‘NO PLA N TO RAISE VAT O N IMF ADVICE’
Govt urged to raise fees to meet debt reduction targets
By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
INCREASING valueadded tax, raising water rates for heavy users and collecting patient fees at the Public Hospitals Authority are among the International Monetary Fund’s recommendations to help the government meet its debt target of 50 percent of GDP by 2031. However, last night, the Davis administration said it has no plans to increase VAT and noted that the IMF’s recommendations align with its previous ones. The IMF, in its latest Article IV consultation statement on The
By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter
kcampbell@tribunemedia.net
A VIRAL voice note questioning the presence of WNBA champion Jonquel Jones’ fiancée during a school visit in Grand Bahama reignited national discussions on same-sex partnerships in The Bahamas, drawing contrasting responses yesterday from a leading LGBTQ+ advocate and the president of the Bahamas Christian Council. The voice note, purportedly from a concerned parent, surfaced on social media soon after Ms Jones visited her hometown. The visit became a flashpoint after she was accused of
Davis: No plan for profit margin increase for fuel wholesalers
By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said the government has no plans to raise profit margins for gas wholesalers.
His comment came after FOCOL chairman Sir
By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net
ANDY Moxey set out on a routine fishing trip with friends, but the sea he loved so much became the backdrop of tragedy, claiming his life when their boat capsized off North Andros. Candice McPhee, Moxey’s sister, said he had visited her home on Saturday, asking for spare cash to buy drinking water, crackers, and other supplies for the trip. He told her about his plans to go fishing in the Berry Islands later that day.
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor
Franklyn Wilson said that a recent increase in gas retailers’ margins is unfair to wholesalers.
“At this time, we are tackling the structural issues as it relates to the cost of living,” Mr Davis said yesterday on the sidelines of the Small Business Development Centre EmpowerMEN Forum, where he was the keynote speaker.
“The issue with wholesalers has a different circumstance. We are looking at it. We are not looking at increasing. We try to find how we could decrease the
THE government’s fiscal deficit for the 2024-2025 Budget year’s first quarter more than tripled year-overyear to $194m with close to one-third of that ‘red ink’ incurred during September. The Ministry of Finance revealed that month’s deficit rose by almost $20m or 44 percent year-overyear to strike $64.7m when compared to the $44.9m incurred in 2023. The expanded deficit was driven by modest slippage on both sides.
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis speaks during the EmpowerMEN Forum at Margaritaville yesterday.
Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
PM addresses EmpowerMEN
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis delivered an inspiring keynote address at the EmpowerMEN Forum, hosted by the Small Business Development Centre at Margaritaville Beach Resort. The event, held on International Men’s Day, brought together entrepreneurs and professionals for a morning of growth, networking, and empowerment.
Photos: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
‘No plan to raise VAT on IMF advice’
from page one
Bahamas, said some combination of measures would help the government achieve its target, with other options including replacing business licence fees with a 15 percent profits tax on large domestic firms, introducing a personal income tax for top earners, and removing the ceiling on property tax.
The IMF described the government’s proposed pension reforms for civil servants — introducing contributions for new hires and raising the mandatory retirement age — as “constructive” but
recommended aligning the minimum retirement age between the National Insurance Board and civil service systems and indexing retirement ages to life expectancy for both.
The IMF warned that improving tax collection and benefiting from lower interest payments alone will not be enough for the government to meet its debt target.
The IMF praised The Bahamas for a “remarkable recovery” from Hurricane Dorian in 2019 and the COVID19 pandemic, noting that economic activity and employment have returned
to pre-pandemic levels while inflation has fallen “below pre-pandemic levels.”
Despite these gains, the IMF highlighted persistent challenges facing the country.
“Income per capita continues to diverge from that in the US,” the report said. “At the same time, expensive electricity, a shortage of skilled labour, and obstacles to business formation and expansion continue to weigh on growth.”
The IMF also flagged high government debt levels and borrowing costs, which surged during the
pandemic. Additionally, The Bahamas’ vulnerability to natural disasters and rising sea levels underscores the need for investments in climate resilience and building fiscal buffers to respond to shocks more effectively.
A year after saying the outlook risks for the country are skewed to the downside, the IMF this year said the risks are balanced.
“Upside risks,” its report said, “include the execution of announced infrastructure and hotel construction projects and a higher-than-expected boost from an expansion
of short-term rentals. The main downsides stem from large public debt rollover needs and the ever-present risk of natural disasters.”
The IMF noted that the country’s fiscal deficit dropped to 1.3 percent of GDP in the fiscal year 2024, an improvement from the previous fiscal year, driven by increased revenues from better tax compliance, a cyclical economic rebound, and targeted policy measures.
Expenditure containment, including reduced transfers to public corporations and under-execution of capital projects, also contributed to the adjustment.
In a statement last night, the Office of the Prime Minister said: “While there is much more work ahead, many more Bahamians are now working, and inflation is now below prepandemic levels. Public finances are improving, borrowing costs are declining, and the nation is on a stronger, more sustainable path forward.
“The Davis administration is implementing the nation’s first comprehensive energy reforms, including the first utilityscale solar farms, to reduce prices for homes and businesses and to strengthen our electricity grid.“
Presence of Jones fiancée sparks LGBTQ+ discussion
from page one
introducing her fiancée to students, sparking debate over whether such interactions were appropriate in a school setting.
Transgender activist D’Marco strongly defended Ms Jones yesterday, asserting that LGBTQ+ individuals have the right to visibility and acceptance, while Bishop Delton Fernander urged organisers to focus public events on athletic achievements, particularly when minors are involved.
“Just like every other Bahamian, they have a right to express themselves, they have a right to share their experiences, they have a right to share their partners,” Ms D’Marco said, noting that it was “no secret” that Ms Jones was in a same-sex relationship.
Ms D’Marco further called for societal awareness and sensitivity, saying: “For us as a society, we need to begin to educate and sensitise our decision makers, our gatekeepers, our family members and our communities that we thrive in about vulnerable
populations, including the LGBTI community of the Bahamas.”
She criticised the focus on children in the argument, asserting that “they’re using children as a scapegoat to continue homophobia, transphobia, biphobia, lesophobia, xenophobia”.
Bishop Fernander, while supportive of Ms Jones’ accomplishments, emphasised that the focus at public events should remain on her athletic achievements, particularly in settings involving minors.
“The platform was to celebrate the championship, not to talk about the lifestyle,” he said. “So if it is that the lifestyle was conversated with children in the primary school, the organisers, the teachers, the administrators, should have controlled that, because that’s not what the focus was as I understood it.”
The Tribune has seen no evidence that Ms Jones discussed her fiancée with the students.
Ms D’Marco highlighted the challenges many LGBTI people face when introducing partners to their families, noting that
acceptance can vary widely.
“Some of our families embrace who we are as LGBTI people. Some of our families do not embrace who we are as LGBTI people, but for those whose family embrace who they are as LGBTI people, we must be cognizant that LGBTI people raise children here in the Bahamian society, LGBTI people are sometimes the breadwinners of their families and take care of the children that many persons have left behind,” she said.
Bishop Fernander, however, highlighted traditional values and the role of parental guidance in discussions of lifestyle or relationships in educational settings, noting that these are his personal views.
While expressing respect for individual rights, he said that “as a parent, trying to teach my principles to my children, I don’t subscribe to it.”
“The only thing is we are responsible for our children,” he said. “Nobody makes a decision to take a conversation there in front of children; the other stuff is for her and her God.”
MAN IN HOSPITAL AFTER BEING SHOT
A 30-YEAR-OLD man was hospitalised on Monday after a shooting incident on West Bay Street off Nassau Street. Police officers inside Fort Charlotte Police Station were alerted to gunshots around 12.30am and found an adult man lying in the street, east of the police station, with multiple gunshot injuries when they arrived at the scene. The victim was reportedly involved in a dispute with another man at a nearby nightclub, resulting in the suspect brandishing a firearm and shooting him. The victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his upper and lower body.
Emergency Medical Services transported him to the hospital, where he is currently in stable condition.
made its debut at a GIS workshop at the University of The Bahamas on Tuesday, November 5th, 2024. This event was made possible by the School of Chemistry, Environment and Life Sciences. GAIN is a network of geospatial professionals working to enhance the field by sharing knowledge and collaborating with each other. Geospatial professionals work to collect spatial data using Global Positioning Systems (GPS) or Remote Sensing (RS), analyse that data in a Geographic Information System (GIS), ensure the integrity of the data via QA/QC checks and produce maps using data collected. They are also responsible for the management and safeguarding of data and the development and enhancement of computer codes to facilitate their work.
PICTURED from left: Liam Slater (UB student) presenting tokens of appreciation to William Holland and Mrs. Adderley-Strachan, founder; Sandra Phillip-Burrows, Assistant Professor of Geography.
WNBA CHAMPION AND MVP JONQUEL JONES
Henfield calls for VAT to be removed from healthy foods
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
FNM Senator Darren Henfield has called for removing VAT from healthy foods, arguing the tax exacerbates the country’s health crisis.
“We are dying in this country, many of us from non-communicable diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, etc., because of what we are forced to eat,” he said during his contribution in the Senate this week. “Many of us, we are forced to eat only what we can afford.”
“Removing the VAT is a simple fix. Don’t wait until election and try to do that because the people will take it and say, you think we are fools.”
He criticised government’s decision to re-impose VAT on breadbasket items, female products, baby products, medicines, and health insurance, saying these measures have worsened conditions for Bahamians.
The Minnis administration had removed VAT from these items and raised the overall rate to 12 percent, a decision
the Davis administration reversed. The Progressive Liberal Party, which introduced VAT to the country, has traditionally emphasised having few VAT exemptions, thereby justifying a lower overall rate.
Mr Henfield also highlighted the country’s high cost of living, noting that The Bahamas is ranked among the most expensive countries in the world in which to live, while the United States, the world’s wealthiest economy, is ranked lower.
“Inflation happens all the time, but it is not our fault,” he said. “But the government’s reaction to it within our economy is what we don’t accept; that they can’t do anything about it, because we believe they can.”
His comments came during the Senate’s debate on the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax Bill, which he supports. The tax is expected to generate $150 million in new government revenue.
Mr Henfield urged government to ensure taxpayer dollars directly benefit Bahamians.
“We see all across the country that taxes are not
benefitting people,” he said.
He also raised concerns about poor public infrastructure. He pointed to pothole-ridden roads and overgrown verges along the SC Bootle Highway, which he said are damaging vehicles and endangering drivers.
He criticised the state of docks, noting that Green Turtle Cay residents have been pleading for proper facilities.
“Green Turtle Cay is still crying for it,” he said. “It is not fair that they would continue to pay taxes and can’t feel the benefit of the use of their tax dollars. And all they ask is for the government to put in Green Turtle Cay a public dock that will be able to receive the mail boat so they would be able to receive their goods without causing injury to themselves or people operating around the dock, tourists, and the like.”
Mr Henfield also addressed the long-standing issue of unreliable phone services in Grand Cay, where residents sometimes go without communication for up to two weeks.
“It is intolerable in the modern Bahamas that that
should happen to any community in our country,” he said.
“The people in Grand Cay are continuing to cry about the phone service
“They
PM expresses concerns of mass migration as Haiti conditions worsen
By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS
Tribune
Staff Reporter
lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
AHEAD of a CARICOM-India Summit today, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis expressed concern about mass migration due to the deteriorating conditions in Haiti.
The security situation in Haiti has worsened since Prime Minister Garry Conille was dismissed by the Transitional Presidential Council (TPC) earlier
this month. Mr Conille, a former United Nations official, had held office for less than six months.
The United Nations reports that over 3,600 people have been killed in Haiti since January, and more than 500,000 have been displaced, with nearly half of the population facing food insecurity.
“The matters in Haiti is deteriorating to the point where we have to be concerned about what I call mass migration,” Mr
Davis said yesterday on the sidelines of an event.
“When we are dealing with 200 to 300 persons coming in we could deal with that or stop that. As you know, there has been very little landing over the last year because of our securing up of our borders and our partnership with other countries like Cuba, the United States, Turks and Caicos. We have been able to stem the flow, but if and when this issue in Haiti continues to deteriorate the way
it is, we cannot deal with millions of persons trying to escape Haiti.”
Bahamasair has suspended flights to Haiti following a recent security incident.
Spirit Airlines, American Airlines, and JetBlue also suspended flights to Port-au-Prince after a Spirit Airlines flight from Fort Lauderdale was struck by gunfire while attempting to land. The plane was diverted to Santiago, Dominican Republic, where it landed
safely, though a flight attendant was injured.
Last month, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) deployed six officers as part of the United Nations Multinational Security Support Mission. The Davis administration has pledged to send 150 officers, supported by a UN policing initiative led by Kenyan officers. Several hundred Kenyan officers have recently arrived in Haiti, with more expected.
Asked by reporters if he believes the Kenya-led multinational force is failing, Mr Davis disagreed, saying: “It is not failing. The challenge is being able to resource them properly.”
The RBDF’s role includes securing ports to facilitate humanitarian aid, conducting maritime patrols to prevent illegal migration, and collaborating with regional partners to support Haiti’s stability. Officers are scheduled for a six-month deployment.
JAMAICA BAHAMA IMPORTS DONATES TO GB CHARITY REACH OUT BAHAMAS
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter
JAMAICA Bahama
Imports (JBI) has donated $5,000 to Reach Out Ministries to support its outreach programmes in Grand Bahama, which have been hit by a significant decline in local sponsorship this year.
Reach Out Grand Bahama is a community organisation that provides support to at-risk youth and families through mentorship, educational programmes, and charitable initiatives. Norrisher Newman, office manager at JBI in Freeport, emphasised the company’s longstanding commitment to supporting community initiatives.
“JBI has been supporting Reach Out Ministries for years now,” she said. “It is nothing new for us to make a donation to the organisation, but it’s just that it is being recognized this time.”
“We have been a big supporter of the organisation for many years and we commend what they are
doing to assist neighbourhoods, and that’s JBI’s goal — to assist organisations and the community at large however we can.”
The $5,000 donation marks a special contribution as JBI celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.
JBI, a wholesale distribution company with over 150 products, operates in Grand Bahama, New Providence, and in the islands, with additional branches in the Cayman Islands and distribution in London. Dudley Seide, founder of Reach Out Ministries, expressed his gratitude for JBI’s continued support, noting the organisation’s critical role in helping sustain their programmes since 2009.
“We want to say a special congratulations to Jamaica Bahama Imports for celebrating 30 years in Grand Bahama,” Mr Seide said. “They have supported our organization since we initially started, and JBI supports almost every event we have — the Boys Conference, Christmas giveaways, and our feeding programme.”
Mr Seide said the
donation was timely, especially during a time when local sponsorship for the ministry has decreased by nearly 45 percent.
“This year, on their 30th anniversary, they decided to give us $5,000 to help us continue our work. We thank Mr Pinnock for always believing in what we do here on the island,” he said.
Reach Out Ministries will use the funds to support their annual Christmas giveaway, which provides meals to 1,000 families in Grand Bahama.
“We will be doing our annual feeding at the old folks’ homes next week — Burrows’ Home, The Home for the Aged, Mergie’s Home, and other elderly facilities,” Mr Seide said. “We also team up with Mr Mitchell at Bahamas Bakery to assist over 5,000 families. This year, our organization will serve as the home base for meal distribution.”
The donation, he noted, has come at a crucial time, ensuring the ministry can continue its mission of serving those in need across the island.
FNM SENATOR DARREN HENFIELD
JAMAICA BAHAMAS IMPORTS, which is celebrating 30 years in business, continues to support local charitable and outreach organizations. Mr Winston Pinnock, President of Jamaica Bahamas Imports (second from left), and Mrs Pinnock, recently presented a $5,000 cheque donation to Katie and Dudley Seide of Reach Out Ministries in Grand Bahama.
Heartbreak for Andros family over tragic loss
Moxey, 46, was expected to return by Sunday evening or Monday morning. However, the journey ended in tragedy, with him and his partners fighting for their lives at sea.
Moxey and two friends, aged 52 and 44, left Morgan’s Bluff for the Berry Islands on Saturday. Around 6pm, the boat experienced mechanical issues, began taking on water, and eventually capsized miles off Morgan’s Bluff. The vessel drifted to a nearby cay, where the group spent the night.
Police were alerted to the incident on Sunday around 2pm after the 52-year-old swam ashore at Pleasant Harbour to seek help. With assistance from civilians, authorities retrieved the two remaining men. Moxey was pronounced dead at the clinic. The 44-year-old, who was semi-conscious, was airlifted to New Providence for further treatment.
Mrs McPhee said her husband received a call about the boating accident. She said her husband was hesitant to give her the devastating news because of her close-knit relationship with her brother.
“I was reading his facial expression, and I could see something was wrong,” she said. “But he didn’t want to say anything to me.”
Eventually, she, her husband, and other relatives went to the beach near Morgan’s Bluff, where the boat was being retrieved. Mrs McPhee said she realised it was her brother when officials carried him to shore, allowing her to see his face up close.
She said she would deeply miss their conversations.
Moxey, a carpenter, lived with his brother and uncle in Nicholls Town. His sister said he was beloved in the North Andros community, particularly by children, for being fun. He was also known for being someone who would ensure the children had manners and respect.
He never married or had children.
His niece, Asia Adderley, who resides in New Providence, fondly recalled their bond and said this holiday season would not be the same without her uncle.
The family noted that Moxey would have turned 47 on Christmas Eve, a birthday he shared with his late mother, who passed away three years ago.
Family of missing man desperate for closure one year later
Davis: No plan for profit margin increase for fuel wholesalers
cost of wholesaling in The Bahamas.”
Last week, Sir Franklyn expressed frustration because wholesalers have not received a margin increase despite rising operational costs and inflation affecting both sides of the industry. He pointed out that wholesalers last saw a margin increase for diesel in 2002, a situation he called “unfair”.
“The point is, wholesalers have not had an increase for a long time,” Sir Franklyn said. “It’s not fair, to be quite honest with you, but the wholesalers have to accept the fact that the retailers make the noise, and the politicians listen to them. That’s the reality; it’s not fair.”
When asked to comment on Sir Franklyn’s claims, Mr Davis declined to provide further details.
In September, the government approved a 25-cent margin increase per gallon of gasoline and a 16-cent increase per gallon of diesel for retailers, which took effect on October 1. Retailers had lobbied for this adjustment
for over two years, citing rising operational costs and post-COVID inflation that had eroded their profits. Unlike other sectors where businesses can adjust prices to offset rising costs, the Bahamian petroleum industry operates under government-controlled margins. This regulatory framework prevents wholesalers from independently raising their margins despite facing growing financial pressures. Before this recent increase, the last margin adjustment for petroleum retailers occurred in 2011, under the Free National Movement (FNM) government led by Hubert Ingraham. At that time, the government approved a 10-cent increase per gallon of gasoline, raising it from 44 cents to 54 cents, along with a 15-cent increase per gallon of diesel.
When asked last week whether wholesalers were struggling in the current economic climate, Sir Franklyn declined to comment and also refrained from discussing whether wholesalers would push for a similar adjustment.
By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net
OVER a year has passed since 47-year-old Samuel Lafleur disappeared in Andros, and his family remains desperate for closure — whether that means finding his body or answers.
Kendrick Lafleur, Mr Lafleur’s brother, told The Tribune yesterday that it has been more than a year since his mentally ill brother was last seen in June 2023. Samuel had struggled with marijuana use for years, which led to multiple stays at Sandilands Rehabilitation
Centre. His disappearance, however, remains a mystery. His family continues to hold out hope that he could still be found alive.
Mr Lafleur, who is Samuel’s primary caretaker, lives in Lowe Sound, while Samuel resided in Nicholls Town. He said he constantly thinks about his brother.
Occasionally, Mr Lafleur receives tips from residents suggesting areas to search on the island. However, these efforts have repeatedly ended in a “dead end”. He noted that police search efforts ceased long ago. He believes authorities were
not as helpful as they could have been when Samuel initially went missing. He said his brother lived in the United States in the early 2000s for school, eventually married and had a child. After the couple divorced, Samuel eventually returned to The Bahamas. There have been rumours suggesting that Samuel may have returned to the US with some Americans who visited the island. However, Mr Lafleur said there is no evidence to support this theory. He also acknowledged that even if his brother is still in Andros, the chances
of finding him alive are slim.
“I wouldn’t think you could survive the elements that long,” he said. “Even though Andros is a big place, somebody had to see you. It’s not like the city — everybody knows someone.”
“To be honest, I’m hoping to find his body, but even that keeps coming up short.
“That would bring closure for me and everybody, because at least we would know what we’re up against. But not having anything to go on still gives you a little doubt at the same time, but it still gives you hope too.”
ANDY MOXEY
SAMUEL LAFLEUR
The Tribune Limited
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LEON E. H. DUPUCH
Publisher/Editor 1903-1914
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Should there be more attention on men’s day?
YESTERDAY was International
Men’s Day – and the occasion was marked by a number of events, internationally and locally.
The counterpart day for women, held in March each year, has long been an occasion which has received a lot of attention. The focus has been strong because it has served not just as a moment to celebrate women, but also to serve as a platform to push for equal rights.
One of the standard comments from online commenters more concerned with stirring trouble than finding solutions has been “when is men’s day?”. Well, here it is, as it has been every November.
But should we not be paying more attention to men’s day than it has typically received over the years?
After all, when we talk of the problems facing our country, one that looms large is crime – and for the largest part, it is young men who are caught up in that most often.
Fox Hill prison’s walls are full of men whose path has taken them into crime, into court and behind bars.
Beyond that, online agitators around the world have seized on the concerns felt by some men to stoke political fires. The unease and sense of displacement some men feel has become fuel for those flames.
That is the big picture – but on a personal level, trying to ensure people feel the bonds of family, the connection of society can give them
the support they need.
Some time ago, a young man visited The Tribune office in need of help.
A loss of a single month’s salary was enough to cost him the roof over his head. He was homeless, helpless and had no idea where to go.
He got the help he needed thanks to social services and volunteer organisations but he needed that help because of a lack of family connections. He was alone in the world, unfortunately like so many other young men find themselves.
On a basic level, perhaps men’s day can give us an opportunity to try to show people they are not alone, be they those in peril of following the path of crime, or those in our lives who we wish to thank for the role they play.
If we are to try to reduce crime in our country, we have to find a way to reach those young men, to give them another way.
Yesterday there was a conference seeking to empower men, attended by the prime minister. Throughout the year, we often publish details of other such events.
They can be the ladder that helps people to climb out of a hole – and to ensure the insidious voices of extremism that would exploit such disenfranchised men do not take hold.
So make the most of men’s day. Praise those role models who lead the way. But let’s be sure to give a helping hand to those who need it.
Govt twofaced on the environment
EDITOR, The Tribune.
I AM writing to highlight a significant issue in the world of Development, Foreign Investment and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) in the Bahamas. As our favorite political parties take turns in office, it seems they throw the baby developments, Heads of Agreement and EIAs out with the bathwater each time. One government reviews and permits and sometimes publicly supports a particular land use policy, development or foreign investor. When they leave office, those developments, EIAs and all previous decisions seem to be disregarded or history seems to reset. Though there are other examples, a few stand out to me. The Town Planning (Finley Cay) Zoning Order, 2001 commenced on January 24th 2001 and states that “No person shall build any buildings upon the area of land described in the Schedule hereto, except buildings relating to the enhancement and the preservation of the Cay in its natural state.” However, the EIA presented on
behalf of Justin Etzin c/o Hubert Ingraham Chambers in 2020 proposed four residences and significant pathways through the sensitive bird sanctuary. The Abaco National Park, was established in May 1994 and placed under the purview of the Bahamas National Trust to protect the Bahama Parrot and native forests. On July 20th 2021 among others, the Cross Harbour Marine Protected Area was expanded to include 231,000 acres of ecologically important marine habitat in South Abaco. On February 13th 2020, the government signed a $300 million dollar heads of agreement with the Tyrsoz family for a development in South Abaco. On December 16th 2022, the government signed an $800 million dollar heads of agreement with The Kakona resort group for their south Abaco high impact tourism proposal including a major marina in the marine protected area and a golf course snuggled against the boundary of “The Parrot forest”. In the Exuma Cays, The Turtlegrass Resort was proposed on Big Sampson Cay October 2022 and gained permits and approvals, for
Local Govt Bill is sorely wanting
EDITOR, The Tribune.
LOCAL Government has been evolving for many years. In 1867, ‘A Bill for the Appointment of Magisterial and Revenue Officers at the Out Islands of the Government’ was passed. This legislation brought improvement in services to communities in the far flung Out Islands; islands where communication and transportation to and from Nassau were minimal or near non-existent.
In the 20th century, the need for improvements to local government were often the topic of discussion. Boards were appointed, usually filled with party loyalists and true power was vested in the Family Island Commissioners, a central government appointed civil servant.
In the modern era, a true form of elected local government was often promised but never delivered. In March 1996, landmark legislation was passed under the administration of Hubert Ingraham. The Local Government Act became law and in June 1996, historic local government elections were held to elect committees and councils across the Family Islands. The introduction of local government in 1996 better improved the delivery of services to communities, solidifying the adage that “the government best for the people is the government closest to the people”. The landmark legislation deepened democracy and gave communities a voice in choosing who would lead their townships.
The introduction of local government is among one of the many great legacies of Hubert Ingraham, and as a local government practitioner, I thank him for his leadership and keeping his promise to deliver local governance and in so doing, his administration greatly improved the lot of local communities.
In 2015, myself along with the Hope Town District Council, agitated to allow for the District Councils to collect property taxes, as we felt we could help in collecting taxes in arrears.
a low impact eco resort. In 2024 we saw an EIA for a high density development on little Sampson Cay. The two islands are actually tied together with a large wetland in between. The Bahamas has one environment. We all share the ocean, whatever fish swim in it and whatever trash we throw into it. The Abaco Parrots are still recovering from logging 60 years ago. Decisions to protect the environment are made on multigenerational scales. We need consecutive governments to uphold these protections of the environment. We need to be honest and realistic with investors as well. It’s as if the government wants to sell both sides of a quarter to two different buyers for fifty cents while telling the Bahamian people and environmentalists it is safely in the bank. Some of these impact assessments should have never made it to public consultation. I feel like I am seeing double with some of these EIAs.
DR ANCILLENO DAVIS @SciPerspective Nassau,
November 17, 2024.
With the repeal of the 1996 Act and its amendments, this Bill strips councils of our powers as a Chief Valuation Officer under the 2015 Local Government Amendment Act. Another shameful example of taking power from the Family Islands and placing it back in the hands of the Central Government bureaucracy.
The present government campaigned under their platform ‘Blueprint for Change’, promising aggressive reforms in local government with four points.
The government has failed to deliver on all four.
As to increase the budgets of District Councils on an annual basis as promised; we have received the 10 percent increase one year in this present government term.
That said, the increase in the budget in the previous budget year was the first increase in local government budgets in over a decade, and for that we must applaud the efforts of the Minister. But in our very busy Hope Town District, our budget remains severely underfunded.
The promise of introducing local government in New Providence does not look like it will come to fruition during this term, however I feel that the current system of local government must be improved upon in the Family Islands before bringing local government
to New Providence. When the time comes to bring local government to New Providence, I would recommend a soft introduction using a system similar to what is used in Washington DC. They use Advisory Neighborhood Councils (ANCs) that have been effective in helping to administrate the needs of the neighborhoods in the area.
The promise to “further decentralise decision making and putting power in the hands of communities, through local government” is a farce.
Both recent administrations (Minnis and Davis) are to blame for their support of the Environmental Planning and Protection Act, legislation that disguises central government as safeguards and guardians of the environment. The Act is a revenue generating scheme, imposing another tax upon citizens.
The Act forces applicants to apply for a Certificate of Environmental Clearance (CEC) from the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP) in Nassau and work with a civil servant who in most cases has no knowledge of the local geography of the Family Islands. The applicant has to wait weeks, sometimes many months before obtaining a CEC. A certain dock project will cost one applicant a hefty sum of $63,000 to obtain an EIA from the handpicked list of environmental engineers under the DEPP.
The District Council supports protecting our environment, but we must not allow, an agency in Nassau to dictate the processing of town planning applications in our districts, when we are the eyes and ears on the ground. This is a pure example of decentralisation going in the opposite direction.
A suggestion – with the amount of town planning applications received on a monthly basis in Abaco, the DEPP should designate one of their agents to work in Abaco, to process the applications in a timely manner. It is needed.
It would be more profitable to set flame to this current bill and go back to square one. It gives Family Islands no real autonomy and strips our communities of some of the decisionmaking freedoms that we presently possess.
The District Council would make the decisions on the awarding of contracts within our respective districts, now we would only recommend who should be awarded those contracts. The Department of Local Government in Nassau will give final approval on all contracts above $5,000.
The government failed to give the Councils true revenue raising powers, as was promised. The legislation allows councils to impose fees to maintain public areas. I doubt you would find councils eager to impose fees on such amenities that the public has enjoyed at no cost for years. True revenue raising powers would have allowed Councils to penalize offenders in various instances. For example, leaving a derelict vehicle in a public place and charging for its removal. Under the proposed Bill, councils could also receive a rebate from various taxes.
The issue is central government uses the clever language in the bill, stating the council receive a rebate “not exceeding fifty
per centum of monies so paid”. The government could approve a rebate of ½ of 1%, the language just guarantees the rebate does not go over a particular percentage.
Whilst the government put a ceiling on the rebate, I strongly encourage they put a floor, and offer a rebate of “no less than ten percent”. Put this measure in place!
Strong local government legislation would have put our councils on par with other municipal governments in many countries. Various departments and agencies should fall under the direction and purview of the local government authority. Even, in Jamaica for example, the Municipal Police, a branch of the Jamaican Police Force, was created in 1999 and assigned to assist and work in tandem with Local Government Councils. If this was implemented in the Bahamas, the townships would see a drastic improvement in services.
The state of our budget and the finances of the Hope Town District Council is sad. We operate on a budget of $506,000 which covers three major townships in the district. Most of those funds are tied up in contracts for garbage collection, cleaning roadways and public grounds. After paying our staff, we have little left to spend on the needs of the community. We sit in our Council meetings and decide whether we are going to use limited funds to either patch several potholes or repair some bad planks on the public dock; the decision rides on which project needs the most attention.
All the while – last year central government collected $600,000, just off of the VAT from the realtor’s commission from real estate sales within our district (Hope Town, ManO-War Cay, Great Guana Cay, Lubber’s Quarters and Tilloo Cay – these numbers does not even include Baker’s Bay real estate sales). And just to reiterate, this figure is not the VAT from the sales of real estate, but the VAT on the commission that is collected by the realtor! So, imagine what revenue goes into central government from the Hope Town District, from VAT on real estate sales, real property taxes, import duties, VAT in general, business license taxes, fuel tax, beer tax, tobacco tax, port fees, etc.
I appreciate that there are other islands that do not generate the amount of revenue that Abaco generates but whilst I feel that some of our tax dollars should support the needs of our fellow Bahamians in other islands, there is no reason why we can’t receive a substantial increase so that the infrastructural needs of our towns could be met. (And we are not dependant on the likely one percent rebate that the Financial Secretary will approve to be sent to our district under the proposed bill - that won’t work). We are tired of begging for crumbs, Abaco deserves a piece of the pie! In conclusion, I feel that the government had an opportunity to make significant impacts in the Family Islands by passing strong legislation giving local governments true autonomy. Whilst the Bill has some bright spots, it is a shell of the 1996 Act and sadly falls far short of the mark of greatness. It is found sorely wanting.
JEREMY T SWEETING
Bahamas and US collaboration on gun
‘making some progress’
Two teens accused of attempted murder in shooting of man on bike
By PAVEL BAILEY
Reporter
Tribune Staff
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
TWO teenage boys appeared overwhelmed in court after they were accused of shooting another young man on his bicycle earlier this month on Hercules Street.
Senior Magistrate Algernon Allen, Jr, arraigned a 16-year-old male, whose name is being withheld because he is a minor, along with Thompson Toussaint, 19, on attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
The juvenile was arraigned in the presence of
his guardian. The defendants, while driving a silver coloured Honda, allegedly shot and injured a 19-year-old youth on his bike in Mason Addition around 7.20pm on November 4. The victim was last listed in serious condition. The defendants were informed that their matter would move to the Supreme Court by a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI). During their arraignment, the defendants appeared hysterical. Both defendants, along with family members, adamantly claimed to the magistrate that they were at home
at the time of the alleged incident.
The defendants further claimed that they were beaten while in police custody.
The juvenile will be remanded to the Simpson Penn Centre for Boys, while his co-accused will be remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. The accused were allowed a moment with family before being taken into custody.
The defendants’ VBIs are set for service on February 28, 2025.
Alphonso Lewis represented the accused.
WOMAN GETS FOUR MONTHS JAIL FOR FALSE RAPE ACCUSATION AGAINST POLICE OFFICERS
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A WOMAN burst into tears as she was sentenced to four months in prison for making a false rape claim against police officers.
Senior Magistrate Kendra Kelly sentenced 28-year-old Samminka Moss for making a false report. Moss reportedly lied to authorities, claiming that
police officers on patrol stopped her and took her to Western Cemetery on the night of August 7, where she falsely alleged that she was sexually assaulted.
She pleaded guilty to the charge on Monday and was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until sentencing. Magistrate Kelly reprimanded Moss, emphasising the seriousness of her offence and noting that
such allegations could have ruined the lives of the officers involved. Although Moss became distraught on hearing her four-month prison sentence, Magistrate Kelly reminded her that the maximum penalty for her offence was six months. The magistrate explained that her early plea had spared her the maximum term.
Sergeant Vernon Pyfrom was the prosecutor.
M AN ACCUSED OF ATTEMPTED THEFT OF LAPTOP
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN was granted bail after being accused of trying to steal a laptop from an electronic store in the Mall at Marathon last week.
Senior Magistrate
Kendra Kelly arraigned Rodger Nixon, 61, on stealing and receiving charges. The accused is charged with stealing an Aceus laptop valued at $300 from CTI Cellular & Electronics on November 9. He was allegedly found with the stolen item later that day.
Nixon pleaded not guilty to both charges. His bail was set at $2,500 with one or two sureties. Under the terms of his bail, he must sign in at the East Street South Police Station on the first Monday of every month. Nixon’s trial begins on February 13, 2025.
By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said the government’s collaboration with the United States on gun trafficking has yielded positive results.
His comment came after a US report found that 85 percent of firearms recovered in The Bahamas between 2018 and 2022 were traced to US retail buyers, a highest proportion in the Caribbean.
“We’ve been able to trace, track and some of the straw purchasing in the United States have been arrested and charged in the United States and we are making some progress,” he said.
The US Government Accountability Office report outlined trafficking methods, noting that firearms are often concealed in large items such as automobiles and televisions or disassembled and hidden in household goods like rice bags, cereal boxes, and breakbulk cargo.
Mr Davis said: “Their report confirms what we believe, and I’ve always on the world stage, been speaking about the fact that the United States’ right to bear arms cannot translate or mean right to traffic in arms.”
“It is alarming, as you know, most of our violent crimes are being perpetrated by guns which we don’t manufacture or is
being illegally bought into the country and we are attempting to continue ways to stem that tide,” he added.
Mr Davis has been more vocal than his predecessors about the US’s role in this country’s gun problem. Last year, The Bahamas joined Mexico’s $10 billion lawsuit to hold US gun manufacturers accountable for the spread of firearms in the region last year. The government also agreed with the USbased non-profit Global Action on Gun Violence (GAGV) to analyse the prospects of suing firearms dealers, distributors, and manufacturers.
In August, a US judge ruled that Mexico did not demonstrate adequate connections between six of the eight defendants and Massachusetts, where the case was filed. The dismissed companies include Sturm, Ruger, Glock, Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Colt’s Manufacturing, and Century International Arms. The judge said Mexico failed to show that firearms sold in Massachusetts caused it any harm.
Mr Davis has previously said the government’s decision to join the lawsuit was in support of Mexico to hold US gun manufacturers liable for the harm caused by their products. Antigua and Barbuda, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago also joined the appeal as friends of the court.
M AN CHARGED FOR FATAL SHOOTING OF A DEBO C AMBRIDGE LAST W EEK
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN was remanded in custody after being accused of killing a man in Monastery Park last week.
Senior Magistrate Shaka Serville arraigned 32-year-old Jermaine Johnson on a charge of murder. Johnson is accused
of accosting Adebo Cambridge on Killdeer Drive, west of Beatrice Avenue, on the night of November 13 while driving a white Japanese vehicle. He reportedly stabbed Cambridge and then shot him multiple times in the head and upper body before fleeing the scene. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Johnson was informed
that his case would proceed to the Supreme Court through a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).
Before being remanded at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services, Johnson was allowed a moment with a relative in court.
The VBI is scheduled to be served on March 26, 2025. Levan Johnson represented the accused.
PRIME Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis speaks at EmpowerMEN Forum yesterday.
Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
Where is the will to take action?
MONDAY, November
25, is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the first day of the Global 16 Days Campaign which was started by a group of activist women at the Center for Women’s Global Leadership in 1991. The campaign is now also known as 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, branded as such by UN Women which is large enough to overshadow the original campaign and its activist origin. The Global 16 Days Campaign runs until December 10 which is Human Rights Day.
Gender-based violence is a persisting issue that the Government of The Bahamas has yet to truly address, instead running away from it and trying to avoid challenging conversations. We, the advocates for gender equality and legal reform to end gender-based violence, are consistently told, both implicitly and explicitly, that we need to make the issue popular. If we want legislators—the people we elect to work for us and who form the government which has human rights obligations—to take specific action, we need to convince the general public first, then present our numbers to convince them (whose job it is to protect, uphold, and expand human rights).
Successive governments have refused to take steps toward a referendum on nationality rights
By Alicia Wallace
and sex-based discrimination, refused to criminalise marital rape, and refused to pass the long-awaited gender-based violence bill. The Attorney General even said, in an attempt to excuse the passing of the garbage Protection Against Violence Act, that the gender-based violence bill was “confusing.” We, somehow, continually end up with government administrations that are comprised of people who too weak, too ignorant, too misogynistic, too afraid to stand for women’s rights and to not only speak about upset caused by gender-based violence, but take action and pressure colleagues to take action to address the issue. We have seen horrific news stories. We know about the women who have been killed by partners and ex-partners. We know of the many women who are in abusive households and do not see a way out, especially after being shrugged off by police and having no clear path to safe, long-term housing and broader social assistance when it is unsafe to return to work. The Bahamas Women’s Health Survey Data has confirmed
that domestic violence and intimate partner violence are experienced by women and girls at high rates, and that many of them do not report. Gender-based violence persists because violence is widely accepted, the erroneous idea that women are inferior to men and are to be subservient is not sufficiently challenged (particularly by people in positions of power and influence like religious leaders and legislators) there are significant barriers to reporting gender-based violence (including the incompetence and indifference of many police officers), access to justice does not appear to be a likely outcome of a painful, expensive judicial process, and there is no real support for survivors.
Sixteen days of activism is nowhere near enough to address the issue of genderbased violence. Activism must be integrated into every single day, and by right-thinking individuals. This campaign is a period to put the spotlight on this issue, the knowledge that has been produced, the models that are working in other parts of the world,
GISELE Pelicot arrives in the Avignon court house, in Avignon, southern France, Thursday, September 5, 2024. A woman allegedly drugged by her ex-husband so that she could be raped by other men while she laid unconscious, is expected to testify before a panel of French judges. Photo:
and the potential and path to transform society and eradicate gender-based violence.
This year, people all over the world are attentive to a trial currently underway in France. Gisèle Pelicot has become a well-known name since the news that her then husband Dominique Pelicot had been drugging, raping, and inviting other men to rape her for a decade. He recruited strangers from an online forum known as “without her knowledge,” inviting them to the house where Ms. Pelicot, drugged, was asleep. He recorded the acts of violence. The recordings were found, in a folder named “abuse,” by police when they confiscated and searched his electronic devices after he was caught upskirting women—taking photos from beneath their skirts without their knowledge—in public. This is how Ms Pelicot came to know of the dozens of men who were in her bedroom, raping her at the invitation of her husband.
Dominique Pelicot intended to rape his wife, and he intended for other men to rape her. He drugged her to make this happen. He recorded it. The recordings were in a folder labeled abuse. These points bear repeating because it needs to be clear that rape is not accidental. The perpetrator makes a decision to be violent. The perpetrator knows it is wrong. The perpetrator does not care that it is wrong.
The repeated drugging made Gisèle Pelicot ill. She was not feeling well and was experiencing cognitive effects. She and her children thought it was cognitive decline due to a brain tumor or Alzheimer’s, and she underwent many medical exams. The rapist in her house watched as
she suffered, as she feared, and as she tried to find out why she was experiencing memory loss and blackouts. He continued to drug and rape her, and he continued to invite other men to rape her while he watched, instructed, and recorded them.
Police were able to identify 50 men from the video footage, and they are now charged with rape. Some of them insist that they are not guilty of rape. They claim they did not know that Gisèle Pelicot had been drugged. They claim Dominique Pelicot told them her being asleep was a part of the agreement.
One of the men, who still has not admitted to raping Gisèle Pelicot, told police that he only realised the situation was “dodgy” when she started to move and Dominique Pelicot looked nervous. He had been invited to the house by Dominique Pelicot who told him to touch Ms Pelicot who, he claimed, had taken sleeping pills as a part of a sex game. Philippe said he was uneasy, but ultimately decided to penetrate Ms. Pelicot.
“I am expressing my regrets to Ms Pelicot… I only realised once I was in jail that I should’ve done something.”
As the husband had given me permission, in my mind she agreed to it.”
“Now that I am being told how the events unfolded, yes the acts I committed would amount to rape.”
“I put my conscience aside… I was thinking with my sexual organ instead of with my brain.”
These are the words of some of the men who are now on trial. These are men with family members who engage with them every day and have no idea that
Recommendations
Global 16 Days Campaign with Equality Bahamas. The Campaign begins with a conversation with Soraya Chemaly, author of The Resilience Myth, about the way society expects and prizes resilience of the individual and the ways we need to shift our concept of resilience to understand it as a community trait and systemic requirement rather than a character strength everyone must have or pretend to have. Register to join at tiny. cc/16daysmyth. Check out the full event lineup at lu.ma/16days24
Kickstart goals for 2025 . January is a rough time to start anything new. The new calendar year seems like the ideal time to start, but it is right on the heels of the holiday season, money is usually tight, and there is the work of getting back into the groove. Set those goals now so you can start building the habits you need to practice to work toward them in December. Consider it a test run, or think of it as a warmup. Set the goals, start the work, and set yourself up for success in January and beyond.
they are rapists. There are people in their lives who likely viewed them as “nice” people, as “protectors,” and as “good guys,” yet the truth now in their faces.
As Gisèle Pelicot said, “A rapist is not just someone you meet in a dark car park late at night. He can also be found in the family, among friends.”
These men are vile. They violated a woman in the way women fear most and from which we are taught to protect ourselves. Women are encouraged to marry, to have someone to protect us, yet they are often the ones who betray us. This man, Dominique Pelicot, invited other men to join him in acts of violence against the same wife we accompanied to doctors appointments as she worried about cognitive decline that he knew was due to his drugging her.
At one point during the trial, Gisèle Pelicot said, “[…[By the way, I want to point out, that I don’t forgive him. His actions were unforgivable. I was betrayed and fooled.” This is affirming to women and girls all over the world who are survivors of gender-based violence, and who have been pressured to forgive. Who people have tried to convince that it “wasn’t that bad.” Who people say need to “let it go.” It is affirming for the women who called the police, only to be told that nothing can be done since the rapist is her husband. For the women who live in countries as misogynistic as this one, where marital rape is not criminalised. Survivors do not owe perpetrators forgiveness.
Though she had the right to anonymity, Gisèle Pelicot waived it, choosing to have an open trial. “It’s not for us to have shame, it’s for them,” she said. This week, she noted that, due to the open trial, she “can feel the tiredness.”
Dominique Pelicot was arrested on November 2, 2020. The trial started on September 2, 2024. The trial is expected to come to a close on December 20, 2024. Though Gisèle Pelicot said, “I don’t think I’ll ever feel at peace until the end of my life,” may the final outcome be execution of the law to the greatest extent, and may the support from women all over the world continue as she carries on with what she said she will have to do. “I’ll learn to live with it. I’ll rebuild myself. But there’ll forever be 51 people who have defiled me. And I will have to live with this for the rest of my life.”
Lewis Joly/AP
Changing the game - AI and screen technology
IN THE world of gamers, technology defines the player’s experience.
On one hand, there’s the evolution of consoles that shape generations; on the other, AI-powered televisions are revolutionising the concept of immersion in digital entertainment by combining size, image quality, and smart connectivity.
With a simple voice command, it’s possible to turn on the TV and, in seconds, be transported into a supernatural adventure or an epic battle.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, advancements in TV technology have a direct impact on the concept of home entertainment, a cultural mainstay in the region.
Gamers are increasingly opting for 65-inch or larger screens, which offer a striking visual impact.
“With refresh rates up to 144Hz or even 240Hz, the experience is fluid and uninterrupted — an essential factor for both professional and amateur players. Models like Samsung’s Neo QLED, for instance, combine image quality and high refresh rates, boosting immersion levels and maximising users’ competitive potential,” said Felipe Rabat, vice president of
consumer electronics for Samsung Central America and the Caribbean.
Another factor transforming gaming consumption is the integration of televisions with video game streaming services.
As cloud gaming grows, gamers in this region have easier access to titles without needing consoles or large downloads.
The latest TVs come with built-in gaming hubs, enabling a much faster and more intuitive “plug-andplay” experience.
This innovation meets the demand for convenience among Latin American and the Caribbean consumers, positioning screens at the heart of the connected home ecosystem. Recent data shows significant growth in cloud gaming users in Latin America, reflecting a desire for practicality and innovation.
Artificial intelligence plays a fundamental role by adapting the gaming experience to the type of content displayed. The latest-generation televisions recognise game genres and optimise parameters such as brightness, contrast, and sound, creating a more immersive audiovisual experience.
Imagine playing a suspenseful game like
Resident Evil, where sound and lighting tones automatically adjust to make each moment more intense: this is AI’s promise to the gaming universe, making every session more immersive and thrilling.
“These innovations
CARDS WITHOUT NUMBERSMASTERCARD’S FUTURE PLAN
MASTERCARD has announced its vision to transform online shopping by 2030. It envisions a future where physical card numbers are no longer needed to make purchases. Where passwords or onetime codes are obsolete, and secure on-device biometrics enable seamless authentication across devices and websites, ensuring personal data stays on the device.
By 2030, Mastercard aims to eliminate the need to manually enter cards and static or one-time passwords by combining tokenisation, introduced ten years ago to protect personal data and payment details, with biometric authentication for a secure and frictionless payment experience.
By doing so, Mastercard aims to ensure that every online transaction on its network can be tokenised and authenticated, making the online payment process more seamless and secure. Despite the advancement of next-generation digital
payment solutions, online shopping still faces challenges and friction points.
Fraud rates are seven times higher online than in physical stores, as criminals take advantage of exposed card numbers, creating problems for individuals and huge losses for merchants and issuers.
Additionally, according to a Mastercard study, nearly two-thirds of shoppers still struggle when manually entering their card details, and 25 percent of shopping carts are abandoned because the checkout process is too complex or slow.
This vision, which paves the way to safer and faster payments for all, also opens a new era for physical cards, making cards without numbers the norm, further reducing the risk of fraud in case of loss or theft.
Mastercard technology is already speeding up the online checkout process for businesses.
Today, tokenisation is reducing cart abandonment and increasing transaction
approval by 3-6 percentage points across all regions, generating up to $2 billion in additional sales globally each month. It also minimises the risk of fraud.
These advancements bring significant benefits to the broader ecosystem, including banks, consumers, and businesses.
“Just like the transition from signing and swiping to tapping cards, we’re now moving from manual entry and passwords to secure, frictionless payments in just a few clicks. With this shift, we’re protecting sensitive data using advanced encryption and tokenization technologies,” said Jorn Lambert, chief product officer, Mastercard.
“As payments continue to become integrated into diverse commerce experiences, we’re leading the way toward a global economy that empowers everyone –giving consumers greater control, convenience and peace of mind, while driving new sales for merchants and reducing fraud for issuers.”
“Consumers in Latin
captured attention at events like the Brazil Game Show, one of the largest gaming expo in America, recently held in São Paulo.
During the event, visitors experienced the latest in giant screens, showcasing the potential of combining
larger displays with technologies like AI. Attendees reported that playing on screens like the 85-inch Neo QLED provided an immersion comparable to a movie theater, underscoring the impact of these technologies on user experience,”
America and the Caribbean are turning to digital solutions for financial services that improve their lives, and we are pleased to see so many partners adopting technologies that are increasing trust in digital payments and elevating the online shopping experience to a new level,” said Silvana Hernández, executive vice president of core payments for Mastercard for Latin America and the Caribbean. A key part of this commitment to integrate these new technologies by 2030 is continued collaboration and momentum across the payments ecosystem. Mastercard is working with a variety of players in Latin America and the Caribbean
to implement and scale these technologies: Today, more than 30% of Mastercard transactions worldwide are tokenised through the Mastercard Digital Enablement Service (MDES ), with key markets such as India approaching 100% in e-commerce. Latin American players have embraced this technology, with almost 100% of issuers enabled to implement it in the payment process.
The Mastercard Payment Passkey service, which was initially launched for millions of consumers in India, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates, continues to expand globally. In Latin America, Sympla in Brazil and Yuno, a global
payments orchestrator, are ready to begin implementing it. Click to Pay is expanding rapidly as issuers such as Santander and Inbursa in Mexico, and Banco Inter and Carrefour Bank in Brazil, among others, are enrolling their card portfolios. Acquirers, payment service providers and other channel partners such as Adyen, Prestashop and Yuno are also enabling this technology. In addition, consumers are already using Click to Pay to make everyday purchases at merchants such as Arcos Dorados in Brazil, Chile and Mexico; Clic in Colombia; Viva in Mexico; and soon Ingresso. com in Brazil.
said Rabat.
The combination of hightech screens with features like AI and cloud gaming opens new possibilities not only for gamers but for anyone seeking complete, intense immersion in the digital universe.
As Kremlin revises nuclear policy, does the use of atomic weapons become more likely?
Associated Press
THE 4-year-old document has a bland, bureaucratic title — “Basic Principles of State Policy on Nuclear Deterrence” — but its contents are chilling, especially with its newest revisions.
Better known as Russia’s nuclear doctrine, the revamped version that was signed Tuesday by President Vladimir Putin spells out the circumstances that allow him to use Moscow’s atomic arsenal, the world’s largest.
This new version lowers the bar, giving him that option in response to even a conventional attack backed by a nuclear power. That possibly could include the use of US-supplied ATACMS missiles by Ukraine to hit Russian territory — which Moscow says happened Tuesday when six missiles hit the Bryansk region.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized that such strikes could potentially be a trigger for a nuclear response under the revised document.
What is Russia’s nuclear doctrine?
Its first iteration was signed by Putin in 2020, and he approved the latest version Tuesday, according to the Kremlin. It outlines when Russia could dip into its atomic arsenal.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Putin and other Kremlin voices have frequently threatened the West with its nuclear arsenal. But that hasn’t deterred Kyiv’s allies from giving it billions of dollars of advanced weapons, some of which have hit Russian soil.
The revamped document describes nuclear weapons as “a means of deterrence,” noting their use is an “extreme and compelled measure.” It declares that Russia “takes all necessary efforts to reduce the nuclear threat and prevent aggravation of interstate relations that could trigger military conflicts, including nuclear ones.”
Such nuclear deterrence is aimed at safeguarding the “sovereignty and territorial integrity of the state,” deterring a potential aggressor, or, “in case of a military conflict, preventing an escalation of hostilities and stopping them on conditions
acceptable for the Russian Federation,” the document says.
“Nuclear deterrence is aimed to ensure that any potential adversary realizes the inevitability of retribution in case of an aggression against Russia and its allies,” it says.
While formulated broadly to avoid a firm commitment of nuclear use and keep the West guessing at Moscow’s response, the modernized version spells out conditions under which Putin could use a nuclear option in response to a conventional strike.
Changes in the doctrine have been in the works for months, and it’s no coincidence that Tuesday’s announcement of a new version follows by two days Washington’s decision to allow Ukraine to use such longer-range missiles to hit targets in Russia. For months, US President Joe Biden has been weighing the risks of such an escalation.
What triggers a Russian nuclear response?
The doctrine says Moscow could use nuclear weapons “in response to the use of nuclear and other types of weapons of mass destruction” against Russia or its allies, as well as “in the event of aggression” against Russia and Belarus
with conventional weapons that threaten “their sovereignty and/or territorial integrity.”
Any aggression against Russia by a nonnuclear power with the “participation or support of a nuclear power” will be seen as their “joint attack” on Russia, the document says.
It adds that nuclear weapons could be used in these scenarios:
— If reliable information is received about the launch of ballistic missiles targeting the territory of Russia or its allies.
— If nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction strike the territory of Russia or its allies, or are used to hit Russian military units or facilities abroad.
— If an enemy’s impact on critically important Russian government or military facilities could undermine retaliatory nuclear-strike capability.
— If aggression against Russia or Belarus involving conventional weapons raises a critical threat to their sovereignty and territorial integrity.
— If reliable information is received about the takeoff or launch of strategic and tactical aircraft, cruise missiles, drones, hypersonic or other flying vehicles and their crossing the Russian border.
The president can inform
military and political leaders of other countries or international organizations “about the readiness to use nuclear weapons,” or that he has already decided to use them.
Is the use of nuclear weapons imminent?
Even before signing the revamped doctrine, Putin warned the US and its NATO allies against allowing Ukraine to strike Russia with Western-supplied longer-range missiles, saying it would put Russia and NATO at war.
Asked Tuesday if such a Ukrainian attack could potentially trigger a nuclear response, Peskov answered affirmatively. He pointed to the doctrine’s provision that opens the door after a conventional strike that raises critical threats for Russia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Peskov also emphasized the doctrine’s new section that describes an attack by any country supported by a nuclear power as their joint aggression against Russia.
Tatiana Stanovaya of the Carnegie Russia and Eurasia Center noted that Peskov’s comment marked the first time the Kremlin explicitly acknowledged “the potential use of nuclear weapons as a response to strikes on Russian territory using long-range missiles.”
Iran defies international pressure, increasing its stockpile of near weapons-grade uranium, UN says
VIENNA Associated Press
IRAN has defied international demands to rein in its nuclear program and has increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels, according to a confidential report by the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog seen Tuesday by The Associated Press.
The report by the International Atomic Energy Agency said that as of Oct. 26, Iran has 182.3 kilograms (401.9 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60%, an increase of 17.6 kilograms (38.8 pounds) since the last report in August.
Uranium enriched at 60% purity is just a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%.
The IAEA also estimated in its quarterly report that as of Oct. 26, Iran’s overall stockpile of enriched uranium stands at 6,604.4 kilograms (14,560 pounds), an increase of 852.6 kilograms (1,879.6 pounds) since August.
Under the IAEA’s definition, around 42 kilograms (92.5 pounds) of uranium enriched to 60% purity is
the amount at which creating one atomic weapon is theoretically possible — if the material is enriched further, to 90%.
The reports come at a critical time as Israel and Iran have traded missile attacks in recent months after more than a year of war in Gaza, which is governed by Hamas, a group supported by Iran.
Adding to the complexity, Donald Trump’s reelection raises questions about whether and how the incoming administration and Iran may engage. Trump’s first term in office was marked by a particularly troubled period, when he pursued a policy of “maximum pressure” against Tehran. He unilaterally withdrew America from Iran’s nuclear deal with world powers, leading to sanctions hobbling the economy and ordered the killing of the country’s top general.
Iran last week offered not to expand its stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60%, during a visit to Tehran by the IAEA chief, Rafael Mariano Grossi.
The IAEA said during the meetings that “the possibility of Iran not further
expanding its stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60% U-235 was discussed, including technical verification measures necessary for the Agency to confirm this, if implemented.”
The report said that one day after Grossi left Iran, on Nov. 16, IAEA inspectors verified that “Iran had begun implementation of preparatory measures aimed at stopping the increase of its stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60 % U-235” at its underground nuclear sites in Fordow and Natanz.
The reports come ahead of this week’s regular IAEA Board of Governors meeting in Vienna.
A senior western diplomat, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive matter, confirmed to the AP that the United Kingdom, France and Germany, with the support from the US, are going ahead with a resolution at this week’s IAEA Board of Governors meeting, censuring Iran for its lack of cooperation, leading to potential confrontation with Iran ahead of Trump’s return to the White House.
“We remain tightly
coordinated with our E3 partners (France, Germany and UK) in advance of the IAEA Board of Governors meeting. And, we strongly support efforts to hold Iran accountable,” US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters Tuesday in Washington.
“The Iranian regime continues to amass a growing stockpile of highly enriched uranium for which there is no credible civilian purpose and they continue to not cooperate fully with the IAEA,” he added.
A senior diplomat, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, said it is possible that the commitments made by Iran during the IAEA’s chief visit may not stand in case a resolution is passed. In the past, Iran has responded to resolutions by the IAEA Board of Governors by further enhancing its nuclear program. Iran has maintained its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only, but Grossi has previously warned that Tehran has enough uranium enriched to near-weapons-grade levels to make “several” nuclear bombs if it chose
“Put simply, Peskov openly admits that the Kremlin is currently considering the possibility of a nuclear strike,” she said.
While the doctrine envisions a possible nuclear response by Russia, it is formulated broadly to avoid a firm commitment to use nuclear weapons and keep Putin’s options open. The US has seen no change to Russia’s nuclear posture, according to a US National Security Council official who was not authorized to comment publicly and requested anonymity. As a result, the Biden administration has “not seen any reason to adjust our own nuclear posture or doctrine in response to Russia’s statements today,” the official added.
Jack Watling, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute defence and security think tank in the UK, said the use of Western longer-range missiles “certainly will not” trigger Moscow’s nuclear response as some in the West feared.
But he added that “Russia can escalate in a range of ways to impose costs on the West, from undersea sabotage to the employment of proxies to harass trade in the Bab elMandeb,” a strait off the Red Sea where attacks on shipping have been attributed to Yemen’s Houthi
to do so. He has acknowledged the UN agency cannot guarantee that none of Iran’s centrifuges may have been peeled away for clandestine enrichment.
Iran’s mission at the United Nations in New York did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The IAEA also reported that Iran has failed to take concrete steps as of now to improve cooperation, despite pleas by Grossi, who held talks last week with Mohammad Eslami of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Iran’s reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian.
However, Tuesday’s confidential report also said that during Grossi’s visit to Iran on Nov. 14, “Iran agreed to respond to the Agency’s concerns related to Iran’s withdrawal of the designation of several experienced Agency inspectors by considering the acceptance of the designation of four additional experienced inspectors.”
In September 2023, Iran barred some of the Viennabased agency’s most experienced inspectors.
The report also said there was no progress thus far in reinstalling more monitoring equipment, including cameras, removed in June 2022. Since then, the only recorded data comes from
rebels.
Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia’s Security Council that is chaired by Putin, was even more blunt. Ukraine’s use of NATO missiles for strikes on Russian territory “could be classified as an attack by bloc countries on Russia,” he said.
“In such a scenario, Russia reserves the right to retaliate with weapons of mass destruction against Kyiv and key NATO facilities, wherever they may be located,” he said. “This would amount to World War III.”
Stanovaya said “the current situation offers Putin a significant temptation to escalate” and marks “an extraordinarily dangerous juncture.”
“Putin may seek to present the West with two stark choices: ‘Do you want a nuclear war? You will have it,’ or ‘Let’s end this war on Russia’s terms,’” she posted on X. That would not interfere with any possible peace initiatives but could reinforce US President-elect Donald Trump’s argument for direct dialogue with Putin, she said.
“Simultaneously, it would expose Biden to criticism for being the catalyst of the escalation while potentially discouraging Ukraine from further using long-range missiles,” Stanovaya added.
IAEA cameras installed at a centrifuge workshop in Isfahan in May 2023 — although Iran has not provided the IAEA with access to this data and inspectors have not been able to service the cameras. Last week, Eslami warned that Iran could retaliate if challenged at the upcoming IAEA board meeting. Grossi acknowledged some nations were considering taking action against Iran. In an effort to ensure Iran could not develop atomic weapons, world powers struck a deal with Tehran in 2015 under which it agreed to limit enrichment of uranium to levels necessary for nuclear power in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. UN inspectors were tasked with monitoring the program.
Under the original 2015 nuclear deal, Iran was allowed to enrich uranium only up to 3.67% purity, can maintain a stockpile of uranium of 300 kilograms and is permitted to use only very basic IR-1 centrifuges, machines that spin uranium gas at high speed for enrichment purposes.
A year after the US withdrawal from the deal under Trump, Iran started to gradually abandon all limits the deal put on its program and began enriching uranium to up to 60% purity.
IN this photo taken from video released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, Russian RS-24 Yars strategic ballistic missiles launcher moves out of a hangar during drills in the Ivanovo region in Russia.
Photo: Russian Defense Ministry Press Service/AP
TO NO. 2 ON NBA’S CAREER 3-POINT LIST
INGLEWOOD, Calif.
(AP) — James Harden now stands alone at No. 2 in 3-pointers. The Los Angeles Clippers guard connected on the 2,974th 3-pointer of his career Sunday night and broke a tie with Basketball Hall of Famer Ray Allen for the No. 2 spot on the NBA’s list.
“It’s an unbelievable accomplishment and just a testament to the work that I’ve been putting in,” Harden said. “As I get older and chip away at an unbelievable career, you start to accomplish things like that and I don’t ever want to take it for granted.”
Harden’s history-making shot came from the right wing with 6:09 left in the first quarter in a 116-105 victory over the Utah Jazz. The only player ahead of Harden on the list is Golden State’s Stephen Curry at 3,782.
“I’m one of the most confident guys we have in this league, but no, I probably won’t catch Steph, and I don’t think anybody will, honestly,” Harden said. Harden was 2 of 8 from 3-point range and finished with 20 points, 11 assists and six rebounds.
By JIMMY GOLEN AP Sports Writer
BOSTON (AP) — The defending NBA champions held off the league’s hottest team last night, with Jayson Tatum scoring 33 points and adding 12 rebounds to lead the Boston Celtics to a 120-117 victory over Cleveland and hand the Cavaliers their first loss
after 15 straight wins to open the season. Cleveland cut a 21-point deficit to two in the third quarter, and Donovan Mitchell hit a rainbow 3-pointer with 24 seconds left to make it a four-point game.
Tatum sank one of two free throws, and then clobbered Mitchell at the other end, leaving the Cavaliers
guard on the floor in need of medical attention.
Mitchell eventually stepped to the line and sank both free throws, but Boston inbounded the ball without trouble and passed it downcourt for an easy Al Horford dunk to clinch it.
Tatum sank six of Boston’s 22 3-pointers, and added seven assists for Boston’s third straight win.
Mitchell scored 35 points, and Evan Mobley had 22 points and 11 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who were the fourth team in NBA history to open the season with 15 wins in a row. The 15-game winning streak was longest in Cavaliers franchise history.
Takeaways Cleveland was an early surprise as the top team in
the Eastern Conference, but it knows it will not be easy to get past Boston, should they meet in the playoffs.
Key moment The Celtics scored 19 of the last 26 points in the 2nd quarter to turn a five-point lead into a 65-48 advantage at the break. Cleveland cut a 21-point deficit to two points in the third.
but when it’s time to play us they are playing like All-Stars. We understand that was the situation that we were in and heavy is the head that wears the crown.
“We will be ready for this next chapter and the battles that are coming up and now we have time in the off-season to really fine tune some things, work on our bodies and make sure that when we come into this next season, that we can hit the ground running,” he said.
New York capped off the regular season with a league’s best 32-8 win/ loss record before closing out the season as first time champions.
The city of New York celebrated the team’s championship in grand
fashion with a parade in Manhattan.
The Grand Bahamian admitted at a press conference on Monday that the experience playing in New York is simply second to none.
“New York fans really know sports and they are really passionate about it. When you go out there and you play the right way they really embrace you and so I think we feel that and we love that about the city.
“I know I want every Bahamian that is possible to be able to come into Barclays Centre and just experience what it feels like to be at a New York Liberty WNBA Game because I feel like the energy there is different and it is something that really highlights women’s sports in a great light and
sheds light on where the league could go and some of the steps we have been taking in order to grow the league and ensure that we are moving in the right step towards equality and equal pay,” she said.
Jones was not the only Bahamian shining bright in the Big Apple.
New York Mets first base coach Antoan Richardson and New York Yankees third baseman Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr also had some big moments in New York.
“Jazz” made it all the way to the 2024 MLB World Series to become just the second Bahamian since Ed Armbrister to accomplish the historic feat.
Jones spoke about the relationship shared between her and “Jazz” as
two successful Bahamians in the Big Apple.
“We talked about the experience of being in New York. We talked about how the energy of the city is infectious and how the people really embrace professional sports and invigorate you with their energy. We felt that and we love that about the city. Anyway we could support each other we try to do that. We understand that we are from a small nation but a nation that is very prideful and a nation that has really strong-willed people that can go out there and do a lot of great things on the national and international stage,” she said. The 2024 WNBA Finals MVP’s homecoming tour wrapped up on Monday. The major sponsors for the
homecoming were Aliv, Baha Mar, Grand Bahama Port Authority and Grand Lucayan.
Allen needed 1,300 games to make his 2,973 3-pointers. Harden passed him in 1,086 games.
“Both of those guys,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said last week, “are extraordinary shooters.” Harden is one of three players in NBA history to have 300 3-pointers in a season. He made 378 in 2018-19; the other players on that list are Curry (who has done it five times, including an NBA-record 402 in 2015-16) and Klay Thompson (who made 301 in 2022-23).
“To be a scorer at all three levels and to be second all-time in 3-pointers made is crazy,” Lue said after the game. “And a lot of tough 3s: off the dribble, step backs, pocket 3s, pulling up off the dribble on pick and rolls.
“Just to see what he has accomplished from a twoguard to the transition to point guard, his whole career has been great.” Harden also is 15th on the NBA’s career list in points and 13th in assists.
The only other player who ranks in the top 15 in scoring, assists and 3-pointers — appearing on all three lists — is LeBron James, the league’s career scoring leader who is fourth in assists and eighth in 3-pointers.
Allen passed Reggie Miller for No. 1 on the 3-pointers list during the 2010-11 season and held the record for more than a decade. Curry passed Allen during the 2021-22 season.
BOSTON Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) celebrates during the
Cavaliers. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
An emotional Rafael Nadal retires
By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer
MALAGA, Spain (AP) — Rafael Nadal bit his lower lip and his reddened eyes welled with tears as he stood alongside his Davis Cup teammates for Spain’s national anthem yesterday before what he — and everyone — knew might be the last match of his career.
Hours after Nadal’s 6-4, 6-4 loss to Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands was over, the evening did turn out to represent the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s farewell to professional tennis, because the Dutch eliminated the Spaniards in the quarterfinals just after midnight.
And it was during an oncourt, post-match ceremony to honour Nadal that he cried and cried, at the singsong chorus of “Raaa-faaa” from the spectators, at the video showing highlights from his more than two decades on tour and the collection of recorded tributes from current or former players such as his Big Three rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, Conchita Martinez and Andy Murray, and stars from other sports such as golf’s Sergio Garcia or soccer’s David Beckham.
But he acknowledged after playing that “the emotions were difficult to manage,” and that he felt nerves out there amid the roars of an adoring audience that mostly showed up for one player and one player only.
After Nadal, a 14-time French Open champion, was beaten on the indoor hard court in southern Spain, he became a cheerleader for his heir apparent, Carlos Alcaraz, who evened the matchup against the Netherlands at 1-all by getting past Tallon Griekspoor 7-6 (0), 6-3 in the other singles match.
But then van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof clinched the victory for the Dutch by defeating Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3) in the deciding doubles match.
Even if Spain had managed to get past the Netherlands, Nadal said that if he were his team’s captain, he wouldn’t pick himself to play again in the semifinals after that performance against the 80th-ranked van de Zandschulp.
At least he was in a joking mood after the result put a stop to his 29-match winning streak in Davis Cup singles. The only other blemish on his record,
“The titles, the numbers, are there, so people probably know that, but the way I would like to be remembered is as a good person from a small village in Mallorca,” the 38-year-old Nadal told the flag-waving, sign-toting crowd at the sold-out Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena. “Just a kid that followed their dreams, worked as hard as possible. ... I have been very lucky.” He had said beforehand that his feelings would need to be put on hold, that this week was about attempting to claim one last trophy for his country, not about pondering his impending retirement, which he announced last month would come after this event.
which stood at 29-1 entering Tuesday, came in his 2004 debut.
“I lost my first match in the Davis Cup, and I lost my last one,” Nadal said with a wide grin. “So we close the circle.”
When a forehand found the net to close his last match, Nadal walked to the net for a quick hug with his opponent.
“That was a tough, tough match to play,” said van de Zandschulp, noting that he idolised Nadal while growing up.
In certain ways, this was, unmistakably, the Nadal that van de Zandschulp — and so many others — can remember.
The white headband, marked with the red bull logo Nadal made famous.
The white tape wrapped around all four of his left,
racket-holding fingers. The water bottles by his sideline bench, placed just so.
There was the occasional ace right on a line. The occasional serve-and-volley foray.
The occasional over-theshoulder putaway. And, yes, the occasional uppercut and scream of “Vamos!”
There also were — neither to Nadal’s or most of the 9,200 spectators’ liking — several points where he looked like a once-dominant figure diminished by age and injuries.
Nadal was just not able to bring his best, no matter how many chants of “Rafa!” or “España!” or “Si, se puede!” (“Yes, you can!”) broke out, no matter how many scarves reading “Gracias, Rafa!” or redand-yellow Spanish flags of all sizes filled the arena.
This version of Nadal had hip issues, including surgery in June 2023, and abdominal problems that combined to limit him to only 24 matches over the past two years. He went 12-8 in singles in 2024.
The match against van de Zandschulp — who upset Alcaraz at the U.S. Open — was Nadal’s first outing that counted since early August at the Paris Olympics.
He lost there in the second round of singles to Djokovic and bowed out in the doubles quarterfinals alongside Alcaraz.
Nadal and Alcaraz practiced with each other hours before the start of play.
The day, much like the entire Davis Cup leadup, was largely about memories of, and praise for, Nadal.
ITF HOLDS ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN HONG KONG
THE International Tennis Federation (ITF) held its Annual General Assembly in Hong Kong in October.
Over 50 nations’ presidents and representatives, including the BLTA president Perry Newton, converged at the Assembly to discuss pivotal issues surrounding the advancement of tennis on a global level.
Newton stated that
“The 2024 AGM centered heavily on the ITF’s
digital strategy, the growth of tennis initiatives as well as a new rule change relative to coaching coming into effect in 2025 across the professional tour scene.
“One of the digital tools is the ITF Academy’s website with content for players, parents, officials and coaches, the BLTA will continue to promote community involvement on this platform as well as through the Association’s social channels and website resources.
“In the upcoming year the BLTA will also commence adding its tournament results into the ITF’s World Tennis Number (WTN) platform.” The WTN provides a global standard for players regardless of age, gender or ability, utilising a 40-1 scale, with 40 being a beginner player and 1 being an elite professional.
Newton noted that one of the ITF goals shared in Hong Kong was the addition of 120 million players
playing tennis by 2030. In The Bahamas, BLTA’s Play Tennis Bahamas programme is seeking to grow the sport through community involvement, introducing children from the community to tennis at no cost. The programme has been recently supported by Mark Knowles and Baha Mar.
Tennis is also developing in Abaco, Grand Bahama, Eleuthera and Inagua and expanding across our chain of islands.
“We will miss you a lot,” he added.
Nadal’s appeal was found in how he played tennis, relentless and striking each shot as if it might be his last, and the humility he displayed away from competition.
No one cared for him as much as his fellow Spaniards.
He is a national hero, transcending sports, and that was clear from the love expressed over and over via shouts and standing ovations — when Nadal entered the court, when he won a point, when his match ended, and so on.
“When we heard the news that Rafa was retiring, this really became something special — a chance to see the greatest sportsman in the country’s history,” said Luis Julve, a 19-yearold college student who made the trip from Madrid with his mother and aunt.
When the matches, the ceremony, the night and his career were over, Nadal hugged his teammates and left the court, pausing to wave goodbye to his fans one last time.
“The truth is that nobody ever wants to arrive at this moment,” Nadal said.
“I’m not tired of playing tennis, but it’s my body that doesn’t want to play anymore, so I have to accept the situation. Honestly, I feel super privileged for having been able to make a career out of my hobby, and for having played for much longer than I could ever have imagined.”
“You know very well what you have meant to the tennis world,” said Spain’s captain, David Ferrer, who lost to Nadal in the 2013 French Open final.
SLOVAKIA BEATS BRITAIN 2-1 TO SET UP FINAL AGAINST ITALY IN BILLIE JEAN KING CUP
By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer
MALAGA, Spain (AP) — Slovakia rallied to beat Britain 2-1 and reach its first Billie Jean King Cup final in more than two decades yesterday.
Viktoria Hruncakova and Tereza Mihalikova defeated Olivia Nicholls and Heather Watson 6-2, 6-2 in the decisive doubles match, putting Slovakia back in the final for the first time since 2002 to face last year’s runner-up Italy today.
“Absolutely special moment for our country, for our players, for tennis in Slovakia,” captain Matej Liptak said. “It’s so many years when we won it once only. But today it’s really real, and we are just one step from the maybe biggest victory of our team or team members. We will try to enjoy it.”
Britain was trying to reach the final of the women’s team event for the first time in more than four decades.
“We’re all absolutely gutted,” Britain team captain Anne Keothavong said.
“We came into this event really believing that we had a good shot at it and unfortunately we fell short. We came up against a better team. It’s still pretty raw right now. It’s quite difficult to find the right words.” Slovakia forced the deciding match after Rebecca Sramkova rallied to defeat Katie Boulter 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the second singles match of the tie.
The Central American and Caribbean regional tennis body (Cotecc) also met on the key areas for the region. Cotecc president Persio Maldonado and ITF president David Haggerty were in attendance. The BLTA was privileged and honoured to have its president Perry Newton, who also sits on the Cotecc Board as president of subregion 3, represent The Bahamas at both the regional and general sessions.
Britain had taken the lead when Emma Raducanu defeated Hruncakova 6-4, 6-4 in the first singles, a result that ended Hruncakova’s six-match winning streak in the competition counting both singles and doubles matches.
“I had some good performances on the court this week. I played three matches, which is great for me. I haven’t played in a while, so I think being able to score a point and get on the board was helpful,” Raducanu said.
SPAIN’s Rafael Nadal during a tribute after playing his last match as a professional tennis player in the Davis Cup quarterfinals at the Martin Carpena Sports Hall in Malaga, southern Spain, early yesterday (November 20, 2024). (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Eleuthera Ladies’ All-Stars, Cybot Tech Blue Marlins emerge as champions
THE Eleuthera Ladies’ All-Stars and the Cybot Tech Blue Marlins from New Providence emerged as the ladies and men’s champions of the Bahamas Softball Federation’s Fastpitch Invitational Tournament.
The tournament was held over the weekend at the Bankers Field and was a tribute to the late softball players Van ‘Lil Joe’ Johnson from Eleuthera and Renee ‘Sunshine’ Curry-Davis from New Providence, who both passed away this year.
The number two seed Eleuthera All-Stars won the ladies title over the No.1 BAP-Black team with an 18-5 decision.
Nabica Hamilton had a hit, RBI and scored three runs, while Ciara Bowe added a three-run home run. Grace Chea was the winning pitcher and P’Antae Fox was the loser.
Rhama Bethel, who struck out twice, came through with a two-run double amd scored a run in a four-run fifth inning as BAP black got back into the game. The BAP pink team finished third.
On the men’s side, the Cyber Tech Blue Marlins prevailed over the Blue Water Jets out of Eleuthera with a 13-6 victory,. Garfield Bethel went 3-for-4 with three RBI and three runs scored amd Myron Johnson had a three-run home run in the win.
WAS HIGHESTGROSSING COMBAT EVENT
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Jake Paul’s unanimous decision over Mike Tyson was the highestgrossing combat sports event in Texas at $18.1 million, the promotions company co-founded by Paul said yesterday.
The eight-round fight at the home of the Dallas Cowboys drew about 72,000 fans and was part of a comain event that featured Katie Taylor’s latest disputed decision in a super lightweight championship slugfest against Amanda Serrano.
The event surpassed Texas’ previous sports combat high of $9 million set by Canelo Alvarez when he faced Billy Joe Saunders at 80,000-seat AT&T Stadium in 2021, according to Most Valuable Promotions.
There were 73,000-plus fans at the Alvarez-Saunders fight, which at the time was the biggest crowd for a U.S. sporting event since the start of the pandemic a year earlier.
Paul beat Tyson, the 58-year-old former heavyweight champion, in a lopsided decision, winning all but one round on the three judges’ scorecards combined. It was the 11th victory in 12 fights for the YouTuber-turned-boxer, who has seven knockouts in 4 1/2 years since turning pro.
results of the games played: BAP Black def. BAP Pink 14-4; Eleuthera def. BAP Pink 10-0; Undertakers def. Titans 7-5; BAP Black def. El;euthera 8-7;
Micah Bethel went 3-for-4 with a RBI and two runs scored; Jeff Bethel was 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and Ivan Francis had a solo homer for Eleuthera. Thomas Davis was the winning pitcher and Edney Bethel was the losing pitcher. Third place went to the Undertakers with the Titans finishing fourth.
Blue Water def. Titans 4-1; BAP Black def. BAP Pink 7-5 on hits after they finished tied at 14-14 in runs; Marlins def. Undertakers 13-1; Eleuthera def. BAP Pink 5-3 on hits after they finished tied 6-6 in runs; Marlins def. Titans 21-5; Marlins def. Titans 21-5. Playoffs - Blue Marlins def. Titans 6-1; Eleuthera def. Undertakers 8-3.
Bahamas prepares for second window of AmeriCup Qualifiers
FROM PAGE 16
will then commute to Washington DC on Monday, November 25 to face the USA in the Entertainment & Sports Arena at 7:10pm. Moses Johnson, who served as head coach in the first window, is expecting Team Bahamas to pull off upsets against Cuba and the USA.
“Preparations are going well. You should be seeing 24 names very shortly. The team is narrowing down, coaches are being selected. We are really poised and ready to go down and beat Cuba and also upset the USA in this upcoming window,” Johnson said.
The Bahamas currently sits in a four-way tie with Puerto Rico, USA and Cuba in the Group D standings with a 1-1 win/loss record. The team split a pair of games in the home-andaway series against Puerto Rico in February.
The team, led by Bahamian big man Kai Jones, bested Puerto Rico 88-77 in the away game.
However, Puerto Rico returned the favour, winning 86-67 at the Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium.
on November 22 at the Baha Mar resort. The festivities began with a church service at St Barnabas Church on November 3. And the prestigious National Sports Awards was held at the Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium on November 9. TEE-OFF FOR HUNGER
THE Bahamas Feeding Network is scheduled
Jones played a pivotal role for Team Bahamas during this window. He averaged 13.5 points per game, 8 rebounds and 1.5 steals while shooting 68.8 per cent from the field in the two games played.
Team Bahamas will be without his services this time around as he is currently playing for the Los Angeles Clippers in the National Basketball Association.
Although the 24-member roster has not yet been released, Johnson is confident that the calibre of guys selected can get the job done.
“I am very confident because the calibre of players that we have representing the country that are playing professionally are doing exceptional jobs in all of their leagues. The guys who are rookies like Samuel Hunter, Nathaniel Bastian and some of these guys that are just playing their first game professionally are doing an exceptional job so we are very pleased with the calibre of players coming to represent the country,” he said.
The Bahamas will certainly face an uphill battle during the second window
to host its 3rd annual Tee-off For Hunger on December 9 with Fidelity as its title sponsor. The tournament is scheduled to 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.
of competition. Team USA is currently ranked second on the FIBA Americup 2025 Qualifiers Window Two Power Rankings.
Cuba is ranked at number nine while The Bahamas sits in the 12th spot.
Coach Johnson said continuity will play a big role in The Bahamas picking up some key wins in this second window.
“Our guys would have played together over the course of the last several windows. The core of our guys is still intact, we may add one or two new guys which will add even more to the pool. We are looking forward to the continuity being the same because these guys played together for the last several windows,” he said.
All four teams in Group D will be battling to qualify for the FIBA Americup 2025. Only the top three teams will advance.
The FIBA Americup 2025 will be played at the Alexis Argüello Sports Centre in Managua, Nicaragua.
The games can be viewed live on https:// www.courtside1891.basketball/competitions/ americup-2025.
BetMGM said the fight was its most-bet boxing or mixed-martial arts fight, taking three times the number of bets and four times the money of any combat sport in the sportsbook’s history. A Caesars Sportsbook official said the fight was on par with an NFL Monday night game.
Netflix reported a peak of 65 million viewers in the streaming platform’s debut for live sporting events.
Netflix is carrying two NFL games on Christmas Day and WWE “Raw” on Jan. 6.
ELEUTHERA All-Stars ladies champions, above, Men’s champions Cyber Tech Blue Marlins, top, and Van ‘Lil Joe’ Johnson and Renee ‘Sunshine’ Curry-Davis poster at right.
Queen’s College Comets senior boys earn 4-1 win
FROM PAGE 16
Tyler Nairn took advantage of his leading role. Neither team could score until the fourth when Kingsway Academy blew a golden opportunity to add another one.
Anthony Miller drilled a shot to right for a lead off double.
Nicholas Knowles went back to right on a high fly ball, but when Miller attempted to score, Queen’s College catcher Blake Cartwright was waiting for the tag out.
Knowles, who had moved up to third with two out, was forced out on a run down.
The Comets, however, got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the frame after Ethan Knowles reached first on an error and came home on another that put Treyvon Simms.
Another shot to right enabled Simms to score the go ahead run. With
the bases loaded and one out in the fifth, Kingsway Academy made a pitching change and Queen’s College capitalised, scoring two runs to extend their lead to 4-1. With their last chance to score in the seventh, Austin Cartwright retired the side in order as Queen’s College held on for the win.
Blue Waves 17, Big Red Machine 15 SAC rolled out to a quick 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning and they added another in the second for a 5-0 lead.
Blue Waves, however, responded with four runs in the third, only to give up the same amount in the bottom as SAC extended their lead to 9-4. Again in the fourth, both teams traded the same amount of runs as SAC stayed ahead 12-7.
But the tide was broken in the fifth as Blue Waves got one run to trim the deficit to 12-8. After the Big Red Machine was stalled, St Anne’s sailed ahead with
nine runs to take their first lead of the game, 17-13, in the sixth.
Despite SAC threatening to make a gallant comeback for the first time in the game, St Anne’s came up with the defensive stops to seal the deal.
Joseph Humes, their starting second baseman, was a lil dynamo, leading the charge as he moved on the mound amd ended up in shortstop where he turned a couple of critical plays.
Nathan Fernander, who started at shortstop, came in as the closer in the sixth to perserve the win.
Chercovic Wells, who came out of the dugout to join head coach Dana Braynen on the field after their assistant coach got ejected, said it wasn’t the slugfest they anticipated, but they just wanted it more than SAC.
“We thought we would come out hitting and make pur plays “ Wells said. “But it took the boys a little while
to warm up and adjust to SAC’s playing style.”
Wells said they will get in a practice today and hopefully coach Braynen will have them hyped up from the first inning.
SAC’s coach Je’Vaughn Saunders admitted that they let the game slip away from them in the sixth inning. “For the first five innings, we played the game we were supposed to, but we kind of broke down in the sixth,” Saunders said.
“Once we execute on Thursday, we should be fine. We just need to lock in for the full game and we will be good.”
The Big Red Machine started with Malique Williams on the mound, but ended up changing a few pitchers. So did the Blue Waves. But in addition to their pitching change, SAS also switched starting catcher Philip Glinton and third baseman Zach Dean, which made an impact in the game.
MLB SALARY ARBITRATION ELIGIBLES LIST: CHISHOLM JR ONE OF 238 PLAYERS ELIGIBLE FOR SALARY ARBITRATION
NEW YORK (AP) —
New York Yankees third baseman Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr is one of the 238 Major League Baseball players eligible for salary arbitration.
Contracts must be tendered by 8pm EST on Friday, November 22 and proposed salaries will be exchanged on January 9.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
BALTIMORE (13) — Keegan Akin, lhp; Kyle Bradish, rhp; Dean Kremer, rhp; Jorge Mateo, 2b; Ryan Mountcastle, 1b; Cedric Mullins, of; Emmanuel Rivera, 3b; Trevor Rogers, lhp; Adley Rutschman, c; Gregory Soto, lhp; Ramón Urías, inf; Jacob Wells, rhp; Tyler Webb, rhp.
BOSTON (3) — Kutter Crawford, rhp; Jarren Duran, of; Tanner Houck, rhp.
CHICAGO (7) — Justin Anderson, rhp; Garrett Crochet, lhp; Enyel De Los Santos, rhp; Penn Murfee, rhp; Gavin Sheets, 1b; Andrew Vaughn, 1b; Steven Wilson, rhp. CLEVELAND (8) — Sam Hentges, lhp; Steven Kwan, of; Ben Lively, rhp; Triston McKenzie, rhp; Eli Morgan, rhp; Josh Naylor, 1b; Nick Sandlin, rhp; Lane Thomas, of. DETROIT (9) — Beau Brieske, rhp; Jason Foley, rhp; Andy Ibáñez, 3b; Zach McKinstry, 2b; Casey Mize, rhp; Jake Rogers, c; Tarik Skubal, lhp; Will Vest, rhp; Matt Vierling, of. HOUSTON (8) — Bryan Abreu, rhp; Mauricio Dubón, of; Luis Garcia, rhp; Chas McCormick, of; Jake Meyers, of; Jeremy Peña, ss; Kyle Tucker, of; Framber Valdez, lhp.
KANSAS CITY (8) — Kris Bubic, lhp; Hunter Harvey, rhp; Carlos Hernández, rhp; Kyle Isbel, of; MJ Melendez, of; John Schreiber, rhp; Brady Singer, rhp; Kyle Wright, rhp. LOS ANGELES (10) — Jo Adell, of; Brock Burke, lhp; Reid Detmers, lhp; Mickey Moniak, of; José Quijada, lhp; Luis Rengifo, 1b-2b; Patrick Sandoval, lhp; José Suarez, lhp; Matt Thaiss, c; Taylor Ward, of. MINNESOTA (11) — Willi Castro, of-inf; Jhoan Durán, rhp; Griffin Jax, rhp; Ryan Jeffers, c; Trevor Larnach, of; Royce Lewis, 3b; Bailey Ober, rhp; Joe Ryan, rhp; Brock Stewart, rhp; Michael Tonkin, rhp; Justin Topa, rhp. NEW YORK (10) — Jon Berti, inf; JT Brubaker, rhp; Jazz Chisholm, Jr., inf; Nestor Cortes, lhp; Scott Effross, rhp; Trent Grisham, of; Mark Leiter Jr., rhp; Tim Mayza, lhp; Clarke Schmidt, rhp; Jose Trevino, c. SEATTLE (11) — Randy Arozarena, of; J.T. Chargois, rhp; Logan Gilbert, rhp; Sam Haggerty, of; George Kirby, rhp; Cal Raleigh, c; Josh Rojas, 3b; Tayler Saucedo, lhp; Gabe Speier, lhp; Trent Thornton, rhp; Austin Voth, rhp.
TAMPA BAY (12) — Tyler Alexander, lhp; Shane Baz, rhp; Dylan Carlson, of; Garrett Cleavinger, lhp; Zack Littell, rhp; Richard Lovelady, lhp; Colin Poche, lhp; Drew Rasmussen, rhp; Ben Rortvedt, c; Jose Siri, of; Cole Sulser, rhp; Taylor Walls, ss.
TEXAS (5) — Dane Dunning, rhp; Jonah Heim, c; Nathaniel Lowe, 1b; Josh Sborz, rhp; Leody Taveras, of.
TORONTO (9) — Ernie Clement, inf; Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1b; Alejandro Kirk, c; Alek Manoah, rhp; Zach Pop, rhp; Jordan Romano, rhp; Erik Swanson, rhp; Dillon Tate, rhp; Daulton Varsho, of.
ATHLETICS (4) — Miguel Andujar, of; Seth Brown, of; Dany Jiménez, rhp; Brent Rooker, dh-of.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
ARIZONA (8) — Zac Gallen, rhp; Kevin Ginkel, rhp; Joe Mantiply, lhp; Kyle Nelson, lhp; Geraldo Perdomo, ss; A.J. Puk, lhp; Pavin Smith, 1b; Ryan Thompson, rhp.
ATLANTA (5) — Griffin Canning, rhp; Jarred Kelenic, of; Ramon Laureano, of; Dylan Lee, lhp; Huascar Ynoa, rhp.
CHICAGO (10) — Adbert Alzolay, rhp; Nick Madrigal, inf; Julian Merryweather, rhp; Isaac Paredes, 3b; Nate Pearson, rhp; Justin Steele, lhp; Mike Tauchman, of; Keegan Thompson, rhp; Trey Wingenter, rhp; Patrick Wisdom, 1b-3b.
CINCINNATI (7) — Alexis Díaz, rhp; Santiago Espinal, inf; Jake Fraley, of; Ian Gibaut, rhp; Nick Lodolo, lhp; Sam Moll, lhp; Tyler Stephenson, c. COLORADO (7) — Ryan Feltner, rhp; Lucas
Gilbreath, lhp; Austin Gomber, lhp; Sam Hilliard, of; Justin Lawrence, rhp; Cal Quantrill, rhp; Brendan Rodgers, 2b. LOS ANGELES (9) — Anthony Banda, lhp; Connor Brogdon, rhp; Tony Gonsolin, rhp; Brusdar Graterol, rhp; Michael Kopech, rhp; Gavin Lux, 2b; Dustin May, rhp; Evan Phillips, rhp; Alex Vesia, lhp.
MIAMI (6) — Anthony Bender, rhp; Edward Cabrera, rhp; Nick Fortes, c; Braxton Garrett, lhp; Jesús Luzardo, lhp; Jesús Sánchez, of.
MILWAUKEE (8) — Aaron Civale, rhp; William Contreras, c; Eric Haase, c; Nick Mears, rhp; Trevor Megill, rhp; Hoby Milner, lhp; Joel Payamps, rhp; Devin Williams, rhp.
NEW YORK (7) — Paul Blackburn, rhp; Tylor Megill, rhp; David Peterson, lhp; Sean Reid-Foley, rhp; Tyrone Taylor, of; Alex Young, lhp.
PHILADELPHIA (8) — Alec Bohm, 3b; Austin Hays, of; Brandon Marsh, of; José Ruiz, rhp;
Sosa, inf; Bryson Stott, 2b; Garrett Stubbs, c; Ranger Suárez, lhp.
PITTSBURGH
— Joey
Bailey
Dennis
Johan
SAN
Edmundo
(8)
Bart, c; David Bednar, rhp; Bryan De La Cruz, of;
Falter, lhp; Colin Holderman, rhp; Connor Joe, 1b-of;
Oviedo, rhp;
Santana, rhp. ST. LOUIS (6) — Brendan Donovan, of-inf; Ryan Helsley, rhp; John King, lhp; Lars Nootbar, of; Andre Pallante, rhp; JoJo Romero, lhp.
DIEGO (8) — Jason Adam, rhp; Luis Arraez, 1b-2b; Luis Campusano, c; Dylan Cease, rhp; Michael King, rhp; Adrián Morejón, lhp; Luis Patiño, rhp; Tyler Wade, inf-of. SAN FRANCISCO (5) — Camilo Doval, rhp; Tyler Rogers, rhp; LaMonte Wade Jr., 1b; Austin Warren, rhp; Mike Yastrzemski, of. WASHINGTON (8) — Riley Adams, c; Kyle Finnegan, rhp; Luis García, 2b; MacKenzie Gore, lhp; Derek Law, rhp; Tanner Rainey, rhp; Mason Thompson, rhp.
NEW York Yankees third baseman Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr is one of the 238 MLB players eligible for salary arbitration.
(AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
ON THE REPLAY: High school students - juniors and seniorsin action yesterday in game one of the BAISS best-of-three baseball championship series at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium. Photos: Chappell Whyms Jr
Super Saturday highlights
Bahamas Youth Flag Football League hosts 11 games during week three
THE Bahamas Youth Flag Football League hosted 11 matchups for week three on the fields opposite the original Thomas A Robinson Stadium on Saturday.
The Briland Barracudas won five out of their three matchups: Briland (team one) defeated Team Dawkins 14-2 in the 10-13 age group.
Briland (team two) got the best of Team Rolle 7-0 in the 10-13 age group.
Team Rolle edged out Team Dawkins 13-6 in the 14-17 age group.
Briland (team two) knocked off Team Munroe 12-6 in the 10-13 age group.
Briland (team two) had a tightly contested matchup against Team Akeem but won the game 7-6.
Briland (team one) triumphed over Team Moss 21-0 in the 10-13 age group.
Team Munroe dominated Team Kevin 24-6 in the 14-17 age group.
Team Moss closed out Team Akeem 6-0 in the 14-17 age group.
Team Kevin spoiled Briland’s (team one) visit in the 10-13 age group. The former took the game 30-9.
Team Sheldeen won convincingly over Team Inne 16-4 in the 6-9 age group.
Team Dawkins toppled Team Akeem 12-7 in the 6-9 age group.
JETS FIRE GENERAL MANAGER JOE DOUGLAS
By DENNIS WASZAK JR AP Pro Football Writer
FIREST, Robert Saleh. Now, Joe Douglas.
MIXON CONTINUES TO CARRY TEXANS OFFENCE WITH 3 TOUCHDOWNS IN WIN OVER COWBOYS
By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer
HOUSTON (AP) — Even with Nico Collins back, Joe Mixon remained the star of Houston’s offence in a win over the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night.
Mixon had another big game to lead Houston to the 34-10 victory, running for 109 yards and three touchdowns with 44 yards receiving as the Texans (7-4) ended a two-game skid.
Collins helped the Texans to the win with four receptions for 54 yards in his return after missing five games with a hamstring injury.
It was the sixth straight game with at least one touchdown run for Mixon, who is in his first season in Houston after a trade from Cincinnati, which ties a franchise record. He’s had at least 100 yards rushing in six of his eight games this season and his nine rushing touchdowns in the past six games are a franchise record for a six-game span.
“Joe has been amazing,” quarterback C.J. Stroud said. “He’s been somebody who came in, taught guys how to win more … he taught guys what it takes to get to that goal. We are not there yet, but we are taking strides.”
Mixon gave Houston an early lead with a 45-yard touchdown run on the first drive and he made it 14-0 with a 1-yard scamper later in the first quarter. His third score on another 1-yard run extended the lead to 34-10 in the fourth.
“Joe, when he’s on, he’s a force for us,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Over
100 yards, three touchdowns, I just really liked the way we just kept churning it in the run game.”
Mixon’s performance helped the Texans solve the second-half woes that had plagued them in the past four games. They scored 17 points after halftime Monday after managing just 15 points combined in the second half of the previous four games.
What’s working Mixon has completely transformed Houston’s running game this season.
The Texans surpassed the 100-yard rushing mark as a team just seven times last season. Houston averaged just 96.88 yards rushing a
game last season and has averaged 137.75 yards rushing in the eight games Mixon has played in this season.
What needs help Stroud threw for 257 yards Monday night, but did not have a touchdown pass.
He has just one touchdown pass with three interceptions in the past three games combined after throwing four with just one interception in the previous three games.
Collins was open on a long pass in the first quarter Monday night, but Stroud overthrew him and it was intercepted on the Dallas 12.
Woody Johnson is cleaning house for his woeful New York Jets in what has been a hugely disappointing season.
Douglas was fired Tuesday as the Jets’ general manager, the latest shakeup for a franchise that had Super Bowl aspirations with a healthy Aaron Rodgers at quarterback but has limped to a 3-8 start and appears likely to miss the playoffs for a 14th consecutive year.
The dismissal of Douglas, who was 30-64 and had no winning seasons in his tenure, came exactly six weeks after Johnson fired Saleh as coach on Oct. 8 after the Jets were 2-3 to open the year.
“Today, I informed Joe Douglas he will no longer serve as the general manager of the New York Jets,” Johnson said in a statement issued by the team. “I want to thank Joe for his commitment to the Jets over the last six years and wish him and his family the best moving forward.” Johnson also announced that Phil Savage, who has served as a senior football adviser since 2019, will be the Jets’ interim general manager for the rest of the season. Johnson said the team would immediately begin the process of finding a new GM.
Douglas, who was in the final year of his contract after being hired in 2019, was not consulted by Johnson when the owner made the decision to dismiss Saleh and replace him on an interim basis with defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. New York is 1-5 under Ulbrich.
Comets get win
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
The Queen’s College Comets squeezed out a 4-1 victory to take game one of the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools’ senior boys best-of-three baseball championship series. Tuesday night’s performance at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium came after the St Anne’s
Blue Waves out-slugged St Augustine’s College Big Red Machine 17-15 to take the initial lead in the junior boys’ series. Game two of both series will be played on Thursday. If necessary, the third and deciding games will be played on Friday.
Comets 4,
Saints 1
Kingsway Academy marched to the early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning as starting catcher
THE Bahamas senior men’s national basketball team is gearing up for the second window of the FIBA Americup 2025 Qualifiers. The team will go on the road to face Cuba and the USA in two away games in just two days. Playing out of Group D, The Bahamas will take on Cuba at 6pm on Friday,
‘JJ’ ready for battle next season
By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net
ONE of the most decorated basketball players in Bahamian history Jonquel
“JJ” Jones got all of her flowers over the past few days in Grand Bahama and New Providence. Her return to home soil started with a motorcade in Grand Bahama over the weekend and wrapped up with an all girls’ basketball clinic and celebratory Junkanoo rushout at the Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium on Monday. The former Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) MVP made history as the first Bahamian to hoist the WNBA
crown and WNBA Finals MVP awards. She accomplished the historic feat by leading the New York Liberty to their first title in franchise history with a 67-62 victory over the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA Finals. The Libs won the series 3-2 and became the
With the Libs being the reigning champions, Jones is expecting the team to have a target on their backs next season but is ready for the challenge.
“We know that coming into this next year that obviously the champions always get the toughest fight. I think that we have the experience for it because the majority of the season we were the number one team in the league.
“There are teams that might have been on a fivegame losing streak and weren’t looking too good
SEE PAGE 11
BEARS IN ACTION THURSDAY
No. 22 St. John’s earned its first ranking in six years in last week’s poll and coach Rick Pitino’s team passed its first test, beating
his son Richard and New Mexico 85-71 at Madison Square Garden.
The Red Storm (4-0) face an even tougher task on Thursday against freshman VJ Edgecombe and No. 13 Baylor Bears at Baha Mar Hoops in the Bahamas.
The Bears (3-1) opened the season No. 8 in the preseason AP Top 25, but took a big tumble following a season-opening blowout loss to No. 3 Gonzaga. Baylor bounced back to beat No. 20 Arkansas 72-67 and followed with blowout wins over Sam Houston State and Tarleton.
The Bears are No. 6 in KenPom’s adjusted offensive efficiency and has a talented roster that includes three transfers: Jeremy Roach (Duke), Norchad Omier (Miami) and Jalen Celestine (California).
St. John’s is top 25 in adjusted offence and defence, according to KenPom.
Athletic forward RJ Luis Jr. leads the Red Storm with 17.5 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.
The winner of that game will face No. 11 Tennessee or Virginia.
ON THE MOUND: Queen’s College Comets’ Austin Cartwright pitches yesterday in game one of the BAISS senior boys’ best-of-three baseball championship series.
Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr
JONQUEL JONES