06122024 NEWS AND SPORT

The Tribune

GRID HANDOVER FOR 40 PERCENT

Electric network to be exchanged for share in private company

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE government is set to hand over New Providence’s electricity grid to a private company in return for a 40 percent ownership interest in that entity, Tribune Business can reveal. Multiple sources yesterday told this newspaper that the plans to overhaul Bahamas Power & Light’s transmission and distribution network involve the creation of a new entity called Bahamas Grid Company. This will be structured as a public-private partnership (PPP) 60 percent majority-owned by private investors. The government, which will own the remaining 40 percent, will gain its equity ownership interest by transferring BPL’s New Providence electricity gridwhich includes sub-stations, transformers, poles and wires - to Bahamas Grid Company.

‘WILSON SHOULD BE FIRED’

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis argued that Financial Secretary Simon Wilson should be fired because of his recent altercation with a reporter at the Office of the Prime Minister.

“In our nation reeling with so much crime and violence, the financial secretary’s abusive behaviour

Friends mourn conch stand vendor killed in boat crash

sent a terrible message,” he said during his contribution to the budget debate in the House of Assembly.

By KEILE CAMPBELL kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

LUKE Rolle, one of two men killed when his boat hit a reef near Rose Island on Friday, owned and operated a popular conch stand in Eleuthera. His friends and family are now coming together to keep his business alive. Jamal Williams-Gardiner, a close friend who helped with McGuiver’s Conch Stand, said the entire

Eleuthera misses Rolle, not just the Wemyss Bight community. He called him a “nice man to work with”.

“If you mad, just go there, he’ll have you happy, and he’s one way all the time,” he said. “I go there, help him out with the conch, skin the conch for him, trap it out, jook it out,

NYGARD: I COULD DIE IF I GO TO COURT

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

PETER Nygard is struggling to find legal representation in Canada two weeks before he is sentenced for sexually

assaulting five women between 1988 and 2005.

During a hearing on Monday, he told a judge that appearing in person for the sentencing hearings could be life-threatening because he is ill. Superior Court Justice

Robert Goldstein reportedly told the 82-year-old: “You’re not a doctor. I know it would be uncomfortable for you, but you were here in the courthouse, every single day, during the trial.

MURDER RULING THROWN OUT OVER ‘TENUOUS’ CONVICTION

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

A MAN who was sentenced to 40 years behind bars for allegedly killing an American sailor in 2013 had his murder conviction quashed yesterday after the Privy Council ruled that evidence in the case was “so tenuous as to be incapable of supporting a safe conviction for murder”.

The Privy Council also ruled against a murder retrial, though it recommended that the case be remitted to the Court of Appeal for consideration of retrial for a manslaughter charge.

aircraft to

in The Bahamas, arrives at Jet Aviation in Nassau yesterday.

meetings in Nassau this week.

Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

LUKE ROLLE

NYGARD: I COULD DIE IF I GO TO COURT

from page one

“I’m not saying I’ve made up my mind at this point, but you should be prepared for the possibility that I will require you to be here in person.”

Two lawyers have stopped representing Nygard, according to international reports. Megan Savard, his second attorney, withdrew recently for “ethical reasons”. Justice Goldstein informed Nygard that he was appointing Richard Litkowski as an amicus curiae –– a “friend of the court” –– in case he cannot retain a lawyer soon. Nygard’s sentencing hearings will take place on June 25 and 27. He was convicted of four counts of sexual assault last November in the first of several criminal trials he will face for his treatment of women in multiple countries across several decades. He is expected to be tried

‘Wilson should be fired’

from page one

“The prime minister runs a slack operation at OPM.”

On May 30, Nassau Guardian reporter Youri Kemp accused Mr Wilson of lying about the JDL cargo management company and its contract to manage freight at the Lynden Pindling International Airport, prompting the financial secretary to react angrily.

Ultimately, Economic Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis restrained Mr Wilson, who approached Mr Kemp, wagged his finger in his face, and said: “I will walk out here and wait for you.”

Mr Wilson issued a public apology, calling his conflict “entirely regrettable”, adding that it did not reflect the kind of interactions he has strived to maintain with the press.

Nonetheless, Dr Minnis said yesterday: “The prime minister should have immediately requested the financial secretary’s resignation. The prime minister should have directly spoken about the incident. Instead, a weak as water statement of apology was released.

“The financial secretary also sent the wrong message to the public service, the media, labour unions, the business community, international partners, and others who have to work with both the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Finance.

“Because he was upset, he wanted to fight and throw blows. There is too much of this mindset in the country already. Excessive hostility and the inability to solve conflicts peacefully are behind much of the violence in our country.”

Dr Minnis condemned

Mr Wilson and said if Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis fails to fire him, it shows he condones his behaviour.

“The member for Elizabeth did not have to resign while she was investigated for allegedly assaulting a police officer,” he said.

“The former immigration minister did not have to resign from Cabinet when serious questions were raised about his conduct with some Chinese workers.

“If you are tight with this prime minister, you have nothing to worry about. It seems you can do as you please. The financial secretary should be removed from his post forthwith due to his conduct. There is little doubt that the financial secretary will once again cause major problems for his supposed boss and for the government.”

in Montreal and Winnipeg. He will then be extradited to New York to face sex trafficking, racketeering and other charges.

Former Police Commissioner Paul Rolle said in July 2019 that an investigation was launched into sexual abuse claims against Mr Nygard after The Tribune revealed that six women made formal complaints against him. In 2020, Mr Rolle said when officers visited Mr Nygard’s home in 2019, they realised he had left the country. He said when police contacted Mr Nygard to assist with their probe, he refused to return.

Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander said in November 2023 that he would search for the investigation files concerning complaints from women in The Bahamas to see why charges were never brought against the former fashion mogul. He has not updated the press on the matter.

FORMER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minns speaking in the House of Assembly yesterday. Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr

GOVERNOR General Dame Cynthia Pratt received members of the Jacksonville Urban League in a courtesy call on Thursday, June 6.

Photo: Letisha Henderson/BIS

MAN SHOT BY POLICE ‘FIRED REPLICA GUN AT OFFICERS’

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter

AN officer has testified that on the night police killed Walter Johnson, the suspect had fired a replica gun at them.

Inspector Errol Johnson said he, PC 4149 Tarino Curtis and PC 4194 William McKinney –– the subjects of the inquest –– were

conducting an operation after 12am on April 9, 2022, when they were informed of an armed robbery on Hospital Lane near Club 98. Inspector Johnson recalled seeing the deceased walking north with his left hand reaching into his left waist as though he was trying to fix something. His suspicion aroused, he drove in the direction of Johnson and allowed the

junior officers to approach him.

Inspector Johnson said after they identified themselves as officers, the deceased pulled what appeared to be a firearm from his waist, causing the other officers to scream “gun”.

Inspector Johnson recalled hearing what sounded like a gunshot from the deceased, after

which his two subordinates opened fire on the suspect.

Inspector Johnson said after the shooting, he approached the deceased and observed that he was wearing a green bulletproof-like vest.

He also said he saw the deceased clutching what looked like a tan handgun in his left hand.

Forensic pathologist Dr Caryn Sands testified on

Monday that the deceased came into the morgue wearing a makeshift bulletproof vest with two metal plates, including a one-way sign, on both sides. She also said his cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head and right thigh.

Inspector Kristoff Greenslade, an officer from the police armoury, clarified on Monday that the weapon the deceased had

was a replica of a Glock 19 pistol.

Inspector Greenslade also said the replica matched the ones used in SWAT training and could mimic real gunfire.

Acting Coroner Kara Turnquest Deveaux presided over the inquest. Angelo Whitfield marshalled the evidence. Brian Dorsett represented the officers.

Murder ruling thrown out over ‘tenuous’ conviction

from page one

Anton Bastian, the appellant, was convicted in November 2015 of murder and two counts of armed robbery in connection with the 2013 killing of Kyle Bruner.

Police allege that he and two others robbed two women at gunpoint, taking their cash and personal belongings.

During the armed robbery, one of the assailants got involved in a fight with Bruner, a bystander at the time, and shot him, fatally wounding him.

Bastian was sentenced to 40 years on the murder charge and 12 years on the armed robbery offences, with the sentences ordered to run concurrently.

According to court documents, during the trial, the prosecution produced two police officers as witnesses who testified that Bastian, in separate incidents, admitted to being at the scene of the incident, but not killing Bruner.

One of the officers claimed Bastian told him he robbed the women. However, the court documents noted the appellant did not write or sign

anything confirming the claims and that he denied making the statements.

Bastian alleged that police officers beat and tortured him in custody and that one of the oral statements he gave police was “unreliable” and “an untrue product of oppression and police brutality.”

“He also adduced evidence of a medical examination of the appellant by the late Dr Curry, prison doctor, who on 20 May 2013 had diagnosed myalgia secondary to trauma and some redness to the throat,” the Privy Council ruling read.

Ultimately, Bastian made a “no case to answer” submission, contending that the alleged confession did not prove that there was an agreement to rob or that he had knowledge of a gun’s presence.

However, the judge rejected the submission on

the ground that “a properly directed jury might on one view of the facts come to a conclusion that all of the defendants were part of a joint plan to rob and in the course of the robbery the deceased was killed”.

When Bastian appealed his conviction and sentence to the Court of Appeal, it was dismissed, prompting him to go to the Privy Council.

In appealing the Court of Appeal’s ruling, Bastian said appellate judges erred “in holding that the trial judge gave adequate directions to the jury as to the specific intention required for murder and armed robbery in the course of a joint enterprise”.

Justice Indra Charles was the judge who presided over the case.

Bastian argued that she erred by failing to present an issue of fact to the jury and failed to leave to the jury lesser alternative counts of robbery and/or manslaughter.

Bastian also argued that the trial judge failed to adequately differentiate between the separate cases and evidence, including alleged out-of-court confessions. In quashing Bastian’s conviction, the Privy Council said the judge should have accepted a no-case submission because there was little evidence to show that Bastian knew that his co-defendant had a gun that night.

“The only admissible evidence against the appellant that was relevant to this issue was the thoroughly ambiguous statement said to have been made to Assistant Superintendent Clarke,” the ruling said.

“While that statement may be capable of being understood as indicating that the appellant had prior knowledge that Johnson had a gun, this alone, in the Board’s view, is so tenuous as to be

incapable of supporting a safe conviction for murder. It is not evidence on which any reasonable jury, properly directed, could be sure that the appellant had prior knowledge of the gun.”

The Privy Council added that similar considerations apply to Bastian’s armed robbery conviction and recommended substituting the charge with robbery and sending the matter back to the Court of Appeal for re-sentencing.

The Privy Council said the trial raised complicated issues of law and fact, “including complex issues of joint enterprise, alternative verdicts, crossadmissibility of evidence and inculpatory and exculpatory statements in interview.”

“In the Board’s view, the jury would have been assisted, and clarity would have been promoted had the judge reduced the necessary directions of law to writing and, after hearing (and where appropriate responding to) any submissions about them from counsel, provided copies to the jury during the summing up,” the ruling said.

“This procedure has now become the norm in most criminal trials in Crown courts in England and Wales. This course has the advantage of allowing counsel to make submissions in advance of delivery of the summing up on what may be disputed points of law.”

“It encourages clear and concise explanation of complex issues. It is likely to reduce the risk of repetition or contradiction in directions. It assists the jury in understanding and retaining the legal directions and can provide a sound basis for discussion when they retire to consider their verdict. The Court of Appeal may wish to consider whether such a procedure should be followed in The Bahamas.”

AMERICAN sailor Kyle Bruner, who was killed in 2013.

Promised shelter to be bought ‘by end of month’

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunedmedia.net

A BUILDING for the government’s long-promised shelter for domestic violence victims is expected to be bought by the end of this budget year, which ends this month.

The Davis administration had allocated $500,000 to build the shelter. The delays in doing so and the lack of explanation for why raised some concerns. Women advocates and non-profit organisations questioned if the government would deliver on its promise.

During his contribution to the budget debate in the House of Assembly, Minister of Social Services Myles

Laroda said in addition to buying a building by the end of this month, another shelter is on the way that will be operated with the Ministry of National Security through the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s domestic violence unit.

“These new shelters are a part of a promise delivered in 2012,” he said. “The government agreed that the Commonwealth of The Bahamas should participate in the United Nations entity on gender equality and the empowerment of women.”

Lisa Bostwick-Dean, the public relations director for Women United, told The Tribune in 2023 that while she was happy to see progress for the shelter, she did not want it operated solely

by the government.

“We think that it is best for shelters to be run as public-private partnerships with the government,” she said. “But of course, if the choice is a government-run shelter or no shelter, we’ll take what we can get. But ideally, we feel that shelters are best run as public-private partnerships.”

Officials hope the domestic shelter brings safety to those who most need it.

In April, a Gender-Based Violence study found that one in four women in The Bahamas had suffered physical or sexual violence in their life, with survivors lamenting the challenges with accessing healthcare, law enforcement, and social services in the country.

BOARDING SCHOOL ‘WILL CARE FOR AT-RISK BOYS’

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

SOCIAL Services Min-

ister Myles Laroda said the government’s proposed boarding school for at-risk boys will provide psychological, academic, and 24-hour care for its students.

He spoke during his contribution to the budget debate in the House of Assembly yesterday. He said the programme would capture students who have a chronically troubled

history in school but who have not yet been adjudicated by the courts. Cabinet appointed a subcommittee involving the ministers of education, immigration, social services and the minister of state for the environment to produce a plan to address male students at risk. Initially, the school will include male students who lack a wholesome family structure and would benefit from a 24-hour structured environment. The boys will be 14 years or older.

Mr Laroda said the school

will use a multi-disciplinary boarding school approach that includes psychological, educational, academic, and vocational criteria.

He said the programme’s key elements will focus on academic development, therapy, emotional development, career skills, and physical development.

He added: “These features will be encompassed with housing, traumainformed staff and family involvement components that aim to provide positive family structure for the students.”

FRIENDS MOURN CONCH STAND VENDOR KILLED IN BOAT CRASH

from page one

we there talking, and he’s a MacGyver – do everything. He loved people.”

“He ga be a big miss because anything you call on, he ready to help you. If he can’t help you, he’ll tell you he can’t, but he’ll make some phone calls and be there for you.” Mr Rolle shared the conch stand with everyone in his life, from family to friends and Eleuthera residents from all settlements on the island. His children contributed to running the business.

Mr Williams-Gardiner said since the death, he has talked to a sibling of Mr

Rolle about running the conch stand.

“He said once the wife give him an okay, he’ll be coming up here to make sure the conch stand will continue going on,” he said. “I tell him I’ll still be here to help them out, whoever come there.”

Garnique Johnson, whose cousin, Grace Sweeting-Rolle, was married to Mr Rolle, said the family is not taking the loss well.

“It’s mentally taken a toll on her from being with someone all these years and it’s just you two, and it’s home, it’s work out there to the conch stand and then home, and then everything she need him to do she doesn’t have to ask, he

does, so he will definitely be a big miss to her and the kids,” she said.

Mr Rolle was a father of five children, according to Mrs Johnson, who described him as a family man who constantly talked about his wife and children. She said he was preparing to visit his mother in Andros, whom he had not seen since January when his father died.

“Anytime you go to his conch stall, you’re bound to laugh,” she said. “He’s always telling you a joke, telling you a story, telling you something about life. When you leave from here, if you’re depressed, you’ll leave from there happy, and that’s why most people go to his conch stall.”

SOCIAL Services Minister Myles Laroda speaking in the House of Assembly yesterday. Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr

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NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI

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LEON E. H. DUPUCH, Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

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Publisher/Editor 1919-1972

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Publisher/Editor 1972-

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Will Nygard ever face justice here?

PETER Nygard once lived like a king – and acted like one – in his Bahamian complex. Now he is a convicted sex offender, who may be resorting to representing himself in court as he continues to lose lawyers.

The 82-year-old is guilty. Four times over. He is guilty of sex assaults. He is a sexual predator.

His son, Kai Bickle, did not draw the line at four for his father’s list of victims, saying that the list was long.

The guilty verdicts are just the tip of the iceberg.

Mr Bickle says that most of his father’s abuse happened here in The Bahamas. The cases that have reached court are simply the ones that fall under the court’s jurisdiction in Toronto.

Mr Bickle called his father “a systematic monster who used his business talents for evil to prey on others”.

There are further allegations surrounding The Bahamas – including of instances where women escaped Mr Nygard’s property, only to be taken back there by Bahamian police officers.

Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander said in November last year that he would search for the investigation files concerning complaints made by women in The Bahamas to see why charges were never brought against Mr Nygard.

More than half a year on, there is no word of whether his search has been successful, but there has been no sign of those charges either.

Will Mr Nygard only be held to account in foreign jurisdictions? Are we to believe that despite the many

allegations he was faultless and blameless here and only a sexual predator and abuser of women elsewhere?

Mr Nygard once boasted of possible immortality in his days here in The Bahamas. He talked of how he was reverse ageing thanks to stem cell technology. He said: “This is huge. This is a game changer. This could eliminate all disease. This perhaps is immortality.”

Mortality seems to have caught him up. He now tells a judge that his life could be at risk if he was to appear in person in court because of severe illness.

The judge was dismissive of Mr Nygard’s claim, telling him: “You’re not a doctor.”

Mr Nygard is also losing lawyers. A second lawyer representing him recently withdrew, citing “ethical reasons”.

This could mean that when Mr Nygard return to court for sentencing in two weeks that he will be representing himself.

As the old Abraham Lincoln saying goes, the man who represents himself has a fool for a client.

Mr Nygard is out of friends. He is out of lawyers. He is out of chances. Time has caught up with him, making mockery of his claims of immortality. And justice is catching up with him at last. It is just a shame that it is not Bahamian justice holding him to account for the crimes he committed here.

Will we be the only ones to turn a blind eye to his actions while other courts elsewhere hold him to account?

And if we are, what does that say about us?

PICTURE OF THE DAY

Asue and how it can be a solution

THE much anticipated (or dreaded for lack of a better word) Atlantic Hurricane season of 2024 is finally here. And the dread is certainly justified, as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a very active season, with at least 20-25 identified storms. The projected propensity of Hurricane Season 2024 has been interlinked with climate change, specifically increasing sea temperatures.

As Hurricane Season 2024 begins, the pressing need for robust climate adaptation and mitigation strategies is more urgent. In particular, discussions surrounding “climate finance” – the accumulation of financial resources to support these strategies have become a focal point for climate policymaking.

This focal point shined through at the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) and was enshrined as a goal in the finalised commitment “A Renewed Declaration for Resilient Prosperity”. While attention has traditionally been given to Western-centric distribution channels as avenues for climate financing, another avenue ought to be considered – asue.

An asue is a communal savings scheme among a group of people that originated in Africa. Within

an asue, persons would regularly contribute a defined financial contribution (hand) into a collective pool. The asue would then rotate, allowing each person to receive the defined financial contribution back (draw) at a specific time.

Thousands of Bahamians, including myself, have entered asues to obtain much-needed financial support and are recognised by commercial banks as popular distribution channels of financial services. Asues are built on the values of community, fairness, and trust – values that converge with those upheld among Bahamians. Yet while traditional financial systems struggle to enhance climate-resilient mechanisms properly, asue stands as a promising solution that adequately provides climate financing to Bahamians.

Reframed as a tool for community-based climate financing, an asue can save funds geared towards disaster preparedness and recovery. These funds can be used to purchase emergency supplies, strengthen infrastructure, and ensure efficient and swift recovery efforts. Within this context, asue allows constituencies to be proactive rather than reactive to frequent natural disasters.

From a governmental standpoint, policymakers can strive to implement a robust legislative framework that recognises asues. This would provide the necessary legal backing and stability needed to encourage broader participation in asue-based climate financing. A legal framework also allows for the proper regulation of asues to offset financial mismanagement. The government can also make efforts to align support of asue-climate finance groups with the goals of The Bahamas Sustainable Investment Program (BSIP). The acquisition of support from organisations such as the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and Green Climate Fund (GCF) also provides an opportunity to acquire crucial resources and technical expertise for asue-climate groups. Amidst increasing hurricane threats, using asue as a climate financing tool is an innovative solution for The Bahamas. A longheld generational practice used among families and friends can be used to build a more hurricane-resilient Bahamas. Asue, along with alternative solutions to the climate crisis can safeguard the future of our communities, islands, and country.

LIAM MILLER New Providence June 2, 2024

Pintard era really begins

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I WISH to congratulate Michael Pintard on his reelection as leader of the Free National Movement and the person who will take us into the next General Elections whenever they are called, and say to him it is time to really get to work now that a major distraction has been removed. It has been interesting to note the criticisms of Mr Pintard’s speech which was delivered at the end of a bruising day. His clearly articulated and communicated positions on behalf of the party on the night of the convention are welcome and needed. I expect Mr Pintard and his team to slowly flesh out his programmes/platform for the eventuality that we all expect, when he takes the oath of office as the next Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

If I may say so, this is also

the perfect opportunity for Dr Minnis to get back in the mix, providing the benefit of his experience as a former prime minister and the voice of a senior parliamentarian (17 years). It will help to repair his no show selfish image. He can also begin the process of becoming the statesman a former prime minister should be, and in the process help the party that gave him his greatest opportunity and the one he pledged to support!

Of course, the lights hadn’t been turned off at the party before the boo birds and to borrow from one of our better columnists, the nattering nabobs of negativism came out, led by none other than the chairman of the PLP, the local version of Donald Trump with a Harvard certificate.

In my opinion a master of incivility, Fred Mitchell, at every opportunity drags the political discourse into the gutter! His enablers and supporters, including his

colleagues in the PLP, like Trump supporters, seem to, in my option, think it’s a badge of honour to be disrespectful of traditions and people, hurling insults and demeaning language by the truckload at the drop of a hat. If there is a public figure to whom the word “unhinged” would apply it would be the member for Fox Hill. He might want to take some lessons in social graces from his senior in high school, former education minister Jeffrey Lloyd. But Mr Pintard, I say that your best days are still ahead of you. The criticisms will come, especially from the PLP because they know you will continue to hold them accountable for their misdeeds. As your wonderful mother, Sister Laura, would say, be of good courage, sir, and keep your eyes on the prize.

SAMUEL ROKER Nassau, June 5, 2024.

EDITOR, The Tribune.

ETHIOPIAN Airlines flight 8396, the first Ethiopian Airline aircraft to land in The Bahamas, arrives at Jet Aviation in Nassau yesterday. The airline arrived for the Afrexim Bank meetings in Nassau this week.

Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

‘Govt spending too little on what we need and too much on what we don’t’

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

EAST Grand Bahama

MP Kwasi Thompson said the Davis administration is underspending on national priorities and overspending on less critical items.

He said the budget for food security was reduced by $300,000, yet of the $1.2m allocated, only $200,000 was spent.

He said nothing was spent on the touted Agriculture Administrative

Cadet Programme or developing a national sport. “It doesn’t matter what this government says watch where the money goes and how the money is spent. This is why the public does not and cannot believe you. Long on talk but woefully short on action,” he said. Referring to the National Organ Transplant Programme, Mr Thompson noted it was highly promoted in the last budget cycle but although $1.5m was approved for it, nothing

was spent. He added that $1.5m was allocated for a Health and Wellness Programme, but only $200,000 was spent. Regarding the catastrophic healthcare programme, he said: “$10m you said was going to help Bahamians with illness. I want to be very serious this one. How can you explain to Bahamians and my constituents why you only spent $2m out of a $10m fund, given the very acute and urgent needs of Bahamians everywhere?”

He said the opposition has repeatedly asked for clarity on that programme, for documents on how the programme runs, and for information on the application process. “But again, we find a government that has made a big promise but has followed through with little action,” he said.

Mr Thompson said the Grand Bahama Promotion Board was allocated a budget of $226,000, but only $56,000 was spent. He also criticised the

government for not living up to a $50m pledge to help small businesses.

According to Mr Thompson’s research, the Davis administration allocated just under $2m and spent $475,000 for the Small Business Development Centre.

He said: “Is this the $50m a year the prime minister claimed he was committing to small businesses?

After three quarters of the fiscal year, the expenditure in that line item is less than one per cent of that $50m

pledge. It’s a joke when Bahamian entrepreneurs continue to be starved of the capital they need.” In terms of helping to fight inflation, he noted that the budget for consumer credit counseling was cut in half, and nothing was spent. He also asked why the government did not increase the budget for social assistance. Additionally, he noted that zero dollars was spent on the Ranfurly Home, although it was allocated $300,000.

$7,000 BAIL FOR WOMAN ACCUSED OF MAIMING

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A WOMAN was granted $7,000 bail after being accused of maiming a person on King Street last week.

Senior Magistrate Shaka Serville charged Perdera Hall, 33, with causing maiming and aggravated assault. Hall is accused of maiming and seriously assaulting

Petra Rolle on June 3. After pleading not guilty to the charge, she was informed that she must sign in at the Grove Police Station every Tuesday and Saturday by 7pm. In addition to being instructed to remain 200 feet away from the complainant’s residence, Hall will be fitted with a monitoring device. Hall’s trial begins on September 23.

BAIL FOR PHONE THEFT SUSPECT

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was granted bail after he was accused of stealing a phone last year.

Magistrate Kendra Kelly charged Taquan Thurston, 21, with stealing by reason of service. Thurston allegedly stole a $825 Samsung S21 phone from Erkell Johnson on January 31, 2023. After pleading not guilty to the charge, the defendant’s bail was set at $1,000 with one or two sureties. He must sign in at his local police station on the first Monday of every month. Thurston’s trial is set for September 4.

FORMER President of Niger Mahamadou Issoufou and his delegation disembark Ethiopian Airlines flight 8396, the first Ethiopian Airline aircraft to land in The Bahamas, at Jet Aviation in Nassau yesterday. The airline arrived for the Afrexim Bank meetings in Nassau this week.

Photos: Dante Carrer/ Tribune Staff

We agreed to protect women - why don’t we?

THE Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment, and Eradication of Violence against Women, also known as the Belém do Pará Convention was adopted on June 9, 1994. Belém do Pará is now 30 years old and has been ratified by 32 of the 34 member states of the Organization of American States (OAS).

The Bahamas ratified the Convention, obligating it to prevent, investigate, and punish violence against women.

In Article 1, Belém do Pará defines violence against women as “any act or conduct, based on gender, which causes death or physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, whether in the public or the private sphere”. In Article 2, it elaborates with the specific inclusion of violence that “occurs within the family or domestic unit or within any other interpersonal relationship, whether or not the perpetrator shares or has shared the same residence with the woman”, “occurs in the community and is perpetrated by any person” including harassment in the workplace and other institutions, and “is perpetrated or condoned by the state or its agents regardless of where it occurs”.

In addition to the specific mention of the public and private spheres in Article 1, Article 3 specifically states the right of every woman to be free from violence in both the public and private spheres. Article 3 also draws attention to Statecondoned violence and, in the Bahamian context, makes it necessary to look at laws that discriminate against women and exclude particular acts of violence or perpetrators of violence.

Articles 1 to 3 are easily applied to the issue of

By Alicia Wallace

marital rape in The Bahamas and the flimsy excuses put forward by successive governments and anti-rights groups who insist, implicitly, that women are not full human beings and there should be exceptions when violence is perpetrated at home and by spouses.

Violence against women is clearly defined, and the Convention explicitly states, twice, that women have the right to be free from violence in the public and private spheres, and perpetrated by any person. This means states are obligated to prevent, investigate, and punish violence enacted against women in the home and violence enacted against women by their spouses.

Articles 7 to 9 are specific to the duties of State Parties. These include their obligation to:

1. apply due diligence to prevent, investigate and impose penalties for violence against women

2. include in their domestic legislation penal, civil, administrative and any other type of provisions that may be needed to prevent, punish and eradicate violence against women and to adopt appropriate administrative measures where necessary (This includes the gender-based violence bill, recommended by the CEDAW Committee in 2018 and by member states in the Universal Periodic Review process in 2023. The government committed to pass the bill, but stopped consultation, abandoned

the bill, and passed the “Protection Against Violence” Act which does not, in any way, address the specific issue of gender-based violence.)

3. take all appropriate measures, including legislative measures, to amend or repeal existing laws and regulations or to modify legal or customary practices which sustain the persistence and tolerance of violence against women (This includes the amendments to the Sexual Offences Act, removing “who is not his spouse” from the definition of rape, repealing section 15 on “sexual assault by spouse”, adding a statutory definition of consent, and adding a clause of non-immunity on the basis of marriage.)

4. promote awareness and observance of the right of women to be free from violence, and the right of women to have their human rights respected and protected (The CEDAW Committee has recommended that the government ensure that women and girls are aware of their human rights, particularly under the Convention, and there has been no movement toward this in the five years since.)

5. modify social and cultural patterns of conduct of men and women, including the development of formal and informal educational programs appropriate to every level of the educational process, to counteract prejudices, customs and all other practices which are

based on the idea of the inferiority or superiority of either of the sexes or on the stereotyped roles for men and women which legiti mise or exacerbate violence against women (Related to the previous point, there is no plan and there has cer tainly been no action by the government to address the issue of gender stereotyp ing and harmful ideology. This, too, is an obligation through CEDAW, and one that is critical to prevent ing violence against women and girls.)

6. to ensure research and the gathering of statistics and other relevant informa tion relating to the causes, consequences and fre quency of violence against women, in order to assess the effectiveness of measures to prevent, punish and eradicate violence against women and to formulate and implement the necessary changes (The gender-based violence, which was never passed, should have included a system for recording and analysing incidents of violence against women and, in particular, femicide, in order to identify risk factors and trends which would aid in developing effective prevention and intervention.)

The Belém do Pará is not often discussed in The Bahamas. We have generally been more attentive to the United Nations human rights mechanisms. While they are useful, it is important that we make better use of regional mechanisms and find ways to learn from other countries in the region that have had success in reducing violence against women and in implementing the Convention in effective ways.

That 30 years have passed since The Bahamas ratified the Convention and few people recognise

its name, much less know what it is about and what it contains is a failure of successive government administrations. It is, as we know, not enough to participate in multilateral processes, sign and ratify documents, make commitments, and occasionally report. The general public needs to be made aware of the obligations of the government to protect and expand our human rights. We need to know our

rights and how to access them. We need to have a clear understanding of the existing national legislation and how it is contravention with international commitments. We, importantly, need to know that these commitments are to us, and not to an institution. The institutions are vessels and, yes, motivators, and we, the people, are rights holders. It is our right to know our rights, and it is the obligation of the government to ensure that we know them and access them fully.

R E C O M M E N D A T I O N S

1. Arrangements in Blue: Notes on Loving and Making a Life by Amy Key. “Inspired by Joni Mitchell’s seminal album Blue, celebrated British poet Amy Key sets out to examine the volatile scales of romantic feeling as she has encountered them: from the low notes of loss and unfulfilled desire— punctuated by sharp, discordant feelings of jealousy and regret—to the deep harmony of friendship and the highs defined by sexual attraction and self-realisation.” Join Feminist Book Club, hosted by Equality Bahamas and Poinciana Paper Press, in discussing this book on Wednesday, June 19, at 6pm. Register to join the book club and receive more information at tiny.cc/fbc2024. In July, Feminist Book Club is reading They Called Us Exceptional by Parch Gupta.

2. Explore visible mending. Clothes do not have to become rags or trash as soon as they have a tear, snag, or stain. They can be repaired with beautiful, visible stitches. There are, of course, ways to make some imperfections in clothing disappear, but there are also many opportunities to turn them into unique elements that show personality. There are books, blogs, websites, and social media channels dedicated to sharing ideas and techniques for visible mending. This a great way to learn by doing, to reduce waste, and to reduce consumption.

A BROCHURE on the Belém do Pará Convention from the Organization of American States website.

Changes ahead - what is next for Apple iOS 18?

APPLE announced a slew of new features for iOS 18 at Monday’s developers conference event, many of which are designed to enhance the Siri assistant and bring artificial intelligence tools to iPhone users.

The AI-packed updates coming in the fall are meant to enable the billions of people who use the company’s devices to get more done in less time, while also giving them access to creative tools that could liven things up. For instance, Apple will deploy AI to allow people to create emojis, dubbed “Genmojis” on the fly to fit the vibe they are trying to convey.

The full suite of upcoming AI features will only work on the recent iPhone 15 line because the functions require advanced processors. But there are still plenty of upgrades for all iPhone owners.

Here are some of the best new features coming to iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence.

Scheduled texts, tap backs and RCSApple confirmed that it will be rolling out a technology called Rich Communications Service, or RCS, to its iMessage app. The technology should improve the quality and security of texting between iPhones and devices powered by Android software, such

as the Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel. In another upcoming change to the iPhone’s messaging app, users will be able to write a text (or have an AI tool compose it) in advance and schedule a specific time to automatically send it. And Apple is introducing a series of animated tap backs to allow users to instantly reply with any emoji or sticker, giving its app abilities similar to other messaging platforms like Google Chat or WhatsApp.

AI tools and data privacyApple’s new AI platform, dubbed “Apple Intelligence,” will use Siri to help carry out actions between apps and boost the assistant’s range of capabilities. AI can also help manage and prioritise notifications, and summarise text in searches, email and other apps. There will be functions that can help you write text and change the tone of it as well, similar to other popular gen AI platforms.

But the tech firm is trying hard to convince consumers that the iPhone won’t be used to spy on them. Apple is harnessing its chip technology so most of its AI-powered features are handled on the device itself instead of at remote data centers, often called “the

cloud,” thus keeping users data local.

When Apple users make AI demands that requiring computing power beyond what’s available on the device, the tasks will be handled by what the company is calling a “private cloud” that is supposed to shield their personal data.

More screen customisation and control center optionsiPhone users will have more options to arrange apps, resize icons and widgets on the home screen when iOS 18 arrives. A new dark mode look and tinting effect will also be available for further customisation.

The control centre has also been redesigned to give users access to more one tap functions, and the ability to add some thirdparty app options — such as remote starting your car — to it.

All of Apple’s platforms — iPhone, iPad, Mac and Vision Pro — are getting a new dedicated Passwords app.

The new app lets you access all of your passwords in one place, including Wi-Fi passwords, and allow you to access some authentication tools. Apple also claims the app will alert you when certain passwords are compromised.

APPLE PAY WILL HAVE MORE PAYMENT OPTIONS THIS FALL

By KEN SWEET AP Business Writer

APPLE Inc plans to add several new features to Apple Pay and Apple Wallet later this year that will more deeply integrate financing, rewards, and buy now, pay later options into the iPhone.

The new features are part of Apple’s annual iOS update that will arrive in the fall, the company said. Apple revealed some of the features at its annual developer conference this week and released more details on Tuesday.

The biggest change for consumers will be ability for banks to offer multiple forms of financing to customers within Apple Pay, as well as the ability pay with rewards

points or programs through an iPhone or other Apple device. iPhone users currently can use credit or debit cards to fund Apple Pay purchases. Apple will now give banks the ability to offer other forms of financing through the same credit cards, like buy now, pay later, monthly installment plans, or the use of reward points. Buy now, pay later company Affirm will be integrated into Apple Pay, allowing customers to apply for an account with Affirm inside of Apple Pay. Shares of Affirm rose nearly 5 percent on Tuesday on the news. Apple said that its own buy now, pay later service, known as Apple Pay Later, is not going anywhere and the other major buy now, pay later companies like Klarna will also be able to integrate into Apple Wallet.

Apple Pay has become a significant force in mobile and digital payments since it was rolled out nearly a decade ago, along with Apple Wallet. Nearly all banks and credit card companies have integrated their credit and debit cards with Apple Pay, mobile concert tickets are standard issue, and a handful of states are experimenting with issuing digital drivers’ licenses.

A limiting factor for Apple Pay has been that it was only on iOS devices, whichonly represents roughly a third of the smartphone market. But Apple said it will allow the use of Apple Pay on Windows computers and Google’s Chrome browser later this year. Those customers will be able to scan a code and approve an Apple Pay transaction on their phone.

FUTURE OF MUSK AND TESLA ON LINE IN SHAREHOLDER VOTE

IF TESLA shareholders vote against restoring Elon Musk’s $44.9 billion pay package on Thursday, the CEO could deliver on threats to take artificial intelligence research to one of his other companies. Or he could even walk away. If they approve the all-stock compensation package thrown out by a Delaware judge in January, it would almost guarantee he would remain at the company he grew to be the world leader in electric vehicles, shifting to AI and robotics including autonomous vehicles, which Musk says is Tesla’s future.

But even with reapproval at Thursday’s annual shareholders’ meeting, which many analysts say is likely, there would be uncertainty. Musk has threatened on X, his social media platform, to develop AI elsewhere if he doesn’t get a 25 percent stake in Tesla (He owns about 13 percent now). Musk’s xAI recently received $6bn in funding to develop artificial intelligence.

Wedbush analyst Dan Ives said he expects the package to be overwhelmingly reapproved, ending a lot of uncertainty with Musk. “This issue has been an overhang on Tesla’s stock, and this will be important to move this distraction in the rearview mirror,” Ives wrote in a note to investors.

Shares of Tesla Inc have slumped more than 30 percent this year with the company warning of “notably lower” sales growth in 2024.

PENNSYLVANIA OUTLAWS DEEPFAKE MATERIAL

PENNSYLVANIA’S state Senate on Monday approved legislation that would outlaw the distribution of salacious or pornographic deepfakes, with sponsors saying it will eliminate a loophole in the law that had frustrated prosecutors.

The bill was approved unanimously and was sent to the House. It comes as states are increasingly working to update their laws to respond to such instances that have included the victimisation of celebrities including Taylor Swift through the creation and distribution of computer-generated images using artificial intelligence to seem real.

Under the bill, one provision would make it a crime to try to harass someone by distributing a deepfake image of them without their consent while in a state of nudity or engaged in a sexual act. The offence would be more serious if the victim is a minor.

Another provision would outlaw such deepfakes created and distributed as child sexual abuse images.

President Joe Biden’s administration, meanwhile, is pushing the tech industry and financial institutions to shut down a growing market of abusive sexual images made with artificial intelligence technology.

Sponsors pointed to a case in New Jersey as an inspiration for the bill.

The problem with deepfakes isn’t new, but experts say it’s getting worse as the technology to produce it becomes more available and easier to use.

Researchers have been sounding the alarm on the explosion of AI-generated child sexual abuse material using depictions of real victims or virtual characters. Last year, the FBI warned it was continuing to receive reports from victims, both minors and adults, whose photos or videos were used to create explicit content that was shared online.

AN APPLE logo adorns the facade of the downtown Brooklyn Apple store on March 14, 2020, in New York. Apple Inc plans to add several new features to Apple Pay and Apple Wallet later this year that will more deeply integrate financing, rewards, and buy now, pay later options into the iPhone when consumers shop on their phones.

Photo: Kathy Willens/AP

Russian fleet headed to Cuba

RUSSIAN warships conducted drills in the Atlantic, the military said Tuesday, as they were heading to visit Cuba, part of Moscow’s efforts to project power amid the tensions with the West over Ukraine.

The Russian Defence Ministry said the Admiral Gorshkov frigate and the Kazan nuclear-powered submarine conducted the exercise that was intended to simulate a missile strike on a group of enemy ships.

The ministry said the drills involved computer simulation of an attack on sea targets more than over 320 nautical miles away.

The Admiral Gorshkov is armed with new Zircon hypersonic missiles. The weapon has been designed to arm Russian cruisers, frigates and submarines and could be used against both enemy ships and ground targets.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has touted Zircon as a potent weapon capable of penetrating any existing anti-missile defenses by flying nine times faster than the speed of sound at a range of more than 620 miles.

The Admiral Gorshkov and the Kazan are accompanied by two support vessels on their visit to Havana, which Cuban officials said reflected “historically friendly relations” between Russia and Cuba.

The Cuban Foreign Ministry

said the Russian warships will be in Havana between Wednesday and June 17, noting that none will carry nuclear weapons and assuring their presence “does not represent a threat to the region”.

The Cuban statement followed a US announcement that

Washington had been tracking Russian warships and aircraft that were expected to arrive in the Caribbean for a military exercise.

It’s not the first time Russia has sent its warships to the Caribbean, but this week’s visit follows Putin’s warning that Moscow could respond to Ukraine’s

Western allies allowing Kyiv to use their weapons to strike targets in Russia by giving similar weapons to adversaries of the West worldwide. Yesterday, the flotilla was being tracked passing southwards between Florida and The Bahamas.

A 33-YEAR-OLD man was sentenced to four years in prison after he admitted last week to having a loaded gun.

Magistrate Lennox Coleby charged Dominique Johnson with possession of an unlicensed gun and possession of ammunition.

The defendant was reportedly found with a black Taurus G2S .40 pistol and six rounds of ammunition on June 7 at his residence in Flamingo Gardens.

Johnson pleaded guilty to the charge.

Prosecutor ASP Lincoln McKenzie revealed that the defendant had an earlier firearm conviction and had spent 12 years in prison for other offences.

Milton Cox, the defendant’s attorney, said his client is an expectant father who accepted responsibility for his actions at the earliest opportunity.

Magistrate Coleby sentenced Johnson to 48 months in the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. There, he must be enrolled in plumbing and electrical training. Magistrate Coleby advised the defendant to use his time in prison wisely.

IN this photo taken from video released by Russian Defence Ministry Press Service on Tuesday, the Russian navy’s Admiral Gorshkov frigate is seen en route to Cuba.

SPORTS

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor

Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg said the Bahamas Olympic Committee will receive more money than they ever have for any Olympic competition.

In his contribution to the government budget in the House of Assembly on Monday, Bowleg revealed that the BOC will receive $150,000 for the games, scheduled for July 27 to August 11 in Paris, France.

“Understanding that we are moving to higher heights in not just one sport but in all sports, it is very important that we collaborate with the BOC to provide as much funding as we can for our athletes,”

Bowleg said. “So we have decided to increase their budget. We are bragging, but this is the most funding that any government has provided for the BOC in an Olympic year.”

Bowleg said the increase in funding to the BOC is what they had requested to ensure that Team Bahamas is successful in their quest to continue the streak of winning medals at the games.

“They want to make sure that the athletes are taken care of going into the games, so it was not a difficult thing to think about. We just made it happen,” Bowleg said. The BOC, headed by president Romell Knowles, has not yet released the team for the games as there are still several qualification processes going on,

including the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations and Bahamas Aquatics National Championships at the end of the month.

Additionally, the Bahamas Basketball Federation is heading to Valencia, Spain to participate in Group B of the FIBA Qualifying Tournament against Finland and Poland.

Bowleg said the funding that the BOC will receive has nothing to do with the Bahamas Basketball Federation’s assistance.

He noted that the government has allocated $40,000 to assist the federation with the men’s qualifying tournament.

The immediate BBF president and men’s national team head coach noted that the funds are

separate and a part of the federation’s annual grant of $80,000 for the development of their national programme.

“This is just the government’s way of collaborating with the federations to ensure that we provide the necessary funding to allow them to be able to go through their qualifying process to get to the Olympics.”

The BBF is headed by Eugene Horton. The federation is expected to field its best team ever, including National Basketball Association players Grand Bahamian Chavano “Buddy” Hield from the Philadelphia 76ers, Deandre Ayton from the Portland Trail Blazers, Eric Gordon from the Phoenix Suns and Kai Jones from the Charlotte Hornets.

As for the incentives for athletes, Bowleg said they are in the process of revamping the sports policy in place. He noted that they intend to have the policy presented and approved by cabinet before it is presented during the ministry’s Sports Month in November.

However, he noted that whenever an athlete makes the final, wins a medal or sets a world record at the games, the Bahamas Government will reward them based on the system that is currently in place.

“We will collaborate with all of our sports federations to ensure that we meet the international standards to provide the best possible award system that we can for our athletes,” Bowleg stressed.

By JERRY BEACH Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Tim Anderson returned from the bereavement list and produced his first twohit game in three weeks last night, sparking the Miami Marlins to a 4-2 win over the New York Mets. The 2019 AL batting champion, who entered hitting .188 this season, had an RBI single in the second inning before singling and scoring in the fifth when Bryan De La Cruz doubled off the glove of Harrison Bader in deep center field. Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr. scored the go-ahead run two batters later, when Jake Burger hit a hard smash and reached on a two-out throwing error by Mets third baseman Mark Vientos.

The two-hit game was Anderson’s first since May 21. He was just 5 for 39 over his next 11 games before being placed on the bereavement list and

Tribune

tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas national men’s soccer team will return home tomorrow after suffering their latest loss 1-0 versus Saint Kitts and Nevis at Warner Park in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis. It was their second consecutive loss in the last two matches as they were also knocked off by the Trinidad and Tobago Soca Warriors 7-1 on Saturday in the second round of CONCACAF matches for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification. Assistant coach Kevin Davies said after Saturday’s devastating loss against the Soca Warriors, Team Bahamas was able to improve their overall play against Saint Kitts and Nevis. “I think defensively we kept our shape a little better and communicated a lot better.

THE SPORTS CALENDAR

“We changed our formation to play with more attacking and this time we defended in a different way and it worked out for us. Saint Kitts had chances that we didn’t put away but that is the way it goes. The goalkeeper made some

‘COACH YO’ BASKETBALL CLINIC

WOMEN’S national basketball coach Yolett McPhee will be in town this weekend and will conduct a free basketball clinic at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

The Ole Miss University women’s head coach will host the clinic in two sections. Students in grades 1-4 will be in session from 9-10am and 5-8 will go from 10-11am. All participants are asked to bring their own basketballs, but they will receive a t-shirt from the Coach Yo Foundation.

BASKETBALL

PEACE ON DA

STREETS THE annual Peace On Da Streets Basketball Classic, dubbed “Shooting

June, 2024

Hoops instead of Guns,” is scheduled for July 15-21 at the Michael ‘Scooter Reid” Basketball Center at the Hope Center. All games will start at 6pm each day.

Categories include 12-and-under, 16-and-under, 20-and-under, government ministry, church and open divisions. The event is being promoted by Guardian Radio and Radio House Outreach.

CLERGY VS POLITICIANS BASKETBALL

AS a part of the annual Peace ON Da Streets Basketball Classic, organisers will once again stage the showdown between members of the Clergy against the Members of

key saves that kept us in the game and we had our chances that we didn’t put away but that is the way the game goes,” he said.

Despite recovering from some of last game’s mistakes, The Bahamas national men’s soccer suffered a tough loss when defender Jean Tilo was issued his second yellow card of the game at the 44th minute in the first half.

By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

SABRIYA Farquharson couldn’t ask for a better way to end her freshman year at the College of Saint Benedict.

The explosive 5-foot, 4-inch long and triple jumper, who graduated from St Augustine’s College in 2023, was named the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) Rookie of the Year on May 16.

The 18-year-old Farquharson said from the time she enrolled in college and went to try out for the track team, they welcomed her with open arms, making her feel like she was “a part of the family and a sisterhood.” Whenever they got ready to compete, it was like a devotional session where they were given a word to

The host country got a crafty goal from Ethan Bristow off a header that came from the left side of the six-yard box straight to the back of the net.

In the final minutes of the first half, Tilo was issued his first yellow card for a foul in the midfield and then the second violation came at the 44th

AS Bahamas Aquatics gets closer to its National Swimming Championships, the Mako Aquatics Club wrapped up the final club meet over the weekend with another victory. Mako Aquatic, the defending national champions, emerged as the champions of the Sun Oil Black Marlins Invitational 2024 as they accumulated a total of 901.50 points.

The meet, which was interrupted by the rain on Saturday and had to be completed on Sunday at the Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex, saw the host Black Marlins trailing with 821.50 for second place. The Blue Waves Swim Club captured third with 734, the Barracudas got

motivate the team. She said they used words like “trust, motivation or family,” for example, which was meant

to help boost the athletes in their performances.

“I remember one time I was competing, the word was trust and that day, we were inspired to trust in ourselves, trust in our team-mates and trust that whatever you were doing, was the best that you could do,” Farquharson recalled. “So that was one of my motivations because I felt a part of the family.”

Leaving her family, including her parents Barbara and Silvan Farquharson and four brothers Devon, Silvan II, Simeon, and Samuel Farquharson, she said she headed to school without an athletic scholarship. She went there with an injured right ankle that required her to wear a brace indoors. During the season, she noticed her strength had eventually got stronger SEE

14

SABRIYA in action.

Mavericks need more long shots to fall in long-shot bid to rally against Celtics

By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Sports Writer

DALLAS (AP) — Luka

Doncic’s message is simple for the struggling 3-point shooters around him, and with Dallas trailing Boston 2-0 while coming home for the NBA Finals.

“Just one thing: Keep shooting,” the Mavericks superstar said.

“We all believe in those shots. That’s how we came to the Finals. That’s how we played the whole season. We believe in those guys.” Dallas faces several daunting numbers going into Game 3 tonight.

The Celtics are on a nine-game playoff winning streak, a franchise record in pursuit of an NBA-best 18th banner.

Just five of the previous 36 teams to face this deficit (14%) have come back to win the title.

One number has to change for the Mavs to rally. Players not named Doncic are 5 of 32 from beyond the arc, with costar Kyrie Irving misfiring on all eight attempts.

When it comes to 3s, the supporting cast is just about as important as Irving. P.J. Washington Jr., a catalyst for the deep playoff run with his deep ball and defense, is 1 of 8. Derrick Jones Jr. is 1 of 5.

Doncic, who is 8 of 21 from deep, is the only Dallas player with more than one bucket from 3. His role-playing partners have to figure out how to produce without forcing things.

“I think it’s just taking good shots, taking open ones,” said Washington,

who shot 47% from 3 in a second-round victory over top-seeded Oklahoma City but is at 23% since then.

“Obviously, we haven’t been making shots. We feel pretty good coming home. It’s all about just making open ones, taking open ones.”

Let’s not forget the the defence of Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday, among others.

Boston had the secondbest defensive rating in the regular season, and has the size and tenacity on the perimeter to make Doncic and Irving uncomfortable.

While Doncic just had the first playoff triple-double in Dallas history with 32 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in a 105-98 loss in Game 2, the five-time AllStar has 12 turnovers in the series.

Irving is shooting 35% with significantly more shots (37) than points (28). Brown has guarded both, often picking up Doncic at half court and occasionally poking the ball loose for easy buckets the other way.

“He’s been one of the emotional leaders on the team,” Irving said of his former teammate.

“Defensively, he’s making it difficult. For the past few years, he’s tried to make his mark on that end. When you take pride in what you do on the defensive end, it’s going to show.”

Dallas has been outscored 39-25 in points off turnovers against a team that struggled with those miscues in a six-game loss to Golden State in the NBA Finals two years ago.

“I sound like I’m repeating myself,” Mavs coach

Jason Kidd said. “But if we can take care of the ball and not give them live-ball turnovers where they are not just laying up the ball or dunking, it puts us in a better seat. “We’ve got to take care of the ball. That’s the next step in the series.”

Those Celtics had a 2-1 series lead in 2022 before losing three in a row to the Warriors. Part of where they are now started with where they ended up against Stephen Curry and company.

“It’s almost like you got to trick your mind almost in a sense,” Brown said.

“You almost got to play like you’re down 0-2 rather than up. That’s hard to do.” Everything about the Finals is new for Doncic, including the 2-0 deficit.

JAYSON TATUM KNOWS HIS SHOOTING NUMBERS AREN’T GREAT. THE CELTICS CONTROL THE NBA FINALS ANYWAY

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer

DALLAS (AP) — There have been two versions of Jayson Tatum so far in these NBA Finals.

Version One is shooting a dismal 12 for 38 from the field, just 31.6%, the worst percentage by far of any starter in the series between his Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks.

Version Two is second in the finals in total rebounds, leads the series in assists and, according to BetMGM Sportsbook, is currently favoured to win the NBA Finals MVP award.

Add them up, and the Celtics seem completely satisfied what they’re seeing from Tatum, as usual.

The Celtics have a 2-0 lead in the finals going into Game 3 in Dallas tonight, meaning the NBA’s best team all season is halfway to an 18th championship.

“I understand that I do need to be more efficient,” Tatum said Tuesday. “I do need to shoot the ball better, I would not disagree with anybody on that. But I’m not letting it bother me. I’m still trying to find ways to impact the game and dominate the game in other areas.”

KYRIE IRVING ON WHAT HAS TO CHANGE FOR DALLAS: ‘IT STARTS WITH ME’

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer

DALLAS (AP) — The last 12 games where Kyrie Irving has played against the Boston Celtics have all ended with the same outcome.

His team lost. It’s a streak that Irving and the Dallas Mavericks would desperately like to see end tonight, when they play host to the Celtics in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. Boston leads the series 2-0.

“First thing of that is just accepting that I haven’t played well or up to my standards, as well as I would have liked,” Irving said.

“Being back in Boston, there’s such a level of desire that I have inside of me to play well. Wanted to be there for my teammates. As a competitor, it’s frustrating. But I don’t want to let that seep in or spill over to any other decisions I have to make there as a player.”

Irving shot only 35% in the first two games of these finals in Boston, averaging 14 points and four assists in his former home arena — where fans make clear that they don’t like him much. He’s shot 50% or less in each of his last 10 games against the Celtics.

Getting too deep into Tatum’s numbers in this series — or even when adding the 2022 NBA Finals to the totals — isn’t a great idea, simply because of the sample size. He’s been in a total of eight finals games. It’s not enough to draw conclusions.

That said, while the shooting is almost shockingly bad — no player in the last 60 years, with as many shot attempts as Tatum has all-time in NBA Finals play, has shot worse than his .354 clip — he’s on pace to do something historic.

If his averages of 17 points, 10 rebounds and 8.5 assists hold up through the rest of the series, he’d be the second player to finish a finals with those numbers.

The other is LeBron James, who did it four times.

“Criticism is the ultimate beauty,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. “It’s a sign of ultimate respect. It’s just a beautiful thing. I really love the way Jayson has handled that. It’s just a testament to who he is.”

It is good news for the Mavericks that they’ve done well on Tatum through two games.

The bad news, of course, is that it hasn’t mattered much. Tatum fills up the box score in other ways, and the Celtics won both games at home to open the series.

“I think he’s one of the best players in the world,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said.

“You’re trying to just make it tough. That’s all you can do, is hopefully guard the first move, guard the second move, guard the third move and contest. Guys are doing that at a high rate, trying to make it tough on him.”

Shooting-wise, these two games in the finals represent the worst two-game span of Tatum’s season. He was barely better in games against Denver and Houston in mid-January, shooting 31.7% in those.

The next game after that little stretch saw Tatum score 39 points. The Mavericks should know that one well; it was against them. So, they’re likely pretty certain that Tatum’s shooting won’t stay cold for long.

“Over time you learn how to deal with all the extra noise and attention, whether it’s positive or not so positive,” Tatum said. “You know, I’m a fair,

Not for Irving, who is in his fourth title series and won his championship with LeBron James in Cleveland in 2016 when the Cavaliers erased a 2-0 deficit against the Warriors. Or for Kidd, the point guard when Dirk Nowitzki led Dallas to its only championship 11 years ago. Those Mavs won three in a row to close out Miami in six games. “A lot of it is just a learning curve for myself, for my teammates, and also a peace of mind that we give each other that we want to give ourselves a chance by leaving it all out there on the floor,” Irving said. “That’s literally been the focus since Game 2 ended.”

In this series, Doncic added a chest contusion to

the sprained right knee and sore left ankle the 25-yearold has been dealing with most of the playoffs.

The Celtics are facing uncertainty again with Kristaps Porzingis (see sidebar), the 7-foot-2 Latvian who missed 10 consecutive playoff games with a right calf strain before sparking the 107-89 Game 1 win with a dominant first quarter.

“Same old, same old,” Brown said. “(Porzingis) has been tremendous for our group, not just in the playoffs, but all season long.

“It’s obvious him on the floor just helps elevate us to a different level. But ... we prepare for these moments to be able to play with or without anyone.”

smart person. I know when I’m doing things at a high level. I know when I need to do certain things better. So I’m not, like, oblivious to what’s going on. At the

same time, just keeping the main thing the main thing and focusing on trying to win the next game. That’s what’s most important at this time.”

“I just can feel the stakes being raised up a little bit more,” Irving said.

“The pressure is natural. Makes diamonds. ... We just have to continue to lean in on each other, especially when it gets tough out there. We’re going against a great team.

“They’re not going to stop pressing us, stop their pace, stop testing us on both ends of the floor. We know what we’re in for. But now we have to raise it to an even higher level, and it starts with me.”

PORZINGIS UNCERTAIN FOR GAME 3

By STEPHEN HAWKINS AP Sports Writer

DALLAS (AP) —

Kristaps Porzingis hasn’t played a game in Dallas since the Mavericks traded him nearly 2 1/2 years ago, and now it is uncertain if he will play there in Game 3 of the NBA Finals for the Boston Celtics. Porzingis has a rare tendon injury in his lower left leg, which occurred in the third quarter of Boston’s 105-98 victory for a 2-0 series lead. The team said Tuesday that he was day-today, and Porzingis said he will do everything he can to play tonight.

Asked if it was a pain-tolerance issue or if he could do more damage, Porzingis said he didn’t know the specifics.

“That’s something I’ll leave in the medical staff’s hands to determine whether I can go or not,” he said. “Nothing is going to stop me unless I’m told I’m not to, or not allowed to play. That’s the only reason I would not be out there.”

DALLAS Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) questions referee Courtney Kirkland after he was called for a foul, as Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) listens during the second half of Game 1 of basketball’s NBA Finals on Thursday, June 6, in Boston.

(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

FANS celebrate after a basket by Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the second half of Game 2 of the NBA Finals basketball series against the Dallas Mavericks, Sunday, June 9, in Boston.

(AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

GRAND BAHAMA SECONDARY SCHOOLS

THE Grand Bahama Secondary Schools Athletic Association completed its Arthur Parris/Mary Nabb Primary School Soccer League’s 2024 Championships on Monday at the Bishop Michael Eldon School playing field. In the girls’ division, the Lewis Yard Primary Eagles edged out the Maurice Moore Primary

FINAL CLUB MEET GOES TO MAKO AQUATICS

FROM PAGE 11

fourth with 500.50, Alpha Aquatics was fifth with 388, Lightning Aquatics sixth with 174, Mantas Swim & Water Polo Club seventh with 170, Sea Waves Aquatic Team eighth with 43 and the Lyford Swim Club rounded out the nineteam field with just .50.

The individual winners in the various age groups are as follows:

8-and-under girlsSkyrah Chambers of the Mako Aquatics Club took the title with 52 points, followed by Blue EWaves’ Celeste Johnson with 42.

8-and-under boys - Mako Aquatic got a 1-2 punch from Mason Hanna and Lynden Feaste got first and second with 54 and 48 respectively.

9-10 girls - Mako Aquatics’ Isabella Munroe surged on top with 50, ten more than Blue Waves’ Samaita Coleman with 40.

9-10 boys - Black Marlins had a good showing as Fraser and Lyall Menziers went head-to-head in a keenly contested brotherly match-up with 49 and 45 points respectively.

11-12 girls - Mako Aquatic got another sweep as Taylen Nicholls had 49, compared to Gillian Albury’s 43.

11-12 boys - Mako Aquatics’ Sean NorvilleSmith posted 43 for his win over Blue Waves’ Christon Joseph with 34.

13-14 girls - Black Marlins came out with another sweep as Emma Barigelli got 28 and Taylor Knoles finished with 27.

13-14 boys - Black Marlins also reigned supreme with Alexander Murray taking first with 45 and Keron Burrows got second with 38, 15-and-over girlsAlanna Murray captured the title for the Black Marlins with 54 and Kaitlyn Williams of the Mantas Swim & Water Polo Club was the runner-up with 44. 15-and-over boys - Black Marlins’ Joshua Murray emerged as the champion with 52, well ahead of Barracuda’s runner-up Caleb Ferguson with 31.

Raccoons 1-0. Kathlye Major was named the most valuable player. The winning coach was Tempest Bullard. In the boys’ division, Mary Star of the Sea Crusaders also blanked the Sunland Stingers 1-0. Toren Knowles was named the MVP and Rodan Parkes was the winning coach.

LONG/TRIPLE JUMPER SABRIYA IS MAKING HER PRESENCE FELT

FROM PAGE 11

outdoors and she soon stopped using the brace.

“It was painful, but I didn’t have to jump with a brace or anything,” she said.

“Eventually the pain just went away and I was able to jump with ease. I started to feel much better.”

It showed in her performance as she turned in a season’s best of 18-feet, 5-inches or 5.61 metres, which was close to her lifetime best of 18-8 3/4 (5.71m), which she achieved to qualify for the CARIFTA Games in Kingston, Jamaica in 2022. However, she fell short of the medal stand, placing fourth.

That was the turning point for Farquharson, who went on to have a successful outdoor season that culminated with her

earning the MIAC Rookie of the Year award.

She was named CSB’s first-ever MIAC Outdoor Track and Field Rookie of the Year after winning the long jump in 5.61m –18-05, a mark that ranks second all-time in program history.

She also earned honorable mention All-MIAC by placing sixth in the triple jump in 10.78M - 35-04.50.

With her efforts in the jumps, she helped CSB finish third in the MIAC Championship with a programme-best 136.33 points. “I felt good about it because I came from the point where I was saying I probably won’t be going back to compete again because of the injury to being one of the top athletes in Minnesota,” she said.

“That was a blessing. It was one of the positive things that came out of

my whole season. I knew what I had to do to get there and I had a lot of supportive team-mates, who were there to help me to get through every track meet.”

Unselfishly, she dedicated the award to her team-mates as they “treated me like family.”

Home for a week’s break to spend some time with her “true family,” Farquharson said she got to experience some of the things she missed when she left to attend Saint Benedict.

“If you don’t have balance in your life, you won’t make it,” said Farquharson, a devout Christian who worships with her “actual family” at Five Porches Ministries.

Farquharson will be leaving to return to Minneosata on Sunday, so she won’t get to spend the full Father’s Day celebrations

with her father, Apostle Silvan Farquharson. But she wished him and all fathers in the country a Happy Father’s Day. On her return to Saint Benedict, Farquharson will begin her training for her sophomore season.

Hopefully, it will spin off from where she left off, undoubtedly, without any injuries.

“I hope to achieve my lifetime best as early as I can,” she stressed. “If I can do that early, I know I will be able to go out and have a great season. I’m really looking forward to it.”

While competing in track as a long jumper and occasionally as a triple jumper, Farquharson will continue to pursue her degree in chemistry. She said her education is just as important as her track and she doesn’t intend to neglect either of them.

JAZZ PROVIDES A SPARK FOR MARLINS IN 4-2 WIN

FROM PAGE 11

FROM PAGE 11

minute which resulted in The Bahamas having to play without his services. The home team would have a 1-0 advantage at the halftime mark and never relinquished the lead.

Coach Davies spoke about the impact of the pivotal loss for the Junkanoo Boyz in game two of this 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier window.

“Overall, the team played a lot better than the last game. They stuck to the game plan, we had a lot more but unfortunately we got a red card at the end of the first half which put us into a little bit of a bind. Nonetheless, we still held them scoreless after the red card but guys had to work a lot harder because we were down a man. We were under a lot of pressure in the second half but we weathered the storm and pulled through,” coach Davies said.

The latest loss kept The Bahamas in the last spot of the Group B standings with 0 points. Meanwhile, Saint Kitts and Nevis moved up to the third spot in the group rankings. The away team currently owns a 0-0-2 (win/draw/loss record) and the host country now has 1-0-1 record with 3 points.

Costa Rica is leading the group at 2-0-0 for a total six points and next up is Trinidad and Tobago with a 1-1-0 record good for fourpoints. Grenada is fourth in the standings at 0-1-1 along with one point.

The Bahamas sits in a tough spot as only the top two teams in Group B will advance to the third round.

Although the situation is not ideal, coach Davies shared his biggest takeaway from the last two matches.

“The guys are talented enough to play at a high level when we get them in the right frame of mind. I think we have some aspects we can build on defensively and with attacking. We just need the guys to be willing to put in the work and I think we can have success going forward. We have a pretty young team with four players that are 25 and over so the future is bright,” he said. The second window of the CONCACAF schedule for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification will continue June 4-10 in 2025.

with Alvarez sidelined. Tylor Megill (1-3) gave up three runs (two earned) and struck out eight in 4 2/3 innings.

ages of 8-19 years. Registration is now open. Interested persons can contact Cadot at 535-9354, email jrcbasketballacademy.com or go online to www.jrcbasketballacademy. com

MIAMI Marlins outfielders Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr., left and Nick Gordon, right, run to the dugout after during the ninth inning of a baseball game last night in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

BAHAMAS ATHLETIC PRIDE’S INAUGURAL SIGNING DAY

Young ladies ‘take the next step’ in their softball careers

now

AID TITLE SPONSOR OF JR TENNIS NATIONALS

THE Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) is pleased to announce that AiD is the title sponsor for the 2024 Junior Tennis Nationals.

The AiD Junior Tennis Nationals is scheduled for June 15-16 for the U8 & U10 divisions and June 21-26 for the older divisions U12-U18.

With over 130 entries in this year’s Nationals, the event promises to be filled with some great competition allowing the players to display their skills and talent.

“We are excited about the number of new players to the tournament landscape which indicates the development of the next generation of players and the love of the sport is steadily continuing,” the BLTA said.

“This development is occurring throughout the Bahamas as players from Abaco, Exuma, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama and Nassau

will participate at the BLTA’s National Tennis Centre this month. Providing this arena for our junior tennis athletes to develop and grow is very important for the sport.”

The BLTA also held a refresher course for its umpires on Friday, June 6, on the tennis rules and regulations in advance of its upcoming AiD Jr Nationals to ensure the existing umpires are retooled and the officiating team is kept engaged and educated. Michael “Mickey” Williams graciously conducted this very productive session. The BLTA appreciates the service of veteran official Willliams.

“We are thankful to those volunteers who took time out of their busy schedules on the holiday to attend the training session,” the BLTA said. “The BLTA recognises that to continue to develop the sport all these stakeholders (players, coaches, officials etc.) must

be developed and given opportunities to ensure continuity, to widen the talent pool and to obtain tennis sustainability.”

The AiD Jr. Nationals kick off on Saturday morning where players in the U8 and U10 will participate.

Both of these age groups are the developmental groups and the tournament provides an introduction for their competitive tennis journey.

The older divisions will follow on June 21 as the event awards the most ranking points for juniors in the U12-U18 on the BLTA’s tennis calendar.

“We wish to thank AiD for supporting this event and coming on board once again to assist in the junior development of our players through healthy and wholesome competition,” the BLTA said.

“We also thank Powerade, Custom Computers and Dasani for their contributions.”

THREE young ladies from the Bahamas Athletic Pride (BAP) softball programme are

set to take the next step in their young softball careers after last week’s inaugural signing day over at JBLN’s Field of Dreams complex. Collegiate player Reghan Ingraham signed her national letter of intent (NLI) to join Voorhees University in Denmark, South Carolina. Additionally, highschoolers Katelyn and Janae Bain will transfer to The Independent School in Wichita, Kansas for the remainder of their high school tenures.