03272024 News and Sport

FRIENDS KILLED

IN CAR TRAGEDY

Occupants were on way to meet one another when vehicles collided

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

TWO

COLOMBIAN ACCUSES MILLER OF

HIM WITH A GUN

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

AIR DENIES EMERGENCY LANDING

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

WESTERN Air CEO and president Sherrexia “Rexy” Rolle denied that one of the airline’s flight from Abaco experienced an emergency landing in Grand Bahama yesterday. Claims of an emergency landing spread on social media, but Ms Rolle said when an indication light came on, the captain opted to land in Grand Bahama where the company’s main maintenance base is located.

The plane was supposed to land in

Brazilian man held in $7.5m Mayaguana drug bust, second suspect still at large

By KEILE CAMPBELL kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

THE Royal Bahamas Police Force is questioning a Brazilian national and searching for another suspect after a major drug bust in Mayaguana involving 860lb of cocaine with an estimated street value of $7,580,000.

The drugs were found during an operation involving the Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos (OPBAT).

According to police reports, shortly after 1am yesterday, US counterparts from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) collaborated with officers from the RBPF’s Drug Enforcement Unit and police officers stationed at Mayaguana to investigate a white singleengine Cessna aircraft that landed at the Mayaguana airport.

A search of the suspected aircraft led officers to discover 13 white sacks,

each containing multiple kilograms of suspected cocaine packages. Two unidentified people got out of the aircraft and fled into nearby bushes as officers approached the Cessna aircraft. Although the suspects initially escaped, officers eventually apprehended a Brazilian national, according to Inspector Cesserine Whyte, who spoke with reporters in New Providence yesterday.

“You could appreciate that officers were resilient in their pursuit to get these persons who we believe to be involved, and I can report to you, because of the intelligence-led policing, we were able to take into custody a Brazilian national believed to be in his late 30’s and so he is now assisting the police in the investigation in this matter,” Inspector Whyte said. Police are still searching for the second suspect.

US Coast Guard personnel offload packages of suspected cocaine which was transported by a US Coast Guard aircraft from Mayaguana, where it was discovered, to New Providence yesterday.

Photos: Dante Carrer

FRIENDS KILLED IN CAR TRAGEDY

from page one

“Andros Night at the Park” festival at Queen’s Park in Fresh Creek when their cars collided around 1am on Saturday.

Forty-two-year-old Avery Sherman, who died yesterday, was a passenger in White’s vehicle. He was a father of six.

Mark Scott, the husband of Sherman’s sister, said the weather was poor at the time of the incident, and people were encouraged to stay home. He said Sherman had returned from New Providence that evening only to be in the tragic crash hours later.

Although police have not verified what factors led to the incident, Mr Scott said it happened on a curve known as “dead man corner” because several people have died there. He said there is a need for traffic signals to warn people.

White, who worked at the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC) in the heavy equipment department, just got married in December, according to Pastor Leslie Duncombe. His wife, Carla White, was involved in the crash and is recovering from her injuries.

“They were going to meet each other,” Pastor Duncombe said of White and the American. “They were close friends.” Pastor Duncombe said White was a family man and a hard worker whose death has been a big blow to AUTECH, where he worked for 17 years.

Christopher Bain said he became close with White after his cousin, Mrs White, married him. “You couldn’t ask for a better family man or a better man in the community,” he said. Mr Scott said Sherman worked with him during the day using heavy equipment before working at a bar he owned. Yesterday evening,

Leonardo Lightbourne, the MP for North Andros and the Berry Islands, said he is committed to improving infrastructure, “including proper lighting

and safe roads for all.”

“I also wish to remind all residents of the importance of exercising caution while driving and staying within the speed limit,” he said.

WESTERN AIR DENIES EMERGENCY LANDING IN GB

from page one

“We can clarify that at no point did the crew deem it an emergency,” she said. “We do apologise to the passengers for having to switch to another aircraft to continue on to their destination.”

She said officials have not determined what caused the indication light to come on.

“We’re very concerned about the way in which social media really describes these incidents because if there was some form of emergency, we have no issue stating it was, but I think it really perpetuates this fear of flying.

“Emergency is a much larger extent.”

Repatriation of 263 migrants to Haiti cost $156,000, says Munroe

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

THE cost of repatriating 263 migrants to Cap-Haitian last week was $156k, National Security Minister Wayne Munroe said.

With flights to Haiti suspended, repatriation exercises are temporarily taking place by sea. It is unclear how the costs of sea travel compare to air travel. Mr Munroe said $12,213.56 was spent on food, $2,890.54 on cleaning supplies, and $80,870.40 on fuel for both vessels used in the exercise.

“If the crew pay is added, it comes up to $156,000 roughly,” he said. The country has seen a surge in illegal immigration attempts recently, with the Royal Bahamas Defense Force apprehending 122

Haitian migrants, including 98 men, 13 women, and 11 male children, over the weekend, bringing the total number of those apprehended in the past two weeks to 369.

Commodore Raymond King said on Monday that the push factors for the migration from Haiti include the displacement of Haitians from the metropolitan areas, the recent escape of thousands from prison, the level of gang violence, homicides, rapes and kidnappings and extreme levels of poverty, hunger and health problems.

Haiti declared a threeday state of emergency and a night-time curfew earlier this month after armed gangs stormed the country’s two biggest jails, allowing more than 3,000 criminals to escape and inflame the

country’s crisis.

Last week, Mr Munroe rebuffed Amnesty International’s call for countries to suspend repatriations to Haiti.

“The honourable prime minister has indicated in many statements that he has refused to sign the Declaration of Los Angeles, which would have imposed on us an ability to house migrants as our country is heavily tasked with what we have to accomplish now and are not capable of taking on that extra burden,” he said.

LLOYD WHITE

AVERY SHERMAN

HAITIAI Migrants on board a sloop that was intercepted by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force on Saturday. Photo: RBDF

A WESTERN Air jet

Colombian accuses Miller of threatening him with a gun

smuggling.

Aragon said he and his friend Christhian Garcia Aristizabal left Venezuela in a plane containing 400kg of cocaine and 15kg of marijuana on June 6, 2022. He said he dealt with communication during the flight while Aristizabal was the pilot.

When the plane landed in Spring Point, Acklins, on June 7, 2022, Aragon said he saw a tall, big man who appeared to be in his early 30s, wearing a black hood, standing near a vehicle.

After approaching this person, Aragon said he handed a phone the man had to Aristizabal shortly before a white-marked police jeep pulled up. Although Aragon said the car’s arrival scared him, he said the hooded man told him that the person in the police car would be in charge of receiving the drugs.

Aragon described the man as tall and fat and identified Miller as the man in court.

Aragon said he gave drugs from the plane to the man in the police car

while Aristizabal placed cocaine into a big metal tin. He said a few minutes later, he recalled hearing a US Coast Guard helicopter, causing the man from the police car to pick up the tin and briefly attempt to run away.

As the helicopter got closer, Aragon said Miller threw the tin on the ground before cursing at him and pulling a gun on him.

Aragon said the man from the police car waved the gun at him like he was crazy, prompting him to beg for his life. He said

with the gun still aimed at him, the officer signalled to the helicopter. He said the officer told him and Aristizabal to get on the ground. He said before they were arrested, agents from the helicopter spoke with Miller. The Colombians were then transported in the helicopter to a different island with the drugs.

Aragon claimed he collaborated with authorities.

During cross-examination from Mr Ferguson, Aragon said he was supposed to be paid for the drug smuggling, but he did not receive the total

amount. He said he only had about $1,670 of US currency on him by the time of his arrest.

Aragon told the attorney that he spent time in the Dominican Republic en route to Acklins, but had never been to The Bahamas before his arrest. He also said it was his first time drug-running.

When asked if he communicated with a Bahamian during the incident, he said he doesn’t speak English, but that Aristizabal did a bit.

He told Mr Ferguson he could not remember the number of the person who

texted them while they were en route to Acklins or how long he was on the island.

In addition to Mr Archer, Shaneka Carey also serves as prosecutor. Miller, Aragon and Aristizabal all face six charges for possession of, as well as conspiracy to possess and import dangerous drugs with intent to supply. Only the Colombians face importation charges.

ASP Miller faces two counts of abetment for the importation of dangerous drugs.

The trial was adjourned to May.

Cooper slams Pintard’s credibility, noting investor interest in the Grand Lucayan ‘remains high’

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

TOURISM Minister Chester Cooper said investor interest in buying the Grand Lucayan Resort remains high more than a year after an agreement with a previously selected buyer fell through.

His comment yesterday came as he scolded Free National Movement

Leader Michael Pintard for criticising the government’s failure to sell the resort and to oversee the rebuilding of the Grand Bahama International Airport.

As a guest on a Guardian Radio Talk show on Monday, Mr Pintard said the Davis administration had failed to deliver on their promises for Grand Bahama. “DPM Cooper had two

and a half years to get a sale for Grand Lucayan, which he beat us up about,” he said.

Yesterday, Mr Cooper said the Grand Lucayan Resort remained open under the Davis administration, maintained good physical condition, employed over 150 Grand Bahamians, and had occupancy levels and revenues that significantly exceeded previous years.

“As for the Grand Lucayan, because of the environment we helped bring about, and the value created, it has never been more attractive to investors,” he said. “There continues to be strong interest and at the appropriate time we will say more.”

He said of Mr Pintard: “He is not a serious person and will clearly say anything he believes will

lend him a shred of political relevance, despite the historical context of these matters and his role in them.”

Mr Cooper said the government entered into a public-private partnership agreement last year for the Grand Bahama International Airport, noting that demolition works have begun in the dilapidated terminal.

“Where was this deep

level of concern for Grand Bahama when his party had five MPs and six Cabinet ministers with very little to show and a crippled economy?” he asked.

“The FNM is the same party that called Baha Mar a fake project and then paraded the fraudulent Oban scheme before the Bahamian people. Pintard, nor his party, has any credibility on these matters.”

New Boat Registration Act amendments will be amended ‘If we have our way’, says Campbell

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

AGRICULTURE and Marine Resources Minister Jomo Campbell said “if we have our way”, amendments to the Boat Registration Act that passed the House of Assembly last week will be amended.

The amendments mandate boat owners to have a comprehensive insurance policy from a local provider.

However, boat owners say the government did not consult widely before tabling the bill.

Some said insurance companies are hesitant to insure older vessels.

Tribune Business reported that insurance companies shy away from insuring tour boats and other commercial vessels that transport visitors and cruise ship passengers because there are too many lawsuits “that fly” from catering to these groups.

In addition, some in the boating industry urged the government to better define what it means by “comprehensive insurance”, asserting that this terminology was unknown and had never been used before in relation to the sector.

Asked about the concerns yesterday, Mr Campbell said: “That’s why consultation and ya know, even if consultation really means how we call it getting rowed, the key is to listen. The only way to learn is to listen, whether it’s a soft voice, we listen and we take it back to the relevant heads.”

He said “when we go and sit back with finance, we’re going to look at ways to make life much easier for persons who are really the backbone of our society, the farmers and the fishermen”.

He said the meeting with finance officials should happen within two weeks.

CONSULTATIONS ON PROPOSED MARIJUANA LAW ARE ‘WINDING DOWN’, SAYS AGRICULTURE MINISTER

use in The Bahamas.

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

“I can say now that we’re much closer to it now than it was before,” he told reporters yesterday.

He said Attorney General Ryan Pinder is expected to meet with health officials today to discuss some of the bill’s

AGRICULTURE and Marine Resources Minister Jomo Campbell said consultations on the proposed marijuana legislation “are winding down”, although he could not say when the bill would be brought to Parliament.

UN Food and Agriculture

THE United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) donated four drones to the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources yesterday.

Agriculture and Marine

revised provisions after receiving feedback from the medical and pharmaceutical sector. He said those provisions will later be presented to Cabinet “as a last step for the proposed legislation”.

Last year, the Davis administration released a draft of legislation that would transform cannabis

Organisation

Resources Minister Jomo Campbell hailed the equipment during yesterday’s press conference, saying he believes the drones will help solve some of the country’s food challenges. “I’m told that through

According to the legislation, people caught with less than 30g of the substance would face a $250 fixed penalty, which would not appear on their criminal record if paid in time.

The bill would also allow Rastafarian organisations to get a religious use licence to distribute cannabis to members as a sacrament, but the substance could only be used on the premises for which the licence or exempt event permit is issued.

donates

But Rastafarian leaders say these rules are too restrictive, noting most local practitioners do not use cannabis in tabernacles.

Minister Campbell declined to give details about the expected revisions to the bill.

People with a religious use license could permit the smoking or other use of cannabis to members of that place of worship as a sacrament within the place of worship.

four drones to Ministry of Agriculture

these drones, a potential farmer can look at new land to develop. He or she can determine what the land needs before they put their first shovel into the ground,” he said. “These drones can assist us in setting the priorities for research and how we can make the most use of the land that we have.

“It can also help us to access our marine resources such as our vast oceans and mangrove that are crucial to our very existence.”

Officials said employees from the ministry also will be trained in an intensive programme to properly handle the devices.

“This will also assist us in conducting an agricultural census and understanding our food production capabilities. It is necessary that we continue to work together and remain on the cutting edge to solve any issues that may arise from evidence we gather from more research.”

AGRICULTURE AND MARINE RESOURCES MINISTER JOMO CAMPBELL

DR Kimberly Baldwin of Marine Spatial Information Solutions speaks during a press conference to announce the donation of drones, training and software by the UN FAO to the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources yesterday. Photos: Dante Carrer

TWITTER & FACEBOOK

www.tribune242.com @tribune242 tribune news network

Will our politcians step up and tackle corruption?

HOW far is our nation truly progressing?

We ask the question prompted by a message from one of our readers.

That reader chanced across a contrast from across the years. We shall let that reader pick up the story.

“I happened to have a newspaper in my hands from March 23rd 1985 soon after reading The Tribune of March 22nd 2024, and the headline of that day.

“On 23rd March 1985 the then-ACP Keith Mason delivered the keynote address at a passing-out ceremony for the country’s newest police officers. He told them that as witnesses ‘in an era of unsurpassed crime and lawlessness, they must shun corruption’.

“On 22nd March 2024 The Tribune’s headline referred to ‘bribe fears’ and reported that the IDB survey notes the impact of corruption and graft on the country, and that 50 percent of Bahamian companies seeking permits say they have either been asked or expect to pay bribes to officials to obtain required approvals.

“What a tragic story this tells. 39 years after a report from the then ‘Commission of Enquiry’ The Bahamas is still (or again) dismissed as being a corrupt country. And we all know how deeply ingrained this is.”

Our reader is right. And so was ACP Keith Mason nearly 40 years ago.

What is the most frightening is the absence of any urgency to deal with such corruption. To have such

widespread corruption go with barely a shrug from the incumbent administration is astonishing. Those who formed the previous administration cannot get off the hook easily either – this has happened on the watch of administrations down the years.

Who will take a stand against such corruption? Who will draw the line and say no more? Who will tell those in various agencies that seeking for a little something to speed an application or approval along will see them fired and before the courts?

Or are there too many who benefit from such inducements to help grease the wheels themselves?

Where is the anti-corruption legislation, a code of conduct for public officials? Under the Minnis administration, an Integrity Commission Bill was tabled, but never debated or passed.

What about a properly staffed ombudsman? Where is the urgency for Freedom of Information? How much genuine regard is given to the public disclosures that are required by law?

There are tools in place already to tackle corruption, if an administration is so minded. And there is more that can be put in place looking to stop such behaviour.

So is there the willpower to do so?

Make no mistake, the expectation of a bribe is a tax on Bahamians. And it should stop.

Who will show the character to deal with such a thing? That, politicians of our nation, is up to you. Step up.

EDITOR, The Tribune.

BACK in 2011, the “collective west” issued an ultimatum to the government of Libya, then grappling with a civil war that resulted largely from the transparent machinations of western states.

An assortment of insurgent groups bearing sophisticated western arms and including elements of Al Qaeda had taken over the coastal city of Benghazi, in a ‘spontaneous’ uprising oddly synchronized with similar regional events then being collectively packaged by western media as an “Arab Spring”.

For context, Benghazi is Libya’s second largest city (picture Los Angeles or Manchester being taken over by rebels armed by external enemies) and the insurgents clearly signaled every intention of taking the rest of the country, too.

Yet the Libyan government was told that it must reverse its advance on the city, which advance was being treated by western media (with zero evidence, as usual) as confirmation of an imminent massacre.

the African continent. Its population received free, universal healthcare (a right still denied to the people of the United States in 2024) and full academic scholarships for study at home or abroad – thanks to a nationalized oil industry.

Today, it is a failed state, which hardly ever receives the attention of western media, while its oil industry has been privatized and sold to western oil companies. Its profits now benefit nobody but their shareholders and the local warlords doing their bidding.

Contrast all of this to Gaza today.

EDITOR, The Tribune.

THERE are any number of economic and societal issues which are plaguing our wonderful nation

The unabated suspected gang related homicides; entrenched pockets of petty criminality; inflation that is proving difficult to tame; a sharp drop in church attendance and the economic challenges of affordable housing. These issues, in my opinion, are not partisan as they directly affect All Bahamians, regardless of party affiliation.

Yet, the Official Opposition and it’s leadership cadre appear to be oblivious to these debilitating issues while blowing smoke about the international travel by the hardest working PM since the late great and deeply lamented Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling.

Messrs Ingraham, Christie and Minnis were well intentioned but appeared to get weary too soon. One is able to feel and see the stark difference with Brave, if I may refer to him as such.

As international and regional leader, the PM,

while representing the good people of The Bahamas must, at all times do so with aplomb; excellence and, of course, suited to the high office which he’s been blessed by God to hold. This would include a modern; state-of-the-art official motor vehicle. Due to the very nature of our far flung Islands, I would recommend the outright purchase or long term lease of an advanced helicopter to transport any sitting Prime Minister.

While we are at it, may I also be so bold as to state that the provision of an Official residence for any head of government should also be provided. Visiting counterparts and their spouse/s would be able to be accommodated in safety and in well appointed suites... The PM that is in office now, already has a palatial home so the Official residence would be for state purposes only.

The days when The Bahamas could be regarded as a petty shop operations are long gone. It is, therefore, almost beyond the pale for the FNM and its triune leadership to be

making political noise and appearing to be blowing smoke about an upgrade of the prime ministerial vehicle. The car does not belong to Brave. It is state owned property and will be available for his use or that of any now invisible future PM. Blowing smoke is one thing, but to appear to be intoxicated, politically, on smoke could be a dangerous thing.

I would urge the FNM to stop playing doll house and get serious if it ever intends to resume high (pardon the pun) again in this lifetime. Yes, the administration is supposed to drive governance, but the Official Opposition is supposed to be able to advance constructive suggestions for nation building, even if they might be ignored by the powers that be at any given time. Wasting time and resources on non-political issues is ludicrous ad nauseum. Blowing smoke or smoking? Even in all of these mundane things, to God be the glory.

ORTLAND H BODIE, Jr Nassau, March 26, 2024.

Of course it didn’t and couldn’t retreat, and the resulting NATO-led assault on its civil infrastructure and leadership allowed the insurgency to spread and consume the whole country. There was then indeed a massacre - but one perpetrated by the ‘protesters’ against the government and its supporters.

Before these events, Libya had the highest per capita income and ranked highest on the Human Development scale of any country on

To date more than 30,000 people (or over 2 percent of the prewar population) have been verifiably killed, while over 100,000 have been maimed and another 10,000 are missing – presumably dead under the rubble.

Does this qualify as the kind of ‘massacre’ that Libya was destroyed for being “about to” carry out in 2011?

If so, what has been the west’s response?

So far, western politicians have reacted only with mealy-mouthed ‘criticisms’ of Israel, while defending it from even verbal sanction in the United Nations, continuing to supply it with deadly munitions, censuring South Africa for daring to refer it to the International Court of Justice and threatening and projecting military force against any perceived threat to the hegemonic power that underwrites its impunity.

When history records the moment that the curtain finally came down on the west’s wholly farcical claims of global moral leadership, exposing a monstrous hypocrisy for all the world to see, this will probably be it.

If there is a silver lining, it is the hope that no intelligent person outside the rarefied bubbles in which western media and politicians reside will ever take such claims seriously again.

In response to the dreadful events of October 7th, 2023, Israel sent its substantial and modernized army to besiege the world’s largest open air prison (not my words, but those of David Cameron, one of the principle architects of Libya’s destruction), crammed full of refugees from Israel’s previous wars of conquest. It then didn’t just ‘threaten’ (as Gaddafi allegedly did) but proceeded to bomb, pummel and pulverize one of the poorest and most densely populated places on earth with unguided heavy munitions dropped from the air. The not-so-hidden secret here is that many people in Israel’s political establishment would like to take this opportunity to drive the Palestinian population (“voluntarily”) into the deserts of Egypt and have calculated that, buttressed by “unconditional” western support, this objective outweighs whatever impotent rage the rest of the world can muster.

ANDREW ALLEN Nassau, March 14, 2024.

POLICE officers watch as

Coast Guard personnel offload packages of suspected cocaine which

transported by a US Coast Guard aircraft from Mayaguana, where it was discovered, to New Providence yesterday.

Photo: Dante Carrer

Bahamian man charged in US on three human smuggling incidents

from page one

States on or about March 6, 2021, January 22, 2022, and August 8, 2022.

The migrants were nationals of Colombia, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti, among other countries, and they reportedly paid an unknown amount.

“Vandrick Smith has been charged with organising dangerous human smuggling operations, sending migrants from The Bahamas to Florida by boat,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division in the United States.

“As alleged in the indictment, the human smuggling organisation’s efforts turned deadly when a boat carrying migrants capsized in January 2022. Human smugglers exploit desperate people for money, and the consequences can

be tragic. The criminal division is committed to combating human smuggling organisations that prey on and endanger vulnerable migrants, wherever they operate.”

On the evening of January 22 2022, shortly after the vessel’s departure from The Bahamas, the engines allegedly stopped functioning, and the vessel capsized. Two days later, the U.S. Coast Guard rescued the sole surviving migrant, who was found clinging to the top of the overturned vessel according to reroute. Smith is charged with five counts of attempting to bring non-citizens to the United States, resulting in death; conspiring to bring non-citizens to the United States for profit, placing in jeopardy the life of non-citizens and resulting in death; attempting to bring non-citizens to the United States for profit; and attempting to aid and assist certain non-citizens to enter the United States. If convicted, Smith faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.

Trial attorney Marie Zisa of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and assistant US attorney Justin Hoover for the Southern District of Florida are prosecuting the case.

from page one

the road, where he was later pronounced dead by EMS. The accused was told his case would be moved to the Supreme Court by a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI). After being informed of his right to

MAN

Carolyn Vogt-Evans charged Ray Charles, 27, with two counts of attempted unlawful sexual intercourse. Charles allegedly attempted to have unlawful sexual intercourse with a nine-year-old girl on March 12.

apply for bail through the higher court, he was sent to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services’ juvenile unit.

The defendant’s VBI is due for service on June 27.

Levan Johnson represented the accused.

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

Charles’ VBI is set for service on June 26

Inspector S Coakley served as prosecutor.

Charles is further alleged to have attempted to have unlawful sexual intercourse with a sevenyear-old girl on March 18.

MAN GETS EIGHT MONTHS JAIL FOR HITTING AND INJURING MAN WITH CAR IN EXUMA

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was sentenced to eight months in prison after admitting to knocking down and injuring a man with his car in Exuma last week.

Magistrate Kendra Kelly charged Wendel Adderley, 33, with causing grievous harm and assault with a dangerous instrument. Adderley knocked down

Grand Bahama and Eleuthera see significant rainfall over weekend

BOTH Grand Bahama and Eleuthera were hit by more than four inches of rain in heavy weather at the weekend.

The Bahamas Department of Meteorology reported there was 4.63 inches of rain at the Grand Bahama airport in preliminary rainfall totals, while Eleuthera recorded 4.9 inches at Governor’s Harbour. The country was hit by severe weather from Friday to Monday, with New Providence recording 3.96 inches of rain at the Lynden Pindling Airport.

1.1 inches of rain at Andros Town, San Salvador recorded 2.12 inches at Cockburn Town, and Turks and Caicos was hit by one to two inches at Providenciales.

Elsewhere, Long Island recorded 1.76 inches of rain at Galloway Landing, Abaco was hit by 1.1 inches of rain at Crossing Rocks, Andros got

The department also said there were 17 severe thunderstorm warning bulletins during the passage of the low-pressure system.

PRINCIPAL Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division speaks to the press concerning the charges against Bahamian Vandrick Nelson Smith. Photo: Screen Capture from US Department of Justice video

IDB country strategy and gender

“Gender inequality is a longstanding, systemic issue that requires a response that includes action to end gender-based violence.”

THE Bahamas, although a small island developing state heavily reliant on tourism, continues to be classified as a “high-income country” and this comes with consequences.

It is becoming more widely understood that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is not only an inadequate measurement, but misleading and harmful. It is common knowledge that at least 80 percent of the money generated by the tourism industry leaves the country, and quickly. This money, however, is included in the GDP of this tourismdependent country that does not truly own the tourism industry. According to the Inter-American Development Country Strategy for The Bahamas 2024-2028:

“From 2015–2019, tourism accounted for an average of about 41 percent of GDP (when counting the sector’s direct and indirect contributions), about 48 percent of total employment, and about 78 percent of total exports.”

This is a country where the income per capita, in the area of $31,000 in 2022, is a dream to many and barely manageable for the people at that income level who have to take care of anyone other than themselves. These considerations should be at the beginning and at the foundation of any conversations about planning, development, and assessments at the national level. The Bahamas is not a “developed” country based on the standards set by development organizations, including development banks, and this is clear when ownership and control of resources is taken into consideration along with the destination of money generated here, particularly by the tourism industry.

The tourism industry is a precarious one, and we have been directly warned by unpredictable events and shocks that economic

By Alicia Wallace

diversification is critical. The sudden halt in travel immediately following 9/11 and the prolonged effects should have prompted a response that went beyond speeches. The COVID-19 pandemic brought the industry to a standstill close to twenty years later. Most people were affected by this in a direct and noticeable way. Many who are not directly employed in the tourism industry depend on those who are to support their businesses and, in many cases, their households. Given the nature of tourism and the amount of frontline service work it demands, in combination with the concentration of women in service jobs, women were severely affected. Gender inequality affects every sphere of life. The evidence of it is everywhere. It affects our access to education, job opportunities, ability to advance in the workplace, access to public space, safety, social engagement, and home life. Gender-based violence is both interpersonal and structural, and this maintains the connection between issues that one may assume are completely separate, such as unemployment and domestic violence. The ability to work and receive appropriate compensation affects the ability of a woman to, for example, seek medical care, secure a safe place to live, keep her children in school, and leave an abusive relationship and household. The specific impact of a global shock like the COVID-19 pandemic

on women and girls includes household affairs—ability to physically leave the residence, ability to buy sufficient food and other necessities, access to mental health services, management of addiction, primary topics of conversation, and responses to frustration. Gender is a factor, among others, that determines both opportunities and outcomes.

One of the cross-cutting themes noted in the Strategic Areas of the Country Strategy is gender and social inclusion. On the Global Gender Gap Index 2021, The Bahamas was ranked low in comparison to similar countries. It found that while women were 75 percent more likely to have completed education at the university level, they were twice as likely to be unemployed. When employed, women with universitylevel education received 68 percent of the income men received. An IDB survey revealed that, in 2020, more women lost their jobs than men. Contrary to popular belief, women were also less likely to hold managerial positions. The representation of women in frontline politics remains low at 18 percent (in Parliament). Gender inequality is a longstanding, systemic issue that requires a response that includes action to end gender-based violence.

In section 3.27 of the IDB Country Strategy, a Bahamas Women’s Health and Wellbeing Survey, administered under the Citizen Security and Justice

Program, is referenced.

The survey was the first on the national prevalence of gender-based violence, examining “lifetime and recent experiences of intimate and non-intimate partner violence and abuse”. Survey results indicate the one in every four women in The Bahamas has experienced physical or sexual violence in her lifetime. One in every five women experience physical violence in an intimate relationship and just less than one in every ten women in The Bahamas experienced sexual violence in an intimate relationship. One in three women in The Bahamas experiences psychological or emotional violence by an intimate partner, and almost one in ten women experienced economic violence. The Country Strategy states that IDB will work with the Government of The Bahamas to use this data in the development of policy.

One of the issues that is raised by development agencies, (potential) funders, consultants, and civil society organisations is the lack of data. This is true for The Bahamas, and it is true for other countries in the Caribbean. The situation appears to be different for Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados where there are University of the West Indies campuses. We have recently seen research being shared by departments and faculty at the University of The Bahamas, and it has been helpful for students, advocates, researchers, and policymakers to have access

to the data and analysis. It is known that the government pays for research to be done, reports to be written, and policies to be drafted, and that this does not always mean we will ever see, much less benefit from, the product. This needs to change. Data collection is great; we can only use it if we have access to it. Analysis is great; we can only apply it if we have access to it. There is a waste of resources when people undertake work that has been done already with the failure of making it accessible. We need to have access to the Bahamas Women’s Health and Wellbeing Survey. The data shared in the Country Strategy is useful, and there is certainly more that we can delve into and put to good use. It starts with access.

RECOMMENDATIONS For National Poetry Month

1. Participate in National Poetry Writing Month NaPoWriMo in April. This annual event is a spinoff from National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) which is every November. For NaNoWriMo, participants try to write 50,000 words in 30 days, or 1,667 words per day. In NaPoWriMo, the goal is to write one poem every day for 30 days. Poets need their month of intentional daily writing too.

2. Read Poetry is Not a Luxury by Audre Lorde, Black lesbian feminist, socialist, mother, warrior, and poet. In it, she said, “For women, then, poetry is not a luxury. It is a vital necessity of our existence. It forms the quality of the light within which we predicate our hopes and dreams toward survival and change, first made into language, then into idea, then into more tangible action.”

3. Seek out the work of Bahamian poets. Buy Bougainvillea Ringplay by Marion Bethel. Pick up a beautiful handmade book by Sonia Farmer. Check out the open mic nights where people share their work. Challenge yourself to become a Bahamian poet if you do not see yourself as one already.

4. Attend the NaPoWriMo Kick-Off. Poinciana Paper Press is hosting a session of generative writing prompts and community building, in-person at 12 Parkgate Road on Saturday, March 30 from 10am to 1pm. Participants will come up with prompts for the month of April, get to know each other, and be invited to join the WhatsApp group where prompts will be shared and daily poems are welcome. Sometimes prompts are one word, sometimes they are phrases. We may even see prompts that do not include worlds. One of the prompts in 2023 was “the (wo)man at the bottom of Nassau harbor.” Coffee and tea will be available, and participants are welcome to bring snacks and treats to share. Whether you have never written poetry or have several books of poetry, NaPoWriMo is a great time to create new work with the support of other writers.

DUTCH HYPERLOOP LOOKS TO FUTURE OF TRANSPORT

A 420-METER white steel tube running alongside a railway line in the windswept northern Netherlands could usher in a new era in the transportation of people and freight.

The tube is the heart of the new European Hyperloop Centre that opened Tuesday and will be a proving ground in coming years for developers of the evolving technology.

Hyperloop, once trumpeted by Elon Musk, involves capsules floating on magnetic fields zipping at speeds of arund 700kph (435mph) through low-pressure tubes. Its advocates tout it as far more efficient than short haul flights, high-speed rail and freight trucks.

But since Musk unveiled the concept that he said could shuttle passengers the nearly 400 miles (645 kilometers) between Los Angeles and San Francisco in 30 minutes, it has progressed at a much slower pace from the

drawing board toward the real world.

“I expect by 2030 you will have the first hyperloop route, maybe five kilometers (three miles) in which people will actually be transporting passengers,” said the center’s director, Sascha Lamme. “Actually there’s already preparations being done for such routes in for example Italy or India.”

Not everybody is as optimistic about Hyperloop’s future.

“This is just another example of policy makers chasing a shiny object when basic investment in infrastructure is needed,” Robert Noland, distinguished professor at the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University, said in comments emailed to The Associated Press. “It costs too much to build,” he added.

Lamme said skeptics should come and take a look for themselves.

“We built the European Hyperloop Centre and from what we

have built, we know that we can be competitive with high-speed rail,” he said. “And then we have not even included all the cost optimisations that we can do in the coming decade to reduce that even further.” The test centre’s tube is made up of 34 separate sections mostly 2½ meters (more than eight feet) in diameter. A vacuum pump in a steel container next to the tube sucks out the air to reduce the internal pressure. That reduces drag and allows capsules to travel at such high speeds.

A test capsule built by Dutch hyperloop pioneer Hardt Hyperloop will take part next month in the first tests at the center that is funded by private investment as well as contributions from the provincial government, the Dutch national government and European Commission.

A unique feature of the Veendam tube is that it has a switch — where it splits into two separate

THE ROBOT PITCHING ARM

NESTOR Cortes got behind the plate in a batting cage and watched an 8-foothigh, 1,200-pound robot spit out fastballs, cutters and sweepers just like the ones spinning off the fingertips of his left hand.

“It was like seeing myself pitch. That was crazy,” the New York Yankees All-Star left-hander said. Technology has come a long way since the days of the Iron Mike. The Trajekt Arc pitching machine uses baseball’s high-tech data to mimic the way balls break from every big league pitcher and has been approved by Major League Baseball for in-game use this year in batting cages. Using video of deliveries and data, the robot allows a hitter to step in against recreated offerings from any pitcher he wants to face. Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani said he used Trajekt to view his pitches from a different vantage point. “You’re training their brain. You’re training their eyes,” Philadelphia hitting coach Kevin Long said. Each machine costs $15,000 to $20,000 a month as part of a three-year lease,

an unimaginable leap forward from the pitching gun invented by Princeton mathematics professor Charles Howard Hinton in 1896 that looked like a 2 1/2-foot-long cannon.

Paul Giovagnoli turned the concept into a business. He owned golf driving ranges in Wichita and Topeka, Kansas, wanted to add baseball and created what become known as the Iron Mike. Giovagnoli founded Master Pitching Machine in 1952, and its units with long metal arms became omnipresent throughout the majors.

tubes, a piece of infrastructure that will be critical to real-life applications.

“Lane switching is very important for hyperloop, because it allows vehicles to travel from any origin to any destination,” said Marinus van der Meijs, Hardt’s technology and engineering director. “So it really creates a network effect where you sort of have a highway of tubes and vehicles can take an on and offramp or they can take a lane switch to go to a different part of Europe or to a different destination.”

While testing continues in Veendam, hyperloop developers hope that destinations for their technology are forthcoming.

“Really the main challenge is finding government commitments to build routes and, on the other hand, finding new funding to realise the necessary test facility and technology demonstration that you need to do to make this happen,” Lamme said.

US TRIES TO SEND WARNING WITH KUCOIN PROSECUTION

A TOP US prosecutor announced criminal charges Tuesday against a onceascending company in the cryptocurrency world and two of its founders in a bid to send a message to other players in the industry to follow US laws. US Attorney Damian Williams said conspiracy charges against KuCoin and two executives should warn other crypto exchanges that they cannot serve US customers without following US laws. An indictment in Manhattan federal court said the company and its founders tried to conceal the existence of its US customer base.

In December, New York Attorney General Letitia James secured a payout of more than $22m from KuCoin to refund $16.7m to over 150,000 New York investors and provide New York state with over $5.3m. KuCoin was also required to cease New York operations after falsely representing itself as a crypto exchange without registering as a securities and commodities broker-dealer, James said. Williams said in a release that KuCoin, formed in 2017, “took advantage of its sizeable US customer base to become one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency derivatives and spot exchanges, with billions of dollars of daily trades and trillions of dollars of annual trade volume”.

CHINESE EV MAKERS AT BANGKOK AUTO SHOW

Chinese electric vehicle makers are showcasing their latest models, including a flying car, as they take on global rivals at the Bangkok International Motor Show. Companies like BYD, XPeng and Great Wall Motors are quickly growing their sales in Thailand, challenging longstanding market leaders like Toyota, Isuzu and Ford, as they expand exports across the globe. And Thailand, one of the biggest markets in Southeast Asia, a region of more than 600 million people, has made developing its EV market a priority.

Tesla launched sales in late 2022, offering its popular Model 3 and Model Y at prices aimed at competing with rivals like China’s BYD.

BYD, or Build Your Dreams, displayed a wide range of its EV lineup, including its Dolphin, a pure EV that it says runs about 300 miles on a single charge and is priced at 859,999 Thai baht ($23,700).

At the higher end of the spectrum is the Seal, promising about 360 miles on a charge and costing nearly 1.6 million baht (about $44,000).

XPeng, a start-up based in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, was displaying its XPeng AeroHT Voyager X2, a flying concept car.

ONE of the tubes allowing vehicles to travel on magnetic fields is seen at the new European test center for hyperloop transportation technology which opens in Veendam, northern Netherlands, on Tuesday.

Photo: Peter Dejong/AP

THE TRAJEKT Arc pitching machine is demonstrated during the Major League Baseball winter meetings in December, in Nashville, Tennesee.

Photo: George Walker IV/AP

Forestry wraps up islandwide tour under theme ‘Forests and Innovation’

UNDER the theme “Forests and Innovation”, the Bahamas Forestry Unit wrapped up an islandwide tour, visiting schools throughout New Providence, leading up to Forestry Awareness Week, Monday, March 18 to Friday, March 22, 2024. This campaign, known as the Green Fridays Initiative, allowed youngsters to get actively involved in environmental efforts.

“Green Fridays”, a movement gaining momentum worldwide, is dedicated to environmental sustainability and the preservation of planet Earth. This initiative encourages individuals and communities to take action by participating in tree plantings, clean-up efforts, and other eco-friendly activities.

“By planting trees, we can help to not only mitigate the effects of deforestation and climate change, but also foster biodiversity and create healthier ecosystems,” said Danielle Hanek, acting Director, Bahamas Forestry Unit.

The Forestry Unit, a division of the Ministry of the Environment & Natural Resources, visited a number of schools to plant trees for the Green Fridays Initiative, including Hope Academy, A.F. Adderley High School, Faithway Christian Academy, Windsor Academy, Government High School, Hillcrest Academy, Garvin Tynes Primary School, Aquinas College, Anatol Rodgers High School, Yellow Elder Primary School, C.R. Walker High School, and Achievers Christian Academy.

“Forestry Awareness Week presents an invaluable opportunity to spotlight the vital role that forests play in our lives and to explore innovative approaches in forestry management and conservation,” Mrs.

Hanek said. “This year’s theme, ‘Forests and Innovation’ underscores the critical need for creative solutions to address the challenges facing our forests in the 21st century.”

Forestry Awareness Week also included “World Forestry Day/ International Day of Forests” on Thursday, March 21, 2024.

PARTICIPANTS of the National Mangrove Planting in Adelaide Creek.

“That’s why being innovative is key to addressing these challenges effectively,” Mrs. Hanek said.

“By harnessing technological advancements, adopting sustainable practices, and fostering collaboration across sectors, we can develop innovative solutions to conserve and manage forests more efficiently.”

In addition to school visits and tree and mangrove plantings, the Forestry Unit also led a “Years of the Trees” video

The final Green Fridays Initiative took place on Friday March 22 at Adelaide Pond, involving dozens of students from public and private schools in New Providence, who took part in the “Plan to Plant” program. Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources, the Hon. Vaughn P. Miller participated with the youngsters in planting hundreds of trees in Adelaide. The successful event occurred thanks to a partnership between the Ministry of the Environment & Natural Resources (MENR) led by its Forestry Unit; Waterkeepers Bahamas; and the Bahamas National Independence Secretariat with the support of the Ministry of the Education and Technical and Vocational Training (MOETVT). This project is partially funded by the Builders Initiative and the GEF Small Grants Programme. Students took care of mangrove seeds (propagules) for six months leading up to the Green Fridays planting exercise. Participants from Anatol Rodgers, C.I. Gibson, C.R. Walker and Windsor High Schools remarked on the invaluable experience and the knowledge gained in the process. Forests are essential for sustaining life on Earth, providing numerous environmental, social, and economic benefits. They serve as vital carbon sinks, mitigate climate change, regulate water cycles, preserve biodiversity, and offer recreational opportunities. Moreover, forests support livelihoods for millions of people worldwide, particularly in rural areas.

competition, and made appearances on several radio talk shows, spreading national awareness on the importance of forests. To assist with the protection and sustainable management of forest resources, the Forestry Unit has notable sustainable partners such as the Department of Environmental Health Services; the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection; the Bahamas National Trust; Friends of the Environment; Creative Nassau; Bahamas Public Parks & Public Beaches Authority; the Nature Conservancy; the University of the Bahamas and Waterkeepers Bahamas.

(L-R) Danielle Hanek, Acting Director, Bahamas Forestry Unit, Ambassador Leslia Miller-Brice, Ambassador of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to the Republic of Barbados, Rashema Ingraham, Waterkeepers Bahamas and Vaughn P. Miller, Minister for the Environment and Natural Resources and Golden Isles MP. Photos: Samantha Black

Israel and Hamas dig in as international pressure builds for a cease-fire in Gaza

JERUSALEM

Associated Press

ISRAELI Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday blasted a NU Security Council resolution calling for a Gaza cease-fire that his country’s top ally, the United States, chose not to block. He said the resolution had emboldened Hamas and he vowed to press ahead with the war.

As the war grinds through a sixth month, both Israel and Hamas have rejected international cease-fire efforts, each insisting its version of victory is within reach. The passage of the UN resolution has also escalated tensions between the US and Israel over the conduct of the war.

Netanyahu has said Israel can only achieve its aims of dismantling Hamas and returning scores of hostages if it expands its ground offensive to the southern city of Rafah, where over half of Gaza’s population has sought refuge, many in crowded tent camps. The US has said a major assault on Rafah would be a mistake.

Hamas says it will hold onto the hostages until Israel agrees to a more permanent cease-fire, withdraws its forces from Gaza and releases hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including top militants.

It said late Monday that it rejected a recent proposal that fell short of those demands — which, if fulfilled, would allow it to claim an extremely costly victory.

Netanyahu said in a statement that the announcement “proved clearly that Hamas is not interested in continuing negotiations toward a deal and served as unfortunate testimony to the damage of the Security Council decision.”

“Israel will not surrender to Hamas’ delusional demands and will continue to act to achieve all the goals of the war: releasing all the hostages, destroying Hamas’ military and governing capabilities and ensuring that Gaza will never again be a threat to Israel.”

Israel has killed over 32,000 Palestinians, around two-thirds of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its tally. The fighting has left much of the Gaza Strip in ruins, displaced most its residents and driven a third of its population of 2.3 million to the brink of famine.

The Israeli military announced Tuesday that an airstrike earlier this month killed Marwan Issa, the deputy leader of Hamas’ armed wing in Gaza who helped plan the Oct. 7 attack. Issa is the highestranking Hamas leader to have been

killed in Gaza since the start of the war. Military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said Issa was killed when fighter jets struck an underground compound in central Gaza between March 9 and 10.

An Israeli strike late Monday on a residential building in Rafah where three displaced families were sheltering killed at least 16 people, including nine children and four women, according to hospital records and relatives of the deceased. An Associated Press reporter saw the bodies arrive at a hospital.

In the face of Hamas’ demands for a more permanent cease-fire, Netanyahu has vowed to resume Israel’s offensive after any hostage release and keep fighting until the militant group is destroyed. But he has provided few details about what would follow any such victory and has largely rejected a postwar vision outlined by the US

That approach has brought him into increasingly open conflict with President Joe Biden’s administration, which has expressed mounting concern over civilian casualties — though it has continued to supply Israel with crucial military aid and back Israel’s aim of destroying Hamas.

The passage of Monday’s resolution by the UN Security Council resolution further deepened the divisions. The resolution called for the release of all hostages held in Gaza but did not condition the cease-fire on it. The Biden administration, which vetoed previous UN

resolutions calling for a cease-fire, abstained in Monday’s vote, allowing it to pass.

In response, Netanyahu cancelled a planned visit by Israeli officials to Washington during which the US side was set to propose alternatives to a ground assault in Rafah.

The move raised criticism in Israeli media that Netanyahu was straining Israel’s most important alliance in order to placate hardliners in his governing coalition.

“He is prepared to sacrifice Israel’s relations with the United States for a short-lived political-media coup. He has completely lost it,” Ben Caspit, a prominent columnist in the Israeli newspaper Maariv, wrote.

He said Netanyahu has been trying US patience by dragging his feet on ensuring more humanitarian aid gets into Gaza and on drawing up post-war plans. “Now, instead of doing everything to placate them, he is flailing about like a baby throwing a tantrum.”

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, in Washington on a separate trip, held talks Tuesday with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and with top US defence leaders.

Ahead of the meeting, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin described civilian casualties in Gaza as “far too high” and aid deliveries as “far too low.” But he also repeated the belief that Israel has the right to defend itself and the US would always be there to help.

Gallant said he told Blinken “that Israel will not cease operating in

Gaza until the return of all the hostages. Only a decisive victory will bring to an end of this war.”

Hamas’ top political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, said the UN resolution showed that Israel faces “an unprecedented (level of) political isolation” and was “losing its political cover” at the Security Council. He spoke at a press conference in Tehran after talks with officials in Iran, a key ally of Hamas.

The war began on Oct. 7, when Hamas-led militants stormed across the border and attacked communities in southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250 others. It is still believed to be holding about 100 hostages and the remains of 35 others, after most of the rest were freed in November in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners.

The United States, Qatar and Egypt have spent several weeks trying to negotiate another ceasefire and hostage release, but those efforts appeared to have stalled.

Majed al-Ansari, a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry of Qatar, which is currently hosting the talks, told reporters that the negotiations were still ongoing, without providing details.

Hamas has previously proposed a phased process in which it would release all the remaining hostages in exchange for a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, the opening of its borders for aid and reconstruction, and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including top militants serving life sentences.

UK court says Assange can’t be extradited on espionage charges until US rules out death penalty

LONDON Associated Press

A BRITISH court ruled

Tuesday that Julian Assange can’t be extradited to the United States on espionage charges unless US authorities guarantee he won’t get the death penalty, giving the WikiLeaks founder a partial victory in his long legal battle over the site’s publication of classified American documents.

Two High Court judges said they would grant Assange a new appeal unless US authorities give further assurances within three weeks about what will happen to him. The ruling means the legal saga, which has dragged on for more than a decade, will continue — and Assange will remain inside London’s high-security Belmarsh Prison, where he has spent the last five years.

Judges Victoria Sharp and Jeremy Johnson said the US must guarantee that Assange, who is Australian, “is afforded the same First Amendment protections as a United States citizen, and that the death penalty is not imposed.”

The judges said that if the US files new assurances, “we will give the parties an opportunity to make further submissions before we make a final decision on the application for leave to appeal.”

The judges said a hearing will be held May 20 if the US makes those submissions.

The US Justice Department declined to comment Tuesday.

Assange’s supporters say he is a journalist protected by the First Amendment

THIRD OF RUSSIAN WARSHIPS IN THE BLACK SEA HAVE BEEN DESTROYED OR DISABLED

KYIV Associated Press

UKRAINE has sunk or disabled a third of all Russian warships in the Black Sea in just over two years of war, the navy spokesman said Tuesday, a heavy blow to Moscow’s military capability.

Ukraine’s Navy spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk told The Associated Press that the latest strike on Saturday night hit the Russian amphibious landing ship Kostiantyn Olshansky that was resting in dock in Sevastopol in Russiaoccupied Crimea. The ship was part of the Ukrainian navy before Russia captured it while annexing the Black Sea peninsula in 2014.

Pletenchuk has previously announced that two other landing ships of the same type, Azov and Yamal, also were damaged in Saturday’s strike along with the Ivan Khurs intelligence ship.

He told the AP that the weekend attack, which was launched with Ukraine-built Neptune missiles, also hit Sevastopol port facilities and an oil depot.

Russian authorities reported a massive Ukrainian attack on Sevastopol over the weekend but didn’t acknowledge any damage to the fleet.

Pletenchuk said that with the latest attack, a third of all warships that Russian had in the Black Sea before the war have been destroyed or disabled. At the same time, he acknowledged that just two of about a dozen of Russian missile carrying warships have been sunk and pledged that Ukraine will continue the strikes.

who exposed US military wrongdoing in Iraq and Afghanistan that was in the public interest.

Assange’s wife Stella Assange said the WikiLeaks founder “is being persecuted because he exposed the true cost of war in human lives.”

“The Biden administration should not issue assurances. They should drop this shameful case, which should never have been brought,” she said outside the High Court in London.

The ruling follows a twoday hearing in the High Court in February, where Assange’s lawyer Edward Fitzgerald said American authorities were seeking to punish him for WikiLeaks’ “exposure of criminality on the part of the US government on an unprecedented scale,” including torture and killings.

The US government said Assange’s actions went beyond journalism by soliciting, stealing and indiscriminately publishing classified government documents that endangered many people, including Iraqis and Afghans who had helped US forces.

The judges rejected six of Assange’s nine grounds of appeal, including the allegation that his prosecution is political. They said that while Assange “acted out of political conviction … it does not follow however that the request for his extradition is made on account of his political views.”

The judges also said Assange could not appeal based on allegations, made by his lawyers, that the CIA developed plans to kidnap

or kill Assange during the years he spent holed up in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, to prevent him from trying to flee.

The judges said “plainly, these are allegations of the utmost seriousness,” but concluded they had no bearing on the extradition request.

“Extradition would result in him being lawfully in the custody of the United States authorities, and the reasons (if they can be called that) for rendition or kidnap or assassination then fall away,” the ruling said. They accepted three grounds or appeal: the threat to Assange’s freedom of speech, Assange’s claim that he faces disadvantage because he is not a US citizen, and the risk he could receive the death penalty.

US authorities have promised Assange would not receive capital punishment, but the judges said that “nothing in the existing assurance explicitly prevents the imposition of the death penalty.”

Jennifer Robinson, one of Assange’s lawyers, said that “even if we receive the assurances, we’re not confident we can rely on them.”

Assange, 52, a computer expert, has been indicted in the US on charges over Wikileaks’ publication in 2010 of hundreds of thousands of classified documents.

US prosecutors say he conspired with US army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to hack into a Pentagon computer and release secret diplomatic cables and military files on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Assange faces 17 counts under the Espionage Act and one charge of computer misuse. If convicted, his lawyers say he could receive a prison term of up to 175 years, though American authorities have said any sentence is likely to be much lower.

Assange’s wife and supporters say his physical and mental health have suffered during more than a decade of legal battles and confinement.

“My concerns about the precarious mental health of Julian Assange and his unfitness to be extradited, as well as the potential for him to receive a wholly disproportionate sentence in the United States, have not been assuaged by the court,” said Alice Jill Edwards, the United Nations’ special rapporteur on torture, an independent expert for the world body.

Assange’s legal troubles began in 2010, when he was arrested in London at the

request of Sweden, which wanted to question him about allegations of rape and sexual assault made by two women. In 2012, Assange jumped bail and sought refuge inside the Ecuadorian Embassy. The relationship between Assange and his hosts eventually soured, and he was evicted from the embassy in April 2019. British police immediately arrested and imprisoned him for breaching bail in 2012. Sweden dropped the sex crimes investigations in November 2019 because so much time had elapsed. A UK district court judge rejected the US extradition request in 2021 on the grounds that Assange was likely to kill himself if held under harsh US prison conditions. Higher courts overturned that decision after getting assurances from the about his treatment. The British government signed an extradition order in June 2022.

“Our ultimate goal is complete absence of military ships of the so-called Russian Federation in the Azov and Black Sea regions,” Pletenchuk told the AP.

Successful Ukrainian drone and missile strikes have provided a major morale boost for Kyiv at a time when its undermanned and undergunned forces are facing Russian attacks along the more than 1,000-kilometre (600-mile) front line.

Challenging Russia’s naval superiority also has helped create more favourable conditions for Ukrainian grain exports and other shipments from the country’s Black Sea ports.

Moscow officials have kept mum on most of Ukrainian claims, but previous navy losses have been confirmed by Russian military bloggers and media who have harshly criticized the military brass for its slow and sloppy response to the threat.

Earlier this month, Russian media reported that the navy chief, Adm. Nikolai Yevmenov, had been fired and replaced with Adm. Alexander Moiseyev, the commander of Russia’s Northern Fleet. The Kremlin hasn’t yet announced the reshuffle, but last week Moiseyev was presented as the new acting navy chief during a ceremony at a Russian naval base.

A SEA drone cruises on the water during a presentation by Ukraine’s Security Service in Kyiv region, Ukraine, on March 5, 2024.

Photo: Evgeniy Maloletka/AP

DEMONSTRATORS hold placards after Stella Assange, wife of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, released a statement outside the Royal Courts of Justice, in London yesterday.

Photo: Alberto Pezzali/AP

HUMANITARIAN aid is airdropped to Palestinians over Gaza City, Gaza Strip, Monday, March 25, 2024.

Photo: Mahmoud Essa/AP

BAHAMAS SWIMMERS

GO FOR SIXTH STRAIGHT CARIFTA TITLE

BETTY KELLY KENNING SWIM COMPLEX – MARCH 30 - APRIL 2

ALANNA MURRAY

Age: 15

School: Aquinas College

Grade: 9

Club: Black Marlins

Coach: Allan Murray

How many have you been swimming: 8-9 years.

What’s your best event(s): Open water, breaststroke.

What’s your personal best performances in each event(s): 5K open water - 1:10.18; 400m IM - 5:32.68; 200 breast - 2:54.12.

How many years have you swum at CARIFTA and what years did you compete: Two years. First CARIFTA in 2023 at CARIFTA Triathlon as a member of the Aquathlon team in Curacao.

How many medals have you won: Trying to win my first CARIFTA medal.

Do you participate in any other sports: Track and field, Aquathlon and Triathlon.

Name of parents: Allan and Kristins Murray

Name of any brothers/sisters: Joshus, Alexander and Kyle Murray.

Favorite color: Purple, pink and Bahamas colors.

Favorite food: Pizza, salads, sushi and conch salad.

Hobbies: Art, training my pets and going to the beach.

Expectations for this year’s CARIFTA: Just to do my best for Team Bahamas in my open water swim; have a good time and support other team members.

SEANNIA

NORVILLE-SMITH

Age: 17

School: Montverde Academy

Grade: 12

Club: Montverde Aquatic

Club/Mako Aquatic Club

Coach: Guilherme Goncalves Ferreira and Coach Iva.

How many have you been swimming: 15 years

What’s your best event(s): 50m fly, 100m fly, 100m free and 200m free.

What’s your personal best performances in each event(s): 50 fly - 29.1; 100m fly - 1:05.24; 100m free1:00.47 and 200m free - 2:12.39.

How many years have you swum at CARIFTA and what years did you compete: CARIFTA 2019 and 2023.

How many medals have you won:Five medals

Do you participate in any other sports: No

Name of parents:Sherinette and Sean Norville-Smith

Name of any brothers/sisters: Sean and Seannae Norville-Smith.Favorite color: Teal

Favorite food: Chipotle

Hobbies: Traveling, baking and self-care days.

Expectations for this year’s CARIFTA: I expect to serve others and show my little brother hog of an

accomplishment it is to be a part of such an amazing team as this is his first year. In addition, my grandparents will be able to see me compete at the international level for the first time. I want to make them proud.

SIANN ISAACS

Age: 13 School: Wndsor High School

Grade:8th

Club:Alpha Aquatics

Coach: David del Cueto, Coach Tara and Coach Andy.

How many have you been swimming:

What’s your best event(s): Backstroke/long distance What’s your personal best performances in each event(s): 50m - 33.52; 100m back - 1:126.42 and 200m back - 2:45.77.

How many years have you swum at CARIFTA and what years did you compete: 1st year

How many medals have you won: None

Do you participate in any other sports: Soccer, track/ cross country

Name of parents: Todd and Lanee Isaacs

Name of any brothers/sisters: Tpodd Jr, Tate and Teja Isaacs

Favorite color: Blue

Favorite food: Sushi

Hobbies: Traveling, snorkeling and baking. Expectations for this year’s CARIFTA: Improve my personal best times and aim to qualify for finals in my events. I want to support my teammates and look forward to meeting swimmers from other countries.

ISABELLA CUCCURULLO

Age: 13

School: Lucaya International School

Grade: 8

Club: Alpha Aquatics

Coach: Jasmine Gibson

How many have you been swimming: 5-6 years

What’s your best event(s): 200, 100 and 50m breaststroke

What’s your personal best performances in each event(s): 200m breast - 3:03.45 LCM; 100m breast - 1:21.58 SCM; 50m breast - 37.31 SCM; 200m fly - 2:56.22 SCM; 100m fly - 1:13.11 SCM and 50m fly34.03 SCM.

How many years have you swum at CARIFTA and what years did you compete: 1st year

How many medals have you won: None

Do you participate in any other sports: No

Name of parents: Veronica Campbell

Name of any brothers/sisters:

Favorite color: Light blue and light pink.

Favorite food: Steak, plantain and sweet potatoes.

Hobbies: Swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, making brackets and horseback riding.

Expectations for this year’s CARIFTA: To do my best and PR in all my races; help my country win the 2024 Aquatic CARIFTA; get to know my teammates and build stronger relationships with them and also meet new people from other teams around the Caribbean. I will work hard and have doing do.

TIAH SEYMOUR

Age: 12 School: Summit Academy

Grade: 7 Club: Mako Aquatic Swim Club

Coach: Travano McPhee

How many have you been swimming: 7

What’s your best event(s): 50m free, 50m fly, 100m free and 50m back.

What’s your personal best performances in each event(s): 50m free - 29.30; 50m fly - 34.07; 100m free1:05 and 50m back - 35.36.

How many years have you swum at CARIFTA and what years did you compete: None

How many medals have you won: None

Do you participate in any other sports: No

Name of parents: Julian and Tinika Seymour

Name of any brothers/sisters: Jayden Seymour

Favorite color: Blue or pink

Favorite food: Sushi

Hobbies: Swimming” Listening to music, drawing and jewelry.

Expectations for this year’s CARIFTA: To swim well, get into the finals, place in all my events, swim personal best times and most all encourage my teammates to do their very best so that Team Bahamas can win six straight.

KATIE GOULANDRIS

Age: 17

School: Lyford Cay International

School

Grade: 11

Club: Lyford Cay Swim Club

Coach: Mancer Roberts Jr

How many have you been swimming: 4 years

What’s your best event(s): 200m and 200m breaststroke.

What’s your personal best performances in each event(s): 2:49 in 200m breaststroke and 1:29 on 100m breaststroke.

How many years have you swum at CARIFTA and what years did you compete: Second year., First was in 2023.

How many medals have you won: Bronze medal

Do you participate in any other sports: No

Name of parents: Basil and Anne Goulandris

Name of any brothers/sisters: Caroline, George and Grace Goulandris

Favorite color: Blue

Favorite food: Pizza

Hobbies: Playing the guitar

Expectations for this year’s CARIFTA: To go out and swim my best and help the Bahamas bring home another win.

ZOE WILLIAMSON

Age: 15

School: Bishop Michael Eldon

Grade: 11

Club: Mako Aquatics

Coach: Iva

How many have you been swimming: 12 years

What’s your best event(s): 50, 100 and 200m butter fly and 50, 100, 20-0 and 400m free

What’s your personal best performances in each event(s): 100 fly - 1:06 LC; 100m free - 1:01.13; 200 fly - 2:39; 200m free p 2:17; 50m fly - 30.04; 50m free - 27 and 400m free - 4.58.

How many years have you swum at CARIFTA and what years did you compete: One year in 2023

How many medals have you won: 1 silver and 1 bronze

Do you participate in any other sports: Track and field.

Name of parents: Michael and Karen Williamson.

Name of any brothers/sisters: Kashara, Kyron and Israel Williamson.

Favorite color: Purple.

Favorite food: Chicken and cheesecake.

Hobbies: Singing

Expectations for this year’s CARIFTA: To make all of the relay teams and achieve a personal best in each of my races.

KIMAYA SAUNDERS

Age: 14

School: Bishop Michael Eldon

Grade: 10

Club: Mako Aquatics

Coach: Iva

How many have you been swimming: 9 years

TAYLEN NICOLLS

Age: 12

School: King’s College

What’s your best event(s): Breaststroke

What’s your personal best performances in each event(s): 50m breaast - 35.84 LC and 35.28 SC; 100m breaststroke - 1.21 LC and 1.20 SC and 200m breast2:58 LC and 2:56 SC.

How many years have you swam at CARIFTA and what years did you compete: One year in 2023

How many medals have you won: 4 - 3 gold and 1 bronze.

Do you participate in any other sports: Volleyball and track and field.

Name of parents: Kasharn Cooper.

Name of any brothers/sisters: Xara and Xana

Favorite color: Pink

Favorite food: Chicken Alfredo and Chicken fettuccini.

Hobbies: Swimming and reading.

Expectations for this year’s CARIFTA: Gold in every event; expect to be on the relay teams and for The Bahamas to win again this year.

Grade: 7

Club: Mako Aquatic Club

Coach: Travano McPhee

How many years have you been swimming:6 years

What’s your best event(s): 50m free, 100m free, 50m butterfly, 100m butterfly and 50m backstroke.

What’s your personal best performances in each event(s): 50m free - 3-16; 100m free - 1:09.26; 200m free - 2:37.78; 400m free - 6:13.66; 50m back - 37.62; 100m back - 1:26.88; 50m breast - 44.40; 100m breast - 1:39.33; 50m fly - 33.16; 100m fly - 1:17.82; 200m fly - 3:15.29 and 200m IM - 3:18.70.

How many years have you swam at CARIFTA and what years did you compete: 1st year

How many medals have you won: None

Do you participate in any other sports: Triathlon and Aquathlon.

Name of parents: Syarria MClure and Giovanni Nicolls.

Name of any brothers/sisters:

Favorite color: Pink

Favorite food: Shrimp Pasta.

Hobbies: Swimming, acting, dancing, singing and public speaking.

Expectations for this year’s CARIFTA: To win the

Championships for the sixth in a row, to earn a few individual medals and to make my team, coaches, parents, grandparents and most importantly, myself proud.

KYANA HIGGS

Age: 17 School: Queen’s College

Grade: 12

Club: Barracuda Swim Club

Coach: Camron Bruney

How many have you been swimming: 9 years

What’s your best event(s): 50m back, 100m back and 400m IM.

What’s your personal best performances in each event(s): 50m back - 31.61; 100m back - 1:09.84 and 400m IM - 5:29.98.

How many years have you swam at CARIFTA and what years did you compete:

How many medals have you won: 2 years in 2022 and 2023.

Do you participate in any other sports: None.

Name of parents: Paul and Thezle Higgs.

Name of any brothers/sisters: Chyme Higgs

Favorite color: Light purple

Favorite food: Tacos

Hobbies: Baking.

Expectations for this year’s CARIFTA: To swim personal bests and help Team Bahamas win 6-peat.

Coach Caudell McNab: ‘I expect great things’

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) rolled out a 77-member team to represent The Bahamas at the 51st CARIFTA Games in St George’s, Grenada at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium over the Easter Weekend. With a good mix of newcomers and veteran athletes set to compete on the track and field for last year’s host country, the team’s head coach Caudell McNab is expecting great performances at the junior regional meet. “I expect great things. My reason for saying that is that over 60 of them pre-qualified and they came into the CARIFTA Trials and requalified so it shows that their condition is very good.

We are going to be expecting very good things from them,” he said at the team’s first practice hosted at the original Thomas A Robinson Stadium on Monday. Prior to the 51st CARIFTA Games, scheduled to get underway March 30, The Bahamas took the second position behind Jamaica for the fourth consecutive time last year at home. Despite placing second overall, the team collected a total of 41 medals, including eight gold, 13 silver and 20 bronze which surpassed their 2022 medal count of 17. McNab gave insight on how Team Bahamas intends to improve on last year’s impressive showing at home.

“The bottom line really is to improve on the performances so if they can PR or PB when that happens you end up on the medal

podium because you have performed much better than your last time. We also expect that going into the Eastern Caribbean most of the teams will have bigger teams than they had coming into The Bahamas. We are expecting great competition but we are gonna show up and show out,” he said.

Similar to last year’s 80-member contingent, Team Bahamas has a wide array of new faces ready to represent the country with great pride over the three-day holiday weekend, according to coach McNab.

“You would not even recognise the ones who are first-timers because their confidence level is very high and sometimes you wonder if they have competed at this level before. “I have not heard any of them say that they are nervous. Everybody is looking forward

to this weekend and looking to produce and make The Bahamas proud,” he said. Additionally, he spoke on how refreshing it is to see Family Island athletes have a spot on the team to display their talents as well.

“It is good because when you have that diversity it shows that the talent is all throughout The Bahamas and not just on one or two islands. It is really refreshing to see some of the persons from different islands who are members of the team and not just members of the team but have performed extremely well at the trials,” he stated. Team Bahamas will make their commute to Grenada on Thursday and commence their CARIFTA experience on Saturday morning at the Kirani James Athletics Stadium.

SUNLAND BAPTIST STINGERS WIN BEST-OF-THE-BEST BASKETBALL TITLE

FROM PAGE 16

adding to their triumph in the Grand Bahama Secondary Schools Sports Association’s championship series.

But Sunland’s head coach Jay Philippe said they had one purpose in mind and that was to win the title, no matter how they did it. “I am ecstatic that we were able to close out the year on a high note, especially after losing the Hugh Campbell championship game to CI Gibson,” Philippe said.

“My guys had one more chance to redeem themselves and I think we were grateful for this opportunity to compete against some of the best senior boys high school teams in the country.”

On their route to the title, the Stingers had to go through the CC Sweeting Cobras, Anatol Rodgers and in a rematch of the Hugh Campbell finals against the champions CI Gibson Rattlers.

“So I’m so happy that we were able to prevail with this victory,” Philippe said. “I am even happier for my guys, especially our four seniors. They wanted one more chance to close out the year on a high and they did it.”

After leading by about 11 points in the first half, Sunland could not stop Tabernacle as they made their comeback to eventually go up by five with 3-0 seconds left and the ball in their possession.

After a turnover, Sunland responded with a three-pointer and after another turnover by Tabernacle, the Stingers got the

basket to tie the score and force the extra period.

“I have to give coach Kevin Clarke and his staff credit for finding a way to cut into the lead and eventually taking the lead,” Philippe said. “My guys were resilient. We were battle-tested all year and we’ve been battle-tested in this tournament.

“All of our guys, except for CC Sweeting were close, so we knew coming down the stretch if the game was on the line, we could find a way to overcome our opponents. “We did an excellent job managing the game and coming up with the big plays when we needed them down the stretch.”

Coach Clarke, however, is still shellshocked about the loss. He was hoping that this would have been the game for his Falcons to get the monkey off their backs against the Stingers.

TECHNICAL

“The team played well, despite not having one of my starters, Joshua Williams, who is with the CARIFTA track team,” Clarke said. “He was one of the key players, one of our leading scorers. “Without him, everyone stepped up. I really thought we had the game, but that’s how the ball rolls.”

Clarke commended Minister Bowleg for putting on the tournament that was sponsored by Aliv. He also credited Sunland for playing an excellent game down the stretch to deny them the opportunity to celebrate. Sunland joined the CR Walker Knights, who pulled off the senior girls’ title with a two-game sweep over the St John’s Lady Giants on Saturday. They were the only two teams who participated in the girls’ division.

DIRECTOR SAYS ‘BETTY KELLY KENNING SWIMMING COMPLEX WILL BE IN TIP-TOP SHAPE’

By BRENT STUBBS Chief

WITH just three days to go before the start of the 2024 CARIFTA Swim Championships, technical director Mancer Roberts Sr assured the public that the Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex will be in tip-top shape.

During a visit to the stadium for a Team Bahamas practice session yesterday, it was obvious that there’s still a lot more cosmetic work to be done before the championship starts on Saturday.

“These championships will show us a model that we have never seen before,” he said. “We’re going to have equipment here in operation and you will think that we are at the World Championships.

“We are going to have electronic take offs, we will have exchange take offs and we will be able to show you the winners like you have never seen it before in the Caribbean.”

Mancer Sr, who was awarded by being selected as the first

Bahamian to serve on the ITO team for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, said they’re looking forward to putting on a world-class event with swimmers competing at the same time to qualify for the Olympics.

Host Bahamas Aquatics’ president Algernon Cargill, who also serves as the deputy chairman of the Local Organising Committee, thanked the NSA, headed by Grafton Ifill Jr, for the job they did in getting the stadium up to par to host the championships.

“Things still have to be done, but we hope that once the games are finished, we will complete everything that needs to be done to bring the stadium back up to par to where it was in 2000.”

Cargill said that while they have been eager to host the games for the fifth time, they are also looking forward to showcasing some other aspects of the island to their guests.

“Most of the times the athletes come here, they come to the pool and go back to the Games Village,” he said. “We thought we

would take the opening ceremonies off site and be able to show a different side of the island.

“It’s good for our tourism product because it would allow the visitors to want to be able to say I would like to come back and visit The Bahamas because of what they see. It was more of a marketing strategy.” As for the ticket sales, Cargill said the international guests have been purchasing their tickets in blocks, but they’re still waiting on the rush from the Bahamian crowd.

“We want to encourage Bahamians to come out and support our athletes,” Cargill stated.

“Bahamas Aquatics is the only body in the region, certainly in The Bahamas, to win five consecutive titles and seven out of the last eight.

“We’ve had our challenges this year because of the construction here at the pool over the last few months. But we look good on paper and we seem poised to go out there and win the sixth consecutive title here at home.”

HEAD coach Travano McPhee said he likes what he’s seen from Team Bahamas as they used the past few days to work out in the newly renovated Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex ahead of this weekend’s CARIFTA Swim Championships.

The majority of the swimmers were unable to train or compete in a 50m pool as the swim complex was under renovations by the National Sports Authority for the championships that will run from Saturday to Monday.

Now that they are back in the 50m pool training, leading up to the championships, McPhee said the swimmers are in their comfort zone again.

“The kids have really responded well to the morning practices,” he said. “We give them the afternoon off to mainly do some stretching. We’re just a few days out, so we will be ready to compete when the competition starts.”

The good thing, according to McPhee, is that more than 80 percent of the team is here and working out together. He expects that the last member Rhanishka Gibbs will be arriving from college on Thursday. That would allow the entire team to assemble for the opening ceremonies on Friday at 2pm in the Nassau Cruise Port.

“The Grand Bahama team arrived yesterday (Monday) and they checked into the hotel, so we haven’t missed a beat,” McPhee stressed. “We have the majority of the team back together from last year.”

Having won the past consecutive titles, McPhee said they know that the other participating countries will be coming to knock The Bahamas off the throne, but they are going to be prepared to defend the title.

“We are home, we are on our home soil and so we are ready to face the challenge,” he quipped. “These are our champions. So let’s create that environment where they can feel the love and warmth.”

To the spectators, he encouraged them to come out and bring the cowbells, drums and whistles and really cheer on the team.

Once the swimmers are done competing in the pool, the focus will shift to the 5-kilometre open water swim in Goodman’s Bay on Tuesday.

Mancer Roberts Jr, the coach for the open water team, said with the competition about six days away, they are getting in as much training as possible.

“They are doing a 5K or 5,000m in the ocean in Goodman’s Bay. We had a few sessions out in the beach, but today we’re in the pool, dealing with the technical side of the swim,” Roberts Jr said.

“We’re dealing with their strategies and how they should perform next week. That is what we are working on right now.”

But if there’s one major obstacle that has been in their way, Cargill said it’s the fact that corporate Bahamas has not stepped up to the plate and assisted Bahamas Aquatics as anticipated in funding CARIFTA.

“It’s discouraging because our swimmers have done a phenomenal job in promoting The Bahamas and yet when we’ve approached the banks and the insurance institutions, for the most part, they say no they can’t support CARIFTA swimming,” Cargill revealed. “We can’t believe that despite all the hard work these athletes have done in winning five straight titles that we have gotten the kind of financial contributions in comparison to the number of monies that they are and have given to track and field. It’s like night and day. But we feel very strong and confident that we will win our sixth straight title.”

Since the inception of CARIFTA Swimming in Kingston, Jamaica in 1985, The Bahamas first hosted the games in 2001 and again in 2004, 2012 and 2017.

While the swimmers in the pool are geared towards using a burst of speed, Roberts Jr said the swimmers in the 5K open water have to concentrate a little more on their endurance.

“They will be using up to an hour or an hour and half in the ocean, so obviously our training should reflect that as much as possible,” he stated. “But today, we’re doing pretty much an hourlong swim in intervals so that they can maintain the pace that they need to do next week.”

CHAMPIONS Sunland Baptist Stingers get their championship trophy from Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg.

MVP Edwin Ferguson receives his award from MP Kingsley Smith and Minister Mario Bowleg.

SPORTS

AJ Storr declares for the NBA Draft

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

Less than a week removed from an early National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) D1 basketball tournament exit, Wisconsin Badgers guard AJ Storr now has his sights set on the 2024 NBA Draft. The senior men’s national basketball team player will maintain his college eligibility during the process which can be bittersweet news for the Big Ten team. The announcement came via Storr’s X social media platform on Tuesday evening.

“To the incredible fans of the Wisconsin Badgers: As I sit down to write this message, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for the University of Wisconsin. This journey as a student athlete has been one of the most profound experiences of my life. The unwavering support, guidance and opportunities I’ve received from this community have been truly amazing. Joining this programme under

coach Gard has been a dream come true. It’s been my lifelong ambition to play basketball at the highest level. I find myself at a pivotal moment. I have decided to engage and experience the NBA draft process, all while maintaining college eligibility,” he wrote.

The NBA hopeful thanked family members that supported and kept him encouraged along this journey. He also referenced late NBA legend and Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant in his special thanks to the Badger Nation.

“My time here has been filled with moments of inspiration, thanks to you all. My aim has always been to inspire and be inspired, to push boundaries, and redefine limits — just as Kobe did throughout his career. The memories, lessons and friendships I’ve made here will forever be a part of who I am. Thank you, Badger Nation, for everything,” he ended.

The 6-foot-7 guard provided a spark for the Badgers all-season long. Storr led the way for Wisconsin with a team-high

16.8 points per game and 3.9 rebounds while shooting 43.4 per cent from the field. His scoring output was a significant uptick from the 8.8 points he averaged at St John’s University.

The 20-year-old eclipsed the double-digit mark in 34 out of 36 games played this season.

Additionally, he owns the second longest streak

of games over 10+ in the programme’s history with 31 behind Ethan Happ.

His scoring production also peaked during the Big Ten Tournament where he averaged 22.5 points per game before the Badgers fell to Illinois Fighting Illini in the championship game.

STINGERS WIN BESTOF-THE-BEST BASKETBALL CROWN

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor

AFTER watching their prestigious Hugh Campbell Basketball title slip out of their grasp, the Sunland Baptist Stingers made sure they held onto the inaugural Best-of-the-Best senior boys’ basketball crown.

After coming from behind by five in the last 30 seconds to tie the score, the Stingers forced overtime before they prevailed with a hard fought 66-62 victory over arch rivals Tabernacle Baptist Falcons on Monday night at the St George’s Gymnasium.

Edwin Ferguson, named the most valuable player, pumped in a game high 22 points to seal the deal for Sunland, while Noah Bain canned 18 in the loss.

The flashy guard wrapped up his season named to the 2024 Second Team All-Big Ten, Big Ten All-Tournament Team and NABC All-District Second Team.

The NBA Draft Combine is scheduled for May 19 and the deadline to return to school is June 16.

Storr and the Badgers then closed out their NCAA D1 men’s basketball tournament experience with a tough loss against no.12 James Madison Dukes in the first round.

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg, under whose patronage the tournament was held, was on hand to give out awards, along with newly elected Member of Parliament Kingsley Smith.

It was the second straight time that the Stingers knocked off the Falcons,

WISCONSIN guard AJ Storr (2) drives against James Madison guard Terrence Edwards Jr during a first-round college basketball game in the men’s NCAA Tournament on March 22 in New York. (AP