03152023 NEWS AND SPORT

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Volume: 120 No.51, March 15, 2023

ATLANTIS: DEAL WITH CONCERNS HEAD ON

WATERSPOUT SPOTTED IN NORTH ELEUTHERA

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

A SENIOR Atlantis executive yesterday urged Royal Caribbean to tackle “head on” the concerns raised over its $100m Paradise Island beach club by providing “a more robust” Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

Vaughn Roberts, senior vice-president of government affairs and special projects, told Tribune Business that its faith in The Bahamas’ environmental approvals process had been somewhat restored

after both the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister last week pledged that the Royal Beach Club will not proceed without being subject to proper regulatory scrutiny.

He revealed that the mega resort’s confidence in the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP) process had been shaken after the 28 questions submitted following the first public consultation that went unanswered for almost 18 months.

PM ANSWERS CRITICS OVER GOVT APPROVAL

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis addressed criticism of government’s approval of Royal Caribbean International’s $110m beach club project on Paradise Island.

He spoke yesterday to concerns from Save the

Bays chairman Joseph Darville and Atlantis’ president and managing director Audrey Oswell on the RCI project.

For Mr Darville’s part, he questioned the environmental effects of the project. He had previously told The Tribune it is “undoubtable” that the massive project will

SEE PAGE THREE

ECONOMIC CONFERENCE LOOKS TO ‘WAY FORWARD’

DOZENS of regional and international experts attended the annual RF Bank and Trust Economic Outlook at Baha Mar resort yesterday, with Economic Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis giving the opening remarks.

This year’s theme for the conference is “Evolving

Risks: The Way Forward.”

In his address, Mr Halkitis spoke to the disruptive impacts of Hurricane Dorian, the COVID-19

pandemic and other ongoing geopolitical upheaval like the Russian Ukrainian

PINTARD VERY OPTIMISTIC ON FNM’S FUTURE

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement leader Michael Pintard said yesterday every political organisation has challenges, showing optimism that his party will overcome its own obstacles.

In the last several months there have been reports of

MEETING WITH FUEL RETAILERS WAS ‘FRUITFUL’

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

AFTER meeting with gas retailers on Monday to discuss their concerns amid rising costs, Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis said he believes the discussions with the group were “fruitful” and added he is hopeful that his administration will be able to reach within the next two weeks an amicable solution for the benefit of all.

war and asked attendees:

“How do we mitigate these challenges?”

He continued: “How do we create adaptable economies in a mutable world?

And how do we foster resilience and cultivate an economic culture that can survive and thrive in the face of rapid change and instability?”

Pointing to the conference’s theme, Mr Halkitis

SEE PAGE TWO

Photo: Kevin Johnson

MINISTER of Economic Affairs

Michael Halkitis opens the RF Economic conference.

Photo: Moise Amisial

Economic conference looks to ‘way forward’

from page one

said it speaks directly to these concerns and told attendees that issues regarding leadership in an unstable world, geopolitical risks and opportunities, inflation will be among the key topics discussed.

He also said conferences like this one were important because it serves to “create linkages between industry professionals, provide space for networking and lateral learning while also providing opportunities for personal and professional growth.

It is also very informative for the public, he added.

“This administration is keen to support conferences and events like these especially given that the objective aligns closely with what we are working so diligently to achieve and that is the dispersion of knowledge that will form decision making among the population and in the business environment,” said Mr Halkitis.

“We also value the public sector dialogue

and collaboration that it fosters.”

Mr Halkitis then pointed to the government’s Blueprint for Change which he said outlines an “aggressive recovery plan” on the way forward following the Hurricane Dorian crisis and then the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We promised that we will do all in our power to foster economic growth and diversification, digitisation, digitalisation and innovation and we believe that it is the role of the government to foster a stable economic and political environment,” he added.

“And so, therefore, being wary of the propensity of tax increases to wait on an economic recovery and growth, we resolve to avoid tax increases and instead implementing an economic system recovery strategy that consists of four main components, fostering economic growth, improving revenue administration, expenditure control, and finding and/or developing new sources of revenue.

“We believe that these four elements working in tandem with each contribute to the recovery of the economy and the rebuilding of the fiscal headroom lost to the twin crises of Dorian and COVID-19.”

He added that the government remains encouraged by the country’s progress to date, highlighting improvements in The Bahamas’ revenue performance, and a decrease in the deficit among other things.

“These are encouraging signs,” he added, “But as I said before, the work must continue.”

“We will be successful if we work together, sharing information and implementing best practices for the total management of our fiscal and economic affairs and it is my wish that this is RF Economic Outlook Conference proves to be beneficial and rewarding for both the organisers, the presenters and the attendees.”

PHOTO Above: Minister of Economic Affairs Michael Halkitis gives opening remarks at the RF Economic Outlook conference yesterday.

BELOW: Tribune Business Reporter Youri Kemp moderating a discussion with Michael Halkitis, Kevin Moree and Marla Dukharan.

BOTTOM: the audience heard from Ron Insana; Andrew Busch; Marla Dukharan, Kevin Hobbs; Jeff Evans; Michael Halkitis; Kevin Moree; and Youri Kemp at the RF Economic Outlook event.

Photos: Moise Amisial

PM answers critics over govt approval

have a serious impact on marine life, coral reefs, and native animals that nest in the area.

Mr Davis said: “He has to understand what a deal is like. I mean, we ought to speak when we know all the facts. I will not be presiding over a decision that would lead to the consequences that he’s suggesting.

“What he has to appreciate is that RCL, Royal Caribbean, they already own several acres there –they’re developing on their own land. They’re asking for us to partner with them, with our land, to make the experience for the visitors more palatable and in that partnering the people of The Bahamas will not be left out.”

Meanwhile, Ms Oswell said there are “too many red flags” and unanswered questions relating to the cruise line’s planned Royal Beach Club destination. She added she believed

“the green light is premature, with so many unanswered questions regarding the project’s environmental

and economic impact still to be addressed.”

The Prime Minister acknowledged her concerns but mentioned

that certain elements are still being looked into.

“Her concerns are legitimate concerns and I think they are a bit ahead of

themselves in the sense that those concerns will all be taken into account when the final decisions are made in respect to what the development would look like. They still have to go through the environmental process to determine what is environmentally friendly. That’s not my call — that is the Department of the Environmental Protection Agency,” he said.

“They will look at what (is proposed) and they will tell us about the environmental impact that the development will have and they will decide whether we’re going in that in that form or fashion.

“In respect to the other issues she raised, we’re all concerned about those issues. And until those are addressed properly, the project will... and this is what was communicated to her — they are speaking as though the decision has been made without these concerns being taken into account.”

It was reported by The Nassau Guardian on Tuesday that officials are still

considering Bahamian Toby Smith’s proposal. Both the cruise line and the government had been embroiled in a long-running battle, including in the Supreme Court, with Mr Smith who has asserted he has a binding lease for at least two Crown land acres that Royal Caribbean is seeking to use in its project.

However, on February 16, Chief Justice Sir Ian Winder rejected the entrepreneur’s claim that his lease agreement is valid.

Mr Davis revealed that Mr Smith contacted him.

“Well, Toby Smith messaged me a couple of weeks ago and the court has ruled that he had no interest in the land. And I have invited him, if he is still interested, to reapply for consideration of the government of his project. So we await his application.”

Asked if the government has an appetite for his project, Mr Davis answered: “I would not have told him to reapply if I didn’t have an appetite to consider it.”

MEETING WITH FUEL RETAILERS WAS ‘FRUITFUL’

The Bahamas Petroleum Retailers Association (BPRA) has in recent months escalated calls for the government to grant them a margin increase, arguing that they can no longer afford to operate on the current margin regime due to increasing costs.

Just last week, retailers threatened to take action to get the government’s attention to their cries.

However, the Davis administration has refused to grant them an increase, saying it will only lead to higher fuel costs at the pumps for Bahamian consumers.

Yesterday, Mr Davis acknowledged the concerns of the association and said his administration was sympathetic to their struggles but also understood that they couldn’t act without taking into consideration the economic hardship facing Bahamians.

However, he admitted

that the government was reconsidering retailers’ proposals but declined to go into further details.

“A lot of the challenges that they face, I’m sympathetic to and I understand their need to survive. I’ve asked them to give us another two weeks to assess the situation to see how we can help them,” said Mr Davis before going to a Cabinet meeting yesterday.

“The challenge we have is how we prevent further burden on the travelling public, and we need to see how we can delicately balance bringing relief to them and at the same time not overly burdening the consumers and that’s what we’re talking about and I must say that the retailers are willing and have been talking with us.”

Mr Davis spoke to reporters after meeting with representatives of BPRA on Monday to discuss their concerns and challenges in the industry.

The Prime Minister described the talks as “cordial” and “fruitful”, adding

PINTARD SAYS HE’S VERY OPTIMISTIC ON FNM’S FUTURE

a rift in the FNM between his supporters and those of former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis.

The party’s internal conflict has spilled out in the open, with its vice-chairman Richard Johnson, a supporter of Dr Minnis, suing Mr Pintard and FNM chairman Dr Duane Sands last year after he was banned from attending council meetings.

Mr Johnson claimed this violated the party’s constitution.

Last week, the Supreme Court granted an injunction against Mr Pintard and Dr Sands, ruling they are “hereby restrained” from prohibiting and interfering with Mr Johnson as he carries out his duties as FNM vice chairman.

Asked about the rift in the party, Mr Pintard told reporters all political organisations face challenges.

“Our focus is on holding the government accountable, any challenges we may have would not be specific just to the FNM. Every political organisation from time to time has challenges, we will surpass these obstacles. And we expect fully in 2026 to be returned to government, so we’re very optimistic about the future,” Mr Pintard said.

He made these comments on the sidelines of his special visit to Louise Bosifield, who celebrated her 102nd birthday yesterday.

Mr Pintard pointed out the FNM’s effort in holding the government accountable, including about missing financial reporting

deadlines, noting many agencies and corporations rely on that information.

“We understand some of the constraints they claim to face. But we remember vividly the government talking about the need for timely information so that policy makers, rating agencies, creditors are able to make sensible decisions about the way forward for the country,” Mr Pintard said.

When asked if he expects Dr Minnis to challenge him in the next FNM convention, Mr Pintard declined to comment on the matter.

“I’m focused on the issues I’ve mentioned before. I have nothing new to add on that subject.” Last week, a member of the Free National Movement said “it will be war” if party officials continue to try to block Dr Minnis from speaking at constituency association meetings.

On March 7, Dr Minnis addressed a crowd of FNM supporters at a Garden Hills Constituency Association meeting despite reported attempts by the FNM’s leadership to thwart him

from doing so. Mr Pintard addressed another crowd of party supporters at a Centreville Constituency Association Meeting; both meetings were held at the same time.

When he spoke at the meeting, Mr Pintard said even if he one day no longer enjoys the support of the party as leader, he would never behave in a way that would “damage” the organisation, adding “it’s bigger than any one man, bigger than any one woman”.

During his remarks, Dr Minnis mainly took aim at the Progressive Liberal Party and their governance. Mr Pintard did the same as well, but also took time to speak about loyalty.

“We are asking you to value the opinion of each other. Everybody has something to contribute. We believe that we should use all the competent qualified people we can get. Competence is important. But what is also important is loyalty. We have to be more loyal to the brand and to the team than to our own personal ambitions,” Mr Pintard said.

“we think that we’ll be able to arrive at a solution that serves the common good of all.”

When contacted by The Tribune yesterday to get his thoughts on how meetings went, Vasco Bastian, the association’s vice president, also agreed that it went well and said he was looking forward to having all issues resolved with the government “I don’t want to get into too many details as to all of the aspects of the meeting,” he said, “but we talked about several different things, but I can tell The Bahamas and everybody that I felt very, very happy and I’m still on cloud ten after having a very productive meeting with prime minister and Minister Halkitis and his technical team.”

Meanwhile, the Office of the Prime Minister said in a statement released to the media Monday night that the government had agreed

to explore other avenues to bring some relief to the retailers.

When asked about these other options, Minister of Economic Affairs Michael Halkitis told reporters on the sidelines of an event yesterday: “Generally, we resolve to look at the entire model.”

He added: “Certain Caribbean countries, they have a system of central purchasing. We want to take a look at that and see if that is suitable in our environment and we just want to look at the entire chain, from wholesale straight down to the consumer and just examine.”

“So, there’s nothing we want to propose right now but there are just some other options that we’re looking at.”

Mr Halkitis maintained that there was no easy solution but said the government was confident that it would be able to bring some relief to industry operators.

“Their issues range from

rents to franchise fees to bank charges to being charged to deposit cash and you know they’re a cash intensive business, credit card fees, any number of things increasing and so, including the private arrangements they make with their wholesalers, and again we don’t think that the simple solution is to increase the margin because when you pull one thread, it has impacts all straight through,” he added.

The last time petroleum dealers enjoyed a margin increase was in 2011 when the Ingraham administration granted a 10-cent increase per gallon of gasoline to take it from 44 cents to 54 cents.

A 15-cent increase per gallon of diesel was also allowed.

The government itself currently collects over $1.60 for every gallon of gasoline sold in The Bahamas.

FREE National Movement Leader Michael Pintard speaks with the media yesterday during his visit to 102-year-old Louise Bosifield, saying the party ‘will surpass these obstacles’.

Photo: Moise Amisial

PRIME Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis and Minister of Economic Affairs Michael Halkitis met with fuel retailers Monday to discuss issues around a margin increase on fuel.

Photo: BIS

PRIME Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis responded yesterday to criticisms of the Royal Caribbean beach club deal the government recently agreed to.

Psychiatrist calls on govt to consider resources for mental illness in marijuana legislation

By LETRE SWEETING Tribune Staff Reporter lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

WITH officials said to be finalising marijuana legislation, a local psychiatrist has called on the government to prioritise providing sufficient resources for those with mental illnesses, which she found could progress to a chronic psychotic illness with substance abuse.

Dr Tameka JohnsonDames, who has been working at Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre for seven years, conducted a research report as a part of her medical studies last year to explore a possible association between cannabis use and psychosis in patients admitted to the facility between March 2019 and February 2021.

Through examination of 101 patient medical records, Dr Johnson-Dames found that 24 of the patients who had a diagnosis of schizophrenia had an evolution of this diagnosis, with 17 of them having also used cannabis.

Her report concluded: “Cannabis use was not found to be associated

with a complicated hospital course, nor was a family history of psychiatric illness associated with increased admissions for cannabis induced psychosis. This was regardless of admission time period. However, its use was associated with the conversion of psychosis to a chronic psychotic illness.”

With these findings in mind, Dr Johnson-Dames told The Tribune this week that the problem of mental health and substance abuse should be addressed “now”. She pointed to there being just one public in-patient substance abuse programme in the country.

“Mental health wise, I feel like the resources are limited. My push isn’t to influence the government and tell them what they can do. My pitch is to give us more resources so that we can deal with a growing problem that we see,” Dr Johnson-Dames said.

“Right now we have one in-patient substance abuse programme in the country. One public programme that has limited spots, that persons are admitted on a voluntary basis. So when we deal with issues related to

substance use, we need to be able to properly manage and managing means not waiting until the problem is already here. “Not waiting until the floodgates are open, until we have an increase in cases. And then all of a sudden, we’re like, ‘Oh, boy, we need to focus on mental health’. No, let’s focus on mental health now,” she said.

Dr Johnson-Dames added: “Let’s put some resources in place with or without the legalisation, so that in the event, if it

happens to our population, that legalising marijuana, or decriminalising it, and there are more cases of these illnesses, at least we can have the resources to deal with it.” She said: “It’s all fine and good in the United States and Colorado and other places where it’s legal, but they clearly have more resources than we do. So, we can’t compare ourselves to them,” she said. Dr Johnson-Dames said that during her time as a psychiatrist in The Bahamas she has realised that

cannabis-related disorders are one of the more prominent conditions she sees.

“If we are saying there are times where the institution is full, that we don’t have any bed space, that we are losing staff, saying those things is insignificant if no one is pumping money into mental health, because there’s only so much we could do,” Dr JohnsonDames said.

“So we truly do care about the patients, but we also realise that sometimes we are limited in resources.

Sometimes we go to a clinic and there’s only two rooms available for the doctors to see patients and so we’re sharing a room to see the patient,” she said.

“If we could have a bigger presence in the community, and a bigger presence means more money being pumped into mental health care, and more money being allotted to staffing these additional services, that would be my pitch,” Dr Johnson-Dames said.

Last month, Attorney General Ryan Pinder told reporters that draft laws to decriminalise marijuana were just about complete.

He was unable to provide a timeline as to when it would be presented to Parliament.

He said there were several matters with the proposed legislation that the government was addressing based on recommendations it received from health officials and other stakeholders.

“Well, the suite of legislation has been prepared. It’s been finalised,” Mr Pinder told reporters outside the Office of the Prime Minister at the time.

“It has been handed over to the Ministry of Health as the operative ministry since it is a medical cannabis regime. They have done their review of the legislation (and) come back with some technical questions which we are addressing,” he said.

“We have also had our external consultants review the full suite of legislation. They have likewise come back with some input and some questions and some recommendations that we are incorporating in the suite. So, we’re near complete.”

TRIBUTES PAID FOR ICONIC JOURNALIST ED BETHEL

TRIBUTES continued to pour out for veteran journalist Eldred “Ed” Bethel yesterday, with the Free National Movement and Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas remembering the media legend.

“We are saddened that we have lost so many iconic Bahamians who’ve been a part of really helping the modern Bahamas be placed on the international scene. Ed Bethel was one of those

persons who groomed the next generation of journalists,” FNM leader Michael Pintard said yesterday.

“We will miss him. And his voice, his professionalism. All of those things, we believe, are a part of Bahamian exceptionalism that you’re seeing in different areas of our national life. So we want to extend condolences on behalf of our officers and members, to his family, and to all

of those Bahamians that have benefited from his excellence.”

Yesterday, the BCB, where Mr Bethel once worked, said it was “profoundly saddened” by his death.

“A gifted and skilful writer with superb interviewing skills, and impeccable delivery, Ed covered many of the stories that marked the life and times of The Bahamian

Funeral Service For

Beverley Louise Bostwick, 80

a resident of West Avenue who died at her residence on Thursday, March 2, 2023 will be held on Thursday, March 16, 2023, 12:00 noon at Carmichael Bible Church, Carmichael Road. Officiating will be Pastor Rev. S. Alex Thompson assisted by Rev. Diana Lightbourne. Interment will follow in Carmichael Bible Church’s Graveyard, Carmichael Road.

Beverley was a genteel, compassionate person whose memory will forever be cherished in the lives of her children: Tonia Maynard, Dr. Janelsa Carty, Sandra Briggs, Valarie Bostwick-Grant and Quentin Roberts; sons & daughter-in-law: David Maynard, Dr. Antoine Carty, Stephen Briggs, Carter Grant and Gina Roberts; grandchildren: Earl Sargent-Briggs, Symone Carty, Tatyanna Maynard, Chanel Briggs and Charles Grant; siblings: Shirley Lightbourne and Ormond Ferguson; inlaws: Hon. J Henry Bostwick, KC and Rt. Hon. Dame Janet Bostwick DBE; nephews: John, James, Brian, Durward, Jonnie, Earl, Anthony, Kermit, Julian & Obough Bostwick, Terrance Morrison, Lynbergh & Gaylen Williams, Trevor Ferguson, Alan, Kevin, Reginald & Vernal McKinney, Harry & Winston Bunch, Mario Dorsett, Aaron Stubbs, Todd Beneby, and their families; nieces: Sonia Cox-Hamilton, Margo Grant, Kelly Toote, Lisa Dean, Janet Bunch- Lightbourne, Sonia, Oneka, Inga & Tanya Bostwick, Sabrina Smith, Tiffany Ferguson-Hall, Elaine, Faythe, Nakia & Semaj Bunch, Trinece Simmons, Olga McKinney, Gail Smith and their Families; cousins: Beryl & Justice Joseph Strachan & Family, Maxine & Buena Wright, Susan Cargill, Anya Symonette, Wilhemenia Carter & their Families; family & friends: Pastor Alex Thompson & Family, David Ferguson & Family, Petril Virgil- Miller & Family, Allyson & Maxwell Gibson & Family, Izzie Maynard & Family, Peter & Diane Maynard & Family, Clement & Heather Maynard & Family, Mark & Najah Finlayson, Christine & Anthony Robinson, Larry & Brenda Ferguson and their Families, Cynthia Briggs & Family, Walter Morgan & Family, Toni Townes-Whitley & Family, Walter Jones & Family, Angela Acree & Family, Jim McCall & Family, George Minnis & Family, Shawn Smith, Phyllis Saunders, Valya Grey, Bricemae Gibson, Marjorie Rolle, Raquelle Major, Elvina Basden, Kim Rodehn, Theresa & Diane Clarke & Family, Earle Bethel & Family, Zendall Forbes & Family, Joy Jordan & Family, Richa Sands & Family, John & Vanessa Roughley & Family, Nickie Dawkins & Family, West Avenue Families: Gibson, Horton, Minnis, Hamilton, Outten, Moss, Freckleton, Ferguson, Armley & Moses (Mommy’s gardener), Dr. Agreta Carey, St. Matthews Church & ACW of St. Matthew’s Church, Reverend T. G. Morrison & Zion Baptist Church, Carmichael Bible Church, Queen’s College, St. Augustine’s College Classes of 1977 & 1980, Atlantis Paradise Island Finance & Casino Departments, Shell Global Commercial Technology Oil—Houston Texas, Utopia Gardens & Full Bloom Nursery; other friends & families too numerous to mention.

Viewing will be held in the Legacy Suite at Vaughn O. Jones Memorial Center, Mt. Royal Avenue and Talbot Street on (TODAY) Wednesday, March 15, 2023 from 12:00 noon until 5:00 p.m and again at the church on Thursday from 11:00 a.m until service time.

Mt. Royal Avenue & Talbot Street • Telephone: 603-0546

24 Hour Emergency • Cell: 395-8960

people,” the BCB said in a statement. “He was the reporter that brought the story of the famous burning and sinking of the SS Yarmouth Castle. He was on the scene as a reporter for Black Tuesday, that fateful day when Sir Lynden Pindling threw the mace out the window of the House of Assembly, a key moment in the attainment for majority rule. He covered the 1967 general elections that

saw the Progressive Liberal Party win and was the coordinating producer and lead broadcaster in 1973 when The Bahamas became an independent nation. In 1977 when the government of The Bahamas decided it was time for television to come to the Bahamian people, it was Ed Bethel, along with the late Sir Charles Carter and the late Calsey Johnson who hosted the very first broadcast on

television in the history of The Bahamas.”

The BCB continued:

“Known and beloved for his ready smile, his steady and encouraging guidance and his incredible generosity, Ed ‘Mr B’ Bethel will forever be a giant in Bahamian journalism and an inspiration to us all at the BCB.”

Mr Bethel died on Monday at the age of 82.

A CANABIS greenhouse facility in Canada.

Photo:Richard T

ED Bethel received The Etienne Dupuch Lifetime Achievement Award at its Fifth Annual Media Awards ceremony on Saturday February 29, 2020 at the British Colonial Hilton. Pictured are Bethel and Anthony Capron, President, Bahamas Press Club.

Photos:Vincent Vaughan, Bahamas Press Club

Union protests over alleged victimisation at BTVI

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff

MEMBERS of the Bahamas General Workers Union employed at Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) yesterday stood in solidarity against the alleged victimisation of union members.

Two weeks ago, a threeyear agreement was signed by BTVI and the Bahamas General Workers Union valued at an estimated $157,000. It is reported that the agreement provides benefits of improved salary scales, allowances, merit pay increases, performance reviews, promotions, and regularisation among other things.

However, some union members demonstrated outside the Office of the Prime Minister on March 1 while the agreement was being signed, expressing “little to no confidence” in the agreement.

At a protest held outside of BTVI yesterday, Ernesto Williams, assistant secretary of the Union of Tertiary Educators of The Bahamas (UTEB), said members of the Bahamas General Workers Union are speaking out against the “disenfranchise” of members employed at BTVI, calling it unfair.

According to Mr Williams, following the March 1 protest, an employee of

BTVI was targeted and as a result later terminated from their position within the institution. He questioned the motives behind this alleged play of events.

“So, on March 1, you would have noted that an industrial agreement would have been signed between the Institute (BTVI) on the union at the Office of the Prime Minister,” he told reporters yesterday at the protest.

“A lot of the employees at the institute would have showed up in demonstration in belief that this agreement did not consider their concerns, values and they had little to no confidence in it.”

He continued: “And so they would have peacefully demonstrated, which is the legal right in our country. Of course, days later, one of those very individuals who would have stood up in that demonstration would have received termination that is, unfortunately.

“It raises concerns within the staff here that are present as to what’s going, do we not matter, is this a picking of sorts, of individuals who decide to stand up for not only what they know is right, but for what they believe in?”

Mr Williams noted the importance of union members being able to utilise their fundamental right, calling out against victimisation and discrimination of staff.

MUNROE: INVESTIGATING OFFICER ON ALLEGED STUDENT BEATINGS

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

A POLICE officer who allegedly beat students at the Bimini Primary School has been transferred, National Security Minister Wayne Munroe said yesterday, adding that police will investigate the incident if there’s a report of a criminal offence.

On Friday, the Ministry of Education and Technical and Vocational Training said in a Facebook post that the Ministry of National Security had been requested to investigate the alleged actions of the officer, noting it had received a report of an incident at the school “resulting in the purported discipline of several boys at the school allegedly by a police officer”.

Before the weekly Cabinet meeting, Mr Munroe was asked about the investigation.

“The officer has been transferred from Bimini for community relations and the police will now investigate if there’s a report of criminal offence,” he told reporters.

He outlined some of the repercussions the officer could face.

“There are two types of repercussions a police officer can face whether as an allegation of misconduct. There are disciplinary ramifications, which are (different) from criminal ramifications, and then there’s aspects of criminal culpability. So the police can be put before a court.

“They might be found guilty, not guilty. Even if they’re found not guilty, there are disciplinary standards that don’t rise to the level of a crime, but still can call for the officer to be disciplined.”

Tanishka Sands, a woman identified as the mother of one of the students, spoke to ZNS’ Northern Edition about the incident.

“The principal - she didn’t answer. I called a teacher and she was like ‘Ok, he needed it’. And the principal called back after I sent her the picture with the bruises. She called back and she was the same way. Like ‘Oh, they got spanking because we said numerous times about the situation and nothing changed’. So she called a police (officer).”

She claimed the bruise on her child was so severe it looked black and purple.

Ms Sands recalled they went to the clinic and it was suggested he be sent to

“I know, we do not live in a country, in this Bahama land where our government, our leaders could sit well and sleep at night, knowing that employees somewhere here are being disenfranchised or not being considered, or are having their voices muted through their employment

to an institution.

“It’s unfair, and we want to speak against that. Let it be known and aware that the individuals at the institute, even with the union present, these are individuals who stand in agreement that we should have the right to speak, we should have the right to move accordingly. And

to demonstrate in this nation of freedom without being or without fear of victimisation, or fear of being held back.”

Yesterday, Daniel Thompson, president of UTEB, supported the workers during the peaceful protest, saying that the Bahamas General Workers Union and BTVI must

be careful to not engage in “union busting tactics”.

Acknowledging that union members were “disgruntled”, he noted that they are entitled to the rights and protection of the union.

“We are basically saying that the union, as well as the institute, must be careful not to engage in union busting tactics,” he said yesterday.

“That while these workers may have been disgruntled with what took place a few weeks ago, nonetheless, they are still workers, and they are still members of that union, and until such time, as they leave that union, they’re still entitled to the rights and protection from that union.”

He added: “And now one of their own has been dismissed. Now, one may argue that whether the dismissal has anything to do with her engagement in a demonstration, well, let’s put it this way it’s very coincidental that eight days after demonstrating you are dismissed, and I think it tells a very significant story about union busting tactics.”

He noted that alleged dismissal of the union member is “antithetical” to what the Davis government represents, adding that there is the uncertainty in this being the first of many.

Nassau to get checked.

The newscast reported the woman’s son was too traumatised to return to school.

The ministry’s Facebook post did not detail the matter, but spoke about an investigation.

“The Ministry of Education and Technical and Vocational Training has received a report of an incident that occurred at Bimini Primary School, resulting in the purported discipline of several boys at the school allegedly by a police officer. The matter is under active investigation, which will result in swift and appropriate action,” the ministry said.

“Additionally, the Ministry of National Security has been requested to investigate the alleged actions of the relevant officer. The district superintendent with responsibility for Bimini met with the parents of the children concerned, and counselling sessions will be immediately implemented. The use of corporal punishment on school campuses is governed by the Safe Schools Protocol Manual and may only be administered under strict guidelines.”

Asked yesterday if the incident crossed the line of what police can do to help parents or school officials to help deal with unruly children, Mr Munroe said: “I don’t know the facts sufficiently to intelligently comment. The police have a function. They have a community policing function, I imagine that the Ministry of Education will be carrying out an investigation as to what has happened and the Royal Bahamas Police Force as well. If it is a school where there are issues with the student population, the police force now has what I like called school resource officers who are deployed to schools, these officers have particular training to be in a school environment.

“And so that would be an issue as well. When it was brought to my attention, one of my concerns, apart from the commissioner transferring the officers, was whether there was a need to send a school resource officer to Bimini if there’s an issue with that school.

I’ve not heard anything further on it. I know that I’ve been notified that there is at least one school in Abaco that may require a school resource officer and there may be others through the Commonwealth.”

ERNESTO WILLIAMS, assistant secretary of the Union of Tertiary Educators of The Bahamas (UTEB) spoke to the media yesterday about alleged victimisation at BTVI.

Photo: Austin Fernander

The Tribune Limited

The dangerous side of marijuana

THE words of Dr Tameka JohnsonDames deserve to be listened to.

Dr Johnson-Dames is on the front lines of dealing with patients suffering from mental illnesses.

She has worked at Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre for seven years, and her comments are timely, with the government still said to be considering legislation over the issue of marijuana.

Dr Johnson-Dames has conducted research into a possible association between cannabis use and psychosis in patients admitted to the facility – and believes there is a link.

She said that the use of cannabis “was associated with the conversion of a psychosis to a chronic psychotic illness”.

In other words, the use of the drug seems to have the capacity to exacerbate psychosis from which a patient already suffers.

The question then becomes, how do we deal with that?

Our country has a shortage of resources for dealing with mental health and substance abuse – with only one public in-patient substance abuse programme in the country as it stands.

Dr Johnson-Dames says the time to deal with that is now, “not waiting until the floodgates are open”.

As yet, we have yet to see any of that legislation, despite Attorney General Ryan Pinder saying last month that it had been finalised – after an extraordinarily lengthy process.

We do not know how much those floodgates will be opened. We do not know what consideration has been given into mental health issues such as the one highlighted by Dr Johnson-Dames. We do know that there are not enough resources now – and adding to the strain being felt by those resources will help no one.

If the government goes ahead with such legislation, the very least that should be done is making it subject to what they call a sin tax – a financial cost on the production and supply of whatever product is ultimately legally allowed, with the funds going towards bolstering the

services available to help.

We have witnessed too many occasions when such drugs have had a negative effect on people’s lives – and the damage that can be done by marijuana to mental health. Our evidence has been up close – but anecdotal. Dr Johnson-Dames has been more methodical in her assessment.

There is the potential for great harm to a great many people if such legislation is passed – not all, but a significant amount.

We must proceed with great care, and great wisdom – but if the ultimate decision is made to proceed with such laws, then we must build into them a way of recouping the cost of the services that will be needed that are adversely affected.

So yes, we should listen to Dr Johnson-Dames. And we should consider that question – how do we deal with such consequences?

RF Business Outlook

Yesterday saw Baha Mar hosting the RF Business Outlook – and The Tribune was pleased to play its part in supporting the event.

One of our reporters, Youri Kemp, served as a moderator for the event and you will see in our pages today coverage from the day itself.

It served as an opportunity for many businesspeople to get to know each other better, and to catch up and discuss matters of interest.

But the speakers at the event also gave an important look forward to the future – on issues such as crypto currencies, the future of financing and the economy, and the future of The Bahamas.

Those two words, “the future”, played a key part, and it is precisely such events as these, bringing together the best and brightest of The Bahamas with leading speakers from around the world, that can lead us to our own future.

We salute RF Bank & Trust for its vision.

Stop child sex abuse

EDITOR, The Tribune.

ACROSS generations in this country, children have carried the weight of sexual abuse often by themselves.

While murders are often the most talked about crimes in The Bahamas, in recent years we have seen a spike in child sexual abuse cases.

We the Coalition of Child Advocates feel horrified, angry, and bewildered by the numerous accounts of child sexual abuse cases in recent days.

If this is not deemed a crisis, what is it?

Child sexual abuse thrives in an environment of denial, secrecy, and fear.

While it’s not healthy to expect the worst in people.

However, child sexual abuse and boundary violations are on the rise in this country, happening from people we know and trust.

Oftentimes child predators are rarely caught in the act of abusing a child, most often they are seen breaking the rules, and violating boundaries.

Abusers can be doctors, clergies, coaches, teachers, law officers, babysitters, relatives, wives, husbands, and strangers.

Child sexual abuse is preventable!

Adult education and empowerment are very important to protect children from sexual abuse. Without empowerment and education, we can’t act. Disclosure is a test of strength for families and communities, we can no longer turn a blind eye. We must pay attention and take the risk to intercept dangerous behaviours, or even feeling uncomfortable.

It is crucial that we act

Living up to nation’s Constitution

EDITOR, The Tribune.

GREETINGS and thank you for the space in your publication to unveil the following events of concern to The Bahamian people, I appreciate it.

denied them the permits, why?

proactively when making choices that will protect children in this country.

We must make a choice every day, within our home or organisation to protect a child from sexual abuse or potentially exposure to it.

To see a Bahamas free of child sexual abuse we must act responsibly, and make choices we’ve never taken before.

Enough is enough...

Child sexual abuse is a crime and is punishable by law!

If you see something, say something, do something. If we don’t stop this...who will?

SHERVONNE HOLLIS President, Save Our Children Alliance Certified Darkness to Light Facilitator, Child Advocate. Nassau, March 14, 2023.

I have been a disciple of The Bahamas’ Parliament in Session and I must say, that when I watched and hear the contributions, and members delineating what were their impressions of what they thought the rules were saying, leaves me challenged, perplexed... no wonder, I am left to muse that the country was in the state that it is, this grappling for straws, not knowing what governs them, is a national disgrace, if truth be told. If you didn’t know what clause meant for the matter-at-hand, then you do not belong in the Parliament of the Bahamas, please spare yourself, family and country the harassment and do the honourable thing and resign, or will you?

Editor, there is an established salary scale for politicians, and those amounts were not contrary to the rules, no leasing of those amounts, no embarrassments of those amounts and so, why should these people, politicians be allowed to draw, receive, be paid those sums from the coffers of the Bahamian people’s public treasury of The Bahamas? I have also been taken aback about the deadline for Members of the Parliament of The Bahamas having to declare their net worth by a particular date and time, but have they? The law is also that a failure to do so after the deadline is punishable by imprisonment, but many have missed the deadline and are still there in Parliament as if nothing’s wrong - why?

And what is so egregious, Mr Lincoln Bain and supporters of the Coalition Independent Party, have been arrested numerous times for their beliefs, freedom of speech, and right to association by the police, for demonstrating, when it was the police that

If the Constitution of The Bahamas, being the Supreme Law, and it consents that citizens of these islands, rocks and cays have the inalienable (cannot be changed ever) rights outlined, and since it is the Constitution that propels all other laws (including the police act), and it also expressed succinctly that Parliament shall make no law, contradicting the laws laid out in the Constitution of The Bahamas... so why do the people need to ask the Commissioner Of Police for what is already deemed theirs by the Constitution?

These things are a blatant breach of the civil liberties of Mr Bain and his political supporters. And why does the government remain silent on those arrests?

Another matter of concern, since we were said to be a Constitutional Democracy, must and should mean that the Hon. Prime Minister Davis and his government were obliged to answer questions that the Bahamian people have?

That they were further obligated to seek a majority of the people’s wishes, wants for whatever were the subjects for a determination (point in fact the Royal Caribbean International’s $110m beach club project on Paradise Island), which would be an overkill, already we have the Atlantis Resort, which employs over five thousand Bahamians (5,000-plus), and to bring this similar investment in the area, could be legally problematic?

PM Davis has been told this by Bahamians, yet he has approved it, even given a day when the first shovels will be in the ground, why?

And, Editor, every time investors come, they need to hire a law firm, I wonder which law firms are getting all of these projects, and being allowed whether

the people want them or not, why? But what have we gotten? Silence and later down learned that the projects went ahead without the consultation of the majority of the people, why?

Many Bahamians have said that the Davis- Cooper administration is operating on their own terms, not consulting, if true, why?

But Bahamians shouldn’t be too surprised, because this is the same Progressive Liberal Party (except for a few different individuals), that took a ‘No’ vote in a gambling referendum and changed it to a ‘Yes’ vote?

How many Bahamians are addicted to gambling, money that would have been spent in the homes, are left in gambling halls, etc?

In conclusion, the Bahamian people telling PM Davis that they have a problem with this, and that, but apparently he is still not checking, going full steam ahead, is not Democracy, but Davisism, his household that he is managing, not the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, it appears?

Then we wonder how certain countries were able to reach gutter bottoms?

Is it because of maladjusted governments refusing to abide by the checks and balances prescribed by the Founders of the laws of the land (the Constitution of The Bahamas, etc)?

Editor, since the Bahamian people cannot stop the Government from entering into these agreements with foreign investors (against the wishes of the Bahamian people), I think that where it is known that that investor(s) were American citizens, or company’s main headquarters in the US, I believe that there is something that US regulators can do to stop it?

Tribune, please explore, otherwise we are in trouble as a people, the PLP appears to be selling everything and they are in full speed ahead, but why?

GILBERT

FRANK

Nassau, March 14, 2023.

FNM leader Michael Pintard with Louise Bosfield, who celebrated her 102nd birthday yesterday.

Photo: Moise Amisial

RBDF aggressively recruiting new officers

By LETRE SWEETING Tribune Staff Reporter

THE Royal Bahamas Defence Force is aggressively recruiting new officers and is in the process of expanding the agency’s fleet, according to RBDF Commodore Raymond King yesterday.

Commodore King spoke to reporters about the progress of partnerships, procurements and recruitment initiatives for the RBDF on the sidelines of the National Maritime Exhibit and Career Fair at the Mall at Marathon.

“With respect to partnerships, we have a very strong relationship with the United States of America, Turks and Caicos, and we’re strengthening our relationship with the Republic of Cuba,” Commodore King said.

“There’s a comprehensive maritime agreement talks and discussions that would’ve started a few years ago, we are now poised to recommence those discussions in April,” he said.

“So we would agree formally to work together to combat all those transnational threats like illegal fishing, migrant smuggling, arms and weapons smuggling, drug smuggling and so we’re looking forward to that agreement with the Republic of Cuba in April,” Commodore King said.

“I just returned from a Northern Caribbean Security Summit, which brought the stakeholders together, Turks and Caicos, the United States and The Bahamas. We looked at

the possibility of strengthening the agreements that we have. There is an agreement that we signed in early 1982. We discussed the need to broaden that particular agreement,” he said.

“The government is looking at a public private partnership (PPP) as a financing mechanism to fund the growth of our bases in the southern and northern regions of The Bahamas,” Commodore King said.

“We’re in the procurement process to acquire another 62-metre patrol craft, another auxiliary vessel or roll-on/roll-off vessel in the event of the eventuality or the unfaithful incidence whereby you have multiple islands affected by a storm or hurricane. We want to have that capacity and capability of deploying to multiple islands at the same time,” Commodore King said. “We are also procuring some smaller vessels, what we call safe boats, they are coastal patrol vessels. We’re looking at procuring about four of those right now,” he said.

“We are now aggressively recruiting, for our next entry we’re looking for possibly 200 recruits come July. And we just got approval to expand reservist component, so now we are advertising for industry professionals who wish to join our reserve unit,” Commodore King said.

National Maritime Policy Implementation Committee chairperson Rev Angela Palacious said her mandate as a part of the committee has been

NO BAIL FOR MURDER SUSPECT ON TWO ARMED ROBBERIES

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was remanded accused of two armed robberies in Nassau last week while on bail for an attempted murder charge.

Raven Cooper, 33, stood before Magistrate Samuel McKinney on two counts of armed robbery and five counts of violation of bail conditions.

Between February 4 and 13 while on Supreme Court bail charged with three counts of attempted murder, Cooper is alleged to have failed to have his electronic monitoring device charged on five occasions.

Then, on March 8, while on release for these pending matters, Cooper, armed with a handgun, is alleged to have robbed Maxin Penn of several envelopes containing receipts and $400 cash. These stolen items were the property of Tiki Hut.

On the same day, the accused, being concerned with others and armed with a tan coloured airsoft Taurus pistol, is accused of robbing Trevor Patton of his $6,000 silver coloured Nissan Note.

While Cooper pleaded not guilty to the bail violation charges, he was not required to enter a plea for either armed robbery charge. He was informed that the indictable offence would be transferred to the Supreme Court by way of a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).

The accused was granted $5,000 bail for the lesser offences, but was instructed that he had to apply to the higher court for bail for the armed robbery charge. He was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services in the interim.

Cooper is to return to court for trial on his bail violation case on April 5 and again for service of his VBI on May 30.

MAN CAUGHT WITH INDIAN HEMP RECEIVES $500 FINE

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN who admitted having 18 grams of Indian hemp was fined in court yesterday.

Carl Williams, 47, faced Magistrate Samuel McKinney on an initial charge of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply.

trying to implement the National Maritime Policy, created in 2015, which she said will be upgraded and updated shortly.

“Once this exhibition is over, our work continues to prepare for Cabinet the latest implementation strategies that are happening in the 32 maritime related agencies, companies and departments that make up the committee,” she said.

Mrs Palacious added that the goal of the exhibition is to promote and introduce business professionals, students and other interested persons to various entities and career possibilities within the maritime industry.

Agencies participating in the exhibition include, LJM Maritime Academy, the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF),

the RBDF, the Department of Environmental and Marine Resources, the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP), Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF), the Bahamas Customs Department, Bahamas Maritime Cadet Corps (BMCC), Bahamas National Trust and other maritime related agencies.

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis and Transport and Housing Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis are expected to attend the exhibition on Thursday. Students from several public schools are also expected to visit the exhibit and career fair throughout the week, through free transportation arranged by the NMPIC.

On March 8 Williams was arrested in New Providence after he was found with 18 grams of Indian hemp.

In court the accused pleaded guilty to the offence which was reduced to a simple possession charge. Williams was ordered to pay a $500 fine or risk three months in prison.

FINE OF $1400 FOR MAN NOT CHARGING MONITORING DEVICE

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN on bail for murder was fined $1,400 in court yesterday after he admitted to failing to charge his electronic monitoring device (EMD) twice this month.

Kyle Forbes, 24, appeared before Magistrate Kendra Kelly on two counts of violation of bail conditions.

These charges are in connection with bail granted by the Supreme Court for Forbes’ alleged involvement in the death of Charles Rolle, Jr, in Freeport, Grand Bahama, on March 15, 2019.

While on release for these charges in New Providence, on March 8 and 9 Forbes failed to charge his EMD on two occasions.

In court he pleaded guilty to the charges and explained that he was asleep during the bail breaches.

After the prosecution revealed that Forbes had prior convictions, Magistrate Kelly sentenced him to pay a fine of $1,400.

After the accused was informed that $500 of his fine had to be paid before his release, he was further told that the balance had to be paid off in court by May 31.

Acknowledgement of wrongdoing needed in Commonwealth charter

MONDAY was Commonwealth Day, observed by countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Americas, the Pacific, and Europe, and it was the start of a week-long schedule of events. The theme for Commonwealth Day 2023 was “Forging a sustainable and peaceful common future”.

This year, it marked the tenth anniversary of the signing of the Commonwealth Charter.

The Commonwealth Charter is meant to be a document that unites Member States through a set of shared values. It “expresses the commitment of member states to the development of free and democratic societies and the promotion of peace and prosperity to improve the lives of all the people of the Commonwealth” and “acknowledges the role of civil society in supporting the goals and values of the Commonwealth”.

The sixteen values and principles of the Charter are democracy, human rights, international peace and security, tolerance, respect and understanding, freedom of expression, separation of powers, rule of law, good governance, sustainable development, protecting the environment, access to health, education, food and shelter, gender equality, importance of young people in the Commonwealth, recognition of the needs of small States, recognition of the needs of vulnerable states, and the role of civil society. The Commonwealth

By Alicia Wallace

Charter does not address the history of the Commonwealth or what most of the Member States actually have in common and made them a part of this group. It does not address slavery and colonisation, nor does it acknowledge the continued impact of both slavery and colonization on Member States and, more specifically, the people in situations of vulnerability within those Member States. This cannot be separated from the stated values.

We can take rule of law as an example. The Charter says: “We believe in the rule of law as an essential protection for the people of the Commonwealth and as an assurance of limited and accountable government. In particular we support an independent, impartial, honest and competent judiciary and recognise that an independent, effective and competent legal system is integral to upholding the rule of law, engendering public confidence and dispensing justice.”

Member States that were colonised by the British were left with laws that discriminate against women, girls, and LGBTQI+ people.

Even with independence, the laws remained the same, and many Member States have the same, or strikingly similar, constitutions. Since colonization, Britain has amended many of its laws toward equality and non-discrimination in various areas, including gender.

Meanwhile, Member States like The Bahamas are still stuck with discriminatory laws. This impacts gender equality which is another value in the Commonwealth Charter.

It is easy to say that Member States should accept responsibility for their state of affairs and amend their laws. It is not, however, realistic. It must be acknowledged that discriminatory laws were imposed by colonising countries.

They are responsible for the harm caused and the violence that continues to be inflicted upon the people living in Member States, namely women, girls, LGBTQI+ people, black people, indigenous people, and people with disabilities. Constitutional reform, as we have seen through our own experience since 2002, is not as simple a process as it ought to be because it is

Funeral Service For

Pastor Nemiah Clarke, 52

a resident of George Town, Exuma, Bahamas formerly of Hermitage, Exuma, Bahamas who died on Wednesday, March 2, 2023 will be held on Friday, March 17, 2023, 11:00 a.m at Mt. Hermon Union Baptist Church, Mt.Thompson, Exuma, Bahamas. Officiating will be Pastor Cranston Evans. Assisted by Pastor Deno Cartwright. Interment will be held in Hermitage Public Cemetery, Exuma, Bahamas.

Fondest memories will forever linger in the hearts of his wife: Apostle Brenda Clarke, JP; 5 children: Anisa, Anastacia, Alicia, Nemiah Jr and Joel; 8 sisters: Evangelist Arlene Cooper, Janice Pinder, Philistia and Cleomi Clarke, Harriet Mather, Angenette Pyfrom, Carolyn and Susan Clarke of New York; 1 brother: Waldin Clarke; 6 sisters-in-law: Denise Weir, Nurse Midwife Victoria McKenzie, Elder Delma Ferguson, Monique Robinson, Marcia and Arlene Weir; 5 brothers-in-laws: Trevor Cooper, Michael Pinder, Jason Sr., Detective Superintendent Darrell Weir, Ovando Ferguson, Rosewelt McKenzie and Felton Robinson; 1 uncle: Randolph Curry; father and mother-in-law: Leroy and Leanna Weir; 4 grand aunts: Mere Bain, Jane, Betty and Icelyn Curry; cousins and their spouse: Monique Odigie, Sonia and Derrick Beneby, Kendra Munroe, Tyrone and Juliet Munroe, Trevor Taylor, Barry McPhee, Elvis and Daphne Munroe, Desmond Munroe and Ralph Curry Jr., Tracy Bowe, Joy Bowe, Zoey Williams, Geneice, Lisa and Earlin Rolle; nieces and nephews: Mario Godet, Indiria Rolle, Deandra Ross, Lynderia Clarke, Azaria Sweeting, Charles Turnquest Jr., Ohdasa Dean, Tremella Cooper, Winston Jr., Daniel and Destiny Harriott, Clayshan and Clayton Jr. Ferguson, Linda Collie, Lynette Smith, GG Aranaha, Nat Mather, Garvin Pyfrom, Leonardo Kemp, Fulton Collie, Jason Jr., Gabriel, Danielle and Jnire Weir, Tiqua and Trico, Ovando Jr., Dynasty and Olando Ferguson, Genice Major, Renice Weir, Rashae, Rashad and Ranaz McKenzie, Sherine and Darrell Jr. Weir and Peticia Reckley, Cordero Armbrister, Keno Munroe, Felton Jr.; god-children: Eliana and Zion Hutchinson, Rashae McKenzie; grand nieces and nephews: Roys and Ronatty Godet, Amalia, Chaunce, Chase Breynen and Maliq, Emmanuel and Helena Williams, Faith Rahming, Amir Sweeting, Darius and Timon Harriott, Liam and Logan Dean; other relatives and friends including: Verbilee, Irene, Norma, Eurella, Arlington, Errol Clarke and family; Carlos Ferguson, Philip Munroe, Barry Bethel, Johnny Lewis, Steve Ferguson, Marcell Russell, Kate Smith, Vanessa Ferguson, Pastor Cranston Evans, Min. Marcus Curry, Elder Kendal Rolle, Deangelo Hutchinson and family, Minister Vanessa Penn, Sharado Thompson, Sandra Moss and family, Prophetess Bridgett Smith, Pastor Practon Patton and the New Birth Deliverance family, Apostle Cleon Munroe and Miracle Life Global Outreach Ministries, the entire officers and members of The Agape Prayer & Deliverance Ministry and The Community of Hermitage and Moss Town. Special thanks is extended to the staff of Exuma Health Care Center especially Dr. Cho, Nurse Victoria McKenzie and Mr Craig Rolle. Dr. Kevin A. Moss, and staff of the Pulmonary Critical Care Institution, Almetta Clarke and Jackie Clarke.

Viewing will be held in the Legacy Suite at Vaughn O. Jones Memorial Center, Mt. Royal Avenue and Talbot Street on (TODAY) Wednesday, March 15, 2023 from 12:00 noon until 5:00 p.m and on Thursday, March 16, 2023 at Mt. Hermon Union Baptist Church, Mt.Thompson, Exuma from 12:00noon until service time on Friday.

Mt. Royal Avenue & Talbot Street

Telephone: 603-0546

not a matter of drafting and passing a bill, or even getting the public to vote in it. It requires education that includes unlearning.

Older generations grew up with a set of ideologies that many of us have learned are untrue, unfair, unjust, and unacceptable. They are convinced that there is no way for the world, or for this country, to be without distinctions that rank us and set some of us up to be considered and treated as subhuman.

Undoing the violence and subjugation that led to the firm belief in discriminatory laws and practices is not possible, but reparatory justice is possible.

The process of unlearning is not easy, it is not shortterm work, and it is not receiving the investment that is required. There is, first of all, no political will, and that is partly because of the religion that was forced upon our countries through slavery and colonization, becoming the dominant religion with ease.

People now believe they have a moral authority to discriminate and be violent toward certain groups of people because of the fundamentalist teaching of religious leaders who do not hide that they pull the string of Members of Parliament and political parties that are obviously more committed to the longevity of their political careers than they are to sustainability, peace, or the equality and wellbeing of people — the same people they depend on to vote for them every ten years (since we know our dissatisfaction leads us to change parties every five years).

We have an ineffective system of governance. We have two almost indistinguishable political parties that takes turns being the majority in the House of Assembly. We have Members of Parliament who are expected to both make laws and attend to issues within their constituencies, so they are set up to fail, especially when combined with the expectation that they maintain party loyalty, regardless of what it means for the people they represent.

We have a largely disengaged electorate that is kept busy with multiple jobs, limited by non-living wages, and exhausted by the losses and demands -from hours of wasted time in traffic to unpaid and completely unsupported labour of caring for people with specific needs - that come with living and working in a place that is designed for the wealthy and the foreign to thrive at the expense of everyone else. Rule of a law, as a value, cannot take us very far. The law is severely lacking in many areas. There

is no protection from discrimination for women and girls. There is no protection from discrimination for LGBTQI+ people.

Women do not have the right to automatically pass on citizenship to their children, regardless of who they marry or where they give birth. Legal reform requires an engaged civil society and rights-minded lawmakers. We lack both.

The Commonwealth Charter, then, is missing one major component that could actually give it momentum and increase buy-in. That component is the acknowledgement of wrongdoing, specifically naming the violence against Member States, along with reparations.

CARICOM has developed a 10-point plan for reparatory justice that is a good place to start, and The Bahamas National Reparations Committee is prepared to lead the conversation in The Bahamas.

With 2023 being the Year of Youth, Commonwealth Foundation hosted “A Decade of the Commonwealth Charter: Young Leaders’ Dialogue” which was a virtual event livestreamed to Facebook. At the beginning of the event, Commonwealth Foundation posed questions to the audience. Where do we want the Commonwealth to be in ten years’ time? How can the Charter inform and help get us there? How do we promote greater awareness of the Commonwealth Charter amongst the people of the Commonwealth?

The young people speaking at the event including Larissa Crawford (she/ her) from Future Ancestors Services and based in Canada, Christine Samwaroo (she/her) from The Breadfruit Collective in Guyana, Riddhi Dastidar (they/them) based in Delhi, Deanna Lyncook from The History Hotline podcast, based in the UK.

The discussion was especially interesting because the participants were not there to be polite or deferential to anyone or any ideals. They pushed back against a number of ideas including that young people are responsible for fixing the problems they did not create, that the values in the Commonwealth Charter are inherently good or easily translated and applicable to every Member State, and that there is nothing to be done about the past.

They named communities that have been violated and that need to be specifically supported. They called for action to make use of their recommendations and those that have been shared in other spaces. It was clear that they did not want to be a part of a conversation that ended when the virtual meeting link expired, but one that contributed to better outcomes.

You can find the recording on the Commonwealth Foundation’s Facebook page, and connect with the speakers through the links provided in the comments.

These are all topics that ought to be at the front of our minds as we approach fiftieth anniversary of independence of The Bahamas.

We should be thinking about what was taken from this country, what is owed to it, and what we owe to ourselves. We should be seeking clarity on our values. We should be making assessments on how far — or not so far — we have come since 1973, and what needs to happen in the next five, 10, 25, and 50 years for the people in this country to thrive.

Fifty plus years of survival mode is not good enough. We need justice. We need peace. We need equality. We deserve to be on another level.

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Join Feminist Book Club with Equality Bahamas and Poinciana Paper Press.

This month, we are reading Getting Lost by Annie Ernaux. It is about the author’s affair with a Russian diplomat in the late 1980s. We will discuss this book on Thursday, March 23 at 6pm. Meet us in-person at Poinciana Paper Press, 12 Parkgate Road, or join us virtually. Either way, you will need to register at tiny.cc/fbc2023 to get updates as well as the virtual meeting link. There will be treats and beverages. In April, we are reading Race After Technology: Abolitionist Tools for the New Jim Code by Ruha Benjamin. That meeting will be held on April 27 at 6pm. If you are not able to purchase the books, make an appointment at Poinciana Paper Press to access the library copy (which cannot be taken away).

2. Read the CARICOM Ten-Point Plan for Reparatory Justice.

Think about how it could benefit The Bahamas and the people in The Bahamas. Engage The Bahamas National Reparations Committee on this topic, and be sure to attend its upcoming event. Details will be available soon.

Biden signs executive order to strengthen gun background checks

CALIFORNIA Associated Press

PRESIDENT Joe Biden signed an executive order on Tuesday aiming at increasing background checks to buy guns, promoting more secure firearms storage and ensuring US law enforcement agencies get more out of a bipartisan gun control law enacted last summer.

The Democratic president was to address his latest efforts to curb gun violence in a speech in this suburban Los Angeles community, where a gunman stormed a dance hall and shot 20 people, killing 11, following a Lunar New Year celebration in January. He was also meeting with families of victims and with first responders from that day.

Biden’s rhetoric has grown ever stronger about guns — he routinely calls for banning assault weapons — in pushing a vocal gun-control platform even tougher than during the Obama administration when he was vice president. He has been emboldened by the midterm elections when his regular talk of gun control didn’t result in massive losses, and he’s expected to continue to argue for strong changes as he inches toward a 2024 reelection run, his aides say.

Biden was greeted at the Los Angeles airport Tuesday by Brandon Tsay, the 26-year-old who wrestled the semiautomatic pistol

away from the gunman in Monterey Park. The two shook hands; Biden had invited Tsay to his State of the Union address in January where he praised the young man’s heroism. But the president has only limited power on guns to go beyond bipartisan legislation passed by Congress last summer after the killings last year of 10 shoppers at a Buffalo, New York, grocery store and 19 students and two teachers at a Uvalde, Texas, elementary school.

NASA TELESCOPE CAPTURES STAR ON CUSP OF DEATH

Tuesday’s action does not change US government policy. Rather, it directs federal agencies to ensure compliance with existing laws and procedures — a typical feature of executive orders issued by presidents when they confront the limits of their own power to act without cooperation from Congress.

Biden, in the order, acknowledged Congress’ opposition, but said, “In the meantime, my administration will continue to do all that we can, within existing

authority, to make our communities safer.”

The order directs the Cabinet to work on a plan to better structure the government to support communities suffering from gun violence. The plan calls on Attorney General Merrick Garland to shore up the rules for federally licensed gun dealers so they know they are required to do background checks as part of the license.

Biden is also mandating better reporting of ballistics data from federal law

enforcement for a clearinghouse that allows federal, state and local law enforcement to match shell casings to guns. But local and state law enforcement agencies are not required to report ballistics data, and many do not, making the clearinghouse less effective.

And the president is asking the Federal Trade Commission to issue a public report analysing how gun manufacturers market to minors and use military images to market to the general public.

“President Biden’s executive order today is a home run for public safety,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety.

“This is the latest example of President Biden’s leadership on gun safety, and we’re proud to stand with him as he takes robust action to help close the gunseller loophole — which will significantly expand background checks on gun sales, keep weapons out of the hands of dangerous people and save lives.”

The bill passed last year, known as the Safer Communities Act, is viewed by gun control advocates as a good start but one that doesn’t go far enough. After the law was signed, there were 11 other mass shootings, according to a database of mass killings since 2006 maintained by The Associated Press, USA Today and Northeastern University. Those killings don’t include shootings in which fewer than four

people were killed — and gun violence is also rising nationwide.

Pro-gun groups said the order would do little to stop growing gun violence.

“The reality is that nothing in the president’s executive order today would have done anything to prevent the recent mass shootings in California, Michigan or elsewhere,” said Katie Pointer Baney who is the Managing Director of Government Affairs for the US Concealed Carry Association. “It’s time for the president and political leaders across the country to have an honest conversation with the American people and acknowledge there is no legislative fix that will permanently solve the issue of gun violence.”

Biden will also direct his Cabinet to make sure law enforcement agencies understand the benefits of the new law, particularly around red-flag laws, also known as extreme risk protection orders, which are intended to temporarily remove guns from people with potentially violent behaviour and prevent them from hurting themselves or others.

Last month, the Justice Department sent out more than $200 million to help states and the District of Columbia administer red-flag laws and other crisis-intervention programs.

DOZENS of manta rays lie on the beach of the Mediterranean Sea in Gaza City, Sunday. Gaza fishermen catch the rare, endangered rays when they pass offshore during their winter migration. They say they know the rays are protected, but Israeli limitations on the size of an authorized fishing area leaves them no other option. Impoverished Gazans buy it as a source of protein because it’s cheap, with a kilogram (2.2 pounds) sold for around $3.

CHINA TO REOPEN TO TOURISTS, RESUME ALL VISAS WEDNESDAY

FLORIDA

Associated Press

THE WEBB Space Telescope has captured the rare and fleeting phase of a star on the cusp of death.

NASA released the picture Tuesday at the South by Southwest conference in Austin, Texas.

The observation was among the first made by Webb following its launch in late 2021. Its infrared eyes observed all the gas and dust flung into space by a huge, hot star 15,000 light-years away. A light-year is about 5.8 trillion miles.

Shimmering in purple like a cherry blossom, the castoff material once comprised the star’s outer layer. The Hubble Space Telescope

snapped a shot of the same transitioning star a few decades ago, but it appeared more like a fireball without the delicate details.

Such a transformation occurs only with some stars and normally is the last step before they explode, going supernova, according to scientists.

“We’ve never seen it like that before. It’s really exciting,” said Macarena Garcia Marin, a European Space Agency scientist who is part of the project.

This star in the constellation Sagittarius, officially known as WR 124, is 30 times as massive as our sun and already has shed enough material to account for 10 suns, according to NASA.

CHINA will reopen its borders to tourists and resume issuing all visas Wednesday as it tries to revive tourism and its economy following a three-year halt during the COVID-19 pandemic.

China is one of the last major countries to reopen its borders to tourists. The announcement Tuesday came after it declared a “decisive victory” over COVID-19 in February.

All types of visas will resume from Wednesday. Visa-free entry also will resume at destinations such as Hainan island as well as for cruise ships entering Shanghai that had no visa requirement before COVID-19.

Foreigners holding visas issued before March 28, 2020, that are still valid will be allowed to enter China. Visa-free entry will resume for foreigners entering Guangdong in southern China from Hong Kong and

Macao. The notice didn’t specify whether vaccination certificates or negative COVID-19 tests would be required, but Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told reporters Tuesday that China had “optimized measures for remote testing of people coming to China from

relevant countries,” allowing pre-boarding antigen testing instead of nucleic acid testing.

“All these have been well implemented, and the epidemic risk is generally controllable,” Wang said at a daily briefing.

The move would “further facilitate the exchange of

Chinese and foreign personnel,” according to the notice posted on the websites of numerous Chinese missions and embassies.

China had stuck to a harsh “zero-COVID” strategy involving sudden lockdowns and daily COVID-19 testing to try to stop the virus before abandoning most aspects of the policy in December amid growing opposition.

The relaxation of visa rules follows China’s approval of outbound group tours for Chinese citizens, the results of which have been positive, and the overall improvement in pandemic conditions, Wang said.

“China will continue to make better arrangements for the safe, healthy and orderly movement of Chinese and foreign personnel on the basis of scientific assessments and in light of the situation,” he said.

“We also hope that all parties will join China in creating favorable conditions for cross-border exchanges.”

HONG KONG Associated Press

A WOMAN hugs another returning on one of the few overseas flight arriving at the Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, Tuesday, March 14, 2023. China will reopen its borders to tourists and resume issuing all visas Wednesday after a three-year halt during the pandemic as it sought to boost its tourism and economy. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

PRESIDENT Joe Biden shakes hands with Brandon Tsay as he arrives at Los Angeles International Airport, yesterday, in Los Angeles.

Photo: Evan Vucci/AP

THIS image provided by NASA shows the star Wolf-Rayet 124, center, captured by the James Webb Space Telescope in June 2022. A surrounding nebula is made of material cast off from the aging star in random ejections, and from dust produced in the ensuing turbulence. The telescope captured the rare and fleeting phase of the star on the cusp of death.

Photo: NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Webb ERO Production Team /AP

Photo: Fatima Shbair

BFA CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY WITH LAUNCH OF NEW WOMEN’S FOOTBALL LEAGUE LOGO

THE Bahamas Football Association celebrated International Women’s Day this past weekend with the social media release and launch of the new Bahamas Women’s Football League logo.

The 17 parts of the body of the women’s logo depicts the 17 beautiful, major islands of the Bahamas.

The Bahamas Football Association also hosted a mini-festival on Saturday afternoon after hosting the Under-15 Girls League games. In those games, match one saw the Dynamos Girls U-15 Squad dispatch the Cavalier U-15 Girls by a score of 4-0. Dynamos got a brace (2) from K’lyn Cherfils and goals from Anaya Riley and Aria Saunders to lead the way.

In match two, Baha Jr U-15 Girls and Western Warriors U-15 Girls played to a 2-2 draw on the day. Yazmin Kennedy scored a brace for Baha Jr while Raynia Russell and Keyara Jenning scored for the Warriors.

Later in the evening, the women’s day celebrations continued with the first women’s football league match of the day.

The match saw the Dynamos Football Club’s Ashya Butler drop a hat trick and one and an insurance goal from Alexis Williamson on the Orange crush squad of the United Football Club.

Butler missed another three clear goals on the day as she said she was shaking off the rust. A prolific scorer in college at Northeastern Oklahoma, Butler will be tough to handle as she gets going. United got two goals on the night, one form Hadassah Knowles and Samina Moss.

In match two, Baha Jr women’s team battled the Cavalier FC women’s team to a 3-1 victory. Sydney Hector scored a brace and Lily Comarcho added an insurance goal to seal the win. Janeka Edey provided the lone goal in a losing effort.

Bahamas Men’s Soccer League

Match 1: Western Warriors defeat Dynamos FC 3-1

The road to the top of the Men’s Division got a bit tougher for coach Dion Peterson and the Dynamos club.

Despite the score being tied 1-1 at the half, team fitness and depth caused problems for Peterson and the Warriors took the match in hand at the 74’.

Brandon Adderley scored for the Dynamos while Warriors got scoring from Romel Agustin, Roose Esterdjy and an own goal from Dynamos FC Avery Kemp.

It does not get any better as the two teams meet again

this week in a makeup match. That should be a barnburner.

Match Two: IM Bears roll over Cavalier FC 9-0

In the heyday of Bahamian football, this match up would have been an exciting barnburner of a match with the likes of Nesley Jean taking on Kevin Davies and Lionel Haven.

These days, the Cavaliers are hardly that team and a proud IM Bears team led by Lesly St Fleur took the Cavalier squad to the woodshed. In the end, Djodson Francois scored a hat trick and John P. Jean added another brace to help the rout.

Match 3: Future Stars defeated Renegades FC 6-3

All season long we have wondered why the youthful Future Stars team were struggling as they were one of the talented teams in the league. Sunday night they got their act together and played team football to defeat veteran squad Renegades FC.

Shanton St Germain scored two, leading scorer Mikendy Paul added one and Terico Etienne another to help fuel the win.

Coach Carlton Adderley might have found the message to get these guys playing for each other. Jacob Charles scored a hat trick in a losing effort.

HAALAND 5-GOAL EFFORT POWERS MAN CITY TO CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QF

By JAMES ROBSON AP Soccer Writer

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — On a night when records tumbled, Erling Haaland looked like the man to finally end Manchester City’s search for a first Champions League title.

So much for the suggestions the Norway striker is something of a problem for Pep Guardiola.

He is a goal machine and in the 7-0 rout of Leipzig on Tuesday, he set new standards in European club soccer’s elite competition as City advanced 8-1 on aggregate.

Haaland scored a recordequaling five goals in a statement performance to fire City into the quarterfinals. In doing so, he also became the fastest and youngest player to reach 30 goals in the competition.

“I’m blurry in my head.

I remember shooting but not thinking,” Haaland said after he matched Lionel Messi and Luiz Adriano by scoring five in a single Champions League game.

Haaland needed only 25 games to score 30 goals, surpassing the record held by former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, who reached that benchmark in 34.

At 22 years, 236 days old, Haaland is also the youngest player to score 30 Champions League goals — beating Kylian Mbappé, who had broken Messi’s record. That is exalted company to keep and was the perfect response to suggestions Haaland may have had a negative effect on a City team that trails firstplace Arsenal by five points in the Premier League.

“The problem is every time he doesn’t score two or three goals we will be criticized for the rest of his career,” Guardiola said.

Haaland has now scored 39 goals this season in all competitions.

Yet the English champions’ over-reliance on him has led to criticism that they have become more predictable since his arrival from Borussia Dortmund last summer.

But his record in Europe could prove a gamechanger in City’s pursuit of the biggest prize in club soccer.

Despite dominating the Premier League since being taken over by Abu Dhabi’s ruling family in 2008, the club has endured a succession of disappointments in the Champions League

— reaching the final just once, losing to Chelsea in 2021. Guardiola is still waiting to win the competition for the first time since lifting it twice with Barcelona — in 2009 and 2011.

The Catalan coach has also never won it without Messi, who was the talisman of his brilliant Barcelona team.

In Haaland, who scored his five goals in a 35-minute spell either side of halftime, he may have finally found an inspirational figure to emulate the Argentine maestro.

“Incredible guy, huge talent. Power, mentality, he’s a serial winner,” Guardiola said before sounding a note of caution when recounting previous exits from the competition.

“We scored four goals here against Real Madrid, six against Monaco, four against Tottenham. A lot of the time we were out because we conceded a lot.”

Haaland wanted to be given the chance to score a double hat trick, which would have set a new goals record in a single Champions League game.

“My super strength is scoring goals,” he said.

Guardiola said he did not know that the record was there to be taken.

For all the personal benchmarks reached by Haaland, of most importance to City is a place in the final eight. Haaland opened the scoring from

the penalty spot in the 22nd minute when Benjamin Henrichs was adjudged to have handled in the box after a video review.

He had his second and his 30th in the Champions League when heading in a rebound in the 24th after Kevin de Bruyne hit the bar. His hat trick goal came in the the second minute of first-half stoppage time when bundling the ball over line after Ruben Dias hit the post with a header.

Ilkay Gundogan made it 4-0 just four minutes into the second half and Haaland scored two more in the 54th and 57th.

De Bruyne rounded off the scoring to make it 7-0 on the night with a curling shot into the top corner in time added on.

Guardiola has repeatedly claimed he does not feel added pressure to win the Champions League, but it will remain a blot on his City reign if he cannot deliver the title before walking away from the club. Haaland could change all of that.

MANCHESTER City’s Erling Haaland reacts after he scored his 5th goal, the 6-0, during the Champions League round of 16 second leg soccer match against RB Leipzig at the Etihad stadium in Manchester, England, yesterday. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson)

ASPIRING soccer players in Bahamas Football Association action over the weekend.

NEW LIVELY HOPE BAPTIST CHURCH CROWNED WINNERS OF BAHAMAS BAPTIST ASSOCIATION’S INAUGURAL BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

NEW Lively Hope Baptist Church was crowned the winners of the Bahamas Baptist Association’s inaugural Basketball Tournament.

Although only four teams participated, the competition was fierce from the opening jump ball to the final whistle blown on Saturday at the Anatol Rodgers Gymnasium.

When it was said and done, New Lively Hope, coached by Michaelangelo Cartwright, emerged as the champions with a 34-14 win over Faith United, coached by Harrison Thompson.

Derico Taylor, named the most valuable player, scored six points to lead New Lively, who also got nine from Jaynaz Pratt. Aui Robinson also scored six.

In the other games played, Faith United def. Judaea 35-21.

Faith United 29, New Bethlehem 28:

Anton Francis erupted for a game high 14 points, including three three-pointers and Jermaine McPhee had seven in the win as Faith United advanced to the final. Jamal Miller had eight and Greco Wilson chipped in with seven in a losing effort, but it wasn’t enough as New Bethlehem got eliminated.

New Lively Hope 34, Faith United 14:

Jaynaz Pratt came up with a game high 14 points and Oben Dalestin added seven to pull off the win to send New Lively Hope into the final.

Jermaine McPhee scored six and Joshua Sweeting

had four as Faith United suffered their first loss.

New Bethlehem 25,

Judaea 21: Greco Wilson had a game high 12 points and Jamal Miller had five, while Deangelo Rolle contributed another four in the win. Dwayne Smith and

Lorenzo Rolle both scored five in Judaea’s second loss to be eliminated.

New Lively Hope 32, New Bethlehem 29: Derico Taylor canned 12 points and Oben Dalestin had six in the win. Greco Wilson poured in a game high 13 points

and both Theo Cleare and Deangelo Rolle chipped in with four in New Bethlehem’s first loss.

Faith United 35, Judaea 21:

Anton Francis exploded for a game high 16 points, including a pair of threepointers and Jermaine

McPhee added eight. Joshua Forbes scored six and Lorenzo Rolle added five in Judaea’s first loss.

The tournament, organised by Rev. Samantha Cartwright, was the first of its kind and is expected to set the stage for other sporting events to follow.

RAPTORS BEAT WESTERN CONFERENCE-LEADING NUGGETS 125-110

TORONTO (AP) —

Fred VanVleet scored 36 points, O.G. Anunoby had 24 and the Toronto Raptors used a franchise-record 49-point first quarter to beat Denver 125-110 yesterday, handing the slumping Nuggets their season-high fourth straight loss.

Nikola Jokic scored 28 points, Michael Porter Jr. had 23 and Aaron Gordon had 18 for the Western Conference-leading Nuggets, who are winless since a March 6 home victory over the Raptors.

VanVleet shot 13 for 22 and made a season-high eight of his 12 attempts from distance as Toronto extended its home winning streak to five.

Jakob Poeltl had 12 points and 11 rebounds, Pascal Siakam scored 12 points and Gary Trent Jr. had 11 for the Raptors.

Jamal Murray shot 5 for 18 and scored 14 points and Bruce Brown added 12, but the Nuggets lost the opener of a season-high, five-game trip.

LAKERS 123, PELICANS 108

NEW ORLEANS (AP)

— Anthony Davis had 35 points and 17 rebounds, Malik Beasley hit seven 3-pointers in the first half, and Los Angeles built a 36-point lead in the second quarter in its win over New Orleans.

Beasley finished with 24 points for the Lakers, who shot 18 of 39 from 3-point range — including 15 of 27 before halftime.

D’Angelo Russell added 17 points to help Los Angeles (34-35) move one game ahead of New Orleans

(33-36) in the Western Conference standings.

Brandon Ingram returned to New Orleans’ lineup after missing two games with a right ankle injury, but his 22 points were not nearly enough.

Herbert Jones and Trey Murphy III each scored 20 for the Pelicans, who trailed 75-40 at halftime.

SPURS 132, MAGIC 114

SAN ANTONIO (AP)

— Jeremy Sochan had 29 points and 10 rebounds and San Antonio had a

franchise-high 22 3-pointers and season-high 39 assists in beating Orlando. San Antonio centre Zach Collins added 25 points, six rebounds and five assists.

The Spurs are 6-27 in 2023, but have now won four of seven.

Orlando rookie Paolo Banchero had 27 points and Wendell Carter Jr. added 16 points. The Magic have lost five of their last seven games in their push for a berth in the postseason play-in tournament.

Sochan returned from a one-game absence, but the Spurs were without Keldon Johnson, Malaki Branham, Tre Jones, Rome Langford. The Spurs responded with their best shooting game of the season, making 57% of its shots from the field and going 22 fof 41 from 3-point range.

THUNDER 121,

NETS 107

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai GilgeousAlexander scored 35 points, Josh Giddey had 15 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists

and Oklahoma City beat Brooklyn for its sixth win in seven games. Lu Dort matched his season high with 24 points and added nine rebounds for Oklahoma City, which rallied from a 14-point, first-half deficit thanks mostly to a sizzling third quarter, during which Dort made five 3-pointers.

Mikal Bridges scored 34 points and Cam Johnson added 23 for Brooklyn, which had won five of its last six games, with four of those wins on the road.

WIZARDS 117, PISTONS 97

WASHINGTON (AP)

— Bradley Beal scored 36 points, and Washington snapped its three-game losing streak with a victory over Detroit.

Playing without Kyle Kuzma, the Wizards still raced out to a 22-point advantage in the first quarter.

And although they’ve had issues holding those types of leads this season, the last-place Pistons represented little threat.

Washington (32-37) moved percentage points ahead of Chicago (31-36) for the final play-in spot in the Eastern Conference.

Killian Hayes scored 20 points to lead Detroit, which had snapped an 11-game skid by beating Indiana on Monday.

CAVALIERS 120, HORNETS 104 CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Evan Mobley had 26 points and Cleveland scored 35 points off Charlotte turnovers and beat the Hornets for the second time in three days.

Cedi Osman scored 24 points off the bench and Caris LeVert added 22 points and seven assists for the Cavaliers, who played without All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell (sprained finger) and center Jarrett Allen (eye contusion). Darius Garland chipped in 19 points.

Kelly Oubre Jr. had 28 points and Terry Rozier added 22 points and 10 assists for the Hornets, who have lost three straight and fell to 11-27 at home.

RUNNERS-up Faith United receive their trophy and medals.

TORONTO Raptors forward O.G. Anunoby (3) dunks against Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (50) during the first half yesterday in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

CHAMPIONS New Lively Hope Baptist Church pose with their trophy and medals after winnning the Bahamas Baptist Association’s Inaugural Basketball Tournament on Saturday.

Bucks clinch playoff spot, top Ayton and Suns for 50th win

‘TWEEDY’ CHARLTON AND BLUE DEVILS FALL TO BRONCOS IN TITLE GAME

By DAVID BRANDT AP Sports Writer

PHOENIX (AP) —

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 36 points, Brook Lopez added 21 and the NBA-leading Milwaukee Bucks clinched a playoff spot by beating the Phoenix Suns 116-104 last night to become the first team to 50 wins this season.

The Bucks pulled away late for their 21st win in 23 games and are the first team to secure a postseason berth. The Suns have dropped three straight.

The Suns trailed by nine points at halftime but cut the deficit to 85-84 heading to the fourth after Devin Booker hit a mid-range jumper at the third quarter buzzer. Cam Payne hit back-to-back 3-pointers to put the Suns up 90-87, which was their first lead of the second half. The game stayed tight for the next several minutes but the Bucks took the lead for good when Pat Connaughton hit a corner 3 for a 100-97 advantage with 6:30 remaining.

Antetokounmpo added 11 rebounds and eight assists. Lopez shot 10 of 14 from the field and added 10 rebounds. The Bucks closed the game on a 24-9 run. Booker led the Suns with 30 points on 13-of-27 shooting. Deandre Ayton had 16 points and eight rebounds despite playing 26 minutes because of foul trouble. The Bucks led 57-48 at halftime. Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 20 points while Booker and Ayton both had 10 for the

NPBA PLAYOFFS

FROM PAGE 16

Suns. Phoenix shot just 39.2% from the field in the first half.

TORREY’S TOOTH Suns forward Torrey Craig lost a tooth in the third quarter after taking an inadvertant elbow from Antetokounmpo. He laid on the floor for a few seconds before finding his tooth on the ground, which he picked up and took to the bench. He returned to the game in the fourth quarter.

TIP-INS

Bucks: Guards Grayson Allen (sore foot), Goran

“We kind of slacked off a bit at the end of the first quarter with those guys hitting some three pointers but we stuck with the plan and in the second quarter we executed perfectly and this is the result we were looking for,” Thompson Jr. said.

Dragic (sore knee) and Khris Middleton (right knee injury management) all missed the game. ... Signed C Meyers Leonard to a contract for the remainder of the season. Leonard has played in five games while on two 10-day contracts, averaging 2.8 points and 2.0 rebounds.

F Jae Crowder returned to Phoenix for the first time since being included in the trade that brought Kevin Durant to the Suns. He hit a 3-pointer with 1:23 left that gave the Bucks a 13-point lead.

The Giants will look to capitalise on last night’s momentum on Friday at 8:30pm at the A.F. Adderley Gymnasium.

Division Two

The D2 Rockets power to 1-0 series lead over Blue Marlins

Suns: Durant missed his fourth straight game because of a sprained left ankle. He’s played just three games since coming to the team via trade in February. Hosted a 60th straight sellout crowd. ... Booker has scored at least 20 points in 21 straight games. That’s the third-longest active streak in the NBA behind Joel Embiid and Jayson Tatum. UP NEXT Bucks: At Indiana on Thursday. Suns: Host Orlando on Thursday.

with 17 points and eight rebounds. It was her only season with the Blue Devils after transferring from Talilah Falls to Norcross this season.

“I am proud of myself for keep pushing and encouraging my team-mates,” said Charlton, the diminutive 5-foot, 3-inch floor general.

Having left Jordan Prince Williams High in the ninth grade to continue her basketball prowess in the United States, Charlton said the past three years have been a learning experience for her.

“It showed me that you just have to continue to work hard and just stay positive and find some people who can help you through the process,” she reflected. “I felt very amazing about my team.

“I’m just happy that I came here for my last year. They were all very sad that it ended the way it did, but they were also very happy that I came. They were very supportive of me.”

Charlton completed the season averaging 13.4 points per game, 2.7 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 3.3 steals.

With her high school career over and done with, Charlton is now concentrating on her future in college. She indicated that she’s expected to make an official announcement on where she will go to play her college ball by the end of the month.

“I’m looking forward to going to the next level,” Charlton said.

“When I see where I’ve come from in high school, I’m excited to see where I will go in college ball.” And with that next step ahead of her, Charlton said she will definitely have to continue to work on her shooting and attacking the ball.

“I’m going to continue to train and focus on my school to finish the year off strong,” said Charlton, who is preparing for graduation on May 28.

Charlton is the daughter of Christen and Vernon Charlton and she has four sisters.

CB Giants head coach Perry Thompson Jr. talked about how his team was able to widen the margin in the second and third quarter.

Jacob was not the only Giant that dominated on the night as Dylan Musgrove poured in 29 points to go along with 10 assists and 7 boards, nearly notching a triple double.

Musgrove said the team will look to go for a sweep in the best of three series by executing the same game plan as last night.

The Discount Distributor Rockets took a 1-0 series lead on the Cyber Tech Blue Marlins last night at the A.F. Adderley Gymnasium.

The Rockets defeated the team 70-63 in a game that got off to a slow start in the first quarter.

The Marlins started the game off with lots of fouls but the Rockets were

unable to capitalise at the free throw line. The team shot a whopping 33 free throw attempts but only converted 15 for 46% on the night. Despite the low free throw shooting numbers, the Rockets were able to outrebound their opponents 64 to 55. Torrez Basden and Quebell Martin were responsible for 31 of the team’s 64 rebounds, proving to be a dominant duo on the boards.

FROM PAGE 16 game as the CB Giants toppled their opponents in second chance points with 21 to 8, fast break points 41 to 7, points from turnovers 31 to a mere 3 points, and bench points 35 to 12. The Giants also shot a scorching 65% on the night in the paint area.

Jason Oliver, head coach of the Rockets, talked about how it felt to edge out the Blue Marlins for the first win of the series. “Any win in a playoff series is a good win, especially

the first game of the series based on the fact that we are actually shorthanded,” Oliver said.

The Blue Marlins were able to exploit the Rockets only having one lone reserve on the bench which led to them scoring 23 bench points to the Rockets’ eight. Oliver added that the lack of reserves meant that his players had to dig deep to pull off the win.

Keith Rolle was the leading scorer of the winning team, ending the night with 25 points. He drained two big back-to-back threes in the second quarter to halt the Blue Marlins’ momentum.

Rolle played all four quarters and was joined by his teammate Quebell Martin who notched a double double on the night, finishing with 14 points.

Coach Oliver said the team’s strategy was to let it all hang on the court because they had nothing to lose being undermanned. The Rockets seemed to receive the message as they shot 48% in the paint compared to the opponent’s 40%.

The division two team will look to sweep the playoff series against the Blue Marlins in this Thursday night’s second matchup of the best-of-three series.

REGULATORS BEAT UB MINGOES, 76-63

THE University of The Bahamas men’s basketball team dropped to the Leno Regulators 76-63 in an inconsequential New Providence Basketball Association game Saturday night at The A.F. Adderley Gym.

Erquantae Edgecombe led The Mingoes with 18 points and 10 rebounds while Gabriel Styles scored 11 points in the game that didn’t have any impact on either team’s position in the standings.

Zachery Pennerman scored 24 points for The Regulators and Kemsey Sylvestre scored 23 for The Regulators.

The Mingoes started the game off strong, going up 6-0 early in the first quarter capped by a Justin Burrows layup assisted by Delano Armbrister.

The Regulators cut the lead and tied the game at 6-6 and ended the quarter up 18-14. The Regulators held the lead for the rest of the game even though The Mingoes cut the lead to three points with 5:02 left in the fourth quarter.

Off a defensive rebound, Delano Armbrister had the brilliant pass to Erquantae Edgecombe to pick up the easy lay-up to put the score at 62-59.

Regulators then went on a 9-0 run and ended the game 76-63. “We were right there with five minutes to go but we couldn’t seem to string together enough buckets in order to take the lead,” head coach Bacchus Rolle said. “We also didn’t get the defensive stops that we wanted to either. The Regulators are a tough team and played really good out there tonight. We just didn’t make the stops when we needed it.”

Despite winning the rebounding battle—58 compared to The Regulators’ 51—The Mingoes couldn’t convert the rebounds into points.

The Mingoes now move on to play The Caro Contractors Shockers in the first round of the playoffs. The first game is set for 8:30pm tonight and game two is set for 7pm on Saturday, March 18 with both games at the A.F. Adderley Gym.

The Shockers beat the Mingoes in both meetings this season. The Shockers won 76-56 November 26, 2022 and 67-58 January 13 2023.

“We aren’t doing too bad for a team that was only supposed to win two games all seasons,” Rolle added.

“I am happy and proud of my guys for making it this far we are going into the

series optimistically. We are going to have to slow the ball down because they are a very fast team and their guards are lightening quick. We also need to try force turnovers from their big men as well.”

The game Saturday night was inconsequential because both teams advanced to the

playoffs and regardless of the outcome, neither team’s playoff position would have changed.

The Mingoes had already secured the third spot in the Vince Fergusons division with a 6-7 record.

The Regulators had already secured the third spot in the John Archer division with an 8-5 record.

UNIVERSITY of The Bahamas men’s basketball team players in action in the New Providence Basketball Association against the Leno Regulators at The A.F. Adderley Gym on Saturday night.

Photos: UB ATHLETICS

VERONAYE ‘Tweedy’ Charlton

MILWAUKEE Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives between Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, left, guard Terrence Ross (8), forward T.J. Warren (21) and centre Bismack Biyombo, right, during the first half last night in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

SETS RING RETURN TO FACE JOHN RYDER

By GREG BEACHAM AP Sports Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP)

— Canelo Álvarez will return to the ring May 6 in his native Guadalajara, Mexico, to defend his four super middleweight title belts against Britain’s John Ryder.

Xavion Johnson wins another judo tournament

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

IT was another big weekend for Xavion Johnson, only this time he added the open divisional crown to his continued dominance of the under-18 boys’ division at the 2023 Edmonton International Judo Championships in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on Saturday.

“It was pretty good. This was probably one of my best performances yet,” Johnson said.

“I still have some things to work out, but it was okay.”

Johnson said he came into the tournament with a specific game plan and he stuck to it.

In the under-18 division, Johnson had to face off against one of his teammates from his training camp and after getting into the final, Johnson needed just one minute to dispose of his opponent to clinch the title.

He came on Sunday and competing in the open division, Johnson had a tougher time, but after facing the same opponent he met in the under-18 final, he got through with another victory. Then in the final, Johnson secured the title in a little over one minute.

“I feel really good. I felt like I went out there and did just as I expected,” Johnson said.

“I knew I had a chance to win the under-18 division, but I really wanted to get the open division and I got it too.”

This was Johnson’s third tournament for the year and out of the 21 matches he fought, he only lost two.

“I definitely have to work on my gripping and trying to improve on my groundwork,” he said. “I think if I can improve on these two aspects of my game, I will be able to do much better in the future.”

Johnson thanked his mother Ordain Moss and the local and international judo clubs that he’s a part of right now. He also mentioned the support he’s gotten from fellow judokas Cynthia Rahming and Andrew Munnings.

“All of their support has been tremendous,” said Johnson, who also thanked all his family members and friends, including his grand and great-grandmothers Tracey and Hazel Chea, godmother Udean Sattom and Paul Sattom.

“Without them, I don’t think I would be in the position that I am in right now.”

Johnson, 16, said he will continue to train in Canada with the hopes of qualifying for the Cadet World Championships in 2023. His ultimate goal is to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, if not to be eligible to compete in 2028 in Los Angeles, California.

Promoter Matchroom Boxing announced Álvarez’s next fight yesterday. The bout will be at Akron Stadium, the home of Mexican soccer club Chivas. Álvarez (58-2-2, 39 KOs) is fighting for the first time since he won the final bout in his famed trilogy with Gennady Golovkin by unanimous decision last September. Álvarez also will be fighting one year after his one-sided upset loss to Dmitry Bivol in a light heavyweight bout.

The 32-year-old Álvarez is returning on Cinco de Mayo weekend to fight in Mexico for the first time in 11 1/2 Álvarez,years.who lives in San Diego for most of the year, has staged his last 22 bouts in the U.S. He hasn’t fought in Mexico since beating Kermit Cintron in Mexico City in November 2011, and he hasn’t fought in his hometown since June 2011.

Álvarez had surgery on his left hand late last year, but he has recovered quickly enough to take on his next challenge. He collected all four 168-pound world title belts during an impressive four-fight run through the division starting in late 2020 and ending with a stoppage of Caleb Plant in November 2021.

“I feel really happy to be coming back in May, because following my surgery, I was unsure of when I’d be coming back,” Álvarez said in a statement. “Returning to the ring and coming back to fight in Jalisco, where I’m from, makes me especially happy.”

The 34-year-old Ryder (32-5-0, 18 KOs) will be a significant underdog, but he has earned interim versions of two super middleweight world title belts during his current four-fight unbeaten run. Ryder fought twice in 2022 and earned arguably the two biggest victories of his career, winning a split decision over former middleweight champion Danny Jacobs before stopping previously unbeaten Zach Parker last November.

CV BETHEL STINGRAYS SENIOR GIRLS WIN BAHAMAS SCHOLASTIC ASSOCIATION TITLE

XAVION Johnson is flanked by his rivals in the under-18 division.

XAVION Johnson in action in the under-18 boys’ division at the Edmonton International Judo Championships.

THE CV Bethel Stingrays added the Bahamas Scholastic Association title to the one they won at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s Father Marcian Peters Invitational. The Stingrays, coached by Shantel Rolle, emerged as the BSA’ senior girls’ champions at the CI Gibson Gymnasium

edge in their best-of-three series.

Bodie, of CV Bethel, scored a game high 28 points with five steals and Gereanique Bethel added 10 points and six steals. Geintae Simpson, of St John’s, scored seven points with five rebounds and two steals and

Turnquest added five points and two steals in the loss for St John’s.

Bethel won the Father Marcian Peters Invitational in December, but they failed to win the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association title three weeks ago when they faced the eventual champions CR Walker Knights.

THE CV Bethel Stingrays pose as BSA senior girls champions on Friday. At right, Stingrays celebrate their Fr Marcian Peters Invitational title with Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 2023

Giants rout Rebels 121-67

Commonwealth Bank earn 1-0 lead in playoff series

By TENAJH SWEETING tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

The Commonwealth Bank Giants completely outmatched the division one Rebels in their first game of the New Providence Basketball Association (NPBA) playoffs. The

matchup started off competitive in the first quarter with the Giants only beating the Rebels 27-24 to end the first period of basketball between the two.

As soon as the second quarter started for the division one teams, the CB Giants put their foot on the gas and rolled past

their opponent, going up by as much as 22 points in the blink of an eye in the quarter. In a game where the Rebels never held the lead, the CB Giants overwhelmed their competitors for a whopping 50-point lead with them leading 121-67.

Jackson Jacob, the game’s leading scorer, contributed 32 of the team’s 121 points for the game. He coupled those points with five assists and three rebounds on the night. Jacob talked about how it felt to get the win. “It feels good to get the win and hats off to those guys,

they played their hearts out,” he said.

Jacob added that the team’s strategy was to apply on ball pressure, pass the ball, run and gun, all while playing their normal game. Those team strategies were executed in the

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AYTON HAS FOUL TROUBLE, SCORES 16 IN LOSS TO BUCKS

‘TWEEDY’ AND BLUE DEVILS FALL TO BRONCOS IN TITLE GAME

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

VERONAYE ‘Tweedy’ Charlton put up a gallant effort, but it wasn’t enough to lead her Norcross Blue Devils past the Brookwood Broncos in the Georgia Girls State 7A Basketball Championship game.

In the finale on Saturday, the Broncos, who finished with a 31-1 win-loss record, pulled off a 43-39 win over the Blue Devils, who were 29-3.

It wasn’t the outcome she anticipated, but Charlton said she was still pleased with the performance of her team, coached by Ashley Clanton, although they fell short of defending the title they won last year.

“I think we played hard all the way to the end even though some calls didn’t go in our favour,” Charlton said. “We still stuck together and fought until the last buzzer.”

In completing her senior year, Charlton ended up

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MILWAUKEE Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) drives against Phoenix Suns centre Deandre Ayton during the first half of their NBA basketball game last night in Phoenix.

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) SEE

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