09062023 NEWS, SPORT AND BUSINESS

DENGUE ALERT AS CASES ARE RISING

Dr Darville reveals 52 people infected and six in hospital

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

HEALTH and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville revealed there are currently 52 cases of dengue fever, with “about six people” in hospital. The minister repeated his advice to Bahamians to look at their surroundings - making sure no buckets of water are lying around that can cause

growth of the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

“We’re up fogging but of course fogging only knocks what’s airborne and if you have these receptacles filled with water around the home you continue to breedthat is concerned,” Dr Darville said.

“So the Department of Environmental Health is working very closely with

PLP hits back at s ands’ ‘em P ty and devoid’ sL am

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

MEMBERS of the Progressive Liberal Party hit back at the Free National Movement Chairman Dr Duane Sands yesterday, calling his comments “empty and devoid”. In a video message, Dr

Sands scolded the Davis administration, comparing the reshuffle to putting “lipstick on a pig”.

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis held a national address on Sunday, in which he shuffled his Cabinet. Mr Davis announced seven new ministerial appointments and

FamiLy oF drowned man beL ieves ocean cay unsa Fe

BY DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Staff Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A VACATION cruise to The Bahamas ended in tragedy for a family of four following the drowning of 26-year-old Guyanese national Akeem Charles at Ocean Cay, a private island in The Bahamas owned by the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) cruise line.

Family members believe that the beach on the artificial island is unsafe and

activists L abeL PoL ice accused oF abuse ‘disgraceFuL’

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

ACTIVISTS have condemned a high-ranking male police officer who reportedly punched a woman in her eye after she refuted his vulgar behaviour towards her. These comments came after Latique Perpall told The Tribune on Monday

t roPica L storm L ee monitored by met oFFice

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

A WEATHER official is urging residents to monitor the progression of newly formed Tropical Storm Lee, which is forecast to become a major hurricane at the end of the week.

that the lack of CPR training for the lifeguard on duty may have contributed to their loved one’s death.

Mr Charles, his mother, Simone Hazel, his sister, Ayodele Charles, and her boyfriend, Kimarley Grant, of Queens, New York, left with a group of church members on a cruise to The Bahamas on April 27.

Due to Hurricane Idalia,

end Page eight

Luncheon held by former dignataries including CA Smith

FORMER Governor General Cornelius A Smith and former Bahamas Honorary Consul to Detroit Dr William Pickard hosted a luncheon yesterday at Wild Thyme Restaurant. Several scholarship recipients of the Cornelius A. Smith/William Pickard Friendship & Alliance Fund were in attendance to testify about the life changing opportunities they received through this scholarship fund. Recipients had educational pursuits in areas agriculture, climate change, and hospitality. Photos: Moise Amisial

ONE of the students that was awarded a scholarship by the Cornelius A Smith/William Pickard Friendship & Alliance Fund

Dengue alert as cases are rising

ORGAN TRANSPLANT PROGRAMME TO START before year’s end

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

HEALTH and Well-

ness Minister Dr Michael Darville said government is committed to start the transplant programme in The Bahamas at its “earliest convenience”.

The minister previously indicated during this year’s budget debate that the government expects to launch the Bahamas National Organ Transplant Programme before the end of the year.

He added that as officials determine what is required to execute and sustain the programme, kidney transplants will be the first performed through the programme.

Speaking before the weekly morning Cabinet meeting, Dr Darville gave an update yesterday on the programme.

get it off the ground, he answered: “I know there are a lot of Bahamians who suffer from end stage renal disease on dialysis and our initial approach to organ transplant, particularly kidney it’s live donors, which that means if you are in kidney failure and you have a loved one who’s prepared to donate a kidney we try to investigate whether you were a match and then we put you on our list for possible transplant surgery, which will improve the quality of life of many of our patients who are presently on dialysis.”

the ministry to really get the message out and to be very aggressive with the cases that we do find and the residents where we go in and we do a swot check and fix the situation surrounding.”

“One of the things I like to say is, as we speak, there’s about six people in hospital with dengue and it’s very important to us to let the population know

that dengue can be very serious and it’s important to once again execute the appropriate measure.

“Also this week we found cases in Grand Bahama and so I believe we have three confirmed cases in Grand Bahama with the possibility of an admission if that’s not the case or maybe two.”

“We are upping our investigation and fogging as well as going from door to door with those cases that we do find to ensure

that we make sure the environment is protected so there’s no increase breeding.”

A suspected case in Abaco proved to be negative.

Dengue fever causes severe flu-like illness and sometimes a potentially lethal complication called dengue haemorrhagic fever.

Other symptoms include headache, muscle and joint pains and rash.

Dengue fever, the viral

illness, is spread through contact with the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The mosquito is most active after dawn and before dusk. It lives and breeds in standing water.

Most of the dengue patients live predominately in the eastern and southeastern communities of New Providence.

The country last experienced a significant virus outbreak in 2011, with 205 confirmed and 7,200 suspected cases.

PM congratulates Bahamian-American Wayne Jones - first black police chief of Miami Beach

He said the programme is presently being activated and that officials met yesterday with some of their key team players.

“We are about now to start training of our nurses in the UK and getting everything ready as far as the manpower resources are concerned to start first in the country kidney transplants and then it would expand to other types of transplant surgery.”

As for how soon to

from page one

As of Tuesday afternoon, the system was moving west-northwest at 16mph with sustained winds of 45mph.

“This motion is expected to continue for the next few days with a slight reduction in forward speed,” the Bahamas Department of Meteorology said in an advisory on Facebook.

Chief Meteorological Officer Kaylinda WardForbes told The Tribune yesterday the storm could intensify into a major hurricane by the weekend.

However, she said it’s too early to tell whether the system would seriously impact The Bahamas.

“It’s forecasted to become a major hurricane which is a hurricane on the scale of Category Three at 111mph or higher. It’s expected to reach that speed possibly by the weekend but by that time, it’s still projected to

“I want to make it clear that not everyone qualifies for transplant surgery and so that’s the reason why our medical team, surgical team, along with our consultants from the UK will begin to see cases the minute everything is in place and our nurses are trained and go through the stages where we have started interviewing processes with family and potential donors and see exactly whether or not you are a true candidate or not but this administration is committed to start a transplant programme in The Bahamas at its earliest convenience and the steps are presently being made with our team locally.”

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis congratulated Wayne Jones, a Bahamian American, on his “exemplary appointment” as the first black police chief of Miami Beach.

Mr Jones was sworn in as the 21st police chief of the city on Thursday. According to The Miami Herald, he received a letter of

support signed by President Joe Biden. His father pinned him with the police chief badge on his chest.

Posting to X, formerly called Twitter, Mr Davis said: “Your rise through the ranks and dedication to public service embodies Bahamian excellence on the global stage.

“Chief Jones, you are a shining example for our nation, showing that we can achieve great heights with hard work, passion, and

integrity. We’re proud of your accomplishments and leadership.”

The police chief has a 27-year long career within the City of Miami Beach in various roles - attaining the position of deputy chief in 2019.

“Today, I am humbled to stand before you as the first black police chief in one of America’s most iconic cities,” he said. He succeeds Richard M Clements, who retired.

“Chief Jones has

demonstrated his commitment to excellent public service throughout his 27-year career with the Miami Beach Police Department,” city manager Alina T Hudak said in announcing the selection.

“He began as a patrol officer and gained the respect and admiration of his superiors and peers as he moved up through the ranks. I am confident he will build on MBPD’s legacy and take the department to the next level.”

be over waters, over the Atlantic. It will be just to the north and north north east of the Antilles and Puerto Rico area,” she added.

“So most of the models, all of the models have the system staying out to sea which is a good thing for us. It will possibly move closest to The Bahamas which is the southeastern Bahamas possibly Sunday or Monday sometime so what we expect for The Bahamas is possibly swell activity.”

“At this time, it poses no threat to any land mass and we’re just asking everyone to monitor the system because sometimes they do change course so stay tuned to your local met office for updates to the forecast on these system.”

She also urged Bahamians to remain prepared because this is peak hurricane season.

The 2023 hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30.

Paralysed man shot while sitting outside his home

A PARALYSED man was shot as he sat outside his home in a wheelchair on Monday evening.

The incident was one of two shootings that police are investigating that left three people injured.

A man approached the victim as he sat outside the Quakoo Street property at about 11.07pm, before producing a firearm and shooting the 32-year-old victim in his right elbow and legs.

The victim was taken to hospital by private vehicle, and is reported to be in stable condition.

The second incident left a 34-year-old woman and an 18-year-old man hospitalised when they were shot shortly after 7pm on Monday in the area of

Karl Road off Claridge Road.

It was reported that both victims were seated on top of a vehicle when two masked men, pulled up in a gold-coloured Nissan vehicle and opened fire, hitting both victims in the lower extremities. The culprits fled the scene. Both victims remain in stable condition.

is in hospital after a stabbing incident on Monday. At about 11.21pm, the resident of Armbrister Street was involved in a physical altercation with another woman, who produced an unknown sharp object and stabbed her in her right eye. The victim remains in stable condition.

WAYNE JONES, a 27-year veteran of the Miami Beach Police Department, is sworn in as Miami Beach’s first black police chief in the city’s 108-year history at the New World Center in Miami Beach, Florida, on Thursday, August 31, 2023. Mr Jones is Bahamian.

from page one

HEALTH and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville revealed there are currently 52 cases of dengue fever, with “about six people” in hospital.

PLP hits back at Sands’ ‘empty and devoid’ slam

portfolio adjustments as well as two shifts in state ministers.

“Today we’re going to talk about lipstick on a pig. Yes, I’m referring to last night’s address by the Prime Minister which was an absolute waste of time and nothing at all for us to be optimistic about,” Dr Sands said in a video message on Monday.

“The Prime Minister started by trying to take credit for a globally recovering economy and the pent-up demand in tourism while refusing to acknowledge that the heavy lifting of his predecessors is really what resulted in the success that he’s reaping.”

Both the Minister of Education and chairman of the PLP rebutted Dr Sands’ statements.

“Since Duane Sands knows what a pig looks like, he should find great comfort when he wakes up and looks in the mirror,” said PLP chairman Fred Mitchell.

“It is sad and reprehensible that an idle political party like the FNM, with a record of abject failure, over four and a half years of governance, cannot be civil in its language in public dialogue.”

Mr Mitchell expressed major disapproval of Dr Sands’ comment. However, he said the governing party would press ahead on behalf of Bahamians.

In his commentary, Dr Sands narrowed in on several parliamentarians and

their new ministerial posts, highlighting what he called their “incompetence”.

“Education has produced the worst results in history,” Dr Sands said.

“Yet, instead of strengthening the team at education, the Prime Minister decides to weaken the leadership by removing the parliamentary secretary.”

“This was an opportunity

to send a new message on education and motivate teachers, administrators, and parents to regain hope and enthusiasm for this critical area. Again, fail.”

Education Minister Glenys Hanna Martin wasted no time in dismissing the comments, saying they “misrepresent the facts”.

“These are not the worst

results in history,” Ms Hanna-Martin said in a statement.

“The worst results in the last five years in fact occurred in 2020 and 2021 when the chairman sat in Cabinet and it was during this tenure that the nation saw the worst era of neglect in the history of education. She said Dr Sands held no credibility to speak on

such issues.

“The chairman has no credibility to speak to this issue for this and other reasons, including the report of his issuance of an almost $2m contract without board approval and to someone who was to give evidence against a political opponent in a criminal trial and in breach of standard PHA procedure.”

She ended her statement by urging “all people of goodwill” to assist with assuring the success of youth.

Meanwhile, both the former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and Coalition of Independents leader Lincoln Bain expressed disappointment in Mr Davis’s cabinet shuffle.

COOPER: TOURISM ARRIVALS GREW BY 66 PERCEN T IN JULY OVER PREVIOUS YEAR

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

TOURISM arrivals grew by 66 per cent in July when compared to last year, Tourism Minister Chester Cooper revealed yesterday.

“Tourism is roaring,”

Mr Cooper said while appearing as a guest on the 96.9FM show Morning Blend.

“We talk a lot about arrival numbers but I want to tell you that tourism spending is also up. Our average daily rates are up. Occupancy levels at hotels up and no matter how you measure it, we’re roaring back to the best of the best.”

“This is going to be, I predict, the best year ever

for tourism.”

In Grand Bahama, he said visitor arrivals to the island are steadily growing.

“Grand Bahama is seeing better days,” Mr Cooper said. “Tourism is up in Grand Bahama, some 30 per cent and as you know, tourism is really the engine that drives the economy. Once you see the resurgence of tourism, you see low unemployment rates. You see a roaring economy. You see increased revenues and so really, this is the engine and I’m delighted to be part of this engine.”

He reiterated his expectation for tourism arrivals to exceed over eight million at year’s end.

He said average daily

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that IDELAIRE TANUSMA , of Hillside Street off Mackey Street, New Providence, 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 6th day of September, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that JOCELYNE PIERRE of Blackwood, Eleuthera, The Bahamas is 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 6th day of September, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

rates are up by some 60 percent, while room revenue increased by more than 42 percent.

“At the end of July, I can report that our numbers are up in terms of arrivals - 66 percent over last year so these are some really powerful numbers,” Mr Cooper added.

“We want our tourists to spend more, we want them to keep coming. We want them to be repeat visitors and, therefore, what we’re doing is also improving the product. What you see in downtown Nassau is a part of a consolidated approach to improve the product and more experiences for guests.”

He said efforts are underway to address vagrancy downtown and

to deal with “rodent issues.”

With respect to the government’s demotion exercises, he said some six derelict buildings have been removed. Asked about the government’s overall plan for Downtown, Mr Cooper said the first step is to beautify the area.

“So everything we’re doing at the moment is really trying to give the place a facelift, making sure it looks better, making sure it smells better, making sure the rodents are gone, making sure we are compassionately assisting the vagrants, making sure that the police have also engaged one of our partners to ensure an even more safe environment.”

“So, that’s phase one.”

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that MARLEYSHIA LATISA SIMEON, of Esmeralde Avenue, Nassau Village, New Providence, 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 August, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that RONY SIFFORT, of Ida Street, New Providence, 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 6th day of September, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

He said officials are also planning to advance the government’s Incubation Centre Project.

“So we are looking to see how we can do murals working along with the creative arts community, the deputy prime minister added. “We are talking with some entrepreneurs about creating a new vibrant food market on the east side of East Street and we are talking a lot about a potential art district.”

“But what we are

focused on is creating entrepreneurs, making small entrepreneurs, medium sized entrepreneurs, large entrepreneurs so we are also closing off market slope - that’s the street right on the side of the straw market and we are creating more high end creatively designed booths, right there with a very native Bahamian theme and openly creating more vendor opportunities for entrepreneurs for authentically Bahamian services.”

NOTICE is hereby given that THEDA ANN JACK, of P.O Box CR55243#19 Jubilee Garden, New Providence, 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 August, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

TOURISM M INIS T ER CHES T ER COOPER

EDUCATION Minister Glenys Hanna Martin wasted no time in dismissing FNM chairman Dr Duane Sands’ comments on education, saying they “misrepresent the facts”.

Family of drowned man believes Ocean Cay unsafe

from page one

the ship was diverted to Nassau. The second scheduled stop was at Ocean Cay on Thursday, August 31, where the Charles family went ashore for a day at the beach.

Ayodele Charles said they left the ship around 11am and went to the first beach at the Lighthouse. Sometime around 2pm, they decided to walk to the other side of the island where the water was much calmer.

The water was not deep and had reached her thighs. Akeem, who is six feet tall, was standing in the water. At one point, his sister noticed him going “up and down” in the water.

“I came out of the water, looked at Akeem, and asked if he was okay. But I see he was not talking to me so I sent my boyfriend in the water to check on him,”

Ms Charles said.

“After a time, my brother fell head first and started to float. So, my boyfriend grabbed his hand and called for help,” she said.

A lifeguard on duty assisted in getting her brother to shore, where a bystander had attempted to administer CPR.

As he lay helpless on the beach, Ms Charles said the lifeguard would not allow anyone, not even a registered nurse who was at the beach, to assist her brother.

She claimed that the lifeguard did not know how to perform CPR correctly. A defibrillator was also used but could not revive him.

Akeem was placed on a stretcher and taken on a golf cart to the ship.

Bimini police are continuing investigations into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

According to Sherryann Charles, her brother was excited about the trip and

had saved enough money to buy a ticket for their mother. He worked at Amazon in the packaging department.

She said that he was a deacon in his church and was well loved by everyone who knew him.

“The thing that is so sad is that my brother is only 26 years old, and he does not have any children. He worked hard to go on that trip, only to die.”

She believes that the beach is unsafe for visitors who are not aware of previous incidents involving guests.

“I heard that more persons drowned in the area as well and I don’t know why it is still a tourist attraction,” Ms Charles commented.

She said her two siblings would have stayed onboard the ship and not gone to the beach had they known about previous drowning incidents at Ocean Cay.

According to police

reports, shortly after 5pm on Thursday, August 31, officers attached to the Alice Town Police Station received reports of a man who was found by a lifeguard floating and appeared to be unresponsive on Radio Beach, North Bimini.

Police said the victim was retrieved from the water and examined by the local doctor who confirmed no signs of life.

In March 2023, a 51-year-old Korean cruise passenger at Ocean Cay was found unresponsive at Light House Beach.

In her research, Ms Charles said she learned that Ocean Cay was an old mining site. Ocean Cay was built by dredging in the late 1960s and was used to mine Aragonite sand for diverse industrial purposes. In 2015, MSC Cruise Line signed a 100-year lease agreement with the Bahamian

A VACATION cruise to The Bahamas ended in tragedy for a family of four following the drowning of 26-year-old Guyanese national Akeem Charles at Ocean Cay, a private island in The Bahamas owned by the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) cruise line. The family of the victim believes the beach at Ocean Cay is unsafe.

government to redevelop the island into a new $200m resort for the cruise line.

Following the incident, the family claimed they had received no apology or expression of sympathy from cruise representatives. They had to continue on the cruise while the body remained in Ocean Cay.

Ms Charles said the family is concerned about when Akeem’s body would be flown to Nassau. They were informed by police officials that a charter flight on Friday was postponed due to maintenance issues.

“We are trying to cope. His body is still in Ocean Cay. We just want justice for our brother and to have better procedures in place,” she said.

When contacted, Assistant Superintendent of Police Stephen Rolle told The Tribune that the body should have been in New Providence by Monday.

The mother, Simone

Hazel, who is back in the United States, is awaiting the release of her son’s body so that funeral arrangements can be made. She said there is a relative in Nassau who can identify the body.

The family has created a GoFundMe page https:// gofund.me/6e7db401 for help to defray funeral and memorial services costs.

Latia Duncombe, deputy director of tourism, was contacted for comment, however, she did not return the call up to press time.

When contacted by The Tribune, MSC Cruises said: “All of us at MSC Cruises are saddened by the death of a passenger travelling aboard MSC Meraviglia during the ship’s call at Ocean Cay on August 31. The safety of our guests is our top priority, and we are working with Bahamian police and medical authorities as they complete their investigation.”

CAY CONFERENCE LOOKING FOR BAHAMIAN MODELS AND AC TORS COMING SOON TO ATLANTIS

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

ORGANISERS of a conference say they are looking for Bahamian models and actors to give them a chance in the big league.

The Cays Conference lasts for two days and features up to 15 top model and acting agencies, organisers say. The cost is $600 for the weekend for general admission, or $350 for one day, although those who register early can pay $400 for the weekend or $275 for one day.

Stephanie Nihon, founder of the conference and co-founder of CMM Agency, said of the agencies attending: “These are based out of Los Angeles, Atlanta, New York, and Miami, and they’re very eager to see our talent because they have not been able to scout Bahamian or Caribbean talent. I’m very proud that we can bring this together to present to our country, and to even bring tourism to our shores for other aspiring models and actors to take part in.”

The two-day conference will be held from November 11-12 at Atlantis.

“The model day will have great entertainment, like a high-end fashion show from our top Bahamian models and designers, as well as an orientation that will start the day. And then you will

go into industry panels and workshops,” she said.

Models may be able to receive a work visa depending on agency interest.

Ms Nihon said: “It’ll then go into a scouting event where the models will walk for the agents and introduce themselves. And then there’ll be callbacks at the end of the day by the interested agencies that would like to represent any of those models. And they will get the work visa that is something that we spoke about with them.

“The acting day will be the same, it’ll mirror the modelling day. But it will be in a private room and they will ask you to do a monologue of 30 seconds if they’re interested.”

Ms Nihon said the conference will be inclusive to different age groups, body types, and talents.

Stazzie Appleyard, a Bahamian model at CMM, urged models and actors to participate, adding success doesn’t happen overnight.

“We haven’t had the opportunity like this ever in The Bahamas. So now this is just a major platform and extending so many potential incredible opportunities for all of the prospective models, actors, and actresses,” Ms Appleyard said.

Leslie Pindling, a producer of the event, said the conference will provide an opportunity

not afforded to past generations.

“We just turned 50,” he said, regarding The Bahamas’ 50 years of independence. “We’ve

got to take a new 50 to another level, it has to be completely different than what was but on the same path of execution and getting it there.”

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that JEAN MARIE DORVILUS, of P.O. Box EL-27675 Leo Pinder Street, Spanish Wells, Eleuthera, 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 6th day of September, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that ALVIN ERINGTON GARY JACK, of P.O Box CR55243#19 Jubilee Garden, New Providence, 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 August, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

Agencies such as Elite, Ford Models, Talent Direct, J Pervis, Nomad Management, The Society, Stewart Talent, A3 Artists Agency, which

is a voiceover agency, and more will be at the conference. For more information and registration details, visit www. thecaysconference.com.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that IFAUCA GUSTAVE, of P.O. Box EL-27675 Leo Pinder Street, Spanish Wells, Eleuthera, 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 6th day of September, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that PERRY JEAN of Fox Dale Subdivision, Fox Hill, Nassau, The Bahamas is 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 August, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

AKEEM CHARLES

The Tribune Limited

Building on ideas for the future

IN last week’s Tribune , we ran a series of guest editorials from individuals across the spectrum of our culture.

There were contributions from young members of both the FNM and the PLP, a contribution from a teacher, an activist and a cultural expert. All were asked a simple question, what is one thing you would change?

Already, the contributions of Amanda Coulson have received a response from government.

The former executive director of the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas had offered several suggestions – and Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg agreed with ideas to create more public murals, to bring the Botanical Gardens back to life and to help to uplift arts and cultural professionals.

He told The Tribune that he welcomed the changes and supports them for “a new way forward”.

We are delighted he agrees, and will return to ask him about progress on such suggestions in the future.

Other suggestions put forward in our guest editorials will also be put to members of government to see if they can be implemented.

This is the second time this year The Tribune has run a week of guest editorials – and it is something we shall return to again in the future.

The reason is simple – this space has long spoken up for all Bahamians, and perhaps it is sometimes wise to offer more Bahamians the chance to raise their voices too.

We do not pretend to speak for everyone – no one could, given the multiplicity of voices and beliefs that make up our nation. But by offering

the chance for others to speak, we can broaden the number of those who are heard.

Carrying our nation forward is not the work of one person, or one organisation – or one government. It takes us all, it takes succession from one administration to another, but more than anything it springs from our imaginations, our ideas to make our nation better.

This year, we have celebrated the 50th anniversary of our nation’s Independence – a landmark moment but also a reminder that change is possible.

Over the years, our nation has overcome great hurdles. The move to Independence was no easy journey. The elimination of discrimination was a battle fought by The Tribune itself among others – an essential in ensuring equality for all Bahamians. The fight for women’s suffrage was a challenge far more daunting than some of the challenges we face today. As a nation, we have met those challenges and risen up to where we are today.

So as we look ahead, to the changes we can make today, we do so knowing the strength of our people having seen what has been done before.

We thank our guest editorial writers for their contributions – for daring to think what could happen next as our country begins the next 50 years. And we shall pursue those questions –and see if our current administration, fresh from its reshuffle, can deliver on ideas put forward by citizens.

We welcome our readers’ contributions too – so tell us what is one thing you would change, and email your suggestions to letters@tribunemedia. net

When did guns become so common?

EDITOR, The Tribune

CALL to mind the times when neither police nor crooks carried around guns with them everyday, and compare that to today. Right here in our Bahamaland, in those days when electricity was scarce and streetlights on lampposts were few and far between, it was much safer to wander around after dark. So, what happened in the last two or three generations to cause such drastic changes? Can we point to exactly what transformed the darkness from outside most of us to the darkness inside some of us?

Don’t get me wrong. Darkness or black should not always be used in pejorative terms, but our common usage of that imagery allows for clearer communication. Here’s the thing. Unless and until we come to a common understanding of those eternal principles of good and bad, right and wrong, actions and consequences, we had might as well not get tired of dancing that popular move; one-step-forward/ two-steps-backwards.

Much like conch salad, peas ‘n rice, as well as any number of other popular Bahamian delights, the various ingredients are mixed together in order to arrive at those special delectable menus. Of necessity in this Bahamian society, we all get mixed up together - the good, the bad, and the ugly. Back in the ol’ days, good was pretty much what it is today. However, when we compare/contrast what bad was then to what it is nowadays, the gap may be wide and deep. As far as ugly is concerned, well... that’s mostly subjective.

It seems to me that finding the answer to our principal question of “how we got this way today?” might be worth more money than what we have in the Central Bank. Government administrations after Government administrations have been borrowing and spending a great deal of funds trying

to right this sinking ship of state, but we appear to still be sinking lower and lower. One of the principal leaks in the hull of our ship of state can definitely be attributed to the pervasive lawlessness of gun crimes that we recount in our daily newscasts. Statistics about those gun crimes might be horrifying enough, but the many residual costs (human and financial) may not figure to many among us in the bottom line of our expenses. National security and personal security cannot be assured with guns, guns, guns firing all over town.

How did we get here?

How do we get out? Should we put an attractive bounty out for the weapons or for a good solution? Is it possible to amend our laws to add, say, five years to the charges for anyone found in possession of an illegal firearm - whether or not it was used in a crime?

That extra time would be waived if the defendant revealed the person(s) from whom the weapon was received. Identifying sources and importers are key to unlocking the mystery of gun-running in The Bahamas.

Voices of outrage will often be sounded about the fact that guns or ammunition are not manufactured in The Bahamas. Still to come is any mention of where the ones used here come from. We do hear a constant refrain about the culprits in Japanese vehicles, as though Japan produces only one make and model. Even in hitand-run cases, that’s such a nebulous clue. Cluelessness, like gun violence is now epidemic in this place.

If looking at the progression from our parents’ times to these times, and considering the likely trajectory ahead, we can only hope and pray that the kinds of mass shootings

now commonplace in other places do not arrive at our shores. We may put our finger in that slow-leaking dike, or just take no action at this time.

In this modern-day Bahamas, with so many college graduates, otherwise very intelligent people, sophisticated technological devices and various other symbols of success, the vast majority of people have become prisoners of their own choice. Imagine, for instance, our grandparents’ reactions to being advised not to attend evening services, due to it being unsafe to walk our brightly-lit streets after dark. Imagine having metal security bars on all windows and doors, plus CCTV security cameras posted all around the house, yet still being violated by armed bandits in the “safety” of your home. Perhaps, just as important as that question “how did we arrive at this point of gun madness?” is the question “how do we get out of such gun madness?” Of course, it’s easy to see that far too many horses have already gotten out of the barn, so to speak. Focusing on only one might not seem like much until we consider that lions on the hunt may teach us a valuable lesson. No matter how big the herd being hunted, a focus on a single prey each time will more likely bring success.

Without all the guns and violence to concern ourselves with, dark can be good again, not a malevolent symbolism. We maybe, just may be able to get back to enjoying the wonders of those starry, starry skies, and the cool evening breezes, as we safely enjoy our idyllic Bahamian outdoor surroundings, after dark. Guns are problems. People using guns are bigger problems. We ought to rid our otherwise beautiful Bahamaland of both problems - by whatever means possible.

MB Nassau, September 5, 2023

A GREEN door in a wall seen in Harbour Island.

Photo: Tatiana Colhoun

Activists label police officer accused of abuse ‘disgraceful’

from page one

that she is pursuing legal action after an assistant superintendent of police in plain clothes allegedly punched her in her eye. The physical blow left her unable to see through her left eye, she claimed.

Equality Bahamas director Alicia Wallace said the horrifying incident showed gender-based violence is on the spectrum.

“It is critical that we identify this kind of incident as gender-based violence and not general violence. A man’s ego is fragile, he was embarrassed that a woman

stood as an equal in the face of his disrespect, and he made plans to reassert his masculinity. He feared being seen as weak, and he deemed his ego more important than Ms Perpall’s safety or dignity,” she suggested.

Ms Perpall said the incident began on Friday when the officer made a vulgar comment to her.

“I was walking, coming from ordering my food and someone came up behind me and told me ‘Your p---- fat’.”

“I was like mister who the ---- you is and he was like ‘oh carry your fat p----’. So I start to argue back with him.

M AN IN CUSTODY ON CHARGE OF MOLESTING 5-YEAR-OLD BOY

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was remanded in custody yesterday after he was accused of molesting a 5-year-old boy three times this year.

Magistrate Raquel

Whyms charged Lashorn Brown, 19, with unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor of the same sex and two counts of indecent assault.

Brown allegedly inappropriately touched a

five-year-old boy’s private parts on two separate occasions between July 1 and 31 in New Providence.

Brown is further accused of having unlawful sexual relations with the same minor between August 1 and 31.

Brown was informed that his matter would be transferred to the Supreme Court through a voluntary bill of indictment, which is due for service on October 24.

TWO MEN EACH GRANTED $7.5K BAIL FOR LOADED GUN CHARGES

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

TWO MEN were each granted $7,500 bail after they were allegedly found with a loaded gun in their car near Soldier Road north late last month.

Magistrate Lennox Coleby charged Deon Johnson, 30, and Jamiko Roxbury, 35, with possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition. Johnson alone faced a charge of possession of dangerous drugs.

Roger Minnis represented the accused.

Johnson was allegedly found with a quantity of Indian hemp on August 25.

Police on mobile patrol

reportedly stopped the defendants in a black Ford Ranger in the area of Soldier Road north at around 12.15am on August 26.

The pair pleaded not guilty to all charges. While both accused were each granted $7,500 bail for the gun charge, Johnson’s bail was set at $2,500 for the drug charge with his sureties able to sign both.

Johnson is expected to sign in at Kemp’s Bay Police Station on the 27th of every month. He is also to report in to police any time he goes fishing at sea.

Roxbury is expected to sign in at the East Street south Police Station on Sundays by 5pm.

The trial in these matters begins on September 25.

M AN ON BAIL FOR MURDER PAYS $2,500 FOR NOT CHARGING DEVICE

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN on bail for murder was fined $2,500 after he admitted to failing to charge his monitoring device.

Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans charged DaQuannte Brown, 22, with five counts of violation of bail conditions.

Brown was on release for a pending murder charge

I tell him ‘Oh no carry your little d---’ so he got mad because people through the corner was laughing.”

The 29-year-old said before she walked into her yard a police truck drove up to the front of her yard.

Ms Perpall said the senior officer, along with his colleagues, arrested her. She explained that the situation escalated to the point where she was punched in her eye by the senior officer.

Ms Wallace said the senior police officer abused his power and believed his position would protect him.

“This started because he saw a woman he assumed

he could overpower with words and, in particular, unexpected and unwelcome words. When it did not work, he shifted to physical dominance through violence,” Ms Wallace claimed.

“We talk about genderbased violence against women because the overwhelming factor in these acts of violence is toxic masculinity,” she said. “We are failing because the Attorney General decided we needed to run away from the word ‘gender’ rather than lead the way and educate the public.”

Meanwhile, Jeffrey Butler, of Human Rights

Bahamas, criticized the alleged actions of the police officer as well, calling the incident “disgraceful.”

“We find the recent allegations of police brutality and abuse of power against a young female by a senior police officer to be egregiously disgraceful and we condemn all alleged abuses by law enforcement officials. It’s repulsive, disgusting enough to objectify and verbally assault a female for her physique (especially with the rise of sexual assaults in our nation),” Mr Butler said in a statement.

“But to also abuse your position by having a

marked police arrest this young lady because she disapproved of your sexual advances, is a blatant abuse of the RBPF and abuse of the police force resources and taxpayers money.”

Mr Butler called for an independent body to investigate alleged law enforcement allegations.

“Human Rights Bahamas calls for an independent body to be allowed to investigate all alleged law enforcement allegations, we cannot trust the police to police themselves and deliver a fair and just investigation on their own officers.”

before the Supreme Court over the fatal shooting of Carrieo Duncombe, in Fox Hill on March 25, 2021.

Brown failed to charge his court ordered monitoring device on five occasions between March 24 and April 8. After pleading guilty to the charges, Brown was ordered to pay a fine of $2,500. Should he fail to pay his debt, he would face an eight-month prison sentence.

WOMAN ADMITS TO HAVING DRUGS TOLD TO MAKE DONATION

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A WOMAN was ordered to make a charitable donation after she admitted to possession of six grams of marijuana last weekend.

Magistrate Shaka Serville charged Georgia

Sturrup, 39, with possession of dangerous drugs after her arrest on September 1 in New Providence.

The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge. Magistrate Serville ordered that Sturrup make a donation to a local charity and that she return to court for a report on September 7.

It may be time for marriage to end

I RECENTLY participated in an interactive session organised by a nongovernmental organisation for community members. The participants were a diverse group of people, including single, married, and divorced people, people in their early twenties to people in their sixties, and people of many different sexualities. They sat together, listening to a presentation on the domestic violence law in their country, then moved into small groups to talk about their experiences of domestic violence.

Every participant had experienced domestic violence or knew someone who had. The types of violence varied. We heard the story of someone who experienced economic violence, deprived of their basic needs. We heard the story of someone who experienced sexual violence perpetrated by their parents. We heard the story of domestic violence that moved into public space. People were asked to not only share their experiences, but whether or not they reported, why or why not, and the outcomes. One of the stories was of a man who tried to report domestic violence at the police station and was turned away.

The police officer told him it was not domestic violence because he “you’re a man.”

One of the stories was about a gay man who called the police when he was physically abused by his partner.

A police officer went to the house, but upon realising it was a gay couple, told them it was not domestic violence because “you’re a man,” and laughed at them. The person who called was upset by this, but not deterred, so he told the officer, “It is domestic violence. He is my partner and we live together.” The police officer still did not offer any assistance and left the residence.

No one was surprised by the responses of the police in these stories involving men. It is well known that there is a limited understanding of domestic violence. People, including police, often find it hard to accept that men can be victims of violence.

In addition to that, from the stories, we see that police officers also fail to understand that domestic violence does not only occur between one man and one woman, and that domestic relationships are not always between one man and one woman.

They do not understand or accept that relationships and households take many different forms, and all people are entitled to security of person and equal protection of the

By Alicia Wallace

law. The stories of the man who experienced violence sparked discussion about gender. What is it, and how does it impact the way we treat one another? We talked about the way the inadequate response to gender-based violence against women has helped to create this environment in which we struggle to address domestic violence and intimate partner violence against men. This, of course, goes back to gender ideology and the gender norms developed and reinforced by society. We are taught that men and boys are to be tough, and women and girls are to be soft. We are taught that men and boys are to be in charge, and women and girls are to follow instructions. We are taught that men and boys are to have limited emotions and emotional reactions, and that anger — especially anger that is loud and on display — is more appropriate than sadness or grief, and women and girls can have more emotions and emotional reactions, but are not entitled to anger.

Almost everyone at the session shared a story. Everyone expressed, in some way, that they experienced both sadness and anger. Some of them described feelings of grief and betrayal. They talked about what they knew would be expected of them. To stay. To leave. To cover it up. To suffer, both for people who were supposed to stay or supposed to leave. To overcome. To forget. To make peace. To bury their feelings.

There was a strong reaction from a religious leader participating in the session. The person spoke passionately about the pain that women go through when they are physically and sexually abused — physical and emotional pain. It was said that many continue to search for ways to make things better and reduce the harm caused to them. Eventually, many of them resign themselves to the situations — violent households that can no longer be considered homes. They go through the motions of their daily lives, from work to childcare to community events to church functions, and deny themselves the human response to pain. They have no support

from the people around them, and are hyper-focused on saving their marriages, not themselves, because they can see no way out and think they may as well have the dignity of appearing to be in a happy marriage and home. It is a double-life, it takes more than double the effort, and it is a kind of death that they experience, over and over again. They die so that the marriage, and the perception of it, can live.

It may be time for marriage to end. Time for marriage to cease to exist. It continues to be seen, in some circles and cultures, as a goal and a necessary step in life, rather than an option that has a specific set of benefits that are, in many ways, outweighed by the negative aspects. No one is selling marriage very well right now — not the government, and certainly not the (anti-rights) church. Marriage is, according to them, an automatic reduction or complete erasure of rights. Married woman? Can’t pass on your citizenship to your child unless your husband is a Bahamian or you give birth in The Bahamas, because your citizenship is weaker due to your marriage. Oh, don’t forget that these sick individuals think you give up the right to make decisions about your own body when you get married, and the person you marry has more control over it than you do. You become a sex object and you have no legal right to withhold consent, and according to the anti-rights misleaders’ interpretation of The Bible, you are required to submit without thought and regardless of feelings.

Lyall Bethel said he would “reject any law that would weaponize sex in a marriage.” Well, sex is already weaponised. That is, unless we acknowledge that there is no sex without consent, so what people are doing, legally, when they force their spouses to have “sex” is rape. Rapists and rape apologists are weaponizing widespread misinterpretation of biblical text to rob women of their bodily autonomy when they get married.

He asked, “The cries, the statements being made, what more do you want?”

We want men — especially rapists and rape

apologists — to either shut up or support the rights of women to make decisions about their own bodies and to be full human beings with access to all of our human rights, whether or not we are married. That would be an acceptable start. We want religious misleaders to disabuse themselves of the notion

that their deranged interpretation of a text they have chosen to follow and use to mislead others is an acceptable basis upon which to govern this secular State.

We want men and the misleaders they follow to stop raping people, and to stop encouraging others to rape.

We want them to be more disturbed by the death of a woman, the rape of a woman, the lost humanity of a woman than they are by the fact that women are human beings with bodily autonomy and men do not and cannot own them, married or not.

He said, “We already have something in place.”

What is in place is an exclusion. It is a law that says it is legal for a man to rape his wife. Section 15 applies only in cases where the two people are divorced or legally separated. That he considered this to be sufficient makes it clear that he denies married women their humanity.

He said, “It is feared that the social ills in our country will increase dramatically, namely less marriages, which in turn leads to destruction of the nuclear family, which was designed by God almighty for the flourishing of society.”

Rape is a social ill. Violence against women is a social ill. Misuse of scripture to support the abuse of women is particularly sick.

I look forward to less marriages. I look forward to people being able to freely leave relationships that are not happy or healthy, and that no longer work for them. I look forward to the complete rejection of the institution that the

anti-rights Christians think they own when it is regulated by the State. I look forward to the complete destruction of the fantasy of the nuclear family which is unfamiliar to many generations of Bahamians because we have always had extended families and will continue to need them as the cost of living increases and our elders need our care.

I look forward to society flourishing when we learn that we are interdependent, that parents do all of the childcare work, that money does not solve all of our problems, and that we are our greatest resource when we live in love and peace, free from violence, including the kinds of violence that some religious misleaders tell us is condoned by the men who wrote The Bible. I look forward to us finding other ways to show the world our commitment to one another in love. I look forward to new ways of sharing property and ensuring that we can, in dire circumstances, have the legal authority to make decisions on each other’s behalf in accordance with our expressed desires. I look forward to alternatives to marriage, and to generations and generations of people overwhelmingly choosing that alternative instead. I look forward to relationships where love, freedom, and safety reside without the contradiction or imposition of anyone’s favorite scripture to weaponise. I look forward to the end of marriage — the institution that far too many people value over the people in it. May this weapon, wielded against women, be destroyed.

“I look forward to the end of marriage—the institution that far too many people value over the people in it.”

NISSAN REUSING BATTERIES FROM OLD LEAF ELECTRIC VEHICLES TO MAKE PORTABLE POWER SOURCES

By YURI KAGEYAMA

AP Business Writer

YOKOHAMA, Japan

(AP) — Batteries in older Nissan Leaf electric vehicles are getting a new life as portable power sources that can be used to run gadgets on the go or deliver emergency power in disasters.

Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Co. has sold more than 650,000 Leaf EVs. Their batteries often retain a charging capacity longer than the car’s life span.

Nissan says it is using the old batteries in portable power sources it developed with electronics maker JVCKenwood Corp. and 4R Energy

Corp., a company coowned by Nissan and Sumitomo Corp. which works on ecological vehicles and power storage systems.

The 14.4-kilogramme (32-pound) power source sells for 170,500 yen ($1,170) in Japan. Overseas sales are not yet set. Each Leaf uses 48 battery modules. The portable power stations contain two modules. Nissan officials said they are testing the batteries in Leafs after their owners stop driving them, and reusing those that can still hold a charge.

EV batteries use expensive rare metals and other raw materials, and their manufacture produces carbon gases, so reusing

them for other purposes helps sustainability.

Balakumar Balasingam, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Windsor who isn’t involved in the Nissan project, said

batteries can no longer be used to drive electric cars when their charge capacity declines to about 80%, but can still be used for other purposes.

“Retired EV batteries have great potential in energy

FOUR ASTRONAUTS RETURN TO EARTH IN SPACEX CAPSULE TO WRAP UP SIX-MONTH STATION MISSION

By MARCIA DUNN AP Aerospace Writer

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP)

— Four astronauts returned to Earth early Monday after a six-month stay at the International Space Station. Their SpaceX capsule parachuted into the Atlantic off the Florida coast.

Returning were NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen and Warren “Woody” Hoburg, Russia’s Andrei Fedyaev and the United Arab Emirates’ Sultan al-Neyadi, the first person from the Arab world to spend an extended time in orbit.

(AP

storage applications,” he said.

“Without such a solution, billions of EV battery packs will be made and then prematurely recycled in the next decade. That will be a problem for sustainability.”

GREECE IS WORKING WITH ISRAEL ON AI TECHNOLOGY TO QUICKLY DETECT WILDFIRES

By MENELAOS HADJICOSTIS

Associated Press

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Greece is working with Israel on developing artificial intelligence technology that would help in early detection of dangerous wildfires, the Greek prime minister said Monday.

After talks with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides in the Cypriot capital of Nicosia, Kyriakos Mitsotakis also said that Israel could be brought into the European Union fold when it comes to civil protection initiatives to better coordinate firefighting efforts.

Israel and Cyprus are among several countries that have dispatched firefighting aircraft and crews to help battle wildfires in Greece that consumed vast tracts of forest over the last two months, including the EU’s largest such blaze on record that claimed the lives of 20 people.

Mitsotakis said Greece could act as a proving ground for Israeli AI technology in early detection of wildfires.

“We are already talking to Israel about AI-based solutions that will offer us early detection capabilities,” Said Mitsotakis.

Netanyahu said the three leaders discussed “going well beyond” dispatching firefighting aircraft and crews by deploying AI systems for early detection.

“This is really one of those areas where when we say we’ll do it better together, there’s no question that that’s the case,” Netanyahu said.

The three leaders said they delved into how to harness recent natural gas discoveries in Israeli and Cypriot waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Netanyahu said decisions on how Israel and Cyprus will export natural gas to foreign markets will have to be made within the next three to six months.

Israel and Cyprus are looking into plans for a pipeline that would convey offshore natural gas from both countries to the east Mediterranean island nation where it would be liquefied for export by ship.

“We agreed that natural gas and renewable energy is a prime pillar of cooperation in the region, especially in light of the recent geopolitical developments and

energy insecurity, especially in Europe, dictating the need for energy diversification and increase interconnectivity,” Christodoulides said.

Another project the three leaders expressed keen interest on is an undersea electricity cable stretching 2,000 kilometres (1,250 miles) that would link the power grids of Israel, Cyprus and mainland Greece.

“That’s something that we’re eagerly interested in pursuing and we discussed ... (including) the mechanism of how to advance this,” said Netanyahu.

Energy has been the focus of a series of ongoing meetings between the three leaders to deepen their countries’ ties since 2016, which Mitsotakis said reflected their importance on the political, economic and other levels.

Before departing the space station, they said they were craving hot showers, steaming cups of coffee and the ocean air since arriving in March. Their homecoming was delayed a day because of poor weather at the splashdown locations, but in the end, provided a spectacular middle-of-the-night show as the capsule streaked through the sky over Cape Canaveral toward a splashdown near Jacksonville.

The astronauts said it was incredible to be back. “You’ve got a roomful of happy people here,” SpaceX Mission Control radioed.

SpaceX launched their replacements over a week ago.

INDIA’S MOON ROVER COMPLETES ITS WALK. SCIENTISTS ANALYSING DATA LOOKING FOR SIGNS OF FROZEN WATER

By ASHOK SHARMA

Press

Associated

NEW DELHI (AP)

— India’s moon rover has completed its walk on the lunar surface and been put into sleep mode less than two weeks after its historic landing near the lunar south pole, India’s space mission said.

“The rover completes its assignments. It is now safely parked and set into sleep mode,” with daylight on that part of the moon coming to an end, the Indian Space Research Organization said in a statement late Saturday.

The rover’s payloads are turned off and the data it collected has been transmitted to the Earth via the lander, the statement said.

The Chandrayaan-3 lander and rover were expected to operate only for one lunar day, which is equal to 14 days on Earth.

“Currently, the battery is fully charged. The solar panel is oriented to receive the light at the next sunrise expected on September 22, 2023. The receiver is kept on. Hoping for a successful awakening for another set of assignments!” the statement said.

There was no word on the outcome of the rover searches for signs of frozen water on the lunar surface that could help future astronaut missions, as a potential source of drinking water or to make rocket fuel.

NISSAN’S new portable power station is displayed at Nissan headquarters in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, reusing battery stacks from the Nissan Leaf electric car. Batteries in Nissan Leaf electric cars are getting a new life as portable power sources that can be used to charge gadgets on the go, rev up guitars at outdoor concerts and deliver emergency power in disasters.

Photo/Yuri Kageyama)

A FIREFIGHTER sprays water inside a woodland during a wildfire in the suburb of Stamata, in northern Athens, Greece, Monday. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

By LETRE SWEETIN G Tribune Staff Reporter lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

WESTERN Air said it intends to file a police report after the recent circulation of claims made against the airline on social media about alleged bad practices.

The airline said that claims being made in posts on social media are “false and intended to be salacious and misleading”.

A man who claimed to work for the airline, in a now deleted Facebook post said: “It is disheartening to witness the hardships passengers endure due to this airline’s decisions.”

In the Facebook post, the man referred to several alleged incidents involving the airline, to “shed light on the realities of working at Western Air” among other things.

He claimed: “In 2018, Western Air made a regrettable decision to acquire ERJ145 aircraft. As of now, they have six of these aircraft, registered as REX, MAM, PAM, GAR, SAR, and SAW.

“Things were smooth until 2021 when these already ageing aircraft started causing problems.

In May 2021, ‘SAR’ flying from Cat Island to Nassau, experienced an engine failure due to a bleed leak.

“The emergency 7700 code was used, which alerted everyone, including those tracking the flight on platforms like FlightRadar24 or FlightAware. At its peak, Western Air had over 1,100 live users tracking the incident. Due to this, pilots are now banned from using this code. If there’s any emergency and Air Traffic Controller tells us to plug in this code, we will have to deny.”

He also referred to a flight to Bermuda, claiming that pilots had to cover fines that should have been the airline’s responsibility, although the post did not produce evidence to support the allegation.

“It’s worth noting that none of Western Air’s aircraft are ETOPs (Extended Twin-Engine Operations or Extended Operations) certified, to ensure the engine passes the standards set, especially to allow the aircraft to land to the nearest airport in an emergency,” the post claimed.

Various other claims have also been circulated bashing the airline’s operations and system.

However, the airline hit back at the claims, saying: “As for the post, while we feel an unsourced social media post with no name or face, should not warrant a response, we must assure the public the contents of which are untrue.”

The airline added: “There were no internal or external suspension of pilots or fines paid by pilots, nor were there failures over Freeport. A maintenance issue in Cat Island was resolved with a pre-planned procedure, not an engine failure.

“Further, a captain serves as a ‘pilot in command’, meaning they have full autonomy over the decision making of their flight and their safety.”

The airline described one claim as “beyond

Former GG Smith well received on his return to Grand Bahama

outlandish to those familiar with the aircraft especially our pilots, based merely on the performance specifications of the aircraft,” adding: “Please note, maintenance is a normal and necessary function of any airline operations and and safety remains our priority and an ongoing commitment. While we are unclear of the motive of these actions, we hired a private cyber security firm to assist in identifying the persons associated with the accounts. We intend to file a report with the police as we gather additional information.”

The airline also said that efforts had been made to access its social media accounts, saying: “Our systems are protected and these individuals were not successful in hacking our social media accounts, though there were attempts made last week.

“We were also notified of reports made to an agency the week prior. Reports of which were investigated and shown to be false. We believe these multiple events of false reporting are from the same actor(s),” Western Air said.

The airline’s statements come months after two separate incidents, in which the airline has been involved.

On February 15, a Western Air flight had to make an emergency return shortly after takeoff from Lynden Pindling International Airport, after the pilot observed that the landing gear had not fully retracted.

The incident happened around 7 o’clock that morning on Western Air’s flight 701, which was scheduled to land in Freeport, Grand Bahama. Thirty-two passengers and a flight crew of three successfully landed without further incident and no reported injuries.

One of the passengers on board the aircraft was Kwasi Thompson, East Grand Bahama MP.

In an interview with this newspaper, Mr Thompson said he was grateful to have been kept safe despite what transpired.

Months earlier, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis travelled to Bermuda with a delegation, including former Prime Minister Perry Christie, on October 19, 2022, and returned on October 20, 2022 to attend the Progressive Labour Party’s 57th Annual Delegates Conference. Claims were made online that a Western Air flight was grounded when it arrived in Bermuda.

However, Western Air denied that the airline at any time grounded the plane or were denied entry, adding that statements that implied this are completely false.

At the time, commu nications director in the Office of the Prime Minis ter Latrae Rahming said: “There was a short period where the aircraft was grounded, but that was an operational matter by West ern Air.”

When contacted by The Tribune yesterday, Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Min ister of Aviation, Tourism and Investments, directed reporters to the Civil Avia tion Authority.

BY DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune StaffReporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

Former Governor General Sir CA Smith, and his wife, Lady Clara, received a warm welcome upon their arrival at Grand Bahama International Airport on Tuesday evening.

The Bahamasair flight from New Providence landed shortly after 5.15pm. After emerging from the aircraft to light rain showers, they were greeted on the tarmac by Assistant Commissioner of Police BK Bonamy, Jr, and an entourage of family, close friends, and party supporters.

Mr Smith, who served as head of state for four years, demitted office on September 1.

A large turnout of Bahamians gathered at the

airport for his return to Grand Bahama. People hugged them, cheered and applauded as they got off the vehicle.

“I am honoured by the outpouring of support,” said Mr Smith. “I have been away from Grand Bahama for four years and it’s really good to be back,” he said.

“It’s been four years that I have been away, and I thought I used it for the benefit of the country. I did all that I could do to serve, and now that I am just a commoner, I will continue to serve because there is no other purpose in life for any of us, but to serve others.”

Mr Smith has given many years of service to the country as an educator, Customs officer, cabinet minister, ambassador, and Governor General.

He encouraged Bahamians to also give service to their country and to others by helping wherever they can.

Asked whether he has any advice for Cynthia ‘Mother’ Pratt, the new Governor General, said: “Mother Pratt has provided outstanding distinguished service in the past. She is experienced, knowledgeable, and she has a heart for people. And I expect that ‘Mother Pratt’ will do a wonderful job on behalf of the Bahamian people.”

Now that Mr Smith is home, he hopes to take a long-earned rest that he needs, do some travelling, play dominoes, and go fishing with his wife, Clara.

“There are some students of dominoes, I just want them to know that the professor is back,” he said.

East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson said Mr Smith has presented himself as a true example of public service.

“I followed him as the MP for Pineridge; he has been an exemplary Cabinet minister, MP, and he has made us proud by being an exemplary Governor General.

“I am extremely proud to have one of my favourite constituents back home. He is from East Grand Bahama, and so we are very grateful he is back home,” said Mr Thompson.

Jasmine Turner-Dareus said Mr Smith served a successful term as Governor-General. “He has done well, and we are happy to have him back home, and we are looking forward to his continuing service and contributions he will make to GB at large,” she said.

A SCHOOL has hailed the success of students who used a platform powered by artificial intelligence.

King’s College School said it had recorded “a 9.2 percentage point increase in academic performance” by students who used the platform last term.

The programme, Inspired AI, is used by students in the pilot programme from years four, five and six. The school is part of the Inspired Education Group.

Principal Matteo Rossetti said: “At King’s College Bahamas, we believe in nurturing each student’s journey and fostering a genuine love for learning. Inspired AI aligns seamlessly with this vision by offering tailored pathways that empower our educators to create meaningful, transformative experiences.”

In a statement, the school said the platform offers “custom learning paths” for classwork and homework

and it “identifies strengths and weaknesses, tailoring exercises across subjects like English, maths and science”.

The school said that it yielded performance boosts in biology (10.6 percentage points) and chemistry (9.4 percentage points) in an international study.

Student Sophie Brueckner, who took part in the pilot, said: “Inspired AI has become one of my favourite learning apps and it has helped me become a more

independent learner. I used it a couple of times per week, especially as preparation for my assessments. It covers everything we learn in school, so it is very convenient to help me review and it helped me focus on the things I struggled on.”

Teacher Bethany Saddinton said: “Witnessing higher grades in math and experiencing the efficiency of setting differentiated assignments has been a game-changer.”

King’s College School’s use of AI leads to over nine percent rise in academic performance

CHINA Construction America has donated essential items and furniture to the Bahamas Red Cross and the Ministry of Education. In a statement, CCA said: “By providing items and furniture, we aim to facilitate the work of these esteemed organisations and further their reach in assisting the Bahamian community.”

FREE National Movement leader Michael Pintard and a contigent of supporters greets former Governor General Corneliu A Smith at the airport in Grand Bahama as he arrives home.

Photos: Vandyke Hepburn

Congress returns hoping to avoid a govt shutdown while the GOP weighs an impeachment inquiry

WASHINGTON

Associated Press

After months of struggling to find agreement on just about anything in a divided Congress, lawmakers are returning to Capitol Hill to try to avert a government shutdown, even as House Republicans consider whether to press forward with an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.

A short-term funding measure to keep government offices fully functioning will dominate the September agenda, along with emergency funding for Ukraine, federal disaster funds and the Republican-driven probe into Hunter Biden’s overseas business dealings.

Time is running short for Congress to act. The House is scheduled to meet for just 11 days before the government’s fiscal year ends on Sept. 30, leaving little room to maneuver. And the dealmaking will play out as two top Republicans, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana, deal with health issues.

The president and congressional leaders, including Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, are focused on passage of a months-long funding measure, known as a continuing resolution, to keep government offices running while lawmakers iron out a budget. It’s a step Congress routinely takes to avoid stoppages, but McCarthy faces resistance from within his own Republican ranks, including from some hardline conservatives who openly embrace the idea of a government shutdown.

“Honestly, it’s a pretty big mess,” McConnell said at an event in Kentucky last week.

Here are the top issues as lawmakers return from the August break:

When Biden and McCarthy struck a deal to suspend the nation’s debt ceiling in June, it included provisions for topline spending numbers. But under pressure from the House Freedom Caucus, House Republicans have advanced spending bills that cut below that agreement.

Republicans have also tried to load their spending packages with conservative policy wins. For example, House Republicans added provisions blocking abortion coverage, transgender care and diversity initiatives to a

July defense package, turning what has traditionally been a bipartisan effort into a sharply contested bill.

But Democrats control the Senate and are certain to reject most of the conservative proposals. Senators are crafting their spending bills on a bipartisan basis with an eye toward avoiding unrelated policy fights.

Top lawmakers in both chambers are now turning to a stopgap funding package, a typical strategy to give the lawmakers time to iron out a long-term agreement.

The House Freedom Caucus has already released a list of demands it wants included in the continuing resolution. But they amount to a right-wing wish list that would never fly in the Senate.

The conservative opposition means McCarthy will almost certainly have to win significant Democratic support to pass a funding bill — but such an approach risks a new round of conflict with the same conservatives who in the past have threatened to oust him from the speakership.

“The last thing the American people deserve is for extreme House members to trigger a government shutdown that hurts our economy, undermines our disaster preparedness, and forces our troops to work without guaranteed pay,” said White House spokesman Andrew Bates.

In a letter to his colleagues Friday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote that the focus when the Senate returns Tuesday will be “funding the government and preventing House Republican extremists from forcing a government shutdown.”

It leaves McCarthy desperate to get the votes to keep government offices running and avoid the political blowback. As he tries to persuade Republicans to go along with a temporary fix, McCarthy has been arguing that a government shutdown would also halt Republican investigations into the Biden administration.

“If we shut down, all of government shuts it down — investigations and everything else — it hurts the American public,” the speaker said on Fox News last week.

Since they gained the House majority, Republicans have launched a series of investigations into the

Biden administration, with an eye towards impeaching the president or his Cabinet officials. They have now zeroed in on the president’s son, Hunter Biden, and his overseas business dealings, including with Ukrainian gas company Burisma.

The inquiries have not produced evidence that President Biden took official action on behalf of his son or business partners, but McCarthy has called impeachment a “natural step forward” for the investigations.

An impeachment inquiry by the House would be a first step toward bringing articles of impeachment. It is not yet clear what that may look like, especially because the speaker does not appear to have the GOP votes lined up to support an impeachment inquiry. Moderate Republicans have so far balked at sending the House on a fullfledged impeachment hunt.

But Donald Trump, running once again to challenge Biden, is prodding them to move ahead quickly.

“I don’t know how actually how a Republican could not do it,” Trump said in an interview on Real America’s Voice. “I think a Republican would be primaried and lose immediately, no matter what

KIM JONG UN AND PU TIN MAY MEET.

SEOUL

Associated Press

NORTH Korean leader Kim Jong Un may travel to Russia for a summit with President Vladimir Putin, a U.S. official said, in a trip that would underscore deepening cooperation as the two isolated leaders are locked in separate confrontations with the U.S.

U.S. officials also said that Russia is seeking to buy ammunition from North Korea to refill reserves drained by its war in Ukraine. In return, experts said, North Korea will likely want food and energy shipments and transfers of sophisticated weapons technologies.

A meeting with Putin would be Kim’s first summit with a foreign leader since North Korea closed its borders in January 2020. They met for the first time i n April 2019, two months after Kim’s highstakes nuclear diplomacy with then-U.S. President Donald Trump collapsed.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu traveled to Pyongyang in July and asked Kim to send more ammunition to Russia, according to U.S. officials. Shoigu said Moscow and Pyongyang were considering holding military exercises for the first time.

It’s unclear how far Kim and Putin’s military cooperation could go, but any sign of warming relations will worry rivals like the U.S. and South Korea. Russia seeks to quash a Ukrainian

counteroffensive and prolong the war, while North Korea is extending a record pace of missile tests to protest U.S. moves to reinforce its military alliances with South Korea and Japan.

Here’s a look at what Kim’s possible trip to Russia would mean:

Since last year, U.S. officials have suspected that North Korea is providing Russia with artillery shells, rockets and other ammunition, many of which are likely copies of Soviet-era munitions.

“Russia is in urgent need of (war supplies). If not, how could the defense minister of a powerful country at war come to a small country like North Korea?” said Kim Taewoo, former head of Seoul’s Korea Institute for National Unification. He said Shoigu was the first Russian defense minister to visit North Korea since the 1991 disintegration of the Soviet Union.

Buying munitions from North Korea would be a violation of U.N. resolutions, supported by Russia, that ban all arms trade with the isolated country. But now that it faces international sanctions and export controls over its war in Ukraine, Russia has been seeking weapons from other sanctioned countries like North Korea and Iran.

North Korea has vast stores of munitions, but Du Hyeogn Cha, an analyst at Seoul’s Asan Institute for Policy Studies, doubted whether it could swiftly

district you’re in.”

The White House has requested more than $40 billion in emergency funding, including $13 billion in military aid for Ukraine, $8 billion in humanitarian support for the nation and $12 billion to replenish U.S. federal disaster funds at home.

The request for the massive cash infusion comes as Kyiv launches a counteroffensive against the Russian invasion. But support for Ukraine is waning among Republicans, especially as Trump has repeatedly expressed skepticism of the war.

Nearly 70 Republicans voted for an unsuccessful effort to discontinue military aid to Ukraine in July, though strong support for the war effort remains among many members.

It is also not clear whether the White House’s supplemental request for U.S. disaster funding, which also includes funds to bolster enforcement and curb drug trafficking at the southern U.S. border, will be tied to the Ukraine funding or a continuing budget resolution. The disaster funding enjoys wide support in the House, but could be tripped up if packaged with other funding proposals.

The Senate is expected to spend most of September focused on funding the government and confirming Biden’s nominees, meaning that major policy legislation will have to wait. But Schumer outlined some priorities for the remaining months of the year in the letter to his colleagues.

Schumer said the Senate would work on legislation to lower the costs of drugs, address rail safety and provide disaster relief after floods in Vermont, fires in Hawaii and a hurricane in Florida.

Senators will also continue to examine whether legislation is needed to address artificial intelligence. Schumer has convened what he is calling an “AI insight forum” on Sept. 13 in the Senate with tech industry leaders, including Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk, the CEO of X and Tesla, as well as former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates.

Senate Republicans will return next week to renewed questions about the health of their leader, McConnell.

McConnell, 81, faces questions about his ability to continue as the top Senate Republican after he has frozen up twice during

news conferences in the last two months since falling and suffering a concussion in March. During the event in Kentucky last week, he fell silent for roughly 30 seconds as he answered a question from a reporter.

Dr. Brian Monahan, the Capitol’s attending physician, said Thursday that McConnell is cleared to work. But the question of whether McConnell — the longest-serving party leader in Senate history — can continue as Republican leader has sparked intense speculation about who will eventually replace him.

Meanwhile, the health of California Democrat Sen. Dianne Feinstein, 90, has visibly wavered in recent months after she was hospitalized for shingles earlier this year. She suffered a fall at her San Francisco home in August and visited the hospital for testing.

And in the House, Rep. Steve Scalise, the No. 2 Republican, disclosed last week that he has been diagnosed with a form of blood cancer known as multiple myeloma and is undergoing treatment. Scalise, 57, said he will continue to serve and described the cancer as “very treatable.”

WHAT DO THEY NEED FROM EACH OTHER?

send significant amounts to Russia, because the narrow land link between the countries can handle only a limited amount of rail traffic.

Kim’s priorities would be aid shipments, prestige and military technology, experts said.

“It would be a ‘winwin’ deal for both, as Putin is cornered over his exhausted weapons inventory while Kim faces pressure from the South Korea-U.S.-Japan trilateral cooperation,” said Nam Sung-wook, a former director of the Institute for National Security Strategy, a think tank run by South Korea’s spy agency. “Their needs are matched perfectly now.”

Pandemic-era border closures have left North Korea with severe economic difficulties, and Kim is likely to seek supplies of food and energy to address shortfalls.

Kim will likely also trumpet expanding relations with Moscow as a sign that the country is overcoming its years of isolation. North Korean leaders have long valued face-to-face meetings with world leaders as signs of international importance and for domestic propaganda purposes.

Kim is likely also seeking Russian technology to support his plans to build high-tech weapons systems such as powerful long-range missiles, hypersonic ballistic weapons, nuclear-powered submarines and spy satellites, said Hong Min, an

analyst at Seoul’s Korea Institute for National Unification.

It’s unclear whether Russia would be willing to provide North Korea with advanced technologies related to nuclear weapons and ICBMs, Cha said.

Russia has always tightly guarded its most important weapons technologies, even from key partners like China, he said.

Shoigu told reporters Monday that Russia and North Korea were pondering the possibility of bilateral military exercise. Earlier, South Korea’s spy agency told lawmakers that Shoigu appeared to have proposed a trilateral

training exercise involving China.

Either way, it would be the North’s first joint military drills with a foreign country since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. The country has avoided training with a foreign military in line with its official “juche,” or “selfreliance,” philosophy.

Kim Taewoo, the former institute director, said expanding South Korea-U.S.-Japan security cooperation could prompt Kim Jong Un to break that taboo and hold drills with Russia and China for the first time.

But Nam, who is now a professor at Korea University, said North Korea won’t

likely accept the offer, as it could leave North Korea even more dependent on China and Russia.

Park Won Gon, a professor at Seoul’s Ewha Womans University, said it’s too early to predict what Kim’s diplomacy could yield beyond making a show of defiance toward the United States.

“In any case, North Korea and Russia need to show that they’re working together, that they’re stepping up this cooperation,” Park said. “There clearly are practical areas of cooperation, and also some symbolic aspects they want to show to the United States.”

THE US Capitol is seen yesterday on Capitol Hill in Washington. Congress is returning to Capitol Hill to try to avert a government shutdown, while House Republicans also consider whether to press forward on an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.

Photo: Mariam Zuhaib/AP

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin, right, and North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un shake hands during their meeting in Vladivostok, Russia on April 25, 2019. Kim may travel to Russia for a summit with Putin, a US official said, in a trip would underscore deepening cooperation as the two leaders are locked in separate confrontations with the US.

Photo: Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2023

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@ tribunemedia.net

SOFTBALL 242 is bringing some of the women’s teams in the region to compete in the One Caribbean Invitational Women Fast-Pitch Softball Tournament.

Softball 242, composed of some veteran former softball executives in the country, will host the tournament from October 5-8 at the Bankers Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex with four visiting teams and two local teams competing.

Teams

Thomas Sears, the organiser, revealed that the New Providence Softball Association’s perennial champions Sunshine Auto Wildcats, managed by Anthony Bullard, and the Unity Bahamas, managed by Shane Albury, are the two local teams participating.

The BVI Aces from the British Virgin Islands; the US Virgin Islands team and the Club Fusion and the Warriors Queens from Jamaica will make up the field of teams coming in.

“This is all in an effort to unite softball or use softball as a tool to unite the region,” Sears said.

“Softball is just one of those sports that can unify the region, so we’re coining it Softball in Paradise.”

The tournament is being sanctioned by the Bahamas Softball Federation (BSF), the English Caribbean Amateur Softball Confederation (ECASC) and the World Baseball/ Softball Confederation Americas (WBSC) and will be played under the World Baseball/ Softball Confederation standards with a round robin format that will result in the top four seeds playing in a seed championship round.

Awards

All participants, according to Sears, will receive commemorative awards and the top three teams will also receive gold, silver and bronze medals in addition to team trophies.

“The fans can see softball at another level,” Sears said. “The US Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands are among the leaders in the region when it comes to softball.”

Assisting Sears are Burkett Dorsett, the local technical director; Sharon ‘the General’ Storr, Ted Miller, Rozina Taylor, Athama Bowe and Godfrey Burnside.

Sears, a WBSC certified official, said the plan is to incorporate both local and international umpires to ensure that the games are successfully staged.

Sports minister looks forward

MARIO BOWLEG PLEASED WITH TENURE SO FAR, BUT STILL MORE TO BE DONE

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sp orts Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

MINISTER of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg likes the direction sports is heading in the country, but he admitted that there’s still some more work for the federations and associations to do to get it to where it should be.

Mr Bowleg’s comments came in the aftermath of Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis’ Cabinet shuffle on Sunday. Mr Bowleg, however, was one of the ministers who remained in the same office since the Progressive Liberal Party was elected in 2021.

With a vote of confidence from Mr Davis in what he’s done so far, Mr Bowleg said he’s been given the mandate to continue what he started and he’s looking forward to the last half of their term in office.

“The whole idea is to ensure our administration puts ourselves in a position to fulfill the promises that we made to the Bahamian people,” Mr Bowleg said. “He wants to make sure that every member is carrying out their mandate so that we can ensure that the promises we made are carried out.”

Looking back at his tenure so far in office, Mr Bowleg said he’s pleased with what his ministry has accomplished, but he pointed out that there’s still a lot more to be done.

“We have the return of the World Relays coming up next year and so we want to make this the greatest one ever held,” said Mr Bowleg of the sixth edition of the global event that was first held here in 2014, 2015 and 2017 before it was moved to Yokohama, Japan in 2019 and last staged in Chorzow, Poland in 2021.

“We know that all of the countries affiliated with World Athletics are expected to come down here because this is a qualifier for relay teams for the Olympic Games in Paris,

France. So we want to make sure that we do what is necessary to pull it off.”

Additionally, Mr Bowleg said Bahamas Aquatics will be hosting the CARIFTA Swimming Championships over the Easter holiday weekend with the view of clinching their sixth straight title.

As they’re doing now with the repairs to the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium in preparation for the World Relays, Mr Bowleg said they are also doing some renovations to the Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex for CARIFTA.

Off the playing arena, Mr Bowleg said his ministry is finalising plans to pass the Youth Policy as well as update the Sports Policy, which are on the books, but need to be revisited to provide a more vibrant programme in the country.

Mr Bowleg, the immediate past president of the Bahamas Basketball Federation, took the time out to congratulate Eugene Horton, who was returned as president with a full fouryear mandate after taking

over the last two years of Bowleg’s term in office.

“I think they have done a tremendous job over the past few years in taking the federation to the level where it is right now,” said Mr Bowleg, who was on hand to watch as the men’s national basketball team advanced out of the PreQualifying Tournament in August in Argentina to the Qualifying Tournament in July for the 2024 Olympic Games.

“I hope that they can

continue that upward progress in moving basketball to the next level.”

However, Mr Bowleg said there are some federations and associations which still have some fine tuning to do to get their sporting disciplines to where it should be in the country.

“We are expected to have a Sports Conclave before the end of the year,” said Mr Bowleg, who noted that Director of Sports Kelsie Johnson-Sills

is working on the details.

“We want to be able to give the various sporting federations and associations the necessary tools and skill sets to be able to manage as a business so that we can see the improvements from the grassroots to the elite level.”

Without getting into their affairs, Mr Bowleg said he would like to see all federations and associations review their constitutions to make sure that they are covering all of the areas that they need to be successful.

“There are some things that these sporting bodies should have changed a long time ago, but we will make sure that when we meet with them, they all do what they have to, to be able to come on line with each other,” he insisted.

“We want them to control their own destiny, but there is still some work that they all have to do and as the entity in the country to help facilitate that, we will provide the means to assist in whatever way we can.”

There’s a lot of work to be done, but Mr Bowleg said he and his ministry are up to the task in getting the job done. He just encouraged all sporting bodies to join them on the ride to the finish line.

VAREL DAVIS SEEKS RE-ELECTION AS GSSSA PRESIDENT

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

VAREL DAVIS has served as president of the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association (GSSSA) since 2015 and is now seeking another two-year term at Thursday’s elections. The former senior women’s national basketball team point guard will run for her fifth consecutive term and members will make their decisions at CH Reeves Junior High School tomorrow at 4pm. Davis and her executive team are hoping to continue with the strides they made for 30th year of GSSSA sports as the respective disciplines made their returns from hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although Davis is in the running once again for president she acknowledged that the position

comes with sacrifices to get the job done.

“I always believe that your work speaks for you,” she said. “This is my tenth year going in to be reelected as GSSSA president and everyone knows that this job is not easy and requires a lot of work, late nights and evenings.”

Despite the endless sacrifices, Davis is motivated by her love for the children and their sporting successes.

“It is a lot and does get tiresome but the reason why I am still a part of this is because of the children

and because someone did it for me.

I want these children to succeed in whatever they do in sports,” she said.

The presidential candidate not only served as GSSSA president for years but also as a physical education teacher at CH Reeves.

With most sports making their return this year, Davis is excited for the possibilities of the 30th year, if re-elected.

“We do have plans for the 30th year of the GSSSA that I want to see happen but I do have a good team that will be along with me and hopefully the members will be the ones to decide whether we go back in but I am excited for this year,” she said.

Davis was passionate as she talked about how it felt to see GSSSA sports make a comeback in the latter part of 2022 and earlier this year.

“After that pandemic year I saw how great our season was in terms of all our sports since we started in September, just to see the kids participating and coming back was heartwarming,” she said.

Although she had some minor concerns about what competition and coaching would be like ahead of last year’s sporting events, she believes it went well and the kids were excited to be back.

Ultimately, Davis is looking forward to another successful and promising sporting year.

The physical education teacher first started her reign as GSSSA president in 2015 taking over from the past president Kevin “KJ” Johnson.

She is only the second woman to serve as president, with the first being Edna Forbes.

MINISTER of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg.

THE BAHAMAS men’s national basketball team pulled off a hard fought 82-75 win over Argentina to win the FIBA Americas Olympic Pre-Qualifying Tournament title, earning their berth in the 2024 Olympic Games Qualifying Tournament. Mr Bowleg praised the Bahamas Basketball Federation.

ONE CARIBBEAN INVITATIONAL WOMEN FAST-PITCH SOFTBALL EVENT COMING TO NASSAU

MINGOES START CROSS COUNTRY SEASON WITH STRONG SHOWING AT TOP MEET

BOCA RATON,

FLORIDA - The University of The Bahamas cross country teams turned in respectable performances against a slew of powerhouse schools to start their seasons.

Lhevinne Joseph turned in the best performance across the teams at The Florida Atlantic University Invitational Cross Country over the weekend. He finished 84th out of 137 competitors in the men’s division with a time of 18 minutes 35.9 seconds in the 5km event.

“I wanted to get out there in the first half and cruise and come home strong which I did,” Joseph said. “What I learned last season in cross country was the more relaxed and controlled I keep my pace the faster I am able to finish. That was exactly what I did. I planned to go out and steadily pass runners one by one and that’s exactly what I did.”

Jackson Ozias finished 90th in 18:43.2. Dennis Williamson who lead the team for the first half of the 5km run took 95th spot in 18:56.9. Kenold Jean finished 98th in 19.06.2 and Donya Roberts, known more for the 400m event, took 129th spot in 22.16.4.

The team amassed 419 points to finish 15th out of 18 teams. The top

seven runners from each team receive a score but only the top five placements count toward the team performance. In cross country, the lower the score the better the performance. Both teams competed in the 5k.

“I think we did well overall competing against some strong division one schools,” head coach Ednal Rolle said.

“Both teams held their own. Cross country is all about team and you have to have a strong team because you are only as strong as your weakest link. Finding five solid long distance in The Baha mas is very difficult.”

On the women’s side, Lakeicia Lewis had the best performance for UB as she finished 152nd out of 178 competitors with a 25:54.8 performance.

Fridline Augustine took 169th spot in 28:46.9 ; Kaiya Cambridge took 169th spot in 30.35.2; Ken dera Munroe was 172nd in 31:12.4 and Sienna Mackey took 173rd spot in 32:16.4. The women’s team amassed 538 points to finish 18th. Both teams next compete 6 p.m. Sep tember 15, at The Keiser University Flagship Invita tional.

(Photos: UB Athletics)

LHEVINNE Joseph (384)

LAKEICIA Lewis (390)

FRIDLINE Augustine (388)

JACKSON Ozias (385)

FRIDLINE Augustine (388) and Lakeicia Lewis (390).

KENDERA Munroe (392) and Sienna Mackey (391).

KENOLD Jean (383)

DONYA Roberts (386)

KAIYA Cambridge (389)

DENNIS Williamson (387)

BREANNA STEWART SETS THE WNBA SINGLE-SEASON SCORING RECORD, LIBERTY EDGE THE WINGS 94-93

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Breanna Stewart scored 40 points to set the WNBA’s single-season scoring record and the New York Liberty held off the Dallas Wings 94-93 on Tuesday night for their seventh straight victory.

New York (31-7) moved within a game of first-place Las Vegas (32-6) — with home games against Los Angeles and Washington remaining. The Aces close the season with a homeand-home series against Phoenix.

Stewart became the all-time leader with 861 points after her 15th point of the night. She reached 40-plus points for the fourth time this season and she also had 10 rebounds. She finished the game with 885 — 25 more than Diana Taurasi’s mark set in 2006.

Taurasi did it in only 34 games while it’s taken Stewart 38.

Dallas (20-18) was seeking to clinch the No. 4 seed with a victory.

Stewart was fouled on a jumper with 42.3 seconds left and Dallas challenged the call, but it was unsuccessful. Stewart made the first free throw to break a tie at 93-all and she secured an offensive rebound after missing the second free throw.

New York forward Betnijah Laney nearly banked in a jumper but it rolled out and Dallas headed the other way with about 25 seconds left. Satou Sabally had a good look in the lane but her shot hit hard off the backboard and Stewart grabbed another rebound to seal it.

Laney scored 22 points and Courtney Vandersloot had 16 points and 10 assists for New York. Sabrina Ionescu was limited to just five points in 25 minutes. Vandersloot reached 300 assists on the season, equaling her career-high set in 2019.

Sabally finished with 27 points for Dallas.

Arike Ogunbowale added 19 points and Natasha Howard had 14 points and 10 rebounds.

IT’S SO HOT THAT THE US OPEN ADOPTED A NEW POLICY TO PARTIALLY CLOSE ARENA ROOFS

By HOWARD FENDRICH

AP Tennis Writer

NEW YORK (AP) —

It got so hot and humid at the U.S. Open on Tuesday that the folks in charge adopted a new policy for the rest of this year’s tournament: They will partially shut the Arthur Ashe Stadium roof in extreme conditions to offer some extra shade.

The temperature climbed above 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 Celsius) and the humidity topped 50% on Tuesday, making it the steamiest day of the two-week Grand Slam tournament in Flushing Meadows.

The change to the roof policy was made during Coco Gauff’s 6-0, 6-2 victory over Jelena Ostapenko, when the conditions crossed a threshold for protecting players in the heat, but that match was over too quickly to adjust the retractable cover, tournament referee Jake Garner told The Associated Press.

The new policy is “in the best interest of fans and players,” Garner said.

An Associated Press analysis showed the average high temperatures felt during the U.S. Open and the three other major tennis tournaments steadily have gotten higher and more dangerous in recent decades, reflecting the climate change that created record heat waves around the globe this summer. For athletes, it can keep them from playing their best and, worse, increases the likelihood of heat-related illness.

Reloaded Baseball prepares to host second invitational

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

AFTER celebrating their oneyear anniversary this summer, the Reloaded Baseball programme is preparing to host their second baseball invitational. The baseball action is set to get underway from October 6-9 at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex. The three-day invitational will feature competition from the Coach Pitch to 14-and under (14U) division. Young athletes from the capital will be joined by players from Eleuthera, Grand Bahama, Abaco, Andros, Exuma, Long Island, Bimini along with international teams from the USA.

Peron Burnside, president of the Reloaded Baseball programme, has been adamant about

the development of the Reloaded players in efforts to improve their skills to international standards and believes this invitational will be a continuation of the progress made.

“We are continuing our pursuit of development to international standards for all Bahamian kids, even the ones who may not have had this opportunity afforded to them,” Burnside said.

Coming off the heels of the programme’s “Bat 2 Base-ics” baseball and softball camp this summer and their inaugural invitational in April, the president is excited to host another one six months later.

“As we have only completed our first year in existence it has been exciting to watch the kids in Reloaded develop and advance,” he said.

He added that the programme

never stops baseball and now with the collaboration alongside International Sports Academy (i-Elite) they have taken development to another level for the kids.

The Reloaded Baseball Invitational is open to not only teams that play in New Providence but also Family Island teams that want to register.

Baseball teams interested in the upcoming three-day event are asked to reach out via the website www. reloadedbaseball242.com or contact 826-7298 for more information.

Following the programme’s camp in August, the Reloaded players will receive the opportunity to partake in Miami Marlins’ Jazz Chisholm Jr Little League set for September 23. The developmental league will be headed by Geron Sands and Albert Cartwright of I-Elite.

Additionally, Reloaded Baseball are already planning their next events which include a pitching and catchers camp hosted by international coaches.

Also, in the winter season they will host a “Stay at Home” baseball event where international teams will play competitive games against local teams as well as engage in training.

“Reloaded will not be deterred in its pursuit to develop our kids to international standards and walk them into scholarships and possibly further,” he said. The second edition of the Reloaded Invitational will be priced at $10 for the general public. The programme offers a special thanks to the National Sports Authority for playing an integral role in its developmental journey.

Novak Djokovic beats Taylor Fritz at US Open to reach his record 47th Grand Slam semifinal

By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer

NEW YORK (AP) —

Novak Djokovic reached his record 47th Grand Slam semifinal, breaking a tie with Roger Federer for the most by a man, by defeating Taylor Fritz 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 at the U.S. Open on a steamy Tuesday.

Djokovic improved to 13-0 for his career in quarterfinals at Flushing Meadows — and to 8-0 against Fritz, an American who was seeded No. 9.

The match was played with the Arthur Ashe Stadium retractable roof partially shut, which offered shade both for spectators and the two competitors on an afternoon when the temperature topped 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 Celsius) and the humidity was above 55%.

On the changeovers, the players sought solace, either by removing a shirt for a bit or wrapping icestuffed towels around their necks or pouring water overhead.

Both Djokovic, a 36-yearold from Serbia, and Fritz, a 25-year-old from California, had some trouble on the most sweltering day of the tournament so far.

But while Djokovic eventually got his shots straightened out, Fritz’s miscues just kept on coming.

Fritz had 19 unforced errors and just four winners in the first set, and while he did start to put more balls in the court as the match wore on, he was unable to find the mark consistently enough. By the end, Fritz had 51 unforced errors, nearly twice as many as Djokovic’s 26.

On Friday, Djokovic will take on another American — either No. 10 Frances Tiafoe or unseeded Ben Shelton, who were scheduled to meet each other

Tuesday night.

It was the first time since 2005 that three U.S. men made it to the quarterfinals in New York.

Fritz heard a ton of support from the partisan Ashe fans, especially as he was trying to get back into the match against Djokovic, who dispensed with 10 of the 12 break points he faced.

There was only one moment when Djokovic appeared rattled, yelling and pumping his fists while looking into the stands on successive points. One particular spectator called out during a point, a no-no in tennis.

“He was actually in the box where some of my friends were. I don’t know who the guy was but, yeah, I was pretty annoyed by him at that point,” Djokovic said.

“I was communicating with my friends to have a little chat with him.”

NOVAK DJOKOVIC, of Serbia, reacts during a match against Taylor Fritz, of the United States, during the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Tuesday, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

TAYLOR FRITZ, of the United States, reacts during a match against Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, during the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Tuesday. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

NOVAK DJOKOVIC, of Serbia, returns a shot at the net to Taylor

CJ CUP GOES TO A 5TH COURSE IN 5 YEARS. THIS TIME IT STAYS IN DALLAS AS BYRON NELSON SPONSOR

GOLF

By DOUG FERGUSON

AP Golf Writer

SOUTH Korea-based CJ Group will have its fifth straight PGA Tour event in a different city, only this time it’s staying put as the title sponsor of the Byron Nelson in the Dallas area.

The PGA Tour on Tuesday announced a long-term agreement for what now will be called The CJ Cup Byron Nelson. The South Korean global lifestyle company is taking over as title sponsor for AT&T, which had been the sponsor since 2015.

The CJ Cup Byron Nelson will be May 2-5 at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas. It will be the third “swing” event that will provide five spots into a $20 million signature event the following week at Quail Hollow.

That leaves Japan and the Zozo Championship in October as the only tournament remaining from the fall Asia swing. It previously included the CJ Cup of South Korea, the Zozo Championship and the HSBC Champions in Shanghai.

That changed in 2020 because of the COVID19 pandemic. The CJ Cup moved to Shadow Creek in Las Vegas in 2020 and the following year was held at The Summit in Las Vegas. And then in 2022, the CJ Cup moved to Congaree in South Carolina. Rory McIlroy is the two-time defending champion.

The defending champion of the Byron Nelson is Jason Day.

The Salesmanship Club of Dallas has run the Byron Nelson since 1968 and generated more than $185 million for charity. All proceeds benefit the Momentous Institute, which the Salesmanship Club has operated since 1920. It provides mental health services, education and professional training to children and families.

HARRINGTON

HOPES

The Irish Open has moved from early July a year ago to early September, which ultimately has deprived the PGA Tour Champions event in St. Louis of its defending champion. Padraig Harrington wasn’t about to miss his national open.

But it’s not just the Irish Open that appeals to Harrington. This will be his seventh European tour event this year, and the Irishman is trying to find a comfort level that will lead to victory.

That’s a goal for the 52-year-old Harrington. He wants to be the oldest winner.

“There’s not a lot I could do in golf that would change my ceiling,” he said Tuesday from The K Club. “Like if I turned up in a major and finished fifth, wouldn’t even register. It’s great, but in the scheme of what I’ve done, it’s irrelevant. So what can I do that’s a little bit different, that can motivate me?

“Obviously if I can win a regular tour event, a European Tour event and become the oldest ... it would be something different,” he said. “You’re always trying to find a goal.”

Harrington, a threetime major champion and former Ryder Cup captain, has missed only one cut this year on the PGA Tour, the European tour and the majors. That was in Dubai, his first tournament of 2023. He has two top-10 finishes, in Abu Dhabi and the Texas Open.

USA rolls past Italy 100-63 to reach Basketball World Cup semifinals

BASKETBALL

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer

MANILA, Philippines

(AP) — Losing a game at the Basketball World Cup, the U.S. national team said, was quite the wake-up call. It brought a renewed focus, an extra level of commitment, even some promises to one another that things would change. Poor Italy.

The Americans turned words into actions and handed the Italians their worst loss in a global tournament — the World Cup or the Olympics — in nearly 55 years. Mikal Bridges scored 24 points, Tyrese Haliburton added 18 on six 3-pointers and the U.S. simply was airtight defensively on the way to a 100-63 win in the World Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday night.

“It’s been a five-week journey for this group and there’s five more days. That’s how we look at it,”

U.S. coach Steve Kerr said.

“We’re the horse turning back to the barn. The horse starts picking up pace when it’s near the barn, and that’s what’s happening right now.

Our guys are sensing this is the end of the journey and the energy picked up tonight, the pace, the force.

They know what’s ahead. They know what the goal is.”

Gold is the goal, and the Americans can reach the gold-medal game if they win Friday in a semifinal against either Germany or Latvia; those teams meet Wednesday in a quarterfinal. The medal games are Sunday.

The last time Italy lost a game this badly in a tournament of this level was Oct. 14, 1968 — USA 100, Italy 61 in the Mexico City Olympics. The Italians shot 31% on Tuesday and were just 7 of 38 (18%) from 3-point range.

Victory

Let that show the level of improvement from the U.S.: Lithuania started 9 for 9 on 3s in what became a stunning victory over the Americans on Sunday. Italy didn’t make nine 3s in the entire game Tuesday.

“We just felt that energy from the jump,” Bridges said. “Everybody felt it.”

It was 46-24 USA by halftime, with Austin Reaves providing the exclamation point courtesy of a followslam that had his teammates out of their seats.

The margin was that big despite Anthony Edwards

— the team’s leading scorer entering Tuesday, averaging just over 20 points in the first five games of the World Cup — not even getting on the scoresheet until the first possession of the third quarter. His heroics weren’t needed. Not much on the offensive end was.

The defensive effort — which was shredded for 110 points in a six-point loss to Lithuania — sure seemed like the best of the summer from the Americans.

“Everything stayed the same,” U.S. point guard Jalen Brunson said. “It’s just, our approach had to be a little better.”

Reaves finished with 12 for the Americans, who improved to 10-1 overall this summer.

Simone Fontecchio led Italy (4-2) with 18 points.

“They played very good basketball,” Italian forward Luigi Datome said.

“They created very good shots and they made them.”

It was the quarterfinal round where it all went wrong for the U.S. at the World Cup four years ago in China.

A loss to France in the Round of 8 eliminated the Americans from medal contention and started a free-fall all the way to

seventh place, the worst finish ever by a U.S. team in a major men’s international event. That won’t happen this time. And now the formula is clear: lock in on defence, go-go-go on offence and dare opponents to win playing the Americans’ preferred way.

“Any time you can create a tough shot, rebound and go, it’s going to make our offence so much better,” Reaves said.

Italy had beaten the U.S. only twice in 14 previous tries at the senior men’s national level, both times at the world championships — which FIBA now calls the World Cup.

Relegate

The first was in 1970 on the way to a fifth-place finish for the U.S. The second was in 1978, in Manila no less, a defeat that helped relegate the Americans to a fifthplace finish that year as well.

The Italians hung around, for a few minutes. The U.S. didn’t get into an early hole — as has been the case multiple times in this World Cup — but the lead was only 10-8 when the Americans went to the second unit, which has been a strength all summer.

And it was again. It was 24-14 after one, the lead was out to 22 by the half and the countdown to Friday was soon on.

“We were ready,” Bridges said. “And we’re going to stay ready until we get out of here.”

TIP-INS USA: The U.S. was 16.5point favorites at game time, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. … Starting center Jaren Jackson Jr., who picked up two fouls in the first 2:50 of Sunday’s loss to Lithuania, got called for two in the first 2:14 on Tuesday. … NBA superfan Jimmy Goldstein, a fixture courtside at big games in arenas all over the U.S., was in attendance.

Italy: Fontecchio (Utah) is the only current NBA player on Italy’s roster. Nicolo Melli and Datome have past NBA experience. … Guaranteed no worse than eighth place, this will be Italy’s best World Cup showing since finishing sixth in 1998.

UP NEXT USA: Face Germany or Latvia in semifinals Friday. Italy: Face Germany or Latvia in consolation playoffs Thursday.

SERBIA MOVES INTO WORLD CUP SEMIFINALS BY BEATING LITHUANIA

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer

MANILA, Philippines (AP) —

Lithuania beat the U.S. at the 1998 world championships, then failed to medal. Lithuania then beat the U.S. again at the 2004 Olympics, then failed to medal.

And history will repeat itself at this World Cup.

Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 18 of his 21 points in the first half and Serbia — motivated by a serious injury endured by one of its players — topped previously unbeaten Lithuania 87-68 in the World Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday in a result that means Lithuania cannot medal in Manila this weekend.

The best Lithuania can do now is fifth place.

“The game against the United States, as you can see now, it’s nothing,” said Lithuania’s Tadas Sedekerskis, who led his team with 14 points. “It’s just history. We don’t have any chances to fight for the medal.”

Serbia played with forward Borisa Simanic’s jersey draped over a chair in its bench area.

Simanic lost a kidney after being elbowed in a game against South Sudan last week; he needed surgery after that game, and complications prompted doctors to operate again Sunday and remove the damaged kidney.

“He texted us this morning,” Bogdanovic said. “He texted us, ‘Hey, guys, I’m all right. After two surgeries, I’m all right. I’m healthy. Just get the win. Don’t think about

me and let’s win tonight.’ It was a huge boost and huge energy tonight, so thanks to Borisa. This was also for him.”

The loss continues a peculiar jinx for Lithuania, which is 3-8 all-time against the U.S. at the senior men’s national level — and has turned those three wins into exactly zero medals. Lithuania was playing less than 48 hours after beating the U.S. 110-104 to close out second-round play in Manila.

But after Tuesday’s loss, Lithuania insisted it wasn’t still reveling in beating the Americans.

“I can guarantee 100% that we forgot it,” Sedekerskis said.

Serbia (5-1) will play Canada or Slovenia in Friday’s semifinals.

The Canada-Slovenia quarterfinal game is Wednesday; the loser plays Lithuania (5-1) in the consolation playoffs Thursday. Teams cannot medal after losing in the quarterfinals, but will play two more games before leaving Manila to determine fifth through eighth place in the tournament’s overall standings.

Serbia is in the semifinals for the third time at the last four World Cups. It lost to Turkey in the semifinals of the 2010 tournament (and then fell to Lithuania in the bronze-medal game) and lost to the U.S. in the title game of the 2014 event.

Filip Petrusev scored 17 points and Stefan Jovic added 11 for Serbia.

Rokas Jokubaitis had 13 points and nine assists, while Jonas Valanciunas and Ignas Brazdeikis scored 11 apiece for Lithuania.

Philippines,

U.S. GUARD Jalen Brunson (11) drives during the Basketball World Cup quarterfinal game between Italy and U.S. at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines, Tuesday. (AP

Photo/Michael Conroy)

BASKTBALL

SERBIA centre Filip Petrusev (3) dunks the ball during the Basketball World Cup quarterfinal game between Lithuania and Serbia at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila,

Tuesday. (AP

Photo/Aaron Favila)

OIL PRICES SPIKE AS SAUDI ARABIA, RUSSIA EXTEND 1.3

MILLION BARREL A DAY OIL CUT THROUGH DECEMBER

By JON GAMBRELL

Associated Press

SAUDI Arabia and Russia agreed Tuesday to extend their voluntary oil production cuts through the end of this year, trimming 1.3 million barrels of crude out of the global market and boosting energy prices.

The dual announcements from Riyadh and Moscow pushed benchmark Brent crude above $90 a barrel in trading Tuesday afternoon, a price unseen in the market since November.

The countries' moves could increase inflation and the cost for motorists at gasoline pumps. It also puts new pressure on Saudi Arabia's relationship with the United States, as President Joe Biden last year warned the kingdom there would be unspecified "consequences" for partnering with Russia on cuts as Moscow wages war on Ukraine.

Saudi Arabia's announcement, carried by the state-run Saudi Press Agency, said the country still would monitor the market and could take further action if necessary.

"This additional voluntary cut comes to reinforce the precautionary efforts made by OPEC+ countries with the aim of supporting the stability and balance of oil markets," the Saudi Press Agency report said, citing an unnamed Energy Ministry official.

State-run Russian news agency Tass quoted Alexander Novak, Russia's deputy prime minister and former energy minister, as saying Moscow would continue its 300,000 barrel a day cut.

The decision "is aimed at strengthening the precautionary measures taken by

OPEC+ countries in order to maintain stability and balance of oil markets," Novak said.

Benchmark Brent crude traded Tuesday above $90 a barrel after the announcement. Brent had largely hovered between $75 and $85 a barrel since last October. A barrel of West Texas Intermediate, a benchmark for America, traded around $87 a barrel.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan declined to comment on the market impact of the decision, though he said U.S. officials had regular contact with the kingdom. He added that Biden would look to utilize "everything within his toolkit" to assist American consumers.

"The thing that we ultimately stand for is a stable, effective supply of energy to global markets, so that we can in fact deliver relief to consumers at the pump, and we do this in a way that is consistent with the energy transition over time," Sullivan said.

Bob McNally, the founder and president of the Washington-based Rapidan Energy Group and a former White House energy adviser, said Saudi Arabia and Russia had "demonstrated their unity and resolve to proactively manage" the risk of oil prices potentially dropping in tougher economic conditions with their announcement Tuesday.

"Barring a sharp economic downturn, these supply cuts will drive deep deficits into global oil balances and should propel crude oil prices well above $90 per barrel," McNally said.

The average gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in the U.S. stands at $3.81, according to AAA, just under the all-time high for Labor Day of $3.83 in 2012. However, gasoline demand typically drops for U.S. motorists after the holiday so it remains unclear what immediate effect this could have on the American market, AAA spokesman Andrew Gross said.

"I'm more concerned about what the rest of hurricane season may hold," Gross told The Associated Press. "A big storm along the Gulf coast could move prices dramatically here."

Hurricane Idalia just plowed through Florida and U.S. forecasters said Tuesday that Tropical Storm Lee in the Atlantic Ocean will become an "extremely dangerous" hurricane by Friday.

Meanwhile, higher gasoline prices can increase transportation costs and ultimately push the prices of goods even higher at a time when the U.S. and much of the world is already raising interest rates to combat inflation.

"The impact these cuts will have on inflation and economic policy in the West is hard to predict, but higher oil prices will only increase the likelihood of more fiscal tightening, especially in the U.S., to curtail inflation," said Jorge Leon, a senior vice president at Rystad Energy.

The Saudi reduction, which began in July, comes as the other OPEC+ producers have agreed to extend earlier production cuts through next year.

A series of production cuts over the past year has failed to substantially

boost prices amid weakened demand from China and tighter monetary policy aimed at combating inflation. But with international travel back up to nearly pre-pandemic levels, the demand for oil likely will continue to rise.

The Saudis are particularly keen to boost oil prices in order to fund Vision 2030, an ambitious plan to overhaul the kingdom's economy, reduce its dependence on oil and to create jobs for a young population.

The plan includes several massive infrastructure projects, including the construction of a futuristic $500 billion city called Neom.

But Saudi Arabia also has to manage its relationship with Washington. Biden

campaigned on a promise of making the kingdom's powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman a "pariah" over the 2018 killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.

In recent months, tensions eased slightly as Biden's administration sought a deal with Riyadh for it to diplomatically recognize Israel.

But those talks include Saudi Arabia pushing for a nuclear cooperation deal that includes America allowing it to enrich uranium in the kingdom — something that worries nonproliferation experts, as spinning centrifuges open the door to a possible weapons program.

Prince Mohammed already has said the

kingdom would pursue an atomic bomb if Iran had one, potentially creating a nuclear arms race in the region as Tehran's program continues to advance closer to weapons-grade levels. Saudi Arabia and Iran reached a détente in recent months, though the region remains tense amid the wider tensions between Iran and the U.S. Higher oil prices would also help Russian President Vladimir Putin fund his war on Ukraine. Western countries have used a price cap to try to cut into Moscow's revenues. But those sanctions have seen Moscow be forced to sell its oil at a discount to countries like China and India.

Associated Press

AIR Canada says it has apologized to two passengers who were escorted off a plane by security after protesting that their seats were smeared in vomit.

The airline said Tuesday that the passengers "clearly did not receive the standard of care to which they were entitled."

The incident during boarding for an Aug. 26 flight from Las Vegas to Montreal was described in graphic detail by another passenger, Susan Benson of New Brunswick, who said she was in the row behind two women and a man.

"There was a bit of a foul smell but we didn't know at first what the problem was," Benson wrote on Facebook three days later. "Air Canada attempted a quick cleanup before boarding but clearly wasn't able to do a thorough clean."

Benson said workers sprayed the area with perfume to hide the smell.

The passengers assigned to those seats told a flight attendant that the seat and seatbelt were wet and they could still see vomit. The attendant and a supervisor told them that the flight was

full, and they would just have to sit there. The women were attempting to use blankets and wipes to settle in when one of the pilots showed up, Benson wrote. She said the pilot told the women, who were on their way to Vienna, that they could leave and book new flights at their own expense "or they would be escorted off the plane by security and placed on a no fly list!"

Benson said the pilot accused the women of being rude to the flight attendant, which she disputed — "they were upset and firm, but not rude!" Security then escorted the women off the plane.

Asked if it would dispute any of Benson's account, Air Canada did not respond. In its statement, Air Canada said it was still reviewing the matter on Tuesday and has contacted the passengers "as our operating procedures were not followed correctly in this instance. This includes apologizing to these customers, as they clearly did not receive the standard of care to which they were entitled, and addressing their concerns."

A CUSTOMER pumps gas at an Exxon gas station, Tuesday, May 10, 2022, in Miami. Saudi Arabia and Russia agreed Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023, to extend their voluntary oil production cuts through the end of this year, trimming 1.3 million barrels of crude out of the global market and boosting energy prices. The dual announcements from Riyadh and Moscow pushed benchmark Brent crude above $90 a barrel in trading Tuesday afternoon, a price unseen in the market since last November.

Photo:Marta Lavandier/AP

Air Canada apologizes for booting passengers who complained that their seats were smeared with vomit

AN AIR Canada Airbus A330 approaches for landing in Lisbon, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. Air Canada says it has apologized to two women who were booted off a flight by security after protesting that their seats were smeared in vomit. The airline said Tuesday, Sept. 5, that the passengers “clearly did not receive the standard of care to which they were entitled.”

Photo:Armando Franca/AP

OPEN SOCIETY FOUNDATIONS PLEDGE €100

MILLION TO START NEW ROMA FOUNDATION

By THALIA BEATY

Associated Press

OPEN Society Foundations said Tuesday that it will spin off its support for Europe’s Roma communities into a new foundation and pledged €100 million, around $107 million, for that work.

The Roma Foundation for Europe, which will be independent of OSF, launches in January and will be based in Brussels, said the foundations. Zeljko Jovanovic, director of OSF’s Roma Initiatives Office, will lead the new foundation.

“This is a true European project because we are the biggest European minority, the most neglected and disadvantaged,” Jovanovic told The Associated Press, referring to the Roma community. “So when you support the most disadvantaged, you support the development of the whole society.”

An estimated 10 to 12 million Roma people live in Europe, with around 6 million living in the European Union, making them the continent’s largest ethnic

minority. Significant proportions of the community report experiencing discrimination and economic exclusion as well as higher rates of poverty and lower participation in the formal workforce, according to the European Commission.

Alex Soros, chair of OSF’s board of directors and son of George Soros, who founded OSF, echoed that idea in a statement, saying the future work of the new foundation will support not only the Roma people, but all of Europe.

“I am confident the new foundation will be a dynamic force—dedicated to realizing the full potential of the Roma people, and overcoming the deeprooted barriers they face,” Alex Soros said.

Under Alex Soros’ leadership, the foundations announced in July that it would significantly retool its structure and layoff 40% of its staff globally. It also paused making new grants until February. Also in July, foundation leaders told staff in Berlin that it would end much of its work in the European Union, according

to an internal email seen by the AP.

Last week, Soros wrote in an op-ed in “POLITICO Europe” that OSF was not leaving Europe but that it would shift its priorities, highlighting its work in Ukraine, Moldova and the Western Balkans. He also promised continuing support for the Central European University, which was also founded by George Soros, and the Roma people.

“We will also keep up — and dramatically increase — our efforts to secure equal treatment for Europe’s largest ethnic minority, the 12 million Roma (who mostly live in Eastern Europe),” Alex Soros wrote.

OSF will not have representatives on the board of the Roma Foundation for Europe, said Jovanovic,

adding that the decision to start the foundation was made last year, independently of the restructuring. Jovanovic said Alex Soros was clear that OSF’s, “internal organization is changing and has to change in the view of Mr. Soros, as well as the global board and the top leadership. However, our commitments do not change.”

The new foundation will make grants, support networking between organizations as well as advocate for the Roma people. It will focus on preparing Roma workers with skills to help them find jobs in the digital economy and as part of the anticipated green transition, Jovanovic said.

“Most of all, we want to see our contribution to the social debate about how our societies need to be more cohesive,” he said,

adding that they also want to prevent the framing, “in the populist argument: us versus them. We see ‘us’ as the Roma, but we also see ‘us’ as citizens of our countries.”

The new foundation aims to make grants to expend the entire pledge of €100 million by 2030. When asked how many staff the new foundation will employ, Jovanovic said in order for more of the funds to reach grantees, “We don’t want to become a big organization in terms of bureaucracy and administration. We want to be lean and small.”

OSF has previously supported the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture, the Roma Entrepreneurship Development Initiative, Roma for Democracy and the Roma Education Fund, and the new foundation will

continue to support those organizations as well as others, Jovanovic said.

Tomáš Hrusti , senior program manager for the National Democratic Institute in Slovakia, welcomed the funding commitment to the new foundation, saying that he believed the new structure will strengthen the agency and leadership of Roma communities in the organizations that OSF has supported.

“Diverse Roma communities need to actually take ownership over those initiatives and be part it and engage because if it is just decided by someone else, then it doesn’t work at all,” Hrusti said.

He also urged OSF and others to support grassroots organizations and to continue to support Roma communities within European Union member states.

GEORGE SOROS, founder and chairman of the Open Society Foundations, attends the European Council on Foreign Relations Annual Council Meeting, May 29, 2018, in Paris. Open Society Foundations will spin off its support for Europe’s Roma communities into a new foundation to which it has pledged €100 million (around $107 million), the foundations said Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023.

•

Photo:Francois Mori/AP

Wall Street ends lower following two weeks of gains

By DAMIAN J. TROISE AND ALEX VEIGA AP Business Writers

MAJOR stock indexes on Wall Street closed lower Tuesday, giving back some of their recent gains as traders returned from a long holiday weekend.

The S&P 500 fell 0.4%, while the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.1%. Both indexes were coming off their second weekly gain.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.6%.

The selling was widespread, with decliners outnumbering advancers by more than 3 to 1 on the New York Stock Exchange.

Losses in industrial, health care and financial stocks were the biggest drag on the benchmark S&P 500. Cintas fell 1.7%, Merck & Co. dropped 2.1% and JPMorgan Chase closed 1.1% lower.

Technology stocks were the biggest bright spot. Microsoft rose 1.5%.

Energy stocks rose along with crude oil prices after Saudi Arabia and Russia said they will extend their voluntary production cut of 1 million barrels of oil a day through the end of the year. U.S. crude oil prices rose 1.3% and Chevron rose 1.3%.

Smaller company stocks also lost ground, sending the Russell 2000 index 2.1% lower.

The yield on the 10-year Treasury, which influences interest rates on mortgages and other loans, rose to 4.27% from 4.18% late Friday. The yield on the 2-year Treasury, which tracks expectations for the Fed, rose to 4.96% from 4.88%.

Coming off the Labor Day holiday, investors have few economic reports to look forward to this week,

while the latest round of corporate earnings is essentially finished.

"There's not much going on other than investors doing the mental arithmetic over whether the Federal Reserve will or will not continue to hike interest rates," said Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA.

The Institute for Supply Management releases its latest report on the U.S. services sector Wednesday. The services sector employs most Americans and is a big component of the economy. Its health could provide more insight into how inflation is affecting consumer spending.

Wall Street will also get updates on aspects of the manufacturing sector and consumer credit. DocuSign, GameStop, Dave & Buster's and Kroger are set to report their most recent

quarterly financial results this week.

Last week, investors were busy reviewing a heavy load of economic data as they try to get a better picture of the economy. Much of the information fueled hopes that the Fed might moderate interest rate increases to fight inflation, which has been easing for months.

Wall Street expects the Fed to hold its benchmark interest rate steady at its next meeting later in September, just as it did at its previous meeting. Investors are mostly betting that the central bank will maintain

that pause through the rest of the year.

The central bank has raised its main interest rate aggressively since 2022 to the highest level since 2001.

The goal has been to rein inflation back to the Fed's target of 2%. Several measures of inflation have gotten closer to that target and the economy is still growing. That has alleviated concerns about the aggressive rate hikes pushing the economy into a recession.

Analysts are still concerned about the potential for a recession, but those concerns have lessened

as inflation cools and the economy remains resilient.

All told, the S&P 500 fell 18.94 points to 4,496.83 Tuesday. The Dow dropped 195.74 points to 34,641.97, and the Nasdaq slipped 10.86 points to 14,020.95. The Russell 2000 slid 40.38 points to 1,880.45. Markets in Europe and Asia closed mixed. Hong Kong's benchmark fell 2.1%, as investors sold real estate shares which have gained recently following government efforts to support the ailing industry.

By CARA ANNA AND EVELYNE MUSAMBI Associated Press

CLIMATE change is

"relentlessly eating away"

at Africa's economic progress and it's time to have a global conversation about a carbon tax on polluters, Kenya's president declared Tuesday as the first Africa Climate Summit got underway.

"Those who produce the garbage refuse to pay their bills," President William Ruto, a host of the summit, said to an audience that included senior officials from China, the United States and the European Union — some of the world's largest emitters of greenhouse gases.

The rapidly growing African continent of more than 1.3 billion people is losing 5% to 15% of its gross domestic product growth every year to the

widespread impacts of climate change, according to Ruto. It's a source of deep frustration in the resourcerich region that contributes by far the least to global warming.

He and other leaders urged reforms to the global financial structures that have left African nations paying about five times more to borrow money than others, worsening the debt crisis for many. Africa has more than 30 of the world's most indebted countries, Kenya's Cabinet secretary for the environment, Soipan Tuya, said.

The U.S. government's climate envoy, John Kerry, acknowledged the "acute, unfair debt." He also said 17 of the world's 20 countries most impacted by climate change are in Africa — while the world's 20 richest nations, including his own, produce 80% of the world's

carbon emissions that are driving climate change.

Asked about the Kenyan president's call for a carbon tax discussion, Kerry said President Joe Biden has "not yet embraced any particular carbon pricing mechanism."

Ruto said Africa's 54 countries "must go green fast before industrializing and not vice versa, unlike (richer nations) had the luxury to do." Transforming Africa's economy on a green trajectory "is the most feasible, just and efficient way to attain a net-zero world by 2050," he said.

Climate finance is key, speakers said. A pledge by richer nations of $100 billion a year to help developing nations achieve their climate goals remains unfulfilled, and Ruto said the summit declaration will "firmly encourage" everyone to keep their promises.

The United Arab Emirates, which is hosting the next United Nations climate meeting later this year, announced it plans to invest $4.5 billion in Africa's "clean energy potential."

The African continent has 60% of the world's renewable energy assets and more than 30% of the minerals key to renewable and low-carbon technologies. One goal of the summit is to transform the narrative around the continent from victim to assertive, wealthy partner.

"It's becoming increasingly difficult to explain to our people, particularly to our youth, the contradiction: resource-rich continent and poor people," Ethiopian President SahleWork Zewde said.

Africa's GDP should be revalued for its assets, which include the world's second-largest rainforest and biodiversity, African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina said.

"Africa cannot be naturerich and cash-poor," he said.

But divisions are evident around the issue that was little mentioned in the opening speeches and yet is at the heart of the tough conversations ahead: fossil fuels.

Africa must use its natural gas resources — a growing interest of Europe — along with renewable energy sources, Adesina said. "Give us space to grow," he said.

Ruto, however, has criticized the "addiction" to

fossil fuels. His country now gets more than 90% of its energy from renewables.

"We don't have to do what the developed countries did to power their industries. It will be harder to use renewable energy exclusively, but it can be done," said one local summit attendee, Martha Lusweti.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the summit attendees that it's time for the world to "break our addiction to fossil fuels." Worldwide spending on fossil fuel subsidies reached $7 trillion in 2022, according to the International Monetary Fund.

European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen said African nations could produce enough clean energy to power the continent and export abroad, "but for this, Africa needs massive investment."

Some of Africa's biggest economies rely on fossil fuels. South Africa's coalfired plants are struggling. Parts of Nigeria's Niger Delta are slick from oil extraction. Some of Africa's cities have the world's worst air pollution. A TotalEnergies pipeline project in Uganda and Tanzania is being challenged.

Missing from the summit were the leaders of a number of Africa's largest economies including South Africa, Nigeria and Egypt, as well as forest-rich Congo. Also missing from the leading speakers was China, the world's largest emitter of heat-trapping gases, Africa's largest trading partner and one of its biggest creditors.

Some African leaders gave passionate descriptions of climate change's toll.

"The seas that once serenaded us with lullabies now warn of rising tides," Sierra Leone's president, Julius Maada Bio, said. "It is an African story, and I daresay it's a global story, too."

TRADERS work on the New York Stock Exchange floor in New York City on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023.

Photo:Ted Shaffrey/AP

Africa Climate Summit links ‘unfair’ debt burden with calls to make continent’s green assets pay off

KENYA’s President William Ruto speaks at Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi, Kenya Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023, during the Africa Climate Summit.

Photo:Brian Inganga/AP

VENDORS: SOLVE PARKING PROBLEMS IF PEDESTRIANISATION GETS GO-AHEAD

that they must have a safe place to park their vehicles during the day.

Successive governments had spoke about making Bay Street a pedestrian zone, but movement on the transformation has intensified with the completion of the Nassau Cruise Port earlier this year. “I think our main problem in the Straw Market is that we do

not advertise as we should. I think that’s a part of our problem,” Ms Small said. She also asked: “So if they are going to stop car traffic now, the market alone has a little over 400 shops, so where will the workers and the vendors be parking?”

Parking on Bay Street has been a consistent pain that has only gotten worse as the population grows in New Providence and the tourism sector grows along

with it. Successive administrations have balked at the idea of a centralised car park for Downtown, leaving the matter up to private car parks scattered throughout the area.

The Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation engaged a private firm to offer valet services for the Downtown area last month, which was started on a temporary basis with the view in mind for evaluating the

system as a long-term solution. “So vendors would be paying for valet parking now?” Ms Small bristled.

Ms Small also said: “Where will you be able to park unless those old dilapidated buildings are transformed into a car park?

Unless the government has other plans for those old dilapidated buildings.”

Parking Downtown for vendors will be a “big deal” if the government turns the

What is green hydrogen and why is it touted as a clean fuel?

By SIBI ARASU Associated Press

GREEN hydrogen is being touted around the world as a clean energy solution to take the carbon out of high-emitting sectors like transport and industrial manufacturing.

The India-led International Solar Alliance launched the Green Hydrogen Innovation Centre earlier this year, and India itself approved $2.3 billion for the production, use and export of green hydrogen. Global cooperation on green hydrogen manufacturing and supply is expected to be discussed by G-20 leaders at this week's summit in New Delhi.

WHAT IS GREEN HYDROGEN?

Hydrogen is produced by separating that element from others in molecules where hydrogen occurs. For example, water — well known by its chemical symbol of H20, or two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom — can be split

into those component atoms through electrolysis.

Hydrogen has been produced and used at scale for over a century, primarily to make fertilizers and plastics and to refine oil. It has mostly been produced using fossil fuels, especially natural gas.

But when the production is powered by renewable energy, the resulting hydrogen is green hydrogen.

The global market for green hydrogen is expected to reach $410 billion by 2030, according to analysts, which would more than double its current market size.

However, critics say the fuel is not always viable at scale and its 'green' credentials are determined by the source of energy used to produce it.

WHAT CAN GREEN HYDROGEN BE USED FOR?

Green hydrogen can have a variety of uses in industries such as steelmaking, concrete production and manufacturing chemicals

and fertilizers. It can also be used to generate electricity, as a fuel for transport and to heat homes and offices.

Today, hydrogen is primarily used in refining petrol and manufacturing fertilizers. While petrol would have no use in a fossil fuelfree world, emissions from making fertilizer — essential to grow crops that feed the world — can be reduced by using green hydrogen.

Francisco Boshell, an energy analyst at the International Renewable Energy Agency in Abu Dhabi, is optimistic about green hydrogen's role in the transition to clean energy, especially in cases where energy from renewables like solar and wind can't practically be stored and used via battery — like aviation, shipping and some industrial processes.

He said hydrogen's volatility — it's highly flammable and requires special pipelines for safe transport — means most green hydrogen will likely be used close to where it is made.

IN THE BATTLE AGAINST AMAZON DEFORESTATION, BRAZIL OFFERS CASH REWARDS TO MUNICIPALITIES

RIO DE JANEIRO

Associated Press

IN a bid to slow deforestation in the Amazon, Brazil announced Tuesday that it will provide financial support to municipalities that have reduced deforestation rates the most.

During the country´s Amazon Day, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva also signed the creation of two Indigenous territories that total 207,000 hectares (511,000 acres) — over two times the size of New York City — and of a network of conservation areas next to the Yanonami Indigenous Territory to act as a buffer

against invaders, mostly illegal gold miners.

"The Amazon is in a hurry to survive the devastation caused by those few people who refuse to see the future, who in a few years cut down, burned, and polluted what nature took millennia to create," Lula said during a ceremony in Brasilia. "The Amazon is in a hurry to continue doing what it has always done, to be essential for life on Earth."

The new program will invest up to $120 million in technical assistance. The money will be allocated based on the municipality´s performance in reducing

deforestation and fires, as measured by official satellite monitoring. A list of municipalities eligible for the funds will be published annually.

The resources must be invested in land titling, monitoring and control of deforestation and fires, and sustainable production.

The money will come from the Amazon Fund, which has received more than $1.2 billion, mostly from Norway, to help pay for sustainable development of the region. In February, the United States committed to a $50 million donation to the initiative.

Two months later, President

ARE THERE DOUBTS ABOUT GREEN HYDROGEN?

That flammability plus transport issues limit hydrogen's use in "dispersed applications" such as residential heating, according to a report by the Energy Transitions Commission, a coalition of energy leaders committed to net-zero emissions by 2050. It also is less efficient than direct electrification as some energy is lost when renewables are converted to hydrogen and then the hydrogen is converted again to power, the report said.

That report noted strong potential for hydrogen as an alternative to batteries for energy storage at large scale and for long periods.

Other studies have questioned the high cost of production, investment risks, greater need for water than other clean power and the lack of international standards that hinders a global market.

Robert Howarth, a professor of ecology and environmental biology at

Market Slope section of Bay Street into pedestrian only. “If this is what they are going to do then I hope that with just having foot traffic, but when we have to leave, where are we going to put our cars?” she asked.

Ms Small also said:

“There are 400 vendors alone in here and then the workers in the market, where are all of these cars going to be? This is

something to consider for the vendors.”

Ms Small added: “I’m not going to say I favour pedestrianising Downtown or not in favour of pedestrianising it, but if its going to be lucrative at the end of the day then of course I’m in favour of it. Because if they stop all of the cars and there is no business coming through then there is going to be a problem.”

Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, who also sits on New York's Climate Action Council, said green hydrogen is being oversold in part due to lobbying by the oil and gas industry.

Boshell, of the International Renewable Energy Agency, disagreed. His organization has projected hydrogen demand will grow to 550 million tons by 2050, up from the current 100 million tons.

The International Energy Agency says production of hydrogen is responsible for around 830 million tons of

carbon dioxide per year. Boshell said just replacing this so-called gray hydrogen — hydrogen produced from fossil fuels — would ensure a long-term market for green hydrogen.

"The first thing we have to do is start replacing the existing demand for gray hydrogen. And then we can add additional demand and applications of green hydrogen as a fuel for industries, shipping and aviation," he said.

"We believe that it's not enough to just put up a sign saying 'it's forbidden to do this or that. We need to be persuasive." Lula said, in a reference to his relationship with Amazon mayors and state governors.

Lula has promised zero net deforestation by 2030, although his term ends two years earlier. In the first seven months of his third term, there was a 42% drop in deforestation.

BRAZIL ’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, holds a plaque demarcating Indigenous Lands, next to the President of the National Indigenous Foundation Joenia Wapichana, left, and the Minister of Indigenous Peoples Sonia Guajajara, during during ceremony to commemorate Amazon Day, in Brasilia, Brazil, Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023.

Joe Biden announced he would ask Congress for an additional $500 million, to be disbursed over five years. The most critical municipalities are located along the arc of deforestation, a

/AP

vast region along the southern part of the Amazon. This region is a stronghold of former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, who favored agribusiness over forest preservation and lost the reelection last year.

Brazil is the world's fifth-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, with almost 3% of global emissions, according to Climate Watch, an online platform managed by World Resources Institute. Almost half of these emissions come from deforestation. Under the 2015 Paris Agreement, Brazil committed to reducing carbon emissions by 37% by 2025 and 43% by 2030.

P V R Murthy, center, general manager at Oil India Limited, pump station 3, shows a part of a hydrogen plant in Jorhat, India, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. Green hydrogen is being touted around the world as a clean energy solution to take the carbon out of high-emitting sectors like transport and industrial manufacturing.

Photo:Anupam Nath/AP

Photo:Eraldo Peres

ABACO HOPEFUL - BUT SOME QUESTIONS OVER RESHUFFLE

“I also appealed to him to continue concessions for Bahamian homeowners which he did confirm is available on a case-by-case basis addressed directly to the Ministry of Finance to his attention.”

The Prime Minister gave a national address on Sunday, where he revealed several new ministerial posts and portfolio adjustments. Among those reassigned was former Minister of State for Legal Affairs Jomo Campbell, who was promoted to Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources.

Ms Miaoulis said that agriculture and fisheries are sectors that are important to our economic independence and is hopeful that Mr Campbell will consult with industry players as he manages his portfolio.

She said: “Fisheries and agriculture combined should be one of our

strongest economic pil-

lars if we are truly to be independent.

“This is an area of particular interest of mine and I remain hopeful that Mr Campbell is a young and progressive thinker who will consult with seasoned local farmers and fishers.” She added that the government should take agriculture seriously as the country aims to be self sufficient and questioned why the Prime Minister is “playing musical chairs” with the ministers when agriculture was staring to make progress. She said: “While the government speaks to a need to grow our agriculture sector to being able to feed ourselves and become more self-reliant I question the qualifications of Mr Jomo Campbell. Why are we now playing musical chairs when it appeared that we were starting to move in the right direction?”

Mr Davis also announced that Minister of Housing and Transport, JoBeth Coleby-Davis will be reassigned as the Minister of Energy and Transport. He explained that the country must transition to renewable energy to make electricity costs more affordable and that Ms Coleby-Davis, whose dissertation concentrated on renewable energy deployment, would coordinate the energy transition.

He said: “If we want to make electricity affordable, if we want Bahamian companies to compete and prosper, if we want to create a more dynamic and inclusive economy, we must transition away from our country’s expensive, outdated, and unreliable electricity infrastructure.

“Minister Coleby-Davis to serve as Minister of Energy and Transport, to do the critical work of bringing together and coordinating experts and

teams from throughout our government to tackle our energy transition.

“Minister Coleby-Davis, whose dissertation for her Masters Degree focused on overcoming barriers to renewable energy deployment in The Bahamas, is going to be a formidable advocate for our country as we transition to clean energy”

Ms Miaoulis agreed that energy is a “crucial” sector, but questioned why a new ministry was formed while administrative costs are “super high” and if the energy transition would not be better suited for the Ministry of Environment. She said: “Energy is one of the most crucial areas as it affects every facet of our lives and businesses. But, at this time when administrative costs are already super high, did we need an entire new ministry? Could this not have been combined with the ministry of environment?

“Just because JoBeth Coleby-Davis has experience in oil, does that make her the best candidate for alternative energy solutions?”

Mr Davis said the new portfolio and responsibility adjustments of Cabinet would “strengthen policy execution, and balance continuity and experience with renewal and fresh perspective”.

Labour and Immigration Minister Keith Bell was reassigned as the Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal. Mr Davis said as Mr Bell was a part of the team that originally launched Urban Renewal his “experience and commitment” will be vital in his new role as Housing and Urban Renewal Minister. Calls for Mr Bell’s resignation or removal from Cabinet from the Coalition of Independents and the Free National Movement (FNM) came after Mr Bell, in an unorthodox way, at a

funeral, oversaw the ceremony granting citizenship to the two children of the deceased man and their mother. This caused widespread controversy as many called into question Mr Bell’s commitment to valuing Bahamian sovereignty and citizenship.

Ms Miaoulis criticised the Prime Minister’s decision to retain Mr Bell as a part of his Cabinet after he was found to be “issuing out citizenships at a funeral like an offering” and questioned the example he was setting as a “seasoned politician”. She said: “How do you reward Minister Keith Bell when he created so much controversy in his previous ministry where the public was calling for his removal? “Issuing out citizenships at a funeral like an offering, not following proper procedures. What precedent did he set as a seasoned politician for others to follow?”

GRAND LUCAYAN BUYER HOPES ‘POSITIVE SIGN FOR THE ISLAND’

FROM PAGE A24

and promptly shut down further questions on the matter until something tangible from one of the buyers had materialised.

Mr Cooper also said: “We have three very vibrant, interested, active interests.

We are going to continue to work with them and we are really gauging what we say, how we say it.

“You see the people of Grand Bahama have heard

a lot of talk over the years for decades now, they’ve suffered a lot. They’re not interested in much talk they want to see action and action is what we will do. “

However, sources in Grand Bahama say they have not seen or heard of any prospectors scouting the property in any attempts to purchase.

Mr Carey added: “I think there are serious opportunities for Freeport and Grand

‘ROARING’ TOURISM SET FOR BEST EVER YEAR

FROM PAGE A24

We want them to be repeat visitors and therefore what we’re doing is also improving the product.

What you see in downtown Nassau is a part of a consolidated approach to improve the product, more experiences for our guests, we’re working with the stakeholders downtown.

“We have a vagrancy issue, we’re also working with the Ministry of Environment, we have a rodent issue. We’re working along with the stakeholders to improve their buildings; we have an issue where some of the buildings look tired.

“The owners of the derelict properties have been extremely cooperative and we have demolished more than six of them at this point. We’re continuing this effort.

“We’re working along with entrepreneurs to get involved because we want more activity downtown restaurants, bars, authentic experiences, shops, authentic Bahamian products and services.”

The Minister of Tourism and Aviation said Downtown Nassau has been “decaying” for 30 years and that the first phase in the project is to give Bay Street a “facelift” to deal with issues such as vagrants,

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Bahama and once we can get some businesses like the hotel going and then for the Six Senses to come on board, I think Freeport is wide open for positive development and every bit helps.

“Any purchase of that hotel, it would be some time before they can open it up to its full glory because of the renovations that may be necessary.

derelict buildings, rodents and crime.

He said: “There’s been decay, downtown Nassau for the last 30 years, we’re trying to stop the decay. Everything we’re doing at the moment is really trying to give the place a facelift, making sure it looks better, making sure it smells better, making sure to rodents are gone, making sure we are compassionately assisting the vagrants, making sure that the police is also engaged… to ensure an even more safe environment.”

Mr Cooper noted that additional phases will include an incubation centre for entrepreneurs, murals from local artists and a possible art district, a food market and “highend” booths for vendors of authentic products.

He added that the project is focused on creating Bahamian businesses and

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

MAINTENANCE MANAGER FOR PRIVATE PROPERTY

RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTENANCE (HANDS ON) FOR A LARGE LUXURIOUS

PROPERTY. MAINTENANCE INCLUDES, BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

• MAINTAINING AND SUPERVISING ALL PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, IN CLUDING RO PLANT, GENERATORS, VANTAGE LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEMS, HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS, IRRIGATION SYSTEM, SWIMMING POOLS AND TENNIS COURT. LOCAL ASSISTANCE AND OUTSOURCING LIMITED, THEREFORE, HANDS ON PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY AND MUST BE CAPABLE OF DOING JOB ON HIS OWN.

QUALIFICATIONS

THE CANDIDATE:

• SHOULD HAVE A DEGREE FROM RECOGNIZED INSTITUTION IN MECHANICAL AND/OR ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING.

“The Grand Bahama Port Authority is very keen on development and they are redoubling their efforts to secure investment, both locally and internationally, so it looks good if a few pieces of the puzzle drop into place.”

The last time the government was close to selling the Grand Lucayan was with Electra America Hospitality Ltd for $100m that fell through less than

providing opportunities for authentically Bahamian goods and services.

He said: “We are focused on really creating entrepreneurs, making small entrepreneurs, mediumsized entrepreneurs and large entrepreneurs. So, we are also closing off market slope that’s the street right on the side of the straw market and we are creating more high end, creatively designed booths, right there with a very native Bahamian theme, and hopefully creating more vendor opportunities for entrepreneurs of authentically Bahamian goods and services.

“We are also looking to see how we can advance an incubation centre that’s focused on the creatives. So, we are looking to see how we can do murals working along with the creative arts community. We are talking with some

six months after it was announced in May 2022.

The sale of the Grand Lucayan has been wrought with difficulties since the government previous Free National Movement administration under Dr Hubert Minnis decided to purchase the property in 2018, in what now seems to be an ill-advised venture because not only is the property a burden to the taxpayer, but its attractiveness is

entrepreneurs about creating a new vibrant food market on the east side off East Street and we are talking like about a potential art district.”

He added that long-term goals of the project include an overhaul of the drainage systems and infrastructure to prevent excessive flooding Downtown and that the project is collaborating with the Downtown Partnership and ‘building’ on what they have done over the past 30 years.

He said: “We’ve started some preliminary works in terms of ensuring that the drainage systems there are cleared, so that we don’t see the kind of flooding that we’ve seen before. We are reviewing the entire infrastructure in the area.

“We also building on the work done by the Downtown Partnership over the last 30 years. They had some great plans and were

compromised due to current lack of supply of airlift to the island and the uncertainty on when the Grand Bahama International Airport will be fully functional with new management.

Mr Carey also said: “Mr Cooper said on a previous occasion that he won’t say anything until he has a deal, so I’m hoping he is not just revealing the fact that hey has a deal that’s not really spoken.”

not discarding them. We’re looking and we are engaging with them, but we are implementing the best of them.”

Mr Cooper said that the $300m transformation of the Nassau Cruise Port was a “catalyst” to get “Bay Street back to its glory days”. He invited investors to build residences Downtown and business owners to have their storefronts “redone and maintained”.

He said: “I think the Nassau Cruise Port is a good catalyst to really help us to aspire to get the main Bay Street, our Bay Street back to its glory days.

“We are inviting investors to participate in terms of building residences downtown for long term, the storefronts, we’re asking that they be redone and maintained.”

Strong start on market for Windsor Lakes project

FROM PAGE A24

He added: “The next phase is that Matt [Sweeting] at 1Oak along with Maison Bahamas have teamed up to handle the sales. So they should be going out this week to

a bunch of the brokers and agents to look at co-brokering.

“At the moment where we’re taking reservations and within the next two to three weeks we expect to be able to place the infrastructure bonds and then be able to sell property.”

Windsor Lakes is offering a “design and build,” your own home package as well as prospects can come in and select one of the predesigned homes they have to offer. “In that regard,

you would have a bunch of selections, so you would close on the property and then you could engage us to build those homes or you can bring your own design and we can we can also price build in those homes,” Mr Myers said.

However, if persons want to bring in their own contractor, they have to ensure that the contractor is qualified and approved by the developer.

JANUARY TARGET FOR CARQUEST TO OPEN DOORS AFTER DORIAN

FOUR years after its Abaco location was destroyed by Hurricane Dorian in 2019, CarQuest is working to open its doors in Marsh Harbour, Abaco, in January.

Stephen Albury, president of CarQuest Bahamas, said a $1.5m investment is being made to ensure the new location, set to be housed in the former Marsh Harbor RBC branch, is ready to deliver on the needs of the island.

“CarQuest offers a wider selection of inventory and services that most companies in The Bahamas don’t have from the back end,” Mr Albury said.

“Advance Auto Parts is a big boxed, fifty-five-hundred-store strong company in the United States. You can’t get much bigger than that! So, now we’ve got a large network of stores and strong inventory in Nassau, Freeport, and soon Abaco with more stores on more islands to come.”

Mr Albury said Abaco will also be branded Carquest by Advance like the Nassau location.

CarQuest is the local partner of Advance Auto Parts, one of the leading car part distributors in the US.

CarQuest first opened its doors on Abaco in

November 2010 and expanded to Grand Bahama later that same year. Its New Providence location was opened in March 2018 and moved to a larger location with a larger and more convenient parking facility on Mackey Street in the old RBC bank in December 2022.

The company’s Grand Bahama location received significant water damage during Hurricane Dorian but was able to reopen the doors to that location 30 days later with the support of Advance Auto Parts.

“Our Grand Bahama staff worked tirelessly to get us back on our feet and serving our community. We are very grateful to GB for its support.” The Grand Bahama location recently held a customer appreciation day with giveaways, prizes, and refreshments to thank clients.

The store will also get a facelift in 2024, with an expanded retail section to accommodate the company’s growing Ingco brand, as well as its new Eneos motor oil from Japan and Coastal Branded Lubricants from the US. Mr Albury noted that the company has also purchased an additional warehouse

GRAND Bahama Carquest location recently held a customer appreciation day with giveaways, prizes, and refreshments to thank their valued clients. The store will also get a facelift in 2024, with an expanded retail section to accommodate the company's Ingco brand, its new Eneos motor oil from Japan and Coastal Branded Lubricants from the USA.

in Grand Bahama to assist with the expansion.

“We’re a very proud distributor of Ingco tools,” Albury said. “It’s a brand we launched two and a half years ago, great quality and very affordable pricing for construction to home repair needs. So, if you’re shopping on Amazon for tools or car parts, you don’t need to do that. You can shop in our stores, and our prices are almost comparable to what you’ll find in the US. The biggest benefit to working with CarQuest is the availability and accessibility

of parts, if we don’t have it we can find it quickly and get it to the consumer, economically too.”

The Albury team is now fully focused and concentrated on the opening back of its Abaco location. “With only one other auto part store on the island of Abaco, residents are looking forward to another option in auto parts,” said Mr Albury. “We are pushing to get back in the market for our clients and we also need the space to help us with our Yamaha retail needs, too.”

FOUR years after its Abaco location was destroyed by Hurricane Dorian in 2019, CarQuest is working to open its doors in Marsh Harbor, Abaco in January 2024.

Photos:Carquest/Barefoot Marketing

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Vendors: Solve parking problems if pedestrianisation gets go-ahead

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

STRAW vendors said yesterday that pedestrianising Bay Street must come with a car park and more marketing of the Straw Market.

Rebecca Small, president of the Straw Business Persons Society, told Tribune Business she is not against the efforts to make Bay Street at the Market Slope a pedestrian zone, and she is willing to work with the efforts to

transform the area if it makes sense for vendors.

She said: “My only thing with that would be once the traffic is flowing to the Straw Market that would be a blessing for the straw vendors. But I’ve heard of this some time ago that that was their overall plan to stop the cars on Bay Street.”

The vendors are open to pedestrianising Bay Street, but have said they need to be assured it will not affect their businesses and

SEE PAGE A21

Strong start on market for Windsor Lakes project

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

A WESTERN New Providence

gated development pegged at $50m has reserved one third of its lots in its first month on the market, with marketing expected to ramp up in the next month.

Ryan Knowles, founder and chief executive of Maison Bahamas Real Estate and also the director of sales for Windsor Lakes development near Adelaide, told Tribune Business that the development has placed 25 of their 179 lots on reserve in its first month on the market.

This comes at the start of site works along with clearing roadways and infrastructural works, including man-made lakes.

He said: “That process obviously takes a number of months and right now I think we’re at about 80 percent of the roads being cleared, and driveable, which is nice.”

He continued: “So when we have prospective buyers who want to see the community, we can actually drive them through it and take them to their future property and over the next 12 months the rest of the infrastructure will go in for the utilities and the roads.

Abaco hopeful - but some questions over reshuffle

“By this time next year, we’ll start to see people constructing homes and starting to get ready to, hopefully, start to move in by the end of next year and early 2025.”

The first 25 lots have been reserved and official marketing will “ramp up” now as the development had a “successful soft launch”, Mr Knowles said.

Matt Sweeting, chief executive at 1oak Bahamas and also an exclusive sales and marketing representative for Windsor Lakes also said that there is “considerable interest” from locals and international market for lots, “but also home packages in this community”.

Robert Myers, principal of Windsor Lakes, said: “Everything is running along. We are doing all of our ground prep, earthmoving and excavation of lakes and roads and the building sites.”

SEE PAGE A22

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

BUSINESSES in Abaco are “encouraged” by new developments and projects slated for the island four years after the devastating Hurricane Dorian, according to Daphne DeGregory

Miaoulis, president of the Abaco Chamber of Commerce. She noted that Abaco “remains strong” and holds many opportunities for the local and international market.

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

THE Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce president said it is “great news” that there are three prospective buyers for the Grand Lucyan hotel, saying this is more positive for the island than has previously been revealed.

James Carey told Tribune Business that the

revelations by Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, who is also the Minister for Tourism, Investments and Aviation, on a local talk show yesterday confirming that the government has three prospective buyers for the Grand Lucayan hotel, is a “positive sign for the island”.

Mr Carey said: “The minister is not going to give out misinformation, so I think that it is a very positive statement that is more positive than he is letting

on that he is being honest with what he is saying.”

Mr Cooper said yesterday: “The hotel continues to be a part of my project moving forward. I’m delighted to tell you that there’s significant interest and I promised the Bahamian people that when I

She said: “As for Abaco, we are very encouraged by the Prime Minister’s recent comments on his visit on the anniversary of hurricane Dorian where he spoke of new investments slated for Abaco and the continuation and completion of the much-needed hurricane shelter.

“All in all, Abaco remains strong, offering many opportunities for investment and expansion of local Bahamian and foreign investment.”

get the money in the bank, I’m going to tell more. I’m not going to say anything more than that.”

Mr Cooper had said in March that there were three credible offers for the Grand Lucayan hotel

‘Roaring’ tourism set for best ever year

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Writer jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

DEPUTY Prime Minister Chester Cooper yesterday said tourist arrivals are up 66 percent over last year’s numbers.

Mr Cooper was a guest on Guardian Radio’s Morning Blend with Dwight Strachan yesterday and said that tourism numbers for July are “roaring” with daily rates up 60 percent, room revenue up 42 percent and arrivals up by 66 percent when compared to last year’s figures.

He added that occupancy levels and tourist spending are also up and predicted over eight million arrivals this year, making it the “best year ever for tourism”.

He said: “Average daily rates are up by about 60 percent. Room revenue is up more than 42 percent… occupancy is up and at the end of July, I can report that our numbers are up in terms of arrivals, 66 percent over last year “No matter how you measure it, we were roaring back to the best of the best. This is going to be, I

predict the best year ever for tourism, we’re going to clock more than 8 million arrivals this year.”

Mr Cooper explained that the Downtown

Revitalisation Project is a necessary part of improving the tourism product and encouraging repeat visitors. He noted that the although the Ministry of Tourism is spearheading the initiative stakeholders such as the Ministry of Works, Ministry of Health, Attorney General’s Office, Ministry of Environment and business owners are working together to ensure that the project takes a ‘collective approach’ He said: “We want our tourists to spend more we want them to keep coming.

She added that she spoke with Prime Minister Philip Davis on his recent visit to the island and appealed for the removal of derelict buildings and housing concessions for local homeowners.

She said: “I had the opportunity to speak directly with him and stressed the need for cleaning up of the abandoned damaged buildings that reflect poorly on us as a destination to which he agreed.

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