10292024 MAIN AND SPORT

woman & health

Tribune

Triple murder

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

THREE men were murdered in Fox Hill yesterday, pushing the year’s murder count for the year into the triple digits. After the killings, which brought the murder tally to 102, Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander renewed his call for stricter bail conditions for people accused of murder, claiming the gunman targetted one. He revealed that 178 men are currently on bail for murder, with many involved in cycles of retaliation.

a body being removed from the scene where four people were shot, three fatally, on Step Street in the Fox Hill area yesterday.

nikia charlton

‘The

enemy take my baby from

me,’ says mom of murdered man

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE mother of a man killed in a double shooting on Cowpen Road last Saturday believes her son was not the intended target and regrets not keeping him home longer, which might have helped him avoid the tragedy.

Wayne Missick Jr was fatally shot on October 19,

weeks after he celebrated his 30th birthday. Another man was injured during the shooting.

Missick’s mother, Iris Richardson, recalled that moments before his death, he left their home to buy a soda from the neighbour, saying: “Mummy, I coming right back.”

Soon after, the mother of two heard gunshots and ran

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter

LINDSAY Shiver was remanded to

and involvement in

Wayne Missick Jr

Photo:

Triple murder

from page one

“If we don’t get some of these individuals behind bars, some other people will die,” he said. “We don’t want innocent persons caught up in this.”

The shooting, which occurred shortly before 4pm on Step Street, left three men dead in a roadside garage. Police said three masked men armed with high-powered rifles opened fire from a grey vehicle, targeting a man on bail for murder. That man survived and is now in custody for questioning.

Onlookers quietly gathered behind a yellow tape at the scene yesterday, while a worried mother asked officers if one of the victims might be her child.

“You mean I have to stay up all night worried to see if that’s my child?” she asked.

Commissioner Fernander expressed relief that no children were harmed in the attack, which took place in a densely populated area. He called the shooting “very bold” and urged the public to be cautious of their associations, saying that even being around criminals could make them targets.

The commissioner called on property owners, particularly those renting out homes via Airbnb, to be vigilant, as criminals may be using these properties to hide.

“They may send somebody else to rent it, but you will find individuals hiding out, coming out to commit crimes and returning to these places,” he said.

While gang involvement is still under investigation, Commissioner Fernander assured the public that police would “smoke out” those responsible.

“We will find them,” he vowed.

He also urged residents to come forward with any information or security footage that could assist in the investigation. “If you see something, please say something,” he said.

Yesterday’s incident was among the deadliest shooting incidents in years. In April 2021, six men were killed in a mass shooting on Jerome Avenue, an incident that shocked the nation. The victims, reportedly ambushed by gunmen in a vehicle, were attacked shortly after one was released from police custody. Authorities called it a targeted act of violence. Police never charged anyone in connection with the incident.

In December 2013, a drive-by shooting in Fox Hill left four people dead and several others injured. The victims were gathered at a community event when assailants opened fire from a passing vehicle.

• FNM leader on crime, see letters

Police remove a body from the scene of a triple homicide on Step Street in the Fox Hill area yesterday. another was injured in the gunfire.

Photos: Nikia charlton

‘The enemy take my baby from me,’ says mom of murdered man

downstairs in search of her two sons.

“I was calling and calling their name, and everybody just was scattered, and everybody just was running, running, running, and I couldn’t find him for nothing and all that time, he was laying by the garbage, and I couldn’t see him in that corner because it was dark,” she said.

She recalled collapsing when she heard news of her oldest son’s death, saying: “That was it for me.”

The grieving mother believes her son, whom she insists was not the intended target, was killed in the crossfire while trying to flee the scene.

She said he had no

criminal record and was very disciplined.

“Growing them up, I put fear in both of my sons,” she said. “I said if y’all broke the law, I gon’ jail y’all so don’t let me see y’all do anything y’all ain’t supposed to be doing.”

She described Wayne, a bartender, as well loved by his peers and the community.

She recalled how, just two weeks earlier, he had rushed an injured man to the hospital after a nearby shooting, even when others were reluctant to help.

“He was very helpful in this neighbourhood,” she said. “He leave like a legacy, like a memory that people will never forget him.”

She said her son’s death has been devastating for

the family, adding that her younger son “cries every night” while she remains traumatised. She recalled how neighbours had to pull her away from the scene where her son was killed.

“It was only us three because both of their fathers passed away due to illness, so it was only us three against the whole world and I gone miss that cause if I go to the shop and buy food to eat or snack or

hamburger, it always have to be two because I know I have two sons home,” she said.

“Whatever I buy, they appreciate it and the enemy come right there and take my baby away from me just

like that.”

Ms richardson said her son’s death has placed a financial strain on the family and that she intends to launch a GoFundMe page to help with burial expenses.

Munroe dismisses Cartwright’s call for Parliamentary Select Committee on crime

By RAS hAd RoLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net

NATIoNAl Security Minister Wayne Munroe dismissed St Barnabas MP Shanendon Cartwright’s renewed calls for a Parliamentary Select Committee on crime following the country’s recent murders. He pointed yesterday to an Inter-American development Bank (IdB) study on crime motives initiated during the Minnis administration. He said motives for most murders are already documented and expressed scepticism about what a new committee would contribute, emphasising societal responsibility in crime prevention. He reiterated that the government’s five-pillar crime strategy — covering prevention and policing — is a globally recognised model previously outlined by the Prime Minister and himself.

Police suP erintendent charged with ra P e

By PAVEL BAILEY

Staff Reporter

A 42-yeAr-old police superintendent was jailed yesterday after allegedly sexually assaulting a 25-year-old woman last week. Chief Magistrate roberto reckley arraigned Superintendent Kyle Capron on a rape charge. The defendant was interdicted at police headquarters before his late afternoon court appearance. Capron appeared downcast throughout the proceedings as fellow

officers and press members looked on. The incident reportedly took place in New Providence on october 23, involving a 25-year-old woman. The accused was informed that his case would advance to the Supreme Court via a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI). Capron will be held at the Bahamas department of Correctional Services until his VBI is potentially issued on March 6, 2025. Attorney Bjorn Ferguson represented the defendant, with Inspector deon Barr serving as the prosecutor.

Mr Cartwright on Sunday urged national leaders to take urgent, united action to address what he described as a deepening crime crisis.

He said the proposed

committee would have legislative powers to investigate the “multifaceted, multilayered” causes of crime in The Bahamas, examining societal, judicial, and cultural factors driving violence, and making recommendations for solutions.

In a press statement, he emphasised that confronting the surge in crime requires a coalition of leaders from government, religious, civic, and community sectors to address the fundamental issues underlying the violence plaguing communities, especially among young

people.

“We all have a responsibility as political, religious, civic, and community leaders to stand up and come together for the good of our nation and future generations of Bahamians,” he said. “We must all do more!”

Mr Cartwright stressed that while modifications to law enforcement are crucial, they alone are insufficient to suppress gun violence and overall crime. Instead, he argued, an effective strategy must address the root causes and incentives that lead individuals toward crime,

particularly focusing on younger citizens.

The opposition MP described the crime situation as a shared national responsibility that requires “collective determination and fortitude” from leaders and citizens alike.

“This crime crisis will not be solved overnight or in any significant way with solely unilateral efforts,” Mr Cartwright noted. “We must act now, as further delay will continue to cause irreparable damage to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas and the Bahamian people.”

Wayne Missick Jr

national security Minister Wayne Munroe

Shiver sent to jail after bail breach

from page one

This decision follows similar action against Terrance Bethel, 30, one of the two Abaco men with whom she allegedly conspired to kill her husband.

Shiver, 37, Bethel, and Faron Newbold Jr, 29, were charged last year with conspiracy to commit murder. Authorities allege the trio plotted to kill Shiver’s husband, Robert Shiver, on July 16, 2023, after uncovering the scheme during a separate investigation in Guana Cay.

Senior Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson initially granted Shiver $100,000 bail under strict conditions, including electronic

monitoring, an 8pm to 6am curfew, a 100ft distance from the complainant and witnesses, and a restriction on foreign travel without court approval.

Justice Grant-Thompson revoked Shiver’s and Bethel’s bail yesterday, noting their “blatant disregard” for the bail terms. In December, the court adjusted Shiver’s bail conditions to allow her to travel within the United States, provided she avoided the state of Georgia, where her husband resides, except for custody and divorce proceedings. She was required to stay at her Alabama residence.

On October 3, 2024, Justice Grant-Thompson learned that Shiver and Bethel had appeared on

Good Morning America, allegedly discussing the details of their yet-tobegin trial.

Director of Public Prosecutions Cordell Frazier, in her application to revoke their bail, argued that Shiver had left Alabama multiple times, violating court orders. Ms Frazier requested the pair be remanded due to these breaches.

Shiver and Bethel will remain at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services while awaiting the outcome of an appeal to overturn Justice GrantThompson’s decision.

Damian Gomez KC represented Shiver, and Ian Cargill represented Bethel.

Glover-Rolle hails ‘positive gains’ as unemployment rate lowest in 16 years

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE national unemployment rate was 8.7 percent in the first and second quarters of 2024, the lowest recorded unemployment rate in 16 years. This rate, provided yesterday by the Bahamas National Statistical Institute (BNSI), is 1.2 percentage points lower than the 9.9 percent recorded in the fourth quarter of 2023 and 1.7 points below the 10.4 percent rate in the third quarter of 2023.

Labour Minister Pia Glover-Rolle hailed the latest statistics as “positive gains” and a promising indicator of the country’s economic prospects and potential for labour market growth.

“The decrease in the unemployment rate over the past three years is proof that the economic and labour market policies of the Davis administration are working,” she said.

The BNSI survey found that the labour force in the first quarter (January to March) stood at 233,935, marking a 1.6 percent decline compared to the fourth quarter of 2023.

There were 213,585 employed people in the first quarter, a decrease of less than one percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2023. The number of unemployed people was 20,350, a decrease of 3,235 from the previous quarter.

The number of unemployed women dropped to 10,745 from 12,830, while unemployment among youths (ages 15-24) also declined by 1,455, totalling

7,515 in the first quarter of 2024.

The total number of discouraged workers –– those available for work but not actively seeking employment due to their belief of limited prospects –– was recorded as 10,800.

New Providence accounted for 7,500 discouraged workers, followed by Grand Bahama at 1,170 and Abaco at 645.

In the second quarter (April to May), the labour force totalled 233,575 people, with 213,210 employed and 20,365 unemployed.

This represents a slight decrease from the total labour force of 233,925 in the previous quarter.

Officials attributed the decline to seasonable jobs.

“After the Christmas rush is over, people who had parttime jobs are now in the process of looking, and so the numbers would decrease because we measure the definition is, even if you work one hour, you’re considered employed according to the definitions of the ILO,” said

Cypreanna Winters, BNSI’s assistant director.

Unemployed men totalled 9,530, a slight decrease from 9,605 in the previous quarter, while unemployed women increased to 10,835 from 10,745.

“The males are more likely to find or it’s easier to find work, and so they will go and do carpentry or do some construction work, while females, we may be kind of careful what we do,”

Ms Winters said.

The number of unemployed youth, those aged 15 to 24, rose by 465 to 7,800, representing a one percent increase.

Ms Winters, explaining this, said many students found work during the Christmas holidays before returning to school.

According to the data, unemployment in New Providence stood at 8.6 percent in the second quarter, while Grand Bahama experienced a slightly higher rate of 9.8 percent.

Officials said no data on unemployment for other islands was readily available

due to technical challenges.

The number of discouraged workers increased to 12,940 during the second quarter compared to 10,800 in the first quarter. Of these, New Providence accounted for 9,180, followed by Grand Bahama with 1,745.

In terms of employment status, private employees, government employees, and self-employed individuals without employees made up 63 percent, 15 percent, and 11 percent of the workforce, respectively.

Officials also reported that more than 50 percent of employed people work

in fields related to their training, particularly in the professional and community service sectors.

Nearly 60 percent of the labour force has completed secondary education, 22 percent hold university-level qualifications, and 23 percent have no qualifications.

Yesterday, Mrs GloverRolle said her ministry would continue to support the Davis administration’s agenda by targeting job market growth and promoting economic expansion through enhanced labour market productivity.

She said this will be

achieved through ongoing reforms to modernise and strengthen the local labour market.

“We are strengthening laws and policies to protect workers’ rights, exploring ways to increase compensation in the public and private sectors, introducing new training opportunities like the upcoming National Apprenticeship Programme to improve employability, and working closely with employers and unions to ensure that all stakeholders have input into the important work we are doing,” she said.

Consumer ProteC tion Commission issues advisory

notiCes to two Courier

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

THE Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) has issued advisory notices to two undisclosed courier companies amid a surge in complaints about service violations, with further investigation expected to follow this week.

CPC chairman Randy Rolle said courier companies are “topping the list” of complaints for the year. Contractors, beauty supply stores, and hardware stores have also been frequent targets of consumer grievances.

“According to provisions in the new Consumer Act 2023, the Minister of Economic Affairs has been notified of two advisory notices that shall be sent out before the end of the week to two courier companies where the commission has received numerous complaints of violations to consumers,” Mr Rolle said during a press conference yesterday. “This will call for further investigation into these matters, and the law will take its course.”

He explained that advisories are issued when the CPC receives multiple complaints suggesting violations of consumer protection laws. Through the authority of the Minister of Economic Affairs, the commission can send out advisories as a warning to companies, indicating that further investigations will be conducted.

Alfred Taylor, CPC deputy manager of the Complaints and Investigations Department, also elaborated on the CPC’s consumer protection efforts, noting that over $117,000 had been recovered for consumers since last September.

“I’ve noticed that there’s always a large number of complaints as it relates to consumer rights and unfair trade practices,” Mr Taylor said. “Some providers engage in these practices and advise consumers that

they have no recourse. As an investigator here at the CPC, we look into those matters, and we try to bring some resolution. Over a period of time, we recouped over $117,000 as it relates to consumers being refunded — that’s from last year to now, last September to now.”

Mr Taylor said the commission receives an average of 35 monthly complaints, many related to unfair trade practices, and advised consumers to keep receipts, invoices, and photos as evidence.

“You can either email us with your information; you can contact us by phone; you can also come into the office and make a complaint,” he said.

He noted that the Consumer Protection Act allows for fines of up to $5,000 for breaches of consumer rights. However, companies are initially given a warning and time to address issues before fines are imposed.

The CPC recently inspected over 14 major food stores, finding that nearly half violated consumer protection standards. Key concerns included unclear “best by” dates on baked goods and fruits, which could confuse consumers, and inaccurate scales in produce sections, potentially leading to overcharges.

Some pharmacies in the Over-The-Hill communities were also found selling expired over-the-counter medications, posing potential health risks.

“To address these violations, we intend to leverage existing laws to compel retailers to improve their practices,” Mr Rolle said.

“We are also recommending that the government update the Consumer Protection Act to establish fixed penalties, creating a more straightforward process for imposing fines on those who violate these standards.”

Mr Rolle acknowledged that inconsistent engagement and a lack of

ComPanies

enforcement had weakened consumer protections. The CPC now plans to conduct regular inspections across various business sectors. He invited other agencies, including the Bahamas Bureau of Standards and Quality, the Consumer Affairs’ Price Control Department, and the Bahamas Agricultural Health and Food Safety Authority, to join in coordinated consumer protection efforts. Austina Smith-Knowles, of the CPC’s Marketing, Education, Research, and Training Department, emphasised that while the CPC exists partly because consumers may lack awareness of their rights, its goal is not to criticise providers but to promote fairness in the marketplace, benefiting both consumers and businesses.

She cited an example where a Budget store manager explained why prices vary across branches of the same supermarket.

“The different outlets for a particular supermarket, they operate as separate entities, and some of them are convenience stores versus the supermarket version, which is bigger, and so they have different budgets,” she said.

“Bearing that in mind, the smaller locations can’t buy in the bulk volume that the bigger locations can, so therefore their overhead is more expensive. That’s why you will see variances on the same product at different locations. I just wanted to point out that providers are not always unscrupulous and determined to just make a profit. They have to do what is feasible, and that’s for that particular branch.”

Ms Smith-Knowles also highlighted the need to amend the current Consumer Protection Act to address “puffery”, or exaggerated promotional claims. This amendment would allow non-deceptive promotion as long as businesses can substantiate their claims.

Lindsay Shiver walking outside court with her lawyer, Damian Gomez KC.

Photo: Pavel Bailey

CyPreanna Winters (left) assistant director of Bahamas National Statistical Institue (BNSI) and Narissa Gibson director of BNSI.

Photo: Leandra rolle

‘Financial sustainability’ our biggest challenge, says Sears

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

CARIBBEAN officials gathered at the Baha Mar Resort Convention Center yesterday for the opening ceremony of the 32nd meeting of the Heads of the CARICOM Social Security Organization.

The event, themed “Promoting Financial Sustainability of Caribbean Social Security Systems”, featured Alvaro Velaraca Hernandez, Secretary General of the Inter-American Conference of Social Security (CISS), who emphasised the topic’s significance for the Caribbean and all social security systems on the continent.

“Financial sustainability is probably the biggest challenge we all face in this mission, among others, such as population ageing or new forms of work or the growing needs for coverage and service quality,” he said.

“This is why collaboration between our organisations is more essential than ever. This space provides us with an opportunity to work together, exchange experiences, learn from our strengths and jointly address our challenges.”

National Insurance Minister Alfred Sears said the increase in contribution rates in social security systems alone is insufficient.

“The sustainability depends on innovative, sustainable strategies that

go beyond the traditional measures,” she said.

“Therefore, our theme promoting financial sustainability of social security systems is so timely. As we gather this week, I challenge each of us to confront the very real factors shaping our shared future.”

“Our region is experiencing significant demographic shifts with ageing populations and declining birth rates, resulting in fewer people entering the workforce. Additionally, migration and immigration trends create both opportunities and challenges, calling for policies that encourage legal participation in the national insurance schemes. These dynamics are reshaping the very foundation of our social security frameworks, creating new pressures on our system.”

He said The Bahamas lost a third of its GDP due to the damages that occurred during Hurricane Dorian. Mr Sears said the stability that was obtained was due in great measure to NIB.

Philip McKenzie, NIB chairman, told reporters the board can meet their obligations and begin cracking down on employees who have not been paying NIB contributions.

Education Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin, speaking on the prime minister’s behalf, said the government has been maintaining levels of coverage, but it comes at a cost.

Bahamas ranked second per capita gloBally for natural disaster damages

THE Bahamas has been ranked second in global per capita damage from natural disasters, according to Intersec, a geolocation and data intelligence company. The company examined 157 countries to identify those most impacted by natural disasters between 2000 and 2024. It relied on data from EM-DAT and population figures from publicly available sources like the World Bank.

Intercom said it adjusted data for population size to fairly compare countries of different sizes. By calculating deaths, injuries, and economic damages per capita, the index recognises that the same absolute losses weigh more heavily on smaller countries. The index equally emphasises human impact and economic loss, each representing 50 percent of the final ranking. The rankings, from one to ten, were: Dominica, The Bahamas, the United States of America, Solomon Islands, Puerto Rico, Japan, Grenada, Tonga, New Zealand and Guatemala. Hurricane Dorian, a Category 5 storm, devastated The Bahamas in September 2019, particularly affecting Abaco and Grand Bahama. The impact of that storm influenced the country’s ranking on Intercom’s list. The hurricane caused widespread destruction, displacing thousands and resulting in approximately $3.4 billion in damages — roughly 25 percent of the country’s GDP.

“A cost that we must now adapt to and mitigate by embracing modern innovations and advances in efficiencies, as well as by adjusting our contribution models,” she said. “No doubt, the issues we face are familiar ones to everyone gathered here today.”

International Labour Organization (ILO) Caribbean Office director Dr Joni Musabayana discussed improvements in social protection.

“According to the latest data from the ILOs International World Social Protection report of 2024 to 2026, we observe that for the first time, over half of the global population, 52.4 percent, benefits from various forms of social protection, marking a significant improvement from the 42.8 percent that we had in 2015,” she said.

He added: “The positive news is that the Caribbean region, at a general level, has seen some progress with the expansion of social protection from 45 per cent of the population covered by some form of protection today, compared to 26 per cent in 2015. However, this global figure marks some marked disparities.”

“This is largely driven by large populations in for example, Dominica and Cuba. For CARICOM, in particular, in 2016, the coverage was 20 percent. Now, almost eight years later, the coverage has increased to a lowly 23 percent, and this really is our challenge.”

NatioNal Insurance Minister Alfred Sears speaks at the 32nd meeting of Heads of the CARICOM Social Security Organization yesterday at Baha Mar.

Photos: Chappell Whyms Jr

The Tribune Limited

NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI

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

LEON E. H. DUPUCH

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH, Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .

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-

Published daily Monday to Friday

Shirley & Deveaux Streets, Nassau, Bahamas N3207

TELEPHONES

News & General Information

(242) 502-2350

Advertising Manager (242) 502-2394

Circulation Department (242) 502-2386

Nassau fax (242) 328-2398

Freeport, Grand Bahama (242)-352-6608

Freeport fax (242) 352-9348

WEBSITE, TWITTER & FACEBOOK

www.tribune242.com

Have a cool, fun, interesting, amazing photo? Have it featured here in The Tribune’s picture of the day! Email your high quality image to pictureoftheday@tribunemedia.net

Leaving Great Harbour Cay, Berry Islands.

@tribune242 tribune news network

Murder count passes 100- what now?

THE hundredth murder of the year took place yesterday. And the 101st. And the 102nd.

No single murder is any more or less important a number than any other –and yet it does represent the grim toll that continues to be exacted on our streets.

Year after year, we have seen the murder total exceed 100. In previous years, Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander has talked of being hopeful we would not exceed that total of 100 in previous years – but we have. This year, we have passed it before October is out.

Yesterday, at the scene of the triple murder in Fox Hill that brought us to the current total of 102 murders, the commissioner called the latest shooting “very bold” and warned the public that even being around criminals could make them targets.

The intended target, he said, had run away from the shooting – while three men who were at the scene were gunned down.

He warned Airbnb owners to be vigilant as criminals could be using their properties to hide.

Meanwhile, the mother of a man shot on Saturday said her son was not the intended target of that shooting. She recalled how he had gone to buy a soda, saying: “Mummy, I coming right back.”

He never returned.

So what are we going to do about it?

Well, FNM MP Shanendon Cartwright called for a Parliamentary Select Committee on crime. National Security Minister Wayne Munroe dismissed the call out of hand. Mr Munroe said that motives for most murders are already well documented and cast doubt on what a new committee would contribute. He expressed confidence in the government’s “five-pillar” crime

strategy, saying it was a globally recognised model. The murder tally having passed 100 again would suggest it either isn’t working yet or more needs to be done. Mr Munroe has presided over successive years of triple digits in murder counts, and little seems to be changing.

On this page, FNM leader Michael Pintard puts forward his suggestions –though some, such as speeding up trials come with no price tag attached. What is clear is that the status quo must not remain.

More of the same means more murders. More of the same means no hope for too many of our young men in particular. More of the same means retaliation upon retaliation.

Commissioner Fernander said at yesterday’s crime scene that 178 men are currently out on bail for murder.

That is 178 families waiting for justice – and that is only the ones out on bail. That is 178 cases waiting to be heard by the courts. That is 178 possibilities for revenge killings rather than waiting for a justice system too clogged up.

There is no point talking about five pillars when the walls are crumbling around us.

What are we doing? Not enough. By the commissioner’s own measuring stick of hoping for fewer than 100 murders a year, we are failing. And if we fail, then what do we change? What will we do that is different?

In the House of Assembly, Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell responded on the issue of crime, asking what more would you have the government do?

This triple murder took place in Fox Hill, Mr Mitchell’s constituency. More does need to be done. And if the party in office is out of ideas, the electors will take note.

How can we break cycle of poverty?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE troubling cycle of poverty in The Bahamas calls for more than momentary solutions, it demands a shift in mindset and structure. For generations, too many Bahamians have faced a system that appears to domesticate them into a life of limited opportunities, where poverty is not just a financial state but an inherited mindset. This domestication, while subtle, is reinforced by a lack of inclusive economic opportunities, which effectively stifles entrepreneurial spirit, erodes confidence, and traps potential in a cycle of dependency and resignation.

Breaking this cycle requires a bold and unified effort to create an “Opportunity and Ownership Economy” in the Bahamas.

To reverse this cycle of learned helplessness, Bahamians need more than jobs; they need a stake in the economy and equal access to ownership. A thriving ownership economy would

foster local businesses, incentivize Bahamian-led innovations, and allow individuals and families to build wealth that benefits entire communities, rather than perpetuating the disproportionate growth of outside interests.

Such an approach would require policies that focus on inclusive access to capital, fairer tax structures, and broader support for cottage, micro, small, and medium enterprises (CMSMEs). A modern Bahamian economy that prioritizes entrepreneurship and citizen ownership would catalyse job creation, narrow socioeconomic disparities, and elevate living standards across the nation. By fostering a business-friendly environment that empowers citizens to build and own enterprises, the Bahamas can establish a more effectual business ecosystem that embraces the 21st century.

Empowering Bahamians in this way is not just about economic statistics - it’s

about restoring pride, resilience, and independence to the Bahamian people. It is time to work collectively to build an inclusive economy where every Bahamian has a chance to prosper.

Let me hasten to add, that I sincerely believe that the leadership of Michael C Pintard, MP for Marco City, Leader of the Free National Movement (FNM) presents the most promising path toward establishing an “Inclusive Opportunity & Ownership Economy” in the Bahamas. Pintard has already demonstrated this commitment through his actions, not just in Marco City but throughout Grand Bahama. His vision extends to embracing all Bahamians, both within the archipelago and across the diaspora, fostering a more dynamic and inclusive economic foundational framework that would benefit the entire nation.

C ALLEN JOHNSON Freeport, Grand Bahama October 28, 2024.

Pintard: Steps to stop violent crime

EDITOR, The Tribune.

AS someone who lived on Step Street for over 12 years, the news of a mass shooting immediately filled me with worry for the people I know and love in that community. I couldn’t help but wonder who might have been hurt or lost. I reached out to my niece and other friends who still live there as I prepared to head to the scene.

My heart goes out to the families of the young men murdered in Fox Hill today. For residents, it wasn’t just the fear they felt as they heard gunshots but the worry of retaliation and the danger that innocent bystanders might get caught in the crossfire. These senseless deaths open fresh and old wounds for so many Bahamians still mourning loved ones lost to violence—many of whose killers have yet to be brought to justice.

The government appears lost, unable to act alone or work with community partners to stop the violence that’s devastating our communities.

Their lack of coordination or urgency to address these tragedies is only fueling fear and anxiety about what may happen tomorrow. This is not the time for paralysis. Now is the time for action.

1. Take a harder look at bail: The government must move with a sense of urgency to pursue the revocation of bail in cases where the accused is a clear danger to others, either based on their likely actions or the risk they pose as a serious target.

2. Speed up trials: It takes too long to go to trial in serious cases, especially for murder. Extraordinary measures are needed to make sure justice is served quickly so Bahamians can start to trust the system again.

Nearly 200 accused murderers are out on bail—that’s a sign of a broken system.

3. Disrupt illegal activities: Drug houses, gun hubs, and other illegal operations need to be disrupted, monitored, and dismantled. These activities are poisoning the minds of thousands of young, impressionable Bahamians.

4. Come together now: This crisis requires urgent collaboration. Churches, civic groups, businesses, government officials, and private citizens all have a role to play. We must treat this as the crisis it is.

5. Restore public trust: People must be able to trust politicians and law enforcement so that genuine cooperation can be achieved - to put it bluntly, people don’t want to feel like they’re wasting their time sharing critical information that can help authorities prevent crime, or solve incidents after they occur.

Only action will reverse this worrying spiral of violent crime.

MICHAEL C PINTARD MP Leader, Free National Movement October 28, 2024.

Create positivity at work

EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE old adage, “When you dig one hole, make sure you dig two,” reminds us that harm intended for others often rebounds on the one who initiates it. In the workplace, this warning speaks volumes about the destructive power of gossip. When gossip infiltrates an organisation, it poisons the atmosphere, creating a toxic environment that affects both individuals and the team as a whole.

Gossip in the workplace, whether from management or staff, is not only unprofessional but unproductive. It breeds distrust, resentment, and hostility, undermining the morale of dedicated employees and creating a divided workforce. When team members spend

valuable time engaging in rumour-mongering, it detracts from the focus and energy that could be channeled into collaborative, constructive work. The resulting lack of trust and sense of instability can lead to reduced productivity and even a high turnover of capable but unhappy staff members. Workplace leaders, in particular, must lead by example. When managers indulge in gossip or fail to discourage it, they implicitly set a tone that condones such behaviour. Likewise, staff should resist the temptation to engage in or spread harmful narratives about others. Instead, it is essential to foster a culture of teamwork, respect, and open communication, where issues

are addressed directly and professionally, rather than through back-channel gossip. Professional ethics should be the cornerstone of any workplace environment. When teams are built on mutual respect and transparent communication, they thrive, leading to improved morale, stronger collaboration, and a more enjoyable and productive work environment for everyone involved. Every workplace should create a culture of positivity and sensitivity, where integrity and respect are foundational, paving the way for shared success and satisfaction.

SHERVONNE CASH-HOLLIS Nassau, October 27, 2024.

Photo: Denise M Major

Community leaders say housing and govt support needed to attract people back to Family Islands

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporte r dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

SOME Family Island community leaders say satisfactory accommodations and more government support are needed to attract residents back to the southern islands, which have experienced significant population declines.

The 2022 Census showed a population decline across many of the southern islands, particularly Mayaguana and Ragged Island, which have experienced a decrease of 26 and 22.2 percent, respectively.

Chief Councillor Alfred Francis said the primary issue preventing people from returning to Ragged Island is a lack of accommodations as residents continue to rebuild following Hurricane Irma.

“If we can get more accommodations, more people would be interested in moving back home,” he told The Tribune.

Since Hurricane Irma struck in 2017 and severely damaged homes and infrastructure, the rebuilding

process has been slow. Mr Francis believes that additional housing provided by the government could accelerate the island’s recovery and thereby increase the population.

The primary industry on Ragged Island is fishing, which remains a lucrative trade that supports many locals.

“There’s a lot of money in it,” said Mr Francis. In addition to the housing shortage, some of the island’s government buildings have yet to be fully restored.

Although the new school and clinic are nearly completed, Mr Francis said the administrative offices and police station must be rebuilt.

Charlene Lockhart Bain, a clerk in the Administrator’s Office, also linked the population decline to Hurricane Irma’s impact.

She noted that many seniors relocated to New Providence after the storm to be closer to medical care and their families.

She is hopeful that the recent completion of a school that now offers

education up to the 12th grade will decrease the migration of young people to New Providence.

She is also optimistic that the population will gradually increase as more homes and businesses are rebuilt.

Ms Lockhart Bain believes that regular flight services would also encourage more people and visitors to come to the island.

“Flight services would be good as opposed to having to deal with the mail boat, which takes longer,” she said.

She was optimistic about the island’s potential, particularly in such untapped areas as tourism, agriculture, and entrepreneurial opportunities.

“There is a market for Airbnb. Ragged Island is still untapped, quiet, and tucked away, but flight services will help with that,” she added.

Former Acklins local government councillor Anita Pratt said they are seeing more and more seniors returning to the island.

“I found that some of the

Italian Community wins ‘Best Booth’ at ICWF Festival, donates prize to Humane Society

THE Italian community of the Bahamas proudly represented Italy at the 2024 International Culture Wine and Food Festival, winning the prestigious “Best Booth” award for their vibrant and authentic showcase. Over the festival weekend, attendees had the chance to savor Italian flavors and enjoy Italy’s finest wines, all in celebration of Italian culture.

The Italian booth, a collaborative effort by local Italians and Italy-lovers alike, offered a rich experience with authentic Italian cuisine and handcrafted

wines that celebrated Italy’s traditions. Volunteers brought to life Italy’s spirit and charm, creating a warm and welcoming space for festival-goers to connect with Italian heritage. In the spirit of community and generosity, all proceeds from the Italian booth were donated to the Bahamas Humane Society, supporting their important work in animal welfare across the islands. The Italian community is proud to contribute to a cause so meaningful to the Bahamian community and hopes this donation will aid the organization in its mission.

“We are honored to be awarded the ‘Best Booth’ award and to share a piece of Italy with our Bahamian neighbors,” said Dr. Alberto Suighi, Italian Honorary Consul to The Bahamas. “Supporting the Bahamas Humane Society is a cause close to our hearts, and we’re grateful to everyone who stopped by our booth and made this donation possible.”

For more information about the Italian community and their involvement in local events, or to find out how to get involved in future initiatives, please contact Gabriella Suighi.

seniors are returning home while the younger ones travel to New Providence for a better way of life or to go to school,” she said. She advocates increased government support to sustain local businesses and keep younger residents on the island, especially by facilitating small grants and micro loans.

“I have been advocating for SBDC to come here,” she said. “The Bahamas Development Bank came one time about two years ago. If we can get some of the government agencies that could assist people who want to stay on the island and help start small businesses, we can keep some people here.”

Acklins and Crooked Island both suffered a decline in population after Hurricane Joaquin in 2015. However, there has been minor growth in Acklins, according to the 2022 Census.

According to Ms Pratt, Acklins’ population may be stable, but the challenge lies in bolstering economic development and retaining younger residents.

She said the harvest and processing of Cascarilla bark has significantly improved the lifestyle of many people in Acklins.

According to the former chief councillor, the cascarilla bark trade has become a significant source of supplemental income for Acklins and Crooked Island residents.

The bark’s essential oils, which are used in high-end perfume and the bitters in Compari, are sold to European buyers in such countries as Italy, France, and Germany.

Ms Pratt also believes that online learning and skill-building for local residents, particularly in such trades as cosmetology, air conditioning repair, and plumbing are needed.

“I think dissemination of information, that is where we are lacking on the island,” she said, adding that access to online education could offer more pathways for the younger population.

Ms Pratt believes tourism presents another potential growth area, especially with an influx of visitors during

the bonefishing season from October through May.

However, the lack of accommodation limits extended stays, she said.

“One other challenge is that some people come asking about second homes or where they can spend more time. They want to come, but the accommodation is limited,” she said.

“These southern islands need attention. That is the bottom line. We need support and attention and the quicker we get it, the quicker we can move ahead.”

The Bahamas National Statistical Institute (BNSI), which presented the official 2022 census on population and housing, reported that small Family Islands faced population decreases, including Mayaguana, Ragged Island, Crooked Island, Inagua, Long Island, San Salvador, Rum Cay and Spanish Wells. It also found that despite minor population growth in such islands as Acklins and Eleuthera, Family Islands’ share of the national population continues to shrink.

Munroe: There M ay have been no fligh T plan filed for r agged island plane crash

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe said a flight plan might not have been filed for the plane that crashed in Ragged Island on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of two people.

He said local Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) and American Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officers were

investigating the incident, though he could not say whether drugs were involved.

He said he was briefed that the passengers had not been identified, adding that the involvement of DEU and DEA officers reflected suspicions about what happened.

Police said they were notified of the incident shortly before 5am on Sunday. The plane crashed east of the Duncan Town Airport.

Aviation Director Dr Kenneth Romer suggested yesterday that the time of the plane’s travel was not concerning.

“Persons always traverse our airspace 24 hours a day. We are very busy airspace throughout the entire archipelago,” he said. The Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) said it is coordinating with law enforcement officials to investigate the incident.

NATIONAL SecurITy MINISTer WAyNe MuNrOe

Tribute to outstanding media professionals

This special edition of Face to Face pays tribute to outstanding media professionals who received their National honours on National heroes Day, Monday, October 14, presented by Governor General Cynthia A Pratt. Often, journalists, reporters, videographers and photographers spend so much time gathering the news that they are overlooked, and their work taken for granted. But this year, the National honours Committee recognised several media professionals. Today, we celebrate some of them:

Derek W Smith Sr, Photographer National honour: Order of Merit - Officer

Derek’s journey into photography started more than 43 years ago. he was employed as a photographer at The Tribune from 1975 - l981; and following that at The Nassau Guardian from 1981–99. he then worked for many years at Bahamas information services (Bis) until his retirement. he hails his mentors: photographers Roland Rose, who worked at Bahamas News Bureau; photographer Jeff Thompson who worked at The Tribune, and photographer E Bruce Delancy who worked at The Nassau Guardian, as the architects of his craft.

Derek covered many notable events in the country such as the Royal Visit of Queen Elizabeth ii at the opening of ZNs Television on October 20, 1977; the Official Visit of Pope John Paul ii in 1979; Jamaican Reggae artist Bob Marley’s concert in 1979; and the world champion bout between Muhammad and Trevor Berbick in1981 dubbed “Drama in Bahama”. Derek has had the honour of photographing all Governors General and the Prime Ministers of The Bahamas since Majority Rule in 1967.

Derek is married to Elma, a native of the Philippine islands, and is the proud father of three sons, Derek Jr, an accountant

Face to Face

By FELICITY DARVILLE

and photographer and owner of impact images and Designs; and twin sons Kevyn, a chartered accountant and Kyle, photographer/graphic artist and video editor.

Anthony S Capron, Editor

National honour: Order of Merit - Member Anthony Capron’s newspaper experience spans more than 40 years, with 16 in management of the editorial department at the Nassau Guardian, from which he retired in 2006 as the managing editor. he was a deputy director with editorial responsibility at Bahamas information services (Bis) from 2010-14. in the early 1970s, Capron was a reporter/photographer for The People, a political newspaper of the Progressive Liberal Party. From 1974-75, he was the copy editor/columnist at the Grand Bahama Times, a weekly tabloid, published by the late Glenroy Nottage. Now retired, Capron keeps busy in civic affairs as a volunteer with Bahamas National Pride Association, Bahamas-China Friendship Association, Prison Fellowship Bahamas, and is president of The Bahamas Press Club 2014.

Gladstone Thurston, Journalist

National honour: Distinguished service Medal

Gladstone Charles Thurston’s career in media began as a cub reporter at The Tribune. he began his career in 1974 following an interview with Eileen Carron, editor and publisher of The Tribune. he became a sports reporter at The Tribune, and became known as “Mr sports”. he was ringside when Bahamian boxer Elisha Obed won the world boxing title in Paris, France.

Gladstone (known to many as GT) drew on the expertise of The Tribune’s senior reporters Nikki Kelly and Mike Lothian and the newspaper’s British editors, who were all anxious to assist anyone interested in learning the art of news reporting.

After almost 20 years at The Tribune, Gladstone left his home base and moved to The Nassau Guardian and its subsidiary, The Freeport News. he provided exemplary service and as a result, former Nassau Guardian publisher Kenneth Francis promoted him as the newspaper’s first managing editor.

Later, Gladstone and veteran journalist Dudley N Byfield launched The Grand Bahama sun. Ten years later, he was hired as a senior information officer at Bahamas information services (Bis). he remained at Bis until he was offered early retirement. A widower, Gladstone was married to Naomi helen, née Moss, and he is the father of four sons – stanley, Patrick, Earl and Arthur.

Agnes Ferguson, Television News Anchor

National honour, Distinguished service Medal

Agnes Elizabeth Ferguson was employed at the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas (BCB) also known by its call letters ‘ZNs’, for 24 and a half years, when she entered the newsroom as a cub reporter on september 17, 1979.

Agnes, a lady with high ideals, was serious about the Journalism profession, and looked forward daily to gathering pertinent information to inform or

entertain her listening and viewing audiences.

her progressive strides over the years did not go unnoticed, leading to her moving up the ranks to reporter 1, news editor, news administrator, assistant director of news, and national news anchor for the evening television newscast.

Now a housewife, and loving grandmother to eight grandchildren. Married to her high school sweetheart Roscoe since April 19, 1980, the couple became the proud parents of four sons, one who they lost tragically in a plane crash almost six years ago – Captain Byron Quinn. The three remaining sons are attorney Bjorn Ferguson, Dr Ashton, and Anvon, an accountant.

Rosemary Clarice Hanna, Author, Photographer

National honour: Distinguished service Medal

Rosemary Clarice hanna grew up in Over-Thehill, New Providence at the corner of Anderson street and Gaol Alley and her family home still stands there as one of the few original homes in the area.

she is an associate of the Bahamas institute of Financial services (ABiFs) with a 40-year financial services career.

After retirement, Rosemary became author of the book “Pictorial history and Memories of Nassau’s Over-The-hill”. The documentary film “Nassau’s Over-The-hill” which is based on the book premiered at Government house on 20th February 2014 to an overflow crowd. she is also a photographer and her work was featured in one of The Bahamian Project’s exhibitions at The Central Bank of The Bahamas.

Joseph Lorenzo McKenzie, Photographer

National honour: Distinguished service Medal

Joseph Lorenzo McKenzie has spent over 30 years in the Public service, working both within the uniformed forces and also as a civil servant. in these roles, Joseph

Lorenzo McKenzie has had the great opportunity to connect with people across the many stations in life. Through his work in media and photography, he has been able to help people tell their stories and illuminate their abilities.

Joseph has captured through photography national historic events that occurred in The Bahamas over the past 30 years. he is a Reserve superintendent of Police and has the volunteer responsibility of helping the nation build and supporting the organisation through addressing criminality and nefarious activities in our nation. he is married and the father of two children. Farewell.. for now

My relationship with The Tribune newspaper started 24 years ago. Back then, Erica Wells was the news editor, freshly succeeding Athena Damianos. i enjoyed my days covering the news, and working in the newsroom with colleagues like Paco Nunez, Rupert Missick, Arthia Nixon, Gustavius smith, Adrian Gibson, Danielle stubbs, Paul Turnquest, and Yolanda Deleveaux.

Eventually, i moved on to join the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas. however, my relationship with The Tribune continued in some form or fashion, to

this day. Life is truly about cycles, and the time has come for me to transition, once again, to focus on broadcasting, returning to ZNs after 20 years. For this reason, this is farewell for this wonderful column, Face to Face, that i have had the honor and privilege of presenting to the Bahamian public each Tuesday since January of 2018. since then, i have featured, in an extensive way, more than 350 people. There are so many people in this country doing such good things, and i wanted as many people to read about them as possible. in this way, i sought to do my part to help make our beautiful country a better place. so many phenomenal media professionals who mentored me or inspired me have left us, including: Tribune founder sir Ettienne Dupuch; hon. Obediah Wilchcombe; Phil smith; Ed Bethel; P Anthony White; Calsey Johnson, Clunis Devaney; Margaret Guillaume; and most recently, Darold Miller. The key to success in the media profession, and indeed every profession, is for the younger cadre of professionals to lean on the wisdom and expertise of those who have paved the way. My life is all the richer for it. Feel free to contact me at felicitydarville@ gmail.com.

Derek Smith Anthony CApron GlADStone thurSton

AGneS FerGuSon

roSemAry ClAriCe hAnnA

JoSeph lorenzo mCkenzie

Monarch travels on to Samoa

After King Charles’ visit to Australia last week, the royal retinue moved on a few days ago to Samoa in the Pacific for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting known as CHOGM. As noted in my last column, the King was due to preside over the summit as head of this voluntary association of 56 countries. The CHOGM two-day meeting is held biennially by different member states.

The royal tour of Australia was, by usual standards, pared down because, we were told, there were doubts about whether the 75-year-old King, who is receiving treatment for cancer, would be fit enough to handle the rigours of a full-blown tour followed by the demands of CHOGM. But, happily, both visits turned out to be a success. According to subsequent reports, the King enjoyed them and it has become clear that he was even energised by both – indeed, so much so that a Buckingham Palace statement issued following his return to London at the weekend said that the visits to Australia and Samoa had proved to be ‘a perfect tonic’ and he expected to return to his ‘normal’ schedule of overseas trips next year. The purpose of CHOGMs is to shape Commonwealth policies and priorities on shared goals like democracy and peace, trade and development, and climate change and the environment. The values and principles of the association are expressed in the Commonwealth Charter.

Today is not the time or place to analyse in detail

The Peter Young column

the outcome of the Samoa summit, the dominant theme of which was “resilience” and climate change and a focus on challenges and opportunities, in particular on driving economic growth. But I should like to offer comment on the issue that has dominated publicity surrounding it; namely, reparations for the transatlantic slave trade. For some Commonwealth countries, the demand for reparations is an attempt to address what is widely seen as a serious historical injustice. The demand is also regarded as an acknowledgement of the long lasting effects of slavery. These have been directed towards Britain; but, of course, other countries like France, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands, among others, are also involved. The UK has faced growing calls from Commonwealth leaders to apologise and pay reparations for the slave trade.

A CARICOM plan calls on European countries to make full and formal apologies and, among other things, also provide funding for health and education and help improve access to technology. Although the issue was not on the formal CHOGM agenda this time – recent agendas have included trade, climate change and security – discussion of it was inevitable because it is a matter of concern for many people.

Since Britain has repeatedly rejected demands for reparations or an apology for the nation’s historical involvement in the slave trade, No 10 Downing Street announced in advance that there would be no UK apology at Samoa about slavery and it ruled out financial reparations which, according to a UN judge, could amount to trillions of dollars. This is a bipartisan stance politically, with former prime minister Rishi Sunak saying on the record when he was in office that “trying to unpick our history is not the right way forward”.

The new UK prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, was reported to have said that during a positive two days at the summit he had told other leaders that he regarded slavery as abhorrent and recognised the strength of feeling about reparations. But the British “position is very, very clear”, and, in the separate words of a Downing Street spokesperson, “it is not changing”. Moreover, the Chancellor of the Exchequer last week told the BBC the UK would not pay

reparations for slavery. However, as far as I can see, “reparatory justice” in other forms like enhanced technical cooperation and direct aid have not been ruled out.

It is interesting that at Samoa a way around the potential impasse was found. Diplomacy takes various forms and it was surely wise to recognise the issue at this CHOGM even if effective British official action is unlikely and, in practice, the issue could well be simply kicked into the long grass ad infinitum – notwithstanding the fact that individual families and institutions have already taken their own particular measures.

Can briC s develop a new world order?

MORE than two years ago in this column I wrote about the BRICS summit in Johannesburg. This was a top level meeting of an emerging new group comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Its objective is to challenge Western dominance of the world by creating a counterweight to it and ending the world’s reliance on the US dollar for international trade and as a global reserve currency.

The BRICS view appears to be that new global leadership is needed in a world divided by geopolitical tensions. As such, the group is seen by its members as an alternative to Western-led international organisations and to, for example, the G7, the informal grouping of the world’s democratic advanced economies consisting of Canada, Italy, France, Germany, Japan, the UK, the US and the European Union. It seems that China, in particular, has been at the forefront of targeting what it regards as US hegemony. The original BRICS grouping of five countries had a combined population of 3.2 billion or 40 per cent of the world’s roughly

8 billion people. It has now expanded its membership to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates so that it is claimed that the group has a larger combined GDP than the G7 or even the EU.

All this is by way of background because BRICS is now in the news again for different reasons.

Russian president Vladimir Putin has recently held a successful summit meeting of the group in the city of Kazan in Russia attended by more than twenty leaders, including Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan. Putin himself did not attend the Johannesburg summit because of the arrest warrant for him issued by the International Criminal Court so that he had to address that meeting by video link.

In organising the Kazan meeting, which turned out to be a major diplomatic event with his return to the world stage, Putin doubtless aimed to demonstrate that Western attempts to isolate Russia over its Ukraine offensive had failed. He claims that “Russia now

represents the global majority that can make up a substantial element of a coming new global order”. The Kazan summit was the biggest conference in Russia since the Ukraine invasion triggered Western sanctions and international condemnation. Putin apparently regards this as a milestone in creating a multi-polar world order with BRICS strengthening its power and authority as an alternative to Western power and influence and progressively developing a BRICSled international payments system. He has praised BRICS’ role as a counterbalance to what he calls the West’s “perverse methods”. What is more, Putin has hailed Moscow’s “profound ties” - in particular with India and China - in what he describes as a “chaotic world” and claims that relations between China and Russia, in particular, are the foundation of global stability.

Meanwhile, the Iranian president is on record as saying “BRICS can be a way out of American totalitarianism and create a path of multilateralism… and can be a solution to deal with the dominance of the dollar”.

Such views of the world are, of course, fundamentally opposed to those of Western countries and the basic divisions remain stark. In light of this, it is unsurprising to many that the Ukrainians and others have criticised the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, for attending the Kazan summit, hosted by a leader labelled a war criminal, after the UN chief had declined Ukraine’s earlier invitation to the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland which was attended by some ninety nations. To many, the attendance of the UN Secretary-General at the Kazan summit and his meeting with Putin were wholly inappropriate.

There will doubtless be more about all this to come since the hypocrisy and doublethink is for many almost beyond belief. But it is now being said by some that the BRICS summit was a master stroke by Putin who wanted to show that he is far from being the international pariah that he has been portrayed as after invading Ukraine illegally in 2022. Now, many see him as a pivotal member of a dynamic group that aims to reshape the future world order. There are nonetheless many imponderables – and it will be interesting to learn how the West reacts.

Realistically, it is hard to see the UK government ever paying financial reparations; and, if it meant increasing taxes in order to do so, any government would find itself under huge pressure domestically – if not quickly out on its ear!

Judging from the UK

In the final communique signed by Commonwealth leaders, the calls for a discussion of reparations were formally acknowledged. The document said that it was agreed that the time had come for a meaningful, truthful and “respectful” conversation about the issue. Thus, it is now firmly on the table and the conversation will continue at the UK-Caribbean forum in London next March and at the next CHOGM in two years’ time. So the door has been left open for discussion, but it is too early to tell whether that might lead to anything.

press, the public view in Britain is summed up by the general contention that the present generation should not be held responsible or accountable for the past sins of their ancestors. Some people suggest that at least an apology would go some way to assuaging the sense of injustice. But, as some commentators put it, those living now should not be made to feel guilty or apologise for something that they had nothing to do with since it happened hundreds of years ago. Notwithstanding all that, I, for one, believe that it also ought to be remembered that Britain led the moral abhorrence of the practice of slavery - which has existed in one form or another throughout human history - by being the first country to abolish it.

US ELECTION DAY FINALLY HERE

WITH just a week to go until polling day in the US - and news at the time of writing of a snap election in Japan – one has been struck once again by how long the process of a presidential election takes in the US. By contrast, it is, of course, the case that other shorter systems have been developed around the world according to the needs of different countries which clearly vary. It is also a reminder of the old adage that elections make a fundamental contribution to democratic governance and that, while democracy may have its faults, it is far preferable to an autocratic system. Meanwhile, it is always said that the long- drawn-out process

of electing an American president every four years is itself a powerful indicator of the exercise of democracy and the process of removing him prematurely is fraught with difficulty. Be that as it may, I do wonder whether there are not inherent advantages in the Westminster System with its six-week electioneering period. Sitting prime ministers are then kept on their toes because they know only too well the perils of being held accountable for the actions of their governments and that a successful vote of no confidence at any time during their five-year period of office can bring everything – politically speaking - crashing down around them.

Britain’s King Charles and Samoan Prime Minister Afioga Fiamê Naomi Mata’afa, left, watch dancers perform during the opening ceremony for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Apia, Samoa, on Friday.

Photo: rick rycroft/AP

russian President Vladimir Putin, right, greets United Nations (UN) Secretary General Antonio Guterres during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, on Thursday. Photo: alexander nemenov/AP

Photos show Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, left, and Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, right. Photo: aP

Calls for reparations for Britain’s slave trade are rooted in dark legacy

By BRIAN MELLEY Associated Press

A deb Ate about rep -

arations for b ritain’s role in the slave trade overshadowed a summit in Samoa of the Commonwealth, many of whose member nations were once b ritish colonies.

b ritain insists it will not pay to make amends for the historic wrong, but both King Charles III and Prime Minister Keir Starmer addressed the issue indirectly at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

“None of us can change the past but we can commit with all our hearts to learning its lessons and to finding creative ways to right the inequalities that endure,” Charles said.

t he legacy of slavery is interwoven in some of b ritain’s richest and most revered institutions — from the Church of e ngland to the insurance giant Lloyd’s of London to the monarchy itself.

b ritain benefited from transatlantic enslavement,” said Olivette Otele, professor of the legacies and memory of slavery at the School of African and Oriental Studies at University of London. “ t he money and the money trail is there to prove it. So we need to have these conversations much more openly.”

It’s a discussion that has been going on for a long time.

Charles, when he was Prince of Wales, spoke of the “appalling atrocity of slavery, which forever stains our history” during a visit to b arbados in 2021. At the Commonwealth summit two years ago in Rwanda, he spoke of his sorrow over slavery and its legacy for Indigenous communities and said it was a “conversation whose time has come”.

Here’s a look at why the issue is getting attention now.

What was Britain’s role in the slave trade?

b ritain got involved in the slave trade in the mid-1500s, following Portugal and Spain.

John Hawkins, one of the most notable sailors and naval commanders of the 16th century, is considered one of the pioneers of the e nglish slave trade triangle.

Goods were traded in West Africa for captured slaves who were shipped across the Atlantic to work in b ritish sugar and

tobacco plantations in the Caribbean and the Americas. Goods produced in the so-called New World were transported back to e ngland.

In 1672, the Royal African Company, established under King Charles II and run by his brother, Prince James (the future King James II), was given a monopoly on the slave trade.

t he company trafficked 80,000 African men, women and children to slavery in the Americas and about 20,000 died on the journey before the monopoly ended in 1698 when any e nglishman could trade slaves.

At its height, b ritain was the world’s biggest slave-trading nation and transported more than 3 million Africans across the Atlantic.

When was it abolished?

An abolitionist movement arose in e ngland in the late 1700s, supported by Quakers, a few politicians and some former slaves.

t he slave trade was not outlawed until 1807. e ven then Parliament did not emancipate slaves in its territories until 1833. “ b ut it didn’t go as planned,” Otele said. “Plantation owners, some of them absentee plantation owners because they lived in b ritain, were extremely wealthy. t heir ancestors had been trading for centuries so they resisted and put pressure on Parliament ... to pay them for the so-called loss of their property..”

t he 1837 Compensation Act led to 20 million pounds, 40 percent of the national budget at the time, being paid to plantation owners for the loss of their slaves. It took until 2015 for the b ank of e ngland to pay off the debt from those payouts. What is the current debate about?

t he movement demanding reparations goes back decades.

t he UK has never formally apologized for its role in the trade. Studies estimate b ritain would

owe between hundreds of millions and trillions of dollars in compensation to descendants of slaves.

Former Prime Minister tony b lair expressed deep sorrow in 2006 for b ritain’s role in the trade but stopped short of offering an apology or compensation for descendants of slaves. Activists said b lair’s careful word choice reflected the government’s fear of paying out huge reparations.

In 2013, the Caribbean trade bloc known as Caricom made a list of requests including that e uropean governments formally apologize and create a repatriation program for those who wish to return to their homeland, which has not happened.

On t hursday, b ahamas Prime Minister Philip d avis said he wanted a “frank” discussion with Starmer about the matter and would seek mention of reparations in the leaders’ final statement at the Samoa event. All three candidates to be the next Commonwealth

King Charles tells summit - past C an’t be Changed as leaders asK britain to reCKon with slavery

ZEALAND

King Charles iii told a summit of Commonwealth countries in Samoa on Friday that the past could not be changed as he indirectly acknowledged calls from some of Britain’s former colonies for a reckoning over its role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

The British monarch told leaders in Apia that he understood “the most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate.” But Charles stopped short of mentioning financial reparations that some leaders at the event have urged, and instead exhorted them to find the “right language” and an understanding of history “to guide us towards making the right choices in future where inequality exists.”

“none of us can change the past but we can commit with all our hearts to learning its lessons and to finding creative ways to right the inequalities that endure,” said Charles, who is attending his first Commonwealth Heads of government Meeting, or CHOgM, as Britain’s head of state.

His remarks at the summit’s opening ceremony were an acknowledgement of the strength of feeling on the issue in countries

that Britain once colonized.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also struck an emollient tone, after earlier insisting that the meeting should avoid becoming mired in the past and “very, very long endless discussions about reparations.”

Starmer said at the summit that it was important to acknowledge a “hard” shared history, and that he understood the “strength of feeling here and that there are some calls to face up to the harms and injustices of the past through reparatory justice.”

Flanked by leaders from Uganda and Tanzania, Starmer said he wanted to work “together to make sure the future is not in the shadow of the past,” and promised to host a U.K.-Caribbean forum next year with leaders of the nations most impacted by slavery’s legacy.

Britain’s handling of its involvement in the trans-Atlantic slave trade is seen by many observers as a litmus test for the Commonwealth’s adaptation to a modern-day world. Other European nations and some British institutions have started to own up to their role in the trade.

i think the time has come for this to be taken seriously,” said Jacqueline McKenzie, a partner at London law firm Leigh Day.

nobody expects people to pay every single penny for what happened. But i think there needs to be negotiations.”

Such a policy would be costly and divisive at home, McKenzie said.

The U.K. has never formally apologized for its role in the trade, in which millions of African citizens were kidnapped and transported to plantations in the Caribbean and Americas over several centuries, enriching many individuals and companies. Studies estimate Britain would owe between hundreds of millions and trillions of dollars in compensation to descendants of slaves.

The Bahamas Prime Minister Philip Davis on Thursday said he wanted a “frank” discussion with Starmer about the matter and would seek mention of the reparations issue in the leaders’ final statement at the event. All three candidates to be the next Commonwealth Secretary-general — from gambia, ghana and Lesotho — have endorsed policies of reparatory justice for slavery.

Starmer said Thursday in remarks to reporters that the matter would not be on the summit’s agenda. But Commonwealth Secretary-general Patricia

Secretary-General — from Gambia, Ghana and Lesotho — have endorsed policies of reparatory justice for slavery. Other e uropean nations, including the Netherlands, and some b ritish institutions have started to own up to their role in the trade.

t he Church of e ngland last year announced a 100-million-pound ($130 million) fund last year for projects “focused on improving opportunities for communities adversely impacted by historic slavery,” though a church advisory panel said it should increase it to $1 billion.

Some of the descendants of slave traders have made their own amends.

A descendant of Scottish 19th-century sugar and coffee plantation owner John Gladstone — father of 19th-century b ritish Prime Minister William e wart Gladstone — apologised last year to Guyana for his greatgreat-great grandfather’s role as an absentee slave owner in what was then b ritish Guiana. He

Scotland told The Associated Press in an interview that leaders “will speak about absolutely anything they want to speak about” at an allday private meeting scheduled for Saturday.

King Charles said in Friday’s speech that nothing would right inequality “more decisively than to champion the principle that our Commonwealth is one of genuine opportunity for all.” The monarch urged leaders to “choose within our Commonwealth family the language of community and respect, and reject the language of division.”

He has expressed “sorrow” over slavery at a CHOgM summit before, in 2022, and last year endorsed a probe into the monarchy’s ties to the industry.

Charles — who is battling cancer — and his wife, Queen Camilla, will return to Britain after visiting Samoa and Australia, where his presence prompted a lawmaker’s protest over his country’s colonial legacy.

He acknowledged Friday that the Commonwealth had mattered “a great deal” to his late mother Queen Elizabeth ii, who was seen as a unifying figure among the group’s disparate and divergent states.

The row over reparations threatened to overshadow a summit that Pacific leaders — and the Commonwealth secretariat — hoped would focus squarely on the ruinous effects of climate change.

received 100,000 pounds in compensation for hundreds of slaves.

After earlier insisting that the Samoa summit should avoid becoming mired in the past and “very, very long endless discussions about reparations”, Starmer acknowledged “calls to face up to the harms and injustices of the past through reparatory justice.”

Starmer said the “most effective way to maintain a spirit of respect and dignity is by working together to make sure the future is not in the shadow of the past, but is illuminated by it.”

Jacqueline McKenzie — a partner at London law firm Leigh d ay — working on the issue of reparations, said the issue of how to reckon with the legacy of the slave trade is “complex”. “Reparations is not straightforward,” she said. “At the moment it’s a discussion among the elites, and the people, the descendants of the enslaved … aren’t really part of the discussion.”

“We are well past believing it is a problem for the future since it is already undermining the development we have long fought for,” the king said Friday. “This year alone we have seen terrifying storms in the Caribbean, devastating flooding in East Africa and catastrophic wildfires in Canada. Lives, livelihood and human rights are at-risk across the Commonwealth.” Charles offered “every encouragement for action with unequivocal determination to arrest rising temperatures” by cutting emissions, building resilience, and conserving and restoring nature on land and at sea, he said. Samoa is the first Pacific island nation to host the event, and Prime Minister Fiamē naomi Mata’afa said in a speech Friday that it was “a great opportunity for all to experience our lived reality, especially with climate change,” which was “the greatest threat to the survival and security of our Pacific people.”

Two dozen small island nations are among the Commonwealth grouping’s 56 member states, among them the world’s most imperiled by rising seas. Her remarks came as the United nations released a stark new report warning that the world was on pace for significantly more warming than expected without immediate climate action.

The population of the member nations of the 75-year-old Commonwealth organization totals 2.7 billion people.

A mAn photographs a maquette of a statue, at City Hall, London, Monday, August 18, 2008.

Photo: Lefteris Pitarakis/AP

Marathon community hosts

FUN/RUN WALK: The Honourable Lisa Rahming hosted a fun run/walk in the Marathon community over the weekend starting from the Lou Adderley Park on Claridge Road. Residents from the Marathon community showed up in droves to support breast cancer awareness for the month of October.

World Series: Jasrado Chisholm Jr and Yankees on brink of elimination

FROM PAGE 16

46 regular season games with New York and turned in 11 homers, 28 runs, 23 RBIs and 18 stolen bases. During his postseason run, Chisholm Jr is batting .170 with eight hits, a

homer, an RBI and three runs scored in 12 games.

The Yankees will be back at it again tonight at 8:08pm in the do-or-die game four.

YANKEES ON VERGE OF GETTING SWEPT AT THE WORLD SERIES FOR 4TH TIME

By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer

NEW YORK (AP) —

Instead of closing in on title No. 28, the New York Yankees are on the verge of getting swept in the World Series for just the fourth time. Aaron Judge again looked lost at the plate, starting pitching faltered for the second straight game and the Yankees dropped into a 3-0 Series deficit with a 4-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers

last night. Judge is 1 for 12 (.083) with no RBIs and seven strikeouts in the Series and is hitting .140 with 20 strikeouts in this postseason. He is down to a .196 average with 15 homers, 31 RBIs and 86 strikeouts in his postseason career. “Come ready to go tomorrow,” manager Aaron Boone said of Judge’s struggles. “He’s Aaron Judge, and just continue to work and hopefully get on time and connect on some.”

New York has nine hits in the last two games, just three for extra bases, and struck out 11 times on Monday — four looking.

Its bottom four hitters are a combined 6 for 43 with three RBIs, including Alex Verdugo’s two-run homer with two outs in the ninth off Michael Kopech. Yankees hitters are 4 for 20 with runners in scoring position.

“When you do get those opportunities, they’re not as frequent as maybe sometimes during the season,

you’ve got to take advantage of it,” Boone said.

Even New York’s bats are easy catches. When Anthony Volpe struck out against Daniel Hudson in the seventh inning, his lumber went flying over the Dodgers dugout. It hit the netting protecting fans in the prime seats, and LA field coordinator Bob Geren snagged the lumber off the rebound.

New York resembles the team that went 10-23 from mid-June through late July, not the one that started

50-22 and rebounded to win the AL East and its 41st pennant.

New York has been swept just three times in the World Series, by the 1922 New York Giants (including a tie game), the 1963 Dodgers and the 1976 Reds.

“Hopefully we can go be this amazing story and shock the world,” Boone said.

“But right now it’s about trying to get a lead, trying to grab a game, and force another one, and then on

from there. But we’ve got to grab one first,” stated Boone. Since winning the first two games of the 1981 Series at home against the Dodgers, the Yankees have lost seven in a row to Los Angeles in the Fall Classic.

One out from winning the opener 3-2 in 10 innings, the Yankees have been outscored 12-4 since in this Series. Carlos Rodón and Clarke Schmidt lasted six innings combined in Games 2 and 3.

SHOHEI OHTANI RETURNS AFTER DISLOCATING SHOULDER, GOES HITLESS AS DODGERS TAKE 3-0 WORLD SERIES LEAD

By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani wasn’t on the team bus from Dodger Stadium to Los Angeles International Airport because he was getting tests Saturday night after partially separating his left shoulder in Game 2 of the World Series.

So the Japanese star reached out in a group chat with fellow Dodgers players to erase any doubts over his status.

“The text just like literally said: `I can play,’” infielder Max Muncy recalled Monday. “I mean, there was more to it than that.”

True to his word, Ohtani remained in the lineup in his regular leadoff slot as the designated hitter for Game 3 of the World Series. He walked leading off the game and scored on

Freddie Freeman’s two-run homer, starting the Dodgers to a 4-2 win over the New York Yankees and a 3-0 World Series lead. Ohtani was 0 for 3 with a walk and a hit-by-pitch, looking uncomfortable as he winced and grimaced while swinging. He dropped to 1 for 11 in Series.

“If it was more of the right shoulder, then I think it would have impacted my swing,” he said via interpreter. “Thankfully, it was my left, so I don’t think it really did.”

He was the only Dodgers starter wearing a warmup jacket during pregame introductions and highfived teammates with his right hand. A black wrapping was visible over his left shoulder, which Ohtani said was there to help keep his shoulder warm.

He didn’t swing in his first plate appearance, taking four balls from Clarke

Schmidt. Ohtani kept his left arm at an angle over his chest while at first base, hand holding his collar, and held it there while rounding the bases on Freeman’s homer.

Ohtani grounded out in the third and held the hand to his chest as he jogged back to the dugout. He struck out in the fourth and fouled out in the seventh.

“The reason why I was holding on to myself when I was running is to make sure that I wouldn’t use that same shoulder arm if I were to slide,” he said.

Ohtani said he isn’t sure if he’ll need surgery in the offseason. “I haven’t had further conversations about the future plan,” he said. “I think it’s something that’s going to happen after the season is over, do additional testing. But in terms of how I feel now, I don’t think so.”

Muncy said Ohtani wrote the text himself in English

without assistance from interpreter Will Ireton.

“We all just put it to the side at that moment,” Muncy remembered.

“We all said: `All right, he’s got us.

“We’ll be ready for him to be in the lineup.’”

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts didn’t get the text message — “that group chat is for us — that’s for the players,” Muncy said — and wasn’t aware of it until Monday.

“Would have been helpful if I was on that thread. I would have slept better Saturday night,” Roberts said with a smile.

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

Roberts said Ohtani’s shoulder was popped back into place by the athletic training staff at the ballpark

and an MRI showed no structural damage.

Asked whether Ohtani received medication, an injection or was being taped up, Roberts said “it’s all of the above on the treatment and stuff. The tape is just protecting and stabilizing, not really limiting.”

Ohtani took swings off a tee in a Yankee Stadium batting cage Sunday night and was hitting balls 102 mph, which changed Roberts’ mood to “joy.”

“He was very adamant that he was going to play,” Roberts said. “Obviously, there’s some discomfort.”

A separated shoulder is subject to recurrence.

Roberts said he doubted Ohtani will attempt any more stolen bases during the Series.

Ohtani is 1 for 11 in the Fall Classic and batting .245 with three home runs and 10 RBIs in his first postseason in the majors.

A two-time AL MVP with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani joined the Dodgers last December for a record $700 million, 10-year contract. The 30-year-old slugger hit .310 with 54 homers, 130 RBIs and 59 stolen bases, becoming the first player with at least 50 homers and 50 stolen bases in a season. The two-way star did not pitch this season while recovering from elbow surgery on Sept. 19, 2023, and has been limited to designated hitter.

“You see him walk off holding (his arm) like that, obviously that’s a concern. But hopefully he is OK,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said before Game 3. “We want to all be out here competing with and against the best, and obviously Shohei embodies that. So hopefully everything’s OK, and we’ll get to go compete against him.”

FROM PAGE 16

The NCAA voted to make triathlon the next emerging sport for women back in 2014. A decade later, up to 42 schools are now competing at the varsity level for the NCAA. Previous emerging sports included beach volleyball, rowing, ice hockey and water polo.

The NCAA Triathlon offers swimmers or distance runners an opportunity to compete at the collegiate level and take advantage of opportunities that exist in D1, D2 and D3 schools.

The 17-year-old collegiate triathlete is looking forward to the NCAA Women’s Triathlon Championships scheduled for this weekend.

“I’m also excited to share that I’ll be competing in the

Triathlon Nationals in

BAHAMIAN triathlete Anjaleah Knowles represented Millikin University well at the 2024 Heartland Triathlon Cup in Springfield, Missouri.

NEW York Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Jr. takes off his batting gear after grounding into a force out against the Los Angeles Dodgers to end during the sixth inning in Game 3 of the baseball World Series last night in New York.

(AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

NEW York Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Jr. celebrates after stealing third against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the 10th inning in Game 1 of the baseball World Series, on Friday, October 25, 2024, in Los Angeles.

(AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Calvin Austin III scores twice as Steelers

hold off Giants 26-18

By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer

PITTSBURGH (AP) —

Calvin Austin III returned a punt for a touchdown and hauled in a lob by Russell Wilson for another score as the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the New York Giants 26-18 last night.

Austin, listed at 5-foot-9 and 162 pounds, raced across the field before sprinting down the sideline for a 73-yard touchdown in the third quarter that gave the Steelers (6-2) the lead for good.

He added a 29-yard overthe-shoulder grab from Wilson early in the fourth as Pittsburgh won its 22nd straight home game under the Monday night lights and took a one-game lead over Baltimore in the AFC North.

Austin finished with three receptions for 54 yards. Wilson was sharp in his second start, completing 20 of 28 passes for 278 yards and the score to Austin, though his fumble with 4:42 remaining briefly opened the door for the Giants.

Pittsburgh star outside linebacker T.J. Watt closed it a few plays later, stripsacking Daniel Jones to end the threat. The Giants had another last-gasp drive into Pittsburgh territory in the final minute, but Jones was picked off by rookie cornerback Beanie Bishop, sealing New York’s third straight loss.

Najee Harris ran for 114 yards, topping 100 for a third straight game for the first time in his career. Chris Boswell kicked four field goals to bail out an offence that bogged down regularly in New York territory. Giants rookie Tyrone Tracy ran for a seasonhigh 145 yards, including a 45-yard sprint early in the fourth quarter that pulled New York (2-5) within eight. The Giants tried a 2-point conversion but the ill-conceived play to rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers behind the line of scrimmage was easily swatted away.

Jones, benched in the fourth quarter of a blowout loss to Philadelphia last week, completed 24 of 38

passes for 264 yards and the late pick.

Darius Slayton finished with four receptions for 108 yards and Nabers caught seven passes for 72 yards.

Greg Joseph booted four field goals for the Giants, who were undone by 11 penalties for 65 yards and a defence that let the

suddenly potent Wilson-led Steelers offence pile up 426 yards.

Austin’s return for a score, the first by a Steeler since 2019, gave Pittsburgh a jolt following a first half filled with missed opportunities.

The Steelers had a pair of apparent touchdown passes

from Wilson to George Pickens nullified. A facemask penalty on right tackle Broderick Jones wiped out the first. Video-assisted replay overturned the second, a leaping grab in the back of the end zone in which Pickens got his right foot down — twice — but couldn’t add the left

before getting pushed out Giants cornerback Deonte Banks.

New York — looking crisper than it did against the Eagles — had a touchdown negated by a penalty when a flip from Jones to Chris Manhertz was called back because Nabers was flagged for an illegal shift.

49ers head into bye on a winning note and

with hopes of Christian McCaffrey’s return

By JOSH DUBOW AP Pro Football Writer

SANTA CLARA, Calif.

(AP) — While most of the San Francisco 49ers get the chance to rest during the bye week following a morale-boosting win over the Dallas Cowboys, this week could have a big impact on the second half of the season.

Star running back Christian McCaffrey will ramp up his rehabilitation after being sidelined all season with Achilles tendinitis and could be back next week if all goes well.

“He’s had no setbacks, so it looks like we’re on track,” coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday. “But we’re going to, he’s going to hit it hard this week while we’re gone and kind of simulate some practice stuff for himself. As long as it all goes good, hopefully we’ll get him back in practice next week.”

McCaffrey’s return would provide an even bigger lift than Sunday night’s 30-24 victory over the Dallas Cowboys that sent the 49ers (4-4) into their week off at .500 with a chance to make another big second-half push.

This marks the third straight season that San

Francisco had a Week 9 bye and the 49ers are hoping for a repeat of a pattern from the past two seasons. The Niners had a 9-7 record before the bye in those two seasons, compared with 16-2 in the second half to fuel deep playoff runs. San Francisco showed signs of getting back to that form on Sunday against the Cowboys, with the offense generating 223 yards rushing, the defense picking off Dak Prescott twice and special teams avoiding the catastrophic mistakes that plagued the team in several losses. “I think we all wish our record was a little bit better, but that’s just where it is,” tight end George Kittle said. “That’s our reality. Getting a win tonight was huge and it gives you confidence. I think there’s a lot of things that we’re going try to clean up, myself included. I think we’re taking steps in the right direction.”

What’s working Takeaways. The Niners got interceptions from Ji’Ayir Brown and Deommodore Lenoir, marking the third straight game with at least two INTs. This is the first time since 2014 that San Francisco had multiple INTs in three straight games.

What needs help Closing out games. The Niners blew 10-point leads in the fourth quarter against

the Rams and Cardinals and were in danger of an even bigger collapse against Dallas. San Francisco

MINISTRY LAUNCHES SPORTS MONTH

FROM PAGE 16

and female), family island student athlete of the year (male and female), collegiate athlete of the year, national secondary athletic school of the year (junior and senior), community sports award, family island sports council of the year, youth national team of the year, national team of the year, national coach of the year, federation of the year, league of the year, tourism impact award, Bahamas Olympic Committee award, Leevan Sands Courage award, athletes of the year with a disability award, national sportsmanship award, Minister of Sports Award for excellence and Prime Minister Award for National Pride.

“As we kick off this month, let’s commit to upholding the true spirit of sportsmanship and creating memories that will last a lifetime. Here’s to an

inspiring and unforgettable sports month,” she said. The Hall of Fame

Induction ceremony will commence at 6:30pm on November 22 at the Baha Mar resort. The list of 2024 Hall of Fame inductees features a group of decorated pioneers in the sporting world. This year’s inductees are AF Adderley, Gary Bain, Oswald Brown, Nelson Chipman, Linda Ford, Sir Kendal Isaacs, Barbara Knowles, Randy Rolle, Rudolph Swaby, Stephen Hanna, Neko Grant, Dawn Knowles, Douglas Collins, Arthur Reggie Knowles and Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis. Additionally, for the first time ever, a national team will be inducted into the National Sports Hall of Fame. The women’s national softball team that competed at the 1990 ISF Women’s World Championship will receive the Golden Glove honours next month.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg expressed the importance of honouring athletes of the past, present and future.

“It is both a privilege and a pleasure to officially launch Sports Month under this year’s inspiring theme ‘Ringing in a new era of sporting excellence’. This theme so perfectly encapsulates not only our commitment to progress but also our deep pride and remarkable achievement that have come to define Bahamian sports on the world stage. “I take this time to acknowledge figures such as Jonquel Jones who is the first Bahamian to win the WNBA Finals and be named WNBA Finals MVP. This is ‘Ringing in a new era’. I think about Jazz Chisholm (Jr) whose dynamic presence in Major League Baseball has captured the attention and the hearts of the world. These individuals and many more

serve as brilliant examples of Bahamian talent shining brightly around the world,” he said.

Bowleg added that while the new era of sporting excellence is exciting, it is important to remember those that have paved the way to get to this point of success. “As we embrace this new era, it is important to remember the fundamental work of those who have come before them. The dedication of such pioneers who have built the foundation upon which today’s athletes now stand.

“Their groundbreaking contributions remind us that every achievement rests upon the legacy of those who have paved the way, fostering the spirit of resilience and community that propels us forward.

“Throughout Sports Month, we will honour our legacy, celebrate our present success and inspire future generations,” he said.

entered the fourth quarter with a 27-10 lead but was up only 30-24 after allowing two quick TD drives by

the Cowboys. The defense responded by forcing four straight incomplete passes to seal the game but it shouldn’t have gotten that close.

Stock up RB Isaac Guerendo running the ball. The fourth-round rookie stepped up in the second half with Jordan Mason nursing a shoulder injury. Guerendo had 14 carries for 85 yards and his first career TD and helped run out the clock again by sliding inbounds instead of scoring after converting a third-down run with just over a minute left.

Stock down Guerendo blocking. As well as he did with the ball in his hands, Guerendo made a big blunder late in the game that could have cost the Niners the game. He failed to pick up a blitz by DeMarvion Overshown with San Francisco protecting a six-point lead late.

Overshown hit Purdy from the blind side and nearly caused a fumble that could have given Dallas the ball in prime position for a winning score.

Purdy managed to hold onto the ball, but Guerendo might not get as many passblocking chances going forward.

SAN Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) celebrates after scoring a touchdown with guard Aaron Banks, left, and guard Dominick Puni (77) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday night. (AP Photo/ Eakin Howard)

PITTSBURGH Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin III catches a touchdown over Giants cornerback Dru Phillips (22) during the second half of an NFL football game last night in Pittsburgh.

(AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Kyrie, Klay Thompson lead Mavericks past Jazz 110-102

DALLAS (AP) — Kyrie

Irving scored 23 points and Klay Thompson added 18 to lift the Dallas Mavericks over the Utah Jazz 110-102 last night.

Jazz forward Taylor Hendricks was wheeled off on a stretcher with a broken leg midway through the third quarter after he fell to the floor without any contact near the baseline beneath Utah’s basket.

The team said he had a fractured right fibula and dislocated ankle.

Luke Doncic had 15 points, nine rebounds and eight assists on an off shooting night.

Irving was scoreless until hitting two 3-pointers in the final 40 seconds of the first quarter for the defending Western Conference champions, who have won two of their first three games.

Collin Sexton scored 23 points and Lauri Markkanen and Keonte George added 17 each to lead the Jazz.

Utah has lost their first three games for the first time since the 2015-16 season.

Doncic was 5 of 22 from the floor and hit his only

3-pointer in nine tries with 2:34 remaining.

Takeaways Jazz: They went into play 29th in the NBA in fieldgoal shooting at 39% and shot 37% and 28.6% from distance.

Mavericks: Irving was the only member of their big-three shooting stars to find his shot from long range. Irving was 3 of 6 and Thompson was 4 of 11.

Key moment Dallas led 101-95 with 2:48 to play when Washington blocked Kessler at the rim. Doncic hit the 3-pointer seconds later to put Dallas ahead by nine.

Key stat

Doncic nearly went without a 3-pointer for the second time in five games dating to last season. He was 0 for 8 behind the arc in the Mavericks’ 122-84 Game 4 win over the Boston Celtics in last year’s NBA Finals.

Up Next

Both teams will complete back-to-backs tonight. The Jazz will host the Sacramento Kings while the Mavericks will visit the Minnesota Timberwolves.

MAGIC BEAT PACERS 119-115, BANCHERO SCORES CAREER-HIGH 50

By The Associated Press

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)

— Paolo Banchero scored a career-high 50 points, and the Orlando Magic beat the Indiana Pacers 119-115 last night.

Banchero also had 13 rebounds and nine assists in a terrific performance.

Jalen Suggs had 25 points and seven assists for Orlando, and reserve Mo Wagner finished with 14 points.

Pascal Siakam had 26 points and nine rebounds for the Pacers, who wiped out a 13-point Magic lead in the third quarter but went cold in the final minutes.

Tyrese Haliburton had 19 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists.

Banchero tied a franchise record with 37 points in the first half, matching Tracy McGrady on March 9, 2003.

HEAT 106, PISTONS 98 MIAMI (AP) — Jimmy Butler had 23 points and seven assists, Terry Rozier added 20 points and Miami beat Detroit.

Tyler Herro scored 19, Bam Adebayo added 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. also scored 12 for the Heat.

Cade Cunningham scored 24 points for Detroit, which is 0-4 for the third time in the last five seasons. Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 20, Jaden Ivey scored 18 and backup Isaiah Stewart had 15 rebounds for Detroit.

Miami was again without Kevin Love, who has

missed all three Heat games this season for personal reasons. The Heat — on the 21st anniversary of his debut game — had a halftime ceremony honoring Dwyane Wade, whose statue outside the arena was unveiled Sunday.

CAVALIERS 110, KNICKS 104 NEW YORK (AP) — Darius Garland scored a season-high 34 points, 15 in the fourth quarter, and Cleveland improved to 4-0 by beating New York.

Donovan Mitchell added 25 points, Evan Mobley had 17 and Jarrett Allen finished with 15 points and 15 rebounds for the Cavaliers, off to their best start since beginning defense of their 2016 NBA title by starting 6-0.

Jalen Brunson had 21 points and seven assists for the Knicks, who led by 13 in the second half. Mikal Bridges scored 19 points, Josh Hart had 16 points and 13 rebounds, and OG Anunoby scored 15 points. Karl-Anthony Towns fouled out with 13 points and 10 boards.

CELTICS 119, BUCKS 108

BOSTON (AP) — Jaylen Brown scored 30 points, Payton Pritchard came off the bench and hit eight 3-pointers en route to 28 points, and Boston beat Milwaukee.

Reigning Eastern Conference Player of the Week Jayson Tatum added 15 points and eight rebounds for Boston (4-0). Derrick

White had 13 points and eight assists.

Damian Lillard led the Bucks with 33 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, and Giannis Antetokounmpo had 30 points, 10 boards and six assists. Milwaukee has lost three straight after winning its opener. It was close until late in the third quarter, when Pritchard hit a 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left, putting Boston ahead 90-82. The Celtics scored the next seven points for a 15-point lead. Pritchard hit another 3-pointer during the spree.

WIZARDS 121, HAWKS 119 ATLANTA (AP) — Kyle Kuzma had 25 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, and Washington beat Atlanta for their first win this season. Jordan Poole scored 26 points for Washington, and reserve Corey Kispert had 21 points. The Wizards improved to 1-2 after two one-sided defeats.

Jalen Johnson led the Hawks with 29 points. Trae Young, who missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer, was limited to 2-for-15 shooting. He finished with 14 points, 13 assists and six turnovers.

The Wizards made a season-high 21 3-pointers and overcame 13 first-half turnovers with a much cleaner second half.

BULLS 126, GRIZZLIES 123 MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Zach LaVine scored 30 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter to key a Chicago comeback as they defeated Memphis.

Nikola Vucevic finished with 22 points for the Bulls.

Coby White scored 20 and Josh Giddey finished with 12 points, eight assists and 13 rebounds, including a key offensive rebound in the final seconds.

Desmond Bane led Memphis with 30 points, making 11 of 19 shots, including 6 of 10 from 3-point range.

Jaren Jackson Jr. had 19 points, while Jake LaRavia finished with 17 points, and Scotty Pippen Jr. had 14 points and 10 assists.

The Bulls led 126-123 after Giddy split a pair of free throws with 8.9 seconds left. Memphis had the last shot, but Bane’s 3-point attempt was off the mark.

NUGGETS 127, RAPTORS 125

(Overtime)

TORONTO (AP) —

Nikola Jokic scored seven of his 40 points in overtime, and Denver overcame a 15-point deficit to beat Toronto. Canadian star Jamal Murray sent the game to overtime by making a reverse layup for the Nuggets with less than a second remaining in regulation.

Jokic also grabbed 10 rebounds. Aaron Gordon had 16 points and 11 boards for Denver. Toronto’s RJ Barrett missed a 3 in the final seconds of OT, and Ochai Agbaji and Jakob Poeltl were unable to tip in Barrett’s miss. Murray and Christian Braun each scored 17 as the Nuggets won for the first time in three games this season and extended their winning streak over the Raptors to four.

Raptors forward Scottie Barnes had 21 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists, but he was knocked out of the game in the final minute of the fourth quarter after he was elbowed in the right eye. Barrett scored 20 points in his season debut after missing the first three games because of a sprained right shoulder. Poeltl had 16 points and a career-high 19 rebounds.

ROCKETS 106, SPURS 101

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Jalen Green scored 34 points and Houston never trailed in a victory over Victor Wembanyama and San Antonio. Jabari Smith added 17 points and Alperen Sengun had 12 points and 12 rebounds for Houston. Rockets rebounded from a 109-106 loss to the Spurs on Saturday to close out a two-game set in San Antonio. Jeremy Sochan had 22 points and nine rebounds, and Wembanyama had 12 points and 18 rebounds for the Spurs.

GLENN PRATT FEATURED IN MAJOR STORY IN LATEST ISSUE OF ONYX MAGAZINE

The Bahamas’ very own outstanding pro golfer Glenn Pratt was featured in a major story in the latest issue of Onyx Magazine, South Florida’s fastest growing publication showcasing the African-American communities in Florida.

Pratt, who was recently inducted into the United States AfricanAmerican Pro Golfers Hall of Fame, is focused on developing young people in the game of golf. The story in the magazine is centred around the development of young Bahamians in the sport of golf and preparing them for college and a career in the sport.

Ty O’lander, Onyx Magazine’s contributing writer, recently presented Glen with a copy of the latest publication that also features Sir Franklyn Wilson of The Bahamas.

DALLAS Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (31) takes a jump shot over Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) in the first half of an

NBA basketball game, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Albert Pena) INSET - Klay Thompson shoots (31) during an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday, October 26 in Phoenix.

(AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

ORLANDO Magic forward Paolo Banchero, left, and guard Cole Anthony, right, celebrate after their win over the Indiana Pacers in an NBA basketball game, Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Ilonka leads the way

By FELICITY DARVILLE

ILONKA SargentCapron has become the first student of the University of the West Indies Global Campus Bahamas (UWIGCB) student to earn a Doctorate of Education Degree (EdD) in Teaching and Learning with Emerging Technologies.

This programme will effectively prepare participants who are in leadership or consultative roles in institutions providing online or distance learning. They will be equipped with essential academic knowledge and competencies. It accommodates candidates from different disciplines who are interested in developing higher levels of competence in the field of technology-enabled education.

Dr Caprion chose UWIGCB because it gave her the flexibility to continue her job of teaching in the day, while pursuing her doctoral studies in the evening.

With determination and consistency, she applied herself to each class and completed the four-year programme.

“I feel I have set a pace in my household to inspire my

three sons to grow and get their education up to the doctoral level,” Dr Capron said.

“I feel brilliant,” she added, “I got my degree! Now just call me Doc!

“First, I plan to celebrate and swing from the chandelier a bit. Second, I plan to publish my work with my research supervisor in some of those international journals. Third, I plan to write

to The Bahamas Union of Teachers about changes to the document known as the ACR, or the Performance Appraisal for Teachers annual assessment. I will write an executive summary report on the key findings of my research to the Director of Education, Mrs Dominique Russell.”

Dr Capron shares her experience of earning a Doctorate Degree online with UWIGCB: “My experience with UWI was very good. I got support from UWI Open (Global) Campus, The Bahamas site, with the use of the computer lab when I needed to complete my assignments. I got support with any queries I had. I also got support

with how to load the learning exchange app on my mobile device.”

“My overall all-time favorite experience with UWI was also very pleasant and awesome and the tuition was affordable.”

Prior to earning her EdD with UWIGCB, she earned a Masters of Arts in Applied Educational Leadership and Management

ANN MARIE DAVIS ISSUES RALLYING CRY TO YOUNG WOMEN

By FAY SIMMONS

Tribune Education Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

AT the recent International Girls’ Day celebration hosted by STRAW Inc, Ann Marie Davis, Spouse of the Prime Minister, delivered an address focused on the critical themes of empowerment, mentorship, and community support for young women.

In her remarks, Mrs. Davis emphasised the necessity for girls to understand their rights and value, as well as the importance of mental health.

“Every good journey begins with someone who believes in your abilities or who encourages you when you face problems,” said Mrs Davis.

She highlighted the pivotal role of mentorship, asserting that it transcends mere guidance; it fosters confidence, imparts wisdom, and aids young women in envisioning their place in the world.

Addressing the young women gathered at the forum, she encouraged them to recognise the mentors present.

“You need trusted people that you can form a relationship with,” she advised, noting that mentors could be found in various forms — grandparents, neighbours, guidance counsellors, or community members.

“A good mentor for young girls listens first, then speaks after you have said everything you have to say, providing insights to help you,” she explained.

Mrs Davis also acknowledged the power of peer support, suggesting that young women can serve as mentors to one another.

“Some of you can be mentors for your peers as well. This works very well because student peers listen to each other, many times before they listen to an adult,” she noted.

Further emphasising the importance of community, Mrs Davis said: “You need environments where you feel safe, seen, and valued. You need spaces where you can express yourselves, share your dreams, and take risks without fear of failure.”

She urged young women to help cultivate positive communities that will nurture their growth and aspirations.

Mrs Davis added: “It is in this kind of community that you will get help to develop the strength and courage to push boundaries, to lead, and to create the future you envision. Help to build better communities.”

from University of London, UK. She also earned her Associate Degree (1993)

SPORTS

‘Jazz’, Yankees fall in 0-3 hole

By TENAJH SWEETING

Sports Reporter

Bahamian third baseman Jasrado “Jazz”

Chisholm Jr and the New York Yankees continue to struggle against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Major League Baseball (MLB) World Series.

The Dodgers have moved within one game of a World Series win after defeating the Yankees 4-2 last night at the Yankee Stadium in the Bronx.

With the latest loss, the Yankees are now 0-3 in the series and will hope to avoid getting swept tonight for their first time since 1976 by the Cincinnati Reds.

Chisholm Jr, the second Bahamian to play in a World Series, went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in game three of the lopsided series.

The American League champions have not fared well against the Dodgers.

While the Bronx Bombers continue to struggle in the best-of-seven series, first baseman Freddie Freeman continues to shine. He homered for the third consecutive game against the Yankees while pitcher Walker Buehler delivered a strong performance on the mound.

The first baseman has been on a tear since pulling off a game-clinching grand slam in the World Series opener at home and last night was no different.

He nailed a two-run homer at the top of the first inning which resulted in Shohei Ohtani scoring a run and the Dodgers pulling ahead 2-0.

With Clarke Shmidt pitching for New York, Mookie Betts singled to the right while Tommy Edman scored.

The LA Dodgers were in cruise control at that point and had a commanding 4-0 lead at the top of the sixth inning.

New York went scoreless until Alex Verdugo cracked a two-run homer off pitcher Michael Kopech to put the Bronx Bombers on the board 4-2 at the

bottom of the ninth inning. The Yankees will have to bring their A-game to the Yankee Stadium tonight to avoid the four-game sweep at home.

History does not favour New York in this situation as they have lost the World Series seven times in a row to the LA Dodgers. The latter won their last World

TEE-OFF FOR HUNGER

THE Bahamas Feeding Network is scheduled to host its 3rd annual Teeoff 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/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 is scheduled to hold its Renee ‘Sunshine’ Curry-Davis Memorial Track and Field Classic on November 16 at Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium.The meet, hosted in conjunction with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and the

Series against the Yankees in 1981. For “Jazz” the storybook second half of his MLB season is at risk of coming to an anticlimactic

October

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, under11, under-15, under-20 under-30 open, under-50 open and masters 50-and-over 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

SEE PAGE 14

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIAN triathlete Anjaleah Knowles represented Millikin University well at the 2024 Heartland Triathlon Cup in Springfield, Missouri, recently.

The 17-year-old competed in the NCAA Women’s Triathlon - West Regional qualifier and placed 96th out of 128 competitors.

Knowles, a freshman at Millikin University, completed the swim, run and bike with a season’s best time of 1:25:48. She posted splits of 11:16 in the swim, 42:54 in the bike and 28:55 in the run. According to Knowles, she faced some challenges along the way but she felt proud of her performance.

end. He is just the second Bahamian since the late Ed Armbrister to make it to this level. He played in

“My swim felt really good, I pushed myself and was proud of my time. Racing in such a large group can be challenging, especially during the swim, but I managed to break free and I’m proud of that.

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter

THE Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture (MOYSC) has officially launched Sports Month 2024 under the theme “Ringing in a New Era of Sporting Excellence”.

The month of November is set to feature numerous exciting events and activities highlighted by the National Sports Awards and Hall of Fame Inductees Ceremony.

The month of sporting events begins with a church service at St Barnabas at 10am on November 3.

The service will be followed by the highlyanticipated National Sports Awards which takes place at 6:30pm on November 9 at the Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium.

Kelsie Johnson-Sills, the acting director of sports in the MOYSC, was thrilled to announce the start of Sports Month 2024.

“Today marks the start of a remarkable journey. One that brings us together in the spirit of competition, camaraderie and well being. Sports month is more than a showcase of athletic talent, it is a celebration of teamwork, character-building and resilience.

“I am thrilled to announce that this month will be filled with activities that will challenge our fitness, test our endurance and honour those who have selflessly contributed to the sports community. We recognise the dedication of those who remain active in the field along with the federations and stakeholders who provide the vital support system behind the scenes.”

The awards up for grabs at the National Sports Awards are junior and senior high school student athlete of the year (male

13

“The cycling was decent, though I found this course tougher due to the rolling hills.

“I’m pleased with my speed compared to my last race, and I enjoyed riding in packs with other competitors — everyone on the sidelines was really encouraging.

“The run was challenging, again because of the hills, but I’m happy with my effort and overall performance,” she said.

Knowles, a member of the Sea Waves Triathlon Club in Nassau, Bahamas, is now preparing to put her skills on display at the 2024 NCAA Women’s Triathlon Championships in Clermont, Florida, on November 9. She is just the first Bahamian to compete in triathlon for the NCAA.

NEW York Yankees’ Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr throws his bat after striking out to end the eighth inning in Game 3 of the baseball World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday, October 28, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)