03282023 NEWS AND SPORT

GOVT SEEKS TO KNOCK DOWN SHANTY HOMES

555 properties to be demolished if approval is given

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net

ThE government is seeking to demolish 555 shanty town structures in new Providence and abaco –– with the Office of the attorney General asking the Supreme Court to approve the order. This includes 232 unfinished structures and completed buildings on the north and south sides of the SC Bootle highway, abaco;

120 structures on The Farm near Treasure Cay, abaco; 98 structures on all Saints Way, new Providence; 45 structures on montgomery Road, north side of Cowpen Road, and 60 structures off Carmichael Road and Gladstone Roads, according to an amended Summons filed in the Supreme Court on February 24. Defence force officers served shanty town

7 percent increase on fuel margin is ‘liveable’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

Bahamian petroleum retailers yesterday revealed they are seeking a “pennies on the gallon” margin increase equal to 7 percent of the landed cost of fuel to achieve their version of a “liveable wage”.

Raymond Jones, the Bahamas Petroleum Retailers association’s (BPRa) president, last night told Tribune Business that such

an adjustment was critical “to allow us to survive as retailers” given that existing price-controlled fixed margins simply cannot cover a multitude of everincreasing costs.

Believing that “the Bahamian public will be OK to absorb a few cents more” on the per gallon cost of gasoline, he provided several insights into the increasing hardship faced by many gas station operators.

22 v ictims finDing WaYs tO cOPe after bimini bla Z e

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

a DaY after a fire shook

the Porgy Bay settlement of Bimini, 22 displaced residents are rebuilding their lives with varying optimism. They include newlyweds, retirees, and a 17-monthold baby, most of whom were asleep on Sunday morning when they were

DesPite signeD agreement members Wait On PaYment

forced awake by the scent of smoke, loud noises of falling debris, or the screams and calls of neighbours.

They are being temporarily accommodated in hotels and rental units on the island at the government’s expense.

anthony Weech, 40, estimated it will cost $25k

TWO months after the Public hospitals authority (Pha) and Bahamas Public Service Union signed an industrial agreement, union members are still awaiting back pay for hazardous allowance.

BPSU president Kimsley Ferguson said he is concerned about the government’s unfulfilled commitments.

$40m inDustrial agreement W it H bP su signeD

By LyNAIRE MUNNIN gS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

UP TO 4,000 union members could benefit after a $40m industrial agreement was signed with the Bahamas Public Services Union yesterday.

The three-year deal will increase allowances and salary scales, and covers the period from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2025.

Officials said salary bumps would allow many public servants to receive

four to five incremental payments per year in addition to their usual increments.

The disturbance allowance has been increased from $1,200 to 1,500 per year. The transport allowance has been increased from $250 per month to $300 per month, and casual mileage has been increased from $2 per mile to $3 per mile.

he was speaking to reporters after signing a $40m industrial agreement with the government. he said Pha’s managing director, aubynette Rolle, advised him Pha is awaiting funding from the ministry of Finance, adding the prime minister in a meeting last week promised to rectify the matter.

Photo: austin Fernander

GOVT SEEKS TO KNOCK DOWN SHANTY HOMES

week’s hearing, not eviction.

residents in SC Bootle Highway with notices of an upcoming hearing connected to the summons last week.

The notices, which officers posted on structures along with copies of the Amended Summons, said: “TAKE NOTICE that you required (sic) to attend court before Chief Justice Sir Ian Winder on Monday the April 3rd, 2023, at 10:00am for the hearing of the Respondents’ application for breach of the Orders of the Court dated December 17th, 2018, and June 9th, 2021.”

It is unclear why the Unregulated Communities Action Taskforce referred to the notices in a press statement last week as “eviction notices” given that they are, in fact, notices about next

According to the Amended Summons, the AG’s Office is seeking orders that the structures breached orders Justice Cheryl Grant-Thompson made while considering the legality of the Minnis administration’s shanty town eradication policies.

On December 17th, 2018, Justice Grant Thompson ordered that residents refrain from constructing, erecting, or altering any building or structure except in accordance with the Buildings Regulation Act pending her substantive ruling. On June 9th, 2021, she likewise ordered residents to cease and desist from constructing or repairing any homes in the areas under an injunction; that injunction restrained the government from

demolishing shanty town buildings in the country pending her ruling.

The AG’s Office filed a summons seeking an order to demolish structures allegedly built in breach of Justice Grant Thompson’s orders on February 3rd. Justice Grant Thompson ruled that the Minnis administration’s shanty town policies were legal and constitutional on February 10th.

The AG’s Office then filed an Amended Summons outlining how many structures it wants to demolish on February 24th.

News of the pending court action comes after Respect Our Homes Limited and 177 residents/ occupants of shanty towns in The Bahamas appealed Justice GrantThompson’s ruling.

The appellants oppose

the government’s decision to take “apparent” possession of the shanty town land, to disconnect utilities in those areas, and to issue general,

blanket notices under the Buildings Regulation Act to demolish shanty town buildings. Their appeal, filed on March 10, relies on six

grounds, and seeks a declaration from the Court of Appeal that Justice Grant Thompson’s ruling is void.

from page one

Some shanty homes seen on Abaco before Hurricane Dorian

22 victims finding ways to cope after Bimini blaze

from page one

to rebuild a home he just moved into in January.

Despite the trauma of the fire, he said he can’t take time off from work.

“I can’t stop working now,” he said. “I took today off, but I gotta go back to work tomorrow. Plans don’t stop.”

Mr Weech said he and his wife are staying at the Big Game Resort, which employs his wife.

He is concerned about whether an accommodation will still be available for them in a few weeks.

“They haven’t really said where they’re going to put us,” he said. “Dealing with this resort, it’s a busy time right now for them so they’re not gonna let us be here (for long).

When they need the room, they gotta get it, so that’s the only thing. We’re like, where to from here?”

Stephen Smith, meanwhile, said he recently invested $250,000 in the family home he watched burn down. He said he could only salvage his passport, adding: “I didn’t sleep last night.”

Suslyn Bain said it was difficult not sleeping in

her own home on Sunday night.

“It feels bad because I liked it up there. It was quiet and peaceful,” she said with a sigh. “You work hard for it, but like they say, it’s vanity. But you know, (this) is still a hard thing.”

The lack of functional firefighting equipment on Bimini has got attention after the fire. Ms Bain’s daughter, Jemma, lamented what could have been if working equipment was available.

“If they did have the right equipment or came faster it wouldn’t have spread that much. Everyone was helping out with buckets and hoses, but it (the fire) was too big,” she said.

“We need a fire truck, we really need one,” her mother added. “After yesterday, we need a fire truck badly.”

Bimini island administrator Desiree Ferguson told The Tribune social workers and officers with Urban Renewal helped the affected families with housing. She said the residents were given food and clothing.

low manpower hindered response in bimini blaze

By EaryEl BowlEg Tribune Staff reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

NATIONAL Security

Minister Wayne Munroe

said there is a shortage of firefighters, especially on Family Islands.

He said some islands do not have firefighters because there are only a few in the country.

Mr Munroe was speaking after the fire in Bimini on Sunday that left 22 people displaced, four homes destroyed and three homes damaged. Since the fire, the focus has been on the shortage of working firefighting equipment on Bimini. Residents insist the fire would have been contained if there had been functional equipment.

Mr Munroe did not address reports of failing equipment, saying he does not keep track of operational issues in the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

However, he said: “Some

of these islands are miles long. There are two issues about fire apparatuses. For instance, I know that some people from Acklins put together and bought a fire truck.

“There are no firemen on Acklins so if you can remember, when we came to office, we went out and recruited 50 officers to join the fire branch because their numbers had run down. So, to operate a fire engine which is a specialised vehicle, you need training. So there aren’t any firemen in Acklins, but they have a piece of equipment that they were asking the fire branch to, one, come down and train persons locally to operate and also for us to provide some cover for it.

“In Bimini, for instance, there is a volunteer fire department as there is on many islands because we don’t have the manpower to send firemen to all of the islands. That’s just the

reality of it. We don’t have sufficient manpower to do some other aspects of policing, which I wouldn’t disclose.”

Mr Munroe said he was briefed that there are two police officers on Bimini who “have some fire training.”

On Sunday, Minister of Social Services Obie Wilchcombe, the MP for Bimini, said officials knew they needed firefighting equipment on the island. He said he had discussed the matter with Mr Munroe before.

Meanwhile, Chief Superintendent Kenrick Morris, the Director of Fire Services, said the fire trucks on Bimini that failed to work were donated to the local government. He said the engine on one of the vehicles has been repaired since the fire.

He said the investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.

Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe said yesterday there is a shortage of firefighters, especially on Family Islands. These comments came after a house fire in Bimini spread to neighbouring homes, destroyin four and damaging three more. The Sunday blaze left 22 people without homes now trying to figure out the way forward.

residents of Bimini came to assist in fighting the fire Sunday, but dysfunctional fire apparatus hindered the effort as well as a lack of trained fire personnel

AeriAl view of the are where four homes were destroyed and three others damaged, displacing 22 people in Bimini on Sunday.

Despite signed agreement members still waiting on hazard payment

from page one

“There was supposed to be a payout to various categories of persons in relation to hazard allowance,” he said.

“Commitments were made by the Public Hospitals Authority to ensure that those payments would have been made. To date, those payments have yet to be made, those payments would have been retroactive from the first of July 2022.”

The union’s president said that the government hasn’t explained the reason for the delay.

“We have signed in good faith and we are hoping that the government will do their part,” he said.

“There are persons who are working in an environment that is hazardous to their health. There is the likelihood that these individuals can (give) ailments to their family members and so we are very concerned.”

He said some 4,000 members are awaiting payment, people who range from low to high risk for hazards in their fields.

To

a graDuaTion ceremony was held yesterday at the PHA Academy. It was the inaugural graduation, and will see people who have completed the EMT basic training who will be deployed to the Family Islands, those who have completed the advanced EMT programme and those who have completed the patient care advocate certificate honoured, with Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis and Health Minister Dr Michael Darville in attendance.

GroundbreakinG to be held for new hospital in Grand bahama

By EaryEl BowlEg Tribune Staff reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

A GROUNDBREAKING ceremony for a new Grand Bahama hospital will take place next month, Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville said yesterday. He told Parliamentarians earlier this month that the Ministry of Health’s architects and engineers completed the first phase of the new Grand Bahama hospital’s design, adding that a request for proposal to construct the hospital would be released this month. He said a loan from the World Bank would help construct the new hospital. The Rand Memorial Hospital sustained significant damage during Hurricane Dorian in 2019. The hospital exists in what experts

classified as a low-lying area, making it susceptible to flooding in the future.

Dr Darville has said he wants a hospital in Grand Bahama that can withstand a Category 5 hurricane.

“There are still two good (operating) theatres at the Rand that we would have to use,” he said last year.

“So, it would not be decommissioned but it would not be used as a tertiary healthcare facility.”

His comment about the looming groundbreaking ceremony for a hospital in Grand Bahama followed the first Public Hospitals Authority Academy graduation ceremony that recognised people who completed the training programmes as emergency medical technicians and patient advocates.

The graduates of the EMT programme will

provide life-saving care as first responders in the Family Islands.

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis encouraged the graduating group.

“Not everyone can do what you do because everything you do matters. It matters on every emergency call. It matters when you are called to provide medical transport for patients,” he said.

“It even matters when you show up to one of our public schools to speak to students, demonstrating your vehicles and equipment to raise awareness about your profession for future generations of EMTs.”

“Likewise, for patient advocates, your job matters. You are called to be a beacon of hope in the dark turmoil of a patient’s worst experiences.”

orGanisation launches proGramme to help disabled women in GettinG mammoGrams

By DENISE MayCoCK Tribune Freeport reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

BREAST cancer screening for disabled Bahamian women has been launched in Grand Bahama - even as one campaigner warned that disabled women lack access to proper screening although they face the same risks as other women.

Founder Erin Brown said the goal of Disabled Access Breast Screening (DABS) is to improve equity for women with disability, increase access for screening for disabled women, and improve data collection, among other things.

“When I share statistics … the missing component in all the data that I shared are the voices, stories and availability of inclusive healthcare for women and girls with disabilities,” she said.

Even though women with disabilities represent approximately one percent of the Bahamian women population according to the 2010 census, Ms Brown believes the number is growing and may not reflect what the numbers are today.

She said: “We want to ensure that together we will lower the rate of breast cancer deaths in all Bahamian women across the length and breadth of the Bahamas.”

Ms Brown, a disabled cancer survivor, knows

The DisableD Access Breast Screening organisation held a launch for a programme in Grand Bahama to assist disabled women with getting mammograms. Here Ms. Watson’s chairman and founder present Yasmin Cornish with her Sweater, Lanyard and GTeaching Mold.

first-hand the importance of early screening prevention and rehabilitation, and how it can impact disabled patients and their families.

She reported that disabled women accessing breast screening services face a number of barriers from planning to scheduling appointments, as well as the unavailability of proper exam rooms and equipment that accommodate wheelchair users.

Ms Brown indicated there are limited or improperly accessible vans, transportation and parking, and interior design layouts or external infrastructures do not accommodate the disabled. She said people with disabilities also face substantial economic and social barriers, such as medical

Vandyke hepburn

service shortages, high rates of poverty, uninsured or under-insured status. She believes disabled women in The Bahamas are less likely to receive screenings/mammograms in accordance with recommended guidelines. Her organisation, Erin Brown Connects Disability Advocacy and Inclusion Management LLC, focuses on removing the barriers to breast cancer screening.

Breast cancer statistics in The Bahamas remain elevated. It is estimated that more than 300 women are being diagnosed annually.

Nikeia Watson, of Mammogram Access Programme; Mrs Brennamae Cooper, a social worker at the Department of Social Services, also attended the launch.

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Photo:

Photos: Moise amisial

$40m industrial agreement with BPSU signed

from page one

Officials said the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Royal Bahamas Defence Force and Department of Correctional Services trainees will now receive a $20,000 annual salary, up from their previous $18,000 salary.

BPSU president Kimsley Ferguson said there are still some outstanding matters

affecting his members.

He said he is seeking hazardous allowance or insurance coverage for security officers and staff of the meteorology office.

Public Service State Minister Pia Glover-Rolle said the Davis administration had completed 16 agreements since coming to office.

“We not only attempt to improve their benefits, (but) their work environment

and working conditions as well,” she said. “There’s still a lot more to be done in the line of promotions, upskilling and moving up in the public service.

“And also, more importantly, a conversation that we’ll continue with trade unions across the country is how we can look to amend and revise policies that may be hampering or impeding the process of our public servants.”

Toote, Jr.

SEARCH EFFORT FOR MISSING BIMINI MEN IS CALLED OFF

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings @ tribunemedia.net

SEARCH efforts for two Bimini men who went missing at sea last week have ended.

Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association chairman Eddie Whan said yesterday that the search for James Toote, 31, and Naz’r Robins, 25, has been unsuccessful. “Basically, we searched and searched and searched

all week, last week with planes, boats and helicopters. Basically, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force was the lead in the case, and yesterday (Sunday) we searched again and that was our last day. We gave it all just about a full week, two planes, three planes in the air at all times,” he said.

“We have done everything that we can possibly humanly do up until yesterday. “We have had

negative results in all of the searches.”

Mr Whan denied social media rumours that the men were in the custody of US authorities, calling this “hogwash”.

Renee Robins, the mother of Naz’r Robins, told The Tribune last week that she was hopeful her son would return home in good health.

“I am praying for the best,” she had said. “I am praying for whatever and that God is in charge.”

NAZAR Robins and James

KIMSLEY Ferguson speaking to the media yesterday.

PUBLIC Service Minister Pia Glover-Rolle, union president Kimsley Ferguson, and Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service Gina Thompson with others at the signing yesterday.

Photos: Austin Fernander

THE SIGNING of the agreement by Pia Glover-Rolle and Kimsley Ferguson.

The Tribune Limited

Black, Hispanic investors struggle with faith in crypto

A SOFTWARE developer twice invested his savings in cryptocurrencies, only to lose it all. But he still promotes it to the Black community and would like to get back in himself.

A recent college graduate and a single mom are dabbling hopefully in bitcoin after attending a crypto workshop sponsored by rapper Jay-Z at the public housing complex where the hip-hop star grew up.

But a former executive at a cryptocurrency exchange feels disillusioned by the false promise of crypto helping her family in Ethiopia’s war-torn Tigray region.

All were drawn by the idea of crypto as a pathway to wealth-building outside of traditional financial systems with a long history of racial discrimination and indifference to the needs of low-income communities. But crypto’s meltdown over the past year has dealt a blow to that narrative, fueling a debate between those who continue to believe in its future and skeptics who say misleading advertising and celebrity-fueled hype have drawn vulnerable people to a risky and unproven asset class.

The collapse of two crypto-friendly banks this month, Silvergate Capital Corp and Signature Bank, complicates the picture. Their failure was a setback for crypto companies that relied on the banks to convert digital currencies to US dollars. Yet the crisis bolstered Bitcoin, the oldest and most popular digital currency, by reinforcing a distrust in the banking system that helped give rise to cryptocurrencies in the first place.

Mariela Regalado, 33, and Jimmy Bario, 22, neighbors at the Marcy Houses complex in Brooklyn, started putting $20 or $30 into bitcoin every two weeks or so after attending “Bitcoin Academy”, a workshop sponsored last summer by Jay-Z and Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Block Inc, the parent company of mobile payment system Cash App.

“I don’t see it as something that’s going to, you know, take me out of Brooklyn and buy me a $2m mansion in Texas,” said Regalado, an educational consultant and mother of a toddler. “But if it happens, I’m all for it.”

Only a small minority of the US population owns cryptocurrency, but adoption increased during the COVID19 pandemic as low interest rates made borrowing money and investing in risky assets more attractive. Prices peaked in 2021, and a constellation of apps, exchanges and even ATM-like crypto machines made buying digital coins easy.

But the drawbacks of crypto played out dramatically after prices cratered in 2022, wiping out millions in investments and leading to a cascade of bankruptcies and layoffs at crypto exchanges, lenders and other companies. Along with its volatility, crypto lacks protections such as deposit insurance since it’s not controlled by any single institution. Largely unregulated, the industry is susceptible to scams, hacks and fraud.

Cryptocurrencies are built on decentralized ledgers — usually blockchain — allowing peer-to-peer transactions without a middleman like a bank or government. That continues to appeal to many people who face barriers to traditional wealth-building avenues such as homeownership, college education, or the stock market, said Terri Bradford, a payment specialist at the Kansas City Federal Reserve, who has researched crypto’s popularity among many Black investors.

“It doesn’t appear that a whole lot of people are dissuaded from crypto even though we have observed what has happened,” Bradford said.

According to Pew Research Center polls in 2021 and 2022, some 20% of Black, Hispanic and Asian US adults have bought, traded or used cryptocurrency, compared with 13 percent of white adults. Bradford’s research, which examined data from Pew Research Center and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, found that Black investors are more likely to own crypto than stocks or mutual funds, while the opposite is true for white investors.

Black and Latino crypto enthusiasts have formed social media groups, written books and organised summits to

promote minority developers in the space and champion blockchain technology’s potential to create more equitable systems in finance and beyond.

But crypto companies also sought to capture a broader market of retail investors through lucrative sponsorship deals with celebrities and sports teams, many aimed directly at Black and Hispanic consumers by touting crypto as an economic equalizer.

Coin Cloud, a company that makes ATMs for cryptocurrencies and which has filed for bankruptcy, launched an ad featuring movie director Spike Lee deriding “old money” as “exploitative”, “oppressive” and “white”, and crypto as “positive” and “inclusive”.

Tonantzin Carmona, a Brookings Institute fellow who researches crypto’s impact on minority communities, said that for inexperienced investors, this sort of high-profile hype easily obscures crypto’s drawbacks.

Carmona considers crypto’s marketing to racial minorities part of a legacy of “predatory inclusion” in the tradition of payday loans and subprime mortgages — risky services that promise access to financing that would otherwise be out of reach.

“You’ll have a marginalised group, a community that has been historically excluded from accessing products, services, opportunities, and all of a sudden they’re told that they will get access to maybe some type of alternative,” Carmona said. “But this access often comes with conditions that undermine the benefits or that will reproduce insecurity for these very same communities.”

Rahwa Berhe first started investing in crypto while studying alternative financial products during a master’s degree program at the University of Washington in Seattle. Berhe, who was born in Chicago and grew up in Seattle, tried to forge a career in crypto, leading a listing team for digital assets at an exchange for four years, only to feel isolated as a black woman.

“It’s like you took all the tech bros and the finance bros and put them together. I didn’t know where I fit in,” Berhe said. Her disillusion deepened when crypto couldn’t help her family in Tigray during the conflict there from 2020 to 2022 because the lack of infrastructure and access to electricity made transfers impossible. When she tried to point out these realities to some in the crypto community, she was dismissed as “negative” by social media posters breezily celebrating that the hashtag #eth, for Ethiopia, was introducing people to the digital coin Ether.

Berhe now works with a research lab founded by Stanford University and the USC Shoah Foundation, exploring how decentralised web tools can be applied to archiving Africana artifacts. As for cryptocurrency, she is done for now. “It was great until it wasn’t,” Berhe said.

Tyrone Norris, the software developer, said he learned to be cautious about how to buy crypto the hard way.

Growing up in Washington, DC, Norris studied computer programing in high school and took college courses, but never graduated because he couldn’t afford to go full time. He has worked as a contractor, moving around the country and never owning a home or accessing a workplace retirement plan.

When Norris first decided to invest in crypto, he poked around on exchanges and chose MANA, a token powering the 3D virtual world Decentraland, because it shared his ex-girlfriend’s name and he saw it as a sign.

He went all in, emptying his bank account of $4,000. When his MANA investment doubled, he started betting on whichever coins he thought would be most lucrative. But one exchange turned out to be scam, and another based in New Zealand lost millions in a hack.

Norris’s investment went to zero, but two years later, he got back in the game with another $5,000. Again, he watched it soar, then crash as the 2022 “crypto winter” set in.

“I was a rookie — I didn’t understand what I was doing. I was putting my crypto into dangerous places,” Norris said.

By CORA LEWIS and ALEXAN-

In support of the Prime Minister

EDITOR,

THE general media has long been opposed to the ascension of the Hon Philip “Brave” Davis, MP, KC as Prime Minister of this wonderful nation of ours. They would appear to have bought into the bogus narrative of elements within the very PLP itself and the so-called opposition. Some said that he could not lace two sentences together. Others called him too black and too short amongst other things that are unprintable. Time has proven them all wrong and wrong big time.

The nation has recovered nicely from the the worst effects of COVID-19. There have been false starts and over estimated results which have yet to occur, but it is to be admitted that the Davis administration is on the right tract. Yes, the Grand Lucayan has yet to be disposed off. Yes, the International Airport over in Freeport is a work in progress and, yes, the RCI proposal is “in the air” for the time being but no sensible Bahamian will write off the possibility of a sensible and workable sale.

Dr Minnis spoke about “weak” leadership but has refused, so far, to address the infamous Oban fiasco. Turnquest, the former Deputy Prime Minister was obliged to demit office and

was refused a re-nomination, without explanation. One of the principal spokespersons for Oban has now been charged in USA federal court with fraud. Weak leadership?

Minnis fired Pintard as FNM chairman and kicked Sands out of cabinet. Now those two rejected FNM personalities are in charge. The Minnis administration was the weakest of the weakest administrations in recent memory. It may very well be splitting hairs relative to the “opposition” of the Hon Glenys HannaMartin (PLP-Englerston) to the RCI “deal” over at Paradise Island, but more cabinet discipline is needed. There has been, so far, no demonstration of weakness so far by PM Davis.

The print media in particular has always been, in my view, anti-Brave Davis and partial towards people like Minnis and his cohorts. Brave successfully hosted the recent CARICOM 47th conference conference, but there was scant mention of the same in the print media except for some fringe groups and personalities being arrested for some nebulous case or perceived grievances. Not a single congratulatory word.

The next apparent false narrative is that the Davis administration may have shafted a Bahamian entrepreneur over at Paradise Island. The Devil is still a liar. I told Smith years ago that while he may have had an “expectation” of a lease being granted, he never had a valid and legally binding lease. He paid me no mind despite the free legal advice. I also advised him to keep what might appear to be just juicy mouth shout in public. Again, he refused to listen to me and ran right out the other day in the media. This is not how sensitive negotiations are or should be conducted. He has since “apologised” and blamed it on his 11 years frustration! That, of course, will not curt and a more substantive “apology” is necessary.

The PM has also pulled The Bahamas onto the world stage, warts and all. We are now a major player in geopolitics yet shell shocked Minnis, who has been rejected twice before by his parliamentary colleagues, has the nerve to suggest that Brave is a weak leader and is beyond the pale. At the rate that this administration is going, the Brave era is just beginning.

ORTLAND H BODIE, Jr

Nassau, March 23, 2023.

Passing the buck on gun violence

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I MUST concur wholeheartedly with letter writer Zephaniah Burrows’ respectful view that the targeting of US gun manufacturers for what is a very homegrown phenomenon is misguided to say the least.

In fact, taken from a slightly different angle, it amounts to Bahamian politicians looking for outsiders to blame for something for which they (and Bahamian judges) are largely responsible.

High rates of gun crime in The Bahamas are the direct result of two matters that lay squarely at the feet of Bahamian judges and politicians.

Firstly, unlike almost anywhere else, people charged with murder in The Bahamas are quickly bailed out onto the streets to be victims or reoffendersaccounting for a significant portion of both. One recent example was apparently out on bail for six murders. And even where bailees admit to deliberately removing their ankle bracelets they are seldom committed.

Secondly, penalties for the possession of these same firearms that apparently so horrify our politicians as to make them want to take on the US gun industry are so light that it is not unusual to see one individual serve two separate terms for firearm possession before graduating

to murder, all within a 5-year period. In Cayman, Jamaica or Britain, the penalty would be ten or fifteen years, while in Barbados, it would be life imprisonment on the second offence.

What message do you send to the world when you take umbrage at a neighbouring country’s gun industry for flooding your streets with these unacceptable items of death, then set penalties for the possession of these same items that are so low as to normalise their repeated use?

Answer: not a very convincing one.

CADETS at Thursday’s pinning ceremony during the LJM Maritime Academy Founders Day.

Photo: Austin Fernander

Man accused of pair of fatal killings

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was accused yesterday of two backto-back fatal shootings in Nassau Village and Montell Heights, including the death of a 16-year-old boy last week.

Larry Albury, 29, stood before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt on two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder.

It is alleged that, on March 18 at around 9pm in Montell Heights, Albury being concerned with others, shot and killed 16-year-old Junior Rostand. During this same incident, Joshua Adderley was shot

STINGRAY SCULPUTRE PART OF SERIES OF ENVIRONMENTAL ART

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

and injured.

Then at 9.30pm that same night in Nassau Village, Albury is further accused in the shooting death of 28-year-old Renaldo Williams. Albury is also alleged to have attempted to kill Thorne Moss at the same time.

Due to the severity of the offences, the accused was not required to enter a plea and was told his matter would be transferred to the Supreme Court by way of Voluntary Bill of Indictment, with service set for July 27.

As the magistrate lacked jurisdiction to grant bail, he was remanded in custody. He can apply for bail at the higher court.

MAN ACCUSED OF RAPING WOMAN HE GAVE CAR RIDE TO

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A 40-YEAR-OLD man was sent to prison on Monday after being accused of sexually assaulting a 33-year-old woman to whom he reportedly offered a ride last week.

Kennedy Ingraham faced Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt on a charge of rape. According to police reports at around 9am on

March 20, the assault took place after the woman was offered a ride in the area of Bacardi Road. The attack reportedly occurred at Ingraham’s residence in Coral Harbour. Due to the severity of the offence, the accused was not required to enter a plea. He was remanded to prison but can apply for bail at the higher court. His case will proceed by Voluntary Bill of Indictment, due to be served on July 27.

JAILED OVER GUN HE TOOK FROM FIGHTING NEIGHBOURS

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A 20-YEAR-OLD man has been jailed for a year for possession of a gun he said he took from his fighting neighbours last week.

Cornell Seymour faced Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans yesterday on charges of possession of an unlicenced fireman and ammunition.

At around noon on March 14 on Ethel Street, in the area of Montell Heights, officers approached Seymour in his parked grey coloured Nissan Note for

suspicious behaviour.

A search of the vehicle uncovered a black Taurus G2C 9mm pistol on the floor of the left passenger seat. Officers found seven unfired rounds of 9mm ammunition on the driver’s side of the vehicle.

Following Seymour’s previous plea of guilt, the prosecution confirmed the weapon belonged to one of the defendant’s neighbours as he had said in his police interview.

Magistrate Vogt-Evans sentenced Seymour to one year at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

MAN DENIES CARJACKING

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN denied involvement in an armed carjacking late last year.

Levardo Dean stood before Senior Justice Bernard Turner in the Supreme Court yesterday on charges of armed robbery and receiving.

It is alleged that on

THE third of a series of environmental art sculptures in Freeport was unveiled at the roundabout of West Atlantic Drive and Pioneer’s Way on Sunday.

Sir Arthur Foulkes and his wife, Lady Joan, were present at the official unveiling of a stingray sculpture created by artist Jacki Boss. Also present was Sarah St George, chairman of the Grand Bahama Port Authority Ltd.

Ms Boss has been commissioned by the GBPA for two previous environmental art pieces – a coral sculpture at the Coral Road roundabout, and a seahorse mural at the Kelly’s roundabout at West Atlantic Drive and Settler’s Way.

This is part of an initiative by the Grand Bahama Port Authority to beautify Freeport.

GBPA vice president of building and development services Nakira Wilchcombe, chairman of Keep Grand Bahama Clean (KGBC) Committee, said the sculpture is a depiction of the marine environment.

“We want our children to enjoy these sculptures; we want them to see these creatures and live things in our natural environment,” she said.

She said the GBPA will continue with the environmental theme throughout the city at roundabouts,

but next time featuring flora.

The stingray sculptures are made of concrete. One weighs approximately 800lb and took Boss 300 hours to create. The other two smaller pieces weigh about 200lb and took six to eight weeks each to create. Armature made of stainless-steel rods and mesh are inside each sculpture.

Ms Boss said the sculptures are dedicated to the theme of environmental protection and awareness.

“I am honoured to be able to do what I do in Freeport, she said.

“I would like the community of Freeport and throughout GB, and the country to view them as a gift to the community. I may have created the art and the GBPA may have facilitated their public presentation, but as a public art work they no longer belong to any one person, but rather to the entire community,” Boss said.

September 12, 2022, Dean being concerned with another and while armed with a handgun is said to have robbed Drake Wilson of his silver coloured Nissan Note as well as his iPhone. He pleaded not guilty to both charges. Dean was informed that he is to appear before Justice Camille Darville Gomez on April 12 for a potential trial date fixture in her court.

FORMER Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes examining the stingray sculpture.

Coralie Adderley: Leader, entrepreneur and mentor

SHE’S championing the cause of health administration in her country and around the world. Her work is changing lives in rural communities, touching women and girls, and connecting people with their roots. She is proving that Bahamian women can take the lead in major industries like healthcare on a global scale.

Coralie Adderley has had her finger on the pulse of public and private healthcare systems in The Bahamas and the United States for the past thirty years. Most recently, her pioneering spirit has led her across two continents with the International Black Women’s Public Policy Institute to lead a team of top health professionals, creating birthing clinics to save the lives of more mothers and babies in remote areas.

Coralie is well known for serving as the chief hospital administrator of the Princess Margaret Hospital. In this role, Coralie helped to shape some of the major upgrades to the facility, including the groundbreaking for the Critical Care Block.

Coralie was also chief operating officer, then senior vice president of Doctors Hospital Health System. She has, therefore, had the unique opportunity to be immersed in the inner workings of the two major hospitals in The Bahamas.

She has spent her career contributing to the administration of public and private healthcare systems. This work continues to extend in the private sphere today, as she currently serves as the managing director for the Kidney Centre Ltd, the premier dialysis centre in The Bahamas.

During her journey in healthcare administration, Coralie began to realise the connections between great leadership and effective healthcare. She was working in an industry where people are under pressure daily. They are being called on to make critical decisions quickly in order to save lives.

Her work called for a specific subset of leadership skills - ones that require calm, resolute, and effective characteristics. Eventually, she began helping others develop their own styles of effective leadership in ways that worked for healthcare.

By passing on the knowledge that led her to success, Coralie was ensuring that another generation of effective leaders could take the helm. By the year 2012, Coralie founded her own international management consulting firm, Creative Leadership & Management Solutions (CLMS) and serves as CEO and senior consultant. Coralie’s vision for CLMS is to be “the most respected and sought after management consulting firm in the Caribbean region”. The goal is to yield tangible performance operational, financial and clinical results.

In her civic life, Coralie’s impact is changing lives around the world. She is the director of global engagement and protocol appointment for the International Black Women’s Public

Face to Face

By FELICITY DARVILLE

Policy Institute (IBWPPI), having been appointed in January, 2020. Her expertise in healthcare capital projects and programme development is helping to shape life-changing projects that the IBWPPI is engaged in around the world. The institute has already set up a successful birthing clinic

In Feyasi, Ghana. Coralie is now preparing to lead a team in developing a strategy for a second birthing clinic that will be patterned after the success of Feyasi’s clinic. This second clinic will be in Selma, Alabama, USA. Here, 42 counties have no prenatal services. The maternal mortality rate of black women in Selma is 50% higher than other states.

Led by well-known black women’s advocate Barbara Perkins, President and CEO and cofounder Ka Flewellen, IBWPPI aims to advocate for Black women globally through acts of kindness and public policy.

In The Bahamas, IBWPPI has a Reading Room Initiative, a Young Ambassadors Programme, and a Boots on the Ground initiative. All of these projects fall in Coralie’s portfolio as director. It allows her to bring the phenomenal women in IBWPPI to the beautiful shores of her homeland to participate in projects close to her heart.

IBWPPI established a reading programme at the Lillian G Weir library on Blue Hill Road, Nassau. The women provide books for students of all ages. This year, Coralie is excited that IBWPPI will be back in The Bahamas this summer to “launch a reading programme with wonderful incentives for students to read”.

“The purpose of IBWPPI’s Reading Room Programme is to create a literacy enriched environment for youth of all ages

to develop their reading skills, with an aim at com bating literacy” Coralie said.

“The programme is dedicated to promoting leisure reading as a key to unlocking a youth’s full potential.”

IBWPPI’s Boots on the Ground initiative was also important to her: “Through this programme we assisted 57 families post Hurricane Dorian in the islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama,” Coralie said.

“We provided emergency survival kits, heavy duty boots, medical supplies, and $36,000 in cash and gift certificates to families.”

Coralie is a national and civic contributor having served as Chairperson of the National Women’s Advisory Council (NWAC), an appointed body established to advance women’s affairs and social matters in the Bahamas. She is also the founder and president of New P31 Ladies, a group established to support mentorship of professional women.

A distinguished international leader, entrepreneur and mentor, Coralie is driving new levels of team unification, pipeline efficiency, and organisational success.

“I am a firm believer in creating better business and community futures by instilling positive trajectories today,” she said.

“I understand that the most successful outcomes are the ones that stem from the formation of strong, shared-value teams.”

As women’s history month comes to a close, Coralie’s story of finding love, building her marriage and business, and walking in a purposeful career is one for inspiration.

Her sense of global citizenship was fostered early

in life. Her parents, Dr Wendell McMillan and Dr Althea Moncur McMillan, leaders in the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, travelled throughout the region spreading the gospel. Wendell is a product of McQuay Street, Nassau, and her mother hails from Knowles’, Cat Island. The McMillans were ministering to churches in Guyana, South America, when her mother gave birth to Coralie. They went back to The Bahamas where her sister, Laurel was born, before they made their way to Jamaica to continue their missionary work. Years later, they returned to The Bahamas, where her brother, Wendell II was born. After this period in time, Coralie’s family moved to the United States, where her parents sought their post Bachelor’s degrees and then returned to The Bahamas to work. While all of the McMillan children spent their high school years in the USA, Wendell and Lorel would stay in the USA, But Coralie would come back home.

“I didn’t have to come back home,” Coralie explained.

“I was a US resident,

my family was there, my parents were off working elsewhere. I chose to come back to The Bahamas. Both my siblings stayed in the United States. They married Americans. I came back home and found the love of my life - Ethan Adderley.”

Coralie also found magic in her choice of career: “I always knew I wanted to work in healthcare. I started off in college studying to be a dietitian. I did two years of the sciences, but didn’t feel a connection to becoming a dietitian. She stumbled upon healthcare administration towards the end of her sophomore year. I fell in love with it, and it’s been a love affair ever since. I love what I do as a trained healthcare administrator.”

Coralie is an anomaly in The Bahamas. Most professionals in healthcare administration started off in another discipline, such as clinical or financial areas. But Coralie holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Health Services Administration.

“I was intentional in my internship at Jackson Memorial Hospital,” she said.

“I wanted the experience of a big trauma hospital, similar to the Princess Margaret Hospital, because I knew I wanted to come back to The Bahamas to work and live.”

“I have had great experiences in both the public and private sector. I chose to leave the public sector and go into the private sector to grow and to expand my knowledge base. I went to Doctor’s Hospital, and when I felt my season there was up, it was time to go. My husband and I had not been married long at the time. I started looking to work outside of the country. I got the call to come to Princess Margaret Hospital to be the chief hospital administrator - the youngest one ever.”

“I came in intending to do six years - I was on contract. But God blessed me with the opportunity to be a catalyst for the design and construction of the Critical Care Block, which I left at 50% completion. I am satisfied that it was my assignment for that season. I did not plan to start a

consulting firm, but once my contract had ended at PMH, people just started reaching out to me - people who knew my work internationally and locally - and that is how CLMS was born.”

In addition to her consulting firm, Coralie and Ethan’s love of life and its sweeter side led to the creation of a business that are making bespoke, signature statements in their respective fields. In the culinary world, the Adderleys have a home-based businessSweet Slivas Sorbet.

The company specialises in sorbets made from seasonal, tropical fruit. The sorbet is made in small batches to ensure reliable texture and flavour. They are committed to using the freshest ingredients available without the use of additives, preservatives and colourings. Sweet Slivas Sorbet has up to 18 flavours but customers can also order customised flavours for their special occasion.

Ethan and Coralie also own CLK Nubian Couture, a space where Bahamians can find unique, authentic one-of-a-kind African-inspired apparel and accessories for men and women.

“Each unique piece is a celebration of the culture and lifestyle that connects Africa and The Bahamas,” Coralie explained.

“We provide a private concierge shopping experience by appointment only. All of our designs can be found online, and we have seasonal collections. CLK Nubian Couture supports projects for the empowerment of girls in The Bahamas, Africa, Guyana, Jamaica and Haiti.”

Look for CLK Nubian Couture on Facebook and Instagram, or visit www.clkstyles.com. To support the International Black Women’s Public Policy Institute, visit www.ibwppi.org. To taste original flavours at Sweet Slivas Sorbet, look for Sweet Slivas on Facebook. To contact Coralie about consulting and leadership training, email clmsbahamas@gmail.com.

Coralie Adderley pictured with former Bahamian Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham and members of his Cabinet during the groundbreaking of the Critical Care Block for the Princess margaret Hospital

Coralie, centre, working with a midwife and Director Sutherland at the International Black Women’s Public Policy Institute Birthing Clinic in Ghana

ethan and Coralie Adderley

iBWPPi Reading Program at the Lillian G Weir Library on Blue Hill Road, Nassau

Coralie, far right, moderating the IBWPPI Seat at the Table for the second year, held at the African Mission in Washington, DC, with six female ambassadors representing various countries on the African continent

Accountability necessary but it may be time to move on from ‘Partygate’

The jury is still out. has it been an act of vengeance against a controversial former British prime minister hounded out of office by his own colleagues or a legitimate example in a democracy of holding those in power to proper account? This was the question posed indirectly by last week’s hearing of the house of Commons Parliamentary Privileges Committee which is investigating whether Boris johnson misled Parliament over alleged breaches of the COVID19 rules at No 10 Downing Street, which is both the office and home of British premiers.

For those fascinated by politics, the committee’s proceedings televised live were pure theatre. But for those who believe it is time to draw a line under the previous few years and move on from the pandemic it is seen as resembling a farcical pantomime. The former Prime Minister was grilled by a mixed seven-person panel of Conservative and Labour MPs chaired by a senior Labour Party member. The declared aim of the inquiry is to find out whether his statements that gatherings at No 10 adhered to the coronavirus rules and guidelines “at all times” were not only wrong but were made by him recklessly and deliberately – after the committee had originally been tasked with deciding whether he had “knowingly” misled Parliament.

If the committee finds him guilty, his political career will hang in the balance. he could be suspended from the house of Commons and be forced to face a by-election at a time when the Conservatives are deeply unpopular. But that would depend on a vote of the whole house leading to an endorsement of the committee’s findings; and this might not happen until September given that the committee is not due

The Peter Young column

to report until june. Such a delay is considered by many as prolonging the agony unnecessarily.

Boris johnson’s 52-page written defence of his actions makes clear that, while accepting he did make misleading statements at the Despatch Box over No 10 lockdown parties, he did so “in good faith” since he had been advised by his officials that these were within the rules even if some social distancing regulations might have been inadvertently broken and that some of his actions were in technical breach of the rules. he was of course entitled to rely on his officials both for information and sound judgment on the issue, since that is what officials and advisers are there for.

It seems that to many the crucial mitigation for johnson is that, if he knew that the rules were being broken by attending social gatherings, why on earth would he have allowed it all to be recorded by No 10’s official photographer and subsequently publicised to his detriment since Partygate was one of the issues that forced him out of office last year.

To many, the whole process borders on the absurd

and flies in the face of natural justice. They see it as an act of vindictiveness by parliamentary colleagues acting as a lynch mob who resent johnson’s success as a populist politician because he appeals directly to voters and enjoyed massive support from the electorate in winning the 2019 general election with a thumping Tory majority. Furthermore, many remainers have also never forgiven him for pushing through Brexit. Such people want not only to punish him for misleading Parliament but also to destroy him politically and ensure he will never return to lead the Conservative Party again. So there are fears that despite the formal bipartisan nature of the committee it may not turn out to be impartial. During his cross-examination lasting several hours - part of which I watched

live on TV - Boris johnson was fully engaged in fleshing out his dossier as necessary. he was passionate, persistent and articulate in his determination to fight his corner. But one problem for him is that – deservedly or not – he has an unfortunate reputation for telling lies; or, in the famous words of a leading Tory in another context, being “economical with the truth”. In this case, however, he stated clearly and unequivocally that he had not lied to Parliament, stressing that what he said was in good faith and based on what he knew at the time. But did those on the panel believe him? as far as I can see, despite serious doubts about the appropriateness of what has been happening, the quizzing of johnson by the committee has at least revealed the careful consideration given by him and his staff to whether or

GROWING PRESSURE TO BAN RUSSIANS AT PARIS OLYMPICS

haVINg lived in Nassau for more than two decades, my wife and I have fond memories of sharing the joy and jubilation of Bahamians at the success of the “golden girls” at the Sydney Olympics in the year 2000. Winning a gold medal in the Women’s 4 X 100 metres relay was a remarkable achievement by the four young athletes concerned who showed excellence on the track that brought them individual and team glory.

Since then, of course, there have been many other Olympic successes by Bahamians. Most recently – at the Tokyo games in 2021 that had been postponed because of the pandemic - who can forget the outstanding achievements of Shaunae Miller-uibo and Steven gardiner in winning gold medals in their respective 400 metres races, thus giving The Bahamas a clean sweep in the event. This was truly an impressive accomplishment by any standards and made their country proud.

To use boxing imagery, Olympic success over the years has shown The Bahamas has always punched above its weight as a small country; and, thinking about this, it struck me that such is the local interest in the Olympics that it might be worth following up today my piece in this column last month about the controversy over whether russian and Belarussian athletes should be banned from the Paris Olympics in 2024 because of the ukraine war. It might anyway be helpful to cover it again because there seems to have been little publicity about the issue.

The arguments for and against bringing sport into politics do not bear repetition today, not least because of lack of space.

But the latest development last week in the shape of a statement by Lord Coe, president of

World athletics - formerly the IaaF (International association of athletics Federations) - was significant. he announced that the Council had decided that russian and Belarussian athletes will still be excluded from World athletics series events “for the foreseeable future” due to russia’s invasion of ukraine; and this reaffirmed the organisation’s decision in March, 2022. Thus, ahead of the Paris Olympics, World athletics has reiterated that athletes from these countries remain prohibited from competition.

It is clear that this announcement conflicts with remarks by the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, who advocates the so-called neutral participation in the Olympic games of athletes with russian or Belarussian passports. The IOC is now exploring a pathway for athletes from these countries to return to competition under “strict conditions of neutrality.” It is not clear

exactly what that means but it is feared that the IOC’s stance could bring about a boycott of the Paris games.

Watching the TV coverage of Lord Coe’s announcement, I was struck by how calm, firm and authoritative he was, and he made a point of stressing that, since last year’s decision to impose a ban, the further death and destruction in ukraine had “only hardened my resolve on the matter”. he is, of course, Sebastian Coe who is a twotime Olympic Men’s 1500m champion and 800m silver medallist – in the 1980 and 1984 games – and a former British politician. he now enjoys a formidable reputation as an administrator in the realm of athletics. among a number of prominent positions he has held, he was chair of the Organising Committee for the 2012 Olympics in London.

Interestingly, the uK Culture Secretary has commended World athletics for its stance and has claimed this would apply pressure on the IOC. She said that now was not the

not what they were doing was consistent with the lockdown rules. Of course, no one should reasonably have expected anything less at the heart of government. however, it looks to me that there has been a serious lack of judgment in insisting on holding farewell parties to thank staff and then calculating whether they could get away with it when the rest of the country was forced to observe excessively harsh restrictions involving life and death – a process that was made worse by heavyhanded enforcement by the police and others - and it is this which has caused so much public anger. So, in cases where there was any doubt about gatherings in No 10, the PM would have been wise simply to have stopped any which were not strictly and demonstrably work related. In such extreme circumstances

how could farewell parties anyway be justified? The PM could have found other ways to thank departing staff for their service.

One can hardly conclude from all the evidence that Boris johnson deliberately and maliciously set out to flaunt the COVID19 rules. But, perversely – and despite criticism of the Privileges Committee as being vindictive and prejudiced against the former PM – perhaps its work has not been entirely a waste of time and effort because in one sense it has demonstrated yet again the importance of Parliament’s role in scrutinising the executive and stressing the principle that honesty, integrity and telling the truth matter in uK politics. But the country has moved on from Partygate – and surely the house of Commons should now do so as well.

MORE BRITISH MILITARY TRAINING FOR CARIBBEAN

time for the IOC to plot a route back into competition for russian and Belarussian athletes funded and selected by their states. The situation in ukraine had worsened since the IOC made its original decision to ban these athletes from the Olympics and the ban should be continued. She reiterated the point made in a letter last month from some three dozen nations – including the uK, uS, germany and Canada –that “russia and Belarus have it in their own hands to pave the way for their athletes’ full return to the international sports community, namely by ending the war they started.”

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the IOC has fired back, saying that it is not for governments to decide which athletes can participate in which international competitions. So, the issue is expected to dominate this week’s IOC executive Board meeting and there are likely to be further developments in the near future.

hOW good it was to learn of some new military training organised recently in Barbados by Britain’s Ministry of Defence. a course called “Managing Defence in the Wider Security Context” was attended by representatives of various Barbadian agencies and by senior officials from seven Caribbean countries including The Bahamas. The event was co-hosted by the Barbados Defence Force.

The focus of the weeklong course was on assessing local security issues in an international context. It was delivered by the u K’s Defence a cademy which is known for providing top quality higher education for Britain’s armed forces and government departments as well as for international partners working in the fields of defence and security. In the words of the Chief of Staff of the Barbados Defence Force, this training “demonstrates the u K government’s commitment to our

region, our values and our interests”. Commenting on the need for co-operation, the British h igh Commissioner in Barbados was quoted as saying “ r ecent international events have taught us that no nation stands alone in managing its security and all levels of government in defence and security sectors have many threats to combat. This course has provided an excellent opportunity for different security agencies from different countries in the Caribbean to come together and deliberate best practice”.

It seems to me that this is another example of much needed collaboration in the Caribbean, with Britain showing its renewed commitment to build on its long-standing relationship with the region in relation to defence matters – and, as I said in an earlier article, long may such teamwork and involvement flourish.

Boris Johnson gives evidence to the Privileges Committee at the House of Commons, London, Wednesday. Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is facing a high-stakes grilling by a committee of lawmakers. The question is whether he misled Parliament about rule-breaking parties in government buildings during the coronavirus pandemic.

Photo: House of Commons/UK Parliament via AP

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe, left, World Athletics CEO Jon Ridgeon, center, and Head of the World Athletics Russia Taskforce Group Rune Andersen attend a press conference at the conclusion of the World Athletics meeting at the Italian National Olympic Committee headquarters in Rome, Nov. 30, 2022. Track and field leaders signaled Thursday, March 23, 2023, that it will be nearly impossible for Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete at the Paris Olympics next year if the war in Ukraine continues. The World Athletics Council kept its ban on Russian athletes in international events in place “for the foreseeable future.”

Photo: Gregorio Borgia/AP

THe UK Defence section in Kingston organised a training course Managing Defence in the Wider Security Context, which took place in Barbados last week, delivered by the Defence Academy. An Royal Bahamas Defence Force representative participated in this course.

Three children and three adults slain in Nashville school shooting

TENESSEE Associated Press

A WOMAN wielding two “assault-style” rifles and a pistol killed three students and three adults at a private Christian school in Nashville on Monday in the latest in a series of mass shootings in a country growing increasingly unnerved by bloodshed in schools.

Police said they believe the 28-year-old shooter was a former student at The Covenant School, a Presbyterian school founded in 2001. Police shot and killed her. Investigators were searching her Nashvillearea home.

The attack at The Covenant School — which has about 200 students from preschool through sixth grade, as well as roughly 50 staff members — comes as communities around the nation are reeling from a spate of school violence, including the massacre at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, last year; a first grader who shot his teacher in Virginia; and a shooting last week in Denver that wounded two administrators.

“I was literally moved to tears to see this and the kids as they were being ushered out of the building,” Metropolitan Nashville Police Chief John Drake said at an afternoon news conference.

The identities of the deceased and the suspect have not been released. The shooter’s motive was also not immediately clear.

The Covenant School was founded as a ministry of Covenant Presbyterian Church. The affluent Green Hills neighborhood just south of downtown Nashville, where the Covenant School is located, is home to the famed Bluebird Café – a beloved spot for musicians and song writers.

President Joe Biden, speaking at an unrelated event at the White House on Monday, called the shooting a “family’s worst nightmare” and implored Congress again to pass a ban on certain semi-automatic weapons.

“It’s ripping at the soul of this nation, ripping at the very soul of this nation,” Biden said.

The suspect’s identity as a woman surprised experts on mass shootings. Female shooters make up only about 5% to 8% of all mass shooters, said Adam Lankford, a criminal justice professor at the University of Alabama who has closely studied the psychology and behavior of mass shooters.

There have been seven mass killings at U.S. schools since 2006, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.

In all of them, the shooters were males who killed four or more people within a 24-hour time frame at K-12 school.

Researchers believe there are three main explanations for why men commit more shootings than women, according to Jonathan Metzl, a professor of sociology and psychiatry at Vanderbilt University who has studied mass shootings for more than a decade.

Metzl listed those explanations as: Men have more testosterone, are socialized to be engaged in violence and own more guns than women.

“From school shootings historically, very often we think that people have some historical connection or emotional connection to the school,” he said, calling the Nashville shooting “an untold story.”

Monday’s tragedy unfolded over roughly 14 minutes. Police received the initial call about an active shooter at 10:13 a.m.

Officers began clearing the first story of the school when they heard gunshots coming from the second level, police spokesperson Don Aaron said during a news briefing. Two officers from a

five-member team opened fire in response, fatally shooting the suspect at 10:27 a.m., Aaron said. One officer had a hand wound from cut glass.

Aaron said there were no police officers present or assigned to the school at the time of the shooting because it is a church-run school.

Other students walked to safety Monday, holding hands as they left their school surrounded by police cars, to a nearby church to be reunited with their parents.

Rachel Dibble, who was at the church as families found their children, described the scene as everyone being in “complete shock.”

“People were involuntarily trembling,” said Dibble, whose children attend a different private school in Nashville. “The children … started their morning in their cute little uniforms they probably had some Froot Loops and now their whole lives changed today.”

Dr. Shamendar Talwar, a social psychologist from the United Kingdom who is working on an unrelated mental health project in Nashville, raced to the church as soon as he heard news of the shooting to offer help. He said he was one of several chaplains, psychologists, life coaches and clergy inside supporting

the families.

“All you can show is that the human spirit that basically that we are all here together … and hold their hand more than anything else,” he said.

Jozen Reodica heard the police sirens and fire trucks blaring from outside her office building nearby. As her building was placed under lockdown, she took out her phone and recorded the chaos.

“I thought I would just see this on TV,” she said. “And right now, it’s real.”

Top legislative leaders announced Monday that the GOP-dominant Statehouse would meet briefly later in the evening and delay taking up any legislation.

“In a tragic morning, Nashville joined the dreaded, long list of communities to experience a school shooting,” Mayor John Cooper wrote on Twitter.

Nashville has seen its share of mass violence in recent years, including a Christmas Day 2020 attack where a recreational vehicle was intentionally detonated in the heart of Music City’s historic downtown, killing the bomber, injuring three others and forcing more than 60 businesses to close.

IN MACRON’S FRANCE, STREETS AND FIELDS SEETHE WITH PROTEST

FRANCE

Associated Press

A BIG day has come for French high school student Elisa Fares. At age 17, she is taking part in her first protest.

In a country that taught the world about people power with its revolution of 1789 — and a country again seething with anger against its leaders — graduating from bystander to demonstrator is a generations-old rite of passage. Fares looks both excited and nervous as she prepares to march down Paris streets where people for centuries have similarly defied authority and declared: “Non!”

Two friends, neither older than 18 but already protest veterans whose parents took them to demonstrations when they were little, are showing Fares the ropes. They’ve readied eyedrops and gas masks in case police fire tear gas — as they have done repeatedly in recent weeks.

“The French are known for fighting and we’ll fight,” says one of the friends, Coline Marionneau, also 17. “My mother goes to a lot of demonstrations ... She says if you have things to say, you should protest.”

For French President Emmanuel Macron, the look of determination on their young faces only heralds deepening crisis. His government has ignited a firestorm of anger with unpopular pension reforms that he railroaded through parliament and which, most notably, push the legal retirement age from 62 to 64.

Furious not just with the prospect of working for longer but also with the

way Macron imposed it, his opponents have switched to full-on disobedience mode. They’re regularly striking and demonstrating and threatening to make his second and final term as president even more difficult than his first. It, too, was rocked by months of protests — often violent — by so-called yellow vest campaigners against social injustice. Fares, the first-time protester, said her mother had been against her taking to the streets but has now given her blessing.

“She said that if I wanted to fight, she wouldn’t stop me,” the teen says.

Critics accuse Macron of effectively ruling by decree, likening him to France’s kings of old. Their reign finished badly: In the French Revolution, King Louis XVI ended up on the guillotine. There’s no danger of that happening to Macron. But hobbled in parliament and contested on the streets piled high with reeking garbage uncollected by striking workers, he’s being given a tough lesson, again, about French people power.

Freshly scrawled slogans in Paris reference 1789.

So drastically has Macron lost the initiative that he was forced to indefinitely postpone a planned state visit this week by King Charles III. Germany, not France, will now get the honor of being the first overseas ally to host Charles as monarch.

The France leg of Charles’ tour would have coincided with a new round of strikes and demonstrations planned for Tuesday that are again likely to mobilize many hundreds of thousands of protesters. Macron said the royal visit likely

would have become their target, which risked creating a “detestable situation.”

Encouraged by that victory, the protest movement is plowing on and picking up new recruits, including some so young that it will be many decades before they’ll be directly impacted by the pushed-back retirement age. Their involvement is a worrisome development for Macron, because it suggests that protests are evolving, broadening from workplace and retirement concerns to a more generalized malaise with the president and his governance. Violence is picking up, too. Police and environmental activists fought pitched battles over the weekend in rural western France, resulting in dozens of injuries. Officers fired more

than 4,000 nonlethal disper-

sion grenades in fending off hundreds of protesters who rained down rocks, powerful fireworks and gasoline bombs on police lines.

“Anger and resentment,” says former President François Hollande, Macron’s predecessor, “are at a level that I have rarely seen.”

For Fares, whose first demonstration was a peaceful protest in Paris this weekend, the final straw was Macron’s decision to not let legislators vote on his retirement reform, because he wasn’t sure of winning a majority for it.

Instead, he ordered his prime minister to skirt parliament by using a special constitutional power to ram the bill through. It was the 11th time that Prime Minister Elisabeth

Borne had to resort to the so-called Article 49.3 power in just 10 months — a telling sign of Macron’s fragility since he lost his parliamentary majority in an election last June.

“It’s an attack on democracy,” Fares said. “It annoyed me too much.”

Her friend Luna Dessommes, 18, added hopefully: “We have to use the movement to politicize more and more young people.”

At age 76, veteran protester Gilbert Leblanc has been through it all before. He was a yellow vest; by his count, he took part in more than 220 of their protests in Macron’s first term, rallying to the cry that the former banker was too pro-business and “the president of the rich.”

Long before that, Leblanc cut his teeth in seminal civil unrest that reshaped France in May 1968. He says that when he tells awe-struck young protesters that he was a “soixante-huitard” — a ‘68 veteran — they “want to take selfies with me.”

This winter, he has kept his heating off, instead saving the money for train fares to the capital, so he can protest every weekend, he said.

“My grandfather who fought in World War I, got the war medal. He would rise from his grave if he saw me sitting at home, in my sofa, not doing anything,” Leblanc said.

“Everything we’ve obtained has been with our tears and blood.”

A GROUP prays with a child outside the reunification center at the Woodmont Baptist church after a school shooting, yesterday, in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: John Bazemore/AP

PROTESTERS march, with the Pantheon monument in background, during a demonstration in Paris, on March 7, 2023. French President Emmanuel Macron has ignited a firestorm of anger with unpopular pension reforms that he rammed through parliament. Young people, some of them first-time demonstrators, are joining protests against him. Violence is also picking up.

Photo: Aurelien Morissard/AP

BLTA APPLAUDS COLLEGE TENNIS PLAYERS FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS

THE Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association congratulates Abigail Simms, Jacobi Bain, Shay’Tonya Missick and Donte Armbrister for their outstanding achievements in the college arena.

Abigail Simms

Abigail and the Indiana Tech Warriors are ranked #1 in their conference and are currently on an unbeaten streak.

Indiana Tech is now 1,425 consecutive days unbeaten in Wolverine Hosier Athletic Conference (WHAC). Since the last defeat in the conference in April 2019, the Warriors have not felt the taste of losing a conference game. Abigail has been a crucial player during the unbeaten

with the Ministries of Youth, Sports and Culture and Education collaborated to combine the hosting of the two meets at the same time. And while there were some concerns about the outcome of staging the dual meet, it turned out to be a very competitive one.

On Monday’s final day of competition, there were 13 additional national records broken and seven more qualifying performances as the curtain came down on what turned out to be an eventful segment of the final trials ahead of the team selection today.

One of the leading performances came from Jamiah Nabbie of Queen’s College in the under-17 girls division as she added the qualifying standard in the 200 metres to her previous feats in both the 100m and long jump over the previous two days.

Nabbie completed her hat trick in the 200m in a time of 24.52 to erase the national high school record of 26.07 and surpassed the CARIFTA standard of 24.83. SAC got second and third from Shayann Demeritte in 25.27 and Alexis Roberts in 25.56.

“I enjoyed the 100m more because the long

period, including playing in the two WHAC Tournament Finals for the Tech Warriors in 2021 and 2022.

Jacobi Bain Jacobi was named Player of the Week for the River Athletic Conference going 2-0 in singles and also having a 2-0 record in doubles. Jacobi plays for Xavier University of Louisiana. Bain and partner Suarez have the honour of being ranked 3rd in the ITA NAIA national rankings.

Donte Armbrister Donte has received the honour for the induction into the Chi Alpha Sigma Honour Society from Hampton University. Donte has qualified as a student-athlete by earning

jump interfered with the 200m so I couldn’t compete to the best of my abilities in the semifinals,” said Nabbie, a 5-foot, 10-inch versatile athlete, who just turned 15 in December.

In preparation for the trek towards the games, Nabbie admitted that she had to change her diet coming into the trials. Now that she has completed her mission, she noted that she’s looking forward to doing all three events at CARIFTA, if she gets the opportunity to do so.

Cayden Smith, running unattached, was the clear winner of the under17 boys 200 metres in a national high school record time of 21.87 seconds as he also surpassed the qualifying standard of 22.08.

SAC’s Andrew Brown got second in 22.14 and Aiden Kelly of Tabernacle Baptist was third in 22.24.

“I feel great. It’s amazing. The 200m is my race, I own it. I envisioned that time,” said the 15-year-old 10th grader of South Plantation in Florida. “This is the home of my mother, so I want to come home and represent her well at the games.”

Two qualifiers came in the under-20 boys 110m hurdles as Tayshaun Robinson of St John’s College leaned through the 10 flights of three-foot,

a cumulative GPA of 3.8 (3.4 or better minimum requirement).

Shay’Tonya Missick

Shay’Tonya was also inducted into an honours

six-inch hurdles in 14.08 seconds to erase the national record of 15.20 and was joined by SAC graduate Otto Laing, who came home from college for second in 14.15 as they both surpassed the CARIFTA standard of 14.20.

Lavardo Deveaux, coming off his CARIFTA qualifying performance in the gruelling two days of competition in the octathlon, had enough energy to surge into third in 14.98.

“Going into the race, I just wanted to be the first one to cross the finish line and stay focused the rest of the race,” said Robinson, a 16-year-old 12th grader of St John’s.

Robinson said he was pleased to get the opportunity to compete against a quality competitor in Laing, who helped to pull him through as they both secured their berths for CARIFTA.

As he looks ahead to the games, Robinson said his aim is to stay focused and hopefully get a chance to get on the podium for a medal.

And in the under-17 boys’ 100m hurdles, Quinton Rolle of SAC powered through the field in a time of 14.65 to shatter the national record of 16.43. His nearest rival was versatile Kenny Moxey of Queen’s College, who came back a day after a thrilling showdown in the high jump, for second in 15.07. Malik White of SAC was third in 16.85.

“The race was good. It was a fast race, well executed. I want to thank my mother (Nicolette McKinney) for being there to support me,” said Rolle, a 16-year-old 10th grader.

Rolle, a towering 6-4 figure, said he hopes that he can run at least 13.9 and be a contender for a medal, if he is selected to the team.

In the under-17 girls 100m hurdles, Meagan Moss of SAC took the victory in 15.96 over St John’s

MLB

FROM PAGE 16

infield when the pitcher is on the rubber. Bases were increased from 15-inch squares to 18-by-18, which shorten the distance by 4 1/2 inches and may lead to increased stolen bases.

In spring training through Sunday, games time averaged 2:35 in a drop from 3:01. Runs fell from 10.6 per game to 10.2 and batting average from .259 to .256, but batting average on balls in play rose to .325 from .314 for lefty hitters while remaining .311 for righties.

No player will be watched more closely this season than Shohei Ohtani, a two-way megastar in the final year under contract with the Los Angeles Angels. He and three-time MVP teammate Mike Trout nave have played in a postseason game together. Ohtani has made it clear he wants to win. A taste of October might be needed to persuade the Japanese sensation to remain with the franchise.

Other storylines to watch include Aaron Judge’s ascent to Yankee captaincy — the first since Derek Jeter — after his 62-homer season; Fernando Tatis

Jr., set to return from a drug suspension on April 20, teaming with Manny Machado to try leading the Padres to their first World Series title; and can Carlos Correa remain healthy with Minnesota after San Francisco and the Mets backed out of deals with the All-Star shortstop?

Five areas to focus on as the 2023 season starts

Thursday: LEFT-HANDED HITTERS

Batting average for lefthanded hitters was .236 last year, down from .254 in 2016, when lefties were one point below the big league average.

An early focus will be on which left-handed hitters benefit most from the new shift restrictions.

Among those who could be helped are Corey Seager, Kyle Schwarber, Anthony Rizzo, Cody Bellinger, Rowdy Tellez and Yordan Álvarez.

Teams still are allowed to position outfielders as they wish, so some managers may experiment with moving the left fielder into short right with certain lefties at the plate.

BASEBALL ‘BILLIONS’ Cohen inspired the character of Bobby Axelrod,

society for her exceptional academics. She was inducted into the Alpha Lambda Delta Honours Society (individuals who maintain a 3.5 and above

Valentina Knowles in 16.65. Andrinique Lamour of Nassau Christian Academy was third in 17.05. Sunland Baptist’s Jaynae Pinder took the under20 girls 100m hurdles in 15.24, nipping CR Walker’s Ivaneice Charlton, who slipped and fell through the finish line in 15.25. Davondra Sands, competing unattached, was third in 15.39. SAC got a 1-2 punch from Nathan King in 13.20 and Deahyne Saunders in 13.25 in the boys under14 80m hurdles. Dameco Davis of Jack Hayward was third in 13.30. Grand Bahamian Treasure Burrows surged from the middle of the pack on the back stretch and emerged down the home stretch for the win in the under-20 girls 800m in 2:18.51 with Jasmine Mackey, competing unattached, second in 2:18.85. Ezthia Maycock of SAC was third in 2:!9.27.

“I felt pretty good. I did what I came here to do,” Burrows said.

“At the beginning of the race, I wasn’t in it because I wanted to see where my opponents were.

“But as I came down the stretch, I knew I had to go for it.”

Akaree Roberts of CR Walker went out on her own in the final 600m and went for the qualifying time of 2:19.22m, but fell short at the line in her victory in 2:19.39 as she fell off the late surge by Grand Bahama’s Erin Barr of Tabernacle Baptist in 2:26.03. Yulianis Akompi of SAC placed third in 2:26.87.

Tyrone Conliffe of Sir Jack Hayward came from second on the back stretch to power on top in 2:02.73.

In the under-14 girls 800m, Shakinah Lewis of AF Adderley out-sprinted the field in the girls under14 8-00m in 2:40.66 to hold off a pair of competitors from Queen’s College as Cierra Delancy was second

GPA). The BLTA recognises these athletes who continue to shine on the courts and in the classroom. May God continue to bless you all.

in 2:42.42 and A’Mayah Davis was third in 2:43.09.

Arjay Roberts of SAC pulled off the win in the under-14 boys two-lap race in 2:22.08 over St John’s duo of Anthony Saunders in 2:38.09 and Cordell Munroe in 2:31.00.

On the field, SAC’s Boyli Major soared 11.73m in the under-17 girls triple jump to surpass the qualifying standard of 11.42m for CARIFTA. Zoe Adderley, competing unattached, was second with 11.32m as she fell short. CV Bethel’s Darininique Morris was third with 10.27m.

And in the under-20 boys triple jump, there were a pair of CARIFTA qualifiers as Johnathan Rodgers of CI Gjbson won with 15.10m and LaQuan Ellis, competing unattached, was second with 15.04m. They both went over the CARIFTA standard of 14.68. Coming in third was Rollie Hanna of Anatol Rodgers with 14.12m.

Although she might be a little too young to make the CARIFTA team, 13-year-old Keyezra ‘KK’ Thomas of Bishop Michael Eldon produced a pair of smashing performances in winning both the under-14 girls 100 and 200m.

Like she did in the 100, Thomas used her height to power away from the field to easily out-distance her rivals in the 200m in 25.28 for a national high school record. QC’s Zara Fraser was second in 26.38 and TA Thompson’s Brion Ward was third in 26.74.

“I am very glad about the way I performed and I really want to thank the Lord for allowing me to finish injury free,” Thomas said. “Many people say I’m very fast for my age and if I continue, I can do many great things for the Bahamas.”

Thomas said her goal is to continue to work hard and be ready to take her rightful place on the CARIFTA team in 2024.

who returns to Showtime’s “Billions” in Season 7. Season 3 of the Mets under Cohen should be as interesting as the television drama. New York raised its payroll to a projected $370 million and is set to shatter the record, set by the 2015 Los Angeles Dodgers at $291 million, while also paying a luxury tax on track to be $116 million.

The Mets added Justin Verlander, José Quintana, Kodai Senga, David Robertson and Omar Narváez while losing Jacob deGrom to Texas and re-signing Edwin Díaz, Brandon Nimmo, Jeff McNeil and Adam Ottavino to big deals. Díaz already is out for the season following a knee injury during the World Baseball Classic.

“$300 million, which is still a lot of money, didn’t get us like it used to,” Cohen said.

OLD FACES IN NEW PLACES

Verlander left the champion Astros for the Mets after winning his third Cy Young Award.

Others on new teams include deGrom (Texas), Trea Turner (Phillies), Xander Bogaerts (Padres), Carlos Rodón (Yankees), Dansby Swanson (Cubs)

and Willson Contreras (St. Louis).

“The goal is to make 30-plus starts and I truly believe that I will be able to do that,” said deGrom, limited by injuries to 26 starts during the past two years.

NEW BOSSES

Bruce Bochy (Texas), Matt Quatraro (Kansas City), Pedro Grifol (Chicago White Sox) and Skip Schumaker (Miami) are the four new managers among the 30 teams, while interim tags were removed for Rob Thomson (Philadelphia), Phil Nevin (Los Angeles Angels) and John Schneider (Toronto).

“You do realise how much you miss it and how much fun so many different parts of the game bring to you,” said the 67-year-old Bochy, who led the San Francisco Giants to three World Series titles and left after 2019, his 25th season as a big league manager.

HOT KIDS

Shortstop Anthony Volpe, just 21, made the Yankees’ opening day roster after playing 22 games at Triple-A. He joins a rookie class that includes Arizona outfielder Corbin Carroll, St. Louis outfielder Jordan Walker, Baltimore infielder

Gunnar

Oscar Colás, Cleveland catcher Bo Naylor and Colorado infielder Ezequiel Tovar, plus a pair of Japanese imports: Boston outfielder Masataka Yoshida and the Mets’ Senga.

“I don’t even know what lies ahead but Thursday I just want to go out and play, and have fun,” Volpe said.

MIAMI

GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz of Spain beat Dusan Lajovic of Serbia 6-0, 7-6 (5) and will face American Tommy Paul today.

World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus cruised past Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic 6-1, 6-2 on Sunday.

“I lost the first and only match that I played against Tommy,” Alcaraz said. “I know that he’s a really talented and really tough player, so I have to play at my best. Let’s see what’s going to happen on Tuesday.”

Paul and fellow American No. 10 Taylor Fritz advanced in straight sets. Bianca Andreescu of Canada — the 2019 U.S. Open champion — beat 2020 Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin of the United States 6-4, 6-4.

Andreescu advanced to the tournament’s fourth round for the third time. She had seven aces to Kenin’s one, and doublefaulted only once as she won the third straight matchup between the Grand Slam champions. Andreescu converted all three of her break opportunities.

In other matches, Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic outlasted American Madison Keys 7-6 (4), 6-3.

Also, Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia defeated world No. 9 Belinda Bencic of Switzerland, the gold medallist at the Tokyo Olympics, 7-6 (8), 6-3; Marketa Vondrousova ousted Karolina Pliskova 6-1, 6-2 in an all-Czech matchup; Sorana Cirstea of Romania beat Karolína Muchová of the Czech Republic 7-5, 6-1; and Varvara Gracheva of Russia defeated Magdalena Frech of Poland 6-1, 6-2.

On the men’s side, Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands outlasted world No. 4 Casper Ruud of Norway 3-6, 6-4, 6-4. Van de Zandschulp had 12 aces to Ruud’s six, but they each had three double-faults. Van de Zandschulp will face Emil Ruusuvuori of Finland in the next round.

Paul beat Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain 6-3, 7-5, helped by eight aces. Fokina had six double-faults.

Fritz defeated Denis Shapovalov of Canada 6-4, 6-4. Shapovalov had seven double-faults. Fritz will face world No. 8 Holger Rune of Denmark, who defeated Diego Schwartzman of Argentina 6-4, 6-2.

Henderson, White Sox outfielder

ABIGAIL SIMMS JACOBI BAIN DONTE ARMBRISTER

CRUISE CONTROL: Athletes compete in the BAAA National High School Track and Field Championships at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium yesterday.

Photo: Austin Fernander/Tribune Staff

BAHAMAS JR GOLF ASSOCIATION AND FOURTEEN CLUBS ACADEMY HOST US KIDS AT LYFORD CAY

THE Bahamas Junior Golf Association and the Fourteen Clubs Golf Academy hosted the US Kids Golf at the Lyford Cay Golf Club on Sunday. The results of the event are as follows:

Boys 6: 1st –Advik Arora– Nassau, Bahamas

Boys 8: 1st – Maximilien Demole – Switzerland. 2nd – Thomas West- Nassau, Bahamas. 3rd – Reef Harvey - Nassau, Bahamas.

Boys 10: 1st – Briland

Cunningham– Nassau, Bahamas.

Boys 11: 1st - William West - Nassau, Bahamas.

2nd - William MahelisNassau, Bahamas

Boys 12: 1st – Patrick Mactaggart – Nassau, Bahamas. 2nd – Zachary Joseph– Nassau, Bahamas.

3rd – Rashawn Hanna–Nassau, Bahamas. 4th – Juan Wilson– Nassau, Bahamas.

Boys 13-14: 1st– Kerrington Rolle, Nassau, Bahamas.

2nd - Benjamin Beard - New York, USA. 3rdMaximilian Landry - Nassau, Bahamas.

4th - Benjamin KofedBirmingham, UK. 5th - Nicholas Turnquest - Nassau, Bahamas. 6thWeston Young- Nassau, Bahamas.

Boys 15-18: 1st - Jackson Mactaggart - Nassau, Bahamas. 2nd - Christopher Callendar - Nassau, Bahamas. 3rd- Camdyn

Forbes - Nassau, Bahamas.

4th - Jermaine Dawkins - Nassau, Bahamas.

5th - Rhan Miller- Nassau, Bahamas.

6th - Andrew Benjamin- Nassau, Bahamas.

7th - Angelino CooperNassau, Bahamas.

Girls 8 & Under: 1st - Sarah Scheidecker - Nassau, Bahamas. 2nd -

Cecilia Beard - New York, USA.

Girls 11-12; 1st - Maddison Carroll - Nassau, Bahamas. 2nd – Haley Hall – Nassau, Bahamas.

TIGER WOODS AND TROUT GET TOGETHER TO BUILD NEW JERSEY GOLF CLUB

VINELAND, N.J. (AP)

— Three-time American League MVP Mike Trout always wanted a golf course, and he picked 18-time major champion Tiger Woods to build it for him.

Trout, the 10-time AllStar centerfielder for the Los Angeles Angels, and a business partner in New Jersey are building a golf club called “Trout National — The Reserve” not far from where Trout grew up in southern New Jersey.

They have hired Woods’ architecture firm, TGR Design, to create the 18-hole course, a practice range and short-game area.

“I love south Jersey and I love golf, so creating Trout National — The Reserve is a dream come true,” Trout said. “And then to add to that we’ll have a golf course designed by Tiger? It’s just incredible to think that this project has grown to where we’re going to be working with someone many consider the greatest and most influential golfer of all time.”

Construction is set to begin this year with plans for the private club about 45 minutes south of Philadelphia to open for member play in 2025.

“I’ve always enjoyed watching Mike on the diamond so when the opportunity arose to work with him on Trout National — The Reserve, I couldn’t pass it up,” Woods said. “It’s a great site for golf and our team’s looking forward to creating a special course.”

Girls 13-14: 1st - Lilly

Bisterzo- California, USA.

2nd - Renaisha Dill-

Among courses TGR Design has open for play are Bluejack National in the Houston area, El Cardonal at Diamante in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and Payne’s Valley in Missouri.

3rd – Kayleigh Rolle –Nassau, Bahamas.

4th – Anissa Robinson –Nassau, Bahamas.

5th - Jacara Forbes–Nassau, Bahamas. 6th - Rylee CunninghamNassau, Bahamas.

Nassau, Bahamas.

GIRLS under-8 winners.

BOYS under-8 winners.

BOYS 13-14 winners.

BOYS 15-18 winners.

GIRLS 11-12 winners.

Booker, bench lead Suns past skidding Jazz as Ayton returns

By MATTHEW COLES Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY (AP)

— Devin Booker scored 24 points and Phoenix reserves sparked the decisive run for the Suns in a 117-103 win over the fading Utah Jazz last night.

Deandre Ayton had 14 points after missing four games with a bruised hip. But a trio off the bench was pivotal for Phoenix: Terrence Ross had 13 points, Cameron Payne added 12 and Bismack Biyombo scored 11.

The Suns (40-35) had lost four in a row on the road. But with this victory they sit more securely in the fourth spot in the Western Conference playoff race — which would give them homecourt advantage in the first round.

Lauri Markkanen scored 25 points for Utah but shot 6 for 22. Walker Kessler had 18 points and eight rebounds for the Jazz (35-40), who have lost four straight. Kessler also matched a career high with seven blocks.

To get injured star Kevin Durant in a midseason trade, the Suns sacrificed some of their depth and have struggled at times — especially on defence — when their starters sit. But this game was different against the undermanned Jazz. Phoenix went on a 17-2 run bridging the third and fourth quarters, primarily with its backups on the

court. The Jazz led 81-78 before Payne and Ross combined for 11 points, and Payne capped the surge with a driving layup with 8:59 remaining to make it 95-83.

By the time Booker, Ayton and Chris Paul returned with 4:58 to play, Phoenix still had a double-digit lead and coasted home.

TIP-INS

Suns: Made 20 of 22 free throws. … Booker scored 18 points in the first quarter and then went 0 for 5 with no points in the second. ... Phoenix had a 57-52 lead at halftime after outscoring the Jazz 13-0 in points off turnovers.

Jazz: Talen HortonTucker had 16 points, eight rebounds and eight assists along a with a bevy of forced shots and turnovers. … Simone Fontecchio, who has started the last three games, was out with a sore toe. … Jordan Clarkson (thumb) and Collin Sexton (hamstring), two of Utah’s top three scorers, have missed the past 10 games.

UP NEXT Suns: Host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.

Jazz: At the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday.

MAVERICKS 127,

PACERS 104

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Luka Doncic finished with 25 points, seven rebounds and six assists just hours after his most recent technical foul and one-game suspension were

from deep, and San Diego State opponents have made 16 of 94 attempts (17%) in the tournament.

rescinded yesterday by the NBA and led the Dallas Mavericks past the Indiana Pacers 127-104.

The Mavericks snapped a four-game losing streak and remained in contention in the race for one of the final two play-in spots in the Western Conference. Kyrie Irving added 16 points and six assists for Dallas. Indiana was led by Bennedict Mathurin, who scored 22 points, and Andrew Nembhard, who had 17

points, five rebounds and five assists on a night the Pacers were missing three starters and a key backup. The Pacers have lost three straight and six of eight as they move closer to locking up a lottery pick.

Doncic had picked up his 16th technical that was rescinded on Sunday in the team’s second loss to Charlotte. The technical came with 7:51 remaining in the third quarter of a 110-104 loss

Julius Randle had 26 as New York snapped a threegame losing streak with a win over Houston.

RJ Barrett added 19 points, Obi Toppin had 15 and Quinten Grimes scored 14 for the Knicks.

Quickley connected on 14 of 18 shots from the field and added nine assists. He started in place of Jalen Brunson, who missed his second straight game with a bruised right hand.

Kevin Porter Jr. led the Rockets with 26 points. Jalen Green had 19 and Kenyon Martin Jr. added 18 as Houston dropped its sixth straight game.

BUCKS 126, PISTONS 117 DETROIT (AP) — Khris Middleton scored 34 points against the team that drafted him and Milwaukee beat Detroit without Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Milwaukee improved to an NBA-best 54-21 despite the absences of Antetokounmpo (knee) and Jae Crowder (calf).

shot just 32% against a rotation of veterans and transfers who have bought into Dutcher’s philosophy.

Alabama committed 14 turnovers, had eight shots blocked and was held 18 points below its season average in the 71-64 Sweet 16 loss.

Sixth-seeded Creighton shot 40% in the South Region final, but just 28% while missing all 10 longrange attempts during a pivotal second half. The Bluejays finished 2 of 17

The Mountain West Conference’s first Final Four participant, the Aztecs will face FAU on Saturday. San Diego State had to wait a few minutes before it could celebrate its win over Creighton. Officials needed the time to review a last-second court-length inbounds pass by Creighton that was deflected out of bounds.

Aztecs forward Aguek Arop jumped for the ball with Creighton’s Arthur Kaluma, a fitting example of a team that embraces physical play.

“They play a brand of basketball that’s built on toughness, built on intelligence,” Creighton coach Greg McDermott said. “They don’t take many bad shots, and they’re very physical when the ball goes up in the glass.”

Alabama coach Nate

Oats said after Friday night’s loss that San Diego State’s physicality bothered his team and got them off their drives. He added, “They’re a tough, physical, big, strong experienced team, and especially in the first half we didn’t come out prepared.”

San Diego State is also patient, owing to its maturity.

Seven seniors are among nine upperclassmen that include four transfers. While offence matters, Dutcher says playing defence creates opportunities at the other end. The numbers demonstrate that everyone’s good with that.

The Aztecs rank 35th nationally in field goal defence at 41% and are tied for 70th with 4.0 blocks per game. Creighton was their 16th opponent held below 60 points, nearly 10 below its average coming in.

“We make sure any time we play against a team there’s five guys all on one guy,” 6-foot-10 senior

when Doncic argued a nocall after missing a shot on a drive to the basket.

Crew chief Kevin Scott said in a pool report after the game that Doncic used “a profanity directed at the officials in protest to a no-call that was correctly judged in postgame video review.”

KNICKS 137, ROCKETS 115 NEW YORK (AP) — Immanuel Quickley scored a career-high 40 points and

forward Nathan Mensah said.

“We don’t take that for granted, and we know our defence will always play out as the game goes.”

That faith in defence has been key in overcoming second-half deficits against Alabama and Creighton.

San Diego State’s halftime lead became a nine-point hole against the Crimson Tide before it scored 12 straight points to take the lead for good with 8:43 remaining. The Aztecs rallied from a 43-37 deficit against Creighton and never trailed again despite five ties over the final 6:23. One of the happiest San Diego State

Goran Dragic made his Bucks debut after signing with the team on March 4, but didn’t score in nine minutes.

Brook Lopez had 24 points and 14 rebounds, Bobby Portis added 21 points and 14 rebounds, and Jevon Carter scored 22.

The Pistons got 32 points, eight rebounds and eight assists from Jaden Ivey, but lost their sixth straight game and 17th of 18. They are 1-13 against Central Division opponents.

players after the game was leading scorer Matt Bradley, who was held to eight points over the weekend after averaging 12.8 coming in.

While he was off, he saw the Aztecs get big stops and timely contributions from Arop and Mensah.

“We’ve got seven, eight dudes that could just get a bucket for us, get a big stop and just make a game-winning play,” Bradley said.

“That’s a testament to what this team has personnel-wise.”

Combine that depth with the defence, and San Diego State is in a place it could only dream about before the season.

CAVS COMPLETE LONG CLIMB BACK TO NBA PLAYOFFS WITHOUT LEBRON

By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer

CLEVELAND (AP) —

Five years felt like 50.

When the Cleveland Cavaliers beat Houston 108-91 on Sunday night to clinch their first playoff spot since 2018, it ended a modest postseason drought for a franchise and its fans, who had grown spoiled by winning and challenging for NBA championships.

Blame LeBron James for that.

The superstar led Cleveland to four straight Finals, delivering the city its first pro sports title since 1964 in 2016. But since James left as a free agent five years ago — for the second time — his immense shadow had engulfed, if not overwhelmed, the Cavs.

They finally emerged from it.

After just missing the playoffs a year ago, the Cavs reached one of their goals and have a few others on their to-do list.

“They’re not satisfied with just this,” said coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who has been instrumental in the team’s post-LeBron rebuild. “We ain’t done yet.”

Currently just two games behind Philadelphia for the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, Cleveland is healthy, playing its best ball in weeks and peaking as the regular season eases into its final days.

Taking advantage of a soft section in their schedule, the Cavs, who were knocked out in the playin tournament a year ago, have won 9 of 11 and are on

track for their first 50-win season without James on the roster since 1992-93.

The road back to relevance wasn’t smooth.

James’ departure in the summer of 2018 was followed by several notable failures, including coach Tyronn Lue’s firing six games into the 2019 season and the flawed decision to hire former Michigan coach John Beilein, who only made it to the All-Star break in 2020.

There were a pair of 19-win seasons, excursions into the NBA lottery, major injuries, team in-fighting, roster teardowns and general malfunction.

“The first year I got traded here, it was rough,” recalled centre Jarrett Allen, whose arrival from Brooklyn as part of the three-team James Harden trade in 2021 accelerated the turnaround. “While it was still fun, a lot of things weren’t going our way at the time. Not playing for anything at the end of the year, looking forward to the summer, I think we all went through that.

“The next year, we lost in the play-in game and now we’re finally here. It was a journey.”

Along the way, Koby Altman, the team’s president of basketball operations, has made astute moves to restructure a roster left in virtual ruin following James’ departure. The Cavs now have one of the league’s strongest and most promising young cores.

Altman jump started the process in 2019 by first

drafting Darius Garland, who has blossomed into an elite guard at age 23. Isaac Okoro came a year later and is the team’s best onball defender.

Forward Evan Mobley came aboard last year, and the 21-year-old not only pairs with Allen to give Cleveland a formidable frontline — it leads the league in defensive rating — but his growth on offence makes the Cavs tough to guard.

Nothing, though, has changed them more than Donovan Mitchell.

When Altman swooped in and landed Mitchell, who was thought to be headed to the New York Knicks, in a blockbuster trade with Utah in September, Cleveland sent a clear message that it’s home remodelling was finished.

One of the game’s most prolific scorers, Mitchell

has blended in seamlessly, almost effortlessly. Not only has the supremely confident 26-year-old raised the Cavs’ win total, but the team’s expectations and outlook are soaring at levels not seen since James was wearing Cleveland’s wine

and gold colours. Following Sunday’s win, Mitchell reminded his teammates there was more to do.

“We have a bigger goal at stake. Not just making the playoffs, not just winning a first round, second round, third round,” he said.

“Making it all the way. It’s going to be tough. There’s going to be guys or teams that have a lot of experience and have been there, but I think we’re up for that challenge.

“We have that hunger. You see it with this group and on a night-to-night basis. It’s continuing to prepare and continue to play all the way until June.”

After pulling away from the Rockets to wrap up their 30th win inside noisy Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the Cavs barely celebrated on the floor before retreating to their locker room. To them, it was just another win, routine, expected.

But it meant so much more. It was the first time Cleveland had made the playoffs without James on the roster in 25 years.

“Since 1998?” Mitchell asked incredulously while looking at the scroll on the bottom of the TV. “I had no idea.”

PHOENIX Suns centre Deandre Ayton reacts during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz yesterday in Salt Lake City.

(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

CLEVELAND Cavaliers’ Darius Garland (10) scores on a layup against the Washington Wizards during the second half in Cleveland on March 17. (AP Photo/Phil Long)

Long-distance runner Marcel Major doing some big things

MARCEL Major of New Providence, who is an avid long-distance runner, has earned the Race Director Certification (RDC) through the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA).

“It was an arduous undertaking which involved an extensive course of study and a series of intense examinations,” Major said.

Some of the topics he covered included course design, budgeting, marketing and public relations, participant, spectator and traffic control, recruitment and supervision of volunteers, as well as legal and compliance matters.

“According to RRCA records, I am the first resident of The Bahamas to become certified through their globally recognised programme,” he said.

Major said he is pleased that The Bahamas has achieved significant milestones in sports internationally in the past 50 years since independence.

“I hope that more Bahamians in leadership in various sporting disciplines would pursue international certifications,” he said.

In 2022, Major and his wife Theresa officially launched their company, 4 Seasons Race Management. The company’s specialty services include the planning, officiating and timing of road races.

Its primary objective is to enhance the quality of race

events, resulting in greater enjoyment and safety for road running enthusiasts in The Bahamas.

4 Seasons Race Management will stage at least one uniquely themed race event every quarter. Fresh off its successful “Running in Love” Fun Run/Walk held in February, they are now gearing up for “The Bikini Top, Bare Back, Beach Run”, scheduled for Saturday, June 17.

Major served as the president of Bahamas Roadmasters Running Club (BRRC) for four years, from 2018 to 2022.

A passionate runner himself, he has completed numerous international marathons and half marathons.

Founded in 1958, Road Runners Club of America is the oldest and largest national association of runners and running organisations in the United States of America dedicated to growing the sport of running.

The organisation supports local running clubs in the USA and internationally by providing training and resources for runners, coaches, race directors and leaders at all levels in the sport of long-distance running.

For more information on 4 Seasons Race Management’s future events, visit their website, www.fourseasonsracemanagement. com

Come Gold With Us!

BANK OF AMERICA SIGNS ON AS NEW BOSTON MARATHON SPONSOR

By JIMMY GOLEN AP Sports Writer

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Marathon has agreed to a 10-year sponsorship deal with Bank of America that organisers hope will allow the world’s oldest and most prestigious annual 26.2-mile road race to grow over the next decade while maintaining its historic character.

Financial terms of the deal announced Monday were not disclosed. But the deal does not include the naming rights that typically allow the sponsor to boost its profile and an event to boost its coffers.

“Why would you ever change a legacy? ... No, we’re not going to do that,” said David Tyrie, Bank of America’s chief digital officer and chief marketing officer. “Everything you know and love about the Boston Marathon — and things that are around it — will continue. And then there’s going to be (an additional) 30% that we haven’t figured out yet that are going to be the taking it to the next level thing. And those are really exciting ones.”

The bank already had a foot in the distance-running world as the sponsor of the Chicago Marathon for the last decade. Unlike that race, which is officially named the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, the Boston Marathon will keep its name, with the “presented by Bank of America” tagline.

“At some level we realised that Bank of America saw this differently,” Boston Athletic Association President and CEO Jack Fleming told The Associated Press. “They saw us as a different opportunity and maybe didn’t need to have that title and wanted to preserve it for everyone else. And for Boston.”

SPRINTER ANTHONIQUE STRACHAN OPENS UP STRONG

World Athletics’ World Outdoor Championships,

due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 that left the world in a frenzy, Strachan said she’s

preparing to head to Budapest, Hungary this summer to represent the Bahamas as she did in Eugene, Oregon, last year. But after falling short of getting into the 100m final last year with 10th place overall, Strachan said she’s healthy and in great shape, so the sky is the limit for her.

She also declined to give any indication of which event she will focus on this year, only to state that she will be ready to give it her best shot when the time comes.

With her training ongoing for her season, Strachan said she probably won’t be able to return home for the Bahamas’ ninth hosting of the CARIFTA Games over the Easter holiday weekend at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

But she sent a message to the athletes who are expected to make the team when the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations names the team today following the National High School and Final CARIFTA trials that wrapped up on Monday night.

“Just go out there and have fun and once you train for something, you don’t

have to worry about it,” Strachan said.

“The work you put in, 90 percent of the time, that is what you are going to get out of it, so if they know within themselves that they were working towards something, then go for it.

“You don’t always have to medal. If you can get in a personal best or get a season’s best, progress is progress, so just be content with that and don’t get overly disappointed in yourself if something doesn’t work out.”

Strachan, a prime example of moving forward, expressed to the athletes that “this should not be the end of your season because I had seasons as a junior where CARIFTA was the only event that I went to.

I started track in 2009 and in 2010, I was disappointed because I didn’t make the team.

“But in 2011, I came back and won my first Austin Sealy award in Jamaica. After 2010, I worked on things and I made it. That same year, I realised that there is more to my track career than CARIFTA. The next year, I won the Austin Sealy award and I went on to World Junior Championships.”

As a result of her performances, Strachan was named the female Rising Star of the International Amateur Athletic Federation, now known as World Athletics. A few years after that, she was sidelined with a series of injuries but, at the age of 29, Strachan is still going strong.

“CARIFTA is a building stage for track and field,” Strachan said. “So don’t give up just because things didn’t work out for you or how you think things should work out for you. Let this be a stepping stone to the rest of your career.

“Your job is to actually learn about yourself and when you learn about yourself, you can be mature about it and make wise decisions. Make sure you stay in communication with your parents, your coaches and your team-mates because they are there for you when you succeed and even when you fail.”

Once you as an athlete develop their confidence, it comes out in the performances.

That confidence, Strachan said, she’s seen in the Jamaican athletes and will be demonstrated here when they come to town to continue their dominance of

the three-day meet, featuring more than 25 countries from around the region.

“Jamaica is by far head and shoulders above the rest of the Caribbean because they have the athletes and they have the performances,” she stated. “But that’s not necessarily our job to focus on what they are doing.

“If you are in lane one, focus on lane one and not what anybody else is doing. But I expect that Jamaica will have another dominating performance because their athletes are very seasoned and equipped.”

As the athletes’ representative for the BAAA, Strachan admonished the athletes on Team Bahamas to perform at the best of their ability, especially considering the fact that they are competing at home in front of the Bahamian public.

Strachan, a two-time national 100m and threetime 200m champion, is coming off a lifetime best of 10.98 in the 100m last year after running 7.17 in the 60m indoors. She also has a PR of 22.32 in the 200m that she ran in 2013. Additionally, Strachan has a best of 52.42 in the 400 metres that she posted in 2016.

ABOVE: Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg, marketing director Fern Hanna, right, and Denise Turnquest, president of Commonwealth Bank. RIGHT INSET: LOC chairman Lynden Maycock and Minister Mario Bowleg receive a $20,000 cheque donation from Denise Turnquest, centre.

MARCEL Major has earned the Race Director Certification through the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA).

YOUNG PEOPLE FACING UP TO CLIMATE DANGERS

By THE UNIVERSITY OF THE BAHAMAS

WHILE climate change is one of the biggest threats that the world has ever seen, around the world the youth voice and perspective is emerging as one of the most powerful responses to deal with it.

University of The Bahamas (UB) biology with chemistry major Ashawnte Russell is taking a lead role in this fight for climate resilience and justice. Russell is one of two recently named Climate Youth Ambassadors for The Bahamas appointed by the Office of the Prime Minister. The other is UB alum Stephen Hunter.

They will represent the government’s Climate Change & Environmental Advisory Unit, helping to shape and lead initiatives, programmes and other responses.

Youth Climate Ambassadors are engaged in creating a climate youth platform; networking with international youth programmes; and identifying projects and initiatives that can be implemented in The Bahamas to advance Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) and its climate change and youth agenda. They also liaise with the national ACE focal point to identify financial and technical support to advance the inclusion of Bahamians in international programmes and meetings; represent The Bahamas on matters of climate change; and participate in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Russell said she is honoured to have the opportunity to collaboratively drive real change in this role.

“Under this platform we plan to address youth engagement, empowerment and inclusion within climate change discussions with education and public awareness being at the forefront of our efforts.

“This is essential as we work to mitigate, adapt, educate and reinvent the ways in which we approach the topic of climate change on a national level in order to bolster our resilience,” she noted.

Now, more than ever, she is committed to helping bring about a turnaround.

“We are connected through climate but protected through action and under this role we will do whatever it takes,” she noted.

Recently, when Carlos Del Toro, the US secretary of the Navy – the first ever to travel to The Bahamas in an official capacity – visited University of The Bahamas, Russell was front and centre. She served as moderator of the event at which Del Toro spoke on the topic, “Building Resilience and Security in Island Countries Threatened by Climate Change”. On that occasion, he invited a stronger meeting of the minds and collective imaginations to learn from each other and fight against a common threat.

“Together, we need to rise up and heed the voices of Caribbean scholars and researchers on the front lines of climate change,” Del Toro said before an audience that included high school students, environmental advocates, scientists and advisors.

For Russell, working in the climate change realm is not new. She was present for several high-level climate change parleys, the last of which was the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP27) held in Egypt in November 2022. She also served as a delegate for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)-Youth4Climate Conference in Milan, Italy. Additionally, she represented The Bahamas as a delegate for the Youth4Climate Conference held in NYC, USA, during Climate Week in September 2022. Immediately after this conference, Russell was in Bonn, Germany at the Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) Hackathon.

Even before she was appointed a Youth Climate Ambassador, Russell said she wanted to have the voices of Small Island Developing Sates, in particular, represented in a real and enduring way. The youth voice as a champion for action is a conduit to that.

“I am just one of many, because I fervently believe there are countless young people that are just as aware of the issues that we face across the board in terms of what climate change is doing, can do and will do if we don’t make the conscious decision and continue fighting for our lives,” she said.

Academy celebrates cadets

By FAY SIMMONS jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

THE LJM Maritime Academy held its annual Founder’s Day events last week, which included a pinning ceremony and the Battle of the Cadets activity day.

Among them, freshman KayJa Fawkes said she became interested in maritime life after her uncle suggested it and her experience has been good thus far. She said: “I found about LJM Maritime Academy when I was looking for something to do after high school, besides going off. My uncle is a captain, and he knew about the LJM Maritime School that a lot of females were going to. So he was like, if you don’t want to go off, you can sign up and see if you like it or not. So, I signed up and I got in, and it’s been really good so far.”

She said: “My 3.40 GPA was received from doing well on my physics, navigation, ship husbandry, general ship knowledge, mathematics, chemistry and PT. My future plan is to go into the yachting industry after I’m finished with my sea time. Hopefully I can open up a touring company that will bring a lot of tourists and help females get started working in the maritime industry.”

She added: “I would tell any young female that is interested in the maritime industry to don’t let anybody discourage you. If you feel like this is the career for you, then go for it. Don’t listen to any negativity and there’s going to be a lot of men that will belittle you, but once you know that you’re strong headed and this is what you want to do, you can make it.”

Lanario Williams, deck navigation junior initially enrolled to obtain a Captain B licence, and is now a part of the officer’s programme.

He said: “To become a captain, thats like 10-15 years right there. First I have to finish this school, then take the exam to become a third officer then go back out to sea then take the second officer exam, then the first officer exam, then become a captain. And then, when I become a captain, I’ll make another set of goals, all I know now is that I want to invest in the Bahamian maritime industry.”

He added of the award he received on Thursday: “The award I got yesterday was the Pride Award, which means my GPA was between 2.5 and 3.0. It was just an indication that showed me that hard work pays off because all the work I do goes unadvertised, it shows I’m on the right track. A lot can come from the maritime field, whatever you want to do - there is room for it in maritime, its a good environment to be in.”

Kyle Roberts, engine rating, developed a curiosity for engineering during fishing trips with his father. He said: “I’d often go out on the boat with my father and go fishing and off course, we’re not going to paddle out. I wanted to figure out the inner makings of the thing that would get us to and fro and that got me interested in engineering.”

Mr Roberts described receiving his outstanding performance award as a proud moment. He said: “I got an award for outstanding performance inside of the engine ratings programme given to me from the founder of the school himself,

Lowell J Mor timer, it was a very proud moment, and I hope for more. I plan on going out on the sea, mostly to get onto larger vessels like tankers or cruise ships and the like, but I see myself crossing oceans and seeing all the ports while I’m out there.”

Brandon Wilson, student services coordinator, said: “We train, we have cadets and we have ratings. We train individuals as officers of navigational watch or officers of engine room watch. Our rating programmes, those persons train to be efficient deckhands or efficient engine room watch. There are a wide range of opportunities in this industry. The Bahamas is surrounded by water. We have over 4,000 yachts that enter the country per year and there are not enough people in the industry to cater to them.”

YOUNG ARTISTS SHINE AT CAR SHOW

By FAY SIMMONS jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

THE ANTIQUE Auto Club of the Bahamas’ held its 20th annual art competition which drew in dozens of youngsters eager to show off their creativity and artistic skills. The judges considered 51 submissions from students ranging from five to fifteen years old, with Imani Carter of Queens College taking her division and overall top prizes. Proceeds from the event are donated to a children’s charity, this year The Bahamas Association for the Physically Disabled was selected.

The competition is free-to- enter and entrants were given a drawing pad and tools, and asked to select a vehicle on display at the antique auto club’s annual show and asked to draw a car of their choice and color it. Jim LaRoda, the club’s Art Co-Ordinator explained the process.

He said: “This art competition has been running for 20 years now. We have students come in and participate, then we do a judging and prizes are given. All the kids have to do is come here, select one of the cars on display, draw a picture of it and first, second and third of each of the four divisions

will win prizes. The prizes are an award certificate, trophy and a replica of an antique car.”

Katheryn Neely, Xavier’s Lower School, took home the top prize in the five - seven age group; Dyvyne Miller, Sadie Curtis Primary School came first in the eight to ten age group and Jonathon Martin, Aquinas College took home top prize in the fourteen to fifteen age group.

Results

Overall: 1st Imani Carter, 2nd Jonathon Martin, 3rd Dyvyne Miller

Age 5-7: 1 Katheryn Neely (Xaviers Lower School), 2 Korynn Sands (Home Schooled), 3 Ishmael Davis

Age 8-10: 1 Dyvyne Miller (Sadie Curtis Primary), Victoria Huyler (Xaviers Lower School), 3 Nala Neely (Xaviers Lower School)

Age 11-13: 1 Imani Carter (Queen’s College), 2 Serenity Pedican (Xaviers Lower School), 3 Daylensia Williams (Xaviers Lower School)

Age 14-15: 1 Jonathon Martin (Aquinas College), 2 Tarique Butler (HO Nash Jr High School), Honorable Mention - Destin Grant (Jordan Prince William High School).

ASHAWNTÉ Russell serving as the moderator for the first official visit to The Bahamas of a US Secretary of the Navy.

THE YOUNG award winners receive their prizes after taking part in an art contest at the Antique Auto Club of The Bahamas car show.

LJM Maritime Academy founders Low ell J Mortimer at last week’s pinning ceremony and, right and below, scenes from the Battle of the Cadets.

Photos: Austin Fernander and Moise Amisial

SPORTS

TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2023

SAC victorious

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

St Augustine’s College Big Red Machine, still celebrating their recent triumph in the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools, captured all three divisions of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ National High School Track and Field Championships and final CARIFTA Trials.

Last night at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, the Big Red Machine captured the under-14 combined boys and girls division with 236 points, ahead of arch rival Queen’s College Comets, who got second with 228.50 and the CH Reeves Raptors in third with 138.

In the under-17 division combined, SAC reeled off a huge decision, accumulating 317 points over the three days of competition, well ahead of QC with 191.50. Grand Bahama’s Tabernacle Baptist Falcons came in third with 145.

And in the under20 division combined, St Augustine’s College emerged on top with 290 points. Queen’s College got second with 179 and Tabernacle Baptist ended up in third with 93. It was the first time that the BAAA, in conjunction

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Big Red Machine win all three divisions of BAAA National High School Track & Field Championships

SAN DIEGO STATE SHUTTING DOWN FOES WITH DISRUPTIVE DEFENCE

By GARY B GRAVES AP Sports Writer

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Brian Dutcher lays out San Diego State’s mission in plain talk to avoid any confusion.

“We’re a defensive-first team,” the sixth-year coach said after the Aztecs muscled past Creighton 57-56 on Sunday and into their first Final Four. “Everybody knows that about us, and our defence carries us.”

The challenge for Florida Atlantic, UConn or Miami this weekend in Houston is solving the disruptive mix of quick hands and physicality the experienced Aztecs have used to wear down opponents.

Only New Mexico, Nevada and Boise State have cracked that defensive code since the year started, the last setback coming nearly a month ago.

Fifth-seeded San Diego State (31-6) is 14-1 since February 3 and it has ratcheted up the resistance in March Madness triumphs against overall top seed Alabama, No. 12 College of Charleston and No. 13 Furman. All three teams

SEE PAGE 13

ANTHONIQUE STRACHAN OPENS UP STRONG

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AS a two-time Austin Sealy award winner for being the most outstanding athlete, veteran sprinter Anthonique Strachan is encouraging members who will be selected to Team Bahamas to not allow the Oaktree Medical Center’s 50th CARIFTA Games to be their defining moment. Instead, Strachan, who is still competing in various global meets on the senior circuit, is advising the Bahamian junior track and field athletes to use it as a stepping stone to bigger and better things in their future careers in the sport.

Eleven years after capturing her back-to-back Austin Sealy awards in 2011-2012, Strachan is still

considered one of the top athletes to watch on the international scene. She is now training in Jamaica where she opened up her 2023 campaign with an impressive run in the women’s 100 metres in the 2023 Velocity Fest 12.

Representing the MVP Track Club in Jamaica, Strachan took the tape in 11.02 seconds to kick off her season in grand style, leading from start to finish in a race that saw Jamaica’s Jodean Williams finish second in 11.27 and Ranona Burchell third in 11.39. “I feel great about it.

MLB 2023: New rules, big money Mets, Shohei Ohtani’s walk year

By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer

BASEBALL has transformed in the 145 days since Dusty Baker and the Houston Astros sealed the franchise’s second title in six seasons.

As New York Mets owner Steve Cohen dominated an offseason that saw billions spent, the sport braced for a new world that includes pitch clocks, bigger bases, limits on defensive shifts and pickoff throws, and an overarching attempt to reverse decades of lengthening games and the Analytics Era domination of the Three True Outcomes — strikeouts, walks and home runs.

“Late-inning relievers more than anyone will have to figure some things out and make some

adjustments,” Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. “Left-handed hitters, it’s going to help them, period.”

Last year’s average game time was 3 hours, 4 minutes after the introduction of the PitchCom electronic device to signal pitches, down from a record 3:10 in 2021.

MLB’s average was 2:46 in 2005 and 2:33 in 1981. A pitch clock of 15 seconds with no runners on base and 20 seconds with runners is designed to cut game times considerably.

Higher pitch velocity and increased shifts led to the major league batting average dropping to .243, its lowest since 1968. The only seasons with lower averages were the record bottom of .237 in 1968 along with 1967 and the dead-ball era seasons of 1884, 1888 and 1908.

Over the objections of players, the sport’s 11-man competition committee adopted a rule that two infielders are required to be

on either side of second and all infielders to be within the outer boundary of the

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It let me know what I need to work on and I was able to discover that within the race,” Strachan said. “It just showed me that I am working towards something. I was sort of aiming to have fast turnovers. “I wanted to implement the things that I’ve been doing in training to bring to my race. I don’t want to be looking good in training and then when I get into the race, I don’t know why I am not performing the way I did it in training. I didn’t do it 100 percent, but it was achieved in my race.”

Based on her performance down the straight away of the Kingston National Track and Field Stadium, Strachan said she’s looking forward to the rest of the season where she will now concentrate on her specialty in the 200m. She’s expecting that her next race in a couple of weeks will be in the half-way event. Strachan, however, opted not to reveal any plans for her season.

“I learned over time that some people could deter you from your goals, so it’s best to keep it to yourself and then you could focus on it,” Strachan stressed. “It could also possibly change, so I would prefer not to reveal it.”

With this being a rare back-to-back year for the

SEE PAGE 14

March Madness: Boston, South Carolina women reach Final Four

GREENVILLE, S.C.

(AP) — Dawn Staley knows what’s next for unbeaten South Carolina — a matchup the whole women’s college basketball world is eager to see.

But for now, the coach wants to revel in her extraordinary Gamecocks and their amazing achievements.

Aliyah Boston had 22 points and 10 rebounds and top-seeded South Carolina used its smothering defence to stop Maryland 86-75 last night and reach its third straight Final Four.

Do-it-all star Caitlin Clark and the Hawkeyes await in the national semifinals in Dallas on Friday, a game featuring two of the biggest stars in the sport. That can wait a bit.

Her players deserve that, Staley said. “I just want to enjoy this and just give our players an opportunity to be talked about,” Staley said. “The joy that I feel for this team to be able to be where they are, I’m just really happy.”

Staley’s team improved to 36-0 this season with its 42nd straight victory dating to last year’s NCAA title run. The Gamecocks are now two games away from repeating as champions and completing the 10th undefeated season in the women’s game. The Gamecocks hugged and jumped when it was over. It’s the fifth Final Four since 2015, all under Staley. She’ll try for her third national title next week.

WASHINGTON Nationals starting pitcher Trevor Williams (32) winds up to throw as the pitch clock runs during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game against the Miami Marlins on March 18. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

PACE: Athletes compete in the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ National High School Track and Field Championships and final CARIFTA Trials at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium yesterday.

Photo: Austin Fernander/Tribune Staff

STRACHAN