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Volume: 121 No.52, February 6, 2024
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‘MY FAMILY MUST SLEEP LIKE A DOG’ Haitian father of three speaks out after latest shanty demolitions By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net A HAITIAN father of three said his family must sleep “like a dog” in his truck after bulldozers destroyed his home of more than 20 years in a New Providence shanty town yesterday. Matny Fren screamed as
his house was demolished, one of several people who reacted emotionally. Many residents were dragging pillowcases filled with clothes, toiletries, cooking supplies, and other necessities when The Tribune visited the area yesterday. One woman sat on the muddy ground while SEE PAGE TWO
HAITIAN father Matny Fren was emotional yesterday, after his home of more than 20 years was demolished at the Area 52 shanty town in the Coral Harbour area. Photo: Moise Amisial
Coroner: ‘UnaCCeptable’ to fail Cruise lines’ private islands VATto disClose toxiCology report free status set to end next month By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net THE failure of a senior police forensics officer to disclose a toxicology report on three men police killed in Blair Estates in 2019 was deemed “unacceptable” by
the coroner yesterday as the inquest into the matter continued. Police killed Tony Jamal “Foolish” Penn Smith, Valentino “T-Boy” Pratt and Trevor “Coopz” Cooper on Commonwealth Avenue in SEE PAGE THREE
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE government is planning tax reforms that will hit the cruise lines’ Bahamian private islands and end their nine-year VAT-free status, it was confirmed yesterday. Simon Wilson, the Ministry of Finance’s financial secretary, told Tribune Business that changes currently set to take effect from March
FINANCIAL secretary Simon Wilson 1 are designed to place the cruise lines’ private island activities on a taxation level
playing field with Bahamian providers who service their guests at other destinations. He confirmed the authenticity of a Department of Inland Revenue “guidance document” obtained by this newspaper which reveals the tax authorities plan to change the tax treatment of goods and services supplied to millions of tourists who visit these locations . FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
King Charles halts dUties as he starts CanCer treatment
see page 11
JanUary’s 21 mUrders most in at least a deCade govt signs By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net THE murder rate in January increased by 163 per cent compared to January 2023. The 21 murders last
month were the most the country has recorded in January in at least a decade. According to The Tribune’s records, eight people were killed in 2023, eight in 2022, ten in 2021, six in 2020, two in 2019, nine in
2018, 14 in 2017, eight in 2016, ten in 2015, and 11 in 2014. The record for murders in a year is 145 in 2015. This year’s murder tally increased after a man was
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
SEE PAGE THREE
new agreement with Usa for pre-ClearanCe see page five
PAGE 2, Tuesday, February 6, 2024
THE TRIBUNE
‘My family must sleep like a dog’ from page one tears swelled in her eyes as she watched her house get torn down. Buildings Control Officer Craig Delancey told reporters there were over 70 unregulated structures in the Coral Harbour community known as Area 52. Over 100 people were estimated to be living in the homes. It is not clear when officials issued eviction notices to the residents, but Mr Delancey confirmed they were told to demolish the buildings themselves or have the government do it. Mr Fren complained that 28 days was not enough time to find another place to live. He said he went to the Ministry of Social Services for help, but was told he needed a Bahamian passport and residency. The Davis administration has said only Bahamians in shanty town communities will be given living accommodations. “I don’t blame what they doing right now because this ain’t our land,” Mr Fren said as his wife held their six-year-old child. “My point is you have to give a chance. I know PLP and FNM. My daughter is a Bahamian. She got a Bahamian passport, and my son got a Bahamian passport.” Asked where he and his family would stay, he said: “See that truck with everything on that? My furniture, stove, fridge, everything right there. My wife is right there, so we got to sleep right there.” He said he wasn’t leasing or renting the property he lived on. He added that there was a lack of support from Haitian leaders in the lead up to the demolition exercises, with no one standing up for shanty town residents. Pastor Jean Donet Ambrevil said he had no choice but to take in homeless people. “I can’t leave them there, I have to look and find a place to put them,” he said. He said he had been visiting the shanty town since 2018 to share Christian teachings, adding that many other pastors haven’t visited because they don’t care about the people. Another resident, Choubert Louis, said he has been in The Bahamas since he was 15. A construction worker, he said he doesn’t make enough to afford a place to rent.
RESIDENTS scrambled to collect their belongings as demolition at Area 52 shanty town in the Coral Harbour area continued yesterday. Buildings Control Officer Craig Delancey (pictured left) said there are over 70 shanty homes here and over 100 people living in this community. Photos: Moise Amisial
Coroner: ‘Unacceptable’ to fail to disclose toxicology report THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, February 6, 2024, PAGE 3
THE BODY of one of three men police shot and killed at a Blair Estates residence on May 17, 2019 being removed from the scene.
from page one the early morning of May 17, 2019. Fifteen officers, including three Defence Force marines, are the subject of this inquest. Acting Coroner Kara Turnquest Deveaux admonished Assistant Commissioner of Police Earl Thompson of the police forensic science section after he told her he did not have the toxicology report. Coroner Deveaux said his department had almost a year to prepare for the inquest, which was delayed last March so authorities could gather more evidence. She noted that in that time, 18 families, including those of the officers and the slain men, have languished waiting for the outcome of this inquest nearly five
years after the three men were killed. After calling his office, ACP Thompson said that the report would be ready when he continues his testimony later this week. During his testimony, he read the firearm analysis report of Charles Bain, which was completed on September 27, 2019, and covered the five firearms recovered at the Blair mansion. These include a Glock Smith & Wesson .40 pistol with ten rounds of ammunition, a Glock .45 pistol with one fired bullet and two unfired rounds, a Bersa 9mm pistol with nine unfired rounds, a Ruger 45 pistol with seven unfired rounds and an Amico Luger with three fired bullets in a container labelled Pratt. He said these guns were
tested and found capable of firing. He said some of the bullet casings recovered from the scene were fired from these weapons. He said only three of the weapons analysed were fired during the incident. He also said three of the weapons had their serial number erased. Ryszard Humes, one of the attorneys representing the estates, asked ACP Thompson if police carried guns with serial numbers erased, to which he said no. ACP Thompson agreed with the attorney’s suggestion that the firearms he received could not have fired the 90-plus rounds of bullet casings pulled from the scene. He also agreed that analysing the other guns fired at the scene would have been important.
Romona Farquharson Seymour, another attorney for the estates, showed the officer a picture of a 5.56 rifle found at the scene. He agreed that it was not fired from the weapons he received. ACP Thompson agreed with Mrs Farquharson Seymour’s suggestion that it would have been helpful if the hands of the deceased were swabbed. Officers previously testified that the three dead bodies were all in the vicinity of a firearm. When ACP Thompson was questioned about the placement of a gun above Pratt’s curled fingers, he said it was “within the realm of possibility” that the deceased held the gun like that before his death. He agreed with Mrs Farquharson Seymour’s
suggestion that it was possible for police firearms from the shooting to be sent to the lab for analysis to help the investigation. Ciji Smith-Curry, the last attorney for the estates, said there were no records showing the deceased were tested for gunshot residue. She said that they couldn’t say definitively if any of the three slain men fired these guns. ACP Thompson could not tell Mrs Smith-Curry if the officers’ guns were collected after the shooting. However, he said that it was the job of the forensic lab to be “fair and impartial” in investigations. He disagreed with Mrs Smith-Curry’s suggestion that the report was “lacking” and disputed that it was incomplete based on the submitted evidence.
January’s 21 murders most in at least a decade from page one killed in Chippingham yesterday morning and after a previous shooting victim died. Police in New Providence were alerted around 6.20am by shot spotter technology to a shooting
on Providence Avenue. When officers arrived at the scene, they saw a man lying face down on the ground with multiple gunshots about the body. A police official at the scene reported that the victim was just about to leave his residence when
15-YEAR-OLD BOY CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A 15-YEAR-OLD boy was remanded to Simpson Penn Centre for Boys yesterday after he was accused of shooting a 17-year-old in a botched motorcycle theft on Charles Vincent Street last week. Acting Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley charged the teenage defendant, whose name is being withheld as he is a minor, with attempted murder. The juvenile was arraigned in the presence of his mother. Mark Symonette Rolle represented him. The accused reportedly attempted to steal a Krypton motorcycle outside a store on Charles Vincent
Street around 4pm on January 30. The owner of the bike left the store and confronted the accused, who allegedly pulled out a gun and shot him in his upper body before fleeing on foot. The victim was treated in hospital for his injuries. The accused was told that his case would be moved to the Supreme Court through a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI). The juvenile will be sent to the Simpson Penn Centre for Boys until the higher court grants him bail. Before being taken into remand, the teenager was allowed a moment with his mother. The defendant’s VBI is slated for service on April 16 before Magistrate Algernon Allen, Jr.
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two males approached him. One of the men, armed with a high-powered weapon, approached the victim and shot him multiple times. Emergency Medical Personnel arrived on the scene and examined the victim,
but found no signs of life. The police official said the suspects also stole the victim’s gold-coloured Honda Accord and left the area, making good their escape. The vehicle was later recovered by the police. In Grand Bahama,
police reported that the 61-year-old man who was shot on January 23 died of his injuries in hospital around 9.45pm on Sunday, February 4. Officers were called to the man’s residence on Oleander Street around 7pm on January 23 to
investigate a shooting incident. According to reports, the victim was at his residence when he got into a physical altercation with a 38-year-old man. The situation escalated, and the suspect produced a firearm, shooting the victim.
PAGE 4, Tuesday, February 6, 2024
THE TRIBUNE
Customs officer testifies that police asked for details of imported shipments By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net A SENIOR customs officer testified yesterday that senior officers requested he provide details about imported shipments for Adrian Gibson and Baha Maintenance and Elite Maintenance. Harold Fountain, who heads the agency’s enforcement unit, testified during the bribery and fraud trial of Mr Gibson and five others. Mr Fountain said he received the directives in May 2022 from then Assistant Police Commissioner Leamond Deleveaux. After receiving the request, he said he directed junior staff to check the department’s IT system and forward the information to him. Mr Fountain testified that he gave that information to the police. Custom documents shown in court revealed that several vehicles, including a 2011 Chevy Orlando and 2010 Kia Sorento, were imported for Mr Gibson. The documents further revealed that vehicles were also imported for Baha Maintenance and Elite Maintenance. Prosecutor Rashied Edgecombe said the documents referred to money laundering charges against Mr Gibson and his co-accused. During cross-examination, Mr Gibson’s attorney, Murrio Ducille, KC, asked the witness if he saw any irregularities on the Customs documents that he obtained from the system. “Depends on what you call irregularities,” Mr Fountain said, later adding he didn’t know the answer. Damian Gomez, KC, asked Mr Fountain about the department’s
ADRIAN Gibson meeting with his lawyers outside court last month.
procedures when dealing with imports, which the witness outlined to the court. The attorney also asked if he was present when the items were cleared or removed from the department. Mr Fountain said he was not there and told the court
the first time he heard about Baha Maintenance and Elite Maintenance was when the police made their request. Gibson, the sitting MP for Long Island, is facing bribery charges concerning his tenure as WSC executive chairman under the
Minnis administration. The charges stem from Mr Gibson’s alleged failure to declare his interest in contracts awarded by the WSC. The FNM politician is charged with former WSC general manager Elwood Donaldson, Jr, Rashae
Gibson, his cousin Joan Knowles, Peaches Farquharson and Jerome Missick. They have denied the allegations. Mr Gomez, KC, Mr Ducille, KC, Bryan Bastian, Ryan Eve, Mr Raphael Moxey, Christina
Galanos, Ian Cargill and Donald Saunders represent the defendants. Meanwhile, acting Director of Public Prosecutions Cordell Frazier, Cashena Thompson, Karine MacVean and Mr Edgecombe are the Crown’s prosecutors.
WOMAN WHO JUMPED FROM PI BRIDGE INDENTIFIED AS CHRISHNA STUART-STUBBS THE woman who jumped off the bridge to her death on Sunday was Chrishna Stuart-Stubbs, a mother of two. The Murphy Town Community Association said in a statement: “We, the community of Murphy Town, are deeply saddened by this event and mourn her passing. Chrishna was indeed one of us, her humility and drive as a young lady was undoubtedly admirable. She always wore a smile to brighten up your day; she was considered most helpful and thoughtful by the people she came into contact with; Chrishna will undoubtedly be missed.” According to reports, shortly after 3pm, police received an anonymous call that a distressed woman was attempting to jump from the bridge. Officers arriving at the scene did not see the woman, but were alerted to persons on a nearby vessel who had retrieved an unresponsive woman from the water. CPR was administered. EMS then arrived and also attempted to administer CPR, but it was determined she showed no signs of life.
CHRISHN A STUART-STUBBS
NOTICE
NOTICE
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that CLAUDIA LAURISTON of #7 Limewood Lane, Freeport, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 30th day of January 2024 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
NOTICE is hereby given that CLAUDETTE LAURISTON of #7 Limewood Lane, Freeport, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 30th day of January 2024 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
NOTICE is hereby given that IVANETTE LAURISTON of #7 Limewood Lane, Freeport, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 30th day of January 2024 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, February 6, 2024, PAGE 5
LARODA PRESENTS A BOOK OF TRIBUTES AND PORTRAIT TO FAMILY OF OBIE WILCHCOMBE SOCIAL Services Minister Myles Laroda presented a book of tributes to the family of Obie Wilchcombe at the Ministry of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting yesterday. Speaking to reporters at the event, Mr Laroda paid tribute to the late Cabinet minister, who died in September last year. “There was such overwhelming support for my former colleague,” he said. “Ordinary people just came to work every day to put in a day’s work, who were so moved by his passing that they did tributes. “And so, we wanted to put those tributes in a booklet for the family members. You know, he is gone, but through this book his legacy will live on.” Photos: Moise Amical
The Bahamas’ pre-clearance agreement with the US renewed 93% of Bahamians visiting the US travelled on a police certificate, according to the US Embassy.
CBP OFO acting Executive Assistant Commissioner of the United States Diane Sabatino and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell during the Official Signing of the Air Transport Pre-clearance Agreement between The Government of the United States of America and The Bahamas at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday. Photo: Dante Carrer
By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net NINETY-three per cent of Bahamians processed through the preclearance section of the Lynden Pindling International Airport last year travelled on a police certificate, according to the US Embassy of Nassau, which said 240,000 Bahamians were processed. The statistic was revealed yesterday as The Bahamas
– one of six countries to have a Customs and Border Protection Preclearance agreement with the United States – renewed its air transport preclearance agreement. The signing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs commemorated a 50-year bilateral relationship between the United States and The Bahamas, as the initial signing was in 1974 and later amended in 2010.
Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell and Diane Sabatino, acting executive assistant commissioner for the Office of Field Operations for US Customs and Border Protection, signed and exchanged the agreement. Ms Sabatino said the action was a chance to expand and reinforce partnerships. “Preclearance operations open an additional gateway to the United States to
increase capacity and really maximize the use of aircraft and gate utilisation, so very critical for us on both sides of the operations and for travellers it leads to that enhanced streamline passenger processing,” she said. “This new agreement really represents a modernised operational framework to really be more flexible, nimbler and again to look for those incredible opportunities to partner.”
Usha Pitts, Chargé d’Affairs of the United States Embassy in The Bahamas, called the agreement a “great perk” for both countries. US Preclearance allows US-bound passengers to go through US Customs and Immigration before departure. Apart from preclearance, the new agreement reportedly provides additional manpower for US Customs and Border Protection
officers during peak hours at the airport. Additionally, US Customs and Border Protection is considering adding The Bahamas to the Global entry list, which allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travellers upon arrival in the United States. Other countries with preclearance facilities include Aruba, Bermuda, Ireland, the United Arab Emirates and Canada.
US Chargé d’Affaires says she is ‘not the least bit concerned’ over safety of Americans visiting Bahamas By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
US EMBASSY CHARGÉ D’AFFAIRES USHA PITTS
WOMAN SHOT BY POLICE AFTER ALLEGEDLY TRYING TO HIT THEM WITH A VEHICLE A 43-YEAR-OLD woman suspected of stealing a vehicle was shot and arrested early yesterday after allegedly trying to knock down officers in the area of Independence Highway and Baillou Hill Road. The incident occurred around 2am on Monday when officers received reports that a stolen blue Volvo was spotted travelling west on Marathon Road onto Independence Highway. Officers responded. The
driver stopped the vehicle in the area of Baillou Hill Road. As the officers got out of their car, the woman allegedly accelerated the car in their direction. The officers shot the driver as she attempted to evade police. The woman was intercepted in the area of Baillou Hill and Soldier Roads, where she was taken into police custody and then to the Princess Margaret Hospital for medical assistance.
US EMBASSY Chargé d’Affaires Usha Pitts said she is “not the least concerned” about the safety of Americans in The Bahamas despite the widespread attention given to a recent travel advisory. She noted that the country’s travel advisory level did not change and remained at level two, meaning “exercise increase caution”. “We have to remember that our audience is Americans who are coming to The Bahamas,” Ms Pitts said yesterday. “We want to make sure
NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that SAMANTHA VANESSA GLENDENA KEMP of #32 Beaconsfield Avenue, Freeport, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 30th day of January 2024 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
that they are safe and so we have a responsibility to warn them to be careful when they need to be careful. So that’s all the travel advisory is and that was our intent, was to let them know what to be aware of.” The advisory reported that “the majority of crime occurs on New Providence (Nassau) and Grand Bahama (Freeport) islands.” “In Nassau, practice increased vigilance in the ‘Over the Hill’ area (south
of Shirley Street) where gang-on-gang violence has resulted in a high homicide rate primarily affecting the local population.” The advisory was widely reported in international media, including by the New York Times, which noted that many tourismreliant countries have Level Two warnings “and most travellers experience safe and enjoyable vacations”. Twenty-three people have been murdered for the year.
NOTICE Due to the death of Dr. Susan M. Donald Life Chiropractic Centre will be closing permanently effective Friday, 29 February 2024 Patients wishing to collect a copy of their file may do so between the hours of 1 pm to 5 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays until the above date. Phone: 393-2774
PAGE 6, Tuesday, February 6, 2024
THE TRIBUNE
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Questions over violence interrupters THE Minister of National Security must think we are fools. Wayne Munroe tells us that Carlos Reid and Rodney Moncur have never been contracted as violence interrupters – despite it having been announced as such by the Office of the Prime Minister. Indeed, the Prime Minister himself has commented previously on the role of Mr Moncur in particular, without having dismissed the suggestion that he was a violence interrupter. Let us recap the sequence of events. This all began in April 2022 when former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis raised several questions about the issue in the House of Assembly. He asked the government to confirm the appointment of Rodney Moncur as a consultant. It was in response to questions raised in Parliament that the director of communications in the Office of the Prime Minister, Latrae Rahming, confirmed the appointment. At the time, he said: “The Ministry of National Security has engaged former (opposition) Senator Rodney Moncur as a consultant on crime … We have said that violence interrupters were a key component in solving the issue. We are using community leaders in our approach.” He added: “There (are) a number of people who are violence disruptors. This is a key and new initiative the government is rolling out as part of our programme and so I think that in solving crime from a community level you have to use individuals from the community.” When the story first emerged, there was concern over whether Mr Moncur – who has been a controversial figure at times with his views on birth control, gender equality and more – was a fit choice for such an appointment. But there seemed little suggestion then – with an official announcement by the government following questions in Parliament – that there was no such appointment at all. Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis was asked directly about Mr Moncur’s appointment – and whether there was a conflict of interest at all with Mr Moncur having often had Mr Munroe as a guest on his talk show. He dismissed that suggestion, but went on to say that Mr Moncur was “someone that could help in the fight that we are in against violent crimes”. He did not reject the statement – given by his own office – that Mr Moncur was a violence interrupter.
Mr Munroe did note on that occasion that Mr Moncur was not a consultant but an independent contractor, while adding “… since nobody has sight of his contract I don’t know how you criticise something that you don’t know the details of”. There were even further questions raised, with the Shadow Minister for National Security, Shanendon Cartwright, raising further questions – and saying that the government had to explain what qualified Mr Moncur for his role. Then even last week, Mr Reid was saying that the violence interrupter initiative had yet to be rolled out – despite him having submitted the proposal and being hopeful that it would begin soon. He certainly seemed to think he was involved in such a scheme. And then Mr Munroe denies any of that existed. He said that the government wouldn’t hire someone as a violence interrupter because that would identify the person and make them a target. And he went on to say that neither Mr Moncur nor Mr Reid fitted the classic description of a violence interrupter. But that’s not what the Prime Minister’s office said. That’s not the impression that was given in response to questions raised in Parliament. That’s not something that the Prime Minister dismissed when he had the opportunity – and why would he, when his own office announced it. That’s not something that one of the participants seemed to be under the impression of. And it’s not something that was clarified in response to concerns raised by the Opposition. Mr Munroe has had plenty of chances to clarify this – and if it was not true when the Prime Minister’s office announced it, he should have done so then and there. For the better part of two years, we have had no reason to doubt what was announced by the government – and now Mr Munroe says none of that was correct. Are we to believe him, or are we to believe the Prime Minister and his staff? Is he contradicting the Prime Minister’s office? And in all of that, we are no closer to knowing how much has been paid to such individuals and what have they delivered for that payment. Right now, we do not even know who is correct. That needs to be resolved – and swiftly. Has the Bahamian public been misled? And if so, by whom?
A WORKER prepares a welcome to Las Vegas sign in preparation of team arrivals ahead of the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Concerns over the Windsor Lakes project EDITOR, The Tribune. PLEASE afford me some space in your valuable paper to write about some matters of much concern, as they relate to the Windsor Lakes project in Adelaide and its impact on the nearby Adelaide Gardens and Village as a whole. Some months ago, the aforementioned project got started without any meaningful notice from the developers to the residents of the community. Large earthmoving equipment began arriving through the streets of our community and in the nearby quiet neighbourhood of Adelaide Gardens where at least 22 of the 29 government constructed homes has a history of major structural damage as a result of the unstable ground very near to the wetlands of Adelaide. As work began clearing hundreds of Pine trees and excavating the grounds on the Windsor Lakes project, some residents complained of the noise, pollution and feeling tremors in their homes. Further, residents complained that the debris, including, but not limited to all of the
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net
dead trees taken down were being pushed back to the side of the nearby community of Adelaide Gardens, therefore creating a fire death trap and a home for rodents of every none appreciable kind. Later, the digging of the lakes began with loud earth shattering noises emerging from the banging and excavations of the earthmoving machines from early morning and all through the nighttime 24/7 and even on holidays. Every effort was made to get the contractors to ease up the nighttime noises, but to no avail. All efforts were made to get the assistance of the constituency representative, the Hon. Vaughn P. Miller, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, but to no avail. Among the greatest of concerns is the disrespect and the lack of consideration on the part of the developers of the Windsor project. They operate their heavy earthmoving machinery and generators from night to morning, having no regard for the health
risks to the community associated with the carbon monoxide emissions from their earthmoving machinery. Furthermore, they have no regard for the children, teachers and staff of the nearby Adelaide Primary School. To add insult to would be injury, Windsor Lakes has erected what I believe is an illegal fence on the cul de sac of Adelaide Gardens, therefore creating a barrier that makes it challenging for the garbage trucks, fire trucks, septic trucks, ambulance and other service vehicles to turn around. All of the mentioned vehicles have to reverse out of the corner. Further, they dumped loads of fill on two of the water drainage near the erected fence which is on the property of Adelaide Gardens. In view of the aforementioned, it is hoped that an investigation can be conducted into these urgent matters by the relevant government authorities, the ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health and wellness. Thank you kindly Linc Scavella-Ferguson Resident
Whistling past the graveyard EDITOR, The Tribune. THE unmistakable spectre of death hovers menacingly over our land, while the spirit of rebellion has come to haunt us like a ghost from the past. Retributive or frontier-style justice which has now become an all too familiar occurrence, is played out in broad daylight, and criminals seem to fear neither man nor beast. After the crime situation was highlighted in the international media, including the British, the American, and the Canadian press, some politicians and a few others, with heckles raised, were tripping over themselves in an attempt to point out that the Bahamas is still a safe place to visit, and that we are still open for business. They went to great lengths to point out that no tourist had been killed in the Bahamas. The idea of patting ourselves on the back, to my mind is of no great consolation. The looming question is, are we going to wait until a tourist is killed (heaven forbid) before taking more drastic action? I am fully aware that the job of the government is to allay the fears of the international community, the various stakeholders, and the public at large. Truth be told, in spite of the herculean efforts of our hardworking police force, the situation borders on anarchy or
lawlessness, if we want to be truthful to ourselves. No one is suggesting that we surrender our intellectual sovereignty to any group of persons or nations, but to paint a somewhat superficial picture of calm, or to hold up the “all is well” placard, when there is deep seated worry and fear, is a classic case of “whistling past the graveyard.” Tourism is still our golden goose, and I do not even want to entertain the thought of a tourist being caught up in a crossfire. Then what? Some commentators went on offence, while others assumed a defensive posture. Some mentioned that the fear of crime is world wide, while others mentioned unfortunate cases of how Bahamians are sometimes robbed in the United States. I do not doubt that, but these are all cases of “what-about-isms”. In my view, there was no need for all the fancy footworks. With murders averaging almost one a day, the situation is more than worrisome. Call it for what is and let us come up with workable solutions to this vexing problem. The late Norman Solomon would say - “As I see it”. Feel free to disagree. ZEPHANIAH BURROWS Nassau, February 4, 2024.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, February 6, 2024, PAGE 7
Gaming Board building on West Bay St demolished
Tourism Minister Chester Cooper said the government felt the Gaming Board building on West Bay Street should no longer sit there in a derelict manner as demolition began yesterday. “Goodman’s Bay will be enhanced as a result of getting rid of this building. It will be more aesthetically pleasing for residents who traverse this area. Women who walk in the mornings in particular through these areas will be pleased to see that this has become a green space, rather than a derelict structure.” He added: “We’ve consulted broadly and widely with historians, as well as the AMMC. We are sure not to take any actions as it relates to buildings without consultation. So they were very comfortable with the process and we continue to work closely with them on all of the buildings that we have demolished in the downtown area.”
PHOTOS: DANTE CARRER
Long-time friends bring ‘wow-factor’ to business PAGE 8, Tuesday, February 6, 2024
THE TRIBUNE
The Gift Box is all about reintroducing ‘the art of gifting’ THERE are some friendships that last long beyond school days - they last a lifetime. Relationships built on common values, shared goals and mutual respect can flourish. In the case of Sophia Hall and Keisha Bastian, great camaraderie established during high school days at St. Augustine’s College has blossomed into a brand new business venture. Their paths crossed many years after graduation because they were both fulfilling their passions in a similar field - creating personalized items for special events. Sophia is the founder of Slaé (Simply Live and Enjoy), while Keisha was finding her special niche through her company, Designs by Prestige. The ladies found themselves calling on one another frequently as they fulfilled orders for special events. Eventually, Sophia and Keisha were utilising one another’s skills so often, that they decided to collaborate. One thing they had in common was making people smile. Every time they fulfilled a client’s request for items such as personalized cake toppers, party favours for birthdays, or floral arrangements, they were being met with raving reviews. They found the “wow” factor, and they wanted to keep giving it to everyone who entrusted their special occasions and important moments in life to them. “We get the wow factor all the time,” said Keisha. “People don’t expect it anymore... but a lot of people want it! Just to get that wow factor and say hey, someone really thought of me, not just on a birthday or special holiday, but just because. We specialise in giving gifts that are out of the ordinary!” Keisha mainly did stationary, including wedding invitations and signage for special events. She expanded her skills into branding, marketing and graphic design. Sophia was busy creating special arrangements. She enjoyed personalizing them, and found that Keisha’s stationary helped to put an even more personal touch on her client’s gifts.
Face to Face By FELICITY DARVILLE
In February 2023, the pair were talking about life in a banter that was full of laughter. They were looking back on a journey that began with their personal companies and was naturally evolving into a joint venture. Before the pandemic, they began to collaborate. During special occasions, they were in the front room of Keisha’s parents, taking over the house with flowers, ribbons and other trinkets as they prepared their special orders. But on that day a year ago, their laughter turned to a serious conversation - one that would shape their future success. They decided to form a joint company. This February, 2024, Sophia and Keisha are proud to publicly announce the opening of their company The Gift Box. “The Gift Box is all about reintroducing the art of gifting,” Sophia told me. “Gifting is truly an art. When you give someone a gift that is specifically for them - with their favourite
colours and the things they really love, they know how much thought and effort you put into it, and it makes it so much more special than just purchasing something out of the store. It literally takes their breath away.” Sophia says the joy is also for the gifter: “It makes you feel good when you make others happy.” Gifts are not only for special occasions, the ladies say. A gift to a spouse or a child for achieving something, or just to see how much they are loved,is life changing, she says. Expect The Gift Box to actually come out of the box with special promotions for times like Siblings Day, Friendship Day, birth presents to give your mom on your own birthday, and other new, memorable occasions to take note of. As two entrepreneurs, having an actual building for the first time is a true leap of faith. They are combining their exquisite design skills and business acumen to create a space where
SOPHIA HALL
SHELVES at The Gift Box are lined with unique items for Valentine’s Day
visitors can have unforgettable experiences. For them, it’s more than the art of gift-giving. They say that through this art, anyone can put a smile on
someone’s face, change someone’s outlook on life, or simply motivate them to be their best. In this way, gift-giving is important to good mental health and
KEISHA BASTIAN well-being. The Gift Box recently opened its doors at #6 Dunmore Lane off East Bay Street, just in time for one of the biggest occasions for their company - Valentine’s. Walk in the doors of The Gift Box and find beautiful items ready for purchase, add a personal element to it so it’s exactly what your Valentine would want, or start an entire gift from scratch. Lovely fragrances of wood and flowers mix to make a visitor feel like they actually stepped into a gift box themselves.
KEISHA Bastian prepares a floral arrangement at the brand new store, The Gift Box
SOPHIA Hall prepares a freshly cut box that will house a one-ofa-kind item from The Gift Box
The shelving and other decor items, as well as the specialized gift boxes customers receive are made by a master carpenter, whose business is also resident at the Dunmore Lane property. Ken Gibson, owner of Top Tier Installers, is now expanding his business from flooring, furniture and finish carpentry into gift boxes - something he may have never seen on the horizon. But with two bubbly ladies pushing him along, he is now enjoying being a part of the gift-giving experience. These three entrepreneurs are proving the value of collaboration and commitment. The one thing all three business owners have in common: “making dreams become reality”. With that, they are not only making others’ dreams come true, but their own. “We went from my mother’s couch to her front porch once we got a table,” Keisha, whose mother is a florist, reminisces. “From there we got our car - a Toyota Passo, and that became the office!” Sophia added: “Kendrick bought me a bag from Haus of Assembly because he loved the design and wanted to support a local Bahamian business - and that was our travelling office! Every pen, paper clip, ribbon, glue sticks - everything was in that bag!” The ladies loved their new branding designed by Keisha, and they got their shirts to create their uniform. They now open their doors with high hopes that the love they have inside could be adequately expressed in every aspect of their new business. “I want The Gift Box to be a ministry,” Sophia said. “I want to fix some marriages! I want to make friendships stronger. I want to encourage children. It’s the changing of lives for me. It’s the smallest things. We are turning gifts into something that can be memorialised. We are thinking out of the box and making it personal for everyone - and no two gifts of ours are the same!” “The reason why we have been blessed is because nothing we do is cookie cutter,” Keisha said. “Everything we do is especially for the person who received it.” Find The Gift Box on your favourite social media page: Instagram @thegiftbox_242 or Facebook - The Gift Box or call 676-3322 or Whatsapp 824-8080. Sophia and Keisha can also be reached by email at thegiftbox.bs@ gmail.com or their website: www.thegiftbox242.company.site.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, February 6, 2024, PAGE 9
From New York to Jakarta, land in many coastal cities is sinking faster than sea levels are rising THE CONVERSATION SEA level rise has already put coastal cities on notice thanks to increasing storm surges and even sunny day flooding at high tide. These challenges will continue to grow because global projections point to a mean sea level rise of at least one foot above year-2000 levels by the end of this century. However, many cities are facing another factor making them even more vulnerable to rising waters: land subsidence. The three of us – Pei-Chin Wu, Meng (Matt) Wei and Steven D’Hondt – are scientists at the University of Rhode Island Graduate School of Oceanography working with the US Geological Survey to research challenges facing waterfront cities. Our findings indicate that land is sinking faster than sea levels are rising in many coastal cities throughout the world. By using radar images of the Earth’s surface collected from orbiting satellites, we measured subsidence rates in 99 coastal cities worldwide. These rates are highly variable within cities and from city to city, but if they continue, many metropolises will experience flooding much sooner than projected by sea level rise models. Cities in South, Southeast and East Asia are seeing the most rapid rates of subsidence. Indonesia, for example, is moving its capital 800 miles from Jakarta to Nusantara in large part because Jakarta is sinking at an alarming rate due to groundwater extraction. Other regions are not immune. Our research with Tom Parsons of the US Geological Survey found that most of New York City is sinking between 1 to 4 millimetres per year due to a combination of glacial rebound and the weight of its more than 1 million buildings. In a city where sea level is projected to rise between 8 and 30 inches by 2050, subsidence further increases its vulnerability to coastal storms. In the US, most of the cities on the Atlantic coast are subsiding due to glacial rebound. Even if the rate is low at minus-1 millimetres per year, it should be accounted. Other cities in the US, especially in the Gulf of Mexico, including Houston and New Orleans, also face subsidence. Governments around the world are facing the challenge of coastal areas that are subsiding, and there is a shared global challenge of mitigation against a growing flooding hazard. While our research continues to evolve – for example, by using machine learning to improve our monitoring capability – we urge city planners, emergency managers and other decision-makers to account for subsidence in the plans they are making today to prepare for the impacts of rising sea levels in the future.
PHOTO: TREVOR HAYES
Protests erupt across Haiti as demonstrators demand that the prime minister resign
A PROTESTER jumps burning tires during a protest against Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, yesterday. Photo: Odelyn Joseph/AP PORT-AU-PRINCE Associated Press PROTESTS shut down major cities in Haiti on Monday as demonstrators clashed with police and demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry. Banks, schools and government agencies closed in Haiti’s northern and southern regions while protesters blocked main routes with blazing tires and paralysed public transportation, according to local media reports.
In Hinche, a city in Haiti’s central region, protesters celebrated the arrival of heavily armed state environmental agents and their commander, Joseph Jean Baptiste, who demanded that Henry resign. “I want Ariel to stand in front of my bullets, so they go through him,” the commander said as someone filmed him while the crowd cheered. “We’re the ones who have the support of the population,” he said. The agents, who belong
to the Security Brigade for Protected Areas, have come under government scrutiny following recent clashes with police in northern Haiti. Smaller demonstrations took place in the capital of Port-au-Prince, where dozens of protesters gathered in front of Henry’s office before police fired tear gas, dispersing the crowd. Among the protesters was presidential candidate and former Prime Minister Claude Joseph, who was seen in a video wiping his face as
supporters yelled, “We are not stopping!” At least three days of protests culminating on Wednesday are expected across Haiti, with February 7 considered the supposed deadline for Henry to resign. The date is significant in Haiti: February 7, 1986 marked the day that former dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier fled for France, and February 7, 1991 marked the day that Jean-Bertrand Aristide, Haiti’s first democratically-elected president, was sworn in.
PAGE 10, Tuesday, February 6, 2024
THE TRIBUNE
Govt hosts West Grand Bahama Entrepreneurial Expo last week THE Ministry for Grand Bahama hosted the West Grand Bahama Entrepreneurial Expo, February 1, 2024 as another means of empowering micro, small and medium-sized businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs in West Grand Bahama. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation Chester Cooper, Minister for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey, Parliamentary Secretary and Member of Parliament for West Grand Bahama the area Kingsley Smith, were in attendance along with representatives from the Ministry of Tourism, the Tourism Development Corporation of The Bahamas, Bahamas Development Bank, Inland Revenue, Small Businesses Development Centre and the Ministry of Agricultural and Marine Resources. The aim of the forum, which was held at St Mary Magdalene Parish Hall, was to stimulate economic growth in communities in the west. It also afforded attendees quick in-person sessions with stakeholders in the industry and the opportunity to gain knowledge about accessing resources for the growth and sustainability of their business. Deputy Prime Minister Cooper, in expressing his elation over the prospects of the Expo, said that the fastest way to create employment, wealth and opportunities is through entrepreneurship.
“Today’s initiative is not only the keeping of a promise, but it’s because we see such significant opportunity here in West Grand Bahama. I think you have all the pieces already for something magnificent,” he told westenders, while pointing out that they are the closest in The Bahamas in proximity to the United States. He added that there is the opportunity to bring all of the pieces together and, with all of the stakeholders present, for there to be more than just a spark of entrepreneurial opportunity, but significant success. “I have committed from the budget of the Tourism Development Corporation to ensure that we do what is necessary to get the West Grand Bahama Fisheries Cooperative organized, starting with a business plan that they can take to the Bahamas Development Bank that we can endorse. So today is the beginning of the delivery of that support,” Deputy Prime Minister Cooper said. He also pledged 10 scholarships to cover the tuition of 10 residents of West Grand Bahama to attend the Bahamas Agricultural Marine Science Institute to become certified tour and fishing guides. Minister Moxey pointed out that the Expo was also designed to provide a platform for the entrepreneurs to network and form partnerships with various government agencies and the private sector to create
a support system that provides entrepreneurs the tools to succeed. “Our Blueprint For Change pledges support for entrepreneurs, an incubation for new businesses and to provide unique opportunities for Bahamians by removing the bureaucracy that hinders small business growth,” she said. Minister Moxey noted that one of her ministry’s goals in collaborating with the various agencies for the Expo was to establish a comprehensive data base of individuals interested in entrepreneurial opportunities in the west district. She pointed out that the Expo is in line with several key mandates assigned to her ministry by Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Hon. Philip Davis as government remains focused on the future of Grand Bahama. Parliamentary Secretary Smith noted that the collective presence of himself, Minister Moxey and Minister Cooper underscores the government’s commitment to the growth and prosperity of Grand Bahama. Stressing that West End is steeped in history as a fishing village where traditions have been passed down through generations, Mr. Smith encouraged business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs to take full advantage of the opportunity, as it is a catalyst for growth and prosperity for the community in West Grand Bahama.
SCORES of residents took advantage of the Ministry for Grand Bahama’s West Grand Bahama Entrepreneurial Expo, February 1, 2024 in an effort to boost their business and gain knowledge in starting commercial enterprises. Photos: BIS
Man charged with defrauding someone of a $100k drill truck By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN was granted $15,000 bail yesterday after being accused of defrauding someone of their $100,000 Drill Truck and being found with a fake bill of sale. Magistrate Kendra Kelly charged Dentil Evans, 54, with fraud by false pretences and possession of a forged document.
Evans is accused of defrauding Ricardo Hunt of his 1984 Morile Drill Truck valued at $100,000 between June 2021 and January 2024. Evans was allegedly found with a forged bill of sale for the vehicle on January 31. After entering a not guilty plea to charges, Evans was told he must sign in at Carmichael Police Station every Friday by 6pm. Evans’ trial begins on April 23.
TEEN GIVEN PROBATION AFTER ADMITTING TO STEALING $100 By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A 19-YEAR-OLD was placed on one year’s probation yesterday after he admitted to breaking into a house in Cat Island last week and stealing $100. Acting Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley charged Mario Tyler, 19, with housebreaking and stealing from a dwelling house.
Tyler is accused of breaking into the residence of Bridgette Weinstein on Cutlass Bay, Cat Island, and stealing $100 in cash at around 3pm on January 30. After pleading guilty to the offence, Tyler was placed on one year’s probation and ordered to fully reimburse the complainant. Defaulting on these conditions would carry a four-month prison term.
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Some experts proposing new hurricane category THE TRIBUNE
Associated Press A HANDFUL of super powerful tropical storms in the last decade and the prospect of more to come has a couple of experts proposing a new category of whopper hurricanes: Category 6. Studies have shown that the strongest tropical storms are getting more intense because of climate change. So the traditional five-category Saffir-Simpson scale, developed more than 50 years ago, may not show the true power of the most muscular storms, two climate scientists suggest in a Monday study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. They propose a sixth category for storms with winds that exceed 192 miles per hour (309 kilometres per hour). Currently, storms with winds of 157 mph (252 kilometres per hour) or higher are Category 5. The study’s authors said that openended grouping doesn’t warn people enough about the higher dangers from monstrous storms that flirt with 200 mph (322 kph) or higher. Several experts told The Associated Press they don’t think another category is necessary. They said it could even give the wrong signal to the public because it’s based on wind speed, while water is by far the deadliest killer in hurricanes. Since 2013, five storms — all in the Pacific — had winds of 192 mph or higher that would have put them in the new category, with two hitting the Philippines. As the world warms, conditions grow more ripe for such whopper storms, including in the Gulf of Mexico, where many storms that hit the United States get stronger, the study
Tuesday, February 6, 2024, PAGE 11
authors said. “Climate change is making the worst storms worse,” said study lead author Michael Wehner, a climate scientist at the Lawrence Berkley National Lab. It’s not that there are more storms because of climate change. But the strongest are more intense. The proportion of major hurricanes among all storms is increasing and it’s because of warmer oceans, said University of Miami hurricane researcher Brian McNoldy, who wasn’t part of the research. From time to time, experts have proposed a Category 6, especially since Typhoon Haiyan reached 195 mph wind speeds (315 kilometres per hour) over the open Pacific. But Haiyan “does not appear to be an isolated case,” the study said. Storms of sufficient wind speed are called hurricanes if they form east of the international dateline, and typhoons if they form to the west of the line. They’re known as cyclones in the Indian Ocean and Australia. The five storms that hit 192 mph winds or more are: — 2013’s Haiyan, which killed more than 6,300 people in the Philippines. — 2015’s Hurricane Patricia, which hit 215 mph (346 kph) before weakening and hitting Jalisco, Mexico. — 2016’s Typhoon Meranti, which reached 195 mph before skirting the Philippines and Taiwan and making landfall in China. — 2020’s Typhoon Goni, which reached 195 mph before killing dozens in the Philippines as a weaker storm. — 2021’s Typhoon Surigae, which also reached
JEWELL Baggett walks amidst debris strewn across the yard where her mother’s home had stood, as she searches for anything salvageable in Horseshoe Beach, Florida, after the passage of Hurricane Idalia, August 30, 2023. A handful of powerful tropical storms in the last decade and the prospect of more to come has some experts proposing a new category of hurricanes: Category 6, which would be for storms with wind speeds of 192 miles per hour or more. Photo: Rebecca Blackwell/AP 195 mph before weakening and skirting several parts of Asia and Russia. If the world sticks with just five storm categories “as these storms get stronger and stronger it will more and more underestimate the potential risk,” said study co-author Jim Kossin, a former NOAA climate and hurricane researcher now with First Street Foundation. Pacific storms are stronger because there’s less land to weaken them and more room for storms to grow more intense, unlike the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean, Kossin said. So far no Atlantic storm has reached the 192 mph
potential threshold, but as the world warms more the environment for such a storm grows more conducive, Kossin and Wehner said. Wehner said that as temperatures rise, the number of days with conditions ripe for potential Category 6 storms in the Gulf of Mexico will grow. Now it’s about 10 days a year where the environment could be right for a Category 6, but that could go up to a month if the globe heats to 3 degrees Celsius (5.4 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels. That would make an Atlantic Category 6 much more likely.
MIT hurricane expert Kerry Emanuel said Wehner and Kossin “make a strong case for changing the scale,” but said it’s unlikely to happen because authorities know most hurricane damage comes from storm surge and other flooding. Jamie Rhome, deputy director of the National Hurricane Center, said when warning people about storms his office tries “to steer the focus toward the individual hazards, which include storm surge, wind, rainfall, tornadoes and rip currents, instead of the particular category of the storm, which only provides information about the
hazard from wind. Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale already captures ‘catastrophic damage’ from wind so it’s not clear there would be a need for another category even if the storms were to get stronger.” McNoldy, former Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Craig Fugate, and University of Albany atmospheric sciences professor Kristen Corbosiero all say they don’t see the necessity for a sixth and stronger storm category. “Perhaps I’ll change my tune when a rapidly intensifying storm in the Gulf achieves a Category 6,” Corbosiero said in an email.
King Charles III will halt public duties as he undergoes treatment for cancer LONDON Associated Press BRITAIN’S King Charles III has been diagnosed with cancer and has begun treatment, Buckingham Palace said Monday. Less than 18 months into his reign, the 75-year-old monarch will suspend public engagements but will continue with state business, and won’t be handing over his constitutional roles as head of state. The palace didn’t disclose what form of cancer the king has, but said it’s not related to his recent treatment for a benign prostate condition. The palace said “a separate issue of concern was noted” during Charles’ treatment for an enlarged prostate last month, when he spent three nights in a London hospital. “Diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer,” it said in a statement. “His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties,” the palace said. “Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.” The king is being treated as an outpatient, the palace said. It said Charles, who has generally enjoyed good health, “remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible.” The palace added that the king “has chosen to share his diagnosis to prevent speculation and in the hope it may assist public understanding for all those around the world who are affected by cancer.” Charles became king in September 2022 when his
BRITAIN’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla leave The London Clinic in central London, Monday, Jan. 29, 2024. King Charles III was in hospital to receive treatment for an enlarged prostate. Photo: Alberto Pezzali/AP mother, Queen Elizabeth II, died at the age of 96 after 70 years on the throne. News of the king’s diagnosis comes as his daughter-in-law Kate, Princess of Wales, recovers from abdominal surgery that saw her hospitalized for about two weeks. Kate is still taking a break from royal duties as she recovers. Her husband, Prince William, who is heir to the throne, also took time off to help look after the couple’s three children, but is due to preside over an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace and a charity dinner on Wednesday. Charles took the throne intending to preside over a slimmed-down monarchy
with fewer senior royals carrying out ceremonial public duties. But with Charles and Kate both temporarily sidelined, Prince Harry self-exiled to California and Prince Andrew largely banished from view because of his friendship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the royal “Firm” risks becoming severely overstretched. The king personally called both William and Harry — as well as his siblings Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward — to share news of his health. Harry, who quit royal duties in 2020, has spoken to his father about the diagnosis and “will be travelling to UK to see His Majesty in
the coming days,” said the office of Harry and his wife, Meghan. UK political leaders sent messages of support. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tweeted: “Wishing His Majesty a full and speedy recovery. I have no doubt he’ll be back to full strength in no time and I know the whole country will be wishing him well.” US President Joe Biden, travelling in Las Vegas on Monday, said he had just learned about Charles’s diagnosis and said he hopes to speak with him, “God willing.” “I’m concerned about him,” Biden told reporters. The president later posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Navigating a
cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship takes hope and absolute courage. Jill and I join the people of the United Kingdom in praying that His Majesty experiences a swift and full recovery.” Charles departed from royal tradition with his openness about his prostate condition. For centuries Britain’s royal family remained tight-lipped about health matters. When UK monarchs had real power, news of illness was withheld for fear it might weaken their authority. The habit of secrecy lingered after royals became constitutional figureheads. The British public wasn’t told that Charles’ grandfather, King George VI, had
lung cancer before his death in February 1952 at the age of 56, and some historians have claimed that the king himself wasn’t told he was terminally ill. In the final years of Elizabeth’s life. the public was told only that the queen was suffering from “mobility issues.” The cause of her death was listed on the death certificate simply as “old age.” Pat Price, founder of the Catch Up With Cancer campaign, said millions shared the “collective concern” for the king’s health. “The king’s openness about his battle with cancer is a powerful reminder that one in two of us may face cancer at some point in our lives,” Price said.
PAGE 12, Tuesday, February 6, 2024
THE TRIBUNE
FREEDOM FARM/JUNIOR BASEBALL LEAGUE OF NASSAU HIGHLIGHTS
PLAY ACTION: YOUNG, aspiring baseball players in action in the joint Freedom Farm Baseball League and the Junior Baseball League of Nassau Senior 20-and-under Division Baseball League, which is progressing very well at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium.
Photos by Dante Carrer
Joint baseball league ‘progressing very well’ THE joint Freedom Farm Baseball League and the Junior Baseball League of Nassau Senior 20-andunder Division Baseball League is progressing very well at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium. The league, which got started on January 6, features teams from Freedom Farm and four from JBLN. They are playing a series of regular season games at the new stadium through the end of April when a champion will be crowned. It’s designed to give the kids more games on a size dimension field fit for their age,” said CJ McKenzie, one of the organisers of the league. “It also gives high school and college scouts, along with pro scouts, an opportunity to view the local players in action,” McKenzie stated. In games played on Saturday, Freedom Farm Caribs
def. the JBLN Braves 6-4; Freedom Farm Arawaks def. the JBLN White Sox 6-0; JBLN Rangers def. Freedom Farm Lucayans 19-1 and JBLN Bluejays def,. Freedom Farm Tainos 3-2. The league will continue this week with the following games on tap: Tonight 6:15pm - Arawaks vs Bluejays Thursday 6:15pm - Lucayans vs Braves Saturday 9:30am - Braves vs Bluejays 9:30am - Lucayans vs Arawaks 4:45 pm Caribs vs Rangers 7 pm Tainos vs White Sox Sunday 1pm - Caribs vs Tainos 2pm - Rangers vs White Sox
THE JOINT Freedom Farm Baseball League and the Junior Baseball League of Nassau got started on January 6.
WITT AND ROYALS AGREE ON 11-YEAR DEAL WORTH MORE THAN $288.7M GUARANTEED By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Royals agreed with shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. on an 11-year deal worth more than $288.7 million guaranteed, two people familiar with the contract told The Associated Press yesterday, locking up one of baseball’s young stars as the club tries to turn around its fortunes and persuade a weary fanbase to invest in a new stadium. The deal includes a threeyear, $89 million team option that would drive the value to more than $377 million and keep Witt in Kansas City through the 2037 season, according to the people, who spoke to
the AP on condition of anonymity because the financial terms were not disclosed. Witt’s guaranteed salary makes it the 16th-largest current deal in Major League Baseball and second-biggest pre-arbitration agreement behind the 14-year, $340 million contract the Padres gave Fernando Tatis Jr. last April. The Royals planned a Tuesday news conference to discuss the longest and richest deal in club history. It includes a signing bonus riffing off Witt’s lucky jersey No. 7 of $7,777,777, payable in seven installments, with the first due within 60 days of the contract’s approval by the commissioner’s office. Witt will receive $2 million this
year, then in the three years Witt would be 37 by the he would have been eligible time the contract expires. for arbitration: $7 million “From the moment I was in 2025, $13 million in 2026 drafted in 2019, the entire and $19 million Royals organiin 2027. sation and fans Witt will earn have treated me $30 million in and my family 2028, the first like their own,” year after he Witt said in a would have been statement issued eligible for free by the club. agency, and $35 “This city and million each in this team have 2029 and ‘30. felt like home He has four since Day 1.” player options The Royals at $35 million selected Witt annually from second overall WITT JR 2031-34, then in the 2019 amathe Royals teur draft, and have their three-year team he rocketed through the option that would pay $33 minors while winning just million in 2035 and $28 mil- about every accolade possilion each in 2036 and ‘37. If ble. He made his big league all the options are included, debut in 2022, hitting 20
homers and stealing 30 bases, then had a breakthrough sophomore season in which he became the only Royals player in the 30-30 club. The 23-year-old Witt finished with 30 homers and 49 steals, making him the only player in major league history with 50 homers and 79 steals through their first two seasons. Alex Rodriguez in 1998 is the only other American League shortstop with a 30-30 season by their age, putting the son of longtime big leaguer Bobby Witt in some select company. “From the day we drafted him we felt confident Bobby would become one of our game’s brightest stars and biggest talents,” Royals general manager J.J. Picollo said.
“These last two seasons have been confirmation of that talent, and proof that he’s an even better teammate. We know he wants to win here for our fans as much as we do.” The Royals spent more than $100 million in free agency this offseason, hoping to turn around a beleaguered club coming off a 106-loss season. That investment, coupled with Witt’s massive contract, also comes as the Royals are trying to persuade fans in Jackson County, Missouri, to extend a sales tax that would help to pay for a new downtown ballpark. The Royals are expected to announce their preferred stadium location in the next couple of weeks.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, February 6, 2024, PAGE 13
Donovan Mitchell and Cavaliers keep rolling, beat Kings 136-110 CLEVELAND (AP) — Donovan Mitchell scored 29 points, Max Strus added 22 and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Sacramento Kings 136-110 last night for their sixth straight win and 14th in 15 games. The Cavs are a leaguebest 19-4 since December 16. Cleveland matched a season high with 23 3-pointers in winning its ninth straight home game and eighth in nine against teams from the West. Sacramento’s Domantas Sabonis had 12 points, 19 rebounds and 15 assists for his 15th triple-double this season, tying him with Denver’s Nikola Jokic for the league lead. Harrison Barnes added 22 points and De’Aaron Fox had 19 as the Kings finished 5-2 on a season-long trip. LAKERS 124, HORNETS 118 CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Anthony Davis had 26 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists for his third career triple-double, and Los Angeles beat shorthanded Charlotte. D’Angelo Russell scored 28 points and LeBron James had 26 for the Lakers, who won their third straight and concluded a 4-2 trip.
Miles Bridges scored a career-high 41 points and rookie Brandon Miller added 33 points for the Hornets, who lost their eighth straight since trading Terry Rozier to Miami. MAVERICKS 118, 76ERS 102 PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Kyrie Irving had 23 points and eight assists and Luka Doncic scored 19 points as Dallas beat Philadelphia. Irving and Doncic played together for just the 23rd time in the Mavericks’ 50 games. Josh Green scored 20 points for the Mavericks. Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 19 points, Tobias Harris had 17 and Tyrese Maxey 15 for the Sixers, who fell to 4-11 without injured MVP Joel Embiid, who’s set for knee surgery this week. WARRIORS 109, NETS 98 NEW YORK (AP) — Stephen Curry scored 29 points, Jonathan Kuminga added 28 points and 10 rebounds, and Golden State shook off a poor start to beat Brooklyn. The Warriors outscored the Nets 66-49 in the second half, even while going just 4 for 22 from behind the arc in the game — with all the makes by Curry.
CLEVELAND Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell goes up for a dunk in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Sacramento Kings last night in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) Cam Thomas scored 18 points but shot 4 for 21 for the Nets, who had won
three of four. Nic Claxton added 15 points and a career-high seven blocked
shots before being ejected in the fourth quarter for a flagrant foul against
Brandin Podziemski, who had 15 points and 11 rebounds. PELICANS 138, RAPTORS 100 NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Brandon Ingram made a career-high eight 3-pointers and scored 41 points, and New Orleans routed Toronto. Ingram hit 16 of 21 shots and also dished out nine assists in 30 minutes. He capped his performance by hitting five straight 3s at the end of the third. CJ McCollum scored 20 points for the Pelicans, who won their third straight and sent the Raptors to their eighth loss in nine games. Rookie Gradey Dick had a season-high 22 points for the Raptors. CLIPPERS 149, HAWKS 144 ATLANTA (AP) — Kawhi Leonard scored 36 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter, and Los Angeles beat Atlanta to conclude a 6-1 road swing. James Harden had 30 points and 10 assists, and Paul George scored 18 for Los Angeles. De’Andre Hunter matched a season high with 27 points for the Hawks. Trae Young added 25 points.
AYTON SCORES 27 POINTS IN LOSS TO NUGGETS FROM PAGE 16 also at Ball Arena, but they didn’t lead this one until the final seconds of the third quarter when Jokic’s finger-roll layup broke an 84-84 tie. The Blazers, who got 27 points from Deandre Ayton and 26 from Anfernee Simons, quieted the sellout crowd most of the night. They were leading 84-75 with 4:17 remaining in the third quarter when Matisse Thybulle missed his second of two free throws. The next time they scored came on Kris Murray’s goaltended bucket with 10:44 remaining to cut Denver’s lead to 91-86. During that stretch, the Blazers missed nine shots, including six from long range, and turned the ball over three times while the Nuggets were using that 16-0 run to pull away. “Our defence got better as the game went along,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “We had zero defence. We had a little bit of defence. We got a lot more defence. And we had great defence.” The Blazers certainly weren’t hanging their heads after faltering late.
“I thought we played well for the majority of the game, all the game, to be honest with you,” Simons said. “They’re a good team. They made runs. They’re a championship team. They’re a veteran team. We rolled out with a lot of young guys and sometimes that’s just what happens. “So, I’m just glad that we stuck with it and continued to play hard. Overall, I’m pretty happy about how we played today.” The Blazers had just one 3-pointer in 13 tries in the second half after knocking down 10 before halftime. Murray and Thybulle got starting nods with Jerami Grant missing his second straight game with lower back tightness and Malcolm Brogdon still sidelined with a sore knee. Reserve Scott Henderson, who turned 20 on Saturday, one day after scoring 30 points against the Nuggets, finished with 14 in the rematch. Over the weekend, Portland coach Chauncey Billups texted him a sort of congratulations. “I said, ‘Scoot, there aren’t many guys in the entire world that can say they scored 30 points on the
PORTLAND Trail Blazers centre Deandre Ayton, left, passes the ball as Denver Nuggets centre Nikola Jokic (15) defends in the second half of an NBA basketball game on Sunday in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) world champions as a teenager,” Billups recounted. “But you’re not a teenager
anymore. Let’s see what you’re going to do in your 20s.”
UP NEXT Blazers: Host the Detroit Pistons on Thursday night.
Nuggets: Visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night.
Four swimmers to represent Bahamas at 21st FINA World Aquatics Championships FROM PAGE 16 France from July 26 to August 11. “I feel good about the team. We have some worthy swimmers, some of the top swimmers in the country,” Bruney said. “We have Marvin competing for the first time at the senior level of competition. “So I’m really looking forward to seeing how well he does when he goes over there and competes with the rest of the team. Hopefully, they can all go out and make the qualifying cuts for the Olympics.” With all but three of the athletes away in school, Bruney said he has not had a chance to analyse their competitive level going into the championships, but he’s certain that they are all going to be prepared to swim their best. “I know they are putting in the work to be able to go
over there and compete at their best,” he pointed out. “I know that they are ready to go, so we’re looking forward to some great things from them.” Taylor, a 19-year-old senior at Henderson State University, is coming off his bronze medal performance at the Pan Am Games in Chile and a gold at the Central American Games in Spain, both last year. He will be contesting the men’s 50 metres freestyle, backstroke and butterfly. Gibbs, 17, now at Texas Christian University, was a finalist in the 60m breast at the CAC Games. She will be entered in the 50m free and 100m breaststroke. Russell, 22, and enrolled at Edinburgh University, will contest the 50m backstroke and butterfly and Johnson, who is 17 and attends Macailie Boarding School, will be entered
PAN American Games bronze medallist Lamar Taylor will headline the Bahamas Aquatics’ four-member team that will represent the Bahamas at the 21st edition of the FINA World Aquatics Championships next week in Doha, Qatar. in the 100m freestyle and butterfly.
“My goal when I go over there is to help them in any
way they need,” Bruney said. “I am the coach of the team, but I am going to support them in whatever way I can because they are coming from four different programmes. “My job is to make sure that they get whatever they need so that they can go out there and give it their best shot in representing the country.” Looking at the make-up of the team, Bruney said the expectations is a simple one. “I want them to be able to go out there and try and make the A cut for the Olympics,” he stated. “I want them to believe in themselves that they can do it.” While this is a chance to qualify for the Olympics, Bruney said there will be other opportunities for them to swim long course meets, but they probably
won’t have it with the calibre of swimmers who will be competing in this championships. “They will be racing against swimmers who have already got their A cuts, so that is the advantage of going over there and competing in this meet,” Bruney stated. “If they don’t make the Olympic cut in this one or any of the other ones, they will get another chance at the last chance meet, but this is a great opportunity for them to qualify because this is the second biggest meet that they will get to compete in.” The team delegation will be departing for Doha on Wednesday, but the swimmers will trickle in at different times based on their schedules at school that will allow them to get there before the swimming competition starts on February 11.
PAGE 14, Tuesday, February 6, 2024
THE TRIBUNE
PLAY ACTION: St John’s Giants junior boys defeated the Queen’s College Comets 49-37 yesterday in Game 1 of the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools’ best-of-three championship series at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium. Photos: Dante Carrer
Cougars beat Saints 71-61 to win Game 1 FROM PAGE 16 clock, Rianna ‘Lemon’ Green drove to the basket and scored the game’s winning basket in the extra three minutes. In fact, Green scored all four points for St John’s as they came out with the 37-36 win over the Kingsway Academy Saints. Green finished with a game high 15 points, Lebernique Demeritte had 20, Kiara Poitier had six, Stevanah Turnquest had four and Camel Stevens helped out with two. “The last time we played them, they beat us by three points, so this was a payback time,” said St John’s head coach Oswaldo Taylor. “The job is not finished yet. Our girls played hard, they tied it up and we ended up going into overtime and we were able to pull it off.” As for game two, Taylor said once they can rebound the ball better than they did, they will be able to secure the win. Deshante Sears led Kingsway Academy with 14. Andica Curtis had eight, Michaelya Joseph added five and Kaliah Campbell chipped in with four in a losing effort. The Saints managed to draw first blood as they surged ahead 12-9 as Sears, with a three-pointer, and
Campbell, scored four points apiece. But in the second quarter as things started to heat up, St John’s went on a tear of their game as they controlled the tempo and the lead 23-19. In the third quarter, the Comets took the upper hand with a 29-27 lead. Both teams traded baskets and the lead in the fourth until Demeritte converted one of her two free throws with seven seconds left in regulation to tie the score and send it into overtime. Junior Girls Giants 25, Big Red Machine 21: St John’s head coach Malcolm Rahming Jr admitted that there’s no time for his junior girls to celebrate after they took the initial 1-0 lead in their best-of-three series. Dania Rolle scored six points, Melody Ferguson had five and Marianna Guzman added four to lead a 1-2-3 punch for St John’s, who got a great defensive effort from Zuri Hanna in the middle to seal the deal with their 25-21 win over St Augustine’s College. “I feel good, but the job is not finished yet. We will finish it up on Wednesday,” said Rahming J. “I’m proud that we were able to execute today. That made me most proud. It
BALL IN PLAY: St John’s Giants junior girls defeated the St Augustine’s College (SAC) Big Red Machine yesterday in Game 1 of the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools’ best-of-three championship series at Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium. ain’t finished yet. We will celebrate after we win on Wednesday.” Kailie Moss led SAC with a game high 12 points. Their next best scorers were a trio with Faith Burns, Kiara Knowles and Marae Pickstock all contributing two apiece. Once they came from a 1-0 deficit at the beginning of the game, the Giants never relinquished their
lead. They used a 4-0 run on a pair of fast-break baskets to pull away from a 6-3 lead to go out 10-3 and they held on for a 10-5 margin at the end of the first quarter. Although the Big Red Machine put on a trap that resulted in a couple of turnovers as they made a comeback, it still wasn’t enough as they trailed 14-11 at the half. The Big Red Machine continued to roll
in the third quarter to tie the score at 14-14 with less than four minutes to go in the third. They tied it twice at 16-16 and 18-18 before the Giants held on for a 20-18 lead at the end of the period. When it counted the most down the stretch, Hanna clogged up the middle with a couple of defensive stops as the Giants surged to the win. Junior Boys Giants 49, Comets 37: With arguably the most dominant player in the junior boys’ league, St John’s and their potent offensive attack pulled away from Queen’s College to snatch a 1-0 lead in their best-of-three series. While Tavez Coleby did his part for St John’s with his towering height, scoring 11 points and anchoring the middle on the defensive end, D’Alfer Gibson got loose for a game high 20 points in their 49-37 win over Queen’s College. What the duo didn’t do, Kymani Bowe came through with another 10 points. “The guys gave it their all and so I’m glad that we got the win,” said Giants head coach Darshtyan Baker. As they prepare for game two, Baker said they will review the film and make sure that they don’t make
the same mistakes they did in game one. Amari Neymour scored 10, Talon Higgs had nine and Ethan North six in a losing effort for Queen’s College. The Giants came out storming to take a 5-0 lead, but the Comets roared back for a 5-5 tie. However, on another 6-0 run, they maintained their lead with an 11-5 margin at the end of the quarter. In the second quarter, Queen’s College made it a contest as they soared back to take a three-point lead, 16-13, but St John’s got a run of their own to even the score at 16-16 at the half. The Giants came out of the locker room and turned it up a notch as they built a double-digit lead, attacking the rim. Despite the Comets’ comeback, the Giants stayed ahead 37-25 at the end of the period. In the fourth, #33 made his contribution on both ends of the floor before he was given a breather with less than five minutes to go and St John’s in control 43-25. He came back and was a stabiliser down the stretch as the Giants continued to attack the ball. But, in the final minute, St John’s went deep into their bench as they held on for the win.
BRAZILIAN SOCCER STAR DANI ALVES ON TRIAL FOR ALLEGED SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A WOMAN IN BARCELONA By JOSEPH WILSON Associated Press BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Brazilian soccer star Dani Alves went on trial yesterday, a year after he was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman at a Barcelona nightclub. The 40-year-old Alves, a former Barcelona player, has been in pre-trial custody for over a year since he was detained for allegedly sexually assaulting the woman on the night of December 31, 2022. He denies any wrongdoing. State prosecutors are seeking a nine-year prison sentence for Alves if convicted while the lawyers representing his accuser want 12 years. Dressed in a white dress shirt and jeans, Alves took a seat in the courtroom after arriving in a police van. His mother was also present at the Barcelona courthouse. After a short recess when the courtroom was emptied, Alves’ mother blew her son a kiss and made
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a heart-shaped gesture as Alves was escorted in handcuffs back inside. The court ordered the accuser’s testimony on Monday be behind closed doors with no media access and no image of her can be taken to protect her identity. That decision came after a video circulated on social media last month that allegedly identified the woman. A screen was placed between the accuser and Alves when she testified and the court ordered the video recording of her testimony be pixelated and her voice distorted as preventative measures to ensure her privacy in case of a leak. In testimony given to state prosecutors last year, the woman said she met Alves late at the Sutton nightclub in one of Barcelona’s upscale neighbourhoods after midnight. She accompanied him into a VIP area and into a private bathroom where he allegedly slapped her, used insulting language and raped her, according to her testimony given to prosecutors. “My client has finally been able to testify and put an end to this,” the woman’s lawyer, Ester Garcia, told reporters outside the courthouse afterwards. “She has been very brave to get this far.” García added that an attempt by Alves’ legal
BRAZILIAN soccer star Dani Alves sits during his trial in Barcelona, Spain, yesterday. (D.Zorrakino/Pool Photo via AP) team to reach a deal so he accuser and other witnesses presenting security could avoid the trial had by not prospered since her camera footage from the client “did not agree with nightclub. The court has sentence” proposed for said that any alleged flirtthe player. She refused to ing should not “in any way reveal the details of what justify an eventual sexual assault.” Alves’ team offered. Alves has modified his Two women, a friend and a cousin, who accompanied defence several times. At first, he denied having the woman to the nightclub testified that when they ever seen the woman when saw her after she exited he went dancing on the the bathroom she was dis- night in question. Upon his arrest, he traught and told them that Alves had “hurt her badly.” denied any sexual contact Workers at the nightclub with her, only to admit three months later to a sexual also gave testimony. Alves will testify on encounter that he said was Wednesday, the trial’s last consented to by the woman. He said he had been trying day. Before he was indicted to save his marriage by by an investigative judge not admitting to the sexual in August, Alves’ lawyers encounter initially. In the only interview unsuccessfully tried to discredit testimony by his Alves has given since his
arrest, he told Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia in June that “my conscience is clear about what happened that early morning. ... What happened and what did not happen. And what did not happen is that I forced that woman to do what we did.” Alves, whose legal name is Daniel Alves, has changed attorneys three times. At the trial he is represented by Inés Guardiola, who was hired in October. Alves was arrested on January 20, 2023 after answering a police summons during a visit to Spain. A court ordered him to be jailed after analysing the initial police investigation and hearing testimony from the alleged victim, witnesses and the player himself. Three days after his arrest, Alves was transferred by officials for safety reasons to the Brians 2 prison about 45 minutes northwest of Barcelona. He has been there ever since. Alves’ requests for bail were denied because the court considered him a flight risk, despite his offer to hand over his passport and wear a tracking device. Brazil does not extradite its own citizens when they are sentenced in other countries. The trial is before a three-judge panel presided over by magistrate Isabel Delgado. Twenty-two
witnesses, including those called by the defence, are scheduled for today before the court hears Alves, along with experts, on Wednesday. Under Spain’s 2022 sexual consent law, the crime of sexual assault takes in a wide array of crimes from online abuse and groping to rape, each with different possible punishments. A case of rape can carry a maximum sentence of 15 years. Alves has been ordered to set aside 150,000 euros ($162,000) to pay his alleged victim if he is found guilty and ordered to pay damages. Alves’ arrest shattered his image of a charismatic winner with a lengthy and successful career. He won major titles with elite clubs including Barcelona, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain. He also helped Brazil win two Copa Americas and an Olympic gold medal at age 38. He played at his third World Cup, the only major title he’s not won, in 2022. The right back was a key part of Barcelona’s golden years while playing from 2008-16. He won the Champions League three times with the Catalan club, which he briefly rejoined in 2022. Alves’ contract with Mexican club Pumas was terminated immediately after his arrest.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, February 6, 2024, PAGE 15
Media Technology student excited about the future IT WAS at the tender age of nine when Romez Major became curious about media. He wondered, “How do they get the little people inside of my TV?” When he finally realised they were being filmed by cameras, there began a fascination that gave birth to where he is today: a Media Technology student at the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI). As a prospective 2024 graduate, Romez is excited about the future. His interests include being a playwright, actor, producer, director and audio engineer – the list goes on. “Tyler Perry has heavily influenced my drive towards media. Media is literally in everything we do. Every technology links you to media, even as simple as taking a picture or recording a voice note,” he said. “I went on a field trip to Eyewitness News and there was where I discovered the many possibilities, whether it was radio, news or just simple entertainment,” he stated. BTVI offers a certificate and associate of applied science degree in Media Technology. The hands-on programme exposes students to a blend of theoretical and
practical training in video, television and audio production. Romez began studying Media Technology in spring 2022 while still in his native Grand Bahama. That fall he transferred to New Providence as his classes were in person and he wanted hands-on training. “I have loved every moment of every second of being in the programme since day one. Whether I was behind the camera or the director, witnessing my creations come to life gives this feeling I can’t describe,” he said. Additionally, Romez got to produce his first show while in Television Production class, but one of his proudest moments in the programme was working with the media team to produce BTVI’s Exuma graduation. “I was nervous as could be and praying I didn’t mess up. While flying to Exuma, I heard my instructor Alexia Coakley’s voice
in my head saying, ‘Don’t make Ms. Coakley shame.’ This was her motto for us as her students and I lived by that while my classmate and I were setting up cameras. I did not make her shame, but extremely proud!” he recalled. The talented young man said what he has learned in the programme so far has already caused him to reap monetarily and expand his network. “It has been preparing me for life after and even while in school. I have produced content whether video or audio for people - and profited from them, along with gaining exposure from media professionals. My hope is that my degree drives me to a point where I could help my island of Grand Bahama and my country move to higher levels,” said Romez. Romez’s advice to anyone interested in Media Technology is to look no further than BTVI. “I have watched the programme grow. You will have fun while learning from exceptional instructors such as Alexia Coakley, Anthony Coakley, Shavanti Smith, Waldon Russell, Laurence Clarke, Zhivargo McPhee and Akin Barr,” he confidently stated.
ROMEZ MAJOR, Media Technology student. “The BTVI Story” is a bi-weekly column which highlights the who, what and why of the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI), a tertiary institution where individuals ‘Discover the Possibilities’ related to various trades. The column is produced by BTVI’s Office of Public Relations.
NATIONAL TRAINING AGENCY COHORT
MARITIME CADETS MEET SHIPPING EXECUTIVES
THE National Training Agency launched its first cohort for 2024 in New Providence. Students will undertake 14 weeks of Mandatory Workforce Preparation and Practical Skills instruction
and will be trained in the areas of Allied Health, Auto Body Repair, Auto Service & Care, Business Applications & Technology, Butler Service, Culinary & Baking, Food & Beverage, Housekeeping, Office
Procedures and Teacher’s Aide. Nearly 100 students have enrolled in the programme and once it is completed successful trainees will be assisted with job placement.
YOUTH LEADERSHIP CERTIFICATION PROGRAMME
THE first cohort of the Youth Leadership Certification Programme for 2024 was launched in Grand Bahama last weekend. The programme was launched by the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture in 2011 and equips youth leaders with the tools needed to effectively work with young people. Participants can receive internationally recognised accreditation certification which speaks to the competence and capabilities as a certified youth practitioner. This cohort has approximately 60 students and includes a number participants under the age of 25.
STUDENTS enrolled in the Bahamas Maritime Cadets at the CR Walker High School campus were visited by executives from European shipping companies while they were on a business trip to Nassau. Hans Mol, Managing Director of GreenSea Chartering, and Gro Isadora who is the Legal Counsel for a family-owned shipping company, spoke to the students about the international shipping industry and were optimistic about The Bahamas’ future in it. They noted that over 100 students were present for the classes, which are held twice a week, and were impressed by the questions and feedback from the students. The Bahamas Maritime Cadet Corps is presently experiencing unprecedented growth and success, as this academic year they have topped the 400-cadet mark nationwide. In New Providence alone they have participation from at least 25 schools. The programme has also established a centre in Exuma, which brings the total to six for islands where they have a presence. In New Providence they have had to open a second campus at the Anatol Rodgers High School to cater to schools in the southwest quadrant of the island.
CLAYTON CURTIS, National Coordinator for the Bahamas Maritime Cadet Corps presents a plaque to Gro Isadora after her address to the cadets. Also seen are (L-R) Hans Mol, Keith Smith, 12th grade Engineering instructor; Mrs. Isadora, Mr. Curtis, Kenneth Sands, Assistant Coordinator and instructor for the 12th grade Bridge Watch class, and Marcel Amann, Engineering instructor for the 11th grade.
LCF SCHOLARSHIP PORTAL OPENED The Lyford Cay Foundations scholarship portal opened on February 1. Tertiary level students can visit their website to view the academic, vocational, and technical scholarships that are available for international and local institutions. Interested students can visit lyfordcayfoundations. org or email info@lyfordcayfoundations.org for more information.