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Volume: 119 No.57, February 14, 2022

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‘MALICIOUS LIES’

Forbes-Smith hits back saying she’s victim of abuse and fake stories

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net FORMER Disaster Reconstruction Authority managing director Katherine Forbes-Smith said a claim on social media that she sold a generator intended for Hurricane Dorian victims for personal profit is a “bold-faced, malicious lie.”

Mrs Forbes-Smith recently filed a lawsuit against the government for alleged breach of contract.

In a statement released yesterday, she said she has been attacked by “social media trolls” and is the victim of a “witch-hunt” which she thinks is designed to compel her to drop the legal action.

The generator claim was made on a social media site that is supportive of the Progressive Liberal Party.

Mrs Forbes-Smith said in a statement: “For more than a week, an army of political operatives and social media trolls have continued to publicly and relentlessly drag my name through the mud in connection with a matter that is currently before the courts. I believe this to be a conscious and coordinated witch-hunt, designed to intimidate me into abandoning the proceedings.

“This underhanded campaign has now culminated in a bold-faced, malicious lie.”

SEE PAGE FIVE

DISASTER Reconstruction Authority Executive Chairman Alex Storr said UHY Bain & Associates, an accounting firm, will forensically audit the authority after an operational review found many signs of mismanagement.

“What’s clear,” he said during an Office of the Prime Minister press conference on Friday, “is that the Disaster Reconstruction Authority, while a good thought and idea by the former administration, appears to have

been grossly mismanaged and hampered by poor execution, from the current internal structure, the extremely high salaries, the way contracts were negotiated, the apparent conflicts of interest and the lack of compliance of management of every project.”

Mr Storr’s comments come after former DRA Managing Director Katherine Forbes-Smith filed a lawsuit seeking contractual damages for alleged breach of contract. Mrs ForbesSmith is seeking $408,333.16, including $238,333.16 for 26 months’ salary.

SEE PAGE FIVE

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE government was yesterday said to be working with Club Med in a bid to ensure its San Salvador resort re-opens earlier than late 2022 and sparks “a 180degree turn” in the island’s economy.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Philip Davis, in whose constituency the resort is located, confirmed that both the government and Club Med are working together in efforts to get the property operational before the latter’s October 2022 forecast.

“It’s definitely on the table to get them to re-open earlier than October,” they said. “There are things that both sides must do but they are working towards it.”

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

TEN MORE VICTIMS ON COVID TOLL

STORR CALLS IN AUDITORS TO PROBE DRA ‘INCOMPETENCE’

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

GOVT TRYING TO PERSUADE CLUB MED TO REOPEN EARLY

RAMTASTIC LOS Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford celebrates after the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl last night. For full coverage of the big game, see today’s SPORTS section.

Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP

THE Ministry of Health and Wellness reported 10 new COVID-19 deaths over the weekend, three of which were previously classified as deaths under investigation.

The country’s COVID-19 death count is now 766.

According to the ministry’s February 12 dashboard, nine deceased victims who range in age from 39 to 85-years-old died between January 19 and February 9. Six of them were residents of Grand Bahama, two were from New Providence and one was from Eleuthera.

SEE PAGE FOUR

YOUNG DAD KILLED BY A SINGLE BULLET INSIGHT

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

NEW Providence police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting death of a man in the Cowpen Road area on Saturday.

Although police have not officially released the deceased’s identification, The Tribune understands the victim is Rashad Stubbs, 26.

According to a Royal

RASHAD STUBBS Bahamas Police Force release, sometime before 1am officers were called to a residence located at

Cowpen Road west of Faith Avenue, where a man was found unresponsive.

“Officers responded and on their arrival, they were directed to where the male was located on the outside of the residence. An assessment of the body revealed a wound to the chest which was consistent with gunshot wounds. The victim was later pronounced lifeless

by Emergency Medical Services,” police said.

SEE PAGE TWO

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

THE SAME OLD BLAME GAME OVER GOVERNMENT BUSINESS SEE PAGE EIGHT

PAGE 2, Monday, February 14, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

FORMER PM PAYS TRIBUTE TO SIR GODFREY KELLY FORMER Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham is among those offering condolences to the family of Sir Godfrey Kelly in the wake of his death last week, remembering the former politician as a man of “dignity and good humour”.

“I was saddened to learn of the passing of Godfrey Kelly, KCMG, CMG, DM,” Mr Ingraham said in a statement released yesterday. “I was pleased that his contribution to the development of our country was recognised by the government with the award of a knighthood just two years ago.”

He noted that Sir Godfrey began his political career as a member of the minority United Bahamian Party government in which he served as Minister of Education and Sport in 1964.

“Importantly he was among a small group in that party who challenged the social and economic norms of that time,” Mr Ingraham said.

“His tenure as Minister of Education was marked by the first concerted effort by the minority-led government to expand educational opportunities to the long-neglected majority of Bahamian children. Under his leadership government-operated secondary education was expanded beyond the selective Government High School through the construction and

SIR Godfrey Kelly being knighted at the ceremony with Governor General CA Smith. establishment of additional high schools.

“And he was instrumental in The Bahamas joining the University of the West Indies even before the creation of CARICOM. Notably, the late Dr Cecil Bethel was among students in that university’s second medical class.”

Mr Ingraham said Sir Godfrey understood the value of sport in the formation of young people. His foresight for sport caused some 600 acres of government land in Oakes Field to

be set aside for the development of sport beginning with the construction of the Queen Elizabeth Sports Centre, the former Prime Minister said.

He was also responsible for the establishment of the Cat Island Regatta in 1956, Mr Ingraham said.

“After not seeking re-election to the House in 1968 Sir Godfrey became a committed supporter of the FNM from its formation and proved a useful source of advice and dependable and generous financial support to the

party during the 19 years when I had the honour to lead that party,” Mr Ingraham said.

“Sir Godfrey, a man of dignity and good humour, was a respected barrister at the Bahamas Bar for nearly 69 years, a successful businessman, accomplished sportsman, quality member of parliament, effective minister of education and a Bahamian patriot. The country has lost a great Bahamian.

“My wife Delores joins me in extending condolences to Lady Kelly and to all Sir Godfrey’s extended family.”

In a separate statement on Friday, FNM leader Michael Pintard remembered the crucial role Sir Godfrey played in the development of sports and education.

“Sir Godfrey had a privilege most of us cannot imagine: he carried the Bahamian flag and represented this country at the Olympic Games multiple times,” Mr Pintard said. “He was a giant of commerce, a pillar of the legal fraternity and, quietly, a philanthropist in his own right. We join his family and the country in mourning his loss, but we celebrate his life, and the inspiration he has been to so many.”

Sir Godfrey, 93, died at his Eastern Road home at about 10.30am on February 10 shortly after eating breakfast.

An avid sailor, he competed in the 1960, 1964, 1968 and 1972

Summer Olympics.

He was bestowed with a knighthood in Queen Elizabeth’s 2020 New Year’s Honours.

He was officially knighted at a ceremony at Government House in September of that year.

Born in Nassau on December 21, 1928, Sir Godfrey’s early education began at Queen’s College, then at McDonogh College Prep School in Baltimore, Maryland, before he embarked on training in law at Cambridge University and Middle Temple, London. He practised law for 66 years, notably at Higgs and Kelly, before retiring in June 2019.

He served in many capacities over the years, including at the Bahamas Bar Association; as elected representative for the Cat Island constituency in l956, 1962 and l967; as Minister of Education subsequent to the introduction of ministerial government under the United Bahamian Party administration.

He was also appointed to the Senate in l968.

A keen sportsman who enjoyed tennis, skiing, shooting, fishing and boating, he and the late Sir Harold Christie were founders of the Cat Island Regatta, an annual event since l956.

Sir Godfrey is survived by his wife Sonia Kelly, his granddaughter Katherine Ann Elza, and his sisters-in-law, Lady Ann Johnstone and Nancy B Kelly, MBE.

YOUNG DAD KILLED

BY A SINGLE BULLET from page one

Delano Munroe, Mr Stubbs’ uncle, said his nephew lived on Cowpen Road west. He added that some other family lived there as well.

Asked if any family was present when the incident happened, Mr Munroe said: “Most of them. The majority of them was on property when it took place.

“Most of them who gave an account of what happened initially said they heard, I guess one shot, one single shot and then the dog barking.”

Mr Munroe said relatives are “all in disbelief” about Mr Stubbs’ death.

“They are sad and they have a lot of the questions,” he said yesterday. “Rashad is the type of person you know, obviously he’s the type of person who didn’t deserve what happened to him. So obviously the question of why, what happened and what took place and so forth.”

Mr Stubbs was described as someone who stayed to

RASHAD STUBBS himself, had a job and was not problematic. He was said to be focused on taking care of his seven-month-old daughter.

Mr Munroe said he was the last person to actually see his nephew.

“He asked me to take him to the bank that night and take him for something to eat and when I dropped him back home which would’ve been 10.30-10.40, he said ‘what is your day like tomorrow and what all you have planned?’

“I explained to him that I have community service, this and that. He said ‘okay you have a full day. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow’ but he left at 10.30 in good

spirits, in high spirits looking forward to seeing his daughter and spending time with (his) daughter.”

This comes after another man was shot dead in Pinewood Gardens on Thursday night.

Police said sometime after 11pm, officers were alerted to a shooting on Wild Guava Street, Pinewood Gardens.

Responding officers found an unresponsive man lying in the street.

Emergency Medical Services pronounced the victim lifeless at the scene.

An initial investigation revealed that the victim was walking south on Wild Guava Street when he was approached by a gunman, police said.

On seeing the suspect, the victim turned and ran, however the gunman shot him several times in his body. The victim collapsed in the street, police said.

Anyone with information on these incidents is asked to call police at 5029991, Crime Stoppers at 328-TIPS(8477) — or the nearest police station.

MINISTER of Labour and Immigration Keith Bell at Saturday’s job fair.

DEPT OF LABOUR JOB FAIR SEEKS TO HELP WORKERS THE Department of Labour held a job fair on Saturday to provide opportunity for job seekers and also assist employees of the British Colonial Hilton find re-employment at Sandals Royal Bahamian.

Minister of Labour and Immigration Keith Bell visited the department’s offices on Rosetta Street and chatted with Sandals officials and Department of Labour

BAJA WHOPPER NE W

®

Beef or Crispy Chicken

A JOB seeker at the event on Saturday.

TM & © 2022 Burger King Corporation.

Used under license. All rights reserved.

Nassau

representatives assisting the process.

The owners of the British Colonial Hilton Hotel have formally advised the government of their intention to close the hotel indefinitely with effect from February 15.

The Ministry of Labour and Immigration has confirmed 106 Bahamians are expected to be made redundant on or before that date.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, February 14, 2022, PAGE 3

Davis move on gender equality

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said officials are looking at the country’s “domestic” laws to see how they can level the playing field to ensure there is gender equality.

He made his comments after the signing of the United Nations’ MultiCountry Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (MSDCF). It is a business plan for the UN agencies fund and programme for the Caribbean for 2022-2026. The framework supports the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and other international development plans of the individual countries in the English and Dutchspeaking Caribbean.

Sustainable Development Goal Five is gender equality. According to the United Nations website, one of the targets of this particular goal encompasses eliminating “all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.”

Another target of the goal is to “adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment

of all women and girls at all levels.”

The Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development has drafted a proposed bill that addresses gender violence issues, including marital rape, Minister of State for Social Services and Urban Development, Lisa Rahming has said.

However, a government official had said earlier that the proposal to which Ms Rahming referred does not deal with marital rape.

It speaks to abuse in various relationships, including marriages, the official said.

Gender-based violence and discussions about criminalising marital rape have been points of discussion lately.

When asked if he felt tackling this would make the country closer to reaching goal five, Mr Davis said: “I think the question about gender equality is much wider than just the narrow concept of what I call a description of violence. I call it descriptive because it says marital rape, but that’s violence in a different form and what the controversy arises because of the manner in which we describe it. We just need to say what it is. It’s a domestic violence that requires attention and the laws are there for that purpose and perhaps it just needs clarity

in definition. That in and of itself is not sufficient for us to reach our goal of gender equality.

“The unfortunate factor is that on two attempts, how our legal construct, our constitution and other consequential laws, domestic laws to ensure gender equality — the Bahamian people voted against it.

“We had two referendums and what is so ironic about that fact is that we have more females on the voting registrar than males, but yet still we have on two occasions an attempt to amend our constitution to entrench the concept of gender equality fails. So we have to devise and this is what this government is doing. So, looking at domestic laws and seeing how we can level the playing field so as to ensure that there is gender equality.”

Also present at the signing was Minister of Works and Utilities and acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Alfred Sears. For his part, Mr Sears explained what the government has been doing to advance gender equality.

He said: “If I can add to this, on the question of gender equality and also domestic violence is the government has been, as Prime Minister has noted, multi-dimensional.”

He noted the focused

SIGNING FOR UN FRAMEWORK

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

THE Davis administration held a ceremony on Friday for the signing of the United Nations’ Multi-Country Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (MSDCF).

The framework supports the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and other international development plans of the individual countries in the English and Dutch-speaking Caribbean.

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis noted there are 17 Sustainable Development Goals and each one will be analysed to identify the weakness in the country’s legislative regime to be able to fill those gaps to be able to achieve those goals.

“We understand too well that rising sea levels, rising temperatures, and more frequent and more severe hurricanes are not challenges that we can overcome on our own.

The need for partnerships, especially global partnerships, is now greater than ever before and so we are thrilled to become a part of this regional

framework,” he said.

“Occasions like this remind us that we are more alike than we are different. This ‘Multi-County Sustainable Development Corporation Framework’ reflects our determination to strengthen regional collaboration towards a common goal and it is exactly the kind of initiative envisioned by Sustainable Development Goal 17, which urges us to ‘strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development.’

“My friends, our collective mandate is clear. In these extraordinary times, we must reinforce our social-protection apparatus, invest in human capital, and establish a robust economic foundation for sustainable growth,” Mr Davis said.

UN Resident Coordinator Dr Garry Conille highlighted the efforts made in resilience to climate change and shocks and sustainable natural resource management.

“Mr Prime Minister, today your government’s commitment to strengthen engagement with the international community gains

new roots as you sign on to this framework with your regional colleagues,” he said.

“In fact as you have articulated in your administration’s Blueprint for Change this framework is a commitment for Sustainable Development Goals and its values to end poverty, ensure quality education and lifelong learning opportunities, guarantee gender equality and empowerment for women and girls, safeguard clean water and quality sanitation, ensure access to affordable and reliable sustainable and modern energy and to build resilient communities able to adopt to climate change.”

He also said the UN country team has been able to respond and offer support to The Bahamas in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, in COVID-19 response and recovery, and in migration and trade.

The MSDCF is the primary roadmap for United Nations intervention and guidance by member states of the Caribbean.

The instrument allows for greater strategic engagement by the UN on the instruction of participating countries.

MAN KILLED IN PINEWOOD SHOOTING A MAN was shot dead in Pinewood Gardens on Thursday night.

Police said sometime after 11pm, officers were alerted to a shooting on Wild Guava Street, Pinewood Gardens.

Responding officers

found an unresponsive man lying in the street.

Emergency Medical Services pronounced the victim lifeless at the scene.

An initial investigation revealed that the victim was walking south on Wild Guava Street when he was

approached by a gunman, police said.

On seeing the suspect, the victim turned and ran, however the gunman shot him several times in his body.

The victim collapsed in the street, police said.

MARIJUANA FOUND ON POTTER’S CAY BOAT TWO men were arrested after police found $65,000 worth of suspected marijuana on board a boat docked at Potter’s Cay on Thursday.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force said shortly after 1am on Thursday, acting on information, officers from the Drug Enforcement Unit went to Potter’s Cay dock. While there, they executed a search warrant on a motor vessel in the presence of the crew members on board.

During the search, one of the officers discovered two

brown boxes.

An inspection of the boxes revealed 10 brown taped packages each containing a grassy substance suspected of being marijuana. As a result, two men — a Jamaican and a Bahamian — were arrested and taken into custody.

The total weight of the drugs is 65 lbs with an estimated street value of $65,000.

Police in Eleuthera also arrested two men for marijuana possession on Thursday. Sometime after 2pm, officers from Tarpum

Bay were conducting a routine traffic stop when two male occupants of a grey Honda Accord aroused their suspicion.

A field search was conducted that resulted in one of the officers finding a plastic bag containing a grassy substance suspected of being marijuana. The suspects were taken into custody.

The total weight of the drugs was four lbs with an estimated street value of $4,000. Investigations into both matters are continuing.

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis. attention in education to socialise young people to appreciate diversity and to emphasise the norm of respect. Education Minister Glenys Hanna Martin has made this a core focus in education, said Mr Sears.

“As you know, the first attempt to remove those offending provisions of our constitution was taken by our party and government and there is still

a commitment that the supreme law of the land reflects the mandate of CEDAW and the Sustainable Development Goals that there be equality. Also, the Prime Minister has been personally committed to this and it’s reflected in the number of females who are in our Cabinet… and also the number of female members who are legislators of the country.

“So it has to be a multidimensional approach and the government and the Prime Minster has emphasised to all of us right across the board in all of our ministries to take affirmative action and to be very clear in the policy we implement that there is a recognition that we have to reverse this legacy of patriarchy and discrimination,” Mr Sears explained.

UNIVERSITY TO HOLD YOUTH CAUCUS ONE Young World, the global forum that connects the world’s most impactful young leaders, will hold its first Bahamas caucus at the University of The Bahamas on Thursday.

The hybrid event, “Climate Action: Roadmap to Climate Recovery in the Caribbean,” is co-sponsored by the Office of the Prime Minister and the University of the Bahamas.

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis will be the event’s keynote speaker. He also will be joined by One Young World co-founder David Jones.

“One Young World appreciates that Prime Minister Davis recognised the importance of strengthening and deepening international partnerships in fighting climate change,” said Shanaye Smith, One Young World ambassador, Bahamas.

“Late last year he addressed some of the Caribbean’s One Young World ambassadors and invited them to host an event here.

“It’s fitting that this caucus will address climate change mitigation as The Bahamas, being a small island developing state, is one of the most vulnerable

nations to the effects of climate change,” she said.

The one-day event will bring together One Young World ambassadors and Bahamian climate leaders to connect, collaborate and share key strategies that can be implemented in The Bahamas and Caribbean to diminish the effects of climate change.

Established in 2009, One Young World connects the youngest and most talented people, ensuring that their concerns, opinions and solutions are heard and considered by

those in power.

Their annual One Young World Summit brings together the brightest young talent from every country and sector, working to accelerate social impact.

Each year, delegates from more than 190 countries are counselled by influential political, business and humanitarian leaders such as Justin Trudeau, Paul Polman and Meghan Markle, amongst many other global figures.

People can register to attend virtually at oneyoungworld.com.

PAGE 4, Monday, February 14, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

Many schools ‘are already 100%’ face-to-face learning

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

MANY schools nationwide are now already instructing students “100 percent face-to-face,” according to Minister of Education, Technical, and Vocational Training Glenys Hanna Martin.

“The green light was given last week,” she told The Tribune on Saturday. “Each school formed committees to scrutinise protocols and roll out once everything is in place. As a result many schools nationwide are now already in 100 percent face-to-face. I can update on Monday how many schools and where.

Next week we anticipate even more schools to jump in.”

Last week, Bahamas Union of Teachers president Belinda Wilson said in the union’s view, most schools in Grand Bahama and the Family Islands were ready for the full return of face-to-face instruction.

However, she said at the time that schools in New Providence need to individually determine their readiness due to their issues.

“At least two of the Family Islands schools since reopening faceto-face have been temporarily interrupted because of COVID-19

MINISTER of Education and Technical and Vocational Training Glenys Hanna Martin during a tour of schools before the reopening.

Photo: Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff positive cases and teachers and students being placed into quarantine,” Mrs Wilson said in a voice note sent to The Tribune.

“On the other hand, New Providence, the largest district with the largest student population and teacher complement will examine

fully the health and safety protocols, the class capacity and teacher shortages.

“And after discussions with their principals and staff, each school will determine their readiness and/or suitability for the reopening of each school face-to-face in a phased approach.

Obviously, large class sizes

and teacher shortages are clearly impediments to increasing numbers, the number of students for face-to-face and/or 100 percent return in the midst of this COVID pandemic,” she said last week.

This comes as COVID-19 infections have been trending down in recent weeks.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH TO HOLD COMMUNITY WALKABOUT TO ENCOURAGE VACCINATIONS THE Ministry of Health and Wellness’ social mobilisation unit will set out for a third weekend on a walkabout in key communities to offer on-the-spot vaccinations and educational resources to its residents.

“In December 2021, a COVID-19 vaccination social mobilisation campaign team was assembled to mobilise unvaccinated communities to become immunised against COVID-19,” said Cheryl Thompson, social mobilisation programme coordinator in a press release issued on Friday. “We’re excited to meet one-on-one with residents to share information, address questions and provide a convenient way for persons to get their first,

second or booster shots.”

This weekend, walkabouts will take place in the Mother Butler Park, Meadow Street, Bain’s Town and Yellow Elder Park, Yellow Elder Gardens from 4pm on Friday and on Saturday morning. The walkabouts will be followed by educational sessions and vaccination services.

A mobile unit will be stationed at the Mother Butler site and will offer walk-up vaccinations on Saturday from 1pm-5pm.

“This is something I had expressed I wanted to see in Bain’s and Grant’s Town,” said Wayde Watson, member of Parliament for Bain’s Town & Grant’s Town and deputy national

coordinator for information technology. “I’m so glad it’s coming and I encourage people to show up, to take advantage of this pop-up.”

To date, over 150,000 Bahamians and residents have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Meanwhile, health officials recorded 32 new cases of the virus on February 10 and one additional COVID-19 related death.

The deceased is a 50-year-old male resident of Abaco who died on January 19. To date, 757 people have died from COVID-19. Forty-eight other deaths are under investigation.

As of February 10, 51 people were in hospital with the virus.

TEN MORE VICTIMS ON COVID TOLL from page one Meanwhile, a 50-yearold man from Abaco died on January 19, according to the February 10 dashboard. The data was released by officials over the weekend.

The Ministry of Health said 45 other deaths are under investigation.

Meanwhile, confirmed COVID-19 cases remained low over the past few days.

Twenty-two new cases were recorded on February 11 and 32 were recorded on February 10.

In its February 12 dashboard, six new cases were recorded bringing the nation’s confirmed case count since the start of the pandemic to 32,931.

At last report, there were 42 people in the hospital with the virus.

This comes as the Ministry of Health, in conjunction with the Pan American Health Organization, set out over the weekend on a walkabout in key communities to offer on-the-spot vaccinations and educational resources to its residents.

These walkabouts took place in Mother Butler Park, Meadow Street and Bain’s Town and Yellow Elder Park, Yellow Elder Gardens on Friday and Saturday.

A mobile unit at the Mother Butler site offered walk-up vaccinations on Saturday.

To date, more than 160,000 people have been fully vaccinated from COVID-19 in the country.

This includes people who got their shots abroad but registered with the government’s database.

BOWLEG TELLS YOUTHS ‘YOUR FUTURE IS IN YOUR HANDS’

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

YOUTH, Sports, and Culture Minister Mario Bowleg officially opened

the Fresh Start programme in Grand Bahama on Friday, telling the 50 participants that success starts at the bottom.

“Young people of Grand

Bahama, wake up. Your future is in your hands,” he said.

“Success is not something that comes lightly; it comes with hard work and

determination. And starting at the bottom of the ladder does not mean you are never going to get to the top.”

The Fresh Start programme is one of the signature initiatives of the Ministry of Youth that was designed to respond to the issue of long-term unemployment, lack of job search skills, and work experience among the youth.

The programme targets youth between the ages of 17-25 years who have been unsuccessful in securing employment since leaving school. This includes those laid off as a result of Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The opening ceremony was held at the Christ the King Church Hall. Mr Bowleg and Dr Robert Robertson, president of the Bahamas

Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI), brought brief remarks.

Mr Bowleg said the programme will be presented in a hybrid model in combination with in-person skills classes at BTVI. He added that there would be virtual Bahama Host, OSHA, and NCCER certifications presented to participants.

The minister urged participants to take advantage of this training package.

“I am advised that this programme is always oversubscribed to nearly 100 applicants, and I want to congratulate this chosen group of 50 who will undergo 16 weeks of skills training, personal development, job readiness, and four weeks of work internship,” he said.

Mr Bowleg also said government is committed to

ensuring that access and opportunities are made available to youth across the length and breadth of the Bahamas.

During his remarks, Mr Robertson told participants that skills they will gain through the Fresh Start programme would be beneficial to them.

He explained that many opportunities would be available for jobs in the country soon.

“It is going to be a very interesting time over the next six to 12 months, particularly in The Bahamas, but also worldwide,” Dr Robertson said. “We actually have American companies talk to us about needing (skilled) people as well, which reflects a global skills gap.”

Dr Roberts added: “In The Bahamas, it is very important we stay ahead of that skills gap.”

He also noted that one of the biggest technical schools in the US that recently visited The Bahamas is accepting all credits from BTVI into their programme.

“It shows you that the BTVI brand is being well respected by other institutions, not only in the US but also in Canada. And, it is important that happens because as our brand rises, your brand as a graduate of BTVI rises as well. And it makes you more marketable to employers,” he said.

According to the Ministry of Youth, more than 70 percent of graduates from the Fresh Start programme gain employment and remain employed and engaged in positive activities with many continuing their training at BTVI. In-person, training classes start today.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, February 14, 2022, PAGE 5

Forbes-Smith hits back saying she’s victim of abuse and fake stories from page one “It is claimed that while serving as the managing director of the Disaster Reconstruction Authority (DRA), I ‘stole’, and then sold for personal profit, a generator that had been donated to the government of The Bahamas as part of the Hurricane Dorian relief efforts.

“Out of respect for the judicial process I have been reluctant to break my silence in the face of these attacks. But enough is enough. I cannot and will not allow my name to be maligned with such a brazen and contemptible falsehood.”

Mrs Forbes-Smith said she acquired the generator

for use at her private home in September 2019 and that the unit was personal property and not donated to the government’s disaster relief effort.

She said the acquisition of the generator was in the works before she became involved with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) as a volunteer and months before she was appointed head of the DRA. “I acquired the unit before any generators donated to the government, through NEMA or otherwise, had arrived in Grand Bahama,” she said.

“At no time was the generator in question in the possession of NEMA or any other government agency, nor was it

ever stored at a NEMA warehouse, as has been claimed.

“Unfortunately, it turned out that the unit was not purpose-fit for residential use, so on the advice of my electrician, I contacted the Freeport power company to inquire if they were in need of such a generator.

The response was affirmative and the company agreed to purchase the unit.

“I vehemently and categorically deny the allegation that I stole a generator from the government, or from anyone else. I likewise deny that I acquired a generator intended for the government’s disaster relief efforts by any other means.

“This false, unfounded, cowardly attack has caused

direct harm to myself and my family. I have wrongfully been branded a criminal and my family’s private information, including banking details, has been illegally acquired and made public. No one should be subjected to this kind of abuse for seeking to have a matter decided by the judiciary, which is the protector of everyone’s rights under the law.

“I will not be intimidated.

The matter in question will be decided in court based on the merits; it will not be derailed by fake news campaigns or cheap political stunts. In the meantime, I reserve all of my legal rights with regard to those who continue to damage my reputation by spreading false and destructive claims.”

UNCERTAINTY OVER GOVT POLICY ON CONTRACT TERMINATIONS

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net THE Davis administration’s policy on termination clauses for contract workers is unclear, with former Minnis administration officials saying they met a number of fixed contracts when they took office after the 2017 general election.

Critics have pounced on the fact that former Disaster Reconstruction Authority Managing Director Katherine Forbes-Smith had a contract with no termination clause, potentially leaving taxpayers on the hook for 26 months’ worth of salary in her agreement. Mrs Forbes-Smith recently filed a lawsuit alleging breach of contract.

Mrs Forbes-Smith was appointed to the post by the Minnis administration.

Former Minnis administration officials told The Tribune last week such arrangements are used to entice qualified professionals who demand stability after leaving other opportunities to work for the government. Fearing political reprisals, people see contracts without termination clauses as a safety net, officials said.

One former senior Cabinet minister said the Minnis administration encountered

a number of fixed term contracts without termination clauses at the National Insurance Board when it came to power in 2017.

“The contracts all had to be paid out,” the official said.

However Pia GloverRolle, Minister of State for Public Service, said all contracts issued by her ministry have exit clauses. In these cases, the government can terminate the “services of an officer after giving him/ her three months notice in writing or on paying him or her one month’s salary in lieu of notice.”

However, Mrs GloverRolle noted yesterday that not all contracts are issued by her ministry.

“In fact,” she said, “there are contracts that come through social services, the Ministry of Youth, the Ministry of Education and definitely the DRA that don’t come through the public service. Anything that says authority, Airport Authority, Disaster Reconstruction Authority, they are their own body and so they handle all matters of their contract, human resources and the like. In some instances those agencies can contact the public service for advice on contract structuring, but they don’t have to.”

At a press conference

last week, Press Secretary Clint Watson said administrations must become “well learnt” about best practises when it comes to contracts.

“We always think about what’s good right now and not what’s good countrywide and that’s unfortunate in the past administrations,” he said.

“Prime Minister Davis has been very clear that it’s not about self, it’s about country. He is adamant I should say about that, that we do what’s in the best interest of the country and while of course we have to present contracts that are attractive to people who are skilled and qualified and we need their work ethic and their work ability in government, we still have to do what’s prudent for the country and it’s a discussion that’s going to be had.

“I reached out to the Minister of State for Public Service, Pia Glover-Rolle, and we’re gonna have a conversation on it and find out what is the trend of thinking and whether that’s going to be built in. So give us about two weeks and we’re gonna come back and say if that’s going to be specifically built into contracts and whether it has already or whether people are still continuing with these clauses that are quite strange.

UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT TO BE ANNOUNCED ‘IN SHORT ORDER’

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

ALLYSON Maynard Gibson, chairwoman of the University of The Bahamas’ board of trustees, said an announcement of the new university president will be made “in short order”.

Meanwhile, the university’s board has rescinded a policy requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result to enter UB campuses and facilities.

The choice for UB president has been closely watched because of debate over whether the person should be a Bahamian or a foreigner.

UB assistant professor Dr Nicolette Bethel wrote to UB’s former board of trustees last year, saying appointing a foreigner as president would be a

“grave insult”.

UB announced three finalists for president of the institution last year: Dr Erik Rolland, Sir Anthony Seldon and Dr Ian Strachan. Dr Strachan is the only Bahamian.

Although the “overwhelming majority” of UB’s former board of trustees agreed on who should be the next president, the announcement was delayed because of the 2021 general election.

Asked about the matter yesterday, the former attorney general said: “The University of The Bahamas reflects a community of stakeholders who deserve visionary and exceptional leadership, particularly in the role of president.

To this end, members of the newly elected board recently met with previously identified top finalists for the president position.

We collectively found our conversations to be extraordinarily helpful and remain motivated to announce a new university president in short order. We will deliver the best candidate to our community and this requires our due diligence.

Our investment of time to make an informed and educated decision remains paramount in our national interest.”

UB’s policy requiring vaccination or proof of a negative test took effect on September 2, 2021.

It is not clear why the vaccination policy, which has been implemented by hundreds of colleges around the world, was rescinded.

However, some universities outside The Bahamas have begun to drop the vaccine mandate as well. Last week, UB announced that it will resume face-to-face learning in May.

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

The Office of the Attorney General likely has ultimate oversight over policy regarding government contracts, not the Ministry of Public Service.

Mr Watson suggested his contract has a termination clause.

“I know for my colleagues and I, we don’t have (special privileges) in our contract,” he said.

“We have what’s called normal contracts, normalised contracts but we don’t have those special luxury privileges. From personal experience, I can disclose that don’t exist with me and I know several of my colleagues but as for whether it’s a policy across the board, I’ll get back to you on that.”

ALEX STORR, executive chairman of the Disaster Reconstruction Authority, speaking on Friday.

Photo: Donavan McIntosh/Tribune Staff

STORR CALLS IN AUDITORS TO PROBE DRA ‘INCOMPETENCE’

from page one

She claimed she was employed on a four-year, fixed-term contract that would have expired on November 30, 2023 and that the government must pay her out of the contract.

Mr Storr said during a visit to Abaco, his team was disappointed by the work of the DRA. “Shock and anger are just some of the reactions directors had while visiting the disaster zones and the projects under the DRA’s purview,” he said.

He said anything from the forensic audit that officials believe could be criminal will be forwarded to the relevant authorities.

“In terms of what we’ve seen so far, I will rule on the side of caution and the benefit of doubt and say that it’s just gross incompetence right now,” he said.

He continued his critique of the DRA under the Minnis administration, saying a pledge conference hosted in 2020 accomplished little.

Former Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness Iram Lewis had said 49 donors pledged a combined $1.77 billion in value toward the recovery of Grand Bahama and Abaco from Hurricane Dorian during that event.

Ms Forbes-Smith revealed that year that actual cash donations only amounted to $109,000.

On Friday, Mr Storr said the conference was a public relations exercise.

“The pledge conference from what I have seen so far was nothing but a PR exercise done to fool the Bahamian people. The $1.7 billion or however much the figure was, what actually materialised is nowhere near that figure,” Mr Storr said.

PAGE 6, Monday, February 14, 2022

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War, peace, stalemate? Week ahead may decide Ukraine’s fate WASHINGTON (AP) — Even if a Russian invasion of Ukraine doesn’t happen in the next few days, the crisis is reaching a critical inflection point with European stability and the future of East-West relations hanging in the balance.

A convergence of events over the coming week could determine whether the stalemate is resolved peacefully or Europe is at war. At stake are Europe’s post-Cold War security architecture and long-agreed limits on the deployment of conventional military and nuclear forces there.

“This next ten days or so will be critical,” said Ian Kelly, a retired career diplomat and former US ambassador to Georgia who now teaches international relations at Northwestern University.

The Biden administration on Friday said an invasion could happen at any moment, with a possible target date of Wednesday, according to intelligence picked up by the United States, and Washington was evacuating almost all of its embassy staff in Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital.

A phone call between President Joe Biden and Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Saturday did nothing to ease tensions. Biden and Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, spoke on Sunday.

Even before the latest US warnings and diplomatic moves, analysts saw this as a critical week for the future of Ukraine.

“Russia and the United States are approaching a peak of the conflict of their interests regarding a future shape of the European order,” Timofei Bordachev, said head of the Center for European Research at Moscow’s Higher School of Economics. “The parties may take action against each other that will go much farther than what was considered admissible quite recently,” he said in a recent analysis.

In the week ahead, Washington and NATO are expecting Moscow’s formal response after they rejected its main security demands, and major Russian military drills in Belarus, conducted as part of a deployment near Ukraine, are to end.

The fate of the Russian troops now in Belarus will be key to judging the Kremlin’s intentions.

At the same time, the Winter Olympics in China, often cited as a potential deterrent to immediate Russian action, will conclude February 20.

Although US officials have said they believe an invasion could take place before then, the date is still considered important.

And an important international security conference is taking place in Munich next weekend, with Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and top European officials planning to attend.

Putin has warned the West that he will not back down on his demand to keep Ukraine out of NATO. While Ukraine has long aspired to join, the alliance is not about to offer an invitation.

Still, he contends that if Ukraine becomes a member and tries to use force to reclaim the Crimean Peninsula annexed by Moscow in 2014, it would draw Russia and NATO into a conflict.

His foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, has asked Western nations to explain how they interpret the principle of the “indivisibility of security” enshrined in international agreements they

signed. The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday that it would not accept a collective response from the European Union and NATO, insisting on an individual response from each country.

Seeking to counter NATO’s argument that every nation is free to choose alliances, Moscow has charged that NATO violated the principle and jeopardised Russia’s security by expanding eastward.

“Russia’s bold demands and equally blunt US rejection of them have pushed the international agenda toward the confrontation more than ever since the height of the Cold War,” Bordachev said.

He argued that closer relations with China have strengthened Moscow’s hand. “Whatever goals Russia could pursue now, it can plan its future in conditions of a full rupture of ties with the West,” Bordachev said.

Russian officials have emphasized that negotiating a settlement over Ukraine depends squarely on the United States and that Western allies just march to Washington’s orders.

In the past, Russia had sought to build close contacts with France and Germany in the hope that friendly ties with Europe’s biggest economies would help offset the US pressure.

But those ties were strained by the poisoning in 2020 of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who spent five months in Germany convalescing from what he described as a nerve agent attack he blamed on the Kremlin. Russia has denied its involvement.

More recently, Russian officials have criticized the position of France and Germany in the deadlocked peace talks on eastern Ukraine, holding them responsible for the failure to persuade Ukrainian authorities to grant broad self-rule to the Russia-backed separatist region, as required by a 2015 agreement.

In a break with diplomatic rules, the Russian Foreign Ministry last fall published confidential letters that Lavrov exchanged with his French and German counterparts in a bid to prove their failure to help make progress in talks.

Speaking after the latest fruitless round of those talks, Kremlin representative Dmitry Kozak bemoaned the failure by French and German envoys to persuade Ukraine to commit to a dialogue with the separatists, as the agreement stipulated.

Despite the tensions with both Paris and Berlin, Putin spent more than five hours talking to French President Emmanuel Macron last Monday and will host German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday. Putin said he was grateful to Macron for trying to help negotiate a way to ease the tensions and said they would talk again.

Moscow also just reopened a window for diplomatic contacts with Britain, hosting the foreign and defense secretaries for the first round of talks since ties were ruptured by the 2018 poisoning in Britain of former spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter.

Lavrov’s meeting with Liz Truss was frosty, but British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace’s talks with Russia’s defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, appeared more businesslike, with the parties emphasising the need to maintain regular contact to reduce the threat of military incidents.

By MATTHEW LEE and VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV Associated Press

Farewell, Sir Godfrey EDITOR, The Tribune.

I HAVE only ever had two bosses.

The first was Tribune Publisher Eileen Carron (daughter of the late Sir Etienne Dupuch, whom I also had the honour of knowing) and the second was the now late Sir Godfrey Kelly, co-founder and then senior partner of Higgs and Kelly, where I began my legal career back

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net in 1997.

In both cases, the exposure was of immense benefit to me, not only because both responded positively to my intense curiosity about a Bahamas before I was born, but because each experienced it from a perspective very

different from my own.

As the last surviving member of the United Bahamian Party government and a member of the Bahamas Bar Association since 1953, Sir Godfrey’s was a unique historical perspective on our shared Bahamian world.

May he rest in peace.

ANDREW ALLEN Nassau, February 13, 2022.

Foreigner takeover EDITOR, The Tribune.

IT’S HAPPENING now on Mount Pleasant Village Park. Foreigners have taken it over all day long without permit!

The alcoholic beverages are flowing, the

basketball court has been taken over by their volleyball net, the pavilion is full, and it is not available to our children and residents.

This is becoming a regular occurrence; as the Police look the other way.

It’s Bahamians who they love to harass, cite and lockup!

My God is alive and taking notes.

DENNIS DAMES, JP Nassau, February 13, 2022.

Investment not photo ops EDITOR, The Tribune.

PHOTO-OP Minister for Foreign Affairs and a CARICOM official designated on the folly of CARICOM to try to obtain reparations from the United Kingdom.

The Windrush issue with the Jamaicans is a given and can be legally substantiated as those migrants were

promised resident status but general reparations preIndependence is someone’s dream-folly and I suggest irrational talk.

Are these people thinking the UK did not cover themselves for all responsibility from the pre-Independence day?

Suggest to the good Minister don’t waste your time.

Get out there and drum up FDI and new employment to improve the deficits and debts we inherited from the FNM … reparations for what hey did in four plus years … now that makes sense.

M THOMPSON Nassau, February 4, 2022.

THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS

THE SAME OLD BLAME GAME OVER GOVERNMENT BUSINESS

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2022

ALEX STORR, executive chairman of the Disaster Reconstruction Authority, speaking on Friday.

Photo: Donavan McIntosh/Tribune Staff

By MALCOLM STRACHAN

Katherine Forbes-Smith, who was being paid $110,000 a year, with bonuses including an THE row over contracts annual housing allowance at the Disaster Reconstruc- of $30,000, a duty allowance tion Authority is exactly of $15,000 and even a gratuthe kind of depressing ity at the end of the contract finger-pointing that leaves of 15 percent of the sum so many people disillu- received under the consioned with politics in The tract. We know to leave a Bahamas. tip with our restaurant bill, Alex Storr, the authority’s we didn’t know we had to executive chairman, has leave a tip for a senior govcriticised the actions of the ernment post’s salary. The authority under the admin- base sum of the contract is istration of former Prime perhaps in the ballpark of Minister Dr Hubert Minnis. what we might expect for On Friday, he said: “In someone leading disaster terms of what we’ve seen so recovery efforts, but it is far, I will rule on the side of the extras on top that really caution and the benefit of look questionable. doubt and say that it’s just However, while that gross incompetence right undoubtedly gives one now.” side an excuse to point the Just gross incompetence. finger of blame, what all of Heaven this really help us if he accentuates wasn’t erring ‘We’ve seen this is the need on the side of dance too many for strong caution. independtimes before, and The probent review lem is we’ve using the processes processes. seen this too that are designed And the most many times to investigate such frustrating before.

A thing is, we new govern- things means we already have ment comes can try to create those, at least in and starts in part. structural change pulling apart Over and the work of rather than blaming over again, its predeces- it all on individuals.’ the Audisor, and in tor General the end nothing comes of it has produced reports anaother than political talking lysing the functions of our points and maybe finding government, and the areas an excuse to move contracts in which they have fallen from one person to another. short. Terrance Bastian Mr Storr said an account- has filled the role and doging firm would be brought gedly chased the details of in to conduct a forensic problem areas – all while audit of the authority. He suffering from a shortage of said: “What’s clear is that funding and staff. the Disaster ReconstrucWorse, last year it was tion Authority, while a revealed his work was being good thought and idea hampered by both individuby the former adminis- als and institutions ignoring tration, appears to have his requests for documents been grossly mismanaged and files. and hampered by poor Mr Bastian at the time execution, from the cur- said such obstruction both rent internal structure, the violates the law and helps extremely high salaries, the public officials evade way contracts were negoti- accountability for the waste ated, the apparent conflicts and mismanagement of of interest and the lack of funds. compliance of management The Auditor General of every project.” is not the only watchdog One of the salaries either – there is the Public highlighted is that of the Accounts Committee. former managing director, The PAC is supposed

KATHERINE FORBES-SMITH, whose pay as managing director of the Disaster Reconstruction Authority has attracted criticism. to hold the government to account for its use of public funds and resources by examining the public accounts, and it covers the entirety of the public sector.

In opposition, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis made noises for a while about using the PAC to examine public spending, but with little action.

In truth, the PAC has been a hollow shell of a body since at least the days of the Christie administration. Part of the blame for this has been pointed at a ruling by former Speaker Dr Kendal Major in 2015 that the PAC could only examine documents that have been tabled in Parliament

and could only send for people, papers or records if a parliamentary resolution permitted it. That ruling was overturned a year ago, however, and there’s been little sign of movement on the issue since. Indeed, one of the issues previously was just getting a quorum of members with committee members who were part of the government failing to show up.

So, when people talk about bringing in auditors and complaining about a waste of public money, but then don’t try to fortify the processes we already have, it looks like a performance rather than a genuine effort to deal with the problem.

We want to stop waste?

Fully staff the Auditor General’s office. We want to account for the use of public funds? Treat the PAC as a serious thing, meeting regularly and delivering reports.

There are, without a doubt, issues over the performance of the Disaster Reconstruction Authority, many of which were highlighted at the time, with questions about clearance of debris, the seeming waste of money on domes for housing that were never used, and so on.

But we’ve seen this dance too many times before, and using the processes that are designed to investigate such things means we can try to

create structural change rather than blaming it all on individuals. If we want to stop contracts being handed out with such oddities as a 15 percent gratuity, write that into the rules, and prevent it from being done in the first place. Table all the contracts in Parliament so that they are open to see, and hand them over to the PAC so it can get on with its business.

We can actually have a more open, more transparent view of our government’s workings using the tools already in place. If we have the tools, and choose not to use them, what does that really say about our claims of a desire for transparency?

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

INSIGHT

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2022 PAGE 9

From dawn to sunset THE proprietor of my after-school day care loved to watch soap operas. It was such a constant fixture of my childhood that I learned the theme song for each show long before I could properly tie my laces.

On one particular episode, a character was getting married but the wedding was interrupted by the groom’s supposedly deceased ex-wife. Still recovering from the hit and run murder of my dog, I needed a distraction and at that point I figured nothing could possibly be more exciting than getting married.

So, one day at the age of nine, I proposed to one of the girls at the day care centre. My father picked up McDonald’s every Friday after school for my siblings and me, so I offered her some fries from my Happy Meal in exchange for being my bride. She eagerly accepted the offer and in an act of good faith to commemorate our future together, I let her use the toy that came in my Happy Meal.

A few days later she decided she no longer wanted to get married but I’ve always been a glass is half-full optimistic so I proposed to her sister instead.

Her sister happily agreed and the wedding was back on, plans still intact but just with a different bride so crisis avoided.

To my perpetual dismay, however, I soon realised my future wife assumed every Friday she’d automatically enjoy shared ownership of my Happy Meal toy and I am vehemently and spiritually opposed to that type of blasphemy. It was in that moment of clarity I realised I was now engaged to a tyrant, hell-bent on destroying my life, so the wedding was cancelled.

Fast forward several years later and in grade six I was about to become engaged for the third time.

I fell madly in love with the prettiest girl in my class so when I overheard her say she liked chocolates, I knew a higher deity was sending me a signal to make my move. Unfortunately, we only had a half-eaten box of rum-cherry chocolates at home so I decided to give her those. I imagined explaining the missing chocolates were because I didn’t want her to get sick and she’d, in all likelihood, thank me for this phenomenal act of chivalry.

My gallantry didn’t end there. I wrapped the lovechocolates in foil since we didn’t have any wrapping paper and topped it off with a beautiful rose from our garden, glued on top to demonstrate my deep love and affection – except it wasn’t a rose it was a red hibiscus flower – but the hibiscus is The Bahamian rose, so same difference.

I placed the gift in my bag and went to bed knowing in a few short hours I’d make my new fiancé the happiest girl in the world.

The next day, when flies kept annoyingly congregating around my bag, I realised the chocolates had melted all over my books.

When I went to throw them away, her best friend appreciated that I must have bought them for my crush

By DR KENNETH D KEMP

and right there in front Born in 1915, during the of Mr Brigg’s homeroom second year of the First class, my crush and I shared World War, this gentlea French kiss. I was posi- man worked tirelessly as a tive she was pregnant so at farmer in order to support that point the wedding was his family. He left home assured. But two days later from early dawn to tend when she French kissed to his chicken farm and his another boy in my class, I fields of corn, pigeon peas cancelled that wedding as and potatoes. Given he was well. one of 11 children and his Thus began my roller wife was one of seven, they coaster ride of navigating were quite eager to start relationships. a family but It’s certainly ‘Thus began my it took them never been three years to like the roller coaster have their first enduring con- ride of navigating child; a daughnection shared ter. For some relationships. by the couple time before featured in It’s certainly this, his wife today’s report never been like was desperbut how could ately afraid it be since the enduring that she might their love connection be unable to was eternal shared by the conceive, so and the stuff this birth was dreams are couple featured particularly in today’s report made of. special. They This couple but how could it had three lived in the sons consecusame settle- be since their love tively after the ment on Long was eternal and birth of their Island. They the stuff dreams daughter and attended the then another same school are made of.’ three daughand church ters for a total and they’d known each of seven children. other since they were at Their marriage was least five years old. As they tested more than once, matured, their attraction first following the death of grew and they playfully one of their daughter, who threw grapes at one another was five months old at the in the early years of their courtship. One day after time, from a heart comthrowing a grape, he pro- plication. They suffered posed and three months another hardship when later they were married. two years later one of He was 22 and she was 21. their sons fell off a fishing They were incredibly happy dock and drowned at fiveand deeply in love, so much years-old. Their intense so that not long after their grief was so palpable it wedding, his brother mar- could have broken them ried her sister. but they supported each

other and their marriage grew infinitely stronger to the point they became inseparable.

She worked as a housewife and was well educated on the pharmaceutical benefits of bush medicine so she’d boil various leaves for different ailments and create juices for people throughout her community. She also baked often but particularly at Christmas for all her neighbours and the elderly in her church.

It was a simple but rewarding life and they couldn’t have possibly been any happier. As the years passed, he took on a job as a caretaker to a private cay and while there he suffered a stroke.

Alone and barely able to walk he refused to die and leave his wife and children so he crawled slowly, carefully and with passionate determination up a hill to the main house and used a radio to contact the Bahamas Air and Sea Rescue Association (BASRA), a non-profit organisation dedicated to saving the lives of airmen and individuals distressed at sea.

The family then moved to Nassau so that he could have easier access to medical care.

Over time, their strength faded. She had diabetes and they both suffered from high blood pressure.

On a Sunday morning, shortly after the sun arose and following his bath, he got dressed and in a white T-shirt, khaki pants and his farmer’s hat in tow, he laid in bed and at the age

of 82, one month before their 60th anniversary, he died peacefully. She was devastated and never really accepted life without him.

She eventually became bedridden and developed a left foot pressure wound that became infected.

During their marriage, on Saturdays they’d take their children and go dancing so she cried, when her left leg was amputated to save her life, afraid that even in the afterlife she’d never be able to dance or go on walks with her husband again. She died five months later at the age of 87, shortly after the sun had set, and called her husband’s name with her few last breaths. I know the story well because these were my grandparents

and the amputation of my grandmother’s leg was a driving force that led me to become a foot and ankle surgeon.

I still get together often with my first two childhood fiancés and they’re even smarter, kinder and more beautiful than they were years ago. At our latest gathering, I sat and thought of my grandparents. I smiled and prayed that they were together, laughing about all my shenanigans, holding hands and enjoying each other’s company, every day from the break of dawn until the sun finally sets.

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

Caves Village Premium Office Space for Lease 850 sq.ft. 3 offices, reception, conference room, kitchen $2,125.00 pm. plus CAM and VAT 1,202 sq.ft. High spec 4 offices & conference room, kitchen, bathroom, IT, ample parking, private entrance. $3,305 pm plus CAM and Vat Contact Mr. Sean McCarroll 327-1575 or 359-2957 Email: sean@mccarrollrealestate.com

PAGE 10 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2022

INSIGHT

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net UKRAINIANS at a rally in central Kyiv, Ukraine, on February 12, during a protest against the potential escalation of the tension between Russia and Ukraine. Photo: Efrem Lukatsky/AP

UKRAINE: WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT AND HOW IS IT LIKELY TO PLAY OUT?

By TATSIANA KULAKEVICH Assistant Professor of instruction at School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies, affiliate professor at the Institute on Russia, University of South Florida US OFFICIALS ordered most of the US embassy personnel in Kyiv to evacuate on February 12, as they warned a Russian invasion of Ukraine could come any day. President Joe Biden cautioned Russian President Vladimir Putin of “swift and severe” costs of any such invasion.

Russia has amassed an estimated 100,000 troops along its border with Ukraine over the past several months. The US has responded by sending several thousand troops to two of Ukraine’s neighbouring countries: Poland and Romania.

In mid-January, Russia began moving troops into Belarus, a country bordering both Russia and Ukraine, in preparation for joint military exercises in February.

Putin has issued various security demands to the US before he draws his military forces back. Putin’s list includes a ban on Ukraine from entering NATO, and agreement NATO will remove troops and weapons across much of Eastern Europe.

Ukraine’s layered history offers a window into the

complex nation it is today — and why it is continuously under threat. As an Eastern Europe expert, I highlight five key points to keep in mind.

UKRAINE GAINS INDEPENDENCE

Ukraine gained independence 30 years ago, after the fall of the Soviet Union. It has since struggled to combat corruption and bridge deep internal divisions.

Ukraine’s western region generally supported integration with Western Europe. The country’s eastern side, meanwhile, favoured closer ties with Russia.

Tensions between Russia and Ukraine peaked in February 2014, when violent protesters ousted Ukraine’s pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych, in what is now known as the Revolution of Dignity.

Around the same time, Russia forcibly annexed Crimea. Ukraine was in a vulnerable position for selfdefence, with a temporary government and unprepared military.

Putin immediately moved to strike in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine.

The armed conflict between Ukrainian government forces and Russia-backed separatists has killed over 14,000 people.

Unlike its response to Crimea, Russia continues to

officially deny its involvement in the Donbas conflict.

WHAT DO UKRAINIANS WANT?

Russia’s military aggression in Donbas and the annexation of Crimea have galvanized public support for Ukraine’s Western leanings.

Ukraine’s government has said it will apply for European Union membership in 2024, and also has ambitions to join NATO. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who came to power in 2019, campaigned on a platform of anti-corruption, economic renewal and peace in the Donbas region.

In September 2021, 81 percent of Ukrainians said they have a negative attitude about Putin, according to the Ukrainian news site RBC-Ukraine. Just 15 percent of surveyed Ukrainians reported a positive attitude towards the Russian leader.

WHY IS PUTIN THREATENING TO INVADE UKRAINE?

Putin’s decision to engage in a military build-up along Ukraine is connected to a sense of impunity. Putin also has experience dealing with Western politicians who

champion Russian interests and become engaged with Russian companies once they leave office.

Western countries have imposed mostly symbolic sanctions against Russia over interference in the 2020 US presidential elections and a huge cyberattack against about 18,000 people who work for companies and the US government, among other transgressions.

Without repercussions, Putin has backed Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko’s brutal crackdown on mass protests in the capital city, Minsk.

In several instances, Putin has seen some leading Western politicians align with Russia. These alliances can prevent Western countries from forging a unified front to Putin.

Former German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, for example, advocated for strategic cooperation between Europe and Russia while he was in office. He later joined Russian oil company Rosneft as chairman in 2017.

Other senior European politicians promoting a soft position toward Russia while in office include former French Prime Minister François Fillon and former Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl.

Both joined the boards of Russian state-owned companies after leaving office.

WHAT IS PUTIN’S END GAME?

Putin views Ukraine as part of Russia’s “sphere of influence” – a territory, rather than an independent state. This sense of ownership has driven the Kremlin to try to block Ukraine from joining the EU and NATO. In January 2021, Russia experienced one of its largest anti-government demonstrations in years.

Tens of thousands of Russians protested in support of political opposition leader Alexei Navalny, following his detention in Russia. Navalny had recently returned from Germany, where he was treated for being poisoned by the Russian government.

Putin is also using Ukraine as leverage for Western powers lifting their sanctions. Currently, the US has various political and financial sanctions in place against Russia, as well as potential allies and business partners to Russia.

A Russian attack on Ukraine could prompt more diplomatic conversations that could lead to concessions on these sanctions.

The costs to Russia of attacking Ukraine would significantly outweigh the benefits.

While a full scale invasion of Ukraine is unlikely, Putin might renew fighting between the Ukrainian

army and Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.

WHY WOULD THE US WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN THIS CONFLICT?

With its annexation of Crimea and support for the Donbas conflict, Russia has violated the Budapest Memorandum Security Assurances for Ukraine, a 1994 agreement between the US, United Kingdom and Russia that aims to protect Ukraine’s sovereignty in exchange for its commitment to give up its nuclear arsenal.

Putin’s threats against Ukraine occur as he is moving Russian forces into Belarus, which also raises questions about the Kremlin’s plans for invading other neighbouring countries.

Military support for Ukraine and political and economic sanctions are ways the US can make clear to Moscow that there will be consequences for its encroachment on an independent country. The risk, otherwise, is the Kremlin might undertake other military and political actions that would further threaten European security and stability.

• Originally published at theconversation.com

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

INSIGHT

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2022 PAGE 11

DON’T BE FOOLED INTO THINKING UKRAINE CRISIS WON’T HAVE ANY IMPACT ON US GLOBAL tension is rising concerning Ukraine, the second largest country in Europe after Russia which it borders. Ukraine was a part of the defunct Soviet union, declaring its independence in 1991 when the Union dissolved.

Should regions as geographically distant from Ukraine as the Caribbean, care about the hostility that is escalating over it between Russia and the countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) which includes the United States (US) and Canada?

The short answer must be yes. Every region in the world would be impacted by a conflict over Ukraine.

The Caribbean would be affected by higher prices for oil and gas that would result from Russia cutting off oil supplies to Europe and the consequent competitive bidding in the markets from which Caribbean countries now purchase these commodities. This would have been bad news for Caribbean economies at any time but, coming in a period when these countries are still struggling to recover from the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, higher oil and gas prices would plunge many economies into further decline.

There would also be a knock-on effect on the cost of imported goods and services, including food and the provision of vital utilities such as electricity and water.

Beyond the economic and financial impact on the region if oil and gas prices rise, small Caribbean countries which came to independence by exercising the right to self-determination and which treasure their sovereignty and territorial integrity, would have to be very concerned should

World View

By SIR RONALD SANDERS

Russia invade Ukraine to bring it back under Russian control.

Any diminution in the sanctity of these norms of international law would pose a threat to Caribbean Community (CARICOM) states, such as Belize and Guyana, which are faced with territorial claims.

The root of the problem in the Ukraine rests in two things: the belief by the Russian government and especially President Vladimir Putin that Ukraine is, historically, part of Russia; and President Putin’s further conviction that NATO countries wish to use Ukrainian territory as a staging post against Russia.

Putin had repeatedly said that “we (Russia) are categorically against any further NATO expansion eastwards because it poses a threat to us”. He adds: “It’s not us who’s advancing to NATO, it is NATO coming to us and its illogical to talk about Russia’s aggressive behaviour.”

In 1991, when Ukraine became independent from the dissolved Soviet Union, it declared itself ‘neutral’.

No doubt, it did so, because even then it was wary of Russian ambitions to control its neighbouring states.

Ukrainian concern turned out to be justified when, in 2014, Russia encouraged forces in Crimea to declare it an independent Republic effectively annexing it to Russia.

The Crimea is physically

a peninsula of Ukraine where Russia has, traditionally, stationed its Black Sea Fleet at the Port of Sevastopol. Russia’s annexation of the area appears to have been a response to the Ukrainian government’s attempt to join the European Union (EU) – a move seen as a further step to link Ukraine to European countries that are also part of NATO. In recent years, Russian unease over Ukraine increased over the Ukrainian government’s expressed desire to join NATO, and the latter’s pledge in 2008 to allow it to do so, although no date was set and still does not exist.

Russia has now amassed over 100,000 troops near Ukraine and sent a detachment of warships into the Black Sea. All this has been interpreted by the Ukrainian government, NATO and the Western media as intent by Russia to invade.

Putin appears to have two objectives: the first is to stop Ukraine from joining NATO and the second to limit the expansion of NATO to include any countries other than its present membership. For their part, leading NATO nations, including the US have made it clear they will not negotiate NATO’s membership with Russia.

Thus, the standoff continues, and tensions heighten amid recent efforts from NATO leaders to engage Russia in a

VALENTYNA KONSTANTYNOVSKA, 79 years old, holds a weapon during basic combat training for civilians organised by the Special Forces Unit Azov, of Ukraine’s National Guard, in Mariupol, Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine, yesterday.

Photo: Vadim Ghirda/AP dialogue. An encounter between the Russian and British Foreign Ministers was summed-up by the Russian as “a mute talking to a deaf person”. And a visit to Moscow by French President Emmanuel Macron for talks with Putin showed no sign of a solution. Russian-US talks also proved unproductive.

The danger of the Caribbean region being thrust into this row became evident when Sergei Ryabakov, who led the Russian delegation in a meeting with US officials on January 12, said he would not confirm or exclude Russia sending “military assets” to Venezuela and Cuba. US National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan, described

the Russian statement as “bluster”.

Bluster or not, the Caribbean cannot ignore events surrounding Ukraine – a country with which all CARICOM countries have diplomatic relations as they do with Russia and the NATO member states.

Considering contingency arrangements for oil and gas supplies – and their prices – is one thing Caribbean governments should be collectively considering.

They should also be jointly indicating their concern to Russia, that however tempted it may be to do so, military intervention in Ukraine should not be contemplated and would not have the support of governments that uphold and

respect international law.

In every international forum, Russia and the NATO nations should hear Caribbean governments, in a unified voice, calling for diplomatic engagement and not conflict to reach a solution to this problem that would leave Ukraine’s territorial integrity intact.

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

PAGE 12, Monday, February 14, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

US: OVER 130,000 RUSSIAN TROOPS STAGED OUTSIDE UKRAINE WASHINGTON Associated Press UKRAINE’S president urged calm amid intensified warnings of a possible Russian invasion within days, saying he had yet to see convincing evidence of that, even as the US reported Sunday that Moscow positioned more of its troops closer to Ukraine’s borders and some airlines canceled flights to the capital of Kyiv.

President Joe Biden spoke for about 50 minutes Sunday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and renewed promises of what the West says will be tough economic

sanctions against Moscow and a NATO buildup in the event of “any further Russian aggression” against Ukraine, the White House said. They agreed to pursue both deterrence and diplomacy in the crisis, it added.

The US updated its estimate for how many Russian forces were now staged near Ukraine’s borders to more than 130,000, up from the 100,000 the US has cited publicly in previous weeks.

Zelenskyy’s repeated statements playing down the US warnings — while Moscow’s forces surround Ukraine on three sides in what the Kremlin insists are military exercises -- grew

this weekend to his questioning the increasingly strident statements from US officials in recent days that Russia could be planning to invade as soon as midweek.

While Zelenskyy has urged against panic that he fears could undermine Ukraine’s economy, he and his civilian and military leaders also are preparing defences, soliciting and receiving a flow of arms from the US and other NATO members.

Zelenskyy wore military olive drab at a drill with tanks and helicopters near Ukraine’s border with Russian-annexed Crimea

this weekend. In the nearby city of Kalanchak, some expressed disbelief that Russian President Vladimir Putin would really send the troops poised along Ukraine’s borders rolling into the country.

“I don’t believe Russia will attack us,” said resident Boris Cherepenko. “I have friends in Sakhalin, in Krasnodar,” he said, naming Russian locations. “I don’t believe it.”

The US picked up intelligence that Russia is looking at Wednesday as a target date, according to a US official familiar with the findings.

“We’re not going to give

Russia the opportunity to conduct a surprise here, to spring something on Ukraine or the world,” Jake Sullivan, the US national security adviser, told CNN yesterday, about the US warnings.

“We are going to make sure that we are laying out for the world what we see as transparently and plainly as we possibly can,” he said.

The US largely has not made public the evidence it says is underlying its most specific warnings on possible Russian planning or timing.

The Russians have deployed missile, air, naval

and special operations forces, as well as supplies to sustain an invasion. This week, Russia moved six amphibious assault ships into the Black Sea, augmenting its capability to land on the coast.

Zelenskyy’s comments this weekend indicated frustration at the warnings from Washington.

“We understand all the risks, we understand that there are risks,” he said in a live broadcast. “If you, or anyone else, has additional information regarding a 100 percent Russian invasion starting on the 16th, please forward that information to us.”

Police move in to clear protests at Canada border WINDSOR, Ontario Associated Press POLICE moved in to clear and arrest the remaining protesters near the busiest US-Canadian border crossing yesterday, ending a demonstration against COVID-19 restrictions that has hurt the economy of both nations even as they held back from a crackdown on a larger protest in the capital, Ottawa.

Local and national police formed a joint command center in Ottawa, where protests have paralysed downtown, infuriated residents who are fed up with police inaction and turned up pressure on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The protests have reverberated across the country and beyond, with similar convoys in France, New Zealand and the Netherlands. The US Department of Homeland Security warned that truck convoys may be in the works in the United States.

Windsor police said about 12 people were peacefully arrested and seven vehicles were towed just after dawn near the Ambassador Bridge that links their city — and numerous Canadian automotive plants — with Detroit.

“Today, our national economic crisis at the Ambassador Bridge came to an end,” said Windsor’s Mayor Drew Kiklen, who expressed hope the bridge would reopen Sunday.

“Border crossings will reopen when it is safe to do so and I defer to police and border agencies to make that determination.

Only a few protesters had remained after police on Saturday persuaded demonstrators to move the pickup trucks and cars they had used to block a crossing that sees 25 percent of all trade between the two countries.

US President Joe Biden’s administration on Sunday acknowledged the

seemingly peaceful resolution to the demonstration, which it said had “widespread damaging impacts” on the “lives and livelihoods of people” on both sides of the border.

“We stand ready to support our Canadian partners wherever useful in order to ensure the restoration of the normal free flow of commerce can resume,” Homeland Security Advisor Dr. Liz Sherwood-Randall said in a statement.

In Ottawa, the ranks of protesters swelled to what police said were 4,000 demonstrators by Saturday, and a counter-protest of frustrated Ottawa residents attempting to block the convoy of trucks from entering the downtown emerged Sunday.

Clayton Goodwin, a 45-year-old military veteran who was among the counter-protesters, said it was time for residents to stand up against the protesters.

“I’m horrified that other veterans would be down there co-opting my flag, co-opting my service,” said Goodwin, who is the CEO of the Veterans Accountability Commission, a nonprofit advocacy group.

“It’s a grift. The city was free. We’re 92 percent vaccinated. We’re ready to support our businesses.”

The city has seen similar expansions of the protest on past weekends, and loud music played as people milled about downtown where anti-vaccine demonstrators have been encamped since late January.

“The whole city is furious at being abandoned by the people who are supposed to protect us. They have completely abandoned the rule of law. ⁦‪@OttawaPolice‬⁩ have lost credibility. #OttawaPoliceFailed,” tweeted Artur Wilczynski, a senior government national security official at Canada’s Communications Security Establishment.

A former minister in Trudeau’s Cabinet also

blasted her former federal colleagues as well as the province and city for not putting an end to the protests.

“Amazingly, this isn’t just Ottawa. It’s the nation’s capital,” Catherine McKenna tweeted. “But no one — not the city, the province or the federal government can seem to get their act together to end this illegal occupation. It’s appalling. ... Just get your act together.

Now.” Trudeau has so far rejected calls to use the military, but had said that “all options are on the table” to end the protests. Trudeau has called the protesters a “fringe” of Canadian society. Both federal and provincial politicians have said they can’t order police what to do.

Ottawa police said in a statement late Saturday that a joint command center had been established with the Ontario Provincial Police and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. They said that would beef up enforcement capabilities that had been limited by “safety concerns — arising from aggressive, illegal behavior by many demonstrators”.

Police earlier issued a statement calling the protest an unlawful occupation and saying they were waiting for reinforcements before implementing a plan to end the demonstrations.

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson declared a state of emergency last week for the capital, where hundreds of trucks remained in front of the Parliament Buildings and demonstrators have set up portable toilets outside the prime minister’s office where Trudeau’s motorcade usually parks.

On Friday, a judge ordered an end to the blockade at the crossing in Windsor and Ontario Premier Doug Ford declared a state of emergency allowing for fines of 100,000 Canadian dollars and up to one year in jail for anyone illegally blocking roads,

A PROTESTER is arrested by as police remove truckers and supporters after a court injunction gave police the power to enforce the law after blocking the access leading from the Ambassador Bridge, linking Detroit and Windsor, as truckers and their supporters continue to protest against the COVID-19 vaccine mandates and restrictions in Windsor, Ontario, yesterday.

Photo: Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP The 67-year-old has been Alberta remained shut bridges, walkways and other critical infrastructure. out supporting the protest down as well.

Partial closures at the for the past four days. She While the protesters are bridge started on February said she appreciated that decrying vaccine mandates 7 and by midweek the dis- police have been patient. for truckers and other On the other side of COVID-19 ruption was so severe that restrictions, automakers began shutting the country, a major truck many of Canada’s public down or reducing produc- border crossing between health measures, such as tion. The standoff came at Surrey, British Columbia, mask rules and vaccine a time when the industry is and Blaine, Washington, passports for getting into already struggling to main- was closed on Sunday, a restaurants and theaters, tain production in the face of day after Canadian authori- are already falling away as pandemic-induced shortages ties said a few vehicles had the omicron surge levels off. of computer chips and other breached police barricades Pandemic restrictions and a crowd entered the have been far stricter there supply-chain disruptions.

“We are protesting area by foot. than in the US, but CanadiThe RCMP issued a ans have largely supported the government taking away our rights,” said statement saying that while them. The vast majority of Windsor resident Eunice no one had been injured, Canadians are vaccinated, Lucas-Logan. “We want the the actions were dangerous and the COVID-19 death restrictions removed. We and being investigated. rate is one-third that of the A border crossing in United States. have to wait to find out.”

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Monday, February 14, 2022, PAGE 13

PAGE 14, Monday, February 14, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, February 14, 2022, PAGE 15

PAGE 16, Monday, February 14, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

DR DRE, left, and Snoop Dogg perform during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals yesterday.

Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP

DRE, SNOOP AND FRIENDS DELIVER EPIC HALFTIME INGLEWOOD, California Associated Press

DR Dre & Co took the weight of the hip-hop culture on the Super Bowl stage, shouldered the pressure from skeptics and delivered a strong halftime show to prove that edgy rap can work at the world’s biggest sporting events.

All it took was hip-hop’s most controversial figures — and one knee taken by music’s most prominent white rapper.

Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem and Kendrick Lamar were headliners along with 50 Cent as a special guest at the Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday. Their collective performance is one of the best since Beyoncé and Bruno Mars’ halftime set in 2016.

Each performer offered their own element: Dre, Snoop Dogg and Lamar brought their West Coast flavor. Blige — known as the “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul” — sang and danced her heart out. 50 Cent hit the musical rewind button

with “In Da Club”.

When Eminem’s turn came, he performed a couple of his hits starting with “Forgot About Dre” with Anderson Paak playing the drums. He seemingly defied the NFL by kneeling after performing “One Shot”, though the league says it knew it would happen.

Eminem stayed down on one knee for a moment while Dre sat in front of a piano and played Tupac’s “I Ain’t Mad at Cha”.

Dre, a prolific producer, kicked off the performance standing behind a sound table on top of a makeshift white house. He introduced Snoop Dogg — wearing a blue bandana outfit — who performed a few classics such as “The Next Episode” and “California Love”.

Afterward, Snoop Dogg yelled out “West Coast make some noise.” The rapper’s statement showed their unabashedly attempt to deliver a remarkable view of Southern California music — especially the lowrider cars posted on stage.

MARY J Blige performs during halftime yesterday.

Like in his “In Da Club” music video, 50 Cent began his set upside downside wearing a white tank top.

Blige appeared on a rooftop with a slew of dancers jamming to her classic melodies “Family Affair” then performed “No More Pain”. Her set seamlessly went to the black suit-wearing Lamar who was joined by other Black men sporting same outfits as him.

After Eminem’s performance, all six joined together as Dre rapped “Still Dre”. Their closing act had an array of dancers dressed in khaki outfits.

The six legendary performers – particularly Dre and Snoop Dogg – performed the clean versions of their songs for the PG crowd. It initially felt kind of weird at first, because there were several instances when a expletive word was replaced by a safer one.

On the NFL national stage, that worked to their advantage. Why? It shows that hip-hop can be performed in various versions and still be appealing to the ears.

Photo: Tony Gutierrez/AP

EMINEM takes a knee during the halftime performance at the Super Bowl.

Photo: Chris O’Meara/AP

SPORTS PAGE 17

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2022

Buddy, Page 23

LA Rams win second Super Bowl

By BARRY WILNER AP Pro Football Writer

Kupp’s late TD lifts Rams over Bengals 23-20

INGLEWOOD, Calif.

(AP) — In a venue built for champions, the Los Angeles Rams carried off the crown jewel: a Super Bowl trophy.

It took a precise 79-yard drive capped by Cooper Kupp’s 1-yard touchdown reception with 1:25 remaining for a 23-20 victory last night over the Cincinnati Bengals to give the Rams their first NFL title since the 1999 season — and their first representing Los Angeles since 1951.

“Those guys just did a great job,” coach Sean McVay said. “They took over that game.”

They did so in their home, the $5 billion SoFi Stadium, making the Rams the second consecutive host to win the championship after Tampa Bay became the first a year ago.

“As far as building this stadium,” said Rams owner Stan Kroenke, the man who moved them back from St. Louis in 2016, “I think it turned out all right.”

The winning series, during which game MVP Kupp’s 4-yard touchdown reception from Matthew Stafford was negated by offsetting penalties, ended soon after with the NFL Offensive Player of the Year easily beating Eli Apple in the right corner of the end zone for the winning score.

Kupp had four receptions for 39 yards, and a 7-yard run on fourth-and-1 from the Rams 30 on the

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS: Los Angeles Rams players celebrate with the Lombardi Trophy last night after defeating the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game in Inglewood, California.

(AP Photo/Mark J Terrill)

SEE PAGE 24

Kupp caps triple crown season with MVP

By JOSH DUBOW AP Pro Football Writer

Kupp beat Eli Apple for the back-shoulder 1-yard touchdown catch with 1:25 remaining to give the Rams their first Super Bowl title ever in Los Angeles with a 23-20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals last night.

“I just don’t feel deserving of this,” Kupp said.

“I’m just so thankful for the guys I get to be around, for the coaches, for my family. I just don’t have words, I’m just so thankful for everyone, everyone that’s been in my life and has encouraged me, has

INGLEWOOD, Calif.

(AP) — Cooper Kupp was helpless when the Los Angeles Rams went to the Super Bowl three years ago, only able to watch after tearing a knee ligament earlier in the season.

Kupp nearly did it all on the final drive of the Rams’ return trip to the title game, capping off his Triple Crown receiving season in fitting fashion with a Super Bowl MVP award.

pushed me, has been there for me every step of the way.”

The Rams put together the game-winning drive after barely being able to move the ball in their first seven drives after Kupp’s running mate Odell Beckham Jr. went down with a knee injury. That allowed the Bengals to focus their coverage on Kupp and slow him down, but the Rams didn’t care when the game was on the line.

“That’s hard work, that’s hours together,”

TOTAL

1.

Norway

9

5

7

21

2.

ROC

4

5

8

17

3.

Germany

8

5

1

14

4.

Austria

4

6

4

14

5.

Canada

1

4

9

14

6.

United States

6

5

1

12

7.

Netherlands

6

4

2

12

8.

Sweden

5

3

3

11

9.

Italy

2

5

4

11

10.

Japan

2

4

5

11

Source: IOC & Sportradar

Updated Feb. 13 at 3:55 a.m. EST

quarterback Matthew Stafford said. “I just thank Coach (Sean McVay) for putting it ... ‘Hey, Matthew, you and Coop go get this thing done.’ He kept calling plays for him, kept finding ways to get him the ball. He made unbelievable plays, that’s what he does.”

Kupp caught four passes for 39 yards on the gamewinning drive, converted a fourth-and-1 with a 7-yard run and drew three penalties near the goal line to set the stage for his gamewinning catch. It was a fitting end to one of the greatest seasons and postseason runs ever for a wide receiver.

Kupp joined Jerry Rice (1990), Sterling Sharpe (1992) and Steve Smith (2005) as the only players since the merger to lead the NFL in receptions, yards receiving and receiving yards in the same season when he had 145 catches for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns to win the AP Offensive Player of the Year.

Kupp joined Joe Montana in 1989 as the only players to win Super Bowl MVP and AP Offensive Player of the Year in the same season.

The performance in the Super Bowl was just as good when he had eight catches for 92 yards and the two TDs to go along with his key run. About the only thing Kupp didn’t do came

LOS Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game last night in Inglewood, California.

(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez when he missed Stafford on playoff run, setting an NFL a pass on a trick play in the record with 33 catches and second half. trailing only Larry FitzgerIt’s quite a ride for some- ald’s remarkable 2008 one who played his college playoffs (30 catches for 546 ball at lower-level East- yards and seven TDs) with ern Washington before his 478 yards and six TDs in coming into the NFL as a four games. third-round pick in 2017.

While Fitzgerald’s magiHe made an instant impact cal run ended in defeat after as the Rams’ reliable slot the Steelers rallied for the receiver. His injury midway winning score following his through the 2018 season go-ahead catch, the Rams left him a spectator for the defense made Kupp’s catch Rams’ 13-3 loss to the New stand up and he collapsed England Patriots in their to the turf in joy before getprevious Super Bowl trip. ting the MVP trophy as his Kupp did it all during this reward.

PAGE 18, Monday, February 14, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

OLYMPIC DOPING CASE RULING TO BE ANNOUNCED TODAY

FROM left, Zan Kranjec, of Slovenia, Marco Odermatt, of Switzerland, and Mathieu Faivre, of France, pose with their medals at the podium for the men’s giant slalom at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in the Yanqing district of Beijing.

By DAVE SKRETTA AP Sports Writer BEIJING (AP) — Figure skater Kamila Valieva testified by video at an appeal hearing that will decide if the 15-year-old Russian star can still compete at the Beijing OIympics despite an ongoing doping case.

The hearing started yesterday evening in Beijing and lasted until after 3am Monday morning. Court of Arbitration for Sport director general Matthieu Reeb said a ruling in the case that has caused havoc with one of the Olympics marquee events will be announced Monday afternoon after 1 p.m. in China.

Three CAS judges heard arguments in a closed-door session in a conference room at a Beijing hotel.

Lawyers and officials for the parties connected to the case in the Winter Games host city and from Switzerland.

The International Olympic Committee, World Anti-Doping Agency and International Skating Union have challenged a decision by the Russian anti-doping agency to lift an interim ban and try so Valieva can compete in her main event.

Valieva’s positive test for a banned heart medication was flagged a week ago — after she helped the Russians win the team event — by a laboratory in Sweden six weeks after the sample was taken in St. Petersburg, Russia.

The verdict will be announced just over 24 hours ahead of Valieva’s scheduled next Olympic event — the women’s individual competition. She will be the strong favorite if cleared to skate, and her main challengers will be two Russian teammates.

Earlier Sunday, the teenager at the center of Russia’s latest doping scandal seemed to be the only person without a word to say about it.

Valieva continued to practice amid a sea of media and camera crews as the court prepared the expedited hearing.

Valieva has yet to miss a scheduled practice since word of her positive drug test emerged.

On February 7, the reigning European champion helped the Russian skaters win team gold with a dynamic free skate in which she became the first woman to land a quad jump in Olympic competition.

(AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

STRIKING GOLD IN BEIJING BEIJING (AP) — A roundup of gold medals from Sunday, Feb. 13, at the Beijing Games: ALPINE SKIING MEN’S GIANT SLALOM Marco Odermatt of Switzerland won gold in the men’s giant slalom at the Beijing Olympics, plowing through snow and poor visibility.

Odermatt coped with a 75-minute weather delay — and a first-run mistake — to post an unofficial combined time of 2 minutes, 09.35 seconds.

Zan Kranjec of Slovenia took silver, 0.19 seconds behind, and world champion Mathieu Faivre of France earned bronze, 1.34 behind.

BIATHLON WOMEN’S 10KM PURSUIT Marte Olsbu Roeiseland earned her third gold medal of the Beijing Olympics, and fourth medal overall, by winning the women’s biathlon 10-kilometer pursuit race Sunday.

Despite strong winds and blowing snow, Roeiseland held her focus and shot cleanly in the last standing stop to win in 34 minutes, 46.9 seconds.

Elvira Oeberg of Sweden, who was second in the sprint race and started 31 seconds behind Roeiseland, finished 1:36.5 behind for silver.

Tiril Eckhoff of Norway came in 1:48.7 behind her teammate for the bronze medal.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING MEN’S 4x10KM RELAY Just like in the women’s cross-country ski race, the Russian team opened a

Roundup of Olympic gold medals from Sunday, February 13

ERIN JACKSON, of the United States, reacts after her heat in the speedskating women’s 500-metre race at the 2022 Winter Olympics yesterday in Beijing.

(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) lead on the first leg of the men’s relay on Sunday and then held on for the Olympic gold medal.

Sergey Ustiugov maintained more than a minute lead on the last lap over the two-man chasing group of Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo of Norway and Maurice Manificat of France.

Ustiugov grabbed a flag on his way to the finish line and won the 10-kilometer relay in 1 hour, 54 minutes, 50.7 seconds. Klaebo pulled away from Manificat

for the silver, 1:07.2 back.

France took third, 1:16.4 behind the Russians.

SPEEDSKATING WOMEN’S 500 METRES Erin Jackson became the first Black woman to win a speedskating medal at the Winter Olympics. And a gold one, at that.

Jackson won the 500 meters with a time of 37.04 seconds Sunday, giving the Americans their first speedskating medal of the Beijing Games.

The silver went to Japan’s Miho Takagi, while Angelina Golikova of the Russian Olympic Committee took the bronze.

SHORT TRACK SPEEDSKATING MEN’S 500 METRES Liu Shaoang of Hungary won Olympic gold in 500-meter short track speedskating.

He led all the way and crossed the line in 40.338 seconds at Capital Indoor Stadium on Sunday. Liu had earned bronze medals

in the 1,000 and the mixed team relay.

Russian Konstantin Ivliev took silver. Steven Dubois of Canada earned bronze.

The A final was missing some of the biggest names.

Defending champion Wu Dajing of China was relegated to the B final, which he won.

Ren Ziwei of China and Liu Shaoang’s brother Liu Shaolin Sandor of Hungary were eliminated in the quarterfinals.

SCANT PROGRESS THE FINAL BLOW TO ON-TIME MLB SPRING TRAINING

By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer NEW YORK (AP) — The final blow has been dealt to an on-time start to spring training, with Major League Baseball making a new offer Saturday that the players’ association received as only scant progress in the drawn-out labor talks.

On the 73rd day of a lockout that has become the second-longest work stoppage in baseball history, clubs gave the union 16 documents totaling 130 pages, encompassing all key areas in a mix of new offers and previous proposals.

The one-hour session was just the fifth on core economics since the lockout began, and the first on a weekend. The sides remained far apart on luxury tax thresholds and rate, with major differences on revenue-sharing and how to address players’ allegations of service time

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manipulation. MLB said it remains opposed to any increase in salary arbitration eligibility or reduction in revenue sharing.

The players’ union said it would analyze the offer before determining when and how to respond.

Baseball’s ninth work stoppage — and first since 1995 — began Dec. 2 following the expiration of a five-year labor contract.

Training camps will remain shuttered Wednesday, when pitchers and catchers had been scheduled to start workouts for a 2022 season that remains in doubt.

MLB does not intend to publicly acknowledge any delay until it becomes apparent that preseason exhibition games cannot begin as scheduled on Feb. 26.

Opening day is set for March 31, and players don’t start accruing salary until the regular season. Given the need for 21-28 days of training and additional time to report and go through COVID-19 protocols, an agreement by the end of February or early March is needed for an on-time start.

Three officials from each side attended the session at MLB’s office, with players and owners joining by Zoom.

MLB maintained its proposal on luxury-tax

thresholds for 2022 and 2023, an increase from $210 million to $214 million in both years. Teams increased their proposal by $2 million annually in each of the final three years of a deal: $216 million in 2024, $218 million in 2025 and $222 million in 2026.

Players have proposed a $245 million luxury-tax threshold for this year, which would rise to $273 million in 2026.

MLB also has proposed increasing the tax rate from 20% to 50% for a team exceeding the initial threshold, from 32% to 75% for the second threshold and from 62.5% to 100% for the third threshold.

Teams still are asking for non-monetary penalties, which the union thinks is too harsh.

While MLB dropped its plan to have a team lose a third-round pick for exceeding the first threshold, it has proposed a team would lose a second-round pick for going over the second threshold ($234 million this year and next) rather than dropping 10 slots and would forfeit a first-round selection for exceeding the third threshold ($254 million).

The union fears teams would refuse to go over the threshold, prizing draft picks. On free agency, clubs maintained their proposal

to eliminate the loss of an amateur draft pick for a team signing a free agent — an area of dispute that led to a 50-day in-season strike in 1981.

But the clubs did keep in the plan that a team losing a free agent will receive draftpick compensation based on revenue-sharing status and whether a club had been over the threshold.

For a free agent who had spent the entire season with one team, there would would be four tiers based on: — $25 million in guaranteed salary or $18 million average annual value (AAV), — $55 million or $23 million AAV, — $100 million or $30 million AAV, — $150 million or $40 million AAV. The union’s initial thoughts have been that this proposed level of indirect compensation could be a disincentive for a team to retain players who are eligible for free agency eligible players, and have asked that luxury-tax status be removed from the formula.

In other areas: — MLB proposed raising the minimum salary from $570,500 to $630,000 or, alternatively, a tiered minimum of $615,000 for initial major leaguers, $650,000

for players with one year of service and $725,000 for those with two years — the latter an increase from $700,000 in the previous proposal.

Players have asked for $775,000 this year, rising to $875,000 by 2026.

— MLB offered to increase the pre-arbitration bonus pool from $10 million to $15 million, while the union is at $100 million under a structure that clubs said they would accept.

MLB estimated prearbitration players would receive $200 million more from 2022-26 than they had in the previous five years.

About 30 pre-arbitration players annually would earn more based on WAR, appearances on an all-MLB team and recognition such as best position player, best pitcher and best rookie.

As examples, Milwaukee pitcher Cobin Burnes would have increased last year from $608,000 to $2.6 million, Toronto first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. from $635,400 to $2 million, Cincinnati second baseman Jonathan India from $570,500 to $1.34 million and Tampa Bay outfielder Randy Arozarena from $581,200 to $1.3 million.

— To address allegations of service time manipulation, over which the union has filed six grievances

since 2015, MLB offered to award two draft picks — one amateur, one international — for a players’ accomplishments in his first three seasons. While that is up from one selection, the union opposes an international draft.

— To counter roster churn, MLB proposed a limit of five optional assignments of a player to the minor leagues each season.

— Addressing the Mets’ decision not to sign Kumar Rocker after selecting him 10th in last year’s amateur draft, clubs offered to guarantee a drafted amateur who participates in the pre-draft physical program a contract of at least 75 percent of slot value, with a stipulation that a player who passes a pre-draft physical cannot be flunked for his post-draft physical.

— MLB remained at three teams in a proposed draft lottery, while players are at eight.

— MLB is proposing an expansion of the playoffs from 10 teams to 14, while the union is offering 12.

— Both sides would expand the designated hitter to the National League.

— MLB wants uniform advertising patches, which the union says it would accept subject to an overall agreement.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, February 14, 2022, PAGE 19

BOC SADDENED

BY LOSS OF SIR GODFREY KELLY

BAHAMIANS in Arkansas, shown from left to right, Doneisha Anderson, Kaiwan Culmer, coach Leevan ‘Superman’ Sands, Sasha Wells, Tre Carey, Charisma Taylor and LaQuan Nairn.

Athletes compete in meets across the United States

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net JUMPERS LaQuan Nairn, Charisma Taylor, Kaiwan Culmer, Daejha Moss, Kyle Alcine and Shaun Miller Jr propelled a series of Bahamian professional and collegiate athletes’ performances in various meets in the United States over the weekend.

Nairn victorious/Taylor double threat in Arkansas LaQuan Nairn, the national indoor record holder, pulled off a big victory in the men’s long jump to lead a field of Bahamians at the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Nairn, now competing on the professional ranks after his graduation from the University of Arkansas, took a giant leap of 26-feet, 7 1/4-inches of 8.11 metres to fall shy of his national record of (8.16m) that he established last year.

Carey McLeod of Tennessee followed Nairn with 26-5 3/4 (8.07m).

Versatile Charisma Taylor also performed extremely well, albeit in her double duties for Tennessee.

Taylor came through in fourth place in the women’s long jump invitational with a leap of 21-feet, 2-inches or 6.45 metres in an event that was won by American Olympian Tara Davis with 22-5 1/4 (6.84m).

On the track in the 60m hurdles, Taylor was fifth in the women’s 60m hurdles in 8.10. Alie Armstrong, a sophomore at Louisiana State University, won the race in a meet and championship record in a personal best and world-leading time of 7.81.

Taylor had the third fastest time in the preliminary rounds in 8.05. Joining her in the rounds was Florida’s senior transfer Sasha Wells, who ended up 12th in 8.48.

Wells, who previously competed for Oral Roberts University, had the fastest time of 8.30 in the qualifying rounds.

Also on the field, Kaiwan Culmer returned to the collegiate scene where he came in fourth in the men’s triple jump invitational with a distance of 51-11 (15.82m). Jah-Nhai Perinchiewf of Bermuda won with 55-5 3/4 (16.91m).

And Anthonique Strachan, competing in the women’s 60m open final, was fifth in 7.41. American Mary Beth Sant-Price won the race in 7.04. Jamaicans Shericka Jackson (7.12) and Natasha Morrison (7.35) were second and third respectively, while American Taylor Anderson (7.39) was fourth.

Strachan, who trains in Jamaica with the MVP Track Club that includes Jackson and Morrison, advanced to the final with the fourth fastest qualifying time of 7.39.

Miller Jr and Moss in Clemson Shaun Miller Jr, with his parents May and Shaun Miller Sr in the stands watching, came through with a fifth place finish in the men’s high jump at the 2022 Clemson Tiger Paw at the Clemson University Indoor Complex.

Miller Jr, representing Ohio State as a sophomore, posted a best of 6-11 3/4 for fifth place on the countback with two other competitors.

Dontavious Hill, as junior at Auburn, also

THE Bahamas Olympic Committee is saddened at the loss of a great man and athlete, Sir Godfrey Kelly.

Sir Godfrey was content to lead a peaceful and quiet life. He was not one to seek the spotlight.

However, his character and his actions commanded the attention and respect of us all.

He represented our country with distinction at four summer Olympic Games – 1960, 1964, 1968, and 1972.

Throughout his life, he was a supporter of fellow countrymen and a shining example to us as well.

We pause to pay tribute to the dignified life of Sir Godfrey Kelly. His memory will always inspire us. May he rest in peace.

CHELSEA players celebrate after the Club World Cup final in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (AP)

CHELSEA MAINTAINS EUROPEAN DOMINATION OF CLUB WORLD CUP BAHAMIAN athletes in Iowa, from left to right, Tyler Gray, Daejha Moss, Angel Pratt, Kayvon Stubbs and Kyle Alcine. had to go to the scorecard to claim the victory over Darius Carbin, competing unattached, after they both cleared 7-3 (2.21m).

Kentucky’s sophomore Megan Moss had to settle for fifth place in the women’s 400m after she clocked 52.74. Her team-mate Alexis Holmes won the event in 51.27.

Moss also led off in a split of 53.22 to help Kentucky’s team win the women’s 4 x 400m relay in 3:27.27. The other members were Abby Steiner, Karimah Davis and Alexis Holmes.

Ohio State’s sophomore Oscar Smith reached the semifinals of the men’s 60m hurdles where he got ninth place in 7.85.

The eighth and final qualifier for the final was Cedric McGriff of North Carolina A&T, who did 7.83.

Smith came out of the preliminaries with the 13th best time of 7.94.

Adrian Curry, also in his sophomore year at Ohio State, finished 30th in the

preliminaries of the men’s 60m in 6.92.

Not to be left out, Kentucky’s freshman Jaida Knowles was tagged at 37th in the preliminaries of the women’s 60m in 7.63.

Knowles also came in 57th in the preliminaries of the women’s 200m 24.89.

Her team-mate Abby Steiner, who had a chance to go after the sprint double, posted a new NCAA record of 22.37 to erase the previous mark set by American Olympian Gabby Thomas of 22.38 she set in 2018 for Harvard.

Moss and Alcine shine at Iowa North Dakota State’s junior sensation Daehja Moss soared to victory in the women’s high jump at the Iowa State Classic at the Harry Hoak Track in Ames, Iowa with a leap of 5-7 3/4 (1.72).

Her closest rival was Southeastern Louisiana’s freshman Katrice Olson with 5-6 1/2 (1.69m).

Moss was also seventh in the long jump with a leap

of 18-5 1/4 (5.62m). Khyasia Caldwell, a junior at Texas Christian University, won with 20-5 3/4 (6.24m).

Kyle Alcine, now in his senior year at Kansas State, cleared 6-10 1/4 (2.09m) for second place in the men’s high jump as he lost out to his sophomore teammate Devon Richardson, the winner with 7-0 1/4 (2.14m). Also at the meet, Kayvon Stubbs, a senior at Drake University, was third in the women’s 200m in 25.04, while Tyler Gray, a sophomore at Northern Iowa, had to settle for eighth place in 25.45.

Emily Vos, a sophomore at Northern Iowa, won the event in 24.76.

Gray and Angel Pratt, a freshman at North Dakota State, were also entered in the women’s 400m, but they both didn’t finish. Gray, however, came and ran on the third leg of the Northern Iowa women’s 4 x 400m relay team of Auriona Kimbrough, Emily Vos and Erin Kertrnoff that placed fifth overall in 3:52.15.

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Chelsea extended Europe’s domination of the Club World Cup by beating Palmeiras 2-1 after extra time on Saturday to win the intercontinental title for the first time.

Kai Havertz, the forward who scored Chelsea’s winner in last season’s Champions League final, proved the man for the big occasion again by converting the game-clinching penalty with three minutes left in extra time.

Romelu Lukaku gave Chelsea the lead in the 55th minute in the final in Abu Dhabi, only for Raphael Veiga to equalize nine minutes later.

European champion, UEFA Super Cup winner and now club world champion. It has been quite the start to the tenure of Thomas Tuchel, who made it to the final having missed the semifinals while isolating after contracting the coronavirus.

Chelsea is the ninth straight European winner of the title, dating to 2013.

The last team from Europe to lose in the final? Chelsea, to Corinthians in 2012.

Palmeiras is the Copa Libertadores champion.

Liverpool keeps City in view, Newcastle clear of bottom 3

By STEVE DOUGLAS AP Sports Writer THE wind was howling. The rain was lashing down. The challenges were flying in. And, for once, Mohamed Salah was having a quiet day.

Everything was set up at Turf Moor for Liverpool to drop vital points against Burnley in its improbable attempt to reel in Manchester City in the Premier League title race.

Salvation came in the unlikely form of Fabinho.

Or perhaps not unlikely, given the defensive midfielder’s scruffy winner in the 1-0 victory yesterday was actually his fifth goal in his last seven games in all competitions.

Who needs Salah?

“I am surprised at my form,” Fabinho, a player known for his tackles rather than goals, said with a smile.

What didn’t come as a surprise for Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp was the fierce examination his team faced -- and passed -- against the league’s lastplace team which didn’t really play like it.

“Everything today was set up to be a banana skin for us,” Klopp said. “The balls in the air were so tricky to defend because the wind came from all directions. We played the circumstances rather than suffered from them.

“We like each other, we respect each other. We had to work incredibly hard and that is what the boys did.

We made our shirts dirty.”

The Reds aren’t letting up in their pursuit of City.

The lead is back down to nine points between the top two -- City briefly made it 12 by beating Norwich 4-0 on Saturday -- and Liverpool has a game in hand, at home to struggling

Leeds on Feb. 23. Crucially, Klopp’s team also has to play away to City in April.

Much has been made of City’s 15-game unbeaten run in the league but Liverpool has quietly put an impressive streak together, winning six in a row in all competitions and losing just once since Nov. 7.

Both teams now see their fixture schedule get even more condensed with the return of the Champions League. City plays Sporting away on Tuesday and Liverpool is at Inter Milan the following day.

As for Burnley, the team remained in last place but is showing the sort of defensive resilience to perhaps stay up. Whether Burnley has enough goals in the side to make up a sevenpoint deficit to safety is another thing, especially with Newcastle — the team just outside the relegation zone — having won three

straight league games on the back of some heavy spending in January.

“We looked a threat with some nearly moments,” Burnley manager Sean Dyche said. “There is not a lot I can fault with that performance.”

TRIPPIER’S FREE KICKS A couple of free kicks from Kieran Trippier have helped Newcastle pull clear of the relegation zone.

His first was in a 3-1 win over Everton on Tuesday.

On Sunday, he smashed one through the defensive wall, via a slight deflection, and high into the net to earn his team a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa.

Newcastle, boosted by five arrivals — including Trippier — in January thanks to the recent Saudifunded buyout, has won three straight league games and is four points clear of the bottom three.

TOP-FOUR RACE Wolverhampton was the big winner Sunday in the race to finish in the top four.

A 2-0 win at defensively hapless Tottenham lifted Wolves above its beaten opponent and into seventh place, four points off fourth-place West Ham. A few hours later, West Ham drew 2-2 at Leicester and is clinging onto the final Champions League qualification spot, a point ahead of fifth-place Manchester United.

Wolves scored both their goals in the opening 18 minutes, through Raul Jimenez and Leander Dendoncker.

Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was at fault for both of the goals, flapping twice at shots before Jimenez drove home a finish in the sixth minute and then executing a poor pass out prior to Dendoncker eventually scoring a scrappy second following

a deflection off the post.

West Ham squandered a lead given to the team in the 10th minute by winger Jarrod Bowen’s seventh goal in his last seven games.

Leicester turned the game around thanks to Youri Tielemans’ penalty on the stroke of halftime and Ricardo Pereira’s 57th-minute header, before Craig Dawson bundled in an equalizer in stoppage time.

ZOUMA UNWELL Kurt Zouma was named in West Ham’s starting lineup but pulled out during the warm-up, having complained of feeling unwell.

The France international had been jeered by fans for the second straight game after being filmed kicking and slapping a cat, conduct which is the subject of an animal-abuse inquiry and led to him being fined two weeks’ salary and losing his sponsorship deal with Adidas.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, February 14, 2022, PAGE 21

TWOLVES’ EDWARDS JOINS RARE CROWD IN REACHING 2,500 POINTS

GOLDEN State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) reacts after hitting a 3-point shot against the Los Angeles Lakers late in the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco on Saturday. The Warriors won 117-115.

(AP Photo/John Hefti)

Thompson has 33 in best game of return, Warriors edge Lakers SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Klay Thompson scored 16 of his season-high 33 points in the fourth quarter, Stephen Curry made a clutch layup with 46 seconds remaining, and the Golden State Warriors held off the Los Angeles Lakers 117-115 on Saturday night, spoiling another scoring milestone by LeBron James.

Curry finished with 24 points and eight assists, while Andrew Wiggins scored 19 points to help the Warriors end a two-game losing streak. Golden State has not lost three in a row all season.

James had 26 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists, but missed the first free throw after Curry fouled him attempting a 3-pointer with 2.4 seconds left. He made the second and missed the third intentionally but couldn’t chase down the rebound in time to get a shot off.

Earlier in the night, James extended his streak of 25 points or more to 22 games and passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for most points scored in the NBA combining the regular season and postseason with 44,157. James tied AbdulJabbar’s mark of 44,149 in the first half, then surpassed it with a 3-pointer early in the third quarter.

HEAT 115, NETS 111 MIAMI (AP) — Bam Adebayo had 19 points and 14 rebounds, and Miami held off a furious rally from Kyrie Irving and Brooklyn.

Irving scored 20 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter to help the Nets rally from a 21-point, third-quarter deficit before dropping their 11th straight game.

Cam Thomas’ 3-pointer with 37 seconds left cut Miami’s lead to 110-109.

Down 113-111, the Nets had possession and an opportunity to tie or take the lead. But Kyle Lowry stole Thomas’ pass, dribbled downcourt and found P.J. Tucker, who got fouled and converted his shots to secure Miami’s fifth consecutive win.

Duncan Robinson finished with 17 points and hit 6-of-10 3-pointers, Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro each scored 13 and Lowry had 13 points and six assists for the Eastern Conference-leading Heat.

76ERS 103, CAVALIERS 93 PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Joel Embiid had a triple-double of 40 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists

along with a highlight-reel jam, and Philadelphia beat Cleveland.

The Sixers are awaiting the debut of James Harden, who was acquired before the trade deadline.

Tyrese Maxey added 16 points for Philadelphia, which has won both games since Thursday’s blockbuster trade that sent disgruntled Ben Simmons to Brooklyn for Harden.

Embiid brought the house down with 1:47 left in the first half with a onehanded throw-down over Jarrett Allen that had fans – and even players – putting their hands to their heads. He finished 11 of 22 from the field, including 4 of 5 from 3-point range, and made 14 of 15 free throws.

Darius Garland scored 27 points to lead Cleveland.

SUNS 132, MAGIC 105 PHOENIX (AP) — Devin Booker scored 26 points and Deandre Ayton had 17 points and 10 rebounds as Phoenix won its fifth straight game, beating Orlando.

Chris Paul recorded his 30th double-double of the season with 10 points and 15 assists, and the Suns had nine players score in double figures. Phoenix has won 16 of 17 games and owns the NBA’s best record at 46-10.

The Magic were led by rookie guard Jalen Suggs, who scored 20 points, two shy of his career-high, and a season-high 10 assists. Cole Anthony scored 17 points, and Chuma Okeke had 15 points off the bench.

The Suns had a seasonhigh 40 assists and just seven turnovers.

GRIZZLIES 125, HORNETS 118 CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Ja Morant scored 26 points, Desmond Bane added 25 and Memphis held off Charlotte for its fifth straight win.

Jaren Jackson Jr. had 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Steven Adams added 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Grizzlies (40-18), who have won eight of their last nine games while scoring at least 120 points in their last five.

Terry Rozier had 35 points and 10 rebounds for the Hornets, who trailed by 35 before cutting the lead to four late in the fourth quarter.

LaMelo Ball finished with 25 points and newly acquired Montrezl Harrell had 20 for the slumping Hornets, which has lost seven of their last eight games.

NUGGETS 110, RAPTORS 109 TORONTO (AP) — Rookie guard Bones Hyland made a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 2:16 to play and Denver ended Toronto’s winning streak at eight.

Nikola Jokic had 28 points and 15 rebounds, Jeff Green scored 19 points and Aaron Gordon had 13 as the Nuggets won for the third time time in four games.

Hyland scored 11 points and Will Barton had 10.

Pascal Siakam scored a season-high 35 points and had 10 rebounds, but the Raptors lost for the first time since Jan. 26 at Chicago. Fred VanVleet scored 25 points, Scottie Barnes had 17 and Gary Trent Jr. 11.

BULLS 106, THUNDER 101 CHICAGO (AP) — DeMar DeRozan scored 38 points, Nikola Vucevic added 31 points and 15 rebounds, and Chicago overcame a sluggish start to beat Oklahoma City.

DeRozan set a career high with his sixth straight 30-point game. The AllStar scored nine over the final five minutes.

Vucevic made 14 of 25 shots, though he also committed six turnovers. Coby White scored 16 and made four 3-pointers, helping the Bulls pull out the win, even though Zach LaVine missed the game because of a sore left knee. The AllStar struggled in Friday’s win over Minnesota, and his status for the two remaining games before the All-Star break is in question.

Lu Dort led Oklahoma City with 31 points. Rookie Josh Giddey added 11 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for his second triple-double. Darius Bazley scored 17 as the Thunder lost their fifth straight.

CLIPPERS 99, MAVERICKS 97 DALLAS (AP) — Reggie Jackson scored 24 points and Los Angeles held off Dallas in the final minute to earn another split in another two-game set between the teams.

Luka Doncic had 23 of his 45 points in the fourth quarter two nights after scoring 28 of his careerhigh 51 points in the first of Dallas’ 112-105 win. Doncic had 15 rebounds and eight assists.

The LA victory in the rematch meant splits in all three two-game home sets over two seasons for teams that have met in the first round of the playoffs the

past two years. The Clippers won both of those series.

Terance Mann had 21 points and nine rebounds, and Marcus Morris Sr. scored 20 as the Clippers ended a three-game losing streak.

KINGS 123, WIZARDS 110 WASHINGTON (AP) – De’Aaron Fox scored 26 points, Domantas Sabonis added 16 points and 11 rebounds in his second game with Sacramento, and the new-look Kings beat Washington for their second straight victory.

Harrison Barnes added 21 points for the Kings, who acquired six players this week before Thursday’s trade deadline. In their first game with all six available, Sacramento shot a seasonbest 56.6% (43 of 76) from the floor.

Maurice Harkless added 17 points and Justin Holiday had 12 in his second game since joining Sabonis in a trade that sent both from Indiana to Sacramento.

Kyle Kuzma scored 22 points and Corey Kispert added 20 in the Wizards’ first game since trading for Kristaps Porzingis on Thursday in a deal that sent Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans to Dallas.

Porzingis (right knee) did not play.

SPURS 124, PELICANS 114 NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Dejounte Murray had 31 points and 12 rebounds, and San Antonio beat New Orleans for a second double-digit, wire-to-wire victory in two nights.

Murray controlled the game with a combination of accurate perimeter shooting on pull-ups and fades alike, explosive drives and forceful finishing around the basket.

Lonnie Walker scored 17 points, Keldon Johnson added 16 and Doug McDermott had 15 for the Spurs (22-35), who have remained within touching distance of the final Western Conference play-in spot.

CJ McCollum had a season-high 36 points on 15-of-24 shooting and grabbed 11 rebounds for New Orleans (22-34), which occupied the 10th and final play-in spot in the Western Conference standings when it acquired the star guard from Portland on Tuesday but is 0-2 since.

TRAIL BLAZERS 112, KNICKS 103 PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Anfernee Simons had 30 points and eight assists, and Portland erased a 23-point, third-quarter deficit to beat New York.

Newly acquired guard Josh Hart, one of several players new to Portland’s

(AP) — Anthony Edwards celebrated a milestone yesterday by scoring 37 points and leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 129120 victory over the Indiana Pacers.

Edwards became the fourth-youngest player in NBA history to reach the 2,500-point mark when he made his first basket of the game. The secondyear forward is 20 years, 192 days old. LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker are the only younger players to achieve the feat.

The Timberwolves snapped a two-game losing streak overall and a three-game losing streak at Indiana as they compete to finish among the top six in the Western Conference and avoid the play-in round.

Oshae Brissett had a season-high 22 points and matched his career high with 13 rebounds for Indiana, which has lost six in a row. Tyrese Haliburton added 22 points and 16 assists, one short of tying his career high in just his second game with the Pacers.

CELTICS 105, HAWKS 95 BOSTON (AP) — Jayson Tatum scored 38 points and led a thirdquarter surge that sent Boston past Atlanta for its eighth straight win.

Tatum also had 10 rebounds. Robert Williams added 10 points and 14 boards, Jaylen Brown scored 17 points and Marcus Smart had 13.

Trae Young had 30 points and 10 assists to lead Atlanta, keeping the Hawks within range until the final few minutes of the fourth quarter.

Bogdan Bogdanovic finished with 26 points and Clint Capela pulled down 17 rebounds for the Hawks, who lost for the fourth time in five games.

The Celtics, who lost their first two against the Hawks this season, trailed 55-45 at halftime and allowed an early basket by Young to start the third. roster after a flurry of trades before the deadline, added 23 points in his Blazers debut.

Portland closed the gap to-98-92 in the final period when Simons and Ben McLemore hit backto-back 3-pointers. Jusuf Nurkic’s dunk finally put Portland in front 99-98 with 4:23 left, capping a 20-4 run.

Portland outscored New York 35-11 in the fourth quarter. Julius Randle led the Knicks with 28 points and 16 rebounds, while Kemba Walker added 23 points.

PAGE 22, Monday, February 14, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

FUN TIME: BLTA ‘Play Tennis Bahamas’ springs into action THE Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association (BLTA) “Play Tennis Bahamas Programme” Spring Session opened to a strong start.

Young children ages 5-16 enter this introductory session with a goal to learn tennis and have some fun.

Armed with the mission to offer tennis to as many young persons who have a desire to learn, the BLTA provides the optimal environment where this is possible.

Many children are afforded the opportunity to learn a sport that was not available before, with an admin fee of $1 and all sporting equipment provided, access to the sport of tennis is wide open.

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has supported this junior tennis initiative and the equipment received has been put to good use not only in the Nassau programme but junior programmes in Abaco, Grand Bahama and Eleuthera.

Certified coaches were on hand to instruct the children in forehands, backhands, serves and volleys in the first two sessions. The kids are already playing tennis.

BLTA President Perry Newton thanked the volunteer coaches who continue to give back and impact the future generation of tennis players.

“As the numbers of new players continue to grow we encourage tennis athletes (juniors and seniors), national players and coaches to donate a small portion of their time to this vibrant programme that is positively influencing our young people,” the BLTA said in a statement.

“Your participation will exponentially benefit the kids and add to their tennis skills and knowledge.”

Play Tennis Bahamas, according to the BLTA, also teaches camaraderie, discipline and sportsmanship - lessons to use on and off the court.

“We believe there is tennis greatness waiting to be discovered,” the BLTA further stated.

“We look forward to continued growth and development as more and

KONTAVEIT STRETCHES RUN TO WIN ST PETERSBURG LADIES TROPHY ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) — Anett Kontaveit overcame Maria Sakkari 5-7, 7-6 (4), 7-5 in the final of the St. Petersburg Ladies Trophy on Sunday for her fourth straight indoor title.

The second-seeded Kontaveit needed nearly three hours to beat top-seeded Sakkari, recovering from being a break down in the second and third sets to claim her sixth singles title overall.

It was the Estonian player’s 20th consecutive indoor win, which includes her runs to titles at Ostrava, Moscow and Cluj-Napoca at the end of last season.

TOP-SEEDED RUUD BEATS SCHWARTZMAN TO WIN OPEN

By MARCELO R ANDROETTO Associated Press

CHILDREN between five and 16 years take part in the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s “Play Tennis Bahamas Programme” Spring Session. more children are added to the sport.”

The next session of Play Tennis Bahamas is scheduled for 9am on February

19 at The National Tennis Centre.

In addition, interested persons who wish to assist in teaching the next

generation of players are encouraged to email pr@ blta.net.

Your time and talent will be an important seed in

these new players’ tennis journey.

Parents can also register their kids to participate via email.

BUENOS AIRES (AP) — Casper Ruud of Norway beat home-crowd favorite Diego Schwartzman 5-7, 6-2, 6-3 on Sunday to win his second Argentina Open.

“It feels very good to have the trophy back in my hands,” said Ruud, who was the tournament’s top seed and won the first of his six professional titles at the 2020 Argentina Open.

Ruud is No. 8 in the world.

About 5,000 fans came to the court to support Schwartzman, an Argentinian who is ranked No. 15 in the world and won last year’s Argentina Open.

Schwartzman pushed Ruud to win the first set.

But Ruud’s power and precision prevailed from the second set on. The match was 2 hours and 34 minutes long under blazing sun.

The 23-year-old Norwegian has never lost at the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club, holding a record of 9 wins and 0 losses.

Ruud overcame Spain’s Roberto Carballés Baena and Argentinians Federico Coria and Federico Delbonis to reach the final.

Schwartzman bested Spain’s Jaume Munar, Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo and Italy’s Sonego to play the decider in Buenos Aires.

OPELKA BEATS BROOKSBY IN 2 SETS TO WIN INAUGURAL DALLAS OPEN

CHILDREN take part in the Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association’s “Play Tennis Bahamas Programme” Spring Session.

DALLAS (AP) — Reilly Opelka won his third ATP Tour title, beating Jenson Brooksby in straight sets in an all-American final at the inaugural Dallas Open on Sunday.

The second-seeded Opelka won all 46 service games during the tournament and faced just one break point, which came in the second set of his 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4) victory over Brooksby.

Opelka, ranked 23rd, added to his titles in New York in 2019 and Delray Beach a year later. The 24-year-old is the first American to win a third ATP Tour title since Jack Sock won his third at Delray Beach in 2017. “It’s always nice to lift a trophy,” Opelka said. “It doesn’t happen so often, at least for me, so I’m going to enjoy it.”

Brooksby, a 21-yearold trying to build on a breakout 2021 season that included a run to the fourth round at the U.S. Open, was seeking his first title in his second final. He was the fourth seed. The 6-foot-11 Opelka’s powerful serve produced 16 aces to two for Brooksby, putting Opelka at 100 aces for the tournament.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, February 14, 2022, PAGE 23

BUDDY Hield (24) goes to the basket against Timberwolves’ Naz Reid (11) yesterday.

CHAVANO “Buddy” Hield (24) dribbles during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday in Indianapolis.

(AP Photos/Darron Cummings)

‘Buddy’ Hield embracing new role, fresh start with the Pacers

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net AFTER being involved in a trade for the second time in his NBA career, Chavano “Buddy” Hield has appeared ready to embrace a new role and a fresh start with the Indiana Pacers.

“It was a shift that was needed,” Hield said of his trade from the Sacramento Kings to the Pacers last week.

“It’s business. It’s basketball. I’m thankful to be here, thankful for the opportunity, and ready to get to work. Indiana is a great basketball state, fans are fun around and I know how passionate they are about basketball.”

In his Pacers debut, Hield finished with 16 points,

nine rebounds and eight assists in a 120-113 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers Friday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. He followed with 13 points and eight rebounds in a 129-120 home loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves yesterday.

Prior to the trade, Hield averaged 14.4 points per game and made 182 three pointers this season despite shooting a career low 37 percent.

“It’s a new opportunity to call someplace home where you can start fresh again.

Of course, you have to learn terminology, coaches, systems, players, and new faces everyday.

“It’s just what comes with this game. A lot comes your way when you get traded but we have to treat this like professionals every day.

“We have a job to do and that’s going out there to compete at a high level,” Hield said.

“My last three or four months in Sacramento, I don’t think it went as well as I wanted it to go of course.

“But this is a new opportunity, I’ve been waiting for that and I just want to prove myself,” Hield told The Tribune.

The Pacers depth chart at guard now includes Hield, Malcolm Brogdon, Tyrese Haliburton, Lance Stephenson, and rookie Chris Duarte.

Haliburton came over to the Pacers alongside Hield and Tristan Thompson for All-Star forward Domantas Sabonis, Jeremy Lamb and Justin Holiday dealt to Sacramento.

Haliburton, in just his second season, is still under his rookie contract and is considered the point guard of the future while Brogdon is owed $67.6 million over the next three seasons but cannot be traded until the offseason because of his recently signed extension in October 2021.

“I just want to go out there and do what I do best

- shoot the ball and make opportunities for my teammates,” Hield said.

“Just bring that positive energy to the team,” he added.

The Pacers, No.13 in the Eastern Conference at 19-38, have taken a step back this season following injuries to key starters Brogdon, TJ Warren, and Myles Turner.

PAGE 24, Monday, February 14, 2022

LOS Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) celebrates with his family after the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game last night in Inglewood, California. INSET - Rams outside linebacker Von Miller, left, celebrates with Robert Woods after the Rams defeated the Cincinnati Bengals.

(AP Photos/Mark J Terrill)

THE TRIBUNE

RAMS

FROM PAGE 17 championship drive. Cincinnati was penalised the second-fewest times (72) for the fewest yards (620) in the regular season but flags on three consecutive plays hurt badly — including interference on Kupp in the end zone.

“I don’t feel deserving of this,” Kupp said. “The guys standing here challenged me, they pushed me. I am just so grateful.”

Even with that brilliant, decisive march to the Lombardi Trophy, it was LA’s “fearsome fivesome” that made the difference.

Led by Aaron Donald and Von Miller, they sacked Joe Burrow a Super Bowl record-tying seven times, shutting down Cincinnati’s offense after the Bengals took the lead and then added to it with a field goal during a 22-second spurt to start the second half.

Fittingly, Burrow was under pressure on fourth-and-1 and threw incomplete, setting off a football fiesta this city has not seen since the LA Raiders won the 1983 championship.

A tearful Donald said after the crowning achievement of a certain Hall of Fame career, “I wanted it so bad. I dreamed this.”

Added McVay, at 36 the youngest Super Bowl-winning head coach: “For the offense to be able to find a way, and then Aaron to be able to finish it off, it’s poetic, man.”

The 10 quick points at the outset of the third quarter put Cincinnati ahead for the first time. Tee Higgins’ 75-yard score made it 17-13 and was followed one play later by Chidobe Awuzie’s pick.

Evan McPherson tied Adam Vinatieri’s postseason record with his 14th field goal, a 38-yarder.

Higgins beat All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey on the first play of the second half -- the receiver clearly tugged Ramsey’s face mask on the play. After Stafford was intercepted on the next play, the Bengals got McPherson’s field goal.

Then they tried to hold on as all of southwest Ohio held its breath.

But LA’s relentless pass rush, led by its two biggest stars, Donald and Miller with two apiece, allowed nothing more.

Then came the 15-play march in which Kupp also converted the fourth down with his run.

“We wanted to be in attack mode and pressure them as much as possible,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. “Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t.”

Kupp even earned the MVP honor despite often being double-teamed after fellow wideout Odell Beckham Jr. — who had a touchdown catch on Los Angeles’ second drive for the game’s first score — went out with a knee injury in the second period. Kupp finished with eight receptions for 92 yards.

One fear for Rams followers was ill-advised throws by Stafford, and he had two. His deep pass moving left was picked in the end zone late in the first half by Jessie Bates III. On his second interception, rookie Ben Skowronek could only deflect it -directly to Awuzie.

Other than Matt Gay’s 41-yard field goal later in the third quarter, it was all defense until the Rams’ relentless drive to win it.

Energized from the outset, the crowd of 70,048 at the stadium that opened in 2020 roared to introductions of each team by The Rock. Then the Bengals fans, far louder than their Rams counterparts early on, got to rocking when Trey Hendrickson sacked Stafford, leading to a punt.

LA’s defense responded by holding on third and fourth downs with a yard to go at midfield. Ernest Jones knocked down a pass for Ja’Marr Chase to turn over the ball, and the excellent field position set up the first touchdown.

Beckham, who joined the Rams in Week 10 after being exiled from Cleveland, easily beat Mike Hilton on a corner pattern for the 17-yard score on third down. Then Beckham showed off his moonwalk in the end zone.

Kupp’s first touch, also on third down, was a short throw from Stafford he turned into a 20-yard gain when Jessie Bates III fanned on a tackle. That would not be the last whiff by the Bengals, and it cost them mightily at the end.

The most intriguing matchup of this Super Bowl, Offensive Rookie of the Year receiver Chase against All-Pro Ramsey, got real juicy late in the opening quarter. Chase brilliantly tracked Burrow’s throw and made a onehanded grab over Ramsey for a 46-yard gain to the LA 11. The drive went no further and rookie McPherson kept intact his spotless field goal streak in the postseason with a 29-yarder.

Unlike the Bengals, the Rams turned their early big plays into touchdowns.

Beckham took advantage of two defenders colliding to pick up 35 yards on the next drive, Darrell Henderson got 25 while covered

by Hendrickson dropping back — huh? — and Kupp was wide open in the right corner of the end zone for his 11-yard score.

“It just comes down to this team and the way we prepared, they way we loved on each other, trusted each other,” Kupp said.

As has been their wont when behind in the playoffs, though, the Bengals responded with a 75-yard drive capped by the trickery of Joe Mixon. He was so efficient running that the secondary was sucked in when Burrow handed off, and Mixon lobbed a 6-yard TD pass to Higgins.

It remained 13-10 until halftime, with Beckham’s left knee injury most notable; he had to be helped off the field and didn’t return.