RehiRes a ‘slap in face’ to woR keRs
Retirees hire slammed as unions fight issues like overdue salaries
By EARYEL BOWLEG
Tribune Staff
Reporter
ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
BAHAMAS Customs Immigration and Allied Workers Union (BCIAWU) president Deron Brooks has called the Davis administration’s decision to rehire nearly 500 retired public servants a “slap in the face” to workers still fighting for overdue salaries, better conditions, and upward mobility, while teachers’ union president Belinda Wilson has demanded a freeze on the practice. Their comments followed Labour Minister Pia Glover-Rolle’s revelation that 491 retirees had been rehired, 480 of whom are
Sweeting’S Cay reSident S C all for doCk and SChool repairS
By DENISE MAYCOCK
Tribune Freeport Reporter
dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
RESIDENTS of Sweeting’s Cay are demanding the restoration of their government dock, rebuilding their school, and improvements to unreliable telecommunication services on the island.
Fatal shooting in Montel Heights
Basil Tate, a local government councillor, stressed that the state of the dock and school is unacceptable and must be addressed urgently.
“The dock has been out
Community members have signed a petition calling for the reconstruction of the dock, school, and government complex.
Police investigate suspected suicide of man on Fritz Lane yesterday
POLICE are investigating the suspected suicide of a 39-year-old man at a residence on Fritz Lane, off East Street, yesterday morning. Officers responded to
the scene shortly after 10.30am and discovered the man unresponsive with an object around his neck. This was the second apparent suicide this week. Grand Bahama police
reported on Tuesday that the body of Nikolai Sarles, a prominent real estate professional, was found shot dead in a secluded area of East Grand Bahama.
SpaceX environment study ‘insufficient’, say activists
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
ALTHOUGH a SpaceX report released yesterday concluded that booster landings in The Bahamas are expected to have minimal impact on marine life, water quality, and local ecosystems, environmentalists argued that the document is insufficient and cannot
substitute for a full environmental impact assessment (EIA).
The Environmental Baseline Statement (EBS), submitted by BRON, a local consulting firm, on behalf of SpaceX last March, was made public by the Davis administration yesterday following calls for transparency around the
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor
The Ministry of Finance, in a
issue with Tribune
ness’s reporting of its half-year
reasserted
a fatal shooting took place in Montel Heights last night. Few details were available at the time of going to press but police
the victim died at the scene.
Photo: chappell Whyms Jr
PM signed a $200m framework agreement with Afreximbank at CARICOM last week
By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Philip Davis signed a $200 million framework agreement with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) last week on the sidelines of a CARICOM meeting in Barbados. The agreement, while signally nothing concrete, would focus on developing climate-resilient and tradeenhancing infrastructure in The Bahamas, which is expected to include projects in road construction, energy development, and other
economic infrastructure.
The signing was indicated earlier last year at the 31st Afreximbank’s Annual Meeting and 3rd Africa Caribbean Trade and Investment Forum held in New Providence, which aimed at strengthening trade and investment ties between Africa and the Caribbean.
“Our relationship is growing from strength to strength,” Mr Davis said.
“In the event we have a need for further infrastructure work, the facility is available.”
Under the agreement, a Joint Working Group is
expected to be established to represent both parties and will oversee the identification, planning, and implementation of strategic infrastructure projects.
Mr Davis thanked Professor Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors at Afreximbank, “for his continued support, not just to the Caribbean community, but The Bahamas in particular”.
He said the $200 million agreement signed with The Bahamas is a step toward strengthening economic ties between Africa and the Caribbean.
Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis signed a $200 million framework agreement with the president
of the African Export Import Bank on the sidelines of a CARICOM meeting in Barbados. Photos: BiS
SpaceX environment study
‘insufficient’, say activists
environmental impact of SpaceX’s operations in The Bahamas.
The document’s release came after The Bahamas on Tuesday became the first country outside the United States to host a successful landing of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket booster, which touched down on a drone ship in Exuma Sound. It was the first of 20 landings planned for the country.
Environmentalists welcomed the disclosure as a step toward transparency but maintained that a comprehensive EIA is still necessary to assess the risks and ensure robust governance.
In a letter to Tourism Minister Chester Cooper, several environmental groups, including the Bahamas Reef Environmental Educational Foundation (BREEF), Friends of the Environment, and EarthCare, requested the release of the EIA, the environmental management plan, and details on economic impact and compensation.
The letter said that while the community welcomes innovation and economic progress, proactive and ongoing engagement with stakeholders is essential, particularly for projects with potential human and environmental impact.
An EBS differs from an EIA in that it primarily compiles existing environmental data rather than assessing the potential effects of a project in detail. The document outlines baseline conditions but does not include a full analysis of potential risks, mitigation measures, or extensive consultation with
stakeholders.
Key findings from the EBS indicate that booster landings on an offshore drone ship are not expected to disturb the seafloor or marine ecosystems nor affect water quality or local habitats.
The report referenced previous studies showing that the offshore benthic environment in Exuma Sound consists mainly of sandy seabeds, occasional seagrass meadows, and patch reefs in shallow areas.
However, it acknowledged that its research relied on existing studies, citing time constraints preventing additional data collection.
For instance, depth verification soundings were not conducted within two weeks as the necessary equipment was not readily available in The Bahamas.
A marine traffic survey found low vessel activity in the designated landing area, reducing risks to commercial and recreational boats. The report said landing activity is brief and that launches must be delayed if vessels are present.
It also acknowledged potential marine environmental risks from debris, including up to 300 gallons of liquid propellant in the event of an anomaly. However, this was deemed a negligible hazard, as most propellant is expected to combust, disperse into the atmosphere, or dissipate in the ocean within hours.
“SpaceX emergency response procedures include the salvage of any floating debris in the water and sinking large pieces of debris that are unsafe to collect or cannot be retrieved,” the report said.
Coroner questions
Regarding water quality, the assessment found no expected impact from the rocket’s exhaust. The engine burn lasts only a few seconds and does not produce harmful emissions that could lead to acid deposition.
Recovery operations are also not expected to alter pH levels or other water quality parameters.
Similarly, the report concluded that long-term impacts on air quality are unlikely. It noted that the Falcon rocket’s liquid engines, which use RP-1 and liquid oxygen (LOX) as propellants, emit CO₂, CO, water vapour, and carbon particulates. However, due to the brief duration of the landing burn, these emissions are not expected to have lasting effects on regional air quality.
Unlike other launch vehicles that use solid rocket motors, the report said the Falcon does not produce significant nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, or other exhaust byproducts that could contribute to acid deposition.
The report also found that noise disturbances to wildlife and communities would be minimal, provided exposure does not exceed 30 minutes to two hours per day. Bird strikes were deemed unlikely, as the duration and sound of the flight are expected to keep birds away.
“A sonic boom of approximately one pound per square foot, similar to a clap of thunder, may be heard by populated areas but would last for less than a second,” the report noted. “Noise propagation is heavily influenced by atmospheric conditions at
why only one officer on duty when prisoner died
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
THE coroner yesterday questioned how three police officers were on break simultaneously during their shift, leaving only one officer at Central Police Station the night a 60-year-old detainee was in custody — only to be found dead the following morning.
The inquiry unfolded during an inquest before Coroner Kara TurnquestDeveaux, examining the circumstances surrounding the sudden death of Hartman Dawkins on January 22, 2023. Officers reportedly discovered him unresponsive in his cell during routine morning checks.
An officer previously testified that there was a six-hour gap in Dawkins’ detention record between his last wellness check and the discovery of his body, describing such a lapse as “highly unusual.”
Police Constable Enrique Bain, who was ten months out of police college at the time of the incident, testified yesterday that he reported for his midnightto-8am shift on January 21, 2023. At 12am, he checked on Dawkins in his cell and saw him respond when beckoned. PC Bain said Dawkins had no verbal or visible complaints at the time and that he was alone during this check.
He said at 1.26am, he and Police Constable Roc’Juorn Gardiner returned to the cellblock, where he said he observed Dawkins sweating heavily and attempting to drink tap water. He claimed he stopped him from doing so. Dawkins reportedly told him that he needed to relieve himself and that “his pressure might be up.”
He said he asked Dawkins if he had anyone who could bring him medication, to which Dawkins responded, “No.” PC Bain said he reported Dawkins’
condition to Corporal Duncombe, the officer in charge that night, who allegedly told him that Dawkins had a medical condition.
However, when questioned further, PC Bain admitted that he never checked the detainee’s personal belongings for medication. He was then shown a detention record listing Dawkins’ belongings, which included his medication. He conceded that had he reviewed the record, he would have seen that Dawkins had medication in the station.
He also testified that he was unaware if Central Police Station had a first aid kit and confirmed that he had received no first aid or CPR training.
He admitted that at 1.41am, just 15 minutes after checking on Dawkins, he left the station for a two-hour break. He initially planned to get food but was instead called to Climax Lounge downtown, where a large group of bikers was reportedly causing a disturbance on the sidewalk. He said there was no physical altercation but said the bikers were blocking traffic. He claimed that PC Gardiner accompanied him to Climax Lounge, but his testimony conflicted with PC Gardiner’s previous statement that he was asleep during his break at that time. PC Bain further admitted that he did not document his involvement at Climax Lounge in his police notebook.
Coroner TurnquestDeveaux challenged how constables Bain, Gardiner, and Kenneth Johnson all went on break at the same time, leaving only one officer in charge of Central Station, which, she noted, has one of the largest detention blocks in New Providence.
She pointed out previous testimony indicating that at least ten detainees were in custody that night. Adding to the complications, PC Johnson testified that he was on a two-hour
the time of landing, thus the sound heard at one location may differ between missions.”
Most of the rocket’s fuel will be expended before entering Bahamian airspace, indicating that an in-air explosion would pose
break from 3am to 5am and that he went to get food with PC Gardiner. He also claimed that from 1am to 3am, he, PC Bain, and PC Gardiner were on foot patrol, which contradicts both PC Bain’s and PC Gardiner’s testimonies.
PC Johnson also admitted that during one of his cellblock checks before 1am, Dawkins told him he had been vomiting. He claimed he reported this to Corporal Hepburn, who was in charge before CPL Duncombe arrived later that night.
On the morning of January 22, PC Johnson said he found Dawkins unresponsive in his cell after 7am. He knocked on the cell door, called Dawkins’ name, and checked for vital signs.
When questioned, he said he could not recall if there was a first aid kit at the station but believed he had received CPR training at police college in 2022.
When shown a duty roster, which indicated which officers were assigned to the cellblock, he claimed none of the officers were verbally instructed where they were to be stationed.
His testimony also placed him at Climax Lounge, where he said he assisted PC Bain with the large crowd. He said an assistant superintendent was also present but failed to note their identity.
He confirmed to the coroner that he briefly returned to the station between 1am and 3am before going on break from 3am to 5am.
However, PC Bain and PC Gardiner previously testified that they were on foot patrol with him — a timeline that directly conflicts with their statements.
PC Gardiner had previously testified that at 2am, he heard Dawkins repeatedly shouting, “Oh Lord, oh Lord,” while sitting upright in his cell.
Meanwhile, PC Johnson told the jury he was unaware that Dawkins had medication in his belongings.
little risk of a fuel spill. The retrieval process is also expected to have a minimal environmental impact due to its small scale and the isolated nature of the area.
In worst-case scenarios, SpaceX said its emergency
response plan includes salvaging floating debris and sinking large pieces that are unsafe to collect. A SpaceX vessel would be stationed on-site to respond to any anomalies, with the company assuming all recovery-related costs.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket heading into space after launch on Tuesday. Photo: Dante carrer/Tribune Staff
White: Bill fails to give enough protection for whistleblowers
By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
ST Anne’s MP Adrian White said the Protected Disclosures Bill fails to provide sufficient protection for whistleblowers who report misconduct by high-ranking officials, members of the armed forces, and other powerful figures, insisting many will still be intimidated to report wrongdoing.
He questioned how people filing complaints against powerful officials, including armed forces members and senior government figures, could feel safe without clear safeguards and expressed doubt that the bill would encourage complaints, noting that many constituents would be too intimidated to come forward.
The Protected Disclosures Bill prohibits retaliation against people who make a protected disclosure, specifically forbidding employers from subjecting employees to occupational detriment, such as unfair treatment or dismissal, as a result of
their whistleblowing. It also criminalises any act of intimidation or coercion against someone who has made a disclosure, including attempts to discourage or silence them. The bill mandates strict confidentiality, ensuring that the identity of whistleblowers remains protected during investigations.
While these provisions create a legal framework to prevent retaliation, Mr White argued that they cannot guarantee that whistleblowers will always be free from harm or fear, as enforcement and the application of these laws will ultimately determine their real-world effectiveness.
“You’re asking individuals to come forward with complaints against members of the security armed forces, individuals licenced to carry weapons as well as specified officials,” he said. “So, the Act is trying to convince me that it’s safe for me to make a complaint against the Member of Parliament because I’m protected. That’s lovely. I mean. I get as much comfort in the weapons formed
against me by picking up the Bible, praising God and putting all in his hands. “
Under the bill, a designated authority will be responsible for investigating complaints and ensuring compliance with the law. The authority can make recommendations, involve law enforcement, and conduct hearings related to disclosures.
Additionally, the bill imposes severe penalties for those who obstruct the reporting process, intimidate whistleblowers, or retaliate against them. Offenders could face fines of up to $10,000 or imprisonment of up to two years.
Employers are also prohibited from taking adverse actions, such as dismissal or demotion, against employees who make protected disclosures.
Meanwhile, the Organisation for Responsible Governance (ORG) acknowledged yesterday that the Davis administration views the Independent Commission of Investigations Bill and the Protected Disclosures Bill –– both of which passed the House of Assembly yesterday –– as fulfilling the role of the previously proposed Integrity Commission Bill.
However, ORG highlighted the absence of key elements such as public education on integrity, systemic corruption risk assessments, monitoring anti-corruption policies, structured financial disclosures for officials, and an established code of ethics. Without these safeguards, ORG warned that corruption risks would persist, undermining public trust and governance.
The organisation called for continued public consultation and bipartisan collaboration to strengthen the legislation, ensuring it not only investigates misconduct but actively prevents corruption.
Eleuthera adjudications for National Arts Festival take a ‘dramatic’ turn
St Anne’S MP AdriAn White
OrG directOr MAtt Aubry
AMOnG the highlights in the varied performances by Central Eleuthera High School, students took part in the E Clement Bethel National Arts Festival, on Febuary 13, 2025, were dramatic pieces from Dr Ian Strachan’s “Gun Boys Rhapsody” and Telcine Turner-Rolle’s “Woman Take 2”. The students also sang, danced and performed as a Rake-’n’-Scrape band, at the event held at the St Patrick’s Parish Hall, in Governor’s Harbour.
Photos: eric rose/BIS
Rehires a ‘slap in face’ to workers
receiving both a pension and a salary.
Mr Brooks said his union had not been provided with the terms and conditions of any contractually appointed person. He said when he inquired, he was told that their contracts are not issued through the Ministry of Public Service but instead fall outside the traditional public service framework.
“If you look at how things are being run and the complaints this union has made regarding outstanding payments to customs and immigration officers, it feels like a slap in the face,” he said. “We have worked with our employers to get outstanding funds paid, only to see an exorbitant amount of money allocated for contractually appointed persons.”
He pointed to longstanding issues customs officers have faced since Hurricane Dorian, particularly in Marsh Harbour and Treasure Cay.
He said customs and immigration officers in Treasure Cay have been working out of a trailer since the airport was destroyed and there are no bathroom facilities or electricity at one of the offices in Marsh Harbour.
He said in November, private homeowners brought in a mould kit after several officers fell ill with respiratory issues. The results confirmed the presence of mould in the building.
He added that customs officers in Cat Island have been working in a trailer since 1994, while the immigration department in South Bimini does not have a vehicle, forcing officers to transport individuals using
public buses.
Mr Brooks also expressed frustration that, despite a 2021 Supreme Court ruling that he believes prohibits immigration officers from being contract workers, the Davis administration has continued the practice by reappointing William Pratt as director of immigration. The Office of the Attorney General does not agree with his interpretation of the 2021 ruling. Mr Pratt, a former department head, was brought back after the early, controversial retirement of Keturah Ferguson, 62. The government has described his appointment as temporary, with plans to replace him. However,
Mr Brooks said there has been no movement on the union’s trade dispute challenging the appointment.
Mrs Glover-Rolle has said that after assuming office in 2021, she identified a lack of succession planning in the public service due to inadequate training and promotions, leading to what she described as a “hollow middle” in human resources. She said the government has made succession planning a priority and is working to ensure institutional knowledge is passed down.
But Mr Brooks said yesterday: “When I asked the Customs Department why they don’t simply promote existing staff, they said they’d rather hire retired persons. The comptroller of customs told me, ‘I prefer to spend $1 on one end and reap $1,000 on the next.’”
He said when he pressed officials on whether only retirees were capable of helping with revenue collection, he received no satisfactory response.
Former Public Service
Minister Brensil Rolle estimated yesterday that most rehired retirees earn between $40,000 and $90,000 annually, with pensions around $20,000. He said permanent secretaries with at least ten years of service earn a minimum of $90,000 annually, with pensions equivalent to their salaries.
Under the Minnis administration, retirees were not allowed to receive both a salary and a pension simultaneously. However, Mrs Glover-Rolle said that Cabinet reversed this policy in October 2021.
Mr Rolle criticised the policy change, saying it increases government spending and blocks promotions for younger public servants.
“This policy is costly,” he said. “An average permanent secretary has at least a year of vacation leave, so that’s a year of salary. They get a gratuity, they get a pension equal to their salary, and they get a salary. You can imagine how expensive it is to bring back someone who has already received these benefits.”
He also argued that Mrs Glover-Rolle’s justification for the policy gives the impression that she does not understand the structure of the public service.
“She knows that there have always been systems in place for promotion and career progression,” he said. “Maybe the structure wasn’t always clear, but the public service has always had guidelines on what qualifications you need, how long you must serve, and when you can be promoted.”
Meanwhile, Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) President Belinda Wilson called for a six-month
freeze on the rehiring of senior public servants.
“We need to review public officers and their qualifications to identify suitable candidates,” she said. “Promote deserving public servants to senior positions — many have been waiting for years and are more than qualified.”
She also suggested reallocating funds from rehired senior public servants to settle outstanding payments owed to teachers and other public servants.
She criticised the government for approving what she described as “bloated” contracts, citing one example where a senior public servant was purportedly rehired with a $104,750 annual salary, a $20,000 responsibility allowance, a $12,000 housing allowance, and a 15 percent gratuity. She did not produce evidence supporting this claim.
“These individuals already received gratuities and pensions, yet they continue to
benefit from lucrative contracts while hundreds of teachers are still waiting for salary increases, increments, responsibility allowances, and rental allowances,” she said. “Surely, this cannot be fair. In fact, it is egregious.”
Last night, Office of the Prime Minister Director of Communications Latrae Rahming said the government will publish a list of re-engaged retired pensioners in a way that protects their privacy.
Sweeting’s Cay residents call for dock and school repairs
of service since Hurricane Dorian. We don’t have a dock,” he said, noting that temporary repairs had failed. “They started to rebuild it, but it broke down again because it wasn’t properly fixed. We need that repaired—this is a matter of urgency, especially with tourists visiting right now. CORE funded a fix last year, but the government really needs to step up and get this done.”
Tate also highlighted the school’s challenges, pointing out that children aged five to seven are being bused to Freeport for education.
Kimberley Tate, a Sweeting’s Cay native, recognised the community’s ongoing struggles. She emphasised the dock as a major issue and noted that some residents want the school and government complex reopened.
“I’m not sure if the
school would reopen because most of us with children live in Freeport for work. Some people want the school fixed, but they also need to fix the government complex—that would be a step in the right direction. The first thing you see when you get to Sweeting’s Cay is a yellow building covered by a big blue tarp. It’s not appealing, and it needs a lot of work.”
She also pointed out the challenges in accessing education, explaining that the school only goes up to grade nine, with students needing to go to Freeport for grades 10 to 12. She added that job opportunities on the island are scarce.
“There are no jobs here. You have to take a boat to work, which is why we live in Freeport.”
Basil Tate confirmed that there are 78 residents on the island and reiterated the issue of poor telecommunication. “The
telecommunication service is unacceptable. We don’t have reliable service here—it’s terrible. Sometimes you can’t even make a call. After the storm, they put up a tower, but it hasn’t been connected, and it has no power.”
“We have no communication and no dock—it’s as though we’re paying for services we can’t use.
What’s the point of putting credit on your phone if you can’t make a call? You talk to someone, and within 30 seconds, the call cuts off. Batelco is here, but when the service goes down, it’s out for four or five days. It’s frustrating.”
Kwasi Thompson, Member of Parliament for East Grand Bahama, has called on the government to address the issues affecting Sweeting’s Cay. He recently presented a petition in Parliament on behalf of the residents.
“There are ongoing problems with the government
dock in Sweeting’s Cay, which urgently needs repairs,” Thompson said.
“The school and the government building must also be rebuilt to provide safe, adequate facilities for residents, particularly our children.”
Thompson added that local fishermen have voiced their frustration with the deteriorating condition of the dock, a vital resource for their livelihoods. “The state of the dock is negatively impacting the daily operations of our fishermen. Immediate repairs are needed to support the local economy and ensure safety.”
He also criticised the government’s neglect of the school on the island, underscoring the importance of education. “Education is the foundation of our future, and we cannot allow our children to be deprived of proper learning environments due to inaction,” he said.
Bahamas union of Teachers presidenT Belinda Wilson
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Environmental Baseline Statement not enough to quell impact concerns
THE release of an “Environmental Baseline Statement” over the SpaceX landings is patently not enough to deal with the concerns over what the actual impact of such a landing might have on the environment.
In this column earlier this week, we stressed the point that if everything is as fine as the government says it is about the landing, then we should absolutely have all the documentation relevant to having made the decision to approve it.
The baseline statement is frankly a look through the data that already exists about the environment rather than looking at what a specific project – in this case the rocket landing – might mean in detail.
Activists have quite rightly called out that this is not enough – and what we really need is the full Environment Impact Assessment (EIA).
The government has said the EIA will be released – but as we are now after the fact with regard to this particular landing, it is honestly too late. We should have seen this long before the landing itself.
The fact this is a rocket landing also should mean that the impact that should be considered is not just where everything goes right – as it appears to have done for the debut landing this week – but when things go wrong.
Last month, debris from a SpaceX Starship scattered across the Turks and Caicos Islands as it exploded in the sky above – parts of The Bahamas could also see the streaks through the sky as it exploded.
On Wednesday this week, another SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket re-entered the atmosphere above Poland and
crashed to the earth. Debris was found in Poland and may also have landed in Ukraine.
A Swedish worker compared the debris in the sky to a “sci-fi movie where it looked like a troop formation about to attack”.
A Polish warehouse owner found a piece of debris measuring around 1.5m by one metre behind his building. A similar piece of debris was found in a forest, according to Polish police.
The study that has been released was also curtailed because of time –with depth soundings not conducted because the equipment was not available, for example. So while the new data that has been released is a step forward, it is not enough. Will the EIA be enough? We will not know until we see it.
However, this should all have been readily available and publicly released before the event itself.
There are plenty more of these landings coming – so we hope the government will get ahead of the curve and make sure all the environmental concerns are answered ahead of time. Given that the government keeps touting the benefits of going digital, it is astonishing that this information is not available at the touch of a button. Quite why there should be a delay until after the event is unfathomable.
The rest of the information should be released without delay – and then a proper engagement must be had with those who have concerns so we can make sure that while we look to the skies, our feet are not dragging in the mud.
Stop using so many superlatives
EDITOR, The Tribune.
SPACE X landing… oh boy superlatives flowing flooding the media… How many hotel rooms on Norman’s Cay? Probably more could sleep on yachts moored in the marina. Come of it - if you use such a quote be specific…the 50 two-bedrooms at Norman’s Cay are booked out. A thought where are the
Space X people staying surely not Norman’s Cay. Great pity Transparency Freedom of Information was not in place we could require the HOA to be made public. for Governments not having Freedom of Information is an asset. Journalists in general especially on TV...please use superlatives conservatively... there are some News readers when it
comes to a political news items they run with superlatives as if the story was the biggest ever.
Comment at a recent High School celebration... not mentioning the schoolthe speaker said “This is the best school in the world”… come off it, we wish but.
J G MOSS Nassau, February 18, 2025.
Billboards hiding beauty of Montagu
EDITOR, The Tribune.
ONCE upon a time, when you drove by Montague Beach it was a pleasant sight. Nowadays, it is filled with large ugly billboards. I don’t know who the genius is who came up with the brilliant idea or who authorised it but please take down the billboards it is hiding the beauty of Montague Beach. PAT STRACHAN Nassau, February 17, 2025.
Freeport still in a bad state
EDITOR, The Tribune. I FEEL the need to speak out on the subject of all the talk of the comeback of Freeport. I’m not a pessimist, but a realist. We who have had the opportunity to witness and enjoy the magic of Freeport in the late 60s to 2004 before Francis and Jean, will never see the likes of those days in our lifetime, so please stop talking shit about Freeport is on the move, the move to where? The vast raw vendors in Port Lucaya are suffering, people are still living in cars, lately, the bus stops are being transformed into resting places for the homeless, begging downtown and In the Lucaya shopping mall have increased, is that the comeback we need? You just need to take a ride around Freeport that was and your heart will be filled with sadness, the place has become a total ghetto.
I remember trying to get an apartment in Coral Gardens in the 70s, and was told that none was available after being told from an inside source that there was availability. I then got one of the white Denmark guy after telling him what I we experiencing to go and apply for a one bedroom apartment, he was accommodated with no problems, I went back the next day and approached the same lady who told me there was no availability, after telling her the story of accommodating the white guy but refusing me was rank of prejudice, she immediately changed her tune, I knew I had her on the ropes and demanded a two bedroom at the price of a one bedroom apartment which she complied, no demands for first last and security. I was the only black at the time in that part of a segregated Freeport, now look at what Coral Gardens have become today?
I refused to go into the hospitality field where my training is, after observing the rejects out of Nassau at the time not qualified but holding top positions in the hotel’s, I was hired as a timekeeper for “Hersent Ballist” the company who came in from Denmark to build the tanks at Burmah Oil,
for 3 1/2 years, realising that it was coming to an end. I then resurfaced my resume to the hotels on the Island, within three days I got a call for an interview from Mrs Elmena Saunders Bethel, that The Food and Beverage Director. Mr Herb Bentell wanted to meet with me, we met and had a fruitful frank discussion on his present makeup of Restaurant Managers all who in my opinion was unqualified and I told him that, he was a bit taken aback after pondering for a minute or two, then he asked me if I knew them, I told him yes, they were all rejects who came to Freeport. The few Grand Bahamians who were holding on with no formal training or exposure, unfortunately that’s who they were stuck with at the majority of the hotels in Grand Bahama.
Mr Bentell was very impressed by my straight forwardness on my observation, he then created a new position at the Holiday Inn and made me Food and Beverage service manager, where I brought about some semblance of domestic organisation in the Food and Beverage Department, it wasn’t easy, but my determination to carry out my training from some of the top hoteliers in Nassau and Paradise island kicked in, those who refused to follow my lead in “Sec” Standards. Enforcement. Consistency. We parted ways. Luis Reynoso, who fired me from Loews Paradise Island for engaging in with the others who encouraged The late Kendal Sands myself to join them in their nefarious partnership, so we went back to the Nassau Beach where I stayed until June of 1973 locating to Freeport on the 12th of July 1973, When Louie came down as the General Manager of the International Hotel, later the Princess Towers, he sent for me, giving me an offer I couldn’t refuse. You’re talking about service problems? the worst of its kind, “to this day I believe that the automatic
15% played a big role in the erosion of service” where anything goes coupled with the untrained supervisors after my observation after twothree weeks I knew that I had a Herculean task in bringing my best to a situation after Louie gave me nine names of waitresses who the most complaints were coming from. I was very disappointed in a few of the seasoned personal from Nassau who allowed such chaos to take place. I met with Mr Reynoso and told him what I was up against, he then told me that I answered only to him and I must do what I needed to do. I then brought 11 of my key people from the Holiday Inn, giving them offers they couldn’t refuse. I’m proud to this day that I was able to turn things around for the better at that particular Restaurant. And eventually the entire Princess property.
Spending 26 years at the Princess was some of the best years of my 64 years in the Hospitality world rising to the top becoming the Executive Assistant Food and Beverage Director for the three properties, being responsible for nine restaurants five of which were high end 13 bars.
My thanks for my progress and development goes out to Tim Russell and Mr Bill Lacaff who saw the potential I possessed. And my loyal team that supported me, a few have fallen on the wayside, but, my daily prayers are always with them that they will see the errors of their ways!!! Presently Freeport with all its infrastructure in place is lying dormant while all the other islands are bursting with tourism, until the Government get serious and move on the Port Authority and whoever is in charge to do what is required of them, like, building a proper Airport, get a serious investor s interested in purchasing Our Lucaya. Tearing down the bazaar and the Princess properties and clean up Freeport from the debris and old cars all over, we will remain in the state we’re in!
KELLY D BURROWS Freeport, Grand Bahama February 19, 2025.
A Wilson’s plover on a beach in Abaco.
Photo: Timothy Roberts
60 receive $10K grant in first phase of Home Sweet Home programme
By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net
THE government has awarded $600,000 in grants under the Home Sweet Home Programme, which aims to help Bahamian property owners enter the vacation rental market through a combination of loan and grant funding.
Dwight Gibson, director of operations at the Tourism Development Corporation (TDC), said that 60 recipients each received a $10,000 grant in the programme’s first phase. The corporation received 209 applications.
The programme was launched in George Town, Exuma, at a town hall meeting in September 2024, with an initial funding of $2.2m, including $1m from the Tourism Development Fund and $1.2m from the Bahamas Development Bank. Applications opened on October 7 for six weeks
and closed on November 18, 2024.
To qualify, applicants must be Bahamian, own a property in The Bahamas to be used as a vacation rental, and use the funds for property improvements. Recipients must also submit invoices as proof of expenses.
Mr Gibson said most recipients in the first phase were from the Family Islands, where accommodation shortages have been a long-standing challenge compared to New Providence.
Grant recipients received their payments in December. Mr Gibson said applicants were informed in a letter whether they were approved. Those who were denied can reapply in the second phase if they address the concerns outlined in their rejection letters.
He described the initiative as an important opportunity for Bahamians
Man to pay $3k fine
for kissing woM an without her consent
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN was ordered to pay a 19-year-old woman $3,000 in compensation after admitting to kissing her without her consent at Oh Andros on Arawak Cay earlier this week.
Assistant Chief Magistrate Carolyn Vogt Evans arraigned Moralus Joseph, 50, on a charge of indecent assault.
Prosecutors said Joseph kissed the teenage girl on the lips without her consent at Oh Andros on
February 18. He pleaded guilty and apologised for his actions.
After reprimanding him, Magistrate Evans granted a conditional discharge, ordering him to compensate the complainant $3,000 and to keep the peace for one year. Failure to meet these conditions will result in a six-month prison sentence. Joseph is expected to return to court today to make the payment.
Terrell Butler and Moses Bain represented the accused.
to benefit from the tourism industry.
“Clearly, we realise that room availability across the many islands and even here in Nassau, to some extent, can be challenging at times,” he added.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation Chester Cooper has said the programme will help address the country’s hotel room shortage.
The programme’s second phase began in February, but it is unclear how many applications have been made so far.
The programme targets two categories of property owners: applicants with single or multifamily homes requiring less than $10,000 in funding to enter the vacation home market and applicants with single or multifamily dwellings requiring beyond $10,000 in funding to enter the vacation home market.
Man to coMpensate officer injured when he resisted arrest
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN was ordered to compensate a police superintendent he injured while resisting arrest earlier this month.
Senior Magistrate Shaka Serville arraigned Samuel Morgan, 44, on charges of causing harm, causing damage, and resisting arrest. Prosecutors said Morgan injured Superintendent B Dixon while resisting arrest on February 1. During the incident, he damaged the officer’s Samsung watch.
30- Month sentence for having loaded gun
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN was sentenced to 30 months in prison after admitting to having a loaded gun while riding his motorcycle on Montrose Avenue last week.
Morgan pleaded guilty to all charges and expressed remorse for his actions.
Magistrate Serville granted him a conditional discharge, ordering him to pay $780 in compensation. He was also required to maintain good behaviour for three months or face a $1,500 fine. Failure to comply with these conditions would result in a one-month prison term.
Levan Johnson represented the accused, while Inspector Cordero Farrington served as the prosecutor.
Magistrate Lennox Coleby arraigned Wellington Forbes, 53, on charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition.
He pleaded guilty to both charges.
Police reportedly stopped Forbes on his motorcycle around 1.30am on February 18 and found a 9mm pistol and a quantity of ammunition.
Magistrate Coleby sentenced him to two and a half years at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.
Before being taken into remand, Forbes was informed of his right to appeal the sentence within seven days.
AML foods wins award at North American food wholesalers show
AML Foods Limited was awarded the 2024 Circle of Excellence Local Independent Performance Award at the UNFI Spring and Summer Show recently held in Orlando, Florida.
UNFI is one of the largest publicly traded wholesale distributors of healthier food options across North America. The UNFI Circle of Excellence Awards is an annual program that acknowledges the accomplishments of the company’s connected community of customers and suppliers. Occurring during their selling shows, UNFI honours and celebrates those who have raised the bar in areas including merchandising, marketing, customer experience and community impact. AML Foods, a partner of UNFI on a number
of programmes, won the award, recognising their commitment to improving the quality of their customer experiences through store remodels, the introduction of new products and variety across all departments, the impressive growth of their loyalty programme and their unwavering support of the communities that they serve. To
director of operations at the tourism development corporation dwight gibson
Bush medicine
A culture-rich treasure trove of healing power
For centuries, people of the Caribbean have looked to plants for healing, harnessing the power of “bush medicine,” an age-old practice that infuses African, and Indigenous herbal traditions. Medicinal plants are revered and deeply rooted in our cultural heritage in The Bahamas and the broader Caribbean. These plants offer remedies for ailments ranging from the common cold, to digestive and skin issues, such as eczema, and are even used to treat symptoms of some chronic diseases. our bush medicine practice encapsulates the resilience, wisdom, and adaptability of Caribbean people who, despite historical adversities, have survived and preserved their knowledge of plantbased healing.
Globalisation, modernisation, changing social and family structures and the prevalence of heavilymarketed, manufactured pharmaceuticals can all impact the continuity of traditional herbal medicine practices. This underscores the importance of preserving and protecting this vital aspect of our culture and history.
During my childhood, the remedies derived from the bush, sparked my curiosity and sense of wonder. Their healing powers seemed magical and indispensable. I fondly recall my grandmother, during the height of the neighborhood summer
By Yolanda Pawar
chickenpox outbreak, boiling chamomile and other skin-soothing herbs, filling the large, silver outdoor washing tub with the concoction, and dipping us one-by-one in its healing waters before applying calamine lotion. When stung by a wasp, she would quickly and confidently instruct me to pick and crush together certain leaves and rub them on the site to combat the sting. Her freshly brewed dill or peppermint tea would calm an upset stomach, while a small amount of swallowed Papaya seeds were promised to help keep parasites away. It was also mandatory that cerasee
or “bitters” be consumed weekly in small quantities year-round, not just during flu season. My grandmother was a registered Nurse, but recognised that many common ailments could first be treated with a visit to the backyard apothecary, rather than the family doctor. She held, honed and passed along the healing remedies and traditions her mother and grandmother imparted. Caribbean families, especially grandmothers and elder herbalists, have played a crucial role in teaching younger generations the value of local plants and how to prepare them for medicinal use. Knowledge is often shared through oral storytelling, practical demonstrations, and in community healing practices. This form of intergenerational learning helps communities remain self-sufficient, strong, resilient and connected to their ancestral wisdom. The roots and reach of bush medicine
Many popular healing plants utilised in our bush medicine recipes arrived via the transatlantic slave trade, European colonisation, and indigenous cultivation. Enslaved Africans, forcibly brought to the region, carried with them the knowledge of medicinal herbs, and concealed the precious, sacred seeds of these plants in their hair and on their bodies. European colonists and missionaries also introduced plants with medicinal value, while descendants of indigenous communities perfected and passed down their botanical wisdom, contributing to our rich and diverse botanical healing knowledge base. over time, these healing
plants adapted to local climates and spread across the region through trade, migration, and community knowledge-sharing. Today, some of our most renowned and widely used medicinal plants can be found outside your door, or growing throughout most neighbourhoods in The Bahamas. They include, but are not limited to, Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis miller), which is used for skin ailments and digestive issues; Guinea Hen Weed (Petiveria alliacea), known for its immune-boosting and pain-relieving properties; Soursop (Annona muricata), which is believed to have cancer-fighting compounds; Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa), which among other things, is used to make a tea to help lower blood pressure; Life Leaf (Bryophyllum pinnatum) commonly used to treat respiratory infections and kidney problems, and Five Finger (Tabebuia bahamensis), which is recognised for pain-relief and its anesthetic and aphrodisiac qualities. Cerasee (Momordica charantia), also known as Bitter Melon, is used for its blood-cleansing properties and to treat diabetes,
high blood pressure, head colds, and the flu. Strong Back (Morinda citrifolia) is a staple in Bahamian bush medicine. This plant is touted as a natural remedy for boosting stamina, alleviating back pain, and promoting male vitality. The Gumbo Limbo (Bursera simaruba), sometimes called the ‘Tourist Tree’ because of its peeling red bark, provides an antiinflammatory treatment for skin conditions, joint pain, and respiratory ailments. It is also an effective antidote for Poison Ivy and Poison Wood. Fever Grass (Cymbopogon citratus) also known as lemongrass, is a popular remedy for fevers, colds, and digestive issues. It also makes a refreshing, flavorful and calming tea. The Neem plant (Azadirachta indica) – which hails from India but is now commonly found in the Caribbean, is highly valued for its antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. It is regularly used in teas, topical skin treatments, and oral care.
These traditional healing plants are also widely used in the pharmaceutical and beauty industries and can be farmed for export. Aloe vera, for instance, is a key ingredient in skincare and burn treatments, while neem is a beneficial ingredient in antibacterial soaps, shampoos, and toothpaste. Because the Hibiscus plant contains antioxidants, nutrients, and compounds that contribute to healthy hair and skin, it is used in numerous health and beauty products. Soursop leaves, used in various bush teas, are also being studied for potential anti-cancer benefits and have made their way into health supplements. The same applies to the Moringa Tree, which is used in cosmetics, health supplements, food, and even biodiesel production. Lemongrass is another popular ingredient in aromatherapy products and a natural insect repellent used in commercial bug sprays, balms and lotions. Why it matters: Here are three good reasons to prioritise preserving and protecting our bush medicine practices
1. People still rely on natural remedies to a certain degree, especially in rural areas where pharmaceutical medicine may not be readily available or affordable. We must maintain our healing heritage by safeguarding and transmitting this knowledge and fostering sustainable and alternative healing solutions for current and future generations.
2. There is an increasing demand and global interest in holistic and alternative medicine, which has supported the emergence and growth of Wellness Tourism. Wellness Tourism presents an economic opportunity for the Caribbean to promote its rich legacy of bush medicine as a unique point of cultural engagement and experiential learning for tourists seeking healthenhancing experiences. Countries like Jamaica and St Lucia have embraced this by offering wellness
retreats featuring herbal healing sessions, farmto-table experiences, and guided foraging tours where tourists can see and learn about local medicinal plants. With our country’s lush and diverse vegetation and teeming, natural ecosystems, we can develop similar ecotourism initiatives, offering herbal spa treatments, bush medicine workshops, guided nature walks showcasing our native healing plants, and more. This can elevate sustainable economic growth in the sector, while preserving and highlighting this cultural treasure trove.
3. Beyond tourism, there are vast untapped economic opportunities in the global health and wellness industries for organic health products, plant extracts, herbal medicines and supplements. Investing in research, sustainable cultivation, and commercialising bush medicine products can create jobs, empower local farmers and herbalists, and position the Caribbean as a leader in the global wellness economy. Simply put, our bush medicine legacy is a homegrown treasure. It represents centuries of accumulated wisdom passed down through generations. It symbolizes the Caribbean’s resilience, ingenuity, and deep connection to nature and history. respecting and preserving this tradition while ensuring safe and informed use of bush medicine is essential. The global rise in wellness tourism and demand for natural products presents a significant economic opportunity for The Bahamas and Caribbean nations to develop sustainable industries based on our rich herbal medicine heritage. By protecting and promoting bush medicine, we ensure that future generations can benefit from its healing power while keeping this vital aspect of our African and Caribbean identity alive and at the forefront. By embracing tradition and innovation, we can create a future where bush medicine continues to thrive alongside modern healthcare while playing a pivotal role in diversifying our tourism and agriculture industries for sustainable and holistic economic growth.
• Yolanda Pawar is the chief communications officer at the One Eleuthera Foundation. Established in 2012, the One Eleuthera Foundation (OEF) is a non-profit organisation located in Rock Sound, Eleuthera. For more information, visit www.oneeleuthera.org or email info@oneeleuthera. org. The Centre for Training and Innovation (CTI) is the first and only postsecondary, non-profit education and training institution and social enterprise on Eleuthera. CTI operates a student training campus in Rock Sound, Eleuthera, with a 16-room training hotel, restaurant and farm. For more information about CTI’s programmes, email: info@oneeleuthera.org.
of One Eleuthera Foundation
Hibiscus
Aloe vera plant.
The hidden world of luxury yachting in The Bahamas
...and what benefits can we reel in?
The arrest of three foreigners and the seizure of the charter boat they were on in waters off Grand Bahama last week was intended to send a message – fish illegally in the waters of The Bahamas and you will pay the price. And while the seizure of a sophisticated vessel like the highly Migratory seems like a serious, even onerous, call for better behaviour and a demand for more respect for the laws of The Bahamas, there’s a deeper issue at play.
What price are we, as Bahamians, paying for others to enjoy the waters that we treasure and the resources we are supposed to husband and steward for generations to come? What are we overlooking as others graze on our fish, conch and crawfish? What laws are different when it comes to labour at the dock from those we must obey on the land where the dock is located?
Please bear with me a moment. I am not in any way suggesting an anti-yachting position or proposing a ban on foreign vessels. Quite the opposite. Like many born elsewhere, including most of our second homeowners and many investors, I came to The Bahamas and fell in love with the country by way of boating. I met my husband at a regatta. We sailed and powerboated for decades, it was our life. Our daughter could run a dinghy with a 15hp by age seven, tie a bowline before she could tie a shoelace. So what I am about to say comes from the voice of someone who appreciates everything that floats from the most basic rowboat with wooden oars to the superyacht with all the toys.
But like others, including businessman Mario Carey who has spoken out about this repeatedly, I am convinced that we have barely scratched the surface of benefits we could derive from yachts and fishing vessels using our waters. examine the world of charter boats and recreational yachting as an industry – a highly profitable industry that operates right under our noses, along our shores and traveling throughout our islands. It is a world of enterprise afloat, one most Bahamians will never see. Fishing vessels scoot in from Florida, most hovering around the northern Bahamas, the quick trip to Bimini or the Abacos. The majority of charters run out of Marsh harbour, Nassau or exuma. A peek at Palm Cay at the southeastern tip of New Providence shows docks packed to the brim with monohulls and catamarans going out on charter, mostly for weeklong experiences to the exumas, guests renting the number of cabins they need for the excursion, vessels pulling out of and into the bustling marina like traffic outside the gates on a busy morning. If the world of a Palm Cay, bustling with activity, is the Subaru or Toyota of boat travel, the world of other marinas and private charters that never dock is the Rolls-Royce and Bentley of life afloat.
Yet we have treated them all with the same kid gloves, hands-off approach either for fear of driving the business away or lack of resources and determination to make it fit our needs and benefit our economy as it could.
By Diane Phillips
We have waved the welcome mat and said come on in without requiring yachts to abide by the same laws and policies that govern those on the land adjacent to the docks where they tie up. It’s as if there were two worlds, one for those who can afford to see The Bahamas by yacht or superyacht and another for those who travel by land. I am not in any way wanting to discourage the valuable business of the yachting industry, just asking the question “Would it be so awful to require boats making a living in The Bahamas to engage Bahamians as crew?” What if we set a figure, or percentage, that at least 25 or 50 percent of the crew had to be Bahamian? LJM Maritime Academy graduates are trained and prepared to serve on vessels of every size and manner and while some graduates find work immediately, including luxury yachts, others continue to search for jobs despite the training. And given the range of jobs available from deckhand to stew, engineers, chefs, entertainment right up to captain, why are we afraid to stipulate requirements for work permits for those who spend a given amount of time in The Bahamas? I hear the plea of some marina operators crying that government fees, including newly-imposed VAT, are driving luxury vessels away. Marinas are large investments, expensive to run and to maintain. I get it, but there are reasons the argument about fees driving away business doesn’t hold as much water as it may appear. The new breed of luxury superyacht is so well-equipped it can drop anchor anywhere. It generates enough power for all its needs and the only reason to pay to tie up is if all the guests want to explore the island, particularly at night, or when the vessel is preparing for a turnover and re-supplying, though most come in fully stocked.
When guests are paying six and seven figures for a private cruise experience, fees do not stop them from wanting to experience the best of everything, including the world’s most beautiful waters. And there are no waters anywhere that compare to those of the exumas. For those who can afford the price tag of a grand estate to enjoy a week of freeflowing champagne, a saxophonist just for you, all the massages you desire between dips in the sea, four-course meals that stretch on with fine wine for hours, all the bells and whistles of a private luxury-overloaded vacation at sea with every whim and fancy and excursion covered, the fee may raise an eyebrow but in the end is as easily swallowed as the crawfish plunked fresh from Bahamian waters.
At the risk of being repetitive, I love boating. I want others to look at the waters and the sky and the horizon like I do, with wonderment, and to vow, like I do, to protect what they see, to not dump garbage or flush their heads (toilets) overboard, but to use their holding tanks appropriately. As the most affected, we also have a responsibility.
We need to create more pump-out facilities so the vessels that anchor in Montagu Bay or between
Balmoral Island and Saunders Beach have a convenient place to tie up and empty their tanks for a reasonable fee. We need additional resources for Fisheries to monitor and stop illegal fishing, both for grouper and crawfish taken in closed season and for overfishing for commercial gain as opposed to legal consumption. We need to add more mooring buoys.
We are a nation of 100,000 miles of open water. The water is our natural highway. It provides sustenance, feeds our bodies and nourishes our souls. It is time that those who use it for recreation and commercial gain in private charters and fishing live by labour laws, tie up to mooring buoys, respect our reefs and marine resources and pay a fair price, just
as cruise lines and landbased businesses do, for doing business in The Bahamas. They are, after all, using the largest part of The Bahamas as the foundation for their enterprise. May they enjoy the treasure and treasure the joy as we do, ensuring that it remains as it is today for future generations to experience in its purest form with wonderment and splendour.
007 Author Ian Fleming and James Bond are back in the spotlight with Amazon MGM Studios gaining corporate creative rights for the series that never seems to get old and always seems to find a connection in The Bahamas.
Israel grieves as Hamas turns over the remains said to be of a mother and her 2 young children
Jerusalem associated Press
Ariel and Kfir Bibas
— two of the youngest hostages held in Gaza — became a symbol for israelis of the brutality of Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack. The return of what are presumed to be their bodies on Thursday dashed hopes they had survived captivity and struck another blow to a nation still reeling from the militants’ assault.
The fate of Ariel and Kfir, just 4 years old and 9 months old when they were abducted, captivated israelis, and the return, along with a body said to be that of their mother, Shiri Bibas, brings a tragic measure of closure to the country.
But it is also likely to fuel anger over the government’s failure to bring home some 250 hostages sooner and safely, and it could step up pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to extend the ceasefire.
The mother and children were taken captive from Kibbutz Nir Oz. Video of the abduction, with a terrified Shiri Bibas seen swaddling her two redheaded boys in a blanket and being whisked away by armed men, ricocheted around the world in the hours after the attack.
Yarden Bibas, the father, was abducted and held
separately and released on Feb. 1, as part of the first phase of the ceasefire deal between israel and Hamas that paused the 15-monthlong war in Gaza. During the first phase, a total of 33 hostages are to be freed in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinians imprisoned by israel. eight of those 33 were said by israel to be dead.
Since his release, Yarden Bibas has pleaded for information about his family, whose fate has been unclear for much of the war.
While Hamas last year released a video of Yarden Bibas in captivity as a sign of life, nothing had been heard from his wife or children. The militant group claimed they were killed in an israeli airstrike in the first weeks of the war, and filmed Yarden Bibas receiving the news. israel did not confirm the claim, saying just that it had “grave concern” for their lives.
The bodies released Thursday are now being formally identified, which could take up to 48 hours. Along with the three presumed to belong to the Bibas family, the body of Oded lifshitz, who was 83 when he was abducted, was also released. lifshitz’ family later said his remains had been officially identified.
On Thursday, thousands of israelis lined the roads
from southern israel to the National Forensic institute in Tel Aviv. They stood silently, sometimes in pouring rain, holding flags. As the convoy passed, many wiped away tears and quietly sang israel’s national anthem.
The Bibas boys became icons and their plight transfixed israelis
The Bibas family’s struggle became a rallying cry for protesters demanding the hostages be freed. Concern for their well-being emerged during a November 2023 ceasefire, when most women and children were freed, and grew in recent weeks when living women hostages were freed.
At just 9 months old, Kfir was the youngest of about 30 children taken hostage Oct. 7. The infant with red hair and a toothless smile became an icon across israel and his ordeal was raised by israeli leaders on podiums around the world.
The extended Bibas family has been active at protests, branding the colour orange as the symbol of their fight for the “ginger babies.” They marked Kfir Bibas’ first birthday with a release of orange balloons and lobbied world leaders for support.
Family photos aired on TV and posted across social media created a national bond with the two boys and made them familiar faces. israelis learned of Ariel
Bibas’ love for Batman and photos from a happier time showed the entire family dressed up as the character.
The Hostages Families Forum said there were more hostages in Gaza whose lives could still be saved, and called for an extension to the ceasefire.
“There is no more time to waste,” it said in a statement.
The fate of the young boys and their mother was unclear
The lack of information about Shiri Bibas and her children created uncertainty and ambiguity, including among their relatives.
Shiri Bibas’ sister, Dana Silberman-Sitton, has said she did not believe her sister or the children were
still alive. She told israeli news site Ynet that she decided to tell her children in December 2023 that Aunt Shiri and their cousins had died, after Hamas claimed they were killed by israeli airstrikes.
“i created a defence mechanism for myself: Because i cannot live with uncertainty anymore, i live with the knowledge that Shiri and the kids are dead,” she told Ynet in September.
Silberman-Sitton’s parents, Yossi and Margit Silberman, were also killed on Oct. 7, 2023, at Kibbutz Nir Oz.
Yarden Bibas’ sister, Ofri Bibas levy, took the opposite approach: She insisted that Shiri and the children were still alive,
travelled abroad on missions and gave numerous interviews to ensure their story was constantly being mentioned.
The story of the family captured israel’s attention and much of the world because it encapsulated many of the worst aspects of Hamas’ attack, explained ruth PatHorenczyk, a professor at the Hebrew University school of social work who specializes in trauma.
“The graphic scene of the mother trying to protect the two babies was burned into the mind in the country,” she said.
“everything together created a kind of capsulated example of pain that really became the most dramatic symbol of Oct. 7.”
Death Notice For
Jeffrey Lennard Taylor, 75
of Cold Rock, Acklins, Bahamas died on Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at the Princess Margaret Hospital.
He was predeceased by his father: Hosea Taylor; mother: Sarah Taylor. He is survived by his spouse: Deacon Sylvia Taylor (née Rahming) J.P; daughters: Annashka Russell, Lynette and Crystal Taylor and Judy Taylor; sons: Marvin, Tremaine, Jeffery Taylor Jr. and Jeffrey Taylor II; sisters: Olga and Joy Taylor; brothers: Albert and Henry Taylor and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral arrangements are being finalized and will be announced at a later date.
On Friday February 7th,2025, Reuben G Knowles Lodge#1760 honoured their longest standing member Dr Winston Churchhill Rolle, Exalted Ruler Emeritus with a Black Tie Affair at Choices Restuarant University of The Bahamas, where he was showered with praises.
A mAn holds a teddy bear at the so-called ‘Hostages Square’ in Tel Aviv, Israel, yesterday after the bodies of four Israeli hostages, including a mother and her two children, were handed over by Palestinian militant groups to the Red Cross in Gaza.
Photo: Oded Balilty/AP
41ST HUGH CAMPBELL BASKETBALL CLASSIC HIGHLIGHTS
South Andros Barracuda stun CV Bethel Stingrays 57-53 to avoid elimination
Pratt, McIntosh ended up with 23 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals as they were ousted from the tournament.
Sharvado Curtis had 11 points and 13 rebounds, Darius Pratt had eight points, six rebounds and a pair of assists and steals and Taeshawn Neely had six points, 20 rebounds and three steals and Jayden Rolle added five points.
Cougars 47, Dolphins 30 Although coach Dario Burrows said his Charles W Saunders team is not playing up to par, he’s grateful that they are still alive in the tournament.
In playing their best so far, Charles W Saunders rode the 1-2 combo of Bryson Rolle and Ladanian McKenzie to a hard fought victory over Abaco’s Sherlin C. Bootle, securing it in a second half spurt.
“My team ain’t playing good basketball and I know the competition is going to get stiffer,” Burrows said.
“I’m trying to teach them discipline, but the young kids are still trying to get it.”
As the tournament moves on, Burrows said he’s hoping his Cougars can improve or it will be over for them.
Rolle led the Cougars with 17 points, five steals, three rebounds and two assists and McKenzie had 16 points and six rebounds.
Daniel Munroe had seven points, eight rebounds, seven steals and three assists and Sheldon Nelson added six points and eight rebounds.
It was a good run for the Dolphins, who got 17 points with five steals and three rebounds from Creshanno Baillou. Amir Swain had five points, four rebounds and two steals and both Seranno Baillou and Jahreal Hepburn added four points. Hepburn and Baillou had nine and four rebounds respectively.
Knights 51, Comets 47
With the game on the line and a chance to avoid elimination, McKell Feaste canned a three-pointer to put CR Walker up 48-44 with 22.3 seconds left.
but they didn’t have enough down the stretch and were eventually eliminated. “The guys came out and put up a hell of a fight. They were out ready to go home,” said Anfernee Walkes, who coached CR Walker. “They came out here and fought hard. They weren’t ready to go home.” Walkes said he expected his Knights to continue to put up a fight because “we are not ready to go home.” Fighting hard to stay alive, Feaste finished with a game high 24 points with eight rebounds, six steals and four assists to lead the Knights.
Donald Smith had 13 points with three rebounds and both Kensworth Miller and Kervens Wilme had five. Wilme also had a crowd pleasing two-handed slam dunk and pulled down 13 rebounds.
In making their exit
Shamal Saunders added nine points with seven rebounds and Ronald Woodside had eight points and five rebounds to help out. “It’s a great tournament so I’m happy that we were able to stay alive,” Davito McIntosh, coach of Doris Johnson.
Tayshaun Taylor answered with a threepointer to cut Queen’s College’s deficit to 49-47,
McIntosh, who previously played in the tournament for the Anatol Rodgers Timberwolves, said he expects the intensity to pick up, but he expects his Mystic Marlins to be ready for the challenge.
had a game high 17 points with five rebounds, three assists and two steals as they made their tournament exit. Trevor Robinson and Daequan Joseph both had seven points. Robinson also had four rebounds and Joseph four assists.
Jaguars 38, Falcons 31
Mikhai Nesbitt was the only player in double figures for St George’s with 11 points, six rebounds, four steals and two assists as they pulled away for the win in the fourth quarter.
nine points and Ian Gibson added seven.
Edmond Ferguson (five rebounds) and Trevon Clarke led a 1-2 pump with 11 and 10 points respectively as they got eliminated. Aliyah Pierre chipped in with six.
Diplomats 42, Warriors 28
brothers Lian and Liam Carroll scored 11 and 10 points respectively, but it wasn’t enough to keep them alive. Liam Carroll also pulled down 13 rebounds with three steals. Lavan Cooper helped out with four.
Cherubims 48, Gators 20
Luke Dorcely led a balanced scoring attack with nine points to stay alive. Desir Bien Jr, Kenny Blankfort and Kelsey Thurston all came through with seven points. Blankfort also had seven rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Akeem Storr scored five and both Irvin McPhee and Dmitri Moss both had four and both Shiloh Minns and Malik Whyms had three apiece for Greenville Academy as they were ousted.
Saints 47, Bluejays 39
Ethan Burrows came through with a game 15 points and nine rebounds as Kingsway Academy remained alive in the tournament.
Kenyon Johnson had nine points, Delexis Thompson II had seven, Duntrelle Gray six and both Joshua Ayen and O’Neil Cooper had four.
Elexio Pinder had a game high 10 points with three rebounds and two steals, Jermaine Hall nine, Joseph Hield eight, Talisean Jean added six points with 10 rebounds and two block shots in the loss for Eight Mile Rock as they were sent packing.
Today’s schedule
10am - Gateway vs Teleos.
11am - St George’s vs Westminster.
Noon - South Andros vs CR Walker.
1pm - Charles W Saunders vs CV Bethel.
4pm - Winner game Gateway/Teleos vs Kingsway.
5pm - CI Gibson vs Agape Academy.
6pm - CC Sweeting vs Sunland Baptist Academy.
Notes: The tournament will continue 10am Saturday with four elimination games before the crossover pool championship games at 4pm. And on Sunday, the two semifinal games will be contested at 4 and 5pm to determine who will advance to the championship game 8:30pm Monday at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium. FROM PAGE 16
For Patrick J Bethel out of Abaco, Tavon Robinson
Daniel Rolle had 17 points with five rebounds, Taylor ended up with 15 points and Talon Higgs had 13 points and seven rebounds. Mystic Marlins 42 Dolphins 41 Bradley Williams and Stephen Robinson, with 13 and 12 points and eight rebounds each, enabled Doris Johnson to hold on for a slim win to stay alive in the tournament.
Coach Darryl Sears’ Jaguars, coming from a 24-19 deficit at the end of the third, used a 19-7 rout in the fourth quarter to seal the deal. Following Russell were Isaiah Roker with
Michael Jean-Pierre produced a game high 15 points with six rebounds and Jahiem Armbrister chipped in with 14 points, eight rebounds, seven steals and four assists to pace Westminster, coached by Gary Kemp, to remain in the tournament. Rasheed Brennen added eight points.
In a losing effort for Bishop Michael Eldon, twin
7pm - RM Bailey vs Tabernacle Baptist Academy.
HANDBALL SKILLS REFRESHER
COURSE HITS NP PRIMARY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SPORTS ASSOCIATION
FROM PAGE 16
follow-up to the initial course that took place in August.
“It was. a lot of fun because what we learn, we were able to demonstrate that over these two days on the court,” Bain said.
“So, if we had forgotten it, it was just a refresher and eventually we could implement it into the schools so that we can bring it to our students.”
Not only was it a lot of fun for the 20-plus members
of the association, it was a “workout session,” according to Bain because they went through some nonstop drills that kept them going in the fast-paced sport.
Vashon Armbrister, a physical education teacher at Sandilands Primary, said the information presented was well received.
“The next step for us is to try and introduce this sport to the kids in our schools,” Armbrister said. “We have to do at a very young age so that when they reach
the junior and senior high schools, the game should be played at a much higher level.”
Armbrister said if there’s one important thing he learned from the session is that handball is all about “having fun. It’s similar to basketball, so once you understand the basic concept of basketball, it kind of correlates with each other.”
Keva Bridgewater, a teacher at Palmdale Primary, said the clinic was a good event for them to go through the introduction
of handball and she can’t wait to take it back to her school.
“For me being a lower primary school instructor, I think learning the hand and eye coordination was very important to develop with our students at such a young age,” Bridgewater said. “I enjoyed the lessons we were taught.”
Dawn Knowles, the former primary schools sports director in the Ministry of Education, said once the federation was formed in 2019, they have been
trying to build the momentum in preparation for selecting its under-12 boys’ national team to compete on the international scene.
Knowles, who serves as the treasurer, said that’s one of the reasons why they are working extensively with the teachers in the primary schools because they have all the skills intact.
“We want to implement the progrmme into the primary schools because they have all of the fundamental skills,” Knowles said. “So, we are looking forward to
a good group of teachers to come out and participate.” Dr Vandyke Bethel, a teacher at Doris Johnson, also participated in the clinic.
He noted that while doing his doctoral degree in London, he attended many sports, including handball. He indicated that he would be willing to assist the federation in any way he could in passing on the knowledge he gained from the lecturers during the various courses he participated in.
Students compete in the 41st Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic at the AF Adderley Gymnasium.
PRITCHARD’S 28 POINTS, TATUM’S TRIPLE-DOUBLE POWER CELTICS
PHILADELPHIA (AP)
— Payton Pritchard made eight 3-pointers and scored 28 points, Jayson Tatum finished with his fourth career triple-double, and the Boston Celtics beat the Philadelphia 76ers 124-104 last night.
Tatum had 15 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Jaylen Brown added 20 points, Kristaps Porzingis scored 17, and Derrick White had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Celtics, who have won eight of nine.
Paul George scored 17 points to lead the 76ers. Tyrese Maxey and Kelly Oubre Jr. had 16 apiece.
The Sixers have lost six straight and eight of nine, falling a season-worst 15 games under .500.
PACERS 127, GRIZZLIES 113
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)
— Tyrese Haliburton scored 22 points and Myles Turner had 17 points, 10 rebounds and a seasonhigh seven blocks to help Indiana pull away from Memphis.
Indiana missed its first seven shots and first eight 3-pointers in its first game since the All-Star break and still managed to score a season-high 78 points in the first half. Seven Pacers scored in double digits and Haliburton had nine assists. Desmond Bane led the
Grizzlies with 23 points and seven assists. Jaren Jackson Jr. had 18 points and seven rebounds, while Ja Morant had 12 points for Memphis.
Former Purdue star Zach Edey, the two-time NCAA Player of the Year, had five points and 11 rebounds in his first NBA game in Indiana.
Memphis took a 20-7 lead midway through the first quarter, but the Pacers charged back fast in the second, taking their first lead at 48-46 before Turner scored the first 12 points in a 23-4 run that staked Indiana to a 78-50 halftime lead.
MAGIC 114, HAWKS 108
ATLANTA (AP) — Paolo Banchero had 36 points, 10 rebounds and five assists as Orlando rallied from an early 19-point deficit to beat Atlanta.
Franz Wagner scored 25 points and Cole Anthony had 17 for the Magic, who are seventh in the Eastern Conference — two spots ahead of the Hawks.
Banchero now has 47 games with at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists, the third most by a player before his 23rd birthday behind LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Trae Young scored 38 points for the Hawks, and rookie Zaccharie Risacher
had his first double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
The Magic overcame a poor shooting night from 3-point range, connecting on just 6 of 25 (24%).
BUCKS 116, CLIPPERS 110
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 23 points in his return after missing six games with a strained calf and Milwaukee rallied for a victory over Los Angeles. Anteotkounmpo was on a minutes restriction and played just under 24 minutes, leaving for good with 6:27 remaining as the Bucks trailed 101-96. Milwaukee then completed its comeback from a 13-point, fourth-quarter deficit with Antetokounmpo on the bench.Brook Lopez scored 22 points and put the Bucks ahead for good
by converting a three-point play with 3:02 remaining.
Kawhi Leonard had 25 points, James Harden added 24 and Ivica Zubac had 20 points and 15 rebounds for the Clippers. The LA Clippers who played without Norman Powell due to knee soreness.
KNICKS 113, BULLS 111 (Overtime)
NEW YORK (AP) — Karl-Anthony Towns had 32 points and 18 rebounds, Jalen Brunson added 22 points and 12 assists and New York edged Chicago Bulls in overtime.
Miles McBride finished with 22 points, while Mikal Bridges had 13 points and 10 rebounds for the short-handed Knicks, who improved to 36-18 in their first game following the AllStar break.
New York, which has won three straight and nine of 11, was without Josh Hart, who was held out due to pain in his right kneecap. OG Anunoby missed his sixth consecutive game because of a sprained right foot.
Josh Giddey had 27 points and 16 rebounds and Nikola Vucevic had 21 points for the Bulls, who have lost their last five games. Vucevic had a chance to win with 2 seconds left in the fourth quarter, but had his shot blocked by Bridges under the basket.
Giddey opened overtime with a 3-pointer before the Knicks responded with a 9-0 run, highlighted by three consecutive baskets from Towns. Chicago pulled within 113-111 with two baskets from Colby White and had
a chance to send the game into a second overtime when Vucevic missed an 8-foot jumper over Landry Shamet as time expired.
CAVALIERS 110, NETS 97 NEW YORK (AP) — Donovan Mitchell scored 26 points and three Cleveland teammates scored in double figures as they beat the Brooklyn. Darius Garland scored 18 points, Evan Mobley added 18 points and 13 rebounds and Jarrett Allen finished with 16 points and 20 rebounds for Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland, which improved to 45-10. Cam Johnson led Brooklyn with 18 points. Keon Johnson scored 16 points, Trendon Watford finished with 13 points off the bench and Ziaire Williams and Jalen Wilson each scored 10.
TRIP TO MAN CITY EXTENDS TOUGH RUN FOR LIVERPOOL AS ARSENAL ENTERS PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE TALK
By STEVE DOUGLAS AP Sports Writer
ARE Liverpool showing cracks in its pursuit of the Premier League title? Arne Slot doesn’t think so.
“Not a dip at all,” the Liverpool manager said after his team dropped two points in a match for the second straight midweek.
First there was last week’s 2-2 at Everton, which equalised with virtually the last kick of the game — in the eighth minute of stoppage time. Then, on Wednesday, there was another 2-2, this time at Aston Villa where Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez shot high and wide in front of an open goal in a late opportunity for a winner.
Look at it with the glass half full, Liverpool has emerged with points from two tough away games, against a resurgent local rival playing the final Merseyside derby in its soon-to-be-demolished long-time home and then a team, in Villa, owning one of the strongest home records in the league.
With the glass half empty, Liverpool has squandered four points from its last three games — there was a nervy 2-1 win over Wolverhampton at Anfield in between — to allow secondplaced Arsenal back in the title conversation.
Eight points separate Liverpool and Arsenal in what looks to be a two-way fight for the league. Arsenal has a game in
hand, and also the chance to put real pressure on Liverpool this weekend.
On Saturday, Arsenal hosts struggling West Ham before Liverpool heads for what is likely to be a testing match at Manchester City on Sunday for the third and final difficult away game in a four-match run.
“Arsenal plays before us, but that doesn’t make the game easier or more difficult against City,” Slot said on Thursday.
“We know we have 12 games to play and Arsenal has 13 to play, and if we constantly look at Arsenal or what other teams are doing, that would not help us.”
Advice for Darwin Nunez
Nunez was seen leaving the field at Villa Park on his own
after the match, clearly disappointed at his glaring miss in front of an open net at 2-2. Indeed, Slot felt the Uruguay striker was affected by that incident for the remainder of the match and has called on him to quickly shake off such disappointments. “Players miss, that I can accept,” Slot said, “... but what was a bit harder for me to accept was his behavior after that chance. When I say behavior, I mean it got too much in his head where he wasn’t the usual Darwin who works (hard) and makes sure he helps the team. He was too disappointed after missing that chance. “The most important message is: You can miss a chance, but you can’t miss out on work rate.”
By STEVE DOUGLAS AP Sports Writer
MOHAMED Salah scored one goal and set up the equaliser by Trent Alexander-Arnold in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw at Aston Villa that stretched its lead in the Premier League to eight points on Wednesday. Salah tucked away with his league-leading 24th goal of the campaign to put
Liverpool ahead at Villa Park in the 29th minute, only for the leaders to fall behind by halftime following a volley by Youri Tielemans and a header from Ollie Watkins. Alexander-Arnold ran onto an inside pass from Salah and drove in a shot that deflected past Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez in the 61st as Liverpool salvaged a point from an end-to-end game. And they avoided what would have been just a second league defeat of the season. It remains to be seen whether this was a good point for Liverpool in one of the toughest away fixtures in the league or two more dropped points, a week after a 2-2 draw at local rival Everton.
“We desired more,” Liverpool manager Arne Slot said, “and that is the only thing we can blame ourselves for a few times now — we did not get what we deserved. We must not make a habit of that.”
Liverpool has now played a game more than second-place Arsenal, which appears to be the only other realistic challenger for the title, and has another tough away game on Sunday at Manchester City. Arsenal plays first out of the top two at the weekend — at home to West Ham on Saturday — and has the chance to trim the lead to five points before Liverpool meets City. Liverpool is seeking a 20th top-flight championship to tie the record of Manchester United.
Salah is spearheading Liverpool’s title charge. Not only is the Egypt forward the league’s top scorer, with five more than nearest challenger Erling Haaland of Manchester City, he has more assists than anyone else with 15. Should Arsenal wind up reeling in Liverpool, the Reds may regret a big miss from Darwin Nunez after the Uruguay striker came on as a substitute. Dominik Szoboszlai ran through a squared the ball to Nunez, who had an open goal at which to aim with a left-footed
BOSTON Celtics’ Payton Pritchard reacts after scoring during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers last night in Philadelphia.
(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
LIVERPOOL’S MOHAMED SALAH, left, celebrates with Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister after scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Liverpool at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, Wednesday. (AP Photo/Darren Staples)
MANCHESTER City’s head coach Pep Guardiola grimaces during the Champions League playoff second leg soccer match between Real Madrid and Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, Spain, February 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
‘Wemby’ expected to miss remainder of season after blood clot diagnosis
By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer
SAN Antonio star Victor Wembanyama’s season is likely over after he was diagnosed with a blood clot in his right shoulder, a condition that will sideline one of the league’s brightest stars and is the second massive health-related hit for the Spurs in a matter of months.
Wembanyama is beginning treatment immediately and the Spurs are working under the expectation that the 7-foot-3 centre from France will fully recover, said a person with knowledge of the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because those details were not released publicly.
It may even be possible for Wembanyama — the NBA’s leading shot-blocker this season and a first-time All-Star — to play this summer for France in the European championships if he chooses, the person said.
“You can’t replace Vic,” Spurs guard Chris Paul said. “I can’t stand on a guy’s shoulders and block every shot that comes to the rim. Aside from his basketball ability, his charisma and what he brings into the locker room, I think, is what we’ll miss the most.”
Wembanyama’s condition — deep vein thrombosis — was diagnosed this week after he returned from the AllStar Game, the Spurs said yesterday. It is almost always treated with bloodthinning medication, and players in contact sports such as basketball have long been advised to avoid playing while using such medication because of the heightened chance of bleeding.
Wembanyama’s diagnosis comes about 3 1/2 months after Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had a stroke and was forced to take a leave from the
sideline, with assistant coach Mitch Johnson serving as acting coach ever since. The Spurs have said Popovich’s condition is improving, but there is no timetable for his return to the bench.
“Man, it’s been extremely tough, to say the least,” Paul said. “This organisation, how they put everything into perspective. Obviously, the Pop situation, knowing what he means to the league and Vic, him playing his first All-Star Game ... for us, we know we’ve got a job to do but just like anybody we worry about our people.”
Wembanyama was the league’s rookie of the year last season and the frontrunner to be defensive player of the year this season. He has already taken 403 3-pointers and blocked 176 shots this season — no player in NBA history has ever finished a season with those numbers, and Wembanyama did it this year by the All-Star break.
He is averaging 24.3 points, 11 rebounds, 3.8 blocks and 3.7 assists; the only other player to finish a season averaging all that was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1975-76. The Spurs opened their post-AllStar schedule last night in Austin, Texas, against the Phoenix Suns. Wembanyama had been listed as doubtful for that game because of illness.
Miami Heat forward Kevin Love, who learned of Wembanyama’s situation as he walked off the practice floor yesterday, said he was in “absolute shock.”
“First of all, you pray for him. You hope for the best, personally and professionally,” Love said. “He means so much to the league. He’s an incredible competitor and he has a runway to be the face of the league for the next 20 years. I can’t imagine this league without him in the short term or in the long term. He’s that important.”
Such cases have affected NBA players before, including now-retired Hall of Famer Chris Bosh — whose career was cut short after he was diagnosed with blood clots while playing with Miami.
Brandon Ingram, now with the Toronto Raptors, had his 2018-19 season end early because of deep vein thrombosis when he was with the Los Angeles Lakers, and Detroit’s Ausar Thompson had a clot issue that saw him miss the end of the 2023-24 season.
The question for the Spurs’ medical team to answer now surrounds why this happened to Wembanyama.
“Any time we have upper extremity or arm
blood clots, we always need to ask ourselves why they happened,” said Dr. Geoffrey Barnes, an associate professor of cardiology and vascular medicine at the University of Michigan.
“And so, looking for the cause is going to be a really important piece of this. ... It’s really important to understand why this happened, because then that’ll dictate what the treatments are and what the long term consequences may be.”
Some athletes have come back, sometimes better than ever, after dealing with blood clots.
Serena Williams was diagnosed with the problem known as a pulmonary embolism — a clot on the lung — in 2011, and was the dominant women’s
tennis player in the world again when she returned.
“Scariest thing I ever experienced,” Williams said months after returning.
Wembanyama — the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft — is widely considered the brightest young star in the game, someone who led France to the silver medal at last year’s Paris Olympics.
Paul said he’s talked with Wembanyama since the diagnosis, but did not share details. “It’s tough,” Paul said. “It’s tough more than anything, I think for all of us, knowing how much he means to our team and but moreso knowing how much he means to the game and how much he loves to play.”
MILWAUKEE’S BOBBY PORTIS SUSPENDED AFTER HE MISTAKENLY TOOK PAINKILLER TRAMADOL RATHER THAN TORADOL
By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer
THE NBA has suspended Milwaukee forward Bobby Portis Jr. for 25 games without pay because he tested positive for the painkiller Tramadol, a violation of the league’s anti-drug programme.
Portis cannot play again until April 8 — the 79th game of Milwaukee’s 82-game regular-season schedule — at the earliest. His suspension started with the Bucks’ game last night against the Los Angeles Clippers.
“I was dealing with an elbow injury and using an NBA-approved medication for pain and inflammation,” Portis said in a statement released by the team. “During that time, I made an honest mistake and took a painreducing anti-inflammatory pill that is not approved. I feel horrible and recognise that I’m responsible for what I put in my body.”
Portis took the painkiller “unintentionally,” said his agent, Mark Bartelstein. Portis thought he was taking Toradol, which is approved and is something that he has taken before, Bartelstein said in details first given to ESPN and that he later confirmed to The Associated Press.
Portis did not realise that he was taking Tramadol — which was properly prescribed, but is on the NBA’s banned substance list.
“I am deeply disappointed that the NBA
ANTHONY DAVIS OUT AT LEAST 2 MORE WEEKS WITH GROIN INJURY
By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Sports Writer
DALLAS (AP) — If
the Dallas Mavericks can get mostly healthy by midMarch, there should be time for the defending Western Conference champions to play their way into a decent playoff position.
Coach Jason Kidd understands it might be a big “if.”
“You’re never guaranteed to be healthy,” Kidd said yesterday after the Mavericks announced that recently acquired star Anthony Davis will be out at least two more weeks but is making “good progress” in recovery from a groin injury sustained in his Dallas debut.
“Beginning of the season, we had injuries right off the bat,” Kidd said. “And so it would be great to get healthy. But if we’re not healthy, we’ve got to deal with the cards that we have and put guys in a position to be successful.”
The Mavericks are eighth in the West heading into their return from the AllStar break Friday night at home against last-place New Orleans.
Dallas is well within range of the top six, which would avoid the play-in tournament.
“I would say that our goals are still attainable,” Kidd said.
“It’s a matter of, ‘Can we get healthy?’” Davis was dominant in the first half of his only game with the Mavericks against Houston on February 8, but pulled up lame late in the third quarter of Dallas’ 116-105 victory.
The 10-time All-Star had missed his last two games with the Lakers because of an abdominal injury before the seismic trade that sent fellow superstar Luka Doncic to Los Angeles.
Davis then sat the first two games he could have played for Dallas before suiting up against the Rockets.
“He’s doing better,” Kidd said. “I saw him in the weight room and then on the court shooting, so a lot of positive stuff. It’s always good to see.”
The groin injury only intensified criticism of Dallas general manager Nico Harrison over a trade that infuriated many Mavericks fans.
chooses to interpret its policy so strictly, and that the policy does not allow for a different result for an honest mistake with pure intentions,” Bartelstein said in the statement.
“Bobby loves being a part of the NBA and he loves being a role model and a true ambassador for the Bucks and the city of Milwaukee. This has been incredibly difficult for him, but he will accept this penalty with grace and turn this into a great opportunity to improve and further build his reputation and performance in every way, both on and off the court.” Portis — considered one of the league’s tougher players, and a key part of the Bucks’ rotation — is averaging 13.7 points and 8.3 rebounds for the Bucks this season, playing mostly off the bench.
The 30-year-old Portis will lose $2,858,701 in salary because of the suspension, which comes with the Bucks starting postAll-Star break play fifth in the Eastern Conference — one game behind No. 4 Indiana, one game ahead of No. 6 Detroit and 3 1/2 games ahead of No. 7 Orlando.
It’s a blow to the Bucks, who are 21-10 when Portis scores at least 10 points this season. When he doesn’t, they’re 8-14 — and entering yesterday, they’re 2-5 this season when he doesn’t play with all five of those losses by at least 10 points.
“This is a very difficult set of circumstances for
MILWAUKEE Bucks center
Bobby Portis reacts during during the second half of the team’s loss to the Atlanta Hawks in Game 4 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference finals Tuesday, June 29, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/B Anderson)
Bobby and our team,” Bucks general manager Jon Horst said in a statement. “He and the Bucks organisation respect the NBA/NBAPA Anti-Drug Programme and will accept what’s been handed down. But we 100% support Bobby. Together we will take this opportunity to grow and will have a better and stronger Bobby and Milwaukee Bucks team. He’s an integral part of who we are, a huge member of the Milwaukee community, and we look forward to his return.”
The suspension is happening just when the Bucks
appeared on the verge of getting their full roster together after making multiple moves at the trade deadline, including the trade of three-time AllStar wing Khris Middleton to the Washington Wizards. Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo missed the Bucks’ last six games before the All-Star break with a strained left calf, but he practiced Wednesday and was questionable for yesterday’s matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers. Antetokounmpo still hasn’t played alongside new Bucks players Kyle Kuzma, Kevin Porter Jr. and Jericho Sims, who all joined the team at the deadline.
Portis spoke to the media after the Bucks’ Wednesday practice and was asked how much he was looking forward to seeing how the team might fare once everyone was available.
“The trade deadline was a couple of weeks ago and we are just now being able to see what it looks like,” Portis said. “I think it’s kind of fun for us going forward, especially just to pick the game apart, figure out what everybody does well and try to make it mold into one.”
Portis is in his 10th NBA season, having spent half that time with the Bucks. He was part of Milwaukee’s 2021 NBA championship team and played for USA Basketball at the 2023 World Cup in Manila.
He’s one of four remaining players from the Bucks’ championship squad, along
with Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez and Pat Connaughton.
“From the bottom of my heart, I want to apologise to the Bucks organisation, my teammates, coaches, family, and fans,” Portis said in his statement.
“I give everything I have on the court and will terribly miss playing games for the Bucks during this time. I will continue to work hard and be ready for our long playoff run. Thank you for your support. I appreciate it more than you know.”
Doncic was out the last five-plus weeks of his Dallas career with a calf injury that has plagued the 25-year-old the past few seasons, but the 31-year-old Davis has a much longer history of injuries.
Davis’ absence is the biggest for a depleted Dallas frontcourt. The top three centres — Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford and Dwight Powell — are out with injuries and have no timelines for a return. Powell is the closest of the three to being ready.
SAN Antonio Spurs centre Victor Wembanyama (1) looks on during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards on February 10, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Bahamas puts a beating on Cuba 97-74 at home
FROM PAGE 16
Sammy Hunter dropped 14 points to pair with six rebounds. The game was neck-and-neck in the opening quarter with Team Bahamas sneaking away with a narrow 26-20 lead following a 6-0 run to close out the first.
The second quarter was where the host team really got things going from behind the arc.
Team Bahamas pushed the deficit to double-digit territory (32-20) after Miller threw down a thunderous dunk early in the second period.
Miller spoke about what he saw from Cuba’s defence last night.
“They were throwing a lot of different things out there with one on ones, pick and rolls, different coverages but coach John Lucas did a great job telling us what they were gonna do… so we prepared for everything they had,” he said.
Eron Gordon cashed in on a deep three to give Team Bahamas a 16-point lead with 2:16 remaining in the first half.
The Bahamas had full control of the game at halftime, leading 51-34 with one half remaining. In the third period, Miller made a quick layup which gave Team Bahamas a 20-point cushion (59-39) at the 6:05 mark.
Cuba had a few big moments in the second half but they never had an answer for the home team after falling behind in the second period.
Jasiel Rivero scored a team-high 15 points and pulled in four rebounds for Cuba in the loss.
The home team pushed the ball in the open court, translating to 21 fastbreak points while Cuba only had nine.
They also won the rebound battle 48-35 and their bench unit outscored Cuba’s 35-19.
Team Bahamas will now look to build on this momentum against the USA on Sunday night.
The USA, who qualified with their win against Puerto Rico last night, currently leads the Group D standings with a 4-1 record.
In their previous matchup, the USA defeated the Bahamas 97-74.
Miller encouraged Bahamians to play the role of a “sixth man” as Team Bahamas will hope to seek revenge against the USA on Sunday.
“It is the best thing. I hope they can come out and support us in full on Sunday. We definitely need the crowd. We have team USA coming in and it is gonna be a big game but the crowd that was here tonight were loud, cheering, showing a lot of pride for our country,” he said.
Team Bahamas is slated to host USA 7:10pm Sunday at the Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium.
Photos by Chappell Whyms Jr
Training and competing with intensity
By Dr Kent L Bazard
INTENSITY separates the good from the great.
It’s what defines the most dominant competitors in sports history. Michael Jordan didn’t just play basketball - he attacked it. Kobe Bryant’s “Mamba Mentality” was built on relentless focus, unwavering confidence, and an unmatched work ethic. Perhaps no moment captures this better than the time an opponent faked a pass at his face, and Kobe didn’t flinch. His mind was locked in. His intensity was unshakable. Athletes who bring this level of focus to both training and competition gain a critical edge. They push their limits in practice so that, when game time comes, they’re already performing at their peak. But this kind of mental toughness and intensity isn’t just about natural talent - it can be trained, developed, and strengthened.
The Science Behind Intensity and Mental Toughness Research in sports psychology has long emphasised the benefits of mental toughness, concentration, and deliberate practice.
A study published in the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology found that athletes with higher levels of mental toughness performed better under pressure, sustained focus for longer periods, and were more resilient after mistakes. Another study in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research highlighted that athletes who trained with high intensity and focus saw greater strength gains and skill improvements than those who simply went through the motions. The takeaway? The way you train is the way you compete.
Building a Mindset of Relentless Focus 1. Train with Purpose
Kobe Bryant didn’t show up to the gym just to get shots up— he trained with specific goals, refining details of his footwork, shot mechanics, and defensive positioning. Every rep should have a purpose.
If you’re lifting weights, focus on maximizing each movement.
If you’re working on technique, demand precision in every drill.
2. Develop Pre-Training and Pre-Competition Routines
Elite athletes use pretraining rituals to establish focus before they even step on the court or field. Visualisation exercises, deep
breathing techniques, and pre-workout mental preparation help shift the mind into a competitive state.
• Visualisation: Mentally rehearse perfect reps and successful performances before you train.
• Self-Talk: Replace doubt with confidence - use phrases like, I am locked in or Every rep counts.
• Controlled Breathing: Use breathing techniques to calm nerves and sharpen focus before intense sessions.
3. Reduce Distractions and Train in the Moment Social media, endless notifications, and external noise can break an athlete’s ability to stay present.
Developing habits of deep focus - like limiting phone use before practice, creating distraction-free training environments, and actively engaging in the process - will help transfer that intensity into competition.
• Set Clear Goals for Every Session: Instead
of just “working out,” define what you want to accomplish.
• Remove Unnecessary Distractions: Train without checking your phone, focusing only on the task at hand.
• Use Cues to Stay Locked In: A phrase, a song, or a routine that reminds you to be fully engaged. Why It’s Crucial to Practice Focus Before Competition Intensity isn’t something that magically appears on game day - it’s cultivated in training.
If you haven’t trained with game-level focus, don’t expect it to suddenly show up when the stakes are high.
Consistently practicing deep concentration and high-intensity effort prepares the mind and body for the pressure of competition.
Athletes who master this skill can tap into an unshakable focus, just like Kobe Bryant standing unfazed
when a ball was fired at his face. Because when the mind is truly locked in, nothing can break it.
Final Thoughts Intensity is a choice. Mental toughness is built in the hours no one sees. Train with the same passion and focus that you want to bring to competition. Develop habits of concentration. Control your mindset. Reduce distractions.
If you can train with the intensity of a champion, competing like one will become second nature.
How locked in are you?
• Dr Kent Bazard, sports medicine physician at Empire Sports Medicine, specialises in ensuring athletes reach their peak performance safely. With extensive experience and a passion for sports health, Dr. Bazard provides insights and guidance for athletes of all ages - men and women.
Jasrado ‘Jazz’ Chisholm Jr set to return to second base
FROM PAGE 16
York and batted .273 with 48 hits, 11 homers, 23 RBIs and 18 stolen bases.
Additionally, “Jazz” had the healthiest season of his career last year. He played in 147 games and capped off the season batting .256 with a career-high 74 runs scored, 24 homers, 73 RBIs and 40 stolen bases.
Chisholm Jr also made Bahamian history as the Yankees advanced all the way to the 2025 MLB World Series before losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-1. His MLB World Series debut made him just the second Bahamian since the late Ed Armbrister to make it to the highest level of the majors.
The Yankees second baseman also became the first Bahamian to crack a homer in the World Series during his postseason run. He homered twice, recorded 10 hits, picked up 2RBIs and six stolen bases in 14 games played in the playoffs.
Following last season’s success in his first time playing at third base, expectations are high as “Jazz” transitions back to the second base position. The New York Yankees’ Spring Training is currently in full swing in Tampa, Florida. The team will be in action against the Tampa Bay Rays at the George M Steinbrenner Field at 1:05pm today. The 2025 MLB Season gets underway on March 27.
official opening ceremonies at 10:45am when the federation will honour the late Dwaine ‘Man’ Stevens, a former player/coach of New Bethlehem Baptist Church.New Bethlehem will then take on Golden Gates Native Baptist Church.
The final game will be played between Jubilee Baptist and Macedonia Baptist in a rematch of last year’s championship.
Jubilee took the title over Macedonia.
SAILING NATIONAL YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIPS
THE Ministry of Works and Family Island Affairs’ 2025 Sir Durward Knowles National Junior Sailing Championships - a threeday sailing competition for young sailors - got underway yesterday morning in Montagu Bay and is expected to wrap up on Saturday.
The event features sailors from across the Bahamas,
including Exuma, Grand Bahama, Spanish Wells, Harbour Island, Eleuthera and New Providence as they compete in the optis, sunfish, laser and E class categories. Highlighting the legacy of the late Olympian Sir Durward “Sea Wolf” Knowles, the organisers will also include performances by Junior Junkanoo groups and high school pop bands. The action starts daily at 9am. RED-LINE ATHLETES’ FIELD EVENT CLASSIC
THE Red-Line Athletics Track Club has announced plans to host its second annual Field Event Classic. The country’s all field events only meet is scheduled for Saturday, February 22 at the original Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium. The event is set to take place from 9am to 3pm and will be open to competitors from the under-11 to open categories for men and women. All winners will receive crystals and the top three will earn medals.
Athletes can register at redlineathletics242@gmail.com or smnbutler@yahoo.com
NPA TRACK CLASSIC
THE Noble Preparatory Academy is all set to hold its 2025 Track and Field Classic on Saturday, March 15 at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium from 9am to 6pm. The registration deadline is March 11. Athletes can register at info@npabahamas.com
RUGBY GAMES AT WINTON
AFTER making some minor repairs to the Winton rugby pitch, the Bahamas Rugby Union is scheduled to play matches on Saturday, February 22, Saturday, March 8 and Saturday, March 22. All ages and all abilities are welcome, including men and women, ‘Golden Oldies’ teams and beginners and seasoned players. The BRU is also inviting persons to come and try rugby this year. The only equipment needed are tennis/cleats and PE kit.For further information, persons are urged to call (242) 812-0417.
UNCLE LOU FUN RUN/WALK
THE St Augustine’s College and the Alumni Association is inviting the general public to come out and participate in the Uncle Lou Fun Run/Walk.
Under the theme: “Paint the streets red,” the event will take place on Saturday, March 15, starting 6am at SAC’s campus off Bernard Road.
The route will leave SAC’s campus and head on Bernard Road, turn onto Soldier Road to Prince Charles Drive, turn east onto Prince Charles Drive and head back to SAC.
The registration fee is $20 for adults and $10 for persons under the age of 20. The first 200 participants will receive road race t-shirts. Persons can register now by logging onto www. saintaugustinescollege.com
Following the race, a health screening will take place. There will also be a souse out with chicken priced at $10, pig feet at $12 and sheep tongue at $15. Drinks will also be on sale.
For more information, persons can call
BAZARD DR KENT
NEW York Yankees’ Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr. takes part in base-running drills during a spring training baseball workout on Thursday, February 20, 2025, in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
FIBA AMERICUP 2025 QUALIFIERS
Staying alive!
By TENAJH SWEETING
The home-court advantage paid dividends for Team Bahamas as they dominated Cuba 97-74 to secure their first victory of the third and final window of the FIBA AmeriCup 2025 Qualifiers last night at the Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium.
It was a must-win game and the host team benefited greatly from hometown cooking from long range to shoot the Cuban national team out of the gym and stave off elimination in Group D play.
Team Bahamas improved to a 2-3 (win/ loss record), good enough for the second spot in the Group D standings.
The Bahamas’ head coach John Lucas III gave special credit to his players for their performance in the must-win game.
“The coaching staff and I put together a great game plan for a lot of their key players and a lot of their guys. I gotta tip my hat off to the players, they came out here and they played their butts off. They represented the Bahamas to the fullest in this game and they understood what it was to take and how we
wanted to respond. ‘We got to take care of our house’ and that is all we kept preaching the last three days when we all got together,” he said. The Bahamas had a balanced scoring effort with five players hitting double digits in the contest.
Long island native Tavario Miller put up a game-high 26 points, complemented by eight rebounds, a block and a steal in 26 minutes of action. He also shot the ball well, going 12-for-15 from the field for 80 per cent shooting. Domnick Bridgewater scored 16 points to go along with four assists and
‘Jazz’ Chisholm Jr to return to second base
him back and forth. But once we settle on what we’re doing [with the roster], then I’ll make that final call.
BAHAMIAN Major
League Baseball (MLB) professional Jasrado
“Jazz” Chisholm Jr had a career year last season with the New York Yankees while getting the hang of playing at the third base position for the first time in his pro career. Although his transition from the centre field to third base appeared to be seamless, the Yankees intend to move the 27-year-old to his natural position at second base for the upcoming season.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone admitted that he wants Chisholm Jr to play in a more permanent position going forward. “I don’t want to get into bouncing
“But I just felt like him going to second, keeping [Oswaldo] Cabrera, DJ [LeMahieu], [Oswald] Peraza, [Jorbit] Vivas, whoever else you want to throw in that mix, I felt like made more sense hashing it out at third,” he said.
The Bronx Bombers acquired the flashy Bahamian pro from the Miami Marlins for three minor leaguers last summer and the move instantly benefitted both parties.
Chisholm Jr got off to a scorching hot start in his introduction to third base in the Big Apple. He played 46 games for New SEE PAGE 15
CYCLING KING OF THE HILLS THE New Providence Cycling Association will hold its “King of the Hill” Cycling Classic on Sunday at Fort Charlotte. The event is scheduled to begin at 8:30am. And it will be the “toughest hill climb” for the competitors in New Providence.
“Test your endurance, strength and determination against the best riders,” NPCAQ president Barron ‘Turbo’ Musgrove said. “Are
ANDROS
SOUTH Andros Barracuda’s coach Aaron Rolle said he gave his son Carmelo Rolle one instruction and that was to carry their senior boys’ basketball team on his back.
As the elimination process in the prestigious Hugh Campbell Basketball Classic began yesterday at the AF Adderley Gymnasium, Rolle responded as the Barracuda stunned the CV Bethel Stingrays with a 57-53 victory to stay alive.
Also among the teams that survived the double elimination format were the Charles W. Saunders Cougars, the CR Walker Knights and the Doris Johnson Mystic Marlins.
Barracuda 57, Stingrays 53 Carmelo Rolle scored six of the final seven points for South Andros High as they pulled away from a 54-54 tie in the final 25 seconds to pull off the huge upset over CV Bethel.
Rolle was fouled on a lay up, but missed the free three on the three-point attempt after he got the loose ball and scored on another lay-up to push South Andros ahead 55-52.
After Drexel McIntosh converted one of two free throws for CV Bethel to cut the deficit to two, 55-53, Juvenson Jilles and Rolle each hit he or two charity shots with 11.8 and 8.5 seconds left in between a critical Stingrays’ turnover to wrap up the win.
“It was a hard fought game. We played these guys in the Danny Pratt Invitational. They beat us by two on our home court, so we came here and it came down to this game where you win or go home.
“I told my son, this is his last year, so he has to do it. This was a big Hugh Campbell game, so I told him he had to win the game and he did it.”
Rolle did it by finishing with 24 points, nine rebounds and six steals.
Jilles had 20 points with six rebounds and five steals, Andrae Turnquest had eight points, seven steals, four assists and three rebounds and Lavaren Forbes added five points with a pair of rebounds, assists and steals. For CV Bethel, coached by Danny
SEE PAGE 15 February
BRENT STUBBS
Sports Editor
you ready for the challenge?” For more information, interested persons can call Musgrove at 433-5568 or email him at bammus1967@gmail. com. SOFTBALLL BBSF SEASON OPENING THE Bahamas Baptist Sports Federation will begin its softball league on Saturday at the Charles W Saunders High School on Jean Street. The activities will get underway with the
THE Ministry of Education’s Department of Education Primary Unit held a successful Handball Skills Refresher Course Professional Development for members of the New Providence Primary Public Schools Sports Association.
The two-day clinic, held on Wednesday and Thursday at the Anatol Rodgers Gymnasium, was conducted by Lawrence Hepburn, the vice president of the Bahamas Handball Federation, which is headed by former Bahamas Olympic
Committee president Wellington Miller. Claire Storr, the education ffficer for the Primary Physical Education Unit at the Ministry, said the Professional Development went very well and the participants were all eager to be a part of the event.
“The next step we are going to take is to introduce it to the students and get them exposed to the game,” Storr said. “Once the teachers are more comfortable with it, we will try to bring out into the Family Islands.
“We already have Family Island teachers asking for supplies. They are all excited about
learning about the sport and they see the need for it in the schools. It’s an easy transition because they are already exposed to basketball and soccer, so it will be an easy transition for the students to engage in.”
Storr, however, was not certain if the Ministry of Education can include it into their curriculum, but they will probably look at introducing some inter-mural games and tournament format.
Latoya Bain, the president of the NPPPSSA, said the Professional Development course was a refresher course as a
NEW York Yankees’ Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr. gestures as he runs sprints during a spring training baseball workout yesterday in Tampa, Florida.
(AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)
MONSTER JAM: Bahamian national basketball team player Wilkenson Isnord throws down a powerful dunk in transition against Cuba in the third window of the FIBA AmeriCup 2025 Qualifiers last night at the Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium.
Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr