12222022 NEWS AND SPORT

GONE: FTX FOUNDER EXTRADITED

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

The disgraced 30-year-old spent a week on remand at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS) before he reversed his earlier position of planning to fight his removal to the US.

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

He was arrested in The Bahamas on December 12 at the request of US authorities, due to an indictment against him.

During yesterday’s hearing before Magistrate Shaka Serville, an affidavit signed by Bankman-Fried was presented indicating he intended to comply with Section 17 of the Extradition Act. His attorney

The attorney then referred to Article 14 of the Extradition Act which applies the rule of specialty. Citing this legal clause he asked that the magistrate ensure that Bankman-Fried is only tried for the charges currently outlined in the diplomatic note sent to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

This note indicated that Bankman-Fried faced eight fraud related charges before the Southern District of New York. These include two counts of wire fraud and two counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He also faces charges of conspiracy to commit commodity fraud, conspiracy to commit security fraud, money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to defraud the United States.

In once again citing the rule of specialty and saying that it has always been his client’s desire to put his customers right, Mr Roberts asked that

PM: CHALLENGES MADE US STRONGER

our wonderful children in the Urban Renewal programme who are making care baskets for residents of the Persis Rodgers Home for the Aged.

150,000 TO VISIT OVER CHRISTMAS

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Downtown Nassau Partnership’s co-chair yesterday hailed the increase in cruise ship traffic as a “breath of fresh air” for business with close to 150,000 passenger arrivals forecast for Christmas week. Charles Klonaris said that Bay Street merchants he has spoken to all disclosed that retail sales were matching pre-COVID levels or “even a little higher”, which they were attributing to the Nassau Cruise Port’s ability to accommodate larger and more ships.

Confirming the cruise port expansion is already having “a huge” impact for downtown Nassau, even though its $300m transformation has yet to be completed, he said this festive period is “very important” for retailers, restaurants and other downtown businesses that suffered a fearsome two-and-a-half year battering from the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions.

JOB CUTS AT GAS STATIONS ‘NEAR CERTAIN’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

A GAS station operator yesterday warned the 24 percent minimum wage increase will “almost certainly” force the sector to cut staffing levels unless the Government grants a longawaited margin increase.

Vasco Bastian, the Bahamas Petroleum Dealers Association’s (BPDA) vicepresident, said the industry’s business model must be modernised and switched from fixed price-controlled margins on gasoline.

In

two-minute-

He also said that he couldn’t have been prouder to be a Bahamian.

“God’s compassion includes us all, young and old from every walk of life. Every year, at this time, we reflect that one child born in a humble stable to a family with no home was able to alter the course of humanity and change the world forever.”

PRIME Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis extended Christmas greetings and offered well wishes to Bahamians in a video released by the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday.

the nearly

long video, Prime Minister Davis reflected on life’s events this year, noting that each challenge the country has faced has made us stronger.

“Christmas is a season of hope and renewal, a time for prayer and for togetherness,” Mr Davis said. “I’m here with some of

EMBATTLED former FTX CEO Samuel Bankman-Fried was extradited to the United States yesterday after formally waiving his right to an extradition hearing.

Jerone Roberts said “out of courtesy” he gave a copy of this document giving BankmanFried’s consent to extradition to his US lawyers.

SAM Bankman-Fried being escorted as he was flown out last night.

Photo: Royal Bahamas Police Forc

Plan to feed 3,000 in Grand Bahama today

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A MAJOR effort is underway to feed some 3,000 people today in Grand Bahama through an initiative called Operation Christmas.

Apostle Phalmon Ferguson, of United Faith Ministries International out of New Providence, is spearheading this feeding initiative, in conjunction with the Bahamas Union of Teachers Freeport branch.

Apostle Ferguson said

the goal of Operation Christmas is not only to feed those in need, but to inspire faith, hope and love, and to show Grand Bahamians that all is not lost, and that great things are in store for the island.

He started the initiative in New Providence in 2020.

“We wanted to bring it to Grand Bahama where the need is even greater now,” he said. “This initiative is designed to inspire hope, faith and love in the hearts of people feeling downtrodden and hopeless.

“We want people to know

God still loves them and cares for them. We want them to know when something like this happens, it should be a sign to anybody that if this could happen out of New Providence, then God could bring someone out of Australia, Russia, and China to do anything in this economy.”

Apostle Ferguson believes that a turnaround is coming for Grand Bahama.

“We want people to know that something is getting ready to happen for Grand Bahama. Hope is here and that is the message to Grand Bahama.”

He said as we celebrate yuletide season, it should also be a time of love, which inspires hope and faith.

“We want people to have hope in their hearts, and not to give up, and never stop believing. We are here and want to show that all is not lost.”

Apostle Ferguson said the initiative has brought so many volunteers and partners together.

“We are grateful for the people it will bring together. Grand Bahama needs a unifying of the people to turn this island around,” he said.

PM: CHALLENGES MADE US STRONGER

from page one

He continued: “His essential lesson was to ‘clothe yourself in kindness’ and indeed we find that even the smallest acts of compassion expand our hearts and our spirits each time, allowing us to hold a little more of God’s love.”

Mr Davis credited our faith in God and unbreakable bond as Bahamians for getting us through tough

times.

“Everywhere I go in our beautiful Bahamas, I see your empathy and generosity, your strength and courage. Our faith in God and unbreakable bond as Bahamians have guided us through rough waters,” he also said.

“We have not been broken by crisis. Instead, we have become stronger. This Christmas, as I reflect on our nation, our people and the changing world

in which we live, I have never been prouder to be a Bahamian.

“We work tirelessly to protect our way of life, to ensure the survival of our island nation, a brighter future for all of us and we feel God’s presence through all of life’s ups and downs, but we know joy comes in the morning.

“Merry Christmas. May God bless you and your families and May God bless The Bahamas.”

LARGE CROWD TURNS OUT FOR FOX FOUNDATION FOOD GIVEAWAY

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

THERE was a large turnout at the sports centre grounds yesterday for a food voucher giveaway organised by the Fox Foundation.

Cars lined the streets heading to the centre’s entrance for the $75 voucher.

Not having a vehicle did not stop some people desperately in need as they opted to walk on foot.

Adrian Fox, of the Fox Foundation, said the large crowd is an indication of the assistance people need.

“I see the traffic backed up all around that shows that the Bahamian people needed help and we want corporate Bahamas to get involved and try to put some food on the ground for this Christmas so that everybody can have a good Christmas, everybody could have some food on the table. That’s what the Fox Foundation initiative is.”

He added: “We gonna give away about maybe half a million dollars, we giving away half a million dollars in food, vouchers, and gift toys for the people in Kemp Road and out here you can see a bunch of cars.”

Adrianna Fox, cofounder of the foundation, explained the flexibility of

the vouchers. She said they can be used at AML stores such as Solomon’s and Fresh Market.

“If you don’t complete the total transaction and you have change, it stays on that voucher or if you need to add more than you just add to the voucher so the voucher card is actually good this year where when you swipe you still have change on the card if you don’t move the whole balance.”

Jacqueline Zonicle was one of the attendees.

“I heard they were giving out coupons and I could do with a coupon,” she told The Tribune

She is self-employed as a beach vendor who also takes care of an adult autistic nephew. She said she gets a little assistance from the National Insurance Board.

“He lost both parents at the age of four so he’s an orphan from four,” she said.

“My mother died in 2013. Like a year before she died, I took him because she had a lot of health issues like heart, pressure and sugar.”

Faylene Williams was there from after 6am and rode there on her bike. She and others complained that people without cars were having to wait.

“We came here on our bike, came here walking.

We have some single parents out here and we have fathers who taking care of their children and they walked. You know if they walk out here it gotta be a must,” she said.

Eugene Taylor came on behalf of his 67-year-old mother whose car broke down while waiting in the long lines, so he decided to walk.

But when he came, the 45-year-old claimed, “They told us wait, they going to assist us.”

The 45-year-old’s mother is self-employed and gets the assistance from Social Services, but he tries to help her.

Mr Taylor expressed sorrow for others without necessary transportation to take advantage of the giveaway.

“I’m a people person. I like to see people be treated fair because ain’t everybody have a car that they could actually ride to this stuff and then some people car break down. If your car breaks down, you can’t move, you’re going to get disappointed. So try to assist the people a little bit.”

Eventually, Mr Fox and others came to the rescue by starting to distribute to those without cars who were waiting on the sidewalk.

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis pictured during his Christmas message video.

GONE: FTX founder

from page one

the magistrate ensure that Bankman-Fried only face the charges he is currently listed in New York.

Magistrate Serville said that in his view, Section 17 of the Extradition Act mirrored those sentiments.

The judge said that while it is improper of him to dictate litigation in another jurisdiction, he will do his due diligence to ensure Bankman-Fried’s rights are upheld.

Under oath, BankmanFried affirmed that the affidavit given to the magistrate was the one prepared by his counsel and pointed out his signature on it.

This document gave his written consent to extradition.

The defendant went on to verbally confirm he wished to waive his right to formal extradition proceedings and that he was doing so voluntarily.

When asked by the magistrate of his well-being since being on remand, Bankman-Fried said that he is in good health.

Upon hearing this, Magistrate Serville told Bankman-Fried that he was satisfied that he was arrested in accordance with the Extradition Act and was not coerced into waiving his right.

As such he formally committed Bankman-Fried to federal custody, leading to him being flown to the United States by agents of the FBI last night.

In a statement yesterday, Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell said he signed the warrant of surrender for Bankman Fried, which allowed his extradition to the United States.

In a separate statement, Attorney General Ryan Pinder said the written consent by Bankman-Fried to be extradited without formal extradition proceedings “satisfies the requirements” of the extradition treaty between The Bahamas and the US and this nation’s Extradition Act.

SAM Bankman-Fried at court earlier in the day.

Photo: Austin Fernander

SAM Bankman-Fried being escorted as he leaves The Bahamas last night.

Photos: Royal Bahamas Police Force

NEW YORK Associated Press

TWO top associates of Sam Bankman-Fried have pleaded guilty to criminal charges in the collapse of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX in cooperation deals, a federal prosecutor announced yesterday in a stunning development that came as the digital coin entrepreneur was being flown in FBI custody to the US from The Bahamas.

Carolyn Ellison, the 28-year-old former CEO of Alameda Research, a trading firm started by Bankman-Fried, and Gary Wang, the 29-year-old who co-founded FTX, pleaded guilty to charges “related to their roles in the fraud that contributed to FTX’s collapse,” US Attorney Damian Williams said last night in a video statement released on social media.

“They are both cooperating with the Southern District of New York,” Williams said, adding that anyone else who participated in the fraud should also reach out to his office because “our patience is not eternal”.

He promised that his office continued to work on the case around the clock, noting that he’d said in announcing BankmanFried’s arrest last week that the development was not the last.

“Let me be clear once again, neither is today’s,” he said in an ominous signal to others who participated in the fraud.

Bankman-Fried is expected to appear in a federal court in Manhattan today.

In agreements signed with prosecutors on December 19, Ellison and Wang agreed to plead guilty to charges including

wire fraud, securities fraud and commodities fraud in return for leniency at sentencing if they cooperate fully.

The plea agreement signed by Ellison said she could face up to 110 years in prison for her crimes without a cooperation deal. It called for her to testify truthfully before any grand jury or at any trial and it required her to forfeit any proceeds of her crimes.

She was released on $250,000 bail with travel restricted to the United States.

The plea deal signed by Wang said he could face up to 50 years in prison without the cooperation agreement. His agreement also requires his testimony and enabled him to be freed on $250,000 bail, also with travel restricted to the US.

“Gary has accepted responsibility for his actions and takes seriously his obligations as a cooperating witness,” said Wang’s lawyer, Ilan Graff.

A lawyer for Ellison did not immediately return messages seeking comment.

In a parallel civil complaint filed yesterday, the Securities and Exchange Commission said Wang and Ellison had conspired with Bankman-Fried in a scheme to defraud FTX investors and swindle its customers.

The SEC said Wang created the software code that allowed Alameda to divert FTX customer funds. Ellison then used the misappropriated funds for Alameda’s trading activity.

“Defendants were active participants in the scheme and engaged in conduct that was critical to its success,” the complaint said.

THE CONVOY escorting Sam Bankman-Fried arriving at Odyssey Aviation last night for his extradition to the United States.

Photo: Moise Amisial

SAM Bankman-Fried at court yesterday.

Photo: Austin Fernander

NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI

“Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

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

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

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

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

(242) 322-1986

Advertising Manager (242) 502-2394

Circulation Department (242) 502-2386 Nassau fax (242) 328-2398

Freeport, Grand Bahama (242)-352-6608 Freeport fax (242) 352-9348

Why is Arctic blast sweeping US?

AN ARCTIC blast is bringing extreme cold, heavy snow and intense wind across much of the US this week — just in time for the holidays.

The weather system, which may build into a “bomb cyclone,” is expected to move east in the days leading up to Christmas, disrupting travel and causing hazardous winter conditions. Where is this winter weather coming from, and what’s in store for the coming days?

WHAT’S HAPPENING?

A front of cold air is moving down from the Arctic, sending temperatures plunging.

Much of the US will see below-average temperatures through the middle and end of the week, said Bob Oravec, lead forecaster for the National Weather Service in College Park, Maryland.

Temperatures may drop by more than 20 degrees Fahrenheit (11 degrees Celsius) in just a few hours, the National Weather Service predicts.

And with winds also expected to pick up, wind chill temperatures could drop to dangerous lows far below zero — enough to cause frostbite within minutes. In parts of the Plains, the wind chill could dip as low as minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 57 Celsius).

On top of the frigid cold, the weather system is expected to send a snowstorm through the Midwest near the end of the week.

Those in the Plains, the Upper Midwest and the Great Lakes should expect blizzard conditions as heavy winds whip up the snow, according to the National Weather Service.

WHO WILL BE AFFECTED?

Pretty much everyone east of the Rockies — around two-thirds of the country — will see extreme weather in the coming days, said Ryan Maue, a private meteorologist in the Atlanta area.

Though much of the West Coast will be shielded from the cold, the Arctic front is expected to pass east and south all the way through Florida.

As for the snow, those in the Midwest will probably see a “heck of a storm,” though blizzard conditions aren’t expected to hit the East Coast, Maue said. Some spots around the Great Lakes may see upwards of a foot of snow by Friday, the National Weather Service predicted.

Heavy snowfall and intense winds could be bad news for travel, Oravec said. Airports in the Midwest, including the travel hub of Chicago, will likely face shutdowns as the blizzard comes through later in the week.

And for those planning to hit the road for the holidays, “you’re going to have pretty serious whiteout conditions,”

Maue cautioned.

HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?

This weather system is expected to bring some major “weather whiplash,” said Judah Cohen, a winter storm expert for Atmospheric Environmental Research.

The cold isn’t going to stick around for long. After the dramatic plunge that will keep temperatures low for about a week, “everything will snap back to normal,” Cohen said.

Shortly after Christmas, temperatures will start to warm up again, moving from west to east. They are likely to remain near normal through the end of the year in most of the U.S.

WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?

It all started farther north, as frigid air collected over the snow-covered ground in the Arctic, Maue said.

Then the jet stream — wobbling air currents in the middle and upper parts of the atmosphere — began pushing this cold pool down into the US.

As this arctic air is pushed into the warmer, moister air ahead of it, the system can quickly develop into serious weather — including what’s known as a “bomb cyclone”, a fast-developing storm in which atmospheric pressure falls very quickly over 24 hours.

These severe weather events usually form over bodies of water, which have lots of warmth and moisture to feed the storm, Maue said. But with the huge amount of cold air coming through, we could see a rare bomb cyclone forming over land.

Whether this storm technically qualifies as a bomb cyclone depends on how quickly the pressure drops — but either way, the snowfall plus high winds will make for an intense bout of winter weather.

IS THIS NORMAL?

The storm is definitely a strong one, but “not unheard of for the winter seasons,” Oravec said.

It’s pretty normal to have cold air build up in the winter. This week, though, shifts in the jet stream are pushing the air more to the southeast than usual, Oravec said — sweeping the freeze across the country and making storm conditions more intense.

The US probably won’t reach recordbreaking lows, like those seen in the cold snap of 1983 or the polar vortex of 2014, Maue said.

Still, “for most people alive, this will be a memorable, top-ten extreme cold event”, Maue said.

By MADDIE BURAKOFF AP Science Writer

Successses of Brave Davis

EDITOR, The Tribune.

MANY Bahamians seem to believe that I worship the very dirt that the Hon. Philip ‘Brave’ Davis, KC, MP, our hardest working Prime Minister to date, walks on. For the record, allow me to say that I do. This unique man is just what the nation needs at this critical juncture at this time. The evidence is as clear as day.

Whether one is a partisan of Brave or the ruling PLP is immaterial. The question is: Has he and his administration delivered? The answer must be a resounding yes. We all appreciate the nuances of politics and the flam that comes with it, but look around. The pandemic, while still with us,

seems to be manageable. The economy is wide open again and kicking. Employment is high and second job opportunities abound. Our tourist arrivals and hotel occupancies are at preCOVID levels, all in less than two years investors are flocking back in. A strong sense of optimism permeates across the board.

Few people expected that Brave would have risen to the occasion and the inevitable demands that are inevitably made on any holder of the office of Prime Minister. He has, so far, successfully, brought the nation out of the dark and miserable nights imposed on us by the former PM and his conch and grits cabinet, in my view. Not that conch

and grits is a bad meal but we are now able to eat a little fried snapper and crab and rice under the Brave regime.

Having revitalised and restored the fiscal viability of The Bahamas, the PM should be well aware that it is absolutely mandatory that in order for any political party/administration to get significant things done it would need two consecutive terms in office. The PM needs to flesh out more of his agenda and put the pedal to the metal moreso now than ever before. The Brave phenomenon has just begun.

ORTLAND H. BODIE,

Jr.

Crime rate risk to nation

EDITOR, The Tribune.

AS THE uncontrollable crime rate, murders and robberies happening in The Bahamas, which is the same exact problem in Jamaica having unconquerable crime rate, murders and robberies that are now threatening Jamaica tourism industry will also happen sooner rather than later in The Bahamas.

I had warned the Bahamas government that the high crime rate, murders and robberies will threaten the Bahamas tourism

industry which is 80-90% of The Bahamas’ economy revenue, that will severely devastate the Bahamian economy and cause the devaluation of the Bahamian dollar.

As hundreds of thousands of Americans are being laid off the American economy is about to go into recession 2023.

When the United States State Department issued a warning that the Bahamas crime rate, murders and robberies, is unsafe for American tourist to travel it will severely destroy the

Bahamas international image, tourism and being a place unsafe for tourists around the world to travel because of high crime rate, murders and robberies.

Wishing the best of luck and success, to the Bahamas government, Bahamian people and The Bahamas.

One Nation, One people, One Bahamas, One God. Onward, forward and upward to a better Bahamas.

PEDRO SMITH Nassau, December 19, 2022.

WITH the world’s eyes on The Bahamas and the court proceedings surrounding the founder of FTX, Sam Bankman-Fried is seen leaving court - on his way to leaving the country. Photo: Austin Fernander

Renovations on national stadium start next month

By LETRE SWEETING lsweeting @ tribunemedia.net

YOUTH, Sports and Culture Minister Mario Bowleg said yesterday that renovations to the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium are set to begin in the first week of January.

This is in preparation for several major events at the stadium next year.

However, Mr Bowleg said while the price tag for the full scope of work is $35m, the full amount will not be spent right away.

“We have a scope of

work of what it costs to bring it back totally to what it needs to be. And that was some $35m, but we won’t be spending that type of money right now,” Mr Bowleg said.

“We need to just prepare for Carifta. So there’s a scope of work being done now to determine the percentage of work that we will complete and what that dollar value will be. We’ll probably know that by the end of the month, I should say,” Mr Bowleg said.

In addition to several sporting events at the Thomas A Robinson

GROCERS PRESIDENT AGREES WITH IDB ON PRICE CONTROLS

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

THE president of the Retail Grocers Association said recent commentary from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) on the negative impact of expanded price controls on businesses is “spot on”.

Philip Beneby said the criticism may “sound better” coming from the international body, suggesting the association’s comments on the issue fell on deaf ears.

“The only thing I would say to that at this time is that IDB is absolutely correct. That’s what we’ve been saying and trying to get across right from the beginning, but be that as it may, maybe it may sound better coming from the IDB. So that’s all I’ll say to that. The IDB is spot on, they are right, correct.” Mr Beneby told The Tribune yesterday.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), in its latest quarterly Caribbean economic bulletin, indicated that social assistance to offset the cost-of-living crisis could be better focused on poor families through the use of conditional cash transfer (CCT) initiatives that build on existing initiatives such as food stamps.

“A price control, at least in terms of behaviour if adequately enforced, is a de facto combined turnover tax and income redistribution policy (a cash transfer from business

to consumers),” the IDB wrote. “Revenues for specific products that would have accrued to specific businesses, and possibly to the government in the form of an increased VAT, would now be transferred to all Bahamians.

“Additionally, despite the updates, the price controls do not differentiate using size or profitability. Therefore, this policy is likely to impact small and mediumsized enterprises negatively and disproportionately because they are more likely to have neither the volume of sales nor the economies of scale to absorb the per unit loss of revenue. In addition, they will have to use these same diminished margins to cover increasing electricity bills and labour costs.”

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis previously revealed that 38 new categories of items will be subject to price controls.

There have been reports that food stores throughout the country were “up in arms” over the details of the government’s expanded price control regime amid fears it will “devastate” the industry and jobs for hundreds of workers.

However, the government has not backed down in its implementation of the changes.

Asked for an update on talks with the government on price controls, Mr Beneby said: “I wouldn’t get into that. All I would say is that a statement is forthcoming from the Retail Grocers Association.”

GUILTY OF STEALING $2,000 OF CLOTHES

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was fined $1,000 in Magistrate’s Court yesterday after admitting to stealing over $2,000 worth of clothing and shoes this week.

Mark Forbes, 54, appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney on charges of stealing and receiving.

Forbes stole an assortment of clothing and footwear valued at $2,410.60 on December 18 on Palm Beach Street. These items were the property of Rodnell Cadet.

After Forbes pleaded guilty to the stealing charge in court, the receiving charge against him was withdrawn. The accused then told the magistrate that most of the stolen items had been recovered and that he is willing to repay the complainant for the lost inventory.

In view of this, Magistrate McKinney convicted Forbes for the offence and ordered him to pay a fine of $1,000 or risk nine months in prison.

Forbes was further ordered to compensate the complainant $1,000 for the remaining articles that were not recovered.

MAN ACCUSED OVER FIREARM

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was granted bail in Magistrate’s Court yesterday after he was accused of having an unlicenced gun in Eleuthera last week.

Deon Whyte, 23, faced Magistrate Samuel McKinney on a charge of possession of an unlicenced firearm.

On December 17 in

Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera, he was allegedly found with a black and rust coloured Colt Hard Ford 25mm pistol and a silver coloured magazine.

In court, Whyte pleaded not guilty to the charge. He was fined $7,000 with one or two sureties on condition he sign in at Governor’s Harbour Station every Saturday by 7pm.

The trial in this matter is set for January 30, 2023.

Stadium, Mr Bowleg said the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium is set to see some events next year as well.

“Well you know Carifta, being the 50th celebration of Carifta and also the independence of the country, so Carifta is on top of the line. Of course, you are aware that we won the bid for the world relays (the IAAF World Relays) which we will be preparing for that. So you will see major renovations going on to the Thomas A Robinson (Stadium) starting the first week in January, I spoke to the Minister of Works who assured me of that yesterday,” Mr Bowleg said.

“So, there will be a lot of construction going on in preparation to ensure that we show the nation that when it comes to the Carifta and the World Relays, what type of facility we have to continue to draw more persons to the shores when it comes to sports in paradise,” he said.

“I can tell you now, the calls that we are getting for the new baseball stadium - I just spoke to one of the owners of the Mets (New York baseball team). You know, we’re going to

try and get as much of the Major League teams here for spring training. So, the next year is going to be a heavy one for us,” Mr Bowleg said.

“We’re going to have the triathlon also Carifta and rugby is also scheduled in August to have some seven serious World Cup

qualifiers. Many others that are not coming to mind now but sports and culture are going to be huge next year,” he said.

Mr Bowleg added that the Family Islands will not be left out of the sporting events next year, as his ministry is preparing to host some major events on the

islands as well.

“There is a sporting event that will be in Grand Bahama in March, where we’ll have the black colleges, they’ll be having a track and field event. There are other major events that we have in the pipeline, but there’s some things that need to happen and Grand Bahama also as it relates to facilities,” Mr Bowleg said.

“We have some things in the pipeline that we can’t speak to as yet, but we will ensure that the infrastructure is there and the facilities are repaired,” he said.

In June, the then $23.3m renovation of the Thomas A Robinson stadium was placed “on hold” while the Government tried to obtain grant financing from the Chinese government.

“The Government of The Bahamas is in negotiation with the People’s Republic of China to secure grant funding for the project. The contract with CCS (Caribbean Coastal Services) is on hold until the funding for the works is resolved,” Alfred Sears, Minister of Works and Public Utilities, told the House of Assembly during his Budget debate contribution at the time.

YOUTH, Sports and Culture Minister Mario Bowleg. Photo: Moise Amisial

The light which is the essence of Christmas

CHRISTMAS is a time to celebrate and to reflect on the Incarnation, God’s very personal and redeeming gift in the person of Jesus Christ.

The theological reference of Imago Dei recalls how we are made in the image and likeness of God and how in kind we may offer to others and to the world our finest human gifts and our better selves.

In the imitation of Christ, the finest gifts we may bring at Christmas and year-round are those gifts that rekindle and rejuvenate the divine spark within ourselves and others, gifts like friendship and fidelity, joy and peace, kindness and compassion.

These are among the finest gifts we may bring, which is essentially the gift of oneself in a spirit of gentleness. When we eschew harshness, judgmentalism, and nasty, unkind and uncharitable mindsets, we rediscover and reveal the divine spirit.

In The Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, there is a dialogue among the Trinitarian community whose Divine Heart feels the sin and endless pining of the bodies and souls made in their image and likeness.

Christ, the Divine Mercy, is sent to smash the original sin of human beings who keep forgetting their original blessing of being crafted in the image of their Creator. This is one of the profound gifts of Christmas.

We are the ultimate expression in creation of God’s love!

When we forgive, reconcile, and show mercy beyond measure we manifest the image and likeness in which we are wonderfully made. In this spirit, some meditations for Christmas.

KATE

About a year before she returned to Canada in 2015 for health reasons, after living in The Bahamas for approximately 60 years, this writer ran into Kate Seiler in the parking lot of a grocery store in Cable Beach.

“How you doing’, Kate?” With her signature twinkling eyes

and ebullience she enthused, “My joints are hurting. I have my health challenges. But I’m great!” Sometimes stubborn and blunt, Kate was an irrepressible and incandescent spirit, not given to self-pity.

Her mane of blond hair and colourful scarfs were a welcome and joy-filled sight for the many people she knew from every walk of life. It seems that just about everyone had a personal story of Kate’s bountiful generosity, which she never advertised or wanted others to know about.

GENEROSITY

Kate’s generosity was as selfless as it was anonymous. She helped scores of people in myriad ways over her decades of community service and volunteerism. When she saw someone in need, her generosity of spirit flowed. She did not give in order to be recognised or to ingratiate herself with others.

Kate passed away in 2020. A memorial in the Montreal Gazette offered: “Kate never sought praise or the spotlight for the acts of kindness she performed; some of the charities that she supported were the Tara Xavier Hepburn Foundation, the Bahamas Humane Society

and Operation Potcake.

“It was a common sight to see Kate driving around town throwing dog biscuits to the potcakes at the side of the road. She loved to support local artists and musicians.” She was also a jazz enthusiast.

“At an age when most people would say ‘I’ve done my bit, let someone else volunteer’, she was still going down to Chez Doris women’s shelter, twice a week, to serve lunches to between 6080 women.”

The Bahamas was her home. Kate did not want to leave and missed her adopted country dearly. For years, she volunteered at the Princess Margaret Hospital. She was devoted to animal welfare. She supported various charities with a variety of gifts, including those of encouragement and joy.

Kate, who came from a privileged background, likely thought that among her greater privileges and finest gifts was a life devoted to the service of others. In a world of unquenchable greed, Kate demonstrated extraordinary generosity.

ETHICAL LIVING

Albert Einstein wrote and spoke volumes on ethical living. In one of his meditations, he mused, “How strange is the lot of us mortals! Each of us is here for a brief sojourn; for what purpose he knows not, though he sometimes thinks he senses it.

“But without deeper reflection one knows from daily life that one exists for other people –first of all for those upon whose smiles and well-being our own happiness is wholly dependent, and then for the many, unknown to us, to whose destinies we are bound by the ties of sympathy.

“A hundred times every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life are based on the labours of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving.”

Our capacity for service and love is so often stymied by our limitless self-absorption, spiritual lethargy and selfishness.

We are irrevocably screwed up as human beings, seemingly broken beyond repair, or seeming repair or partial repair. Refashioned, renewed, forgiven, we keep breaking, smashed by our own actions those of others.

Each of us is like a precious vessel, shattered throughout life by addictions, merry-go-rounds of pathologies, Achilles heels, betrayals, pretensions, hypocrisies, deadly sins, weariness and more. And yet!

There is a glue that repairs the cracks: love. We are lovable, capable of love, because we are flawed. Perfection can be quite boring. We are wonderfully brittle creatures.

BALMS

Reconciliation, forgiveness and mercy are wondrous tourniquets and balms. To be gingerly pieced back together by the loving hands and courageous patience of a spouse, partner, friend or community is joy incarnate.

Joy incarnate is the lifeblood of Christmas. We screwed up human beings are capable of glorious truth, goodness and beauty.

The French philosopher and humanist Jacques Maritain (1882-1973) played a critical role in the promotion of the radical dignity of the human person in the face of the threats of the dehumanising onslaughts of the 19th and 20th centuries, including two world wars and the Holocaust.

He contributed significantly to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. An agnostic turned believer, Maritain described how personal is the Incarnation for every human being.

He insisted: “We don’t love qualities; we love a person; sometimes by reason of their defects as well as their qualities” and “Let us not go faster than God. It is our emptiness and our thirst that He needs, not our plentitude.”

It is from this “emptiness” and our “personhood” that light more easily emanates and flows.

The light at Christmas in the

LIGHT AND SHADOW

With the year ending, the memories of light and shadows from the past year come into greater relief, with questions we might ask ourselves, including from the better self we want to become.

“How am I ending this year?” “What have been my sources of light and my shadows?” “How could I have been more generous or grateful?” “How, in this season of light, can I be a greater source of light for others?” “What continues to prevent me from a greater openness of heart and eyes about myself and others?”

Light is all around us, including light we cannot yet perceive, light to which we are blinded.

A prayer of supplication we might offer is to become a greater source of light and hope and joy for others, including those struggling with ill health, physically and mentally, as well as generosity to the poor, and for those whose Christmas may be more blessed by our love and presence.

When we say that we don’t feel the Christmas spirit this often means that we have forgotten or have neglected the love and light that animate the “thrill of hope” that is the Light of the world.

It is not about “feeling” Christmas. It is about letting go of those attitudes and habits which obstruct the light desperately seeking to penetrate closed eyes, blocked ears, and hardened hearts.

Kate Seiler knew the names, the stories and life journeys of many people. And many knew her name. She touched and manifested the light because her heart was so open and generous. In this is the essence of Christmas. Thank you, Kate. Blessed Christmas!

Northern Hemisphere begins its evocative journey with the change of seasons and the resulting new interplay of day and night; days and nights growing longer or shorter depending on one’s geographical and emotional longitude or latitude.

Still a distance to go on equality for women

1972 IS USUALLY regarded as a seminal moment in the American women’s movement for greater equality of opportunity, since that was the year of what has simply become known as Title Nine.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programmes or activities that receive federal financial assistance.

In practice, this legislation, which was controversial at the time it was enacted, has afforded countless new opportunities for American women in sports, business, the arts, and many professions where access was previously severely limited. Another of those professions was politics.

In many ways, Title Nine capped a decade of advances in women’s rights, including removal of barriers to their admission to the most prestigious private colleges and universities in the country and effectively mandating much more equal gender access to America’s most heralded graduate and professional schools.

Two years ago, the US celebrated the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th amendment to the American constitution, which guaranteed that “the right of citizens of the United States to vote shall

STATESIDE

not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex”.

In light of these longoverdue advances in women’s rights, it comes as little surprise that the current US Senate includes 24 women among its 100 members. Four states –Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire and Washington – now have both Senate seats held by women. The US House of Representatives includes among its 435 members 122 women, making females 27.8% of the total.

While these totals do not duplicate the roughly 51% of the American population that is female, they do represent significant advances.

Furthermore, 12 women will be serving as governors next year, duplicating the current percentage of female senators.

It’s no secret that women elected Joe Biden in 2020, playing just as decisive a role in that presidential election as they had four years earlier, when only

54% of women voted to support Hillary Clinton, then running as the firstever female presidential candidate of a major political party.

Female politicians are making notable gains in another important category – notoriety. Liberals and cynics are never surprised when Republican candidates and operatives seek to mock, diminish or vilify female opponents, either openly or subliminally, on the basis of their gender.

Consider some of the favorite GOP targets in the past ten years: Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren (dubbed “Pocahontas” by Donald Trump in 2016); New York Congresswoman Alexandra Cortez-Ocasio, often slammed as a socialist, communist, radical leftie or worse; Hillary Clinton herself, targeted and investigated by headline-seeking Republican congressmen for issues ranging from financial impropriety (Clinton Foundation, Whitewater) to personal scandal (suicide of aide

and admirer Vince Foster) to diplomatic malfeasance (insufficient security at a US facility in Libya where ambassador was killed).

And how can we forget Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer, who just coasted to easy reelection, but was the target of a kidnap scheme by misguided Trump supporters not long ago during her first term. Or how about the Number One GOP target over the past couple of decades and most powerful female politician in US history, California Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi. The January 6 mob that invaded the US capitol certainly had her in their sights as they rampaged through the legislative complex, goaded by incessant Republican campaigning against her.

GOP women in high places are hardly immune from gender-based rhetorical attacks. Remember when most of the American liberal press ridiculed and lambasted Maine Senator Susan Collins for her controversial decision to

support the Supreme Court candidacy of anti-abortion candidate Brett Kavanagh despite the compelling testimony of a female professor who described his sexual predation of her in vivid terms on national TV? Collins was clearly expected, as a politically centrist woman, to be outraged by both the allegations against Kavanagh and his passionate anti-abortion beliefs, which were ineptly camouflaged during his contentious confirmation hearings.

Failed Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake, a staunch Trumper and election denier, is attracting a lot of snarky criticism these days. So are two ardent hard-right supporters of Donald Trump who are just now engaged in a verbal fist fight. Reps Marjorie Taylor-Greene of Georgia and Lauren Boebert of Colorado both represent largely rural deep red districts in western Colorado and northern Georgia respectively. They are notoriously pugnacious, but heretofore not with each other. In fact, they have often marched together as loyal foot soldiers in Trump’s MAGA (Make America Great Again) army.

Now they have fallen out over the question of Kevin McCarthy’s desperate attempts to become Speaker of the House with his narrow Republican

majority. Greene favors him; Boebert doesn’t. Their feud has been tabloid and cable news fodder for days.

“I’ve been aligned with Marjorie and accused of believing a lot of the things that she believes in,” said Boebert. “I don’t believe in this (McCarthy’s worthiness to be Speaker), just like I don’t believe in Russian or Jewish space lasers, and the rest of her nonsense.”

Boebert’s remark referenced a 2018 Facebook post in which Greene reportedly opined that California’s recent devastating wildfires were controlled by politicians and Jewish bankers.

Greene quickly fired back. “She (Boebert) childishly threw me under the bus for a cheap sound bite,” Greene snapped. Americans expect conservative fighters like us to work together to Save America and that is the only mission I’m 100% devoted to, not high school drama and media sound bites.”

But for all the Republican pillorying of Pelosi and the Democratic derision of Greene and Boebert, some feel that their status as targets derives from their political clout and influence. Insignificant congresspersons rarely endure as opposition targets.

As they have gained political influence, American women have also earned the right to endure political attacks.

WORLD CUP FINAL

HYPE

SOMETIMES a sporting event will actually live up to the hype that preceded it. This was the case with Sunday’s World Cup final between Lionel Messi’s Argentina, which last won the title in 1986 with the help of Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal, and defending champion France, still widely regarded as the world’s best and deepest national team.

Many soccer analysts see Messi as not only the world’s best current player and perhaps the best of all time, but also as the best athlete in any sport. For months, stories have proliferated about how Messi needed this World Cup triumph to cap his spectacular career. Argentina, generally the only team in the Western Hemisphere that is consistently capable of standing up to the Goliath that is Brazil, has been plagued during the past 36 years by inconsistency when it counted most in major tournaments.

In Sunday’s supremely entertaining and exciting final World Cup match, Argentina began by dominating the defending champions, who were perhaps weakened by a virus that was reportedly raging through their training facility for nearly a week prior to the finale.

Argentina outhustled and outplayed “les Bleus” from France at every turn, making the champions look stolid and unimaginative in both offense and defense. Goals by longtime Messi sidekick Angel di Maria and Messi himself propelled Argentina to a 2–0 halftime lead.

After the break, the French still appeared listless despite some major substitutions before and after halftime in an attempt to inject some life into their performance. They remained largely ineffectual until the moment in the 79th minute when an Argentine defender’s carelessness near his goal gave the French a penalty

shot -- and new life. Kylian Mbappe converted – of course he did – and then he capitalised on another Argentine defensive misstep less than two minutes later by rifling in the tying goal.

Messi and Mbappe matched goals in the 30 minutes of overtime, forcing a penalty shot competition to decide who would prevail.

Argentina did win in the end as a couple of younger French stars missed shots or had them saved by the Argentinian goalie Emiliano Martinez, who had a fabulous tournament.

The win for Messi was and will remain the major story of this World Cup, but Morocco’s advance to the semi-finals and fourth-place finish in the 32-team field was the first for an African or Arabic team. England lost to France in the quarterfinals, but there’s a sense that the Lions could be back with a vengeance in four years when the tournament returns to North America.

with Charlie Harper

ARGENTINA’s Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy with the golden ball trophy in his hand after the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, on Sunday.

Photo: Martin Meissner/AP

‘Worst Christmas ever’ say straw market vendors

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

DESPITE heavy tourism traffic downtown before the holidays, straw vendors say they are experiencing their worst Christmas season to date, with few to no sales most days.

Rebecca Small, president of the Straw Business Persons Society, told The Tribune yesterday that Wednesday was the first day this month that she earned a profit.

She said before COVID19, business around this time would usually be booming, but now things have changed.

She attributed the decline in sales to inflation and the high cost of living crisis facing many worldwide.

“Honestly speaking, one of my business partners said ‘small’ and I said for whatever reason this Christmas is low,” she said, “and a lot of times people see because the cruise (ships) here ‘oh they making a lot of money.’

“And sometimes you will

have five, six (cruise ships) and you may not even make $80 for that day.

“This date today, it’s the only day for me for the entire December we made something today and see people don’t understand that.”

The straw market was among the businesses hardest hit during the pandemic as it was one of the last sectors to receive approval for reopening.

As a part of the market’s new safety protocols, vendors now work on a

rotation basis and as such, are divided in two groups — group A and group B — who only work on certain days.

Yesterday, Ms Small said the majority of vendors prefer this schedule as it makes business less competitive, allowing for more earnings.

“Before the pandemic, we would make $30 with seven days and all of us, but now that we’re on rotation, you make more. It’s not (substantially) more but it’s more and we know if all

of us come back, it’s going to be a problem,” she said “Competition is going to be stiff, and then you may hear some quarrelling and then we don’t want that because tourism is our number one industry. Our image and our presentation must be to me top priority when we’re going to cater to the tourism industry.

“And so, we want to avoid problematic situations and prevention is better than cure. If the vendors are saying to the government, please leave us like this. Now, you do have some persons who disregard the rotation and they said they’re coming out every day.

“And so that’s one of the challenges we have with the Group A and B days because people feel that they need to come out seven days.”

The association president also highlighted other concerns expressed by the group, among them the need for more advertisements.

She also lamented a lack

of availability and affordability of certain products like straw to make their products.

The situation, she added, has prompted vendors to get creative and use other means to finish their products.

However, she was also clear that this does not mean that vendors were not doing “authentic” work.

“When they say we don’t do authentic work, it grieves us because we do authentic work in here every day and not everybody, because some people like the t-shirts, the different souvenirs, but for me and many others, you are going to find straw,” Ms Small added.

She was referring to earlier comments made by government officials in response to concerns about vendors in the Nassau cruise port selling the same products that Nassau Straw Market vendors peddle.

Officials have said the marketplace will sell authentic Bahamian craft when they reopen next year.

“But, the challenge is straw now is becoming challenging because to find it for the people to have to plait is a problem,” Ms Small stressed. “So it’s not a shortage. It’s a lack of vision, to me, in (ensuring) that we have straw, palm trees, coconut, the various plaits for the vendors to be able to keep going with the straw industry. That’s one aspect.

“So, when you are talking about, ‘we are not selling the straw’, that’s a challenge and if another market is being promoted over us to say they are authentic and we are not, that’s hard on us.”

She noted that business is evolving worldwide and said the same rings true for straw vendors.

As for her hopes for 2023, Ms Small said she hopes this administration will continue to engage industry stakeholders and hear their concerns and that vendors will “see some light at the end of the tunnel for the new year.”

GAS PRICES ON THE WAY DOWN ‘FOR FIRST QUARTER’

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

THE vice president of the Bahamas Petroleum Dealers Association said gas prices are trending downwards, something he expects to continue leading into the first quarter of the new year.

Vasco Bastian told The Tribune yesterday that while he could not predict how much local fuel costs will be in 2023, he noted

that fuel retailers are still faced with a supply and demand issue in regard to global oil.

Effective yesterday, Esso service stations saw a fall in the price of a gallon of gas from $5.97 to $5.86. Gas prices at Shell are $5.86 per gallon as of yesterday.

Meanwhile, Rubis is significantly lower at $5.21 per gallon.

“It’s (fuel) starting to trend downwards a little bit,” Mr Bastian told this newspaper yesterday.

“We have some bumps in the road, but I, I think, for the first quarter, it (fuel) should not get any higher than (it) is in the new year. But it’s still a supply and demand issue in regard to the global oil,” he continued.

In late September, gas prices fell under $6 for the first time since March, and have remained consistent.

Yesterday, Mr Bastian was confident that gas prices will remain “steady” for the remainder of the year.

“(It) definitely will remain steady because remember now, the gas cycle here on the island of New Providence and the Family Islands in regard to inventory is every six to eight weeks. So, there’s a cycle in regard to the supply and demand of purchases. You usually have a turnover every six to eight weeks you could see a change in fuel prices,” Mr Bastian told The Tribune

Earlier this year, the price of a gallon of gas exceeded

$7, with prices in the Family Islands surpassing that amount.

However, Mr Bastian suggested that fuel prices will not surpass the $7 price mark in the upcoming year, adding that fuel prices will likely range between $5 to $5.60.

The Davis administration has repeatedly said officials were looking at several initiatives to bring relief to gas operators, but without success. The vicepresident of BPDA said he

remains hopeful that fuel retailers can meet with the Davis administration to discuss “slight adjustments” to margins and operating costs in 2023.

“Hopefully, also that we could finally sit down with the government and finalise any slight adjustment that we may have to our margin and our operating costs in regard to our business licence that we continue to pay for many, many years on gross turnover, not net profit,” he said yesterday.

THE STRAW Market on Bay Street.

‘TALK IS CHEAP’ ON RESORT’S GREEN PLEDGE

By

A LOCAL environmentalist said “talk is cheap” as she questioned the promise from officials of a multimillion-dollar Long Island project to act within environmental safety regulations.

Sam Duncombe’s comments came yesterday after Azul Destinations had a groundbreaking ceremony this week for a $250m resort and cruise port for south Long Island, where officials said they would ensure the project is in accordance with environmental safety regulations.

An Azul representative said on Monday the company is “still in the process of doing all the analysis as

well as the environmental impact assessment” for the project.

“The reality is talk is cheap and actions are what count,” Ms Duncombe, founder of reEarth, said. “All we hear is hot air coming out of developers’ mouths and the government about how beneficial this project is going to be — I don’t begrudge anybody getting a job.

“But let’s be thoughtful and invite investors that actually really do care about the environment instead of just accepting anybody who comes in,” Ms Duncombe told The Tribune

Ms Duncombe said if developers of the project were truly concerned about the protection of the environment as they claimed,

officials would have sought advice from the local environmental community.

She explained several times companies have failed to run the necessary studies to ensure the country’s environment is protected from major construction.

“The reality is that they go into communities, bamboozle them with jobs and the glitz and glamour of the resort. But at the end of the day, the communities are the ones who are ultimately going to pay the sacrifice in terms of degraded landscape and degraded cultural aspects of their island. And the environmental aspects of the island.”

Ms Duncombe added that the cruise industry has had a massive environmental impact, adding that

several cruise lines in the past have even polluted Bahamian waters.

The Tribune previously reported that a US court mandated report in 2019 found Carnival ships dumped hundreds of thousands of gallons of treated sewage and more than 8,000 gallons of food waste in Bahamian waters in 2017. In doing so, the court found Carnival violated the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) which specifies how food waste and sewage must be disposed of.

On December 5, Environment and Natural Resources Minister Vaughn Miller said he was in conversation with cruise lines about the issue

of pollution in Bahamian waters. If necessary, he said, the government will use the “maximum extent of the law” to deal with the issue.

Ms Duncombe said Azul Destinations is not the only company that has promised in the past to be mindful of the country’s natural resources.

“It’s not only them, everyone that comes in says ‘we’re going to be super responsible about the environment.’ And yet they still proceed knowing full well that their development is going to have a massive impact just from cruise port alone.”

Ms Duncombe said the government’s responsibility is not only to maintain the economy, but also to sustain

The Bahamas’ environment for the future.

Ms Duncombe also criticised Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis’ efforts of protecting the country’s environment.

“What does he think bringing cruise ships that pollute as much as 13 million cars in one day? How is that helping with climate change?”

She continued: “The government, developers and the people of the country don’t know what the impact is (of the project). You’re supposed to do the impact (assessment) first and then the government should decide based on that impact or whether or not they should go forward even to grant them (approval).”

$30,000 DONATION TO SUPPORT JUNKANOO FROM KFC

By LETRE SWEETING lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

YOUTH, Sports and Culture Minister Mario Bowleg said the upcoming Junkanoo parade, which is completely sold out, will be “finger licking good” due to a $30,000 donation from Kentucky Fried Chicken yesterday.

Representatives of the KFC Nassau fast food chain presented Mr Bowleg and his ministry as well as National Junkanoo Committee Chairman Warren Andrew Pinder with a cheque for $30,000 yesterday.

Mr Bowleg said: “The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture is happy to partner with corporate sponsors like KFC. The partnership that KFC has relates to being part sponsor for Junkanoo. And as the minister responsible for Junkanoo, I’m happy that they are on board to partner with us and the NJC, National Junkanoo Committee.”

Mr Pinder, chairman of the NJC, said: “This is a very significant moment, in that we can bring branded corporate sponsors such as KFC into the Junkanoo arena.

“Persons would be able to understand that we are moving Junkanoo, beyond the funding and trying to make sure that the groups that it grows, the minister has mandated us to seek ways in which we can

expand Junkanoo and this is one of the ways in which it is important to bring a corporate sponsorship to the arena. I’d like to thank them for coming on board with the National Junkanoo Committee and the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture.”

Mario Cash, director of operations for KFC Nassau, said the restaurant is proud to play a part in bringing Junkanoo back to Bay

Street this year.

“You guys, KFC is honoured to have played a small part in keeping the spirit of Junkanoo at the forefront of the Bahamian culture, with our Junkanoo bucket campaign that we’ve had during the past two years while we were not able to have in-person Junkanoo parades due to the global pandemic,” he said.

“KFC is extremely excited to see the return

of Junkanoo back to Bay Street for this upcoming Boxing Day parade. We’re also proud to sponsor the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture with a donation of $30,000 to the culture and we will also like to thank the minister for his participation in this event,” Mr Cash said.

Mr Bowleg added later that preparations for Junkanoo parades on the Family Islands are progressing smoothly.

“Grand Bahama’s parade is scheduled for January 2. It’s all a go. I think we’re going to be setting up the bleachers by the end of this week for them. I spoke with Norris Bain down there along with Ms Leary, who said that everything is good to go. So, unless the weather (is bad), I think Grand Bahama is fine,” Mr Bowleg said.

“All of the Family Islands are very excited. Of course, you know Eleuthera is going to be the first one out the gate on Christmas Day. The mere fact that we

increased their seed funding, they’re happy to know that now they can spend an extra couple of dollars to prepare themselves,” Mr Bowleg said.

At a press conference on Tuesday at Baha Mar, Robert Sands, senior vice president of government affairs at the resort, said Baha Mar is proud to be the primary sponsor for the Valley Boys for the upcoming Junkanoo parades as well as for other events at the resort throughout next year.

In September, representatives of more than 30 Junkanoo groups gathered at the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture where they signed contracts to receive seed funding in the amount of $928,500 from the government for the upcoming Junkanoo parades on Bay Street.

About $30,000 went to seven A groups; $15,000 to 17 B groups, $1,500 to 21 D groups and $2,000 to 19 F or Fun category groups.

YOUTH, Sports and Culture Minister Mario Bowleg and Junkanoo representatives receive a cheque for $30,000 from KFC.

Photo: Moise Amisial

ST. FRANCIS

XAVIER CATHEDRAL

Upcoming Liturgies

24th December, 2022 - 2nd January, 2023

Saturday, 24th December – Christmas Eve

No Vigil at 6:00 p.m.

Carol Service at 11 p.m.

The Nativity of the Lord. Holy Day of Obligation Mass at 12:01 a.m.

Celebrant: Archbishop Patrick C. Pinder

Sunday, 25th December, 2022

Holy Day of Obligation Christmas Day – Mass at 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant: Father Glen C. Nixon

Monday, 26th and Tuesday, 27th December, 2022

No Mass – Public Holiday

Wednesday, 27th and Thursday, 29th December Mass at 7:00 a.m. and 12:10 p.m.

Friday, 30th December, 2022 Mass at 7:00 a.m. only

Saturday, 31st December, 2022

New Year’s Eve – No Vigil at 6:00 p.m. Watchnight Service at 11 p.m.

Sunday, 1st January, 2023 New Year’s Day

Solemnity of Mary, Holy Day of Obligation

The Holy Mother of God

Celebrant: Archbishop Patrick C. Pinder

Mass will begin at 12:01 a.m.

Mass during the day at 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

Celebrant: Father Glen C. Nixon

Monday, 2nd January, 2023

No Mass – Public Holiday

STORM ADDS UNCERTAINTY TO STRONG HOLIDAY TRAVEL DEMAND

By DEE-ANN DURBIN AP Business Writer

CONCERNS about illness or inflation aren’t stopping Americans from hitting the roads and airports this holiday season. But a massive winter storm might.

Forecasters predict an onslaught of heavy snow, ice, flooding and powerful winds from Thursday to Saturday in a broad swath of the country, from the Plains and Midwest to the East Coast. A surge of Arctic air will follow. The Christmas weekend could be the coldest in decades.

The National Weather Service said yesterday the storm was so large and encompassing that around 190 million people are currently under some type of winter weather advisory.

Southwest Airlines said it has canceled 500 of its 4,000 scheduled flights on Thursday and Friday. The company said it wanted to maintain safe operations for both passengers and crew.

At least 145 flights into or out of Denver International Airport were canceled Wednesday as the city was hit with snow, gusty winds and freezing temperatures, according to FlightAware, a flight tracking company. At least 219 flights into or out of Denver were expected to be canceled Thursday.

FlightAware was also expecting at least 364 flights to be canceled Thursday at O’Hare and Midway airports in Chicago. Earlier this week, those two airports said they had 350 pieces of snow removal equipment and 400,000 gallons of pavement de-icing fluid on hand for the storm.

Delta, American, United, Frontier, Alaska, Southwest and other airlines were waiving change fees and offering travelers the option of choosing new flights to avoid the bad weather.

Jean-Paul Blancq got to Boston’s Logan Airport a day early for his Thursday flight home to New Orleans. Blancq had to take a bus to Logan from his seasonal job in New Hampshire and was unsure of the storm’s path.

“I hope that my flight doesn’t get canceled because I don’t know what I’ll do,” Blancq said.

Bianca ThrasherStarobin, a consultant and lobbyist in Atlanta, flew into New York Wednesday morning for an event and planned to fly out the same night.

“I’m trying to get out of this weather. I would have stayed longer but I just can’t take that chance,” she said as she raced through LaGuardia Airport.

Bus and train travelers were also bracing for cancellations and delays.

As of late Wednesday, Amtrak had canceled train service on around 30 routes, some through Dec

25. Greyhound canceled bus service on 25 routes for Wednesday and Thursday, including service from Las Vegas to Denver, Denver to St Louis and Chicago to Minneapolis, Memphis and Nashville.

The weather added uncertainty to what was expected to be a busy travel season. Earlier this month, AAA estimated that nearly 113 million people would travel 50 miles from home or more between Dec 23 and Jan 2. That’s 4% higher than last year, although still short of the record 119 million in 2019.

Most planned to travel by car. About 6% will travel by air, AAA said. Either way, many travelers found themselves hastily changing their itineraries.

Joel Lustre originally planned to drive from Bloomington, Indiana, to McGregor, Iowa, on Thursday. But he shifted his work schedule, and his wife canceled an appointment so they could leave Wednesday and beat the storm.

In Montana, several ski areas announced closures Wednesday and Thursday due to the extremely cold temperatures and sustained winds. Others scaled back offerings. Schools were also closed due to the cold.

Authorities across the country are worried about the potential for power outages and warned people to take precautions to protect the elderly, the homeless and livestock — and, if possible, to postpone travel.

“If you don’t have to be out driving, especially on Friday, we ask that you don’t be out there,” said Ron Brundidge, Detroit’s public works director. Brundidge said 50 trucks will be out salting major roads on around-the-clock shifts once expected rain turns to snow on Friday.

Kelli Larkin arrived Wednesday from Florida for a holiday trip to New York. She plans to fly back Saturday night but said she’ll watch the forecast and change her return flight if she has to.

“It’s a little concerning,” she said. “We’ve got to play it by ear.”

Kurt Ebenhoch, a consumer travel advocate and former airline executive, said fee waivers give airline passengers valuable time ahead of a storm to figure out alternate days and routes. But consumers should read the fine print carefully. Airlines might charge the difference in fares if passengers book beyond a certain window, for example.

Ebenhoch stressed that passengers have the right to ask the airline to book them on a different airline’s flight if there are no options that meet their needs. And if the airline cancels the flight, consumers have the right to a full refund, not just credits for future travel.

TRAVELERS walk through the snow into Terminal 1 at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport in Minneapolis yesterday.

Photo: Alex Kormann/Star Tribune via AP

Major Jr and Nottage face

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

It will be youth versus experience and Grand Bahama vs New Providence when rising teenager Denali Nottage faces former champion Kevin Major Jr in the men’s final of the 2022 Giorgio Baldacci Open Nationals.

The tournament, hosted by the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association, will come to a close today at the National Tennis Centre when the women’s champions will be decided as well in a rematch of last year’s finals between champion Sydney Clarke and runners-up Elana Mackey.

In what was the longest matched played so far during the week, Nottage survived a grueling three setter against fellow Grand Bahamian Rodney Carey in a marathon affair, while Major Jr got by fellow veteran Davis Cup player and captain Marvin Rolle in

two sets in Wednesday’s semifinals.

The winner of the men’s title will automatically earn a spot on the national team that will represent the Bahamas at the Davis Cup competition and the women’s winner will book her ticket to the Billie Jean King Cup.

The BLTA has not announced as yet how the other spots on the teams will be determined, but it’s expected that another qualifying tournament will take place next year before the teams travel.

Nottage in three over Carey Jr Nottage, who made his debut in the tournament with an exit in the quarterfinals, breathed a sigh of relief when he dropped an ace to hold serve and secure the game, set and match, much to the applauds of the crowd

that endured almost three hours of an exciting match.

In the end, Nottage had just prevailed with a 7-6

(5), 5-7, 7-5 win over an equally exhausted Carey as both players noted how glad they didn’t have to

battle through another tie breaker.

“This one was one. I knew I was facing one of the toughest players in the Bahamas in Rodney Carey,” said Nottage, who will celebrate his 19th birthday on Saturday. “I just had to fight until the end. “The main goal was to hold serve. There was a couple of times when I was down love-30 (0-30), but I just had to hold serve.”

Holding serve was a major problem for both players, especially at the end of the first two sets. Nottage broke Carey Jr to level the score and force the tie breaker.

Then in the second set, Carey Jr returned the favour as he broke Nottage, but this time he pushed the match to the decisive third set.

By RIZWAN ALI AP Sports Writer

KARACHI, Pakistan (AP) — Captain Ben Stokes believes England adapted well to the conditions in Pakistan with its aggressive and bold tactical moves to register the country’s only second 3-0 test series sweep in the subcontinent.

Stokes’ predecessor Joe Root led England to its only other sweep on the subcontinent when it beat Sri Lanka 3-0 in 2018. And England’s ‘Bazball’ approach to test cricket under new coach Brendon McCullum, a long-time star for New Zealand, was the determining factor in Pakistan losing a three-test home series 3-0 for the first time.

England signed off on its first test tour to Pakistan in 17 years with an emphatic eight-wicket win Tuesday on the fourth day of the final test in the cricket fortress of Pakistan – National Stadium.

“It won’t really sink in until we get home or in the new year,” Stokes said after

Cousins making their presence felt at Nationals

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WHEN they are not playing each other or teaming up together in doubles, close cousins Saphire and Breann Ferguson are on the sidelines cheering for one another.

The daughters of two brothers - Barron and Bjorn Ferguson - recalled how they got introduced to the sport of tennis by their grandfather Roscoe Ferguson, whom they call “pappa.”

“At first I didn’t like it that much, but then I started to fall in love with it,” said Saphire, who was around seven years old when she touched the tennis racket for the first time at the National Tennis Centre.

Saphire, the older of the two at 15, said they’ve had some hiccups playing the

sport over the years, but now they are seeing some light through the tunnel, which is giving them some glimmer of hope to become the players their “pappa” envisioned.

“It’s all about the progress,” said Saphire as they both made their debut in the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s 2022 Giorgio Baldacci Open Nationals at the National Tennis Centre.

They both lost their firstround matches and were forced to play in the consolation round to determine their final standings.

While Breann Ferguson, who will turn 15 on January 6, ended up in fourth place, Saphire Ferguson was fifth. With the open as a challenge for both players to improve their game, the junior national team players are eager to play in their own age group where they occasionally play against each other and as a team

whenever doubles are scheduled.

“Whenever we play each other and one wins over the other, we just hold it in. We probably won’t talk to each other for about five minutes,” Breann Ferguson said.

“It’s not a competition against each other for us because we are trying to better each other.”

As the elder of the two, Saphire Ferguson said the goal is to “push each other.”

For Breann Ferguson, her progress has been steady. “I think it could always be better. You could always be improving, but up to this point, I feel very good about my progress,” said Breann Ferguson, a ninth grader at St John’s College.

13-1 Eagles lead the way with 8 players in Pro Bowl Games

By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer

THE NFL-leading Philadelphia Eagles had a league-best eight players, including quarterback Jalen Hurts, selected for the first Pro Bowl Games.

The league announced rosters for the NFC and AFC yesterday. Players from both conferences will compete in weeklong skills competitions culminated with a flag football game on Sunday, February 5, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The NFL eliminated its full-contact all-star game in September.

Kansas City and Dallas each had seven players chosen for the Games. San Francisco and Baltimore are next with six. Only two teams — Jacksonville and Chicago — aren’t

represented on the initial rosters.

Joining Hurts from the Eagles (13-1) are wide receiver A.J. Brown, running back Miles Sanders, right tackle Lane Johnson, center Jason Kelce, left guard Landon Dickerson, linebacker Haason Reddick and cornerback Darius Slay. Hurts, Sanders, Dickerson and Reddick are first-timers. It’s Kelce’s sixth, Slay’s fifth and Johnson’s fourth.

Sanders and Reddick were selected as backups.

Patrick Mahomes is the AFC’s starting quarterback.

Josh Allen and Joe Burrow are his backups. Kirk Cousins and Geno Smith are backing up Hurts.

Smith is a first-time pick in his 10th season in the NFL. He’s the first quarterback since Rich Gannon (1999) to earn his first Pro

As they look ahead to the future, the Ferguson cousins said they would like to see not just one of them, but both of them be competing for the national title when they return home from college and before they pursue a professional career in the sport.

“I would like to become a sports therapist,” said Saphire Ferguson, who admitted that because she’s been to one so much, she’s got accustomed to it, and she would certainly like to help others.

After losing to collegian Elana Ferguson in the first round of the tournament, Saphire said she learned a valuable lesson.

“You have to always focus on getting better because even when you think you’re good, there’s always someone out there that is at a different level, so you have to continue to train hard,” she stressed.

“I just have to concentrate on playing my pressure points better.” None of them were under more pressure than Breann Ferguson, who had to take on the top seed and defending champion Sydney Clarke where she lost to the collegian in the second round after knocking off Calia Bowe in the first round.

“Even though I didn’t win (against Clarke), I just wanted to play better in that match than I did in the first match (against Bowe). I just need to definitely use my footwork and be more consistent with my strokes.” Although they are pushed by their parents, the Ferguson cousins said “pappa” Ferguson takes the time out to work them out in doubles every chance he gets. Right now, they are making the best of every opportunity to get to improve their game.

Russian hurdler stripped of Olympics gold for doping

MONACO (AP)

— Russian 400-metre hurdler Natalya Antyukh will lose her gold medal from the 2012 London Games due to doping, putting American Lashinda Demus in position to be named the champion more than a decade after the race.

The Athletics Integrity Unit, which oversees doping cases in track and field, announced yesterday that Antyukh had not appealed a penalty handed down two months ago that included the stripping of her results from July 2012 through June 2013. The AIU said the IOC could now “proceed with the reallocation of medals and the update of the IOC database.”

AIU said Antyukh, who had already been serving a four-year ban, received the added sanction of having the 2012 results stripped because of evidence that came from a database kept at the Moscow antidoping laboratory. Though AIU offered no specifics, data from that lab was used to corroborate findings in a number of cases that came out of Russia’s state-sponsored doping scandal. At the London Games, Antyukh finished in 52.70 seconds, lowering her personal best by .22 to beat Demus by .07.

Bowl selection in Year 10 or later of his career.

Trent Williams, the 49ers’ left tackle, was chosen for the 10th time. Aaron Donald became the first defensive lineman to make the Pro Bowl in each of

his first nine seasons. He’s the only representative from the defending Super Bowl champion Los Angels Rams (4-10). Miami’s Tyreek Hill was selected to

Zuzana Hejnová of the Czech Republic and Kaliese Spencer of Jamaica are in line to receive silver and bronze.

EAGLES’ A.J. BROWN, right, tries to get past Bears’ Jaquan Brisker during the first half on Sunday in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y Huh)

SYDNEY CLARKE, right, and Elana Mackey.

Photo: Moises Amisial/Tribune Staff

SAPHIRE, right, and Breann Ferguson.

Photo: Moises Amisial/Tribune Staff

In the final set, Nottage had taken a 3-1 up a break, but Carey Jr got the break back for a 4-4 tie. Carey Jr held serve on an ace for a 5-4 lead, but Nottage withstood the challenge and broke again for a 6-5 lead and then completed the match with the ace as he held serve.

“This year, I’m in the final, so it’s an improvement,” said Nottage, who is currently enrolled at the Bill Adams Tennis Academy in Pembroke Pines, Florida, after he graduated from St George’s High School. “This year, I’m a little more mature, so I was looking forward to playing the tournament.”

For Carey Jr, who made his return after a little hiatus from the game,

said he thought they both played very well. He said he was disappointed in his performance because he blew the opportunity to win the first two sets.

“Having to go three sets, I knew it was going to be tough,” Carey Jr insisted. “I did good to stay in there to take it to the distance, so I’m happy with that. But I’m not too upset about it.”

Carey Jr, 30, said he’s happy to see Nottage playing at such a high level and his father Daniel Nottage, who coached many of the players in Grand Bahama, was just as elated watching on the sidelines.

With just a day to let it sink in that he’s into the final, Nottage said the only thing he wants to do now is “get some rest,” because it’s not going to be easy against Major Jr, so “I just have to come out fighting again.”

Major Jr sweeps Marvin Rolle

Even though he admitted that Major Jr would come out victorious the day before in his quarterfinal victory, Rolle still came out and provided a stiff challenge, even if it was just for one set.

Major Jr, the younger of the two competitors, pulled off a 6-4, 6-1 win, but he gave a lot of credit to Rolle.

“Playing Marvin is always tricky. He’s a nice guy, but he always has blood in his eyes, so you always have to be careful,” Major Jr said.

“So, I was ready for a fight, and I got a fight.

“I just think he pulled back off the gas because to maintain that world-class level is not that easy and that was how I was able to take control of the match.”

Major Jr, the tournament 2019 winner over Baker

Newman, said he expected to reach the final because he came home well prepared from his training in Tampa, Florida.

“I’m looking forward to playing Davis Cup next year and all of the tournaments I can get into,” Major Jr said.

“I love playing other people than Bahamians. I know what I can do against Bahamians. I’m ready to take on the world.”

Rolle, the savvy 39-yearold, said he took the match to the 27-year-old Major Jr up to the ninth game and then it just slipped away from him.

“Kevin is tough. That’s why he’s considered one of the best players we have right now,” Rolle said. “Between him and Justin Roberts, is our best player, so it was a good win for him.”

TOLEDO HANDS LIBERTY 1ST BOWL LOSS, 21-19, IN BOCA BOWL

By ALANIS THAMES AP Sports Writer

BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) — Dequan Finn passed for 133 yards and a touchdown and rushed for another score to lead Toledo past Liberty 21-19 in the rainy Boca Raton Bowl Tuesday night.

Toledo came from behind, then fended off Liberty, handing the Flames their first loss in a bowl game after three bowl victories.

Liberty (8-5) was directed by interim coach Josh Aldridge, who stepped in for Hugh Freeze, who became the head coach at Auburn at the end of the regular season.

Toledo (9-5) punctuated a successful season that included winning the MidAtlantic Conference title with its first bowl victory since 2015.

Liberty scored twice in a five-minute span of the fourth quarter, turning a 21-7 deficit into a two-point game. Kaidon Salter hit Treon Sibley with a 29-yard

STOKES

FROM PAGE 13

scoring an unbeaten 35 in England’s run-chase that was led by Ben Duckett’s powerful 82 not out off 78 balls. “We understand what we’ve done is pretty special … it will be something to be really proud of.

“Coming into subcontinental conditions … everything we’ve tried has come off. I’ve learned a lot in terms of the tactical side, that’s the best thing to come out of it.”

McCullum described England’s nine wins in the last 10 test matches as “quite an incredible ride” under Stokes’ brand of aggressive cricket.

“We’re definitely comfortable with nine out of 10,” McCullum told the Pakistan Cricket Board’s digital podcast. “The side is walking in his sort of style now and playing the way that he likes the game to be played, it’s been absolutely fantastic.”

England set the tone of its dominance when its top four batters – Zak Crawley,

scoring pass at 7:24 of the period to make it 21-13 and CJ Daniels found Bentley Hanshaw with a 67-yard scoring strike to close the game to two points. But, Liberty’s 2-point conversion try failed and Toledo held on for the final 3:40

Finn was just as dangerous offensively as he had been all season, when he led the Mid-American Conference with 30 total TDs.

Finn guided Toledo’s offence 75 yards on the opening drive of the second half to give the Rockets their first lead of the game, 10-7, and they led the rest of the way. Lenny Khule’s 4-yard TD reception capped the drive and was his third TD of the season.

Finn’s 1-yard rushing score in the fourth gave Toledo a 21-7 lead.

Liberty held a 7-3 lead at the half as its defence kept Toledo out of the end zone, even though the Rockets had more first downs, offensive yards and led in time of possession.

Liberty running back Shedro Louis scored the

Duckett, Ollie Pope and Harry Brook — smashed belligerent centuries on the opening day of the first test on a flat wicket at Rawalpindi which later received a demerit point from the ICC.

Stokes made a bold declaration on the fourth day at Rawalpindi that saw England registering a 74-run win in dimming light on the last day with Pakistan less than 10 minutes away from forcing a draw.

Pakistan’s batters cracked under Stokes’ umbrella of fielders surrounding them throughout the 343-run chase before eventually falling for 268.

“The first test pitch was very, very flat and we just said ‘enjoy the flatness boys, let’s just enjoy this challenge and see what we can do.’”

England blunted the mystery spin of Abrar Ahmed on a slow turning wicket in Multan before registering a thrilling 26-run win – also inside four days. Ahmed did pick up 11 wickets in the game, his test debut, but Brook’s century in the

Flames’ first touchdown with a 9-yard rush in the first quarter.

Salter finished 12 for 20 for 84 yards and a TD.

Salter had the game’s first turnover with a sack-fumble

second innings once again gave England enough runs to defend through Mark Wood’s express pace on the fourth day.

“It is a great time to be in this dressing room and a great time to be playing for England,” Stokes said. “I’m just encouraging everyone to turn up every day and enjoy what you’re doing. Obviously it is easier to do when we are winning the way we are at the moment.”

The toss didn’t affect England’s dominance in the series when Babar Azam won his first toss of the series and opted to bat in the final test. The leftarm spin of Jack Leach and 18-year-old Rehan Ahmed dismissed Pakistan for 304 before England notched a significant 50-run lead through Brook’s third hundred in the series.

Rehan Ahmed’s maiden five-wicket haul, which made him the youngest to do so in men’s test cricket, once against cracked through Pakistan’s brittle middle-order as England shot out the home team for 216.

on Liberty’s first offensive play of the third quarter. That set up a 29-yeard field goal by Thomas Cluckey that gave the Rockets a 13-7 lead. A couple drives later, Toledo’s Adam Beale

PRO BOWL

FROM PAGE 13

his seventh consecutive Pro Bowl, joining A.J. Green as the only wide receivers to earn Pro Bowl honors in each of their first seven seasons.

Twenty-five of the 88 players selected are firsttimers, including rookie cornerbacks Sauce Gardner of the New York Jets and Tariq Woolen of the Seattle Seahawks. It’s the second time two rookie cornerbacks made the initial Pro Bowl roster. The first occurred in 1982 when Pro Football Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott and Everson Walls made it.

Saquon Barkley is the NFC’s starting running back. Sanders and Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard are the backups. Nick Chubb is the AFC’s starting running back. Derrick Henry and Josh Jacobs back him up.

The NFC’s starting wideouts are Brown and Justin Jefferson. CeeDee Lamb and Terry McLaurin also made the squad. The AFC’s

muffed a punt at rain drenched FAU Stadium, setting up Liberty at the 10 yard line.

Consecutive offensive penalties sent the Flames backward, and kicker Nick Brown, who’d made six straight field goals from inside 50, missed a 32 yarder.

GOING TO THE GROUND

Toledo bullied Liberty in the run game behind Finn’s mobility and running back Jacques Stuart, who had a season-high 23 carries for 111 yards on 4.8 yards per carry.

JOHNSON’S DOMINANCE

There were questions entering Tuesday’s game about whether Liberty’s senior defensive end Durrell Johnson would play in the team’s bowl game.

He did. And his quickness and ability to generate pressure kept Toledo from scoring more points.

Johnson added four tackles for loss to Liberty’s 12 total for the game. The

starting receivers are Hill and Stefon Diggs.

Davante Adams and Ja’Marr Chase also made the roster.

George Kittle starts at tight end for the NFC and T.J. Hockenson made the team after a midseason trade from Detroit to Minnesota.

AFC starting tight end Travis Kelce made the team for the eighth time. Mark Andrews backs him up.

The roster selections were determined by the consensus votes of fans, players and coaches.

Each group’s vote counted one-third toward determining the teams. The NFL is the only sports league that combines voting by fans, coaches and players to determine its allstars. It was also the first professional sports league to offer online all-star voting in 1995.

Peyton Manning will coach the AFC team while Eli Manning guides the NFC. Ray Lewis serves as the defensive coordinator for the AFC. DeMarcus Ware handles the role for

Flames lead the nation in team tackles for loss.

THE TAKEAWAY Liberty: Penalties in the second half undid the Flames. After no penalties through the first two quarters, the Flames ended with five flags for 40 yards, most of which stalled their offensive drives.

Toledo: The Rocket’s offense chewed up the clock, especially in the second half with drives of six and seven minutes, and they converted 10 of 17 third downs.

UP NEXT Liberty: The Flames will move to Conference USA in 2023 with a new head coach. Liberty named former Coastal Carolina coach Jamey Caldwell its head coach earlier this month. Liberty will open the 2023 regular season on September 2 at home against Bowling Green. Toledo: The Rockets will attempt to win their second straight MAC championship next season. Toledo will open the 2023 season on September 2 at Illinois.

the NFC. International Flag football stars Vanita Krouch and Diana Flores were named as offensive coordinators.

The AFC and NFC will start off with five skills competitions on Feb. 2. On Sunday, there will be three flag football games and three additional skills competitions between the two conferences.

The winner of each skills competition earns three points for his conference. There are eight total skills competitions worth a total of 24 available points.

The winner of each of the first two flag games earns six points for his conference.

The first two flag games are worth a total of 12 available points.

Points from the eight skills competitions and first two flag games are added together and that will be the score at the beginning of the third and final flag game.

The third flag game will determine the overall winner of the Pro Bowl Games.

By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer

Carlos Correa is headed to the free-spending New York Mets with a $315 million, 12-year contract after his pending deal with the San Francisco Giants came apart over concerns about an ankle injury sustained eight years ago.

The agreement with the Mets was confirmed to The Associated Press on Wednesday by a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was subject to a successful physical. Correa had reached a $350 million, 13-year agreement with the Giants on Dec. 13.

San Francisco on Monday announced a news conference for the following day, then called it off Tuesday morning and told Correa’s

agent, Scott Boras, the team needed more time to examine medical records. Boras asked the Giants to set a deadline to finalize the deal. When a 1 p.m. PST deadline was set and passed, Boras reopened talks with other clubs.

Houston announced on June 25, 2014, that Correa had surgery a day earlier after breaking his right fibula that June 20 while sliding into third base for Class A Lancaster. The injury ended Correa’s season.

Giants President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi confirmed Wednesday there was a concern raised during the physical.

“While we are prohibited from disclosing confidential medical information, as Scott Boras stated publicly, there was a difference of opinion over the results

of Carlos’ physical examination,” Zaidi said in a statement. “We wish Carlos the best.”

Correa, an All-Star and Gold Glove-winning shortstop, would play third base for the Mets, with buddy Francisco Lindor remaining at shortstop. “We need one more thing, and this is it,” Mets owner Steve Cohen told the New York Post, which first reported details of New York’s agreement.

“This puts us over the top.”

“This really makes a big difference,” Cohen added. “I felt like our pitching was in good shape. We needed one more hitter.”

New York was in talks with Correa and still pursuing him just before he agreed to sign with the Giants. “We kind of picked up where we were before and it just worked out,” Cohen told the Post.

Rolle said while he would have preferred to be on the other side of the draw so that he could have ended up possibly facing Major Jr

in the final and not the semifinals, he will look forward to the next trials to try and secure his spot on another Davis Cup team.

RODNEY Carey Jr takes a breather after his match yesterday.

Photo: Moises Amisial/Tribune Staff

TOLEDO quarterback Dequan Finn (7) looks for a receiver during the first half of the team’s Boca Raton Bowl NCAA college football game against Liberty on Tuesday night. (AP Photo/ Jim Rassol)

Jaguars, Jets kick off Week 16 still in the playoff chase

By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer

TREVOR Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars face Zach Wilson and the New York Jets in Week 16 for the second straight season.

Both teams have come a long way since the previous meeting.

This year, the Jaguars (6-8) and Jets (7-7) are in the middle of a playoff race in a jumbled AFC so there’s plenty at stake Thursday night.

The resurgent Jaguars are one game behind the Titans in the AFC South. The Jets are one game behind the Dolphins and Chargers for a wild-card spot.

Lawrence and Wilson were the 1-2 picks in the 2021 draft. While Lawrence has been outstanding over the past month, Wilson is only starting because Mike White is injured. He outdueled Lawrence in a 26-21 win at home on Dec. 26, 2021.

“I’m not playing against Zach, I’m playing against the Jets defense,” Lawrence said. “It’s annoying when people always compare it to all that because that’s not what it’s about. That’s not how the game should be played. You just do whatever it takes to win the game.”

That Jets defense presents quite a challenge for Lawrence and the Jags. New York is ranked No. 3 overall, and rookie cornerback Sauce Gardner leads a secondary that allows just 193.9 yards passing per game.

Coming off an impressive comeback win against Dallas, the Jaguars are 1 1/2-point favorites, per FanDuel Sportsbook.

Home teams have lost five of the past seven games on Thursday Picks. Pro Picks leans slightly toward Jacksonville.

JAGUARS, 19-16 Buffalo (minus 8 1/2) at Chicago

The Bears’ only hope is to use the NFL’s top rushing offense to control the clock and keep Josh Allen and Buffalo’s playmakers on the sideline for at least 40 minutes.

BEST BET: BILLS, 32-17

Philadelphia (plus 4 1/2) at Dallas

Minshew Mania! The Eagles (13-1) need one more win to lock up the

No. 1 seed and will turn to Gardner Minshew if Jalen Hurts can’t play because of a sprained shoulder. Minshew can prove Cowboys star Micah Parsons was right when he credited the system for Hurts’ success.

UPSET SPECIAL: EAGLES, 26-23 New York Giants (plus 3 1/2) at Minnesota

Coming off the biggest comeback in NFL history, the Vikings (11-3) somehow are winning with the league’s lowest-ranked defense. The Giants (8-51) need big games from Saquon Barkley and Kayvon Thibodeaux to win on the road.

VIKINGS, 27-20 New Orleans (plus 2 1/2) at Cleveland

The Browns (6-8) are 2-1 with Deshaun Watson and still have a shot at a winning season. The Saints (5-9) still have a shot to win the dreadful NFC South.

BROWNS, 24-20 Detroit (minus 2 1/2) at Carolina Jared Goff and the Lions (7-7) are streaking after a 1-6 start. The Panthers (5-9) still can catch the Buccaneers, but must figure out a way to stop Detroit’s high-flying offense.

LIONS, 23-16

By DAN GELSTON AP Sports Writer

PHILADELPHIA (AP)

— Imagine this: Jalen Hurts back at quarterback for the Eagles only six days after his right shoulder was mashed into Bermuda sod on a blustery afternoon in Chicago.

The scenario ostensibly has gone from long shot once it was revealed that Hurts had sprained his throwing shoulder — the arm that helped guide Philadelphia to the best record in the NFL and cemented him as a bona fide MVP contender — to plausible on Saturday at Dallas.

“I’m feeling fine, feeling fine,” Hurts said Tuesday. “Definitely a chance.” What a relief for the Eagles.

What a scare for the rest of the playoff field.

Even if Hurts doesn’t play Saturday when the 13-1 Eagles can clinch the NFC East and the No. 1 seed in the NFC with a win, the fact his availability is on the table means he avoided the worst-case scenario of a significant injury that could have cost him significant time.

Eagles coach Nick Sirianni refused to rule out his franchise QB.

“I do not put it past Jalen Hurts, I don’t put anything past Jalen Hurts as far as his physical and mental toughness,” Sirianni said

Tuesday. “There’s a chance he can play this week.”

That lessens the need for a reboot of Minshew Mania in Philly.

The Eagles could take a safe rout and go with backup QB Gardner Minshew, a former starter in Jacksonville who has played well in spot duty and garbage time in two seasons with Philly. The common thought was let Hurts heal up, rest and lay the groundwork for the playoffs.

Plus, the Eagles have been down this path before, in December 2017 when MVP front-runner Carson Wentz was lost to injury and yielded the starting spot to Nick Foles.

Foles went out and won the Eagles the franchise’s first Super Bowl, when he asked his coach about a trick play, “You want Philly Philly?”

So, you want repeat repeat?

Not this year. Hurts is still the man.

“We will play him when he’s ready to play,” Sirianni said. “If that’s this week, it’s this week. If it’s next week, it’s next week. When Jalen’s ready to play, he’s ready to play. All aspects of it.”

The 24-year-old in his second season as a starter has absorbed a variety of hard licks that never knocked him out of a game. Not even against the Bears. Hurts said he grasped he was injured the moment

Cincinnati (minus 3 1/2) at New England Joe Burrow and the Bengals (10-4) are rolling with six straight wins after Tom Brady and the Buccaneers handed them a victory. The Patriots (7-7) gave away a game to the Raiders, decreasing their playoff hopes.

BENGALS, 27-17 Houston (plus 4 1/2) at Tennessee Lovie Smith has the Texans (1-12-1) staying close. The Titans (7-7) are in danger of losing the division after losing four in a row.

TITANS, 26-13 Seattle (plus 10) at Kansas City

The Seahawks (7-7) have lost four of five and are fading in the wild-card race. The Chiefs (11-3) needed overtime to beat lowly Houston and are fighting for the AFC’s No. 1 seed. Patrick Mahomes and the NFL’s No. 1 offense against the league’s 29th-ranked defense is a mismatch.

CHIEFS, 27-20 Atlanta (plus 7 1/2) at Baltimore

The Ravens (9-5) desperately need Lamar Jackson to return. The Falcons (5-9) need the season to end.

RAVENS, 22-16

Washington (plus 7 1/2) at San Francisco

Brock Purdy may never lose with the 49ers (10-4) stacked around him and playing tenacious defense. According to coach Ron Rivera, Taylor Heinicke could land on the bench this week for the Commanders (7-6-1).

49ERS, 24-17 Las Vegas (plus 2 1/2) at Pittsburgh

The Steelers (6-8) will celebrate the 50th anniversary of “The Immaculate Reception” without Franco Harris after the Hall of Fame running back passed away this week, just days before the team retires his No. 32.

The Raiders (6-8) are aiming for their fifth win in six games.

RAIDERS, 23-21 Tampa Bay (minus 6 1/2) at Arizona

The Buccaneers (6-8) have lost to P.J. Walker, Jacoby Brissett, Brock Purdy and Kenny Pickett/ Mitch Trubisky. Whether it’s Colt McCoy or Trace McSorley starting for the Cardinals (4-10), the Bucs aren’t good enough to beat anyone by a touchdown.

BUCCANEERS 20-17 Green Bay (plus 4 1/2) at Miami

Aaron Rodgers and the Packers (6-8) need to win out and get a lot of help to make the playoffs. Tua Tagovailoa need to get the Dolphins (8-6) back on track after three straight losses.

DOLPHINS, 24-23 Denver (minus 2 1/2) at Los Angeles Rams

A pair of 4-10 teams few could’ve figured would have awful seasons.

BRONCOS, 20-17 Los Angeles Chargers (minus 3 1/2) at Indianapolis

The Chargers (8-6) are making a playoff push. The Colts (4-9-1) already had a nightmarish season before blowing a 33-0 lead last week.

CHARGERS, 24-20

2022 RECORD

Last Week: Straight up: 12-4 Against spread: 7-8-1.

Season: Straight up: 137-86. Against spread: 113-105-5.

Thursday: Straight up: 11-6. Against spread: 7-10. Monday: Straight up: 9-7. Against spread: 7-9.

Best Bet: Straight up: 8-7. Against spread: 8-7.

Upset Special: Straight up: 5-10. Against spread: 7-7-1.

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer

MAHOMES MAKING MVP BID WITH MORE BALANCED APPROACH JALEN HURTS: EAGLES QB HAS ‘CHANCE’ TO PLAY AT DALLAS

1 seed in the conference, the Eagles could play up to two home games at Lincoln Financial Field in the playoffs.

Hurts wouldn’t mind a repeat of an October win at the Linc when he threw for 155 yards and two touchdowns in a 26-17 victory over the Cowboys.

“I think the best thing for me is being ready to play,” Hurts said.

Hurts had been an MVP front-runner on most betting sites, but he stood at 4-1 on Tuesday, per FanDuel SportsBook. Also per FanDuel, the Cowboys are now a 5 1/2-point favourite to beat the Eagles.

Hurts’ odds might shoot back up should he not miss a snap. Hurts continued to air out against the Bears after the injury and did not seem to be in any pain when he talked to the media after the game, all promising signs for this week.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes has always pushed the boundaries of what is possible on the field.

And plenty of times over five seasons as the starting quarterback in Kansas City, a line was crossed that led to some admonishment from Andy Reid.

Over the past two years, though, those mistakes have become increasingly rare.

Mahomes still takes it to the limit — trying to fit a throw into a tight window, or make the impossible play, or push the ball downfield when the check-down is wide open.

But he has a better grasp of how far to go without stepping over the line, and the result has been an MVP-calibre season that just might be the finest of his career.

After going 36 of 41 for 336 yards and two touchdowns last Sunday in Houston, Mahomes is on pace to surpass Peyton Manning’s NFL record of 5,477 yards set during his 2013 MVP season with the Broncos, albeit during a 17-game season.

“I want to always have that aggressiveness in me. That’s what got me here and who I am,” Mahomes explained Tuesday, as the newly crowned AFC West champions turned their attention to Saturday’s visit from the Seahawks.

“But you have to find that spot where you’re still aggressive but take what you can underneath,” Mahomes continued.

“I always want to be pushing it to where it’s right at the edge. That’s who I am. It gives guys a chance to make plays, and we are coached that way.

“Coach (Andy) Reid wants us to push it right to the limit and don’t go past it.”

Even if that means taking the easy throw to running back Jerick McKinnon in the flat.

Or the short gain to tight end Travis Kelce over the middle.

Or the pedestrian throw to wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster along the sideline.

The benefit of all those seemingly simple throws?

Mahomes completed 87.8 percent of this throws against the Texans, breaking the franchise record of 86.36 percent set by Alex Smith against the Raiders on October 16, 2016.

five games with a shoulder injury. Goedert, who has 43 receptions for 544 yards and three touchdowns, was hurt in Philadelphia’s only loss of the season, in November against Washington.

he was tackled by defensive tackle Travis Gipson. He stayed in the game and went 7-of-10 passing for 110 yards — and hit wide receiver A.J. Brown for a 68-yard reception.

“I’m very aware of my body,” Hurts said. “I’ve always been that way. I try and be mindful of those things. I’m pretty good at kind of overcoming those kind of different things.”

Hurts has thrown 22 touchdowns and has 3,472 yards passing, and he has

rushed for 747 yards and 13 touchdowns. His 35 total touchdowns this season tied the franchise record set by Randall Cunningham in 1990.

“I’m not one to really talk about myself,” Hurts said. “Obviously, being the quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles, you can’t run from it.”

After Dallas, the Eagles close the season with home games against New Orleans and the New York Giants. Should they earn the No.

“I don’t want to talk about myself,” Hurts said.

“It took a lot of grit, it took some courage, it took the people around me. We have a ton of guys that have to play through things. We have a ton of guys that have to overcome adversities and obstacles in front of them. I think that was something that we did together.”

The Eagles got more good news Tuesday when star tight end Dallas Goedert was activated off the injured list after he missed

Hurts suffered an ankle injury and missed a game last season against the New York Jets. Minshew was 20 of 25 for 242 yards and two touchdowns in a 33-18 victory on the road and later asked Sirianni what he needed to do to become the starter.

The answer for Saturday might be the same now for the looming free-agent QB as it was a year ago: No one takes Hurts’ spot.

“It’s not the first time I’ve had things I’ve had to overcome,” Hurts said. “Nothing changes about this other than the publicity of it. The mentality of this team, it’s truly about just being ready go into Saturday. It’s going to take everybody like it does every week.”

EAGLES’ Jalen Hurts reacts after an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday in Chicago. The Eagles won 25-20. (AP Photo/Nam Y Huh)

Organiser Glenn Smith was so impressed with the initial staging of the Hoopfest in Paradise High School Basketball Tournament over the weekend that they are

‘PLAY-BYPLAY ON DA REPLAY’

already looking at returning for the second edition in 2023.

Smith, who serves as president of Hoopfest in Paradise Basketball Incorporated, said they were able to display some

top-notch basketball competition with some of the top stars coming in from the United States.

This year’s tournament also featured two Bahamian All-Star teams.

The New Providence All-Stars lost 71-36 to the Miami Northwestern High School on Friday and the Grand Bahama All-Stars lost 66-47 to Miami Northwestern High on Saturday.

HIGHLIGHTS from this year’s Hoopfest in Paradise High School Basketball Tournament over the weekend at the Kendal Isaacs Gym.

Photos: FreeKeyThree Creative

Embiid leads balanced attack, 76ers defeat Pistons 113-93

By KEVIN COONEY Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA

(AP) — Joel Embiid had 22 points and 10 rebounds and the Philadelphia 76ers used a balanced scoring attack to extend their winning streak to six games with a 113-93 win over the Detroit Pistons last night.

Tobias Harris had 17 points, despite early foul trouble, and James Harden added 15 points and eight assists for the Sixers.

Philadelphia got double-figure scoring from six players, including De’Anthony Melton (12), Georges Niang (11) and Montrezl Harrell (10).

The Sixers’ six-game winning streak is their longest since a seven-game run from December 26 to January 10 in the 2021-22 season.

Philadelphia has won eight straight games at home after starting the season 5-5 in their own building. Detroit was lead by Jaden Ivey, who

followed up his career-best 30 points on Tuesday night with 16 points.

Killian Hayes scored 12 and Saddiq Bey 11 for the Pistons, who have lost seven of their last eight games.

Philadelphia overcame some offensive struggles with defensive stinginess.

The 76ers forced 22 turnovers and held the Pistons to 32.1 percent shooting from the floor in the third quarter. That allowed the Sixers to weather an offensive drought and maintain a double-digit lead.

TIP-INS

Pistons: Hayes started for Detroit despite being labeled as a game-time decision with a left knee contusion. ... Detroit has lost nine straight at Wells Fargo Center, dating to March 4, 2017.

Jalen Duren had his streak of seven straight games with 11 or more rebounds snapped. It was tied with Dwight Howard for the longest in NBA history by a rookie.

76ers: Furkan Korkmaz, who has missed the last two games with a nonCOVID illness, returned to the Philadelphia bench and was available Wednesday night, playing late in

the contest, when the game was secure. ... There is still no timeline on Tyrese Maxey’s possible return. Maxey, the Sixers’ No. 3 scorer from the guard position, has missed the last 15

games due to a fracture in his foot.

UP NEXT: Pistons: At Atlanta Friday night. 76ers: Wrap up seven-game homestand on Friday night versus the Clippers.

NETS BREAK LOOSE FOR 91 POINTS IN 1ST HALF, ROUT WARRIORS

NEW YORK (AP) — Kevin Durant scored 23 points, all but two in a 91-point first half that was the third-biggest in NBA history, and the Brooklyn Nets routed the Golden State Warriors 143-113 yesterday to send the reigning champions staggering home with their second blowout loss in two nights in New York.

With Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins all sidelined, the Warriors finished 1-5 on their trip to the East and will hope to get healthy before they have to get back on the court on Christmas against Memphis.

Curry will remain sidelined by a shoulder injury, but Wiggins could be back, and the Warriors will take all the help they can get after trailing by 44 in this one.

The Nets matched a franchise record with nine players in double figures and won their seventh straight, even with Kyrie Irving out with right calf tightness.

James Wiseman scored a career-high 30 points on 12-for-14 shooting for the Warriors, who lost by 38 points to the Knicks on Tuesday night.

The Nets had to come from 18 and then 19 points down in their last two victories, but this one was over not long after the Warriors’ bus finally arrived after some New York holiday traffic.

The Nets made 11 of their first 12 shots and by the time the first quarter was over it was 46-17, a 29-point differential that was the largest in any period in the NBA this

season. It was 68-31 when Durant was whistled for a technical foul for his sideline celebration after Ben Simmons slammed down a long lob pass. The Warriors scored the next seven in one of their only highlights of the night before Brooklyn extended it to 91-51 at the half on Durant’s 3-pointer.

Phoenix set the NBA record with 107 points in the first half against Denver on Nov. 10, 1990.

The Warriors — with Durant playing for them — scored 92 against Chicago on Oct. 29. 2018.

Simmons got the first two baskets of the third for the largest lead at 95-51, but Durant was 1 for 8 playing all 12 minutes as the Nets managed only 18 points in the period.

CAVALIERS 114, BUCKS 106

CLEVELAND (AP) — Donovan Mitchell scored 36 points and Cleveland finally put together a complete game, beating Milwaukee despite Giannis Antetokounmpo’s seasonhigh 45 points.

Darius Garland added 23 points and Jarrett Allen had 19 for the Cavs, who lost their first two games against the Eastern Conference’s top team this season.

The Cavs improved the NBA’s best home record to 16-2, matching their start in the 2016 championship season.

The Cavaliers opened a 24-point lead in the third, but the Bucks chipped away and closed within five with 2:21 left. Mitchell went 9 of 9 from the freethrow line in the fourth as Cleveland closed out the win. MItchell made 15 of 16 free throws.

Antetokounmpo scored 24 points in the second half and added 14 rebounds. Brook Lopez had 14 points for the Bucks, who were without injured All-Star forward Khris Middleton.

MAVERICKS 104, TIMBERWOLVES 99 MINNEAPOLIS (AP)

— Luka Doncic had 25 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds and Dallas earned a two-game split in a home-and-home set against Minnesota.

Tim Hardaway Jr. added 21 points after an illness sidelined him Monday night in Dallas’ 116-106 loss in Minnesota in which Doncic and coach Jason Kidd were ejected.

Spencer Dinwiddie scored 19 points and Christian Wood added 12 for Dallas, which had lost two in a row.

Rudy Gobert returned for the Timberwolves after missing three games with

a sprained ankle, finishing with nine points and 15 rebounds. Anthony Edwards had 23 points and Austin Rivers added 21 in his second straight start for Minnesota, which had won three straight.

MAGIC 116, ROCKETS 110 HOUSTON (AP) — Franz Wagner scored 25 points, rookie Paolo Banchero had 23 points and 13 rebounds, and Orlando overcame a 15-point second-half deficit to beat Houston.

The Magic took their first lead when Cole Anthony, who finished with 15 points, drilled a 3-pointer to make it 96-95 with 7:11 remaining. Orlando has won seven of eight since beginning the season 5-20.

Kevin Porter Jr. scored 31 points for the Rockets, who dropped their fourth straight. Jalen Green had 21 points and eight

Haliburton scores 33 points, Pacers beat slumping Celtics

By KEN POWTAK Associated Press

BOSTON (AP) — Tyrese Haliburton scored 33 points sand the Indiana Pacers opened a 30-point lead in the first half before holding off the slumping Boston Celtics 117-112 on Wednesday night.

Former Celtics player Celtic Aaron Nesmith had 15 points, Chris Duarte added 14 and Myles Turner had 10 to help the Pacers win for the fourth time in five games.

Jayson Tatum led Boston with 41 points after missing a game because of personal reasons, while point guard Marcus Smart sat out with a non-COVID illness. Jaylen Brown added 19 points and

10 rebounds for Boston, and Malcolm Brogdon had 18 points. Atop the NBA a week ago, the Celtics have dropped five of six.

Coming off consecutive home loss to Orlando, the Celtics fell behind by 30 points late in the second quarter before Tatum carried them back into it.

Indiana led 71-43 at the half, and the Celtics walked off the court to a spattering of boos echoing down from the fans at TD Garden.

Tatum’s 3-pointer from the right wing cut Boston’s deficit to seven points midway into the final quarter.

Brown’s 3 made it 111106 a few minutes later but Haliburton answered with a 3 from the top the next

trip down the floor and the Pacers closed out the victory.

The Pacers led by 19 points at the end of the first quarter and used an 11-0 run midway into the second, pulling ahead 59-30 before Nesmith’s 3 from the left corner gave them their first of three 30-point leads late in the opening half.

POSTER TIME

Tatum had a powerful dunk over former teammate Nesmith and let out a loud yell looking at the Pacers forward when he was fouled on the play.

BANK SHOT

Duarte banked in an off-balance 3-pointer from deep on the left wing as

the third- quarter buzzer sounded, giving the Pacers a 100-85 lead.

TIP-INS

Pacers: The Pacers had a season-high 42 points in the first quarter when they shot 61.5 percent (16 of 26) and connected on 8 of 11 from 3-point range.

Celtics: Brown went tumbling over a TV table at midcourt early in the game but got right back up. … Three starters (Al Horford, Derrick White and Payton Pritchard) were scoreless in the first half.

UP NEXT Pacers: At New Orleans on Monday night.

Celtics: Host Minnesota on Friday night in the fourth of a seven-game homestand.

rebounds, Kenyon Martin Jr. scored 18 points, and Alperen Sengun had 13 points, 12 rebounds and six assists.

THUNDER 101, TRAIL BLAZERS 98

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai GilgeousAlexander scored 27 points and Oklahoma City defeated Portland for the second time in three days.

Gilgeous-Alexander had a good week against Portland — he hit a winning basket as time expired against the Trail Blazers on Monday, also in Oklahoma City, to highlight a 35-point performance.

It was the third straight win for Oklahoma City. The streak follows a fivegame losing skid.

Jerami Grant scored 17 points for Portland. Damian Lillard finished with 16 points on 6-for-19 shooting.

BULLS 110, HAWKS 108

ATLANTA (AP) — Ayo Dosunmu banked in a putback jumper as time expired and Chicago rallied after blowing an 18-point lead to win its second straight game.

Dosunmu inbounded a pass from the Chicago sideline with four seconds remaining to DeRozan, who missed a jumper with an airball from the left baseline, but Dosunmu was in place to grab the rebound on the right baseline and score at the buzzer.

DeMar DeRozan led Chicago with 28 points, Zach LaVine fadded with 22 points and Nikola Vucevic had 20.

Trae Young scored 34 points for Atlanta, and Dejounte Murray had 15 points and 10 assists.

KNICKS’ NBA-LEADING EIGHT-GAME WIN STREAK ENDS VERSUS RAPTORS

By PAT PICKENS Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Pascal Siakam scored a career-high 52 points and the Toronto Raptors snapped the New York Knicks’ NBA-leading eight-game winning streak 113-106 Wednesday night.

Siakam added nine rebounds and seven assists in 41 minutes as Toronto snapped its six-game skid. Fred VanVleet scored 28 points and OG Anunoby had 15 as the Raptors won for the fourth time in 16 road games. It was their first win away from home since Nov. 14.

R.J. Barrett scored with 30 points and Julius Randle finished with 30 points and had 13 rebounds. Immanuel Quickley added 20 points on 7-for-10 shooting in his first start of the season.

Toronto led by as many as 11 points in the fourth quarter before the Knicks used a 17-5 run to take a one-point lead at 102-101. New York limited Siakam to one field goal in the fourth quarter and held him to nine points in the period.

But VanVleet picked up the slack for Toronto, hitting two 3-pointers and scoring 10 points. Toronto closed the game on a 12-5 run.

The Knicks had allowed an average of 98 points during their win streak, but no answer for Siakam, who nearly matched his career high (44 points) by scoring 43 in three quarters. Siakam had 34 points total in the second and third quarters, including Toronto’s final 17 points over a seven-minute span in the third.

Siakam scored 26 in the first half, including eight during an 11-0 run in the second quarter that turned a one-point game to a double-digit Toronto lead. Siakam had 17 of the Raptors’ 35 points in the second, and Anunoby had seven of his 11 in the second.

Barrett kept New York in the game by scoring 19 points in the first half. Despite shooting 53% in the first half, the Knicks had 11 turnovers and trailed by as many as 14 in the first period and by 10 at halftime.

But New York stormed out of the gate in the third quarter, taking the lead with a 13-2 run that was keyed by Quickley’s two 3-pointers.

TIP-INS

The NBA announced it docked the Knicks a second-round pick in the 2025 NBA draft after “finding that (they) engaged in free agency discussions involving Jalen Brunson prior to the date such discussions were permitted.” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau refused to comment on the matter. … Toronto guard Gary Trent, Jr. (quad) and center Khem Birch (nonCOVID illness) did not play.

PHILADELPHIA 76ers’ Joel Embiid, right, tries to get past Detroit Pistons’ Marvin Bagley III during the first half last night in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

NETS’ Ben Simmons (10) dunks the ball in front of Golden State Warriors’ Jordan Poole (3) and Anthony Lamb (40) during the first half last night in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

With Mbappé and Deschamps, France’s future looks just fine

By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer

LUSAIL, Qatar (AP) —

France played its part in one of the most memorable finishes in World Cup history, even though the defending champions failed to retain the title.

Kylian Mbappé’s hat trick of goals all came late — first in regulation, then in extra time — and helped give France a 3-3 draw with Argentina in the final.

In the penalty shootout, it seemed destined for Lionel Messi to win his first World Cup at the age of 35, not Mbappé to win his second at 23.

Still, the foundations of France’s national soccer team are solid with just under four years to go until the next World Cup in 2026.

EXPECTATION VS PERFORMANCE

France outperformed expectations even as the defending champion and the world’s fourth-ranked team.

A run of poor results in the UEFA Nations League, including a home loss in

June to Denmark, plus a litany of injuries before and after the squad for Qatar was selected kept high hopes in check.

Then, in the last training session before the flight to Doha, forward Christopher Nkunku was injured by a teammate.

It got worse in Qatar.

Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema was forced out of the squad because of an injury and then Lucas Hernández, the left back in the 2018 team, picked up a season-ending knee injury nine minutes into France’s first game against Australia.

France persevered and got better as the team passed through the knockout rounds — against Poland, England and Morocco.

The record now under France coach Didier Deschamps of two World Cup finals and a quarterfinal, plus a European Championship final and a UEFA Nations League title is truly impressive.

“I’m optimistic about the future,” said Deschamps, who has expertly mixed

youth and experience in his teams. “A lot of players have played in many of those tournaments and have got experience.”

WHO’S OUT

Only four of the 26 players in the squad has turned 30 and Deschamps has made clear he wants to sign the contract extension the French soccer federation says it wants to offer.

This year’s World Cup could be the last for Olivier Giroud, who at 36 took the central striker role left by Benzema and broke Thierry Henry’s all-time France scoring record.

Giroud ended the tournament with four goals and now has 53, two ahead of Henry. Mbappé has 36 and could take the record before the 2026 World Cup.

Benzema turns 35 on Monday, and captain Hugo Lloris has his 36th birthday one week later. At 31, and after a standout World Cup, Antoine Griezmann can look toward another World Cup.

Deschamps is still only 54 and looks far from fatigued in his 11th year on the job.

WHO’S NEXT

The next generation of players to revitalize Les Bleus is already at the World Cup.

Several made debuts this year and their progress in Qatar was accelerated by all the injuries and illness to long-established players.

Aurélien Tchouaméni was joined by former Monaco teammate Youssouf Fofana in an emergency midfield pairing, and 21-year Arsenal defender William Saliba also got playing time.

If Lloris does step down, 27-year-old Mike Maignan is primed to add to his handful of international games. A domestic league winner at both Lille and AC Milan, Maignan also was injured and missed the World Cup.

Nkunku, now 25, will move to Chelsea next season after four years at Leipzig and impressing in the Champions League.

WHAT’S NEXT

On March 24, France will host the Netherlands at Stade de France to start one of the toughest European

Championship qualifying groups.

A clash between the World Cup finalists and quarterfinalists is the most anticipated game on the schedule when national teams return to action in three months.

Greece, Ireland and Gibraltar are also in the group, which plays through November and will send two teams directly to Euro 2024 in Germany. France also has available dates in September and October for friendly games against teams from outside Europe.

By TARIK EL-BARAKAH Associated Press

RABAT, Morocco (AP)

— Tens of thousands of jubilant Moroccans welcomed their national soccer team home Tuesday after the players exceeded the North African nation’s wildest expectations and finished fourth at the World Cup in Qatar.

Fans packed squares and lined up along avenues and streets in and around Rabat, lighting flares, waving flags, dancing to the beat of drums and cheering as an open-top bus carrying the suit and tieclad players rolled into the capital with a heavy police escort.

Smiling players and coach Walid Regragui waved, blew kisses to their ecstatic fans and snapped selfies against the backdrop of undulating crowds and swinging palm springs.

At some points along the parade route, the crowds spilled from sidewalks onto a four-lane highway carrying the bus, slowing down the vehicle as it travelled to the royal palace where King Mohammed VI was waiting

to receive the players to “celebrate their great and historic accomplishment.”

As the first African or Arab team to reach the World Cup semifinals, the Moroccan team, known as the Atlas Lions, made history and was one of the big success stories of the

tournament, the first hosted by an Arab nation.

After the team beat former European colonial powers Belgium, Spain and Portugal, it lost to France in the semifinals. Its recordsetting performance led to the players receiving a hero’s welcome.

“Morocco’s run in the 2022 FIFA World Cup will be remembered in the history books as one of the most exciting campaigns since the tournament’s inception,” café owner Reda Ghazi, 27, told The Associated Press. “It was the dream of every

Moroccan to win something, especially because Morocco is a country where the passion for football is overwhelming,” said Ghazi.

Morocco finished fourth in the competition after losing to Croatia 1-2 in the third-place play-off on Saturday, exceeding

the expectations of most Moroccans.

“I still can’t wrap my head around what happened in this World Cup,” added student Anour El Berkaoui, 23.

“The team has now set the bar so high that we won’t be happy with anything less than winning the upcoming African Cup of Nations.”

The Moroccan team charmed many Arab soccer fans who saw in the team a reflection of themselves.

Players waved the Palestinian flag after their wins and celebrated on the field with their mothers and children.

The team also galvanised support across Africa.

“As an African team, we broke a lot of records and made the whole continent proud,” Rabat resident Omar Zorgane said.

“Morocco as a whole will gain a lot from this year’s World Cup, from tourism to getting the attention of other countries to possibly hosting one of the biggest tournaments in the world in the future,” Zorgane explained.

THE players of Morocco national soccer team celebrate on a bus and wave during a homecoming parade in central Rabat, Morocco, on Tuesday. Morocco national team won the fourth place at the last World Cup.

(AP Photo/Mosa’ab Elshamy)

PEOPLE gather to welcome the Morocco soccer team after the Qatar World Cup, during a homecoming parade in central Rabat, Morocco, on Tuesday. Morocco national team won the fourth place at the last World Cup.

(AP Photo/Mosa’ab Elshamy)

FRANCE’s Kylian Mbappe walks past the trophy at the end of the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, on Sunday. (AP Photo/ Manu Fernandez)

Sparks Rowing Camp set for December 27-30

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

DURING the Christmas holiday, instead of taking time off to relax and enjoy the festivities, the Nassau Rowing Club will be busy entertaining the Sparks Rowing Camp for the second consecutive year.

The camp, scheduled for December 27-30, will be staged at the NRC’s headquarters at Oaks Hills Road, according to Kyle Chea, the president of the association.

Building on the success of the inaugural camp last year, Chea said coordinator Ryan Sparks will be bringing 24 American high school coxswains to hone their skills under the direction of coaches from Dartmouth, Cambridge and Boston University.

“This is proof-positive that rowing is developing into a solid pillar for sports tourism in The Bahamas,” Chea said.

Rowers and alumni from both the NRC and the Windsor School will be collaborating with the visitors during the camp when the sessions take place between 9-11am and 1-3pm on December 28-29, and from 9am to noon prior to the campers’ and staff departure on December 30.

Last year, an opportunity came up for Sparks Rowing to help with the acquisition of two shells - one for Nassau Rowing Club and one for Windsor Schoolsuch that they could hold an inaugural camp in December 2022.

“We were very pleased to still be able to successfully execute the camp in compliance with the increased restrictions around the COVID surge, and it was so popular Sparks was able to expand the offering,” Chea said.

“We’re very lucky to be able to work with the preeminent operator of rowing camps in the US, and arguably the world.

“It’s even better for our young Bahamian rowers who are helping to fill the boats as the coxswains hone their skills steering, commanding and strategising.”

Chea further noted that the coaches a brand like Sparks is able to attract is unmatched.

He revealed that this year, coaches from Boston University, Dartmouth and Cambridge are coming to provide a unique opportunity for the local rowers, who would have to spend thousands of dollars just to meet them separately.

“With our community rowing and public-school outreach focus, Nassau RC wants to bring as much of the rowing world to the island so that our rowers can expand their horizons and broaden their athletic and educational goals,” Chea stated.

SPARKS rowers enjoying the beach in New Providence.

SPARKS rowers are all smiles squeezing together. The rowing camp is set for December 27-30.