12102024 NEWS AND SPORTS

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The Tribune

JUNKANOO AT RISK IN ROW WITH GOVT

JCNP frustration as PM and AG step in to Valley Boys feud

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS

Reporter

Tribune Staff

lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

THE long-simmering feud within the Valley Boys has thrown the Junkanoo community into chaos, sparking fears that the Boxing Day and New Year’s Day parades will be postponed or cancelled as the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence clashes with the Davis administration. The drama escalated after the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture said on Sunday night that both Valley Boys groups –– the World Famous group and the Way Forward group –– will participate in the

ALLEGED POLICE MISCONDUCT IN GB REMAINS UNRESOLVED

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Staff Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

ASSISTANT Commis-

sioner of Police Shanta

Knowles is set to become commissioner amid heightened scrutiny of the Royal Bahamas Police Force ––and as a Grand Bahama death investigation raised unconfirmed allegations of police misconduct. Free National Movement leader Michael Pintard appeared to reference the case last week, saying: “We have some controversies in Grand Bahama where officers’ names have been called in some very suspicious circumstances. There is a mother right now that

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

DEPUTY Prime Minister Chester Cooper said a US federal indictment making explosive corruption allegations about law enforcement officers had “errors”. He did not elaborate. The indictment said police officers helped smuggle cocaine through various ports, including critical airports. Mr Cooper said the

Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) complies with international security standards. He said he doesn’t have specific details of what happened at the LPIA

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

ST ANNE’S MP Adrian White denied playing a role in helping FNM deputy leader Shanendon Cartwright throw the Speaker’s mace out of a House of Assembly window last week.

As FNM supporters sang the national anthem outside the House of Assembly last Wednesday, Mr White visited the window, briefly perplexing elected officials. Later, Mr Cartwright threw the Speaker’s mace out of

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Davis administration’s plan to create an independent commission to investigate misconduct allegations against law enforcement officers comes after it has been slow to push broad measures that enhance transparency, accountability, and public trust in public officials and critical institutions. Administration officials have suggested the passage of the Independent Commission of Investigations

A MEMBER of The Valley Boys performs during the 2023 Boxing Day Junkanoo parade. Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

THE RECENTLY completed United States Embassy lit up at night.

Photo: Samora St Rose

Junkanoo at risk in row with govt

Category A division of the parades, defying the JCNP’s position that only Brian Adderley’s World Famous group would participate.

The ministry’s surprising statement came hours after enthusiastic Junkanoo supporters gathered for the parades’ Order of Entry draw ceremony.

A steady drip of information from various players in the saga came yesterday, capturing the attention of a bewildered public looking forward to the annual national pastime.

Dion Miller, chairman of the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence (JCNP), was the first to reveal that the upcoming parades may be cancelled, describing the government’s action as political interference. Critics have noted that Trevor Davis, leader of the Way Forward group, is the brother of Prime Minister Philip Davis.

Director of communications Latrae Rahming said claims that Prime Minister Davis is intervening in the controversy with bias are “unfounded”.

Attorney General Ryan Pinder later warned yesterday that excluding either faction could come with legal and financial risks. He said neither group should use the “Valley Boys” name until the courts resolve the dispute.

He also warned that the JCNP would bear the costs associated with legal repercussions and said the body has no authority to cancel or postpone Junkanoo.

Prime Minister Davis said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that either both factions compete or neither do.

“Under no circumstances is the postponement or cancellation of Junkanoo justified,” he said. “So many Bahamians have poured their talent and artistry and time into preparing –– and this is a cultural tradition we’re all proud of and we all look forward to. Let’s celebrate together!”

The JCNP’s stance has significant backing from major Junkanoo groups.

“JCNP governs Junkanoo in New Providence, and we support them 1000 per cent,” said One Family chairman Vernon Rolle. He criticised the feud within the Valley Boys, saying: “The Bahamian people should

not be dealing with this nonsense.”

“We cannot allow The Way Forward to come in. They were a fun group; now they want to be an A-group — it doesn’t go that way.”

The Prodigal Sons and Genesis Warhawks also support the JCNP’s actions but declined to elaborate.

Other groups and major event sponsors declined to comment, with groups saying they are awaiting the JCNP’s decision.

The JCNP had planned a press conference yesterday to address the matter but cancelled it, citing “unforeseen circumstances”.

“The JCNP remains committed to keeping you informed and engaged,” the body said. “A new date for the press conference will be announced shortly, and we will ensure you receive all relevant details in a timely manner.”

The Valley Boys conflict has grabbed headlines throughout the year. The extent of the division became clear during June’s Labour Day parade when both factions rushed, each showcasing robust support.

Trevor Davis, the Way Forward leader, has said the division centres around concerns about how the organisation had been running over the years,

PINTARD RENEWS CALL FOR JUNKANOO COMMISSION AMID LATEST CONTROVERSY

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement leader Michael Pintard renewed his call for a Junkanoo commission amid uncertainty about the status of the Boxing Day and New Year’s Day parades.

He said when he served as minister of culture, he collaborated with Junkanoo leaders to host a conclave focused on the festival’s future. One of the outcomes of that meeting was the decision to create a Junkanoo commission.

“The idea was simple, but powerful: to form a public-private partnership that could manage key decisions affecting all aspects of Junkanoo,” he said. “This structure

was intended to, among other things, prevent unnecessary interference and overreach by central government into matters that could be best handled by the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence (JCNP), the new commission, and other stakeholders.”

“Junkanoo is bigger than politics. We believed — and I still do — that narrow political, personal or family considerations should not influence decisions in our cultural festivals. Our culture is far too important to be overshadowed by short-sighted agendas.”

His comments came in light of the government’s announcement that both Valley Boys groups would be allowed to participate in the Category A division of the parades.

including the lack of an election.

He revealed that he registered his group as a non-profit organisation under the Valley Boys name after discovering that the original group was not registered. He said Mr Adderly’s group later registered itself as an NPO named World Famous Valley Boys.

Mr Adderley, chairman of the original group, has said his organisation complies with all of the JCNP’s requirements.

The Office of the Registrar General has urged Mr Adderley’s group to drop the Valley Boys name, a matter now subject to court proceedings.

Meanwhile, as of Sunday, ticket sales for the Boxing Day parade have reached 90 percent capacity. Aliv Chief Information Officer Dwayne Davis said 940 out of 8,000 tickets are still unsold, saying refunds would be issued if the event is cancelled.

THE VALLEY Boys perform during the 2023 Boxing Day Junkanoo parade on December 27, 2023. Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

Government track record on accountability laws is slow

Bill is key to helping to restore the public’s trust in law enforcement after an explosive US federal indictment painted a picture of significant corruption within the Royal Bahamas Police Force, with some officers helping to smuggle cocaine into the United States.

The commission would have sweeping powers to inspect relevant records, documents, and buildings, interview witnesses, review procedures within the security forces and public bodies, and ensure that complaints are properly submitted and investigated.

“No rank, no title, no position will shield anyone from the reach of this commission,” National Security Minister Wayne Munroe said last week.

However, the government’s track record of supporting systems that enhance accountability among public officials is

weak. In its 2024 Investment Climate Report on The Bahamas, the US State Department accused the government of “stalling” the full implementation of anti-corruption laws to enhance transparency and accountability in Bahamian governance.

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis has said that fully implementing the Freedom of Information Act and introducing campaign finance reform, promises outlined in the PLP’s pre-election manifesto, are not priorities for his administration at this time, citing greater concern about cost of living issues affecting Bahamians.

Legislators passed an Ombudsman Bill to empower the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate the administrative operations of public authorities and identify instances of maladministration, but the body’s status is unclear. Good governance

advocates have called for overhauling the regime around public disclosure to ensure compliance, transparency and verification of declarations. Successive administrations have failed to amend the law.

Matt Aubry, executive chairman of the Organization for Responsible Governance, said yesterday that the country’s governance track

record raises doubts about whether the commission to investigate misconduct allegations against law enforcement officers will meet the public’s expectations for effectiveness and robustness.

“Historically,” he said, “the government has not necessarily gone more than let’s get something on the books, not how do we activate it or enact it in a way

that it meets its full intention. That fact is one you have to account for as you look to build people’s comfort and trust in a system.”

“Where we are now is not owned by any particular administration because clearly, the lack of movement on legislative frameworks has been across the board because we’ve had a Freedom of Information Act in some form or fashion since 2012 and no movement on it. No administration seems to be very specifically driven to do this.”

“It took a lot of time for the Public Procurement Act to happen, and although the last administration passed it and this administration revised it, we’re still not fully there. This administration passed an Ombudsman bill, which was talked about by the last administration, which didn’t do it, but there’s no resources or enforcement.”

“Top line is making sure there are meaningful and

tangible mechanisms that ensure transparency. So, if we’re going to put this bill forward for consultation, that’s critical, but we also have to understand that Freedom of Information being fully funded and enacted has a role; making sure that procurement laws are followed across the board have a role; making sure that we have more transparent and functional public disclosure laws has a really strong role, and election financing has a key role; making sure that there is a comprehensive system that does incentivise whistleblowers to come forward has a role.

“All of those things together have to be talked about as a full solution to changing a culture that either acknowledges that there are challenges in our governance and tries to go around them or doesn’t do enough to mitigate the potential bad actors who are hopefully a smaller part of our public sector.”

Over ten percent foreign air departure decline a ‘seasonal trend,’ says Romer

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter

A 11.1 percent decline in foreign air departures has been described as a seasonal trend by director of aviation Kenneth Romer.

Mr Romer, who is also deputy director general of the Ministry of Tourism and Investments, noted the departures from Sir Lynden Pindling

International Airport (LPIA) during September and October, but said these months are traditionally slower for travel, with numbers typically softening during this period.

“When the numbers are reported, they often speak to a period that we would have traditionally seen the softening of numbers,” Dr Romer explained.

“We know that September, October, [are]

traditionally slower months. So we do expect during those periods to see a decline in your arrivals and your departures.”

Dr Romer was optimistic about tourism’s performance during the final quarter, pointing to strong Thanksgiving numbers and an encouraging outlook for December and January.

“We are seeing again an uptick in performance, a

very strong Thanksgiving, [and] a very strong December, and we are optimistic again that January is going to hold also.”

The decline follows a record-breaking year in 2023, with over 9.65 million visitor arrivals, and a strong start to 2024, surpassing those numbers by the third quarter.

He noted a return of American Airlines and new flights from Charlotte.

He added: “You’ll see new flights coming out of Charlotte. You’ll see Delta again bringing new flights in December. You’ll see in Eleuthera, Governor’s Harbour, a new flight [from] American Airlines, Charlotte direct into Eleuthera. “Bahamasair again is preparing for new service out of West Palm Beach into Grand Bahama. They’re ramping up, again, seat capacity from our key

THE Airport Authority marked a milestone as the final cohort of aviation security officers and passenger screeners for 2024 graduated during a ceremony held at Living Waters Kingdom Ministries.

Director of Security Bernard K. Bonamy Jr. urged graduates to uphold professionalism and vigilance, while Managing Director Peter Rutherford highlighted the importance of their roles amidst recent scrutiny of airport security standards.

Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper underscored the graduates’ significance in maintaining the Bahamas’ reputation as a premier tourism destination and a global leader in aviation safety.

The graduates are now part of ongoing efforts to protect travelers and ensure compliance with international standards, including ICAO and TSA protocols, helping to sustain the Bahamas’ Category 1 airport status.

Whyms Jr

Bahamas Striping delivers thousands of Thanksgiving meals across the country

THE Bahamas Striping Group of Companies (BSGC) recently concluded its second annual “Let’s Make a Difference” Thanksgiving Meal initiative, delivering thousands of meals to families in need across the country. The programme, which has grown significantly since its inception, involved coordinated efforts by BSGC, community partners, and volunteers to provide meals during the Thanksgiving season.

“This initiative is more than just feeding people; it’s about bringing our community together and fostering a spirit of compassion and support,” said Atario Mitchell, president of BSGC. He emphasised the company’s commitment to ensuring that everyone has access to a warm meal, particularly during the holidays.

The initiative involved volunteers from The Bahamas Feeding Network, Rotary Bahamas, The Titan Hospitality Group, Aquinas College, and Queens College, who assisted in preparing and distributing meals. Community centres and churches across the islands served as distribution points to ensure accessibility. Melissa Sears, co-chairperson of the initiative, said a sense of community service and love drove the effort. “Everybody came together, no one was paid to be there and no one was paid to cook,” she said, adding that the programme aimed to address the significant need on Grand Bahama, where 10,000 individuals were provided meals.

Feedback from participants on islands including Abaco, Acklins, Eleuthera,

Exuma, Cat Island, Ragged Island, and Mayaguana was described as overwhelmingly positive. Recipients expressed gratitude for the support, which many described as timely and meaningful.

Local businesses such as Insurance Management, Sun Oil Group, Sandals Resorts, and BAIC contributed resources and food items, further supporting the initiative. Organisers say the collaboration between community groups and corporate entities was instrumental in the program’s success.

BSGC has indicated plans to expand the initiative to assist more families in future years. According to the company, the program underscores its ongoing commitment to addressing hunger and promoting community support during the holiday season.

MATT AUBRY, executive chairman of the Organization for Responsible Governance.

DIRECTOR OF AVIATION KENNETH ROMER

Photo: Chappell

Alleged police misconduct in GB remains unresolved

is in Hudson Estates who is still waiting on the system to give word on whether or not her child is alive or dead. These are very serious matters, and we expect that the system ought to work and work effectively

and answer the call of grieving family members.”

On September 12, burned human remains were discovered in a vehicle destroyed by fire in bushes off the Grand Bahama Highway in East Grand Bahama. Police had released a missing person’s

flyer for Elkino Miller on September 5, just two weeks before the gruesome discovery. Mr Miller, 49, of Gold Coin Lane, was last seen on September 3. He is described as six feet tall, medium-built, weighing 230 pounds, with dark brown hair and a dark brown

complexion.

Yesterday, ACP Knowles, the officer in charge of Grand Bahama, reiterated that DNA samples from the burned body have been sent to US partners but that the results had not been returned. Voice notes purporting

to capture a tense conversation between Miller and a man circulated after the burned body was found. Sylvens Metayer, a man who claims to be a whistleblower, made unconfirmed allegations and showed alleged WhatsApp message connected

to it in September, weeks after appearing to release voice notes that purported to capture a quid-quo-pro arrangement involving a senior Central Investigation Department officer and gang members related to a $1.5m bank security car robbery last year.

US indictment involving Bahamian officer S ‘had error S’, S ay S cooper

and other airports but said those named in the indictment are “not employees of the airport” or the Airport Authority.

He said the indictment does not reflect on the integrity of LPIA’s operations.

“LPIA and all airports in The Bahamas comply with ICAO rules, comply with the rules of TSA, comply with the rules of the Civil Aviation Authority of The Bahamas,” he said.

“Suffice to say, I am very proud of the team of Airport Authority security officers led by BK Bonamy, a decorated former policeman,” he said.

He did not confirm whether the government is launching its own investigation but emphasised the importance of corrective measures if necessary.

“The government of The Bahamas is naturally concerned with taking steps to address the issues that we’ve been made aware of,” he said. “When we get further information of any offences that may have occurred through any of the airports, we will learn from those lessons and, if necessary, we will make corrective steps.”

“I am reasonably assured that, to the best of our ability and our knowledge, we are applying the international standards for security.”

DPM labels the opposition’s actions in House of Assembly ‘embarrassing’ and ‘disgraceful’

By KEILE CAMPBELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

DEPUTY Prime Minister Chester Cooper blasted the opposition’s actions in the House of Assembly last Wednesday as “embarrassing” and “disgraceful”, though he stopped short of calling for legal repercussions, saying House Speaker Patricia Deveaux will deliberate consequences.

“I hope that whatever consequences is available to the Speaker, that she would deliberate and make those decisions as to what she wishes to do,” he said.

“These are persons who served more than five years in Parliament. They know the rules, and they determined willfully that they would defy those rules.”

The deputy prime minister outlined several offences he said the opposition committed during the heated parliamentary session, accusing members of defying the Speaker’s instructions and violating the mace, a key symbol of parliamentary authority. St Barnabas MP Shanendon Cartwright threw the mace out of a window over frustration with the Speaker’s failure to indicate whether FNM leader Michael Pintard would be allowed to address explosive allegations contained in a US federal indictment. Mr Cooper also said opposition members resisted police

intervention and highlighted injuries an on-duty police officer and Deputy House Speaker Sylvanus Petty reportedly sustained during the altercation.

Mr Cooper said the Opposition’s actions mimicked history, referencing Black Tuesday on April 27, 1965, when then Opposition leader Lynden Pindling threw the ceremonial mace out of the House of Assembly window; that act was a protest against gerrymandering by the ruling United Bahamian Party (UBP) and served as a pivotal moment in the fight for majority rule.

“This crew of actors decided to put on a performance to mimic a blockbuster movie of the past,” Mr Cooper said, emphasising the historical significance of Sir Lynden Pindling’s actions in contrast to what he deemed the opposition’s “political theatrics”.

“It was a complete embarrassment to our country, an embarrassment to themselves, and the actions taken weren’t grounded in any philosophy, weren’t grounded in anything beyond political theatrics,” Mr Cooper added.

“When this was done before, we were fighting for equality and social justice, majority rule, and independence. We were fighting for power to be given to the people.”

MINISTER of Tourism and Aviation Chester Cooper speaks with reporters outside tha Airport Authority training cohort graduation at Living Waters Kingdom Ministries held yesterday.

Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr

The Tribune Limited

NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI

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

LEON E. H. DUPUCH

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

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Publisher/Editor 1919-1972

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Publisher/Editor 1972-

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Who are we after all this chaos?

Who are we?

Those are the words traditionally raised by supporters as the Valley Boys march along Bay Street.

A Junkanoo tradition, for Junkanoo legends.

Who are we?

The past day and a bit has been one long rollercoaster – although in truth the start of the ride began on Saturday, Nervous Saturday, with the drawing of the parade order for Junkanoo.

The crowds gathered at A rawak Cay for the draw, there was cheering, some playful booing – exactly the kind of thing you want from Junkanoo. The community together in gentle rivalry.

Then came the chaos.

First, there was the statement that was released from the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture that announced that both Valley Boys groups would take part in the A category of the parades. This effectively overruled the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence (JCNP).

Unsurprisingly, it also enraged the JCNP. The joy of Saturday was gone.

Quite why Prime Minister Philip D avis decided to walk into a hornet’s nest by interfering with Junkanoo is baffling.

O ne suggestion was that the presence of the prime minister’s brother as leader of the Way Forward group played a part.

While the JCNP announced a press conference and warned the parades might be postponed, the prime minister’s director of communications was busily insisting bias did not play a part. Then the A ttorney General weighed in. Imagine that for a moment. We are in a moment where the government is embroiled in finding a response to

an indictment in the US alleging a conspiracy to smuggle cocaine that involved corrupt government officials and police – and the A ttorney General is brought in to issue a warning to JCNP on the legal and financial risks of not allowing a group to march.

He also said neither group should be able to call themselves The Valley Boys. Who are we? Now there isn’t even a name. It wasn’t over. The Prime Minister himself joined in on what used to be called Twitter. He said a postponement “under no circumstances” was justified.

He said: “So many Bahamians have poured their talent and artistry and time into preparing…”

The trouble is, from what we understand, most of the groups are backing the JCNP, so playing that card gets him nowhere.

He went on to say: “Let’s celebrate together!”

Celebrate? The mood is far from celebratory now.

A s for that press conference? It never happened. Postponed due to “unforeseen circumstances”.

What next? Will the government be discussing the eligibility of Junkanoo groups at Cabinet? Heaven forbid.

This looks and smells like a staggering government overreach. So much for Junkanoo being run by Junkanooers.

But who are we to question the government on its intervention?

Who are we to hope that the Valley Boys could have found a resolution without impacting every other group?

Who are we to hope that the government will trust Junkanoo organisers to apply their own rules?

Who are we?

Who, indeed.

Rea f rming committment to human rights

EDITOR, The Tribune.

TODAY, on December 10, as we join the world in commemorating Human Rights Day under the theme “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now,” we are reminded of the transformative power of human rights to create a brighter, more just, and sustainable future. Human rights are not just ideals—they are practical tools that shape lives, protect dignity, and inspire hope every single day.

In The Bahamas, the principles of equality, dignity, and justice guide us as we strive to address the unique challenges faced by our people. Whether it is safeguarding the rights of women, children, the elderly, or persons with disabilities, our commitment must be unwavering.

Every individual has the right to live free from discrimination, poverty, and exclusion.

Human rights are not abstract; they are tangible and deeply personal. They are about ensuring that a child has access to education, that families live in safety, and that everyone, regardless of ability or background, has the opportunity to thrive.

As Shadow Minister for Social Services, I pledge to continue advocating for policies and initiatives that protect and empower every Bahamian. I reaffirm my unwavering commitment to being a voice for the voiceless – the vulnerable are the faces of human rights in our communities.

While we have made progress, challenges remain. Too many among us still

face barriers that deny our full potential. Issues such as poverty, discrimination, and limited access to essential services demand our immediate attention. It is our collective responsibility to break down these barriers and create a society where every Bahamian, regardless of their circumstance, can thrive – a Bahamas for all Bahamians.

I call on all Bahamians to reaffirm our collective commitment to human rights. Let us recognize them as the foundation of the future we wish to build—a future where dignity, freedom, and justice are not aspirations but realities for all.

MAXINE SEYMOUR Opposition Senator and Shadow Minister for Social Services December 9, 2024.

Biggest reputation damage yet

EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE 1980s drug era was one of the darkest times in our modern history. The Bahamas was thoroughly shamed on the world stage, our name dragged through the mud and the country branded a “nation for sale”.

The recent US Grand Jury indictment of alleged Bahamian drug smugglers, including senior law enforcement and high ranking officials, has been compared to that notorious era. In fact, the details of this new scandal reveal it to be far more serious than that earlier dark time.

Back then, certain members of the Pindling Regime were accused of what amounted to turning a blind eye - accepting bribes for looking the other way while Colombian drug dealers used remote islands in The Bahamas as transshipment points to smuggle cocaine into the United States.

According to the new indictment, what is unfolding today is far more egregious than convenient blindness, in at least five ways:

1. Far from just looking the other way, senior police officers, government officials and at least one high-ranking politician are said to have been actively involved in the smuggling of tons of cocaine through The Bahamas into the United States.

2. Adding insult to injury, these officers and officials allegedly disrespected the trust placed of their US colleagues under the OPBAT partnership, giving Colombian drug dealers sensitive secrets entrusted to them by the DEA and US Coast Guard regarding interdiction plans and

strategies, potentially placing US operatives at risk. This includes disclosing the location of Coast Guard vessels to drug traffickers. The potential for catastrophic consequences for The Bahamas if US service persons were to be made vulnerable and harmed by drug traffickers as a result of these disclosures is too terrible to contemplate.

3. Among those accused is the Bahamian police officer in charge of airports and ports, who is said to have facilitated the transport of drugs through our official ports of entry and exit. The allegations include smuggling on US-registered aircraft. The threat to our pre-clearance privileges is obvious.

4. Whereas in the 1980s, the drugs moving through The Bahamas benefitted Colombian cartels - that is to say, non-military private illegal interests - it is claimed that Bahamian officials are now actively involved in transporting cocaine for the benefit of FARC, a far-left guerrilla army and terrorist organisation which is on the US foreign terrorist list and accused of a decades-long campaign of bombings, murder, mortar attacks, kidnapping, extortion, and hijacking in Colombia. Bahamian officials consorting with terrorists is a whole new level of threat to our relationship with the United States, to whose currency ours is pegged by virtue of the Americans’ friendship and generosity - which can

easily be revoked.

5. At least one drug smuggling operation involving the tainted Bahamians included a weapons transaction to help terrorist FARC members transport weapons from Florida into The Bahamas. Given the recent plague of violence involving high-powered weapons, this is especially shocking. It would appear that corrupt police and Defence Force officers, and perhaps high-ranking politicians, are actually fueling the violence that is claiming so many lives on our streets. For all these reasons, the drug scandal of the 1980s pales in comparison to what this indictment alleges. These disclosures really are the most significant threat to the reputation of our nation since independence. Clearly, the government’s lukewarm response will simply not cut it. No legislation that sees Bahamians appointed by local politicians to operate in secrecy will fix this. We need a full and transparent Commission of Inquiry, including foreign judges, to lift the veil on this whole sordid mess. Nothing short of this has even a remote chance of restoring our national reputation. Pindling was man enough to do it. Our current Prime Minister must find similar fortitude. International news story after international news story chronicles our national shame on a daily basis. The cat is out of the bag. No more half measures. We must meet this challenge fully or be named and shamed as a nation for sale, forever.

DILSEY GIBSON

December 8, 2024.

EDITOR, The Tribune. ALL hell broke loose on Bay Street last week. The day’s atmosphere was already charged as what seemed to be just over one hundred FNM supporters gathered downtown. Had it stopped there, the media probably would have already moved on to the next story. It did not stop there, for Shanendon Cartwright cooked a political grenade by lunging for the house mace and flinging it to the crowd below. The metaphorical explosion’s aftermath wasn’t pretty— legions of police were summoned, all of the opposition MPs present were dragged out of the House and a firestorm of memes,

reactions and commentary sprung fresh online. The grenade was aimed at the PLP, but the shrapnel went in all directions.

Cartwright’s actions were a more effective version of what used to be a singular brand of rabblerousing by the COI. With no seat or House platform, Bain’s crew was upstaged this time around.

For the FNM, the play was risky, to say the least. More than a handful accuse the party of the worst kind of political theatre—the kind where people want to get up and leave halfway through. But even more, in my humble estimation, agree that the Speaker of the House had it coming. Most seem to

acknowledge that her obvious bias towards her party is beneath the standard of her office.

And for the PLP? There are serious cracks in the armor. The public’s mood has shifted notably toward ‘election mode.’ The PLP is facing an increasingly agitated and exhausted public that is just starting to tune in. What will they see in Davis’ leadership in this moment?

Whether the FNM admits it or not, it’s clear that some or all of “Red Wednesday” was cooked up in advance. By the looks of things now, it sure looks like a calculated risk.

ZIENNIAL BAHAMIAN

December 7, 2024.

of The Best Regatta at the Montagu foreshore in Nas-

Photo:Tim Aylen/Bahamas Visual Services

Lawsuit dismissed over damages to bus after wrong fuel pumped

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit a man filed over the damage his public service bus suffered when gasoline was mistakenly pumped into his diesel-operated vehicle at a Grand Bahama gas station in June 2015.

The court ruled that Rusty Jerome Newman had already resolved the issue when he received a $350 payment in July 2015 from the gas station. The court also rejected an attempt by his widow, Ruthmae Roberts, to continue the case after Newman’s death in 2024. Newman, the deceased plaintiff, owned and operated a public service bus. In early June 2015, he took his 1999 Asia 25-seater bus, which ran on diesel, to a gas station on Mall Drive, near the airport in Freeport. The defendants in the case were Grand Sun Investments Limited, Freeport Oil Company Limited (FOCOL), and FOCOL Holdings Limited.

Newman requested diesel for the bus. After believing the tank had been filled correctly, he drove off. However, as he drove away, the bus began to jerk. Realising something had gone wrong, he returned to the gas station, where he

determined that the station employee had pumped gasoline into the bus’s diesel tank.

Newman then lodged a complaint with the station manager, Roderick Smith, who accepted responsibility. The plaintiff’s claim said the defendant provided Mr Newman with a $300 cheque to repair the bus’s engine. After repairs, the bus ran for just two hours before breaking down again.

Newman had to leave the bus on the road until it could be towed to a secure location. It remained out of service because he lacked the funds for further repairs. Despite his demands, he claimed the defendant had failed to repair or replace the vehicle.

The bus had been out of service since June 2015, causing significant financial loss to Mr Newman.

Newman sought damages, including compensation for a replacement bus, ideally a 2012 model or later, to comply with government regulations.

According to The Bahamas Customs and Excise Department, vehicles over ten years cannot be used for public service without special approval. Since the 1999 Asia bus was over ten years old, it would not meet the government’s public service vehicle requirements unless replaced with

a newer model.

Newman also sought compensation for loss of earnings at $250 per day from June 2015 to the present, along with interest on damages and any other relief the court deemed appropriate. The defendants denied wrongdoing, arguing that no evidence supported the claim that gasoline was mistakenly pumped into the bus. They suggested the damage was caused by poor repairs, not the fuel mix-up, and noted the bus ran for two hours after the repairs.

On December 6, Justice Andrew Forbes ruled that the case should be dismissed. The court found there was no cause of action, as the matter had already been settled through the $350 ex-gratia payment in 2015. The court concluded that allowing the case to proceed would be an abuse of process since the issue had already been resolved and accepted by Newman.

Following Newman’s death, his widow, Ruthmae Roberts, sought to continue the lawsuit. However, the court rejected this application, ruling that the case had no merit. The claim was dismissed because the dispute had already been settled with the $350 payment, and there was no legal basis to allow the case to continue.

White denies assisting in Cartwright’s

from page one

that window, raising questions about whether Mr White helped him succeed.

During a guest appearance on the radio show

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A 16-YEAR-OLD boy was remanded in custody yesterday after he was accused in a triple shooting in Pinewood Gardens that claimed the lives of two men earlier this month.

Senior Magistrate Shaka Serville arraigned the teenage defendant, whose name is being withheld due to him being a minor, on attempted murder and two counts of murder.

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A 16-YEAR-OLD man was remanded in custody yesterday after he was accused of stealing a man’s motorcycle at gunpoint and threatening to kill him earlier this month.

Senior Magistrate Algernon Allen Jr arraigned the teenage defendant, whose name is being

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A 19-YEAR-OLD man was sentenced to two years in prison yesterday after admitting to having a loaded gun on West Bay Street last week.

The defendant’s mother and father were present for his arraignment. On Friday, the teenager’s co-accused, Lavardo “Jubby” Dorsette, 36, was arraigned for the same offence.

The defendants allegedly shot and killed 34-year-old Raynaldo Rolle and 44-yearold Kischnell Edgecombe at a residence on Plane Street at 10pm on November 30. Mr Rolle was reportedly gunned down at the rear of his property after briefly evading his assailant.

During this incident,

withheld due to him being a minor, on armed robbery and two counts of threats of death.

The defendant’s guardian was present for his arraignment.

The defendant, while armed with a handgun, allegedly robbed a man of his motorcycle on December 2 in New Providence. During this incident, the defendant allegedly threatened to kill two

Senior Magistrate Kara Turnquest Deveaux arraigned De-argo McIntosh on possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition yesterday.

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A WOMAN was ordered to serve 150 hours of community service yesterday after admitting to stealing $219 while working at an Esso Gas Station last week.

33-year-old Shanton Lloyd was shot but was successfully treated for his injuries in hospital.

The accused was informed that his matter would proceed to the Supreme Court through a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).

The juvenile will be remanded to the adolescent unit of the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until his VBI is served on March 24, 2025.

Inspector Cordero Farrington served as the prosecutor.

men.

The defendant was informed that his matter would proceed to the Supreme Court through a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).

The accused will be remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services adolescent unit until his VBI is served on March 28, 2025.

Ian Cargill represented the accused.

McIntosh was reportedly found outside a business near Saunders Beach with a 9mm pistol and five rounds of ammunition on his person at 4am on December 7.

The defendant pleaded guilty to both charges and accepted the facts in his case. McIntosh was sentenced to two years at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services for the firearm and nine months for the ammunition charge to be served concurrently.

‘The Final Word’ with Ortland Bodie yesterday, Mr White said the window was already opened.

“I opened the curtain,” he said. “So I pulled the curtain back. I didn’t touch the glass or wood at any time. That’s a heavy-duty window.”

Mr White said senior police officers handled opposition MPs “unreasonably” after they refused to leave the chamber.

“The police will seek to claim that we weren’t detained, but we were put into the back of Central Police Station behind the entrance, behind the police booth in a secured area in an office building, with two chairs and we remained there for approximately 15 minutes to a half an hour,” he said. “We couldn’t leave. We

were detained, and no reason was given for our detention.”

As officers shoved opposition MPs outside the House, Mr White said he feared being thrown down the stairs.

“At that point, my body, essentially, in terms of having control over which direction and where I was going had been disabled,” he said. “The only thing that I was able to do was to try to keep treading as much of the floor as I could make contact with.”

Kemp, while employed at the Esso Service Station on East Bay Street, reportedly stole $219 from the business on December 2 and 3.

The defendant pleaded guilty to the charges. In addition to expressing remorse for her actions, the defendant said she is the mother of three small children.

Senior Magistrate Kendra Kelly arraigned Kentrell Kemp, 25, on two counts of stealing by reason of employment.

After scolding the defendant for her illegal actions, Magistrate Kelly granted her a conditional discharge.

Kemp must fully reimburse the gas station and was ordered to complete 150 hours of community service. Failure to meet these conditions would spark a two-month prison term.

Sergeant Vernon Pyfrom served as the prosecutor.

MEMBERS of the opposition link arms in defiance of being removed from the House by police after deputy leader Shanendon Cartwright threw the mace out of a window in the House of Assembly on December 4, 2024.

Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

Beyond COP29, can regional leaders find climate financing?

By JERVON SANDS

FOR decades, the Caribbean has relied on global climate negotiations like the annual COP conferences to secure the funding and support needed to combat the region’s disproportionate climate vulnerabilities.

Yet, COP29, like many of its predecessors, has left Caribbean Small Island Developing States (CSIDS) with more questions than answers.

Global promises for climate finance have still not yet been translated to tangible funds mobilised throughout the region, and new mechanisms like the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) are not only disappointing in terms of scale but are also set to move at a glacial pace. Caribbean leaders left COP29 questioning whether these negotiations are the most effective route to climate justice and the crucial finance that should accompany it.

“We’re past the point of debating if the money is owed,” said Dr Joyelle Clarke, Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment, and Climate Action for St Kitts and Nevis. “The question now is when, where, and how the funds will reach those most affected.”

The Caribbean contributes less than one percent to global greenhouse gas emissions yet suffers some of the worst climate impacts— hurricanes, rising sea levels, and economic losses often exceeding 90 percent of GDP after a single storm. These stark realities have led many to explore alternatives to COP’s negotiation

rooms. From innovative financial tools like debt-fornature swaps to rethinking global financial structures the region is forging its own path.

In the aftermath of COP29, one pressing question seems to be driving action across the region: If the system continues to fail those it is meant to protect, should the Caribbean continue looking to COP for solutions—or are there better ways to achieve climate finance and justice?

For instance, Racquel Moses a (fit Racquel’s introduction seamlessly into this draft in a way that connects the above paragraphs with the below ones without deleting or altering anything that is here now)

When asked about her thoughts on the role negotiated outcomes of COP29 will play in climate financing for the region Racquel stressed that, “everything does not depend on the negotiated positions. What is equally important is what happens with the nonstate actors and the private sector.”

For Moses, this nonnegotiation space is where the Caribbean must focus its energy. Her organisation has taken the lead in creating tools like the

Caribbean Climate Map, which aggregates projects and demographic information to assist philanthropists and investors in seeing the region’s potential. However, she noted a significant gap in global philanthropy for the Caribbean.

“We receive less than our fair share per capita of global philanthropy,” she stated, citing the misconception that the region’s small size minimizes its impact. “But the second challenge is this: the organisations that are already the best resourced are the ones that always get the funding...The ones that don’t have continue to be left out.”

This disparity, Moses argued, requires a fundamental reevaluation of how philanthropic funds are allocated. “We have to now look at a new paradigm of how philanthropy is allocated if we are hoping to generate more equality and climate justice.”

Fortunately, it seems like our region’s leaders are catching on to the idea that we must champion our own climate finance solutions for the Caribbean. For example, building on the current momentum for innovative financing solutions, the Bahamas recently demonstrated the transformative potential of debt-for-nature swaps.

In November, the Bahamian government secured more than $120m for ocean and mangrove conservation through a $300m debt swap. This landmark deal, financed by Standard Chartered and designed by the non-profit The Nature Conservancy, offers a critical example of how Caribbean

nations can leverage creative financial mechanisms to fund climate action.

Announcing the “Bahamas Debt Conversion Project for Marine Conservation,” Prime Minister Philip Davis emphasised that this initiative is a choice of innovation over despair. “In the face of mounting economic costs and the unyielding advance of climate change, The Bahamas has chosen not the path of despair, but the path of innovation,” he said.

The initiative will channel funds into the restoration of mangroves devastated by hurricanes, management of 16.8 million acres of marine protected areas, and the development of a project to protect the entirety of the Bahamian ocean area. With this swap, The Bahamas not only reduces its debt burden but also secures sustainable funding for conservation efforts that are vital to mitigating the impacts of climate change.

Debt-for-nature swaps like this represent a win-win model for the Caribbean: they provide much-needed financial relief while simultaneously addressing pressing environmental challenges. For small island developing states (SIDS) struggling with both mounting debt and escalating climate impacts, such mechanisms offer a pathway to resilience that is less dependent on the slowmoving machinery of COP negotiations.

The best part about this swap is that it is not an isolated case. Similar initiatives have been ramping up in other Caribbean countries, such as Barbados. According to Reuters, in

2024 Barbados, “Barbados combined an almost $300m buy-back of its domestic bonds with upfront funding from the Inter-American Development Bank and Green Climate Fund to complete the world’s first swap focused on climate resilience.”

These initiatives highlight a growing trend where debt-for-nature swaps offer Caribbean nations an innovative way to reduce debt burdens while securing long-term financial support for climate resilience across the region. Beyond these innovative climate finance solutions Barbados is also spearheading the region’s efforts at reorienting the Caribbean in the global financial architecture, through the Bridgetown Initiative, with Prime Minister Mia Mottley at the helm.

The Bridgetown Initiative is a bold effort to reshape the global financial system to better support developing nations in their fight against climate change. Launched in 2022, the initiative aims to reorient international financial policies to help vulnerable countries adapt to climate impacts, strengthen their economies against natural disasters, and achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

At the heart of the Bridgetown Initiative is the call for more accessible climate finance. The recent update, Bridgetown 3.0, builds on previous iterations and introduces key reforms that could significantly enhance the Caribbean’s climate finance prospects. This includes

a renewed push for fairer credit ratings, the establishment of a global carbon pricing framework, and a new focus on the reallocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) through Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) like the Inter-American Development Bank. Additionally, Bridgetown 3.0 outlines specific taxes on fossil fuel profits and emissions to fund global public goods, positioning the Caribbean to benefit from a more equitable financial landscape.

Ms Mottley has emphasised that “the future of Small Island Developing States depends on a global financial system that is more just, more responsive, and more aligned with the realities of climate change”.

Bridgetown 3.0’s approach aims to provide the Caribbean with better access to the financial tools needed to mitigate and adapt to climate impacts, offering a promising alternative to the slow pace of traditional climate finance negotiations. By directly addressing the systemic issues holding back climate finance, it could be the key to unlocking a more resilient future for the region. These collective efforts are all pushing the Caribbean toward the paradigm shift that COP29 has further revealed is necessary for the survival of our region in a world of uncertain climate futures. The question now is: Can our leaders leverage these initiatives to ‘find finance’ in time to stave off impending climate impacts and safeguard our islands?

JERVON SANDS

Tensions in Georgia at a tipping point

THE state of Georgia has been in the international news recently but already the US media appears to have moved on from developments there. This is not the US state, of course, but the country in the Caucasus, with its population of 3.7 million, bordering on Russia and Turkey that also has a maritime border with Ukraine at the eastern end of the Black Sea.

Georgia was incorporated into the Soviet Union in 1921 but became independent in 1991 after the USSR’s collapse. Since then, it has been active in the world community, becoming a member of the UN and of various international institutions and overall has been oriented towards the West. It made it clear that it wanted to join the European Union and, according to reports, this goal is written into its constitution. This has been seen as attainable since it has been on track for membership after gaining EU candidate status. The country is said to have aspirations to NATO membership as well.

In fiercely contested elections in October, the sitting government party, Georgian Dream, was declared the winner after apparently moving away from its proWestern stance and aligning the country towards Russia instead. So some commentators are suggesting that Russia emerged as the real

The Peter Young column

winner of these much disputed elections! But the result of the elections has been strongly contested. For its part, the pro-EU opposition claimed that they were flawed and ‘tainted’ by irregularities and have demanded a fresh poll. The victory by the authoritarian Georgian Dream party is now seen by many as a blow to the majority of Georgians - some eighty per cent of whom, according to recent polls, favour closer integration with Europe. The vote was seen as a choice between the West and Russia in what was, in effect, a referendum on Georgia’s future geopolitical direction. What has now sparked new international interest

is the demonstration of public unrest by thousands of pro-EU protesters on the streets of the Georgian capital Tbilisi in reaction to an announcement by the new government that Georgia would suspend EU accession talks for 4 years. The prime minister made it clear that this would mean pausing the process until at least 2028, citing the European Parliament’s rejection of the October election results because of alleged irregularities. The government has accused the EU of interference in Georgia’s

internal politics. But, apparently, tensions have been brewing for months as critics accuse the Georgian Dream government of increasingly authoritarian pro-Russian policies in turning away from the West and thus damaging hopes of Georgia’s long promised path to EU membership. While the rivals are locked in a struggle about the country’s long-term future, the TV footage shows that the street demonstrations have become increasingly violent and have been met with a heavy

police crackdown involving a disproportionate level of brutality often seen in the Russian-style method of handling demonstrators.

Reportedly, many Georgians regard Russia with deep hostility, not least because of its invasion of their country in 2008, and current occupation of about twenty per cent of Georgia’s internationally recognized territory. Furthermore, there are fears of creeping Russian influence as large numbers of young men are said to have fled to Georgia to escape conscription for

the war in Ukraine.

Unsurprisingly, the US and EU have criticised what they see as the growing authoritarianism of the government - with limitations on freedom of expression and assembly designed to undermine Georgia’s fledgling democracy. They have also condemned the aggressive handling of the protesters. In response, the Kremlin has provided an assurance that Russia is not interfering in Georgia’s political process and has criticised attempts by others to “destabilise” the country.

As reported in the UK press, some commentators recognize the alarm many Georgians feel about suffering the same fate as Ukraine if they now press too hard for closer links with the West while rejecting Moscow. Given the country’s geographical position with its northern border with Russia stretching some 500 miles - and in light of the history of the region – these concerns must surely be very real. But the same commentators are also mindful of Russia’s own reluctance to have a former Soviet republic and a potential new EU member – let alone a NATO one - on its border; and this reopens the earlier fierce debate about the Russian perception of the dangers to them of NATO expansion to the east.

Growing political divisions in Europe Japan’s miscalculation over pearl harbor

IT is generally accepted that the two powerhouses of Europe ideologically, politically and economically are France and Germany.

What happens in either country can have a significant effect on the European Union, particularly in a period of global instability. Both are currently suffering relatively serious political problems, particularly France which some say is in political turmoil. France also plays an influential role because it is the only large military power in the bloc, now that Britain has withdrawn.

Germany will hold a snap election in February after the collapse of its squabbling coalition government while France has been riven by domestic political disputes which have led to the fall of its government after the opposition parties in parliament backed a vote of no confidence in prime minister Michel Barnier. This, in turn, resulted in President Macron accepting the resignation of his newlyappointed prime minister while he himself has been under pressure as the leader of France even though his full term as president does not expire until 2027.

As for the wider Europe, observers suggest that the emergence of more authoritarian right-wing leaders in, for example Hungary, Slovenia and Turkey have changed the nature of the continent so that it is currently deeply divided on a number of issues, with different EU member states facing varied threats in a new external security landscape. Apart from support and military aid for Ukraine specifically, more generally the EU is struggling primarily with migration, security and defence issues. These need to be addressed at a European level as they overlap frontiers but they also require political agreement at a national level. Analysts consider, therefore, that Europe is embarking on a new different period of its history with a greater emphasis on national considerations. It is also more restricted in what it wants, or is able, to do as new groupings emerge to counter balance the West. One example of this is the

BRICS grouping (soon to be expanded) comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

One development in relation to differences within the EU that is worth mentioning is the news of a trade deal with Mercosur, the South American trading bloc, announced at the end of last week. European Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen finalised the deal in a move objected to by France on the grounds it would open up EU countries to a glut of cheap agricultural products. But her own home country of Germany favoured the deal. It remains to be seen how disagreements over this will be resolved.

As the EU now faces up to what President Trump might do after taking office in January – in relation to Ukraine, NATO and his threatened tariffs - Europe surely henceforward needs to speak with one voice. The big question now is whether the continent is able and prepared to provide a security guarantee to Ukraine if the US does not do so because the conditions for peace talks become unacceptable to Ukraine. It is being reported in some newspapers that a new European support package is now being prepared.

Amidst all this, another event this past week that struck me as disturbing was the attendance of Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov at a European security summit in Malta. His Ukrainian counterpart was also present at the annual

meeting of the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) but walked out of the conference hall, as did others, ahead of Lavrov’s speech. They called him a war criminal and “the biggest threat to our common security” while also saying that his involvement in the OSCE was contrary to the group’s aims.

The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, was present though he was not scheduled to meet Lavrov, while Poland’s foreign minister refused to do so. Blinken accused Russia of escalating war in Ukraine and spreading a “tsunami of misinformation”. He said: “Let’s not fool ourselves. This is not about and never has been Russia’s security. This is about Vladimir Putin’s imperial project to erase Ukraine from the map.”

Kyiv has called for Russia’s expulsion from the OSCE. It is a forum of 57 states to discuss security issues in Europe and carries out practical security work, including sending observers to conflicts and elections globally.

It was reported that Lavrov spent much his time criticising the OSCE in yet another example of Russian doublethink. Many people agree that Russia should be expelled from the group after being responsible for the most terrible of crimes in invading Ukraine without provocation or any justification and carrying out mercilessly the most brutal of attacks on civilians.

AT this time of year, those interested in military history invariably reflect on the anniversary of the Japanese aerial attack on the US Pacific Fleet at anchor at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on December 7, 1941.

Historians say that Japan was faced with shortages of oil and other natural resources and was also motivated by a desire to reduce US influence in the Pacific. It was planning to strike south into Malaya, which was controlled by Britain, and the Dutch East Indies and feared this would provoke a severe American response. It is said that Japanese planners mistakenly considered that a surprise preemptive attack on Pearl Harbor might reduce the severity of this reaction since peace talks might be possible.

But this turned out to be an extreme act of folly by Japan because arousing the American sleeping giant could only lead to one outcome however long it took – the annihilation of its own country, and that, of course, was what eventually happened in 1945.

The facts of this disastrous event can easily be checked on the Internet. But it is important to note that a total of 2,403 sailors, soldiers and civilians were killed and about 1,000 were wounded while some 20 US warships and more than 300 airplanes were destroyed. In the historic words of President Roosevelt, December 7, 1941 was ‘a day which will live in infamy’. It precipitated America’s entry into the Second World War and, for Britain, which was at a

low ebb towards the end of that year, it was a turning point.

Britain’s wartime leader, Winston Churchill, wrote much later that ‘to have the United States at our side was for me the greatest joy’. He knew, of course, that, with America’s ironclad commitment to see the war through with its overwhelming military power, there could only be one conclusion – the ultimate defeat of both Germany and Japan.

AUTHOR’S NOTE:

The tumultuous events in the Middle East over the weekend resulting in the ousting of the Syrian president should be prominent in any commentary on global affairs. But with the news only just breaking and developing, I have focused on other matters in today’s column - more shall follow!

A DEMONSTRATOR fixes a Georgian and EU flags on a partially installed artificial Christmas tree with pictures of fellow demonstrators injured in alleged police beatings, in front of the parliament building in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Sunday.

Photo: Pavel Bednyakov/AP

HUNGARIAN Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Photo: Denes Erdos/AP IN this photo provided by the US Navy, the destroyer USS Shaw explodes after being hit by bombs during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, December 7, 1941.

Photo: US Navy/AP

Syrian government services come to a ‘complete halt’ after rebel takeover

Associated Press

SYRIA’S prime minister said Monday that most cabinet ministers were back at work after rebels overthrew President Bashar Assad, but some state workers failed to return to their jobs, and a United Nations official said the country’s public sector had come “to a complete and abrupt halt.”

Meanwhile, streams of refugees crossed back into Syria from neighbouring countries, hoping for a more peaceful future and looking for relatives who disappeared during Assad’s brutal rule.

There were already signs of the difficulties ahead for the rebel alliance now in control of much of the country. The alliance is led by a former senior al-Qaida militant who severed ties with the extremist group years ago and has promised representative government and religious tolerance.

The rebel command said Monday they would not tell women how to dress.

“It is strictly forbidden to interfere with women’s dress or impose any request related to their clothing or appearance, including requests for modesty,” the command said in a statement on social media.

Nearly two days after rebels entered the capital, some key government services had shut down after state workers ignored calls to go back to their jobs, the UN official said, causing issues at airports and borders and slowing the flow of humanitarian aid.

Rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was long known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, also met for the first time with Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Jalali, who stayed in Syria when Assad fled.

You will see there are skills” among the rebels, al-Sharaa said in a video shared on a rebel messaging channel.

Israel said it carried out airstrikes on suspected chemical weapons sites and long-range rockets to keep them from

falling into the hands of extremists. Israel also seized a buffer zone inside Syria after Syrian troops withdrew.

In northern Syria, Turkey said allied opposition forces seized the town of Manbij from Kurdishled forces backed by the United States, a reminder that even after Assad’s departure, the country remains split among armed groups that have fought in the past.

The Kremlin said Russia has granted political asylum to Assad, a decision made by President Vladimir Putin. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Assad’s specific whereabouts and said Putin did not plan to meet with him.

Damascus was quiet Monday, with life slowly returning to normal, though most shops and public institutions were closed. In public squares, some people were still celebrating. Civilian traffic resumed, but there was no public transport. Long lines formed in front of bakeries and other food

stores.

There was little sign of any security presence though in some areas, small groups of armed men were stationed in the streets.

Across swathes of Syria, families are now waiting outside prisons, security offices and courts, hoping for news of loved ones who were imprisoned or who disappeared.

Just north of Damascus in the feared Saydnaya military prison, women detainees, some with their children, screamed as rebels broke locks off their cell doors. Amnesty International and other groups say dozens of people were secretly executed every week in Saydnaya, and they estimate that up to 13,000 Syrians were killed between 2011 and 2016.

“Don’t be afraid,” one rebel said as he ushered women from packed cells. “Bashar Assad has fallen!”

In southern Turkey, Mustafa Sultan was among hundreds of Syrian refugees waiting at border crossings to head home. He was searching for his older brother, who was imprisoned under Assad.

“I haven’t seen him for 13 years,” he said. “I am going to go see whether he’s alive.”

Prime minister says government is operational, but UN offcial says it’s paralysed

Jalali, the prime minister, has sought to project normalcy since A ssad fled.

“We are working so that the transitional period is quick and smooth,” he told Sky News A rabia TV on Monday, saying the security situation had already improved from the day before.

A t the court of Justice in Damascus, which was stormed by the rebels to free detainees, Judge Khitam Haddad, an aide to the justice minister in the outgoing government, said Sunday that judges were ready to resume work quickly.

“We want to give everyone their rights,” Haddad said outside the courthouse. “We want to build a new Syria and to keep the work, but with new methods.”

But a UN official said some government services had been paralyzed as worried state employees stayed home.

The public sector “has just come to a complete and abrupt halt,” said UN R esident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria A dam A bdelmoula,

noting, for example, that an aid flight carrying urgently needed medical supplies had been put on hold after aviation employees abandoned their jobs.

“This is a country that has had one government for 53 years and then suddenly all of those who have been demonised by the public media are now in charge in the nation’s capital,” A bdelmoula told The A ssociated Press. “ I think it will take a couple of days and a lot of assurance on the part of the armed groups for these people to return to work again.”

Britain, US considering removing insurgent group from terror list

Britain and the US are both considering whether to remove the main antiAssad rebel group from their lists of designated terrorist organizations.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham began as an offshoot of alQaida but cut ties with the group years ago and has worked to present a more moderate image.

The group’s leader, alSharaa, “is saying some of the right things about the protection of minorities, about respecting people’s rights,” British Cabinet minister Pat McFadden said, adding that a change would be considered “quite quickly.”

But British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, speaking later during a visit to Saudi Arabia, said it was “far too early” to make that decision.

In Washington, a Biden administration official noted that HTS will be an “important component” in Syria’s future and that the US needs to “engage with them appropriately.”

Another administration official said the US remains in a “wait and see” mode on whether to remove the designation.

Both officials requested anonymity to discuss the ongoing internal deliberations.

The US also announced it was sending its special envoy for hostage affairs to Beirut to seek information about the whereabouts of Austin Tice, a journalist who vanished in Syria 12 years ago and who President Joe Biden has said is believed to be alive.

Israel confrms it struck suspected chemical weapons and rockets

Israelis welcomed the fall of Assad, who was a key ally of Iran and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant

group, while expressing concern over what comes next. Israel says its forces temporarily seized a buffer zone inside Syria dating back to a 1974 agreement after Syrian troops withdrew in the chaos.

“The only interest we have is the security of Israel and its citizens,” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told reporters Monday. Saar did not provide details about the targets, but the Britishbased Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said they included weapons warehouses, research centres, air defence systems and aircraft squadrons.

Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes in Syria in recent years, targeting what it says are military sites related to Iran and Hezbollah. Israeli officials rarely comment on individual strikes.

Syria agreed to give up its chemical weapons stockpile in 2013, after the government was accused of launching an attack near Damascus that killed hundreds of people. But it is widely believed to have kept some of the weapons and was accused of using them again in subsequent years.

Turkey says its allies have taken northern town

Officials in Turkey, which is the main supporter of the Syrian opposition to Assad, say its allies have taken full control of the northern Syrian city of Manbij from a US-supported and Kurdish-led force known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF.

The SDF said a Turkish drone struck in the village of al-Mistriha in eastern Syria, killing 12 civilians, including six children.

Turkey views the SDF, which is primarily composed of a Syrian Kurdish militia, as an extension of the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, which has waged a decades-long insurgency in Turkey. The SDF has also been a key ally of the United States in the war against the Islamic State group.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday expressed hope for a new era in Syria in which ethnic and religious groups can live peacefully under an inclusive government. But he warned against allowing Islamic State or Kurdish fighters to take advantage of the situation, saying Turkey will prevent Syria from turning into a “haven for terrorism.”

DAMASCUS

OPPOSITION fighters celebrate as a military court burns in Damascus, Syria, on Sunday.

Photo: Hussein Malla/AP

SPORTS

Cuba defeats Bahamas 1-0

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor

Cuba saved their best for the championship game of the Caribbean Under-15 Baseball Cup, avenging their only loss to The Bahamas in the round robin.

Last night at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium, Cuba shook off their 11-8 loss to The Bahamas on Friday night to secure a 1-0 victory to claim the title behind the 12 strike-out, one-hit performance with two walks from ace Carlos Sarduy.

Scoreless over the first four innings in a pitcher’s duel, Damian Diaz drilled a shot to right field for a run-producing double that sent Marcos Del Toro home after he got to first on an error in the top of the fifth. The run came off

Edgecombe

WACO, Texas (AP) — Jayden Nunn had 18 points and Baylor made its first 10 shots in an 88-57 victory over Abilene Christian last night.

Nunn sank 7 of 12 shots — 4 for 4 from 3-point range — for the Bears (6-3), who improved to 4-0 at home.

Norchad Omier scored 15 on 7-for-7 shooting and grabbed six rebounds for Baylor, which shot 59%.

V.J. Edgecombe added 14 points, six boards and four steals. Josh Ojianwuna totalled 13 points and eight rebounds, while Langston Love scored 10 off the bench.

Freshman Robert Wright III made his first start for the Bears and finished with eight points and four assists. Wright started in place of Jeremy Roach, who suffered a concussion in a 76-72 loss to No. 25 UConn last time out. Roach was averaging 12.8 points per game. Leonardo Bettiol led the Wildcats (6-4) with 16 points. Quion Williams scored 10. Edgecombe had nine points, Love added eight and seven Bears had at least two baskets in taking a 46-22 lead at halftime. Baylor took its first double-digit lead at 19-9 on a

THE SPORTS CALENDAR

jumper by Ojianwuna with 12 minutes left and pushed its advantage to 20 on a layup by Edgecombe six minutes later.

Edgecombe had a nice three-possession sequence late in the second half. He converted an acrobatic reverse layup after a defender knocked the ball out of his hands and he added a two-hand slam for an 80-50 lead.

The third possession ended in Edgecombe’s nice pass from under the basket to find Nunn in the corner for a 3-pointer.

Baylor is scheduled to host Norfolk State on Wednesday.

TRIATHLON ELECTION OF

OFFICERS

THE Bahamas Triathlon Association has announced that its annual general meeting and election of officers is scheduled to be held at 7pm on Thursday, December 12, at The Bahamas Olympic Association headquarters on Solider Road. Elections will also be live on Zoom, where members who are able to attend can view and vote.

The nomination forms can be found on our website https://www. bahamastriathlon.org/documents. The nominees will be sent out Tuesday, December 10 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.

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE 36th Father Marcian Peters Basketball Tournament is scheduled to be held from December 13-18 against the backdrop of more teams, more games and more venues to participate in.

The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, led by Minister Mario Bowleg, director of sports Kelsie Johnson-Sills and tournament director James Clarke, made the announcement yesterday.

Clarke revealed that a total of 53 teams have registered to participate this year in the primary boys and girls, junior boys and girls, intermediate boys and senior girls.

“Right now we have 125 games but, due to the time, we had to cut it down so we will have 100 games in six days,” Clarke said. “What a task.”

To facilitate the games, Clarke said the primary boys and girls, junior girls and senior girls will play all of their games inside the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

However, the junior and intermediate boys will be playing between the AF Adderley and DW Davis Gymnasiums for all of their round robin games.

The tournament, according to Johnson-Sills, will begin on Friday with the opening ceremonies at 4pm at Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium. That will be followed by the first day of competition at 5pm.

On Saturday, games are slated to begin 10am at the three gymnasiums and continue at 2pm on Sunday and

of the

Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr

(MEX).

Cuba gets 1-0 win over The Bahamas, wins the Caribbean Baseball Cup title

FROM PAGE 11

losing pitcher Colton Cubbage, who held the Cubans in check for five innings on a three-hitter with seven strikeouts and a walk.

The Bahamas made one final attempt to score in the bottom of the seventh with runners on third and second, but they couldn’t cross the home plate as Cuba celebrated.

Diaz finished with a 1-for-2 plate appearance with an RBI to lead Cuba, who also got a hit from Cristian Aguilera and Del Toro.

Cubbage and Marlon Bostwick got the only two hits for The Bahamas, who averaged at least five or more hits and at least 10 runs a game heading into the championship game.

Cuba’s manager Walmer Umutia, speaking through an interpreter, said even though they had a difficult time getting here from Cuba, they were still able to perform.

“When we first came here, we had to get used to the stadium,” he said. “We didn’t perform as well as we expected, but we came back and played much better in this game.”

Despite the loss, Bahamas’ manager Albert Cartwright said they expected the game to go down to the wire.

“We knew we were going to be in a dog fight because in that first game, we batted very well and we got the win,” he said. “It was a good game tonight, but they just played a little better than us.

“When you can play a 1-0 game in baseball, it’s a good game. We would have liked to win, but we didn’t hit the ball the way we did when we met them the first time.”

Earlier in the day, the US Virgin Islands clinched the consolation third place with a 12-2 win over the winless Sint Maarten.

Rashard Lewis had three of the USVI’s 10 hits in the game. Keshawn Callwood added two hits. Lewis was also the winning pitcher on two hits and two earned runs.

Ray Jr Minville took the loss for SMT, allowing 11 runs - eight of them unearned - on eight hits with two strikeouts and six walks.

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis and Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg headed a list of dignitaries in attendance at the game.

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

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, 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 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 426-7265 or email stubbobs@gmail.com

BASKETBALL

BSAA ACTION THE Bahamas Scholastic Athletic Association has taken a break for the Christmas holiday following their games played on Friday at the Michael ‘Scooter’ Reid Basketball Courts at the Hope Center. Results of Thursday’s games are as follows:

Mini Division Teleos Christian School 10 def Lighthouse Preparatory Academy 2. Tamarco Butler scored six points for Teleos. Aaron George two points.

Junior Boys Greenville Preparatory Academy 29 def San Pedros International School 31. ther top scorer was Shiloh Minnis with 20 points for Greenville. bJudah Hutchinson had six in the loss for San Pedos. Genesis Academy 42 def ISBET 31. Hayden Seymour scored 20 points for Genesis. Renaldo Roberts had 10 points for ISBET.

Junior Boys - Non-Conference)

Mt. Carmel Preparatory Academy 35 def HO Nash Junior. High 17. Amari Brown scored 20 points in the win.

Senior Boys Teleos Christian School 58 def Greenville Preparatory Academy 28. The top scorer was Lesley Thurston with 20 points for Teleos. Marvin Prater had 15 points for Greenville. Genesis Academy 62 def Freedom Baptist Academy. The top scorer was Kinley Lucin with 28 points for Genesis Academy. John Godet seventeen had 17 points. The BSAA will resume play in their league in January, 2025.

BOXING FIGHT NIGHT AT BAHA MAR

CHAMPION Spirit Country Club announced its activities this week leading up to the Fight Night at Baha Mar. The public is being invited to attend the following: Public Training - Thursday, December 12 at 4 pm at Champion Spirit Country Club. Experience an up-close look at the dedication and skill of professional fighters during this open training session at Champion Spirit Country Club, a state-ofthe-art performance centre blending wellness, sports, and luxury. Weigh-In CeremonyFriday, December 13 at 6pm at the Reflections Lounge at Baha Mar.

Catch the intensity as fighters face off on the scale and set the stage for the ultimate showdown.

Fight Night Press Conference - Friday, December 13 at 6:30 pm at the Baha Mar Convention Centre.

Main Event - Saturday, December 14. Doors open at 6:30pm at the Grand Ballroom at Baha Mar.

Be part of the main event in Baha Mar’s elegant Grand Ballroom as the best in boxing go head-tohead in a night of thrilling competition. ROADRUNNERS AWARDS PRESENTATION THE Roadrunners Track and Field Club will be celebrating a milestone this year when they host their 24th annual presentation and awards banquet on Saturday, December 14. The event will be held under the theme: “The Runner Unveiled” and will take place at Sandals Royal Bahamian, West Bay Street. The keynote speaker will be former Roadrunners and neurosurgeon Dr Dominique Higgings.

Special invited guests include Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg, Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ president Drumeco Archer, NACAC president Mike Sands and former athlete and civil engineer Jenero Knowles.

The event will again highlight the Roadrunners’ athletes outstanding athletic and academic performances during the past track and field season. Special accomplishments for the track and field season include performances at the AAU Club Championships in Orlando, Florida, honour roll students and BJC and BGCSE successes.

ON THE REPLAY: Cuba secured a 1-0 victory over Team Bahamas to claim the Caribbean Baseball Cup title at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium last night. Earlier yesterday, the US Virgin Islands clinched the consolation third place with a 12-2 win over winless Sint Maarten.

Photos: Chappell Whyms Jr

AYTON POSTS DOUBLE DOUBLE - 14 POINTS AND 19 REBOUNDSIN 107-98 LOSS TO LAKERS

By DOUG PADILLA Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) —

Anthony Davis scored 30 points and had 11 rebounds, D’Angelo Russell added 28 points with 14 assists and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Portland Trail Blazers 107-98 on Sunday night without LeBron James.

With James missing his

first game of the season because of a left foot contusion, Max Christie started his second game for the Lakers and scored four points with four rebounds.

Rui Hachimura scored 23 points for Los Angeles, which ended a three-game losing streak. The Lakers had dropped seven of their previous nine games.

Deandre Ayton scored 14 points with 19 rebounds for the Trail Blazers, who lost their fourth consecutive game and have dropped six of their last seven. Shaedon Sharpe scored 19 points for Portland, which was coming off a 42-point loss to the Utah Jazz at home Friday.

Takeaways

Trail Blazers: After they were outrebounded 61-34

against the Jazz, Portland was more active on the glass led by Ayton. Lakers: Russell had a season high with his 14 assists and it came in a reserve role. Russell was the starting point guard for the first eight games before he was moved to the bench. He started two games last week with Austin Reaves nursing a pelvic injury.

Key moment

Hachimura gave the Lakers just what they were looking for without James, scoring 14 points in the second quarter on 5-of-6 shooting as Los Angeles rebounded from a first-period deficit to take a 59-45 lead into halftime.

Key stat

There were seven total MVP awards watching the game, with James’ four on the Lakers’ bench and the three won by the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani, who watched from a private viewing section seven rows behind the courtside seats.

Up next The Trail Blazers return home to face the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night The Lakers play at Minnesota on Friday.

By IAN HARRISON Associated Press

TORONTO (AP) — Karl-Anthony Towns returned from a one-game absence with 24 points and 15 rebounds, Jalen Brunson had 20 points and 11 assists and the New York Knicks held on to beat the Toronto Raptors 113-108 last night for their fifth win in six games.

Towns broke a tie by scoring a layup with 36 seconds left in the game, then sealed the win by making a 3-pointer on New York’s next possession.

Mikal Bridges scored 23 points as the Knicks won their fifth straight meeting with the Raptors. OG Anunoby added 14 points against his former team and Josh Hart had 10.

Raptors forward Scottie Barnes left midway through the third quarter because of a sprained right ankle.

Barnes was helped off the court by teammates before hopping to the locker room, unable to put weight on his right foot.

Barnes missed 11 games earlier this season because of a right orbital fracture and has worn protective glasses since returning Nov. 21. Toronto went 2-9 without the 2022 NBA Rookie of the Year.

RJ Barrett scored 30 points for Toronto, and Jakob Poeltl had 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Up next New York hosts Atlanta in the NBA Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday. Toronto’s next game is Thursday at Miami.

Bishop Michael Eldon Warriors senior girls’ softball team complete sweep in GBSSAA championship

MAKE it a double for Bishop Michael Eldon Warriors senior girls’ softball team. The Warriors completed a sweep in the Grand Bahama Secondary Schools Athletic Association’s championship series with a 14-10 win over the St. George’s

Jaguars on Saturday afternoon at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex. The Warriors ace pitcher Frankia Hepburn was named Most Valuable Player in the senior girls Championship.The Warriors have achieved softball

immortality. The victory came a few hours after the junior girls won their championship game, dominating Sister Mary Patricia Russell Panthers. Two standout pitchers, BME’s Markaylah Foster and Kalyah Greene of the Sister Mary Patricia

Russell, faced off in a match-up for the ages. Foster pitched five innings while allowing just one run with four walks and 12 strikeouts to lead the Warriors to the 8-1 win. It doesn’t seem possible, but it happened.

KAI JONES SCORES 4 POINTS IN 117-106 LOSS TO ROCKETS

By BETH HARRIS

AP Sports Writer

INGLEWOOD, Calif.

(AP) — Jalen Green scored 31 points, Amen Thompson added 22 and the Houston Rockets defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 117-106 on Sunday night. The Rockets ended a two-game skid without starter Fred VanVleet, who missed his first game of the season because of a right knee contusion.

Bones Hyland led the Clippers with 22 points off the bench, making a team-best five 3-pointers, and Ivica Zubac added 21 points and 12 rebounds.

Kevin Porter Jr. had 19 points in his first career start for the team.

Kai Jones, of The Bahamas, contributed four points, one rebound, one assist and a steal.

ROCKETS forward Amen Thompson, left, shoots as Clippers forward Kai Jones defends during the second half on Sunday. (AP

The Clippers lost their second straight

points and 13 rebounds.

Alperen Sengun had 11 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.

Clippers: They were already missing James Harden (sore right groin) when two more players went down.

Amir Coffey sustained a right shoulder contusion in pre-game warmups and starter Derrick Jones Jr. left after the first quarter with right hamstring soreness. Their bench still outscored the Rockets’ reserves, 38-21, but they were outdone 50-33 on the boards.

Key moment The Rockets ran off 12 straight points, including seven in a row by Green, near the end of the second quarter to lead 64-52 at halftime. They kept the Clippers in catch-up mode the rest of the game, with Houston stretching its lead to 16 points in the third.

Greene tossed a five-inning one-hitter and recorded 16 strikeouts, but they still managed to lose the game after yielding eight runs, six of which were unearned. The damage was done via six walks and fielding miscues. Foster was named the MVP.

PORTLAND Trail Blazers’ centre Deandre Ayton scores during the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

Photo/Mark J Terrill)

GBSSAA senior girls champions Bishop Michael Eldon Warriors.

Photo: G-Shot It Photography

Bengals get 27-20 win over Cowboys

By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Pro Football Writer

ARLINGTON, Texas

(AP) — Joe Burrow threw a tiebreaking 40-yard touchdown pass to Ja’Marr Chase after Dallas botched a blocked punt to give the ball back to Cincinnati in the final two minutes, and the Bengals beat the Cowboys 27-20 last night.

The Cowboys were about to get the ball back with the score tied on the first play after the two-minute warning when Nick Vigil blocked a punt by Cincinnati’s Ryan Rehkow.

Amani Oruwariye tried to field the bouncing ball when leaving it alone would have given Dallas possession.

Oruwariye couldn’t hold on, and the Bengals’ Maema Njongmeta

recovered at the Cincinnati 43-yard line with 1:53 remaining.

Three plays later, Burrow threw to Chase, who evaded DaRon Bland and ran untouched the rest of the way for the lead with 1:01 to go.

The winning TD secured a fourth consecutive game of at least 300 yards passing and three touchdowns for Burrow, who finished with 369 and three scores, two to Chase.

This was the first victory in that stretch as the Bengals (5-8) ended a three-game losing streak.

Chase, the NFL leader in yards receiving and touchdowns, had 177 yards and is up to 15 TDs.

The second one-score victory in a puzzling season for the defensively challenged Bengals came after

Dressage World Challenge. The competition format enables Caribbean riders to compete against each other at various levels of technical difficulty without the logistical challenge of traveling overseas.

One of three Olympic equestrian disciplines, Dressage is described as “the ultimate expression of horse training and elegance.” Successful training at various levels is demonstrated through the performance of “tests”, a prescribed series of movements ridden within a standard-sized arena.

Judges evaluate each movement and assign a score from zero to ten – zero being “not executed” and ten being “excellent”. Bahamas equestrians were keen to showcase their skills before internationally acclaimed FEI 3* Dressage Judge Mr. Omar Zayrik of Mexico, who will travel throughout the region to judge the CEA Challenge competition in all the participating countries.

Some riders used the opportunity to hone their skills by performing more than one test. In total, 28 Dressage tests were ridden at various levels.

At the end of the competition, the first scores posted by all riders were assessed, and the top three from each age group used to determine the Bahamas Team scores.

The overall winners from each category were: Introductory Test A –Childrens: Kennedy Albury riding Rags to Riches (69.062%)

all three losses during their second three-game skid — and seven of their eight defeats this season — were by seven points or less.

“We needed a break,” Burrow said. “We haven’t got many this year, but it was nice to get that one and nice to come out of this with a win.”

Cooper Rush threw two TD passes and Rico Dowdle ran for a careerhigh 131 yards as the Cowboys (5-8) saw the end of a modest two-game winning streak after losing five in a row.

Introductory Test B - Childrens: Isla Whylly riding Rags to Riches (66.875%)

Introductory Test C – Childrens: Gabriela Souza riding Casino Royale (69.500%)

Training Level 1 Test - Childrens: Sennen Fitzmaurice riding Lea’s Pride (69.423%)

Introductory Test B – Adults: Krystal Darville riding Vivawell (65.937%)

Training Level 1 – Adults: Amber Lleida riding Querida FSH (56.153%)

Training Level 3 – Adults: Lorrinda Maura riding Shakespeare in Paradise (69.200%)

The overall top-scoring pair (69.500%) was Gabriela Souza riding Erika Adderley’s Casino Royale.

The riders named to the Childrens Team were Gabriela Souza, Kennedy Albury and Sennen Fitzmaurice. (Due to a CEA rules technicality, insufficient competitors qualified to field an Adult Team score.)

After the competition riders, trainers and parents gathered with Judge Zayrik to discuss his overall observations, assessments of individual performances and recommendations for improvement.

The following day interested riders participated in an instructional clinic allowing them to work one-on-one with Judge Zayrik.

The next leg of the CEA Dressage Challenge will take place in Trinidad and Tobago December 14-15.

The overall ranking of the teams will not be known until all the participating countries have held their 2024 Dressage Challenge competitions.

The Bengals ended a fivegame losing streak against the Cowboys with their first victory in the series since 2004.

The Cowboys lost linebacker DeMarvion Overshown to a right knee injury in the fourth quarter. It came in the first game for Dallas since his spectacular 23-yard interception return for a touchdown in a 27-20 victory over the New York Giants on Thanksgiving.

The gaffe from Oruwariye, who was activated off injured reserve after the missing the previous five

games with a back injury, was reminiscent of one of Dallas’ lowest Thanksgiving moments. At snow-covered Texas Stadium in 1993, Leon Lett inexplicably slid in to try to recover a blocked field goal in the final seconds that would have given Dallas a victory over Miami. The Dolphins recovered and kicked a field goal on the final play of a 16-14 victory

Injuries Bengals: LB Joe Bachie was ruled out in the fourth quarter with a right groin injury.

JUNIOR PAUL GREENE CHOSEN AS THE NE10 PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Paul Greene from Freeport, Bahamas, and representing Southern New Hampshire University men’s basketball team, was chosen as the NE10 Player of the Week yesterday for the period ending December 8.

Greene posted 17.0 points, 14.0 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 1.5 assists during a 2-0 week for SNHU, while connecting on 72.2 percent (13-18) of his shots from the floor, including his only 3-point attempt, and burying 70 percent (7-10) of his free throws.

Greene recorded 18 points (8-10 FG, 2-4 FT), 15 rebounds and three steals in an 81-67 triumph over the University New Haven on Wednesday, before adding 16 points (5-8 FG, 1-1 3-FG, 5-6 FT), 13 rebounds, two

PAUL GREENE

assists, three steals and a block in Saturday’s 84-66 win against Franklin Pierce University.

The 6-foot, 8-inch forward now has a double-double in each of his eight games this season. Greene, who has started all eight contests, is

averaging 14.1 points, 14.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 2.0 steals per contest, while shooting it at a 57 percent (45-79) clip from the field and 71.4 percent (20-28) from the stripe. He leads the nation in rebounding and doubledoubles, while ranking third in the league in steals per contest, fifth in field goal percentage, 10th in scoring and 13th in field goals made. The business major is the son of Paul and Shantel Major. He graduated from Independence High School before he joined Southern New Hampshire University. Greene and the Penmen are back in action 4pm Saturday, December 14 when they visit Dominican (N.Y.) University.

at 10am on Monday through Wednesday.

However, she noted that all playoff and championship games in all divisions will be played at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

“They’ve been crying for playing time, now they get more playing time. We hope they bring their games to the gym, bring their fans and their families to the gym and enjoy the games because we have more games, more play, more time and better behaviour,” Clarke said.

“I say that because sometimes coaches get heated because everybody wants to win. But we want the kids to play so they can enjoy themselves and be better citizens for this country.”

Johnson-Sills said the ministry has committed to providing more subvention to the teams because “we have more and we are giving more.”

Bowleg, in his keynote address, said over the years the tournament has been more than just a series of games. He said it is a platform for education, growth and opportunity.

“Basketball, as we know, is not just a sport. It is a tool for teaching valuable life skills that go far beyond the court. Through basketball, our young athletes learn the

importance of discipline, focus and teamwork.” Bowleg, a former high school and national men’s basketball coach, said the tournament also serves as a bedrock for many of the players.

“It is here on these courts that they develop the principles of sportsmanship, respect for others and the value of hardwork,”he stated.

“These are lessons that will stay with them for a lifetime, shaping not only their athletic abilities, but also their character and leadership.”

While Bowleg said from the primary to the intermediate level, the tournament is a chance to showcase their skills and a stepping stone for greater opportunities in basketball and in life, it highlights the importance of equal representation

and the empowerment of women in sports.

“It truly paves the way for future generations to dream big and aim high,” he added.

As for the future, Bowleg said it’s the intention of the ministry to open the door for teams from the Turks & Caicos Islands, Jamaica and the United States to participate against the locally based teams from throughout the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.

“Imagine, the cultural exchange, the friendships and the valuable experiences gained from competing against international teams,” he said.

“This vision is rooted in the belief that exposure to diverse competition strengthens not just basketball skills, but also fosters personal growth and global understanding.”

He thanked the coaches, parents and supporters for their time and energy nurturing the young athletes competing in the tournament by helping to shape their future both on and off the court.

“To the p[layers, remember this. The Father Marcian Peters Basketball Tournament is not just about winning or losing,” he said. “It’s about learning, growing and becoming the best version of yourself.

“Every game you play contributes to your journey and the challenges you face teaches resilience and determination.”

On Wednesday, all coaches participating in the tournament are urged to attend a technical meeting at 3:30pm at the Ministry of Sports, conducted by international certified referee/ interpreter Freddie Brown.

“Here’s to an exciting tournament filled with passion, teamwork and unforgettable moments. May the best teams win.”

Clarke stressed that the tournament will be “very hot.”

“Who will win? I don’t know. I’m pulling for all of the teams. The 53 teams I’m pulling for. May the best man or woman carry the bacon home.

“So let the games begin,” he added.

the following pools: Primary Girls Pool A - Freedom Baptist, Sandilands and Judith P. Thompson.

Primary Girls Pool BKingsway, Temple Christian Academy, Xavier’s Lower School and Telma Gibson.

Primary Boys Group AFreedom Baptist Academy,

and

Primary Boys Group B -

Teleos Christian Academy

Judith P. Thompson.

JUNIOR

Cowboys: Rookie C Cooper Beebe sustained a concussion and was ruled out at halftime. RG Brock Hoffman, the replacement for injured seven-time All-Pro Zack Martin (ankle), moved to center.

T.J. Bass took over at right guard. ... Special teams

ace C.J. Goodwin was ruled out in the second half with a hamstring injury. Up next Bengals: At Tennessee on Sunday.

Cowboys: At Carolina on Sunday.

DALLAS Cowboys linebacker Nick Vigil (41) blocks a punt by Cincinnati Bengals punter Ryan Rehkow (8) during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Empowered for Christmas

By FAY SIMMONS

Tribune Education Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

THE Boys and Girls Empowerment Club at LW Young held its highly anticipated annual Christmas party, bringing joy and celebration to students.

This year’s event offered an exciting platform for students to showcase their artistic and musical talents before coming together for an early festive meal.

Founded in 2015 by Ms Anita Wilmott, the club was established to assist boys who faced challenges with social issues.

Ms Wilmott, who noticed

many of the boys in her homeroom class struggling with conflict resolution and becoming involved in local gangs, recognised the need for support.

In response, she launched the Boys Empowerment Club to provide them with the guidance and tools to better manage their emotions and navigate challenging situations.

To further address these concerns, Ms Wilmott invited local leaders to conduct bi-weekly lunchtime seminars, where boys could engage in open discussions and learn valuable life skills. The initiative quickly proved successful, creating

GIFT-GIVING EVENT IN GRAND BAHAMA

PRIMARY school stu-

dents in Grand Bahama received early Christmas presents during a festive gift-giving event at Freeport Harbour. Approximately 200 students participated in the event organised by the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association and the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments, and Aviation.

In addition to staff from the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association and the Ministry of Tourism, Santa Claus made a special appearance to help distribute the gifts. The students were also treated to a delicious holiday lunch, adding to the joy of the occasion. Ginger Moxey, Minister for Grand Bahama, was on hand to bring brief remarks. She highlighted the significance of the season, stating, “Christmas is a season of giving and togetherness,” and

emphasized that events like this are reminders “of the power of community and the joy we can bring to the lives of others, especially our children, with simple acts of kindness.” Mrs Moxey also spoke about the true meaning of Christmas, noting that it is a time for love, hope, joy, generosity, and the bonds that unite people. “I’m grateful for your support and for spreading holiday cheer on the island,” she expressed to those present. Turning her attention to the students, the Mrs Moxey hoped that the gifts would not only bring happiness but also serve as a reminder of how cherished they are. “The future is bright for each of you, and I’m delighted to celebrate this special moment with you,” she said, leaving the young students with words of encouragement and festive cheer.

a positive and supportive environment for the boys at LW Young. As the Boys Empowerment Club flourished, Ms Wilmott saw the same desire for personal development among her female students. In 2019, the Girls Empowerment Club was formed, offering young women similar opportunities to build

self-esteem and develop crucial social skills.

The annual Christmas party serves as a testament to the success of the club’s mission, as students from both the Boys and Girls Empowerment Clubs came together to celebrate their achievements, share their talents, and enjoy the spirit of the holiday season.

UNDER DA’ SEA AT CHRISTMAS

THE Bahamas Association for the Physically Disabled (BAPD) hosted a heartwarming Christmas event titled “Under ‘Da’ Sea,” inspired by The Little Mermaid, where the children delivered an impressive and joyful performance. The event was a true celebration of talent and community spirit, bringing together families and supporters to enjoy a magical holiday experience.

A significant highlight of the event was the generous donation made by the Rotary Club of East Nassau, which made a meaningful contribution to the Bahamas Association for the Physically Disabled. This support will go a long way in helping the organisation continue its mission of

providing services and assistance to individuals with physical disabilities. Minister of Social Services, Information, and Broadcasting Myles LaRoda also attended the event. Ann Marie Davis, representing the

Office of the Spouse of the Prime Minister, was also in attendance, alongside BAPD officials, parents, and other community members, all of whom gathered to show their support for the event and the children’s performance.

KICKING OFF HOLIDAY SEASON WITH FESTIVAL OF CAROLS

THE Ministry of Education and Technical and Vocational Training officially kicked off the holiday season with its Annual ‘Festival of Carols’ programme.

The event drew a large crowd, including ministry officials, educators, and students from both public and private schools in Grand Bahama.

The celebration, centred around the theme ‘Restoring the Joy of Christmas,’ featured a vibrant array of performances that brought the festive spirit to life.

Attendees were treated to music, poetry, and dance, with highlights including handbell performances, a steelpan band, a pop band, traditional rake and scrape, and even

a Spanish musical selection.

In addition to the live performances, schools in Bimini and the Cays participated by submitting virtual video performances, allowing students from across the region to join in the celebration. Maneica Pratt, district superintendent for Grand Bahama, Bimini, and The Cays, addressed the attendees and emphasised the true spirit of Christmas.

“Christmas is all about good news, the good news of God’s love. I encourage you to enjoy this Christmas season, wrap the presents, prepare your homes in a festive way, and make wonderful memories with your family,” she shared. She also reminded everyone to reflect on the deeper meaning of the holiday, urging, “We are commemorating the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the greatest gift to all mankind.”

THE CHRISTMAS party at the Boys and Girls Empowerment Club at LW Young. Photos: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff