10282024 NEWS AND SPORT

The Tribune house & hoMe

SHIVER BAIL REVOKED

IN CONSPIRACY CASE

Judge orders woman and boyfriend to jail after blatant violation

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune News Editor

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

LINDSAY Shiver, a former beauty queen from Georgia who allegedly conspired with two Abaco men to kill her husband, will return to jail after a judge revoked her bail on Friday, citing blatant breaches of bail conditions and her engagement in pre-trial publicity. Terrance Bethel, 30, one of the men with whom she allegedly conspired, also had his bail revoked for the same reasons. Shiver, 37, Bethel and Faron Newbold, Jr, 29, were charged last year with conspiracy to commit murder.

BPSU CHIEF ACCUSES GOVT OF P OLITICAL FAVOURITISM

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Public Services Union (BPSU)

president Kimsley Ferguson accused the government of political favouritism, claiming that qualified public servants are being bypassed for politically connected individuals.

His comments came during a Guardian radio interview where he highlighted a series of concerns about what he claims is the treatment of public servants, lack of adherence to policies, and inequities in the allocation of benefits. In response, Labour and Public Services Minister Pia

AMMC preparing to receive Lucayan remains from a Michigan museum

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

IN a first for The Bahamas, the Antiquities, Monuments, and Museums Corporation (AMMC) is preparing to receive the human remains of Lucayans, which have been housed in a Michigan museum for nearly 100 years. This repatriation will be the first instance of the

country retrieving human remains or other cultural materials taken from its borders.

Dr Grace Turner, senior archaeologist at the

T WO DEAD IN EARLY MORNING P LANE CRA S H

TWO people were killed after an early morning plane crash in Ragged Island yesterday.

Police said officers were notified of the incident shortly before 5am. The crash occurred east of Duncan Town Airport.

At the scene was a twinengine plane engulfed in flames.

The charred remains of two people were found.

The Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) said it is coordinating with law enforcement officials to investigate the incident.

Police and personnel from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos, and the US Drug Enforcement Agency responded.

executive Jason Mortimer gets dunked during “Dunkin’ For Boobies” to

Bahamas at Radio House on Friday. See PAGE 11 for more pictures.

Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

One dead in double shooting near church

from page one

Officers said the victims, along with a group of others, were standing in the church parking lot when two men got out of a dark Japanese vehicle and opened fire, hitting both men multiple times. Superintendent Terrico Sweeting said police were alerted to the shooting by Shotspotter technology.

He noted that the Japanese vehicle travelled through West End Avenue before turning around and approaching the scene of the shooting. Supt Sweeting said

neither victim was known to police, adding that several security cameras are in the area and that the police are “relying heavily” on camera footage for the investigation. He urged people to “be more vigilant and be more careful.”

He said: “How many bodies do we have to pick up as police officers each and every day? Is it just our problem as an organisation, the Royal Bahamas Police Force? Or is it the whole society’s problem? We need to think introspectively, as The Bahamas, as the

Earlier

The

Bahamian people. We always say one nation, one people under God. Let’s be a true nation and one people under God, with a true focus.”

that day, at about noon, a man was sitting in a vehicle on Willow Tree Street in Pinewood Gardens when two people got out of a dark Japanese vehicle and fired at him, hitting him in his upper and lower body.

25-year-old victim was taken to hospital by private vehicle, where he was said to be in critical condition.

THE SCENE on West End Avenue where a man succumbed to his injuries asfter a double shooting on Saturday.

Photos: Nikia Charlton

BPSU chief accuses govt of political favouritism

Glover-Rolle said her office maintains an open-door policy with unions, including the BPSU. She said her last communication with Mr Ferguson was on October 16 and encouraged him to discuss any additional concerns directly with her.

During the interview, Mr Ferguson revealed that the BPSU was preparing to file formal disputes and engage in the conciliation process to address concerns.

He referenced a recent appointment of the Postmaster General, alleging that the position was awarded to a consultant with Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) connections, despite internal candidates who are more qualified.

He expressed frustration that a policy requiring a 30-day internal posting period for vacancies had been ignored.

“You just need to be the head of some branch of the PLP, and you get a consultant post,” Mr Ferguson said, claiming there was a disregard for proper promotion policies and advancement.

He also criticised the government’s practice of rehiring retired permanent secretaries on higher salaries, saying this undermines opportunities for younger, qualified employees to be promoted.

He described the reengagement of retired officials as a breach of policies, which state that retired public officers should only be rehired when internal candidates are unavailable.

Mr Ferguson also expressed concern that these rehired officials are being paid more than they previously earned.

Regarding

financial benefits, Mr Ferguson said permanent secretaries receive a $1,200 housing allowance, while lower-ranking public servants continue to struggle financially. He also pointed out disparities in responsibility allowances, with some senior officials benefiting from these increases while others, particularly those handling multiple ministries or departments, were left out.

“The government is paying these people’s mortgage,” Mr Ferguson said,

referencing the housing allowance, and lamented that others were facing financial struggles without similar benefits.

“It appears as if the only competent people in the public service are the permanent secretaries because they can’t seem to go home.”

Mr Ferguson also expressed disappointment at the union’s exclusion from the planning of Public Service Week, accusing the ministry of ignoring the BPSU’s attempts to be

involved.

According to him, despite reaching out to the Minister of Public Service, the union only learned about the event after it had been organised. He described the lack of union involvement as an ongoing issue, emphasising the importance of the union being included in decisions that affect public servants.

Mr Ferguson expressed concern over what he perceives as a lack of training and mentorship for younger public servants, warning that

CPSA may withdraw services if no resolution over labour practices with PHA

By EARYEL BOWLEG

Staff Reporter

Tribune

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

THE Consultant Physician Staff Association (CPSA) may withdraw its services if no resolution is reached with the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) over labour practices and unpaid salaries at their mid-November conciliation meeting, according to CPSA president Dr Charelle Lockhart.

Dr Lockhart’s comments came soon after a PHA press release detailing the authority’s position on labour and operational issues.

The PHA responded with a statement affirming its consistent engagement with CPSA and emphasising that agreements have been reached on all non-financial points, with remaining financial items under review by the Financial Secretary.

“While CPSA has not yet agreed to these terms, management has maintained open communication, attended all scheduled meetings, and never paused negotiations,” PHA said. Addressing recruitment challenges and recent accusations of operational issues within the healthcare system, the PHA acknowledged global healthcare staffing shortages and outlined recent hiring efforts.

“Two cohorts are enrolled in the PHA Academy, 41 new graduate nurses have been onboarded, and local training and scholarships for postgraduate specialty training are actively offered,” the statement read.

The PHA said all employees, including senior management, are required to clock in and out to monitor staff attendance, reflecting efforts to meet operational standards.

Dr Lockhart raised concerns regarding recent medicine shortages in the paediatric department, where doctors reportedly had to buy medications to meet patients’ needs. She described buying a bottle of salbutamol solution from a private pharmacy for children with respiratory illnesses due to hospital shortages, noting: “I don’t want to waste my time calling a thousand people begging them for one bottle kept in the ICU.”

In response, the PHA said it was unaware of any instances where doctors paid for medications out of pocket and that it has consistently made “every effort to expedite procurement” when medications face shortages.

PHA said when nonstock items or high-demand medications become unavailable, alternative treatments are actively sought to maintain care standards.

The PHA also addressed infrastructure issues like air conditioning at Princess Margaret Hospital, saying “infrastructure challenges are being actively addressed, with many already resolved,” as part of broader efforts to ensure a safe and functional hospital environment.

without proper succession planning, the public service would face stagnation. He called on the government to invest in developing future leaders within the sector, rather than relying on retired officials or external appointments.

“There’s no training taking place,” he said. He stressed that qualified younger employees were being denied a fair opportunity to advance, with external candidates or political connections often taking precedence.

In response, Mrs GloverRolle highlighted the completion of a public service skills audit, which she said will help guide strategic succession planning. She further noted that the government has revamped public service onboarding and hiring processes through the PS-PEP 52-week programme and is set to implement further changes through digitalisation efforts aimed at improving efficiency across the public service.

Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville acknowledged that while medication shortages do occur, these challenges are not unique to The Bahamas, often stemming from broader supply chain constraints. He said when essential medications are unavailable, the standard protocol

involves consulting with patients about alternatives without implying a “chronic lack of medication”.

BAHAMAS PUBLIC SERVICES UNION PRESIDENT KIMSLEY FERGUSON

DR CHARELLE LOCKHART

Shiver bail revoked in conspiracy case

They allegedly plotted to kill Shiver’s husband, Robert Shiver, on July 16, 2023. Authorities discovered the plot after seizing a phone while investigating another crime in Guana Cay.

Supreme Court Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson initially granted Shiver $100,000 bail, requiring her to wear an electronic monitoring device, follow an 8pm to 6am curfew, stay at least 100 feet away from the complainant and witnesses, and refrain from travelling abroad without court permission.

In December, the court varied her bail conditions, allowing her to travel to the United States, but forcing her not to enter Georgia, where her husband lives, unless to engage in custody and divorce proceedings. She was required to stay at her residence on 8830 Country Road 57N, Abbeville, Alabama 36310.

Florida, on June 15, 2024, and later that month in Panama City, Beach, Florida and Tampa.

He noted that according to an article by Jason Kandel of Law & Crime, Shiver told police her boyfriend, Dorey Ryan Love, tried to choke and suffocate her with a pillow at her residence in Dothan, Alabama, on July 24. Shiver filed charges against him on July 29.

In addition, Metro Security Solutions, the company responsible for electronic monitoring, reported that Shiver was not compliant with her bail conditions.

views of the potential jurors intending to sit in this trial. Thus, potentially affecting the administration of justice. If it were the other way around had counsel for the Crown proceeded on a frolic of their own, making unnecessary comments to the international media, the respondents would likely be ‘up in arms.’”

The judge also rejected arguments from the defendant’s lawyers about whether she breached her bail conditions.

“It was clearly laid out that if Mrs. Shiver wished to travel or move outside of the designated area, she was first to contact and request the permission of the court,” she wrote.

inhibit Mrs Shiver’s ability to attend the trial for this matter,” she wrote. As for Bethel, his bail conditions were varied in June so he could move to Treasure Cove in New Providence. However, prosecutors said he did not follow rules for signing in at a police station. Migrafill Electronic Security Company said he violated his sign-in conditions 12 times between April 29, 2024 and October 4, 2024. He repeatedly failed to sign in at the Elizabeth Estates Police Station and conducted interviews with foreign news stations.

Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson learned on October 3, 2024, that Shiver and Bethel were interviewed on Good Morning America, allegedly giving in-depth information about their trial, which had not started.

revoke Shiver and Bethel’s bail.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions submitted several affidavits in support of an application to

In one, Mr Shiver said his estranged wife had not been residing at the mandated location in Alabama and had left the state multiple times without the court’s notification or approval.

He said Shiver was on vacation in Marianna,

Justice Grant-Thompson said Shiver and Bethel’s interview on Good Morning America was a “blatant disregard for the court’s leniency and indulgence,” adding: “This cannot and will not be tolerated.”

“What the respondents have done can be seen by the applicant as a spit in the face of justice,” she added.

“The applicant has submitted this could influence the

She said in revoking Shiver’s bail, she was also “taking her out of harm’s way”, noting the report that her boyfriend tried to “choke and suffocate her with a pillow in Alabama”.

“This is a serious concern for the court because this potential situation may

“The court does not distribute written and printed bail rulings to the parties because it has nothing better to do nor because it is enamored by the feel of printed paper,” Justice Grant-Thompson wrote. “Written orders and rulings are handed out to the parties to ensure that there is no confusion as to what conditions the accused person must adhere to.”

Senior officer testifies evidence against Cornish not sufficient as prosecution closes

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A SENIOR police officer testified that he did not believe the evidence against North Abaco MP Kirk Cornish was sufficient, as the prosecution closed its case in Cornish’s rape trial on Friday after presenting four witnesses.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Raymondo Russell testified about inconsistencies between the accounts given by the complainant and her mother regarding Cornish’s alleged assault.

He said he was instructed

to speak with the complainant’s relatives in Abaco in April 2023. Under questioning from Cornish’s attorney, Tai Pinder-Mackey, ASP Russell said he received conflicting accounts about an alleged assault by Cornish. According to him, the complainant’s mother claimed Cornish had accidentally poked her daughter in the eye, while the complainant said it was intentional. Earlier, the complainant testified that Cornish had intentionally poked her in her eye three to four times, causing bruising. ASP Russell confirmed to Pinder-Mackey that he had not interviewed the

complainant nor entered her residence. He also said he had never received torn clothing connected to the case and could not answer if there was a police station across the street from the complainant’s home. Previously, the complainant alleged that Cornish tore off her clothes during a sexual assault at her home in Abaco last year.

When Pinder-Mackey asked ASP Russell if the evidence against Cornish was weak, ASP Russell said he did not believe it was sufficient. He acknowledged that the information he gathered was hearsay and that no physical evidence was

available.

Regarding a charge of making death threats against Cornish, ASP Russell testified that no firearm was recovered. However, when questioned by prosecutor Timothy Bailey, he agreed that finding a firearm is not always necessary in a death threat investigation.

In response to a jury question about why he did not interview both the complainant and defendant, ASP Russell explained that he was not the lead investigator. He added that he had only interviewed the complainant’s mother and aunt as directed and had not gone to the complainant’s home because her family requested a neutral meeting location.

Detective Chief Superintendent Daryl Weir, head of the Grand Bahama Criminal Investigation Department, testified that he attended an interview on April 27, 2023, between Superintendent Nicholas Johnson, the investigator, and Kirk Cornish, with Cornish’s attorney Owen Wells also present. Weir confirmed that Cornish was neither coerced nor pressured during the interview. In response to Pinder-Mackey’s questions, he said Cornish was cooperative and non-evasive.

Weir initially believed that Cornish had been cautioned about assault during the interview but acknowledged, upon reading his report, that there was no record of such a caution. He further accepted that Cornish had firmly denied the alleged sexual assaults,

explaining that any eye-poking was accidental while he reached for the complainant’s phone during a call.

The statement of Garnet Edgecombe, the complainant’s neighbour, was read into evidence by court clerk Elizabeth Johnson.

Edgecombe’s statement recounted seeing Cornish park at the complainant’s residence and enter her home on April 4, 2023, around 3pm.

During earlier testimony, the complainant described two alleged assaults by Cornish in 2022 and 2023, claiming he had pinned her down, raped her, spat on her, and threatened to “put

a bullet” in her head during a violent altercation. She also alleged that he poked her in the eye and choked her during an argument over a phone call. Photos presented in court, reportedly taken from her phone, displayed bruises around her right eye and neck, where she alleged Cornish had left nail marks. With the prosecution’s case concluded, the defence’s first witness will testify when proceedings resume on Monday. Justice Renae McKay is presiding over the trial, with Cornish represented by attorneys Tai Pinder-Mackey and Linique Murphy-Grant.

Darville: Cannabis Authority being finalised

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

HEALTH and Wellness

Minister Dr Michael Darville said the government is finalising the establishment of the Cannabis Authority, which will oversee the medical and religious regime relating to cannabis in the country.

He said this during his address at the Rotary Club of East Nassau on Friday,

discussing the laws aimed at regulating the use of medical marijuana in The Bahamas.

“I’m pleased to report that we are now in the final stages of putting the authority together, which is the regulatory regime, working in conjunction with law enforcement to ensure that what we do in medical cannabis is completely different than the illegal cannabis industry that is operating,” he said.

He said the selection process for people to serve on the authority is ongoing and refrained from giving a specific timeline.

He said candidates for the positions must meet specific qualifications and go through a vetting process. With the selection committee nearing the end of its review, he added, the government expects to announce the authority’s chair and other members soon.

LINDSAY Shiver and Terrance Bethel outsie court in March this year.

NORTH ABACO MP KIRK CORNISH

AMMC preparing to receive Lucayan remains from a Michigan museum

AMMC, said the remains, consisting of a skull and long bones from at least three people, were taken from a cave on San Salvador — formerly known as Watlings Island — in the 1920s. They have been kept in a Michigan State University collection for several decades.

“For a place like The Bahamas that was a British colony in the past, it was common for archaeologists to take materials out of the country without permission,” Dr Turner said.

The repatriation has been made possible through the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), a US law passed in the 1980s that mandates the return of Native American human remains to their rightful descendants.

AMMC will receive Michigan State University the remains, consisting of a skull and long bones from at least three people.

presented. Dr Turner shared that a representative from Michigan State University will hand over the remains during an event featuring a full military parade conducted by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.

possibly ancient DNA extraction, would be part of efforts to learn more about the Lucayan people.

“We need to be able to see the cranium, and if there are teeth in the cranium, it’s possible we could extract ancient DNA from them,” Dr Turner said. She added that the remains will also undergo radiocarbon dating to determine the exact timeline of when the individuals lived.

time coming,” she said, “but we’re finally bringing them home.”

This upcoming repatriation follows the return of more than 10,000 historical documents from Britain last week, covering key moments in The Bahamas’ path to independence.

return of their remains as a poignant reminder of their historical significance.

The ceremony will coincide with the AMMC’s 25th anniversary celebrations, marking a dual milestone for the organisation. The remains will be received as part of The Bahamas’ cultural patrimony, contributing to ongoing efforts to preserve and understand the country’s history.

“We have a responsibility to continue educating the public, preserving our heritage, and making sure our history is celebrated not just in New Providence but across the entire Bahamas.” from

The Lucayan people, who were the first to greet Christopher Columbus in 1492, were nearly wiped out within a few decades of European contact.

Dr Turner described the

This legislation opened the door for the return of the Lucayan remains, emphasising the shared history of colonised peoples in reclaiming cultural heritage.

“The Lucayans were the first people to greet Columbus, and their remains are at least 500 years old, if not older,” she said.

The AMMC has scheduled an official welcoming ceremony for October 29 at Rawson Square, where the remains will be formally

AMMC facing funding, staffing and community engagement challenges

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

THE Antiquities, Monuments, and Museums Corporation (AMMC) is facing pressing challenges in funding, staffing, and community engagement.

A primary hurdle is securing enough funding to maintain and restore historical sites, many of which are ageing and at risk of irreversible damage. The challenge comes as the corporation is <zf”-webkitstandard”>celebrating 25 years of work preserving Bahamian heritage,<zf”webkit-standard”>

Acting director Don Cornish highlighted the funding gap, noting that “derelict buildings” present significant restoration opportunities that require substantial financial resources to save these national treasures from further decay.

Beyond financial constraints, the AMMC struggles with limited staffing, especially for technical roles critical to maintaining the national register of historic sites and overseeing restoration projects. Cornish acknowledged that the corporation is “not fully staffed technically” and expressed a need for skilled personnel to meet its preservation mandate fully.

Dr Grace Turner, senior archaeologist at the AMMC, echoed this concern, pointing out the AMMC’s stretched resources in archaeology, despite its responsibility to

oversee all archaeological activity in The Bahamas.

In recent years, the AMMC has launched several public awareness initiatives, including a video series, to educate Bahamians about heritage preservation. Yet, Mr Cornish and Dr Turner agree that outreach efforts, especially among younger generations, require expansion to foster a deeper understanding of cultural history and preservation’s significance.

The AMMC is also working on plans for a national museum, envisioned as a centralised space to showcase Bahamian heritage and engage the public. Mr Cornish emphasised the importance of a dedicated venue where citizens can “celebrate the country’s heritage”, a goal that aligns with efforts to decentralise preservation work across the archipelago.

Adding to the AMMC’s infrastructural challenges, Hurricane Dorian’s devastation in 2019 destroyed its facility in Abaco, complicating efforts to preserve local heritage.

Slow recovery and limited resources have hindered the reestablishment of a permanent presence on the island, although plans to expand with a museum in Grand Bahama are underway.

International collaborations with institutions like the University of Florida and the University of the Bahamas have brought valuable expertise to the AMMC.

Over the years, the corporation has managed and protected some of the country’s most historically significant sites, including the Pompey Museum, Balcony House, and Fort Charlotte. It has also maintained a national register of historic buildings and archaeological sites across the islands, helping to preserve invaluable cultural landmarks.

Reflecting on these achievements, Mr Cornish said: “Our work in the past 25 years has been significant in terms of preserving heritage.

“We’ve established a foundation that will last.”

Despite the organisation’s challenges, Mr Cornish expressed optimism about increasing public engagement and investment in Bahamian heritage, hoping that future generations will become more aware of preservation efforts. A notable milestone in these efforts is the repatriation of Lucayan remains from Michigan, set for October 29, representing a significant achievement in restoring Bahamian cultural artefacts.

Though the remains will not immediately be placed on public display due to sensitivities around exhibiting human remains, the AMMC revealed that they plan to conduct further scientific analysis.

Dr Turner highlighted that tests such as isotope analysis, which can reveal dietary information and

Dr Turner spoke of the AMMC previously exhibiting Lucayan remains as part of efforts to educate the public about the Indigenous peoples of The Bahamas.

She noted the exhibit of “Princess Amaya”, the remains of a young Lucayan woman, which had been displayed at the Pompey Museum for two years to offer a personal perspective on the Lucayan story.

“This has been a long

Acting Director Don Cornish said the AMMC has launched new initiatives to restore heritage sites and establish a National Museum. These efforts, he said, are part of a long-term vision to ensure that Bahamians remain connected to their history and culture.

“The return of these remains is just the beginning,” Mr Cornish said.

Death Notice For

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Dominic Cyprian John Butler

born on September 21, 1973, in Nassau, Bahamas. Dominic departed this life, leaving behind a legacy flled with love and cherished memories.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Tina Butler; his beloved son, Aaron Butler; mother, Clementine Butler; mother-in-law, (Raphaleta “Picky” Newton). Dominic is also remembered by his brothers, Damian, Franklyn and Dennis Martin Butler; brothers-in-law, Jeffery Pinder Sr., Warren (Lynn) and Marvin Miller, Larry, Floyd (Marina), Leonard Jr., Karaganda (Theresa), Kasson Newton, Aaron Woodside and Calvin Rolle; sisters-in-law, Eugeina and Rochelle Butler, Shanan Denese Miller, Tiffany Newton, Agatha Cleare (Brian), Sophia Miller (Charlie), Donnalee Rolle, Melvern Bastian and Nicole Colebrooke; aunts and uncles, numerous nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

Dominic’s kindness, warmth, and vibrant spirit touched the lives of many, and he will be deeply missed. A celebration of his life will be announced at a later date, and family and friends will be invited to share their memories and honor his legacy.

Rest in peace, dear Dominic. Your light will continue to shine brightly in the hearts of all who knew you.

Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.

The Tribune Limited

NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI

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

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

PICTURE OF THE DAY

LEON E. H. DUPUCH

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Publisher/Editor 1919-1972

Contributing Editor 1972-1991

RT HON EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON, C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B.

Publisher/Editor 1972-

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need to value our history

HOW much do we truly value our history?

The question comes to mind following the news that the human remains of Lucayans will be returned to The Bahamas.

For nearly a century, the remains have been sitting in a museum in Michigan – and now they will be received by the Antiquities, Monuments and Museums Corporation (AMMC).

Dr Grace Turner, a senior archaeologist at the AMMC, said the return was a reminder of the historical significance of the Lucayans – as she says, “The Lucayans were the first people to greet Columbus”.

The return is happening because of a law passed in the US in the 1980s that mandates the return of native American remains to their rightful descendants.

The news also follows the return of more than 10,000 historical documents from Britain last week, covering key moments in our path to independence. So far, so good, you might say. And certainly to be applauded.

The question is whether we are making the effort elsewhere to preserve our heritage.

An obvious example of that was the collapse of the Reinhard Hotel in September.

An old, crumbling building to many.

An eyesore. A danger to the areas around it.

And yet it had quite the history. It was where the PLP had its headquarters during the 1967 elections that led to Majority Rule. It was in those walls that a remarkable change was plotted and which came to pass.

It also served as home for a newspaper, The Voice. Notably, it was also a hotel where black people could stay when other hotels would not welcome them.

What of the other parts of our history that go overlooked? There are two museums that mark our Junkanoo culture – one at the cruise port and the Educulture museum in West Street, but too much of our Junkanoo history is fleeting, crumbling away as fast as the costumes left in the street after a parade.

There are landmark buildings familiar to us by sight but not by history, too often. Too many left to decay and perhaps end up the same way as the Reinhard.

Back in April this year, Graycliff Hotel and Restaurant was presented with a blue plaque award – a British scheme to recognise the remarkable and the historic.

The UK puts up blue plaques to mark the places that are associated with historic people or places.

What do we do to ensure that historic locations are remembered? We count on the memory of those who were around at the time – and time erases that in its usual sombre fashion.

So as we recognise the value of the return of the Lucayan remains, and of the British documents haul, perhaps it is an ideal moment to ask what we can do ourselves, how can we better document our own history?

Our history is all around us. Our history is the basis of who we are and how we got here. Perhaps then it is time to take our own steps to ensure it is not forgotten.

Lack of banks has Androsians feeling left out

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I JUST keep getting approached by the citizens of North Andros, recently at 12.45pm today, and how difficult it has been to have to travel to Nassau to do their business? But how do the powers-that-be justify not having this fundamental very necessary bridge between wages, cheques, hard currencies and being able to pay the food bills, utilities, etcetera?

We have just had the general elections back in 2022, and surely, whilst on the campaign trail, complaints were made of this matter in the caption, and the promises made to remediate whatever was the problem, three years in, the lack of banking facilities remains. I have heard certain reasoning toward insufficient business, but you know, we still have the national airline Bahamasair travelling into the southern islands of the country, where fewer than a few people live, no problem there justifying the government’s subvention et cetera.

And I get it, but given the existence of our Bahamian bank, the Bank Of The Bahamas, how much different is the basis of that decision from that of relocating a branch of the BOB in North Andros, even if the staffing were localised?

The Bahamian people have grown tired of the lame excuses and the nonplussed, puzzling sniffy,

arrant nonsense, the lackadaisical postures subscribed, actions, or non actions not only seen, but spoken of, why this, that, the others were not done, when there was obligation, standing under the law (obligatory-so to do), absolutely specifically mandated, duty bound to perform those non conditional tasks?

Editor, North Androsians were asking whether or not their district is not considered a part of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas? Why the prejudices? Stuff was being done in South Andros, Exuma Island, on Grand Bahama, Eleuthera, Cat Island, the Abacos, Bimini, but not for North Andros, why were the residents of the district asking? Not even the school started during the last administration has come to a screeching halt, why? Was there not a sum of money put aside to cover the construction, and incidentals with the work stoppages? Any delay affects the children, deprives North Androsian children their stake in the public treasury consolidated fund, a set of facilities that belong to all Bahamians, no matter the Island domiciled in?

We, the descendants of North Andros, do wish to ask the government why don’t, didn’t they consider taking a percentage of the US $28m yearly leased property at Fresh Creek,

PLP facts versus actual facts

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I HAVE always said in The Bahamas that when it comes to politics, there are two sets of “facts”; the actual facts and there are Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) facts and what I have come to find out is that these two sets of facts do not assimilate.

In a statement in The Nassau Guardian recently, in reference to the recent Baha Mar ruling, the PLP Chairman is quoted as saying: Baha Mar developer Sarkis Izmirlian is “seeking to tell a narrative which does not line up with the facts”.

When the chairman talks about the facts not lining up, exactly whose facts is he referring to?

Andros-be-retained for the jumpstarting the economy of North Andros district, not yet approved many years in?

It becomes perilous to rely on this small populous Island of New Providence and the City of Nassau, the center of commerce, shouldering the economic, financial loads for the entire Commonwealth of The Bahamas, when the mechanisms were created to empower each district, Island, settlements of our Family of Islands to be able to defend for themselves, ought to be more palatable to the authorities, than the other islands looking for handouts from the central government, is really not progress, but dependency, backwardness, a stifling of the creative juices and futures of Bahamians? If there are no banking facilities for a district comprising nine settlements, what really were your powers that be, were trying to tell North Androsian Of Which I am a proud descendant? and compelled to point out that down through the century my grandparents tilled the soil and made it possible for people of today, to thrive, and to exist, their labours were now being denigrated, under appreciated, why though?

FRANK GILBERT

Nassau, October 24, 2024.

It would appear that they lined up for Justice Andrew Borrok of the Supreme Court of the state of New York, but that is beside the point, I guess.

“Mitchell slams Izmirlian, Pintard and Baha Mar ruling.” – The Nassau Guardian.

An excerpt from this article: “Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) chairman and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell yesterday accused former Baha Mar developer Sarkis Izmirlian of ‘seeking to tell a narrative which does not line up with the facts’.”

Mitchell was responding to a significant New York court judgment finding that Izmirlian lost his Baha Mar project a decade ago as a result of fraud and breaches allegedly committed by China Construction America (CCA).

Mitchell’s claim was made notwithstanding the fact that Justice Andrew Borrok of the Supreme Court of the State of New York said in his ruling that credible evidence indicated that Izmirlian acted “honourably and commercially reasonably” in seeking to have the multi-billion-development completed.

The judge awarded Izmirlian’s BML Properties Limited $1.6bn

against China Construction America as a result of fraud and breaches.

Mitchell also lashed out at Opposition Leader Michael Pintard who on Sunday called for an investigation into the inferences in the ruling that Bahamian government officials had colluded with CCA to push Izmirlian out.

“We’re concerned about the leader of the opposition, who jumps on judgment comments written by a judge in the United States,” said Mitchell in a video recording that was widely circulated recently.

“When is the leader of the opposition going to support Bahamians and support The Bahamas?”

“Support Bahamians and support The Bahamas” on what exactly, Mr Mitchell?

Here, we have the chairman of the Progressive Liberal Party attempting to attack the Leader of the Opposition Free National Movement (FNM) with the old line of being “antiBahamian”. He did this when the New Day, Old Way Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) went to “war” with the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA), at that time everyone who disagreed with the PLP government was seen as being “anti-Bahamian”.

Another instance occurred when Bahamians protested over issues like inadequate electricity and poor infrastructure in islands such as Andros and Eleuthera. The government’s response was to dismiss some of these criticisms as lacking in national loyalty, framing critics as opposing progress and nation-building efforts.

This has been a recurring theme in the PLP’s narrative whenever they face public discontent or organised opposition to their policies, so this has

been established - let us move on.

It is simply amazing that the chairman of the New Day, Old Way PLP government seeks to attack the leader of the opposition and the BML Properties Limited over the recent Baha Mar ruling when it was the findings of the Supreme Court of the State of New York that stated: “In addition to the court ruling in favour of the … family for the sum of $1.6bn, the judgment referenced evidence of troubling allegations about the direct involvement and active support of officials in the then-PLP administration when Prime Minister [Philip] Davis served as deputy leader,” so here is where the issue comes in. It would appear that the court ruling condemns the PLP administration for what amounts to collusion; in acting in concert with the contractor CCA to gain ownership of Baha Mar, but I am sure that the New Day, Old way government does not see it that way, but interestingly enough again Prime Minister Davis and Chairman of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) do not seem to be on the same page as it pertains to this issue. We have the Prime Minister instructing the Attorney General to review the matter; while Chairman Mitchell suggests that there really is nothing to review. So what’s worse here?

A government that can’t govern or one that hides its alleged failures behind accusations of treason and lies? Calling criticism “unpatriotic” is the real betrayal. It’s the last refuge of a failed administration, desperate to distract from the truth that they’re not doing their jobs. And the truth is, Bahamians are suffering, the government is failing, and that is fact.

The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) fails for one reason, it is their nature. MORNING PAPER, Nassau, October 24, 2024.

Photo: David Watson

Mervie Knowles given seven days to vacate Ingrid Carey’s property

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

INGRID Carey, a woman at the centre of a highprofile elder abuse and financial exploitation controversy, was removed from Home Away From Home Senior Care Facility on Friday and placed in the custody of her granddaughter, Philippa Carey.

The removal followed allegations against the facility’s administrator, Mervie Knowles, who is accused of obtaining power of attorney and ownership of Ms Carey’s assets, including her house, life insurance, and NIB benefits, under questionable circumstances.

On Friday, an agreement was reached between Ms Knowles and the Carey family for Ms Knowles to vacate the home within seven days, allowing Philippa to reclaim the property.

Ms Knowles had claimed that Ms Carey willingly granted her power of attorney in addition to signing over her house, life insurance policy, and National Insurance Board (NIB) benefits.

The case has drawn significant public attention since Philippa Carey’s story aired on ZNS last week.

Concerned community members gathered outside the care facility in solidarity

with Philippa, who, it was claimed had previously been denied access to her grandmother. Responding to public outcry, the Ministry of Social Services announced an investigation into the matter on Thursday. By Friday, Philippa’s family, armed with an original power of attorney document from 2011, regained legal custody of her grandmother and removed her from the facility with police assistance. Upon leaving, Ms Carey was taken to the Rand Memorial Hospital, where she was to undergo medical and psychiatric evaluations. Philippa explained that her aunt, Sharon Thompson, had originally held power

of attorney since 2011, a document now instrumental in Philippa’s current custody.

Despite gaining custody, Philippa emphasised that her struggle is ongoing. “Even though we got her back, the fight does not stop there. I am happy that at least I got her back; everything else I can deal with as it comes,” she said.

As part of an agreement reached with Ms Knowles, Philippa’s family will regain possession of their home, with Ms Knowles given seven days to vacate the property.

“We made an agreement, both Mervie and my family, that she has seven days to get her belongings out of the house, but within those seven days, we will be preparing to move back in,” Philippa said. She expressed relief at the thought of reuniting her family under one roof and noted her grandmother’s awareness of the situation. “She asked me, ‘What took you so long to get me?’”

However, Philippa faces additional challenges as Knowles is reportedly demanding $20,000 in compensation, a claim Philippa intends to contest in court. “We will fight that claim of $20,000 because some things they did were done the wrong way, and we want to get

justice on every part,” she claimed.

Philippa also revealed the personal toll the situation has taken, as she was forced to stay in temporary accommodations like Airbnbs or with friends while in Grand Bahama.

“It’s not fair to me because that’s the only place I lived my whole life, and a stranger came in and just took everything away,” she told ZNS.

Ms Knowles, in her own statements to Our News and ZNS, defended her actions, asserting that Ingrid Carey willingly transferred her home as a “blessing.”

Ms Knowles stated:

“She said, ‘Ms Knowles, you’re doing such good work … I’d like to bless you with the home to continue the work.’”

Ms Knowles added that Ms Carey did not intend to give the home to her granddaughter, claiming that Ms Carey believed her granddaughter was not capable of managing it.

Despite her defence, Ms Knowles expressed distress over the allegations, saying: “I never took even a candy from them. If I know they are not in their right mind, I wouldn’t take anything.”

She added that the accusations have affected

Govt urged to expedite regulations for elder care facilities

By KEILE CAMPBELL AND EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporters

THE Bahamas Alzheimer’s Association has urged the government to expedite regulations for elder care facilities following allegations that a resident at the Home Away From Home care facility in Grand Bahama signed over her family home to the facility’s owner under questionable circumstances.

The association also called for swift implementation of the National Dementia Plan, underscoring the importance of safeguarding vulnerable seniors from exploitation, particularly those with dementia.

“We cannot allow these vulnerable individuals to be taken advantage of, and the government must act to ensure stronger regulations are put in place,” the association stated, referring to the National Dementia Plan created in 2017 to align with the World Health Organization’s framework. The association stressed the need for quicker local implementation to establish essential protections for residents and their families. Meanwhile, Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville said the government is taking “serious steps” to address elder care. His remarks followed an investigation launched by the Ministry of Social Services into allegations of elder abuse and financial exploitation at the Home Away From Home facility, where Philippa Carey alleged that administrator

Mervie Knowles obtained power of attorney over her grandmother, Ingrid Carey’s, assets and allegedly moved into her home without consent. The ministry has referred the case to the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

On Friday, Knowles reportedly agreed to return the property to the family, one day after angry residents gathered outside the care facility in protest.

Dr Darville said the situation “disturbed” him, pointing to a broader trend of abandoned elderly patients, with family members increasingly leaving their loved ones at hospitals. “There are indications of a breakdown in the moral fiber of the country, where... the elderly who have contributed to our society are

her personally, to the point where she feels self-conscious about even basic activities like dining out, fearing that people will think she is misusing residents’ money.

Asked whether she believes her grandmother might have willingly given away the home, Philippa acknowledged her grandmother’s generous nature.

“I wouldn’t put it past her. She would give the shirt off her back,” Philippa said, while also questioning her grandmother’s mental capacity to make such decisions. “I don’t feel like knowing her age and mental capacity you should take her serious.”

Philippa expressed deep gratitude for the public’s support, which has extended beyond The Bahamas to other Caribbean nations, including Jamaica and Turks & Caicos.

“I never thought in a million years to have the

country rally around me,” she shared. “I want to thank everyone near and far, who shared a post, liked it, and for all the encouraging words.”

The Ministry of Social Services, with the Ministry for Grand Bahama, issued a joint statement last week in response to the matter, saying: “The protection and well-being of our elderly citizens is a priority, and we want to assure the public that we are taking this matter very seriously.”

The ministries further noted that the investigation had been referred to the Royal Bahamas Police Force. The ministries encouraged anyone with information relevant to the investigation to come forward, adding that they would ensure any egregious wrongdoing would be prosecuted under the law to protect the rights and dignity of senior citizens.

being abandoned by their loved ones,” he said. Dr Darville added that the government is working with social services and geriatric care facilities to “expand geriatric services” and improve the support available for elderly patients.

PHILIPPA CAREY, granddaughter of Ingrid Carey, pictured holding a child

THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS

MONDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2024

Baha Mar court case - and what it means for us all

By TYLER MCKENZIE

OVER the past week, the story of what happened at Baha Mar in the dispute between developer Sarkis Izmirlian and contractor China Construction America (CCA) have hogged the headlines.

In broad terms, Mr Izmirlian won across the board, with Justice Andrew Borrok, sitting in the New York Supreme Court, ruling on Friday, October 19, that Mr Izmirlian had proven his fraud claim against CCA “beyond doubt”. Judge Borrok awarded Mr Izmirlian more than $1.6bn in damages as a result - the $845m of Mr Izmirlian’s equity contribution to the development, plus interest.

There are two strands to the outcome here - one directly dealing with the court case itself, and the other with the political fallout from the saga.

We’ll get to the political later, but first what happened to get us here.

A revised opening date for Bahamas Mar had been set for March 27, 2015, but Judge Borrok ruling that the contractor had “knowingly and falsely” promised it would meet the datewhile concealing from the developer that this was unlikely to happen.

The judge cited “at least four instances of fraud” in his ruling. Among the astonishing details in the case is that CCA demanded $54m in November 2014 from the developer to progress the project, but rather than paying the project’s sub-contractors, the contractor bought downtown Nassau’s British Colonial resort instead.

The judge concluded that CCA “ordered or condoned the slowing or stopping”

of construction work in the months leading up to the missed opening date to “further its commercial interests”.

The upshot of all the delays was that the deadline was missed and a liquidity crisis occurred, “pushing BML Properties out of its $845m investment”.

The judge dismissed CCA’s case, finding for Mr Izmirlian and his BML Properties vehicle on all the key points. It should be noted that CCA has announced it intends to appeal - but that doesn’t matter a damn until an appeal is actually filed, and indeed heard and ruled on. Anyone who has spent any time in courtrooms knows people often say they will appeal - it does not necessarily mean that they will. What the basis of that appeal would be has also yet to be explained. So what does all that mean for you, me and the rest of the country? Highlevel businesses fighting it out, why does that matter for the rest of us?

Here’s where the political dimension comes into play.

Among the other pieces of information to emerge from the case were details of how the government of the day, led by Prime Minister Perry Christie, had some level of involvement with the whole affair.

Indeed, Mr Christie himself was reportedly told that the slowdown in construction was deliberate.

CCA did not dispute in the case that CCA’s top Bahamas-based executive admitted in the presence of Mr Christie, Mr Izmirlian and the Chinese ambassador that the contractor was “deliberately slowing the work”.

The moment, during a meeting on April 7, 2015, prompted Mr Izmirlian to say: “It was one of those moments you felt like you were in a movie. It was dead silence in the room. The Prime Minister is looking at me. The ambassador is looking at me.

“I’m looking at them, going did he just say what we think he said?’ So, the Prime Minister asked him again and he admitted they had been deliberately slowing down the project for

their commercial benefit.”

The claim comes from testimony by Mr Izmirlianbut CCA did not challenge it during the case.

The judge went on to say that slowing down the work was a breach of an obligation to act in Baha Mar’s best interests and there were “numerous other examples” of threats or suggestions of work stoppages.

For such a suggestion to have been made in front of the Prime Minister at the time is shocking - for it to take a court case to bring that information out rather than action being taken at the time is worse still.

The judge also ruled that $2.3m in payments made to a company run by Leslie Bethel were done to help “gain access” to his father, Sir Baltron Bethel, who was Mr Christie’s senior policy advisor at the time - and the point man in dealing with the Baha Mar dispute. Both father and son have said previously they have done nothing wrong.

You would think that putting these things together would be enough to raise concern over whether there was an even-handed approach to the whole affair - so what has the current administration done in response?

Well, the right thing. At first. For all of a day. A statement was issued saying that Prime Minister Philip Davis had instructed Attorney General Ryan Pinder to review the court ruling and that there would be no further comment or decisions until the outcome of that review. Like it or not, that’s actually pretty fair - take the time to digest the court case and then respond. You might well say sure, but they knew this ruling was coming, one way or the other, why not be ready to respond when it happened?

But a considered response is not unfair.

And then Fred Mitchell weighed in. The Foreign Affairs Minister did not wait for the review from the attorney general, but rather said that “all of the salacious stuff which came out of the developer’s statement about how there was a collusion with corrupt behaviour official, there is no evidence of that either”. He insisted that “the main issue for us is The Bahamas government has no liability which arises out of this”.

His comments prompted a condemnation from a former Bahamas Supreme Court Justice, Jeanne Thompson saying that he showed a “total lack of diplomatic behaviour”. She said: “Anyone who could not see the obvious conflict of interest in a minister of government simultaneously holding the position of chairman of the governing party should have had the beam cast from his or her eyes following the intemperate remarks made by our minister of foreign affairs on the judgement of a New York court in the matter involving Bahama Mar.

“I have no problem with the chairman rising to the defense of party officials, family and friends. However, I take strong exception to the minister of foreign affairs of our nation lambasting the judge of a friendly country because he did not like his ruling, and vilifying a foreign resident and investor because he dared to bring an action to secure his rights and succeeded.”

So here’s where it all affects us - the government of the time seems to have been aware of a slowdown that worked against the interests of the developer, according to the judge’s ruling.

Also, according to that ruling, the contractor seemed to think there was value in paying the son of a senior advisor to the prime minister to gain access.

Why would they think that? You don’t give money for nothing, right?

So is this an isolated incident? Was this only Baha Mar and nothing else in our country, no other such deals? Are there any other such payments?

And where does this leave our government’s relationship with CCA with regard to other projects in the country?

By rights, there should be a full investigation - and it is no surprise that the FNM has called for a commission of inquiry. Though I do not think they have as yet committed to hold one when they come to office if the current administration does not do so.

But can a developer really be ousted from a project just because a contractor decides it’s going to slow things down and force them out? Can payments to family members really be ignored completely if done to “curry favour” as the judge ruled?

The purpose of an investigation is twofold - one, to find out if any wrongdoing took place and two, to make sure we learn lessons so it does not happen again.

If you were a developer, would you commit to a project in The Bahamas knowing what had taken place in this case? Or would you want greater assurances before you gave any such project a green light?

At the ground level, that means jobs, salary, visitors, income to the country. It’s not just a game between big businesses. It really does affect you and me.

STORMY waters in front of Baha Mar - which has been in the news in the past week after a court ruling that found in favour of Sarkis Izmirlian against China Construction America and awarded him $1.6bn.

SARKIS IZMIRLIAN

SAFEGUARDING HUMAN RIGHTS REQUIRES MORE THAN WORDS

IN THE councils of the Organization of American States (OAS) and at least two of its associate institutions – the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) and the Inter-American Court of Human rights (IACtHR)

– much is spoken about the importance of human rights. But the words are not backed by financial support.

The bedrock of every democratic society is the dignity and worth of the human person, which can only be respected and upheld by safeguarding their human rights.

Yet, it is remarkable that the two main institutions responsible for protecting these human rights — institutions to which states assert their commitment — are hopelessly underfunded and under-resourced. Consequently, they struggle to carry out the critical tasks assigned to them by the very governments that created them.

What is worse is that both the IACHR and IACtHR now depend on financial assistance from European nations to fulfil their obligation to the peoples of the Americas. In other words, the countries of the Americas, from Canada and the US in the

World View

By SIR RONALD SANDERS

North to Argentina in the South, with the Caribbean in between, now rely on European states, including former colonial powers, to fund the protection of human rights within their own region. The inappropriateness of that situation is absurd.

But worse yet, this state of dependency raises serious questions about how truly committed the governments of OAS member states are to upholding human rights in all countries, including their own. It is no longer enough to voice support for human rights in resolutions. Financial commitment must match rhetoric.

The case of the IACtHR is instructive. The court was established by the American Convention on Human Rights, which entered into force in 1978, and it began functioning in 1979 from its headquarters in Costa Rica, pictured above . However, like the IACHR, the court

has always struggled financially. As early as 1992, one of its judges, Sonia Picado Sotela of Costa Rica, declared: “The court has very little money, and one of these cases is very expensive.”

She went on to state that “the Inter-American system is in an economic crisis as well as a crisis of credibility. I think the OAS States is not in its strongest moment”.

Unfortunately, the situation has worsened since that statement was made, as many governments continue to decline providing adequate funding.

Yet, the IACtHR provides the ultimate legal protection for victims of human rights abuses. Without adequate funding, the court will be unable to deliver that protection, leaving victims—and potential victims — exposed to violations. This is not just a hypothetical risk; it is a real and pressing concern

for millions across the Americas.

A survey of other international human rights courts and arbitral bodies demonstrates the sheer disparity in funding. In 2023, the IACtHR operated on a budget of just US$7.04m. By comparison, the European Court of Justice had an annual budget of US$81m, and the African Court of Justice operated with approximately US$50m. Alarmingly, 30 percent of the IACtHR’s budget is funded by European countries, including the European Union.

It is high time the governments of the Americas, especially the wealthier ones, asked themselves if it is acceptable that, after fighting for political and economic independence from European nations, they are now content for the legal protection of human rights in their “sovereign” states to be propped up by European funds?

Both the IACHR and the IACtHR are vital institutions for the protection and advancement of human rights throughout the Americas. Neither governments, political parties, nor civil society should be satisfied with weak human rights institutions. Politicians, including current leaders, have depended on these bodies to protect them from political persecution. For example, the present President of Colombia, Gustavo Petro, acknowledges that he benefited from a 2014 decision by the IACHR that overturned a 15-year ban on him holding public office.

For the Caribbean, the IACHR and IACtHR also provide important avenues for justice. While Caribbean countries have access to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) and, in some cases, the Judicial Committee of

the British Privy Council, the IACHR offers further scope for human rights protection. Those Caribbean countries that are signatories to the IACtHR can also seek justice directly from the court. But whether or not a Caribbean country is a formal member of the court, as a member of the OAS, it still has access to the court’s “advisory jurisdiction”, which allows for interpretation of the American Convention and other human rights instruments at the request of OAS member states.

‘The case of the IACtHR is instructive. The court was established by the American Convention on Human Rights, which entered into force in 1978, and it began functioning in 1979 from its headquarters in Costa Rica. However, like the IACHR, the court has always struggled financially. As early as 1992, one of its judges, Sonia Picado Sotela of Costa Rica, declared: “The court has very little money, and one of these cases is very expensive.”

A compelling example of the importance of the IACtHR’s role is the ongoing proceedings brought by Colombia and Chile, seeking an advisory opinion on the effects of climate change on human rights. Several Caribbean countries, including Antigua and Barbuda, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines, gave testimony through their joint organisation, the Commission for Small Island States and International Law (COSIS).

A favorable advisory opinion from the IACtHR, building on a strong opinion already delivered by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), would significantly

bolster the legal arguments for Caribbean States seeking compensation for the loss and damage caused by the world’s largest contributors to global warming and sea level rise. Given the rising importance of such issues, it is deeply troubling that these vital institutions, tasked with defending the human rights of the peoples of the Americas, are left in such precarious financial situations. Without secure funding, they cannot plan for the future or handle the increasing number of cases, including those concerning climate justice. The protection of human rights in the Americas demands more than speeches and resolutions; it requires concrete financial action. Governments must move beyond declarations and allocate the necessary resources to these institutions. Their commitment must be demonstrated not just in words, but in their willingness to invest in the future of human rights for all the peoples of the Americas.

(The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the US and the OAS. The views expressed are entirely his own. Responses and previous commentaries: www. sirronaldsanders.com)

Pintard concerned over population decline on several Family Islands

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement (FNM) leader

Michael Pintard has expressed deep concern over population declines in several Family Islands, underscored by the country’s latest census data.

Mr Pintard said this trend highlights an urgent need to prioritise development in these communities. He called for “intentional policies and legislation” to encourage population growth and stimulate economic activity on the islands. He said that all Bahamians deserve access to essential services, similar to those available in New Providence and Grand

Bahama, and pledged to prioritise development in the Family Islands if elected to office.

His remarks followed the release of the official 2022 census on Tuesday, which reported a significant slowdown in population growth over recent decades.

Among the islands experiencing notable declines are Grand Bahama, with a recorded population of 46,740 in 2022 — down by approximately 4,600 since 2010 — and Abaco, where the population dropped from 17,224 to 16,695.

Several smaller Family Islands also saw substantial decreases, with Mayaguana experiencing the largest decline at 26.7 percent, followed by Ragged Island with a 22.2 percent drop.

Other population declines were observed on Crooked Island, Inagua, Long Island, San Salvador, Rum Cay, and Spanish Wells.

Pintard acknowledged the difficulties of governing an archipelago, noting that the costs of providing resources increase as populations diminish.

“We have sufficient land and resources that we ought to grow this population so that we are able to have persons go to the islands that they love and have only left because circumstances dictated it,” he said.

“Grand Bahama in the north has suffered a similar fate where there has been a decline in the number of residents. So we have a city of Freeport designed

to accommodate 250,000 persons, but an island of Grand Bahama that has 55,000 or less so we have a task ahead of us.”

Last month, Crooked Island chief councillor David Ferguson also addressed migration concerns, noting that younger residents often leave for New Providence and rarely return, which leads to shrinking populations and economic challenges on their home islands.

“Every year, you can see the decline as people pass on, and the young ones move to Nassau. Whether they do good or bad, they tend not to look back at the end. We need to address that,” he told The Tribune, urging government intervention to tackle the issue.

Former PS Antoinette Thompson who sued government dies

ANTOINETTE Thomp-

son, a former permanent secretary whose tenure culminated in a legal battle against the government in which she alleged severe procedural and ethical lapses, has died.

Cabinet’s office confirmed her passing in a statement on Friday.

Throughout her career, Thompson served in several ministries, accumulating 43 years of public service. She was the permanent secretary in the former Ministry of Transport and Housing until she was placed on “unrecorded leave” in April 2023.

Following her suspension, she filed a lawsuit against the government, asserting that she was the target of a deliberate

campaign to prevent her from exposing irregularities within the Ministry. In her legal claim, Thompson contended that two multi-million-dollar maritime contracts were executed “negligently, unlawfully, and maliciously” in violation of public service protocols.

She alleged that the contracts — one for $3.355 million awarded to DigieSoft Technologies to develop an online portal for private boat and yacht charter fees, and another for $3.57 million to Adolpha Maritime Group for maintaining navigational aids — were signed without her authorisation or oversight. Although she, as permanent secretary, held the

responsibility to approve such contracts, Thompson claimed they were executed by a junior official, undersecretary Gaynell Rolle, without her knowledge. Thompson’s complaint highlighted procedural issues, noting that DigieSoft’s contract was signed by Ms Rolle before all requisite documentation arrived at the Ministry, thus bypassing standard protocol.

Thompson further alleged that her inquiries to Ms Rolle regarding the legitimacy of these actions were dismissed, an exchange that, according to her, was part of a broader campaign to sideline her authority.

Her lawsuit indicated that financial resources were

unavailable in the Ministry’s 2022-2023 Budget for either project, a fact discovered when the Port Department requested funds for contract mobilisation.

Documentation within the case showed that Thompson referred these funding requests to the Ministry of Finance for clarification. In one exchange, Pamela Rutherford, a financial officer, confirmed in writing that no funds had been allocated for the contracts in question, further complicating the financial and procedural handling of the projects.

The legal filings also revisited political tensions surrounding the contracts.

The DigieSoft Technologies award, criticised by Opposition leader Michael

TEEN CHARGED WI T H HAVING UNLICENCED WEAPONS

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A 19-YEAR-OLD man was remanded into custody after he was allegedly found with a gun and a shotgun last month.

Magistrate Lennox Coleby arraigned Anpherney Riley on charges of possession of an unlicenced firearm and possession of an unlicensed shotgun. The defendant’s parents were present for his arraignment. Riley was allegedly found with a black shotgun and a 9mm pistol sometime between July 7 and September 14 in New Providence.

Pintard during the 20232024 Budget debate, was defended by Prime Minister Philip Davis. Davis argued that proper processes were followed and claimed that Cabinet had vetted and approved DigieSoft, despite the government’s procurement portal initially listing a different company, Infrasoft Technologies, as the winning bidder. Davis emphasised that DigieSoft’s principals were young Bahamians deserving of support. However, Opposition members continued to challenge the selection process and the contract’s necessity, especially given that the Association of Bahamas Marinas (ABM) had already implemented a similar solution through its

SeaZ Pass portal at no cost to the Public Treasury. In addition to the DigieSoft contract, the $3.57 million navigational aids contract awarded to Adolpha Maritime Group also faced scrutiny, with questions about the lack of competitive bidding. Opposition members pointed to Adolpha’s online presence, which listed minimal contact information and raised questions regarding the company’s capacity to handle such a substantial contract. As her lawsuit proceeded, Thompson alleged that these questionable processes damaged her professional reputation and compromised the public’s trust in government accountability.

He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Prosecutor Assistant Superintendent of Police Lewis objected to the accused’s bail. The defendant will be remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until his next court appearance on October 28.

SIX MON T HS PROBAT ION FOR POSSESSION OF $200 HEMP

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was placed on six months probation on Friday after admitting to possessing $200 worth of marijuana gummies in his home last week.

Senior Magistrate Raquel Whyms initially arraigned 22-year-old Courtney Coulibaly on possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply. The charge was later reduced to simple possession of dangerous drugs. The defendant was found with a quantity of marijuana-infused gummies at his residence in New Providence on October 23. He pleaded guilty to the charge and apologised profusely for his actions. Linda Virgil, the

defendant’s attorney, highlighted her client’s young age and early plea in her mitigation, noting that he is employed.

Magistrate Whyms granted the defendant a conditional discharge, placing him on six months probation. Breaching these conditions would result in a one-month prison term.

Sergeant 2257 Wilkinson served as the prosecutor.

FNM LEADER

MICHAEL PINTARD

100 Jamz DJ “Special K” (above) and other staff took part in “Dunkin’ For Boobies” helping to raise funds in support of The Cancer Society of The Bahamas at Radio House on Friday.

Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

Walk Cause For A

Partcipants in the 2024 Ocean CLub Fun, Run, Push ‘Walk for a Cause’ Fundraiser

World Series: Jazz Chisholm Jr,

New York Yankees in 0-2 hole

FROM PAGE 16

the final inning until Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman made World Series history with a walk-off grand slam.

After the LA Dodgers took the classic World Series opener in thrilling fashion, the Yankees tried to bounce back on Saturday night.

The Yankees knotted the score at 1-1 at the top of the third inning when Juan Soto homered a pitch sent by Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

The Dodgers pitcher then retired the last 11 batters and the Yankees were held to just one hit before the start of the ninth inning.

The Dodgers then piled on the runs at the bottom of the third inning. Tommy Edman and Teoscar Hernandez also went yard in the game.

New York trailed 4-1 until Giancarlo Stanton singled to the left in the ninth inning and Soto scored a run.

Despite getting the win, the Dodgers faced some adversity in the seventh inning, Shohei Otani partially dislocated his shoulder while sliding to second base in game two. He is expected to play in game three tonight but it remains unclear if he will be at 100 per cent.

With the LA Dodgers ahead 2-0 in the series, “Jazz” and the Bronx Bombers will be in a

must-win situation tonight at the Yankee Stadium. For Chisholm Jr, this is his first appearance in the World Series. He is also the second Bahamian since the late Ed Armbrister to play on this stage.

He is batting .186 with 8 hits, a homer, an RBI and three runs scored in 11 games with the Yanks this postseason.

His World Series campaign continues tonight at 8:08pm in the Yankee Stadium.

OHTANI SET TO PLAY FOR DODGERS IN GAME 3

NEW YORK (AP) — Concerns seemed to vanish and Los Angeles Dodgers players wore smiles at Yankee Stadium as they prepared for Game 3 of the World Series: Shohei Ohtani was set to play Monday night despite a partially dislocated left shoulder.

Ohtani got hurt sliding into second base when he was caught stealing to end the seventh inning of Saturday night’s 4-2 victory over the New York Yankees in Game 2 at Los Angeles.

Fans and teammates wondered whether Sho could go this week.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made Ohtani’s presence atop the batting order sound close to a sure thing.

“I just don’t see him not playing Game 3,” Roberts said before Sunday night’s workout. “If he feels good enough to go, then I see no reason why he wouldn’t be in there.”

Ohtani did not travel with the team to New York in order to undergo imaging. He was on a separate flight.

“As far as test results, we’ve got doctors scrambling everywhere. I don’t have them,” Roberts said.

“This is more me going by the training staff, Shohei feeling good this morning, range of motion, strength.”

Judge and Yankees hope to break out in NY for Game 3

By MIKE FITZPATRICK

AP Baseball Writer

NEW YORK (AP)

— Regardless of Shohei Ohtani’s status, Aaron Judge and the New York Yankees need to start hitting if they’re going to climb back into this World Series.

New York has mustered five runs over 19 innings in two agonising road losses to the Los Angeles Dodgers, batting .143 with runners in scoring position (2 for 14) and stranding 17 overall.

Maybe a return home will unleash a slumping Judge and the rest of these Bronx Bombers when the best-ofseven Series shifts to the Big Apple, where the Yankees went 3-1 during the American League playoffs.

“We’ve been through a lot of tough moments throughout the year. So I think we’ve been there,” slugger Juan Soto said.

“We know how (to take) a couple punches in the face and just keep battling and keep going. We can go home and do our thing.”

With a home run from Freddie Freeman in each game, the Dodgers hold a 2-0 lead as the World Series returns to Yankee Stadium tonight for the first time since November 4, 2009.

Hideki Matsui homered and knocked in six runs that night to wrap up Series MVP honours as New York clinched its 27th championship with a 7-3 victory over Philadelphia.

This time, the Yankees are looking to stage a comeback that would at least send this highly anticipated matchup back to Los Angeles for a potential Game 6.

“The Bronx is a special place. They back us. They pump us up. They put pressure on other teams,” first baseman Anthony Rizzo said. “When that stadium is rocking, we feel it. We need to get that energy when we come in on Monday and get it going.”

Mookie Betts and the Dodgers are two wins shy of their second World Series title in five years and the franchise’s eighth overall.

After an injury scare, it appears Ohtani will be in the lineup for Game 3 as long as he can tolerate any lingering pain. The superstar slugger partially dislocated his left shoulder sliding into second base when he was caught stealing to end the seventh inning of Saturday night’s 4-2 victory in Game 2.

Ohtani planned to take swings in an indoor batting cage at Yankee Stadium

competition with a 1-4 win/loss record in the tournament.

Team manager Geron Sands talked about the overall play of the team at the regional baseball tournament.

“We didn’t get the outcome that we wanted. However, I saw some bright spots for Team Bahamas. The bright spots for Team Bahamas is that the guys really want to be here and we want to build this programme so we can have better outcomes than what we saw this week.

“We have to work on some pitching a little more and we have to get these guys together a little more. If we could get the team together a little more I am sure that will help out.

“No excuses, we came out and we played and did what we had to do. We didn’t get what we wanted but we will be back next time,” he said.

The Bahamas got on the board first in the second

Terrell Outen

during the team’s workout Sunday night.

“I just don’t see him not playing Game 3,” Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said. “If he feels good enough to go, then I see no reason why he wouldn’t be in there.”

Ohtani did not travel with the club to New York

in order to undergo imaging. He was on a separate flight.

“He’s the best player in the game, and to see him on the ground in pain, it’s not a good feeling for sure,” teammate Tommy Edman said Saturday night.

“We’re hopeful he recovers quickly.”

With most players wearing ski hats, the Dodgers held an off-day practice under the lights at Yankee Stadium — same as they did 12 days ago across town at Citi Field ahead of Game 3 in the National League Championship Series against the New York Mets. Meanwhile,

the Yankees spent Sunday travelling cross-country and were not available to the media. It’s expected to be about 53 degrees at first pitch and falling slightly Monday night, after the first two games were played in sunny Southern California with temperatures in the mid-70s.

Son of a team pilot, Clarke Schmidt (5-5, 2.85 ERA) is scheduled to pitch for New York against fellow right-hander Walker Buehler (1-6, 5.38 ERA), who makes his Yankee Stadium debut. Schmidt also started Game 3 in each of the first two playoff rounds, compiling a 3.86 ERA over 9 1/3 innings in a pair of no-decisions against Kansas City and Cleveland.

Both those outings came on the road, with the series versus the Royals tied 1-all, and the Yankees leading the Guardians 2-0.

“Obviously, it’s a dream come true being able to pitch the first game at home in a pivotal game,” Schmidt said. “I’m obviously very excited to get out there, but I know I have a job to do. We’re trying to win this World Series. I think for me I’m just trying to go out there and execute and do my job.”

have to get these guys playing to be ready for when that time comes,” he said. Championship day begins at 3pm with the bronze medal game. The final game of competition starts at 7pm tonight.

after

singled, scoring a run.

The Dominican Republic’s Francisco Gonzalez nailed a rightfield home run to put the visiting team in the lead 3-1 at the top of the third inning. Christopher Rodriguez was the winning pitcher for the Dominican Republic. He allowed zero hits and zero runs over 3.2 innings while striking out three batters and walking none. Teagan Coleby pitched in four innings for Team Bahamas. He

allowed five hits, one run, struck out three batters and walked three. Outen went 1-for-2 for The Bahamas and led the team with a lone RBI. Franscico Gonzalez, Noel Amaro, Randy Bravo and Luis Delano Taveras all had two hits apiece for the victors. Gonzalez went 2-for-3 in the contest and racked up three RBIs along the way.

Sands expressed that there needs to be more emphasis placed on pitching for Team Bahamas going forward but overall he was pleased with the play of the younger players on this stage.

“Those guys actually played pretty well. They impressed the Bahamian people this week as they played. The whole idea is to get those guys up. They are going to be the future of the national team. The World Baseball Classic comes every three to four years and the Olympics are coming into play so we

TEAM Bahamas players in the dugout.

Photo: Nikia Charlton

YANKEES ’ Aaron Judge walks back to the dugout after striking out against the Dodgers during the first inning in Game 2 of the World Series on Saturday in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/ Godofredo A. Vásquez)

JAZZ Chisholm Jr. steals second base next to Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Tommy Edman during the 10th inning in Game 1 of the baseball World Series on Friday, October 25, 2024, in Los Angeles. TOP - Jazz Chisholm Jr. celebrates after a single against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the 10th inning in Game 1. (AP Photos/Ashley Landis Mark J Terrill)

‘BUDDY’ HIELD ON FIRE FOR GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

brings so much energy to the floor and a part of it is the way he plays, just seeking the shots, seeking the threes and sprinting the floor.

“He runs so hard both directions and sets the tone for us. The other part is he is just an incredible person and teammate.

“He is full of joy, bench is laughing all the time with him and what he brings to the team goes way beyond just his shooting but thats massive in and of itself. We are thrilled to have Buddy,” he said.

The Grand Bahamian pro checked into the game at the 6:27 mark of the first quarter and immediately started to heat up.

He knocked down a deep three off an assist from Stephen Curry to give the Warriors an early 15-9 lead. Hield along with Curry went three for three

SPORTS CALENDAR

FROM PAGE 16

tee-off-for-hunger-2024/ register. Players will be in teams of two and registration fee is $500.

BAPTIST SPORTS FEDERATION

TRACK MEET

THE Bahamas Baptist Sports Federation will hold its Renee ‘Sunshine’ Curry-Davis Memorial Track and Field Classic on Saturday, November 16, at the Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium. The meet, hosted in conjunction with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and the Bahamas Association of Certified Officials, will recognise Curry-Davis, a former executive of the BBSF, who was working as the director for track and field before her death this year.

Beginning at 9am, the meet will be geared for men and women competing in the under-7, under-11, under-15, under20 under-30 open, under-50 open and masters 50-andover categories as well as the clergy for pastors, ministers, evangelists and deacons. The entry deadline for teams to participate is Friday, November 1 and should be submitted to TEK Results via tmoss@ locbahamas.org or contact Brent Stubbs at 426-7265 or email stubbobs@gmail. com. A technical meeting is set for 6pm on November 12 at the Bahamas Baptist College, Jean Street.

SOFTBALL PUBLIC SERVICE

THE National Public Service Week Softball Tournament is slated to be played at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex until November 2.

Teams from the various Public Service Departments in the Bahamas Government will be participating. All teams interested in participating are urged to contact tournament coordinator Judy Hamilton for more details.

and helped the Dubs to end the first period ahead 32-24. “Buddy” nailed a rare two-pointer at the 2:46 mark to push the Warriors into double digit territory (45-35).

He scored the next 11 points for Golden State and they went into the second half in the driver’s seat 56-42. The Warriors overwhelmed the Jazz defence with high octane offence, outscoring the home team 71-44 the rest of the way.

Golden State shot 48.1 per cent on field goals while the Jazz were held to 31.5 per cent shooting. They were equally as hot from three-point range, making 20-of-50 three pointers on 40 per cent shooting. The Dubs were also relentless on the glass. They outrebounded the Jazz 60-45.

The Warriors are slated to take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday.

STEPHEN CURRY INJURES ANKLE IN LOSS TO CLIPPERS

for the night. Curry finished with 18 points, six assists and four rebounds, shooting 6 for 11 with four 3-pointers. The 36-year-old Curry is beginning his 16th

season.

LIONS WIN FIFTH STRAIGHT AFTER DISMANTLING TITANS 52-14

By The Associated Press

DETROIT (AP) — Jared Goff threw three touchdown passes and David Montgomery was the first of five players to score in the first half for the Detroit Lions, who romped past the Tennessee Titans 52-14 yesterday. The NFC North-leading Lions (6-1) have the conference’s best record after winning five straight games, averaging 40-plus points over the last four.

Detroit had its highest-scoring game since a 55-point performance against Chicago in 1997, and scored at least 50 for the fourth time in franchise history.

EAGLES 37, BENGALS 17

CINCINNATI (AP) — Jalen Hurts rushed for three touchdowns and passed for another TD, helping Philadelphia pound Cincinnati for their third consecutive victory.

Hurts was 16-for-20 passing for 236 yards. He also had 10 carries for 37 yards. Saquon Barkey rushed for 108 yards as Philadelphia (5-2) won for the fourth time in five games overall. The Eagles scored the last 20 points of the afternoon.

Hurts’ 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter capped an 85-yard drive that ate up 7:37 of the clock, giving Philadelphia a 34-17 lead with 4 1/2 minutes left.

CHIEFS 27, RAIDERS 20

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Patrick Mahomes passed for 262 yards and two touchdowns and twotime defending champion Kansas City remained undefeated with a victory over reeling Las Vegas. The Chiefs (7-0) extended their winning streak to 13 games, including the playoffs. Their last loss was at home to Las Vegas, but the Chiefs are 5-0 against the Raiders at

AYTON FINISHES WITH DOUBLE-DOUBLE AND BLAZERS TOP PELICANS

By ERIK GARCIA GUNDERSEN Associated Press

PORTLAND, Oregon

(AP) — Jerami Grant scored 28 points to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to a 125-103 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans last night for their first win of the season.

Anfernee Simons pitched in 27 points and six assists as the Blazers bounced back from a 105103 loss to the Pelicans on Friday. Deandre Ayton finished with a doubledouble of 17 points and 12 rebounds. CJ McCollum had 27 points to lead the Pelicans in the second of a two-game set against his former team. After New Orleans opened the game with an 8-0 run, Portland stormed back and took a 59-47 lead into halftime. The Blazers extended the

Allegiant Stadium and 6-0 there including the Super Bowl in February. Las Vegas (2-6) has lost four consecutive games, but this was the first time the Raiders had scored at least 20 points since a 20-16 victory over Cleveland on Sept. 29.

CARDINALS 28, DOLPHINS 27

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Kyler Murray drove the Cardinals into position for a game-winning field goal by Chad Ryland as time expired for the second straight week, and Arizona spoiled Tua Tagovailoa’s return from a concussion, beating Miami. Murray led two scoring drives in the fourth quarter to rally the Cardinals from a nine-point deficit. Tagovailoa threw for 234 yards and the Dolphins (2-5) had their best offensive performance of the season in his first start since he was diagnosed with the third known concussion of his career against the Buffalo Bills on September 12.

Tagovailoa was mostly sharp, completing 28 of 38 passes. He lost a fumble on the opening drive that Miami recovered, and a snap went over his head in the third quarter, resulting in a safety.

PACKERS 30, JAGUARS 27

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.

(AP) — Backup Malik Willis completed a 51-yard pass to Jayden Reed that set up Brandon McManus’ second winning kick in as many weeks, a 24-yarder that lifted Green Bay to a victory at Jacksonville.

Willis rallied the Packers (6-2) to their fourth consecutive win, this one with Jordan Love watching from the sideline. Willis completed 4 of 5 passes for 56 yards, with a touchdown and the biggest completion of the day.

Willis found Reed wide open down the left sideline after safety Andre Cisco fell down in coverage. It was all the Packers needed to rebound from Trevor Lawrence’s perfectly placed, 14-yard touchdown pass to Evan Engram that helped tie the game.

PATRIOTS 25, JETS 22

FOXBOROUGH, Mass.

(AP) — Rhamondre Stevenson plunged into the end zone with 22 seconds left and New England recovered after first-round draft pick Drake Maye left with a concussion early to beat Aaron Rodgers and New York.

Starter-turned-backup

Jacoby Brissett replaced the quarterback who replaced him and led the Patriots (2-6) on two fourth-quarter scoring drives to snap a six-game losing streak and send the Jets (2-6) to their fifth loss in a row. Stevenson scored two touchdowns and also caught the 2-point conversion that made it 25-22. Rodgers took over at his own 30 with no timeouts and missed one deep pass before connecting with Davante Adams for 16 yards, but far from the sideline.

BROWNS 29, RAVENS 24

CLEVELAND (AP)

— Jameis Winston threw a 38-yard touchdown pass — his third of the game — to Cedric Tillman with 59 seconds left as Cleveland stunned Lamar Jackson and Baltimore to snap a five-game losing streak. Making his first start in two years and replacing injured starter Deshaun Watson, Winston helped the Browns (2-6) take down their AFC North rival.

But only after surviving a late comeback attempt by Jackson, who drove the Ravens (5-3) to Cleveland’s 24 in the final seconds. Jackson brought time to avoid sacks and threw two incompletions into the end zone, the second to Zay Flowers as time expired.

TEXANS 23, COLTS 20

HOUSTON (AP) — C.J. Stroud threw for 285 yards and a touchdown and Joe Mixon ran for 102 yards with a score to help Houston to a win over Indianapolis.

Stroud bounced back after he had a career-worst 86 yards passing in a loss to the Packers last week to allow the Texans (6-2) to extend their lead atop the AFC South. Houston’s defense intercepted Anthony Richardson once and hurried and harassed him all game as the Texans swept their season series with Indianapolis (4-4) for just the second time in franchise history.

FALCONS 31, BUCCANEERS 26

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Kirk Cousins threw for 276 yards and four touchdowns to help Atlanta take sole possession of first place of the NFC South with a victory over Tampa Bay.

Kyle Pitts scored on receptions of 36 and 49 yards and Cousins also tossed TD passes of 30 yards to Darnell Mooney and 7 yards to Bijan Robinson to give the Falcons (5-3) a two-game sweep of the season series between the division rivals. Baker Mayfield threw for 330 yards and three

TDs, but also tossed a pair of costly interceptions. The Bucs had a chance to win it after driving to the Atlanta 33 in the closing seconds, however Mayfield’s Hail Mary throw from the 38 was caught by Rakim Jarrett behind the end zone as time expired.

CHARGERS 26, SAINTS 8

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Ladd McConkey had two touchdown catches, including a 60-yard score in the third quarter, and became the first Chargers rookie receiver in 11 years to have a 100yard receiving game as Los Angeles defeated New Orleans.

Justin Herbert had 328 total yards (279 passing, 48 rushing) and two touchdown throws to help the Chargers (4-3) bounce back from a last-second loss last Monday night at Arizona.

The Saints (2-6) have lost six straight for the first time since 2005. Alvin Kamara, who signed a twoyear, $24.5 million contract extension earlier this week, had 122 total yards. Chris Olave had eight receptions for 107 yards.

BILLS 31, SEAHAWKS 10

SEATTLE (AP) — Josh Allen threw two touchdown passes and surging Buffalo turned his first interception of the season into an afterthought, pummeling Seattle. James Cook rushed for 117 yards and two touchdowns for the AFC East-leading Bills (6-2), who were in control throughout and won their third straight.

Allen finished 24 of 34 for 283 yards. He ran his streak of passes without an interception to 300 before Josh Jobe picked him off in the second quarter. But Seattle (4-4) turned the ball over on downs after that pick, with quarterback Geno Smith stumbling after he took the snap on fourth-and-goal from the 1. Allen responded by leading a 12-play, 93-yard drive — the Bills’ second drive of 90-plus yards in the first half — for a 14-3 lead.

COMMANDERS 18, BEARS 15

LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Jayden Daniels connected with Noah Brown on a 52-yard Hail Mary as time expired to give Washington a victory over Chicago. Daniels scrambled for several seconds before heaving the ball from the Commanders 35-yard line. It was deflected about 3 yards short of the goal line and fell into the arms of Brown, who was standing alone in the end zone.

Chicago had taken its first lead with 23 seconds left in the game, going ahead 15-12 on a 1-yard TD run by Roschon Johnson after a pass-interference penalty on the Commanders (6-2). The Bears (4-3) had their winning streak snapped at three after falling behind 12-0 and giving up the Daniels-to-Brown play that sent players and fans in the stands into a frenzy.

BRONCOS 28, PANTHERS 14 DENVER (AP) — Bo Nix threw three touchdown passes and ran for another and Denver’s defense throttled Bryce Young in the Broncos’ win over injury-riddled Carolina. In the best game yet of his rookie season, the Broncos quarterback threw for 284 yards. He found Nate Adkins from 3 yards and Adam Trautman from 19 yards in the second quarter as the Broncos (5-3) built a 21-7 halftime lead.

The Panthers (1-7), who listed a whopping 22 players on their injury report and lost two more players Sunday, lost for the fifth consecutive time.

Young was 24 for 37 for 224 yards with two TDs and two interceptions. He wasn’t the only Carolina player off target — the Broncos made it 28-7 after a failed fake punt by the Panthers from their 24 in the third quarter.

Safety Sam Franklin Jr. was wide open but punter Johnny Hekker airmailed the attempt on fourthand-6 and the Broncos took over.

MIAMI Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) throws the ball during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals last night. The Dolphins lost by one point. (AP Photo/Doug Murray)

DEANDRE Ayton (2) plays against the Pelicans on Friday, October 25. (AP Photo/A Loman)

UTAH Jazz guard Collin Sexton (2) drives to the basket as Warriors guard Buddy Hield (7) defends in the first half on Friday, October 25, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/George Frey)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Stephen Curry injured his left ankle late in the third quarter of last night’s 112-104 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, tried to return then sat down again and left the court. He returned briefly at the 8:08 mark of the fourth quarter before exiting again. The team said he was done

NBA

COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON

WINS THE WHITE SANDS MEN’S GOLF INVITATIONAL

PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas — Kieron van Wyk shot a 7-under-par 65 yesterday, tying for the best round of the day and his third round in the 60s, to walk away with the medallist honours and lead the College of Charleston to the team title at the White Sands Bahamas Men’s NCAA Golf Invitational at the Ocean Club Golf Course at Paradise Island, Bahamas.

Twelve teams competed in the 54-hole event, with Charleston finishing at 50 under par, 10 strokes in front of Houston.

Van Wyk, a senior from South Africa who is ranked No. 22 among college golfers, birdied his first two holes on the day and was never threatened, finishing 21 under par - a tournament record - five strokes ahead of Hudson Weibel of Houston, who had a 3-under 69 yesterday after carding a 65 on Saturday.

As medallist, van Wyk earns a spot in the 2025 Puerto Rico Open, which is scheduled to be played in early March.

“I played really well for three days. I didn’t hit it great, but my short game helped me out,” said van Wyk, who picked up his fifth college win and first of this fall season. “This is by far my best-scoring tournament. And I’m looking forward to playing in my first PGA TOUR event.”

Van Wyk made 23 birdies and a double bogey over his 54 holes.

He was supported by teammates Jack Tickle of Bristol, Tenn., who had a 65, Loran Appel of the Netherlands, who shot 67, and Nevil Ruiter of the Netherlands, who counted with a 4-under 68.

Charleston had the three lowest rounds on the day,

from van Wyk, Trickle and Appel. “It was their third time around this course, and they kind of figured it out,” said Charleston head coach Mitch Krywulcyz modestly.

“Jack (Trickle) caught fire for us. And when Kieron has his A game and gets around the lead, he’s going to win. He just has that ability.”

Houston’s Weibel, a junior from Dallas, and Wolfgang Glawe, a senior from Germany who was the first-round leader at -9, were both in the top five individually. Glawe finished tied for fourth at -12, with Ruiter. Tim Chan of Eastern Michigan finished third individually, at -14. Ball State finished in third place as a team, at -26, followed by Maryland (-22), West Virginia (-17), Northern Illinois (-14) and Eastern Michigan (-8). Others in order were Rutgers (-5), George Mason (-3), Emory (E), Ohio (+8) and UC San Diego (+11).

Thirty players finished with sub-par scores for their 54 holes over the 6,943yard, par 72 Ocean Club Golf Course designed by past major champion Tom Weiskopf. Houston, Mississippi, Duke and Santa Clara are past winners of the men’s competitions.

TEAM SCORING Charleston, -50 Houston, -40 Ball State, -26 4. Maryland, -22 5. West Virginia, -17 6. Northern Illinois, -14 7. Eastern Michigan, -8 8. Rutgers, -5 9. George Mason, -3 10. Emory, E 11 Ohio, +8 12. UC San Diego, +11

HUDSON Weibel of Houston in action.

KIERON van Wyk, of Charleston, in action at the Ocean Club Golf Course on Paradise Island.

WINNING WAYS: College of Charleston team members at the White Sands Bahamas Men’s NCAA Golf Invitational.

Chisholm Jr and Yankees in 0-2 hole

By TENAJH

SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

Bahamian Major League Baseball (MLB) pro Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr and the New York Yankees are in a tough spot after falling into an 0-2 hole in weekend action.

The Bronx Bombers fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-2 at the Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, on Saturday night.

In the first game of the series, the Yankees were dealt a devastating 6-3 loss in a close finish.

“Jazz” went 1-for-4 with a single in game two. He was involved in all the action in the opening game.

Chisholm Jr went 2-for-5 with two singles while tying the record for the most stolen bases in a World Series with three.

The Yankees were in position to try and pull off their first win of the series with the score tied at 2-2 at the bottom of the eighth inning in game one. The LA Dodgers took charge in historic fashion in the 10th inning. New York were ahead with a 3-2 lead at the top of

TEE-OFF FOR HUNGER THE Bahamas Feeding Network is scheduled to host its 3rd annual Tee-off For Hunger on December 9 with Fidelity as its title sponsor. The tournament will begin at 12:30pm at the Ocean Club Golf Course, Paradise Island. All interested players must register at https://app. eventcaddy.com/events/

14

‘BUDDY’ ON FIRE FOR WARRIORS

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIAN National Basketball Association (NBA) pro Chavano “Buddy” Hield is off to a scorching hot start with the Golden State Warriors this season. The Grand Bahamian sharpshooter made history with his performance in the team’s 127-86 win against the Utah Jazz at the Delta Centre on Friday

evening. He once again led the team in scoring off the bench with 27 points, six assists and four rebounds in just 20 minutes. Additionally, he shot 10-for-14 from the field and 7-for-9 from deep.

The three-point specialist got 24 of his 27 total points in the first half while canning six of his seven makes in the first half to give GSW a sizable advantage over Utah. Hield made NBA history by climbing to the

21st spot on the NBA’s all time made three pointers list. He also set an NBA record for the most made three-pointers through two games for a new team with 12 in total.

The former Sixers shooting guard has meshed well with the Warriors team and head coach Steve Kerr has been impressed with his play so far.

“It was incredible watching him that first half. He

SEE PAGE 14

By TENAJH SWEETING

THE Bahamas completed their stint at the Caribbean Baseball Cup in the sixth position. The home team fell to the Dominican Republic 4-1 last night at the Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium.

The championship game tonight will feature Curaçao versus the US Virgin Islands (USVI). Curaçao knocked off the defending champions 2-1 in a nail-biting contest to advance to the final round of competition.

USVI punched their ticket to the finals after defeating St Maarten 10-5 in yesterday’s showdown. Bahamas vs Dominican Republic

After securing a win against the USVI in the tournament opener, The Bahamas wrapped up

JASRADO “Jazz” Chisholm Jr answers a question during a news conference before Game 2 of the

Major League Baseball World Series on Saturday, October 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Godofredo A Vásquez)