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LANISHA ROLLE CHARGED IN $750K FRAUD

Former minister faces bribery and conspiracy to commit fraud charges

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Cabinet min-

ister Lanisha Rolle was granted bail yesterday after being taken to court to face allegations that she fraudulently awarded contracts in excess of $750,000 while in office.

The former Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, 46, her husband Vontenken Rolle, 45, Alfred Mortimer, 53, Godfrey Burrows, 54, and Wilfred Rolle Jr, 57, all appeared calm when they appeared before Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans.

Mrs Rolle faced one count of bribery and 14 counts of conspiracy to commit fraud by false pretences, with these charges being in connection with

her time as minister from 2019 to 2021.

Vontenken shared a charge of conspiracy to commit fraud alongside his wife. Mortimer, who is a waiter and Vontenken’s uncle, faced a single bribery charge.

Burrows faced a charge of fraud by false pretences and an additional charge of conspiracy to commit fraud by false pretences.

Between June 28, 2019, and August 2, 2019, it is alleged Mrs Rolle fraudulently gave a contract for work at South Beach Pools valued at $36,255.82 to Intercostal Development and Construction.

Between October 7, 2019, and December 27, 2019, Mrs Rolle allegedly gave another $6,775 contract for work at the South Beach

SEE PAGE THREE

50 EVENTS PLANNED FOR 50TH INDEPENDENCE

By LETRE SWEETING Tribune Staff Reporter lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

SOME 50 events and 242 initiatives are planned for The Bahamas’ 50th independence celebrations, according to the official calendar of events released digitally to the public yesterday.

The Independence Secretariat officially launched the 50th anniversary calendar of events

yesterday at the. The celebrations, which began December 3, 2022 with the The Road to 50 Race, will last until November 11, with The Road Continues Race.

The calendar includes activities hosted by 33 Family Island districts, participation from foreign missions and other events and activities hosted by various local organisations, agencies and NGOs.

WILSON SURE FUEL MARGIN FIX WILL BE FOUND

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

FOCOL’s chairman yes-

terday said he was “very confident a solution will be found” to the Bahamian petroleum industry’s financial woes, and added: “This will not be fatal to the country.”

CANCER CASES ON THE RISE SINCE PANDEMIC

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

THERE has been a rise in cancer since the COVID19 pandemic with more younger women being affected recently, according to a physician from the Bahamas Cancer Society.

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis during his remarks yesterday boasted that the calendar included events, initiatives and celebrations for all Bahamians.

“Well, we are here to celebrate our country’s 50th year as an independent nation. That’s the country’s birthday. What’s most important is that we celebrate in a way that includes all Bahamians,

MILLER-BRICE, chairperson of the Independence Secretariat

Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis, announce planned events

pendence celebrations yesterday.

ESCAPED PREGNANT TEEN RECAPTURED BY POLICE

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

A PREGNANT teen, who is a resident of the Willie Mae Pratt Centre for Girls was arrested by police on Tuesday after escaping custody last week.

The 16-year-old girl, according to Police in a statement released yesterday, was at an appointment on Thursday at the adolescent Health Clinic on Shirley Street when she ran away.

“As a result, an extensive search and investigation was conducted,” police reported.

“On Tuesday, March 14, 2023, while acting on intelligence, officers attached to Operation Ceasefire recaptured and arrested the teen at a residence located in the area of Windsor Place.”

The girl was said to be in good health following her arrest. Investigations are continuing.

Yesterday, Social Services Minister Obie Wilchcombe told reporters that, in view of the incident, officials now have to examine security protocols for when juveniles leave the facility.

He also confirmed that the escaped teen was pregnant.

“The details are such that we understand that it did not happen at Willi Mae Pratt and so it leaves the question as to the entire procedure when someone leaves the centre for medical attention and what happens subsequent so there are some things we have to look at,” he told Parliament.

“At all times, you are thinking and finding new ways to strengthen the question of general security, more security on both

campuses whether its Willie Mae Pratt or Simpson Penn, we are tightening security.”

Asked to respond to critics who say the girl escaped because of carelessness on the facility’s part, the minister denied this, saying “one incident does not determine the effectiveness of the authority in place”.

“I think the authority is quite efficient. They know exactly what they’re doing. They carry out their jobs very effectively 24/7 so I believe it’s a situation where if you know all the details, she had gone to receive her medical attention that’s required of a pregnant woman and she went to receive her care and it was during that time, off of the facility where it took place.”

He also denied that his ministry had kept the incident under wraps.

It was reported to the police as usual,” Mr Wilchcombe said when asked about the matter. “We do what we have to do. The ministry doesn’t usually make statements. We have a responsibility, and the protocol is that you pass it onto police and then they carry out the necessary investigations and they do, very effectively.”

Escapes and attempted escapes from juvenile detention centres are not uncommon.

In February, a 17-yearold boy escaped his holding quarters at the Simpson Penn Centre for Boys.

And last June, a teen boy was sent to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services after escaping Simpson Penn and threatening a man with a gun.

Lanisha Rolle charged in $750k fraud

from page one

Pools to the same construction company.

Contracts worth $265,000 and $30,800 for South Beach Pools projects were allegedly given to Julia Johnson by Mrs Rolle between August 22, 2019, and May 5, 2020. During the same timespan, a contract of $30,850 was allegedly falsely awarded to Restoration Maintenance and Landscaping for the same project.

Another $27,450 and $36,800 in contracts were allegedly awarded to TCS Construction in 2019. That same year, $16,200 and $28,500 was allegedly given to CAM Enterprises for the same South Beach Pools project. An additional $49,560 was given to Munroe’s Landscaping for the alleged same project.

On November 9, 2019, Mortimer is alleged to have offered a bribe to a public servant to secure the contract for works at the Grand Bahama Sporting Complex.

Between June 29, 2019, and July 31, 2019, Burrows fraudulently obtained $34,690 for the South Beach Pools project issued to Miller’s Masonry, Carpentry and Maintenance having conspired with Rolle Jr to do so.

Then on January 1, 2020, through November 9, 2020, Mrs Rolle is further alleged to have accepted a $48,303.74 bribe for the Grand Bahama Sporting Complex Project issued by the National Sports Authority to G&C Landscaping and Maintenance. She is further alleged to have fraudulently given out another contract of $9,500 for Grand Bahama

Sporting Complex to Avyeon General Maintenance Company.

Between February 1, 2020, and July 8, 2021, prior to her resignation as minister, Mrs Rolle allegedly fraudulently awarded a $228,000 contract for National Tennis Centre grounds and National Baseball Stadium grounds to Restoration Maintenance and Landscaping.

Finally, during that same timeframe, Mr and Mrs Rolle are accused of fraudulently awarding a contract of $168,000 for work at the Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium to Julia Johnson.

Due to the nature of the offences, none of the defendants were required to enter a plea in court at that time. The accused were informed that the matter would proceed to the Supreme Court by a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).

Mrs Rolle was granted $150,000 bail for the

charges against her; her husband was granted bail at $50,000. After Magistrate Vogt-Evans noted they are both professionals, they were both informed they are expected to sign in at Central Police Station on the last Monday of every month.

The remaining defendants were granted bail at $10,000 each. Mortimer is expected to sign in at Elizabeth Estates Police Station the last Sunday of each month, Burrows at the Grove Police Station the last Friday of each month and Rolle Jr at the Carmichael Police Station the last Thursday of the month.

Mrs Rolle was represented by Murrio Ducille, KC, and Elsworth Johnson represented Mortimer. The VBIs in this matter are set for service on May 31.

PM: PROCUREMENT BILL WILL ALLOW FOR GREATER MANAGEMENT AND TRANSPARENCY

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis led debate on the Public Procurement Bill and Public Finance Management Bill in the House of Assembly yesterday, telling parliamentarians that the legislation, once enacted, will allow for improved government financial management and greater transparency.

The bills will also repeal and replace the Public Finance Management Act 2021, the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2018 and sections of the Financial Administration and Audit Act and The Public Procurement Act 2021.

Speaking on the Public Finance Management Act and Public Procurement Act that were passed under the former administration, Mr Davis described the laws as being unworkable from the start and said it was his administration’s job to correct the flaws.

“As the side opposite claims that the unworkable legislation they left on

the books was ‘effective,’ the real question is: how would they even know? They didn’t actually implement the laws they passed in a real way,” the prime minister claimed.

“Fortunately, Madam Speaker, a new

administration is in place that takes its commitment to transparency and sound financial management seriously. We will not wait until year five to rush through amendments as an afterthought. Good governance isn’t about checking boxes

just to say you did something on paper. It is about the real results you get for people every day.”

Mr Davis noted that these replacement laws were necessary for effective public financial management and efficient public procurement processes. Under the new Public Procurement Bill, he said there will be preferential treatment for certain groups and also more widespread opportunities for businesses.

“Under the current Act, the most well-established, well resourced businesses were able to dominate government contracts under the guise of them being the best fit for the job. This sounds good on paper but ignores the reality on the ground,” he added.

“We will introduce preferences for micro, small and medium sized enterprises, women owned businesses, Family Island businesses and youth owned businesses. These are high priority areas we are targeting as a government to diversify opportunities in The Bahamas.

MINNIS SAYS PM IS ‘OUT OF DEPTH’ AS MINISTER OF FINANCE

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Prime Min -

ister Dr Hubert Minnis threw darts at Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis yesterday, calling the Davis administration a “do-as-you-like” government amid frequent inconsistencies in governance.

He questioned Mr Davis’ competency in his role as Minister of Finance, following his recent misstatements about the deficit.

He described the Prime Minister as “out of touch” and “out of depth”.

“This issue raises serious questions about the Prime Minister in his role as Minister of Finance,” he said yesterday.

“It raises serious questions about the credibility of what he says publicly and in the House. Instead of initially accepting responsibility he blamed his speechwriter and he blamed a newspaper.”

He continued: “This seems to be a pattern — duck responsibility and blame someone else. Big people accept responsibility for their errors. If he could get this figure wrong and come in here and read it out to the House of Assembly, what other numbers has he gotten wrong that may have slipped by?”

Earlier this month, Mr Davis clarified in the House of Assembly that the government’s fiscal deficit actually decreased by $5.3m in the first half of the fiscal year when compared to the same period in the previous year. He conceded that his

earlier comments on the deficit were not accurate. However, at first Mr Davis singled out The Nassau Guardian and said its headline, which stated “Revenue Rises but Deficit Up” was not accurate. However, when he was later reminded by East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson that his previous speech contained the figure about the reported deficit increase, Mr Davis then admitted that his speechwriters made an error when writing the figures in his speech.

Dr Minnis suggested yesterday that the Prime Minister resign from his post, saying that the country is far more deserving of a “capable, serious and

hands-on” Minister of Finance.

He noted that Chester Cooper, Glenys HannaMartin, Alfred Sears or Obie Wilchcombe would be better suited for the role.

During his contribution in the House of Assembly yesterday, Dr Minnis said that the Davis-Cooper administration has implemented a “tax crusade”.

He called out the DavisCooper administration for “falling by the wayside” as they have failed to adhere to the many promises in their blueprint for change.

“In their Blueprint for Change they promised action on immigration, crime, a revolution in education, a master plan

“Our procurement laws must reflect this priority.”

Mr Davis told parliamentarians the legislation, among other things, will lower the threshold for establishment of a tender committee to review bids and award contracts from $50,000 to $25,000 which he said will allow for greater transparency.

With respect to the Public Finance Management Bill, Mr Davis said it allows the strengthening of the Fiscal Responsibility Council, greater flexibility for budgetary reallocations, and the establishment of a Public Sector Audit Committee.

He said: “Madam Speaker, the Bills before us are the product of deep consultation with public sector financial management and procurement experts who have communicated great concern about the lack of practicality in the existing legislation. We must let common sense reign as far as effective policy making and legislating is concerned.”

East Grand Bahama MP and Shadow Minister of Finance Kwasi Thompson

said the opposition did not support the proposed legislative changes, telling parliamentarians that many of the changes are “aggressive” and do not move the country forward.

“In fact, with respect to the amendments to the public financial management act, it completely decimates the previous standards that the Acts provide for,” the FNM MP said. He said the bills passed by the Minnis administration had wide consultation and told MPs that he was disappointed that the government sought to make changes particular to the public financial management without getting the input of several industry stakeholders.

“Madam Speaker, I must submit also that we must continue to raise this standard of care when it comes to management and transparency of managing the people’s money. If there is a standard that the bill or the act provides, we must adjust ourselves to meet that standard and not bring that standard down to meet us,” he also said.

for each island, and many other lofty initiatives.

“Since winning the last election, these plans seem to have fallen by the wayside. There has been a crime crisis in New Providence throughout their term. Illegal immigration is at record levels. There has been no revolution in education.”

He continued: “Where are the master plans to develop each island? What has emerged as the governing ideology of this PLP under this Prime Minister is ‘Tax the people and give to PLPs.’”

According to Dr Minnis, Bahamians no longer trust the “new day” administration to act in the best interest of The Bahamas.

THE FORMER Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, her husband Vontenken Rolle, Alfred Mortimer, Godfrey Burrows and Wilfred Rolle Jr, appeared before Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans yesterday on charges of bribery and conspiracy to commit fraud.

Photo: Austin Fernander

PRIME Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis speaks on the Public Procurement Bill in the House of Assembly yesterday, which once enacted will repeal the Finance Management Act 2021 and Fiscal Responsibility Act 2018 and sections of the Financial Administration and Audit Act and The Public Procurement Act 2021.

Photo: Moise Amisial

FORMER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday said the Davis’ administration is a ‘do-as-youlike’ government and questioned his competence as aMinister of Finance.

Cancer cases on the rise since pandemic

Dr Nicholas Fox, vice president of the Cancer Society and owner of the Medi Centre Clinic, made the revelation to reporters yesterday.

“As a practising physician, since the pandemic it seems like they all are on the rise. I don’t know if it’s because people were not following up with their physicians. But I’m seeing more breast cancer, a lot of prostate cancer and colon cancer, even a lot of blood cancers like lymphomas, etc,” he said.

“And I don’t know if it’s because of the pandemic,

but it seems to be on the rise across the board.”

Currently, Dr Fox said he has found more people are making the effort to follow up with doctor visits and treatments now.

However, he said it is difficult at times to meet the medical needs of patients, especially those in the Family Islands, due to the high demand for healthcare.

“It’s just that there’s so many people trying to follow up that you can’t get to see everybody in a timely fashion. Hence, the system is overwhelmed with all the patients that are coming forth.

“Especially in the Family Islands — I have a practice

in one of the Family Islands and it’s kind of overwhelming because everybody now seems to be health conscious and wants to be checked out to ensure that nothing serious is going on.”

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020, reported the World Health Organisation. The disease has affected many families in The Bahamas with some patients having to go through extensive chemotherapy and treatment once diagnosed.

Dr Fox said that since the pandemic, more young people have been

diagnosed with cancer, citing in one instance a 22-year-old woman diagnosed with breast cancer.

He stressed: “I am seeing more younger women with breast cancer. I think the youngest one I’ve seen since the pandemic was 22 years old. I’ve never seen one that young before. So yeah, I’m seeing more younger people with cancer.” There has also been a rise in the number of obesity cases in the country, which is a major contributory factor to cancer. Dr Fox added that some people who are diagnosed with cancer are also suffering with multiple diseases such as diabetes and high

blood pressure. Additionally, as a cancer survivor himself, Dr Fox said he understands that treatment can be extremely expensive.

He explained that many people cannot afford treatment, do not have access, or simply prefer natural remedies.

Dr Fox continued:

“Sometimes, because of the amount of patients that are receiving chemotherapy the drugs are not always available in a timely fashion. And you have people missing therapy, sometimes people can’t get therapy because their cells dropped too low and we have to wait. So, there are many factors that

contribute to people not getting treatment, but the treatments are available.”

During the press conference, he urged the public to support the Cancer Society’s 21st annual ball at the Imperial Ballroom, Atlantis, Paradise Island, on May 27.

The proceeds of the ball will assist with the cancer caring centre that aids the treatment of many Family Island patients.

Dr Fox said many Family Islanders who travel to New Providence for treatment often do not have a place to stay. Hence, the proceeds will help in creating more rooms at the centre for patients.

‘TIME HAS COME’ FOR CONVERSATION ON CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IN SCHOOLS

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

AFTER a police officer allegedly beat several Bimini Primary School students, Education Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin said “the time has come” for a conversation about corporal punishment in schools.

She said the Bimini incident is “beyond most unfortunate” and is something officials regret has happened in a school. She explained that there are official protocols about how corporal punishment should be administered.

“When a parent sends a child to the school, the parent has an expectation that if that is to occur, that it occurs within strict adherence to that manual. I think the time has come that we must discuss this issue of corporal punishment even in that way in our schools. But that’s a conversation that is later than this one. This is an incident that has happened.

“I think the issue here at hand (is that) the protocols are very clear about how discipline is administered and so it is being reviewed as we speak but certainly the principal is no longer there. I’m told the police officer was transferred and the counselling has begun with these children. I consider it beyond most unfortunate and it is something that we truly regret has happened in our schools and in particular a primary school.”

Mrs Hanna-Martin added: “We’re hoping that out of this the message will go out and it’s clear that if you seek to execute any form of corporal punishment, it (is) done (in) strict compliance and that strict compliance only allows senior administrators to administer and I think it also says the manner in which. So the way in which it was reported that happened in that school is completely outside of what was authorised.”

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.”

National Security Minister Wayne Munroe said on Tuesday the police will investigate the incident if there is a report of a criminal offence.

Tanishka Sands, 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 the police.” She claimed the bruise on her child was so severe that it looked black and purple.

Ms Sands recalled that they went to the clinic and it was suggested he be sent to Nassau to get checked.

The newscast reported the

woman’s son was too traumatised to return to school.

Yesterday, Mrs HannaMartin said “we’ll wait to see how this transpires” but “we have to work every day with the children”.

The education minister has been vocal about her position on the controversial topic of corporal punishment. Giving her personal view in March 2022, Mrs Hanna-Martin said she does not see where using violence on children is going to help any sort of circumstance or situation.

The minister added that she is not an advocate of violence in any shape or form and certainly not against young persons.

“I think we have to help our children to grow up healthy, respectful, strong, courageous,” she had said earlier. “I support discipline and even punishment in terms of that component of discipline. But I do not personally support the use of violence against young people to coerce conduct or behaviour.”

WHILE MPS ARGUE FOR THEIR REMOVAL, BPPBA SAYS ALL MONTAGU STALLS ARE LICENCED

By FAY SIMMONS jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

A GOVERNMENT minister yesterday said that stalls on Montagu Beach that have been the centre of concern for residents are not authorised - despite the assertions of the managing director of the Bahamas Public Parks and Beaches Authority (BPPBA) to the contrary.

The issue was raised in Parliament yesterday by St Anne’s MP Adrian White - which brought agreement with Mr White from National Security Minister Wayne Munroe.

Mr White had initially raised the issue on behalf of constituents, and said he was assured the structures would be removed.

He said: “The approval of vendors without consultation with members of the public leaves a bad taste in Bahamians’ mouths. The Minister of National Security and Free Town MP previously responded in the House of Assembly, when the status was raised by the MP for St Anne’s, that the third and most recent structure was ordered to be removed by November 2022.”

He raised the matter again yesterday, and was supported by Mr Munroe, who said that the stalls should be removed.

Mr Munroe said: “This is actually a matter on which the member for St Anne’s and I am in agreement.”

Mr Munroe went on to indicate that the stalls are

not authorised.

He said: “I’ve communicated with the Ministry of Works, a number of persons have, the last communication I have doesn’t seem to indicate that it’s approved.”

He also quoted from an email dated January 3 on the matter which indicated that the structures were illegal and would be removed.

He said “I’ve directed the building controls section to take all legal steps to have the situation resolved because of their responsibility for the management of public beaches and parks and drawing the matter to the attention of the chairman of the authority, Mr McKell Bonaby MP, and collectively we’ll resolve to remove the illegal structure.”

However, The Tribune had previously made inquiries to the BPPBA, and had been told that the vendor stalls in the area were licensed.

Before yesterday’s discussion in the House of Assembly by Members of Parliament, BPPBA managing director David Barry told The Tribune that an inspection was carried out on Thursday last week and all current vendors on Montagu Beach had a licence.

Mr White told The Tribune of his disapproval of the BPPBA issuing vendor licences without consulting the public. He went on to question

the activities allowed on Montagu Beach, including the environmental footprint of one structure that has expanded since it was initially constructed.

He said: “What remains unknown is the plan that the Public Parks and Beaches Authority is following. Is all of Montague Park now open to vending under this New Day administration? What area or areas have been designated and zoned for commercial use?

“What is the footprint each existing vendor is approved to occupy and what are the terms of their licenses, hours of operation, health and safety requirements,

music limits?”

He continued: “The third and most recent structure creeps closer and closer to the water as time passes. Have previously dedicated marked parking spaces been dedicated to its operation, will the access road be next, then what, the beach too?”

The Tribune also spoke to a number of residents who expressed concern over whether vendors at Montagu Beach had permits, as well as noting the increased amount of garbage and food debris, which has led to an apparent rise in the number of rats in the area.

EDUCATION Minister Glenys Hanna Martin says ‘time has come’ for a conversation about corporal punishment in schools, responding to the report of alleged beatings at a Bimini school by a police officer.

50 events for 50th independence

that we celebrate in a way that includes all Bahamians, young and old, and everyone in between, north and south, and everyone in between,” he said.

“Today (Wednesday), the releasing of the official national independent Secretariat calendar of events is done so that Bahamians can prepare for the months ahead, which will be filled with exciting events,” Mr Davis said.

“Our 50th year represents a turning point for all the Bahamians, regardless of their background, beliefs or politics, to come together to make the next 50 years even better. In the spirit of unity, we must ensure that this monumental year is celebrated, honoured, and used as the launching point for the new Bahamas that we see in our visions,” he said.

“Throughout 2023, we will host a diverse range of events that will serve as a springboard for our next chapter. As a nation. The slate of events will work

in alignment with three things, One Nation, which speaks to the elements that unify us as a people using food, values, and of course Junkanoo. (Second) our legacy, which includes honouring nation builders, and ensuring that the full story of an independent Bahamas is recorded, and told. And finally, our future, as we launch health and food security initiatives, engage our children and empower youth. That’s our future,”

Mr Davis said.

Leslia Miller-Brice, chairperson of the Independence Secretariat, mentioned several key events listed within the calendar. Events, celebrations and activities include official 242 challenges, which will occur May 3 through December 31, marking 242 days, which includes the Eat Local, Eat Fresh initiative, and the My Country, My Responsibility initiative.

May 5 will be observed as National Jubilee Day where schools across the country will host a special assembly to celebrate the country’s golden jubilee. The

following day there will be a 50th on Bay Street Festival. Other events of note include a gospel concert on June 25, a national float parade and nationwide motorcade on July 1 and the Independence Military Tattoo and Cultural Show on Clifford Park on July 9.

On each Sunday in July at 7.10am, a national prayer and fellowship will be held for 50 minutes.

On Friday, March 24 at the Grand Ballroom at Baha Mar, a 1973 masterclass series will be continuing in recognition of Sir Lynden Pindling, his life and legacy. This event is open to the public as space will permit.

On Sunday, March 26, the Independence Secretariat will host a Dame Doris Johnson’s National Women’s unity march and concert at 3pm, Mrs Miller-Brice, also the Seabreeze MP added.

All events are free and open to the public with a few exceptions mentioned on the calendar.

The full 115-page listing of the calendar of events is featured online at celebratebahamas.com.

LIFE

PRIME Minister Philip ‘ Brave’ Davis, along with Indepedence Secretariat chairperson Leslia MillerBrice, announced a series of events leading up to The Bahamas’ 50th independence celebration at the Harry C Moore Library at The University of The Bahamas. Mr Davis took time to speak to and get photographs with many of the students attending for the announcement.

Photos: Moise Amisial

CHIROPRACTIC CENTRE is thrilled to announce that Village Road has been repaved and underground utilities have been upgraded and is now OPEN to vehicular traffic.

The Tribune Limited

Digital era speeds up bank runs

A BANK run conjures images of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” with anxious customers crammed shoulder to shoulder, desperately pleading with a harried George Bailey to hand over their money.

The failure of Silicon Valley Bank last week had the panic but few other similarities, instead taking place on Twitter, message boards, mobile phones and bank websites.

What made the failure of Silicon Valley Bank unique compared to past failures of large banks was how quickly it collapsed. Last Wednesday afternoon, the $200bn bank announced a plan to raise fresh capital; by Friday morning it was insolvent and under government control.

Regulators, policymakers and bankers are looking at the role that digital messaging and social media may have played in the collapse, and whether banks are entering an age when the psychological behavior behind a bank run — mass fear from depositors of losing their savings — may be amplified and go viral quicker than bank officers and regulators can successfully respond.

“It was a bank sprint, not a bank run, and social media played a central role in that,” said Michael Imerman, a professor at the Paul Merage School of Business at the University of California-Irvine.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation estimates that customers withdrew $40bn — one fifth of Silicon Valley Bank’s deposits — in just a few hours, prompting the agency to shut down the bank before 12pm ET, instead of waiting until the close of business, which is typical operating procedure for regulators when a bank runs short of money.

Some other well-known bank failures, such as IndyMac or Washington Mutual in 2008 or Continental Illinois in the 1980s, only happened after days or weeks of reports indicated those banks faced deep financial difficulties. Then a run occurred and regulators stepped in.

The Silicon Valley Bank run was, in many ways, the first of the digital era. Few depositors lined up at a branch. Instead, they used bank apps and phone calls to access their money in minutes.

Venture capitalists and business owners described the early stages of the Silicon Valley run being led by private message boards or Slack channels, where entrepreneurs were encouraged to withdraw their funds.

Silicon Valley Bank also was unique in being almost entirely exposed to one community — the tech industry, venture capital and startups. When this closeknit community of depositors talked to one another — using digital channels to do so quickly — the bank likely became more vulnerable to rumors and a run. This was a risk outside of the growth of social media, industry experts said.

Sam Altman, CEO of Open AI, tweeted: “the speed of the world has changed. things can unwind fast. people talk fast. people move money fast”.

While the withdrawals initially may have been orderly, they became a fullon bank run Thursday evening after the news spilled over to Twitter that billionaire venture capitalist Peter Thiel had advised his invested companies to close their accounts with Silicon Valley Bank.

“If you are not advising your companies to get the cash out, then you are not doing your job as a Board Member or as a Shareholder. Daily life in startups is risky enough, don’t play with your lifeline...,” wrote Mark Tluszcz, the CEO of Europe-based investment firm Mangrove, on Twitter that Friday morning.

For David Murray, the warning of the first bank run of the social-media age came in a one-sentence email.

He’s a co-founder of Confirm.com, an employee performance management company in San Francisco that had millions of dollars sitting in accounts at Silicon Valley Bank.

Murray received a terse email Thursday morning saying that a run was underway there and recommending everyone pull their money out immediately. The email came from an investor whom Murray hears from so infrequently that

his co-founder wondered if it was a phishing attempt or other scam.

After verifying the email and seeing the steep drop in the stock price of the bank’s parent company, SVB Financial, Murray and his colleagues rushed to withdraw the company’s money. Instead of heading to a branch, they quickly pulled up a webpage and logged in. It took a few tries, but they eventually moved every cent to an account at a different bank within a half hour.

Murray could see fear rising among other startup companies in real time.

“We have a trusted network of founders” of startup companies who communicate with each other over Slack, Murray said. “Normally these chat groups are dead. But that day, all the Slack groups were lit up.”

As depicted with the fictional Building and Loan in “ It’s a Wonderful Life,” runs on a bank often start off as a rumor and can quickly devolve to a tribal-like collective fear that sends depositors clamoring for their money, even when nothing is wrong. Because a bank run can happen at random and is hard to stop once started, the US government created the FDIC to stop future bank runs under the premise that depositors’ funds would be insured.

Between 1930 and 1933, during the Great Depression, roughly 9,000 banks failed. Since the FDIC’s creation in 1933, bank runs have become much rarer.

According to the FDIC, there were 562 bank failures between 2001 and 2023, with the vast majority of those happening during the 2007-2009 recession.

The entire banking industry is now grappling with the fact that they could be the next target of a social mediafueled bank run. The hive-like behavior is similar to what happened during the 2021 “meme stock” boom where companies were targeted by groups of mostly retail investors, although in that case groups of investors were using social media to push stocks higher.

Silicon Valley Bank’s failure dominated social media platforms for days. Several prominent investors issued bombastic predictions that if the federal government did not step in to make all Silicon Valley Bank depositors whole — both insured and uninsured — there would be more bank runs on Monday.

In the end, Washington capitulated. Under the plan announced by US regulators on Sunday, depositors at Silicon Valley Bank were able to access all their money. A new Federal Reserve program will allow banks to post certain high-quality securities as collateral and borrow from a government emergency fund. Both Treasury and Federal Reserve officials told reporters over the weekend that the programs were created in part due to concerns further bank runs — fueled by social media — could occur.

“The last several days represent a unique incident fueled by misinformation on social media and are not indicative of the health of our industry,” said Lindsey Johnson, president of the Consumer Bankers Association, in a statement.

For policymakers, there doesn’t appear to be any immediate solution. One possibility that’s been around for decades — also depicted in “It’s a Wonderful Life” — is the idea of a bank holiday where regulators close a bank for a few days to allow for cooler heads to prevail.

On Monday after the government stepped in to backstop the banking system, it seemed like a portion of the technology community had become aware of their ability to cause mass panic in finance and should be more careful when posting about the potential health of banks.

“In the age of social media, if you have a big enough platform and yell loud enough about a bank run, you might eventually be correct. Doesn’t make it right,” wrote Logan Bartlett with Redpoint Ventures.

By KEN SWEET and STAN

Economist is wrong - again

EDITOR, The Tribune.

FOR those of us who are accustomed to Caribbean economist Marla Dukharan’s frequently offbase and usually disproved observations about the nature and prospects of the Bahamian economy, her comments at Tuesday’s RF Economic Outlook were of little surprise. Some of her assertions relative to our supposed over-dependence on tourism were just plain wrong on their face, while others demonstrated either a limited understanding of our circumstances or a deliberate mischaracterisation of them.

For instance, she lists “deteriorating human development” in support of her argument against our basic development model, when in fact, according to the latest (2022) report, The Bahamas has maintained its status in the “very high human development”

category and actually risen three places from 58th to 55th in the world, while its nearest regional rival, Barbados, has fallen from 58th to 70th.

She also makes false comparisons in her analysis, such as comparing our debt history with that of Barbados without pointing out that Barbados has had progressive income tax since before its independence and we (alone among independent countries in the Americas) have none. If we did, our economy would have been in surplus since independence and poverty rates would be minuscule.

Ms Dukharan herself acknowledges this (to quote her: “the tax system is regressive and therefore pro-poverty”). But instead of recommending that we

simply fix it, she quickly reverts to her default recommendation that we cozy up to the International Monetary Fund – a monstrous, neoliberal institution that is hopefully headed into oblivion – together with the remaining architecture of post-war western global hegemony. Instead of admitting that freely chosen top-down economics and a freely chosen regressive tax structure are in fact the whole story of The Bahamas’ selfimposed debt “problem”, she instead advocates that we tie our fortunes to the world’s worst promoter of toxic neoliberal economics whose “cures” have caused Barbados’ precipitous fall from grace in terms of human development. No that you, Ms Dukharan.

ANDREW ALLEN Nassau, March 15, 2023.

‘Good morning, I’m Ed Bethel’

EDITOR, The Tribune, “Silence! Silence? In this house”, Mama said. Her little transistor radio pressed to her head, Ed Bethel demanded attention

To an about to be born new nation.

We were teenagers;

In love with James Brown, Little Eddie, Diana and the Supremes, Tony McKay, Priscilla, Elton and Barry White. Ed was intermission at the 7am, 12 noon, 1pm and 7pm hour; Our first current events lesson,

Our first international tongue twister, How Ed sang Valery Giscard d’Estaing, Ho Chi Min City, Washington Dee See,

Nyerere, Kaunda, Manley, Biko, Billie Jean King, Muhammad Ali And Sidney with the pot in the hay.

‘Mama’s lil transistor’

Made our world smaller With Ed at the controls; Taking on us on this journey;

From colony to country

From British Subject to Citizen free From Hail Britannia to March on Bahama land

We all grew up to comprehend Our place on the planet

Our dignity and identity

Un-foretold;

Looking back at Ed’s hurdles:

The nastiness of a hate campaign

Against his staff and crew, The off years when his boldness

In an editorial on Parliamentary conduct Suspended his voice But strengthened his bounce back. He is gone now As one writer says, “He belongs to the ages” Yet we aged with him And we all the better As a people, As a nation, As a culture; Because Ed from West End Once led us from 3rd Terrace Centreville Hill; A rite of passage, ‘Only the sun covers the Bahamas better than…’ Ed poured into Mama’s ‘lil transistor’ every day He will always be on air. “Good morning. I’m Ed Bethel.”

JAMES E WILLIAMS March 14, 2023

Traffic laws and ATVs

EDITOR, The Tribune.

AS I TRAVEL across New Providence, especially West Bay Street, I notice the abundance of ATV (All Terrain Vehicles) on our streets being used as day tour adventures for our tourists.

As with everything in a small island, the me-too syndrome is in full effect now, since we now have multiple operators in this market. However, I see one dangerous habit with most of these operators, and that is the lack of awareness of how dangerous these vehicles are, and the absence of any safety precautions.

Normally, too many of these tourists ride these vehicles without a safety helmet. However, I have seen a few operators with the rider’s wearing helmets.

Another danger of these ATV is that they lack a roll bar, above the passengers, which will provide protection from series injuries, and even save the life of these occupants in case of an accident, where the ATV overturns. Or they can be thrown from the vehicle, and without a helmet they are at greater risk of serious injury.

ATV speed limits can be control by speed limit applications for safety, and speed can be limited to, e.g. 15mph? Generally, the top speed of these vehicles can be 50 to 90mph. Have our police and road traffic authorities enforced this policy in the licensing of these ATVs? Are the operators enforcing speed limits for their renters, as a safety precaution?

Unfortunately, our traffic cops, and the wider police

force apparently sees nothing wrong with this picture and have allowed them to traverse freely without enforcement or penalty.

A tourist was killed at Arawak Cay on Sunday, February 19th, 2023, while riding on one of these ATVs. As we normally do, I expect a heightened sense of concern for a few weeks on these ATV, and then we relax back to old familiar habits.

We really need a proactive approach to our enforcement of our traffic laws, which means police officers on patrol, every day doing their job to keep our citizens, tourists and anyone who traverses these streets of New Providence, and our islands safe. BA

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis and his wife Ann Marie with children at the launch of the Independence calendar of events yesterday.

Photo: Moise Amisial

OVER-THE-HILL FOUNDATION AWARDS FOUR GRANTS

The Over-The-Hill Community Development Foundation has awarded four grants for projects designed to positively impact the Over-TheHill community and its residents.

The grant recipients are:

• ABC Maritime Training/SMART Training Institute, awarded $10,000 for its introduction to Maritime Employment Opportunities and Safe Boating Training programme. • Nassau Rowing Club, awarded $6,000 for its OARS Programme.

• Perro Grande Music Ltd, awarded $8,984.79 for its Access Industry Music

Three young men granted bail on firearm, stealing and causing harm charges

programme.

• Tamika Hanna, awarded $6,850 for the Tamika Hanna Fashion Camp and Over-The-Hill Sewing Programme.

The foundation’s next grant cycle is scheduled for July 2023. The range of grant funding awarded is $3,000-$10,000. Any Bahamian citizen or resident 18 years or older or any Bahamian organisation with a passion for progress in the Over-The-Hill area is welcome to submit a grant application. The grant application and additional information are available online at www. overthehillfoundation.org.

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THREE Freeport men were arraigned on firearm and ammunition possession charges, stealing and causing harm yesterday.

Tavon Hanna, 21, Raymond Pennington, 20, and Vandyke Barry, 18, appeared before Magistrate Laquay Laing in Freeport.

They were charged with two counts of possession of unlicensed firearms and possession of ammunition.

It is alleged that on March 11, while at Freeport, the men being concerned together were found in possession of a black Beretta 9mm without being the holder of a special licence by the appropriate licensing authority.

They were allegedly found with 15 rounds of 9mm ammunition. On

count three, the accused men being concerned together were allegedly found in possession of a component part of a firearm — a magazine.

They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In a second matter, Pennington and Hanna were charged with causing harm, stealing, and possession of a firearm with intent to put another in fear.

It is alleged that in Freeport on March 12, the two being concerned together caused harm to Police Detective Corporal Clayton Young. The two were also charged with stealing a black Beretta 9mm firearm, and 15 unfired bullets, together valued at over $600, the property of the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

It also alleged that the men possessed a firearm

and put Det. Corporal Clayton Young in fear.

Hanna and Pennington pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Ernie Wallace appeared on behalf of the three accused men.

He noted that all accused are “millennials” who are employed – two in the tourist sector in Grand Bahama and a third on a private cay. He asked the magistrate to grant them reasonable bail.

Mr Wallace asked the magistrate to not consider any conditions, such as an electronic monitoring device, that would deprive Hanna of his employment at the private cay.

“That is not the condition of bail; it is to make sure they come back to trial,” he explained.

The police prosecutor requested that the men be made to sign in at the nearest police station.

In the first matter, Magistrate Laing granted Hanna $8,000 bail with one or two sureties, and ordered that he sign in on the first Monday of the month to the Central Police Station in Freeport.

Barry and Pennington were each granted $8,000 bail with one or two sureties. They are to sign in once a week every Monday at Central Police Station. In the second matter, Hanna was granted $6,000 bail with one surety. He was ordered to sign in every first Monday of the month at Central Police Station, Freeport. Pennington was granted $6,000 bail and ordered to sign in once a week on Monday at the Central Police Station. The matters were adjourned to May 22.

MAN GRANTED $2,500 BAIL ON HEMP AND COCAINE CHARGE

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was granted bail in Magistrate’s Court yesterday after it was alleged he was

found with a quantity of cocaine and Indian hemp.

Kevin Estelhomme, 27, appeared before Magistrate Shaka Serville charged with possession of dangerous drugs and

possession with intent to supply. It is alleged that on March 12 in New Providence Estelhomme was arrested by the police after he was found with cocaine as

well as Indian hemp. In court, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge. Bail was granted to him at $2,500. His trial is set for August 1.

AMBASSADOR OF IRELAND HOSTS WELCOME RECEPTION

The Ambassador of Ireland to The Bahamas, Dr Eamonn McKee recently visited The Bahamas. Dr McKee was joined by his wife, Mary McGillisMcKee; and they were hosted by Irish Honorary

Consul for The Bahamas, William Mills. Mr & Mrs Mills hosted a welcome reception at Spritz Waterfront Restaurant, which was well attended by members of the Irish community in Nassau.

PICTURED from left, William Mills, Irish Honorary Consul for The Bahamas; Mary McGillis-McKee; Dr Eamonn McKee; and Wendy Mills.

Photo: Leah Davis

What’s going on at BTC?

IT IS telling and disturbing the number and drumbeat of Bahamians dissatisfied and frustrated with the often poor and inconsistent quality of service by the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC). The number of upset customers seems as voluminous as the white pages of a printed directory.

The telecommunications company is reliably unreliable. Many Bahamians consistently experience dropped calls on landlines and mobile phones, static on landlines, billing complaints, service paid for but not delivered and other difficulties.

One of the company’s marketing slogans is “No Stress, Just Vibes”, an irony given the stress caused by the company and its poor vibes pertaining to customer service.

There are many good and hard-working people at the company. But something is terribly wrong. Many are dumbfounded as to what are the company’s underlying and fundamental problems in the delivery of consistent and quality service.

Telecommunications companies are essentially technology companies, with access to sophisticated communications technologies, including AI and fibre optics, as well as sophisticated algorithms which should improve service at every level.

DIFFICULTIES

The difficulties at BTC are technological and human. The corporate culture at the company, including a seeming cavalier indifference toward customer complaints, appears pervasive. Customer service representatives regularly do not reply to complaints in a timely manner.

What makes this especially maddening is when a customer calls, is on hold for an interminable period and, after talking to a representative the call drops and the agent never calls back.

Frustratingly, one has to call again and go through the same numbing and torturous process. Some have experienced this merrygo-round of incompetence several times on a single matter. A colleague wondered whether there is an algorithm that purposefully drops calls after a given period.

The merry-go-round includes being sent from one department to the next, with no one seemingly incapable of understanding or

being able to resolve a basic problem. One is sent from department to department with no resolution, which may go on for months on end.

In a recent story in The Tribune, “Sameer Bhatti, BTC’s chief executive, acknowledged … there will be ‘occasions’ when technology fails to function after several well-known customers recently complained they were being billed for communications services they were not receiving, with no information on the problem’s cause or when it would be rectified being provided.”

TURNOVER

According to Eyewitness News, Mr Bhatti is “the fifth person to occupy the role [of chief executive officer, in the last five years. The website noted: “The most recent stop on Bhatti’s resume was American-based telecommunications conglomerate Comcast, where he spent ten years as an executive in ‘commercial and channel development roles. Prior to that, he held senior positions at Juniper Networks and Verizon in the United States.”

A Bahamian, he is well-regarded and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management Science and Statistics from the University of Maryland and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Duke University.

Still, why has there been such rapid turnover at the helm of BTC? This does not look good. Such turnover typically does not bode well for an organisation. Unfortunately, Mr. Bhatti, BTC’s technology does not just seem to be failing on “occasions”.

The new CEO told this journal: “We are continuing with our mandate to

upgrade our networks and completely ‘fiberise’ our entire network with unmatched speeds and value. More than 70 percent of New Providence has been upgraded to fiber, and during the course of this year, the entire New Providence footprint will be fully fiber.

“Where services have been upgraded, we encourage our customers to also upgrade to fiber for better reliability. Eventually, BTC will only maintain its fibre network, and we will shut down our legacy copper technology.”

Does this not suggest that there have been persistent structural and systemic problems with the network requiring a massive upgrade?

The Tribune story recounted the woes of Leandra Esfakis. She noted that:

“It was only after she sent a complaining February 20, 2023, email to Inge Smidts, BTC’s chair and head of its immediate parent, Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC), that two phone lines at her Market Street premises for which she paid a deposit in November 2022 were switched on.

“In the meantime, she said BTC had been calling to demand payment of around $218 for use of the lines but had provided no bill so she could understand on what basis the charges had accrued.” Her fuller complaint can be read in the March 6 story in the paper.

Why does a customer have to write to a head of the company on such a basic matter? If the CEO is busy dealing with generally minor complaints this suggests that there are human resource problems with other executives and junior level staff including supervisors.

SERVICE

Notably, this is an entrenched and structural human resource problem found with many utilities and government agencies in The Bahamas and parts of the Caribbean, where the quality of talent impairs consistency, progress and better customer service outcomes.

A dear friend’s litany of problems with BTC appears representative of the myriad difficulties Bahamians experience on a daily basis. She runs a small business requiring constant connectivity including to run customer debit and credit cards.

Her high-speed BTC

connection often requires her to reset the modem. She signed up for a package which includes a cell phone which she has yet to receive after nearly five months. Her billing has sometimes been wrong. Worse, she has not been able to consistently receive her bill electronically.

When she has called to ask to receive an electronic copy of her bill, customer service representatives seemed incapable of fixing the problem. And these are just the problems at the office.

Her home landline has been down at least four times last year and once so far this year. Her elderly mother’s home landline

goes down even more and for a longer period.

How can one business and individual have so many problems with BTC? Her story is not atypical. When a business and the head of a company has to endure so many telecommunications problems it affects productivity and profits.

A pizza delivery company can send a customer an electronic receipt in seconds or minutes, along with a coupon for something free, and yet one can often not get BTC to acknowledge payment electronically on the same day. Worse, after paying one’s bill, a customer keeps receiving texts messages requesting payment.

This is not an occasional failure. The problem appears to be the human resources who seem incapable of improving their algorithms despite being a digital communications technology company.

CULTURE

Changing from copper to fibre may prove easier than changing a corporate culture. While there are those

who offer good service, quite a number have complained about the rude and often indifferent service at a number of BTC stores on New Providence.

One store in particular in western New Providence was known for employees who mostly ignored or were dismissive of customers seeking to purchase a new cell phone. This columnist experienced this poor service and attitude twice at the same store. Others reported similar experiences.

Bahamians desperately want to know why some of the basic problems at the country’s oldest telecommunications company seem unfixable and getting worse. Many wish Mr Bhatti well. He and BTC have a long way to go to restore good faith and trust in a company that has lost considerable favour.

Customers are not moved by expensive marketing and slogans, which are no substitute for good policy and customer service. Most just want reliable and consistent technological and human service.

Are recent provocative events a justification for escalation?

YESTERDAY’S headlines reported that Russian military jets damaged an American spy drone over the Black Sea on Tuesday.

Two words immediately came to mind: casus belli. That’s Latin for “cause or justification for war”.

The American unmanned drone was an MQ-9 Reaper that looks like the powerful stealth killer that it is. The aircraft is powered by a 950-horsepower engine, with a maximum speed of about 300mph and a cruising speed of 170–200mph.

With a 66ft wingspan and a maximum payload of 3,800 pounds, the MQ-9 can be armed with a variety

STATESIDE

of weaponry, including missiles ominously named ‘Hellfire’ and 500lb bombs. The MQ-9 can stay aloft for 30 hours when conducting purely intelligence missions, which drops to 23 hours if it is carrying a full weapons load. The Reaper has a range of 1,150 miles

and an operational altitude of 50,000ft.

This “Reaper” drone is clearly capable of both military intelligence and operational missions. The US has been deploying them for 15 years in various roles. In response to Tuesday’s incident, US officials

said the incident was “part of a pattern of dangerous actions by Russian pilots during encounters with American and allied aircraft in international airspace”.

The officials warned that “provocations of this type could lead to

miscalculations and unintended escalation” between Russia and the West.

The US and its allies are edging ever closer to a situation where an incident like Tuesday’s one becomes a justification for escalation if not declared war. Such a situation might conjure memories of the Korean War that was fought threequarters of a century ago.

The Korean War of 1950-53 was sparked when North Korea pushed across its 38th parallel boundary with South Korea and tried to conquer the south. It is officially called the Korean “conflict”, since there was never a formal declaration

of war by the UN forces led by the US against North Korea and its Russian and Chinese patrons. (The United Nations, under whose aegis the war was fought by the Americans and their allies, is proscribed by its charter from declaring war. Hence the use of “conflict”).

Whether you call it a war or not, 36,000 American troops died and 2.5 million civilians were killed.

The result of the Korean War was the present stalemate, after North Korean, Russian and Chinese forces were finally pushed back to the pre-invasion border. Sound familiar?

‘NOTHING LEFT TO LOSE’ BEHIND MAGA AND RUSSIA SUPPORT?

RUTH and Alison are sisters. They have both spent much of their time in the US, but each has also lived in The Bahamas. Like many sisters, they have had their ups and downs with each other over the five-plus decades of their successful lives. While they say they mostly bond over and chat about day-to-day issues, they’re also interested in more weighty issues of the day.

Sometimes they get deep into those issues, and this conversation was one of those occasions.

“Hey, Ruthie, remember

how we were talking the other day about the haves and the have nots of the world?”

“Sure, Ali. What about it?”

“Well, I have an idea. Let’s see what you think.”

Alison took a sip of her tea, and began. “I was thinking about what you said the other day, when you mentioned that an awful lot of MAGA Republicans and Trump supporters continue to express allegiance to the former president. This comes in the face of the January 6 riot at the US capitol,

Trump’s real legal vulnerability on several fronts, and the fact that he did actually lose the 2020 election and probably subverted the Republicans’ chances at major legislative gains last year.”

“Yeah, I’ve heard that before,” Ruth replied.

“Whatcha got that’s new?”

“Give me another minute to speak,” her sister said.

“We have also discussed how a surprising number of third-world countries have refused to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, right?”

“Yesss, Ali. Get to the point.”

“Hey! OK, listen. Here’s my idea. It doesn’t make sense to either of us that MAGA Republicans would stick with Trump, who’s already lost to Biden and would do so again. It doesn’t make sense that other countries would refuse to condemn an outright, brazen, unprovoked invasion. Except for one thing.

“That thing is this: Neither the Trump die-hards nor the third-worlders may feel they have anything further to lose at this point. For the MAGAers, they already feel the current “system” in the US is stacked against them. They see educational opportunities, jobs and cultural trends all moving away from them. For them, ‘woke’ imperatives lead Democrats and many Republicans to tilt the scale in favour of immigrants, minorities, even women!

“Trump, flawed as he doubtless is, nevertheless speaks to them and for them. The forces of globalisation, the financial and other influence of Jews in the society, suspicious-looking immigrants, the coddling of ‘Antifa mobs’: these things all rankle, and lead to a feeling of hopelessness. It erodes their faith in the American dream. Things aren’t fair or based on merit any more. What do they have to lose by supporting people who have shown a willingness to burn the house down to change things?”

Alison paused, expecting her older sister to reply sarcastically. But Ruth just seemed lost in thought. “Go on,” she said finally.

“OK. These countries that won’t condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine: China, North Korea, Iran. I get

that. They are seeking tactical and maybe even strategic advantages in such a policy, even though they all border Russia or, like Iran, almost do. And as neighbours, they could be next if Putin succeeds in Ukraine. But India was also hesitant to condemn Russia at first. Turkey and Hungary may have practical as well as ideological reasons for their reserve on this issue.

“But what about African nations,” Ruth continued.

“Remember earlier this month, that resolution at the United Nations condemning the Russians?” She put on her reading glasses. “Here’s what the resolution said:

‘We deplore in the strongest terms the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine; demand that the Russian Federation immediately cease its use of force against Ukraine and to refrain from any further unlawful threat or use of force against any Member State, and demand that the Russian Federation immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders’.”

Alison said “What does that have to do with Africa?”

Ruth smiled. “Did you know that only 28 out of the 54 African countries represented in the UN voted in favour of the resolution?

Overall, 81 percent of nonAfrican member countries voted in favour of the resolution. And furthermore, it says here that of the 35 countries that voted to abstain, 17 were African — including Algeria, Angola, and South Africa. Eight other African countries, including Cameroon, Ethiopia, and

Morocco, did not submit a vote. What do you think of that, Ali?”

“So let me get this straight,” her sister replied. “You think that half of the African countries did not support a fairly straightforward UN resolution because they feel they have nothing to lose?”

“Well,” Ruth replied, “I have been reading that many Africans feel that the industrialized Western world only pays attention to them when a UN vote or something is needed. On issues like climate change, for instance, the big economies contribute most of the carbon to the atmosphere, and then they get together and try to squeeze the smaller nations.

“And what about these various financial action task forces in Washington, London, Brussels and elsewhere in Europe? You’re always complaining that they are such hypocrites, imposing black lists and warnings on smaller nations like The Bahamas while profiting themselves from notorious money laundering sites in the Caribbean and elsewhere.”

“True enough,” said Alison. “You are saying that lots of African nations feel as left behind as the MAGA Republicans? That they feel they might just as well burn down the international order because the current one isn’t benefiting them enough?”

“Well,” Ruth replied. “It’s something to think about, isn’t it? And what if we weren’t so dependent on American tourism and trade? How would our perspective be any different than the Africans’?”

“You might have something there, little sister,” said Alison. “Now then, I’m hungry. Let’s get lunch.”

with Charlie Harper

A US MQ-9 drone is on display during an air show at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018. A Russian fighter jet Tuesday, struck the propeller of a US MQ-9 surveillance drone over the Black Sea, causing American forces to bring down the unmanned aerial vehicle in international waters, the US military said, an incident that highlighted soaring US-Russian tensions over Moscow’s war in Ukraine.

Photo: Massoud Hossaini

Coleby-Davis: Navigational lighting and buoys project to start soon

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

TRANSPORT and Housing Minister Jobeth

Coleby-Davis told boaters that a major project will soon commence for the installation of navigational lighting and buoys throughout the country.

While attending a town meeting in Eight Mile Rock at Zion Baptist Church on Monday evening, Mrs Coleby-Davis revealed that a Bahamian group has been approved to carry out the project, which should take about 18 months to complete.

The lack of lighting at sea has been an ongoing issue and a big concern for boaters, particularly in Grand Bahama and Abaco.

Additionally, boaters are calling for more boat ramps and dock repairs, and have raised concerns about the removal of wrecks still out to sea that pose a safety issue to them.

Concerned boater Gary Russell told the minister: “Safety is important to me, but one of the things I realise when trying to get home after dark, it is usually a problem because there are no navigational lights.”

He also noted that the amount of floating wreckage is another problem they face out at sea. “There are lots of things floating in the ocean; there was a yacht floating (around) out

there for a year. There are a lot of things out there. If you hit them at night, you are a goner.”

Mrs Coleby-Davis acknowledged that her ministry is aware of those issues and is working to address them.

“Last year, we were presented with an excellent presentation by a young Bahamian … and we have tentatively decided on a group for new lighting and buoys throughout the entire Bahamas,” she said. This statement was loudly applauded.

“They have been approved, and we are getting ready to get them started before this summer. That is a large project, and they told us it would take 18 months to complete to tackle every single area.

“I have been getting letters from the day I took office about boat lighting in Abaco and Grand Bahama. So, we have tackled that and are looking to get them started as soon as possible.”

She noted that the project would encompass the entire Bahamas.

The minister reported that the yacht wreckage to which Mr Russell referred has been removed.

“We moved that,” she said. “We are cleaning up; we have been working.”

Acting port controller Bern Wright said the Ministry of Transport has a wreckage cleaning

programme to address the issue of wrecks at sea.

“We are aware of many challenges in terms of wrecks, and as the minister indicated we have a process to move all this stuff, but we are working on some things, and we are on it,” he said.

In addition to the lack of lighting, Shervin Tate, of Sweeting’s Cay, noted that the dock and the channel there continue to be challenges, especially when

ferrying their children to McLean’s Town to attend school.

“This has been going on for 30-40 years, which is very sad. I would like you to visit East Grand Bahama and Sweeting’s Cay to see the challenges that we face, especially with future leaders who have to travel six o’clock in the morning in the channel with no light,” he said.

“We also have a problem with the channel that was

dredged, we can’t take our kids out of Sweeting’s Cay when the weather is bad. So, we do need docking facilities, and there is still lots of debris after Dorian.”

Mr Tate commended Mrs Coleby-Davis for the work she is doing and taking time to come to hear their concerns.

Mrs Coleby-Davis plans to reschedule her trip to meet with boaters in East Grand Bahama, even though a few of them made the long journey to West Grand Bahama to attend

the town meeting.

Another initiative that her ministry is planning to get on stream by summer, she said, is a portal for boaters.

“The portal, we are hoping to have it up and running before the summer. But, I am not certain where the IT team is with that. They have been working on it since the beginning of January, and we are asking them to have it up and running before the summer because we know it is busy,” she explained.

BASRA APPEALS FOR DUTY EXEMPTION ON BOATING SAFETY EQUIPMENT

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

AFTER seeing so many lives needlessly lost at sea, a Grand Bahama BASRA official is calling on government to allow for safety equipment to be imported duty free for Bahamian boaters.

Gary Simmons stressed that many boaters lack the proper safety equipment on board their vessels, and unfortunately lose their lives unnecessarily.

“I would like to petition the government/Customs Department, and say that all safety equipment, including anchors, ropes, flare kits, GPS, emergency locators — everything to

do with a boat should be duty free; it could save a life,” Mr Simmons, of Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association, said.

Mr Simmons has been in commercial salvage and search and rescue for 30 years.

“There is a 50-50 chance of coming back and not coming back,” he told boaters at a town meeting held in Eight Mile Rock this week hosted by Transport Minister Jobeth Coleby-Davis.

Mr Simmons reported that he has witnessed many cases where lives were lost because the boater did not have a simple locater that costs about $100.

“Most of the time … the Bahamian will take

a cooler with ice, bait, some drinks and a cellphone, and you will forget your life jackets, and what anchor you should be taking - you’ll forget everything to go fishing,” he said.

He noted that in the US there is a minimum mandatory safety equipment pack for the size of the boat. That, he stated, is something that BASRA has been requesting for years.

“For years and years, BASRA has been asking to please make that mandatory,” he added.

He believes that vessels should also be licensed and inspected just as it is required for cars.

“I think we should go to

the boat and inspect it,” he said. “I rescued a lot of boats upside down and a lot missing at sea, and it is always some stupid reason that they did not repair the boat properly, holes in the water line, and bilge pumps don’t have capacity to keep up.

“And I get choked up thinking about it because most of them took their boat to somebody to patch it. And there is some guy who will say, ‘I can patch boats,’ and they put their life on it, and the boat cracks and starts sinking. And that’s it – game over.

“What I recommend moving forward as a community, island, and nation, is that we take time and look at our boats

and make sure the bilge pumps are correct, ignition system is correct, that we have fire extinguishers, two proper anchors, that we have proper flare kits, and locators on the boat.”

He said when they get a phone call at BASRA about an overdue fishing vessel, the caller does not know where the boater left from, where they went, or what kind of vessel it was.

Mr Simmons said for $99 boaters can get a small GPS unit that transmits via satellite, or a basic tracker and put it on the boat so that their loved ones always knows where they are. A VHF marine radio should also be on board for communication, he said.

He said it will assist BASRA to make rescue arrangements whenever they get that call from their loved one.

Mr Simmons said smartphones are only as good as the range, which is about ten miles from shore.

“Ten miles you carry on a conversation, but past that you are out of range,” he said.

Mr Simmons said boaters should let somebody know exactly where they are and how long they plan to be gone.

“That is one of the most important things. Don’t just jump on the boat. Of all the cases we had, it did not turn out well,” he said.

GRAND Bahamian boaters were not shy in asking questions, expressing concerns, or even offering suggestions to improve the maritime industry in Grand Bahama, during a townhall meeting Monday.

MINISTER of Transport and Housing Jobeth Coleby-Davis addressed residents of Grand Bahama on boating concerns, during a townhall meeting on Monday at Mt Zion Baptist Church in Eight Mile Rock, Grand Bahama.

Photos: Lisa Davis/BIS

US, Russian military chiefs resume contact to discuss drone collision

WASHINGTON Associated Press

DEFENCE Secretary

Lloyd Austin spoke to his Russian counterpart on Wednesday about the destruction of a US drone over the Black Sea after an encounter with Russian

fighter jets, which brought the two countries closest to direct conflict since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine a year ago. It was the first call between Austin and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu since October. And Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the

Joint Chiefs of Staff, had a similar call with his Russian counterpart, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, the chief of the General Staff of the Russian armed forces.

“We take any potential for escalation very seriously. And that’s why I believe it’s important to keep the lines

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of communication open,” Austin said at a Pentagon press briefing. “I think it’s really key that we’re able to pick up the phone and engage each other. And I think that that will help to prevent miscalculation going forward.”

The US military said it ditched the Air Force MQ-9 Reaper in the sea after a Russian fighter jet poured fuel on the surveillance drone and then struck its propeller while it was flying in international airspace. Russia has denied that it caused the accident. The US has said it was working on declassifying surveillance footage from the drone that would show Tuesday’s crash.

That the top US and Russian defence and military leaders were talking so soon after the incident underscored the seriousness of the encounter over the Black Sea and that both sides recognized the need to tamp down the risks of escalation. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, contact between US and Russian military leaders has been limited, with Russian officials refusing to take US military calls in the early months of the war.

There are still questions as to whether Russia meant to down the drone, even though the moments that led up to its crash were “intentional,” said Milley, who stood alongside Austin at the briefing.

“We know that the intercept was intentional. We know that the aggressive behaviour was intentional,” Milley said.

However, he told reporters that it was still unclear whether the collision itself was intentional. And he pushed back against Russia’s contention that the fighter jets did not come in contact with the drone.

“We have absolute evidence of the contact,” Milley said. “It’s very aggressive. ... We have video evidence and all that.”

Milley and Austin also left open the possibility that the US could try to recover portions of the downed $32 million drone, which Milley said crashed into waters that were 4,000 to 5,000 feet (1,200 to 1,500 meters) deep.

Other US officials said the US doesn’t have military ships in the region, and won’t likely seek to recover wreckage. The Black Sea has been closed since early 2022 to

military vessels that do not have a home port along its shores.

The officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to provide details not yet made public, said Russia has already sent ships to the area and attempted to recover pieces of the drone.

Milley downplayed the significance of any potential recovery by Russia.

“It probably broke up. There’s probably not a lot to recover,” he said. “As far as the loss of anything of sensitive intelligence, etc. ... we would take — and we did take — mitigating measures. So we’re quite confident that whatever was of value is no longer of value.”

US officials have refused to detail what steps were taken to protect sensitive technology on the drone or the video it collected during its surveillance mission. But officials have long acknowledged that the US can remotely remove sensitive information from high-tech drones and make systems inoperable so they aren’t of much value.

Milley and Austin also said the incident would not stop the US from flying wherever international law allows.

Details of Milley’s call with Gerasimov would be kept private, Joint Staff spokesman Army Col. Dave Butler said in a statement. Gerasimov was named the new commander of the Russian forces in Ukraine in January and its previous commander demoted in an apparent sign of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s dissatisfaction with the state of the war, which has been stalemated.

If the call between Austin and Shoigu was de-escalatory in private, it was not

apparent from Russia’s public statements. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters earlier Wednesday that Russia has declared certain areas of the Black Sea off-limits to any aerial traffic during the conflict and suggested the US was trying to provoke an escalation through the flights. The drone crashed near Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula, which Russia seized in 2014 and illegally annexed.

“Any incidents that could provoke confrontation between the two great powers, the two largest nuclear powers, raise very serious risks,” Lavrov said. The Russian Defence Ministry said Shoigu, in the call with Austin, noted that the flights of US drones near Crimea were “provocative” and risked escalating tensions in the Black Sea. He said Russia would respond “in kind to all provocations” in the future, but also noted that the two nuclear powers must act responsibly and maintain channels of communication.

Asked about the call, Austin declined to provide any details.

Austin and Shoigu first spoke about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in May 2022. At the time it was the highest level US-Russian contact of the war.

In October, they spoke twice in three days as the threat of an escalation was high. Shoigu had accused Ukraine of planning to use a dirty bomb, a claim that was strongly rejected by US and Western allies, who accused Russia of seeking a false pretext to justify further escalation, potentially including the use of a tactical nuclear weapon.

BELOVED AND DEBATED, FRENCH BULLDOG BECOMES TOP US DOG BREED

NEW YORK Associated Press FOR THE first time in three decades, the US has a new favorite dog breed, according to the American Kennel Club.

Adorable in some eyes, deplorable in others, the sturdy, push-faced, perkyeared, world-weary-looking and distinctively droll French bulldog became the nation’s most prevalent purebred dog last year, the club announced Wednesday. Frenchies ousted Labrador retrievers from the top spot after a record 31 years.

“They’re comical, friendly, loving little dogs,” says French Bull Dog Club of America spokesperson Patty Sosa. City-friendly, with modest grooming and exercise needs, she says, “they offer a lot in a small package.”

Yet the Frenchie’s dizzying rise - it wasn’t even a top-75 breed a quarter-century ago - worries its fans, to say nothing of its critics.

The buzzy little bulldogs have been targeted in thefts, including last month’s fatal shooting of a 76-year-old South Carolina breeder and the 2021 shooting of a California dog walker who was

squiring singer Lady Gaga’s pets.

There’s concern that demand, plus the premium that some buyers will pay for “exotic” coat colors and textures, is engendering quick-buck breeders.

The breed’s popularity is sharpening debate over whether there’s anything healthy about propagating dogs prone to breathing, spinal, eye, and skin conditions.

The British Veterinary Association has urged people not to buy flat-faced breeds, while the Netherlands has prohibited breeding very short-snouted dogs.

SECRETARY of Defense Lloyd Austin, left, accompanied by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Gen. Mark Milley, speaks during a briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, yesterday.

Photo: Andrew Harnik/AP

FILE - Lola, a French bulldog, lies on the floor prior to the start of a St. Francis Day service at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Oct. 7, 2007, in New York. The American Kennel Club announced Wednesday, March 15, 2023 that French bulldogs have become the United States’ most prevalent dog breed, ending Labrador retrievers’ record-breaking 31 years at the top.

Photo: Tina Fineberg/AP

SPORTS

THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2023

All Aboard! Bahamasair flying athletes in for CARIFTA Games

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

When most of the athletes and delegates come in from throughout the Caribbean for the Oaktree Medical Center’s 50th CARIFTA Games, they will be catching three comfortable, chartered 138-seat flights by Bahamasair.

As the national airline celebrates its 50th anniversary in the 50th year of the Bahamas’ Independence, managing director Tracy Cooper said they are once again delighted to demonstrate that they “don’t just fly here, we live here.”

Cooper was joined by Prince Storr, the deputy managing director, Samantha Lookie, the director of commercial and charters, and Wilfred Munnings, the sales executive, as Bahamasair was introduced as the airline of the games set for April 8-10 at the Thoms A Robinson National Stadium.

North American, Central American and Caribbean President Mike Sands, a former executive of Bahamasair, said the Local Organising Committee is pleased to welcome the airline on board as one of the major sponsors for the games during a series of press conferences yesterday on top of the old

war bunker in front of the stadium.

“I want to thank Mr Cooper and his team simply because it wasn’t as simple as just calling Bahamasair and asking them to be a part of what’s happening,” Sands said. “Bahamasair has a regular schedule to maintain and it’s called the schedule integrity.

“So when you have little and asked to do so much, it has to have a spirit of cooperation and understanding. Mr Cooper and his team recognise the significance of being involved in the contributions that they make to make this event a success.”

Bahamasair, according to Sands, has agreed to leave Nassau to take the Bahamas

swim team to Curacao where they will be seeking to win their fifth straight CARIFTA swim title. The second aircraft will head to Antigua to get the athletes and delegates from there. A final aircraft will travel to Jamaica to pick up their entire delegation of athletes and dignitaries. They will bring in over 400 persons in total.

Cooper said their team is all geared up for the challenge ahead of them, just as they have done in the past in assisting the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations in bringing the athletes and delegates to the Bahamas.

SEE PAGE 19

WBSC WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Great Britain eliminated BAHAMAS MEN’S BEACH VOLLEYBALL TEAM SEEKS FINANCIAL SUPPORT

BUT BAHAMIANS SHINE ON BIG STAGE

THE Bahamian-led

Great Britain team gave it all they had, but their 2-1 loss to Mexico on Tuesday night eliminated them from further competition in the World Baseball Softball Confederation 2023 World Baseball Classic in Phoenix, Arizona.

Playing in the late game, Great Britain needed to win to stay alive, but fell short in a 2-1 decision. In the top of the sixth inning, BJ Murray singled with two out to score Chavez Young to tie the score at 1-1 before Mexico came up with the game-winning run in the bottom of the frame. Tahnaj Thomas came in relief and was tagged with the loss.

“It’s a bitter sweet moment because we’re glad we made it to the tournament, but we also thought that we were in every game for the most part and we let a few get away that we could have won,” said Albert Cartwright, who served as the first base coach for Great Britain.

“But it was a great experience for the boys and it gives us more pride to be better for the next tournament in 2026, whether it’s a

Real Madrid beats Liverpool to reach Champions League QF

By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer

MADRID (AP) — There was no historic comeback for Liverpool. Real Madrid’s title defence in the Champions League rolls into the quarterfinals.

Liverpool never really came close to overcoming its three-goal deficit from the first leg against the titleholders at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium yesterday, losing 1-0 to end its hopes of another run to the final.

Karim Benzema scored late and Madrid advanced to the last eight for the third straight season with a 6-2 aggregate score following a 5-2 win from the first leg in England, when it rallied from two goals down early in the first half. Liverpool was trying to pull off something never

done before in the Champions League — erase a three-goal loss as a visitor. Only five times the team that lost at home rallied in the second leg in Europe’s top club competition.

“You needed a special performance and we didn’t show a special performance,” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said.

“In moments, it was a good performance, but Real Madrid was the team in control the whole game. Madrid was the better team and deserved to advance.”

The only time Madrid failed to advance in the Champions League after winning the first leg on the road was in 2019, when it was eliminated by Ajax in the round of 16. It had won six of its last seven matches against Liverpool in the tournament, drawing another.

“It was the type of match we wanted,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said. “It was difficult for them to press up front. The team played well, it was focused from the start.”

Napoli defeated Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0 in the other round-of-16 match yesterday to join Madrid, AC Milan, Bayern Munich,

By TENAJH SWEETING tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas men’s beach volleyball team, consisting of primarily Jon Issacs and Eugene Stuart, are seeking financial sponsorship for their upcoming international beach volleyball season.

The North, Central America and Caribbean Volleyball Confederation (NORCECA) tour has nine senior stops for the 2023 season. The NORCECA tour stops will include places such as Mexico, Cuba, the Cayman Islands, and the Dominican Republic, which are some of the usual major stops along the tour.

With Jon Issacs recently getting back into beach volleyball since starting the journey in 2018, he has now been joined by his teammate Eugene Stuart, who plays the position of middle blocker. The pair will look to accomplish great feats on the 2023 NORCECA Tour but will need to reach their sponsorship goal of $30,000 to represent the country internationally.

Jon Issacs, member of the Bahamas Beach Volleyball

SEE PAGE 17

New ticket lottery launches for Paris 2024 Olympics

PARIS (AP) — Paris Olympics organisers kicked off the individual ticketing programme yesterday for next year’s Games, after an initial round of package sales left many buyers feeling frustrated at high costs.

Would-be spectators can sign up now through April 20 for a lottery for millions of tickets for Olympic events, which run July 26 to August 8, 2024. Those chosen for the draw will be contacted in May to log on and purchase individual tickets.

An initial ticketing lottery in February and March allowed buyers to get packages of tickets, but few people were able to access lower-cost tickets. Buyers were also required to buy packages

for multiple sports, to encourage people to attend less-popular events.

Paris 2024 organisers announced last year that there will be one million tickets at 24 euros ($26) and more than four million for less than 50 euros ($53).

In all, 10 million tickets for the Olympics and 3.4 million for the Paralympics will be made available on the online platform. A final ticketing phase will run later this year.

Ticket sales are expected to cover about a third of the overall cost of hosting the Games.

French President Emmanuel Macron launched the 500-day countdown to the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics on Tuesday.

REAL Madrid’s Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the Champions League, round of 16, second leg soccer match against Liverpool at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, yesterday.

(AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

GREAT Britain’s Chavez Young, left, celebrates after scoring against Mexico on BJ Murray Jr.’s (top left inset) single during the sixth inning of a World Baseball Classic game in Phoenix on Tuesday, March 14, 2023.

(AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

More sponsors ‘jump on CARIFTA bandwagon’

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE Local Organising Committee for the Oaktree Medical Center’s 50th CARIFTA Games welcomed a few more partners to ensure the ninth hosting of the biggest regional junior track and field competition turns out to be a tremendous success.

On top of the old war bunker in the parking lot opposite the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, Christine Bethel, the chief executive officer of Corner Bank (Overseas) Limited, Crystal Campbell, chief operating officer of Dairy Queen, Robert Bartlett, senior manager of JS Johnson and Henderson Cash, general manager of Consolidated Water, all made their pitch for their respective companies.

The joint press conference was held yesterday as the CARIFTA Games, scheduled for April 8-10, draws closer.

Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations president Drumeco Archer said while they are sitting on a very sacred place, the 50th CARIFTA Games could not be held without the tremendous support of corporate Bahamas. “We believe that we jump on the bandwagon because it’s popular and there’s goodwill in CARIFTA,” Archer said. “And after the event passes, we forget about

programmes that bring us to where we are today.”

Archer, however, said he hopes that corporate Bahamas will continue to follow the BAAA after the games are held and continue to support them in their future endeavours. He thanked the partners for coming on board for the big dance in less than three weeks.

North American, Central American and Caribbean president Mike Sands said the games have its history and is the bedrock for the foundation for the success that region experiences on the global stage.

“Every young athlete in the Caribbean aspires to make his or her CARIFTA team,” said Sands, who noted that it could not happen without the support of corporate sponsors like those who made their contribution at the press conference.

Lynden Maycock, the chief executive officer of the LOC, thanked all of the partners who came on board and made their contributions to the games, which has now accumulated more than $1.5 million.

Bartlett, in reflecting on the former air force base and airport, said JS Johnson is all about responsible corporate relationships and sporting disciplines help in nation-building as many of the country’s leaders have come through the medium of sports.

“We believe that we should not only speak it,

but also show it,” said Bartlett, revealing that he only brought the evidence to show that they have already placed their money into the account of the LOC for their sponsorship of the games.

“We wish you every success and continue your support in terms of building the youth of our nation so that the world could be a better place.”

Campbell, whose company has four Dairy Queen branches, said they are happy to be a part of the games. As a part of their mission statement, which states that they want to create positive memories for all who come through their doors.

“A part of our vision is to support our community, so we saw it fitting as corporate citizens to support and to give back to the kids, so we’re happy to be a part of this,” she noted. “Come gold with us.”

As a financial institution operating in the Bahamas, Bethel said Corner Bank is pleased to continue their partnership of track and field in the Bahamas.

“As a bank committed to investing in the development of our local communities, we recognise the importance of supporting initiatives that promote the growth and wealth of our young people,” she said.

“The CARIFTA Games does just that by providing a platform for the young

athletes to compete at a high level.

“Additionally, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of our Independence, I look forward to supporting our athletes as they strive for excellence on the track, while celebrating alongside our fellow Bahamians.”

She congratulated the athletes who will be selected to represent Team Bahamas and wishes them every success during the games.

Cash, in representing Consolidated Water, who have been supporting track and field for a number of years, said as an example of a public-private company that provides bulk water for the Water and Sewerage Corporation, and they aim to continue in the vain of being a very deliberate corporate citizen.

“Our focus is especially geared towards the youth to be able to provide what you will see in water, so just like water, we produce motion,” he said.

“Consolidated Water saw it nothing short of a great delight for us to be a part of the 50th CARITA Games as they go gold with you.”

Fern Hanna, the director of marketing and promotions for the LOC, said she’s delighted to be working with more than 60 companies who have been bringing the gold in the envelopes and she’s sure that will come out with the gold during the games.

DAIRY Queen makes their contribution to the LOC.

Jack Hayward and Tabernacle Baptist emerge as junior, senior GBSSA track and field champions

THE Jack Hayward Wildcats and the Tabernacle Baptist Falcons emerged as the junior and senior high winners of the Grand Bahama Secondary Schools Athletic Association’s 2023 Fidelity Bank Track and Field Championships.

At the end of the threeday meet on Monday at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex, Jack Hayward came out as the winners of their first junior title, while Tabernacle Baptist continued their dominance with their 10th straight crown. When combined all together, Tabernacle carted off a total of 77 medals, including 32 gold, 28 silver and 17 bronze. Sunland Baptist Academy came in second with 17 gold, 12 silver and 12 bronze for their total of 41.

Saint George’s High rounded out the top three with 14 gold, 13 silver and 14 bronze for their total of 46.

• The high point winners in the various age group categories are as follows:

Under-13 girls – Trinity Rolle of Sunland Baptist with 33 points. Inaya Nesbitt of St Mary Patricia was second with 28 and Sanya Cooper of Tabernacle Baptist got third with 25.

Under-13 boys – Trequan Gordon of Jack Hayward won with 29 points, edging out Christen Desir of St Mary’s Patricia, who had 28. Ethan Collie of Jack Hayward got third with 27.

Under-15 girls – Skyler Curry of Eight Mile Rock won with 36. Keyezra Thomas of Bishop Michael Eldon got second with 30

and Kaylee Thompson was third with 21.50.

Under-15 boys – Keeshawn Pinder won with 30 over team-mate Levi Pinder, who had 26. Both Elijah McDonald of Jack Hayward and Advardo Major of Tabernacle Baptist finished tied for third with 25.

Under-17 girls – Jasmine McKinney of Tabernacle won with 38 . Phoebe Thompson of Bishop

CORNER Bank makes their contribution.

Michael Eldon was second with 36 and Shania Adderley of Tabernacle Baptist was third with 28.

Under-17 boys – Ternandre Hall of St George’s was the winner with 25. Joshua Williams of Tabernacle Baptist was second with 22.

Tyrone Conliffe of Jack Hayward was third with 21.

Under-20 girls – Alfrenique Knowles of St Paul’s College was the winner with 40, well ahead of

CONSOLIDATED Water makes their contribution.

JS Johnson makes their contribution to the LOC.

‘OSSIE THE SPORTS INSIDER’S TOP HIGH SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD RANKINGS

second and third place finishers Janaiyah Rolle of Bishop Michael Eldon and Akaya Lightbourne of Sunland Lutheran, both with 26.

Under-20 boys – Robert Stuart of St George’s won the title with 34. Marco Carey of Sunland got second with 22 and there was a two-way tie for third with Joshua McPhee and Shamar Davies, both of St George’s with 21.

OSSIE ‘the Insider’ Simmons released his top six high school trams going into the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and Ministry of Education’s National High School Track and Field Championships and Final CARIFTA trials from March 25-27 at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium.

College

College

JACK Hayward win their first title. .jpg

1. St Augustine’s

2. Queen’s

3. Tabernacle Baptist Academy

4. CR Walker

5. St George’s 6. CV Bethel

TABERNACLE Baptist Falcons celebrate their 10th straight victory.

March Madness: Alabama the top seed as games get rolling

(AP) — MARCH Mad-

ness is here! Here is what to know, including the favourites and underdogs as well as key games and how to watch the NCAA Tournament. Oh, and how to fill out your brackets!

TOP SEEDS

The top four seeds in the tournament are Alabama, Houston, Kansas, and Purdue. Each is in a region, some tougher than others (on paper), and each has had its share of headaches to set up what could be a chaotic tournament. We break them down for you:

EAST REGION: The Boilermakers got a No. 1 seed for the fourth time after edging Penn State 67-65 in the Big Ten championship game, but they face potential hurdles in Memphis and surging Duke. Memphis (26-8) is fresh from a big upset of top-ranked Houston and led by Kendric Davis. Duke (26-8) shut down Virginia in a 59-49 ACC title game win.

SOUTH REGION: Alabama, led by coach Nate Oats in a challenging season, is a No. 1 seed for the first time after sweeping the Southeastern Conference regular season and tournament titles behind league player of the year Brandon Miller, who has armed security on hand after being the subject of threats. They will open the tourney not far from home, in Birmingham, Alabama. Potential hurdles for the Crimson Tide could include Baylor, Arizona. There’s an intriguing early matchup between No. 5 seed San Diego State and No. 12 Charleston, which has 31 wins. Furman is making its first tourney appearance since 1980.

MIDWEST REGION: Houston (31-3) got a top seed despite stumbling 75-65 against unranked Memphis in the American Athletic Conference title game, minus league player of the year Marcus Sasser (strained groin). They will open against Northern Kentucky (22-12). Potential

hurdles could include Penn State, which took Purdue down to the wire in the Big Ten, and SEC Tournament runner-up Texas A&M.

WEST REGION: The Jayhawks fell 76-56 to Texas in the Big 12 championship game and they wound up with the top seed in a stacked region. They will open against Howard (2212), making its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1992. Potential hurdles include No. 6 TCU (21-12), which beat Kansas at Allen Field House 83-60 on Jan. 21, and Arkansas (20-13).

GAMES TO WATCH No. 7 Texas A&M (25-9) vs. No. 10 Penn State (2213)., Thursday, 9:55 p.m. ET (TBS) The Aggies, who felt snubbed last season, are making their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2018, and the Nittany Lions’ drought dated

to 2011. Both flirted with league tournament titles and have been hot. Texas A&M went 19-4 after a loss to Wofford and Penn State has won eight of 10.

No. 8 Arkansas (20-13) vs. No. 9 Illinois (20-12), Thursday, 4:30 p.m. ET (TBS). The Razorbacks have made back-to-back trips to the Elite Eight. Top prospect and potential top NBA draft pick Nick Smith Jr. has only played in 14 games because of knee issues, but has scored 20-plus in half of the team’s last six. Illinois won the Big Ten season title before being ousted by Penn State in the first round of the league tournament. Illinois is led by transfers Terrence Shannon Jr. (Texas Tech) and Matthew Mayer, who helped lead Baylor to the 2021 national championship.

No. 5 Miami (25-7) vs. Drake (27-7), Friday, 7:35 p.m. ET (TBS). The game features two conference players of the year, Miami’s Isaiah Wong in the ACC for the regular-season cochampions, and Drake’s Tucker DeVries from the Missouri Valley Conference tournament champs. DeVries is averaging 19 points while Wong leads the team in scoring (16.2 points per game), assists and steals. Drake made the Elite Eight three years running, though it has been a while (1969-71). No. 6 Kentucky (21-11) vs. No. 11 Providence (2111), Friday, 7:10 p.m. ET. (CBS).

Led by last year’s AP player of the year Oscar Tshiebwe, the Wildcats are trying to avoid back-toback first-round exits after that infamous defeat to Saint Peter’s. The Friars,

meanwhile, went to the Sweet 16 before losing to eventual champion Kansas. They’re led by Kentucky transfer Bryce Hopkins.

GO FIGURE

Texas Southern and Kennesaw State are in. North Carolina is not.

The Tar Heels are the first team since the bracket expanded to 64 teams in 1985 to start the season ranked No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25 poll and finish it with an NCAA tourney airball.

Kennessaw State, three years removed from a 1-28 season, made the field. So did Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament champion Texas Southern, which is 14-20.

Southern Conference champ Furman is dancing for the first time since 1980 and MEAC winner Howard makes its first appearance since 1992.

GO DEEPER

Gun violence has cost lives and disrupted college sports all season, touching some of the top programmes in college basketball, including Alabama. Coaches have been thrust into uncertain and unwelcome roles in trying to navigate the topic — as well as the fallout from the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

The NCAA Tournament is filled with great players and the AP All-America team is a good place to get familiar with the names. It’s also an event where guys you’ve never heard of — no offense, Drake — can take a star turn. Guard play is always going to be important (see: Baylor, 2021 title winner) and there are some NBA prospects in the mix. Bet on this, too: Some player — maybe more than one — will have a chance to join the mustachioed Doug Edert (remember Saint Peters’ inspiring run last year?) and find a way to cash in on their celebrity.

HOW TO WATCH

Every game of the men’s tournament will be aired somewhere, either on CBS, TBS, TNT or TruTV and their digital platforms. CBS will have the Final Four semifinals and national title game this year. Fans of Jim Nantz should soak up every moment: It’s his final NCAA Tournament.

There are multiple sites listing game times, channel and announcing team, including the NCAA and CBS. The NCAA will again stream games via its March Madness Live option and CBS games will be streamed on Paramount+.

BETTING GUIDE

Who’s going to win the national championship?

The betting favourites this week to reach the Final Four are Houston, Alabama, Purdue and either Kansas or UCLA, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

MARCH MADNESS

CALENDAR

Selection Sunday set the bracket matchup s for the First Four and first- and second-round games that stretch from Florida to California. Sweet 16 weekend will see games in New York City (East Region), Las Vegas (West), Kansas City, Missouri (Midwest), and Louisville, Kentucky (South).

Where is the Final Four?

In Houston, on April 1, with the championship game on April 3. Basketball aficionados, take note: The women’s NCAA Tournament will hold its Final Four in Dallas, a four-hour drive up the road from Houston.

Can’t get enough March Madness? Well, there is talk about expanding the tournament despite a host of challenges. Enjoy the 68-team version for now!

UMBC players celebrate their 74-54 win over Virginia in a first-round game in the NCAA men’s college basketball tournament in Charlotte, N.C., on March 16, 2018. Five years ago today a tiny school few had ever heard of — and virtually no one gave an ounce of a chance to win — pulled off the biggest upset in NCAA Tournament history as University of Maryland-Baltimore County knocked off the tournament’s top overall seed, elevating March Madness to a whole new level. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

TOP RIGHT INSET- Alabama centre Charles Bediako (14) dunks against Texas A&M during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the finals of the Southeastern Conference Tournament on Sunday in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Joel Embiid helps 76ers beat Cavs for 6th straight victory

CLEVELAND (AP)

— Joel Embiid had 36 points and 18 rebounds and played the final 4:12 after initially being called for his sixth foul, leading the Philadelphia 76ers to their sixth straight victory, 118-109 over the Cleveland Cavaliers last night.

James Harden added 28 points and Tyrese Maxey had 23 for the Sixers. They were up 108-101 when Embiid was whistled for an offensive charge on Evan Mobley while making a jumper.

As Cleveland fans began to celebrate Embiid’s apparent disqualification, Sixers coach Doc Rivers immediately challenged the call, which was overturned after a replay review and the superstar was allowed to stay on the floor.

With Embiid in foul trouble, the Cavs attacked the rim and closed to 110107 before Maxey drained a 3-pointer and the 76ers made five straight free throws in the final 51 seconds to close it out.

Caris LeVert scored 24 points and Donovan Mitchell added 21 for the Cavs, who were playing the second night of a back-to-back. Cleveland was without centre

FROM PAGE 14

team, talked about why the pair is asking for this amount of money for the 2023 volleyball season.

“I love the game and the intrinsic value it brings, but I’ve reached the point that it has become much harder to be [paying] out of pocket with entry fees, flights, and hotel costs going up, we need help,” Issacs said.

Persons that are interested in helping the duo represent The Bahamas on the 2023 NORCECA Tour will contribute towards the flight fees for both players, tournament entry fees, food, hotel, and other associated costs such as visas and adequate training so that the players can perform well internationally.

Although players were once able to fund their own tours, the duo believe that sponsorship can help the team to get to another level with more skilled coaches, development programmes, and participation in regional and international competitions.

FROM PAGE 14

Benfica, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Manchester City in the draw for the quarterfinals on Friday. Benzema scored from close range after a pass by Vinícius Júnior in the 79th minute.

The France striker, who had missed Madrid’s Spanish league win against Espanyol last weekend because of an injury, has scored 13 goals in his last eight Champions League knockout stage matches. He limped during the goal celebration but said afterward it was just a knock.

“It was a complicated match, against a good opponent,” Benzema said. “We showed from the start that we wanted to attack, so it was a good match for the fans and we are into the quarterfinals.”

Jarrett Allen, who missed his third straight game with a bruised right eye.

ROCKETS 114, LAKERS 110

HOUSTON (AP) — Kevin Porter Jr. scored 27 points and Houston beat short-handed Los Angeles.

It’s the second straight victory for the Western Conference-worst Rockets, who beat Boston on Monday night.

Already without LeBron James because of an injury, the Lakers were also missing Anthony Davis against Houston. Davis, who had 35 points and 17 rebounds in a win over New Orleans on Tuesday night, isn’t playing both games of back-to-back per doctors’ orders after coming back from a right foot injury.

Austin Reaves had 24 points off the bench for the Lakers.

KINGS 117, BULLS 114

CHICAGO (AP) — De’Aaron Fox hit a 3-pointer with 0.7 seconds left to lift Sacramento past Chicago.

Fox scored 32 points on 12-for-17 shooting, hitting four 3-pointers.

Domantas Sabonis had his second straight

“Also, it will assist in growing the sport and attracting the next generation of volleyball athletes.”

The Bahamas has not yet submitted a team for the FIVB Beach Pro ranks, Pan-Am Games, or the Olympics but Stuart and Issacs are hoping to change that this season.

The pair understands that while beach volleyball does require a lot of patience, commitment and training in order to rise through the rankings, it’s important for them to compete in the NORCECA Tour because it provides the opportunity to qualify for those events.

Despite the lack of support so far, Issacs talked about what made beach volleyball different from other sports.

“The great part of playing beach [volleyball] is that it requires so much more than typical specialization you would see in the indoor game, you have to be able to serve, pass, set, and attack consistently on your own then top it off with some gruelling conditions.

“It’s an outdoor sport with limited timeouts and no substitutions,” Issacs said.

Liverpool came out with an attack-minded lineup and showed its intentions early, with Darwin Núñez forcing Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to make a tough save on a breakaway seven minutes into the match.

It was an open match at the Bernabéu and Madrid had its chances as well, with Eduardo Camavinga coming close to scoring in the 20th with a shot from outside the area that struck the crossbar after a deflection by Alisson Becker. The Liverpool goalkeeper also stopped a chance by Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior in the first half and another in the second in a one-on-one situation with midfielder Federico Valverde.

Klopp kept trying to push his team forward from the sideline, but as the minutes

NBA SUSPENDS JA MORANT EIGHT GAMES FOR VIDEO SHOWING GUN IN CLUB

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer

MIAMI (AP) — Ja

Morant will be back with the Memphis Grizzlies next week, after the NBA handed the All-Star guard an eight-game suspension without pay yesterday and saying his displaying a firearm at a club in suburban Denver earlier this month was “conduct detrimental to the league.”

Morant missed his sixth consecutive game when the Grizzlies played in Miami last night. He will miss the next two games — at San Antonio on Friday and home against Golden State on Saturday — then be eligible to return on Monday when Memphis plays Dallas, though he is not expected to play that night.

triple-double and 11th of the season — finishing with 14 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists — and Sacramento roared back in the second half with hot 3-point shooting.

Malik Monk had 19 points, going 5 for 8 on 3s as the Kings overcame a 10-point halftime deficit to win for the fourth time in five and improve to 9-2 in their last 11.

DeMar DeRozan led Chicago with 33 points.

HEAT 138, GRIZZLIES 119

MIAMI (AP) — Bam

Adebayo scored 26 points, Tyler Herro added 24 and Miami enjoyed a rare easy victory, beating Memphis.

Jimmy Butler scored 23 points, Max Strus had 12, Caleb Martin 11 and Kevin Love and Gabe Vincent

each had 10. The Heat set a season high for points.

Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 25 for Memphis.

The Grizzlies played their sixth game without star guard Ja Morant, who was given an eight-game suspension by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver earlier yesterday as the penalty for “conduct detrimental to the league” — in this case, “holding a firearm in an intoxicated state while visiting a Denver area nightclub” and livestreaming it March 4.

CELTICS 104, TIMBERWOLVES 102

MINNEAPOLIS (AP)

— Jaylen Brown scored 35 points, Jayson Tatum added 22 and Boston held on to beat Minnesota.

Malcolm Brogdon added 12 points off the bench for

Boston, which overcame a tough shooting night to win for the third time in four games.

Anthony Edwards had 28 points and 10 rebounds for Minnesota.

MAVERICKS 137,

SPURS 128 (Overtime)

SAN ANTONIO (AP)

— Christian Wood had 27 points and 13 rebounds and Dallas overcame a series of blunders at the end regulation to beat San Antonio in overtime without injured All-Stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

Dwight Powell and Jaden Hardy had 22 points each and Josh Green added 21 points for Dallas, which snapped a three-game skid.

Keldon Johnson had 27 points to lead the shorthanded Spurs.

The games he already missed will count toward the suspension, and Morant will forfeit about $669,000 in salary.

“Ja’s conduct was irresponsible, reckless and potentially very dangerous,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “It also has serious consequences given his enormous following and influence, particularly among young fans who look up to him.”

Silver met with Morant in New York before announcing the league’s decision.

Other league officials, as well as representatives from the National Basketball Players Association, were part of that meeting.

Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said he doesn’t expect Morant to play Monday, saying the team is “going to be respectful of the time off he’s had.”

“There will be a quick ramp-up period after that,” Jenkins said.

“Obviously, he hasn’t been playing basketball for almost two weeks now.”

The league’s investigation, which started almost immediately after the March 4 incident in which Morant livestreamed himself on Instagram, found that he was “holding a firearm in an intoxicated state” — but did not prove that the gun was owned by Morant “or was displayed by him beyond a brief period.”

He added that there is so much more potential for growth with the right partnerships, coaching and support.

Persons who are interested in supporting the beach volleyball athletes for their 2023 NORCECA Tour, or simply donating, can contact Jon Issacs at bahamasbeachvolleyball@ gmail.com

passed it became clear it wasn’t going to be enough for the English team.

Liverpool had managed a big comeback at home in the 2019 semifinals, rallying against another Spanish club, Barcelona. It won 4-0 after losing 3-0 at the Camp Nou to keep alive a run that eventually ended with the team winning the trophy.

Madrid, which had beaten Liverpool in last year’s final, played in its 300th Champions League game.

The loudspeakers at the Bernabéu played Liverpool’s “You’ll Never Walk Alone” anthem at the end of the match as fans from both clubs applauded. “We are two heavyweights who meet each other quite frequently in international football and quite clearly we respect each other a lot,” Klopp said. “It was a really nice gesture, absolutely.”

PHILADELPHIA 76ers centre Joel Embiid (21) shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley during the second half last night in Cleveland.

(AP Photo/ Ron Schwane)

JON Issacs in action for the men’s national beach soccer team.

March Madness: Unbeaten South Carolina chasing their third title

(AP) — MARCH Madness is here! Here is what to know about the women’s NCAA Tournament, including the favourites and underdogs as well as key games and how to watch:

TOP SEEDS

The top four seeds in the tournament are South Carolina, Indiana, Virginia Tech and Stanford. Each is in a region, some tougher than others (on paper).

We break them down for you:

SOUTH CAROLINA

(32-0): The defending national champions are the No. 1 overall seed and the Greenville I Region breaks down favourably. It includes two teams in No. 2 seed Maryland (25-6) and No. 4 seed UCLA (23-9) who the Gamecocks beat earlier this season. South Carolina is loaded, with two-time Southeastern Conference player of the year Aliyah Boston and leading scorer Zia Cooke.

INDIANA (27-3): After a loss to Ohio State in the Big Ten Tournament semis, some wondered if the Hoosiers might miss out on a

top seed. They landed it in the Greenville II Region and start against either Tennessee Tech or Monmouth. Mackenzie Holmes leads Indiana with 22.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Top challengers include No. 2 seed Utah, No. 3 seed LSU and No. 4 seed Villanova, which is led by scoring sensation Maddy Siegrist.

VIRGINIA TECH (27-

5): The Hokies won their first ACC Tournament championship and will lead the Seattle 3 Region. Elizabeth Kitley has stepped things up down the stretch as Virginia Tech won its final eight games. Virginia Tech could have to navigate No. 4 seed Tennessee in the Sweet 16 and No. 2 seed UConn or No. 3 seed Ohio State after that.

STANFORD (28-5): The committee looked to Stanford’s steadiness for much of the season in giving it the top seed in the Seattle 4 Region. The Cardinal are led by Cameron Brink and Haley Jones, who have combined to score more than 28 points per game this season. Look for a potential

high-wattage battle for the Final Four against No. 2 seed Iowa, led by national player of the year candidate Caitlin Clark.

GAMES TO WATCH

No. 3 seed Notre Dame (25-5) vs. No. 14 seed Southern Utah (23-6), Friday. The Fighting Irish’s chances for a deep run will certainly be affected by how seriously do-everything leader Olivia Miles is hurt. She left the ACC

Tournament quarterfinals two weeks ago with a knee injury.

Monmouth (18-13) vs. Tennessee Tech (22-9), Thursday, ESPNU. Monmouth, surprise winners of the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament, have not played in the NCAA tourney since 1983 and get the chance to extend its stay in a First Four contest Wednesday. Either the Hawks or the Ohio Valley

Conference Tournament champions in Tennessee Tech, both 16 seeds, will have to take on top-seed Indiana on Friday.

No. 5 seed Louisville (2311) vs. No. 12 seed Drake (22-9), Saturday. The Cardinals were a Final Four team a season ago and start their journey back as a No. 5 seed. They’ll open things against Drake (22-9), which was seeded fourth in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament yet defeated Belmont to take the league’s automatic bid.

Louisville is led by Hailey Van Lith, who’s averaged 19.2 points a game this season. No. 4 seed Villanova (28-6) vs. No. 13 seed Cleveland State (30-4), Saturday. Villanova features one of the country’s best players in Maddy Siegrist, a two-time Big East player of year. The Wildcats are in a stacked region with top seed Indiana, No. 2 seed Utah and No. 3 seed LSU in front of them. Cleveland State won the Horizon League and made the NCAAs for the first time since 2010.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

The women’s tournament field is filled with stars, including South Carolina’s Aliyah Boston, l ast season’s AP player of the year who is back in hopes of winning a second straight national title. She will have plenty of competition for the honor this year, including sharp-shooting Iowa star Caitlin Clark.

There is also centre Mackenzie Holmes of topseeded Indiana and the AP All-America team is also a good place to check out some of the top players in the game. The Cavinder twins, gym rats who are wildly popular on social media, have made their first tournament after transferring from Fresno State to Miami.

The field is also remarkable for the high number of international players, a growing trend in women’s basketball. Alas, some of the top programmes are also dealing with injuries to key players.

GO DEEPER

Gun violence has cost lives and disrupted college sports all season, touching some of the top programmes in college basketball. Coaches have been thrust into uncertain and unwelcome roles in trying to navigate the topic — as well as the fallout from the Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade.

HOW TO WATCH

Every game of the women’s tournament will be available on ESPN’s networks or streaming, with fans encouraged to navigate to the “Watch” tab on ESPN’s sites. The NCAA will have a women’s basketball specific March Madness app by AT&T.

There are multiple sites listing game times and other details, including the NCAA site.

BETTING GUIDE

Who’s going to win the national championship?

The betting favourites as of this week to reach the Final Four are (in order): South Carolina, Indiana, Stanford, UConn, LSU and Iowa, according to FanDuel Sportsbook. The Gamecocks are a heavy favourite to become the first repeat champion in the women’s tournament since UConn won the last of four straight in 2016.

MARCH MADNESS

CALENDAR

Selection Sunday set the brackets for First Four games (March 15-16) and first- and second-round games (March 17-20) at multiple sites across the country.

Sweet 16 weekend brings a twist this year for the women’s teams: There will be two regional sites instead of four, with Greenville, South Carolina, and Seattle each hosting eight teams.

Where is the women’s Final Four? In Dallas, where the semifinals are March 31 and the championship game is April 2. As it happens, the men’s Final Four is a four-hour drive down the road in Houston that same weekend.

ILLINOIS players warm up for a First Four game against Mississippi State in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament yesterday in South Bend, Ind. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina)

SOUTH Carolina’s Aliyah Boston holds up the championship trophy after defeating Tennessee 74-58 to win the championship game of the Southeastern Conference women’s tournament in Greenville, S.C., on March 5. (AP Photo/Mic Smith)

CARIFTA

FROM PAGE 14

“We have been working along with Mr Mike Sands as the president of NACAC and his team. Nikiitt (Thompson), it’s all good when we know that we can work together to bring all of these matters to fruition,” Cooper said.

“It’s not just the Bahamas. This is the 50th CARIFTA Games, this is the 50th anniversary of the Bahamas, but we have gotten on board with Mr Sands and his team that we will help out wherever it is necessary in the Caribbean

and the Americas for the NACAC team.”

Storr said it’s even special for the national flag carrier as they are also celebrating their 50th anniversary.

“So this is a golden jubilee all the way through and we’re excited about it,” Storr said.

“As Mike said, it was a pain, but it was a joyous pain. As Bahamians, we have to shine.

“With CARIFTA being here, we will do whatever we need to do to make it happen.”

Lookie said Bahamasair was prepared to go to Haiti, but they opted to go

through Miami, so they are concentrating on the other countries in the region.

Munnings said there’s no better way for the athletes and delegates to come to the Bahamas than on Bahamasair, so it was a natural fit for the national airline.

LOC chairman Harrison Thompson said that while they welcome Bahamasair on board, they hope that the Bahamas will shine as their athletes go for gold and leave at least 50 gold medals here at home and not allow them to go with the visiting athletes when they depart on Bahamasair on Monday night.

BAHAMIAN-LED GREAT BRITAIN TEAM ELIMINATED FROM THE WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC

GREAT Britain’s Chavez Young, of the Bahamas, celebrates after scoring against Mexico on BJ Murray Jr’s single during the sixth inning of a World Baseball Classic game in Phoenix on March 14, 2023.

WBC

FROM PAGE 14

Bahamian team or continuing to join forces with Great Britain Baseball.”

Great Britain finished with a 1-3 win-loss record in Pool C before they were eliminated. The players coming directly from the Bahamas who participated are now expected to head back to their minor league organisations. They include Tahnaj Thomas and Chavez Young of the Pittsburgh Pirates organisation, Chavez Fernander of the Detroit Tigers, D’Shawn Knowles of the Los Angeles Angels and BJ Murray of the Chicago Cubs.

It was the first time that Great Britain qualified to participate in the WBC, but since 2013, both Cartwright and Antoan Richardson have been a part of the team that played in the qualifying tournament.

Since then, more players were added to the team and there could have been a few more on this year’s team. But Richardson said they are pleased with the players who participated on the team.

“We’re really proud of the group of guys who came together in such a short period of time to get an historic win, the first ever for GB in the World Baseball Classic, which has given GB the opportunity to potentially automatically qualify to participate in the next WBC,” said Richardson, who was the bench coach for GB.

“And this was the first time that Bahamians participated in the World Baseball Classic and coach. I think that is something to be excited and proud about. It’s a lot of firsts for us as a country, the Bahamas, as individuals and we did some firsts collectively as a team for GB, so it’s something more for us to be proud of.”

With GB making its exit, the Bahamian players will be returning to their minor league teams in their quest to continue their journey of one day playing in the Major League like

Richardson did. But Richardson said the goal is to get the Bahamas Baseball Association to assemble its own team to eventually play in the WBC and be successful.

“I think we just have too many people in the sport, it’s not just baseball, who have a wealth of knowledge who are just being under utilised time and time again,” said Richardson, who is calling on the powers that be to have the conversation with all involved in baseball to achieve the ultimate goal.

“It’s important that we utilise the resources that we have so we can accelerate this process because we are being left behind. If we are playing catch up, why not take advantage of the people who have these resources to help us accelerate these developmental processes.”

Richardson, who has since retired and is now a first base coach with the San Francisco Giants, the club that first drafted him, said he is always open and available to work along with the programme if the BBA or the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture is willing to entertain him.

GREAT Britain third baseman BJ Murray Jr. throws to first for an out against Mexico during the fourth inning on Tuesday night. (AP Photos/ Godofredo A. Vásquez)

GREAT Britain third baseman BJ Murray Jr. fields a ball hit by Canada’s Otto Lopez, who reached first, before throwing to second for an out during the fifth inning of a World Baseball Classic game in Phoenix, on Sunday, March 12, 2023.