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- SEE PAGE EIGHT

Brave warns we should join forces with regional nations on climate fight

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

AS he appealed for countries in the region to come together to combat climate change, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis admitted the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the “humbling” realisation that The Bahamas’ interests may be more aligned with other small island developing states than some of its larger allies.

Mr Davis was proposing how countries in the region could band together and create stronger ties to fight the climate challenge at the CARICOM-SICA Summit.

Yesterday was the final day of meetings with regional heads in San Pedro, Belize.

“As a regional community, what can we do, beyond hoping that our friends will spring into action, beyond waiting for the inevitable to hit us?”

SEE PAGE THREE

MINNIS NOW DAVIS GIVES SEBAS ROLE PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis has appointed Sebastian Bastian as non-resident ambassador to the Central American Integration System.

The appointment was announced yesterday during Mr Davis’ contribution at the fourth CARICOMSICA Summit in San Pedro, Belize, where Mr Bastian was present.

Mr Davis said Mr Bastian’s appointment is a sign of The Bahamas’ commitment to engaging in the

region at a level that has never existed.

“I have asked His Excellency Sebas Bastian to be vigorous in his engagement with the region and use his business acumen and skills in outreach for the mutual benefit of our countries and our people,” Mr Davis said. “I know he will do well.”

Last year, Mr Bastian, a businessman, was appointed as non-resident ambassador to South Africa by the Minnis administration.

LAND GRAB OR ABOVE BOARD? A TRACTOR removing trees along New Providence Highway yesterday. Concerns were raised by Terry Miller yesterday about deforestation in the area. See PAGE TWO for the full story.

Photo: Donavan McIntosh/Tribune Staff

SCHOOL’S BACK - DON’T ‘GAS MARK UPS ARE NOT THEY MAKE YOU PROUD? IN SUPPLIERS’ CONTROL’

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

people need to learn how to resolve conflict without violence.

This comes after videos EDUCATION, Tech- circulated on social media nical and Vocational this week showing a group Training Minister Glenys of female students in uniHanna Martin form punching says officials a girl to the are looking at ground while a number of other students strategies to see watched, some how they can of whom were create a peacelaughing.

At ful environment one point, the for students victim was lying after videos down on the of a school ground when a fight prompted AN IMAGE from the video. female, not in concern. school uniform, Ms Hanna appeared to Martin said there should be stomp on her. “zero tolerance” for fightSEE PAGE FOUR ing in schools, adding young

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

RUBIS Bahamas maintained yesterday that while the fuel industry in the country is regulated by the government, it has no control over the movements in the price of fuel on the international market.

Raymond Samuels, managing director of Rubis Bahamas, in an email response to The Tribune, noted the wholesale and retail margins of fuel are established by the government, adding the wholesale margins have remained the same for over 15 years.

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE THREE

DIANE PHILLIPS: MADNESS AT MONTAGU - AND YES, I’M ANGRY

SEE PAGE NINE

PAGE 2, Friday, March 4, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

TREES being removed along New Providence Highway yesterday.

Photos: Donavan McIntosh/Tribune Staff

Land grab or above board?

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

TERRY MILLER, the executive director of Bahamas Association for Social Health speaking to the media yesterday.

Photo: Donavan McIntosh/Tribune Staff

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THE executive director of the Bahamas Association for Social Health and CEO of Earth Village is sounding the alarm over suspected deforestation in an area of western New Providence.

Terry Miller said the area in question is the former Perpall Tract well field consisting of 212 acres of land that was secured by the government in the late 1930s to provide water to the city of Nassau.

It is also the site of the Earth Village project where tourists got robbed back in 2009.

Mr Miller is frustrated about the issue and said he has consulted a lawyer to see if they can sue the Ministry of Environment to “make them do their job” and stop the reported action.

“I started developing a plan, a vision that would show the government of The Bahamas that this property did not have to be destroyed. It could still make money because that’s what they’re interested in. An ecotourist, cultural heritage environment and over the years we developed a business plan in 2005. Invested $25,000 in the business plan that was donated by the IDB to show the viability of this project. We had 12 ecotours,” Mr Miller said about the history of the site.

He said during the Christie administration, a man allegedly started cutting

into the forest.

“I alerted the public to what was going on.

Called on the Bahamas National Trust. We had a press conference - nothing happened. In the Minnis administration under an environmentalist who was the Minister of the Environment, he was the first person that we approached.

They say they would do something. They connected us to the Department of Forestry; nothing was done.

For five years, this man continued to peck, peck and take bits and pieces of this land,” Mr Miller said.

“In December last year, in January of this year the minister from the environment and a team from the ministry came with me to see what was going on and promised that they would put a hold on it,” he claimed. “It accelerated. It has accelerated to the point when you see what is going on down there, this land is being decimated. I heard this man claim he owns a hundred acres. He doesn’t own anything in here. This land was taken by eminent domain - by the government of The Bahamas.”

Mr Miller said he will not stop advocating for the area until the deforestation ceases.

“When we started this project, there were 10 protected plants on the list.

There are over 200 protected plants in the country.

This man has destroyed thousands of protected plants on our land,” he claimed. “This land belongs to the Bahamian people

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www.combankltd.com TREES being removed along New Providence highway.

and we are sitting back and allowing it to happen and the government is sitting back and allowing it to happen.”

Yesterday, Minister of Environment Vaughn Miller said he was made aware of the complaint yesterday and said officials from his ministry are looking into the claim.

“We got a complaint about that today,” the minister told The Tribune. “The Department of Environmental Health and Planning and Protection sent several officers there to investigate it and I’m waiting to hear (back). I just heard of it a few minutes ago. . .of course whatever we need to do to make certain that the laws of the land are protected, we will do that.”

Vaughn Miller said he was not certain what had happened in the area and explained he was not on the island, but in Eleuthera on an official visit yesterday.

“But we will not stand by and watch that happen, I assure you of that,” he said.

He said it is his understanding that the property was taken by the government under eminent domain, however he was not certain of this.

“Based on the reports we are getting it is (under) eminent domain, based on the reports we are getting, someone seems to be pushing down some bushes without authorisation, using a tractor or whatever the heavy-duty equipment is, that’s my understanding,” the Environment Minister said.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, March 4, 2022, PAGE 3

CARICOM AWAITS UN OVER RUSSIA SANCTIONS DECISION CARICOM is awaiting a decision from the United Nations Security Council before taking a position on whether member states should impose sanctions on Russia, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said yesterday.

Mr Davis spoke from Belize, where he is attending CARICOM meetings.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing war were brought up yesterday at the sessions.

“The issue of Russia and Ukraine, as I mentioned earlier when I embarked to come to these meetings, I knew it would loom large in our deliberations and dialogue,” Mr Davis said in

an interview with press secretary Clint Watson.

“We today issued a very strong statement in support of the UN charter that protects and preserves a country’s territorial integrity and their sovereignty.

And in that regard, flowing from that, is the question of sanctions (being) imposed

by CARICOM states.

“The general consensus is that until the UN Security Council will pass a resolution to confirm that member states ought to impose sanctions, we have decided to just sit back and wait to abide (by) the outcome of such resolution.”

He also said: “A number of countries have indicated

that overtures have been made to them in respect to sanctions, that’s why the question came (as) to what we will do as a collective body and came down on the side of awaiting and abiding the decision of the UN Security Council.”

Mr Davis said talks were also held on climate change at CARICOM meetings.

“We discussed the issue.

We are going to remain engaged in dialogue and we are going to make sure that our voices are heard in the right places.”

Regional leaders discussed accessing funding for mitigation and adaptation, and the challenges in obtaining these funds, he said.

‘Small states need to fight together’ from page one “ What leadership can we provide? Colleagues as we are not the major carbon emitters or the wealthy carbon-emitting beneficiaries, there will always be limitations around what we can do. However, The Bahamas believes that it is possible to be an active and driving part of the solution. The first step is to take the first step,” Mr Davis said.

“We recognise that we face a global phenomenon brought on by global causes and need an international effort. Yet when it comes to the region, we are still acting individually.

“I do not underestimate the challenges of stepping up our levels of regional cooperation, but leadership requires us to try, try and try again.

“My government still has some way to go in arguing to the Bahamian people that we must look south and north. We are grateful to our friends and allies for all that they do.

“But the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic brought into sharp and humbling focus that our self-interest may well be more fully-aligned with those who live like us: small island developing states; small economies with narrow economic bases; and small populations whose voices already resound loudly on the world stage, but not loudly enough to carry the argument.”

He continued: “Colleagues, we are experiencing the same hurricanes, the same rising sea levels, the same threats to our tourism industries.

“We intend to push an agenda that includes a strong focus on solutions

hoping that our common interests will help us narrow our ties and strengthen our bonds. We are already exploring several paths forward which we believe offer opportunities for regional and international cooperation.

“If we can come together to address the biggest, most existential threat facing humanity, then surely we can overcome some of the other obstacles, which have historically prevented the region from working together more closely and more productively.”

Mr Davis said as a new Prime Minister, having taken office following the September 16 general election, he came to the table with no agenda other than the hand of friendship, cooperation and peace in our region and hemisphere.

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis pictured in Belize.

‘GAS MARK UPS ARE NOT IN SUPPLIERS’ CONTROL’ from page one

He could not say what the company expects Bahamians to face at the pumps in the weeks to come.

This follows Public Works Minister Alfred Sears’ position that the government would have to consider and take extraordinary measures in response to an expected continued increase in fuel costs.

He was responding on Wednesday to a question from this newspaper about the two-week dramatic rise in fuel costs at the pumps.

In mid-February, Rubis’ price was $5.16 per gallon below its competitors. But as of yesterday, that price stood at $5.52. This is inclusive of 51 cents in value added tax.

While Shell stations did not increase during that time frame, remaining at $5.37, Esso rose by five cents, increasing from $5.19 to $5.24.

“Fuel like many other commodities in The Bahamas is imported from overseas, and the acquisition cost is a function of supply and demand,” Mr Samuels said when asked if Rubis could say how much at maximum motorists frequenting his company’s fuel stations were expected to pay per gallon of gasoline.

“As such we have no control over the movements in the price of fuel on the international market.

“Locally, the fuel industry is regulated by the government of The Bahamas; the wholesale and retail margins are established by the government. The wholesale margins have remained the same for over 15 years. It is, therefore, not prudent for Rubis to speculate on what the price of fuel may be.

“The price of fuel on the international market is a function of supply and demand. Factors which may contribute to cost increases for gasoline and diesel may include cost of crude oil, refining costs, shipping, and other distribution costs,” Mr Samuels also said.

Mr Samuels was not able to say when prices at the pump would return to normal as currently fuel prices on the international market are “quite volatile”.

The war between Russia and Ukraine is likely to impact the price of fuel for some time, he noted.

As motorists deal with increased fuel costs, the Rubis managing director gave this advice: “Rubis Ultra Tec fuel is formulated to clean your vehicle’s engine valves and combustion chamber by removing deposits, thereby improving fuel economy and efficiency.

“As such, using Rubis Ultra fuel will save money for motorists. In addition, motorists may conserve on fuel by planning their trips, carpooling and avoid driving in heavy traffic where possible.”

Asked about the matter Wednesday, Mr Sears said the Bahamian government was no different from administrations around the world regarding the worrisome cost of fuel.

“Every country in the world, other than the countries which have large deposits of oil and natural gas, is concerned,” Mr Sears said in response to a question from The Tribune.

“So, the answer is yes, we are concerned.

“Especially (with) the war going on now with the invasion by Russia into Ukraine. Russia is the second largest supplier of oil so again there will be an impact as we have sanctions being applied by a number of countries on Russia. So, like every country in the world, we will have to take extraordinary measures.

“The government has backstopped BPL in the provision of a hedge strategy which stabilises the price or the rate of electricity notwithstanding the fluctuations in the marketplace.

“The Prime Minister yesterday (Tuesday) made an announcement from Belize that the government will take every measure to ensure that the very challenging external environment and rising price of fuel, that certain safeguards

will be put in place so that the most vulnerable in the Bahamian society will not have to suffer any more than we have already suffered.”

He also said the government would be making a strong push to decrease the

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PAGE 4, Friday, March 4, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

‘FNM being left out of COVID meetings’

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net MICHAEL Pintard says the Davis administration continues to leave the Free National Movement out of meetings with top health officials about COVID-19.

His comment yesterday came after Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper said the government will remove the requirement for antigen tests for visitors five days after arrival in the country.

Mr Pintard did not express a view on the change, saying the FNM is not privy to the guidance behind the decision.

“This administration is refusing to involve the opposition in the briefing by the EOC,” he said.

LEADER of the FNM Michael Pintard.

“They have an obligation in our estimation. We certainly provided it (to them). It wasn’t a courtesy, it was the sensible thing for a government to do, to involve the official opposition when they are having discussions with the health professionals so that we can all be privy to the data that is being made available to us and this government has failed to do so, so when I hear pronouncements by this government in terms of what they intend to do as it relates to the management of COVID, we are not armed with the information and they are deliberately excluding us from being included in the briefings so we could know what the facts are.”

He added: “We were aware that in times past,

that they were unwilling to explain the extent to which we were having a challenge which is why we’ve said let us go with the PCR test results as well as the antigen because it gives us a more holistic picture of what we are facing. They later came out and took the advice we gave onboard.”

Mr Cooper said on Wednesday the requirement for a test to enter The Bahamas will continue.

He told reporters tourism stakeholders are encouraging the government to further relax COVID-19 protocols, including removing the mask mandate.

Yesterday, Mr Cooper said the Ministry of Health is considering that recommendation and will express a view to Cabinet next week.

JUST TWO NEW CASES OF COVID RECORDED PAYING TRIBUTE TO FORMER SENATOR COAKLEY THE Ministry of Health reported just two new cases of COVID-19 yesterday, the lowest number recorded so far this year.

It’s a further sign that the country is at the tail end of the fourth wave of the coronavirus, however health officials have

said a new wave could emerge if a new variant circulates.

The two new cases, recorded in the ministry’s March 2 dashboard, were both in New Providence.

The country now has had 33,152 confirmed cases since the start of the

pandemic, however only 222 cases are active.

At last report, 16 people were in hospital with COVID-19, one of whom was in the intensive care unit.

Seven hundred and seventy-one people have died from the disease.

SCHOOL’S BACK - DON’T THEY MAKE YOU PROUD? from page one

Ms Hanna Martin was asked about the fight on the sidelines of an event yesterday.

She said some intervention took place after the incident.

“I do believe that a senior police officer intervened in that matter. Not in a criminal manner, but a way in which to intervene to deal with issues of anger management, bullying, etc,” the Englerston MP said. “I think that we have to ensure that there is a no tolerance level for violence on school campuses - that’s the first principle. Secondly, we have to see how we can cause for our young people to be able to resolve whatever their issues are without resorting to that type of conduct.”

Ms Hanna Martin continued: “Bullying in this day and age has serious consequences and I was thinking about it in the last 48 hours, we have to raise the awareness of bullying on school campuses and we have to dissipate all those energies.

“I don’t know what the underlying issues are with these young people in terms of what leads to these things, but you know if your hair looks a certain way, if you’re a little heavy - it doesn’t matter. Every child has the right to be and to be on that campus

and we will seek to foster respect for every person regardless of any issues that differentiates one from another and to cause for a leave of harmony on the campus.”

She said officials are looking at a number of strategies now to see how they can create a peaceful and harmonious environment.

“But in that particular incident, there has been intervention which I believe will lead to a positive outcome. You know, we can deal with it on a case-by-case basis but we have to change any culture that may be suggesting that this kind of thing is accepted or acceptable on the school campus.”

Corporal punishment is a controversial remedy proposed to correct students’ behaviour. Former Education Minister Jeff Lloyd said in January 2021 that education officials are having a “vigorous conversation” about whether it should still be allowed in schools, however there are some who are opposed to phasing out the practice.

Giving her personal view, Ms Hanna Martin said she does not see how using violence on children is going to help any sort of circumstance or situation. The minister added that she is not an advocate of violence in any shape or form and certainly not against young persons.

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

GOVERNOR General CA Smith pays his last respects to the late Patricia Coakley, former Senator, in the Foyer of the Senate yesterday. Acting Prime Minister Chester Cooper, below, also pays his respects. A state-recognised funeral service will be held at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Boyd Road, today, at 11am. The service will be broadcast live on ZNS Radio.

Photos: Letisha Henderson/BIS

PAIR FINED $1,000 OVER COCAINE AND MARIJUANA

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net A MAN and woman were fined over $1,000 yesterday after they were found with an assortment of drugs, including marijuana and cocaine.

Police arrested Calvin Pinder, 48, and Karen Brayden, 41, after they were found on March 1 with eight ounces of marijuana, two ounces of cocaine and two grams of amphetamine.

Police said the discovery came as officers were searching their home while armed with a warrant.

The court was told several Ziploc bags and foil wraps containing suspected marijuana and cocaine were retrieved by officers, along with bags containing pills believed to be infused with amphetamine.

Cash in the amount of $13,519 in mixed currencies was also found at the home, according to police.

As a result of police findings, both accused were arrested and taken into custody.

However, while conducting another search of the accused at the police station, officers said they found three other clear plastic bags with suspected

marijuana and amphetamine laced pills on Brayden.

During yesterday’s hearing before Magistrate Samuel McKinney, both accused accepted the facts read by the prosecution and pleaded guilty to charges of drug possession with intent to supply and simple possession.

In mitigation, their defence attorney asked the court for leniency, noting a conviction would cause hardship for both of his clients. He also said the two were sorry for their actions and chose not to waste the court’s time.

In response, Magistrate McKinney fined the two a total of $1,200 each, warning failure to pay the fines could result in a one-year prison sentence.

Brayden was further fined $1,800 for the drugs that officers found on her at the station. She was told that if she fails to pay the fine, she will risk spending six months behind bars.

Also appearing in court on a similar charge was 33-year-old Jolando Adderley, an immigration officer.

Police arrested Adderley after they found 20 grams of marijuana at his home on March 1.

According to the prosecutor officers went to a home in the Sea Breeze

area armed with a search warrant.

While searching the home, officers found two plastic bags and foil wrappings with suspected marijuana.

Police said Adderley admitted to simple possession, claiming the drugs were for his personal use.

In mitigation, his attorney told the court Adderley, a father-of-one, was the one who directed officers to the drugs and accepted responsibility for his actions from the onset.

His attorney further noted that his client, who was employed at the Department of Immigration for some five years, never had any prior run-ins with the law and was remorseful.

“If given the opportunity, I believe he would not offend again,” the attorney said. “I’ve known Mr Adderley for several years and I can speak to his character.”

Having listened to the defendant’s plea in mitigation, Magistrate McKinney placed him on probation for one year. He also ordered him to attend drug counselling classes.

If he fails to be on good behaviour within that time frame, Adderley was told that he would spend three months behind bars.

THE TRIBUNE

‘Only one school still fully virtual’

By PAVEL BAILEY EDUCATION Minister Glenys Hanna Martin said yesterday that only one high school remains fully on virtual teaching as schools across the nation continue to progress towards a full return to the classroom.

During an interview with reporters, Ms Hanna Martin discussed her ministry’s ongoing efforts to transition back to full faceto-face classes before the start of the new academic school year. She said while all schools are open, only Patrick J Bethel High School in Abaco remains fully virtual.

“All schools are open.

There is one school fully virtual which is in Abaco, the Patrick J Bethel School, as a result of teacher shortages and so we are seeking to address that. We have to call it what it is, that is the issue we are facing there.

So, we are now in active recruitment engagement

to post teachers in Abaco.

There is also a housing challenge in Abaco after Dorian, but we are seeking to meet all of those challenges to get teachers in Abaco.”

She said her ministry is forming strategies to deal with this issue.

“There are always teachers who are transferred to island communities (who) always get rental assistance.

The problem is not so much that rents are extremely high because of the shortages. Where you have shortages, demand goes up. High demand, prices go up. And this is what we are facing now in Abaco, but we are seeking to, we are looking at some strategies to cause for the housing issue to be addressed.”

Asked when teachers will be dispatched to Abaco and other schools experiencing shortages in New Providence, she said the process of placement is already in progress.

“They (teachers) are

going through the public service system and so as soon as we get the green light, they will be placed.

As we speak the process is in progress so as soon as it is completed teachers will be in. We are just waiting for certain green lights in the system which will get them into the classroom.”

Ms Hanna Martin also lamented the fact that the remaining COVID-19 restrictions from health protocols have made it difficult for schools to fully return to face-to-face learning.

“All the schools are open, they’re all operating on a face-to-face basis, the challenge is that the Ministry of Health protocols are still in place, they’ve not been modified. They still require three feet between the students, etc, etc. As a result of that we are now in a hybrid model where we are alternating each day, but every child should be in face-toface during the course of the week.”

However, she said that

her ministry and the country are ready for students to fully return to the classrooms, and that all she is waiting on is approval from the Ministry of Health to go forward.

“Because of these protocols, it creates space challenges, so if you want to obey the protocols you can’t have everyone in the classroom at one time, so as long as those protocols are in place, they will continue to place a challenge. But we are ready, the country is ready, the children are ready, and so as soon as the Ministry of Health says go for it, we are going for it.

We will get the children in the classroom.”

She hopes to get children fully back into the classroom before the start of the next academic school year.

“We are anxiously waiting to get every child in the classroom on a fulltime basis. That is our goal and our objective. We are guided by the Ministry of Health protocols, and we

Friday, March 4, 2022, PAGE 5

MINISTER of Education Glenys Hanna Martin. do have some challenges with teacher allocation. We are working on the teacher allocation and once the Ministry of Health gives the

green light, we will move towards, we will not move children will go in full faceto-face immediately. So, I hope before September.”

CURRICULUM ‘RAISES EDUCATION TO PAR WITH REST OF WORLD’

By PAVEL BAILEY THE Ministry of Education celebrated the launch of its new curriculum yesterday.

Senior members of the Ministry of Education gathered in celebration for the curriculum launch yesterday. This update to the curriculum aims to modernise the Bahamian syllabus and make it more relevant to current students.

Education director Marcellus Taylor spoke of the need for this new curriculum as he applauded the

hard work and effort of the many teachers who had drafted it.

He said that it raises the quality of education offered in the country to be on par with the rest of the world.

“I am proud to say that all of my colleagues recognised the importance of us having these relevant curriculums.

Curricula that are relevant for the day, Curricula that speak to what the students are interested in, but also the changes in society.

“Modernising in different ways, including the

inclusion of technologies into the curriculum, so that what we are offering our children is no less, no less than what children would get in any other jurisdiction in the world.”

Education Minister Glenys Hanna Martin in her address at the launch said that the new curriculum sought to usher in a new generation of brilliance in this nation.

“The objective of this process of education delivery must be to create in our precious children and young people critical thinking, a commitment to excellence,

‘WHERE ARE OUR EXAM RESULTS?’

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

STUDENTS who completed a virtual course with the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute one year ago claim they are still awaiting their exam results and licences from the Ministry of Works.

Grand Bahama resident Lowell Pinder and New Providence residents Ishmael Kelly and James Newbold are frustrated over the long delay, which has impacted their livelihoods.

In February/March 2021, the men enrolled in the journeyman course through the professional development programme at BTVI. They paid $1,000, and upon successfully passing the exam, it was expected that the Ministry of Works would issue them a licence.

However, none of the men have received word about their exam results.

They also claimed that efforts were unsuccessful in reaching anyone at BTVI and the ministry regarding their concerns.

“I have been trying for months and months to reach them to find out what is going on and got no reply from BTVI and the Ministry of Works - you can’t even make contact with them,” Mr Pinder told The Tribune on Thursday.

According to Mr Pinder, he was among the 12 students – eight from New Providence and four from the Family Islands— enrolled in the online course facilitated by an instructor at BTVI. The exam was taken in March 2021.

When he contacted the instructor, Mr Pinder said he was told the results had already been forwarded about four to five months prior to the Ministry of Works.

“From August last year, the Ministry of Works had the results, and I have been trying to reach persons there to get my exam results,” he said.

Mr Pinder has been in the plumbing field for 35 years and decided to start his own company after his deceased parents’ business went into probate. He is required to have a licence from the Ministry of Works to obtain a business licence from the Grand Bahama Port Authority.

“I was compelled to get my own licence so I could open my own business, so I went and took the class, hoping and thinking the results would not take this long,” he explained.

He is frustrated over the long delay and has missed out on opportunities for work projects in Freeport.

“I lost several contracts; the last was a $21,000 contract for the installation of a pressure boosting system at the airport terminal. I am losing lots of jobs every day like that, and it is frustrating,” he said.

Mr Kelly has also received no feedback from anyone at BTVI or the ministry.

He said that the course at BTVI was offered online because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He decided to enrol in the course for job advancement.

“We took the exam with the expectation that we would get our results on time, but we are still waiting after one year,” Mr Kelly complained. “It seems like an empty promise because I had never received anything from BTVI to say that we took this class, and we are still waiting on the Ministry of Works to say if we passed or failed the exam.”

Mr Kelly is employed at the Water and Sewerage Corporation and felt that having a Ministry of Works licence would provide the chance to advance on the job.

“I have a family, and it is a fight out here, and so that is why I was trying to elevate myself,” he said.

Mr Newbold contacted BTVI and the ministry yesterday morning, but he also received no satisfaction.

“I was trying to get through to the Ministry of Works, and then I called BTVI, and was told to go back and check to see if I passed the test. It’s been over one year,” he said.

Mr Newbold said that he has been doing odd jobs here and there.

“I need my certification.

I paid them $1,000, and not getting any feedback is frustrating,” he said. “Two weeks ago, I reached a woman at the Ministry of Works, and I thought she was going to look into it, but I have not heard anything since,” he said.

In a statement released in response to inquiries from The Tribune, BTVI said while it provides the theory component for the course in question, the assessment required to issue the licence lies with the Ministry of Works. It acknowledged that some students who completed the plumbing course are upset because they have not yet been told if they completed the requirements to be licensed, which the school said may have occurred because of the pandemic.

“Once BTVI has completed its training responsibility, it advances evidence of student completion to the (Ministry of Works) for its review and assessment to determine licensure,” the statement said.

“The institute has been advised that there are students enrolled in a recent journeyman plumbing course at BTVI who are dissatisfied that they have not yet received confirmation regarding whether they have successfully completed requirements for licensure.

It is our understanding that delays may have been created because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This fact notwithstanding, BTVI has reached out to the (Ministry of Works) in our effort to hopefully assist in addressing this matter.”

When contacted for comment, a Ministry of Works representative said they would look into the matter.

an ethical grounding and a proud and confident new generation,” she said.

“In the review and design of our curriculum, we must seek to create a living and dynamic road map which journeys our children to a place of selfrealisation and comprises more than a space for the accumulation of facts and information, but a space which awakens talents, brilliance, the optimism, the courage for objective analysis of our external reality.”

After the event Leja Burrows, assistant director

of education in the early childhood education section, said that the new curriculum means a new philosophy for preparing new students for the 21st century.

“We know that times have changed and that students need new skills to be competent and confident in the world today and for the future. And so, we recognise that there’s practices and new strategies and our curriculum must be relevant, so that children cannot only function, but function well,” she said.

She said in 2018 the ministry started a curriculum development cycle that spurred the development of the new curriculum.

She also said that education stakeholders’ recommendations helped in the development and that while the foundations are the same it introduces a new approach to education.

When asked when the new curriculum would be introduced to schools across the country, Ms Burrows said that it should be launched in public schools by the start of the new academic year.

PAGE 6, Friday, March 4, 2022

The Tribune Limited

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Soaring number of refugees IT TOOK Tatyana Pelykh and her 11-year-old son four days of travel and a wait of nearly 48 hours at the border crossing to escape their native Ukraine for Romania. There they found safety and a place to sleep, on the floor of a hotel conference room.

But Pelykh, a baker, says she still carries the terror of war inside her.

“I feel that my body is here, but my heart and my soul are in Okhtyrka and Kharkiv,” the cities in Ukraine where her parents and best friend remain hunkered down in basements and garages under Russian attack.

In just one week, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has produced a refugee exodus so large that it almost matches the number of people who sought refuge in Europe in a whole year during the 2015 migration crisis.

The United Nations refugee agency said Thursday that 1 million people had fled Ukraine since Russia’s invasion, the swiftest exodus of refugees this century.

In 2015, hundreds of thousands of Syrians had fled their strife-torn country, which Russia also bombarded. Together with people escaping fighting in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere, they headed west, with thousands dying at sea trying to reach a continent where many didn’t want them.

The arrival of about 1.3 million people sparked tensions among European partners, who squabbled over how many to accept, and bolstered far-right populists, some friendly to the Kremlin.

This time, as Russian forces inflict massive destruction on Ukraine, Europeans have united in extending a helping hand.

In one week, neighboring nations accepted more than 2% of Ukraine’s population of 44 million, according to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR. The operation has gone relatively smoothly thanks to an enormous mobilization of volunteers who have gone to the borders to help.

The European Union decided Thursday to grant people fleeing Ukraine temporary protection and residency permits. EU Migration Commissioner Ylva Johansson said millions more were expected to move into the 27-nation bloc and would require shelter, schooling and work. The UN refugee agency predicted the war could produce up to 4 million refugees.

Meanwhile, Ukrainians and others who had been living in Ukraine continued to arrive in Polish, Hungarian, Slovakian, Romanian and Moldovan border towns.

Among them was Nadia Zuravka, a teenager who arrived Thursday in Przemysl, Poland, with her mother. They came from Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, which is under bombardment.

She said both her school and home had been hit by bombs, and her friends were all hiding in basements.

“Everything of value to me” has faced some kind of destruction, she said.

Poland, a neighboring Slavic nation where many Ukrainians have settled in recent years for work, has received the largest single group of refugees so far, with many being taken in by relatives or friends. Many refugees continue moving west to countries like Italy and Germany.

Volunteers and local authorities at border crossings meet exhausted people who have been traveling for days. They serve food or guide the newcomers to shelters; sometimes they take strangers into their own homes. Children arriving with cancer were evacuated to hospitals in Poland.

Pope Francis thanked Poland for its role in helping refugees, praising the country’s people for “opening your borders, your hearts, the doors of your homes.”

People from across Europe are helping too, even as they struggle with their own fears of what this dangerous new chapter holds for a continent that has faced so much bloodshed in past wars.

Luc Dedecker drove 1,025 miles from his home in Belgium to Przemysl, stopping only to sleep in his car. He was prepared to take strangers back to his place.

“People need to be helped,” he said.

He also described a profound fear of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

For Poles, Russia’s attack on Ukraine evokes memories of their own country’s double invasion in 1939 by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. The German invasion triggered World War II and a brutal five-year occupation that killed 6 million Poles, including 3 million Jews murdered in the Holocaust.

Scenes of destroyed Ukrainian cities today recall the look of Polish cities leveled by German bombardments during the war.

Some Poles described helping Ukrainians now as part of a struggle by the democratic West to defend their own liberty, since sheltering Ukrainian women and children frees men to fight at home.

“We think that if Ukrainians fight and win, we will be safe. Now, we are not safe,” said Bartosz Tomaszewski, a 28-year-old Pole in a yellow security vest that marked him as a volunteer.

He was guiding people coming off trains in Przemsyl, where he has traveled each day from his home in nearby Rzeszow.

Tomaszewski fears that if Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy fails to stop Putin, Poland could be next, along with the Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

Pelykh, the Ukrainian refugee in the Romanian border town of Siret, hopes people in Russia “will read about this and think about what is happening now (in Ukraine). It’s not photoshop, it’s not fairy tales. It’s real, it’s real. It’s in my town.”

By VANESSA GERA and RENATA BRITO Associated Press

Zimbabwe EDITOR, The Tribune.

It is offensive, ZANUPF continues to prohibiting the opposition party from being a door-to-door campaign for the by-election for next month. The Citizens Coalition for Change were being detained in the city of Masvingo, 300 kilometers south of the capital Harare.

Police also issued a statement saying while the CCC rally was granted permission, the party was not allowed to provide transport for its supporters. The by-elections are a highstakes event in Zimbabwe politics. They serve as a dress rehearsal for the general elections due to be held

in 2023. There’s a total of 133 elective vacancies that have to be filled - they comprise 28 parliamentary seats and 105 council seats emanating from recalls, deaths, and dismissals.

Since its independence in 1980, Zimbabwe has experienced low intensity conflict marked by periods of escalation and political violence.

Conflict today remains rooted in disputes over national power, economic hardship and pre-colonial disputes which have not been resolved. The citizens should reclaim their power from the politicians, but in Zimbabwe oppositions they were arrested and allegedly brutalized by the police.

Peer should put eye on the ruling party in Zimbabwe, Zimbabweans are not free to vote at all.

The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) reported Sunday that one supporter was killed while more than a dozen were injured after violent thugs attacked a campaign rally addressed by party leader Nelson Chamisa. Thousands of supporters attended the rally at Mbizo 4 shopping Centre in Kwekwe and defied attacks

by ZANU-PF thugs.

KUDZAI CHIKOWORE Human Rights Activist London, February 27, 2022.

EXILED Tibetan Buddhist monks in ceremonial hats gather for a morning prayer assembly at the Tsuglakhang Temple, which opened for the first time since early 2020, in Dharmsala, India, yesterday. Tibetans the world over are celebrating the beginning of their new year ‘Losar’.

Photo: Ashwini Bhatia/AP

We’re just blips on Putin’s radar EDITOR, The Tribune.

I READ that Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis and a Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) delegation will be heading to Belize to attend the CARICOM Heads of Government Thirty-Third Inter-Sessional Meeting, scheduled for March 1-2.

The event will be chaired

by Belize Prime Minister John Antonio. Among the topics to be discussed by CARICOM leaders will be the CARICOM Single Market Economy, agrifood systems agenda, the regional security situation, climate change, economic recovery efforts in the post-COVID-19 World and Haiti. According to The Tribune, Davis will discuss Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its potential economic impact on the region.

The Tribune reported last week that Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell warned that the Russian/ Ukraine war could cause a gallon of gasoline to go up to as much $8. Mitchell’s reference of Russia seeking The Bahamas’ support for the Bureau International des Expositions in France in 2023 suggests to this writer that there is a remote possibility that the PLP delegation to CARICOM might consider urging the 14 other heads of state to use their collective influence to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to stand down.

The CARICOM Secretariat has already issued a statement condemning the Russians. On February 24, Mitchell issued a formal statement condemning the Russian government also. I am assuming that this is the official position of the PLP government. However, if the great United States of America is unable to persuade Putin, via diplomatic and economic sanctions to withdraw from Ukraine, I can hardly see him cowering in the presence of CARICOM. For starters, while CARICOM’s combined population is just over 18 million, Russia has a population of over 143 million.

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net Moscow’s population of 12.6 million is larger than Haiti’s entire population.

Haiti has the largest population in the CARICOM. Unlike any of the 15 CARICOM member states, Russia is a G20 nation; and is just one of five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. Moreover, none of the CARICOM states, with the exception of Trinidad and Tobago, produces oil at commercial quantities. However, Russia ranks third in oil producing nations of the world. While The Bahamas has to import 95 percent of its food from abroad, Russia, along with the US, India and China, are the top producers of major cereal and vegetable crops in the world. Russia is also a top ten beef producing nation.

While The Bahamas had a GDP of $12.60 billion in 2021, Russia’s GDP is currently $1.578 trillion, which is good for 11th in the world. The Russian Army has just over one million active members - making it one of the largest in the world. In fact, Putin pumped $61.7 billion on defense in 2020 alone, which is about $51 billion more than the Bahamian National Debt of $10 billion. The Russian Army is considered by military experts to be the secondmost powerful military in the world, right behind the US Army. Moreover, Putin allegedly has a net worth of $200 billion, making him wealthier than the entire CARICOM group of nations combined. Putin could pay off the Bahamian debt and still have $190 billion to spare.

Russia is also one of nine countries with nuclear weapons. Four of the countries, Israel, India, Pakistan and North Korea, have yet to accept the Non-Proliferation Treaty of 1968.

Concerning the Police of Russia, this organisation had 750,000 officers in 2018,

which is nearly the size of the Bahamian population.

I don’t see Putin losing sleep over CARICOM’s condemnation.

CARICOM is hardly in any position to engage Russia militarily, let alone punish the Russians via an economic embargo.

Mind you, I am not opposed to CARICOM implementing practical measures to assist the Ukrainian people. I am only stating that diplomatic measures against Putin would be useless.

That’s just the reality of the situation. CARICOM members such as Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and The Bahamas are unable to defeat the small group of murderers that are systematically killing off their citizens annually, yet want to challenge, diplomatically at least, the Russians?

I would suggest to the 15 CARICOM heads of state to focus their attention on our own domestic issues, such as the high murder and rape rates, unemployment, systemic corruption in the CARICOM civil service sector, education, immigration and healthcare.

Let President Joe Biden and the G20 countries deal with Putin. Personally, after opposing former President Barack Obama’s decision to add additional American troops in the Afghan conflict in 2009, I seriously doubt Biden would engage the Russians militarily. He has already been raked over the hot coals by the leftist establishment for voting in favor of launching military action against Iraq in either 2001 or 2002, as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The only meaningful weapon CARICOM and its denizens have concerning the Russian/Ukraine conflict is prayer. I am urging all evangelical Christian prayer warriors to pray that the sovereign Lord of the universe would bring an immediate end to the conflict in Ukraine.

KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Grand Bahama.

February 28, 2022.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, March 4, 2022, PAGE 7

Charity’s $12k a month bill on groceries

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net AS food prices continue to rise, one local charity said it is spending in the region of $12,000 a month to purchase grocery items to feed the poor and needy on Grand Bahama.

The Tribune spoke with representatives of the Salvation Army and the Evangeline Jervis Community Service Food Distribution Centre in Freeport this week about how inflation is impacting their organisations.

Both groups buy locally to support the Grand Bahama economy and have noticed an increase in prices.

Major Hendrik Sumter said the Salvation Army spends $3,000 per week, or about $12,000 a month, to provide food parcels for their clients.

“Last week was the first time we purchased food items from one of the wholesalers and prices have increased,” he said. “I am not going to complain because there is nothing we can do. We can ask for a price break, however, somewhere someone has to eat.”

According to Major Sumter, the group services the homeless Tuesday through Friday from 10am to 1pm.

He said they are given something light to eat, a cup of soup and sandwiches.

They are also allowed to take showers, freshen up, get a change of clothing, and toiletries.

Major Sumter said the group operates a pantry programme once a week.

He said fortunately, the Salvation Army had prepared well in advance before the year’s end and purchased a lot of nonperishable food items prior to the inflation.

He said the agency has experienced an increase in the number of clients applying for assistance.

People are being assisted on a 90-day or three-month cycle.

“That allows a lot of people the opportunity to apply for food parcels, and the intake is being done online,” he said.

Mr Sumter said they service roughly anywhere between 25 to 30 people per week.

He said each food parcel is between $75 and $100.

“When you multiply it by 30, you will see how much we spend for the week,” he said. “That is not easy, and we have our Thrift Store where we sell donations that come in to purchase those items.”

Alicia Garland, of Evangeline Jervis Community Service Food Distribution Centre, said they cater to about 80 clients weekly.

While her group’s food costs are lower, she said she has noticed a rise in prices.

“We are spending now close to $3,000 every month on food parcels. And we buy locally so we can support the economy and the price of every single thing went up - rice, toilet paper, and tuna. It’s ridiculous,” she said.

The price of items such as cream and macaroni noodles have increased, as well as other items, she said.

“Noodles are scarce and expensive,” Ms Garland stated. “We are paying more for the grocery items, but we have not reduced the number of clients that come to us.”

The food distribution centre has been in existence for the past 13 years.

“We are an independent non-profit registered organisation, and we distribute clothing and food packages to needy individuals.

A VOLUNTEER at Evangeline Jervis Community Service Food Distribution Centre putting food parcels together.

Photos: Denise Maycock/Tribune Staff We register persons for the food package we give out.

There are 80 or more persons that we assist weekly.

And, we are up to 1,000 people coming on and off,” Ms Garland said.

She stated that the centre is in need of assistance as they have seen an increase in clients since Dorian and the pandemic.

“We do not ask anyone questions, we only get basic information such as name address and phone number. Many of them are unemployed, and some are working but cannot make ends meet. We register them and put them on the list and the rotation. We are spending now close to $3,000 every month on food parcels,” she said.

Ms Garland said the next endeavour is to complete a hurricane shelter and launch a daily soup kitchen.

“We are asking for support to complete the shelter, which is 4,000 sq ft. And once it is completed, we will start a soup kitchen to provide one meal a day.”

Major Sumter said the Salvation Army is encouraging religious ministers to assist the elderly and seniors in their congregation with the online registration for food parcels.

“We have many seniors that come for food parcels and some said they cannot complete the online registration, and I encourage them to seek out their ministers and ask them for help signing them up,” he said.

MAJOR Hendrik Sumter at Salvation Army.

MAN ACCUSED OF INDECENT ASSAULT

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

A 44-year-old man was charged in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday with indecently assaulting a fouryear-old girl.

Christopher Rahming

stood before Magistrate Samuel McKinney accused of the offence which allegedly occurred June 4 of last year.

He was not required to enter a plea and the case was adjourned to May 4 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment.

When asked if he had any antecedents, Rahming told the court he was convicted over three years ago for a non-similar offence.

In response, Magistrate McKinney granted him bail at $8,500 with one or two sureties.

HUNT FOR WANTED MAN

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net GRAND Bahama Police are searching for a man wanted for questioning in an armed robbery investigation.

The man is Cadwell Carlton Cooper, 25, of No 156 Oates Lane. He is five feet, six inches tall, of dark brown complexion and

brown eyes, and black hair.

He is about 150lbs, and of medium build Police warn he should be approached with extreme caution as he is considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information concerning his whereabouts is asked to contact police at 911, 352-1919, 3503106/9 or 350-3014/6, or call the nearest police station.

Funeral Service For Attorney At Law Elvis Delano Hanna, 73

of Sherwood Drive, San Souci will be held on Saturday, March 5th, 2022, 12:00 noon at Church Of God Of Prophecy East Street Tabernacle, East Street.

Officiating will be Bishop Hulan A. Hanna, assisted

by Bishop Dr. Woodley C. Thompson. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Gardens, Soldier Road.

The service will be LIVE streamed at: https://youtu. be/K5hAEMaPDXc

He was predeceased by his parents: Minister Arnold and Iris Collie-Hanna; stepmother: Mrs. Emerald D. Hanna; daughter: Nurse Lisa Iris Glinton; brothers: Wendell & Kendrick Hanna; Sisters: Annaville Cooper & Margel Smith; brother-in-law: Ricardo Smith; sisters-in-law: Delores Moss, Carolyn Beneby, Janice Huyler.

Precious Memories will forever remain in the hearts of his WIFE: Prescola C. Hanna nee Huyler; SONS: Craig & Antonio Hanna; DAUGHTER: Elvisa Hanna-Dean; SONS-IN-LAW: Philip T. Dean Jr., Scott Glinton; DAUGHTER-IN-LAW: Dr. Raveenia Hanna; GRANDCHILDREN: Justin, Iesha, Antonio Jr. & Aidan Hanna, Tyler & Cierra Glinton and Kenadie Dean; GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER: Skye Hanna; BROTHERS: Bishop G. James (Stephanie) Hanna, Berkley, Alton, Retired Chief Petty Officer Wayde (Inspector Sharon), Gary (Christine), Sergeant 1829 Troy (Tericita), Sergeant 2528 Sherlin (Detrice), Sergeant Andy (Delores), Adrian Hanna; SISTERS: Minister Sharon (Pastor Franklin) Bowe, Beverly (George) Kerr; IN-LAWS: Dotlyn Huyler, Robert Huyler, Leona Huyler, Lilles Strachan, Minister Jacqueline (Bishop Dr. Elgarnet) Rahming, Doralee Burrows, Judith (Pastor Stephen Sr.) Knowles, Charlene (Merritt) Storr, Leitta (David) Thompson; NEPHEWS & NIECES: Tara Rolle, Tyrone & Dr. Teo Cooper, Barbara, Madelyn, Victor, Basil Bowe, Jasmine, Janessa, Javis Hanna, Adlai, Vaughn, Dr. Kyle Kerr, Bernique, Bernishka, Ethan, Wayde, Wayron, Wayshad, Dr. Tasega Hanna, Racquel Curry, Rashad, Ranishka, Raheed, Raneice Smith, W/CPL 3857 Kenise Blenman, Stefan, Kyle, Garise, Travis, T’andra, Troyeisha, Trey, Shante’, Sadai, Anfernee, Aiden, Akeem Hanna, Wayde, Marlene, Royce, Andrea, Dwayne, Bobbyanne, Brunette Hulyer, Ethan, Clayton Alvin Moss, Joycelyn Taylor, Claudia Rolle, Cherrise Auguste, Khamille Moss, Lynette Maycock, Felix Beneby, Jarenda, Janeene, Jadeena, Elgarnet II Rahming, Stephen Jr., Justin, Jessica Knowles, Meagan, Michael & Malik Storr, Davard & Bria Thompson, Jancy Greene, Patricia, Sonia, & George Pratt; GODCHILDREN: Terrell Bain, Maureen Hanna, Jasmine Hanna; Other Relatives and Friends: The Families of the Late; Vera Darling, Samuel Colle, Cleveland & Francena Hanna, Clemese Cox, Cecil & (Minister Lelah) Cunningham, Bishop Nathaniel Beneby Sr. & Victoria Beneby, Bishop Joseph Swann, Felix & Delores Forbes, Fulton (Dedrieanna) Bain, Harris & Florence Bain, Wilbert & Learlene Cox, Pernell Jones, Romeo (Beatrice) Ferguson & Family, Phalmon & Marilyn Collie, Eric Gibson & Family. The Entire Huyler Family, Felix & Thelma Beneby Sr. & Family, Clayton A. Moss, Donald & Catherine Roberts & Family, Sandra Meadows & Family, Dr. Albert Ferguson & Family, Decon Eldon Williamson & Family, Lay Minister Philip J. Beneby and Family, Philip W. Beneby & Family, Felix Walkine and Family, Leon Reckley & Family, Bishop John W. Ferguson & Family, Patricia Bethel & Family, Pamela Newbold & Family, Holland & Elsie Dean & Family, Ms. Laura Glinton & Family, Mr. Adrian D’Aguilar & Family, D’ionisio D’Aguilar & Family, Jaqueline D’Aguilar, Hayward Ferguson & Family, Timolin Leadon, Sheila Carroll, Carolyn Storr, Brady Walkin, Sharon Ingraham, Bishop Dr. Franklin & Minister Dr. Rovena Ferguson & Family, Bishop Brice H. & Sis. Advira Thompson & Family, Bishop Cleophas & Minister Anna S. Capron & Family, Bishop Rudolph and Veronica Bowe & Family, Bishop Hulan & Valerie Hanna & Family, Bishop Dr. Woodley & Verneque Thompson & Family, Bishop Anthony Roker & Family, Bishop Kendall Simmons, Bishop Rudolph McKinney, Bishop Maurice Simms & Family, Pastor Barry Morris and Family, Bishop J. Carl Rahming and Family, The East Street Men’s Ministry, The Bahama Brass Brand New Providence and Grand Bahama Segments, The Florida Sunshine Band, The Church of God of Prophecy East Street Tabernacle Family, The Spanish Mission Church Group, The St. Paul’s Baptist Church Family, Bishop Mitchell Jones and the Annex Baptist Church Family, Chief Magistrate Joyanne Ferguson-Pratt, Sr. Magistrate Derence Rolle-Davis, Magistrate Samuel McKinney, Attorney Patrick Mackey, Attorney Monique Gomez, Attorney Shadrach Morris, Attorney Michelle Campbell, Attorney Telcine Cunningham, and fellow colleagues of The Bahamas Bar Association, Court Clerks, Dr. Vincent Campbell, Dr. Floyd Carter, Dr. Duane Sands, Dr. Wesley Francis, Dr. Kyle Kerr & the Nurses and Staff of Doctors Hospital, The Rolle Avenue Community, The Acklins Association, Crooked Island Association, The Sherwood Drive, Sans Souci Community, Scotiabank Bahamas Limited, BahamaGo Travel Agency and a host of other relatives, and friends too many to mention but who are in our thoughts.

Viewing will be held at the Serenity Suite at Restview Memorial Mortuary and Crematorium Limited, Robinson and Soldier Roads on (TODAY) Friday from 10:00 a.m. at 6:00 p.m.

CADWELL CARLTON COOPER

PAGE 8, Friday, March 4, 2022

THE TRIBUNE FIREFIGHTERS work to extinguish a fire after a Russian air raid in Chernigiv, Ukraine, yesterday.

A PRICE TO PAY OVERSEAS AND HERE AT HOME

AMID everything happening in the world, sometimes it’s good to reflect on how things stack up here in our small corner of the globe.

For one thing, we can’t begin to imagine living with the onslaught of military assault the people of Ukraine currently face.

Since the start of the Russian Federation’s invasion of that country, more than one million Ukrainians have fled their homes.

Babies are being born in bomb shelters.

A Comic’s View

By INIGO ‘NAUGHTY’ ZENICAZELAYA

It’s a tragic situation all around.

At the United Nations this week, we were among 141 countries that voted ‘yes’ on a resolution to condemn Russia. This is the first (and probably last) time I will say that Minister

of Foreign Affairs Fred Mitchell hit the right notes in his communication on behalf of the country.

Mitchell’s statement read: “The invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation and led by its President Vladimir Putin is wrong,

Funeral Service For Paul L. Demeritte, 67

of Commercial Lane, Blue Hill Heights will be held on (TODAY) Friday, March 4th, 2022, 11:00 a.m. St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, West Street North. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Gardens, Soldier Road. Officiating will be Father David N. Cooper.

Left to cherish his precious memories are his loving and devoted wife: Janet Demeritte; daughters: Rissie Demeritte, Giavonnia Demeritte, Shadé Munroe and Dr. Indira Farrington (James); grandchildren: James Jr., Amari, Isabel and Kairo; sister: Val Cooper; adopted sister: Mochrie Dames; numerous nieces and nephews: Monique Collie, Michelle Cooper, Denise Louis (Darcy) and Deidre Cooper, Marsha Forbes, Natasha Stuart, Letitia Brow. Carlton, Aletha, Oscar, Maedawn, Denrick, De’Shea, Daneasha, Ronrick, Estafany, Ezilpha, Thomas, Vernita, Melvise, Aubrey, Bernard, Louise, Cynysha, Coel, Terence, Mizpha, Jarvis, Yusef, Jezreel, Tahirah, Kwiesi, Holli, Brien, Maleah, Adam, Matthew, Ryan, CJ, O’Neil, Jasmine, Corey, Krystal, Ethan, Jovaughn, Jonae, Jade and Jordan; grand nieces and nephews: Errol, Eamon and Erin Collie, Niah-Mandi Louis and Noah-Mandel Louis, Calvin, Joshua, Brianna, Ian, Lance, Samuel, Delgano, Dwight, D’Shantae, Denrecka, Deijah, Deijon, Devonte, Ronrick II, Chadrick, Tenielle, Christina, Thomas Jr., Travon, Jasmine, Ryan, Rhanee, Aubrey, Brianna, Aaron, Ebonique, Kai, Lililanna, Treyjan, Regan, and Mia; great-grandnephews: Anthony Collie, Brijae, Ravsicio, Shiloh; brothers-in-law: Ronald Jr., Gregory, Earl, Enos, Jonathan, Delvon, Anthony and Charles Miller; sisters-in-law: Mizpha Miller, Corene Miller, Charity Thompson, Lydia, Earliss, Kristina and Portia Miller; cousins: Donna Smith, Luther McDonald, Annalee Huyler, Therese Demeritte, Patrice Bethel, Winifred Russell, Eleanor Thompson, Valerie Seymour, Angela Russell, Melvina and Judith Albury, Preston, Perry and Alphonso (Chicken) Albury, Arthur Bunch, Ruth Sumner, June Pinder, Rose Bethel, Elise Scavella, Peter Strachan, Andy and Paul Major, Cheryl Bowleg, Janice Henfield, Dawn and Sandra Knowles, Mark and Stephen Knowles, Blanche Moss and Yvonne Maura; and a host of other relatives and friends including: The Miller family, Beverly Beneby and family, the Collie family, the Hanna family, Ida Ferguson and family, Freddy and Theresa Farrington and family, Willie and Howard Knowles, Ingrid Kerr, Rosie Duvalier, Harry Miller and family, Ricardo Thompson, Lawrence Smith (Buddy), Wilfred Sands, Kevin Davis and family, Janet Lightbourne, Antoinette Bethel, Van Diah, Ava Munnings, Tracy Cooper, Waylon McHardy, Tony Romaine, Patrick Deveaux, Melissa Munnings, Caroline Forbes, Prince Storr Jr, Raynard Rigby Q.C. and family, Sarah Cates, Gail, Janet and Moya Strachan and family, Elaine Simms, Joycelyn Archer, Brenda Forbes, The Honourable Mario K. Bowleg, M.P. for the Garden Hills Constituency, Antoine Bastian, the children of the late Frederick Cooper, Paul and Tanya Hanna, Jeffrey Henfield, Dale and Darryl Isaacs, Redhead, Cynthia Cooper, Lester Dean, Patricia Mitchell, Winston (Churchill) Rolle, Jermaine Sands, Sharon and Michelle McPhee and family, the Bahamasair family, the staff at Ron’s Auto, the Class of 1971 St. Augustine’s College and other relatives and friends too numerous to mention; special thanks to: Dr. Dionne Dames-Rahming and her staff especially Jan, Dr. Delton Farquharson, Dr. Kevin Moss and Dr. Bimal Francis.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Restview Memorial Mortuary and Crematorium Limited, Robinson and Soldier Roads.

unlawful and should end and be reversed.”

He went on to say (as only he would put it) that, “The Bahamas supports the right of self-determination, the inviolability of territory settled within legally defined borders. The seizure of territories based on tendentious interpretations of history should not be the basis for hegemony over other nations and peoples without their consent. We again call for the immediate cessation of hostilities and for the Russians to withdraw to their borders.”

I don’t know about you, but “tendentious interpretations of history” and “hegemony” sound like verbal ‘fighting’ words, as well they should. Though we as a country are not officially allied with either combatants, or NATO, we are a democracy. ‘Abstaining’ or sitting on the sidelines when we are asked to voice our opinion on a smaller democratic country coming under attack from its larger, stronger neighbour is just not the moral choice.

Of course, nothing in this world is for free. So while

Western nations line up in support of Ukraine, we are already being warned that oil and gas prices are about to skyrocket. I read somewhere that we may hit prices of up to $8 a gallon for gasoline, which means now is a good time to air up my bicycle tyres.

There is also a bit of scandal brewing at home around Bahamas Power and Light (BPL).

Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Michael Pintard wants the Davis administration to explain BPL’s hedging programme status, warning the government’s handling of that contract could leave Bahamians facing higher electricity costs.

This newspaper reported on fears raised yesterday that Bahamians could suffer a $200m-plus hit if the fuel hedging strategy that the Davis administration met in place were not renewed. So I have my fingers, toes, eyes, and other body parts crossed, hoping that Minister of Public Works Alfred Sears sets the record straight soon.

Then there are a few articles I have read where our name gets mentioned

regarding the financial sanctions raining down on Russian Oligarchs. There is speculation a few such persons may or may not have parked their money, jets, and superyachts in our beautiful backyard. No doubt our diplomatic corps will be busy in the coming weeks and months.

A friend recently lamented that just as we are starting to catch a break from COVID, here come the knock-on effects of war, with even the threat of nuclear confrontation dangling out there. I know, It’s been a rough two years.

Still, as we brace for how the war in Eastern Europe will affect us here at home, it’s good to remember that we are living the life of Riley compared to many others. We have our issues, but at least we have the opportunity to work on them without warships on our border and missiles above our heads.

Here’s hoping that the global climate gets better before it gets much worse.

And if you’re minded to, say a prayer for people everywhere facing the horror of senseless wars.

FROM left, Alicia Gibson, secretary, OSPM; Antonique Sands, PR officer, BAMSI; Ann Marie Davis; president of BAMSI Dr Erecia Hepburn; Travone Pinder, admissions officer, BAMSI; Dr Ann Higgins, project manager, OSPM.

BAMSI ROLE FOR ANN MARIE DAVIS ANN Marie Davis has been invited to become a brand ambassador for the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute.

The invitation was made when BAMSI president, Senator Dr Erecia Hepburn recently paid a courtesy call to the Office of the Spouse headed by Mrs Davis.

Her visit was meant to raise BAMSI’s profile by bringing attention to its role as an innovator, making key strides in the agricultural sector and as a front runner in the country’s push to increase food security.

As the first female president of BAMSI, Dr Hepburn said the new leadership is looking to ensure the institute remains on the cutting edge of agricultural development in the country.

Mrs Davis, who revealed she has an interest in backyard farming and also has her own chickens, was invited to serve as a brand ambassador for BAMSI to allow her to help place a spotlight on BAMSI’s slew of short courses, including backyard gardening, that are geared towards Bahamians who are interested in growing their own food and

who want to eat healthy and eat local.

“We’re trying to encourage (Bahamians) to eat local, because you normally get healthier foods when you eat and consume local foods,” Dr Hepburn said. “I think if we could get you to join on, and that’s the joy of it being hybrid, that we can use you as a brand ambassador for persons who are interested in backyard gardening for BAMSI. What we really want to do and ensure is that BAMSI gets the kind of profile that it really needs.”

In terms of BAMSI’s recruitment and retention rates, Dr Hepburn said having people like Mrs Davis and her colleagues on board, they will be able to make an indelible mark on the organisation.

“Why this partnership will be so important is that we are looking at women in agriculture this year.

Having women’s economic empowerment is one of the review themes that the CSW (Commission on the Status of Women) is targeting and focusing on at this juncture. It’s a handson experience, so really

having you consider it and taking the course and just walking through the process so people could see what your journey is like doing the hybrid agriculture course.”

Mrs Davis noted that BAMSI’s push to introduce cutting edge technologies and best practices across the sector was “right up her alley” as she learns more about climate-smart agriculture and how The Bahamas can change its food landscape by using modern techniques and innovative methodologies.

She also expressed an interest in seeing BAMSI’s livestock division in particular continue to develop.

BAMSI’s livestock sector currently boasts a healthy herd of sheep and goats, which have been used to breed with, diversify and strengthen the Bahamian pool of small ruminants, chickens and expected to come on stream shortly, a piggery. Mrs Davis also committed, through her tertiary initiative, to providing a scholarship for one or two people who might be interested in taking one of the short courses.

THE TRIBUNE

THOUGH I don’t think I am alone in noticing how cluttered Montagu foreshore is looking, I do claim rights to my anger. In 2010, I dedicated the better part of a year chairing a steering committee for the redevelopment of Montagu. It was a role requested by thenMontagu constituency MP Loretta Butler-Turner.

I, along with a few committee members, including the hard-working Richard Adderley and the late Clay Saunders, spent endless hours at the task. Others, including my husband Larry and Larry Roberts, stood by the roadside counting cars, taping traffic snarls that the then-existing system caused with trailers reversing onto East Bay Street and causing back-ups that extended beyond Harbour Bay. I personally interviewed every fisherman on the ramp and their ‘assistants’ and those assistants’ assistants, documenting all sub-levels of the disorganised, organised multi-level strata of economic activity squeezed into an area far too small to contain it.

We held packed town hall meetings where we needed security. I faced strife as fishermen feared being removed.

When all the research was done and the studies collected and the goals and recommendations agreed, I drafted a 40-page report that was as thorough as any report that consultants would have been paid for.

And I did it all for free.

The introduction to that report told the tale.

Friday, March 4, 2022, PAGE 9

By Diane Phillips I called that intro ‘Montagu Moments, A Short Diary.’ It was accompanied by appalling photos of dead fish covered with flies being sold to an unsuspecting public and I offered these words: “It is 2:45 on a Sunday afternoon. A man stands ankle deep in a puddle of brown water, about the colour of coffee with a hint of cream. He is bending over, cleaning conch. I watch in horror as he dips his bare hands in the filthy water lifting one conch shell after another, breaking it with a conch hammer, pulling the muscle away from the shell, dipping the meat back into the brown water as he skinned it. I knew what was in that puddle he stood in…”

There was more and it was just as revolting. The old Montagu ramp had no running water. Tables were squished together. Tempers flared, knives flashed, trash was everywhere, boat operators hung on to the hull of a boat they were launching or hauling so as not to slide down the slimy ramp. And yet no one wanted to leave this narrow ramp east of where the current market lies, despite how dangerous and unfit for business it was.

This was how the fishermen and those who depended

upon the catch made their living. Health and sanitation be damned.

The Montagu report detailed background, committee formation, members, summary findings of physical observer teams, public meetings, questionnaire and results, goals and options, recommendations and an addenda that included coastal engineering reports that I had negotiated free of charge to the government, including an EDSA study and a report by Currie Sowards Aguila Architects.

It included a proposal for the Bahamas Olympic Sailing Association.

The report was presented to various ministers of government and then to the full Cabinet and to Parliament that year. I never once asked for recognition or appreciation – I was just so grateful that most of the recommendations were accepted and that Atlantis footed the bill of about $1m.

I am not sure they ever got the credit they deserved. It was a politically hot season and because I stay as far from partisan politics as possible and just focus on progress and policy, I stayed clear of negotiations behind the scene to take Montagu from dump to desirable destination.

SO PROUD OF PAULINE ON MARCH 8, International Women’s Day, two-time Olympic gold medallist and world champion sprinter Pauline Davis, will be at Goodman’s Bay, Nassau, to personally sign copies of her highly anticipated memoir, Running Sideways, The Olympic Champion Who made Track and Field History.

The book, as told to author Jeff Todd, and with a foreword by World Athletics President Lord Sebastian Coe, is a compelling tale of heroism

PAULINE DAVIS and grit in the face of diversity that included a nine-year wait for the awarding of a rightful Olympic gold. Pauline

shares intimate details of incidents and moments that would make your spine crawl and others that shout joy.

She’s been mistaken for a terrorist with her head banged against a wall as she was detained on her way to a meet in France.

She’s been the victim of a racial slur spelled out in rose petals at a global gathering and she’s been celebrated in a way that is still unfolding and shall last a lifetime.

Pauline will be at Goodman’s Bay from 3 to 6 pm.

JOB OPPORTUNITY

MONTAGU MADNESS, YES, I HAVE A RIGHT TO BE ANGRY

And that it is.

What you see now is a fish market spread out over a paved area with rest rooms and running water, an expanded beach with protected swimming areas and jetties to encourage aggregation of sand, plus a popular fish, crawfish and conch salad marketplace that has become not only a regular stop for locals but a favourite Instagrammable moment for visitors on tours of the island. All of it is a result of an MP’s determination and the work and funding that followed.

Today, there is adequate parking (except on holidays or during special events) for the public to enjoy the beach at Montagu and except when jet skis get too close, the wide and lengthy stretch of sand and sea is accessible and safe for all. Comparing what exists with the nightmare that preceded it is like comparing a manual typewriter with a PC. You can produce words on both but only one makes sense in a fast-paced world.

But Montagu’s desirability in its new incarnation is being slowly eroded. The sand fences that protect the

beach have fallen apart.

The benches need to be repaired. But the worst is the smorgasbord of signage.

When I see a bunch of signs cluttering Montagu foreshore, changing the uninterrupted view of the waters of Montagu Bay, doggone right I have a right to be angry. At last count this week, there were eight obtrusive, commercial signs, not including those identifying the site or the companies that contribute to maintaining it.

You won’t see eye pollution and land desecration like that in Ocean Club Estates, Lyford Cay, Old

Fort Bay or Albany where people take pride in their surroundings and in case someone doesn’t, there are rules to remind them they must.

Maybe folks who manage those communities understand what those who allow the sprawling signage across Nassau do not – that unwanted and uncontrolled signage is pollution as surely as is throwing trash out the car window. Trash at least can be collected without impacting property value or the right to a view that revives the spirit and reminds you why you love living in a place where you see the water every day of the year.

PAGE 10, Friday, March 4, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

POLICE OFFICER TELLS OF QUESTIONING MEN IN $1M EXUMA DRUG OPERATION

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

A POLICE officer testified yesterday of his role in questioning three men accused of being involved in a near $1m drug operation in Exuma last year.

The men are Basil Johnson, 42, Alfraido Poitier, 41, and Kevin Dean, 49. They are on trial before Magistrate Samuel McKinney in connection with a $872,000 drug bust in Exuma last May.

Sgt Ray Fowler, of the Drug Enforcement Unit, said that on May 30, he and other officers to the RBPF’s Marine Support Unit.

The police sergeant said officers there gave them 29 crocus sacks containing suspected marijuana along with two suspects, Johnson and Poitier.

He said he took the men to the Nassau Street Police Station, while the drugs were taken to the drug house.

The next day, Sgt Fowler

said he took Johnson and Poitier to DEU for questioning. However, he said the men refused to answer the questions put to them.

He said that on the same day, he and other officers went to Kevin Dean’s residence and cautioned him about the case. Dean was later interviewed in the presence of his then attorney.

The witness said Dean admitted owning the vessel where the drugs were found, but denied any involvement with the drugs.

He said the accused told him he was only in Exuma “testing the said vessel” because he had to conduct engine repairs. The officer claimed Dean also told him how he had hired Johnson and Poitier to return the boat to Nassau because he had to leave the island days earlier to attend court.

Sgt Fowler said it was sometime later he went to the Central Police Station to charge the men with conspiracy to possess drugs with intent to supply and

possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply.

Johnson’s attorney, Ian Cargill, asked if any fingerprints were found on the crocus sack bags, to which the witness replied: “Negative.”

The police officer confirmed he was not present when the drugs were seized by officers on Exuma.

According to initial reports, on May 30, officers on routine marine patrol in the Exuma chain observed two men on a blue vessel.

Police said the boat’s captain sped off. A brief chase followed and the vessel was intercepted. The officers boarded the vessel and conducted a search. While searching the boat, officers found several crocus sacks containing a grassy substance believed to be marijuana.

Dean is represented by attorney Robyn Lyons while Poitier is represented by Tonique Lewis.

Inspector Timothy Bain is prosecuting. The case continues on May 4.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, March 4, 2022, PAGE 11

THOUSANDS of demonstrators walk down Willy-Brandt-Strasse in Hamburg, Germany, carrying banners reading ““No more war”.” and ““Another world is possible” yesterday to express solidarity with Ukraine and to protest Russia’s attack on the country.

Photo: Daniel Reinhardt/dpa via AP

Nuclear power plant on fire after Russian shelling KYIV, Ukraine Associated Press

RUSSIAN forces pressed their attack on a crucial energy-producing city by shelling Europe’s largest nuclear plant early Friday, sparking a fire and raising fears that radiation could leak from the damaged power station.

Plant spokesman Andriy Tuz told Ukrainian television that shells were falling directly on the Zaporizhzhia plant in the city of Enerhodar and had set fire to one of the facility’s six reactors. That reactor is under renovation and not operating, but there is nuclear fuel inside, he said.

A government official told The Associated Press that elevated levels of radiation were detected near the plant, which provides about 25 percent of Ukraine’s power generation. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the information has not yet been publicly released.

Tuz said firefighters cannot get near the flames because they are being shot at. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted a plea to the Russians to stop the assault and allow fire teams inside.

“We demand that they stop the heavy weapons fire,” Tuz said in a video statement. “There is a real threat of nuclear danger in the biggest atomic energy station in Europe.”

The attack renewed fears that the invasion could result in damage to one of Ukraine’s 15 nuclear reactors and trigger another emergency like the 1986 Chernobyl accident, the world’s worst nuclear disaster, which happened about 65 miles north of the capital.

The mayor of Enerhodar said earlier that Ukrainian forces were battling Russian troops on the city’s outskirts. Video showed flames and black smoke rising above the city of more than 50,000, with people streaming past wrecked cars, just a day after the UN atomic watchdog agency expressed grave concern that the fighting could cause accidental

FIREFIGHTERS hose down a burning building after bombing in Kyiv, Ukraine, yesterday.

Photo: Efrem Lukatsky/AP damage to Ukraine’s 15 agreement to set up safe The Russians announced nuclear reactors. corridors inside Ukraine the capture of the southThe Ukrainian state to evacuate citizens and ern city of Kherson, a vital atomic energy company deliver humanitarian aid.

Black Sea port of 280,000, reported that a Russian milElsewhere, Russian and local Ukrainian officials itary column was heading forces gained ground in confirmed the takeover of toward the nuclear plant. their bid to cut off the the government headquarLoud shots and rocket fire country from the sea, as ters there, making it the were heard late Thursday.

Ukrainian leaders called on first major city to fall since “Many young men in citizens to rise up and wage the invasion began a week athletic clothes and armed guerrilla war against the ago. with Kalashnikovs have invaders.

Heavy fighting continued come into the city. They are While the huge Russian on the outskirts of another breaking down doors and armored column threaten- strategic port, Mariupol, on trying to get into the apart- ing Kyiv appeared bogged the Azov Sea. The battles ments of local residents,” down outside the capital, have knocked out the city’s the statement from Ener- Vladimir Putin’s forces electricity, heat and water goatom said. have brought their superior systems, as well as most Later, a live streamed firepower to bear over the phone service, officials said. security camera linked from past few days, launching Food deliveries to the city the homepage of the Zapor- hundreds of missiles and were also cut. izhzhia plant showed what artillery attacks on cities Associated Press video appeared to be armored and other sites around the from the port city shows vehicles rolling into the country and making signifi- the assault lighting up the facility’s parking lot and cant gains in the south. darkening sky above largely shining spotlights on the Ukrainian Prime Minis- deserted streets and medibuilding where the camera ter Denys Shmyhal called cal teams treating civilians, was mounted. on the West to close the including one inside a clinic There were then what skies over the country’s who appeared to be a child. appeared to be bright nuclear plants as fighting Doctors were unable to muzzle flashes from vehi- intensified. “It is a ques- save the person. cles, followed by nearly tion of the security of the Severing Ukraine’s access simultaneous explosions in whole world!” he said in a to the Black and Azov seas the surrounding buildings. statement. would deal a crippling blow Smoke then rose into the The US and NATO to its economy and allow frame and drifted away. allies have ruled out creat- Russia to build a land corThe fighting at Ener- ing a no-fly zone since the ridor to Crimea, seized by hodar came as another move would pit Russian Moscow in 2014. round of talks between the and Western military forces Overall, the outtwo sides yielded a tentative against each other. numbered, outgunned

Ukrainians have put up stiff resistance, staving off the swift victory that Russia appeared to have expected. But a senior US defence official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Russia’s seizure of Crimea gave it a logistical advantage in that part of the country, with shorter supply lines that smoothed the offensive there.

Ukrainian leaders called on the people to defend their homeland by cutting down trees, erecting barricades in the cities and attacking enemy columns from the rear. In recent days, authorities have issued weapons to civilians and taught them how to make Molotov cocktails.

“Total resistance... This is our Ukrainian trump card, and this is what we can do best in the world,” Oleksiy Arestovich, an aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said in a video message, recalling guerrilla actions in Nazioccupied Ukraine during World War II. The second round of talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations was held in neighboring Belarus. But the two sides appeared far apart going into the meeting, and Putin warned Ukraine that it must quickly accept the Kremlin’s demand for its “demilitarisation” and declare itself neutral, renouncing its bid to join NATO. Putin told French President Emmanuel Macron he was determined to press on with his attack “until the end”, according to Macron’s office.

The two sides said that they tentatively agreed to allow cease-fires in areas designated safe corridors, and that they would seek to work out the necessary details quickly. A Zelenskyy adviser also said a third round of talks will be held early next week.

Despite a profusion of evidence of civilian casualties and destruction of property by the Russian military, Putin decried what he called an “anti-Russian disinformation campaign” and insisted that Moscow uses “only precision weapons to exclusively destroy

military infrastructure”.

Putin claimed that the Russian military had already offered safe corridors for civilians to flee, but he asserted without evidence that Ukrainian “neo-Nazis” were preventing people from leaving and were using them as human shields.

He also hailed Russian soldiers as heroes in a video call with members of Russia’s Security Council, and ordered additional payments to families of men killed or wounded.

A top Russian officer, Maj Gen Andrei Sukhovetsky, commander of an airborne division, was killed in the fighting earlier this week, an officers organisation in Russia reported.

The Pentagon set up a direct communication link to Russia’s Ministry of Defense earlier this week to avoid the possibility of a miscalculation sparking conflict between Moscow and Washington, according to a US defence official who spoke on condition of anonymity because the link had not been announced.

The fighting has sent more than one million people fleeing Ukraine, according to the UN, which fears those refugee numbers could skyrocket.

Ukrainians still in the country faced another grim day. In Kyiv, snow gave way to a cold, gray drizzle, as long lines formed outside the few pharmacies and bakeries that remained open.

More shelling was reported in the northern city of Chernihiv, where emergency officials said at least 33 civilians had been killed in the bombardment of a residential area.

Families with children fled via muddy and snowy roads in the eastern region of Donetsk, while military strikes on the village of Yakovlivka destroyed 30 homes, leaving three people dead, authorities said.

In Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, with about 1.4 million people, residents desperate to escape the bombings crowded the railroad station and squeezed onto trains, not always knowing where they were headed.

POLICE OFFICER FOUND NOT GUILTY IN BREONNA TAYLOR CASE LOUISVILLE, Kentucky Associated Press

A FORMER Kentucky police officer was found not guilty yesterday on charges he endangered neighbors the night he fired into Breonna Taylor’s apartment during a botched drug raid that resulted in Taylor’s death.

The panel of eight men and four women delivered its verdict for Brett Hankison about three hours after it took the case following

closing arguments from prosecution and defense attorneys.

None of the officers involved in the March 13, 2020, raid were charged with Taylor’s death, and Hankison did not fire any of the bullets that killed the 26-year-old Black woman.

His acquittal likely closes the door on the possibility of state criminal charges against any of the officers involved in the raid.

A federal investigation into whether the officers

violated his civil rights is underway.

Taylor’s mother, Tamika Palmer, and a group of friends and family left quickly without commenting after the verdict.

Hankison did not appear outside the courtroom after the verdict was read. But his attorney Stewart Mathews said he and his client were “thrilled”.

Asked what might have swayed the jury, Mathews replied, “I think it was absolutely the fact that he

was doing his job as a police officer.”

Assistant Kentucky Attorney General Barbara Maines Whaley said she respected the jury’s verdict but had no further comment.

Prosecutors stressed in opening statements that the case wasn’t about Taylor’s death or the police decisions that led to the raid.

Jurors were shown a single image of her body, barely discernible at the end of the hallway.

Taylor had been settling down for bed when officers arrived at her door. She was shot multiple times in her hallway and died at the scene.

Protesters filled the streets for months after Kentucky Attorney General David Cameron’s office declined to seek charges against any of the officers in connection to Taylor’s death. Taylor’s name and those of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery — Black men who died in

encounters with police and white pursuers — became rallying cries during racial justice protests seen across the nation in 2020.

Sadiqa Reynolds, president and CEO of the Louisville Urban League, said she was not surprised by the verdict. Black residents of the city, she explained, had already been “experiencing a certain amount of frustration,” because no officer had been charged for Taylor’s death.

SPORTS PAGE 12

Golf, Page 15

FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 2022

SHAUNAE Miller-Uibo

MEGAN Moss

DEVYNNE Charlton

Athletes get set for World Indoors

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

T

he Bahamas will be represented by a threemember team featuring hurdler Devynne Charlton and quarter-milers Shaunae MillerUibo and Megan Moss at World Athletics’ Indoor Championships Belgrade 2022.

The championships are set for March 18-20 at the Serbian capital’s Stark Arena in Belgrade, Serbia.

Bahamas Association of Amateur Athletic Association president Drumeco Archer confirmed that both Charlton and Moss are scheduled to travel with their University of Kentucky head coach Bahamian Rolando “Lonnie” Greene, while

Miller-Uibo will be accompanied by her personal coach, American Lance Brauman - the founder and CEO of Pure Athletics Track Club.

Laura Charlton is expected to serve as the team manager.

“We have a small team, but a concentrated team I would say,” said Archer. “We have Shaunae, who is obviously the most formidable 400m runner and we have

Devynne, who has dominated the indoor track season this year.

“Devynne has performed the highest indoors this year and she is world ranked, so I expect that she will medal this year.

“Of course, we are expecting Shaunae to win the women’s 400m.

“We’re also pleased that Megan is going to the World Indoor Championships. It’s very rare that

university athletes qualify and are given the opportunity to compete at the meet, so I think that raises the bar for her.”

It’s estimated that at least 900 athletes from 137 countries will be participating in the World Athletics Indoor Championships Belgrade 2022, four years since the last edition of the

SEE PAGE 13

EAST-LEADING HEAT SPOIL DURANT’S RETURN, EDGING NETS 113-107 NEW YORK (AP) — Bam Adebayo had 30 points, 11 rebounds and six assists and the Miami Heat spoiled Kevin Durant’s return, beating the Brooklyn Nets 113-107 last night.

Tyler Herro added 27 points for the Eastern Conference-leading Heat. They bounced back from a tough loss in Milwaukee a night earlier with an impressive victory despite missing some of their top players.

Durant scored 31 points in his first game since January 15 and his return from a 21-game absence inspired the Nets to a 16-point lead.

But Miami tightened up its defence in the second half and held off a late surge by the Nets.

Durant had a 3-point attempt from straightaway

that would have given the Nets the lead go in and out with 57 seconds left, and the Heat worked it inside to Adebayo on the ensuing possession for a 111-107 advantage with 35 seconds to go.

The Nets were 5-16 without Durant, tumbling all the way from second place in the Eastern Conference to eighth. Brooklyn was still without Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons yesterday.

MAVERICKS 122, WARRIORS 113 DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic scored 41 points and Dallas beat Golden State for the second time in five days, holding off the Warriors after a huge fourth-quarter rally for the victory in California.

CARIFTA TRIALS PUSHED BACK

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

BROOKLYN Nets forward Kevin Durant (7) reacts after Miami Heat centre Bam Adebayo (13) scored in the second half last night in New York.

(AP Photo/John Minchillo) Doncic had 10 rebounds have lost three straight to 7 of 10 3s and all 10 of his and nine assists, Dorian drop 7 1/2 games behind free throws. Bogdanovic Finney-Smith scored 18 NBA-leading Phoenix. had 20 points. points and Dinwiddie HAWKS 130, Chicago, fighting for the added 17 as the MaverBULLS 124 Eastern Conference lead, icks took the season series ATLANTA (AP) — dropped its third straight.

3-1 with the consecutive Bogdan Bogdanovic’s DeMar DeRozan and victories.

3-pointer with 1:41 left Zach LaVine each had 22 Jordan Poole led Golden gave Atlanta the lead and points for the Bulls. Nikola State with 23 points, and Trae Young scored 39 Vucevic had 21 points and Stephen Curry had all 21 of points in the Hawks’ vic- 11 rebounds. his points in the first three tory over Chicago. Young quarters. The Warriors had 13 assists and made SEE PAGE 13

WITH all the excitement brewing over the return of the CARIFTA Games after a two-year hiatus, the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations has pushed back its final trials to ensure that they get the maximum out of the athletes preparing to go to Kingston, Jamaica, next month.

The BAAA had intended to stage the final trials over the weekend of March 25-26, but president Drumeco Archer noted that it is now scheduled to

SEE PAGE 13

Greene, Meadows recognised McCoy advances, McFall in 1st season with new teams and Bastian eliminated

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

PAUL Greene and Brandon Meadows were recognised by their respective conferences in their first seasons with new programmes.

Greene, the freshman guard, has had an immediate impact with the Three Rivers Community College Raiders.

Greene was named NJCAA All-Region XVI Second Team when the league announced its regular season honours.

In his first season of collegiate basketball, Greene averaged 7.9 points and 7.9 rebounds per game in 29 appearances on 42 percent shooting from the field.

Meadows, a senior guard for the Southwest Mustangs, completed his

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

PAUL Greene

BRANDON Meadows

collegiate college basketball career with an All-Conference Honourable Mention selection by the Red River Athletic Conference in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Meadows was third on the team in scoring at 14.6 points per game, led the team in rebounding at 8.1 boards per game and 2.9 assists per game while shooting 47 percent from the field and 73 percent from the free-throw line.

He broke the 20-point barrier three times this

season, including a season high 26 points with five double doubles.

The Mustangs were the third stop on Meadows’ collegiate career.

At the NCAA Division II level, he spent time with Eastern New Mexico University Greyhounds and at the JuCo level with the Eastern Wyoming College Lancers. With the Lancers, he averaged 13.8 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game as a sophomore and posted 14.2 points per game as a freshman.

NCAA Division II basketball tournaments are underway across respective conferences across.

Malachi McCoy and the Benedict Tigers have advanced to the semifinals of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament.

The Tigers advanced with an 83-67 win over LeMoyne-Owen last night at the Rock Hill Indoor Athletic Complex in Rock Hill, South Carolina. McCoy finished with 16 points.

In their only previous meeting this season, Benedict defeated LeMoyne-Owen, 69-62, on December 13.McCoy had

MALACHI McCoy a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Lathaniel Bastian received conference-wide recognition but his San Angelo State Rams were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the Lone Star Conference Tournament.

The Rams lost 83-74 to West Texas A&M last night at the quarterfinals at the Comerica Center in Frisco, Texas.

Bastian finished with 11 points and 16 rebounds.

He helped the Rams have an advantage in the paint, where they scored 42 of their 73 points.

The Rams will now wait for the NCAA DII selection show to see if their postseason run will continue in the national tournament. The Rams were ranked fifth in the most recent south-central poll, the top eight teams secure a bid.

Bastian, in his first season with the Rams, was named an LSC Honorable Mention selection.

He led the Rams in rebounding and blocked shots, averaging 7.8 boards and 1.4 blocks per game. He has pulled

SEE PAGE 14

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, March 4, 2022, PAGE 13

Malik Willis’ act of kindness makes him darling of combine

By ARNIE STAPLETON AP Pro Football Writer INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Malik Willis has quickly become the darling of the 2022 NFL scouting combine, turning heads with his impressive showing both on and off the field.

He showed off an exceptionally strong arm on deep throws and pinpoint accuracy on intermediate passes during the quarterbacks’ prime-time workouts at Lucas Oil Stadium last night. And a video posted

by Twitter user Ryan Lacey surfaced showing the former Liberty QB giving some of gear from his swag bag to a homeless woman outside the Indianapolis Convention Center.

After he wowed observers with his workout, Willis explained on the NFL Network broadcast, “I walked past her on the way to the Nike suite and I chopped it up with them and I walked out with a suitcase and whatnot. And I felt bad because I saw her son. It was a pregnant lady and she was homeless. “And I was just like, ‘Shoot, I don’t have no money, but I can give you a couple of shirts.’”

Willis didn’t know anybody was watching

his spontaneous act of kindness.

“I just felt like I had to do that,” he said. “I mean, I’m at a position right now where I’m not worried about much of anything except getting better. So, if I can help her out any way, I felt like I had to.”

The viral video had been viewed nearly 2.5 million times as of last night.

Willis threw for 2,857 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2021 and he rushed for 878 yards and 13 TDs in his 13 starts. He has gained traction on mock draft boards since his solid showing at the Senior Bowl when he powered through bad weather to show off his strong arm and flashed his mobility.

Willis also had an engaging media interview session at the combine Wednesday when he displayed a mix of subtle humor and a downhome humility.

Asked if he felt he should be the first quarterback off the board at the NFL draft next month, Willis replied, “I think so. But I don’t make those decisions. I hate that for me.”

SIBLING RIVALRY Georgia running back James Cook is a much different style of running back than his older brother,

Dalvin Cook of the Minnesota Vikings.

Both are powerful runners, but the elder Cook is more of a straight-ahead back while James is a onecut back who explodes past defenders with more jukes and moves.

He looks forward to the day the brothers face each other in the NFL. “Oh, we’re going to get after it,” James Cook, smiling at the thought yesterday. “I’m going to try to beat him and he’s going to try to beat me. That’s how competitive we are. So, if he’s on the other side I’m going to try to beat him and if I’m on this side, I know he’s going to try to beat me, too.”

What if the Vikings draft him?

That would be a blessing, James Cook said, “but they’ve already got a guy.”

James Cook skipped the Senior Bowl after helping the Bulldogs win the national championship, but he said yesterday it wasn’t just so he could focus on running an elite 40-yard dash in Indianapolis.

“I didn’t pull out of the Senior Bowl just for no 40,” he said. “I pulled out of the Senior Bowl because I felt like everybody’s seen me play on the highest level,

PITTSBURGH quarterback Kenny Pickett. (AP)

LIBERTY quarterback Malik Willis. (AP)

GEORGIA running back James Cook. (AP)

and I won a national championship and I played a lot of football. “So, I feel like I can showcase my talent at the combine.”

HANDS DOWN The answer is at hand for former Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett, whose right hand measured at 8½ inches yesterday at the NFL scouting combine.

That would be the smallest of any quarterback in the NFL right now, bumping Taysom Hill of the New Orleans Saints, whose hands were measured at 8¾ inches before the 2017 draft.

Like Bengals backup QB Brandon Allen, who increased his hand measurements by three-eighths of an inch at the 2016 combine after checking in at 8½ inches at the Senior Bowl, Pickett had been doing hand exercises to widen his measurement at the league’s annual gathering of top college prospects.

“The reason why I didn’t measure at the Senior Bowl was to have those extra couple weeks,” Pickett said Wednesday. “Just a common sense thing, having more time to work the exercises. ... Whatever it measures, it measures.”

Pickett’s 8½ -inch hands tied Jeff Blake, Michael

Vick and Kliff Kingsbury for smallest measured hands by a quarterback at the combine.

Pickett, a 2021 Heisman Trophy finalist and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm award winner, is considered a firstround draft pick. He or Liberty’s Malik Willis are seen as the top two QBs this year.

Pickett said his hand size hasn’t been a topic of conversations with teams this week.

When Joe Burrow’s right hand was measured at 9 inches at the combine two years ago, he joked on Twitter: “Considering retirement after being informed the football will be slipping out of my tiny hands. Keep me in your thoughts.”

Although Burrow reached the Super Bowl in his second season after going first overall to the Bengals in the 2020 NFL draft, a quarterback’s hand size can be a deal breaker, especially for teams that play outdoors where the weather can get nasty because it could make it harder to hold onto the football.

CORRALLED CORRAL Former Ole Miss star quarterback Matt Corral

isn’t throwing at the combine as he works his way back from a high ankle sprain sustained in the first quarter of the Sugar Bowl.

Corral, who plans to fully participate in the Rebels’ pro day on March 23, said he was going to have to impress teams with his football IQ in Indianapolis.

“Teams need to know that I understand the game of football,” he said. “I wanted to make it a point.

It’s definitely something I wanted to show that they knew the ability I had in my head and not only my physical ability, but mental ability as well.”

Corral said it’s not easy sitting out while watching the other quarterbacks show off their arms and accuracy.

“This has been my dream since I started playing football. I’m here with the best of the best. Now I’m not able to perform physically, but I definitely can show the teams what I know mentally,” he said. “It does absolutely kill me. I’m itching to get back out there.

About 2½ weeks ago, I started running and throwing with no pain. I just thought it would be smart to sit out. If I wanted to put my best foot forward, just wait until my pro day.”

NFL suspends all COVID protocols, cites ‘encouraging trends’

By BARRY WILNER AP Pro Football Writer THE NFL has suspended all aspects of its COVID-19 protocols, citing recent trends showing that the spread of the coronavirus is declining.

In an agreement with the players’ association, the league sent a memo to the 32 teams yesterday in which it mentioned “encouraging trends regarding the prevalence and severity of COVID-19, the evolving guidance from the CDC, changes to state law and the counsel of our respective experts” as reasons for the move.

Should the NFL find reasons to reimpose any aspects of the protocols, it will do so in conjunction with the NFL Players Association.

Teams are required to remain in compliance with state and local laws and may continue “reasonable measures to protect their staff and

CARIFTA

FROM PAGE 12 take place April 1-2 in order to afford the athletes more time to prepare for the competition.

“This year, we have produced more sprinters who can qualify than we have produced in a very long time. We have about six men who can qualify in the under-20 boys’ 100 and 200m. And there are at least four in the under-17 division.

“So the sprints are looking good for us because we also have Wendell Miller, who has gone pro, who will be coming home to compete for us...So on the track, I’m very comfortable with what we’ve seen both on the boys and girls’ side.”

However, as they head into Jamaica for the games over the Easter holiday weekend, Archer said there’s some concern about the middle distance and jumping programme where the Bahamas seems to be lacking more than any other discipline.

“This is probably the first time in a very long time that we have not had a very strong jumping contingent,” Archer pointed out.

“With one month left to go, I’m looking at how we can improve on our jumping because that has always been one of the areas that has carried the Bahamas.”

At this point in the season, Archer said there are at least 30 athletes who have attained a combination of the A automatic standard and the B standard where athletes will be

players,” said the memo obtained by The Associated Press.

Regardless of vaccination status, players and staff no longer must wear face coverings at team facilities, though each club can require it individually. Social distancing signs no longer are required as well.

The league eliminated mandatory testing of players and staff, regardless of vaccination status. Testing will occur only when clinically indicated or at the direction of a team physician.

But each team must have a facility to accommodate anyone who reports symptoms that require testing. Weight room restrictions, including capacity limits, have been dropped, though each team can impose its own rules for weight room usage.

Contact tracing devices have not been required since January 3, and the service is being discontinued.

The league is encouraging everyone

given a chance to compete in events where there are no A qualifiers.

“I anticipate that we should carry a complement of 50 athletes and officials (management and coaching staff) to the games,” Archer said. “I think we will continue to be a force to reckon with. Despite COVID-19, we have maintained the integrity of our programme and we have been active as we abide by the protocol requirements.

“So while COVID-19 has hampered some of the meets from taking place, we have been able to maintain a level of stability and I feel that we will have a team that will go to CARIFTA and make the Bahamas very proud once again.”

Archer said despite the fact that they have had to reduce or postpone some of their meets earlier in the year because of COVID19 restrictions, the BAAA is working on providing as many opportunities for the athletes to compete.

He noted that heading into the trials, the BAAA is looking forward to putting on a meet over the weekend of March 25-26 in the spot that was originally scheduled for the final trials.

He noted that efforts are being made to ensure that the athletes are given the best opportunity to qualify for the team. After being postponed for the past two years due to the spread of COVID-19, CARIFTA - the top junior regional competition - will return to its rightful place on the calendar for the weekend of April 16-18 at the national stadium in Kingston.

to continue monitoring for symptoms of COVID-19 on a daily basis before entering the team facility.

Any individual who tests positive must isolate for five days after the positive test.

No NFL games were cancelled during the past two seasons because of the pandemic, though many were moved during the 2020 schedule. About 95% of the players and nearly 100% of team personnel were vaccinated, the league reported.

The NHL previously dropped virus testing for individuals without symptoms and other distancing protocols. MLB has not made any moves due to the lockout of players and no new collective bargaining agreement.

The NBA hasn’t altered protocols; Brooklyn Nets coach Steve Nash and Phoenix Suns All-Star player Devin Booker both were placed in health and safety protocols this week.

UEFA BARS BELARUS FROM HOSTING GAMES; COMPETITION BAN LOOMS NYON, Switzerland (AP) — UEFA barred all Belarus teams yesterday from hosting international soccer games, though they could still be expelled from European competitions for joining Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Belarus is still at risk of being banned from international competitions — as Russia was by UEFA and FIFA on Monday — before its next scheduled home game on April 7. Iceland was due in Borisov for a group-stage game in qualifying for the 2023 Women’s World Cup. “The UEFA executive committee will convene further extraordinary meetings, on a regular ongoing basis where required, to reassess the legal and factual situation as it evolves,”

CLIPPERS COMPLETE SEASON SWEEP OF LAKERS CLIPPERS 132, LAKERS 111 LOS ANGELES (AP) — Reggie Jackson scored 12 of his seasonhigh 36 points in the fourth quarter while adding nine assists and eight rebounds, and the Los Angeles Clippers completed a four-game season sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers with a 132-111 victory last night.

Ivica Zubac had 19 points and nine rebounds for the Clippers, who seized control of the sweep-clinching victory and their seventh straight win over the Lakers overall by scoring 23 consecutive points during the first six minutes of the third quarter.

CELTICS 120, GRIZZLIES 107 BOSTON (AP) — Jayson Tatum scored 37 points and Boston beat Memphis for its ninth victory in 11 games.

Al Horford added 21 points and 15 rebounds, and Marcus Smart had 18 points and 12 assists.

Ja Morant had 38 points for Memphis, three nights after scoring a career-high 52 against San Antonio.

KINGS 115, SPURS 112 SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Harrison Barnes had 27 points and Sacramento held off San Antonio, keeping Spurs coach Gregg Popovich a victory shy of tying Don Nelson’s NBA record.

The Spurs have lost three straight since Popovich reached 1,334 career regular-season victories.

De’Aaron Fox added 26 points for Sacramento. Lonnie Walker IV had 30 points for San Antonio.

Sixers sign veteran DeAndre Jordan as backup centre PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Veteran centre DeAndre Jordan signed with the Philadelphia 76ers yesterday, days after being released by the Los Angeles Lakers.

LAKERS forward LeBron James dunks against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first half last night in Los Angeles.

(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) PISTONS 108, RAPTORS 106 TORONTO (AP) — Cade Cunningham had 22 points and 12 rebounds, Jerami Grant scored 26 points and Detroit held off Toronto for its sixth straight victory over the Raptors.

Saddiq Bey added 23 points to help the Pistons give coach Dwane Casey another victory over the team that fired him in May 2018.

Pascal Siakam scored 28 points for Toronto.

The 33-year-old Jordan joins Paul Millsap as a backup centre for the Sixers, who dealt Andre Drummond to Brooklyn as a part of the multiplayer trade that sent Ben Simmons to the Nets in exchange for James Harden last month. Terms of the deal were not released.

the European soccer body said.

Belarus is already eliminated from qualifying for the men’s World Cup, and was not due to take part in European playoffs on March 24.

Russia was scheduled to host Poland on that date and the national soccer federation is preparing to appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport against the ban by FIFA and UEFA. The next senior competitive games for the Belarus men’s team are in June, in a UEFA Nations League group with Slovakia, Azerbaijan plus either Kazakhstan or Moldova.

When Belarus teams do play home games in neutral countries, no fans will be allowed to attend, UEFA said yesterday.

INDOORS FROM PAGE 12

championship took place in Birmingham, United Kingdom in 2018. COVID-19 forced the postponement of the 2020 championships in Nanjing, China.

Miller-Uibo, coming off her repeat Olympic Games’ 400m championship crown in Beijing, China in 2021, won a bronze medal in the women’s 400m when she made her World Indoor Championship debut in Sopot, Poland.

That was the same year that Chris ‘Fireman’ Brown picked up a silver in the men’s 400m. They were the only two members on the team.

In 2018 at the World Indoor Championships in Birmingham, United Kingdom, Charlton was the only one of the five-member team that made a final when she placed eighth overall in the women’s 60m hurdles. She’s coming off her sixth place finish in the 100m hurdles at the Tokyo Olympics.

This will be the debut for Moss, who last year ran on the women’s 4 x 400m relay team at the Olympics. However, the Bahamas didn’t finish the race as Anthonique Strachan suffered an injury on the anchor leg. The other two members of the team were collegians Doneisha Anderson and Brianne Bethel.

At the World Athletics Indoor Championships Belgrade 2022, the women’s 400m heats will take place during the morning session of day one on March 18 with the semi-final in the evening. The final will be contested on the evening of day two on March 19.

Also on day two, Charlton will contest the heats of the women’s 60m hurdles in the morning with both the semi-final and final in the evening.

PAGE 14, Friday, March 4, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

Minor league baseball, hockey teams seeking COVID-19 relief

By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Hockey Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — Laying off 17 people in the Charlotte Checkers front office of 25 felt like gutting a team for chief operating officer Tera Black.

“The front office is a team just as much as the team on the ice,” she said.

“We never want to go through that again.”

Similar scenes played out across the rest of the American Hockey League, along with the ECHL, Southern Professional Hockey League and all levels of minor league baseball during the pandemic. Two years in and countless jobs and millions of dollars lost, over a hundred minor league baseball and more than a dozen minor league hockey teams are hoping to finally receive some COVID-19 relief from the U.S. government along with restaurant, gyms and other industries hard hit by the pandemic after being left out of the first round of small business subsidies.

“Everybody who’s in our situation really is deserving of and needs some of this relief,” said Jason Frier, chairman and CEO of Hardball Capital, which owns and operates minor league baseball teams in Columbia, South Carolina; Chattanooga, Tennessee and Fort Wayne, Indiana.

“It would help break this sort of vicious cycle we’re in and allow us to make the investments we need to get back up on our feet.”

Unlike major professional sports leagues that could play games in empty stadiums and arenas thanks to TV and streaming revenue, the minors are almost entirely reliant on attendance to stay afloat.

A Minor League Baseball survey found the average team lost over 91% of revenue from pre-pandemic levels — a result of the entire 2020 season being canceled — and the AHL reported leaguewide revenue down 85-95% from its last full season in 2018-19.

Not every team was hit that hard, and those owned

by Major League Baseball or National Hockey League affiliates are not eligible for this relief, which could get through Congress as soon as next week as part of big-picture budget bills. Only a handful of Minor League Baseball teams are owned

by MLB franchises, while 21 of 31 in the AHL are owned by NHL teams.

Those who are independently owned had to show at least a 50% loss in revenue — and a vast majority are well past that mark.

“We’ve lost millions of dollars in this process,” said Syracuse Crunch president and CEO Howard Dolgon, who estimated

AN OBSERVER of a hockey match between the American Hockey League’s Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins and the Binghamton Devils sits alone in the stands during the Penguins home opener at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre Twp, on February 8, 2021. (AP) about an 80% loss of revenue and 50% depletion of staff for his AHL club.

“This is beyond anything anybody could have prepared for. ... I don’t think anybody could have realistically anticipated how devastating this turned out to be.”

Charlotte, Syracuse, Lehigh Valley, Springfield and Milwaukee were the AHL teams to join this COVID-19 relief effort.

They teamed up with five members each from the ECHL and SPHL and the Minor League Baseball coalition to hire law firm Akin Gump for help in advancing legislation that could help members of smaller independent leagues, too.

After cautious optimism earlier in the year, AHL president and CEO Scott Howson now said, “We’re trying to get it to the finish line.” The relief could mean about $500 million

spread across the minor league teams involved.

“It’s certainly necessary,” Howson said. “It’s needed.”

Experts have mixed feelings about additional government subsidies this far into the pandemic, but there’s no argument about how deep a hole minor league sports need to dig out of given the financial ramifications of playing in front of limited or no fans.

“They lost their shirts during the pandemic because they don’t have any revenue from media stuff,” Smith College economics professor Andrew Zimbalist said. “The minor league owners have an argument. They are small businesses. They employ a lot of people in the community.”

Minor league executives said costs are roughly 15-20% higher now than before the pandemic because of inflation.

Syracuse University sports analytics professor Rodney Paul wonders if there’s an opportunity caused by inflation for minor leagues to start thriving again as a more affordable alternative.

“In a situation like we are in with high inflation and people might not have money to be able to do lots of things, minor league sports could offer a very nice way for an enjoyable evening, an enjoyable afternoon for people, for families, friends at a pretty low cost,” Paul said.

But not if the experience is subpar. Frier said staffing and other budget cuts have made it harder to put on a good show for fans paying to attend, adding that COVID-19 money could go toward everything from hiring more people to paying off debts and fixing up stadiums and arenas.

“The unfortunate thing is when you try to run a venue with fewer people, fans have a less good experience,” he said. “You have fewer concession stands open and longer lines and that leads to people not having as good an experience and you get into this negative cycle. But until you’re in a cash position where you can afford to make all of those investments that you need, it’s a tough thing and that’s why we’re looking for this relief.”

Women’s World Cup to begin amid COVID threat, changing times

By STEVE MCMORRAN AP Sports Writer WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Six-time champion Australia again is favoured to win the Women’s Cricket World Cup which begins today at a watershed moment in the sport, amid clamour for pay equity and rising global exposure for the women’s game.

A comprehensive win in the recent Ashes series shows Australia is in peak form heading into its opening match of the tournament against defending champion England on Saturday. “I think our group is very fresh and that’s a good sign heading into what will be a physically and mentally challenging tournament,” Australia batter Rachael Haynes said.

“There’s going to be some tough games of cricket.”

Host New Zealand beat Australia in a warm-up match and will meet the West Indies in the first match of the tournament today with limited fan support at Bay Oval in Tauranga.

New Zealand is battling an COVID-19 omicron outbreak with more than 20,000 cases a day and crowds will be restricted to 10% of venue capacity.

The tournament is an eight-team round-robin involving Australia, England, New Zealand, Pakistan, West Indies, South Africa, India and Bangladesh. The 50-over matches will be played at six venues which will require considerable internal travel.

COVID-19 will loom as a constant threat over the tournament but extraordinary contingency plans have been put in place to

AUSTRALIA’S ASHLEIGH GARDNER, left, celebrates with Australia’s Meg Lanning after dismissing India’s Poonam Raut during the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 semifinal cricket match at County Ground in Derby, England on July 20, 2017. (AP) allow matches to go ahead with as little disruption as possible.

England captain Heather Knight told a news conference a tournament unaffected by the coronavirus is “probably unlikely.”

It didn’t take long for Knight’s prediction to come true. Australian allrounder Ashleigh Gardner will miss the first two World Cup games, including Saturday’s opener against England and its March 8 match with Pakistan after testing positive to COVID19. Under New Zealand government health guidelines, Gardner will have to isolate for 10 days.

Organisers will allow matches to be rescheduled

in the event of a COVID19 outbreak but also have an extraordinary plan in an extreme scenario which would allow teams to field nine players and two substitutes drawn from their management contingents.

None of the teams has openly criticised that suggestion, though it has at least raised eyebrows and prompted some jokes.

“It’s created a few jokes among the female staff,” Knight said. “We’ve got the doctor and the manager down to have a net tomorrow. With the rules around close contacts, there’s a scenario where it might happen, so people are desperate to get the tournament on if something

goes badly wrong with COVID. It’s not an ideal situation and hopefully it never happens.”

England won the the title the last time the 50-over World Cup was staged in 2017, rallying after losing its opening match against India to beat India in the final. Knight believes that experience is in England’s favour as it attempts to defend its title.

“Australia are going to go in as favourites, but (the 2017 World Cup win) should give us a lot of experience of what it takes to be successful in these events,” she said. “Sometimes it’s just about getting over the line and I think that’s what we did so well in 2017.”

CANELO ÁLVAREZ PICKS BIVOL, GOLOVKIN FOR NEXT TWO FIGHTS

By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer SAN DIEGO (AP) — Canelo Álvarez has chosen the next series of challenges for himself atop the boxing world.

And as usual for the Mexican pound-for-pound superstar, he’s charting a path with his legacy in mind.

The undisputed super middleweight world champion will move up to light heavyweight for the second time on May 7 to take on WBA champion Dmitry Bivol (19-0, 11 KOs) in Las Vegas.

If Álvarez (57-1-2, 39 KOs) wins, and if Gennady Golovkin beats Ryota Murata in Japan in April, Álvarez and Golovkin will complete their highly entertaining trilogy in the late summer or early fall.

“For me, it’s to continue to make history, right?”

Álvarez said Wednesday as he opened promotion of his showdown with Bivol, slated for T-Mobile Arena.

“I like the idea to go to 175 and fight (Bivol), the second-best fighter in that division, the champion.

That’s a good challenge for me.” Álvarez also intends to take a third fight in December, likely against either a cruiserweight champion or a super middleweight mandatory challenger.

It all adds up to another busy year for boxing’s most bankable star, one whose work ethic hasn’t flagged with his increasing fame and fortune.

“I like to be busy,” said Álvarez, who fought four times in 11 months while claiming all four 168-pound belts last year.

“I feel I’m in my prime. I feel more confident in everything, more strong, so I don’t know if it’s because

I’m more active or not, but I like to be in the ring.”

He will have significant height and size disadvantages against Bivol, but that’s all part of the challenge to Álvarez, who stopped Sergey Kovalev in his only previous light heavyweight bout in 2019.

After blasting through every 168-pound beltholder last year, he decided not to take another fight at super middleweight against the likes of two-time champion David Benavidez or middleweight star Jermall Charlo, who would both love the payday guaranteed by sharing a ring with Álvarez.

“I know I’m the best fighter, but I fought the best fighters in the division, and I beat everybody at 168,” Álvarez said.

“You still say, ‘No, but you need to fight ...’ Why? I don’t understand that.

But right now, I can do whatever I want, and I just do the best things and I fight with the best, with the champions. ... (Bivol) has something to offer me. He’s a world champion at 175.

He’s a better fighter than (Charlo or Benavidez).” Álvarez will go back down to 168 pounds to fight Golovkin, who battled him to a draw in their first bout before Álvarez got a narrow decision in the second matchup. Álvarez had been notably reluctant to accept a third fight with the Kazakh middleweight star, claiming a personal grudge against him, but streaming service DAZN has been eager for Álvarez to take the most marketable bout possible for both fighters. Álvarez began promotion of his showdown with Bivol in San Diego, where he lives and trains and plays 18 holes of golf

almost every day of the year.

He rolled up to the tent outside the harbourside hotel in a black-and-blue Bugatti Chiron, and he briefly delayed his first interview session to answer texts from his wife.

Don’t let Álvarez’s comfortable American life fool anyone, though.

He remains an inveterate gym rat who stays sharp constantly with trainer Eddy Reynoso, and he is returning to training camp just four months after he beat Caleb Plant last November to complete his busy 2021.

“He’s set the bar,” said Eddie Hearn, one of Álvarez’s promoters.

“Normally the excuse for big stars is, ‘They only fight twice a year.’ Well, he’s just fought four times.

I do think other stars ought to be more active, and he’s setting the example.”

NASUM TAKES 4-10 AS BANGLADESH BEATS AFGHANISTAN IN T20 DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed claimed a career-best 4-10 as Bangladesh beat Afghanistan by 61 runs in their first Twenty20 yesterday.

Pacer Shoriful Islam grabbed 3-29 and left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan 2-18 to complement the effort of Nasum, who reduced Afghanistan to 20-4 in the fifth over.

Afghanistan failed to recover from the initial blow and eventually was dismissed for 94 in 17.4 overs in reply to Bangladesh’s 155-8.

“Nasum bowled really well, it was a match-changing spell,” Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah said.

“Pleasing to see how the boys fought. The energy was good, too. We thought the total was defendable.”

Najibullah Zadran and Mohammad Nabi were attempting a comeback for Afghanistan with a stand of 37 until Nabi holed out for 16, giving allrounder Shakib his 400th white ball wicket.

In his next over, Shakib also dismissed Zadran, who top-scored for 27.

Debutant Azmatullah Omarzai added 20 against Bangladesh’s disciplined bowling.

“The boys bowled really well and restricted them to 150,” Nabi said. “We thought we could chase it but threw away our wickets in the powerplay which cost us the game. We will try our best in the next game to fight back.”

Earlier, Liton Das struck a 44 ball-60 to get Bangladesh started. Afif Hossain scored 25 and debutant opener Munim Shahriar made 17 after they opted to bat first.

Opener Naim Sheikh continued his poor form to be out on 2, and Shahriar was dismissed by Rashid Khan to leave Bangladesh 25-2.

Liton attacked while losing Shakib (5) and Mahmudullah (10) cheaply.

Liton and Afif dealt astutely with Afghanistan’s much-vaunted spin attack, comprised of Rashid, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Nabi, and shared a 46-run partnership.

Liton reached his fifth fifty, pushing a Rashid delivery to long on for a single.

However, after hitting four fours and two sixes, he finally was removed by Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Farooqi and Omarzai took two wickets each and prevented Bangladesh from hitting big in the death overs.

The second and last T20 is on Saturday.

NCAA

FROM PAGE 12 down 219 rebounds, 90 on the offensive glass. He averaged 11.3 points per game on 61 percent shooting from the field.

Jonathan McFall and the Slippery Rock University men’s basketball team’s season came to an end Monday with a 72-55 loss at California University (Pa.) in the first round of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Tournament.

McFall scored 14 in the finale and the team finished the year 17-12.

In his first season with SRU he averaged 13 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.1 steals and one block per game.

He also shot 52 percent from the field and 83 percent from the free throw line.

McFall transferred to SRU after a year with Chowan and after a twoyear stint with Catawba Valley Community College Red Hawks.

McFall recently made his senior men’s national team debut for The Bahamas at the FIBA World Cup 2023 Americas Pre-Qualifiers for Group A with an undefeated record and advanced to the next round.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, March 4, 2022, PAGE 15

Everton ends Boreham Wood’s FA Cup run to reach quarters LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Salomon Rondon scored twice as Everton ended Boreham Wood’s surprising FA Cup run by beating the non-league team 2-0 yesterday to reach the quarterfinals.

Boreham Wood had not conceded a goal in the competition this season until Rondon finally created the breakthrough for Everton in the 57th minute after meeting a cross at the near post.

Everton striker Richarlison had a goal ruled out

by VAR before Rondon added the second with a powerful header that goalkeeper Taye AshbyHammond could not prevent from crossing the line.

Everton will play away at Crystal Palace for a place in the semifinals.

The Premier League club had paid for a special oneoff kit for Boreham Wood to avoid a colour clash and also paid for the visitors’ travel and overnight stay.

It looked like that generosity would be extended to the pitch as well as Everton rarely threatened during a poor first half, watched for the first time by Everton’s new director of football Kevin Thelwell.

Ukraine international Vitalii Mykolenko was made Everton captain for the night and there was a poignant pre-match show

of solidarity with his homeland as players and officials held a banner reading “Imagine all the people, sharing all the world” — a line from John Lennon’s “Imagine” which was played over the ground’s public address system.

The poor first-half display persuaded manager Frank Lampard to make a halftime change and bring on Richarlison for Nathan Patterson to spark the attack.

Rondon missed his first good chance to score when he met Jonjoe Kenny’s cross but headed over.

Jarrad Branthwaite then gifted the visitors a chance when he passed straight to Tyrone Marsh and was relieved to see the Boreham Wood forward drive a shot just over goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.

The growing frustration subsided when Rondon made amends for his earlier miss with a neatlytaken goal after nipping in front of centre-back David Stephens to convert another Kenny cross.

Richarlison’s close-range effort was then chalked off for handball after Adrian Clifton’s attempted headed clearance hit the Brazil international.

But Rondon ensured there was no late drama with a header which was adjudged to have crossed the line before

BOREHAM Wood’s James Comley, top, challenges Everton’s Richarlison during their English FA Cup 5th round soccer match at Goodison Park in Liverpool, England, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Jon Super) Ashby-Hammond pulled it back.

Boreham Wood had knocked out Championship side Bournemouth in the previous round but manager Luke Garrard acknowledged that his team was overpowered in the second half. “I am just gutted we haven’t been able to give our fans a moment -- they were colossal all evening and it was a shame we didn’t test Asmir

(Begovic) in goal enough, but what we have achieved in this cup run has been fantastic,” Garrard said.

“They (Everton) went up several gears in the second half when they brought on Richarlison, with the way he and Rondon work together, and (Anthony) Gordon is unbelievable, frightening. I’m glad we didn’t open up too much as they could have had three or four.

“The boys thoroughly deserve a few beers with the extended staff as this has been a team effort.”

The draw for the quarterfinals also handed Manchester City a trip to Southampton, while Chelsea will visit Middlesbrough.

The last round-of-16 game between Nottingham Forest and Huddersfield will be played Monday, with the winner facing Liverpool.

Rory McIlroy with 65 off to another great start at Bay Hill

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer ORLANDO, Florida (AP) — Rory McIlroy opened with a 7-under 65 yesterday and had reason to expect a score like this at Bay Hill, not so much because of the course but rather the day of the week.

Good starts have not been a problem for McIlroy at the Arnold Palmer Invitational the last two years. Now it’s about keeping them going to the finish line.

With three birdies and a 40-foot eagle on the par 5s, McIlroy had his lowest start at Bay Hill and a two-shot lead over Billy Horschel, Beau Hossler and J.J. Spaun.

Adam Scott, Graeme McDowell and Ian Poulter, who dressed in Ukrainian colours, were in the group three shots behind at 68.

“I think you turn up at any golf course where you’ve had success, and automatically you’re going to have some confidence coming in,” said McIlroy, who won at Bay Hill in 2018 and hasn’t finished out of the top 10 the last five years.

He opened with a 66 each of the last two years, both times failing to break par on the weekend.

But there is a rhythm to playing Bay Hill that makes McIlroy comfortable, mainly taking advantage of the par 5s and some of the shorter par 4s. He had eagle putts on three of the par 5s, making the long one up the ridge on the 16th, his seventh hole of the round.

“I played the par 5s particularly well, and that was the bulk of the score,” he said. “I’ve said this all along, you can play within yourself here and still shoot a good score, I feel, if you’re just disciplined and pick off the birdies where you’re supposed to.”

RORY McIlroy hits from the third tee box during the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament yesterday.

(AP Photo/John Raoux) Jon Rahm, the world’s No. 1 player, made his Bay Hill debut with a 72 that included one extra stroke he didn’t anticipate. He went to rap in a 10-inch par putt on the seventh hole, didn’t feel right and tried to stop the stroke only for it to nudge the ball an inch.

“I wish I could give you all the excuses in the world, but no, it’s as simple as it just didn’t feel good in my hands, and I tried to stop, and I didn’t. I just simply didn’t stop,” Rahm said. “I don’t know.

It was very odd.”

McIlroy played alongside Scott, a delight for the largest gallery of the morning who enjoy watching two pure swings with the driver.

There was an exception this time.

Scott decided to leave driver out of the bag in an attempt to hit more fairways and avoid rough that is thicker than usual.

How did it work out?

“Not bad for me — 68 — I mean, that’s not bad,” Scott said.

As for his accuracy, he hit only seven of the 14 fairways. Asked if he would go without a driver at the TPC Sawgrass next week, Scott wasn’t even sure what he would do today.

It still was a comfortable start, especially playing with McIlroy and seeing the four-time major champion make it look easy on a course that held its own in ideal weather.

“I like playing with Rory. I really enjoy watching him play,” Scott said. “He’s a guy I can watch play and get positive swing thoughts for myself. I love watching him swing a golf club. I think almost everyone in the world would say that.”

McIlroy already has one win this season on the PGA Tour, at

the CJ Cup in Las Vegas last fall, though he let one opportunity slip this year when he had the lead on the back nine in Dubai until a series of bogeys cost him.

His lone victory at Bay Hill was a 67-64 finish, so he does know how to close.

McDowell has a pair of runnerup finishes in the Arnold Palmer Invitational and now is one of the biggest supporters of the lone PGA Tour event in his adopted hometown. He is trying to get his game pointed in the right direction and feels it is trending.

His last win on the PGA Tour was in the Dominican Republic in 2019. His victory in the Saudi International a year later got him back into the top 50 in the world and earned him another spot in the Masters. Since that Saudi win, McDowell has only one top 10 and is at No. 399.

It’s enough to keep him from even contemplating a bid to become Europe’s next Ryder Cup captain. McDowell feels as though the 2023 matches in Italy — Europe still hasn’t announced a captain — might be his only chance.

“I desperately want to get back playing consistently well at a high level again rather than maybe taking my attention away and taking the Ryder Cup captaincy,” he said. “Maybe part of me would be suggesting that I’m not good enough to make the team. Are there 12 better players than me in Europe right now? I’ve got to ask myself that question.

“If I’m out here doing what I’m doing, I have to say there’s not 12 guys better than me, and I’m good enough to make the team,” he said. “To be able to compete at a high level, I have to have that belief.”

MLB, UNION MEET FOR 1 1/2 HOURS, DISCUSS NEXT STEP IN TALKS

By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem and chief union negotiator Bruce Meyer met for 1 1/2 hours yesterday and discussed the major issues in the stalled talks to reach a deal that would end Major League Baseball’s lockout.

Union general counsel Ian Penny and MLB Executive Vice President Morgan Sword also participated in the session.

The players’ association executive board held a conference call later yesterday.

There was no known decision on the timing of the next negotiating session.

Baseball’s ninth work stoppage was in its 92nd day yesterday and is the sport’s first labour conflict to cause games to be cancelled since the 1994-95 strike wiped out the World Series for the first time in 90 years.

Negotiations broke off Tuesday after the ninth straight day of meetings in Jupiter, Florida, and baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred announced that opening day on March 31 and the first two series for each team this season had

been cancelled. He said there would be insufficient training time for the March 31 openers.

Negotiating teams then headed home.

The sides had made progress during 16 1/2 hours of bargaining that ended at 2:30am Tuesday but were still far apart on areas that include the key economic components of the luxury tax, pre-arbitration bonus pool and minimum salaries.

The sides expressed anger at each other’s proposals when talks resumed later that day.

Fitch Ratings said the cancellation will not impact

MLB and stadium-level debt ratings for now due to liquidity that included dedicated debt reserve funds sufficient for a season-long stoppage.

Fitch said MLB’s media contracts are structured for continued payments in 2022 during a lockout, with the possibility of repayments due later.

“The coronavirusaffected 2020 season demonstrates that the league and its teams have financial resources to withstand a shortened season, albeit with reliance on liquidity support from ownership or debt

financing,” Fitch said.

“Under a one-month cancellation, we expect MLB will be able to preserve national media revenue at levels close to those agreed to under contract.”

Fitch added “a prolonged work stoppage could also alienate fans and corporate sponsors, which could not only affect revenue in the current season but could drag on the growth of the sport in the longer term.”

It also said “team and stadium financings will face rating pressure sooner than the league if the lockout extends beyond April.”

NEW VACCINE RULES COULD ALLOW DJOKOVIC TO PLAY FRENCH OPEN (AP) — France is easing its vaccination rules later this month, which could pave the way for Novak Djokovic to compete at this year’s French Open.

French Prime Minister Jean Castex announced yesterday that people will no longer have to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 to access venues such as sports stadiums and restaurants from March 14. That means Djokovic, who is unvaccinated, could be allowed to compete at Roland Garros in May unless the restrictions are tightened again.

“The situation is improving thanks to our collective efforts,” Castex said. “The conditions are met for a new phase of easing of measures. From Monday March 14, we will suspend the application of the vaccination pass wherever it applies.”

Djokovic was deported from Australia in January after a legal battle over whether he should be allowed to enter the country, forcing him to miss the Australian Open.

He told the BBC last month that he was willing to miss upcoming Grand Slam tournaments as well if they required him to get vaccinated.

Djokovic has won the French Open twice and has a total of 20 major titles, one short of the record held

by Rafael Nadal after the Spaniard won the Australian Open.

The new French rules could also allow Djokovic to play in the Monte Carlo Masters clay-court tournament in April.

DANIEL GAVINS LEADS KENYA OPEN BY 1 AFTER FIRSTROUND 64 NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — English golfer Daniel Gavins went on a run of six birdies in seven holes around the turn in shooting 7-under 64 yesterday to lead the Kenya Open by one stroke after the first round.

The 190th-ranked Gavins made nine birdies in total at Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi.

Johannes Veerman of the United States and Shubhankar Sharma of India were tied for second after 66s.

South Africa’s Justin Harding, the defending champion of the European tour event, was in a tie for ninth after shooting 68.

TAVATANAKIT LEADS SINGAPORE LPGA BY 1 STROKE SINGAPORE (AP) — Patty Tavatanakit shot a 5-under 67 yesterday to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the HSBC Women’s World Championship, which includes nine of the top 10 female golfers.

Danielle Kang was tied for the lead before bogeying her final hole. She was tied for second with Inbee Park and A Lim Kim. Top-ranked Jin Young Ko, Lydia Ko and Brooke Henderson were among those tied for third, two strokes behind, after 69s.

“I feel like everything was pretty solid,” said Tavatanakit, who tied for third in her tournament debut last year. “Couple of shots here and there. But overall, I’m really happy with how I played.”

Park said she thought the Sentosa Golf Club’s New Tanjong Course suited her game.