03062023 NEWS AND SPORT

‘DON’T WAIT FOR MEN TO GIVE YOU RIGHTS’

US official urges women to take political power

at the International Black Women’s Public Policy Institute (IBWPPI) 14th annual board of directors retreat in Freeport.

A UNITED States Embassy official has urged Bahamian women not to wait around for men to grant women equal rights under the constitution or outlaw marital rape.

Usha Pitts, chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy in The Bahamas, was speaking

The event was held from March 2-3.

During her opening remarks, Ms Pitts said the more women support each other, the more they can accelerate change in the political power structure.

“The fact is that nothing

PINTARD URGES PM TO OWN DEFICIT MISTAKE

FREE National Movement leader Michael Pintard said Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis should issue an “unfettered” apology to the public for presenting the wrong deficit figure in Parliament and “own” the mistake.

On February 22, Mr Davis told the House of Assembly that revenue

collections were up but also noted that the government experienced a net deficit of $285.7m, which represented an increase of $7.8m compared to the previous period.

The revelation made the headlines in the local dailies, however Mr Davis singled out The Nassau Guardian’s headline, “Revenue Rises but Deficit Up” as not being accurate during his contribution in

SHANTY TOWN DEMOLITION TO START ‘THIS YEAR’ - BELL

LABOUR and Immigration Minister Keith Bell said he thinks the government will move to demolish shanty towns sometime this year.

The minister was asked during a recent interview

BTC CEO CEDES COMPLAINTS, PROMISES IMPROVEMENTS

about a timeline for when the government will move to raze the illegal structures now that a Supreme Court injunction barring such action has been lifted. This comes as tensions over the issue continue to mount, with political hopeful Lincoln Bain and several of his supporters

THE BAHAMAS Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) top exec last night pledged to deliver “a best-inclass experience” for all users after complaints that clients were left “in the lurch” by poor customer service.

ABACO DUMP BURNING POSES HEALTH CONCERN

RECENT burning and movement of debris from the Spring City Debris Management Dump Site to the Great Abaco Sanitary Landfill has been causing environmental and health concerns for those on the island, said a local official.

Roscoe Thompson,

chairman of the Marsh Harbour/Spring City Township, yesterday outlined to The Tribune several hazards

Sameer Bhatti, BTC’s chief executive, acknowledged to Tribune Business there will be “occasions” when technology fails to function after several wellknown customers recently complained they were being billed for communications services they were not receiving.

that he said are continuing to befall those in the Spring City community due to the burning of debris on the nearby dump sites. He said that among the items being burned are hazardous materials.

Throughout the years, there have

Equality Bahamas marks upcoming International Women’s Day with March

A MARCH was held on Saturday to mark the upcoming International Women’s Day - due to be held on Wednesday this week.

The march, organised by Equality Bahamas, called for gender and climate justice.

Following the march, an expo was held at the Dundas Theatre, with stands from organisations including the Bahamas Crisis Centre, the Dignified Girl Project, Brightside Bahamas, and the Sustainable Development Goals Unit.

There were also workshops including poetry, zinemaking and property buying advice.

To learn more, visit Equality Bahamas on Facebook.

YOUTH ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVE

Lombard Odier Bahamas is pleased launch its inaugural youth environmental initiative geared towards helping students consider how today’s actions impact future generations. The initiative will target junior and high school students living in The Bahamas.

Submission Guidelines: In 250-500 words, applicants are asked to describe a specific program launched by a local, environmentally-focused organization or by the individual applicant and provide details on how the specific program is contributing to an environmentally sustainable future for The Bahamas.

Submission Deadline: Friday March 31st, 2023

Email responses to: NAS-Sustainability@lombardodier.com

Please include your name, age, grade, island and school in your submission.

Selection Process: A green ribbon panel including partners from Lombard Odier and other partner organizations will review submissions and select four (4) successful candidates.

Prizes:

Group 1: Grades 7-9th

1st place winner will receive a tablet or laptop and access to a summer program with a local environmental organization.

2nd place winner will receive a camera and access to a summer program with a local environmental organization.

Group 2: Grades 10-12th

1st place winner will receive a 4-week paid summer internship with a local organization focused on environmental sustainability in The Bahamas.

2nd place winner will receive a 2- week paid summer internship with a local organization focused on environmental sustainability in The Bahamas.

Photos: Disha Frase

‘Don’t wait for men to give you rights’

changes for women until we take political power,”

Ms Pitts told the gathering.

She said it was progress when seven Bahamian women were elected to Parliament during The Bahamas’ last election.

“So, it was really big, not a monumental victory because men still got elected four to one compared to women, but it was progress. And it showed that little by little Bahamian women are starting to take the political power they deserve. And that word is very important because no one gives political power, you got to take it.”

Mrs Pitts said every time a woman takes political power in The Bahamas, she helps the government reflect the country itself.

“That is truly what representative democracy is all about,” she added.

The US Embassy official urged Bahamian women: “Do not wait around for men to grant women equality under the constitution. They had 50 years to do it, and it hasn’t happened.

“Do not wait for men to outlaw marital rape as I heard so many men say on Bahamian radio there is no rape in marriage. Do not wait for men to give women reproductive rights and control over the health of their own bodies - they

won’t do it,” she said.

In America, she noted that black women and girls are also challenged in terms of equality in a number of areas. She said the IBWPPI is aware of them and is working every day to improve the lives of black women and girls.

“So, I really believe that black girls depend on our ability to make the problem of racial equality a common goal; it has to be an American goal, not just an us goal.”

The IBWPPI is moving forward to establish the first and only Black Women’s Embassy to help improve the lives of black women and girls globally.

IBWPPI executive board member Tammilee Jules noted that the organisation is built on five pillars designed to empower black women and address issues they face globally.

She mentioned the establishment of the Dorothy Irene Heights Global Leadership Academy, describing it as a “training ground for global leaders of the next generation.”

“For 14 years, IBWPPI continues the work of building strong collaborative relations, connecting with black women and girls around the world. As we travel to their nations, we listen to understand the stories of their plight,” she said.

“We align with key influencers, world leaders, congresswomen, ambassadors, excellencies, queen mothers and kings in the public policy spaces, using our voices and resources to help bring change, and work to build the restorative bridges in these places,” she said.

Also speaking was Minister for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey. She said the work of IBWPPI is instrumental in protecting the interests of black women around the world.

“Your focus on setting a public policy agenda that reflects the interests of

black women has a rippling global effect, as demonstrated by the fact that I stand here today as the first female minister for Grand Bahama and a part of a historically female empowered government,” she said.

Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell noted that women represented 53 percent of the registered voters in The Bahamas, but it does not reflect itself with those who get elected to Parliament.

“And so, that is one of the works that has to be done. And I am committed to helping women. I am a

firm advocate that citizenship laws have to change. We are hoping that the Privy Council rules shortly on this issue for us and helps us all with some of the problems,” he said.

Mr Mitchell said that the constitution was conceived and drafted at a time when only men were at the table.

“No women were at the table, and at the time the law was that a woman got her domicile from her husband or from her father. And that’s the philosophy which backs what is in the 1972 constitution. The common law position has changed and the statutory

law and the country that gave us the constitution, but we can’t get our own people to agree to change it and because they built it in the system that makes it so difficult to change the constitution.

“You can’t do it, unfortunately it appears by the statute law. So, it is going to take some more public education, it is going to take women to try and lead the way, and we have to support that effort because we can’t have this disability of more than half of the population,” said Mr Mitchell.

PINTARD URGES PRIME MINISTER TO OWN DEFICIT MISTAKE

Parliament last Wednesday.

However, East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson later pointed out that Mr Davis’ February 22 speech contained the figure about the reported deficit increase, to which Mr Davis then admitted that his speechwriters made an error when writing the figures in his speech.

He then sought to clarify the true figure. According to Mr Davis, the fiscal deficit actually decreased by $5.3m in the first half of the fiscal year when compared to the same period in the previous year.

During a recent interview, Mr Pintard said it is such an important mistake Mr Davis made that he has to “own it”.

“This is so important that he ought to issue an unfettered apology, not just to The Guardian, which is very important, but he ought to do it to the Bahamian people because what he said on such an important matter as the state of the deficit has implications for us in terms of credit agencies, rating agencies, investors,” Mr Pintard told this newspaper recently.

“It is such an important mistake that he made that

he has to own it. He can’t blame it on speech writers — certainly not. He has an entire finance team and the people from the Ministry of Finance have been such professionals for both administrations.

“They go through a very rigorous process arriving at the final figures and so when the Prime Minister makes such an egregious mistake he has to remember that he had an entire week from the time the headline came out in order to correct it.

“Certainly, the professionals at the Ministry of Finance, any mistakes that they detect they would quickly say to a minister of state or a prime minister or financial secretary here’s the mistake. The political directorate now has the responsibility, if there was a mistake, to correct it on the public record. Prime Minister allowed an entire week to go by, so his explanations are not believable.”

Also during his contribution, the Prime Minister levied allegations that a non-profit organisation went on “a spending spree” to purchase two high end trucks and boats with public funds meant to provide food assistance to Bahamians during the

Michael Pintard said that Prime Minister Phili ‘Brave’ Davis needs to ‘own’ his mistake on the deficit adding that he needs to ‘issue an unfettered apology’ as his statement on the state of the deficit has implications for the country. On February 22, Mr Davis reported in parliament that the deficit had increased, which he later said was an error which he blamed on his speech writer.

pandemic.

Mr Davis informed that the substantial amounts of money along with boats and trucks were recently returned to the government by the organisation in question.

The Tribune reporter was about to ask the Prime Minister on Thursday if there would be charges

against the NGO, but he walked away and continued to avoid answering the question.

The FNM leader said the Prime Minister continues to “sully” the names of ordinary Bahamians who have been doing “nonprofit work, philanthropy work for decades”.

“If there is one agency or

individuals who have done something inappropriate or unethical or illegal, we have the means in order to deal with them. But for him to label all of those involved with the food programme is irresponsible and meanspirited as a leader,” Mr Pintard said on Thursday.

“You have the Christian Council who participated

with the Grand Bahama Port Authority and the government in Grand Bahama. You have the Salvation Army, the Red Cross, Walter Hanchellmany different agencies have been feeding Bahamians for years and during the pandemic. They continue to do this incredible job.

“He must not leave any vague labels on an entire group of persons who have carried the country when neither government had the capacity to do so. So, what he has done is very irresponsible. I said before he loves to drip feed salacious details.”

Mr Pintard said the Speaker of the House of Assembly should have forced Mr Davis to lay the documents on the table substantiating the accusations or withdraw them.

“There are different rules for the PLP in the House of Assembly and a different rule for the Free National Movement,” Mr Pintard claimed. “So, he has done a serious disservice to persons who have been serving this country longer than he has and have been doing it with their reputations intact, which he is now destroying.”

MIAMI GROUP TO PROTEST DAVIS GOV’S TREATMENT OF BAHAMIANS

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

A GROUP of Bahamians who live in the United States and Canada are organising a protest in Miami against the Davis administration.

Coalition of Independents leader Lincoln Bain said he will be going to the protest, which is planned for March 23.

However, Mr Bain insisted he did not organise the protest. However, he outlined instances where he and members of his party were arrested by police while trying to demonstrate as examples of what has fueled the upcoming event.

“They are organising a protest because they are disgusted by the way they’ve seen the Bahamian government treating Bahamians as of late from many instances, including Bahamians at Parliament being. . .arrested,” Mr Bain said.

“Bahamians trying to deliver a letter to the prime minister’s office and being refused entry. Also what happened at CARICOM enraged them. They feel a Bahamian should have been

COALITION of Independents leader Lincoln Bain insists he did not organise a protest to be held in Miami against the Davis administration’s treatment of Bahamians; but he will be attending it. He said that Bahamians living in Florida organised the protest because ‘they were disgusted by the way they’ve seen the Bahamian government treating Bahamians as of late’, adding that the arrests of himself and his supporters during several protests have ‘enraged them’. The protest is taking place in front of te Bahamian embassy in Miami on March 23. He said he would speak at the event which will see the organisers deliver a document outling their concerns to the Bahamian embassy.

allowed to protest and they feel that that would have been a better statement for democracy - it would have

with heavy weaponry — having a heavy hand against Bahamians on a beach.”

Police had arrested 14 men, including Mr Bain, along with four women for unlawful assembly at Baha Mar ahead of the 2023 CARICOM meeting.

The persons were also arrested for resisting arrest and causing a nuisance.

During the incident, an officer in plain clothes grabbed a Tribune female reporter’s iPhone as she filmed what was going on.

After minutes of explaining to the individual that the woman was a reporter, the phone was returnedhowever, the officer did not explain why the phone was taken.

A few officers also surrounded The Tribune’s male photographer at one point, however he was let go once it was explained he was with this newspaper and doing his job.

Some of Mr Bain’s supporters were also arrested later that same day while trying to gather at Goodman’s Bay Beach.

He said the group planning to protest in Miami are also upset that police stopped him from trying to demolish homes in a

shanty town last week. He has claimed the land in question was leased to a Bahamian woman for farming, but is now occupied by shanty town residents.

“They’re having a protest in front of the Bahamian embassy in Miami,” Mr Bain said. “They’re going to write a document that outlines their concerns and they’re going to deliver it to the Bahamian embassy.

“They invited us to come and be a part of this, and to also speak and let the international media, American media, know exactly how we are being treated in The Bahamas as Bahamians and as political leaders by our government defiling our constitutional rights.

“Because going from there, we’re going to take this to the United Nations and so they’re also willing to accompany us to the United Nations to make sure the Bahamian civil rights are not violated.”

“They were also disgusted that a media personnel had her device taken from her,” he said, referring to The Tribune reporter. “Another photographer, his device was taken and this should never happen in the civilised world.”

been democracy in full force. “But instead what we saw was dictatorship and

so they were extremely disturbed about seeing women being (arrested).

. .by male police officers and police

USHA Pitts (pictured top left), chargé d’Affaires of the United States Embassy in The Bahamas, spoke at the International Black Women’s Public Policy Institute (IBWPPI) 14th annual board of directors retreat March, 2-3 at Pelican Bay Resort. She urged women to not wait for ‘men to give you rights’ and encouraged women to ‘take’ political power. Also speaking at the retreat was Minister of Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey.

Photo (top right): Vandyke Hepburn

FREE National Movement leader

Abaco Dump burning poses health concern

with no consistent solution to the problem being put in place.

“It’s been happening since (Hurricane) Dorian, that’s all we do is burn out there.

But Snake Cay is the main one,” Mr Thompson said.

“I do know for a fact that garbage from the Spring City laydown site, which is the debris site, where all the debris was taken for Hurricane Dorian, that it is being moved up to the Snake Cay site and burning, which is sad. It hasn’t been recycled or taken off the island. It’s been taken up to Snake Cay and burnt,” Mr Thompson said.

“It’s a big concern for us here, especially in Marsh Harbour, because Spring City is so close to Snake Cay, when the burning happens it affects their (Spring City residents) breathing,”

Mr Thompson said.

“So there’s the health risk to the people of Spring City when the Snake Cay dump site is burning. And also the toxicity going into our water table from all of this debris that is there, not just at Spring City, but in Snake Cay. What is it doing to our water table?” he asked.

Mr Thompson, who also sits on the Central Abaco

District Council, added: “We are burning everything - household garbage from plastic paper to aluminium to rubber to anything you could think of, tree debris. All of that stuff is going up in there and being burned every week or dumped and put on fire because there’s no way you can get rid of that debris by just covering it up. You know, you don’t have the space to do it.”

Mr Thompson continued: “You would think that material could be recycled and separated, especially plastic, paper products, the wood from metal you know, because you have the capability of mulching pressure treated wood.”

Mr Thompson added that due to the lack of security on the site, other persons have been burning trash or using the debris as well.

“I think what ends up happening is people go out there to get copper, you know, and they burn and it ends up spreading. Also, you have people that go out there to burn the garbage, so it allows more room for garbage to be dumped,” Mr Thompson said.

“Believe it or not, if there was security up there we would not have as much building of the shanty towns,

CENTRAL Abaco landfill near Snake Cay, just a few miles south east of the community of Spring City has been burning debris and garbage without sorting materials that are dumped. Roscoe Thompson, member of the Central Abaco District Council says many residents are concerned as the smoke affects their breathing. He also noted that if a securiy guard was stationed at the landfill it would potentially slow down the building of shanty towns as materials are often gathered from the site.

because that’s where they go to get a lot of the material, the wood and debris to build. And with no security up there it allows a free-forall, before the place is on fire,” he said.

Mr Thompson said several communications have been sent to government ministers and officials, with no response.

“We reached out to environmental health (officials) over here in Abaco with concerns in regards to the Snake Cay dump site... I just

don’t understand, (why) is it so hard to send a response?”

Mr Thompson asked.

“So it really makes me question what this administration is doing, because I did garbage on Friday. So, I know for a fact our landfill was filled up to the hill that means that there was nowhere to dump the garbage. Now the contractor that has the contract for that, it is not his fault, because he only gets to push so many times a month,” he said.

When contacted for a response, Environment Minister Vaughn Miller told The Tribune yesterday that he would be reaching out to the necessary parties to get the status of the issue, as he thought the matter had been dealt with already.

However, Mr Miller could not be reached for more details up to press time.

In 2021, the Disaster Reconstruction Authority (DRA) advised residents of Abaco to report unauthorised dumping and foraging

at the Great Abaco Sanitary Landfill, located on Snake Cay Road, in the wake of a large fire that was burning at the site at the time.

Thomasina Wilson, senior deputy director, Department of Environmental Health Services, in collaboration with the DRA said in 2021, “The Ministry of Works created the Snake Cay site in the aftermath of Dorian. It was intended to be used as a temporary holding site for debris until the government had an opportunity to prepare a proper waste management site.”

She added: “Unfortunately, the debris was never removed. Removal is a complex undertaking as municipal waste must be sorted and taken to the open-air disposal site and hurricane debris must be taken to the debris management facility. The necessary resources have not yet been put in place to allow for an effective debris removal plan to be executed.”

As a result, it was reported in 2021 that debris continued to accumulate beyond the temporary site’s intended capacity as people kept dumping their waste even after the launch of the main debris management site in Spring City.

POLITICAL LEADERS PAY HOMAGE TO RBDF COMMODORE LEON SMITH

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis along with other officials joined family and friends in celebrating the historic life of retired Commodore Leon Livingstone Smith on Friday.

Commodore Smith was promoted to the highest rank of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force in 1983. He succeeded Commodore Christopher Belton and historically became the first Bahamian officer to lead the RBDF. He held this position until 1997, making him the longest serving commodore to date.

During his remarks of appreciation at a military service for Commodore Smith at Christ Church Cathedral, Mr Davis noted his devoted service to protecting The Bahamas’ borders and sovereignty, adding the long serving commodore left a notable mark on the RBDF.

“Throughout his military career he received numerous awards and accolades in his career in public life (that) span over

40 years. And on September 19, 2014, the RBDF force Legend class vessel bearing his name was commissioned.”

He said the former commodore was a father figure to young officers.

Mr Davis added: “What attributes to his legacy (is) by officers who joined the RBDF after he would have retired. Such tributes represent an authentic measurement of the scope, range, and impact of his leadership style and quality.”

The prime minister said Commodore Smith was widely known as a “disciplinarian” and “softspoken” man that led with integrity. He noted others remember the former commodore for his great sense of humour.

Free National Movement leader Michael Pintard also spoke at the service, sharing his admiration for Mr Smith’s impact on Bahamian history. He said the former commodore was one of the national heroes honoured, adding his contributions to the country are “unquestionable.”

“Commodore Smith

demonstrated the kind of grit, determination and commitment that are scarce in some areas of our national life, and which causes many to crave the old school Bahamian role models,” Mr Pintard said.

Mr Pintard highlighted how women were finally able to enlist into the RBDF through Commodore Smith’s efforts.

He continued: “Grit, determination, and commitment to do what is best for The Bahamas in one notable area is to bring greater equality between men and women in the workplace. Through the eventual enlistment of women in the Defence Force in 1985.

“And given the struggles that women have today in Bahamian society I think all of us will agree that was a remarkable move to make at that time. Given that he was running a testosterone driven organisation.” Commodore Smith died on January 26 at the age of 86.

A viewing for his body was held on Thursday.

He was buried at Woodlawn Gardens.

PRIME Minister and Minister of Finance Philip ‘Brave’ Davis paid his respects at Lying-in-Repose ceremonies for the late Commodore Leon Livingston Smith (Retired) CD, OBE, former Commander, Royal Bahamas Defence Force Friday at Bethel Brothers Morticians and Crematorium.

Photo: Patrick Hanna/BIS

LEADER of the opposition Michael Pintard paid respects at Lying-in-Repose ceremonies for the late Commodore Leon Livingston Smith (Retired) CD, OBE, former commander, Royal Bahamas Defence Force Friday at Bethel Brothers Morticians and Crematorium. A full military honours for Commodore Smith was held at Christ Church Cathedral on Friday.

Photo: Patrick Hanna/BIS

Latest Labour on the Blocks 2.0 sees 500 job seekers and 40 businesses

By LETRE SWEETING Tribune Staff Reporter lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

THE latest Labour on the Blocks 2.0 job fair held on Saturday in the Carmichael Road area saw more than 500 job seekers, with one business having confirmed some 40 Bahamians on the spot.

Labour Director Robert Farquharson said “approximately 500” people showed up at the event at Flamingo Gardens Park, with 350 of them having pre-registered.

“The job fair was extremely successful, at 10pm on the Friday night we had over 350 persons who would have pre-registered. We had about 40 employers who were there,” Mr Farquharson said.

“The first person arrived at the job fair at 6.45am in the morning. We shut down operations at about 3pm,” he said.

“We know that we had a significant amount of employers who hired on the spot. We know that Blue Lagoon came there looking to hire 100 people. We know that Fidelity Bank hired people on the spot. We know that (SuperClubs) Breezes hired people on the spot. We know that Sandals (Emerald Bay) hired people on the spot. Sysco Bahamas (formerly Bahamas Food Services) hired people on the spot,” Mr Farquharson said.

“A number of employers came to us and told us they would provide us with information by Wednesday or Thursday this week, when they complete all of the background checks,” he said.

Mr Farquharson said both he and employers were very impressed with the turnout at the job fair and the quality of people that showed up.

“It was, in my opinion, extremely successful. We saw a significant increase in the amount of young men who attended, properly dressed, properly attired,” Mr Farquharson said.

“If you listen to the stories, Blue Lagoon and Albany were extremely happy with the quality of candidates and the fact that they were properly prepared. People from Sysco Bahamas, the Department of Immigration, Wemco Security, all were pleased. I think Wemco, they confirmed about 40 people yesterday (Saturday),” he continued.

“A significant amount of employers came to us and thanked us for the opportunity for the job fair and they’re looking forward to the next job fair,” Mr Farquharson said.

Mr Farquharson added that being able to partner with various communities to host job fairs is an important part of the work at the Department of Labour.

“If you look at the demo-

Providence a significant amount of persons have moved from the inner-city into that southwestern area and so we thought it was important for us to target those people, give them an opportunity and bring the services of the Department of Labour closer to them,”

Mr Farquharson said.

Upcoming job fairs will take place in the next few months with a specialised event being hosted later this month at the Department of Labour on Rosetta Street.

Mr Farquharson said:

“On March 25, at the Department of Labour, we’re holding a specialised job fair from 9am to 5pm for a company called I Dream of Sugar, it’s a new company, that’s going to be opening next month, a factory on Bay Street, they’re looking for us to hire 100 persons on their behalf.

“Then, on April 1, the Department of Labour will hold a job fair at the Pilgrim Baptist Temple, in the Freetown community, where we’ll be partnering with the community to have a job fair there.

“On June 17, we’ll be partnering with the Fox Hill community, where we’ll be having a job fair in that community.”

Last week, Mr Farquharson told Tribune Business that the Labour on the Blocks job fair series has resulted in employment for more than 3,000 Bahamian

THE MINISTRY of Labour held Labour on the Blocks 2.0 at Flamingo Gardens Park Satruday and deemed it a success as over 500 people participated with 40 being ‘hired on the spot’. Labour Director Robert Farquharson said by Friday noght they had 350 person pre-registered and 40 employer took part.

Photos: Moise Amisial

The Tribune Limited

Honour women with equal rights

THIS week sees the celebration of International Women’s Day – an opportunity to both celebrate women and, more pointedly, to continue removing barriers that hinder women.

On Saturday, members of Equality Bahamas and supporters held a march, speaking out over gender justice and climate justice. It was followed by an expo at the Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts on a variety of topics.

Women’s rights were very much at the forefront of the event – and so it is timely indeed that a senior US official has spoken out on the matter too.

US Chargé d’Affaires Usha Pitts spoke at an event held by the International Black Women’s Public Policy Institute in Freeport – and she urged Bahamian women not to wait around for men to grant them equal rights under the constitution or outlaw marital rape.

She declared: “The fact is that nothing changes for women until we take political power.”

She noted the number of women elected in the last election – seven – but equally noted they were outnumbered four to one by men.

She said: “It showed that little by little Bahamian women are starting to take the political power they deserve. And that word is very important because no one gives political power, you got to take it.”

She added: “Do not wait for men to outlaw marital rape as I heard so may men say on Bahamian radio there is no rape in marriage. Do not wait for men to give women reproductive rights and control over the health of their own bodies – they won’t do it.”

So how do women take that power? Well, just like the event on Saturday, by marching. By protesting. By raising the issue over and over again. And when done walking in marches, then by running – for office, for leadership, for the power to make the changes that others drag their feet over.

When Social Services Minister Obie Wilchcombe has spoken about marital rape, it has been wrapped up in consultations.

He has said that he hoped that we would “have some of the things completed” by International Women’s Day on Wednesday, to coincide with a planned national women’s convention.

That deadline arrives the day after tomorrow. Will we see a decision on what marital rape legislation will be put forward?

The support for such legislation has been strong among leading women in our country – Ann Marie Davis was among those to declare that “no means no” and declare that marital rape should be decriminalised.

In December, the holder of the Office of the Spouse said: “Imagine, we are still living in a society where no does not mean no. How could that be? I tell you no and you think I mean yes. No, sir. Of course I’m talking about marital rape, right. No means no.”

She added: “I am happy that this conversation is taking place and when it is done, I hope that our marital laws are upgraded as to where they are supposed to be.”

Then there is the issue of equal rights in regard to citizenship – where women and men are not on an equal basis under the eyes of the law.

To borrow a phrase from Mrs Davis, how could that be?

What gives anyone the right to say this person can have more rights than that person, simply because one is a man and the other is a woman?

So this International Women’s Day, we must ask the question of whether we want next year’s celebration to come around without any meaningful change on such topics.

Because anyone saying that they honour the day without striving to bring such change does not truly recognise the day.

And if they find themselves running for office against a woman and losing because of it? That will indeed be women rising to the challenge put forward by Usha Pitts.

• The Tribune is seeking to celebrate Bahamian women this week, and is asking readers to name the women who are their heroes. You can put forward your suggestions on our website, www. tribune242.com, or you can email your suggestions to our managing editor, Stephen Hunt, at shunt@tribunemedia. net. Or if you are on social media, you can share your suggestion and use the hashtag #WomensDayHeroes. We will be delighted to publish as many of your nominations as possible.

Food fight

EDITOR, The Tribune, THE TRIBUNE today, third of March 2023, would not have been off topic had its business section heading been “Food Fight”.

Accusations and innuendo were rife and one could be forgiven for thinking that it was so many kids in a sandbox hurling sand at each other. What I found most intriguing was the headline “$5M dispute closes boating fees portal”.

Reading through the article it was shades of FTX between the Treasury, OMNI and ABM. It’s like this is a Bahamian thing now. Not keeping any records of transactions nor seemingly doing an old fashioned task called reconcilliation.

Government says OMNI has not paid all fees collected, but no specifics, just a flat amount that they might like to have, five million.

Now, government runs the Customs Department and one would hope that they record the name of a vessel and the date of its arrival and have some evidence that the Captain has declared and paid

Sir Randol, MLK and Garvey

EDITOR, The Tribune.

THERE is one striking similarity between Sir Randol Fawkes, Dr Martin Luther King, Jr, and Jamaican National Hero Marcus Garvey that caught my attention after reading their biographies. All three were falsely accused of being Communists, as will be seen in the following.

what is due on the Sea Z Pass. And one must also assume that Sea Z Pass has forwarded the payment to OMNI along with the VITAL information on the name of the vessel and date of arrival at a minimum. And can we assume also that OMNI has in turn forwarded the money received from Sea Z Pass to the Treasury, as it drops the money in the Government’s designated bank account and sends a note to the Treasury to say this money is for this vessel arriving in the Bahamas on this date.

Or are we assuming too much? Does anyone in the Treasury close the open loop by linking the Customs record of the vessel entering the Bahamas with the cash receipt from OMNI?

Now if this was the modus operandi of the Treasury, then Mr. Simon Wilson would have every right to stand up and say such and such a vessel arrived in The Bahamas on this date and evidenced his Sea Z Pass payment but we have not received the payment for that vessel landing on that date from OMNI. And then he can, one by one, identify each vessel that the

Treasury has not received payment for. Not get up on that high horse and make a blanket claim with no backup. Try that in court, Mr Wilson. And by the same token doesn’t OMNI have little more evidence than simply saying that we have paid you everything, don’t bother me.

And if OMNI’s positions are closed then can Sea Z Pass substantiate its payments to OMNI, for which vessels arriving in the Bahamas. The article ends with ABM saying that they chose OMNI because OMNI would develop the software for free. If the Immigration receipts from OMNI are any indication of OMNI’s software capabilities maybe they shouid outsource that aspect to India!

It’s all quite remarkable, particularly coming on the heels of Sam Bankman Fried and the FTX debacle. Growing up in Nassau one would frequently hear people say “Free tings kill Nassau people”. As true now as it was then.

MONKEYDOO Nassau, March 4, 2023

In the first half of the 20th century, Garvey was the most influential civil rights activist in the United States, eclipsing WEB Dubois of the NAACP and A Philip Randolph. King would carry on the metaphorical civil rights baton from Garvey, as the most influential civil rights leader in the second half of the 20th century. In 1958, after the famous sedition trial of Fawkes, King would visit New Providence, where he gave a speech at Fawkes’ Bahamas Federation of Labour Federation Hall in November 1958. Fawkes was charged with uttering seditious remarks in an August 1958 speech at Windsor Park against Magistrate Maxwell J Thompson. Fawkes had taken exception to being charged with disorderly behaviour and trespassing at the Bahamas Lumber Company Limited site in Mastic Point, North Andros.

A little over two years prior to the trial, Fawkes, as a member of the Progressive Liberal Party, was elected to Parliament on June 8, 1956. Seven days prior to the election, the first Labour Day Parade was held, drawing approximately 20 thousand Bahamians. Fawkes would also flex his muscles in the 1958 General Strike that brought Nassau’s economy to a screeching halt. The Father of Labour mentioned in his “The Faith that moved the Mountain” that he patterned the strike after the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott, using the nonviolent strategy of King. Both civil rights activists realised that any violence by their supporters would’ve given the White controlled state justification to use excessive force disproportionately. The official colour of Fawkes’ BFL was red, which is, coincidentally, the colour of the flags of Communist China and Russia.

Fawkes’ enemies within the United Bahamian Party took notice of the similarities, and decided to use the Communist boogeyman label in order to derail the Fawkes movement, which was gathering significant momentum in the late fifties. It was a bogus allegation. The White oligarchs were using the Red Scare strategy of J Edgar Hoover of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which he used against King and Garvey. Both Garvey and King were considered Negro agitators by Hoover, who became head of the Bureau of Investigation in 1924, heading a branch of the government funded agency named the American Protective League. Hoover would falsely accuse Garvey’s Universal Negro Improvement Association of inciting racial violence in the US in the 1920s. Like Fawkes and King after him, the White powers-that-be were afraid of him. Calling himself the Provisional President of Africa, Garvey would draw thousands of African Americans to his fist UNIA International Convention of the Negro Peoples of the World on August 1, 1920, at Madison Square Garden in New York, where a Black Bill of Rights was drafted. Garvey called on the US and Europe to hand over Africa to the African people. Africa was colonised by Europe, with Ethiopia being the exception, other than between 1935 and 1940 when it was occupied by Italy. Relocating his UNIA headquarters to Liberia, which had gained independence in 1847, Garvey appeared to be serious about establishing an African state with himself as head. At least that was the interpretation of his White detractors in the US, who were aware of the UNIA having its own national anthem titled “Advance”.

As head of a defacto black government who sent telegrams to other heads of states, the US government viewed Garvey as a threat. That’s why the government assigned Hoover to the task of dismantling

the Garveyite movement. Historians have noted that Garvey was Hoover’s first civil rights leader to be harassed. Garvey was also perennially harassed by Edwin P Kilroe of the New York District Attorney’s Office.

Historians have alleged that Garvey’s failed assassin, George Tyler, was linked to Kilroe. Failing to link Garvey to any Communist operatives, Hoover and the US government charged the UNIA leader of committing mail fraud with his Black Star Line enterprise in 1922. Regarding King, the foregoing Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955 catapulted him into the national and international spotlight. Hoover and the FBI began their surveillance of King after this important event. The FBI was aware of Stanley Levison’s collaboration with King in the civil rights movement. Levison, who was introduced to King by Bayard Rustin, was active in the Communist Party of the United States of America between the 1940s and 1956. The agency also knew that King had hired another suspected Communist named Jack O’Dell to work alongside him in his Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

However, notwithstanding O’Dell and Levison, the FBI’s counterintelligence programme, dubbed COINTELPRO, revealed no Communist leanings by King. Communism was considered the greatest threat to North America prior to the rise of radical islamic terrorism, as was demonstrated on 9/11 by Al Qaeda and Osama bin Laden. In 1953, two years before the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the US government executed Julius and Ethel Rosenberg for spying for Communist Russia. Allegations of colluding with Communists, especially during the Cold War, were taken seriously by the Americans. This is why enemies of Fawkes and King attempted to portray them both as Communists, with the aim of destroying them. It was a well coordinated smear campaign, motivated by racism, that failed spectacularly.

KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Grand Bahama.

A PARTICIPANT in the march held on Saturday seeking gender justice and climate justice organised to mark International Women’s Day.

Photo: Disha Fraser

Demolition to start this year, but we want to ‘get it right’ says Bell

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

LABOUR and Immigration Minister Keith Bell said he thinks the government will move to demolish shanty towns sometime this year.

The minister was asked during a recent interview about a timeline for when the government will move to raze the illegal structures now that a Supreme Court injunction barring such action has been lifted. This comes as tensions over the issue continue to mount, with political hopeful Lincoln Bain and several of his supporters being stopped by police a little over a week ago as they tried to demolish homes in a shanty town off Bacardi Road.

Asked about the issue, Mr Bell responded: “The main thing here is that this is a country, and I’ve repeated this before, this is a country of law and order. Everything has to be done in decency and respect and in those shanty towns, we have three categories of persons.

“While we have the undocumented migrants we also have persons who

have legal status here in the country and we have Bahamians living in those shanty towns. So the idea is that when we do go and move to demolish, we identify those Bahamians,

and we ensure that they have some place to go, or we provide Social Services to them.

“And that is what I think we are seeking to achieve, that when we do

ROBBERS CAUGHT IN THE ACT AND A TOURIST RAPED

AN attempted armed robbery turned into a police chase on Friday and led to the arrest of three suspects.

Police said two suspects, one of whom had a gun, entered a laundromat on Carmichael Road and tried to rob the place around 1pm. However, the cashier ran into another room and the thieves were unable to get any cash.

Commissioner of Police

Clayton Fernander said quick action from police led to the suspects capture after a car chase which ended in the area of Faith Avenue South.

“The information came in through (the police) control room and it was relayed to officers out there on patrol,” Commissioner Fernander told reporters on Friday.

“They spotted the vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed east on Carmichael Road. There was a

chase, other vehicles that were in the area became involved in the chase and they came together and there was a lot of in and out through side corners off Carmichael Road and eventually ended up right in this area.”

Police were able to intercept the vehicle and three suspects were arrested.

Police said a loaded gun was also found in the car.

The incident was one of several robberies police reported last week.

Police said they were looking for four men believed to be responsible for two separate armed robbery incidents on Thursday.

A man was approached by two gunmen dressed in black shortly after 8.50pm on Thursday. The victim was getting into his vehicle that was parked at a business located in the area of Farrington

Road. The thieves stole the man’s black Kia Soul, licence plate AU6948, and sped off north onto Eden Street.

Then shortly after 11.55pm, while in the area of East Street, a man was approached by two gunmen who robbed him of his 2007 Nissan Note, licence plate AL 6103. The suspects then sped off in an unknown direction.

Investigations into these matters are continuing.

A tourist is reported to have been raped while at a local resort yesterday morning, police said.

The incident took place around 1am on Sunday.

Police were told that the victim, while out with friends at a local resort in western New Providence, was lured away from her friends and sexually assaulted by a man. Police and the resort’s security are investigating this incident.

go we have all our ducks lined up and there is no push back. And we ensure that once we go in there and we clear the shanty towns, that we ensure that there is no rebuilding of

the shanty towns. So that is what I think we want to make sure we get it right — we only have one bite at the apple. “ Asked if he thinks demolition will happen

this year, he answered: “Absolutely.”

Asked for a more specific timeline, he stated: “I can’t say when but I would think it’s imminent.”

The Davis administration has reconvened a shanty town task force following the lifting of a Supreme Court injunction that had previously banned government from demolishing shanty town homes.

Mr Bell was also among the CARICOM delegation that left for Haiti last week to meet with politicians and other officials there to discuss security issues facing the country.

He said the reality is that the situation in Haiti is deteriorating continuously.

“We do know of many incidents which warrant international intervention but, again, the main concern or the main thrust and the main concern obviously has to come from the Haitian people in terms of a solution,” he told this newspaper.

“So, while they want help or they’re seeking our help the thrust has to come from them in terms of how that help would impact them.”

OVER 100 MIGRANTS CAUGHT ABOARD VESSEL NEAR ANDROS

MORE than 100 undocumented Haitian migrants were apprehended yesterday after their vessel was spotted off Andros on Friday.

The Immigration Department said officials were carrying out routine patrols and surveillance on Friday that resulted in the discovery of a vessel carrying “unlawful entrants from the Republic of Haiti off the remote western coast of Andros”.

“Investigations indicate that the vessel travelled near Cuban waters and was en route to the United States,” a press release said. “This appears to be an increasing trend to avoid interception in Bahamian waters.”

A team from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the Department of Immigration was immediately dispatched to investigate and apprehend the unlawful entrants.

Initial aerial surveillance showed distressed persons seeking assistance, the department said.

Given the remote location of the landing, the migrants were not taken into custody until Sunday morning.

Following an extensive search of the landing area, a total of 127 Haitians were apprehended: 116 men, nine women and two minors. The migrants will be taken by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force

to New Providence. The Immigration Department said it is working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure that the migrants are repatriated as quickly as possible.

The public is encouraged to report violations of immigration laws or suspected unlawful landings to local law enforcement or the Department of Immigration at (242) 604-0172 or (242) 604-0196. Information can also be forwarded via the Department’s website at www.immigration.gov.bs under the tab “Contact us!”

MINISTER of Labour and Immigration Keith Bell said that he believed that demolition of shanty towns would ‘absolutely’

happen this

year, but noted that there are a number of things that they have to do before they begin. He said ‘when

we do go we have all our ducks

lined up.’

There’s no excuse for failing on disclosures

By TYLER MCKENZIE

THERE is nothing else that quite shows the disregard for any government for the notions of transparency and accountability than the annual fuss over public disclosures.

It doesn’t seem to matter which government is in office – take your pick – because neither side seems to be respectful of the process, which we should remember is a legal requirement.

The Public Disclosure Act of The Bahamas is very clear on the matter. The law requires every Senator and MP to provide to the Public Disclosure Commission a declaration of assets, income and liabilities on a form provided.

That we wait until March 1 for the discussion around disclosures is very generous – the first deadline for disclosures is on December 31, though the law notes that “a declaration required to be furnished on the 31st day of December in any year shall be deemed to comply with the requirement of this subsection if it is furnished before the 1st day of March next following that date”.

That’s worth remembering when you hear talk – as we did this year – of several individuals requesting an extension. The March 1 date is effectively an extension already.

The law also spells out the penalties for failing to declare or knowingly make a false statement in such a declaration can be fined up to $10,000 or jailed for two years – or both. Even more, if a Senator or MP deliberately fails to

disclose a property, that property can be declared forfeit.

Serious consequences –but how seriously do our public leaders take it?

Well, last year a number of MPs missed the deadline – allegedly because they were not aware that there was a legal requirement for them to file financial disclosures.

At the time, press secretary Clint Watson called it a “simple oversight”. You try that next time you get pulled over by police for a problem with your car or your licence and see how far you get with it. It was said that those who failed to file were first-time parliamentarians

– and yet as part of their training on coming into their roles, the requirement to file disclosures was covered. Either they weren’t listening or they didn’t care – or both.

This year, it seems the Prime Minister, Philip “Brave” Davis, could not seem to find his way to a straight answer. The deadline was Wednesday. On Thursday, he said: “I should be filing today. If it didn’t go in yesterday, it will go in today.”

The chairman of the Public Disclosure Chairman, Bishop Victor Cooper, seemed very happy to announce: “We have about 90 (percent) of them have filed and so that’s a good

indication.” When it reaches time to renew your car tax and licence, having ten percent of people breaking the law probably is not likely to bring much sympathy from the traffic police, I would dare to suggest. Bishop Cooper continued: “It’s an important disclosure and so we trust that everybody will kind of comply with that but as I thought I said earlier we also need the senior civil servants to ensure that they make their disclosures with the proper documents to verify what it is they’re saying and so that we can put this behind us – those who fail to disclose we’re just

going to be sending their names to the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition as a matter of fact.”

I’m not sure how reassuring it is that we should trust that everybody will “kind of” comply, or that a process that happens every year might have any concern beyond a matter of routine over using the correct documents.

To their credit, some MPs have called for the process to be modernised, using online forms and so on – and so it should. In fact, there should be an automated process that automatically shows online who has or has not filed for all to see. That information, however, can only be disclosed by either the Prime Minister or the Leader of the Opposition, and neither one of those has seemed in a hurry to do so over the years.

In January, as part of his new policing plan, Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander spoke about having a “zero tolerance” approach to crime. Also in January, National Security Minister talked about rogue police officers and a “zero tolerance” approach to those. There has also been talk of “zero tolerance” to school violence.

Crucially, Commissioner Fernander’s “zero tolerance” extends, he says to minor and major crimes.

So where is the zero tolerance towards the breach of the legal requirement to file disclosures?

Bear in mind this isn’t even getting into how scrupulously those disclosures are checked – this is just getting MPs and Senators to

file them in the first place.

Once we have the documents filed, there is a great deal more that has to be done to authenticate and examine the contents.

If there is this much of a dismissive attitude to meeting the legal deadline, how much faith should we have that the contents are accurate?

It may be a bother and a nuisance for our leaders, but I do not think they realise how much it shows to the public that they just do not care for us. There are few things that are as clearly an indication of there being one law for them and one law for us if they can simply disregard a legal requirement and face no consequences.

Add to that the fact that the Freedom of Information Act seems to be lost in Never-Never Land, and the government’s failure to publish contracts as required under law, and it is little surprise that people feel so disconnected from their leadership.

It is not just the government, either – FNM leader Michael Pintard has been making a lot of noise about accountability and the Public Accounts Committee lately. Well, Mr Pintard, call for the publication of those who missed the deadline. Name and shame.

It may seem like this is a minor law – an inconvenience to those who would be our lawmakers – but it remains a law. If people are allowed to break that law with impunity, then don’t believe any words about zero tolerance. If they can break the law, why can’t we? We can’t, so neither should they.

‘I should be filing today. If it didn’t go in yesterday, it will go in today.’

The PM speaking on Thursday, the day after the deadline for disclosures

COMMISSIONER of Police

Clayton Fernander.

THE WIND BLOWS WEST, PART 1

IN 2006, while sitting outside her home with family members and enjoying the cool night breeze, my patient (who’s chosen the alias Kelly) felt an urge to urinate. She dashed but before she made it to the restroom, she felt warm liquid trickling down her legs.

Kelly scrambled to unzip her soaked pants and as she sat down on the toilet, she felt a sharp pain like a knife stabbing her insides over and over, from her rib cage to her groin.

The pain was horrendous and as she cried, she looked down and saw blood hemorrhaging out of her as her legs shook uncontrollably. She was 18 at the time.

After hearing a loud noise, Kelly opened her eyes, then legs and looked down a second time, this time in utter disbelief. Heart pounding, she screamed in horror at something emphatically contradistinct from the life she envisioned as a young girl who loved to daydream. The toilet seat and floor were entombed by her dark-red blood and the events of that day changed her life forever.

As a child, Kelly, born in Nassau the youngest of six children, was the daydreamer of her large, close family. She dreamed of flying over a large meadow filled with bright yellow and white dandelions. The warmth of the sun comforted her as the wind at her back helped her soar.

And as the hummingbirds sang and the wind blew west, the small alabaster florets from the dandelion flower danced around her in a melodic frenzy. Swaying up and down, before being blown away into the distance, she watched until these exposed puffed seeds disappeared from her vision, blissfully wondering where, and with whom, they eventually domiciled.

For the most part, Kelly hoped that the seeds might carry blessings to her friends and family, miles away. Legends also suggest that if you close your eyes, make a wish and blow the florets, all of your own dreams will come true. So, she blew as hard as possible hoping that someday when she awoke her deepest wishes might come to pass. And one such wish did come true when the boy she loved, said that he loved her in return.

Kelly first met her crush when she was 16. He was

handsome and strong and funny and there were butterflies in her stomach every time he was near. Their courtship was slow and started with friendly flirtations. Kelly was initially afraid to express her true feelings because she suspected that she wasn’t his type. Then one day, they were laughing like they often did and he told her without warning that she looked beautiful and he wanted her to be his girl.

The dandelions of her dreams swirled around her as she floated in happiness. But Kelly’s happiness abruptly turned into fear when at the age of 18 her menstrual cycle stopped and she realised that she was pregnant. Entirely illequipped to raise a child, with the self-awareness to understand what that entailed, she made the painful decision to have an abortion. When it was performed, Kelly was two weeks pregnant. Out of fear and embarrassment, she told no one.

Five months later, she needed to have an annual physical performed for work. Given he’d already treated her that year, Kelly naturally returned to the same doctor who performed her abortion hoping that he could quickly attest to her good health. To both their surprise, Kelly’s blood work revealed that she was still pregnant and now fiveand-a-half months into her gestational period. Shock morphed into confusion, anger and then fear. Kelly’s doctor informed her that the fetus was likely dead but to be sure, he performed a second-trimester abortion but only blood was extracted. With no fetal tissue visible, he felt confident that the blood work was a false-positive.

The decision to have an abortion is a deeply personal one and a right that should be held by every woman without judgement. In the US, medical and surgical abortions can typically be performed up to 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Abortion in The Bahamas is still illegal and can only be performed in cases of

rape, incest, if the pregnancy poses a risk to life of the mother or there are developmental challenges for the fetus. In a medical abortion, like the one Kelly had, the patient is given two different medications which are taken one to two days apart. The first pill (mifepristone) blocks the principal pregnancy hormone, progesterone, while the second pill (misoprostol) causes the lining of the womb to disintegrate.

Kelly ethically had only two more weeks to end her pregnancy. So, to be safe, her doctor inserted three misoprostol tablets into her vagina. Following the procedure, Kelly returned home, tired but relieved. Trying to sleep, the heat made her nauseous so she stepped outside and sat with family, telling jokes and enjoying the gentle winds that whistled through their coconut trees, the scene described at the start of this story. Twenty minutes later, when she got up to use the restroom, she was screaming in disbelief.

Kelly had given birth.

The fetus was floating in a toilet bowl full of blood as Kelly lay slumped over on the ground. Her sister came running in and seeing what happened, quickly scooped the baby out of the toilet. The body was so small and fragile that she rested in the palm of her hand as she made soft crying sounds resembling a newborn kitten. The ambulance rushed them to the hospital. Kelly remained in the hospital for one day. Her daughter, who I’ll refer to as Aaliyah, weighed one pound, two ounces at birth. She was placed in the neonatal ICU where she remained until discharged three months later weighing exactly four pounds.

By the end of the year, Kelly and her boyfriend were pregnant with their second child, a boy, who I’ll refer to as Andrew. This pregnancy was relatively straightforward until her water broke at home in the shower when she was nine months pregnant. Before she could do anything, her son was pushing his way through

her vagina and she caught him before he slipped out. Her feet were now submerged in a watery-blood solution pouring toward the drain hole and though less traumatic, it naturally reminded her of Aaliyah’s birth. In this case, however, Andrew weighed considerably more at 7 pounds 13 ounces but because of Kelly’s complications with her first birth, they were both kept in the hospital for three days before being discharged.

Aaliyah’s development was wrought with challenges. She struggled with frequent, severe, respiratory illnesses as a toddler and required both speech and gait therapy. But despite each setback, she

thrived and today she’s as healthy and strong as ever, blissfully unaware of the numerous times she crawled towards death only to defy all odds in each case and survive.

Despite enjoying a fullterm gestation, Andrew also had challenges. At three months, he appeared dehydrated and had to be admitted to the hospital because he stopped eating.

Preliminary test results confirmed that he was malnourished so his treating physician notified social services to investigate possible negligence. Kelly wasn’t allowed to see her son for four days until a specialist examined Andrew and determined that he was lactose intolerant.

Then, when Andrew was five years old, he was admitted to the hospital for two weeks suffering with broncho-pneumonia and the day he was discharged, Aaliyah was admitted with the same diagnosis. Fortunately, through it all, Kelly’s

boyfriend, the father of her children, stayed by her side providing much-needed emotional and financial support.

In Kelly’s childhood dreams, the wind always blew west, because that’s where many wealthy and privileged Bahamians live. And while she no longer dreams of flying over meadows, to this day, she wonders what fantastical stories lie within all the people whose shoulders the dandelion seeds land upon. Imagining that their lives must be comparatively easier, she’s fascinated by how their life truths might compare to her own. Because daydreams aside, Kelly’s life has never been filled with white and yellow dandelions and sadly she’d soon be faced with the greatest crisis of her life, infinitely more harrowing than any of her previous trials.

This is The KDK Report.

Part two of this series will be published next week

REGION FACING SILENT DEBT CRISIS

THE Caribbean Policy Development Center (CPDC) says a silent debt crisis threatens the way of life of people in the Caribbean. Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) suffer the most from the debt crisis, experiencing little or no economic growth and rising public debt levels. SIDS like the Bahamas are facing increasing threats from climate change and natural disasters. Therefore, the CPDC has launched a pilot project which will pave the way for widespread regional action towards tackling debt.

The Bahamas is one of three CARICOM countries which are participating in the pilot project. Civil Society Bahamas (CSB), the apex body for Non Profit Organizations (NPOs) in the country, is leading the charge for The Bahamas, aiming to bring widespread awareness and spur action to address the impact of increasing debt in The Bahamas.

Debt is considered sustainable if it is below 60 percent of what a country earns - its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). At least twelve SIDS are already above that level, and six countries have debt over 100 percent of their GDP. According to the CPDC, during colonisation, profits were sent to colonial powers with little or no

money being invested in the Caribbean’s economic development. Thus, following Independence, in order to advance these young nations and empower the people in the international economy, these countries had to borrow.

Due to the location of Caribbean SIDS in the

North Atlantic Basin, approximately $30 billion USD in damages were caused by 854 named storms between 1950 and 2021, the CPDC says. The frequency and intensity of these natural hazards, heightened by recent devastation and external shocks, have caused these governments to borrow money

for response, recovery and reconstruction. Therefore, this debt accumulation happened gradually and almost unnoticeably for the decades.

The pilot project to address this silent debt crisis is known as: “Confronting the Caribbean Debt Challenge, Building Resilience for Sustainable

Development”. Led by the CPDC, it is supported by the Funders Organized for Rights in the Global Economy (FORGE), in partnership with Debt Justice (formally Jubilee UK). The CPDC will mobilize Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and communities throughout the region, giving them a more active role in collaborating on the debt campaign.

CSOs have been agitating for the rights and protection of the citizens they represent since their existence. A project such as this will build their capacity to do their work in terms of unjust debt in their respective countries, and will create partnerships and skills that will outlast the project. The pilot begins with three CARICOM countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, and The Bahamas.

The project was officially launched in The Bahamas on February 6, 2023 in a hybrid event hosted by the CSB, led by its President, Dr. Anthony Hamilton, along with the CPDC. It was sub-sponsored by the Agriculture Alliance of the Caribbean (AACARI).

Representatives of Non Governmental Organizatons (NGOs) throughout The Bahamas attended the event, held at the BCPOU Hall on Farrington Road, New Providence.

The pilot project is being launched against a background of the devastating effects of the COVID-19

pandemic. There are also ongoing challenges facing the region in the form of natural disasters and the effects of climate change. The CPDC points out that unsustainable debt continues to plague the region as governments work to recover from natural disasters and offset costs associated with healthcare and other external shocks that constrain the already fragile economies. A Caribbean coalition of CSOs will work together at the grassroots, national and regional levels to influence an agenda for debt relief for Caribbean countries within the international policy arena. This coalition will center around affected communities across Caribbean society, reflecting the wide-ranging impact of debt and ensuring wider reach.

All NGOs and Non Profit Organizations (NPOs) within The Bahamas are encouraged to register with CSB if they have not already done so, and participate in CSB goals. They include: the betterment of individuals through improvement of their general social, economic, spiritual and mental welfare; influence National Policy and promote greater collaboration with Government; and advocate for a National Good Governance Plan that involves Government, Civil Society and the business community. To learn more about CSB, visit https://www.civilsocietybahamas.org.

JOIN THE CLUB

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Our Clubs and Societies page is a chance for you to share your group’s activities with our readers.

To feature, submit your report to clubs@tribunemedia.net, with “Clubs Page” written in the subject line.

For more information about the page, contact Stephen Hunt on 826-2242.

CIVIL Society Bahamas representatives Dr Ricardo Taylor, fundraising committee member; Marilyn T Zonicle, vice president; Valderine Hamilton, membership and education committee; Dr Jacinta Higgs, assistant treasurer; Dr Anthony Hamilton, president; Kimberley Minors, membership and education committee; Gloria Gilbert, membership and education committee; Willamae Stuart, membership and education committee; and Sherry Benjamin, chair, public relations committee.

GUEST presenter Ian Ferguson, along with Civil Society representatives Marilyn T Zonicle, vice president; Valderine Hamilton, membership and education committee; Dr Olivia Saunders, session moderator; Dr Jacinta Higgs, assistant treasurer; and Dr Anthony Hamilton, president.

A third way for global peace

IF DEVELOPING

countries, especially the small and vulnerable states, expected meaningful attention by the G20 to the myriad economic and financial challenges that confront them, their hopes were dashed by failed meetings of Finance and Foreign Ministers in February and March.

The members of the G-20 are: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the UK and the US, as well as the European Union. Small states have no voice at the meetings, unless one of them is invited for a brief presentation.

Both of the G20 meetings were dominated by profound differences over the Russian war on Ukraine. This caused global economic issues to be pushed to one side.

The failure of the Finance Ministers meeting, on 24 and 25 February, foreshadowed the collapse of the Foreign Ministers meeting on March 1 and 2. Reuters reported that, when a Communique was being negotiated for the Finance Ministers’ meeting, Russia insisted that the document must not mention the word “war”, insisting that the fighting in Ukraine is a “special military operation”.

In any event, no Communique was issued by either of the two meetings.

Instead, the Chairpersons - the Finance and Foreign Ministers of India - were forced to release short statements that did not amount to much more than saying that the major powers dug deeper into their entrenched positions on Ukraine, discarding everything else. The Indian Foreign Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, said there were “divergences” on the issue of the war in Ukraine “which we could not reconcile as various parties held differing views”.

China and Russia reportedly objected to two paragraphs taken from the previous G-20 declaration in Bali last year. The paragraphs stated that the war in Ukraine was causing immense human suffering while exacerbating fragilities in the global economy, the need to uphold international law, and that “the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible”. This was eminently acceptable language, particularly as all parties, including China and Russia, had accepted it a year ago.

A plea by India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in a video presentation at the opening of the Foreign Ministers meeting, fell on deaf ears. But his message was right. Importantly, he lamented that the two main goals of the postWorld War II international order - preventing conflict and fostering cooperation - were elusive. “The experience of the last two years - financial crisis, pandemic, terrorism and wars - clearly shows that global governance has failed in both its mandates,” he said.

India’s hope for the year of its Presidency of the G20 meshes well with the overall interests of developing countries. It emphasizes the demands of developing states for inclusive growth, climate finance, more representative multilateral institutions, and progress on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which were all reversed by the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

India’s attention to the heavy burden of debt on developing countries, and, indeed, of industrialized countries as well, is also urgent. Every country now finds it difficult to service outstanding debt, given the demands of recovering and rebuilding damaged economies.

Even before the harmful impacts of Covid-19 and the global disruption, caused by the Russian war on Ukraine, the debt to GDP ratio was already unsustainable. After these two

World View

By SIR RONALD SANDERS

devastating events, debt to GDP ratio in many countries soared to over 100 per cent. Now commercial borrowing has become almost impossible, given the continuing increase in interest rates.

Restructuring sovereign debt is both necessary and urgent. However, China has made it clear it will not participate in restructuring. China follows its own path, regarding money that it lends to friendly nations. And some Western countries have declared that they will not accept reducing debt owed to them, for their debtor countries to pay back China. So, while differences between major powers persisted, the interests of the developing countries at the G20 were ignored. Climate change should also have featured meaningfully on the G20 agenda. It did not. No discussion took place, although countries that are victims of climate change expected movement on this issue before the next Climate meeting, COP28, in December.

The fact that developing countries - despite the presence of India and South Africa - could make no impact on the major powers at the G20, is deeply troubling.

This stark reality should spur all developing countries to do more, not less. The economies of the global economy are seriously undermined by the Russian war on Ukraine and its consequences, including the retaliatory economic and other actions taken by the European Union and the member countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Developing countries lack the resilience and financial resources of the rich countries to ride out this turbulent economic storm; they cannot afford to sit by in silence.

As positions become more entrenched and more strident between the powerful protagonists of the war on Ukraine, world peace is endangered with frightening prospects for all nations, including those involved in the conflict.

In this connection, the failure of the G20 meetings raises a screeching alarm that developing countries should not ignore.

If no movement was possible, even with India chairing these meetings, the clarion call for urgent collective action by developing

countries should be heard by all. If ever there was a time for a revival of a genuine and practical

non-aligned movement in the world, that time is now.

China, also, has an influential role to play in all this as an honest broker, taking no sides, aiding no protagonist, and promoting the established rules of the UN Charter and international law.

Efforts are urgent to return the world to an agenda, focused on tackling common problems such as disease and climate

change; promoting human development including inequality and human rights; and engaging in dialogue to improve and enhance global rules that respect and uphold sovereignty and territorial integrity.

All developing countries should now work together, in all international fora, to present a third way to resolving global challenges, including conflicts.

• Responses and previous

commentaries: www.sirronaldsanders.com

(The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the Organization of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are entirely his own).

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, top centre, walks past Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in New Delhi on Thursday.

Photo: Olivier Douliery/Pool Photo via AP

ON WEDNESDAY, March 8, International Women’s Day will be celebrated around the world - and here at home in The Bahamas, we would like to join in the celebrations by hearing about the women who are your heroes.

Let us know who the women are here in The Bahamas who have been your own personal heroes - and tell us why. You can make your nominations on our website, at http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/mar/02/who-are-women-who-are-yourheroes/ - or you can email the nominations to managing editor Stephen Hunt at shunt@tribunemedia.net.

You can also post your nominations on social media. Use the hashtag #womensdayheroes and we will include some of your suggestions in Wednesday’s Tribune. We would love to share your heroes - and celebrate our nation’s women.

MAN FINED FOR FAILING TO CHARGE HIS ELECTRONIC MONITORING DEVICE

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN on bail for murder was fined $1,500 in court on Friday after he admitted to failing to charge his electronic monitoring device (EMD) while on release.

Alando Curtis, 26, appeared before Magistrate Kendra Kelly on three

counts of violation of bail conditions.

Between February 2 and 21 in New Providence while on Supreme Court bail for charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder and two counts of attempted murder, Curtis failed to charge his EMD.

The accused pleaded guilty to the charge. He then explained to the court that he had recently moved from his

MURDER ACCUSED HELD OVER FIREARM CHARGE WITHOUT BAIL

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was denied bail in court on Friday after being charged in a separate firearm and ammunition matter while on release for a pending murder charge.

Miguel Lewis, 26, and Wilson Lacroix, 27, stood before Magistrate Shaka Serville. There they faced charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition.

It is alleged that on February 25 in New Providence the pair were found with a black G3C 9mm Taurus pistol with the serial number ACB587029.

It is further alleged that at the time of their arrest, the two were found with four rounds of 9mm ammunition.

previously listed residence.

In view of this information, prosecutor Sergeant Vernon Pyfrom strongly advised the accused to seek variance on his bail with the higher court to list his new residence to avoid future charges.

With reference to his most recent charge, Magistrate Kelly fined Curtis $1,500 for the offence. If he does not pay, he faces a nine month prison sentence.

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was fined $5,000 on Friday after he admitted to having over five pounds of marijuana.

George Ferguson, 41, represented by Calvin Maynard, faced Magistrate Shaka Serville on a charge of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply.

In court both accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Prosecutor Sergeant Deon Barr objected to both accused getting bail. This was on the basis that in addition to Lacroix being recently released from an armed robbery prison sentence, Lewis has a pending murder charge.

Lewis is accused of the murder of Kendrick Lewis, Jr who was reportedly his accomplice in a botched murder attempt.

It is alleged that Miguel Lewis shot and killed the victim while in pursuit of another intended target on July 25, 2022.

Miguel Lewis is further alleged to have attempted to kill Marquin Williams, Donald Cox, Leander Cox and Randy Mackey with a firearm on the same day.

After a lengthy

consideration of Lewis’ case, Magistrate Serville denied him bail. This was on the grounds that he could not come up with satisfactory conditions to safeguard him from reoffending while on release.

Lewis was then remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. The magistrate, however, informed him of his right to apply again for bail before the Supreme Court.

As for Lacroix, bail was granted to him at $7,500 with one or two sureties.

Under the conditions of his bail, Lacroix will need to sign in at the Grove Police Station every Monday and Wednesday by 7pm. He is also to be fitted with an electronic monitoring device. His trial is set to begin on August 2.

On February 28 in New Providence, Ferguson was arrested by authorities after he was found with more than five pounds of Indian hemp. The drugs have an estimated street value of $5,740.

In court the accused pleaded guilty to the charge.

During his plea of mitigation, Mr Maynard said that his gainfully employed client is a father of seven and is

remorseful for his actions. In addition to citing Ferguson’s early plea of guilt, Mr Maynard asked the court to spare his client a custodial sentence, saying that it would not benefit him or his children.

As a result the accused was fined $5,000 by the magistrate. Failure to pay would carry a nine-month prison sentence. Ferguson is until August 4 to pay his fine in full.

‘Weapons smuggled from US to Haiti’

INCREASINGLY

sophisticated weapons are being trafficked into Haiti mainly from the United States and especially from Florida amid worsening lawlessness in the impoverished Caribbean nation, according to a UN report released on Friday.

The report by the Viennabased Office on Drugs and Crime said a network of criminal actors including members of the Haitian diaspora “often source firearms from across the US” and smuggle them into Haiti illegally by land from the neighboring Dominican Republic, by air including to clandestine airstrips, but most frequently by sea.

“Popular handguns selling for $400-$500 at federally licensed firearms outlets or private gun shows in the US can be resold for as much as $10,000 in Haiti”, the report said.

“Higher-powered rifles such as AK47s, AR15s and Galils are typically in

higher demand from gangs, commanding correspondingly higher prices.”

The US Department of Homeland Security’s investigations unit reported “a surge in firearms trafficking from Florida to Haiti between 2021 and 2022” and a spokesman described the recovery of increasingly sophisticated weapons destined for Haitian ports “including .50 caliber sniper

rifles, .308 rifles, and even belt-fed machine guns”, according to the report.

“Weapons are frequently procured through straw man purchases in US states with looser gun laws and fewer purchasing restrictions” and then transported to Florida where they are concealed inside consumer products, electronic equipment, garment linings, frozen food items and

even the hull of freighters, it said. “On arrival in Haiti, including major hubs such as Port-de-Paix and Port-au-Prince, cargo is offloaded and passed on to end-users via a host of intermediaries.”

The 47-page report, entitled “Haiti’s Criminal Markets: Mapping Trends in Firearms and Drug Trafficking,” cites the challenges of patrolling 1,100 miles of Haiti’s coastline and a 243-mile border with the Dominican Republic with national police, border and coast guard operations that are severely understaffed, under-resourced and “increasingly targeted by gangs”.

The heavily-armed gangs are also targeting ports, highways, critical infrastructure, customs offices, police stations, court houses, prisons, businesses and neighbourhoods, the report said. And throughout 2022 and early 2023 they have expanded their control over key access points to cities including the capital Port-au-Prince.

GRANT SUPPORTS NATIONAL TRAINING AGENCY

THE National Training Agency celebrates its 10th anniversary this year under the theme “Transforming LivesEmpowering Others...The Journey Continues”.

The NTA has provided job preparation training to thousands of our nation’s youth since its inception.

The Oaktree Medical Centre has donated a grant of $2,500 to cover practical skills training for five trainees in NTA’s Cohort 21 Entry Level Workplace Training programme which started on February 20.

NTA executive director Terry Murray and the team thanked Dr Don Deveaux, his wife Kristi Deveaux and the entire Oaktree Medical Centre family for the donation.

“Many are also engaged in predatory behavior in communities under their control contributing to rising levels of extortion, sexual violence, kidnapping and fatal violence,” it said, citing an increase in homicides from 1,615 in 2021 to 2,183 in 2022, and a doubling of kidnappings from 664 to 1,359 during the same period. The UN report said private security companies in Haiti are permitted to buy and keep arms, and while independent verification isn’t possible “specialists speculate that there could be 75,000 to 90,000 individuals working with roughly 100 private security companies across the country, at least five times the number of registered police officers”.

According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Haiti has long been a trans-shipment hub to move cocaine, cannabis and to a lesser extent heroin and amphetamines to the United States and the Dominican Republic. The drugs mostly enter the

country via boat or plane, arriving through public, private and informal ports as well as clandestine runways.

During the 2000s, the report said, drug traffickers moved illegal airstrips from the outskirts of Port-auPrince northward to more isolated areas including Savane Diane, roughly 50 miles north of the capital.

When then-President Jovenal Moïse ordered the destruction of suspected clandestine airstrips in June 2021, UNODC said “local authorities refused”. A week later, he was assassinated.

Since the assassination, UN officials said gangs have grown more powerful, and gang violence has reached a level not seen in decades. In December, the UN estimated that gangs controlled 60 percent of Haiti’s capital, but most people on the streets in Port-au-Prince say that number is closer to 100 percent.

In late February, the UN condemned a new surge of gang violence in central Haiti.

FROM left, Oaktree Medical Centre chief operations officer Enesca Smith, National Training Agency business development manager Jaydian Miller, Oaktree Medical Centre’s general practitioner Dr Ian McQuay and director of quality assurance Rashad Lynes.

114 trainees are participating in the NTA’s Cohort 21 Entry Level Workplace Training programme.

FIREARMS are displayed during a news conference in 2022 at the Miami Field Office of the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), that was working with other agencies to crack down on an increase of firearms and ammunition smuggling to Haiti and other Caribbean nations.

Stationmaster faces multiple counts of homicide in Greece train tragedy

GREECE Associated Press

A STATIONMASTER

accused of causing Greece’s deadliest train disaster was charged with negligent homicide and jailed pending trial yesterday, while Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis apologized for any responsibility Greece’s government may bear for the tragedy.

An examining magistrate and a prosecutor agreed that multiple counts of homicide as well as charges of causing bodily harm and endangering transportation safety should be brought against the railway employee.

At least 57 people, many of them in their teens and 20s, were killed when a northbound passenger train and a southbound freight train collided late Tuesday north of the city of Larissa, in central Greece.

The 59-year-old stationmaster allegedly directed the two trains travelling in opposite directions onto the same track. He spent 7 1/2 hours Sunday testifying about the events leading up to the crash before he was charged and ordered held.

“My client testified truthfully, without fearing if doing so would incriminate him,” Stephanos Pantzartzidis, the stationmaster’s lawyer, told reporters. “The decision (to jail him) was expected, given the importance of the case.”

Pantzartzidis implied that others besides his client share blame, saying that judges

should investigate whether more than one stationmaster should have been working in Larissa at the time of the collision.

“For 20 minutes, he was in charge of (train) safety in all central Greece,” the lawyer said of his client.

Greek media have reported that the automated signalling system in the area of the crash was not functioning, making the stationmaster’s mistake possible. Stationmasters along that part of Greece’s main trunk line communicate with each other and with train drivers via two-way radios, and the switches are operated manually.

The prime minister promised a swift investigation of the collision and said the new Greek transportation minister would release a safety improvement plan. Once a new parliament is in place, a commission also will be named to investigate decades of mismanagement of the country’s railway system, Mitsotakis said.

In an initial statement Wednesday, Mitsotakis had said the crash resulted from a “tragic human error.” Opposition parties pounced on the remark, accusing the prime minister of trying to cover up the state’s role and making the inexperienced stationmaster a scapegoat.

“I owe everyone, and especially the victims’ relatives, a big apology, both personal and on behalf of all who governed the country

for many years,” Mitsotakis wrote Sunday on Facebook. “In 2023, it is inconceivable that two trains move in different directions on the same track and no one notices. We cannot, we do not want to, and we must not hide behind the human error.”

Greece’s railways long suffered from chronic mismanagement, including lavish spending on projects that were eventually abandoned or significantly delayed, Greek media have reported in several exposes. With state railway company Hellenic Railways billions of euros in debt, maintenance work was put off, according to news reports. A retired railway union

SCHOLZ: ‘CONSEQUENCES’ IF CHINA SENDS ARMS TO RUSSIA

BERLIN Associated Press

GERMAN Chancellor Olaf Scholz says there would be “consequences” if China sent weapons to Russia for Moscow’s war in Ukraine, but he’s fairly optimistic that Beijing will refrain from doing so.

Scholz’s comments came in an interview with CNN that aired Sunday, two days after he met US President Joe Biden in Washington. US officials have warned recently that China could step off the sidelines and begin providing arms and ammunition to Moscow.

Ahead of his trip, Scholz had urged Beijing to refrain from sending weapons and instead use its influence to press Russia to withdraw its troops from Ukraine.

Asked by CNN if he could imagine sanctioning China if it did aid Russia, Scholz replied: “I think it would have consequences, but we are now in a stage where we are making clear that this should not happen, and I’m relatively optimistic that we will be successful with our request in this case, but we will have to look at (it) and we have to be very, very cautious.”

He didn’t elaborate on the nature of the consequences. Germany has Europe’s biggest economy, and China has been its single biggest trading partner in recent years.

Back in Germany on

Sunday, Scholz was asked after his Cabinet met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen whether he had received concrete evidence from the US that China was considering weapons deliveries and whether he would back sanctions against Beijing if it helped arm Russia.

“We all agree that there must be no weapons deliveries, and the Chinese government has stated that it wouldn’t deliver any,” the

chancellor replied. “That is what we are demanding and we are watching it.” He didn’t address the sanctions question.

Von der Leyen said that “we have no evidence for this so far, but we must observe it every day.”

She said that whether the European Union would sanction China for giving Russia military aid “is a hypothetical question that can only be answered if it were to become reality and fact.”

leader, Panayotis Paraskevopoulos, told Greek newspaper Kathimerini that the signalling system in the area monitored by the Larissa stationmaster malfunctioned six years ago and was never repaired.

Police and prosecutors have not identified the stationmaster, in line with Greek law. However, Hellenic Railways, also known as OSE, revealed the stationmaster’s name Saturday, in an announcement suspending the company inspector who appointed him. The stationmaster also has been suspended.

Greek media have reported that the stationmaster, a former porter with

the railway company, was transferred to a Ministry of Education desk job in 2011, when Greece’s creditors demanded reductions in the number of public employees. The 59-year-old was transferred back to the railway company in mid-2022 and started a 5-month course to train as a stationmaster.

Upon completing the course, he was assigned to Larissa on Jan. 23, according to his own Facebook post. However, he spent the next month rotating among other stations before returning to Larissa in late February, days before the Feb. 28 collision, Greek media reported.

On Sunday, railway unions organized a protest rally in

central Athens attended by about 12,000 people according to authorities.

Five people were arrested and seven police officers were injured when a group of more than 200 masked, black-clad individuals started throwing pieces of marble, rocks, bottles and firebombs at officers, who gave chase along a central avenue in the city while using tear gas and stun grenades.

In Thessaloniki, about 3,000 people attended two protest rallies. Several of the crash victims were students at the city’s Aristotle University, Greece’s largest, with over 50,000 students.. The larger protest, organized by left-wing activists, marched to a government building. No incidents were reported at that event.

In the other, staged by Communist Party members at the White Tower, the city’s signature monument, there was a brief scuffle with police when the protesters tried to place a banner on the monument.

“The Communist Party organized a symbolic protest today in front of the White Tower to denounce the crime in Tempe, because it is a premeditated crime, a crime committed by the company and the bourgeois state that supports these companies,” Giannis Delis, a communist lawmaker, told The Associated Press.

NATIONS REACH ACCORD TO PROTECT MARINE LIFE ON THE WORLD’S OCEANS

WASHINGTON

Associated Press

FOR THE first time, United Nations members have agreed on a unified treaty to protect biodiversity in the high seas - representing a turning point for vast stretches of the planet where conservation has previously been hampered by a confusing patchwork of laws.

The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea came into force in 1994, before marine biodiversity was a well-established concept. The treaty agreement concluded two weeks of talks in New York.

An updated framework to protect marine life in the regions outside national boundary waters, known as the high seas, had been in discussions for more than 20 years, but previous efforts to reach an agreement had repeatedly stalled. The unified agreement treaty, which applies to nearly half the planet’s surface, was reached late Saturday.

“We only really have two major global commons — the atmosphere and the oceans,” said Georgetown marine biologist Rebecca Helm. While the oceans may draw less attention, “protecting this half of earth’s surface is absolutely critical to the health of our planet.”

Nichola Clark, an oceans expert at the Pew Charitable Trusts who observed the talks in New York, called the long-awaited treaty text “a once-in-a-generation opportunity to protect the oceans — a major win for biodiversity.”

The treaty will create a new body to manage conservation of ocean life and establish marine protected areas in the high seas. And Clark said that’s critical to achieve the UN Biodiversity Conference’s recent pledge to protect 30 percent of the planet’s waters, as well as its land, for conservation.

Treaty negotiations initially were anticipated to conclude Friday, but stretched through the night and deep into Saturday. The crafting of the treaty, which at times looked in jeopardy, represents “a historic and overwhelming success for international marine protection,” said Steffi Lemke, Germany’s environment minister.

“For the first time, we are getting a binding agreement for the high seas, which until now have hardly been protected,” Lemke said. “Comprehensive protection of endangered species and habitats is now finally possible on more than 40 percent of the Earth’s surface.”

The treaty also establishes ground rules for conducting environmental impact assessments for commercial activities in the oceans.

“It means all activities planned for the high seas need to be looked at, though not all will go through a full assessment,” said Jessica Battle, an oceans governance expert at the Worldwide Fund for Nature.

Several marine species — including dolphins, whales, sea turtles and many fish — make long annual migrations,

crossing national borders and the high seas. Efforts to protect them, along with human communities that rely on fishing or tourism related to marine life, have long proven difficult for international governing bodies.

“This treaty will help to knit together the different regional treaties to be able to address threats and concerns across species’ ranges,” Battle said.

That protection also helps coastal biodiversity and economies, said Gladys Martínez de Lemos, executive director of the nonprofit Interamerican Association for Environmental Defence focusing on environmental issues across Latin America.

“Governments have taken an important step that strengthens the legal protection of two-thirds of the ocean and with it marine biodiversity and the livelihoods of coastal communities,” she said.

The question now is how well the ambitious treaty will be implemented.

Formal adoption also remains outstanding, with numerous conservationists and environmental groups vowing to watch closely.

The high seas have long suffered exploitation due to commercial fishing and mining, as well as pollution from chemicals and plastics. The new agreement is about “acknowledging that the ocean is not a limitless resource, and it requires global cooperation to use the ocean sustainably,” Rutgers University biologist

PEOPLE hold placards that read “Murderers,” centre, and “Never again”, during a protest outside the Greek parliament, in Athens, Greece, yesterday. Thousands of protesters, take part in rallies around the country for fifth day, protesting conditions that led the deaths of dozens of people late Tuesday, in Greece’s worst recorded rail accident.

Photo: Aggelos Barai/AP

Malin Pinsky said.

GERMAN Chancellor Olaf Scholz, right, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, left, arrive for a press conference as part of a two-day closed meeting of the German government at Meseberg palace in Gransee near Berlin, Germany, yesterday.

Photo: Michael Sohn/AP

FISH swim near some bleached coral at Kisite Mpunguti Marine park, Kenya, June 11, 2022.

Photo: Brian Inganga/AP

PRESIDENT Joe Biden awards the Medal of Honor to retired Army Colonel Paris Davis for his heroism during the Vietnam War, in the East Room of the White House, Friday, in Washington. Davis, then a captain and commander with the 5th Special Forces Group, engaged in nearly continuous combat during a pre-dawn raid on a North Vietnamese army camp in the village of Bong Son in Binh Dinh province.

Photo: Evan Vucci/AP

CARIFTA swim team named

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter

AFTER an intense Last Chance Meet over the weekend at the Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex, Bahamas Aquatics selected and ratified a 39-member team that will represent the Bahamas at the CARIFTA Swimming and Open Water Championships.

Bahamas Aquatics, headed by Algernon Cargill, will be heading to Curacao to compete against 23 other countries from April 6-12. The Bahamas is going after an unprecedented fifth straight championship title.

Former CARIFTA team member Camron Bruney, who competed for the Barracuda Swim Club, will be travelling for the first time as the head coach, although he was named as the assistant to Travano McPhee over the past two years. He has some high expectations for the team as they go for the five-peat.

“I think the selection process went very smoothly.

I think the team is pretty strong,” said Bruney, who will be assisted by McPhee and Mancer Roberts Jr. “We lost about five senior swimmers from the last time. I think five is a lot. But we have some good juniors coming up, so I think we will be okay.”

Bruney, who last swum on the CARIFTA team in 2009, said after having more than 40 competitors attain the qualifying standards in the Last Chance Meet on Friday and Saturday, they have assembled a very strong team that should be very competitive in all age groups.

“I think we have the strength in each age group on the boys’ and girls’ side,” Bruney said. “We may not have the depth in every age group, but we have the strength in every age group.

“In my opinion, we have some competitors who can compete very well for us. We are going for five straight. I know this team can do it. The swimmers just have to believe that they can do it.”

As they begin final preparations for the games today at the Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex, Bruney said the coaches on the team will be working with the coaches of the swimmers named to the team so that they can make sure that they are ready for the trek to Curacao. “We want to make sure that we are on

point as we prepare each of these swimmers to go over there and to do their best,” said Bruney, who was an assistant coach in ? when the championships was called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The following swimmers were named to the team:

Girls 11 -12 - Alissa Ferguson, Saleste Gibson, Madyson Julien, DNDN

McKenzie, Kimaya Saunders, Skyler Smith and Jaylah Threadgill.

Girls 13 -14 - Lelah

Lewis, Alanna Murray, Trinity Pratt, Zoe Williamson and Alexia Zatarain.

Girls 15 -17 - Rhanishka

Gibbs, Katie Goulandris, Kyana Higgs, Keianna Moss, Seannia NorvilleSmith, Mia Patton and Elle

Theberge.

Boys 11 -12 - Christon

Joseph, Alexander Murray, Trace Russell, Harold Simmons, David Singh and Kaylan Williams.

Boys 13 -14 - William Farrington, Michael Fox, Tristen Hepburn, Donald Saunders and Dijon

Simmons.

Boys 15 -17 - Jack Barr, Nigel Forbes, Emmanuel

Gadson, Ellie Gibson, Marvin Johnson and Caden

Wells.

Open water girls teamLayla Saidi Males.

Open water boys teamAiden Bain and Caellum

Darville.

Team management Head coach - Camron

Bruney. Assistant coach & open water head coach –Travano McPhee. Assistant coach - Mancer Roberts Jr.

Team manager - Celestial

Darville. Female chaperone - Karon Pinder-Johnson. Male chaperone - Traven

Cargill.

Here’s a look at the qualifiers from the swimmers during the two-day meet over the weekend:

Tia- Isabella J Adder-

ley - Age: 15 - MAC - Girls

15-17 200 Breast Custom

Computers - 2:56.26. Girls

15-17 50 Breast Cay Stone - 37.17. Girls 15-17 100

Breast Summit - 1:22.38.

Girls 15-17 50 Breast Cay

Stone - 36.69

Jack C Bain - Age: 17 -

BSC - Boys 15-17 200 Free

Family Guardian - 2:02.37.

Christin-Alyssa C C;larke

- Age: 12 – BSC. Girls 11-12 50 Back The Med Net

Group -35.15

Khori M Dames - Age:

12 – BSC. Girls 11-12 50

Breast Cay Stone - 39.57.

Girls 11-12 100 Breast Summit - 1:26.84.

Samirah E Donaldson

- Age: 12 – AAC. Girls

11-12 100 Breast Summit

Bahamas going after 5th straight title

BARCELONA EDGES VALENCIA TO PUT PRESSURE ON REAL MADRID

By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer

MADRID (AP)

- 1:24.97. Girls 11-12 200

Breast Custom Comput-

ers - 3:08.43. Girls 11-12 100

Breast Summit - 1:26.39.

Grace M Farrington -

Age: 17 – BSC. Girls 15-17 200 Back QVS - 2:42.49.

Will B Farrington - Age:

13 – BSC. Boys 13-14 200

Breast Wendy’s - 2:46.15.

Boys 13-14 400 IM Arawak

Port - 5:18.12.

Alissa A Ferguson - Age:

11 – BSC. Girls 11-12 50

Back The Med Net Group - 34.49. Girls 11-12 100

Back Southwest Plaza Ltd

- 1:16.82. Girls 11-12 200

Back QVS - 2:48.63.

Caleb T Ferguson - Age:

15 – AAC. Boys 15-17 50

Free Sun Oil - 24.75. Boys

15-17 100 Free QVS - 54.72.

Boys 15-17 50 Fly Equity

- 26.37.

Tristin K Ferguson - Age:

16 - MAC - Boys 15-17 50

Free Sun Oil - 25.04. Boys

15-17 100 Free QVS - 54.98.

Michael A Fox - Age:

14 – AAC. Boys 13-14 100

Back Dan Brand – McDon-

ald - 1:09.

Emmanuel L Gadson -

Male - Age: 17 – BSC. Boys

15-17 200 Breast Wendy’s

- 2:24.03. Boys 15-17 100

Fly Lightbourne Marines57.45. Boys 15-17 50 Breast

IBS - 30.95. Boys 15-17 200

Fly Equity - 2:18.29. Boys

15-17 200 IM Ins. Com-

pany of Bah - 2:15.49. Boys

15-17 100 Breast D’Albenas

- 1:06.58

Rhanishka R Gibbs -

Age: 16 – BSC. Girls 15-17

200 Breast Custom Computers - 2:48.70. Girls 15-17

50 Free RBC - 26.54. Girls

15-17 50 Fly Odyssey Aviation - 28.48.

Ellie J Gibson - Age:

15 – AAC. Boys 15-17 200 Back Sun Oil - 2:18.56. Boys 15-17 200 Free Family

Guardian - 1:59.75. Boys 15-17 100 Back Dan Brand - McDonald - 1:02.71. Boys

15-17 50 Back Arawak Port - 28.37. Boys 15-17 50 Free Sun Oil - 24.92. Boys 15-17

100 Free QVS - 54.21 15. Saleste A Gibson - Age: 12 – BSC. Girls 11-12 100

Fly Sunshine Insurance -

1:11.80. Girls 11-12 50 Free RBC - 29.20. Girls 11-12

200 IM Sbarro - 2:43.25.

Girls 11-12 50 Fly Odyssey

Aviation - 31.14. Katie A GoulandrisAge: 16 – LSC. Girls 15-17

200 Breast Custom Computers - 2:58.33. Girls 15-17

50 Breast Cay Stone - 36.96.

Girls 15-17 100 Breast Summit - 1:20.78. Girls

15-17 50 Breast Cay Stone - 36.50.

Tristan M Hepburn - Age: 14 – AAC. Boys

13-14 200 Breast Wendy’s -

2:33.41. Boys 13-14 50 Fly

Equity - 26.73. Boys 13-14

200 Back Sun Oil - 2:28.03.

Boys 13-14 100 Fly Lightbourne Marines - 1:02.07.

Boys 13-14 50 Breast IBS - 30.80.

Kyana E Higgs - Age: 16

– BSC. Girls 15-17 400 Free

Sindaroc Inv - 4:53.01. Girls

15-17 50 Back The Med Net Group - 32.59. Girls 15-17

100 Back Southwest Plaza Ltd - 1:11.39. Siann E Isaacs - Age:

12 – AAC. Girls 11-12 50 Back The Med Net Group -

35.35. Girls 11-12 200 Back QVS - 2:49.25. Girls 11-12

100 Back Southwest Plaza Ltd - 1:17.15. Christon A Joseph- Age:

11 - Blue Waves. Boys 11-12

200 Free Family Guardian -

2:21.22. Boys 11-12 50 Free Sun Oil - 28.22. Boys 11-12

100 Free QVS - 1:02.65.

Madyson C Julien - Age:

12 – BSC. Girls 11-12 50 Fly

Odyssey Aviation - 31.45.

Girls 11-12 50 Free RBC

- 29.87. Girls 11-12 50 Fly

Odyssey Aviation - 32.06.

Aidan J Kemp - Age: 15 –

AAC. Boys 15-17 50 Breast

IBS - 31:60.

Leylah A Knowles - Age:

16 – AAC. Girls 15-17 100

Back Southwest Plaza Ltd

- 1:11.50. Girls 15-17 50

Back The Med Net Group -

32.39. Girls 15-17 200 Back

QVS - 2:42.37.

Lelah E Lewis - Age:

13 – BSC. Girls 13-14 100

Fly Sunshine Insurance

- 1:09.29. Girls 13-14 200

Fly The Med Net Group -

2:47.34. Girls 13-14 50 Fly

Odyssey Aviation - 31.26.

D F McKenzie - Age:

12 – MAC. Girls 11-12 200

Free Corner Bank - 2:26.83.

Girls 11-12 50 Free RBC -

29.85. Girls 11-12 100 Free

JS Johnson - 1:05.98.

Ayrton G Moncur - Age:

15 – MAC. Boys 15-17 200

Breast Wendy’s - 2:36.77.

Boys 15-17 50 Breast IBS

- 30.74. Boys 15-17 100

Breast D’Albenas - 1:09.00.

Alanna T Murray - Age:

14 – Bmsc. Girls 13-14 200

Breast Custom Computers

- 3:04.39.

Alexander J Murray

- Age: 12 – Bmsc. Boys

11-12 200 Breast Wendy’s -

3:00.18. Boys 11-12 400 IM

Arawak Port - 5:50.67. Boys

11-12 50 Breast IBS - 37.02.

Boys 11-12 100 Free QVS

- 1:03.02. Boys 11-12 100

Breast D’Albenas - 1:23.65.

Seannia Norville-Smith -

Age: 16 – MAC. Girls 15-17 100 Fly Sunshine Insurance - 1:06.92. Girls 15-17 200 Free Corner Bank - 2:15.53. Girls 15-17 100 Free JS Johnson - 1:01.93.

Girls 15-17 50 Fly Odyssey

SEE PAGE 18

ARSENAL STAYS IN CONTROL OF EPL RACE WITH LAST-GASP GOAL

By STEVE DOUGLAS AP Sports Writer

THE first goal could barely have come earlier.

The winning goal couldn’t have been scored any later.

Arsenal went through a roller coaster of emotions when pulling off a stirring second-half recovery to beat Bournemouth 3-2 and stay in control of the English Premier League title race on Saturday.

Rocked by conceding after 9.11 seconds for the second-fastest recorded goal in Premier League history, Arsenal completed its comeback when substitute Reiss Nelson smashed home a left-foot shot from the edge of the area in the seventh minute of stoppage time with virtually the last kick of the game.

“It was madness from the first second,” said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, whose team maintained its five-point lead over Manchester City with 12 games left for each team in a backand-forth title race.

City did its part in Saturday’s early game, beating Newcastle 2-0 at home through goals by Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva to keep the pressure on Arsenal.

The response by Arteta’s team ended up being extraordinary, with Arsenal’s three goals — from Thomas Partey, Ben White and, in thrilling fashion, Nelson — coming from the 62nd minute just when it looked like relegationthreatened Bournemouth

was going to pull off the most unlikely of victories.

“Lots of things are going to happen,” City manager Pep Guardiola said of the final 2 1/2 months of his team’s title defence.

PRESSURE OFF POTTER

Just as big a goal came at Stamford Bridge, where Wesley Fofana headed in off a corner to earn Chelsea a 1-0 win over Leeds and ease some of the pressure that has been building on manager Graham Potter.

It was only a second win in the last 11 games in all competitions for Chelsea, which is languishing in midtable despite spending $630 million over the last two transfer windows.

That has left Potter clinging to his job but he has some respite, at least until Tuesday when Chelsea looks to come back from 1-0 down to Borussia Dortmund in the second leg of their last-16 matchup in the Champions League.

“We’ve had to suffer. It’s been a challenging period,” Potter said. “We were the team who had something to lose so it was great character from the players. They cared and showed togetherness in the team. It gives us something to build on.”

PRESSURE ON MOYES

West Ham manager David Moyes felt the ire of his own fans after an alarming 4-0 loss at Brighton.

“You don’t know what you’re doing” and “Sacked in the morning” were

some of the chants coming Moyes’ way in the second half as West Ham’s winless away run in the league extended to 11 matches after a feeble display.

The team is in 16th place in the 20-team league, two points above the relegation zone “There was anger from everybody — anger from the supporters, anger from the manager, the players are angry,” Moyes said.

Brighton overwhelmed West Ham and scored through a penalty from Alexis Mac Allister, tap-ins by Joel Veltman and Kaoru Mitoma, and a late strike from Danny Welbeck.

“Credit to Brighton, they played us off the pitch,” West Ham midfielder Declan Rice said. “It was demoralizing . . . I never want to feel like that again on a football pitch.”

TOTTENHAM’S BAD

loss at Wolverhampton that kept the race for Champions League qualification wide open.

Three days after a defeat at second-tier Sheffield United in the FA Cup, Tottenham put in a meek performance at Molineux against a team fighting relegation. Adama Traore scored the 82nd-minute winner.

Tottenham stayed in fourth place but gave the teams below hope in the race for Champions League qualification. Newcastle in fifth and Liverpool in sixth place both have two games in hand.

“It’s been tough, a really disappointing week,” Tottenham striker Harry Kane said.

OFF THE BOTTOM

The battle to avoid relegation couldn’t be much closer after Southampton beat Leicester 1-0 to climb off the bottom of the standings on goal difference.

Southampton moved to next-to-last place, above Bournemouth and below Everton. All three teams are on 21 points. Leeds, West Ham and Leicester are the next three teams, and the bottom six are separated by just three points.

In the day’s other game, Aston Villa won at home to Crystal Palace 1-0 thanks to an own-goal by Joachim Andersen.

INFANTINO AT

MILLWALL

FIFA President Gianni Infantino made a surprise visit to a match in the

— Barcelona kept its title-chasing momentum by beating Valencia 1-0 and increasing its lead over Real Madrid in the Spanish league yesterday. Raphinha scored a first-half winner for Barcelona, which missed a penalty from Ferran Torres early in the second half and then saw defender Ronald Araujo sent off.

The win at the Camp Nou stadium came three days after Barcelona defeated Madrid 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals. The Catalan club took its league lead over Madrid to 10 points, increasing the pressure on its rival. Madrid played at Real Betis later yesterday. Barcelona had lost two in a row — against Manchester United in the Europa League and Almeria in the league — before coming up with the big Copa victory against Madrid at the Bernabéu. Raphinha scored with a header after a well-placed pass by Sergio Busquets in the 15th minute. Torres missed the penalty in the 55th and four minutes later Araujo was sent off for stopping a breakaway. Barcelona got the win despite still missing some of its top players, including Robert Lewandowski, the league’s leading scorer. Ousmane Dembélé and Pedri also didn’t play because of injuries, while playmaker Gavi was out because of a yellow-card suspension.

Valencia was trying to win two in a row after a run of six consecutive losses in all competitions. It came into the Camp Nou inside the relegation zone and missing several players because of injury, including veteran striker Edinson Cavani. It dropped to 19th place, two points from safety.

second-tier Championship while in England for the annual IFAB meeting in London.

Infantino was spotted at The Den, the home of London club Millwall, which was playing Norwich. He left the game at halftime when the score was 1-1, and Norwich went on to win 3-2.

“I don’t know the reason he came,” Millwall manager Gary Rowett said of Infantino. “Maybe he has heard about the atmosphere here.”

LIVERPOOL FROM PAGE 20

Liverpool may have endured a frustrating campaign so far as Jurgen Klopp’s side has struggled for consistency but Anfield was in raptures at the sight of fierce rival United being humbled on Merseyside.

To add to that, the gap to fourth-place Tottenham is down to three points, with Liverpool still having a game in hand.

While Liverpool eyed the top four, United knew anything other than a win would be a huge blow to its challenge for the title after Arsenal’s late 3-2 victory against Bournemouth on Saturday.

History, however, was not on the visitors’ side, having failed to win at Anfield since 2016. United lost 4-0 in the same fixture last season. For all of

It was Valencia’s third game with coach Rubén Baraja in charge after he replaced Gennaro Gattuso. Singaporean club owner Peter Lim still faces protests from Valencia fans who accuse him of poor administration and not caring for the club’s interests.

Madrid, which drew 1-1 at home against Atletico Madrid in the previous round, will visit Betis without midfielder Luka Modric because of a yellow-card suspension. Betis will be missing two key playmakers because of injuries — Nabil Fekir and Sergio Canales.

Madrid and Barcelona will play their final league game on March 19 at the Camp Nou.

United’s progress under Ten Hag, this was the latest test of his team’s nerve on the big occasion, having already seen losses at Manchester City and Arsenal this season.

And seven days after the Dutch manager won his first trophy at United came this humiliating setback.

Gakpo put Liverpool ahead in the 43rd minute when collecting Andrew Robertson’s pass.

He immediately charged into the box, sidestepped Raphael Varane and then swept a shot past David de Gea and into the bottom corner.

United’s players had been guilty of wasting chances of their own before that goal with Bruno Fernandes missing the target with a far post header and Marcus Rashford firing tamely at Alisson with only the goalkeeper to beat.

ARSENAL’S REISS NELSON, left, and Emile Smith Rowe celebrate after defeating Bournemouth on Saturday. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

SWIMMERS compete in the last chance meet at the Betty Kelly Kenning Swim Complex.

Photos: Moises Amisial/Tribune Staff

BLTA FIELDS

TWO MORE NATIONAL TEAMS FOR COMPETITION

AS two Bahamas national tennis teams return, another two more teams took off to represent The Bahamas at the U14 World Juniors Tennis Championship (WJTC) in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

The Bahamas Lawn Tennis Association has fielded two teams for team competition.

The boys’ team consists of Patrick Mactaggart, Reeves Mahelis, Chase Newbold, and coached by Artie Johnson from Eleuthera. On the girls’ side is Tatyana Madu, Kaylah Fox, Briana Houlgrave and will be coached by Ricardo Demeritte.

“It is exciting to field another two teams for the World Juniors this week, there are two new boys to the international team competition and we anticipate they will integrate well,” BLTA president Perry Newton said.

“The girls’ team were successful at the U12 competition and we hope they continue to play well together. The BLTA continues to invest in this generation and we congratulate the parents who have reared some wellmannered, focused and talented children.

“We appreciate the coaches who are travelling with our national teams. We are thankful to all those persons who have contributed in preparing this team for travel. We pray for safety and strength as the two teams participate in Santo Domingo, giving their best and leaving it all out there on the courts.”

The boys are in pool B with #2 El Salvador, #7 seed Barbados and Curacao. There are 16 nations competing. The girls also landed in pool B where they will face #2 seed Costa Rica and Suriname in round robin play. There are 13 nations competing for the girls.

Matches start today.

UB Mingoes take bite out of Great Whites 81-64

THE University of The Bahamas men’s basketball team slowly warmed up against The Zulu Media Marketing Great Whites in New Providence Basketball Association action Saturday night at The A.F. Adderley Gym. And just like the previous two straight wins, The Mingoes finished strong to pick up the 81-64 win –the team’s third straight win.

Delano

Armbrister led The Mingoes with 24 points (including four three-pointers) in the win. Gabriel Styles came off the bench to dump in 17 points and pull down 11 rebounds.

Erquantae Edgecombe scored 11 points and had 11 rebounds. Theodore Grant led the team with seven assists to go with 10 rebounds.

“We came out and did what we had to do to get the win,” said Styles, who

posted his highest score for the season with 17 points.

“We fought hard on the boards and we got the ball out fast.”

The Mingoes scored 33 fast-break points and had 17 points off turnovers.

This is the third straight win for The Mingoes after defeating The Rebel 87-66 (February 11) and Sand Dollar 68-58 (February 25). “We had a really good game last week and we came into this game with a lot of confidence especially after practicing all week,” said Armbrister, who also posted his highest point production this season with 24 points.

“We practiced hard and we came and we wanted to play fast and move the ball well and play great defence. We did all of that and picked up the win.”

Armbrister’s previously highest score was January 16, 2023 against

The Discount Distributor Rockets with 23 points.

The Great Whites took a nine point lead with 3:22 to go in the first quarter off a layup from Demetri Mackey to go up 22-13.

The Mingoes didn’t let that last for long.

The Great Whites ended the first quarter up 27-20 but The Mingoes came out strong in the second quarter led by Delano Armbrister and Gabriel Styles. The duo combined for 11 points in the first two minutes of the second quarter to give The Mingoes the 31-30 lead with 6:42 on the clock. The Mingoes never looked back.

Selwyn McKenzie led The Great Whites with 16 points and seven rebounds.

The Mingoes (6-6) next play The Leno Regulators (7-5) at 8pm on March 11 at The A.F. Adderley Gym.

JA MORANT SAYS HE’LL GET HELP AFTER VIDEO SHOWS APPARENT GUN

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer

JA Morant will be away from the Memphis Grizzlies for at least their next two games, the team announced Saturday, not long after the NBA opened an investigation into a social media post by the guard, who livestreamed himself holding what appeared to be a gun at a nightclub.

Morant said in a statement distributed through the agency that represents him that he takes “full responsibility” for his actions and that he was going to “take some time away to get help.”

The video was streamed by Morant on his Instagram page early Saturday, hours after the Grizzlies played in Denver. They were flying to Los Angeles on Saturday for games against the Clippers yesterday and the Lakers on Tuesday.

Morant will miss those two games, at minimum, the Grizzlies said, without further comment.

“We are aware of a social media post involving Ja Morant and are investigating,” NBA spokesman Mike Bass said earlier Saturday.

OLYMPICS

FROM PAGE 20

($53) but Beney would also have to buy at least two tickets for two additional events. Available tickets included basketball or handball at 150 euros ($160), swimming at 230 euros ($244) and a whopping 690 euros ($732) for a qualifying event in track and field. “Who can afford tickets at that price?”

Beney asked. “I can’t.”

Beney was disappointed and said her son’s enthusiasm for attending their home Olympics on his 10th birthday vanished as they logged off without buying anything.

“I really wanted to have tickets for the Olympics. I wanted my son to live that unique experience … in

The league will try to speak with Morant as part of that investigation, though it is unclear when any meeting may occur. Morant apologised in a statement released by Tandem Sports + Entertainment.

“I take full responsibility for my actions last night,” Morant said. “I’m sorry to my family, teammates, coaches, fans, partners, the city of Memphis and the entire Grizzlies organisation for letting you down. I’m going to take some time away to get help and work on learning better methods of dealing with stress and my overall well-being.”

It was not immediately clear what Morant meant by “help” or if he planned to be away from the team for longer than the twogame minimum announced by the Grizzlies. The league, if it finds wrongdoing, could fine or suspend Morant. Based on the Grizzlies’ statement, the earliest Morant could play is Thursday at home against Golden State. His Instagram and Twitter accounts were disabled shortly after the Grizzlies announced his absence.

Memphis is currently No. 2 in the Western

our city,” Beney said. “I became disillusioned (with the ticket system) and the prices. This is just insane.”

To buy tickets in the first round, your name had to be drawn from a lottery. Since February 13, the lucky winners have been notified by email of their 48-hour window to buy between three and up to 30 tickets in at least three different events, out of 32 available. The first round of ticketing ends March 15.

Organisers say they are aware of the high demand and acknowledge that not everyone who wants to attend the Paris Olympics will manage to get a ticket, and fewer still will be able to get tickets at a bargain price. “We know that people are going to be disappointed, and we know

Conference standings, led by Morant, a two-time AllStar averaging 27.1 points and 8.2 assists per game. This is at least the second time in the last few weeks that Morant has been the subject of a league investigation. Morant’s actions were investigated after a January 29 incident in Memphis that he said led to a friend of his being banned from home games for a year. That incident followed a game against the Indiana Pacers; citing unnamed sources, The Indianapolis Star and USA Today reported that multiple members of the Pacers saw a red dot pointed at them, and The Athletic reported that a Pacers security guard believed the laser was attached to a gun.

that we don’t have tickets for everybody,” Michael Aloisio, the deputy general manager of the Paris Olympics, said in an interview with The Associated Press. “But we also know that we have more selling phases opening soon with more tickets.”

Ticket sales are a substantial part of revenue — one third, according to Aloisio — that Paris organisers need to pay for the Olympics. “The challenge for us was not to have this target compromise our goal to make these Games accessible,” Aloisio said.

The announcement last year that there will be 1 million tickets at 24 euros ($26) and more than 4 million for less than 50 euros ($53) was received with enthusiasm from fans in

The NBA confirmed that unnamed individuals were banned from the arena but said its investigation found no evidence that anyone was threatened with a weapon. Morant responded to that incident by tweeting that the reports “paint this negative image on me and my fam. & banned my brother from home games for a year. unbelievable.”

During the Jan. 29 game, there was barking between Pacers players and friends of Morant seated along the sideline. A close friend of Morant’s, Davonte Pack, was escorted from the arena as Pacers bench players shouted in Pack’s direction. Pack and Morant also are involved in a civil lawsuit brought after an incident at Morant’s home this past summer, in which a 17-yearold alleged that they assaulted him. The Shelby County district attorney’s office said in January that it was “aware of the incident, and after careful review of the facts, decided that there was not enough evidence to proceed with a case.”

There is precedent for the NBA when sanctioning a player over conduct involving guns.

France and around the world. However, those tickets were scooped up during the first few days of the lottery, leaving those “lucky” to be drawn later with high prices and few events to choose from.

Aloisio said only 10% of all 10 million tickets cost more than 200 euros ($212).

“It’s these tickets that allow for other tickets to be more accessible and balance it all out,” he said.

Robin Allison Davis, a 38-year-old American and a self-declared “Olympics super fan,” said she wasn’t expecting to find a bargain when it was her turn to hunt for tickets in her favourite sports — gymnastics, swimming and track and field. She was willing to pay 260 euros ($276) per ticket to watch two hours of a

In January 2010, thenCommissioner David Stern suspended Washington’s Gilbert Arenas indefinitely without pay after saying the player’s behaviour made him “not currently fit to take the court.”

The suspension followed Arenas getting photographed before a game in Philadelphia playfully pointing his index fingers in a gun imitation at his teammates while he was under investigation by federal and local authorities after admittedly bringing guns into the Wizards’ locker room. Arenas ultimately missed 50 games, the rest of the 2009-10 season.

Morant, the No. 2 pick in the 2019 NBA draft, has become a full-fledged superstar. His five-year, $194 million extension with the Grizzlies kicks in to start next season and would rise to about $230 million if he makes an All-NBA team this season.

He also is a sought-after endorser. On Christmas, Nike unveiled Morant’s first signature shoe, which is set to be released in the coming weeks. And earlier this week, Powerade announced a multiyear endorsement deal with Morant.

gymnastics qualifying event but then got frustrated when the online ticketing office appeared to have turned into a virtual casino.

“I knew it will be expensive, but why is the system that promised to give me freedom and choice to form my own Olympic package tricking me into buying expensive tickets in sports I don’t want to see if I want to get expensive tickets for an event I really want to see,” Davis said. “The ticket pack thing is a racket.”

Davis has lived in Paris for six-and-a-half years and works as a freelance journalist. She did not buy any tickets during the first round, saying that she will try her luck again in the second draw in May and splurge on individual tickets. Aloisio, the

On the same day the Powerade deal was revealed, The Washington Post published a story, based on police records it obtained, detailing how Morant and some associates “have been accused of threatening and even violent behaviour,” the newspaper said. The questions about Morant’s conduct come at a time when gun violence again is a prominent talking point in the sports world.

Top NBA draft prospect Brandon Miller and his Alabama teammate Jaden Bradley, by courtroom revelations, have been linked to the scene of a killing. Neither has been charged or accused of a crime, but then-teammate Darius Miles and another man are facing capital murder charges.

And New Mexico State’s men’s basketball season was shut down in February because of a fatal shooting and allegations of locker-room hazing. Mike Peake, the New Mexico State player implicated in the shooting death of New Mexico player Brandon Travis in November, said he was acting in self-defence and has not been charged with a crime.

organising committee official, defended the ticket package system and said the Paris organisers aimed to arouse curiosity for other sports during the Olympics.

“These packages are a way to get people interested and buy tickets for a water polo semifinal, hockey or 7-a-side rugby, sports for which there may have been less demand,” Aloisio said. In all, 10 million tickets for the Olympics and 3.4 million for the Paralympics will be made available on the online platform. Individual tickets will become available in the second round, which starts on May 11. Registration for that draw starts March 15. The third phase is expected to start at the end of the year, when all remaining tickets will be put on sale.

JA Morant (AP)

UB forward Gabriel Styles goes up for a dunk against The Great Whites at The A.F. Adderley Gym. Styles scored 17 points and pulled down 11 rebounds.

Photos: UB ATHLETICS

UB guard Theodore Grant (black 24) splits the defence of The Great Whites. Grant ended the game with 10 rebounds and seven assists.

UB guard Greg Cox (black 32) attacks the basket against the defence of The Great Whites’ Judino Wilson (grey 0) in the New Providence Basketball Association.

Durant tiebreaker lifts Suns over Mavs 130-126 in stars’ showcase

By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Sports Writer

DALLAS (AP) — Kevin Durant scored 37 points, including the tiebreaking jumper with 11 seconds to go, to lift the Phoenix Suns to a 130-126 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday in a thrilling showcase of stars for both teams.

The first meeting between Durant and Dallas’ Kyrie Irving since they were traded by Brooklyn before the deadline last month was even when Durant pulled up over Tim Hardaway Jr. and Irving for the lead.

Luka Doncic had 34 points for Dallas, but his point-blank shot for a tie rimmed out before he fouled Durant after the rebound with 3.5 seconds remaining.

After the play was over, Doncic and Devin Booker, who scored 36 points, ended up nose-to-nose and both were issued technical fouls before Durant hit two free throws to clinch the victory. It was the 14th technical of

DEANDRE AYTON HELPS OUT WITH NINE POINTS AND 16 REBOUNDS

the season for Doncic, two shy of the threshold for a one-game suspension.

Irving scored 30 points exactly four years to the day since the last time he faced Durant, when his Boston Celtics blew out Durant and his Golden State Warriors 128-95.

Phoenix’s win left the teams tied in the season series, with playoff seedings in the Western Conference wide open below topseeded Denver.

Chris Paul scored eight of his 11 points in the fourth quarter for one of several tiebreaking or go-ahead buckets for both teams.

Deandre Ayton had nine points and 16 rebounds. Just three of the points came after the opening minutes, but two were on a putback during the frantic final minute.

Phoenix two-way player

Ish Wainwright, who was a

role player 100 miles down the road from Dallas at Baylor before a brief stint as a tight end for the Bears, went 4 for 5 from 3-point range in the second half for 12 points. Durant was 12 of 17 from the field and 10 of 11 from the line in his first 30-point performance in three games since joining the Suns in a

blockbuster deal with the Nets that came days after the Mavs acquired Irving. Phoenix is 3-0 with Durant, while Dallas

dropped to 3-6 since Irving joined the club. The Mavs are 2-3 on a six-game homestand, their longest of the season.

TIP-INS

Suns: Josh Okogie was 0 of 8 on mostly corner 3s when Torrey Craig hit one from the left corner and Wainwright dropped two in a row from the right corner to turn Phoenix’s 93-85 deficit into a 94-93 lead late in the third quarter.

Mavericks: F/C Maxi Kleber was inactive after playing two games coming off a hamstring tear that had sidelined him since December. ... F Davis Bertans (left calf strain) was available for the first time since February 2. Hardaway scored 18 of his 21 points in the first half. ... Doncic had nine rebounds, and Irving had seven assists.

UP NEXT

Suns: Play Oklahoma City at home Wednesday.

Mavericks: Play Utah on Tuesday to finish the sixgame homestand.

QUICKLEY SCORES 38 IN START, KNICKS OUTLAST CELTICS IN TWO OVERTIMES

By KEN POWTAK Associated Press

BOSTON (AP) —

Immanuel Quickley scored a career-high 38 points, playing 55 minutes in place of injured starter Jalen Brunson, and the New York Knicks outlasted the Boston Celtics 131-129 in two overtimes last night for their season-high ninth straight victory.

Quickley had seven points in the second overtime and added eight rebounds and seven assists with Brunson sidelined because of soreness in his left foot.

Julius Randle had 31 points and nine rebounds, and RJ Barrett finished with 29 points and 11 boards for the Knicks, who held on when Boston’s Al Horford front-rimmed a 3-pointer from the right corner just before the final buzzer. Jayson Tatum led Boston with 40 points, 11 rebounds

and six assists, Jaylen Brown scored 29 points and Horford finished with 20 points and 14 rebounds.

Randle had 43 points in a victory at Miami on Friday that included an off-balance, game-winning 3-pointer in the closing seconds.

The Celtics were also missing a couple of key players in starting centre Robert Williams III (left hamstring tightness) and reserve guard Malcolm Brogdon (right ankle soreness).

Quickley scored New York’s first seven points of the second overtime on a 3-pointer and two driving baskets, skipping in front of Boston’s bench celebrating after the last basket made it 128-123.

Horford nailed a 3-pointer from the right corner with 29.2 seconds left to push Boston ahead 121-119 in the first OT after Randle’s two free throws

had moved the Knicks in front. But Quickley’s driving one-handed flip in the lane tied it before Tatum missed on his baseline drive, sending it to double OT. Brown’s 3-point play with 12.9 seconds left sent it to overtime. Coming off an embarrassing home loss in their last game when they blew a 28-point lead against Brooklyn, the Celtics had opened a 14-point edge midway into the third quarter. The Knicks closed the

quarter with a 9-0 surge and pushed their advantage to 100-89 on Obi Toppin’s driving layup early in the final quarter.

LAKERS 113, WARRIORS 105

LOS ANGELES (AP)

— Anthony Davis scored 39 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter, and Los Angeles held on for a victory over Golden State despite Stephen Curry’s 27 points in his return to the lineup.

The Lakers led most of the game but a 3-pointer by Golden State’s Anthony Lamb tied it at 91 with 5:37 remaining in the game. Los Angeles ran off seven straight points and would go up 103-95 before 3-pointers by Klay Thompson and Curry made it a two-point game with 1:46 remaining.

PACERS 125, BULLS 122 CHICAGO (AP) — Tyrese Haliburton scored

29 points, including a 3-pointer with 2.7 seconds left, to give Indiana a victory over Chicago.

Haliburton’s gamewinning shot occurred after Zach LaVine missed a free throw that would have given the Bulls the lead with 22.6 seconds left. LaVine, who scored a game-high 42 points, was fouled on a 3-point attempt by Bennedict Mathurin and converted the first two free throw tries.

TRAIL BLAZERS 122, MAGIC 119 ORLANDO, Florida

(AP) — Damian Lillard scored eight of his 41 points from the foul line in the final three minutes to lead Portland over Orlando.

Jerami Grant added 20 points, six rebounds and seven assists for the Blazers and Cam Reddish added 16 points.

Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 26 points.

Franz Wagner added 24,

and Markelle Fultz finished with 15 points, eight assists and four steals. NETS 102, HORNETS 86 NEW YORK (AP) — Mikal Bridges went 9 for 9 in a 19-point first quarter, finishing with 33 to lead Brooklyn over Charlotte. Two nights after coming from 28 down to beat Boston in the biggest comeback in the NBA this season, the Nets led by as much as 37 after Bridges’ fast start in the highestscoring quarter of his career.

Spencer Dinwiddie added 24 points for the Nets, who have won two straight. Cam Johnson chipped in 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Joe Harris had 12 points. Kelly Oubre Jr. had 17 points and Mark Williams added 10 points and 14 rebounds for the Hornets, who have lost three consecutive games.

76ers rally to end Bucks’ winning streak at 16

MILWAUKEE (AP)

— Joel Embiid made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 41.4 seconds left and the Philadelphia 76ers ended Milwaukee’s winning streak at 16, beating the Bucks the 133-130 on Saturday night.

Milwaukee had the longest winning streak in the NBA since the Phoenix Suns had 18 straight victories early last season.

The 76ers trailed 125121 before James Harden, who scored 38 points, hit a 3-pointer with 1:21 left.

After Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo missed a shot from around the basket, Embiid sank a 3-pointer that gave Philadelphia its first lead of the second half.

After Jrue Holiday missed a 3-point attempt with 25 seconds remaining, the 76ers went 6 of 6 from the line the rest of the way.

Harden added 10 assists and nine rebounds. Embiid had 31 points, 10 assists and six rebounds. Tyrese Maxey had 26 points.

Antetokounmpo had 34 points and 13 rebounds for Milwaukee. Brook Lopez and Holiday added 26 points apiece.

CAVALIERS 114, PISTONS 90

CLEVELAND (AP)

— Darius Garland had 21 points and seven assists, Donovan Mitchell scored 20 points and Cleveland routed Detroit.

Evan Mobley had 16 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and four blocked shots, Jarrett Allen scored 15 points and Caris LeVert had 11. The Cavaliers are fourth in the Eastern Conference with 16 games left.

All-Star starter Mitchell, who sprained a finger on his left hand in the third quarter, and Garland only played 24 minutes apiece as the Cavaliers swept the four-game season series with Detroit. The Pistons were held below 95 points in each.

Cleveland is 40-26 and leads surging New York by 1 1/2 games for home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

`Marvin Bagley III had 20 points and 13 rebounds for Detroit.

The Pistons have the second-worst record in the NBA at 15-49. They have lost seven straight overall and seven in a row on the road.

ROCKETS 122, SPURS 110

SAN ANTONIO (AP)

— Tari Eason matched his season high with 20 points and Houston ended an 11-game losing streak, beating San Antonio.

Alperen Sengun had 16 points and K.J. Martin and Josh Christopher each added 14 points for the Rockets in the opener of a home-and-home series. Last in the NBA at 14-49, they hadn’t won since Feb. 1.

Devonte’ Graham had 28 points to lead San Antonio. The teams played again Sunday night in Houston to close a back-to-back set.

HEAT 117, HAWKS 109

MIAMI (AP) — Bam

Adebayo scored 30 points and Miami held Trae Young to a season-low eight points in a victory over Atlanta. Tyler Herro added 20 points, and Jimmy Butler

and Caleb Martin finished with 15 apiece for the Heat. They extended their lead over the Hawks to 1 1/2 games for seventh in the Eastern Conference.

Young was 2 for 13 from the field. Saddiq Bey had 22 points for Atlanta. The Hawks are 1-2 under new coach Quin Snyder.

RAPTORS 116, WIZARDS 109 (Overtime)

WASHINGTON (AP)

— Fred VanVleet made two 3-pointers in overtime and had 25 points to help Toronto beat Washington for a two-game split.

Gary Trent Jr. scored 26 points for the Raptors, and VanVleet had 10 assists. Toronto rebounded from a 119-108 loss Thursday night to move back ahead of the Wizards into ninth place in the Eastern Conference. Kristaps Porzingis had 22 points and 11 rebounds for the Wizards.

Bradley Beal added 21 points and 10 assists, but shot just 7 for 22 and missed a jumper that could have won it in regulation.

TIMBERWOLVES 138,

KINGS 134

SACRAMENTO, California (AP) — Anthony Edwards scored 27 points and Minnesota beat Sacramento to snap the Kings’ winning streak at five games. Edwards added eight assists to help Minnesota win its third straight. Mike Conley scored 24 points and made two free throws with 15.7 seconds left to extend the lead to four.

Jaden McDaniels added 19 points, and Kyle

Anderson nearly had a triple-double

with 18 points, nine assists and seven rebounds.

Kevin Huerter scored 29 points for Sacramento (3726). De’Aaron Fox had 25 points and seven assists,

and Domantas Sabonis had 24 points, 14 rebounds and five assists. Stay tuned for more NBA action.

DEANDRE Ayton. (AP)

IMMANUEL Quickley. (AP)

PHOENIX Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) drives to the basket during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks last night. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

BERMUDA PUTS ON A SHOW

BOXERS square off in Boxing Federation of the Bahamas’ Wellington ‘Sonny Boy’ Rahming and Leonard ‘Boston Blackie’

DESPITE having to wait an extra day to get into the ring, the four-man team from Bermuda left their impression on the Boxing Federation of the Bahamas’ 2023 Wellington ‘Sonny Boy’ Rahming and Leonard ‘Boston Blackie’ Miller Memorial Invitational Boxing Championships.

The championships, featuring competitors from Bermuda, Haiti and the Cayman Islands, were originally set for Friday and Saturday. But according to federation president Vincent Strachan, there appeared to be an “act of sabotage” that limited the competition to just one day.

“Five pieces of the boxing ring components were missing. The ring was stored in the softball building, while other items were stored in an unsuitable little building at the back of the National Boxing Centre,” Strachan said.

“Most of these items were destroyed from flooding and exposure to the unsatisfactory conditions. We had to dismantle the other ring and transport it to Sir Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium. We worked until very late to set up the second ring.”

Although under the supervision of treasurer Wellington Smith, Strachan said they started early with the anticipation of being completed in time to start the competition at 3pm. But they didn’t get started until after 8pm.

Strachan, in his brief opening remarks after prayer offered by referee/ judge Colin Ingraham from Inagua, apologised to those in attendance for the late start.

He also thanked his Caribbean counterpart Nathan Dill, president of the Bermuda Boxing Association, coach Floyd Trumpet from the Cayman Islands and Jamaica, elite boxer Charles Petit-Homme, who represented Haiti.

“Unfortunately the 26 member team from Haiti did not make it due to several reasons,” Strachan said.

In the highlight of the night, Cayman Islands’ Adrian Roach pulled off a unanimous decision over Tyrone Oliver, who made his international debut for The Bahamas in what could be described as the fight of the night. “Two fights in one night and just a couple hours apart, when last you heard of that,” said Roach about his two fights on the same night. “I’m a gifted man. I am more reserved, but I had to speak up on this. They made me fight.”

After getting beat to the punch in all three rounds, Oliver thanked God for all of the obstacles that he had endured to get to the fight night.

“It was a very entertaining fight, especially considering that he was an elite fighter and was two classes above my weight,” Oliver said. “I took the fight because I was at home, but because of the lack of applying pressure in the last round, they gave him the fight.

“But I still want to give God thanks because the opportunity just to fight on home soil was a privilege and I hope that this will be a stepping stone for what is to come as the federation tries to get boxing back to this level in the country.”

The 28-year-old Oliver said there’s always room for improvement and he hopes to get better in conditioning, skills, speed and power. He said it was an eye opener for him, but he intends to be much better whenever he fights again.

Earlier in the show, Roach took on Haiti’s Charles Petit-Homme and he took him right to the wire before he prevailed with a much closer decision for the victory.

In another exciting fight, but from the younger boxers, Grand Bahamian Davano Dorsette outslugged Milton Newbold from New Providence.

“It was pretty good. He worked hard and I worked hard,” said Dorsette, a 13-year-old. “We both punched well, but I wanted it a little more. I think we should get a chance to fight each other again.”

Clarence Hepburn, also from Grand Bahama, forced the referee to step

in and called off the fight against Emmit Rolle from Bimini. The taller Hepburn used an onslaught that Rolle didn’t have any answer for.

“I want to say thank you to my heavenly father for giving me this opportunity to have this fight,” Hepburn said. “I want to shout out to my coach Jermaine Gibson and all of the boxers from Grand Bahama for their support.”

Making his debut, Gabriel ‘Mini Tank’ Cureil of Bermuda was too much for Matthew Demss from New Providence to handle as his bout was stopped in the second round.

“I dedicate myself and put a lot of hard work into my training,” Cureil said.

“My opponent came out aggressively, but I waited for him because I wanted to see if he could take my aggression,” Cureil said.

“I love being in the Bahamas. The people really treated me very nice. This

was my first fight and so I was really pleased with the way I performed. I hope I can come back and put on another great performance.”

Christian Thompson of New Providence defeated Annan Zuill of Bermuda in the second round as the referee also stopped this bout.

“I don’t want to sound arrogant or anything, but I know I could do a lot better than that. I perform much better in the gym,” said 21-year-old Thompson, who has been fighting for the past three years.

“I was disappointed in myself, but I still pulled through and got the win. I was able to execute.”

Alec Lopez of the Cayman Islands pounded Jalya Francois from Nassau for the victory.

“This was my dream to box. Before I was born my mother wanted to name me Oscar De La Hoya. That’s a true story,” said the 16-yearold Lopez. “I just wanted

Jon Jones returns to win UFC heavyweight title in 1st round

By MARK ANDERSON AP Sports Writer

LAS VEGAS (AP)

— Jon Jones ended a three-year sabbatical from the UFC, moved up to its highest weight class and then left no doubt Saturday night about his place in the sport’s history.

Already widely considered the greatest UFC fighter, the 35-year-old Jones took Ciryl Gane to the mat just a little more than a minute into the first round and won with a guillotine choke at 2:04 in UFC 285. “I’m so excited,” Jones said. “I’ve been working for this for a long time. A people thought I wasn’t coming back. I’ve been faithful to my goal, faithful to my mission.”

As short as the fight was, Jones made sure to take his time entering the octagon, playing up to the soldout crowd of 19,471. UFC President Dana White said the gate was $12.5 million, the highest for a heavyweight match and the fourth-highest ever.

This was Jones’ first fight in three years and his first in the heavyweight division. The former light heavyweight champion said it was important to

cement in his own mind that he deserved the honour as the greatest ever.

With another GOAT, Tom Brady, sitting nearby, Jones did just that. Brady flew in the day of the fight from Florida and spent time with Jones’ brother, Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Chandler Jones. “(Jones is) a total freak of nature,” White said, “and he’s the best ever.”

There were questions whether so much time off would affect Jones’ effectiveness, and he spent time at his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to prepare for this night. His last fight was February 8, 2020, a unanimous decision over Dominick Reyes.

Jones didn’t look the same as did before taking the time off, and he acknowledged the extra weight he put on took away his muscle tone. All along, though, Jones insisted looks were deceiving.

He backed up his words.

“Ciryl Gane is a monster,” White said. “Jon Jones showed up and treated him like a kid.” Jones believed the time away preparing for this night would show the step up in weight was worth it.

He hired a team in Albuquerque to get him into optimal shape.

“I had to show up and get (Gane) down to the ground,” Jones said. “I been wresting since I was 12 years old. I feel stronger than ever. Once I got him in my hands, I know I could take control.”

The victory extended Jones’ record unbeaten streak to 19 in a row, and he improved to 27-1 with one no-contest. He won a record 14 title fight at light heavyweight.

Jones said he next wants Stipe Miocic, who is the second-ranked contender and who Jones called the greatest heavyweight ever.

White said that fight will take place, but didn’t know when it would occur.

France’s Gane, 32, was the top-ranked heavyweight contender. He dropped to 11-2.

“This one is so painful,” Gane said. “This one is a win lost. So now this is past, and most of all for what I see is in the future. I’m going to go straight back to the gym.”

In the co-main event in a women’s bout, sixthranked Alexa Grasso (16-3) of Mexico submitted champion Valentina Shevchenko (23-4) Kyrgyzstan by 4:34 at of the fourth round to capture the belt. Grasso became the third Mexican champion.

“I feel like this is a dream,” Grasso said. “I’ve dreamed of this moment.”

Shevchenko, 34, had won her previous eight title matches and was in control of this one through three rounds by dictating the action and repeatedly taking Grasso to the floor.

Grasso, however, got Shevchenko to the mat late in the fourth when the now former champ went for a back kick. Then Grasso, 29, put Shevchenko in a position where she was forced to tap out.

Boxing

GELMISA LEADS CLEAN SWEEP FOR ETHIOPIA AT TOKYO MARATHON

TOKYO (AP) — Deso Gelmisa led an Ethiopian clean sweep of the podium at the Tokyo Marathon yesterday, with Kenya’s Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s race.

In a tight finish, the 25-year-old Gelmisa finished in 2:05:22 to win his first World Marathon Major by one second ahead of compatriot Mohamed Esa. Tsegaya Getachew finished third, two seconds further back.

Canadian Cam Levins led a group of five runners at the 39-kilometre (24-mile) mark, but Gelmisa sprinted away with 400 meters remaining to claim victory.

Levins finished fifth at 2:05:36 to eclipse the long-standing North American record of 2:05:38 at the flat Tokyo course.

There was no close finish to the women’s race as Wanjiru crossed the line 28 seconds ahead of Ethiopia’s Tsehay Gemechu for her first major win.

Ashete Bekeri, last year’s runners-up finished third, 2:43 behind Wanjiru.

Swiss pair Marcel Hug and Manuela Schar won the wheelchair titles and set new course records.

to prove myself in boxing.

“This is just my third amateur fight and I’m so blessed and grateful that I got a chance to come here and fight. I got an eight count on my opponent, so I’m just grateful for the win.”

Israel Cox of Inagua, decisioned Tevanno Dorsette in the pee wee division.

“It was a lot of fun just being in the ring,” said 13-year-old Cox. “It was tough after the first round. I got a little tired in the second. But in the third, my coach told me what to do and I did it.”

Keano Cox of Inagua easily won over Jason Bain from Grand Bahama.

“It was tough, but I pulled through and I came out on top,” said Cox, an 18-year-old. “I trained hard to get ready for this fight.”

Bruce Pernichiet of Bermuda won a second round decision over Jason Bethel from Grand Bahama. “My opponent came out

CARIFTA SWIM

FROM

Aviation - 30.35. Mia

K Patton - Age: 15 – UN.

Girls 15-17 400 Free Sindarock - 4:49.53. Girls 15-17

100 Fly Sunshine Insur-

ance - 1:07.13. Girls 15-17

200 Back QVS - 2:40.69.

Girls 15-17 200 Free Corner Bank - 2:14.79.

Hodari E Prince - Age:

17 – BSC. Boys 15-17 200

Fly Equity - 2:19.20. Boys

15-17 400 IM Arawak Port - 5:07.79.

Erin M Pritchard - Age:

15 – MAC. Girls 15-17 200

Breast Custom Comput-

ers - 2:58.46. Girls 15-17 50

Breast Cay Stone - 37.59.

Girls 15-17 100 Breast

Summit - 1:22.74.

Trace K Russell - Age:

12 – MAC. Boys 11-12 200

Breast Wendy’s - 2:56.00.

Boys 11-12 50 Breast IBS

- 35.68. Boys 11-12 50 Free

Sun Oil - 28.57. Boys 11-12 100 Breast D’Albenas

- 1:19.67.

Violet A Saralegui - Age:

12 – LSC. Girls 11-12 50 Fly

Odyssey Aviation - 31.51.

Girls 11-12 100 Fly Sun-

shine Insurance - 1:12.67.

Girls 11-12 200 Fly The Med Net Group - 2:59.62.

Girls 11-12 50 Fly Odyssey

Aviation – 32.31.

Donald L Saunders -

Age: 14 – LIT. Boys 13-14

50 Back Arawak Port29.91. Boys 13-14 100 Free QVS

Defending champion Hug won in 1:20:57, nearly four minutes faster than his time last year. Schar won the women’s race in 1:36:43.

swinging. I tip my hat to him for that. But I’ve been in the gym training and I respect my international fighters,” he said.

“But I got my fitness level up and that got me to win the second round and I just gave it my all in the third round.

“In the first round, I knew I had the intense training in my gym to handle what he came out with. I was taken off guard. I felt he was a fighter I had to respect and I gave him that respect back with my hands.”

The event also provided the opportunity for some of the boxers from the Bahamas to see where they are in preparation for the Bahamas Games in July. Strachan said they hope to put on some more fights to help the local boxers.

JON Jones reacts after defeating Ciryl Gane in a UFC 285 mixed martial arts heavyweight title bout on Saturday. (AP Photo/David Becker)

THE CHAMPIONSHIPS featured boxers from Bermuda, Haiti and Cayman Islands.

SAC BIG RED MACHINE BAISS TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONS

they beat out St.John’s College for the third position with 451.50. SAC head coach Jason Edwards talked about the joy of winning the championship.

“It feels great knowing that these kids gave their all and we prepared and they came out here and executed,” Edwards said.

Day three of the BAISS track and field championships consisted of lots of relay action and more CARIFTA qualifiers.

Darvinique Dean and Yulianis Akompi of SAC qualified for the April games in the under 17 girls 400m hurdles. Dean also broke the former BAISS record of Lacarthea Cooper with her time of 1:04.08. SAC’s Clinton Laguerre joined his teammates as he and St Anne’s Berkley Munnings passed the qualifying time of 54.43 in the boys under 20 400m hurdles.

In the under 12 girls 4x100 metre relay, QC blitzed their way to a first place victory with a time of 54.94. The girls’ team consisted of Malaya Gordon, Rocelis Moxey, Azalia Henderson, and Cierra Delancy. The SAC relay team followed behind with a time of 55.90. Aquinas College placed third with 1:00.85.

The Comets out ran the competition in the under 15 girls’ 4x100m relay. The relay team edged out the competition with a time of 50.62. The Big Red Machine notched a second place finish with 51.74 and TCS placed third clocking 52.75 . TCS beat both SAC and the Comets for a first place finish in the under 15 girls’ 4x400m relay. The first place team ran a time of 4:26.99. The Comets followed behind with 4:39.76 and SAC finished in third with 4:42.78.

Head coach of TCS Kenya Culmer praised the efforts of her athletes after placing third in overall team rankings. “I feel extremely proud of all my athletes, they really came out here and they worked hard, they were great competitors and they left everything on the track,” Culmer said.

The efforts of the TCS athletes did not go unnoticed as they were first place winners in the under 20 girls 400m hurdles, under 17 boys 800m run, and under 15 girls 800m run.

Breyteisha Kemp brought home the victory for TCS in the under 15 800m run with a time of 2:30.19.

Kemp was very impressed with the first place finish. “I did feel good about myself because I knew I was gonna win,”Kemp said.

In more relay action, SAC athletes dominated in the races, winning three consecutive relays at the track and field championships.

The Big Red Machine emerged victorious in the

under 20 girls’ 4x100m relay. The girls’ team consisted of Zaria Stapleton, Amari Pratt, Katia Archer, and Nya Wright who notched a time of 46.75. QC and Kingsway Academy finished in second and third respectively.

SAC also won in the under 17 girls 4x400m relay clocking a time of 4:07.36. QC followed behind in second place with 4:35.08. Aquinas College came third with 4:35.08.

The under 20 boys 4x400m finals saw the SAC relay team notch another first place finish. Alexis Brown, Morgan Moss, Johnathon Fowler and Clinton Laguerre stole the show in the meet’s final race. The team clocked a time of 3:25.20.

Johnathon Fowler, winner of under 20 boys 200m dash, talked about the relay team’s strategy in the race.

“Coming into the finals I know we just had to have clean exchanges,” Fowler said.

The strategy seemed to work as The Big Red Machine emerged as winners in 10 relay finals on the final day of the track and field championships.

The Comets earned their team points outside of relay action.

In the girls under 13 200m dash, Rocelis Moxey outran competitors for a first place win. Khyla Smith came in second place clocking a time of 28.51. The Comets’ Azalia Henderson placed third with 29.00.

Moxey was among the star athletes of the 2023 track and field championships.

The young athlete broke the BAISS shot put record for the under 13 girls and brought home first place finishes for QC.

Moxey talked about how it felt to be victorious in the finals.

“I feel happy. I was very nervous at first cause I was running races back to back but I got this and listened to my coach’s advice,” Moxey said.

The Comets placed first in the under 13 girls’ 800m run with Cierra Delancy clocking a time of 2:47.81.

She was joined by her teammate Angel Culmer who placed second. The pair of Comets were joined by Big Red Machine’s Malaya Pratt for third place.

The final day of the track meet saw the likes of current and former Bahamian athletes Devynne Charlton and Pauline Davis-Thompson in attendance.

Charlton talked about how proud she felt about SAC school pride at the meet. “I feel super proud we had such a legacy when I was in school. I think we kind of lost it a bit but from what I am seeing we are back on top and it’s just a good feeling,” Charlton said.

Athletes who qualified for CARIFTA will hope to take momentum gained at the 2023 BAISS track and field championships into April’s games.

WINNING WAYS: St Augustine’s College Big Red Machine celebrate after winning the BAISS Track and Field Championships.

Photos: Austin Fernander/Tribune Staff

‘A cut above the rest’

Big Red Machine win BAISS title

By TENAJH SWEETING tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

The Big Red Machine dominated to wrap up the 2023 Fidelity BAISS track and field championships. The secondary school led the inter-school competition for all three days of the meet and came first in team rankings with a score of 1,324.50.

The Queen’s College Comets put up a fight in their return to the BAISS championships but it was no match for the Big Red Machine.

The Comets ended the three day meet in second place with 1,152.50. Third place belonged to Temple Christian School (TCS) as

SEE PAGE 19

Olympic ticket sales for Paris Games get off to rocky start

By NICOLAS GARRIGA and BARBARA SURK Associated Press

PARIS (AP) — Organ-

isers of next year’s Paris Olympics promised relatively modest prices and egalitarian access to events, thanks to an online system meant to revolutionise ticket sales and bring the masses to stadiums and arenas for as little as $26.

As the month-long opening round of sales winds

down, however, many “lucky” winners chosen to shop for the first 3 million tickets (out of 10 million total) are feeling frustrated, angry and cheated.

Their only option during the 48-hour purchasing window was paying at least 200 euros ($212) per ticket for the few remaining events on offer. And because the new ticketing system requires buying packages for multiple sports, overall costs for

many buyers ran into thousands of dollars. By the time English teacher Amélie Beney and her 9-year-old son won the lottery last week to log in to the Olympic ticket office, affordable tickets for many events were gone, and all but one of their preferred sports — BMX, water polo and soccer — was sold out. There were tickets for a soccer match at 50 euros

SEE PAGE 16

Liverpool humiliates Manchester United with 7-0 rout in EPL

By JAMES ROBSON AP Soccer Writer

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Liverpool brought Manchester United crashing down to earth in a stunning 7-0 rout at Anfield yesterday.

Only a week after winning the League Cup, United experienced its heaviest defeat in the Premier League and the club’s joint worst loss in all competitions.

It also delivered a major blow to Erik ten Hag’s fourpronged pursuit of trophies, with a league title challenge now looking increasingly unlikely.

Liverpool, meanwhile, took advantage of losses for top four rivals Newcastle and Tottenham on Saturday to strengthen its own bid to qualify for the Champions League.

Salah became the Merseyside club’s all-time leading Premier League scorer with 129 goals.

SEE PAGE 15

performance.

Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah all struck twice and

Roberto Firmino scored the other, with six of the goals coming in an explosive second-half

Photos: Austin Fernander/Tribune Staff

LIVERPOOL’s Mohamed Salah celebrates after scoring. (Peter Byrne/PA via AP)