05282024 NEWS AND SPORT

WOMAN & HEALTH

‘CUT TAXES’ PLEA FROM BUSINESS

Davis Budget speech ‘to foreshadow’ plans for reform of BPL

By EARYEL BOWLEG AND LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporters

THE business community hopes Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis will reduce taxes, simplify the tax code and improve the ease of doing business when he reveals the budget for the next fiscal year on Wednesday, according to

the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) chairman Timothy Ingraham. “It’s still difficult,” he told reporters yesterday, “to open bank accounts of your business in this country. It’s still difficult to get your business licence sorted out

AIRLINE TICKET CHANGE FEES WAIVED FOR UB GRADUATION

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMASAIR will waive ticket change penalties for those travelling to New Providence for the University of The Bahamas’ upcoming graduation ceremony after changes in the time and location of the event prompted uproar from the graduating class. The graduation ceremony was initially scheduled for 6pm on May 30 at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium. Students recently learned that the ceremony will instead take place at the Atlantis Ballroom at 2pm. The class of spring 2024 has over 600

From surviving Dorian in Abaco to valedictorian of Brooklyn College

By KEILE CAMPBELL kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

FROM surviving Hurricane Dorian to becoming the first black valedictorian of Brooklyn College, Rhema Mills’

story is not conventional or straightforward. When she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Nutrition Sciences, it represented the peak of a journey that was interrupted by Hurricane

Dorian. The hurricane destroyed her family’s business and prompted her to leave her “dream” school, New York University, because of the sudden

COUSIN TESTIFIES GIBSON SAID HE FELT ‘FRAMED’

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

LONG Island MP Adrian Gibson reportedly believed his ex-fiancée framed and threw him “under the bus” by blaming alleged criminal activities at the Water and Sewerage Corporation on him. Mr Gibson’s cousin, Rashae Gibson, said this when Mr Gibson’s lawyer,

Damian Gomez, crossexamined her yesterday. The witness replied “yes” when Mr Gomez said: “I put it to you that Mr Adrian Gibson told you that he felt that Mrs Alexandria Mackey had framed him.”

Ms Gibson had previously testified about a series of text conversations she and Mr Gibson had

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

ABACO’S Chamber of Commerce president is warning “we are all at risk” as she urged the Government to clarify if it has selected a private operator to take over Marsh Harbour’s commercial shipping port. She said the island will likely be without a properly-functioning shipping port for six to seven years post-Dorian as she voiced fears that, in its present condition, “we are nowhere near to passing” international security standards.

RASHAE GIBSON, Adrian Gibson’s cousin.

PICTURED are award-winning filmmaker, philanthropist, and activist Abigail E Disney (left), valedictorian Rhema Mills (centre), and Brooklyn College president Michelle J Anderson.

UB expects to save up to $15,000 when new solar rooftop install is completed

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

THE University of The Bahamas will save up to $15,000 a month on electricity when a new solar rooftop system is constructed.

The Ministry of Finance signed a contract with AnO Tech in November 2023 to solarise UB by installing rooftop solar panels. The project is financed through the International Development Bank (IDB) and is valued at over $500,000.

The press was invited to the college yesterday as the project began. Delano Arthur, managing director of AnO Tech, said the project will provide UB with solar voltaic renewable energy and will be a 291-kilowatt system inclusive of over 650 rooftop solar panels.

“The end game is a reduction in the carbon footprint

of the university and also the reduction of their utility bills, being more green, being more energy responsible, being less reliant on fossil fuel,” Mr Arthur told reporters. “I commend the government for the job that they’re doing in providing the resources and the funding to be able to help us to move towards a more greener, renewable future.” AnO Tech will be installing the solar panels in two phases. There will be 450 panels installed at UB Choices Restaurant and the remaining panels will be on the campus’ T block.

Mr Arthur said the first installation will take two weeks and the other installation about a week and a half. Recent thunderstorms have caused hiccups.

Workers had to wait for the rooftop to fully dry to ensure a safe working environment while

installing panels.

Acting president of UB Janyne Hodder expressed excitement for the solarisation of the campus.

“We hope that this is the first of many such roofs on our campus because we have as you know, nearly 5,000 students here on this campus,” she said. “We have a need for all kinds of energy to power up our smart boards in our classrooms, to keep us cool when it gets a little warm, and to actually support Wi-Fi networks. We’re very excited to see if we can do that in a way that also represents an effort in increasing sustainability.”

Marco Rolle, programme coordinator of the Ministry of Finance, said other solarisation projects can be expected at a post office and library on Carmichael Road and at the Elizabeth Estates Clinic and post office in that area.

Police investigate suspected suicide attempts in Abaco and Grand Bahama

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

ABACO police are investigating an attempted suicide involving a 62-yearold man who was flown to the hospital in New Providence on Sunday.

According to reports, an adult male was discovered unresponsive at Green Turtle Cay around 2.30pm. Police responded to a

residence in Plymouth Rock where the male victim had allegedly ingested a liquid substance. He was taken to the local clinic and later airlifted to New Providence for further medical attention and evaluation. His condition is unknown.

In Grand Bahama, police are also investigating an attempted suicide on Saturday involving a 49-year-old woman.

Reports indicate that the victim was at her residence on Columbus Drive around 6pm when she cut her wrist with a sharp instrument. EMS personnel responded and took the woman to the Rand Memorial Hospital for medical attention. Her injuries were non-life threatening. Investigations are continuing into both matters.

MANAGING Director of AnO Tech Divano Arthur and University of The Bahamas President Janyne Hodder chat during the installation of solar panels atop Choices Restaurant and the University of The Bahamas (UB) yesterday.

Photos: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

‘Cut taxes’ plea from business

from page one

and in many instances, to get certificates of good standing.”

National Insurance Board contribution rates will increase on July 1. Otherwise, Economic Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis has said there will be no tax increases in the next budget cycle.

As usual, the government is tightlipped about what new measures or initiatives will accompany the next budget.

However, Office of the Prime Minister Director of Communications Latrae Rahming said yesterday that Mr Davis will address “historical challenges and legacy issues” that plague Bahamians.

Mr Davis will “foreshadow the announcements” concerning plans to reform Bahamas Power and Light, he said, adding: “He will set up the case as to why the government has to really comprehensively focus on SOEs and making sure they are much more than what they are, efficient and better managed.”

“You will also see a focus on the administration dealing with the central issue of health care and further investments in the critical areas of the administration. You will also see the prime minister speak to the gains his administration has been making, really clawing back a lot of the economic challenges The Bahamas was confronted with when he first came into office.”

Although the administration announced last year that there would be no tax increases, it introduced and raised numerous fees, angering interested groups in some cases. Mr Rahming could not say whether new or increased fees will be seen again this year.

BIMINI AIRPORT SET TO GET MAJOR 24,000 SQUARE FOOT FACELIFT

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

SOUTH Bimini Airport is set to get a major facelift when it is expanded by 24,000 square feet, four times its current size in an $80m project. A $7m contract was signed between Bimini Development Partners and Knowles Construction Company for the South Bimini International Airport on Friday. Jeremy Ebie, director of Bimini Airport Development Partners, said: “The current terminal which exists now is going to be a domestic terminal. We’re going to add an international terminal. That’s going to be that additional square footage along with just that physical space we’re going to have within it for retail and commercial activity, which will be a big part of the airport.” He said the

facility accesses the internet through Starlink and that a fire truck was purchased to help develop the airport.

“As soon as we signed, we purchased a truck that cost us about nearly over a quarter million dollars,” he said, “and to get it over, it’s on it’s way, actually, it cost us $400,000 if you want to be specific. And in the meantime, right now we’re building a shelter for that truck.”

Knowles Construction is repaving the nearby road.

“The works include extending the shoulders on both sides of the runway, and out to 500 feet off of the centerline of the runway in the event of an overrun for drainage, so the safety factors are going to be tremendous,” said Emile Knowles, president of Knowles Construction. The project is expected to engage Bahamian contractors and workers and be completed in 2025.

DIRECTOR of Communications for the Office of the Prime Minister, Latrae Rahming.

A $7m contract was signed between Bimini Development Partners and Knowles Construction Company for the South Bimini International Airport on Friday.

Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr

Cousin testifies Gibson said he felt ‘framed’

“the funeral”.

concerning Ms Mackey and other matters.

In one instance, she recalled the Long Island MP telling her to ignore Ms Mackey if she asked about the money he gave her.

Ms Gibson initially testified that Mr Gibson “gifted” her $10,000 in 2021 and guessed “it was because of what was going on in the media” at the time.

However, Mr Gomez suggested yesterday that the money was given to help with funeral expenses for her grandmother and aunt, who died days apart in October 2021.

The witness denied this, but Mr Gomez suggested she was not telling the truth.

“No, he did not give me the money specifically for the funeral,” she said.

Mr Gomez then showed her a series of messages between her and his client.

Reading the text aloud, Mr Gomez recalled that Mr Gibson asked about her whereabouts, to which she replied that she was going to a funeral.

“Praying for you my sweet, sweet cousin,” Mr Gibson wrote to her, according to Mr Gomez, who added: “Then over the page, he then says on October 25th, ‘if Alex ever contacts you inquiring about money or how much I gave to you, don’t answer her.”

Ms Gibson reportedly replied,

“What money?”

Mr Gibson responded: “Yup, good girl.”

Mr Gomez read a message where Ms Gibson asked the Long Island MP if the morticians returned the jeeps. Regarding the exchanges, Mr Gomez asked: “So, what was this all about if this wasn’t about the funeral?”

He suggested the context of their conversation was about the money Mr Gibson gave her for

However, Ms Gibson refuted this, insisting their discussions about money and the funeral were not related.

She said that while her cousin did lend her two jeeps for the morticians at her request, he did not give her money specifically for funeral purposes.

“But, you spent it on the funeral,” Mr Gomez said.

“I did,” the witness replied.

When asked if she ever paid Mr Gibson back, she said no.

Mr Gomez then asked her if his client helped her with her brother’s funeral.

The witness said she did not feel comfortable with the questioning about her brother and grandmother.

“Adrian knows exactly how close all of us were and the situation at hand,” she said, adding this “was extremely painful”.

She said the case had nothing to do with their family, but was about WSC contracts about which she had no clue.

Mr Gibson is facing several charges concerning his tenure as WSC executive chairman under the Minnis administration.

The charges stem from Mr Gibson’s alleged failure to declare his interest in contracts awarded by the WSC.

The FNM politician is charged with Elwood Donaldson Jr, former WSC’s general manager, Joan Knowles, Peaches Farquharson and Jerome Missick.

Damian Gomez, KC, Murrio Ducille KC, Ian Cargill, Bryan Bastian, Ryan Eve, Raphael Moxey, represent the defendants.

Geoffrey Farquharson is the latest attorney to join the case. He represents Mr Gibson.

Meanwhile, the Crown’s lawyers include acting Director of Public Prosecutions Cordell Frazier, Cashena Thompson, Karine MacVean and Rashied Edgecombe. from page one

Central Bank launches digital banking education campaign

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

THE Central Bank of

The Bahamas launched a “Pay Fast, Live Digital” campaign yesterday to educate the public about digital payments, including online banking, money transfers, and digital wallets.

The campaign is a multimedia, multiple-platform one that involves speaking engagements, bank demonstrations, provider incentives, radio, TV, and print interviews, town hall meetings, and the appointment of notable people as digital ambassadors. The campaign is backed

by all seven commercial banks in the country, credit unions, digital wallet providers, The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce, and insurance companies. The campaign does not involve the elimination of cheques. Although the Central Bank has aimed to eliminate cheques, some, including Fox Hill MP Fred Mitchell, have pushed against this. John Rolle, Central Bank’s governor, said: “Let me begin by saying that optimising the use of digital channels to deliver and consume financial services is the most efficient and inclusive way to extend the reach of the services in The Bahamas. It is also the best strategic way to ensure rapid recovery of commerce and the flow of money as we face a future of more frequent and destructive hurricanes.” Denise Turnquest, chair of the Clearing Banks Association, said: “Whilst the world is embracing digital banking, there are some among us who are resisting embracing it and who have concerns. Usually, those concerns are around elderly family members, elderly persons who are not tech savvy in our communities, and so this programme that we’re launching here today is really to address that.”

ADRIAN Gibson’s cousin, Rashae Gibson, leaves court during the trial of Adrian Gibson on February 26, 2024.

CENTRAL BANK OF THE BAHAMAS

From surviving Dorian in Abaco to valedictorian of Brooklyn College

financial difficulties she faced.

The Abaco native reflected on her journey and historic accomplishment yesterday, telling The Tribune that deciding to leave NYC was “the absolute worst day in my life” at the time.

“I fought, I worked so hard, I had gotten all the scholarships so that we could afford to send me to the school, and all of a sudden it kind of felt like that didn’t matter anymore in that even though I was qualified to go there and that I wanted to go there, that still wasn’t enough,” she said.

She came to realise, however, that transferring to Brooklyn College was the best decision of her life.

She got involved in extracurricular activities: research programmes, a Women of Colour club, and an initiative to provide meals for students who did not have access to food at home.

She was told in February that she was eligible to be valedictorian but believed another student was potentially more qualified than her.

She gained confidence after a Zoom meeting with the deans of all the schools at the college, given their reactions to her.

She was confirmed as valedictorian in April and learned she would be the college’s first black valedictorian while getting

braids at a hair salon.

“I was saying, well, there’s no way that I’m the first because it’s 2024 and the school is almost 100 years old. There’s no way.

“Now, I had this in mind that the first black man to be named valedictorian of the school was only in 2017 or 2018, I believe, so I knew that he wasn’t so far out, but in the back of my mind, I was thinking, well, it had to be someone else.”

Learning about her distinction was “surreal”, she said, adding that it would open doors for many black women and immigrants like her.

“I would be the first in my family to graduate with a bachelor’s degree,” she said, “and I’m the first in my family to be moving to New York.

“I’m here, the first in my family to do a lot of things, but with valedictorian, this became less about my family, it became about the identities I hold, like, being a black woman, like being an immigrant, like being someone who hasn’t always had everything handed to them so I was opening the door for so many people, and I knew that when I got up on that stage, and when they made this announcement, that this would be a big deal, not just for me, but for all those people that I was encouraging.”

Ms Mills’ next step is a Masters in Public Health programme at Columbia University. She wants to be an epidemiologist, an ambition sparked by her father’s death during the

COVID-19 pandemic and her battle with Crohn’s disease.

“Right now, I do research on maternal mortality among black women,” she said. “A lot of that is trying to understand why maternal deaths are

Airline ticket change fees waived for UB graduation

graduates, and each student is allowed to have seven guests.

It is unclear if UB will help those travelling on other airlines.

so high among black women because it’s obviously a huge problem, not just in the US, but worldwide.”

“A lot of that was trying to understand not just the medical implications but the social implications, which is

what a lot of public health is, so it’s always been my interest.”

Ms Mills is a former recipient of scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship and the Lyford Cay Foundations.

A UB email sent to students said: “Graduands with family and friends travelling via Bahamasair for commencement who must change their travel date and/or time will be waived the change of ticket penalty.

Affairs at joe.stubbs@ ub.edu.bs by Tuesday, May 28, 2024.

“Graduands must email the name of their family member(s) with a copy of the existing reservation and preferred new travel date and/or time to Mr Joe Stubbs, VP of Student

“We extend our deepest gratitude to Bahamasair for partnering with us to ensure that the families and friends of graduands who are travelling to celebrate this momentous occasion do not incur additional expenses.”

Funeral Service for Andrea Elaine Turner, 70

of Boyd Road will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, 30th May, 2024 at St. Agnes Anglican Church, Baillou Hill Road

Officiating will be Archdeacon Keith Cartwright assisted by other members of the clergy. Interment will follow in Bernmar Memorial Gardens, Gibbs Lane.

Andrea was pre-deceased by her grandparents: Granville and Alma Nicolls; Frederick and Sandrena Turner; parents: Bernard Cephas and Alma Maria Turner (née Nicolls); sister: Coreen Turner-Davis.

She will be remembered by her siblings: George (Eileen); Charles (Elva); Philip (Delphine); Cleomi, Jessica and Karen Turner; nephews: Brenton Sr. (Paulette); Dr. Bradford, Davawn Sr. (Taneille); Darren (Samara); Philip (Aqueelah) and Bernard Turner; nieces: Bettina, Dr. Ivis, Dr. Bernice Turner and Verlene Rich; grand-nephews: Brenton Jr., Ashton, Davawn Jr., Jayden, Torion, Philip, Mikal and Warren; grand-nieces: Brielle, Taylor, Deryn and Zoya; cousins and their families: Paul, Marie and Andrew Hanna, Veta Brown, Calliope Blyden-Williams, Persis Hepburn, Dr. Gershwin, Louise and John Blyden, Melvern Cooper, Sharon Smith and Anthony Nicolls, Everette, Roman and Marco Nicolls, Rosemarie, Philip, Perry, Percy, Patricia, Pamela, and Eric Nicolls, Erica Johnson, Janet Sands, Tanya Pratt, Sharon and Terrance Saunders, Joanne Ferguson, Antoinette Glinton, Vansharee Newbold, Carol and Sandra Franklin, Christine Swann, Edna Glinton, Chilean and Grace Turner, Elnicka Forbes, Erica Kemp, Peter Pratt, Nicole Holley, Margaret Minnis, Glenroy and Terrance (Ricardo) Pratt; other relatives and friends: Beverly Smith and family, Arthur Johnson and family, Joan Turnquest and family, Willard and Marcia Bain and family, David and Kelly Knowles and family, Philip and Sherry Saunders and family, Henry Dean and family, Maxine Williamson and family, Winifred and Nathaniel Knowles and family, Hazel Darville and family, Mary Marshall and family, the families of the late Allan Coakley, Marion Smith, Corrine Johnson, Mildred McNeil, Thelma Cartwright and Lillian Simmons, Theodore and Prudence Allen and family, the Turner, Seymour and Moncur families, Archdeacon Cartwright and the Clergy of St. Agnes Parish, St. Agnes Church family, Reverend Carl Campbell and Family, Reverend Philip Stubbs and Family, the Boyd Subdivision and Chippingham Communities and a host of other relatives and friends; special thanks to: Dr. Johnson, Dr. Theophilus, Dr. Frederick Smith and Dr. Hunt-Burrows and teams.

May Her Soul Rest In Peace!

THERE WILL BE NO VIEWING AT THE CHURCH.

Friends may pay their last respects at Bethel Brothers Morticians and Crematorium, #44 Nassau Street on Wednesday, 29th May, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Tribune Limited

NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI

“Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”

LEON E. H. DUPUCH

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH, Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972

Contributing Editor 1972-1991

RT HON EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON, C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B.

Publisher/Editor 1972-

Published daily Monday to Friday Shirley & Deveaux Streets, Nassau, Bahamas N3207

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EDITOR, The Tribune.

TO begin, I would like to express my complete agreement with the Bahamian people who advocate for stronger measures to combat the importation and possession of illegal weapons. During my budget contribution in 2019, I emphasised the need for “harsher penalties for weapons and ammunition possession.”

letters@tribunemedia.net

Bahamians. Therefore, it is crucial to address the individuals directly involved in this illicit activity.

@tribune242 tribune news network

power to mitigate climate disasters

AT the rear of Rio de Janeiro’s polluted Guanabara Bay, thousands of mangroves rise as tall as 13 feet (about 4 meters) from a previously deforested area.

The 30,000 trees, planted by non-profit organization Instituto Mar Urbano over four years in the Guapimirim environmental protection area, stand as an example for cities seeking natural means to improve climate resilience.

Such ecosystems are vital for protection against floods that have become increasingly frequent around the world. Brazil’s southern state of Rio Grande do Sul is still reeling from a devastating flood earlier this month that wreaked havoc and took lives, with waters far from subsiding to normal levels.

Mangroves slow sea water’s advance into riverbeds during storm surges by soaking it up, and protects the land by stabilizing soil that otherwise could be washed away. They also act as a carbon sink. The reforestation in Rio’s bay improved the cleanliness of water that’s a breeding ground for marine species. Crabs have returned, providing extra income for the local crab pickers who helped plant the trees.

“To plant a tree in this mangrove is an act of environmental recovery and also an act in the fight against climate change,” Ricardo Gomes, a director at the non-profit, told The Associated Press on Thursday. “Today we can be sad, because of all that has been lost (in Brazil’s South), all that was destroyed. But we never had so much knowledge, so much technology and resources to recover our environment.”

A lack of mangroves wasn’t the cause of flooding around Rio Grande do Sul’s capital, Porto Alegre, that sits beside a lagoon. The flooding largely stemmed from water that flowed down rivers into the area.

The coastal risk map created by Climate Central, a nonprofit science

research group, forecasts areas west and north of Porto Alegre will be underwater by 2100. In Rio, it shows two large areas in the back of its bay — one of which includes the Guapirimim protected area — will be underwater by 2050. That underscores the need for action to mitigate sea water’s encroachment.

Natural vegetation like that of Guapimirim “is like a true sponge,” avoiding or mitigating floods by reducing the energy of the waters, Mauricio Barbosa Muniz, the manager of a reserve at Brazil’s federal agency Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation, said. Vegetation in the region safeguards 1 million residents in the city of Sao Goncalo, in Rio’s metropolitan region, and others.

“In places that were occupied irregularly, such as cities, it is possible to restore those areas and make human settlements that are resilient and prepared for the effects of climate change,” Muniz said.

Since 2000, flood-related disasters across the planet have increased by 134% over the two previous decades, according to a 2021 report by the World Meteorological Organization. Environmentalists say the loss of natural vegetation due to agriculture and cattle ranching in Rio Grande do Sul state amplified the flooding. A recent study by MapBiomas, a network that includes non-profit organizations, universities and start-ups, says the Brazilian state lost 22% of its native vegetation between 1985 and 2022, equal to an area greater than the US state of Maryland. Federal, state and municipal authorities seem to be in agreement since tragedy struck that a massive reforestation effort will be needed in Rio Grande do Sul, but the scope of the investment and specific initiatives are yet to be announced.

By DIARLEI RODRIGUES and MAURICIO SAVARESE

I proposed that anyone caught using an illegal weapon should automatically face a 15-year prison sentence, with an additional five years for each bullet. As a former Senator, I addressed these issues because they directly impact the average Bahamian. Despite facing opposition from some individuals who deemed my request too severe and unrealistic, I remained resolute in my stance, responding with a firm “It was done!”

Now, in 2024, I am attentive to the pleas of Bahamians from all walks of life who are calling for “Stiffer Penalties.” I stand in agreement with them, and my position on this matter remains unchanged. It is disconcerting that a country like The Bahamas, which does not manufacture weapons, has such a significant presence of illegal firearms within its borders. This question perplexes lawmakers and is a national concern for all

Need for harsher penalties Criticism on hospital is sel fsh

EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE recent announcement of the proposed Hospital in the Perpall Tract, Rock Crusher, Stapledon Gardens area brought out the most unimaginable silliest commentary and selfishness.

The hospital will be a female/infant facility that addresses the infant mortality rate and females’ health, which makes sense and is needed.

However, the most concerns came from people who gave no thought to the proximity to their homes in the event they, God forbid, needed to access the facilities. Are these the people who couldn’t care less because they have the means to access the high-end facilities or have significant medical insurance plans that include American institutes?

What is most interesting is that people concerned about the traffic and noise pollution from sirens are simply blowing hot air because they would move heaven and earth if their mother or children were in the ambulance in urgent need of emergency care to save their lives.

Everyone gets sick, no matter where you live, your qualifications, position, or disposition. The concern about living in a quiet neighbourhood should be a desire, but if a mother is sick, should the ambulance wait quietly in the heavy traffic and hope they get to the Hospital in time?

The most common demonstration at the Town Meeting at Stapledon School was that those who spoke only disguised as concerned to object. They

I commend successive governments for engaging in discussions with international partners to prevent the influx of illegal weapons into our country. Additionally, I want to acknowledge the unwavering dedication of the men and women of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) who tirelessly work to locate these illegal weapons and ammunition, thereby safeguarding lives from heinous and premeditated acts.

Unfortunately, our laws in The Bahamas are often perceived as a joke, not only by law-abiding citizens but also by those who are motivated to break them. The purpose of the rule of law is to ensure that everyone is governed and understands the consequences if they choose to disrespect it.

I, as an ordinary citizen of The Bahamas, who does not gain any advantage from it through a legal profession but rather through what is just, strongly believe that the current laws regarding illegal weapons are outdated in this modern era. It is crucial that in 2024, we are unequivocal, straightforward, and resolute in

our efforts to establish and enforce laws pertaining to this issue.

Failing to take decisive action will only undermine the trust of our people in the legal system and lead them to view it as a farce. The recent incident where a 30-year-old man was charged with various firearm-related offenses and received only a fiveyear sentence shocked the nation. The Minister of National Security, who is also a lawyer, deemed the sentencing as appropriate. Personally, I believe that the punishment did not fit the severity of the crime, and I am certain that many Bahamians share this sentiment. Families continue to suffer the loss of loved ones, and children are growing up without a parent due to individuals like the “merchant of death” who profit at the expense of lives. We need a law that makes it crystal clear that anyone involved in the sale, supply, or use of illegal firearms and ammunition will face severe consequences without exception. By taking a firm stance on this issue, I am confident that The Bahamas can make progress, see brighter days, and make a significant impact on this illicit trade that harms us all.

FORMER SENATOR JAMAL MOSS Nassau, May 27, 2024.

would object if the Hospital were in the wilderness with no residents.

Constructive criticism is always welcome, but “make it make sense”. No neighbourhood is more important than any other; no resident is more deserving to live life in a quiet area than the other; socio-economic position should not be the determining factor. It is impossible not to hear police and ambulances every day. As time passes and the population increases, the more you will hear.

The Princess Margaret Hospital has been located on congested Shirley Street near Centreville, Downtown, and Fort Fincastle over the hill for over seventy years. It has functioned in tightly unplanned streets.

We have been using PMH all of our lives. No one complained about noise, accessibility, or property value. So, are we better than the people in the surrounding PMH neighbourhoods because we live in the Highland Park, Stapledon Garden area? I think not.

Get off your high horses, disguising your superiority complex like you’re concerned about increased traffic, and embrace progress. No location would be good enough for a pessimist.

Forgive me for straying off the present course, but many would scream bloody murder about anything this government does.

Looking back in history, some people opposed National Insurance with all sorts of horror stories; they opposed the Defence Force and the University of the Bahamas.

They opposed National Health Care, Baha Mar, or

anything that would move us further away from a fishing village, mainly because the previous government’s modus operandi was to suffocate and stifle the people’s spirit; that is why they never participated in anything national.

Majority Rule Day and Independence Day are two examples of how they are genuinely unconcerned about things that matter most to us as a people.

So, opposing the hospital is of no interest to them because they can hop on their air ambulance and go to the United States or Doctor’s Hospital.

The government must move quickly to address our healthcare, so move out of the way of progress. There is no time to wait for the naysayers, who will always be with us.

There is no time for pussyfooting with the wellbeing of all Bahamians, especially those who nitpick about everything. We heard none of these voices when the former government embarrassed all of us by facilitating a man sign someone else’s name with cameras rolling.

The show must go on, no matter who attends.

Harvey Mackey said “Pessimism doesn’t grow your business or even maintain the status quo. The pessimists on your staff make the job harder for everyone around them. They make difficulties out of opportunities.

Pessimist peddle doom and gloom. Only sad people subscribe it.

IVOINE W INGRAHAM Nassau, May 21, 2024.

Mangroves’

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Pinder touts benefits of

Livewell Fisheries Project

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

ATTORNEY General Ryan

Pinder touted the benefits of the Livewell Fisheries Project, which aims to increase the value of each lobster, allowing fishermen to catch fewer lobsters while maintaining the same profit. The project is funded through the Bahamas Development Bank.

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

Mr Pinder, speaking at the Forum for Impact in Grand Bahama, said the project would promote the collection and export of live lobster that would

diversify the industry but require specialty products, materials, and processes. He noted that while lobster is the country’s largest fisheries export, contributing almost $100m annually in exports, this is not large given the country’s Gross Domestic Project. The Livewell Fisheries Project

focuses on increasing the value of each individual lobster so fishermen can catch fewer lobsters to generate the same profit, ensuring that none of the animals are wasted.

This approach promotes sustainable fishing practices and opens up new opportunities for employment and business in The Bahamas. It allows for new products such as whole-cooked, wholegreen, and value-added lobster products. These require live whole lobsters as the raw material source and cannot be packed and shipped if the lobster is tailed or not landed as a live product.

A 17- YEAR-OLD youth was behind bars yesterday after he was allegedly found with a loaded gun following a police chase in western New Providence last week. The defendant was reportedly spotted outside RBC Old Fort Bay Town Centre wearing a ski-mask before police pursued him.

Magistrate Algernon Allen, Jr, charged the teenager, whose name is being withheld as he

MAN CHARGED WITH DEFRAUDING FOUR PEOPLE OF NEARLY $10,000

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was remanded in custody yesterday accused of defrauding four people of $9,700 over a four months period.

Magistrate Kendra Kelly charged Sean Roberts, 28, with four counts of fraud by false pretences.

Roberts is accused of defrauding Sonia Nottage of $4,000 by false pretences on February 22 in New Providence.

Swaby of $700 on March 3. Roberts is further accused of defrauding Javan Johnson of $2,000 on April 30 and Lakesa Strachan of $3,000 on May 11. Roberts pleaded not guilty to the charges.

is a minor, with possession of an unlicensed firearm, possession of ammunition, stealing and receiving. The juvenile was arraigned in the presence of his guardian. He was accused of stealing a white 2010 Nissan March on May 13 in New Providence. The vehicle, valued at $4,500, belongs to Dante Ortiz. The defendant and an accomplice were reportedly spotted outside RBC Old Fort Bay in a vehicle wearing masks on May 23. When police responded to their suspicious behaviour, they engaged the

THREE MEN AND TWO WOMEN CHARGED WITH HAVING DRUGS

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

THREE men and two women were granted bail yesterday after they were accused of having $36,000 worth of marijuana at a residence in Winton Terrace last week.

He is also accused of defrauding Rashad

Prosecutor Sergeant Vernon Pyfrom objected to him getting bail. The defendant’s bail hearing was postponed to today, resulting in his overnight remand at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. Alphonso Lewis represented the defendant.

Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley charged Andrew Boxerman, 56, Tevin Newbold, 27, Trevor Taylor, 51, Rhonda Levy, 55, and Ashley Rolle, 25, with possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply.

The five defendants were allegedly found with 22lbs of marijuana in large sealed packages at a residence in Winton on May 23.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charge.

All five were granted $9,500 bail with one or two sureties each. The defendants must sign in at their local police station by 6pm on the second and last Friday of every month. The trial in this matter begins on July 29.

Ian Cargill, Bjorn Ferguson and Alex Dorsett represented the accused. TEEN

suspects in a high-speed pursuit on Windsor Field Road that ended with them crashing into a wall. The defendant was arrested after police recovered a black and tan Colt .45 pistol and seven rounds of ammunition, which the defendant allegedly discarded during a brief foot chase. The teenager pleaded not guilty to the charges. He will be remanded to the adolescent unit of the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until his bail hearing today. Alphonso Lewis represented the accused.

MAN ADMITS TO INJURING WOMAN WITH HIS VEHICLE

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was ordered to compensate a woman after he admitted to injuring her with a vehicle earlier this month.

Senior Magistrate Shaka Serville charged Tevin Lewis, 29, with assault with a dangerous instrument and causing harm yesterday.

Lewis pleaded guilty to the causing harm charge, but not guilty to the assault charge.

The defendant was granted a conditional discharge, which requires him to attend counselling and be of good behaviour. Lewis must also pay $1,000 as compensation to the complainant and return to court for a report on November 11. Ryzard Humes represented the accused.

Lewis is accused of assaulting Dod’Dreka Johnson with a 2014 Range Rover Jeep on May 18 in New Providence. Lewis reportedly injured Ms Johnson during the incident.

ATTORNEY General Ryan Pinder attends the Forum for Impact in Grand Bahama where he spoke to attendees about the benefits of the Livewell Fisheries Project.

Photo: Vandyke Hepburn

Judge J Machelle Sweeting: History maker and trailblazer

SHE is the first and only legal practitioner admitted to practice law in both the federal and state courts in New York; Washington, DC; the United States Court of Appeals for the 2nd and 4th Circuits; the United States Supreme Court; and the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

She is the first and only black woman judge to preside in the New York County Family Court in many years since the appointment of Judge Jane Bolin in 1939; Bolin being the first black woman judge in the United States.

She is a history maker, a trailblazer... and most of all, a proud Bahamian descendant.

Judge J Machelle Sweeting is an Acting Supreme Court Justice with an accomplished record of historic firsts.

Born in Harlem, New York, USA, J Machelle is the daughter of Mary Sweeting, whose father hails from Turks and Caicos, and the late William Sweeting, a retired

Face to Face

By FELICITY DARVILLE

teacher who hails from Deep Creek, Congo Town, South Andros. She is the granddaughter of the late Cubell and Elvira Sweeting, and niece of the late Henry Bain, former Inspector of the Royal Bahamas Police Force. She has a countless number of aunts, uncles, cousins, and other beloved family members still living in The Bahamas.

Harlem is home to the Bahamian American Association, so the young Machelle had the opportunity to be heavily impressed by the land of her roots thanks to countless events held by the association to encourage Bahamian pride and patriotism. The Bahamian American

Association is the only organisation founded by foreign migrants which owns a building in New York City. Affectionately known as “Bahama House”, the association’s headquarters is located in a brownstone at 211 West 137th St, near to the famed and historic Striver’s Row in Harlem.

“We travelled back to The Bahamas often and alternated holidays between there and the US, with family doing the same. Our household was always deeply immersed in Bahamian culture and history.”

“Educationally, we have every issue of the Bahamas Handbook (since its first year of publication by

Etienne Dupuch, Jr), which I would read from cover to cover along with the Bahamas phone book (it remains a treasure), which I am delighted is still published today.”

Growing up in Harlem, the young Machelle enjoyed Bahamian music, which was “always blaring” throughout the home. She grew up listening to the music of Ronnie Bulter and Eddie Minnis.

She reminisced: “We still have all of Minnis’ albums and, yes, I know all the words to almost all of his songs!”

All of her uncles, with the exception of just two, were members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, and her family once hosted an entire unit of RBPF officers in her home during their trip to New York.

“The culinary cuisine of The Bahamas is also innate, as my dad was renowned for his peas and rice dishes,” she shared.

After her schooling in Harlem was complete, the young Machelle started her journey of becoming a legal practitioner - one that she had no idea at the time, would thrust her into the seat of greatness, accomplishing so many firsts that she is respected and revered for her craft.

A graduate of Davidson College in North Carolina, Machelle is the first and only woman judge in Davidson’s 187-year history. In June 2023, she was inducted into the college’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni.

She earned her law degree from Rutgers University School of Law in Newark, New Jersey; and a Certificate of Legal Education from the Eugene Dupuch Law School in The Bahamas.

Her outstanding professional track record includes serving as a criminal prosecutor in the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office; an Assistant Corporation Counsel (she is one of the founding attorneys of the Special Federal Litigation Division); an Administrative Law Judge; a Judicial Law Clerk, an Adjunct Law Professor and a Special

Referee. She was elected to the Supreme Court in 2014 from the 10th Municipal Court District. She currently presides over a high-volume court and handles complex cases alleging civil liability. Prior to this appointment, she presided over the most intimate disputes about child custody, visitation, guardianship and domestic violence.

She also served as the Presiding Justice of the Harlem Community Justice Centre, where she was responsible for the overall administration of the court and cases involving inter-related issues of housing, family and other civil matters.

In 2016, long before the global COVID-19 pandemic, Judge Sweeting presided over the United States’ first state-wide “Remote Access” Court that allowed litigants to appear before the court via Skype. This initiative revolutionised the court system by giving court access to people who would otherwise have been denied an opportunity to have their matters heard.

Currently, Justice Sweeting is gearing up to host the 2024 Student Aide Summer Internship Programme. This interactive, paid internship offers high school students, recent high school graduates, and college students a firsthand opportunity to learn about the important work of courts and develop a concrete understanding of court operations throughout New York.

Justice Sweeting’s endless engagement with all things Bahamian is reinforced professionally through her formal studies at Eugene Dupuch Law School, and studies under the populace of current Minister of National Secrity Wayne Munroe, who was her mentor in her Call to the Bar.

She also taught trial advocacy and related comparative legal seminars between US/Bahamian and British law.

“It’s further maintained through interactions with

Bahamians in the US, New York especially,” she said.

“I remain engaged with them all - students, diplomatic leaders; artists; chefs; and others.

“Of course, I read Bahamian news - The Tribune, the Nassau Guardian, the Punch on Thursdays before it ended publication, and now - the new Bahama Journal.”

A woman with many global interests, in 2019, Judge Sweeting joined a US delegation of women judges and lawyers on a pilgrimage to Ghana, Africa. She also led US delegations in The Bahamas, Jamaica, and Haiti, where she presented on the impact of immigration policies on Caribbean nationals.

Judge Sweeting holds leadership positions in several local, state, and national organisations in the US.

She has been named 2024 “Woman of the Year” in recognition of her upliftment of young women and girls; 2022 “Judge of the Year” by the Tribune Society in the New York State Courts; and Grand Marshal in the African American Day parade and is listed amongst “Who’s Who in America” to name a few. She regularly welcomes local and international visitors to her courtroom (including virtually) to observe the inner-workings of the judicial system. She has organised mock trials and other programmes for elementary, college and law students. Her commitment dates back to her years as a law student, when she established Rutgers Law School’s first legal training programme for high school students.

Judge Sweeting is a highly regarded motivational speaker, a National Registered Parliamentarian and a certified Chaplain. She was named 2022 “Chaplain of the Year” by the New York Christian Bible College. Her words of encouragement continue to inspire a new generation of civicminded leaders to pursue a career in law and public service.

PRESIDENT of the Bahamian American Association Mary J Sweeting, centre, with members and awardees during the association’s 111th anniversary celebrations, held in 2023.

ACTING Justice J Machelle Sweeting, Civil Court Judge, is the only African American Woman Jurist & Acting Justice of the New York State Supreme Court

Significance of recognising the statehood of Palestine

AFTER last week’s announcement of diplomatic recognition of the state of Palestine by Spain, Ireland and Norway, people inevitably wonder what that really means, not least when they see Israel’s fierce reaction.

The practice of diplomacy is normally described as the performance, activity or skill of managing international relations, typically by a country’s representatives abroad conducting negotiations about bilateral and multilateral business of whatever nature with the country to which they are accredited – and an example of that right now would be the interaction between foreign diplomats and governments in the capitals of Arab countries in order to deal with a Middle East that is in crisis.

Diplomatic recognition in international law is a unilateral political act of public acknowledgement by one sovereign and independent state of the existence of another such state. It is, in effect, formal acknowledgement by a country that another political entity fulfills the condition of statehood and is eligible to be dealt with as a member of the international community.

But, of course, there can be more to it than that because diplomatic recognition can be used for different reasons as a political tool – for example, Putin’s nefarious recognition of the eastern Ukrainian provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent republics within Ukraine.

At the time of the Yom Kippur war in 1973 between Israel and a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria, there was a UN Security Council Resolution calling for peace negotiations between the parties and in the following year the General Assembly (UNGA) reaffirmed the “inalienable rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination, national independence and sovereignty”. Since then, most of the world –more than 140 countries or two thirds of the UN have recognised Palestinian statehood, though these have not included the major Western powers amidst, it is claimed, concerns about preempting the Oslo Accords. The UK has said only last week that it is prepared to recognise the state of Palestine at the time it most helps the peace process.

The latest move by Spain,

Ireland and Norway is seen by the Israelis as legitimising Hamas as part of a “terror” state and they have reacted furiously, calling the move a prize for terrorism in wake of Hamas’s murderous onslaught on October 7.

Without claiming to have special knowledge or expertise about the Middle East, as far as I can see, the declared motivation of this triumvirate is support for a two-state solution which – in the view of most countries including the US and Britain – is essential for a lasting peace in the region even though Prime Minister Netanyahu has roundly rejected it, mainly on security grounds because of the possible enhanced threat to Israel. They argue that it is impossible to say a country is in favour of a two-state solution and not recognise the existence of the two states concerned. Thus, in their view, a prerequisite for achieving peace in the Middle East is to establish a Palestinian state. They continue to argue that such a stance is not against Israel or the Jewish people or in favour of Hamas – rather, it is in favour of “peaceful coexistence.”

It follows that this move

GENERAL ELECTION IN BRITAIN IN JULY

PRIME Minister Rishi Sunak has been telling people in Britain recently to expect a General Election in the second half of the year and most thought that meant the autumn by which time interest rates would probably have fallen further and the economic news might have been better. The precise timing of the election was in his gift as premier but it had to be within five years of the last election.

Now, Rishi Sunak has unexpectedly declared that the election will be on July 4 with six weeks of political campaigning already underway. To the surprise of many, he made the announcement at a temporary podium outside No 10 Downing Street in the pouring rain and without protection of an umbrella or raincoat!

This sudden development has been such that the UK press are already wondering whether he knows something the rest of us do not or is it a courageous gamble in the face of heavy odds? They are speculating whether he has pulled off an electoral masterstroke that will somehow bring the beleaguered Tories back in to the game after being so far behind Labour in the polls. Or is this call, six months before he needed to act, a spectacular case of poor judgement which will result in a collapse in the Conservatives’ vote and his own political demise – as happened to John Major who was heavily defeated by Tony Blair in 1997, though in that election Major clung on until the bitter end.

According to press reports, news about the UK economy and a return to growth – and in particular about lower inflation that is now down to the target of around 2 per cent – was positive last week, and by reaching his decision quickly Sunak may have wrongfooted Labour, not least in preparing their manifesto. By acting decisively he has shown that he is in control of affairs and he prevented any action against him by his own parliamentary colleagues. Moreover, he need not worry about getting his Rwanda immigration flights going before an election if further opposition creates difficulties and there is a danger that interest rates will not fall as quickly as expected by the autumn and projected tax cuts may be ruled out by then. That said, Sunak is said to be on the back foot on issues like crime, water quality, the housing supply, welfare reform and National Health Service waiting lists. But he has derisively mocked Labour for being weak on the details of their own policy on any of these issues. There is no space to day to write about the Liberal Democrats and the rightwing populist Reform Party, and so far party manifestos have not yet been published. But a major, even bombshell, new policy has just been announced by the Conservatives. If reelected, they intend to bring back a form of compulsory National Service for all 18-year-olds, either voluntarily to serve in the military for 12 months or to spend one weekend a month in community service. Some examples would be working with the police, the National Health Service, supporting flood defences during natural disasters, fire safety, the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution), and

FOR schoolboys idolising their footballing heroes, the Cup Final at Wembley stadium in London at the end of the season in May is always something to look forward to, and so much more so if your own team is one of the finalists of this knockout competition that has been going on up and down the country for most of the season. Such were the extraordinary circumstances this year, even a Hollywood scriptwriter might have been reluctant to set the scene for fear of being accused of ignoring the bounds of reality. The two finalists both came from one place – Manchester. They were none other than Manchester City and Manchester United. In the footballing world both these are iconic teams, with

the former having just won the Premier League for an unprecedented fourth year running and then becoming the favourite to win at Wembley, while the latter has been a household name, both in Britain and overseas, after a string of successes over many years but is now going through, by its own standards, a relatively lean patch. So, guess who won last Saturday. Yes, it was the opposite of what people expected. Manchester United prevailed by two goals to one in an entertaining encounter in good weather in front of a crowd of 85,000. Prince William, as President of the Football Association, was there to present the medals at the end. It was a momentous win and Manchester United were said to have saved to the end their best performance of

mountain search and rescue. National Service in Britain was ended in 1960. This radical and imaginative plan, which seems to have set alight the first week of election campaigning, would be modelled on systems already in place across Europe, including in countries like Sweden, Norway, France, Denmark, Greece, Switzerland and Finland. In the prime minister’s words, it will provide life-changing opportunities and rewarding experiences for young people. He goes on to say that “we must do more for our young people and they must do more for their country. It is an opportunity to learn new skills and contribute to their country” – this will help to develop a culture of service and open their eyes to potential careers, especially those whose potential is often wasted as they fall into purposeless lives of crime or unemployment.

Overall, if the polls are right, Labour will win comfortably on July 4. After 14 years of rule, the Conservatives have run out of steam and people now genuinely want change.

For those interested in politics, the coming weeks of campaigning and the drama surrounding a general election in Britain will be endlessly fascinating. Such elections are supposed to take place every five years but in practice tend to happen rather more often. A little research reveals that 60 per cent of general elections since 1945 were called over six months before the required date –and each time, of course, the psephologists have the time of their lives!

a mediocre season that saw them finishing eighth in the premier league. Our Hollywood screenwriter, having pitted the two Manchesters together (an unlikely event), would not have dared come up with such a result that has been called by some in the UK media a shock win. But, for many people, what has subsequently stretched credulity even more is Manchester United’s decision to sack their manager who has just delivered to the club the highly prized FA Cup. Those closer to the action will be able to explain the reasons – and they are to do with football and performance rather than any hint of impropriety or scandal. But what an extraordinary chain of events this has been.

on diplomatic recognition by the three countries concerned is significant but largely symbolic in order to grant the Palestinians international legitimacy. However, Israel will doubtless see it as another blow to its reputation after the International Criminal Court recently said it would seek arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his defence minister and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has demanded Israel halt its military offensive in Rafah in southern Gaza. So far, Israel’s response to the latter ICJ demand is that it is not targeting the Gaza people but is simply attempting to destroy Hamas root and branch and this is difficult because Hamas’ forces are embedded in the local community. Whatever view one takes of this complicated issue, it seems to be generally

accepted – apart from Netanyahu himself and right-wing activists in Israel – that a two-state solution is the only possible way forward and that now is the time for urgent action to try to find a pathway towards one. There will be problems in defining a Palestinian state in light of demands to include territories seized by Israel during the 1967 war. Settlements in the West Bank are spread out so that it will be difficult to establish contiguous territory. But, even though these and other issues may turn out to be insurmountable, surely those concerned have to make a fresh start. Israel is now becoming increasingly isolated. The Abraham Accords of 2020 – limited as they were – now seem like something from the distant past. The Israelis’ aim is finally to eradicate Hamas once and for all. But that looks to be

unachievable as the terrorist group seems continually to be able to regroup after being destroyed in one part of Gaza. The plain fact is that, after what appears to be the reckless killing of civilians in Gaza, the Israelis have lost the sympathy and support of even those people who were shocked beyond belief by the horrible events of October 7. Most of the world now seems to think the Israelis should be doing more to protect civilians. The latest shocking news at the weekend of an airstrike in the region of Rafah – ostensibly on Hamas but which also hit a Palestinian refugee camp and killed more than fifty people – has already caused international outrage and has been widely condemned. Few believe Israeli assurances about civilians and there will doubtless be a heavy price for them to pay in the longer term.

THE THREE Irish Government leaders from left, Minister Eamon Ryan, Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tanaiste Micheal Martin speak to the media during a press conference outside the Government Buildings, in Dublin, Ireland, on Wednesday. Ireland and Spain have recognized a Palestinian state.

Photo: Damien Storan/PA/AP

Rescuers face challenges as at least 2,000 die in landslide

BANGKOK Associated Press

THE Papua New Guinea government said more than 2,000 people are believed to have been buried alive in a landslide in the South Pacific island nation, after the side of a mountain came down in the early hours of Friday morning when the village of Yambali was asleep.

The settlement is located in a restive and remote area in the interior of the poor, rural nation off the northern coast of Australia, making search and rescue efforts complicated and hazardous.

The government death toll is roughly triple the UN estimate of 670 killed. The remains of only six people had been recovered so far.

In a letter seen by The Associated Press to the United Nations resident coordinator dated Sunday, the acting director of Papua New Guinea’s National Disaster Center Luseta Laso Mana said the landslide “buried more than 2,000 people alive” and caused “major destruction” at Yambali village in the Enga province. Estimates of the casualties have varied widely since the disaster occurred, and it was not immediately clear how officials arrived the number of people affected.

Here’s a look at some of the challenges:

DIFFICULT ACCESS, RESTIVE POPULATION

The village of at least 4,000, but believed to be substantially larger, is in a mountainous and forested part of Papua New Guinea’s Enga province. It’s located alongside a winding highway to the town of Porgera and a mine that has produced billions of dollars of gold but whose security personnel have been accused by rights groups of abuses.

The highway was covered by the landslide, effectively cutting off Porgera and the

other villages past Yambali from the provincial capital of Wabag, some 60 kilometers (35 miles) from where the disaster occurred.

Emergency responders have brought aid in from Wabag, but have had to make the final 200 meters (yards) of the journey by foot over the rubble-covered highway.

Debris 6 to 8 meters deep covering an area the size of three or four football fields was being cleared exclusively by hand with shovels and picks for more than two days, until an excavator donated by a local builder arrived on Sunday.

Survivors have been hesitant to allow heavy machinery to be used, however, because they do not want the bodies of their relatives harmed, said Serhan Aktoprak, the chief of the UN migration agency’s mission in Papua New Guinea. The donated excavator was driven away Monday morning, though it’s not clear whether that was related to locals’ objections or for another reason, he said.

Military engineers with additional heavy equipment are being transported to the disaster scene 400 kilometers (250 miles) from the east coast city of Lae and are expected to arrive Tuesday or Wednesday.

DEADLY LOCAL FEUDS

Longtime tribal warfare in Enga province has not relented despite the disaster, meaning that soldiers have had to provide security for the aid convoys heading toward Yambali.

At least 26 men were killed in an ambush in February, and eight more died in a clash between two rival clans on Saturday in a longstanding dispute that’s unrelated to the landslide. About 30 homes and five retail businesses were burned down in the fighting, officials said. Convoys have only been

able to travel by daylight due to the security risks, and with a two-hour drive each way, their time on site has been seriously restricted, Aktoprak said in a phone interview from Port Moresby, the country’s capital.

Approximately 25 people from the UN, other agencies and the military have been making the daily journey. On Monday, they reported seeing burning houses and men armed with machetes along the way, Aktoprak said.

Emergency crews also face the threat of an ongoing natural disaster as the earth continues to shift in the disaster zone.

The debris is getting increasingly waterlogged from three streams covered by the landslide, making it dangerous to work on and increasing the possibility it could slide farther downhill. Communities below have already been evacuated, Aktoprak said.

“We have a situation that is getting worse and worse every moment,” he said.

WHAT LIES AHEAD

With the disaster ongoing and the rescue efforts still in their early stages, it’s hard to know exactly what comes next.

But with all the small farms and food gardens that sustain the village’s subsistence farming population destroyed, as well as much of its livestock, it is clear that the survivors of Yambali will need help for some time.

The village is near a river, but residents had relied on the three streams buried by the landslide for their drinking water.

Justine McMahon, country director of the humanitarian agency CARE International, said moving survivors to more stable ground was an immediate priority along with providing them with food, water and shelter. The military was leading those efforts.

22 DEAD IN MEMORIAL DAY STORMS

A SERIES of powerful storms swept over the central and southern US over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, killing at least 22 people and leaving a wide trail of destroyed homes, businesses and power outages.

The destructive storms caused deaths in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kentucky and were just north of an oppressive, early season heat wave setting records from south Texas to Florida.

Forecasters said the severe weather could shift

to the East Coast later Monday and warned millions of people outdoors for the holiday to watch the skies. A tornado watch was issued from North Carolina to Maryland. Kentucky Gov Andy Beshear, who earlier declared a state of emergency, said at a Monday press conference that five people had died in his state. The fifth death was a 54-year-old man who had a heart attack while cutting fallen trees in Caldwell County in western Kentucky, the governor’s office said.

The death toll of 22 also included seven deaths in Cooke County, Texas, from a Saturday tornado that tore through a mobile home park, officials said, and eight deaths across Arkansas.

Two people died in Mayes County, Oklahoma, which is east of Tulsa, authorities said. The injured included guests at an outdoor wedding.

The latest community left with shattered homes and no power was the tiny Kentucky town of Charleston, which took a direct hit on Sunday.

In addition to people who have been evacuated from settlements lower than Yambali, Aktoprak said an estimated 6,000 have been affected by the disaster so far. If survivors end up moving to urban areas, “this will trigger additional economic and social problems.”

Porgera and other towns past Yambali on the highway are now cut off and only accessible by helicopter, and it was not

immediately clear what assistance people living in those areas may need as well.

The government of Papua New Guinea formally asked Monday for more international help.

The United States and Australia, a near neighbor and Papua New Guinea’s most generous provider of foreign aid, are among governments that have publicly stated their readiness to do more.

Papua New Guinea makes up the eastern half of the island of New Guinea, with the western half belonging to Indonesia. It sits in the Pacific Ocean’s so-called “Ring of Fire,” a belt of active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes. Its population is officially around 10 million, but the UN has said there hasn’t been a comprehensive census for years and the actual figure could be closer to 17 million.

IN this image supplied by the International Organization for Migration, villagers search amongst the debris from a landslide in the village of Yambali in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea, yesterday.

OLDTIMERS SOFTBALL: MASQUERADERS ROUT CORNER BOYS 14-4, REBELS CLOBBER PROS 18-8

THE New Providence Oldtimers Softball Association continued its regular season action over the weekend with a double header played at the Archdeacon William Thompson Softball Park, Southern Recreation Grounds.

In a lopsided affair, the Masqueraders routed the Corner Boys 14-4, while the Rebels clobbered the Dozer Heavy Equipment Pros 18-8 in another blowout.

Masqueraders 14, Corner Boys 4: Greg Smithy went 2-for-4 with two runs batted in and scored twice, while Luther Hamilton was 1-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored and Ivan ‘Showtime’ Francis was also 1-for-4 with a pair of RBI and as many runs scored.

Kermit “Shift” Mackey was the winning pitcher and Ernest Moss was tagged with the loss.

Draw set for soccer

FROM PAGE 16

that would be a great test for our team, but we’re looking forward to a fantastic football match at the RALD.”

He thanked the Haven family and the BFA for continuing to host this prestigious event each year and for making this one a little more special with a professional drawing of the teams for the showdown.

Katie Roach, the athletic director at Windsor High School, said they were holding their breath that they didn’t get to draw against Anatol, but they are excited to face Lyford Cay International instead in their boys’ game.

“We came off a hard fought season during the BAISS season for both our junior boys and senior boys and so for this, we were able to select the best from both teams and we are now getting them ready to go up against the best of the best in the country,” she stated.

Roach too commended the BFA on the professional set up of the draw, noting that it’s just a reflection of how the sport is growing in the Bahamas and she’s hoping that they will be a part of the nationals in the future.

In her first year here as a physical education teacher and a coach for the Hurricanes girls’ soccer team, Marisa Mustard noted that St Andrew’s is more than prepared to compete against Bishop Michael Eldon.

“The girls fought really hard in the BAISS championships and I can imagine that the competition will go to the next level,” she predicted. “So I think it will be a challenge for them, but we are excited to see what they bring.”

She admitted that they were not sure who they would face in the semifinal, but she was glad to see how the BFA unfolded the draw and now it’s up to them to come out and perform.

While the focus has been placed on the Timberwolves boys’ team, Cleon Carnegie said his Anatol Rodgers boys team are just as thrilled to be in the mix with the rest of the teams.

“We try to play as exciting as possible, entertaining football,” said Carnegie, who revealed that they have been able to integrate the junior players onto the senior team to provide a cohesive unit every year.

“Now that we have the nucleus of the players on the senior team, it’s easier to coach them because I’ve known them for a while and they are doing good things. We are focusing on controlling our games. It’s not easy doing that every game, we are doing the best that we can.”

Carnegie admitted that there are some quality teams in the draw, including Lyford Cay International, the defending champions, so if they want to live up to everyone’s expectations, they have to beat the best to accomplish that goal.

He too praised the BFA for the manner in which they conducted the draw to determine the match-ups in the semifinals, which should bring more excitement going into the finals.

John Lockhart went 1-for-2 with a home run, two RBI and a run scored in a losing effort. Along with 11 hits on their stat sheets, the Masqueraders made it look so easy as they produced four runs in the first, two more in the second, seven in the fifth and one more in the sixth.

The Corner Boys, with only five hits, got a pair of runs in the first and one each in the second and the third, but it

wasn’t enough to mount any serious challenge.

Rebels 18, Dozer Pros 8: Mikhael Wilson was a perfect 1-for-1 with a RBI and a run scored; Danny Belton was 1-for-2 with a triple, two RBI and two runs scored and Ricardo Brown was 1-for-3 with a homer, two RBI and two runs scored to pace the Rebels to victory. Val Munroe was the winning pitcher and Craig Bowe was tagged with the loss. Randy Anderson was a perfect 2-for-3 with a triple, two RBI and three runs scored and Walter Charlton was 2-for-3 with a homer, two RBI and two runs scored in a losing effort.

The Rebels, with 13 hits on their ledger, scored five runs in the first, three in the third and broke the game open with seven more in the fourth before they closed it out with three in the fifth.

The Pros, who had 10 hits, could only counter with three runs in the first, one in the second, one in the third, two in the fourth and another one in the fifth.

Saturday

Noon - Vipers vs Drifters

2pm - Rebels vs Divers 4pm - Home Boys vs Da Boyz

Sunday - 2pm - Corner Boys vs KC Construction. 3:30pm - Masqueraders vs Dozer Heavy Equipment.

Denisha Cartwright pleased with her season

FROM PAGE 16

fast enough to win.

“In the 100m, I really didn’t do what I wanted to do because I wanted to win the race, but I still managed to get a second. I had to come back in the 200m and make sure that I didn’t lose that race too.”

After beginning the final day of competition on the Mavericks’ 4x100 metre relay that made a mistake on their first exchange and finished in eighth place with a time of 51.89, Cartwright decided to bounce back to take care of business in her individual events. In her signature event, which has also enabled her to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games this summer, Cartwright clinched her third straight 100 metre hurdles title with a windaided time of 12.37. It was the second quickest time in all NCAA levels (Masai Russell, Kentucky, 12.36).

“One thing about the hurdles is that I know I’m going to get out. That’s not an issue for me,” Cartwright reflected.

“Before I went out after the 4 x 1, the coach told me to relax and just get ready to run.”

Sophomore Alexis Brown of Lenoir-Rhyne spoiled Cartwright’s bid for the tri-factor as she finished just ahead of Cartwright in the 100 metres with a time of 10.96. It was Cartwright’s fourth straight 100 metre First Team All-America post. Her second place time was 11.14. But in the grand finale to bring the curtain down on her season and her career at Minnesota State, Cartwright out-sprinted Sariyah Copeland (Fresno State) and Brown to win her first 200 metre national title in a lifetime best of 22.91.

After graduating on May 4 with her degree in Applied Health Science/ Pre Health Administration, Cartwright said she couldn’t ask for a better way to close the door on her two-year stint at Minnesota after she transferred from Central State University. “Every year, I’ve been progressing,” said Cartwright, a former volleyball player. “I think this was an opportunity that I will never forget. I will cherish every moment, every event and every award that I would have achieved here.”

At the end of it all, Cartwright said she

spent the night out with team-mates and friends as she indulged in an ice cream waffle cone.

“I’m grateful that God has brought me through this whole experience. That was the one who was guiding me this whole way,” Cartwright acknowledged. “He helped me to stay healthy, so I’m just grateful to God for everything he did for me.

“I also want to thank my coach Chris Parno for believing in me and trusting in me. My parents, Denise and Leslie “Russia” Cartwright, were there supporting me all through my career

and I am very happy that they were there for me each step of the way.”

Having qualified as one of three Bahamians in the women’s 100m hurdles for the Olympics in Paris, France, July 27 to August 1, Cartwright said she’s looking forward to coming home for the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ National Championships at the end of June and “running fast.

“I just want to keep it going the way it has been going this season,” she stated. “I just want to take some time off to give my body some

rest and then I should be back in the swing of things and ready to go.”

Once the Olympics is done, Cartwright said her goal is to venture into the professional ranks.

“I’m looking forward to it because while I knew it would happen, I didn’t know I would be in this position to go into it,” she said.

“I’m happy that I am able to go pro because it’s going to be a different world out there. I don’t know what to expect, but I’m going to give it my best shot.”

As long as she stays “mentally focused,” the 24-year-old Cartwright said she should have no problem making the adjustment from the collegiate to the pro ranks. She ended her career as outdoor All-American four times in the 100m, four times in the 100m hurdles with three titles, four times in the 200m with one title and four times in the 4 x 100m with one title. Additionally, she left her legacy behind with indoor All-American honours four times in the 60m, four times in the 60m hurdles with three titles, four times in the 200m and twice in the 4 x 400m relay.

MARVIN ROLLE SPEAKS OUT

FROM PAGE 16

He cited his displeasure in Demeritte being given the nod over Rolle and Baker Newman also replaced on the team after he indicated that he was no longer available to travel following his selection in December at the Giorgio Baldacci Tennis Invitational at the NTC.

The BLTA announced last week that the team will be captained by Demeritte and will feature top internationally ranked player Justin Roberts, along with Rodney Carey Jr, who was the runner-up at the December Tournament; Michael ‘MJ’ Major Jr, the winner of the final trials; Donte Armbrister, who got third place and Denali Nottage, who also participated in the trials.

All members have represented The Bahamas on the Davis Cup previously with Major Jr debuting in his first Davis Cup.

The team will play in the Americas Zone III in

Paraguay June 17-22 in two pools that will be divided between Bermuda, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, Jamaica and Paraguay.

Three teams will be promoted and two teams will be relegated.

In his statement, Rolle expressed his concerns about the current state of the BLTA and why he was disappointed that he was not asked to captain the team again.

“My main concern lies in the BLTA’s certification requirements for different levels of competition. Why are the same certifications used for both junior and professional level events?” Rolle asked.

“It is alarming that the minimum requirement for our Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup team captains is a Level 1 ITF coaching certification, which is intended for beginner and intermediate players. “This bare minimum is inadequate

for guiding our professional players. It is disheartening that the BLTA views its professional players with such disregard.”

Rolle noted that for prestigious tournaments like the Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup, the minimum coaching requirement should be a professional ranking. “Professional tennis players often seek out former professional players as coaches because players respect those who have walked in their shoes,” he said.

“I understand why Kevin Major Jr. expressed his frustrations, and I respect him for it.

“I acknowledge that our current Davis Cup team captain holds a Level 2 ITF Coaching Advanced Players certificate, which is a commendable achievement.

“However, high-performance players and professionals require a different level of coaching. Players need to relate to their coach, especially in high-pressure situations.”

Rolle pointed out that there are coaches like himself, with Level 1 ITF certification or higher and former professional experience, but he wants to know why they weren’t considered for the captaincy.

“This situation could have been avoided if the BLTA had contacted me personally, as they have done in the past,” he said.

“For many years, I have received personal messages about upcoming deadlines and participation in events, such as before the Giorgio Baldacci tournament.

“A simple follow-up would have ensured that we put our best team forward.” He further said that the “current administration’s failure” to handle such basic matters “is detrimental to our ability to represent our country effectively.

“This is why the current administration should resign, to prevent further missteps and to ensure that we always field our best team,” he summed up.

DENISHA Cartwright clearing the bar in her dominating performance in the women’s 100m hurdles.

DENISHA Cartwright in action in the women’s 100 metres.

DENISHA Cartwright running to victory in the women’s 200 metres.

Celtics rally

late again to close out Pacers for 4-0 sweep

By MICHAEL MAROT AP Sports Writer

INDIANAPOLIS

(AP)

— Derrick White’s tiebreaking 3-pointer with 43 seconds left gave Boston the lead and the Celtics closed out a four-game sweep of the Indiana Pacers 105-102 last night to reach the NBA Finals for the second time in three years.

White finished with 16 points. Jaylen Brown led Boston with 29 points while Jayson Tatum added 26 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists to help erase a nine-point second-half deficit.

Boston swept the Pacers after rallying from a 3-0 deficit in last year’s conference finals to force a seventh game.

“They fought us hard to the wire, they have pride as a team. They didn’t want to give up,” Tatum said afterward. “We missed bunnies all night. I knew we were

due for one. That was a big time shot.”

winner of the Dallas-Min nesota Series. and have a chance to win the series tonight.

played without two-time All-Star Tyrese Halibur ton, lost its second straight at home — both in the final minute after giving up leads.

24 points, 10 assists and six rebounds but missed a potentially tying 3-pointer in the closing seconds and

the Pacers never got the Pascal Siakam added 19 points and 10 rebounds for Indiana while T.J. McConnell had 15 points and Aaron Nesmith had 14.

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle promised his team would fight hard to extend their season — and, as usual, this young roster

Tempers flared briefly in the third when Pacers centre Myles Turner knocked guard White to the ground. Brown, who was named the MVP of the series, grabbed Turner’s

shoulder and Turner shoved Brown away. “Our guys embraced it,” Carlisle said of his team’s effort. “Give them credit for the stuff they pulled off at the end of the last two games. They simply made more plays.” Turner was called for an offensive foul and he and Brown each drew technical fouls. But that fray didn’t change the back-and-forth tenor of this game — or this series.

Indiana lost three times despite holding leads or being tied in the final minute, and it happened again Monday as Boston pitched a for the 3 1/2 minutes to rally.

“That game is the toughest. It’s the most fun, too,” Tatum said, referring to the elimination scenario.

Brown’s mid-range jumper and then took the lead on White’s 3.

In between, Boston forced two turnovers and Brown blocked Nembhard’s short at the rim with 1:05 left.

The Celtics pulled within 102-100 on Tatum’s dunk with 3:12 to go, tied the score with 2:40 left on

By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Sports Writer

Indiana had one more chance when Tatum missed a 3 with 8 seconds left, but Jrue Holiday chased down the rebound and ran out the clock before Indiana could foul.

Closers Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving have

Mavs on verge of sweeping Wolves

DALLAS (AP) — Kyrie

Irving screamed at the crowd, then turned and grabbed Luka Doncic in a bear hug after the play that clinched a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference finals for Dallas.

The co-stars — and fourth-quarter closers — for the Mavericks have been at it all series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, perhaps providing lessons in the first trip deep in the playoffs for Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns.

Dallas’ 116-107 victory in Game 3 ended with a 14-3 run by the Mavericks, who with a win tonight at home can advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since the franchise won its only championship 13 years ago.

“I feel like we’re both born for this, if you ask me,” Irving said after being told Doncic believed his running mate was born for clutch situations. “Down the stretch, that’s where we make our money, man. We’re finishing clutch games. We’re showcasing our skill sets out there.”

No team in NBA history has rallied from a 3-0 deficit in the playoffs. Of the 20 teams that lost the first three while opening

the series at home, 15 were swept. Three made it past five games.

“It stays in the belief department right now,” Wolves guard Mike Conley said at the team hotel Monday. “Mentally, believing, just one game. Get one. Bring it back to Minnesota and give ourselves a chance in this series. Just don’t let go of the rope.”

The wide gap in the series score is best reflected in the differences between Doncic-Irving and Edwards-Towns, particularly late.

In the fourth quarter Sunday night, Doncic and Irving combined for 21 points, making eight of 10 shots and both 3-pointers (one each).

Edwards had the only four points for the Minnesota tandem, with Towns missing all four of his shots while his overall shooting rate for the series stayed at 28%, where it was after two games.

“I’ve got to laugh,” Towns said after the game. “I’m putting up to 1,500 shots a day. Shot so well all playoffs, confidence extremely high. To be having these unfortunate bounces and these looks that are just not going in, it’s tough.”

Edwards had the look of someone about to get his team back in the series

when his soaring onehanded dunk started his run of eight consecutive Minnesota points to get the Wolves even in the third quarter. They went ahead when he assisted on the next bucket. Instead, the two-time All-Star attempted just three shots in the fourth quarter and had the only Minnesota turnover during another fourth-quarter fade when Doncic knocked the ball loose after a steal by Edwards and the Mavs won the resulting jump ball.

“Ant’s young. He’s 22. He’s learning a lot about the game, learning a lot of it on the fly,” Conley said. “KAT has been in the league for a while, but still the playoffs are new to him in a way that he’s had to adjust a lot in his game and understanding how to play

winning basketball at this stage of the game.

“All you can ask is that they continue to work and get better. That’s what they’ve done all playoffs long.”

Irving, who takes a personal 14-0 record in closeout games into Game 4, won a championship with LeBron James in Cleveland in 2016, part of three consecutive trips to the NBA Finals. Doncic made his conference finals debut two years ago, with Dallas losing to Golden State in five games.

The experience showed up late again, and Dallas has won all three games despite trailing inside the final five minutes.

The third victory came after centre Dereck Lively II left in the second quarter with a neck injury when

Towns accidentally kneed the rookie in the back of the head. Lively is listed as doubtful for Game 4.

In Game 2, Dallas was down five with a little more than a minute remaining when Irving hit a 3-pointer to set up Doncic’s gamewinning 3 in the final seconds.

Irving has 31 fourthquarter points in the series, four more than Doncic, who was listed as questionable before the game as he continues to deal with a sprained right knee and a sore left ankle.

“Unbelievable. That’s why some people call him ‘Mr. Fourth Quarter,’ right?” said Doncic, who has scored 33, 32 and 33 points in the three games.

“He’s born for the clutch situations, so we just get the ball to him.”

Irving’s assist set up P.J. Washington Jr. for a corner 3-pointer that put Dallas in front for good.

Doncic had one on an alley-oop dunk to Daniel Gafford that prompted Irving’s screaming celebration.

Derrick Jones Jr. made all three of his 3-pointers as the Mavs finished with a playoff-high 14 on 28 attempts. Through it all, Doncic seems to solve the puzzle no matter the defence the Wolves throw at the 25-year-old Slovenian superstar.

“We’re dyin’ a little bit by the poison that we’re pickin’,” Wolves coach Chris Finch said. “That’s what happens when you have great players that have seen a lot of different looks.”

4pm - 3rd Place Boys and Girls.

5:30pm - Girls Championship game. 7pm - Boys Championship game.

JOHNSON’S BASKETBALL CAMP

GET ready for the annual Coach Kevin Johnson’s Basketball Camp 2024. Coach Kevin ‘KJ’ Johnson has announced that his camp will run from June 24 to July 12 at the CI Gibson Secondary High School and will run daily from 9am to 1pm.

For $120 for three weeks, campers will get a chance to play and learn the fundamentals of the game of basketball from professional instructors. Interested persons can sign up by contacting coach Johnson at 636-9350 or email: coachkjjohnson@ gmail.com BASKETBALL NEX-GEN THE third annual Nex-Gen Elite Training Basketball Camp, hosted by JR Basketball Academy, is all set for June 24 to July 13 from 9am to noon at the Telios Indoor Gymnasium on Carmichael Road. The camp, powered by Frazier’s Roofing, will provide training for game situations, shooting, passibng, ball handling, defense and footwork for boys and girls between the ages of 8-19 years. Registration is now open. Interested persons can contact Cadot at 535-9354, email jrcbasketballacademy.com or go online to www.jrcbasketballacademy. com SPORTS CALENDAR FROM PAGE 16 TO ADVERTISE

BOSTON Celtics guard Jaylen Brown, with trophy, celebrates with his teammates after Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference basketball finals against the Indiana Pacers last night in Indianapolis. The Celtics won 105-102.

(AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

DALLAS Mavericks centre Daniel Gafford (21) reacts after scoring against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half in Game 3 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals on Sunday in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

CHISHOLM JR HITS HIS 8TH HOME RUN OF THE SEASON, MARLINS LOSE TO PADRES 2-1

By BERNIE WILSON AP Sports Writer

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Jake Cronenworth drew a bases-loaded walk with two outs in the seventh, one batter after shortstop Tim Anderson committed his second error of the inning, and the San Diego Padres beat the Miami Marlins 2-1 yesterday.

It was the Padres’ second consecutive home win after losing five straight games at Petco Park.

After failing to score with the bases loaded and one out in the sixth, the Padres

came through in the seventh for the go-ahead run.

Ha-Seong Kim hit a leadoff single and Fernando Tatis Jr. reached on Anderson’s fielding error with one out. Jurickson Profar flied out and Anthony Bender replaced A.J. Puk (0-6) on the mound.

Manny Machado grounded to Anderson, who went for an inning-ending force out at second base but bobbled the ball for another error. Cronenworth then worked a seven-pitch walk to bring in Kim. Adrian Morejon (1-0) got the win and Robert Suarez

pitched a perfect ninth for his 16th save.

The Padres wasted a bases-loaded scoring chance in the sixth.

Profar drew a leadoff walk and Machado singled off Marlins starter Trevor Rogers, who struck out Cronenworth and then made way for Declan Cronin.

He hit Donovan Solano with a pitch to load the bases but then struck out Luis Campusano and got rookie Jackson Merrill to fly out.

Solano, who joined the Padres on April 17, hit his

first home run for them with two outs in the second.

The Marlins tied it with two outs in the third when Michael King allowed his big league-leading 13th home run, this one an impressive shot into the seats in right-centre by Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr. It was his eighth.

King has served up a homer in each of his last three starts and at least one in eight of his 12 appearances.

The right-hander permitted one run and three hits in five innings, struck out seven and walked one.

THIRD RED-LINE YOUTH TRACK

CLASSIC

MIAMI Marlins’ Jazz Chisholm Jr. watches his home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres yesterday in San Diego.

JAZZ Chisholm Jr. (12) celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a home run during the third inning against the San Diego Padres.

MIAMI Marlins’ Jazz Chisholm Jr. celebrates after hitting a double during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Monday, May 27, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photos/Gregory Bull)

Photos by Tim Aylen

LCIS names new head

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Education Reporter

AUDRIUS Barzdukas has been selected as the new head of school at Lyford Cay International School (LCIS).

Mr Barzdukas most recently served for seven years as the head of school at the Poly Prep Country Day School (Nursery-Grade 12) in Brooklyn, New York.

Prior to Poly Prep, he spent 13 years at the world-renowned Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles, California, consistently ranked as one of the top five private schools in the United States and the number one

private school in California, where he spent several years as head of the upper school.

He is known for his commitment to a holistic education, emphasising not only academic achievement but also each student’s artistic and athletic development.

Mr Barzdukas’ selection follows an extensive and rigorous global principal search led by a search committee alongside Spencer Stuart, a worldleading executive search and advisory firm.

He expressed his excitement about joining the LCIS team and living in The Bahamas and noted that student’s achievements are obtained through

BTC SUPPORTS SIX STAR SCHOLARS

THE BTC scholarship programme yesterday awarded over $120,000 in four year scholarships to valedictorians from six schools.

Director of people K Darron Turnquest said: “It is with great pride that I announce the latest cohort of the BTC scholarship recipients for 2024. At BTC, we firmly believe that education serves as the catalyst for transformative change, opening doors to endless opportunities. By empowering our students to pursue their dreams, we are not only investing in their growth, but also in next generation of leaders of The Bahamas.”

The scholarship recipients, who are currently in their first year of studies, were selected from schools in New Providence and the Family Islands.

They will each receive $20,000 over the next four years to support tuition, housing, or any other educational expenses that they may incur while pursuing undergraduate studies in their desired field.

They are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA throughout the duration of the scholarship programme.

Winners of the scholarships were Carleah Culmer, Kareem Curtis, Maneiqua Marshall, Deandra Paul, Reynald Fleuridor and Kerrine Simeon.

Carleah Culmer is a graduate of Central Eleuthera High School who is currently studying finance at Nova Southeastern University with the intent of becoming a financial

a community effort to inspire and empower them.

He said: “I am excited about the opportunity to join the Lyford Cay International School community. If there is one thing I have learned over the course of my career working with Olympic athletes and some of the world’s highest-achieving students, it is that their achievements are made possible by aligned communities that inspire and empower them to fulfil their potential.

“LCIS is just such a community. And, of course, I am also excited about living in one of the most beautiful and welcoming places on Earth: The Bahamas!”

Curtis is a graduate of Eight Mile Rock High School in Grand Bahama who is currently studying manufacturing engineering at Central State University with the intent of pursuing a career in design engineering.

Maneiqua Marshall is a graduate of St Augustine’s College who is currently studying biological sciences at Virginia State University with the intent of becoming a radiation oncologist.

Deandra Paul is a CV Bethel Senior High School graduate who is currently studying dermatology at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University with the intent of becoming a dermatologist.

Reynald Fleuridor is a Government High School graduate who is currently studying at Colorado State University

IT ALL ADDS UP AT SCHOOL CONTEST

STUDENTS from 36 students from around The Bahamas competed in the SC McPherson Junior High School’s annual interschool mathematics competition. Spanning nine schools, the competitors put their arithmetic skills, speed, and correctness to the test during the annual event sponsored by Consolidated Water (Bahamas) Ltd. (CWCO) since 2012.

Sister Mary Patricia Russell Junior High School scored first place in the competition and SC McPherson Junior High

School followed in second. From the scaling of ingredients when making a meal to calculating when to leave home in order to arrive at school on time, the competition’s theme, Mathematics in Everyday Life: Making the Connection, was aimed at recognising that mathematics is at the core of various careers and daily activities. Head of SC McPherson’s Mathematic Department, Shakara Russell, spearheaded the competition for the first time this year and added that the event inspires students to

strive for academic excellence with the support of numerous teachers and administrators. She said: “The Annual Interschool Mathematics Competition offers a platform for students to demonstrate their mathematical skills and engage in friendly competition with their peers, fostering motivation and engagement. It helps to nurture mathematical talent, promote academic excellence, and inspire future generations of mathematicians and problem-solvers.”

with plans to specialise in paediatrics.

Kerrine Simeon is a graduate of RM Bailey Senior High School who is currently studying biology and chemistry at the University of The Bahamas with the intent of pursuing a career in paediatric neurosurgery.

The company, in conjunction with its parent company, Liberty Latin America (LLA,) is also in the second year of its graduate programme attracting professional talent. Recent college students are hired as graduates and are mentored and supported by senior leaders at BTC and are placed in a fast-paced rotation program to learn insights into core business areas. Since the launch of the programme, BTC has recruited two college graduatesNicholas Hudson and Kaneisha Johnson.

JOINING THE YEAR OF THE TREES

STUDENTS from around the country participated in the Forestry Unit’s latest competition aimed at engaging students with the environment. Participants showed off their creativity and tech savvy skills by producing Public Service Announcements (PSAs) in honour of

Bahamas Forestry Week.

From the Primary School division, Eva Hilton Primary School captured the top prize.

The Junior High competition was won by DW Davis, and Bahamas Academy captured the Senior High School division’s top prize.

Winners received a trophy and prizes presented by Vaughn Miller, Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources and Zane Lightbourne, Minister of State, who encouraged the students to use their talents to protect the environment.

analyst.

Kareem

AUDRIUS BARZDUKAS

SPORTS

TUESDAY, MAY 28, 2024

Draw set for soccer

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor

The draw has been set and now it’s time to kick around the ball as the Bahamas Football Association moves its annual Samuel P. Haven National High School Soccer Nationals into its playoff and championship rounds this week.

BFA technical director

Bruce Swan conducted the draw yesterday at the BFA’s Beach Soccer facility at the foot of the Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge. He revealed that it was the first time the draw was done, which was similar to what FIFA does with its draw selection for their international events.

The teams participating came from the BFA’s preliminary competition

that took place last week at the Roscoe A Davies Developmental Center at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex. They were drawn to see who will be matched against who in the semifinals, scheduled for Thursday at 4:30pm for the girls’ games, followed at 6pm for the boys.

The winners will advance to the finals set for Friday beginning at 4pm with the third-place matches, followed by the girls’ championship game and then

concluding with the boys’ championship game.

An awards presentation will take place following the completion of each match on Friday.

Sandre Hobbs, the soccer coordinator for the Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools, drew the names for the teams that will be matched up in the girls’ semifinals.

In the first match, Hobbs drew the CR Walker Knights as the home team

against the Lyford Cay International Dragons.

In the other game, she drew the St Andrew’s Hurricanes as the home team against Grand Bahama’s Bishop Michael Eldon Warriors.

The boys’ draw was done by Varel Davis, the president of the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association. Her first selection for the boys’ opener was the Anatol Rodgers Timberwolves, who will be the home team against the

Lyford Cay International Dragons. The second game she drew had Windsor High as the home team against the Lucayan International Buccaneers.

The team representatives in attendance for the draw are all eager to get their teams on the pitch to play on Thursday.

Craig Massie, the athletic director at the Lyford Cay International School, said this is the highlight of their season for their Dragons and they intend to let it all

BASKETBALL PEACE ON DA STREETS THE annual Peace On Da Streets Basketball Classic, dubbed “Shooting Hoops instead of Guns,” will take place from July 15-21 at the Michael ‘Scooter Reid” Basketball Center at the Hope Center. The categories include the 12-andunder, 16-and-under, 20-and-under, government ministry, church and open divisions. The event is being promoted by Guardian Radio and Radio House Outreach. All games will start at 6pm each day.

BASKETBALL

CLERGY VS POLITICIANS

out on Thursday in their girls’ match-up against CR Walker and the boys’ match-up against Anatol Rodgers.

“It’s always great to take on the top local high schools. Our boys played CR Walker last week and now it’s our girls team, so we’re looking forward to this match-up,” Massie said. As for the boys, Massie said the “Timberwolves are bringing it this season and

VETERAN player/captain Marvin Rolle said he was willing to return as captain of the Bahamas men’s Davis Cup heading to Paraguay next month, but nothing was finalised with the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association.

Rolle, who has represented the Bahamas at Davis Cup since 2001 and has played in 62 ties before he was elevated to player/ captain, said he first got an e-mail on December 8, 2023 from the BLTA, but was waiting for a follow-up mail.

BLTA president Perry Newton said after they didn’t get any response from Rolle, they decided to give the captaincy job to coach Ricardo Demeritte.

Subsequently Kevin ‘KJ’ Major Jr, one of the top players on the team, withdrew his spot on the team one day after he made it during the final team trials two weeks ago at the National Tennis Centre.

May, 2024

AS a part of the annual Peace ON Da Streets Basketball Classic, organisers will once again stage the showdown between members of the Clergy against the Members of Parliament. This game is scheduled for 8pm Sunday, July 21 at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

SHE was more than pleased with how her collegiate career ended, but Denisha Cartwright is now more than eager about what is to come as she gets set to venture into the professional ranks as

SOCCER SAMUEL HAVEN HIGH SCHOOL CLASSIC THE Bahamas Football Association, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Technical & Vocational Training, is hosting the Samuel P Haven Jr High School Soccer Nationals 2024 at the Roscow AL Davies Fields. May 30 - Semi-finals 4:30 and 6pm. May 30 - Finals.

DENISHA Cartwright is congratulated by coach Chris Parno as Alexis Brown of Lenoir-Rhyne looks on. Photo: Gene Cassell/Washburn

BRUCE SWAN SANDRE HOBBS CRAIG MASSIE VAREL DAVIS CLEON CARNEGIE MARISA MUSTARD KATIE ROACH

HOME RUN KING: Miami Marlins’ Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr, centre, celebrates after hitting a home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres yesterday in San Diego. SEE THE FULL STORY AND MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE 14