12222020 NEWS AND SPORT

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VOLUME:118 No.22, DECEMBER 22, 2020

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

WOMAN: HOW TO TREAT YOUR MAN RIGHT THIS CHRISTMAS

DRILLING BEGINS ...but Bethel says govt will negotiate a bigger share if oil is found

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

ATTORNEY General Carl Bethel assured Bahamians that the government intends to renegotiate the scale of royalty fees if commercial quantities of oil are found in the country.

His statement came the same day Bahamas Petroleum Company announced it had begun drilling its exploratory well in Bahamian waters.

Mr Bethel accused the Christie administration of “gross negligence” by “short-changing” the Bahamian people out of higher royalties from the deal it

left in place before being voted out of office.

“I wish to assure the Bahamian people on behalf of the government of the Bahamas that, should commercial quantities of oil be found, and should permission to extract the same be given, the government will certainly renegotiate the scale of royalty fees which will be paid, both to the Consolidated Fund, but also to the Sovereign Wealth Fund, for the immediate benefit of every Bahamian,” Mr Bethel told the Senate yesterday.

He sought to address what he described as “certain erroneous SEE PAGE THREE

THE STENA IceMAX drillship

AG: FISHERIES BILL IS GOING NOWHERE FAST NOT DISCRIMINATORY

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

ATTORNEY General Carl Bethel has defended the Fisheries Bill 2020 against criticism that it is discriminatory, saying the government wants to preserve an area of the economy for exclusive Bahamian utilisation and benefit.

The bill, passed in the Senate yesterday, has been heavily criticised because it prevents foreign spouses of Bahamians from engaging in commercial fishing.

Speaking to pushback over the bill, Mr Bethel said he’s seen what the critics have said but he believed their position “doesn’t quite logically follow” the intention of the legislation.

Former Prime Minister

Hubert Ingraham, in a letter published in yesterday’s Tribune also criticised the section of the Bill that excluded spouses of Bahamians from commercial fishing. This supported the position held by East Grand Bahama MP Peter Turnquest who also criticised the bill last week.

As he spoke on this issue, Mr Bethel declared support for another gender equality referendum, saying the next administration that wins the general election should put forth another vote on the issue. This comes despite the fact that Bahamians have overwhelmingly rejected previous attempts to address disparities in the constitution – most recently in 2016 and in 2002 in a constitutional referendum, SEE PAGE FIVE

CELEBRATE MEN - WHO CAN BE VULNERABLE TOO

SEE PAGE EIGHT

TRAFFIC jams on the streets yesterday as roads backed up in the Christmas rush. There were long delays in traffic around Potter’s Cay dock as people took packages to the mailboats or collected deliveries - while other areas saw delays in the late shopping rush.

Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

‘PAY NURSES FOR WORKING IN PANDEMIC’

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Nurses Union said it is giving Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis until December 31 to pay nurses what they are owed for giving service amid the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting the government should be sued over the matter.

BNU President Amancha

AMANCHA WILLIAMS Williams called the government dishonest as she said not only has it failed to pay nurses a promised

COVID-19 stipend, but the promised overtime to nurses at a certain rate has also not been paid.

Nurse Williams said: “My government has promised the essential service (workers) an honorary gift. Pay day is today and we have yet to see the honorary gift. The prime minister has until the 31st of December because he promised me that he was going to pay

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE FOUR

HOW FREE IS OUR SPEECH?

SEE PAGE NINE

BAHAMIAN DIES IN CUSTODY OF US IMMIGRATION

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

ANTHONY Jones, a Bahamian, died on December 17 while in the custody of US Immigration and Enforcement (ICE) at the Adams County Detention Center in Natchez, Mississippi.

SEE PAGE TEN

PAGE 2, Tuesday, December 22, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

FESTIVE PRIZES IN SHELL GIVEAWAY SHELL licensee Sun Oil Limited has given away $30,000 in cash and prizes this holiday season.

The Shell Gives Joy promotion has seen dozens of customers randomly selected from social media entries for a chance to spin a prize wheel loaded with cash and prizes.

Rufus Johnson Jr, Sun Oil’s marketing manager said the holiday promotion provides customers with a chance to win prizes that will bring a feeling of joy.

He said: “This year, our commitment to inject $30,000 in cash and prizes into our community will

benefit customers in meaningful ways. Our cash prizes aim to directly assist winners with their rent or mortgage payments. We will also provide thousands of dollars in gift certificates.”

The promotion ends on January 8. Mr Johnson said: “Our grand prize winner will receive a cheque for $3,000 and we will distribute other prizes for rental or mortgage assistance.”

To enter, submit receipts via email at winwithshell@ sunoilbahamas.com, Whatsapp at 242-422-0271 or through Facebook. Customers must spend $20 in fuel to be eligible to win.

$3m contract signed for Cat Island water

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

A $3M CONTRACT was signed yesterday between the Water and Sewerage Corporation and Island Site Development Company to bring potable water to hundreds of residents in Cat Island for the first time, marking an end to what officials called a long and difficult chapter.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, Deputy Prime Minister and Works Minister Desmond Bannister and WSC executive chairman Adrian Gibson attended the event. They all described the signing as an historic and monumental day for the island.

“Today, is truly a great day,” Dr Minnis said in Cat Island. “We are gathered to witness the signing of a contract for the provision of the initial stages of piped potable water for the first time in the history of Cat Island.

“Sadly, this is a matter which was neglected by some who had the ability to do more for you, but who failed to do so. But that is the past. To use a wellknown quote, ‘that past is water under the bridge.’

My government is looking to your future where good potable water will be flowing into your homes, your business and public facilities, like your clinics and schools.”

Saying his government is committed to creating a brighter future for Cat Island residents, Dr Minnis also pledged that the government will continue to undertake initiatives to improve residents’ quality of life.

“We will continue to bolster health facilities and education, including, in this internet age, access to telemedicine and online education,” he said, adding that locals can look

EXECUTIVE chairman of the Water and Sewerage Corporation Adrian Gibson, seated right, at the Cat Island water supply contract signing in Cat Island yesterday. Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, standing centre, with ceremony officials, gave an address.

Photo: Yontalay Bowe/BIS forward to seeing more works in the pipeline for Cat Island.

Similar sentiments were also expressed by Mr Bannister, who promised that the government will not abandon Cat Island.

He said: “This Minnis administration is going to ensure that the job is finished for Cat Island…

I promise you just like I promised the people of Long Island last week, we will not leave you Cat Island until everyone in Cat Island is able to have potable water.”

Phase one of the project, which is expected to be completed in a year, includes 12 miles of pipe installation on two lots on Cat Island which will facilitate some 290 water connections.

The move will allow residents of Wilson Bay, Bennett’s Harbour and New Bight, Doud’s and Moss Town and Old Bight to receive potable water for the first time.

Saying the move was a long time in the making, Mr Gibson noted that for too long Cat Island residents have been suffering without a reliable potable water supply.

Recalling his first experience recognising the issue,

he said: “When I visited Cat Island in 2018, I saw people toting water. Others were lined up at the stand pipes and community tanks and putting containers on their trucks. I was shocked to discover that no part of Cat Island had piped water supply.

“Well, Christmas is coming early for you, Cat Island. The Minnis administration made a commitment to you and today, we are here to deliver upon that commitment. Our word is our bond.

“This will be the first ever installation of water mains on the entire island.”

Mr Gibson also highlighted the government’s plans to have two reverse osmosis plants constructed to ensure that residents have access to sustainable potable water.

“It should be noted that both areas/lots will be fed via two newly constructed reverse osmosis plants – one if each area/lot and that is Bennett’s Harbour in the north and Doud’s in the South. Construction of these plants will be executed under a separate contract.”

He said quality water supply for all Bahamians remains top priority for the government.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, December 22, 2020, PAGE 3

Drilling begins from page one

statements” made by PLP Leader Philip “Brave” Davis recently in the House of Assembly that the Free National Movement government had issued the original lease and approvals for such exploration, and that the Progressive Liberal Party government had subsequently “improved” the terms of the approvals.

BPC, meanwhile, announced yesterday morning it had started drilling of the exploratory well, Perseverance #1. The company said the well was “spud” on December 20 at 6.30 EST. The well is anticipated to take 45 - 60 days to complete.

The Tribune reached out to BPC on Mr Bethel’s pledge to renegotiate royalties, but was told no comment would be made.

However, in a statement on the start of the drilling, BPC CEO Simon Potter said the company viewed it as a “momentous milestone”, adding the highest environmental and safety standards would be followed.

Mr Potter said: “We are very pleased to announce that the drilling of the exploratory well, Perseverance #1 has commenced – the well has been spud.

This is a momentous milestone for both BPC and The Bahamas and represents the culmination of more than ten years’ work by a team who have remained steadfast in their belief in this project throughout – that it is finally taking place is a testament to the application, skill and professionalism of many people over those years.

“The well will be drilled to the highest

environmental and safety standards over the next 45 - 60 days. Our shareholders have been extremely patient, but we are now within a couple of months of understanding the scale of potential resource uplift that might be accessed within the licences: a potential uplift that is the traditional domain of the ‘oil majors’.

“More than a decade ago BPC secured several offshore hydrocarbon licences in the far-southern waters of The Bahamas. Convinced of the compelling prospectivity of those licences, the company has spent close to $120m bettering our technical understanding, continuing to de-risk the play, and ultimately preparing meticulously for exploration drilling.

“Our 3D seismic survey revealed structures that have the potential to contain a world-class, multibillion barrel oil resource that, if present in the way we hope, could prove to be transformative – not just for our company, but for the nation and people of the

Bahamas as a whole.”

This comes on the heels of continued pushback by environmentalists.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has also voiced his opposition to oil drilling in Bahamian waters, but said his administration met an agreement already in place.

Activists have applied for a judicial review in the Supreme Court to block the drilling, however, the matter has not yet been heard.

Yesterday, Mr Bethel said the original approval for oil drilling and leases of ocean floor areas for the purposes of oil exploration were given and executed by the first Christie administration on April 26, 2007 and not by the FNM. The law firm which incorporated and acted for the oil company in 2007 was Davis & Co, Mr Davis’ firm.

“The renewal of those leases, with minor changes, was executed by the second Perry Christie administration, on the 8th June 2015,” Mr Bethel said.

“At no stage did any

FNM government ever issue or renew any lease of ocean floor for the purposes of oil exploration or drilling. The renewal of the leases by the PLP government in June of 2015 incorporated and extended the original lease issued by the PLP government in April 2007. However, the only change in the renewed lease was an increase in the rental fee from $57,500 for each tract of ocean floor that was leased to $250,000 for each tract leased.

“Contrary to what was asserted by the leader of the opposition, the PLP merely ‘improved’ on this aspect of their grant to BPC; not on any grant by the FNM - which never granted anything.

“Significantly, what was not changed was the amount of ‘royalties’ which would be payable to The Bahamas government in right of the Bahamian people, should commercial quantities of oil be found.”

Mr Bethel said in 2016, the PLP passed a new Petroleum Act, which then specified two methods of calculating royalties.

Despite this, he said the same rate of royalties, based upon a low percentage of the “net petroleum won and saved from the licensed area” was maintained by the PLP, without any change.

“This original provision was not in accordance with the law under which it was purportedly issued, because the price from the well in the old Act was not tied to the ‘net value’ of petroleum. It set a basic rate of ‘not less than 12.5 percent on the selling value’ of oil produced at the wellhead.

This was a royalty based upon the selling price, not the ‘net’ value.

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

ACTIVISTS have described Bahamas Petroleum Company’s exploratory oil drilling as a “travesty” and a “sad day” in the country.

BPC “spud” an oil well on Sunday as environmentalists await word from the Supreme Court about its application for a judicial review over the process.

Joseph Darville, of Save the Bays, called the event a “travesty” with respect to the laws of the country

and the supreme authority, which rests in the courts of the Bahamas.

“We were hoping by now we would’ve gotten some answer from the judge who is handling this situation, but up to now there hasn’t been any sort of discussion made by the judge with respect one way or another and also Simon Potter himself (CEO of BPC) has large opposition to our presentation in the courts and one would’ve thought he would have the decency and respect of a sovereign nation to wait until the courts determine

whether or not he had full authority to proceed with the drilling,” Mr Darville said.

“Now there are a multitude of objections that have already been raised on many, many levels but there has never ever been any consultation with the environmental groups in the Bahamas with respect to the impact that it would have on our seabed and into the ocean if there were a spill and it’s not a matter of if – it’s a matter of when there will be.

“For him to ….. go ahead and do it in contravention

of this particular action is yet to be determined, it tells you plain and simply that he has no regard, no respect for the sovereignty of this nation and for the people that are striving to keep our environment and particularly our ocean clean.

“I cannot believe that is happening in our sovereign independent nation,” he said. “They are the modernday pirates. The pirates have not yet been expelled from our country.”

Earlier this month, it was reported that the two environmental groups filed a

PROTESTORS with signs opposing oil drilling.

“The PLP government in 2016 did not change the level of royalty payments, and apparently was content merely to receive between 12.5 percent and 25 percent of the value of extracted petroleum, after the oil company had deducted all their investment and production costs.

“Clearly the PLP government was content to be a subject to the accounting practices of the oil company, in calculating what they say was their costs of operation and return on investment; and content to accept a miserably low rate of taxation or royalties on that amount.”

He continued: “This raises some questions because in 2014 the PLP government had already received the advice of the Commonwealth Secretariat on how to maximise the revenue payable to the Bahamian government in right of the Bahamian people; yet, curiously, in 2015 when they renewed the leases, the PLP government did not change method of calculating the royalty fee, despite the advice received from the Commonwealth Secretariat, even though their attention had been specifically drawn to the low royalty fees contained in the original lease. The deal was simply renewed by the PLP government without any change; knowing full well that the Bahamas government and the Bahamian people were being short-changed.

“The terms of the original leases as to the amount of royalties payable, which were continued, without change by the PLP, either reflect gross negligence by the PLP government in 2007 and 2015, or they reflect something else. Was

it intentional?”

Mr Bethel said in 2019, the government again consulted the Commonwealth Secretariat, who again advised that the royalty regime did not meet the international standard, which exceeded 60 percent of revenue from the oil well.

“In fact, the ‘profit share’ varied between 45 percent and 75 percent of the net selling value, with a global average of around 60 percent. But it could actually be as high as 75 percent of the profits. The PLP left the amount at a maximum of 25 percent, having been advised, as we were advised, that the correct rate on net petroleum revenue should be no less than 45 percent, and possibly as high as 75 percent.

“The PLP government had been advised by the Commonwealth Secretariat, as we were subsequently advised, that the global standard rate of royalty payments for oil production is between 45 percent and 75 percent of net value of any oil extracted.

“Yet in 2007 the PLP set a ridiculously low level, of an average of between 12 percent and 25 percent on a sliding scale, which was agreed. In 2015, the PLP increased the rent payment for the ocean floor but did not change the sliding scale for royalty payments.

Again, this was an act either of gross negligence, or it points to something else.

Was it intentional? “. ..It is noted that the chief executive officer of BPC, Mr Simon Potter, has publicly indicated a willingness to review the amount of royalties payable in respect of any commercial quantities of oil found,” Mr Bethel said.

judicial review application citing they and others were “misled” by Environment Minister Romauld Ferreira at a meeting in May 2018.

It was claimed Mr Ferreira “gave a commitment to all present that there ‘never’ would be permission given for offshore drilling for oil in The Bahamas” at the meeting.

Yesterday, Bahamas National Trust Executive Director Eric Carey described news of the oil drilling as “a sad day”.

“We were hopeful that the courts would’ve at least given the country enough

time to think it through,” he said. “I think we were all hoping that would’ve given us some breathing room.

Unfortunately, that doesn’t appear to have happened.

“The fact that you know Simon Potter has to tell me that somebody’s drilling for oil in the country is also a bit disconcerting.

We should’ve been told I guess….you know by the regulators.

“They should’ve announced that somebody is drilling for oil in our country. Not somebody drilling for oil in our country announcing it.”

SAD DAY FOR THE COUNTRY, SAY ACTIVISTS

FOUNDATION FULFILS $1M DORIAN RELIEF PLEDGE THE Moore Bahamas Foundation yesterday announced its fourth and final $300,000 grant for Hurricane Dorian relief and recovery.

The announcement brings Moore Bahamas’ total contributions to $1m, and completes its pledge on behalf of Louis Bacon to support hurricane recovery.

Initially focused on emergency aid and community rebuilding in some of the hardest hit areas of The Bahamas, the grants expanded to meet needs exacerbated by the onset of COVID-19 - including food aid in Grand Bahama.

Moore Bahamas has also joined with partners such as Lend A Hand Bahamas, to provide job training in New Providence, aimed at diversifying skill sets outside of the tourism market.

“Tourism always will be foundational to The Bahamas’ economy, but both Dorian and the coronavirus pandemic have made it clear that a resilient economic future depends on the next generation of Bahamians being ready to captain new industries less reliant on foreign visitors,” said Lucas Metropulus, chair of Lend a Hand.

“The generous support from Moore Bahamas

LOUIS BACON launches an enterprising programme to up skill talented young people in topics ranging from web and graphic design to aquaponic farming to call-center etiquette.”

Working with partners such as the Bahamas National Trust, Friends of the Environment, and local bone fishing guides, the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust will replant mangrove forests on both Grand Bahama and Abaco. Hurricane Dorian destroyed nearly 74 percent of mangrove cover on Grand Bahama and 40 percent on Abaco.

In partnership with the government, the Rocky Mountain Institute seeks to advance plans to create a solar-powered “greengrid” at East End, Grand Bahama. ADRA Bahamas will provide aquaponic farming equipment to Grand Bahama farmers whose equipment was lost to Dorian.

PAGE 4, Tuesday, December 22, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Nursing chief: Wait a year before giving vaccinations

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net

HEAD of the Bahamas Nurses Union Amancha Williams has expressed reservation over the new COVID-19 vaccines, saying she would like to see the drugs tested for a year before it is administered locally.

She also said it should not be mandatory for nurses to take the jab in order to work.

“My advice is to give it a year. Make the rest of the world test it and bring it to your country. We as a country like to run after everything that the Americans do, but we need to take into consideration what are the side effects, how potent is this drug, is it completely approved by the FDA? “Most of the time, the third world countries do not get the best. So at the end of the day, our government needs to sit down and think about what they are doing, before they make quick decisions,” she said.

Last week, former Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands also urged caution, saying The Bahamas should conduct its own independent investigation into new COVID-19 vaccines.

The US and UK have already started vaccinating their citizens with the new drugs. The Bahamas is not expected to receive a vaccine until next spring or later.

Amid an anti-vaccine movement spread on social media, apprehension over the COVID-19 vaccines has also heightened due to the speed in which researchers have produced the drugs— about a year after the novel coronavirus spread across the globe.

The US Centres for Disease Control has sought to temper fear over the vaccine.

“We understand that some people may be concerned about getting vaccinated now that COVID-19 vaccines are available in the United States,” the CDC’s website states. “While more COVID-19 vaccines are being developed as quickly as possible, routine

THREE CASES ON SUNDAY THREE cases of COVID-19 were recorded on Sunday.

Two of the cases were in New Providence and one was in Eleuthera.

They pushed the country’s coronavirus toll to 7,768.

According to the latest information from the Ministry of Health, 14 cases are in hospital.

One hundred and sixtyfour people have died from the disease.

processes and procedures remain in place to ensure the safety of any vaccine that is authorised or approved for use.

“All COVID-19 vaccines that are in development or being distributed are being carefully evaluated in clinical trials and will be authorised or approved only if they make it substantially less likely you’ll get COVID-19,” the US agency added.

“Based on what we know about vaccines for other diseases and early data from clinical trials, experts believe that getting a COVID-19 vaccine may also help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19.

“Getting vaccinated yourself may also protect people around you, particularly people at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.”

Meanwhile, Nurse Williams admitted yesterday that nurses know that vaccinations are preventative measures, she said taking the vaccine cannot be mandatory to any nurse.

She explained: “Nursing is a preventative measure.

We know that vaccines are one of our preventative measures for various diseases. COVID is something that leaves a question mark in your head. We see a lot of controversy coming out of the vaccine alone. So at the end of the day, the government cannot make us take it. It cannot be mandatory.

“This is a free country.

We have a democratic voice

never consulted us. This calls for a lawsuit against the government. This is dishonesty.”

Upset about the stipend promised to essential workers, Nurse Williams is accusing the government of poor management and not living up to its obligations.

She continued: “The prime minister has created a committee that has yet to consult with the union. The committee was supposed to oversee and categorise

TOTAL CASES

TOTAL DEATHS

7,768 164

NEWLY CONFIRMED CASES SUNDAY 3 CASES NEW PROVIDENCE BIMINI & CAT CAY

2 1

HOSPITALISED

CASES IN ICU

to say no. This is a choice you have to make. You cannot impose something on somebody if it’s against their religion or their belief.

At the end of the day, you need nurses. So if they say no they are not taking the vaccine, what are you going to do? Fire them because they say no they don’t want to take it because it goes against their religious belief or it goes against their health or it has not had the

proper study?

“We have to look at this vaccine as a country. What is going to happen? What is going to be the effect on pregnant women? The research and statistics have not been proven as yet. We are walking in a danger zone.

“While a number of women during clinical trials became pregnant during the trial, not enough information has been gathered

to judge safety or effectiveness. However, Dr Geeta Krishna Swamy, an obstetrician/gynaecologist at Duke Medical Centre, who helped write the vaccine guidelines for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, told USA Today there is nothing to suggest women and their unborn children won’t be safe – while they do face greater risks than others from catching COVID-19.

Further trials of the Pfizer vaccine for pregnant women are due early next year.

Nurse Williams said the only way she will feel 100 percent safe taking a new COVID-19 vaccine is if she can inject Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and Health Minister Renward Wells “with the same valve that I inject myself with, then I will be know that all of us are on the same page”.

essential workers as high, medium or low risk and then determine the stipend to be given. We got nothing. No explanation was given and the prime minister would not answer his phone.

“They could have at least sent letters out acknowledging there were recommendations made.

Our essential staff have worked and have sacrificed their families. Many of their family members were sick and some of them were sick.

We have lost three nurses to COVID. These families have yet to hear anybody consult them on the insurance. The government has yet to speak to these families on their insurances.

This looks terrible on the government.”

The union president noted that other countries have paid their essential workers stipends for their heroic efforts in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

She cried shame on the

government for not doing its part.

Nurse Williams said: “Everywhere, worldwide, nurses, police officers, fire fighters, doctors, maids, auxiliary nurses, the laundry, the food services, the phlebotomists, were given a little stipend.

“Countries put this in their budgets. The Heroes Act in the United States of America facilitates that.

Up to today, the prime minister in this Commonwealth of the Bahamas

borrowed billions of dollars, and we have received nothing.

“To our understanding PAHO and other organisations have donated funds for the nurses and the doctors and essential workers to receive a little funding for all their hard work. Today is the 21st of December and the nurses have yet to receive that.

They are the ones who go out and do the surveillance.

They are the ones that go on the ground, into the bar rooms and into people’s homes to do contact tracing. The nurses! They were not paid overtime for nine months.”

Nurse Williams said healthcare workers should not be treated like this and if the government could not afford to meet the promise of paying the stipends, then officials should have said so.

She said: “You cannot treat the healthcare workers like that. You cannot treat all the essential workers like this. If you couldn’t afford it, then come to the table and speak to the unions. We understand that this might be an economical problem, but you have not cut the salaries of the government ministers or the members of Parliament and you are still making sidewalks.

“We want to hear from any organisation that has given the government money to facilitate the honorary gift to essential workers. At the end of the day, the government has to understand that they are running a country. I don’t think they realise this.”

TOTAL TESTS

49,328

14

0

RECOVERED

6,128

‘PAY NURSES FOR WORKING IN PANDEMIC’ from page one

this honorary gift to the essential service. I have not heard from the prime minister (since) September.

“The government has refused to pay them their double time in overtime.

They went to the table (government officials) and the director of labour told them they have to pay them double time or time and a half. The DPH paid them one sack payment and

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, December 22, 2020, PAGE 5

‘This will harm our business’

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net A BAHAMIAN seafood businessman fears the government’s new Fisheries Bill will hamper his business and lead to a loss of critical staff.

Meanwhile, Bahamian women married to foreign fishermen are also enraged at the bill, which they say disenfranchises their spouses and will put a financial strain on their households.

The Fisheries Bill 2020, which will replace the

Fisheries Resources (Jurisdiction and Conservation) Act, 1977, was passed in the Senate yesterday.

A key provision of the bill says: “No person shall engage in fishing, or be employed on a commercial fishing vessel for fishing other than sport fishing in the fisheries waters; and use or be employed on a commercial fishing vessel licenced under this act for fishing other than charter sport fishing, unless that person is a citizen of The Bahamas.”

Critics, including former Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest and former Prime Minister Hubert

Ingraham, have called this clause discriminatory.

Percy Roberts, proprietor of Geneva Brass Seafoods, said: “All of my (boat) workers are Dominicans on work permits. So I pay the government over $60,000 in work permits per year for ten divers and two mechanics.

“I don’t mind if I could find divers locally. I would be happy to hire local divers, but I cannot find them locally. I would not have to pay all that in work permits.

The government is not doing what it ought to be doing and I really am ashamed of that because I supported this government from I was a

ATTORNEY General Carl Bethel be at some time absolute equality,” Mr Bethel also said.

“If we could only find a way for the PLP not to jam us when we try to do it and the FNM not to jam the PLP when they try to do it, one day we’ll get there. So, I would like to really suggest that whatever the results of the next election, whoever wins should move immediately once more on this issue, yes third time lucky.”

He said if a referendum is held after the next election, it must be done before the halfway point in the new administration’s term to limit political sway.

“In each case, both governments waited until after the halfway point, but you know after you’re after the halfway point people only thinking about one thing after the halfway point. So, you gotta go before the halfway point, that’s my respectful suggestion.

“The question of the immigration status, bear in mind anybody who marries a Bahamian woman on the day he is married can apply for citizenship. Now because of the reluctance and the way immigration go, they tell you and they tell us we want to make sure it’s not a marriage of convenience and then there is very little checking.

“There is no compliance unit, there is no special unit set up to check that all these marriages are not marriages of convenience and that point has been made and it is absolutely true that immigration has this thing that we want to make sure it’s not a marriage

of convenience, but who checks whether it’s convenient or not. Who checks?

Nobody.”

His comments follow former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham’s letter to the editor where he expressed distress and disappointment over the FNM government’s decision to move the Bill.

Mr Ingraham said the party was known to have fought for equality for all citizens and insisted the Bill contained a “pointedly discriminatory” provision, which prevents the foreign spouses of Bahamians from engaging in commercial fishing.

Mr Ingraham said he was moved to publicly support Mr Turnquest’s recent position on the matter.

Last week the East Grand Bahama MP said it was a slippery slope to ban foreign spouses of Bahamians from fishing commercially.

The Bill notes that “no person shall engage in fishing, or be employed on a commercial fishing vessel for fishing other than sport fishing in the fisheries waters; and use or be employed on a commercial fishing vessel licensed under this act for fishing other than charter sport fishing, unless that person is a citizen of The Bahamas.”

For his part, Mr Ingraham said he lamented the position taken by the government on this matter.

“The provision excluding spouses of Bahamians from commercial fishing tarnishes the codification of the fisheries law,” he said.

“This offending provision, with an obscenely outrageous penalty, will overwhelmingly, if not exclusively, have a negative impact upon Bahamian women married to foreign nationals who are engaged in the fishing sector.

“It will have widespread ripple effects on human rights of persons legally present in our country with an unrestricted right to work.”

AG: FISHERIES BILL IS NOT DISCRIMINATORY from page one which addressed gender equality among other issues.

“This theme, and I may as well just dive in on it, this theme in the context of a vitally important law that regulates a critical part of the economy of The Bahamas, one that touches every island, rock and cay inhabited by Bahamians,” Mr Bethel said. “It is important to preserve that space that will enable we the ‘inheritors’ as we say in the constitution of this archipelago of islands, rocks and cays that we should be the primary beneficiaries of the sustainable use, sustainable exploitation and sustainable marketing of marine resources in accordance with the law.

“So this is a theme, because I note that there have been criticisms on the immigration side of this matter, and while there may be so I do believe that it doesn’t quite logically follow that because you wish to preserve an area of the economy for exclusive Bahamian utilisation and benefit that that somehow offends the fundamental principle you have that there ought to be full marriage equality in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.”

He continued: “It has always been fundamental to the Free National Movement that a Bahamian woman should have exactly the same constitutional right and entitlements as a Bahamian man that is fundamental.

“I fully agree with every bone in my body and every Free National Movement member of Parliament agrees and every Free National Movement government has fundamentally agreed that the issue of full marriage equality in terms of husbands the citizenship of your children straight out of all of them. There must

very young boy. That’s all my family knew; FNM! (Minister of Agriculture) Michael Pintard, he wouldn’t even consider to answer my notes.

He doesn’t even check.”

Besides having to deal with the imminent loss of key staff, Mr Roberts pointed out that the government does not push local businessmen in the fishing industry enough.

He said the government should urge mega resorts to diversify where they buy their local seafood from, claiming the major properties buy from one major supplier.

“If I package and send my crawfish to America, it is of the same standard or better than what is found in (that particular company).

Same thing as my grouper.

Not only that, but it is also cheaper. The Bahamian tax dollar supports these hotels.

What about the smaller businesses in the fishing industry?

This bill is blatantly biased and blatantly unfair. Right now I am hurting. It’s going to cause a lot of problems for me and my staff.”

Meanwhile Maria Morazan and Malvina Wallace-Calzeron, both wives of Honduran fishermen, say the proposed law change

is discriminatory against their foreign husbands, who work legally in this country.

Mrs Morazan said: “It is going to really change things for us. My husband is a working man. He is already used to working. I work for the government, but for him, he is a person who is used to working. We are used to him going out, working and supporting his family. He has permanent residency here so I don’t know exactly what they are going to do with that document. I don’t know what he is going to do. We are going to try and see if the government will listen to us.

“He feels really bad about it because God made man the head of the house to provide for their families.

So our law is unfair, because if you married a foreigner, it’s like they have no rights.

Our husbands should have the right to choose wherever they want to work.”

Mrs Morazan said her husband has paid for his residency and she feels the law is unbalanced and obviously not in his favour.

Mrs Wallace-Calzeron’s husband is here on a work permit. She said she is willing to do whatever it takes for the authorities to hear

his plight. She said: “If I have to march the Commonwealth of The Bahamas barefoot to support my husband, I would do it. I am behind my husband 110 percent to try whatever I could for them to reverse this bill because I don’t think they are being fair to the nonBahamians or us. It’s like being a Bahamian woman with no rights to vote.

“I am an unemployed wife and I look for my husband to support me so this will really affect me. My husband is a man who was fishing from he was 13 years old.

“If you look at it, he was practically born on the sea.

It would really affect me, dearly. And, other than it affecting me, my husband’s family depends on him. My husband has a twin brother who is paralysed; he supports him. He also supports the children his twin has.

He has other children himself and he also takes care of his mother.”

Fred Mitchell, chairman of the opposition Progressive Liberal Party, has vowed to have the bill “tweaked in the public’s interest” if that party becomes government after the 2022 general election.

PAGE 6, Tuesday, December 22, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

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Talk is cheap, but where’s the money for health workers?

WHEN COVID-19 first came to our shores, there was a familiar line in the regular press conferences at the time.

Routinely, and rightly, our medical workforce was thanked for the efforts they were putting in.

It’s not just here that doctors, nurses and all the hospital staff members have been thanked – in different places around the world, there were regular rounds of applause where people would come to their doorstep and clap for those who were risking their health to protect ours.

More than that, we were told that we needed to take the safety measures of wearing masks, keeping our distance, washing our hands and staying in our homes in order to help healthcare workers.

Special shopping days were set aside for essential workers, and we were encouraged to do all we can to make life easier for those in the medicine field to make the preparations for an outbreak and keep cases down to ensure they didn’t fall prey to COVID19 too.

So it is galling to hear that nurses asking the government for what they are due in their pay packets.

Now the nursing union leader has told Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis he has until December 31 to pay up – and suggested the government could be sued if it doesn’t.

There is of course another side of the story to hear, but so many medical workers have risked so much to protect

us that there really should be no dispute about financial recompense. We have a National Heroes Day in The Bahamas, and every single health worker on the frontline deserves to be honoured on that day. Three nurses died from COVID-19, paying the highest price of all.

So if health workers were promised money as a thank you for the hard work they put in, they shouldn’t have to fight for it. After all, they’re still fighting on the frontline against COVID-19 – this is no time for them to have to battle for their pay too.

Let’s make sure that when we honour healthcare workers, it’s not just hollow words. Let’s live up to any promises we have made too.

We would, however, add one note of criticism to our praise. The head of the nurses union has also ventured into recommendations on the use of the COVID-19 vaccine, suggesting that we “give it a year” to see how it works out in the rest of the world before we use it here.

Amancha Williams doesn’t give any medical assessment on why we should wait – and the US and the UK have already started vaccinations after vetting by authorities there. We’re not sure why Nurse Williams thinks she knows better than the FDA or the health authorities in the UK but one thing we are sure of – the financial cost to The Bahamas of waiting another year for no good reason would more than wipe out any extra pay in nurses’ pockets.

Discrimination, Mr Ingraham?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

IF I BELIEVED for a second that Hubert Ingraham honestly did not know better and really thought that years of complaints of Bahamian fishermen about foreign spousal permit holders in the industry (a phenomenon addressed in the new Fisheries Act) were driven by mere “discrimination”, then maybe I could see some point in his letter appearing in both dailies on the 21st December. But Mr Ingraham knows better.

The reality is that the practice of foreign fishermen (from two specific countries, which happen to be fished out of the very products that abound in our waters) marrying Bahamian women and immediately entering the local industry is so widespread that it has become a threat both to the livelihoods of Bahamian fishermen and the sustainability of our marine resources.

Bahamian fishermen, some of whom accept the need for Dominican or Honduran workers in the industry, find themselves facing them not as employees, but as owners, often with a far less principled approach to environmental issues.

By stealth, another industry intended for Bahamians succumbs to foreign ownership.

There is a process whereby people who marry Bahamians can become Bahamian citizens, at which point, nobody can tell them they can’t do anything that is reserved for Bahamians. But spousal permit holders are not in that category and it is right that they are treated differently.

Sham marriages are easy to arrange and hard to prove. It would make a mockery of any attempt to keep any business activity meaningfully reserved for Bahamians if a spousal

permit were all that was needed to skirt the policy.

For years, fishermen have complained and yet successive governments, including Ingraham’s own, have done little or nothing to address the situation. Meanwhile they take action at the drop of a hat when foreign interests tell them to stop Bahamians eating turtles (a traditional food, lightly harvested) or to place vast areas of the country off limits to Bahamian fishermen. No questions asked and no mention of the “d” word.

What a better place this country would be if Mr Ingraham and his successors had governed with this simple ethic in mind: Discrimination in favour of Bahamians is no discrimination at all – It is simple accountability to those who elected you.

ANDREW ALLEN Nassau, December 21, 2020.

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

Government must ban oil drililng EDITOR, The Tribune.

IS THE Bahamas Government going to risk destroying The Bahamas $8bn per year tourism and fisheries sector ($80bn over ten years) for Simon Potters’ promise of $5bn in oil revenue that is based on a speculative oil well and a confidential oil deal with the Bahamas Government?

Is The Bahamas Government going to risk paying billions of dollars in civil and criminal charges to the US Government (US Clean Water Act, Oil Pollution Act, etc.) to clean up Florida beaches if there is an oil spill on the scale of the Ixtoc 1 or Deepwater Horizon (BP paid $20.8bn to settle with the US Government) oil spills that devastated the economy and environment in Mexico and the US Gulf Coast?

Did Simon Potter tell his investors in the international markets about the shallow water oil spill at Ixtoc 1, and are his investors prepared to pay damages and criminal charges on the scale of $20.8bn?

Did Simon Potter tell Bahamian officials that the proposed drill sites could drop about 80,000-tons of toxic drilling waste at the site of each well in the pristine waters of The Bahamas, or that an oil spill could go over the Great Bahama Bank?

Simon Potter outlined that if necessary his operation can mobilise a tier three response from abroad. There may not be a company in the world that could handle an oil slick the size of Ixtoc 1 if it made its way through the 700 islands of The Bahamas.

On this basis alone, the drilling operation should be stopped – immediately!

Potter’s investors can do this voluntarily, the Stena Drilling Company can move the Stena IceMAX out of Bahamian waters, the Bahamas Government can use International Treaties and Financial Services laws to stop the drilling, and the Prime Minister can as a last resort use the Emergency Powers Act to shut the operation down.

On December 4, 2020, Mr Simon Potter, CEO of Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC) said on public radio that BPC’s first exploratory oil well is in Bahamian waters about 40 miles from the Cuban mainland. He claims that his company’s oil spill simulations show that oil will go to Cuba, and during hurricanes it would go over the Great Bahama Bank.

Mr Simon Potter also said:

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net • The nature of the ocean current actually moves any spill away from our well site towards Cuba.

• I have been to Cuba three times to talk to the Cubans because based on our analysis the major concern we have is that the oil will head to Cuba... and we will have to liaise directly with the Cubans in order to ensure an adequate cleanup.

• The emphasis will be protecting Cuba from any incident rather than The Bahamas.

Mr Potter and his team also outlined that drilling in the shallow water near the Great Bahama Bank was not as risky as drilling in the deep waters found at the site of the massive Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Over 130 million gallons of oil gushed into the Gulf of Mexico over a three-month period and devastated the economies and environment along the Gulf Coast of America. The owners and operators (BP, Halliburton, etc) were forced to pay a record $20.8bn in penalties and damages under the US Clean Water Act, Oil Pollution Act and other US environmental and criminal laws.

What Mr Potter did not disclose was that the Ixtoc 1 oil spill – one of the largest oil spills in history – was an exploratory well in shallow water (only 150ft deep) in the Bay of Campeche in the Gulf of Mexico. Ixtoc 1 gushed over 140 million gallons of oil over a tenmonth period. Beaches from Mexico to Texas were covered in oil. Chemical dispersants were sprayed from airplanes to try and break up an oil slick covering an area estimated at over 1,000 square miles. Over $100m was spent on cleanup.

Photos of the Ixtoc 1 oil spill are shocking and depending on the conditions, a spill like Ixtoc 1 could damage the Great Bahama Bank, the Cay Sal Marine Managed Area, the West Side National Park in Andros, the Yellow Banks, White Banks, Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park as well as beaches and fish breeding grounds throughout the country, including beaches in Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Florida.

Every fisherman, hotel manager, tour guide in The Bahamas as well as the Bahamas Hotel Association, the Out Island Promotion Board, and the Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board should wake up

and demand that the Prime Minister acts immediately to stop the Stena IceMAX from drilling, and ban oil drilling in The Bahamas.

On December 1, 2020, Mrs Casuarina McKinneyLambert (BREEF) and Mr Eric Carey (Bahamas National Trust) outlined on public radio the risks of oil drilling near the Great Bahama Bank and called on the Government to ban oil drilling in The Bahamas.

Mrs McKinney-Lambert and Mr Carey also outlined that: • Even if there is no major oil spill, there is still pollution — about 80 tons of drill cuttings with toxic fluids per drilling site that are dumped on the sea floor – right on the edge of the Great Bahama Bank, which is one of The Bahamas’ most important fishing grounds.

• Oil drilling risks destroying over $8bn annually in natural resources in tourism and fisheries and could destroy the livelihoods of Bahamians for generations.

• Oil drilling in The Bahamas could jeopardise international treaties signed

by The Bahamas.

• The Bahamas cannot afford to pay for contaminating and cleaning up beaches in Florida and Cuba.

On December 11, 2020, Dr Hubert Minnis (Prime Minister, FNM) stated he was “totally against” oil drilling in The Bahamas, and said that he would stop oil drilling if he could.

Based on the Ixtoc 1 oil spill information, and the fact that each BPC oil drilling site near the Great Bahama Bank could be contaminated with about 80,000 tons of toxic oil waste, the Bahamas Government has every right to put this confidential deal on hold indefinitely.

The Prime Minister has a duty to the Bahamian people to release the secret BPC agreement to Parliament for scrutiny by the Bahamian people, and fully disclose the names of all BPC investors.

The Prime Minister has a duty to the Bahamian people to disclose who, if anyone, extended the BPC license after it expired.

The Prime Minister must act immediately to STOP the Stena IceMAX from drilling and ban oil drilling in The Bahamas – even if he has to use the Emergency Powers Act. CONCERNED BAHAMIAN Nassau, December 18, 2020.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, December 22, 2020, PAGE 7

A helping hand in time for Christmas

BY DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

SAN Jose Construction (Bahamas) Ltd distributed grocery gift certificates to primary schools in the Grand Bahama and Bimini district to assist students of struggle families during Christmas.

Margo Victor, manager of San Jose, presented a total of 40 gift certificates to nine public schools throughout the island, and to one institution on Bimini.

She said families in GB and Bimini are struggling during these tough economic times as a result of recent major crises Hurricane Dorian and COVID-19.

“It breaks our heart to see families with small children grapple with the challenges of a bad economy, said Mrs Victor. And Since Dorian and the COVID-19 shut down, families have been worried about mortgages, rent, utility bills and even everyday challenges.”

Mrs Victor stated that as a Christian community people must follow the directions of Jesus about how to lend support to others. She hopes that the

MARGO VICTOR, left, manager of San Jose Construction (Bahamas) Ltd, handing out some of the gift certificates to help students in Grand Bahama and Bimini. certificates that will be pre- not solve the problems of of support to families in this the donation were the sented to selected families an ailing economy, we hope school district,” she told Bimini Primary School, on GB and Bimini, will that it answers the prayer district school superinten- West End Primary, Holmes bring some relief. of a little child. It gives us dent Ivan Butler.

Rock Primary, Martin “While our donation will pleasure to lend this kind The school the received Town Primary, Bartlett

Hill Primary, Lewis Yard Primary, Hugh Campbell Primary, Walter Parker Primary, Freeport Primary, and the Maurice Moore Primary Schools.

Tammy Ellis-Elliott, principal of Maurice Moore Primary School, thanked San Jose for its kind gesture, particularly at Christmas time.

“It is great for companies to come and be a part of the lives of the children. We know these are hard economic times and this token will go a long way in helping them in some way or another, and we thank you because we know that it will go a long way.

Rodney Bethel, principal of Hugh Campbell, said: “We are grateful for this wonderful donation which will assist students and their families during this Christmas season.”

Juanita Hanna, principal of Lewis Yard Primary, said many parents are struggling now. “We are very appreciative for this kind gesture extended to us. These are struggling times for parents as a result of the loss of jobs, and the social economic conditions are very challenging in our area (Hunters),” she said.

BASEBALL TOURNAMENT BRINGS ECONOMIC BOOST TO GB

BY DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

GRAND Bahama received hosted a worldclass international youth baseball tournament from December 17 until yesterday.

The five-day event brought players and their families from four countries, and injected about $1m into the island’s economy.

Teams from the Dominican Republic, Columbia, Canada, the United States, and The Bahamas competed in the New Balance

Future Star Series (NBFSS) 2020 World Combine international baseball tournament at the Emera Caribbean Baseball Park, off Queens Highway.

The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA), along with the Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC) and iElite Sports Academy, of Nassau, were the sponsors.

The Grand Bahama Port Authority said the tournament provided “a vital opportunity for many Grand Bahama businesses that continue to be challenged by the devastating impacts of Hurricane

Dorian, and compounded by the effects of the COVID-19 emergency order”.

Local hotels, transportation providers, restaurants and tour operators were able to “take advantage of the influx of players and families who will bring an anticipated $1m to the island’s economy”, the statement said.

GBPC restored the Baseball Park, that was severely impacted by Dorian, into a world-class facility to host the tournament.

Philcher Grant, director of group corporate affairs and government relations

at GBPA, said the World Combine tournament is an annual event that attracts skilled young athletes from around the world.

“We worked with iElite Sports Academy to have Grand Bahama host this much-anticipated tournament,” she said.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was closed to the general public.

She said many tourism-related businesses, including Pelican Bay Hotel and Taino Beach Resort, the Car Rental Association, H Forbes Charter Services and others benefited.

“We expect food and

beverage providers and retailers of all kinds will see increased business during the five-day tournament.

It’s our most significant opportunity since the pandemic hit for our economy to begin to turn around,” she said.

Organiser Jeremy Booth said they were pleased to have brought the event to Grand Bahama.

“We were extremely excited to hold this longawaited event in The Bahamas. We’re thankful for the group efforts and… I am looking forward to exploring the possibility of building a long term

relationship in Grand Bahama, as the Island’s geographical location is ideal for tournament organisers and participants alike.”

Geron Sands, president and co-founder of iElite Sports Academy, said the event provided an opportunity to reach two of this year’s key goals – it gave children a sporting and development opportunity they otherwise may not have, and supported the growth of baseball in The Bahamas.

Other sponsors included Cable Bahamas, Sanitation Services and B&B Galaxy.

Nicole Antoinette Culmer (61)

of Frisco, Texas and formally of Nassau, Bahamas flew with the Angels on Wednesday December 16th, 2020.

Her life will be celebrated on Tuesday December 22nd, 2020 at The Church of The Latter Day Saints, Frisco, Texas at 6pm (C.S.T.).

Nicole was Predeased by her Daughter, Angel Smith and is survived by her Sons: Ramon Antonio Culmer (Kendra), Carlin Hanna, Jr, Anthony Smith; Daughter: Anastacia Rigby (Lindsay); Brothers: Vaughn L. Culmer, Kevin R. Culmer(Pamela), Kirtland R. Culmer II; Parents: Dr. Kirtland R. Culmer (Rachel), Esther Mae Hanna-Culmer, Sister-In-Law: Shelia M. Culmer Grandchildren: Kalena Mae Culmer; Nephew: Shiloh Culmer, Nieces: Vashaun L. Culmer-Bullard (Miguel), Shevaun M. Culmer-Reid (Dawn), Shaune’ M. Culmer, Alina Milan Culmer; Grand Nieces and Nephews: Miguel DeVaughn Bullard, Malia Skye Paige Bullard, Uncles: Dr. Leslie Culmer(Elizabeth), Sanford Culmer(Mary), R.H.Culmer, Jr.(Dhalene), Stuart Culmer(Lechee), Winston Culmer, Sr(Sylvia), Kendall Culmer, Vincent Culmer Aunts: Laurinda M. Hanna-Saunders(Vincent), Genevieve Hanna, Caroline Hanna, Adina Gallagher, Ethlyn Stuart, Ingrid Culmer, Edwina and Patricia Culmer, Pauline Culmer, Jan and Ann Culmer, Vernelle Butler, Judith Rigby, Patricia Major, Tania Farquharson, Kayla Farquharson Cousins: Cleveland Eneas III (Tesha), Leah Eneas, Orlando, Dr. Ambrose(Beagie), Dr. Bernadine(Harsha), Chadwick & Chadwin Hanna(Roslyn), Ralph Hanna, II(Mary), Danielle Hanna, Darren Hanna and Nikos Hanna, Rhonda Burrows (James), Simone Wilson(John), Orlando Hanna II, Nadia Hanna, Ambrose Hanna Jr., Dr. Chanika Hanna, Dr. Chandia Hanna, Chadwin Hanna, Jr., Alea Hanna, Aiko Hanna, Brittini Hanna, Ralph Hanna III, Rhojai Burrows, Jashai Burrows, Joshua Burrows, Jostin Wilson, Jordin Wilson, Myles Saunders, Atun Eneas, Adisa Eneas, Emana Eneas, Tafari Eneas, Angela Culmer-Hinsey, Lisa Culmer, Cheryl Moncur, Andrew Culmer, Christophe, Dwan and Sanique Culmer, Jules, Allison, Monique, and Kyle Stuart, Dr. Dawn, Cara & Ebony Gallagher, Anishka, Alejandro & Lolani Culmer, Janure, Raymond III and Rhumer Culmer, Candice Newball, Jackson, Jhanelle, Crystal, Croix, Cruiz, Christi, Aioki and Bleuives Culmer, Brittney, Remus, Dustin, Trevor, Winston, Jr.(Marissa), Dennis, Denise, Desiree, Tammy, Lynell and Sahara Culmer. Friends and Other Relatives: Carlin Hanna, Sr., Dr. Juliette L. Dorsett, Wendy Fisher, Gina Bartlett-Mansfield, Dr. Tyrone and Marsha Bartlett, Kim Bartlett, Dr. Jon Bartlett, Margaret, Andree’, Wellington, Rudolph, Walter, Clyde & Tyrone Ferguson, The Turnquest and Smith Families (College Gardens), Dawn Arnold & Family, Steven Bellot(Terry), Heather Bellot-Hazarian (Dave), Kathy Bellot and Carrie Neil(Gregory), Sandy & Jason Kinsale, Patricia Burke, Ava Burke-Thompson, Hugh Burke, Tony Duncanson(Julie), Bernadette Cooper(Kwame’), Tonia Hutchinson, St. Augustines College Class of 1975, Gina Rodgers-Sealey, Orry J. Sands & Family, St. Augustines College Class of 1973, Peter Mitchell & Family, Michael Storr & Family, Craig Gomez & Family, Marcus Francis & Family, Mertis Smith & Family, Patrick Lightbourn & Family, David Bartlett & Family, Michael Swan & Family, Donna Livingston, Christine Bull, Rodney Bull, Connie Kilday, Christina Leech, Brenda Foulkes, Nancy Wiltz, Jackie Swales, Terry & Ward Thompson, David & Cecelia Coy, Mandy Reid, Lashanda Davis, Pastor Vernon Adams, Jan Harris, Tocarra Myers, Diane Levingston, Stephanie Flores, Alana Watkins, Jane Speas, Jasmine Mumford, The Men of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Pi Xi Chapter, Nassau, Bahamas, The Church of The Latter Day Saints, Frisco, Texas, Sonia Hamilton & Family, Lana Smith & family, Vernal Sands, Lynden Tinker, Jimmy & Lisa Thompson, Colleen Sweeting, Barbara Pierre, The Longley Family, David Bartlett & Family, Katrin Wilson(Timothy), Francis Chong(Lee), Ula Dedert, Cancer Treatment Centre of America, Tulsa , Oklahoma, Antoinette Cash(Earl), Lesa Johnson, Laurie Kaufman & Family, Shannon Powell & Family, Harlington Hanna, jr.(Helen) & Family, Samuel Hanna & Family, Valerie Hanna-Wells, Angela Hanna & Family, Richard Coleby & Family, Iris Tynes & Family, Jerome Powell & Family, Thressa Kendrick & Family, Marcheta Eneas & Family. The Family ask for forgiveness if any names were left out.

PAGE 8, Tuesday, December 22, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Men can be vulnerable too - so let’s celebrate them Face to Face

IT’S important to celebrate men! They use their brain, their brawn, their wit, and their love to be heroes. Those who do so much for so many deserve to be honored and praised, too – even more so during the Christmas season. They By FELICITY DARVILLE may be even more vulnerable during this time, so it’s secretary; and Apostle important to be aware of Henry Higgins and David men’s feelings and needs, Williams, both as board according to Terance members. They set out on Bethel. a mission to see the lives of “Men and boys find it Bahamian males changed very hard to process and for the better, one by one. manage stress,” he told me. They came up with specific “If this week we hear of objectives for their coma murder or suicide, which mittee: valuing male role are quite common around models; acknowledging the the Yuletide season, it will contribution of men and very likely be a man or boys; improving male health; boy.” tackling discrimination and Global statistics are read- disadvantage; fostering posiily reflected in our own tive gender relations; and society: making the world a safer 76% of suicide are men place for everyone.

85% of homeless are men “For the most part, the 70% of homicide victims world as a society places are men many expectations on men It is for this reason that and often does not equip a group of them with Bahamian men ‘The world as the skills to came together manage the a society to join hands expectations with men places many that we place around the expectations on on them,” world for InterBethel told me. men and often national Men’s “We ask men Day. They cele- does not equip to be leaders brate boys’ and them with the in the home men’s achievewhile so many skills to manage ments and are raised in a contributions; the expectations home where in particular, that we place there is no those made male role on them.’ to nation, model to lead.” society, comWhile speakmunity, family, marriage, ing as the only man at the and childcare. The day is historic session of Women commemorated on Novem- In Parliament in the House ber 19 and has a broader of Assembly on December and ultimate aim of pro- 11 this year, Bethel shared: moting basic humanitarian “We must not promote the values. idea that only women are the It began in 2017 with a only victims of gender-based series of meetings as men’s violence, but can also the issues in The Bahamas were perpetrators. We must get brought to the fore. The rid of the idea that if a man International Men’s Day is abused in a violent way by committee was formed. a woman that he probably Keith Cox took the helm as deserved it. We must underchairman; Terance Bethel, stand the problems caused culturally imposed treasurer; Curtis Byran, by

gender roles. Imperatives placed on people because of their gender “a man should” or “a woman should” are a part of the cultural narrative that is not helpful then to resolving issues of inequality between males and females. When we consider toxic masculinity, we must also ask the question is there toxic femininity where women, raising their sons, may treat them in such a way, or influence them by actually saying to them, “women cannot be trusted”.

All of this contributes to the undue burden on males in Bahamian society.

Sometimes the option taken is suicide. I don’t know why they do but I can identify with some of what we all face.”

Recently, the losses of some of my own male friends have made me realise just how important this is. Last year, my schoolmate Dimaggio Darrel is said to have chosen his own exit from this matrix. His passing shook his family, community, and schoolmates like me who treasured his vibrant energy and jubilant ways.

Dimaggio expressed great love for and took care of all his children - Kallisto, Santina, Dante and Jamia.

He also took care of his wife, Tehranique’s children

DALLAS Knowles with his award, left, and Lincoln Young with some of his mentees.

Zhyon and Tekhai like his very own. He gave unselfishly of his time to his children, and his zeal for their success and growth was evident. He approached everything he did with gusto, and his signature big, bright smile.

Similarly, I lost a friend from afar - Guy Bayley. His wife, my dear friend

Kate, opened her heart and home to me when I visited the UK. I went to Bath, England, to visit the palace where Emperor Haile Selassie and Empress Menen lived when they were in exile. But I found so much more. The Bayleys were so loving and generous that I gained fast and forever friends. Guy’s smile was bright and special. He made me immediately feel at home. Kate told him that I loved herbal tea and he would make it for me and he and I would have great conversations. Their daughters Skye, Inca, Mollie and Lucia were just as warm and inviting and because of it, they have placed an indelible mark on my life.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Guy had been on the front line all along. He was doing what he did best – giving, caring and sharing.

In his capacity as an anesthesiologist, he had seen so much during his days working at the hospital. It took a toll on him and before you know it, it was time to say goodbye; he had fulfilled his purpose and he did it well. His energy and his love will always be remembered and today, the make a wish drive in Guy’s name is topping 12 thousand

of many skills and talents.

As Priest Zebulun Anafu said during a recent tribute DIMAGGIO to Priest Philip, a DARREL, library has burned above, and down with his Guy Bayley. passing.

He was the subject of a Face to Face with me this past August. We made an agreement that pounds, we would work together to with words of produce a book and documentary on the history of comfort and encour- Rastafari in The Bahamas.

I thought, after his passing, agement coming in for that I would have to take on his family from this task alone. However, his nephew Pastor Jevon around the world.

Both of these gen- O Neely has expressed his tlemen had something commitment to make this special. They had an exu- happen for his uncle. In this berant energy and a bright way, those who passed on light. As their spirits live leave legacies that will not on and watch over their die if we document it for loved ones, they serve as a the benefit of generations reminder of how much we to come.

It is, therefore, incumneed to value and uplift bent upon us to remember our men. Take the time this holiday season to call up an to give men their flowers old friend, hug your uncle, while they are alive. They lift up a young boy with don’t have to live up to our encouraging words – do expectations. They want whatever you can to make to be celebrated for who the men in your life know they are... this creates more just how important they opportunities for them to are. Life is fragile and full be all they can be.

The International Men’s of ups and downs, but we can face them all with brav- Day committee recently ery knowing we did our honoured a few outstandbest to uplift those whom ing men in the country. are entrusted to us to love They are: Cecil Penn, Andros; Lincoln Young, and care for.

That fact became ever so Eleuthera; Pedro Heild, clear to me on the recent Nassau; Dallas Knowles, passing of my friend and Exuma; Dudley Seide, Bahama; Alex mentor, Philip Blyden, Grand chairman of the House Archer, Abaco; and Steof Rastafari and Priest phen Brown, San Salvador.

The International Men’s of the Ethiopia Africa committee parBlack International Con- Day gress, also known as the ticipated in a number of Bobo Shanti. He left us events during November on November 30. He was and December, including a walking history book; making presentations and well knowledgeable and presenting gifts at Prison articulate in Affairs rang- Fellowship Bahamas and ing from pan Africanism Programme Sure for boys. to Caribbean history and They also partnered firmly politics. He was a profes- with Zonta Clubs Bahamas sor of art at Akhepran for the 16 Days of ActivInternational Academy, ism to Say No to Violence a contractor, and a man Against Women and Girls.

Funeral Service For

JOSEPH WALTER “Wally Joe” DAMES, 71 a resident of Exuma & formerly of Nassau, will be held at St. Barnabas Anglican Church Cemetery, Moore Avenue on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. Officiating will be Canon Basil Tynes, assisted by Fr. Donald Kerr.

Predeceased by his father, Carl W. Dames.

Private Funeral Service For Willamae Candace Miller, 90 a resident of #24 Maderia Avenue, South Beach Estates & formerly of Colonel Hill, Crooked Island, will be held at Woodlawn Gardens, Soldier Road on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. Officiating will be Elders of Bible Truth Fellowship.

He is survived by his Mother: Margaret Smith; Brothers: Jeff Rodgers, Robert Francis, George Wells, Derek and Godfrey Dames; Sisters: Virginia (Gina) Clarke and Vivian Jerry; Pre-deceased: Diane Olawale, Althamese Ferguson; Nephews: Jeff Rodgers Jr., Robert II (Colette) and Gilbert Francis, Derek Jr. and Demarcian Dames, Carlyle Thompson, Jeffrey Olawale; Nieces: Desaree James, Ericka & Robyn Jerry, Elizabeth (Hartman) Longley, Angelique (Oderick) Benior, Robyne Darville, Jewel Francis, Georvette (Dennis) Rahming, Georvantae Wells, Derese, Devonee and Annique Dames, Kandace Clarke, Shanna Olawale; Brother-inlaw: Kenneth Clarke; Sisters-in-law: Michelle Wells; Pre-deceased: Jennifer Francis; Aunts: Dolly Saunders of Exuma and Virginia Sturrup. Numerous Other Relatives; Friends of Moore Avenue and Friends of Exuma.

Left to mourn her passing are her children, Sons: Samuel, Oscar (Jean) Philip, Darold Miller Sr.; Daughter: Eunice Perpall; Brother-inlaw: Ronald Miller Sr.; Grandchildren: Ryan (Shandia) & Viraj Perpall, Reno & Darold (Alicia) Miller Jr. and Ken Egglesworth; Great-grandchildren: Asantae (Chris) Williams and Amari Perpall; Great-great-grandson: Chaste Williams, and a host of relatives and friends.

Friends may pay their last respects at Demeritte’s Funeral Home, Market Street, from 1-5:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

Friends may pay their last respects at Bible Truth Fellowship, West Terrace, Centreville, from 10-4:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

She was predeceased by her husband of 67 years Henry Miller.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, December 22, 2020, PAGE 9

How free is our speech?

TOO MANY CONFLICTS AROUND THE WORLD UK Equality Minister Liz Truss.

IN the context of ‘wokeness’, which I wrote about in a recent column, there were two interesting developments in Britain last week. One was a speech by a Cabinet minister about the Conservative values of equality and individual responsibility while the other was a report by a leading think tank about the importance of free speech in universities. These are significant issues in modern society that can affect many people – even indirectly – so they are, perhaps, worth examining further.

As a reminder, the word ‘woke’, which originated in the US, is defined as a political term referring to a perceived awareness of issues concerning social and racial justice and participation in the movement against inequality and prejudice. Apparently, being woke was at first associated with black Americans fighting racism. But it has been appropriated by other activist groups and it has now become a wider phenomenon both in the US and in Britain.

In a major speech, Liz Truss, the Equalities minister – with the formal title of Minister for Women and Equalities – spoke forcefully about the need for the debate about equality to be “led by facts, not by fashion” and not to be dominated by an unrepresentative minority; and it is interesting that this comes when senior Tories are voicing reservations about the politicisation of Black Lives Matter and warning that this risks undermining the struggle for racial equality. She criticised identity politics and loud lobby groups and she dismissed, in relation to employment, the idea of quotas and targets based on ethnic representation – together with notions like “unconscious bias” – as “tools of the Left”. Announcing that training in unconscious bias in the Civil Service was being scrapped, she stressed that in a fair and transparent society there should be equality before the law, together with equality of opportunity for everybody rather than giving preference to any particular group.

In stating that Conservatives believed people should be defined by their

individual character – and not by being part of some oppressed group whose views on matters should not be the only opinion allowed – she was echoing Martin Luther King’s words that all should be judged by the content of their character and not the colour of their skin.

Inevitably, this speech has been attacked by the Left as not addressing properly the claimed huge impact of institutional discrimination, unfairness and bias in people’s day-to-day lives. Many believe that the fight for truth, humanity and justice must be more effective while persistent race inequality should not be played down – and they dismiss Ms Truss’ well intentioned speech as a meaningless collection of clichés and generalisations.

Others, however, have praised it as a dose of common sense – particularly at such a fraught and sensitive period in the nation’s history as Britain reasserts its identity outside the European Union. Furthermore, they claim the speech reflects the views of the so-called silent majority whose voters ensured a substantial victory for a new Tory government in last December’s election.

Judging from the UK press, which these days publishes thousands of comments by its readers, there is a widespread view that fairness of opportunity for all goes to the heart of the equality debate. People should be selected and rewarded not on the basis of gender or ethnicity but, rather, in relation to competence, capability and performance.

They should be assessed on their ability to do a job and rewarded and promoted on merit.

So a quota system for minority groups imposed by law not only produces unfair discrimination but it is inherently inequitable.

The other separate development last week was a new report from the UK think tank, Civitas, which found that some seventy per cent of universities have been involved in a free speech controversy in recent years as both students and academics have found themselves unable to discuss important issues like race, gender or religion because of fears about

The Peter Young column censorship or the imposition of some sort of penalty, including in relation to grading their work. These universities were found to be imposing restrictions on freedom of speech as part of the existing “cancel culture” to restrict any controversial views by staff, students or visiting speakers, including ‘no-platforming’ when speakers are denied the chance to express their beliefs because students might find them unacceptable.

With Boris Johnson’s government now intent on stamping out the “cancel culture” by bringing in new laws against censorship, it seems that a new tolerance of differing opinions might be another victory for common sense. Who can reasonably deny that universities should be centres of learning where debate and discussion are encouraged – and, as such, they should be bastions of free thought and free speech. In the opinion of many, they should not be allowed to steer away from this for fear of an adverse reaction by an unrepresentative minority. Moreover, as a wise man once said, forcing someone’s views on another is seldom productive or workable and may have the opposite of the intended effect.

I happen to think that on the whole Britain is a remarkably tolerant and open country which has traditionally placed a strong emphasis on freedom of expression and the right to individual action within the law. It also has a good record in relation to social interaction and integration.

The nation is certainly not gripped by racial discord as some minority groups maintain. But there is always more to be done in order to promote harmony amongst people and to work towards equal opportunity for all.

PASSING OF A MASTER STORYTELLER IN HIS biography in 2015 of John le Carré, the famous author of bestselling spy novels who died last week aged 89, Adam Sisman quoted him as saying that people who have unhappy childhoods are good at inventing themselves and making up stories. How le Carré, whose real name was David Cornwell, did that - during the course of a long writing career that produced more than 20 novels - is legendary. Not only did he play an important role in the rich British tradition of espionage writing but, as claimed in one of the many obituaries written about him, he “lifted the spy genre to literature”. So high was his reputation that John le Carré has become widely regarded as one of the most significant English writers of the post-war period.

His biographer explains how the budding author worked for both MI5 and MI6 and began writing fiction in his late twenties when commuting to his London office from his home in the Buckinghamshire countryside. He hit the big time with publication of his novel The Spy Who Came in from

The Cold in 1963 which earned unstinting praise from Graham Greene, one of Britain’s most celebrated writers, who said it was the best spy story he had ever read. The book was a stunning success and duly became a bestseller. It was later turned into a film starring Richard Burton and Claire Bloom.

Le Carré then changed his career and turned himself into a full time writer.

Apart from being an excellent storyteller in his books, he was also recognised as an amusing raconteur.

He became renowned as a sophisticated and subtle writer – with one reviewer praising what were termed his silky skills – and a master of dissimulation as his books became famous for their complex and intriguing plots; and it is said that –- like any novelist – in spinning his intricate tales he took inspiration from real life stories and from his own experience.

His titles are too numerous to mention here, but I particularly liked A Perfect Spy which was another of his bestsellers in America and was considered by serious reviewers to be a work

of the highest literary merit.

I also enjoyed A Small Town in Germany which was based on life in Bonn – the then capital of West Germany before reunification in 1990 – and depicts so vividly the work of a British Embassy. But, most enjoyable of all perhaps, was his autobiographical book entitled The Pigeon Tunnel which he called on its front cover Stories from My Life.

Published as recently as 2016, it is a wonderful read – with one reviewer calling it “an uproarious, darkly poignant and precious book”.

The Financial Times praised this book for offering ‘thrills of recognition as le Carré’s archetypes spring to life’ and another reviewer summed up his work over the years by saying: ‘It is the quality of observation, linked to empathy and intelligence, which has made him the remarkable, indeed great, novelist he is. There is no one quite like him’. What more is there to say about John le Carré? He will long be remembered quite simply as a giant among English writers.

Merry Christmas to all.

AMIDST the plethora of information on television and the internet, I spotted recently a brief news item about the publication by the International Rescue Committee of its 2021 emergency list of countries around the world facing humanitarian crises.

The IRC, a non-governmental organisation based in New York and currently headed by a former British foreign secretary, is reportedly funded mainly by the US State Department and is regarded as a resettlement agency. It is a global humanitarian aid, relief and development organisation and, according to its website, its role is to help refugees and others, whose lives have been shattered by conflict or other disaster, to survive and rebuild them. The IRC responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps to restore health, safety, education and economic wellbeing to those who are suffering.

All too often, such crises are precipitated by wars around the world. With some forty armed conflicts in different countries, the number of people affected has apparently doubled over the past decade. Apart from the larger wars that are widely publicised – for example, in Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq and Ukraine – others, of lower geopolitical or economic importance, are generally less well known.

Many of the countries on the IRC’s emergency list are in Africa where there are so many conflicts – caused by political instability, the mushrooming of armed groups of extremists, food shortages and competition for resources, population growth, climate change and scarcity of water – and now, to make matters even worse, the coronavirus pandemic. The main consequence of these and other conflicts around the

globe has been the mass displacement of people who may also be impacted in other ways.

Against this background of an uncertain and troubled world, it is surely incumbent on the larger and richer nations to offer aid, support and advice in a quest to help the poorest and, by whatever means, to steer other countries away from conflict – and it is good to know that Britain is continuing to play its part as a generous donor on the world stage.

All this, of course, puts the lie to the general contention that war appears to be declining. That is only true insofar as in the period since the end of the Second World War the great powers have not confronted one another in direct conflict, apart from the Korean War which ended in 1953. The richest and largest countries have not engaged in such armed conflict, though it is the case that there have been many proxy wars, particularly in Africa; for example, in a country like Angola during the 1970s where Cuban troops were involved.

So it is the case that wars between states are now rare. But how long will that remain? As everyone knows, human beings, including world leaders, possess aggressive impulses and all too often are overcome by greed, fear, pride, tribalism, intolerance and self-deception in protecting their interests, values, ideologies and beliefs.

It is comforting for the rest of us, however, that there are so-called safety catches and trip wires in today’s international system in the form of the UN and numerous international groupings and gatherings where political leaders can talk directly – in the words attributed to Churchill but also used by former Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, “jaw, jaw is better than war, war”.

Memorial Service For Ronique Valencia Cash, 37 of West Bay Street will be held on Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020, 10:00 a.m. at Good News Seventh Day Adventist Church, Flamingo Gardens.

Officiating will be Pastor T. Basil Sturrup. Interment will follow in Lakeview Memorial Gardens, John F. Kennedy Drive and Gladstone Road.

She will lovingly be remembered by her daughter: Jade Gibson; mother: Paulette McKenzie; father: Ronnie Cash; step mom: Michelle Cash; brothers: Ladario Brown and Phillano Williams; sisters: Jannah Wilmott, Yasmine, ISG Karyss, Yolanda, P.F.C.C.U.S. Army Christal, Lisa and Rychelle Cash, Chi-Kara Armbrister, Alexis Moss, Tess Douglas and Kanycia Dames; uncles: Dr. Earl Sr., Gregory and Duane Cash, James Albury Sr., Kenneth Thompson, Anthony Heastie, Derek, Albert, Craig Wallace, Orick Pratt II, Jeffrey Dugay and Fredrick Rivers, Kevin Davis; aunts: Georgina Albury, Sandrea Miller, Jennifer Cash, Sonia Thompson, Anna Heastie, Paula Dr. Cherylle (MD) Cheryl, Angela and Ruth Cash, Karen Dugay, Denise Pratt and Bernadette Rivers; grandaunts: Sylvia Major, Joyce Small, Princess Pinder, MMiriam, Sylvia, Beryl and Vernita Wallace; granduncles: Pastor Wellington Wallace and Pastor Preston Wallace; nieces: Felicia Williams, Zy’ahani Hendry and Jai-le Simmons; nephews: Johann Cash, Chamar, Dallas, Prince, Pringle, and Matthew Galanis; cousins: Dr. Nona and Virgil Storr, Clyde Nedd Jr., Minister Lance and Dominique Wallace, Kenneth Jr., Jermaine and Tatianna Thompson, Dr. Tanya and Akeem Badamosi, A. Antoine and Dr. Ajene Heastie (MD), Erica and Dwight Burrows, Nicolette and Nicholas Cash, Dr. Earl Cash Jr. (MD) and Antoinette Cash, Christie and Dr. Adrian Cargill, Krystal and Basilena Cash, Primrose and Dario Smith, Gregornique and Doddridge Missick, Sharde and Arfan Husian, Dr. Duane Jr. and Michael Cash, James, Christopher, Kandra and Luz Albury, Sgt. 3453 Caz Perez Wallace, Tisar Wallace, Abigail and Tarez Wallace, Atiya Wallace, Samuel and Orick Pratt, Cpl. Shavanda and Tina Watkins, Monique and Natasha Riley, Majorie Wallace, Chena Wallace; godparents: H. E. Ambassador to Washington, Mr. Sidney Collie and Fredricka Baker; godchildren: Takiyah Armbrister, Deijah Knowles, Khamani Davis, Ariyene Burrows, Deonte Saunders and Family; other relatives and friends: Linda Evans and Family, Holly Ferguson and Family, Kenria Hepburn, Tamica Rolle, Mervette, Tristian Sherman, Wenthwood Collie, Raquael Forbes and Family, Danesha Kendra Donna Moss and family, The McKinney, Higgins, Lightbourn Families of Sunset Park, Ismae Smith and Family, Pastor T. Basil Sturrup and the Good News Church Family, the Clients and staff of the Artisans Beauty Salon, Cornelius Gray and Family. Kenneth and Carol Pinder and Family, Sybil Hepburn and Family, Rulame Cooper and Family, Barbara Thompson and Family, Mary Corlett and Family, Valentino Gibson and Family. Willamae Neilly and Family. Donna Mackey and Family, Keiran, Polo, Pebbles and Family, Cheryl Seymour, S.R.C. Security Dept. Tavia Thurston and a host of other relatives and friends.

Viewing will be held in the “Serenity Suite” at Restview Memorial Mortuary and Crematorium Ltd., Robinson and Solider Road on (TODAY) TUESDAY from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

PAGE 10, Tuesday, December 22, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

BAHAMIAN DIES IN CUSTODY OF US IMMIGRATION from page one In a news release dated December 18, ICE reported the preliminary cause of death is a heart attack and the 51-year-old was pronounced dead that morning.

“Anthony Jones, 51, was pronounced dead at 9.59am (CST) by medical professionals responding to the Adams County Detention Centre emergency room, where Jones had sought treatment that morning.”

ICE said Mr Jones illegally entered the United States at an unknown date and unknown location and was pending removal from the country at the time of his death.

ICE noted: “On April 3, 2006, he was transferred into ICE custody from the Florida Department of Corrections and placed into

THE ADAMS County Detenttion Centre. immigration proceedings.

On Nov 8, 2006, an immigration judge (IJ) with the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) ordered Jones removed from the United States to the Bahamas, however, prior to being able to carry out his removal, he was released on an order of supervision as ICE was unable to secure a valid

travel document in order to effect his removal.

“Following Jones’ arrest for aggravated battery in Broward County, Florida, on Sept 1, 2009, ICE lodged a detainer with the Broward County Jail. Jones entered ICE custody on Oct 6, 2009 and was released Oct 16, 2009 on an order of supervision pending issuance of travel documents.

“On April 11, 2019, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Miami officers took Jones into custody at the Broward County Sheriff’s Office in Ft Lauderdale, Florida, following his arrest for battery domestic violence.

On Oct 2, 2019, Jones was transferred to the Adams County Detention Center.”

Robbery accused denied bail

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN and a teenager were remanded to prison over allegations that they robbed three people last week.

Devon Laing, 25, and Axison Ormellus, 19, appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney after they were accused of using a handgun to rob Sharon Bethel of $178.74 on December 15.

The prosecution alleged the accused also robbed Evelyn Glass of her $249 Alcatel cell phone and said the men stole a $150 Samsung

device from another woman that same day.

Yesterday, Ormellus was also accused of dishonestly receiving a roll of quarters worth $10 and a $150 cellphone from Tanykah Bonaparte on the day in question.

During the hearing, Laing and Ormellus were not required to enter pleas to the charges and the case was adjourned to February 26 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment.

In the meantime, both males were denied bail and remanded to prison.

They have a right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail.

$1,500 FINE FOR ATTEMPT TO USE FAKE BANK CARD

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN who last year attempted to purchase an iPhone with a fake bank card was fined $1,500 yesterday.

Police said Larrenty Munroe, 26, attempted to defraud Furniture Plus in February 2019 when he tried to buy a $3,200 iPhone from the store with a fraudulent Royal Bank of Canada card.

He pleaded guilty to one count each of fraud by false pretences, uttering a forged document and attempted fraud during an arraignment before Magistrate Samuel McKinney.

The court was told the credit risk manager of Furniture Plus told police that two men had entered their establishment. The prosecution said Munroe then handed the manager an NIB smart card and tried to purchase an Apple iPhone.

After being issued a sales receipt, the accused then presented an RBC MasterCard in his name.

When the staff

questioned the card’s validity, Munroe and the other man fled the store. After the matter was reported, police investigating the incident discovered that the RBC card was issued

by City Bank in the United States. Munroe was eventually arrested. In an interview with police at a nearby station, he said he wasn’t a client of RBC and denied going to Furniture Plus that day. When he was shown the surveillance tape showcasing a man with his likeness, he insisted the person caught on film was not him.

During the hearing, Munroe was represented by attorney Sariah Miller.

She told the magistrate the incident took place a while ago, but Munroe was recently detained during a traffic stop last week. Ms Miller said her client was a first-time offender and had no previous run-ins with the law. She also insisted Munroe was remorseful for his actions.

As a result, Magistrate McKinney fined the accused $1,500 or six months in custody.

JAILED FOR 18 MONTHS OVER GUN USED FOR ‘PROTECTION’

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A 25-YEAR-OLD man who was found with an illegal firearm that he claimed he had for “protection” was yesterday sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Police arrested Eric Thurston after they found him with a black Taurus pistol and six .40mm live rounds of ammunition on December 18.

He pleaded guilty to one count each of possession of an unlicensed firearm and illegal ammunition during his hearing before Magistrate Samuel McKinney yesterday.

The court was told that that day, officers responded to a code 91 near Island Luck on Cordeaux Avenue and Miami Street. Upon their arrival, they saw a man fitting the description they were given by officers in their control room. The prosecution said the suspect attempted to flee the

scene, which prompted the officers to give chase. It was at that time that Thurston removed a black handgun from his waist and dropped it on the ground.

After a short foot chase, officers detained the accused and took him back to the area where he had dropped the firearm.

He was then cautioned and arrested.

When given an opportunity to speak during the hearing, Thurston told the magistrate he had the firearm for his protection after he got shot a few years ago.

He insisted he had no intentions of using the weapon to harm anyone.

After listening to his explanation, Magistrate McKinney fined him $5,000 and sentenced him to 18 months at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. He warned Thurston that if he failed to pay the fine, he could risk spending an additional six months on remand.

MAN DENIES THROWING ROCK AT WOMAN

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A 20-YEAR-OLD man who denied assaulting a woman with a rock last month was granted $1,500 bail ahead of his trial.

Clyde Dames appeared before Magistrate Samuel

McKinney after he was accused of throwing a rock at his girlfriend’s sister on November 20.

He pleaded not guilty to one count of assault with a dangerous instrument and the case was adjourned to January 19 for trial.

Dames was granted $1,500 bail until that time.

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THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, December 22, 2020, PAGE 11

‘Nothing to worry about’ says Biden as he gets jab Graveside Service For Samuel Orlando “Tommy” Thompson, 73

a resident of Freeport, Grand Bahama, will be held at St. Agnes Anglican Church Cemetery, Nassau Street, on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. Officiating will be Archdeacon Keith Cartwright, assisted by Rev’d. Fr. Peter L. Ferguson & Rev’d. Fr. Ruel J. Strachan.

PRESIDENT-elect Joe Biden receives his first dose of the coronavirus vaccine from nurse practitioner Tabe Mase at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Delaware, yesterday. Photo: Carolyn Kaster/AP NEWARK, Delaware Associated Press PRESIDENT-ELECT Joe Biden yesterday received his first dose of the coronavirus vaccine on live television as part of a growing effort to convince the American public the inoculations are safe.

The president-elect took a dose of Pfizer vaccine at a hospital not far from his Delaware home, hours after his wife, Jill Biden, did the same. The injections came the same day that a second vaccine, produced by Moderna, will start arriving in states. It joins Pfizer’s in the nation’s arsenal against the COVID-19 pandemic, which has now killed more than 317,000 people in the United States and upended life around the globe.

“I’m ready,” said Biden, who was administered the dose at a hospital in Newark, Delaware. The president-elect rolled the left sleeve of his turtleneck all the way up to his shoulder, then declined the option to count to three

before the needle was inserted into his left arm.

“You just go ahead anytime you’re ready,” he told the nurse practitioner who administered the shot.

Biden emphasised the safety of the vaccine, and said President Donald Trump’s administration “deserves some credit” for getting the vaccine distribution process “off the ground”.

“I’m doing this to demonstrate that people should be prepared when it’s available to take the vaccine,” he added. “There’s nothing to worry about.”

He noted, however, that distributing the vaccine is “going to take time,” and urged Americans to take precautions during the holiday season to avoid the spread of the virus, including wearing masks.

“If you don’t have to travel, don’t travel,” he said. “It’s really important.”

Biden also thanked health care workers, and offered praise and an elbow bump to Tabe Mase, the nurse practitioner who

MONTHS OF WAITING THEN A RUSH TO VOTE ON RELIEF WASHINGTON Associated Press

AFTER months of Washington gridlock, Congress is set to vote on a $900bn pandemic relief package, finally delivering long-sought cash to businesses and individuals as well as resources to vaccinate a nation confronting a frightening surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths.

Lawmakers tacked on thousands of pages of other end-of-session business in a burst of legislation as Capitol Hill is set to close down for the year.

The relief package, agreed to on Sunday and finally released in bill form yesterday afternoon, remained on track for votes in Congress. It would establish a temporary $300 per week supplemental jobless benefit and a $600 direct stimulus payment to most Americans, along with a new round of subsidies for hard-hit businesses and money for schools, health care providers and renters facing eviction.

The 5,593-page legislation — the longest bill in memory and probably ever — came together on Sunday after months of battling, posturing and postelection negotiating that reined in a number of Democratic demands as the end of the congressional session approached. President-elect Joe Biden was eager for a deal to deliver long-awaited help to suffering people and

a boost to the economy, even though it was less than half the size that Democrats wanted in the fall.

Biden praised the bipartisan spirit that produced the measure, which he called “just the beginning”.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, a key negotiator, said on CNBC that the direct payments would begin arriving in bank accounts next week.

Democrats acknowledged it wasn’t as robust a relief package as they initially sought — or, they say, the country needs. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi vowed more to come once Biden takes office.

“It is a first step,” she said. “We have to do more.”

The final agreement would be the largest spending measure yet. It combined $900 billion for COVID-19 relief with a $1.4 trillion governmentwide funding plan and lots of other unrelated measures on taxes, health, infrastructure and education. The governmentwide funding would keep the government open through September.

Passage neared as coronavirus cases and deaths spiked and evidence piled up that the economy was struggling. The legislation had been held up by months of dysfunction and bad faith. But talks turned serious in recent days as lawmakers on both sides finally faced the deadline of acting before leaving Washington for Christmas.

administered his first dose of the vaccine.

Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and her husband are expected to receive their first shots next week.

Other top government officials have been in the first wave of Americans to be inoculated against COVID19 as part of the largest largest vaccination campaign in the nation’s history.

Vice President Mike Pence, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and other lawmakers were given doses Friday. They chose to publicise their injections as part of a campaign to convince Americans that the vaccines are safe and effective amid skepticism, especially among Republicans.

President Donald Trump is discussing with his doctors the timing for taking the vaccine, the White House said. He tweeted earlier this month that he was “not scheduled” to take the vaccine but that he looked “forward to doing so at the appropriate time.”

Samuel is survived by his wife Sharon Elaine Thompson; Daughters: Brigitta (Fredrico) Samantha Hall, Oreka Thompson and Titania G.M. (Calsey) Arthur; two grandchildren: Richá, Aniya and Michael Ricardo Hall and adopted granddaughter: Chantique Taylor; Adopted sons: Mario (Dominique) Taylor, Curtis (Glenette) Fowler and Bradley Gibbs Jr.; Brothers: Earl (Pamela) Thompson, Randolph (Bernice) Thompson; Adopted Brother: Kisner Delva; Sisters: Roselyn Johnson and Prescola Kemp; Nephews: Randy, Steven, Roscoe, Rodwell, Fayne, Curzon, Jerome, Wendell, Philip, Nathaniel. Chief Superintendent Earl (Tammy) and Dion (Carlene), Ricardo and Greg Thompson, Demetrius, Daniel and Brent Kemp, Kenneth and Jeffrey Walcott, Arlington Munroe Jr.; Nieces: Evania, Danita, Reniece Thompson, Carmella Cheung, Crystal Bethel, Tracy Thompson, Elizabeth Ferguson, Elizabeth Thompson, Zaneta Charles, Arlette Pennerman, Sherry Kemp-Walters, Superintendent. Chryslin Skippings, Patricia Wells, Antoinette (Leroy) Storr, Sonya Rutherford, Denise and Superintendent Debra Thompson, Davinia Thompson, Patria (Pete) Armbrister, Charmaine and Alkeisha Munroe, Alintonya Byer, Akera Brown, Kisnee Arthur, Kizzia Delva; Sister-in-Law: Ingrid (Philip) Carey; Cousins: Sally Dill, Millicent Miller, Michael Thompson, Muriel Almanard, Samuel, John and Neville Huyler, Katrina Wells, Charles Pratt, Laverne McPhee, Basil Johnson, Stephanie Edwards, Gloria and Longley, Bernadett Rolle, Andrea Francis Paulette Godet, Bradley Russell, Henry Poitier, Edna Pratt. Numerous other relatives and friends: Rev. Rudolph Cooper and Family, Byron Outten and family, Samuel and Judymae Knowles and family, Rufus Johnson and family, Troy Kesson and family, Marvin Hanna, Ralph Hanna Jr. and family, Carlton Hanna and Family, Sidney (Olive) Neely and family, Verlene Knowles-Lafleur and family, Nicole Bellajour and family, Sidney Stubbs J.P. and family Maxwell and Patricia Sweeting and Family, Residents of 21 Condominiums, Staff of Kids-R-Us Preschool/Pine Forest Academy, Staff of Wholistic Health and Rehabilitation Centre, O’sune Darville and family, Sandra Clarke and family, Angela Pinder and family, Patrick Laing and family, The Colebrook family, Una Cooper and family, Chris Gardiner and family, Ivan Deveaux and family, Winnifred Butler and family, Fletcher Ferguson and family, Lilles Strachan and family, Leona Huyler-Miller and family, Virginia Minnis and family, Henry Curry, Earl Curry, Clifford Humes, Ann Sears and family, Albertha Hall and family, Dolly Thompson and family, Vernon Campbell, Clifford Humes, Leonard Neely and family, Oscar Campbell and family, Reuben Hall and family, Doug Parnell and family, Lynden Hall and family, Hartley Colebrooke and family, Peter Street family, Llewelyn Astwood and family, Sandra Taylor (Sister Sisters), Staff of The Gaming Board past and present, Staff of Princess and Treasure Bay Casinos, Staff of TCI Gaming Inspectorate Department, Gaming Commission and The Ministry of Tourism of TCI, Members of Harmony Lodge #25 PHA. Sincere thanks and recognition is being given to the Staff of the Oncology Consultants especially Dr. Curling and The Oncology Department of the Princess Margaret Hospital, Doctors and staff of The Kidney Center and Renal House, Doctors and Nurses of the Cheshire Hall Medical Center (TCI) and the Princess Margaret Hospital.

Friends may pay their last respects at Demeritte’s Funeral Home, Market Street, from 10-5:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

SPORTS

PAGE 12, Tuesday, December 22, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Bengals stun Steelers, 27-17

By MITCH STACY AP Sports Writer CINCINNATI (AP) — Giovani Bernard scored two first-half touchdowns after turnovers and the Cincinnati Bengals held on to stun the badly slumping Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17 last night.

The Bengals (3-10-1) led 17-0 at halftime and survived a rally by the Steelers, who lost their third straight after 11 consecutive wins to start the season.

Pittsburgh didn’t get a first down until more than halfway through the second quarter.

Cincinnati snapped a streak of 11 straight losses to Pittsburgh in most unlikely fashion, with Ryan Finley at quarterback. The second-year player, starting in place of injured No.

1 overall draft pick Joe Burrow, completed seven passes for 89 yards, but his 23-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter all but sealed it for the Bengals. It was the second huge upset of this NFL weekend. Pittsburgh was a 14-point favourite, and the Los Angeles Rams were favoured by 17 before losing to the previously winless New York Jets on Sunday. It was the first time since the 1970s that two teams favoured by 14 points or more lost on the same weekend.

Three weeks ago, the Steelers were on track for the top overall seed in the AFC, but now they could end up a wild card. Pittsburgh has tough matchups remaining against Indianapolis (10-4) and Cleveland (10-4).

BENGALS’ Carl Lawson (58) sacks Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) during the first half last night in Cincinnati.

(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

JORDAN STRACHAN, flanked by sister Amorie Strachan, mother Shuntay Strachan, sister Chelsea Strachan, father Sean Strachan and brother Christop.

Jordan Strachan relaxes in Bahamas before the big game from PAGE 16

JORDAN Strachan in action for Georgia State University.

for us, having a winning record and getting to play in another bowl game and for me personally, it’s been a real good season,” Strachan said.

He’s currently leading the nation in forced fumbles and second in sacks, averaging 12.5 tackles for loss (TFL) and 9.0 total tackles (TOT) this season.

“It’s just been a great season for me personally,” Strachan reflected.

“Even though I had a good year and I did leave a lot of stuff out on the field, I think it will be a much better season net year.”

The 22-year-old red-shirt junior, who was injured during his first game of his sophomore season, is hoping that his numbers this year will help the Panthers tremendously as they are now going after their second bowl victory following their 27-17 triumph over Western Kentucky in the Autonation Bowl in 2017.

Western Kentucky, representing Conference USA, played here in the inaugural Bahamas Bowl in 2014 when they pulled off an amazing 49-48 victory over the Mid-American Conference’s Central Michigan Chippewas at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

“I know for me personally, after I got hurt last year with a torn ACL in my left knee, I was really devastated because I’ve never dealt with an injury like that,” he pointed out.

“I really had to figure out who Jordan was. It was a really tough process, but my family got me through it. I knew I had to come back even stronger, so that was really my motivation this year.”

One of the coolest memories of his uncle Steve was when he was 15, how he introduced him to that first Bahamas Bowl game played here.

Strachan said ever since, he thought about what it would be like for his Panthers to be one of the participants.

“To play football in the Bahamas in a bowl game would have been crazy. It would have been a blessing,” said Strachan of the bowl game that has been postponed this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.

In the COVID-19 environment, Strachan said their Panthers’ football team has to get tested twice a week and when he returns to Georgia State University, he will have to be quarantined for a few days before he can practice for Saturday’s game.

“It’s real difficult, so mentally and physically, you have to think about everybody,” he said.

“All season, I didn’t go out, I didn’t leave my room, we were isolated.

“It was a big sacrifice we had to take. It was real difficult, but that was what we had to do. College football is so big in the United States that people would do whatever they have to do to be on the field.”

But off the field, Strachan said it’s been very strange playing without the large fan support in the stands.

“It made a huge difference, but I think that really showed who loves the game and who is ready to play,” he said. “Even in practice when nobody is around, you have to motivate yourself.

“For me, I’m not out there for all those people.

I’m doing what I do for my family, so I don’t get caught

up with all of the hype. I just go out there and play for my family.”

With the new norm that COVID-19 has brought to the world, Strachan encourages Bahamians to simply follow the health rules and stay safe.

“This is very serious, no joke about it,” he stressed.

Despite his credentials in football, Strachan has also done remarkably well in the classroom as an Athletic Director’s Honour Roll student in the Fall 2018, Fall 2019 and Spring 2020. He is studying business economics as a major and entrepreneurship as a minor.

“I’ve learned that you have to be just as good on the football field as you are in the classroom,” Strachan said. “Just as religiously as you are in church, you have to have a relationship with God. “They all go hand in hand, or it won’t work. That is what I want people in the Bahamas to understand.

You may only see me on the outside as a football player, but I pray every morning.

All those things made me who I am today.”

He, however, expressed his gratitude to his parents, Sean and Shuntay Strachan. He also wants to lead by example for his siblings Christopher, Chelsea and Amorie Strachan.

Strachan, who could not have left town without enjoying his favourite dish of fried snapper, peas and rice, cole slaw, macaroni and cheese at his favourite spot at the Cricket Club, said his family and friends in the Bahamas will forever play a special part in his life.

He said he will dedicate the rest of his season to uncle Steve as he cherishes their memories.

SPORTS

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, December 22, 2020, PAGE 13

Chelsea bounces back with a win as Werner’s woes continue

By STEVE DOUGLAS AP Sports Writer TRY as he might, Timo Werner just cannot score for Chelsea at the moment.

Fortunately for the Germany star, his fellow strikers are finding the net.

Tammy Abraham demonstrated the ruthlessness Werner is lacking by netting two late goals as Chelsea beat West Ham 3-0 in the English Premier League yesterday.

It meant the team rebounded from back-toback losses, at Everton then Wolverhampton, which provided a walk-up call for Chelsea and its title pretensions.

Werner’s scoring woes haven’t ended, though.

Make that nine straight games in all competitions without a goal for Chelsea’s major offseason acquisition, who is playing out on the left wing because of some injuries among the midfielders.

He is still getting chances, however. And failing to convert them.

In the first half, he was set free for a one-on-one chance but shot straight at West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski. Then late in the game, with the points secured for Chelsea, he smashed a shot against the crossbar from close range.

Werner looked to the skies, as if he was pleading for help.

Abraham, meanwhile, scored twice on his return to the team as he replaced Olivier Giroud, the France striker who had seven goals in Chelsea’s previous seven games.

One of Abraham’s goals, which came in the 78th and 80th minutes, came from a shot — albeit a weak one — from Werner that the England international did

CHELSEA’s Tammy Abraham celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the English Premier League soccer match against West Ham at Stamford Bridge, London, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Clive Rose) well to turn in from close range.

The majority of Chelsea’s $300 million summer spending spree went on exciting attackers, like Werner, to fire the team to a title run.

But the team’s defenders are proving just as lethal in front of goal.

Brazil centre back Thiago Silva found space in a crowded penalty area to power home a header at a corner and put Chelsea ahead in the 10th minute.

Nine of Chelsea’s 29 goals have come from defenders — two from Silva, four from fellow centre half Kurt Zouma, two from left back Ben Chilwell and another from

right back Reece James — with eight of them coming from corners.

Chelsea climbed to fifth place, six points behind first-placed Liverpool, after 14 games.

“There was a little bit of tension going into the game — I thought the players were like that in training — and they had to fight through it,” Chelsea manager Frank Lampard said.

For all of West Ham’s pressure in the second half, the east London side didn’t manage a single shot on target at Stamford Bridge.

would leave it with a big gap to make up.

Barcelona also needs to win when it visits Valladolid if it wants to stay in touch.

Lionel Messi’s side is in fifth place after being held to a draw by Valencia over the weekend. Sevilla will visit Valencia also on Tuesday, while Levante is at Huesca, and Elche hosts last-place Osasuna.

GERMANY Schalke is hoping for some pre-Christmas tonic for its barren run in the Bundesliga when it hosts fourth-tier Ulm in the second round of the German Cup. The Gelsenkirchenbased club is in crisis amid its worst ever run in the league – a run of 29 games without a win that interim coach Huub Stevens failed to stop against Arminia Bielefeld on Saturday. Stevens, who took over from the fired Manuel Baum last week, remains in charge for just the game against Ulm, where it is hoped the desolate players can restore some confidence against a team that plays three levels below in the German soccer league system. Ulm would normally host the game in its modest stadium, but the coronavirus pandemic has forced many smaller clubs to give up their home right for logistical reasons.

Borussia Dortmund visits second-division Eintracht

Fabio Silva replied for Wolves with an 89th-minute penalty.

“I just don’t want to see him more — that’s what I told him,” Nuno said about Mason.

“I hope he doesn’t whistle a game of ours again because all the games we have with Lee Mason are always the same.”

Burnley climbed out of the bottom three with its third win of the season, and is unbeaten in four games.

By CIARÁN FAHEY AP Sports Writer BERLIN (AP) — Borussia Mönchengladbach striker Marcus Thuram has been banned for five games for spitting in the face of a Hoffenheim opponent in the Bundesliga.

The German football federation said yesterday the ban applies to the German Cup and Bundesliga and that a further one-game ban is suspended on condition of good behaviour until December 21, 2021.

Thuram spat in defender Stefan Posch’s face from close range during an argument over a tackle from Posch. Referee Frank Willenborg consulted video and sent off Thuram and booked Posch. Hoffenheim won 2-1 on Saturday.

Thuram was also fined 40,000 euros ($50,000) by the federation yesterday.

Gladbach had already fined the French player a month’s wages that will be donated to a social cause.

Gladbach sporting director Max Eberl said on Sunday the spitting incident was uncharacteristic of Thuram, the son of French World Cup winner Lilian Thuram, who joined the club from Guingamp in 2019. The 23-year-old Thuram was praised in May for taking a knee in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement amid protests over the killing of George Floyd.

The federation issued a similar punishment to Santiago Ascacíbar in April 2019 after the former Stuttgart player spat at Kai Havertz, who was playing for Bayer Leverkusen. Ascacíbar has since switched to Hertha Berlin.

UNHAPPY NUNO Wolverhampton manager Nuno Espirito Santo

MATCHDAY: ARSENAL, CITY MEET IN ENGLISH LEAGUE CUP QUARTERS A look at what’s happening around European soccer today: ENGLAND The English League Cup reaches the quarterfinals stage this week and Manchester City is closing in on another slice of history under Pep Guardiola. City’s players lifted the trophy for the third consecutive year last season and are three matches away from winning four in a row, which will match the achievement of Liverpool in the 1980s.

Arsenal is City’s opponent in the last eight in the latest head-to-head between Guardiola and the man who was his assistant at City for 3 1/2 years, Mikel Arteta. The other match sees second-tier Brentford host Newcastle and look for another win over Premier League opposition having beaten Southampton, West Bromwich Albion and Fulham en route to the quarters.

SPAIN Real Sociedad hosts Atlético Madrid seeking a win to stop its skid and pull back level with the league leaders.

Back-to-back losses after three straight draws have Sociedad three points adrift of Atlético and Real Madrid, in second place on goal difference.

A win would revive Sociedad’s bid to become a longshot candidate for the title, while another loss

saw his team lose in the rain at Burnley 2-1 — then turned his fire on the referee.

Nuno faces being punished for a post-match rant, during which he said referee Lee Mason “does not have the quality to whistle a game in the Premier League.”

It came after Wolves were sunk by close-range goals from Burnley strikers Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood.

THURAM BANNED FOR SPITTING IN OPPONENT’S FACE

Braunschweig for new coach Edin Terzic’s third game in charge, Borussia Mönchengladbach visits fourth-tier SV Elversberg, Union Berlin and Cologne host second-division Paderborn and Osnabrück, respectively, and Leipzig visits Augsburg for a Bundesliga duel.

Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen had their games postponed to January to avoid overburdening the players.

ITALY Juventus will be confident of ending the year with its unbeaten league record intact as the ninetime defending champion prepares to welcome relegation-threatened Fiorentina.

Juventus is one of only two teams still to lose in Serie A along with leader AC Milan, and has won three of its past four league matches. Its latest success was a 4-0 rout of Parma.

Fiorentina is just four points above the drop zone but there are signs new coach Cesare Prandelli is beginning to turn things around.

Prandelli lost his first match in charge but drew the next two, against high-flying Sassuolo and Hellas Verona.

Elsewhere, Parma is only five points above the relegation zone but will be hopeful of inching further away as it visits bottom club Crotone.

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SPORTS

PAGE 14, Tuesday, December 22, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

SILVER CONFIDENT NBA SEASON CAN BE PULLED OFF SAFELY

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer THE NBA found a way to get through last season amid a pandemic. Adam Silver sees no reason why the same cannot ring true again this season.

Silver, the the NBA’s Commissioner, said yesterday — one day before the new season begins — that he is confident the league’s health and safety protocols will allow teams to get through their planned 72-game regular season slates even as the coronavirus problem rages across the country and the world. He did, however, warn that he expects the virus to create some problems along the way.

“I think we are prepared for isolated cases; in fact, based on what we’ve seen in the preseason, based on watching other leagues operating outside a bubble, unfortunately, it seems somewhat inevitable,” Silver said. “We’re prepared for all contingencies.”

Games could be postponed or cancelled along the way, and Silver said that if the league encounters issues that cannot be controlled by what’s covered in the health and

safety protocols suspending the season — just as was the case back on March 11, when the 2019-20 season was halted for 4 ½ months — will again be a possibility.

But the league, Silver vowed, will wait its turn to get players and others inside the NBA vaccinated against the coronavirus.

“In no form or way will we jump the line,” Silver said.

Silver spoke on the eve of the season-opening doubleheader — Golden State visiting Brooklyn and the Los Angeles Clippers playing against the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. He said if the league didn’t believe in its plans, the season simply would not be starting.

“We do anticipate that there will be bumps in the road along the way,” Silver said.

Teams will play 10 fewer games than the customary 82-game slate.

The season is starting two months later than usual and the playoffs are set to stretch into July, all with players and coaches being tested daily and with nearly 60 players having already missed some time with their teams during training camp and the preseason because of positive COVID-19 tests.

And as was the case at Disney, social justice initiatives remain top priorities for the league, Silver said. The efforts will be different now — for example, “Black Lives Matter” is no longer painted onto game courts, a change from what was the case in the bubble. Buy the commissioner stressed that fighting racial inequality is no less important now than it was then.

“I think there’s also been in a new awakening among the players in the league as to the impact they can have when they use the platforms they have to speak out on issues that are important to them,” Silver said. “So, I think it’s a combination of the collective action that the league will be taking together with its players and coaches, and on top of that players realising the enormous reach they have with their voices.”

Toronto guard Kyle Lowry said last week that he expects the league to continue driving conversation about the need for societal change. “For myself, it’s all about action. It’s all about doing it,” Lowry said. “It may not say it on the court or it may not say it on our jerseys or on the back of the jerseys, but it resonates when you’re

doing things in your communities, to uplift your communities and to uplift other people. So that’s a big thing, is continuing, yourself, to make it matter.”

The NBA currently expects only six of its 30 teams to open the season with fans in the stands, and no arena is planning to have more than 4,000 ticketholders in the seats at this point. Smaller attendance means smaller revenue, and the league missed its revenue projection by about $1.5 billion last season — largely because many games were canceled and the bubble games, including the playoffs, were played without fans in the seats.

Silver said playing another season without fans would mean NBA revenue would dip about 40 percent. “Tens of thousands of people rely on our league and its related businesses for their livelihoods,” Silver said. “We also feel a responsibility to our fans. People continue to look at sports as a break from the challenges of the pandemic and as a small reminder of what life was like before COVID-19. ... It’s a piece of life I feel we’re able to get back, for the time being.”

KD and Nets vs Warriors tonight

By BRIAN MAHONEY AP Basketball Writer NEW YORK (AP) — Kevin Durant and the Golden State Warriors were trying to extend their stay atop the NBA when he crumbled to the court with a ruptured Achilles tendon on June 10, 2019.

The two-time NBA Finals MVP was lost and so soon was the Warriors’ grasp on the championship.

Golden State’s title was gone a couple nights later and eventually so was Durant, who left for Brooklyn as a free agent after having surgery.

Now both are ready to start working their way back.

Durant’s first official NBA game in a year and a half comes against his old club, as the Nets host the Warriors tonight in the opening game of the 2020-21 season.

The matchup feels like a bigger night than usual in Brooklyn — just not to Durant.

“I feel like each game is important to me and it’s no more of importance because I’m playing against my old teammates,” Durant said. “I just feel like the game of basketball is going to have me on that level anyway and it’s going to be good to see some of my old teammates, good to play against them, good to see some of the people I worked with in my time in Golden State, but nothing more than that.”

Same feeling from the Warriors.

“It’ll be cool to see him out there and all those pleasantries and then get to just competing,” Stephen Curry said. “I think that’s what we all expect.”

Durant played three seasons with the Warriors and was bidding to have them all end with

NETS forward Kevin Durant (7) dunks during the second half of a preseason game against the Boston Celtics.

(AP Photo/Mary Schwalm) championships. He returned from a calf injury to play Game 5 in Toronto with Golden State down 3-1 and was off to a strong start before he went down in the second quarter.

The Warriors held on to win that night, shaking off the sadness of Durant’s injury.

“They were heartbroken,” Nets coach Steve Nash said.

And they haven’t been the same since.

With Durant gone, Klay Thompson injured last season and Curry missing nearly all of it, Golden State went from dynasty to dismal.

The Warriors have won just 15 times in 560 days since Durant went down, finishing with the worst record in the league in the coronavirus-shortened 2019-20 season after five straight trips to the NBA Finals.

The teams were scheduled to meet March 12 in San Francisco, the day after the season was suspended. Durant wouldn’t have played then and downplayed what the importance of a victory now would mean, saying he has a lifelong bond with his old mates.

“I mean, if winning a basketball game is going to give me closure for three years then I really didn’t have a good time there I guess,” Durant said.

Despite the severity of his injury and length of his absence, expectations are high that Durant will return to the level that made him a four-time scoring champion who has averaged 27 points. He looked sharp in both of Brooklyn’s exhibition games, though said it will take some time before he’s at his best.

“I mean, I’ve always been comfortable with a basketball in my

hands,” Durant said. “But physically not being able to run up and down the court, it’s going to take me more than two or three games to feel like I’m in midseason form, I guess, physically.”

He looks good already to Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who watched the Nets rout Boston in their exhibition finale.

“I didn’t know what to expect given that it’s been really a year and a half since his last game, but I could not tell one difference between seeing him 18 months ago and seeing him the other night,” Kerr said. “He looks great, he’s smiling, he’s out there doing his thing and I’m really happy for him.”

The Nets, with Kyrie Irving also returning after playing just 20 games last season because of a shoulder injury, have enough depth and balance that they may not need Durant to be great right away.

Curry may not have that luxury.

Thompson will miss another season after injuring his Achilles tendon preparing for this one and Draymond Green will sit out the opener with a right foot injury that sidelined him in the preseason, though Kerr said No. 2 pick James Wiseman is available after his late start to the preseason.

With so many of the championship-winning Warriors not in the game and an unusual scene with no fans in the arena, Kerr said the game won’t seem quite as strange as if the Warriors had played Durant when they were still on top. “The circumstances are all crazy,” he said, “but it’s been a year and half and so you throw all that into the mix and it’s a totally different vibe.”

HARDEN MUM ON FUTURE WITH ROCKETS AS NBA SEASON APPROACHES

By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer JAMES Harden remains a Houston Rocket with the start of the NBA’s regular season just two days away.

How he feels about that is unclear, with the superstar refusing to discuss his future or answer any questions about consistent reports that he wants to be traded.

Harden reported late to camp as rumors swirled that he no longer wants to play for the Rockets and hopes to be dealt. He played in Houston’s last two preseason games and talked about the season yesterday as the Rockets prepared for their Wednesday opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

But the Beard had nothing to say when asked if he feels better about the situation in Houston now than he did when he arrived at camp, responding with a terse, “next question.”

The eight-time All-Star and 2018 MVP also seemed annoyed when asked if he is where he wants to be after missing the first week of camp.

“We keep talking about what I missed,” he said.

“I think everybody, the entire league is in catch-up mode in a sense of we only had a short time for training camp, so everybody’s trying to get into game shape because obviously the season just ended a few months ago.”

Harden is the centrepiece of a team that added John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins and Christian Wood in the offseason. The Rockets are intent on keeping Harden as they try to contend for their first title since winning back-to-back championships in 1994-95.

While he won’t talk about his future, Harden was more than happy to discuss his expectations for himself and the team on Monday.

“My expectation never changes — individually be the best basketball player in the world,” he said. “As a team try to get in the top three seeds and then always give yourself a chance (in the playoffs). That’s the most important.”

The Rockets were the fourth seed last season.

They beat Oklahoma City in the first round before being eliminated by the Lakers in the Western Conference semifinals.

FULTZ, ISAAC, WHITE AND ANUNOBY GET CONTRACT EXTENSIONS DONE

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer FOR some young NBA players, a freeagency payday came early yesterday.

Orlando signed Jonathan Isaac and Markelle Fultz to extensions, while San Antonio did the same with Derrick White and Toronto with OG Anunoby.

All four could have been restricted free agents next summer, and their teams had until Monday to get new deals done with those players. The deals all begin with the 2021-22 season.

Isaac ($80 million), White and Anunoby ($72 million) each received four-year extensions. Fultz got a three-year extension worth $50 million.

The terms of the deals for Issac, Anunoby and Fultz, each of them first reported

by ESPN, were confirmed to The Associated Press by people with knowledge of the negotiations. The people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because terms of the deals were not publicly announced.

ESPN reported White’s deal to be worth $73 million. “We are thrilled to keep both Markelle and Jonathan in a Magic

uniform,” Magic President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman said. “They both have a very bright future and they mean a lot to our organisation, both on and off the court.”

Fultz, the No. 1 pick in the 2017 draft, averaged 12.1 points and 5.1 assists for the Magic last season.

Isaac averaged 11.9 points and 6.8 rebounds for the Magic a year ago,

having his season interrupted by a left knee bone bruise -- and then seeing his season ended when he tore the ACL in that same knee during a game in the bubble in August.

“OG is the epitome of the skilled, powerful, determined player we want in our organisation long-term.

Remember, he doesn’t shoot to miss,” Raptors general manager Bobby Webster said.

“We’re really pleased that OG will be with us for seasons to come.”

White averaged 11.3 points for the Spurs last season. He was one of the guards selected to USA Basketball’s 12-player roster for the Basketball World Cup in China in 2019.

Many top-tier free agents who could have hit the market next summer have also signed new deals in recent days, including twotime reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo with Milwaukee, LeBron James and Anthony Davis with the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers, Rudy HORNETS guard LaMelo Ball Gobert with Utah (2) dribbles around Magic guard and Paul George Markelle Fultz. with the Los Angeles (AP Photo/Matt Stamey) Clippers.

Other signees of big extensions that Isaac is not expected to start next season included play this season.

Anunoby averaged Bam Adebayo with Miami, career-bests of 10.6 points Jayson Tatum with Boston, and 5.3 rebounds while Donovan Mitchell with becoming a full-time starter Utah and De’Aaron Fox with Sacramento. for the Raptors last season.

SPORTS

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, December 22, 2020, PAGE 15

Jonique’s Stride for Hope

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net AFTER almost a year since she passed away, coach Terrance ‘Red Eye’ McSweeney finally completed a memorial for his former Diamond Basketball development programme player Jonique ‘Mini’ Webb.

On Saturday, McSweeney ended the five-weekend training camp in honour of Webb, who died on January 19 at the age of 30 after she lost her battle with lupus.

Webb, 30, was a part of the organisation from 1998 to 2006 after graduating from Jordan Prince Williams High School where she was a multiple sporting star of their Falcons ladies’ teams.

“Today was more than what I anticipated. We had more than a handful of the girls who were coming out in the past,” McSweeney said.

“We had six Saturdays honouring Jonique and we had her sorority, AKA, out and they came out and shared a lot of knowledge with the young girls here.”

McSweeney said it was just a testament to Webb’s involvement as a person and her contribution to sports with the BSC also being involved in the activities.

“Jonique was a lot of fun wherever she went and she always lit up a room with her enthusiasm,” McSweeney said. “Through God, we had a wonderful, sunny day with her parents, grandmother, sister and brother.

“It was more of a family affair and that is why you always have to rely on God in whatever you do. Today marked 11 months since Jonique went on to be with the Lord. So to God be the glory for what he has done.”

Ida Poitier and a host of her members from the 112-year-old Alpha Kappa Sorority Inc., an organisation that Jonique Webb was involved in, showed up and provided some tips to the participants of the camp.

“I love what Terrance McSweeney is doing with the programme,” Poitier said. “Because of COVID19, we were unable to do what we really wanted to do. “But as soon as it’s over, we will jump in and assist him with this programme because we believed in Jonique Webb and the success and contribution that she had in sports.”

AKA presented a plaque on behalf of Webb to Jasmine Roker for her outstanding performance as a participant and team leader in the camp.

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Many people were of the view that Roker resembled Webb in all aspects, although the St John’s College 12th grader admitted that she never met her, but heard about her accomplishment.

“It was a surprise, but I feel honoured and I want to thank the people who selected me for this award,” Roker said. “I am going to use this as an encouragement to keep moving forward. I just hope this will inspire me to improve my game.”

Roker, who is preparing to head to St Leo University next year on a basketball scholarship, said while she didn’t know or meet Webb, she’s pleased that the camp was held in her memory because of her story. “I understood that she was a dedicated and helpful person, so to be a part of this is awesome. It’s a good experience,” said the 16-year-old Roker, who plays on St John’s senior girls’ basketball team.

Also on hand was the Baptist Sports Council, an organisation that Webb served as a secretary and a player with the Golden Gates Native Baptist Church.

COACH Terrance ‘Red Eye’ McSweeney on Saturday ended the five-weekend training camp in memory of his former Diamond Basketball development programme player Jonique ‘Mini’ Webb.

Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff Chairman Brent Stubbs, along with vice chairman Joanne ‘Mother’ Webb and treasurer Olympian Evans, made some comments, reflecting on the life of Webb.

The BSC also presented Maquel Hall, a 9th grader at St John’s College, with the Sportsmanship Award.

The talented point guard on the junior girls’ team said she was really stunned when her name was called.

“I was surprised when my name was called. I expected it to be either Jasmine or Raven or someone else,” she said. “I didn’t know Jonique, but I heard about her story. “She was a great person, so I am very glad that I got the award in her

honour. I came here to better my skills in basketball and I’ve been able to develop my skills.”

McSweeney said Ida Poitier, the president of the local chapter of the sorority, now celebrating its 112th anniversary, will be in attendance along with other sisters as they honour the life and memory of Webb on the basketball court.

Shane Sweeting, a former physical education teacher and coach of the St Anne’s Blue Waves teams that played against Jordan Prince Williams teams, coached by McSweeney and featuring Webb, said she couldn’t miss this opportunity to participate in the event as well. “I didn’t just

know about Red Eye. In the 1980s, we went to Bethune Cookman College, now university, and he lived with my little brother, so we were considered brothers,” Sweeting said. “So I saw the type of qualities that Red Eye had when he came home and he got into coaching, especially coaching girls. “Girls are very emotionally, very soft and you have to deal with them with a kit glove.”

Deaconess Webb, who also serves as Jonique’s grandmother, said their family appreciates all that was done by McSweeney and Diamond Basketball, Poitier and the AKA and Stubbs and the BSC. “We know that it’s all for the

betterment of other female basketball players or athletes, who want to follow in the fashion of Jonique,” said Webb, a former versatile athlete herself.

“In being humble, you are lifted up, so we give God thanks for all of the things that have transpired and things that will come as we look toward the betterment of this country and sports in particular.”

McSweeney said he will continue to keep the memory of Webb alive by hosting an event every year.

Both AKA and the BSC have both pledged their support to assist the Diamond Basketball development programme in the future.

SPORTS PAGE 16

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2020

Strachan declares for the NFL Draft

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

M

ike Strachan has officially declared for the 2021 National Football League draft.

The Grand Bahama native and University of Charleston Cougars wide receiver will forego his final year of eligibility and work toward becoming a selection in the 86th edition of the draft, April 29 to May 1, 2021.

Strachan made the official announcement via Twitter yesterday.

“First and foremost I would like to start by thanking my coaches and support staff at the University of Charleston who have supported me from day one. I appreciate each and every one of you who have made this experience feel like home during the last few years.

“Words cannot describe the great honour while playing for the University of Charleston. You all played a part in shaping me over the course of my career here. I poured my heart and soul into playing Charleston football every time I set foot onto that field. I am forever grateful and honoured to be a Golden Eagle,” he said.

“I would like to thank all of my teammates. You have made all my last few years beyond memorable and I will never forget the hard work we have all put in together.

Though I was a long In his junior way from Freeport, season, Strachan Bahamas, you all rewrote the record were there when books and boosted I needed you the his stock for pro most.” scouts. He was Strachan signed named an NCAA with DEC ManageDivision II Second ment in November.

Team All-American DEC Manageby the American ment currently Football Coaches represents 32 playAssociation and ers currently active to the 2019 Don on NFL rosters Hansen NCAA MIKE STRACHAN highlighted by Division II AllDallas Cowboys America team. defensive end Demarcus Lawrence He finished with 78 receptions and Cleveland Browns defensive for 1,319 yards and 19 touchdowns end Olivier Vernon. They also rep- in his final season with the Golden resent 12 current free agents.

Eagles. He finished his career with “To the Golden Eagles fans, a share of the all-time Charleston you all made my gameday special touchdown record of 27. everytime we set foot out there He set new school records, led to play. The support is something the Mountain East Conference in I will take with me the rest of my each category and was second in life,” Strachan said. all of DII in both receiving yards “Lastly, the journey is not over. I and touchdowns. He currently am now chasing my dreams to play holds school records in receiving at the next level. I may not wear yards, breaking his own previous the same colours, but I will be record of 1,007 set in 2018. His working hard everyday to repre- 19 receiving touchdowns broke sent my family, my Eagles brothers the 70-year record of 13 held by and my country, The Bahamas. Charlie Hubbard in 1950. His 78 This for now, is just the next chap- receptions broke the record of 60 ter, so stay tuned.” set by Terrance Spencer in 2006.

The 6’5”, 225-pound two sport His breakout season achieved star (athletics), was recently Division II Top-10 marks for the listed among Yahoo! Sports’ top 2019 season in receiving touch“small school” prospects for the downs (second), receiving yards 2021 NFL draft and a preseason (sixth), receptions (ninth), and All-American. receiving yards per game (fifth).

Strachan caught touchdown passes in 10 of 11 games last season, including six multi-touchdown games.

In addition to single-season records, Strachan broke the singlegame records of: Receptions (13) – Set against Urbana on September 12 and also holds the second place spot of 12 receptions set a month later against Notre Dame College and receiving yards (207) also set on October 12 against Notre Dame College, breaking the previous record of 186 set in 2010

by Andre Higgins.

He was a redshirt in his true freshman season and saw the first playing time of his collegiate career the following season when he finished with just one reception.

As a sophomore, he had a breakout season when he finished as the only player in the MEC to eclipse the 1,000 yard receiving mark.

On the season, he totalled 48 receptions for 1,007 yards and eight touchdowns. He led the conference in receiving yards, was third in both average yards per catch at 21 and average yards per game at 91.5. His touchdown total finished fourth.

With the NCAA Division II 2020 Fall Championships cancelled, the MEC Presidents’ Council looked to Spring 2021 to host their football seasons.

Strachan elected to forego his senior season on the field this spring.

NFL

PAGE 12

JORDAN RELAXES IN BAHAMAS BEFORE THE BIG GAME

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net HIGHLY acclaimed linebacker Jordan Strachan took some time to relax in the Bahamas before he returned to Georgia State University for their big college bowl football game this weekend.

Strachan, here for the funeral of his late uncle, Steven Strachan, on Friday, rejoined the Panthers as they prepare for their fourth game in six years when they take on Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in the LendingTree Bowl in Mobil, Alabama, on Saturday.

Before he left town on Saturday, Strachan said he was happy to be in his second home with family, albeit not under the best circumstances, yet he is still grateful.

He noted that it coincides with what has been a very productive year for him and the Panthers on the gridiron where they won three of their last four games to finish the regular season at 5-4 overall and 4-4 in the Sun Belt Conference. “It’s been a pretty good season

SEE PAGE 12