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FOOD CHIEF: THE FACTS ARE CLEAR WILLIAMS ‘MUST RESIGN’ OVER ‘RISKY’ COMMENTS

Larson defends scheme and warns audit could be influenced by politicians

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE head of the former COVID-19 feeding programme, Susan Larson, yesterday said a comprehensive database of its work had been provided to the government.

And she warned of “a very real risk” that the Government’s audit of the $53m initiative will be prejudiced by premature disclosures in Parliament.

Mrs Larson, who ran the National Food Distribution

Task Force created by the former Minnis administration, said she was “very concerned” assertions were being aired in public before the audit report had even been completed.

She added that detailed records of households, using criteria developed by the United National and the World Food Programme, had been kept and had been provided despite government claims of a lack of detailed information.

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

‘DON’T LEAVE US BEHIND’

HALKITIS: BORROWING TO BE SIGNIFICANTLY LESS

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

ECONOMIC Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis anticipates that government borrowing will be “significantly less” for the upcoming fiscal year compared to last year due to increased revenue amid

the country’s rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The minister made the remarks when asked yesterday what Bahamians could expect ahead of the budget debate for the 2022/23 fiscal year. The debate usually begins in June and the new fiscal year takes effect on July 1.

SEE PAGE THREE

TAXI driver Wilbert McDonald has joined fellow cab drivers in Grand Bahama in a call for help. After straw vendors were told they would receive financial help, taxi drivers are saying they face the same hardship with a shortage of tourists. See PAGE FIVE for the full story.

Photo: Denise Maycock/Tribune Staff

‘A REPUBLIC? THAT’S UP TO BAHAMIANS’

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis yesterday said his administration will support discussions about The Bahamas’ future with the monarchy, adding the way forward is for Bahamians to decide.

While defending the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s visit to the country last week, Mr Davis said

PRINCE William at the Garden of Rememberance during his visit.

Photo: Donavan McIntosh/ Tribune Staff Prince William and his wife Kate’s presence here created an opportunity for The Bahamas to shift how

it is seen on the world stage post-Hurricane Dorian and amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

He also told the House of Assembly that final accounting for the trip was not yet complete, adding this attention was welcome insofar as it helps to ensure prudence and transparency in public spending, attributes that were sorely lacking during the previous administration.

SEE PAGE SEVEN

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

THE acting director of public prosecutions has come under fire after telling a reporter the country has a “generation of highly sexualised young people” who sometimes “engage in risky behaviours”.

Franklyn Williams made the remarks yesterday when he was asked to comment about a man’s plea deal for unlawful sexual intercourse with a girl. After his comments circulated on Twitter, there were calls for him to resign from activist Alicia Wallace. His remarks were also condemned by Free National Movement Senator Michaela Barnett Ellis.

SEE PAGE FOUR

CUSTOMS STAFF PROMOTIONS ‘IN PIPELINE’

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net STATE Public Service Minister Pia Glover-Rolle confirmed yesterday that recommendations for the promotions of 203 Bahamas customs officers have been processed and more are in the pipeline.

She added that simultaneously officials were processing promotions, confirmations and reclassifications for other ministries and departments including the Ministry of Education and for immigration officers.

SEE PAGE THREE

PAGE 2, Thursday, March 31, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

Constituency MPs speak out over ‘senseless’ killings

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

BAIN and Grants Town MP Wayde Watson.

Photos: Donavan McIntosh/Tribune Staff

TWO members of Parliament representing

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inner-city communities yesterday spoke out against violence that has resulted in numerous “senseless killings” in recent weeks.

Wayde Watson, Bain and Grants Town MP, told the House of Assembly yesterday several of the country’s recent murder victims were from his constituency, adding the killings were resulting in the loss of a generation.

As a father and mentor, the MP urged men and boys to think of peace and not war.

“While we celebrated the Royal visit our young men were engaged in a turf war killing one another on the streets of New Providence.

I cannot sit in silence as we lose a generation of young men to senseless acts of violence. Over the last few weeks approximately eight to 10 young men were gunned down on the streets as though a human life has no value. It was painful to read the news on social media to learn of the details of these murders.

“Unfortunately Bains and Grants town did not escape the saga as a number of these killings happened directly in the centre of our community.

“Stop the violence, put down the guns, think peace and not war, walk away when confronted,” Mr Watson said.

Meanwhile, Centreville MP Jomo Campbell urged those in his community to seek opportunities to excel, insisting that there were many public figures who overcame the odds of the inner-city to become successful.

He said: “We have witnessed for quite a while, especially recently the escalation of senseless killings of young Bahamian men on our streets and I find this loss to our country quite alarming.

“While there is much that we all can do to make life better for many of our people, we must be mindful that our country provides many opportunities to excel no matter your background. There are countless examples of people who were overcome by what seemed to be insurmountable odds and have made a good life for themselves right here in The Bahamas and to the young men and women of The Bahamas you too can do the same thing.”

There have been 35 murders for the first three months of this year, according to this newspaper’s records.

The situation prompted Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis to call an urgent conclave among stakeholders on Sunday to work on plans to address the situation.

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CENTREVILLE MP Jomo Campbell.

ANDREW ROLLE, left, and Zephaniah Pennerman.

MISSING MEN FOUND ALIVE ON THEIR BOAT TWO men who were reported missing at sea have been found alive.

On Wednesday, The Tribune reported that Andrew Rolle, also known as “Conchalay Conchalar”, and another man, Zephaniah Pennerman, had not been heard from since Sunday when they went out on a boating trip.

However, the men were found alive on their boat yesterday morning after roughly three days at sea.

They were taken into a harbour at Grand Bahama.

Mr Rolle reportedly contacted family members earlier yesterday, telling them he was okay, however,

his boat was taking on water, according to ZNS Northern Service. Representatives from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and BASRA assisted in the search and rescue.

Mandel Quant, Mr Rolle’s friend of 20 years, told The Tribune on Tuesday that they last spoke shortly after 11am Sunday.

Mr Rolle left Morgan’s Bluff, Andros, and told Mr Quant that he was passing through the Berry Islands on his way to Grand Bahama.

However, when the two men did not reach their destination, friends and family became concerned.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, March 31, 2022, PAGE 3

Halkitis: Borrowing to be significantly less from page one “What happens is this, in every budget, there’s what we call a borrowing resolution which is a borrowing authorisation which authorises the government to borrow money for the upcoming year,” he said.

Last year, the Minnis administration tabled a resolution in the House of Assembly for the government to borrow $871,645,371 for the 2021/22 fiscal year. Another resolution was also tabled to allow the former government to borrow an additional $68m beyond what was approved for it to borrow in the 2020/21 year.

However, Mr Halkitis said yesterday the Davis administration does not anticipate using all of what Parliament authorised the previous administration to borrow last year, adding that borrowing will also be significantly less for the

ECONOMIC Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis yesterday. upcoming fiscal period.

“So, in 2021, a resolution was passed, authorising all of the borrowing and as you move through the year based on your cash flow and needs, you exhaust that borrowing resolution. We don’t think that we will use all of the authorisation. In fact, we think that we might have to borrow less than what was originally authorised, and we will know as time goes on.

“But, we’re almost there and we have about a quarter left and we would make all that information available and at the budget time, we would have a new authorisation for the upcoming year which we expect will be significantly less than last year.”

Asked yesterday how much the Davis administration expects to borrow for the upcoming fiscal year, Mr Halkitis declined to answer, saying officials were still in the process of ascertaining the true extent of funds owed by the nation.

He also predicted a smaller deficit than what was originally forecast for the 2021/2022 fiscal year – projected at $951.8 million.

“I don’t want to give a number, but our revenue is strengthening with the opening of the economy and the rebound of the economy and the relaxation of the restrictions, etc,” Mr Halkitis added. “That’s good but on the flip side, there’s a lot of hang over

in terms of expenses and bills and stuff so happily the revenue is performing, but there (are) still a lot of bills that we have to liquidate.

“And so, I don’t want to give you a number but we’re trending in the direction where we’ll come in less than the deficit that was originally forecast and more importantly, looking ahead we expect to have a significantly less borrowing requirement going to the 2022/23 budget.”

As it relates to possible tax reductions, Mr Halkitis said: “We consider it because, like I said, the business community are constantly writing us, suggesting things. I know of some that I have already received where again, if the rates are too high and it makes it non-competitive and it defeats the purpose then they would put in a submission, they would defend it and I would say, ‘okay, we would consider this’ and we sit down with our budget people, our

customs people and then make a decision so it’s a normal part of the budget process that we do.”

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis told parliamentarians earlier this month the government was headed in the right direction away from a “fiscal cliff”, despite nearly $1bn in liabilities and unfunded obligations left behind by the previous administration.

Unfunded obligations, he said, include $255.3m in debt and interest payments related to the government taking over Bahamas Power and Light’s legacy debt and $155.5m in unpaid bills and other obligations for stateowned enterprises.

Other debts, he added,

include $25.7m for the Ministry of the Public Service, which largely represents outstanding payments for insurance services, along with $17.7m for the Office of the Attorney General to settle outstanding legal claims.

Mr Davis also h ​ ighlighted $23m in bills for water purchased by the Water and Sewerage Corporation; $56m for the Public Hospital Authority and $34.2m for the Ministry of Tourism, including a significant number of unpaid bills for Bahamasair.

Despite the country’s b ​ allooning debt, Mr Davis has insisted that his administration would not increase taxes or fees on Bahamians in the short-term.

CUSTOMS STAFF PROMOTIONS ‘IN PIPELINE’ from page one

“As of yesterday the update is that we have processed 203 customs matters and more are in the pipeline,” she said yesterday before the parliamentary sitting.

“I’m very happy about that. There are more coming according to the permanent secretary of customs so that means that

PIA GLOVER-ROLLE,Minister of State for the Public Service,

matter is ongoing.”

She also said: “We’re processing promotions, reclassifications, confirmations, simultaneously for a number of government ministries and the work is going on. The work is going well and as I meet civil servants across the country in social circles they are very happy to be receiving their letters.

“It was a customs promotional exercise but there are other exercises that are going on simultaneously.

We continue with immigration, the Ministry of Education is another big one. Social services we’re looking at as well and the Ministry of the Public Service as well,” she said.

Some people had already received confirmation letters, she said.

Once the promotions, confirmations and reclassifications are complete, Mrs Glover Rolle said the flaws in the system will be remedied.

“As we do the work we are analysing the flaws in the process. The flaws in

264 HAITIANS REPATRIATED TWO hundred and sixty-four Haitians were repatriated on Tuesday.

The Department of Immigration said 133 of them left the country on board a Bahamasair flight to Portau-Prince at 8.41am. That group included 71 men, 37 women and 25 minors.

A second group of 131 Haitians left for Portau-Prince at 3pm. This group consisted of 114 men, eight women and nine minors.

The department said its deportation team led these escorts with all COVID-19 protocols strictly observed.

the system that are making these processes so slow and we’re looking at ways in this new day reformation of the public service to fix these issues. So, after

we get these promotions done and after we do these assessments we will see if we can find a better way to move processes forward through the public service.”

GN-2696

PAGE 4, Thursday, March 31, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

Williams ‘must resign’ over ‘risky’ comments from page one According to a report from a local daily this week, a 40-year-old man who impregnated a 14-year-old girl was sentenced to four years in prison as part of a plea deal. After he serves his time, he will be on probation for three years.

The man’s sentence prompted public criticism, with many observers thinking it was too lenient.

When contacted about the case, Mr Williams told a reporter yesterday: “We have a generation of highly sexualised young people, whether through media or association, and who because of parental inattention, lack of parental oversight and in some cases, tacit encouragement and acquiescence, engage in risky behaviours. The facts of this case dictated the course taken.”

When contacted by The Tribune and asked about the rationale behind the plea deal, Mr Williams confirmed his earlier comments and repeated that it was the facts of the case dictating the course taken.

“I’m saying to you that

ACTING director of public prosecutions Franklyn Williams. the facts of the case dictated the course that was taken and I think the facts were well reported. The young lady engaged with the person on Facebook and their interaction followed.

I believe those facts were reported.”

Many have accused Mr Williams of engaging in victim blaming, but he thought otherwise.

“I said nothing about

definition of consent to the Act, and including of a clause on non-immunity on the basis of a marital relationship.

There must be no temporal limitation and no requirement of the attorney general’s consent or any other barriers to reporting, the group said.

“Rape remains one of the most under reported crimes around the world. Criminalisation of marital rape and an improved reporting process will ensure that all

women, regardless of their marital status, are protected by the law, able to report, and have access to justice,” said Lauren Glinton, Global 16 Days campaign coordinator at Equality Bahamas.

Equality Bahamas continues to call on the government to take action to come into compliance with international mechanisms — including Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)

the victim,” he told The Tribune. “I said absolutely nothing about the young lady.”

He added: “I was speaking in general terms and the only comment I made with reference to the particular case was the last statement made. I was speaking in general terms — those are facts.”

However, his words caused outrage.

Asked about this backlash and calls for him to resign, Mr Williams replied: “I have no comment on that. I’m not responsible for what people think. I stated a fact and the fact is as I stated through the media and through association you have young people who are being sexualised.”

Weighing in on the matter, Senator Barnett Ellis posted on Facebook: “Clearly he (Mr Williams) lacks the discernment and empathy needed for the post of DPP. It’s no surprise that victims of sexual crimes are reluctant to come forward when even the DPP appears to be blaming the victim.”

Ms Wallace, Equality Bahamas director, who spoke at a Rotary Club

meeting yesterday, thinks Mr Williams should resign.

“There was a news story yesterday about someone, a 40-year-old man, who got a plea — I think four years for the rape of a 14-year-old. There’s all this argument about whether or not it’s rape because the girl apparently skipped school and she knew what she was doing and all of this, but the law also says that you have to be a 16-year-old to consent and a 14-year-old is a child,” Ms Wallace said.

“This girl is not responsible for what she did. This man is responsible for the decisions that he’s made and we have to look at the power dynamic involved as well between genders and between people of completely different ages - a minor and someone who is well beyond the age of majority,” she said.

She further criticised Mr Williams’ remarks saying it was an example of rape culture.

“This is just a form of victim blaming. This is another form of structural violence. This is a state actor saying we’re not going to use the law to the full degree because we’re

going to blame this victim for what happened to her.

Not only that but we’re also going to blame her for her parents and anyone else around her for the thing that one person did and this is the perpetuation and it’s an example of rape culture.

“One of the symptoms of rape culture is victim blaming — finding some reason that the thing that happened to a person happened because of some moral failing of theirs or something they did wrong.

The comment by the director of public prosecutions, it’s really unacceptable, it’s really absurd and it’s really indicative of a lack of gender sensitivity and a lack of technical knowledge of the issues and the law.

“It really shows a disdain not only for women but for girls and girls are particularly in situations of vulnerability. When we talk about marital rape people say well grown women can walk away and children can’t. That’s also debatable, but we know that girls are more vulnerable and they need to be protected and part of that protection is using the law.”

and Belém do Pará which states that violence against women includes violence “that occurs within the family or domestic unit or within any other interpersonal relationship[...] including, among others, rape, battery and sexual abuse.”

During her visit to The Bahamas in December 2017, the United Nations special rapporteur on violence against women said, “Violence against women, including marital rape, is deeply rooted in persistant gender stereotypes and patriarchy, as well as sex-based discrimination against women.”

Human rights expert Gaynel Curry said, “The criminalisation of all forms of rape will interrupt the continuum of violence that persistent across the country and shines a spotlight on

that which remains hidden, denied and accepted as normal.”

In 2018, the CEDAW Committee recommended the express criminalisation of marital rape and removal of temporal limitations on reporting. At the third cycle of the Universal Periodic Review of The Bahamas, the issue of marital rape was raised under four themes — advancement of women, constitutional and legislative framework, discrimination against women, and violence against women — and the recommendation to criminalise marital rape was supported by the government. Equality Bahamas has demanded government action on this issue and demonstrated commitment to ending gender-based violence against women now.

Rape is rape, in all cases, and we will not accept any

other categorisations of this violent act, nor will we allow any exclusions on the basis of relationship or limitations on women’s ability to report or access to justice,” said Alicia Wallace, director of Equality Bahamas. “Our goal is not to check a box, but to expand rights and strengthen the protection of women through the law, recognizing it as a critical factor in shifting culture and changing behaviour.” #Strike5ive campaign resources can be accessed at tiny.cc/strike5ive and updates are available on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, @equality242.

Equality Bahamas is a feminist organisation that promotes women’s and LGBTQI+ people’s rights as human rights through advocacy, public education, and community engagement.

CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED TO CRIMINALISE MARITAL RAPE EQUALITY Bahamas has announced the launch of its Strike5ive campaign to criminalise marital rape in the strongest, most explicit way.

According to a press release from the group, it calls on the government to criminalise marital rape by removing “who is not his spouse” from the definition of rape in Section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act, repealing Section 15 on sexual assault by a spouse, adding a statutory

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, March 31, 2022, PAGE 5

‘Don’t leave us behind’

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net TAXI drivers in Grand Bahama say they are facing the same economic hardship as straw vendors due to the lack of tourists on the island.

They think it is unfair that the government has not seen fit to reinstate the $200 unemployment benefit to cab drivers.

“What this current government is doing to us is not right,” said cab driver Lloyd Miller. “The PLP government took the unemployment benefit away from us and they take away the food vouchers.”

Mr Miller said that cab drivers are not making any money at the harbour or airport.

“I have been to the harbour two days in a row. The first ship brings 3,600 passengers and I didn’t get a job yesterday. I gone back today (Wednesday) and been down there all day from 6am and no job,” he said at the airport.

On Tuesday, the government announced that it will be providing monetary assistance this week to hurting straw vendors at Port Lucaya Marketplace and other industry workers on that island.

The initiative will cost the government $177,000.

Payments in the sum of $500 will be made to vendors at Port Lucaya Marketplace, the Farmer’s Market located downtown, the Fish Fry site in Eight Mile Rock and workers in the harbour area.

Mr Miller is upset that taxi drivers were not included.

“All of us (cab drivers) in the same category as straw vendors,” he complained.

“How they can think in their heart to take the NIB stipend away from us?

We in Grand Bahama and Abaco have been suffering since Hurricane Dorian and there is still no relief for us.”

The concerned cabdriver said the cost of living has increased on Grand Bahama.

“GB Power is about to increase the cost of power, gas gone up at the pumps, and the government

DAVID Musgrove said “it is not right” for straw vendors and hair braiders to receive support but not taxi drivers.

Photos: Denise Maycock/Tribune Staff increased the tax on breadbasket items. How in the world are we supposed to survive? What kind of government is this? They say they come to alleviate poverty, but they bringing poverty.”

Mr Miller said nothing has changed to improve the livelihood of cab drivers by successive governments.

“I think they hate us in Grand Bahama because they treat us like a motherless child,” he said.

Darren Laing said the PLP government should not have taken away the $200 benefit from taxi drivers.

“I have been a taxi driver on and off for about 30 years,” he said. “It is just hard for taxi drivers. I see it every day.

“This is the second day I come out here at the airport and nothing happen. It is hard for us.”

David Musgrove also agreed that it is unfair.

“I am not satisfied with it because if guests do not come on the ship, we have no one to take to the straw market. If the ship brings people, then taxi drivers take them to the straw market and elsewhere.”

“But it is not right for

them to give the straw vendors and hair braiders whatever they giving them and leave the taxi drivers out. Straw vendors can’t get visitors if taxi drivers don’t bring them. So, it is unfair. If they give one, they should give all.”

Mr Musgrove said there are days when he takes home no fares.

“Two days I been out here and I ain’t carry home a dime. I just got one job just now for today, and today is Wednesday. How could I support a family like that? So, the government needs to look out for the taxi drivers.”

Wilbert McDonald said taxi drivers need help, adding they put in about 12 hours a day and sometimes still leave with nothing in their pockets.

He said conditions at the airport are also unfavourable. In addition to no electricity at the cab stand, and using an outdoor toilet, Mr McDonald said cab drivers pay in the preclearance lounge $2 to $3 for a cup of coffee and over $10 for breakfast.

“So, in essence, we are catching hell, period. We need capital H-E-L-P,” Mr McDonald emphasised.

LLOYD Miller said “what this current government is doing to us is not right”.

‘I have been a taxi driver on and off for about 30 years. It is just hard for taxi drivers. I see it every day. “This is the second day I come out here at the airport and nothing happen. It is hard for us.’

Darren Laing

PAGE 6, Thursday, March 31, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

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Prosecutions director is blaming the victim YOU sometimes have to wonder what officials are thinking when they open their mouths and insert their foot. Or even whether they are thinking at all.

The acting director of public prosecutions is Franklyn Williams. A case appeared in court in which a 40-year-old man got a 14-year-old girl pregnant. He was sentenced to four years in jail.

The sentence came as part of a plea deal, and when asked about why a plea deal was offered to a man 26 years older than his victim who was below the age of consent for sexual activity, Mr Williams showed a complete lack of tact, to say the least.

He said: “We have a generation of highly sexualized young people, whether through media or association, and who because of parental inattention, lack of parental oversight and in some cases, tacit encouragement and acquiescence, engage in risky behaviours. The facts of this case dictated the course taken.”

You will notice he directs his attention there, with reference to the case, to young people. To a lack of parenting. To “risky” behaviour.

What you do not see in his comments is anything with regard to the predatory behaviour of an older man. Of a need for such men to understand consent, and that a 14-year-old is not legally able to consent. The man clearly broke the law – and the most that the DPP has to say about it is directed towards the man’s victim.

“I said nothing about the victim,” he protested to The Tribune, however, “I said absolutely nothing about the young lady.”

Then who are the young people you are talking about when asked about this case, Mr Williams? The 40-year-old?

Is it the 40-year-old’s parents you were concerned about being inattentive? Is it his risky behaviour? You don’t have to name the victim specifically for us to know what you were referring to, and you should not compound your original insensitive comments by treating us all like idiots.

This is not the first time an official has been caught saying something inappropriate.

In January last year, Police Commissioner Paul Rolle was the subject of

criticism after he attributed some of the suicides in 2020 to “weak” men.

Just this week, Transport Minister Jobeth Coleby-Davis was in the spotlight after she posted a reaction to the Oscars incident in which actor Will Smith hit presenter Chris Rock. She said: “Men are natural protectors, when they TRULY love a woman, it’s harder for them to turn it off! Jada’s reaction shows hurt! Let this be a lesson!”

After being criticised for posting something that could be construed as encouraging violence at a time when Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis is holding conclaves to tackle rising murder levels, she deleted the post.

The difference with both Commissioner Rolle and Mrs Coleby-Davis is that both apologised after concerns were raised. Mr Williams is digging his heels in, saying: “I stated a fact and the fact is as I stated through the media and through association you have young people who are being sexualised.”

Sadly, the victim in this case will not be the last one of such a crime. Sexual offences are too commonplace. How will the next victim feel about coming forward to prosecute her attacker if the director is casting doubt on young people in this way? If he is seen to be blaming them in some fashion?

What confidence will there be if a child can be a victim of a 40-year-old man and the case goes to a plea deal with a lighter sentence?

There have already been calls for Mr Williams to resign. As Equality Bahamas director Alicia Williams says in today’s Tribune: “This is a state actor saying we’re not going to use the law to the full degree because we’re going to blame this victim for what happened to her. Not only that but we’re also going to blame her for her parents and anyone else around her for the thing that one person did and this is the perpetuation and it’s an example of rape culture.”

Mr Williams’ comments show him to be at the least disconnected from those who are victims of such crimes. His subsequent comments show an unwillingness to accept his words were wrong.

Whether he resigns or not, his comments have damaged faith in the process for victims of sexual crimes.

MP’s tweet about Jada EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE famed JoBeth Coleby-Davis Tweet about American actress Jada Pinkett Smith has created a ruckus among supporters of the Opposition Free National Movement (FNM). The Tweet was posted subsequent to Will Smith striking comedian Chris Rock in the face after the latter joked about Smith’s wife, Jada, looking like the fictional character GI Jane. Jada Smith suffers from alopecia, which explains her bald head.

After assaulting Rock, the Academy went ahead and awarded Smith Best Actor Oscar for his role in the biopic King Richard, although there are now talks that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has launched an investigation into his conduct. The incident in question occurred at the 94th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on March 27.

Ironically, that would be the same day Prime Minister Philip Davis held a crime

conclave to address the spate of violent killings by various gangs in the innercity areas of Nassau.

The vociferous reaction of FNMs is being viewed as a tempest in a teapot by Progressive Liberal Party supporters, who have raised the issue of former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ recent use of inflammatory words which were directed at the Davis administration. Be that as it may, the Coleby-Davis Tweet seemed to have approved of Will Smith’s violent behaviour, at a time when so many young people in Nassau are either unable or unwilling to engage in conflict resolution to settle their differences. Some of the violence in Nassau stems from domestic issues, such as an individual insulting the spouse of a violent thug or infidelity. A former classmate of mine was murdered in 2011 for having an intimate tryst with the girlfriend of another man.

This romantic fling brings to mind one August Alsina who had intimate relations

with a married celebrity. I will leave that right there.

To her credit, ColebyDavis was prudent in offering an apology (or retraction) for her comments, I understand.

However, I do believe that her original comments fortuitously revealed her mindset regarding what transpired at the Oscars. It was an unwitting endorsement of Smith’s actions as if he were a knight in shining armor coming to the rescue of his beleaguered wife.

However, I chose to view Smith as a thug. He had no right to assault Chris Rock.

Had that been Dwayne The Rock Johnson on stage, Will Smith wouldn’t have dared to do what he did to Rock, who weighs about 168 pounds.

Had there been no negative response, would Coleby-Davis have apologised? I doubt it. This is a teachable moment for the rookie MP. KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Grand Bahama March 29, 2022.

A tribute to Anita Doherty EDITOR, The Tribune.

IMAGINE being a naïve 13-year-old new student of a new school, not knowing anyone there. That’s what I experienced on my first day at the then Freeport Anglican High School – the day I met then Vice Principal Anita Doherty. Walking down the corridor with her stern face and fast walk, she already knew who I was and it was now my turn to know Her. I was terrified, nervous and anxious to say the least! I watched in awe as she said whatever was on her mind… whether the student, teacher or administrator liked it or not. Every student who attended Freeport High in the 80s and 90s got a taste of the Real Anita Doherty!

In fact, I later discovered that her abruptness and exact demeanour basically equaled her love, affection and the need to achieve a sound education for every student. Yes, her formula for discipline was like no other and that’s why she is truly beloved and admired throughout the entire island of Grand Bahama.

But there’s no love for Mrs Doherty like a Freeport High Warrior love, believe me!

Mrs D and I truly developed a loving and close bond during and after my academic career. I say without fear or hesitation that she is the only reason why I am one of the

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net country’s Senior Broadcast Journalists today. I fondly remember sitting in her office during my Junior year as she enticed me into representing Freeport Anglican High School on a Radio programme developed by the late Richardson Campbell called “High School Roundup” airing on ZNS 810AM. The show gave High School Students the opportunity to broadcast a list of current activities taking place at their school. At first, I was a bit apprehensive and hesitant.

“Ms Doherty, I don’t think I can do that. Me?!”

And in stern Ms Doherty style, “You’re gonna do it!”

Thank God I did!

When I tried to compose the programme script with her counsel and approval, many days I would hear “Get out of my office!” or “I ain’t got time for that today!” Leaving me bewildered, she would search the school for me with a smile on her face asking me if I’m done with the script yet.

Yes, true Anita Doherty.

The opportunity gave me first hand knowledge of Broadcast Journalism that I couldn’t have achieved without my beloved Vice Principal. Her confidence in me even led her to securing my placement at ZNS

for Freeport High’s Job Training Programme that literally changed my life!

On the night of our graduation, my classmates and I were relieved to finally accomplish this goal and anticipate a successful future. However, it was hard to believe that we would be leaving our school days – and Mrs Doherty – behind.

It wasn’t long after leaving Freeport High when I was blessed to become a News Reporter at the Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas, the job I still hold today. When Mrs Doherty heard me on the radio and saw me on television for the first time, she beamed with pride and offered sound words of advice that I will cherish for the rest of my life!

The legacy of Anita Doherty will forever live on in the lives of all Students, Teachers and Administrators of Freeport High, Freeport Anglican High and Bishop Michael Eldon High Schools. There will never be anyone like her again. We will absolutely miss her.

May her soul rest in God’s eternal peace.

Altovise G Munnings Proud Freeport Anglican High School warrior and Grand Bahama native.

ALTOVISE MUNNINGS Nassau March 30, 2022.

G

World Water Day EDITOR, The Tribune.

IT’S disgraceful that Zimbabwe is not on the list of countries who are going to celebrate world water day. Water in Zimbabwe is unsafe to drink because there are no chemicals for treatment and it is causing an outbreak of waterborne diseases like cholera, typhoid and bilharzia. People are releasing their waste near and inside the rivers and others are

accidentally drinking contaminated water.

Local community hospitals in Rusape about 170 kilometers from Harare there are washing hospital blankets and sick people’s clothes which is not even safe because there is water shortage in the country.

Pipeline in urban areas needs to be renewed since there are now vintage pipes and many of the them are full of rust which can also cause tetanus.

This shows that the corrupt ZANU PF government is reckless when it comes to protecting and helping their citizens. President Mnangagwa and his government should resign because he failed Zimbabwe since he came to power in November 2017 and the state cannot celebrate world water day on 22 March 2022.

TAPIWA MUSKWE London, March 21, 2022.

THE TRIBUNE

‘A republic? That’s up to Bahamians’ from page one “The Royal tour inspired a degree of commentary about the monarchy’s role: in Belize, Jamaica and The Bahamas, in the United Kingdom, and in fact, worldwide,” Mr Davis said. “This was expected, especially in modern democracies such as ours, where the right to freedom of expression remains fundamental and constitutionally protected.

“Our view is that the Duke and Duchess were here as our guests, and as such, we extended the kinds of courtesies we extend to all our visitors.

“They were well aware of the conversations surrounding their visit and the public discussions about the past and future role of the monarchy in our country.

“I wish to briefly draw the House’s attention to the statement issued by the Duke on their return to the UK: ‘Foreign tours are an opportunity to reflect.

You learn so much. What is on the minds of Prime Ministers?

The hopes and ambitions of school children. The day-to-day challenges faced by families and communities. I know that this tour has brought into even sharper focus questions about the past and the future. In Belize, Jamaica and The Bahamas, that future is for the people to decide upon.”

Mr Davis continued: “As we move forward in our celebrations of the 50th anniversary of independence, I hope there is lively discussion and debate about our future: about who we are and what we want to be.

“I agree with the Duke when he says that it is for the Bahamian people to

PRINCE William and Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis. decide upon their future.

For now, it is enough to say that my administration will listen to, participate in, and fully support those discussions. In time, we can be sure that the will of the Bahamian is always being fully expressed.”

During a special reception at Baha Mar last Friday, Prince William also addressed the discussion in some quarters about more Commonwealth nations possibly severing ties with the monarch. This comes after Barbados became a republic last year.

At the time, he said in part: “Next year I know you are looking forward to celebrating 50 years of independence, your golden anniversary, and with Jamaica celebrating 60 years of independence this year and Belize celebrating 40 years of independence last year I want to say this: we support with pride and respect your decisions about your future. Relationships evolve, friendship endures.”

In defending the Royal duo’s trip to the country, Mr Davis highlighted how the United Kingdom has continued to provide support to this nation. He also noted the benefits their visit brought.

“We are pleased that we are one of only three Caribbean countries being visited as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

This reinforces our wish to project The Bahamas as a

leading voice in the region.

“As we approach almost 50 years of sovereignty, the United Kingdom continues to be one of our closest friends and allies. Honourable members may not be aware that, each year when hurricanes threaten us, the United Kingdom continues to provide essential support by following hurricanes with British Navy vessels, to provide vital rescue and relief efforts.

“Also, as one of the G7 countries, the UK is well-placed to support our international position with investors and lenders through guarantees and other measures.

“Following on from the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union, or ‘Brexit’ as widely known, we note changes in their foreign policy priorities. We want The Bahamas to be at the forefront of consideration of any enhanced trading relationships.

“Discussions are underway about providing more scholarships for Bahamian students and exploring ways to expand the exchange of goods and services between our two countries. We are keen for members of the Bahamian creative and cultural communities to have an opportunity to work in the UK.” Mr Davis also said over 70 accredited international journalists accompanied the Royal couple and provided global press coverage for each event/activity in which the couple engaged.

Regarding cost, which was a hot button topic of discussions ahead of the royal visit, Mr Davis explained that several factors were to be considered.

“As is so often the case nowadays, much media attention is focused on the issue of cost. This attention

is welcome insofar as it helps to ensure prudence and transparency in public spending, attributes that were sorely lacking during the previous administration.

“It has been only four days since the visit ended, we are still awaiting the final accounting. However, some of the more fanciful speculation of cost must be dispensed. So, I wish to immediately place some of the facts about the expenditure underlying the visit on the record of this House.

“As is customary with Royal visits, costs are shared between the Sovereign Grant, the host country, and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. This visit was no exception. In line with this, the Royal Household borne the cost of travel to and from The Bahamas.

“A corporate donor sponsored the GovernorGeneral’s reception. In line with Royal protocol, we are asked not to publicise private sponsorship too much to detract from the event.

“The government of The Bahamas bore accommodation costs for two nights.

“Other third-party costs, such as the cultural events we wish to showcase, were paid to Bahamian artisans and creative and production talent. This was our choice.

We wanted to treat our visitors to those displays and stimulate our creative economy, which has been flat-lined in recent years.

“All other costs, such as security, domestic travel, etc, are the internal costs of various government ministries and agencies and, therefore, will not require additional expenditure outside of existing budgets. This is the usual practice adopted by all countries regarding all official visitors,” Mr Davis said.

Thursday, March 31, 2022, PAGE 7

TWO MEN FACE COURT ON DRUGS CHARGES

By PAVEL BAILEY

TWO men were fined on separate drug charges in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Allan Knowles, 24, of Island Drive, stood before Senior Magistrate Samuel McKinney on a charge of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply.

Around 12.50pm on March 28, Knowles was arrested after officers acting on a warrant searched his residence and uncovered suspected drugs in his bedroom dresser.

These drugs were later identified as Indian hemp with a total weight of 4.2 oz.

When questioned, the accused gave no comment on the drugs during both his initial arrest and subsequent official police interview.

However, in court Knowles pleaded guilty to the charge against him.

The prosecutor, Inspector Timothy Bain, informed the court that the accused had a previous drug conviction on a similar charge.

The accused’s attorney, Milton Cox, implored the magistrate not to impose a custodial sentence citing his client’s early plea of guilt.

Mr Cox also said the drugs found in Knowles’ possession were only for his personal use.

In view of this, Magistrate

McKinney ordered the accused to pay a $1,000 fine or risk three months in prison.

Another man, Barry Nicholas, 20, also stood before Magistrate McKinney on charges of possession of dangerous drugs and possession of drugs with intent to supply.

On March 28 police arrested the accused after finding one gram of Indian hemp on him. Additionally, a little more than eight ounces of marijuana was uncovered in the rear passenger side of Nicholas’s car in 128 ziploc bags. In court, Nicholas pleaded guilty to both charges.

Because the accused had no previous convictions the magistrate reduced one of the charges to simple possession as possession with intent to supply would stay on Nicholas’s criminal record forever.

Magistrate McKinney then sentenced Nicholas to pay a fine of $400 or one month in prison for the more than eight ounces of Indian hemp and a further fine of $100 or one month for the gram of Indian hemp.

The magistrate cautioned the accused against any further criminal behaviour, warning that any more infractions would result in Nicholas being punished to the fullest extent of the law.

MAN ACCUSED OF PHONE ROBBERY

By PAVEL BAILEY

A MAN appeared in court yesterday in connection with an armed robbery of $16,000 worth of smartphones last December.

Travis Gibson, 22, stood before Senior Magistrate Samuel McKinney to face an armed robbery charge.

The prosecution alleged that Gibson used a handgun on Saturday, December 18, 2021, to rob the complainant, Dornell Brown, of 22 Apple and Samsung

cellphones with a total value of $16,000.

In court, the accused was told by the magistrate that he was not required to enter a plea for the charge in Magistrate’s Court and that his case would be fast tracked to the Supreme Court by a voluntary bill of indictment.

He can apply for bail in the Supreme Court.

He is expected to return to court on May 6. He was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until then.

PAGE 8, Thursday, March 31, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

Islanders adrift in the stream of history

THE GULF STREAM, by Winslow Homer.

THE cover image on He is oblivious to the the first volume of Dr Gail schooner on the left horiSaunders’s history of The zon, which Homer later Bahamas, Islanders in the added to the composition as Stream, is an 1859 oil paint- a sign of hopeful rescue. ing by Winslow Homer, “The Gulf Stream also entitled, The Gulf Stream. references some of the comThe paintplex social and ing is in the ‘We are not alone. political issues extraordinary of the era – collection of Much of the war, the legacy the Metropoli- Caribbean is in the of slavery, tan Museum same metaphorical and American of Art in imperialism New York boat decades after – as well as City, which independence and more univerdescribes sal concerns now in the early the work with the fragilon its web- years of the third ity of human site: “Homer decade of the 21st life and the based this dra- century.Our elites, dominance of matic scene nature.” of imminent be they political, Dr Saundisaster on economic, ders is a sketches and religious or social, living national watercolors treasure. Her he had made are mostly without choice of the during winter a sense of greater Homer painttrips to The national purpose ing for the first Bahamas in volume and 1884 and 1898, or understanding the title of the after cross- of where we two volumes, ing the Gulf are and who we Islanders in Stream sevthe Stream, may become.’ eral times. is a powerful “A man and fecund faces his demise on a dis- metaphor for the centuries masted, rudderless fishing of journeying amidst perilboat, sustained by only a ous circumstances by the few stalks of sugarcane, evolving Bahamas nation. while threatened by sharks Like the rudderless fishand a distant waterspout. ing boat, The Bahamas has

often been a nation buffeted by nature, human vagaries, and imperialism and slavery by dominating powers. The few stalks of sugar cane suggest our limited natural and human resources.

The schooner in the distance may be a sign of hope. But the man and The Bahamas, are often woefully and tragically oblivious to new possibilities on the horizon.

We have typically not been the masters of our own fate and destiny, especially as a small archipelago whose waters and history are – ironic pun intended – at the “liberty” of the American colossus and hegemon.

For centuries, and still we are an extraordinarily vulnerable nation. In the last many years, a series of category five storms have reminded us of just how vulnerable: the Great Recession of 2008, a series of natural storms, including the atomic-like blast of Hurricane Dorian and a recent global pandemic.

Now, our low-lying archipelago faces catastrophic climate change, one of the greatest threats in human history.

In the time of independence in 1973, we were exposed to the shocks of a terrible recession and spiraling global oil prices.

Tourism, our main industry, ironically, exposes us to external shocks but is also an economic lifeline that helps us to chart our way in the global economy.

Boats, like nations, are vulnerable both in harbour and on the open seas. To be properly berthed and to weather storms and to survive, they require a sense of direction and purpose, mooring and anchorage, navigation and points of reference.

ADRIFT

On the eve of half a century of national sovereignty, The Bahamas is wildly adrift in the stream of international affairs and history. This is not a commentary on a single major political party. It is not a critique solely on any part of society, whether the media, the religious community or business.

We are all collectively responsible for the dire state of our Bahamas. We are floundering, acting mostly as a purposeless nation, directionless, generally devoid of ideas for a more fulsome future, and with scant sense of history and moment.

We are not alone. Much of the Caribbean is in the same metaphorical boat decades after independence and now in the early years of the third decade of the 21st century.

Our elites, be they political, economic, religious or social, are mostly without a sense of greater national purpose or understanding of where we are and who we may become.

From political debates to commentary in the media to discussions about topical issues, and even interventions by various academics, the void is deep and stultifying.

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Motley understands the current moment, including the void and the possibilities.

For years, Barbados, once a jewel of the Caribbean, has been in decline, meandering, with ever mounting and unsustainable debt, a collapsing infrastructure, a directionless national elite, and a nation seemingly with little sense of purpose.

After the country’s 2018 general election, Motley began the arduous task of trying to impart to her country a new purpose and sense of direction, while fixing long-term infrastructural problems and addressing a host of socioeconomic challenges.

How successful she will be is unknown. But she is trying.

In an interview with

Vogue, the 56-year-old Caribbean internationalist and firebrand charged: “I know that when you have power, when you have access to make a difference in people’s lives, you need to do it. It’s not easy, and it’s certainly not for the fainthearted or the lazy, because what we’re trying to do is to give people a different sense of themselves and who they are.”

She explains: “There is an assertion of Caribbean identity. We are moving into a second generation of those who were born after independence. We now know what it is to determine our own fate, and there is a new confidence that is reflected in everything from our music to our school curriculums.”

Motley deeply appreciates that her country’s and the Caribbean’s challenges are worsened by an international order often rigged against small states. She also knows that many of our underlying challenges are deep-seated, internal, cultural and historic, including our social conservatism on various issues.

ROYAL VISIT

The recent visit of Britain’s Duke and Duchess of Cambridge must be seen in this wider context. Motley pressed Barbados to republican status because she understood how critical it is to repurpose Barbados and reset its course, and which too, was drifting aimlessly in the stream of history.

Barbados has begun a new journey, though it will take many more years.

The Bahamas is mostly paralysed and living in a bygone past, lacking greater self-confidence or a more vigorous sense of national pride and identity.

Representing the British monarch as Barbados became a republic and launched a new chapter in its history, Prince Charles, the heir to the throne, gave voice to a new direction for the Caribbean. He was more articulate on the matter than the political class and leaders in The Bahamas regardless of party.

And his words were more progressive.

He said to his Barbadian audience: “From the darkest days of our past, and the appalling atrocity of slavery, which forever stains our histories, the people of this island forged their path with extraordinary fortitude.

“Emancipation, self-government and independence were your way-points.

Freedom, justice and selfdetermination have been your guides.

“Tonight you write the next chapter of your nation’s story, adding to the treasury of past achievement, collective enterprise and personal courage which already fill its pages.

“The creation of this republic offers a new beginning, but it also marks a point on a continuum – a milestone on the long road you have not only travelled but which you have built.”

In 1973, a 24-year-old Prince Charles represented his mother at our independence celebration. If he returns to The Bahamas next year, half a century later at 74, he will meet a country and political class that still overwhelmingly wants to retain the monarchy.

CHANGED

The world has changed dramatically. The British royal family is trying to modernise and must be increasingly uncomfortable with foreigners and people of colour being their loyal subjects.

When Prince Charles’s son and daughter-in-law, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited last week, they likely left with the impression that it may take more decades before The Bahamas can culturally and historically summon the desire and will to embrace a greater sense of nationhood, self-worth, dignity and pride.

It is good that we can welcome guests like the Cambridges.

But, we should meet them as friends and equals, not as our future sovereign and his wife. Parts of the show on Bay Street, celebrating our culture, was well-done.

Sitting next to the Duchess of Cambridge was the regal Arlene Nash Ferguson, who undoubtedly explained the history and meaning of Junkanoo, including as a festival invoking emancipation, dignity and striving for transcendence over colonialism and slavery, and the enduring aftermath of both.

But there were also jarring moments, as the heir to the throne watched a Junkanoo group belt out the imperial ode, “Rule Britannia”, as Queen Victoria watched from her marbled imperial perch in Parliament Square, her statue grandiloquently larger than the bust of Sir Milo Butler, a Father of the Nation, who helped to remove many shackles of British rule.

Victoria’s rule began in 1837. One hundred and eighty five years later we are still reveling in pledging allegiance and a certain obsequiousness to her successors, seemingly in perpetuity.

Written in 1740, the British song was originally a poem, heralding the Godgiven imperial rights of a major slave-trading power: “When Britain first, at heaven’s command, Arose from out the azure main, This was the charter of the land, And Guardian Angels sang this strain: “Rule, Britannia! Britannia, rule the waves!

Britons never, never, never will be slaves.

“The nations not so blest as thee Must, in their turn, to tyrants fall, While thou shalt flourish great and free: The dread and envy of them all.”

Sadly, some did not realise why such a song should not have been played.

Some, still do not understand the revulsion by many that such a triumphalist paean to white and colonial supremacy and superiority would be played by a Junkanoo group performing for an heir to the British throne, still immersed in the trappings of empire.

This blindness, this lack of historical sense, this lack of perception of how toadying we look to the region and the world is one of the reasons why we are islanders so terribly and disappointingly adrift in the stream of modern history.

• More next week

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, March 31, 2022, PAGE 9

Threat to standing of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas A

S you drive south toward Florida on I-95 just beyond Savannah, there’s a historical marker announcing that near the next exit is the tiny hamlet of Pin Point, Georgia. The marker notes that Pin Point is the birthplace of US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. This complex man, appointed by President George H W Bush in 1991 to succeed the first African American to serve on America’s highest court, has often been in the news in the 31 years since his appointment.

Clarence Thomas is black.

Bush appointed him to take the place of legendary Thurgood Marshall, who like Ronald Reagan now has a Washington DC-area international airport named after him This is in recognition of his outstanding achievements as a federal judge. You could say that Thomas was named to fill the “black seat” on the high court – and many people did indeed say that. Thomas has been dogged through three decades as an Associate Supreme Court Justice by charges and implications that he is a token, and that his support for conservative ideas and suspicion of affirmative action brand him as an “Uncle Tom,” or a black person who betrays his race for the favour of white people.

On the other hand, a black attorney who has attained great success and prominence over the course of a long career in public service and private corporate practice has told friends that Clarence Thomas made all the difference to him early in his career in St Louis. “Clarence Thomas mentored me when he didn’t need to do so, and his wise counsel helped sustain my career. I feel I owe him for any success I may have achieved.”

Cynics wryly praised Bush and his Republican advisers for promoting diversity on the Court while at the same time appointing a jurist whose obdurate conservatism would lead him to support causes dear to Republican hearts. Many white Americans continue to believe that black Americans generally support Democrats. And that is often true. Blacks increasingly influence national Democratic thinking in numerous policy areas.

While there are now more Republican African Americans, arch-conservative black justice Clarence Thomas is still seen as an outlier.

Thomas’ confirmation hearing in 1991 was chaired by then-Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Joe

Biden, who has since admitted that he mishandled the charges of inappropriate sexual conduct by Thomas toward Anita Hill, also an attorney and a subordinate of Thomas during his time at the federal Equal Opportunity Commission and elsewhere.

The Thomas confirmation process was choppy and interrupted by evidence leaked during Senate hearings. There were rumours and innuendo circulating about the judge, and he lashed out in 1991 about what he felt was the basic unfairness of the hearing he received: “This is not an opportunity to talk about difficult matters privately or in a closed environment. This is a circus. It’s a national disgrace. And from my standpoint, as a black American, as far as I’m concerned it is a high-tech execution for uppity blacks who in any way deign to think for themselves, to do for themselves, to have different ideas, and it is a message that unless you kow-tow to an old order, this is what will happen to you. You will be lynched, destroyed, caricatured by a committee of the U.S. Senate rather than hung from a tree.”

That all happened 31 years ago. Thomas was ultimately confirmed by the Senate and was publicly silent during his first two and one-half decades on the Supreme Court, almost never offering an opinion or even asking a question during public evidence hearings before the court. He has spoken more frequently since the death of Justice Antonin Scalia in 2016, but his reluctance to speak out has encouraged critics to deride the erudition of this Yale Law School graduate.

It is in that context that Thomas’ return to the front pages in recent weeks must be seen. Now, it is the outspoken views of his wife Ginni that has ignited calls for Thomas, who at 73 will later this year be the oldest justice on the high court, to resign or at least recuse himself from cases stemming from the January 6, 2021 attack on the US capitol building by Trump supporters seeking to overturn the 2020 American presidential election.

Ginni Thomas has long made no secret of her strong right-wing views, and she has often been well-paid to advance them. By some estimates, she has been paid over $1 million by various conservative think tanks or other groups for services rendered. This has occasionally raised public concern, but never like it has done recently. Revelations of her text messages to thenTrump chief of staff Mark

GINNI Thomas (above), wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas (right).

(AP Photos, File) Meadows on and about January 6 and her ardent wish that the 2020 election be overturned or nullified have sparked outrage that threatens Thomas’ standing and even tenure on the court.

Y

ou’ve probably seen or heard about her texts, in one of which she declared that the 2020 US presidential election results represented “the greatest heist in our history.” She attended the January 6 rally behind the White House when Trump and others incited the assault on the capitol. Then, not too long afterwards, Clarence Thomas cast the only dissenting vote when the Supreme Court considered whether Trump’s and other records could fairly be brought before the congressional commission investigating the events of January 6.

There is a legitimate cause for concern that Clarence Thomas ignored an obvious conflict of interest in that case, especially given the new evidence of his wife’s texts. His failure to properly recuse himself in the

case and, perhaps, unwillingness to recuse in the several future cases about January 6 which are likely to come before the Supreme Court, have concerned many pundits and commentators, some of whom are Republicans.

In his defense, Thomas could fall back on the absence of any code of accountability for high court justices’ decisions on recusal or non-recusal from cases.

The Supreme Court is subject to the mandate that all federal judges disqualify themselves from disputes where their “impartiality might reasonably be questioned.” But while lower court judges face fairly specific procedures to ensure impartiality, no such procedures apply to the nation’s highest court.

The contrast is unavoidable between Thomas’ silent, unbending conservatism and the open, articulate, strong and capable appearances of current Biden nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson during four days of her confirmation hearings last week. Jackson, who will join

Thomas as the court’s black judges when she is confirmed by the Senate next month, seems to be almost everything he isn’t. The comparisons don’t flatter Thomas.

T

he national press is proceeding cautiously along the path to calling for Thomas to be impeached or pressured by the chief justice to resign from the court. But some first steps are being taken. Respected national columnists such as The New York Times’ Maureen Dowd, have gone further already. Over the weekend, Dowd wrote that “Thomas should never have been put on the court. Now that we know his wife was plotting the overthrow of the government, he should get off or be thrown off.

You can’t administer justice when your spouse is running around strategizing for a coup.”

It’s anyone’s guess where this will all lead.

But the flow of information being released by the

congressional January 6 committee is increasing in volume and in the specificity with which it directly implicates Trump, his associates and followers in a conspiracy to overthrow a valid election, by means of a violent coup if necessary. Ginni Thomas already looks highly supportive of and perhaps even complicit in this. If, as many suspect, more damning information is still to be released, she may face public disgrace.

Clarence Thomas is by all accounts as loyal to his wife as Will Smith revealed himself to be at the Academy Awards on Sunday night when he rushed to the stage to slap Chris Rock across the face for making a joke about Smith’s wife’s hair.

If liberal and Democratic pundits really turn up the rhetorical heat on this proud and stubborn black man and his wife, what might he do?

Clarence Thomas surely wouldn’t resign in disgust while a Democrat sits in the White House and the Dems have majorities in both houses of Congress. Or would he?

PAGE 10, Thursday, March 31, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

$9m financing deal for renewable energy reform

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

ECONOMIC Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis at the signing ceremony yesterday with the Inter-American Development Bank for a $9m deal over renewable energy.

Photo: Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff

THE government signed a $9m non-reimbursable financing agreement with the European Union and Inter-Development Bank yesterday to assist with renewable energy reform in the country.

The signing ceremony was held at the Ministry of Finance yesterday and attended by Economic Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis along with IDB and EU representatives, Daniela Carrera-Marquis and Marianne Van Steen.

Speaking at yesterday’s event, Ms Carrera-Marquis from the Inter-Development Bank (IDB) said the grant will allow for the construction of several solar energy projects throughout The Bahamas.

One such project includes the installation of two micro grids in Abaco, thereby improving the island’s

electricity infrastructure which suffered damage after Hurricane Dorian.

It is expected that the initiative will benefit between 13,000 to 17,000 residents on the island.

“The grant money has been analysed to support two micro grids in Abaco for electricity generation capacity and also for storage capacity,” she said.

“This will allow Abaco to have not only a new source of energy that is renewable but in a more resilient manner in case so far as new natural disasters were to occur.”

The grant will also fund similar solar energy projects in New Providence, she said, adding it “will also finance training activities in the solar industry to foster local participation.”

Yesterday, Mr Halkitis hailed the signing ceremony and said it indicates government’s commitment to reduce the use of fossil

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Manage investments portfolios, deciding which securities to incorporate in a variable mix of products Prepare Investment Policy Statements for clients desiring of managed investment solutions Conduct thorough financial analysis on domestic and international companies and industries Meet with clients to determine goals, develop investment strategies and match products and services to meet their goals Lead, develop and mentor a team of professionals in a culture that encourages employees to contribute their best Have a firm grasp of statutory and regulatory requirements relevant to the business Develop and execute client retention and business strategies to drive profitability Spearhead development of new products, services and marketing initiatives Engender first-class client service as a priority Build and maintain strong relationships with key industry and counterparty contacts Attend industry briefings and professional forums and stay abreast of industry trends and opportunities

Experience & Qualifications • • • • • •

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or other relevant business discipline required MBA or Master’s degree in Finance preferred Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) professional designation required Minimum 10 years’ practical experience at management level with relevant experience in the financial services industry specializing in at least one of the following disciplines: investments, private equity, corporate finance or mergers and acquisitions Proven strategic planning and budgeting experience for meeting quarterly and annual goals Has an established network of professional contacts

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

An entrepreneurial spirit Passionate about the work Ability to work under pressure in a dynamic, fast-paced, high-growth environment and balance multiple roles and commitments Ability to positively influence others to achieve desired results Ability to connect across disciplines, to innovate and problem solve Ability to give clear directives and effectively address employees’ concerns, conflicts and suggestions Excellent oral and written communication, client relationship management and interpersonnel skills Excellent project management and organizational skills Strong computer skills with demonstrated proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite of products including Word, Excel and Power Point Public speaking and presentation skills Goal-oriented, self-starter with positive attitude and outlook Intellectual curiosity Commitment to quality and service excellence Willing to travel

Salary will be commensurate with relevant qualifications and experience. Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter via email to hr@lenobahamas.com on or before March 31, 2022. Only those persons short-listed for an interview will be contacted.

fuel and to promote solar energy.

He also said the move brings the country one step closer to fulfilling its goal of 30 percent renewable energy penetration by 2030.

“Today, the EU and IDB are providing financial assistance of approximately $9m in grant funds to assist in transforming a plan for renewable energy into reality,” Mr Halkitis said.

“The support is indeed timely, especially when one considers the current geopolitical circumstances that are impacting fuel prices and invariably an increase in the price of goods and services.

“Procrastination cannot continue, as stakeholders, including government, must act now by channelling more resources to address the clean energy industry and means to engender a green environment.”

Ms Van Steen also spoke at the signing ceremony, saying officials were “motivated” to partner with the IDB to facilitate the loan after seeing the devastation left behind following Hurricane Dorian. “(The grant) will not also be about reconstruction, but about building a climate resilient renewable energy infrastructure here in The Bahamas and let me tell you that I do think that this area, the fight against climate change and the role that renewable energy plays into that is something where the European Union and The Bahamas can really find each other,” she said.

This comes as concerns mount locally about rising energy and fuel costs sparked from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Over the weekend, fuel prices crossed the $6 threshold at two major providers in the country, with Rubis now at $6.33 and Esso at $6.16.

“We know what has happened in recent times with the unrest and that brings

to immediacy the fact that we need to be concentrating more on renewables,” Mr Halkitis said yesterday.

“Minus any sort of geopolitical disruption, we can expect to see fuel prices go higher and approach $200 (a barrel) in the next 20 to 25 years just because the cheap sources will be depleted and it becomes more difficult to mine it and so that even makes it more important what we’re doing here today.”

Asked yesterday if the government plans to bring about any immediate relief to Bahamians in view of the situation, the minister reiterated his previous position that there was not much the government can do in that regard.

“There’s not much we can do given our economy and the fact that we’re still emerging from a COVID19 pandemic that has devastated our economy and a lot of other economies and it has caused a significant run up in the debt in The Bahamas and so we are managing our way out of it and hopeful that the volatility that we’ve seen will normalise in the shorter rather than the longer term.”

He also reiterated that the government was not considering cutting the rate of taxation on fuel imports to help keep costs down as some places like Barbados have done.

“We are not unsympathetic. We are very sympathetic because the nature of our economy is rising energy prices impact the cost of transportation.

We import most of what we produce so that means that price impact will be felt through that. The price of gas at the pump for individuals and taxi drivers and bus drivers and all of that and so we are quite aware but we have to look at everything in complete context of our financial sustainability and building headroom coming out of this pandemic,” the minister added.

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THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, March 31, 2022, PAGE 11

CAMPBEL: RUSSIA REVIEW REVEALED FIRM WITH $1.6BN ASSETS

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

STATE Legal Affairs Minister Jomo Campbell said following The Bahamas’ sanctioning of entities with Russian federation ties, one company was found to have an “overwhelming” value of $1.6bn in private company assets held in a Bahamian fiduciary structure.

The $1.6bn consisted of deposits, custody assets, assets held in a trust or other fiduciary structure and investment in companies and only $7.5m in assets were portfolio management

custody assets.

He said this came to light after The Bahamas considered various actions that were being taken by major financial centres and gave its support for the attorney general to issue directions.

Mr Campbell said this mandated to the financial services regulators that “all licensees and registrants be required to conduct a search of their client databases to identify entities and individuals so sanctioned. The directions were issued on March 9, 2022 and results by licensees and registrants were submitted on the 21 and 22 March 2022.

The submissions revealed

that there were three individuals identified and one company with assets valuing approximately $1.6 billion comprising deposits, custody assets, assets held in a trust or other fiduciary structure and investment companies,” he said.

“It is important to note that of the assets listed above, only $7.5m in assets are portfolio management custody assets and the overwhelming value - $1.6 billion are private company assets held in a Bahamas fiduciary structure and not bank deposits. We have very few accounts and structures of sanctioned persons in The Bahamas.”

MINISTER of State for Legal Affairs Jomo Campbell.

Photo: Donavan McIntosh/Tribune Staff

PAGE 12, Thursday, March 31, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

PLANE BURNED AS HAITIANS PROTEST HAITIANS took to the streets on Tuesday to protest rising insecurity, with demonstrations turning violent in the southern city of Les Cayes where people stormed the airport and attacked and burned a small plane owned by a US missionary group.

At least one person died and five others were injured, including four police officers, in the confrontation between protesters and authorities in Les Cayes, said Gedeon Chery, a National Police inspector assigned to the city’s airport.

Chery told The Associated Press the person killed was a protester who was shot, but he didn’t say whether police were responsible.

A second small plane was burned at the local airport of the city of Jacmel, but it wasn’t clear if it was also part of an attack by some protesters, said Garry Desrosiers, the National Police spokesman. The aircraft was non-operational and had been stationed there for a while, he added.

The protests coincided with the 35th anniversary of Haiti’s 1987 Constitution and follow other protests and strikes in recent weeks amid a spike in gang-related kidnappings and complaints about Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s inability to confront gangs. On his Twitter account, Henry condemned the violence in Les Cayes and said he has ordered

authorities to look for the people behind it.

Chery, the police inspector, said a group of people had gotten onto the terminal’s tarmac, attacked the plane and set it on fire.

A video posted in social media showed some people on the plane’s fuselage while the red-and-white aircraft was moving on the tarmac, and others running alongside it. Chery said he didn’t know why they attacked it.

Agape Flights, a Christian ministry transporting supplies to missionaries in Haiti, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas, said in a statement that “Our team is safe.”

It said Agape’s Chieftain aircraft was destroyed and they are preparing to bring the ministry’s team back to the US. “Our missionary affiliates are hearing that they thought it was a politicians plane they were destroying,” the statement said.

People also protested in Haiti’s capital of Portau-Prince, where some burned tires. Protesters also criticised how Henry has not been able to control insecurity.

“He has nothing left to offer but words and more baseless words,” said Marie-Andre Michelle, one of the people who marched in Port-au-Prince.

Violence has increased over the past year despite the prime minister’s pledges to crack down on insecurity.

SIX DEAD IN 80-CAR PILE-UP A DEADLY pile-up involving 80 vehicles on a Pennsylvania interstate during a snow squall killed six people, state police said yesterday.

“There were six fatalities involved in this crash. Identities of the victims will be released once death notifications have been made to

their families,” state police in Frackville said.

Police also said the crash during “an active snow squall” on Monday around 10.30am and involved 39 commercial vehicles and 41 passenger vehicles, for a total of 80, which is greater than earlier estimates of 40 to 60 vehicles.

A UKRAINIAN serviceman tries to avoid being bitten by an ostrich at a heavily damaged private zoo as soldiers and volunteers attempted to evacuate the surviving animals to safety in the village of Yasnohorodka, on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, yesterday.

Photo: Vadim Ghirda/AP

Russia bombards areas it pledged to scale back KYIV, Ukraine Associated Press RUSSIAN forces bombarded areas around Kyiv and another city just hours after pledging to scale back operations in those zones to promote trust between the two sides, Ukrainian authorities said yesterday.

The shelling — and intensified Russian attacks on other parts of the country — tempered optimism about any progress in the talks aimed at ending the punishing war.

The Russian military’s announcement on Tuesday that it would de-escalate near the capital and the northern city of Chernihiv to “increase mutual trust and create conditions for further negotiations” was met with deep suspicion from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the West.

Soon after, Ukrainian officials reported that Russian shelling hit homes, stores, libraries and other civilian sites in and around Chernihiv and on the outskirts of Kyiv. Russian troops also stepped up their attacks on the Donbas region in the east and around the city of Izyum, which lies on a key route to the Donbas, after redeploying units from other areas, the Ukrainian side said.

Olexander Lomako, secretary of the Chernihiv city council, said the Russian announcement turned out to be “a complete lie”.

“At night they didn’t decrease, but vice versa increased the intensity of military action,” Lomako said.

Five weeks into the invasion that has left thousands dead on both sides, the number of Ukrainians fleeing the country topped a staggering 4 million, half of them children, according to the United Nations.

“I do not know if we can still believe the Russians,” Nikolay Nazarov, a refugee from Ukraine, said as he pushed his father’s wheelchair at a border crossing into Poland. “I think more escalation will occur in eastern Ukraine. That is why we cannot go back to Kharkiv.”

In other developments: • US intelligence officials have concluded that Russian President Vladimir Putin is being misinformed by his advisers about the poor performance of his military in Ukraine because they are too afraid to tell him the truth.

• US President Joe Biden announced an additional $500m in aid for Ukraine.

• The German government said it received assurances from Russia that European companies won’t have to pay for Russian gas in rubles. That prospect had raised fears that Russia could cut them off. Also, Poland announced steps to end all Russian oil imports by the end of the year.

• The UN is looking into allegations

that some residents of the besieged and shattered southern city of Mariupol have been forcibly taken to areas controlled by Russian forces or to Russia itself.

At a round of talks held Tuesday in Istanbul, the faint outlines of a possible peace agreement seemed to emerge when the Ukrainian delegation offered a framework under which the country would declare itself neutral — dropping its bid to join NATO, as Moscow has long demanded — in return for security guarantees from a group of other nations.

Top Russian officials responded positively, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov saying Wednesday that Ukraine’s willingness to accept neutrality and look outside NATO for security represents “significant progress,” according to Russian news agencies.

After the Kremlin’s announcement that it would scale back some of its military operations, Zelenskyy reacted by saying that when dealing with the Russians, “you can trust only concrete results.” That assessment was echoed by Biden and by British Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab, who noted suspicions that Russia intends to regroup and attack again.

The skepticism seemed wellfounded yesterday.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, March 31, 2022, PAGE 13

SPORTS PAGE 14

THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 2022

Ronaldo, Page 18

Hield moves into 50th place in career 3-pointers made

WOMEN’S WORLD CUP: AUSTRALIA ADVANCES TO FINAL

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

By STEVE MCMORRAN AP Sports Writer

C

havano “Buddy” Hield has reached another career milestone as one of the premier shooting guards in the NBA. Hield moved into 50th place in career three-point field goals made with 1,397 through his six-year career.

The Indiana Pacers guard achieved the mark in a 132-123 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on March 28. He shot 5-7 from threepoint range and finished with 26 points on the night.

Hield surpassed former Three Point contest champion Brent Barry and trails the Hawks’ Danilo Gallinari - ranked no.49 on the All-Time list with 1,413.

He currently ranks second across the league in three-point field goals made this season with 242.

Since being traded to the Pacers at the deadline, Hield has averaged 18.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.9 triples per game.

Despite the three-point career milestone, Hield said the move to Indiana has afforded him new

‘Buddy’ ranks 2nd in NBA in 3-pt field goals this season opportunities that have allowed him to display his skillset on the floor.

Prior to the trade, Hield averaged 14.4 points per game and made 182 three pointers and was shooting a career low 37 percent with the Sacramento Kings.

“I’m proud of myself,” Hield told reporters after the milestone performance against the Hawks.

“I was able to do a lot of things I wasn’t able to do over there in Sacramento.

I make plays for my teammates.

[Rick Carlisle] has trusted me a lot to do more, and that’s something I wanted to do. In Sacramento, they didn’t let me do that. “I was just a guy to stand in the corner and just catch and shoot. Change

INDIANA Pacers’ Chavano “Buddy” Hield dribbles during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday in Indianapolis.

(AP Photo/Darron Cummings) is great for me. I’m happy any other player through the Golden State Warriors, the first 400 games of and Damian Lillard (1,050) with the change.”

He played in 385 of 388 their NBA career. He set of the Portland Trail Blazpossible games during his the mark of 1,209 three ers. Hield also became time with the Sacramento pointers in his 400th on the fastest player to make 1,000 career three-pointers Kings. He left as the fran- November 12, 2021.

He heads the list of in NBA history. chise’s all-time leader in Hield set the mark in three-point field goals top three-point shooters through their first 400 just 350 games to reach made.

Also on his résumé, games, well ahead of Ste- the milestone faster than Hield made more three- phen Curry (1,121) and Curry, who held the previpoint field goals than Klay Thompson (1,098) of ous record of 369 games.

Byron Murray leads Knights to win

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net BYRON Murray’s day at the plate led his Lynn Fighting Knights to a much-needed win over the Nova Southeastern Sharks in the series finale.

Murray finished 3-4 with a team high four RBI to lead Lynn to the win and bring an end to a five-game losing streak at the NSU Baseball Complex in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Lynn improved to 19-12, 7-8 in the Sunshine State Conference.

In the first inning, Murray hit a two-RBI double down the left field line to give the Fighting Knights a 2-0 lead.

He returned in the third with another RBI double to left centre and after a stolen base, eventually scored on a wild pitch.

Murray also hit an RBI single through the left side

in the ninth inning to cap his afternoon. It was his third four-RBI game of the season.

Through 30 games this season, Murray is hitting .282 with three home runs, 30 RBI and scored 31 runs with four stolen bases.

A former San Francisco Giants draft pick, Murray made the transition to Division II baseball after his stint in the minor leagues.

As a freshman he appeared in 18 games, hit .284 with six doubles, one triple, three home runs and 11 RBI, a .383 OBP and .537 slugging percentage.

In his sophomore season, he appeared in 22 games, batting .377 with seven doubles, one triple and one home run with 23 RBI and 30 runs. Murray led the team in slugging percentage (.766) and OBP (.505). He was also named to the SSC Commissioner’s Honour Roll.

Murray was selected by the Giants in the 2014 draft in the 25th round with the 748th pick.

As a rookie in August 2014, he was assigned to the Arizona League Giants and in 19 games, he hit .279 with 12 RBI, five doubles, two triples and a .758 OPS. The following September, he was assigned to the Volcanoes for the first time and spent six games with the club.

His combined totals in 2015 across the Northwest League and Rookie League (53 games total) included an average .251 with 28 RBI, three home runs, nine stolen bases and a .723 OPS. He was called up to Class A Advanced with the San Jose Giants, but his 2016 season was cut short due to injury and he was sent back to the AZL on a rehab assignment, where he appeared in just four games. He was called up to the Salem-Keizer

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Alyssa Healy struck 126 from 107 balls and shared a 216-run opening partnership with Rachael Haynes as six-time champion Australia beat the West Indies by 157 runs yesterday to reach the final of the Women’s Cricket World Cup. Haynes made 85 as Australia posted 305-3, batting first in a match reduced to 45 overs per side.

The West Indies’ reply ended at 148-8 when captain Stafanie Taylor was out for 48 in the 37th over.

Chinelle Henry and Anisa Mohammed were unable to bat because of injuries.

The start of play was delayed almost two hours by misty rain on a dank, foggy day in Wellington and the West Indies were gleeful to win the toss and to be

SEE PAGE 19

NCAA MEN: WHAT TO WATCH FOR IN A STACKED FINAL FOUR

By JOHN MARSHALL AP Basketball Writer

BYRON Murray led his Lynn Fighting Knights to a much needed win over the Nova Southeastern Sharks in the series finale.

Volcanoes in the Class A Short Season in 2017, his last appearance in the minors. Out of Trinity Christian in Lake Worth,

Florida, Murray was a 2014 Florida All-Region and was an Underclass High Honourable Mention in both 2012 and 2013.

MARCH Madness has taken a power turn as it turns to the Final Four. No more plucky underdogs, much as we enjoyed the run

by Saint Peter’s. No more double-digit seeds looking for upsets.

This year’s Final Four is Duke and Carolina, Kansas and Villanova, four powerhouses looking to add another national championship to their formidable résumés.

Blue bloods in the Big Easy. It could be an alltime weekend of games and we’ve got a rundown of what to look for: TEAMS Kansas. The lone No. 1 seed left in the bracket may be Bill Self’s best chance to add an elusive second national championship to

SEE PAGE 18

Women’s Final Four MARCH MADNESS PAYING OFF FOR PLAYERS UNDER MISHMASH OF RULES can be a financial windfall for players

By EDDIE PELLS AP National Writer

By PAT EATON-ROBB AP Sports Writer PLAYERS at the women’s Final Four this week have been calling for equity in their sport on various fronts — just not when it comes to cashing in on their celebrity. Turns out they just might be better at capitalising on the new rules than their male counterparts.

Women’s basketball is ranked second, behind only college football and ahead of men’s basketball in the amount of income generated by name, image and likeness deals, according to Blake Lawrence, the chief executive of Opendorse, a company that helps colleges and athletes navigate the NIL landscape.

As their exposure increases during the NCAA Tournament, members of

SEE PAGE 18

STANFORD forward Cameron Brink (22) celebrates with teammates after Stanford beat Texas 59-50 in the Elite 8 round of the NCAA tournament on Sunday.

(AP Photo/Ted S Warren)

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — At long last, some of the cold, hard cash in the billion-dollar world of college sports is hitting the wallets of the players themselves by legitimate means. One expert estimates by the time next year’s Final Four rolls around, every men’s basketball and football player on a major Division I roster could be making $100,000 or more.

On one hand, it’s a longoverdue development that will forever change the landscape of what has been widely disparaged as among the most unfair labour markets in America.

On the other, trouble could be looming for an industry with few rules that doles out big bucks to teenagers with big dreams.

“We have gone from a strict prohibition to now being more liberal than any other sports organisation in existence,” Purdue athletic director Mike Bobinski said of the changes that have taken hold over the past nine months. “And that’s a really odd transformation that we need to somehow, I think, strike a middle ground here, eventually.”

This week, Kansas, Villanova, North Carolina and Duke will play in the first Final Four to be held under the new world of “name, image and likeness” (NIL) endorsements in college sports. That world is comprised of a loosely regulated mishmash of state laws and university-written rules that set different standards across the nation with little transparency about which players get what or where it comes from.

The ability of athletes to make money off endorsement deals began last July 1, triggered by a series of events: several states passed laws to make the arrangements legal; proposed federal legislation to regulate NIL stalled; the Supreme Court ruled in favour of athletes’ rights to be compensated; and the NCAA never found a way to put the new business model under its umbrella before the state laws went into effect. What resulted was an open market that, as Barbara Jones, the CEO of Outshine Talent, put it, resembles “the Wild West, in that a lot of people are involved in this, and they don’t know what they don’t know.”

Because schools and athletes are under no

SEE PAGE 18

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, March 31, 2022, PAGE 15

Photos by Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff

On your marks...get set...go!

COACH ANDREW TYNES ORGANISES BLOCK START SESSION FOR SPRINTERS AHEAD OF CARIFTA TRIALS/GAMES

ON YOUR MARKS: In anticipation of the finals trials this weekend and subsequently the CARIFTA Games over the Easter holiday weekend, the top sprinters eligible for Team Bahamas got a chance to go through a block start session. As he has been for the past few years just before the trials, former national record holder and Olympian turned Swift Athletics’ head coach Andrew Tynes organised the event yesterday at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium. The session was conducted by Courtney Wallace, the president of the Bahamas Association of Certified Officials (BACO).

Ayton and Suns top Warriors, earn 8th straight road win

By JANIE MCCAULEY AP Sports Writer SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Devin Booker’s two free throws with 34.2 seconds left put Phoenix ahead, Draymond Green travelled to turn it over before Chris Paul made a short jumper, and the NBA-best Phoenix Suns held off the Golden State Warriors 107-103 last night in a furious finish between Western Conference rivals.

Jordan Poole scored a season-best 38 points to match his career high and also contributed nine rebounds and seven assists.

He had five free throws over the final 1:20.

Poole drew a loose ball foul on Booker with 39.8 seconds to go and converted

two free throws before Booker came through for the Suns (62-14) in their ninth straight victory.

Paul hit a key jumper with 1:37 to play and finished with 15 points and eight assists, Mikal Bridges scored 22 points and Deandre Ayton added 16 points and 16 rebounds for Phoenix.

Green had a three-point play to tie it with 2:25 left, the Suns committed a three-second violation on the other end but Golden State didn’t capitalise that sequence and Paul scored.

Green and Jae Crowder had some words near midcourt after the final buzzer.

Booker scored 22 points but shot 5 for 21 — 2 of 8 from long range — while Torrey Craig missed all

four of his 3-point tries.

The Warriors played better defensively while again without reigning scoring champion Stephen Curry, who is nursing a foot injury that has cost him seven games.

Poole shot 11 for 22 with seven 3s as Golden State returned home from a 123-95 loss at Memphis on Monday night.

“The tough part about Jordan is he’s learning how to play like Steph,” Suns coach Monty Williams said before the game.

Klay Thompson shot just 5 for 21 and missed nine of his 10 3-point attempts in Golden State’s fourth straight loss, seventh in eight and third in a row at Chase Center. The Warriors had won the previous two

matchups with the Suns, who have an eight-game road winning streak.

Phoenix overcame shooting 7 for 28 on 3-pointers.

CURRY UPDATE Curry is yet to resume on-court basketball activities while working back from a sprained left foot, but has been working on a treadmill in the water and in the weight room.

He could be back to shooting soon.

“Trending in a good direction,” Kerr said.

Golden State dropped to 1-6 without him during this stretch.

UP NEXT Suns: At Grizzlies on Friday night.

Warriors: Host Jazz on Saturday night.

PHOENIX Suns centre Deandre Ayton (22) shoots over Golden State Warriors forward Kevon Looney (5) during the first quarter last night in San Francisco.

(AP Photo/D Ross Cameron)

PAGE 16, Thursday, March 31, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

UB MINGOES MEN’S SOCCER ENJOY SUNDAY SCRIMMAGES

9th annual Bahamas Youth Olympic Championship sails in Montagu Bay THE ninth annual Bahamas Youth Olympic Championship was held March 26-27, hosted by The Bahamas National Sailing School and The Nassau Yacht Club, with sailing in Montagu Bay. There were 60 participating sailors, ranging in age from eight to 17 years old, who sailed in three different single-handed boat classes - the Optimist, Laser and Sunfish.

The New Providence sailors were joined by a contingent from Exuma Sailing Club and The Eleuthera Sailing Academy.

The race committee ran four races for each fleet on Saturday, with the sailors enjoying a comfortable 10 to 12 knots of breeze.

On Sunday the wind was somewhat heavier and whilst the Sunfish, Laser and Optimist Championship fleets managed three races, it was decided that the wind was too heavy for the less experienced green fleet Optimists, who did not race.

The 10 boat Laser fleet was won by Johnny Mindorff (Lyford Cay) with Joshua Weech (Bahamas National Sailing School) in a close second position, just one point behind. Alvin McKenzie (Exuma) placed third.

YEMAYA HAUBER, winner of the optimist green fleet, receiving her trophy from Lori Lowe, president of the Bahamas Sailing Association.

The Sunfish fleet also had a very close finish with just three points separating the top three.

Eugene Oldfield (RNSC) finished in third, Tanaj Manos (Exuma) was second and Nicholas Davis (RNSC) took first place.

The 13-boat green fleet of Optimists was won by Yemaya Hauber (Eleuthera) with just one point separating the second place which was awarded to Sky Parker (NYC).

Third place went to Sophia Briard (Royal Nassau Sailing Club).

The competition on the Optimist Championship course was very strong during this event. The 28

participating sailors are battling for their national rankings in order to qualify for the international race team.

Those who qualify will represent The Bahamas at the Optimist World Championships this summer in Turkey and The Optimist North American Championships (OPTINAM) which is being held here in Nassau in November.

Craig Ferguson, of the Nassau Yacht Club, had a superb weekend of racing and won first place.

In second place was Finley McKinney-Lambert (Eleuthera) and in third was Kaeman Floyd (Nassau Yacht Club). Zane

AIDEN MEISTER, winner of the optimist white fleet, receiving his trophy from Dorian Roach, a vice president of the Bahamas Olympic Committee.

Munro and Mary Jac Nash, both Lyford Cay Club sailors, placed fourth and fifth respectively.

The final deciding event for the Optimist International race team will be the Spring Championship, hosted by Lyford Cay April 30 to May 1.

Trophies for this weekend’s championship event were awarded to the top

three finishers in each fleet by Dorian Roach, a vice president of the BOC, during a presentation at The Nassau Yacht Club after racing on Sunday.

The Bahamas National Sailing School wishes to thank the BOC for their continued support over the years and the sponsorship of this extremely popular junior event.

Arians retires as Bucs’ coach, Bowles promoted to top spot

By FRED GOODALL AP Sports Writer TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Bruce Arians unexpectedly retired as coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a stunning move last night that the 69-yearold who guided the team to its second Super Bowl title says is not related to health.

It’s the second major retirement announcement for the Bucs this offseason, following Tom Brady’s announcement in February that he was ending his career. Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl champion quarterback, returned 40 days later, saying he would return for a 23rd season and noting he had “unfinished business.”

But instead of Arians, Brady will be playing for Todd Bowles after the defensive coordinator was promoted as the coach’s successor.

Arians, a two-time cancer survivor, stepped down as coach of the Arizona Cardinals due to medical concerns in 2017, only to be lured back to the sideline by the then-struggling Bucs two years later.

This time, he said, he exits feeling the best he has in “many years” and is looking forward to transitioning into a front-office position working with general manager Jason Licht.

“This team is in a much better place than it was three years ago due to Jason’s great work and the Glazer family’s commitment to winning,” Arians said in a lengthy statement issued by the team.

“I want to focus on what I can give back to this incredible game that has provided so much for me and my family,” Arians added. “I really began

thinking about my personal transition plan earlier this offseason. I wanted to ensure when I walked away that Todd Bowles would have the best opportunity to succeed.”

Arians, who will turn 70 this coming season, coached the Bucs to the Super Bowl title in the 2020 season — Brady’s first with Tampa Bay. The Bucs were 31-18 in Arians’ three seasons there and he was 80-48-1 in eight years as a head coach overall when adding in five seasons with the Cardinals from 2013 to 2017.

NBC Sports and the Los Angeles Times first reported Arians’ decision and that Bowles would be replace him.

“I have spent most of the last 50 years of my life on the sidelines as a football coach in one form or another,” Arians said. “I love football. I love the relationships, the strategy, the competition — everything. It has been one hell of a ride, but I know this is the right time for me to make this transition.”

Bowles becomes the sixth minority head coach currently in the NFL, joining Pittsburgh’s Mike Tomlin, Washington’s Ron Rivera, the New York Jets’ Robert Saleh, Houston’s Lovie Smith and Miami’s Mike McDaniel. He also is the fourth Black coach in Bucs’ history, joining Tony Dungy, Raheem Morris and Smith.

Brady, in an Instagram post last night, said Arians was a major part of his decision to play for Tampa Bay and that he’ll be “forever grateful.”

“You are an incredible man and coach, and it was a privilege to play for you,” Brady wrote. “You are a true NFL legend and

BRUCE Arians watches play against the Carolina Panthers during the second half of an NFL football game January 9, 2022, in Tampa, Florida. Arians has decided to retire as coach of the Buccaneers and move into a front-office role with the team, it was announced last night. Arians, who will turn 70 this coming season, coached the Bucs to the Super Bowl title in the 2020 season — Tom Brady’s first with Tampa Bay. TOP LEFT INSET - Buccaneers new head coach Todd Bowles.

(AP Photos) pioneer for all the work you have done to make the league more diverse and inclusive. Smart, tough, and loyal are a few of the words to describe your style. I will always remember the conversations we had when you recruited me two years ago and all of the things we discussed came true.”

There was no public indication at the NFL’s annual meetings on the Atlantic side of the state in Palm Beach, Florida, that such a move was coming. Arians was there, briefly, and did an interview with NFL Network about what the team would have done to replace Brady if the quarterback hadn’t changed his mind. Licht addressed reporters for a short time during the meetings, as did team co-owner Joel Glazer.

Arians did not do a group interview there, with the team saying he was leaving for personal reasons. He was also one of the four coaches who

opted to not be part of the annual group photo of all NFL head coaches at the meetings.

Bowles was an interim head coach in Miami for three games in 2011, and went 24-40 in four seasons with the New York Jets from 2015 through 2018.

“I am appreciative of the Glazer family and Jason Licht for having faith in me to take on this role, and to Coach Arians for his support and guidance over the past four decades,” Bowles said. “Tampa has become home for my family, and we are excited to remain part of this community for years to come. ... I am eager to get started with our players, coaching staff, and front office in preparation for the 2022 season.”

Bowles was Arizona’s defensive coordinator for a portion of Arians’ tenure with the Cardinals. He reunited with his old boss in Tampa Bay after the Jets fired Bowles following the 2018 season.

Arians said timing of his decision to step away — along with’s Brady return — should serve Bowles well.

“So many head coaches come into situations where they are set up for failure, and I didn’t want that for Todd,” Arians said. “Tom’s decision to come back, along with Jason and his staff doing another great job of keeping the core of this team intact during free agency, confirmed for me that it was the right time to pass the torch.”

Licht said he’s excited to continue working with the former coach.

“Bruce established a culture here that set the foundation for a Super Bowl championship,” Licht said. “In my opinion, he is a Hall of Fame coach, so it is difficult for our football team to lose that type of leader. However, I am excited to have him continuing his contributions to our franchise in his new capacity.”

AS competition is slowly coming back on stream, The University of The Bahamas men’s soccer team is getting ready for competition with a series of scrimmages.

The team lost to Dynamos Football Club 5-0 Sunday at the Roscow A.L. Davies field but head coach Dion Godet said it was not about winning but improving.

“We capitalised on the opportunities that we had in this match and we grew from the last scrimmage we had,” he said. “When we took on United Football we were thrashed. Here we are out there and we are competitive. We have to fix a couple of things but we are playing a much better game and the team is showing growth. I am happy with that.”

The team lost to United FC about two weeks ago 11-4 and Godet added the team has made significant improvements since that match.

“We are moving a lot off of the ball,” he said. “We were more aggressive and we had more opportunities.

At one point we fell apart a bit because we were not taking advantage of some opportunities. I think that was more tired legs more than anything though.

“Overall though I am seeing more movement off the ball which tells me that they are understanding the game and that is good for us.”

The Mingoes are scheduled to play United FC in another scrimmage Sunday.

F1 PUTS ITS CHIPS ON LAS VEGAS: SERIES TO RACE THE STRIP

By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer FORMULA One is all-in on the United States with a race on the Las Vegas Strip added to the 2023 calendar as the most glamorous motorsports series in the world continues to expand its North American footprint.

The Bellagio, Caesars Palace and the MSG Sphere will be among the landmarks along the temporary street course built for a Saturday night race in November 2023. The race is a first for F1 in that the series will promote the event alongside Liberty Media Corp., the American parent company of F1.

The Las Vegas race will be the third stop in the United States next season for F1, which has raced at Circuit of the America’s in Austin, Texas, since 2012 and in May will make its debut in Miami. Barring any shakeups, existing races in Mexico City and Montreal will bring F1 to North America five times next season. “Iconic Las Vegas and Formula 1, the pinnacle of motorsport, is the perfect marriage of speed and glamour,” said Greg Maffei, President and CEO of Liberty Media. “Our confidence in this unique opportunity is evident in our decision to assume the promoter role for the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

“The potential of Formula 1 has been well demonstrated over the last several seasons and the Las Vegas GP will only take it to the next level.”

Speculation surrounding a third race in Las Vegas that utilised the world famous Strip has swirled for more than a year and was at last confirmed last night in a lavish announcement made at the rooftop pool of The Cosmopolitan Hotel.

Drivers met for more than four hours to determine if they were comfortable continuing with Sunday’s race, which ultimately went off incident-free.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, March 31, 2022, PAGE 17

Butler, Lowry lead Heat over Celtics to stay in 1st BOSTON (AP) — Jimmy Butler scored 24 points, Kyle Lowry added 23 and the Miami Heat rallied in the fourth quarter to hold off the Boston Celtics 106-98 last night to stay atop a tight race for the Eastern Conference’s top seed.

Bam Adebayo finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds to help Miami post its second straight win since a season-worst fourgame losing streak.

Since briefly taking over the East’s top spot, Boston has lost two in a row for the first time since late January.

Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 28 points and 10 rebounds. Jayson Tatum added 23 points and six assists.

GRIZZLIES 112, SPURS 111 SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Tyus Jones scored 25 points and Memphis clinched the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, holding on to beat San Antonio.

Memphis never trailed, even as Ja Morant missed his sixth straight game with a knee injury. The Grizzlies improved to 19-2 without Morant this season.

San Antonio closed within a point, at 112111, on a tip-in by Keldon Johnson with 27.8 seconds remaining. Following a miss by the Grizzlies’ Desmond Bane, Johnson missed a contested layup with 2.7 seconds remaining.

The Spurs dropped a half-game behind the Los Angeles Lakers for 10th in the West and the final berth in the play-in tournament.

MAVERICKS 120, CAVALIERS 112 CLEVELAND (AP) — Luka Doncic scored 35 points, added 13 assists and just missed another tripledouble, leading Dallas over Cleveland, which was without star forward Evan Mobley.

Dorian Finney-Smith added a career-high 28 points for Dallas, which entered the game fourth in the Western Conference.

With the win and Minnesota’s loss to Toronto, the Mavericks locked up one of the top six playoff spots.

Doncic scored 20 with ease in the third, when the Mavericks took control by outscoring the Cavaliers 39-22.

Caris LeVert had his best game with Cleveland, scoring 32 points. Darius Garland added 25 points and 10 assists for the Cavs, who have dropped four of five and are trying to hang onto a home game in the play-in tournament.

RAPTORS 125, TIMBERWOLVES 102 TORONTO (AP) — Pascal Siakam had 12 points, 10 rebounds and a

ANOTHER QUICK DAY FOR PEGULA, WHO MAKES MIAMI OPEN SEMIS

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Sports Writer

MIAMI Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) drives to the basket against Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) during the second half of last night in Boston.

(AP Photo/Charles Krupa) career-high 13 assists for his second career triple-double, Gary Trent Jr scored 29 points and Toronto strengthened its hold on sixth place in the Eastern Conference.

Toronto (44-32) moved two games ahead of Cleveland for sixth after the Cavaliers lost to Dallas.

OG Anunoby scored 22 points, Scottie Barnes had 17 and Precious Achiuwa 13 as the Raptors overcame a 17-point second-quarter deficit to complete a 4-0 homestand.

Fred VanVleet scored 12 points and Thad Young had 10 as Toronto matched idle Chicago for the fifth-best record in the conference.

The Bulls hold the tiebreaker on the Raptors after winning three of four meetings.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Anthony Edwards scored 24 points as the Timberwolves (43-34) lost for the fourth time in five games and dropped three games behind sixth-place Denver in the Western Conference after the Nuggets beat Indiana.

KINGS 121, ROCKETS 118 HOUSTON (AP) — Davion Mitchell, Damian Jones and Trey Lyles scored 24 points each, and Sacramento outlasted Houston.

It was a wild back-andforth game where both teams had double-digit

leads before staying close in the fourth quarter.

The Kings got the win despite big performances from two of Houston’s young stars. Rookie Jalen Green, the second overall pick in the draft, tied a season high with 32 points, and Kevin Porter Jr had his first career tripledouble with 30 points, 12 assists and a career-high 12 rebounds.

Donte DiVincenzo hit a 3 for Sacramento with about two minutes left and Jones added a layup on the next possession to give Sacramento a 117-113 lead with just more than a minute to go.

NUGGETS 125, PACERS 118 INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Nikola Jokic flirted with another triple-double with 37 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists, helping Denver hold off Indiana.

The Nuggets led by 31 points during the second quarter before the Pacers stormed back. Indiana led 102-100 with 7:40 left in the fourth quarter before the Nuggets scored seven straight points to regain control.

Bones Hyland scored 20 points and Will Barton added 18 for the Nuggets, who shot 62.5% for the game. Seven of the nine Pacers who played scored in double figures, led by Buddy Hield with 20 points, Terry Taylor with 18 and

Goga Bitadze 17. The Pacers shot 45.4% for the game.

HORNETS 125, KNICKS 114 NEW YORK (AP) — Miles Bridges scored 31 points and LaMelo Ball had 20 points and 15 rebounds to help lead Charlotte past New York.

Kelly Oubre Jr scored 21 points on 8-for-11 shooting, including four 3-pointers, and Terry Rozier added 15 points for the Hornets, who have won eight of their last 11 games.

The Hornets improved to 40-37 and moved into a tie with idle Brooklyn for the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference.

Evan Fournier scored 30 points, going 6 for 8 from long distance, RJ Barrett added 25, and Julius Randle chipped in 21 for the Knicks, who had their fourgame winning streak halted.

WIZARDS 127, MAGIC 110 WASHINGTON (AP) — Kristaps Porzingis scored 35 points, and Tomas Satoransky had an unusual double-double — no points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds — as Washington beat Orlando.

Satoransky became the third player to finish a game with no points and at least 10 rebounds and 10 assists, joining Oklahoma City’s Josh Giddey earlier this season and Cincinnati’s Norm Van Lier in 1971.

Satoransky attempted only two shots, but he was part of a solid offensive performance for the Wizards.

Kentavious CaldwellPope added 25 points, and Rui Hachimura and Daniel Gafford contributed 17 apiece.

Franz Wagner scored 28 points for the Magic, who lost their fourth straight.

Orlando (20-57) came into the game tied with Detroit and Houston for the worst record in the NBA. HAWKS 136, THUNDER 118 OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Trae Young had 41 points and eight assists, and Atlanta rolled past Oklahoma City.

Young, who grew up in Norman and played for University of Oklahoma for one season, put on a show for a crowd that cheered him often. He made 13 of 24 field goals and 11 of 12 free throws in three quarters of action.

Kevin Huerter and Bogdan Bogdanovic each scored 20 points for the Hawks, who won their third straight and strengthened their hold on the No. 10 spot in the Eastern Conference standings. Atlanta is averaging 129.7 points during the win streak.

Lindy Waters III scored a career-high 25 points and made seven 3-pointers for the Thunder. Theo Maledon added 18 points and eight assists.

MIAMI GARDENS, Florida. (AP) — Forget three-etters. These days, Jessica Pegula doesn’t even need second sets.

The No. 16 seed has made the semifinals at the Miami Open, benefitting from a second consecutive abrupt ending. She won her quarterfinal against fifth-seeded Paula Badosa yesterday, after the Spaniard retired five games into the first set.

Pegula has played four matches so far in this tournament, needing only 5 1/2 sets to record those victories. She had a firstround bye, won her next two matches in straight sets and her fourthround match ended when unseeded Anhelina Kalinina retired after Pegula won the first set 6-0.

Then came Wednesday, when Badosa bowed out down 4-1.

“Of course, it’s not nice to win that way,” Pegula said. “It’s the first time I’ve ever even hit with her at all and I was really looking forward to playing because she’s been having an amazing year.”

Badosa — who was No. 71 in the world rankings at this time last year — will climb to a career-best No. 3 when the computer numbers are updated Monday.

She would have gone to No. 2 had she beaten Pegula.

Badosa said she woke up Monday not feeling well and wasn’t even sure she could play that day in a fourth-rounder against Linda Fruhvirtova.

Badosa battled through, winning that match 6-2, 6-3, but was clearly not herself yesterday.

“She’s an incredible competitor,” Pegula said.

Pegula will next face No. 2 Iga Swiatek — who becomes No. 1 in the world rankings next week — in tonight’s semifinals.

Swiatek ousted No. 28 Petra Kvitova 6-3, 6-3 in the last women’s quarterfinal.

The other women’s semifinal is this afternoon, when No. 22 Belinda Bencic will face unseeded Naomi Osaka.

In the late men’s quarterfinal, sixth-seeded Casper Ruud earned a semifinal matchup with Cerundolo.

Ruud beat an ailing No. 2 seed Alexander Zverev 6-3, 1-6, 6-3.

WNBA PLAYERS BREAK SILENCE ON BRITTNEY GRINER

By DOUG FEINBERG AP Basketball Writer MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Two of Brittney Griner’s USA Basketball teammates have broken their silence on the star player’s imprisonment in Russia.

Most WNBA players have been hesitant to talk about Griner’s detention on apparent drug charges in Russia, hoping to avoid potentially hurting her case.

“People are saying she’s 6-foot-9, she’s different. It’s really not about that,” said USA Basketball player Angel McCoughtry yesterday at the team’s training camp in Minneapolis.

“It could have been any of us.”

Players have been keeping discussions about how to best help Griner within their community. WNBA players have been very cohesive in the past when rallying behind issues such as voter registration or the Black Lives Matters movement.

For the first few weeks following Griner’s detention, it was decided that it

was clearly better for them to say less.

The Phoenix Mercury star was detained after arriving at a Moscow airport in mid-February.

Russian authorities said a search of her luggage revealed vape cartridges that allegedly contained oil derived from cannabis, which could carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Griner was returning to the country after the Russian League was taking a break for the FIBA World Cup qualifying tournament.

“The big thing is the fact that we have to go over there. It was BG, but it could have been anybody,” said Breanna Stewart, who earns over $1 million to play in Russia. “WNBA players need to be valued in their country and they won’t have to play overseas.”

Besides offering support for Griner, Stewart also wanted to help a charity that the Mercury’s All-Star has been involved with — The Phoenix Rescue Mission — for a long time.

“While BG is away I wanted to support her and

UNITED States’s Brittney Griner (15) flexes her muscle after making a basket during a women’s basketball quarterfinal round game against Australia at the 2020 Summer Olympics on August 4, 2021, in Saitama, Japan. The United States stepped up its push Friday, March 18 for consular access to Brittney Griner, the WNBA star who is detained in Russia on allegations of drug smuggling, as a member of a Russian state-backed prison monitoring group said Griner was faring well behind bars.

(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

her charitable efforts and do what I can from an offthe-court standpoint to help her and her family,” Stewart said.

Russia has been a popular destination for WNBA players like Stewart, McCoughtry and Griner over the past two decades because of the money they can make playing there in the winter. The WNBA has made strides to increase player salaries and find other ways to compensate players in the last collective bargaining agreement, which was ratified in 2020.

The contract, which runs through 2027, pays players an average of $130,000, with the top stars able to earn more than $500,000 through salary, marketing agreements, an in-season tournament and bonuses.

The CBA also provides full salaries while players are on maternity leave, enhanced family benefits, travel standards and other health and wellness improvements.

The legal team for the two-time Olympic goldmedallist has been quietly

seeking Griner’s release and has declined to speak out about the case since her arrest was made public.

Of the thousands of US citizens arrested and jailed in prisons abroad, a small subset are designated by the US government as wrongfully detained — a category that affords their cases an extra level of government attention and places them under the auspices of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs at the State Department.

The US government has not yet put Griner’s case in that category.

Griner is not the only American detained in Russia. Marine veteran Trevor Reed was sentenced to nine years in prison in 2020 on charges alleging that he assaulted police officers in Moscow.

And Michigan corporate security executive Paul Whelan is serving a 16-year sentence on espionage charges that his family and the US government have said are false. US officials have publicly called for Moscow to release them.

PAGE 18, Thursday, March 31, 2022

RONALDO TO JOIN SELECT GROUP WITH 5TH WORLD CUP APPEARANCE

THE TRIBUNE

Burrows and Tigers to face No. 5 Queen’s Gaels in the quarterfinals

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer FROM clapping to smiling to singing, Cristiano Ronaldo took a few moments to celebrate with his Portugal teammates after qualifying for what would be his record-tying fifth World Cup. The highest scorer in men’s international soccer has never won the sport’s biggest prize, but he will get another chance this year in Qatar.

“The years go by, but the objectives always remain the same,” Ronaldo wrote on Instagram yesterday.

Four other players have made it to five World Cups — Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon from 1998-2014, Mexico defender Rafael Márquez from 2002-18, Germany midfielder Lothar Matthaeus from 1982-98 and Mexico goalkeeper Antonio Carbajal from 1950-66. Buffon was in the Italy squad in 1998 but didn’t play in the tournament.

Others with a chance to join Ronaldo by playing in Qatar are Argentine great Lionel Messi, Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa and México midfielder Andrés Guardado, who also have been to four World Cups. Spain defender Sergio Ramos also took part in four World Cups, but he hasn’t been called up by coach Luis Enrique recently.

Ronaldo will be playing in his 10th straight major tournament in a streak that started at the 2004 European Championship and includes four World Cups and four other European tournaments, a competition he helped Portugal win in 2016.

Ronaldo is the only player to have scored at least once in nine top tournaments in a row, and will be able to extend many of his international records in Qatar, including his 115-goal mark with the national team. He also is the active Portugal player with the most World Cup goals with seven, two shy of Eusebio’s nine.

In 17 World Cup games, Ronaldo has six wins, six losses and five draws. He has two assists in those matches, and that’s how he helped his team win on Tuesday, setting up the opening goal by Bruno Fernandes in the first half at the Estádio do Dragão in Porto. Fernandes added the second after halftime.

“Goal accomplished,” Ronaldo said after the match. “We made it to the World Cup in Qatar. We are where we deserve to be.”

It will be the sixth straight World Cup appearance for Portugal, whose best campaign was a thirdplace finish in 1966 and a fourth-place run in 2006 in Ronaldo’s first attempt.

Portugal was eliminated in the round of 16 in 2010 and 2018, and didn’t make it past the group stage in 2014.

Ronaldo’s Instagram post on Tuesday came with a photo of himself and his long-time friend Pepe, the 39-year-old veteran defender who will also likely be playing in his final World Cup. Ronaldo would be 41 by the time the 2026 World Cup comes around, and he had said before Tuesday’s match he was beginning to be bothered by the repeated questions on how long he planned to keep playing.

Those questions will likely be gone for now, because everyone knows there will be at least one more World Cup for Ronaldo.

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SHAMAR Burrows and the no.4-ranked Dalhousie Tigers are all set to take on no. 5 Queen’s Gaels in the quarterfinals of the upcoming U Sports Men’s Final 8 5pm tomorrow at the Saville Community Sports Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

MARCH MADNESS FROM PAGE 14

obligation to disclose the terms of their deals to endorse anything from seafood restaurants to silk pajamas to sneakers, the parameters of both the individual agreements, and the sum of all the deals combined, have to be teased out via anecdotes from social and traditional media, along with the rare news release from the schools themselves.

Within hours after North Carolina State’s Raina Perez made a steal and a layup in the waning seconds of the Sweet 16 of the women’s tournament last week, her marketers had produced a T-shirt, selling for $28, emblazoned with her name and the catchphrase “The Steal and the Lead.”

And as his team’s Cinderella run to the Elite Eight gained steam, Saint Peter’s guard Doug Edert got into the act, announcing on Instagram that he’d struck a deal to hawk chicken wings.

Many of these deals are small — four figures or less — and involve athletes using their social media platforms to promote products. Other arrangements come

SHAMAR Burrows and the Dalhousie Tigers learned their possible path toward a championship in the upcoming U Sports Men’s Final 8.

The no. 4 Tigers will face the no. 5 Queen’s Gaels in the quarterfinals 5pm Friday at the Saville Community Sports Centre in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

The Brock Badgers, the OUA Wilson Cup winners, are the no.1 overall seed in the tournament which will be played April 1-3.

Rounding out the seeding behind the Badgers are the no. 2 Victoria Vikes (Canada West champions), no. 3 Alberta Golden Bears (CW finalists and hosts), the Tigers (AUS champions), the Gaels (OUA finalists), no. 6 McGill Redbirds (RSEQ

together before players even reach campus.

Earlier this month, The Athletic reported that a five-star high school football recruit had landed an NIL deal that could be worth up to $8 million. The player’s name was kept confidential and the website reported he had signed with a fund-raising collective from an unknown school.

The contract does not require the player to attend the donor group’s school, and so, remains in compliance with possibly the only ironclad rule in the NIL space — that schools themselves do not tether scholarships or recruiting to NIL deals.

“I think NIL has kind of become something that we all hoped that it wouldn’t, but we thought that it probably would at some point,” Mississippi AD Keith Carter said.

At a rapidly increasing number of schools that play big-time college sports, big-money donors are funding so-called collectives that are designed to sweeten the range of NIL deals for players.

That opens doors for coaches to talk about NIL without directly offering endorsements.

“That’s what I talk about in my recruiting pitches, knowing the power of Notre Dame, and having

champions), no. 7 Carleton Ravens (wildcard) and no. 8 Saskatchewan (CW bronze medallists).

In Friday’s other quarterfinal matchup, the top-ranked Badgers will face Saskatchewan at 3pm, prior to the Tigers’ matchup.

All 11 games from the eight-team competition will be webcast live, up to and including the gold medal game at 6pm local time on Sunday.

In their last Final Eight appearance, the Tigers ended just short of their ultimate goal, but finished as the second ranked team in all of Canadian collegiate basketball. They finished with the silver medal at the 2020 U SPORTS Final 8 Basketball Championships, the best finish in programme history.

Last week the Tigers claimed their third consecutive Atlantic University Sport championship to

the resources to help them maximise their name, image and likeness is going to be very beneficial,” said Notre Dame women’s coach Niele Ivey.

Blake Lawrence, whose company Opendorse is becoming a leading broker between players and companies, estimates every player on a men’s basketball and football roster at a Power Five conference could soon be making six figures. “There are certain football teams where every single starter is driving around a brand new car,” Lawrence said. “A year ago, that would have been the biggest red flag possible, and today, it’s expected in some of these markets.”

Watching all this closely are the coaches, whose very fates could rest on business decisions made by teenagers that, under the letter of the law, they are not allowed to influence. That could be a good thing. Virtually every scandal in college sports over the last 50 years have been centered around either academic tampering or underthe-table money being passed to recruits.

The NCAA has struggled mightily to reign in that behaviour, and despite constant pleas from college sports leaders, the help from

Congress they have been hoping for is nowhere in sight.

There isn’t a ton of faith that the regulating body, which has, of late, shown willingness to cede control of some top-line policy matters to the conferences, will do much better here.

“Unfortunately, I think we’ve proven that we can’t rely on ourselves to just self-regulate,” said Bobinski, the Purdue AD. In a best-case scenario, some coaches suggest NIL could change things for the better and add a long-missing layer of stability to the more than 1,000 schools that run NCAA sports programs in America.

The “one-and-done” rule that allows basketball players to leave college for the NBA draft after one year of school has created a dividing line in Division I between schools that pursue those type of players (Kentucky, Duke, Kansas) and those that generally don’t (Purdue, Wisconsin, Villanova).

The rapid movement of players has been expanded by the revamping of the “transfer portal,” another fairness-minded move that now allows players to change schools without sitting out a season, as was the decades-old custom.

Gatorade, said she told her agents that she is not doing any more endorsements until the tournament is over because she wants to focus on basketball.

“I think women’s basketball is doing really well in that regard, just with the opportunities we’re given, and sort of the chances we’re getting in the field,” she said. “I think we’re taking great strides with it, and I think that’s really important for the growth of our game.”

LaKeisha Marsh, a Chicago attorney who specializes in higher education and college athletics, agrees.

Marsh, who also teaches sports law and ethics at Northwestern, said many players have done a better job than the schools in marketing women’s college basketball to a young audience.

“These women dominate social media, whether its their presence or ability for their audience to relate to them on so many different levels,” she said. “Young people who watch these TikTok videos and see these various brands on

social media, now they want to see these women in action.”

Marsh said she is concerned that many of the top moneymakers, at least at this point, are white women. As more companies notice there is a big young, racially diverse audience on social media, she said she hopes that will change.

There are general guidelines that limit what schools can do with NIL as a recruiting enticement, but it’s a very loose area.

Notre Dame coach Niele Ivey said she will point out to recruits the centre that the school established to help athletes navigate NIL. She also believes that young women will be attracted more to schools that consistently make runs in the tournament.

“I think it’s incredible, she said.

“I’m hoping that us advancing is giving them more opportunities just because of them being in the Sweet 16.”

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., has been pushing for some uniformity nationwide in how NIL rules are implemented, though

Congress does not seem to be close to moving forward on the topic.

He said it is especially important for women whose peak earning potential in athletics comes during their college careers. Experts note that there are only 12 WNBA rosters with 12 slots each, and the endorsement money there is not as deep as it is in college.

“For women, the ability to make money while in college off of endorsement deals can be relatively more lucrative than it is for men,” Murphy said. “To me, it has always been a way to promote equity between men’s and women’s sports.”

Lawrence said the next thing to watch is how schools use donor groups to entice top female players to their schools and how those women use their power from NIL in the transfer portal.

Fresno State twin stars Haley and Hanna Cavinder have millions of social media followers who watch their videos and have cashed in accordingly. They have now decided to go somewhere else for their two remaining years of eligibility.

“They are great players and would make any team better, but when the Cavinder twins are in the portal, some collective or donor group may be more interested in getting them to their campus than maybe another athlete,” Lawrence said. “I’ll be interested to see where they go and why.”

a national title in his first season after following a legend.

STAR PLAYERS Paolo Banchero, Duke. Offence, defence, clutch plays — the 6-foot10 freshman can do it all. No wonder he’s projected as a possible top-3 pick in the NBA draft.

Ochai Agbaji, Kansas. The firstteam All-American may be the best athlete in the Final Four — and that’s saying something in this bracket.

Armando Bacot, North Carolina. Will block your shot, then dunk in your face. Dominating at both ends.

Collin Gillespie, Villanova.

Heady, steady, clutch and experienced. The perfect floor leader for one of the game’s most efficient teams.

THE GAMES Villanova vs. Kansas, 6:09 p.m.

ET Saturday (TBS). The Jayhawks have the depth advantage, particularly with Moore’s injury. The Wildcats are uber efficient, powerfully built and never back down.

Nothing will be easy about this big-time match-up.

Duke vs. North Carolina, 8:49 p.m. ET Saturday (TBS). The Tobacco Road rivals have met 257 times. This will be their first in the NCAA Tournament and Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski’s final game against the Tar Heels.

ODDS - Odds to win the national title, according to FanDuel Sportsbook: Duke plus-160, Kansas plus-180, Villanova plus450, North Carolina plus-500.Final Four game odds: Kansas minus-4.5

vs. Villanova; Duke minus-4 vs.

North Carolina.

Over/under: Kansas-Villanova 151 points, Duke-North Carolina 132.5.

NUMBERS 3 — Hall of Fame coaches in the Final Four: Krzyzewski, Self and Wright.

17 — Combined national championships. Each team has won at least three, a first for the Final Four.

21 — Final Fours for North Carolina, an NCAA record.

61 — Combined Final Four appearances for Duke, North Carolina, Kansas and Villanova.83 — Villanova’s free-throw shooting percentage, on pace to break Harvard’s NCAA record of 82.2% set in 1994.

NCAA WOMEN

FROM PAGE 14 Final Four teams — and especially stars such as Paige Bueckers, Cameron Brink, Aliyan Boston and Hailey Van Lith — will have the opportunity to make tens of thousands of dollars from endorsement deals, experts say.

That’s on top of the money that top social-media influencers, such as Bueckers, are already making, which Lawrence estimates is up to $1 million.

“There are women basketball players that are pulling in up to $20,000 for one tweet leading up to March Madness,” he said. “You can imagine that each round there is another online advertiser that would be interested in compensating them handsomely.”

Details on individual deals are not generally publicly released, not by the schools, athletes or the companies paying for the exposure.

But it’s not hard to figure out and breakout performances — such as Bueckers’ 27-point effort in UConn’s double-overtime thriller over North Carolina State in front of a large TV audience — only enhance earning potential.

“When you have all eyes on you, marketing values skyrocket,” Lawrence said.

Bueckers, who has long-term deals with companies such as

NCAA MEN FROM PAGE 14

the one he and the Jayhawks won in 2008.

Duke. You may have heard: Coach K in his final NCAA Tournament. A walk-off national title would be the perfect ending to a Hall of Fame career that includes the most wins in NCAA history.

Villanova.

Another year, another Wildcats trip to the Final Four. Losing Justin Moore to a torn Achilles tendon is tough, but never count out a Jay Wright team.

North Carolina. Hubert Davis took the reins from Roy Williams and continued the Tar Heels down the championship path. He could follow Bill Guthridge by winning

earn a trip to the Final 8.

Burrows earned Subway Player of the Game honours in the AUS title game after he sparked the Tigers’ 84-78 win over the UPEI Panther..

The fourth-year guard finished with 19 points and 13 rebounds, both team highs.

The Tigers have now won eight AUS championships (1996, ‘09, ‘11, ‘15, ‘16, ‘17, ‘19,’20, ‘22).

For the tournament, Burrows averaged 12.3 points and 8.7 rebounds per game on 49 percent shooting from the field and 50 percent shooting from three-point range.

On the season, Burrows was named a second team AUS All-Star, was third in scoring for Dalhousie, averaging 14.8 points per game in his 13 appearances this year, shooting 73 percent. He led the Tigers in rebounding with 6.7 per game.

THE TRIBUNE

WORLD CUP FROMPAGE 14

able to bowl first. They expected a greenish pitch and low cloud ceiling at the Basin Reserve to assist their seamers in the important task of dismantling Australia’s top order.

There was some early assistance for the seam bowlers, or at least a difficult bounce, and Haynes and Healy were watchful, scoring 37 runs during the nine-over power play.

Even Hayley Matthews was assisted with her off spin by the pitch, which provided grip and turn.

But as the cloud burnt off and the sun poked through,

Thursday, March 31, 2022, PAGE 19 the Australian batters warmed to their task and the innings blossomed.

Healy took only 11 runs from her first 29 balls and was less assertive than Haynes at first. But she grew more and more commanding in the range of her shot play, in the use of her feet and her placement in the broad expanse at the Basin Reserve, the largest ground used in the tournament.

Healy posted her half century from 63 balls, then moved to another gear and reached her century — her fourth in one-day internationals and first at a World Cup — from 91 balls, adding her second 50 from only 28 deliveries. There

was no containing her. She was able to manufacture shots by influencing the length of the bowlers and in total struck 17 fours and a six.

Haynes played the perfect support role and their partnership occupied nearly 33 overs. Healy was first out, caught in the deep from the bowling of Shamilia Connell. “I love batting with Rachael, she is a calming influence,” Healy said. “She just has a calm nature about her which helps you just keep it ticking over. “Getting to the final is what we set out to do. We wanted to be at the Hagley Oval on the 3rd (for the final) and I thought everyone did an amazing job.”