09142023 NEWS AND SPORT

POLICE CHIEF: ARRESTS DO EARN COPS PRIZES

‘Even a dog gets a reward’ says COP of incentive scheme

By LETRE SWEETING Tribune Staff Reporter lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

POLICE Commis-

sioner Clayton Fernander defended the police force’s new arrest incentive system, which critics believe could lead to overly aggressive policing.

A recently leaked Royal Bahamas Police Force document said the system

is an attempt to “foster teamwork, boost morale, and recognise outstanding performance.”

The system would award points to teams based on the number of arrests made for major or minor offences.

The teams would also gain points for activities that include stopping and searching people and

LOWER BILLS TO ARRIVE AS SOON AS NEXT MONTH, BPL TELLS URCA

BAHAMAS Power & Light told the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority that fuel charges have peaked, and customers can expect lower rates beginning this month.

URCA released a statement on the matter yesterday, noting it has received increasing complaints from BPL customers about high electricity rates.

“Part of URCA’s remit as the regulator for the

electricity sector in The Bahamas is to ensure consumer protection and support appropriate billing,” URCA said in a statement.

“URCA considers electricity a basic necessity that should be affordable and remains concerned about the impact of high electricity bills on BPL’s customers and the economy.

A BAHAMIAN company has signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding with the United States National Centre for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder, Colorado, for a scientific,

technical cooperation and technology collaboration.

Executive chairman Eileen Dupuch-Carron, OB, CMG, LLb, signed the deal yesterday on what is set to be a major undertaking – accompanied by

The Tribune’s newshound, Patches.

The deal relates to Bahamas Aviation, Climate and Severe Weather Ltd’s (BACSWN) proposed

SEE PAGE SEVEN

BPL UNION READY TO STRIKE - WAITS FOR RESOLUTION

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Electrical Workers Union received its strike certificate yesterday, allowing the union to potentially take industrial action against Bahamas Power and Light (BPL).

BEW president Kyle Wilson told The Tribune that despite getting the strike certificate, the union continues to meet

MAN, 21, DENIES ‘THREATENING PM OUTRIGHT’

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

government officials to resolve their concerns.

He refused to say whether the union would strike, saying: “Stay tuned.”

“We are currently working with COO Toni Seymour, Bernard Evans and Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis to bring resolution,” he said. “We

SEE PAGE TWO

THE trial of a 21-yearold man accused of threatening to kill Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis in response to Lincoln Bain’s arrest after a protest in February began yesterday.

Police officers testified that the defendant called Central Police Station to demand Mr Bain’s release.

Isaac Roberts’ trial began before acting Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley. Bjorn Ferguson represented him. Sergeant

SEE PAGE FIVE

BEWU president Kyle Wilson

BPL union ready to strikebut hopes for a resolution

from page one

want to work in good faith, but all options are still on the table.”

The strike certificate came after more than 400 BPL workers who participated in a poll earlier this month voted in favour of industrial action.

BPL staff are upset about issues related to hazardous pay, pension and medical benefits, among other concerns.

They have also expressed frustration over poor working conditions at BPL’s substations. Workers went on work to rule last month.

However, BPL’s

management has said they have worked in good faith with the union and addressed many of their concerns under the law and the industrial agreement.

“BPL’s management maintains that our response has and will remain above board and in the best interest of the company’s stakeholders, including our employees and the customers we serve,” the power company said in a statement last month.

BPL CEO Shevonn Cambridge has said contingency plans would be implemented if BPL workers went on strike.

IMMIGRAT ION REPATRI ATES 42 MIGRANTS YESTERDAY

FORTY-FOUR Haitian nationals were repatriated yesterday.

In a statement, The Department of Immigration said the group left the country around 1.01 pm on a Bahamasair chartered flight for Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

37 men and seven women were onboard.

“The Department’s deportation and enforcement units led the escort. All security and health protocols were observed as the safety and welfare of our officers, law enforcement counterparts and migrants remain the highest priority,” a press release from the department said.

BEWU PRESIDENT KYLE WILSON

Police chief: Arrests do earn cops prizes

from page one

issuing tickets. The team with the least number of sick reports would be awarded points. Points would also be awarded for protecting government property.

National Security Minister Wayne Munroe had previously dismissed the competition as fake news, but Commissioner Fernander confirmed and defended its existence yesterday.

“Even a dog, if he does something good, the handler, awards him,” he said. “Let me tell you a story. Just last week, during an operation, our canine unit, the handler took him into some deep bushes where we suspected there were drugs and firearms. The canines were able to recover a lot of drugs in that area.

“And you know what the handler did to reward him? He lift the dog up and put him on his shoulder and brought him out to the front area. I thought that was so profound. I thought it was an excellent initiative by the handler. When I first saw the photo, I thought the dog was injured, but that’s what he did for his reward.”

Commissioner Fernander said police are investigating the leak of the internal memo.

“This is an in-house friendly competition,” he said. “It is not uncommon throughout the world in forces where we honour officers for good work.”

The competition will initially last three months. A special award will be given to officers on the winning team, though the nature of the award was not disclosed.

says COP

By LETRE SWEETING Tribune Staff Reporter lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

POLICE Commissioner Clayton Fernander said the Royal Bahamas Police Force is learning from Coroner’s Court inquests that produce adverse findings for officers. Findings against the police were once rare, but most of the inquests in 2023 have resulted in homicide by manslaughter conclusions, raising the prospect that the officers involved could be charged with serious crimes. The most recent case involved 20-year-old Deangelo Evans, who was killed on Sandy Lane off McCullough Corner on May 27, 2018.

Commissioner Fernander declined to comment directly on the recent findings, claiming without evidence that the matters are currently before the court. In fact, two of the three matters are not currently subject to court proceedings.

However, he said: “Every

FERNANDER SAYS HE EXPECTS SWIF T INVESTIGATIONS INTO recent incidents involving two officers’ actions

day that we see deficiencies, these things are addressed. That’s why we have our policy and review team review our policies and our strategies and how we deal with matters.”

“We tweak those things every day. Those matters are still in court, so I don’t wish to comment on it, but we learned from the different investigations, and we tweak as we go with the different investigations.”

In addition to Evans’ case, Coroner’s Court jurors in May determined that Azario Major’s December 26, 2021, killing was a homicide by manslaughter. Likewise, in June, jurors concluded that Shanton Forbes’ March 25, 2018, killing was also a homicide by manslaughter.

In the case of Courtney Thompson, 36, who was shot in the neck on January 26, 2018, jurors determined the killing was justified. Meanwhile, jurors returned an open verdict in the case of Ronald Mackey, who was killed on November 25, 2017.

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

POLICE Commissioner Clayton Fernander said authorities retrieved bodycam footage in a case of a woman whose retina was detached after an officer allegedly punched her in her eye.

The matter was one of two examples of alleged police brutality that Commissioner Fernander discussed with reporters yesterday, the other being the case of a boy struck by an officer in a viral video.

Latique Perpall told The Tribune earlier this month that she was pursuing legal action after an assistant superintendent of police in plain clothes allegedly punched her in her eye.

The 29-year-old said as she walked into her yard, a police truck drove up to the front. The senior officer and his colleagues then arrested her.

Commissioner Fernander said the investigation into that is almost complete.

“We always talk about the

bodycam that officers wear,” he said. “We know that one of the officers who assisted with respect to the individuals who was arrested, there was footage retrieved from there, so that is assisting us with the investigation. Very shortly, we will get back to the public and let them know our findings.”

Meanwhile, Commissioner Fernander said there would be a swift investigation in the case of the officer who is alleged to have struck and grabbed the boy.

He said the officer’s behaviour was not a good representation of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

“We don’t train our officers with that,” he said. “This is a professional organisation, and we have to present ourselves to the public just as that to be professional in the execution of their duties. That matter is under active investigation. I have instructed my deputy commissioner, Mr Deleveaux, who is in charge of discipline, I want that matter to move through swiftly, and where the chips fall, it will fall.”

The viral video showed two police officers on a golf cart near the Mall at Marathon approaching a group of students. One of the officers commanded the students to “go home and find the bus stop”.

A male student responded: “I just reached here. I going to go get something.”

An officer replied: “Who you think you are talking to

like that? Boy, you stupid ay?”

The officer struck the student with a baton and manhandled the child before placing him in the back of the golf cart.

Commissioner Fernander said the officer is not on leave.

He said officers are repeatedly reminded how to perform their duties.

acting Prison commissioner

‘making Progress’ in EFFORTS TO BECOME LICENCED AS CORRECTIONAL FACILITY

By LETRE SWEETING Tribune Staff Reporter lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

ACTING Prison Commissioner Doan Cleare said the Bahamas Department of Corrections is making progress trying to be licensed as a correctional facility, with the American Correctional Association set to certify 30 officers in mental health management next week.

He said the facility has more than 149 mentally ill inmates, making managing them difficult.

“The cabinet of The Bahamas has already approved for us to get two full-time psychiatrists and two full-time psychologists,” he said. “Thus far, we have one on board now, one psychiatrist and one psychologist. We are happy to say that the American Correctional Association is now certifying our staff in mental health management. We have had 30 of them as already completed a tenday training exercise, and they will be getting a certification on Tuesday of next week.”

Acting Commissioner Cleare spoke to reporters following a Probation, Parole and Community

Industries Symposium at the Breezes resort.

During the opening ceremony, Mr Cleare explained the process of people being convicted of a crime to possibly being released on parole.

“When you come to the institution, we want to classify you properly,” he said.

“Once we classify you properly, we want to give you a sentence plan. That plan is supposed to correct your deficiencies. In other words, whatever made you commit that offence, it is our duty and job to try to correct that issue.

“After we classify you and give you your sentence plan, we then seek to put you in a different section called programming. Programming is the section that pretty much will fix you if you could be fixed, because you know, some of these persons only God can fix.

“After programming, it is our job to track you in the institution to make sure that you are adhering to your correctional plan. Then case management follows you, then after case management is finished with you, you can go now to this thing called re-entry. We are now preparing you

to come out.

“If you don’t have a valid licence, we provide one for you. If you don’t have a passport, we shall assist you. If you don’t have a job, we try to assist you. This is what the re-entry is for. So this is coming to the institution, and it has to come because you cannot do parole without it.

“So once re-entry is finished with you, we then turn you over to the parole in-house unit. This in-house parole unit will make sure to do a dossier on you and present you to the parole board, which is an independent body. The parole board would then say yes or no to if Doan Cleare can come out.

“So, if Doan Cleare comes out, it is a

conditional release. Moving forward, when the justice gives 30 years, 30 years is 30 years.”

Mr Cleare said probation would ensure the prison’s resources are not wasted.

“With probation, on the other hand,” he said, “if I get angry and slap my brother and the police come and lock me up and charge me with assault, what am I coming to jail for, for six to eight months? To me, that’s a waste of resources.”

Mr Cleare said it is important officials introduce the parole system soon given that it has been in the works for nine years.

“Do you know how many lives we could’ve saved in this country had that been implemented in 2015 or 2016?” he asked.

COMMISSIONER OF POLICE CLAYTON FERNANDER

‘We’ve learned from the different inquests’

ACTING PRISON COMMISSIONER DOAN CLEARE

Botswana President spoke to high school and college students about preserving democracy

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

BOTSWANA President Dr

Mokgweetsi EK Masisi lec-

tured high school and university students yesterday on the importance of protecting democracy, telling them that as future leaders, they should demand constitutional term limits, separation of powers, free and fair elections, and an independent press.

President Masisi, who arrived in the country on Tuesday, lectured students at the University of The Bahamas yesterday as part of his three-day visit to The Bahamas.

This is the second time a Botswana president has visited The Bahamas. Former Botswana President Festus Mogae visited the country from September 12 to 15, 2000, at the invitation of then Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham. A joint communique establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries was signed on September 15, 2000.

“As you may be aware, for the last few years, democracy has been under siege in almost all regions of the world,” President Masisi said at UB yesterday in a room full of students and college dignitaries.

“This democratic deficit is characterised by the rise in autocratic systems accelerated through the removal

of democratically elected governments by disloyal militaries, coup d’états and insurgents, the rise in contract militaries, and mercenary men whose role sole purpose is to change governments through third or private parties.”

“There’s also a challenge to free and fair elections, leading to disputes and civil strife and the scourge of dictatorships.”

Dr Masisi told the group that democracy must be “nurtured” to survive. He said although his country did not invent democracy, it has embodied “democratic philosophy and inclinations”.

Reflecting on Botswana’s post-independence era, Dr Masisi recalled the country’s challenges fighting to create an inclusive economy while keeping its democratic values.

“Today, we look back at the journey we have travelled as a nation,” he said, “and we recognise that there could never be democracy without development and no development without democracy.”

He also challenged the students, saying: “As future leaders, you should insist on shared values in the international forum such as constitutional term limits, separation of powers, the independence of the judiciary, free and fair elections and free independent and pluralistic media.”

He urged students to demand independent

academic institutions free from propaganda. He also welcomed granting scholarships to Bahamians. He told his education minister “be agreeable to any of the requests within the limit of affordability or scholarships being granted to students in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, including but not limited to doctoral level training.” Dr Masisi said Botswana is ready to work with The Bahamas to support the next generation of leaders.

“Our two countries share similar priorities in the form of the Botswana Vision 2036 and The Bahamas Vision 2040,” he added. “Therefore, there’s an opportunity for our governments’ academic and democratic institutions to forge closer collaborations and to exchange notes and expertise to best facilitate the realisation of our two visions.”

“After all, we are both keen on economic development. We are both keen on good governance, social policy and environmental preservations. It is through these engagements and full participation of the citizenry that we can truly strengthen democracy in order to usher in the next generation of leaders.”

President Masisi is expected to leave for the Group of 77 States Summit on Science, Technology and Innovation in Havana, Cuba on Friday.

BOTSWANA President Dr Mokgweetsi EK Masisi lectured high school and university students yesterday on the importance of protecting democracy, telling them that as future leaders, they should demand constitutional term limits, separation of powers, free and fair elections, and an independent press.

Photos: Dante Carrer

The Bahamas signs bilateral agreement with the Republic of Botswana for political consultation

DR LEMOGANG KWAPE, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Botswana and Frederick Mitchell, The Bahamas foreign minister, signed the memorandum of understanding to establish Bilateral Political Consultation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Goodman’s Bay Corporate Centre.

Photos: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

THE government of The Bahamas signed a memorandum of understanding with the Republic of Botswana to establish Bilateral Political Consultation yesterday.

“The memorandum will strengthen relations, friendship and cooperation between The Bahamas and Botswana for mutual benefits and to achieve common

goals on international multilateral and bilateral ties,” according to a press release from the government.

“Areas of exchange include but isn’t limited to economic, cultural relations, tourism, environmental, agricultural, health, educational and financial services.

“The exchange of our expertise and experts will mutually benefit both

countries by strengthening sectors in which we are looking to grow.”

Dr Lemogang Kwape, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Botswana and Frederick Mitchell, The Bahamas foreign minister, signed the memorandum of understanding at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Goodman’s Bay Corporate Centre.

Man, 21, denies ‘threatening PM outright’

from page one

Cadero Farrington is the prosecutor.

Roberts, who had a bandage on his chin, used crutches after injuring his left leg in a reported motorcycle accident. He appeared calm during the hearing.

Inspector Demetrius Taylor testified that he conducted a police interview with the defendant around 2pm on February 18. During the interview, Mr Roberts allegedly admitted to calling Central Police Station earlier that morning from Goodman’s Bay. However, the defendant denied threatening Mr Davis outright.

The defendant reportedly signed the Record of Interview, which was shown in

court.

The record noted Mr Roberts did not have a lawyer during the interview.

Sergeant Chekesha McPhee, who was present during the interview, said Mr Roberts was heard on the phone saying: “Lincoln Bain or someone coming for Brave.”

When Mr Ferguson asked how Mr Roberts responded to a question about the nature of the threat towards the prime minister, Sgt McPhee claimed Roberts said: “I would not kill Brave Davis, but someone might because of what was said in the media in the last protest downtown.”

Mr Bain had been charged with unlawful assembly on February 17 after a February 15 protest in response to what he

called an immigration crisis. Under cross-examination, Mr Ferguson suggested to Sgt McPhee that his client requested a lawyer during the interview. She claimed officers asked Mr Roberts if he wanted a lawyer, but he said no.

The attorney also asserted that Roberts tried to reach an attorney, but could not contact one.

Sgt McPhee said she could not recall this.

The matter was adjourned to November 3 after the prosecutor said an officer scheduled to attend was recovering from a nearfatal car accident.

Mr Ferguson objected to the delay, noting his client showed up not long after an accident and had to produce a sick slip for his previous absence.

The Tribune Limited

NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI

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

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

SIR

COP not inspiring confidence in face of criticisms

POLICE Commissioner Clayton

Fernander spoke to the media on a number of issues – but was not necessarily clear in answering some of the concerns.

He spoke – as you can read in our lead story today – about the arrest incentive system that has drawn some criticism.

Indeed, when The Tribune asked the Minister of National Security, Wayne Munroe, about the existence of the scheme, he dismissed it as “fake news”.

Now that it has been confirmed not once but twice, Mr Munroe may need to clarify why he thought it was fake.

The scheme awards points to teams based on the number of arrests made for minor and major offences, and also for activities such as stopping and searching people and issuing tickets.

Yesterday, Commissioner Fernander, in defending the scheme, said: “Even a dog, if he does something good, the handler awards him.”

He called it an “in-house friendly competition” and did not seem to note any concerns about the scheme.

For example, if officers are to gain personally – and potentially materially – from such things as traffic stops and issuing tickets, does that open the door to the possibility that they might be overly officious in such activities, stopping people when it is not necessary?

The Tribune received a video recently from a traffic stop in which a taxi driver was detained with his arms on the car as tourists in the car recorded the incident.

The driver complied with the officers’ instructions, but said to them – in a pleasant manner – that what they were doing was too much, it was unnecessary.

The tourists themselves were then reportedly told to get out of the cab and they were searched too.

Now, this was just one traffic stop – but as there was just an island-wide operation, the thought might creep in wondering whether this is to stop crime or to win an internal contest.

Broader police operations are surely not for such purposes – but it will not stop some being stopped from challenging officers over their motives. And if actions are seen as excessive, doubt may creep in.

There is of course always a need to encourage staff, whatever the business, but connecting it to the detention of citizens is questionable, to say the least. Heaven help if any officer actually does impinge on civil liberties in order to improve their score back at the station.

The Commissioner also spoke up on several other issues. He said the police force is learning from the outcomes of Coroner’s Court inquests – several recently have ruled on police killings as being homicide by manslaughter. He did not say what would be learned – and he incorrectly said that he could not comment because the matters are before the court. Two out of three matters are not currently before the court.

He also spoke about a recent incident in which a woman complained she had been assaulted by an officer after he made comments about her figure – and that she was also arrested.

He said a bodycam was worn by one of the officers involved in the arrest and that was being reviewed – but there was no suggestion that the bodycam footage would be made public.

However, he was firm about an incident involving a viral video showing an officer striking a schoolboy with a baton, saying that the behaviour of the officer was not a good representation of the force and that he wanted the matter to be dealt with swiftly.

The presence of the video in that seems to have encouraged swift action – perhaps the release of bodycam footage in the other incident might move things along in that case too?

We all want to have the greatest confidence we can in police – signs such as the swift movement on the case of the boy being struck are welcome.

There are other areas where there is perhaps uncertainty whether the right decisions are being made – on the incentive scheme, for example – or where greater transparency in dealing with police complaints would be welcomed, and where being sure of the right facts, such as on what matters are before court, would bring confidence that the issue really is being dealt with properly instead of it just being an off-the-cuff reply.

In some areas then, applause. In others, the force could still do better.

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Paul Hanna. Icon. Legend. With his passing, a curtain fell on a golden age of Bahamian musical excellence. With a career that spanned six decades, he was the last of an era of Bahamian greatness. With every virtuoso performance, we were witness to history. A giant walked among us. And he was so much more. Philanthropist. Humanitarian. Caregiver. Caretaker. He loaned his talent to churches, benefits, charity events, fundraisers. Yet, in the face of overwhelming evidence of his Christian service, churches refused to give venue to his homecoming because of his non-denominational status. He was memorialised at the Yoga Retreat, Paradise Island on Saturday, Sept 2, in a fitting concert event attended by his many appreciative and grateful family, friends and fans.

Paul was a consummate artist, passionate and uncompromising in his drive for excellence, in himself and in others. He was a willing teacher, providing lessons and

mentorship to countless children and young artists, building character and sowing confidence in the soil of souls hungry for knowledge and guidance. He did this without payment, giving his time freely and graciously. His humble upbringing in Bain Town taught him the importance of community, of the village mentality and the shared purpose of helping and lifting others. He was a spark that lit the fires of hope and inspiration in the lives of many who doubted their selfworth. He felt their need, and he understood.

In music, Paul experienced liberation from the mundane, freedom from the daily grind. He rebelled against divisions of all kinds, from politics to religion. He championed against these forces throughout his life because of his love for humanity, especially the downtrodden. He led by example, refusing to don the robes of conformity. He was consumed with

purpose, with the understanding that we are all points of light, and God’s purpose for man is to shine as brightly as we are allowed through the gift of our talents, whatever they may be. And shine he did. He was true to his path, true to his purpose. He fulfilled the task that was put before him with a life filled with giving, sharing, loving, and achieving. He was a soldier of Truth, a warrior of conscience, a courier of love, a beacon of light. He was message and messenger, authentic and prolific, a towering flame, inspiring and triumphant. Icon. Legend. May his soul shine brightly in the canopy of Heaven. May he continue to send light through the window of our hearts. May his memory live long and his legacy endure. And may he continue to send love to each and every one of us from his new stage in the stars. Shine on Paul Hanna. You will be missed.

TYRONE “BUTCH”

BARTLETT aka”Plati Dred”

Nassau

September 5, 2023

EDITOR, The Tribune.

First, let me congratulate her Excellency Cynthia Alexandria Pratt for her rise to the highest office in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. Secondly, I want to draw the public’s attention to the assertion that was made in the media that she was the first female acting Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas in 2002.

Dame Janet Gwenneth Bostwick, seven years earlier in 1998, when then Prime Minister Hubert

Alexander Ingraham and Deputy Frank Watson were out of the country she was appointed to act as Prime Minister. 2. This falsehood that Cynthia Pratt was the first Acting Prime Minister was repeated overly during her swearing in ceremony and by reporters in the media without correction. She may be the first to have acted for an extended period, but certainly not the first as being hyped.

During 2005, and his first term as Prime Minister, Mr Christie had a

stroke which incapacitated him for awhile and left him hospitalized. The then Deputy Prime Minister, Pratt was appointed Acting during his illness. Obviously, the biography posted on the government’s website contains a number of inaccuracies that no one has tried to correct. This may be a small thing, but when we report we must be factual and accurate.

September, 2023.

LARGE swells crash the cliffs on the Atlantic side of North Eleuthera yesterday as waves generated by Hurricane Lee are now reaching shorelines in The Bahamas.

Photo: Bahamas Weather Watchers

are, from left (front row), Eloise Poitier, executive assistant to Tribune Publisher & Editor-in-Chief; Lyrone Burrows, BACSWN president & CEO, executive chairman and legal advisor, BACSWN; Eileen Carron, executive chairman; Portia Nicholson, partner at Higgs and Johnson; Trevor Basden, senior vice-president and director of meteorology, BACSWN; Robert Dupuch-Carron, founder of BACSWN. Back row, Rhett Storr, chief financial officer, Tribune Media Group;

MOU SIGNED BY BACSWN IN MAJOR DEAL

from page one

$427m investment in its own intellectual property designs for the buildout, construction, startup and operation of what is described as a “first-of-its-kind” transformational aviation, climate, meteorological and severe weather network.

The deal also includes the mutual licensing of each party’s technology for aviation and severe weather — including but not limited to NCAR’s real-time certification of aviation carbon credits for the Government’s Blue Carbon Credit Soverign Fund.

Professor Roelof Bruintjes, one of the top atmospheric science experts in the world, says the system will “help transform the way weather is visualised around the world”, while US defence contractor Raytheon Technologies previously stated it “will exceed those of industrial nations... propelling [Government of The Bahamas] into a world leader in live flight tracking, environmental technology infrastructure and advanced real-time meteorological services capable of monitoring and managing the weather risks unique to the nation”.

MOTHER OF TODDLER QUESTIONED OVER MYSTERIOUS DEATH

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

POLICE Commissioner Clayton

Fernander said police questioned the mother of 22-month-old Anwar Miller, the toddler who mysteriously died Tuesday at an apartment complex on Family Street.

“We’re still putting the pieces together,” he said. “We will be able to bring the public up to date as to the end of the conclusion of our

investigation.”

The toddler’s body was discovered inside a bedroom with no visible wounds, though there was skin discolouration.

Police were alerted to the apartment when a tenant complained he was being attacked by his landlord, later identified as Anwar’s father.

Chief Superintendent Michael Johnson told reporters on Tuesday that the landlord was arrested because of his erratic behaviour

after he jumped through a window when confronted about attacking his tenant.

Police later found Anwar’s body.

The landlord also died.

CSP Johnson said the mother knew the toddler was in the care of his father.

“I was so saddened with the young child yesterday at Family Street,” Commissioner Fernander said. “That matter is very much active. We have located the mother of that young child, and

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A 38-YEAR-OLD father was sentenced to 20 months in prison yesterday after admitting to having a loaded gun hidden in his sock drawer at his family home earlier this week.

Magistrate Lennox Coleby charged Earl Smith, his mother, Frances Smith, 68, and a 14-year-old male juvenile with possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition.

The courtroom was filled with relatives of the defendants and their pastor.

Elsworth Johnson represented the accused.

Police entered the defendants’ residence in Baylily Grove on September 11 where officers recovered a black 9mm Taurus pistol hidden in Mr Smith’s bedroom in a white and grey sock. Authorities also seized 15 rounds of 9mm ammunition.

In a subsequent police interview, Mr Smith admitted to owning the weapon and claimed sole responsibility for the crime.

After he pleaded guilty, the charges against his mother and the juvenile were withdrawn.

During the mitigation part of the hearing, Mr Johnson said Mr Smith regrets his actions and putting his mother in such a predicament. He also apologised to his client’s family on his behalf. After citing Smith’s early guilty plea, Mr Johnson asked the court to temper justice with mercy in delivering its sentencing.

Magistrate Coleby sentenced Smith to 20 months in prison after thanking him for his early plea.

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A 49-YEAR-OLD man was fined $1,500 yesterday after admitting to throwing a quantity of marijuana on the roof of his house last week.

we are speaking to her at this time.”

Asked about violence against children, Commissioner Fernander said: “I’m very concerned about that. We have to protect our little darlings. We have to protect them. And we wouldn’t leave nothing unturned to do just that to protect them. We will continue to have meetings, town meetings in the urban areas to at least speak to parents and to partner with our outsiders.”

LOWER BILLS TO ARRIVE AS SOON AS NEXT MONTH, BPL TELLS URCA

from page one

Considering the widespread complaints and in accordance with its commitment to protect consumers, URCA has been monitoring the situation.

“In recent discussions, BPL confirmed that fuel charges have reached their peak, and customers can expect lower rates moving forward. The company has confirmed the fuel charge will decline this month for many consumers and will be reflected in those

consumers’ electricity bills next month.

“In October 2022, BPL announced an initiative to increase its fuel charge to reflect the rising cost of fuel and to clear some of the outstanding debt it owed on prior fuel purchases. It stated this would be done gradually through the use of a glide path strategy.

“In reviewing consumer complaints, URCA has found that consumers have unfortunately experienced the compound billing effects of increased demand during the summer months and the

increase in the fuel charge via the glide path strategy.”

URCA noted people’s electricity consumption doubles in the summer because of the increasing use of air conditioning and children being home from school.

“The doubling of consumption multiplied by the fuel charge, which is almost three times what it was last summer, means many consumers’ bills are significantly higher,” URCA said.

“BPL’s glide path strategy was designed to slowly increase the fuel charge to a peak this

summer and then decrease the fuel charge continuously through the end of February 2024. By March 2024, BPL is expected to have paid off its outstanding fuel debt. This means that as of March 2024, bills are expected to only reflect the actual cost of fuel used in supplying consumers. At that point, provided the market price of fuel remains the same or decreases, the charge for fuel will naturally decrease. Hence, consumers will receive a lower bill for the same amount of consumption.”

Magistrate Samuel McKinney charged Marvin Duvalier with possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply.

Duvalier was arrested on Windward Isles Road in Golden Gates on August 8 after police found 7 ½ oz of marijuana in a bag thrown on the roof of his house.

After pleading guilty to the charge, Duvalier was ordered to pay $1,500 or risk six months in prison. He was also placed on probation for 18 months.

Another man was fined $750 after admitting to a separate drug offence.

Magistrate McKinney charged Angelo Johnson, 18, with possession of dangerous drugs.

Johnson was arrested in New Providence after police found him with 42 grams of marijuana and 3 grams of amphetamines in 14 capsules on September 10.

Following his guilty plea, Johnson was fined $500 for the marijuana and $250 for the amphetamines. Failing to pay either fine would result in a three-month prison term.

MAN WHO THREW DRUGS ON ROOF FINED $1,500

PICTURED at the signing

Kevin Salabie, manager of social media content/promotions, BACSWN; Nicolas Rees, financial advisor and director BACSWN; former senior Asst Commissioner of Police Steven Dean, VP asset protection, BACSWN; Burton Rodgers, VP governmental affairs, BACSWN; Adam Darville, VP development, BACSWN and Quincy Singh Rolle, CEO Tribune Digital Labs. Missing from photo are: Nick Gallagher, director, BACSWN; Anthony Ferguson, president CFAL; Linsdey Cancino, CFO, BACSWN, Elizabeth Dupuch-Carron, director BACSWN; Craig Lowe, weather visualisations, and Glen Ward, VP business development.

TREVOR Basden at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, a world-renowned facility in Boulder, Colorado, comprising 3,000 scientists sponsored by the National Science Foundation.

PROFESSOR ROELOF BRUINTJES, second left, with, from left, Quincy Rolle, Lyrone Burrows and Adam Darville.

LYRONE Burrows at the National Center for Atmospheric Research.

Abaco ‘brimming with opportunities’ for businesses as island sees revival

FOUR years after the devastating impact of Hurricane Dorian, Abaco is emerging as a thriving hub of economic activity, with businesses now being encouraged to capitalise on this opportunity by investing in the island and providing key services as it undergoes a remarkable revival.

One notable area brimming with opportunities for investment lies in the demand for additional housing and accommodations, according to Daphne Degregory Miaoulis, president of the Abaco Chamber of Commerce.

“There are not enough rooms. Abaco is overflowing with business. Abaco is a hotspot and people want to come here,” says Degregory Miaoulis.

She added, “We need more businesses to come in and offer services. We had hoped that more of our Bahamian-owned mega enterprises out of New Providence would see this as an opportunity to invest in Abaco which is going to be the next second city very soon.”

Mrs DeGregory Miaoulis made the comments during the latest episode of You and Your Money, outlining the numerous economic opportunities available in the Abacos. Mrs DeGregory Miaoulis will be a presenter at the upcoming 19th Abaco Business Outlook set for Thursday, September 21, 2023 at the Abaco Beach Resort, where she and other stakeholders will discuss various opportunities available in Abaco.

According to Mrs DeGregory-Miaoulis, the event tourism segment has provided tremendous economic benefits and business opportunities for the Abaco community.

“The festivals have been excellent revenue generators for the cays, particularly Hope Town

with music festivals. Abaco in the past has not really been a music festival destination, Hope Town developed that market. The mainland of Abaco and the other cays have been more geared towards families, eco and agro tourism. Those are areas that I certainly think are wide open for investment. The local farmers markets have been great. Some farmers have started farm tours and petting zoos for example. Abaco is such an

amazing destination for people who love nature and perhaps want to get away from the noise of the city. I think there is lots of room for well trained tour operators on the island,” DeGregory-Miaoulis said.

Roscoe Thompson, head of the Marsh Harbour/Spring City Township says that events such as the regattas and music festivals have provided significant economic benefits for Abaco, with further opportunities

available to attract more visitors through partnerships between local businesses and key stakeholders.

“I believe in our slower tourism months the resorts, the airbnb and car rental businesses can all team up with Bahamasair, combining their services and maybe offering packages,” says Mr Thompson.

Mr Thompson notes that since Hurricane Dorian a number of local

businesses have bounced back and new businesses have emerged to service the Abaco community.

According to De Gregory-Miaoulis, there is a significant need for skilled labour on Abaco post Hurricane Dorian, with the relocation of a considerable number of Abaconians after the storm having contributed to the issue.

“We need more Abaconians to come back to Abaco and not to the

Abaco of the past but to the Abaco of the future with the new opportunities that are being presented,” says De Gregory-Miaoulis. She adds, “We need more skilled labour so we can provide the quality of service we need and not just in construction.”

Mrs DeGregory Miaoulis says she believes Abaco’s future shines bright with exciting business prospects and attractive investment opportunities.

DAPHNE DEGREGORY MIAOULIS, president of the Abaco Chamber of Commerce said that Hope Town has developed music festivals and has become a known destination because of it. “Hope Town developed that market. The mainland of Abaco and the other cays have been more geared towards families, eco and agro tourism,” she said. “Those are areas that I certainly think are wide open for investment.”

Photo: Timothy Roberts

BRITISH High Commissioner Tom Hartley and Leader of the Opposition, Michael C. Pintard, engaged in a comprehensive courtesy call today, discussing various crucial topics of interest to both the United Kingdom and The Bahamas. During the meeting, Mr Pintard recounted his recent visit to the Turks and Caicos Islands, where he had productive meetings with the Governor, Premier, Deputy Premier, and the Leadership team of the Opposition. This visit highlights the importance of regional cooperation and dialogue, demonstrating a commitment to fostering positive relationships within the Caribbean.

They’ll know we are Christians by our... judgementalism?

SO often throughout history the victims of discrimination and oppression are described as “venomous” when they protest against their brutalisation and mistreatment. We have observed this sad response by some Bahamian male religious leaders toward women campaigning to outlaw marital rape.

The campaigners are castigated as angry, as if those who seek basic justice do not have a moral right to be angry at injustice and inequality. Imagine the police officer who kept his knee embedded on George Floyd’s neck as the latter pleaded for his life asking the soon to be dead victim, “Why are you so angry and venomous?”

A number of the same religious leaders who oppose outlawing marital rape have also been exercised and angered over the years by gays and lesbians speaking up for their dignity and rights.

Moreover, some of these leaders who decry the supposed venom of others, seem to have conveniently forgotten their unwelcoming and heated protests against gay and lesbian visitors to The Bahamas in years pasts.

That these pastors organised themselves, arrogantly, under the banner Save Our Bahamas, suggested that gays and lesbians were somehow an Armageddonlike and existential threat to The Bahamas.

Those who demonstrated against these cruise passengers should have protested real threats to The Bahamas such as hypocritical pastors using religion to aggrandise themselves and to make huge profits off their congregants instead of serving the poor. Many of the moneychangers are still in the temple.

That the sky has not fallen and all hell hath not broken loose in jurisdictions where there is greater equality for gays and lesbians seems an irrelevance to those whose fevered imaginations boil with fire and brimstone. Hell hath no fury like a cleric scorning God’s children who happen to be homosexual.

While they were busy supposedly saving The Bahamas from among their favourite people to demonise, the real threats of environmental degradation, climate change and voracious greed by the earth’s polluters continued unabated with scant comment or urgency by some religionists.

Why do some spend so much time attacking gays and lesbians? Is the mantra: “They’ll know we are Christians by our judgmentalism, our hatred, our prejudice.” There must be a smug and warm self-satisfaction by this band and brand of Christians.

The homophobia of the Old Testament wannabees, of pastors and some

adherents, is cut of a garment of prejudice derived from an entrenched fundamentalism in the Bahamas.

It is revealing that the clerical clique and their claque of crusaders who were more moved to demonstrate against gays in port for a few hours, are not as moved to go to other venues in Nassau to protest adultery, adult nightclubs, et.al., though this columnist is not suggesting an equivalence.

Some of the gay bashers invoked the narrative of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19. Genesis, like other books of the Hebrew Scriptures, consists of numerous literary genres and devices.

Genesis contains not one, but two, creation accounts, literary renderings crafted by ancient scribes to convey theological meaning. Today, mostly literalists still believe these to be factual accounts, though the science of evolution demonstrates otherwise.

Further, today, modern science offers compelling facts and hypotheses on the nature, complexity and range of human sexuality.

For various theologians and preachers, inhospitality is the great or greater moral failing at Sodom and Gomorrah. This insight remains lost on the unwelcoming protestors who gathered downtown yesteryear, targeting a select group of visitors in a demonstration of inhospitality, and incivility by some.

Literalists have the right to entertain fact-free opinions on the genesis of life and the genesis of homosexuality much as racists of old utilized Christian Scripture; pseudo-science, including phrenology, debunked by the 1840s; and “scientific racism” to justify slavery and white supremacy. The virulent anti-gay crusaders were historic throwbacks even when they were demonstrating their inhospitality to gay cruise ship passengers. Today, as gays and lesbians are increasingly seen first and foremost as fellow human beings, and not as objects of derision, the

homophobes appear even more antediluvian.

There is a well-known Christian hymn entitled, “They’ll Know We are Christians by Our Love”, often vigorously sung by Bahamian Christians. The song celebrates the ideal of love of neighbour and Christian unity, with the refrain:

“And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love, “Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.”

Christian love expresses itself in forgiveness and reconciliation; respect for the dignity of others; empathy and compassion; a moral imagination of inclusion and fellowship; charity in its many manifestations; justice and a wellspring of virtues.

All Christians fall short of the ideal of love, which should make for humility in those who claim to espouse such love and an abiding love of God and neighbour, as the great biblical commandments invite and demand.

Instead of love, some Christians, including here at home, are known less for their love. Instead their crying call seems to be: They’ll know we are Christians by who we despise and whose rights and full equality we oppose. Given the global, though uneven, advance of rights for those in the LGBT+ community, the backlash was inevitable, as has been the backlash after progress for racial and gender equality.

Some years ago, Bishop Sam Greene, who also served as President of the Bahamas Christian Council, notoriously suggested that if the government sanctioned gay and lesbian marriages, he would follow the example of Guy Fawkes, who, in 1605, attempted to blow up Parliament.

Curiously, no other religious leader spoke out against this threat of violence. Had a women’s rights or gay rights advocate used such language they would have been severely criticized and possibly reported to the police.

Much of today’s rabidly anti-gay agenda is led by those whose worldviews are pre-modern and preEnlightenment, when gays and lesbians were persecuted and demonized, before the protection of minorities was codified in the rule of law and when the likes of Guy Fawkes were stoking verbal and literal fireworks.

Father Sean Major Campbell is an Anglican priest and human rights advocate in Jamaica. His BA in Theology is from the University of the West Indies, Mona, and his MA in Psychology and Counseling was attained at St Stephen’s College.

Reverend Major Campbell continues to battle

the homophobia and theological ignorance that is widespread among the many fundamentalist pastors in Jamaica. His comments on Jamaica equally apply to The Bahamas.

“Anybody can be a pastor in Jamaica. All you have to say is that God called you. I could not put up a sign outside and say I’m a lawyer or physician because the Holy Spirit has called me.

“But without even entry level qualifications I could put up a sign that

says, ‘minister of religion’ and people would come to me. We are talking about people who appoint themselves to positions of authority. …

“People’s lives and mental health are being destroyed by pastors who do not understand sociology or best practices in relation to psychology and human sexuality, who are using Bible verses to condemn and counsel people. The crass fundamentalism within Christianity is a contributory factor to Jamaica’s

underdevelopment and weak nation building.”

Thankfully, there are quite a number of religious leaders at home and abroad who offer a counterpoint to such fundamentalism. They evince a gospel of love or caritas, revealing the presence of a God whose love extends equally to all.

And though various denominations have a long journey of conversion in terms of their theology and practices toward gays and lesbians, they are more welcoming than in the past, they oppose various forms of discrimination, and are equally opposed to violence and demonising LGBT+ individuals and communities.

Gays and lesbians are neighbours and co-workers; politicians, police officers and pastors, volunteers and role models; heroes and heroines, friends and family; parents and life-partners, owed mutual respect and basic equality by right of their citizenship as children of God and as fellow Bahamians.

The considerable shift in global consciousness continues to move in the direction of upholding the value and dignity of human beings based on the content of one’s character, and not the happenstance of race, gender or sexual orientation.

Mercifully, joyously, the God of Love does not “live and move and have his being” like those who use His name to condemn others, who are equally and wonderfully made in His image and divine likeness.

‘Mercifully, joyously, the God of Love does not “live and move and have his being” like those who use His name to condemn others, who are equally and wonderfully made in His image and divine likeness.’

Major political science study says race is factor that separates Dems from GOP

MANY Americans who are also parents of collegeaged kids will often wonder out loud to each other that their children will describe a friend (or even a love interest) without adding as one of the adjectives the colour of their skin.

Such is the effect of societal change in the US. Over the past six decades or so, a lot of Americans would describe the evolution of their society as trending toward colourblindness, or at least toward colour-neutrality.

The process forward has been slow and laboured, but almost inexorable, many Americans would tell a visitor. Television viewers across the country have remarked on the fairly precipitous rise in mixed-race married and dating couples featured on mainstream, prime time advertising.

It’s reasonable to assume that specific governmental, academic and private sector affirmative action and other plans designed to redress race-based imbalances in opportunities for blacks and others versus whites have achieved their desired effect.

After all, the US has elected its first black president, its first black vice-president and has added a second black jurist to the US Supreme Court – all within the past eleven years. There is a sitting senator who is black – and also a Republican, from the Deep South. There is a black secretary of defense, and there has been a black secretary of state. Lots of barriers are falling.

The growth and development of black wealthy and middle-class groupings in the US has been well documented and recognised. Many Americans take pride in the progress the country has made in trying to

STATESIDE

achieve a better balance between blacks and whites in terms of access to the American Dream.

A common sentiment is often expressed like this: “We have come so far in America in guaranteeing an equality of expectations and opportunities for all races. But we have so much farther to go.”

All of the above may be valid and true. But a recent extensive study of race as a factor in American political life by the well-respected American Political Science Association certainly underlines the “long way to go.”

The APSA study indicated that one single factor most distinguishes Republicans from Democrats and most divides supporters of the two main American political parties. That factor is not gender, education, income nor religion.

It is race.

One of the authors of this voluminous report writes that “religion, economic concerns and factors like education, age and gender also divide us politically, but the reality is that as America becomes more diverse, it is also becoming more racially divided in the political arena.”

Another contributor to the APSA report stated that “the process of social sorting allowed the Republican Party to represent the interests of traditional white, Christian America

UKRAINE’S WAR COULD PIVOT ON WHIMS OF A BILLIONAIRE

THIS week, the role of a prominent non-state actor in the 18-month long Russo-Ukrainian war came to light again. This enormously influential civilian is not a politician or Defense Department employee. Nor is he a retired general pontificating for profit on television.

It is none other than SpaceX and Tesla founder and current Twitter (“X”) owner Elon Musk, who also is likely the richest man in the world, with an estimated personal fortune of $270bn. That’s billion, with a “b.”

According to a recent article in the politically influential American magazine The New Yorker, Musk became involved in the war in Ukraine soon after Russia invaded in February 2022. Here’s how:

Along with conventional assaults, the Kremlin was conducting cyberattacks against Ukraine’s digital infrastructure. Ukrainian officials and a loose coalition of expatriates in the tech sector identified a potential solution: Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which manufactures a line of mobile Internet terminals called Starlink. These tripod-mounted dishes, each about the size of a computer screen, connect with a network of satellites.

The Starlink units have limited range, but their sheer numbers deployed on the battlefield meant that it would be difficult for Russia to completely dismantle Ukrainian connectivity by destroying its cell tower network. Musk came to the rescue, and for over the first year of this war, provided Starlink terminals to the Ukrainian military. For free.

while the Democratic Party was increasingly representing those who were still struggling to overturn centuries of social inequality”.

“This type of disparity is not easily corrected. Democrats and Republicans have widely differing understandings of who should hold political power in America and about how much (racial equality) progress has been made.”

The recent election results of candidate Donald Trump, not surprisingly, are cited as illustrating this persistent racial divide. In 2020, Trump won 58 percent of the white vote, while gaining only eight percent of the black vote. There were also 39-percentage point gaps in support for the respective party candidates in 2020 between whites and both Hispanic and Asian-American groups.

No other single factor approached this amazing degree of disparity.

Further, the study found that 90 percent of votes cast for Republican nominees John McCain, Mitt Romney and Trump between 20082016 were from white voters. Half of Democratic votes were cast by non-whites.

“Race and ethnicity stand out today as the single most important factors in American electoral democracy,” the report concludes. Furthermore, the authors note that Americans widely believe that their two

main political parties have “evolved to a place where they emphasise differences, stoke (racial) fear and animosity and incite conflict.”

Most Americans blame Democrats and Republicans collectively for “the highly undesirable and dangerous place where they currently reside”.

When the rapid proliferation 50 years ago of the Muslim minority population helped to make Russians an ethnic minority in a Soviet Union otherwise comprehensively dominated by those same Russians, there was great angst and unease in the world’s largest empire.

Even in an era of tight Communist Party censorship of the media, the public concern about this racial and ethnic turnaround was everywhere in the media, in Moscow and all around the country. Strong ultra-nationalist sentiment crept into the public discourse, and there was much discussion of how the new Russian minority could (and should) maintain power.

Disenfranchisement and economic suppression of the new majority ethnic and racial groups in the USSR were often advocated publicly. The Soviet government did its best to comply.

Something very similar is at work in American politics today. It is evident in the continuing Republican-led

efforts to sequester black and other minority voters in specified congressional and state legislative districts to minimise their overall elector power and influence.

Republican demagogues like Trump and Florida governor Ron DeSantis only thinly veil their invective and overt appeal to racist and white supremacist elements in American society. Even the most consequential black politician in either party,

South Carolina senator Tim Scott, decries most affirmative action programmes, as does black Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas of Georgia. Where does the US go now from where the APSA survey reveals its body politic resides? Nowhere fast in the direction of a broad mandate for electoral equality among races and ethnic groups, it seems. What a wearisome prospect.

This meant that for around 16 months, until the US Defense Department began contracting for Musk’s support, the mercurial mogul could alter on a whim the course of a critically significant conflict. Now, a new Musk biography reports that he did just that on one occasion last year.

“Congress needs to investigate what’s happened here, and whether we have adequate tools to make sure foreign policy is conducted by the government and not by one billionaire,” Massachusetts Democratic senator Elizabeth Warren told Bloomberg News this week.

Warren is not the only sceptic about Musk’s influence. “Living in the world we live in, in which Elon Musk runs SpaceX and it is a private business under his control, we are living off his good graces,” a senior Pentagon official told The New Yorker. “That just sucks.”

The magazine reports that in the past twenty years, against a backdrop of crumbling infrastructure and declining trust in institutions, Musk has sought out business opportunities in crucial areas where, after decades of privatisation, the American state has receded. Top officials in several key departments said that they now treat Musk like a sort of unelected and unappointed senior official.

The Pentagon and other US government agencies continue to search for ways to ensure that Musk “couldn’t wake up one morning and just decide, like, he didn’t want to do this anymore”.

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

with Charlie Harper

SOUTH Carolina senator Tim Scott, decries most affirmative action programmes, as does black Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas of Georgia.

Photo: Charlie Neibergall

Iran-US prisoner swap for billions reveals familiar limits of diplomacy between nations

JOB VACANCY

A prominent car dealership is seeking an SENIOR AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN/ WORKSHOP FOREMAN

The ideal candidate must have a wide range of experience in the automotive business as well as good written and oral communication skills.

QUALIFICATIONS:

diagnostic equipment

real world experience in the automotive field. management skills

for all dealership-owned tools at all times. tools.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: times.

giving detailed explanation; status, location, etc. all tools as required. when required. allotted. lead the team. multitask.

control checks. passed on to the service advisor to be communicated to the customer. completed is recorded on the repair order. wheel alignments, transmission diagnostics. equipment, process/procedures and staff dress code.

AN ATTRACTIVE COMPENSATION PACKAGE WHICH INCLUDES:

A MAN walks through the former US Embassy, which has been turned into an anti-American museum in Tehran, Iran, on Saturday, August 19, 2023. The upcoming prisoner swap between Iran and the United States follows the same contours that the countries have tracing since the resolution of the 1979 US Embassy takeover and hostage crisis. The limits of this diplomacy remain largely the same as they have been for over the four decades since, with officials in both countries even using similar language to discuss the deals now.

DUBAI Associated Press

AMERICAN captives could be exchanged for billions of dollars of frozen Iranian assets, even as critics back in Washington warn against dealing with Tehran.

That’s the way it was in 1981 and the way it likely will be in the coming days.

The upcoming prisoner swap between Iran and the United States follows the same contours that the countries have been tracing since the resolution of the 1979 US Embassy takeover and hostage crisis. The limits of this diplomacy remain largely the same as they have been for over the four decades since, with officials in both countries even using similar language to discuss the deals now.

However, Iran faces a new challenge from within as the one-year anniversary of the nationwide protests sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody approaches this Saturday. And the West faces a nuclear program within the Islamic Republic now enriching uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels and with enough material to build “several” atomic bombs if it chose to do so. Any easing of the overall tensions between the two nations seems just as distant now.

The one through line in the exchanges is the money. Today, Iran faces Western sanctions after the collapse of its 2015 nuclear deal. While it has been able to increasingly sell smuggled crude oil abroad, the Islamic Republic’s economy has cratered in the meantime along with the savings of its 80 million people.

The current exchange would see some $6 billion in Iranian assets once held by South Korea in its won currency exchanged for euros and kept in accounts in Qatar, a US ally on the Arabian Peninsula and home to a major American military installation. Those funds would be allowed for so-called humanitarian spending, like on food and medicine, already allowed under the sanctions, the US says.

Critics of the arrangement liken it to paying a ransom. They argue money not being spent by Iran on essentials could go instead to supporting Iranian-aligned militias in the Mideast, or its nuclear program.

Similar ransom analogies surrounded the Carter administration’s deal through the Algier Accords to free those taken in the 1979 Embassy seizure.

“We are not paying a dime of American money for the return of these hostages,” then-Vice President Walter Mondale argued at the time. Now cut to Tuesday at a US State Department news conference.

“No one has given Iran a dollar here,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said. “These are Iran’s funds.

ONE of the hostages held at the US Embassy in Tehran, Iran, is shown to the crowd by Iranian students November 8, 1979. The upcoming prisoner swap between Iran and the United States follows the same contours that the countries have tracing since the resolution of the 1979 US Embassy takeover and hostage crisis. The limits of this diplomacy remain largely the same as they have been for over the four decades since, with officials in both countries even using similar language to discuss the deals now.

These are Iranian money.”

From the Iranian side, claiming victory has been as important as freeing the cash. In 1981, Iranian negotiator Behzad Nabavi described the deal freeing the Americans held as rubbing “in the dirt the nose of the world’s biggest oppressor and superpower, thus forcing it to submit to the demands.”

In an interview with NBC News aired Tuesday, hardline President Ebrahim Raisi similarly tried to project Iran as being in control.

“This money belongs to the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Raisi said through a government translator about the swap. “And naturally, we will decide — the Islamic Republic of Iran will decide — to spend it wherever we need it.”

Iran has separately named five prisoners it wants to see freed from US custody in exchange for the five Iranian-Americans held. However, those prisoners face lesser sentences — or simply still charges — as compared to the Iranian-Americans.

That suggests the focus for Tehran remains on the money. A United Nations panel years earlier warned of “an emerging pattern involving the arbitrary deprivation of liberty of dual nationals” in Iran, those then used in negotiations with Western powers over frozen assets abroad.

In 1981, Iran faced the start of a grinding, yearslong war with Iraq, as well as incoming President Ronald Reagan, who had been signaling taking a tougher stance internationally than Carter. Today, Iran finds itself largely surrounded by nations dealing with it diplomatically after years of ship seizures and attacks attributed to Tehran.

But tensions have grown between Iran and the US A major deployment of US sailors and Marines, alongside F-35s, F-16s and other military aircraft, is underway in the region. The Pentagon is considering a plan to put US troops on board commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of all oil shipments flow out of the Persian Gulf. American concern about the waterway continues. On

Wednesday, the Freedomclass littoral combat ship USS Indianapolis accompanied a Panamanian-flagged vessel in the strait after seeing “unusual small boat activity” around it, US Navy Cmdr. Rick Chernitzer told The Associated Press.

Iran also supplies Russia with the bomb-carrying drones Moscow uses to target sites during its war in Ukraine. On the nuclear front, however, Iran has slowed its production of 60%-enriched uranium, which is a small, technical step from weapons-grade levels of 90%. Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian suggested resuming negotiations over a roadmap that could see Tehran return to aspects of the nuclear deal, which the Islamic Republic walked away from last year.

But a full return to the deal is unlikely, particularly as some restrictions it faced already have ended and others soon will. UN restrictions on Iran’s ballistic missile program are scheduled to lift on Oct. 18. Those restrictions call on Iran “not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons.” The US also has warned that Iran could supply Russia with ballistic missiles for the war in Ukraine.

Iran meanwhile faces simmering anger over its economic woes, as well as in the wake of Amini’s death after her arrest by the country’s morality police allegedly over improperly wearing her mandatory headscarf.

Some women in Tehran and elsewhere have stopped wearing the hijab altogether in an open challenge to the government, despite authorities targeting those who do.

A crackdown last year saw over 500 people killed and more than 22,000 arrested — and Raisi has signalled Iran is ready to target demonstrators again.

“Those who intend to abuse Mahsa Amini’s name, under this pretext to be an agent of foreigners, to create this instability in the country, we know what will happen to them,” he warned.

Photo: Vahid Salemi/AP

Photo: FILE/AP

Bahamian author Patricia Rolle offers a guiding light in face of life’s challenges

IN A world of challenges and uncertainties, author Patricia Rolle hopes to offer assurance and hope to those seeking solace, strength and spiritual empowerment.

With her new book, “You Don’t Know the Cost of the Oil,” she said she wants to reminds readers that God genuinely cares about His children’s trials and stands ready to provide the solutions they seek. Life often presents trials that test our faith, leaving us feeling lost and

overwhelmed. But Ms Rolle said she hopes her book provides a powerful resource to navigate through three critical aspects of life that often cause distress: navigating assignments, enriching marriages, and overcoming the daunting presence of demonic intrusions.

With wisdom and compassion, she offers bite-sized insights that she will hopes will resonate with readers, illuminating a path toward emotional well-being.

Ms Rolle is no stranger to life’s valleys and challenges, having experienced personal loss, including the loss of her home and the father of her two children when they were both younger

A DIVE INTO CHRISTIAN TIKTOK

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net

TIKTOK is the third largest social media platform in the world behind Facebook and Instagram, and it is the most popular app among youngsters.

But it is not only for teens, and it’s not all about worrisome trends and silly dance challenges. If you look in the right places and follow the right accounts, you can also find nourishing spiritual content on platform.

Tribune Religion spoke to readers who enjoy checking out the “christiantiktok” hashtag to see if they can find edifying videos.

With over three million followers, Ariel Fitz-Patrick is a TikToker who keeps her viewers entertained as she speaks about Bible stories in her own creative

way, making them fun and relatable.

Her website, www.arielfitzpatrick.com, describes her as a singer, songwriter and digital content creator born and raised in Montreal, Canada.

She is known for her skits on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook where she goes by the name Ariel Fitz.

One Bahamian fan, Patrica Rolle, said she’s a big fan of Ariel because her skits are so engaging.

“I think she is very funny, but I also think she is relatable because she talks about how hard it is to struggle as a Christian. She has really funny takes about stories in the Bible, and she always ends most of them with, ‘I’ll just see for myself’, And then she always goes back to God (in the skits), and says things like, ‘Yeah, maybe I shouldn’t have

done it that way’,” said Patricia.

Another TikToker, Joe Navarro (“Joe The Christian Guy”), has also gained popularity for his entertaining Christian-based skits.

In an interview with the online magazine Shoutout DFW, Joe shared: “When I started Tiktok I realised that there were trends going viral. I began to brainstorm ways I could turn those trends around and make them about God. Then that’s how it all began for me. I think of funny and relatable videos that go along with the trends and spread Jesus’ (message) at the same time. My mind is so used to thinking about video ideas now since I have been doing it consistently since 2019.”

He wants his viewers to know that his goal is to engage them with funny and relatable Christian

than five years old. She said she draws upon her unwavering faith in God to inspire and guide others facing rough times. Her resilience and deep belief in God’s faithfulness shines through her heartfelt words, encouraging readers to seek solace and transformation.

Residing in Nassau, Ms Rolle is a devoted mother to her daughters, Izetta and Georgette Gray, and a doting grandmother to her three grandchildren.

As an active member of Mount Tabor Church, she finds spiritual nourishment and strength within her faith community, further fueling her passion for empowering others through her writing.

“‘You Don’t Know The Cost Of The Oil’ is more than just a book; it is a transformative companion that uplifts the spirit, invigorates relationships, and guides readers toward a life of victory,” according to the author. “Through its pages,

PATRICIA ROLLE

readers will discover the keys to unlocking their true potential and finding solace amid life’s trials.”

“You Don’t Know the Cost of the Oil” is available for purchase from Amazon, Barnes and Noble or from the author herself.

content, while helping them grow in their relationship with God.

“With the type of content I make, life is not all that easy. I do have to read hurtful or rude comments about my videos. But God is so much better than all those mean things. And I have my community to back me up and really encourage me in my social media journey,” the influencer said.

Bahamian TikTok user Melissa Martin said while she doesn’t have a specific

Announcements

A Private Funeral Service For Judy Ann Richardson Dorsett, 68

will be held for family members 10:00am on Tuesday, September 19th, 2023 in honor of the life that was Judy Ann Richardson Dorsett at The Chapel Of Memories Independence Drive.

Judy’s legacy will continue to fourish through her children: Forrestall Jr., Kristen (Roger) Dorsett, Edward and Kimaco Dorsett, Ebony and Okinawa Dames, Juliano Dorsett, Jonah and Reggia Dorsett, Crystal and Mildron John, Christopher Dorsett

She will also be missed by her many children, siblings and friends.

Arrangements are handled THE NEW COMMONWEALTH FUNERAL HOME.

Death Notice For Valerie Verneka Neilly Albury, 66

a resident of Lower Bogue, Eleuthera, Bahamas died at her residence on Saturday, September 9th, 2023.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to THE NEW COMMONWEALTH FUNERAL HOME and will be announced at a later date.

Christian influencer she tunes in to, she does enjoy when they show up on her feed.

“Sometimes I click on the hashtags to see Christian TikTok videos, and sometimes they just randomly show up. Whether they are singing songs, giving short talks or performing skits, I enjoy hearing about how God is moving is people’s lives, how He doesn’t give up on His people, and how much He loves us. Adding a comedic flare to the videos

is a plus. For me, these messages always seem to come at the right time when I need to hear them,” said Melissa. Other Christian TikTok influencers to follow for encouragement or just entertainment include Lacy Abercrombie, whose videos focus on helping young Christians struggling with anxiety, doubt and being single, and Collin Labrosse, who provides quick videos of daily Bible inspiration and prayer.

A Memorial Service For Livingston Davis, 68

a resident of Chippingham who died at the Princess Margaret Hospital on Saturday, August 12th, 2023 will be held at 2:00p.m. on Saturday, September 16th, 2023 at Church Of God Of Prophecy, Palm Tree Avenue. Bishop Anthony Roker J. P. assisted by Minister Cecil Knowles will offciate. Cremation was held.

Left to cherish his memory are his son and daughter-in-law: Clement and Twanna Cash; grandchildren: Ashley, Tonique, Clement Jr. and Ciara Cash; siblings and spouses: Alexander Green and Jadie Green, Clothilda Davis; nephews: Alexander Jr., Omar, Marc and Brian Davis of Miami Dade Florida; niece: Ashas Burns; grand nephews: Alvaido, Ashley, Edwin Riley, Winston, Ashton Burns and Alexander; other relatives and friends: Nigel Bradford, Chris Fernander, Orene Frazier, James Arthur, Dwight Stuart, Gwen Moxey, Roger Turnquest, Mr. And Mrs. Newman, Joseph Harrison, Ms. Cooper, Fort Charlotte Urban Renewal Centre family, Paulette Dean and family.

Arrangements are handled by THE NEW COMMONWEALTH FUNERAL HOME INDEPENDENCE DRIVE.

Death Notice For Frances Eloise Rolle, 77

a resident of Armstrong Street and formerly of Rock Sound, Eleuthera died at the Princess Margaret Hospital on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to THE NEW COMMONWEALTH

and will be

ARIEL Fitz-Patrick and Joe the Christian Guy.

SPORTS

SAILING CHAMPIONS

Paul de Souza and Craig Ferguson II claim first place at 2023 Bahamas ILCA Nationals

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

PAUL DE SOUZA and Craig Ferguson

ll emerged as champions at the combined 2023 Bahamas Open International Laser Class Association (ILCA) Nationals this past weekend.

The two-day event wrapped up on Mon tagu Bay and saw Souza win gold in the ILCA 7 senior category. In the ILCA 6 junior portion of the combined competition, Fergu son placed first among his fellow sailors. The national championships saw stiff competition between 21 sailors from the junior and senior divisions.

Andrew Higgs, ILCA Fleet captain, talked about the level of competition between the senior and youth sailors.

“I am happy with the turnout we had last weekend for our 2023 Bahamas Open ILCA National Championships. The level of competition was very competitive between both our senior and youth sailors,” Higgs said.

Souza, who also serves as head coach of The Bahamas National Sailing School, came first in five of six races among his senior competitors. He ended the competition with a subtotal of eight and five points in total. Bryan Paine claimed second for the silver medal with a subtotal of 12 and overall total of nine points. He earned a first place finish, four second place finishes, and third place in the two-day event. Gavin McKinney secured bronze with a subtotal of 28 points and capped off the event with 20 points in total.

Higgs was particularly impressed with the efforts of the youth sailors at Montagu Bay.

“Our New Providence youth sailors have been working very hard under the coaching of Robert Dunkley and Paul de Souza improving everyday and it shows in local and international competition,” he said.

Among the youth sailors to show out this past weekend was Ferguson, who solidified the win for the juniors with a total of 28 points. Norman Cartwright came second with a subtotal of 47 points and a total of 37 points. Joshua Weech sailed away with bronze after ending the competition with a subtotal of 53 points and overall count of 42 points.

Out of the 21 sailors in competition including five females, Ellianne Higgs ended the national championships as the top ILCA 7 female and junior sailor in the competition. In some of her best races this past weekend she finished third and second. She capped off the two-day event with a total of 24 points for fifth overall.

With sailing being deemed the Bahamas’

SEE PAGE 16

BGDBA PLAYOFFS: PANTHERS, CRIMESTOPPERS COMPLETE SWEEP TO ADVANCE

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture (MOYSC) Panthers and the Police Crimestoppers have now advanced to round two of the Bahamas Government Departmental Basketball Association (BGDBA) playoffs. Last night at the AF Adderley Gymnasium, the Panthers, BGDBA defending champions, earned an eight-point win over the Real Deal Rangers. Meanwhile, the Crimestoppers claimed game two 100-52 in a dominant showing to send the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) Rampage home.

Panthers vs

The Real Deal Rangers

After dishing out a 40-point drubbing to the Real Deal Rangers in game one, the Panthers were in a more competitive bout in game two. The elimination game started off with both teams poised for the win. The score was tied 16 apiece at the 2:50 mark of the first period. However, a quick layup by Kemsey Sylvestre followed by a three-pointer from behind the arc pushed the Panthers lead to six points.

After a late offensive surge, the defending champions closed out the opening quarter 27-19 on their opponents.

Cordero Coakley, of the MOYSC Panthers, got their offence going in the second period after knocking down a smooth floater to advance the lead to double digits. Despite the Real Deal Rangers maintaining a close score in the first quarter, the Panthers

had a comfortable 18-point cushion (51-33) going into the second half.

Sylvestre along with Roosevelt Whylly came up big for the Panthers all game long. Whylly plugged in a gamehigh 22 points complemented by 16 boards to finish with a monster double double. Sylvestre was just as dominant on the glass. He also put up a double double with 19 points, and 12 rebounds to stuff the stat sheet.

Although the Real Deal Rangers narrowed down the

double digit lead to 13 in the third and had a late offensive spark in the fourth quarter it ultimately was not enough to stop the Panthers from completing the sweep.

Perry Darling, head coach of the Panthers, talked about the team’s performance to move on to the next round.

“The first half was a good performance, the second half we fell off. We know its pressure being a champion trying to win back to back, everybody is gunning for you,” Darling said.

He added that going into the next round the team will need to improve on rebounding, cleaning up sloppy plays, and capitalising on in-game situations.

Crimestoppers vs Rampage

In the following game, the Crimestoppers joined the Bain and Grants Town Cybots and MOYSC Panthers by solidifying their spot in round two of the playoffs. The secondseeded regular season team finished off business against the Rampage with a 48-point

blowout win last night.

The Rampage brought a much more competitive spirit to the elimination game in the beginning. The Crimestoppers finished the first quarter 22-14. In the second period the Crimestoppers, led by Jeron Smith, wrapped up the quarter, leading 42-31 going into the break.

Smith dropped a balanced 21 points to pair with six assists, and five boards in the blowout win. Michael Furley Bain Jr closed out round one with 16 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.

The leading team flipped the script in the second half, outscoring the Rampage by 21 points to end the third quarter leading 64-43. The game was a foregone conclusion after the third period of play as Crimestoppers could not be stopped on offence en route to the next round.

Anthony “Cops” Rolle, head coach of the Crimestoppers, talked about how he felt about the team’s dominant performance last night.

“I was really impressed with the guys tonight. Two of our key players sat out tonight due to some injuries and seeing that we were up 1-0 we wanted them to get some rest ahead of the next round against the Panthers,” Rolle said.

He credited the efforts of the team defensively and was happy with some of the younger players who stepped up in the absence of the veteran players. The final remaining contest of the first round will feature the Airport Authority Avengers versus the Bamboo Shack Patrollers this weekend.

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIAN Jevone

Barrett has been selected to join the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Future Basketball Operations Stars (FBOS) Programme for the next six months.

The league’s programme is designed to promote diversity within the NBA professional ranks in addition to attracting and developing new talent to join basketball operations in the future.

Participants are afforded the opportunity to train virtually and successful individuals will be given the chance to connect with NBA teams and others affiliated including the G League, WNBA, BAL, and 2k league for future employment opportunities.

The 2018 Government High School graduate made his commute to Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio after obtaining a full-ride scholarship to partake in the school’s marching band as leader of the mellophone section for three years.

Now with his sights set on becoming a NBA Scout or General Manager he is happy to join the league’s FBOS training programme.

“I am just grateful for the opportunity to learn and be an example for others to follow,” he said.

Barrett is no stranger to the NBA’s training programmes.

The 23-year-old’s journey towards achieving his career aspirations started in 2022 during his internship at the NBA’s All-Star Weekend in Cleveland. During this period the 2018 graduate got the opportunity to interact with NBA big names including Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal, veteran point guard Chris Paul, Charlotte Hornets’ LaMelo Ball, and Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry.

After this stint, the CSU student was chosen to be a part of the inaugural launch of the NBA’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Fellowship Programme. Out of 3,600 applicants Barrett was one of 60 students selected to join the all-expenses-paid internship. It included a luxury apartment, food stipend, flight expenses, and payment for the 40-hour work week.

A mere six weeks into his internship he was offered a full-time position with the Cleveland Cavaliers as a Junior IT Support Analyst. He later used networking to his advantage to join the latest NBA programme.

Barrett said he is excited for the learning

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2023

BAHAMIAN JEVONE BARRETT JOINS NBA’S FUTURE BASKETBALL OPERATIONS STARS PROGRAMME

ABOVE: Crimestoppers vs Rampage. TOP: The Panthers vs The Real Deal Rangers.

PAUL de Souza (above) and Craig Ferguson ll (below).

FROM PAGE 15

and networking opportunities the programme will allow him to experience.

“I am most excited about networking and learning I am a firm believer that your network determines your net worth and who you know influences your income and opens a wide pool of opportunities . . . also, in my career journey I am hungry to learn because the skills I learn now will help me in the long term,” he said.

The NBA’s six-month programme aims to show trainees the ropes in basketball operations. Additionally, they will work with league office executives and partake in sessions that will enhance self awareness and point out skills necessary for success in the league’s operations.

Although he acknowledged it is hard to be employed in the league’s front offices, Barrett plans to utilise this programme as the gateway to being more marketable for future roles that may arise in the NBA or Division One Sports.

The 23-year-old is hoping that betting on himself will pay off in his quest to become a future NBA Scout or General Manager.

The NBA FBOS programme will run for the next six months of the 2023-24 season.

BONNER, THOMAS LEAD SUN TO A 90-60 ROUT OF THE LYNX IN WNBA PLAYOFF OPENER

By PAT EATON-ROBB AP Sports Writer

UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) —

DeWanna Bonner

scored 17 points and grabbed a season-high 15 rebounds as the Connecticut Sun opened the WNBA playoffs with a 90-60 rout of the Minnesota Lynx on Wednesday night.

Game 2 of the bestof-three series will be in Connecticut on Sunday.

Alyssa Thomas added 15 points and 10 assists for the Sun, who earned the No. 3 seed after going 27-13 in the regular season. Rebecca Allen also scored 15 points on five 3-pointers and Tiffany Hayes had 14 points and four 3-pointers.

The Sun made 16 of their 30 shots from behind the arc and held Minnesota to 35% shooting overall.

Connecticut scored 30 points off 19 Lynx turnovers.

Connecticut led by 14 at halftime and took their first 20-point lead in the third quarter at 56-36 on a layup by Thomas.

The Sun closed the game on a 17-3 run.

Kayla McBride had 16 points for the Lynx, who made the playoffs despite losing their first six games this season.

Napheesa Collier added 14 for Minnesota, which also lost three of four regular-season meetings with Connecticut.

McBride scored 14 of her points in the first half and the Lynx used a 16-6 second-quarter run to take a 22-20 lead.

But the Sun turned up the defensive pressure and went on a 21-3 run to take a 43-27 lead and control of the game.

SAILING CHAMPIONS

Paul de Souza and Craig Ferguson II claim

first

place at 2023 Bahamas ILCA Nationals

FROM PAGE 15

national sport since April, Higgs is proud of the strides and growth across all islands but is seeking more external support for sailors.

“Now that sailing is the national sport we hope that

the government will support our sailors in order for our kids to get better.

They have to compete internationally and sail against the best.

In the past and currently we have depended on self funding, individual, and corporate

sponsorship to attend international events,” he said.

Following the 2023 Bahamas Open ILCA Nationals the next event for the sailors will be the Cecil Cooke Regatta at the Nassau Yacht Club November 4-5.

Analysis: For USA Basketball, the focus immediately shifts to the Paris Olympics

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer

MANILA, Philippines

(AP) — There was a long flight awaiting USA Basketball on Monday. Manila to Los Angeles, about 13 hours on a chartered jet that didn’t have the wi-fi that’s necessary to communicate with the outside world from 30,000 feet. No texting, no emails.

That’s unfortunate. Those were 13 hours where recruiting for Paris couldn’t happen.

The World Cup is over.

The U.S. didn’t medal. The world proved again that the Americans, even with NBA players, are vulnerable on the international stage. And now, every bit of USA Basketball’s focus shifts to the Paris Olympics — where the challenge will be even tougher than the World Cup, which again reminded the Americans how much the FIBA game has changed.

“The narrative about USA Basketball and FIBA, and do we need reminders, we’re past that,” U.S. coach Steve Kerr said. “These teams are really good.”

Kerr will be at the Olympics next summer. His staff — Erik Spoelstra, Tyronn Lue and Mark Few — are also committed to the Paris Games. USA Basketball’s team leadership, Grant Hill and Sean Ford, will spend the next few months trying to pick the right 12 players to accompany them to Paris.

The mission won’t change: Gold or else. Silver won’t be enough, bronze won’t be enough, a repeat of Manila’s fourth-place finish would be a disaster. The U.S. has gone to the Olympics in men’s basketball 19 times and has won 19 medals, the last four of them gold. On paper, it looks easy. It is not, not anymore. It probably never will be easy again.

“I don’t think as Americans and basketball players that we think that we can’t lose,” said USA Basketball legend Carmelo Anthony, who won four Olympic medals — three gold, one bronze — with the national team. “I think the fear of losing is what drives us and what keeps us going and wanting to win and feeling so bad after losses. We do a great job as an organisation at (USA Basketball) as far as respecting the game. … But our players back in America, they know we have to compete.”

And now USA Basketball will find out which ones want to compete on the high-risk, high-reward stage.

Win or lose at this World Cup, the U.S. brain trust knew it was going to have some serious roster decisions to make over the

coming weeks and months. Some players from this World Cup team will almost certainly be retained for Paris — Mikal Bridges, Tyrese Haliburton and Austin Reaves clearly showed they fit in the international game, Josh Hart did everything the U.S. asked, and Jalen Brunson and Anthony Edwards are among those who will get strong looks.

“I’ll never say no,” said Bridges, who had a moment that’ll go down in USA Basketball history — an intentional missed free throw and then a gametying 3-pointer with 0.6 seconds left — to give the Americans a chance in the bronze-medal loss to Canada in Manila. “It’s an honour, every time. Even though the outcome is not what we wanted, I wouldn’t trade these six weeks, seven weeks away for nothing.”

And then it becomes a matter of how many NBA stars that didn’t play this summer will want to play next summer on the bigger Olympic stage and give up six or seven weeks like Bridges and his teammates did this summer.

Stephen Curry has talked about it. Kevin Durant should have an Olympic spot for as long as he wants.

If LeBron James wants to play, he’ll play. Bam Adebayo is planning to be in Paris after playing a significant role on the team that won in Tokyo two summers ago, Devin Booker and Jayson Tatum should be there as well, and Draymond Green wants to try to win more gold. There will be no shortage

of options because the Olympics are more appealing to most U.S. players than the World Cup is. More prestige, more attention, brighter lights, bigger stage.

“What we’ve tried to do is really learn what wins a FIBA game,” Kerr said.

“We’ve really studied everything about FIBA and the history of United States basketball. When we’ve won, what has been the reason. When we’ve lost, what has

been the reason. We study all that stuff.”

There is one big wild-card out there as well.

Joel Embiid.

The reigning NBA MVP is, in the international sense, a free agent. If he decides to play, and there’s no reason to think otherwise, Embiid will be wearing red, white and blue next summer at the Paris Olympics.

Those are the colours of the uniforms USA Basketball will be wearing. Those

are also the colours of the uniforms France will be wearing.

Embiid is a true rarity: He was born in Cameroon, has French citizenship and became a U.S. citizen last year. And he’s never played on a senior national team, so it’s his call.

The Americans want him.

The French want him. What he decides will go a long way toward determining who wins gold in Paris. Let the recruiting begin.

GAVIN McKinney

NORMAN Cartwright

JOSHUA Weech

BRYAN Paine

UNITED States players react after the Basketball World Cup bronze medal game between the United States and Canada in Manila, Philippines, Sunday.

(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

US FORWARD Mikal Bridges (5) walks after the Basketball World Cup bronze medal game between the United States and Canada in Manila, Philippines, Sunday. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

JETS’ AARON RODGERS SAYS HE ‘WILL RISE YET AGAIN’

IN FIRST COMMENTS SINCE SEASON-ENDING INJURY

By DENNIS WASZAK JR. AP Pro Football Writer

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP)

— Aaron Rodgers’ season is over. It appears he might not be ready to call it a career.

“The night is darkest before the dawn,” the New York Jets quarterback wrote on Instagram on Wednesday night. “And I shall rise yet again.”

Rodgers is out for the season with a torn left Achilles tendon injury, suffered on the fourth snap of his debut with his new team Monday night. The 39-year-old quarterback had not commented publicly since the injury during the Jets’ season-opening 22-16 overtime win over Buffalo.

“Thank you to every person that has reached out, called, texted, DM’d, connected through a friend, etc.,” Rodgers wrote. “It has meant a ton to me, and I’ll try and get back to all of you soon.

“I’m completely heartbroken and moving through all of the emotions, but deeply touched and humbled by the support and love. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I begin the healing process today.”

Rodgers closed his post with: “Proud of my guys, 1-0.”

There had been some doubt as to whether Rodgers would consider retiring, although Jets coach Robert Saleh offered some optimism earlier Wednesday.

“I haven’t gone down that road with him,” Saleh said. “I mean, I’d be shocked if this is the way he’s going to go out. But at the same time, for him, he’s working through a whole lot of head space, things that he needs to deal with.

“That will be the last thing I talk to him about.”

Despite Rodgers’ Instagram post, it will surely be a conversation to be had with the quarterback, who Saleh said was going for some medical consultations to determine his next step, which will include surgery. Rodgers is also facing a long, arduous recovery and rehabilitation from the injury.

“I would think that somebody of his caliber, I would bet that he would have no problem coming back from it,” said Matt LaFleur, Rodgers’ former coach in Green Bay. “I really believe it. I know

the type of worker he is, and so it’s just going to be a choice of whether or not he wants to continue to play or not.”

Rodgers turns 40 in December and had considered retirement before coming out of a self-reflective darkness retreat in February and saying he intended to continue to play — and wanted it to be with the Jets.

His trade to New York from Green Bay in April raised expectations for a franchise that hasn’t made the playoffs in 12 years, to the point there were high hopes for a run at a Super Bowl. Now, Rodgers won’t be able to contribute on the field the rest of this season, but the Jets hope he’ll still help the team end its postseason drought by staying connected to his teammates and coaches.

“It’s important for him, his mental health and healing,” Saleh said.

“But his presence, his words, his verbiage, like I’ve said, he’s as much a football coach as he is

a player. And just having his presence, his thoughts, his words and his leadership, I think anybody would want that.”

Running back Dalvin Cook signed with the Jets during training camp in large part because of Rodgers being in New York. He also was looking forward to taking handoffs in games from Rodgers.

“Just being here with him the time that I was, it just breaks my heart for him,” Cook said. “I’ve been through injuries in this league and I see a guy who put so much into the game, just for it to happen like that, the game cheats you sometimes.

“And that was just one of those cheats.”

The Jets are turning back to Zach Wilson to replace Rodgers after the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 draft struggled mightily during his first two seasons — prompting New York to pursue a franchise-lifting signal caller.

Saleh and the Jets insist Wilson has improved since last season,

NFL PLAYERS UNION RENEWS CALL FOR GRASS FIELDS AFTER AARON RODGERS’ INJURY

By TERESA M. WALKER AP Pro Football Writer

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)

— Skin scraped down to bloody patches. Sore bodies stinging in post-game showers. Aching shoulders, backs, hips, knees and ankles.

Add in season-ending injuries like four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers tearing his left Achilles tendon in his debut with the New York Jets on Monday night and Buffalo pass rusher Von Miller tearing his ACL, an incident that he blames on artificial turf.

Yes, NFL players prefer playing on natural grass. It’s why the NFL Players Association called on the league Wednesday to switch all fields to grass in what executive director Lloyd Howell said was “the easiest decision the NFL can make.”

It’s a matter of career preservation.

“I mean the NFL is already ‘Not For Long,’ right?” Carolina linebacker Shaq Thompson said. “It sucks it had to happen that way. ... Hopefully they run with it. Hopefully they blow it up and shout it out loud and everybody puts it on social media, takes a stand and does something.”

and in large part because of his time the past several months with Rodgers.

“He’s got a lot of self confidence right now,” Saleh said of Wilson. “The easy stuff doesn’t look hard anymore. I mean, he gets back there and he does the fundamental things so well. His footwork is unbelievable.”

Wilson was shaky at times when he replaced Rodgers, finishing 14 of 21 for 140 yards with a touchdown and an interception. But he’ll get a week of practices — although it’s a bit of a short week after the Monday night game — to take the snaps as the starter and prepare to face the Cowboys in Dallas on Sunday.

And the Jets aren’t necessarily expecting him to be a Rodgers replica.

“Nobody does,” Saleh said. “He just needs to be him. Nobody needs to think they need to go allworld now. You just need to be yourself. Just trust that yourself is good enough.”

The players union repeated its call for grass less than 48 hours after Rodgers’ injury. Howell said players know the change would cost money but argue the bigger cost is losing the NFL’s best players to “unnecessary injuries.”

Thompson has criticised Carolina owner David Tepper for replacing grass with an artificial surface at the Panthers’ stadium in 2021 — in part to host Charlotte’s new Major League Soccer team.

When the 2026 World Cup is held in North America, all 11 U.S. venues will be at NFL stadiums.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday on ESPN he is meeting with the head of FIFA next week about the World Cup. Plans currently call for host stadiums to use grass mixed with artificial surface. Lambeau Field has featured Kentucky bluegrass sod weaved in with synthetic fibers since 2018.

“Something that we’re working to try to see is that a better surface for us?” Goodell said. “Because you have to look at climate too. This is not just about is the field going to be good in September? Is it also going to be good in December and January?”

NEW York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) is helped off the field after getting injured during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Monday, in East Rutherford, N.J. Rodgers has a torn left Achilles tendon and the 39-year-old New York Jets quarterback will miss the rest of the season, coach Robert Saleh announced Tuesday. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)

SAN DIEGO (AP)

— Danielle Collins beat qualifier Louisa Chirico

7-5, 6-0 in singles at the Cymbiotika San Diego Open on Tuesday and then joined Coco Vandeweghe of nearby Rancho Santa Fe for a 6-3, 4-6, 10-3 doubles victory against Marta Kostyuk and Alycia Parks.

“The last couple of days, I hadn’t gotten a lot of court time. I got sick after the U.S. Open. There was a bad bug going around,” Collins, ranked No. 43 in the world, said after beating fellow American Chirico. “I kind of needed to be out here a little longer, so I was happy we were playing some long points, and had some long games.

I was just trying to find my rhythm.”

She found that rhythm against Chirico. Knotted at 5-all in the tight opening set, Collins, a finalist at the Australian Open last year, reeled off eight unanswered games to win the match in 70 minutes and advance to the second round.

Like Collins, Kostyuk was pulling double duty on Tuesday. The world No. 29 defeated Poland’s Magda Linette in singles, 6-2, 7-6 (5).

On the heels of a disappointing firstround exit in Flushing Meadows, where she raised the U.S. Open trophy in 2017, Sloane Stephens came out fast against Belgian Elise Mertens, winning 6-1, 6-3.

“She’s obviously a great player, but I’m playing here in San Diego, in Southern California, with all my friends and family. It’s not very hard to get pumped up to come out and play,” said Stephens, who earned a second-round matchup with No. 2 seed Caroline Garcia of France. “I’m just really pleased to be playing some good tennis and to come out with a win.”

Sofia Kenin continues to claw her way back up the rankings after reaching a careerhigh No. 4 in 2020, the year she captured her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. Now ranked No. 93, she upended No. 6 seed Veronika Kudermetova 6-4, 6-4.

Kenin, one of eight Americans in the main draw, had ample reason to bring her best game.

In addition to the rankings incentive, Hall of Famer Rod Laver was seated courtside.

“On the changeover, I heard he was here. I was like, ‘OK, try to do well for him,’” Kenin said. “I had to fight. Of course, she was going to pick up her game, and I kind of let down a little bit and made some unforced errors, but I was luckily able to pick it up and close it out.”

Fresh off a careerbest quarterfinal appearance at the U.S. Open, Latvia’s Jelena Ostapenko outlasted eighth-seeded Ekaterina Alexandrova in a 2-hour and 46-minute battle, 7-6 (3), 6-7 (6), 7-5.

Canada beats Italy to start Davis Cup title defence – US, Britain and Czech Republic also win

BOLOGNA, Italy (AP) — Canada started the defence of its Davis Cup title by beating Italy 3-0 in the group stage of the finals, with the United States, Britain and the Czech Republic also winning on Wednesday.

Alexis Galarneau beat Lorenzo Sonego 7-6 (8), 6-4 before Gabriel Diallo also won in straight sets — 7-5, 6-4 — against Lorenzo Musetti to assure victory for the Canadians in the Unipol Arena in Bologna.

Galarneau then teamed up with Vasek Pospisil to win the doubles match, too. Canada beat Australia in last year’s final to win the biggest men’s team event in tennis for the first time. Both countries qualified directly to the group stage of the finals, which consists of four groups of four teams — with the top two in each advancing to the Final 8 taking place in Malaga, Spain, in November.

Australia opened with a 2-1 loss to Britain in their group in Manchester, England. The Australians lost both singles matches in three sets, with Thanasi Kokkinakis beaten by Jack Draper and Alex de Minaur defeated by Dan Evans, before a consolation victory in the doubles for Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell.

The Americans opened their match in Split against host nation Croatia with a 6-4, 6-2 win for

Mackenzie McDonald over Dino Prizmic only for 11th-ranked Frances Tiafoe to lose surprisingly to No. 77 Borna Gojo, 6-4, 7-6 (6).

In the deciding doubles, Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram beat Ivan Dodig and Mate Pavic 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-2 to secure a 2-1 win for the U.S.

The Czechs won 3-0 against Spain, which is without Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz, in the Spanish city of Valencia.

BMW PGA

CHAMPIONSHIP HAS A DISTINCT RYDER CUP FEEL AS EUROPE’S 12 PLAYERS STICK TOGETHER

By STEVE DOUGLAS AP Sports Writer

The 12 members of Europe’s Ryder Cup team will know each other pretty well by the end of this week’s BMW PGA Championship.

Fresh off a short trip to Rome to play the course at the Marco Simone club and bond as a team over dinner, the chosen dozen have been placed together across four groups for the first two rounds at Wentworth. Europe captain Luke Donald will even play with two of his assistants, Italian brothers Edoardo and Francesco Molinari.

The BMW PGA Championship is often described as the flagship event on the European tour. This year, the tournament is pretty much doubling as extended

Ryder Cup prep. Shane Lowry has been so busy these past few days — getting a captain’s pick, playing the Irish Open near his childhood home, the flying visit to Rome — that he said he nearly forgot he was coming to Wentworth to defend his title.

For sure, the pre-tournament chatter has been dominated by the Ryder Cup, which starts Sept. 29. Questions to players have been as much about the set-up at Marco Simone — the rough is “pretty brutal in spots,” according to Lowry — as how the West Course is looking this week.

“You kind of need to bring yourself back down to earth over these next couple days,” Lowry said, “and get ready to play a tournament before we go there in

a couple weeks.” That shouldn’t be too hard in a week when there’s a prize fund of $9 million, with the tournament being one of the tour’s prestigious Rolex Series events.

Lowry is in a group with fellow captain’s picks Tommy Fleetwood and Sepp Straka. They’ll be going out Thursday morning, two groups after the headline act: No. 2-ranked Rory McIlroy, No. 4-ranked Viktor Hovland and a new star of European golf, Ludvig Aberg.

In the afternoon, Ryder Cup trio Jon Rahm, Nicolai Hojgaard and Tyrrell Hatton are together, as are Robert MacIntyre, Justin Rose and Matt Fitzpatrick.

McIlroy played with Aberg — the 23-year-old Swede who turned pro in

June and won on the European tour in Switzerland this month — in Rome on Monday for the first time, and it already sounds like he’s a big fan.

“Everyone talks about what a great driver of the golf ball he is — which he is,” McIlroy said. “The ballstriking is incredible. But I was really impressed with his wedge play and how he can sort of control his trajectory with shorter clubs. I was on the bandwagon before. Certainly at the front of it now.”

McIlroy is coming off a tied-for-16th finish at the Irish Open, when he found the water four times in the final round to drop out of contention. He said he is over the back issues which affected him at the Tour Championship last month

and is looking forward to recharging next week — the last before Ryder Cup week — after a busy run of events.

By then, McIlroy might be a two-time winner at Wentworth, after a triumph in 2014 — the year he last won a major. He was tied for second last year with Rahm and joked he would have beaten Lowry if the tournament, which was reduced to 54 holes with no play on Friday after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, had been over four rounds.

“Excited to get back to a place that I’ve fallen in and out of love with over the years in terms of the golf course,” McIlroy said. “Once you get comfortable on the golf course ... it sort of makes you play a certain way and once you accept that, you can do well.”

CANADA’S Alexis Galarneau and Vasek Pospisil in action against Italy’s Simone Bolelli and Matteo Arnaldi during the Davis Cup group stage tennis match at the Unipol Arena, Bologna, Italy, Wednesday. (Massimo Paolone/PA via AP)

IRELAND’S Shane Lowry on the 11th tee during day three of the golf Irish Open at The K Club, County Kildare, Ireland, Saturday.

(Brian Lawless/PA via AP)