10112022 NEWS AND SPORT

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GIBSON: I’LL RUN IN NEXT ELECTION

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

FORMER MP and Cabinet minister Shane Gibson has con firmed that he is seeking a return to frontline politics and is hoping to run for the MICAL constitu ency in the next general election. In an interview with The

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Staff Reporter

country

cials

Tribune on Friday, Mr Gibson said his decision to leave retirement and re-enter the political arena was heavily influenced by area residents who have been calling for him to represent them.

He also said he had deep ties to MICAL because of his family background, some of whom were from the islands of Acklins, Crooked Island and Inagua.

yesterday

hoping

meet with judiciary

discuss ways

crimi nal cases

crime

“My parents are from the (MICAL) area, and their grand parents are from that area so everyone knows me and so eve rybody knows my work ethics and everyone knows my commitment to building a constituency and The Bahamas and so, they know what they are getting when they get me,” he said “So they are very excited and

everyone is energised now so it looks very promising.”

Mr Gibson was contacted by this newspaper after a letter he wrote to Progressive Liberal Party Secretary General Barbara Cart wright, advising her of his plans to nominate himself for the area, was leaked to the media.

HAILING OUR NATION’S HEROES

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

MORE than 200 Baha mians were recognised on National

their

national

helped shape

The patriotic citizens, who were accompanied by friends and family, were honoured during a special

the Bahamas; Order of Dis tinction and Order of Merit award among categories.

TO FACE: ROCK

MOODY’S SAYS GOVT BUDGET ‘OPTIMISTIC’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

MOODY’S has dou bled down on concerns the government’s Budget rev enue forecasts are “overly optimistic” and its debt servicing payments will be higher than projected due to the rise in global interest rates.

The credit rating agency, fresh from downgrading The Bahamas deeper into so-called “junk” status, also suggested the Davis admin istration’s plans to restrain public spending “will weigh on growth” and thus slow down economic expansion.

RISE

LEAD

JOB CUTS

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

that was

in two

the Baha Mar resort

Governor General Cor nelius

at yesterday morning’s ceremony, Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis applauded the recipi ents who he categorised as leaders

“swath of

MANHUNT AFTER MOTHER AND SON SHOT DEAD

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

A MOTHER and her adult son were shot

off Kemp Road on Friday with police searching for a man on bail for murder to help them

their investigation.

The victims have been identified as Berna dette Tynes and Bertram McPhee, both employees of Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre.

Press liaison officer, Chief

Superintendent Chrislyn Skippings said it was shortly before 10am when police were notified

shooting at Sutton Street off Kemp Road.

PRIME Minister Phil lip “Brave” Davis says he doesn’t believe that his administration’s decision to increase Bahamas Power and Light’s monthly fuel charge will lead to job lay offs and business closures.

When asked if he agreed that the BPL increase will lead to layoffs and business closures, Mr Davis replied yesterday: “I don’t, but let’s wait and see.”

BERNADETTE Tynes and her son, Bertram McPhee.

FORMER

minister Shane Gibson.

HAILING OUR NATION’S HEROES

public profession.”

“These 200 Bahamians honoured today represent but a small fraction of those who’ve lent their strength to the building of this great nation,” he told those attending.

“These men and women truly embody the good, the righteous and the worthy. Some of them, like the four brave marines who lost their lives working in defence of the fledgling Bahamas 42 years ago, serve as enduring reminders of the courage, tenacity and fortitude that make a hero.

“These honourees stand as stalwart pillars of our community – and today, we lift them up in the highest gesture of gratitude.”

He also said while all those being honoured come from different backgrounds, one trait that was shared among each was their dedicated commitment to positive action and a “selfless atti tude in pursuit of better”.

“While this list is certainly not exhaustive, its chosen represent us at our best. I

extend heartfelt thanks to the award recipients whose leadership and example set a firm foundational standard for us all,” Prime Minister Davis added.

“It is you, our heroes, who use your God-given talents to boldly tackle the challenges we face as coun try and work tirelessly in the interest of all.”

Those selected for Order of The Bahamas included Philip Bethel, Companion; Gail Saunders, Companion; Rev Dr Michael Symonette, Officer; Rupert Roberts Jr, Officer; George Myers, Member, and Judge Joseph Strachan, Member and others who were awarded posthumously.

Others honourees were Bishop Lawrence Rolle, community activist Khandi Gibson, former police commissioner Paul Rolle and High Commissioner of The Bahamas to the United Kingdom (UK) and Northern Ireland Ellison Greenslade.

The recipients of 2022 National Honours were first announced in July, but they were officially recognised yesterday.

UPDATE ‘VERY SHORTLY’ ON MINISTER ALLEGATION

POLICE Commissioner Clayton Fernander said he expects to get an update “very shortly” concerning investigations into claims made against Housing and Transport Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis.

He was referring to claims that Mrs ColebyDavis allegedly assaulted a police officer with her vehi cle during an exchange at the Carnival road march in May.

The Elizabeth MP has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis has since defended her, saying he was satisfied with her account of what happened that day.

Yesterday, the police chief was asked for an update into ongoing investigations.

“What I want you to bear in mind is that I took the investigations over from

retired commissioner, Mr Paul Rolle,” Commissioner Fernander said.

“I have a team of offic ers who are continuing and going back and reviewing the matter and I should be able to get an update very shortly from the investiga tor who was assigned to that and I would be able to bring the results.”

He was also asked to respond to speculation that investigations are being “drawn out” because Mrs Coleby-Davis is a Cabinet minister.

However, Commissioner Fernander insisted that this is not the case.

“It’s not drawn out,” he said. “The investigation that came to our attention, we’re doing the investiga tion and we’re dotting our I’s and crossing our T’s and then we’ll be able to bring the results to the Bahamian people.”

ORDER of distinction honorees at yesterday’s ceremony.

Photos: Austin Fernander

AMONG the honorees were, top, Bishop Lawrence Rolle and Ellison Greenslade.

Manhunt after mother and son shot dead

was that two family mem bers, male and female, were engaged in a conver sation when a male, with whom they had had an argument moments earlier, returned and opened fire on the two family mem bers, which resulted in both of them receiving multi ple gunshot injuries to the body,” she told reports at the scene.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene while his mother was taken to hos pital by a private vehicle where she died.

CSP Skippings said police are following significant leads and asked members of the public to assist them in locating a man they want to question.

“He was being monitored via the electronic monitor ing device and moments ago, we’ve received information that he has

subsequently cut the moni toring device off and so we need to (speak with him) ASAP,” she said.

Police distributed a wanted poster for Kevon Brown, 33. His last known address was #50 Blatic Avenue. He is of brown complexion and of slim build.

It is understood that Brown’s last monitored location was in eastern New Providence, according to CSP Skippings.

A relative at the scene said he got the news of the shootings while doing some construction work. He thought it was a joke until his cousin called and he realised it was real.

To him, Ms Tynes wasn’t just an aunt but a mother figure because he had lost both his mother and father.

“She was dear,” he said. “She was younger, but she was like so much years older and mature. She was the catalyst and the glue that

kept the family together. I just pray for my family in this time - it’s a serious time you know when guys are randomly shooting people’s family to get back at the person who they’re going to get back at. It’s a ripple effect for everything, you know and it’s sad that’s just the way it is now. Standards and principles - these punks don’t have nowadays.”

On Friday, the Public Hospitals Authority released a statement saying the Sandilands Rehabili tation Centre is saddened to confirm the loss of Ms Tynes, a maid of the house keeping department, and her son, Mr McPhee, a patient care assistant of the Robert Smith Ward.

This double homi cide pushed the country’s murder count to 106 for the year - with another shoot ing on Friday on Baillou Hill Road South taking the total to 107.

CSP Skippings said: “Conflicts will always happen. There are ways that you can resolve con flicts instead of escalating the conflict.

“We’re asking parents, we’re asking family mem bers, if their loved ones who you know, have an anger problem. They don’t know how to solve con flicts. We’re asking you to have them reach out

MURDERED MAN ‘WAS OUT ON BAIL’

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

A 40-YEAR-OLD man who was shot and killed at a farmer’s market on Baillou Hill Road South last Friday was said to be on bail for a serious offence at the time of his murder.

The Tribune understands the victim was Andy John son, of Dominica Way, who was on bail for murder.

According to initial reports from police, the deceased was in the western area of the farmer’s market when he was approached and shot multiple times by a male wearing a camou flage jacket. The suspect reportedly fled the area in a dark-coloured Nissan Cube.

The victim was pronounced dead by Emer gency Medical Services.

In December 2019, Johnson was charged with murdering Brian Evans Jr.

According to police reports at the time, Evans and a man he knew were at a residence on Dominica Way off Carmichael Road, when they got into an argument. The man left the home and returned with a firearm, shot

ANDY JOHNSON

Evans and escaped, police said. Evans was pronounced dead at the scene.

Johnson’s homicide pushed the country’s murder count to 107 for the year, following the double homicide of a mother and son off Kemp Road earlier on Friday.

Press liaison officer, Chief Superintendent Chrislyn Skippings had warned resi dents that there is no need to be fearful despite the recent spate of killings.

“You live by the sword; you die by the sword. Be careful with who you hang out with. Be careful of who your children hang out with, those of you who know that your children are involved in criminal activity,” she said at the scene of the

MAN SHOT BY POLICE AND OFFICER ‘STRUCK BY CAR’

A POLICE officer is in hospital in serious condi tion after reportedly being struck by the driver of a Honda Fit who police attempted to stop while in the area of Fourth Street and Coconut Grove.

According to police, around 10pm on Friday, officers responded to a domestic complaint in the area of Augusta Street and Hospital Lane.

At the scene, police were informed the suspect had left the area in a silver col oured Honda Fit. Moments later, police saw the vehicle on Poinciana Drive near Finlayson Street and sig naled to the driver to stop.

“It is reported that the driver failed to stop and sped off at a high rate of speed which resulted in police pursuing, and ending on Prince Charles Drive, where the driver of the vehicle was subsequently shot,” a police report said.

The driver was taken to hospital where he remains in serious, but stable condition.

During the chase, police said a 42-year-old man who was driving on Palm Tree Avenue received a gunshot injury to his arm.

“He drove himself to hos pital where he was treated and discharged,” police said. An investigation is continuing.

SUSPECTED DROWNING INVESTIGATED

POLICE are actively investigating the circum stances surrounding the death of an 87-year-old man on Sunday.

According to initial reports from police, offic ers were told that shortly before 5pm on Sunday two male relatives were swim ming in waters at Adelaide Village when a wave swept

both men a short distance from the shoreline.

Both men resurfaced, however, the victim appeared to be unconscious.

EMS was called and con firmed the victim had no signs of life.

Foul play is not suspected in this matter, police said, however an investigation continues.

double homicide on Friday.

“If you fail to work along with the police, you’re going to find that you will eventually be a victim. So, it’s incumbent upon you to work along, give us the information that we need.

“Once we do that, we pro tect your life and protect the lives of all citizens of this great country,” she added.

Police have also renewed their plea to the public to bring in illegal firearms.

• In other news, police arrested three men after they were found in pos session of a handgun and ammunition. Police said around 2.25pm on Friday, officers were on routine patrol in the area of Palm Beach Street and Cordeaux Avenue when they saw a white Pontiac occupied by the men. Upon their search of the vehicle, officers dis covered the weapon.

The men aged 18, 20, and 29 are assisting the police.

to our agency or they can reach out to the community counselling and assessment centre.”

Police are asking any member of the public who has information to contact them at the Criminal Investigations Department telephone 5029991/2, Crime Stoppers at 328-TIPS (8477) or in the nearest police station.

• Police also reported a double shooting on Monday

that left two men with inju ries. Around 3pm, a group of men were at a social gathering at the rear of a residence on Florida Court off Robinson Road when a 32-year-old, who was alleg edly armed with a handgun, got into an altercation with one of the men attending the party.

It is reported that the men wrestled for the weapon which resulted in the 32-year-old being shot

in the upper body. He was transported to hospital via private vehicle where he is detained in stable condition.

The second man, a 23-year-old of eastern New Providence, was grazed to the upper body and refused medical treatment. Police said his injuries were minor.

Police did not recover the weapon in this incident however an investigation is ongoing.

THE CROWD at the scene of the double murder in Kemp Road.

MOURNERS comfort one another after the murder of Bernadette Tynes and her son, Bertram McPhee in Kemp Road on Friday.

Photos: Moise Amisial

THE principal at the centre of friction at Thelma Gibson Primary School has asked to take vacation leave beginning today, fol lowing a heated meeting with teachers, parents and administrators on Friday.

In a statement released yesterday, Education Min ister Glenys Hanna Martin said during that meeting, “varying concerns were expressed relative to an ongoing dispute between some of the teachers and the principal and also in respect of other general issues of concern at the school”.

Ms Hanna Martin said she has asked teachers who were at the meeting, but were previously absent from work due to the dis pute, to continue classes today without further interruption.

She also said the prin cipal, Olivia Daxon, has requested vacation leave with effect from today’s date, to which the ministry has agreed.

Meanwhile, Ms Daxon’s son took to social media to defend his mother after seeing her “name dragged through the mud” for weeks. In a Facebook post, he defended his mother’s character and career as an educator and also claimed his sister was accosted by a school faculty member at Friday’s meeting.

“Honestly I’m fed up,

tired and outraged. I’ve kept my silence and sent up prayers for too long and nothing positive has come from that.

My mother’s name has been dragged through the mud for weeks, due to fake news,” her son wrote, referring to an alleged incident with his mother and a teacher weeks ago.

Regarding Friday’s meeting, he said his sister attended to support their mother but was “physi cally attacked” by a faculty member. He said his sister made a police complaint.

Ongoing tensions between teachers at the school and the school’s principal continued last week with a number of workers allegedly calling in sick or refusing to show up to work.

Last Tuesday, a group of angered teachers from the school, led by Belinda Wilson, demonstrated out side the Office of the Prime Minister.

On Wednesday, the Bahamas Union of Teach ers protested outside Parliament.

Last month, teachers at the school walked out of classes in anger after an alleged argument between the school’s principal and a teacher a day earlier. Mrs Wilson said the teacher has made a police report and the majority of the teachers at the school support her.

Gibson: I’ll run in next election

In the letter, dated Octo ber 5, Mr Gibson wrote: “In the months leading up to the 2021 general election, I was inundated with calls from frustrated voters who encouraged me to offer myself as a candidate.

“More than a year after the September 16 election, those calls continue. After prayerful consideration and deep discussions with my family, I would like to advise of my decision to offer myself as a candidate for the MICAL constitu ency in the 2026 general election.

“I have deep roots in the islands and cay that make up MICAL. My father, the late ‘King’ Eric Gibson was a son of Acklins soil, my late mother, Gerlene Glover, was a descendant of Crooked Island, my grand father, the late T G Glover hailed from Inagua and so did my wife, Minister Jac queline Gibson, who was born and raised on Inagua.

“Additionally, during my time as union president, I was instrumental in the unionisation of Morton Salt on Inagua, which paved the way for better benefits and working conditions for employees. I wholeheart edly believe that in addition to my ability to connect with and fight for the ordinary Bahamian, these connec tions will be advantageous in securing the MICAL seat in the House of Assembly,” he added.

Although Mr Gibson is already planning to canvas the MICAL constituency to gather support, he made it clear that he will not vie for the seat if Basil McIntosh, the sitting MP, decides to run again.

Mr Gibson said he has already contacted Mr McI ntosh to express his interest to contest as a candidate for the MICAL seat.

The MICAL MP, he added, responded that he would brief him of his polit ical plans “well in advance”

ahead of the next general election.

Mr McIntosh did not return this newspaper’s calls for comment up to press time.

“Two things have to happen, number one – only if Basil will (not) run, I will continue to pursue it and number two, I would need the residents to show the support at the right time because I’m sure there will be other candidates vying for the constituency as well,” Mr Gibson said.

He also dismissed criti cisms about his plans to return to politics, saying no matter what he does, some people will always have something negative to say.

“When I ran in the union election, those same people who talking now, you ever hear them say anything good about me so why listen to them? That’s their job,” he said.

“So, what I’m saying is you can’t worry about those kinds of things.

Those people who you hear talking, they don’t live in MICAL. They are people who if they see me cleaning on the side of the road, they will say why is he cleaning on the side of the road, they should allow someone else to do it.

“No matter what I do, they will criticise it but what I’m saying is you can’t live your life based on those who criticise everything you do or you won’t do anything.”

Mr Gibson ran as the PLP’s candidate for the Golden Gates constituency in the 2002 general elec tion, a seat he represented until his defeat in the 2017 election.

He served in various Cabinet positions under the Christie administration; his most recent ministerial post was Minister of Labour and National Insurance.

However, after the Minnis administration won the 2017 general election, Mr Gibson was charged with crimes of bribery along with several other high-pro file PLP figures.

The former MP’s charges stemmed from allega tions that he solicited and accepted thousands of dollars from contractor Jonathan Ash to expedite payments the government owed him for work done after Hurricane Matthew in 2016. He was acquitted of the charges in Novem ber 2019 and later reached a $2.5m settlement with the government after making claims of malicious prosecu tion and false imprisonment.

Prior to his tenure in politics, Mr Gibson was the Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union’s (BPCOU) president and also served in other roles in the union.

PM: BPL RISE WON’T LEAD TO JOB CUTS

from page one

Mr Davis was responding to Killarney MP Dr Hubert Minnis’ assertions last week that the increase would have a snowball effect on businesses and cause fur ther financial hardship.

“So, what has he done by increasing the fuel charge on the populace?” Dr Minnis asked reporters last week. “We are already experiencing inflation, which the prime minister had contributed to. The cost of living will go up even further.

“Already there is a CAR ICOM report that states that some Bahamians go to bed with only one meal per day. Some go to be with two meals per day and some have none and the prime minister has increased this burden on the populace.

“The businesses will also suffer. They will have an increased cost, which means they run the possibility of laying off individuals.

“The food shops, the res taurants will increase, the mom-and-pop shops will increase, their overhead will increase,” the former prime minister said.

Last Tuesday, Prime Minister Davis announced upcoming increases in con sumers’ electricity bills.

He advised that those with a current monthly bill of $182 or less would see an increase to about $20 per month or two cents per kilowatt hours of electricity used.

Those with higher bills will pay almost double that amount at 4.3 cents per kil owatt hour.

The rate increase is set to be reflected in consumers’ electricity bills beginning next month and is expected

to come down over the next 12 to 18 months.

Plans to raise custom ers’ fuel charges were initially announced by BPL in late February, but were stopped after the govern ment denied the company approval for the increase.

Mr Davis said this was because he wanted to see stronger economic growth and more Bahamians work ing before giving the power company the greenlight to raise electricity bills.

However, some believe the timing of the increase couldn’t have come at a worse time given inflation and the already high cost of living.

And with minimum wage expected to increase soon, some business owners have already warned that diffi cult decisions may have to be made in the days ahead to sustain operations.

ARRESTS MADE DURING MOBILE PATROLS

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

ON Thursday, police arrested a Bahamian man on several outstanding war rants and two males for immigration purposes.

According to reports, sometime between 1pm and 7.30pm, a team of officers at the Marsh Harbour Police Station were conducting routine mobile patrols on hotspots and known drug houses where they arrested a man on four outstanding

warrants, and two men for immigration reasons.

In a second incident, shortly after 2pm, offic ers were conducting a road check in the area of Christie Street in Murphy Town where they stopped a vehicle driven by an adult female. The woman admit ted to having dangerous drugs in her possession.

Officers searched the vehicle and found a quan tity of suspected marijuana in the armrest.

As a result, the female driver was arrested and taken into police cus tody. Investigations are continuing.

In Grand Bahama, a team of officers conducted a road check on Thursday between the hours of 5pm and 6.40pm, at the intersec tion of Polaris Drive and East Atlantic Drive.

As a result, 70 vehicles were inspected. Of those, 20 vehicles were searched, seven drivers were cited for various traffic infrac tions, and one person was arrested for an outstanding warrant.

Motorists were also encouraged to drive within the speed limit.

FORMER Minister of Labour Shane Gibson.

PM: Crime won’t hit tourism

newspaper’s records.

PRIME Minister Phil lip “Brave” Davis said he doesn’t believe the coun try’s crime rate will affect the nation’s tourism prod uct, despite continued warnings for American citi zens to “exercise increased caution” in The Bahamas due to crime.

Mr Davis was asked yes terday if he was concerned about the issue after the Bahamas Hotel and Tour ism Association’s (BHTA) president called for a more aggressive and unified approach by all members of society to combat crime, noting its impact on the country’s leading industry.

“I don’t think our crime rate would because it’s a contained issue that we have with crime, and hope fully, we are dealing with it effectively.

Hence, I don’t think you would see any downturn on tourism because of that,” Prime Minister Davis told report ers at Baha Mar yesterday.

This comes as the coun try continues to see an increase in armed robber ies and homicides, with the murder count now at 107, according to this

In a press statement released on Friday, Robert “Sandy” Sands, BHTA’s president, said while crime is recognised as a “global ailment,” small island nations like The Bahamas, which are heavily reliant on tourism, can be seriously affected if the vexing prob lem persists.

“The impact of crime left unabated is an absolute threat to our nation’s tour ism product and to society,” he said.

“We must work assidu ously and immediately stamp out the glowing embers that are threatening to ‘run hot’ in our country. We must enhance efforts to combat crime collectively.

“We in the tourism indus try have a saying, tourism is in everybody’s business, so is crime. I cannot emphasise that enough. We must unite in the fight against crime.”

Mr Sands further ques tioned how people can be the best version of them selves “when we just lost someone we love because of crime”.

He continued: “Crime at any level is insidious as it is dangerous. We have seen what rampant crime can do to countries who have had to deploy extreme highly

visible public safety meas ures to cauterise criminal activity.”

He also said the body is looking forward to con tinuing to work with the government, law enforce ment, tourism stakeholders and civil society at large to crack down on crime.

On Wednesday, the US State Department updated its travel advisory for The Bahamas to include new health information.

The advisory maintains its level two security alert for Americans in The Baha mas, which advises residents to exercise increased cau tion due to crime.

The alert lists New Provi dence and Grand Bahama as the islands where most of the nation’s crimes occur and repeat previous warnings for Americans when travelling in certain communities.

“In Nassau, practice

A JOINT operation between offic ers on Abaco and Grand Bahama has resulted in over $3m worth of drugs being confiscated.

According to police, around noon on Friday, officers attached to Operation Restoration executed a search warrant at a business on Sherlin Bottle Highway in Marsh Harbour.

The officers also conducted a search of a bushy area nearby where an estimated five pounds of cocaine along with over 120 bales of suspected marijuana were confiscated.

A high-powered weapon and two pistols were also found.

Six people — three Bahamian women, ages 19 to 23, two Bahamian men ages, 17 and 59, along with a 32-year-old Hai tian man — were taken into custody.

An investigation is continuing.

increased vigilance in the ‘Over the Hill’ area (south of Shirley Street) where gang-on-gang violence has resulted in a high homicide rate primarily affecting the local population,” the advi sory reads.

“Violent crime, such as burglaries, armed robber ies, and sexual assaults, occur in both tourist and non-tourist areas. Be vigilant when staying at short-term vacation rental

properties where private security companies do not have a presence.”

The alert also cautions American visitors of get ting involved in commercial recreational water sports, including tours, warning that watercraft are not con sistently regulated and may in some cases be poorly maintained.

Some operators may not have the proper safety certi fications, the advisory adds.

MUNROE TURNS TO JUDGES AS COUNTRY FACES CRIME CRISIS

serious crimes.

“The commissioner has expressed when he was sworn in that we wish to have firearm matters tried within two weeks of the person being arraigned,” Mr Munroe said yesterday.

“The police control the process of most of the wit nesses being police officers (and) have been assured that the firearms can be examined within that period to meet that performance deadline and we’re going to discuss that happening.”

In recent weeks, numer ous alleged offenders who have been released on bail have been murdered, while some have been posted on wanted police posters for suspected murder or other

Mr Munroe was asked yesterday whether the country was facing a crime crisis and his ministry’s plans to address the issue after another six people were killed in shooting inci dents last week, including a mother and son.

These deaths have pushed the country’s murder toll to 107, according to The Trib une’s records. If this trend continues, The Bahamas will surpass last year’s homicide count which stood at 119.

“It is a crisis,” Mr Munroe said. “Everything is a crisis. You have a health crisis. If you put on ten pounds, that’s a crisis.”

However, he noted that a crisis also breeds opportunities.

“We look at what is

happening as an opportu nity, and I hope the public is looking and watching and understanding that we raise these people. I hope the people of my generation are looking and watching and seeing how quickly things have changed,” Mr Munroe said.

“In my lifetime, we have moved from a police (officer) not having guns to now the commissioner and I are looking at every policeman having to have a gun. That is where we have come and I am only 54 and so in 54 years, we have come to this point.

“And I hope the Baha mian people look at it, those of us with sufficient memory to see why we didn’t think it was our right to shoot people. Why we

didn’t think it was our right to stab people and get that into the minds of the 15 and 25-year-olds who see no dif ficulty in doing it to them?”

In the meantime, Mr Munroe said police will continue to do their jobs by catching those responsible and bringing them to justice.

He added: “We will put you before the court and we’re going to be meet ing with the chief justice and chief magistrate in this upcoming week to dis cuss ways to expedite the judicial process, but until people decide that they are not interested in killing anyone and until we decide to influence people to stop killing, it will happen but the police will get you and we will put you before court and in short order we

hope to expedite that trial process.”

When asked about the like lihood of faster trials when considering the case backlogs already facing the courts, Mr Munroe said he had sugges tions and recommendations he intended to share with judiciary officials this week.

For his part, Police Com missioner Clayton Fernander said while officials were concerned about the rising murder toll, he didn’t believe the nation was in a crisis.

“As you note in recent times, the crime report we continue to arrest and bring individuals into custody who are found in possession of unlicensed firearms and they are being put before the court,” he said.

“Even the matters, the murders that occur and the

results, you could see that we are arresting individu als for them and putting them before the court but we want to be able to pre vent these murders from happening.”

He also expressed disap pointment that the force was not able to achieve its goal of keeping the murder count below 100.

“We tried and as I said, we can’t stop everybody,” the police chief added. “That was our goal, but we were not able to accomplish that but we’re going to con tinue and I don’t believe in counting numbers. The bottom line is we want to save some of these young men from the life of crime.”

The highest murder count The Bahamas has ever recorded was 146 in 2015.

PRIVATE DONATIONS HELP HURRICANE REPAIRS ON 50 HOMES

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

HURRICANE repairs were completed on about 50 homes on Grand Bahama through the Grand Bahama Disaster Relief Founda tion (GBDRF), with recent private donations totaling $450,000.

Karla McIntosh, GBDRF board member, reported in

their most recent home repair programme that families in Hawksbill, East Section, West Section, Coral Reef, and Hudson Estates subdivi sions were assisted. Fifty-two homes were repaired.

“We are exceptionally proud of all we have been able to achieve in partner ship with SBP for so many families in Grand Bahama,” she said.

The GBDRF, which is

funded entirely by private donations, along with SBP, an NGO headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and recognised as a leader in disaster resilience and recovery, together donated $450,000 to the home repair programme earlier this year.

Hurricane Dorian, a cate gory 5 storm, swept through Grand Bahama and Abaco in September 2019, causing devastation in its wake.

The Grand Bahama Dis aster Relief Foundation is a charitable organisation that was founded by the Grand Bahama Port Authority after Hurricane Matthew in 2016.

The organisation contin ues its efforts to assist with home repairs for people in communities who are still recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Dorian.

Ms McIntosh said: “Since inception, we have provided

mould remediation for 144 homes and restored 175 homes, including 52 homes in our most recent home repair programme.

“That means 52 more families whose proper ties were damaged by the sustained winds and flood waters of Hurricane Dorian are back in safe, secure and comfortable homes.”

She added: “We are grateful for our partnership

with SBP and the remark able work they have done and continue to do here in Grand Bahama.

“GBDRF remains com mitted to doing all we can to help the residents of Grand Bahama, but we can’t do it without the sup port of private donors.”

To donate and for more information about GBDRF, visit https://gbdisasterrelief. org/donations/

OFFICERS unloading drugs seized in Marsh Harbour on Friday. Photo: Austin Fernander

322-1986

(242) 502-2394

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(242) 352-9348

Yes, crime really is at crisis levels

IF you were hoping that our leaders would be singing from the same hymn sheet on the issue of crime, you would be sadly disappointed right now.

After yet another warning from the US government, urging American citi zens to “exercise increased caution” in The Bahamas due to crime, there were plenty of different opinions to go around.

The alert named New Providence and Grand Bahama as the hotspots for crime, and said: “In Nassau, prac tice increased vigilance in the ‘Over The Hill’ area (south of Shirley Street) where gang-on-gang vio lence has resulted in a high homicide rate primarily affecting the local population”.

First of all, there was the Prime Minis ter, Philip “Brave” Davis, who declared that he does not feel that the crime rate will affect tourism.

That might be comforting for those seeking to benefit from tourist dollars, but it is of no solace to the families and friends of those who have been killed this year already. The murder count presently stands at 107, at the time of writing.

Then we have the dynamic duo lead ing our crime fight, the National Security Minister and the Police Commissioner. One says it is a crisis, the other says it is not.

Minister Wayne Munroe said yester day: “It is a crisis. Everything is a crisis. You have a health crisis. If you put on ten pounds, that’s a crisis.”

We are not sure how Mr Munroe has found his way from a murder epidemic to dietary advice there, but at least he does acknowledge, albeit seemingly somewhat flippantly, there is indeed a crisis.

Police Commissioner Clayton Fer nander said, however, he did not believe the nation was in a crisis, but put the focus on the practical steps his officers were taking. He said: “We continue to arrest and bring individuals into custody who are found in possession of unli cenced firearms and they are being put before the court. Even the matters, the murders that occur and the results, you could see that we are arresting individu als for them and putting them before the court – but we want to be able to pre vent these murders from happening.”

After setting a goal of keeping the murder count for the year below 100, a figure we have surpassed with a long way to go in the year, he said: “We tried and as I said, we can’t stop everybody. That was our goal, but we were not able to accomplish that but we’re going to continue and I don’t believe in counting numbers. The bottom line is we want to save some of these young men from the life of crime.”

Those numbers, of course, are not just numbers. Each one is a life lost. It’s not just about counting numbers, it’s about monitoring the state of our nation, measuring against the years before to see if we are doing better – or worse. Without knowing where we stand, we do not know how if we are succeeding or failing.

Last week, the FNM criticised the government for not having a compre hensive plan on crime.

Warnings to tourists, a PM saying there is no harm to tourism, a National Security Minister saying there is a crisis, a Police Commissioner saying there is no crisis.

Never mind a comprehensive plan, right now it seems our leaders cannot even speak with one voice.

Well done, Apostle Valentino Williams

EDITOR, The Tribune.

OVER the years, I have been privileged to have met and sat under the spiritual anointing of myriad clergy persons here at home and abroad internationally. I was particularly blessed when I first met Apos tle Valentino Williams. founder and senior pastor at Life Changers Ministries International located at Bacardi Road. That fateful meeting was unanticipated, but what a big difference it made in my personal life and walk with The Lord Jesus Christ.

I am the very first to concede that the average Bahamian is consumed with mundane politics and salacious gossip, espe cially with a sexual nature. While both of these things might appear to be impor tant, there is nothing more important, in my view than finding the right walk and connection to The Lord Jesus Christ. It is written: “The grass will fade and the flowers will wither, but the Word of God stands for ever....” Therefore, it is in our best interest, I submit, to be ‘right’ with The Lord at all times.

Right now our legislators

and national leaders are grappling with some seri ous economic and societal issues. Our economy has been down graded, again, by diverse international credit rating agencies. Rev enue collections are up but spending continues to out pace the same. Many Bahamians are stressed out, despite advancements in economic growth. We have what has been referred to as the working poor. Alleg edly, a few Bahamians and expatriates have taken their own lives. Homelessness abounds and Sandilands is, allegedly, up to capacity. Thousands more Bahami ans, I postulate, are mentally challenged or appear to be so. What do we need in these dire times?

We need to come to the realisation that we are spir itual beings clothed in a material body. As such, we should strive to cultivate the spiritual and the rest will take care of itself. No, one does not have to wear his/her Christianity on one’s sleeves but one should cul tivate a connection and

dependence on God and not, necessarily, the run of the mill pastors and politi cians. This is where a good tested and tried minister of the Gospel comes in.

Apostle Valentino Wil liams, in my humble opinion, is a man sent by God to The Bahamas, ini tially, and eventually, the world to expand and inter pret The Word of God. Life Changers Ministries Inter national catres to all of the holistic needs of Bahami ans and our international partners.

Recently, Apostle Wil liams was selected and appointed as Chaplin to the House of Assembly where he is in a unique position to declare to parliamentarians and the line staff over there that “Thus saith The Lord.” Many of them will succumb to The Word and be guided by the basic concepts of Christianity and the pure love of God. I congratulate Apostle on this appoint but, more importantly, I thank God for his elevation at this critical time. To God then, in all things, be the glory.

ORTLAND H BODIE, Jr Nassau, October 10, 2022.

Roundabout suggestions

EDITOR, The Tribune.

WHILE I fully endorse the view expressed by Athena Damianos, with respect to the QC/BNT roundabout, per haps, if the Government has some money for “Roundabouts”, it may wish to convert the nightmare that is the Village and East ern Roads mess.

Just turn that entire flow around the old Montagu Hotel island into a roundabout and get rid of the lights at both junctions.

There will need to be some mechanism

to integrate the two east-bound lanes coming from East Bay Street but without a Traffic Light the “very important line jump ers” in the right hand lane should be able to decently merge into either Eastern Road or Shirley Street.

The eastern access to Ft Montagu would likely have to be sacrificed for Village Road access.

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis and his wife Ann-Marie taking a moment to enjoy the brochure at the ceremonies for investiture of national honours yesterday.

Photo: Austin Fernander

MAN SHOT IN FACE IN EIGHT MILE ROCK

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A MAN is in hospital in serious condition after he was shot in the face on Saturday in the Eight Mile Rock area, police reported.

Police received a report shortly after 1am on Satur day that a man was taken to hospital with gunshot inju ries. Officers went to the Rand Memorial Hospital to investigate.

Initial investigations revealed that the victim was at a business in Seagrape when he was approached by a man known to him. The man produced a firearm and shot him in the face, police said.

The victim was taken by private vehicle to the hos pital, where he is listed in serious, but stable condition.

Police have arrested a man who is in custody assisting them with their investigation.

Meanwhile, police in North Andros are inves tigating a stabbing that left a 39-year-old man in hospital.

The incident reportedly

occurred shortly before 10pm on Sunday at a busi ness in Nicholl’s Town.

It is reported that the victim was involved in an argument with a 30-year-old male when he was stabbed in his upper body.

The victim was taken to New Providence where he is detained in hospital, in serious condition.

The 30-year-old is in police custody and assisting with the investigation.

In other crime news, a Grand Bahama teen was arrested on Friday after allegedly being found with suspected marijuana.

Police said that shortly before 11pm officers from the Northeastern Divi sion were conducting a routine mobile patrol in the Sergeant Major Road area when they saw a male acting suspiciously.

The suspect fled on foot after seeing the officers, police said, leading officers to chase and subsequently catch him. During a search of the suspect, officers found a quantity of sus pected marijuana, police said.

As a result, the 19-yearold male was arrested and taken into police custody.

PASTOR KILLED IN ABACO CRASH

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS lmunnings

AN Abaco pastor was killed in a traffic accident on Sunday.

Relatives have identi fied the deceased as Leroy Thompson.

According to police, shortly after 8pm on Sunday officers at the Marsh Har bour Police Station received reports of a traffic accident in the area of Black Wood, North Abaco.

Preliminary investiga tions revealed a 2008 silver Honda was travelling west on SC Bootle Highway driven by an adult male and accompanied by an adult female, and a 2010 yellow Chevrolet Camaro travel ling east driven by an adult male and accompanied by an adult male when both vehicles collided.

Mr Thompson, the driver of the Honda, was pro nounced dead at the scene. The other driver and pas sengers were taken to the local clinic for their injuries.

In an interview with The Tribune, Chantel Thomp son, the deceased’s sister, said that her brother was loved by many.

“Everyone knows him as a comedian, he was a natu ral,” she said yesterday.

“He is a person who spent a lot of time giving of him self and that’s why he is so

popular because he gave of himself and invested in peo ple’s children and lives. He was the person who always encouraged people,” she added.

Mr Thompson was a pastor at Zion Baptist Church in Murphy Town, Abaco, and also served as an educator for over 30 years.

Ms Thompson reflected on their relationship as he was her “big brother”.

“He was my big brother; we always were teasing one another. He always called me to check in on me,” she said.

While reflecting on the life of her brother, Ms Thompson said in a Face book post: “We spent this whole summer together. I’ll miss teasing you and you teasing me. Most of all, we shared the love for the word of God!

“We spent hours just talking about what God has done for our lives. I promise you to publish your book and that I’ll do! I love you big brother,” she added.

Mr Thompson was a “family-oriented” man, who left behind a wife, who was injured in the traffic fatality, and five children according to his sister.

“He was that type of person always contacting people, he was a very fam ily-oriented person, actually he was a ‘housewife’,” she jokingly said yesterday.

“He loved to cook, and he loved to cook seafood specifically. He was the chef of his family. It wasn’t some thing he was forced to do, he loved catering to his family.”

Several Abaco residents expressed sadness over Mr Thompson’s death on social media, including Member of Parliament for North Abaco Kirk Cornish.

“As the Member of Par liament for North Abaco and Parliamentary Sec retary to the office of the Prime Minister, I would like to express my heartfelt con dolences to the Thompson family on the passing of Mr Leroy Thompson,” he said in a Facebook post.

“He will be missed greatly. May God keep and comfort his loved ones during this difficult time.”

Over the weekend, a second traffic fatality was reported on the island of Exuma on Saturday, which claimed the life of a 29-year-old man.

According to reports around 2.30am on Saturday in the Hoopers Bay area, the driver of a red coloured Silverado pick-up truck was travelling west on Queens Highway and the driver of a red Honda Accord was travelling east on Queens Highway when the accident occurred. The driver of the red Honda Accord was pro nounced dead at the scene.

DETECTIVE SAYS MAN TOLD GIRL TO HAVE SEX OR HE WOULD RELEASE PHOTOS

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A LEAD police inves tigator told the Supreme Court that a 13-year-old girl told police she had sex with a man who threatened to release nude photos of her if she did not have sex with him.

Detective Lynette Leadon, of the Royal Baha mas Police Force, took the witness stand on Friday in the rape trial of Hayward Dorsett.

Dorsett is charged with having unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor

and possession of child pornography.

It is alleged that between April 13 and April 14, 2021, the accused had sex with a minor, aged 13. It is also alleged that on the date in question he was found in possession of nude photos and videos of the child.

Justice Andrew Forbes is presiding over the case, which is before a 12-member jury. Lead pros ecutor Ashley Carroll and Erica Culmer-Curry are appearing on behalf of the Attorney General’s Office.

K Brian Hanna is repre senting Dorsett.

In her testimony on

Friday, Detective Leadon said that the father, accom panied by the female minor, went to Central Police Station on April 14, 2021, and made a complaint.

The young girl told police that she had sex with the accused on April 13. She also claimed that Dorsett had shown her nude pho tographs of herself and told her he would expose them if she did not have sex with him.

The detective said the minor was taken to the Rand Memorial Hospi tal and examined by a doctor. Detective Leadon, who was present during

the examination, said the doctor found that the girl had had sex recently. “Her hymen was not intact,” she told the court.

Dorsett was arrested and taken to the police station for questioning. Detective Leadon conducted a record of the interview.

The detective said Dor sett denied having sex with the minor. She said the accused told her he had attempted to have sex with her and had threat ened to send photos out if she did not have sex with him.

The accused, she said, pursued the victim, had

broken curfew and drove to her residence at night.

Det Leadon said police extracted nude photographs and videos of the virtual complainant from Dorsett’s phone. She said that Dor sett confessed that a friend named, Kiano, had sent him the nude photographs and video of the minor.

When questioned by Mr Hanna as to whether police had found nude photos and videos on Kiano’s phone, Det. Leadon said police had checked, but nothing was found on his phone.

The trial was adjourned to Wednesday, October 12, at 11am.

FIGHTING

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

TWO women admitted in court on Friday to attacking each other, once at a meat mart and then at a pre school the next day.

Alisha Lewis, 28, appeared before Senior Magistrate Carolyn VogtEvans on a charge of causing harm. The second woman, Juslene Justilien, 22, stood before Assistant Chief Mag istrate Subusola Swain on a charge of assault with a dan gerous instrument.

On September 29 at Bal four Meat Mart, Lewis is said to have got into a fight with Justilien and caused her harm. Then on September 30 at Loving Angels Pre-School, the two once again got into an argument when Justilien assaulted Lewis with a rock.

In court, both women pleaded guilty.

Lewis was warned and discharged for her offence, and Justilien was placed on probation for nine months. If she violates the terms, she faces a two-month prison sentence.

$3,500 DRUGS FINE

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

AN Exuma man was fined a combined $3,500 in the Magistrate’s Court on Friday after being found cul tivating 18 marijuana plants.

Allington Percentie, 53, stood before Magistrate Kendra Kelly on charges of cultivation of danger ous drugs and possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply. On October 4 at Farmer’s Cay, Exuma, he was found cultivating 18 Indian hemp plants. He was also found with an additional two grams of Indian hemp. In court, he pleaded guilty.

He was fined $2,500 on the cultivation charge and $1,000 for possession. Should he default, he would face jail for eight and six months on each charge.

Rock

path to

AVERY Lightbourne has always been into rocks. A native of Rock Sound and Green Castle, Eleuthera, Avery knew how to skip flat beach stones over a calm sea on a bright summer day. He knew how to negotiate jagged, limestone rocks to jump in the blue hole with his cousins and friends. They would ramble the bush for seagrapes, cocoa plums and pigeon plums. He fondly recalls those days, enamored with the freedom of childhood as we spoke about his company, ART Heavy Equipment & Development (ART). As an island boy, he learned how to be resourceful and how to respect the land. As a young entrepreneur today, he is continuing to learn how to be innovative and resourceful, finding solu tions that help to advance life in The Bahamas.

When Avery learned about basalt rock, a natu ral, igneous, volcanic rock with lots of benefits in the construction indus try, he was intrigued. The fibers of basalt are used to create Basaflex, an inno vative, corrosion proof composite reinforce ment that is stronger than steel. It’s a lightweight,

By FELICITY DARVILLE

eco-friendly product that Avery got excited about. The Bahamas is an archi pelago surrounded by water. Corrosion is a major issue throughout the islands. These issues are exacerbated by the threat of hurricanes. Avery says that Basaflex offers a solution that would cut down costs in construction and mainte nance, and help buildings in The Bahamas stand the test of climate change and time.

ART has the sole dis tributorship for Basaflex, a product manufactured by Basanite Industries, LLC, based in Florida. The Min istry of Works has approved Basalt Fiber Reinforced Polymer (BFRP) rebar, including Basaflex, to be utilised in place of con ventional steel rebar for reinforcement in concrete structures throughout the Bahamas. ART will act as the regional stocking distributor of Basanite’s

composite products for the construction industry in the Bahamas.

It’s a big step for Avery, but one which he has been preparing for all his life. His good Eleuthera upbringing availed him much, under the care of his father, Jack Light bourne, and his mother, Stephanie Lightbourne (nee Armbrister, daughter of Constable Jephta Arm brister of Cat Island). He also had the loving care of his paternal grandparents on Eleuthera - Harbourt Lightbourne and Maria Lightbourne (nee Whylly). He spent many days on the farm with them, picking tomatoes and watermelon, and seeing what love and respect for the land and each other looked like.

“When I was a little boy and we would go crabbing,” Avery recalls, “my grand mother would always tell us ‘good job!’ even if we only

caught one crab- I always remember that.”

Avery attended Green Castle Primary, then Rock Sound Primary in Eleuthera. He loved the days when his Aunt Porcia would park her entire jeep on the Island Link, and all the cousins would spend great summers together. He graduated from Pres ton H Albury High in 1995, and by 1997, he moved to Nassau. Avery’s brother, Zane, went to college to become an educator, and is now the Minister of State for Education. Avery eventually enrolled in the Police College, and served six years as an officer of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

Filled with a passion for enterprise, Avery intro duced business ideas, many of which are suc cessful today, including his security company, built on the foundation of his offi cial training. But he has worn many other hats. His mother signed him up for the police force. But before then, Avery worked as a bartender.

“Bartending built rela tionships that were lasting ones,” he said.

“They taught me about the world before the internet.”

No matter where life took him, Avery was always involved in business. He is inspired to continue finding real world solutions that make life easier. At one point, Avery came across an opportunity to sell Sasha cosmetics, a premier line of makeup, which became a hit with his customers.

Avery had a great prod uct and people were buying it. He would hold makeup parties for professional women, especially steward esses, who were required to hold a certain standard of beauty. His Lancome eye and lip pencils were espe cially the rage. Avery found that it was impossible to keep hiring a makeup artist for every makeup party he would have. So, he got training and was certified by a beauty queen, Miss Trinidad, and he came back home equipped to wow his clients.

He was such a hit that he had made a name for him self. When Patti Labelle performed in The Baha mas, her makeup artist called for Avery to work with her behind the scenes.

Eventually, after Avery left the Police Force in 2007, he found a niche in private investigation. Once again, his connections were continuing to develop, and he remained open to find ing solutions for life. He is about to announce another innovative product in the coming months.

For now, he’s educating architects, engineers and contractors on the won ders of Basaflex. With the Bahamian Building Code approval and the Distribu tor Agreement in place, ART is now able to offer its customers Basanite’s full line of corrosion-proof products for concrete rein forcement. ART’s primary customer base is located in the Bahamas and the Caribbean, where corro sion of steel from saltwater exposure is a major prob lem. Basanite’s green, corrosion-proof, basalt fiber products offer a com pelling solution. Basalt products are completely non-toxic and environ mentally friendly. They are

stronger, yet significantly lighter than steel. They cost less, and are com pletely rust-proof.

“We are very excited to bring Basanite’s products to the Bahamas,” said Fred Tingberg, Basanite’s CTO.

“Our environmentally friendly, high-performance basalt fiber composite products will help the Gov ernment and builders in the Bahamas solve the problems associated with traditional steel construc tion products (such as infrastructure corrosion) in a manner that helps pre serve the environment. We look forward to building a long-lasting relationship with ART in the Bahamas.”

Avery says his love of country and desire to suc ceed will continue to motivate him on his entre preneurial path.

“The Bahamas is a young country, it’s still develop ing,” Avery said.

“As young entrepre neurs, when we look for these innovative technolo gies, it shouldn’t be difficult to implement it. We don’t have a huge market in our country, but there are many young entrepreneurs out there, like myself, looking for solutions to make our lives better.”

Elated about the backing of the Government in his latest product, Avery says the next step is for Govern ment to consider using the products in its own con struction processes, giving a thrust to its movement towards climate change mitigation.

“We are all one family.; if you have the right mes sage and it ties in to where we try to go as a country, I think its a beautiful thing,” he said.

“The more we find tech nology to help us to be able to feed our families and keep up with the good trends of the world, then we have a huge advantage of enhancing the most beauti ful country on planet Earth. This is our way of life. We can leave an indelible mark on the young ones, to pro tect our country and help it to prosper for years to come.”

Get in contact with Avery at artbahamas@gmail.com.

FROM left, Fred Tingberg Jr, chief technical officer of Basanite Industries; Avery Lightbourne, presi dent, ART Heavy Equipment and Development; Simon Kay, chief executive officer, Basanite; Michael Babera, chairman of the Board, Basanite; and architect Marcus Laing.

PRESIDENT Macron of France started the ball roll ing in May this year. During a speech in the European Parliament, he proposed creation of a European Political Community (EPC) as a new forum with the aim of promoting, at the strategic level, dialogue in order to strengthen the security and stability of the European continent. With its meeting last week, which took place in the Czech Republic, this has now become a reality as a platform for high level dis cussions about the future in Europe. Thus, it is perhaps worth examining in more detail.

Macron suggested that democratic European nations “with shared core values” – including, for example, Ukraine and the Western Balkan states which are seeking to join the European Unionshould be given a new opportunity to contribute to the strengthening of cooperation and coordination in Europe, not only in rela tion to security but also in other areas like energy and free movement of people which are currently causing concern. He added that the new organisation should also be open to Britain which had recently left the EU.

There was initial scep ticism about possible duplication of the function and work of other bodies like NATO and the G7, as well as the Council of Europe – in which there is regular discussion of human rights, democracy and the rule of law -- and the Organization for Secu rity and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) of which Russia is a member and which, with 57 participat ing states, is said to be the world’s largest securityoriented intergovernmental organisation. There were also fears amongst appli cants for EU membership that Macron was echo ing previous proposals for a two-tier or multi-speed Europe and that participa tion in the new body could lead to their being denied full membership. But that appears not to be the case, and it is now hoped by EU applicants that the EPC could be a bridge that accel erates their accession.

In June, the EU Council approved creation of the EPC on the grounds that its objective would be “to foster political dialogue and co-operation to address issues of common interest and to strengthen the secu rity, stability and prosperity of the European continent”, and that the new forum did not “replace any existing

organisation or structure”. This was reinforced by the German Chancellor who is on record as saying that the EPC could facilitate a regu lar exchange at the highest political level once or twice a year on issues affecting the whole continent.

With the Czech Repub lic currently holding the revolving presidency of the EU, the first-ever meet ing of the EPC was held in Prague on October 6.

More than 40 European leaders attended, including the presidents of Azerbai jan and Moldova and the prime ministers of Armenia and Georgia - as well as, of course, the heads of gov ernment of all 27 member states of the EU, while President Zelensky also participated from Kyiv via a video link. No doubt mind ful of his country’s wish to improve relations with the EU, President Erdogan of Turkey attended - as did new British premier Liz Truss.

A general plenary meet ing was followed by dozens of small informal group and bilateral meetings to improve mutual under standing among states and to establish better and closer dialogue addressing the most pressing issues of the day – mainly, peace and security, especially the Ukraine war, and the energy crisis. The Czech presidency announced there would be no formal written report of the out come of this EPC meeting and no final communique.

Interestingly, when she was Britain’s Foreign Secre tary, Ms Truss was reported to have said that the UK did not support the EPC proposal because it saw NATO as the key guarantor of security in Europe and the G7 as the key economic

alliance. However, since becoming prime minister, although she remained sceptical about the need for another multilateral forum, she agreed to attend the Prague meeting because she was particularly keen to discuss energy security and migration with her Euro pean counterparts.

From a study of reports and analysis carried by the UK press, it seems to me that it remains in the UK’s interest, after having left the EU, to support the wider notion of a stable Europe and to co-operate in achiev ing this without stepping on NATO’s toes. So, in order to develop a mutually ben eficial relationship with the EU, it can be argued that the UK should continue to participate in the EPC as a new grouping to facili tate political and security exchanges on a pan-conti nental level. Equally, it is also in Europe’s interest to partner with Britain given its strength as a vital secu rity provider.

Any platform that strengthens European security co-operation is fundamentally a good idea. Nonetheless, it seems to some that it might prove difficult for such a large, diverse and unwieldy group of countries to establish common ground and reach decisions. So there is the danger of the EPC ending up as empty political grand standing with little impact on European security.

Following the Prague meeting, governments will no doubt be analysing whether there is any added value in being part of the EPC. But, given the horrors of the Ukraine war and con tinuing Russian aggression and threats to energy secu rity, many consider there is indeed a need for a forum

ABUSES IN

THE unrelenting news cycle inevitably results in people’s attention rap idly shifting to the most recent developments across the world. But that does not mean that existing important issues suddenly disappear entirely from view. The international focus may alter, but the attention of those immedi ately concerned does not waver or weaken. One such situation is the alleged mis treatment of the Uyghur Muslim minority in China.

According to the Brit ish government, the long-awaited report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights which was published recently provides new evidence of the appall ing extent of China’s efforts to silence and repress Uyghurs and other minori ties in Xinjiang.

Having now seen a state ment last month by the then UK Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss, in reaction to this UN report, I thought it might be interesting for readers who study the issue of human rights abuses around the world to learn of her main points.

She said that the report includes harrowing evi dence that shames China in the eyes of the interna tional community, including actions that may amount to crimes against humanity. There was evidence of arbi trary and discriminatory detention, torture, sexual and gender-based violence and the destruction of reli gious sites.

Ms Truss went

the UK has

EFFECTIVE NEW FORUM OR JUST ANOTHER TALKING SHOP?

fresh events.

The Peter Young column

in which all European coun tries that are more or less democratic can exchange views at the highest politi cal level and co-operate with one another.

POOR PREPARATION AND PRESENTATION

In Britain, the row over the new Tory government’s unfunded tax cuts in its mini-budget on September 23 rumbles on. Given that it has created market turmoil and has divided the Con servative Party to the extent that, with the Labour Party well ahead in the polls, it is even threatening the future of the new prime minis ter, I should like to return to it in today’s column. Ms Truss is now being urged to change course if she wants to keep her MPs on her side and preserve what is left of party unity.

It is sobering to realise that, only five days after The Queen’s funeral, the country went from a state of deep mourning for a much loved longest serving mon arch to extreme political and economic controversy, and that this was sparked by the new government’s radical proposals to deal with a stagnant economy which was under perform ing. But that is an example, perhaps, of our fast-moving times and news cycle of

The details of the drama are now well known and do not bear repetition. The PM has admitted the ground should have been better prepared, but the UK press reaction, which has verged on the hysterical, may have added fuel to the outrage.

Be that as it may, it is clear that she and the Chan cellor of the Exchequer, Kwasi Kwarteng, created the crisis with their botched mini-budget which lacked a plan to pay for unfunded tax cuts other than more borrowing and shook the financial markets.

Amidst the furore, it seems that there has been little public analysis of the substance of the Truss plan.

She is said to be showing revolutionary zeal in push ing through what she spoke about ad nauseam on the campaign trail during the Conservatives’ leadership contest. With a maximum of two years until the next general election she is in a hurry and clearly wants to stamp her mark on the country. Empha sis on “growth, growth, growth” is her mantra – a new approach for a new era. But, without providing a careful detailed brief ing about her policy for all concerned to absorb in slower time, it appears to be politically inept simply to go for growth at any cost and to be absolutely inflex ible about implementing a doctrine even if it is the right prescription to put Britain back on its eco nomic feet.

The timing of the minibudget was surely unwise so soon after assuming office and against a background of rising inflation and cost of living pressures for UK households and increas ing interest rates with their extreme effect on mortgage repayments.

of the wider picture of the state of society and people’s quality of life while giving due weight to notions of the common good in order to keep society together.

Many people consider that a focus on boosting growth through lower taxes, deregulation and supplyside reform is the right approach to get the econ omy moving in the longer term. So what is irritating -- for those who believe in her prescription for break ing away from the high-tax, low growth cycle that has bedevilled the UK for too long -- is that a potentially good economic plan has been ruined by poor prepa ration and presentation.

Libertarians maintain that invariably economic growth slows down when government increas ingly taxes, regulates and interferes in the produc tive process of market exchange. So, many sup port in principle what the government is doing but not the way it is going about it. Their views are in tune with the teachings of Adam Smith whose mighty work The Wealth of Nations, first published in 1776, remains the cornerstone of free-market thinking. He preached that the free-mar ket system and free trade were essential to create true national wealth. But the fig ures have to add up and the Truss government is surely ill-advised to take on higher unsustainable debt with out committing to a cut in public spending.

led

international efforts to hold China to account at the UN, imposed sanctions on senior Chinese government officials, and announced measures to help ensure no UK organisations are complicit in these violations through their supply chains.

She finished her statement by declaring that Britain would “continue to act with international partners to bring about a change in China’s actions, and imme diately end its appalling human rights violations in Xinjiang”.

Dr. Franklin Walkine

Wishes to announce his retirement from the Clinical Practice of Medicine, October 31, 2022.

wish to thank all my patients for the opportunity to participate in their health care. Any patients wanting their notes should request them from the office.

office hours are

Monday to Friday

It is the case, of course, that politicians are elected to make deci sions. But they also need to carry people with them in order to push through their policies and take account

Reportedly, the Chan cellor hopes to quell the market turmoil when he presents the government’s medium-term fiscal plan on October 31, now brought forward from the original date of November 23. An independent forecast of the UK economy by the Office for Budget Responsibil ity will also be published. Meanwhile, the PM seems to be sticking to her guns apart from her U-turn on the 45 per cent higher tax rate.

BRITISH

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe says the joint national secu rity operation between The Bahamas and The Turks and Caicos Islands is in the best interest of the country despite criticism from some quarters.

About 20 Bahamian police officers have been sent to TCI to assist with its rise in crime.

In a statement on Thurs day, Mr Munroe said of the joint effort: “The Min istry of National Security and its regional partners recognised the emerging national security threats developing across borders throughout the Caribbean. However, the government of The Bahamas remains resolved in our strategic approach to mitigating external factors influenc ing our ongoing challenge domestically.

“The government of Turks and Caicos remains a critical partner in ensuring our people’s shared safety and well-being. We are confident that with these joint security missions between both countries, we can deliver an aggressive and robust counter-offen sive against organised crimes impacting both The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos.”

It was later revealed that Royal Bahamas Police Force officers were sent to TCI as part of this initiative.

There was some backlash to the announcement with some observers asking why the government would send police officers abroad while The Bahamas is grappling with a rise in murders and other violent crimes.

In response to the criti cism, Mr Munroe said yesterday: “What’s the criti cism? Does anybody know what they are going there to do? So, how can you criti cise something if you don’t have a clue what their mis sion is?

“We have sent out a statement to show that it is a joint exercise, common sense would tell you that it’s something that is in the Bahamian national inter est. If anybody believes that the Royal Bahamas Police Force shouldn’t act in the

interest of The Bahamas, then that criticism is very easily answered,” he added.

Mr Munroe explained that the government would not “entertain” criticism that is not evidenced, or fact-based, as the opera tion’s details will not be disclosed due to the national security interests of both nations.

Royal Bahamas Police Force Commissioner Clayton Fernander told reporters yesterday that based on intel, both The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos are facing similar crime trends.

“If everyone is paying attention you can see the same trend that is occur ring in Turks Island, and we believe that based on our intel it could be some nexus,” he said.

Yesterday at the cer emony for the investiture of national honours, Com missioner Fernander also confirmed that about 20 officers were dispatched to Turks and Caicos for the joint operation.

Among them was Assis tant Commissioner of Police Kendall Strachan who was sworn into the Turks and Caicos police force last week.

In a briefing posted to Facebook yesterday, TCI Commissioner of Police Trevor Botting said the Bahamian officers are deployed on the streets in the force’s tactical unit and the response and opera tions unit.

“I believe the contingent from the Royal Bahamas Police Force will make a significant impact on policing operations,” Com missioner Botting said.

Following the announce ment last week, many Bahamians took to social media to express their disapproval of the joint operation.

A Twitter user said: “Our police are too disgrace ful and disrespectful to be (sent) to other places to represent our country.”

Another social media user said: “Can’t control the crime here (The Bahamas), but sending out officers to assist others.”

A Facebook user said: “Wait what? Why? Things are out (of) control here at home!”

FATHER FACES

INCEST CHARGE

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A FATHER facing incest charges in the Supreme Court on Friday denied sleeping with his teenage daughter, claiming she only made the allegations after a pregnancy test was found in her room.

The accused also claimed that in a previous What sApp conversation before his daughter lodged offi cial sexual assault charges, she had threatened to say he slept with if her mother took her to a doctor in rela tion to the pregnancy test.

The 47-year-old man, whose name is being with held to protect his accuser’s identity, is represented by Murrio Ducille, KC. The man testified before Justice Guillimina Archer-Minns for the continuation of his incest trial.

It is alleged by the pros ecution that the defendant sexually abused his now adult daughter twice in 2015 and 2016 when she was 15 and 16 years old. Charges were officially filed against him in 2017. In a previ ous trial appearance, an audio recording was played in court of the defendant begging the complainant not to tell anyone of the alleged incidents because he was afraid he would go to jail. During his testimony when asked by Mr Ducille what his relationship was like with his daughter in 2016-2017, the accused said that he only had contact with her on a twice weekly basis and occasionally on the weekend.

Responding to the question of why his daugh ter would make such allegations against him, the accused said he had told her mother “to go find her baby daddy” in her presence when she was growing up.

While he went on to say that he regrets saying these things, he said she would continue to question him on his paternity and sometimes say that she isn’t his child.

The accused claimed that his daughter occasionally made threats against him if he refused to give her money, threatening to say he did inappropriate things to her.

In reference to a sup posed 2017 WhatsApp conversation between the two, the defendant said that he confronted the com plainant after her mother told him she found a preg nancy test under her bed.

He then said that his daughter denied ownership of the pregnancy test saying that it was her aunt’s. It was when he told his daughter that her mother was taking her to a doctor to see if she was sexually active that she threatened to say he slept with her if such action were taken.

By the end of this conver sation, the defendant said she told him she was only joking about making such an allegation.

When the defence’s counsel moved to have the conversation on the defend ant’s phone officially shown in court, prosecutor Basil Cumberbatch once again objected to the move.

The trial continues today at 10.30am.

Russia unleashes biggest attacks in Ukraine in months

KYIV, Ukraine Associated Press

RUSSIA retaliated yesterday for an attack on a critical bridge by unleash ing its most widespread strikes against Ukraine in months, a lethal barrage that smashed civilian targets, knocked out power and water, shattered build ings and killed at least 14 people.

Ukraine’s Emergency Service said nearly 100 people were wounded in the morning rush hour attacks that Russia launched from the air, sea and land against at least 14 regions, span ning from Lviv in the west to Kharkiv in the east. Many of the attacks occurred far from the war’s front lines.

Though Russia said missiles tar geted military and energy facilities, some struck civilian areas while people were heading to work and school. One hit a playground in downtown Kyiv and another struck a university.

The attacks plunged much of the country into a blackout, depriving hundreds of thousands of people of electricity into Monday night and cre ating a shortage so severe Ukrainian authorities asked people to conserve and announced they will stop power exports to Europe starting Tuesday.

Power outages also often deprive residents of water, given the system’s reliance on electricity to run pumps and other equipment.

Andriy Yermak, a senior adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said the strikes had no “practical military sense” and that Russia’s goal was to cause a “humanitarian catastrophe”.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said his forces targeted key energy infrastructure and military command facilities with “precision weapons” in retaliation for what he claimed were Kyiv’s “terrorist” actions — a reference to Ukraine’s attempts to repel Moscow’s invasion, including an attack Saturday on a key bridge between Russia and the annexed Crimean Peninsula. Putin alleged the bridge attack was masterminded by

Ukrainian special services. Putin vowed a “tough” and “propor tionate” response if further Ukrainian attacks threaten Russia’s security. “No one should have any doubts about it,” he told Russia’s Security Council by video.

The Russian president has been under intense domestic pressure to take more aggressive action to stop a largely successful Ukrainian coun teroffensive and to react forcefully to Saturday’s attack on the Kerch bridge, whose construction he used to cement his 2014 annexation of Crimea.

Putin’s increasingly frequent descriptions of Ukraine’s actions as terrorist could portend even more bold and draconian actions. But in Monday’s speech, Putin — whose partial troop mobilisation order last month triggered an exodus of hun dreds of thousands of men of fighting age — stopped short of escalating his “special military operation” to a coun terterrorism campaign or martial law. Zelenskyy has repeatedly called on

world leaders to declare Russia a ter rorist state because of its attacks on civilians and alleged war crimes.

Moscow’s war in Ukraine is approaching its eight-month mark, and the Kremlin has been reeling from humiliating battlefield setbacks in areas of eastern Ukraine it is trying to annex.

The head of Ukraine’s law enforce ment said Monday’s attacks damaged 70 infrastructure sites, of which 29 are critical. Zelenskyy said that of the 84 cruise missiles and 24 drones Russia fired, Ukrainian forces shot down 56.

Blasts struck in the capital’s Shevchenko district, which includes the historic old town and government offices, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. Some of the strikes hit near the government quarter in the capital’s symbolic heart, where parliament and other major landmarks are located. A glass-covered office tower was sig nificantly damaged, with most of its blue-tinted windows blown out.

UN PONDERS ARMED FORCE TO HELP END HAITI CRISIS

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico Associated Press

UN SECRETARY-GENERAL António Guterres submitted a letter to the Security Council on Sunday proposing the immediate activation of a rapid action force following a plea for help from Haiti as gangs and pro testers paralyse the country.

The letter, which was seen by The Associated Press but has not been made public, said the rapid action force would be deployed by one or several member states to help Haiti’s National Police. That force would “remove the threat posed by armed gangs and provide immediate pro tection to critical infrastructure and services”, as well as secure the “free movement of water, fuel, food and medical supplies from main ports and airports to communities and health care facilities”.

The letter also states the secretarygeneral may deploy “additional UN capacities to support a ceasefire or humanitarian arrangements”.

However, the letter notes that “a return to a more robust United Nations engagement in the form of peacekeeping remains a last resort if no decisive action is urgently taken by the international community in line with the outlined options and national law enforcement capacity proves unable to reverse the deteriorating security situation”.

A Canadian official said “we are watching the situation in Haiti closely and will be working with our inter national partners to assess Haiti’s broader request for international support”.

The letter suggests that the rapid action force be phased out as Haitian police regain control of infrastructure, and that two options could follow: member states establish an interna tional police task force to help and advise local officers or create a special force to help tackle gangs “includ ing through joint strike, isolation and containment operations across the country”.

The letter notes that if member states do not “step forward with bilateral sup port and financing”, the UN operation may be an alternative. “However, as indicated, a return to UN peacekeep ing was not the preferred option of the authorities,” it states.

The letter also says the Security Council could decide to strengthen the police component of the current United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti known as BINUH, and to call on member states to provide addi tional equipment and training to local police, which are understaffed and lack resources. Only about a third of some 13,000 are operational in a coun try of more than 11 million people.

The secretary-general said the issue is a matter of urgency, noting Haiti “is facing an outbreak of cholera amid a dramatic deterioration in security that has paralysed the country.”

On Friday, Haiti’s government pub lished an official document signed by Prime Minister Ariel Henry and 18 top-ranking officials requesting from international partners “the immedi ate deployment of a specialised armed force, in sufficient quantity”, to stop the “criminal actions” of armed gangs across the country.

The request comes nearly a month

after one of Haiti’s most powerful gangs surrounded a key fuel terminal in the capital of Port-au-Prince, pre venting the distribution of some ten million gallons of diesel and gasoline and more than 800,000 gallons of ker osene stored on site.

Tens of thousands of demonstra tors also have blocked streets in Port-au-Prince and other major cities in recent weeks, preventing the flow of traffic including water trucks and ambulances, as part of an ongoing protest against a spike in the prices of gasoline, diesel and kerosene.

Gas stations and schools are closed, while banks and grocery stores are operating on a limited schedule.

Protesters are demanding the res ignation of Henry, who announced in early September that his admin istration could no longer afford to subsidise fuel.

The deepening paralysis has caused supplies of fuel, water and other basic goods to dwindle amid a cholera out break that has killed several people and sickened dozens of others, with health officials warning that the situ ation could worsen amid a lack of potable water and cramped living conditions. More than 150 suspected cases have been reported, with the UN warning that the outbreak is spreading beyond Port-au-Prince.

The outbreak comes as UNICEF warns that three-fourths of major hospitals across Haiti are unable to provide critical service “due to the fuel crisis, insecurity and looting”.

The US Embassy has granted tem porary leave to personnel and urged US citizens to immediately leave Haiti.

FLAME and smoke rise from the bridge connecting the Russian mainland and Crimean peninsula over the Kerch Strait, in Kerch, Crimea, on Saturday.

VOLUNTEERS work to clean debris on a site where several houses were destroyed after a Russian attack at a residential area in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, on Sunday. Photo: Leo Correa/AP

GSSSA SET TO RESUME SPORTS WITH SOFTBALL AND BASEBALL

By BRENT STUBBS Senior

AFTER a two and a half year hiatus that was hampered by the non-payment of fees to coaches and officials, the Government Secondary Schools Sports Associa tion is all set to resume its afterschool activities with softball and baseball as they celebrate their 30th anniversary this year.

GSSSA president Varel Davis said they agreed to start with those two sports because they were the ones that were not staged in 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic halted all sporting activities in The Bahamas.

When the GSSSA start their dual sport on Monday, November 17 at the Baillou Hills Sport ing Complex, it will bring them on par with the other major high school sporting body – the Bahamas Association of Independent Second ary Schools – who have already begun their softball season.

Davis said she’s grateful to Minister of Education and Technical and Voca tional Training Glenys Hanna-Martin for her intervention to ensure that high school sports is back in the public schools as they provide some wholesome after school sporting activi ties for the high school students.

“After not playing any sporting activities for the past two and a half years, we are glad that the kids can now come out and enjoy themselves,” Davis said. “Sports has been missing for so long, so we are all excited to get it up and running again.

“We’re excited to get softball and base ball started because we didn’t get to play those sports in 2020 before the pandemic hit. We have been preparing for those sports since September, so most teams are ready to go. We’re very excited to get sports up and run ning again.”

With the issue of nonpayment of fees to the coaches and officials, Davis said it wasn’t for a lack of trying to get the matter resolved with the Ministry of Education. She noted that promises were made, but they never came to fruition.

Davis commended Hanna-Martin, who instructed her that the matter is being resolved and the monies owed will be paid in short order. She noted that they have brought the coaches and officials up to date and have advised them of the latest developments.

“We had a little issue about what sport we would start with, but we got that sorted out,” Davis said. “So the kids are excited, the coaches are excited, the officials are ready to go and so we’re just waiting to get the fans all excited about the return of high school sports in the public schools,” she noted.

“We’re happy to get things going with softball and baseball. Then we will go into cross coun try and then basketball before the end of the year. This is our 30th year, so we have a lot of exciting things planned for high school sports.

We’re very excited and just hope everything goes well.”

Three-under-par Harris is champion

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

FOR the second tourna ment in a row, David Harris emerged as the champion of the Bahamas Profes sional Golf Tour.

Harris shot three-underpar 69 to win Sunday’s second tournament at the Royal Blue Golf Course at Baha Mar. It was the Signature Golf Classics, sponsored by Hillshire Farm with proceeds going to REACH Bahamas, an organisation that brings awareness about Autism in the Bahamas.

Keno Turnquest was the runner-up with an evenpar 72, while tournament organiser Riccardo Davis was third with a three-overpar 75. Stephano Stuart was one shot behind at 76 for fourth and Lemon Gorospe rounded out the top five with a 77.

In the first tournament in August, Harris won with an even-par 72. He said he was just delighted to dupli cate the feat in the second tournament.

“I had a good time. The course is in good condi tion. I came out to beat the golf course. Once the golf course is in good condition, it’s going to be hard to beat me,” Harris said. “I like the fact that the Bahamas Pro fessional Golf Tour is giving us this opportunity to come

out and continue to develop and continue to have fun as we enjoy the game.”

In preparation for the tournament, Harris said he didn’t want to let the “secret” out of the bag, but he admitted that he’s been practicing on his game.

“Don’t tell no one, but I’ve been working on my game,” he insisted. “I found a new motivation to get in shape and I’m on a journey to lose 80 pounds, so I’m doing all of the things that I need to do to get it right.

As he prepares for the next tournament, Harris said he will be out to pull off a three-peat and he’s not concerned about any of his rivals because “they have to do what they have to do to get better and I have to do what I have to do to stay on top.”

Turnquest said he had a good day.

“I haven’t played compet itive golf in a while so it was good to get the juices flow ing and to see where I’m at and what I need to work in

practice,” he said. “It wasn’t great, but it was respecta ble, so I can live with that.”

With just a handful of pro golfers in the country, Turnquest said anytime they can assemble together they play, they are grate ful. He thanked Davis and his team for organising the tour and is looking forward to the next tournament in November.

“The competition was good and so I’m looking forward to improving on my performance in this

one,” he proclaimed.

For Davis, his perfor mance was not where he wanted it to be.

“It was a little rough,” he declared. “I haven’t been playing as much and because I don’t like to lose, I am going to start practic ing so that it doesn’t happen again.”

The tour normally runs from March to November every year since its incep tion in 2018 to provide an opportunity for the pro golf ers to compete in a series of events every month. How ever, Davis said they had to postpone the tournament in 2020 and 2021 because of the pandemic.

“This year, we started very late, again because of the restrictions with the pandemic,” he said. “We didn’t start until August, but we had to call off Sep tember’s tournament and now we’re back on track. We will have two more in November and December.”

“This tour is what I call the stepping stone or the building block to get to the next level,” Davis said. “This is an opportunity for our local pros and our top amateurs to hone their skills and get their game to the next level where they gain an athletic scholar ship or they get to compete on the international pro scene.”

Davis expressed his

Munnings makes impact in French ProB League

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

TRAVIS Munnings has had an immediate impact in his promo tion to the French ProB League with his Boulazac Basket Dor dogne basketball club.

Munnings has averaged 10.6 points, four rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game thus far as the team competes in the preseason Leaders Cup.

Munnings, a senior men’s national team stalwart, signed with Boulazac last August for his fourth season of pro basketball.

Since he joined the club, Bou lazac opened with a 109-104 loss to Vichy-Clermont, followed by back-to-back 101-84 and 92-75 wins over St. Charmond. They will travel to face Vichy-Clermont in the finale of the Leaders Cup tonight at 8 pm.

Pro B regular season league play begins on October 15 when Boulazac will face Lille Métropole in the opener.

Last season, Boulazac finished 13th in league standings at 13-19.

The front office has been

optimistic about the impact they expect Munnings to have.

“Munnings is a small forward that is very versatile. He is able to evolve and play shooting guard but also a power forward. He will bring volume to the team,” they said in a team issued press release.

“Munnings is an athletic player by his physicality. He plays on both sides of the field with a lot of intensity and he knows how to adapt and put himself at the ser vice of his team. A real Swiss army knife in the attack, he can post, attack in dribble, or even shoot threes from long distance.”

Munnings previously played in France when he made his pro debut with La Rochelle Stade Rochelais of France’s NM1 League. He averaged 17.5 points, eight rebounds and 3.8 assists per game in his brief stint with the club.

The following year, he moved to Portugal’s Liga Portuguesa de Basquetbol (LPB) and averaged 12.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game for UD Olivei rense. He helped lead the club to a 19-7 regular season record and quarterfinal berth. The following

offseason he made the move to Benfica.

Munnings spent last season with Sporting Lisboa Benfica and helped the club complete a domi nant season in Portugal’s Liga Portuguesa de Basquetbol (LPB) with the 2022 championship title. Benfica completed the regular season as the top overall seed at 24-4 and had an 8-1 run through out the playoffs.

In 30 games, Munnings aver aged 7.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game while shooting 60 percent from the field and 30 percent from beyond the arch.

In FIBA EuroCup play, Benfica finished just short of the quarter finals in Group K. In 14 EuroCup Games he averaged 8.7 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game.

At the national team level, Munnings helped The Bahamas advance to the second round of FIBA Basketball World Cup Qualifiers for the first time in history.

In six games of the three qualify ing windows, Munnings averaged 10 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game.

RICCARDO Davis makes a cheque presentation to REACH Bahamas board member Greer Symone tte-Bain. The event was sponsored by Hillshire Farm with proceeds going to REACH Bahamas.

CHAMPION David Harris receives his award from Harrison Collins. Nickie Davis looks on.

CHAMPION David Harris in action.

Photos: Austin Fernander

Three-under-par Harris is champion

gratitude to Hillshire Farm for being the sponsor for Sunday’s tournament.

“Without them, the event would not have been able to happen,” he said. “We had a great turnout with most of the top players in the country competing.

“We were missing two, one in Houston and one in Exuma, but next month, we’re expecting the same type of field, but at a differ ent golf course with some great competition again.”

Harrison Collins, a rep resentative for Hillshire Farm, said they were excited to be able to assist the BPGA.

“It was a tough day out there on the course, I can assure you that,” Collins said. “But we have some great golfers here and we’re just happy to see that and to have the winner shoot under par is just remarkable.”

Proceeds from the event went to REACH and board member Greer SymonetteBain said they are humbled and grateful for the ges ture by the BPGA Tour because they need all of the assistance they can get to provide information, ser vices and tools for children who are on the spectrum.

She said they are now challenged trying to get more children with autism into the school system.

“We’re trying to get the Bahamas government to provide more units, more classrooms, more teach ers and more therapists because we have so many children who are now diag nosed with autism,” she stressed.

“A lot of children are being deprived because they can not take advantage of the limited resources available.”

CHAMPION David Harris.

RUNNER-up Keno Turnquest.

RUNNER-up Keno Turnquest receives his award from Nickie Davis. Harrison Collins looks on.

RUNNER-up Keno Turnquest.

THIRD place finisher Riccardo Davis in action.

THIRD place finisher Riccardo Davis receives his award from his wife Nickie Davis. Harrison Collins looks on.

FOURTH place finisher Stephano Stuart receives his award from Nickie Davis.

FOURTH place finisher Stephano Stuart.

FOURTH place finisher Stephano Stuart.

BGF president Lynford Miller receives the fifth place award for Lemon Gorospe from Nickie Davis as Harrison Collins looks on.

PHOTOS: Austin Fernander

LAMELO BALL SPRAINS LEFT ANKLE IN HORNETS LOSS TO WIZARDS

CHARLOTTE, N.C.

(AP) — Charlotte Hornets All-Star point guard LaMelo Ball sprained his left ankle in the third quarter of a preseason 116-107 loss to the Washington Wizards on Monday night when his foot was stepped on while he was driving to the basket.

Ball was driving the left side of the lane when Washington’s Anthony Gill inadvert ently stepped on Ball’s foot, causing the thirdyear pro’s ankle to twist awkwardly.

Ball remained on the floor for several minutes before getting to his feet and gingerly walking to the free throw line.

He shot two free throws, then immedi ately checked out of the game and headed straight to the locker room.

He is expected to undergo more tests on Tuesday.

“Fingers crossed that it is not something seri ous,” Hornets coach Steve Clifford said.

Clifford said Ball and center Mason Plumlee, who sprained his left foot in the game and also left early, won’t play in Wednesday night’s preseason game at Philadelphia.

Ball is considered the centrepiece of the Hor nets’ offence, averaging 20.1 points, 7.6 assists and 6.7 rebounds per game last season.

Ball had nine points and six rebounds before leaving the game.

Kristaps Porzingis had 20 points to lead the Wizards, who received some good news before the game that Bradley Beal cleared the league’s health and safety proto col, but was out with a non-COVID illness.

Terry Rozier led the Hornets with 24 points on 8 of 13 shooting, including making all but one of his four 3-pointers.

76ERS 113, CAVALIERS 97

Tyrese Maxey contin ued his sharp preseason play scoring 19 points to lead Philadelphia to a win in Cleveland.

Maxey, who sur passed 20 points in the Sixers first two games, was 6 of 14, including 3 of 5 from outside the arc.

Tobias Harris had 12 points and seven rebounds. James Harden finished with 11 points, six rebounds and four assists.

Harden, like Harris and Maxey, played 24 minutes as Philadelphia remained undefeated in three preseason games.

Jarrett Allen led the Cavaliers with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Darius Garland added 17 points and seven assists in 31 minutes.

Caris LeVert finished with 13 points, while Donovan Mitchell had 11 points and five rebounds in the latest look at Cleveland’s Garland-Mitchell backcourt.

While the game featured two teams with strong hopes for a postseason run in the Eastern Confer ence, neither was at full strength.

Centre Joel Embiid sat out the game for the Sixers, as did Montrezl Harrell, suffering from an intercostal strain.

Meanwhile, Evan Mobley continued to be out of action for the Cavaliers after suffer ing an ankle injury, and Kevin Love didn’t play because of a sore knee.

23 points and nine assists for Domnick Bridgewater

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter

DOMNICK Bridge water returned to pro basketball in the French Nationale Masculine 2 League on what seemed like a moment’s notice, but it took little time for the young point guard to dis play midseason form.

Bridgewater finished with 23 points and nine assists for US Avignon Pontet Basket in an 88-83 loss to La Ravoire Challes on October 9.

This marks the third season for the 22-yearold guard in France’s NM2 League. Originally a member of the FOS-SurMer Byers of the Pro B League, the team placed Bridgewater on loan to Sapela Basket 13 for a late 2020 playoff run. Although his time with the team came to an early end due to COVID-19, he went on to

receive a promotion in the Byers’ system with the Pro B team.

He averaged 16.7 points and 10.4 assists per game with three double doubles

in four games. He returned to Sapela for a full cam paign the following season.

The following season, Bridgewater led Sapela Basket 13 club to the Coupe de Provence title.

He finished with 17 points and six assists in the finale.

He led the team in scor ing at 18.3 points per game and recorded three double doubles.

The first Bahamian to sign a professional basket ball contract straight out of high school, Bridgewa ter spent his first season as a member of the Byers’ Epoirs (Junior League

– U21). In 28 games, he averaged 15.7 points, 4.1 assists, and 4.2 rebounds per game.

After a promising start to his second season in the U21 ranks, he was made eligible to the A roster with a call up to participate in the LNB Pro B Leaders Cup. At the time of his call up, Bridgewater dominated the NM3 league at 23.7 points and 7.5 assists per game.

“God has placed me in this route, so I’m pretty pleased about it,” Bridge water told Tribune Sports.

“I’m enjoying it because my ultimate goal is to get to the highest level that I can get, whether it’s here in France or wherever I end up playing. I have to learn the plays and get used to the guys on the team. I’m confident that I will be able to step right in and make my presence felt.”

Over the course of the summer, Bridgewater made another appearance with the senior men’s national team at the FIBA World Cup ‘23 Qualifiers.

He also joined Raw Talent Elite to help lead his club to a historic win to open the 2022 Summer of Thunder series against NCAA teams.

He finished with 12 points and six rebounds but it was his trio of clutch free throws down the stretch that sealed a 66-64 win over the University of South Alabama Jaguars on July 31 at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

KING AND BLUEJAYS LOOK AHEAD TO NEW SEASON

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

HIGHLY touted prospect Fre drick King Jr has joined a veteran Creighton Bluejays basketball pro gramme expected to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

Head coach Greg McDermott said King and the incoming class of fellow freshmen and transfers bolster the depth of a roster many pundits expect to be one of the most talented in all of NCAA Divi sion I basketball.

“No question. I’m really excited about that,” McDermott said of the team’s depth following the first official day of practice ahead of the upcoming season. “We’ve got some new pieces so we have to get those new pieces accustomed ot the way that we are going to play.

We want to get back to playing a little bit faster. Last year because of the injuries we were really forced to slow things down and control things a little bit more because we didn’t have any depth. But I think we can get back to playing the way we did before which was a little bit more quicker and a little bit free flowing.”

The Bluejays finished last season 23-12, fourth place in the Big East Conference regular-season stand ings, and runner-up in the league tournament.

After receiving an at large bid to the NCAA Tournament, they

defeated San Diego State in the first round before they lost in the second round to eventual national champion Kansas Jayhawks.

They will return five of the top seven scorers from that tournament run and many pundits have tar geted them as the favourites to win the Big East.

“Fredrick is a versatile and an athletic front line player,”

McDermott said at the time of his signing. “Having played at NBA Academy Latin America, he has been coached and trained at a high level. His motor and competitive spirit will allow for an immediate impact on our programme.”

King, a 6’10” frontcourt player out of the NBA Academy (Latin America), decided on the Blue Jays over the BYU Cougars, Georgia

Tech Yellow Jackets, and Utah Utes.

“They stayed connected to me,” King told the Omaha World Herald of his recruitment, “We started to get a bond, and I had a good rela tionship with the coaching staff.”

King said he hopes to learn from and lend support to Bluejays start ing centre and Big East Defensive Player of the Year - the 7’1” Ryan Kalkbrenner.

“(Kalkbrenner) is a great player. He’s bigger than everybody else,” King said, “I’ll come in after Kalk brenner,” King said. “I’ll be able to help inside while also working on multiple skills.”

Creighton will open its preseason on October 30 against Drury and the regular season on November 7 against St. Thomas.

King, a former DW Davis and CI Gibson standout became the first Bahamian to ever receive an invi tation to an NBA Academy and made the most of his opportunity in a relatively short time span.

ESPN listed him as one of the class of 2022’s top prospects emerg ing from the NBA Academy Invitational last September follow ing his performance at the NBA Academy Invitational.

He averaged 23 points and 12 rebounds per game on 77 percent shooting from the field at the event hosted by his NBA Academy Latin America programme in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

UB Mingoes beat Baha Juniors FC 3-0

DESPITE a lackluster effort, The UB Mingoes defeated Baha Juniors FC 3-0 in Bahamas Foot ball Association action Sunday at The Roscow R.L. Davies Field.

The Mingoes have been prolific in scoring in their first two matches but ended the first half tied 0-0 against Baha Juniors FC after scor ing two goals in the first half against Renegades FC in the first game of the season and scoring four goals against Cavalier FC in the second match of the season.

The Mingoes didn’t score until the 51st minute off a corner kick from Nathan Wells to give Rodain Lamour his first goal of the season and as a Mingoe. Mingoes take the 1-0 lead.

Nathan Wells’ speed paid off for The Mingoes in the 61st minute. Wells intercepted a lazy pass from Baha Juniors near the penalty box for an easy unassisted toe shot to give the Mingoes the 2-0 advantage.

Lamour though wasn’t done on the afternoon. In the 89th minute, Lamour fielded a loose ball near the centre and fired the long pass to give Ricardo Walkes the oppor tunity for a bending strike right pass the Baha Juniors FC keeper. Lamour picked up the assist as The Mingoes went up 3-0—the eventual final score as the match ended sec onds later.

The Mingoes now sport a 3-0 record in the league.

Despite the win, assistant head coach Alex Thompson said he was “disappointed in the way the guys played but happy with the win”.

“We had some freshmen step up in the second half,” he said. “On a day where our typical key players were a bit lacking we had role play ers step up and I think it was huge for the team.”

The Mingoes are expected to play IM Bears 3pm Sunday at The Roscow R.L. Davies Field.

DOMNICK Bridgewater in action.

FREDRICK King Jr

UNIVERSITY of The Bahamas forward Ro dain Lamour tracks down the ball enroute to scoring his first goal as a UB Mingoe in the match against Baha Juniors FC. (All photos: UB Athletics)

UNIVERSITY of The Bahamas forward Ricardo Walkes celebrates scoring his first goal as a UB Mingoe.

UNIVERSITY of The Bahamas midfielder Ronaldo Green drib bles the ball in the match against Baha Juniors FC.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)

— Anthony Davis scored 28 points in his return to the Lakers lineup after missing two games due to injury, and Los Angeles defeated Golden State 124121 Sunday night in the Warriors’ first game since the practice altercation between Draymond Green and Jordan Poole.

Matt Ryan made a pair of free throws with 5.4 sec onds remaining to seal the win. Davis, who sat out two games with lower back tightness, shot 9 for 18 for the Lakers, who won with out LeBron James, Patrick Beverley and Russell West brook in the lineup.

Davis, who scored 24 points before halftime, played the opening shift of the second half before taking a seat after 21 total minutes. Kendrick Nunn scored 21 points and Ryan added 20 on 6-for-9 shoot ing from outside the arc.

Poole led the Warriors with 25 points on 10-for19 shooting, and added six assists. Green fought with Poole during practice Wednesday. Green apolo gised to the team a day later and general manager Bob Myers said any potential discipline would be han dled internally. Meanwhile, Green was unavailable, saying he will take some time away from the team.

Stephen Curry scored 24 points and Andrew Wiggins added 15 for the Warriors.

Jonathan Kuminga (12 points) started in Green’s place, while Poole replaced Klay Thompson, who is still building up for the regular season.

In the first half, Davis performed at the level the Lakers will need him if they are to improve on last sea son’s 33-49 regular-season record that left them out of the postseason. Davis shot 7 of 13 before the break, making all eight of his free throws.

The game became close in the second half, and neither team led by more than six points in the fourth quarter.

BULLS 115, RAPTORS 98 DeMar DeRozan had 21 points, eight rebounds and eight assists and Chicago used a second-half rally to beat host Toronto.

DeRozan converted 7 of 12 shots and all seven of his free throws. Javonte Green scored 17 points and Ayo Dosunmu added 14. Nikola Vucevic finished with 13 points and nine rebounds.

Paschal Siakam led the Raptors with 18 points and nine rebounds. The starting Toronto backcourt of Gary Trent Jr. and Fred VanV leet carried the Raptors to a lead in the first half. Trent finished with 17 points and VanVleet had 13.

Both teams played their regular starters, except for missing Bulls guard Lonzo Ball, who is recovering from a meniscus tear suf fered in January.

The Raptors built a 10-point halftime lead behind Trent and VanVleet. The tandem combined for 25 points before the break, including Trent connect ing on all five of his shots. Defensively, they had six steals in the half, includ ing four by VanVleet. The Bulls had 16 turnovers in the first half.

The Bulls erased the lead in the third and pulled away in the fourth. Chicago out scored Toronto 68-41 in the second half.

TIMBERWOLVES 119, CLIPPERS 117

Karl-Anthony Towns had 19 points, six assists and six rebounds in his presea son debut to lead visiting Minnesota.

Naz Reid had 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Timberwolves, while Bryn Forbes added 15 points on 5-for-6 shooting on 3-point ers. Anthony Edwards had 14 points.

John Wall led the Clip pers with 20 points. Paul George scored 14 and Marcus Morris Sr. added 13 points.

The Clippers saw a vision of their regular rotation as Kawhi Leonard, George, Wall and Reggie Jackson all played. Meanwhile, Towns saw his first action of the preseason for the Timberwolves after missing games due to a hospitali sation. Still, there was not a glimpse of the potential twin towers in Minnesota as Rudy Gobert, acquired from Utah over the summer, sat out.

Miami Dolphins need to address defensive issues amid two-game skid

By ALANIS THAMES AP Sports Writer

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.

(AP) — One of the things that made Miami’s defence so good late last season was its ability to generate pres sure and get takeaways.

Is that defence long gone?

The Dolphins have one interception this season. That came in Week 1. And during their two-game skid, they’ve struggled to get key stops and avoid giving up big plays, let alone force turnovers.

“It’s something we have to figure out a way as a coaching staff and as play ers collectively to try to right that ship,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said, “because there is a big com ponent of this defence that we expect as a coaching staff to get turnovers.”

Depth issues at corner are part of the reason Miami ranks among the league’s worst in passing defence after a 40-17 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday.

The Dolphins were without their best two cor nerbacks in Byron Jones and Xavien Howard. Howard left the previous week’s game with a groin injury. Jones (Achilles) has been on the physically unable to perform list all season.

Sunday, poor coverage and tackling led to the Dol phins giving up a season high in points even as quarterback Zach Wilson did not have a passing touchdown.

The Dolphins, of course, have also been without their starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa since the first half of their game against Cincinnati. And backup Teddy Bridgewater left Sunday’s defeat after hitting his head in the first quarter. McDaniel said Bridgewater doesn’t have any concussion symptoms and passed tests, but a spotter saw Bridgewa ter stumble after the play. He was removed because of the revised protocols put in place as a result of Tago vailoa’s concussion.

Skylar Thompson relieved Bridgewater and struggled in his debut, com pleting 19 of 33 passes with 166 yards, no touchdowns and an interception.

Even though McDan iel said the team has the utmost confidence in Thompson, the game plan changes significantly when the signal caller is a thirdstring rookie.

WHAT’S WORKING McDaniel leaned on the running game more, and it equaled the Dol phins’ best rushing output of the season. Miami’s 137 yards was the first time this season the offence rushed for over 100 yards. McDan iel said they thought they’d have an opportunity to run the ball more going into the Jets game and wanted to take advantage of it.

WHAT NEEDS HELP

A big reason the Dol phins were able to start 3-0

was their ability to keep the game just close enough to mount a comeback in the fourth quarter. They did that by getting help on both sides of the ball. In the past couple of weeks, tackling has been a glaring issue. Missing open field tackles has cost the Dol phins chunks and chunks of yards and has allowed touchdowns.

STOCK UP Raheem Mostert, who rushed for 113 yards on 18 carries, was Miami’s first 100-yard rusher since Week 18 of the 2021 regu lar season, when Duke Johnson had 117 rushing yards against New England. Mostert led Miami in car ries for the fourth-straight week and has double-digit carries in three games. Entering the season, Mos tert and Chase Edmonds seemed like they’d share lead-running back roles, but Mostert looks to be

separating himself as Miami’s clear No. 1 option.

STOCK DOWN Jason Sanders missed a 54-yard field goal in the fourth quarter that would have given the Dolphins a lead. Miami had moved the ball to the Jets 36, and McDaniel elected to send his kicker out instead of trying to convert on fourthand-5. Sanders’ kick sailed wide right, and the Jets marched down the field and scored a touchdown on their next drive.

INJURED Bridgewater’s injury hap pened on the Dolphins’ first drive. He took a hit to the head when he was tackled on a throw attempt. He was listed with a head and elbow injury.

Terron Armstead, the Dolphins’ left tackle, exited the game in the first quarter with a toe injury. Armstead injured his toe in the season

opener and hasn’t prac ticed much since, though he has not missed a game this season. McDaniel said the Dolphins had previously planned for Armstead to stay in New York and see a specialist for his injury.

Receiver Tyreek Hill left the game in the fourth quarter after having his foot stepped on.

KEY NUMBER 7 — Safety Brandon Jones sacked Wilson on a blitz for his seventh sack since the beginning of the 2021 season. Jones’ seven sacks since 2021 are the most among NFL defensive backs.

NEXT STEPS If Bridgewater and Tagovailoa remain in the concussion protocol, Thompson will make his first career start when the Dolphins return home to face the NFC North-leading Minnesota Vikings Sunday.

PACKERS STAGGER BACK HOME AFTER SURPRISING LOSS TO GIANTS

By STEVE MEGARGEE AP Sports Writer

THE offence can’t put together a complete performance. The defence isn’t living up to its preseason expectations.

Green Bay’s output through the first five weeks of the season raises doubts about the Packers’ chances of winning a fourth straight NFC North title and seriously challenging for a Super Bowl berth.

The Packers (3-2) returned home from London after squandering an early 17-3 lead in a 27-22 loss to a New York Giants team that was miss ing wide receivers Kadarius Toney and Kenny Golladay and had quar terback Daniel Jones playing through an ankle injury.

“We’ve got to be better, bottom line,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Monday. “We have to be better at responding to adversity when it strikes because it’s inevitable. It’s going to happen in every game. Obvi ously, yesterday we did not respond well to the adversity.”

The Packers’ surprising loss came one week after they needed Mason Crosby’s field goal as time expired in overtime to outlast a New England Patriots team that had rookie quar terback Bailey Zappe making his NFL debut because of injuries to Mac Jones and Brian Hoyer.

The offence has been consistent in its inconsistency.

Green Bay’s only second-half points Sunday came when the Giants intentionally took a safety in the clos ing seconds. They also went scoreless in the second half of a win at Tampa Bay and scored only three points after halftime in a victory over Chi cago. They went scoreless in the first half of a loss at Minnesota and scored just three first-half points against New England.

“We’re a little bit of a roller-coaster team at times,” quarterback Aaron Rodgers said after Sunday’s game.

“Our best teams have been a little bit more steady. We’ve got to find that rhythm, that steadiness.”

The defence also has struggled lately after dominating the offence for much of training camp.

Even with Jones playing hurt and missing some notable receivers, the Giants scored on five straight pos sessions against the Packers. LaFleur was asked Monday if defensive coor dinator Joe Barry needed to do more considering how much talent Green Bay has on defence.

“I think we all have to do more,” LaFleur said. “I have to demand

more. I think we’ve got to coach things better. I think we’ve got to have better urgency. Quite frankly, we need every guy doing their job on every single play.”

Green Bay doesn’t have much time to correct things before hosting the New York Jets (3-2) on Sunday.

The Packers requested to have their off week later in the season rather than immediately after their international game.

LaFleur said he would alter the team’s usual schedule to make sure the Packers are ready to play so soon after returning from a trip overseas.

“Our guys have got to get not only their bodies back but their minds right to play,” LaFleur said.

“We’ll adjust accordingly and we’ll get a better feel for our guys come in on Wednesday, but I would assume Wednesday is going to be a little bit more of a mental day, and then we’ll try to get back more to a normal schedule on Thursday or Friday.”

It’s worth noting the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saint s won Sunday a week after they faced off in London.

WHAT’S WORKING

The Packers ran the ball pretty effectively, with Aaron Jones and

A.J. Dillon combining for 97 yards on 19 carries. They didn’t get the ball enough as the Giants staged their comeback.

The Packers finished with 39 pass attempts and 20 rushes. LaFleur said Monday: “I’ve got to do a better job of making sure that we’re getting those guys the necessary touches.” ... Mason Crosby connected from 46 and 48 yards out and is 6 of 6 on fieldgoal attempts to bounce back from his disappointing 2021 season.

WHAT NEEDS WORK

The Packers didn’t throw down field effectively, which proved particularly costly in the fourth quar ter when they went three-and-out in a tie game by throwing three straight incompletions. ... The defence failed to produce a takeaway and has forced only one turnover in its last two games.

STOCK UP

WR Randall Cobb had seven receptions for 99 yards. The seven receptions represented his highest single-game total since he caught eight passes against Green Bay while playing for the Houston Texans on Oct. 25, 2020.

The 99 yards were his most since he had consecutive games with over 100 yards receiving in November 2019 while playing for Dallas.

STOCK DOWN

CB Rasul Douglas was penalised three times. ... S Darnell Savage missed an open-field tackle that helped Saquon Barkley turn a short completion into a 41-yard gain on the touchdown drive that put the Giants ahead for good.

INJURED

WR Christian Watson left with a hamstring injury in the second half.

KEY NUMBER 30-15 – The Packers have been outscored 30-15 in the fourth quarter and overtime through their first five games of the season.

The Giants trailed 20-13 before outscoring the Packers 14-2 in the fourth quarter.

NEXT STEPS

The Packers host the Jets, who have won two straight and are coming off a 40-17 victory over the Miami Dolphins.

NEW York Jets wide receiver Braxton Berrios (10) takes a hit from Miami Dolphins safety Jevon Holland (8) as he dives across the goal line to score a touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

NEW York Giants running back Gary Brightwell (23) dives into the end zone for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in London, Sunday.

(AP Photo/Alastair Grant)