12182024 NEWS AND SPORT

MO M BEATEN IN THE STREET

Woman’s legs broken in broad daylight attack as people watched on

By KEILE CAMPBELL AND LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporters

A MOTHER of two suffered two broken legs after a vicious, broad daylight assault from a man she reportedly didn’t know after she stepped off a jitney on Baillou Hill Road, leaving bystanders stunned and prompting questions about

the delay in intervening. The assault, caught on a video that has gone viral, involved a man repeatedly punching and kicking the victim.

“I heard screaming,” said Roniqua Newbold, a witness who was driving behind the bus. “When I looked, I saw him kicking

ORG CRITICISES GOVT BILL TO INVESTIGATE LAW ENFORCEMENT

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

BAR Association presi-

His comments came during a virtual forum hosted last night by the Organisation for Responsible Governance (ORG). He appeared as a panellist alongside anti-corruption specialist Lemarque Campbell and youth ambassador

dent Kahlil Parker criticised the Davis administration’s proposed Independent Commission of Investigation Bill, saying it fails to resolve lingering questions about the operation and management of law enforcement agencies amid declining public trust.

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

A JUDGE approved a man’s adoption of a teenager shortly before his eighteenth birthday,

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net

despite the Attorney General’s Office alleging it was a means to circumvent citizenship laws and the Department of Social Services opposing it due to the boy’s advanced age. Supreme Court Justice

UNITED States President-elect Donald Trump said he will nominate Herschel Walker to be US ambassador to The Bahamas. The US hasn’t had an ambassador to The Bahamas in 13 years. “Herschel has spent decades serving as an

Hope Strachan determined that the Department of Social Services’ own report showed that the applicant loved and cared for the child and wanted what was

Ambassador to our nation’s youth, our men and women in the military, and athletes at home and abroad,” Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social, a media platform owned by Trump Media & Technology Group.

“A successful businessman, philanthropist, former Heisman Trophy winner, and NFL Great, Herschel

on the destruction, according to his daughter.

Mr Cleare was one of several residents who lost their homes in the blaze on December 5. Frustrated residents argued that the fire could have been contained if the island had a reliable water supply. Water outages have been a recurring issue

Nassau & Bahama Islands’

HERSCHEL WALKER

ROYAL Bahamas Police Force marching band please the crowds at this year’s Beat Retreat at Rawson Square on Bay Street yesterday. See PAGE TWO for more photos.

Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

Royal Bahamas Police Fo Rce’s

THE BAHAMAS National Children’s Choir performs during the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s Annual Christmas Beat Retreat downtown yesterday. A joint children’s choir of Meridian and Windsor Schools, as well as a choir from Church of God of Prophecy also performed on Bay Street, where government officials, locals and visitors alike were treated to a grand affair. Photos: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

Mom beaten in the street

from page one

her in the face. At first, I thought it was a domestic dispute, but it quickly became obvious that he was just out of control.”

She expressed frustration at people’s inaction.

“Nobody came out of their vehicle,” she said. “People were honking their horns and just watching. Even a man who got off the bus with her stood there and watched the entire time.”

In the video, bystanders lingered nearby while the attacker unleashed a series of blows.

Ms Newbold said she considered stepping in to stop him herself.

“I’m not gonna lie, I was gonna knock him,” she said. As she contemplated approaching, another man stepped in, striking the attacker and causing him to flee toward Wulff Road and Market Street.

Newbold then checked on the woman, who was left with broken legs, a broken nose, and severe facial injuries.

“I asked her if she knew him, and she said, ‘Miss, I don’t know him from a can of paint. I don’t know that man.’”

According to Ms Newbold, one

man tried to follow the suspect in his vehicle and later guided police to the area where the attacker was last seen, but he wasn’t immediately found.

The victim, who works at Margaritaville, had been heading to work and planned to stop at Commonwealth Bank beforehand.

She reportedly told Ms Newbold and police that her attacker entered the bus on Carmichael Road and “smelled like rum”.

The victim reportedly said the attacker was shouting something as he struck her repeatedly, but the violence prevented her from understanding his words.

Ms Newbold said after the assault, the victim was visibly frightened, shaken, and began to cry.

“He might’ve mistakenly taken her for somebody else,” she said.

Ms Newbold said the woman began losing consciousness as the blood poured from her leg. She said bystanders encouraged her to call her bosses and inform them of the attack.

On Facebook, a cousin of the victim lamented that some characterised the incident as a “domestic dispute” and used this to justify the lack of earlier intervention.

Police say they are investigating.

Elderly man who lost home in despair

from page one

on the island, and on the day of the fire, there was no water for most of the day.

Violet Atkinson, Mr Cleare’s daughter, said her father has struggled to get over the incident.

“He’s been saying, ‘Lord, my house, if only there was water that night’,” Mrs Atkinson said yesterday.

Since the incident, Mr Cleare has been living with his daughter, but he reportedly drives her golf cart daily to visit the site of his destroyed home.

“Right now, he’s probably down there just looking on the grounds,” Mrs Atkinson added.

She explained that the combination of losing his wife last year, the memories tied to the house, and the uncertainty about when it

will be rebuilt has left her father depressed. While he often tells relatives he is in good spirits, they can see him trying to hold back tears. His daughter said he had lost interest in activities he once loved, such as fishing and attending church.

Last Sunday was the first time he attended church with his family since the fire. But even that has been a painful experience. Mrs Atkinson explained the church is right next to her father’s house and was slightly damaged in the fire.

Although the family is determined to rebuild, Mrs Atkinson said the ongoing water issues remain a major concern. She questioned what would happen if they rebuilt and there was another fire but still no reliable water supply.

She revealed that Harbour Island had been without water on Monday and again yesterday.

“What is the government doing? I don’t know what they’re doing,” she said. “It makes you feel like giving up.”

Mrs Atkinson said her father had refused to leave because he said the island was home.

The fire also severely damaged a neighbouring two-storey building belonging to Mr Cleare’s nephew, Christopher Cleare. Mrs Atkinson said Christopher, who built the home with his own funds, is now staying with relatives and trying to take things day by day.

Mrs Atkinson said the family plans to launch a GoFundMe page to assist with rebuilding her father’s home.

Body of French national found after being missing in waters near Exuma

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

POLICE discovered the body of a 21-year-old French national after he was reportedly trapped in rough waters and reported missing on Monday in Exuma.

The missing man and another male tourist reportedly went swimming around 6.00 pm at a beach near their vacation rental unit. “Shortly thereafter, one of them returned alone and reported to a nearby business operator that his companion, a resident of Quebec, Canada, was trapped in rough waters and could not be located,” police said.

were not favourable, hindering sea search efforts.

Police officers from the Marine Support Unit discovered the lifeless body along the eastern shoreline near a business establishment shortly after 2.00pm. The man was pronounced dead by a local doctor.

Officers conducted a grid search of the beach but were unable to locate the missing man. Police added that weather conditions

The remains are scheduled to be airlifted to New Providence for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

THREE PEOPLE CLAIMING POLICE ABUSE IN 2018 HAVE COUR T DAT E SE T FOR FEBRUARY NEX T YEAR

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

THREE plaintiffs in an alleged police abuse trial were informed that their next court date is set for February next year, seven years after police allegedly tortured them for a criminal confession in Eleuthera’s Governor’s Harbour Police Station in January, 2018.

Justice Loren Klein informed Chavette Strachan, Dale Gibson, Jr, and Kenton Fines during a Zoom hearing that their next court hearing date is set for February 10, 2025.

Ms Strachan, Mr Gibson and Mr Fines were released from custody without charge after their arrest, but what happened to them in police custody is the subject of their Supreme Court trial.

claimed she was kicked to the ground by officers while handcuffed.

The three were arrested while police investigated an armed robbery at the C and AA Service Station in Palmetto Point, Eleuthera, which involved the shooting of Joel Stubbs, an employee of the station. During her previous testimony in September 2021, Ms Strachan had said through tears that officers allegedly threatened that she’d “hang” herself if she didn’t give the right answers during questioning. The complainant also

She claimed officers told them that the three were going down either in handcuffs or a body bag.

She further alleged that officers attempted to suffocate her with a plastic bag, at one point causing her to lose consciousness, and poured hot sauce on her eyes.

Ms Strachan alleges that Officer Munroe, one of her alleged torturers, interviewed her the following day. Bjorn Ferguson represents Ms Strachan and Mr Gibson. Fred Smith, QC, represents Mr Fines.

A PERSON in a vehicle videos a man beating a mother of two on the side of the road yesterday.

VINCENT CLEARE

Munroe: DEA Freeport office closure unrelated to recent federal indictment

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe said the closure of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) office in Freeport, Grand Bahama, is not connected to a recent explosive federal indictment or reflective of trust issues between the two countries.

“If we’re not cooperating with them, then they should need more, not less,” he said. “The example I give is this: People get upset that we don’t have an ambassador and what I tell people is, the countries that are problematic always have an ambassador.

“The countries that are not so problematic, you could perhaps leave with something less. But I don’t have any sort of indication that there’s anything other than a resource issue for them.”

The Miami Herald reported in October that The Bahamas’ DEA office was among 14 foreign operations the DEA was shutting down.

A spokesperson told the American newspaper the decision was made after “a

thorough review of our foreign operations, which was initiated in August 2021 and completed in March

2023”. “DEA made a strategic decision to reallocate resources to focus on what

matters most: saving American lives by attacking every link of the global synthetic drug supply chain,” the

Miami Herald reported. A US Embassy in Nassau representative said recently:

“DEA collaboration

through Operation Bahamas, Turks and Caicos (OPBAT) has consistently achieved significant success in combating drug trafficking in the region.”

“This strong partnership underscores our shared commitment to enhancing regional security and disrupting the flow of illegal narcotics. We remain dedicated to working closely with our Bahamian counterparts to ensure the safety and well-being of Bahamian and US citizenry.”

The news of the DEA’s Freeport office closure came a month before a US federal indictment claimed that drug traffickers have smuggled tons of cocaine through The Bahamas into the US since 2021, with the “support and protection of corrupt Bahamian government officials, including high-ranking members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.”

RBPF officials are accused of denying DEA officials access to seized cocaine and related evidence, provided information contradicted by aerial surveillance and, “on at least one occasion, informed a DEA agent that certain drugtrafficking targets were ‘off-limits’.”

Cousin testifies Adrian Gibson sole signatory for Edwileno Holdings

By PAVEL BAILEY

Tribune Staff Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

IN the ongoing criminal trial of Adrian Gibson and others, the Long Island MP’s cousin, Rashae Gibson, testified yesterday that he was the sole signatory for Edwileno Holdings, a company involved in purchasing property in both Shirley Park and Venice Bay.

This testimony came amid allegations that Mr Gibson failed to declare personal interests in contracts awarded by the corporation.

Under questioning by Director of Public Prosecutions Cordell Frazier, Ms Gibson reviewed Scotiabank statements for Edwileno Holdings. After examining the documents, she confirmed Adrian Gibson was the sole signatory and the only person with access to the accounts.

Ms Gibson maintained she was not involved in Edwileno Holdings, nor had she authorised any purchases made by the company. Despite an objection from defence attorney Geoffrey Farquharson, the bank statements were admitted into evidence.

In her previous testimony, Ms Gibson had indicated that Edwileno Holdings was the purchaser of a Shirley Park property.

When shown a July 29, 2021 email regarding a property transaction in which Mr Gibson was listed as the buyer’s attorney, she said that the original buyer, Blue Bliss, had withdrawn and Edwileno Holdings took its place. Ms Frazier suggested that Blue Bliss and Edwileno Holdings were essentially the same entity, prompting Mr Farquharson to dismiss the claim as “nonsense”.

Earlier, Lanado Gibson testified that Adrian Gibson had told him Edwileno Holdings was his personal company, intended to hold his assets.

Originally charged with bribery and fraud-related offences, Ms Gibson’s charges were dropped after she agreed to cooperate with prosecutors.

She was recalled to the witness stand this week for further cross-examination, following a previous adjournment due to legal issues.

Adrian Gibson stands trial alongside Elwood Donaldson Jr, Joan Knowles, Peaches Farquharson, and Jerome Missick. Representing the defense are Damian Gomez KC, Murrio Ducille KC, Mr Farquharson, Ian Cargill, Bryan Bastian, Ryan Eve, and Raphael Moxey. The Crown’s legal team includes Ms Frazier, Karine MacVean, and others.

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was remanded in custody yesterday after he was accused of a near fatal shooting in the Bluff Eleuthera last month.

Senior Magistrate Raquel Whyms arraigned Korey Neely, 29, on attempted murder.

The defendant faced an additional charge of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply.

The defendant allegedly shot and injured Arnold Heastie on November 16.

While the defendant pleaded not guilty to the drug charge, he was informed that his attempted murder charge would proceed to the Supreme Court through a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).

Neely will be remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until his VBI is served on April 7, 2025.

The accused’s drug trial will commence on the same date. Sergeant 2257 Wilkinson served as the prosecutor.

Later that day, the defendant was allegedly found with 10oz of marijuana.

RASHAE GIBSON

ORG criticises govt bill to investigate law enforcement

Lashante Sampson.

Mr Campbell described the bill as a “window dressing exercise,” adding that he doesn’t believe it would mitigate corruption. Ms Sampson touted it as a step in the right direction.

Government officials have suggested that the bill’s passage is central to restoring the public’s trust in law enforcement after a US federal indictment contained significant corruption allegations concerning the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

The commission would have sweeping powers to investigate misconduct by police or public officials, including inspecting relevant records, documents, and buildings, interviewing witnesses, reviewing procedures within security forces and public bodies, and ensuring that complaints are properly submitted and investigated.

Mr Parker cautioned the government against presenting the bill as a comprehensive solution to current allegations of corruption.

“I feel that the bill will

suffer if it is that they intend that this is the only response to the issues we are contending with right now,” he said. He stressed the need to address the fundamental concerns of the public and evolve how law enforcement agencies are

regulated and disciplined.

“We don’t want to drift into a police state,” Mr Parker added. “We want to make sure that you give the power to arrest. This is a sacred power that has to be ring-fenced by accountability and transparency.”

“So you know, the question of whether this is a good, positive step forward in that regard should not distract from the fact that we also have to have reconciliation and accountability on those issues. This bill does not do that.”

Mr Campbell expressed doubt that the bill would be effective, pointing to existing anti-corruption laws that have not been properly implemented.

He highlighted other gaps in the bill, saying it does not address whistleblowers and the reporting channels for submitting complaints. He questioned whether an anonymous reporting mechanism would be implemented.

Separate from the bill, outgoing Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander has proposed creating an encrypted, anonymous whistleblower platform.

Mr Parker called for independent appointment bodies, saying the country should reconsider how senior officials are appointed, including the Commissioner of Police, judges, and public officials.

He proposed that

certain offices require independent vetting to ensure public trust.

“There should be a minimum standard that we expect from these office holders, because if the public don’t trust the government, and the government are picking the people without any scrutiny, without any independent oversight, then the problems are perpetuated,” he said.

Mr Parker, meanwhile, raised concerns about whether the bill’s objectives are clear enough, particularly regarding the relationship between the commission and the prosecution of offences.

According to the bill, if the commission deems a complaint worthy of investigation, it will conduct an inquiry and submit its findings, along with recommendations for charges, to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Mr Parker said it appears the commission is simply tasked with conducting investigations and then dumping “a dossier” on the DPP.

Mr Campbell echoed this concern, taking issue with the bill’s

reliance on the DPP, who he said remains accountable to the Attorney General. He said while the commission is granted investigatory powers, the Attorney General could still influence the DPP’s actions, particularly in matters of public policy, national security, and international obligations.

“For this bill to actually be effective,” he added, “the way it’s currently drafted is that you have a so-called independent commission that’s granted this investigatory powers. They then transfer all of that information (and) evidence to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who ought to be independent, but still is beholden to the Attorney General. How is that the case?” He said there is also concern surrounding the use of nolle prosequis, a long-standing practice that allows the Attorney General to halt prosecutions.

He said the bill’s current draft lacks independence and falls short of meeting the highest international benchmarks for effective and efficient anti-corruption measures.

JUDGE APPROVES ADOPTION DESPITE AG OFFICE ALLEGING CITIZENSHIP CONCERNS

in his best interest.

She said the applicant, referred to as A.A.H, “ticked all the boxes” and provided all of the necessary documentation required to support his application to adopt the child.

She said the department’s report was contradictory. The report was positive about the man’s role in the child’s life, but opposed the adoption order without giving a reason other than the child’s age.

The judge also rejected the Office of the Attorney General’s position, finding that the man was not adopting the boy to secure citizenship for him, “but rather to legally formalize an already existing father-son relationship between the applicant and the infant.” The child, referred to as D.A.M in the judgement, was born

to Jamaican parents and moved to The Bahamas in 2012. He had been in the care of the applicant since he was three years old. The applicant sought to adopt him after his mother died a day after giving birth to her fourth child.

“I am of the view that public policy does not

outweigh the welfare of the infant in this matter,” the judge wrote. “There is no indication from the Social Services report that the immigration status of this child had a bearing on the motives of the applicant. Whilst it may seem strange that the adoption is nearing the infant’s birthday, the fact is that the application was started three years ago. In fact, I was surprised by the objection taken by the Department of Social Services even though their assessment of the applicant, his family and ex-girlfriend were favourable.”

Trump taps Walker to be US Ambassador to The Bahamas

has been a tireless advocate for youth sports. During my first term, he served as co-chair of

the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. Herschel has

MAN CHARGED WITH UNLAWFUL SEXUAL INTERCOURSE WITH 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL

By PAVEL BAILEY

Staff Reporter

A 58-YEAR-OLD

man yesterday denied molesting an underaged 15-year-old girl four times earlier this year. Senior Justice Cheryl Grant

Thompson arraigned Vincent Rahming on four counts of unlawful sexual intercourse. Rahming allegedly had unlawful sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old girl four times in New Providence between January 1 and April 18. The defendant pleaded

not guilty to all four charges. Rahming was informed that his matter was transferred to Justice Gregory Hilton and that his trial date would be fixed before him on January 16, 2025. Rahming’s bail will continue until his next court appearance.

travelled to over 400 military installations around the world, removing the stigma surrounding mental health. He represented the United States at the 1992 Winter Olympics as a member of the US bobsled team.

Mr Walker’s candidacy for a Georgia Senate seat in 2022 was marred by allegations of domestic abuse and a report that he paid for a girlfriend’s abortion despite his strong anti-abortion stance. He lost the race.

In September, 2023, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate Calvin Smyre as US ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to The Bahamas. However, Smyre was never confirmed.

Nicole Avant served as the most recent United States ambassador to The Bahamas, holding the position from 2009 to 2011.

D uring President O bama’s administration, Cassandra Butts was

nominated as ambassador in 2014, but she passed away before her confirmation could be completed. President Donald Trump nominated Doug “Papa” Manchester in 2017, but Manchester withdrew his candidacy in 2019. Following this, Trump put forward William Douglass as a nominee the next year. After President Trump lost the 2020 election, Douglass’ nomination was also withdrawn.

The Tribune Limited

NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI

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

LEON E. H. DUPUCH

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

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

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972

Contributing Editor 1972-1991

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

Publisher/Editor 1972-

Published daily Monday to Friday Shirley & Deveaux Streets, Nassau, Bahamas N3207

TELEPHONES

News & General Information

Arrest is unfounded response

EDITOR, The Tribune.

(242) 502-2350

Advertising Manager (242) 502-2394

Circulation Department (242) 502-2386

Nassau fax (242) 328-2398

Freeport, Grand Bahama (242)-352-6608

Freeport fax (242) 352-9348

WEBSITE, TWITTER & FACEBOOK

www.tribune242.com @tribune242

Say ‘no’ to violence against women

ON Tuesday of last week, the world – including many in The Bahamas –concluded 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.

Yesterday, a video circulated on social media showing a man beating a woman in the street, right here in our nation.

Over and over, he punched and kicked the woman, who reached out and called for help as too many people failed to provide it.

We have this knowledge because we watched it with our own eyes because one driver took out his phone and recorded it.

He did not shout at the man to stop. He did not get out of his car to go and intervene.

The nearby jitney, from which the woman had just disembarked, did not have one person, driver or passenger, stop what was happening.

At one point, a man appears in the video close to the attack, but does nothing.

Eventually, one man did come and intervene, and credit to him for that.

From what The Tribune understands, the attack was unprovoked. The attacker came out of nowhere. Not that there is any level of provocation that would have justified what took place –and what too often takes place in terms of women being targeted by violence.

What measure of a man would attack a woman in such a manner?

What tiny fraction of a person must he be to inflict violence in such a way, on someone who deserved no such thing?

We pray he is swiftly dealt with by the law – and that the victim makes a speedy recovery.

However, let us not pretend that this kind of violence is not all too

PICTURE OF THE DAY

commonplace.

Let us not pretend that too often women have to deal with abuse from men, be it violent abuse, verbal abuse or sexual abuse.

There was an opportunity to tackle such matters with legislation against gender-based violence, but the government backed out at the last minute and brought a more generic bill that does not live up to international promises.

Ours is a society where so-called jokes about beating women are not just tolerated but heartily laughed at.

Remember back in 2014 when then MP Leslie Miller talked in the House of Assembly about raising his hand to beat a woman, and insisted he was not joking at the time? Until he later said that he was joking after the outcry that followed.

Men who commit violence against women do not deserve to be called men at all. The real men are the ones like the one in yesterday’s video who came to the rescue of the victim in the street.

But those who stood by and watched also need to do more. Take that word activism and look at the first three letters. Act. They need to act. They need to stand up and protect women. They need to not tolerate abusive language. They need to not laugh along with their friends at jokes that create the landscape where violence is tolerated.

If we are truly to tackle the violence towards women that is too prevalent in our country, then we need to say no. Over and over again. It is not right. It is not tolerated. It is not allowed. It is no laughing matter. And if you do it, you will go to jail. Just as we hope happens to the vile attacker in this case. Say no.

FREE National Movement Deputy Leader and St Barnabas MP Shanendon Cartwright has become a polarising political figure among FNM and Progressive Liberal Party supporters, owing to his tossing of the Speaker’s Mace out the window of the House of Assembly. While FNM supporters laud him for his courageous actions, PLPs have castigated him as a political nuisance who was engaging in theatrics. Cartwright has also been severely criticised by members of the Coalition of Independents. There are pockets of PLPs, however, who have gone further in their disagreement with Cartwright and the FNM in calling for the former to be arrested. This seems to be the position of well known radio personality Ortland Bodie, whose opinion piece on the Cartwright matter was printed in the December 13th edition of The Tribune. Bodie is entitled to his opinion. This is a democracy, last I checked. Thankfully, he is not the prime minister. Prime Minister Philip Davis has shown a measured response, insofar that he did not jail the St Barnabas MP. Davis is well aware that such a move would have backfired spectacularly, in that Cartwright would’ve been viewed across the political spectrum as a political martyr.

Any move to jail the FNM MPs would have been interpreted as law fare by FNMs and swing voters. Davis, in this regard, made the right decision. I cannot imagine what the optics would’ve looked like with Cartwright in jail while well known murderers and rapists are roaming the streets of New Providence like a pack of hyenas. In an earlier opinion piece I mentioned an individual who bragged to my late mother that he had put down two people and was prepared to put down more. As a solicitor, Bodie is well aware of the challenges facing the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the judiciary. At a time when the governing PLP is losing traction, it can ill afford to turn Cartwright into another Nelson Mandela. Such a move would have been a public relations disaster for the PLP.

There’s simply no getting around this fact. Bodie, as a well versed media personality, should be very knowledgeable about the history of the PLP and Sir Lynden O Pindling, particularly during the formative years of the party in the early 1950s and well into the sixties. I have come across on several occasions the name Orthopedichland Bodie when reading about the political situation in The Bahamas during the 1950s. The senior Bodie was very much engaged in front line politics when the United Bahamian Party dominated the political landscape.

Bodie would be knowledgeable about the historic events that transpired on April 27th, 1965, now known in our nation’s history as Black Tuesday. That was the day Pindling threw the Mace out of the window of the House of Assembly. Sir Milo B Butler threw out the hour glass immediately following Pindling’s courageous deed. The actions by Pindling and the PLP were well planned in advance. I stated in an earlier letter to the editor that it was either FNM founder Sir Cecil WallaceWhitfield or Loftus Roker who came up with the Mace idea. Moderate PLPs such as Paul Adderley, Sir Orville Turnquest and Spurgeon Bethel were not informed of the Mace plot. In all likelihood, they would have opposed it, as they were uncomfortable with the radical ideologies coming out of a PLP think tank called the National Committee for Positive Action (NCPA). I believe both Roker and Sir Cecil were members of this radical group who stood in opposition to the moderates within the PLP. Adderley, Turnquest and Bethel were PLP moderates. Not being included in the Black Tuesday plans would strain their relationship with the PLP top brass. The trio would go on to form another political party, the National Democratic Party, in 1965. For what it’s worth, Pindling and other Black Bahamian politicians who aggressively opposed the UBP were labeled communists by certain elements within the UBP. Sir Randol Fawkes was smeared with the same brush. Pindling, who attended the 1963 March to Washington, incorporated the non-violent philosophy of African American civil rights icon Dr Martin Luther King, Jr, into the PLP. Any acts of violence on the part of the massive crowd of PLPs who attended the impromptu rally on Black Tuesday would have given the UBP the pretext to use excessive force. Pindling was overly cautious in not allowing there to be a repeat of the 1942 Burma Road riots. Premier Sir Roland Symonette would issue a strong warning on ZNS Radio to the Bahamian people not to break the law around the same timeframe of Black Tuesday. Yet despite breaking the law in tossing out the Mace, Pindling wasn’t arrested. The UBP saw what was happening in the US and tried valiantly to prevent a civil rights scenario in The Bahamas. The last thing the regime wanted was to turn Pindling into another Malcolm X or King. That may have been one of the reasons the UBP did not call for the arrest of Pindling.

From a legal standpoint, the UBP would have been well within its rights to arrest the father of the nation. After all, a crime was committed, although Pindling was operating under a higher moral imperative much like Rosa Parks, King, SNCC and other civil rights activists in the US who engaged in peaceful civil disobedience. The idea of Pindling being in jail is sacrilegious to some Bahamians. The Mace was damaged. The UBP could have gone after him for that alone. Yet Bahamians today view Black Tuesday and the actions of Pindling as a defining moment in Bahamian history. I read a Nassau Guardian editorial that stated that the events surrounding Black Tuesday concerned the boundaries commission and the UBP’s penchant for engaging in gerrymandering. From a historical context, this is correct. A case in point would be the 1962 general election in which the PLP won only eight seats despite gaining 32,261 votes -- 5,761 more than the UBP’s 26,500 votes. Despite not winning the popular vote, the UBP won 18 seats. Underpopulated Out Islands -- UBP strongholds -were over-represented in the House of Assembly. In the heyday of the Bay Street regime, certain Out Island and New Providence constituencies had multiple seats. For instance, the Southern District in Nassau was won by PLPs Sir Randol Fawkes and Sir Lynden in 1956, the former being the senior representative and the latter the junior. Simply put, the UBP cheated the PLP out of the 1962 general election win. Ironically, The Nassau Guardian and Sir Etienne Dupuch’s Tribune were both anti-PLP and antiPindling in 1965. I would imagine that both published a scathing commentary regarding the events on Black Tuesday on the following day. Their perceived opposition to Pindling and the PLP were the main reason why the PLP founded the Bahamian Times, after PLP co-founder and editor of The Nassau Herald Cyril Stevenson severed ties with the party he helped to establish in 1953. Pindling did not trust any of the national dailies, as both were thought of as serving the interests of Bay Street.

My question to Bodie and others who are agitating for the arrest of Cartwright, if Pindling wasn’t arrested for what he did on Black Tuesday, then why should Cartwright be arrested like a common criminal? One can argue that Cartwright was following a higher moral imperative by the drastic actions he took. I commend Prime Minister Davis for ignoring the overreaction of some of his followers.

KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Grand Bahama, December 17, 2024.

Saddened by attitude towards violence against women

EDITOR, The Tribune. I AM saddened at how casual some of us can be when it comes to violence against women. While I abhor all forms of violence, I am particularly sensitive when it comes to violence against women and children. I have just watched a video being circulated on social media with a woman being beaten in broad daylight on the side of the street, in public view, with traffic at a standstill. Someone is filming it. She is reaching out for help to persons on the jitney that is at a standstill, no one goes to her rescue.

Our Nation is in a crisis.

May God Bless us all and keep us safe during this season and always.

VANESSA A SCOTT, JP Nassau,

Thank goodness a gentleman comes from elsewhere to ward the assailant off. She is obviously hurt. There is a gas station right there. My goodness are we so cold and indifferent or are we just afraid to help. He is obviously a bully and needs violence to feel powerful or to feel in control as he ran away when the gentleman charged him. As this video has gone viral, it is my hope that the police and necessary authorities are able to identify the victim and the assailant and carry out the necessary action. This should not be tolerated. While people may feel it was none of their business, or were just afraid to intervene, the fact that someone watched, filmed and circulated the act, makes it everyone’s business. Let’s do better, Bahamas. Please let us do our part to stop the violence. My prayers are with the victim and it is my hope that she receives the help needed.

Performing Arts Alive Theatre helping develop young talent in Grand Bahama

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

PERFORMING Arts

Alive Theatre (PAAT) is leaving a mark on young lives in Grand Bahama by nurturing talent, instilling confidence, and creating opportunities for students to excel in the performing arts.

Looking ahead, PAAT is gearing up for a significant international opportunity: this April, the group hopes to travel to London for an exchange with a performing arts school. The upcoming trip is poised to broaden the horizons of its young performers, providing them with a global platform to showcase Bahamian talent.

One such success story is Justin Jean Pierre, a Bishop Michael Eldon High School graduate whose journey from hyperactive teen to budding star is a testament to the transformative power of the arts.

Justin, now a freshman at Nova Southeastern University, is majoring in theatre and computer science on a full scholarship. His dedication has opened doors to further opportunities, including an audition at the prestigious Juilliard School in January.

He attributes his achievements to his former high school teacher Eisenhower “Mr Ike” Williams, who is the director of drama and dance at Performing Arts Alive Theatre. Terry Johnson, the founder and artistic director, is skilled in choir directing and dance.

Under Williams’ mentorship, Justin honed his acting, singing, and dancing skills, starring in plays like Conspiracy on Coco Cay

and Nobody’s Allowed.

“I discovered my passion for performing arts the moment I joined the drama club in 10th grade,” said Justin. “I’ve always loved singing and dancing, but I used to be scared to show my voice because it was very low. But after joining performing arts it gave me the confidence to express myself and helped me realize this is what I want to do in life.”

Justin –– who hopes to pursue a career in theatre and the movie industry just like Bahamian actors Sidney Poitier and Calvin Lockhart –– credits Mr Ike for recognising his potential early.

“I was always moving and jittery in class,” Justin recalled. “Mr Ike saw that and invited me to join the school’s drama club.”

That decision changed his life. “I wouldn’t be pursuing theatre today and I am grateful to Mr Ike,” he said.

For Mr Ike, PAAT is more than an extracurricular activity — it’s a mission to transform education and unlock students’ potential through performing arts.

He said that Justin has natural talent. “He was clay ready to be molded and that’s what we did with him; he is just a natural.”

He indicated that performing arts immerse students in learning with passion and involvement.

“It builds confidence, creativity, and discipline. Every child who joins discovers a unique talent, and with the right opportunities, they can go far,” he said.

Mr Ike’s vision extends beyond individual success stories like Justin’s. He hopes to grow performing art into an institution that offers scholarships

and international exchange programmes.

This April, the group hopes to travel to London for an exchange with a performing arts school.

The trip aims to broaden students’ horizons and showcase Bahamian talent on a global stage.

“We’ve been invited to participate in an exchange programme that could lead to incredible opportunities for our students,” said Mr Ike. “But we need support to make it happen.”

PAAT’s success is a collective effort. Business director Lolita Johnson highlighted the organisation’s mission to make performing arts accessible to all children, regardless of financial means.

“We train students from primary school to university level, offering free training in acting, singing, dancing

every Saturday,” Mrs Johnson said.

“We want our kids to not only excel on stage but also understand the technical and backstage aspects of theatre, like props, music, and stage management.”

To fund the upcoming London trip, PAAT recently held a Christmas show as a fundraiser and is seeking community support to cover the $1,500 travel cost per student.

“Many parents can’t afford the expenses,” Mrs Johnson explained. “We’re asking individuals and businesses to sponsor a child or contribute what they can. Every bit helps us showcase our students and their hard work.”

PAAT’s commitment to nurturing young talent and opening doors to global opportunities is evident in success stories like Justin’s and its ambitious plans for the future. To support PAAT’s London trip or learn more, contact Lolita

Johnson at (242) 428-1919 or via email at lillianbjoh@ yahoo.com.

MR Eisenhower “Mr Ike” Williams, drama and dance director at Performing Arts Alive Theatre, and Justin Jean Pierre at last night’s PAAT’s Christmas Show held at the Bishop Michael Eldon Auditorium on Monday evening. Justin, (wearing a Santa hat) a theatre major on full scholarship at Nova Southeastern University returns to Grand Bahama to perform in PAAT’s Christmas Show.

Avoid gifting frustrations

THE holiday season is here and with it comes the frustrations of increased traffic and difficulty managing limited budgets and unlimited needs. The perfect gift is often elusive, especially as so many people assign value to relationships based on the gifts they receive and the gifts they try to give.

While gift giving is a beautiful act, it can be complicated and create too much pressure at a time of year that is said to be about something else, but is reduced to a certain kind of competition. The mental and financial burden can be quite high. In addition, the holiday season and the related consumerism can be detrimental to the environment.

For this reason, a group of women working toward climate justice, facilitated by Marjahn Finlayson, worked together to develop a resource to guide decision-making and heighten awareness of the real impact of the way we spend our money not just in December, but yearround. The guide makes three big recommendations: buy less, make gifts, and offer donations.

Buying less is easy in theory, but when people are accustomed to gifts as a sign of love, it feels counterintuitive. There is the desire to give loved ones something, even when it would be useless to them.

There are people who need absolutely nothing. Their homes are comfortable and wellstocked. Their wardrobes are complete. They have the means to purchase toiletries and grocery as needed. They would likely tuck away a gift card and forget to use it before its expiration date. Whatever they want, they are able to acquire for themselves. Still, many of us take on the stress of finding the one item that would change it all.

We want to find the one gift that would surprise and delight because it is the thing they did not know they needed and would not have thought to get for themselves. We want to be the ultimate grifter—the one who will be remembered for years to come for this genius moment. What if we released ourselves from the expectation that we could fulfill this fantasy? What if we could accept that they have what they need and we cannot change that? What if we simply accepted the facts and decided to give them nothing? If that seems like going too far, consider one of the other two options: make something, or offer donations.

Get creative! You really want to give a gift, huh? This is a great opportunity to get creative. What are your skills? What can you offer the person that they would not be able to find in any store? You do not even necessarily need to be at the expert level to use your skills to create something unique for someone you know very well. If you are learning to knit, you can make a scarf. A scarf is not just a

By Alicia Wallace

scarf. It is also the colour and the design. Importantly, it is its origin. It is

a reminder of the source, whether it is the place you got the yarn, the time

and effort that went into making it, the very intentional choice in colour, or the funny way you wrapped it to look like something else. The gift can be much more than the items itself. You are making a gift, and you are making a memory.

Consumable goods are among the best gifts you can give to someone who has no need for

physical products. Bake your best lemon loaf, or a batch of those sea salt caramel brownies they love. Arrange a cookie exchange with your group of friends. Do you make the best fruit punch?

Drop off a few gallons ahead of their annual holiday party. If they are try to eat better and have a hard time doing the preparation, you make them a

great granola or trail mix. Does it feel a bit too late to get everything in order to make a gift? Plan ahead for next year. For now, consider the third option: Offer a donation. Support a cause with your dollars. At this time of year, nongovernmental organizations are often overextending themselves to meet the needs of people in situations of vulnerability as well as trying to make the holiday season a bit more cheerful. Think about the causes that your loved ones care about, talk about, and take action to change. If it is providing meals to those in need, purchase and donate cases of nonperishable items such as rice, pasta, canned vegetable, beans, and sugar, and evaporated milk.

Most of all, non-governmental organisations need money. This is what best helps them to function. Many operate without any funding from the government and with very restrictive grants. This means every dollar has to be spent in a particular way. Receiving donations gives them the flexibility to address emerging needs and longstanding issues that are not covered—often explicitly excluded—from grants. Consider making donations in the names of your loved ones. Think of the less popular organisations that do not have large companies and other groups of people consistently making donations and showing up to engage with the communities served. They may not be in the newspapers or television every day, but they need support too. Another tip from the holiday shopping guide is to gift experiences and spend quality time with the people you love. Go for a drive together to look at the holiday decorations in neighbourhoods known for going all out. Challenge yourselves to full-body dips in the ocean. Who can get to waist-deep first? Who will make the most outrageous noise as they get deeper? Check out a national park and see who can identify the most plants. Take an art class together at a local gallery. Host a game night, and be sure to encourage everyone to bring a delicious addition to the snack table. Go to an art exhibition. Create a game of your own, like getting your friends to identify sodas by taste only. Find ways to spend time together, laugh together, and have stories to tell for years to come. If you do decide to make purchases, especially at this late stage, shop locally. Support local artists, and prioritise small businesses. It is difficult to keep the doors of small businesses open, and it is a challenge to work as an artist full time. Get unique gifts while encouraging people to do what they love. See the climate-conscious holiday shopping guide and learn more about the impact of your spending at tinyurl.com/ CCHolidayShopping.

OpenAI’s legal battle with Elon Musk reveals internal turmoil over avoiding AI ‘dictatorship’

By MATT O’BRIEN AP Technology Writer

A

SEVEN-YEAR-OLD

rivalry between tech lead-

ers Elon Musk and Sam Altman over who should run OpenAI and prevent an artificial intelligence “dictatorship” is now heading to a federal judge as Musk seeks to halt the ChatGPT maker’s ongoing shift into a for-profit company.

Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year alleging it had betrayed its founding aims as a non-profit research lab benefiting the public good rather than pursuing profits.

Musk has since escalated the dispute, adding new claims and asking for a court order that would stop OpenAI’s plans to convert itself into a for-profit business more fully.

The world’s richest man, whose companies include Tesla, SpaceX and social media platform X, last year started his own rival AI company, xAI. Musk says it faces unfair competition from OpenAI and its close business partner Microsoft, which has supplied the huge computing resources needed to build AI systems such as ChatGPT.

“OpenAI and Microsoft together exploiting Musk’s

donations so they can build a for-profit monopoly, one now specifically targeting xAI, is just too much,” says Musk’s filing that alleges the companies are violating the terms of Musk’s foundational contributions to the charity.

OpenAI filed a response Friday opposing Musk’s requested order, saying it would “debilitate OpenAI’s business” and mission to the advantage of Musk and his own AI company and

is based on “far-fetched” legal claims. A hearing is set for January before US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland, California. At the heart of the dispute is a 2017 internal power struggle at the fledgling startup that led to Altman becoming OpenAI’s CEO. Musk also sought to be CEO and in an email outlined a plan where he would “unequivocally have initial

Insider Q&A

By BARBARA ORTUTAY

AP Technology Writer

JULIE Scelfo started MAMA — Mothers Against Media Addiction — earlier this year to help parents fight back against the harms of social media on children. A former journalist, Scelfo says she was inspired to take action after reporting on the youth mental health crisis and how screens and social media are affecting young people’s lives.

The group has 28 chapters in 17 states, with waitlists to start other chapters. Scelfo says the group wants to establish chapters in every state, provide parent education about technology, “ensure the school day remains smart-phone-free for students and overcome the “inertia in our state capitals and Congress so technology is safeguarded like other consumer products”.

Scelfo spoke with The Associated Press recently about her work with MAMA, as well as a new Australian law banning children under 16 from using social media. The

Q&A has been edited for length and clarity.

QUESTION: What are the biggest issues you hear from parents about technology, anything new that hasn’t been talked about as much?

I’m not sure it hasn’t been talked about, but what I hear the most from parents is that they are extremely stressed about the ubiquity of technology in their children’s lives and they don’t know what to do about it. Whether it’s the massive social pressure to get kids their own phones, or the fact that kindergartners are handed tablets on their first day of school, it can feel almost impossible for parents to do what they intrinsically know is better for their kids — which is to be outside in the world as much as possible and not parked in front of a screen. But parents cannot possibly bear the entire responsibility of keeping children off screens and keeping them safe online because the problems are baked into society and into the design of the products.

Parents and kids face a polycrisis — multiple crises

control of the company” but said that would be temporary. He grew frustrated after two other OpenAI co-founders said he would hold too much power as a major shareholder and chief executive if the startup succeeded in its goal to achieve better-than-human AI known as artificial general intelligence, or AGI. Musk has long voiced concerns about how advanced forms of AI could threaten humanity.

“The current structure provides you with a path where you end up with unilateral absolute control over the AGI,” said a 2017 email to Musk from co-founders Ilya Sutskever and Greg Brockman. “You stated that you don’t want to control the final AGI, but during this negotiation, you’ve shown to us that absolute control is extremely important to you.”

In the same email, titled “Honest Thoughts,” Sutskever and Brockman also voiced concerns about Altman’s desire to be CEO and whether he was motivated by “political goals.”

Altman eventually succeeded in becoming CEO, and has remained so except for a period last year when he was fired and then reinstated days later after the board that ousted him was replaced.

OpenAI published the messages on Friday in a blog post meant to show its side of the story, particularly Musk’s early support for the idea of making OpenAI a for-profit business so it could raise money for the hardware and computer power that AI needs. It was Musk, through his wealth manager Jared Birchall, who first registered “Open Artificial Intelligence Technologies, Inc.,” a public

benefit corporation, in September 2017. Then came the “Honest Thoughts” email that Musk described as the “final straw”.

“Either go do something on your own or continue with OpenAI as a nonprofit,” Musk wrote back. OpenAI said Musk later proposed merging the startup into Tesla before resigning as the co-chair of OpenAI’s board in early 2018.

Musk didn’t respond to emailed requests for comment sent to his companies Friday.

Asked about his frayed relationship with Musk at a New York Times conference last week, Altman said he felt “tremendously sad” but also characterised Musk’s legal fight as one about business competition.

“He’s a competitor and we’re doing well,” Altman said. He also said at the conference that he is “not that worried” about the Tesla CEO’s influence with President-elect Donald Trump. OpenAI said Friday that Altman plans to make a $1 million personal donation to Trump’s inauguration fund, joining a number of tech companies and executives who are working to improve their relationships with the incoming administration.

AUSTRALIA SOCIAL MEDIA BAN FOR UNDER-16S

happening at the same time which creates an effect even more devastating than each one would be individually. At a time when children should be building their social skills and attention span, they are increasingly interacting with the world through technology that can impede the development of both –and on platforms without adequate safeguards. Social media companies relentlessly target our kids with hidden algorithms that exploit their emotions for profit, and I don’t think there’s a real understanding of just how pervasive that exploitation is.

Q: Is Australia’s ban on social media for kids under 16 the right move by a government? Why/why not?

Australia’s social media ban for children under 16 puts the responsibility of compliance where it should be — on tech platforms, not parents. With more than half of teenagers spending nearly five hours a day on social media platforms and our heart-breaking national youth mental health crisis, it’s unconscionable that governments around the

world, including here in the U.S., have failed to pass meaningful social media regulation since the days when AOL still distributed CD-ROMs by snail mail. Much like the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) would do here in the U.S, Australia’s ban represents a crucial first break in the long-standing logjam on any type of internet regulation and I applaud Australia’s legislators and Prime Minister Albanese for having the courage to stand up to Big Tech.

Big Tech is personalizing content to pull our kids into a world where addiction, anxiety, and even depression are side effects. To keep them on the app longer, children are shown more and more extreme content, leveraging the mountains of data they are collecting on our kids, with no commonsense safeguards or basic protections every parent expects. They are making billions while having the nerve to say it’s the parents’ job to make their products safe for our kids? It’s time for governments to step

in and force Beg Tech to take responsibility for the effects of their products. Big Tech has spent more than $51 million this year alone to prevent KOSA from passing.

Q: What are the reasons that teens should wait until 16 to be on social media?

A: Today’s youth spend nearly 9 hours on screens daily and it’s not healthy or safe for their hearts and minds. For example, Meta in September acknowledged taking action on 12 million pieces of suicide and self-harm content on Facebook and Instagram this year — just between April and June. Our kids’ compulsion to check their phones is exposing them to unsafe content and displacing critical, realworld experiences they need to properly develop socially, emotionally and academically.

Q: Won’t kids just get around the restrictions, as they always do?

A: Every other industry is safeguarded. From toys to food to buildings to cars, we have regulations in

place to keep children safe. Why should social media products be any different? Kids may try to get around the restrictions — just like they do for alcohol, tobacco or drugs — but nobody is saying that because they try, we should give them unfettered access to them. Parents cannot possibly bear the entire responsibility of keeping children safe online, because the problems are baked into the design of the products, and so we need policies that hold Big Tech accountable for ensuring their products are safe.

Q: What is your ultimate goal with MAMA?

A: Just like Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the genesis of this movement is fury and anger at the injustice of young people being robbed of their lives just because they happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

The ultimate goal for MAMA is to put tech products in their place: as powerful, and often helpful tools - but just a part of human life, not the center of it.

Trudeau faces mounting pressure from his own party to step down

TORONTO Associated Press

CANADIAN Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faces growing pressure to resign from his own Liberal Party after his top minister abruptly quit and criticized his handling of the budget.

Trudeau has led the country for nearly a decade, but has become widely unpopular in recent years over a wide range of issues, including the high cost of living and rising inflation.

There is no mechanism for Trudeau’s party to force him out in the short-term. He could resign, or his party could be forced from power by a “no confidence” vote in Parliament that would trigger an election that would very likely favour the opposing Conservative Party. If his party were to survive a vote in Parliament — which seems increasingly unlikely — Trudeau could choose to stay on as prime minister until there is an election.

As rising numbers of Liberal lawmakers called Tuesday for Trudeau to resign, the country’s minister of natural resources, Jonathan Wilkinson, said “we all need to give him a little time to reflect.”

Here’s a deeper look at the possible paths for Trudeau and Canada.

Trudeau could resign and allow other liberals to vie

for his office

If Trudeau resigns, which political analysts consider a likely scenario, the Liberals would need to choose an interim prime minister to lead the country at least until elections are held. It isn’t clear yet who the most likely candidate would be for any interim role. Longer term, a person likely to seek power in the Liberal Party post-Trudeau is Mark Carney, the former head of the Bank of Canada, and later the Bank of England. Carney has long been

interested in entering politics and becoming prime minister.

Another possible candidate is Trudeau’s new finance minister, Dominic LeBlanc. The former public safety minister, and a close friend of Trudeau, LeBlanc recently joined the prime minister at a dinner with US President-elect Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago.

Concerns about Trudeau’s leadership were exacerbated Monday when Chrystia Freeland, the former finance minister, quit his Cabinet.

Freeland was highly critical of Trudeau’s handling of the economy in the face of steep tariffs threatened by Trump. Shortly before Freeland announced her decision, the country’s housing minister also quit.

“My guess is that if another minister or two goes, he’s toast, he will be forced to resign,” said Canadian historian Robert Bothwell.

Opposition parties could vote to topple Trudeau’s grip on power With voters deeply

unhappy, Parliament has the authority to try to knock Trudeau’s Liberal party from power by holding a “no confidence” vote that would trigger an early election. And if a majority of Parliament votes against his government, Trudeau would then be “erased in the election,” Bothwell said.

The walls are rapidly closing in on Trudeau.

Because Liberals don’t hold an outright majority in the Parliament, they have for years depended on the support of the leftist New Democratic Party to pass legislation and stay in power.

But that support has all but vanished — the NDP’s leader has called on Trudeau to resign — and that clears the way for Parliament to vote “no confidence.”

After Tuesday, Parliament will be shut for the holidays until late next month, and a “no confidence” vote could be scheduled sometime thereafter.

The Conservative Party, which has a commanding lead in the polls over the Liberals, has not publicly called for Trudeau’s resignation. And because of tactics the Liberal Party can deploy to delay a “no confidence” vote, Conservatives might not be able to force one for a couple of months, said Nelson Wiseman, professor emeritus at the University of Toronto. A vote of no confidence

would trigger an immediate election.

Trudeau could try to hang on to power

The political winds are blowing heavily against Trudeau, but he could theoretically cling to power a while longer.

While a growing number want him to resign, one longtime supporter, Liberal lawmaker James Maloney, said Trudeau has the support of his base in Parliament.

If Trudeau’s Liberal party survives no confidence votes in the coming months — an unlikely scenario — the latest the next federal election could be held is October 20.

The odds of an election much sooner than that have gone up.

“I expect an election in late spring, unless Trudeau decides to dissolves Parliament and dives into an election before then,” said Wiseman.

With Liberals’ grip on power fading, experts say the best they can hope for in the next election is to hold the Conservatives to a minority government that will be reliant on other parties to pass legislation. The latest polling from Nanos has the Conservatives leading the Liberals 43% to 23%, suggesting Conservatives could win a majority of the seats.

14 DEAD AND HUNDREDS INJURED IN MAGNITUDE 7.3 QUAKE IN

WELLINGTON Associated Press

A MAGNITUDE 7.3 earthquake that struck off Vanuatu killed at least 14 people, injured hundreds more and caused widespread damage across the South Pacific island nation, rescuers and officials said early Wednesday. Rescuers worked through the night trying to reach some people yelling under the rubble. The earthquake occurred just before 1 pm Tuesday at a depth of 57 kilometres (35 miles) and was centred 30 kilometres west of Port Vila, the largest city in Vanuatu, a

group of 80 islands home to about 330,000 people. A tsunami warning was called off less than two hours after the quake, which was followed by large aftershocks.

The Red Cross reported the death toll of 14 people early Wednesday, citing government sources. Widespread damage to telecommunications and other infrastructure impeded the release of official reports. Phone service remained down.

More than 200 people have been injured, said Katie Greenwood, Fijibased head of the Red Cross in the Pacific, in a post on X.

Vanuatu’s main hospital has been damaged and the water supply has been compromised, she added.

Clement Chipokolo, World Vision’s country director for Vanuatu said Vila Central Hospital was already under strain before the quake and was overwhelmed by the deluge of patients when he visited on Tuesday. “They definitely are not coping,” Chipokolo told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. The UN humanitarian office said access to the airport and sea port was “severely limited due to road damage.” Assessments

of damage at the airport were due to be undertaken Wednesday.

SOME PEOPLE ARE TRAPPED

Social media videos showed rescue efforts through the night for people trapped in buildings, including a three-story structure that collapsed onto its lower floors.

Amanda Laithwaite said her husband was among rescuers searching for eight people they could hear yelling inside, but their progress was slow.

Three people were pulled alive from rubble

overnight, her husband, Michael Thompson, wrote on Facebook. In one video he shared, a dust-covered woman lay on a gurney. Army personnel and civilians were seen working with tools and shovels.

EMBASSIES ARE DAMAGED

A building housing a number of diplomatic missions in Port Vila — including those of the United States, Britain, France and New Zealand — was significantly damaged, with a section of the building cleaving off and flattening the first floor. Windows were buckled and walls crumbled.

The US Embassy’s Facebook page said all staff were safe, but the building was closed until further notice.

The office opened in July as part of a push by the US to expand its Pacific presence to counter China’s influence in the region.

New Zealand’s foreign ministry said officials have accounted for all but two of its embassy staff. Australia’s foreign ministry said its workers were safe.

PRI ME MINISTER SPEAKS

In the first official comments to emerge from the country following widespread telecommunications failures, Prime Minister Charlot Salwai told the Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation that a state of emergency was declared and a curfew imposed between 6 pm and 6 am in the worst-hit areas. Only essential services would operate, Salwai said. He urged officials to work to restore water and phone service. Residents were earlier

VANUATU

urged to stay away from coastlines for at least 24 hours, and until tsunami and earthquake monitoring systems were operational again. ALL FLIGHTS GROUNDED

McGarry said a “massive landslide” at the international shipping terminal and damage at the airport was likely to impede recovery in a country dependent on agricultural exports and tourism. Some airlines in Australia and the Pacific said they had cancelled or paused flights scheduled for Wednesday.

A New Zealand military surveillance plane was due to fly above Vanuatu on Wednesday to assess the damage. New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said his country hoped to send aid and equipment later that day when the airport was cleared for use.

“With communications still badly affected as a result of the earthquake, it is going to take some time to work through with Vanuatu what assistance it needs in the days ahead,” Peters said. Australia was sending two air force transport planes carrying a medical team and a search and rescue team to Vanuatu on Wednesday, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said. France’s military is also mobilizing to help, Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu posted on X. Vanuatu’s position on a subduction zone — where the Indo-Australia tectonic plate moves beneath the Pacific Plate — means earthquakes of greater than magnitude 6 are not uncommon, and the country’s buildings are intended to withstand quake damage.

CANADA’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is pictured through glass as he speaks with members of his caucus in Ottawa, Ontario, on Monday.

Photo: Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press/AP

A BUILDING is seen damaged in Port Vila, Vanuatu following a powerful earthquake Tuesday.

Photo: Tim Cutler/AP

ANTOAN RICHARDSON PLEASED TO GET BASEBALL CAMP GOING

Saturday and we will work with them as they come. I’m just happy that I am able to come home and make a contribution to the development of the sport.”

After teaming up with Batters Box for the first camp in the summer, Richardson said he’s glad to come back and share with the local organisation once again.

“You have these other countries with these Major League baseball players and Major League coaches and that’s one of the reasons why they are succeeding,” he said.

“So I just want to do what they are doing and that is to give back what I’ve learned as a Major League baseball player and a coach. So I just want people to come out and give the information so that they can share it with the local baseball players here.”

Lindon Wallace, the owner of the Batter’s Box, which is geared towards players between the ages of 4-8 years, said it was good for them to join up with LDK to host another camp for the youngsters, especially during the Christmas break. “I think the first day was unexpected because a lot of the kids are still in school,” he said. “But this gives us an opportunity

to have more individual workouts with those here.

“We want to raise the standard a little higher than it is in this country and camps like these with a person like Antoan Richardson lending his support can make it so much more enjoyable.

Former softball player

Shawnte Curtis, the director of baseball and softball development at LDK, said this is another opportunity for the players to come out and develop their skills.

“We saw the success of our summer camp and we thought that the kids got a lot out of it, so everytime that they get a break, we want to give them the opportunity to still come out and work out,” she said.

“We don’t want them to just be doing nothing. So it’s always a good opportunity for them to come out and improve their skills. We have a lot of expert instructors out here, people that really take pride in player development, so we want to learn from these professionals.”

One of those players, Chamare Rahming, a 13-year-old student at FDS Academy, said it’s always good when he can compete in camps like these.

“I need to work on my hitting, so I’m glad that I can do that here,” he said. “Plus, it’s good to be

around a former Major Leaguer, who can help you to improve on your game.”

Curtis said it’s always good to be in the presence of Richardson, who possesses a wealth of knowledge that she can

pass on to the players she interacts with.

“As an instructor, I myself have learned so much from Antoan and I know the kids will benefit tremendously from him. He brings minor and major league

will be a part of The Bahamas’ Billie Jean King Cup (BJKC) national team.

Major Jr made his first Giorgio Baldacci finals after defeating William McCartney in yesterday’s semifinals 6-0, 3-0 (retired).

The Howard University student was thrilled to make it to the finals and achieve his second Davis Cup team selection.

“It feels great to make it to the finals. Just the mere fact that I am making the finals means that I am back on the Davis Cup team. It is definitely a special feeling making it two times in a row now,” he said. Despite the windy weather conditions at the NTC, Major said the goal was just to play his game and play smart against his opponent.

“I don’t think the score reflects how tough it was but I think he played really well. I think today I just stayed true to my game and executed basically perfectly. I didn’t do too much but it was kind of windy out here so I just did what I had to do to get off the court as quick as I could and just play the game I know, play

it smart and that’s what got me through,” he said. Nottage clinched his final berth with a hard fought victory over the second seeded Donte Armbrister in the men’s singles semifinals.

He edged out his opponent 7-5, 6-3 to contend for his second national crown.

He spoke about the battle he had with Armbrister yesterday.

“Donte is a well experienced player all around so today I knew it was gonna be a battle so I went out there and just fought,” he said. The 2022 male national champion is expecting a competitive matchup against Major Jr and was pleased to make the Davis Cup cut.

“It is gonna be a great match from start to finish and certainly a battle. To be in the finals is a great opportunity because my team and I prepare for this all year to go and represent the country,” he said.

Over in the women’s category, the 2023 Giorgio Baldacci female champion continued her journey to defending the title with a clean 6-0, 6-0 victory against Jalisa Clarke in the semifinals.

Pratt came into the semifinals recuperating from a flu, but was happy that she was still able to show up and show out.

“It feels great. I came in not feeling so well because I had a flu just two days before so I am not at 100 per cent but just happy to be here, go out there and try my best. The conditions were a bit windy again today so it was kind of tough because you couldn’t really hit through the ball as much as you wanted. It was just mostly staying in each point but she played well,” she said.

Both Clarke and Pratt played against each other for the 2023 Giorgio Baldacci women’s national crown and as teammates at the 2024 BJKC Americas Group III Tournament in August.

Pratt is hoping to take home the title for the second consecutive year.

“It feels great to be able to be in this position again. Hopefully, I can come out on top again this year. My mindset is basically one point at a time, don’t give up and just fight,” she said. Clarke secured a comfortable win (6-0, 6-0) against junior BreAnn Ferguson in the women’s

singles semifinals to book her second straight trip to the finals.

She spoke about her strategy against the younger opponent.

“I was very patient today, very confident and very decisive with my shot selection, so that gave me the upperhand. I think I handled the weather a little bit better than my opponent today. Overall she played well but I think, due to the circumstances, she just didn’t handle it as well,” she said.

The 2021 Giorgio Baldacci women’s national champion is hoping to avenge last year’s finals loss this time around.

“It feels great. I am just grateful to be in the finals. A lot of the girls played really well and so it is just great to have that opportunity again.

“I am very excited to face Simone again because this is a second chance for me to play her and see how I can learn from my mistakes from last time.

“Regardless of the result, I think it is a win for me because I came into this tournament with gratitude and I did my best so I look forward to playing tomorrow,” she said.

baseball experiences as a player and coach and that is invaluable, so it’s always a good time when he comes down.”

The camp, which runs from 9am to noon daily, will wrap up on Saturday.

FROM PAGE 16

BBSF SOFTBALL LEAGUE

THE Bahamas Baptist Sports Federation will hold its 2025 softball league, starting on Saturday, February 1 at the Charles W Saunders High School, Jean Street. The co-ed slow pitch league will allow each team up to a total of 15 players with the registration fee of $200.

The deadline for team registration with rosters and team payment is Saturday, January 25, 2025.

Interested persons can tournament director Thomas Sears at 424-2888 or email 242softball@gmail. com or Brent Stubbs at 4267265 or email stubbobs@ gmail.com.

ROAD RACE

WALK/RUN

BBSF

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.

action will resume at noon today at the NTC. The finals along with the bronze medal matchups will be played.

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.

ANTOAN RICHARDSON, far right, a former Major League Baseball

Stadium.

Champions crowned in climax to season

CHAMPIONSHIP

SATURDAY: The Bahamas Youth Flag Football League season climaxed on a high note for three teams on ‘Championship Saturday’ on the multipurpose fields opposite the original

Thomas A Robinson Stadium. Champions were crowned in the 6-9, 10-13 and 14-17 age groups. Next up on the BYFFL calendar will be the USA Flag Youth World Championships January 18-19.

Giannis, Bucks use 3-point barrage to beat Thunder 97-81 for NBA Cup title

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer

LAS VEGAS (AP)

— Everyone has a lucky number in Las Vegas. For the Milwaukee Bucks, it was 3. And the NBA Cup was their prize.

Tournament MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 26 points to go along with 19 rebounds and 10 assists, Damian Lillard added 23 points and the Bucks connected on 17 3-pointers on the way to beating the Oklahoma City Thunder 97-81 in the NBA Cup title game last night.

Brook Lopez and Gary Trent Jr. each scored 13 for the Bucks, who joined the Los Angeles Lakers as the only champions of the 2-year-old event. A 19-5 Milwaukee run in the second half turned what was a five-point game into a 19-point game early in the fourth, and the Bucks kept control the rest of the way.

“It’s great, it’s great for our team,” Antetokounmpo said. “We’re getting better. ... We know we’re leaving Vegas as a better team.

I’m so proud of this group. Man, I’m so proud of this group.”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 21 and Jalen Williams added 18 for the

Thunder, who had scored at least 99 points in every game this season. But they sputtered in plenty of ways Tuesday, getting outscored 51-15 from beyond the arc and shooting only 34%.

Isaiah Hartenstein had 16 points and 12 rebounds for Oklahoma City, which was held to 31 points after halftime.

It’s a game that only counted for tournament purposes. There was about $300,000 in additional bonus money for Bucks players — they got $514,971 apiece, while the Thunder players got $205,988 each — but the win, the loss and the statistics from the game won’t count toward the regular season.

Mired toward the bottom of the NBA after a 2-8 start, the Bucks have been on a tear since. This was their 13th win in their last 16 games, even though it won’t be part of the official record.

No matter: When the Bucks emptied their bench with 1:37 left, Antetokounmpo pumped his fists like it was a true championship moment. He’s won bigger games — he and the Bucks captured the 2021 NBA title, after all. But they said from the outset of this tournament that the NBA Cup was a priority.

And they left no doubt in the end.

“We struggled coming out of the gates,” Bucks coach Doc Rivers said. “No one here doubted what we can be and who we can be and we just hung in there. We stuck together and this is the byproduct of a team sticking together. But we still have work to do.”

Antetokounmpo was even more succinct: “Job’s not done,” he said.

Takeaways

Bucks: Milwaukee played without guard Khris Middleton (non-COVID illness) and still improved to an NBA-best 12-1 alltime in NBA Cup games, including a perfect 7-0 this season. The Bucks’ only in-season tournament loss was to Indiana in last year’s semifinals.

Thunder: It was a rare night of playing uphill for Oklahoma City, which trailed by as many as 20. The Thunder trailed by more than 14 points in only two of their 25 games so far in the regular season — getting down by 30 against Golden State and by 21 to San Antonio.

Key moment No fewer than five players ended up on the floor, all scrapping for a loose ball with 9:12 left in the third quarter.

Thunder forward Lu Dort was hit with a technical, coach Mark Daigneault got another a few seconds later and Lillard ended up with a five-point possession — two free throws for the techs, followed by a 3-pointer.

Key stat The Thunder are 20-1 this season when leading after three quarters. They’re now 0-5 when tied or trailing going into the final quarter (even though it will officially be 0-4 since this game won’t be counted).

Up next The Thunder visit

on Thursday and

and

Photos by O.L. Wilkinson

MILWAUKEE Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots over Oklahoma City Thunder centre Isaiah Hartenstein (55) during the first half of the championship game in

basketball tournament last night in Las Vegas.

OKLAHOMA City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the first half of the championship game in the NBA Cup basketball tournament last night in Las Vegas.

Alexis and Shevano cart

off majority of awards

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

ALEXIS Roberts and Shevano Nixon carted off the majority of the female and male awards during the Red-Line Athletics’ sixth annual Scholar & Athletic Awards Christmas Party.

This year’s event was well attended on Saturday night at the University of the Bahamas and once again, the management and coaching staff presented a large array of awards to the outstanding athletes.

Club president and head coach Tito Moss said they just wanted to recognise their phenomenal athletes for the hard work they all put in during the 2024 season.

“We have a young man in Shevano Nixon, who won the second highest award and Alexis Roberts, who was the highest award winner,” Moss said. “They are both excellent students, who serve as prime examples for the other athletes in the club.”

Moss, who also took the time out to honour the coaching staff and the parents, who went beyond the call of duty to assist the club, said it was a total team effort that made it another successful year for Red-Line, not just in their performances, but in the track meets and seminars they staged.

With more awards than she could handle in front of her, Roberts - an 11th grader at St Augstine’s College - said she’s grateful for her remarkable season after she got started in the club on a slow start the previous year.

“I came out to redeem myself and so I went out there and really pushed myself hard,” said Roberts, who turns 17 on January 31. “God has really blessed me in achieving all of these awards. So I am very grateful.”

With her father Alexis Roberts, one of the coaches on the Red-Line Athletics’ staff, Roberts said she’s even more motivated to go out there and perform because he set the stage for her as a former CARIFTA medallist.

“But hard work really pays,” she said. “So this season, I am trying to improve on my personal best times and do my best.

AT RED-LINE ATHLETICS’ SIXTH ANNUAL SCHOLAR AND ATHLETIC AWARDS CHRISTMAS PARTY

All I can ask for is my best. Once I do that, I will be satisfied.”

Nixon, the top male performer for the first time in the three years that he’s been a part of the club, said he felt really good because all of his hard work paid off in the many accomplishments that he achieved.

“It’s just amazing to see what I did,” said Nixon, a 15-year-old tenth grader at St Augustine’s College. “I worked hard and the results really showed, especially at the CARIFTA trials because I was sick before the meet and I really didn’t know if I would make it.”

As he looks ahead to next year, Nixon said he hopes to make the trip going to Trinidad & Tobago and not only

win a medal, but hopefully leave with a CARIFTA record. While a number of parents were honoured, Anieka Hanna was selected as the top performer.

“It was awesome, but very surprising. I do it because I see the focus and the preparation that Red-Line does. They are preparing the kids from as young as six-seven years old all the way up to college.

“So I would like to invest in that as much as I can and in whichever way I can.”

As they prepare for the 2025 season, Moss said they are looking forward to building on the success they achieved and are eager to see how well the athletes progress.

“For the past two years, we’ve had double digit

athletes on the CARIFTA team, which is the preimier junior meet and we intend to match and even surpass those numbers,” Moss said.

“So the Odd Distance meet on Saturday was a great start to our season and we are looking forward to greater success during the season.”

awards were presented to the various divisional winners:

Under-7 boys - Dakari LaFleur, winner; Kentyrio Knowles, runner-up.

Under-9 girls - Jazmyne Demeritte, winner; Daejah Farrinton, runner-up.

Under-9 boys - Gabriel Deleveaux, winner.

Under-11 girls - CaiLily Catalyn, winner; Sarai Hanna, runner-up.

Under-11 boys - Sakkaren Wells, winner.

Under-13 girls - Terae McKenzie, winner; Zephanae Hanna, runner-up.

Under-13 boys - JaydenAllen, winner; Caiden Stevens, runner-up.

Under-15 girls - Daveigh Farrington, winner; Brianna Bootle, runner-up.

Under-15 boys - Arjay Roberts, winner; Michael Jordan, runner-up.

Under-17 girls - Alexis Roberts, winner; Darvinique Dean, runner-up.

Under-17 boys - Shevano Nixon, winner; Tyler Frazier, runner-up.

Under-20 girls - Bayli Major, winner; Nya Wright, runner-up. Under-20 boys - Tahj Brown, winner; Morgan Moss, runner-up.

Newcomer of the Year - Alexis Roberts, female; Garret Woodside, male.

Most Improved Athlete of the YearAlexis Roberts, female; Daveigh Farrington ,male. Redline Rising Star of the Year - Cai-Lily Catalyn. Red-Heart AwardKhylee Wallace. Hurdler of the YearMaddison Moss, coaches’ vote. Long-Haul Legend Legend AwardArjay Roberts, coaches vote. Mike Armbrister Leadership Award - Kennedy Hanna. Head coach’s awardShevano Nixon. Athlete of the YearAlexis Roberts.

Versatile triple jumper Bayli Major gets athletic scholarship

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

VERSATILE triple

jumper Bayli Major became the latest member of the Red-Line Athletic Track Club to receive an athletic scholarship to further her education at college.

Major, a 17-year-old twotime CARIFTA athlete, recently signed a letter of intent to compete for the Ladies Rebels’ track team at the University of Mississippi or Ole Miss, starting in August.

“I was really excited to be accepted into Ole Miss,” said Major, a 12th grader at St Augustine’s College. “I am just grateful to God, my coaches and my parents for affording me this opportunity to get there.”

After reviewing a number of applications from so many other schools, Major said she accepted Ole Miss because she felt their coaching staff was similar to what she experienced with RedLine Athletics and the Big Red Machine at SAC.

“I like how the school is set up and the coaches there,” Major said. “I didn’t feel like the other schools offered what I saw at Ole Miss. The team at Ole Miss reminds me so much about home.” When she gets to Ole Miss where she went to pursue a degree in business, Major said her immediate goal is to make an impact on the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and eventually qualify to compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championships. At present Major has posted a lifetime best of 12.34 metres, or 40-feet, 6-inches in the triple jump and has also soared 5.70m (18-81/2) in the long jump and 1.55m (5-1) in the high jump. On the track, she has run 12.15 seconds in the 100m, 24.78 in the 200m, 40.83 in the 300m, 57.36 in the 400m, 14.75 in the 100m hurdles and 1:02.13 in the 400m hurdles. Head coach Tito Moss said over the three years she’s been a part of RedLine Athletics, she has excelled as an all-around athlete who should fit well into the Rebels’ system. “She should do very well at Ole Miss in the sprints and both the long and triple jumps,” Moss said. “She’s very focused and a hard-working individual and a student-athlete with an accumulative GPA of 3.01.”

“Hopefully,

repertoire, especially on the relay team.

“I’m happy with my performances so far. I just have to continue to work on my form and my technique and I know I will become a much better triple jumper.”

To her team-mates at SAC and Red-Line, Major encouraged them all to “stay focused and just believe in yourself.”

She said if they remain patient, their time will come to also embrace the next level at college.

Major is the daughter of Deangelia Deleveaux and Steffard Major and the only track star in the family, similar to what she enjoys in the company of SAC and Red-Line and hopefully Ole Miss in the future.

Major will join 16 other Red-Line Athletics’ team members who are currently off to school.

In total over the six years, Red-Line Athletics has secured scholarships for a total of 34 student-athletes at a total value of $3.7 million.

BAYLI Major receives an award from coach Tito Moss. BAYLI Major receives her award from coach Cerio Rolle.

ALEXIS Roberts and coach Tito Moss proudly displaying the awards Roberts won.

ARJAY Roberts (centre) receives the Long Haul Legend Award from coaches Alexis Roberts and Cerio Rolle.

COACH Tito Moss presenting Jazmyn Demeritte with her award.

COCH Tito Moss and Shevno Nixon display the awards Nixon won.

KENNEDY Hanna receives the Mike Armbrister leadership award from coach Mike Armbrister.

Tryouts in full swing for school golf championships

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter

OVER 20 junior golfers participated in the school golf championships tryouts hosted at the Bahamas Golf Federation’s (BGF) ninehole golf course yesterday.

Golfers ranging from ages 6-14 ran through various golf skills including putting and chipping exercises in hopes of making the cut for the fifth School Golf Championships scheduled for next year.

Payton Haye, a golf instructor at Fourteen Clubs Golf Academy, talked about the importance of the golf tryouts.

“Today we are going through a few skills, putting, chipping and then we are gonna go on the golf course today for course management. We are trying to test their skills to see how their skills have developed and how they could possibly use them during the school golf championships if they succeed,” she said.

The golf tryouts commenced on Monday at the facility and, by day two, the golf instructor was impressed by the talent level she saw across the various age groups from

both the private and public school golfers. “I am honestly very impressed, especially with some of the kids I haven’t seen before. The techniques that they use just to

complete the tasks that they were given through tryouts, it’s been pretty good for amateur golfers and beginner junior golfers,” she said.

The national school golf championships has steadily

FATHER MARCIAN PETERS

grown in its four years of existence. With the championships moving into its fifth year, Haye spoke about the positive growth the sport has experienced at the youth level.

BASKETBALL

“The school golf championships have definitely progressed a whole lot. We definitely have a lot more kids and schools involved. In the beginning, we had a few schools that came out

and participated or a few kids from schools that participated as individuals but now we have bigger groups of schools including private schools, public schools and even home schools that are coming out to participate. They have developed a whole lot of programmes, have a lot more teams so everybody is now included more in golf and the word is getting out about it,” she said.

Jolie Lockhart, 14, was at the golf tryouts for the second straight day and shared where her interest in the sport began.

“I like playing golf with my uncle. I want to learn more about how to do it and my friends are also interested in it so I also wanted to have something to do with them as well,” she said.

The St Augustine’s College student said she needs a bit more practice but is feeling a bit more comfortable in her play.

“I just need to practice more but I am feeling comfortable so far. I am also enjoying it,” she said.

The golf tryouts are scheduled to continue today at the same venue from 10am to 1pm. Today will be the last day for tryouts.

TOURNAMENT WRAPS UP TODAY

Team Bahamas moves on to ICC World Cup Qualifier

FROM PAGE 16

so elated that words cannot describe it. This year I saw a completely different set of players. These players last year folded up because of how the wickets were playing.

“This year I have seen them fight tooth and nail to win games which they did. The bowling was exceptionally well and that is what won a lot of games for us,” he said.

Team Bahamas, captained by Marc Taylor, reeled off four straight wins against Brazil, the host country Argentina, Belize and Panama to kickstart the competition.

The visiting team secured the final qualification spot with a victory by 24 runs against Mexico on Monday. The team won the matchup 95/9-71/10.

Kervon Hinds, who was dealing with a nagging hamstring injury, was in top form for Team Bahamas.

He scored more than half of the runs for the team with 48 in total. Festus Benn got three wickets for 11 runs in four overs.

Prior to the game against Mexico, The Bahamas came up short against Bermuda. The latter won the matchup by 62 runs (179/4-117/9).

The Bahamas’ only two losses of the subregional qualifier came against Bermuda and the Cayman Islands.

The national team will now make preparations for the regional final set for the summer of 2025 where they will join Canada who received a bye due to participation in the previous T20 World Cup. The winner of the last qualification round will meet the United States and West Indies in the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka from February to March in 2026.

Taylor said Team Bahamas will get some reps in prior to the regional qualifier at North American Cricket Championships next April.

“Basically, those four teams that will be vying for the one spot for the World Cup will be playing in the Cayman Islands. We will have another bite at the apple to see how

especially

already

Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr

Kendal Isaacs

Photo: Nikia Charlton

‘Drama in the Bahamas’

The Champion Spirit Fight Night in The Bahamas show on Saturday night was a blast.

In the ballroom of the Baha Mar resort in what was dubbed the return of “Drama in the Bahamas,” promoter Abdoulaye Fadiga honoured the legacy of Muhammad Ali while showcasing The Bahamas as a worldclass destination for sports and entertainment. It was the first world championship fight in The Bahamas in over 43 years since the legendary bout between Muhammad Ali and Trevor Berbick in 1981. There was no shortage of excitement in the ring as undefeated French powerhouse Kevin Lele Sadjo, Chinese star Xu “The Monster” Can and Miami heavyweight Anthony “White Chocolate” Martinez rocked the house with their tantalising performances. The star-studded evening attracted actor Theo Rossi, supermodel Chanel Iman and actress Heidy De La Rosa, along with Baha Mar president Graeme Davis. The Bahamas Boxing Commission, headed by Fred Sturrup, was on hand to help supervise the show.

Appearing in the first title fight of the night, Xu Can went the distance as he out-slugged Jonathan Arenas from Panama for the International Boxing Organisation’s super featherweight World Boxing Association’s Continental title.

The second title fight saw Julio Cesar La Cruz stop Jeison Troncoso 1:49 into the seventh for his TKO win for the WBA gold title in the bantamweight division.

The towering American Anthony Martinez added the IBO American heavyweight title to his collection after he knocked out Brayan Santander of Colombia 1:21 into the second round forcing him to get medical attention.

Kevin ‘the Punisher’ Lele Sadjo claimed a thrilling title victory against Diego Chaves from Argentina.

Jason Marquez went the distance as he pulled off the victory over Luis Perez Sanchez in the opening bout of the show.

SPORTS

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2024

Players advance to finals

By TENAJH SWEETING

Four tennis players remain in contention for the Giorgio Baldacci Open Tennis Nationals male and female national crown after advancing out of the semifinals yesterday at the National Tennis Centre (NTC). The top seeded Michael Major Jr will take on the 2022 national champion Denali Nottage in the men’s singles finals. Both players will be eligible to represent The Bahamas on the Davis Cup team. Over in the women’s division, the reigning women’s national champion Simone Pratt and the second seeded Sydney Clarke will go head-tohead in a rematch of last year’s finals. Both ladies

SEE PAGE 11 By

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.

11

Team Bahamas moves on to ICC World Cup Qualifier

By TENAJH SWEETING

THE Bahamas men’s national cricket team set out a goal to advance to the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Men’s T-20 World Cup Regional Americas Qualifier and they did just that at the subregional qualifiers

hosted in Buenos Aires, Argentina, from December 6-16.

The national team clinched the third qualification spot, wrapping up the first phase of qualification with a 6-2 win/loss record in a nine-team field. Bermuda closed out the subregional qualifier with an unblemished 7-0 win/ loss record, followed by

AFTER an eventful eight-month season with the New York Mets, first baseman coach Antoan Richardson said he’s delighted to be back home. Richardson, a former Major League player from 2011-2014, opened a five-day camp with local organisations Batter’s Box and LDK yesterday at the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium and, although the numbers were not what he anticipated, he’s still pleased to get it going.

“I understand that school won’t be closed until Wednesday so some of the kids who wanted to come could not make it right now,” Richardson said. “But we will be here until

the Cayman Islands with a 6-2 win/loss record.

Greg Taylor, president of the Bahamas Cricket Association (BCA), commended the efforts of Team Bahamas as they bounced back from a dismal fifth place finish at last year’s qualifiers. “It is extremely wonderful. I am

TOP - Shown, from left to right, BreAnn Ferguson, Sydney Clarke, Simone Pratt and Jalisa Clarke competed in the women’s singles semifinals yesterday. ABOVE - Shown, from left to right, Donte Armbrister, Denali Nottage, William McCartney and Michael Major Jr competed in the men’s singles semifinals of the Giorgio Baldacci Open Tennis Nationals at the National Tennis Centre.