06012023 NEWS AND SPORT

‘no tax rises’

• VAT, Customs, excise, property to stay same

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff News ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

THE Privy Council quashed a man’s armed robbery conviction yesterday, expressing “deep concern” about how local courts handled his case.

A key matter in Vinson Ariste’s case was whether he confessed to the crime or delivered a confession under duress.

“We cannot conclude

•

No mention of NIB in Budget speech

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said the government is arresting the national debt and reducing the deficit, unveiling a budget yesterday that aims to improve the country’s fiscal performance through better tax collection rather than introducing new taxes.

Mr Davis said there would be “no increase in the VAT rate, and no increase on customs duties, excise duty, tax rates, and real property tax rates”.

However, a number of other fees and changes feature in the Budget, including a rise in passenger taxes that sees fees rise from $15 to $28 for non-sea travel, or between $23 and $25 for sea travel - plus new levies for environment of $5 for every cruise ship passenger and $2 for tourism enhancement for every passenger arriving or leaving.

Mr Davis also criticised the Hawksbill Creek Agreement, which he said is not working, and said there would be a separate annuncement on government action over the Grand Bahama Port Authority model which he said “must change”.

Financial Secretary Simon Wilson said he is “very confident” the government will increase revenues by $400m and slash the deficit by 75 percent despite the absence of new or increased taxes.

And despite the National Insurance Board fund having been described as “running on fumes” by Minister of State Myles Laroda previously, there was no mention of NIB in the Budget speech.

Privy CounCil overturns ‘Confession’ ruling

this judgment without expressing the board’s deep concern about what has happened in this case,” the Privy Council said in its ruling. “A young man has been languishing in prison for over 12 years on the basis of a confession that should never have been admitted in evidence against him.”

According to the ruling, police arrested Mr Ariste at his home on July 21, 2010.

Officers alleged that

between July 22 and 25, he confessed during police interviews to several offences, including robbing Andrea Donaldson. At the time, Mr Ariste had no prior conviction, and his alleged confession was the only evidence linking him to the robbery. There was no audio or video recording of his interview.

“But if the record of the

SEE page seven

Constituency capital grants for MPs increases to $150k in new budget

By LETRE SWEETING Tribune Staff Reporter lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

ANNUAL constituency capital grants will increase by $50k per constituency in the government’s next fiscal year, totalling $150k.

The Davis administration tabled the Constituency Capital Grant (Amendment) Bill, 2023 in the House of Assembly yesterday.

The grant is not to be confused with constituency allowances, which members receive for the payment, upkeep, salaries and other expenses related to their constituency office. That allowance remains $100k.

According to the capital grant law, funds can be used for projects authorised by the finance minister.

Capital development projects include works carried out for the overall or partial development of a constituency; the maintenance of

any road, park or other public facilities within the constituency; the beautification of the environment within a constituency or any other work an MP considers appropriate for the development, educational or cultural endeavours of their constituency as approved by the minister. The law prohibits ministers from using any part of their grant for political meetings or forums, fundraising activity for political parties or the payment, upkeep, salaries and other expenses related to their constituency office.

Elected officials are also prohibited from awarding a contract for a capital development project to a member of his or her family or to a business or company for which the beneficial owners are family members. The new amendment will cause some $5.8m to be given for constituency grants yearly.

Prime Miister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis places the budget communication in the traditional red briefcase yesterday, before heading to the House of Assembly.

Photo: BiS

Prime Miister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis reads the budget communication in the House of Assembly yesterday.

Photo: moise Amisial

PhiliP ‘Brave’ Davis and PLP MPs yesterday head to the opening budget communication with the red briefcase containing the budget document carried by Minister of Economic Affairs Michael Halkitis.

Photo: moise Amisial

PM reveals 2023 budget with no new taxes, pledges to improve collections

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrrolle@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said the government is arresting the national debt and reducing the deficit, unveiling a budget yesterday that aims to improve the country’s fiscal performance through better tax collection rather than introducing new taxes.

Mr Davis announced no increase in value-added tax, customs duties, excise duties or real property taxes for the 2023/2024 fiscal year, which begins July 1.

Instead, he said the government would establish a “large taxpayer unit” to improve revenue

collections from businesses owing more than $1bn in taxes and implement a special centre to identify irregularities in revenue reporting.

He said staff levels in Family Island revenue collection agencies would be increased, and there would be an updated fee schedule for pleasure craft registration to address chronic revenue underperformance in the marine sector.

Cracking down on people or businesses that fail to pay taxes has been a theme of the Davis administration in 2023.

In April, the Department of Inland Revenue (DIR) made headlines when it

raided two businesses in Harbour Island that collectively owed the government $1.3m in taxes.

“It is noteworthy that, when pressed to do so, a significant number of people readily pay off their arrears,” Mr Davis said yesterday. “This suggests that they weren’t unable to pay their taxes. They simply didn’t do so.”

Mr Davis said $2.1bn in revenue was collected during the first nine months of the 2022/23 fiscal year, a 14.5 per cent increase compared to the previous year.

“Improved performance in respect of total revenue was supported by a periodover-period increase of $291.3m in tax revenue,

which totalled $1.8bn during the period,” he said.

Stamp taxes on financial transactions, VAT on real estate transactions and departure tax collections are areas where the collected revenue surpassed budget forecasts.

Meanwhile, Mr Davis said expenditure increased by $145.3m for $2.3bn during the first nine months of the fiscal year.

The government is projecting a GFS deficit of $131.1m in the next fiscal year and a surplus of $109.2m in the 2024/2025 fiscal year.

“Compared to the previous year, the deficit to date represents a decrease of $120.1m from the deficit of

$336.3m in the same period of the prior year,” Mr Davis said. “The deficit in the previous year accounted for 2.7 per cent of nominal GDP.”

“At the end of March, the primary balance reflected a surplus equating to $175.6m, a striking improvement from the primary deficit of $2.4m in the previous year. The primary surplus experienced in the first nine months of Fiscal Year 2022/23 greatly exceeded the targeted $25m set in the draft estimates of revenue and expenditure, as well as the $4m deficit projected in the 2022 Fiscal Strategy Report.”

“The sizeable surplus signifies that primary government spending, that is

public spending excluding interest payments, is less than revenue collection. A continued primary surplus is essential to the target of achieving a balanced budget by Fiscal Year 2024/25, and reducing the burden of central debt over the medium term.”

Mr Davis said at the end of March 2023, the debt stock equalled 83.5 per cent of GDP, whereas it equalled 87.3 per cent of GDP at the end of 2022.

Following his communication, Mr Davis tabled a resolution in the House of Assembly for the government to borrow $45,219,194 to offset budget shortfalls for the remainder of the fiscal year.

Despite no new taxes, several new anD a DjusteD fees announceD

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net

ALTHOUGH no new taxes will be introduced in the upcoming fiscal year, the Davis administration tabled bills in the House of Assembly yesterday that would increase fees for some services.

A Passenger Tax (Amendment) Bill was tabled to adjust passenger levies. As a result,

people leaving The Bahamas “other than by sea” would have to pay a fee of $28, up from $15.

Cruise ship passengers leaving from the harbour of Nassau, Freeport or Bimini would have to pay a $23 fee, up from $10.

Cruise ship passengers leaving the country from private islands who are not visiting any other port in The Bahamas would have to pay a $25 fee when the amendment is enacted.

Additionally, every cruise ship passenger arriving or leaving the country would have to pay a tourism environmental levy of $5. There is also a tourism enhancement levy of $2 for every passenger arriving or leaving the country.

According to the bill, the funds would be deposited to the Tourism Development Fund, which has not yet been established.

According to the draft

estimates of revenue and expenditure, revenue from sea departure tax is projected to increase to $144m in the next fiscal year, up from $50m.

The Davis administration also tabled a bill yesterday to amend the Immigration Act. The bill would empower the minister to impose a levy on work permit fees that “may be used for the purpose of immigration enforcement, national health and wellness

promotion programmes”.

Likewise, a Public Finance Management (Immigration Levy) (Special Fund) bill was tabled to establish a fund to deposit revenue from immigration levies. The financial secretary would be the fund administration. An advisory committee to the fund administrator would be established, consisting of permanent secretaries from the ministries of immigration, health and

education.

Furthermore, the administration tabled a Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill to “enable a fee, greater than $1.00 per page, to be charged to a person, for the purpose of obtaining a motor vehicle licence history record.”

Under the bill, the principal act would be amended to introduce a new $50 fee to obtain a motor vehicle licence history record.

Prime Minister Philip ‘Brav’ Davis arrives at the house of assembly with elected members of his party bring the red brief case containing the new budget revealed in yesterday’s speech.

Photo: moise Amisial

Pintard says budget fails to address significant issues, including NIB

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement (FNM) leader

Michael Pintard said the budget Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis discussed yesterday failed to live up to the hype.

He said the budget for the next fiscal year will not prepare businesses to compete effectively in

local and international markets.

“This is a government that promised that it would improve the ease of doing business,” Mr Pintard said. “What has happened is, in fact, quite the opposite, and we have any number of examples of businesses that have made this case.”

Mr Pintard said Mr Davis failed to address several significant issues.

Although Mr Davis said subventions to state-owned enterprises would be reduced, Mr Pintard said the Prime Minister said nothing about how the government will reform those organisations. He noted Mr Davis said nothing about the National Insurance Board fund, which is projected to be depleted by 2028.

“The Prime Minister also promised that he would address the issue of NIB –– NIB did not come up,” he said. “He and the minister in his own office are at odds in terms of what must happen and so we’re very much concerned that that the Prime Minister continues to break his promise to address head on these very important issues.”

Davis announces organ transplant anD fooD assistance programmes During buDget Debate

By LETRE SWEETING Tribune Staff Reporter lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

A NATIoNAL organs

Transplant programme and new food assistance programmes for students and adults will be funded in the upcoming fiscal year, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis announced yesterday.

He said The Bahamas would gain a system of organ donation and transplants, a highly regulated service available in some other countries.

organ donation involves taking healthy organs or tissues from a living or deceased person and, through transplantation, giving them to a person in need.

“Finally,” Mr Davis said, “in relation to healthcare, in a first for The Bahamas, we will be supporting the creation of the first ever National organs Transplant Programme in The Bahamas. I trust that this will become a life-saving benefit to many, who depend on such generous donations for their very survival.”

Mr Davis said the National Health Insurance and the Prescription Drug Plan will be consolidated to improve access to affordable healthcare.

“The provision of health insurance is costly, but the government realises that this is a necessary benefit for many employees,” he said. “And so the government is aggressively taking

steps to protect this benefit for as many employees as possible. once these plans become more crystallized, more information will be provided.”

As for new food assistance programmes, Mr Davis said: “In order that our children can put aside thoughts of hunger and concentrate on their schoolwork, today I am pleased to announce that my government will be introducing a new national school breakfast programme.”

“Because hunger does not only afflict students, we will also establish a special food assistance programme to provide funding for organizations operating feeding programs for vulnerable individuals.”

“He must not shy away from making decisions that would be in our best interest, but, at a minimum, he should have a discussion with the public to signal what his intentions are.” He said the budget communication did not feature a comprehensive plan regarding the future of energy.

“There are concerns that the government

is increasingly inking financial arrangements, or certainly contemplating inking financial arrangements, with usual oligarchs in the country,” he said, “further wedding us to fossil fuel as opposed to moving as a transition to LNG but in a more intentional way towards solarisation, especially in the Family Islands.”

pm says $22m allocateD to invest in anD expanD renewable energy in bahamas

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedai.net

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis outlined his administration’s efforts to expand the use of renewable energy.

He said $22m has been allocated so solar technology can be adopted in several Family Islands, adding that Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins, and Long Cay will be equipped with the technology.

“Even though The Bahamas’ carbon footprint is negligible compared to the industrialised countries, we are committed to doing what we can to reduce our carbon emissions,” he said in the House of Assembly during his budget communication yesterday.

He said the government is negotiating to reduce the carbon footprint of Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) and make electricity more affordable.

“We are negotiating a $20m facility to encourage the adoption of green technology among small and medium businesses,” he said.

He noted he has pushed for carbon-producing countries to do more to assist Small Island Developing States affected by climate change.

“I have championed the cause of The Bahamas and other Small Island Developing States and the need for the carbon-producing

countries to do more to help us,” he said.

“While things are slowly but promisingly moving forward, we need to move at pace to improve our state of readiness.

“And so, the government, in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank, is executing an $80m project, aimed at

mitigating the impact of climate change.”

Mr Davis also said his administration has budgeted funds to support the national guard programme.

He gave few details about this and other plans. More is expected to be revealed during the upcoming budget debate.

With an eye to reduce carbon emissions Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis outlined the government’s plans to invest in and expand renewable energy in the country.

Leader of the opposition in the House of Assembly Michael Pintard responds to the Prime Minister’s opening speech on the 2023 Budget yesterday, saying that it failed to live up to the hype.

Photo: Moise amisial

PriMe Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis delivers the opening speech for the new budget yesterday.

Photo: Moise amisial

Funds for a women’s shelter for domestic violence victims will be allocted in new budget, PM says

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

THE government will build a shelter for women to strengthen support for domestic violence victims, according to Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis.

During his budget communication in the House of Assembly yesterday, Mr Davis said funds for the shelter will be allocated in the new budget .

“We are increasing legal aid support for victims of domestic violence, both within the social services framework and with a Victim Care Fund within the office of the judiciary,” he said.

“My government is fully committed to fighting crime, fighting the causes of crime, and increasing support for victims of domestic violent crime.”

Mr Davis also foreshadowed investments in additional crime-fighting initiatives, saying a comprehensive approach will focus on prevention, detection, prosecution, punishment, and rehabilitation.

“Funding will be provided for the renovation of community centres in the inner-city areas of New Providence,” he said.

“In order to better serve those involved in the administration of justice, the premises and facilities of the courts will be renovated, and a new judicial complex built.”

Davis says it’s time

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis said his administration would take decisive action on the Grand Bahama Port Authority, declaring that the Hawksbill Creek Agreement, once key to Grand Bahama’s prosperity, no longer works. His frank remarks attracted the attention of many yesterday as he delivered his budget communication in the House of Assembly.

Mr Davis noted that while some islands showed economic growth this fiscal year, Grand Bahama continued to decline.

“Grand Bahama contributes 12 per cent of the overall GDP of The Bahamas, yet its economy declined by 9 per cent compared to the previous year,” he said.

“There was a silver lining as the tourism sector witnessed a slight increase in 2022, which was evident in the growth

Mr Davis said the government would further equip Royal Bahamas Police Force officers with proper body cameras and equipment.

“We will continue to

for ‘Decisive action’ on

of the accommodation and food service industries.

Unfortunately, the statistics show a prolonged decline in the Grand Bahamian economy.”

He continued: “The evidence confirms the view of my government that the Hawksbill Creek economic model, which was meant to attract foreign direct investment, does not work. Furthermore, in our view, the governance model of the Grand Bahama Port Authority must change in order to realise the promise, growth and prosperity which we all desire.”

“Additionally, the government of The Bahamas has serious concerns regarding the compliance of the GBPA and its related companies with the terms and conditions of the Hawksbill Creek Act, and its subsequent amendments.”

Mr Davis’ comments echo those of several Cabinet ministers who say new ownership and vision at the GBPA is critical to Freeport’s future.

Grand Bahama Minister Ginger Moxey told reporters earlier this month that the island needs a Port Authority that is “progressive” and “makes things happen”.

Meanwhile, in a recent voice note, Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said Grand Bahama was dying and that it was up to the government to help save the island.

“The owners of the city have sold-off assets, failed in their commitments to being fresh investment in, failed in their obligations to bring essential infrastructure and build the city,” he said.

Arguing that only the government can reverse this trend, Mr Mitchell said: “It points to only one direction to solve it. New investment must be found and only the government can do so.”

While acknowledging that past administrations have tried to address concerns about the GBPA, Mr Davis said yesterday:

invest in technology such as CCTV and body cameras for the Royal Bahamas Police Force, as well as acquire additional vehicles and hire new staff,” he said.

GBPa

He revealed that the new budget has funding for a new shanty town task force to support the demolition of illegal and unregulated communities.

The Prime Minister gave few details about his plans yesterday. Details are expected to be delivered when the debate on the budget communication happens this month.

anD the h awksBill creek aGreement

“The issue is clearly systematic and fundamental.”

“We believe the time has come for decisive action. In due course, we will make a separate, detailed announcement.”

Free National Movement leader Michael Pintard said the FNM is also concerned about the

quality of the GBPA’s performance and that of its related companies.

However, he said the FNM would not support the Davis administration taking over the port. He said the administration must consult widely before taking significant action on the GBPA.

“We want to make sure that all of us are at the table determining the way forward for GBPA and Freeport,” he said. “The Davis-led administration is not one of those considerations as the group to take control of GBPA and related companies.”

Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis announces the government will build a shelter for women to strengthen support for domestic abuse victims, during his opening speech on the 2023 budget yesterday.

Photo: moise Amisial

The Tribune Limited

What the Budget did not say

WHEN taking the time to sit down and examine yesterday’s Budget communication by Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, it is as important to look at what was not said as much as what was. After all the talk about a decision having been made over the ever-diminishing National Insurance Board fund, whether that decision being increasing contributions, cutting costs or a combination of both, the initials NIB did not even pass Mr Davis’ lips.

That leaves either the black hole getting ever larger at NIB or a significant unfunded cost to be dealt with outside of the Budget process.

The FNM felt the government was not doing enough to address the NIB situation – but then again we could do with seeing the FNM’s plan to resolve that conundrum too.

Meanwhile, Mr Davis did mention the words “Hawksbill Creek Agreement” as he declared that the model “does not work”. However, he did not specify what the government intended to do about it.

He did say that “the time has come for decisive action”, but that action will come in a “separate detailed announcement”.

We may not have to wait too long for that – it may even come during the Budget debate, he hinted, but again it comes as an item separate from the Budget process. Whatever that action is, perhaps it might carry significant costs, so it is curious that it may be absent from the budgetary discussion.

The debate over the Hawksbill Creek Agreement has certainly stirred up interest – with some echoing government sentiments that it is not suited for purpose, while others are wary of what might replace it, especially if that means influence from a government centred in Nassau rather than focused on the needs of Grand Bahama. Some have pointed out the issues with inefficient governance in New Providence too. Anyone who has called a ministry repeatedly only to seemingly never have a phone answered can attest to that.

But beyond those two items, what was actually in the Budget?

It largely seems to have been a Budget seeking not to disturb things too much.

Mr Davis noted that the economy seems to be on the right course, and does not seem to want to meddle with that direction. No new taxes in a range of areas – though a number of fees and charges have increased, such as the passenger tax along with an environment levy to go with it, and a tourism enhancement levy. Given the number of tourists we have, that will bring some significant revenue – as long as the rise in fees does not put off those visitors, of course.

There are some interesting additions too – such as a new national organ transplant programme, funding for a school for the creative and performing arts, funding for a women’s shelter, and a new 50m swimming pool in Grand Bahama.

There was also considerable discussion online after the Prime Minister observed that 80 percent of the graduating class at the University of The Bahamas were women this year, and said it was “noteworthy and disappointing” that more young men were not taking advantage of the opportunity to learn.

Little more was said by Mr Davis, but that is a much larger subject that deserves a more thorough explanation – one we shall return to in this column another time. The many factors that lead to young men choosing other paths deserve a full explanation.

Some of those paths, such as preferring to divert into learning trades at institutions such as BTVI, are positive, as they find the route that suits them. Some, as we see too often in crime reports of young men being gunned down, are the opposite.

Overall, this was a Budget that seemed to seek not to disturb the status quo too much. Things are going well, it seems, so just keep on flying.

But the devil will of course be in the details – and there will be plenty of room to analyse that through the course of the coming debate.

Prayers on the road to 50 years

EDITOR, The Tribune.

PLEASE allow me to express my observation on my experience during the Nation’s “Call To Prayer” during this “Road To 50” celebration.

Congratulations to the Bahamas as we celebrate the Road to Fifty. However, I wonder, are we really a “Christian Nation”? The Secretariat, Honourable Leslia Miller Brice and her dedicated committee have done a marvelous job in outlining the events that will lead up to July 10th 2023, the fiftieth anniversary of our independence.

So far there was a very impressive number of persons in attendance at each event. However, On Sunday, 21st May 2023, the Christians forgot to join together to pray to God for the needs of our land. Previously, there were people complaining about the state of our country and how God would bless this country, but when given the opportunity to renew their

What do patrols accomplish?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

GREETINGS and thank you for the opportunity being afforded me, to make these several points for contemplation, analysis, accuracy and correctness, I appreciate it.

Editor, on Saturday, May 27, 2023@2:38pm, trying to stay on top of conditions, circumstances occurring in western New Providence, and having an acute deficit in my personal transportation... boarded a 12-B Jitney Bus from downtown Nassau, for the round trip out west and back to downtown for a look see, etc?

You are all aware such a trip encompasses Frederick Street, Princess, Duke Streets, Cumberland and Marlborough Streets, west Bay Street, on to Blake Road, John F Kennedy Drive and skirting the northern locale of the Lynden Pindling International Airport, west of the Tropical Garden Subdivision (southern entrance/ exit), continuing west pass the Airport Industrial Park, arriving at the Old Fort Bay roundabout, continuing on to western Road, previously known as Lyford Cay Road, arriving at the Lyford Cay Community Gate, but travelling south to Mt Pleasant Village.

as a citizen, a voter, and a patriot of the highest order, I confer upon myself, and I think that the proof easily cements the confirmation of it, nevertheless.

Writer, what are you talking about? Glad that you’ve asked.

Anytime I decided to ink a set of not just opinion pieces, this goes beyond the opinion opinion piece, it is contextually a doctrine with analytical qualities, and as such, it has inherently, points that were omitted, and on a grand scale, but appropriately, one that needs to be said, nevertheless, I opined.

the Criminal Investigation Files required the kinds of attention to details that supervisors enforced. Also high on the Agenda of the CID was area patrols, we had detectives assigned to all areas of New Providence and with Sub officers to oversee those officers so assigned. You might ask what it has achieved?

Starters we kept crime to a minimum and those searches revealed much. The Sub officer and his team rendezvoused with us every hour, or as was practicable, sharing intel, comparing notes, hashing out Criminal targets, and what to make of what it all meant? We stayed on top of matters all across New Providence.

Mr Commissioner of Police Sir, what is the plan?

relationship with the same God who has kept us all these years, they forgot the date.

Is there any wonder that our children are going astray or that the crime rate continues to rise in our country? According to the book of Acts in the Bible, the Apostles were first called “Christians” in Antioch because of how they resembled Jesus, not because they called themselves Christians. Are we in this “Christian country” really portraying Christ?

You be the judge!

In 2 Chronicles 7:14 it is stated that “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Get it right Bahamians! Our children can read hypocrisy even in the dark. Practice what you preach. If we are a Christian country, let us act that way. Get

back to basics. Serve God completely and train your household after you and help the country to thrive.

On Sunday, the church was half empty. With all of the mega churches and the huge number of persons claiming to be Christians in Nassau alone, I wonder why they failed to support the call to prayer. Moreover, there is so much talk on a statement made by Pastor Rex Major. If the Christians would live up to what they profess, the term “Marital Rape“ would not soar over the headlines. As a Bahamian and a Christian I would like to see the Christians live up to what they profess. God is depending on all of us. We are all too eager to cast blame and find fault. Are we indeed a Christian Nation as stated in our Constitution? Let Us Live It. God Bless The Bahamas.

LILLIAN JONES Nassau, May 25, 2023.

Returning retracing the same route except that upon reaching the Old Fort Bay toundabout, taking a northern, or left incline, going now the seashore, passing Love Beach, Gambier Village, Tropical Gardens, Orange Hill Estates, Delaporte Point, Saunders Beach, Saint Alban’s Drive, the Fish Fry at Arawak Cay and into Downtown, the culmination of the trip, but something occurred on every leg of that trip that I felt compelled to bring to the attention of the powers that be?

During the scenic ride, and being quite a perceptive and probing mindset, always being aware of my surroundings due to any number of social decadence, couldn’t help myself making the observation, that I had not seen a single police patrol vehicle, but why?

There is a fair percentage of the routes that caters to properties used by visitors to our country, and others of it included establishments that required some level of protection, like the Doctors Hospital West, Eateries Travellers Rest, and all of the others that were overlooking the gorgeous seacoast of western New Providence, etc?

Editor, while I am really not concerning myself with the internal affairs of the workings of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF), but I do speak

Editor, the same way that we have Constituencies, were for a reason and therefore, the the mindset for law enforcement in my view, and not specific to my view, but I have worked in the system where patrols was the bread and butter of the establishment...it provided the environment where the wisdom, knowledge and understanding of policing to a hold very early on in the lives of young Constables, the heart and soul of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF), and therefore, cannot, shouldn’t be a discontinuation, or even a replacement, and why not might you ask?

For if we fail to observe the tenets of what made the Police Force great, we run the risks of losing the formative, what to look for? And when you saw something, what categories it fit in, does carry, and for obvious reason?**These suspicions formulated with an officer, while you might equate it to a personal context, it is anything but personal,why?

A legal requirement stipulated that whatever might the suspicions be?

It must be well founded, and what does that mean?

Well, proof of a crime for starters holds true and how do officers arrive at these analytical underpinnings?

It is my humble knowledge that it is hatched, conceived, hatched and developed from those patrols and if we were to lose this must, for keepsakes, the members of the public will suffer, because it will mean that your policeman is not ready to work as an effective law officer, not well versed with his job, his policing skills being in the balance, etc?

Finally, Mr Police Commissioner, sir, you and I were detectives together at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and at a time when supervision and scrutiny were at an all time high, it was everything and the maintenance of

And if you were to ask me? The concept remains, because the offenses have not changed, nor should the plan?

Finally, what I think that we need more than anything else, is an enormous increase in manpower, which should makeup at least 5% or 7% of the entire population for a strategic reason? would have the personnel populate the numerous tactical and specific needs arrived at, etc?

Another and just as important drive is to have a robust Crime Prevention Unit for every Constituency, where there is a Police station, otherwise?

And for the Political Directorate, people in many of the cases commit crimes out of necessity, meaning that when there is a lack, the propensity to commit becomes even more greater, especially where people should, and must have essentials-life-savingmenus per say, these were lacking, etc? Politicians for behold your jobs entails a two tier designation:

1...the protection of the state, and finally,

2...the welfare of a people, period.

I call upon the Powersthat-be, to refrain from denying the Bahamian people what is lawfully theirs, the public revenues, the job opportunities, stop looking down to the people who if truth be told are your bosses, your employers and you,the employees, so get it right?

If you cannot do the honorable thing and take proper care of God’s people, get out of politics, because if you do not, and continue in the vein that you are, one day after a while Father God will step in and bring your exploits to an abrupt end, Hallelujah, amen.

Thank you editor for the space, I appreciate it.

FRANK GILBERT Nassau,

May 30, 2023.

A MAN bathes from a roadside water tap to cool himself on a hot summer day on the outskirts of Jammu, India, on Tuesday.

Photo: Channi Anand/AP

Privy Council overturns ‘confession’ ruling

interview in which the appellant confessed to the robbery of Ms Donaldson read out at his trial is to be believed,” the Privy Council wrote, “he volunteered a full account of his participation in this offence purely of his own accord without any encouragement and without being confronted with any evidence implicating him in the robbery. The respondent has not suggested any motive for this unusual act of self-sacrifice.”

When he appealed his conviction, Mr Ariste alleged his confession was untrue and forced. He claimed police beat and suffocated him with a bag and water.

“When he was transferred to prison on July 27, 2010,” the Privy Council wrote, “the prison doctor recorded that he had a number of injuries including a temporal abrasion,

multiple handcuff abrasions, a skin avulsion on the left wrist, bruising on the buttocks, and a 6cm abrasion or ulcer on his right buttock. The doctor also records that the appellant told him that he had been beaten by the police on his arrest on July 21, 2010.”

The Privy Council noted Mr Ariste had no legal representation at the time of his detention and that he alleged officers beat him and told him he did not need one when he asked for a lawyer.

Mr Ariste had no legal representation during the March 2012 trial before Justice Bernard Turner. Justice Turner determined the man’s confession was admissible but did not give reasons for this conclusion during the trial. Mr Ariste was ultimately sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.

Four police officers, Constable Benson Miller, Constable Kimeo Patrico

Smith, Constable Dion Marcus Ranger and Detective Sergeant Michael Anthony Johnson, had testified that Mr Ariste was not subjected to ill-treatment.

One officer claimed Mr Ariste told him he was bruised to the right side of his face after a rock was thrown at him.

The Privy Council said: “It is a very serious problem that, despite having stated that he would be doing so... Turner J did not provide any reasons for his ruling on the voir dire to admit the confession evidence.

“There are three matters in particular that should have been obvious to the trial judge at the time of the voir dire and that should have been troubling him about the voluntariness of the confession.

“The first is that the appellant was not legally represented at the police station. Although the evidence of Officer Ranger at the voir dire was that he

Police investigate hit anD run Death

P OLICE in New Providence are investigating after a man died in a hit and run on Monday night. Police said the incident happened at the intersection of Carmichael Road and Faith Avenue shortly before 9pm.

According to reports, the male pedestrian was

trying to cross the street in the area when he was struck by a vehicle that failed to remain on the scene.

He was taken to hospital, however he died from his injuries the next day.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to call the Criminal

Investigations Department at 502-9991/2 or Crime Stoppers at 328TIPS (8477).

“The SUV had front end damages, more concentrated towards the left side,” police said. Investigations are continuing.

Defence force celebrates 43 years

was advised of his rights to a lawyer and responded ‘I straight. Y’all done get me’, the appellant’s evidence at the voir dire was that he had asked for a lawyer and the officers had beaten him and told him that he did not need a lawyer. This is consistent with the fact that he had not signed the relevant section of the detention record informing him of his right to have a lawyer.

“Secondly, there was no record of any injuries in the police detention record on his arrival at the police

station even though at least the temporal abrasion to his face must, on the account given by the police officers, have been visible. On the contrary, the detention record records that on arrival at the police station, ‘he appeared well’ and was in ‘good health’. Further statements that the appellant ‘appeared well’ occur frequently in the detention record without a single reference at any point to any mark or injury on his body.

“Thirdly, and most importantly, there is the

inherent improbability that during a period of detention (between July 22 2010 and July 25 2010) the appellant would voluntarily confess, without a lawyer, to at least six offences or groups of offences, including murder, for which there was no independent evidence.” The appellate court noted that the doctor offered contradictory evidence during the trial, something that should have factored into how Justice Turner handled his alleged confession.

Career Opportunity

MANAGER RECRUITMENT & EMPLOYEE RELATIONS HUMAN RESOURCES

Commonwealth Bank is the premier Bahamian Bank with branches located in New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco and Eleuthera. We are committed to delivering superior quality service, training and developing our employees, creating value for our shareholders and promoting economic growth and stability in the community.

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Manager Recruitment & Employee Relations is responsible for the management of Recruitment and Employee Relations activities bankwide in accordance with the Bank's policy and local regulations. This role will strategically serve as an interface between Human Resources and the business by assisting with the execution of the HR strategic plan and its alignment to the Bank’s overall goals.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Direct and manage the recruitment, interviewing selection and onboarding process across the Bank.

Manage and maintain a pool of qualified applicants to ensure that current vacancies are filled and future recruitment needs are met in accordance with the Bank's standards.

Management, development and implementation of recruitment, selection and onboarding policies across the Bank inclusive of the development and execution of training for hiring managers.

Management, development and implementation of Human Resource Polices inclusive of the development and execution of training to promote awareness of and compliance with policies.

Manage, develop and implement key Recruitment and HR metrics and reporting for use in workforce planning and support for business and policy decisions.

Minister of National Security the Hon. Wayne Munroe and Permanent Secretary Cheryl Darville joined Commander of the Defence Force Commodore Raymond King in attending the Royal Bahamas Defence Force 43rd Anniversary Military Ball, on May 25, 2023, held in the Andros Ballroom, Grand Hyatt Convention Center, Baha

Mar Resort. Among those present were the Hon. Pia Glover-Rolle, Minister of State for the Public Service; the Hon. Zane Lightbourne, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education and Technical & Vocational Training, and Permanent Secretary Lorraine Armbrister; senior representatives of Uniformed Branches;

Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, Her Excellency Dai Qingli; British High Commissioner to The Bahamas His Excellency Tom Hartley; Ms. Usha Pitts, Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy, and other members of the Diplomatic Corps; and other stakeholders.

Photos: Eric Rose/BIS

Direct Supervision of the recruitment and employee relations teams inclusive of performance assessment, training and coaching to support continued growth and development.

Manage the review and maintenance of recruitment and talent software for the department.

REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum of 3 years’ Management experience in Recruitment and or Employee Relations discipline.

Bachelor's in Business Management, Human Resources, Industrial and Organizational Development or related study.

PHR, SHRM-CP or other relevant HR certification is a plus.

Labor /Employee Relations Certification.

Hands-on Experience with Applicant Tracking Systems and HR Talent Management Systems (Cyber Recruiter & HRMS and Cornerstone is a plus).

Leadership Skills.

Effective Communication Skills.

Decision Making Skills.

Data Analytics and report Writing Skills.

REMUNERATION PACKAGE:

Commonwealth Bank is a Great place to work!

We offer an exciting work environment with the opportunities for growth and development. We also offer a competitive compensation package, reflecting the successful applicant’s work experience, skills and qualifications. including a performance based incentive plan, health, vision, dental and life insurance, and a pension plan.

Qualified individuals should complete the online application and submit their resumes by Friday, June 9, 2023 to:

www.careers.combankltd.com/careers

“ Commonwealth Bank sincerely thanks all applicants for their interest in becoming a part of our team, however, only those applications being considered will be contacted.”

The life and times of an extraordinary patriot

We last spoke on May 11, the 95th birthday of George’s beloved friend, arthur. this journal’s managing editor asked who the paper might contact to pay tribute to sir arthur Foulkes, five years shy of becoming a centenarian.

the first person who came to mind was George smith. He eagerly agreed. George lionised his friend, recalling the former’s contributions to politics and to journalism, acknowledging him as one of the best and most creative writers and minds the country has produced.

But George, 13 years younger than sir arthur, mostly spoke of the joy and sustenance of their friendship, and of personal loyalty beyond political and other affiliations.

afterward, George bemoaningly offered a brief discourse on the state of politics and journalism. He offered his mixed thoughts on the 50th anniversary of independence, describing what the Bahamas has achieved along with our lamentable failings.

He knew there was no golden age. still, he recalled a treasury of past political figures and journalists who, articulately and with intelligence and curiosity, practiced their crafts and inspired others.

When George spoke of arthur it was with fondness and admiration, deepened, secured, over six decades of often tumultuous, fraught and bittersweet years in the politics of the country. the friendship, strained at times by politics, held firm.

In latter years when they reminisced from morning till evening over boiled fish, conch salad and copious amounts of wine at sir arthur’s residence, they were joint storytellers, regaling their listeners with all manner of stories, some goat-pepper-hot and spicy that cannot be retold in this space.

there were also George’s embellishments. typically told in good cheer and with that tilt or nod of his head, a certain wink of his eyes, and his lips mischievously pushed upward, and sideways, signalling the degree of accuracy of the tale.

Fellow Roman Catholics, they were inspired by the social vision of the Church. together, they campaigned for and cheered the attainment of majority rule. Both revelled in politics and were members of the House of assembly. they both attended the 1972 Constitutional Conference in london. their patriotism was forged and burnished in struggle.

they were comrades and brothers, sharing many bonds, enjoying what the late american religious leader ezra taft Benson describes as “the fellowship of true friends who can hear you out, share your joys, help carry your burdens, and correctly counsel you”.

they were colleagues in the Progressive liberal Party and the progressive activist group within the party, the National Committee for Positive action (NCPa). George was also involved with Bahamian times, where sir arthur served as editor and wrote much of its copy.

sir arthur recalled: “I met George smith when

things) they understood the importance of private property and ownership, but that a common good required certain limits on private ownership, and that the goods of the world must be shared. there was an essential role for the state in ensuring equity.

the political philosophy they worked out was that of social democracy. Philosophy is essential. One also has to get elected. sir arthur was elected as a member of the first majority rule government.

he was a young insurance agent back in the early 1960s. Mr. smith’s complexion would have made it easy for him to find acceptance on the white side of the Bahamian racial divide at the time.

“But he chose to throw in his lot with the struggle for majority rule. He frequently stopped at the office of Bahamian times on Wulff Road – which was a little hothouse of political ferment – to help with the newspaper and join in the debates.”

Bahamian times and the NCPa were companions in the PlP, dedicated to raising the consciousness of the mass of Bahamians and propelling the party to nonviolent direct action in the promotion of racial equality and greater social justice.

In 1963, a young George smith, hailing from exuma, showed up at Bahamian times, offering his help. “He had a progressive heart,” sir arthur says admiringly.

though quite a number of black Bahamians refused to get involved more publicly in the movement, it was a testament to George’s sense of justice and progressive heart that he came forward.

Bahamian times was more than a newspaper and a necessary propaganda tool in a colony in which the white oligarchy controlled the Nassau Guardian and sir etienne Dupuch, one of sir arthur’s mentors and his former employer and sometimes nemesis, held sway over the tribune. the new PlP newspaper was a political incubator, a think tank, a gathering place, where many bonds were forged over late night conversations, endless deadlines and whatever bottled spirits the young men in a hurry to secure majority rule could afford.

In the NCPa and Bahamian times, much of the Quiet Revolution was nurtured. It was where the political philosophy of many of the party’s progressives was debated.

they read Frantz Fanon’s Wretched of the earth. Fanon (1925-1961), born in Martinique, was a political philosopher and psychiatrist, who analysed the pernicious effects of colonialism on individuals and nations.

they studied the writings of George Padmore (19031959). trinidadian by birth, Padmore, born Malcolm Ivan Meredith Nurse, was an author, Pan-africanist and adviser to Ghanaian leader Kwame Nkrumah.

From Pope leo XIII’s Rerum Novarum (Of New

In 1968 George was elected as an MP for the Rolleville, exuma, constituency. From his youth until his death, the stunning beauty of his island home and the character of its people were deep in George’s soul.

tensions in the party over sir lynden Pindling’s direction of the country and cult of personality came very quickly, dividing friends and colleagues. Moreover, many were also jockeying to be ministers or parliamentary secretaries. toward the end of 1969 a conclave was called at small Hope Bay, andros, to discuss tensions in the party. to appease backbenchers and to solidify his position, sir lynden had a plan.

Before proceeding to the conclave, he met with sir arthur quickly after arriving in andros. the two sat in the back of a car, where he told the latter to return to Nassau to hand in his resignation as Minister of tourism to Cabinet secretary sir Foley Newns.

Within hours of his return to Nassau, sir arthur was joined by George smith, who remained with him throughout the evening. It proved a defining moment in their friendship.

the friendship endured despite the political break sir arthur, the Dissident eight and others subsequently had with the PlP. eventually, the majority of men who formed the first majority rule government in 1967 joined the Free National Movement.

the ties of kith and kin are thick and dense in small places. In the 1960s and 70s many Bahamian professionals and emerging leaders lived in the same neighborhoods.

In Highbury Park, along with George and his family, as well as sir arthur and his family, were the families of Henry and Janet Bostwick, Curtis and thelma McMillan, Warren levarity, emmy and angie achara, leviticus and Floridell adderley, aubrey Curling and others.

the Foulkes and smith families were close, especially with George’s brother, Phillip, the youngest, and their sister, Kathleen turnquest. George was one of 11 children, which included three girls and eight boys. the politics of the 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s sundered a number of personal relationships, especially as the drug era took hold, poisoning the country in myriad ways. a good number became the victims of the political sycophancy of the era, and many became embroiled in actions which they came to regret, including George smith, who was named in the Commission of Inquiry

Report investigating this period.

George had his flaws, struggles and faults, public and private. But they do not negate his contributions, his deep love of the Bahamas, and his capacity for growth and redemption. He won re-election to Parliament after his resignation from the Cabinet.

When he left frontline politics, George became less partisan and more statesmanlike, often annoying his own party with his statements on a range of matters.

Many recall George as a fount of information and knowledge acquired through reading, and experience as a political actor, including as a Member of Parliament for exuma for decades, as a parliamentary secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Minister of agriculture, Fisheries and local Government,

Chairman of the Hotel Corporation of the Bahamas, and other roles.

George loved the arena. He understood the exigencies, difficulties and possibilities of politics and government, eschewing the often simplistic mindset of those who have never experienced the power, demands and limitations of political office.

a friend who lunched with him earlier this year was delighted to hear his insights on a range of topics which, she said, he offered with no arrogance or pomposity as might some former politicians.

When someone pours their lifeblood into a country, even when flawed and faltering, there is heartbreak when their homeland fails to reach its potential or is besieged by those who lack the basic qualities and guiding philosophy needed for public service.

there is heartbreak when the country drifts and meanders, embroiled in the politics of egotism, greed, smug ignorance, and indifference to the needs of the mass of people. In this, both sir arthur and George critiqued and corrected as a means of improvement.

George offered advice to many about public affairs and personal matters. He mused once to this writer to beware fair weather, sometimes toxic and jealous friends who do not have the capacity for personal loyalty, or to hold in their heart and confidence the mistakes, weaknesses and foibles of those dear to them.

the last word is George’s, who offered to this columnist, with hope and some anxiety: “We have a wonderful little country, you know. But we can do much better. Don’t give up on the Bahamas!”

The hon. Sir Lynden O. Pindling, Prime Minister, is shown above centre signing the Report on the final day of the Constitutional Conference which took place at Marlborough House in London from 12 to 20 December 1972. Looking on are the Arthur D Hanna, Deputy Prime Minister and Lord Balniel, Minister of State for Great Britain. Standing from left to right are Paul L. Adderley, Minister of State, Carlton E. Francis, Minister of Development, Inspector Minus, A. Loftus Roker, Minister of Health and Mr. George A. Smith, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister.

Photo: Commonwealth Secretariat Archives

Former Exuma MP George Smith

No

Labels independent party could play role of spoiler to democratic presidential bid in 2024

A new political movement has ambitions for next year that scare Democrats right down to their shoes. It’s called n ew Labels, and its leaders aspire to offer a third-party candidate for president in 2024. Dems feel this will hand an election to Trump that he couldn’t otherwise win. History shows they might be correct.

In 1992, an unknown governor from Arkansas won the Democratic nomination for president at least partly because better-known party insiders figured that the incumbent Republican president couldn’t be beaten. Then a couple of things happened. First, President George H w Bush issued and then reneged on his famous “Read my lips: n o new taxes” pledge.

n ever mind that those very tax increases helped to set the stage for the phenomenally successful American economic decade of the “Internet boom” 1990’s. Tax-averse conservatives resented Bush’s backtracking.

Many observers feel that Bush’s pledge violation cost him that election and vaulted Bill Clinton to worldwide fame. w hile it played a role, perhaps more important was the formidable presence in the 1992 race of third-party candidate and eccentric Texas millionaire H Ross Perot.

Perot had run before but in 1992, his candidacy almost certainly siphoned off enough Bush votes to push Clinton over the line. Perot won 18.9 percent of the popular vote. That was the highest share of the vote won by

STATESIDE

with Charlie Harper

Democratic or Republican candidate received less than 40 percent of the popular vote.

Perot’s platform clearly titled conservative, so it takes little imagination to attribute Clinton’s victory significantly to Perot’s active candidacy.

The Bush family got a make-up call eight years later. In that race, H w Bush’s son George Bush, the governor of Texas, was matched against Clinton’s vice-president, Tennessee Senator Al Gore. Again, a thirdparty candidate proved decisive. In this case, it was long-time liberal consumer advocate turned political gadfly Ralph n ader. n ader and many of his supporters believed that the Democrats had drifted too far to the right, so he and his Green Party had every right to contest the election, even though his platform was clearly most closely aligned with the Democrats’.

Throughout the campaign, n ader dismissed his spoiler potential in an election that always looked to be close. Frequently asked how he felt about potentially giving Bush the election, n ader said “Al Gore thinks we’re supposed to be helping him get elected. I’ve got news for Al Gore: If he can’t beat the bumbling Texas governor with that terrible record, he ought to go back to Tennessee.”

an expected majority of n ader’s 97,421 votes would have given the state and election to Gore.

This history is all suddenly relevant because of a political movement called “ n o Labels.”

Founded in 2010, this aggressively non-partisan movement aims to offer to voters a better alternative than the expected nominees of the two major American political parties. It also tends to promote middle of the road policies on hot-button political issues that polls show most Americans support.

In 2017, for instance, n o Labels helped to start the Problem Solvers Caucus in the House of Representatives, a bipartisan group of around 60 congressmen and women which has backed issues such as funding for infrastructure, criminal justice reform, and gun safety in schools.

Potential 2024 standard-bearers for n o Labels are rumored to be west Virginia Democratic senator Joe Manchin and former Republican Maryland governor Larry Hogan. Both figures tend toward the middle of the political spectrum and away from their parties’ more extreme positions.

an independent thirdparty candidate in 80 years. Perot finished

second in two states (Utah and Maine) and earned significant

support in every state. This election was the last time that either a

Bush won with fewer overall votes than Gore in an election ultimately decided by the US Supreme Court. The key was Florida, where

Democratic politicians in washington and elsewhere are hard at work to discredit this potential third-party election spoiler. It’s another bizarre element in what looks like a crazy election.

Florida sports heat up in the playoFFs

THe woRDS below appeared in this space three weeks ago.

“It’s starting to look like our “local” South Florida pro basketball and ice hockey teams are on a course to deliver memorable post-season runs in the nBA and nHL playoffs.

“not many prognosticators had this attractive, overachieving Miami Heat team beating Milwaukee to start the playoffs, so who knows? It will be fun to watch.

“Similarly, not much was expected of the eighthseeded Panthers in this year’s postseason tournament. But it certainly looks like the Panthers learned something from last year’s playoff disappointment. Could another ice hockey title trophy be headed to the Sunshine State?” now, with May having handed off to June, both South Florida teams have advanced to their championships’ final rounds. The Heat finally finished off the Boston Celtics and their choking stars on Monday night after letting the Celts sneak back into their eastern Conference series.

And the Florida Panthers have been waiting for a while to see whom they would play in north America’s professional ice hockey championships. (It’s the Las Vegas Golden Knights, who advanced to their conference title, also on Monday night.)

You could have made a small fortune betting on these eighth-seeded South Florida playoff interlopers to advance to their league title series.

Caesars Sports chief nBA trader David Lieberman and lead nHL trader Thomas Foster talked with Fox Sports recently about the upstart Heat in the nBA Finals odds market and the surprising Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final odds market.

“All season long, nobody was betting on the Heat. They were probably one of our best results,” Lieberman said. “As soon as they won the eighth seed, we started to see some action

in the championship futures market because their price was still pretty high up there.”

In fact, after a play-in loss to Atlanta, Miami odds were +25000 to win the title, meaning a $100 bet could net a $25,000 profit.

when the Panthers trailed Boston 3-1 in their opening playoff series and were facing the team that had earned more regularseason points than any other in nHL history, they were +15000 to lift the Stanley Cup. A $100 bet would produce a payout of $15,000 if the Panthers win the title.

Don’t forget that this winter sports bonanza in the nation’s winter playground in the sun is all part of what’s been an incredible couple of months in South Florida. Both Boca Raton’s Florida Atlantic owls and the Miami Hurricanes reached the Final Four in the nCAA men’s basketball tournament just two months ago.

“It’s been a good time to be a South Florida sports fan,” Lieberman said. “The last couple of months have been a magical run for that region.”

Despite all the talk about our unsung heroes outperforming their odds, it’s useful to recall that the Panthers won the nHL President’s Trophy just last year. That means they had the most regular-season points. But they slouched through most of this season and everybody but the team and their most passionate fans forgot about last

season’s successes.

And the Heat are now appearing in their second nBA Finals series in the past four seasons. This terrific organization now will have played in the nBA finals six times during the past dozen seasons. not exactly the pattern of underdogs, though they did barely scrape into the playoffs this year.

Since most Bahamians are more interested in the Heat, let’s focus a little attention on this amazing team. Their coach eric Spoelstra, whom LeBron James infamously tried to get fired after taking his talents to South Beach 13 years ago, is now just three wins from catching the recently-fired 76ers coach Doc Rivers for the fourthmost nBA playoff coaching wins in history.

And consider Caleb Martin, who nearly won the conference championship series MVP award after the Heat dispatched the Celtics. This undrafted and unheralded player who grew up in a trailer park in north Carolina just bagged 26 points and grabbed 10 rebounds on Monday. As the Athletic said, “this is the stuff of legends.”

You can still make money betting on the Heat. They enter the finals as 3-1 underdogs. The Panthers are also betting underdogs, but by a much smaller margin.

The Heat travel to Denver to open their title series tonight. The Panthers begin their final series on Saturday. enjoy.

MiaMi Heat forward Jimmy Butler, left, dribbles as Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum defends during the second half in Game 7 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference finals Monday, May 29, 2023, in Boston.

Photo: Charles Krupa/AP

Potential 2024 standard-bearers for th No Labels party are rumored to be West Virginia Democratic senator Joe Manchin and former Republican Maryland governor Larry Hogan. Both figures tend toward the middle of the political spectrum and away from their parties’ more extreme positions.

Port Authority announces storm readiness plan ahead of upcoming hurricane season

BY DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

As June 1 marks the beginning of the 2023 Atlantic Hurricane season, the Grand Bahama Port Authority Ltd has announced the completion of its storm readiness plan to mitigate against any storm event.

nakira Wilchcombe, vice president of the Building and Development services Department, said it is critical that residents, commercial businesses, and industrial facilities properly dispose of and secure items that can become projectiles in a storm.

Disposing of debris in unoccupied property and undeveloped areas, including the pine forest, is prohibited, she said.

Ms Wilchcombe said the debris must be taken to the landfill, which is open from Monday through Friday 8am to 4pm, and on saturdays from 8am to noon.

“Residents can dispose of bulk waste at no charge,” she said. she warned that items illegally disposed of in unauthorised areas could pose obstructions in the aftermath of the storm.

The GBPA executive urged residents to prune trees that can negatively impact structures, and complete all necessary repairs.

Families in remote areas are encouraged to develop evacuation plans and to ensure that their hurricane kits also include

life safety items such as ropes, life vests, and other necessary devices.

People should also be familiar with their legal address - the lot number, block number, tract, subdivision, street name, and house/apartment number.

Ms Wilchcombe said these can be found for Freeport/Lucaya area using the links: 1bit.ly/ gbpa_ address using a mobile device, and arcg. is/0siutj for a desktop.

Residents should also digitise and properly secure property documentation such as conveyances, plans, and other documents, etc, in the event they are needed after the storm.

Mrs Wilchcombe said the Building and Development services Department has been preparing continuously through subdivision familiarisation exercises, rapid assessment drills using key technology, and assisting governmental and non-governmental organidations with assessments and data.

she said their emergency numbers are listed on the GBPA social media pages.

Troy Mcintosh, deputy director of city maintenance, said they have conducted maintenance throughout the city, trimming trees on main roads, carrying out restorations and servicing drainage wells, and removing large debris piles. Although peak hurricane season is August and september, he stressed residents should not wait until the last minute to

finlayson celeBratinG

2 years of immediate resPonse radio show

Flooding and damage caused by Hurricane Dorian in 2019 in the northern Bahamas. move debris from their properties.

“We ask persons not to be casual and wait for impending storm approach the island, they should be doing it now,” said Mr McIntosh.

He said residents should also download the Freeport Report App from the Google store. He said it is used to disseminate

information about debris to be removed and poor drainage.

An official at the Grand Bahama u tility Company said that a comprehensive plan is in place to ensure the safe and efficient restoration of water services after a hurricane or storm.

“We are fully prepared to mitigate potential

challenges and swiftly restore any disruption caused by severe weather conditions, said the representative.

“Grand Bahama utility Company has diligently conducted storm assessment of lines and potential vulnerability and identified areas of improvement.”

Mr Corey Cartwright

of Lucaya services Company, said all bridges and roadways are safe. Glendia sweeting, manager of Group Corporate Affairs and Quality Assurance, said residents should follow their social media pages. she said they will also be establishing a call center for residents.

Police reP ort over $100K in credit card fraud on Grand Bahama as cy Ber crime increases

BY DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

GRAnD Bahama Police are investigating over $100,000 in reported credit card fraud on the island, according to Assistant Commissioner of Police BK Bonamy Jr.

“We have narrowed it down to ten persons who may be responsible,” he said.

ACP Bonamy said they are seeing an increase in

cyber crime activity, particularly with credit cards. He warned people to never give anyone their credit card number.

ACP Bonamy also said there are some risks with online banking. “I understand it is way to go, but be careful,” he said.

A Central Bank of the Bahamas annual report released in May 2020 revealed fraud involving credit cards, debit cards and checks tripled from

2,638 in 2020 to 8,337 in 2021.

It was found that although the number of fraud events increased substantially, they involved smaller transactions that amounted to a total value of $2.6m, which was 50 percent less than 2020.

In terms of businesses, Mr Bonamy said employee theft is also common. He encourages business owners to

also install cameras to view activities at the cash register. He discourages installation of window coverings that prevent passersby or the police from seeing what is happening on the inside as there could be a robbery taking place.

ACP Bonamy said he has increased police visibility, and has instructed his officers on patrol to stop and check on businesses in their areas.

sPenCe Finlayson has been celebrating the second anniversary of his talk show Immediate Response on Zns - having featured a host of guests in that time.

His first guests were Pastor Mario Moxey of Bahamas Harvest Church and George Frederick, a former manager of British American Insurance in st Vincent and the Grenadines. At the end of his first show, Pastor Moxey told Finlayson that “You are on an assignment from God on this show.”

Mr Finlayson has interviewed outstanding Bahamians around the world, such as Pastor sean Pinder, a televangelist originally from Grand Bahama and now residing in Mckinney, Texas; Dr Jason Carey who hails from Tarpum Bay, eleuthera, and now a top oncology specialist based

in Houston, Texas;Lars Minns, human resources division head for Mercedes Benz north America and Canada; Liesa euton, hospitality specialist in Dubai; Trina Robinson, three-time emmy award-winning journalist and weekday news anchor at nBC 6 in south Florida; Aneka Beneby, CFA, MCsI in London, england; African American Billionaire Michael V Roberts based in st Louis; erika Munro Kennerly, entertainment executive and attorney in new York; Kirsten Knowles-Perdue, educational consultant in Atlanta; and Charmaine Bourbon, vice president at Grant Associates based in new York.

Immediate Response airs every weekday from 9am to 11am on Zns Television 211, 1540AM, 104.5FM and Facebook live.

To advertise in The Tribune, contact

Host of radio show ‘Immediate Response’ Spence Finlayson

Earth is ‘really quite sick now’ and in danger zone in nearly all ecological ways, study says

Associated Press

Earth has pushed past seven out of eight scientifically established safety limits and into “the danger zone,” not just for an overheating planet that’s losing its natural areas, but for the wellbeing of people living on it, according to a new study.

the study looks not just at guardrails for the planetary ecosystem but for the first time it includes measures of “justice,” which is mostly about preventing harm for countries, ethnicities and genders.

the study by the international scientist group Earth Commission published in Wednesday’s journal Nature looks at climate, air pollution, phosphorus and nitrogen contamination of water from fertilizer overuse, groundwater supplies, fresh surface water, the unbuilt natural environment and the overall natural and human-built environment. Only air pollution wasn’t quite at the danger point globally. air pollution is dangerous at local and regional levels, while climate was beyond the harmful levels

for humans in groups but not quite past the safety guideline for the planet as a system, the study from the Swedish group said.

the study found “hotspots” of problem areas throughout Eastern Europe, South asia, the Middle East, Southeast asia, parts of africa and much of Brazil, Mexico, China and some of the U.S. West — much of it from climate change. about two-thirds of Earth don’t meet the criteria for freshwater safety, scientists said as an example.

“We are in a danger zone for most of the Earth

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT –PRESIDENT, LJM MARITIME ACADEMY

The vision of a Bahamian institution for higher learning in the maritime fields emerged from the country’s rich legacy of Maritime prominence in the international industry.

The Bahamas is the world’s fifth largest Maritime Registry. A ranking that reflects The Bahamas’ enduring presence in a global industry that remains highly competitive. This global prominence also highlights the incredible yet virtually untapped potential to add significantly greater value to the Bahamian economy through shipping, by growing the numbers of qualified Bahamian seafarers and experts in the maritime business.

Nearly 1,500 ships around the world carry the flag of The Bahamas. The LJM Maritime Academy (LJMMA) was borne out of a vision to put skilled Bahamians on each one of those ships and the many others that traverse the world’s seas. Countries like India and the Philippines have for many years capitalised on the opportunities provided by the industry for thousands in their labour force, and a Bahamian pioneer in the global shipping industry is desirous of moving The Bahamas in this direction. Hence the Academy is named in honour of the President of The Campbell Group of Companies, Lowell J. Mortimer, OBE. The LJM Maritime Academy is a non-profit institution, established and incorporated December 13, 2011, and is the first of its kind in The Bahamas, transforming the country’s higher education landscape.

ABOUT THE POSITION OF PRESIDENT:

The Board of Directors of the LJM Maritime Academy (LJMMA) invites nominations and applications for its 2nd president and the successor to President Brendamae Cleare, Ed. D. The Academy seeks a visionary, dynamic, energetic, passionate, exceptional, transparent with a collaborative leader style who will champion the institution’s mission to equip its students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to compete as future global maritime leaders. The President will be the public face and representative of LJMMA presenting the highest levels of integrity, work ethic, morality, confidence, and trust. The successful candidate will embrace the Academy’s distinctive and core values with passion to inspire faculty, students, staff, alumni and the Board.

The next President will possess:

• Strategic capability to act as a change agent and advocate for the Academy

The ability to balance strong, timely executive leadership with inclusive decision-making and shared governance

• Outstanding communication skills

• Self-confidence balanced with humility, to lead with wisdom and compassion

• An accomplished relationship builder persona to increase the Academy’s visibility in The Bahamas, regionally and in the global maritime communities

• a results-oriented drive to meet the Academy’s strategic objectives

Additional desired competencies with

• Fundraising and financial management

Improving the Academy’s resource base

• Improving student enrollment

Data analytics and information technology

• Student engagement Visible and engaged member of the Bahamian and maritime communities

• Internal and external relationship building

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, both verbal and written.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment where deadlines are essential.

• Ability to provide flexible and adaptable work schedules.

• Proven ability and experience developing budgets knowledge of the maritime industry and a clear understanding of and experience in higher education. Participative management approach with strong staff development skills.

• Proven ability to evaluate profit and loss financial statements.

Excel at leading, motivating, coaching and developing their team

• Must possess excellent judgment, problem-solving, multi-tasking, and decisionmaking skills.

• Knowledge of personal computer software applications including Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.

• Ability to navigate in a matrix organization

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• A minimum of a Master’s degree in Maritime Studies or Higher Education Leadership & Administration; Doctorate preferred; A minimum of 10 years with a demonstrated record of executive leadership within a College or Maritime Academy; A minimum of 5 years’ experience in a maritime role;

• Experience in assessment and using assessment data for improvements; Experience in developing processes using technology is strongly preferred.

HOW TO APPLY:

This is a confidential search process. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

1. Candidates should provide the following:

• A letter of interest that responds to the position profile, the specific qualifications, and the desired characteristics for the president. A current and comprehensive CV or resume.

• Five professional references with emails, telephone numbers, and a description of the candidate’s professional relationship (references will not be contacted without prior authorization from the applicant).

• Unofficial Copies of Transcripts or Certificates verifying Credentials

2. Submission of Application/Nominations

Applications and nominations should be sent electronically (MS Word or PDF Format) to: Presidentsearch@ljmma.edu.bs Bahamians need only apply.

Applications will be accepted until position is filled. The successful candidate will undergo a period of shadowing with the current incumbent.

For more information, including a more detailed position profile and how to apply, please visit the LJM Maritime Academy President Search website at www.ljmma.edu.bs

system boundaries,” said study co-author Kristie Ebi, a professor of climate and public health at the University of Washington.

If planet Earth just got an annual checkup, similar to a person’s physical, “our doctor would say that the Earth is really quite sick right now and it is sick in terms of many different areas or systems and this sickness is also affecting the people living on Earth,” Earth Commission co-chair Joyeeta Gupta, a professor of environment at the University of amsterdam, said at a press conference.

It’s not a terminal diagnosis. the planet can recover if it changes, including its use of coal, oil and natural gas and the way it treats the land and water, the scientists said.

But “we are moving in the wrong direction on basically all of these,” said study lead author Johan rockstrom, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact research in Germany.

“this is a compelling and provocative paper – scientifically sound in methodology and important for identifying the dimensions in which the planet is nearing the edge of boundaries that would launch us into irreversible states,” Indy Burke, dean of the Yale School of the Environment said in an email. She wasn’t part of the study.

the team of about 40 scientists created quantifiable boundaries for each environmental category, both for what’s safe for the planet and for the point at which it becomes harmful for groups of people, which the researchers termed a justice issue.

rockstrom said he thinks of those points as setting up “a safety fence’’ outside of which the risks become higher, but not necessarily fatal.

rockstrom and other scientists have attempted in the past this type of holistic measuring of Earth’s various interlocking ecosystems. the big difference in this attempt is that scientists also looked at local and regional levels and they added the element of justice.

the justice part includes fairness between young and old generations, different nations and even different species. Frequently, it applies to conditions that harm people more than the planet.

an example of that is climate change.

the report uses the same boundary of 1.5 degree Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) of warming since preindustrial times that international leaders agreed upon in the 2015 Paris climate agreement. the world has so far warmed about 1.1 degrees Celsius (2 degrees

Fahrenheit), so it hasn’t crossed that safety fence, rockstrom and Gupta said, but that doesn’t mean people aren’t being hurt.

“What we are trying to show through our paper is that even at 1 degree Centigrade (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit) there is a huge amount of damage taking place,” Gupta said, pointing to tens of millions of people exposed to extreme hot temperatures.

the planetary safety guardrail of 1.5 degrees hasn’t been breached, but the “just” boundary where people are hurt of 1 degree has been.

“Sustainability and justice are inseparable,” said Stanford environmental studies chief Chris Field, who wasn’t part of the research. he said he would want even more stringent boundaries. “Unsafe conditions do not need to cover a large fraction of Earth’s area to be unacceptable, especially if the unsafe conditions are concentrated in and near poor and vulnerable communities.”

another outside expert, Dr. Lynn Goldman, an environment health professor and dean of George Washington University’s public health school, said the study was “kind of bold,” but she wasn’t optimistic that it would result in much action.

NASA tA lkS UFOS with pUblic A he A d OF FiNA

rep Ort ON UNideN tiFied FlyiNg Object S

Associated Press

NaSa held its first public meeting on UFOs on Wednesday a year after launching a study into unexplained sightings and insisted it’s not hiding anything.

the space agency televised the four-hour hearing featuring an independent panel of experts who vowed to be transparent. the team includes 16 scientists and other experts selected by NaSa including retired astronaut Scott Kelly, the first american to spend nearly a year in space.

“I want to emphasize this loud and proud: there is absolutely no convincing evidence for extraterrestrial life associated with” unidentified objects, NaSa’s Dan Evans said after the meeting.

Still, hundreds of questions from the public that poured in ahead of time were skeptical and veered into conspiracy theories.

NaSa launched the study to probe what it calls UaPs — short for unexplained anomalous phenomena — in the sky, in space or under the sea.

Optical illusions can explain some of this, said Kelly, a former Navy fighter pilot. he recalled a tomcat flight off Virginia Beach years ago during which his radar intercept officer in the back seat was

convinced they’d flown past a UFO.

“It turns out it was Bart Simpson, a balloon,” Kelly said. “and in my experience, the sensors kind of have the same issues as the people’s eyeballs.”

Evans pointed out that the livestream of the meeting led to considerable trolling. that comes on top of “online abuse” directed toward several committee members.

harassment detracts from the scientific process and reinforces the stigma surrounding the topic, said Evans, adding that NaSa security is dealing with it.

“It’s precisely this rigorous, evidence-based approach that allows one to separate the fact from fiction,” he said.

the group is looking at what unclassified information is available on the subject and how much more is needed to understand what’s going on in the sky, according to astrophysicist David Spergel, the committee’s chair who runs the Simons Foundation.

No secret military data are included, such as anything surrounding the suspected spy balloons from China spotted flying over the U.S. earlier this year. the meeting was held at at NaSa headquarters in Washington with the public taking part remotely. a final report is expected by the end of July.

Villagers gather during a visit by United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths, in the village of Lomoputh in northern Kenya on May 12, 2022. . A new study says Earth has pushed past seven out of eight scientifically established safety limits and into “the danger zone,” not just for an overheating planet that’s losing its natural areas, but for well-being of people living on it. The study, published Wednesday, May 31, 2023, for the first time it includes measures of “justice,” which is mostly about preventing harm for groups of people..

Photo: Brian inganga

Workers on scaffolding repaint the NASA logo near the top of the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, May 20, 2020.

Photo: John raoux

ABOUT LJM MARITIME ACADEMY

SPORTS

THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2023

French Open, Page 16

BAAA Age Group Trials, Kids Athletics Championships combine starts today

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

The Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) is set to host the combined Age Group Trials and Kids Athletics Championships starting today at 5pm. The three-day meet will run from Thursday to Saturday at the original Thomas A Robinson stadium.

The combined hosting of the events will feature the under 7, 9, 11, 13, and 15 divisions.

Athletes of the under 13 and 15 divisions will be vying to qualify for a spot on the eight-member age group team expected

to compete at the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) Championships in July.

Mike Sands, president of the NACAC, talked about the importance of the kids’ athletics programme in The Bahamas. “Kids Athletics is the foundation to the success of any programme, when you build your foundation it also is designed to inspire the next generation of athletes to continue on,” Sands said.

Sands added that NACAC lends its full support to the event as athletes look to qualify for the age group championships slated for July 15-16 in the Dominican Republic. “A lot of athletes in our

area got their international debut through the age group championships.

“The names that come to my mind are Debbie Ferguson, Kim Collins and Veronica Campbell, those are just a few names that started and were inspired from age group [championships] to continue on,” NACAC president said.

For the NACAC age group qualifiers, two girls and boys will be selected from the under 13 and 15 divisions.

Athletes of the under 13 division will compete in a pentathlon and the under 15 division will compete in seven events for the heptathlon.

The under 13 girls will compete in the 60 metre

race, high jump, long jump, ball throw and 800m.

Meanwhile, the age group combined events for the under 13 boys will include the 60m, high jump, long jump, ball throw and 1000m.

Additionally, the under 15 girls will compete in the 60m hurdles, 80m, high jump, long jump, ball throw, shot put, and 1000m.

However, the boys will take on the 80m hurdles, 80m, high jump, long jump, ball throw, shot put and 1200m.

The athletes will be given the opportunity to participate for their clubs, schools or unattached. With the competitors coming from the various track clubs in New Providence, Grand

Bahama and other Family Islands, expectations are high for the level of competition on display at this weekend’s three-day meet.

BAAA President Drumeco Archer talked about the anticipation surrounding the combined event.

“It is always fun to see them and it amazes you when you see the quality of athletes. We seem to produce athletes in every sporting discipline at the highest level for such a small country,” Archer said. He said that the association acknowledges that there are not enough meets at the age group level so they wanted to create a championship event for them to be given the focus.

He added that parents come to track meets to watch their kids perform, therefore, he believes this is the one opportunity where you will have the full engagement of the track community.

“These group championships is an important event for us, it is a showcase for one of the BAAAs assets of the federation. We hope to grow this area of our sport,” Archer said. The age group trials will take place today at 5pm and on Friday starting at 12:30pm.

For persons interested in watching the under 7 through 15 athletes compete and qualify for the age group championships, the entry fee is $15.

NBA Finals jump off tonight

Centreville Primary ‘plays tennis’ for fourth week

BLTA got the primary school back on board this time around.

fundamentals, and to spark and develop their interest in a fun, educational way.

as persons are willing to invest in the children.

CENTREVILLE Primary School students have made great strides since partaking in The Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s (BLTA) Play Tennis programme for the spring session.

The group of kids have been spending their Saturday mornings at the National Tennis Centre (NTC) courtesy of their very own physical education teacher, Sherline Moss.

The primary school students have been training at the tennis facility since early May and have steadily improved their basic tennis skills.

Although the school is no stranger to the sport as their debut to the programme was in 2017, the physical education teacher talked about how the

“This would actually be the second time that Centreville Primary has been involved in an initiative like this.

“Our first time would have been in 2017 where impact tennis came onto campus and conducted a course for eight weeks during my PE classes,” she said.

Moss added that when Michelle Armbrister reached out to her and the school’s principal as a means to sponsor the students to the Play Tennis programme, she saw it as an opportunity for them to rekindle the flame and get the kids acclimated to another sport outside of the school’s curriculum.

The goal of the BLTA is to expose tennis to those who normally do not have access to the sport, to teach them the basic

After a month on the tennis courts at the NTC, Moss has noticed some impressive improvements by the students of her school as a result of BLTA’s community programme.

“They are becoming more comfortable with the movements of the game, are better able to manipulate the tennis racquet.

“So I am happy about that and they have been more and more excited week after week about having to come out and get some practice in,” the teacher said.

Her final message to all local physical education teachers was to give it a try, particularly for the primary school students, and to take advantage if the opportunity presents itself to get them exposed to sports other than basketball and volleyball

Perry Newton, president of the BLTA, reminded the public that the association does not only offer a youth Play Tennis community programme but there are sessions for adults as well.

“Our overall introductory programme for beginners is our Play Tennis programme that initially catered to ages 5-18 but we have since added an adult portion which allows parents to take advantage, while their kids are being taught tennis, they can learn how to play the sport as well,” Newton said.

The president said the main focus of BLTA is to make tennis a family sport so that parents, kids and other relatives can play against each other to have a family-oriented activity.

The introductory cost for adults is $7 and classes are held on Saturday mornings at 9am.

Bahamas Karate Championships get underway on Saturday

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

THE Bassai Bahamas

Karate-Do will host the second edition of the open karate tourney this weekend at the Kendal G L Isaacs Gymnasium.

The Bahamas Karate Championships is expected to begin at 10am as the competitors will look to compete for the lightweight and heavyweight championship belts. The tourney will be open to various styles of martial arts, whether locally or internationally.

Also, the championships will include divisions such as Kumite point fighting, Kata, weapons, and the

matchup for the Covenant Masters Cup.

Sensei Shawn Smith Sr, chief instructor for Bassai Bahamas Karate-Do International, talked about the purpose of this year’s open karate tournament.

“The purpose of these tournaments that we hold every year is to provide the opportunity for competitors to compete and foster goodwill and sportsmanship with other karate schools in the Bahamas,” Smith said.

He said they are about building a whole community of martial artists that would come from a number of different schools to compete at the highest level.

SEE PAGE 14

GBSSAA FRANCO MILLER/SCOTT FORBES/ QUINTON HALL BIG 3 BASKETBALL CLASSIC Tabernacle Baptist Falcons win title

USA BASKETBALL TO PLAY HOST TO PUERTO RICO IN WORLD CUP TUNEUP AT LAS VEGAS

USA Basketball has finalised its schedule of exhibition games leading into this summer’s FIBA World Cup, announcing Tuesday that it will open the five-game slate against Puerto Rico in Las Vegas on August 7. It will be the only World Cup warmup game in the U.S. for the Americans, a team that will be coached by Golden State’s Steve Kerr. His assistants are Miami’s Erik Spoelstra, the Los Angeles Clippers’ Tyronn Lue and Gonzaga’s Mark Few.

The roster of NBA players is still being assembled.

“Puerto Rico, obviously, we’re familiar with them,” said Grant Hill, managing director of USA Basketball’s men’s national team.

“We’ve competed in the World Cup qualifiers, although neither team had their full heavy roster, if you will, its strongest roster. But it’s an opportunity to throw our guys into the fire.

“The games, the exhibition games, the lead-up, we’re going to get a lot of basketball in us before we play for real. And that’s good.”

After the Puerto Rico game, the U.S. will leave for Malaga, Spain, and games there against Slovenia on August 12 and Spain on August 13.

The final two pre-World Cup games for the Americans will be held in Abu Dhabi, against Greece on August 18 and Germany on August 20.

THE Grand Bahama Secondary Schools Athletic Association hosted its Franco Miller/ Scott Forbes/ Quinton Hall Under-13 boys’ Big 3 Basketball Classic over the weekend at the YMCA Gymnasium.

In the championship game, the Tabernacle Baptist Academy Falcons pulled off the victory with a 23-22 nipping of St Mary Parker Primary as most valuable player Skyler Gardiner scored seven points.

Rushaun Ambros, the defensive player of the tournament, and Brandon Forbes both scored seven in a losing effort.

From there, the Americans head to Manila, Philippines, where they will remain for the entirety of the World Cup. Half of the 32-team World Cup field will have group-stage games in Indonesia or Japan; the Americans are among the 16 that will open the tournament in the Philippines, which will also play host to the medal rounds.

The game against Puerto Rico will coincide with the end of the U.S. team’s training camp in Las Vegas.

The men’s national team played four exhibitions in Las Vegas in 2021 before the Tokyo Olympics, going 2-2 in those games.

The Americans opened with losses to Nigeria and Australia before beating Argentina and Spain prior to departing for Tokyo.

In Japan, the U.S. won its fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal.

The U.S. opens World Cup play against New Zealand on August 26, followed by group games against Greece on August 28 and Jordan on August 30.

The tournament — one of the major qualifiers for the 2024 Paris Olympics — runs through September 10.

Karate Championships get underway on Saturday

FROM PAGE 13

Other exciting elements to be seen at this year’s championships will include the kickboxing segment, Masters Cup, and honouring of the martial arts Grandmasters.

For the Masters cup, the very best in martial arts, starting from the 5th degree black belt level and above, will put on a showcase of their different styles and disciplines.

The styles the public can expect to see on display this Saturday will include Karate, Kung fu, Jiu-jitsu, Taekwondo and many others.

One of the event’s highlights aside from championship action will be the honouring of martial arts Grandmasters Alex Penn, Kenneth Lewis, Frankie

Adderly, and the late great Basil Rolle. “The grandmasters are those individuals who are Bahamians who have made

it to the highest level of martial arts in the Bahamas, it’s amazing that we have four grandmasters, one is deceased but we have

three sitting grandmasters of various different styles Kung Fu, Goju-ryu, [and] Jiu-jitsu,” Smith said.

The chief instructor added that between the grandmasters it is over 200 years of experience combined in The Bahamas and their goal is to honour them and give them their flowers while they are alive.

Smith said spectators are in for a treat.

“Spectators can expect to be thrilled, they can expect to see those great fancy kung fu moves, the fast moving feet by the taekwondo people, the precision of the punching and stances of the karatekas, this tournament is set to be awesome so come on out,” he said.

Tickets will be on sale at the event for a cost of $5 for adults and $3 for kids 5 years and under.

DEFENSIVE player Rushaun Ambros.

MVP SKYLER GARDINER, left and honoree Franco Miller.

TABERNACLE Baptist Falcons show off their medals.

ST Mary Parker Primary students with their medals.

SENSEI Shawn Smith Sr.

NBA Finals take the stage

By BRIAN MAHONEY AP Basketball Writer

PREVIEW capsule for the NBA Finals, which start tonight in Denver:

East No. 8 MIAMI

HEAT (44-38, 12-6) vs. West No. 1 DENVER

NUGGETS (53-29, 12-3)

How they got here:

Heat — beat No. 1 Milwaukee 4-1, beat No. 5 New York 4-2, beat No. 2 Boston 4-3.

Nuggets — beat No. 8 Minnesota 4-1; beat No. 4 Phoenix 4-2; beat No. 7 Los Angeles Lakers 4-0.

Season series: Nuggets, 2-0. Denver’s two victories came by a combined nine points, with a 124-119 home win on December 30 and a 112-108 victory in Miami on February 13.

Schedule: Tonight and Sunday at Denver, June 7 and 9 at Miami, June 12 at Denver if necessary, June 15 at Miami if necessary, June 18 at Denver if necessary.

Starters: Heat — F Jimmy Butler, F Caleb Martin, C Bam Adebayo, G Max Strus, G Gabe

Vincent.

Nuggets — F Michael Porter Jr., F Aaron

Gordon, C Nikola Jokic, G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, G Jamal Murray.

Key reserves: Heat — F Kevin Love, F Haywood Highsmith, F Duncan Robinson, C Cody Zeller, G Kyle Lowry. Nuggets — F Bruce Brown, F Jeff Green, F Christian Braun.

Storyline: The Nuggets have cruised to the first NBA Finals appearance in franchise history behind Jokic, the two-time NBA MVP who is averaging 29.9 points, 13.3 rebounds and 10.3 assists in the postseason.

The Heat are here for the seventh time, though this is their most surprising trip.

Minutes away from missing the playoffs entirely, they went on to become the second No. 8 seed to reach the finals, joining the New York Knicks in 1999.

Injury watch: Miami’s Tyler Herro, out since breaking his hand in the

postseason opener against Milwaukee, has been working out in hopes of playing in this series.

Numbers of note: The Heat haven’t won in Denver since November 30, 2016. Denver is 8-0 at home in the postseason and has won six straight overall since being tied 2-2 with the Suns.

The Heat have won Game 1 on the road in all three series thus far.

In Jokic and Murray (27.7 ppg), the Nuggets have two of the top nine scorers in this postseason. Butler (28.5) is seventh.

Miami’s bench has outscored its opponents by 213 points in the postseason.

The Heat lost their past two home games after winning their first six of the postseason.

Prediction: Denver is a nine-point favourite in Game 1, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. But

with the Nuggets perhaps rusty since finishing off the Lakers on May 22, the Heat may have another chance to open with a road win.

Even if they do, this time it won’t matter. Jokic and Murray are on too much of a roll to be stopped now.

It took Denver a long time to get to the NBA Finals, but it will be worth the wait. Nuggets in 6.

With matchup finally set, Nuggets’ Malone says beating Heat will be ‘biggest challenge of our lives’

By ARNIE STAPLETON AP Sports Writer

AARON Gordon bristled at the notion the Denver Nuggets must operate the “rust versus rest” seesaw with 10 days between their Western Conference title celebration in Los Angeles and the start of the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat.

Rest?

“We’ve been working,” Gordon declared about 15 hours after the Nuggets finally learned who they’ll have to beat to secure the franchise’s first Larry O’Brien gold ball trophy.

“It’s not like we’ve had our hands back and feet kicked up.”

Rust?

“We’ve been locked in, in the gym, working diligently,” Gordon insisted.

“So, we feel like we’re in a good space. It’s been a good balance of work to rest. Happy we have home court advantage.”

Miami’s 103-84 shellacking of the Celtics in Boston in Game 7 on Monday night sent the Heat to Denver for Game 1 tonight.

Had the Celtics been the first of 151 teams to ever overcome a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven basketball series, the Nuggets would have headed East for Games 1 and 2.

Instead, the Nuggets get to stay in the Mile High City, where they’ve been since returning from their 113-111 win over the Lakers on May 22, and host a Heat

team that’s been playing every other night and won’t have much time to acclimate to the city’s mile-high altitude.

So, yes, Gordon acknowledged, he was actually rooting for Jimmy Butler to come to Denver this week, and not because he wanted to avoid Jayson Tatum, either. “You always want to keep home court,” Gordon

said. “So, first and foremost what we worked for all season was to get home court advantage.”

Top-seeded in the West for the first time in franchise history, the Nuggets have won all eight of their playoff games at Ball Arena, pushing their league-best home record to 42-7, while going 12-3 overall in these playoffs,

including series clinching wins on the road against the Suns and Lakers.

The Heat haven’t won in Denver since November 30, 2016, but it’s the Nuggets who are novices on this stage.

Miami has been to the Finals many times before, winning it all in 2006, 2012 and 2013. “We’ve got the utmost respect for them.

They fight and they scrap, they have no quit in them,”

Gordon said

The Nuggets are one of six teams who have never won an NBA title. This is their first championship series appearance since losing to Julius Erving and the New York Nets in 1976, after which the wonderful and wacky ABA was disbanded.

Fanduel Sportsbook favours the Nuggets to win their first NBA championship over the Heat, who are the second No. 8 seed to make it this far.

But coach Michael Malone repeated his admonition to his players not to pay attention to all the accolades or outside noise.

“Well, as I told our team, forget the eight seed stuff,” Malone said.

“They beat Milwaukee 4-1. That team had the most wins in the NBA this year. They beat Boston 4-3 and they were up 3-0, the team with I think the second most wins in the NBA this year.”

“So, you get to the NBA Finals, it’s not about seeding anymore,” added Malone, “and for those who are thinking that this is going to be an easy series, I don’t even know what to say to you people.

“This is going to be the biggest challenge of our live. This is the NBA Finals. We’re trying to win the first NBA championship in franchise history, and it’s going to be the hardest thing that we’ve ever done, which is the way it should be.”

Heat’s Jimmy Butler, centre, is presented with the the Larry Bird Trophy for most valuable player after the Heat defeated the Boston Celtics 103-84 in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals Monday night in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

DENVER Nuggets head coach Michael Malone, right, confers with guard Jamal Murray as players take part in NBA basketball practice yesterday in Denver. The Warriors take on the Miami Heat in Game 1 of the NBA Finals tonight.

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

MIAMI Heat forward Jimmy Butler, left, talks with head coach Erik Spoelstra, right, during the first half of Game 2 of the NBA basketball playoffs Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Celtics in Boston, on Friday, May 19.

(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

DENVER Nuggets centre Nikola Jokic, centre, jokes around with forwards Vlatko Cancar, left, and Jeff Green during practice ahead of Game 1 of the NBA basketball finals against the Miami Heat yesterday in Denver.

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

What was that on Djokovic’s chest?

He jokes it’s connected to Iron Man

By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer

PARIS (AP) — So what exactly was that metallooking object about the size of a bottle cap that was taped to Novak Djokovic’s chest at the French Open?

He was asked about it. He didn’t give a straight answer.

During the changeover between the end of the first set and the start of the second during the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s 7-6 (2), 6-0, 6-3 victory over Marton Fucsovics at Roland Garros last night, Djokovic removed his reddish polo shirt and swapped it for another.

Nothing out of the ordinary there, especially after a set that lasted 1 1/2 hours.

Here’s what was unusual: TV cameras in Court Philippe Chatrier zoomed in on some item that was placed right in the middle

of Djokovic’s chest. Commentators on Tennis Channel’s broadcast joked about it having something to do with the Marvel Comics character Iron Man, portrayed on the big screen by Robert Downey Jr.

Maybe someone told Djokovic about that observation. Because that was the faux explanation the 36-year-old father of two offered when a reporter wanted him to explain precisely what that thing really was. “When I was a kid I liked Iron Man a lot, so I try to impersonate Iron Man,” Djokovic said with a smile.

And then he went a step further. “My team delivers an incredibly efficient nanotechnology to help me deliver my best on the court, so that’s the biggest secret of my career,” Djokovic said sarcastically. “If it wasn’t for that, I probably wouldn’t be sitting here.” Hmmmm.

Perhaps a sequel to this saga will come Friday when Djokovic will continue his pursuit of a third title at the French Open — and what would be a men’s-record

Still no women’s matches in night sessions at Roland Garros

PARIS (AP) — When the French Open introduced night sessions a year ago, just one of the 10 matches scheduled for under the lights in the main stadium featured women.

That drew criticism from Tennis Hall of Famer and equal rights advocate Billie Jean King, among others — both as a matter of fairness and because that sort of exposure is the best way to bring more attention to players.

Well, so far in 2023, all of the first four night sessions have featured men’s matches.

“If the tournament is not going to change it, then there’s nothing we can do,”

2017 U.S. Open champion and 2018 French Open finalist Sloane Stephens said.

Tonight’s second-round contest in Court Philippe Chatrier originally was

supposed to be France’s Gael Monfils against Denmark’s Holger Rune, the sixth-seeded man.

After Monfils withdrew from the tournament late yesterday, that was replaced by 2020 US Open runner-up Alexander Zverev against Alex Molcan.

WHO ELSE PLAYS TODAY?

The remaineder of the second-round lineup includes defending champion and No. 1 seed Iga Swiatek against Claire Liu of the United States, 2022 runner-up Coco Gauff against Julia Grabher of Austria, and reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina against teenager Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic.

Top men in action include two-time major finalist Casper Ruud, No. 8 Jannik Sinner and No. 12 Frances Tiafoe.

WHEN ARE TODAY’S MATCHES?

Play begins at 11am local time in Paris, which is 5am EDT, everywhere except the main stadium, Court Philippe Chatrier, where the first match — Ruud vs. Guilio Zeppieri — is scheduled to start at 11:45am local time, which is 5:45am EDT. Next in Chatrier is Swiatek-Liu, which could begin around 3pm local time, which is 9am EDT.

Gauff-Grabher is third in Court Suzanne Lenglen, following Rybakina vs. Noskova, and Sinner vs. Daniel Altmaier.

So Gauff might be on court at around 4pm local time, which is 10am EDT. The night session starts at 8:15pm, local time which is 2:15pm EDT.

WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY?

Swiatek is the only past French Open champion

remaining in the field because 2017 trophy winner Jelena Ostapenko lost to Peyton Stearns, a 21-yearold American who won the NCAA title for the University of Texas last year.

In men’s action, No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and No. 3 Novak Djokovic both won, staying on course for a showdown in the semifinals.

GET CAUGHT UP

What you need to know about the year’s second Grand Slam tennis tournament:

- Rafael Nadal is not here

- Djokovic can break a tie with Nadal by winning Slam No. 23

- Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Rybakina split past four major titles

- Alcaraz, Djokovic drawn to meet in the semifinals

- First-round opponents for Alcaraz, Djokovic do not find them ‘otherworldly’

- 3 Chinese men in main draw at Roland Garros

- Elina Svitolina wins her first Grand Slam match as a mother

- Facts and figures about the French Open, including a look back at 2022

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

Try your hand at the AP’s latest tennis quiz here.

BETTING

GUIDE

Gauff is listed at minus950 to beat Grabher, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, while Tiafoe is listed as a slight underdog against Aslan Karatsev.

THE

NUMBER TO

KNOW

14 — Seeded players left in the women’s bracket — with half of the second round still to be contested — out of the 32 that began the tournament.

QUOTE TO KNOW “I’m a huge, huge fan of his.” — Denis Shapovalov, speaking about his thirdround opponent, Carlos Alcaraz.

HOW TO WATCH -In the U.S.: Tennis Channel, NBC, Peacock. -In France: France TV, Amazon Prime. -Other countries listed here.

UPCOMING

SINGLES

SCHEDULE

-Wednesday-Thursday: Second Round (Women and Men)

-Friday-Saturday: Third Round (Women and Men)

-Sunday-Monday: Fourth Round (Women and Men)

-June 6-7: Quarterfinals (Women and Men)

-June 8: Women’s Semifinals

-June 9: Men’s Semifinals

-June 10: Women’s Final

-June 11: Men’s Final

PEYTON STEARNS, NCAA CHAMP FOR TEXAS, BEATS JELENA OSTAPENKO, 2017 CHAMP AT FRENCH OPEN

By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer

PARIS (AP) — Like many a kid, Peyton Stearns enjoyed participating in sports and tried her hand at plenty. “Soccer, gymnastics, basketball, tennis, whatever,” the 21-year-old American said yesterday at the French Open after eliminating 2017 champion Jelena Ostapenko 6-3, 1-6, 6-2 to reach the third round at a Grand Slam tournament for the first time. Then Stearns paused, before adding with a chuckle: “Well, not so much tennis.”

By her own admission, she came to tennis relatively late for someone who would end up at its highest level, starting private lessons at age 8. It wasn’t until about three or four years later, the 2022 NCAA champion for the University of Texas explained, that she decided to focus on holding a racquet.

“Gymnastics was very structured. I didn’t like that so much. I liked to do what I want when I wanted,” said Stearns, who had never played in the French Open’s main draw until this week and next faces No.

9 seed Daria Kasatkina, a 2022 semifinalist.

“I chose tennis because I loved that you can just hit the living daylights out of the ball.”

So that’s what she does, and did quite effectively against the 17th-seeded Ostapenko, outhitting a big hitter — Stearns compiled more winners, 30-29 — and leaving the field at Roland Garros with just one remaining woman who has won the title there: No. 1 Iga Swiatek, the champion in 2020 and 2022, who plays her second-round match today. Barbora Krejcikova, the 2021 winner, lost in the first round.

“Sometimes I surprise myself with how lethal my ball comes off (the racket) sometimes for my opponents, and how it really puts them in trouble,” Stearns said.

“Maybe I didn’t realize that earlier on, but playing against top players, I realize that it is true. It comes off pretty heavy and big and that’s how I play. Definitely helps with confidence.”

Her victory over Ostapenko can be placed alongside a slew of other early upsets in Paris, where the sometimes-odd bounces of the red clay and the changing weather conditions can contribute to unexpected outcomes.

No. 5 seed Caroline Garcia of France was defeated by Anna Blinkova 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, and 18 of 32 seeded women already were gone before the second round was finished.

In the men’s bracket, No. 2 seed Daniil Medvedev bowed out Tuesday against a qualifier ranked 127nd.

“I feel like at Roland Garros, it’s tricky with the clay,” said No. 3 Jessica Pegula, who advanced yesterday when her opponent, Camila Giorgi, stopped playing because of knee pain after dropping the first set. “You can see — to me, it feels like — a lot more upsets.”

Do not tell Stearns hers was a stunning result, even though she is ranked 69th in her first full season on tour and carried a 0-1 career Slam record into this week.

“I expected this out of myself. Maybe not this

early in my career. ... I’m ahead of what I projected myself doing,” she said, “but by no means cutting myself short.”

She had her own little cheering section at Court 14, a group that included her mother, Denise, Stearns’ coach, her coach’s girlfriend and a friend, which helped.

So did Stearns’ boundless self-belief, which she said allowed her to settle down amid some feelings she described as “crazy, nervewracking, overwhelming — all the emotions into one.”

Her tennis idol growing up was Maria Sharapova, who won five Grand Slam

titles and reached No. 1 in the WTA rankings.

Sharapova was a powerful ball-striker who found her initial success on faster surfaces such as grass courts, winning Wimbledon at age 17, and hard courts, her next major championships coming at the U.S. Open and the Australian Open.

But Sharapova eventually did collect two French Open titles later in her career.

That’s not why Stearns came to be a fan, though.

“My mom and I loved watching her because of her outfits,” Stearns said with a snicker. “My mom’s a big shopper.”

23rd major championship overall, breaking a tie with rival Rafael Nadal — when

he faces No. 29 seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain.

SERBIA’s Novak Djokovic plays a shot against Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics during their second round match of the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris yesterday. (AP Photo/ Thibault Camus)

PEYTON Stearns returns the ball during her ATX Open tennis match against Mirjam Bjorklund at the Westwood Country Club in Austin, Texas. Stearns is playing in the French Open for the first time and now the 21-year-old American is into the third round after knocking off 2017 champion Jelena Ostapenko. Stearns used her big forehand to put together the 6-3, 1-6, 6-2 victory yesterday. (Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman via AP)

Ohtani hits his longest homer, Angels get 12-5 win vs White Sox

CHICAGO (AP) — Shohei Ohtani homered in consecutive innings, including a 459-foot drive that was the longest of his Major League Baseball career, and drove in four runs to lead the Los Angeles Angels over the Chicago White Sox 12-5 yesterday.

Mike Trout put the Angels ahead 2-0 with a 476-foot home run in the first that was four rows shy of clearing the left field bleachers. Taylor Ward hit also went deep as the Angels hit four two-run homers plus a solo shot.

Lance Lynn (4-6) allowed eight runs, eight hits and two walks while hitting two batters in four innings, raising his ERA to 6.55.

Jaime Barria (2-2) got the win and gave up one run and four hits in five innings with six strikeouts and two walks.

RAYS 4, CUBS 3

CHICAGO (AP) — Brandon Lowe and Jose Siri each hit two-run homers late in the game off Mark Leiter Jr. (1-1), Jalen Beeks got the final two outs after coming in with the bases loaded and Tampa Bay avoided its first sweep of the season.

Seiya Suzuki chased Rays starter Zach Eflin with a leadoff double in the seventh and came around on a line-drive single to deep left by pinch hitter Trey Mancini against Colin Poche (4-1), putting Chicago on top 3-2. Mancini got thrown out trying to reach second base on the play, and the lead disappeared in a flash.

Eflin gave up three runs and four hits. He struck out five and walked one.

Cubs starter Justin Steele retired all nine batters before exiting with tightness in his left forearm. Hayden Wesneski pitched one-hit ball over 3 2/3 innings and exited to cheers after walking Manuel Margot with two outs in the seventh.

TIGERS 3, RANGERS 2

DETROIT (AP) — Jake Rogers hit a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the sixth

inning and Jake Marisnick followed with a run-scoring single in his Tigers debut, leading Detroit over Texas.

Marcus Semien extended his hitting streak to 20 games with a double in the third. Will Vest (2-0) retired five straight batters.

Alex Lange worked around Semien’s one-out walk in a hitless ninth for his 10th save in 11 chances.

Rangers starter Dane Dunning (4-1) allowed three runs and seven hits in five-plus innings.

GUARDIANS 12, ORIOLES 8

BALTIMORE (AP) —

Josh Naylor homered, had a career-high four hits and drove in six runs to highlight a rare power display by Cleveland.

Josh Bell and Gabriel Arias also went deep for the Guardians, who had gone 264 consecutive plate appearances without a long ball before Naylor went deep in the fourth inning. Cleveland notched season highs in runs and hits (17) while scoring in double figures for the first time in a nine-inning game.

Anthony Santander homered for Baltimore and Aaron Hicks had two

hits and scored twice in his Orioles debut before leaving with muscle cramps. But Baltimore blew leads of 4-1 and 7-6 while dropping a second straight series for the first time in 2023. Santander’s two-run drive in the bottom half put the Orioles up 7-6 before the Guardians took control with a five-run fifth. After Cleveland loaded the bases against Mychal Givens (0-1), Naylor doubled in three runs and Arias homered to make it 11-7.

Xzavion Curry (2-0), the second of seven Guardians pitchers, pitched the fifth inning and got the win.

BRAVES 4, ATHLETICS 2

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP)

— Ozzie Albies hit a goahead, two-run homer in a three-run fifth inning, and Atlanta denied Oakland’s bid for their first threegame winning streak this season.

Jared Shuster (2-2) allowed two runs, three hits and four walks in 5 1/3 innings to win consecutive decisions for the first time this season. Jesse Chavez, A.J. Minter, Nick Anderson and Raisel Iglesias combined to retire Oakland’s

last 11 batters, with Iglesias getting three outs for his fifth save in six chances.

James Kaprielian (0-6) has the most consecutive losing decisions for an Oakland pitcher at a season’s start since Mike Mohler began 0-8 in 1997. Kaprielian gave up three runs and five hits in 4 2/3 innings.

PIRATES 9, GIANTS 4 SAN FRANCISCO (AP)

— Bryan Reynolds drove in three runs and made a leaping catch against the wall, helping Pittsburgh climb back above .500.

Former Giants Andrew McCutchen and Connor Joe each went 3 for 4 with an RBI as the Pirates (2827) won consecutive games after dropping below .500 for the first time since they were 1-2.

Mitch Keller (7-1) improved to 4-0 in his last five starts, allowing four runs and 10 hits in six innings with eight strikeouts. It was his seventh consecutive outing with at least eight strikeouts.

Alex Wood (1-1) allowed a season-high six runs, eight hits and three walks in 4 1/3 innings as the Giants fell back to .500 at 28-28.

TOP MLB PROSPECTS CREWS, SKENES LEAD LSU INTO NCAA TOURNAMENT

By BRETT MARTEL AP Sports Writer

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — When 6-foot-6, 247-pound right-hander Paul Skenes steps on the mound at LSU’s Alex Box Stadium — as he will this weekend in the NCAA baseball tournament — sellout crowds 13,000 strong buzz with anticipation of 100 mph fastballs and strikeouts galore.

Taking in that scene from center field is Dylan Crews, who might be even more coveted by Major League Baseball teams than his fire-balling teammate.

Crews, hitting .420 and named the SEC player of the year, is the consensus top prospect in this year’s MLB amateur draft, which will be held in Las Vegas from July 9-11. Next is Skenes (10-2), who leads the nation with 167 strikeouts and was named SEC pitcher of the year. If they are the first two drafted, it will be the first time the top two picks came from the same college baseball team. Crews embraces the hype.

“I love it. It’s what I’ve worked for every day, really,” he said in a recent interview with The Associated Press. “Every time I come to the field, I just know that somebody is always there to kind of watch me and Paul. So, it’s a good feeling.”

Pittsburgh currently holds the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, followed by Washington and Detroit.

Crews has had years to get used to the attention.

He was a prominent MLB prospect while at Lake Mary High School in Florida in 2020.

He opted for college because he “wanted to be the best player that I could be leading up to the draft. And I felt like, at the time, I wasn’t.”

“A lot of people think that college is like, not a good route” for top high school-age prospects, Crews added. “I think kids don’t realize college is an unbelievable experience, you know? So, I took a different route.”

In LSU, Crews saw a place where he could develop lifelong ties, where he could always come back — and give back.

Already, he provides tickets to special needs children and embraces chances to connect with fans because it “lets people see a different side of you.”

The majors seemed like more of a long shot to

Skenes during high school in Lake Forest, California.

While he could throw in the mid-90s as a senior, that hardly guaranteed big-league success. Having thrived academically, and following the example of uncles who had joined the Navy and Coast Guard, he chose to enroll at the Air Force Academy.

“I wanted to serve. I wanted to have a guaranteed job after college,” Skenes said.

“I was like, ‘I want to play four more years in college ... and have a really cool job and fly $100 million jets.’”

Skenes didn’t specialise in pitching until he transferred to LSU last summer. At Air Force, he also was a designated hitter, catcher and first baseman. He received the 2022 John Olerud Award as college baseball’s top two-way player.

But as got he stronger and threw harder, Skenes

NATIONALS 10, DODGERS 6 LOS ANGELES (AP)

— Luis García hit a tiebreaking three-run homer in the eighth inning, Keibert

Ruiz added two more of Washington’s five homers, and the Nationals avoided a series sweep. García connected for a two-out, two-strike shot down the right field line off Brusdar Graterol (2-2) to put Washington up 8-5.

Ruiz, the former Dodgers prospect traded in a package for Max Scherzer and Trea Turner in 2021, homered in the second and ninth innings, giving him three in the last two games.

Hunter Harvey pitched two innings for his third save. Patrick Corbin yielded seven hits and four walks over five bumpy innings for the Nationals.

Mookie Betts hit his 40th leadoff homer and added another solo shot in the eighth for the Dodgers, who lost at home for only the second time in 15 games since late April.

Noah Syndergaard struggled yet again for LA, blowing two leads while allowing five runs, seven hits and two walks over five innings with just two strikeouts.

reached a crossroads: remain at Air Force “and kind of bite the bullet there, or leave” and try to maximize his pitching potential

Around that time, LSU coach Jay Johnson lured pitching coach Wes Johnson to his staff from the Minnesota Twins.

“If he weren’t here, I don’t think I would have come,” Skenes said, crediting Wes Johnson for improving his slider with a new grip and a quicker unwinding of his body, creating more lateral break.

Jay Johnson called Skenes’ slider “a major league put-away pitch right now.” He calls Skenes’ mechanics “flawless,” and notes how he hides the ball during his windup, further reducing hitters’ reaction time. “He keeps it behind his body and then — boom — it’s on you,” Johnson said.

ESPN college baseball analyst Kyle Peterson said Skenes has been the most dominant college pitcher since Stephen Strasburg at San Diego State in 2009, and might challenge former LSU great Ben McDonald’s 1989 NCAA record of 202 strikeouts in a season.

“If they keep playing on, I think he will,” Peterson said. One hitter even Skenes found difficult to face is Crews, who homered when they played against each other in 2021.

Crews, who said he can read spin right out of a pitcher’s hand, has walked 58 times in 207 at-bats. His 87 hits include 15 home runs and 13 doubles.

LSU starting pitcher Paul Skenes (20) warms up in the bullpen on Thursday, March 30, at Alex Box Stadium on the campus of LSU in Baton Rouge. (AP Photo)

LOS Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani celebrates in the dugout after hitting a two-run home run off Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Lance Lynn during the third inning of a baseball game yesterday in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

Stewart has big game in return to Seattle as Liberty beat Storm 86-78

SEATTLE (AP) — Breanna Stewart had 25 points and 11 rebounds in her return to the Pacific Northwest and the New York Liberty beat the Seattle Storm 86-78 on Tuesday night.

It was Stewart’s first game in Seattle since going to the Liberty as a free agent during the offseason. The former MVP helped Seattle win two titles with Sue Bird, who sat courtside for the return. Stewart took over in the third quarter with 10 points and six rebounds to help New York extend a narrow halftime lead to 68-56 entering the fourth. She finished 8 of 14 from the field and 8 of 9 at the stripe.

Seattle got within single digits early in the fourth before Sabrina Ionescu sank a deep 3-pointer to make it 72-61. Stewart’s fast-break layup, off a nice pass from Courtney Vandersloot, gave New York an 86-74 lead.

Ionescu finished with 20 points for New York (3-1), which has won three straight games.

Jewell Loyd led Seattle (0-3) with 26 points and Ezi Magbegor had 12 points and 14 rebounds.

WINGS 94, LYNX 89

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Natasha Howard scored 25 points, Satou Sabally had 23 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and three steals and the Wings beat the Lynx. Dallas guard Arike Ogunbowale hustled to deny a fast-break layup and Veronica Burton made 1 of 2 free throws at the other end for a 90-84 lead with 32.8 left. Ogunbowale added two free throws at 19.1 left for a six-point lead.

Ogunbowale finished with 21 points for Dallas (3-1). Kalani Brown, who signed a contract earlier on Tuesday, scored 12 points and Burton had a season-high nine assists. Crystal Dangerfield scored all nine of her points in the fourth quarter and Sabally recorded her seventh career double-double.

Kayla McBride, who missed the past two games due to personal reasons, scored 18 points for Minnesota (0-5), which has lost its first five games for the first time since 2007.

SUN 81, FEVER 78

UNCASVILLE, Conn.

(AP) — Tiffany Hayes scored 22 points, Brionna Jones had 19 points and 11 rebounds and the Sun held off the Fever.

Rookie Aliyah Boston made her first career 3-pointer to pull Indiana within 79-76 with 48.1 seconds left. After a timeout, DeWanna Bonner missed a contested layup and Indiana raced the other way, but Jones blocked a shot at the rim. Indiana retained possession and Boston made a putback to make it 79-78.

Hayes was fouled with 9.4 seconds left and made two free throws for a threepoint lead. Indiana found Lexie Hull open in the corner for a potential tying shot but her 3-pointer came up short.

Alyssa Thomas added 13 points, 17 rebounds and seven assists and Natisha Hiedeman scored 11 for Connecticut (4-1). Boston finished with 20 points and Kelsey Mitchell added 19 points for Indiana (1-3).

DREAM 83, SKY 65

COLLEGE PARK, Ga. (AP) — Rhyne Howard scored 20 points, Allisha Gray and rookie Haley Jones each added 13 and the Dream eased past the

Sky. Cheyenne Parker had 10 points and eight rebounds for Atlanta (2-2). The Dream made 18 of 24 free throws compared to 9 of 11 makes for the Sky. The Dream led 40-25 at halftime after Chicago shot

(AP Photos/

just 28% and turned it over eight times.

The Sky finished the game 25 for 77 (33%) with 15 turnovers. Dana Evans scored 11 points to lead Chicago (3-2).

)

A FAN holds a sign thanking New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart, foreground, before a WNBA basketball game between the Liberty and the Seattle Storm, on Tuesday, May 30, in Seattle.

Lindsey Wasson

NEW York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) shoots from between Seattle Storm guard Kia Nurse (0), centre Ezi Magbegor and centre Mercedes Russell (21) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game on Tuesday night in Seattle.

SEVILLA WINS EUROPA LEAGUE AT MOURINHO’S EXPENSE AS MONTIEL CLINCHES ANOTHER PENALTY SHOOTOUT

BUDAPEST, Hungary

(AP) — Five months after scoring the winning penalty in the World Cup final, Gonzalo Montiel converted the clinching spot kick for Sevilla in the Europa League final yesterday to beat Jose Mourinho’s Roma.

It earned Sevilla a seventh title in the competition.

The Argentina international sent Roma goakeeper Rui Patrício the wrong way with his retaken penalty to seal a 4-1 win in the shootout after the match finished 1-1 after extra time in Budapest, where Mourinho was aiming to maintain his record of having never lost a final in European competitions.

“I’ve won five finals and I lost this one, but I’m coming back home proud again,” Mourinho told Sky Sport Italy. “The boys gave everything.”

Gianluca Mancini and Roger Ibanez failed to convert for Roma from the spot against Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bounou. Montiel missed his first attempt but had another chance after Patrício was judged to have come off his line.

Sevilla has still never lost a final it has contested in the Europa League or its precursor, the UEFA Cup — the team also won the competition in 2006, ‘07, ‘14, ‘15, ‘16 and ‘20 — and secured a place in next season’s Champions League.

At one stage close to the relegation zone in the Spanish league and already eliminated from the Champions League, it had looked like a season to forget for Sevilla. But clearly it was not over yet.

A new coach, José Luis Mendilibar came in and things turned around quickly.

“I’m happy to be here, to have won for the club, which was having a hard time when we got here,” Mendilibar said. “We have done something good that can have repercussions for the good of the club.”

Before the final, Mourinho actually had more European title wins than Mendilibar had total games managed in those same competitions.

The 62-year-old Mendilibar’s career is peaking since joining Sevilla just two months ago.

As Sevilla players celebrated on the field, Mourinho kept his calm and congratulated the Spanish club on the victory.

“We lost a game but not dignity. I’ve never gone home prouder than today,” Mourinho said. “Great match, great final. Intense, vibrant.”

After receiving his runners-up medal, Mourinho took it off and gave it to a young fan.

Paulo Dybala had put Roma ahead in the 35th minute at Puskás Aréna in the Hungarian capital. Mancini sent a through ball for Dybala, who netted past Bounou with a low left-foot shot.

The Argentina forward had recovered from an ankle injury in time to be declared fit for the final.

It was Dybala’s fifth goal of the Europa League, and 17th overall this season.

Sevilla was only slowly getting into the match but Ivan Rakitic came close to equalising in first-half stoppage time with a low drive from 20 metres (yards) that bounced off the post.

Mendilibar sent on midfielder Suso and forward Erik Lamela, a former Roma player, as substitutes at the start of the second half to rejuvenate his team.

Sevilla equalised through Mancini’s own-goal 10 minutes into the second half when he was under pressure from Youssef En-Nesyri.

Captain Jesús Navas set up the goal with a cross from the right.

Navas, a 37-year-old veteran, was on the team that won Sevilla’s first Europa League title in 2006.

“When they scored against us, you think that it will be very difficult to score against them,” Mendilibar said. “”The equaliser came quickly in the second half and gave us the strength to continue in the fight to win the game.”

Substitute Andrea Belotti failed to beat Bounou in a one-on-one following Lorenzo Pellegrini’s free kick seven minutes from time. Suso had a long-distance shot saved by Patrício in the dying seconds.

Sevilla held the upper hand in extra time but didn’t create a clear scoring chance, and Roma defender Chris Smalling headed the ball onto the crossbar at the end.

Replacing former Argen-

this season with the team just two points clear of the La Liga relegation zone. His lineup has lost only two of 11 league games since then and is now one point off seventh place going into the final round this weekend.

tina coach Jorge Sampaoli in March, Mendilibar became Sevilla’s third coach

SEVILLA’s team captains Ivan Rakitic, centre, and Jesus Navas, centre right, lift the trophy after winning the Europa League final soccer match between Sevilla and Roma, at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary.

(AP Photos/Petr David Josek)

ROMA’s head coach Jose Mourinho walks away with his second place medal after receiving it at the end of the Europa League final soccer match against Sevilla. Sevilla defeated Roma 4-1 in a penalty shootout after the match ended tied 1-1.

SEVILLA’s Jesus Navas holds the winners trophy as he celebrates with teammates after winning the Europa League final soccer match against Roma at the Puskas Arena stadium in Budapest, Hungary, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Darko Bandic)