down.

TRAFFIC backed up over the bridge after the accident.

‘Be careful at holidays as murder rate soars’

By JADE RUSSELL jrussell@tribunemedia.net

AN activist has called on residents to be careful this holiday season due to the country’s escalating murder count, saying people have stopped valuing the lives of others.

Khandi Gibson, of Families Of All Murder Victims, told The Tribune yesterday people should be careful with whom they associate, especially if the person has a criminal past.

“Be mindful and careful

of who you’re hanging out with this season because if they can’t get them, they’ll get you,” she said.

She said innocent lives are continuously being lost to crime and added that people should think twice about their decisions.

Ms Gibson also expressed dismay over the country’s murder toll, which was 126 for the year up to press time, according to this newspaper’s records. She described the murder count as being unacceptable and said one murder is too many. Last

Friday, Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis said his administration is concerned about the nation’s escalating murder rate, but is hopeful that their crime fighting initiatives will start “bearing fruit” soon.

“We are all concerned about the murder rate and the level of homicide in our country is unacceptable,” Mr Davis said. “We are putting in place initiatives to curb it and hopefully those initiatives will be bearing fruit in short order.”

Asked for more details on

GROUND BROKEN ON

crime prevention strategies, Mr Davis outlined several initiatives implemented by his administration to stamp out gun violence.

However, he did not speak to them in depth.

When asked about the Prime Minister’s comments, Ms Gibson responded: “I really want to say I commend the Prime Minister in all of his efforts. I commend him for what he’s doing for our country, but if we don’t put God in these things, we have nothing. Man-made products malfunction, so

right now we, everybody at the table, all on deck.”

There have been a series of murders recorded in the country in recent months, with fears mounting 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.

Last year, there were 119 killings recorded; 73 in 2020; 95 in 2019; 91 in 2018 and 122 in 2017.

Earlier this month, former Prime Minister Dr

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

“In the first full year of the Davis administration, we are nearing a national murder record. Nearly 130 have been murdered this year thus far. The violence in New Providence is out of control.

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

LONG ISLAND PORT

Speaking at a groundbreaking ceremony on the island yesterday, Carlos Torres de Navarra, Azul Destinations’ principal, thanked the government for its support of the project.

He explained why developers chose to invest in Long Island, saying no other destination offered what the island had.

“In the 20 plus years I’ve been in the industry, and I look at all the destinations that our ship sails to, there is obviously aspects of a vacation that people want and there’s a laundry list of items and there all boxes need to be checked off, but not every destination has that,” Mr Torres de Navarra told those gathered.

“But, we believe that Long Island does and so for our project, Calypso Cove, it will be the first destination where you can say all of the boxes are going to be checked off, but not only for the benefit of just one cruise line, but for the benefit of the entire industry.

“So, it’s this multi-brand approach that is going to be unique to Long Island so in

addition to getting off the ship and enjoying the retail and the restaurants and the food and beverage areas and the shore excursions, they will be able to enjoy a beach.”

He said officials were doing due diligence to ensure that the project is in accordance with

environmental safety regulations.

“We’re still in the process of doing all the analysis as well as the environmental impact assessment and so that’s going to take a little bit of time so we hope that you can keep a little patience with us on this. I certainly would love it to be tomorrow, but unfortunately it takes its time and it needs to be done in a responsible way,” he added.

However, Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis, in his speech, later told developers that there was not much time left.

“I hear them talking about time and time. Well, we don’t have much time,” he said in response to developers’ earlier remarks.

Mr Davis added: “I’m talking to Sherif who said, ‘we gone move as quickly as possible’ so we’ll get those environmental studies done and looked at and ensure that there’s a proper environmental management plan that our environment is not destroyed – because a component of the development is to ensure that they preserve a lot of the nature, natural habitat and landscape in this area.”

He wished the developers the best and also committed his administration to doing its part in ensuring the project is a success for the benefit of all.

“We are committed,

and we need to ensure that opportunities for Long Islanders, as for any islander, is the same as it is for those in New Providence. We’re committed to that, and we will continue on that journey,” he said.

For his part, Tourism, Investments and Aviation Minister Chester Cooper said he was happy for Long Island, adding that this latest project was just the beginning of what’s to come for residents there.

“I am happy because something is happening for south Long Island after all these decades,” Mr Cooper said.

“When we first had a

visit from these developers, it wasn’t that long ago, they laid out a vision for this area. We embraced it immediately. That was less than a year ago. They made an application maybe five or six months later and the rest is history.

“We processed it quickly in record setting time and we put a shovel in the ground. That is how we work.”

He also foreshadowed the coming of a new airport for the island, which he said is expected to be built in a “very short timeframe.”

Long Island MP Adrian Gibson, who was present at yesterday’s ceremony,

highlighted the need for a new terminal, saying a new airport along with the Calypso Cove development will be “the catalyst that propels Long Island to heights yet unseen”.

“An airport coupled with this project here today,” Mr Gibson said, “will result in new businesses throughout the island from construction to Airbnbs and other bed and breakfasts, to restaurants to retail, tours and to various new investments and we will also see many Long Islanders returning home, staying home after graduating high school and returning to invest in this island.”

from page one

LONG Island MP Adrian Gibson.

THE GROUND-BREAKING ceremony held in Long Island yesterday.

Photos: Moise Amisial

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis and Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper at yesterday’s ceremony.

CARLOS Torres de Navarra, Azul Destinations’ principal.

‘I won’t fight

Now his local attorneys are focused on preparing the necessary documents so the court can begin the extradition process, she said.

She added that Bankman-Fried appeared to be in good spirits and his decision making did not appear to be swayed by conditions at the prison in Fox Hill.

“He’s fine,” Ms Rolle said. “I’ve seen him a number of times over the past few days and he is in good spirits, he is in good health. He has been doing well each time that I’ve seen him and he is quite confident in his ability and desire to do all that he can to make this right.”

This came after a confusing hearing at Magistrate’s Court earlier yesterday where it was anticipated the former billionaire would waive his right to an extradition hearing. However during that hearing, one of his attorneys, Jerone Roberts, expressed surprise at his client’s appearance in court, claiming his legal team did not request to appear before the judge.

Bankman-Fried faces several fraud charges in the United States, including wire fraud, money laundering, conspiracy to commit fraud and violating campaign finance laws.

Since he elected not to waive his extradition right and was denied bail by the chief magistrate last Tuesday, Bankman-Fried spent the past week in remand at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

While multiple reports indicated that

Bankman-Fried had intended to waive his extradition right, which resulted in Magistrate Shaka Serville convening court on an order of attendance, Mr Roberts claimed he had no knowledge of such a motion.

He added that he personally did not request his client’s presence in court yesterday claiming that he had only come to court to speak with Magistrate Serville to discuss securing a copy of Bankman-Fried’s indictment to review with his client.

Upon arriving at the Magistrate’s Court complex, Mr Roberts said he was “shocked” to see his client in court. Mr Roberts then informed the magistrate that Bankman-Fried would not move to waive his extradition right until he had time to review the charges against him and discuss it with his legal teams both here and in the US.

Attorney Franklyn Williams, KC, who appeared for the prosecution shot back at Mr Roberts, saying that the purpose of yesterday’s hearing had been

“subverted”.

After claiming that everything Mr Roberts said was “incredible,” Mr Williams recounted to the court that on Saturday he received a call from Mr Roberts while he was visiting BankmanFried in prison. He said shortly after that visit, rumours of Bankman-Fried waiving his extradition right began to circulate throughout the media. Mr Williams further said that a member of Bankman-Fried’s legal team indicated to him over the weekend that they intended to waive his

extradition right.

Mr Roberts refuted these claims by restating that he only came to court yesterday with the intention to receive the full indictment to review with his client and saying that he had no communication with the media on this matter.

Upon hearing that Bankman-Fried still needed time to discuss the matter with his counsel both here and abroad, Mr Williams said that he wanted no part in the “play” Mr Roberts had conducted in court.

Magistrate Serville then

informed Bankman-Fried directly that the court thought he was invoking Section 17 of the Extradition Act, but that his counsel had indicated that was not the case. As such he allowed the defendant to speak with his present counsel and his US attorneys via telephone before sending him back to BDCS.

After the hearing, Mr Roberts later told Eyewitness News similar comments that Ms Rolle revealed, saying that Bankman-Fried had agreed to be extradited.

PRISON CHIEF: BANKMAN-FRIED READY TO LEAVE

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

ACTING Commissioner of Corrections Doan Cleare said that while former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried is not “uncomfortable” in the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services, he seems ready to leave the country.

However, Mr Cleare said the 30-year-old did not give a reason for deciding to no longer fight extradition to the US to face fraud charges relating to the collapse of his crypto currency firm.

“He did not explain why.

I mean you know he’s an American citizen. Fighting extradition can take years. I guess he probably was unwilling to be here for four, five years,” Mr Cleare said.

Bankman-Fried appeared in court yesterday where he was expected to reverse his decision to fight extradition to the United States. This came after he was sent to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS) last Tuesday.

After some arguments in court between both sides, Bankman-Fried returned to BDCS. However, his attorneys later said the former billionaire would no longer

fight extradition and is expected back in court this week.

There has been speculation the disgraced cryptocurrency businessman wanted to go to the US as he could no longer endure BDCS’s conditions.

Mr Cleare stated: “He left from here in good spirits. He was a happy, jolly person.”

As for if there was any indication he was becoming uncomfortable, he explained: “No, he was not uncomfortable and he was ready to go.”

He added: “From all indications given to me on Saturday, on Friday, and on

this morning, he is prepared to go. He’s ready to go.”

Questions arose over the process of how Bankman-Fried was able to go to the courthouse yesterday as one of his attorneys expressed surprise that he was there.

“Nobody is released out of this institution unless their sentence is finished or there is a court order requesting somebody,” the acting commissioner of corrections said.

He also denied international reports of the American watching movies while being on remand.

“I’m gonna end this right now because I don’t talk

stupidness about watching movies. I don’t have movies in my office. The inmate doesn’t have no access to any television, any movie, anything? Right, nothing at all.”

International media have also written articles about the conditions of BDCS based on a US human rights report, but Mr Cleare argued there has been improvement at the facility since the document was produced.

“Totally unfair and I suspect - they are basing their reports on a 2019 report. You know the amount of work that was done on this place since 2019? You

know that’s an old report. I gave y’all a tour of what we (were) doing (up to) two weeks ago,” he said. “There were massive renovations going on in the place and the new administration is committed to building a new prison. Groundbreaking is in January, so I’m not swayed by the international press because they don’t know.”

In November, government officials toured several prison wings under renovation at BDCS, including a newly refurbished juvenile facility that, once completed, will be able to accommodate up to 25 minor prisoners.

SAM Bankman-Fried outside court yesterday.

Photos: Austin Fernander

from

extradition’

PM: No preference on where Bankman-Fried should be tried

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis said yesterday that the government has no preference on where disgraced former FTX CEO Sam BankmanFried should be tried for his alleged involvement in defrauding customers and investors.

Mr Davis was asked about the government’s views on where his trial should be held on the sidelines of an event in Long Island yesterday.

However, he responded that the matter would entirely depend on the findings of local investigations versus that of the US.

The status of local investigations into FTX is still not clear.

“It depends on what the situation is at the moment,” the prime minister said. “I’m not quite clear. I was advised that he’s been appearing in court and he is volunteering to go back and that is why the court appearance was arranged for this (Monday) morning, I’m advised,” the prime minister said.

“The outcome of it, I’ve not heard yet because I’ve not spoken to the attorney general to update me on what’s happening but again, that’s the throes of adversarial and contentious criminal proceedings.”

He also said: “We have

no preference. It depends on what our investigations would reveal compared to what the US investigations would reveal.”

Mr Davis spoke before Bankman-Fried’s legal team advised reporters that he has decided to waive his right to fight extradition, meaning he will return to the United States to face trial.

The former billionaire was arrested and arraigned in the Magistrate’s Court last week at the request of the US government.

He faces several fraud charges in the US, including wire fraud, money laundering, conspiracy to commit fraud and violating campaign finance laws.

He has been on remand at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services since then, but returned to court yesterday where he was expected to reverse his decision to fight extradition. However, there was some confusion as his legal team indicated a decision had not been made yet and that yesterday’s hearing was premature. Shortly after the court appearance — and once BankmanFried returned to remand — his local lawyers then announced to reporters that the American would not fight being returned home.

Bankman-Fried was initially told to return to court on February 8 after being denied bail when he was arraigned last week.

However, his lawyers later filed a new bail application which was set to be heard on January 17.

FTX, which is headquartered in The Bahamas, along with its affiliates filed for bankruptcy in the US

last month after facing a liquidity crisis and coming under scrutiny following reports that it mismanaged customer assets.

To protect clients of the Bahamas’ flagship crypt currency investor, Bahamians

regulators last month froze FTX’s assets by seizing control of the company, suspended its registration and applied for court approval to appoint joint provisional liquidators.

Despite FTX’s failure, the

MITCHELL HITS BACK OVER ‘ATTACKS’ ON BAHAMAS OVER FTX

By JADE RUSSELL. jrussell@tribunemedia.net

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell questioned how “attacking” The Bahamas helps resolve the FTX saga and dismissed claims of the country’s jurisdiction being nontransparent.

Mr Mitchell’s comments came yesterday in response to FTX’s new CEO John Ray III, who criticised the process in The Bahamas as not transparent. Mr Ray made this revelation last week during the US House Committee on Financial

Services hearing into FTX’s collapse.

“The evidence will show that there is nothing in this jurisdiction that supports the idea of something intrinsically evil or worthy of mistrust in The Bahamas. Such an assertion is not only offensive, it is wrong,” Mr Mitchell said in a voice note which was circulated yesterday.

“Watching the proceedings on television of the congressional hearings in The United States, I was forced to ask myself the question: Do these legislators understand that they

who sit at the apex of the power in the world, have the power with their words to destroy other countries?”

Mr Mitchell said US legislators should speak carefully and act judiciously considering their power.

He also dismissed speculation about The Bahamas’ relationship with the United States government in regard to the FTX collapse, as he said, “we cooperate as we always do on matters at the state-tostate level.”

He continued: “But as the other individuals within that country who are

making often injudicious unseemly statements, which profit no one. How does attacking The Bahamas and Bahamians solve the issue at hand with regard to FTX from what is floated in the public domain?

“There is, for example, Bahamian land that may be put out or called to be put into the recovery process. How is that land to be recovered by US authorities when their own private international law rules say that the lack of situs or the law where the land is, determines the disposition of the land?”

He was referring to

millions of dollars in real estate purchased by FTX and its employees which is now at the centre of legal wrangling both here and in the US.

He also said: “When you cast aspersions, you are attacking an ally, not a foe. But we will, of course, defend our reputation if we must, but why should reputation even come into question in this matter?”

He called FTX a “business failure” and argued the “finger pointing” of the matter should stop.

“Stop the finger pointing, cooperate and let’s charge

those who are guilty. Convict them, they must be punished and let’s also try to get justice for the victims,” Mr Mitchell said.

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

Last Friday, Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis insisted that the collapse of FTX has nothing to do with The Bahamas, saying “you don’t blame the jurisdiction, you blame the bad actors”.

Davis administration has repeatedly said they believe The Bahamas will emerge from proceedings related to the crypto currency exchange with an enhanced reputation as a solid digital asset’s jurisdiction.

SAM Bankman-Fried being escorted by officers outside court yesterday.

Photo: Austin Fernander

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis speaking to reporters yesterday.

Photo: Moise Amisial

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California aims for 2045 carbon neutrality

CALIFORNIA air regulators voted unanimously on Thursday to approve an ambitious plan to drastically cut reliance on fossil fuels by changing practices in the energy, transportation and agriculture sectors, but critics say it doesn’t go far enough to combat climate change.

The plan sets out to achieve so-called carbon neutrality by 2045, meaning the state will remove as many carbon emissions from the atmosphere as it emits. It aims to do so in part by reducing fossil fuel demand by 86% within that time frame.

California had previously set this carbon neutrality target, but Gov Gavin Newsom signed legislation making it a mandate earlier this year. The Democrat has said drastic changes are needed to position California as a global climate leader.

“We are making history here in California,” Newsom said in a statement.

But the plan’s road to approval by the California Air Resources Board was not without criticism. Capturing large amounts of carbon and storing it underground is one of the most controversial elements of the proposal. Critics say it gives the state’s biggest emitters reason to not do enough on their part to mitigate climate change.

In a meeting that lasted several hours, activists, residents and experts used their last chance to weigh in on the plan ahead of the board’s vote. Many said the latest version, while not perfect, was an improvement from earlier drafts, committing the state to do more to curb planet-warming emissions.

Davina Hurt, a board member, said she was proud California is moving closer to its carbon neutrality goal.

“I’m glad that this plan is bold and aggressive,” Hurt said.

The plan does not commit the state to taking any particular actions but sets out a broad roadmap for how California can achieve its goals. Here are the highlights:

RENEWABLE POWER

The implementation of the plan hinges on the state’s ability to transition away from fossil fuels and rely more on renewable resources for energy. It calls for the state to cut liquid petroleum fuel demand by 94% by 2045, and quadruple solar and wind capacity along that same timeframe. Another goal would mean new residential and commercial buildings will be powered by electric appliances before the next decade.

The calls for dramatically lowering reliance on oil and gas come as public officials continue to grapple with how to avoid blackouts when record-breaking heat waves push Californians to crank up their air conditioning.

And the Western States Petroleum Association took issue with the plan’s timeline.

“CARB’s latest draft of the Scoping Plan has acknowledged what dozens of studies have confirmed — that a complete phase-out of oil and gas is unrealistic,” said Catherine ReheisBoyd, the group’s president, in a statement. “A plan that isn’t realistic isn’t really a plan at all.”

At the beginning of Thursday’s meeting, California Air Resources Board Chair Liane Randolph touted the latest version of the plan as the most ambitious to date. It underwent changes after public comments earlier this year.

“Ultimately, achieving carbon neutrality requires deploying all tools available to us to reduce emissions and store carbon,” Randolph said.

TRANSPORTATION

Officials hope a move away from gas-powered cars and trucks reduces greenhouse gas emissions while limiting the public health impact of chemicals these vehicles release.

The plan’s targets include having 20% of aviation fuel demand come from electric or hydrogen sources by 2045 and ensuring all medium-duty vehicles sold are zero-emission by 2040. The board has already passed a policy to ban the sale of new cars powered solely by gasoline in the state starting in 2035.

CARBON CAPTURE

The plan refers to carbon capture as a “necessary tool” to implement in the state alongside other strategies to mitigate climate change. It calls for the state to capture 100 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent and store it underground by 2045.

Connie Cho, an attorney for environmental justice group Communities for a Better Environment, called the plan’s goal of phasing down oil refining “a huge step forward” to mitigate climate change and protect public health.

But Cho criticised its carbon capture targets, arguing they give a pathway for refineries to continue polluting as the state cuts emissions in other areas.

AGRICULTURE

One of the goals is to achieve a 66% reduction in methane emissions from the agriculture sector by 2045. Cattle are a significant source for releasing methane — a potent, planet-warming gas.

The plan’s implementation would also mean less reliance by the agriculture sector on fossil fuels as an energy source.

By SOPHIE AUSTIN Associated Press/Report for America

Keeping children safe

EDITOR, The Tribune

“IN THE age of information, ignorance is a choice”.

Donald Miller

While the holidays are a joyful time of the year for many of us, however, this is also the time of the year when a child is more vulnerable, and at an increased risk of being abused.

A time when parents/ guardians are distracted by frenzied trips to the mall, holiday shopping, crowded airports, hectic schedules, visiting guests, and holiday parties. Between gift-giving, sleepovers and sitters drop-offs all of which are potential dangers, if cautionary measures are not enforced.

Studies have shown that during the holiday time there are increased cases of child abuse, which can be avoidable with greater awareness and education.

So, parents/guardians please be more vigilant and ensure you conduct proper due diligence of

whom you entrust with your child as no one is exempt, not even the closest, most beloved, family member or friend.

The message shouldn’t just be, “strangers can be dangerous or harmful”. Instead, parents it is important to ensure that your child understands that anyone, even family and friends, can be harmful.

Parents teach your child about what red flags look like, such as grooming behaviours and boundary crossing. Tell them they can confide in you or another safe adult if they notice anything that feels uncomfortable or unsafe.

Let your child know it’s okay to say “NO” to unwanted hugs, kisses, or other affection, even to adults and family members.

Use your judgment when making decisions about how safe and appropriate it is for your child to be babysat or stay overnight in another home.

Child abuse can be

preventable, by limiting the opportunity, so that you can better protect your child.

With family and friends around, it’s helpful to have organised or supervised activities to limit time alone.

Parents keep those times when you must leave your child with anyone “observable and interruptible” and conduct spontaneous calls and visits.

Safety doesn’t happen by accident, but by measures put in place by responsible adults. Parents make this season safe and enjoyable for your child. Have a safe and happy holidays.

To learn more about child sexual abuse prevention and awareness training, email saveourchildrenalliance@gmail.com.

SHERVONNE HOLLIS

Founder, President Save Our Children Alliance VP, Coalition of Nassau, December 19, 2022.

Pop Band is unfair competition

EDITOR, The Tribune

To: Minister of National Security, The C.O.P (RBPF), Minister For Grand Bahama, Police Staff Assc. President (GB), all civic organization boards, NGO’s. business leaders, major corporations event planning committees, event organizers, regatta, homecoming organizers and concert producers:

Greetings.

I am a Grand Bahamian singer, song writer, musician, entertainer, artist manager, record producer, former collective bargaining agency leader and a concerned citizen. I am concerned about a trend that no one seems to want to, are afraid to or are unwilling to address with respect to the Royal Bahamas Police Force Pop Band in Grand Bahama and, in my opinion, the unethical and unconscionable actions of both the RBDF, presumably the RBDF Police Staff Association and, to some extent, civic organizations, committees, and businesses that hire the “RBPF Pop Band” for their functions.

Here are the facts

• The “RBPF Pop Band” and its members travel and accommodations, band uniforms, instruments, sound equipment and training are paid for by the Bahamian taxpayer.

• Members of the “RBPF Pop Band” are paid for their performances at private functions through “donations” which presumably are paid through the RBPF staff Association.

• Members of the “RBPF Pop Band” are contracted, trained, provided uniforms, travel, accommodations, and paid salaries to perform their duties as police officers.

• The government is using Bahamian taxpayer money to fund what appears to be an enterprise that competes directly with its taxpayers.

• The government is making and executing, through this apparent enterprise, anti-competitive agreements and partnerships with private entities and these agreements and partnerships - in my opinion - unfairly and adversely affect the free market’s ability to thrive, compete, and earn income in the live music industry.

• The government, through its massive financial and human resources garnered at the expense of the taxpayers, can and is providing a service at a very high level to private businesses and civic organizations that private enterprises, namely, in this instance, local live bands

are unable to match without substantial financial risk and/or loss.

• The RBPF Staff Association Grand Bahama, in my opinion, acts disingenuously and surreptitiously as an agent for the RBPF Pop Band under the guise of representing the RBPF in public relations.

The government of the Bahamas has engaged and continues to engage in anti-trust and anti-competitive activities in the live entertainment industry in Grand Bahama and this has adversely affected the Grand Bahamian entertainment industry. By making the publicly funded Royal Bahamas Police Force Pop Band available for hire at privately funded and organized events the government has literally put local private entertainers and their families at a disadvantage.

The government has taken opportunities for advancement and employment, training and mentorship away from local artists and entertainers. The government has facilitated the driving down the rates of services for live music entertainment by introducing a government funded product into the private market and offering so much (up to a 10-piece pop live music band) at unreasonably low rates.

The decline of the live entertainment industry in Grand Bahama, which is due to the neardeath experiences of the Tourism Industry by multiple episodes of devastating hurricanes and a global pandemic causing major hotel properties, the International Bazaar, golf courses and coupled by the damage to GBIA and Port Lucaya and other Marinas has had its negative effects on our industry forcing us to take jobs that as entertainers could potentially destroy our ability to ply our beloved craft. We, the entertainers and live music artists, have been forced to accept jobs as short order cooks, tradesmen, mechanics and security guards. I myself am a mechanic and have many times had broken and sprained joints and back issues that translate to an inability to play or perform. There is also the fact that artists and musicians need, not only time, but a fresh mind to practice and rehearse effectively. Suffice it to say that in this economic climate, nor any other for that matter, but especially now,

we cannot compete with the publicly funded “RBPF Pop Band”.

Please accept this as a plea:

* To the Commissioner of the RBPF: to discontinue the practice of allowing the “RBPF Pop Band” to accept engagements for private functions, parties, concerts, balls, cocktail parties and any non-government funded events.

* To the Commissioner of the RBPF: to discontinue the practice of allowing the “RBPF Pop Band” to perform pro bono at civic organisation and NGO functions unless there is a local, private, live band hired to headline the event

* To the Commissioner of the RBPF: to discontinue the practice of allowing the “RBPF Pop Band” to appear as the main or festival band at regattas and homecomings.

* To all civic organisation boards, businesses, major corporations, event organisers regatta, homecoming organisers and concert producers: to discontinue the practice of “hiring” the “RBPF Pop Band” to perform at your functions

* To the Minister of National Security with responsibility for The RBPF: to order that the “RBPF Pop Band” refrain from promoting of allowing themselves to be promoted for accepting engagements, collecting “donations” for and performing at private events such as Christmas parties, banquets, balls, cocktail receptions, regattas, homecomings, private parties and any other privately or even partially publicly sponsored events mentioned above.

* To the Minister of National Security with responsibility for The RBPF and COP of the RBPF: that the “RBPF Pop Band” be restricted to playing for only official and fully government sponsored events.

As past president of the GBEMAA Grand Bahama Entertainers, Musicians and Artist Association and a member of the Grand Bahama entertainment community I feel it is my fiduciary duty to forego political, family, friendship and business alliances and to speak on behalf of and fight for the artists that have in times past placed their confidence in me and careers in my care. It is to this end and from that place that I speak up on this most perplexing of trends.

Sincerely and with no ill intent.

NAT CAMBRIDGE Freeport, Grand Bahama. December

19, 2022

Village Road fiasco

EDITOR, The Tribune.

HARD to believe really that discussions on multi-million resorts are seemingly right on the table and at the same

time the shocking total mess that is Village Road is given very little air time.

How can supposedly qualified engineers and architects have been given

carte blanche to create this unacceptable degree of chaos?

Nassau, December 16, 2022.

letters@tribunemedia.net

CHRISTINA SMITH

SHOVELS and hard hats on display ahead of yesterday’s Long Island ground-breaking ceremony.

Photo: moise Amisial

FAMILY ISLAND TEACHERS ‘PAID WHAT THEY’RE OWED’

the time.

ACTING Education

Director Dominique Russell said that 19 teachers assigned to the Family Islands who were waiting for financial support and payment received what they were owed yesterday.

“Well today is payday and I have not gotten any calls yet. So I’m assuming that all of those persons would have been paid, we would have sent all that information to our accounts area.

“And they would have advised us that those persons would have been paid. And so today is the day.

And so hopefully, we will not get anyone calling us back. But if we do, we will mitigate it,” Mrs Russell said yesterday.

During a press conference on December 6, Bahamas Union of Teachers president Belinda Wilson said some teachers assigned to the Family Islands were without housing and financial support for which the Ministry of Education was responsible.

“Why would you want to go to the Family Islands when, as I speak with you today, there are teachers who have been in the Family Islands since August and they have not received $1 rent,” Mrs Wilson said at

“When you’re going to the Family Island, and the union has already negotiated for you to get a geographical posting allowance, where you should purchase your ticket, where you’ll be able to put your personal items on the mail boat, and you’re unable to gather - you’re waiting two or three months to receive geographical posting allowance,” Mrs Wilson said.

“When you get to the Family Island, and you have to sleep on another teacher’s floor because they did not provide temporary housing for you. Tell me if anyone is going to leave their home after they’ve

spent four years educating themselves to go to a Family Island to be treated as a second-class citizen,” she said.

In addition, Mrs Wilson also mentioned that the Department of Education was “really lacking” in the human resources area.

“There has to be improvement in (the Ministry of) Education in the human resource department to ensure that once documentation has been provided to you or submitted to you, that the process is done in a more timely manner,” Mrs Wilson said earlier this month.

In response to this, Mrs Russell said yesterday that

NEW YEAR TESTS FOR STUDENTS NATIONWIDE

By LETRE SWEETING lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

EDUCATION Minister

Glenys Hanna Martin said she hopes to start the new year by testing students nationwide for any learning loss issues following the pandemic.

“For the new year’s resolution, I want to see that we go into a real focused thrust in national development. In education, there’s a lot of repair that needs to happen. A lot of resources are going to be necessary. So I’m hoping in the new year to get those resources,” Mrs Hanna Martin said.

“That is why in January, we are going to do our testing for learning loss. This will help us not just understand what the learning loss was in the pandemic, which all research says was significant globally, but we also want to see whether there are other lingering historic learning issues with young people that we can target and help to get them on track with issues of literacy and numeracy,” she said.

Dominique Russell, acting director of education, added: “It’s (the learning loss testing) going to be online, so every child will be tested, and we will provide the support. The company, Renaissance Learning (an educational software company), will provide remediation opportunities for their children. So it’s going to be cyclical,

where, you know, we test and then we remediate.

“Once we discover where our children are struggling and where the remediation needs are, we’re also training teachers providing training for those teachers so that they know how to provide the remediation opportunities,” Mrs Russell said.

These comments came after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Education and Barry University, based in Miami, Florida. The agreement is a partnership with the international university to train teachers to provide better opportunities for special needs students.

Barry University will be the 37th institution to sign an MoU with the Scholarship and Educational Loan Division of the Ministry of Education and Technical and Vocational Training. Those who are selected will receive scholarships, as they will be participating in programmes for special education.

“The Education Act of the Bahamas provides under Section Eight, that the parents of children with disabilities shall take appropriate steps to see that those children are assessed as early as possible as to the extent and nature of their disabilities and be offered appropriate treatment.

That’s the parents. But it also puts on the minister, the minister responsible for

MAN ACCUSED OF STEALING $10K FROM RESTAURANT

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN accused of breaking into a restaurant on West Bay Street and stealing $10,000 was sent to prison overnight.

Tyrell Higgs, 30, stood before Magistrate Kendra Kelly on charges of shopbreaking, stealing and receiving yesterday.

Between 11pm on November 25 and 8am on November 26, while being concerned with others, Higgs is accused of

breaking into Bahama Grill restaurant on West Bay Street. There it is alleged $10,000 cash, belonging to Rickera Gibson, was stolen. It is further alleged that in that same timeframe, the accused received $340 in cash knowing it was obtained or appropriated by an offence.

After being read his charges in court, Higgs pleaded not guilty to them. However, as his bail hearing was deferred to today, he was remanded overnight at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

BAIL VIOLATION CLAIMED

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was granted $6,000 bail in Magistrate’s Court yesterday after he allegedly failed to charge the ankle bracelet with which he was outfitted on an earlier armed robbery charge.

Devon Ellis, 29, faced Magistrate Kendra Kelly on three counts of bail violations while on release on a

pending armed robbery charge.

Between November 8 and December 10, it is alleged that Ellis failed to charge his electronic monitoring device on three occasions.

In court, the accused pleaded not guilty to all charges. He was granted bail and given a 9pm to 6am curfew.

Ellis’s trial in this matter will begin on February 8, 2023.

MAN DENIES GUN POSSESSION

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

IN the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, a man denied possession of a loaded firearm.

Rohan Munnings, 23, appeared before Magistrate Kendra Kelly on a charge of possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition.

It is alleged that on November 8 in New Providence the accused was

found with a black Taurus 9mm pistol. The serial number had been erased. At the time of his arrest, police found five unfired rounds of 9mm ammunition.

In court Munnings pleaded not guilty to the charges. His bail hearing was deferred to today and he was remanded overnight to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

He was represented by Ian Cargill.

education, that the minister shall take appropriate steps to ensure that children with disabilities are afforded equal opportunities and education,” Mrs Hanna Martin said.

“Clearly the law of this country requires and it’s an undergirding philosophical commitment of ourselves as a people, that children with special needs, will be given the same opportunities to develop their full potential as young humans,” Mrs Hanna Martin said.

“This agreement, memorandum of understanding that we’re signing with Barry University is very important, because it’s a

manifestation of the law. It is bringing to fruition our philosophical underpinning as a people. And this will have, once we begin to extend and build capacity, will have a tremendous impact on so many young people now, which we have to see falling between the cracks,” she said.

“We believe that within 18 months to 24 months, you’ll begin to see the rollout of special needs teachers who will be dispatched nationwide and be able to bring in their embrace, children that may be at this moment, off the radar for us,” Mrs Hanna Martin said.

once her department gets their appointment letters, new staff will be hired in the areas of accounts and human resources (HR).

“Well, based on my two months here, I can say to you that we have a staff shortage in HR and in accounts. I know that we would have hired two persons in accounts already. I think we brought in one or two persons in HR just recently, we have to increase our resources so that we’re able to meet the needs. And, of course, we’ve been behind in terms of our staffing,” she said.

“We have sought to address those needs, but we still need more persons.”

She said education officials are also working to ensure schools have all the support staff they need.

“We’ve actually gone to the (Public Service) Commission, we’ve interviewed potential candidates for leadership, and we are ensuring that we have them put in place for January. We’re also looking at where there may be some more staff shortages. We still have some of our applications at the Ministry of Public Service. And you know, staffing, again, is an issue. And so once we get those appointment letters, we’re putting those teachers in place,” Mrs Russell said.

EDUCATION Minister Glenys Hanna Martin.

Reaching out to stop the path to violence

THE young boy growing up in the inner city streets of New Providence is at risk of becoming a statistic - one who ends up in jail or dead on the streets. But he is also a child with limitless potential - one who could change the world for the better.

There is a thin line between these two outcomes, and many young men with potential have had their lives cut short, or they have become the perpetrators of some of the most violent crimes in this country.

These young boys often need intervention to help them make the right decisions for their future.

By making the right decisions, they can become productive citizens, loving husbands and fathers, community leaders and nation builders.

For this reason, the Zonta Club of New Providence (ZCNP) decided to create an opportunity for such an intervention during the 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence.

This initiative could help young men learn conflict resolution tools to help them deal with each other, as well as learn how to treat the young women and girls they encounter every day. ZCNP teamed up with International Men’s Day Bahamas Chapter and other partners for an event called “Boys to Men”, in which at least 60 boys and young men had the opportunity to be inspired to think beyond the constraints of their circumstances.

The boys were talkative and full of life. But even while playing with each other and enjoying food and drinks, they were able to take with them some serious messages about life and their future. For ZCNP, each life that can be touched is a life saved from an early grave or a life behind bars.

Zonta is a worldwide nonprofit organisation known for advocating for the rights of women and girls and ending gender-based

Face to Face

By FELICITY DARVILLE

violence.

Here in New Providence, members have been at the forefront of the fight for over a decade. Their “Orange the World Campaign” is held each year during the 16 Days of Activism.

It runs from November 25 (International Day to End Violence Against Women and Girls) to December 10 (International Human Rights Day).

This year, the Orange the World Campaign came alive in the Centerville Community. If you are on the streets and you see the big orange bows, you know that the members of Zonta have touched the community. Each year, they enter a different community and this year, Centerville was the target in an ongoing activism campaign.

Member of Parliament for Centerville, Jomo Campbell, gave one of the most riveting testimonies of the day. There is nothing better than a real life example for kids to relate to.

He grew up in Centerville. He ran through the very streets these boys call home. He faced the peer pressure they currently feel. He heard gunshots ringing in his neighbourhood. He has seen the impact that crime has had on his community.

Yet, the young Jomo saw something greaterhe saw a life for himself where he could rise above these circumstances and be all he could be. Through hard work and diligence to pursue his dreams, Jomo became a lawyer.

That in itself is an achievement; but it is a personal one, although it allowed him to impact

many lives.

In order to make a greater difference in his country, he sought to represent his people in the very community that served as his stomping grounds.

Today, as a Member of Parliament, he can advocate for these people he loves in a substantial way. He can be their voice in parliament, and he can help spur the legislative changes that would impact the future.

According to Curtis Bryan, secretary of the International Men’s Day (IMD) Bahamas Chapter, the boys were keen eyes during MP Campbell’s contribution.

But that was just the start. Throughout the day, these boys received group talks, personal conversations, and activities to lift their spirits and show them the right track to success. It is up to them to utilise it.

Bryan said that when William Lunn addressed those gathered, that message really hit home. He shared that he had mentors and supporters like Pastor Wilfred Adderley, a Seventh-Day Adventist Pastor, as well as Dr David Allen looking out for him and encouraging him in his younger days.

Yet, he led a life that could have set him on a path for destruction. Eventually, he made enough mistakes to open his eyes and turn his life around.

Because he experienced this first had, he made a commitment to do something about it.

He is in the inner city daily, going out of his way to help as many young people as possible.

During the Boys to Men Seminar, he gathered at

least 20 boys from the area near Salem Baptist Church area and brought them to attend, making several trips in his personal vehicle to bring them all. His efforts were not in vain.

Down-to-earth, heartfelt, riveting talks came from a number of men, including president of IMD Bahamas, Keith Cox; public relations officer for IMD Bahamas David Williams; Keno Wong; Bishop Ian Braithwaite; Ramond Ramsey; Kendal Lewis; and Senior Pastor Nathan Wells. Apostle Henry Higgins, Vice President of IMD Bahamas also addressed the boys. His daily work with his wife Ann can be seen and felt in the Centreville area, and their well known Junkanoo shack and dance theatre is abuzz as they prepare for the Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade.

The boys ranged from grade three all the way to senior high. They were not

only Centreville residents; they came from other areas in New Providence.

One Government High School teacher brought 15 senior high students from the school. Together, they were able to cross the invisible borders that area created by gang violence and see that they are all the same - young men with dreams and aspirations that deserve to be attained.

Zonta women took a back seat and allowed the men to work their magic with the boys. They were there to organise the Boys to men event, provide support, and feed them during lunch. But their impact is even greater - they have laid the foundation for connections that could affect these boys for the rest of their lives.

“We decided that as a preventative measure, since we are talking about violence against men, women, boys and girls, we wanted

to reach some of our young men before they reach the stage of violent activity,” said David Williams.

“I shared with them my experience in ministry in the prison for over 20 years. I spoke to them about my burden after seeing so many young men incarcerated. I want to do all I can to prevent others from going that way. I told them to put Jesus Christ first in whatever they do.

“I talked to them about how to pray, how prayer can change things in their lives. I encouraged them to form study groups to do better in school, because iron sharpens iron. I didn’t have that kind of advice over 40 years ago when I was in high school, so I hope it makes a difference in their lives today.”

Members of the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) were also on hand to help those who wanted a career path, but may not meet the prerequisites of college. Together, all of the partners and stakeholders present took the opportunity to talk to each attendee with the hopes that they would use this guidance and build a positive life for themselves, from the inside out.

Topics during the Boys to Men event included: Living a Life Without Violence; Respect and Discipline; Conflict Resolution; Healthy Relationships; Connecting with Positive People; Spiritual Enrichment and Upliftment; Getting a Vision for the Future; Living a Victorious Life; and much more.

Zonta Club of New Providence and International Men’s Day can be found on Facebook. During the 16 Days of Activism, IMD Bahamas supported ZCNP in their other initiatives. They included a Mental Health webinar with Dr. Sean Knowles; an Education and Health Fair in Centerville Park; and the annual tying of organs bows throughout the community.

AMONG the events held to try to change the path toward violence was a day for boys and men to connect.

‘I spoke to them about my burden after seeing so many young men incarcerated. I want to do all I can to prevent others from going that way. I told them to put Jesus Christ first in whatever they do.’

IMD Bahamas public relations officer David Williams

FROM left, President of International Men’s Day (IMD) Bahamas Chapter Keith Cox; Apostle Henry Higgins; and Centerville MP Jomo Campbell.

New vision revealed for British foreign policy

The Peter Young column

AS ANOTHER year comes to an end and people anticipate a new one, it is traditional to look forward with optimism to better times, both for the lives of individuals and in relation to global affairs. But, since there are so many unknowns and variables, uninformed prediction on the world stage is surely best avoided, not least because it can even be damaging. Apart from in-depth studies of particular issues, people can only opine about long-term trends and developments, but they will listen to those in positions of power in government who talk about how they intend to conduct a nation’s relations with the rest of the world.

With this in mind and reflecting on recent international events, how interesting it was to read a speech on December 12 by British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, James Cleverly, setting out his vision for the nation’s foreign policy and diplomacy, with emphasis on Britain’s reaction to rapid international change. In a world developing so quickly, he emphasised the need for the UK not only to take full account of such change but to make long-term commitments spanning decades, since the interests it was protecting and the values it was promoting will outlive any and all political cycles. These values are permanent and should not at their core depend on the politicians of the day or be subject to their whims.

The Foreign Secretary began by explaining the historical context of Britain, as a small island state off the coast of mainland Europe, always being involved with other countries. During its existence as a nation state the world had been dominated by the brutal maxim that the “strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must”. Might was always right and power was what counted –and this applied to Britain as much as to other countries. The last century saw aggressive tyrants make the globe their prey. But, following the Second World War, far-sighted leaders built a collection of international rules and institutions designed to make law – not

‘Mr Cleverly confirmed that the UK benefits beyond measure from rock solid friendships with the US and nations like France, Germany, Canada and Australia as well as so many others. These vital relationships were constructed over generations and are embedded in institutions like NATO and the G7 and represented the greatest source of strength and were the foundation stone of the nation’s democracy and diplomacy. But to sustain this international order it must be supported beyond Europe and North America – it must be extended to Asia, Africa and Latin America...’

power alone – the arbiter of relations between states.

The US and Britain with some 50 other nations created the United Nations whose General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In the same era, what would become the World Trade Organization and the World Bank began to help fund reconstruction and recovery across the world. The rise of international trade and prosperity during the intervening eight decades had

been as a direct result of the policies of such institutions – and in its foreign policy Britain had always sought to support these founding principles and institutions.

He went on to say that international order had allowed more and more people to live in peace and increasing prosperity than ever before. But change is always upon us and Britain did not wish to stand in the way of reform. It wanted, for example, to welcome Brazil, India, Japan and

Germany as permanent members of the UN Security Council. By contrast, Putin was prepared through Russia’s war in Ukraine to destroy the laws that protect each country so that the clock had been turned back to where might was right and big countries treated their neighbours like prey. He was seeking imperial conquest which was morally abhorrent and contemptuous of today’s values. He should end this war and withdraw his troops without delay.

Mr Cleverly confirmed that the UK benefits beyond measure from rock solid friendships with the US and nations like France, Germany, Canada and Australia as well as so many others. These vital relationships were constructed over generations and are embedded in institutions like NATO and the G7 and represented the greatest source of strength and were the foundation stone of the nation’s democracy and diplomacy. But to sustain this international order it must be supported beyond Europe and North America – it must be extended

to Asia, Africa and Latin America who ultimately will decide whether this well established international co-operation will endure. So, with its influence and leverage in the world, Britain needs to build new friendships as the world’s geopolitical centre of gravity is moving south and east. He stressed that it wants to nurture new relationships based on shared interests and common principles and to show that the UK is a reliable partner by seeking to secure the economic development of other countries and to help them build resilience against threats – including from climate change, disease and terrorism – and to help them attract investment and harness the power of new technology.

The Foreign Secretary said specifically that the UK will press on with developing “clear, compelling and consistent offers, tailored to needs and its own strengths, spanning trade, development, defence, cyber security, technology, climate change and environmental protection”. To follow this up, his government will

offer reliable sources of infrastructure investment through British Investment Partnerships, UK Export Finance and the G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure.

In conclusion, he stressed the UK’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific region which included joining the Trans-Pacific free trade agreement and the need to deepen co-operation with India. Most important of all, he said, was to maintain a stable and powerful international order and support sovereignty and territorial integrity so as not to lapse into the old order where the strong prey upon the weak. Britain will therefore build new partnerships for the future in order that all should flourish.

There is no room today to analyse this important speech further. But it was surely an interesting analysis of Britain’s future intention – and, for people here at home, it reinforces the message that Britain is a “Proud Partner with The Bahamas on Security, Diplomacy, Trade and investment”.

STARK REALITY OF ECONOMIC WOES

WHILE it is heartening about the British Foreign Secretary’s upbeat assessment of the nation’s role in the world – as explained elsewhere on this page –what is happening in the country domestically is causing some concern.

At this time of year, commentators like to strike a note of optimism about prospects for the future. But this is difficult at the moment given the UK’s harsh economic times which are made worse, it seems, by the current bitterly cold weather. As in many other countries, there is a cost of living crisis with double digit inflation, high energy costs and increasing interest rates, and the UK

economy is slowing almost to a standstill. All this has resulted in the erosion of living standards. Overall, these are said to be testing times in the UK, with a stench of decline that is similar to the 1970s and people feeling that the country has become rudderless. There are now calls for firm leadership with a vision for the future and a determination to work towards it.

Amidst such bleak economic news, how depressing it is to read that in the run-up to Christmas militants in the UK’s trade union movement have decided to maximise the disruption they can inflict on the public by calling for industrial action over the

holiday period which would paralyse the rail network. What is more, the Royal College of Nursing is holding its first nationwide strike in its history and ambulance drivers and other National Health Service workers are likely to follow suit. Civil servants also plan to walk out followed by teachers and fire fighters and seasonal postal services may also be affected.

It is the case, of course, that, in the midst of high inflation when the purchasing power of pay packets has been reduced, the role of the unions in protecting the rights and interests of their members remains as important as ever. But more and more people are saying

that compassion has given way to confrontation in the unions’ ever-increasing pay demands for many workers who are already well remunerated. It is said that, as union bosses crank up the pressure in support of their pay demands, vital services are thrown into chaos and even lives are now put at risk. Such confrontation undermines effective management and threatens the economy as a whole.

Nonetheless, reportedly there are some positive aspects to the whole gloomy picture as the recession may be less severe than expected and unemployment levels have not soared. Last week, the Bank of England raised interest rates again. But, at

3.5 per cent, they remain below the rate of 5 per cent before the great crash of 2008. It is said that inflation has peaked and may now be dropping.

But, perhaps most importantly, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is reported to be firm on resisting excessive public sector wage rises however deserving the cause. After the upheavals – and what is being termed the political skulduggery – at Westminster over the last few months, the country now needs a calm atmosphere together with a firm hand on the tiller of governance. Sunak seems to have created that during his short time in office. But some Tory MPs are now demanding

a return to “proper Conservative values”. Perhaps his greatest challenge in the immediate future is to handle the unions effectively. As they flex their muscles, there are echoes of the infamous “winter of discontent” in Britain in 1978/79 when the country was brought to a halt under a beleaguered Labour government. The lesson from that was the need for firmness in resisting the award of inflation-matching pay increases across the public sector. According to the experts, to do this now would result in tax increases. In such circumstances, it seems that the British public’s sympathy for the trade unions is evaporating.

BRITAIN’s Foreign Secretary James Cleverly gestures while giving a keynote foreign policy speech in the Locarno Room at the Foreign Office in London, on Monday.

Photo: Toby Melville/Pool via AP

HEARINGS TO BE HEARD FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced that the effort by a group of small island states to seek justice for damage, caused by the impact of climate change, has won another success.

Mr Browne disclosed that, on December 16, the

International Tribunal of the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) decided to hear “oral proceedings” on the issuing of an advisory opinion on the obligations of states to reduce, prevent or control the deleterious effects that result from climate change.

The request for an advisory

opinion was submitted by the Commission of Small Island States on Climate Change and International Law (COSIS) of which Mr Browne is a founder and co-chair.

ITLOS has issued an invitation to all states that are party to the International Convention on the Law of

the Sea, as well as COSIS, to make written submissions by May 16, 2023.

Mr Browne said: “The decision by ITLOS to hear the case brought by COSIS and to set a firm date for receipt of submissions indicate that the international body regards the request

for an advisory opinion as deserving of investigation.”

He added that the governments that are members of COSIS are “greatly encouraged by the decision of ITLOS which sends a clear signal to all polluting countries that the impact of their action may have a

legal consequence”. Calling on all small island states in the Caribbean to join the COSIS effort, Mr Browne said: “All our governments have a duty of care to our people to safeguard the interests of our homelands for this and future generations.”

CAPTAIN MICKEY VISITS RANFURLY CHILDREN

DISNEY Cruise Line crew members recently visited foster children at the Ranfurly Homes for Children in Nassau, The Bahamas, to help bring holiday cheer.

Disney Cruise Line crew members spent the day with the children creating holiday ornaments, delivering gifts and surprising the kids with a special visit from Captain Mickey Mouse.

Among the crew members who visited were LJM Maritime Academy Cadets Christina Adderley, from Eleuthera, and Emily Bain and Summer

Lightbourn, from New Providence. In 2019, they were awarded a Disney Cruise Line maritime scholarship, which included two years of study at LJM Maritime Academy in Nassau and one year of service aboard Disney ships. The maritime scholarship program is part of a larger collection of initiatives Disney Cruise Line has implemented to inspire future maritime professionals and support communities across The Bahamas.

“It’s heartwarming to see the impact Disney is

making here in my community of Nassau,” said Lightbourn. “The Disney Cruise Line team made so many children smile today. This was an experience I will never forget,” Lightbourn added.

In addition to visiting with the children, Disney Cruise Line also donated $25,000 to the Ranfurly Homes for Children and gifted tablet devices and Bluetooth headphones to each child.

“Disney Cruise Line is committed to giving back to the ports we call home,” said Joey Gaskins, public

affairs director, Disney Cruise Line.

“We hope this donation can help make an impact and, in partnership with the team at the Ranfurly Homes for Children, help provide the kids with tools they need to succeed.”

Ingrid Deveaux, administrator at Ranfurly, said: “The work of the Ranfurly Homes for Children is great, and the need for support is even greater. The children who live here, they deserve so much love.

“This support from Disney will help us

tremendously as we continue to provide care for these incredible children.”

This special visit to the Ranfurly Homes for Children is a continuation of Disney Cruise Line’s ‘Wishes Set Sail’ campaign, an all-new initiative developed to support various youth activities in key port communities in celebration of the Disney Wish’s inaugural season.

The visit is one of many ways the cruise line is spreading holiday cheer this season throughout The Bahamas.

Earlier this month, Disney Cruise Line donated Disney plush toys and books to more than 650 students in Abaco, near where Castaway Cay, a Disney destination, is located, as well as in Eleuthera, where Disney Cruise Line is developing a new experience at Lighthouse Point.

Crew members also read to the students to share the gift of storytelling and encourage reading. These initiatives further Disney’s commitment to empower Bahamian students to be successful in school and in life.

HARVEY WEINSTEIN FOUND GUILTY OF RAPE IN LOS ANGELES TRIAL

LOS ANGELES Associated Press

AFTER a month-long trial and nine days of deliberations, Los Angeles jurors on Monday found Harvey Weinstein guilty of the rape and sexual assault of just one of the four accusers he was charged with abusing.

But the three guilty counts involving an Italian actor and model known at the trial as Jane Doe 1 still struck a major blow against the disgraced movie mogul, and provided another #MeToo moment of reckoning, five years after he became a magnet for the movement.

Weinstein, 70, who is two years into a 23-year sentence for a rape and sexual assault conviction in New York that is under appeal, could get up to 24 years in prison in California when he’s sentenced.

He was found guilty of rape, forced oral copulation and another sexual misconduct count involving the woman who said he appeared uninvited at her hotel room door during a Los Angeles film festival in 2013.

“Harvey Weinstein forever destroyed a part of me that night in 2013 and I will never get that back. The criminal trial was brutal and Weinstein’s lawyers put me through hell on the witness

HARVEY WEINSTEIN

stand, but I knew I had to see this through to the end, and I did,” the woman said in a statement after the verdict. “I hope Weinstein never sees the outside of a prison cell during his lifetime.”

Weinstein was acquitted of a sexual battery allegation made by a massage therapist who treated him at a hotel in 2010.

The jury was unable to reach a decision on counts involving two accusers, notably rape and sexual assault charges involving Jennifer Siebel Newsom, a documentary filmmaker and the wife of California Gov. Gavin Newsom. A mistrial was declared on those counts.

Weinstein looked down at the table and appeared to put his face in his hands when the initial guilty counts were read. He looked forward as the rest of the verdict was read.

“Harvey is obviously

disappointed in the verdict. He knows what happened and what never did,” Weinstein’s spokesperson Juda Engelmayer said in an email, saying there was a strong basis for an appeal on the convictions. “Harvey is grateful for the jury’s work on the other counts, and he’s determined to continue his legal challenges in ultimately proving his innocence.”

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón applauded the accusers for their bravery to testify in the case, saying in a statement he was disappointed by the split verdict but hoped it brings “some measure of justice to the victims”.

“Harvey Weinstein will never be able to rape another woman. He will spend the rest of his life behind bars where he belongs,” Siebel Newsom said in a statement.

“Throughout the trial, Weinstein’s lawyers used sexism, misogyny, and bullying tactics to intimidate, demean, and ridicule us survivors. The trial was a stark reminder that we as a society have work to do.”

Siebel Newsom’s intense and dramatic testimony, in which she described being raped by Weinstein in a hotel room in 2005, brought the trial its most dramatic moments. But only eight of

the 12 jurors agreed to find Weinstein guilty of those counts.

Jurors were deadlocked 10-2 on a sexual battery count involving Lauren Young, the only accuser who testified at both Weinstein trials. She said she was a model aspiring to be an actor and screenwriter who was meeting with Weinstein about a script in 2013 when he trapped her in a hotel bathroom, groped her and masturbated in front of her.

Lacking any forensic evidence or eyewitness accounts of years-old allegations, the case hinged heavily on the stories and credibility of the four women at the center of the charges.

The women’s stories echoed the allegations of dozens of others who have emerged since Weinstein became a #MeToo lightning rod starting with stories in the New York Times in 2017. A movie about that reporting, “She Said,” was released during the trial, and jurors were repeatedly warned not to see it.

It was the defense that made #MeToo an issue during the trial, however, emphasizing that none of the four women went to the authorities until after the movement made Weinstein a target.

Defence lawyers said two of the women — including

the one he would be found guilty of raping — were entirely lying about their encounters with Weinstein. They said the other two had “100% consensual” sexual interactions that they later reframed.

Defence attorneys said during the trial that if Siebel Newsom hadn’t reached her later prominence she would be “just another bimbo who slept with Harvey Weinstein to get ahead in Hollywood.”

“Regret is not the same thing as rape,” Weinstein attorney Alan Jackson said in his closing argument.

He urged jurors to look past the the women’s emotional testimony and focus on the factual evidence.

“‘Believe us because we’re mad, believe us because we cried,’” Jackson said jurors were being asked to do. “Well, fury does not make fact. And tears do not make truth.”

All the women involved in the charges went by Jane Doe in court. The Associated Press does not typically name people who say they have been sexually abused unless they come forward publicly or agree to be named through their attorneys, as the women named here did.

Prosecutors called 40 other witnesses in an attempt to give context and corroboration to those

stories. Four were other women who were not part of the charges but testified that Weinstein raped or sexually assaulted them. They were brought to the stand to establish a pattern of sexual predation.

Weinstein beat four other felony charges before the trial even ended when prosecutors said a woman he was charged with raping twice and sexually assaulting twice would not appear to testify. They declined to give a reason. Judge Lisa Lench dismissed those charges.

Weinstein’s latest conviction hands a victory to victims of sexual misconduct of famous men in the wake of some legal setbacks, including the dismissal of Bill Cosby’s conviction last year. The rape trial of “That ‘70s Show” actor Danny Masterson, held simultaneously and just down the hall from Weinstein’s, ended in a mistrial. And actor Kevin Spacey was victorious at a sexual battery civil trial in New York last month.

Weinstein’s New York conviction survived an initial appeal, but the case is set to be heard by the state’s highest court next year. The California conviction, also likely to be appealed, means he will not walk free even if the East Coast conviction is thrown out.

ANTIGUA and Barbuda

Major, Rolle advance

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

After knocking off collegian Donte Armbrister in a three-set thriller, high school sensation Michael Major Jr didn’t have anything left in the tank as he went down in two straight sets to number one seed Kevin Major Jr.

With a couple players opting out of competition, Major Jr was the only player to have to play a pair of matches yesterday as the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association kicked off the 2022 Giorgio Baldacci Open Nationals at the National Tennis Centre.

The Open Nationals is the first step for the BLTA to select the team that will represent the Bahamas at

the Davis Cup competition for men and the Billie Jean King Cup for women.

Major Jr, coming off a trip to Jamaica to play in a series of matches over the weekend, pulled off a 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 win over Armbrister, who is home on a break from college. But in his later match, he suffered a 6-1, 6-0 defeat at the hands of Major Jr.

Major Jr, back in the Open Nationals for the first time since he won the title in 2019, said while he had a lot of injuries, he found a new lease of life in the tennis world in Tampa, Florida, and he’s now back on the tour, having played in Colombia, Mexico and Bolivia as he learns how to be a professional tennis player on the circuit.

“It’s bitter-sweet because I haven’t won in a while

and there’s a lot of background pressure for me to win,” said the 27-year-old Major Jr. “This is something I always wanted to win. I always want to win

at home. I love playing in front of the Bahamian people. “I’m looking forward to playing all of the guys in the tournament. The younger guys have

blood in their eyes, but I just want them to know that I’m ready to take on any and all of them.”

Before being the first player to lose to Major Jr in his return to the NTC, Michael Major Jr said he was delighted to have played such an amazing match.

“I went out there with the mindset that if I have to be on the court all day, I will be on the court all day,” he said. “I’m happy that I pulled it off. Donte is a good player, He’s already been on the Davis Cup team, so I’m glad that I pulled this off.”

For 21-year-old Armbrister, who is playing tennis at Hampton University, he said it was good to be back home.

FINA: 5 national records posted

THE Bahamas’ fivemember team at the 16th FINA (World Swimming Federation) Short Course (25m) World Championships in Melbourne, Australia, posted five national records with Lamar Taylor inking his name on three and LukeKennedy Thompson got a pair.

The team, coached by Travano McPhee, also featured Rhanishka Gibbs and Victoria Russell as they competed at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.

Thompson, 21, closed out competition for Team Bahamas on Saturday when he placed 40th overall in the men’s 200 metre freestyle in a time of 1:51.31 to shatter Jeremy Knowles’ national record of 1:53.34 that he posted in 1998.

Thompson’s other national record came in the 400m free.

Also on Saturday, Russell clocked 32.54 for 39th overall in the women’s 50m breast.

One of Taylor’s three national records came on Friday in the men’s 50m free when he finished 28th overall in 21.45 to erase Allan Murray’s record of 21.97 that he established in 1996.

Also on Friday, Gibbs was 35th overall in the

women’s 50m free in 26.16, improving on her personal best time of 26.68. The team of Taylor (in a split of 21.65), Thompson (23.30), Gibbs (25-79) and Russell (26.30) was 16th overall in the mixed 4x50m free relay.

Taylor also broke Chris Vythoulkas’ national record of 26.10 from 2006 in the 50m backstroke on Thursday when he clocked 23.58 for 20th overall.

Thompson got his first national record in the 400m

AYTON HAS DOUBLE DOUBLE, SUNS ROLL PAST LAKERS 130-104

By DAVID BRANDT AP Sports Writer

PHOENIX (AP) — Chris Paul scored a season-high 28 points, Deandre Ayton added 21 points and 11 rebounds and the Phoenix Suns rolled past the Los Angeles Lakers 130-104 last night.

The game was almost more notable for who wasn’t playing instead of the action on the court. The Lakers were missing their All-Star trio of LeBron James (left ankle soreness), Anthony Davis (right foot soreness) and Russell Westbrook (left foot soreness).

The Suns were missing six players, including threetime All-Star Devin Booker (right groin soreness), who scored a season-high 58 points in Saturday’s win over the Pelicans.

PACKERS DEFEAT RAMS 24-12 TO KEEP PLAYOFF HOPES ALIVE

By STEVE MEGARGEE AP Sports Writer

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — A.J. Dillon ran for two scores, Aaron Rodgers threw a touchdown pass to Aaron Jones and the Green Bay Packers kept their playoff hopes afloat with a 24-12 victory over the Los Angeles Rams last night.

Dillon put Green Bay (6-8) ahead for good with a tiebreaking 8-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and also scored from 1 yard out in the third period. He ran for 36 yards on 11 carries before leaving the game midway through the second half to be evaluated for a concussion.

freestyle in 3:56.22

28th place overall, removing Jeremy Knowles’ previous time of 3:57.

Tariq

FIFA mostly wins big but loses some trust at Qatar World Cup

By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer

EVEN before an epic final won by Lionel Messi and Argentina, FIFA president Gianni Infantino was calling it “the best World Cup ever” in Qatar.

There was clear selfinterest to declare the success of a tournament that was politically fraught for most of the 12 years since the wealthy emirate was picked as host by a previous FIFA leadership broadly tainted by corruption allegations.

FIFA’s fundamental role is to oversee global soccer’s rules.

And make sure World Cups happen on schedule: Goal achieved, billions of dollars duly earned.

As ever with arguably world sport’s most colourful

governing body, there was much else going on.

ON THE FIELD

When the games begin focus shifts to the field, and FIFA got that early on day three when Messi and Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia 2-1 in an upset for the ages.

One day later, Germany lost to Japan and then Brazil delighted the world in its first game against Serbia.

Morocco picked up the baton and was the first African or Arab nation to still be playing on the last weekend of a World Cup.

Games were consistently compelling if not the best quality.

These were not vintage Spain or Netherlands teams, and not even Brazil by the time of its quarterfinals exit.

The drama rose with simultaneous group-stage games that carried Japan, South Korea and Croatia to the round of 16 and sent Germany and Belgium home. All continents got

Infantino

rounds,

Swimming Championship in Wildey, Barbados, attended the meet as well as a massage therapist/athletic trainer for Team USA.

Kelly is a former competitor for The Bahamas in swimming and water polo.

Rodgers went 22 of 30 for 229 yards with a touchdown and interception to win his ninth straight “Monday Night Football” start.

The longest “Monday Night Football” winning streak by any starting quarterback is owned by Kenny

Griner says she’ll play basketball in Arizona again

By DOUG FEINBERG AP Basketball Writer

“It

to Instagram on Friday in her first public statement since her release. “The last 10 months have been a battle at every turn. I dug deep to keep my

faith and it was the love from so many of you that helped keep me going. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone for your help.”

Griner was arrested in February in Russia on drug-related charges and was later convicted and sentenced to nine years in a Russian jail. After months of strained negotiations, and an extraordinarily rare public revelation by the Biden administration that it had made a “substantial proposal” to bring home Griner and another detained American, Paul

for

Kelly, who served as a member of the medical staff for Team Bahamas at the 2022 CARIFTA

teams into the knockout

letting

repeat his claim of soccer “becoming truly global for the first time.”

BRITTNEY Griner said she’s “grateful” to be back in the United States and plans on playing basketball again next season for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury. Her comments came a week after she was released from a Russian prison, freed in a dramatic high-level prisoner exchange.

feels so good to be home!” Griner posted

ARGENTINA’s Lionel Messi holds up the trophy flanked by FIFA

President Gianni Infantino and The Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani after winning the World Cup final soccer match against France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

LUKE KENNEDY THOMPSON, of the Bahamas, swims in his heat of the men’s 200m freestyle during the world swimming short course championships in Melbourne, Australia, on Sunday.

(AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

KEVIN Major Jr in action in this file photo.

Sydney Clarke, Elena Mackey lead the charge for the ladies

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

COLLEGIANS Sydney Clarke and Elana Mackey, the top seeded players, led the charge for the ladies during day one of the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s Giorgio Baldacci Open Nationals at the National Tennis Centre yesterday.

Top seed Clarke, a senior at the University of Arlington at Birmingham, pulled of a hard fought 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 win over Simone Pratt, while Mackey, the No.2 seed, easily secured a 6-0, 6-0 triumph over Saphirre Ferguson.

Today in the semifinals of the tournament, Clarke will be back in action when she faces Breann Ferguson, who won 7-5, 6-1 over Caila Bowe and Mackey goes up against Grand Bahamian Jalisa Clarke, who earned her berth with 6-2, 6-0 win over Genesis Missick.

From the tournament, the BLTA will take the first step to selecting the team to represent the Bahamas at the Billie Jean King Cup for ladies and the Davis Cup for the men for 2023.

In what turned out to be the toughest match played on the ladies’ side, Clarke said she was thrilled by the way she came through in the end.

“I’m very happy with the way I played,” Clarke said. “I didn’t panic. I just went out there mentally to get

the job done. When I was down and when I was up, I just kept my composure. I knew I had to press the gas and move on.”

In facing Ferguson, Clarke said she’s looking forward to playing her.

“With this tournament, it’s just me believing in myself,” said Clarke, the defending champion of the tournament. “I’ve been playing this for so long so once I believe in myself I will be alright.”

Ferguson, a 14-year-old home-schooled student, said it was a tough match against Bowe and she felt

she could have played a lot better.

“The first set, I was shaky and then I was able to close it out. In the second set, I got my rhythm back and I was able to pull it off,” Ferguson said. “I’m looking to playing Sydney Clarke and to see how well I can play against her.”

Pratt, who won the initial Open Nationals in 2012, said it was a good match for her to get her feet wet.

“I wished I could have won so I could play a little more matches,” said the 26-year-old Pratt, who hopes that she still gets a

were hoping that they would have played some of the younger guys, but they also joked about the possibility of facing each other instead.

“He played good in the first set, and I was able to bounce back in the second set,” Armbrister said.

“In the third, I started off shaky holding serve, but I was able to rally back. He just wanted it a little more than me.”

Number three seed Marvin Rolle, who never won the event, but played in two finals in 2013 (losing to Devin Mullings) and last year (to Spencer Newman), returned and also had to go to a third set before he won 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) over Philip Major Jr, the runner-up when the tournament was first held in 2012.

Rolle said as they were preparing for the tournament, they

FIFAFROM PAGE 11

When the final was a true classic on Sunday, Argentina winning on penalties after a 3-3 draw, it left everyone except France feeling like they won.

POLITICS

It was a most political World Cup. Before a game was played there was scrutiny of Qatar for its human rights record, employment practices and a years-long boycott by neighbouring states in which FIFA pushed for the Gulf region to share the tournament.

In the final weeks of preparation, Qatar pushed back more confidently against its critics – a process FIFA joined after teams and media arrived on site.

Infantino’s infamous “I feel gay, I feel a migrant worker” speech on November 19 hit many of the host nation’s talking points that alleged western hypocrisy and racism.

FIFA gave assurances in private — to European teams about captains wearing anti-discrimination armbands; to fans about wearing rainbow symbols; to World Cup sponsor AB InBev about selling Budweiser beer with alcohol at stadiums – that started

“PJ is an experienced player. He’s been on the Davis Cup team, so I expected it would be a good match,” Rolle said. “Credit to him. It’s unfortunate that we played each other in the first round. But if I could do as well as I did against him, I feel I can play well against anybody out here.”

Rolle, the veteran Davis Cupper as a player and captain, said at the age of 39, it’s surprising that he can perform as well as he’s doing.

“I’m just out there to have some fun,” said Rolle, who is about 10 years older than most of the players in the tournament.

to collapse. Bonds of trust were severely strained.

Pre-tournament talk of being open to supporting a compensation fund and better resources for migrant workers in Qatar was mostly shut down.

Qatar’s World Cup was a state-run project and it seemed clear who was in charge.

When European women lawmakers came to games wearing the “One Love” armband, Middle East officials started sporting a Palestinian armband.

When an Italian field invader displayed European activist messages, days later a Tunisian man did the same with a Palestinian flag.

During the tournament, basic operational detail was hard to get and most requests were ignored.

Routine briefings and news conferences at past World Cups, including Russia in 2018, did not happen.

A guiding principle seemed to be “never complain, never explain” for World Cup organisers.

FANS

The FIFA president is traditionally jeered at World Cup finals. It happened again on Sunday when Infantino was introduced for the trophy presentations.

Infantino also was booed when the TV broadcast showed him sitting in VVIP seats during the EnglandWales game. Both countries had armband and rainbow issues with FIFA, while British media extensively covered migrant labor issues.

Though Argentina and Morocco fans travelled in big numbers, fewer than expected Europeans came

to Qatar. The pre-tournament target was 1.2 million international visitors but the official total was less than 800,000 entering the final week.

Yet, when thousands of Morocco fans tried to arrive for an unexpected semifinal against France last Wednesday, several flights into Doha were cancelled to limit numbers.

High-priced accommodation like tents and cabins also seemed to put off visiting fans.

Empty seats at kickoff for most games would steadily fill by halftime.

There was evidence and anecdotes of residents in

chance to make the Billie Jean King Cup team. “I haven’t played in a competitive match in a long time, so I just wanted to have fun.”

In a rematch with Ferguson in last year’s tournament when she won 6-1, 6-0, Mackey said she was prepared for the showdown, although she hasn’t played any match in college as yet as the season won’t start until February.

“Last time I was a bit nervous, but I was looking forward to it,” said Mackey, who is also competing on their cross country and track team.

“I was looking for more women coming out and participating like Kerrie Cartwright and even Larikah Russell, but they are not participating.”

Jalisa Clarke, a 15-yearold ninth grader at Sunland Baptist Academy, said she felt she could have played better, but because she hasn’t played in a little while, she didn’t know what to expect coming into the tournament.

“I will just go out and play my best,” said Clarke about taking on Mackey.

The action is set to begin at 9am today.

“I love the game. I love beating these guys. I was hoping to play MJ, but maybe next time. I was getting ready to play guys like him.”

For Major Jr, who made his return as well after a three-year hiatus, it was a moral victory in his defeat.

“To play Marvin Rolle in the first round and to lose in three sets says a whole lot for me,” said Major Jr, who is now the director of tennis at Atlantis.

“I feel pretty motivated to continue and if there’s another trials, I think I will be in better shape, playing a lot more matches.

“But it was a lot of emotions out there, having not played in any competitive matches in three years. In the end for me, I felt like I won.”

VENUS WILLIAMS AWARDED WILD-CARD ENTRY FOR AUSTRALIAN OPEN

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Venus Williams has been awarded a wild-card entry to play at the Australian Open next month, 25 years after she played the Grand Slam tournament for the first time.

The 42-year-old Williams has reached the final twice in Australia, including a loss to her younger sister, Serena, in the 2017 championship match. She will be contesting the seasonopening major for the 22nd time.

“I’ve been competing in the country for over 20 years now and the Australian community has always supported me wholeheartedly,” the seven-time major winner said in a statement.

Venus and Serena Williams combined to win the Australian Open women’s doubles title four times and Venus also won the mixed doubles title in 1998 with fellow American Justin Gimelstob.

Serena Williams will not be contesting the January 16-29 tournament at Melbourne Park after announcing at the U.S. Open that she was ready to evolve away from tennis.

In two other matches played, Grand Bahamian Denali Nottage won 6-3, 6-1 over Sharano Hanna. Meanwhile, Dentry Mortimer pulled off a 6-0, 6-0 win over Cailan Bowe.

Jacobi Bain won by walk/over against Baker Newman.

Anthony Burrows won by W/O over Rudy Williams.

And Rodney Carey got a W/O over Jody Turnquest.

“My match was good. I was just trying to find my rhythm,” Nottage said.

“I’m excited every year they have it. I was looking forward to playing some of the older guys because I’m no longer a junior, so I have to prepare myself to play these guys.”

The tournament is scheduled to continue today at 9am.

from staging a bigger 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, by offering sponsors huge local markets and more games being played mostly in high-yield NFL stadiums.

Infantino said on Friday that FIFA’s fouryear forecast is for $11 billion through 2026. All 211 member federations will be getting millions more dollars from Zurich.

HIGH LIFE

FIFA leaders could stay in opulent Qatari hotels that opened just in time for the World Cup.

One base was the waterside Fairmont Hotel, nearly 40 stories high and shaped like a curved sword. It offered 18-karat gold tiles in the shower of some suites and a 56-meter (185foot) high chandelier in the lobby.

Qatar being taken to games and offered free tickets, and the host nation’s loudest cheer squad was fans brought from Lebanon and Syria.

When tournament attendance topped 3.4 million, it was unclear and went unanswered if the total included all the volunteers, catering and security staff who clocked in to work in stadiums.

MORE MONEY

This was a clear win for FIFA, despite a likely breach of contract issue to resolve with AB InBev.

FIFA reported higher than expected revenue of $7.5 billion for the four-year

commercial cycle tied to Qatar’s World Cup.

The World Cup was a tougher sell in the past decade when new sponsors came only from Russia and Qatar — two often problematic host nations — and China while prosecutors in the United States, Switzerland and France ran corruption investigations targeting soccer officials.

A late run of sponsor signings for this World Cup included tourism in Saudi Arabia and Las Vegas, plus companies in the online gambling, cryptocurrency and blockchain sectors.

Most deals now expire and FIFA plans to cash in

Coupled with an unprecedented level of security at a World Cup, it added to the feel of FIFA isolating in an ivory tower. While France’s President Emmanuel Macron went for a brief walkabout at the main market in Doha, Infantino almost never met ordinary fans.

One regular Infantino companion was a celebrity chef famed for painting gold leaf on steaks that costs hundreds of dollars at his restaurants.

The chef, known as Salt Bae, also seemed to breach World Cup protocol by holding the gold trophy when joining the Argentina players on the field on Sunday for post-game celebrations.

For veteran FIFA watchers, it was an apt final symbol for the World Cup in Qatar.

MARVIN ROLLE

SYDNEY CLARKE

SIMONE PRATT

ELENA MACKEY

A PITCH invader runs across the field with a rainbow flag during the World Cup group H soccer match between Portugal and Uruguay, at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, on November 28.

(AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Eagan Neely crowned Athlete of the Year

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

ALL of the sacrifices and hard work paid off for Eagan Neely as he was crowned the Red-Line Athletics Club’s 20022 Athlete of the Year.

The honour was bestowed upon the 14-yearold sprinter during the club’s Christmas party and awards ceremony that was held at the National Training Agency on Sunday.

After receiving the biggest trophy presented during the ceremony, Neely said it was something that he envisioned after running a lifetime best of 22.94 seconds in the 200 metres and 52.17 in the 400m.

“I worked hard and practiced as much as possible,” said the 13-year-old eighth grader at St Augustine’s College. “I just wanted to put God first because he’s everything to me.

“I appreciate what the coaches saw in me because my mother always pushed me and she encouraged me to rely on God. She always told me to run for time and not to worry about anybody else. My season was very successful. I had a very good season and I hope to do it again next year and hopefully I can make the CARIFTA team.”

Neely, the youngest recipient of the award, follows in the footsteps of previous winners Megan Moss, Shimar Bain and Lacarthea Cooper. He thanked coaches Tito Moss and Michael Armbrister, the rest of the coaching staff and his mother Tanya Gray for pushing him.

The coaches’ award went to Morgan Moss, a 16-yearold grade 11 student at SAC. “I feel good. I didn’t expect it. But I’m glad that I won it because I worked hard this season,” Moss said. “I had a good season, although I missed CARIFTA. I just hope that I can do it again and this time make the CARIFTA team, especially since it’s going to be at home.”

Winning the Michael Armbrister Leadership Award was 400m/400m hurdler Shimar Bain, who has his bags packed and ready to head out to Tiffin University in Ohio on January 4 where he wants to leave his mark as a record

holder and a NCAA Division II champion in both the 400 and 400m hurdles where he has ran personal best times of 48.34 and 52.83 respectively.

“Receiving this award means a lot to me,” said Bain, a 2022 graduate of SAC. “It shows to me that I’ve done my part as a senior member of the club, making the younger athletes look up to me as they show them the path to go.

“I’m glad that coach Armbrister saw the leadership that I displayed and he saw it fit to name me as the recipient.”

The female scholar of the year was Jade Hudson and the male scholar was Tyler Frazier, both 14-yearold ninth graders at SAC.

“I’m excited, but I know I couldn’t do it without the help of my mommy and God,” said Hudson, who posted an accumulative grade point average of 3.98.

“I just need to trust God and do my best. Hopefully next year, I can lower my times and keep my grades up.”

For Frazer, who produced an accumulative GPA of 3.69 and has ran PRs of 11.7 in the 100m and 23.8 in the 200m, his efforts was inspired by his parents, who stuck with him through the whole experience.

“They reminded me to do my work and just stay with the course. I couldn’t do it without them and with God’s help,” Frazier said.

“It was really hard, but after practice, I go right home and get my homework done and just study.”

Jazmyn Demeritte was named as the female newcomer of the year, while the most improved athlete was Sean Marshall.

The female collegiate was Megan Moss and the male collegiate was Showalter Johnson.

National Team Awards - Shimar Bain, Quinton Rolle, Tumani Skinner, Nya Wright, Adrian Curry and Megan Moss.

Athletes honoured for being named to the Bahamas national teams were Shimar Bain, Quinton Rolle, Tumani Skinner, Nya Wright, Adrian Curry and Megan Moss.

Outstanding athletes awards for the various categories included – Under-7 girl - Jazmyn Demeritte; under-9 girl - Jayda Butler and Kailee Knowles as honorable mention; Under-11 boy - Jaden Allen; under-13 girlDeveigh Farrington and Demetria Major as honorable mention; under-15 girl - Madison Moss and Azarria Marshall as honorable mention; under-15 boy - Eagan Neely and Quincy Rolle as honorable mention; under-17 girl - Nya Wright and Kennedi Knowles as honorable mention; under-17 boy - Quinton Rolle and Tumani Skinner as honorable mention; under-20 girl - Ezthia Maycock and Shanai Sweeting as honorable mention and under-20 boy - Shimar Bain and Jaydin Plakaris as honorable mention.

Male Newcomer of the Year- Quinton Rolle

Athletes earning the scholar awards were Ezthia

Maycock, Jade Hudson, Kennedi Knowles, Kaelen Knowles, Jonathan Fowler, Jayden Allen, Jazmyn Demeritte, Kennedy Hanna, Tyler Frazier, Jayda Butler, Kemora Gibson, Bayli Major, Nya Wright, Daveigh Farrington, D Angelo Collie, Xandria Williams, Kevan Saunders, Eagen Neely, Kailee Knowles, Armani Blanc and Jaden Clarke.

Moss also awarded his coaching staff that inluded Earl Rahming, Kryshell Rolle, Kyle Higgs, Michael Armbrister and Rachante Colebrooke, while his wife, Nekeva Moss, Mark Knowles, Shanique Russell and Thalise Maycock were honoured as the support staff.

And acknowledged for their contributions and support in receiving the parents awards were Desra Price, John Clarke, Anastacia Johnsoin, Jacquel Demeritte and Melissa Major.

Tito Moss, the head coach of Red-Line Athletics, said the awards presented was just an indication of the hard work turned in by their athletes during the course of the season on and off the track.

“Last year we had an awesome season. We had a number of athletes like Shimar Bain, Nya Wright, Tumani Skinner, Quinton Rolle, Megan Moss and Adrian Curry all making the national teams,” Moss said. “Red-Line is the club of choice and we want to continue to build on what we started. This is going into our fifth year and we just want to continue to

grow and have an even more successful 2022/2023 season like we did in the 2021-2022 season.”

With the club grown by an additional 25 members, Moss said they want to continue to mold and groom them as they become acclimated with the old members.

As a new member of the executive team of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations, serving as the vice president for technical operations, Moss said he has his work cut out for him, but he believes that the club is in good hands.

Armbrister, who will be relied upon to pick up some of the slack left behind by Moss, said they have a solid coaching staff that will be able to weather any storm and to get the best out of the athletes.

“We see the chemistry growing over the years and we hope that it will continue,” Armbrister said.

“We know that coach Moss is a hard worker and although he’s now on the BAAA executive, he will continue to lead this club.”

Clinton Laguerre, speaking on behalf of the class of 2023, stressed that while they have not yet “purchased a gift for him,” they “trust in coach Moss” to get the best out of them as they “trust the process.”

After getting their season started on Saturday at the BAAA Odd Distance Track Meet, Moss said his Red-Line Athletics Club is looking forward to the 2023 season with the first of their two meets to be staged on January 28.

AHMED PUTS ENGLAND ON BRINK OF MEMORABLE 3-0 WIN IN PAKISTAN

By RIZWAN ALI AP Sports Writer

KARACHI, Pakistan

(AP) — Legspinner Rehan Ahmed became the youngest men’s test cricketer to claim a five-wicket haul on his debut and put England on the brink of an historic 3-0 sweep in its first test tour to Pakistan in 17 years.

Pakistan’s batters crumbled for 216 in the second innings of the third and final test as the 18-year-old Ahmed grabbed 5-48 and Jack Leach (3-72) claimed all three of his wickets in the space of six deliveries on Day 3 to leave England a modest target of 167 runs. Ben Duckett (50 not out) and Zak Crawley (41) motored England to 112-2 by stumps with their aggressive “Bazball” brand of batting — named after their coach Brendon McCullum.

England needs a further 55 runs to register its second successive win inside four days following its thrilling 26-run victory at Multan last week. England won the first test by 74 runs in dimming light on the last day on a flat wicket in Rawalpindi.

“I just try to enjoy it as much as I could,” said Ahmed, who became the youngest England cricketer to make his debut at the age of 18 years, 126 days.

“This feels like the happiest day of my life ... I still don’t think it has sunk in yet, but yes I am very, very grateful.”

Crawley and Duckett plundered 87 runs off 69 balls before mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed grabbed two late wickets. Crawley was adjudged leg before wicket while attempting a sweep and Rehan Ahmed (10), promoted up the order, smacked two boundaries before he swiped and got clean bowled.

Harry Brook’s third successive century had given England a 50-run first innings lead when it replied with 354 after dismissing Pakistan for 304, with Ahmed and Leach sharing six wickets between them.

Pakistan, staring at its first ever 3-0 whitewash at home, lost the last seven wickets for 52 runs in the second innings as Ahmed stifled the middle-order with his sharp googlies and legspin.

Captain Babar Azam (54) hit his third half century in the last four innings and Saud Shakeel (53) made his fourth fifty in his debut series before Ahmed left the lower order clueless on a wicket which has a variable bounce and slow turn from Day 1.

Babar and Shakeel had rebuilt Pakistan’s hopes with a 110-run stand before both fell late in the second session to Ahmed.

“I have let down my team and couldn’t convert fifties into big hundreds for four times in the series,” Shakeel said. “We lost back to back wickets twice in a day and we accept our mistakes. We should have set them a much stiffer target.”

seasons, the Broncos finished 6-10 in 1999.

Stabler, who won 11 straight from 1975-80. The four-time MVP’s lone touchdown pass was a 7-yarder to Jones, who rushed for 90 yards and had four catches for 36 yards.

Rodgers’ latest Monday night victory came in freezing conditions. The temperature was 15 degrees (minus-9 celsius) with a wind chill of 7 just before the opening kickoff.

The Rams (4-10) have matched the highest loss total by any defending Super Bowl champion. When John Elway retired after leading Denver to consecutive Super Bowl titles in the 1997 and 1998

Los Angeles played this game without several notable injured players, including three-time defensive player of the year Aaron Donald and AllPro receiver Cooper Kupp.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield made his first Rams start with injuries sidelining Matthew Stafford and John Wolford.

Mayfield had rallied the Rams to a 17-16 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on December 8, less than 48 hours after they had claimed him off waivers from Carolina. Mayfield wasn’t as effective Monday, going 12 of 21 for 111 yards with a touchdown

and interception. He was sacked five times while working behind an offensive line missing center Brian Allen, who injured a

calf on the game’s first play from scrimmage. Preston Smith recorded two sacks for Green Bay. The Rams also Got field goals of 33

and 55 yards from Matt Gay, who also sent an extrapoint attempt wide right. Gay’s 55-yarder matched the third-longest field goal anyone has ever made at Lambeau Field.

Mason Crosby had a 34-yard field goal for Green Bay while playing his 255th consecutive regular-season game to tie Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre for the longest streak in franchise history.

After Gay and Crosby traded field goals early in the game, Green Bay pulled ahead thanks mainly to Dillon, the 6-foot, 247pound running back whose bruising style thrives in this type of weather. Facing fourth-and-3 from the 17,

the Packers passed up a field-goal attempt and instead handed the ball to Dillon, who ran for 4 yards. Dillon then put Green Bay ahead for good with an 8-yard touchdown run in which he pushed Rams defenders backward for the last yard or so.

The Packers led 10-6 at halftime and broke the game open by scoring touchdowns on their first two drives of the second half.

Rodgers’ 7-yard touchdown pass to Jones put the Packers ahead 24-6.

LA cut the lead to 24-12 on Mayfield’s 8-yard completion to Tyler Higbee, the first touchdown catch by a Rams tight end this season.

EAGAN Neely receives the Red-Line Athletics’ Athlete of the Year award.

BAAA president Drumeco Archer shares a moment with the Red-Line Athletics’ most outstanding and honorary mentioned athletes at Red-Line Art.

PACKERS running back AJ Dillon (28) runs in for a touchdown between Rams cornerback Nick Scott (33) and defensive tackle Michael Hoecht (97) in the first half last night. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)

MARIPOSA GOLD DROPS WIN FIRST HORSE SHOW OF THE YEAR

THE Bahamas Interscholastic Equestrian League (BIEL) swung back into action last weekend, holding its first show of the year at Mariposa Stables.

Four teams comprised of 20 young riders from different schools participated in the competition, which was won by the Mariposa Gold Drops.

Second place went to the Mariposa Monarchs.

The Camperdown Equestrian Centre (CEC) Sand

Dollars and the CEC Blue Marlins, both hampered by the fact that they were short a rider, placed third and fourth respectively.

Founded in 2017, BIEL competitions have been a perennial favourite among junior riders because of the team emphasis and the unique format, based on collegiate competition rules, in which riders and horses are matched by random draw. “The horse draw is exciting,” said

Hannah Ritchie, a member of the CEC Sand Dollars team and a 10th-grader at Saint Augustine’s College.

“It’s a challenge to ride a totally unfamiliar horse in the show ring.”

Equestrian Bahamas president Cathy RamsinghPierre expressed relief that the BIEL shows are continuing to draw interest from riders.

“BIEL was formed as part of our mandate to provide affordable competitions on

a level playing field for all riders.

“Last year we partnered with the US-based Interscholastic Equestrian League (IEA) with great success, but unfortunately due to circumstances beyond our control this partnership is in hiatus.

“So we are continuing to hold the shows at the local level only, but with the same spirit of teamwork and sportsmanship. It’s nice to see that the trainers and

athletes continue to buy into the concept.”

Last year 14 riders qualified through BIEL competitions to ride at the IEA Zone 4 Finals in Tryon, North Carolina, with four riders winning ribbons and one – Ella Saidi – qualifying to ride at the National Finals in Harrisburg, ultimately placing 2nd.

“We hope to be able to work with the IEA again at some point,” said Ramsingh-Pierre.

Murray hits late free throws, lifts Hawks over Magic 126-125

ATLANTA (AP) —

Dejounte Murray hit a pair of decisive free throws with 1.3 seconds left, Trae Young had 37 points and 13 assists, and the Atlanta Hawks held off the Orlando Magic 126-125 last night to snap their sixgame winning streak.

Orlando went on a 12-0 run over 2:17 late in the fourth quarter to wipe out a 13-point deficit and take a 125-124 lead on Markelle Fultz’s layup with 3.8 seconds remaining. Young inbounded from the sideline, and Murray drew a foul from Paolo Banchero. Murray hit both free throws, and Banchero missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

The Magic were trying for their first seven-game winning streak since January 2011. Before the surge, Orlando had lost nine in a row.

Atlanta welcomed Murray and John Collins back from injuries. Collins, who finished with 12 points, missed the last eight games and Murray, who had 17, the past five.

CAVALIERS 122, JAZZ 99

CLEVELAND (AP) — Donovan Mitchell scored 23 points in his first game against his former team and Jarrett Allen added 20, as Cleveland won its fourth straight.

The Cavs hold the NBA’s best home record, 15-2.

Darius Garland added 17 and Cedi Osman had 22 for Cleveland, which pushed an 18-point halftime lead to 23 in the third and coasted.

Lauri Markkanen scored 24 — 22 in the first half — and Jordan Clarkson, yet another former Cavs player, added 23 for Utah,

which has lost six straight on the road.

76ERS 104, RAPTORS 101, OT PHILADELPHIA (AP)

— Tobias Harris hit a 3-pointer in overtime that put Philadelphia ahead to stay, and Joel Embiid had 28 points, 11 rebounds and four assists as the 76ers extended their winning streak to a season-best five games.

James Harden added 14 points for Philadelphia, which has won the first five games of a seven-game homestand, the Sixers’ longest of the season.

The 76ers won despite a stellar performance from Toronto All-Star forward Pascal Siakam, whose 38-point performance was the highest point total allowed by 76ers this season. Siakam added 15 rebounds, six assists and strong defense down the stretch in a losing effort.

SPURS 124, ROCKETS 105 HOUSTON (AP) — Devin Vassell had 26 points and San Antonio rolled over Houston to snap a two-game skid.

The Spurs won the matchup of the two worst teams in the Western Conference despite missing leading scorer Keldon Johnson, who averages more than 21 points a game. Johnson was out with a bruised lower back.

Alperen Sengun had 22 points and Kevin Porter Jr. added 15 for the Rockets, who dropped their third straight.

TIMBERWOLVES 116, MAVERICKS 106

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)

— Anthony Edwards had 27 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists to lead Minnesota over the unglued

the Lakers during the regular season.

Dallas, who lost star Luca Doncic and coach Jason Kidd to successive ejections late in the third quarter.

Naz Reid pitched in 27 points and 13 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who kept up their energy from a franchise-record 150-point performance to beat Chicago a night earlier.

Doncic had a seasonlow 19 points on 5-for-17 shooting.

Spencer Dinwiddie had 20 points and seven assists, and Christian Wood chipped in 15 points and 13 rebounds for the Mavericks, who stay in town for a rematch against the Wolves on Wednesday.

BUCKS 128, PELICANS 119

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo had 42 points and 10 rebounds in his return from a one-game absence

TIP-INS

Paul had his best scoring game of the season in Booker’s absence, shooting 9 of 18 from the field, including 3 of 5 from 3-point range. The 12-time All-Star had a slow start to the year, coming into the game averaging a careerlow 11.1 points per game, but he’s been more productive over the past few weeks since returning from a heel injury.

The Suns have won three straight games, bouncing back after dropping five in a row. All five starters scored at least 15 points.

Phoenix also has a sixgame winning streak over

Phoenix led by 26 points early in the third quarter, but the Lakers cut that advantage to 91-77 late in the third.

The Suns responded with back-to-back 3-pointers from Ish Wainright and Landry Shamet and took a 99-77 lead into the final quarter.

Dennis Schroder led the Lakers with a season-high 30 points. He shot 12 of 19 from the field.

The Suns jumped out to a 38-24 lead, shooting 66.7% in the first quarter. Paul scored 14 points.

Torrey Craig made a wideopen 3-pointer just before the halftime buzzer to give the Suns a 68-44 advantage.

Lakers: G Austin Reaves (right ankle sprain) and G Juan Toscano-Anderson (right ankle sprain) were not available.

Suns: Ayton returned after missing two games.

... Along with Booker, F Cameron Johnson (right meniscus tear), F/C Jock Landale (concussion), G Cameron Payne (right foot strain) and G Duane Washington Jr. (left hip muscle strain) were not available.

... Hosted a 43rd consecutive sellout crowd. ... Craig scored 17 points on his 32nd birthday.

UP NEXT Lakers: Travel to face Sacramento on Wednesday.

Suns: Host Washington tonight.

and Milwaukee held off a late New Orleans surge. Brook Lopez mixed in four 3-pointers with opportunistic play in the paint to score 30 points for the Bucks, who led by as many as 18 points in the fourth quarter before the Pelicans pulled to 117-114 on CJ McCollum’s fade away. Milwaukee maintained a double-digit lead for long stretches while frustrating Pelicans star power forward Zion Williamson for most of the game.

Jonas Valanciunas scored a season-high 37 points and grabbed 18 rebounds for New Orleans, but he hit just one of his career hightying seven 3-pointers in the second half.

THUNDER 123, TRAIL BLAZERS 121

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai GilgeousAlexander hit a baseline jumper as time expired,

and Oklahoma City defeated Portland to ruin Damian Lillard’s recordsetting night.

Gilgeous-Alexander drove to his left and drained a 14-foot pullup over Justise Winslow. The shot capped a 35-point performance for Gilgeous-Alexander.

Lillard made a reverse layup with 3.5 seconds remaining to tie it. He scored 28 points to surpass Clyde Drexler’s franchise career scoring record. Lillard entered the night needing 21 to move ahead of him. Lillard tied Drexler’s mark on a 3-pointer in the third quarter, then broke the mark on a free throw with 1:33 left in the period. Moments later, the Thunder public address announcer informed the crowd of Lillard’s accomplishment, and the crowd gave him an ovation.

“In the meantime, the federation continues to actively explore opportunities to expose our athletes to international competition.”

The Bahamas Interscholastic Equestrian League is a series of three competitions, culminating in a National Championship.

The next BIEL competition is scheduled to be held at the Camperdown Equestrian Centre in February, 2023.

“President Biden, you brought me home and I know you are committed to bringing Paul Whelan and all Americans home too,” Griner said. “I will use my platform to do whatever I can to help you. I also encourage everyone that played a part in bringing me home to continue their efforts to bring all Americans home. Every family deserves to be whole.”

Whelan’s brother David said last week in a statement that he was “so glad” for Griner’s release but also disappointed for his family. He credited the White House with giving the Whelan family advance notice and said he did not fault officials for making the deal.

“The Biden administration made the right decision to bring Ms Griner home, and to make the deal that was possible, rather than waiting for one that wasn’t going to happen,” he said.

Griner also thanked the military staff and medical team in Texas, where she was receiving care after returning to the US last week. She wrote that she would “transition home to enjoy the holidays with my family” but did not say where.

While WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert said she was going to give Griner all the time she needed to decide whether she wanted to play basketball again, Griner made it clear that: “I intend to play basketball for the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury this season, and in doing so, I look forward to being able to say ‘thank you’ to those of you who advocated, wrote, and posted for me in person soon.”

“Amazing timing for her to be home before the holidays,” Engelbert told the AP in an interview Thursday. “It’s a great story for all who know her.”

The Mercury open the season on the road against the Los Angeles Sparks on May 19. The team’s first home game is two days later against the Chicago Sky.

ALL SMILES after the first BIEL show of the year. L-R: 1st place Mariposa Gold Drops Team; 2nd place Mariposa Monarchs Team; Trainer Erika Adderley (foreground); 3rd place CEC Sand Dollars Team;

Trainer Kimberly Johnson; 4th place CEC Blue Marlins Team.

Whelan, the case resolved last week with a prisoner swap in which the WNBA star was exchanged in the United Arab Emirates for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

ATLANTA Hawks guard Trae Young (11) dribbles past Orlando Magic centre Moritz Wagner (21) during the first half yesterday in Atlanta. (AP Photo/ Hakim Wright Sr)

DEANDRE Ayton wears a Brittney Griner shirt on the bench against the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday. (AP Photo/Matt York)

SUNS centre Deandre Ayton shoots over Lakers centre Thomas Bryant (31) during the second half in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)