05082023 NEWS AND SPORT

SandS: dna teSting could Spell trouble

FNM chairman warning of ‘significant upheaval’ from paternity proposal

By Rashad Rolle Tribune News editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Health Min-

ister Dr Duane Sands anticipates “significant upheaval” in The Bahamas if DNA tests are required to establish paternity among people wanting recognition as citizens following the Privy Council’s landmark ruling last week.

“The determination of paternity by affidavit or by marriage is not going to be adequate and I see significant upheaval in the determination of who is the father of a child once you introduce genetic testing,” said Dr Sands, the chairman of the Free National Movement.

“You know how the song

Cab union optimistiC over ten perCent inCrease in fare

By Ne Il haRTNell Tribune Business editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE BAHAMAS Taxi Cab Union’s president yesterday voiced optimism that the imminent 10 percent fare increase will offset the industry’s “over saturation” after it was revealed that new vehicle loan requests jumped six-fold in late 2022.

Wesley Ferguson told Tribune Business that taxi

drivers will “no longer be perceived as hustlers” due to a reform package that includes a ‘code of conduct’ all drivers must abide by, and pledged: “You’re going to see great things coming to the taxi industry.”

He spoke out after the Central Bank’s latest bank lending conditions survey, covering the 2022 second half, revealed that loan applications to finance the HOLLYWOOD star Morgan Freeman was the guest of honour last night at the Bahamas International Film Festival - as he received this year’s Sir Sidney Poitier Tribute Award.

The star, known for films ranging from The Shawshank Redemption and Glory to Driving Miss

Daisy and Lean On Me, is known the world over - and festival organisers noted that Sir Sidney Poitier himself said of Freeman: “He infuses the characters he plays with a real life, threedimensional aura”. See Friday’s Weekend section for more from the festival.

A NEW York court has awarded over $203m in damages and legal fees to billionaire hedge fund founder Louis Bacon in a defamation case against his former Lyford Cay neighbour, Peter Nygard, according to US reports.

The ruling marks the end of a more than decade long, bitter saga between the two over their neighbouring luxury properties in the affluent gated community.

Mr Bacon had alleged that the disgraced Canadian fashion designer had embarked on a “harassment campaign” against him in

SEE

baCon wins over n ygard in ny Court $203m ruling gruesome disCovery of dead man in Cat island

By leaNdRa Rolle Tribune s taff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE grim discovery of a dead man in the street with lacerations on his wrist and forehead disturbed the tranquillity of Crooked Island on Saturday morning, rocking an island of just 305 residents.

Justin Williams, 42, visited the island to spend time with his parents before travelling to New Providence for his wife’s upcoming funeral.

Instead, a woman leaving Fish Fry found his gashed body in the road. Authorities have not ruled out suicide and have classified his death as

Legendary actor Morgan Freeman

morgan freeman reCeives sir sidney p oitier t ribute award A Royal wave for a new era King Charles III waves to the public after his coronation on Saturday in London. The new king was welcomed by members of the Bahamian delegation. See pages 2,12,13,14,15 for full coverage.

Stefan

rousseau

Dressed for a right royal occasion

MEMBERS of the Bahamian delegation attending the coronation of King Charles III dressed in their finery - including Prime Minister Philiip “Brave” Davis and his wife, Ann Marie; Governor General Sir CA Smith and his wife Lady Clara; and Opposition leader Michael Pintard and his wife, Berlice.

Gruesome discovery of dead man in Cat Island

suspicious, a decision his family finds inadequate.

“Scrapes was on his body and his wrists, and he was in a pool of blood,” said Paula Williams, Justin’s mother, in an emotional interview yesterday. “That was a homicide. I want justice for my son.”

Justin, who relatives described as kindhearted and family-oriented, lived on Long Cay as a fisherman.

His body was found near his parents’ home in Landrail Point.

“He was going to catch the mailboat to go to his wife’s funeral in Nassau to see her face for the last time,” Mrs Williams said. “He just came to hail his parents before he go and he was going back to Long Cay to catch the mailboat.”

Justin’s death was a double blow to the Williams family, who are still reeling from his grandmother’s death.

Crooked Island only has 147 men and 158 women, according to the 2022 Census. The man’s death has therefore stunned a community where such

incidents are rare.

“That was shocking to all of us,” said one resident who did not want to disclose her name. “That is something else cause things like that never happen. Even rowing and fighting and carrying on like that, not too much of that happen throughout the years.”

Mrs Williams said: “My last daughter, she come and give us the news. She just was saying ‘mummy, mummy your son died. I keep crying. Oh boy, it’s very hard.”

Her husband, Timothy Williams, claimed his son was robbed. Insisting Justin had no enemies, Mr Williams wants to know what happened in the hours leading to his death.

“(Police) are not doing their job. The thing what really bother me is the woman say she drop him home and he never been here and knock on the door where he is come to sleep,” he said.

“They rob him all of his money. It’s terrible. (They) left him in the road like a dog, bleeding and he was announced dead. They

‘Justifiable homicide’ ruling in blind man shooting case

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A JURy ruled that it was a justifiable homicide in the inquest of a police officer who shot and killed a blind man on a motorcycle in 2018 while pursuing an alleged armed suspect.

Acting Coroner’s Court

Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux presided over non-criminal investigations that ruled on what transpired on the night of January 26, 2018 that led to the death of 36-yearold Courtney Elvardo Thompson.

It is said that on the night in question Sergeant S. Braynen shot Thompson in the back of the neck as he rode a motorcycle leading to the deceased falling on the road on Plantol Street off East Street.

Officers report that they opened fire on the motorcycle after the driver brandished a firearm at them.

In previous testimony from Dr Caryn Sands, forensic pathologist at PMH, the official cause of death for the victim was ruled as a gunshot wound to the neck.

Elvardo Thompson and Lawrence Thompson, the victim’s son and brother respectively, both testified that Elvardo, while driving the motorcycle on the night of the incident, never had a gun. However, while they both said that the victim’s son never took his hands off the bike handles, Elvardo contradicted Lawrence’s testimony by saying that he never saw him the night of the shooting.

Sergeant Braynen was represented by Attorney K Melvin Munroe. The interests of the estate of the deceased were being represented by Joel Seymour. This trial did not determine civil or criminal liability.

During closing arguments Mr Munroe stated that it was the job of this jury to determine the circumstances behind the police shooting of Courtney Thompson. In addition to pointing out the contradictions in the victim’s families testimony, Mr Munroe further said that as the officers were responding to an alleged armed suspect Sgt Braynen was “justified” in using deadly force.

“you’ve heard the evidence of both officers who gave similar accounts of what took place,” Mr Munroe said. “All of their accounts of what took place were confirmed by the evidence of Elvardo Thompson (the victim’s son) with the exception of him saying he had a firearm. And let’s face it, who would admit to having an illegal firearm, if they were not caught with it in the act?”

“The evidence of Lawrence Thompson (the victim’s brother) was clearly contradicted by Elvardo Thompson and should not even be considered,” Mr Munoe added. “At its highest, accepting the evidence of the officers, I would assume members of the jury to change the shoes that you have on and put on the officers’ shoes who went out doing their duties, called to a location to persons who were reported to be armed with a firearm, to capture and confront armed individuals. The evidence of the pathologist concerning the deceased being shot to the right side of the neck is consistent with the driver of the motorbike using his right hand to point a gun at the officers. It is clear that the same side that the driver was facing the police, is the same side the passenger would have been facing on that motorcycle.

“Now wearing the shoes of the officer, what would you do if faced with an armed threat? Should you wait to be shot or defend your life? If you would accept that you would defend your life, I ask you to come back with a verdict of justifiable homicide.”

Mr Seymour maintained that the victim’s son did not have a firearm and that the police had no grounds to fire on an unarmed man.

There was a palpable sense of tension from the victim’s gathered family, including his brother and son, as they awaited the jury’s verdict. A five-person jury found that Sgt Braynen had committed a justifiable homicide in pursuit of a presumed armed suspect.

After hearing the verdict the victim’s brother Lawrence broke down in tears.

chop him; all of his hands, but I need to know who do that to him.”

The man’s brother, Jonathan, added: “My brother was a giant of a man; (a) very loving and sweet person. He was always there for his mother, father, sister and brother. He always lending a helping hand … We just want whoever did it

to come forward. That’s all we’re asking.”

Asked about the classification of the death, Police Inspector Mckell Pinder told The Tribune they are treating it as suspicious until more details emerge.

“Even though he was found with those lacerations, according to the information that we

received so far, there weren’t any witnesses. Police were just called after the fact,” she said.

“That calls for officers going over there from here (New Providence) from the homicide section to properly do their investigations. It also calls for the body to be taken away from the island, brought here

to the capital and autopsy conducted for them to determine that it is indeed a homicide.”

“Because he could have lacerations and those lacerations could be a result of him cutting (himself) because his wrist was cut. He also had a gash to the head so it could be a lot of things.”

Andros M A n M issing At se A

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

AUTHORITIES are searching for Ryan Barr, a 21-year-old Andros resident who reportedly fell off a boat on Saturday and is still missing.

The man was with his uncle, the boat captain, near Little Whale Cay off the Berry Islands when he reportedly fell overboard. Police received a report about the incident around 9.50pm.

A relative who wished to remain anonymous because she was not ready to speak publicly about the matter told The Tribune yesterday the man and his uncle were enroute to Little Whale Cay, Berry Islands, where they are both employed.

The distraught relative said both men left Morgan’s Bluff, Andros, around 4.45pm on Saturday. They left Chub Cay, Exuma, shortly after 6pm for their final destination.

They were travelling on a 15-foot Boston Whaler.

“The captain didn’t know when he fell out the boat,” the relative said yesterday.

“We don’t know how long he was missing before his uncle reported it or told anyone. Our family searched all night and day until (midday Sunday).

“(There was) no sign of Ryan anywhere and his uncle has not called or texted.”

The relative said much about the incident is unclear.

“The captain called my brother who work the same place (Little Whale Cay) to bring them some gas, but when he got there the captain was the only one in the boat,” she said.

Mr Barr, the youngest of 10 children, was described as the heart of the family. According to his Facebook page, he was graduated from Huntley P Christie High School in Andros.

“Ryan was happy, fun, loving, caring, and responsible,” the relative said. “He was the heart of this family, as he was loved by everyone.”

She said the family is struggling to cope with his disappearance.

“I am numb. I just want him home safe and alive,”

Ryan BaRR a 21-year-old Andros resident who reportedly fell off a boat in the area of Little Whale Cay off the Berry Island on Saturday and is still missing.

she said. “It’s very hard and painful for us. He didn’t deserve this.”

Authorities said The Bahamas Air Sea Rescue

Association (BASRA) and the Police Marine Unit immediately conducted search efforts in different areas.

The Body of Justin Williams (pictured above) was found in Cat Island with lacerations to his wrist and forehead. Police are investigating and have ruled his death suspicious, not ruling out suicide. Pictured on the right is Justin and his wife whose funeral he was going to attend after his visit in Cat Island.

Sands: DNA testing could spell trouble

say, ‘your daddy ain’t your daddy, but your daddy don’t know’?” We have this view that you are the father of the child if you are married to the mother of the child when the child is born. And you know, and I know, that there are a number of instances where you ain’t the father.”

The Privy Council reversed years of constitutional interpretation when it affirmed Chief Justice Ian Winder’s ruling that children born out of wedlock to Bahamian men are automatically citizens regardless of their mother’s nationality and do not have to wait until 18 to apply for citizenship.

While the ruling brings many closer to Bahamian citizenship, the Privy Council acknowledged their recognition hinges on proof of paternity.

The Status of Children Act establishes how men can prove paternity, such as by being married to the child’s mother at birth or signing an affidavit acknowledging one’s fatherhood. However, National Security Minister Wayne Munroe, who brought the case that led to last week’s ruling, said the Status of Children Act specifies that it could not be used to establish citizenship.

“I think we all know instances where affidavits

have flaws,” Dr Sands said yesterday. “Just because somebody has an affidavit that says they are a father of a particular individual doesn’t make it so. And it may be that they don’t know. They may assume that they are, but they’re not. So, certainly, with the extremely unusual instances of false results with paternity testing by genetics, I think the genetic determination is going to be the standard that’s gonna have to be used. It is not expensive, it’s not onerous, it’s not difficult and it will in most instances, particularly if you have the person who claims to be the father and the person who claims to be the child if you have their DNA, then it can be used.”

Dr Sands said DNA tests cost less than $100, and the results are available within a few days.

“Once the market is there, I think just like people were able to ramp up with COVID tests, they’d be able to ramp up with DNA tests,” he said about the country’s capacity to facilitate an increased number of tests.

However, some officials acknowledge that genetic tests may be impractical sometimes, such as when the father has died or refuses to be tested.

One government official, speaking anonymously because they were not authorised to discuss the

matter, said yesterday: “If your citizenship depends on showing that your grandfather was a Bahamian by birth and he is dead, and his father before him is dead, how are you going to do that by DNA? If you’re around today and your supposed father refuses to take a DNA test because he doesn’t want to pay your mother maintenance fees, the court can’t insist that he do so. But if you say you have to prove it by DNA, that will exclude all the children whose fathers are rogues and deadbeats, so it’s more challenging than it first appears.”

Under the Status of Children Act, a man is presumed to be the father of a child if he satisfies one of many conditions. These include:

a) was married to the mother of the child at the time of its birth;

b) was married to the mother of the child and the marriage was terminated by death or judgement of nullity within 280 days before the child’s birth or by divorce where the decree was granted within 280 days before the child’s birth;

c) was married to the child’s mother after the child was born and acknowledges that he is the natural father;

d) was cohabiting with the mother of the child in a relationship of some permanence at the time of the birth of the child, where

the child is born within 280 days after they ceased to cohabit;

e) is recognised to be the father of the child by a court; f) signs an affidavit

confirming he is the father of the child;

g) has acknowledged himself as father when registering the child;

his name in accordance with the law relating to the change of name; or (j) has by his conduct implicitly and consistently acknowledged that he is the father of the child.

dependents not covered on insurance policies for new uniformed branches employees

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net

STARTING from July, new employees of uniform branches would have to pay $700 monthly to include their spouses and children in their government-sponsored insurance policies, according to Police Staff

Association Chairman Ricardo Walkes.

Associations representing the police and other uniformed branches are expected to meet this week to discuss the government’s new insurance coverage policy for future employees.

An April 26 memorandum

signed by Financial Secretary Simon Wilson said Cabinet approved an amendment to the medical insurance policy, mandating that it only cover employees, not their spouses and children, effective July 1, 2023. The policy will not apply to officers hired before July 1.

In a statement last week,

the Ministry of National Security said the current insurance scheme is costly, with a bill of $80m per year.

Mr Walkes, however, told The Tribune the policy shift “sends a bad message” about how much the government values uniform branch workers.

“For members who go out there, put their lives on the line, there could be an injury, something catastrophic happens; there could be something similar to contracting COVID-19 while on duty and then they take it home to their family,” he said. “The insurance would cover the police officer, but not the family, even though he took that same thing home to his house. It could be detrimental, so we need to be proactive towards what’s going to happen.”

Mr Walkes rejected the idea that current police officers receive generous insurance benefits.

“It’s something that is really needed,” he said. “In fact, there should be some improvements on it.”

Asked how much new officers would pay to cover their spouses and children, he said: “For dependence

coverage, the payment is somewhere around $700 to $800 monthly. To me, that’s crazy. That’s why I’m trying right now to get the government to rethink the position that they made because that’s a figure that the average young person, someone just joining the serving, a married person, that would be difficult for a family to be able to govern.”

He said new police officers make about $2,000 a month.

He said he has tried but failed to reach Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander to discuss the matter.

“There were no talks, there were no consultations,” he said. “I spoke to persons from other associations and other unions and I’ve been informed there were no consultations at all so everyone was just as surprised when we saw the document that came out from the Ministry of Finance.”

National Security Minister Wayne Munroe defended the policy shift yesterday, saying uniform officers are the only government employees to receive free insurance

coverage for their families.

“I don’t understand why people get so bent out of shape about it,” he said.

“The nurses don’t get it, teachers don’t get it, ordinary public servants don’t even get single coverage. Police only get single coverage because their jobs are dangerous. How does that justify including the family? And, I wouldn’t want to say it, if somebody is in the service now, they have it. That would only be effective for people who join the service. It’s not going to have an immediate effect. This is a long-term thing. Could you imagine if they didn’t have family coverage? With $80m we could’ve probably given every civil servant, every teacher, every nurse single coverage.”

As for why the government did not consult the PSA and other associations, Mr Munroe said the groups only represent serving officers, not the future officers who would be affected. He also said they are not trade unions.

“If we were affecting any entitlement of a serving police officer, then, of course, I would’ve spoken with them,” he said.

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

Davis says he ‘mis-spoke’ on $400m draw down from UK EXIM Bank for GB airport

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said the government would draw $200m from the $1bn the UK EXIM Bank has made available to develop the Grand Bahama International Airport — not $400m as he had previously said.

“As far as the airport is concerned, I did indicate a number of $400m. I misspoke because it’s really $200m,” Mr Davis said in London in a video shared by his communications team. “We’ve been talking about a $400m package so as to include other airports that have not yet been completed. So the initial drawdown, we’re looking at is $200m. We’re looking at another $200m from that allocation for the purpose of developing other airports like North Eleuthera, completing the Exuma airport and other airport infrastructure.

He added: “We’re try to do it in a way that would not immediately increase our debt and so

we’re entering this partnership with the UK Development Bank. For all intents and purposes, the bank has indicated to us that they would have $1b available to us for infrastructural development. We have to identify those projects to be able to decide what we would draw down. The fact that it’s available doesn’t mean we will use it all. It has to be a project that they could embrace and that they feel has what they call internal rate of returns that will benefit the country and its people.”

Former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis blasted Mr Davis yesterday for his mistake.

“He is embarrassing the country yet again both locally and internationally and the prime minister is demonstrating a pattern of confusion and incorrect information,” he said. “This was clearly demonstrated during the midyear budget, when he was mixed up and provided incorrect

data to parliament, and now on the world stage he’s demonstrating continuous confusion where he stated that he misspoke in the $400m drawdown. Obviously, that’s a lack of understanding of the procedure.”

The Free National Movement, meanwhile, expressed concern about the $1bn the UK Export Agency has made available.

“It is astonishing that the public has not been advised of the financing terms for this Grand Bahama airport project or what this ‘new’ $1 billion in funding is for,” the party said in a statement. “What commitments or guarantees has the Davis administration given for these monies? Why has there been no specific communication around this $1bn facility and why was there no mention of this facility in the Annual Debt Management Strategy or the Fiscal Strategy Report?”

Coleby-Davis: inspeC tion Units to Determine roa Dworthiness Coming soon

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@trribunemedia.net

MOBILE inspection units soon will be brought to the Bahamas to ensure that vehicles are road worthy.

Transport Minister

Jobeth Coleby-Davis said there have been too many road deaths occurring on the streets, and it is critical that vehicles are in good condition.

“We have mobile inspection units that we are trying to bring into the country; one will be coming to GB,” she said. She said that a vehicle would be able to drive through the inspection unit.

“Road safety and roadworthiness are very important to this administration because, over the

last few months and last year, we had a lot of traffic fatalities that have taken the lives of our young people,” the minister said.

“It is important for the message to go throughout the islands that we want people to take due care as they transit on the road, and also make sure our cars are in good condition.”

In reference to public service drivers, Minister Coleby-Davis said the QR code on the “rate your ride” app is now working.

She said people will be able to rate the service they receive from cab drivers.

The QR code will take customers to a survey page with several questions about the driver’s appearance, service, the appearance of the vehicle, the ride, and the

destination to and from.

The ministry, she said, is considering a similar survey for pre-hired livery and tours.

She also noted that they are working with the Taxi Union and Hotel Tourism Association on a code of conduct for public service drivers. She reminded them that they are considered ambassadors of the country.

“The first people that tourists meet are our service providers, and we want to ensure that we are operating and treating customers fairly.

“The code of conduct is something we will review, roll out, and attach to our Tribunal, which will be back in effect to hear matters, the minister said.

Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis said he mis-spoke when he said he intended to draw down $400m from UK EXIM Bank for the redevelopment of the Grand Bahama Airport. He said ‘So the initial drawdown, we’re looking at is $200m. We’re looking at another $200m from that allocation for the purpose of developing other airports like North Eleuthera, completing the Exuma airport and other airport infrastructure.’

JoBeth ColeBy-Davis, Minister of Transport & Housing, said mobile inspection units will soon be introduced to determine road wortiness of vehicles noting that ‘there have been too many road deaths occurring on the streets, and it is critical that vehicles are in good condition.’

The Tribune Limited

Historic moment as King crowned

WHATEVER you might think of the monarchy, the coronation of King Charles III marked the start of a new era. It is a landmark moment – and while there is much talk of opinions changing with regard to the monarchy, there is still much respect shown for the status quo too.

Witness the Bahamian contingent that travelled to London for the coronation – it did not matter what side of the political divide people were on, all sides took part. Both the Prime Minister and the man who wants to replace him were there. The Governor General was there.

If there is a push towards a republic, neither side seems to be carrying the banner for it.

Beyond the leaders, however, perhaps more important were the others that were there – the student from Mayaguana holding the Bahamian flag at a UK event, the members of the RBDF who were there, the others in the delegation for whom this is not just another diplomatic visit but perhaps one of the biggest occasions in their lives.

Around the world, people watched. Some for the ceremony, some for the politics – some even for the fashion.

Like it or not, it was a point in history – and it was notable that Bahamians were so strongly present at such an occasion.

Given the meetings that took place in the lead-up to the coronation, it was also an opportunity for our leaders to network with other nations with so many world leaders present.

Throughout today’s Tribune, there is coverage of the big occasion – but we would also like to hear your stories, your opinions. Our letters page always

welcomes contributions at letters@tribunemedia.net.

A great deal of the respect accorded to the monarchy comes from that paid to the new king’s predecessor, his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. She built a reputation around the world that King Charles must now live up to. He has a new reputation to build, a new legacy to forge.

Whether he can pull together elements of the Commonwealth that are straining to move away, we shall see.

How our own nation will react if indeed he does come to visit will be telling. Certainly when other Royal visitors have attended, there has been plenty of support and little in the way of protest.

For now, the new King has his crown. How he wears it is up to him.

Well deserved

For many years, a familiar voice to The Tribune has been that of Chief Superintendent Chrislyn Skippings.

At all times of day and night, she has been there to pass on details of the crimes that have taken place on our streets, alerting when there has been, all too often, a shooting or a murder.

She has been a devoted officer and a devoted citizen, and has often spoken in a heartfelt fashion at scenes of terrible crimes.

It is our pleasure then to applaud her for graduating at the weekend with a master’s degree from Lincoln Christian University in the US in organisational leadership and management.

She is a shining light in our police force, and we are delighted that her diligence has earned her such recognition.

No regard for residents

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I REFER to a letter published May 2 penned by one BA Sweeting in opposition to the proposed development of Viking Court, West Bay Street.

Welcome to the New Day where the Town Planning Committee, composed of political appointees, has the power and authority to overturn long established residential neighbourhood restrictive covenants at

will, and who will happily rezone your neighbourhood as commercial without any notice or consultation even though they’re required to by law.

This new phenomenon of commercialisation is taking place in various areas in New Providence in proximity to major thoroughfares, and as evidenced from Sweeting’s letter, with little to no regard for the residents and homeowners of

See what ya looking atit’s critical

EDITOR, The Tribune.

YEARS ago, a good friend and unassuming Bahamian icon/philosopher used to opine “see what ya lookin’ at”! This simple, yet profound, pronouncement could readily find interpretations across a wide spectrum of past and present situations affecting our beloved Bahamaland today. See what ya lookin’ at. It’s critical!

As mentioned in a previous note, some of us might have sight, insight, foresight, and even hindsight. Good. Unfortunately, far too many of us -- whatever number that may be - appear to simply have no sight whatever. Has Bahamian culture devolved to the place where we just do things the way we met them being done, and hope for different outcomes? Do we, or do we not see the possibilities, instead of whatever buck up goes?

the surrounding residential communities.

One has to ask what it is that sways or influences these people who sit in judgement of sweeping changes to other people’s property ownership rights when they would reject the same decision made in respect to their own?

MIGHT IS NOT RIGHT

Nassau

May 4, 2023

I won’t point a finger at politicians or so-called leaders, although much power and influence seem to mostly rest in their hands.

Instead, I am humbly suggesting that we each take on a personal responsibility to engage with our particular circle of friends, families, or associates to collectively arrive at meaningful agendas which could be pushed forward on a local level, then perhaps even on a national level - in efforts to see marked/measurable improvements for all Bahamians as we navigate the treacherous shoals in the second half of our first century as an Independent Bahamas.

Sankofa, in essence, might be borrowed here in helping us to look backward, from whence we came, as to set our sails to move forward, upward, onward together. Look back and see what we lookin’ at, when we consider the once thriving, famous Straw Market on Bay Street. Those were the days when it was an authentically native Bahamian Straw Market. Can we return to the times when Bahamians sustainably harvested local palms from the forests and coppices? Bahamians dried and rolled the straw. Bahamians plaited, sewed a large variety of decorative and utilitarian items; bags, hats, mats, slippers, dolls, and more, for both the local and tourist markets. Do Bahamians

today look into the bushes and see what they lookin’ at?

In arriving at that destination of a better Bahamas, can we agree to truly see what we lookin’ at... with some serious National Plans and measurable goals for, say, 10 years, 20 years and 30 years ahead? With those targets in our sight, can Bahamians agree to work together earnestly for achieving those common, loftier goals?

See what ya lookin’ at may be seen as the five different fingers of our hands. Working together, they can more than grasp what no single finger can do, but achieve the most incredible outcomes with that better Bahamas we are so desperately in need of.

We have all heard about what happens to the people when there is no vision.

Two local and familiar examples should make the point clear enough so we see what someone was lookin’ at. Years ago, many of us would look across the harbour on East Bay Street and see bushy Hog Island. Today, from that same vantage point, we look and see Atlantis. At that curvature of the road where West Hill Street meets West Bay Street, we now see The Pointe. You get the point about seeing what ya lookin’ at, sometimes when others around you don’t see anything but what’s there now.

You can look outside our borders or look within this archipelago, examples would be quite instructive.

For example, Singapore in Asia, and Rwanda in Africa have made remarkable changes for the better. There are many others too.

Why can’t The Bahamas be the beacon of light and achievements in this part of the world, as the world marks the manner of our bearing? The only ones who can prevent that from being realised are ourselves.

With the next few lines I will attempt to briefly sketch out a picture which might be included in the design and development of our new, improved Bahamas.

Our new system of governance ought to adhere to the norms of human and civil rights. Majority

rule should not merely be a token claim. Whatever is best for Bahamians should override whatever foreign/ international trends which may seek to intrude upon our good sense and cultural preferences. That aside, names and titles listed here are merely as references to established norms, and need not be followed beyond this writing.

An elected Executive (person) would share a balance of power/governance with a group of elected Representatives in The Assembly. Representatives would be required to reside in their constituencies and consult with the voters there in order to express their views and not those of any political party. “Ministers” would be selected for their expertise or proven abilities, and need not be Representatives. That rubber-stamp of a Senate would be a bygone memory. Transparency (except in the interest of national security) would be the order of the day. Enforcement of the Law would be definite, swift, and effective, and that doubleheaded monster of violent crime and illegal migration would be unceremoniously expelled from this new Bahamas!

Necessarily, National ID cards (with photos, prints and biometric singularities) would be issued to all inhabitants. National Service, in some capacity, would be required by all Bahamians. Special emphasis would be placed on assessments of the nation’s youth. Strengths and weaknesses would be determined in order to direct and build better Bahamians. That balance of giving and getting will have merit for Bahamians and The Bahamas.

If the past is any indication of the future, such targets will not be easily attained. But, is good better, or best ever attained on the easy road? Perhaps, when we commit to looking in a clear mirror and see what we lookin’ at, we would see a big part of the solution to getting The Bahamas from where it’s at, where it’s been, as well as where it can go. Go ahead, get that mirror of self-introspection and see what ya lookin’ at!

MB Nassau, April 3, 2023

MEMBERS of the Girl Guides learning to handle a fire hose during events at Camp Discovery on Saturday. The 36th Nassau Rangers were among a number of groups at the camp for events intended to encourage participants to protect the environment and enjoy camping.

Photo: Austin Fernander

Bacon wins over Nygard in NY Court $203m ruling

from page one

him in The Bahamas - a conclusion US judges also arrived at.

In a ruling handed down Thursday, a New York state court appointed referee concluded that Nygard tried to ruin Mr Bacon’s reputation when he falsely claimed that he was a Ku Klux Klan member, was guilty of insider trading and was involved in the death of an employee among other damaging claims.

“Any one of these would have been a significant assault on his character, the combination of all four depicted him as an evildoer of the highest order,” the ruling said.

“The effects were compounded by the almost decade-long duration of the smears and the global and multimedia distribution they were given - which included at one point a rally in The Bahamas at which participants wore t-shirts and held signs proclaiming

(Bacon’s) alleged racism.”

As a result, Nygard, 81, was ordered to pay $50m in compensation for damages, and additional $100m in punitive damages and more than $53m in legal and other related fees.

Nygard is currently being held in a Canadian prison awaiting trial on charges of sexual assault and forcible confinement, according to Canadian media reports.

He has also been charged in the US with sex trafficking and racketeering offences allegedly springing from “a decadeslong pattern of criminal conduct involving at least dozens of victims in the United States, The Bahamas and Canada, among other locations” and faces extradition there.

However, Nygard, who has maintained his innocence, cannot be extradited to the US until his court cases in Canada have been settled.

Prime minister encourages national Pride on Jubilee day

By LETRE SWEETING Tribune Staff Reporter lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis on Friday addressed Bahamian students, encouraging national pride in celebration of Jubilee Day.

There are a host of celebrations leading up to the 50th anniversary of independence of The Bahamas, with Jubilee Day one of 50 calendar events and 242 initiatives planned for the year.

Schools throughout The Bahamas on Friday hosted special assemblies in celebration of the country’s golden jubilee. Students were encouraged to show national pride through their natural talents and passions.

Prime Minister Davis addressing students by video throughout The Bahamas on Friday said: “Whether you love to paint or draw, beat drums or shake cowbells, write poetry or essays, dance to the beat or have great conversations with friends you’ll meet, whatever you love, do it today with jubilee.

“Celebrate yourselves today. You are beautiful inside and out. You are special, you’re important, you are valued. You are Bahamian.”

Mr Davis also reflected on the country’s founding fathers, without whom, we wouldn’t have our “New Bahamas”.

“This is a special day, in which we all can celebrate,” Mr Davis said. Fifty years ago, the founding fathers of The Bahamas that we

know and love today made great sacrifices and broke barriers to usher in a new Bahamas, an independent Bahamas.

“This new Bahamas is the one we enjoy today. One in which the people are responsible for their own governance. One in which we enjoy freedoms, such as one person, one vote. One in which we can equally participate in the advancement of our country.”

He added: “This means as young people, the future is in your hands. We have decided to set aside this special day for you and your friends all across The Bahamas to celebrate your country together. I encourage you to find unique ways today to show your love and pride for this beautiful country of ours.”

Following Jubilee Day, there will be a 50th on Bay Street Festival on May 6 with a series of road closures throughout the weekend in the areas of Cable Beach and Market Street.

Other events of note include a gospel concert on June 25, a national float parade and nationwide motorcade on July 1 and the Independence Military Tattoo and Cultural Show on Clifford Park on July 9.

On each Sunday in July at 7.10am, a national prayer and fellowship will be held for 50 minutes.

All events are free and open to the public with a few exceptions mentioned on the calendar. The full 115-page listing of the calendar of events is featured online at celebrate-bahamas.com.

Former Lyford Cay neighbours who have battled in the courts for over a decade have finally had a ruling in a New York defamation case, which favoured Louis Bacon (left) over Peter Nygard (right). The New York ruling for the sum of $203m agreed that Peter Nygard slandered Louis Bacon, with campaigns worldwide that alleged he was racist and a Ku Klux Klan member, among other claims. Nygard is also being held in a Canadian prison on charges of sexual assault and forcible confinement.

SchoolS throughout The Bahamas on Friday hosted special assemblies in celebration of the country’s golden jubilee. Students were encouraged to show national pride through their natural talents and passions.

Photos: BIS

MONDAY, MAY 8, 2023

Deeply divided on our connection to the King and Great Britain

By Malcolm Strachan

THERE have been two versions of The Bahamas over the past week.

On one hand, there has been The Bahamas that stands alone as an independent nation. On Friday, particularly, there was a Jubilee Day held across New Providence.

Children at schools dressed up in the colours of The Bahamas, Bahamians were encouraged to celebrate the nation and the countdown continued on the Road to 50 as we prepare to mark the 50th anniversary of Independence.

Meanwhile, the nation’s leaders – including Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, Opposition leader Michael Pintard and Governor General CA Smith – were dressed in their finery for an entirely different occasion, the build-up to the coronation of King Charles III. On Saturday, each was keen to post photographs of their coronation outfits.

There was a contrast in the courts too – a significant ruling on shanty towns by the Supreme Court here in The Bahamas, and another far away by the Privy Council.

The first of those showed the strength of our court system. The government had applied to demolish hundreds of shanty town structures, but instead were granted permission to knock down only two. Chief Justice Ian Winder very clearly laid out that the process to inform people had

not been followed properly. It’s an example of our system working as it should, making sure that government has to follow the rules too – albeit a costly lesson to the public purse, I should imagine.

The second case was the ruling by the Privy Council on citizenship issues, with children born to Bahamian men and foreign mothers confirmed as being entitled to citizenship at birth. It is a crucial ruling, upholding a ruling previously made in the Bahamian courts. However, that we still have to resort to taking things to the Privy Council – outsiders to our nation, essentially – raises the question of exactly how independent we truly are.

Coupled with the sight of our leaders literally dancing for the king, at balls and celebrations, I found myself asking that very question.

And yet on Jubilee Day – quite why it was called that never seemed to be explained that I saw – the Prime Minister was extolling the virtues of the country in a video shown to students throughout the country.

He said: “Whether you love to paint or draw, beat drums or shake cowbells, write poetry or essays, dance to the beat or have great conversations with friends you’ll meet, whatever you love, do it today with jubilee.

“Celebrate yourselves today. You are beautiful inside and out. You are special, you’re important, you are valued. You are Bahamian.”

He added: “This is a special day, in which we all can celebrate. Fifty years ago, the founding fathers of The Bahamas that we know and love today made great sacrifices and broke barriers to usher in a new Bahamas, an independent Bahamas.

“This new Bahamas is the one we enjoy today. One in which the people are responsible for their own governance. One in which we enjoy freedoms, such as one person, one vote. One in which we can equally participate in the advancement of our country.”

He added: “This means as young people, the future is in your hands. We have decided to set aside this special day for you and your friends all across The Bahamas to celebrate your country together. I encourage you to find unique ways today to show your love and pride for this beautiful country of ours.”

In the week leading up to the coronation, I asked a number of people what they thought about the arrival of a new king. Feelings were mixed. Most were ambivalent about it, and didn’t really care. What has this king got to do with them? That was a fairly common response. It was seen as something far away that did not really affect us here in The Bahamas.

Some were strongly vocal against the new monarch –and I noticed a poll in The Tribune with more than half of respondents saying this should be the last king for The Bahamas. But not by much. Around 40 percent said he should not be the

last king. Then there were some who were very enthusiastic, holding coronation parties and gossiping on Whatsapp about the fashions on show at the ceremony. If there was a groundswell of opinion against being still connected to the United Kingdom then equally there was a section of society strongly in favour of keeping that link.

In recent years, that has been reinforced by the work of the British High Commission here – most notably during Hurricane Dorian, when then High Commissioner Sarah Dickson helped immensely in coordinating British efforts to support rescue and recovery.

Her successor, Tom Hartley, has been tweeting up a storm during the coronation with images from the UK and the Bahamian delegation’s visit there. But

more fundamentally, he has been building links between businesses here and in the UK, be it a mixology event to showcase British drinks to Bahamian suppliers, or promoting Bahamian foods and businesses being promoted in the high-end Harrods store in London. I first heard about the latter as it created a buzz in a church group on Whatsapp, with lots of congratulations to one of those taking part in the event. There wasn’t a hint of reluctance in that response. The role of the Privy Council can also be something of a blessing for Bahamian governments. Unpopular decisions can be foisted off onto the Privy Council and then the government can shrug and say well, we are bound by what they say. It’s them, not us. That seems to be the crutch that has been leaned on over the death penalty, and

it looks to be the same over citizenship. Now the government may well proceed with legislation that amends what failed by referendum – but they can point to the Privy Council and shift the blame politically.

Add to that the host of members of Bahamian high society who still seem to favour the Royal honours, becoming knights and OBEs and so on, over the Bahamian national honours and it seems there is yet a desire for that link.

Still, as we reach 50 years of independence, I cannot help but wonder when we will be truly independent. On our own. Taking account for all our own decisions.

In this interconnected world, perhaps that will never be the case – but this past week has certainly shown the dichotomy in which we live.

Governor General Cornelius A Smith and his wife Clara enjoy the coronation of King Charles III while in London last week.

How British imperial history shaped Charles III’s coronation ceremony

THE coronation ceremony of Charles III reflects how monarchy has developed since Saxon times, but it still carries many vestiges of Britain’s imperial past.

In the 18th century, the royal title changed from “King of England” to “King of the United Kingdom”, as successive Acts of Union joined England, Scotland and Ireland into one political unit. However, the biggest change in the royal title came in 1876, when the Royal Titles Act made Queen Victoria Empress of India. This gave her authority even over those areas of India which were not formally subject to British rule.

To give this change of title a formal announcement in India, the British authorities staged what became the first of three durbars –ceremonial events held in the British Raj to formally proclaim the imperial title. Queen Victoria’s was held in 1877, the year following the act, but Edward VII’s and George V’s were held in conjunction with their coronations.

The viceroy of India in 1877, Lord Lytton, concocted the original durbar from a mixture of Persian, Mughal and English ceremonial traditions, as a formal proclamation of the queen’s title. When her son became Edward VII in 1901, a bigger durbar was organised to proclaim his imperial title – although, like his mother, Edward remained in London.

In 1911, George V and Queen Mary travelled to India for an elaborately staged coronation durbar, where they would take centre stage. This raised tricky questions of protocol. George’s coronation in Westminster Abbey invested him with all his imperial titles, so what would be the impact of being “crowned” in India? Would it mean that his successors would not be emperors unless they held a durbar? And what did it mean for his predecessors who had not attended theirs?

The crown of England was not allowed to leave the country, so a special crown was constructed for George V to wear in India, while Queen Mary wore her “best diadem” – a heavily ornamented headband. They sat sweating under the Delhi sun in their heavy coronation robes, furs and all.

In the end, the Delhi durbar consisted of Indian princes paying homage to the king-emperor in a ceremony that owed as much to European feudalism as it did to Indian tradition. Plans for George VI to have an Indian durbar were postponed in the postabdication sense of general exhaustion, and abandoned as war loomed.

Coronation and the commonwealth

The 1931 Statute of Westminster formalised the evolution of some

former colonies into selfgoverning dominions within a British commonwealth. Both George VI and Elizabeth II were crowned as monarchs over the UK and of territories overseas. The coronation oath, a legal requirement dating back to the Coronation Oath Act of 1688, has been amended on various occasions, taking account of former colonies which have become republics.

The oath Charles III took has been amended slightly to cover his duties to his other kingdoms by agreement with their governments. Even so, for the king of Canada to be crowned in London is a reminder that the modern monarch’s title still reflects the old empire.

Elements of empire

Even the medieval roots of the coronation have elements of empire built into them. The Stone of Scone, which was placed beneath the coronation chair, was removed from Scotland by Edward I as a symbol of Scotland’s subjugation to England. Scottish nationalists demanded the stone’s return to Scotland for years.

When John Major acceded to their wishes in 1996, it was on condition that the stone would return to Westminster for future coronations – a gesture some see as an unwelcome remnant of England’s imperial hold over Scotland, though others regard it as a symbol of unity.

In a nod to Welsh nationalist feeling, King Charles’s coronation included the kyrie (Lord Have Mercy) performed in Welsh.

One item of the crown jewels is a stark reminder of empire – but it was notably missing from the coronation ceremony. The Koh-i-Noor diamond was taken by the British after their wars with the Sikh kingdom of Punjab, and presented to Queen Victoria in 1849. It was reshaped by Prince Albert and fitted into the crown jewels. Both Queen Alexandra and Queen Mary wore it at their coronations, though Queen Mary, tactfully, did not wear it for the 1911 coronation durbar.

Seeing the diamond as symbol of British imperial acquisitiveness, the Indian government has demanded its return, though, historically, both Pakistan and Iran could also lay claim to it. Camilla, the Queen Consort, has decided to be crowned in Queen Mary’s crown, from which the famous diamond has been removed. The controversy about the Koh-i-Noor will doubtless continue, but won’t intrude on this coronation ceremony.

A new-look guest list

The biggest move away from imperial tradition has been in the compilation of the guest list. In the past, the only rulers to receive an invite were those of British overseas territories, such as Queen Salote of Tonga,

who delighted the crowds in 1953 by braving the rain in an open-top carriage and scorning an umbrella.

Charles III has departed from precedent by issuing invitations to monarchs from Europe and the Middle East, regardless of whether or not they had ties to the British empire. Some other heads of state also attended, though the US was represented by the first lady, Jill Biden, rather than the president.

At a time when polling suggests declining support for the monarchy, especially

among the young, the coronation might seem an irrelevant, if colourful, distraction from more pressing concerns. There has been similar indifference before other royal events. Elizabeth II’s silver jubilee in 1977 was preceded by “stuff the jubilee” protests, but still proved a popular success.

The unexpectedly warm public responses to her subsequent jubilees, and especially to her funeral, might suggest that many British are secretly more royalist than polling would suggest.

By inviting representatives of a wide range of ethnic groups and different faiths to participate

in the ceremony, the king turned his coronation into a reflection of his diverse and decidedly post-imperial kingdom. The coronation is still not entirely free of echoes of empire, but it represents an important stage in the modern monarchy’s move away from its shadow.

• Originally published on www.theconversation.com

King George V and Queen Mary walk hand in hand as they leave a Delhi fort after greeting the crowds below during their royal tour of India

Overcoming the obstacles of sickness and injuries

OVER the years, Eric had been hit in the face with a baseball, broken his right arm twice, dislocated both shoulders and ruptured his groin but nothing prepared him for this latest trial. Last week I shared that Eric abruptly began experiencing flu-like symptoms that quickly worsened. Multiple in-hospital tests were performed but they were all non-definitive so doctors were left baffled as to what was making him so sick. Eric’s mother still desperately seeking answers is where we resume his story.

As Eric’s symptoms continued to worsen and, with no definitive etiology in hand, his doctors quickly grasped the gravity of his situation. His medical team brainstormed night and day and consulted with colleagues in Nassau. Eventually, they took a step back and took a more global approach. Doctors began probing what he ate, favorite activities, medication history and recent history of travel. When their questions expanded to his living situation, a light bulb went off.

Their family moved into an apartment five months before Eric’s symptoms began. He slept in his own bedroom. The carpet was a bit old and had a mild musty smell but it looked clean and the smell was often masked by air fresheners, carpet deodorisers and fresh breeze from his open window. Eric’s father went home to investigate.

There was a portion of carpet near his son’s bed that was lighter and more worn so he made a small slit in the area with his pocket knife to look underneath. He couldn’t see anything so he made a bigger slit and pulled back further, pushing Eric’s bed to the side while peeling more and more carpet away. What he saw made him gasp in utter disbelief.

Beneath Eric’s carpet, a mere few inches from where he slept for seven hours every night, was a thick layer of toxic black mold. The air conditioning

unit had a small, barely noticeable, leak that caused moisture to build up beneath the carpet. Experts were called in that same day and based on what they saw, had it been Eric’s younger sister sleeping in that bedroom instead of him, she likely would have died. Shock barely describes the feeling of what his father found, something potentially deadly and tragically so commonplace it was life-changing. Once his doctors were made aware, they started Eric on a course of corticosteroids and his symptoms resolved within days.

Prior to this, because of his previous injuries, Eric felt like there was a dark cloud hovering over him. But now, much more reflective than he’d ever been, Eric was monumentally relieved to be well again. He’s felt overwhelmingly blessed and appreciative since then, a feeling that’s stayed with him, never diminishing in the slightest, despite his subsequent predicaments – knowledge that defined his present and future path.

Eric’s interest in pursuing a career in medicine began to grow. While attending college in Florida, he considered several opportunities that he could pursue within the medical field after graduation. He discussed it with his parents a month later when he came home on summer break. His family moved into a condominium and it was nice to spend time with them and his dogs, throwing a ball and running on the beach once more.

Wanting to also spend time with his older brother, Eric offered to help him fix his car. But, not long after they started, Eric leaned forward to take a screw off the engine and his hand

slipped. The screwdriver he was holding drove forward into his right eye with the force of a bullet fired at close range. Fortunately, before the screw driver made contact with his eyeball, he was able to move it just enough that it angled outward. Had it gone straight in, it would’ve in all likelihood blinded him instead of tearing his cornea. Eric had to wear an eye patch and apply medicated eye drops several times a day for a month before he recovered completely. Eric never finished schooling in Florida and instead transferred to the University of The Bahamas in Nassau. There, he was offered a soccer scholarship majoring in biochemistry with his ultimate goal of going into medicine undiluted by the financial impediments. Being an athlete with full board and tuition covered took away the burden of cost.

So, despite his injuries, Eric has always recognised and appreciated the door that sports opened for him. But his injuries kept coming.

Once, before 5am practice, he accidentally hit his head against the fan stationed over the bunk bed in his dormitory. He suffered a concussion forcing him to fall asleep mid-sentence and stumble during ambulation. It took two months before those symptoms subsided and he was cleared to play.

The following year, during a soccer match Eric attempted to tackle an opponent. As his opponent swerved to kick the ball, he missed, fell back and accidentally kicked Eric in his testicles. Eric describes it as feeling like a missile had exploded on his groin. The pain was extreme and within seconds his testicles

PART 2

By Dr Kenneth D Kemp

and penis were red, swollen and throbbing in pain.

He was taken to the hospital immediately, where on examination it was noted that the force of the impact caused one of his testicles to sling shot through its protective scrotal sac and into his abdomen. His doctor anesthetized the area and squeezed it back into position. Eric iced his groin several times a day, took pain medication and wore a protective strap but it took three months for his pain to dissipate. He now only has one functioning testicle but it’s posed no health risks or limited him in any way so he rarely thinks about it.

As much as it pained him, Eric and his parents decided that it was time for him to walk away from the

sport he loved so much. He never played soccer again but finished his semester and within weeks enrolled in the Defence Force programme . Since then, apart from a bout of food poisoning and sustaining a toe fracture at work, he’s remained healthy and looks back on his journey with a lot of gratitude and a sense of pride.

“I never gave up,” Eric says. “I’ve always known that I’d make it through some way and somehow.” He feels blessed that he can still be so active and is thankful for every single person who’s helped him during one of his injuries.

At a time, to the rank and file, when the world seemingly appears deficient in compassion, common decency still matters and Eric, now 24, is one of the most decent young men I’ve ever met. He’s traded his passion for sports for compassion, kindness and an all-around healthy lifestyle worrying less about who wins and more about what it takes to survive and give back. Passed down from one generation to another, being kind is a lesson Eric learned from his parents and grandparents, and when the time comes, one he plans to pass along to his children should he continue to be so blessed.

Eric doesn’t necessarily understand the complexities involved in genetic biology. But he knows that inside the matrix of DNA and along the double helix of genetic codes, in every cell throughout his body, lies a coiled labyrinth of biological information that connects him to his ancestors. Constantly rising every time he falls, it is on their shoulders that he stands so tall, understanding in the words of Maya Angelou that he may come as one but he stands as ten thousand. Eric is an amalgamation of their best qualities, and it is in their honour that he pushes forward ensuring that their legacy and his ultimately tell the story of a man who never gave up and hoping that story, in all its generational manifestations, withstands the vigor of time.

This is The KDK Report.

• Nicknamed ‘The Prince of Podiatry’, Dr Kenneth D Kemp is the founder and medical director of Bahamas Foot and Ankle located in Caves Village, Western New Providence. He served as the deputy chairman for the Health Council for five years and he currently sits on the board of directors for the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation in his role as co-vice-chairman.

“I never gave up,” Eric says. “I’ve always known that I’d make it through some way and somehow.”

Photo: Jason hogan

Objective journalism threatened by fake

content and false media platforms

MEDIA freedom in the Americas, from Canada in the North to Argentina in the South, with the Caribbean in between, did not rank very well in the 2023 World Press Freedom (WPF) Index.

In a measurement of 180 countries and territories, only Canada - rated at 15 – secured a place among the top 20 best performing countries. Costa Rica in Central America is rated at 23. Caribbean countries appear in the Index with Trinidad and Tobago at 30, Jamaica at 32, Suriname at 48, Belize at 51, Guyana at 60 and Haiti at 99. The United States of America is relegated to 45.

The Index, compiled by Reporters Without Borders (RWB), was released on May 3 to mark the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day – a designation of the United Nations General Assembly.

However, the Index excluded countries with populations of less than 300,000. Therefore, The Bahamas and Barbados are not examined, and the 6 independent nations of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) are lumped as one, distorting the situation in each country individually.

Therefore, the OECS ranking at 93 is not an accurate reflection of media freedom in its 6 member states individually. Conditions in each of them are not uniform.

The methodology that RWB employed in compiling the index is based on its own definition of press freedom which it describes as: “the ability of journalists as individuals and collectives to select, produce, and

World View

By SIR RoNALD SANDERS

disseminate news in the public interest independent of political, economic, legal, and social interference and in the absence of threats to their physical and mental safety”.

There is no mention in the definition of the obligation of journalists to report at high standards of objectivity, responsibility and accuracy. In this sense, it appears to give a free pass to media publications, whose reporting falls short of these standards. A discerning public, which expects media to adhere to these standards in order to maintain credibility, would be rightly concerned at the omission of these requirements from the definition that RWB used as the methodology for the compilation of its index.

The report also does not imply that government action against journalists is the main reason for the ranking of countries, although it is definitely so in countries with authoritarian regimes. Other factors are considered. For example, in the US assessment, the continuing attack by Donald Trump on the media is one of the criteria.

Having said that, the RWB report raises critical issues that are worthy of public attention and informed debate.

For instance, it warns that “political actors in their

History of t He rBPf: tHe Consta Bulary

countries were often, or systematically, involved in massive disinformation or propaganda campaigns. The difference is being blurred between true and false, real and artificial, facts and artifices, jeopardizing the right to information. The unprecedented ability to tamper with content is being used to undermine those who embody quality journalism and weaken journalism itself.”

This observation is apparent in the rise of anonymous social media platforms, which pose as genuine media outlets, with the sole purpose of spreading false information for political purposes. The videos and other material produced by such outlets, claiming to be journalists, do indeed “weaken journalism” by the dissemination of false information to the public that can create grave disaffection in societies.

The creation of Internet portals, also posing as genuine journalistic media, but really established to spread false information and propaganda for those willing to pay for it, also undermines the value of principled journalism that should be committed to accessing and publishing accurate and substantiated information for the public good and within the laws of libel.

The report also points out that the misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is “wreaking further havoc” with tools that “flout the principles of rigour and reliability.” It warns of the creation of “very high-definition images” that have been “feeding social media with increasingly plausible and undetectable fake photos”.

These developments require all societies to be alert and vigilant in calling them out as malicious, deceptive, and misleading. The greatest responsibility

falls on the reputable media houses that place value in their integrity and credibility. In their own interest, they should counter such instances with truth, facts and objectivity. The only region in the world that emerges from the Index with a “good” category is Europe at 15%. In the satisfactory category, Europe is again the highest with 41.5% and the Americas, including the Caribbean, is second with 35.71%. Violence against journalists and arbitrary imprisonment is rampant in the Middle East and North Africa. In the Americas, violence and imprisonment are also prevalent in a few countries where the numbers are high. These countries do not include the English-speaking Caribbean, Canada and the US. Murders and imprisonment of journalists in countries ruled by authoritarian regimes are increasing and must be

condemned and resisted by all nations which value freedom. Two hundred and ninety-three journalists were behind bars at the end of 2021; the official figures for 2022 are likely to be higher. Governments should be in the forefront of preserving and upholding freedom, which is the oxygen by which all nations breathe and thrive, and which energizes their people to creativity that builds socially and economically vibrant countries.

Fair and objective media reporting is sometimes harsh, sometimes unfair, sometimes wrong, but mostly the responsible reporting creates awareness and raises alarms. There are many thousands of journalists who report on events to inform societies; they shine light in dark corners to alert publics to perils; and they risk their lives in areas of conflicts to expose tyrannical regimes.

These are the principled activities that make journalism a noble profession and that should attract persons committed to high standards of reporting in the public interest.

Good journalism is like a bad toothache – it hurts, but it warns that something is wrong and requires remedying. In this regard, good and responsible journalism should be encouraged by all as a public good, and media houses should strive for the highest standards of objectivity and accuracy in the public interest.

(The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the Organization of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University London and Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are entirely his own. Responses and previous commentaries: www. sirronaldsanders.com)

By PC 2641 R Fox, Cpl 3599 C Johnson

IN 1845, just five years after its birth, The Bahamas Police Force (the “Force”) had its manpower reduced due to its high cost of £904 annually - which is equivalent to $541.06 in today’s currency. The Force did not have formal contracts for the first set of police officers, and they worked a 24-hour shift with a foot patrol system lasting more than a hundred years. Furthermore, records indicated a patrol system of two hours during the day, four hours during the night, and a break period at the station were equivalent to the hours on patrol.

Morale and discipline were low due to poor working conditions and low salaries, primarily among the Constable rank. In 1863, a Commission of Inquiry was appointed to investigate the inefficiencies in the Force, which led to a new Police Act being passed in 1864. The Act provided provisions to increase manpower, mandate literacy, improve working conditions, and grant the Inspector the power to discipline subordinates. In 1891, a new Police Act was passed that instituted new regulations. A separate force called the Constabulary was established, which focused on military aspects to fill the void of the British West Indian Regiment that withdrew from The Bahamas. In addition, applicants desirous of becoming Police Officers were required to be deemed physically fit by the Force’s Medical Officer to

become a serving member.

The new regulations also required Police Officers to sign contracts, granting them a pension or gratuity after 21 years of service but not allowing new applicants. Hence, this caused resentment within the Force, as many police officers of Bahamian heritage felt that the foreign police were treated better and would replace them. The Constabulary also faced criticism from residents for their aggressive conduct.

Consequently, on April 15, 1893, tensions escalated in the Grants Town community when an officer of the Constabulary attempted to arrest a male for obscene language and disorderly behaviour, which resulted in a riot. The four officers posted at the station had to vacate until the following day due to the unruly mob. No one was seriously hurt, but this event led to the restructuring of both organisations.

The Force and Constabulary began conducting drilling parades together at least three times a week to build camaraderie while the Constabulary only policed the city area. This arrangement lasted 16 years before it was determined that it could no longer work. That said, in 1909, a new Police Act was passed, combining both organisations into one Police Force again while keeping the paramilitary characteristics of the Constabulary. This brought the total manpower to 74, which is unheard of compared to the 3,000-plus officers employed today.

‘...material produced by such outlets, claiming to be journalists, do indeed “weaken journalism” by the dissemination of false information to the public that can create grave disaffection in societies.’

Photo: Marek PosPisil

A new era and a new King

WHETHER it was the Bahamian flag being carried by soldiers or hanging as the Royal procession passed by - or Governor General CA Smith in pride of place behind members of the Royal Family, The Bahamas was front and centre to witness the start of a new era as King Charles III was crowned.

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis was also in attendance for the coronation at Westminster Abbey - and sent his own message of congratulations to the new king.

He said in a statement: “On behalf of the Government and people of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, I extend heartfelt congratulations to His Majesty King Charles III on the occasion of his coronation and ascension to the throne.

“As a realm country within the Commonwealth, The Bahamas has a unique and special connection to the British monarchy.

“We share a deep and enduring bond with the British people, reflecting our shared history, values, and aspirations for a better future.

“The Coronation of King Charles III marks a new chapter in this relationship, and we look forward to working closely with His Majesty and the British government to further strengthen our ties and promote mutual prosperity.

King Charles III’s lifelong commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable development is particularly noteworthy, and we commend his unwavering dedication to this cause.”

The new king has been an ardent supporter of environmental issues in the past, and Mr Davis touched on that in his statement.

He said: “As a country at the forefront of the climate change battle, we in The Bahamas stand ready to partner with His Majesty in addressing the urgent challenges our planet faces, and to safeguard the environment for future generations.

“In this new era of the British monarchy, we are confident that under the wise and compassionate leadership of King Charles III, our friendship and cooperation will continue to flourish.

deep-rooted friendship between our nations. Here’s to continued collaboration and prosperity for both The Bahamas and the United Kingdom in the years ahead.”

Opposition leader Michael Pintard was also in London for the event, and posted a photograph of himself with his wife, Berlice, with the caption: “Fit for a king!”

‘As a country at the forefront of the climate change battle, we in The Bahamas stand ready to partner with His Majesty in addressing the urgent challenges our planet faces, and to safeguard the environment for future generations.’

“We wish His Majesty a long and prosperous reign, and may his rule be characterized by peace, progress, and unity. Once again, on behalf of the people of The Bahamas, I extend our warmest congratulations to His Majesty King Charles III, and we join the global community in celebrating this historic occasion.”

In a more personal note on social media, Mr Davis said of Saturday’s coronation: “Today, Ann and I have the great honour of representing The Bahamas at King Charles III’s Coronation. As we witness this historic moment, we are reminded of the

In a coronation concert held at Windsor Castle yesterday, the Bahamas Youth Choir performed - in front of a live audience of around 20,000 people and a televised audience around the world of millions.

A celebration event was also held on Saturday evening for members of the Bahamian diaspora by the new High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Andy Gomez.

The UK High Commissioner to The Bahamas, Tom Hartley, said on social media: “What a day yesterday! Incredible! “We toasted HM The King and celebrated into the night with the awesome Bahamian diaspora hosted by the new High Commissioner Andy Gomez. Particularly pleased to meet @TheRBDF Marines who paraded in the coronation procession. Stunning!”

An independence cake, sporting the 50th anniversary logo, was cut during the event.

THE CROWNING moment for King Charles III at Westminster Abbey on Saturday and, right, pictured alongside Queen Camilla in their regalia.

Photos: AP

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, right, speaking to Catherine, Princess of Wales, ahead of the coronation and, below, the Bahamian flag flying during the procession.

A CAKE is cut to mark 50 years of Bahamian independence at an event hosted by High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Andy Gomez after the coronation on Saturday.

A day of pomp and ceremony as King is crowned

By DANICA KIRKA and JILL LAWLESS

Associated Press

KING Charles III was crowned on Saturday at Westminster Abbey, in a ceremony steeped in ancient ritual and brimming with bling at a time when the monarchy is striving to remain relevant in a fractured modern Britain.

At a coronation with displays of royal power straight out of the Middle Ages, Charles was given an orb, a sword and scepter and had the solid gold, bejeweled St. Edward’s Crown placed atop his head as he sat upon a 700-yearold oak chair.

In front of world leaders, foreign royals, dignitaries and a smattering of stars, the monarch declared, “I come not to be served

but to serve,” and was presented as Britain’s “undoubted king.” Inside the medieval abbey, trumpets sounded, and the congregation of

more than 2,000 shouted “God save the king!” Outside, thousands of troops, hundreds of thousands of spectators and scores of protesters converged.

It was the culmination of a seven-decade journey for the king from heir to monarch.

To the royal family and government, the occasion

— code-named Operation Golden Orb — was a display of heritage, tradition and spectacle unmatched around the world.

To the crowds gathered

under rainy skies — thousands of whom had camped overnight — it was a chance to be part of a historic event.

Julie Newman, a 77-yearold visitor from Canada, said the royal procession had been “absolutely fabulous. Couldn’t ask for anything better.”

“But we’re ready to go back home and watch it all on the television,” she added.

But to millions more, the day was greeted with a shrug, the awe and reverence the ceremony was designed to evoke largely gone.

And to a few, it was reason to protest. Hundreds who want to see Britain become a republic gathered to holler “Not my king.”

ABOVE a coronation cake baked by Ros Roberts of SugarMumma’s who is pictured, right, with Jim Whitehead, The Nassau Florist, with a floral creation created for the coronation. Pictured left are Bahamians dressed in their finery for the coronation in England.

THE BAHAMIAN flag, third from right, among various Commonwealth flags being carried by soldiers during coronation ceremonies.

FAMILIAR faces - behind Catherine, Princess of Wales, are Governor General Sir CA Smith and Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis.

A day of pomp and ceremony as King is crowned

from page 13

They see the monarchy as an institution that stands for privilege and inequality, in a country of deepening poverty and fraying social ties. A handful were arrested.

As the day began, the abbey buzzed with excitement and was abloom with fragrant flowers and colorful hats. Notables streamed in: U.S. first lady Jill Biden, first lady Olena Zelenska of Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron, eight current and former British prime ministers, judges in wigs, soldiers with gleaming medals, and celebrities including Judi Dench, Emma Thompson and Lionel Richie.

During the traditional Anglican service slightly tweaked for modern times, Charles, clad in crimson and cream velvet and ermine-trimmed robes, swore on a Bible that he is a “true Protestant”.

But a preface was added to the coronation oath to say the Anglican church “will seek to foster an environment where people of all faiths and beliefs may live freely”. It was the first ceremony to include representatives of the Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, and Sikh faiths, as well as the first in which female clergy took part.

Charles was anointed with oil from the Mount of Olives in the Holy Land — a part of the ceremony so sacred it was concealed behind screens — before being presented with the Sovereign’s Orb and other regalia.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby then placed the crown on Charles’ head, while he sat in the Coronation Chair — once gilded, now worn and etched with graffiti. Underneath the seat was a sacred slab known as the Stone of Scone, on which ancient Scottish kings were crowned.

For 1,000 years and more, such grandiose ceremonies have confirmed the right of British kings to rule. Charles was the 40th sovereign to be enthroned in the abbey — and, at 74, the oldest.

These days, the king no longer has executive or political power, and the service is purely ceremonial since Charles automatically became king upon death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in September.

The king does remain the UK’s head of state and a symbol of national identity — and Charles will have to work to bring together a multicultural nation and shore up support for the monarchy at at time when it is waning, especially among younger people.

While most Britons view the monarchy on a spectrum ranging from apathy to mild interest, some are fervently opposed to it. The anti-monarchy group Republic said several of its members, including its chief executive, were arrested as they arrived at a protest in central London.

Police, who’d warned they would have a “low tolerance” for people seeking to disrupt the day, said they made 52 arrests. Human Rights Watch said arrests of peaceful protesters were “something you would expect to see in Moscow, not London”.

The multimillion-pound cost of the all the pomp — the exact figure unknown — also rankled some amid a cost-of-living crisis that has meant many Britons are struggling to pay energy bills and buy food.

Charles has sought to lead a smaller, less expensive royal machine for the 21st century, and his was a shorter, smaller affair than his mother’s coronation.

The notoriously feuding royal family put on its own show of unity. Prince William, who is next in line to be king, his wife, Kate, and their three children were all in attendance. Towards the end of the ceremony, William knelt before his father and pledged loyalty to the king — before kissing him on the cheek.

Then Archbishop Welby invited everyone in the

abbey to swear “true allegiance” to the monarch. He said people watching on television could pay homage, too — though that part of the ceremony was toned down after some criticised it as a tone-deaf effort to demand a public oath of allegiance for Charles.

William’s younger brother Prince Harry, who has publicly sparred with

the family, arrived alone. His wife Meghan and their children remained at home in California, where the couple has lived since quitting as working royals in 2020.

As Charles and the key royals joined a magnificent military procession after the ceremony, Harry stood waiting outside the abbey until a car arrived to drive

him away.

Large crowds cheered as Charles and Queen Camilla, who was also crowned, rode in the Gold State Carriage from the abbey to Buckingham Palace, accompanied by a procession of 4,000 troops and military bands playing jaunty tunes. From the palace balcony, the king and queen waved to a sea of people who cheered and

shouted “God Save the king!”

For many other Britons, the day’s events drew mild curiosity, at best.

Cherie Duffy, who was visiting London from Anglesey, Wales, on a trip planned before the coronation date was set, watched the ceremony on TV — but only because someone else turned it on.

KING Charles III wearing the St Edward’s Crown and Queen Camilla wearing the Queen Mary’s Crown sit during the coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey, in London, on Saturday.

Photo: Andrew Matthews/Pool via AP

DAME Marguerite Pindling arrives to take her seat inside Westminster Abbey on Saturday ahead of the coronations of Britain’s King Charles III and Britain’s Camilla, Queen Consort.

Photo: Ben Stansall/AP

MUSICIANS play their instruments as people sit at long tables to eat their lunch as part of the Big Lunch celebration in London on Sunday, part of the weekend of celebrations for the coronation of King Charles III.

Photo: Emilio Morenatti/AP

QUEEN OR QUEEN CONSORT? WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT CAMILLA’S TITLE

By SYLVIA HUI Associated Press

NOW that she has been crowned alongside her husband, King Charles III’s wife is officially known as Queen Camilla. While it sounds more official than “queen consort,” the changing of titles does not signify any practical difference in the role of the 75-year-old royal.

Queen consorts do not formally share the sovereign’s powers, and dropping the “consort” part of the title does not change that. Nonetheless, the change marks a milestone in Camilla’s decades-long road to rehabilitating her image — from someone once reviled as the other woman in Charles’ first marriage to Princess Diana, to a senior royal member largely accepted by the British public.

The question of what title Camilla would hold when Charles became king has long been a subject of contention, due to sensitivity about her status as Charles’ second wife.

Camilla and her first husband, Andrew ParkerBowles, divorced in 1995, shortly after Charles gave an explosive television interview admitting his relationship with Camilla. Charles and Diana divorced the following year. In 1997, there was a global outpouring of grief when Diana died in a car crash. Camilla and Charles waited until 2005 to marry in a low-key private civil ceremony. For many years it wasn’t clear if Camilla would eventually be styled as queen.

Queen Elizabeth II settled the matter last year, when she gave the blessing for Camilla to be known as queen consort. The endorsement was widely seen as a formal sign that the royal family had finally accepted Camilla as a respected senior member.

Last month, Buckingham Palace’s official coronation invitations referred to Camilla as “Queen Camilla” for the first time. At the time, British media reported that palace officials believed it was an appropriate time to introduce the title.

The most recent queen consort in British history was George VI’s wife, Queen Elizabeth, who was known as “The Queen” and later the Queen Mother.

PRINCE HARRY AN ODD MAN OUT AT FATHER’S CORONATION SPECTACLE

By BRIAN MELLEY

Associated Press

IN THE fairy-tale ending to the ancient pageantry in which King Charles III was crowned monarch, he stepped into a gilded horsedrawn carriage with his queen and rode off to his palace.

Following closely behind was Prince William, his eldest son and heir, along with his family, including nine-year-old Prince George who is second in line to the throne.

The king’s youngest son was nowhere to be seen. On his father’s biggest day, Prince Harry arrived at Westminster Abbey alone and he left alone. The disgruntled Duke of Sussex was assigned to sit two rows behind his brother.

His isolation was likely the result of him quitting his royal duties and, thus, no

longer ranking as a senior family member — as well as alienating himself from his father and brother by airing grievances and telling palace secrets in his explosive best-selling memoir, “Spare.”

If anyone was hoping the coronation would help break the ice between Harry and his brother, who were once so close, they are sure to have been disappointed. The siblings were not seen speaking or even acknowledging each other during the ceremony.

After months of speculation about whether he would attend, it was announced about three weeks ago that Harry would come alone, leaving behind his wife, Meghan, and their two young children at their Southern California home.

Harry and Meghan, who is biracial, left royal life and moved to the US in 2020

after complaining about intense scrutiny and racist attitudes from the British press. In a six-part Netflix series, they lobbed other criticisms at the royal family, alleging racial bias. In January, Harry dropped his bombshell book dishing family dirt along with intimate details about losing his virginity behind a pub at 17, taking drugs and killing enemies in Afghanistan.

The book was particularly unflattering toward his stepmother, Camilla, who was once blamed for wrecking his father’s marriage to his mother, the late Princess Diana. He accused Camilla of leaking private conversations to the media to rehabilitate her own image after marrying Charles.

Buckingham Palace had announced before the coronation that Harry and the king’s brother, Prince

Andrew, would not have any role in the service.

Andrew, the Duke of York, relinquished royal duties after revelations about his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He was later stripped of his honorary military titles and patronages and settled a lawsuit with a woman who said she was forced to have sex with him when she was a teenager.

William played a prominent role, kneeling at his father’s feet, pledging his loyalty and then kissing him on the cheek. George served as page boy, helping to carry the train of his grandfather’s robes.

Harry entered the cavernous church in a black custom Dior three-piece suit with coattails. An honorary cross hung around his neck and military medals were pinned to the left side

of his chest. He nodded, waved and spoke a few words to clergy and several guests already seated.

He proceeded along behind his cousin, Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank, who followed her father, Andrew. They all sat in the same row.

During the two-hour spectacle, keen attention was focused on Harry by the media and royal watchers. He appeared to join the congregation in one of many refrains of “God save the king” during the pompand music-filled ceremony.

Some British tabloids even consulted professional lip-readers to interpret what Harry was saying.

The Daily Mirror revealed that it appeared he said, “hello,” “morning” and “nice to see you” when he entered the church.

Harry has vowed to make media reform part of his

mission in life. He has filed several lawsuits against the publishers of British tabloids for a phone-hacking scandal dating back more than a decade. His trial against the publisher of the Mirror begins Wednesday in the High Court. Harry is expected to testify in June.

After the carriages departed from the church, Harry was seen waiting for a car. He was later seen at Heathrow Airport. His son, Archie, turned 4 on Saturday and it was said he was headed back for his birthday.

A short while later, King Charles III and Queen Camilla stepped out onto the balcony of Buckingham Palace to wave to the crowd gathered below. They were joined by William, his wife, Kate, three children and other senior royals.

KAJAH KNOWLES, third from left, a grade 12 student at the Mayaguana Comprehensive School, Pirate’s Well, Mayaguana, who was invited as part of the delegation representing The Bahamas to attend the coronation of King Charles in the UK.

BRITAIN’S PRINCE WILLIAM, and Kate, Princess of Wales, arrive for the coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort, at Westminster Abbey, in London on Saturday.

Photo: Phil Noble/AP

BRITAIN’s Queen Camilla arrives on the balcony of Buckingham Palace after the coronation of King Charles III.

Photo: Chris Jackson/ Getty via AP

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis attending the coronation concert yesterday.

A THUMBS-UP from Britain’s High Commissioner to The Bahamas, Tom Hartley, during a gathering for members of the Bahamian diaspora on Saturday evening.

27 KILLED IN GOLD MINE FIRE

A FIRE broke out deep in a gold mine in southern Peru and killed at least 27 workers during an overnight shift, Peruvian authorities reported.

The Yanaquihua mining company said in a statement that a total of 175 workers had been safely evacuated after the accident, which happened late Friday or early Saturday. It said the 27 dead worked for a contractor that specialises in mining. Government officials said the cause of the incident was under investigation. Some news reports said preliminary investigations indicated an explosion might have been set off by a short circuit in a part of the mine about 100m below the surface.

20 DEAD AS TOURIST BOAT CAPSIZES

A DOUBLE-DECKER

boat carrying more than 30 passengers capsized off a beach in southern India on Sunday night, and more than 20 people including children died, local media reported.

“The boat is being hauled ashore and more bodies are expected to be recovered from inside,” Sports Minister V Abdurahiman told the Press Trust of India news agency, adding that four people in critical condition were admitted to a hospital. The dead included children who had come for a ride on the boat during their school vacation, the minister said. It’s not clear what caused the tourist boat to overturn near Thoovaltheeram beach in Tanur, a coastal town in Kerala state’s Malappuram district.

CENTREVILLE MP HOSTS EVENT TO CELEBRATE MOMS

Eight dead as man drives SUV into bus stop crowd

BROWNSVILLE, Texas Associated Press

THE death toll has risen to eight after an SUV slammed into a crowd of people waiting for a bus yesterday outside a migrant shelter in the border city of Brownsville, Texas. At least ten others were injured, police said, as they prepared to arrest the hospitalised driver.

With no bench at the unmarked city bus stop, some of the victims were sitting on the curb around 8.30am when the driver hit them, surveillance video from the Bishop Enrique San Pedro Ozanam Center showed. Brownsville police investigator Martin Sandoval, who confirmed the latest death Sunday evening, said police did not know whether the collision was intentional.

Shelter director Victor Maldonado said the SUV ran up the curb, flipped and continued moving for about 200ft. Some people walking on the sidewalk about 30ft from the main group were also hit, Maldonado said. Witnesses detained the driver as he tried to run away and held him until police arrived, he said.

“This SUV, a Range Rover, just ran the light that was about 100ft away and just went through the people who were sitting there in the bus stop,” said Maldonado, who reviewed the shelter’s surveillance video.

Victims struck by the vehicle were waiting for the bus to return to downtown Brownsville after having spent the night at the overnight shelter, said Sister Norma Pimentel, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley.

Most of the victims were Venezuelan men, Maldonado said. Brownsville has seen a surge of Venezuelan migrants over the last two weeks for unclear reasons, authorities said.

On Thursday, 4,000 of about 6,000 migrants in Border Patrol custody in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley were Venezuelan.

The driver was taken to the hospital for injuries sustained when the car rolled

over, Sandoval said. There were no passengers in the car, and police didn’t immediately know the driver’s name or age, Sandoval said Sunday afternoon. Sandoval said there are three possible explanations for the collision: “It could be intoxication; it could be an accident; or it could be intentional. In order for us to find out exactly what happened, we have to eliminate the other two.

“He’s being very uncooperative at the hospital, but he will be transported to our city jail as soon as he gets released,” Sandoval said. “Then we’ll fingerprint him and (take a) mug shot, and then we can find his true identity.”

Police retrieved a blood

sample and sent it to a Texas Department of Public Safety lab to test for intoxicants.

The surge in the number of migrants this week has prompted Brownsville commissioners to indefinitely extend a declaration of emergency during a special meeting on Thursday.

“We don’t want them wandering around outside,” Pedro Cardenas, a city commissioner, said yesterday after the crash. “So, we’re trying to make sure they’re as comfortable as they can be so they don’t have to go out and look for anywhere else.”

Brownsville has long been an epicenter for migration across the USMexico border, and it has become a key location of interest for next week’s end to pandemic-era border restrictions known as Title 42. The Ozanam shelter is the only overnight shelter in the city and manages the release of thousands of migrants from federal custody.

Maldonado said the center had not received any threats before the crash, but they did afterward.

“I’ve had a couple of people come by the gate and tell the security guard

that the reason this happened was because of us,” Maldonado said.

About 2,500 migrants have crossed through the river daily into Brownsville in the past few days, Cardenas said. He said the Border Patrol is aware of the city’s capacity of 1,000 at their processing area near the crossing point and a downtown building where city employees and volunteers guide migrants on how to purchase bus or plane tickets to their final destinations. The city is considering expanding services to accommodate needs in the coming days, Cardenas said.

While 80% of people released from federal custody leave the same day, the city’s emergency management official said, a bottleneck has formed over the past few days.

“Most of the people coming across don’t want to stay in Brownsville, but we don’t have enough buses for them to buy their ticket to leave,” Cardenas said. “Some are waiting for family members.”

The Ozanam shelter can hold 250, but many who arrive leave the same day. In the last several weeks, an uptick in border crossings prompted the city to declare an emergency as local, state and federal resources coordinated enforcement and humanitarian response.

“In the last two months, we’ve been getting 250 to 380 a day,” Maldonado said. While the shelter offers migrants transportation during the week, they also use the city’s public transportation.

Rochelle Garza, president of the Texas Civil Rights Project, said in a statement shared Sunday afternoon: “I hope that today serves as a wake up call, and that state officials will begin investing in a humanitarian response that might have helped the people who were impacted by this morning’s tragedy.”

EIGHT KILLED IN MALL SHOOTING

ALLEN, Texas Associated Press

A GUNMAN stepped out of a silver sedan and started shooting people at a Dallas-area outlet mall Saturday, killing eight and wounding seven others — three critically — before being killed by a police officer who happened to be nearby, authorities said.

Authorities did not immediately provide details about the victims at Allen Premium Outlets, a sprawling outdoor shopping centre, but witnesses reported seeing children among them. Some said they also saw what appeared to be a police officer and a mall security guard unconscious on the ground.

The shooting, the latest eruption of what has been an unprecedented pace of mass killings in the US, sent hundreds fleeing in panic. Barely a week before, authorities say, a

man fatally shot five people in Cleveland, Texas, after a neighbour asked him to stop firing his weapon while a baby slept.

A 16-year-old pretzel stand employee, Maxwell Gum, described a virtual stampede of shoppers. He and others sheltered in a storage room.

“We started running. Kids were getting trampled,” Gum said. “My co-worker picked up a fouryear-old girl and gave her to her parents.”

Dashcam video that circulated online showed the gunman getting out of a car and shooting at people on the sidewalk. More than three dozen shots could be heard as the vehicle recording the video drove off.

Allen Fire Chief Jonathan Boyd said seven people including the shooter died at the scene. Nine victims were taken to area hospitals, but two of them died.

CENTREVILLE MP Jomo Campbell hosted an event to celebrate mothers at the weekend for Mother’s Day complete with giveaways and entertainment.

EMERGENCY personnel respond to a fatal collision in Brownsville, Texas, on Sunday. Several migrants were killed after they were struck by a vehicle while waiting at a bus stop near Ozanam Center, a migrant and homeless shelter.

Photo: Michael Gonzalez/AP

SPORTS

MONDAY, MAY 8, 2023 NBA, Page 19

Athletes make a name for themselves abroad

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Fort Scott Community College’s versatile sophomore Damazvia Dames had a stellar performance over the weekend to lead a number of Bahamians competing in various meets around the United States.

At the National Junior College Athletic Association’s (NJCAA) Region VI Championships in Coffeyville, Kansas State, Dames sped to victory in the women’s 200m in 22.94, well ahead of second place finisher Naiya Morgan of Barton Community College in 23.36.

On the field, Dames also picked up a win in the triple jump as she soared 40-feet, 7-inches or 12.37

metres. Her nearest rival in the event was Ahniesha Presulme of Barton County Community College with 38-9 (11.81m).

Back on the track, after posting the fastest qualifying time of 11.45 in the preliminaries of the 100m, Dames got second in the final in 11.35 behind Barton County Community College’s Carabile Tshosa in 11.26.

And in the 4 x 100m relay, Dames ran the second leg

SHA’CARRI SETS MEET RECORD IN 100M WIN

(AP) — Sha’Carri Richardson left her rivals behind her as the American raced to victory in the 100 metres in the first Diamond League meeting of the season in Doha.

Richardson, who was expected to be one of the biggest draws at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 before she accepted a one-month ban after testing positive for cannabis, set a meet record with a time of 10.76 seconds.

The 23-year-old beat Jamaica’s world 200m champion Shericka Jackson (10.85) while Briton Dina Asher-Smith was third (10.98) in a field that featured five Americans on the start line.

“I’m so blessed and thankful, I feel at peace. All I do is the best I do and I’m excited to do it,” Richardson said.

“Like I said it before, I had to be kicked out from another 100m race, so I had to do my best no matter what. Peace, love and life.”

Asher-Smith, who won the world 200m title in Doha in 2019, said she was happy with her third-placed finish.

“The whole point about my season is to race against the best and I did that tonight. “I am really happy with my race, third place is a good start and the time is decent,” she said.

In the men’s 200m, American Fred Kerley stormed to victory in lane seven, clocking 19.92sec, using his long strides to his advantage in the final 40 metres. The American, who won the silver in the 100m at the Tokyo Olympics, reeled in compatriot and Tokyo 200m silver medallist Kenneth Bednarek (20.11) who finished second while Canadian Aaron Brown (20.20) was third.

“I was comfortable, but I know I still got work to do. The most important was to win and I did,” Kerley said. “I was happy with the competition, it was a good one, the guys gave me a fight.”

for Fort Scott as the team of Keyann Wilson, Kamerin Carter and Chaniqua Tonge placed second in 45.76 with

Barton County winning in 45.10. Dames also contested the long jump where she placed

Launy Duncombe, Kami Roach national triathlon champions

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

GRAND Bahamian

Launy Duncombe and Kami Roach emerged as the male and female champions of the Bahamas Triathlon Association’s National Championships held yesterday at Goodman’s Bay.

Their performances came a day after the association held its Aquathlon at the same venue on Saturday when Duncombe, brother Malcolm and Lchlan Menzies, Stafford Sweeting and Caiden Bain were all crowned the divisional winners.

The nationals also served as the trials for the CARIFTA Games, scheduled for August 26-27. Association president

Dorian Roach was quite pleased with the performances turned in during the competition. “Launy Duncombe, Malcolm Menzies and Kami Roach all performed well. Launy and Kami are both juniors, so it was good to see how well they performed,” Roach said. “It was also good for the competitors to compete in a new location. It’s the same location where the CARIFTA triathlon will take place. The roads were great for the bike ride and the run. We almost cancelled the swim because the water was so choppy, but we still managed to get it all in. So I was very happy with it.”

Aquathlon - Saturday

8-and-under (50m/1K run) - Caiden Bain, 6:29; Alan Gervasini, 7:17; Gebriael McPhee, 7:30.

9-10 (100m swim/1K run) - Stafford Sweeting,

6:39; Fraser Menzies, 6:40; Lyall Menzies, 6:49.

11-12 (250m swim/1.5K run) - Lauchlan Menzies,

10:54; Blair Thompson,

11:23; Taylen Nicolls,

11:35.

13-15 (500m swim/2.5K run) - Malcolm Menzies, 18:05; Ayden Bain, 19:15; Will Farrington, 20:25.

16-and-over (1000m/5K run) - Launy Duncombe, 36:56; Ellie Gibson, 41:42; Grace Farrington, 41:44.

Triathlon - Sunday.

Overall male - Launy Duncombe, Cameron Roach, Simone Bertoldo.

16-19 male - Barron Musgrove, Enea Gervasini, Jason Cates.

11-12 male - Lauchlan Menzies, Sibby Potter, Mattis Bournas.

9-10 male - Fraser Menzies, Stafford Sweeting, Lyall Menzies. Overall female - Kami Roach, Suzy Eneas, Sylvia Bateman.

16-19 female - Sienna Culmer.

13-15 female - Issa Bournas, Taylor Knowles, Emma Barigelli.

11-12 female - Nai’a Belton, Tayleen Nicholas, Veranique Strachan.

fourth with her best leap of 18-10 (5.74m). Winning the event was Kerrishma Williams of Garden City Community College with 19-7 1/2 (5.98m).

Farquharson second fiddle

At the 2023 America East Outdoor Championships in Albany, New York, Stephen Farquharson, competing for the University of Albany, was second in the men’s long jump with a personal best leap of 24-11

1/4 (7.60m). His team-mate

Louis Gordon won with 25-4 1/2 (7.73m).

Gardiner in century

At the Adidas Atlanta City Games at the Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta, Georgia, World and Olympic champion Steven Gardiner stepped all the way down to the 100m where he got in some speed work.

The multiple Bahamian national record holder from the 200-400m could only mustre a best of 10.38 for ninth place in the preliminaries. The top qualifier, Oblique Deville of Jamaica, won the final in 9.99.

The 27-year-old Gardiner was shy of his lifetime best of 10.35 that he ran at the Life University Track and Field Stadium in Marietta, Georgia, on August 22, 2020.

Sabalenka beats Swiatek to reclaim Madrid Open title

MADRID (AP) — In another meeting of the top two players in the world, Aryna Sabalenka finally got the better of Iga Swiatek on clay.

Second-ranked Sabalenka beat top-ranked Swiatek 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 to reclaim the Madrid Open title on Saturday.

Sabalenka lost to Stuttgart final two weeks ago and had never previously taken a set against her Polish rival in three claycourt meetings. But the Belarusian held nothing back by aggressively hitting for winners and breaking Swiatek four times in the 2 1/2-hour final.

The Australian Open champion claimed her tour-leading third title of

the season and 13th of her career, including her second in Madrid after triumphing here in 2021.

“I am just super happy with this win, especially against Iga on clay,” Sabalenka said.

She told Swiatek on court, “It is always tough against each other and you always push me to my limits. I hope we will play many more times this season.”

It was the first WTA 1000 final between the top two ranked players since No. 1 Serena Williams beat No. 2 Li Na at the 2014 Miami Open. It was also only the third time in the last 40 years that

SEE PAGE 21

KAMI Roach gets ready to hit the water.

DAMAZVIA Dames.

STEVEN Gardiner being interviewed on his 100m performance.

SHA’CARRI RICHARDSON, of the United States, reacts after winning the 100 metres during a Diamond League track meet in Doha, Qatar, on May 5. (AP Photo/Hussein Sayed)

STEPHEN Farquharson.

Booker, Durant both score 36, Suns even series with Nuggets

By DAVID BRANDT AP Sports Writer

PHOENIX (AP) —

Devin Booker had 36 points and 12 assists, Kevin Durant also scored 36 points and the Phoenix Suns beat the Denver Nuggets 129-124 last night to even their Western Conference semifinal playoff series at two games apiece.

Backup guard Landry Shamet made four crucial 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to keep the Suns ahead. Denver lost despite a huge game from MVP runner-up Nikola Jokic, who poured in 53 points on 20-of-30 shooting.

Jokic used his physical play to knock down several big buckets, even ripping the ball away from Suns owner Mat Ishbia at one point after the ball went out of bounds, which earned the Nuggets AllStar a technical foul.

The series returns to Denver for Game 5 on Tuesday.

The Suns took a 98-92 lead into the fourth quarter after a scoring flurry from Booker, who had 17 points in the third. Phoenix wouldn’t trail in the fourth, though Denver didn’t go quietly.

The Nuggets trailed 116106 with 4:55 remaining but never panicked, slowly cutting into the lead. They pulled within 123-120 with 22.4 seconds left but TJ Warren made two free throws to push the margin back to five.

Booker — averaging 36 points on 60% shooting in these playoffs — was hot once again, shooting 14 of

18 from the field, including 3 of 4 on 3-pointers.

Shamet finished with 19 points, shooting 5 of 8 on 3s. Jamal Murray added 28 points and seven assists for the Nuggets.

Suns point guard Chris Paul missed his second straight game with a strained left groin suffered during Game 2. The Suns took a 63-61 lead by halftime. Jokic had 24 points for the Nug gets before the break while Durant had 21 for the Suns.

technical foul in the second after a bizarre altercation with Ishbia.

guard Josh Okogie crashed into the seats while trying to save a loose ball. He landed in a group of fans on the baseline that included Ishbia, who grabbed the basketball.

the basketball quickly — apparently so the Nuggets could start their offensive possession — when he tried to take the ball away from Ishbia. into the crowd, and then Ishbia was knocked back ward by Jokic’s elbow. utes of confusion as officials sorted out the weird scene, and then Jokic was assessed a technical foul.

ated Press at halftime that he was “fine” and more worried about the game than the altercation. He was back in his usual seats in the second half.

Harden makes winning 3 in OT, 76ers tie series with Celtics

By DAN GELSTON AP Sports Writer

PHILADELPHIA (AP)

— James Harden hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 18 seconds left in overtime and scored 42 points to help the Philadelphia 76ers stave off a wild Boston Celtics comeback in a 116-115 victory yesterday that evened their playoff series at 2-2.

Marcus Smart’s potential winner was a tick too late and the Celtics now head home for Tuesday’s Game 5. The 76ers are guaranteed to

Boston missed in the fourth quarter.

Boston’s fun began in the period when Smart and Brown buried consecutive 3-pointers and Tatum attacked the rim for a bucket that wiped out an eight-point hole in 90 seconds. Al Horford put them ahead 98-90 — on a possession that started on the other end when Tyrese Maxey had his shot blocked — and shimmied for the crowd as boos rained on him.

Yes, the 76ers had home court but fans tensed up as memories all those second-round exits since 2001 stirred inside the building. Smart and Malcolm Brogdon hit consecutive 3s for a 105-100 lead. But it was P.J. Tucker, the heart and guts of the Sixers, who again did the dirty work on a defensive rebound a bucket. He made the free throw with 1:05 left and the tie game gave them new life. Good Game James showed up in Game 4 for the 76ers and Embiid played more like the MVP he was in the regular season than the banged-up edition with a sprained right knee of the last two games. Harden played in Game 1 like he was still the MVP in Houston and dropped 45 points to spur the upset road victory. Then, his game disappeared and he played two of the worst games of his career.

In Game 4, Harden hit all three 3s in the first half and scored 21 points, five more than his Game 3 total. Boston suffered this time from a lack of star power. Tatum missed his first eight shots before he scored a bucket just before the half, just one woeful effort in a half where the Celtics shot 38% from the floor.

Lakers rout Warriors 127-97, take 2-1 lead in series

By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) —

LeBron James didn’t take a shot in the first quarter of Game 3 for the first time in his NBA-record 275 playoff appearances, and the Los Angeles Lakers’ home crowd rumbled with mild uncertainty each time he passed the ball instead.

Turns out James and his Lakers were just taking a while to warm up before they steamrolled the Golden State Warriors.

Anthony Davis had 25 points and 13 rebounds, a slow-starting James finished with 21 points, eight assists and eight rebounds, and the Lakers took a 2-1 lead in their second-round playoff series with a 127-97 victory Saturday night. D’Angelo

Russell hit five 3-pointers while scoring 21 points for the seventh-seeded Lakers, who remained unbeaten at home in the postseason with a strong defensive effort against the reigning NBA champions. Los Angeles seized control in the middle quarters, outscoring the Warriors 63-38 to turn Game 3 into a laugher.

“We’re one of the best defensive teams in the league, if not the best,” James said. “For us to reach our potential, we have to defend at a high level. Not one team in this league tests you more in that than Golden State, so we have to be alert for a test on every single possession.”

James curiously didn’t shoot the ball until well into the second quarter,

yet he led the way while Los Angeles pulled away. The 38-year-old also mixed in a handful of plays that defied his age and 20 years of NBA experience, making a deft spin move and blocking a shot on the other end shortly after he leaped the front row of fans and ran well up into the stands following a deflection.

“That’s just how the game was going,” James said of his unusual start. “I didn’t want to force it. Just let the game come to me and make my imprint when needed.”

Stephen Curry scored 23 points and Andrew Wiggins had 16 in a collective stinker for the Warriors, who committed 19 turnovers and never mounted a response to the Lakers on either end in the second half. Golden State went 13 for 44 on

3-pointers — making just 10 while the game was still competitive — after hitting 21 in each of the series’ first two games in San Francisco.

Game 4 is tonight in LA.

Davis had an impressive bounce-back game under both baskets, blocking four shots and leading the Lakers’ latest strong defensive effort.

Los Angeles has built its 16-5 run since March 17 on defense, and the Warriors couldn’t hit enough shots from the perimeter to counteract their disadvantages in size and athleticism.

“After that first quarter, guys just really turned it up,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said.

“They dialed up their competitiveness, and their communication was great. … We were just playing

a really physical, forceful downhill game.”

Klay Thompson had 15 points and seven rebounds for the Warriors, but the rest of the roster beyond their top three scorers struggled mightily, combining for just 18 points before coach Steve Kerr pulled his starters with 9:11 to play. Draymond Green had two points in 23 minutes while playing with foul trouble.

The Warriors were held under 100 points for only the fifth time in 92 games this season. They also got two technical fouls for arguing with the officials, who whistled Golden State for 22 fouls to the Lakers’ 21.

After an exciting opener, this much-anticipated playoff rematch between generational superstars James and Curry has

featured more garbage time than memorable thrills. After Ham sat down his stars before the fourth quarter of Game 2, Kerr pulled the plug while facing a 26-point deficit early in the fourth quarter of Game 3.

FIGHT ON James’ son, Bronny, announced his decision to play at the University of Southern California about two hours before tipoff. The 18-year-old was among the top uncommitted recruits in the nation, and he chose to stay close to home with a loaded Trojans team coming off its third straight NCAA Tournament appearance. Bronny James, USC hoops coach Andy Enfield and Trojans football coach Lincoln Riley all attended Game 3.

BUTLER SCORES 28, HEAT TOP KNICKS 105-86 FOR 2-1 SERIES LEAD

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer

MIAMI (AP) — It was one of the worst shooting games of the season for the Miami Heat, by far: 39% from the field, 22% from 3-point range, barely 50% on usually easy shots at the rim.

Didn’t matter.

Defense — still the Heat staple, even in these high-scoring NBA days — came through, and moved Miami two wins away from another trip to the Eastern Conference finals.

Jimmy Butler returned from his sprained right ankle to score 28 points, Max Strus added 19 and the Heat topped the New York Knicks 105-86 on Saturday to take a 2-1 lead in their East semifinal series.

“It’s about figuring out how to compete at a really high level,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “What’s necessary for that game to be able to win.”

For as poorly as the Heat shot, the Knicks were worse — 34% from the field, 20% from 3-point range, 46%

from the restricted area around the rim.

And that was the story.

“You’ve got to win games different ways,” Heat guard Kyle Lowry said. “In the playoffs, like I’ve said many a time and for many years now, every game is seriously different. And this is one of those games where we held them down. ... To win by half a point, one point, two points, 20 points, it’s about winning the game however it happens.”

Jalen Brunson scored 20 for New York, which got 15 from Josh Hart, 14 from RJ Barrett and 12 from Immanuel Quickley — who left midway through the fourth quarter after spraining an ankle that will be evaluated again Sunday. Julius Randle added 10 points and 14 rebounds for the Knicks.

Game 4 is tonight.

“We couldn’t get stops early so we couldn’t get any easy buckets,” Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said.

“So, we paid the price.”

Bam Adebayo had 17 points and 12 rebounds for Miami and Lowry added 14 points as the Heat never

trailed. Duncan Robinson opened the second quarter with a 3-pointer, giving Miami an 11-point lead — and the lead remained double digits the rest of the way.

“Hopefully we can get back on the right track and find a way to make some shots next game and come out with a win,” Randle said.

There was even a HeatKnicks dustup under a basket, just like the good ol’ days of the teams’ playoff rivalry — though this one

was nothing like P.J. Brown flipping Charlie Ward in 1997 to start a benchclearing mess that led to suspensions, or Jeff Van Gundy tugging on Alonzo Mourning’s leg in 1998. This one, such as it was, happened with 14.7 seconds left in the third, after a basket by Quickley got the Knicks within 87-70.

Randle and Cody Zeller got tangled as they fought for rebounding position. Randle ended up getting shoved to the floor, Isaiah Hartenstein took offense

and shoved Zeller, Caleb Martin took offense and shoved Hartenstein, and it took about five minutes to sort out a mess that lasted for about five seconds.

The final tally: offsetting technicals on Zeller and Hartenstein, plus a technical on Martin. Randle missed the free throw. And right after it happened, Butler was dancing a bit, enjoying the aftermath of the show. “Much ado about nothing,” Spoelstra said.

Butler missed Game 2 with his ankle sprain and limped at times in the second half Saturday, but was effective throughout.

He had 10 points in the opening quarter as Miami set the tone on both ends; the Heat made 10 of their first 15 shots, the Knicks missed 13 of their first 17, and it took until midway through the second quarter for New York to make a shot from anywhere other than the paint. “We always said we can win games when we defend and not make shots,” Butler said. “And this is one of those games.”

SCORING SPREE

The 58 first-half points by Miami were the most for a team by halftime of a HeatKnicks playoff game. The Heat had 57 in the first half vs. New York on April 24, 1998. New York’s most by halftime in a playoff game against the Heat is 55, set in Game 1 of this series.

CLANK

The teams combined to shoot 15 for 72 on 3-pointers — 8 for 40 by the Knicks, 7 for 32 by the Heat. It was the 1,290th game played in the NBA this season and only eight other had a worse combined 3-point percentage than the .208 put together by New York and Miami in this one.

EXPERIENCE

MATTERS

The Heat have a huge edge in this series when it comes to playoff experience. Lowry played in his 115th playoff game, Butler his 104th, Kevin Love his 71st, Adebayo his 54th and Robinson his 46th. Brunson played his 33rd, which is tops among those in the Knicks’ rotation.

MIAMI Heat forward Jimmy Butler is shown during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the New York Knicks on Saturday in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

AYTON HAS 8 POINTS, 8 REBOUNDS, ONE STEAL AND A BLOCKED SHOT

THE CI Gibson Rattlers are your 2023 Noble Preparatory Academy (NPA) Spring Classic basketball senior boys’ champions for the second consecutive year.

/ Tribune Staff

UNANIMOUS DECISION IN RETURN TO MEXICO

By CARLOS RODRIGUEZ Associated Press

GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) — Canelo

Alvarez returned home and remained the undisputed super middleweight champion Saturday night, beating John Ryder by unanimous decision before more than 50,000 fans in his first fight in Mexico since 2011.

Alvarez bloodied the British challenger’s nose and knocked him down, cruising to the victory by scores of 120-107 on one card and 118-109 on the other two to improve to 59-2-2.

We are the champions

By TENAJH SWEETING tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

THE sixth edition of the Noble Preparatory Academy’s (NPA) spring classic basketball tournament saw four new champions crowned.

This year’s tournament featured basketball matchups between the varsity senior and junior girls and boys from Thursday to Saturday.

With more than 30 teams registered to compete, the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association (GSSSA) public schools represented well this past weekend.

Three out of the four championship honours went to the junior girls of the CH Reeves Raptors, senior girls of the CV Bethel Stingrays, and the defending champions the CI Gibson Rattlers.

After some long but exciting days of basketball showdowns, NPA president Geno Bullard talked about this year’s spring classic basketball tournament.

“I am pleased and very happy because the tournament was overwhelmingly successful for me. I got to introduce students to a lot of different opportunities, not just for basketball but we had educational opportunities through our college counsellors, we had a little bit of entertainment, and we had a lot of basketball so it was a pretty good weekend,” Bullard said.

The NPA president added that after this year, he will look to expand the tourney across more days and allow for more teams to compete after realising the interest is definitely there for basketball.

Senior division

After gameplay across 14 senior boys teams, only one champion could be crowned and those honours belonged to the NPA defending champions and GSSSA senior boys champions CI Gibson Rattlers.

In a game that was hardly ever close, the Rattlers pummelled the CW Saunders Cougars 82-50.

The defending champions got out to a 10-point lead in the first half, edging out their opponent 26-16. By the halfway mark of the fourth quarter, the lead had

tripled as the team were dominating their opponent by 30 points en route to another championship win.

Kevin Johnson, head coach of the Rattlers, talked about the big win.

“It feels good to be back-to-back champions. These young men came out tonight determined that they were going to take it home and they did,” Johnson said.

He said his overall strategy was to cause chaos in terms of forcing turnovers, disorganising things for the Cougars on the defensive end and, as a result, his team was able to score easy baskets.

The senior girls of the Stingrays had an all out battle against the Lady Rattlers. The GSSSA senior girl champions were no match for the Stingrays as they defeated them 23-21 in a tightly contested game. The game got off to a slow start by both teams but basketball play picked up in the second half after a flurry of big buckets by both teams.

The Stingrays looked to be done but a timely three by the team’s Most Valuable Player Trinity Bodie put them up. Bodie was involved in lots of big defensive and offensive plays down the stretch, including the game-clinching free throws to put the team up by two points for the win.

Stingrays head coach Shantelle Rolle said it felt great to get the championship victory. She noted that after a slow start by both teams, she told her team to step up the defensive effort and offensively she made the adjustment to have them shoot more long twos and threes as the Lady Rattlers were clogging the paint.

Junior divison

The Raptors have been crushing the competition all season long. After coming off wins in the GSSSA basketball and track championships, their sports momentum continued this past weekend.

The Raptors wrapped up the St John’s College junior girls 26-10 to become the 2023 NPA tournament junior girls champions. The team’s MVP was Tajhanique Morley.

Varel Davis, head coach of the Raptors, said it feels good, especially as the GSSSA junior girl champions, she decided to use the tournament as an opportunity to get the team more exposure and experience. Despite a break due to COVID-19, Davis said the teams came back this year hungry and their efforts and hard work is definitely showing. For the boys, the Jordan Prince Williams Falcons closed out Clement Howell to claim the NPA junior boys championship hardware.

The Falcons opened up the bout outscoring the team 24-16. By the final buzzer, the Falcons had comfortably secured their NPA juniors boys title win after toppling the visiting team 42-19. Falcons head coach Angie Nash said it felt great to get the win and she was confident that her team would bring home the victory in the championship round. She added this win meant a lot for the team as it could be one of their last championship wins together with some

Photos: Tenajh Sweeting

players potentially leaving, therefore, it was the perfect time for them to play together one more time.

After three days of competition from the best of the best in local basketball across all divisions, an entertaining performance by Julian Believe, cheerleading competition and halftime shows, and educational opportunities provided by Niagara College, the sixth edition of the NPA Spring Classic is now in the books and will look to be even more exciting next year.

“I hit him too much in the head and he did not go down,” Canelo said at ring side after the fight. “I’ve always said it, when they fight me, they give their 100%, it gets complicated because they usually give me the fight of their lives”.

Ryder said that he suffered what is probably a broken nose in the second round and that played a major role in having his four-bout winning streak stopped and is 32-6.

“He´s probably past his best, he could not get me out there, he wanted to stop me and could not do it,” Ryder said at a press conference. “It could have been a little different without the problem to my nose, it took me a few rounds to get adjusted.”

It was Canelo´s first fight since he had surgery on his left wrist last March. Before the fight, he said the injury slowed him down in his previous four fights, including his loss to Russian light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol a year ago.

“In the first rounds I was not confident, but then I started punching strong with it, and that gives me motivation going forward,” added the Mexican.

After getting a hardfought victory over Ryder, Canelo has his eyes set on a rematch against Bivol in September and plans to fight him at 175 pounds.

“I don’t want to make any excuses from what happened the last time, it’s pointless, but this time my preparation will be different because now (that he’s injury free) I can do a different preparation to do all of the things that needs to be done.”

In a fight that was touted as the “King is Coming Home”, the sold-out crowd at Akron stadium in Guadalajara, just 25 miles away from Juanacatlan, the small town where Canelo grew up, screamed deliriously during the whole fight.

“It was different, I’ve fought in stadiums before, but tonight was very different, the vibe of the crowd was awesome, I’m very thankful,” added Alvarez.

Jazz and Marlins stop 5-game slide with 14-inning win over Cubs

By JAY COHEN AP Baseball Writer

CHICAGO (AP) — Garrett Hampson scored on Adbert Alzolay’s balk in the 14th inning, and the Miami Marlins stopped a five-game slide by outlasting the Chicago Cubs for a wild 5-4 victory yesterday.

Hampson opened the inning on second as the automatic runner. He advanced on Luis Arraez’s groundout and trotted

home when Alzolay (1-2) was called for a balk with a 2-2 count on Jesús Sánchez.

Steven Okert (1-0) got three outs for the win, and Andrew Nardi pitched the 14th for his first career save.

Tucker Barnhart struck out with a runner on third for the final out.

Yuli Gurriel hit his third homer for Miami, which was outscored 34-12 during its losing streak. It was the first win for the Marlins since they closed out

a three-game sweep of the Cubs in Miami on April 30. Miami also scored in the 10th on Joey Wendle’s pinch-hit triple and the 13th on Jazz Chisholm Jr’s sacrifice fly. Wendle was reinstated from the 10-day injured list before the game.

Chicago responded with run-scoring singles by Nico Hoerner in the 10th and Ian Happ in the 13th. The Cubs put runners on second and third with one out in the 11th, but Happ was cut

down at the plate on Trey Mancini’s bouncer to third and Matt Mervis grounded out. The Cubs also rallied with two runs in the ninth, spoiling an impressive performance by Sandy Alcantara. Cody Bellinger hit a run-scoring double and scampered home on Eric Hosmer’s tying single through a drawn-in infield.

Alcantara departed after Hosmer’s hit on his season-high 113th pitch.

The reigning NL Cy Young

Award winner struck out nine and walked none in 8 1/3 innings. He is winless in his last five outings.

The Cubs got a stellar start from Hayden Wesneski, who pitched six innings of one-run ball. The right-hander struck out six and walked none on a sunny afternoon at Wrigley Field. Gurriel led off the fifth with a drive into the basket in left for his first homer since April 25. Jorge Soler added a two-out RBI

single in the eighth against Brad Boxberger. The Marlins had runners on second and third with one out in the fifth. But Nick Madrigal cut down Jean Segura at the plate on Jon Berti’s grounder to third and Chisholm struck out swinging. Mervis had two hits for Chicago in his third major league game. But he also was thrown out by Sánchez when he tried to take third on Miguel Amaya’s single in the fifth.

THE CV Bethel Stingrays are your 2023 Noble Preparatory Academy (NPA) Spring Classic basketball senior girls’ champions.

SAUL “Canelo” Alvarez. (AP)

THE CH Reeves Raptors are your 2023 Noble Preparatory Academy (NPA) Spring Classic basketball junior girls’ champions.

THE JORDAN Prince Williams Falcons are your 2023 Noble Preparatory Academy (NPA) Spring Classic basketball junior boys’ champions.

Photo: Austin Fernander

TABLE TENNIS TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS CROWNED

By TENAJH SWEETING tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas Table Tennis Federation (BTTF) hosted a few rounds of exciting table tennis action on Saturday at the LW Young auditorium.

After matches played across the under 11, 15, 18 and open divisions, four table tennis champions were crowned. This year’s Spring Classic tourney included over 50 participants, making for some entertaining table tennis matchups this past weekend.

Sudan Khalfani, BTTF youth director, talked about how impressed he was with the level of play on display at this year’s tourney.

“I am very impressed every time we come here [and] we set up a tournament. We always see the talent, you see kids who may not have been good turn out to be very good and the kids who are always

good become better so it’s always improving everytime,” Khalfani said.

For the under 11 division, Ronal Fernando of Queen’s College represented the Comets well as he won first place in the division. He defeated second place finisher Courtney Rahming of Columbus Primary in two sets. Fernando claimed both championship sets 11-6, 11-7.

Rahming secured his second place position after ousting Sybil Strachan’s Markito Miller in a competitive three setter.

Rahming opened set one 11-6, but fell 6-11 in set two. However he recovered nicely in the final set after winning 11-8. Miller finished third in the division.

Despite his nerves ahead of the championship round, Fernando once again came out on top.

He revealed that his strategy was simple - aim the ball at the table and move around.

St Andrew’s Mahelis Reeves took care of business in the under 15 division for first place honours. He took down Kingsway Academy’s Samuel Corbin in a hard fought, three set match. Reeves nabbed set one 11-8 but Corbin mounted a comeback to defeat him 8-11 in set two.

However, Reeves remained poised and collected the overall win after toppling Corbin 11-7 in set three. Corbin finished second in the division after shutting out St Andrew’s Callum Pritchard in three sets. The scores were 11-7, 6-11 and 11-8. Pritchard wrapped up the day with third in this division.

Reeves said he felt good going into the championship round but was a little nervous, nonetheless, he stuck to his strategy of finding the weakness, moving around and spinning the ball along.

Tyreck Pratt represented the CV Bethel Stingrays well as he secured a win in the 18 and under division. He battled his fellow schoolmate Sadeki Hendricks.

The battle of the Stingrays ended in two sets, favouring Pratt 11-8, 11-7. Sadeki nabbed second place after taking down Doris Johnson graduate Tori Ellis in three sets of play. He defeated the latter after sets of 11-5, 7-11, 11-9.

For the adults open division, first place belonged to Sandeep Gali.

Second place was nabbed by Arnold Jones and third place went to Godfrey Springer.

The table tennis athletes saw their great efforts noticed as the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg paid a visit to the tourney to acknowledge the sport and high-level gameplay among the children and adults.

“Anytime you can find a safe haven in any sport where you can get young people involved who have a love for it, this is where we save lives and deter them from the life of crime,” the minister said.

Carlos Alcaraz beats lucky loser Struff to retain Madrid Open title

By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer

MADRID (AP) —

Carlos Alcaraz successfully defended his Madrid Open title with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 win over lucky loser JanLennard Struff yesterday, moving closer to recovering his world No. 1 ranking

The 20-year-old Spaniard will be back at the top of the rankings going into the French Open if he plays at least one match at the upcoming Italian Open in Rome. He converted on his first match point after a hardfought battle against Struff to secure his fourth title of the year and 10th of his impressive young career. He had also successfully defended his title in Barcelona two weeks ago.

It was Alcaraz’s 29th win of the season, and 21st straight in Spain going back to a loss to Rafael Nadal in Madrid on his 18th birthday two years ago. He joined Nadal as the only consecutive Madrid

champion in tournament history, and is the youngest player to successfully defend a Masters 1000 title since Nadal at Monte Carlo and Rome in 2005-06.

“For me it is so, so special,” Alcaraz said. “To lift the trophy here in Madrid. In my country. In front of my home crowd, my family, my friends. Everyone close to me. For me it is a special feeling that I will never forget.”

Alcaraz’s other titles this year came in Buenos Aires and Indian Wells. He is the first player to win two Masters 1000 trophies this season. It is his fifth Masters 1000 title overall.

“It was a really tough match,” Alcaraz said. “Jan was playing great, really aggressive. In the second set I had a lot of chances to break his serve and I didn’t take it and it was tough for me to lose it. I told myself that I had to be positive all the time and that I would have my chances and I think I did it in the third set.”

The big-serving Struff was the first lucky loser to reach an ATP Masters 1000 final, having earned

an unexpected spot in the main draw after another player had to drop out.

The 33-year-old German,

ranked 65th in the world, was trying to become just the fourth player and first in more than 20 years to win his first tour-level trophy at a Masters 1000. It was his second Struff had lost in the final round of qualifying to Aslan Karatsev, the player he eventually beat in the semifinals after upsetting fourth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarterfinals.

The final was his ninth match at the clay-court tournament in Madrid, compared to six for the top-seeded Alcaraz.

Struff beat Alcaraz on clay at the French Open in 2021, while Alcaraz needed five sets to down Struff at Wimbledon last year.

WOMEN’S DOUBLES

Victoria Azarenka and Beatriz Haddad Maia won the women’s doubles title by defeating top-seeded Americans Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula 6-1, 6-4. The unseeded winning duo upset two of the topthree seeds in Madrid.

Bowleg added that he hopes to see the sport grow not only from persons five and up, but also for older adults as it’s the collective goal to build a healthier nation. Minister Bowleg said the MOYSC fully supports table tennis and is committed to helping the sport grow through its developmental stages by providing them with the necessary tools and equipment needed for it to become a major sporting discipline in the country. Both the minister and youth director are encouraging more Bahamians to come out and support, or join table tennis as the sport is steadily on the rise in the country.

SABALENKA WINS THE MADRID OPEN TITLE

FROM PAGE 18

the top two women met twice on clay in a single season. Swiatek, a three-time Grand Slam winner, entered the match with a 5-2 record against Sabalenka. But she was clearly flustered early on by Sabalenka’s superb hitting. She shook her head and talked to her coach in the stands after costly hitting errors.

After Sabalenka commanded the first set and the start of the second, Swiatek found her composure and levelled the set score.

The decisive set could have gone either way.

Sabalenka finally tilted the final in her favour after a running forehand cross-court shot clipped the sideline for a winner to break Swiatek and go up 5-3.

Swiatek fended off three match points before Sabalenka smashed a forehand to finish her off.

TABLE tennis officials gather alongside Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg at table tennis tourney.

Photos: Tenajh Sweeting

PLAY ACTION: Competitors of the under 18 age group go head-to-head at the Table Tennis Spring Classic tourney this past weekend.

CARLOS ALCARAZ, of Spain, kisses the winner’s trophy after defeating Jan-Lennard Struff, of Germany, in the men’s final at the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, yesterday. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

BFA selects 12-man beach soccer team to represent the Bahamas

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas, with their home court advantage and playing out of Group B, has selected a solid, 12-man team that the Bahamas Football Association is confident will be able to compete against its peers in the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championships (CBSC) World Cup Qualifier.

“I think we are very confident in the team that we have put together,” said Gavin Christie, who is responsible for beach soccer in the BFA.

“We have some very experienced players along with some young, vibrant players, so we feel we should be able to perform very well in the tournament.”

On Friday, in the lead up to the tournament, Christie and the coaching staff released the names of the 12 players who will carry the Bahamian flag.

The list includes Michael Butler, Julmis Evelt, Daron Beneby, Jean Francois, Kyle Williams, Gary Joseph, James Thompson, Creven Ferguson, Julmis Wood, Lesly St Fleur, Gavin Christie and Torin Ferguson. The Bahamas will be playing alongside Mexico, Guatemala and Belize when the week-long tournament gets underway today (free of charge for spectators) at the beach soccer stadium at Malcolm Park.

Group A will comprise El Salvador, Costa Rica,

Guadeloupe, Turks and Caicos Islands, while Group C includes the United States, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominican Republic.

A series of stage games in each group will be played starting at noon with the Bahamas playing the feature games at 7:30pm each day through Wednesday.

Following the group play and a day of rest on Thursday, the first and second place finishers in each group, plus the two best third place finishers (eight teams in total) will advance to the quarterfinals on Friday, followed by the semifinals, third-place match and the Final.

The two finalists will qualify for the 2023 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. El Salvador pulled off the last CONCACAF Beach Soccer Tournament played in Costa Rica in 2021 with a 6-4 victory over the United States in the Final.

“This is always a very hard fought tournament because there’s a lot at stake and a lot of the teams will be using players who play all around the world,” Christie said. “This is a qualifier for the World Cup in beach soccer and everybody wants to get that opportunity to qualify.

“So we know that every game played will be of a high level. We just have to go out there and play our best. It’s going to be competitive, but we feel we have a team that could play with these teams.”

Christie said the biggest advantage Team Bahamas has is home court.

“We normally play on the road where the stadium is filled with the fans waving their flags for their home team,” Christie said. “So with the tournament being home, we feel like we have the sixth man so to speak on the pitch.

“We don’t normally get to play at home, so this is a good time in a high level tournament for the Bahamian public to come and see what we are made of. So we’re hoping that the fans will come out and support our team.”

The Bahamas will be playing in their eighth CBSC and has made it to three straight quarterfinals in the 2015, 2017 and 2019 championships. The question is: Will Team Bahamas surpass those feats this year?

– Here’s a look at the team rosters for this week:

Costa Rica - Anothony Lopez, Arrieta Frandert, Prado Christian, Pena Daniel, Roger Mora,

Rachith Gomez, Lponis Calero, Christian Sanchez, Greivin Pacheco, Jhonatan Sanchez, Deyber Villegas and Jeaustin Medina.

El Salvador - Erick Najera, Andres Cruz, Heber Ramos, Melvin Gonzalez, Exon Perdomo, Jason Urbina, Elmar Robles, Darvin Ramirez, Abdres Osorio, Rogelio Rauda, Francisco Velasquez and Eliodoro Portillo.

Guadeloupe - Steeve Mirabel, David Nicolas, Yannick Ruart, Ricardo Mezence, Gary Andre, Gael Geolier, Marvin Quinol, Stephane Amadiah, Gaetan Gailan, Sebastien Hell and Cesaire Amadiah.

Turks $ Caicos - Pendieno Brooks, Leishawn Green, Ivenson Philogene, Ledson Jerome, Peterson Evariste, Emmanuel Martin, Billy Forbres, Henry Magny, Dornell Wiles, Sylvins Wilkins, Wildens Delva and Sebastian Turbyfield, Bahamas - Michael Butler, Julmis Evelt,

Daron Beneby, Jean Francois, Kyle Williams, Gary Joseph, James Thompson, Creven Ferguson, Julmis

Wood, Lesly St Fleur, Gavin Christie and Torin

Ferguson.

Belize - Jahym McKenzie, Sean Alexander, Jermain Jones, Brandon

Jones, Kenen Castillo, Ken yon Martinez, Darnae

Garcia, Devin Guzman, Jaheim Mena, Marlon

Meza, Rahmond Ramos and Brenton Garcia,. USA - Christopher Toth, Alvaro Franco, Antonio

Chavez, Ricardo Carvalho, Nicholas Perea, Cody Valcarcel, Nicolas Perera, Connwe Santiago, Tomas

Canale, Gabriel Silveira, Christopher Albiston and Austin Collier.

Panama - Jason Navarro, Aguilar Montero, Alberto

Kelly, Jose Escobar, Nagdiel Del Rosario, Eliecer

Garcia, Edgar Carvajal, Rafael Garcia, Alfonso

Maquensi, Julio Watson and Jaime Londono.

Trinidad & Tobago

- Jabari Gray, Akinola

Gregory, Jsayson Joseph, Shallun Bobb, Omri Baird, Kevon Williams, Jordan

Riley, Jesse Bailey, Hakeem

King, Shane Hospedales, Hakeem Perry and Zane

Coker, Dominican Republic - Miguel Rojas, Jose Shanlatte, Yensyt Severino, Yorinson Noesi, Cesar

Ramirez, Alfredo Baez, Miguel Moreta, Inoel

Navarro, Miguel Rivera, Wander Medina, Yan Lluberes and Raybel Tejeda.

Mexico - Gabriel Marcias, RJuan Morales, Jose

Hernandez, Edgar Portilla,

Hector Acevedo, Alejandro Garcia, Diego Martine, Enoch Lopez, Christopher Castillo, Jair Aleman, Jose Vizcarra and Antonio Echeverria.

Guatemala - Anderson Crespo, Juan Flores, Berny Marroquin, Angel Saenz, Lem Jose, Wilson Gonzalez, Jose Gonzalez, Samuel Perez, Miguel Gonzalez, Pablo Crocker, Edwin Lopez and Hendrick Cordova.

• Here’s a look at this week’s schedule:

Today

Noon - Panama vs Trinidad & Tobago

1:30pm - USA vs Dominican Republic

3pm - Costa Rica vs Guadeloupe

4:30pm - El Salvador vs Turks & Caicos

6pm - Mexico vs Belize

7:30pm - Bahamas vs Guatemala

Tuesday

Noon - Dominican Republic vs Panama

1:30pm - Trinidad & Tobago vs USA

3pm - Turks & Caicos vs Costa Rica

4:30pm - Guadeloupe vs El Salvador

6pm - Guatemala vs Mexico

7:30pm - Belize vs Bahamas

Wednesday Noon - Trinidad vs Dominican Republic

1:30pm - USA vs Panama

3pm - Guadeloupe vs Turks & Caicos

4:30pm - El Salvador vs Costa Rica

6pm - Guatemala vs Belize

7:30pm - Mexico vs Bahamas

Ten-week countdown to Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games

WITH only 10 weeks leading up to the 50th Golden Jubilee Celebration of Independence, The Bahamas has been celebrating with a number of events.

Included in these activities was the celebration of Jubilee Day, May 5 when all Bahamians were encouraged to celebrate and do something that was uniquely Bahamian. This could have been the expression of our colours, dance, music or food.

As a part of these celebrations, schools throughout the Commonwealth of The Bahamas were also encouraged to put on activities to remind our young persons of their cultural heritage.

Minister of Youth, Sports & Culture Mario Bowleg visited Jordan Prince Williams Baptist School, during Jubilee Day, to encourage the young students to cherish their Bahamian culture and remind them of how important they are to carrying on what is uniquely us as a people.

According to Minister Bowleg, “50 Years ago, our then leaders of the Bahamas under the leadership of Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling had a dream for our nation. A dream of an independent people. A people who could decide their own direction and set a course for their future.”

Minister Bowleg reminded the students of the importance of cherishing the independence they now have, that was hard fought for by those who came before and to know that each of the students represented a brighter future for themselves as individuals, families and nation.

“This year we celebrate 50 years of Independence. A Golden Jubilee as a nation, and independent people. As a people we are proud of the many

accomplishments we have made, but one of our greatest accomplishments is making a nation where our young people are able to dream and determine their own destinies as individuals and collectively as a nation.

Today, we celebrate Jubilee Day, which is the continuation of our celebrations leading up to our 50th Independence celebration this year.”

One of the many activities planned to celebrate the upcoming Golden Jubilee is a return of The

Bahamas Games. The Bahamas Games, dubbed The Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games, was first held in 1989.

The Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games will be held from July 7-15 this year.

With its Olympic-style and multisport discipline, The Bahamas Games was initially created to give Bahamian athletes throughout the archipelago an opportunity to showcase their athletic prowess while providing each sporting discipline’s federation with an

occasion to discover new talent.

The games showcased the world-class talent possessed by Bahamians throughout our varied and unique islands, each known for being proficient in one sporting discipline or another.

According to Minister Bowleg, this is the 6th rendition of the games and is an opportunity for our people to come together in a spirit of competition, camaraderie and courage.

“The Bahamas Games

baton, which represents a symbol of hope, friendship, and unity has already begun its journey, beginning in Exuma and will end here in New Providence.

Once lit, the flames announce the commencement of the Games and spread the message of hope, friendship and unity throughout the archipelago.”

Minister Bowleg encouraged the young students if they had the confidence and courage to participate to sign up and represent their island of descendance.

This year’s Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games will include 16 disciplines with athletes representing 10 islands.

Some of the events will include track & field, basketball, soccer, swimming, boxing, golf, sailing and several other sporting disciplines.

According to Minister Bowleg, the theme for this year’s games is unity under the slogan, “Our Nation, Our Islands, Our Games.” For more information you can check out the website on thebahamasgames. org or WhatsApp 809-1242 or follow The Bahamas Golden Jubilee Games on Tik Tok, and YouTube at @thebahamasgames and Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @ thebahamagames.

MAN CITY AND HAALAND AVOID SCARE AHEAD OF REAL MADRID CLASH

By JAMES ROBSON AP Soccer Writer

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester City and Erling Haaland got a wake up call they didn’t know they needed before their Champions League semifinal against Real Madrid. The Norwegian goal machine has hardly put a foot wrong this season. But against Leeds on Saturday he allowed himself a moment of indulgence which almost backfired on the defending English Premier League champions.

Cruising with a 2-0 lead at Etihad Stadium, Haaland passed up the chance

to score a late penalty by handing over the duty to Ilkay Gundogan, who was on for a hat trick.

Gundogan hit the post and Leeds scored a minute later to set up an uncomfortable finish in a match that City totally dominated. City won 2-1, but against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday, such a lapse in judgement could prove much more costly.

A miffed Pep Guardiola made sure City took the lesson on board.

“Erling is the best penalty taker right now so he has to take it,” the manager said. “If Gundo scores everyone is ‘OK, hat trick, well

done.’ But a taker is a taker. At 2-0, this is a business, not a situation where we cannot forget it.”

Memories are still fresh of the semifinals against Madrid last season, when City led by two goals on aggregate going into the 90th minute of the second leg. In a dramatic finish, Madrid scored twice to force extra time, and a 95thminute penalty knocked City out. City is looking unstoppable in its pursuit of a treble of trophies, including the Premier League and the FA Cup, but perhaps it was all getting a little too easy for Guardiola’s players. Haaland has 51 goals

already, and Saturday’s win extended their unbeaten run to 20 games in all competitions, not to mention moving the league leaders four points clear of secondplaced Arsenal.

“Everyone was incredibly focused knowing what we are playing for,” Guardiola said. “But at 2-0 you have to close it and not give them anything. If you have control, you have control.”

Rodrigo’s goal changed the mood inside the stadium as relegation-threatened Leeds, under new manager Sam Allardyce, went in search of an unlikely equaliser. It didn’t come, but after this late scare, Haaland surely won’t pass

up a penalty shot if one comes his way in Madrid on Tuesday.

LIVERPOOL MARCHES ON

Liverpool has probably left its run just a little too late. A sixth straight win has moved Jurgen Klopp’s team to within a point of fourth-placed Manchester United. But United has two games in hand, meaning it would take a big slump to miss out on Champions League qualification.

Liverpool, though, is definitely applying pressure in the final weeks of the season, which encourages Klopp after such a frustrating and inconsistent campaign. Mohamed

Salah’s goal secured a 1-0 win against Brentford and the striker’s 100th at Anfield. “Six games ago nobody would have thought we would be here,” Klopp said. “We cannot do more than win football games.

CHELSEA FINALLY WINS

At the 10th time of asking, Chelsea secured a long-awaited win after beating Bournemouth 3-1 to end a miserable run. It was interim manager Frank Lampard’s first victory since returning to Stamford Bridge last month and his first with Chelsea since his final game in charge before he was fired in 2021.

MINISTER of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg, third from right, can be seen during his visit to Jordan Prince Williams Baptist School.

COACH GAVIN CHRISTIE, who is responsible for beach soccer in the Bahamas Football Association.