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Volume: 119 No.45, January 27, 2022

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‘SAY SORRY AND PAY YOUR FINE’

Minnis says PM at fault over isolation breach - but no need to quit

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net FORMER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said he thinks Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis should apologise to the nation and face the fine for violating quarantine.

Dr Minnis told reporters yesterday that leaders should lead by example.

Last week, Mr Davis revealed that he left quarantine to purchase Christmas gifts at former Taxicab Union President Leon Griffin’s store on Bay

Street shortly before the latter was shot dead outside his home.

“I think our nation is in crisis,” Dr Minnis said.

“We’re experiencing multiple fronts in terms of crisis.

We have a leadership crisis.

If you look, the Prime Minister had admitted that he had violated quarantine and in an admission he obviously knew that it was wrong because he wanted to enter the store when it was empty and via side door where nobody would see him.”

THE majority of teachers at T A Thompson Junior High School staged a sit out at the school yesterday over inadequate working conditions.

As the issues may take some time to address, the school will revert to a fully virtual programme until

SEE PAGE FOUR

SEA SEARCH CONTINUES FOR 38 ON BIMINI BOAT

HALKITIS’ SHOCK AT TAX HIKE BACKLASH

SEE PAGE THREE

there is complete resolution, according to assistant shop steward with the Bahamas Union of Teachers Jon Montpetit.

He told The Tribune yesterday there were serious structural issues at the school’s main education block and the alternative was to work from another structure at the school.

- SEE PAGE EIGHT

The Coast Guard battled time and currents Wednesday as its planes and ships searched for 38 people missing off the coast of Florida, four days after a suspected human smuggling boat capsized in a storm.

The accident killed at least one person and left a single known survivor, and US authorities launched a criminal investigation.

SEE PAGE 11

TA THOMPSON TEACHERS SIT OUT OVER STATE OF SCHOOL

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

FRONT PORCH: WHEN WILL WE SHAKE OFF OUR SHACKLES?

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

‘TOGETHER - AT LEAST IN PRAYER’ PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis and Leader of the Opposition Michael Pintard at the annual House of Assembly church service yesterday.

Photo: Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff

BASEBALL STADIUM’S FINAL COST RISES TO $31M

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

WORKS & Utilities Minister Alfred Sears says more than $31m will be needed to complete the Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium of which $27m has already been “certified for payment”.

The Christie administration initially contracted Woslee Construction Company to build the stadium for about $24.9m. That

THE ANDRE Rogers Baseball Stadium. figure, Mr Sears said, was adjusted to $21.4m then increased to $27.5m after contingency and provisional

fees were added.

Mr Sears said construction began in September 2016 and was supposed to last for 15 months, ending in November 2017.

He said: “To date, $27,438,868.26 has been certified for payment.

However, of that amount, there are payment certificates valued at $3,256,650 to date, which have not been paid for lack of funding allocated in the 2021/22

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE TEN

MINISTER of Economic Affairs Michael Halkitis yesterday said he was “shocked and disappointed” that Bahamian realtors are calling for the withdrawal of all 2022 real property tax bills because they are “illegal and invalid”.

Mr Halkitis said the legality concerns raised over the recent valuation exercise “do not arise”.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

STATESIDE - ARE WE STARING INTO THE ABYSS?

- SEE PAGE NINE

PAGE 2, Thursday, January 27, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

FROM left, Khandi Gibson, president of FOAM, with Bianca Walkes, who was lucky enough to be picked to have her rent paid in full, and Dr Alli Muhammad MD, chief general in command of the Revolutionary Black Panther Party.

Photos: Donavan McIntosh/Tribune Staff

FOAM AND BLACK PANTHERS TEAM UP TO SERVE HOT MEAL SCORES of people in need of a hot meal turned out to Family of All Murder Victims’ free dinner drive in

Nassau Village yesterday.

The community initiative was held in conjunction with the Revolutionary

Black Panther Party.

Khandi Gibson, founder of FOAM, said the goal was to feed 200 people.

DR Alli Muhammad MD, chief general in command of the Revolutionary Black Panther Party.

THE SCENE of the collision on Tuesday night, in which a motorcyclist was killed.

Photo: Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff

MOTORCYCLIST DIES IN CRASH A MOTORCYCLIST is dead after a collision on Tuesday night.

Police were called to the scene of the accident on Prince Charles Drive and Beatrice Avenue shortly after 9pm.

Police said a grey Honda Fit was travelling west on Prince Charles Drive in

the right lane when a blue and white motorcycle that was being ridden by a male overtook the Honda Fit. The Honda’s driver was in collision with the rear of the motorcycle. The rider sustained serious injuries and later died on the scene.

An investigation is ongoing.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, January 27, 2022, PAGE 3

from page one

with Melanie.

“I was supposed to be in quarantine and Christmas was nearing as we know and I ordered all of my Christmas gifts and I needed to pay for them so, I called the store and I said, ‘Look, I’m in quarantine and I need to pay for the things, but I can’t be seen out.’

“They said ‘Well when we close the store, we’ll let you know when the store is empty and you can come by.’ So, they called the aide about ten minutes after six to say, ‘All clear, come now.’”

Yesterday, Dr Minnis also expressed concern about inflation.

“Usually if I open a $100, I would walk out with three bags. I buy the same items, spend the same $100 and I’m walking out with one bag. So obviously the value, the purchase value of the dollar has decreased.

So it’s a pseudo-type of devaluation.

“It’s not devaluation, but the purchase value of the dollar has decreased and that is affecting many people. Supermarkets are going up. Different things - items in stores, furnishings. Everything is going up and, of course, we have the bread basket items. Those individuals who find their inner-city mom-and-pop stores. That’s basically 68 percent of their sales and that has gone up by an additional 10 percent and that’s hitting them dramatically also.”

He was referring to the government reintroducing VAT on bread basket items, which had been zerorated under the Minnis administration.

‘Say sorry and pay your fine’ “So nobody sees you then obviously you know that something (is) wrong.

It’s (a) bad message that you send to the Bahamian people.

“I think he’s sending a bad message and that is not what leaders should do. Leaders should lead by example and I think at this point in time the Prime Minister owes the nation an apology and at the same time there is a fine for violating quarantine, of which he admitted. I think he should face that ticketing civil fine. He should be fined and whatever that fine is, pay that fine and subsequently apologise to the nation. I think that needs to be done. We cannot send a message to the people that there’s one set of laws for you, but there’s a different set for me.”

The Office of the Prime Minister had previously said that Mr Davis did not breach the 2021 Health Services Rules by leaving quarantine last month, saying the nation’s leader had not been ordered to sequester by a medical professional.

“As Christmas approached, Prime Minister Philip Davis was informed that he had been exposed to persons who had tested positive for COVID,” the OPM’s statement said.

“Between the 22nd and the 24th of December, he took three COVID tests — two PCR and one antigen — all of which were negative. Because the Prime Minister has had two vaccine shots and a booster

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis and Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper lead parliamentarians into Zion Baptist Church for the annual House of Assembly church service yesterday.

Photo: Donavan McIntosh/Tribune Staff shot, in addition to a prior Minister’s resignation in matter altogether. up and individuals are suf“But I think he definitely fering. infection, and because he view of the incident. HowThey’re having had multiple negative test ever, Dr Minnis thinks the should apologise to the great difficulty meeting the results, he was informed situation does not warrant a Bahamian nation to show demands for food and other that he is the leader and at amenities.” he posed little transmission resignation.

“I am a former Prime a time we’re in crisis this risk.”

Mr Davis made the The statement continued: Minister and I have to Prime Minister is travelling remarks about leaving “At no time did the Prime analyse everything in its all around the place. That quarantine while speaking Minister breach the regula- perspective. We have laws. should be a no-no and that at Mr Griffin’s memorial tions in the Health Services We have regulations for is why we placed a morato- service held at the Pro(COVID-19) (Prevention breaking quarantine and rium on travelling. gressive Liberal Party’s “We had faced a crisis headquarters last week. and Management of Com- the laws are one: it’s a tickmunity Spread) Rules, eting process, civil, and and there was a moratorium Speaking at the memo2021. The Prime Minister he must pay the fine and on travelling for our minis- rial, Mr Davis told those was not ordered into quar- he must apologise. I don’t ters to ensure that they are attending: “To all of my antine by a medical officer, think it warrants the level here so that they could have parliamentary colleagues as described in Article 19 of resigning. (UK Prime dealt with the crisis that and persons present, I think (of the Health Services Minister) Boris Johnson’s we were facing. This Prime I was the last person that case is somewhat different. Minister - the leadership is Griffin spoke to before he Rules).”

Former Health Min- That is under investigation not there. He is travelling was killed in person. After ister Dr Duane Sands and I don’t want to get into all around while inflation that conversation, I got a has called for the Prime that, but that’s a different and cost of living is going telephone conversation

‘MOST SEEKING COVID TREATMENT STILL UNVACCINATED’

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

DOCTORS Hospital CEO Dr Charles Diggiss says that two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of patients seeking treatment for the contagious disease are still not vaccinated.

He said a great deal of people who have come in are asymptomatic and only reported to the facility for help because of other issues that need medical intervention.

Dr Diggiss said this is “different” for the hospital and is probably a reflection of the prevalence of COVID positivity in the community, which for the most part may be without symptoms.

He made the comments while disclosing to The Tribune that the level of positivity in both rapid antigen tests and RT-PCR tests at the hospital remained relatively high.

The Ministry of Health said yesterday in its January 25 dashboard that 44 new cases of COVID-19 were

recorded that day. This is the lowest number of cases the country has seen in several weeks.

However, there are 145 people in hospital receiving treatment for the disease.

Of these cases, 136 are moderately ill and nine are in the intensive care unit.

Dr Diggiss said currently around 25 people are being treated at Doctors Hospital.

“So, our testing numbers reflect what’s going on in the community and the community levels in terms of the percentage of test positives with rapid and RT-PCR, those remain relatively high,” Dr Diggiss said.

“They’re not increasing but they’re certainly holding. So, just from the pattern in the community, we’re not seeing a ramp up in COVID as reflected in the percentage of positive tests and we were somewhere around at 15 percent of the rapid antigen tests.

I think we were holding somewhere around there, but I think we were holding at almost 50 percent of the RT-PCR tests and we’re certainly seeing that hold at

50 and then come down to about 40 or so percent.

“So, in terms of the testing reflecting what’s going on in the community it seems like we’re still in that ramped up space.”

He continued: “You go into the emergency room and it’ll be fair to say that what we’re seeing is more patients who are testing positive for COVID, but do not have COVID systems.

“They come to the emergency room for other problems and this is different for us and this is probably a reflection of the prevalence of COVID positivity in the community which for the most part may be without symptoms.

“However, because the patients test positive for COVID we still have to apply the usual protocols in terms of managing them in separate spaces so that’s the difference. More of our patients who come to the emergency room and are testing positive for COVID without COVID symptoms are coming for non-COVID reasons.

“Most of the patients who are admitted to hospital as a result of being admitted to hospital for both COVID and for non-COVID problems they’re probably split in two, almost 50/50. So, of the patients that we admit or are admitted to hospital, a proportion of them are testing positive for COVID although they have nonCOVID issues.

“The balance of that would be almost a slightly lower number who actually have COVID and have come to hospital because of COVID and eventually we end up managing them between Doctors Hospital West, which is a COVID designated facility, and Doctors Hospital East, our main hospital.

“So, we’re still seeing robust numbers in terms of patients, maybe around 10 per day at Doctors Hospital West, which is relatively high.”

He said an indication that the numbers were beginning to trend downward would be less than five per day.

“Any indication that things are settling like in

SEIZED DRUGS HAVE STREET VALUE OF $2M POLICE have said the cocaine seized during a joint operation in Abaco earlier this week has a street value of $2m.

The drugs — 100 kilos with a collective weight of 265 pounds — were seized around 6pm on Tuesday.

Police said they received information concerning an aircraft travelling northbound from the southern Bahamas with suspected drugs on board. As a result, a joint operation consisting of the Drug Enforcement Unit, OPBAT, the US Coast Guard, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Customs Border Protection, Air Marine Operation and Abaco was mounted.

Officials conducted surveillance on the aircraft as

it travelled through The Bahamas. The plane later landed in Moore’s Island, Abaco, police said.

“A passenger on board was seen throwing several bags from the aircraft as it taxied on the runway,” police reported. “Moments later the pilot took off.

The aircraft later landed at the Treasure Cay Airport where two Bahamian males, ages 32 and 41, were arrested.”

Police recovered three duffle bags and a suitcase from the scene. An inspection of their contents revealed a large quantity of kilo packages which contained a white powdery substance believed to be cocaine.

An investigation is continuing.

THE DRUGS pictued on Tuesday.

Photo: Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff

December that number would come down to like three or less than five.

About three patients per day is a good indicator at Doctors Hospital West that we’re now coming off this curve with diminished severe and serious COVID. “In Doctors Hospital itself, like I say, we do have still a number of patients who require other things who present with COVID like symptoms.

“What’s significant again is that the number of ventilating patients is down and that’s a relief because with ventilated patients comes the demands on oxygen and the threat of us running short.

“This is not the pattern in this particular surge of COVID fortunately.

So, we’re seeing proportionately diminished requirements for oxygen and diminished need to put patients on the ventilator.

“So, like today there may be two to three patients with COVID actually on the ventilator. This is very different from the October

experience where we essentially would have been using almost 20, 21 ventilators of our 22 at one point in time.”

Asked whether many of the patients testing positive with COVID were vaccinated, Dr Diggiss said this was not the case and described it as a “wow moment”.

“That is sad because I asked that question this morning of the patients that we have and unfortunately a significant number of patients that present to us with COVID illness are still not vaccinated.

“That’s an ‘oh wow’ moment and I asked specifically ‘Aren’t they partially vaccinated at least?’”

“No, these are folks and we continue to see folks who advance to relatively serious COVID-19 illness in almost February of 2022, two years into the pandemic and we continue to see the majority of our patients who are really sick with COVID are unvaccinated and that’s a wow moment,” Dr Diggiss said.

PAGE 4, Thursday, January 27, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

TA Thompson teachers sit out over state of school from page one However, that building only has one bathroom, which is not suitable for 200 children and teachers to use, he said. Additionally, some of the classrooms do not have proper ventilation and a few teachers have mobility issues that prevent them from walking between the three floors there.

Yesterday, Education, Technical and Vocational Training Minister Glenys Hanna Martin said the situation at TA Thompson was the result of years of neglect and “kicking the

bucket down the road”.

“Firstly, the main academic block, it’s not suitable at all,” Mr Montpetit said.

“They have to shut that down and they wanted us to work from the next half of the school.

“The main building has some structural issues going on at the moment. The principal made us aware and I am assuming that they just saw how bad it was Monday so to my assumption they are just getting light of this.

“The issue with the second half of the school is proper ventilation in some of the classrooms. That’s one issue. The next issue

is bathrooms. There aren’t enough bathrooms for teachers and students for any grade level to come on.

“It’ll be very hard for 200 kids to use one bathroom.

So, bathroom was an issue, ventilation was an issue and then we have some teachers who have mobility issues and therefore they can’t walk on the second and third floors.

“So, all of those. They were our three main concerns in terms of trying to work face-to-face.

“Like everyone else it was the intent to do the hybrid system but we didn’t know how bad the school was until we returned.”

EDUCATION Minister Glenys Hanna Martin in the House of Assembly yesterday.

Photo: Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff

Asked how soon the issues will be addressed, Mr Montpetit said while there was an understanding that the problems would be fixed as soon as possible, he was unable to state when this would be.

He said 90 to 95 percent of the more than 50 teachers at the school sat out in protest of the situation.

With news that the school will go back to fully virtual, the teachers will end their action and return to teaching from their computers.

When she was contacted yesterday, Mrs Hanna Martin said: “TA Thompson has serious issues. I went

there myself and saw it with my own two eyes and this is the result of, and I have been advised by technical persons in the field, this is the result of prolonged neglect and patching and kicking the can down the road and deferring and procrastination and postponements and we now at the point where that entire block has to be shut down for proper holistic repair work.

“We keep coming up with issues that are not confronted or addressed on a continuous basis and as a result of that you have crisis after crisis after crisis.

“We have to come to a

methodology and a cultural practice in the Ministry of Education, in the Ministry of Works, because the Ministry of Works has responsibility for these buildings, where we bite the bullet when the moment comes and just do it.

“Now I suspect that a big part of it might be resources. I don’t know what would have governed past deferments, but we do know however we got here.

This is where we are.”

This comes after students returned to classrooms for face-to-face learning under a hybrid instruction model on Monday.

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

stake and are largely committed, like we are, to doing the best we can in less-thanideal circumstances.

“Yesterday (Tuesday), on only the second day of resumption of face-to-face learning, approximately 94 percent of teachers entered the classroom nationwide with 100 percent of teachers reporting to school in Grand Bahama. The nation is grateful.”

Mrs Hanna Martin reiterated her view that the challenges facing the education system constitute an emergency. She cited a report by UNICEF which concluded that COVID-19 related disruptions have caused a “nearly insurmountable scale of loss to children’s schooling”.

“While the disruptions to learning must end, just reopening schools is not enough. Students need

intensive support to recover lost education,” she said, quoting from the report.

“Schools must also go beyond being places of learning to rebuild children’s mental and physical health, social development and nutrition.

“Children have lost basic numeracy and literacy skills. Globally, disruption to education has meant millions of children have significantly missed out on the academic learning they would have acquired if they had been in the classroom, with younger and more marginalised children facing the greatest loss.

“In low and middleincome countries, learning losses to school closures have left up to 70 percent of ten-year-olds unable to read or understand a simple text, up from 53 percent pre-pandemic.”

MINISTER: STRONG TURNOUT BY STAFF EDUCATION Minister Glenys Hanna Martin said more than 85 percent of teachers showed up to work on Monday “despite being urged to turn off their computers and sit it out”.

Her comment in the House of Assembly yesterday was a likely reference to the Bahamas Union of Teachers’ plan for industrial action before the resumption of face-to-face learning.

She said: “Last Monday, almost 86 percent of teachers went to work nationwide, and in Grand Bahama more than 90 percent showed up despite being urged to ‘turn off their computers and sit it out’. It is clear that our teachers truly recognise what is at

‘NO DISRUPTIONS’ FOR FACE-TO-FACE INSTRUCTION IN GB

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE resumption of face-to-face instruction on Grand Bahama continues to progress very well, according to District Superintendent of Schools Ivan Butler, who reported a high turn-out of teachers and students during the first two days.

“There were no disruptions and most of our teachers reported for duty on Monday,” he said yesterday.

Mr Butler said a minimal number of teachers had been absent on the first day.

“No more than 10 in the entire district were out. All 98 percent of the teachers reported for duty on Monday.”

He said the number of students who attended school on Tuesday was better than Monday when some 75 percent attended school.

“Student turnout was more today - over 80 percent attended and it is climbing every day.”

Prior to the opening of schools, Dr Frank Bartlett, head of Grand Bahama’s COVID-19 task force, met with the schools last Thursday via Zoom and conducted evaluations at some institutions.

He believes “it is important to get back and to have that sense of normalcy”.

Dr Bartlett noted that Grand Bahama has been fortunate in that COVID19 infections are low among the paediatric population here on the island.

He urged parents and teachers to continue practising the public health safety measures put in place to avoid infecting their children and students.

After months of virtual learning at home, students returned to the classroom this week for face-to-face instructions throughout the country in a hybrid model.

Minister of Education Glenys Hanna Martin has pledged to help transform the face of education in the country, noting that too many students have “fallen between the cracks” amid the COVID19 pandemic.

“The big challenge... is not so much in the schools themselves, but it is from parents and teachers acquiring the

infection on the outside and infecting children who come into school,” Dr Bartlett said.

On Saturday during the launch of the free COVID-19 Test Facility in Freeport, Dr Bartlett said parents should not be sending asymptomatic children to school.

“I know it is a challenge and everybody is tired of babysitting and having to miss work and everything else now, but we still need that level of cooperation to make sure our schools are safe.”

He noted that the disease is not prevalent in the paediatric population.

“Our under 17 (years of age) population we see mostly affected by COVID is on the lower side, and we would like to keep it that way.

“We are very fortunate in that when we speak to the private physicians in the paediatric sector, we are not having as many persons test positive in the paediatric population. And those who do are usually the ones travel-related or have been in exposure to family members.

“Again, it all goes back to practising public health safety measures we have in place and staying away from mass gatherings and wearing masks. I think it is very important that that message resonates and goes throughout the community.”

Dr Bartlett said the Grand Bahama task force meets with the school groups on a monthly basis.

He said they met last Thursday with 348 attendees.

He said that protocols are in place to ensure that the school environment is safe.

“We still have some schools that we still need to go into to evaluate.”

Through these evaluations, he said the task force takes note of the workflow and is able to identify any deficiencies so they can be corrected.

“We look at how (students) move in between classes. We make recommendations as to what they should do and how to manage those classes. So, when we look at our case in Grand Bahama, we have a pretty tight and cooperative set up whereby we get feedback,” he said.

He added: “If we have a case, we have crisis management.”

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, January 27, 2022, PAGE 5

STANDING COMMITTEE PROPOSED TO EXAMINE HOUSE BUDGET

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

FOREIGN Minister Fred Mitchell in the House of Assembly yesterday.

Photo: Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff

MPS DEBATED a resolution yesterday that would establish a standing committee to examine the management and budget of the House of Assembly and consider various matters, including those related to salaries, allowances, infrastructural needs and the relationship between the legislature and executive branches of government.

Fox HIll MP Fred Mitchell said the resolution would allow the House to create “a standing committee called the Management and Budget Committee chaired by the Speaker with the remit to assist and support the management of the offices of the House and to sit jointly with the Senate committee with the same remit.”

“I would add,” he said, “what is usually implied is that this committee will have the power to send for persons and papers, leave to sit from place to place and leave to sit during the recess.”

Former Bain & Grants Town MP Dr Bernard Nottage chaired a similar committee during the last Christie administration.

Although that committee recommended changes in a unanimous report, Mr Mitchell noted “the consensus broke down shortly after the report was tabled”.

Among other things, that committee recommended salaries of parliamentarians and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly be increased and that a new House of Assembly complex be built. Those matters, particularly the recommended increase in MP salaries, were controversial at the time.

“Here we are again,” Mr Mitchell said, “trying to see if we can accomplish support for the work of the Members of Parliament, largely on a nod.”

Referring to his niece, he said: “I wouldn’t want if she decided 20 years from now to run for the House of Assembly for her to meet the same terms and conditions that we

find here today. Part of it has to do (with) because when you’re in opposition it’s always convenient to break away from the consensus and say those fellas in government are trying to build things up for themselves. I’m hoping this time that we can all resist that temptation and say there are certain things that need to be done, they just need to be done and let’s get them done.

One of them I hope is the building.”

Mr Mitchell said parliamentarians also need greater support for their work. He noted MPs get an allowance of $2,500 for their constituency headquarters – a meagre amount, especially for Family Island MPs with constituents who are located remotely from one another.

“The thing is, the population complains that there is a lack of support for them because these things don’t exist. But when the officials try to resolve it, then they jump all over you saying you are wasting money and spending too much money,”

Mr Mitchell said.

He added it is also strange that MPs have to get permission from the executive to carry out their work.

“That’s a little anomalous since those of us who went to law school - and I guess you are taught this in social science classes there are three branches of government, executive, the legislative and the judiciary and they all have separate functions.

And so the House and the Senate ought to have the ability to manage its affairs. There is a draft bill which was circulated I think during the last administration. We want the committee to take a look at that and see whether or not that’s a direction we want to head in. And so this is part of a deepening of democracy.”

Mr Mitchell also said he believes the House of Assembly should have an accountant assist MPs with their annual disclosures, noting members often scramble to complete their reports.

Minnis defends Prospect Ridge after criticism by government

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net FORMER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis defended his administration’s proposed Prospect Ridge housing project after Transport and Housing Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis said her tech team recommended it be left alone.

Dr Minnis responded to the minister’s comments about the project, which the former Prime Minister said yesterday was “dear” to him.

“The Prospect Ridge (project), we’ve designed it, done the environmental impact studies — the 83 acres — we’ve transferred over to the Crown. We were gonna develop it into upscale because that’s an upscale community. We had discussions with the banks.

There were 1,000—1,500 individuals that applied; 900 of them had already been approved by the financial sector for excess of $200,000 and the land is theirs,” he said.

“Now I heard the minister said that ‘oh the infrastructure.’ I’ve been involved in construction and development. I was involved in development when the Balmoral project was going on.

The minister said that the

Balmoral infrastructure was $25m. She was misinformed.

I was intimately involved.

The Balmoral infrastructure was $6m and if you take the cost of living increase the Prospect (project) would only be 12-14 - we place it at 16 (million).

“We had placed the fees at $40,000-$50,000. We were given all the tax exemptions for the young people to get them started because you must remember it’s their land. It’s not my land. Prospect is theirs. I prefer to see it in their hands as opposed to somebody (else’s). Some shark come along later and take it as we see in many instances.

“Now they may have a different perspective and they may have alternative views or they may have other motives for this property, but I will do all I can to ensure that and similar property goes into the hands of the young people for upliftment. The 40,000 we probably would’ve dropped that. We would’ve dropped especially with the inflation and the cost of living increasing we would’ve dropped the 40 to an even lower price.”

Mrs Coleby-Davis previously branded the Prospect Ridge subdivision for young professionals an “election ploy” and noted that no

master plan, feasibility study, and topography were done for the housing project.

Yesterday, Dr Minnis also brought up issues with the housing project in the Carmichael area which was envisioned during the last Progressive Liberal Party administration. The Davis administration said about 365 lots are available in the area under the government’s housing initiative.

He said: “Carmichael was first envisioned by the PLP and we took Carmichael up — development I think of 365 lots I believe and we did it in phases. First phase I think was 107 lots. We put in the infrastructure. The PLP without putting in the proper infrastructure that should have been done had already commenced construction in the Carmichael constituency.

“They’d built four homes.

You all don’t know this, but they had constructed four homes. They were built in (an) inadequate environment below road level and below sea levels. Those homes were condemned.

Those homes could not be utilised because they would’ve been in a flood zone. That was their original programme. We subsequently had built up the road and put in the infrastructure. Once we

CUSTOMS REVIEW OF PROMOTIONS

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

A REVIEW is underway at the Department of Customs regarding staff promotions which should be complete within the first quarter of the year, according to State Minister for Public Service Pia Glover-Rolle.

“I want to make note that the special projects unit is working. Promotional exercises are being reviewed.

The customs promotions are happening in terms of the review of files and recommendations. We anticipate within the first quarter of this year they should be completed,” she said.

“Of course you know it’s a process. We have to review files. We have to look at recommendations and the unit has just been put in place, started their work this month. I know there’s been (people) saying that letters will be issued this month. That’s absolutely impossible. The work is being done. The assessment of files is being done to ensure that first of all we don’t miss out on any people that are deserving of their promotions in these exercises but also so that we can ensure that it is a thorough process.”

She said there are other ministries and departments who are under review.

Many teachers are getting their confirmation letters.

“Persons throughout the service are getting

confirmation letters. So it’s (a) simultaneous exercise but there’s a full on approach of looking at the Customs Department in this first month to two to three months of the year.”

built up the road, we realised those homes were way below the road.

“So they want to embark on a different type of programme that we had. We had a programme where we were gonna allow the young people to purchase the land and then they built everything duty-free.”

Dr Minnis said he will keep close watch on who are selected for homeownership under the government’s initiative to ensure there is no political favouritism.

“Individuals had applied for the land in Carmichael.

They were police, defence force, teachers, health workers, other members in the private sector, civil servants, etc - they were approved.

“We’re watching that list to ensure that they do not take those individuals off to make it a political list. I went through that when I campaigned — and check the records — in 2007 in Dignity (Gardens). Individuals were handpicked; that is not a society we

want to live in. We want a society where that transparent and individuals are selected on their merits not their politics… so we have that list. Thirty individuals were already approved, financially approved by the Bahamas Mortgage Corporation.

“We have that list and we’re watching and if the PLP try to deviate to bring in individuals for political reasons I will table that list in Parliament that were approved and that were financially approved.”

PAGE 6, Thursday, January 27, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

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Property tax row shows need to get things right THE issue of property tax can often stir up frustration, both from those who pay it and too many who have not over the years.

A revaluation exercise has prompted more frustration – reported on extensively this week in Tribune Business.

Some of the bills jumped in value considerably, but Minister of Economic Affairs Michael Halkitis largely shrugged off that concern as people could appeal if they thought the reassessment was too much.

A bigger problem has emerged however – with the possibility that none of the reassessments might be valid at all.

The issue is that the assessments were carried out by an appraisal company based in the United States, Tyler Technologies, which was contracted by the Department of Inland Revenue to conduct the mapping exercise across New Providence.

Now some would rightly ask why Bahamian appraisers were not used, but this is not just an issue of using a foreign company instead of local – the foreign company may not have been legally allowed to carry out the appraisal at all.

Sections four and 13 of the Real Estate (Brokers and Salesmen) Act 1995 specify that only Bahamian citizens or permanent citizens with the right to work can be authorised to do appraisals.

Tyler Technologies confirmed in a 2019 press release that it was providing appraisal services – but by the letter of the 1995 law, it would not be allowed to do so. As the Bahamas Real Estate Association pointed out, it could not be licenced to carry out that work.

The association said: “At no time did Tyler submit to BREA application(s) to licence its appraisers under their contract with the government. BREA has not granted any appraiser licences to Tyler or its personnel.”

Mr Halkitis seemed surprised that such concerns might “encourage people to ignore their obligations” to pay taxes given the government’s financial position – but the government’s need for money isn’t the individual taxpayer’s fault.

It seems likely that there will be a legal challenge – because if Tyler was not legally allowed to conduct the

appraisals, they might well be ruled null and void, leaving the decisions based on them to be made again from new information. That will play out however it plays out.

However, there is a bigger picture.

Reappraising land and properties across the country is a project that involves a lot of work, but it is relatively straightforward. If we get this wrong, it sends out a worrying signal for bigger changes that lie ahead.

Globally, there has been a push for a corporation tax – which we have signed up for – at a minimum rate of 15 percent. That will be a much bigger hurdle to deal with.

If Tyler was indeed unable to carry out the work, that should have been clear from the start given it is written in law. When it comes to laws such as corporation tax, we’ll be dealing with the companies that make our economy flow, including the biggest employers in our nation. Get that wrong, and you will be sure that will end up in court too.

The government needs money, for both the deficit and the debt, and it will get it one way or another, we can be sure of that. But it has to be done by the book, diligently and in a way that meets the law – or else it will be dragged out in legal challenges while the debt just gets bigger.

It will be interesting indeed to see the outcome from this debate – and where it might lead us in future.

Baseball stadium Will it all be over by Christmas?

The Andre Rodgers Baseball Stadium construction began way back in September 2016, and was due to be complete in November 2017. Now we hear it might be complete by the end of this year.

Originally, the budget was $24.9m.

Already, $27m has been “certified for payment” and now more money will apparently be needed.

Overbudget and overdue already. Will it make its new deadline in time to host the International Series Baseball Tournament in December? We’ll believe it when we hear the first bat hit the first ball.

Fix the penalty EDITOR, The Tribune.

REGARDING your editorial on Friday, January 21, 2021 all right-thinking persons share your outrage and the magistrate’s apparent regret at the patheticallylenient penalties imposed in this case.

However, was the learned magistrate wrongly advised as to the law? Section 44 of the Road Traffic Act lays down a penalty for killing in the course of reckless or dangerous driving of: “a fine not less than five

thousand dollars but not exceeding ten thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a term of four years, or to both the fine or imprisonment” (my emphasis).

Equally, for the premeditated and very serious crime of driving without insurance, the penalty under Section 16 is “a fine of two hundred dollars or to imprisonment for a term of three months or to both such fine and imprisonment” (again, my emphasis).

If the learned magistrate

was in fact wrongly advised (twice), can the Office of The Attorney-General appeal both these convictions, which clearly give the wrong signal to the motoring public?

If this is the case, can the authorities also employ some qualified and/or competent persons in the courts to give our hard-working magistrates correct legal advice?

AEQUITAS Nassau, January 24, 2022.

Criminalise marital rape EDITOR, The Tribune.

IT MAY not have dawned on the president of the Bahamas Christian Council, but The Bahamas’ lack of regard for the wellbeing of females goes hand in hand with the level of gender-based violence in the country.

Ponder this, Mr Fernander: The Bahamas is one of only 36 countries that hasn’t criminalised marital rape – that’s out of about 197 countries.

Besides The Bahamas, countries on the It’s Okay

to Rape Wives Shame List include Pakistan, China, Haiti, Myanmar, Libya, Kuwait, South Sudan, Iran, Afghanistan, Senegal and Laos.

And, of course, Bahamian women don’t have the same right to pass citizenship to their children as males, in no small measure due to the discriminatory propaganda springing from certain misogynist members of the clergy.

What sort of message does this send to messed up people prone to violence?

So, it’s ok to rape your

wife and it’s ok to discriminate against women, but we wring our hands in despair when yet another girl or woman falls victim to gender violence.

Toughening penalties isn’t the answer.

It’s time to stop giving comfort to the monsters.

Outlaw marital rape and deal with the citizenship issue. Give girls and women the protection and respect they deserve.

ATHENA DAMIANOS Nassau, January 26, 2022

Tourism must be win for all EDITOR, The Tribune.

AFTER more than 30 years in the hospitality industry with the last six years as a taxi driver, I am convinced that there must be a change in the building of our tourism model in our country. There needs to be more discussion, not only with developers, but with Bahamian stakeholders in open forums that could result in a Win-Win for all, especially when it comes to large-scale developments.

In my view, when it comes to larger developments there seems to be less ownership opportunities for Bahamians.

These agreements focus largely on us becoming employees with a greater dependence on foreign investors.

And even worse, we continue to place our tourism product in the hands of a select few which, in my view, weakens our bargaining power.

This means that if the foreign entity decides to leave, we suffer because the jobs are directly attached to the development. The latest example of this is the imminent closure of the British Colonial Hilton Hotel where some 100 persons will more than likely lose their jobs as a result of these types of agreements.

Foreign direct investments should create a win-win situation for everyone. However, we have seen in the past that these deals negatively affect small, local businesses because we depend so much on them, they seem to indirectly control our destiny.

I think the time has come for deals struck with foreign investors to go beyond just jobs and extend into long-term ownership opportunities such as shares/profit sharing and true win-win business partnerships. We need to

LETTERS

letters@tribunemedia.net ensure that Bahamians are prepared through genuine training that does not simply focus on executives at the top, but also impacts the average Bahamian in the community.

With billions of dollars coming into this country and with many favourable assets, I believe our government should not make deals from a point of desperation, but from a position of strength. Foreign investors should be encouraged to form strong partnerships where we all benefit and once again get a win-win result. And that means, beyond jobs with a focus on more Bahamian ownership.

Case in point, the Royal Caribbean Beach Club project which is being proposed on Paradise Island.

In my view, the drawbacks seem to outweigh the benefits.

For years, we’ve heard Save the Bays and other prominent environmentalists lobby to preserve the environment in Grand Bahama and the Family Islands in the face of major developments. Now I’ve learned that Protect Our Islands Fund and others have begun advocating for the same due diligence when it comes to the construction of the Royal Caribbean Beach Club on Paradise Island.

This project appears to be long on promises and short on particulars. For instance, developers have not answered how pollution and waste will be properly managed with the increased volume of cruise ship passengers set to visit Paradise Island.

I think the new government’s responsibility should be to ensure that our natural environment is managed in such a way to

sustain economic growth for the long-term.

This Beach Club project seemed to have been given the go-ahead with little consideration for us taxi drivers or for hair braiders, ferry boat operators and other everyday Bahamians who must operate in the hospitality environment. In my view, there is a very real possibility that this development could deliver a death blow to other tourism hot spots like downtown which is already hurting economically and needs investments, not competition.

We must look at the real needs of Bahamians rather than the wants of developers and ask ourselves some relevant questions like, how does this project improve the quality of our lives as Bahamians? How will this move us closer to ownership as Bahamians rather than just jobs? How does it diversify our current offerings? More importantly, why are we still accommodating developments that are at odds with environmental sustainability?

My hope is that more developers of large-scale projects will have to go through a full public review where we, as stakeholders, will be involved in the process that influences the final decision.

I call on the current administration to reconsider the Royal Caribbean Beach Club project and reveal all of the details to the Bahamian people. I think this should not be a done deal when there are so many questions with answers still pending.

At the end of the day, we must always remember that The Bahamas belongs to Bahamians and not to persons who may come in, reap the benefits and then decide to move on.

KENYATTA NAIRN Nassau, January 26, 2022.

THE TRIBUNE

ACCUSED BLAMES OFFICER FOR INMATE’S DEATH IN CELL

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

A 33-YEAR-OLD man who was charged with murdering an inmate with whom he shared a cell last year claimed he was innocent and says he saw a prison officer beating the deceased.

Diallo Williamson appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney, charged with last year’s murder of Mikhail Miller, an inmate at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS).

Miller, 29, was found dead in his cell with injuries at BDCS on November 1, 2021.

His cause of death was later revealed as “blunt force trauma”. However, relatives have questioned the details surrounding Miller’s death.

During yesterday’s hearing, Williamson, who was

not required to enter a plea to the charge, claimed he was innocent of the offence.

The 33-year-old told the court he met Miller with injuries on the day in question and alleged that he watched him being beaten by a prison officer.

“That man came in the cell with injuries,” he said.

“I meet that officer wapping and beating that man (sic).”

The accused insisted he was not a killer, adding he doesn’t like to put his hands on “people’s children”.

“I ain’t crazy,” Williamson added.

In response, Magistrate McKinney told the accused he would be able to give his version of the story in due time and adjourned the matter to March 25 for the service of a voluntary bill of indictment.

Williamson was remanded to prison. He has a right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail.

$400 FINE OVER MARIJUANA

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

A 28-YEAR-OLD man who was found with over three ounces of marijuana earlier this week was ordered to pay $400 to avoid spending two months behind bars.

Franklyn Dean was charged with dangerous drug possession with intent to supply after he was caught driving with a package of marijuana on Monday.

The prosecutor told the court sometime around 7.45 pm that day, officers were on mobile patrol in the Robinson Road area when they received certain information about a Nissan Cube.

Acting on that information, officers stopped the driver and conducted a

search of the vehicle where they found a plastic bag containing a quantity of suspected marijuana.

The estimated weight of the drugs was three and one quarter ounces.

The defendant was arrested and taken to the nearest police station.

During his interview with police, Dean admitted the offence and told officers he had a “smoking problem”.

Dean confirmed this during his hearing yesterday and asked the court for help.

When asked if he was employed, the 28-year-old replied that he was a construction worker.

As a result, the defendant was fined $400. He was told failure to pay the fine would result in him spending two months at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

INDECENT ASSAULT SENTENCE DELAY

By PAVEL BAILEY

A MAN who pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting a woman in a police station’s holding cell last year had his sentencing hearing deferred to March.

Ryan Bodie, 32, appeared before Magistrate Kendra Kelly yesterday after being charged last October with the indecent assault of a 25-year-old woman after he masturbated in front of her and threatened to rape her.

The incident occurred while the two were detained in a holding cell at the East Street South Police Station on October 21.

He pleaded guilty during his arraignment before Magistrate Kelly last year

and was remanded in custody for a psychiatric evaluation.

A prosecutor in the case previously requested the maximum penalty for Bodie.

Bodie has been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder.

When asked by Magistrate Kelly if he had been receiving his medication for his illness in prison, Bodie responded that they “don’t have the shot of Hennessy” he requires.

As the magistrate could not get a clear answer as to whether Bodie was taking his medication regularly, she adjourned the case to March 2 for sentencing.

Until then, a proper review of his medical status will be made.

Thursday, January 27, 2022, PAGE 7

Homeless man jailed for punching two women

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net A HOMELESS Grand Bahama man who admitted to punching two women was convicted and sentenced yesterday to eight months in prison by a Freeport magistrate.

Emerson Harding, 38, was also ordered to attend substance abuse sessions at the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre after he pleaded to the court for help with his alcohol and drug addiction problem.

“I addicted to drugs, and I don’t have nowhere to live,” Harding told Magistrate Simon Brown. “I get in problems and to try to feel better about my situation, I drink and take drugs and get in trouble. I sorry for what I did. I need help. It hard to make a change when nobody helping you.”

Harding pleaded guilty to intentionally and unlawfully causing harm to Pamela Hall on January 20 and to Kiola Newbold on January 9 at Freeport.

Prosecutor Sergeant Garth McIntosh told the court that Ms Hall had just left an establishment around 1pm on January 20 when a male punched her in the face for no reason and caused her pain. He said the complainant told police that she and the man had no quarrel before the incident.

She was seen by a doctor who

described her injuries as not serious.

Ms Newbold also reported that while walking home from the bus stop at Scott Avenue, a male punched her in the right ear for no reason. She told the police that she and the man had no quarrel. She went to Rand Memorial Hospital where she was treated by a doctor.

Sgt McIntosh said police conducted investigations into both matters and arrested Harding, who was cautioned.

He said the accused admitted to officers of committing the offences and that he was under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

The prosecutor informed the court that Harding also has antecedents and was recently released from prison after serving a 12-year sentence for attempted murder.

Harding, who was not represented by counsel, told the court that he is homeless and jobless. He also admitted to serving time in prison.

He told the magistrate that he has a drug and alcohol addiction problem. “I sniff weed and take (cocaine), I drink rum and I take pills,” Harding said.

Magistrate Brown said the court views him as a danger to society.

When asked if has any children, Harding said, “no.”

“You are still young, and you can turn yourself around, but you have to stop your drug habits,” the magistrate said.

When asked about his employment

history, Harding said he used to work at the container port, but was laid off when the company downsized during the recession.

“I never had a steady job after that,” he explained. “Please, if I can get help, I am sure I can change. I need assistance to get off the road.”

Magistrate Brown convicted Harding on the two counts of causing harm.

She sentenced him to four months in reference to the incident on January 20, and eight months imprisonment in reference to the January 9 incident.

The magistrate said the sentences are to run concurrently.

She also ordered Harding to attend drug rehabilitation sessions at Sandilands while at the prison.

Additionally, Harding was charged with two counts of robbery with violence.

It is alleged that on January 19, at Freeport, the accused robbed a woman of a black handbag, containing $120 cash, and used personal violence.

It is also alleged that on January 17, at Freeport, the accused robbed another woman of a brown handbag containing one passport, ABM card, NIB card, and $150 cash, and used personal violence.

He was not required to enter a plea to the charges.

Prosecutor McIntosh objected to bail.

The matters were adjourned to April 4 when a voluntary bill of indictment will be served.

POLICE TESTIFY IN DEATH BY RECKLESS DRIVING CASE

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

TWO police officers gave testimony yesterday in the trial of a man accused of killing another man by reckless driving last year.

Kenrick Whyte, 28, is accused of causing the death of Steve Joseph through reckless driving on July 19, 2021.

Police said Whyte was driving south along Jerome Avenue when he struck Joseph who was heading east on his motorcycle.

However, Whyte has denied the offence before Magistrate Samuel McKinney.

During yesterday’s trial, Sgt Erica Roberts, attached to the CCTV division at the RBPF’s Real Time Crime Centre, recalled watching video footage of the incident.

She said two days after the accident occurred, she was instructed to review all cameras located at the intersection of Jerome Avenue and

Chesapeake Road.

Sgt Roberts testified that while searching video footage, she observed an unknown male on a motorcycle travelling east on Chesapeake Road.

However, as the motorist approached the intersection, the police sergeant said, she saw a silver coloured Suzuki Swift driving on Jerome Avenue heading south.

The witness said the two collided at the intersection, resulting in the motorist falling to the ground.

Sgt Roberts said after watching the accident, she burned the footage into a DVD and later labelled and dated the disc.

Asked by the Crown prosecutor if the CCTV was working in good condition at the time of the incident, the witness said that it was.

The witness also told the court that the traffic light was on red when Whyte proceeded south onto Jerome Avenue before colliding with the motorist.

Footage of the traffic accident that was identified by Sgt

Roberts, was also shown to the court.

Also giving testimony at yesterday’s trial was Sgt Crestanea Munroe-Johnson, attached to the RBPF’s Traffic Division.

She told the court that on July 21, she was on duty when she received information of the accident.

She said she and other officers went to the scene and took numerous photographs, including the street markings, area of impact, etc.

Photographs of the deceased had also been taken hours earlier, she added.

The photos were later developed and uploaded onto four compact discs, which were sealed and labelled for evidence.

Asked yesterday if the traffic lights were present in the area, the witness said they were and added that all were working.

The case continues on March 11 for cross-examination.

Attorney Wendawn Miller-Frazer is representing Whyte. Inspector Timothy Bain is prosecuting the case.

PAGE 8, Thursday, January 27, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

When will we ask ourselves the question Barbados answered and shake off our shackles?

“In spite of our size we believe that Barbados must be able to speak to create a better world.”

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley SINCE her first electoral sweep in 2018, Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley has engaged her country of approximately 290,000 in a sustained dialogue on democratic modernization and reform of the eastern Caribbean nation.

The 56-year-old London School of Economics-trained graduate’s passion for reform is fuelled by a fierce commitment to social justice and an equally fierce intellect.

It is an intellect bolstered by an expansive depth of knowledge, including of the most pressing global issues such as climate change and economic arrangements that disadvantage smaller and developing nations.

Ms Mottley is deeply committed to the ongoing struggle for economic and social equality, ensuring opportunity and the rights of vulnerable and marginalized populations ranging from LGBTQ communities to migrants.

She has a deep understanding of how colonial and imperial mindsets still pervade the consciousness of former colonizers and the formerly colonized, still operating, often mindlessly, from master narratives – pun intended – which are difficult to exorcise and root out.

In an interview with the Financial Times following the recent general election, Mottley stressed that given its history as a British slave colony, Barbados had a responsibility to provide “moral strategic leadership”

on the global stage.

“The parliament I belong to is the same parliament that passed the 1661 Slave Code,’ Mottley said, referring to the first law in the Americas to provide a legal basis for slavery. “In the same way that we are ashamed by it we ought to be moved to put forward to the rest of the world a more humanizing condition for migrants.”

She emphasised: “The world continues to be framed very much in a colonial structure and a colonial framework as established in 1945 with the Bretton Woods institutions.”

DEEP PROBLEMS

We should not romanticise nor idealise Ms Mottley or Barbados. The country has deep structural problems, with past leaders leaving the country in an economic and infrastructural mess. There are lessons Barbados may learn from The Bahamas.

BARBADOS’ new President Sandra Mason, centre right, awards Prince Charles with the Order of Freedom of Barbados during the presidential inauguration ceremony in Bridgetown, Barbados, as Barbados stops pledging allegiance to Queen Elizabeth II as it becomes a republic.

“Hence, Barbados will I think it’s almost a natural Moreover, a friend with deep knowledge of Barba- take the next logical step progression of our constitudos argues The Bahamas toward full sovereignty tional development that we enjoys strategic advantages and become a Republic move away from the Privy which Ms Mottley and Bar- by the time we celebrate Council and I think the Carbados would relish. Still, our 55th Anniversary of ibbean Court of Justice is there are lessons for The Independence.” likely to be the alternative Last year, Barbados to the Privy Council.

Bahamas from Barbados and the reformist course on became a republic with “I think that as a part of which Ms Motley has deci- its own Head of State. our constitutional developHere at home, we are not ment it’s almost inevitable sively embarked.

In the 2020 Speech from simply “loitering on colo- that we move away from the Throne delivered by nial premises”. We are the Privy Council like lots self-tethered of other countries, includthen-Governor General voluntarily Dame Sandra Mason, the on those premises, unable ing Australia and New Mottley administration to have a genuine and Zealand.” noted and advised: “Barba- dynamic national dialogue He also noted: “It’s a dos’ first Prime Minister, the on becoming a republic. regional court but it’s also We also lack self-con- part of our development as Rt Excellent Errol Walton Barrow, cautioned against fidence on a number of a nation that we look to our loitering on colonial prem- levels. By example, many own court for the resolution ises. That warning is as believe that we must remain of disputes.” relevant today as it was tied to the Privy Council as in 1966. Having attained a last court of adjudication, Independence over half a instead of joining the Carcentury ago, our country ibbean Court of Justice, a The movement for reform can be in no doubt about its regional body with many and modernisation in Barbacapacity for self-governance. distinguished jurists. dos is based on a democratic Many have brought into “The time has come to equation: a certain quality fully leave our colonial past the narrative that we must of political leadership and a remain with the Privy Counbehind. Barbadians want a generally politically mature Barbadian Head of State. cil because the international public capable of engaging financial community would This is the ultimate statein a reasonable and intelliment of confidence in who not have confidence in an gible dialogue on the merits adjudication by our Court we are and what we are of a proposition, namely, of Appeal or a Caribbean capable of achieving.

“Should Barbados become a court, and that we require a republic?” court in the United Kingdom There was also a certo approve the judgments of tain level of intellectual Caribbean jurists. maturity and depth by the opinion makers, media commentators and the educated in Barbadian society.

This is part of a racialIs it possible to have a ist mindset that we need substantive and politically white foreigners in the colo- mature national dialogue nial metropole to check the on becoming a republic, homework of mostly black especially given the mostly judges in our region. What puerile debates we have makes this more glaring is had on full constitutional the Privy Council would have equality for women? no problem with The BahaThere is little to no interest mas removing the Council as by the political directorate our final court of appeal. for moving The Bahamas A report by Kyrstel Rolle toward republic status. This in The Nassau Guardian includes leaders who prefer from 2011 noted the views us to retain the British monof then-Chief Justice Sir arch as Head of State and Michael Barnett, who is those who believe it would now President of the Court be political suicide to argue of Appeal, and one of our for such reform in our politifinest judicial intellects and cally conservative society. jurists: “Chief Justice Sir In Barbados, around Michael Barnett said … The the Caribbean and in The Bahamas should eventually Bahamas, some of those abandon the Privy Council opposed to Barbados and as the final court of appeal their respective countries and move toward the Carib- becoming republics, stated bean Court of Justice (CCJ). Ms Mottley was acting “While that decision undemocratically. would be up to the governOne comment in a local ment of The Bahamas, Sir journal even went as far as Michael said there is a ‘pow- to foolishly and ignorantly erful argument to moving state: “Barbados is hardly a eventually toward the CCJ’.” democratic republic.”

Sir Michael stated: The people of Barbados “Whether we do that now responded to the naysayers, is a matter for political giving Mottley a historic debate and a matter that second landslide election [the government] will have victory, with her centre-left to discuss and consider…

Barbados Labour Party “I have my own views and (BLP) winning all 30 seats

REFORM

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in the House of Assembly.

The morning after her victory Mottley declared: “But we are equally conscious that it comes very rarely to a generation to change the pattern of history and to transform a nation.

“In a very real sense, we felt – as we told you in 2018 – that we had been existing on the fumes of the independence generation rather than seeking to carry this nation forward and to release the opportunities that are so obviously available, particularly to Barbadians and young Barbadians.”

Ms Mottley is a pragmatist, with a clear economic vision for her country. She has secured financing for infrastructure projects from various countries including China. She notes that she shares the vision of Errol Barrow, the country’s first leader following independence in 1966, that Barbados would be “friends of all and satellites of none”.

She noted to the Financial Times: “We welcome all investment, [as long as] it does not crowd out domestic ownership and investment.

We need access to foreign capital and investment but . . . it must not be at the expense of our people such that our people become tenants on their own land.”

Ms Mottley has called for a Caribbean Marshall Plan and reparations to address the “economic decline” faced by the region because of the devastation caused

by COVID-19 and the economic and social inequalities from our colonial and slave history which continue to retard development.

Such a plan is a reference to the recovery plan for Western Europe after World War II, named for then-US Secretary of State George Marshall.

She made her plea at a meeting organized by the Caricom Reparations Commission established in 2013 by the body’s heads of government, “to pursue reparations from the former slave-holding and colonizing countries in Europe.”

The Bahamas is a member of the Commission.

Mottley stated: “I do believe we must make the argument that a combination of the validity of the reparations argument, the evidence that clearly shows there was no bank account left with us at the point of independence, there was no development compact and, yet, there is a legitimate expectation by our people that independent governments would right the wrongs of the past and would do so quickly by giving people opportunity in this part of the world.”

Ms Mottley pledged to serve only two terms.

Given her majority, force of personality, clarity of vision, popular appeal and five years to realize more reforms, the region will witness an extraordinary experiment in democracy.

Prime Minister Mottley cannot take anything for granted. Some of her reforms may stall. The public could lose an appetite for change or balk at certain reforms. She has already seen off internal challenges within the BLP, but more could come. And there will be the inevitable mistakes and setbacks.

But if she is generally successful, Ms Mottley will push Barbados more decisively into the 21st century, helping to modernize and reform her country, improving its quality of life and self-understanding, and reawakening its national consciousness.

After 55 years a sovereign nation, Ms Mottley is determined to re-purpose Barbados, “to carry [her] nation forward and to release the opportunities that are so obviously available.”

And where will The Bahamas be at this point?

Will we still be lazily, happily, insouciantly loitering on colonial premises? Or will we have discovered more self-confidence?

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, January 27, 2022, PAGE 9

MEMBERS of Ukraine’s Territorial Defence Forces, volunteer military units of the Armed Forces, train in a city park in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Saturday.

Photo: Efrem Lukatsky/AP

ARE WE REALLY STARING INTO THE ABYSS AGAIN?

THE sabres are certainly rattling in Eastern Europe these days. Americans, and doubtless millions of flabbergasted others around the world, are beginning to wonder if a bitter regional war is about to break out in Ukraine that will gradually suck in others and we will find ourselves in World War III. Russian President Vladimir Putin misses the Cold War days of superpower duopoly with the US and longs for the reach and power of the Soviet Union.

No particular surprise there - he made his career helping to advance Soviet interests at home and abroad. This is a very popular stance at home for Putin, especially with those over 30.

From the perspective of someone like Putin, it’s convenient and helpful that the US is a relatively open society with dissent and discord amplified by the internet and cable news. America must surely look weakened to him: President Joe Biden is saddled with terrible poll

STATESIDE

with Charlie Harper

ratings, millions of people still profess to believe their last election results were fraudulent; willingness to follow federal leadership in Washington shows real cracks over a continuing, debilitating pandemic; gas and other prices soar as inflation rates not seen in 40 years threaten an otherwise pretty robust economic recovery; the sting lingering from the latest international “no win” in Afghanistan.

America’s European NATO allies all have their own issues, too, notably in the UK, where Boris Johnson’s party habits may be the fuse that ignites enough lingering resentment to bring down his government, and in Germany, where

the solid and commanding figure of Angela Merkel is no longer around after 16 years to offer reassurance to nervous neighbours and allies.

It must seem to Putin like this is a great time to play a high-stakes international game of chicken with Biden and the West.

And imagine how people feel in NATO member nations which border the former USSR. They watch Putin’s Russia and leading world pariah Alexander Lukashenko of Belarus conclude a pact that practically portends political union between their nations. Russian troops are massing along Belarus’ border with Ukraine just

CATCH YOUR BREATH AND HERE WE GO AGAIN AS the NFL’s quarterfinal Divisional Round of four games concluded late Sunday evening, it seemed America’s most popular sports league had finally transformed into a real-life video game. As the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills swapped touchdowns and dramatic field goals in the last few minutes of what was a memorable and thoroughly enjoyable play-off gala, TV announcers, rabid but chilled fans watching from the stands, and even veteran television watchers were transported into a fantasy world of effortless pass-and-catch touchdowns and immediate retaliatory strikes.

One commentator, not normally moved to hyperbole, described the game two days later as “absolutely the best professional football game I have ever had the pleasure to witness”. Kansas City’s 42-36 triumph over the Bills meant the Chiefs will now host the AFC championship game Sunday against surprising Cincinnati.

The Bengals, rewriting and updating the team’s dismal last 32 years of post-season history with each unexpected triumph, erased the top-seeded Tennessee Titans’ Super Bowl hopes the day before the classic Chiefs-Bills game.

Tennessee looked flat in its three-point loss, and this morning they might be the most rueful of the ten teams that have so far lost play-off games this year. They lost a game they were expected to win and should have won. But it is Cincinnati who move on, once again an underdog on the road as they were in Nashville.

The National Conference’s top seeded Green Bay Packers didn’t look as flat as the Titans as they faced San Francisco at home in the snow, but their almost unimaginable special teams’ failures - a blocked field goal and a blocked punt in the same game - proved to be their undoing in a game it seemed quarterback Aaron Rodgers would somehow contrive a way to win. Now Packers fans face an offseason of disappointment again, and an off-season of

uncertainty about Rodgers’ future plans, also for the second straight year.

In Tampa, it also seemed like veteran magician Tom Brady would somehow manufacture a win for the defending champion Buccaneers. The Los Angeles Rams, after building a big half-time lead, fiddled all of it away with mistakes, then roared back and won the game by the margin of a field goal kicked by a former Buc. Now, the Rams have only to win two games in their home stadium near the Los Angeles airport to win the pro-football championship.

If they do, it will mark the second straight year the Super Bowl champions have triumphed on their home field. Last season in Tampa was the first time it had ever happened.

What are the odds? The Rams, losers of six straight to their Sunday foes the San Francisco 49ers, are nonetheless awarded the three-point home team’s edge by oddsmakers. It’s an axiom in the NFL that it is both difficult and rare for one divisional opponent to beat another three times in the same season. En route to their title last year, for instance, the Buccaneers lost both regular season games to the New Orleans

Saints but prevailed in the third, play-off match. There are other less recent examples. Most analysts point to the intense rivalries normally at play, the teams’ intimate familiarity with each other’s patterns and players, and ultimately, the law of averages.

It says here the Rams will win on Sunday and reinforce the notion that in the NFL, the third time’s indeed the charm. While not all of their superstars performed well in their flawed triumph in Tampa, enough of them did when it counted, including astounding wide receiver Cooper Kupp from Eastern Washington University. They should end the 49ers’ upstart dreams.

In Kansas City, the Chiefs have been installed as big favourites over the Bengals.

Cincinnati’s pitch and catch combo of Joe Burrow and Jamar Chase, who won a national collegiate title at LSU and then joined the Bengals as high first-round picks in successive years, have been prodigiously successful this year. But Kansas City has more experienced stars, a hugely successful coach and a real home field advantage. It is the Chiefs who will go on the road to Los Angeles in February in search of their second title in three years.

as they are in the disputed areas of eastern Ukraine.

Modern Russian history is overflowing with evidence of a national paranoia about foreign aggression against the motherland. It’s easy from a Russian perspective to see evidence of Western determination to dismember Russia in the explosive NATO expansion in the 1990s when Russia was weakened. Russian history books remind readers of Adolph Hitler’s 1941 treachery in invading his Soviet treaty ally of two years’ standing, and the millions of lives lost in the resulting desperate, awful struggle for survival against the Nazis.

So now Putin sees a

chance to continue what he lands? began in Georgia by startIt’s getting less easy to ing the 21st Century’s first dismiss North Korean dicwar in 2008 and then pro- tator Kim Jong-un and his ceeding to seize Crimea in nation’s missile threat to his 2014. Step by step, so the neighbours and even potennarrative goes, he’s on an tially the US. What if his inexorable course to recre- recent missile launches are ate the glory days and add in reality an ominous dress to Russia as much as posrehearsal for an sible of the old on vital ‘It must seem assault USSR. US treaty allies In recent days, to Putin like South Korea and/ meanwhile, while this is a great or Japan?

Biden and his It’s no wonder foreign policy time to play Biden and his team are mull- a high-stakes team decamped ing how to react international to the presidento pugnacious tial retreat at Putin, the Chi- game of nese launched an chicken with Camp David in Maryland for the unusual air sortie Biden and weekend. The US into Taiwanese President and his the West.’ air space. It is closest advisors widely believed can’t be getting in Washington that Putin and Chinese President Xi much sleep these days.

They’re going to have to have forged the closest military alliance between figure out how to grab the their nations in years; initiative in the global game what if these two princi- of chicken which they’re pal American antagonists now playing. And how to are plotting simultane- do it without bringing us to ous military forays to seize the brink of another world long-coveted “breakaway” war.

PAGE 10, Thursday, January 27, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

BASEBALL STADIUM’S FINAL COST RISES TO $31M from page one

Ministry of Works and Utilities capital budget.”

Mr Sears said the project has been greatly delayed and impacted by a number of issues, including an escalation in the cost of materials, equipment and labour because

of the transition between administrations.

“The project has been extended a number of times over approximately 38 months and across two VAT periods, causing the need for additional funding,” he said.

“Construction of ancillary buildings and concrete works, such as (ticket

booths, batting cage aprons, roof and structural support for batting cages, etc) - was not priced in the tender process as drawings were incomplete and require $1,109,145.20 for completion.

Hardscape and landscape – a provisional sum of $375,000.00 is needed for completion.

“Outstanding change

order requests that may be valued at $906,057.69 pending scrutiny.

“Additional funding will be required to complete the stadium in the amount of $31,349,566.28. This includes VAT.” Mr Sears said the project would have been completed if Woslee Construction Company had been allowed to

finish its work. He said a number of events are scheduled to take place at the stadium when it is completed.

“With the remobilisation of this project, we anticipate that by December 2022, the stadium would be ready for the hosting of the International Series Baseball Tournament,” he said.

“We are working towards

an early finish of the stadium, Madam Speaker, so that many more athletes such as Jazz Chisholm Jr, Lucius Fox Jr, and Kristian Robinson who are currently on the scene may follow in the footsteps of that great Bahamian Andre Rodgers, who was the first to make it to the major leagues in the sport of baseball.”

‘I had to have C-section after woman tried to run me over with a car’

By PAVEL BAILEY A MOTHER told a court that she had to have an emergency C-section the day after a woman allegedly tried to run her over with a car last year.

Alicia Ferguson, 24, is on trial in Magistrate’s Court for assault with a dangerous instrument in relation to an incident that occurred on March 20, 2021.

Around 10am that day, it is alleged Ferguson sped through Newbold Street in a black Passo and intentionally tried to hit Dominique Smith, who was eight months pregnant at the time.

Ms Smith had two witnesses present, as both her and her friends, Lorenzo Williams and a 17-year-old, were all working weeding the road at the time.

Ms Smith testified before Magistrate Kendra Kelly yesterday and recalled how she was frightened after having to jump out of the way of the car. She said after the incident she made an official report to the Grove Street Police Station. She later had to go to Princess Margaret Hospital where they found her baby was in distress, resulting in her having to deliver her baby through an emergency C-section on March 21.

Ferguson’s lawyer raised objection to Ms Smith identifying her client in court, but Ms Smith still told the prosecution that she recognised the accused both in court and during the incident as she had allegedly driven

the car with her tinted windows partially down.

A record of the complainant receiving medical attention at PMH was presented in court which confirmed she was taken to the Maternity Ward for an emergency C-section and delivered a five-pound baby girl.

The child was placed in an incubator for 14 days due to being born premature.

During cross-examination of the witness, it was revealed that the two were feuding over a romantic partner.

The father of Ferguson’s child had recently broken up with Ms Smith, which resulted in a series of altercations between them from March 17, 2021 culminating in the alleged attempt to run her over.

These included Ms Smith’s exboyfriend collecting his things from her apartment which resulted in her breaking the glass in his car’s mirrors then posting pictures of it on Facebook. This post had a series of verbal attacks against Ferguson in the comments that caused her to officially lodge a complaint against Ms Smith with police.

While Ms Smith confirmed she did make a Facebook post regarding the broken mirror she denied ever directly taunting Ferguson online saying it was only her sisters and friends that had harassed her online.

Ferguson’s lawyer suggested it was not possible for her client to speed down Newbold Street due to speed bumps. She argued that Ms Smith

had concocted the story about almost being hit by a car out of revenge because her boyfriend left her to go back to Ferguson.

Ms Smith denied both claims saying the incident took place in a part of the road where the speed bumps were further down, adding both she and her friends gave official police statements on the incident on March 20 and again in November 2021.

While under oath, the 17-yearold witness agreed with Ms Smith’s story that Ferguson had tried to hit Ms Smith with her car on the day in question and that Ms Smith had to “bounce” out of the way. He said Ms Smith had been blacking out all day after the incident.

When Mr Williams took the stand, he identified the accused in court as the same “bright-skinned lady” who had almost hit Ms Smith with her car.

He also identified her licence plate.

When asked if he was certain it was Ferguson in the car and in court, he confirmed he said yes, adding, “she was always coming round looking for her boyfriend”.

The defendant’s lawyer objected to this identification. She asked Mr Williams if he had signed a police statement and if the black Passo was speeding down the road, to which he answered “yes”.

However, he could not confirm whether he saw the accused’s car swerve to hit Ms Smith.

Magistrate Kelly adjourned the case to February 4.

HMS MEDWAY VISITS AHEAD OF NEXT HURRICANE SEASON THE Royal Navy’s HMS Medway is visiting The Bahamas ahead of the 2022 hurricane season.

HMS Medway is the Royal Navy’s permanent presence in the Caribbean region. The commanding officer of HMS Medway, Chris Hollingworth, and his crew are visiting Nassau until tomorrow in preparation for hurricane season 2022. The visit began on January 25.

HMS Medway is a river-class offshore patrol vessel and has been in the region since the beginning of 2020. In addition to providing support to Britain’s overseas territories in the region (such as Cayman and the Turks and Caicos Islands), HMS Medway provides support and humanitarian aid in the event of a hurricane or other natural disaster and works side-by-side with regional law enforcement, helping to stop the flow of illegal drugs from South

America to Europe and North America.

During HMS Medway’s visit, Commander Chris Hollingworth will meet with Royal Bahamas Defence Force Commodore Raymond King and his team. He will pay an operational visit to the National Emergency Management Agency and discuss planning with Captain Stephen Russell.

He will also have a courtesy call with Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis and is planning to hold operational discussions with the Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe and Minister of State Myles LaRoda.

As this is the Platinum Jubilee year, marking the 70th anniversary of Her Majesty The Queen’s reign, the commander had the honour of planting two Lignum Vitae trees with the British High Commissioner and the Bahamas National Trust.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, January 27, 2022, PAGE 11

Sea search continues for 38 on Bimini boat from page one

Captain Jo-Ann F Burdian said the survivor told rescuers that the boat capsized Saturday evening shortly after sailing from the Bahamas into a storm. The Coast Guard was alerted Tuesday morning after the crew of a merchant vessel spotted the man sitting alone on the overturned hull of the 25-foot boat.

He was taken to a hospital with symptoms of dehydration and sun exposure and turned over to Homeland Security officials, who said he is “conscious and lucid”.

Burdian said finding other migrants alive is urgent.

“With every moment that passes, it becomes much more dire and more unlikely” that survivors will be found, she told a news conference.

Crews searched around the clock, extrapolating from where the wreck was spotted about 40 miles off Fort Pierce. By Wednesday morning, crews on at least four ships and five aircraft scanned a vast area about the size of New Jersey, Burdian said. They planned to keep searching throughout the day and then reevaluate.

“We are using every piece of information we can to make sure we are

US Coast Guard Captain Jo-Ann F Burdian details the search of 38 missing migrants at a news conference in Miami Beach, Florida, yesterday. The migrants left The Bahamas on Saturday in what the Coast Guard suspects is a human smuggling operation.

Photo: Marta Lavandier/AP exhausting our search efforts,” Burdian said. “But we can’t search forever.”

The weather forecast through Thursday calls for scattered rain and thunderstorms in the search area, with swells cresting at 2 to 3 feet and winds blowing at 12 to 15 mph.

The National Weather Service described conditions as “relatively benign” until a strong cold front arrives on Friday.

Homeland Security Investigations opened the criminal probe, said

Anthony Salisbury, special agent in charge of agency’s Miami office. The effort includes US agents in the Bahamas.

“You’re dealing with criminal organisations that have no value for human life or safety. It’s really victimising the migrants. It’s just about the money,” he said.

Agents have interviewed the survivor, but Salisbury would not identify the man or his nationality, nor reveal the nationalities of any others believed to have

been on the vessel.

The rescued man told the Coast Guard he was part of a group of 40 people who left Bimini in The Bahamas, Burdian said. The man said the boat capsized shortly thereafter, and no one aboard was wearing a life jacket, she added.

A small craft advisory had been issued as a severe cold front blew through the dangerous passage on Saturday and Sunday, with winds up to 23mph and swells up to nine feet.

Tommy Sewell, a local

fishing guide, said there were high winds and fierce rain squalls from Sunday into Monday.

Burdian would not provide any more details, saying he’s now in the custody of the Department of Homeland Security.

The capsized boat was apparently pushed north by the Gulf Stream, a warm, swift current that wraps around the Florida peninsula and flows north along the Atlantic Coast of the United States.

Migrants from around the world have long used The Bahamas as a steppingstone to reach Florida and the United States. They typically try to take advantage of breaks in the weather to make the crossing, but the vessels are often dangerously overloaded and prone to capsizing. There have been thousands of deaths over the years.

For the most part, these migrants are from Haiti and Cuba, but the Royal Bahamas Defense Force has reported apprehending migrants from other parts of the world, including from Colombia and Ecuador earlier this month.

The Bahamas and nearby Turks and Caicos Islands have in recent years stepped up their anti-smuggling enforcement efforts in cooperation with the Coast Guard.

In May, a Canadian man was sentenced in the US to more than two and a half years in prison for his role in an operation that smuggled people from Sri Lanka by plane to Haiti, then by boat to the Turks and Caicos and The Bahamas before heading to South Florida. The case was investigated by the Homeland Security Department, which is also looking into the operation behind the capsized boat.

The Coast Guard constantly patrols the waters around Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba and the Bahamas. On Friday, its crews pulled 88 Haitians from an overloaded sail freighter west of Great Inagua, Bahamas.

Last July, the Coast Guard rescued 13 people after their boat capsized off of Key West as Tropical Storm Elsa approached.

The survivors said they left Cuba with 22 people aboard. Nine went missing in the water.

In the fiscal year that ended September 30, the Coast Guard said it apprehended 838 Cubans, 1,527 Haitians and 742 people from the Dominican Republic in the region that includes Florida and the Caribbean. The agency also apprehended migrants from other nations, but it did not provide a breakdown of the other nationalities.

PRINCE ANDREW IN NEW LEGAL VACCINE MANDATE TO KICK IN CHALLENGE TO SEX ABUSE CASE FOR FIRST HEALTH WORKERS NEW YORK Associated Press

PRINCE Andrew’s lawyers asked a US court again yesterday to throw out a lawsuit accusing him of sexual abuse, citing multiple legal defences.

Among them: The lawyers said that if any sexual activity did occur between the prince and Virginia Giuffre, it was consensual.

The court filing made clear that Andrew wasn’t admitting sexual contact with Giuffre. But it said if the case wasn’t dismissed, the defence wants a trial in which it would argue that her abuse claims “are barred by the doctrine of consent”.

Attorney David Boies, representing Giuffre, responsed in a statement asserting Andrew “continues his approach of denying any knowledge or information concerning the claims against him, and purporting to blame the victim of the abuse for somehow

bringing it on herself”.

The defence request was filed in federal court in Manhattan, where Giuffre sued Andrew in August.

The American accused the British royal of sexually abusing her when she was 17 while she traveled with financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Andrew has strenuously denied Giuffre’s allegations and attempted to get the lawsuit tossed. Earlier this month, Judge Lewis A Kaplan rejected his attempt to win an early dismissal, allowing depositions and other evidence gathering by both parties to move forward.

Wednesday’s response was filed by Los Angeles attorneys Andrew Brettler and Melissa Lerner. They say the suit should also be dismissed on several other grounds, arguing the civil litigation against the prince should be barred because Giuffre is a permanent resident of Australia and bound by a settlement between Epstein and Giuffre.

Giuffre asserted that she met Andrew while she traveled frequently with Epstein between 2000 and 2002, when her lawyers maintain she was “on call for Epstein for sexual purposes” and was “lent out to other powerful men,” including Andrew. Her lawsuit said she still suffers significant emotional and psychological distress and harm.

In the wake of the judge’s decision earlier in January, Prince Andrew — who had already stepped back from royal duties — was stripped of his honorary military titles.

Epstein, 66, took his own life in a Manhattan federal lockup in August 2019 while he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges.

Giuffre has also leveled allegations at Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime companion, but was not part of the criminal case that ended recently with Maxwell’s conviction on sex trafficking charges.

HEALTH care workers in about half the states face a Thursday deadline to get their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine under a Biden administration mandate that will be rolled out across the rest of the country in the coming weeks.

While the requirement is welcomed by some, others fear it will worsen already serious staff shortages if employees quit rather than comply.

And in some Republicanled states that have taken a stand against vaccine mandates, hospitals and nursing homes could find

themselves caught between conflicting state and federal demands.

“We would like to see staff vaccinated. We think that it’s the safest option for residents, which is our biggest concern,” said Marjorie Moore, executive director of VOYCE, a St. Louis County, Missouri, nonprofit that works on behalf of nursing home residents. “But not having staff is also a really big concern, because the neglect that happens as a result of that is severe and very scary.”

The mandate affects a wide swath of the health

care industry, covering doctors, nurses, technicians, aides and even volunteers at hospitals, nursing homes, home-health agencies and other providers that participate in the federal Medicare or Medicaid programs.

It comes as many places are stretched thin by the omicron surge, which is putting record numbers of people in the hospital with COVID-19 while sickening many health workers.

Nationwide, about 81 percent of nursing home staff members already were fully vaccinated as of earlier this month.

SPORTS PAGE 14

THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

Munnings lifts Benfica to FIBA EuroCup win

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

T

ravis Munnings had another team-leading performance on the boards to lift Sporting Lisboa Benfica to another FIBA EuroCup win.

The third year forward finished with 10 rebounds, five points and four assists in Benfica’s dominant 94-57 win over CSM CSU Oradea last night at the Pavilhao Fidelidade Complex in Lisbon, Portugal.

Benfica improved to 7-4 in EuroCup play and brought an end to a threegame losing streak in Group K. In EuroCup play, Munnings is averaging 8.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.

Locally in Portugal, Munnings is averaging 11 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game, shooting 53 percent from the field and 53 percent from three-point range.

He is currently in his second season in Portugal’s LPB. Last year he averaged 12.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game for UD Oliveirense.

Willis Mackey came off the bench and finished with 10 points and nine rebounds in Mulhouse Basket Agglomeration’s 63-60 loss to SOPCC Tuesday night in France’s NM1 League.

KINO BURROWS

THIRD year forward Travis Munnings finished with 10 rebounds, five points and four assists in Sporting Lisboa Benfica’s dominant 94-57 win over CSM CSU Oradea last night at the Pavilhao Fidelidade Complex in Lisbon, Portugal.

DAVID NESBITT

WILLIS MACKEY Mulhouse fell to 13-6.

In 16 games, the third year forward is averaging a team-leading 11.9 points and 6.4 rebounds per game on 64 percent shooting from the field and 37 percent from three-point range. Mackey spent last season with JSA Bordeaux

Métropole Basket as the team struggled to a 7-19 record, 13th place in Group A. In 16 games he averaged 13.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.

David Nesbitt and his Boca Juniors saw their five-game win streak come to an end Tuesday night in Argentina’s Liga Nacional de Básquet Nesbitt is averaging 9.4 points and 3.1 rebounds per game en route to an 11-5, fifth in the standings.

He is currently shooting 57 percent from the field and 38 percent from threepoint range.

In the FIBA Basketball Champions League

Americas, Nesbitt is averaging a team high 14 points per game, including a 22 point effort in a 71-62 win over Universidad de Concepion.

He continued his momentum from the first window of the FIBA World Cup ‘23 Americas Qualifiers last month when he averaged 15 points per game in a pair of losses to Canada.

Nesbitt made the move to Argentina after a fouryear tenure in Brazil’s Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB). He spent last season with Minas.

In 31 games, he averaged 10.4 points and 5.5 points per game en route to being named an NBB All-Star.

Kino Burrows and his St. Thomas Basket Le Havre club improved to 13-6 and are back in the win column just several days after a five-game win streak came to an end in France’s NM1 League. He scored eight points in just 17 minutes off the bench of Le Havre’s 30 point win over Avignon/ Pontet (95-65) on Tuesday night.

After a slow 2-4 start to the season, Le Harve won 10 of their next 11 games to get back into the playoff race.

On the season, his first with the club, Burrows is averaging a team high 14.1 points and 4.3 rebounds per game on 64 percent shooting from the field.

Jonquel, Page 19

‘TRIPLE THE MISERY: MLB’S LABOUR WOES THREATEN THIRD SPRING

By DAVID BRANDT AP Sports Writer MESA, Arizona (AP) — It’s a moment Brandon Bajema relishes each year — receiving the email notification that Chicago Cubs tickets for spring training games in Arizona are about to go on sale.

The 2022 version came a couple weeks ago. It popped up on his computer screen and he stared at it for a moment.

“For the first time, I dismissed it,” Bajema said.

“That hurt. I love baseball.”

The mood for Major League Baseball fans like Bajema is a little glum these days as the players’ union and owners continue to bicker over finances.

The owners locked out the players on December 2 and unless an agreement between the two sides is reached soon, the spring training schedule is in trouble.

The first games are slated for February 26.

There is a glimmer of hope that the spring might be saved because of incremental progress in negotiations earlier this week, but time is running out fast. The labour uncertainty means it’s not just MLB’s players and owners who are concerned about finances.

Spring training games might not count in the official standings, but they certainly count for the pocketbooks of business owners in Arizona and Florida.

SEE PAGE 15

KNOWLES-TENER SIGNS WITH KMG SPORTS AHEAD OF NFL DRAFT

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net RONDRE KnowlesTener has signed with KMG Sports Management as he continues to boost his recruitment profile ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft.

The former Virginia-Wise Cavaliers defensive tackle joined the Cincinnati, Ohio based agency that also represents several other 2022 draft hopefuls and current NFL players.

According to the organisation, “KMG Sports represents athletes and coaches in a wide range of professional sports including baseball, basketball, football, and soccer. Additionally, we represent

collegiate basketball and football coaches and athletic directors in some of the premier conferences in the NCAA.” The 6’1”, 305-pound defensive tackle finished with 2.5 sacks at the FCS National Bowl in Daytona Beach, Florida, last December.

The FCS National Bowl, presented by East Preps LLC, is an annual postseason all-star game featuring the best players from FCS or NCAA Division I-AA programmes.

As a senior, the Grand Bahama native was named to the South Atlantic Conference Preseason Players to Watch List.

He finished with 22 tackles, one sack, five

RONDRE KNOWLES-TENER, above, has signed with KMG Sports Management as he continues to boost his recruitment profile ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft. quarterback hurries and one forced fumble in his

final campaign with the Cavaliers. He was also

NBA Prospect Watch: Hoyas’ Aminu Mohammed mix of power, potential

By ERIC OLSON AP Sports Writer AMINU Mohammed is one of the Big East’s top individual talents. He just so happens to play for the team at the bottom of the conference.

No matter. Mohammed has put himself on track to be selected in the NBA draft if he decides to be a one-and-done. The versatile Mohammad appears in several mock drafts based on the combination of his current productivity at Georgetown and his high ceiling.

The 6-foot-5, 210-pound guard leads the Big East with six double-doubles after being named the

GEORGETOWN’S AMINU MOHAMMED, center, goes up to the basket in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Connecticut, Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022, in Storrs, Conn.

(AP Photo/Jessica Hill) conference’s preseason Mohammed moved to freshman of the year. the United States from

Nigeria when he was 14. His hometown is Temple Hills, Maryland, but he prepped at Greenwood Laboratory School in Springfield, Missouri. He was the state’s two-time Gatorade Player of the Year and, according to the 247 Sports composite rankings, a five-star recruit and the No. 24 player nationally last year.

Mohammed fits the description of a “power guard,” a player who’s comfortable working in the post or shooting from the perimeter and has the ability to defend guards or forwards.

His breakout came in December in the Hoyas’ 79-75 win over traditional

SEE PAGE 18

recently profiled by NFL Draft Diamonds.

“Strict training and diet habits. But most importantly I’m going to enjoy the process. I’m looking forward to it,” he said of his preparation over the next few month. “Unlike a lot of guys my size, I have unusual quickness that most guys wouldn’t expect from me. That’s the first thing I hear everytime. I’m always looking to do my job then make the play.”

Coming out of high school at Liberty Christian Academy in Lynchburg, Virginia, Knowles-Tener originally committed to the East Carolina Pirates but eventually chose to join the programme at James Madison. After struggling to

earn playing time in his first two seasons with the James Madison Dukes, KnowlesTener decided to leave the programme and transfer to the Cavs.

In his first season with UVA, he finished with 21 tackles with three sacks, two fumble recoveries, two quarterback hurries and one blocked kick.

As a junior, he became a force on the defensive line and led the team with seven sacks.

In addition to his career high sack numbers as a junior, he also reached several other career high marks this season with 41 total tackles, 11 tackles for a loss (54 yards), and a team-leading four quarterback hurries.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, January 27, 2022, PAGE 15

Medvedev saves match point, moves into Aussie Open semis

By JOHN PYE AP Sports Writer MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — He lost the first two sets, was low on confidence and was one point from a quarterfinal exit at the Australian Open, so Daniil Medvedev asked himself the question: What would Novak do?

Fair question.

Topranked Novak Djokovic is a nine-time Australian Open champion who finished one win short of a calendar-year Grand Slam in 2021.

Modelling himself after the 20-time Grand Slam champion, Medvedev told himself late yesterday to make Felix Auger-Aliassime fight for every point.

More than one hour after saving a match point on his serve in the fourth set, the U.S. Open champion finished off a 6-7 (4), 3-6, 7-6 (2), 7-5, 6-4 comeback victory almost a half-hour after midnight.

“He was playing insane, like better than I have ever seen him play. It was unreal,” Medvedev said.

“So third set I had zero confidence in myself and in the outcome of the match.”

Medvedev mentioned his thoughts about Djokovic during his on-court TV interview and in a later news conference. He wasn’t joking.

“I was not playing my best, and Felix ... was all over me,” Medvedev said.

“I didn’t know what to do so I (asked) myself, ‘What would Novak do?’

“And I just thought, OK, I’m going to make him work. If he wants to win it, he has to ... fight to the last point.”

Medvedev will have to recover quickly to play Friday against French Open runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas in a rematch of last year’s semifinals at Melbourne Park.

Medvedev won at the same stage last year but lost in the final to Djokovic, who wasn’t allowed to defend the title this month because he failed to meet Australia’s strict COVID19 vaccination rules.

Tsitsipas had a much easier path to the semifinals, beating No. 11 Jannik Sinner 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 earlier on Day 10.

Both men’s quarterfinals had delays mid-match because of rain.

Medvedev got a sixminute break at 2-1 in the

MLB FROM PAGE 14

They’re also a muchanticipated destination for fans like Bajema, who come for the warm sunshine and the laid-back atmosphere.

Fans don’t just buy baseball tickets when they come to Arizona. They stay at hotels, eat at restaurants, play golf in nearly perfect weather and hang out at the bars and shops in Old Town Scottsdale. Thanks to baseball and spring break for students, March is usually a big time of year for tourism in both Arizona and Florida.

But for the third straight year, at least some of that revenue is threatened.

“It’s a big deal for Arizona on so many levels,” Cactus League executive director Bridget Binsbacher said. “We’re obviously not part of (MLB’s) discussions, so we’re just focusing on what we can control. But after the last three years with all the circumstances we’ve been dealing with, the Cactus League, our stakeholders and partners and everyone is ready to have a regular season again.

“We worry about the impact.”

There’s never a good time for a sport to have a labour stoppage, but 2022 would be particularly brutal for a baseball world that’s still in the midst of a COVID-19-induced slowdown. There were no fans allowed at parks during the regular season in 2020 and many parks had limited attendance limits for sizable chunks of the 2021 season.

Spring training sites were similarly affected. The

DANIIL MEDVEDEV, of Russia, reacts during his quarterfinal against Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada at the Australian Open tennis championships yesterday.

(AP Photo/Andy Brownbill)

third-set tiebreaker for the roof on Rod Laver Arena to be closed, and it swung the momentum mostly his way.

Auger-Aliassime won only one of the last six points in the tiebreaker after dominating for the first two sets. He missed a match point on Medvedev’s serve in the 10th game of the fourth set.

Medvedev saved it with a big first serve out wide and then held with an overhead winner.

He broke Auger-Aliassime’s serve in the next game game and held to level the match at two-sets all. He then got another service break when the 21-year-old Canadian double-faulted in the third game of the deciding set.

It still wasn’t over yet.

Serving for the match, Medvedev had to save two break points — he saved six of six in the set and nine of 11 overall — before closing it out.

After the 4-hour, 42-minute quarterfinal match, Medvedev is now two wins from becoming the first man in the Open era to win his second Grand Slam title in the next major tournament after his first.

It’s a statistic he said he wasn’t previously aware of, but would now serve as extra motivation to win the title.

“If it’s true, then it will be history,” he said. “It’s perfect.”

sport shut down because of COVID-19 on March 12, 2020, which was a little more than halfway through that year’s spring schedule and cancelled more than two weeks of games. The 2021 schedule was played in full, but attendance was limited.

Now that it’s 2022, fans are hungry for normalcy.

Lisa Goularte — who is the vice president for marketing and sales at Sports Marketing USA — helps organise trips for San Francisco Giants fans each spring to Scottsdale, which is where the Giants train.

If the games are played, she said fans are ready.

“We’re seeing a huge pent-up demand,” Goularte said. “2020 was obviously cut short and last year was limited, so sales for this season have been really, really strong. We’ve been really pleased.”

The numbers aren’t completely clear yet, but there’s no doubt COVID-19 hit the spring training industry hard in 2020 and 2021.

A study from Arizona State University found that the Cactus League’s season generated an estimated economic impact of $363.6 million in 2020 before the shutdown in mid-March, which was down nearly $300 million from the estimated $644.2 million generated in 2018. There was no data for 2021 because the study is done every other year.

In Grapefruit League territory, Bert Parsley opened a 72,000-square foot restaurant and event space, the Twisted Fork, steps from Florida’s Charlotte County Sports Complex in September 2020 hoping to generate

Auger-Aliassime had lost all three previous matches against the second-ranked Medvedev, including a straight-set loss in the U.S. Open semifinals last September.

But he was the aggressor in the first two sets, keeping Medvedev off balance with his forehand, up-tempo game and athleticism. He hit 64 winners and made 75 unforced errors as he attacked at every opportunity. It forced Medvedev into uncharacteristic double-faults in the first set and made him play more inside the baseline to claw his way back in the third and fourth sets.

“I wish I could go back and change it, but I can’t,” Auger-Aliassime said of the result. “I have accepted it already. I’m going to leave Australia with my head held high, and I’m going to go into the rest of the season knowing I can play well against the best players in the world.”

Medvedev finished with 49 winners and 53 unforced errors. He served 15 aces but also had nine double-faults.

He has been effectively the No. 1 seed since Djokovic was deported on the eve of the tournament following an 11-day visa saga.

Another who could benefit from Djokovic’s absence is Rafael Nadal.

The 35-year-old Spaniard, seeking a men’s record 21st major title to break

DANIELLE COLLINS, of the U.S. reacts after defeating Alize Cornet of France in their quarterfinal match yesterday.

(AP Photo/Simon Baker) a tie with Djokovic and Roger Federer, will play Wimbledon runner-up Matteo Berrettini in the other semifinal match.

The temperature dropped for the men’s quarterfinals from the highs of the afternoon, when Danielle Collins beat Alize Cornet 7-5, 6-1 and 2020 French Open champion Iga Swiatek defeated 36-yearold Kaia Kanepi 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-3.

Collins’ win means there are two Americans in the semifinals.

Madison Keys, the 2017 U.S. Open runner-up, will play Wimbledon champion Ash Barty.

The women’s semifinals are scheduled for today.

After the first three women’s quarterfinals were decided in straight sets — top-ranked Barty beat Jessica Pegula and Keys eliminated Barbora Krejcikova on Tuesday — the last one went all the way.

“This match was crazy,” Swiatek said of her up-anddown win.

The temperature reached 36 degrees Celsius (97 degrees Fahrenheit) in that match, continuing a week of hot weather.

As she left the court, Swiatek wrote on the TV camera lens: “Thank you for the support. # Tired.”

A YOUNG baseball fan tries to get the attention of players as he hopes to get an autograph prior to a spring training baseball game between the Colorado Rockies and the Cincinnati Reds in Scottsdale, Arizona, on March 10, 2020.

(AP Photo/Ross D Franklin)

A RAIN-covered logo is seen at Fenway Park before Game 1 of the World Series baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers on October 23, 2018, in Boston.

(AP Photo/Matt Slocum) big business off Tampa Bay normal game day. The 2021 “It would be brutal,” Rays spring training games spring training slate was Parsley said about missand the Charlotte Stone held with restricted capaci- ing 2022 spring training.

Crabs’ Class A minor ties due to COVID-19, and “March is our best month league games. He’s yet the Stone Crabs were con- of the year. to see what kind of busi- tracted and folded before “It’s big for us. The park ness the space can do on a the season started. is directly behind us. We

RAHM IS BEST ON SOUTH COURSE, HORSCHEL LEADS

By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer SAN DIEGO (AP) — Top-ranked Jon Rahm closed with an eagle on the tougher South Course at Torrey Pines for a 6-under 66 yesterday, trailing leader Billy Horschel by three strokes after the first round of the Farmers Insurance Open.

Horschel shot a bogeyfree 9-under 63 on the North Course and led Michael Thompson by one stroke.

Of the 30 players who shot 67 or better, 26 played the North. Rahm’s was the best score on the South by one over Luke List, Peter Malnati and Cameron Tringale.

The players switch courses today and play the final two rounds on the South.

Taking advantage of the North’s shorter distances and more forgiving rough, Horschel made five birdies on the front nine, highlighted by a 25-foot putt on the par-4 second hole. The 35-year-old from Florida is seeking his first non-match play victory on the PGA Tour since April 2018. “I told my caddie, ‘Let’s just go out there, no expectations, and just enjoy,’” Horschel said.

“And I think we did a really good job of that. My game is in a really good spot.”

Thompson also played bogey-free, putting him one shot ahead of Stephan Jaeger and Kevin Tway.

Rahm’s strong start in San Diego is no surprise: The world No. 1 got his first PGA Tour victory at Torrey Pines in 2017, and he won last year’s U.S. Open on the South Course for his first major. “Doesn’t shock me,” Horschel said when told of Rahm’s impressive round.

“I think he won a U.S. Open on that course, last I checked. He’s a really good player. There’s a reason why he’s the No. 1 player in the world.”

Rickie Fowler, Doug Ghim and Francesco Molinari also shot 66s, all on the North. The Farmers Insurance Open is being played yesterday through Saturday to avoid a television conflict with the NFL’s two conference championship games on Sunday.

actually have balls fly into our parking lot, we’re that close.

“Last year, it was still our busiest month, and they had some pretty rigid COVID restrictions for baseball game attendees.

So their attendances were way down for the games, but we still killed it.”

Bajema — the Cubs fan — lives in Northern California, about 60 miles south of Sacramento and makes the 11-hour drive to Arizona with his wife and two daughters. They have a third child on the way. One reason he recently bought a van is it would make the 700-mile trek more comfortable for his family each March.

But this year’s trip is very much in jeopardy, even if he hasn’t given up hope.

Like many fans, Bajema understands there’s a business aspect to MLB and that the union vs. owners dynamic is part of that landscape. It’s just hard to be overly sympathetic after more than two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’m not rich, I spend my hard-earned money to go to these games,” Bajema said.

“Let’s pull it together, let’s figure it out. It’s all about the money and there’s so much greed.”

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PAGE 16, Thursday, January 27, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

Big 12-SEC Challenge set to take hoops centre stage this weekend

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Basketball Writer THE Big 12 and Southeastern Conference got together about a decade ago and create a yearly challenge on the hardwood, giving each of their schools the chance to break up their league play with a marquee mid-season opponent.

Good luck finding a better slate over the years than you’ll find on Saturday.

It begins with Auburn, ranked No. 1 this week for the first time in school history, welcoming an Oklahoma team teetering on the NCAA Tournament bubble to The Jungle.

It continues with No. 17 LSU heading to TCU, one of the surprising teams of the first three months of the season, and Missouri taking on No. 23 Iowa State — its old Big Eight rival.

No. 18 Tennessee heads to Texas as coach Rick Barnes returns to Austin, where he only missed the NCAA Tournament once in 17 seasons, while Mississippi State visits No. 13 Texas Tech and fourthranked Baylor faces Alabama.

Oh, and some little matchup between No. 12 Kentucky and No. 5 Kansas.

Just the two winningest programmes in college

basketball history playing on the hallowed floor of Allen Fieldhouse.

“You’ve got Missouri that’s not on the bubble yet, but if you win here (on Tuesday) then all of a sudden they’re on the bubble,” Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said.

“You’ve got Oklahoma coming in on Saturday; they are a bubble team.

So you just tell the kids — you keep it 100, keep it real. You hope success won’t change them. So far, it hasn’t.”

The Tigers, who have been No. 2 on a few occasions but had never been No. 1, have rattled off 15 consecutive wins heading into their game against Missouri.

The streak includes wins over ranked teams LSU, Alabama and Kentucky, the latter coming last weekend, when the Tigers rallied from a halftime deficit to stamp themselves the team to beat in the SEC. “Part of it is, everybody’s going to be excited about playing us because of the number, because of the prize on our head,” Pearl said.

“We’re now ranked as highly as we are, these are the kind of games, ‘Hey, 40 minutes and we can feel pretty good about ourselves and it’s really going to jump our chances of getting into the tournament,” he said.

OKLAHOMA forward Jalen Hill (1) shoots over Baylor forward Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua (23) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday in Norman, Oklahoma.

(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) Indeed, the push for the NCAA Tournament begins in earnest as February dawns for dozens of teams across the country.

The Sooners, for example, are 12-7 but have marquee wins over Florida, Arkansas and Iowa State.

Mississippi State is 13-5 with a chance to solidify its résumé against Texas Tech on Saturday.

And those are just teams in the Big 12-SEC Challenge, where the Big 12 holds a 44–35 advantage heading into this year.

BRUISING BIG TEN The Big Ten already had its cross-conference

tussle when it took eight of 14 games from the ACC in November and early December.

Now, the teams from the rough-and-tumble Big Ten are beating up on each other.

Sixth-ranked Purdue heads to Iowa for a tough tilt tonight, and Saturday brings the Spartans a visit from Michigan, while No. 16 Ohio State visits the Boilermakers on Sunday.

SKIP THE SLEEP The Pac-12 continues to impress this season, building on the momentum that UCLA took to the Final Four last season, even if

half the country is often asleep by the time they take the floor.

Arizona earned a No. 1 nod and was third behind Auburn and Gonzaga in this week’s poll, while the Bruins and Houston were tied for No. 7 in the latest rankings.

Tuesday night, Juzang and Jules Bernard scored 15 points each and the seventh-ranked UCLA Bruins played gritty defence to beat No. 3 Arizona 75-59, handing the Wildcats their first loss in league play.

Later in the week, Stanford tries to help its bubble prospects with a trip to No. 15 Southern California and another to UCLA. OTHER RANKED GAMES The Big East is cornering the market on East Coast hoops this season, and that was on display last night, when No. 17 Providence headed to No. 21 Xavier and No. 22 Marquette took on recently ranked Seton Hall.

The Friars and Golden Eagles then turn around and face each other on Saturday.

“We’ve still got a long way to go, but where we are today is a credit to the players,” Providence coach Ed Cooley said. “It’s a credit to our preparation, emotionally and mentally.

It’s a credit to guys buying into their roles.”

No. 4 Baylor beats Kansas State 74-49 for 3rd win in row

By STEPHEN HAWKINS AP Sports Writer WACO, Texas (AP) — Kendall Brown and fourth-ranked Baylor were motivated at home after getting back on track on the road.

Brown and Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua each had a double-double as the Bears won their third game in a row since rare consecutive losses in the Ferrell Center, overwhelming Kansas State 74-49 on Tuesday night.

The Wildcats had their lowest-scoring game this season while shooting only 32 percent from the field, three days after a near upset of fifth-ranked Kansas. “Yeah, definitely the last two home games weren’t the outcome we wanted. We just knew we had to practice and be all around better coming out for the next home game,” said Brown, who had 10 points and 11 rebounds.

“Definitely our defence was to lock them up, and everyone contributed.”

Tchamwa Tchatchoua scored 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting, including a 3-pointer from the top of the key. LJ Cryer added 14 points with three 3s and Adam Flagler had 13 points and five assists for Baylor (18-2, 6-2 Big 12),

which two weeks ago had successive home defeats for the first time since the end of the 2015-16 season.

Those losses to Texas Tech and Oklahoma State ended the Bears’ 21-game winning streak and cost the defending national champions their No. 1 ranking in the AP poll. They rebounded with wins last week at West Virginia and Oklahoma.

“Well, we like this feeling a little bit better than the last two home games,” coach Scott Drew said. “I think our defence has been ticking up on the uptick.

We’ve been doing a good job addressing some fundamentals we had kind of lapsed on.”

The Wildcats (10-9, 2-6) led only after Ismael Massoud made a 3-pointer on their first shot of the game, their last of four in a row against Top 25 teams. They beat Texas Tech and Texas before jumping out to a 50-34 halftime lead Saturday over Kansas, which scored the game’s last six points to pull out a 78-75 win.

“I pleaded yesterday and today, but I could feel it, I could feel it coming,” K-State coach Bruce Weber said. “It’s a shame what happened Saturday. When you looked at the schedule a couple of

KANSAS State guard Selton Miguel, left, attempts a shot over Baylor guard Matthew Mayer, right, in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Tuesday night in Waco, Texas.

(Rod Aydelotte/Waco Tribune Herald, via AP) weeks ago and you saw four top-20 teams in a row ... if you could get two out of the four, you’d probably be pretty happy. We had a chance to get three.”

Nijel Pack had 13 points to lead Kansas State. He was the Big 12 co-player of the week after scoring 35 against Kansas, but he missed seven of his first eight shots against the Bears.

“Definitely a tough one.

KU took a lot out of us, but we’ve got to be better,” Pack said. “That’s how the league is going to be, that’s how NCAA Tournament is going to be, how the Big 12 Tournament is going to be.”

BIG PICTURE Kansas State: It was only the second double-digit loss for the Wildcats in Big 12 play, and the first time in their six league losses they didn’t lead or tie the game after halftime. ... Starting guard Selton Miguel turned his right ankle early in the second half. Weber said it was very swollen and he didn’t know the severity of the injury.

Baylor: Freshman guard Jeremy Sochan played for the first time in five games since turning his left ankle in the first half at TCU on January 8. He made a 3-pointer from the left corner with 6:18 left in the first half, then had a steal and an assist on Brown’s breakaway layup that made it 26-11. ...

Senior transfer point guard James Akinjo is still bothered from falling hard on his tailbone at the end of the game against Texas Tech two weeks ago. He sat out his second game since then, and was 2-of14 shooting in two games during that stretch.

TOUGH START After Massoud’s opening 3, K-State missed 13 of its next 14 shots, misfiring on six in a row over 4 1/2 minutes and then seven more in nearly six minutes.

The Wildcats were down 18-8 when Mike McGuirl made a layup with 8:04 left in the first half, and only that close because Baylor was in a four-minute span without making a shot.

IT’S OVER Markquis Nowell, who had 11 points, converted consecutive Baylor turnovers into two layups that got K-State within 42-28, and then was at the free throw for two attempts after another Baylor turnover with just over 15 minutes left. He missed both free throws, and Baylor scored the next seven points in less than two minutes.

“It was just kind of over at that point,” Weber said.

UP NEXT Kansas State: At Ole Miss on Saturday in the Big 12/SEC Challenge.

Baylor: At Alabama in a matchup of the only two teams without multiple losses in the Big 12/SEC Challenge.

The Bears’ 7-1 record in the event is the best. Alabama is 3-1, its loss coming to Baylor three years ago.

AUBURN SURVIVES SCARE FROM MISSOURI IN FIRST GAME AT NO. 1

By JOE WALLJASPER Associated Press COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — K.D. Johnson scored 17 points, including five straight within the final 90 seconds, and No. 1 Auburn survived a scare from Missouri, winning 55-54 on Tuesday night in the programme’s first-ever game as the nation’s top-ranked team.

Johnson converted a three-point play with 1:29 remaining to put Auburn ahead 53-51, then added a layup with 45 seconds left for a four-point advantage, and the Tigers (19-1, 8-0 Southeastern Conference) held on from there.

“We weren’t having a great offensive game in the last few minutes, and I was just trying to make a play for my team,” said Johnson, a 6-foot sophomore guard.

“I came through in the clutch.”

Walker Kessler had 13 points and 12 rebounds for Auburn, which shot 30 percent from the field but had 25 offensive rebounds.

Johnson also scored 17 points in the victory over Kentucky on Saturday that elevated Auburn to the No. 1 ranking.

Javon Pickett led Missouri (8-11, 2-5) with 17 points, and Jaron Coleman added 10.

Missouri got off to a roaring start, opening a 10-point lead in the first six minutes while Auburn missed 10 of its first 11 shots. Auburn star freshman Jabari Smith — a potential top pick in this year’s NBA draft — scored three points in the first half as the teams went into halftime tied at 31.

Smith finished with five points on 2-of-15 shooting, although he contributed 10 rebounds. He also played solid defence on Missouri star Kobe Brown, who finished with eight points of 4-of-11 shooting.

“We can win when Jabari Smith doesn’t have a great offensive night,” Pearl said.

“Missouri can’t win when Kobe Brown doesn’t have a great offensive night.”

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN After Pickett made a 3-pointer to cut Auburn’s lead to one point with 35 seconds left, Auburn had the ball with only a 5-second difference between the shot clock and game clock. Missouri didn’t foul. Johnson missed a shot just before the shot clock expired, but Kessler kept the rebound alive with a tip and the ball squirted out of bounds as time ran out.

Missouri coach Cuonzo Martin was asked why he didn’t instruct his team to foul early in the possession.

“It was little over five seconds on the clock, let’s get the rebound and push the ball up the floor,” Martin said.

UP NEXT Auburn: Hosts Oklahoma on Saturday in the Big 12/SEC Challenge.

Missouri: At No. 23 Iowa State on Saturday in the Big 12/SEC Challenge.

NO. 12 KENTUCKY NEEDS OVERTIME TO GIVE CALIPARI HIS 800TH VICTORY

By STEVE MCCLAIN Associated Press LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — To John Calipari, his latest milestone only means he’s been coaching a long time.

Fittingly, No. 12 Kentucky and the Hall of Fame coach needed an extra five minutes to reach 800 career on-court victories.

Kellan Grady scored eight points in overtime, including consecutive 3-pointers about a minute apart, and Sahvir Wheeler added two free throws to lift the Wildcats over Mississippi State 82-74 on Tuesday night.

“I have to publicly thank all my players, going back to UMass and Memphis and here,” Calipari said of winning that many games.

Grady finished with 18 points and Oscar Tshiebwe added 21

points with 22 rebounds for Kentucky (16-4, 6-2 Southeastern Conference). After missing a 3-pointer at the end of regulation, Grady regrouped in the extra session to drive the baseline for a layup before adding 3s with 2:23 and 1:13 remaining for an 80-74 lead.

“Sometimes it is crucial to see the ball go in once or twice,” said Grady, who made 7 of 16 overall and 4 of 11 from long range.

“I put my head down and drove and made the reverse layup, and then hit the next two 3s after that.”

Calipari praised Grady’s persistence, adding, “He missed four wide open shots, I told him to keep shooting the ball and we designed a play for him. He’s shown he can miss some shots and come back.”

Wheeler twice made the first of two free throws to extend the lead on the Bulldogs, whose only basket in overtime came from Iverson Molinar, a layup with 2:43 left. The Wildcats led 53-38 with 12:25 left before the Bulldogs (13-6, 4-3) rallied by holding Kentucky scoreless over four minutes.

Molinar scored 22 of his careerhigh 30 points in the second half to lead Mississippi State.

The Bulldogs were coming off a 78-60 rout of rival Mississippi on Saturday. They shot 62 percent in the second half to erase the deficit but made just 1 of 7 in overtime (14 percent) and missed a chance for their first victory in Rupp Arena since 2009.

“Really, really hard-fought game,” Bulldogs coach Ben Howland said. “I like the way we fought back.”

Wheeler had 15 points and six assists and Keion Brooks Jr. added 12 points and six rebounds for Kentucky, which played without guard TyTy Washington Jr. (left ankle). “I wish we hadn’t blown that lead, but I think it was good for us to show we can win a game like this,” Grady said. “It shows we have some resilience.”

CALIPARI’S COMPANY Calipari remains just outside of the top 10 in career wins for Division I men’s basketball, needing six to tie Eddie Sutton, who spent most of his career at Oklahoma State, but also had a four-season stint at Kentucky, among other schools. Calipari amassed his 800 wins in the fourth-fewest games coached (1,037). Only Adolph Rupp (972), Roy Williams (1,012) and Dean Smith (1,029) achieved the feat faster.

BIG PICTURE Mississippi State: Leading rebounder Tolu Smith was out with a knee injury and the Bulldogs had no answer for Tshiebwe inside. Kentucky won the rebounding battle 44-33.

Kentucky: With Washington out, the Wildcats needed a lift from their reserves. Dontaie Allen continued to shine against the Bulldogs, scored on dunk putback and a 3-pointer with 1:29 left in the first half. Bryce Hopkins and Lance Ware also added needed baskets as the Wildcats were edged 15-12 in bench points.

UP NEXT Mississippi State: Hosts No. 13 Texas Tech in the Big 12/SEC Challenge on Saturday.

Kentucky: At No. 5 Kansas on Saturday in the Big 12/SEC Challenge.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, January 27, 2022, PAGE 17

FIFA LINKS MORE WORLD CUPS TO AVERTING MIGRANT DEATHS AT SEA

By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer GENEVA (AP) — FIFA President Gianni Infantino linked his plan for biennial World Cups yesterday to giving more hope to Africans who risk their lives crossing the sea to Europe.

In a speech to European lawmakers, Infantino said soccer was being dominated by the few who “have everything” and it needed to be more global and inclusive.

“We need to find ways to include the entire world, to give hope to Africans so that they don’t need to cross the Mediterranean in order to find, maybe, a better life but more probably death in the sea,” Infantino told the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe at Strasbourg, France.

He spoke on the day Spanish authorities said at least 18 people died and more than 300 were rescued from several boats trying to reach the Canary Islands from North Africa.

“We need to give dignity, not by giving charity but by allowing the rest of the world as well to participate,” Infantino told lawmakers at a session he attended with Arsène Wenger, FIFA’s director of global development.

FIFA and Wenger have been strongly resisted across European soccer since launching a formal proposal in September to organise men’s and women’s World Cups every two years instead of four.

Infantino has said organising more editions of the World Cup will lead to

more countries qualifying and fuel interest there.

It would also raise billions of dollars for FIFA and increase funding for its 211 member federations to develop soccer.

Though Infantino was a longtime staffer at UEFA before being elected to FIFA in 2016, a constant theme of his presidency has been countering Europe’s dominance of the World Cup — Italy, Spain, Germany and France won the past four tournaments — and its clubs hiring the best players from other continents.

One of Infantino’s first big projects at FIFA was adding 16 nations to the World Cup for a 48-team competition from 2026, when Africa will have nine entries instead of five. Europe will get 16.

“In Europe, there is no need for additional possibilities and events,” Infantino told lawmakers at the 47-nation Council of Europe which promotes human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

Soccer must not effectively tell the world to hand over its money and best players “but watch us on TV,” Infantino said.

“We have to make (football) truly global, we have to make it truly inclusive such as the values that have built Europe and we are bringing as well all over the world.”

Hours later, FIFA issued a statement from its president in which he said “certain remarks” made in Strasbourg “appear to have been misinterpreted and taken out of context.”

Infantino said his speech’s “more general message was that everyone in a decision-making position has a responsibility to help improve the situation of people around the world.”

It added to uncertainty about FIFA’s push for biennial World Cups which stalled ahead of a December online meeting of its members where a vote had once been expected but was not called.

Infantino also acknowledged in his speech “maybe the World Cup every two years is not the answer.”

Leaders of UEFA and South American soccer body CONMEBOL have threatened to boycott biennial World Cups. They said more World Cups risk disrupting the balance between national and club

team soccer and damaging continental competitions such as the Champions League, European Championship and Copa America.

Star players such as Kylian Mbappé, a 2018 World Cup winner with France, have said doubling the number of World Cups would dilute its prestige and overload them in an already congested fixture schedule.

The International Olympic Committee has also publicly criticised FIFA’s plan which could put the World Cup in direct competition with the Summer Games by 2032.

The IOC also rallied other sports to challenge Infantino in December over soccer’s plan to acquire more space and commercial income in the global schedule.

Egypt, Eq. Guinea win shootouts to make African Cup quarters DOUALA, Cameroon (AP) — Mohamed Salah buried the decisive penalty as Egypt beat Ivory Coast 5-4 in a shootout to reach the quarterfinals of the African Cup of Nations yesterday.

Equatorial Guinea followed suit to beat Mali 6-5 on penalties, but in a far more chaotic shootout.

Both Equatorial Guinea and Mali missed two of their first five spot kicks, and Mali defender Falaye Sacko eventually had the 16th penalty of the shootout saved by Equatorial Guinea’s 20-year-old goalkeeper Jesús Owono.

There was then a VAR check to make sure Owono hadn’t come off his line too early before the upset was confirmed and Equatorial Guinea’s players could race away to a group of their fans in the stadium to celebrate.

Both games ended 0-0 after extra time and the round of 16 ended without a goal from open play.

The quarterfinals of the African Cup are now set: Burkina Faso vs. Tunisia, Senegal vs. Equatorial Guinea, Gambia vs. host Cameroon and Egypt vs.

Morocco. For Egypt, Salah sent his spot kick into the bottom right corner and then ran off and jumped onto the back of Egypt substitute goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal for his celebrations.

The Egypt keeper pulled off the only save of the shootout when he tipped Eric Bailly’s penalty onto the crossbar and out. Abou Gabal, who wears the name Gabaski on the back of his jersey, had come on as a substitute in the 88th minute when Mohammed el-Shenawy was injured.

Gabaski pulled off another crucial save in extra time with a full-stretch dive to keep out a shot from Ibrahim Sangaré that was destined for the top corner.

Egypt set up a North African derby against the Moroccans, and Salah’s hopes of a first major title with his country are still alive.

Egypt is a record seventime African champion but hasn’t won the Cup of Nations since 2010, when Salah was a teenager. He made his debut for his country the year after. Salah lost in the final with Egypt in

2017 and was part of the team that was surprisingly eliminated on home soil in the last 16 in 2019.

Both teams had clearcut chances at the Japoma Stadium in Douala on Wednesday.

Salah’s snap-shot in the first half was one of them. It was tipped over the bar by Ivory Coast keeper Badra Ali Sangaré.

Ivory Coast lost AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessié to an injury in the first half and Egypt gained impetus from that.

But el-Shenawy, Egypt’s starting goalkeeper, had to pull off a double save in the 85th minute to keep his team in the game. He hurt his right leg in the process, giving Gabaski his chance.

Manchester United’s Bailly was returning from a head injury sustained in the group stage and wore protective headgear for the game. He took the rugbystyle headgear off for his penalty in the shootout, but it didn’t help as Gabaski stuck out a hand and deflected the ball onto the bar.

Egypt’s quarterfinal against Morocco on

EGYPT’s captain Mohamed Salah foreground, celebrates with teammates at the end of the penalty shootout for the African Cup of Nations round of 16 soccer match between Ivory Coast and Egypt at the Japoma Stadium in Douala, Cameroon, yesterday. Egypt beat Ivory Coast 5-4 on penalties.

(AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) Sunday will now be played Olembe depending on the Verde goalkeeper and the at Ahmadou Ahidjo Sta- findings of an investigation.

Liverpool star was taken to dium in Yaounde after the Mali was expected to beat the hospital after the game.

Confederation of African Equatorial Guinea in Limbe He said on social media he Football moved it away but a game of few chances was OK. from the tournament’s main always seemed destined for But he had played on Olembe Stadium because of the lottery of penalties. after the incident and Monday’s deadly crush.

Equatorial Guinea’s scored Senegal’s opening Eight fans died and seven reward is a game against goal before looking uneasy are in a serious condition Sadio Mané’s Senegal on and lying down on the field, after an incident blamed Sunday, although Mané may and finally being taken off. on security failings at the not play after he sustained Senegal has been fiercely stadium. a head injury in Senegal’s criticised for allowing Mané CAF said one of the semi- victory over Cape Verde on to play on but he posted on finals and the African Cup Tuesday.

Facebook on Wednesday: final on February 6 might Mané was dazed after a “What does not kill you also be taken away from the clash of heads with the Cape makes you stronger!”

EXPLAINER: What’s at stake as World Cup qualifying resumes

By ROB HARRIS, RONALD BLUM and MAURICIO SAVARESE AP Sports Writers THE eight stadiums are ready in Qatar and World Cup tickets have been on sale for a week. Now the mission to snap up remaining tournament slots resumes.

With qualifying disrupted by the pandemic, fixtures have been squeezed in over the next week or so for teams in the Americas and Asia.

It means Europe’s top leagues having to take a mid-season break even though the continent’s national teams aren’t playing next until March, when the World Cup playoffs are staged as scheduled.

Then attention will turn to the final tournament draw in Doha on April 1, which will take place ahead of the intercontinental playoffs in June completing the 32-team field for the Middle East’s first World Cup. So far, 13 teams have qualified: Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Croatia, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Serbia, Spain, Switzerland and Qatar as host.

Here’s a look at the final stages of qualifying for the November 21 to December 18 tournament: NORTH & CENTRAL AMERICA & CARIBBEAN A chill will be in the air in CONCACAF for an unusual January international window featuring triple-headers.

The United States hosts El Salvador tonight in

Columbus, Ohio, where the expected temperature for kickoff was 25 degrees (minus-4 Celsius). The U.S. then travels to Hamilton, Ontario, to play Canada on Sunday, and moves on to complete the window against Honduras in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Seeking its first World Cup appearance since 1986, Canada has four of six remaining matches on the road — with games at Honduras and El Salvador in this window between the home meeting with the Americans.

The U.S., seeking to return to the World Cup after missing out on 2018, is second in the North and Central American and Caribbean region with 15 points after eight of 14 games, one point behind Canada.

Mexico and Panama have 14 points each, followed by Costa Rica (nine), Jamaica (seven), El Salvador (six) and Honduras (three). The top three teams qualify and fourth team advances to a playoff against the Oceania champion, likely against New Zealand.

The Americans are missing midfielder Gio Reyna, still sidelined by a hamstring injury sustained in the opening qualifier at El Salvador on September 2.

The Canadians, who trained Monday in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, are missing Bayern Munich star fullback Alphonso Davies.

He has been sidelined by myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, after testing positive for COVID-19.

SOUTH AMERICA Apart from last-place Venezuela, seven other

CHILDREN stand next to the official countdown clock showing remaining time until the kick-off of the World Cup 2022, in Doha, Qatar, on November 25, 2021.

(AP Photo/Darko Bandic) CONMEBOL countries the intercontinental playare still in contention to offs in June.

ASIA join Brazil and Argentina in Iran will qualify for a Qatar, with four qualifiers third World Cup in a row by remaining.

Third-place Ecuador will beating Iraq today. South edge closer to one of the Korea, which is without the four direct-qualification injured Son Heung-min, spots today by beating could also seal a spot from Brazil, which won’t be play- Group A from its doubleheader over the next ing Neymar.

Peru and Colombia are week — against Lebanon both six points behind and Syria — before the Ecuador going into their two remaining qualifiers in clash on Friday of fourth March.

But after featuring at and fifth.

Sitting a further point four consecutive World down is Chile, which hosts Cups, Australia’s qualificaLionel Messi-rested Argen- tion from the other group tina today, and Uruguay, is in the balance after three which plays at ninth-place matches without a win.

If the Socceroos miss Paraguay in Diego Alonso’s first match as coach follow- out on the two automatic qualification places by fining Óscar Tabárez’s firing.

Bolivia plays at Ven- ishing third in Group B, ezuela on Friday with they would have to contwo points separating the test a playoff against the team from eighth-place team from the third-place Group A — currently the qualification places.

The fifth-place team after United Arab Emirates — to CONMEBOL qualifying advance to intercontinenconcludes in March can still tal playoffs against South make the tournament by American opposition in beating an Asian team in June.

Looking down, Australia has a four-point edge on Oman. But second place is in reach with Australia only a point behind Japan, which takes on China and Saudi Arabia over the next week. Before closing Group B in March against current frontrunners Saudi Arabia and Japan, Australia today plays Vietnam, which is on zero points, and Oman on Tuesday.

The UAE, which qualified for its only World Cup in 1990, plays last-place Syria and Iran over the next week, trying to avoid being overtaken by Lebanon, which is a point behind, and Iraq, which is a further point back.

AFRICA With the continent currently staging the African Cup of Nations, Africa’s five World Cup representatives won’t be settled until the playoffs in March featuring the 10 group winners.

There will be a clash of Liverpool teammates Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane as Egypt and Senegal were drawn together, meaning one of the countries won’t contest a second consecutive World Cup. There’s a meeting of Ghana and Nigeria, who have both failed to reach the African Cup quarterfinals.

Standing in the way of a World Cup spot for African Cup quarterfinalist and host Cameroon is Algeria, which exited the continental showpiece in the group stage last week with one point from three games.

Morocco, whose focus now is on the African Cup last eight, will play Congo home and away in March.

Tunisia will also hope to be

African champion before playoffs against Mali.

EUROPE It’s a couple of weeks off now for European teams, with their playoffs not until March to determine the last three of the continent’s entry of 13 nations for Qatar.

The European playoffs feature the 10 teams that finished second in their qualifying groups along with two teams — Austria and the Czech Republic — who won Nations League groups last year.

Italy and Portugal, the current and previous European champions, are in the same qualifying playoff bracket, meaning at least one will fail to qualify for next year’s tournament.

Four-time world champion Italy, which failed to qualify for Russia in 2018, will first face North Macedonia at home in a playoff semifinal in March.

The bracket winner will play away at either Portugal or Turkey for a spot at the World Cup. Looking to end a 24-year gap at the World Cup, Scotland will face Ukraine at home, and the winner will play at Wales or Austria in the final of their bracket.

Wales’ only World Cup appearance was in 1958.

Russia will host Poland for the right to face Sweden or the Czech Republic in their bracket final. Russia or Poland will host the final.

OCEANIA Qualifying for Oceania will take place in a minitournament in Qatar in March with New Zealand the favourite to advance to a playoff in June against a team from CONCACAF.

PAGE 18, Thursday, January 27, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

Bogdanovic, Okongwu lead surging Hawks past Hield and Kings, 121-104

By CHARLES ODUM AP Sports Writer ATLANTA (AP) — Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 18 points in his return from a knee injury, Onyeka Okongwu also scored 18 off the bench and the Atlanta Hawks recovered from a slow start to beat the struggling Sacramento Kings 121-104 last night.

The Hawks relied on their backups for their fifth consecutive win.

Atlanta’s bench outscored Sacramento’s backups 70-24, including a 41-11 advantage in the first half.

Harrison Barnes led Sacramento with 28 points.

The Kings suffered their fifth consecutive loss overall and 10th straight on the road.

Trae Young scored 17 points with 10 assists, but he and other starters were on the bench most of the

HAWKS guard Delon Wright (0) and Kings guard Chavano “Buddy” Hield (24) battle for a loose ball in the first half of an NBA basketball game last night in Atlanta.

(AP Photo/John Bazemore) second quarter when the Hawks outscored the Kings 46-17. After trailing by 14 points late in the first quarter, Atlanta led 67-50

at halftime. Kings rookie Davion Mitchell, a native of Hinesville, Georgia, made his second start. Mitchell filled in for Terence Davis,

ATLANTA Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanovic (13) drives against Sacramento Kings guard Chavano “Buddy” Hield (24) in the first half of an NBA basketball game last night in Atlanta. Hield contributed eight points, eight rebounds and four assists.

(AP Photo/John Bazemore) who is out indefinitely with Atlanta’s bench erased the Boston. He was averagtendon damage in his right deficit. Okongwu caught a ing 10.4 points per game, wrist. pass from Williams with his including a career-high 35 Mitchell took advantage right hand and threw down points on Jan. 19 against of the opportunity by scor- a one-handed jam to cap a Detroit and 22 points the ing 20 points, including 10 9-1 run to open the second following game against Milof Sacramento’s first 16. period. waukee. ... G De’Aaron Kings interim coach Bogdanovic, who Fox (left ankle) missed his Alvin Gentry said before returned after missing five third consecutive game. the game he expected his games with right knee soreHawks: The team had no players to be motivated ness, sank a 3-pointer to players on its injury report following Tuesday night’s tie the game at 42 and then for the first time since Jan. 128-75 loss at Boston. added two more baskets, 3, 2020. ... F De’Andre “From just a personal including another 3, for a Hunter started and had pride standpoint, you have 47-42 lead. nine points in 17 minutes a tendency to dig in and Sacramento’s biggest def- after being listed as questry to play much better,” icit was 30 points, at 90-60, tionable with lower back Gentry said. in the third quarter. discomfort. ... F Jalen JohnThe Kings’ pride showed Williams had 15 points son was recalled from G — at least in the opening while making each of his League College Park. period. Led by Mitchell, the three 3-pointers.

UP NEXT Kings led 33-19 late in the TIP-INS Kings: Continue a first quarter.

Kings: Richaun Holmes five-game road trip at PhilaLed by Bogdanovic, scored 12 points. ... Davis delphia on Saturday.

Okongwu, Danilo Gal- was injured in a hard fall Hawks: Host Boston on linari and Lou Williams, in Tuesday night’s loss at Friday night.

HORNETS’ 158 POINTS SEASON-HIGH IN NBA, MOST FOR FRANCHISE INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Charlotte Hornets broke the franchise’s single-game scoring record last night and notched the highest point total in the NBA this season in their 158-126 rout of the Indiana Pacers.

Kelly Oubre Jr. had a career-high 39 points, going 10 of 15 on 3s — also a career best. LaMelo Ball had his fourth triple double of the season with 29 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds. Four players had 20 or more points, and the Hornets matched a seasonbest by making 24 3s.

With the victory, Charlotte snapped a two-game losing streak and pulled off a four-game sweep of the injury-depleted Pacers.

Indiana was led by Goga Bitdaze and rookie Isaiah Jackson, who both scored 17 points. The Pacers have lost three in a row and seven of nine.

CAVALIERS 115, BUCKS 99 CLEVELAND (AP) — Kevin Love scored 25 points, Cedi Osman added 23 and Cleveland beat defending NBA champion Milwaukee.

The Cavs made 19 3-pointers, won for the eighth time in nine games and leap-frogged Milwaukee in the Eastern Conference standings.

Darius Garland scored 19 and rookie Evan Mobley had 16 for the Cavs.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 26 points after missing a game with knee soreness, but had seven of Milwaukee’s 19 turnovers that led to 31 points for Cleveland.

Bobby Portis added 22 points and Khris Middleton 21 for the Bucks.

CLIPPERS 111, MAGIC 102 ORLANDO, Florida.

(AP) — Amir Coffey scored 19 points, Luke Kennard added 17 and Los Angeles rallied to defeat Orlando one day after matching the secondlargest comeback in NBA history.

The Clippers were down by maximum of 14 points yesterday, and trailed by two to start the fourth quarter, in which they outscored the Magic 35-24.

Seven Clippers made 3-pointers.

Orlando’s Franz Wagner led the team with 21 points and nine assists, while Cole Anthony had 19 points, eight assists and six rebounds. Rookie Jalen Suggs scored 14 points, as did veteran guard Gary Harris.

NUGGETS 124, NETS 118 NEW YORK (AP) — Nikola Jokic had 26

KAI JONES POSTS THREE POINTS, ONE REBOUND, ONE ASSIST IN 3 MINUTES

INDIANA Pacers guard Terry Taylor (32) fights for a rebound with Charlotte Hornets forward Kai Jones (23) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, yesterday. Jones contributed three points (three-pointer), one rebound and one assist in three minutes on the floor.

(AP Photo/AJ Mast) points, 10 rebounds and playing 38 minutes in Tues- Jr. Memphis held the lead eight assists, Austin Rivers day’s loss against the Los from there. added 25 points off the Angeles Lakers.

Murray had 16 points, bench and Denver outRookie Cam Thomas 11 assists and 10 rebounds lasted Brooklyn. scored 25 points and Patty to match David Robinson’s Will Barton had 21 Mills added 21 for Brook- team mark. It was the 10th points and 10 rebounds and lyn, which blew an 12-point triple-double of the season DeMarcus Cousins chipped second-half lead. for the Spurs’ fifth-year in 13 points off the bench BULLS 111, point guard. for the Nuggets.

RAPTORS 105 Jackson finished with 22 The Nets were playing TORONTO (AP) — points and nine rebounds without All-Star guard DeMar DeRozan scored in the Grizzlies’ fourth James Harden, who got the 29 points, Zach LaVine straight victory over the night off to rest an ailing added 23 and Chicago beat Spurs. Desmond Bane left hamstring a day after Toronto. added 20 points in his Nikola Vucevic also return from a three-game scored 17 points and absence while in the grabbed 15 rebounds, league’s health and safety notching his fifth straight protocols. double-double and helping Devin Vassell had 20 the Bulls win consecutive points off the bench, and games for the first time Keldon Johnson and Jakob since January 7.

Poeltl added 18 points each Gary Trent Jr. led the for the Spurs, who have Raptors with 32 points, lost nine of 12. while OG Anunoby added HEAT 110, 23 points. Toronto has lost KNICKS 96 six of its last nine games.

MIAMI (AP) — Duncan Chicago opened the Robinson scored 25 points game on a 14-2 run and while shooting 7 of 11 from didn’t miss a field goal 3-point range, leading four attempt through the first six Miami players with 20 or minutes. The Bulls finished more points in its victory the first quarter shooting New York.

66.7% from the floor.

Jimmy Butler added 22 GRIZZLIES 118, points, Tyler Herro scored SPURS 110 21 and P.J. Tucker had 20 SAN ANTONIO (AP) for the Eastern Division— Ja Morant matched a leading Heat, who have season high with 41 points won eight of 10. in Memphis’ win over San Miami never trailed and Antonio, which spoiled maintained a double-digit Dejounte Murray’s 14th advantage after outscoring career triple-double — New York 30-16 in the first tying a Spurs franchise quarter. record.

Dewayne Dedmon’s two Murray tied the game free throws late in the third at 106 with a step-back quarter gave the Heat their 12-foot jumper that trick- largest lead at 88-58. led into the basket with Although he was limited 4:52 remaining. The Griz- to six points, Bam Adezlies responded as they had bayo had 11 assists and all night, getting an offen- eight rebounds for Miami, sive rebound that led to a which won its sixth straight 3-pointer by Jaren Jackson at home against New York.

NBA FROM PAGE 14 rival Syracuse. Mohammed put his full game on display with 23 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and two blocks.

“Hey, look, Aminu Mohammed, forget freshman of the year. He’s MVP of the Big East, in my opinion,” Georgetown coach Patrick Ewing said moments after the game.

“He is only going to get better. He’s a hard worker, he’s respectful, he works hard and he’s the first one there (in the gym) and last one to leave.”

The win over Syracuse came 10 days before a COVID-19 outbreak in the Georgetown programme caused four games to be called off, and the Hoyas are on a seven-game losing streak.

Mohammed continues to intrigue scouts because of his strength, toughness and raw ability. He’s been a consistent scorer because of his ability to get to the rim, and he’s a relentless rebounder and defender.

SIZE: 6-5, 210 pounds STATS: 13.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, 41% FG, 38% 3-pt FG, 1.5 steals.

STRENGTHS: Aggressively attacks rim, gets to foul line, strong offensive rebounder, hard worker, high ceiling.

WEAKNESSES: Needs to develop better finishing touch around basket, sometimes plays out of control and dribbles into trouble, jump shot needs polish.

DRAFT PROJECTION: Second round or free agent.

Other prospects around the Big East: JULIAN CHAMPAGNIE, ST. JOHN’S: The 6-8, 215-pound junior forward, who joins Mohammed as one of the few Big East draft prospects this year, is having trouble getting his shot to fall lately. He’s a combined 12 for 45 (27%) in his last three games.

F JUSTIN LEWIS, MARQUETTE: Justin Lewis has led the way as the Golden Eagles rattled off six straight wins. The 6-7, 245-pound redshirt freshman had 20 points and 13 rebounds in a 75-64 win over Xavier on Sunday and is averaging 17.2 points and shooting 47% on 3s (14 of 30) during the streak.

G JUSTIN MOORE, VILLANOVA: The 6-4, 210-pound junior guard has nine straight games with at least 13 points and has only been held under double figures in three games. He matched his season high with four 3s against DePaul on Tuesday.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, January 27, 2022, PAGE 19

Jones posts 17pts, 12 rebounds, 2 blocks

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net IN the midst of contract negotiations with the Connecticut Sun during WNBA free agency, Jonquel Jones continues her series of dominant performances in the Russian Premier League.

Jones finished with 17 points, 12 rebounds and two blocked shots for her UMMC Ekaterinburg Foxes in their 93-37 win over Sparta and K yesterday in Ekaterinburg, Russia.

UMMC is perfect in both the Russian Premier League (16-0) and the FIBA Women’s EuroLeague (11-0).

Rachel Galligan of Just Women Sports first reported that Jones - the reigning MVP and one of the most sought after free agents of the 2022 class - is nearing a contract agreement to remain with the Sun. “The multi-year deal she plans to sign with Connecticut is less than the ($228,094) supermax, according to sources, giving the team more cap space to work with in free agency,” Galligan said.

Just over two weeks ago, the Sun placed the core tag on Jones, which gave the franchise exclusive negotiating rights. Teams were officially able to begin negotiations with players on January 15, but deals cannot be finalised until February 1.

Jones is one of five former MVPs in this year’s free agent class and seven of the 10 players from last season’s All-WNBA teams. The 2022 free agent class is also highlighted by Breanna Stewart (Seattle Storm), A’Ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces), Liz Cambage (Las Vegas Aces), Sylvia Fowles (Minnesota Lynx), Kahleah Copper (Chicago Sky), Jewell Lloyd (Seattle Storm) and Courtney Vandersloot (Chicago Sky).

JONQUEL JONES, shown in action for the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA, continues her series of dominant performances in the Russian Premier League, finishing with 17 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks for her UMMC Ekaterinburg Foxes in their 93-37 win over Sparta and K yesterday in Ekaterinburg, Russia. (AP) In her fifth WNBA season, Jones received 48 of 49 first-place votes and 487 total points from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters to win the league’s MVP. She was unanimously selected to the 2021 AllWNBA First Team. It was the first time Jones received First Team honours. She was previously named to the Second Team twice.

She averaged 19.4 points, 11.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.26 blocked shots, and 1.26 steals in 31.7 minutes in 27 games.

The 6’6” forward led the WNBA in rebounding and defensive rebounding (8.7 per game) and ranked fourth in scoring and 10th in blocks. Her efficiency rating of 25.4 was second only to Griner. She also

reached the 2,000 point plateau for her career.

The Sun finished 26-6 during the regular season and earned the No.1 overall seed in the postseason.

Connecticut’s other top returning scorers are DeWanna Bonner, Alyssa Thomas, Jasmine Thomas, Brionna Jones and Natasha Heideman.