The Tribune PUZZLER
ELECTION CHIEF OUT AFT E R CRITICISM
Taylor reassigned to new post amid local govt
voting issues
By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net
ACTING Parliamentary Registration Commissioner Arthur Taylor has been removed from his post and reassigned to another government agency. Government officials did not respond to questions about his departure yesterday, and it is not clear where he has been transferred. His removal followed heavy criticism of his department’s handling of the recent local government election process, which critics say was marred by delays, ballot errors, and administrative
FATHER F OUND GUILTY O F ALL F IVE COUNTS IN INCEST CASE
By DENISE MAYCOCK
Tribune
Freeport Reporter
dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
Justice Petra Adderley thanked the jurors for their service and adjourned the matter to June 11 for sentencing, when a probation report on the defendant will be presented.
A FATHER accused of sexually molesting his daughter was convicted of incest on Tuesday in the Supreme Court after jurors returned guilty verdicts on all five counts. A jury of seven women and two men deliberated for nearly three hours before delivering a majority 9-0 guilty verdict on each count.
‘Justice has prevailed’, says Davis - but World Famous Valley Boys to appeal
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
THE Supreme Court dismissed the World Famous Valley Boys’ application for judicial review, ruling that the group had no realistic chance of success in its legal challenge against the Registrar General’s decision to remove it from the register of non-profit organisations. Justice Darron Ellis found that the Registrar
General acted lawfully in determining that the name “World Famous Valley Boys” closely resembled that of the Valley Boys Junkanoo Group, creating the
US Chargé d’Affaires downplays impact of Cuba policy on Bahamas
By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net
six months’ jail F OR MAN WHO BEAT BOY WITH BR0OM STICK
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
US Charge d’Affaires
Kimberly Furnish said the US inquiry into Cuba’s medical programme was
THE top US government official in The Bahamas downplayed the impact of the Trump administration’s Cuba-related visa restriction policy on this country, framing the expansion announcement as an effort to prompt a broader inquiry into how Cuban workers are treated and paid, rather than a measure targeting The Bahamas or any local government official.
A 22-YEAR-OLD man was sentenced to six months in prison yesterday after admitting to beating his girlfriend’s seven-yearold son with a broomstick earlier this week as “discipline” for accidentally breaking a television.
Assistant Chief Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans arraigned Richard Fox on a charge of cruelty to children. Fox reportedly beat the boy on March 16 in New Providence, striking
PAGE THREE
Lawrence Lawson, gives a brief tour aboard the US Coast Guard ship.
Photo: Nikia Charlton
Coast Guard rescued 166 people in Bahamian waters last year
By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net
THE US Coast Guard rescued 166 people in Bahamian waters last year, officials revealed during a port visit to New Providence.
The visit, conducted by the US Coast Guard Cutter Lawrence Lawson, underscored the longstanding maritime partnership between the United States and The Bahamas.
US Charge´ d’Affaires
Kimberly Furnish highlighted the critical role of search and rescue (SAR) operations, reaffirming the US Coast Guard’s commitment to saving lives and strengthening regional maritime security.
She noted that, in addition to the rescues, the US Coast Guard intercepted more than 2,400 migrants attempting dangerous journeys on unseaworthy vessels. These interdictions, she said, were life-saving measures, ensuring that those in distress received necessary assistance.
She also pointed to ongoing joint law enforcement efforts, emphasising the importance of intelligence sharing and coordinated maritime security operations in tackling illegal migration, drug trafficking, and other transnational crimes.
She highlighted the SAR Ops search and rescue platform, a digital system provided to Bahamian authorities last year
to enhance their ability to locate and assist people in distress at sea. A US team was in The Bahamas last week to update the system and conduct further training, ensuring that both nations remain at their best in responding to maritime emergencies.
Beyond enforcement operations, the visit also served as an opportunity for bilateral training and professional development.
Lieutenant Nicholas Kamwela, commanding officer of the Lawrence Lawson, noted his crew’s extensive journey, travelling approximately 1,250 nautical miles from Cape May, New Jersey. He described the visit as a significant engagement, allowing his team to collaborate with the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) and the US Embassy.
He also underscored the value of career development initiatives, noting that the US Coast Guard Academy’s international programme fosters professional relationships among officers from different nations. These connections, he explained, help maritime personnel maintain long-term cooperation and security efforts across various regions.
The visit concluded with officials reaffirming the US commitment to maritime security, humanitarian efforts, and ongoing operational engagement with The Bahamas, further reinforcing an already deep-rooted partnership.
THE US Coast Guard Cutter Lawrence Lawson was in port in Nassau yesterday and provided a tour of he ship while outlining the work they have done in Bahamian waters.
Photos: Nikia Charlton
commanding officer of the Lawrence Lawson.
Election chief out after criticism
missteps across multiple Family Islands. The Tribune understands these elections played a role in the decision to transfer him.
His sudden departure contrasts sharply with his
own public statements just two months ago, when he told The Tribune his department was ramping up preparations for the next general election.
At the time, he dismissed criticism of the local government election process,
attributing delays to bad weather and insisting that only three polling divisions — Bimini, Harbour Island, and North Eleuthera — faced significant issues.
Reports from others painted a different picture, with allegations of ballots
Father found guilty of all five counts in incest case
The father, who had been on bail during the trial, showed no emotion as he was handcuffed and led away by officers.
Prosecutors alleged that the father engaged in unlawful sexual intercourse with his daughter between 2015 and 2019, beginning when she was just ten years old, and until aged 14.
The now 19-year-old complainant testified that she initially kept the abuse a secret out of fear.
However, by age 15, it became too much bear and she began experiencing nightmares, and in March 2021, she confided in her mother by allowing her to read a journal where she had written what happened to her.
She later turned over the journal and her cellphone — containing alleged voice recordings of her father — to police. However, neither item could be located initially.
According to evidence presented in court, the father allegedly performed various sex acts on his daughter and forced
Six
missing candidates’ names, polling stations opening up to six hours late, and voter confusion.
In Harbour Island and Governor’s Harbour, voting reportedly did not begin until 2.30pm — far beyond the mandated 8am start time. In some areas, ballots had to be reprinted and flown in from New Providence, further delaying the process.
Deputy Chief Councillor for Grand Bahama, Charlene Reid, called the election a “blemish on democracy.”
As criticism mounted,
Mr Taylor defended his department’s performance, arguing that election officials had done their best under difficult circumstances. He dismissed claims that his department had been unprepared and took issue with critics who aired their grievances publicly rather than raising concerns directly with him. His reassignment comes after opposition members also demanded accountability for the election chaos.
St Anne’s MP Adrian White called for the resignation of Family Island Affairs and Works Minister Clay
Sweeting, arguing that the election was handled in a “sloppy and chaotic” manner. Mr Sweeting rejected Mr White’s calls for resignation, shifting responsibility to the Parliamentary Registration Department. He insisted that his ministry had fulfilled its legal obligations in the election process and that all necessary logistical support was provided. It is unclear who has replaced Mr Taylor as the department readies plans for the next general election.
her to do the same. The incidents reportedly occurred in Abaco when the father visited her and in Freeport when she and her brothers spent summers with him.
The prosecution alleged that the offences occurred between September 1 and September 30, 2015, in Murphy Town, Abaco, when the victim was ten. Between February 1 and February 29, 2016, when she was ten; between December 1 and December 31, 2016, when she was 11; between June 1 and June 30, 2018, when she was 12; and between July 1 and July 31, 2019, when she was 14.
Justice Adderley, in her summation, explained that under Section 13(1) of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Act, any person who knows that another person is by blood relationship his or her parent, child, brother, sister, grandparent, grandchild, uncle, niece, aunt or nephew, as the case may be, has unlawful sexual intercourse with that other person, whether with or without the consent of that other person,
is guilty of the offence of incest and liable to imprisonment.
According to the section, if he is an adult who commits the offence with a minor, he would be liable to life imprisonment.
The judge reminded jurors that the burden of proof rested entirely on the prosecution, which had to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the offences.
She also noted that the defendant, through his attorney, denied the allegations and chose not to testify.
“He does not have to prove anything,” she said, emphasising that his silence should not be taken as an admission of guilt.
Justice Adderley instructed jurors that if they were not satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt of the defendant’s guilt, they must acquit him.
However, if they were convinced, they could convict him with a majority verdict of 6-3, 7-2, 8-1, or 9-0. If at least four jurors voted not guilty, he would have been acquitted.
months’ jail for man who beat boy with broomstick
him multiple times with a broomstick.
The child was left with bruises on both legs and his right hand and was seen limping after the incident.
for harming the boy.
Fox pleaded guilty and insisted he was disciplining the child. Magistrate Vogt-Evans strongly admonished him
Fox was sentenced to six months at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. Inspector Wilkinson prosecuted the case.
ARTHUR TAYLOR, FORMER ACTING PARLIAMENTARY COMMISSIONER
East Grand Bahama forest fire destroys utility poles and threatens properties
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
MANY residents were without power yesterday as a massive bush fire, fueled by strong winds on Monday, swept through parts of East Grand Bahama, destroying power poles and threatening properties in several subdivisions.
The fire caused significant damage to utility poles, which snapped, resulting in downed power lines and power outages in the affected areas. Restoration efforts were still ongoing on Tuesday.
Jayna Campbell, communications director at Grand Bahama Power Company, reported that crews have been working tirelessly to restore power in affected areas such as Midshipman, Churchill, and Fortune.
“We had a lot of downed power lines,” said Ms Campbell, who advised the public to remain safe and allow their crews to restore
power safely.
Supt Stephen Rolle said Fire Services had brought the fire under control.
The road was reopened to traffic. However, due to the large volume of smoke, motorists were advised to drive cautiously, turn on headlights, and reduce speed in the area.
On Monday, Kwasi Thompson, the MP for East Grand Bahama, was on the ground with his team checking on constituents and helping them by fighting back flames with a garden hose.
He said the fire spread rapidly due to the strong winds.
“It was an unbelievable day,” he said. “We had bushfires that were made worse by high winds. It caught a number of residents off guard.”
Police shut down a portion of East Sunrise Highway due to poor visibility because of the heavy smoke.
Mr Thompson and his team, including Melvin Cooper, went through
several subdivisions helping residents protect their homes.
“We went to Arcadia, where houses were being threatened. We moved to Churchill and then to Midshipman, where it started
to get really bad,” he recalled. “One house had a car parked in front, and we were battling the car fire in the front yard. From there, all along Midshipman, houses were being threatened.”
The situation became dire for Mr and Mrs Moss, an elderly couple who Mr Thompson helped when flames moved dangerously close to their house on Midshipman Road.
“The fire was threatening their house. They are both elderly and the wife is blind. We were compelled to stop and assist,” he said.
Another house on Midshipman had fire sweep across the grass and reach the house’s wall, where they could step in and extinguish the flames before it could spread to the structure.
Mr Thompson and his team moved from subdivision to subdivision checking and helping property owners.
“I have to commend residents yesterday. They were courageous, did not panic, and got their water, wetting down the perimeter of their houses,” Mr Thompson said.
He also acknowledged the efforts of firefighters.
“I have to commend them because they were fighting fires in other areas.
“The times we stepped in, the fire trucks were not there on Midshipman. I did call for them to come, and they came while we were fighting the fire. That was the case for several different properties,” he said. He also commended others assisting in the emergency response,
including the industrial sector, the airport, and several contractors who brought out big tank trucks to assist in putting the fires out.
By Tuesday, Mr Thompson was back out again checking on the situation. He reported there were still pockets of fire, and he saw one abandoned house on Midshipman completely engulfed in flames.
As power restoration efforts continued, many residents remained without electricity, with crews from the power company, cable providers, and BTC working to assess and repair damaged infrastructure.
“If you go down East Sunrise Highway, you will see the power company replacing poles, and also along Midshipman,” Mr Thompson said.
BNT condemns visitors seen harrassing endangered iguanas at beach in Exuma
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
THE Bahamas National Trust (BNT) condemned the actions of a group of visitor who were seen harassing critically endangered iguanas on Bitter Guana Cay, Exuma, after a video of the incident surfaced online.
Photos circulating on social media show the visitors holding the iguanas by their tails and poking them with a stick, sparking public outrage. An eyewitness claimed the group went even further, dragging the iguanas into the water despite warnings and posted signs advising against harassing or harming the animals.
The witness said they contacted boat captains and threatened to report the group if they did not stop, but their warnings were ignored.
In a statement yesterday, BNT said the group’s actions seriously threaten wildlife and undermine the species’ critical conservation efforts. While the incident did not occur within a BNTmanaged national park, the organisation stressed that protecting wildlife is a collective responsibility and that the well-being of
native species, both inside and outside national parks, is of critical importance.
“These iguanas are listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and hold significant ecological importance for our biodiversity and natural heritage. Any harassment, handling, or harm toward these protected animals is strictly prohibited under Bahamian law, specifically the Wild Animals Act and the Wildlife Conservation and Trade Act,” the statement said.
The BNT confirmed it has contacted the relevant authorities and agencies, including the Bahamas Wildlife Enforcement Network, and is prepared to assist as needed.
The organisation also noted that it recently completed a conservation action plan for another endangered species of rock iguana found in The Bahamas. One of the key recommendations in the plan is to increase education and enforcement efforts on islands frequently visited by tourists. It said this latest incident underscores the urgent need for such measures and encouraged the public to report wildlife-related violations through the BAH Wild Tip app.
KWASI THOMPSON, the MP for East Grand Bahama helping residents combat forest fires.
A PHOTO shared on Facebook sparked outrage. The image shows a visiting family harrassing an endangered iguana at a beach on Bitter Guana Cay, Exuma.
US Chargé d’Affaires downplays impact of Cuba policy on Bahamas
part of a global review involving all US embassies worldwide, emphasising that while the US has raised concerns about Cuban labour practices, there was no proof that such issues existed in The Bahamas.
“The Cuban medical programme is something that we are concerned about — there have been some human rights issues within that programme,” she told reporters.
She confirmed that discussions had already taken place between her office and that of Prime Minister Philip Davis.
Last month, the Trump administration announced that the expansion of its Cuba-related visa restriction policy applies to foreign government officials who are believed to be responsible for or involved in Cuba’s labour export programme, mainly that country’s overseas medical missions. The policy also applies to the immediate family of such people.
US officials are concerned about how much of their salaries Cuban workers ultimately receive and whether they are coerced to work under stringent, restrictive conditions.
Some Caribbean leaders have responded by emphasising the critical roles of Cuban medical professionals in their healthcare systems. Meanwhile, the New York Times reported that the US is considering a travel ban on citizens from 43 countries. The Bahamas was not on the list, which included St Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, and Grenada.
LABOUR MINISTER AND TUC CHIEF DISAGREE ON WHICH CONCERNS HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
LABOUR Minister Pia Glover-Rolle and Trade Union Congress (TUC) President Obie Ferguson disagree over how many of the TUC’s labour concerns have been addressed, with Mr Ferguson insisting that none has been resolved and warning that the union will take a more aggressive position.
Mr Ferguson, who represents nearly 18 unions under the TUC, accused the government of failing to take meaningful action and dismissed quarterly meetings with Mrs GloverRolle as insufficient for negotiations.
He argued that a onehour meeting could not resolve 40 separate union issues. He confirmed he would attend the next quarterly meeting on March 28 but hinted at applying greater pressure for a resolution. Though he did not specify what actions unions may take, he warned that “everything is on the table.”
Mrs Glover-Rolle told The Tribune that some concerns have been resolved while others are being addressed. She said the Ministry of Labour’s Labour Relations Unit has been engaging union leaders to find solutions and that some matters have even been discussed with Prime Minister Philip Davis. However, she could not provide a list of resolved issues, saying it would be made available later. She also argued that the TUC continues to include previously resolved matters on its list of grievances.
A letter dated October 24, 2024, obtained by The Tribune, outlines more than 40 concerns sent to Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, who was acting prime minister at the time. Among them were demands for unfulfilled renovations to the House of Labour and support for legislation on a livable wage.
The Bahamas Doctors Union claimed the Public Hospitals Authority had refused to sign off on an industrial agreement while imposing unreasonable demands on doctors. The union also raised concerns about staff shortages in
internal medicine, which they said are creating an unsustainable workload, leading to burnout and longer patient wait times.
Inadequate insurance coverage for doctors has also placed them at financial and professional risk, affecting their ability to perform their duties effectively.
BDU President Dr Camille Glinton-Thompson recently defended the union’s stance on overtime compensation and time-tracking requirements, saying doctors are not opposed to recording their attendance but want written guarantees that they will be compensated for all overtime worked. She warned that if a clockin system is introduced, the cost could be exorbitant given the number of hours doctors work.
The letter also highlighted complaints from the Consultant Physicians Staff Association about the Public Hospitals Authority’s failure to sign off on the industrial agreement, particularly regarding health insurance. It was claimed that severe staff shortages compromised patient care, especially in Freeport, though Nassau was also affected. The Bahamas Nurses Union accused the Public Hospitals Authority of failing to follow the registered industrial agreement. The Bahamas Customs Immigration and Allied Workers Union said the government has not adhered to a September 10, 2021 agreement, as contract workers are still holding positions and titles, including director and assistant directors. It was also alleged that officers had not been paid overtime or transportation allowances for six months or more.
The letter further stated that the government had failed to sign the negotiated industrial agreement, provide the agreed increments, and had breached the existing agreement with the Bahamas Hotel Managerial Association.
The Bahamas Dock and Allied Venues Association called for a lease agreement with the Department of Agriculture and financial assistance for fire victims on Potter’s Cay Dock, saying the government had failed to allocate necessary funds.
Salary adjustments and hazard pay were among the concerns raised by the Bahamas Air Traffic Controllers’ Union.
The Bahamas Educators’ Counsellors and Allied Workers Union cited complaints about teachers paying for housing when working in the Family Islands, prolonged confirmation processes, and delays in reclassification after obtaining higher qualifications.
The Bahamas Educators Managerial Union is demanding outstanding promotions and the registration of the 2022-2025 industrial agreement, while the Bahamas General Workers Union pointed to non-payment of monthly salaries and a lack of transparency regarding department vacancies and promotions.
The RM Bailey Park and Allied Vendors Association said the government had failed to negotiate an industrial agreement. The United Artists Bahamas Union is advocating for immigration and labour protections to ensure local artists are not overlooked for opportunities and wants representation on the Pension Board of Trustees.
The Union of Public Officers raised concerns over the National Insurance Board’s failure to finalise the 2024-2028 industrial agreement with a satisfactory financial package, approve promotions and restructuring for workers, and settle outstanding payments owed to members.
Earlier this year, under Mr Ferguson’s leadership, hundreds of healthcare workers staged a work stoppage, severely disrupting operations at public hospitals and clinics. Doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals walked off the job over longstanding labour disputes, including expired industrial agreements, staff shortages, and inadequate insurance coverage. The strike forced the government to implement contingency measures, including pulling staff from follow-up clinics, enlisting retired healthcare workers, and reassigning clinical nurses to maintain essential services.
“These are countries in the region that have something called the citizenship by investment programme — The Bahamas doesn’t have such a programme,” Office of the Prime Minister Communications Director Latrae Rahming said. She said the government had no immediate concerns about The Bahamas being included in any travel bans.
Ms Furnish also emphasised that visa relations between the two countries remain unchanged.
“We’ve had good visa relationships now, in the past, and always,” she said. “It’s all just about following rules and regulations, and Bahamians are very good at doing that. So we’re really proud of our relationship there.”
CHARGÉ d’Affairs Kimberley Furnish speaks to the press during a tour aboard the US Coast Guard Cutter Lawrence Lawson yesterday.
Photo: Nikia Charlton
The Tribune Limited
NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI
“Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”
LEON E. H. DUPUCH, Publisher/Editor 1903-1914
SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH, Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .
Publisher/Editor 1919-1972
Contributing Editor 1972-1991
RT HON EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON, C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B.
Publisher/Editor 1972-
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Elections have to run smoothly
THE nation’s elections are sacrosanct. It is of the utmost importance that we can rely on our elections to be carried out reliably, in a timely fashion and with full faith in the outcome.
So when the local government elections ran into issues earlier this year, alarm bells rang out.
The Tribune took note in January as a number of Family Islands experienced problems. There were delays with some polling stations opening late, there were ballot errors. In Harbour Island, one candidate’s name was omitted, meaning the ballots had to be reprinted and sent from New Providence – more delays.
Over in Hope Town, a candidate was left off there too despite being nominated and accepted.
Before the election, there was frustration in the Berry Islands over what some called a lack of transparency in the nomination process.
Then after the voting concluded, it took some time for the results to come through. A lot of time.
“Where are the results?” readers kept asking The Tribune. We duly kept repeating the question to those who could give the answers.
Acting Parliamentary Registration Commissioner Arthur Taylor defended his department’s work, saying officials had faced difficult circumstances. He said critics should raise concerns directly with him rather than airing them publicly. He has now been removed from that post.
The aftermath of the election was prickly, to say the least. There were calls for Family Island Affairs and
Works Minister Clay Sweeting to resign, with local elections falling within his remit.
Mr Sweeting said his department had fulfilled its responsibilities, leaving hanging in the air where the blame should lie.
A forthright defence of the Parliamentary Registration Department was notable by its absence.
Mr Taylor, for his part, was soon talking up preparations for the next general election – saying officials were “ready to be going”. Instead, it is him who is going.
There was a decided lack of anyone taking responsibility for the problems in the election. Mr Taylor blamed issues in Bimini, Harbour Island and North Eleuthera on bad weather. He said ferries had problems transporting ballot boxes due to heavy fog.
He admitted to errors in Eleuthera with names missing on the ballot, saying that was “something that we should have caught”.
But as the days went on, the excuses ran thin on why people did not know the results.
Next up will be the general election. Not to diminish the local elections, because errors and problems should not occur there either, but the country really cannot afford such problems on the national ballot.
So whatever the reason is, wherever the blame lies, a new broom is being brought in to sweep away the cobwebs and ensure a fresh start.
There can be no room for error. To whoever picks up the baton, yours is a sacred duty, do it well.
Who will lead in these times?
EDITOR, The Tribune.
WHAT a time in which we live and sadly, for many it escapes them that we are living in the time of the end, as prophesied in sacral scriptures, but who will lead it?
Well for starters, the US is inserted into the fray the hate element, causing countries to re-examine their relationship with this superpower, but Trump’s cabinet, could it be some semblance of a war cabinet? As I sought instruction from Father God, before exiting my bed, He said the same format, you know eating breakfast out, then the visit to a library in the city of Nassau, to await actuals from On-High, and this morning was no different. Sitting before the console, my project became quite clear, pellucid and here’s it
in all of its totality?
The hour is late said God Most High for mortals, a time when I shall judge humanity for the deeds done in their mortal frames, whether good, or evil but judge I shall. It will be a sad day for those found on the outside of my justice. I have been releasing my doctrine, holy writings among my servants for years now, with little to no heeding, don’t they know, have they not been told that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob does not sleep nor slumber, meting out to the violators my judgement? Judgement for the sins done in their mortal bodies, for I change not said God Most High has spoken it. Now Cat Island refers to me, writing what I told you, and for what is a process established in the Heavens absolutely so, no place else. And for the doubters,
PICTURE OF THE DAY
FNM must listen to Dame Janet
EDITOR, The Tribune. I HAVE never made any attempts to deny just where my political bones are and I do not do so now. It is more than likely that the PLP, as led by the unchallenged Leader, Philip “Brave” Davis, KC, MP, will be returned to power following the next scheduled general elections. There will be some inevitable “casualties” on the PLP’s side but that party will emerge victorious, in my considered view. Why?
the heathens, they shall have their reward already decided, haven’t known their end, before the beginning, am I able to know in part their demise. I am also here to warn my people, favorites of mine Bahamians, that the US will and shall be going to war, there will be little to no food, or water in the land. I want you, my people to stock piles on the water, and food, also on the doorpost anoint them, including the windowsills, said God Most High, so that when the Death angels pass by, they will skip those that have my markings as God Almighty said. Lord for behold your words are forever settled in the Heavens, hallelujah amen!
FRANK GILBERT Nassau, March 18, 2025.
The Opposition FNM, led by Michael Clifton Pintard (FNM-Marco City) was badly defeated and left, apparently, deeply demoralised. That party and its known supporters still appear to be in a state of shock and are wandering around, politically, like a headless chicken, in my opinion. As a Constitutionalist and a patriot Bahamian, it is my ardent desire that the FNM do in fact heal its self inflicted internal “wounds and disunity” post haste for the sake of democracy.
Dame Janet Bostwick, God bless her and her family, especially my life long “mentor” J Henry Bostwick, KC, and a former Member of the House, inter alia, gave some very sagatious advice to the FNM and its leadership recently. She postulated that the public display of unity and the fact that the FNM had yet to lay out a clear-cut alternative to the PLP and Mr Davis, were not good for their chances of throwing out the incumbent PLP. She’s spot on but, I submit, that no amount of goodwill advice from any quarter, will be enough to propel the languishing FNM back into office at this juncture.
In our political history, there have been countless occasions parties split up for whatever reasons and new ones are formed. I am not an advisor to Doctor Hubert A Minnis and most of my other habits are good.
It would seem to me, however, that the best option for Dr Minnis to remain relevant would be for him and Branville McCartney, former leader of the DNA, to join forces and create a new party to contest the next general elections. They, obviously, would not win the government, even in an unlikely coalition with the FNM.
It is highly unlikely that Pintard and Sands will ever offer an olive branch to Dr Minnis. Accept the sagacious advice of Dame Janet Bostwick and at least the FNM may increase its level of seats in the House. Other than that, the PLP must become more vigilant and step up to the plate in a manner which convinces the unwashed masses that with a second term with Brave, we will, finally, cross over the Jordan and into The Promised Land. To God then, in all things, be the glory.
ORTLAND H BODIE, Jr Nassau, March 15, 2025.
Unemployment down but Social Services up?
EDITOR, The Tribune.
SO unemployment is down but people applying for Social Service assistance is up…did I hear right?
If unemployment really truthfully was down why would Social Service assistance be up?
Truthfully how many Bahamians and asking what if we had an Elon
Musk checking Government waste... what would they find? I suspect a lot of people wish there to be investigation as to payments and use of government funds...could be a significant issue now seeing what Musk discovered in US...Imagine if we found misappropriation of millions...stealing...etc...bush crack those gone I suggest.
What will you be doing on October 10, Friday or October 28, Tuesday? You might be lined up doing something...tease. Has police leave and defence force leave been cancelled or for that period? Truly having fun.
THOMAS MOSS Nassau, March 12, 2025.
CHILLIN’ at a jam-packed Goodman’s Bay today at sunset.
Photo: David Watson
‘Justice has prevailed’, says Davis - but World Famous Valley Boys to appeal
potential for public confusion or deception. The court lifted an injunction issued in September 2024, which had temporarily prevented the Registrar General from carrying out the removal.
The dispute arose from a split within the Valley Boys Junkanoo organisation, which led to two factions — the Valley Boys Junkanoo Group and the World Famous Valley Boys — both claiming to represent the original group. In April 2024, the Valley Boys Junkanoo Group formally objected to the registration of the World Famous Valley Boys as a non-profit organisation, arguing that it was an attempt to mislead the
public. The Registrar General investigated and invited the World Famous Valley Boys to change its name to avoid confusion, but the group refused, leading to its removal from the register. Justice Ellis ruled that the World Famous Valley Boys had an alternative legal remedy available — an appeal under the Non-Profit Organisations Act — which it failed to pursue before seeking judicial review. He emphasised that judicial review is a remedy of last resort, intended only for cases where no other legal avenues exist. Since the group had the option to challenge its removal through an appeal process, the court found that its decision to bypass that step rendered the judicial review
HEALT H MINISTRY INVESTIGATING
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter
THE Ministry of Health and Wellness said it is investigating claims that a man died from a foodborne illness after eating at a local restaurant.
application improper.
The court also rejected claims that the Registrar General violated the principles of natural justice by failing to consult with the World Famous Valley Boys before making her decision. Justice Ellis noted that the Registrar General had given the group multiple opportunities to present its case and that both parties had been consulted in June 2024 before a final decision was issued in August 2024. The judge found that the Registrar General acted within her statutory powers in determining that the registration of two similar names under the same category could lead to confusion among the public.
Following the ruling, interim chairman of the
CLAIM
Valley Boys Junkanoo Group, Trevor Davis, described the outcome as a victory for his group, stating that “justice has prevailed.” He confirmed that the Valley Boys Junkanoo Group intends to register with the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence (JCNP) before April 1 to participate in this year’s Junkanoo Parades.
The World Famous Valley Boys, however, expressed disappointment with the ruling and announced plans to appeal. In a statement, the group maintained that the court did not order it to change its name or invalidate its existence. It insisted that the ruling only affected its status as an NPO, not its ability to operate as a Junkanoo group, and confirmed
that it remains fully registered with the JCNP in preparation for the Junkanoo season. Justice Ellis further ordered that costs be awarded to the defendants, which include the Valley Boys Junkanoo Group, the Registrar General, and the Office of the Attorney General.
The origins of the Valley Boys split involve concerns over leadership practices, financial transparency, and the lack of structured governance, which led to growing dissatisfaction among some members.
Trevor Davis, a member since 1980, emerged as the interim chairman of the breakaway faction last year, citing the absence of fiscal accountability and
regular elections as primary grievances. In the lead-up to the 2024 Boxing Day and 2025 New Year’s Day Junkanoo parades, the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence (JCNP) faced the challenge of determining which faction would officially represent the Valley Boys in the A Division. Initially, the JCNP recognised the World Famous group for the A Division, while Mr Davis’s faction was designated to participate in the Fun Division. However, the Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture later announced that both factions would be allowed to participate in the A Division, though Mr Davis’s group was not allowed to compete for prizes or placements.
A M AN DIED OF FOOD-BORNE ILLNESS FROM LOCAL RESTAURANT
The Ministry of Health, which did not name the establishment, said it is investigating but can only speak to the clinical aspects of the case.
Bahama Grill, a wellestablished West Bay Street restaurant, has recently been at the centre of unconfirmed social media claims.
The ministry said matters related to environmental regulations and sanitation requirements at business establishments fall under the Ministry of Environmental Health and Natural Resources.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Environmental Health and Natural Resources declined to comment when The Tribune reached out to them yesterday.
GB WOM AN PLEADS FOR RETURN OF TENS OF T HOUSANDS OF DOLLARS CONFISCATED
By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter
lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
A GRAND Bahama woman is pleading for the return of tens of thousands of dollars seized by police six months ago, insisting she provided proof of its origin and has hired an attorney to fight for its release.
Marilyn Newman said officers confiscated her savings during a police search on August 28, 2024, and took her to police headquarters for questioning.
In an interview with ZNS Northern Service last week, she said the money was from her work as a cosmetic surgery consultant and an insurance settlement from an accident.
“I have been saving this money for so long. This isn’t money I just had one time, this money I saved over a period of time not knowing I could trouble for doing it,” she said. She also alleged that police linked her to a drugrelated scandal involving her wanted brother, a claim she strongly denies.
Despite hiring an attorney and requesting the return of her money, a court issued a detention order, allowing police to hold the funds for another three months.
Ms Newman’s case has raised broader concerns about cash seizures by police, particularly in cases where people claim to have lawful earnings but still face
prolonged investigations.
Addressing the issue during an appearance on ZNS’ The Sabrina Brown Show yesterday, Superintendent Remy Minnis, Officer in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Unit in Grand Bahama and the Northern Bahamas, defended police procedures.
He acknowledged that it is not illegal to keep cash at home, regardless of the amount. However, he said that when large sums are found during a police search, officers take the funds into custody for investigation.
“So, what happens in most matters like that, officers would take the funds into custody, not take the funds, but take it into the custody. Basically, we hold the funds so an investigation can take place as to where the funds came from,” he said.
He said people could provide documentation to show their money came from legitimate sources, including business earnings or asue savings.
He acknowledged that some Bahamians, particularly those without legal status or bank accounts, store money at home, citing Abaco’s large Haitian and Haitian-Bahamian communities as an example.
He explained that when large amounts of cash are found, police take custody of the money and count it in the owner’s presence before
T WO SHOOTING INCIDENTS LEAVE TWO MEN HOSPITALISED MONDAY
POLICE are investigating two shooting incidents that occurred in New Providence on Monday, leaving two adult men injured and hospitalised. The first incident took place shortly after 9pm near Darling Street and Wulff Road. Police responded to reports of a male being shot. The initial reports indicated that the 23-year-old male victim was walking on Wulff Road when a male on a motorcycle approached him and discharged gunshots in his direction. The victim sustained gunshot injuries about the body. He was transported to the hospital by private vehicle, where his condition was last
listed as stable but critical. The second incident occurred shortly after 11pm in Peardale. Initial reports suggest that a 21-year-old male victim was sitting in front of a residence with a group of males when the occupants of a white Japanese-model vehicle approached, exited the vehicle, and fired gunshots at them. The suspects then returned to the vehicle and fled the scene in an unknown direction. The victim sustained gunshot wounds to his upper back and was transported to the hospital by Emergency Medical Services. His condition is also stable but critical.
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BY POLICE
handing it over to the financial unit for investigation. Only the court, he said, can authorise the final seizure of funds.
“Once it’s proved that these funds are not derived from ill gains, illegal stuff or activities, your monies will be in full returned to you,” he said. He urged the public to allow investigations to take their course, acknowledging that some cases take longer than others.
“Once the investigation is complete, it may be quick in some cases, it may be longer in other cases. It usually is the investigator and the investigation, sometimes things have twist and turns,” he said.
Ms Newman, however, remains frustrated with the ongoing delay and insists that she has done nothing wrong.
Her attorney is continuing efforts to recover her money, but for now, her savings remain in police custody with no clear timeline for their return.
Randy Rolle, the head of the Consumer Protection Commission, told this newspaper that the department has not received any complaints regarding Bahama Grill.
On Monday, Bahama Grill accused “pettyminded cowards” of spreading false and malicious information, adding that legal steps are being taken to address the matter.
Eric Gibson Jr, owner of Bahama Grill, told The Tribune it was too early to determine the impact of the allegations. He said if true, he expected the “authors” of the claims to contact the restaurant to lodge a complaint and allow them to respond, but that did not happen.
The restaurant said it remains committed to providing top-quality, tasty food at the best prices in “the best and cleanest environment” while delivering excellent customer service.
Man acquitted of murder
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter
A 29-YEAR-OLD man was yesterday acquitted of murder and attempted murder in the trial of a fatal 2020 drive-by shooting on Hampton Street.
Lorenzo “Cheddar” Wilson was found not guilty on both charges before Justice Renae McKay after a nine-person jury returned a
unanimous verdict. Prosecutors alleged that Wilson was a passenger in a black vehicle that pulled up outside a mechanic shop around 1pm on April 7, 2020. Three armed gunmen allegedly opened fire on Deano “Twin” Gordon. Superintendent Warren Johnson, responding to the sound of gunfire, engaged in a shootout with the suspects as they fled in the vehicle.
Gordon later died from his injuries.
While Supt Johnson claimed that Wilson was among the men in the vehicle’s right backseat, other witnesses said the assailants were masked and could not be identified. Wilson appeared relieved after being acquitted. Tonique Lewis represented the defence, while Cephia Pinder-Moss served as the prosecutor.
T HREE- MONT HS JAIL FOR ASSAULT OF OFFICER
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A WOMAN was sentenced to three months in prison yesterday after admitting to kicking, biting, and throwing a chair at a police officer following a disturbance at a restaurant last weekend.
Senior Magistrate Algernon Allen Jr arraigned Averie Anderson, 31, on charges of causing harm,
assaulting a police officer, disorderly behaviour, and disorderly behaviour in a police station. Anderson reportedly caused a disturbance at Carnivale Restaurant on Paradise Island and refused to leave around 8.45pm on March 15.
When Corporal 3934 Maycock tried to arrest her, she resisted violently, cursing at him before kicking him repeatedly and biting his index finger.
While in custody at the Paradise Island police station, Anderson threw a chair at Cpl Maycock, hitting him in the leg, and continued to curse at officers.
She pleaded guilty to the charges and accepted the facts presented in court. The magistrate sentenced her to three months in prison and informed her of her right to appeal. Sergeant 3004 Forbes prosecuted the case.
Break the stigma over mental health
MENTAL health is an under-resourced area in The Bahamas, even as we see the evidence of mental illness and the daily struggles people experience.
Unhoused people roam the streets all day, begging for money to buy what they need to survive. In some cases, this includes alcohol and controlled substances, though may be difficult for people who have never experienced addiction to understand. People have disproportionate responses to minor inconveniences both in public and in private. Students are fighting each other, whether or not adults are present, with no regard for their own lives or those of others.
We have seen increased reports of suicide and attempted suicide cases in recent years with eight in 2024 and five in the first three months of 2025. Even as there is alarm on this issue, public discussion about suicide and attempted suicide suggest that this is being regarded as a personal issue rather than a symptom of a national issue that has been neglected. At the root of this issue is the inability of existing systems to meet the needs of the people who live here.
Food, water, and rest are among our most basic needs. When these needs are not met, it is not possible to meet the needs that rely on these. We need to have sufficient food and water in order to gain and hold on to employment, maintain good health, and take care of our families. Our safety relies on our physiological needs being met. The sense of belonging and feeling of being loved becomes real to us when we are safe. Self-actualisation, which includes the ability to solve problems, is at the top of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs which means realisation of it is dependent on all of the aforementioned factors.
For people with strained relationships, difficulty making ends meet, and compromised safety, it is especially difficult to assess a personal situation and take steps to solve the existing problems. It is not only too much to manage, but it is not a priority when thirst, hunger, and the need for shelter exist. These are primary concerns, and they are also difficult to address in that state. It is critical that people have support in navigating experiences of
By Alicia Wallace
poverty, underemployment, unemployment, hunger, homelessness, health concerns, addiction, and mental health challenges.
Responding to the reports of two suicides in the past week, Dr John Dillet said: “There’s an increasing sense of hopelessness I think in our community that perhaps we haven’t seen for some time[…] People are feeling very overwhelmed, whether it’s because of economics, because of mental health, because of domestic situations and relationships, etc. Persons really are feeling a bit hopeless that they don’t have faith in the support systems around them.”
People need to know that they have options. They need to see a path to a different life. They need to know that they can rely on others to help them. They need to know that there is no shame in needing or asking for help. They need to be supported as they go through the discomfort of making necessary changes that will lead to a different life where their needs can be met. People need to have access to resources and services that will support them
until they get to the place where they can meet their own basic needs, and not be expected to struggle alone. Social assistance through the government is mystery to most people. There is no clear pathway for people who are in need of assistance. Which office should one go to? What documents does one need to take? Are appointments required? Is it possible to get assistance outside of business hours? What kind of assistance is available? What can be done for a single person? What can be done for a family of three or four people? Are there psychologist and psychiatrists that Social Services can refer people to? Is it possible to see all of the necessary professionals in one location? What support is available to people who do not have reliable transportation?
The public should know exactly how the system works. We should all know where to go, what to take with us, how long it takes (on average) to be assessed, and what we could expect to receive if we do not have a place to live, or if we have a place to live, but do not
Recommendations
1. The Women Could Fly by Megan Giddings. Feminist Book Club, hosted by Equality Bahamas and Poinciana Paper Press is reading this book and discussing it on April 16. It is described as “a piercing dystopian novel about the unbreakable bond between a young woman and her mysterious mother, set in a world in which witches are real and single women are closely monitored[…] In this powerful and timely novel, Megan Giddings explores the limits women face—and the powers they have to transgress and transcend them.” The book is available in hardcopy, ebook, and audiobook. To join Feminist Book Club, go to tiny.cc/ fbc2025.
2. Visit Clifton Heritage National Park. Sacred Space has been a beautiful place to visit for years, and now there is even more to see and learn with the newly permanent historical exhibit. Sacred Space: Dedicated to HerStory in The Bahamas, curated by Christopher Davis (Nana John Canoe II), includes educational panels focused on the history of African women in The Bahamas. Included are panels on African women and their resistance to slavery and action toward the abolition of slavery.
“At the root of this issue is the inability of existing systems to meet the needs of the people who live here.”
have the means to purchase food. This should not be a secret. It should not be necessary to find someone who works there, used to work there, or has accessed social assistance before in order to get information. Destigmatisation of mental health issues is as important as having accessible services for people who need them. Neurodiversity is a fact and needs to not only be acknowledged, but received a response that recognises and values the contributions that we all make and the value that we inherently have as human beings. Whether people have anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or other conditions, diagnosed or undiagnosed, we have to make space for everyone and create an environment for everyone to succeed. Anxiety and depression are being more openly discussed by some of the younger generations that are actively choosing not to be ashamed of diagnoses, but to talk about their experiences, from what it is like to struggle in a world designed for neurotypical people to the coping mechanisms and ways of life that are working for them. This
is a step toward breaking the stigma, and more needs to be done at every level. Many people who participate in the stigmatisation of mental health issues are themselves struggling with undiagnosed issues and could benefit from screenings and interventions. As with many issues, money is a barrier to accessing care. It is unclear how people can access mental health services publicly, and there is even more stigma attached to certain facilities. Improvement in care and increased promotion of available services contribute to destigmatisation. It would be impactful to share mental health stories, offer screenings as a part of annual exams through National Health Insurance and other health and insurance schemes, and broadcast series on common diagnoses and they ways they are identified and treated. There needs to be specific attention to at-risk groups including teenagers, pregnant and postpartum people, people experiencing grief, survivors of genderbased violence, and people who are and have been institutionalised. Understanding the signs
of anxiety and depression can go a long way in identifying mental health issues, and understanding the public system can make it easier and more comfortable for people to get the help they need. In addition, signs of suicide risk need to be widely promoted, and there must be suicide intervention training provided to health professionals, people in positions of leadership, and ordinary residents. People should not be left alone to suffer or to figure everything out on their own. Everyone needs assistance from time to time, and people who are struggling, whether financially, domestically, academically, or otherwise, can be under significant pressure that they are unable to release on their own. We need to take the necessary steps to ensure that we are equipped, both with empathy and the requisite training and information on available resources and services, to help one another. We can prevent suicide. It begins with destigmatising mental health issues in all forms and all people.
Ubitus and ASUS join to showcase AI Digital Human powered by NVIDIA
SAN JOSE Associated Press
UBITUS KK, a global leader in cloud gaming and AI solutions, is proud to announce its joint exhibition with ASUS at NVIDIA GTC 2025, taking place from March 17th to March 21st. This collaboration highlights the seamless integration of Ubitus’s AI-driven solutions with ASUS’s high-performance infrastructure, optimized by NVIDIA’s cutting-edge tools and GPUs.
Revolutionizing Digital Human Interaction with AI
At GTC 2025, Ubitus presents two groundbreaking AI experiences that enhance digital avatar interactions and immersion. The first demonstration features a hyper-realistic digital avatar, powered by NVIDIA Riva, NVIDIA Audio2Face 3D, and the Llama 3 AI model.
Running on ASUS’s high-performance infrastructure—equipped with 1,024 NVIDIA H100 GPUs and utilizing the ASUS AI server with NVIDIA Omniverse —this innovative solution enables avatars to engage in intelligent, dynamic, and personalized interactions with users worldwide.
Additionally, Ubitus showcases the Ubi-chan
VR experience, allowing attendees to engage in voice interactions with the AI VTuber Ubi-chan using the Meta Quest 3 headset. This experience integrates NVIDIA® Riva’s advanced Text-to-Speech (TTS) and Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) technologies with Sana’s real-time image generation, delivering a fully immersive interaction. In the VR environment, Ubi-chan serves as a guide, introducing attendees to ASUS products while enhancing engagement with an interactive, lifelike experience—pushing the boundaries of virtual interaction and immersion Advancing AI Innovation Across Industries
These cutting-edge innovations underscore the synergy between Ubitus’s AI-driven technology, ASUS’s robust computing infrastructure, and NVIDIA’s AI acceleration tools. By harnessing NVIDIA’s powerful ecosystem, Ubitus continues to drive nextgeneration AI applications across healthcare, education, finance and enterprise solutions.
Attendees of NVIDIA GTC 2025 are invited to experience these transformative AI solutions firsthand. Visit the ASUS booth #1523 to explore the future of AI-powered interaction and witness how Ubitus is redefining the digital experience.
As a member of the NVIDIA Connect program, Ubitus leverages NVIDIA’s support and cutting-edge GPU technology to accelerate AI innovation. The company delivers advanced AI solutions, including UbiGPT (a large language model), UbiONE (an AIpowered avatar creation platform), and UbiArt (an image generation tool), providing customized solutions to meet the diverse needs of various industries.
As a cloud gaming pioneer, Ubitus enables Nintendo and other game companies to establish cloud gaming services and supports the global streaming of multimedia content, including interactive and virtual reality experiences.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang unveils new Rubin AI chips at GTC 2025
Associated Press
NVIDIA founder Jensen Huang kicked off the company’s artificial intelligence developer conference on Tuesday by telling a crowd of thousands that AI is going through “an inflection point.”
At GTC 2025, heralded as “AI Woodstock,” Huang focused his keynote on the company’s advancements in AI and his predictions for how the industry will move over the next few years.
In a highly anticipated announcement, Huang revealed more details around Nvidia’s next-generation graphics architectures: Blackwell Ultra and Vera Rubin -- named for the famous astronomer. Blackwell Ultra is slated for the second half of 2025, while its successor, the Rubin AI chip, is expected to launch in late 2026. Rubin Ultra will take the stage in 2027.
In a talk that lasted at over two hours, Huang outlined the “extraordinary progress” that AI has made. In 10 years, he said, AI graduated from perception and “computer vision” to generative
AI, and now to agentic AI — or AI that has the ability to reason.
“AI understands the context, understands what we’re asking. understands the meaning of our request,” he said. “It now generates answers. Fundamentally changed how computing is done.”
Huang said demand for GPUs from the top four cloud service providers is surging, adding that he expects Nvidia’s data center infrastructure revenue to hit $1 trillion by 2028. He also announced that U.S. car maker General Motors would integrate Nvidia technology in its new fleet of
self-driving cars.
The Nvidia head also unveiled the company’s Halos system, an AI solution built around automotive — especially autonomous driving — safety.
“We’re the first company in the world, I believe, to have every line of code safety assessed,” Huang said.
AI IS TURBOCH A RGING ORGA NIZED CRIME, EU POL ICE AGENCY WA RNS
THE HAGUE Associated Press
THE European Union’s law enforcement agency cautioned Tuesday that artificial intelligence is turbocharging organized crime that is eroding the foundations of societies across the 27-nation bloc as it becomes intertwined with state-sponsored destabilisation campaigns.
The grim warning came at the launch of the latest edition of a report on organized crime published every four years by Europol that is compiled using data from police across the EU and will help shape law enforcement policy in the bloc in coming years.
“Cybercrime is evolving into a digital arms race targeting governments, businesses and individuals. AI-driven attacks are becoming more precise and devastating,” said Europol’s Executive Director Catherine De Bolle.
“Some attacks show a combination of motives of profit and destabilisation, as they are increasingly state-aligned and ideologically motivated,” she added.
The report, the EU Serious and Organized Crime Threat Assessment 2025, said offenses ranging from drug trafficking to people smuggling, money laundering, cyber attacks and online scams undermine society and the rule of law “by generating illicit proceeds, spreading violence, and normalizing corruption.”
The volume of child sexual abuse material available online has increased significantly because of AI, which makes it more difficult to analyse imagery and identify offenders, the report said.
“By creating highly realistic synthetic media, criminals are able to deceive victims, impersonate individuals and discredit or blackmail targets. The addition of AI-powered voice cloning and live video deepfakes amplifies the threat, enabling new forms of fraud, extortion, and identity theft,” it said.
States seeking geopolitical advantage are also using criminals as contractors, the report said, citing cyber-attacks against critical infrastructure and public institutions “originating from Russia and countries in its sphere of influence.”
Hybrid and traditional cybercrime actors will increasingly be intertwined, with state-sponsored actors masking themselves as cybercriminals to conceal their origin and real disruption motives,” it said.
Polish Interior Ministry Undersecretary of State Maciej Duszczyk cited a recent cyberattack on a hospital as the latest example in his country.
“Unfortunately this hospital has to stop its activity for the hours because it was lost to a serious cyber-attack,” boosted by AI, he said.
AI and other technologies “are a catalyst for crime, and drive criminal operations’ efficiency by amplifying their speed, reach, and sophistication,” the report said.
As the European Commission prepares to launch a new internal security policy, De Bolle said that nations in Europe need to tackle the threats urgently.
“We must embed security into everything we do,” said European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner. He added that the EU aims to provide enough funds in coming years to double Europol’s staff.
TRANSFORMING Virtual Interactions – Ubitus x ASUS Bring Digital Humans to Life at GTC 2025.
CEO Jensen Huang talks during the keynote address of Nvidia GTC yesterday in San Jose, California.
Photo: Nic Coury/AP
THE EXTERIOR view of the European police agency Europol headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands, December 2, 2016.
Photo: Mike Corder/AP
Urgent plea for blood donations in GB
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter
HEALTH officials in Grand Bahama are urgently appealing for blood donations as Rand Memorial Hospital struggles to meet the rising demand for transfusions.
Adelecia Campbell, administrative manager at Grand Bahama Health Services, urged the public to donate as soon as possible, emphasising that the hospital’s blood bank is unable to keep up with the increasing number of requests. She said that hospital staff frequently issue calls for donations, particularly on social media, to help patients in critical need of transfusions.
“The number of appeals has noticeably risen compared to last year,” she said. She stressed that all blood types are needed, as
the hospital simply requires more donations to meet demand.
Claudia Glinton, laboratory manager at GBHS, explained that blood donations are typically used within a week of being collected, well before their 35-day expiration. She noted that the demand is constant, with donations going toward patients with kidney disease, cancer, anaemia, and women giving birth.
“Our community always needs donors,” she said, adding that one pint of blood can help save up to three lives.
Rand Memorial Hospital’s lab operates from 10am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. While the facility is closed on weekends and holidays, Ms Glinton assured that special arrangements can be made for groups wanting to donate on weekends.
“We don’t want to turn
anyone away,” she said, encouraging groups to reach out if they want to schedule a donation.
She also reminded donors to eat before donating, clarifying that fasting—common for other types of bloodwork—is not necessary.
Despite awareness efforts through flyers and posters, Ms Glinton acknowledged that the response rate remains low. She suggested that fear may deter some people from donating, but stressed that a continuous supply would prevent the frequent urgency surrounding donations.
Meanwhile, Central Grand Bahama MP Iram Lewis announced a blood drive in honour of his birthday on May 3. He encouraged others born on that date to celebrate with him by donating blood at Rand Memorial Hospital or bringing a gift.
‘BEWARE OF VAPING DANGERS’
By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
JARED Saunders, once healthy and active, suffered severe health complications after vaping for two years—an experience he now describes as devastating.
While working at a hotel in 2023, he fell gravely ill, losing 80 pounds in two months. Speaking on ZNS’ The Sabrina Brown Show yesterday, he recalled his ordeal, saying he initially thought vaping was harmless but later realised its dangers.
Mr Saunders developed excessive sweating, heart palpitations, and extreme weakness, eventually becoming unable to eat or drink water. His condition forced him to leave his job and return home to Freeport, Grand Bahama, seeking answers.
Doctors later diagnosed him with hyperthyroidism, determining that his thyroid levels were dangerously high. He believes his illness was linked to vaping, recalling an incident where vape liquid leaked into his mouth, prompting him to research its effects.
“It acted as if I was poison,” he said, adding that he suffered darkened skin and long-term health issues. His weight plummeted from 255 pounds to 175, and he still experiences heart palpitations and acid reflux, requiring ongoing medication and regular blood tests.
He now warns others against vaping, describing it as a serious health risk that is not worth the potential consequences.
Officials say vaping is a growing concern in The Bahamas, particularly among young people.
Detective Superintendent Remy Minnis, head of the Drug Enforcement Unit in Grand
and the Northern Bahamas, said law enforcement is increasing education and outreach efforts in schools and community groups.
“We have developed an agenda to visit as many schools as possible,” he said, stressing the need for prevention efforts targeting both children and adults.
Detective Inspector Latoya Mitchell, who leads demand reduction initiatives, said schools are increasingly requesting presentations on vaping, reflecting the growing urgency of the issue.
“Last year alone, we were invited by four primary schools to speak to students about vaping. Since the beginning of this year, I have already visited more than four schools,” she said, adding that even young students in grades four to six are using vapes. Insp Mitchell identified peer influence, appealing scents, and easy access at home as the main reasons children start vaping. She noted that many students obtain vapes from family members rather than stores, creating a situation where adults’ behaviour normalises the habit.
“We have to be the example,” she said, warning that vaping can act as a gateway to drug use and other risky behaviours. Health experts warn that vaping can lead to lung disease, cardiovascular issues, nicotine addiction, and brain development damage in young users. Many vaping products contain harmful chemicals, including formaldehyde, acrolein, and heavy metals, which can have long-term consequences.
Authorities urge parents to remain vigilant, set clear examples, and educate their children on vaping’s dangers before the habit leads to irreversible health damage.
DELAYS IN FLIGHTS AFTER RUNWAY CLOSURE
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
THE closure of a major runway at Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) is causing unusual delays in flight operations, according to Western Air, a leading Bahamian airline. The Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD), which manages the airport, previously announced that major upgrades began on February 3 and warned travellers to expect delays during peak hours. NAD has reiterated that while efforts are being made to minimise disruptions, extended wait times are inevitable for a project of this scale.
In a statement on Monday, Western Air advised passengers to continue checking in as usual, as most flights remain on schedule. However, delays may occur on certain days and at specific times, depending on traffic volume on LPIA’s single active runway. The airline explained that with only one runway in use, congestion and extended ground time for takeoffs and landings have led to delays and flight reaccommodations, including for Monday’s Flight 716 and 718. Western Air noted that flights that normally take 35 minutes between Freeport and Nassau are now averaging up to an hour and 30 minutes. In some cases, flights have been diverted
due to extended wait times for landing clearance.
The airline also highlighted the strain on flight crews, whose duty hours are strictly regulated for safety. Longer wait times on the ground reduce the number of flights they can legally operate.
NAD said the two-month runway rehabilitation project is a $10m capital investment, expected to be completed before the peak Easter travel period. The runway, last upgraded in 2006, will undergo a major overhaul, including the replacement of approximately 484,000 square feet of asphalt pavement, extending its lifespan and improving safety and reliability at LPIA.
Bahama
ADELECIA CAMPBELL, administrative manager at Grand Bahama Health Services.
BAHAMAS Scholastic Athletic Association students compete in the 2025 Track and Field Classic.
Caicedo stars as Real Madrid beats Arsenal 2-0 in the women’s Champions League
By CIARÁN FAHEY AP Sports Writer
LINDA Caicedo shined on a rainy evening in the Spanish capital as Real Madrid beat Arsenal 2-0 in the first leg of the women’s Champions League quarterfinals yesterday.
The 20-year-old Colombia star opened the scoring and proved a constant source of torment for the Arsenal defenders. Substitute Athenea grabbed the second goal late to put the Spanish side in a promising position to reach the semifinals.
The second leg of their quarterfinal will be played in London next Wednesday.
Caicedo capitalised on Arsenal defender Leah Williamson’s botched effort to cut out Signe Bruun’s pass when she took a couple of strides forward to hold off Arsenal’s Emily Fox and fired the ball inside the left post in the 22nd minute. Beth Mead went closest for Arsenal before the break. Madrid suffered a blow in the 63rd when Melanie Leupolz went off with an apparent right knee injury after kicking the ball. The
16-year-old Irune Dorado went on in the German midfielder’s place. Arsenal responded with a period of sustained pressure, albeit without reward, and Athenea scored on a counterattack in the 82nd. Arsenal goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger got her hand to the ball but couldn’t keep Athenea’s powerful shot out.
Madrid, a powerhouse in men’s soccer with a record 15 European titles, is bidding to reach the semifinals for the first time. The Spanish club was late to women’s soccer in
comparison to rivals, only forming its women’s team after completing a merger and acquisition of another women’s soccer club in 2020.
The big clubs’ belated investments in women’s soccer have had an adverse effect on clubs like Sweden’s Umeå IK and Germany’s Turbine Potsdam.
Later Tuesday, Bayern Munich was hosting Lyon. In the other quarterfinals today, Wolfsburg faces defending champion Barcelona at home, before Manchester City hosts English rival Chelsea.
NEWCASTLE players celebrate after winning the EFL Cup final soccer match between Liverpool and Newcastle at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday, March 16, 2025.
(AP Photo/ Scott Heppell)
NEWCASTLE WINS ENGLISH LEAGUE CUP TO SECURE ITS FIRST MAJOR DOMESTIC TROPHY IN 70 YEARS
By JAMES ROBSON AP Soccer Writer
LONDON (AP) — After 70 long years the wait is over for Newcastle.
The Saudi-backed club beat Liverpool 2-1 on Sunday to win the English League Cup and end an agonising trophy drought.
Dan Burn and Alexander Isak scored either side of halftime to seal victory at Wembley. And even though Liverpool substitute Federico Chiesa set up a tense finish to the final with a goal in added time, nothing was going to stand in Newcastle’s way.
“After 70 years we can now say we are the champions again,” a tearful Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes said. “It’s one of the best days of my life.”
Newcastle’s last major domestic trophy was the FA Cup in 1955. It won the now-defunct Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969.
This was its first piece of silverware since being bought by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund in 2021 - a deal that was expected to transform the fortunes of one of English soccer’s most iconic clubs. Burn’s powerful header
opened the scoring just before halftime and Isak doubled the lead in the 52nd minute with a sweeping shot from close range. Chiesa raced through to pull a goal back in the fourth minute of added time, but Newcastle held on to spark raucous celebrations from its long-suffering fans.
While Liverpool is 12 points clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League and looks on course to win a record-equalling 20th English title this season, coach Arne Slot was forced to wait for his first trophy since succeeding Jurgen Klopp last year. The defeat ended a painful week for the Merseyside club, which was also knocked out of the Champions League on Tuesday after losing to Paris SaintGermain in a penalty shootout.
‘Even Liverpool can lose’
“It took us 7, 8, 9 months to lose twice in a row,” Slot said. “You know that if you go far in tournaments that the opposition you face gets stronger and stronger. And even Liverpool can lose football games.”
There have been near misses and painful lows
during Newcastle’s trophy wait, including back-toback FA Cup final losses in 1998 and ‘99 and defeat to Manchester United in the League Cup final two years ago. On this occasion Eddie Howe’s team was a worthy winner against a Liverpool team that has been too good for its top flight rivals this season - losing just once in the league.
“You don’t get many shots at a cup final. Today we had to try to take our opportunity and that’s where the players delivered under pressure so well and so impressively,” Howe said. “It also proves proves we can mix our game against the very, very best.”
More trophies ahead?
Newcastle fans, whose joyous singing dominated Wembley, will hope this is the start of things to come under its new owners.
Despite being backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund which counts its assets at around $925 billion, soccer’s financial fair play restrictions have limited Newcastle’s spending, meaning it has not been able to make the type of lavish signings seen by Abu Dhabi-backed
Manchester City and Qatari-backed PSG. Last summer it only spent around $36 million and recouped around $100 million in sales.
Burn and Isak were two of the big signings under the Saudi era and they delivered at Wembley.
“Hopefully with one (it) can become more,” Howe said about winning more trophies in the future. “There’s no guarantee, I just think it proves we can do it.”
Arsenal closes gap Mikel Merino led Arsenal to a 1-0 win against Chelsea in the Premier League to close the gap on Liverpool to 12 points.
Arsenal’s title hopes have faded in recent weeks, but Merino’s first-half header settled the London derby at the Emirates Stadium.
“The only thing we can do is try to win our matches. If we do, we are in a better position,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said.
Merino rose in the 20th minute to flick Martin Odegaard’s near post corner beyond Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. It was enough to secure a first league win for Arsenal since February 15.
Defeat for fourth-placed
Chelsea means it missed the chance to extend its onepoint lead over Manchester City in fifth and boost its chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season.
Arsenal, on 58 points, is 10 clear of four-time defending champion City.
Man United wins
Three days after beating Real Sociedad 4-1 in the last 16 of the Europa League, Manchester United enjoyed a 3-0 win at struggling Leicester in the Premier League.
Rasmus Hojlund ended his goal drought to open the scoring for United at the King Power Stadium and, after having a goal disallowed, Alejandro Garnacho doubled the advantage.
Bruno Fernandes wrapped up three points with a late goal as the visitors climbed to 13th and inflicted a sixth successive loss on the relegation-threatened Foxes. United’s win was marred by a serious-looking injury to teenager Ayden Heaven.
The 18-year-old arrived from Arsenal last month and gave an impressive first-half display on Sunday. But Heaven’s full Premier
League debut came to an agonising end shortly after halftime, with the United centre back taken off on a stretcher after lengthy treatment, having been hurt stopping Patson Daka reaching a cross. Spurs blow Another setback for Tottenham is likely to increase the pressure on coach Ange Postecoglou heading into the international break after a 2-0 loss at Fulham. Spurs, in 14th, have only won one of their last five in all competitions and this was a 15th league defeat of the season. “It’s been a difficult campaign for sure. But I feel we’ve lost too many games that we should have got stuff out of, and this was one of those games,” Postecoglou said. “It’s another international break we go into off a loss and you feel that. We just need to make sure we’re ready for when we come back.” Rodrigo Muniz gave Fulham the lead in the 78th at Craven Cottage and Ryan Sessegnon doubled the home team’s lead 10 minutes later.
Fulham is eighth and four points behind Chelsea in the race for a Champions League place.
REAL Madrid’s Linda Caicedo runs with the ball yesterday in the Women’s Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match against Arsenal at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium in Madrid, Spain. (AP Photo/Fran Berg)
Thunder and Cavaliers
lead the conferences by big margins. They’re playing for something more
By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer
THE East is a runaway. The West is a bigger runaway. And the NBA hasn’t seen anything quite like this in nearly 40 years.
While all the attention is on your NCAA brackets this week (by the way, here are some tips for the men’s and women’s tournaments), it’s safe to go ahead and pencil in Cleveland as the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and Oklahoma City as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. It’s not mathematically certain yet, but let’s face it, neither of those teams are going to get caught.
It’s not outside the realm of realistic possibility that both the Cavaliers and the Thunder win their conference by at least 10 games. There have been plenty of instances of that happening in one conference over the years, but it hasn’t happened in both conferences in the same season since Boston won the East by 10 games and the Los Angeles Lakers won the West by 11 games in 1985-86.
Entering Monday, Cleveland led the East by 7 1/2 games. Oklahoma City led the West by 13 games
— with 14 games left to play, so do the math. The West is over. The East is just about over.
“It’s the chemistry of the team,” Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault said. “We’ve really formed a nice chemistry on the court. Great blend. Guys are playing to their strengths.”
The Thunder have earned the respect of the league — and, evidently, Las Vegas. BetMGM Sportsbook lists Oklahoma City as a big favourite to win the West and has the Thunder as the
favourite to win the NBA title. The West is loaded, and OKC has a shot of being the first team to win that conference’s regular season title by 15 or more games since Golden State in 1975-76. The Thunder are outscoring teams by 12.4 points per game. That’s on pace to be the best margin in NBA history. And that’s significant.
This seems like the right time to point out that the next five teams on the league’s all-time pointdifferential-per-game list
— the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers (who outscored teams by 12.3 points per game), the 1970-71 Milwaukee Bucks (12.3), the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls (12.2), the 2016-17 Golden State Warriors (11.6) and last season’s Boston Celtics (11.3) all won that season’s NBA championship. “They are who they are,” Milwaukee guard Damian Lillard said. “They defend, they move the ball, they’ve got a deep team, they do a lot of good things on both sides of the ball.”
It’s interesting that Cleveland — still with the NBA’s best record at 56-11, a team that has outscored opponents by “only” 11 points per game (which would be eighth-best in league history) and a team that has separate winning streaks of 12, 15 and 16 games this season — doesn’t have that same respect from the oddsmakers.
The Cavs not only aren’t favoured to win the NBA title — they’re not even favoured to win the East.
According to BetMGM, they’re the second choice in the East behind Boston.
They’re not exactly bothered by that; they think they know who they are, and that it’ll be enough.
Besides, they know they’ll be judged by the playoffs.
“We haven’t done nothing yet,” Cleveland guard Darius Garland said.
“Regular season means something to us, but winning that ring, that’s what really matters to us.”
By the way, big conference-standings margins typically mean that rings could be on the way.
Only one team since 1986-87 won its conference
by 10 or more games and didn’t go on to capture the NBA championship; that would be Detroit in 200506, which won the East by 12 games and watched Miami celebrate the title that season.
Boston won the East by 14 games last season on the way to the NBA title. Golden State won the West by 11 games in 2014-15 and won the title. Miami won by 12 games in 2012-13 and won the title. The Lakers won the West by 11 games in 2008-09 and won the title. Chicago won the East by 12 games in 1995-96 and 10 games in 1991-92 — and won the title in both of those seasons. The Lakers won the West by 10 games in 1986-87 and won the title.
The Thunder are going to look to join that club. The Cavaliers have a shot of getting there as well. Neither team is playing for a No. 1 seed or for a wide-margin win in the conference race. They’re playing for something bigger.
“We’re not letting go of the rope,” Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson, said, “mentally or physically.”
Knicks storm back to beat Miami
NEW YORK (AP) —
Mikal Bridges scored 28 points, Josh Hart tied a franchise record with his eighth triple-double this season and the New York Knicks beat Miami 116-95 on Monday night, sending the Heat to their first eightgame losing streak of coach Erik Spoelstra’s career.
Karl-Anthony Towns had 23 points for the Knicks, who fell behind 12-0, then completely turned around the game after Towns scored 15 straight in the second quarter. New York won the season series 3-0 for its first sweep of Miami since 1992-93.
New York led by six midway though the third quarter when the game was delayed for the court to be cleaned up after a fan vomited. The Knicks outscored the Heat 24-6 after the delay to lead 88-64 heading into the fourth.
ROCKETS 144,
76ERS 137
HOUSTON (AP) — Jalen Green and Jabari Smith Jr. had 30 points apiece and Houston rallied for an overtime victory over Philadelphia, extending their season-best winning streak to seven games.
The Rockets trailed by as many as 25 points and never led in regulation before their late rally. Houston was up by six points after opening overtime with a 9-3 run. Quentin Grimes made a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 140-137 with less than 2½ minutes left in OT. But Alperen Sengun made two free throws with just over a minute left before Aaron Holiday added two more with 12.1 seconds remaining, making it 144-137 and securing the win. The Rockets trailed by eight with less than a minute to go in the fourth before using a 10-2 run to tie it at 131, forcing overtime.
PACERS 132, TIMBERWOLVES 130
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)
— Obi Toppin’s fourth 3-pointer of overtime came with 3.5 seconds left to lift short-handed Indiana over Minnesota, ending the Timberwolves’ eight-game winning streak.
Toppin had a seasonhigh 34 points on 7-for-10
NEW York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) is surrounded by
and guard Tyler Herro (14), during the first half on Monday, March 17, 2025, in New York.
shooting from deep to help the Pacers win without their top six scorers down the stretch. Four starters were out. Andrew Nembhard was ejected in the third quarter, and Bennedict Mathurin fouled out in the fourth.
Anthony Edwards scored 29 of his 38 points after halftime for the Timberwolves, who led by five with a minute left in overtime until Thomas Bryant hit a 3. Edwards missed from deep, Toppin hit his clutch shot and Julius Randle’s fadeaway fell short at the buzzer.
PISTONS 127, PELICANS 81
NEW ORLEANS (AP)
— Cade Cunningham had 24 points and eight assists, and Detroit routed New Orleans.
Simone Fontecchio scored 23 points for Detroit, which had dropped four of six.
Zion Williamson had 30 points for New Orleans, and Yves Missi finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks. Williamson also grabbed six rebounds and blocked two shots. The Pelicans lost for the seventh time in eight games.
Cunningham scored 17 points to help Detroit to a 63-32 halftime lead. Fontecchio had 18 points in the second half.
BULLS 111, JAZZ 97
SALT LAKE CITY (AP)
— Coby White scored 26 points and Chicago beat Utah, sending the Jazz to their 10th straight loss.
White, who shot 9 of 19 from the field and 2 for 10 from long distance, was helped by 6-for-7 shooting from the line. Tre Jones added 18 points, 12 assists and three steals as the Bulls won for the fifth time in six games. Kevin Huerter and Matas Buzelis each scored 17. Dalen Terry chipped in with 11 points as six Bulls scored in double figures. Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen each scored 16 points for Utah, which last won on Feb. 28, in a 117-116 victory over Minnesota. Jordan Clarkson added 14 points and Brice Sensabaugh 13.
NUGGETS 114, WARRIORS 105
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)
— Aaron Gordon scored a season-best 38 points,
Russell Westbrook hit a crucial late 3-pointer and delivered a triple-double, and undermanned Denver missing their two main stars beat Golden State.
Westbrook contributed 12 points, a season-high 16 assists and 11 rebounds.
Jimmy Butler had 23 points, eight rebounds and six assists as the Warriors had their seven-game winning streak snapped. Golden State dropped to 14-3 since Butler made his debut February 8 and 14-2 in games he played.
Stephen Curry had 20 points and seven assists and Draymond Green became the sixth player in Warriors franchise history to reach 6,000 career rebounds.
SUNS 129, RAPTORS 89 PHOENIX (AP) — Devin Booker scored 27 points and led a secondquarter surge as Phoenix routed Toronto.
Playing without injured guard Bradley Beal again, the Suns saw seven players score in double figures. Thirteen players scored for Phoenix and the final margin of 40 was the biggest lead of the night.
The Suns trailed 29-24 at the end of the first quarter but outscored Toronto 39-11 to take a 23-point halftime lead. Most of it came with reserves Royce O’Neale, Tyus Jones, Cody Martin and Oso Ighodaro joining Booker on the court. Ryan Dunn scored 17 points, Jones had 15 points including four 3-pointers, Kevin Durant had 14, Monte Morris 12 and Nick Richards 10. O’Neale had 11 points and 10 rebounds. KINGS 132, GRIZZLIES 122 SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Malik Monk had 28 points and seven assists, and the Kings beat Memphis to end a four-game losing streak despite losing centre Domantas Sabonis to a pair of injuries Monday night. Sabonis suffered a cut over his left eye and blood trickled down his face after the Kings’ big man was hit in the face by the back of Luke Kennard’s head. Sabonis returned but left for good in the third quarter after rolling his right ankle. DeMar DeRozan had 22 points, six rebounds
and nine assists. Keegan Murray added 16 points and 10 rebounds. The Kings are 21-15 since interim coach Doug Christie replaced Mike Brown in December.
TRAIL BLAZERS 112,
WIZARDS 97
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Anfernee Simons scored 30 points and Portland beat Washington for their second consecutive victory following a five-game slide.
Shaedon Sharpe added 16 points, and rookie centre Donovan Clingan had 11 points and 13 rebounds in 25 minutes. Deni Avdija and Duop Reath both scored 15.
Simons shot 10 for 17, including 5 of 11 from 3-point range, and made all five of his free throws.
Alex Sarr led the Wizards with 20 points. Tristan Vukcevic had 17 points and eight rebounds.
LAKERS 125, SPURS 109
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Austin Reaves scored 30 points and Luka Doncic had 21 points, 14 assists and nine rebounds in Los Angeles’ victory over San Antonio.
Dorian Finney-Smith added 15 points while hitting four 3-pointers for the Lakers, who extended their home winning streak to eight games with back-toback victories over Phoenix and San Antonio following four consecutive losses on the road.
Stephon Castle had 23 points and Devin Vassell scored 15 of his 17 in the first half for the Spurs, who have lost five of seven.
While Doncic struggled through a 5-for-20 shooting performance, Reaves hit five 3-pointers and added seven rebounds and six assists to dominate a game rescheduled from Jan. 11 after wildfires devastated parts of Southern California.
Miami Heat defenders, including centre Bam Adebayo (13)
(AP Photo/ Heather Khalifa)
CLEVELAND Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) passes against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) in the first half on Friday, March 14, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
OKLAHOMA City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault calls to his players during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Noble Prep Track & Field Classic was ‘an overwhelming success’
FROM PAGE 16
400m event. Samantha Saunders won the race in 1:02.37. Unique Athletics’ Ramonica Miller ended the race in 1:04.17. Third place went to Alexis Dorgerville in 1:07.10.
Aiden Musgrove, of Bahamas Speed Dynamics, was first in the under-17 boys’ event with a time of 52.39 seconds.
Swift Athletics’ Carlos Brown Jr had a strong performance in the men’s open 100m event. He clocked a swift time of 10.26 seconds for first place. He was a few steps ahead of Bahamas Speed Dynamics’ Adam Musgrove who placed second in 10.36 seconds.
Kendrick Thompson, of BM Management, fell to the third at 10.76 seconds.
Brown was also successful in the men’s 200m open finals. He bested competitors with a time of 20.77 seconds. Musgrove finished second again with a time of 20.96 seconds.
Samalie Farrington, of Swift Athletics, settled for third in 21.34 seconds.
Shevano Nixon, of RedLine Athletics, came up big in the under-17 boys’ 200m finals. He outran competitors with a time of 22.84 seconds.
Nixon also placed second in the under-17 boys’ 100m finals with a time of 11.30 seconds.
Field Events
Johanthan Smith, representing the 3PA Stallions, secured the win in the under-15 boys’ shot put event with a throw of 11.87m.
Placing second was Noble Prep’s Regan Smith at 9.86m. Third place went to X-Treme Athletics’ Shiloh Augustin at 9.58m.
X-Treme Athletics swept the top three in the under15 girls’ shot put event.
Nevaeh Moxey was first overall with her toss of 8.42m. Chasy Nelson got the second podium spot at 6.50m and Richea Butler rounded out the top three at 5.21m. Kenneth Wilson, who competed unattached, won
CRAIG FLOWERS: ‘WE THINK THAT THE PROPERTY IS BEGINNING TO SERVE ITS PURPOSE’
FROM PAGE 16
able to perform at a high level, but he said over the past two years, they have been a vast improvement from the public schools.
“That’s because this facility here now and they do have somewhere to practice and improve their game,” Flowers said. “So, we think that the property is beginning to serve its purpose.
“And so, we would like to complete the property with the entire area being irrigated and the entire area being manicured with the proper clubhouse and the proper facility where there are locker rooms for the kids where we have showers and afterschool programmes in the academy for the kids.” At the property, Flowers said the plans is to create a clubhouse that will allow the junior players to occupy the ground
floor, while the adults will be stationed in the upper level. “That’s our goal. We would love to get started
on the clubhouse this summer,” Craig said.
“We hope that we can have that in place by the time we host the next National High School Tournament next year.”
On a personal note, Flowers said he would like to establish a facility on the property that will become the home of the BGF.
“It’s important that we build something here that we can show the legacy of persons who came before us and whose shoulders this property stand on today,” Flowers said.
“We’re talking about persons like Fred Higgs, who would be considered the father of golf in the country and persons like (Prince) Zorro Stubbs, (Harcourt) Coins Pointer, Jim Duncombe, Roy Bowe, Calvin Cooper, Ambrose Gouthro and (Donald) Nine Rolle so that we can have something here to provide a tribute to them.”
When Neville Wisdom served as the Minister of Youth, Sports and
Culture, Flowers said they got the ball rolling on creating the Driving Range.
But he said when the government changed, the late Charles Maynard replaced him as the new minister, and he gave Flowers the mandate to process with the creation of a nine-hole facility.
“The initial concept was with Neville Wisdom, but for the nine holes, it was Charles Maynard,” Flowers said.
“Charles died during his administration and when the government changed, Danny Johnson came in as the new minister.
“He came in and endorsed both the driving range and the nine holes. So, we are grateful to all of these ministers who played a role in us getting this property up and running and to where it is today.”
When it’s completed, Flowers said the BGF will have a gem in the region for both the junior and senior players to enjoy at the Driving Range.
the under-15 boys long jump after leaping to 4.82m.
X- Treme Athletics’ Kayson Smith fell to second at 4.62m. Zane Deveaux, representing Fast Forward, had to settle for third at 4.50m.
In the girls’ division, Chyanne Hepburn leapt to 4.68m to get the victory for Road Runners.
Te’Rae McKenzie, competing for Sts. Francis, locked up the second spot with a jump of 4.58m.
Richea Butler, representing X-Treme Athletics, was third overall at 3.25m.
RK Athletics’ Kyla Carter was one of two competitors in the under-17 girls’ javelin throw event. She tossed the spear to 24.72m in her victory.
Noble Prep’s Tatiana Adderley stopped at 16.94m for the second spot.
It was all Noble Prep in the under-17 girls’ long jump event. Rihanna Kellman claimed gold with her jump of 4.74m. Her
a jump of 3.99m. The remaining meet results can be found at www.tekresults.net
34 gold, 39 silver and 28 bronze medals.
Coach McPhee expressed that he is expecting the swimmers to deliver top notch performances in the breaststroke, butterfly and backstroke events as they usually do.
“The Bahamas always does well in the breaststroke events so we look to hold those down as normal. We look to find some points again in our butterfly and backstroke events as we are very strong in them. This year we hope to find a little more points in our distance events but definitely in the breaststroke The Bahamas has always been strong so we look forward to racking up a lot of points in those events,” he said.
The Bahamian swim team includes Sienna Campbell, Skarlette Donaldson, Isabella Munroe, Taylen Nicolls, Semaiah Rolle, Isabella
Cuccurullo, Alissa Ferguson, Saleste Gibson, Siann Isaacs, DNDN McKenzie, Violet Saralegui, Kimaya Saunders, Skyler Smith, Tia-Isabella Adderley, Lelah Lewis, Mia Patton, Elle Theberge, Zoe Williamson, Elyse Wood, Kai Bastian, Logan Comarcho, Da’Kari Cooper, Nitayo Knowles, Dexter Russell, Christon Joseph, Alexander Murray, Trace Russell, David Singh, Kaylan Williams, Isaac Wright, Tristen Hepburn, William Farrington, Ellie Gibson, Ayrton Moncur, Donald Saunders and Caden Wells. The open water swim team includes Gillian Albury, Samirah Donaldson, Madison Fox, Madison Gilbert, Alanna Murray, Erin Pritchard, Lauchlan Menzies, Trace Russell, Kaylan Williams, Kevin Johnson Jr, Malcolm Menzies and Myles Saunders. The Bahamas has emerged as the top team at the CARIFTA Aquatics
Championships for eight of the last nine meets dating all the way back to 2014. Coach McPhee was pleased to be able to successfully coach the team to their last two titles.
“We have some of the best coaches along with myself in The Bahamas. We have a great coaching staff with some who were with us last year and some new coaches this year so we look forward to it. I am blessed to be a part of this and I am enjoying the journey but these swimmers deserve all the credit they are the ones who make it happen. The coaches, the parents and the federation are just assisting them in making sure that everything is around them and in place for them to be successful,” he said.
The Bahamas’ CARIFTA Aquatics team will conduct their first practice session this Saturday at Betty Kelly-Kenning Aquatics Centre.
schoolmate Eden Johnson dropped to second posting
Next up on the local track and field scene is the National High School Championship March 20-22 at the original Thomas A Robinson Stadium.
ON THE TRACK: The 2025 Noble Preparatory Academy (NPA) Track and Field Classic was a success on Saturday at the original Thomas A Robinson Stadium.
COACH GENO BULLARD, left, said it was a privilege to honour The Bahamas’ first CARIFTA medallist Peter Pratt, right, over the weekend.
‘Coach Yo’ and Lady Rebels ready for March Madness
FROM PAGE 16
SEC Tournament, McPheeMcCuin encouraged the Bahamian people to tune into the March Madness.
“Tune in if you can and support us. We would appreciate it,” she summed up.
“We appreciate your support all year, so don’t stop now. This is the most fun time of the year right here.”
SPORTS CALENDAR
FROM PAGE 16
Ministry of Education and the Bahamas Assocation of Athletic Associations will be staging the event, which is expected to attract competitors from throughout the archipelago.
While the competition is slated to get underway at 9am on Thursday, the official opening ceremonies is set for 6pm. Competition will resume at 9am on Friday and wrap up on Saturday, starting at the same time.
Admission is $65 for a three-day VIP pass, while a single VIP pass will be $25. General admission will be $5, the finish line access will be $12 and the home stretch access is $10 per day. SuperClubs Breezes is the official sponsor.
FAST TRACK
ATHLETICS CLUB
SPRING FLING
INVITATIONAL
THE Fast Track Athletics Club is scheduled to hold its 4th annual Spring Fling at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex May 16-17. The event is open to competitors from throughout The Bahamas. The action is slated to begin at 5pm on Friday, May 16 and at 10am on Saturday, May 16. It promises to provide fast competition, perfect prep for championship season and an unmatched island atmosphere in Grand Bahama.
The entry fee is $5 for children and $10 for adults. For more information on the meet, persons can email fasttrackmanagement00@ gmail.com TRACK BAAC
ELECTIONS
THE Bahamas Athletic Association of Coaches is scheduled to hold their annual general meeting and election of officers on Saturday in the Situation Room at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, starting at 8am.
The following have been nominated for the various positions: President - Daron Lightbourne and Bernard Newbold.
1st Vice PresidentEdnal Rolle.
2nd Vice PresidentJason Larrimore, Kyle Higgs and Myriam Stapleton. Treasurer - Mikhilo Strachan.
Assistant secretarySharon Murray-Francis. Board membersAndrew Tynes and Dionne Britton.
Before joining Ole Miss, McPhee-McCuin spent the previous five seasons transforming Jacksonville into a perennial power in the Atlantic Sun Conference.
During her tenure as head coach, McPhee-McCuin led the Dolphins to a 94-63 record (50-24 in ASUN play) and postseason appearances in each of her last three seasons. McPheeMcCuin took over a programme at Jacksonville that had only won 20 or more games in a season twice in its entire history and proceeded to march the Dolphins to three-straight 20-win campaigns in her final three years. In 2015-16, McPhee-McCuin and the Dolphins made history, capturing the programme’s first ASUN Tournament title and NCAA Tournament berth with an upset in the conference
THIS NCAA TOURNAMENT
championship game over twotime defending champion Florida Gulf Coast.
The victory snapped FGCU’s seven-year, 71-game home streak against ASUN opponents and boosted Jacksonville to a 22-11 record.
McPhee-McCuin, the first Bahamian woman to sign a Division I letter of intent to play basketball when she attended the University of Rhodes Island, is a former women’s national team player and now the current head coach. She also served as the first female assistant on the men’s national basketball team. She followed in the footsteps of her legendary father Gladstone “Moon” McPhee, a former coach at her alma mater at Catholic High and a long-time head coach of the men’s national basketball team.
COULD HAVE SOMETHING THE LAST TWO HAVE LACKED: A PROBABLE NO. 1 OVERALL PICK
By STEVE MEGARGEE AP Sports Writer
THE top two players selected in last year’s NBA draft and four of the top five picks in 2023 had never played in an NCAA Tournament before beginning their pro careers.
That trend figures to end this year with Duke forward Cooper Flagg. Flagg sprained his ankle in Duke’s opening game at the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament and didn’t play the rest of the week. Duke has indicated Flagg will be available for March Madness.
As the No. 1 seed in the East Region, Duke (31-3) plays its first tournament game Friday.
If Flagg is healthy enough to play, basketball fans will be able to watch the likely No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft at this year’s NCAA Tournament. That’s something they weren’t able to experience the last couple of years.
The first two picks in last year’s draft were Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr, international prospects who didn’t play college basketball. The only college player taken among the first five selections in the 2023 draft headed by San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama was Alabama’s Brandon Miller, who went second overall to the Charlotte Hornets.
The last No. 1 pick with NCAA Tournament experience was Paolo Banchero, who led Duke to the 2022 Final Four before the Orlando Magic selected him first overall.
Flagg already was considered the likely No. 1 pick even before the 6-foot-9 swingman backed up the acclaim accompanying his arrival on campus by emerging as a national player of the year frontrunner his freshman season. Flagg is averaging 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks.
While Flagg is one of the headline attractions in this year’s NCAA Tournament, two other likely top-five picks won’t be participating in March Madness despite playing college basketball this season. Rutgers went just 15-17 this season despite having
Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper, who could end up being the next two picks in the draft behind Flagg.
Even so, this year’s tournament field features plenty of NBA prospects beyond Flagg:
VJ Edgecombe, G, Baylor
Opening game: Friday vs. Mississippi State at Raleigh, North Carolina.
Notes: A guard from Baylor (19-12) has been selected in the first round of three of the first four drafts, with Davion Mitchell going ninth in 2021, Keyonte George 16th in 2023 and Ja’Kobe Walter 19th last year. Edgecombe figures to continue that trend. The 6-5 guard from the Bahamas was named the Big 12 freshman of the year by the league’s coaches. He averages 15 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists.
Kasparas Jakucionis, G, Illinois
Opening game: Friday vs. Texas or Xavier at Milwaukee. This 6-6 freshman from Lithuania scored at least 20 points in six straight games earlier this season, a stretch that included matchups with NCAA Tournament teams Arkansas, Wisconsin, Tennessee and Missouri.
Jakucionis’ scoring has leveled off a bit since then, but he still has been a stat stuffer with 15 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game for Illinois (21-12).
Tre Johnson, G, Texas Opening game: Wednesday vs. Xavier at Dayton, Ohio.
Notes: Johnson earned first-team Associated Press all-Southeastern Conference honours and was named the conference’s newcomer of the year this season. He has NBA size at 6-6 and clearly has scoring ability.
He has averaged 19.8 points for Texas (19-15) as a freshman while playing in the nation’s toughest conference. He has shot 39.2% from 3-point range while making 2.7 3-pointers per game. He had a 39-point performance in an overtime loss at Arkansas and scored 32 in a victory over Kentucky.
Liam McNeeley, F, UConn Opening game: Friday vs. Oklahoma at Raleigh, North Carolina.
Notes: The AP Big East newcomer of the year had 18 points and 11 rebounds against St. John’s and 38 points and 10 rebounds at Creighton in back-to-back games last month.
The 6-7 forward is averaging 14.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists in his freshman season with UConn (23-10). McNeeley will enter the NCAA Tournament looking to end a bit of a slump, as he has shot 15 of 52 overall and 4 of 19 from 3-point range over his last four games.
Derik Queen, C, Maryland Opening game: Friday vs. Grand Canyon in Seattle.
Notes: The 6-10 freshman is a traditional post player who doesn’t have a 3-point shot at this point – he’s just 2 of 24 from beyond the arc this season – but he’s done great work around the basket.
Queen is averaging 16.3 points and 9 rebounds for Maryland (25-8). He enters the NCAA Tournament with eight double-doubles in his last 10 games. He’s coming off a 31-point performance in a Big Ten Tournament semifinal loss to Michigan.
Jase Richardson, G, Michigan State Opening game: Friday vs. Bryant at Cleveland. Notes: Richardson is the son of Jason Richardson, who was part of Michigan State’s 1999-2000 national championship team and played 13 seasons in the NBA.
The 6-3 freshman has made an impression by shooting 51.2% overall and 41.2% from 3-point range. He’s only started 11 of 32 games for Michigan State (27-6) while averaging 12 points, but he’s come on strong lately. Richardson is averaging 19.5 points over his last four games.
COACH Yolett McPhee-McCuin celebrating with her Ole Miss Lady Rebels in the SEC Tournament.
FRESHMAN guard VJ Edgecombe in action. (AP)
SPORTS
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2025
Lady Rebels ready for March Madness
By BRENT STUBBS
It’s March Madness again and for the fourth consecutive year, Grand Bahamian Yolett McPhee-McCuin will be coaching her University of Mississippi Lady Rebels in the field of 64 collegiate women’s basketball teams in the United States of America.
Ole Miss, coming off a quarterfinal appearance in the Southeastern Conference Championships two weeks ago, has been selected as the number five in Region1 - Spokane. They will take on the No.12 Ball State on Friday in the first round of the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s 2025 Women’s Basketball
Tournament at the Foster Pavillion in Waco, Texas.
At the SEC Championships, McPhee-McCuin said they played the cards they were dealt with, but it’s something that they lost 70-63 to the University of Texas on March 7 in Greenville, South Carolina.
“We lost to the number one team in the country at the time, so it still put us in a situation where we get the highest seed we’ve ever received for the NCAA Tournament,” said McPhee-McCuin, who is now in her seventh year as the Lady Rebels’ head coach.
“We played in the SEC, the number one conference in the country, but you can only have one champion and when you lose, you go home and we lost. That’s just how it is.”
But with that experience behind them, McPheeMcCuin said she has been preparing her Lady Rebels for their fourth-straight run at the prestigious NCAA Tournament, dubbed March Madness.
“They are definitely wellrested and have started to get into game form, meaning like we started to ramp up our workouts so we will be ready to go,” she pointed out.
“Now, you only have six games remaining so when you lose, you go home. We’re going to try not to lose because we’re not ready to go home just yet.”
Ole Miss, who finished their season with a 20-10 win-loss record, will face the MAC Conference champions Ball State, who were 26-7 during their season.
But McPhee-McCuin said her Lady Rebels are
not going to let that be a disturbance.
“Anyone who gets into this tournament is a contender,” she pointed out.
“So, we respect them for sure,” she pointed out.
“But we will come out at a high level to compete.
“I feel like if we play our game, we should come out with a victory for sure.”
And as usual, McPheeMCuin said that’s what is so unique about this time of the year.
“Anytime you’re one of the 64 teams to get invited, this is a special time. That’s what I like about March Madness,” she stated.
“You don’t know, anything could happen. So I’m excited about us lacing it
up and seeing how far we can go.”
Two years ago, McPheeMcCuin said nobody expected anything spectacular from Ole Miss, but they went on to reach the Sweet 16. This year, she said she’s hoping that they can do something even more historic.
“I love my team. I think they compete at a high level,” said McPheeMcCuin, of her leading cast that includes Madison Scott, Kennedy Todd-Williams and KK Deans.
“They are playing their best basketball now. They understand what’s at stake and so they want to play very well, so I’m looking forward to being right
there next to them every step of the way.”
Fellow Bahamian Rhema Collins - a 6-foot, 2-inch forward in her sophomore year - has been injured, but McPheeMcCuin said she’s back and ready to go for the Lady Rebels.
“Her injury really set her back, in my opinion,” McPhee-McCuin said.
“But she’s back healthy. That’s not holding her back. She just has a couple people ahead of her in playing standpoint. But she will be ready to go if her number is called.”
Like she got from their response in watching the
PAGE 15
COACH TRAVANO MCPHEE:
By TENAJH SWEETING
THE 2025 Noble Preparatory Academy (NPA)
Track & Field Classic was a success for the second consecutive year on Saturday at the original Thomas A Robinson Stadium.
A number of athletes from the primary school to senior level put their skills on display at the one-day meet. Event organiser Geno Bullard classified the meet as an overwhelming success.
“We feel like the event was an overwhelming success. We had a complete mixture of junior athletes, primary athletes, senior athletes, high school athletes all attending different track clubs, high schools and primary schools.
“We had a very wellbalanced event. It was very exciting to see so many youths. For example, we had over 26 young students under-11 and under-10 that
were jumping in the long jump pit,” he said. Coach Bullard said it was also a privilege to honour The Bahamas’ first CARIFTA medallist Peter Pratt over the weekend.
“We had a good complement of all different age groups and levels at the meet and once again I feel like it was an overwhelming success. Another highlight of the event is we got to honour one of my personal mentors and friends of over 20 years, Peter Pratt, who is a living legend as far as athletics and his specialty the long jump,” he said.
Track Events Samara Cumberbatch, who competed unattached, ran away with the win in the under-17 girls’ 1500m event. She clocked 5:30.95 in the victory.
Gianne Nairn, of DTSP WolfPack, came second in 5:53.56 and Mattia Humes got third at 6:39.14. In the boys’ event, Qurai Frith was the lone
competitor. He ran a time of 5:03.29. Noble Prep’s John Kenel Veronat competed alone in the men’s 1500m open category. He posted a time of 5:40.46. In the 110m hurdles event, Aniyah Musgrove competed solo for Star Trackers in the under-17 girls’ category. She stopped the clock at 17.56 seconds. Simon Sands, who competed unattached, took the win in the boys’ event in 15.24 seconds.
Red-Line Athletics’ Kevan Saunders was the only competitor in the under-20 boys’ 110m hurdles event. He crossed the finish line in 15.89 seconds. Roadrunners’ Akaree
Roberts ran 58.23 seconds for first place in the women’s 400m dash open.
Malynte Clarke, who competed unattached, trailed for second in 59.54 seconds and third place went to Marquell Newbold in 59.82 seconds. Swift Athletics’ Thanson Orvil cruised to a time of 48.99 seconds in the men’s 400m open event.
Alexidieu Sufoir, representing SPIA Track Club, came second overall in 49.49 seconds and third went to Devilus Culmer at 51 seconds.
Roadrunners nabbed the victory once again, this time in the under-17 girls’
THE Bahamas Aquatics Federation (BAF) selected a 36-member contingent to represent the nation at the 2025 CARIFTA Aquatics Championships in Trinidad & Tobago April 19-23. Team Bahamas is on the quest for their seventh consecutive aquatics title at the junior regional meet and, according to head coach Travano McPhee, the swimmers are up to the challenge.
“It feels very exciting. We are up to the challenge. Obviously, we know there is a target on our backs being the defending champions but we are up to the challenge. It is now time to get started as we just picked the team yesterday [Sunday] and will have our first team practice this weekend on Saturday morning and it should be exciting.
“We are gonna have a chance to do some teambuilding experiences, get our relays together and just build some team camaraderie,” he said.
The Bahamas once again had a dominant showing at the CARIFTA Swimming Championships last year at home.
The host team ran away with their sixth straight aquatics championship with a team score of 1,096.50 points.
The Cayman Islands finished in the second position at 660 points and Trinidad & Tobago nabbed the third spot with 639 points. Additionally, Team Bahamas accumulated a total of 101 medals which included
CRAIG FLOWERS:
‘WE
THINK THAT THE PROPERTY IS BEGINNING TO SERVE ITS PURPOSE’
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
FORMER Bahamas Golf
“When we have twothree and this year it was over 400 kids from a variety of schools participating, it makes us feel very good,” Flowers said.
Flowers said it’s expected that the players from Lyford Cay and Windsor Academy School will be
Federation president Craig Flowers said he’s always enthused when they can open up the Driving Range at the Baillou Hills Sports Complex to accommodate the young golf players in the country. Flowers, who established the nine-hole facility to provide an alternative for Bahamians to participate in, said their management team was pleased to see the growth of the National High School Golf Championships last week.
TRACK NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIPS WITH all of the schools having completed their track and field championships, the focus of attention will now switch to the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s National High School Track and Field Championships. Under the theme: “Breaking Limits,
Achieving Greatness,” the three-day event is all set to be held from Thursday to Saturday at the original Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium with athletes with special disabilities competing in their own categories along with the various age group competition. The Ministry of Sports in conjunction with the
SEE PAGE 15
FAST TRACK: Dario Butterfield in action during the Noble Preparatory Academy (NPA) Track and Field Classic on Saturday at the original Thomas A Robinson Stadium.
COACH Yolett McPhee-McCuin and her Ole Miss Lady Rebels basketball team celebrate together.
VJ, Page 15 By TENAJH SWEETING