12052024 NEWS AND SPORT

OBITUARIES

The Tribune

LAW AND DISORDER

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

CHAOS erupted in and around the House of Assembly yesterday after Shanendon Cartwright hurled the Speaker’s mace out of a window, prompting police to storm the chamber and drag opposition members out before clashing with an unruly

By LEANDRA ROLLE

crowd outside. The scene evoked memories of Black Tuesday, a key moment in the country’s history when then opposition leader Sir Lynden Pindling famously threw the mace out of a window to protest the governing party’s gerrymandering of electoral boundaries.

FNM deputy leader Shanendon Cartwright removes

throws

out of the window at the

Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

Law and disorder

However, Progressive Liberal Party members swiftly condemned Mr Cartwright’s actions yesterday, dismissing them as grandstanding that lacked the profound significance of Sir Lynden Pindling’s historic protest.

The incident followed a heated protest in Rawson Square where FNM supporters demanded the resignations of now-former Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander and National Security Minister Wayne Munroe after an explosive United States federal indictment last week alleged that certain members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force provided crucial support to drug traffickers smuggling cocaine from South America to the US. House proceedings initially appeared calm, but tensions soared when FNM

Leader Michael Pintard sought to address the US indictment.

Speaker Patricia Deveaux’s refusal to confirm whether he could speak angered the opposition members, leading to a heated exchange in which Mr Cartwright shouted from his seat: “Let the Bahamian people speak, Madame Speaker. You’re out of order, Madame Speaker.”

Mr Cartwright abruptly rose from his seat, grabbed the mace from the Speaker’s desk, and threw it out of a window. Some elected officials sat in stunned silence, while others stood, visibly outraged. Photographers scrambled to capture the chaos. The Speaker’s reaction — shouting “Get him!” and repeatedly exclaiming “My Lord” — quickly went viral. Clips of the drama took social media by storm. Police officers and

Deputy House Speaker Sylvanus Petty tried to restrain Mr Cartwright, but in the ensuing scuffle, Mr Petty was struck on the head, reportedly suffering a concussion that required hospitalisation.

After the Speaker ordered Mr Cartwright’s removal, opposition MPs linked arms to block police intervention. Officers dragged the dishevelled MPs, including Mr Pintard, Kwasi Thompson, Adrian Gibson, and St Annes MP Adrian White, out of the chamber and took them outside.

Speaker Deveaux described the incident as a “dark day” for Bahamian politics.

“For the first time in my life when I took the oath of office, I felt challenged and I was in fear for my life,” she said when proceedings resumed. “I will review the tapes, and I will apprise the country later of my findings,

but during today’s event, I was assaulted, I was hit, thank God for a glass of water in front of me. The honourable deputy speaker was given a blow to the head and has to go to hospital. And we have a police officer with terrible damage to his leg.”

Prime Minister Philip Davis later told reporters the FNM’s conduct was a “terrible display.”

Works Minister Clay Sweeting said it was “a sad day for democracy,” while Agriculture Minister Jomo Campbell said he was left “speechless.”

“It was complete chaos — a disregard for the Bahamian people and for Bahamian institutions,” said Attorney General Ryan Pinder. “They should all be ashamed of themselves.”

FNM supporters continued their protests outside the House as the crowd grew larger. Scores held

signs about the allegations of corruption the country has faced under the Davis administration.

Many protested that the prime minister was unfit to lead the country, chanting: “Brave got to go.

Mr Cartwright defended his actions, telling reporters they symbolised resistance against the government’s efforts to silence the opposition and Bahamian people.

“The mace is the symbol of the Speaker’s authority that has been given to her by the Bahamian people,” he said. “Today, we say

enough is enough and we give the power back to the people.”

He said his action was not premeditated but a spurof-the-moment move after the Speaker failed to let the FNM leader speak.

Opposition members later met Cabinet ministers inside the Tradewinds Building as curious onlookers remained outside.

When Mr Pintard and FNM members reappeared, the opposition leader said the prime minister briefed them on matters concerning the US indictment, describing the discussion as “civil.”

MEMBERS of the Opposition link arms to prevent the removal of deputy leader of the FNM Shanendon Cartwright after the MP threw the mace out of a window at the House of Assembly yesterday.

Photos: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

ACP Knowles set to become

first Female Chief of Police

Leamound Deleveaux’s impending retirement leave.

Mr Davis called ACP Knowles, the current officer in charge of Grand Bahama, a “strong and seasoned professional, ready to lead the force through an era of substantial reform.” He said that as the police force moves forward under “strong new leadership”, the public will be kept informed with updates on personnel, operations, and oversight.

Former Commissioner Paul Rolle praised ACP Knowles’s anticipated appointment yesterday, noting that he made her the officer in charge of the Central Detective Unit, the first woman in that role.

“This is a great day for the police force,” Mr Rolle told The Tribune yesterday.

ACP Knowles was eventually transferred from CDU to Eleuthera, where she was the officer in charge. The national security community usually views such transfers as a demotion. Mr Rolle, however, said he sent her to Eleuthera because he felt “it was important to prepare her for future advancement, to give her more diverse experience in policing”.

“The Prime Minister made a good choice, and

it’s an historic choice as well for him, I guess, to be able to appoint the first female commissioner in the history of the Royal Bahamas Police Force,” he said. “I believe the members of the police force will all be proud, and the country will be proud. I believe Shanta Knowles will do an excellent job in leading the charge of policing in this country. She has good rapport with our international partners and I believe she will do well.”

Ms Knowles, 53, is a mother of one daughter and has served in the police force for 33 years. She has also held positions in the Southern Division, Criminal Investigations Department, Family Island Districts of Exuma and Eleuthera, the National Crime Prevention Office, and the Human Resources Department, in addition to serving as Commandant of the Police Reserves. Her experience includes leading the Sexual Offences Squad and the Trafficking in Persons Squad, successfully investigating the first human trafficking case in the country. From 2017 to 2020, she served as the Director of the National Crime Prevention Office. She had also worked as the press liaison officer, communicating with the media and the public on behalf of the police force.

ASSISTANT Commissioner of Police Shanta Knowles speaks at a press conference in Grand Bahama. She has been recommended by Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis to serve as the country’s next Police Commissioner.

COP Fernander resigns as Deleveaux to retire early

no-nonsense approach to crime while demonstrating empathy for victims.

Ultimately, he could not survive the public’s appetite for a shake-up of the police force, resigning days after delivering a national address in which he announced measures to improve the quality of police officers and boost accountability.

Mr Fernander’s tenure as commissioner did not coincide with a notable decrease in violent crime.

On the other hand, his era was marked by heightened scrutiny about the conduct of police officers.

In 2024, more officers than usual were charged with rape.

In July, voice notes allegedly purporting to highlight a quid-pro-quo arrangement between a senior officer and gang members sparked national outrage and an investigation involving the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the United Kingdom National Crime Agency.

Mr Fernander, who became commissioner in 2022, had served in the Traffic Division, the Criminal Investigations Department, and as a divisional commander in the Selective Enforcement Unit.

On April 10, 2013, he was shot during a botched attempted armed robbery attempt. The suspects

were later sentenced to 30 months in prison. His injured right hand underwent surgery and required therapy. In a memorable moment, former Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade emotionally greeted him after returning to the country following a stay in a Florida hospital where he underwent surgery.

In 2019, Mr Fernander and several other senior officers were directed to take vacation leave. The Minnis administration claimed the move was a prudent fiscal measure to ensure officers took accrued vacation rather than get a huge lump sum payment upon retirement. Mr Fernander resented the move and described it as an attempt to sideline some officers while promoting preferred ones.

He later sued the government, settling the lawsuit under the Davis administration for an undisclosed.

During his swearing-in ceremony as commissioner in 2022, he fought back tears while reflecting on how his father and brother died without knowing the outcome of his career within the police force. He said they were negatively affected by his treatment.

Yesterday, Mr Davis thanked the outgoing commissioner for his service.

“The commissioner has served the force with

distinction and I want to emphasise that there are no allegations of wrongdoing against him but the Royal Bahamas Police Force needs change,” he said. The prime minister also hinted at further changes

in the force’s leadership, promising to share more details in the coming days.

Addressing police officers, Mr Davis warned them to work hard and stay away from trouble.

“Keep your heads up,”

he said. “The work you do is more important than ever. You have our gratitude and our respect. And you will have the changes necessary in the force to ensure you can focus on your jobs without further distraction.”

“Trust between the police and the people is essential to preventing crime and to solving crime, and thus essential to creating the safer communities we all yearn for.”

POLICE COMMISSIONER CLAYTON FERNANDER

DEPUTY POLICE COMMISSIONER LEAMOND DELEVEAUX

Govt tables bill to investigate misconduct in security forces

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

AN independent commission that will be empowered to investigate complaints of misconduct involving security forces will have sweeping powers, part of what officials in the Davis administration hope will produce outcomes that help restore the public’s shaken faith in law enforcement.

The legislation establishing the commission, which Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis foreshadowed last week after a US federal indictment made explosive corruption allegations mostly involving the Royal Bahamas Police Force, was released to the public yesterday.

Though he did not table the bill, National Security Minister Wayne Munroe discussed the Independent Commission of Investigations Bill in the House of Assembly, saying it will introduce a “new era of accountability and justice”.

The commission will have the power to investigate serious allegations against the police, defence force, and the Department of Corrections.

The bill defines an “incident” as any action, occurrence, or behaviour by members of the security forces or specified public officials involving allegations of misconduct, abuse of power, corruption, or breaches of trust. This means the commission will focus on serious allegations, including excessive use of force, corruption, procedural violations, or other actions that undermine public confidence in law enforcement and public administration.

The commission’s functions would include investigating misconduct allegations by police or public officials, inspecting relevant records, documents, and buildings, interviewing witnesses, reviewing procedures within the Security Forces and public bodies, and ensuring that complaints are properly submitted and investigated.

The bill also empowers the commission to obtain documents, visit premises, seize evidence, hold hearings, summon witnesses and take over investigations from existing agencies.

“No rank, no title, no position will shield anyone from the reach of this commission,” Mr Munroe said.

According to the bill, the body would have three members appointed by the Governor-General after the Prime Minister consults the Leader of the Opposition. Members of the Senate or House of Assembly, current or former members of a security force, those who have been convicted or declared bankrupt and have not been discharged and those convicted of an offence involving dishonesty or moral turpitude are disqualified from a commissioner role.

Similarly, people involved in a firm or company with a government contract related to public service cannot serve as commissioners unless they disclose the nature of the contract and their interest in it.

The commission will have a president and vice-president.

People can file complaints with the commission or with its Director of Complaints.

The legislation grants immunity to witnesses and people assisting

the commission. Still, it specifies that no person appearing before the commission may refuse to answer questions or produce documents or other exhibits on the grounds that doing so would self-incriminate.

Any witness who gives false evidence at a commission hearing would be guilty of perjury and liable to a penalty.

According to the bill, if the commission determines that a complaint warrants investigation, it will conduct an inquiry and submit its findings to the Director of Public Prosecutions, along with recommendations for any charges.

Complaints may be resolved informally if the commission concludes that the conduct does not merit criminal charges.

However, if an informal resolution is not possible, the commission must begin an investigation immediately. It is not obligated to investigate complaints if it deems the matter can be resolved fairly and adequately through other means.

After completing an investigation, the commission must submit a report

to Parliament detailing its findings and recommendations. A press release will also be issued to inform the public about the investigation’s conclusion. Additionally, the commission may propose legal reforms, suggest improvements for the Security Forces or public bodies, and recommend measures to protect complainants from retaliation.

The bill imposes strict penalties for obstructing the commission’s work, making false statements, or failing to comply with its lawful requirements, with offenders facing fines of up to $5,000, up to two years in prison, or both.

Commissioners will serve five-year terms, with the possibility of reappointment for another five years, and their remuneration and conditions will be comparable to those of judicial officers to ensure the role’s significance.

The commission will establish regional offices in New Providence and the Family Islands, managed by Directors of Complaints, to ensure the accessibility of its services nationwide.

PRIME MINISTER PHILIP ‘BRAVE’ DAVIS

NATIONAL SECURITY MINISTER WAYNE MUNROE

The Tribune Limited

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Is mace moment meaningful, or a mere stunt?

THE famous writer and raconteur

Mark Twain once said that history doesn’t repeat itself but it often rhymes. That might loom large in the mind after the events of yesterday, when FNM deputy leader Shanendon Cartwright grabbed the mace in the House of Assembly and threw it out of the window.

The obvious rhyme on this occasion is of course presumably the intentional one – the moment when Sir Lynden Pindling did the same thing on April 27, 1965.

The Tribune was there in the House for what came to be known as Black Tuesday – and there were certainly voices, particularly among FNM supporters, talking on social media about how yesterday was Black Wednesday, or even Red Wednesday to reflect the shirt colour of choice. There are though very substantial differences. The events of Black Tuesday were just the start of a series of actions, with the Opposition members of the House launching a boycott of the chamber. If yesterday’s actions by the Opposition today are to have more meaning than a momentary stunt, one has to ask what comes next.

Black Tuesday was a seminal moment in the history of The Bahamas – it remains to be seen if yesterday’s actions by the FNM will reverberate in anywhere near the same fashion.

There were denials that this was preplanned – but it looked like that was the case. Certainly, Prime Minister Philip Davis in his evening national address yesterday called it a “planned and coordinated assault”, whatever the FNM may have been saying.

The disorder in Parliament may also have been somewhat premature – it was sparked by a perceived denial by the Speaker of a chance for the FNM to speak, though it appeared that there was a delay rather than a denial while the order of business was being followed.

Had there been an outright denial, it would of course have been outrageous.

After all, we are now a number of days into the scandal that has prompted all of this – the US indictment that names a number of Bahamians as being allegedly involved in a massive conspiracy of smuggling guns and drugs.

To be so far into this story without the Opposition having had any opportunity to have had a say in the House at all so far is shameful – but yesterday we did not yet know if such a denial would have taken place.

So what did we learn yesterday? And what do we still not know?

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis announced he had accepted the resignation of Clayton Fernander as Commissioner of Police.

Mr Fernander had only just spoken in his own national address – laying out his plan for how to tackle the corruption exposed in the US indictment. What happens to those plans now? Will the incoming Shanta Knowles – the first woman to lead the police force in The Bahamas if confirmed – carry on those

plans or will she have her own course of action to follow?

Mr Fernander also leaves office having failed to deliver on his promise of updating the public on the stage of the investigation into another set of corruption allegations – those surrounding the leaked voice notes that purported to capture a discussion between a senior police officer, a lawyer and two criminals – the latter two of which had both since been murdered. That involved a theft of $1.3m from a security car at an airport in The Bahamas. When will the public hear of any update to that investigation now?

Then there is the fact that the US indictment does not just make allegations against Bahamian police officers.

A defence force officer has also already been arrested. If Commissioner Fernander has set the standard for what action is expected by offering his resignation, where does that leave the Commodore of the defence force?

Allegations are also made about a number of Bahamian officials, described as corrupt in the indictment. A purported government official is in that number –and the government has yet to provide any update on whether that person really does have an official role.

If resignation is the expected response to these corruption allegations, who else might need to be handing in their notice?

There was also a busy legislative agenda on the schedule yesterday – all suspended in the wake of the melee that broke out in the aftermath of the mace’s ejection.

The prime minister’s national statement in the evening did not help matters – the language of which was starkly political. Given the absence of an opportunity by the leader of the Opposition to have his say, it felt inappropriate to be making such points without a right of reply in a similar national address.

All of which leads us to this – despite the uproar and the chaos, we are little further forward than we started the day.

Shanta Knowles will have a lot on her plate if confirmed as she takes up her new role as commissioner – not least of which is the continuing soaring rate of murders, even before she has to deal with not one but two corruption scandals, both of which have the public expecting answers and which have shaken faith in the police force.

The disruption of the day in the House may have been symbolic, but it also perhaps got in the way of moving forward to find out more.

Perhaps then, rather than Twain, we might reflect on the words of activist and journalist Tariq Ali instead. He said history rarely repeats itself, but its echoes never go away.

Yesterday was filled with echoes. Echoes of the actions of Sir Lynden. Echoes of the corruption that stained The Bahamas in the 1980s. We hope one day those echoes truly will go away – but they are a long way from doing so right now.

May be time that a woman leads the police

EDITOR, The Tribune.

RECENT events, including a surge in crime rates and the mishandling of a highprofile case, have left us all in a state of bewilderment. The recent Public Presentation by the Commissioner of Police has only added to the confusion, leaving us with more questions than answers. It’s high time we break the mould of men being at the helm, and the urgency of this need cannot be overstated. For far too long, the office has been dominated by men, some too strict and others too lenient, fostering a culture of complacency. It’s high time we end this ‘all-boys club’. The need for a female leader is not just a matter of equality but a necessity for diverse and inclusive leadership. Every voice, every perspective, is crucial in shaping our law enforcement.

The numerous questions raised need to be answered. This lack of transparency shows a complete disregard and disrespect for the interested public. It’s not just a matter of transparency but the absolute necessity for rebuilding trust. Open and honest communication is not just important, it’s the key to restoring faith in law enforcement. It is time, right now, to break the mould and promote a woman to the position of Commissioner; this is not just a suggestion but a necessity. The name that comes to mind immediately without a second thought is Assistant Commissioner of Police Shanta Knowles. Knowles has a wealth of experience, having headed the force in Eleuthera and the Northern Bahamas, and her leadership style is what the force needs

at this crucial juncture. Her experience in charge of many officers gives her a significant advantage over all others. If the powers are genuinely committed, they should swiftly make the announcement. This could not only halt the flow of negative press but also rekindle confidence in the force and the nation. The appointment of a female commissioner, with her unique perspective and approach, could signal a new era of inclusivity and accountability in the police force. This change could lead to improved public perception and trust in law enforcement. This is what changing the status quo means.

IVOINE W INGRAHAM Nassau, December 4, 2024.

PM response to arrests rings hollow

EDITOR, The Tribune.

PRIME Minister Davis said in the House of Assembly last week regarding the stunning, explosive, shocking, of deep concern and most alarming revelations from an unsealed US federal indictment that a Chief Superintendent of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF), a Sergeant (RBPF), an Officer of the Royal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF) and others being involved in the transshipment of drugs through The Bahamas, guns into The Bahamas and the illicit movement of millions of dollars of cash into The Bahamas:

“We are going to use every resource – and consider every option – so that Bahamians can trust those who take an oath to protect them. This is essential. Everything is on the table. We will have change; we will have reform and we will have action.”

He went further, “To those who believe they can outsmart the systems of justice and intelligence, let this serve as a clear and stern warning: the days of operating in the shadows are over. You will be found and held accountable.”

He also said, “…all options are on the table to rebuild trust and restore confidence” in the Bahamian law enforcement agencies.

Frankly, those comments by PM Davis ring hollow, they are not serious, and they do absolutely nothing to begin or help to restore confidence, trust, faith, believability of the Bahamian people in the police force.

Let us be real and not just say things, because all, each and every one of those words, phrases, thoughts and expressed intentions apply to the Chief Superintendent, former Head of CID (who has been on garden leave – essentially fully paid vacation for almost five months thus far).

It is now almost five months later, when all the same words above applied and still do today but the Bahamian people do not know anything more than they did when this matter came to light in early July this year.

I wrote some letters about the alleged Chief Superintendent’s voice since July this year and in one of them

I quoted PM Davis regarding the matter, he said this: “And, where there is that lack of confidence you will have this breakdown so they are rightly concerned about what is happening in the police force. Me too, I am concerned, but there is a process.” Really, he said he too was concerned – but four months later – mum’s the word!!!

PM Davis also said at that time, “…The results will be known and the chips will fall where they may. Restoring public confidence in the police force is paramount,

and we will work to ensure that this happens.”

Those words are incredibly similar to the words above, just a different Chief Superintendent and different circumstances, now involving the United States, among other thigs. Many say these are considerably more serious because the good reputation of our country is at stake.

The international reputational damage to our country affects all of us.

Let us not forget, as to the Chief Superintendent and the implicated and notorious voice note that we are talking about the lives of at least three young Bahamian men and a woman, who were killed out in the open, gunned-down in public.

One of the shootings being perhaps the most brazen public killings in our country. It happened in the broad daylight on Prince Charles Drive. Family members lost their loved ones, want to know the status of those investigations and want justice.

And, to make matters worse, it was just about two weeks ago when the Commissioner of Police, Clayton Fernander, was asked about the status of the identity of the voice on the implicated voice note which is alleged to be that of the Chief Superintendent. Almost five months later, mum was the word from our Commissioner, he offered nothing.

I have no law enforcement background or training whatsoever, but it appears to me that, if the alleged voice note is the heart of the matter, then determining whether it is actually the Chief Superintendent’s voice would have been one of the very first things to achieve during this almost five month-long investigation thus far. Now it could be that the voice on the implicated voice note might have been identified, remember, the Commissioner did not answer the question and if so, he might have at least indicated that it was identified, almost five months later. If it is not the Chief Superintendent’s voice on the implicated voice note, I strongly suspect that he would like to have his name cleared and any suspicion removed as to his integrity. It is then, in his interest that the investigation moves expeditiously and the public updated as to the findings regarding the voice note identity. Meanwhile, here we go again, all the talk by PM Davis about how important public trust and confidence is in the police force and the tough talk about getting to the bottom of things, leaving no stone unturned, shaking

the trees, being found out and being accountable – it is just that, all talk! After all, it has been almost five months in the voice note matter and Commissioner Fernander was either unable, unwilling or refused to inform the public as to what the investigations had revealed to date. Remember, Min. Munroe did say, if no one is charged, then no update. That is dangerous and unhelpful! Surely, that does not advance any effort to restore confidence, trust, faith and believability in the police force. In fact, it does the opposite. It causes people to be more suspicious, less confident, more distrusting and have little to no faith in the police force. As PM Davis said, these things cause the breakdown in society; distressingly, the breakdown is worsening daily.

Let me also say that Former Commissioner Fernander (he resigned today) in his recent national address did speak to the matter of an update as to the voice note investigation but only said essentially that he had nothing to report. An update without an update! It appears we will have to wait until the 31st of this month. It is long past the time to be very serious about these matters as our nation, our people, our communities, our society and our international reputation are all at risk.

Before I conclude, let me also state that contrary to what Minister Wayne Munroe said at least twice on the Morning Blend Radio Show that, you cannot be criminally responsible for what you say in a Commission of Inquiry. That is just not so and not the law. We know, historically, that is simply incorrect. We are fully aware and actually know that some persons who gave testimony in the 1984 Commission of Inquiry were charged in court. Interestingly, PM Davis was attempting to gaslight Bahamians telling them they are to blame for the high cost of living and now Min. Munroe is attempting to gaslight Bahamians too.

Thankfully, Commissioner Fernander, resigned today, but that is clearly not enough and the Bahamian people will not be appeased, content nor satisfied with it.

A Commission of Inquiry is still needed and needed now! I called for one previously and Minister Wayne Munroe still needs to resign immediately!

If PM Davis is not prepared to take those actions, then for the sake of our country, he ought to go back to the people in General Elections, sooner rather than later.

MICHAEL A FOULKES

Former Member of Parliament & Parliamentary Secretary December 4, 2024.

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MEMBERS of the opposition link arms in defiance of being removed from the House by police after FNM deputy leader Shanendon Cartwright threw the mace out of a window in the House of Assembly yesterday.

Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

PM: We will arrest and extradite any accused in US probe if requested

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said when a formal interdiction request is made, the government will fully cooperate in arresting Bahamians named in a US federal indictment that exposed cocaine-related corruption.

The indictment, released last week, listed charges against 11 Bahamians, including the officer-incharge of aviation, Chief Superintendent Elvis Curtis, Sergeant Prince Albert Symonette, and

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A REHABILITATIVE officer recommended that former death row inmate Ervin Brown be released to his family during his resentencing hearing yesterday.

Brown was convicted in 1998 for the fatal shooting of Adras Mortimer in Collins Yard, off Okra Hill, on January 26, 1996. While initially sentenced to death, the Court of Appeal overturned the sentence in December 2020 and ordered resentencing.

Brown was not physically present for yesterday’s hearing, which was presided over by Senior Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson.

Rehabilitative officer

Debra Duncombe, who observed Brown in October, testified that he appeared frail and had difficulty with his eyesight. She said in her assessment, Brown did not pose a threat

to the public and his family is willing to house him. Ms Duncombe recommended releasing him into his family’s custody.

Dr Petra Forbes, a psychiatrist at Sandilands, testified about her evaluations of Brown in August and October. She noted he maintained eye contact, appeared groomed, and denied homicidal or suicidal thoughts but admitted to hearing voices.

Dr Forbes diagnosed Brown with schizophrenia, a condition first documented in his medical records in 2022. She confirmed he understood the charges against him and deemed him fit to plead and stand trial.

Miranda Adderley appeared on behalf of Stanley Rolle, Brown’s public defender.

Justice Grant-Thompson will hear closing submissions from Brown’s counsel and decide on the case on January 29, 2025.

Defence Force Chief Petty Officer Darren Roker. Others named include Riccardo Adolphus Davis, William Simeon, Theodore Nathaniel Adderley, Joshua Scavella, Davon Rolle, Darren Ferguson, Domonick Delancey, Donald Ferguson II.

US prosecutors allege the people helped drug traffickers smuggle tons of cocaine through The Bahamas into the United States.

Mr Davis said that since

the allegations surfaced, he has taken steps to address breaches of trust within law enforcement, including meeting senior officials to discuss reform and the urgent need to restore public confidence. “I also met with the US Charge d’Affaires, who confirmed she had been in receipt of a formal diplomatic note requesting the disclosure of the name of the high-ranking Bahamian politician mentioned in the indictment,” he said,

referring to a political who was allegedly expected to facilitate law enforcement’s involvement in smuggling drugs. “The formal diplomatic note as issued underscores the seriousness of the matter to me.”

“During that meeting, the question arose as to the arrest of Bahamians indicted who are in country. I indicated to them that following a formal request for extradition, we will cooperate in the arrest

of the Bahamians named in the indictment and the rest will take its course.”

During a national address on Sunday, former Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander said the government will also undertake to boost the public’s trust include introducing an anonymous whistleblower platform, mandatory annual integrity testing for senior officers, and a publicly published list of shortlisted recruits.

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis speaks in the House of Assembly yesterday.

Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

The crisis of confidence and trust on the RBPF

LIKE many Bahamians, this writer recalls with esteem and happy memories a beloved relative who served as an officer of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF). He was one of the first black sergeants prior to majority rule.

It is easy to romanticise the men and women who served. Still, the starched white tunic, immaculately polished shoes and wellpressed uniform is iconic.

The dress and discipline of an officer is a matter of pride for the officer and citizens, an emblem of order, decency and high standards.

Over the decades, many thousands of Bahamians have served with distinction, dignity, decorum on one of the nation’s leading and storied institutions, representing civility and chivalry. The RBPF was always one of the more orderly of our public institutions.

The force was one of the few institutions that kept proper records. In times of emergency, it was critical to the proverbial law and order of the Commonwealth. The commissioner enjoyed an important and essential independent constitutional standing, and power. Many fondly remember commissioners like Salathiel Thompson, Gerald Bartlett, Bernard K Bonamy and Paul Farquharson, among other officers of senior and junior ranks. A cadre of female officers have also served

with “courage, integrity and loyalty”.

After leaving active duty, men like Mr Farquharson continued to serve. At the time of his death, he was working tirelessly to help expunge the records of certain offenders, including some convicted of the possession of small amounts of marijuana.

Once repentant, a man in his 50s enthused with gratitude that the late former commissioner and his team afforded him a new lease on life. This is an example of the spirit and service of RBPF at their finest. Like every institution, the force and forces around the world, are imperfect, in need of ongoing reform. Still, the onset and aftermath of the dark and pernicious drug era of the 1970s and 80s critically

wounded the RBPF, like a dagger penetrating, though not terminally killing a vital organ. That era was a bleak period for the country and the RBPF. It had a corrosive effect on the force, besmirching its reputation and corrupting many officers. Neither the country nor the force have fully recovered.

In the first volume of former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham’s collected speeches, his former chief policy advisor, M Teresa Butler, offered an introductory commentary to chapter five, entitled, “Campaign to Reduce Crime”.

She observed: “By the mid-1980s, Ingraham had become convinced that not only was the government of the day failing to achieve its basic social responsibilities to Bahamians, but also that a laissez faire attitude toward law enforcement and a tolerance of corrupt practices in high place, had created a dangerous environment that challenged traditional Bahamian social mores and threatened the survival of its communities.

“Ingraham was especially concerned with the impact the drug trade was having on such Family Island communities as Abaco and its cays, Bimini, Cat Island, Exuma and Eleuthera and with good reason.

“Increasing numbers of Bahamians became engaged in the trade, first as facilitators and,

subsequently, as organisers of a mushrooming and ever increasing profitable illicit enterprise. This already great concern was compounded by the realisation that the drug trade involved other spheres.

“The new prime minister believed that the Royal Bahamas Police Force was the primary agency of the government meant to ensure an orderly, safe society, hence, his anti-crime policies began with the RBPF.”

Some 40 years later, the force is being rocked by a series of explosive allegations of corruption in the senior ranks, even as the murder rate continues to climb. There is increasing concern that our high level of killing and violence is in various ways connected to corruption on the force.

The public now believes that neither the political directorate nor the force is taking the necessary and comprehensive measures to address the allegations of corruption.

Most Bahamians want an independent investigation, and wonder why the leadership of the force appeared to be in the dark about the alleged level of corruption. Why did US authorities seemed to sideline the government and the RBPF prior to its recent indictment related to a conspiracy to import drugs and cocaine into the US?

In response to the allegations, Commissioner Clayton Fernander decided to give a national address. Was this his idea? Was he asked to do it by the government?

If he was pressed into the address he was at minimum poorly advised or worse made to be the face of a public relations exercise that backfired, with unintended consequences.

Before he spoke, a dear friend suggested to this writer that it was likely to go horribly wrong on multiple levels.

The head of the Metropolitan Police in the UK would likely never give a national address. Indeed, in the UK, the British prime minister rarely gives such an address. The heads of cabinet departments in the US and most countries do not address the nation as did the Commissioner.

The breaching of that standard by Commissioner Fernander was ill advised, poorly judged, and a mistake that led to a backlash to the nature, substance and tone of his remarks.

The more standards and norms are breached the more things atrophy. No commissioner should repeat this mistake. A press conference or speech by a commissioner is in order. However, a national address makes a commissioner a political figure.

As the commissioner knows, great power requires great restraint and discipline. He is clearly under enormous pressure.

He should have restrained himself from giving such an address, which has made matters worse for him. This is not good for him, for the force, nor for the country. He has now become a political target and has harmed the necessary constitutional independence required for his office.

For every leader, upholding the authority of his or her office is more important than one’s personal circumstance.

Moreover, leaders should remember what is oft forgotten: power is temporary and once out of office one will need the goodwill of the public and the new occupants of the office from which one has demitted.

The office is bigger than any man or woman. In her commentary on Mr Ingraham’s response to the crisis of confidence and trust in the RBPF in a previous era, Ms Butler noted: “Early in his first term, Ingraham availed himself of the advice of

police and law enforcement consultants engaged by the government, notably Michael Pike and Jack Cusack. Among some of the earliest initiatives impacting the police force was the Ingraham government’s decision to reverse actions it believed had weakened the quality of training for new police recruits.

“Later during Ingraham’s second term in office, CDR International, a British law enforcement consultant firm was retained to review and make recommendations on the organisational structure and manpower strength of the RBPF. That advice would influence the drafting of the new Police Force Act in 2009.” Ingraham understood the necessity of utilising international expertise and advice to rebuild the force. But before reforming and rebuilding we need to know what is broken and in disrepair.

We need widespread reform of the RBPF, which may come in a number of reforms. But the prelude is an independent Commission of Inquiry with the proper terms of reference and resources to investigate and make recommendations for renewal.

The great danger before us is not about a few bad apples. It is about the state of one of our more critical public institutions. Bahamians are angry, frightened, suspicious, and alarmed about the degree of possible corruption on the RBPF.

There are many good men and women on the force, who protect us every day of the year. We owe them our respect and gratitude.

The Bahamian people hunger for the restoration of the integrity and honour of the force for the sake of these men and women, for the sake of our good name and reputation at home and abroad, and for the sake of a less crime-ridden and more peaceful society.

Political fallout over pardon of Biden’s son

US President Joe Biden emerged from the shadows of irrelevance this week, but not in the way he would have preferred to do so.

He got some attention over the weekend by cramming into the Washington-to-Kiev pipeline as much military support for embattled Ukraine as his generals and military advisers told him was feasible. But the related press coverage paled in comparison to the attention directed toward a move Biden made on Sunday.

He announced that he was granting to his illfated son Hunter Biden a full pardon covering the past eleven years. This action was taken after the president had repeatedly avowed that he would allow the American justice system to take its course and abide by its verdicts. Hunter faced possible prison time after he was convicted on federal gun registration and income tax evasion charges.

Biden had repeatedly denied that he would issue a presidential pardon for his son. “I abide by the jury decision. I will not pardon him,” Biden said.

Then, however, Kamala Harris lost the November election and the spectre of Donald Trump’s return to the White House became a reality. Now things are obviously different in Joe Biden’s mind.

In a statement released Sunday evening, Joe Biden said, “I believe in the justice system, but as I have wrestled with this, I also believe raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice.”

As the Associated Press reported, the president’s sweeping pardon covers not just the gun and tax offences against his son, but also any other “offences against the United States which he has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 1, 2014 through December 1, 2024”.

In its collective reaction to the president’s decision to pardon his son, the liberal media offered stark evidence of some of the reasons why they were not able to prevent Trump from triumphing again.

STATESIDE

Some pundits rallied around the president, affirming his belief that if Hunter were someone else’s son, none of this legal peril would exist.

“Any responsible father, given the opportunity to rescue his son as the president has done with this pardon, would do the same thing,” wrote one liberal columnist. “In Joe Biden’s situation, I would absolutely have done what he did.”

But that was a minority view. The editorial board of the Washington Post, for example, wrote thus on Tuesday: “In issuing the pardon to his son, the president maligned the

Justice Department and invited Donald Trump to draw equivalence between the Hunter Biden pardon and any future moves Trump might take against the impartial administration of justice. Biden risks deepening many Americans’ suspicions that the justice system is twotiered, justifying Trump’s drive to reshape it — or, because turnabout is fair play, to use it to benefit his own side.

“Yet, no matter the distinctions that one can draw between these cases (Trump’s pardoning four years ago of his disreputable pals Steve Bannon, Paul Manafort and Roger Stone, among others) and Hunter Biden’s, the president — and the Democrats — are the ones trying to defend the system; they damage their worthy cause if they are seen to be exploiting it for their own gain.

“Any Democrat who refuses this week to condemn Mr Biden’s pardon will have less credibility to criticise Trump, his meddling at the Justice Department and his choices for key positions in that agency. With this one intemperate, selfish act, the president has undermined the lofty rationales he offered for seeking the presidency four years ago and indelibly marred the final chapter of his political career.”

The Post is regarded as among the most widely read and powerful liberal voices in the daily newspaper business in the US.

The paper was rescued from possible financial ruin by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos in 2013, and the world’s third richest man has largely kept his hands off the editorial staff since then.

But as the editors and most of the Post’s leading columnists piled on Biden for his hypocrisy and betrayal of his own highminded ideals, readers were reminded of a timetested truism in American politics.

The Democrats try to play fair. The Republicans play to win.

When Trump issued all his pardons in late 2020, there was no chorus of outrage from Congressional Republicans nor from friendly Fox News. Fox’s lead commentators snickered and railed against government overreach, hoaxes and over zealous Democratic politicians. The MAGA base moved quickly on.

In this connection, it will be interesting to observe how the Senate treats Trump’s recent nomination of Charles Kushner, his daughter Ivanka’s father-in-law, to be US Ambassador to France.

Kushner was convicted

almost 20 years ago of filing fraudulent tax returns, retaliating against a cooperating witness, and making false statements to the Federal Election Commission. He served more than 16 months of a two-year sentence in federal prison and a halfway house programme before he was released in 2006.

In today’s America, if the Dems keep turning on their own as the Post has done with Biden and in the process provides ammunition and credibility for the mischief now envisioned by Donald Trump and his Congressional and judicial allies, the blue party may be singing the Blues for years to come.

It might be cynical to suggest that playing fair, hewing to high-minded ideals and treating political parties scrupulously even-handedly is no longer the best way to ensure influence in the internet age. Many readers do still trust the Post, however, as they do the New York Times, the Associated Press and a few other news outlets who work hard to maintain public faith and confidence.

Cynics often say they are actually realists. Given the results of the recent US election, who’s to argue?

Meanwhile, down in Palm Beach, while Trump claims a “historic landslide” victory last month and believes he has earned a “strong mandate” from American voters to do virtually whatever he wants to do as president, the margin in Congress is actually fairly narrow.

As of this morning, it looks like the Senate will line up 53-47 for the Republicans and the House tally will be 220215, also for the GOP. Those are not huge margins, especially in the House of Representatives. While the Senate will likely approve most of Trump’s nominees for cabinet and other powerful positions, a few will no doubt after traditional FBI background investigations that the Trump campaign has just this week accepted for his nominees. One of those casualties may be his nominee for Secretary of Defense.

The prognosis for Trump and his budget policies and priorities is much murkier in the House, where the Democrats under now-minority leader Hakeem Jeffries have maintained a solid unity in opposition to the GOP’s most outrageous proposals. The House is also where the federal budget is most rigorously debated, and Trump will need to tread carefully here.

House Republicans have proven to be a much more fractious bunch than GOP Senators. There’s no discretion, civility or moderation among many of these congressmen and congresswomen. Mike Johnson’s hold on the Speaker’s gavel may not be firm for long. And that could spell trouble for Trump’s priorities. Meanwhile, now that the election excitement has passed, most Americans can resume their obsession with football. And our local Miami teams are at the centre of post-season speculation, both in the college and professional ranks. There will be much speculation about whether the University of Miami will make the new 12-team college playoff field, and where it should be seeded if it does make it. “The U” has not been significant in national college football ranks in recent years. The programme amassed five national championships between 1983-2001, but especially after joining the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2004, those titles have faded somewhat. And the Hurricanes won’t play in this year’s ACC title game. They do have dynamic quarterback Cam Ward, but making the 12-team playoff field seems like a long shot at this point.

The NFL Dolphins, meanwhile, don’t seem any more likely as playoff contestants in the highly competitive American Conference. They’re 5-7 now, but they could win their five remaining games and if they do, the Fins could indeed still make the post-season tournament.

A too-predictable offence and disappointing defence have hindered the Fins so far, and their prospects are not bright.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN, wearing a Team USA jacket and walking with his son Hunter Biden, heads toward Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, July 26, 2024.

Photo: Susan Walsh /AP

with Charlie Harper

TWO T EENS ORDERED TO REPAY MAN T HEY ROBBED AT GUNPOIN T

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

TWO teenage boys were ordered to financially reimburse a man as part of a plea deal yesterday after admitting to robbing him of his phones and cash in April.

Senior Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson initially arraigned the 13 and 15-year-old boys, whose names are being withheld because they are minors, on charges of conspiracy to commit armed robbery and armed robbery.

These charges were later reduced to conspiracy to commit robbery and robbery.

The boys’ respective parents stood by them during the proceedings.

The pair robbed Shawn Green of $400 and two cell phones valued at $625 on April 25. Initially pleading not guilty, the teens reversed their stance and admitted to the reduced charges.

H

Sidney Dorsett, the 13-year-old’s attorney, said his client was tormented by the incident and was influenced by “older boys.” He described the boy as remorseful and determined to better himself.

Sonia Timothy Knowles, the 15-year-old’s attorney, noted her client had suffered the loss of his mother and sister. She acknowledged his involvement with bad company but stressed his remorse and his plea for a second chance.

Justice Grant-Thompson ordered each boy to pay $532.50 in compensation. She also imposed a two-year probation period, warning that failure to keep the peace during this time would result in a one-year sentence at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

The teens were instructed to remain in custody until their debts were paid. Justice GrantThompson urged them not to appear in court again.

AI T IAN MAN FINED $2,500 FOR ILLEGALLY FISHING IN BAHAMAS

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A HAITIAN national vowed never to board another boat again after being fined for illegal fishing in Exuma.

Senior Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson arraigned Raynal St Vil on charges of prohibited commercial fishing by a non-Bahamian.

St Vil was apprehended by Royal Bahamas Defence Force marines aboard the “Lady Jay” near Long Cay, Exuma, on September 30, while diving illegally

Cuban national’s illegal landing ruling overturned

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

THE Court of Appeal has quashed the conviction of Darien Hernandez, a Cuban national, who had pleaded guilty to illegal landing, citing critical errors in the original case that rendered the conviction invalid.

Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley convicted Mr Hernandez in August 2024 after the man pleaded guilty to illegal landing under section 19 of the Immigration Act. He was fined $300, risking six months in prison if the fine was not paid.

Unrepresented during the trial, he later appealed the ruling, noting his lack of English proficiency and limited understanding of the legal process.

“We granted the

for conch. During a subsequent police interview, the defendant admitted to working on the boat.

After pleading guilty and accepting the facts, St Vil expressed remorse and vowed never to return to the sea.

Justice Grant-Thompson considered the time St Vil spent on remand and fined him $2,500 while placing him on a three-year probation.

Failure to maintain the terms of probation during that period would result in a one-year prison sentence.

SEVEN YEARS JAIL ON PLEA DEAL OVER T HREE ARMED ROBBERIES

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was sentenced to seven years in prison after admitting to three armed robberies in New Providence as part of a plea agreement.

Justice Franklyn Williams presided as 27-year-old Rashield Johnson pleaded guilty to three counts of armed robbery. The robberies, which occurred in the past decade, reportedly involved a stolen getaway car. Johnson and

his accomplices allegedly stole thousands of dollars in cash, phones, and assorted jewellery during the crime spree.

Johnson, who had initially denied the charges, reversed his position and pleaded guilty to all three counts.

He was sentenced to seven years at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services, where he will receive counselling during his incarceration. His sentence will not be reduced for time already spent on remand.

at Thanksgiv-

Corporation) for

THE Ministry for Grand Bahama, in partnership with Carnival Corporation, hosted a special Thanksgiving Luncheon for senior citizens at Celebration Key Office on Grand Bahama, November 28, 2024. The event was an opportunity to give back to the community, honouring the elders who have paved the way for future generations.

“As we enter this season of Thanksgiving, we must reflect on the blessings we share as a community. Each of you here today represents the spirit of resilience, dedication, and care that has shaped the Grand Bahama we know and love. Your stories, sacrifices, and unwavering strength have laid the foundation we and future generations will build upon...,” Minister Moxey said.

“I encourage us all to remember that Thanksgiving is not only about the

food on our tables, but also about the connections we share and the gratitude we carry in our hearts. To our beloved seniors, we appreciate you and your presence here today reminds us how much we all have to be thankful for,” she added. Learline Burrows-Moss, Financial Controller for Carnival Corporation, shared words of gratitude: “We ought to see and appreciate the beauty in the small moments and the simplest interactions because these form the basis of memories that live forever in our hearts and soul.

“Through initiatives like this, both Carnival Corporation and the Ministry for Grand Bahama continue to demonstrate their unwavering commitment to the people, our elders, who have shaped this community and paved the way for those who will carry it forward.”

extension of time application, allowed the appeal, and quashed the Intended Appellant’s conviction on the basis that we were satisfied that an error of law was readily apparent on the face of the record itself,” wrote Justice Stella CraneScott in the court’s ruling. Justice Roy Jones Evans and Madam Justice Petra Charles also adjudicated the case.

The court found that the prosecution failed to prove the elements of illegal landing, which the Immigration Act defines as disembarking from a vessel or attempting to land without permission from an immigration officer.

Mr Hernandez had been intercepted by the US Coast Guard in Bahamian territorial waters but had never set foot on Bahamian soil or attempted to do so.

“There is nothing in the

facts relied upon before the learned Chief Magistrate that shows that the intended appellant had ever ‘landed’ or that he had ‘attempted to land’ on Bahamian soil within the meaning of section 2 of the Immigration Act,” Justice Evans noted in the judgement.

Emphasising the duty of judicial officers, Justice Evans added: “A judicial officer is not only expected but required to perform a careful scrutiny of the elements of any statutory offence. This includes carefully checking the legal provisions under which the charges are laid and satisfying [themselves] that the facts or evidence before the court align with the elements of the charge.”

Despite his guilty plea, the court determined that Mr Hernandez’s conviction was a “nullity” due to the

absence of evidence showing illegal landing.

The case has been sent back to the Magistrate’s Court for further proceedings, though the court hinted that a retrial might be unnecessary.

Justice Crane-Scott said: “The mere fact that the intended appellant was found on a go-fast boat near Cay-Sal (along with others) in Bahamian territorial waters near Grand Bahama without the leave of an immigration officer is not sufficient to establish the offence of illegal landing.

“What had to be established was that the intended appellant had ‘landed’ (ie disembarked), or ‘attempted to land’ in The Bahamas from a place outside The Bahamas without the requisite permission.”

MINISTER for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey speaks

ing luncheon (in partnership with Carnival

senior citizens in Grand Bahama. Photo: Lisa Davis/BIS

Rise in Sandilands admission requests

By EARYEL BOWLEG

Staff Reporter

SANDILANDS Rehabilitation Centre has experienced an increase in admission requests for senior people.

Dr Indira Minus-Grimes, the consultant and director of geriatric services at Sandilands, noted yesterday that this comes as the country deals with the global trend of an ageing population. “We have a decline, a parallel decline, in persons, the number of persons who can care for them, especially when they become very complex with their medical illnesses and therefore requiring long term health care placement such as in geriatric hospital,” she said yesterday during a tour of Sandilands.

She said the facility had not finished compiling statistics for the year and couldn’t give specifics.

“The medical issues of older persons can get quite complex as they get older because they can develop multiple medical illnesses and then geriatric syndromes like dementia, depression, complications from fall,”

she said. “This can become quite overwhelming for their family and loved ones, and so they seek the assistance of long term care here.”

In October, Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville said the government is taking “serious steps” in addressing the care of the elderly. He said officials are seeing more elderly patients being left behind at hospitals, with loved ones failing to pick them up.

“We are in communication with social services as well as our geriatric facility, and I want the Bahamian people to know that there is some indications of a breakdown in the moral fibre of the country, where for the first time, our loved ones, the elderly who have contributed our society, are being abandoned by their loved ones,” he said.

“The government is taking serious steps to look at a better way how we could address the care of our elderly and also expand the geriatric services so that in the event that the complications with illness and the ability to treat elderly patients can be addressed from our geriatric hospital.”

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION ON SATURDAY

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter

THE Royal Bahamas Police Force, in partnership with Carnival, will host a grand Christmas celebration for the Grand Bahama community on Saturday at the Gerald Bartlett Police Complex in Freeport.

Detective Chief Superintendent Darrell Weir announced yesterday that this year’s tree-lighting event will be bigger and better than previous ones.

The festivities will begin at 4pm and culminate with a tree-lighting ceremony and a toy giveaway by Santa.

“We want to bring smiles and laughter to the children’s faces,” Mr Weir said, adding that the initiative will also help strengthen its partnership and interaction

with the public.

“The police are your friends; we do not want to be only about arresting people. We see this as a form of giving back,” he said.

Mr Weir thanked Carnival for coming on board as this year’s major corporate sponsor, along with other local organisations, including the Kiwanis Club of Eight Mile Rock, Pride of Grand Bahama No 7 Prince Hall affiliate Lodge, and Caribbean Bottling Company.

“We are inviting the Grand Bahama community to bring the kids and come out for some wholesome fun,” he said.

There will be bouncing castles, fun activities, carolling, and lots of food and drinks.

Domonique Pinder,

operations manager at Celebration Key, said Carnival Corporation is excited to partner with the RBPF in this community.

“We thought it fitting to join forces with the Royal Bahamas Police Force and give back because this is the season of giving,” she said.

Daniel Belton, guest experience manager at Celebration Key, said attendees can expect a day filled with fun and food and an appearance by Christmas characters such as Santa and the Grinch.

“We will have free food and drinks, a toy giveaway, crafts, and sweet treats, including cotton candy, snow cones, and ice cream. The team at Carnival’s Celebration Key thanks the Royal Bahamas Police Force and community partners,” he said.

SCENES from the Governor General’s visit to Sandilands yesterday. Photos: Nikia Charlton

SPORTS

Bahamas blanks Sint Maarten 33-0

The Bahamas under-15 national baseball team

cracked open the U15 Caribbean Baseball Cup blanking Sint Maarten 33-0 last night at the Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium.

In the earlier game, Cuba handled business against the US Virgin Islands 12-0 in five innings on opening day.

A strong seven-run first inning was all the home team needed to obliterate Sint Maarten in five innings last night.

Team manager Albert Cartwright Jr said that a dominant win usually gives the team momentum going into the next matchup.

“A win like this brings all the guys together. A win like this gives us momentum for the next day. We

BLOWOUT VICTORY: The Bahamas under-15 national baseball team players celebrate last night after beating Sint Maarten 33-0 last night during the U15 Caribbean Baseball Cup at the Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium.

A TRIO of Bahamian sailors are ready to compete at the 2024 Optimist World Championships slated for December 5-15 in Mar del Plata, Argentina.

The Bahamas will be represented by sailors Lorenzo Laramore and Callum Pritchard, who both hail from Eleuthera, along with reigning Optimist national champion Finley Mckinney-Lambert.

Martin Manrique, head coach of the Eleuthera Sailing Club, will serve as the team coach and Lynn Pritchard as the team leader.

Mckinney-Lambert, a veteran member of the Eleuthera Sailing Club,

emerged as the national optimist champion for the third time in the last three years at the 2024 Fidelity Bahamas Optimist National Championships in Exuma in October.

Additionally, he competed at the 2023 Optimist World Championships in Spain and finished 35th overall in the gold fleet. He was just the first Bahamian to ever make the gold fleet at the event.

Coach Manrique is expecting great performances from the trio of Bahamian sailors.

“Our team consists of three talented sailors - Finley McKinney-Lambert, Callum Pritchard, and Lorenzo Laramore. Each brings their unique strengths and motivations to this championship.

THE WAVES: Team Bahamas will be

BAHAMAS FEEDING NETWORK

TEE-OFF FOR HUNGER

THE Bahamas Feeding Network is

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.

By KYLE GLASER Associated Press

“For Finley, this is a particularly significant moment. As in his last World Championship in the Optimist class, he’s more determined than ever to work exceptionally hard and leave his mark.

His previous best of 35th place - the highest ever for a Bahamian in this class - serves as inspiration for what’s possible. Finley’s experience and dedication are truly admirable.

“Callum and Lorenzo, on the other hand, are embarking on their first World Championship journey. Their goal isn’t focused on specific results but rather on embracing every aspect of this incredible experience. They’re committed to giving their

BAHAMIANS advanced to the quarterfinals/knockout round of the Emirates National Basketball Association (NBA) Cup after Tuesday night’s basketball action.

Grand Bahamian threepoint specialist Chavano

“Buddy” Hield and the Golden State Warriors fell to the Denver Nuggets 119-115 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado but managed to emerge as the victors of the West (Group C) stage with a 3-1 win/loss record.

Former Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson and the Dallas Mavericks edged out the Memphis Grizzlies 121-116 at the American Airlines Arena in Dallas, Texas, to clinch the west wild card spot with a 3-1 win/loss record.

“Buddy” and the Warriors are scheduled to face off against the Houston Rockets at 9:30pm on Wednesday, December 11, to potentially advance to the semis.

Thompson and the Mavericks will take on the OKC Thunder at 9:30pm on Tuesday, December 10 in the Emirates NBA Cup quarterfinals.

Warriors vs Nuggets

The Warriors missed the services of their big man Draymond Green, who was sidelined with calf tightness, down the stretch against the Denver Nuggets leading to their fifth straight loss on the season.

The team got a side-high 24 points from Stephen Curry along with 11 dimes and seven boards but he

a season high in points. DeAndre Ayton scored 16 points with two assists, three rebounds and a block and Shaedon Sharpe and Deni Avdija each had 15 for Portland. The Clippers and Trail Blazers each finished 2-2 in NBA Cup West Group A play. Neither team advanced to the knockout round.

Defence

PAGE 18

Mann

in the

quar-

with

CLIPPERS guard Terance Mann, centre, blocks the shot of Trail Blazers centre Deandre Ayton during the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game on Tuesday in Inglewood, California. (AP Photo/Mark J Terrill)

Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr

ON THE REPLAY: The Bahamas under-15 national baseball team blanked Sint Maarten 33-0 last night during the U15 Caribbean Baseball Cup at the Andre Rodgers National Baseball Stadium.

Bahamas blanks Sint Maarten 33-0 on opening day of the Caribbean Baseball Cup

FROM PAGE 13

are gonna enjoy tonight and come back tomorrow and do the same thing,” he said. The Bahamas is now set to face the Dominican Republic at 7pm on Friday. The Dominican Republic will be a tough opponent as they are ranked no. 11 on the WBSC Rankings. According to Cartwright, sticking to the fundamentals will help the home team to build on opening day’s success. “The most important thing is just being fundamental. We ran the

bases well so we gotta keep doing that but, once we throw strikes and we play defence, we will be good,” he said Colton Cubbage, who hails from Grand Bahama, emerged as the winning pitcher for The Bahamas. He said it was important for him to deliver a strong performance on the mound to help the team seal the win. “I just wanted to come out with the win and get some good momentum going for us. The goal is to not get lazy, we are gonna keep performing and do what we just did to every team,” he said.

In the first game of opening day, Cuba blanked the US Virgin Islands 12-0 to pick up their first tournament win.

Christian Aguilera Garcia, Jose Muniz and Aldama Gonzalez all finished the game with two runs.

Yoan Acosta had two 2RBIs and scored one run.

The U15 Caribbean Baseball Cup continues today with the USVI and Sint Maarten both looking to rebound from losses against each other at 2pm.

Cuba is set to take on the Dominican Republic in the featured matchup at 7pm.

NEW YORK (AP) — Frankie Montas and the New York Mets finalised their $34 million, two-year contract yesterday.

The veteran right-hander will earn a $17 million salary next year and the deal includes a $17 million player option for 2026. He gets a hotel suite on road trips.

Montas, who turns 32 in March, went 7-11 with a 4.84 ERA and 148 strikeouts over 150 2/3 innings in 30 starts for the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers this year. He was 3-3 with a 4.55 ERA in 11 starts for the NL Central champion Brewers, who acquired him just before the July 30 trade deadline.

After joining Milwaukee, his strikeout rate increased from 19% to 28.7%.

Montas declined his part of a $20 million mutual

option last month, receiving a $2 million buyout.

“We are excited to bring Frankie into the organisation and add a quality arm to our major league rotation,” Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns said in a statement.

“Throughout his career, Frankie has flashed some of the best stuff in the game. He’ll provide a stabilizing presence to our pitching staff and can contribute on and off the field.”

New York also is looking for bullpen arms in front of closer Edwin Díaz, and longtime first baseman Pete Alonso became a free agent after hitting 34 homers this year. The club signed lefthanded reliever

Photos by Chappell Whyms Jr

Mbappé enduring ‘difficult moment’

as he misses another penalty kick and Real Madrid loses to Athletic

By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer

MADRID (AP) — Kylian Mbappé admitted he is going through a difficult moment as he missed another penalty kick and Real Madrid lost ground to Barcelona in the Spanish league after a 2-1 loss at Athletic Bilbao yesterday.

Mbappé had his penalty saved by Athletic goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala in the 68th minute, and later Federico Valverde gifted a late goal by losing possession on defence to allow an easy winner by Gorka Guruzeta in the 80th.

“Bad result,” Mbappé posted on Instagram. “A big mistake in a match where every detail counts. I take full responsibility for it. A difficult moment but it’s the best time to change this situation and show who I am.”

Mbappé sent the penalty shot to his right and Agirrezabala dived that way to make the stop.

“We knew that he is a good penalty taker,” Agirrezabala said.

“He missed the last one and I believed that he was going to choose the same side and luckily that’s what happened.”

Mbappé, who had a goal disallowed for offside in the 13th, had also missed a penalty in Madrid’s 2-0 loss at

Liverpool in the Champions League last week. He didn’t take the one for the club in a Spanish league match on Sunday, but he scored in the 2-0 win over Getafe to ease some of the pressure on him and the club.

But it was another lacklustre outing for the France star, who continues to struggle in his first season since finally joining the Spanish powerhouse.

“I won’t evaluate the performance of a player because of a missed penalty. Obviously he is sad and disappointed, but you have to move on,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said about Mbappé. “He is not at his best level, but you have to give him time to adapt. You have to give him time to be able to do better.”

Ancelotti also downplayed the bad play by Valverde, saying that mistakes can happen to anyone.

Valverde had control of the ball but gave it away while trying to get past a couple of Athletic players instead of passing it to a teammate, leaving Guruzeta with an easy run into the area for his goal.

Álex Berenguer had put the hosts ahead in the 53td and Jude Bellingham equalised for Madrid in the 78th. The defeat left Madrid four points behind Barcelona, which on Tuesday

ended a three-match winless streak in the league with a 5-1 rout at Mallorca.

Madrid, which has a game in hand, had won three consecutive league games since a 4-0 loss at home in the “clasico” against Barcelona.

Madrid has lost five of its last 11 matches in all competitions.

Athletic moved to fourth place with the victory, its fourth consecutive across all competitions. Both matches on Tuesday and Wednesday

were moved forward in the schedule because the clubs will be playing in the Spanish Super Cup in January.

Copa del Rey In the Copa del Rey, first-division clubs Rayo Vallecano, Valencia and

LIVERPOOL’S LEAD CUT IN PREMIER LEAGUE, MAN CITY ENDS SLUMP AND CHELSEA, ARSENAL WIN

By JAMES ROBSON AP Soccer Writer

MANCHESTER, Eng-

land (AP) — Liverpool’s lead at the top of the Premier League was cut to seven points after a thrilling 3-3 draw with Newcastle yesterday.

Chelsea moved up to second by thrashing lastplace Southampton 5-1, while Arsenal is third after a 2-0 win over Manchester United.

Fourth-place Manchester City ended its seven-game winless run with a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest.

Liverpool’s result will give hope to its title rivals after Fabian Schar’s 90thminute equaliser at St James’ Park.

Arne Slot’s team had twice come back from a goal down to take the lead in the 83rd through Mohamed Salah’s second goal of the match. But the Merseyside club was denied an eighth-straight win in all competitions when Newcastle produced a fightback of its own.

“I have mixed feelings, we were outstanding in the second half, but we were not good enough in the first half,” Slot said. “Maybe 3-3 is what the game deserved.” Chelsea and Arsenal took advantage. Chelsea’s third league win in a row puts it ahead of Arsenal on goal difference.

City also reduced the gap and is nine points behind Liverpool after finally ending the worst run of results of Pep Guardiola’s managerial career.

“We needed it. The club, the players, everyone needed to win,” Guardiola said.

Thrilling clash After wins over Real Madrid and City last week, Liverpool’s title credentials were given a stern test by Newcastle, which led at halftime through Alexander Isak and again in the second half through Anthony Gordon.

Goals from Curtis Jones and Salah twice levelled the

game before Salah looked to have sealed the win late on.

Schar equalised after Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher misjudged a late free kick. It meant Liverpool dropped points for only the third time this season after drawing against Arsenal and losing to Forest.

Chelsea challenge Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca said this week that his team was not in the title race, but the standings tell a different story.

The London club is Liverpool’s closest challenger after its latest win against 10-man Southampton.

Axel Disasi, Christopher Nkunku, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer and Jadon Sancho were all on target in the rout at St Mary’s Stadium.

Southampton had briefly levelled the game through Joe Aribo, but Chelsea was already 3-1 up and in control when Jack Stephens was sent off before the break.

Arteta vs. Amorim Arsenal inflicted a first loss on new United head coach Ruben Amorim with a 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium.

Two goals from secondhalf corners made the difference, with Jurrien Timber and William Saliba finding the back of the net, but Arsenal still slipped to third, despite edging closer to Liverpool.

Mikel Arteta’s team finished runner-up in each of the last two seasons and looks primed to challenge again after making an unconvincing start to the campaign.

“You get written off but we stuck together as a group,” Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice said. “You stick together and we’re starting to reap the rewards of that.”

De Bruyne is back Making his first start since September, Kevin De Bruyne showed City exactly what it has been missing by scoring a goal and creating another as the four-time

defending champion got back to winning ways.

The Belgium playmaker provided the cross for Bernardo Silva to give City an eighth-minute lead against Forest at the Etihad Stadium.

He produced a trademark finish to sweep the ball past goalkeeper Matz Sels in the 31st to put City on course for a first win in eight games.

Jeremy Doku made it 3-0 in the 57th, but it was De Bruyne’s performance that stood out after seeing much of his season disrupted by a groin injury.

He left the field in the 74th to an ovation from the home crowd.

“It’s been a tough time but you have to accept the challenge and I think we did well today,” De Bruyne said.

“The Premier League is getting harder and harder. We have to improve as a team first and we’ll see in a couple of months where we are. Hopefully, we would have improved a bit and are a lot closer.”

City injuries

But victory could have come at a cost with concerns over the fitness of Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake, who both went off.

“Nathan doesn’t look good. We (will) see tomorrow,” Guardiola said. “Manu is making the last two months struggle a lot.”

Winning again

A first win in six games for Everton moved Sean Dyche’s team further away from the relegation zone, while back-to-back losses for Wolverhampton left the club second from bottom of the standings.

Ashley Young and Orel Mangala put Everton in control before two secondhalf own goals from Craig Dawson sealed a 4-0 win for the Merseyside club, which is five points clear of the bottom three. Aston Villa ended an even longer winless run by beating Brentford 3-1 to secure a first victory in nine games in all competitions. Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins from the penalty spot and Matty Cash were on target.

Real Betis all advanced over lower-division teams in the second round, but Villarreal lost 1-0 to fourthdivision club Pontevedra and Girona fell on penalties to fourth-tier team Logrones.

REAL Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe fails to score a penalty during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid at the San Mames stadium in Bilbao, Spain, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Miguel Oses)

LIVERPOOL’s Mohamed Salah celebrates with teammates after scoring his side’s third goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Newcastle and Liverpool, at St. James Park in Newcastle, England, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Ian Hodgson)

Young Sailors ready for Optimist World Championships

absolute best, learning from top sailors worldwide, and representing The Bahamas with pride,” the coach said.

The 2024 Optimist World Championships is set to feature 227 sailors from 57 countries, including The Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, the USA and US Virgin Islands.

Coach Manrique expressed the importance of this week’s competition.

“This championship holds immense importance for The Bahamas. It’s an opportunity to showcase

our young sailing talent on a global stage and inspire future generations of Bahamian sailors.

“We’re incredibly excited to compete alongside the world’s best, flying our flag high. While we face challenges, competing against up to 250 elite young sailors in potentially tough conditions, our team’s spirit remains unshakable.

“We may not have the largest team or the most resources, but we have heart, determination and the unwavering support of our nation. Our focus goes beyond results.

FROM PAGE 13

will be sent out on Tuesday, December 9 to all BTA members via the WhatsApp group and posted on the website so you can decide on whom to vote at the AGM. If nominees want to add a résumé or any information about themselves to be sent out, you are more than welcome to. Please send nomination forms and information to secretary@ bahamastriathlon.org.

To vote at the AGM you must be a member of the BTA of the age of eighteen (18). This means that current membership must be paid to date (2024).

ANDROS HEAT ROAD RACE

THE Andros Heats has announced that its fifth annual road race will take

place on Saturday, December 14. The top three finishers will be awarded trophies. Fourth place finishers will be awarded medals. Interested persons are urged to contact coach Patty Rolle at 323-8801.

FAST TRACK WINTER CLASSIC THE Fast Track Athletics Track Club announced that its Fast Track Winter Classic will be held on Saturday, December 14, starting at 10am at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex. The meet will take the form of an odd distance meet with track club competing in non-traditional events and field competitors contesting events from shorter or longer approaches. Tons of giveaways will be given out to the spectators. For more information, persons are urged to contact 727-6826

“We’re here to demonstrate our values of perseverance, hard work, and confidence. Whether it’s Finley aiming for a strong finish in his final Optimist Worlds, or Callum and Lorenzo soaking in every moment of their first, each sailor is committed to making The Bahamas proud. We’re here to show the world what Bahamian sailors are capable of,” he said. Racing is scheduled to begin on December 7 for Team Bahamas. And competition wraps up on December 15.

VJ Edgecombe sits out with hamstring injury, UConn rallies to 76-72 win over No. 15 Baylor

By JIM FULLER Associated Press

STORRS, Conn. (AP) —

Liam McNeeley scored 17 points and No. 25 UConn came back from an early deficit to beat No. 15 Baylor 76-72 last night in the Big 12-Big East Battle.

Solo Ball made two late free throws and finished with 11 points as the Huskies iced the game from the foul line.

Samson Johnson had 13 points for UConn (6-3), the two-time defending NCAA champion. Freshman guard Robert Wright III had 22 points, Langston Love scored 16 and Norchad Omier

or Fast Track Management for more information.

TRACK BAAA ODD

DISTANCE MEET THE Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations has announced that its Odd Distance Track and Field Meet will be held on Saturday, December 14 at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium. The event will allow field competitors to compete in field events from shorter approaches and track events will be either shorter or longer than the traditional track events.

BAAA CHRISTMAS PARTY

THE Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations has announced that their Christmas Party in the backyard will take place on Friday, December 20. The event will take

finished with 14 for Baylor (5-3), the 2021 national champion.

Aidan Mahaney hit a 3-pointer and Tarris Reed Jr. had four points in a 10-2 run to give the Huskies an eight-point lead with 7:48 left after UConn trailed by double digits in the first half.

Baylor scored the first seven points and twice led by 11 before the Huskies began to chip away. Mahaney drained a pair of 3s and later assisted on Johnson’s layup. Four consecutive free throws by Johnson gave UConn a 31-28 advantage.

A driving layup by Jeremy Roach with 21

place at Sealy’s Backyard in Sea Breeze Lane from 6pm. Prizes and surprises will be given out all night long.

NPVA VOLLEYBALL

THE New Providence Volleyball Association will continue its regular season action on Friday at the DW Davis Gymnasium this week.

Friday 7:30pm -Panthers vs Lady Techs (L) 9pm - Avengers vs Technicians (M)

Sunday 3:30pm - Lady Techs vs Set-sy Poppers (L() 5pm - Technicisns A vs Technicians B (M)

ROAD RACE

BBSF WALK/RUN

THE Bahamas Baptist Sports Federation is inviting the general public to participate in their Family Fun Run/Walk, scheduled for Saturday, January 11,

seconds left put Baylor up 37-36 at halftime.

Roach exited with 15:41 remaining due to an apparent injury and did not return.

UConn played its second consecutive game without leading scorer Alex Karaban as he recovers from a concussion.

Baylor freshman VJ Edgecombe sat out with a hamstring injury.

Takeaways Baylor: The Bears dominated early by driving into the lane and capitalising on the perimeter defence issues that plagued UConn during three straight losses at the Maui Invitational last week. They struggled

starting at 6am from the Charles W Saunders High School, Jean Street.

The walk will leave Jean Street and head north to Bernard Road, west on Bernard Road to Soldier Road, south on Soldier Road to Prince Charles Drive and east on Prince Charles Drive to Jean Street.

The run will leave Jean Street and head south to Prince Charles Drive, east to Fox Hill Road, north to Bernard Road and west to Jean Street. The categories include female and male 15-andunder, 20-and-under, 40-and-under, 60-and-under and over-60. There will also be a Pastors/Ministers/Deacons’ division. Trophies will be presented to the overall winner, while the top three finishers in each group will get medals. Interested persons can contact Ann Thompson at 425-3557 or

to score when they needed baskets late in the game.

UConn: The Huskies scored 21 points off turnovers and won their 33rd consecutive home game against nonconference opponents.

Key moment Reed hit a layup and added two free throws in a 7-0 run for UConn after Baylor tied the game at 52.

Key stat

UConn outscored Baylor 26-12 at the foul line as the Huskies shot 79% on free throws.

Up next The Bears return home to face Abilene Christian on Monday. UConn plays at Texas on Sunday.

email

ann837609@gmail. com or Brent Stubbs at 42-67265 or email stbbobo@gmail.com. SOFTBALL BBSF SOFTBALL LEAGUE

THE Bahamas Baptist Sports Federation will hold its 2025 softball league, starting on Saturday, February 1 at the Charles W Saunders High School, Jean Street. The co-ed slow pitch league will allow each team up to a total of 15 players with the registration fee of $200. The deadline for team registration with rosters and team payment is Saturday, January 25, 2025. Interested persons can tournament director Thomas Sears at 424-2888 or email 242softball@gmail. com or Brent Stubbs at 4267265 or email stubbobs@ gmail.com

BAYLOR’s VJ Edgecombe reacts to an officials call during an NCAA college basketball game against New Orleans Wednesday, November 27, in Waco, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

YOUNG sailors Callum Pritchard, left, and Lorenzo Laramore.

TEAM Bahamas, from left to right, Callum Pritchard, Lorenzo Laramore and Finley McKinney.

Pro Picks: Falcons will upset the Vikings in Kirk Cousins’ return to Minnesota

By ROB MAADDI AP Pro Football Writer

SIX division matchups and Kirk Cousins’ return to Minnesota highlight a lighter Week 14 schedule.

Six teams aren’t playing as the NFL wraps up its final week of byes before going to a full slate over the last four weeks. Two games feature the top two teams in the division.

The Seattle Seahawks (7-5) visit the Arizona Cardinals (6-6) on Sunday in a battle for a tight race in the NFC West.

The Kansas City Chiefs (11-1) host the Los Angeles Chargers (8-4) on “Sunday Night Football” with plenty of breathing room between the two teams in the AFC West.

The Green Bay Packers (9-3) and Detroit Lions (11-1) kick off the week tonight in a game with major NFC North implications. The Minnesota Vikings (10-2) are in between the teams in the standings.

Cousins faces the Vikings for the first time since joining the Atlanta Falcons. Pro Picks eyes that game for the lone upset of the week.

Buffalo (10-2) at Los Angeles Rams (6-6)

Line: Bills minus 4 1/2

The Bills already clinched their fifth straight AFC East title, Josh Allen is the betting favourite for NFL MVP and the No. 1 seed is in their sights. A cross-country trip to face the feisty Rams is a setup for a letdown but this Buffalo team is on a mission. Los Angeles is still in the chase for the NFC West title, just one game back.

BEST BET:

BILLS: 27-20

Atlanta (6-6) at Minnesota (10-2)

Line: Vikings minus 5 1/2

Kirk Cousins returns to Minnesota with the Falcons trying to snap a three-game losing streak after tossing four interceptions last week.

Atlanta still controls its NFC South title hopes but must turn things around. The Vikings keep winning behind Sam Darnold, Justin Jefferson and a defence that’s allowed the fifth-fewest points in the league, 18.3 per game.

UPSET SPECIAL:

FALCONS: 23-22

Green Bay (9-3) at Detroit (11-1)

Line: Lions minus 3 1/2

Both teams are coming off wins on Thanksgiving. The Packers lost at home to the Lions a month ago and need this victory to have a chance at winning the NFC North. Detroit survived a close call last week thanks to Chicago’s clock mismanagement. The Lions can’t slip up with streaking Philadelphia right behind them for the No. 1 seed in the NFC. They are 5-1 against the spread in their past six games vs. Green Bay. The Packers are 1-6 ATS in their past seven games in Detroit. The road team has won the past four games in this series.

LIONS: 29-24

Jacksonville (2-10) at Tennessee (3-9)

Line: Titans minus 3 1/2

A miserable season for the Jaguars keeps getting worse. Trevor Lawrence returned from an injury only to suffer a concussion on a late hit. The team is heading toward another top draft pick. They picked No. 1 overall in 2021 and 2022. The Titans are only slightly better. QB Will Levis has shown improvement over the past four games after returning from a shoulder injury. The Jaguars are 0-9 straight up in their past nine road games and 1-9 straight up in their past 10 games in Tennessee. The Titans are 1-7 against the spread in their past eight games overall and 0-5 ATS in their past five home games.

TITANS: 20-17

New York Jets (3-9) at Miami (5-7)

Line: Dolphins minus 6 1/2

Hard to fathom the Jets had a better record with Zach Wilson (4-7) and Trevor Siemian (2-1) last year than Aaron Rodgers this season. Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins are clinging to slim playoff hopes. At least they won’t be playing in cold weather this week.

DOLPHINS: 27-20

New Orleans (4-8) at New York Giants (2-10)

Line: Saints minus 5 Another matchup featuring two losing teams — there are five such games this week — that will be difficult to watch except for fantasy and betting implications. The Saints peaked at 2-0. The Giants have lost seven straight and are better off extending that streak to try to land the No. 1 overall pick. - SAINTS: 23-16

Carolina (3-9) at Philadelphia (10-2)

Line: Eagles minus 12 1/2

The Panthers pushed the Chiefs to the final seconds before losing and were a fumble away from beating the Buccaneers in overtime last week. Bryce Young has improved since returning from his benching and rookie coach Dave Canales has the team playing better than its record.

The Eagles are a legitimate Super Bowl contender behind MVP candidate Saquon Barkley, a loaded offence and a stingy defence. They can’t afford a letdown with hopes of catching the Lions for the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

EAGLES: 24-13

Cleveland (3-8) at Pittsburgh (9-3)

Line: Steelers minus 6 1/2

The Steelers are 5-1 with Russell Wilson and have a two-game advantage in the loss column over the Ravens for the AFC North lead. They lost to Jameis Winston and the Browns in snow-filled Cleveland in Week 12. Winston was at his best and worst in a Monday night loss to Denver. T.J. Watt and Pittsburgh’s defence will be ready for him. The Browns are 4-10 ATS in their past 14 games and 1-19 straight

up in their past 20 games in Pittsburgh.

STEELERS: 26-17

Las Vegas (2-10) at Tampa Bay (6-6)

Line: Buccaneers minus 6 1/2

Baker Mayfield has the Buccaneers in position for a fourth straight NFC South title. They can’t overlook inferior opponents, especially after a close call in Carolina. Aidan O’Connell set the Raiders up for an upset over Kansas City only to have coach Antonio Pierce mess up clock management. Maxx Crosby could make things difficult for Mayfield.

BUCCANEERS: 23-17

Seattle (7-5) at Arizona (6-6)

Line: Cardinals minus 2 1/2

The Seahawks and Cardinals are facing off for the second time in three weeks with the NFC West on the line. Seattle enters on a three-game winning streak, including a 16-6 victory over Arizona. The up-and-down Cardinals have lost two in a row after a four-game winning streak. They’re 8-4 ATS this season and 1-1 as home favourites. Kyler Murray has 1,037 yards passing, 195 yards rushing, seven TD passes and one interception for a 102.9 passer rating in his past four home

starts vs. Seattle. But Arizona has lost six in a row in this series.

CARDINALS: 24-20

Chicago (4-8) at San Francisco (5-7)

Line: 49ers minus 4

The defending NFC champion 49ers are beat up and desperate for a victory after getting outscored 73-20 in the past two losses. They won’t have Christian McCaffrey the rest of the season. Nick Bosa and Trent Williams have missed two games in a row. It’s now or never for San Francisco. The Bears have lost six in a row and Thomas Brown will make his debut as interim coach. Caleb Williams is taking care of the ball, setting a rookie record with 232 straight passes and counting without an interception.

49ERS: 26-20

Los Angeles Chargers (8-4) at Kansas City (11-1)

Line: Chiefs minus 4

The Chargers have lost six straight to the Chiefs, including a 17-10 loss at home on Sept. 29. Jim Harbaugh has built a tough, physical team that’s in position to make the playoffs. The two-time defending champion Chiefs are barely winning games, with five going down to the final play. They should’ve lost last week but the Raiders botched the clock. Justin Herbert and the rest of Los Angeles’ offence need to get on track after winning a game without an offensive TD. The Chiefs have been vulnerable on defence lately.

CHIEFS: 23-22

Cincinnati (4-8) at Dallas (5-7)

Line: Bengals minus 5 1/2

The Bengals are wasting an excellent season from Joe Burrow, who has 30 TD passes and only five interceptions. It’s rare to see a team with a .333 winning percentage favoured on the road against an opponent with a better record. That’s the Burrow effect. It helps to have Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, too.

The Cowboys have shown fight in consecutive wins over the Commanders and Giants. They can’t run the ball well enough to keep Burrow and Co. off the field.

BENGALS: 30-20

column where AP Pro

Football Writer Rob Maaddi shares his picks for upcoming games.

LIONS HOST PACKERS TONIGHT

By LARRY LAGE AP Sports Writer

DETROIT (AP) — Detroit and Green Bay, longtime rivals and current contenders, will have much at stake when they meet tonight in the Motor City.

The NFC-leading Lions (11-1) are aiming to stay ahead of Philadelphia (10-2) in the race for the conference’s best record and Minnesota (10-2) in the NFC North with a win against the Packers. Detroit can also clinch a spot in the playoffs with an 11th straight victory that would set a franchise record.

“We’re in playoff football right now,” Lions coach Dan Campbell said.

“This is the type of stuff that you live for and it’s also the type of stuff that gets you ready for the tournament.”

Green Bay (9-3) also has a lot to play for because it can pull within a game of the Lions if it can split the season series with a slight upset as 3 1/2-point underdogs, according to BetMGM.

“This game is going to be important for us moving forward toward the end of this thing and we’re going to treat it as such,” Packers safety Xavier McKinney said.

Born to run Green Bay’s ability to slow down Detroit’s run game might be pivotal.

Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, the first teammates in league history to run for at least 10 touchdowns in consecutive seasons, have combined to average more than 140 yards on the ground per game.

The Packers limited San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey to 31 yards on 11 attempts and held Miami to 39 yards rushing in their past two games.

It was the first time since 1995, and just the second time since 1950, that they gave up fewer than 45 yards rushing in two straight weeks.

Road warriors Home field has not been an advantage in the series lately.

The road team has won four straight games, going back to Detroit closing the 2022 regular season and Aaron Rodgers’ career with the Packers in a 20-16 win at Lambeau Field.

Green Bay has won five straight NFC North road games, including last year at Detroit on Thanksgiving.

FANTASY PLAYS: PLAYERS TO START AND SIT THIS WEEK

By DORIAN COLBERT

IT may not look like it at first glance, but these starts should get the job done in a bye-filled Week 14. Play them with confidence, while fading the necessary players to avoid.

Quarterbacks

Start: Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins vs Jets

Tua has found a connection with Jonnu Smith, peppering him with targets on a weekly basis. Even in a loss last week, Tagovailoa was QB7, throwing for 365 yards and two TDs. His matchup this week against the Jets isn’t a cakewalk, but Green Bay, the team Tua played last week, has a higher ranked secondary.

Other locks:

—Russell Wilson vs Browns —Sam Darnold vs Falcons

—Will Levis vs Jaguars —Baker Mayfield vs Raiders Avoid: Kirk Cousins, Falcons at Vikings Cousins has struggled recently in Atlanta. Cousins’ numbers have dropped every week since Week 10, bottoming out at just over 2 fantasy points in standard leagues in Week 13.

Now while I don’t expect him to throw four

interceptions and no TDs this week, I don’t expect a marked improvement from the inconsistent veteran.

Running backs

Start: Isaac Guerendo, 49ers vs Bears Guerendo is the last line for the 49ers running game as both Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason have been sent to IR. Guerendo is a potent combo of size and speed. His opponent this week, the Bears, are a top-10 matchup for opposing RBs, so he’ll have a low barrier to fantasy significance. Pick him up and start him.

Other locks: —James Conner vs Seahawks —Jahmyr Gibbs vs Packers —Kyren Williams vs Bills —Chase Brown at Cowboys Avoid: Gus Edwards, Chargers at Chiefs Even without JK Dobbins in the backfield, Edwards was lacklustre in Week 13, with seven combined rushes and receptions for 33 total yards. He ceded carries to rookie Kimani Vidal and Hassan Haskins, limiting his upside. Next for Edwards’ fantasy prospects this week though is the stifling Chiefs front he’ll face at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City

is the worst matchup for opposing RBs in Week 14, making Edwards a tough option.

Wide receivers Start: Nick WestbrookIkhine, Titans vs Jaguars Nick Westbrook-Ikhine keeps slipping by some fantasy players, so they keep sleeping on him week after productive week. He’s scored seven out of his past eight games, and Westbrook-Ikhine shows no signs of slowing down, as his QB Will Levis is playing the best football of his short career right now. In a top-three matchup with the Jaguars this week, Westbrook-Ikhine is a solid start in any format.

Other locks: —George Pickens vs Browns —Mike Evans vs Raiders —Tee Higgins at Cowboys —Jaxon Smith-Njigba at Cardinals

Avoid: Tyler Lockett, Seahawks at Cardinals Lockett’s productivity has faded a bit as teammate Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s star has risen every week for the past month. The usually savvy veteran just hasn’t been a priority for Seattle, averaging only three targets over his past five outings.

He’s been able to depend on TDs in the past to keep his fantasy value up, but Lockett has only found the

end zone twice this season. Even in a middling matchup with Arizona, Lockett isn’t an advised play this late into the season.

Tight ends Start: Cade Otton, Buccaneers vs Raiders Otton has been pedestrian as of late, topping out at 35 yards in his past three games. To his credit, the matchups have not been stellar over that time, outside of his matchup against Carolina in Week 13. In that game, he did get seven targets, but they just didn’t pan out for fantasy production. Averaging nine targets, aside from Week 12, over his past five games though, Otton’s resurgence

is a matter of when and not if. Look for him to bounce back in a top-three matchup with Las Vegas this week.

Other locks:

—Jonnu Smith vs Jets

—Brock Bowers at Buccaneers

—Pat Freiermuth vs Browns

—David Njoku at Steelers

Avoid: Kyle Pitts, Falcons at Vikings

You would expect someone of Pitts’ size and athletic ability to be a consistent threat on a weekly basis, but that just isn’t the case. Kirk Cousins’ struggles have played a role, but Pitts hasn’t wrangled many of the targets he’s gotten recently, catching only 1 of 5 over his past two games. He had zero receptions in Week 13, and that’s not output you can work with as we near the fantasy playoffs. There are better options.

ATLANTA Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) passes during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, December 1, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

49ERS running back Isaac Guerendo, right, runs for a touchdown past Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday. (AP Photo/Gene J Puskar)

‘Buddy’ Hield and Klay Thompson advance to NBA Cup quarterfinals

FROM PAGE 13

struggled with his shot, shooting 8-for-23 from the field and 4-for-15 from deep. Hield chipped in with six points, three rebounds and a steal. His shot was also streaky as he went 2-for-8 from the field and 2-for-6 from long range.

Denver and Golden State kept the contest close at the half with the latter taking a 26-24 edge into the second half of play. It was a back-and-forth affair in the third period with both teams trading ties and the lead at different segments.

DALLAS Mavericks guard Klay Thompson shoots against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game on Tuesday in Dallas. The Mavericks won 121-116. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Hield helped to chip away at an eight-point Denver cushion (81-73) with a deep three that placed the Warriors within five (81-76).

Through three quarters, Denver went into the final period of play leading 90-85.

The Warriors surged to a 104-94 advantage at the 7:32 mark of the fourth quarter thanks to a 19-4 run.

Despite the momentum being in the Warriors’ corner, Denver mounted a late rally to take over the ball game late in the final period.

The Nuggets scored six unanswered points to tie the score at 115 apiece with Golden State. Kevon Looney fouled out with just 1:48 remaining and the already undermanned GSW frontcourt struggled to contain reigning league MVP Nikola Jokic.

He caught Curry sleeping on defence at the elbow and drained a 18-foot jumper.

Athletic big Aaron Gordon gave the Nuggets the lead once again with a successful pair of free throws at the charity stripe to put them in charge 117-115.

The Warriors tried to make a last minute play to either tie or take the lead but forward Andrew Wiggins lost the ball driving into the paint and Jokic iced the game at the freethrow line on the other end.

Jokic ended the night with a game-high 38 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and five steals.

After starting the season with a 12-3 record, the Warriors have dropped their

last five games to now sit at seventh in the Western Conference with a 12-8 record.

Mavericks vs Grizzlies Thompson and the Mavericks overcame a whooping 25 turnovers to defeat the Grizzlies 121-116 on Tuesday night at home.

Mavs point guard Luka

Deandre Ayton posts 16 points and two assists in 127-105 loss to Clippers

FROM PAGE 13

22 games this season. Clippers: Powell continues to be an offensive force amid the best season of his career. He scored 14 of the Clippers’ first 24 points, including three 3-pointers, to set the tone immediately. He is averaging a career-best 23.9 points, up from 13.9 points last season.

Key moment The Trail Blazers overcame an early double-digit deficit to cut the Clippers’ lead to 72-70

Doncic gave the Grizzlies defence problems all night long. He shouldered the load with a game-high 37 points, 12 rebounds, four dimes and four steals.

with 6:05 remaining in the third quarter, but the Clippers unleashed a 34-10 run to turn it into a rout. Powell, Harden and Mo Bamba hit 3-pointers to spur an 11-0 surge, and the Clippers rolled from there.

Key stat

Harden has 26,399 points, passing Paul Pierce for sole possession of 17th place on the NBA’s career scoring list.

Up next Trail Blazers host Utah on Friday and the Clippers hosted Minnesota last night.

He bullied his way to the charity stripe 16 times and made 10 of his attempts.

Memphis got an efficient showing from Ja Morant, who recently returned from injury, with a team-high 31 points, four assists and three steals. Thompson had a quiet night for Dallas, scoring just four points and dishing out three assists. He went 1-for-5 from the field and did not make any of his three 3s.

After leading the first half 35-31, Dallas found themselves in a 15-point hole to start the final quarter of the NBA Cup West Wild Card spot game.

Thompson cashed in on two freebies at the charity stripe to jumpstart a run for Dallas early in the fourth. The Mavericks started a 10-0 run at the 3:12 mark of the final period and stole the lead from Memphis 113-111. Spencer Dinwiddie hit the go-ahead three to take the lead and then canned another right after to clinch the ball game for Dallas. Thompson and the Mavs improved to 14-8 on the season.

Bahamian NBA pros Kai Jones and Deandre Ayton also clashed on Tuesday night in the Clippers vs Trail Blazers NBA Cup group stage matchup. Los Angeles toppled the Trail Blazers 127-105 at the Intuit Dome.

game on

(AP Photo/Howard Lao)

Ayton powered his way to a team-high 16 points, three rebounds, two assists and a block. (See the full story on page 13) Jones registered six minutes but did not score any points.

HEAT BREAK FRANCHISE ASSIST RECORD IN BLOWOUT VICTORY OVER LAKERS

MIAMI (AP) — Tyler Herro scored 21 of his 31 points in the third quarter and the Miami Heat set a franchise record for assists in beating the Los Angeles Lakers 134-93 last night.

The Heat had 42 assists, one more than the previous mark of 41 against Portland on March 29. They tied another franchise record with 24 3-pointers, and the 41-point margin of victory was the third-biggest in team history.

Jimmy Butler scored 17 points and Bam Adebayo had 14 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists for the Heat.

LeBron James scored 29 points for the Lakers, who have lost six of eight — their last two by a combined 70 points. Rui Hachimura added 14 for the Lakers.

CELTICS 130, PISTONS 120

BOSTON (AP) — Jaylen Brown had 28 points with

nine assists and Kristaps Porzingis added 26 points and nine rebounds to lead Boston to their ninth victory in 10 games, a victory over Detroit.

Derrick White had 14 points and 11 assists and Payton Pritchard scored 19 points off the bench for Boston. The Celtics scored 12 straight to take an 18-4 lead less than four minutes into the game and led by 20.

MAGIC 106, 76ERS 102

PHILADELPHIA (AP)

— Franz Wagner scored 35 points and Jalen Suggs had 17 to lead Orlando to a win over Philadelphia. Wagner made 12 of 23 shots from the floor with a 3-pointer and converted all 10 free throws to lead the Magic past the shorthanded Sixers. Philadelphia was not at full strength. Joel Embiid, Paul George, Andre Drummond and Kyle Lowry

sat out due to injuries or rest. An expected Eastern Conference favourite in the preseason, the Sixers dropped to 5-15.

Coach Nick Nurse said there was a chance Embiid, who has played only four games this season, could play Friday when the teams play again in Philadelphia. Wagner scored 25 points through three quarters before snapping a tie game in the fourth and helping the Magic stretch the lead.

NETS 99, PACERS 90 NEW YORK (AP) — Cam Johnson scored 26 points, Nic Claxton had 16 and Brooklyn beat Indiana to end a three-game losing streak. Shake Milton had 15 points off the bench for the Nets. T.J. McConnell had 14 points for Indiana, and Tyrese Haliburton had 13. The Pacers have lost four in a row and seven of 10.

After Indiana’s Pascal Siakam scored four consecutive points to tie it at 80 with 8:08 left, the Nets responded with a 10-0 run — making it 90-80 on Jaylen Wilson’s basket with 5:57 remaining.

HAWKS 119, BUCKS 104 MILWAUKEE (AP) — Jalen Johnson had 23 points and 13 rebounds and Atlanta halted Milwaukee’s winning streak at seven games.

De’Andre Hunter scored 20 points, Trae Young 17, Bogdan Bogdanovic 15, Onyeka Okongwu 13 and Zaccharie Risacher 12 as the Hawks extended their winning streak to five games. Clint Capela added 17 rebounds. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 30 points and 10 rebounds to lead Milwaukee. Damian Lillard added 25 points and Gary Trent Jr. had 11 points off the bench.

PORTLAND Trail Blazers centre Deandre Ayton reacts after a call against the Sacramento Kings during the second half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball

Friday, November 29, in Portland, Oregon.

LOS Angeles Clippers forward Kai Jones, right, blocks the shot of Portland Trail Blazers guard Dalano Banton during the second half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Mark J Terrill)

GOLDEN State Warriors guard Buddy Hield, front, looks to pass the ball as Denver Nuggets guard

Russell Westbrook, back left, and forward Aaron Gordon defend in the first half of an Emirates NBA Cup basketball game on Tuesday in Denver.

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

HOUSE Speaker Patricia Deveaux holding the ‘order of business’ for Parliament as she speaks in the members of the Opposition yesterday. St Barnabas MP Shanendon Cartwright would take the mace and toss it out the window.

Photos: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

MARCO City MP and Opposition Leader Michael Pintard and Free National Movement (FNM) deputy leader Shanendon Cartwright negotiate with police during a protest near Parliament Square yesterday.

Photos: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

POLICE look to remove Free National Movement (FNM) deputy leader Shanendon Cartwright after he threw the mace out of a window in the House of Assembly yesterday.

Photos: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

MEMBERS of the opposition after being removed from the House by police after deputy leader

Shanendon Cartwright threw the mace out of a window in the House of Assembly yesterday.

Photos: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff